|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
The Language- |
 |
 |
|
French and Tahitian are the two official languages of French Polynesia. People who work in tourism can often also speak English and some Japanese, German and Italian.
It is definitely useful to know a bit of French when travelling to Bora Bora, but do not worry if you don’t speak it very well. It is easy to get by.
Tahitian, also known as Maohi, is spoken more than written, and it belongs to the group of Polynesian languages that also include Samoan, Maori, Hawaiian, and Tongan.
|
|
Tahitian grammar is easy and the language is phonetic and rather straightforward. It is easy to pick up a few words while on vacation on the islands.
Here are a few phrases in English, French and Tahitian to give you a head start:
| Hello |
Bonjour |
Ia ora na |
| Welcome |
Bienvenue |
Maeva |
| How are you? |
Ça va? |
E aha te huru? |
| All is great! |
Tout va bien, ça va |
Maitai! |
| No problem |
Pas de problem |
Aita pe’ape’a |
| I don’t understand |
Je ne comprends pas |
Aita i ta’a ia’u |
| Cheers (for drinking) |
Santé! |
Manuia |
| Thank you |
Merci |
Mauru'uru |
'Mauru'uru!' (thank you) – is the only word you really need to know and a genuine smile will get you far...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|