The Word mau
Put mau between a small word and the noun to say there is more than one.
How It Works
Mau is a small plural word. It stands before the noun and after the word that introduces it.
| Pattern | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| he mau | He mau keiki lākou. | They are children. |
| possessive + mau | kāna mau keiki | his or her children |
| demonstrative + mau | kēia mau puke | these books |
The Reference Grammar explains that plurality is shown by nā with a definite noun, or by mau with he, kekahi, the possessives and the demonstratives. It adds that mau can also appear with a collective noun to mean several kinds, so He mau one kēia can mean “These are different kinds of sand”.
Many nouns have no marked plural at all, so a sentence may need the context to tell you how many.
Examples (5)
- He mau puke kēia.
These are books.
He mau starts a class sentence with a plural noun.
- Aia kaʻu mau puke ma ke pākaukau.
My books are on the table.
Mau follows the possessive kaʻu.
- Ua hana kāna mau keiki i ka haʻawina.
His children did the homework.
Mau follows kāna and comes before keiki.
- He mau keiki lākou.
They are children.
The pronoun lākou comes last, after the noun.
- Ua nui kaʻu mau ʻīlio.
My dogs have grown big.
Mau stays the same with each possessor.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Mau makes a plural, and nā is the other way to make one.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice The Word mau in Bubblegum
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