Tyap (a̱lyem Tyap) is a dialect continuum of the Central Plateau branch of the Plateau family, of the Benue–Congo divide of the Volta–Congo branch of the Atlantic–Congo family of the Niger-Congo languages. It consists of seven dialects: Fantswam, Gworok, Maba̱ta̱do/Tyap proper, Sholyio, Takad, Tyeca̱rak and Tyuku; with an eighth, Jju – having a different language code but closely related to the Tyap dialects. Tyap is spoken by a population of over 250,000 in an area where the Nok culture (c. BC 1,500 – 500 AD) flourished in the Middle Belt (i.e., the geopolitical Northcentral and southern parts of Northwest and Northeast) of Nigeria.

The dialect used in this phrasebook is the Tyap proper or the Mabatado dialect of Tyap, the prestige dialect after which the language is named. It is noteworthy to know that the other six dialects have different proportions of Tyap proper and Jju and someother neighbouring language. However, one who has knowledge of the Tyap proper dialect and of any of the other Tyap dialects would find it easy to understand the other dialects. Also, the lexical similarities among the seven Tyap dialects are all higher than 80%. The greatest difficulty would be between the speaker of Tyuku and of Tyap proper who are not conversant with each another's dialects. In the past, as late as into the 1950s, the Tyap proper dialect was well know across the area due to the importance of the Zangon Kataf market which was said to be the third largest in the area to be later known as Northern Nigeria (1914-1967). The term Kataf is the Hausa exonym for the Tyap speaking population and neighbouring related groups.

Pronunciation guide[edit]

Intonation[edit]

Tyap is a tonal language with a high, mid, low, mid-low, high-low and low-high ranges, but only one (the high tone indicated by the acute accent) is used for writing. Tyap has no nasal vowel sounds. It, however, has nasal consonants sounds (m /m/, n /n/ and ng /ŋ/) which are also tonal. Tyap also uses the underscore diacritic mark usually placed under vowels "a" and "i"; a̱ denotes the schwa sound /ǝ/ while i̱ denotes the shortened "i" sound /ɨ/.

Vowels[edit]

Short monophthongs[edit]

Long monophthongs[edit]

Diphthongs[edit]

Consonants[edit]

Monographic consonants[edit]

Digraphic consonants[edit]

Labial consonants[edit]

Short[edit]

bw

/bʷ/; no English equivalent

cw

/t͡ʃʷ/; no English equivalent

fw

/fʷ/; no English equivalent

gw

/ɡʷ/; no English equivalent

ghw

/ɣʷ/; no English equivalent

hw

/hʷ/ or /ʍ/; like 'wh' in "what"

jw

/d͡ʒʷ/; no English equivalent

kw

/kʷ/; like 'qu' in "quick"

khw

/xʷ/; no English equivalent

mw

/mʷ/; like 'mw' in "Cromwell"

nw (ngw)

/ŋʷ/; no English equivalent

pw

/pʷ/; no English equivalent

sw

/sʷ/; like 'sw' in "swing"

shw

/ʃʷ/; like 'schw' in "schwa"

tsw

/t͡sʷ/; no English equivalent

yw

/jʷ/ or /ɥ/; like 'yw' in "yuan"

zw

/d͡zʷ/; no English equivalent

Long[edit]

These may otherwise be written -ww in Jju, but written in Tyap as -wu. But it is more or less the same articulation.

cwu

/t͡ʃʷʷ/; no English equivalent

fwu

/fʷʷ/; no English equivalent

nwu

/ŋʷʷ/; no English equivalent

pwu

/pʷʷ/; no English equivalent

swu

/sʷʷ/; no English equivalent

tswu

/t͡sʷʷ/; no English equivalent

vwu

/vʷʷ/; no English equivalent

zwu

/d͡zʷʷ/; no English equivalent

Palatal consonants[edit]

Short[edit]

by

/bʲ/; no English equivalent

cy

/t͡ʃʲ/; no English equivalent

dy

/dʲ/; no English equivalent

gy

/ɡʲ/ or /ɟ/; no English equivalent

ghy

/ɣʲ/; no English equivalent

hy

/hʲ/; no English equivalent

jhy (palatized form of "zh")

/ʒʲ/; no English equivalent

ky

/kʲ/; like 'cu' in "cue"

ly

/lʲ/; no English equivalent

my

/mʲ; no English equivalent

nyi

/ɲʲ/; no English equivalent

py

/pʲ/; no English equivalent

shy

/ʃʲ/; no English equivalent

ty

/tʲ/; like 'ti' in "Christian"

Long[edit]

These may otherwise be written -yy in Jju, but written in Tyap as -yi. But it is more or less the same articulation.

byi

/bʲʲ/; no English equivalent

cyi

/t͡ʃʲʲ/; no English equivalent

dyi

/dʲʲ/; no English equivalent

hyi

/hʲʲ/; no English equivalent

kyi

/kʲʲ/; no English equivalent

lyi

/lʲʲ/; no English equivalent

myi

/mʲʲ/; no English equivalent

pyi

/pʲʲ/; no English equivalent

shyi

/ʃʲʲ/; no English equivalent

tyi

/tʲʲ/; no English equivalent

Labio-palatal consonants[edit]

cyu (also "cyw")

/t͡ʃʲʷ/; no English equivalent

dyu (also "dyw")

/dʲʷ/; no English equivalent

ghyu (also "ghyw")

/ɣʲʷ/; no English equivalent

hyu (also "hyw")

/hʲʷ/; like 'hue' in "hue"

jhyu (also "jhyw")

/ʒʲʷ/; no English equivalent

kyu (also "kyw")

/kʲʷ/; no English equivalent

lyu (also "lyw")

/lʲʷ/; no English equivalent

nyu (also "nyw")

/ɲʲʷ/; no English equivalent

shyu (also "shyw")

/ʃʲʷ/; no English equivalent

tyu (also "tyw")

/tʲʷ/; no English equivalent

Long nasal consonants[edit]

mm

/m:/; like 'm' in "numb"

nn

/n:/; like 'nn' in "Finn"

nng

/ŋ:/; like 'ng' in "fling"

Other sub-dialectical variants[edit]

dw (others use "dyw/dyu")

/dʷ/; no English equivalent

gby (others use "gb")

/ɡ͡bʲ/; no English equivalent

kpy (others use "kp")

/k͡pʲ/; no English equivalent

lw (others use "lyw/lyu")

/lʷ/; no English equivalent

Phrase list[edit]

Basics / Kuntyin[edit]

Hello.

