The Garifuna language is a derivation of several African, Indian and European languages and dialects. Those whose origin is known are: Arawak, Yoruba, Swahili, Bantu, Spanish, English, and French. One of the most significant difference in the Garifuna language compared to other language is that male words are different from females words. In a conversation between a male and female they use different words to refer to the same thing.

 

Dear friends,

The Garifuna language has been extensively studied by linguists, and is basically of the South American Arawak family, with numerous words taken from the Carib family, also from South America. It has also borrowed heavily from French, English, and Spanish. No more than five possible loan words from African languages have ever been found, and these are not confirmed… My work, starting in 1955, has been oriented toward the ethnography and ethno-history of the Garifuna… The language, as well as most of the technology, much of the religious ritual, and the agricultural and fishing complex derive not from Africa, but from South America…Don’t let yourselves lose sight of this unique heritage. There is no other group in the world with your culture because it is a product of your unique history! It has changed through time as the people have faced new challenges, but its core, largely due to the language, has remained firmly in place. Best wishes for the holiday season and beyond. Nancie Gonzalez”

 

 

     

WORDS USED IN

YURUMEIN IN 1666     WORDS USED IN

DIASPORA IN 1999

THE PARTS OF MAN’S BODY

Nokobou  The body  Núgubu 

Nora  My skin  Nura 

Nabo  My bones  Nabu 

Nillagra  My veins  Nílagüle 

Lillagra  His veins  Lilegüle 

Nitta  My blood  Nita 

Nilibouri  My hair  Nídiburi 

Nicheuke  My head  Nichügü 

Nakou-ora  My eye-lid  Lidáü nagu 

Nakou-iou  The hair of the eyelid  Liu nagu 

Nérébe  My forehead  Nerebe 

Nichibou  My face  Nigibu 

Nichiri  My nose  Nígiri 

Niouma  My mouth  Niuma 

Nioumarou  My lip  Niumáru 

Nari  My tooth  Nari 

Narikae  My ear  Narigei 

Nouboyoubou  My temples  Nubuyubu 

Nitigne  My cheeks  Nidíen 

Nouri  My breast  Nuri 

Neche  My shoulder  Nege 

Narreuna  My arm  Narüna 

Neugueumeueuke  My elbow  Núgünügü 

Noucabo  My hand  Núhabu 

Noubara  My nail  Núbara 

Nanichirokou  My stomach  Naniguogu* (gau) 

Niouanni (f)  My heart (Soul)  Nuáni Nanichi(m)

Noubana  My liver  Nubána 

Noulakae  My belly (entrails)  Nuragei* (ai) 

Nauba  My side  Nauba 

Nanagane  My lower back  Nanaganebu 

Narioma  My navel  Nari 

Nagagirik  My knee  Nagachürügü 

Nichaoa-chaoua  My ham  Nichawachawa 

Nourna  My leg  Núruna, Niáda 

Nourna-aboulougou  My shin  Núruna 

Namourgouti  My ankle  Namurugute 

Nougouti  My foot  Nugudi 

Nougouti-rokou  Sole of my feet  Nugudirugu 

KINDRED AND ALLIANCE

Baba  Baba (Speaking to him)  Baba 

Noukouchili  My father (Speaking of)  Nuguchi 

Yao  My uncle  Yau 

Niraheu  My son  Niraü 

Hibali  My grandchild (one)  Nibari 

Nibagnem  My grandchildren  Nibañan 

Niboukayem  My elder brother  Níbugañan Namouleem

Hibali moukou  My son-in-law  Nibarimu 

Liani  His wife  Liani 

Naguette  My grandmother  Nagütü 

Niraheu  My daughter  Nirou 

Nitou  My sister  Nitu 

Tamoulelouan  Her younger sister  Tamulelua 

Nibache  My niece  Nibase 

CONDITIONS AND QUALITIES

Ouekelli  Man  Wügüri 

Ouekeliem  Men  Wügüriñan 

Eyeri  Man  Eyeri 

Eyerium  Men  Eyeriñun 

Inarou  Woman  Hiñanru 

Innouyum  Women  Hiñanriñun 

Ouelle  Woman  Würi 

Ouekelli-raeu  Little boy  Wügüri irahü 

Ouelle-raeu  Little girl  Würi irahü 

Ouaiali  An old man  Wéyali* Waiali 

ACTIONS AND PASSIONS

Jacaba, Noubara  Stay for me.  Reideiba lidan nubara 

Emenichiraba  Hope in him.  Hemenigiba luagu 

Emenichira  Hope  Emenigi 

Nemenichiraeu  My hope  Nemenigira 

Lamanatina  I am hungry.  Lamadina 

Nacrabatina  I am thirsty.  Mágürabutina 

Natoni boman  Give me some drink.  Nata buma. 

