Useful Phrases

1. Na'u i hāmani i teie application

   I made this app

   Usage

   Used when introducing an app you created

   Grammar Note

   hana is Hawaiian/Māori; the Tahitian verb is hāmani. The demonstrative is teie.

2. E application tāmoni 'ore teie

   This app is free

   Usage

   Used to inform someone the app is free of charge

   Grammar Note

   tāmoni 'ore = gratuit. A nominal predicate is E + noun + subject.

3. 'A huti mai na i teie application

   Please try downloading it

   Usage

   Used to encourage someone to download the app

   Grammar Note

   "Huti : tirer ; hisser" is for pulling something towards you. There is no word for downloading, so this is descriptive.

4. E Tapōnē vau

   I'm Japanese

   Usage

   Basic phrase for introducing your nationality

   Grammar Note

   The nominal predicate marker is "e" ("E taoto vau"). "Ei" is the optative/imperative particle — "Ei ... au" reads as a wish ("may I be ..."), so it cannot be used to introduce yourself. "Japanese" is tāpōnē; "Japan" is Te fenua tāpōnē.

5. E ratere vau

   I'm a traveler

   Usage

   Used to identify yourself as a tourist/traveler

   Grammar Note

   "Ratere" is the word for traveler. Do not use "taravana" — it means mad / crazy / lovesick.

6. Tē tere 'ōtahi nei au

   I'm traveling alone

   Usage

   Used to say you are traveling by yourself

   Grammar Note

   tere = voyager and 'ōtahi = unique ; seul.

7. 'O te tere mātāmua teie nā'u i 'ō nei

   It's my first time here

   Usage

   Common phrase when visiting a place for the first time

   Grammar Note

   mātāmua means "first".

8. E ti'a anei ia'u ia rave i te hō'ē hōho'a?

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   Used when asking permission to take a photo

   Grammar Note

   hōho'a pata = photographie.

9. E rave anei tāua i te hō'ē hōho'a?

   Shall we take a photo together?

   Usage

   Used to suggest taking a photo together

   Grammar Note

   Two people take tāua.

10. 'A hi'o na i te QR code

    Please scan the QR code

    Usage

    Used when asking someone to scan a QR code

    Grammar Note

    tāpiri means "glue, to stick", not "to scan". There is no word for QR, so the action is expressed with hi'o ("to look").

11. 'Eiaha e ha'avare ia'u

    Don't cheat me / Stop ripping me off

    Usage

    Used when being cheated or overcharged; a strong protest

    Grammar Note

    Prohibition is 'Eiaha + e + verb. "To deceive" is ha'avare ("mentir, duper"); rāmā also means "tromper".

12. 'Eiaha e fa'aha'amā ia'u

    Don't underestimate me / Don't look down on me

    Usage

    Used when someone disrespects or underestimates you

    Grammar Note

    The verb is "Fa'aha'amāra'a : rabaissement ; humiliation". Prohibition is 'Eiaha + e + verb.

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