School & Education

1. Mångge i eskuela?

   Mang-ge i es-kue-la

   Where is the school?

   Usage

   Asking for the location of a school in Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands

   Grammar Note

   The definite article "i" precedes nouns in Chamorro. The word for "school" is eskuela

2. Hu nisisita umeskuela.

   Hu ne-si-si-ta u-mes-kwe-la

   I need to attend school

   Usage

   When discussing the need to attend an educational institution

   Grammar Note

   "umeskuela" uses the verb-forming prefix "um-" on "eskuela" (school) — a Spanish loanword

3. Håyi i ma'estro-mu?

   Hah-yi i ma-es-tro-mu

   Who is your teacher?

   Usage

   Asking a student or child who their teacher is

   Grammar Note

   "ma'estro" is from Spanish "maestro". Female: "ma'estra". The suffix "-mu" means "your"

4. Estudia yu' på'go na ha'åni.

   Es-TU-dia yu PA-go na ha-ah-ni

   I am studying today

   Usage

   Telling someone you are studying at the present time

   Grammar Note

   Subject pronouns often follow the verb in Chamorro. "ha'åni" means "day/today"

5. Mångge i unibetsida?

   Mang-ge i u-ni-bet-si-da

   Where is the university?

   Usage

   Asking for the location of a university, such as the University of Guam

   Grammar Note

   "unibetsida" is from Spanish "universidad". The University of Guam (UOG) is on the island

6. Hu cho'gue i cho'cho'-hu para i eskuela.

   Hu CHO-gwe i CHO-cho-hu PA-ra i es-KWE-la

   I did my homework

   Usage

   Telling someone that you have completed your homework

   Grammar Note

   "cho'gue" is the verb "to do, to perform" and "cho'cho'" the noun "work, duty". "Work for school" stands in for "homework"

7. Sigi ha' aprendiye.

   Si-gi ha a-pren-di-ye

   Keep on learning

   Usage

   An encouraging phrase used for students or children

   Grammar Note

   "sigi" means "continue" in Chamorro. "aprendiye" derives from Spanish "aprender" (to learn)

8. Håfa na klåsen?

   Hah-fa na klah-sen

   What class is it?

   Usage

   Asking about a class or subject at school

   Grammar Note

   "klåsen" is from Spanish "clase". The Chamorro linker "na" connects modifying elements

9. Hu tuge' i inestudio-ku.

   Hu tu-ge i i-nes-tu-di-o-ku

   I wrote my study notes

   Usage

   Talking about taking notes during class or study sessions

   Grammar Note

   "tuge'" means "to write" in Chamorro. The suffix "-ku" is the first-person possessive "my"

10. Esta malago' yo' umeduka.

    Es-ta ma-la-go yo u-me-du-ka

    I want to get an education

    Usage

    Expressing a desire to pursue education

    Grammar Note

    "malago'" expresses desire in Chamorro. "umeduka" uses the "um-" prefix on "eduka" (education)

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