# Yucatec Maya phrasebook

Yucatec Maya is the main language of Mayan culture in the Mexican states of Yucatán, Campeche and Quintana Roo as well as northern Belize. The language is simply called Maya by its speakers (as well as by the speakers of all other Maya languages). It is the second-largest Mayan language with about 800,000 speakers. Mayan often picks up words from Spanish, and occasionally from Nahuatl; mixed expressions are common. Typically, modern technology or concepts that were unknown by the traditional Maya are described using a Spanish word or a Spanish word that's been modified a bit to reflect common Mayan speech patterns.

## Pronunciation guide
### Vowels

| Characters | IPA | Sound |
| a | a | short a, as in cat |
| aa | a: | long a, as in fate |
| e | e | short e, as in head |
| ee | e: | long e, as in edict |
| i | i | short i, as in pick |
| ii | i: | long i, as in ice |
| o | o | short o, as in hop |
| oo | o: | long o, as in hope |
| u | u | short u, as in umbrella |
| uu | u: | long u, as in youth |

### Consonants

| Characters | IPA | Sound |
| b | | b as in bat |
| ch | | ch as in chair |
| ch' | | ch glottalized, (pronounced with puff of air) |
| h | h | h as in hat |
| k | k | k as in key |
| k' | | k glottalized (pronounced with a puff of air) |
| l | l | l as in lick |
| m | m | m as in milk |
| n | n | n as in nun |
| p | p | p as in pear |
| p' | | p glottalized (pronounced with a puff of air) |
| s | as | s as in surf |
| t | t | t as in tennis |
| t' | | t glottalized (pronounced with a puff of air) |
| tz | ts | ts as in cats |
| tz' | | ts glottalized (pronounced with a puff of air) |
| w | w | w as in weep |
| x | | sh as in shop |
| y | j | y as in Yo mama! |
| ' | | quick pause, as in uh-oh |

### Common diphthongs

| Characters | IPA | Sound |
| ay | aj | long i, as in eye or Aye, Cap'n! |
| ey | ej | long a, as in they |
| oy | oj | as in boy or the Yiddish "Oy vey!" |

## Phrase list
### Basics
#### Hello.

    Bix túun. ( )

#### Hello. (informal)

    Bix a beel. ( )

#### How are you?

    bix a beel? ( ?)

#### Fine, thank you.

    Ma'alob, Nib óolal. ( )

#### What is your name?

    Bix a k'aaba? ( ?)

#### My name is ______ .

    In k'aaba'e ______ . ( _____ .)

#### Nice to meet you.

    Ki'imak in wóol in k'ajóoltikech. ( )

#### Please.

    Bawa. ( )

#### Thank you.

    Nib óolal. ( )

#### You're welcome.

    Mixba'aj. ( )

#### Yes.

    Jaaj. ( )

#### No.

    Ma'. ( )

#### Excuse me. (getting attention)

    Sa'asten. ( )

#### I'm sorry.

    sa'asteni'. ( )

#### Goodbye

    Tuláak' k'iin. ( )

#### Goodbye (informal)

    Tak tuláak' k'iin. ( )

#### I can't speak name of language [well].

    ma' tu páajtal in t'aan [ ]. ( [ ])

#### Do you speak English?

    ¿Ka t'anik inglés? ( ?)

#### Is there someone here who speaks English?

    Yaan máax waye' ku t'anik inglés? ( ?)

#### Help!

    Áantaj! ( !)

#### Look out!

    ¡Kanáantaba! ( !)

#### Good morning.

    Ma'alob k'iin. ( )

#### Good evening.

    Ma'alob áak'ab. ( )

#### Good night.

    Ma'alob áak'ab. ( )

#### Good night (to sleep)

    weenel ma'alob. ( )

#### I don't understand.

    Ma' táan in na'atik. ( )

#### Where is the toilet?

    Tu'ux yaan le inodoro? ( ?)

### Problems
#### Leave me alone.

    P'at teen tin juunal. ( .)

#### Don't touch me!

    ma' a machik teen! ( !)

#### I'll call the police!

    .yaan in t'anik le policíao'! ( .)

#### Police!

    Policíao! ( !)

#### Stop! Thief!

    Wa'atal! J-ookol! ( ! !)

#### I need your help.

    k'a'abet in wáantaj. ( .)

#### It's an emergency.

    jump'éel emergencia. ( .)

#### I'm lost.

    ts'o'ok in sa'atal. ( .)

