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