Let's Eat Part 1: Food Culture

Food is an integral part of understanding a culture. The next few lessons are dedicated to eating. We will focus mainly on mealtimes, names, ordering food and other common phrases you should expect to hear in relation to eating.

First, we will start off with a translation exercise. See if you can follow the conversation.


Jacobo: Nangankan?
Mark: Saan pay.
Jacobo: Umayka ditoy, mangan ka pay.

Mark: Ania ti sidain?
Jacobo: Pinakbet, innapoy, ken sisig.
Mark: Kayat ko ti sisig.

Mark: Naimas. Sino ti nagluto?
Jacobo: Kasinsin ko nga ni Demy.
Mark: Naimas ti sidain.

Mark: Nabusugakon.

So how much of that did you understand? Well, check yourself.

Jacobo: Nangankan? Did you eat yet?
Mark: Saan pay. Not yet.
Jacobo: Umayka ditoy, mangan ka pay. Come here and eat.

Mark: Ania ti sidain? What is the side dish?
Jacobo: Pinakbet, innapoy, ken sisig. Pinakbet, Rice, and Sisig
Mark: Kayat ko ti sisig. I want Sisig.

Mark: Naimas. Sino ti nagluto? Yummy. Who cooked?
Jacobo: Kasinsin ko nga ni Demy. My cousin Demy
Mark: Naimas ti sidain.The side dish is yummy

Mark: Nabusugakon.I'm full.

Nangankayon? ( Nah-ngahn-kah-yon?)
Nangankan? (Nah-ngahn-kahn?)


Simply put "Have you eaten?" or as we like to say in Texas, "Have y'all eaten?". 

Filipino culture dictates that it is rude to not offer someone food, so it is customary to ask this question when you have visitors. So if you are the visitor, to avoid an embarrassing situation where food is not prepared ahead of time, it is best to answer that you have already eaten.


Wen, nanganakkon (wen, nah-ngah-nahk-con) 
Yes, I have eaten.

Wen, nangankamin (wen, nah-ngahn-kah-mean) 
Yes, we have eaten.


If it is a sincere question, you will mostly like be asked again, in which case it is okay to accept. In which you can respond with the following:


Saan pay (sah-un pie)  - Not Yet
or
Merienda lang (Mer-ree-yen-duh lung) - Snacks only


And always follow with the proper title:

Apo (elderly)
Uncle/Auntie (if they are old enough to be your auntie/uncle, you call them that)
Manang/manong (someone older)
Ading (someone younger)
Madam/Sir (Politicians, Teachers, businessman)
Lolo/Lola 

And of course, when you are done, don't forget to be thankful.

Agyamanak (ugh-yah-man-knock) - singular

Agyaman kami (ugh-yah-man-kah-mee) - plural

So next time you have to visit someone or meet up with someone, remember this simple visiting etiquette. So next week we will discuss mealtime conversations.

Inton maminsan manen,
Siak ni Gigi

NOTES: These lessons are designed with the English Speakers in mind. The pronunciation is spelled out to emphasize sounds of the English language and alphabet to help the person to say it correctly in sounds that they are familiar with. 

For Tagalog/Filipino readers seeking to utilize our lessons, read the words in your native tongue and do not follow the suggested pronunciation.

Ilokano Weather Part 2: How to say COLD in Ilokano

COLD! COLDER! COLDEST!

 I think the chance for cold weather in my area is pretty much gone. Last week, our topic was all about the HOTNESS. Summer is approaching after all. And in the Philippines, it's hot most of the time. But there are occasions when you experience cold. 

So for this week's lesson, we are talking about COLD weather and feeling cold in general. I'll leave this vocabulary chart up here for reference. The concept is to use different words in the sentences below. 

Basic Vocabulary Chart

WEATHER TALK VOCABULARY
English	Tagalog	Ilokano/Ilocano	Pronounce like this
Hot	Mainit	Napudot, Nabara	Nah-poo-doot, nah-bah-rah
Cold	Malamig	Nalamek/Nalamiis	Nah-lam-ehk/Nah-lam-mi-is
Wet	Basa	Basa	Bah-sah
Dry	Tuyo	Ragangirang	Rah-gah-ngee-rung
Humid/humidity	Pagkabasa	Nasalimuot	Nah-sah-lee-moo-ot
Rain	Ulan	Tudo	too-do
Snow	Niebe	Niebe	Nee -e-be
Ice	Yelo	Yelo	Ye-loh
Storm	Bagyo	Bagio	Bug-yo

Tell me how COLD it is...

