How to Say “Hi” in Tahitian

By Ruth Christine • Updated October 1, 2026

'ia ora na

The Tahitian way to say hi is 'ia ora na.

This phrase is used to say 'Hello' or can be understood as 'Good health.'

Meaning: friendly, informal greeting (intj)

Did you know?

Tahitian is a member of the Austronesian language family, meaning the root of 'ia ora na is distantly related to languages spoken as far away as Madagascar.
The glottal stop represented by the symbol ' in 'ia ora na is a distinct sound that English speakers often overlook in phonetic transcriptions.
In many Polynesian cultures, the concept of 'health' in a greeting is tied to the spiritual vitality or 'mana' of the person being addressed.

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About The Author

Ruth Christine

Aloha I'm Ruth! I am incredibly passionate about the Hawaiian culture and language, which led me to write extensively, sharing my knowledge and love for the Island. Whether it's teaching how to say 'Akua' or 'all done', or extending greetings like 'Good Afternoon' and 'Good Job', I've got it all covered in English and Hawaiian. Besides writing, I love savoring shaved ice by the beach and paddling in crystal clear waters. I find solace in the beauty of night-blooming jasmine and the vibrant dance of sunshine on ocean waves. Tahitian is spoken not far from Hawaiian, and it has become another language close to my heart, so you will now find my guides to Tahitian here too. Mahalo nui loa (Thank you very much) for reading my pieces. Keep the aloha spirit alive!

Ruth ChristineHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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