In Maori grammar, Prepositions of direction, also known as takirua whakarereke, play a crucial role in indicating direction or movement from one location to another. These include words like “ki” (to), “i” (at), and “mai” (from). They are used much like their English counterparts, but also include subtle nuances unique to the Maori language. Understanding these prepositions can significantly improve one’s understanding and fluency in the Maori language.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition of direction.
1. E haere ana ahau *ki* te whare. (to)
2. E whakarite ana ia mo te haerenga *mai* te whare. (from)
3. E noho ana ia *i* roto i te whare. (at)
4. E whakatere ana ratou *ki* te moana. (to)
5. E whakararuraru ana ia *i* te ara. (in)
6. E karo ana ahau *i* te whetu. (at)
7. E whakatakoto ana ahau *ki* te moenga. (on)
8. E whiti ana te ra *i* runga i te rangi. (across)
9. E huri ana ratou *mai* te whenua. (from)
10. E whakapau kaha ana ahau *ki* te mahi. (into)
11. E titiro ana koe *i* te whetu. (at)
12. E haere ana ratou *mai* te kura. (from)
13. E whakatere ana ahau *ki* te koru. (towards)
14. E whakatu ana ahau *i* te whare. (at)
15. E whakawhiti ana ahau *i* te awa. (over)
2. E whakarite ana ia mo te haerenga *mai* te whare. (from)
3. E noho ana ia *i* roto i te whare. (at)
4. E whakatere ana ratou *ki* te moana. (to)
5. E whakararuraru ana ia *i* te ara. (in)
6. E karo ana ahau *i* te whetu. (at)
7. E whakatakoto ana ahau *ki* te moenga. (on)
8. E whiti ana te ra *i* runga i te rangi. (across)
9. E huri ana ratou *mai* te whenua. (from)
10. E whakapau kaha ana ahau *ki* te mahi. (into)
11. E titiro ana koe *i* te whetu. (at)
12. E haere ana ratou *mai* te kura. (from)
13. E whakatere ana ahau *ki* te koru. (towards)
14. E whakatu ana ahau *i* te whare. (at)
15. E whakawhiti ana ahau *i* te awa. (over)
Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition of direction.
1. E whakahaere ana ahau *ki* te whare pukapuka. (to)
2. E whakatuwhera ana koe *i* te kuaha. (at)
3. E whakaatu ana ia *i* te ataata. (on)
4. E kai ana ratou *mai* te roto. (from)
5. E titiro ana ahau *i* te porotaka. (at)
6. E whakaako ana ahau *i* te kura. (at)
7. E whakaatu ana ratou *i* te whakatipuranga. (on)
8. E whakapiri ana koe *ki* te whanau. (with)
9. E haere ana ahau *ki* te taha moana. (to)
10. E whakararuraru ana koe *i* te raraunga. (in)
11. E whakakii ana ahau *i* te wharepaku. (into)
12. E whakatere ana koe *ki* te turanga. (towards)
13. E whakawhanake ana ahau *i* te whakawhanaketanga. (in)
14. E whakahaere ana ratou *i* te whare wananga. (at)
15. E whakaangi ana ahau *ki* te tumanako. (into)
2. E whakatuwhera ana koe *i* te kuaha. (at)
3. E whakaatu ana ia *i* te ataata. (on)
4. E kai ana ratou *mai* te roto. (from)
5. E titiro ana ahau *i* te porotaka. (at)
6. E whakaako ana ahau *i* te kura. (at)
7. E whakaatu ana ratou *i* te whakatipuranga. (on)
8. E whakapiri ana koe *ki* te whanau. (with)
9. E haere ana ahau *ki* te taha moana. (to)
10. E whakararuraru ana koe *i* te raraunga. (in)
11. E whakakii ana ahau *i* te wharepaku. (into)
12. E whakatere ana koe *ki* te turanga. (towards)
13. E whakawhanake ana ahau *i* te whakawhanaketanga. (in)
14. E whakahaere ana ratou *i* te whare wananga. (at)
15. E whakaangi ana ahau *ki* te tumanako. (into)
