Help with the phrase for 'I can't find my book'

Yeah, I get those two mixed up too! I think of "moua" as the past tense, like "found", and "kumi" as the action, "to find".

That’s a good way to think about it, Pita. I’ve been repeating "Moua e au i fafo" a lot since it means "I found it outside," just to get used to "moua." Has "kumi" come up in any sentences for you yet? I haven’t seen it in a full sentence in the app.

I haven't seen kumi in a full sentence either, just the "to find" meaning. I guess that's why it's a bit harder to remember. I'm trying to practice with "Nākai moua e au e tohi haaku" so I can remember it for Nana's birthday next year.

I’m slowly getting used to using moua too. The app says “Moua tuai e au” means "I've found it!" which feels like a fun phrase to say when you finally find something. Have you tried saying the full phrase out loud, like “Nākai moua e au e tohi haaku” like you’re really looking for your book?