March 27, 2018
Chamorro Words and Common Phrases
While English is spoken throughout the Mariana Islands, it doesn’t hurt to know some common words and phrases beyond just saying hello. Below is a list of of common, but useful words and phrases.
Common Phrases in Chamorro
English | Chamorro | Pronounciation |
Good morning. | Buenas dias. | BooEHN-as DEE-as |
Good afternoon. | Buenas tåtdes. | BooEHN-as TAWT-dis |
Hello, my name is John. | Håfa adai, i na’ån-hu si John. | HAW-fah ee nah-AHN-hoo see John |
What is your name? | Håyi, na’ån-mu? | HAWD-zee nah-AHN-moo |
How are you? | Håfa tatatmanu hao? | HAW-fah tah-tat-ma-noo how |
I am fine. | Mamaolek ha’ yu’. | MAH-mau-lick HA dzoo |
Goodbye. | Adios. | ah-dee-OHS |
Please. | Pot fabot. | put fah-boht |
Thank you. | Si Yu’us ma’åse’. | see DZOO-oos mah-AW-see |
I’m sorry. | Dispensa yu’. | diss-pen-sah dzoo |
You are welcome. | Buen prubechu. | boo-EHN proo-beh-choo |
You are welcome (it was nothing). | Tåya’ guaha. | TAWD-zah gwah-ha |
How much does it cost? | Kuånto bali-ña? | koo-ahn-too bah-LEEN-yah |
How many are there? | Kuanto guaha? | koo-ahn-too gwah-ha |
What time is it? | Ki ora? | KEE oh-ra |
How do you say maybe in Chamorro? | Taimanu un sangan maybe gi fino’ Chamoru? | TIE-mah-noo OON saw-ngan maybe gee fee-noh tsah-moh-roo |
Yes. | Hunggan. | HOONG-gan |
No. | Åhe’. | AW-hee |
I do not understand. | Ti hu komprende. | tee hoo kom-pren-dee |
I do not know. | Ti hu tungo’. | tee hoo toong-ooh |
Who? | Håyi? | hawd-zee |
Why? | Sa’ håfa? | SAH HAW-fah |
Can you help me? | Kao siña un ayuda yo’? | kah-oo seen-ya oon ahd-zoo-dah dzoo |
Where is ____? | Månu na gaige ____? | MAW-noo nah gai-geeh _____? |
Common Vocabulary Words
Places (Lugåt)
plåsan båtkon aire
airport
bångko
bank
guma’ Yu’us
church
fakteria
factory
hatdin
garden
metkao
market
espitåt
hospital
school
eskuela
resturan
restaurant
tenda
store
Body (I tataotao)
ulu
head
gapotulu
hair
fåsu
face
talanga
ear
måta
eyes
påchot
mouth
gui’eng
nose