Lamek = COLD

Nalamek - It's cold
Nalamameken - It's already cold
Naglamek - It's very cold
Nalamlamek - It's colder (use for comparison)
Lumamek - It's going to become cold
Limamek - It became cold

Another word for Cold?

Nalamiis is another word for COLD.

Nalamiis - It's cold

Nalamiisen- It's already cold
Naglamiis- It's very cold
Nalamlamiis - It's colder (use for comparison)
Lumamiis- It's going to become cold
Limamiis - It became cold

Talking about the Weather

There is the translation following the English script and there is what English speaker would call the "backward way." Haha, well, it's actually called the reverse translation. English grammar is different from other languages.

The snow is cold ( rain = tudo, ice = yelo, food = makan)

Ti niebe ket nalamek (Tee nee-ye-beh ket nah-lahm-ehk)
Ti niebe ket nalamiis (Tee nee-ye-beh ket nah-lahm-mi-is)

The more common way to say it...

Nalamek iti niebe (Nah-lahm-ehk ee-tee nee-ye-beh)

Nalamiis iti niebe (Nah-lahm-mi-is ee-tee nee-ye-beh)
* It literally translates to ..... Cold is the snow. The verb or adjective comes before the noun.

Then there are descriptive nouns

Nalamek nga niebe (Nah-lahm-ehk tee nee-ye-beh)
Nalamiis nga niebe (Nah-lahm-mi-is tee nee-ye-beh)
*This translate to....Cold snow. When you have an adjective before a noun, you add NGA in between the words in Ilokano.

So for our lessons, we will mostly use reverse translation.

It's cold right now 

Nalamek tatta  (Nah-lahm-ehk tat-tah)
Nalamiis tatta (Nah-lahm-mi-is tat-tah)


It's already cold 

Nalameken (Nah-lahm-eh-ken)

Nalamiisen (Nah-lahm-mi-is-sen)

It's very cold today 

Naglamek tatta nga aldaw (Nug-lahm-ehk tat-tah ngah al-dao)
Naglamiis tatta nga aldaw (Nug-lahm-mi-is tat-tah ngah al-dao)

* When you want to emphasize an adjective, you use NAG instead of  NA before the adjective word. 

It's colder today

Nalamlamek tatta nga aldaw (nah-lahm-lahm-ehk tat-tah ngah al-dao)

Nalamiis tatta nga aldaw (nah-lahm-lahm-mi-is tat-tah ngah al-dao)


Wait for the climate to get cold

Urayem nga lumamek iti tiempo (Ooh-rah-yem ngah loo-mum-ehk ee-tee tee-yem-po)
Urayem nga lumamiis iti tiempo (Ooh-rah-yem ngah loo-mum-mi-is ee-tee tee-yem-po)

The climate became cold

Limamek iti tiempo ( Lee-mum-ehk ee-tee tee-yem-po)
Limamiis iti tiempo ( Lee-mum-mi-is ee-tee tee-yem-po)

I'm  cold/I'm very cold

Nalamekak/Naglamekak (Nah-lahm-ehk-ahk / Nug-lahm-ehk-ahk)
Nahlamiisak/Naglamiisak (Nah-lahm-mi-is-ahk /  Nug-lahm-mi-is-ahk)


You're cold/You're very cold 

Nalamek ka / Naglamek ka ((Nah-lahm-ehk-ka / Nug-lahm-ehk-ka)
Nalamiis ka/Naglamiis ka (Nah-lahm-mi-is ka /  Nug-lahm-mi-is ka)


I'm feeling cold 

Naglamek iti riknak - (Nug-lahm-ehk-ahk ee-tee reek-nak)
Naglamiis iti riknak - (Nug-lahm-mi-is-ahk ee-tee reek-nak)

Or you can say.....

Malamlamekak (Mah-lahm-lahm-ehk-ahk)
Malamiisanak ( Mah-poo-doo-tan-ack)


I'm going to cool off /cool down

Mapannak agpalamek - (Mah-pun-nak ugh-pah-lahm-ehk)
Mapannak agpalamiis - ( Mah-pun-nak ugh-pah-lahm-mi-is)

Nalamek and Nalamiis. If you get these two words mix up, it's okay. They literally mean the same thing. You can use them whether you're talking about the weather or how you are feeling.


