te + noun
The Singular Article
Te marks a definite singular noun phrase.
How It Works
Te whare means the house: one house that the conversation identifies. Te belongs to the noun phrase, so a following adjective describes that same item: te whare nui.
Replace te with ngā for an ordinary definite plural. Do not add an English-style s to the noun. Some Māori nouns have special plural forms, but those are learned as words rather than a general ending.
Examples (3)
- Kei konei te pukapuka.
The book is here.
- Kei te moe te tamaiti.
The child is sleeping.
- He nui te whare.
The house is big.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- kei + placeSaying Where Something IsLevel 1
- ko ... tēneiIdentifying ThisLevel 1
- tēnei / tēnā / tērāThis and ThatLevel 1
- kotahiOne in CountingLevel 2
- me + nounTogether withLevel 2
- te ... a / oA Possessor After the NounLevel 2
- te ... -tangaAn Action or Quality as a NounLevel 3
- te mea ... rawaA Highest Degree in a SetLevel 3
Practice te + noun in Bubblegum
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