Participle adjectives in Maori grammar are adjectives formed from verbs. They are used to describe other words, typically nouns. They are often used in sentences where an action is being described, like “the fallen leaves” or “the built bridge”. The Maori language has several different types of participle adjectives. This can make using them correctly in sentences challenging. With practice and perseverance, students can master this important aspect of Maori grammar.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blank with the correct Participle adjective.
(received) – Kua *whiwhi* tana whakamihi ki ahau.
(flying) – He manu *rere* te kereru.
(damaged) – He *katote* te whare nei.
(useless) – I whakaaro ahau he tino *waikore* te purerehua.
(lost) – Kua *ngaro* taku rite.
(broken) – Kua *pakaru* te waka.
(wet) – He *maaku* te kakahu.
(hard) – He *maro* te kohatu.
(flying) – He manu *rere* te kereru.
(damaged) – He *katote* te whare nei.
(useless) – I whakaaro ahau he tino *waikore* te purerehua.
(lost) – Kua *ngaro* taku rite.
(broken) – Kua *pakaru* te waka.
(wet) – He *maaku* te kakahu.
(hard) – He *maro* te kohatu.
(ready) – Kua *takatu* te kai.
(full) – Kua *whakakapi* te whare.
(empty) – He kore te ipu.
(changed) – Kua *whakarereke* te raarangi.
(set) – Kua *whakataka* te hui.
(nauseating) – He *whakaperu* te moana.
(wet) – He *maku* te wai.
(full) – Kua *whakakapi* te whare.
(empty) – He kore te ipu.
(changed) – Kua *whakarereke* te raarangi.
(set) – Kua *whakataka* te hui.
(nauseating) – He *whakaperu* te moana.
(wet) – He *maku* te wai.
Exercise 2: Fill in the blank with the correct Participle adjective.
(driving) – Kua *whakatere* te waka.
(wooden) – He *rakau* te tatu.
(big) – He *nui* te punaha.
(entering) – Kua *whakauru* te wahine.
(very) – He tino te roa.
(roots) – He *pakiaka* te rakau.
(younger) – He *teina* te tama.
(exhausted) – Kua *whakapau* te kaha.
(turning) – Kua *tahuri* te waka.
(strong) – He *pakari* te tangata.
(exhausted) – He *whakapau* te tangata.
(open) – Kua *wherawhera* te whare.
(climbing) – Kua *piki* te tangata.
(sleeping) – Kua *moe* te tama.
(scattered) – Kua *whakararau* nga hua.
(wooden) – He *rakau* te tatu.
(big) – He *nui* te punaha.
(entering) – Kua *whakauru* te wahine.
(very) – He tino te roa.
(roots) – He *pakiaka* te rakau.
(younger) – He *teina* te tama.
(exhausted) – Kua *whakapau* te kaha.
(turning) – Kua *tahuri* te waka.
(strong) – He *pakari* te tangata.
(exhausted) – He *whakapau* te tangata.
(open) – Kua *wherawhera* te whare.
(climbing) – Kua *piki* te tangata.
(sleeping) – Kua *moe* te tama.
(scattered) – Kua *whakararau* nga hua.
