Ivatan Vocabulary

Click Ivatan Dictionary Useful Ivatan Conversation by Ernesto Serna Vasol

Chirin a Ivatan	Literal Meaning	English Equivalent
Angu ngaran mu?	-	What is your name?
Ara KA mangu? (singular)	-	How are you?
Ara KAMU mangu? (plural)	-	How are you?
Kapian KA pa nu Dios. (singular) Kapian KAMU pa nu Dios. (plural)	The goodness of God be with you.	How are you? Usually for general greetings.
Jinu ngayan MO? or Dinu ngayan MO?	-	Where are you going?
Sangu iñapuan mo?	-	Who are your parents
Sino kakteh mo? or Sino kaktej mo? (singular) or Sangu kakakteh (kakaktej) mo? (plural)	-	Who is (are) your brothers (sisters)
Papira dana u awan mo? or Pira dana u awan mo?	-	How old are you?
Ichaddao ko imo (singular); Ichaddao ko inyo (plural	-	I love you.

Rich Ivatan Basic Vocabulary

Ivayvatanen	Filipino (Tagalog)	English
Ipula	Tawag sa mga hindi Ivatan	Term for non-Ivatans
Ivatan	Tawag sa mga taga-Batanes	A term that refers to natives of Batanes
Vatan	Katawagan sa Batanes ng mga Ivatan	A term that refers to Batanes by the Ivatans (I personally believe the word 'Batanes' is a misnomer since Ivatans do not call themselves "Ibatan" but "Ivatan" from the word "Vatan" (i-Vatan literally means "from Vatan") perhaps the mistake happened from Philippines' old alphabet (Alibata) which do not have the 'V' letter when Batanes was officially named as such.)
Wakay	Kamoteng baging	Sweet Potato
Kawakayan	Taniman ng kamote.	Sweet Potato Plantation field.
Dukay/Ducay	Isang halamang-ugat na singkatulad ng ube pero matinik ang baging at manamis-namis  ang laman nito.	A kind of root-crops that is almost similar to Ube but has thorny vines and its usually sweeter than the ube.
Uvi	Ube	Ube
Tatus	Isang uri ng crustacean na natatagpuan lamang halos sa Batanes	A variety of crustaceans that is found mainly in Batanes Islands
Sudi a nayvatan	Gabing Tagalog	Taro
Venes (pronounced as /vənəs/)	Pinatuyong tangkay ng Gabi na mainam ulamin sa panahon ng taglamig.	Dried Gabi stalks that is favorably eaten as vian during winter.
Hapa	Murang dahon ng gabi.	Young taro leaves.
Pawpaw	Isdang pinatuyo (daing) inuulam sa panahon ng taglamig.	Dried fish intended for winter season.
Dibang	Katawagan sa isdang lumilipad na karamihan ay nahuhuli sa buwan ng Hunyo-Agosto; paboritong idaing ng mga taga Batanes	Flying fish abundantly harvested in June-August, Ivatans' most favored dried fish.
Arayu	Isdang Dorado, bihirang nahuhuli at paboritong idaing ng mga Ivatan.	Dorado Fish, also Ivatan's rare catch, usually dried intended for winter.
Among / Amung	Isda	Fish
Chipuho/Tipuho	Puno ng Kamansi	Jackfruit tree
Kabbaya	Dahon ng Kamansi na ginagamit na kainan sa tuwing may malalaking handaan. Isang kulturang maipagmamalki ng mga Ivatan.	Jackfruit leaf used as "plates" during big Ivatan celebrations. One of the many proudly cultural practices of the Ivatans.
Vacul	Isang uri ng kasuotang panangga sa init at ulan na sinusuot lamang ng mga kababaihan.	A head protection from heat and rain, worn only by Ivatan women.
Vuyavuy	Isang uri ng palmera. Ang dahon nito ang ginagamit sa paggawa ng Vacul.	A variety of palms (almost similar to Arabian Dates). Its leaves are used to produce the Vacul.

Uved (pronounced as /Uvəd/) Ubod ng saging, hinahain ito bilang ulam na may halong laman or isda sa tuwing may malalaking handaan. Banana bulb, usually mixed with meat or fish, served usually during important big occasions. Veneng (pronounced as /vənəng/) Pagkaing Uved na binalot sa dahon ng Kamansi bilang baon matapos ang malalaking handaan Uved that is wrapped in a Kamansi leaf for take out after big occasions. Palek (pronounced as /palək/) Katutubong alak na gawa sa tubo. Local wine made from Sugar Cane.