tēnei / tēnā / tērā

This and That

Level 1

These singular demonstratives locate an item in the conversation.

How It Works

Tēnei pukapuka is this book associated with me. Tēnā pukapuka is that book associated with you. Tērā pukapuka is that book over there or away from both of us.

Distance can be conversational rather than a measured physical distance. A speaker may use these forms to refer to a point in the discussion. When the demonstrative introduces a noun, do not add te before it.

Examples (3)

  1. He pai tēnei pukapuka.

    This book is good.

  2. Homai tēnā pene.

    Give me that pen by you.

  3. Kei te kura tērā tamaiti.

    That child over there is at school.

How It Connects

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

tēnei / tēnā / tērāLevel 1This and That

Learn This First

Develop singular demonstratives as independent references and noun determiners. Choose speaker-associated tēnei, addressee-associated tēnā or tērā away from both, allowing conversational as well as physical distance.