Languages of Aruba
The first words you'll probably hear when you arrive in Aruba are "Bon Bini!" Bon Bini means welcome, in the local Papiamento language.
The Aruban language, Papiamento, is only spoken on the Dutch Caribbean islands. It is a combination of 5 languages: Spanish, Portuguese, African, Dutch and Arawak Indian and has evolved much over the years.
In Aruba, the people are fluent in English, Spanish, Dutch and Papiamento (speak, write and read all 4 languages). Many also speak French and German. Dutch and Papiamento are both official languages of Aruba. All documents and government papers are in both languages and schools teach in both Dutch and Papiamento. Papiamento is unique to the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao).
While there are many languages spoken, you'll have no problems if you happen to be a uni-lingual gringo. English is spoken (very well) by virtually every Aruban. It is fun and more culturally satisfying to learn some of the local expressions and words while visiting.
Helpful Papiamento phrases include:
(TIP: Most words are pronounced exactly as spelled. )
Greetings
Have a good day: Pasa un bon dia
Good Morning: Bon dia
Goodbye: Ayo
Good afternoon: Bon tardi
Good evening: Bon nochi
Please: Por fabor
Thank you: Danki (pronounced donkey)
Thank you very much: Mashi Danki
You are welcome: Di nada
How are you?: Con ta bai (pronounced bye)
Very Good!: Hopi bon
I am fine: Mi ta bon
See you later: Te aworo
Dining
I am hungry: mi tin hamber
I want to eat: mi ke kome
Food: cuminda
Water: awa
cuminda: Food
Bread: pan
Butter: manteca
Cheese: keshi
Fish: Pisca
Cold cuts: beleg
Milk: lechi
Soda: refresco
Sweets/candy: mangel
An Aruban lollipop: chupa bebe
Sugar: suku
Salt: salo
Pepper: pika
Shopping
How much does this cost?: kwanto esaki ta costa?
Looking around, browsing: Mi ta wak rond
Lets go out on a trip: Ban dal un trip
The Bank: Banco
Money: Plaka
What movie is playing today?: Ki pelicula ta hunga awe?
Sneakers: keds
Shoes: sapato
In the town: den caya
I'm thirsty: Mi tin sed
I'm hungry: Mi tin hamber
Lets go home: Ban kas
Drugstore: Botica
Words For a Loved One
A kiss: Un sunchi
A hug: Un braza
My sweetheart: Mi dushi
Delicious or great: dushi 'om
With all my love: Ku tur mi amor
A loved one: Ranka
frei
My love: Mi amor
Smells good: hole dushI
Very good: Hopi bon
More Words and Phrases
Come here: bin aki
Lets go out: ban sali
Lets enjoy: ban goza
Lets eat: ban come
Water: awa
Rain: awacero
Lightning: lamper
Thunder: strena
Cloud: nubia
The beach, also the ocean: lama
Sand, also country: tera
The country side: kunuku
In the city: den stad
Bridge: brug
Numbers
0 zero, nul, nada
1 unu prome(r), di prome(r)
2 dos di dos
3 tres di tres
4 kwater, cuater (and so on)
5 sinku, cincu
6 seis
7 shete, siete
8 ocho
9 nuebe
10 dies
11 diesun
12 diesdos
13 diestres
14 diescuater
15 diescincu
20 binti
30 trinta
40 cuarenta
50 cincuenta
60 sesenta
70 setenta
80 ochenta
90 nobenta
100 cien
1000 mil
Days of the Week
Sunday: dia domingu
Monday: dia luna
Tuesday: dia mars
Wednesday: dia rason
Thursday: diaweps
Friday: diabièrne
Saturday: dia sabra
Months
January: Januari
February: Feruari
March: Maart
April: April
May: Mei
June: Juni
July: Juli
August: Augustus
September September
October Ooctober
November November
December December
Action Verbs
to give: duna
to buy: kumpra
to sell: bende
to drink: bebe
to sleep: drumi
to sit: sinta