Baika.  Eat.  Baiga* Beiga 

Aika  To eat  Aiga,* Eiga 

Kouraba  You drink.  Guraba 

Natiem  I drink.  Natuñan 

Nacharouatina  I have drunk.  Bacharuadina 

Hac-yete  Come here.  Áhü-ye 

Ariangaba  Speak.  Ariengaba, ariñegaba 

Maniba  Hold your peace.  Maniba 

Niorouba  Sit down.  Ñunruba 

Raoignaba  Lie down on the ground.  Rounba murougu

Raramaba  Stand up.  Raramaba 

Arikaba  Look.  Arihaba 

Akambabae  Hear.  Agambabai 

Aochabae  Taste it.  Houchabai 

Kouroubae  Touch it.  Gurubai 

Bayoubaka  Go  Baibuga 

Nayoubakayem  I go  Naibuga 

Hehemba  Run  Henunba 

Babenaka  Dance  Babinaha 

Nabinakayem  I dance  Nabinahañan 

Choubakouba  Leap  Chubaguaba 

Choubakou naibou  I am going to leap.  Chubaguana 

Béérraka  Laugh  Beheraha 

Naouërekoyem  I laugh  Nouweguñan 

Ayakouaka  Weep  Ayahuaha 

Baronka  Sleep  Barumuga 

Akakotouäba  Awake  Agaguduaba 

Nemervoni  Rest  Nemeragua 

Aouraba banichi  Refresh thy heart  Awaraguata banigi 

Phoubaë  Blow  Fubai 

Chouëba  Spit  Sueba 

Hymba  Cough  Hinba 

Homoura  To ease oneself  Ámura 

Chibaba  Wash thyself  Chibaguaba 

Akao bouka  Go to wash thyself.  Agawa bungua 

Napouloukayem  I swim  Nabuluhañan 

Niarakouäli  He was choked.  Ñanraguali 

Talaba  Open  Daraba 

Aloukaba  Seek  Alugaba 

Hamamba  Fly  Hamaba 

Batikeroyen  You fall  Bachugereguñan 

Kebeciketabaë  Sell it  Gebegigüdabai 

Akani  An enemy  Ágani 

Oubao- bonon  An islander  Ubouhuna

Balanaglé  A man who comes by sea  Baranagüle 

 (Christians or Europeans)  

