Editing Marquesan language (section)

==== Dominant vs subordinate possession ====
Marquesan distinguishes between two contrastive types of possession.<ref name="Margaret Mutu 2002 p. 72" /> The first can be described in very broad terms as possession in which the possessor is dominant, active, superior, or in control of the possessed. {{Lang|mrq|A}} and {{Lang|mrq|na}} mark this type of possession:

{{interlinear| lang = mqm |number = ex:
| E ìò koe he mea vehine na ia
| {{gcl|NP|non-past tense}} take 2SG INDEF thing woman of him
|"You will get a wife for him."}}

On the other hand, {{Lang|mrq|o}} and {{Lang|mrq|no}} indicate possession where the possessor is subordinate, passive, inferior to, or lacking in control over the possessed:

{{interlinear| lang = mqm |number = ex:
| Ù kave mai koe i tēnā kahu no ia
| PFV bring hither 2SG DO that dress for her
|"You have brought that dress for her (to wear)."}}