Business & Work

1. Aipota jajapo peteĩ aty.

   Ai-po-ta ja-ja-po pe-te-ĩ a-ty.

   I'd like to schedule a meeting.

   Usage

   Opening a request to set up a meeting; follow it with a time such as "mbohapy aravópe" (at three)

   Grammar Note

   "aipota" (I want) can take a following verb phrase. The prefix "ja-" is first-person plural inclusive, so "jajapo" means "we — you and I — hold". "aty" is a gathering or meeting

2. Ame'ẽ ndéve che tarjeta.

   A-me-'ẽ ndé-ve che tar-je-ta.

   Let me give you my business card.

   Usage

   Handing over a business card. In Paraguay the card is called a "tarjeta" and there is no two-handed ritual

   Grammar Note

   "me'ẽ" is to give, "a-" marks first-person singular and "ndéve" means "to you". A business card is the Spanish loanword "tarjeta"; coinages built from "tekove" (life) or "kuatia" (paper) are not used

3. Aju peteĩ aty guasúpe.

   A-ju pe-te-ĩ a-ty gua-sú-pe.

   I'm here for a conference.

   Usage

   Explaining why you are visiting, at immigration or a reception desk. "Aty Guasu" also names the great indigenous assemblies and is the general term for a large gathering

   Grammar Note

   "ju" is to come and "a-" marks first-person singular. "aty guasu" (big gathering) takes the locative "-pe" to give "aty guasúpe", expressing purpose. "kuatia" means paper, not a conference

4. Ikatúpa eme'ẽ chéve peteĩ recibo?

   I-ka-tú-pa e-me-'ẽ ché-ve pe-te-ĩ re-ci-bo?

   Could I have a receipt for this expense?

   Usage

   Asking for a receipt. If you need it for expenses, ask for a "factura", the official tax receipt, instead

   Grammar Note

   "kuatia" is paper or document in general and is not used for a receipt. Paraguay distinguishes a "recibo" (acknowledgement of payment) from a "factura" (the official tax invoice)

5. Moõpa oĩ peteĩ coworking aguĩvéva?

   Mo-õ-pa o-ĩ pe-te-ĩ co-wor-king a-guĩ-vé-va?

   Where is the nearest coworking space?

   Usage

   Looking for a coworking space; in Asunción the signs read "coworking" in English

   Grammar Note

   "aguĩ" (near) takes the comparative "-ve" and the relativiser "-va" to give "aguĩvéva", the nearer one. Note that "mbo'ehara" means teacher, not a place

6. Areko peteĩ aty mbohapy aravópe.

   A-re-ko pe-te-ĩ a-ty mbo-ha-py a-ra-vó-pe.

   I have a meeting at three o'clock.

   Usage

   Used in Guaraní to state a scheduled meeting time

   Grammar Note

   "at three o'clock" is numeral + "aravópe". Examples: "4 aravópe", "16.30 aravópe", "peteĩ aravópe". The numeral three is "mbohapy"

7. Ikatúpa ñañe'ẽ kóvare peteĩ café ndive?

   I-ka-tú-pa ña-ñe-'ẽ kó-va-re pe-te-ĩ ca-fé ndi-ve?

   Can we discuss this over coffee?

   Usage

   Suggesting an informal talk. In Paraguayan workplaces the afternoon equivalent is passing round a tereré

   Grammar Note

   "ñe'ẽ" is to speak; "ña-" is the first-person plural inclusive prefix, the nasal form of "ja-". "kóva" (this) takes "-re" to mark the topic, giving "kóvare" (about this). "ndive" means "together with"

8. Emondomi chéve pe contrato email rupive.

   E-mon-do-mi ché-ve pe con-tra-to e-mail ru-pi-ve.

   Please send me the contract by email.

   Usage

   Asking for the contract to be sent; in practice it often arrives as a PDF over WhatsApp

   Grammar Note

   "mondo" is to send, with the imperative "e-" and the polite "-mi". "rupive" is the postposition "by means of". "ñanduti" originally means spider web and the Paraguayan lace, and was extended to the internet — it does not mean email

9. Aha'arõ ñamba'apo hag̃ua oñondive.

   A-ha-'a-rõ ñam-ba-'a-po ha-g̃ua o-ñon-di-ve.

   I look forward to working with you.

   Usage

   A closing line for a meeting or interview, usually said with a handshake

   Grammar Note

   "ha'arõ" is to wait. "mba'apo" is to work, with the first-person plural inclusive prefix "ña-". "hag̃ua" builds a purpose clause and "oñondive" means together

10. Oĩpa peteĩ koty aty hag̃ua?

    O-ĩ-pa pe-te-ĩ ko-ty a-ty ha-g̃ua?

    Do you have a conference room available?

    Usage

    Used in Guaraní to ask about conference room availability

    Grammar Note

    "koty" is a room and "óga" is a house or building. "hag̃ua" marks purpose, so "koty aty hag̃ua" is a room for meeting

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