Pronouns

A pronoun is a word we use for a person instead of using their name.

Here are some examples of pronouns in English: I, me, he, him, she, her, they, them, we etc.

In Māori we use pronouns in a slightly different manner. We use the same pronoun for male and female when referring to him or her / he or she (ia). We also specify which 'we' we are talking about; whether it includes the listener or not - inclusive (of listener) or - exclusive (of listener). For example; māua = we (2 people) exclusive of listener tāua = we (2 people) inclusive of listener.

Singular pronouns

	Māori	English	Example
First person	au, ahau	I	Kei te hiainu au. I'm thirsty.
Second person	koe	you	Kei te kāinga koe? Are you at home?
Third person	ia	she, he	I titiro ia ki te kurī. He looked at the dog.

Plural and dual pronouns

	Māori two	Māori three or more	English	Examples
First person plural (inclusive of listener)	tāua	tātou	we, us	Kāore tāua e mokemoke. We (the two of us) will not be lonely. Mā tātou katoa tēnei mahi. This work is for all of us.
First person plural (exclusive of listener)	māua	mātou	we, us	I homai te koroua i te moni ki a māua. The old man gave the money to us (two, but not to you the listener) I haere mātou ki te whare pikitia. We (three or more) are going to the picture theatre (but not you the listener).
Second person plural	kōrua	koutou	you	Me haere atu kōrua. You (two) had better go. Tēnā koutou. Greetings to you (three or more).
Third person plural	rāua	rātou	they, them	E tākaro tēnehi ana rāua. They (two) are playing tennis. He tamariki noa iho rātou. They (three or more) are only children.

Pronouns with more examples.