Tahitian Language and Phrases

French and Tahitian are the official languages of Tahiti & Her Islands. English is spoken in all hotels. On most of the larger islands you will also find English spoken in most shops and restaurants. However, as you get to more of the remote islands, you will find fewer people speaking English.

Tahitian children Most Americans will find it easier to pronounce Tahitian words than French. Yes, there are a lot of vowels, but each letter is pronounced and that pronunciation never changes.

Vowels
   A: pronounced ah as papa
   E: pronounced ay as bay
   I: pronounced ee as see
   O: pronounced oh as show
   U: pronounced oo as boot

Consonants
Consonants are pronounced the same as in English.

Here are a few words and phrases in Tahitian. Please give them a try, the Tahitians will appreciate your effort!

English

Good morning
Goodbye
How are you?
Well
Have a good night
See you tomorrow
Thank you
You’re welcome
Yes
No
Woman
Man
Child
Stranger
House
To love
Water
Cold water
Beer
Fish
Raw fish
Swordfish
Shark
Crab
Mosquito
Banana
Coconut
Coconut tree
Coconut leaves
Flowers
Sea
Wind
Beach
Islet
Land/Country
Tahitian dance
Forbidden
Fed up

Tahitian

Ia orana
Nana
E aha te huru
Maitai
Taoto maitai
Ananahi
Maururu
Aita peapea
E
Aita
Vahine
Tane
Tamarii
Popa’a
Fare
Here
Pape
Pape to’e to’e
Pia
Ei’a
Ei’a ota
Ha’ura
Ma'o
Tupa
Nao Nao
Mai’a
Opa’a
Tumu haari
Ni’au
Tiare
Miti
Mata’I Mara’amu
Tatahi
Motu
Fenua
Tamure
Tapu
Fiu

Laurel of True Tahiti shares her experiences of island life on Moorea in her blog, My Life on Moorea