In this lesson, we will learn our first 30 verbs in Tahitian.
The aim of this lesson is to strengthen our vocabulary in order to make complete sentences. And for that, we need to acquire more vocabulary for verbs.
To be and to have in Tahitian
Tahitian is a special language because there is no direct translation for the verbs to be and to have. And to be and to have in Tahitian have no auxiliary function.
| To be and to have | Matching |
| To be | The closest equivalent for to be is: Vai
In the expression Tē vai nei / Tē vai ra This, that, these, those in Tahitian – Teie, tena, tera – Tē vai nei, tē vai ra |
| To have | The closest equivalent for to have is: To ‘u/Ta ‘u with the expression of the possessive |
The verbs in Tahitian
Here are our first 30 verbs in Tahitian:
| Tahitian | English |
| Haere | To go, to come, to evolve, to become |
| Haere mai | To come (literally, go to here) |
| Haere atu | To go (literally, go there) |
| Reva | To leave |
| Tere | To move for a vehicle, to travel, going well for trade, fast |
| ‘Amu | To eat, to consume |
| Inu | To drink |
| Here | To love |
| Au | To like, to apreciate |
| ‘Ite | To see, to know |
| Faa’ite | To let people see, to let people know, to show, to indicate |
| Hāmani | To make |
| Parau | To talk, to say, speech, history, narrative, text, word, paper |
| Faaroo | To hear, to listen, to obey, faith, belief, religion |
| Tai’o | To read, to count |
| Rave | To take, to seize, to get hold of, to act, to do, to have sex |
| Hōro’a | To give, to hand over, to transmit, donation |
| Fārii | To receive, to welcome, to accept, container |
| Mana’o | To think, to have an idea, an opinion, an opinion, thought, opinion, opinion, idea |
| Feruri | To think, to meditate |
| Hi’o | To watch, to observe with attention, glass, mirror |
| Hinaaro | To desire, to want, to wish, desire, will, wish |
| Hoo mai | To buy |
| Hoo atu | To sell |
| Haapii mai | To learn |
| Haapii atu | To teach |
| Faa’ohipa | To use, to implement |
| Rave i te ‘ohipa | To work |
| ‘Imi | To search |
| Ani | To ask |
| Pāhono | To answer |
And then what?
Great! We have just learned 32 words and vocabulary expressions about Tahitian verbs.