Money & Exchange

1. ちゃっさ やいびーが?

   chas-sa ya-i-bii-ga

   How much is it?

   Usage

   A polite way to ask the price of something

   Grammar Note

   "Ikura" (how much) is shared with Japanese. "Yaibii-ga" is the Okinawan polite interrogative ending. Okinawa uses Japanese yen; currency exchange available at major tourist areas

2. ATM まーかい やいびーが?

   ee-tii-emu maa-kai ya-i-bii-ga

   Where is the ATM?

   Usage

   Used to find an ATM for cash withdrawal

   Grammar Note

   In Okinawa, ATMs at Japan Post (Yuucho), Seven-Eleven, AEON, and post offices accept international cards. Most tourist areas have convenient ATM access

3. やっさんやいびーん

   yas-san ya-i-bii-n

   That's a great deal / good price

   Usage

   Used to express that the price is good value for money

   Grammar Note

   "Cheap" is 'jaQsaN, glossed "(of a price) cheap", written yassan. Adding yaibiin matches takasan yaibiin ("that's expensive"). Souvenirs on Kokusai-dori and at Makishi Public Market are reasonably priced. "Maasan" is maasaN, glossed only "tasty; delicious" — it never refers to price.

4. たかさんやいびーん

   ta-ka-san ya-i-bii-n

   That's expensive

   Usage

   Used to politely express that something is expensive

   Grammar Note

   "Takasan" = expensive, the Okinawan adjective for Japanese "takai". Okinawan "-san" adjective ending: "yassan" (cheap, also written 'jaQsaN), "takasan" (expensive). Tourist areas may have premium pricing

5. まけてーみそーれー

   ma-ke-tee-mi-soo-ree

   Please give me a discount

   Usage

   Used to politely request a discount at markets or souvenir shops

   Grammar Note

   "Maketee" = "make" (to lose/reduce) in connective form. "Misooree" is the highest honorific imperative in Uchinaguchi. Try "muu chui maketee misooree" for an additional discount

6. クレジットカードー ちかーりーびーみ?

   ku-re-jit-to-kaa-doo chi-kaa-rii-bii-mi

   Can I use a credit card?

   Usage

   Used to ask if credit card payment is accepted

   Grammar Note

   Major hotels and department stores in Naha accept credit cards. However, remote islands and small shops often require cash. QR payment apps like PayPay are increasingly accepted

7. けーい くぃみそーれー

   Kee-i kwi-mi-soo-ree

   Please bring my change

   Usage

   Used when requesting your change after payment

   Grammar Note

   "Change" is keei (keei "change, small money"; also keesimudushi) — otsuri is Japanese. "To give" is kwiyun (kwijuN), whose honorific is kwimiseen; the request form kwimisooree matches the example naahwin kwimisjoori "please give me more"

8. じん はらいびーん

   Jin ha-rai-bii-n

   I will pay

   Usage

   Used to indicate you are ready to pay

   Grammar Note

   Money is jin (ziN "coin, money"). Ninjin is the vegetable "carrot" and never means money. "To pay" is harayun (harajuN), polite haraibiin; the similar hayun (hajuN) means "to run" or "to stretch", never "to pay"

9. わーが はらいびら

   Waa ga ha-rai-bi-ra

   Let me pay / I'll treat you

   Usage

   Used to offer to pay for someone else — treating them

   Grammar Note

   "I" is wan ('waN), but the form shifts irregularly with the following particle, giving waa ga "I (subject)" and wannee "as for me" — so "I will" is waa ga. Wattaa ('waQtaa) is "we" and is not used for one person. Nooshi (nuusi) means "owner, master", never "instead of". "To pay" is harayun (harajuN), polite volitional haraibira. Okinawa's yuimaaru spirit of mutual aid includes treating others to food and tea; thanks are given with nifeedeebiru

10. にふぇーでーびる、まーさいびーたん

    ni-fee-dee-bi-ru, maa-sa-i-bii-tan

    Thank you very much, it was a wonderful treat

    Usage

    A polite expression of gratitude after being treated to a meal

    Grammar Note

    "Nifeedeebiru" is the most formal Okinawan "thank you". "Deebiru/-biiru" marks high politeness. "Maasaibiitan" (polite past of maasan, delicious) praises the meal as thanks after eating. The meal greeting itself, "Kwacchii sabitan", is used only in meal settings.

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