Tausug phrasebook Voyage Tips and guide

Tausug (Bahasa Sūg), is the main language of the Sulu Archipelago off Mindanao in the Philippines and in the eastern area of the state of Sabah, Malaysia by the Tausūg people.

It is one of the Visayan languages, with the closest related languages being Surigaonon spoken in Surigao provinces.

Pronunciation guide

Tausug is written with either the Latin alphabet or a version of the Arabic alphabet.

Vowels

We will classify them into 4 kinds: (1) repeating vowels, (2) dual vowels, (3) prolonged vowels and (4) diphthongs.

Repeating vowels

The correct way of reading their written text is to pronounce each vowel individually and not to connect them or create a prolonged sound. Examples are:

daakan (command/order): which is read /da-a-kan/ and not /dá-kan/
giik (step on, v.): which is read /gi-ik/ and not /giyk/

Dual vowels

each vowel sound must be pronounced individually.

saub (cover): read as /sa-ub/ and not /sawb/
piul (limp): read as /pi-ul/ not /pi-yul/

Prolonged vowels

They are usually written in stressed forms as /ā/, /ī/ and /ū/ or in diphthongs as /iy/ and /uw/.

dāgan: run
kiyta’: saw, v., p.t.
sūwng: go forward, v.
kātas: paper
dūwm: night

Glottal stop (‘)

Another sound in Bahasa Sug is the “Glottal stop” (‘) which is also found in Tagalog syllables as /ta’/ in “bátâ” (child). It is usually characterized by a sudden stop in the end of the sound. Examples are:

tagna’: before or beginning
baba’: down
sukna’: curse
ka’nu: when, p.t.
ina’: mother
ama’: father

Consonants

b: as in bee; /b/ per default [b], but [β] between vowels
k: as in key
d: as in dough
g: as in gold; /g/ per default [ɡ], but [ɣ] between vowels
h: as in heat; /h/ per default [h], but [ɦ] between vowels
l: as in let
m: as in me
n: as in nice
ng: as in song
p: as in pea
r: as in raw; /r/ per default [r], but [ɹ] before /m,n,g,k/
s: as in sea
t: as in tea
w: as in weak
y: as in you

Common diphthongs

The Diphthongs /ay/, /iy/ , /aw/, /iw/, /uw/ and /uy/. Diphthongs are also found in various Tausug words. Examples include:

kayt: cloth pins
kiyta': saw
sawm: under
duwm: night
suysuy: hearsay

Note

In the pseudo-pronunciations below, glottal stops are shown as apostrophes, usually at the end of word or syllable.

Grammar

The Letters Bb and Gg

The letters are notable of having a “special ruling” on articulating their sounds. These are the letters /Bb/ and /Gg/. Both letters can be pronounced with (1) their regular distinct sounds and (2) their special “spirant” sounds. Rule #1: When the letters Bā’ and Gā’ are placed in the BEGINNING or in the END of a word, they will be pronounced with their regular ‘solid’ or distinct /Bb/ and /Gg/ sounds. This is known as “Bā’ mahantap” for /Bb/ and “Gā’ mahantap” for /Gg/. Examples of these words are:

Bā’ mahantap: basi’ (iron/metal); badju’ (cloth/shirt); saub (cover/lid); ukab (open)

Gā’ mahantap: gadja (elephant); gallang (bracelet); niyug (coconut tree); hulug (fall)

The Aspirant /Bb/ and /Gg/ Rule #3: The special rule (the aspirant sound), applies when the two letters are in BETWEEN TWO VOWEL sounds. When this happens, the two letters will take their “spirant” form or sound; meaning they will have a bit of “softer” sound and should not have a “stopping”, bursting distinct sound.

The letter /Bb/ will be pronounced with a slight opening of the lips letting air to smoothly and freely pass during the pronunciation. This is called the “Bā’ mahangin”. It would have the sound /v/ as in LEVITATE, but not /V/ in VIOLET. But it should also be noted that the letter /Vv/ should never be used to replace the aspirant /Bb/ sound. Listening to the recordings I have prepared would make this clearer.