Foo. (foh-OH)

How are you?

A nyia̱ ni? (AH NYEE-UH nee?)

Fine, thank you.

Ka̱ngka̱ra̱ng ba̱t, n gwai. (KUHNG-KUH-RUHNG BUHT, NG GWAI)

What is your name?

Á̱ ngyei ang a̱nyan wa? (UHN GYAY ahng UH-nyahn AH?)

My name is ______ .

Á̱ ngyei nung ______. (UHN GYAY noong ______)

Nice to meet you.

N shyia̱ ma̱ng a̱sainfwuo ma̱nang n myim ma̱ng a̱nwan a̱ni. (N SHYEE-UH muhng uh-sain-fwoo-OH muh-nahng ng myeem muhng-wan uh-nee)

Please.

(Ma̱)sa̱kut. ((muh-)suh-KOOD)

Thank you.

N gwai. (NG GWAI)

You're welcome (as a compliment).

Yok nfa̱k kyang bah. (yog NG-fuhg kyahng bah)

You're welcome (to a visitor).

(Ma̱)aba̱n (from male to male - never from female to male/female) ((muh-)ah-BUH-n), tyebaa (from female to female/male or male to female) (TYEH-bah-ah)

Yes.

Ii. (masculine: "ee") (EE-ee)

No.

Kaai. (kah-AH-ee)

It is so.

A̱nia wa. (uh-NEE-AH WAH-ah)

It is not so.

A̱nia wa bah. (uh-NEE-AH WAH bah)

Excuse me. (getting attention/begging pardon)

Fa̱k la! (cat a̱fufwuo a̱yin/naai a̱yin) (FUHK LAH-ah)

I'm sorry. ( forgive me )

N kyuak ntong. [ chi nung ](NG KYOO-AHK NG-TOHNG)

Goodbye.

Jenjhyang. (jehn-zhyahng) / Ba-bai. (BAH-bah-AI)

I can't speak Tyap [well].

N dyen lyiat Tyap ji [shansham] bah. (N DYEHN LYEE-AHD tyahb JEE shahn-shahm bah)

Do you speak English?

A lyiat Shong a? (AH LYEE-AHD SHOHNG AH-ah?)

Is there someone here who speaks English?

Á̱ mbyia̱ a̱yin a̱ lyiat Shong a̱ji a? (UHM BYEE-UH UH-yeen uh lyee-ahd SHOHNG uh-jee ah?)

Help!

Beang! (BEH-AHNG / BEE-AHNG / BUH-YAHNG)

Look out!

Ta̱bam! (TUH-bahm)

Good morning. (before around 9 AM)

A (plural: "nyi") kwai doot ka̱ngka̱ra̱ng a? (AH/NYEE KWAI doh-ohd KUHNG-kuh-ruhng ah?)

Good afternoon.

A (plural: "nyi") kwamam ka̱ngka̱ra̱ng a? (AH/NYEE KWAH-mahm KUHNG-kuh-ruhng ah?)

Good evening.

A (plural: "nyi") kwamam ka̱ngka̱ra̱ng a? (AH/NYEE KWAH-mahm KUHNG-kuh-ruhng ah?)

Good night.

Si̱ a̱tson ka. (SIH uh-tswohn KAH-ah)

I don't understand.

N fi̱k bah. (NG fihg bah)

Where is the toilet?

A̱vwuonsaai-a̱pyia̱ ka shyia̱ a̱ji wa? (uh-VWOO-OHN-sah-ai-uh-PYEE-UH KAH shyee-uh uh-jee ah?)

Get the hoe.

San a̱tyem ka. (SAHN UH-TYEHM KAH-ah)

Problems / A̱ka̱bung[edit]

Leave me alone.

Yok nung. (yohg NOONG)

Don't touch me!

Yok la nung bah! (yohg LAH noong bah)

I'll call the police.

N na ngyei mmanshan na. (N NAH ng-gyay m-mahn-SHAHN NAH-ah)

Police!

Mmanshan! (m-mahn-SHAHN)

Stop! Thief!

Yong a̱ja! A̱tang! (YOHNG UH-jah-AH! uh-TAHNG!)

I need your help.

N cat a beang nung. (N CHAHD AH beh-ahng noong)

It's an emergency.

Gi̱gi̱k hwa. (gihgihg HWAH-ah)

I'm lost.

N bwuk. (M bwook)

I lost my bag.

N nwai a̱gumaat nung wu. (NG NG-WAI UH-goo-MAH-AHD noong WOO-oo)

I lost my wallet.

N nwai a̱mpwot-kurum nung wu. (NG NG-WAI UHM-pwohd KOO-ROOM NOONG WOO-oo)

I'm sick.

N nyia̱ ma̱ng zwan. (NG NYEE-UH muhng zwahn)

I've been injured.

N bwuo fa̱t. (M BWOO-OH fuhd)

I need a doctor.

N cat a̱bwok. (N CHAHD UH-BWOHG)

Can I use your phone?

Ka̱ doot n nnyia̱ ta̱m ma̱ng jet a̱bwoi ang ji a? (kuh DOH-OHD n N-NYEE-UH TUHM muhng jehd uh-BWOY ahng jee ah?)

Are you talking to me?

A lyiat ma̱ng a̱nung wa kee? (AH LYEE-AHD MUHNG NOONG AH keh)

Get out of here!

Ghwut a̱ji! (GHWOOD UH-jee)

Who slapped you?

