Ano, in the beginning of sentences, seems with Ngapuhi to admit of a wider application than what is generally heard in Waikato; e. g., Ano ka tae ki te whare, and when he came to the house.
N.B.—No, also, with the same people, seems to admit of a somewhat similar application.
Ra is a particle corresponding in its use with nei and ra, and is frequently used to supply the place of the relative which; e. g.,
- I kite ra koe, which you saw.
- There; e takoto mai ra, it lies there.
It is sometimes used in commands and energetic sentences, for Then.
- Haere ra, go then.
- Heoi ano ra, that is all about it then.
Often in replies; E pai ana? Ae ra.
Koa is a particle used mostly in correcting, &c., another speaker or oneself:
- E pa, e he ana koa koe, O my friend you are wrong.
- Aana koa, yes (you are right).
It is difficult to define its meaning in the following phrases: