Repeating a Whole Base

Level 3

Hoki + hoki gives hokihoki; kata + kata gives katakata.

How It Works

Full reduplication repeats a complete base: hoki + hoki → hokihoki and kata + kata → katakata. Ordinary spelling joins the copies without spaces or analysis signs.

Unrepeated hoki means “return.” I hokihoki a Mere ki te toa. means “Mere kept returning to the shop.” The copied word can also express separate returns, as in the visitors example below; context distinguishes these readings.

Kei te katakata te tamaiti. means “The child is giggling.” This word can express frequent laughter or giggling. Copying belongs to the word, while particles frame its event and noun phrases identify participants. A singular participant can perform a repeated action. These established meanings do not justify doubling arbitrary bases or assigning reduced intensity to every fully reduplicated word.

Examples (3)

  1. I hokihoki a Mere ki te toa.

    Mere kept returning to the shop.

    Hokihoki has a frequent-return reading.

  2. I hokihoki ngā manuhiri ki ō rātou kāinga.

    The visitors returned separately to their homes.

    The context selects the separate-return sense of hokihoki.

  3. Kei te katakata te tamaiti.

    The child is giggling.

    Katakata repeats the whole base kata.

How It Connects

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

Repeating a Whole BaseLevel 3

Learn This First

Contrast whole-base copying with partial copying, using frequent or separate returns and giggling as lexical meanings. Singular participants can perform these activities, so copying does not mark participant number.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.