Language

The official languages of French Polynesia are French and Tahitian, with each group of islands also having its own language. These languages belong to the great Austronesian or Malayo European language family.
Once exclusively the language of Tahiti and its neighbours, Tahitian is now spoken on about 100 islands of French Polynesia. The language gained prominence because Tahiti was the most populous island and the chief language chosen for missionary work. As the written word and Christianity were spread by native pastors, the printed Tahitian word more or less superseded other local dialects and languages.
Although English is spoken by many shopkeepers, hotel personnel and students, it would help to have some command of French.

It is strongly recommended that you try a few words of both French and Tahitian “just to break the ice”, this is more a case of respect than anything else, but is very worthwhile.

Here a few words:

Hello (general greeting) - Ia Orana (yo-rah-nah)
How are you? - Maita'i oe? (my-tie oh-ay)
I am fine - Maita'i vau. (my-tie vah-oo)
Thank you - Mauruuru. (mah-roo-roo)
Bye bye - Nana. (nah-nah)
Do you speak English? - Ua ite oe i te parau Marite? (oo-ah ee-tay oh-ay ee tay pah- rah-oo mah-ree-tay)
I don't understand - Aita i papu ia'u. (eye-tah ee pah-poo ee-ah-oo)
What's your name? - O vai to oe i'oa? (oh vah-ee toh oh-ay ee-oh-ah)
My name is Chris - O Chris to'u i'oa. (oh kris toh-oo ee-oh-ah)
Where are you from? - Nohea mai oe? (noh-hay-ah my oh-ay)
I am from America - No te Fenua Marite mai vau. (noh tay feh-noo-ah mah-ree-tay my vah-oo)
Let's go! - Haere tatou! (ha-ay-ray tah-toh-oo)
Please take me to ... - Arave ato'a ia'u ... (ah-rah-vay ah-toh-ah ee-ah-oo)
To your health! - Manuia! (mah-nwee-ah)
Yes - E (ay)
No - Aita (eye-tah)