The letter /Gg/ would then sound like the Huruf Ghain /Gh/ in Arabic and not with the distinct /Gg/ sound. This is called the “Gā’ mahangin” sound.

Bā’ mahangin: (vowel)+/b/+(vowel); labay (pass by, v.); lubid (rope); tabang (help, v.); habay-habay (amulet); sabun (soap)

Gā’ mahangin: (vowel)+/g/+(vowel); bagay (friend); hagad (wait, v.); higad (side); tagaynup (dream); agap (parrot)

Syntax

Kiyawa niya in sin ku.: stole he money; V S O; VP NP NP; He stole my money
Kimaun aku ja.: ate I ja; V S O; VP NP NP; He ate a ja.
Hi Sala nanga kitab.: Sala got book; S V O; NP VP NP; Sala got a book.
Nanga kitab hi Sala.: Got book Sala; V O S; VP NP NP; Sala got a book.

Phrase list

See Wikivoyage:Pseudo-phoneticization guide for guidance on the phoneticizations below

Basics

Hello.: Assalamu Alaykum . (ah-sah-LAH-moo ah-LIGH-koom) Note: If anyone says this to you, whether you are Muslim or not, answer 'Alaikum wassalam', thus returning the wish of peace that was bestowed upon you. Not doing so is a serious breach of etiquette.
Hello. (informal): Hay . (high)
How are you?: Maunu-unu na kaw ? (mah-oo-noo-oo-NOO nah KOW?)
Fine, thank you.: Marayaw sadja, magsukul . (mah-RAH-yow sahd-JAH, mahg-SOO-kooll)
What is your name?: Unu in ngān mu ? (oo-NOO een NGAHN moo?)
My name is ______ .: In ngān ku hi ______ . (ihn NGAHN koo hee _____ .)
Nice to meet you.: Kiyugan aku in magbak ta. (kee-YOO-gahn ah-KOO ihn mahg-BAHCK tah)
Please.: Makajari baha. (mah-kah-JAH-ree BAH-hah)
Thank you.: Magsukul . (mahg-SOO-kooll)
You're welcome.: Mura-murahan. (moo-rah-moo-RAH-hahn)
Yes.: Huw-un . (HOOW-oon)
No.: Diy' . (deey')
Excuse me. (getting attention): Tabiya'. (tah-bee-YAH)
Excuse me. (begging pardon): Ay naa kaw. (aigh nah-AH kow)
I'm sorry.: Magsangka aku. (mahg-sahng-KAH ah-KOO)
Goodbye: Saram na hadja kaniyu. (sah-RAHM nahd-JAH kah-NEE-yoo)
Goodbye (informal): Lumanjal na kami . (loo-mahn-JAHLL nah kah-MEE)
I can't speak Tausug well.: Diy' aku makabissara Sinug marayaw. (deey' ah-KOO mah-kah-bee-SAH-rah see-NOG mah-RAH-yow)
Do you speak English?: Manjari ka kaw magbisara Anggalis? (mahn-JAH-rih kah KOW mahg-bee-SAH-rah ahng-gah-LIHSS?)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Awn makabibisara Anggalis diy/yari? (own mah-kah-bee-SAH-rah ahng-gah-LIHSS deey/YAH-ree?)
Help!: Tabang! (TAH-bahng!)
Look out!: Kita! (kee-TAH!)
Good morning.: Assalamu Alaykum. (ah-sah-LAH-moo ah-LIGH-koom)
Good evening.: Assalamu Alaykum. (ah-sah-LAH-moo ah-LIGH-koom)
Good night.: Marayaw duwm. (mah-RAH-yow doom)
Good night (to sleep): Marayaw matug (mah-rah-YOW MAH-toog)
I don't understand.: Diy' aku nakapapaham. (deey' ah-KOO nah-kah-kah-PAH-hahm)
Where is the toilet?: Hain in pagjajambanan? (HAH-een ihn pahg-jah-jahm-BAH-nahn?)

