Below are simple English sentences with their Ivatan translations.
In blue are Itbayaten, the dialect in Itbayat – the northernmost part of Batanes. It is the largest municipality in Batanes and is nearer to Taiwan than mainland Luzon. Itbayaten is spoken in a sweet sing-song tone.
In green are Ivatan equivalents. They may be used in Basco, Mahatao, Ivana, Uyugan, or Sabtang. Generally, Ivatan refers either to the people or the dialect.
Corrections/comments/additions from fellow Ivatans are most welcome.
Are you coming with me? Machivan ka jaken?
Come here. Mangay ka ja/dya./Hay diya.
Go there. Mangay ka daw.
How are you? Ara ka mangu?/Raka manguh?
I love you. Chaddao kuymu./Ichaddao ko imu./
I’m fine. Tuku mapya.
I’m here. Tuku ja/dya.
I’m hungry. Mapteng ako./Tuku mapteng.
I’m thirsty. Mawaw ako./Tuku mawaw.
Wait for me. Panayahen mu/nyu yaken.
What do you want? Angu chakey mu?/Akuh u ichahakey mu?
What’s that? Angu ri?/Akuh uri?
What’s this? Angu ya?/Akuh iya?
What’s your name? Angu ngaran mu?/Akuh u ngaran mu?
When did you arrive? Kangu nakawara mu?
Where are you? Ara kadnu?/Ara ka jinu?/Haka rinuh?
Where are you going? Jinu ngayan mu?/Dinuh hayan mu?
Where do you live? Jinu katdan mu?/Dinuh u savatan mu?
Why are you crying? Angu itanyis muaya?
Why are you here? Angu chayan muaya ja?/Akuh ta myan ka riya?
You are beautiful. Mavid ka./Mavij ka./Atu ka mavij.
You are intelligent. Jasulib mo./Tu ka masurib.
hi. i want to learn to speak Ivatan. if you happen to have resources, could you please email them to me. thanks a bunch.
By: dane on June 20, 2010
at 4:21 am
Hi Dane,
Please check your email for some links. I hope they will be of help.
By: bingwakay on June 21, 2010
at 2:16 am
Hi I want to learn to speak ivatan, is there a website available or are there any resources you can let me know of? thanks a lot
-Patrick
By: Patrick on August 2, 2011
at 2:00 am
Thanks for dropping by. Please check your inbox.
By: bingwakay on August 2, 2011
at 6:15 am
Hi,
Hope you are well. I want to learn to speak Ivatan. Are there lessons available online?
Many thanks for your help.
Ditas
By: Ditas Lopez on September 3, 2011
at 4:59 am
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Ivatan_language
I hope this helps.
By: bingwakay on September 3, 2011
at 5:22 am
I want to learn ivatan language..help. me..
By: marj galolo on December 8, 2011
at 10:36 am
Are your roots from Mahatao? You may start with my entries here and email me for other words you want to learn.
Thanks for dropping by my blog.
By: bingwakay on December 12, 2011
at 10:41 pm
hi i want to know more of ivatan..the conjunctions etc..pls help..my bf is an ivatan and i want to impress him.lol
By: jane merry on December 16, 2011
at 5:10 am
Sure. What exactly do you want to learn?
For starters, tell him “ichaddao ko imo” which means “i love you”. “ko imo” is pronounced “kuymu”
By: bingwakay on December 19, 2011
at 4:28 am
hi can i message you via fb? i would like to learn ivatan. i have a friend, whom I love, haha! well she knows I love her pero medyo complictaed pa.. I just want to impress her and learn here dialect also..
she is from itbayat.. i have learned a few but haven’t really mastered much. can you help me out?
By: kwax on January 16, 2012
at 5:49 am
hi. im so happy i found ur site. so many people want to learn ivatan. the place looking at pictures is super duper attracting me to visit the place. plus my bf is also from there and yes, like many who want to impress there loved ones, i too want to learn. ayiii!!! kini-kilig ako!
By: argel on February 10, 2012
at 7:27 am
Hi Argel thanks for dropping by my site. Will be more than happy to help you. From where in Batanes is your bf?
By: bingwakay on February 17, 2012
at 8:21 am
sa basco po sya eh…
i also love learning new languages.
so perhaps i can chat or skype with people who r willing to speak in ivatan with me. waw! that wud b a total surprise.
By: argel on February 18, 2012
at 7:48 am
Does he have a name? hihi nakiki chismis lang
By: bingwakay on May 9, 2012
at 8:45 am