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.

Future

Poor

Affaiyé

Rich, Wealthy

Rikku

Work

Tarabwaagho

Hard working

Tiwaschéésché

Lazy

Ghaaghu

Industrious

Tarabwaagho, Angaang

Skillful

Bwura

Caretaker

Schóólfóól

Cooperation

Tipiyééw

To succeed

Welebwu

To begin again

Bwelesefáál

Sacred Geography

Sacred

Abwaay

Altar

Leeliyel Asór

Dance

Bwai, Bwaila

Dance School or Troupe

Imwal meleiteyil Bwaila

Dance Instructor

Schóól akkabwung bwaila

Chant

Bwai

Drum

Tómbwud

Pray

Yóótágh; Meleitey

Priest

Paali

God

Liyos

Soul

Ngéél

Ghost

Ngéé;
A lú

Corpse

Malamá

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