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First Lessons in Maori
§ 9. Nominal prefix
§ 9. Nominal prefix
.—i. The particle a is used before the names of persons or months* and the pronouns wai and mea,
(a) When they stand as subject in a sentence, or are repeated by way of explanation.
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He rangatira a Tāreha, Tareha is a chief.
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E mahi ana a Turi, Turi is working.
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Ka hoki taua tangata a Kupe, The man, Kupe, returned.
(b) When they follow any of the prepositions ki, i, hei, kei; but not when they follow ko (§§12, 37), or any of the prepositions a, o, ma, mo, na, no, e, me. (§§ 15, 16.)
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Ki a Titore, to Titore.
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Kei a Wahanui, in Wahanui's possession.
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No Paikea, belonging to Paikea.
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Ma Ruatapu, for Ruatapu.
ii. It is used with personal pronouns (except ahau, though au follows the rule) only when they follow the prepositions ki, i, hei, kei; or when they are repeated by way of explanation; not ordinarily when they stand as subject in a sentence.
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He kupu na Rangi ki a koe, a word from Rangi to you.
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Haere mai ki ahau, come to me.
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A wai? Who? A koe. Thou.
Obs. The nominal prefix is generally unaccented; but when any of the singular personal pronouns, au (not ahau), koe, ia, thus follows one of the prepositions, ki, i, hei, kei, the pronoun is unaccented, and the accent is thrown back on a, thus Kei à ia. I à koe.
iii. It is also used with the name of a place or a local noun (§ 8), only when it stands as subject in a sentence, or is repeated by way of explanation.
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He mānia a Kaingaroa, Kaingaroa is a plain.
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A hea? A Kaingaroa. What place? Kaingaroa.
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Ka wera a waho, the outside is burnt.