Prepositions of place, or “tūwāhi”, in Maori grammar are words used to describe spatial relationships. This means they refer to where something or someone is positioned in relation to something or someone else. Typically, Maori prepositions of place include words such as “i” (at), “ki” (to), “kei” (at), “mai i” (from), and so on. These words are not only used to describe physical location but also used abstractly to describe conceptual or metaphorical spaces. Understanding these prepositions is key to truly grasping the structure and beauty of the Maori language.
Exercise 1: Practice using prepositions of place in Maori
1. Kei *te* kitchen to mate. (the)
2. Kei hea *koe*? (you)
3. Kei *roto* i te whare ahau. (inside)
4. Kei *waho* te kurī. (outside)
5. Noho ana ahau ki *raro* i te rākau. (under)
6. Kei *runga* i te tēpu ngā pukapuka. (on)
7. Ka whiti ahau i *te* awa. (the)
8. Kei hea *to* pukapuka? (your)
9. Hei *ngā* wāhanga katoa i te whare. (all)
10. Ka whiti ahau i *te* rori. (the)
11. Kei *te* whare to pēpi. (the)
12. Ka whiti ahau i *te* moana. (the)
13. Kei *roto* i te pōtitara ngā hua.
14. Kei *te* tāone to whaea. (the)
15. Ka hoki *ahau* ki te kāinga. (I)
2. Kei hea *koe*? (you)
3. Kei *roto* i te whare ahau. (inside)
4. Kei *waho* te kurī. (outside)
5. Noho ana ahau ki *raro* i te rākau. (under)
6. Kei *runga* i te tēpu ngā pukapuka. (on)
7. Ka whiti ahau i *te* awa. (the)
8. Kei hea *to* pukapuka? (your)
9. Hei *ngā* wāhanga katoa i te whare. (all)
10. Ka whiti ahau i *te* rori. (the)
11. Kei *te* whare to pēpi. (the)
12. Ka whiti ahau i *te* moana. (the)
13. Kei *roto* i te pōtitara ngā hua.
14. Kei *te* tāone to whaea. (the)
15. Ka hoki *ahau* ki te kāinga. (I)
Exercise 2: Identify the correct prepositions of place
1. Kei *runga* i te maunga ngā hipi. (on)
2. Kei *te* tūnga waka to waka. (the)
3. He aha *ta* mahi? (your)
4. Ka haere *ahau* ki te wharepaku. (I)
5. Kei *roto* i te ipu he kapu tī. (inside)
6. Kei *waho* i te whare ngā tamariki. (outside)
7. Kei *te* tāone to hoa. (the)
8. Ka haere *ahau* ki te kura. (I)
9. Kei *raro* i te rākau he manu iti. (under)
10. Noho ana *ahau* ki te tāone. (I)
11. Kei *te* wharewaka to waka. (the)
12. Ka whiti *ahau* i te awa. (I)
13. Kei *te* takutai to whare. (the)
14. He aha *te* ingoa o to hoa? (the)
15. Ka hoki *ahau* ki te kāinga. (I)
2. Kei *te* tūnga waka to waka. (the)
3. He aha *ta* mahi? (your)
4. Ka haere *ahau* ki te wharepaku. (I)
5. Kei *roto* i te ipu he kapu tī. (inside)
6. Kei *waho* i te whare ngā tamariki. (outside)
7. Kei *te* tāone to hoa. (the)
8. Ka haere *ahau* ki te kura. (I)
9. Kei *raro* i te rākau he manu iti. (under)
10. Noho ana *ahau* ki te tāone. (I)
11. Kei *te* wharewaka to waka. (the)
12. Ka whiti *ahau* i te awa. (I)
13. Kei *te* takutai to whare. (the)
14. He aha *te* ingoa o to hoa? (the)
15. Ka hoki *ahau* ki te kāinga. (I)