The Command tense, also known as the imperative mood, in Maori grammar is very important. It is used to express commands or requests, allowing the speaker to direct others to perform certain actions. Typically, command form of Maori verbs does not require the use of a personal pronoun. Learning this tense is vital for proper conversation in Maori, as it allows clear communication of desired actions or behaviors.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks Using the Correct Command Form
1. “*Puritia*” (hold) te rakau.
2. “*Whakarongo*” (listen) ki te kaiako.
3. “*Hei*” (move) atu kia whai wahi ahau.
4. “*Kuhu*” (enter) ki roto i te whare.
5. “*Awhina*” (help) i a ia.
6. “*Korero*” (speak) Māori.
7. “*Horoia*” (wash) o ringaringa.
8. “*Waiho*” (leave) te pukapuka ki konei.
9. “*Tango*” (take) tō whariki.
10. “*Hoko*” (buy) etahi hua.
11. “*Whakatakoto*” (lay) te moenga.
12. “*Whiri”* (select) tēnei.
13. “*Whakaneke*” (move) tō tūru.
14. “*Hakari*” (celebrate) te rā whānau.
15. “*Kimi*” (search) i tō marama.
2. “*Whakarongo*” (listen) ki te kaiako.
3. “*Hei*” (move) atu kia whai wahi ahau.
4. “*Kuhu*” (enter) ki roto i te whare.
5. “*Awhina*” (help) i a ia.
6. “*Korero*” (speak) Māori.
7. “*Horoia*” (wash) o ringaringa.
8. “*Waiho*” (leave) te pukapuka ki konei.
9. “*Tango*” (take) tō whariki.
10. “*Hoko*” (buy) etahi hua.
11. “*Whakatakoto*” (lay) te moenga.
12. “*Whiri”* (select) tēnei.
13. “*Whakaneke*” (move) tō tūru.
14. “*Hakari*” (celebrate) te rā whānau.
15. “*Kimi*” (search) i tō marama.
Exercise 2: Use Command Tense to Finish These Sentences
1. “*Muku*” (erase) tō ingoa i te papa.
2. “*Whakatika*” (stand) i te taha o te tatami.
3. “*Haere*” (go) ki te kura.
4. “*Mohio*” (know) ki tō whakapapa.
5. “*Whakapau*” (devote) tō kaha ki te mahi.
6. “*Whakamahia*” (use) tēnei rākau.
7. “*Pānui*” (read) te pukapuka.
8. “*Hoko*” (buy) he toki.
9. “*Whakatā*” (rest) i roto i te whare.
10. “*Whakapau*” (spend) tou wā ki runga i te tākaro.
11. “*Hīkoi*” (walk) ki te kura.
12. “*Titiro*” (look) ki te rā.
13. “*Rarangi*” (line) ake i ngā whare.
14. “*Kai*” (eat) i ngā huarākau.
15. “*Whakaaro*” (think) mō te whai wāhitanga.
2. “*Whakatika*” (stand) i te taha o te tatami.
3. “*Haere*” (go) ki te kura.
4. “*Mohio*” (know) ki tō whakapapa.
5. “*Whakapau*” (devote) tō kaha ki te mahi.
6. “*Whakamahia*” (use) tēnei rākau.
7. “*Pānui*” (read) te pukapuka.
8. “*Hoko*” (buy) he toki.
9. “*Whakatā*” (rest) i roto i te whare.
10. “*Whakapau*” (spend) tou wā ki runga i te tākaro.
11. “*Hīkoi*” (walk) ki te kura.
12. “*Titiro*” (look) ki te rā.
13. “*Rarangi*” (line) ake i ngā whare.
14. “*Kai*” (eat) i ngā huarākau.
15. “*Whakaaro*” (think) mō te whai wāhitanga.
