First Lessons in Maori

§ 10. Ma

§ 10. Ma.

When any person is spoken of in connexion with others whom it is not necessary to specify put ma after the name, thus:

Kahutia ma, Kahutia and his companions, or Kahutia and the others.

Also when addressing more persons than one it may be used with the different forms of address, thus:
  • E hoa ma! Friends!

With the pronouns wai? and mea ( § 6) it makes a dual or plural.
  • A wai ma? Who? (pl.).

  • A mea ma, such and such persons.