First Lessons in Maori

§ 47

§ 47.

The Imperative is generally used in the second person, but in speaking of parts of the human body it will be used in the third person. ( § 62). If the verb is a word of one syllable or two, or if the command is negative, the particle e is used in the Imperative; otherwise it is not.

Examples.
  • E noho, sit down.

  • Whakatika, stand up.

  • Hamama tou waha, open your mouth.

  • Titiro ou kanohi, open your eyes.

The translation of the Future Consequential Subjunctive with kia will depend upon whether it is used in a dependent sentence or as an entreaty.

The Future Deprecatory, with kei, used in the second person is equivalent to an Imperative.