Martial Arts

1. Ikatúpa ahecha pe entrenamiento?

   I-ka-tú-pa a-he-cha pe en-tre-na-mien-to?

   May I watch the training?

   Usage

   Almost no codified traditional Paraguayan fighting art is documented. Asunción and Ciudad del Este have boxing, karate, judo and MMA gyms, and visitors are generally welcome. Instruction is mostly in Spanish

   Grammar Note

   Guaraní forms yes-no questions by suffixing "-pa" to the first word. The prefix "a-" marks first-person singular on verbs, as in "ahecha" (I see) and "aha" (I go)

2. Aipota añembo'e ñorairõ rehe.

   Ai-po-ta a-ñem-bo-'e ño-rai-rõ re-he.

   I want to learn to fight

   Usage

   "Ñorairõ" is the general word for fighting or conflict rather than the name of a discipline. In gyms the Spanish names — boxeo, karate, judo — are used as they are

   Grammar Note

   A verb with "ñ" is reflexive or middle: "mbo'e" (to teach) gives "ñembo'e" (to teach oneself, that is, to learn). The mark "'" writes the glottal stop, called puso

3. Mboýpa peteĩ clase?

   Mbo-ý-pa pe-te-ĩ cla-se?

   How much is one class?

   Usage

   The currency is the guaraní. A local gym charges roughly 20,000-50,000 guaraníes per session and monthly rates are modest. Cash is standard, though cards work in the cities

   Grammar Note

   A tilde over a vowel marks nasality, so the ĩ in "peteĩ" is nasalised. Guaraní has nasal harmony, in which a nasal vowel colours the pronunciation of the whole word

4. Añepyrũ ramo, ndaikuaái gueteri.

   A-ñe-py-rũ ra-mo, ndai-kua-ái gue-te-ri.

   I have just started, I do not know anything yet

   Usage

   Tell the desk or coach up front and they will begin with stance and basic movement. Paraguayan gyms rarely post skill levels and rely on you saying where you are

   Grammar Note

   Negation brackets the verb with "nd-" and "-i": aikuaa becomes ndaikuaái. This discontinuous negation is a hallmark of Guaraní

5. Ikatúpa aiporu peteĩ guante?

   I-ka-tú-pa ai-po-ru pe-te-ĩ guan-te?

   May I borrow gloves?

   Usage

   "Guante" is a Spanish loanword. Local gyms often have limited kit that gets shared. Hand wraps and mouthguards are expected to be your own for hygiene reasons

   Grammar Note

   Everyday Paraguayan speech mixes Guaraní and Spanish in what is called "jopara". Slotting Spanish loanwords into Guaraní grammar is entirely natural

6. Emombegue michĩmi, ikatúpa?

   E-mo-mbe-gue mi-chĩ-mi, i-ka-tú-pa?

   Could you slow it down a little?

   Usage

   Say this before sparring. In Paraguayan gyms the Spanish word "suave" (light) is the most readily understood, but saying it in Guaraní warms your partner up at once

   Grammar Note

   "E-" is the second-person singular imperative prefix. The diminutive "-mi" softens a request or adds warmth and is extremely common in Guaraní conversation

7. Che renypy'ã hasy, ndaikatúi apyvoi.

   Che re-ny-py-'ã ha-sy, ndai-ka-túi a-py-voi.

   My knee hurts, I cannot kick

   Usage

   Always declare this before training. Swap "renypy'ã" (knee) for "ati'y" (shoulder), "py" (foot) or "atukupe" (back). Gyms take no intake form, so speaking up is the only way

   Grammar Note

   Inalienable possessions such as body parts simply take "che" (my) before them. Many such nouns change their initial consonant when possessed: "tenypy'ã" becomes "che renypy'ã"

8. Mba'e óraitépa oñepyrũ pe clase?

   Mba-'e ó-rai-té-pa o-ñe-py-rũ pe cla-se?

   What time does the class start?

   Usage

   Paraguayan gyms cluster their classes after six in the evening. Summer days can reach forty degrees, so people train once the sun is down. Many venues close during the early-afternoon siesta

   Grammar Note

   "O-" is the third-person verb prefix. The suffix "-ite" means exactly or precisely, and combined with the interrogative "-pa" gives "óraitépa" (at exactly what time)

9. Peẽ pembo'epa judo ko'ápe?

   Pe-ẽ pem-bo-'e-pa ju-do ko-'á-pe?

   Do you teach judo here?

   Usage

   Paraguay has Japanese immigrant communities, and judo and kendo took root in settlements such as La Colmena and Yguazú. There is a national judo federation. Swap "judo" for "karate" or "boxeo"

   Grammar Note

   "Pe-" is the second-person plural verb prefix. The question suffix "-pa" normally attaches to the first word but can also sit on the verb, as in "pembo'epa"

10. Oĩpa ducha ko'ápe?

    O-ĩ-pa du-cha ko-'á-pe?