#### I lost my bag.

    tin sataj in póoj. ( .)

#### I lost my wallet.

    tin sataj in billetera. ( .)

#### I'm sick.

    k'oja'anen. ( .)

#### I've been injured.

    ts'o'ok in loobilta'al. ( .)

#### I need a doctor.

    K'a'abet teen juntúul j-ts'aak. ( .)

#### Can I use your phone?

    je'el u páajtal in meyajtik a nu'ukul t'aan? ( ?)

### Numbers

The Maya use a base-20 numbering sytem. A shell represents zero (0), a dot represents 1, and a bar represents 5.

#### 1

    jun ( )

#### 2

    ka'a ( )

#### 3

    óox ( )

#### 4

    kantúul ( )

#### 5

    jo' ( )

#### 6

    wáak ( )

#### 8

    waxak ( )

#### 9

    bolom ( )

#### 10

    lajun ( )

#### 11

    buluk ( )

#### 12

    ka'alajun ( )

#### 13

    óoxlajun ( )

#### 14

    kanlajun ( )

#### 15

    jo'lajun ( )

#### 16

    waklajun ( )

#### 17

    uklajun ( )

#### 18

    waxaklajun ( )

#### 19

    bolonlajun ( )

#### 20

    jun k'aal ( )

#### 21

    jun ti' ka'a k'áal ( )

#### 30

    lajun ti' ka'a k'áal ( )

#### 40

    ka'a k'áal ( )

#### 50

    lajun ti' óox k'áal ( )

#### 60

    óox k'áal ( )

#### 70

    lajun ti' kan k'áal ( )

#### 80

    kan k'áal ( )

#### 90

    lajun ti' jo' k'áal ( )

#### half

    chúumuk ( )

#### less

    meenos ( )

#### more

    asab ( )

### Time and Date
#### now

    beora ( )

#### later

    mun xáatal ( )

#### before

    táanil ( )

#### morning

    sáastal ( )

#### afternoon

    chíinil k'iin ( )

#### evening

    áak'ab ( )

#### night

    áak'ab ( )

#### Clock time
##### one o'clock AM

    jump'éel p'isib AM ( )

##### noon

    chúumuk' k'iin ( )

##### one o'clock PM

    jump'éel p'isib PM ( )

##### midnight

    chúumuk áak'ab ( )

#### Duration
##### _____ minute(s)

    minuto ( )

##### _____ hour(s)

    p'íik'iin ( )

##### _____ day(s)

    k'iin ( )

##### _____ week(s)

    semaana ( )

##### _____ month(s)

    wi'inal ( )

##### _____ year(s)

    ja'ab ( )

#### Days
##### today

    be'elajake' ( )

##### yesterday

    jo'oljeak ( )

##### tomorrow

    sáamal ( )

##### this week

    te' semanaa' ( )

##### last week

    le semanaa máano' ( )

##### next week

    u láak' semanaa ( )

##### Sunday

    Domingo ( )

##### Monday

    Lunes ( )

##### Tuesday

    Martes ( )

##### Wednesday

    Mierkoles ( )

##### Thursday

    Juebes ( )

##### Friday

    Biernes ( )

##### Saturday

    Sabado ( )

#### Months
##### December
### Colors
#### black

    boox ( )

#### white

    sak ( )

#### grey/gray

    sak éek' ( )

#### red

    chak ( )

#### blue

    ch'ooj ( )

#### yellow

    k'an ( )

#### green

    ya'ax ( )

#### orange

    pak'aal ( )

#### purple

    chakch'oj ( )

#### brown

    chukwa' ( )

### Transportation
#### Bus and train
##### How much is a ticket to _____?

    buka'aj u tojol jump'éel boleto uti'al ____ ( )

##### One ticket to _____, please.

    jump'éel boleto uti'al _____ ( )

##### Where does this train/bus go?

    tu'ux ku bin le tren/autobúsa'? ( )

##### Where is the train/bus to _____?

    tu'ux yaan le tren/autobús ku bin ____? ( )

##### Does this train/bus stop in _____?

    Le tren/autobús je'ela' ku je'elel tu kaajil ____? ( )

##### When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

    ¿Ba'ax k'iin ku jóok'ol le tren/autobús ku bin ____? ( )

##### When will this train/bus arrive in _____?

    ¿Ba'ax k'iin kun k'uchul le tren/autobús ____? ( )

