Possessive pronouns in Maori grammar indicate ownership or possession. They are an integral part of Maori language and are considered a major aspect of sentence construction. Unlike English, Maori possessive pronouns are frequently used and are necessary to convey the clear message. Learning the right structure and usage of possessive pronouns will assist in mastering the language.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Missing Possessive Pronoun
1. “*Taku*” taonga tēnei [My]
2. Ka whakarerea e “*tātau*” kotiro [Our]
3. “*Tōu*” whare kei hea? [Your]
4. E kore e whakapae *tōna* raru [His]
5. “*Tōku*” whakaaro, me haere tātau ki te moana [My]
6. “*Tōmātou*” whare, tōmātou tikanga [Our]
7. “*Tōna*” waka e tu ana i te tiriti [Her]
8. “*Tōna*” korua whare rā anō [Your]
9. “*Tōku*” tamariki e whakatā ana [My]
10. “*Tōna*” manuhiri, tōna kai [Their]
11. “*Āku*” hoa e tākaro ana i te pōro [My]
12. “*Tōtātou*” kura e tū ana i roto i te pā [Our]
13. “*Tōna*” kura i whakaako ai ia [Her]
14. “*Tōna*” mahi i whakakī ai i te whare [Their]
15. “*Tōku*” whānau katoa kei Aotearoa [My]
Exercise 2: Replace the Blank with Correct Possessive Pronoun
1. “*Tōna*” kapa haka he tino rawe [His]
2. “*Tōtātou*” whānau katoa kei konei [Our]
3. “*Tōku*” waka tapu kei te taha [My]
4. “*Tōna*” tāngata ka whakatika [Their]
5. “*Tōna*” whenua, tōna mana [Her]
6. “*Tōna*” whānau ka whakarereke [Your]
7. “*Tōtātou*” kaupapa he tino nui [Our]
8. “*Tōna*” whare ka whakatūria [Their]
9. “*Tōku*” whare tino ataahua [My]
10. “*Tōna*” waka, tōna huarahi [Her]
11. “*Āna*” hoa ka kaha tonu [His]
12. “*Tōtātou*” whare tūturu kei te kāinga [Our]
13. “*Tōna*” whare tūturu i roto i te pa [Her]
14. “*Tōna*” tūranga i roto i te kamupene [Their]
15. “*Tōku*” whenua, tōku takatu [My]