    Is there a shower here?

    Usage

    Newer gyms in Asunción have showers, but neighbourhood clubs often do not. Paraguay is hot and humid and you will sweat heavily, so always bring a towel and a change of clothes

    Grammar Note

    "Oĩ" is the existential verb, used for things that can move or for states. Fixed locations sometimes take other verbs such as "opyta" instead

11. Ehechaukajey chéve peteĩ jey.

    E-he-chau-ka-jey ché-ve pe-te-ĩ jey.

    Show me one more time

    Usage

    The standard request while learning a technique. Paraguayan gyms have a family atmosphere and you can ask as many times as you need. If you do not know the name of the move, gesturing works fine

    Grammar Note

    "Hechauka" is "hecha" (to see) plus the causative "-uka", giving "to show". The suffix "-jey" (again) attaches freely to most verbs

12. Emopu'ã nde po, emaña hesa rehe!

    E-mo-pu-'ã nde po, e-ma-ña he-sa re-he!

    Get your hands up, look at his eyes!

    Usage

    Said by the coach. Paraguayan gyms mix Spanish and Guaraní freely, so "manos arriba" and "emopu'ã nde po" fly around in the same session. It is a curt imperative with no rudeness intended

    Grammar Note

    The prefix "mo-" is causative, turning "pu'ã" (to rise) into "mopu'ã" (to raise). "Emaña" takes its object with the postposition "rehe"

13. Enupã mbarete, ani rekyhyje!

    E-nu-pã mba-re-te, a-ni re-ky-hy-je!

    Hit hard, do not be afraid!

    Usage

    Said by the coach during pad work. In actual sparring the instruction would be the opposite, so treat this as aimed at pads and bags

    Grammar Note

    Prohibition uses "ani" plus the verb, which stays in its ordinary personal form rather than the imperative (re- meaning you). "Mbarete" works as both adjective and adverb

14. Epytu'u po aravo'i, ey'u y.

    E-py-tu-'u po a-ra-vo-'i, ey-'u y.

    Rest five minutes and drink water

    Usage

    Said by the coach. Paraguayan summers are punishing, and the cold yerba mate drink "tereré" gets passed around even mid-session. Still, bring your own water

    Grammar Note

    "Y" is a complete word meaning water, written with a single letter. "Po" means both five and hand, the number deriving from the fingers of one hand

15. Upéichante ko'ág̃a. Rejapo porã!

    U-péi-chan-te ko-'á-g̃a. Re-ja-po po-rã!

    That is it for now. You did well!

    Usage

    The coach's closing line. Reply with "aguyje" (thank you). Sharing tereré and chatting afterwards is part of everyday gym life in Paraguay

    Grammar Note

    The suffix "-nte" means only. "Porã" is a core word for good or beautiful, works adverbially, and turns up in the reply "iporãnte" to the greeting "mba'éichapa?"

16. Mba'épa amonde va'erã?

    Mba-'é-pa a-mon-de va-'e-rã?

    What should I wear?

    Usage

    A t-shirt and shorts are enough at most Paraguayan gyms. Judo and karate dojo need a gi — locally called a "kimono" — though clubs usually lend a spare for a first session. You work barefoot on the mat, so no indoor shoes are needed

    Grammar Note

    "Va'erã" expresses obligation or intention and contains the same "-rã" that attaches to nouns. Guaraní marks tense on nouns too: "-rã" is what will be, "-kue" what once was

17. Oĩpa peteĩ clase kuñanguérape g̃uarã?

    O-ĩ-pa pe-te-ĩ cla-se ku-ña-ngué-ra-pe g̃ua-rã?

    Is there a class for women?

    Usage

    Asunción has a growing number of women's self-defence and kickboxing classes. Provincial clubs are often all-male, so a call or a message beforehand saves an awkward arrival

    Grammar Note

    The plural suffix alternates between "-kuéra" and "-nguéra", the latter appearing after a nasal (kuña gives kuñanguéra). "-Pe g̃uarã" is the set phrase for "intended for"

18. Araka'épa ikatúta añorairõ che irũ ndive?

    A-ra-ka-'é-pa i-ka-tú-ta a-ño-rai-rõ che i-rũ ndi-ve?

    When will I be able to spar with a partner?

    Usage

    Sparring is gated behind the coach's approval, and you will usually be told to wait until your stance and defence hold up. A mouthguard is your own. Many travellers never go beyond pads and the bag, and pressing for more is unwise

    Grammar Note

    The suffix "-ta" marks the future, so "ikatú" (possible) becomes "ikatúta" (will be possible). "Ndive" is the postposition "with" and follows its noun

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