Describing a Noun

Level 1

A describing word usually follows its noun.

How It Works

He whare nui means a big house: whare is the thing and nui describes it. The modifier follows the noun rather than copying English adjective order.

This phrase is different from a full statement that the house is big. A full classifying sentence can use He whare nui tēnei. Follow the entire frame to see whether the phrase names an item or makes a statement about it.

Examples (3)

  1. He whare nui tēnei.

    This is a big house.

  2. Kei te pānui au i te pukapuka hou.

    I am reading the new book.

  3. Kei konei ngā tamariki iti.

    The small children are here.

How It Connects

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Describing a NounLevel 1

Learn This First

Build a description inside a noun phrase by placing the modifier after its noun. Read whare nui together, then use the surrounding frame to distinguish a descriptive phrase from a complete statement.

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Patterns that build on this one.