Exercise Language: Adjectives

Adjective exercises in Maori grammar put focus on the unique structure of this language, as it emphasises on the nature of people, places, and things. In Maori, these descriptive words (adjectives) usually follow the noun they describe, contrary to the English grammar structure. The exercises involve forming sentences in which the adjective follows the noun. For instance, “He tino reka te huka” translates to “The sugar is very sweet.” Here, ‘reka’, the adjective, is placed after ‘huka’, the noun it describes. Another exercise is using ‘Te’, ‘Ngā’, and ‘He’ before the noun to indicate definite and indefinite articles and plural forms. Sentence construction practice involves emotionally laden words like ‘makariri’ (cold) and ‘wera’ (hot), which can become ‘He wera te kawhe’ (The coffee is hot). Practicing adjective placement helps learners master Maori grammar’s nuance, increasing their comprehension and communication skills in the language.