Cabécar Phrases

Intro to the Cabécar Language

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Phrases

ma shkíná: "did you get up" - standard greeting (any time of day)
bäi (sounds almost like "boy" with a thick New Jersey accent): "good/well" - standard answer in Chirripó valley (in Valle de la Estrella the reply is: shkína bäi)



ba déju: "did you come" (asked when someone arrives)
ba daju: "did you come" (asked when someone arrives)
ba damiju: "did you go up" (ask when meeting someone coming up the trail)
ba dakaju: "did you come down " (ask when meeting someone coming down the trail)
jóo: yes - can be used as answer to all of the above


ta (ata): yes - used in affirming beliefs, etc.


sméiapa (contraction from "yis ..."): "I'm leaving" - used only if you are the one leaving
jää (sounds like "huh", long vowel - one syllable, not two): OK, all right, fine; used in answer to sméiapa


jiräne ba kierä: what is your name?
yis kierä ______________: my name is ______________


Jesús kjeiyinopa (think "Cajun-Opa"): Jesus be praised
Jesús te ma kime: Jesus help (bless) you


Säkéklä: God, a god

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