Superlative adverbs in Maori grammar are used to describe the highest degree or extreme example of something. They are often constructed by using the adverb “tino” (meaning “very”) and the word “rawa” (meaning “extremely”) in combination with the adjective. While “tino” is usually placed before the adjective, “rawa” often appears after it. Understanding these adverbs and how to use them correctly in sentences is crucial for mastering the expressive nuances of the Maori language.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct superlative adverb
1. He *tino* pai te kai. (Very)
2. Kua whakakii *rawa* taku puku. (Completely)
3. He *tino* roa te waka. (Very)
4. Kia *tino* tupato koe! (Absolutely)
5. Kua poto *rawa* te ra. (Completely)
6. Kua ngaro *rawa* te manu. (Completely)
7. Kei te *tino* whakatoi nga tamariki. (Really)
8. *Tino* rawakore nga kai. (Absolutely)
9. He korero *tino* whakararuraru tenei. (Very)
10. Kua harikoa *rawa* ahau. (Extremely)
11. Kei te *tino* whakakaha ia. (Really)
12. Ka whiwhi *rawa* koe i te whakamihi. (Certainly)
13. Kua whakakii *tino* ahau i te mahi. (Entirely)
14. Kua mataku *rawa* a Pania. (Extremely)
15. Kei te *tino* miharo ahau ki to whakakii. (Really)
2. Kua whakakii *rawa* taku puku. (Completely)
3. He *tino* roa te waka. (Very)
4. Kia *tino* tupato koe! (Absolutely)
5. Kua poto *rawa* te ra. (Completely)
6. Kua ngaro *rawa* te manu. (Completely)
7. Kei te *tino* whakatoi nga tamariki. (Really)
8. *Tino* rawakore nga kai. (Absolutely)
9. He korero *tino* whakararuraru tenei. (Very)
10. Kua harikoa *rawa* ahau. (Extremely)
11. Kei te *tino* whakakaha ia. (Really)
12. Ka whiwhi *rawa* koe i te whakamihi. (Certainly)
13. Kua whakakii *tino* ahau i te mahi. (Entirely)
14. Kua mataku *rawa* a Pania. (Extremely)
15. Kei te *tino* miharo ahau ki to whakakii. (Really)
Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with the corresponding Maori superlative adverb
1. Kua *tino* whakataetae ahau. (Really)
2. Kua *tino* pakaru te waka. (Absolutely)
3. *Rawa* rite koe ki to whaea. (Exactly)
4. Kua whakakii *rawa* taku wawata. (Completely)
5. He *tino* nui te whare. (Very)
6. He whakaaro *tino* rereke tenei. (Quite)
7. Kua rere *rawa* te manu. (Completely)
8. Kia *tino* whakaae koe! (Absolutely)
9. Kua roa *rawa* te wa. (Extremely)
10. *Tino* whakamataku te whare nei! (Very)
11. Kia *rawa* korero koe mo tenei. (Certainly)
12. Kei te *tino* whakaae ahau. (Really)
13. Kua *tino* rawakore te whare. (Entirely)
14. Kei te *tino* whakamiharo ahau ki to mahi. (Really)
15. Kei te *rawa* hoea e ahau te waka. (Certainly)
2. Kua *tino* pakaru te waka. (Absolutely)
3. *Rawa* rite koe ki to whaea. (Exactly)
4. Kua whakakii *rawa* taku wawata. (Completely)
5. He *tino* nui te whare. (Very)
6. He whakaaro *tino* rereke tenei. (Quite)
7. Kua rere *rawa* te manu. (Completely)
8. Kia *tino* whakaae koe! (Absolutely)
9. Kua roa *rawa* te wa. (Extremely)
10. *Tino* whakamataku te whare nei! (Very)
11. Kia *rawa* korero koe mo tenei. (Certainly)
12. Kei te *tino* whakaae ahau. (Really)
13. Kua *tino* rawakore te whare. (Entirely)
14. Kei te *tino* whakamiharo ahau ki to mahi. (Really)
15. Kei te *rawa* hoea e ahau te waka. (Certainly)
