Telling Someone to Do Something

Level 1

E before a verb gives a command.

How It Works

The little word e starts a command. It is the strongest of the markers that give orders (Reference Grammar):

The pronoun, if you add one, comes after the verb. The e is often left out in conversation: Hele ʻoe!. To say “do not”, use mai instead of e.

E hele mai!
Come here!
E starts the command, and mai points toward the speaker.
E inu i ka wai.
Drink the water.
The object takes i.
E heluhelu ʻoukou i ka puke.
Read the book, all of you.
A pronoun can follow the verb.
E kākau i kou inoa.
Write your name.
Kou inoa is “your name”.
E ʻai!
Eat!
A short command: just e and one verb.

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Telling Someone to Do SomethingLevel 1

A command with e follows the verb-first order.

Patterns that build on this one.

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