COLD FOOD

The Halo-Halo is cold.
Ti Halo-halo ket nalamek/nalamiis.
*English grammar translation.

Cold is the Halo-Halo.
Nalamek/Nalamiis ti Halo-halo
*Reverse Translation. 

You will hear it both ways when the sentence format is:

The (Noun) is (adjective).

When you have an adjective before a noun, you add NGA in between the words in Ilokano

Nalamek/Nalamiis nga Halo-halo (Cold Halo-Halo)
Nalamek/Nalamiis nga Danum (Cold Water)
Nalamek/Nalamiis nga serbesa (Cold Beer)

Intayon agpalamiis. Inton Maninsan Manen!

(Let's go cool off. Until Next Time Again!)

Siak ni Gigi

NOTES: These lessons are designed with the English Speakers in mind. The pronunciation is spelled out to emphasize sounds of the English language and alphabet to help the person to say it correctly in sounds that they are familiar with. 

For Tagalog/Filipino readers seeking to utilize our lessons, read the words in your native tongue and do not follow the suggested pronunciation.

Ilokano Weather Part 1: How to say HOT in Ilokano

HOT! HOT! HOT!

I don't know about you but it is HOT in this part of the woods. This West Texas heat is no joke! So for this week's lesson, we are talking about the weather, HOT weather, that is.

So, How's the weather is your area? Hope it's not as scorching hot as where I am. Outside is reaching the three-digit in Fahrenheit temperature and it's not even noon yet.

So let's start with some basic vocabulary:

WEATHER TALK VOCABULARY
English	Tagalog	Ilokano/Ilocano	Pronounce like this
Hot	Mainit	Napudot, Nabara	Nah-poo-doot, nah-bah-rah
Cold	Malamig	Nalam-ek	Nah-lam-ek
Wet	Basa	Basa	Bah-sah
Dry	Tuyo	Ragangirang	Rah-gah-ngee-rung
Humid/humidity	Pagkabasa	Nasalimuot	Nah-sah-lee-moo-ot
Rain	Ulan	Tudo	too-do
Snow	Niebe	Niebe	Nee -e-be
Ice	Yelo	Yelo	Ye-loh
Storm	Bagyo	Bagio	Bug-yo

Tell me how hot it is...

When it comes to the weather...Pudot = Heat (Noun)  and Napudot = Hot (Adjective).

Napudot - It's hot
Napuduten- It's already hot 
Nagpudot- It's very hot
Napudpudot - It's hotter (use for comparison)
Pummudot- It's going to become hot
Pimmudot - It became hot

It's hot right now - Napudot tatta  (Nah-poo-doot tat-tah)

It's already hot - Napuduten  (Nah-poo-doot-ten)

It's very hot today - Nagpudot tatta nga aldaw (Nug-poo-doot tat-tah ngah al-dao)

* When you want to emphasize an adjective, you use "NAG" instead of (NA) before the adjective word. 

It's hotter today- Napudpudot tatta nga aldaw (nah-pood-poo-doot tat-tah ngah al-dao)

Wait for the climate to get hot
Urayem nga pummudot iti tiempo (Ooh-rah-yem ngah poo-moo-doot ee-tee tee-yem-po)

The climate became hot
Pimmudoten iti tiempo ( Peem-moo-doot-ten ee-tee tee-yem-po)

How do you feel?

Nabara refers more to body temperature. It's use for describing how you feel  when your body is feeling the heat or the head is in your body.

Nabara - It's hot
Nabaran - It's already hot
Nagbara - It's very hot
Nabarbara - It's hotter
Bumara - It's going to get hotter
Bumarbara - It's in the process of getting hotter
Bimara - It got hotter

My head is hot - Nabara daytoy ulok (Nah-ba-ra die-toy oo-look)

My head is very hot - Nagbara daytoy ulok(Nug-bah-rah die-toy oo-look)

I'm hot/I'm very hot - Nabaraak/Nagbaraak (Nah-bah-rah-ack/ Nug-bah-rah-ack)
You're hot/You're very hot - Nabaraka/Nagbaraka(Nah-bah-rah-kah / Nug-bah-rah-kah)
*This word is use more often when you physically feel hot. For example, you are running a fever.

