Conversations in Siargaonon
Words in a list will not teach you to speak. These are real exchanges — the ones you will actually have on Siargao — shown the way they happen.
Every spoken line below is a phrase verified by a native speaker. Where a conversation needs something not yet recorded in the dictionary, it appears in italics as a stage direction rather than as invented Siargaonon.
🐟 At the palengke
You're at the market in Dapa. The vendor catches your eye.
Vendor
Uno may imo?
What do you want?
You point at the fish.
You
Pila ang presyo?
How much is the price?
She names a price. It is not a good price.
You
Mahal karajaw!
It's too expensive!
You
Pwede mag-tawad?
Can I bargain?
You
Ubusi pa gamay
Lower it a little more.
She sighs, thinks, and nods.
You
Sige, paliton ko.
Okay, I'll buy it.
You
Bayad na.
Here's the payment.
Vendor
Salamat
Thank you.
You
Salamat Karajaw
Thank you very much.
🛶 Hiring a boat to surf
Low tide, offshore wind. The wave you want is past the reef, and the only way there is a boatman on the sand.
You
Marajaw na buntag
Good morning.
You
Baroto
Boat!
You point past the reef, where the sets are stacking up clean and empty.
You
Pila an plete?
How much is the fare?
He names a price with the sun behind him. It's steep.
You
Mahal karajaw!
It's too expensive!
You
Pwede mag-tawad?
Can I get a discount?
He laughs, holds up four fingers instead of five. Deal.
You
Lajo?
Is it far?
He shakes his head and tips his chin at the horizon.
You
Taya na!
Let's go!
The outrigger slaps through the chop. Salt on your face, board across your knees.
You
Hangin karajaw.
It's very windy.
Boatman
Suyug
The current.
You
Dugay pa ba?
Will it still take long?
He cuts the engine. The break is right there, glassy and yours.
You
Huyat
Wait.
You point at the boat, then at the water, then hold up two fingers. He nods \u2014 he'll be here.
Two hours later, arms dead and grinning, you haul yourself back aboard.
You
Bayad na.
Here's the payment.
Boatman
Salamat
Thank you.
You
Salamat Karajaw
Thank you very much.
👋 Meeting someone
Someone strikes up a conversation with you on the beach.
Them
Kumusta naman kaw?
How are you?
You
Marajaw ra
I am fine.
Them
Umay imo ngayan?
What is your name?
You tell them your name.
Them
Pila may imo edad?
How old are you?
You tell them. They look surprised, then laugh.
Them
Haman kaw singod?
Where are you going?
You
Adto nako
I will leave now.
Them
Amping
Take care.
You
Nads an na
See you later.
🍚 Supper with a family
You're visiting a family in Pilar. It's nearly supper time.
You
Kumusta man si Mama?
How is mother doing?
She's well. She's in the kitchen, and she has heard you.
Them
Mangaon ta!
Let's eat!
There is far more food than anyone could eat. This is not a mistake.
You
Grabi kalami!
It's so delicious!
You
Busog na ako
I'm full already.
They put more rice on your plate anyway.
You
Salamat Karajaw
Thank you very much.
Them
Way sapayan
You're welcome.