Festivals & Events

1. Āfea te Heiva?

   When is the Heiva festival?

   Usage

   Ask about the dates of the Heiva, Tahiti's most important cultural festival held in July

   Grammar Note

   Future "when" is Āfea; Āhea misplaces the glottal stop and the macron.

2. Tē hina'aro nei au e hi'o i te 'ori Tahiti.

   I would like to see 'ori Tahiti dancing.

   Usage

   Used to express a desire to watch 'ori Tahiti, the traditional Tahitian dance

   Grammar Note

   hina'aro is written with the glottal stop; 'ori is "danser".

3. Tei hea te vāhi o te Heiva?

   Where is the Heiva festival venue?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the location of the Heiva festival venue

   Grammar Note

   Location uses Tei hea.

4. Hōmai na i te hō'ē titeti nō te Heiva.

   I would like one ticket for the Heiva.

   Usage

   Used when buying tickets for the Heiva festival

   Grammar Note

   "Titeti : ticket".

5. Eaha te 'ori tā teie pupu e fa'a'ite?

   What dance will this group perform?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the program of a dance group at the Heiva

   Grammar Note

   pupu = groupe de personnes ; équipe, "a company, party".

6. Mea faufa'a rahi te Heiva nō Tahiti.

   The Heiva festival is very important to Tahiti.

   Usage

   Used in conversation about the cultural significance of the Heiva

   Grammar Note

   faufa'a = important ; valeur ; richesse.

7. Tē hina'aro nei au e hi'o i te hei tiare.

   I would like to see the tiare flower garland (hei).

   Usage

   Used at festivals or welcomes to see the tiare flower garland (hei)

   Grammar Note

   hei = "a wreath or garland of flowers"; the same root is used in hei rima ("bracelet").

8. Āfea te hoera'a va'a?

   When is the outrigger canoe race?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the va'a (outrigger canoe) race schedule at Heiva or regattas

   Grammar Note

   "Hoera'a … : course de X".

9. Tē hina'aro nei au e 'amu i te mā'a o te 'ōro'a.

   I would like to eat festival food.

   Usage

   Used when wanting to enjoy traditional food at a festival

   Grammar Note

   "'Ōro'a : fête ; cérémonie".

10. 'Ia ora na i te Heiva!

    Greetings for the Heiva festival!

    Usage

    A festive greeting used during the Heiva festival season

    Grammar Note

    The Fare Vāna'a spelling is 'Ia ora na in three words.

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