Adjectives

1. Rahi

   Big

   Usage

   For asking for another size; use it with a gesture

2. Iti

   Small

   Usage

   For describing clothing or room size

3. Teiaha

   Heavy

   Usage

   For excess baggage, or asking someone to lift something

4. Māmā

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   About weight only — in many languages this is a different word from “bright”

5. Ho'o rahi

   Expensive

   Usage

   The opening move in a haggle; pair it with a face

6. Ho'o iti

   Cheap

   Usage

   For asking whether a cheaper option exists

7. Ve'ave'a

   Hot (thing)

   Usage

   About food, drink, or water — not the same word as hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "Ve'ave'a" is a hot object; hot weather is the clause "ve'ave'a te mahana."

8. To'eto'e

   Cold (thing)

   Usage

   About drinks and food — not the same word as cold weather

9. 'Āpī

   New

   Usage

   For checking whether something is unused

10. Tahito

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    For objects only; used of people it is rude in many languages

    Grammar Note

    "Tahito" is for objects; it is not used of people.

11. Taure'are'a

    Young

    Usage

    About a person's age; a small-talk word

12. Rū'au

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The dedicated word for people; pick the respectful one

    Grammar Note

    The macron is written in māmā rū'au ("grandmother") and pāpā rū'au ("grandfather").

13. Mā

    Clean

    Usage

    For a clean room or clean water (for beauty, use nehenehe)

14. Repo

    Dirty

    Usage

    Useful when asking to change rooms

15. Maita'i

    Good

    Usage

    The all-purpose word for agreement and approval

16. 'Ino

    Bad

    Usage

    For saying that your health or an item's quality is poor

17. Fātata

    Near

    Usage

    For checking whether somewhere is within walking distance

18. 'Ātea

    Far

    Usage

    Tells you whether you need transport

19. Vave

    Early

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “fast”

    Grammar Note

    Nā mua means "in front / first" (position), not "early" or "fast". vave is glossed as "bientôt ; rapidement ; dans peu de temps", which covers both.

20. Tāere

    Late

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “slow”

    Grammar Note

    "Tāere" covers being late and also moving slowly.

21. E rave rahi

    Many

    Usage

    About quantity or how crowded somewhere is

22. Iti noa

    Few

    Usage

    Also useful for asking for a smaller portion

23. Ve'ave'a te mahana

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a hot object

24. To'eto'e te mahana

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a cold object

25. Nehenehe

    Cute

    Usage

    Used for people and things; closer to "beautiful/lovely"

26. Mōmona

    Delicious

    Usage

    The word you will reach for most often at the table

    Grammar Note

    In Tahitian 'ono is the barracuda (and the numeral six), not "delicious" — unlike Hawaiian 'ono. monamona / mōmona are glossed as "savoureux ; délicieux ; sucré".

27. 'Oa'oa

    Fun

    Usage

    For describing an experience itself; also covers "happy"

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