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 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 kohm-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 ofisina office | metkao market espitåt hospital school eskuela resturan restaurant tenda store låncho ranch |
Body – I Tataotao
| ulu head gapotulu hair fåsu face talanga ear tuyan abdomen, belly | måta eyes gui’eng nose påchot mouth nifen teeth hand kånnai |
Animals – Gå’ga’
| katu cat ga’lågu dog guihan fish halu’u shark | paluma bird guaka cow månnok chicken haggan turtle |