I'm hot/I'm feeling hot - Mapudutanak ( Mah-poo-doo-tan-ack) 

* This word describes a state of being hot. For example, you are directly under the sun or you are feeling the heat from a heater.

My head is hotter now - Nabarbara daytoy ulok tatta (Nah-bar-bar-ra die-toy oo-look tat-tah)

I feel like it's getting hotter - Kasla bumarbara iti riknak (Kas-lah boo-mar-bar-ra ee-tee reek-knock)

Yes, I really feel hotter - Wen, Bimmara nga talaga iti riknak ( Wen Beem-mah-rah ngah tah-la-ga ee-tee reek-knock)

Napudot or Nabara. If you get these two words mix up, it's okay. They still mean the same thing and it's acceptable to use one or the other. Don't sweat it!


Speaking of sweat, outside my house is  HOT AND HUMID! 

Summer time in West Texas is fairly dry but today it's not. We've gotten more rain this summer so it's more humid than normal. In other parts of Texas, like Houston, the humidity level is high most of the time. I prefer the dry heat because it is easier for me to cool down. Just stay inside!


Nasalimuot - It's humid
Nasalimuoten - It's already humid
Nagsalimuot - It's very humid
Nasalsalimuot - It's more humid
Sumalimutot- It's going to be more humid
Sumalsalimuot - It's getting more humid
Simalimuot- It got more humid

It is humid - Nasalimuot (Nah-sah-lee-moo-ot)

It is very humid - Nagsalimuot (Nug-sah-lee-moo-ot)
* This is the word I grew up using.


Here are some words that are use to describe humid:

Nadam-eg  ( Na-dum-egg)

Naagneb (Nah-ugh-neb)

Nalnaab (Nahl-nah-ab)


But when your tongue is burning and you're referring to food:

Gassang=Hot/Spicy

Nagasang (nah-gah-sung) - It's hot/spicy

Naggasang (nagh-gah-sung) - It's very hot/spicy

Nagasgasang (nah-gus-gah-sung) - It's  hotter/spicier

Permi ti gasang na! (Per-mee tee gah-sung nah!) - It's Super hot!



So innak pay agpalammiis. Inton Maninsan Manen!

(So I'm going to go cool off. Until Next Time Again!)

And next week, we will learn how to COOL off in Ilokano.

Siak ni Gigi


NOTES: These lessons are designed with the English Speakers in mind. The pronunciation is spelled out to emphasize sounds of the English language and alphabet to help the person to say it correctly in sounds that they are familiar with. 

For Tagalog/Filipino readers seeking to utilize our lessons, read the words in your native tongue and do not follow the suggested pronunciation.

Greeting in Ilokano Basics Part 2

Mastering basic greetings is an essential first step in learning Ilokano or any language. A simple "hello" can go a long way in eliciting a smile from someone.

We provided a succinct lesson on pronunciation and enunciation, featuring common greeting words, within a previous post. 

For a quick revision, please refer to Greetings Part 1.

Revisit:

 Greetings Part 1

Now we are going to add to this: Part 2

Do you want to tell someone hello or ask how they are doing?

Kumusta/Musta - Hello/Hi/How are you?

Kasano ngay ti aldaw mo / yo? Or Kumusta ti aldaw mo / yo? - How is your day?

Kasano ngay ti riknam / yo ? or Kumusta ti riknam/ yo ? - How are you feeling?

When leaving or trying to leave a conversation

 Apannakon / kamin (Up-pahn-nak-koon / Kah-meen)  : I am going leaving now / We

Umunaakkon / pay (oo-moo-nah-ak koon / pie) : I'm going first then ( basically means, "I'm                 leaving/goodbye) in a polite way

Sige ngarud (See-geh ngah-rood): Okay then. (Short way to say you're done talking as you leave to go. It's an informal       way goodbye without being rude)

Inton Maminsan manen (in-toon Mah-meen-sun mah-nen): Til next time

Ngarud/en (ngah-rood/den) - Then (added to the end of a phrase to emphasize the verb) 

  

            For Example: Apannak ngaruden (up-pun-nak nga-rood-den) - I'm going then

Baldo is on his way into town when he bumps into his neighbor Dodoy.

Dodoy: Kumusta ka?
             Hi. How are you?

Baldo:  Mayat met latta, kumusta ka ngay met?
            I'm still good, how are you also?

