Internet & WiFi

1. ワイファイ あいびーみ？

   wai-fai a-i-bii-mi

   Is there Wi-Fi?

   Usage

   Used to check if Wi-Fi is available at hotels, cafes, or restaurants

   Grammar Note

   "Aibiimi" = "aibiin" (exists, polite) + "mi" (yes/no question particle). Yes/no questions take "-mi"; questions with a question word take "-ga"

2. パスワードや ぬーやいびーが？

   pa-su-waa-do-ya nuu-ya-i-bii-ga

   What is the password?

   Usage

   A polite way to ask for the Wi-Fi password

   Grammar Note

   "Nuu yaibii-ga" is the polite "what is it?": "nuu" (what) + "yaibii-ga" (polite copula + question). "-ya" marks the topic. A question with a question word ends in "-ga". "Chaa" means "how", not "what"

3. でんわ チャージア まーかい やいびーが？

   den-wa chaa-ji-a maa-kai ya-i-bii-ga

   Where is the phone charger?

   Usage

   Used when looking for a phone charger at hotels or public places

   Grammar Note

   "Chaajia" is English "charger" phonetically adapted. Modern tech vocabulary is borrowed from English or Japanese. Okinawa uses Japan's standard 100V/50Hz electrical system

4. スマートフォン ちかいびーたん

   su-maa-to-fon chi-ka-i-bii-tan

   I used my smartphone

   Usage

   Used to mention using a smartphone, in formal conversation

   Grammar Note

   "Chikaibiitan" is the polite past of "chikain" (to use): "chikai" + "-biitan" (polite past). Same verb as "chikaibiimi"

5. しゃしん とぅゆーびらんな

   sha-shin tu-yuu-bi-ran-na

   Let's take a photo

   Usage

   Used to suggest taking a photo at a scenic spot or tourist location

   Grammar Note

   "Tuyuubiranna" = polite "let's take" in Uchinaguchi. Popular Okinawan photo spots for social media: Shuri Castle, Manzamo, Churaumi Aquarium, Kouri Island

6. バッテリー きりーてぃびーん

   bat-te-rii ki-rii-ti-biin

   The battery is running out

   Usage

   Used to inform that your phone battery is dying

   Grammar Note

   "Batterii" is an English loanword, so it is written in katakana. "Kiriitibiin" is the polite form of "has run out (is cut off)", the same wording as "カメラ ぬ バッテリー きりーてぃびーん"

7. うちなーぐち SNS さわゆーさ

   u-chi-naa-gu-chi e-su-e-nu-e-su sa-wa-yuu-sa

   I am updating SNS in Okinawan

   Usage

   Used to mention posting in Uchinaguchi on social media — a language preservation effort

   Grammar Note

   Using Uchinaguchi on social media is a key language preservation strategy. Young speakers share content on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to transmit the language to new generations

8. うちなー でんわばんぐ ならーち くぃみそーれー

   u-chi-naa den-wa-ban-gu na-raa-chi kwi-mi-soo-ree

   Please tell me your Okinawan phone number

   Usage

   Used to ask for someone's phone number to stay in touch

   Grammar Note

   "To teach" is naraasjuN and "teaching" is naraasi, so the te-form is naraachi. The request ending is kwimisooree. The -gu of denwabangu reflects an Okinawan consonant shift

9. インターネット つながとーん

   in-taa-net-to tsu-na-ga-toon

   The internet is connected

   Usage

   Used to confirm that internet connection is working

   Grammar Note

   "Tsunagatoon" = "is connected" in Okinawan progressive. "-toon/-doon" marks continuing state. This is one of Uchinaguchi's key grammatical features for expressing ongoing states

10. ディジタル さーに どぅーちゅい ならいびーん

    di-ji-ta-ru saa-ni duu-chu-i na-ra-i-biin

    I am studying by myself using digital tools

    Usage

    Used to mention self-directed digital learning, including language study online

    Grammar Note

    "Saani" marks the means ("by/with"). "Naraibiin" is the polite form of "narain" (to learn), the same verb as "naraibiitan" (learned). Digital Uchinaguchi learning resources are growing for younger generations

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