ko ... tēnei
Identifying This
An identifying phrase can tell the listener what this is.
How It Works
In Ko Mere tēnei, the speaker identifies this person as Mere. Ko te kura tēnei identifies this place or object as the school.
Choose the demonstrative from the viewpoint of the conversation. Tēnei is associated with the speaker, tēnā with the addressee and tērā with a more distant referent. These distinctions also work when discussing photographs or ideas.
Examples (3)
- Ko Mere tēnei.
This is Mere.
- Ko te kura tēnā.
That by you is the school.
- Ko tōku whare tērā.
That over there is my house.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Link an identifying name or definite phrase with the referent indicated by tēnei, tēnā or tērā. This lesson introduces the speaker, addressee and distant viewpoints within the identifying construction itself.
- ko + nameNaming an Identity
The naming lesson establishes ko as an identifying marker, which this lesson uses to identify the person or thing indicated by tēnei.
Level 1 - te + nounThe Singular Article
Recognizing te kura as a definite noun phrase supports the extension from ko plus a name to Ko te kura tēnā.
Level 1
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice ko ... tēnei in Bubblegum
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