Problems

Leave me alone.: Isa-isahun mu aku. (ee-sah-ee-sah-HOON moo ah-KOO.)
Don't touch me!: Ayaw mu aku ulinan! (ah-YOW moo ah-KOO oo-LEE-nahn!)
I'll call the police.: Tawagun aku pulis. (tah-WAH-goon ah-KOO poo-LEESS.)
Police!: Pulis! (poo-LEESS!)
Stop! Thief!: Dundung kaw! Panakaw! (doon-DOONG kow! pah-NAH-kow!)
I need your help.: Kagunahan ku in tabang mu. (kah-goo-NAH-hahn koo ihn TAH-bahng moo.)
It's an emergency.: Lingug ini. (LEE-ngoog ee-NEE.)
I'm lost.: Malawa aku. (mah-LAH-wah ah-KOO.)
I lost my bag.: Nalawa ku in bag ku. (nah-LAH-wah koo ihn BAHG koo.)
I lost my wallet.: Nalawa ku in pitaka ku. (nah-LAH-wah koo ihn pih-TAH-kah koo.)
I'm sick.: Nasakit aku. (nah-SAH-kiht ah-KOO.)
I've been injured.: Namula aku. (nah-moo-LAH ah-KOO.)
I need a doctor.: Kagunahan ku in duktur. (kah-goo-NAH-hahn koo ihn doock-TOOR.)
Can I use your phone?: Manjari ka aku magguna in pon mu? (mahn-JAH-rih kah ah-KOO mahg-GOO-nah ihn PAWN moo?)

Numbers

1: isa (ee-SAH)
2: duwa (doo-WAH)
3: tuw (toow)
4: upat (oo-PAHT)
5: lima (lee-MAH)
6: unum (oo-NOOM)
7: pitu (pee-TOO)
8: walu (wah-LOO)
9: siyam (see-YAHM)
10: hangpu' (hahng-POO' )
11: hangpu' tag' isa (hahng-POO' tahg ee-SAH)
12: hangpu' tag duwa (hahng-POO' tahg doo-wah)
13: hangpu' tag tuw (hahng-POO' tahg TOOW)
14: hangpu' tag upat (hahng-POO' tahg oo-PAHT)
15: hangpu' tag lima (hahng-POO' tahg lee-MAH)
16: hangpu' tag unum (hahng-POO' tahg oo-NOOM)
17: hangpu' tag pitu (hahng-POO' tahg pee-TOO)
18: hangpu' tag walu (hahng-POO' tahg wah-LOO)
19: hangpu' tag siyam (hahng-POO' tahg see-YAHM)
20: kawha'an (kow-HAH'-ahn)
21: kawha'an tag isa (kow-HAH'-ahn tahg ee-SAH)
22: kawha'an tag duwa (kow-HAH'-ahn tahg doo-WAH)
23: kawha'an tag tuw (kow-HAH'-ahn tahg TOO)
30: katlu'an (kaht-LOO'-ahn)
40: ka'patan (KAH'-pah-tahn)
50: kay'man (KIGH'-mahn)
60: ka'numan (KAH'-noo-mahn)
70: kapituwan (kah-pee-TOO-wahn)
80: kawaluwan (kah-wah-LOO-wahn)
90: kasiyaman (kah-see-YAH-mahn)
100: hanggatus (hahng-gah-TOOSS)
200: duwanggatus (doo-wahng-gah-TOOSS)
300: tuwnggatus (TOOWNG-gah-tooss)
1,000: hangibu (hahng-NGEE-boo)
2,000: duwa ka ibu (doo-WAH kah EE-boo)
1,000,000: hangkamilliyun (hahng-kah-meell-lee-YOON)
1,000,000,000: hangkabilliyun (hahng-kah-bee-lee-YOON)
1,000,000,000,000: hangkatirilliyun (hahng-kah-tee-reell-lee-YOON)
half: tunga' (TOO-ngah' )
less: kulang (KOO-lahng )
more: labi (LAH-bee )

