Papiamentu
Papiamentu, known as the chatter box language, is the original spoken tongue of Bonaire. This language is as rich and diversified as the people that once called the ABC Islands home. In the Caribbean, Papiamentu is the last traditional language spoken by the original habitants. Now the native language of Bonaire, commonly known as Creole, has a blend of many influences including Arawak Indians, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English and African.
The pronunciation of Papiamentu is spoken just as it's written.
Here are some basic greeting to dazzle the locals with.
| Welcome | Bon Bini |
| Hello | Halo |
| Good bye | Ayo |
| How are you? | Kon tai bai? |
| I am fine. | Mi ta bon. |
| Good morning | Bon dia |
| Good evening | Bon nochi |
| Good afternoon | Bon tardi |
| Have a good day | Pasa un bondia |
| Thank you | Danki |
| Happy to meet you | Knotentu de sera |
| Please | Por fabor |
| You're welcome | Di nada |
These are some common terms used to describe the landscapes.
| outback-field | kunuku |
| beach | playa |
| salt pan | salina |
| sand | santu |
| lagoon | lagun |
| lake | lago |
Just in case you want to be familiar with what's on the menu...
| yummy food | yummy kominda |
| fish | piska |
| pig | porko |
| chicken | galina |
| goat | kabritu |
| fried | hasa |
| soup | sopi |
| stew | stopa |
| cactus soup | cadushi |
| pumpkin soup | sopi di parmpuna |
| cornmeal side dish | funchi |
| conch stew | stopa di carco |
Here are some favorite land creatures of Bonaire
| iguana | yuana |
| donkey | buriku |
| cockroach | kakalaka |
| mosquito | sangura |
| lizard | lagadishi |
| bird | para |
| flamingo | chogogo |
Return from Papiamentu to Bonaire Home
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