A̱nyan wa lyui ang? (uh-nyahn AH LYOO-WEE ahng)

Numbers / Nla̱mba[edit]

0

gum (GOOM), piit (peed), sa̱khat (suh-khahd)

1

a̱nyiung (uh-NYEE-OO-oong), nyiung (NYEE-OO-oong), jhyiung (ZHYEE-OO-oong)

2

a̱feang (uh-FEH-AHNG), feang (FEH-AHNG), sweang (SWEH-AHNG)

3

a̱tat (uh-TAHD), tat (TAHD), tsat (TSAHD)

4

a̱naai (uh-NAH-ai), naai (NAH-ai), nyaai (NYAH-ai)

5

a̱fwuon (uh-FWOO-OHN), fwuon (FWOO-OHN), tswuon (TSWOO-OHN)

6

a̱taa (uh-TAH-ah)

7

a̱natat (uh-nah-TAHD)

8

a̱ni̱nai (uh-nih-nai)

9

a̱kubunyiung (uh-koo-BOO-nyee-oong)

10

swak (SWAHG)

11

swak ma̱ng a̱nyiung (SWAHG MUH NYEE-OO-oong)

12

swak ma̱ng a̱feang (SWAHG MUH FEH-ahng)

13

swak ma̱ng a̱tat (SWAHG MUH TAHD)

14

swak ma̱ng a̱naai (SWAHG MUH nah-ai)

15

swak ma̱ng a̱fwuon (SWAHG MUH FWOO-OHN)

16

swak ma̱ng a̱taa (SWAHG MUH TAH-ah)

17

swak ma̱ng a̱natat (SWAHG MUH nah-TAHD)

18

swak ma̱ng a̱ni̱nai (SWAHG MUH nih-nai)

19

swak ma̱ng a̱kubunyiung (SWAHG MUH koo-BOO-NYEE-OO-oong)

20

nswak nfeang (n-SWAHNG feh-ahng)

21

nswak nfeang ma̱ng a̱nyiung (n-swahng feh-ahng MUH NYEE-OO-oong)

22

nswak nfeang ma̱ng a̱feang (n-swahng feh-ahng MUH FEH-AHNG)

23

nswak nfeang ma̱ng a̱tat (n-swahng feh-ahng MUH TAHD)

30

nswak ntat (n-SWAHNG tahd)

40

nswak nnaai (n-SWAHNG nai)

50

nswak nfwuon (n-SWAHNG fwoo-OHN)

60

nswak a̱taa (n-SWAHNG uh-TAH-ah)

70

nswak a̱natat (n-SWAHNG uh-nah-TAHD)

80

nswak a̱ni̱nai (n-SWAHNG uh-nih-nai)

90

nswak a̱kubunyiung (n-SWAHNG uh-koo-BOO-nyee-oo-oong)

100

cyi jhyiung (chyee ZHYEE-OONG)

200

cyi sweang (chyee SWEH-AHNG)

300

cyi tsat (chyee TSAHD)

400

cyi nyaai (chyee NYAH-ai)

500

cyi tswuon (chyee TSWOO-OHN)

600

cyi a̱taa (chyee uh-TAH-ah)

700

cyi a̱natat (chyee uh-nah-TAHD)

800

cyi a̱ni̱nai (chyee UH-nee-nai)

900

cyi a̱kubunyiung (chyee uh-koo-BOO-nyee-oo-oong)

1,000

cyikwop jhyiung (chyee-KWOHB ZHYEE-OO-oong)

2,000

cyikwop sweang (chyee-KWOHB SWEH-AHNG)

100,000

cyikwop cyi jhyiung (chyee-KWOHB chyee ZHYEE-OO-oong)

1,000,000

milyon (MEE-lee-yohn)

1,000,000,000

bilyon (BEE-lee-yohn)

1,000,000,000,000

ti̱rilyon (TIH-REE-lee-yohn)

number _____ (train, bus, etc.)

la̱mba _____ (a̱taintuut, bos, ba̱ng si̱ nat) (LUHM-bah)

half

a̱kum (uh-KOOM)

less

ghyuai (GHYOO-WAI)

more

mbeang (M-BEH-AHNG)

Time / Jen[edit]

now

ma̱nini (muh-NEE-NEE), ma̱ninika (muh-NEE-NEE-kah), di̱ yong huni (dih yohng hoo-NEE)

later

jenjinishi (JEHN-jee-NEE-shee)

before

a̱zaghyi (uh-DZAH-ghyee)

early morning (before sunrise)

a̱tsotson a̱tson (uh-TSOH-tsohn uh-TSOHN)

early morning (after sunrise but before around 9 a.m.)

shong a̱tson (SHOHNG UH-TSWOHN)

morning

a̱tsotson (uh-TSOH-tswohn)

afternoon

a̱ta̱mam (uh-TUH-mahm)

evening

jenshyung (JEHN-shyoo-OONG)

night

a̱tyetuk (uh-TYEH-TOO-oog), a̱kyetuk (uh-KYEH-TOO-oog)

Clock time / Jen a̱gogo[edit]

one o'clock AM

tswam jhyiung A̱TYIA̱KA̱U A̱TYETUK (tswahm ZHYEE-OONG UH-TYEE-UH-kuhw uh-TYEH-TOOK)

four o'clock AM

tswam sweang A̱TYETUK SHUNSHYUNG (tswahm NYAH-ai UH-tyeh-took SHOON-shyoong)

nine o'clock AM

tswam a̱kubunyiung A̱TSOTSON (tswahm uh-koo-BOO-NYEE-OO-oong uh-TSOH-tswohn)

noon

a̱ta̱mam (uh-TUH-mahm)

one o'clock PM

tswam jhyiung A̱TA̱MAM (tswahm ZHYEE-OONG UH-TUH-mahm)

two o'clock PM

tswam sweang A̱TA̱MAM (tswahm SWEH-AHNG UH-TUH-mahm)

nine o'clock PM

tswam a̱kubunyiung A̱TYETUK (tswahm uh-koo-BOO-nyee-oong UH-TYEH-took)

midnight

a̱ka̱wa̱tyia̱ a̱tyetuk (uh-kuh-WUH-tyee-uh UH-TYEH-took)

