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First Lessons in Maori

§ 81. Adverbs indicating direction

§ 81. Adverbs indicating direction.

—The words atu and mai are correlative. Atu generally denotes direction or motion away from the speaker (a); and mai, direction or motion towards the speaker (b). They may also denote the relative position of persons or objects, regarded as being opposite to, or over against one another (c). Ake denotes direction or motion towards some place connected with the speaker, but not where he is at the time of speaking (d). Ake and iho are also correlative, ake meaning “from below” or “upwards”; and iho meaning “from above” or “downwards.” When persons or objects are thus relatively situated, ake always qualifies the action or condition of that which is in the inferior position in respect of that which is in the superior position (e); and iho qualifies the action or condition of the superior in respect of the inferior (f).

page 52 Examples.
(a)

I hoki atu a Kupe i konei ki Hawaiki, Kupe returned hence to Hawaiki.

(b)

Ka rere mai a Tainui, ka u ki Kawhia, Tainui (the canoe) sailed hither and arrived at Kawhia.

I a ia e haere atu ana, ka kitea mai e ona tungane, as she was going she was seen by her brothers.

(c)

Noho atu ana tetahi, noho mai ana tetahi, i tetahi taha, i tetahi taha o ta raua ahi, They sat opposite one another on either side of their fire.

Tikina atu te kowhatu e takoto mai ra, Fetch the stone which lies yonder.

(d)

I tutaki maua ki a Rua e haere ake ana ki Maketu, We met Rua going towards Maketu.

(e)

and (f) When Whakaturia was captured by Uenuku's people and fastened under the ridgepole of their house, the conversation between them is thus described:—

  • Ka mea iho a Whakaturia, Whakaturia said, E koutou e haka ake nei, whakarongo ake koutou katoa, You who are dancing down there, listen all of you.

  • Ka mea ake ratou o te whare, Those of the house replied, E koe e iri iho nei, korero iho ra. You who hang up there, speak on.

  • Ka mea iho taua maia ra. Then our hero replied. Ina koa ko tau tu haka te kino e rongo iho nei au. Really, the poorness of that haka of yours which I hear.