Tamon  A servant or absolute slave  Idamuni 

Inouti  High  Inñuti 

Onabouti  Low  Ünabuti 

Ouliliti  Deep  Huliliti 

Taboubéreti  Broad  Dabubereti 

Mouchinagouti  Long  Miginaguti 

Chiririti  Round  Giririti 

Nioulouti  Soft  Ñunluti 

Téreti  Hard  Dereti 

Kouchakouali  Moist  Gucharati 

Alouti  White  Haruti 

Ouliti  Black  Würiti 

Ponati  Red  Funati 

Youalouti  Thief  Hiweruti 

Oulimateti  An adulterer  Ounliduati 

Oulibati  Evil  Würibati 

Nianouanti  Evil  Hañanwariti 

Iroponti  Good  Irufuguti 

Leuleuti ao  A fool  Lülütau 

Talouali ao  A fool (He who has no light)  Daruguati lau 

Imouemeti  Sad  Uwedemeti 

Chouchouti  Piquant or tart in taste  Chou chou ti 

Natiakayem  I fish.  Nadiahañan 

Abourricaali  He is coming into the port.  Abürügaali 

Naromankayem  I sing a song.  Narumanhañan 

Ichoatoati tao  He is in love with her.  Ichuahati tuma 

Chouba nioumolou-  Kiss me.  Chuba niuma 

Kinchinti loné  He loves him.  Hisienti lun 

Yerekati loné  He hates him.  Iyereguti lun 

Liuetimali  Drunkenness  Luedifun

Baikoaba  Strike, beat  Baiguabai 

Abaichaglé  Whip or wand  Abaichagülei 

Apparabaë  Beat him.  Afarabai 

Atouattienly  He is well.  Atuaditi 

Naneteiti  He is sick.  Ganütariti 

Hilaali  He is dead.  Hilaali 

Bonambaë  Bury him (it, plant)  Bunabai 

THINGS RELATED TO HOUSEKEEPING AND TRADE

Toubana  An ordinary house  Tuban 

Maina  Garden  Mainabu 

Nichari  My garden  Nichari 

Béna  A door  Béna 

Amac, Nekera  A bed  Nügüra 

Halaheu  A seat  Haláü 

Takae  A vessel  Tagai 

Tauba  A half vessel made of gourd  Tauba wira 

Ritta  A drinking cup  Rida 

Keoue  A hook  Güwein*, Güwi 

Akoucha  A needle  Agusa 

Alopholer  A pin (Harpoon)  Arufun 

Catoli  A basket  Gadouri 

Aribelet  Roast meat  Alibele 

Eberitina  Merchandise  Ebegidinou 

Couliala  A small vessel  Guriara 

Ibitarrou  A cord  Ifitaru 

Ankouroute  An anchor  Ounguru 

Couchique  A knife  Gusiñu 

Chirachi  Scissors  Isiresi 

Anhan  Yes  An an 

Oua  Nay, No  Uá 

Alouka  Tomorrow  Haruga

Mabouë  Good morning  Mabuiga 

Huican  Farewell  Awisaha 

ORNAMENTS AND ARMS

Narikaela  Pendants for the ear  Narigaila* Narigeila 

Chibouchi  A looking glass  Isibusei 

Echoubara  A sword  Isubara 

Rakabouchou  Musket  Aragabusu 

Kaloon  Great guns  Galún 

Laboulougou  The point of it  Labulugu 

Lirana  The middle  Liranagua 

Tiona  The end  Tiuna 

Chimala  A bow  Gimara+ 

Ibitarrou  The string of the bow  Ifitaru 

Narikaela  Pendants for the ear  Narigaila* Narigeila 

Chibouchi  A looking glass  Isibusei 

Echoubara  A sword  Isubara 

Rakabouchou  Musket  Aragabusu 

Kaloon  Great guns  Galún 

Laboulougou  The point of it  Labulugu 

Lirana  The middle  Liranagua 

Tiona  The end  Tiuna 

Chimala  A bow  Gimara+ 

Ibitarrou  The string of the bow  Ifitaru 

LIVING CREATURES

Anly  A dog  Aunli 

Oulle anly  A female dog  Würi aunli 

Bouirokou  A swine  Buiruhu 

Alouata  An ape or monkey  Arawada 

Ouayamaka  The great lizard  Wayamaga 

Karattoni  A mouse  Garadún 

Mechou  A cat  Mesu 

Makeré  The soldier, a kind of snail  Magüre 

Héhué  A serpent  Hewe 

Akourou  A scorpion  Aguru 

Hueré-hueré  A fly  Were-were 

Cogouyou  A glittering fly  Uhuyu, Wadigidigi 

Tonolou  A bird  Dunuru 

Ouekelli-pikaka  A turkey-cock  Wügüri figaga 

Kayou  An ordinary hen  Gayu 

Kanarou  A duck  Ganaru

Koulehuee  A parrot  Gurewegi 

Ouakoukoua  A pigeon  Wagugua 

Toubanna  A feather, a leaf  Tubana 

Tarreuna  Wing or arm  Tarüna 

Tiouma  A beak or mouth  Tiuma 

Tougouti  A foot or claw  Tugudi 

TREES AND PLANTS

Huehue  Tree  Wewe 

Ninanteli  A plant  Ninadiri 

Illehué  A flower  Ílewei 