Duration / Labeang[edit]

_____ minute(s)

(m)miti _____ ((m-)mee-tee _____)

_____ hour(s)

awa (plural áwa) _____ (ah-wah, AH-wah _____)

_____ day(s)

(m)mam _____ ((m-)mahm _____)

_____ week(s)

(n)sati _____ ((n-)sah-tee _____)

_____ month(s)

zwat (plural zwát) _____ (dzwahd, DZWAHD _____)

_____ year(s)

a̱lyia̱ (plural ndyia̱) _____ (uh-LYEE-UH, n-dyee-uh _____)

Days / Mmam[edit]

today

a̱fwun (uh-FWOON)

yesterday

lyuo (LYOO-oh)

tomorrow

a̱tson (uh-TSWOHN)

this week

sati huni (SAH-TEE hoo-NEE-ee)

last week

sati ku swak (SAH-TEE koo swahg)

next week

sati cobai (SAH-TEE choh-BAI)

Sunday

A̱tuk Ladi (uh-TOOK LAH-DEE-ee)

Monday

A̱tuk A̱ta̱nii (uh-TOOK UH-tuh-NEE-ee)

Tuesday

A̱tuk Ta̱lata (uh-TOOK TUH-lah-tah)

Wednesday

A̱tuk La̱ra̱ba (uh-TOOK LUH-ruh-BAH)

Thursday

A̱tuk A̱laamit (uh-TOOK UH-LAH-ah-MEE-eed)

Friday

A̱tuk Juma (uh-TOOK JOO-mah)

Saturday

A̱tuk A̱sa̱ba̱t (uh-TOOK UH-suh-buhd)

Months / Zwát[edit]

January

Zwat Jhyiung (dzwahd ZHYEE-OO-oong)

February

Zwat Sweang (dzwahd SWEH-AHNG)

March

Zwat Tsat (dzwahd tsahd)

April

Zwat Nyaai (dzwahd NYAH-ai)

May

Zwat Tswuon (dzwahd TSWOO-OHN)

June

Zwat A̱taa (dzwahd uh-TAH-ah)

July

Zwat A̱natat (dzwahd uh-nah-TAHD)

August

Zwat A̱ni̱nai (dzwahd UH-nih-nai)

September

Zwat A̱kubunyiung (dzwahd uh-koo-BOO-nyee-oong)

October

Zwat Swak (dzwahd SWAHG)

November

Zwat Swak ma̱ng Jhyiung (dzwahd SWAHG MUH NYEE-OO-oong)

December

Zwat Swak ma̱ng Sweang (dzwahd SWAHG MUH SWEH-AHNG)

Writing time and date[edit]

26/12/2005

26/12/2005

26th December 2005

26 Zwat Swak ma̱ng Sweang 2005, a̱tuk 26 Zwat Swak ma̱ng Sweang a̱lyia̱ 2005

Colors / A̱sa̱khwot[edit]

black

a̱dyundyung (uh-DYOON-dyoong), dyundyung (DYOON-dyoong)

white

a̱sai (uh-SAI)

gray

a̱sa̱khwot-ntong (uh-suh-khwohd ng-tohng)

red

a̱shong (uh-SHOHNG)

blue

a̱sa̱khwot-bula (uh-suh-khwohd BOO-lah)

yellow

bagina (bah-GEE-nah)

green

lyilyim (LYEE-lyeem), a̱sa̱khwot-a̱kwop (uh-suh-khwohd uh-KWOHB)

orange

a̱sa̱khwot-a̱lyemu (uh-suh-khwohd uh-LYEH-moo)

purple

a̱sa̱khwot-a̱meti̱t (uh-suh-khwohd UH-meh-tihd)

brown

a̱sa̱khwot-mbyin (uh-suh-khwohd m-BYEE-n)

pink

a̱sa̱khwot-a̱gurma (uh-suh-khwohd uh-GOOR-mah)

Transportation / Shyei nkyang[edit]

Bus and train / Bos ma̱ng a̱taintuut[edit]

How much is a ticket to _____?

A̱mang wa kati ma̱to naat _____? (uh-mahng AH KAH-tee MUH-TOH nah-ahd _____?)

One ticket to _____, please.

Kati ma̱to nyiung naat _____, sa̱kut. (KA-tee MUH-toh NYEE-OONG nah-ahd _____, suh-kood)

Where does this train/bus go?

A̱ji wa a̱taintuut wuni/bos huni naat? (uh-jee AH UH-TAIN-too-ood woo-NEE/BOHS hoo-NEE nah-ahd?)

Where is the train/bus to _____?

A̱ji wa a̱taintuut/bos naat _____ wu/hu nshyia̱? (uh-jee AH UH-TAIN-too-ood/BOHS nah-ahd _____ woo/hoo n-shyee-uh?)

Does this train/bus stop in _____?

A̱taintuut wuni/bos huni na ngyong mi̱ _____ a? (uh-tain-too-ood woo-NEE/BOHS hoo-NEE NAH ng-gyohng mih _____ ah?)

When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

Zang jen ja a̱taintuut/bos _____ wu/hu na nkat? (dzahng JEHN JAH UH-TAIN-too-ood/BOHS _____ WOO/HOO NAH ng-kahd?)

When will this train/bus arrive in _____?

Zang jen ja a̱taintuut wuni/bos huni na ntat _____? (dzahng JEHN JAH UH-TAIN-too-ood woo-NEE/BOS hoo-NEE NAH n-tahd _____?)

Directions / A̱yaagbang[edit]

How do I get to _____ ?

N na nyia̱ nini wa n ntat _____? (N NAH nyee-uh nee-nee AH n N-tahd _____?)

...the train station?

...ta̱sha a̱taintuut ji? (...TUH-shah uh-TAIN-too-ood JEE?)

...the bus station?