#### Directions
##### How do I get to _____ ?

    ¿Bix je'el in k'uchul ____? ( )

##### ...the train station?

    tu kúuchil tren ( )

##### ...the bus station?

    tu'ux ku je'elel le autobúso' ( )

##### ...the airport?

    te' aeropuertoo'? ( )

##### ...downtown?

    tu chúumukil kaaj? ( )

##### ...the youth hostel?

    te' albergue juvenil? ( )

##### ...the _____ hotel?

    te' hotelo' ( )

##### ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

    le consulado estadounidense/canadiense/australiano/británico? ( )

##### Where are there a lot of...

    Tu'ux yaan ya'ab... ( )

##### ...hotels?

    hotelo'ob? ( )

##### ...restaurants?

    kúuchil janal ( )

##### ...bars?

    bares ( )

##### ...sites to see?

    kúuchilo'ob uti'al u yila'al ( )

##### Can you show me on the map?

    je'el u páajtal a we'esikten te' mapao'? ( )

##### street

    beej ( )

##### Turn left.

    sut izquierda ( )

##### Turn right.

    sut x-no'oj ( )

##### straight ahead

    toj táanil ( )

##### towards the _____

    tu tojil le ____' ( )

##### past the _____

    ts'o'ok u máan le ____ ( )

##### before the _____

    bey ma' ____ ( )

##### Watch for the _____.

    ilawil le ____ ( )

##### intersection

    intersección ( )

##### north

    xaman ( )

##### south

    noojol ( )

##### east

    lak'in ( )

##### west

    lak'in ( )

##### uphill

    na'akal ( )

##### downhill

    yéemel ( )

#### Taxi
##### Taxi!

    Taxi! ( )

##### Take me to _____, please.

    bisiken ____ ( )

##### How much does it cost to get to _____?

    ¿Buka'aj u tojol u bin ____? ( )

##### Take me there, please.

    Bisen te'elo', beet uts. ( )

### Lodging
#### Do you have any rooms available?

    Yaan wáaj alguna habitación disponible? ( )

#### How much is a room for one person/two people?

    ¿Buka'aj u tojol jump'éel najil uti'al juntúul máak/ka'atúul máako'ob? ( )

#### Does the room come with...

    Le najil ku taal yéetel... ( )

#### ...bedsheets?

    ...sábanas? ( )

#### ...a bathroom?

    Le najo' yaan wáaj jump'éel nal wichkíil? ( )

#### ...a telephone?

    ...nu'ukul t'aan? ( )

#### ...a TV?

    ...televisión ( )

#### May I see the room first?

    ¿Je'el wa in wilik le najo' yáax? ( )

#### Do you have anything quieter?

    Yaan wáaj ba'al asab jeets'el? ( )

#### ...bigger?

    asab nojoch ( )

#### ...cleaner?

    asab limpio ( )

#### ...cheaper?

    asab barato ( )

#### OK, I'll take it.

    ma'alob, yaan in ch'a'ik. ( )

#### I will stay for _____ night(s).

    yaan in p'áatal __ áak'abo'ob. ( )

#### Can you suggest another hotel?

    je'el u páajtal a wa'alik uláak' hotel? ( )

#### Do you have a safe?

    Yaan wáaj teech jump'éel caja fuerte? ( )

#### ...lockers?

    armarios ( )

#### Is breakfast/supper included?

    ¿Táan wa táakbesik le janal sáamal/cenao'? ( )

#### What time is breakfast/supper?

    ¿Ba'ax k'iin u janal ja'atskab/cena? ( )

#### Please clean my room.

    Béet p'o'ik in najil. ( )

#### Can you wake me at _____?

    je'el u páajtal a líik'sik teen __? ( )

#### I want to check out.

    taak in wilik ( )

### Money
#### Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

    ¿Ka k'amik dólares estadounidenses/australianos/canadienses? ( )

#### Do you accept British pounds?

    ¿Ka k'amik libras británicas? ( )

#### Do you accept euros?

    ¿Ka k'amik euros? ( )

#### Do you accept credit cards?

    ¿Ka k'amik tarjetas de crédito? ( )

#### Can you change money for me?

    je'el u páajtal a k'exik in taak'in? ( )

#### Where can I get money changed?

    Tu'ux je'el u páajtal in k'exik taak'in? ( )

#### Can you change a traveler's check for me?

    Je'el u páajtal a k'exik in cheque viajero? ( )

