First Lessons in Maori
§ 61. Verbal clauses
§ 61. Verbal clauses.
—A verb, active in form but active or passive in sense, may be used, with or without an object or indirect object, to form a clause qualifying a noun.
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He kararahe kai tangata, a man-eating beast.
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Te hoiho e here mai ra, the horse tied yonder.
Descriptive details will sometimes be introduced by the use of he mea with a construction similar to the above.
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Ko te matamata he mea tahu ki te ahi, the point having been set on fire.
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He mea heru te mahunga, the head having been dressed with a comb.