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.

Change

Liiwel

Move, Movement

Mwóghut; mwóghutughut

History

Uruwow

Visitors

Schóól wasééló

Horse

Ghubwaayo

From the Spanish

Ride Horseback

Tattaal ghubwaayo

Cattle

Wakke

To work with cattle

Tarabwaagho me wakke

Earthquake

Selep

Tsunami

Malamal

War

Mwowul

Survive, Survival

Malaw, Ammalaw

Money

Selaapi

Monument

Govern

Compact

Council

Japan

Bridge

Airport

Air-raid

Vote

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