- To nga hope te wai, the water is up to the loins.
- Ka to nga uma te wai nei, the water is up to the breast.
N.B.—To almost always takes a plural number after it.
Compound Prepositions.—One or two examples will be a sufficient illustration of all.
Runga is capable of the following combinations: I runga i, ki runga ki, ki runga i, ki runga o, no runga no, no runga i, o runga o, kei runga kei, kei runga i, hei runga i, hei runga hei, mo runga mo, &c., &c. The first preposition in the combination and the meaning of the sentence will always determine the last.
Sometimes the adverbs ake and iho, (vid. adverbs,) as also the particles atu and mai, are postfixed to the prepositions to increase its force; e. g.
- E ngari tena i runga ake, that which is above (it) is better.
- A muri ake nei, hereafter.
A very singular use of roto (or ro) may be found in the neighbourhood of the East Cape: e. g.
- Kei ro whare, inside the house.
- Kei ro pouaka, in the box.
A similar use of waenga may be found in all parts of the island; e. g.
- Kei waenga riwai, in the midst of the potatoe (field.)
- Kei waenga mara, in the midst of the cultivation.