Dating & Romance

1. Tē hina'aro nei au ia 'ite maita'i ia 'oe.

   I want to get to know you better.

   Usage

   Used to express interest in getting to know someone better.

   Grammar Note

   hina'aro is written with the glottal stop (hina'aro = vouloir ; désirer); 'ite is "to know".

2. E nehenehe roa 'oe!

   You are very beautiful!

   Usage

   Used to compliment someone's beauty. Tahitians value natural beauty.

   Grammar Note

   "roa" is an intensifier meaning "very" or "extremely".

3. E tāmā'a anei tāua i teie ahiahi?

   Would you like to have dinner together?

   Usage

   Used to invite someone on a dinner date. Tahitian cuisine features poisson cru and seafood.

   Grammar Note

   tāmā'a = prendre un repas and ahiahi = soir. 'amu tāmā'a piti literally means "eat twice", not "have dinner".

4. E 'āmui anei 'oe ia mātou i te 'ori Tahiti?

   Would you like to join us for Tahitian dance?

   Usage

   'ori Tahiti (Tahitian dance) is an important cultural activity and a great way to connect.

   Grammar Note

   'āmui = s'unir ; se joindre and 'ori = danser. tāpiri means "glue, to stick", not "to join in".

5. Eaha te mau 'ohipa tā 'oe e au?

   What are your hobbies?

   Usage

   Used to ask about a date's hobbies and interests.

   Grammar Note

   "Au : aimer ; plaisir".

6. 'Ua 'oa'oa roa tāua i teie mahana.

   We had a wonderful time today.

   Usage

   Used at the end of a date to express that you had a wonderful time.

   Grammar Note

   manuia is the Samoan toast; the Tahitian manuia means "prospérer ; réussir", not "a wonderful time". poipoi means "morning", not "today".

7. E mea nehenehe roa te tiare Tahiti!

   The tiare Tahiti flower is so beautiful!

   Usage

   Said about tiare Tahiti, the national flower. Gifting it is a romantic gesture.

   Grammar Note

   "X is very beautiful" is E mea nehenehe roa te X.

8. Tē hina'aro nei au ia fārerei fa'ahou ia 'oe i teie pō.

   I would like to see you again tonight.

   Usage

   Used to express desire to meet again after a date.

   Grammar Note

   fārerei = rencontrer; 'ite means "to know, to see" rather than "to meet".

9. E haere anei tāua e hi'o i te hoera'a va'a?

   Shall we go watch the outrigger canoe race together?

   Usage

   Va'a outrigger canoe racing is a beloved Tahitian tradition and a great date activity.

   Grammar Note

   hoera'a … = course de X; hoe = "an oar or paddle". va'a is the Tahitian outrigger canoe.

10. E here au ia 'oe.

    I love you.

    Usage

    The most important expression for declaring love in Tahitian.

    Grammar Note

    "here" is the core word for love in Tahitian; "māuruuru" is thanks, "here" is love.

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