Time

now: bihāun (bee-HAH-oon)
later: gana-gana (gah-nah-GAH-nah)
before: ba'gu (BAH'-goo)
morning: mahinaat (mah-hee-NAH-aht)
afternoon: mahapun (mah-hah-POON)
evening: duwm (doowm)
night: duwm (doowm)

Clock time

one o'clock AM: lisag hambuuk sin mahinaat (lee-SAHG HAHM-boo-OOCK sihn mah-hih-NAH-aht)
two o'clock AM: lisag duwa sin mahinaat (lee-SAHG HAHM-boo-OOCK sihn mah-hih-NAH-aht)
noon: mataas suga (mah-tah-AHSS SOO-gah)
one o'clock PM: lisag hambuuk sin mahapun (lee-SAHG HAHM-boo-OOCK sihn mah-hah-POON)
two o'clock PM: lisag duwa sin mahapun (lee-SAHG doo-WAH sihn mah-hah-POON)
midnight: tungaan duwm (too-NGAH-ahn doowm)

Duration

_____ minute(s): minutu (mee-NOO-too)
_____ hour(s): jāman (JAH-mahn)
_____ day(s): adlaw (ahd-LOW)
_____ week(s): piytuhan (peey-TOO-hahn)
_____ month(s): bulan (BOO-lahn)
_____ year(s): tahun (tah-HOON)

Days

today: bihaun (bee-HAH-oon)
yesterday: kahapun (ka-HUH-pohn)
tomorrow: kunsūm (koon-SOOM)
this week: ha piytuhan ini (hah peey-TOO-hahn ee-NEE)
last week: ha piytuhan limabay (hah peey-TOO-hahn lee-MAH-bigh)
next week: ha sumunu' hangkapitu (hah soo-moo-NOO hahng-kah-pee-TOO)

Sunday: Ahad (AH-hahd)
Monday: Isnin (eess-NEEN)
Tuesday: Salasa (sah-LAH-sah)
Wednesday: Albaa (ahll-BAH-ah)
Thursday: Hammis (hahm-MIHSS)
Friday: Jumaat (joo-MAH-aht)
Saturday: Sabtu (sahb-TOO)

Months

January: Janwāri (jahn-WAH-ree)
February: Pibuwāri (pee-boo-WAH-ree)
March: Marts (mahrtss)
April: Ipril (EEP-reell)
May: Miy (meey)
June: Juwn (joown)
July: Julay (joo-LIGH)
August: Awgus (OW-gooss)
September: Siptimbil (seep-TEEM-beel)
October: Uktuwbil (oock-TOOW-beel)
November: Nubimbil (noo-BEEM-beel)
December: Disimbil (dee-SEEM-beel)

Writing time and date

Dates can be written as follows:

English format: April 26, 1988 would be Ipril 26, 1988

Spanish format: April 26, 1988 would be hika-26 sin bulan Ipril, tahun 1988

Times are written and spoken as in English (as in 2:23AM) but adding the word "Lisag" beforehand. Example: Lisag 2 iban 23 sin mahinaat.

Colors

black: itum (ee-TOOM)
white: puti (poo-TEE)
gray: abuhun (ah-boo-HOON)
red: pula (poo-LAH)
blue: bilu (bee-LOO)
yellow: bianing (bee-ah-NEENG)
green: gadung (GAH-doong)
orange: kulit (KOO-leet)
purple: taluk (TAH-loock)
brown: abu (ah-BOO)