...ta̱sha bos ji? (...TUH-shah BOHS jee?)

...the airport?

...kyai a̱man-tswam hu? (...kyai uh-mahn-tswahm HOO?)

...downtown?

...mami a̱keang? (...MAH-mee UH-keh-ahng?)

...the youth hostel?

...hostet nfi̱ng hu? (...HOHS-tehd n-fihng HOO?)

...the _____ hotel?

...hotet _____ hu? (...hoh-TEHD _____ hoo?)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

...a̱ma-a̱ghyi A̱merika/Ka̱na̱da/A̱streliya/Bi̱ri̱ti̱n ka? (...uh-mah-UH-ghyee UH-meh-ree-kah/KUH-nuh-dah/UHS-tih-reh-lee-yah/BIH-RIH-tihn?)

Where are there a lot of... ?

A̱ji wa á̱ na nshyia̱ ... ma̱ a̱di̱di̱t? (uh-jee AH UH NAH n-shyee-uh...muh dih-dihd?)

...hotels?

...a̱yaahotet? (...uh-YAH-ah-HOH-tehd?)

...restaurants?

...a̱yaarestoran? (...uh-YAH-ah-REHS-toh-rahn?)

...bars?

...a̱ka̱vwuonswuonkyang? (...uh-kuh-VWOO-OHN-swoo-ohng-kyahng?)

...sites to see?

...a̱ka̱vwuo nwuan? (...uh-kuh-VWOO-OHNG woo-ahn?)

Can you show me on the map?

Ka̱ doot a tyai nung dyo di̱ ta̱si̱la ji a? (kuh DOH-OHD AH tyai noong dih tuh-sih-lah ah?)

street

a̱gaat (uh-gah-AHD)

Turn left.

Bwuak a̱zamyian. (BWOO-AHG UH-DZAH-myee-ahn)

Turn right.

Bwuak a̱zayak. (BWOO-AHG UH-DZAH-jahg)

left

a̱zamyian (uh-DZAH-myee-ahn)

right

a̱zayak (uh-DZAH-yahg)

straight ahead

a̱di̱di̱ri̱k a̱zanson (uh-DIH-dih-rihg uh-DZAHN-swohn)

towards the _____

kpa̱mkpaan ma̱ng _____ (kpuhmkpah-ahn muhng ____)

past the _____

swak _____ (SWAHG ____)

before the _____

a̱zaghyi _____ (uh-DZAH-ghyee ____)

Watch for the _____.

Nwuan ka̱ a na li _____. (NG-WOO-AHN kuh AH NAH lee ____)

intersection

a̱ga̱sat nvak (uh-guh-sahd n-VAHG)

north

a̱za (uh-DZAH)

south

a̱tak (uh-TAHG)

east

a̱tyin (uh-TYEEN)

west

jenshyung (JEHN-shyoo-OONG)

uphill

a̱zantsok (uh-DZAHN-tswohg)

downhill

a̱takntsok (uh-TAHG-N-tswohg)

Taxi / Takzi[edit]

Taxi!

Takzi! (tahg-ZEE)

Take me to _____, please.

Kyiak nung nat _____, sa̱kut. (KYEE-AHG NOONG nahd ____, suh-KOOD)

How much does it cost to get to _____?

A̱mang wa naat _____ hu? (uh-mahng AH nah-ahd ____ hoo)

Take me there, please.

Nat ma̱ng a̱nung a̱ja, sa̱kut. (NAD muhng NOONG UH-jah-AH, suh-KOOD)

Lodging / A̱ka̱vwuonkwai[edit]

Do you have any rooms available?

Nyi byia̱ á̱tutu-nkwai a? (NYEE BYEE-UH UH-TOO-toon-KWAI AH?)

How much is a room for one person/two people?

A̱mang wa tutu a̱tyonyiung/á̱niet a̱feang? (uh-mahng AH too-TOO uh-TYOH-nyee-oong/UH-nee-ehd uh-FEH-AHNG?)

Does the room come with...

Tutu huni̱ mbai ma̱ng... a? (too-TOO hoo-NEE m-bai muhng...ah?)

...bedsheets?

...a̱yaateak? (...uh-YAH-ah-teh-ahk?)

...a bathroom?

...a̱vwuonswuo? (...uh-VWOON-swoo-oh?)

...a telephone?

...kyang-a̱lyiat? (...KYAHNG-UH-LYEE-AHD?)

...a TV?

...kyangnwuan? (...KYAHNG-NG-WOO-AHN?)

May I see the room first?

Ka̱ doot n tsa ndi tutu hu a? (kuh DOH-OHD n TSAHN DEE too-TOO hoo ah?)

Do you have anything quieter?

Nyi byia̱ a̱vwuo ka̱ lan swan nyonywang a? (NYEE BYEE-UH UH-VWOO-OH kuh lahn SWAHN NYOH-nywahng ah?)

...bigger?

...lan byia̱ shi a? (...lahn BYEE-UH shee ah?)

...cleaner?

...lan li kpa̱mkpa̱rang a? (...lahn LEE KPUHM-kpuh-rahng ah?)

...cheaper?

... lan byia̱ a̱hyom kurum a? (...lahn BYEE-UH HYOHM koo-room ah?)

OK, I'll take it.

Ndei, n na san nka. (N-day, N NAH sahn kah?)

I will stay for _____ night(s).

N na nkwai á̱tyetuk _____ . (N NAH n-kwai UH-tyeh-toog ____)

Can you suggest another hotel?

Ka̱ doot a tak ma̱ng a̱nung hotet ghyang a? (kah DOH-OHD A tahg muh noong HOH-teht ghyahng AH?)

Do you have a safe?

Nyi byia̱ a̱niebut a? (NYEE BYEE-UH UH-NEE-EH-bood ah?)

...lockers?

...nywák? (...NYWAHG?)

Is breakfast/supper included?

Á̱ tyia̱ a̱tyat-ta̱mpyia̱/kyayak kwamam mami a? (UH TYEE-UH UH-tyaht-tuhm-pyee-uh/KYAH-YAHG kwah-mahm MAH-mee ah?)

