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#79: I went to the shop in order to buy food

ai, he aha ai?
In order to — he aha ai
He aha ai? means “why?” because he aha means “what” and ai refers to the reason or purpose for something happening. The particle ai can indicate purpose in sentences, often placed at the end of a clause. Combining them forms the question asking for the reason something happens.

Video

Vocabulary

ā • āe • ahau • āhua • ake • ake, ake, ake • āku • āna • ātaahua • atu • au • āwangawanga • e hoa mā • e tū • engari • haere mā raro • haunga • hiahia • hiainu • hiakai • hiamoe • hīkoi • hoa • hōhā • hōiho • hou • i • ia • iho • iti • ka • kaha • katoa • kau • keke • kēkē • ki • kia • Kia kaha! • kia ora • kino • ko wai • koe • koro • kōrua • koutou • kōwhai • kua • mā • mai • māua • māuiui • ngenge • noho • nui • ō • oma • ora • pai • pango • pēhea? • rā • rātau • rāua • rūma moe • taku • tama • tamaiti • tamariki • tana • tātou • tāua • tere • tino • tō • wāhine • waiata • whaea • whero

Grammar

In order to — he aha ai
← #78: Rangi has been to Taupō on his friend's helicopter
All Lessons
#80: Why did Mere drive to the supermarket? →