Transportation

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: Biyadiin aku makakadtu pa ___? (bee-yah-dee-EEN ah-KOO mah-kah-kahd-TOO pah)
...the train station?: triyn istiyshun (treeyn ihss-TEEY-shoon)
...the bus station?: paradahan bās? (pah-rah-dah-HAHN BAHSS?)
...the airport?: lalandingan pliyn (lah-lahn-DEE-ngahn pleeyn)
...downtown?: tiyanggi? (tee-yahng-GEE?)
...the youth hostel?: pagsusukayan bilik para ha kabataan? (pahg-soo-soo-KAH-yahn bee-LEECK PAH-rah hah kah-bah-TAH-ahn?)
...the _____ hotel?: pahutil? (pah-hoo-TEELL?)
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: kunsuliyt sin hula' Milikan/Canadian/Australian/British? (koon-soo-LEEYT sihn hoo-LAH MEE-lee-kahn/kah-NAHD-yahn/OWSS-trahll-yahn?)
Where are there a lot of...: Hawnu aku makalawag mataud... (HOW-noo ah-KOO mah-lah-WAHG mah-tah-OOD...)
...hotels?: manga hutil? (mah-NGA hoo-TEEL?)
...restaurants?: manga pagkakaunan? (mah-NGAH pahg-kah-kah-OO-nahn?)
...bars?: manga pag-iinuman (mah-NGAH pahg-ee-ee-NOO-mahn?)
...sites to see?: manga pangingita'ngitaan? (mah-NGAH pah-ngee-ngee-TAH-ngee-TAH-ahn?)
Can you show me on the map?: Manjari baytaan mu aku hawnu riy ha māpa? (mahn-JAH-ree BIGH-tah-ahn moo ah-KOO HOW-noo reey hah MAH-pah?)
street: dān (DAHN)
Turn left.: Miklu kaw palawa (mihck-LOO kow pah-LAH-wah)
Turn right.: Miklu kaw patuu (mihck-LOO kow pah-LAH-wah)
left: tuu (TOO-oo)
right: lawa (LAH-wah)
straight ahead: diritsu hadja paunahan (dee-reet-SOO hahd-JAH pah-oo-nah-HAHN)
towards the _____: harap pa (hah-RAHP pah)
past the _____: pagliyu ha (pahg-LEE-yoo hah)
before the _____: ba'gu ka dumatong pa (BAH'-goo kah doo-mah-TAWNG pah)
Watch for the _____.: Jagahan mu in (jah-gah-HAHN moo ihn)
intersection: dān pag-untasan (DAHN pahg-oon-tah-SAHN)
north: uttara (oot-TAH-rah)
south: sātan (SAH-tahn)
east: subangan (soo-BAH-ngahn)
west: sadlupan (sahd-LOO-pahn)
uphill: tukaran (too-kah-RAHN)
downhill: ludluran (lood-loo-RAHN)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: Awn kamu bilik pagsukayan? (own kah-MOO bee-LEECK pahg-soo-KAH-yahn?)
How much is a room for one person/two people?: Pilasiyn in hambuuk bilik para ha hambuuk tau/duwa tau? (pee-lah-SEEYN ihn HAHM-boo-OOCK bee-LEECK PAH-rah hah HAHM-boo-OOCK TAH-oo/doo-WAH TAH-oo?)
Does the room come with...: In bilik awn da nakaagad... (ihn bee-LEECK own dah nah-kah-ah-GAHD...)
...bedsheets?: ...hanig kantil (HAH-nihg kahn-TEELL)
...a bathroom?: ...kasilyas? (kah-SEELL-yahss)
...a telephone?: ... tilipun? (TEE-lee-POON)
