Greetings

1. Mba'éichapa

   Mba-'éi-cha-pa

   Hello / How are you

   Usage

   The common Guaraní greeting, widely used in Paraguay

   Grammar Note

   Guaraní is an official language of Paraguay alongside Spanish. Reply: "Iporãite" (I'm fine)

2. Aguyje

   A-guy-je

   Thank you

   Usage

   The most common Guaraní expression of gratitude

   Grammar Note

   "Aguyje" expresses not just thanks but also congratulations and appreciation

3. Jajoechapeve

   Ja-jo-e-cha-pe-ve

   Goodbye / See you later

   Usage

   The Guaraní farewell meaning "until we see each other again"

   Grammar Note

   "Jajotopáta" (until we meet again sometime) is also used casually

4. Heẽ / Nahániri

   He-ẽ / Na-há-ni-ri

   Yes / No

   Usage

   Basic Guaraní words for yes and no

   Grammar Note

   In everyday Paraguayan speech, Spanish "sí" and "no" are also commonly mixed in

5. Eñangareko nde rehe

   E-ñan-ga-re-ko nde re-he

   Take care / Be well

   Usage

   A Guaraní well-wishing phrase expressing care for the other person

   Grammar Note

   "ñangareko … rehe" means "to look after / take care of". The imperative uses the 2sg prefix "e-"

6. Iporãite

   I-po-rã-i-te

   I am fine / I am well

   Usage

   The standard reply to "Mba'éichapa" (how are you) in Guaraní

   Grammar Note

   -ite is an emphatic suffix. porã is a core Guaraní adjective meaning "good/beautiful/right"

7. Nde réra mba'épa?

   Nde ré-ra mba-'é-pa?

   What is your name?

   Usage

   Asking someone their name when meeting for the first time

   Grammar Note

   réra is the native Guaraní word for "name". mba'épa is mba'é (what) plus interrogative -pa

8. Che réra [nombre]

   Che ré-ra [nom-bre]

   My name is [name]

   Usage

   Introducing yourself by name in Guaraní

   Grammar Note

   che is the first-person singular possessive pronoun "my". In Guaraní, person markers attach to roots

9. Ahayhu Paraguay

   A-hay-hu Pa-ra-guay

   I love Paraguay

   Usage

   Expressing love for Paraguay — a phrase warmly appreciated by locals

   Grammar Note

   hayhu is the verb root "to love"; a 1sg subject takes the prefix "a-" (ahayhu). "rohayhu" is the dedicated 1sg→2sg form meaning "I love you" and cannot take a country or a thing as its object

10. Maitei

    Mai-tei

    Hello (formal / respectful)

    Usage

    A more respectful greeting used with elders or people you are meeting formally

    Grammar Note

    maitei is more formal than mba'éichapa and is used with elders or in formal settings

11. Moõpa oĩ baño?

    Mo-õ-pa o-ĩ ba-ño?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Basic phrase to ask for the toilet in a public place

    Grammar Note

    "moõ" (where) + "-pa" (question particle) is the way to ask a location. In Paraguay the everyday word is the Spanish loan "baño"

12. Nañe'ẽi Avañe'ẽme

    Na-ñe-'ẽ-i A-va-ñe-'ẽ-me

    I can't speak Guaraní

    Usage

    Used to tell a Guaraní speaker that you cannot speak the language

    Grammar Note

    Avañe'ẽ means "language of the people" (ava = people, ñe'ẽ = language). Negation brackets the verb with "nd-…-i", or "na-…-i" when the stem is nasal (añe'ẽ = I speak → nañe'ẽi). "ndaipóri" negates existence ("there is none") and cannot negate a speaker's ability

13. Ajúta jey.

    A-jú-ta jey.

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop or restaurant

14. Avy'aiterei.

    A-vy-'a-i-te-rei.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said as you part ways

15. Aguyje, jajotopáta!

    A-guy-je, ja-jo-to-pá-ta!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell; "jajotopáta" (we will meet again) is the standard Guaraní goodbye

16. Mba'evére

    Mba-'e-vé-re

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Reply to "Aguyje" (thank you)

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