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