Adjectives

1. Tuicha

   Big

   Usage

   For asking for another size; use it with a gesture

2. Michĩ

   Small

   Usage

   For describing clothing or room size

3. Pohýi

   Heavy

   Usage

   For excess baggage, or asking someone to lift something

4. Vevúi

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   About weight only — in many languages this is a different word from “bright”

5. Hepy

   Expensive

   Usage

   The opening move in a haggle; pair it with a face

6. Ndahepýi

   Cheap

   Usage

   For asking whether a cheaper option exists

7. Haku

   Hot (thing)

   Usage

   About food, drink, or water — not the same word as hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "Haku" is a hot object; hot weather is the clause "haku ko ára" (this day is hot).

8. Ho'ysã

   Cold (thing)

   Usage

   About drinks and food — not the same word as cold weather

9. Pyahu

   New

   Usage

   For checking whether something is unused

10. Ymaguare

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    For objects only; used of people it is rude in many languages

    Grammar Note

    "Ymaguare" (from long ago) is for objects; it is not used of people.

11. Mitãrusu

    Young

    Usage

    About a person’s age; a small-talk word

12. Tuja

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The dedicated word for people; pick the respectful one

    Grammar Note

    "Tuja" is an older man and "guaimi" an older woman; both are used respectfully.

13. Potĩ

    Clean

    Usage

    For a clean room or clean water, and for a beautiful view

14. Ky'a

    Dirty

    Usage

    Useful when asking to change rooms

15. Porã

    Good

    Usage

    The all-purpose word for agreement and approval

16. Vai

    Bad

    Usage

    For saying that your health or an item’s quality is poor

17. Aguĩ

    Near

    Usage

    For checking whether somewhere is within walking distance

18. Mombyry

    Far

    Usage

    Tells you whether you need transport

19. Voi

    Early

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “fast”

    Grammar Note

    "Voi" is early in time; fast in speed is "pya'e."

20. Tarde

    Late

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “slow”

    Grammar Note

    "Tarde" is a Spanish loan used for lateness in time; slow in speed is the native "mbegue."

21. Heta

    Many

    Usage

    About quantity or how crowded somewhere is

22. Sa'i

    Few

    Usage

    Also useful for asking for a smaller portion

23. Haku ko ára

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a hot object

24. Ho'ysã ko ára

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a cold object

25. He'ẽ

    Delicious

    Usage

    The word you will reach for most often at the table; also covers "sweet"

26. Vy'a

    Fun

    Usage

    For describing an experience itself; also covers "happy"

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