...a TV?: ...TV? (TEE-bee)
May I see the room first?: Manjari ku naa kitaun in bilik? (mahn-JAH-ree koo nah-AH kee-TAH-oon ihn bee-LEECK?)
Do you have anything quieter?: Awn pa kamu dugaing bilik amun way mahibuk? (own pah KAH-moo doo-GAH-ihng bee-LEECK ah-MOON wigh mah-hee-BOOCK?)
...bigger?: ... malaggu'? (mah-lah-GOO)
...cleaner?: ...malanu'? (mah-lah-NOO)
...cheaper?: ...maluhay (mah-loo-HIGH)
OK, I'll take it.: OK na, kawaun ku na. (AW-keh na, kah-WAH-oon koo nah)
I will stay for _____ night(s).: Tumutug aku/Lumugay aku ____ duwm. (too-MOO-toog ah-KOO/loo-moo-GIGH ah-KOO)
Can you suggest another hotel?: Awn pa kamu kaingatan dugaing hutil? (own pah kah-MOO kah-ee-NGAH-tahn doo-GAH-eeng hoo-TEELL?)
Do you have a?: Awn kamu? (own kah-MOO? )
...lockers?: pagbutangan? (pahg-boo-TAH-ngahn?)
Is breakfast/supper included?: Nakalamud na in pagkaun mahinaat/duwm? (nah-kah-LAH-mood nah ihn pahg-KAH-oon mah-hee-NAH-aht/doowm?)
What time is breakfast/supper?: Lisag pila in pagkaun mahinaat/duwm? (lee-SAHG pee-LAH ihn pahg-KAH-oon mah-hee-NAH-aht/doowm?)
Please clean my room.: Manjari palanuan in bilik ku. (mahn-JAH-ree pah-lah-NOO-ahn ihn bee-LEECK koo)
Can you wake me at _____?: Manjari magpabati' lisag _____? (mahn-JAH-ree mahg-pah-bah-TEE lee-SAHG ____?)
I want to check out.: Mag-check out na aku. (mahg-CHECK owt nah ah-KOO)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: Magtabuk kamu siyn Milikan/Australiyan/Canadian dālar? (mahg-tah-BOOCK kah-MOO seeyn mee-lee-KAHN/awss-trahll-YAHN/kah-NAHD-yahn DAH-lahr?)
Do you accept British pounds?: Magtabuk kamu siyn British pounds? (mahg-tah-BOOCK seeyn BREE-tihsh pohndss?)
Do you accept euros?: Magtabuk kamu siyn euros? (mahg-tah-BOOCK seeyn YOO-rawss?)
Do you accept credit cards?: Magtabuk kamu siyn credit cards? (mahg-tah-BOOCK kah-MOO seeyn KREH-diht kahrdss?)
Can you change money for me?: Manjari magpasambi' siyn? (mahn-JAH-ree mahg-pah-sahm-BEE' seeyn?)
Where can I get money changed?: Hawnu aku manjari magpasambi' siyn? (HOW-noo ah-KOO mahn-JAH-ree mahg-pah-sahm-BEE' seeyn?)
Can you change a traveler's check for me?: Manjari magpasambi' traveler's check kaymu? (mahn-JAH-ree mahg-pah-sahm-BEE' TRAH-beh-lehrss chehck KIGH-moo?)
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?: Hawnu aku makapasambi' traveler's check? (HOW-noo ah-KOO mah-kah-pah-sahm-BEE' TRAH-beh-lehrss chehck?)
