Common Phrases

As promised here are some common phrases. These can get you by in the most basic of conversations, as well as really impress your Ilokano friends and family with you learning.

Questions- you should be prepared to ask and answer these.

1. Taga-anóka(yo)? - Where are you from?
2. Ania ti náganmo/yo? - What is your name?
3. Ania ti trabáhom/yo? - What do you do(work)?
4. Papanám/Papanányo? - Where are you going?
5. Ania ti órasen? - What time is it?
6. Ayánna ti bánio? - Where is the bathroom? ( I know it's cliche, but it really is important to know)
7. Sínoka(yo)? - Who are you?(To Americans this sounds rude but it really isn't)
8. Ammóyo ti Inggles/Ilokano?- Do you speak English/Ilokano?
9. Kumustáka(yo)? - How are you? (Click for more greetings)
10. Síno?- Who?
11. Ania?- What?
12. Sadino/Ayánna? - Where?
13. Ania kunam/yo? - What did you say?

Answers- These are the basic format for answering the above questions.

1. Taga-______ak. - I am from __________.
2. _____ ti naganko. - __________ is my name.
3. _____ak.- I am a(n)_________. (In a later post I will put Ilokano version of many jobs, just think Spanish and you will get pretty close.)
4. Idiay laeng.- Just over there. (You can use this if you don't actually want to say where you are going.)
5. Ala(s) ______ y _______. - Time is the same as in Spanish(Covered in a later post)
6. With any luck when you ask about the bánio someone will point, most likely with their lips.
7. Siák ni ________. - I am ________. (Note the difference between it and number 2.)
8. Wen/Saan-Yes/No
9. Naimbág laeng. - Just fine.

Miscellaneous

Wen- Yes
Saan/Haan- No
Awan - None (Unlike English, when asked if there is something you must say "none" instead of "no.")
Bunbuntugam ti agsao. - Speak slower.

These phrase will go a long way towards getting you started. Memorizing these, and saying them properly will not only get you going in Ilokano, but will also greatly impress others when you use them correctly. Good luck.

Ditakayon. - Goodbye