There are two official languages of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Chamorro and Carolinian.

Chamorro glossaries are presented on our Guam website, and you can view that chart by clicking here.

Carolinian terminology is presented below.

Visitors

Schóólwasééló

"Good Morning"

Leesorallim

"Good Afternoon"

Raalallim

"Good Evening"

Leebwongallim

"Welcome"

Tirow

"Come in"

Toolong

"Goodbye"

Uleeló

Different Administrators

Spain

Espaiyol

Germany

Alimaan

Japan

Americans

Libwesch, Libwerh

Also used for white people, Westerners

Independent

Other Terms:

Government

Maghalaay

Governor, magistrate, mayor

Law

Boundary

Ngasche–;
Yááli–

--Side, edge, border, boundary;
--Boundary of (a farm or house); waterway, river

Community land

Sóóbw

Clan's land

Sóóbw

Individual landowner

Foreigners

Disease

Nngawa–

Badness, evil, sickness

Sickness

Sóóghu;
Semwaay

--to be sick, ill (esp, with flu);
--to be sick or very tired

Epidemic

Tééghi

Doctor

Dokto

Health, healthy

Meefi;
Mwaammwaay

--Feelings, state of health;
--to be beautiful, healthy, successful

Note on Pronunciation:

a- sounds like apple: amwusch = firewood
á- sounds like Larry: áát = child
e- sounds like Emmy: ellet = truth
é- sounds like her (lower back): ééw = one
i- sounds like India: Itómw = name
o- sounds like OK: olighát = children, child, young kid
ó- sounds like octopus: ótol = time
u- sounds like look: ukkur = play
ú- sounds like Jude: úútá = stand