Editing Māori language (section)

==== Demonstrative determiners and adverbs ====
Demonstratives occur after the noun and have a deictic function, and include {{lang|mi|tēnei}}, this (near me), {{lang|mi|tēnā}}, that (near you), {{lang|mi|tērā}}, that (far from us both), and {{lang|mi|taua}}, the aforementioned (anaphoric). These demonstratives, having a connection to the definite article {{lang|mi|te}} are termed definitives. Other definitives include {{lang|mi|tēhea?}} (which?), and {{lang|mi|tētahi}}, (a certain). The plural is formed just by dropping the ''t'': {{lang|mi|tēnei}} (this), {{lang|mi|ēnei}} (these). The related adverbs are {{lang|mi|nei}} (here), {{lang|mi|nā}} (there, near you), {{lang|mi|rā}} (over there, near him).{{sfn|Bauer|1997|pages=152–154}}

Phrases introduced by demonstratives can also be expressed using the definite article {{lang|mi|te}} or {{lang|mi|ngā}} preceding a noun followed by one of the deictic particles {{lang|mi|nei}}, {{lang|mi|nā}} or {{lang|mi|rā}}. The ''t'' of the singular definite article appears in the singular demonstratives but is replaced by ''∅'' in the plural, having no connection with {{lang|mi|ngā}} in the majority of dialects.

{{interlinear|indent=2| lang = mi |abbreviations=PROX:proximal
| te whare nei {{=}} tēnei whare
| DEF.SG house PROX {{=}} DEM.SG.PROX house
|"this house"}}

{{interlinear|indent=2| lang = mi |abbreviations=PROX:proximal
| ngā whare nei {{=}} ēnei whare
| DEF.PL house PROX {{=}} DEM.PL.PROX house
|"these houses"}}{{sfn|Harlow|2007|page=142}}

However, in dialects of the [[Waikato]] area, plural forms of demonstratives beginning with ''ng-'' are found, such as {{lang|mi|ngēnei}} 'these' instead of the more widespread {{lang|mi|ēnei}} (as well as and [[#Possessive_pronouns|possessives]] such as {{lang|mi|ng(e)ōku}} 'my (plural, inalienable)' instead of {{lang|mi|ōku}}).{{sfn|Harlow|2007|page=48}}

The following table shows the most common forms of demonstratives across dialects.

{| class="wikitable"
!
!Singular
!Plural
!Adverb
|-
!Proximal
|{{lang|mi|tēnei}}
|{{lang|mi|ēnei}}
|{{lang|mi|nei}}
|-
!Medial
|{{lang|mi|tēnā}}
|{{lang|mi|ēnā}}
|{{lang|mi|nā}}
|-
!Distal
|{{lang|mi|tērā}}
|{{lang|mi|ērā}}
|{{lang|mi|rā}}
|-
!Aforementioned
|{{lang|mi|taua}}
|{{lang|mi|aua}}
|
|}