First Lessons in Maori
§ 84
§ 84.
Why, as an interrogative, is expressed by he aha or by na te aha, the verb being followed by ai. He aha is generally used as in reference to a purpose or object in view (a); na te aha in reference to an antecedent cause (b). The construction with he aha may be varied by using an infinitive with a possessive pronoun, in this case the reference is usually to the cause not to the purpose (c).
The reason why is expressed by the use of take followed by a relative clause with ai, (§ 73) (d).
Why is also frequently rendered by paraphrase, by the use of the expression he aha te take, with a relative clause as above (e).
page 54(a) |
He aha a Turi i haere ai ki Taupo? He tiki i tana tamaiti. Why did Turi go to Taupo? To fetch his child. |
(b) |
Na te aha ia i kore ai e tutuki ki Waiapu? Na te waipuke. Why did he not reach Waiapu? Because of the flood. |
(c) |
He aha tau e kata, or He aha to kata? Why are you laughing? |
(d) |
Ko te take tena i kore ai ia e haere, That is the reason why he did not go. |
(e) |
He aha te take i haere ai ia? Why did he go? |