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Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

rawa

1. (particle) indeed, really, exceedingly, exactly, so, very, quite, especially - a manner particle following immediately after the word it relates to to indicate extremeness or excessiveness. It may be used after all types of bases, but particularly with negatives, adjectives and verbs as described below. Where rawa follows a verb in the passive it will take a passive ending also, usually -tia. In this situation the passive ending may be dropped from the verb, but not from rawa.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 120; Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 44, 91-92;)

Hangaia rawatia he whare hou mōna (TTR 1996:134). / A new house was built especially for her.

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Synonyms: koia, āhua, anō, tino, noa, tonu, kere, āta, hangehange, hengahenga, kāhua, (ko) tōna ... (nei), tou, noa iho, katoa, i neki, inā, ata, rā anō, rā pea, rānō, mārie, mārika, mārire, ia rā, koa, tinana, koia, koia,


2. (particle) eventually, finally, as soon as, by the time, only when, right up until - indicates a significant time lapse or effort and often follows verbs without verbal particles in subordinate clauses. Often followed by mai, atu, ake or iho.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 113;)

Tae rawa atu ia, kua moe kē a Herewini. / When they eventually arrived Selwyn was already asleep.

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Synonyms: rā anō, ā, noa


3. (particle) not at all, never - following negatives to strengthen the assertion of the negation.

(Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 90;)

E kore rawa rātou e whakaae ki tēnā. / They will never agree to that.

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Synonyms: auare ake, nōhea, hore kau, kāhore kau, hore rawa, tōu ene, weta, nōwhea


4. (particle) too, overly, unduly - this usage indicates an unsatisfactory degree of a quality or attribute (either excessive or inadequate).

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 120; Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 44;)

Ka nui rawa ō moni! / You've got too much money!

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5. (particle) very, extremely, so, most - when preceded by an adjective and followed by atu it expresses the superlative.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 120; Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 44;)

He ātaahua rawa atu tēnei wāhi. / This place is extremely beautiful.

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6. (particle) all the way, completely, right to, right above - when following location words.

I kumea te waka ki uta rawa. / The canoe was dragged all the way up the beach.

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Synonyms: rānō, rā anō


7. (particle) until, till - following kia and a verb.

Me tatari koe kia tae rawa mai te pahi. / You had better wait until the bus arrives.

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8. (particle) must, really had better - following me and a verb, it intensifies the meaning of the obligation.

Me hoki rawa mai koe ā mua o te weheruatanga o te pō. / You really had better return before midnight.

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Synonyms: mātua, me, hōpurupuru


9. (particle) highest - when following runga.

I piki a Tāne ki te rangi o runga rawa. / Tāne climbed to the highest of the heavens.

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