Beach & Activities

1. Ko ysyry iporãiterei.

   This river is very beautiful.

   Usage

   Paraguay is landlocked; this describes the river scenery instead of a beach

   Grammar Note

   Paraguay is landlocked; the Paraguay and Paraná rivers are major tourist attractions

2. Ikatúpa ajahu ko'ápe?

   Can I swim here?

   Usage

   Asking if you can swim in the river or lake

   Grammar Note

   Swimming in a river is normally "jahu" (to bathe). "y" is the native word for water

3. Moõpa ikatu ojealkila peteĩ ygára?

   Where can I rent a boat?

   Usage

   Asking where to rent a boat on the river or lake

   Grammar Note

   "ojealkila" borrows Spanish "alquilar" (je- is the passive marker); "ygára" is "y" (water) + "-gára" = boat

4. Chake! Oĩ piraña pe ýpe.

   Be careful! There are piranhas in the water.

   Usage

   Warning someone about piranhas in the river

   Grammar Note

   "Chake" is the standard warning call. "Piraña" comes from "pira" (fish) + "rãi" (tooth)

5. Mboýpa hepy aha hag̃ua ygárape?

   How much is the boat tour?

   Usage

   Asking about the price of a river boat tour

   Grammar Note

   "hag̃ua" marks purpose. Note "ñorairõ" means "war/fight", never "fee"

6. Ipypukúpa ko ysyry?

   Is this river deep?

   Usage

   Asking about the depth of a river before swimming or playing in it

   Grammar Note

   "Deep" is "pypuku"; "hũ" means "black", not "deep". "-pa" forms the question

7. Añembosarái hína ko ysyrýpe.

   I am playing in the river.

   Usage

   Saying that you are enjoying yourself in the river

   Grammar Note

   "To play" is "ñembosarái" ("ayvu" means voice/speech). "-pe" is the locative postposition

8. Reguerekópa protector solar?

   Do you have sunscreen?

   Usage

   Asking if someone has sunscreen before outdoor activities

   Grammar Note

   There is no native word for sunscreen, so Spanish "protector solar" is used. "rembe'y" means "edge/bank"

9. Ikatúne ou yvytu atã.

   There seems to be a strong wind coming.

   Usage

   Warning about approaching strong wind at the riverside or lake

   Grammar Note

   "atã" (hard/strong) is what describes a strong wind. "va'erã" marks obligation, not likelihood

10. Jaguatápa oñondive ko ysyry rembe'ýre?

    Shall we walk along this river together?

    Usage

    Inviting someone for a walk along the river bank; useful along the Paraguay or Paraná rivers

    Grammar Note

    "ja-" is the inclusive first-person plural prefix. "ysyry rembe'y" is the river bank

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