'Ia ora na 'e māuruuru
The Tahitian phrase 'Ia ora na 'e māuruuru means "hello and thank you".
This phrase is a polite way to combine a greeting with an expression of gratitude in a single statement.
Did you know?
- In Tahitian culture, māuruuru can be repeated as māuruuru roa to express deep gratitude, where roa literally means 'long'.
- Because 'Ia ora na translates to 'may you live', saying it is technically a wish for the other person's vitality and well-being.
- While English speakers use 'hello' to get attention, a Tahitian speaker using 'Ia ora na is actually performing a ritual of acknowledging the other person's existence.
