Omission of articles in the Maori language is a unique and intriguing aspect of its grammar. Unlike many other languages, such as English, French, etc., Maori frequently omits articles in sentences. This occurs because Maori grammar often derives the needed meaning from the context and does not require the use of articles to specify or point out nouns. Let us delve into this interesting aspect of Maori grammar with the following exercises.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blank with the right article
1) Kei *waho* (out) te kurī.
2) Ka whiti *ra* (sun) āpōpō.
3) Kua tae mai *koroua* (old man).
4) *Marino* (calm) te moana.
5) Noho ana *tamariki* (children) ki te kāinga.
6) Me whakarongo ki *matakite* (prophet).
7) Hei *Kereru* (wood pigeon) tōku manu iwi.
8) E whakangaro ana *Rūaumoko* (God of earthquakes).
9) Ka whakanoho ahau ki *Rōtorua* (Rotorua).
10) Ko *Hineahuone* (first woman) tōku tupuna.
11) Ka kai ahau i *ika* (fish).
12) Ka haere ahau ki *Whanganui* (Whanganui).
13) He *tino* (great) reka tēnā.
14) Hei *Rangi* (sky) tōku whare.
15) Ka whiti *whetu* (star) i te pō.
2) Ka whiti *ra* (sun) āpōpō.
3) Kua tae mai *koroua* (old man).
4) *Marino* (calm) te moana.
5) Noho ana *tamariki* (children) ki te kāinga.
6) Me whakarongo ki *matakite* (prophet).
7) Hei *Kereru* (wood pigeon) tōku manu iwi.
8) E whakangaro ana *Rūaumoko* (God of earthquakes).
9) Ka whakanoho ahau ki *Rōtorua* (Rotorua).
10) Ko *Hineahuone* (first woman) tōku tupuna.
11) Ka kai ahau i *ika* (fish).
12) Ka haere ahau ki *Whanganui* (Whanganui).
13) He *tino* (great) reka tēnā.
14) Hei *Rangi* (sky) tōku whare.
15) Ka whiti *whetu* (star) i te pō.
Exercise 2: Fill in the blank with the right article
1) E whakarau ana *kokako* (blue wattled crow).
2) *Ngaro* (hidden) te huarahi.
3) He *maitai* (good) tēnā mahi.
4) *Marama* (moon) te rangi.
5) He *whakapono* (faith) tōku.
6) Ko *kuini* (queen) te wahine.
7) Whare *hinu* (oil) taku whare.
8) *Hāhā* (laughter) te rangi.
9) Ka whakawhiti ahau i *awa* (river).
10) *Maunga* (mountain) te rangi.
11) Ka moe ahau i *peka* (bed).
12) E hōrapa ana *rakau* (plants).
13) *Tamangē* (daze) te pō.
14) E kore *korero* (talk) ahau.
15) *Mokemoke* (solitary) te wā.
2) *Ngaro* (hidden) te huarahi.
3) He *maitai* (good) tēnā mahi.
4) *Marama* (moon) te rangi.
5) He *whakapono* (faith) tōku.
6) Ko *kuini* (queen) te wahine.
7) Whare *hinu* (oil) taku whare.
8) *Hāhā* (laughter) te rangi.
9) Ka whakawhiti ahau i *awa* (river).
10) *Maunga* (mountain) te rangi.
11) Ka moe ahau i *peka* (bed).
12) E hōrapa ana *rakau* (plants).
13) *Tamangē* (daze) te pō.
14) E kore *korero* (talk) ahau.
15) *Mokemoke* (solitary) te wā.
