Language
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It is strongly recommended that you try a few words of both French and Tahitian “just to break the ice”, this is more a case of respect than anything else, but is very worthwhile.If you are able to speak Maori, you’ll find that Tahitian “Maohi” is very similar, and is well worth pursuing.
The small collection of words and phrases in Tahitian and French is one that we’ve provided “just for fun” - don’t be afraid to try them, you’ll be thrilled at the results. A good pointer for the pronunciation of Tahitian is that it is similar to Maori, in that all vowels are pronounced.
| ENGLISH | FRENCH | TAHITIAN |
| AIRPLANE | AVION | MANUREVA |
| BEACH | PLAGE | TAHATAI |
| BEER | BIERE | PIA |
| BREAD | PAIN | FARAOA |
| BUTTER | BEURRE | PATA |
| CAR | VOITURE | PEREOO |
| CHURCH | EGLISE | FARE PURE |
| CIGARETTE | CIGARETTE | AVA AVA |
| COFFEE | CAFE | TAOFE |
| COLD | FROID | TO’E TO’E |
| DOCTOR | MEDECIN | TAOTE |
| DRINK | BOISSON | INU |
| EAT | MANGER | AMU |
| ENGLISH | ANGLAIS | BERETANE |
| FRIEND | AMI | HOA |
| GENTLEMAN | MONSIEUR | TANE |
| GIRL | FILLE | POTI’I |
| GOODBYE | AU REVOIR | PARAHI OE, NANA |
| GOOD EVENING | BONSOIR | IA ORA OE I TEIE PO |
| GOOD MORNING | BONJOUR | IA ORA NA OE |
| HOW ARE YOU? | COMMENT ALLEZ-VOUS? | EAHA TE HURU? |
| I’M HUNGRY | J’AI FAIM | UA POI A VAU |
| I’M THIRSTY | J’AI SOIF | UA POI HA VAU |
| LADY | DAME | VAHINE |
| LUNCH | DEJEUNER | TAMA’A |
| MAN | HOMME | TANE |
| MILK | LAIT | U |
| MONEY | ARGENT | MONI |
| PAPAYA | PAPAYE | IITA |
| PASSPORT | PASSEPORT | PUTA RATERE |
| PINEAPPLE | ANANAS | PAINAPO |
| POLICE | POLICE | MUTO’I |
| POST OFFICE | BUREAU DE POSTE | FARE RATA |
| SEA | MER | MITI, MOANA |
| SHOP | BOUTIQUE | FARE TOA |
| SUN | SOLEIL | MAHANA |
| SWIM | NAGER | AU |
| THANK YOU | MERCI | MAURUURU |
| UNDERSTAND | COMPRENDRE | TAAPAPU |
| WATER | EAU | PAPE |
| WHAT TIME IS IT? | QUELLE HEURE EST-IL? | HORA AHA I TEIE NEI? |
| YES | OUI | E, AIA. |
 Arrival at Faa'a International Airport |
 Postage Service |
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