What time is breakfast/supper?

Zang jen ja nang á̱ nka̱u a̱tyat-ta̱mpyia̱ ka/kyayak kwamam hu? (dzahng JEHN JAH nahng UH ng-kuhw uh-tyahd-tuhm-PYEE-UH KAH/KYAH-YAHG kwah-mahm HOO?)

Please clean my room.

Ma̱sa̱kut lyang nung dyo tutu hu. (muh-suh-KOOD LYAHNG NOONG dyoh too-TOO hoo)

Can you wake me at _____?

A na shyip nung di̱ tswam _____ a? (AH NAH shyeep noong dih tswahm _____ ah?)

I want to check out.

N cat n ghwut. (N CHAHD N ghwood)

Money / Kurum[edit]

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

Nyi saai dola A̱merika/A̱streliya/Ka̱na̱da a? (NYEE SAH-AI DOH-la UH-meh-ree-kah/UHS-tih-reh-lee-yah/KUH-nuh-dah ah?)

Do you accept British pounds?

Nyi saai a̱kpang Bi̱ri̱ti̱n a? (NYEE SAH-AI UH-KPAH-ng BIH-RIH-tihn ah?)

Do you accept euros?

Nyi saai yuro a? (NYEE SAH-AI YOO-roh ah?)

Do you accept credit cards?

Nyi saai kati kurum a? (NYEE SAH-AI KAH-tee KOO-ROOM AH?)

Can you change money for me?

A na shai nung kurum a? (AH NAH shai noong koo-room ah?)

Where can I get money changed?

A̱ji wa n na nat á̱ shai nung kurum? (uh-jee AH N NAH nahd uh shai noong koo-room?)

Can you change a traveler's check for me?

A na shai nung cek a̱tyocyet a? (AH NAH SHAI noong chehk uh-TYOH-chyehd ah?)

Where can I get a traveler's check changed?

A̱ji wa n na nat á̱ shai nung cek a̱tyocyet? (uh-jee AH N NAH NAHD UH shai noong chehk uh-TYOH-chyehd?)

What is the exchange rate?

A̱mang wa á̱ shai kurum ma̱nini? (uh-mahng AH UH SHAI koo-room muh-nee-nee?)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

Mashin jhyet kurum ji (ATM) shyia̱ a̱ji wa la? (mah-SHEEN zhyehd KOO-ROOM JEE (EH-tee-ehm) SHYEE-UH UH-jee AH lah?)

Eating / Yaan[edit]

A table for one person/two people, please.

A̱tyii mat a̱tyonyiung/á̱niet a̱feang, sa̱kut. (uh-TYEE-EE MAHT UH-TYOH-nyee-oong/UH-NEE-ehd uh-FEH-AHNG)

Can I look at the menu, please?

Ka̱ doot n di meniu hu a? sa̱kut. (kuh DOH-OHD n DEE MEH-nee-oo HOO AH? suh-KOOD)

Can I look in the kitchen?

Ka̱ doot n di tutuweang hu a? (kuh DOH-OHD n DEE TOO-too-WEH-AHNG hoo ah?)

Is there a house specialty?

Nyi byia̱ a̱bala̱lang a̱ji a? (NYEE BYEE-UH UH-BAH-LUH-LAHNG UH-jee ah?)

Is there a local specialty?

Nyi byia̱ kyayak mali a̱ji a? (NYEE BYEE-UH KYAH-YAHG mah-lee uh-jee ah?)

I'm a vegetarian.

N gyet a̱tyuya-a̱kikyo wa. (NG GYEHT uh-TYOO-yah-uh-KEE-KYOH WAH)

I don't eat pork.

N gya nam a̱kusuru bah. (NG GYAH nahm uh-koo-soo-ROO bah)

I don't eat beef.

N gya nam nyak bah. (N GYAH nahm nyahk bah)

I only eat kosher food.

Kyayak kosher hwa n gya ma̱nyin. (KYAH-YAHG KO-shehr HWAH NG GYAH muh-NYEE-n)

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)

Ka̱ doot a tyia̱ ku yet "lite" a? sa̱kut. (ma̱ng a̱myia̱/hya̱u/bota ma̱ cuncwiit) (kuh DOH-OHD AH tyee-uh koo YEHD "LAIT" ah? suh-KOOD)

fixed-price meal

kurum kyayak hu shyiak bah (KOO-ROOM KYAH-YAHG hoo SHYEE-AHG bah)

a la carte

ca̱caat ma̱ng kati meniu hu (CHUH-chah-ahd MUHNG KAH-tee MEH-nee-oo HOO)

breakfast

a̱tyat-ta̱mpyia̱ (uh-tee-ahd-tuhm-PYEE-UH)

lunch

kyayak a̱ta̱mam (KYAH-YAHG uh-TUH-mahm)

tea (meal)

tii (kyayak) (TEE-ee)

supper

kyayak kwamam (KYAH-YAHG kwah-mahm)

I want _____.

N cat _____. (N CHAHD ____)

I want a dish containing _____.

N cat kyayak ku byia̱ _____. (N CHAHD KYAH-YAHG koo byee-uh ____)

chicken

nywan (NYWAH-n)

beef

nam nyak (nahm NYAHG)

fish

a̱fa̱n (uh-FUHN)

ham

a̱bwantak a̱kusuru (uh-bwahn-TAHG uh-koo-soo-ROO)

sausage

tywaat nam (tywah-ahd NAH-m)

cheese

hya̱u nyak (hyuhw NYAH-ahg)

eggs

cyi-nywan (chyee NYWAHN)

salad

salat (SAH-ah-LAH-ahd)

(fresh) vegetables

(a̱shyim) a̱kikyo ((uh-shyeem) uh-KEE-kyoh)

(fresh) fruit

(a̱shyim) sum a̱kwon ((uh-shyeem) soom uh-KWOH-n)

bread

a̱konkwong burodi (uh-kohng-kwohng BOO-ROH-DEE-ee)

toast

shwai (SHWAI)

noodles

a̱taliya (uh-TAH-ah-LEE-YAH-ah)

rice

cyia̱ga̱vang (CHYEE-UH-GUH-vahng)

beans

jinjok (jeen-JOHG)

paste (fufu, banku...)

tuk (TOOK)

soup

niung (nee-ooŋ)

pap

a̱kamu (uh-KAH-moo)

May I have a glass of _____?

