Basic Words

1. Sin

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic affirmative reply; also works when someone checks something with you

2. Lae

   La-e

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; say it gently to stay polite

3. Favór ida

   Fa-vor i-da

   Please

   Usage

   Add it when asking for something; it also works on its own

   Grammar Note

   A Portuguese-derived "please"; place it before the request

4. Obrigadu / Obrigada

   O-bri-ga-du / O-bri-ga-da

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic thank-you when you receive something or get help

   Grammar Note

   Men say obrigadu, women say obrigada

5. Kolisensa

   Ko-li-sen-sa

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Use to get a stranger's attention or to squeeze past someone

6. Deskulpa

   Des-kul-pa

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology when you are at fault — bumping into someone, making a mistake

7. La iha problema

   La i-ha pro-ble-ma

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Both to wave off an apology and to decline help or concern

8. Hau la kompriende

   Hau la kom-pri-en-de

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say this first when the language is not getting through; people will rephrase

9. Hau kompriende

   Hau kom-pri-en-de

   I understand

   Usage

   The reply when you have understood; it also signals agreement

10. Hotu ona

    Ho-tu o-na

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you are done with a meal, a payment, or a procedure

11. Favór ida hein

    Fa-vor i-da hein

    Please wait

    Usage

    A polite way to ask someone to hold on

12. Hein uitoan

    Hein u-i-to-an

    Just a moment

    Usage

    For just a few seconds — while you find your wallet or your bag

13. Ema boot ida

    E-ma bo-ot i-da

    One adult, please

    Usage

    At a ticket window or entrance, to state how many people. "Adult" is ema boot (la'os labarik = not a child).

14. Hau la halo rezerva

    Hau la ha-lo re-zer-va

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Say this first when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

15. Hau iha rezerva

    Hau i-ha re-zer-va

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    At the front desk; follow it with your name

16. Favór ida ajuda hau

    Fa-vor i-da a-ju-da hau

    Please help me

    Usage

    Call for help in an emergency — it is fine to shout this

17. Favór ida hateten fali

    Fa-vor i-da ha-te-ten fa-li

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what they just said

18. Favór ida ko'alia neineik

    Fa-vor i-da ko-a-li-a nei-neik

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When someone speaks too fast; people almost always slow down

19. Hau ko'alia uitoan de'it

    Hau ko-a-li-a u-i-to-an de-it

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Keeps the conversation going while lowering expectations

20. Ita bele ko'alia Inglés?

    I-ta be-le ko-a-li-a In-gles?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Check for a shared language when you need to discuss something complicated

21. Ne'e

    This

    Usage

    Point at something right in front of you

22. Ne'ebá

    That (near you)

    Usage

    Point at something near the listener

23. Iha ne'e

    Here

    Usage

    Point at a place

24. Iha ne'ebá

    There

    Usage

    Point at a place further away

25. Hau

    I / me

    Usage

    Point at yourself to make clear who you mean

26. Ita

    You

    Usage

    You (polite); "Ó" is the familiar form

27. Hamutuk

    Together

    Usage

    Show that you are with someone

28. Ema ida

    One person

    Usage

    Give the number of people

29. Ema rua

    Two people

    Usage

    Give the number of people

30. Ema tolu

    Three people

    Usage

    Give the number of people

31. Agora kedas

    Right now

    Usage

    Show that it is urgent

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