nā te mea

Giving a Reason

Level 3

State the point, then explain it with nā te mea.

How It Works

Nā te mea introduces a reason for a statement, action, or recommendation. Read the three words together. A following kei te clause can describe a current activity or condition; a descriptive predicate can also explain the point. The causal unit has no person or number agreement and does not require a past reason.

Compare Me tatari tātou nā te mea kei te kai a Hine, “We should wait because Hine is eating,” with Nā Hine i kati te toa, “Hine was the one who closed the shop.” One connects propositions causally; the other identifies a responsible actor.

Nā te mea and nō te mea are causal alternatives. Preserve their initial vowels without inventing a categorical tense distinction.

Examples (3)

  1. Me tatari tātou nā te mea kei te kai a Hine.

    We should wait because Hine is eating.

    A current activity explains advice.

  2. Me whakatā koe nā te mea kei te māuiui koe.

    You should rest because you are unwell.

    A current condition supplies the reason.

  3. Me tere tātou nā te mea tino tōmuri tātou.

    We should hurry because we are very late.

    A descriptive reason explains advice.

How It Connects

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

nā te meaLevel 3Giving a Reason

Learn This First

Read nā te mea as a unit introducing why a statement or recommendation applies. The reason retains its own predicate and time reference; the causal relationship differs from identifying an actor with nā ... i.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.