Directions

1. Mba'éichapa ikatu aha [tenda] gotyo?

   Mba-'éi-cha-pa i-ka-tu a-ha [ten-da] go-tyo

   How do I get to [place]?

   Usage

   Basic phrase to ask for directions to a destination

   Grammar Note

   "a-" is the 1sg verb prefix; "Mba'éichapa" is the interrogative "how". "Gotyo" means "toward"

2. Tereho tenonde gotyo

   Te-re-ho te-non-de go-tyo

   Go straight ahead

   Usage

   The most common direction instruction

   Grammar Note

   "Tere-" is the 2sg imperative prefix (ho "go" → tereho). "Jaha tenonde gotyo" ("Let's go forward") uses the same construction

3. Tereho asúpe

   Te-re-ho a-sú-pe

   Turn left

   Usage

   Direction instruction to turn left

   Grammar Note

   Left is asu/asúpe, right akatúa/akatúape. Rather than a verb for "to turn (a corner)", directions are given as "tereho + direction"

4. Tereho akatúape

   Te-re-ho a-ka-tú-a-pe

   Turn right

   Usage

   Direction instruction to turn right

   Grammar Note

   "Akatúa" is the native word for right; with the locative "-pe" it means "to the right". E.g. "ysyry Paraná akatúape" (on the right bank of the Paraná). Spanish "derecha" is also everyday usage

5. Mombyrýpa oĩ [tenda] ko'águi?

   Mom-by-rý-pa o-ĩ [ten-da] ko-'á-gui

   How far is [place]?

   Usage

   Ask about the distance to a destination. Guaraní asks "is it far?" rather than "how far?"; the answer comes back as a number plus "kilómetro"

   Grammar Note

   "Mombyry" means far. The particle "-pa" turns it into a yes/no question. The opposite is "aguĩ" (near). "Mbyky" means "short", not "distance"

6. Reguerekópa peteĩ mápa?

   Re-gue-re-kó-pa pe-teĩ má-pa

   Do you have a map?

   Usage

   Ask for a map at a tourist office or shop

   Grammar Note

   "Reguerekópa?" (do you have it?) is guereko "to have" + 2sg "re-" + question particle "-pa". "Peteĩ" (one) works like an indefinite article here

7. Akañy ha ndaikuaái mba'éichapa ajevy

   A-ka-ñy ha ndai-kuaá-i mba-'éi-cha-pa a-je-vy

   I'm lost and don't know how to get back

   Usage

   Seek help when lost

   Grammar Note

   "Kañy" means to get lost (e.g. "Nde káusare akañy" = "por tu culpa me perdí"). The "nda-...-i" negative frame appears in "ndaikuaái"; "jevy" is the root for "return"

8. Upépe oĩ umi óga

   U-pé-pe o-ĩ u-mi ó-ga

   There are buildings over there

   Usage

   Point out a landmark when giving directions

   Grammar Note

   "Upé" is the distal demonstrative; "-pe" makes it locative; "umi" marks plurality

9. Araka'épa oguahẽta ko ómnibus yvorasápe?

   A-ra-ka-'é-pa o-gua-hẽ-ta ko óm-ni-bus y-vo-ra-sá-pe?

   When does this bus reach the bridge?

   Usage

   Confirm arrival time and stop on a bus

   Grammar Note

   Interrogatives take the question particle "-pa" (araka'e → araka'épa). "-ta" marks the future; "-pe" is the locative postposition (yvorasa "bridge" → yvorasápe)

10. Moõpa aiko ko'ág̃a?

    Mo-õ-pa a-i-ko ko-'á-g̃a

    Where am I right now?

    Usage

    Use to confirm your current location

    Grammar Note

    "Where" is moõ / moõpa, not mba'e ("what"). "moõpa reiko" (where do you live?) is the second-person form; this sentence is the first-person form of it

11. akatúa

    Right

    Usage

    For taxis and directions — one word stays readable while moving

12. asu

    Left

    Usage

    For taxis and directions

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