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Most Curaçao children grow up to be muti-lingual, the linguistic abilities
of the local population are above average.
If you happen to speak Dutch you're in luck: 90% of the inhabitants speak
Dutch. Most text on traffic signs is in Dutch as well. But if you are fluent
in either English or Spanish, you shouldn't have much trouble getting around either.
The mother tongue of the locals is Papiamento.
Besides Dutch and English, this is the third official language of the
Netherlands Antilles. This originally Creole language is a mixture of many
other languages like Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English and a number of
African languages.
You will find it is appreciated if you try to speak a few words in Papiamento.
To get you started, here are some common phrases and their translation:
| Welcome |
Bon bini |
| Good morning |
Bon dia |
| Good afternoon |
Bon tardi |
| Good evening |
Bon nochi |
| How are you doing? |
Kon ta bai? |
| I'm fine, thanks |
Mi ta bai bon, danki |
| What is your name? |
Kon bo yama? |
| My name is... |
Mi yama... |
| I am from... |
Mi ta bini di... |
| Thank you |
Danki |
| You're welcome |
Di nada |
| Goodbye |
Te otro biaha |
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