Ka̱ doot n shyia̱ a̱kashyi gi̱lat _____ a? (kuh DOH-OHD n shyee-uh uh-KAH-shyee gih-LAHD ____ ah?)

May I have a cup of _____?

Ka̱ doot n shyia̱ a̱kashyi _____ a? (kuh DOH-OHD n shyee-uh uh-KAH-shyee ____ ah?)

May I have a bottle of _____?

Ka̱ doot n shyia̱ a̱kurung _____ a? (kuh DOH-OHD n shyee-uh uh-koo-roong ____ ah?)

coffee

kofi (koh-FEE)

tea (drink)

tii (kyangswuo) (TEE-ee (KYAHNG-SWOO-OH-oh))

juice

a̱sa̱khwot sum a̱kwon (uh-suh-khwohd soom uh-KWOH-n)

(bubbly) water

a̱sa̱khwot (ja̱fi̱k) (uh-suh-khwohd (JUH-fihk))

(still) water

a̱sa̱khwot (na̱ yong da̰ a̱vwuo a̱nyiung (uh-suh-khwohd nuh yohng DUH-vwoo-oh uh-NYEE-oong)

beer

a̱kan (UH-KAHN)

red/white wine

a̱shong/a̱sai a̱sa̱khwot a̱na̱p (uh-SHOHNG/uh-sai uh-suh-khwohd uh-NUHP)

May I have some _____?

Ka̱ doot n shyia̱ _____ ma̱ ada̱dei a? (kuh DOH-OHD n shyee-uh ____ muh DIH-DIHD AH?)

salt

nfak (n-fahg)

black pepper

a̱dyundyung shita (uh-DYOON-dyoong shee-tah)

butter

bota (BOH-tah)

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

A̱tyuka̱unkyayak, da̱ bai zi̱ fa̱k la! (uh-tyoo-KUHW-N-KYAH-yahg, duh BAI dzih FUHG LAH-ah)

I'm finished.

N tyak. (N tyahg)

It was delicious.

Ku swan nyenyiat. (KOO SWAHN NYEH-nyee-ahd)

Please clear the plates.

Ma̱sa̱kut kwok khámkyayak ji. (muh-suh-KOOD KWOHG KHAHM-KYAH-yahk jee)

The check, please.

Cek hu, sa̱kut. (CHEH-ehk HOO, suh-KOOD)

Bars /A̱ka̱vwuonswuonkyang[edit]

Do you serve alcohol?

Nyi lyiai a̱li̱kohot a̱ji a? (NYEE-LYEE-AI UH-LIH-koh-HOH-ohd uh-jee ah?)

Is there table service?

Nyi ka̱u da̱ a̱tyii a̱ji a? (NYEE KUHW duh uh-TYEE-ee uh-jee ah?)

A beer/two beers, please.

A̱kan a̱nyiung/a̱feang, sa̱kut. (UH-KAHN UH-NYEE-oong/UH-FEH-AHNG, suh-KOOD)

A glass of red/white wine, please.

Gi̱lat a̱shong/a̱sai a̱sa̱khwot a̱na̱p, sa̱kut. (gih-LAH-ahd uh-shohng/uh-sai uh-suh-khwohd UH-nuhp, suh-KOOD)

A pint, please.

Pinti nyiung, sa̱kut. (PEEN-tee NYEE-OONG, suh-KOOD)

A bottle, please.

A̱kurung gi̱lat a̱nyiung, sa̱kut. (uh-koo-roong gih-LAHD uh-nyee-oong, suh-KOOD)

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.

_____ (a̱kan na̱ byia̱ cet) ma̱ng ([n-]kyangkyiai) _____, ma̱sa̱kut. (____ MUHNG ____, muh-suh-KOOD)

whiskey

wuski (WUS-kee)

vodka

vodka (VWOHD-kah)

rum

rom (ROH-m)

water

a̱sa̱khwot (uh-suh-khwohd)

club soda

ki̱lop soda (kih-LOHB SOH-dah)

tonic water

a̱sa̱khwot tonik (uh-suh-khwohd TOH-neek)

orange juice

a̱sa̱khwot a̱lyemu (uh-suh-khwohd uh-LYEH-moo)

Coke (soda)

Kok (soda/minerat) (KOH-ohk)

Do you have any bar snacks?

Nyi lyiai nkyang-ya nyinyang a̱vwuonswuonkyang a? (NYEE LYEE-AI n-KYAHNG-yah NYEE-NYAHNG UH-VWOO-OHN-swoo-ohn-KYAHNG AH?)

One more, please.

A̱ghyang, sa̱kut. (uh-GHYAHNG, suh-KOOD)

Another round, please.

A̱ka̱feang, sa̱kut. (uh-kuh-feh-ahng, suh-KOOD)

When is closing time?

Zang jen ja yet jen nyii ji? (dzahng JEHN JAH yehd JEHN nyee-ee jee?)

Cheers!

A̱gwai! (uh-GWAI)

Shopping / Kwai nkyang[edit]

Do you have this in my size?

Nyi byia̱ shi huni a? (NYEE BYEE-UH SHEE hoo-NEE AH)

How much is this?

A̱si̱ wuni yet a̱mang wa? (uh-sih woo-NEE yehd uh-mahng AH?)

That's too expensive.

A̱si̱ a̱wa la̱u byia̱ kurum. (uh-sih UH-wah LUHW BYEE-UH KOO-ROOM)

Would you take _____?

A na san _____ a? (AH NAH sahn)

expensive

byia̱ kurum (byee-uh KOO-ROOM)

cheap

byia̱ a̱hyom (byee-uh HYOHM)

I can't afford it.

