Learn Tahitian Through Topics You Actually Care About

LingoBear creates short Tahitian passages on topics you choose. Tap any word for an instant English translation and build your vocabulary as you read. Polynesian language of French Polynesia, Latin alphabet with the ‘eta (glottal stop) and macrons, only 13 phonemes, VSO word order, ~68,000 speakers.

Tap any word for instant translation

Every word in your Tahitian reading passage is clickable. Get English translations and grammar help — useful for picking up the ‘eta glottal stop and macrons.

Read about topics you choose

Type any topic and LingoBear generates a fresh Tahitian reading passage — from Marquesan history to surf in Teahupo'o.

What is Tahitian and where is it spoken?

Tahitian (Reo Tahiti) is an Eastern Polynesian language of the Austronesian family, indigenous to the Society Islands of French Polynesia. About 68,000 people speak it. It is recognised by French Polynesia as a language of education and culture but does not have French-style co-official status. It is closely related to Cook Islands Māori and the Marquesan languages.

What's distinctive about Tahitian phonology and grammar?

Tahitian has only 13 phonemes — 5 vowels (with length distinguished by macrons) and 8 consonants — making its sound system one of the smallest in the world. It uses VSO word order, distinguishes inclusive vs exclusive 'we' (tāua vs māua), and marks tense and aspect with preverbal particles (e for non-past, ua for perfective, ‘ia for irrealis).