Hiking & Trekking

1. くぬみちや まーんかい ちじちょーいびーが？

   Kunu michi ya maa nkai chijichooi biiga?

   Where does this trail lead?

   Usage

   Ask where a trail leads

   Grammar Note

   "chijichoo" is the progressive of "chijichun" (to continue); the stem differs from Japanese "tsuzuku"

2. くぬコースぬ なぎや ちゃっさ やいびーが？

   Kunu koosu nu nagi ya chassa yaibii ga?

   How long is the trail?

   Usage

   Ask trail length

   Grammar Note

   "Length" is nagi. "Chassa" is the Okinawan question word for quantity, used for prices as well as distances

3. くぬコースや しょしんしゃんかい あーやびーみ？

   Kunu koosu ya shoshinsha nkai aayabiimi?

   Is this trail suitable for beginners?

   Usage

   Check trail difficulty for beginners

   Grammar Note

   "aayun" is the Okinawan verb "to fit/suit". "Shoshinsha" (beginner) is a Japanese loanword

4. ハイキングようぐぬ レンタルや まーんかい あいびーが？

   Haikingu yougu nu rentaru ya maa nkai aibiiga?

   Where can I rent hiking gear?

   Usage

   Ask about gear rental location

   Grammar Note

   "maa nkai" = "maa" (where) + "nkai" (at/to), the standard Okinawan way to ask where something is

5. トレイルマップや あいびーみ？

   Toreirumaappu ya aibiimi?

   Is there a trail map available?

   Usage

   Ask for trail map

   Grammar Note

   "aibiimi" = polite "is there?"

6. やまぬちじぬ たかさや ちゃっさ やいびーが？

   Yamanuchiji nu takasa ya chassa yaibii ga?

   How high is the summit?

   Usage

   Ask summit elevation

   Grammar Note

   "Summit" is yamanuchiji, 'jamanuCizi "summit, mountain top". "Chassa" is the Okinawan question word for quantity, also used for measurements such as height

7. ちゅーぬ コースや あっちゅん くとぅ なやびーみ？

   Chuu nu koosu ya acchun kutu nayabiimi?

   Is the trail open today?

   Usage

   Check trail accessibility

   Grammar Note

   "Acchun" is the Okinawan verb "to walk"; ability is expressed with "…kutu nayabiimi" (is it possible to…?)

8. ちかりたん。 いふぇー ゆくいびら。

   Chikaritan. Ifee yukuibira.

   I'm tired. Let's rest for a moment.

   Usage

   Suggest taking a rest

   Grammar Note

   "Chikariyun" is to get tired and "yukuyun" is to rest; "yukui" also works as a noun meaning "a break"

9. ひょーこーどさや ちゃっさ やいびーが？

   Hyookoodosa ya chassa yaibii ga?

   What is the elevation gain?

   Usage

   Ask elevation gain

   Grammar Note

   Technical terms borrowed directly from Japanese

10. じもとぅぬガイドや たぬまりーみ？

    Jimotu nu gaido ya tanumariimi?

    Can I hire a local guide?

    Usage

    Request local hiking guide

    Grammar Note

    "Tanunun" is "to request"; its potential is "tanumariin", so "tanumariimi" means "can I ask you?"

11. ふぃさや きがさいびーん。 たしきみそーれー。

    Fisa ya kiga saibiin. Tashikimisooree.

    I've injured my ankle. I need help.

    Usage

    Emergency ankle injury expression

    Grammar Note

    "Fisa" is the foot or leg and "kiga" is an injury. Hwisja means "the foot; used both for the part below the ankle and for the whole leg", and it begins with fi, not hi. There is no separate word for "ankle", so fisa is used. "Misoree" is a polite imperative

12. [目的地]んかいぬ みちや くりやいびーが？

    [Mokutekichi] nkai nu michi ya kuri yaibii ga?

    Is this the right path to [destination]?

    Usage

    Confirm you are on the right path

    Grammar Note

    "kuri" = "this" in Okinawan

13. くぬふぃんかい あぶなさる いちむんや おーいびーみ？

    Kunu fin kai abunasaru ichimun ya ooibiimi?

    Are there dangerous animals in this area?

    Usage

    Ask about dangerous wildlife

    Grammar Note

    Doobutsu is the Japanese word, and Okinawan has no /tsu/. "Animal" is ichimun, ?icimuN "living thing, animal". "Fin" is the dictionary form hwiN (vicinity). "Ooibiimi" = polite "are there/is there?"

14. トレイルぬ てぃんちぬ じょーきょーや ちゃー やいびーが？

    Toreiru nu tinchi nu jookyoo ya chaa yaibii ga?

    What are the weather conditions on the trail?

    Usage

    Check trail weather conditions

    Grammar Note

    "Weather" is tinchi, tiNci "weather, sky conditions" (?waaCici is also said). Jookyoo has no Okinawan counterpart and is left as is. "Chaa" is the Okinawan question word for manner or state (Japanese "doo"); "chaa yaibiiga" means "how is it?"

15. みちばっぺー さびたん。 とざんぐちや まーむてぃー やいびーが？

    Michibappee sabitan. Tozanguchi ya maamutii yaibii ga?

    I'm lost. Which way is the trailhead?

    Usage

    Emergency lost on trail expression

    Grammar Note

    "Michibappee" (also micibaQpee) means "losing one's way"; with "sabitan" (did) it means "I got lost". "Maamutii" means "which direction"

16. やまごやぬ シェルターや あいびーみ？

    Yamagoya nu sherutaa ya aibiimi?

    Is there a mountain hut or shelter?

    Usage

    Ask about mountain huts/shelters

    Grammar Note

    "aibiimi" = polite "is there?"

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