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).
I pānui a Toa i tērā pukapuka.
Toa read that book.He kaiako tērā wahine.
That woman is a teacher.He tōtara tērā rākau.
That tree is a tōtara.Ko tērā te manuhiri.
That's the guest.He whare nui tērā.
That (over there) is a big house.Kei te pīrangi ia ki tērā waka.
She wants that car.He pūrotu tērā tāne.
That man is handsome.Te paruparu o tērā tangata!
What a dirty man.He pango tērā rēme.
That lamb is black.He anuanu tērā kurī.
That dog's ugly.Kāhore kau he kākā kura o tērā pōkai.
That flock didn't have any red kākā.He taraka miraka tērā.
That's a milk truck.Kāore au e pai ki te tae o tērā motoka.
I don't like the colour of that car.Te ātaahua hoki o tērā wahine!
How beautiful that woman is!He ātaahua tērā ngeru!
That's a beautiful cat!Te tere hoki o tērā motopaika!
How fast that motorbike is!He kōwhai tērā rākou.
That tree is a kōwhai.He mihi tērā ki te whānau whānui.
That is a greeting to the extended family.Kāore tērā kōrero i te tika.
That account is not correct.He rawe tērā whakaaro, nē hā?
That is a great idea, eh?Ko Pita tērā kei te tapahi i te mīti.
That's Pita chopping the meat.He kararehe nui tērā.
That's a big animal.Ko tā rātou kurī tērā e auau ana.
That is their dog barking.He makariri tērā tī.
That tea is cold.No te kuia tērā pōtae.
That hat belongs to the old lady.Ko Ani te kaikaranga o tērā hapū?
Is Ani the caller of that hapū?He ara kino tērā?
Is that a bad road?Tokomaha ngā tāngata o tērā iwi.
There are a lot of people in that tribe.He hātekēhi tērā koroua.
That old fellow is a hard case.