What is the exchange rate?: Pilasiyn na in halga' paggantian? (pee-lah-SEEYN nah ihn hahll-GAH' pahg-gahn-tee-AHN?)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: Hawnu in awn ATM? (HOW-noo ihn own ay-TEE-ehm?)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: Manjari hambuuk lamisahan para ha hambuuk tau/duwa tau. (mahn-JAH-ree HAHM-boo-OOCK lah-mee-SAH-hahn PAH-rah hah HAHM-boo-OOCK TAH-oo/doo-WAH TAH-oo)
Can I look at the menu, please?: Manjari kumita' menu niyu? (mahn-JAH-ree koo-mee-TAH' meh-NOO nee-YOO)
Can I look in the kitchen?: Manjari kumita' kusiyna niyu? (mahn-JAH-ree koo-mee-TAH' koo-SEEY-nah nee-YOO?)
Is there a house specialty?: Awn kamu house specialty? (own kah-MOO howss SPEH-shall-tee?)
Is there a local specialty?: Awn kamu local specialty? (own kah-MOO LAW-kahll SPEH-shall-tee?)
I'm a vegetarian.: Hambuuk aku vegetarian. (HAHM-boo-OOCK ah-KOO beh-jeh-TAHR-yahn)
I don't eat beef.: Diy' aku magkaun unud sapi' (deey ah-KOO mahg-kah-OON oo-NOOD sah-PEE)
breakfast: pagkaun mahinaat (pahg-KAH-oon mah-hee-NAH-aht)
lunch: pagkaun mataas-suga (pahg-KAH-oon mah-tah-AHSS soo-GAH)
supper: pagkaun duwm (pahg-KAH-oon doowm)
I want _____.: Mag-iyan aku _____. (mahg-ee-YAHN ah-KOO)
I want a dish containing _____.: Mabiya' aku pagkaun awn ____ (mah-bee-YAH' ah-KOO pahg-KAH-oon own)
chicken: unud manuk (oo-NOOD mah-NOOCK)
beef: unud sapi' (oo-NOOD sah-PEE)
fish: ista (ihss-TAH)
eggs: iklug (ihck-LOOG)
salad: salad (SAH-lahd)
(fresh) vegetables: kasayulan (kah-sah-YOO-lahn)
(fresh) fruit: bungang kahuy (BOO-ngahng KAH-hooy)
bread: tinapay (tee-NAH-pigh )
noodles: pansit (pahn-SEET)
rice: kaunun (kah-oo-NOON)
beans: sayul batung (SAH-yooll BAH-toong)
May I have a glass of _____?: Manjari mangayu' hangkabasu (mahn-JAH-ree mah-nga-YOO' hahng-kah-BAH-soo)
May I have a cup of _____?: Manjari mangayu' hangkabasu (mahn-JAH-ree mah-nga-YOO' hahng-kah-BAH-soo)
May I have a bottle of _____?: Manjari mangayu' hangkakassa' (mahn-JAH-ree mah-ngah-YOO' hahng-kah-kahss-SAH')
coffee: kawahan (kah-WAH-hahn)
tea (drink): ti (tee)
juice: juws (joowss)
water: tubig (TOO-bihg)
Do you have _____?: Awn kamu ___? (own kah-MOO)
salt: asin (ah-SEEN)
black pepper: maysa (MIGH-sah)
butter: mantikilya (mahn-tee-KEELL-yah)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Utu' (for male)' (oo-TOO' ); Inda' (for female) (een-DAH' )
I'm finished.: Ubus na aku ( oo-BOOSS)
It was delicious.: Masarap in pagkaun (mah-sah-RAP ihn pahg-KAH-oon)
Please clear the plates.: Lanui ba kātu' in mga lāy (lah-noo-EE bah KAH-too' ihn mah-NGAH ligh)
The check, please.: Pilasiyn katan (pee-lah-SEEYN kah-TAHN)

