Papiamento
Aruba’s inhabitants are multilingual, speaking Papiamento, English, Dutch and Spanish. While Dutch is the official language, Papiamento is a warm and musical language spoken everyday by the people at all levels of society. Its lexicon is drawn mostly from Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch, with the remainder from West African languages and Arawak, spoken by the Indians. Papiamento originated on Curaçao in the 1500s to enable African slaves to communicate with their owners. Added to the mix were words of Dutch merchants and South American traders. Papiamento today has been affected by globalization and technology; business English, computerese, culinary terms and the colorful slang of many countries are often included.
Welcome - Bon bini
How are you? - Con ta bai?
I am fine - Mi ta bon
Goodbye - Te aworo
Have a good day - Pasa un bon dia
Thank you - Danki
Good morning - Bon dia
Good afternoon - Bon tardi
Good evening - Bon nochi
Tonight - Awenochi
Okay - Ta bon
Well done! - Masha bon!
Congratulations - Pabien
Quietly, slowly - Poco poco
Hot (spicy food) - Pica
Hot (weather) - Cayente
Water - Awa
Kiss - Sunchi
Beautiful - Bunita
