Useful North Marianas Chamorro phrases

A collection of useful phrases in the North Marianas dialect of Chamorro, an Austronesian language spoken in the Marianas Islands, and also in Guam.

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See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me.

Key to abbreviations: frm = formal, inf = informal

English Chamorro
(North Marianas dialect)
Welcome Bienbenidu
Hello (General greeting) Hafa Adai
How are you? Hafa tatamanu hao?
Hafa mamaoleka?
Reply to 'How are you?' Mamaolek ha' yo'
Todu maolek
Long time no see Apmam tiempo ti uli'e hao
(It's a long time since I've seen you)
Apmam tiempo ti uli'e hit
(It's a long time since we've seen each other)
What's your name? Hayi na’an-mu?
My name is ... Na’an-hu si ...
Where are you from? Taotao manu hao?
I'm from ... Taotao ... yu
Pleased to meet you Ma’gof yu sa umali’i hit
Good morning
(Morning greeting)
Buenas dihas
Good afternoon
(Afternoon greeting)
Buenos tatdes
Good evening
(Evening greeting)
Buenas noches
Goodbye
(Parting phrases)
Adios
Good luck! Suette
Cheers! Good Health!
(Toasts used when drinking)
Hago lao!
Have a nice day Puedi ha todo maolek
Bon appetit /
Have a nice meal
Buen prubechu
Bon voyage /
Have a good journey
Buen biahe
I understand Hu po kumprende
I don't understand Ti hu kumprende
Please speak more slowly Pot fabot na despasio I kuentos-mu
Please write it down Tuge’ papa pot fabot
Do you speak Chamorro? Kao siña hao fumino’ Chamorro?
Yes, a little
(reply to 'Do you speak ...?')
A’a, didide’ ha
How do you say ... in Chamorro? Hafa taimanu un sangan ... gi fino’ Chamorro?
Excuse me Dispensa yu
How much is this? Kuanto baliña?
Sorry Dispensa yu
Thank you Si Yu’us ma’ase (God have mercy)
Reply to thank you Buen prubechu
Where's the toilet / bathroom? Manu na gaige i kemmon?
This gentleman/lady will pay for everything Para guiya hu apasi todo este
Would you like to dance with me? Malagu hao bumaila yan guahu?
I love you Hu guiaya hao
Get well soon Puedi homlo hao ti apmam
Leave me alone! Sappe!
Litira hao!
Basta ma estotba yu!
Help! Ayuda!
Fire! Guafe!
Stop! Basta!
Call the police! Agang I polisia!
Christmas greetings Felis Pasgua
New Year greetings Felis antilde;o nuebo
Easter greetings Felis Pasgua
Birthday greetings Biba Kumpleaños
One language is never enough Un linguahe ni ngai’an u nahom
My hovercraft is full of eels Bula hasuli gi halom hovercraft-hu

Chamorro phrases provided by Michelle Wilmot and Si Yu'us Må'åse' Si Aaron Matanane

If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if you can provide recordings, please contact me.

Information about Chamorro | Phrases (Guam dialect) | Phrases (North Marianas dialect) | Numbers

Links

Collections of Chamorro phrases (some with audio)
http://www.chamoru.info/language-lessons/chamorro-words-common-phrases/
https://wikitravel.org/en/Chamorro_phrasebook
http://www.chamoru.info/category/language-lessons/chamorro-phrases/

Phrases in Malayo-Polynesian languages

Balinese, Banjar, Central Dusun, Chamorro (Guam dialect), Chamorro (North Marianas dialect), Coastal Kadazan, Fijian, Iban, Indonesian, Javanese, Malagasy, Malay, Māori, Palauan, Tetum, Yapese

Phrases in other languages

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