Hotel

1. チェックインさびら

   Chek-ku-in sa-bi-ra

   I would like to check in, please

   Usage

   Politely requesting check-in at a hotel front desk

   Grammar Note

   Sabira is a polite Ryukyuan suffix meaning "please allow me to" or "I would like to"

2. ざしちや まーやいびーが？

   Za-shi-chi ya maa yai-bii-ga?

   Where is the room?

   Usage

   Asking the front desk where your room is after checking in

   Grammar Note

   Zashichi (from "zashiki") is the word for "room" ("heya" is Japanese). Maa is the question word for "where"; yaibiiga is the polite interrogative copula

3. あさばんや なんどぅちやいびーが？

   A-sa-ban ya nan-du-chi yai-bii-ga?

   What time is breakfast?

   Usage

   Asking about breakfast time at the hotel

   Grammar Note

   Asaban is the Ryukyuan form of "morning meal"; nanduchi (what time) is the Okinawan form (naNduci); "nanji" is not used

4. てぃーさーじ くぃみそーれー

   Tii-saa-ji kwi-mi-soo-ree

   Please give me a towel

   Usage

   Requesting extra towels from hotel staff

   Grammar Note

   Tiisaaji is the Ryukyuan word for hand towel; kwimisooree is the most polite request form

5. チェックアウトさびら、にふぇーでーびる

   Chek-ku-a-u-to sa-bi-ra, ni-fee-dee-bi-ru

   I would like to check out, thank you very much

   Usage

   Checking out at the front desk and expressing formal gratitude for the stay

   Grammar Note

   Nifedeebiru is the most formal Ryukyuan expression of thanks; greatly appreciated by hosts

6. ざしちや じょーとぅー やいびーん！

   Za-shi-chi ya joo-tuu yai-biin!

   The room is wonderful!

   Usage

   Complimenting the hotel room when checking in

   Grammar Note

   The compliment is jootuu (zootuu "first-rate"). Kagi means "a chip, a gap, an absentee" and is never a compliment. "Room" is zashichi (Zasici "zashiki"); heya is Japanese. For beauty specifically, use churasan (curasaN)

7. あちさん、かじふきー くぃみそーれー

   A-chi-san, ka-ji fu-kii kwi-mi-soo-ree

   It is hot, please give me a fan

   Usage

   Requesting a fan during a hot Okinawan night at the hotel

   Grammar Note

   Achisan is the Ryukyuan adjective for "hot"; Okinawa's humid summers make this a frequent request

8. うみぬかじゃ ちゅらさん！

   U-mi nu ka-ja chu-ra-san!

   The sea breeze is wonderful! (The sea view is beautiful!)

   Usage

   Exclaiming about the beautiful ocean view from a hotel room

   Grammar Note

   Kaja means scent or aroma and churasan means beautiful. This sentence praises the smell of the sea; it contains no word for "view" (how to praise a view in Okinawan is uncertain)

9. でんわ ちかいびらに？

   Den-wa chi-ka-i-bi-ra-ni?

   Could I use your telephone?

   Usage

   Politely asking to use the telephone at the hotel front desk

   Grammar Note

   Chikaibirani is "chikain" (to use) + the polite volitional "-bira" + the question particle "ni": asking permission to use. The verb is the same as in "chikaibiimi"

10. うとぅいもーさびら、にふぇーでーびる

    U-tu-i-moo sa-bi-ra, ni-fee-dee-bi-ru

    Thank you for taking care of me, I am truly grateful

    Usage

    The most gracious formal thank-you when checking out, expressing deep gratitude to hotel staff

    Grammar Note

    Utuimoosabira is the most elevated Ryukyuan expression of gratitude, used to elders and on formal farewells

11. てぃーさーじ

    Tii-saa-ji

    Towel

    Usage

    Point at what is missing in your room to ask for it

12. まっくゎ

    Mak-kwa

    Pillow

    Usage

    Point at what is missing in your room to ask for it

13. むしん

    Mu-shin

    Blanket

    Usage

    Point at what is missing in your room to ask for it

14. さふん

    Sa-fun

    Soap

    Usage

    Point at what is missing in your room to ask for it

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