Māori Grammar
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Tērā is a determiner meaning “that thing over there”. Other determiners are tēnei (“this thing near me”) and tēnā (“that thing near you”).
The initial t is dropped in the plural forms: ērā (“those things over there”), ēnei (“those things near me”) and ēnā (“those things near you”).
An alternative structure, with the same meaning, is te...rā and ngā...rā.
Tērā mea.
That thing (over there).
Ērā mea.
Those things (over there).
Te mea rā.
That thing (over there).
Ngā mea rā.
Those things (over there).
Kāore tērā kōrero i te tika.
That account is not correct.He ātaahua tērā ngeru!
That's a beautiful cat!He kōwhai tērā rākou.
That tree is a kōwhai.He anuanu tērā kurī.
That dog's ugly.Te ātaahua hoki o tērā wahine!
How beautiful that woman is!He makariri tērā tī.
That tea is cold.Tokomaha ngā tāngata o tērā iwi.
There are a lot of people in that tribe.He tōtara tērā rākau.
That tree is a tōtara.Te tere hoki o tērā motopaika!
How fast that motorbike is!He pango tērā rēme.
That lamb is black.Ko tērā te manuhiri.
That's the guest.He kararehe nui tērā.
That's a big animal.Kei te pīrangi ia ki tērā waka.
She wants that car.Ko tā rātou kurī tērā e auau ana.
That is their dog barking.He mihi tērā ki te whānau whānui.
That is a greeting to the extended family.He waka rererangi tērā.
That (over there) is a plane.He rawe tērā whakaaro, nē hā?
That is a great idea, eh?He pūrotu tērā tāne.
That man is handsome.He kārearea tērā.
That is a falcon.He ara kino tērā?
Is that a bad road?He taraka miraka tērā.
That's a milk truck.He aha tērā?
What is that (over there)?Kāore au e pai ki te tae o tērā motoka.
I don't like the colour of that car.Ko Pita tērā kei te tapahi i te mīti.
That's Pita chopping the meat.Ko Aria te kaikaranga o tērā hapū?
Is Aria the caller of that hapū?He whare nui tērā.
That (over there) is a big house.I pānui a Toa i tērā pukapuka.
Toa read that book.Kāhore kau he kākā kura o tērā pōkai.
That flock didn't have any red kākā.He kaiako tērā wahine.
That woman is a teacher.Te paruparu o tērā tangata!
What a dirty man.