He kupu kōiwi, he kupu iti, kāore ōna tikanga i tōna kotahi. Mēnā ka noho tahi me kupu kē atu, kātahi ka whai tikanga. Ko tā te punga i te rerenga kōrero, he tuitui i ngā kupu kiko i runga anō i ngā tikanga wetereo.
A type of function word which is small and means nothing on its own. It needs to be associated with other words to impart meaning. In a sentence, particles serve to bind the content words together according to grammatical convention.
punga - to anchor
Tohua ngā punga i tēnei rerenga kōrero.
Ko ngā punga, koirā te nuinga o ngā hapa i tana tuhinga.
He aha i kīia ai, he punga te kupu 'i'?