Complex sentences in Maori grammar, like in many other languages, are made up of one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. These sentences give detailed information by combining multiple ideas into one sentence. Complex sentences can express concepts such as cause and effect, contrast and condition. Understanding how to form and use complex sentences is a key part of mastering Maori grammar.
Exercise 1: Complete these sentences by filling in the blanks with the appropriate Maori words.
1. He pai ki ahau, *na* (because) he makariri te rangi.
2. He tangata *whakahiato* (enthusiastic) ahau ki te korero i te reo Maori.
3. Ka whakamatea e ahau te rama *muri* (after) kua whakakore e whakamahia.
4. Ka whakaae ahau ki te haere ki te marae, *mena* (if) ka whakaae koe ki te haere.
5. He *reo* (language) ta Maori, he reo Rangatira.
6. Ka whakapau kaha ahau ki te ako i *nga* (the) kupu hou o te reo Maori.
7. Ka whakapau kaha ahau ki te korero i te reo Maori, *hei* (so) ka whakapai ake ahau.
8. *Kei* (at) te kaainga ahau.
9. Ko te whare tenei a *wai* (who)?
10. *Ka* (will) kai koe?
11. Kei *hea* (where) te marae?
12. He *ahiahi* (afternoon) roa tenei.
13. Heoi anō *te* (the) whakatakotoranga o taua whakaahua.
14. Nga mihi o te wa ki a *koe* (you).
15. *Noho* (stay) ora mai i roto i o koutou kainga.
2. He tangata *whakahiato* (enthusiastic) ahau ki te korero i te reo Maori.
3. Ka whakamatea e ahau te rama *muri* (after) kua whakakore e whakamahia.
4. Ka whakaae ahau ki te haere ki te marae, *mena* (if) ka whakaae koe ki te haere.
5. He *reo* (language) ta Maori, he reo Rangatira.
6. Ka whakapau kaha ahau ki te ako i *nga* (the) kupu hou o te reo Maori.
7. Ka whakapau kaha ahau ki te korero i te reo Maori, *hei* (so) ka whakapai ake ahau.
8. *Kei* (at) te kaainga ahau.
9. Ko te whare tenei a *wai* (who)?
10. *Ka* (will) kai koe?
11. Kei *hea* (where) te marae?
12. He *ahiahi* (afternoon) roa tenei.
13. Heoi anō *te* (the) whakatakotoranga o taua whakaahua.
14. Nga mihi o te wa ki a *koe* (you).
15. *Noho* (stay) ora mai i roto i o koutou kainga.
Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks to complete these Maori sentences.
1. Ka *whakaaro* (think) ahau ki te haere ki te wharekai.
2. *Kei* (at) te whare ahau i tenei wa.
3. *Noho* (stay) ora mai i roto i o koutou whare.
4. Ka whakapau kaha ahau ki te *ako* (learn) i te reo Maori.
5. *Mena* (if) ka whakaae koe, ka haere ahau ki te marae.
6. *Ko* (it is) wai te ingoa o tenei whare?
7. Ka *whakapau* (strive) ahau ki te korero i te reo Maori.
8. *He* (a) rangi pai tenei.
9. *Kei* (at) hea te whare pukapuka?
10. *Ka* (will) whakaae koe ki te haere ki te marae?
11. Nga mihi o te wa ki a *koutou* (you all).
12. *Noho* (live) ora mai.
13. *Hei* (so) aha te whakaaetanga?
14. Ka *whakapau* (strive) kaha ahau ki te korero i te reo Maori.
15. He reo Rangatira *tenei* (this).
2. *Kei* (at) te whare ahau i tenei wa.
3. *Noho* (stay) ora mai i roto i o koutou whare.
4. Ka whakapau kaha ahau ki te *ako* (learn) i te reo Maori.
5. *Mena* (if) ka whakaae koe, ka haere ahau ki te marae.
6. *Ko* (it is) wai te ingoa o tenei whare?
7. Ka *whakapau* (strive) ahau ki te korero i te reo Maori.
8. *He* (a) rangi pai tenei.
9. *Kei* (at) hea te whare pukapuka?
10. *Ka* (will) whakaae koe ki te haere ki te marae?
11. Nga mihi o te wa ki a *koutou* (you all).
12. *Noho* (live) ora mai.
13. *Hei* (so) aha te whakaaetanga?
14. Ka *whakapau* (strive) kaha ahau ki te korero i te reo Maori.
15. He reo Rangatira *tenei* (this).