Dodoy: Mayat met
            Good also

Baldo:  Kasano ngay ti aldaw mo?
            How is your day? ( Literally translates as "How is the day of yours")

Dodoy: Ay ket naimbag ti aldaw ko tatta, sika ngay?
            (Oh well good is my day right now, and you?) Oh well, my day is good right now, and you?

Baldo:  Madi ti riknam tatta nga aldaw.
            (Literal translation: Not good, my feeling today) I'm not feeling well today

Dodoy: Apay? Kasano ngay ti riknam?
            Why? How are you feeling?

Baldo:  Kasla agsakitak sa met
            It's like I'm I may be sick

Dodoy: Ket apanka agpadoktor a ngarud
            And go see a doctor then 

Baldo:  Wen apanak ngarud agpdoktor. Apannak ngaruden, umunakkon.
            Yes, I'll go see the doctor. I am going then, Goodbye.

Dodoy: Wen, sige ngarud. Inton maminsan manen.
            Yes, okay then. Til next time again.

Greeting someone during different times of the day.

    Naimbag nga aldaw (Nah-eem-bug ngah Ahl-dao) - Good Day 

    Naimbag a bigat (Nah-eem-bug ah bee-gut) - Good Morning

    Naimbag a malem (Nah-eem-bug ah mah-lem) - Good Afternoon

    Naimbag a rabii (Nah-eem-bug ah rah-bee-ee) - Good Night/Evening

So after greeting his neighbor, Baldo went into town to see the doctor.

Baldo:   Naimbag nga malim yo doktor
             Good afternoon Doctor

Doktor: Naimbag nga malim mo met Baldo.
             Good afternoon to you also Baldo

Baldo:   Wen doktor, addaak. Umayak agpacheck-up.
              Yes, Doctor, I am here. I came to get a check-up.

Doktor: Apay adda ka met, kumusta ni riknam?
             Why are you here? How are you feeling?
Baldo:   Madi ti riknam, kasla agtrangkaso ak sa.

             I'm feeling not so good. I feel like I have the flu.

Doktor: Umayka ditoy. Agtugaw ka pay ta kitaik no inya ti sakit mo.
            Come here. Just have a seat and I'll look to see what your sickness is.

Baldo found out that he was only coming down with a cold. The doctor gave him a prescription and sent him on his way.

Baldo: Ay sus! agsakitak manen!
cccccc What the heck! I'm sick again!

Lesson Vocabulary:

Sika/Mo- You/your
Siak/Ko - Me/my
Mayat- good
Rikna-feeling
sakit/agsakit - sick/feeling sick
Trangkaso - flu
Madi- not
Met- also
Manen-again
Wen-yes
Tatta - right now
Adda - there is
Umay/Umayyak - come/I'm coming
Kita/kitaik - look/I look
Tugaw/agtugaw - seat/to have a seat or sit down

Were you able to comprehend the story to a significant extent based on recognizing the words and phrases used?

For some of you, the content may seem overwhelming. Take as much time as you need to internalize the simple phrases, and practice saying them out loud to aid retention.

We'll be posting these phrases daily on our Facebook page. Therefore, kindly ensure to subscribe and follow us on Facebook.

Inton maninsan manen! Until Next Time Again.

Happy Learning.

NOTE: These Ilokano language lessons are tailored to English speakers, and the pronunciation is spelled out accordingly to highlight the sounds of the English language and alphabet. For Tagalog/Filipino readers utilizing our lessons, kindly disregard the suggested pronunciation and read the words in your native language.

The Lord's Prayer in Ilokano

At a young age, I learned the Lords Prayer in Ilokano first then I learned it in English. A common prayer that is a lot of time taken for granted , The Lord's Prayer is not only spiritual but it is a helpful tool in learning the Ilokano language. Many of you already know this prayer in English/Tagalog by heart so it'll be easier for you to translate in your head as you read the Ilokano version.

The Lord's Prayer

"Amami"

(Ilokano Version)

Amami, nga adda sadi langit,

(Um-mah-mi  ngah  ad-dah  sah-dee  lah-ngeet)

Madaydayaw kuma ti Nagan mo.

(Ma-die-die-yao  koo-mah  tee  Na-gun moh)

Umay Kuma ti pagariam.

(Oo-my  koo-ma  tee  pah-gaar-yum)

Maaramid kuma ti pagayatam

(Mah-ah-rah-meed  koo-mah  tee  pah-gah-yah-tum)

Kas sadi langit kasta met ditoy daga.

