Superlative adjectives in Maori grammar, which express the highest degree, quality, or quantity of something, are frequently used to make comparisons. Unlike the English language, where the suffix “-est” or the word “most” is used to form superlatives, in the Maori language, the word “rawa” is used after an adjective to indicate a superlative degree. Learning and understanding how to use these superlatives is vital in enhancing your Maori vocabulary and expression.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct superlative adjectives.
1. Kua whakakapihia *te rawa* te whare. (most)
2. He *pukumahi rawa* te tangata. (hardest)
3. Kua whiwhi ia i te *pakari rawa* te whakapai. (strongest)
4. E moe ana i te *roa rawa* te moenga. (longest)
5. Kei te kai ahau i te *tino reka rawa* te hua. (sweetest)
6. Kei te *kaha rawa* te hau. (strongest)
7. He *whakamiharo rawa* te whakaaturanga. (amazing)
8. Ko te ra *tino whakararuraru rawa*. (hottest)
9. Kei te *nui rawa* te whakararuraru. (biggest)
10. He *rerehua rawa* nga whetu. (prettiest)
11. He *waipiro rawa* te wai. (saltiest)
12. He *maaku rawa* te oneone. (wettest)
13. Kei te whakakore ahau i te *rere rawa* te manu. (fastest)
14. He *tino whakararuraru rawa* te whakataetae. (hardest)
15. Kei te *tapawha rawa* te pae maunga. (highest)
2. He *pukumahi rawa* te tangata. (hardest)
3. Kua whiwhi ia i te *pakari rawa* te whakapai. (strongest)
4. E moe ana i te *roa rawa* te moenga. (longest)
5. Kei te kai ahau i te *tino reka rawa* te hua. (sweetest)
6. Kei te *kaha rawa* te hau. (strongest)
7. He *whakamiharo rawa* te whakaaturanga. (amazing)
8. Ko te ra *tino whakararuraru rawa*. (hottest)
9. Kei te *nui rawa* te whakararuraru. (biggest)
10. He *rerehua rawa* nga whetu. (prettiest)
11. He *waipiro rawa* te wai. (saltiest)
12. He *maaku rawa* te oneone. (wettest)
13. Kei te whakakore ahau i te *rere rawa* te manu. (fastest)
14. He *tino whakararuraru rawa* te whakataetae. (hardest)
15. Kei te *tapawha rawa* te pae maunga. (highest)
Exercise 2: Complete the sentences with the correct superlative adjectives.
1. He *whakaaro nui rawa* te mahi. (biggest)
2. He *tino whakararuraru rawa* te whakapai. (hardest)
3. Kua whakatika ia i te *pakari rawa* te rakau. (strongest)
4. Kei te ako ahau i te *tino roa rawa* te reo. (longest)
5. Kua whakaritea *te rawa* te wharekai. (most)
6. He *waipiro rawa* te kai. (saltiest)
7. Kei te whakakore ahau i te *roa rawa* te ra. (longest)
8. He *tino whakararuraru rawa* te whare. (biggest)
9. He *tino rerehua rawa* te peita. (prettiest)
10. Kei te *tapawha rawa* te moana. (deepest)
11. He *rere rawa* te whiu. (fastest)
12. He *tino whakararuraru rawa* te whakataetae. (hardest)
13. Kei te *nitea rawa* te raukura. (brightest)
14. He *reo tino rawa* te waiata. (loudest)
15. Kei te *whakadumbea rawa* te whakapapa. (thickest)
2. He *tino whakararuraru rawa* te whakapai. (hardest)
3. Kua whakatika ia i te *pakari rawa* te rakau. (strongest)
4. Kei te ako ahau i te *tino roa rawa* te reo. (longest)
5. Kua whakaritea *te rawa* te wharekai. (most)
6. He *waipiro rawa* te kai. (saltiest)
7. Kei te whakakore ahau i te *roa rawa* te ra. (longest)
8. He *tino whakararuraru rawa* te whare. (biggest)
9. He *tino rerehua rawa* te peita. (prettiest)
10. Kei te *tapawha rawa* te moana. (deepest)
11. He *rere rawa* te whiu. (fastest)
12. He *tino whakararuraru rawa* te whakataetae. (hardest)
13. Kei te *nitea rawa* te raukura. (brightest)
14. He *reo tino rawa* te waiata. (loudest)
15. Kei te *whakadumbea rawa* te whakapapa. (thickest)
