engari

Joining a Contrast

Level 2

Give one claim, then use engari to introduce a contrast or correction.

How It Works

Engari introduces a contrast or correction. It can link two descriptions that are both true, contrast an earlier situation with the present, or supply a replacement for a rejected claim. The surrounding content establishes the particular contrast.

Each clause retains its own structure: i can introduce a past event, he a description, and kei a present location. Engari supplies no tense or negation and has no person or number ending.

Compare He iti te whare, engari he mahana, ‘The house is small, but warm’, with Kāore te kurī i waho. Engari, kei roto, ‘The dog is not outside. But it is inside’. The first retains both descriptions; the second corrects a location. Shared participants can remain understood. The separately listed fixed response engari mō tēnā needs its own conversational interpretation.

Examples (3)

  1. He iti te whare, engari he mahana.

    The house is small, but warm.

    Both descriptions hold; the second contrasts with an expectation.

  2. I ua, engari i haere mātou ki te moana.

    It rained, but we went to the sea.

    Both event clauses retain past i; mātou excludes the addressee.

  3. Kāore te kurī i waho. Engari, kei roto.

    The dog is not outside. But it is inside.

    The second clause supplies the replacement location.

How It Connects

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

engariLevel 2Joining a Contrast

Learn This First

Introduce contrast through a house that is both small and warm, then show correction of a location. Engari relates the claims while each keeps its own construction.