he ... ā / ō
Having Some of Something
A he phrase with a possessive can express having some.
How It Works
He pukapuka āku says I have some books. He hoa ōku says I have friends. The possessive marks plural possessed items while the he phrase introduces them indefinitely.
For one item, the corresponding frame can use tāku or tōku, as in He pukapuka tāku. Choose a/o from the relationship and singular/plural from the possessions. Do not add ngā after he in this frame.
Examples (3)
- He pukapuka āku.
I have some books.
- He hoa ōku.
I have friends.
- He pene āu.
You have some pens (one possessor).
How It Connects
Learn This First
Combine an indefinite he phrase with a following possessive to express having some items. Choose category from the relationship and number from the possessions, including the singular counterpart He pukapuka tāku; do not add ngā after he.
- he + nounIntroducing a Kind of Thing
The indefinite nominal lesson supplies he pukapuka and he hoa without an inserted English-style copula or have verb.
Level 1 - āu / ōuYour Plural Possessions
Plural possession teaching covers the second-person form in He pene āu and, through its first-person comparison, the āku and ōku forms used in the other examples.
Level 2
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice he ... ā / ō in Bubblegum
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