Wanting and Liking: makemake
Say makemake, then who wants it, then i and the thing, or e and the action.
How It Works
Makemake starts the sentence, like other verbs. The person who wants or likes comes right after it.
| You want | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a thing | makemake + doer + i + noun | Makemake ke keiki i ka palaoa. |
| a person | makemake + doer + iā + name | Makemake lākou iā Kala. |
| to do something | makemake + doer + e + verb | Makemake ʻo Noelani e heluhelu. |
The Reference Grammar gives Makemake ʻo Pualani i kēia lei for “Pualani likes this lei”, so the same word covers wanting and liking. Context tells you which.
The Reference Grammar also shows a person before e: Makemake au iā ʻoe e hele, “I want you to go”.
Examples (5)
- Makemake ke keiki i ka palaoa.
The child wants the bread.
I marks the thing wanted.
- Makemake ʻo Noelani e heluhelu.
Noelani wants to read.
E and a verb say what she wants to do.
- Makemake anei ʻoe e kōkua?
Do you want to help?
Anei follows makemake and makes it a question.
- Makemake mākou i kēia hale.
We like this house.
Makemake can mean like.
- Makemake ke kumu iā Kala e heluhelu.
The teacher wants Kala to read.
A person can come before e, so Kala is the one who reads.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out e before an action.
Makemake au ʻai i ka palaoa.Makemake au e ʻai i ka palaoa.A second verb is joined to makemake with e.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Makemake says what someone wants, and the thing wanted is marked.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Wanting and Liking: makemake in Bubblegum
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