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