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Forming superlatives with “nui” Exercises in Maori language

Students experiencing real-time language applications.

Mastering superlatives in the Māori language involves understanding the use of "nui," which translates to "big" or "great." In Māori, superlatives are formed to express the highest degree of a quality among three or more entities. By incorporating "nui" into your vocabulary, you can effectively communicate notions of superiority, excellence, or extremity. This linguistic skill not only enhances your ability to describe objects, people, or situations with precision but also deepens your appreciation for the rich nuances of the Māori language. The structure of forming superlatives in Māori is both logical and elegant. Typically, "nui" is combined with other words to create phrases that emphasize the greatest extent of a particular characteristic. For instance, to say "the biggest," you might use "te nui rawa," where "te" denotes "the" and "rawa" intensifies the degree. Through a series of exercises, you will practice constructing such phrases, ensuring you can confidently use superlatives in both spoken and written Māori. These exercises are designed to reinforce your understanding and enable you to apply these concepts effortlessly in everyday conversations.

Exercise 1

1. He is the *nui* in his class (biggest). 2. This mountain is the *nui* in the country (largest). 3. The whale is the *nui* animal in the ocean (largest). 4. She is the *nui* singer in the competition (best). 5. That tree is the *nui* in the forest (tallest). 6. This is the *nui* cake I have ever seen (biggest). 7. He is the *nui* player on the team (best). 8. This book is the *nui* in the library (thickest). 9. That house is the *nui* in the neighborhood (largest). 10. The elephant is the *nui* land animal (largest).

Exercise 2

1. He is the *biggest* boy in the class (superlative form of "big"). 2. This is the *largest* tree in the forest (superlative form of "large"). 3. She has the *greatest* strength among all the athletes (superlative form of "great"). 4. That mountain is the *highest* in the region (superlative form of "high"). 5. This is the *most important* decision I have ever made (superlative form of "important"). 6. The whale is the *biggest* animal in the ocean (superlative form of "big"). 7. This is the *longest* river in the country (superlative form of "long"). 8. The cheetah is the *fastest* land animal (superlative form of "fast"). 9. Today is the *hottest* day of the year (superlative form of "hot"). 10. This puzzle is the *most difficult* one I have ever solved (superlative form of "difficult").

Exercise 3

1. Ko te *nui* teitei rawa atu tēnei whare i te tāone (highest). 2. Ko te *nui* tere rawa atu tēnei motokā i taku whare (fastest). 3. Ko te *nui* reka rawa atu tēnei keke i ngā toenga katoa (tastiest). 4. Ko te *nui* roa rawa atu tēnei awa i Aotearoa (longest). 5. Ko te *nui* pai rawa atu tēnei kiriata i te tau (best). 6. Ko te *nui* mātao rawa atu tēnei rā i tēnei hotoke (coldest). 7. Ko te *nui* mārama rawa atu tēnei whetū i te rangi (brightest). 8. Ko te *nui* tāone nui rawa atu tēnei i te motu (largest). 9. Ko te *nui* pārekareka rawa atu tēnei hararei i te tau (most enjoyable). 10. Ko te *nui* kaha rawa atu tēnei tangata i te kapa (strongest).