Mbwak nung na ndat a̱ma. (m-bwahk NOONG U N-DAHD UH-mah)

I don't want it.

N cat bah. (N CHAHD BAH)

You're cheating me.

A shyuo nung wa. (AH SHYOO-OH NOONG AH)

I'm not interested.

N byia̱ di̱dang tazwa nggu bah. (N BYEE-UH DIH-dahng TAH-dzwah ng-GOO bah)

OK, I'll take it.

Ndei, n na san. (N-day, N NAH sahn)

Can I have a bag?

Ka̱ doot n shyia̱ a̱gumaat a̱ja a? (kuh DOH-OHD n shyee-uh uh-GOO-mah-ahd UH-jah AH?)

Do you ship (overseas)?

Nyi ghwut ma̱ng nkyang (naat bibyin nta) a? (NYEE GHWOOD MUH NG-KYAHNG (NAH-AHD bee-byeen n-TAH-ah AH?)

I need...

N cat... (N CHAHD...)

...toothpaste.

...hya̱u nzuut-a̱nu. (...hyuhw n-dzoo-ood UH-noo)

...a toothbrush.

...kyangnzuut-a̱nu (...KYAHNG-N-zoo-ood UH-noo)

...tampons.

...a̱yaatampon. (...uh-YAH-ah-TAH-ahm-POH-n)

...soap.

...cafulu. (...chah-FOO-LOO)

...shampoo.

...a̱shampu. (...uh-shahm-POO)

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

...kan kpeam vam. (kidee, aspirin ku ibuprofen) (...KAHN kpeh-ahm VAH-m)

...cold medicine.

...a̱shyim kan. (...uh-shyeem KAHN)

...stomach medicine.

... kan a̱fa-ci̱p. (...KAHN UH-FAH-chihp)

...a razor.

...reza. (...REH-zah)

...an umbrella.

...a̱lema. (...uh-LEH-mah)

...sunblock lotion.

...hya̱u nta̱gbung-mam vam. (...hyuhw n-TUH-GBOONG MAHM vahm)

...a postcard.

...kati ta̱m-tá̱m. (...KAH-tee TUHM-tuhm)

...postage stamps.

...a̱kpang-a̱ghat ta̱m-tá̱m. (uh-kpahng-uh-GHAHD TUHM-tuhm)

...batteries.

...a̱yaabap. (...uh-YAH-ah-bahp)

...writing paper.

...pepa lyuut. (...PEH-pah LYOO-ood)

...a pen.

...kyanglyuut. (...KYAHNG-lyoo-ood)

...English-language books.

...nkwaa̱mbwat a̱lyem Shong. (...ng-kwah-mbwahd uh-LYEHM SHOHNG)

...English-language magazines.

...a̱yaama̱gazin a̱lyem Shong. (uh-YAH-AH-MUH-gah-DZEE-n)

...an English-language newspaper.

...pepa-nkhang a̱lyem Shong. (...PEH-pah-ng-KHAHNG UH-lyehm SHOH-ng)

...an English-Tyap dictionary.

...a̱gban swáng a̱lyiat Shong naat di̱n Tyap. (...uh-gbahn SWAHNG UH-LYEE-AHD shohng NAH-AHD DIHN tyahp)

Driving / Luk[edit]

I want to rent a car.

N cat n khwap a̱da̱dei ma̱to. (N CHAHD N KHWAHB UH-DUH-day muh-TOH)

Can I get insurance?

Ka̱ doot n shyia̱ nshoran a? (kuh DOH-OHD n shyee-uh N-shoh-rahn ah?)

stop (on a street sign)

ya ngyong (da̱ a̱lama a̱zagaat) (YAHN gyohng)

one way

vak nyiung (VAHG NYEE-oong)

yield

nang a̱wat (NAHNG UH-wahd)

no parking

yok sak kyangcung a̱ji bah (yohg SAHK muh-TOh-oh uh-jee BAH)

speed limit

gak cung (GAHG choong)

gas (petrol) station

ta̱sha nhya̱u (peturo) (TUH-shahn HYUHW)

petrol

peturo (peh-too-TOH-oh)

diesel

dizi̱t (DEE-dzihd)

Authority / Á̱nietntyok[edit]

I haven't done anything wrong.

N nyia̱ kyang bah ai. (N NYEE-UH KYAHNG BAH ai)

It was a misunderstanding.

Nwai nkai a̱ghyang hwa. (NG-WAI NG-kai UH-GHYAHNG HWAH)

Where are you taking me?

Nyi naat ma̱ng a̱nung a̱ji wa? (NYEE NAH-AHD muh noong uh-jee AH?)

Am I under arrest?

Á̱ ta̱bat nung wa ke? (UH TUH-BAHD noong ah kay?)

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.

N gyet nggwon-a̱byin A̱merika/A̱streliya/Bi̱ri̱ti̱n/Ka̱na̱da kya. (N GYEHD NG-gwuhn-uh-BYEEN UH-MEH-REE-kah/UHS-TIH-REH-LEE-yah/BIH-RIH-tihn/KUH-NUH-dah KYAH)

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

N cat n dyiat ma̱ng a̱ghyi A̱merika/A̱streliya/Bi̱ri̱ti̱n/Ka̱na̱da ba. (N CHAHD n DYEE-AHD muhng uh-ghyee UH-MEH-REE-kah/UHS-TIH-REH-LEE-yah/BIH-RIH-tihn/KUH-NUH-dah BAH)

I want to talk to a lawyer.

N cat n dyiat ma̱ng a̱tyufak-a̱lyiat. (N CHAHD n DYEE-AHD MUHNG UH-tyoo-FAHG-UH-LYEE-AHD)

Can I just pay a fine now?

Ka̱ doot n tan rara wu ma̱nini a? (kuh DOH-OHD n TAHN RAH-rah WOO MUH-nee-nee ah?)

Learning more[edit]

• Wikibooks Tyap