Language Learning

1. うちなーむに ならいびーん

   U-chi-naa-mu-ni na-rai-biin

   I am learning Ryukyuan.

   Usage

   Used to say you are studying Ryukyuan language

   Grammar Note

   "Uchinaa-muni" means "Okinawan language". "Muni" is Ryukyuan for "language/speech".

2. うちなーむに ならーち くぃみそーれー

   U-chi-naa-mu-ni na-raa-chi kwi-mi-soo-ree

   Please teach me Ryukyuan.

   Usage

   Used to formally request to be taught Ryukyuan

   Grammar Note

   "Naraachi" is the te-form of "naraasjuN" (to teach). "Kwimisooree" is the highest Ryukyuan honorific meaning "please do (for me)".

3. うちなーむに めんそーれー ぬ いみー やいびーが？

   U-chi-naa-mu-ni men-soo-ree nu i-mii ya-i-bii-ga?

   What does "mensooree" mean in Ryukyuan?

   Usage

   Used to ask the meaning of a Ryukyuan word or phrase

   Grammar Note

   "Mensooree" is the iconic Ryukyuan greeting meaning "welcome". "Imii" is the Ryukyuan form of "imi" (meaning).

4. うちなーむに むちかさん

   U-chi-naa-mu-ni mu-chi-ka-san

   Ryukyuan is difficult.

   Usage

   Used to express that Ryukyuan is challenging to learn

   Grammar Note

   It is muCikasjaN, written muchikasan in kana (also written ムチカサン). Okinawan has no "tsu"/"zu" sounds, so "mujuka-" is not a possible form.

5. やまとぅぐちとぅ うちなーむに ちがいびーみ？

   Ya-ma-tu-gu-chi-tu u-chi-naa-mu-ni chi-gai-bii-mi?

   Are Japanese and Ryukyuan different?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the differences between Japanese and Ryukyuan

   Grammar Note

   Nihonguchi is a coinage: the Japanese nihon plus -guchi. The word is 'jamatuguci "the Japanese language" ('jamatu is glossed "Japan; the Japanese mainland as opposed to Okinawa"). "Guchi" means "language, speech".

6. うちなーむに じょーじ さびーん

   U-chi-naa-mu-ni joo-ji sa-biin

   I am getting better at Ryukyuan.

   Usage

   Used to say your Ryukyuan language skills are improving

   Grammar Note

   Joozu is the Japanese word in kana. The Okinawan word is jooji, i.e. zoozi "skilled, the opposite of hwita (unskilled)" (example: zoozi 'jaN "is good at it"). "Jooji sabiin" is the polite form for "getting good at".

7. うちなーむに ぬ ほん あいびーみ？

   U-chi-naa-mu-ni nu hon a-i-bii-mi?

   Are there books about Ryukyuan?

   Usage

   Used to ask about availability of Ryukyuan language books

   Grammar Note

   "Aibiimi" is the polite question form of "aru" (to have/exist) in Ryukyuan.

8. あんし いーびーみ？

   An-shi ii-bii-mi?

   Can I say it like this?

   Usage

   Used to check whether a phrase is said correctly in Ryukyuan

   Grammar Note

   "Anshi" means "like this" in Ryukyuan. "Iibimi" is the polite question form asking for permission.

9. うちなーぐち ぬ じーふぃち あいびーみ？

   U-chi-naa-gu-chi nu jii-fi-chi a-i-bii-mi?

   Is there an Okinawan dictionary?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the availability of an Okinawan language dictionary

   Grammar Note

   Jisho is the Japanese word in kana. The Okinawan word is jiifichi, i.e. ziihwici "word book, dictionary". "Uchinaa-guchi" means "the language of Okinawa"; -guchi is a Ryukyuan suffix meaning "language".

10. うちなーむに ぬ べんきょー たぬしさびーん

    U-chi-naa-mu-ni nu ben-kyoo ta-nu-shi sa-biin

    Studying Ryukyuan is fun.

    Usage

    Used to express that learning Ryukyuan is enjoyable

    Grammar Note

    "Tanushisabiim" is the polite Ryukyuan form of "tanoshii" (fun/enjoyable).

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