Animals

1. Ga'lågu

   Dog

   Usage

   Literally "animal from overseas"; a puppy is "ga'lågitu"

2. Katu

   Cat

   Usage

   "sappe" is what you say to shoo a cat away

3. Babui

   Pig

   Usage

   The centrepiece of a village fiesta, roasted whole

4. Månnok

   Chicken

   Usage

   The general word for poultry; a young hen is "poya"

5. Ngånga'

   Duck

   Usage

   Named after its call

6. Chiba

   Goat

   Usage

   From Spanish "chiva"

7. Kinilu

   Sheep

   Usage

   "obehas" is another word for it

8. Guaka

   Cow / cattle

   Usage

   Also "båka"; introduced in the Spanish period

9. Karabao

   Water buffalo (karabao)

   Usage

   The symbol of Guam. It once pulled ploughs and carts, and still appears at ceremonies

10. Kabåyu

    Horse

    Usage

    From Spanish "caballo"; the same word also means a sawhorse

11. Guihan

    Fish

    Usage

    The word you will use most at markets and eateries

12. Haggan

    Turtle

    Usage

    The Marianas green turtle is protected — do not touch them

13. Pånglao

    Crab

    Usage

    The general word for crab; coconut crabs also live on the shore

14. Uhang

    Shrimp

    Usage

    Covers river and sea shrimp alike

15. Gåmson

    Octopus

    Usage

    Found in rocky tide pools; it also goes into kelaguen

16. Mahongang

    Lobster

    Usage

    The same word can also mean to be scared

17. Kaiman

    Crocodile

    Usage

    Not found on Guam; use it at a zoo or in a story

18. Kolepbla

    Snake

    Usage

    On Guam the introduced brown tree snake wiped out the native birds; it comes up at every biosecurity check

19. Hilitai

    Monitor lizard

    Usage

    A large lizard seen in the bush and in fields

20. Guali'ek

    Gecko

    Usage

    The small lizard that lives indoors

21. Chå'ka

    Rat / mouse

    Usage

    A mouse is "chå'kan dikike'"; the same word also means the bicep

22. Fanihi

    Fruit bat

    Usage

    The Mariana fruit bat. Once a traditional food, now endangered and protected — do not eat it

23. Ñåmu

    Mosquito

    Usage

    Carries dengue. A mosquito net is "kåbiyon", a coil is "senko"

24. Lålo'

    Fly

    Usage

    Comes up when talking about food stalls

25. Otdot

    Ant

    Usage

    A reason not to leave food out

26. Abeha

    Bee

    Usage

    From Spanish "abeja"; useful for reporting an allergy

27. Apayu'ak

    Spider

    Usage

    The same word covers the web; a small spider is "sånye'ye'"

28. Saligao

    Centipede

    Usage

    A painful sting — check inside your shoes

29. Ababang

    Butterfly

    Usage

    The same word also names the butterflyfish

30. Hutu

    Louse

    Usage

    The same word also means a breadfruit seed

31. Ulo'

    Worm / bug

    Usage

    Covers worms, caterpillars and germs alike

32. Akaleha'

    Snail

    Usage

    The African land snail that spread across Guam; a pest in gardens

33. Macheng

    Monkey

    Usage

    There are no wild monkeys on Guam; a word for the zoo

34. Påharu

    Bird

    Usage

    The general word for bird. "paluma" also means bird but carries a slang sense, so this one is safer

Browse all TravelPhrases languages