Adjectives

1. Dångkolo

   Big

   Usage

   For asking for another size; use it with a gesture

2. Dikike'

   Small

   Usage

   For describing clothing or room size

3. Makkat

   Heavy

   Usage

   For excess baggage, or asking someone to lift something

4. Ti makkat

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   About weight only — in many languages this is a different word from “bright”

   Grammar Note

   Chamorro normally expresses light weight negatively, as "ti makkat" (not heavy).

5. Guaguan

   Expensive

   Usage

   The opening move in a haggle; pair it with a face

6. Baråtu

   Cheap

   Usage

   For asking whether a cheaper option exists

7. Maipe

   Hot (thing)

   Usage

   About food, drink, or water — not the same word as hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "Maipe" is a hot object; hot weather is "maipe i tiempo."

8. Manengheng

   Cold (thing)

   Usage

   About drinks and food — not the same word as cold weather

9. Nuebu

   New

   Usage

   For checking whether something is unused

10. Bihu

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    For objects only; used of people it is rude in many languages

    Grammar Note

    "Bihu" (from Spanish "viejo") is for objects; for people use "manåmko’."

11. Hoben

    Young

    Usage

    About a person’s age; a small-talk word

12. Manåmko'

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The dedicated word for people; pick the respectful one

    Grammar Note

    "Manåmko’" is an honorific for elders and one of the most respectful terms in Chamorro society.

13. Gåsgas

    Clean

    Usage

    For a clean room or clean water

14. Applacha'

    Dirty

    Usage

    Useful when asking to change rooms

15. Maolek

    Good

    Usage

    The all-purpose word for agreement and approval

16. Båba

    Bad

    Usage

    For saying that your health or an item’s quality is poor. The å matters: baba without it means "to open / unroll"

17. Hihot

    Near

    Usage

    For checking whether somewhere is within walking distance

18. Chågo'

    Far

    Usage

    Tells you whether you need transport

19. Temprånu

    Early

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “fast”

    Grammar Note

    "Temprånu" (from Spanish "temprano") is early in time; fast in speed is "chaddek."

20. Atrasáo

    Late

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “slow”

    Grammar Note

    "atrasáo" (from Spanish "atrasado") is being late ("Late, late arrival, tardy."), with the example "Atrasáo måtto i batkonaire." Slow in speed is "dispåsiu" (Adverb, "Slow, slowly…"); the spellings despasio / despåsio are not used.

21. Meggai

    Many

    Usage

    About quantity or how crowded somewhere is

22. Didide'

    Few

    Usage

    Also useful for asking for a smaller portion

23. Maipe i tiempo

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a hot object

24. Manengheng i tiempo

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a cold object

25. Bunita

    Cute

    Usage

    Used for people and things; closer to "beautiful/lovely." A loanword from Spanish "bonita"

26. Månnge'

    Delicious

    Usage

    The word you will reach for most often at the table

27. Magof

    Fun

    Usage

    For describing an experience itself; also covers "happy"

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