Toubanna  A leaf  Tubana 

Arabou  A forest  Árabu 

Youli  Tobacco  Iyúri 

Battia  Melon  Badia 

Maboulou  A cane or reed  Mabúru 

Kaniche  Sugar-cane  Gániesi 

Kanichira  Juice of the cane  Líra gániesi 

Choure  Sugar  Sugara 

THINGS ELEMENTARY AND INANIMATE

Oualoukouma  A star  Waruguma 

Huyeyou  The Sun  Weyu 

Kati  The moon  Hati 

Lalloukone  Light  Larungounga 

Ariabou  Night  Áriebu 

Bourreli  Darkness  Luburiga 

Haloukaali  It is day.  Harugougali 

Boureokaali  It is night.  Buruwougaali 

Naouaragle  Air  Nawaragun 

Bebeité  The wind  Bebeidi 

Ouattou  Fire  Watu

Balliffi  Ashes  Baligi 

Konobou  Rain  Gunubu 

Liromouli  Summer  Irumurugu 

Lamoyeli  Cold  Hamuyeli 

Loubacha  Heat  Lubacha 

Yehumeti  It is foul weather  Yegumeti dan 

Oualou ouyoulou  Thunder  Wayuhuyuru 

Ourogan  A tempest  Huragan 

Alamoulou  A rainbow  Heremuru 

Ouebo  A mountain  Wübü 

Tona  Water, River  Duna 

Chiekati  A well  Chigati 

Balanna  The sea  Barana 

Itika  Excrement  Idigaü 

Saccao  Sand  Sagoun 

Ema  A way  Üma 

Tebou  A stone  Dübü 

Oubao  An island  Ubouhu 

Huehue  Wood or tree  We we 

Crabou  Iron  Gürabu 

Teach Yourself How To Speak Garifuna In One Click 

In this section you will get aquanted with the Garifuna language. Our goal is to teach you the Garifuna language in the two stardards methods of learning, namely, in a visual and auditive form. By the time you leave this page you will have learned how to read, write and speak some (Well, enough to greet a Garifuna individual in his own language) Garifuna.

 

 

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NOTE:

Some of the pronounciation may vary from place to place. I have tried my best to make the spellings and pronounciation as acceptable as possible.

If you have any questions, concerns, ideas, or suggestions, please contact us via email at: jcacho01@yahoo.com or fill in the form in the message center

We're now taking your request. Always keep in mind that this a community work, and we would like you to feel part as part of this project. Please submit your words or phrases (In Spanish or English) by fill in the form in the message center section, and we'll do our best to translate it in Garifuna and post it hear.

Having said that, let's get started!!!

 

 

Garifuna English Español Pronounce Provided by

Waruguma Star Estrella   Camille Martinez

Ugundani Happiness Felicidad   Camille Martinez

Igemeri Light Luz   Camille Martinez

Nisani My child Mi hijo/hija   Camille Martinez

Our child Wasani Nuestro hijo/hija   Camille Martinez

efeduhani celebrate celebrar   Dr. Jorge Bernardez

echuni tradition tradicion   Dr. Jorge Bernardez

usa values valores   Dr. Jorge Bernardez,

translated in spanish by

Xiomara Moreira

inebesei respect respeto   Dr. Jorge Bernardez

pantaü pride orgullo   Dr. Jorge Bernardez

Lalihouniwa Ubou Reading the World leyendo el mundo   Dr. Jorge Bernardez

Walamiseru Our Pain nuestro dolor   Dorina Castillo

Wayunagu Our ancestors nuestros ancestros   Dorina Castillo

ahari spirit spiritu   Dorina Castillo

buyei spiritual healers *tradusca*   Dorina Castillo

seremein thank you gracias   Dorina Castillo

fadiri priest padre de iglesia   Dorina Castillo

ugundani joy felicidad   Dorina Castillo

Bungiu God Dios   Dorina Castillo

Buiti fedu Merry christmas Feliz navidad   Jorge Garifuna

Buiti achüluruni Welcome Bienvenido   Jorge Garifuna

Buiti binafi Good morning Buenos dias   Jorge Garifuna

Buiti rabanweyu Good afternoon Buenas tardes   Jorge Garifuna

Buiti guñoun Good night Buenas noches   Jorge Garifuna

 

CHAT ROOM ABOUT GARIFUNA LANGUAGE http://www.chatzy.com/?753526165542