(Kas  sah-dee  la-ngeet  met  dee-toi  dah-gah)

Itedmo kadakam ita ti kanenmi iti inaldaw.

(Ee-ted-moh kah-dah-kum ee-tah tee kah-nen-mee ee-tee ee-nal-dao)

Ket pakawanennakami kadagiti basol mi,

(Ket  pah-kah-wah-nen-nah-kum-mee  kah-dah-gee-tee  bah-sool  mee)

A kas met panamakawanmi kadagiti naka basol kadakami.

(Ah  kas  met  pah-nah-mah-kah-wun-mee  kah-dah-gee-tee nah-kah  bah-sool  kah-dah-kum-mee)

Ket dinakam iyeg iti pannakasulisog,

(Ket  dee-nah-kum  ee-yeg  ee-tee  pun-nah-ka-soo-lee-soog)

No di ket isalakannakami iti dakes.

(Noh  dee  ket  ee-sah-la-kun-nah-kum-mee ee-tee dah-kes)

Iti pagariam, iti Panakabalinmo, ken iti gloriam

(Ee-tee  pah-gaar-yum,  ee-tee  pah-nah-kah-bah-leen-moh, ken  ee-tee glor-ryam)

nga awan patinggana

(ngah ah-wun pah-teeng-gah-nah

Amen

And this is how it will translate in English, which is different from the English version of the Lord's Prayer.

Our Father who is in heaven,

May your name be honored

May your kingdom be ours

Your will be done,

Here on earth like it is in heaven

Give us now what we will eat everyday

And forgive us of our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us

Do not allow us into temptation

And deliver us from all evil

Because your is the kingdom,

The power and the Glory

that has no limit

Amen

Of course, 
here is the English version most people are familiar with.

Our Father, thou art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name. 

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth,

As it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive them that trespass against us.

And lead us not to temptation,

But deliver us from Evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

The power and the glory 

Forever and Ever.

Amen.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Inton maninsan manen! Until Next Time Again.

Happy Learning.

NOTES: These lessons are designed with the English Speakers in mind. The pronunciation is spelled out to emphasize sounds of the English language and alphabet to help the person say it correctly in sounds that they are familiar with. For Tagalog/Filipino readers seeking to utilize our lessons, read the words in your native tongue and do not follow the suggested pronunciation.

Ilokano Greetings for the Holidays

As the holiday approaches, it's time to brush up on some Ilokano phrases to impress the in-laws and friends. So here's a short cheat sheet for those who just got excited after reading the first sentence.

Holiday/Celebration Greetings

Happy Birthday - Naragsak nga Panagkasangay
                             (Nah-rug-sak ngah pa-nahg-kah-sang-ai)

Happy Valentines - Naimbag nga aldaw ti puspuso
                               (Nah-eem-bug ngah al-dao tee poos-poo-so)

Happy Thanksgiving - Naragsak/Naimbag nga Panagyaman
                                    (Nah-rug-sak / Nah-eem-bug ngah pa-nahg-ya-mahn)

Merry Christmas - Naragsak/Naimbag nga Paskua
                               (Nah-rug-sak / Nah-eem-bug ngah Pas-kwa)

Happy New Year -Naragsak nga baro nga tawen
                             (Nah-rug-sak ngah ba-ro ngah tah-wen)

When in doubt, just say your English holiday greeting. Of course, when you encounter Ilokanos at one of the many holiday parties that you will be attending, you will need a conversation freshener, enough to get some "Ooh" and "Aah" or "Ala!" followed by giggles and laughter.

When that happens, please don't be offended. Ilokanos gets very excited when someone of other races speaks their language. The initial response is to giggle and laugh not because they are making fun but because they are impressed with your effort.

Simple phrases to remember:

Hello/How are you?- Kablaaw / Kumusta kayo? / Musta apo ( you add "apo" to a grandpa/grandma)

Nice to meet you - Naragsakkak a maamammo ka (Nah-rug-sak-kahk ah mah-um-um-moh kah)

I am fine - Nasayatak met (Nah-sa-yah-at-tak met) / Mayat met (mah-yaht met)

Thank you - Agyamanak (Ugh-yah-mahn-nahk)

I am (your name) - Siak ni_____( Syak nee......)

