he + noun

Introducing a Kind of Thing

Level 1

He introduces a kind of person or thing.

How It Works

In He pukapuka tēnei, the opening phrase says what kind of thing this is: a book. Māori does not need an extra word matching English is in this frame.

He introduces an indefinite noun phrase or classifies a subject. It does not point to an identified item in the way te or ngā does. A classifying predicate can describe someone already known: the teacher in He kaiako ia is placed in the teacher category. Context can make a he phrase singular or plural.

Examples (3)

  1. He pukapuka tēnei.

    This is a book.

  2. He kaiako ia.

    They are a teacher (one person).

  3. He tamariki rātou.

    They are children.

How It Connects

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

he + nounLevel 1Introducing a Kind of Thing

Learn This First

Use he to introduce an indefinite kind or classify a known subject. He pukapuka tēnei supplies the classification without an additional word for English “is”; context determines singular or plural reference.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.