Useful Phrases

1. わんが くぬ アプリ ちゅくたん

   Wan-ga kunu a-pu-ri chu-ku-tan

   I made this app

   Usage

   Used when introducing an app you created

   Grammar Note

   "To make" is chukuyun (Cuku=juN); its past tense is chukutan. Yukui means "a rest, a break" and never "to make". The demonstrative "this" is kunu.

2. くぬ アプリ や ただー やいびーん

   Kunu a-pu-ri ya tadaa yaibiin

   This app is free

   Usage

   Used to inform someone the app is free of charge

   Grammar Note

   "Yaibiin" is a polite copula in Ryukyuan.

3. ダウンロード さみそーり

   Da-un-roo-do samisoori

   Please try downloading it

   Usage

   Used to encourage someone to download the app

   Grammar Note

   "Samisoori" is a polite imperative in Ryukyuan. Like pasupooto, chekkuauto and purezenteeshon, this is a modern loanword. The pattern "katakana loan + sabira / samisoori" is also seen in チェックアウト さびら and ビデオコール さびらに.

4. わんや やまとぅんちゅ やいびーん

   Wanya Yamatunchu yaibiin

   I'm Japanese

   Usage

   Basic phrase for introducing your nationality

   Grammar Note

   The word is 'jamatuNcu "a Japanese, a person from the Japanese mainland". The suffix -nchu (from Qcu "person") forms nationality words, as in uchinaanchu "an Okinawan".

5. わんや たびちゅー やいびーん

   Wanya tabichuu yaibiin

   I'm a traveler

   Usage

   Used to identify yourself as a tourist/traveler

   Grammar Note

   "Tabichuu" means traveler/person who travels

6. わんや ちゅいたびさとーん

   Wanya chui-tabi satoon

   I'm traveling alone

   Usage

   Used to say you are traveling by yourself

   Grammar Note

   "Churii" means one person/alone in Ryukyuan

7. くまんかい はじみてぃ ちゃーびたん

   Kumankai hajimiti chaabitan

   It's my first time here

   Usage

   Common phrase when visiting a place for the first time

   Grammar Note

   "Hajimiti" corresponds to Japanese "hajimete" meaning first time

8. しゃしん とぅてぃ いいびーみ？

   Sha-shin tu-ti ii-bii-mi?

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   Used when asking permission to take a photo

   Grammar Note

   "Iibimi" is the polite question form of "ii" (good/okay) in Ryukyuan, used to ask permission.

9. まじゅん しゃしん とぅいびらに？

   Ma-jun sha-shin tu-i-bi-ra-ni?

   Shall we take a photo together?

   Usage

   Used to suggest taking a photo together

   Grammar Note

   "Together" is mazuN. Tuibira is the polite hortative of tujuN (to take); adding "ni" makes it a question, like "icabirani".

10. QRコード スキャン さみそーり

    QR koo-do su-kyan samisoori

    Please scan the QR code

    Usage

    Used when asking someone to scan a QR code

    Grammar Note

    "Samisoori" is a polite request/imperative in Ryukyuan.

11. ぼったくるなやー！

    Bottakuruna yaa!

    Don't cheat me / Stop ripping me off

    Usage

    Used informally when you feel cheated or overcharged

    Grammar Note

    "Bottakuruna" is shared with Japanese. "Yaa" is a Ryukyuan sentence-final particle adding emphasis

12. わんねー ないびらん！

    Wannee naibiran!

    Don't underestimate me / Don't look down on me

    Usage

    Used informally when someone is being dismissive or disrespectful toward you

    Grammar Note

    "Wannee" = "wan" (I) + "nee" (emphatic topic marker). "Naibiran" is the polite negative in Ryukyuan

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