#### Where can I get a traveler's check changed?

    Tu'ux je'el u páajtal in k'exik u chequeil viajero? ( )

#### What is the exchange rate?

    ¿Ba'ax u tasail u k'e'exel? ( )

#### Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

    Tu'ux yaan jump'éel cajero automático (ATM)? ( )

### Eating
#### A table for one person/two people, please.

    jump'éel mayakche' uti'al juntúul máak/ka'atúul máako'ob, beet uts. ( )

#### Can I look at the menu, please?

    Je'el u páajtal in wilik le menú, Béet? ( )

#### Can I look in the kitchen?

    Je'el u páajtal in wilik te' k'óoben? ( )

#### Is there a house specialty?

    Yaan wáaj jump'éel especialidad ti' le najo'? ( )

#### Is there a local specialty?

    Yaan wáaj jump'éel especialidad local? ( )

#### I'm a vegetarian.

    teen juntúul vegetariano. ( )

#### I don't eat pork.

    ma' in jaantik bak'el k'éek'eno'. ( )

#### I don't eat beef.

    ma' in jaantik bak'el wakax. ( )

#### I only eat kosher food.

    chéen kin janal janalbe'eno'ob kosher. ( )

#### Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)

    Je'el u páajtal a beetik "lite", Béet? (menos tsaats/mantequilla/manteca) ( )

#### fixed-price meal

    janal u tojol fijo ( )

#### a la carte

    a la carta ( )

#### breakfast

    uk'ul ( )

#### lunch

    janal ( )

#### tea (meal)

    té (janal) ( )

#### supper

    seena ( )

#### I want _____.

    in k'áat _____ ( )

#### I want a dish containing _____.

    in k'áat jump'éel janal yaan ti' _____ ( )

#### chicken

    kaax ( )

#### beef

    u bak'el wakax ( )

#### fish

    kay ( )

#### ham

    jamón ( )

#### sausage

    but'a'an ( )

#### cheese

    keeso ( )

#### eggs

    je' ( )

#### salad

    ensalada ( )

#### (fresh) vegetables

    (túumben) xíiwo'ob ( )

#### (fresh) fruit

    (túumben) yich ( )

#### bread

    waaj ( )

#### toast

    oop' ( )

#### noodles

    fideos ( )

#### rice

    áarroz ( )

#### beans

    bu'ulo'ob ( )

#### May I have a glass of _____?

    je'el u páajtal in ts'áaik jump'éel vaso _____? ( )

#### May I have a cup of _____?

    e'el u páajtal in ts'áaik jump'éel copa _____? ( )

#### May I have a bottle of _____?

    je'el u páajtal in ts'áaik jump'éel botella _____? ( )

#### coffee

    caphe ( )

#### tea (drink)

    té (uk'ul) ( )

#### juice

    k'aab ( )

#### (bubbly) water

    (burbujeante) ja' ( )

#### (still) water

    (láayli') ja' ( )

#### beer

    serbeesa ( )

#### red/white wine

    vino chak/sak ( )

#### May I have some _____?

    je'el u páajtal in ts'áaik _____? ( )

#### salt

    ta'ab ( )

#### black pepper

    boox pimienta ( )

#### butter

    mantequilla ( )

#### Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

    Perdón, camarero? (k'amik u óolal le servidor) ( )

#### I'm finished.

    ts'o'ok in ts'o'oksik. ( )

#### It was delicious.

    Jach ki' janal. ( )

#### Please clear the plates.

    Béet p'o'ik le placas. ( )

#### The check, please.

    Le chequeo', beet uts. ( )

### Bars
#### Do you serve alcohol?

    ¿Ka ts'áaik alcohol? ( )

#### Is there table service?

    Yaan wáaj mayaj ti' le mayakche'o'? ( )

#### A beer/two beers, please.

    jump'éel k'áaj ja'/ka'ap'éel k'áaj ja', beet uts. ( )

#### A glass of red/white wine, please.

    jump'éel copa vino chak/sak, beet uts. ( )

#### A pint, please.

    jump'éel pinta, beet uts. ( )

#### A bottle, please.

    jump'éel botella, beet uts. ( )

#### _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.

    (hard licor) yéetel _____ (mezclador), beet uts. ( )

#### whiskey

    whisky ( )

#### vodka

    vodka ( )

#### rum

    ron ( )

#### water

    ja' ( )

#### club soda

    gaseosa de club ( )

#### tonic water

    ja' tónico ( )

