nui ake i

Comparing a Greater Degree

Level 3

He nui ake A i B means “A is larger than B.”

How It Works

A useful shape is He + descriptive base + ake + subject + i + standard. With nui, the comparison concerns size or amount. Suitable bases can compare height, warmth or another gradable property. The description has no comparative suffix and remains unchanged with singular or plural subjects. A personal comparison standard takes i a in this teaching pattern, as in i a Hemi.

Compare He nui te kete, “The basket is large,” with He nui ake te kete i te pēke, “The basket is larger than the bag.” The second ranks two items without establishing that either is large by an absolute standard. An omitted standard must be recoverable from context. Here i introduces a comparison standard; its object, cause and time uses belong to other constructions.

Examples (3)

  1. He nui ake te kete i te pēke.

    The basket is larger than the bag.

    Nui selects size; i introduces the standard.

  2. He teitei ake a Aroha i a Hemi.

    Aroha is taller than Hemi.

    The named standard follows i a.

  3. He mahana ake tēnei wai i tērā wai.

    This water is warmer than that water.

    The same frame compares warmth.

How It Connects

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

nui ake iLevel 3Comparing a Greater Degree

Learn This First

Develop the complete descriptive comparison with an i-marked standard. Different bases select size, height or warmth, and a higher relative degree does not establish an absolute assessment.