Flirting

1. E mea nehenehe 'oe.

   You are beautiful.

   Usage

   Compliment someone on their beauty in Tahitian

   Grammar Note

   He … is a Hawaiian/Māori article that Tahitian lacks; an adjectival predicate takes E mea ….

2. 'O vai tō 'oe i'oa?

   What is your name?

   Usage

   Ask for someone's name when meeting them for the first time

   Grammar Note

   vai is the question word used to ask about a person's identity

3. E hina'aro anei 'oe ia inu tāua?

   Would you like to drink together?

   Usage

   Invite someone for a drink at a bar in Papeete or on the beach

   Grammar Note

   For two people the dual tāua is used, not tātou (three or more).

4. E ti'a anei ia'u ia 'ite i tō 'oe nūmera niuniu?

   Can I have your phone number?

   Usage

   Ask for someone's phone number to keep in touch

   Grammar Note

   Tahitian lacks the letter k. The telephone is niuniu.

5. Mea 'oa'oa roa vau i te fārerei ia 'oe.

   I am glad I met you.

   Usage

   Express happiness about meeting someone

   Grammar Note

   "Fārerei : rencontrer".

6. E mea nehenehe roa 'oe!

   You are very beautiful!

   Usage

   A direct compliment on someone's beauty

   Grammar Note

   nani is Hawaiian; Tahitian for "beautiful" is nehenehe.

7. E ti'a anei ia 'oe ia ha'api'i mai ia'u i te reo Tahiti?

   Can you teach me Tahitian?

   Usage

   A charming conversation opener — asking to be taught Tahitian

   Grammar Note

   Requests and ability are asked with E ti'a anei ia 'oe ia ….

8. Tē hina'aro nei au e rave i tō 'oe hōho'a.

   I want to take your photo.

   Usage

   A gentle approach to taking someone's photo

   Grammar Note

   makemake is Hawaiian (and Māori); Tahitian is hina'aro. A photograph is hōho'a (hōho'a pata = photographie).

9. E 'ori anei tāua?

   Shall we dance together?

   Usage

   Invite someone to dance with you at a party or celebration

   Grammar Note

   'ori = danser. ha'uti pū means "play together", not "dance".

10. 'Eiaha 'oe e vai 'ōtahi.

    Don't be alone.

    Usage

    A gentle invitation to be together rather than alone

    Grammar Note

    Prohibition is 'Eiaha + subject + e + verb. "'Ōtahi : unique" and "Vai : rester".

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