I am so and so's spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend/friend

Siak ti asawa/nobya/nobyo/gayyem ni (your partner's name)
( Syak tee ah-sah-wah/noob-yah/noob-yo/guy-yem nee......)

And when everything else fails to juggle your memory or you've had one too many San Miguel by then,

Saan ko maawatan (Sa-an- koh mah-ah-wah-tun) = I don't understand

 Diak makaawat (Jack mah-kah-ah-what) = I am not able to understand

or as my husband like to say:

Diak ammo, saan ko maawatan, tulingak!
(Jack uhm-mo, Sa-an- koh mah-ah-wah-tun, too-ling-ak)

which means.... I don't know, I don't understand, I am deaf!)

So if you get a chance to attend a Filipino party, GO! You would not want to miss the awesome food and the company with the corny cheesy jokes. Plus you get to practice and show off what you've learned with Ilokano  Learner.

But first, go through all the greeting lessons we've posted. These two in particular.

Greetings Part 1

Common Phrases


Inton Maminsan Manen

Happy Learning!

NOTES: These lessons are designed with the English Speakers in mind. The pronunciation is spelled out to emphasize sounds of the English language and alphabet to help the person say it correctly in sounds that they are familiar with. For Tagalog/Filipino readers seeking to utilize our lessons, read the words in your native tongue and do not follow the suggested pronunciation.

Love Speaks Ilokano

Okay so we missed the love month of February but that's okay because "LOVE" happens year-round. So we have compiled a list of vocabulary words and phrases relating to the word "LOVE".

We've received a lot of requests in the love category...... so here is our list to get you started.

Basic Words:

Love - Ayat 

Like/want - Kayat

Pretty/ Beautiful - Napintas
Handsome - Nataraki / guwapo / pogi
Delicious - Naimas
Smell good - Nabanglo
Sweet - Nasamit
Smile - Isem
Sexy - sexy

Heart - Puso
Kamay - Ima

Found - Nabirukan
Feeling - Rikna
Call - tawag

Sorry - pakawan

Kasar - marriage/wedding

Titles:

Beloved - Dungo

Nobyo - boyfriend
Nobya - girlfriend

Baket - Old lady / Wife
Lakay - Old man / husband

Asawa - spouse

Abalayan / Bayaw - in law

Compliments:

You are beautiful - Nagpintas ka

You are handsome - Nagtaraki ka / naggwapo ka

Your smile is beautiful - Nagpintas ti isim mo

You are so nice to me - Nagsingpet ka ken siak

I like being with you - Kayat ka nga kadkaddua

You're so sexy - Nagsexy ka 

Love Phrases:

I love you - Ayayatin ka

I like you - Kayat ka

I'm interested in you - Kursonada ka

My heart is yours - Kanyam daytoy pusok

Only you - Sika Laeng

Awan sabalin - There's no one else

Will you marry me? 

• Kayat mo nga asawain dak? (Do you want to be myspouse / marry me?)
• Asawain dak, wen? (Be my spouse / Marry me, yes?)
• Kayat ko nga pakasaran ka ( I want to marry you)
• Kayat mo nga pakasaran dak? ( Do you want to marry me?)
• Intan agkasar (Let's go get married)

image courtesy of clipartfox.com

Are you in the dog house?

I hate you - kabusor ka

I don't like you - Saan ka nga kayat

I didn't mean it - Saan ko ingagara

I won't do it again - Saan ko uulitinen / araramidenen.

Please don't leave me - Pangaasim saan dak a panawan.

Forgive me - Pakawanen dak

Come back to me - agsubli ka keniak


We will update this from time to time and add more to the list. If you have a phrase/s you want to learn, send us a message and we will gladly add it to the list. Good luck with Cupid or trying to get out of the dog house.

Until Next Time - Dita Kayon.

Modern Day Flashcards

One of the most time consuming parts of learning any language is memorizing vocabulary. Before we ever get to putting them in the correct order, or making an attempt at grammar, we must have a knowledge as to what the words mean. One of the best methods for this is a Spaced Repetition System (SRS).

An SRS allows you to review words in increasing intervals of time, helping transfer the words from your short term memory into your long term memory. SRS is the basis for the Pimsleur method of language learning. There are several programs available to us that take advantage of SRS. Anki, Mnemosyne, and Flashcard Exchange just to mention a few.

