Collective nouns in Maori grammar, otherwise known as “tātai kupu”, are words used to refer to a group of entities as a single unit. These could be groups of people, animals, or objects. Similar to other languages, Maori grammar acknowledges the collective essence of specific objects and people to describe them appropriately and respectfully. This feature makes Maori language rich and colorful, leaving room for more expressive and precise communication.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blank with Appropriate Collective Nouns in Maori
1. He *tauira* i te whare wananga. (Students)
2. He *kanohi* i te hui. (People)
3. He *whānau* i te tangihanga. (Family)
4. He *manu* i te wao nui. (Birds)
5. He *ika* i te moana. (Fish)
6. He *rākau* i te ngahere. (Trees)
7. He *whetu* i te rangi. (Stars)
8. He *whare* i te pa. (Houses)
9. He *tau* o te hōiho. (Horses)
10. He *kuri* i te whare. (Dogs)
11. He *pākehā* i te whare karakia. (Europeans)
12. He *waka* i te marae. (Cars)
13. He *hoiho* i te papa rēhia. (Horses)
14. He *pakoko* i roto i te whare taonga. (Statues)
15. He *whakaahua* i te whare whakairo. (Paintings)
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blank with Appropriate Collective Nouns in Maori
1. He *tamariki* i te kura. (Children)
2. He *ngākau* i te whare karakia. (Hearts)
3. He *urunga* i roto i te whare moe. (Pillows)
4. He *kaiako* i te whare kura. (Teachers)
5. He *tohu* i te taone. (Signs)
6. He *Paniora* i te whare whakangaio. (Spaniards)
7. He *tūru* i te wharekai. (Chairs)
8. He *momo* i te rākau. (Types)
9. He *wāhine* i te whare tangata. (Women)
10. He *pepeha* i te marae. (Sayings)
11. He *kupu* i te wharangi pukapuka. (Words)
12. He *kakahu* i roto i te whare kōhatu. (Clothes)
13. He *pukeko* i te repo. (Pukekos)
14. He *parāoa* i te whare waina. (Breads)
15. He *whakapapa* i te whare tauira. (Genealogies)
