ka taea

An Action That Is Possible

Level 5

Ka taea e + actor + affected phrase + te + action base.

How It Works

An established formation is ka taea e + actor + affected noun phrase + te + action base. The affected phrase lacks the ordinary active object marker i. Names and pronouns follow actor-marking e; the predicate does not change for their number.

Compare Ka tuhi a Hana i te reta, “Hana writes the letter,” with Ka taea e Hana te reta te tuhi, “Hana can write the letter.” The second presents writing as achievable without asserting performance. Context establishes the time: ka is not exclusively future.

The action base is unsuffixed in this formation. Actor-marking e does not require adding a passive suffix to that base. Other orders occur, but their suitability depends on the content; this entry teaches one supported order.

Examples (3)

  1. Ka taea e Hana te reta te tuhi.

    Hana can write the letter.

    E introduces the actor; te tuhi identifies the action.

  2. Ka taea e mātou ngā pouaka te hiki.

    We can lift the boxes.

    Mātou excludes the addressee; the affected phrase has no object i.

  3. Ka taea e koe tēnei kupu te pānui.

    You can read this word.

    The claim concerns ability rather than actual reading.

How It Connects

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

ka taeaLevel 5An Action That Is Possible

Learn This First

Practice ka taea e followed by actor, affected phrase and te plus action base. The claim concerns what is achievable; contextual time and appropriate participant marking remain essential.