Greetings

1. Håfa Adai

   Haf-a A-dai

   Hello

   Usage

   The most common Chamorro greeting, used in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands

   Grammar Note

   "Håfa" is "what". "adai" is an interjection or term of address (ádai "for goodness' sake"; dai "friend, dear — typically used in greeting"), not a pronoun meaning "you". The phrase as a whole is the standard greeting, equivalent to "How are you?"

2. Si Yu'os Ma'åse'

   Si Yu-os ma-a-se

   Thank you

   Usage

   The most common Chamorro expression of gratitude

   Grammar Note

   Literally "God's mercy upon you" — reflects the strong Catholic influence in Chamorro culture

3. Adiós

   A-di-os

   Goodbye

   Usage

   The Chamorro farewell, borrowed from Spanish

   Grammar Note

   Spanish colonial influence is strong in Chamorro. "Åsta ta'lo" (see you again) is also used

4. Hunggan

   hung-gan

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic Chamorro word for yes

   Grammar Note

   "No" in Chamorro is "Ahe'" — though English "no" is also commonly used. Note: "Håyi" means "Who?" and is a different word

5. Pues ayuda yu'

   Pu-es a-yu-da yu

   Please help me

   Usage

   A basic Chamorro phrase to ask for help from locals

   Grammar Note

   Uses the Spanish loanword "ayuda" (help), illustrating the mixed nature of Chamorro

6. Buenas

   Bue-nas

   Hello / Good day

   Usage

   Casual greeting borrowed from Spanish, widely used in Guam and the Marianas

   Grammar Note

   Short for Spanish buenos días; extremely common in everyday Guamanian life

7. Håyi na'ån-mu?

   Ha-yi na-an-mu

   What is your name?

   Usage

   Standard phrase to ask someone's name when meeting for the first time

   Grammar Note

   na'an means name; -mu is the second-person possessive suffix "your"

8. Buen probecho

   Buen pro-be-cho

   Bon appétit / Enjoy your meal

   Usage

   Used before or after eating — a Spanish-derived mealtime greeting

   Grammar Note

   From Spanish buen provecho; fully embedded in Chamorro food culture

9. Asta ta'lo

   As-ta ta-lo

   See you again

   Usage

   A warm farewell meaning "until next time" or "see you again"

   Grammar Note

   åsta is borrowed from Spanish hasta; ta'lo is the native Chamorro word for "again"

10. Maila'!

    Mai-la

    Come here! / Welcome!

    Usage

    Call someone over or welcome them — expresses the warm Chamorro spirit

    Grammar Note

    maila is the imperative form of the Chamorro verb meaning "to come"

11. Månu nai i båñu?

    Ma-nu nai i ba-nyu?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Essential phrase for asking where the bathroom is

    Grammar Note

    "Månu nai" asks for location ("where is"); månu carries the å. "Båñu" is borrowed from Spanish "baño" (bathroom); it is not "banyo", which means a banjo. Note: "tåsi" means "sea/ocean" — a different word entirely

12. Ti siña yo' kuentos CHamoru

    Ti si-ña yo KUEN-tos Cha-mo-ru

    I can't speak Chamorro

    Usage

    Used to let someone know you cannot speak Chamorro

    Grammar Note

    "Ti siña" expresses inability ("cannot"). yo' is the Chamorro first-person pronoun

13. Magof yo'.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said as you part ways

14. Si Yu'os Ma'åse', adiós!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell; "Si Yu'os Ma'åse'" (may God have mercy) is the standard Chamorro thank-you

15. Buenas noches

    Bue-nas no-ches

    Good night

    Usage

    Bedtime or nighttime farewell, borrowed from Spanish — widely used like other Chamorro greetings such as Buenas and Adios

16. Tåya' guaha

    Tah-ya gua-ha

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Reply to "Si Yu'os Ma'åse'" (thank you). Literally "there's nothing there"

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