1. “Bienvenidos!” = “Welcome!”
Use this Chavacano word to greet someone who just arrived. This is like “Mabuhay!” in Tagalog.
2. “Buenas dias!” = “Good morning!”
You can also use these variations:
- Buenas tardes – Good afternoon
- Buenas noches – Good evening / Good night
3. “Quetal” / “Quetal uste?” = “Hello” / “How are you?”
This is how you say hello in Chavacano. You can use this Chavacano word to quickly ask how the person is doing. This is like “Kamusta?” or “Kumusta?” in other Filipino languages. You may also use “Quetal ya tu?” or “Quetal uste?”, which means “How are you?”.
4. “Bueno, gracias!” / “Muy bien, gracias!” = “I’m good, thank you!” / “I’m fine, thank you!”
This is your reply to someone asking how you are doing. Use “bueno” for good and “muy bien” for fine.
5. “Kosa dituyo nombre?” = “What’s your name?”
Say this Chavacano phrase if you are asking for someone’s name.
6. “Mi nombre es <name>.” = “My name is <name>.”
If you want to give your name, this is what you say.
7. “De donde uste?” = “Where are you from?”
Say this Chavacano phrase when asking for someone’s hometown.
8. “Ta habla / Sabe tu conversa <language>?” = “Do you speak <language>?”
You use this if you want to know if someone can speak a particular language. For example, “Ta habla Chavacano?” or “Sabe tu conversa Chavacano?” (Do you speak Chavacano?).
9. “Jende yo habla / Nusabe yo conversa <language>.” = “I can’t speak <language>.”
This is your reply if you can’t speak the language. For example, “Jende yo habla Chavacano.” or “Nusabe yo conversa Chavacano.” (I can’t speak Chavacano.).
