Cooking & Markets

1. Moõpa oĩ ñemuha ko'apegua?

   mo-õ-pa o-ĩ ñe-mu-ha ko-'a-pe-gua

   Where is the local market?

   Usage

   Used when looking for fresh local produce

   Grammar Note

   "ñemuha" is a place of buying and selling — a market or shop. "ko'ápe" (here) + "-gua" (of) gives "local"

2. Mba'éichapa héra ko tembi'urã?

   mba-'éi-cha-pa hé-ra ko tem-bi-'u-rã

   What is this ingredient called?

   Usage

   Used to ask the name of an unfamiliar ingredient

   Grammar Note

   Names are asked as "how is it called". "tembi'u" (food) plus the prospective "-rã" gives "tembi'urã", literally "what is to become food" — an ingredient

3. Oguerekópa heta tái ko tembi'u?

   o-gue-re-kó-pa he-ta tái ko tem-bi-'u

   Is this dish very spicy?

   Usage

   Used to check whether a dish is very spicy

   Grammar Note

   Chilli heat is "tái". "haku" means hot in temperature and does not describe spiciness

4. Ikatúpa remombe'u chéve peteĩ clase de cocina?

   i-ka-tú-pa re-mom-be-'u ché-ve pe-te-ĩ cla-se de co-ci-na

   Can you recommend a cooking class?

   Usage

   Used when seeking a cooking class recommendation

   Grammar Note

   "clase de cocina" is a whole Spanish phrase embedded in a Guaraní frame — the same jopara pattern as "pe entrenamiento"

5. Mba'éichapa ojejapo ko tembi'u?

   mba-'éi-cha-pa o-je-ja-po ko tem-bi-'u

   How do you prepare this dish?

   Usage

   Used to ask how to prepare a dish

   Grammar Note

   Use the passive "ojejapo" (it is made), not "ojapo" (he makes it); the interrogative needs "-pa"

6. Moõpa ikatu ajogua ka'avo pyahu?

   mo-õ-pa i-ka-tu a-jo-gua ka-'a-vo pya-hu

   Where can I buy fresh vegetables?

   Usage

   Used to find where to buy fresh produce

   Grammar Note

   "jogua" is the root of "Ojogua" (to buy); adjectives follow the noun

7. Aipota aikuaa mba'éichapa ojejapo tembi'u paraguái.

   ai-po-ta ai-kuaa mba-'éi-cha-pa o-je-ja-po tem-bi-'u pa-ra-guái

   I'd like to learn to cook local food.

   Usage

   Expresses interest in learning local cuisine

   Grammar Note

   "tembi'u paraguái" is an established phrase; "aikuaa mba'éichapa …" is "learn how …"

8. Reguerekópa tembi'urã so'o'ỹre?

   re-gue-re-kó-pa tem-bi-'u-rã so-'o-'ỹ-re

   Do you have vegetarian ingredients?

   Usage

   Used when looking for plant-based ingredients

   Grammar Note

   "-'ỹre" means "without", as in "gluten 'ỹre" and "sevólla'ỹre". Saying "without meat" is the reliable way to ask for vegetarian food

9. Mba'e especia piko ojeporu ko tembi'úpe?

   mba-'e es-pe-cia pi-ko o-je-po-ru ko tem-bi-'ú-pe

   What spices are used in this dish?

   Usage

   Used to inquire about spices in a dish

   Grammar Note

   "piko" is a free-standing interrogative particle, an alternative to the suffix "-pa" (e.g. "Mba'e óra piko?"). "ñanduty" means spider web / ñandutí lace, not spice

10. Ikatúpa ha'u michĩmi?

    i-ka-tú-pa ha-'u mi-chĩ-mi

    Can I try a sample?

    Usage

    Used at markets or food shops to request a taste

    Grammar Note

    "ha'u" is the first person of "u" (to eat/drink), as in "Ndaikatúi ha'u vaka ro'o.". A tasting is asked for as "may I eat just a little"

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