#### orange juice

    u k'aab naranja ( )

#### Coke (soda)

    Coke (soda) ( )

#### Do you have any bar snacks?

    Yaan wáaj tech je'el ba'alak janal? ( )

#### One more, please.

    Junp'éel uláak', beet uts. ( )

#### Another round, please.

    Uláak' wóoliso', beet uts. ( )

#### When is closing time?

    ¿Ba'ax k'iin u k'a'alal? ( )

#### Cheers!

    Salud! ( )

### Shopping
#### Do you have this in my size?

    Yaan wáaj teech le je'ela' ti' in Buka'aj? ( )

#### How much is this?

    ¿Buka'aj u tojol le je'ela'? ( )

#### That's too expensive.

    jach ko'oj. ( )

#### Would you take _____?

    je'el wáaj a ch'a'ik ( )

#### expensive

    ko'oj ( )

#### cheap

    ma' ko'oji' ( )

#### I can't afford it.

    ma' tu páajtal in bo'otik. ( )

#### I don't want it.

    ma' in k'áat. ( )

#### You're cheating me.

    Táan a tusik teen. ( )

#### I'm not interested.

    ma' in k'áat. (..)

#### OK, I'll take it.

    Ma'alob, yaan in ch'a'ik. ( )

#### Can I have a bag?

    je'el u páajtal in k'amik jump'éel póoj? ( )

#### Do you ship (overseas)?

    ¿Ka túuxtik (táanxel lu'umil)? ( )

#### I need...

    k'a'abéet in... ( )

#### ...toothpaste.

    pasta dental ( )

#### ...a toothbrush.

    jump'éel cepillo de dientes ( )

#### ...tampons.

    tampones. ( )

#### ...soap.

    jáabon ( )

#### ...shampoo.

    champú ( )

#### ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

    analgésico. (e.g., aspirina wa ibuprofeno) ( )

#### ...cold medicine.

    ts'aak ti' ke'el ( )

#### ...stomach medicine.

    ts'aak ti' nak' ( )

#### ...a razor.

    jump'éel navaja ( )

#### ...an umbrella.

    jump'éel paraguas ( )

#### ...sunblock lotion.

    loción u protector solar ( )

#### ...a postcard.

    jump'éel tarjeta postal ( )

#### ...postage stamps.

    sellos u correo ( )

#### ...batteries.

    baterías (pilas) ( )

#### ...writing paper.

    ju'un ts'íib ( )

#### ...a pen.

    ump'éel ch'ilibts'íib ( )

#### ...English-language books.

    áanalte'ob ich inglés ( )

#### ...English-language magazines.

    revistas ich inglés ( )

#### ...an English-language newspaper.

    periódico ich inglés ( )

#### ...an English-Spanish dictionary.

    Diccionario inglés-español ( )

### Driving

Signs in the Yucatan are in Spanish, not Mayan. Spanish words are commonly used for modern technology. See Spanish phrasebook

#### I want to rent a car.

    in k'áat in alquilar jump'éel coche. ( )

#### Can I get insurance?

    je'el u páajtal in k'amik seguro? ( )

#### stop (on a street sign)

    WA'ATAL (ALTO) ( )

#### one way

    SOLO UNA VIA ( )

#### yield

    LÚUBUL ÓOL (CEDA EL PASO) ( )

#### no parking

    NO ESTACAMIENTO ( )

#### speed limit

    LÍMITE DE VELOCIDAD ( )

#### gas (petrol) station

    Estación de gasolina ( )

#### petrol

    Gasolina ( )

#### diesel

    Diesel ( )

### Authority
#### I haven't done anything wrong.

    ma' in beetmaj mixba'al k'aas. ( )

#### It was a misunderstanding.

    leti' jump'éel ma' na'at. ( )

#### I was framed!

    ¡tin enmarcado! ( )

#### Where are you taking me?

    Tu'ux ka bisiken? ( )

#### Am I under arrest?

    ¿Táan in k'a'alal? ( )

#### I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.

    Teen juntúul estadounidense/australiano/británico/canadiense. ( )

#### I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

    in k'áat in t'aan yéetel le embajada/consulado estadounidense/australiano/británico/canadiense. ( )

#### I want to talk to a lawyer.

    in k'áat in t'aan yéetel juntúul abogado. ( )

#### Can I just pay a fine now?

    je'el u páajtal in bo'otik jump'éel multa bejla'e'? ( )