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While the language of Rapanui is distinct, it is still close to other languages in Polynesia and many words are the same. The residents of Rapa Nui can communicate easily with Hawaiians, Tahitians, and the Maori of New Zealand. In fact, many Tahitian words have crept into the Rapanui vocabulary.
There are nine consonants and five vowels: 14 letters total. To pronounce many Rapanui words, use a "latino" accent; the exception is "ng" which is pronounced as a nasal "ing" as in "sing" or "hang". Thus Hanga Roa would come out as "han-nya-ro-a"; Akahanga is pronounced as "aka-han-nya".
The Rapanui grammar is very complicated and difficult for a Westerner. But this brief word list will enable you to say a few things in Rapanui. The way words are put together more closely resembles that found in Oriental languages, thus the basic subject-predicate-object system does not work here.
The plural is usually formed by putting "nga" in front of a word. Thus "nga tangata" means "men", but, if a specific number is given, then the 'nga' is left off and the number added. For example. "erima tangata" means "five men".
Qualifying words such as "good" or "big" follow the noun: "kai riva-riva" means "a good meal".
It is important to note the glottal stop ('); this means there is a break in the word and its presence or absence will change the meaning. Thus ra'a (sun) or ta'u (year) would be pronounced with a definite break like our "oh-oh". Examples: "ra-ahh" and "ta-ouh".
Another key to pronunciation is the macron, indicated by a short line over a vowel, ¯. (Your browser may display an accented vowel instead: á - é - í - ó - ú.) The macron indicates that this vowel is stressed, making a long sound. For example, the word "póki" means "a child." This is pronounced as "poe-ki," with a stress on the 'ó'.
Common one-liners:
| English | Rapanui | Pronunciation |
| Hello | 'Iorana | ee-yo-rannna |
| How are you? | Pehé koe? | |
| Fine | Riva-riva | |
| Badly | Rake-rake | rahkey-rahkey |
| Thank you | Maururu | mah-oohr-roo |
| To your health! | Manuia paka-paka | |
| Yes | Eeé | |
| What? | Aha? | |
| This one | Te me'e nei | |
| That one | Te me'e eno | |
| The first child | Póki ra'e | |
| The first hill | Ma'unga ra'e | |
| Say it again, slowly | Vananga koroiti | |
| Where is the toilet? | Ihé te hare komo? | |
| Where are you going? | Kihé kóe? | |
| Many | Rahi | |
| Stop! | Ka noho! | |
| More | Ata | |
| A good meal | Kai riva-riva | |
| Tangata | Man |
For an extensive list of Rapanui terms, please go on to Page 22.
Content © 2006 Easter Island Foundation All rights reserved. Update: 04/26/06