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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 common, but useful words and phrases.

Common Phrases in Chamorro

English Chamorro Pronunciation
Good morning. Buenas dias. BooEHN-as DEE-as
Good afternoon. Buenas tåtdes. BooEHN-as TAWT-dis
Good evening/Good night. Buenas noches. BooEHN-as NOH-tsis
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 much is this? Kuånto este? koo-ahn-too EHS-tee
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

gui’eng
nose

påchot
mouth

nifen
teeth

Animals – Gå’ga’

katu
cat

ga’lågu
dog

guihan
fish
paluma
bird

guaka
cow

månnok
chicken

webmagas

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