Chapter 16: Purpose and Clause

Question 1

What are the four ways to indicate purpose in Tahitian?

Answer 1

1. nō te + verb and less often -ra’a (used when purpose is stressed)
   ’Ua haere ’oia nō te rave mai ‘i te farāoa.
   He went in order to get some bread.
2. ‘ia + verb
   Te ’āu ra ’oia ’ia riro te rē ’iāna. (when the subject of both verbs is not the same)
   He swam so that the prize might go to him.
3. ‘e + verb (more properly a result clause)
   ’Ua haere ’oia ’e pa’imi ‘i te pua’a.
   He went to look for the pigs.
4. noun + verb (When the subject and purpose are closely linked, the verb immediately follows the noun and fills the role of an adjective)
   ’E tipi tāpū ’ina’i pua’atoro tēra.
   That knife is for cutting meat.

Question 2

What are two ways the verb + ra’a can be used?

Answer 2

1. To indicate purpose.
2. With no overtones of purpose.
   te parau fa ’a ’it er a ’a
   the explanatory words

Question 3

What are the three methods of indicating cause?

Answer 3

1. nō te mea
   ’Ua ma’i hia vau nō te mea ’ua ’amu vau ‘i te i’a ta’aero.
   I am sick because I ate bad fish.
2. nō + possessive adjective + verb + -ra’a
   ’Ua ’oa’oa ’oia nō tōna revara’a ‘i Tahiti.
   He is happy because he is going to Tahiti.
   (Lit. he is happy with his going to Tahiti)
3. nā roto ‘i
   ’Ua rave au nā roto ‘i tō’u here ’iāna.
   1 did it because I love her.
   (Lit. I did it in my loving her)