A Person Who Does Something
Mahi means “work”; kaimahi means “worker.”
How It Works
In many agent nouns, kai- joins directly to an activity base. Write established compounds as single words: kaimahi, “worker,” kaiwaiata, “singer,” and kaikōrero, “speaker.” These words take ordinary noun determiners, including he, te and ngā. A descriptive modifier follows the noun. These compounds do not acquire English-style plural or gender endings.
Compare Kei te waiata ia, “That person is singing,” with He kaiwaiata ia, “That person is a singer.” The role does not itself say that singing is happening now. Independent kai, “food” or “eat,” has separate nominal and verbal uses. Learn conventional compounds and their meanings rather than assuming that every base produces an established occupation name.
Examples (3)
- He kaiwaiata tōku tuahine.
My sister is a singer. (Male speaker.)
He introduces a role. Tuahine here denotes a male speaker's sister.
- Kei waho ngā kaimahi.
The workers are outside.
Ngā marks plural reference without changing kaimahi.
- Kei te whakarongo mātou ki te kaikōrero.
We are listening to the speaker.
Kaikōrero is the noun in a ki phrase; mātou excludes the addressee.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Build recognition of conventional performer nouns such as kaimahi and kaiwaiata. These take ordinary noun marking, and naming a role does not assert that its activity is currently happening.
Related Patterns
Practice A Person Who Does Something in Bubblegum
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