As a Muslim-majority area, pork and alcohol is not served in the Sulu Islands.

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: Awn kaniyu biha ini says ku? (own kah-NEE-yu bee-HAH ee-NEE sighss koo?)
How much is this?: Pila siyn ini? (pee-LAH seeyn ee-NEE?)
That's too expensive.: Mahalga' sa yan. (mah-hahll-GAH' sah yahn)
Would you take _____?: Magtabuk kamu ____ (mahg-tah-BOOCK kah-MOO)
expensive: mahalga' (mah-hahll-GAH')
cheap: maluhay (mah-loo-HIGH)
I can't afford it.: Di' ku kagausan (DEE' koo kah-gah-oo-SAHN)
I don't want it.: Di' aku mabaya' (DEE' ah-KOO mah-bah-YAH')
You're cheating me.: Diyurupang mu aku. (dee-yoo-roo-PAHNG moo ah-KOO)
I'm not interested.: Wayna baya' ku. (wigh-NAH bah-YAH' koo)
OK, I'll take it.: OK na, kawaun ku. (AW-keh na, kah-wah-OON koo)
Can I have a bag?: Manjari mangayu' silupin? (mahn-JAH-ree mah-ngah-YOO' see-loo-PEEN?)
Do you ship (overseas)?: Magparā kamu pa dugaing hula'? (mahg-pah-RAH kah-MOO pah doo-gah-EENG hoo-LAH'?)
I need...: Maglagi aku... (mahg-lah-GEE ah-KOO)
...toothpaste.: tutpiys (toot-PEEYSS)
...a toothbrush.: kikiskis (kee-keess-KEESS)
...tampons.: napkin . (NAHP-kihn )
...soap.: sabun (sah-BOON)
...shampoo.: shampu (shahm-POO)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ubat bisa (oo-BAHT bee-SAH)
...cold medicine.: ubat ulapay (oo-BAHT oo-lah-PIGH)
...stomach medicine.: ...ubat sakit tiyan (oo-BAHT sah-KEET tee-YAHN)
...a razor.: babagung (bah-bah-GOONG)
...an umbrella.: payung (PAH-yoong)
...sunblock lotion.: sunblock lotion (sahn-BLAHCK LAW-shawn)
...a postcard.: postkard (pawst-KAHRD)
...postage stamps.: istamp (ihss-TAHMP)
...batteries.: bāteri (BAH-teh-ree)
...writing paper.: kātas pagsulatan (KAH-tahss pahg-soo-lah-TAHN)
...a pen.: bulpin (BOOLL-peen)
...English-language books.: kitab ha Bahasa Anggalis (kee-TAHB hah bah-HAH-sah ahng-gah-LEESS)
...English-language magazines.: māgasin ha Bahasa Anggalis (MAH-gah-sihn hah bah-HAH-sah ahng-gah-LEESS)
...an English-language newspaper.: sulat habal ha Bahasa Anggalis (SOO-laht hah-BAHLL hah bah-HAH-sah ahng-gah-LEESS)
...an English-Tausug dictionary.: kitab maana ha Anggalis-Bahasa Sūg (kee-TAHB mah-AH-nah hah ahng-gah-LEESS-bah-HAH-sah soog)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: Wayruun aku hiynang mangiy'. (wigh-roo-OON ah-KOO HEE-nahng mah-NGEEY')
It was a misunderstanding.: Wayruun sādtu piyaghātihan. (wigh-roo-OON SAHD-too pee-yahg-HAH-tee-hahn)
Where are you taking me?: Pakain mu aku dāhun? (pah-KAH-ihn moo ah-KOO DAH-hoon?)
Am I under arrest?: Saggawun niyu aku? (sahg-GAH-woon nee-YOO ah-KOO?)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: Hambuuk aku tau Milikan/Australian/British/Canadian (HAHM-boo-OOCK ah-KOO TAH-oo mee-LEE-kahn/awss-TREHLL-yahn/kah-NAHD-yahn)
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: Mabaya' aku dumā magbissara iban upis embassy/consulate sin Amerika/Australia/British/Canada. (mah-bah-YAH ah-KOO doo-MAH mahg-bee-SAH-rah EE-bahn OO-peess EHM-bah-SEE/KAWN-soo-LUHT sihn ah-MEH-ree-kah/awss-TRAHLL-yah/BRIH-tihsh/KAH-nah-dah)
I want to talk to a lawyer.: Dumā aku magbissara iban abugaw/aturniy (attorney). (doo-MAH ah-KOO mahg-bee-SAH-rah EE-bahn ah-boo-GOW/ah-TOOR-nee)
Can I just pay a fine now?: Manjari magbayad na hadja aku multa bihāun? (mahn-JAH-ree mahg-BAH-yahd NAHD-jah ah-KOO mooll-TAH bee-HAH-oon?)

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