Our native language is Papiamentu - a foundation of African languages and Portuguese with Spanish, Dutch, Indian and Jewish influences. Papiamentu is the heart and soul of Curaçao’s culture and learning it can make your island experience even more meaningful. In this blog series, “Papia Papiamentu Ku Mi” (Speak Papiamentu with Me), we’ll introduce you to useful words and phrases that will help you connect with locals, navigate the island, and have fun! Here are five themed blog posts to kickstart your Papiamentu journey.
Expressions of Love and Friendship: Connecting with Locals
In the final blog of this introductory series, we’ll dive into phrases about love, friendship, and compliments. It’s always nice to know how to express kindness and appreciation in a local language!
Key Phrases:
Mi stimabo – I love you
Bo ta mi amigu/amiga – You’re my friend (male/female)
Bo ta dushi – You’re sweet/awesome
Mi ta kontentu ku bo – I’m happy with you
Bo tin un bon korsou – You have a good heart
Example:
If you’ve made a new friend during your travels, you could say, “Bo ta mi amiga” (You’re my friend), or compliment someone by saying, “Bo ta dushi!”—a versatile phrase for expressing positivity.
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