The one I have used to great success is Anki, but it is a personal choice for what fits your needs best. I chose Anki because it has an app I can use on my Samsung Android phone. This means I can take my flash cards with me anywhere, anytime. It also allows me to create new cards on the fly with out the need for pen and paper, whenever a new word crosses my path.

The basics of these programs is simple. Each card has two "sides" just like a regular paper flash card would. On one side you put the word to learn, on the other the definition or translation. When starting out individual words one each side work best to help you get used to using the program. As you advance in your language learning you can add whole phrases and create definitions in Ilokano instead of your native language. Writing the definitions in Ilokano spurs a much better understanding of the language and aids in your recall of the words when needed.

Using an SRS program also lets us learn vocabulary from a wide selection of sources, not just grammar books. Like I mentioned previously, you can use news and magazine sources to draw from to learn words, as well as, any you hear in conversation or music. The phrase

The key is to use the SRS daily. It may take you as little as 10 minutes, but the compounded effects over time are great. Combining the SRS with mnemonics and you have a Pacquiao style one-two punch that will help you conquer the vocabulary sooner.

Hopefully this has provided you with one more tool to help you along. Until next time.

Photo courtesy: JacobMetcalf

Paskua

Naragsak a Paskua 

ken

Narang-ay a Baro a Tawen

Kadakayo Amin

(Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone)

Mangatayon! Let's Eat! Part II

Now we shall go over the exercise with Tagalog-Ilokano version to help compare the difference between the two languages. This exercise is for Tagalog speakers learning to speak Ilokano.

Refresher: Mangantayon! Lets Eat! Part I

Ilokano Version: Tagalog Version:

Jacobo: Nangankan? Kumain ka na?
Mark: Saan pay. Hindi pa.
Jacobo: Umayka ditoy, mangan ka pay. Halika dito, kumain ka muna.

Mark: Ania ti sidain? Ano ang ulam?
Jacobo: Pinakbet ken sisig. Pinakbet at sisig.
Mark: Kayat ko ti sisig. Gusto mo ang sisig.

Mark: Naimas! Sino ti nagluto? Sarap! Sino ang nagluto?
Jacobo: Kasinsin ko nga ni Demy. Pinsan ko na si Demy.
Mark: Nagimas ti sidain. Ang sarap ng ulam.

Mark: Nabusogakon. Busog na ako.

You'll notice the similarities in a couple of the words and that is because Tagalog and Ilokano do share some common words such as "luto" or "busog" and of course the names of dishes such as "Pinakbet" and "sisig".

Mangatayon! Kain na Tayo!

Weekly Vocabulary

Filipino hero Jose Rizal spoke over 10 languages, including Ilokano. For the most part he was self taught. The primary technique he used to amass such a knowledge of language was to learn 5 words a day, for a total of 1825 words a year! Considering that most languages use only 1000 words for 90% of all conversation, he would be considered fluent by most standards in less than a year!.

Dr. Rizal is a prime example of the importance of vocabulary. So to get your started on your way to learning I am providing you with a week's worth of words. Keep an eye out for patterns that will help you keep these words straight. Also don't forget about the mnemonics method we discussed earlier, it will help speed up the process. You can memorize these any order, so don't stress over the order I put them in.

Read More

1. Ditóy- "here" close to speaker
2. Ditá- "there" far from speaker, close to listener
3. Idiáy- "there" far from speaker and listener
4. Daytóy- "this" close to speaker
5. Daytá- "that" far from speaker, close to listener
6. Daydiáy- "that" far from speaker and listener
7. Inumén- drink, noun
8. Baláy- house
9. Trabáho- work
10. Sáo- talk
11. Kótse- car
12. Eskuéla- school
13. Kanen- food
14. Kan- eat
15. Ala- get
16. Kuarta- money
17. Gatang- buy
18. Pan- go
19. Umay- come
20. Bigát- morning
21. Malem- afternoon
22. Aldaw- day
23. Rabii- night
24. Naimbag- good
25. Dakkel- big
26. Bassit- small
27. Napintas- beautiful
28. Naguapo- handsome
29. Nagasang- spicy
30. Natayag- tall
31. Banio- bathroom
32. Manok- chicken
33. Libro- book
34. Lalaki- male
35. Babai- female

There you go, a weeks worth of words to memorize. Of course you are not limited to just these 35, especially if there ones you already know. Learning a language is all about how much effort you put into it. Good luck!

Until next time, ditakayon.