5 Tahitian Phrases for Culturally-Friendly Travel

Embarking to the enchanting islands of French Polynesia is the journey of a lifetime, and connecting with the local culture and people can truly up the ante from a memorable trip to an unforgettable one. Tahitian culture is rich with warmth, hospitality, and deep-rooted traditions. Learning a few simple phrases not only helps create connections, it demonstrates genuine respect and appreciation for Tahitian people and affirms the preservation of their culture. In this blog, we'll explore five phrases to help you embrace the heart of the Tahitian language and engage in culturally friendly travel.

Pronouncing Tahitian

Before we tackle these 5 simple phrases, I want to let you in on a useful tool that makes learning to speak Tahitian easier; simply pronounce every letter in every word. For example, Moorea is correctly pronounced “Mo-oh-rea”. This tip has stayed with me and has proven helpful as I learn the native tongue of my husband's family. Now that you know how to sound out written Tahitian, let's learn some phrases!

1. Ia ora na - (pronounced ee-ah oh-rah nah) - Hello

The traditional Tahitian greeting, "Ia ora na," is your passport to connect with locals and embrace their warm hospitality. Whether you're meeting new friends, entering a local shop, or greeting a friendly passer-by, using this simple phrase will bring about warm smiles and open the door to meaningful connections!

2. Māuruuru - (pronounced mah-oo-roo-roo) - Thank you

Expressing gratitude is a universal way to show appreciation, and it's simply a fact of life that feeling and communicating gratitude makes for better days. When locals go out of their way to help or share their culture, offer a heartfelt "Mauruuru" to show your gratitude and cultural respect. While some younger Tahitians now say "Mauruuru Maita'i" to say "thank you very much," this is a newer Tahitian phrase - the original is "Maururuu Roa."

3. Nana - (pronounced nah-nah) - Bye

"Nana" means "goodbye" or "see you later." Use it with newfound friends and acquaintances you'll meet along your journey during your travels.

4. Tama'a Maita'i - (pronounced ta-ma-ah may-tay - not my-tie)

This phrase is the Tahitian equivalent to the French "bon appetite". You'll hear servers say this to you when serving your meal. If you see Tahitians eating, it is polite wish them to enjoy their meal by saying, "tama'a maita'i." Ma'a means "food", and Tama'a is the action of eating. Maita'i means "good."

5. Manuia - (pronounced ma-new-yah)

Clink a Hinano beer or Mai Tai cocktail with your new Tahitian friends and say, "Manuia," which means "cheers" and translates to "good health." Remember this phrase when you want to toast with locals or celebrate joyous moments during your stay in Tahiti.

As you traverse the island's breathtaking landscapes and embrace the warmth of the Tahitian culture, incorporating these five phrases into your interactions will create a deeper sense of connection and warmth. You may also acquaint yourself to Tahitian's nonverbal language as well, such as raising the eyebrows to affirm "yes," raising them twice to add, "yes, and you?". As you'll come to find, Tahitian people are some of the friendliest people on Earth -your efforts will surely be met with a smile and a genuine friend.

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Mauruuru roa and safe travels!