40 Essential Papiamento Words and Phrases for Travelers to Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao

Navigating the multilingual landscape of the ABC Islands—Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao—can be a rewarding experience that enriches your travel adventures. In this section, we'll explore essential words and phrases in Papiamento, the native language spoken across these islands.

In the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao), the most widely spoken languages are Papiamento and Dutch. Here's a bit more detail about each:

Papiamento

Papiamento is a Creole language that is a mix of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, and African languages. It is the native language for the majority of the population in these islands and is used in everyday conversation, some local media, and often in local government settings. Papiamento has two main variants:

Papiamento in Aruba: Slightly different from the version spoken in Bonaire and Curaçao.
Papiamentu in Bonaire and Curaçao: Similar to the Aruban variant but with some differences in spelling and vocabulary.

Dutch

Dutch is the official language and is used in government, legal affairs, and education. Most people in these islands can speak and understand Dutch, as it's taught in schools.

Other Languages

English: Widely understood and spoken, especially in the tourism industry. English is also taught in schools.
Spanish: Also understood and spoken by a significant portion of the population, given the islands' proximity to Venezuela and other Latin American countries.

Knowing some essential words and phrases in Papiamento can make your trip to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao more enjoyable and immersive. Here are 40 Papiamento phrases that can come in handy for travelers: