Ia ora na
Tahitian, everyday
In French Polynesia people greet each other with the Tahitian Ia ora na or with the French Bonjour. Visitors hear both every day.
Meaning: greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| French | Note |
|---|---|
| Ia ora na | Tahitian, everyday |
| Bonjour | French, official |
French is the only official language of French Polynesia and Tahitian is widely spoken at home, so the two greetings sit side by side. Ia ora na is the warm local choice and Bonjour works everywhere.
When do people say it?
Visitors who say Ia ora na to a local usually get a smile. The Tahitian word maeva means "welcome" and is often seen on signs and in greetings to tourists.
Did you know?
- French is the only official language of French Polynesia, while Tahitian is widely spoken in daily life.
Examples in context
- Ia ora na!Hello!
- Bonjour, bienvenue à Tahiti.Hello, welcome to Tahiti.
- Bonjour madame.Hello, madam.
Example conversation
Teva greets Hina at the market in Papeete.
- TevaIa ora na, Hina!Hello, Hina!
- HinaIa ora na, Teva. Ça va?Hello, Teva. How are you?
- TevaÇa va bien, merci.Fine, thank you.
