mā wai e

Asking Who Will Do It

Level 3

Start with mā wai, then use e and an unsuffixed verb.

How It Works

Build Mā wai e + verb + affected participant?. Another order puts the affected participant between wai and e. Do not insert personal a before wai. Use the verb base without person or number agreement, and leave the affected phrase without ordinary object-marking i.

The question commonly concerns a future task. It can invite a volunteer or ask who has been assigned responsibility. An answer to Mā wai e kawe ngā pēke? can be Māku e kawe ngā pēke, “I'll carry the bags,” or simply Māku.

Compare Mā wai ngā pēke?, “Who are the bags for?” The verbal phrase establishes an action and asks for its actor. Without it, the question concerns an intended beneficiary. Future reference is usual, although the wider construction also permits general responsibility readings.

Examples (3)

  1. Mā wai e kawe ngā pēke?

    Who will carry the bags?

    This can invite a volunteer.

  2. Mā wai te kūaha e kati?

    Who will close the door?

    The affected participant precedes e.

  3. Mā wai e whāngai te kurī?

    Who will feed the dog?

    Wai asks for the responsible actor.

How It Connects

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

mā wai eLevel 3Asking Who Will Do It

Learn This First

Ask who will take on a task by putting wai in the mā-marked actor position. Connect the question with volunteering or assignment, and distinguish it from a beneficiary question lacking an action phrase.