Survival Phrases in Tzotzil
Greetings and GoodbyesHello | Mi li oyote! (literally, “Here you are!” | mē lē ō-yō-TĀ (This is the general greeting used for hello, good morning, good afternoon, etc. and is always given by the newcomer to the scene, ex. the person who is just entering a room.) Response: Here I am! | Li oyune! | lē ō-yu-NĔ Hello (to a group) | Mi li oyoxuqe | mē lē ō-yō-shoo-KĀ Response: Here we are! | Li oyunkutiqe | lē ō-yun-koo-ti-KĀ Goodbye | Taxi bat (literally, “Now I am going.” | tă-shē BĂT Response: Go then | Batan | băt-ĂN What is your name? | C’usi a’bi? | k’-OO-sē ă’-BĒ My name is ____ | Ja’ jbi ____ | hhă’ hhbē _______ How are you? | C’u avelan? | k’-OO ă-vĕ-LĂN I am well | Lek oyun | lĕk ō-YOON May God give you blessing | Kajvaltic cha ya’kbot slekilal | kăhh-văl-TĒK chă yă’-k-BŌT slĕ-kē-LĂL
EtiquettePlease – Abokoluk (ă-bō-kōh-LUKE)Thank you | Kolaval | kōl-ă-VĂLThank you very much | Oj toj kolaval | ōhh tōhh kōl-ă-VĂLYou’re welcome | Muyuk c’usij vocol | moo-YOOK k’-OO-sēh vō-CŌLExcuse me | Taxi jelav (literally, “Now I pass.” | tă-shē hĕ-LĂV
ShoppingHow much does this cost? – C’uxi stojol. (k’-OO-shē stō-HŌL)Numbers are the same as in Spanish
Other Useful PhrasesYes | Tana | dă-NĂNo | Mo’oj | mō’-ŌHHHow old are you? | Jayi’im ja’bil a bich’oj? | hhă-YI’-im hhă’-BĒL ă bēch’-ŌHHI am ___ years old | Kich’oj ___ | kēch’-ŌHH ___C’usi sbi li’e (k-OO-sē sbē lē EY) –What is the name of this?I don't understand | Mu xca’i | moo shkă’-ĒWhat are you doing? | C’usi cha pas? | k’-OO-sē chă păsNothing | Cha’bal | chă’-băl
Pronunciation GuideThe vowels are pronounced the same as in Spanish:“A” is always as in “father”“E” as in “hey” and sometimes as in “pet”“I” as in “machine”“O” as in “hole”“U” as in “glue”
The letter “J” in Tzotzil is pronounced as a hard “hhh”, like the hissing sound a cat makes when it is scared.
The glottal stop is a stopping of the flow of air through the throat and is marked by an apostrophe. To get the idea, try saying “curtain” without pronouncing the “T.” The slight pause between syllables is same effect as a glottal stop.
The letter “X” in Tzotzil is a Mayan X. It is pronounced “sh.”
Would you like to put these phrases to use? Check out the ministry team to Chiapas!For survival phrases in other languages click here.