Nature & Outdoors

1. Te moana

   The ocean / sea

   Usage

   Referring to the Pacific Ocean surrounding Tahiti

   Grammar Note

   moana is a shared Polynesian word meaning "ocean / deep sea"

2. Te mou'a

   Mountain

   Usage

   Referring to Tahiti's lush volcanic mountains

   Grammar Note

   The apostrophe marks a glottal stop consonant

3. Te a'au

   Coral reef

   Usage

   Talking about the coral reefs that form Tahiti's lagoons

   Grammar Note

   vāvara is a reef close to shore, and ava is the pass cutting through the reef

4. Te reva

   Sky / Atmosphere

   Usage

   Talking about the sky or weather

   Grammar Note

   reva also means "flag" and "to depart"

5. Te hitapere

   Waterfall

   Usage

   Referring to Tahiti's beautiful waterfalls on hikes

   Grammar Note

   Hitapere "a cascade" (also Ohitapere)

6. Te anuanua

   Rainbow

   Usage

   Referring to rainbows often seen after tropical showers

   Grammar Note

   anuanua is cognate with Hawaiian ānuenue and Māori āniwaniwa

7. E ve'ave'a roa te mahana

   The sun is very intense

   Usage

   Commenting on the intense tropical sunshine

   Grammar Note

   mahana means both "sun" and "day"

8. Te honu

   Sea turtle

   Usage

   Referring to the sacred sea turtles found in Tahitian waters

   Grammar Note

   honu is a sacred animal revered across Polynesia

9. Te ururā'au

   Tropical rainforest / jungle

   Usage

   Referring to the lush rainforest covering Tahiti's interior

   Grammar Note

   ururā'au (stand of trees) is used for "forest"

10. E nehenehe roa te fenua

    The land / nature is very beautiful

    Usage

    Praising the natural beauty of Tahiti

    Grammar Note

    nehenehe is a reduplication expressing intensified beauty

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