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