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