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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.

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?	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 ISIT?	QUELLE HEURE EST-IL?	HORA AHA I TEIE NEI?
YES	OUI	E, AIA.