rāua / rātou

Talking About Two or a Group

Level 1

Rāua refers to two third persons; rātou to three or more.

How It Works

Rāua refers to a previously identified pair. Rātou refers to a larger third-person group. English they usually needs extra context to show this number contrast.

Do not use these words for a group that includes yourself. Choose the appropriate inclusive or exclusive first-person form for that group. A sequence with rāua ko is another way to connect a person with a named companion.

Examples (3)

  1. Kei te kai rāua.

    The two of them are eating.

  2. Kei te haere rātou.

    They are going (three or more).

  3. He kaiako rāua.

    The two of them are teachers.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

rāua / rātouLevel 1Talking About Two or a Group

Learn This First

Use rāua for two third persons and rātou for three or more. These references exclude speaker and addressee, retain gender neutrality, and depend on context to identify the group's members.