With a bit of practice, you will go a long way, and you will be surprised how many people start with short Mayan words and learn to have a complete conversation in Mayan. It is important that if you are going to coexist with the Mayan communities, you learn a little of the language to communicate better. You will be able to hear them in the streets, at the ruins, and at the markets, as well as talking phrases combined with Spanish. Take a walk through the city, you will find that many people speak Mayan every day. How was your day? – Bix uch a maansik le ki’ina? What would you like to eat? – Ba’ax tak a jantik? One language is never enough! – Jun t’aan ma’u tsook t’aano’obi! Would you like to dance with me? – Co’ox óok’ otĬhristmas greetings – Ki’imak Navidad yéetel ki’imak ja’aba’ túumben This gentleman/lady will pay for everything – Le ma’ak yan u bootik tulaka Where’s the bathroom? – Tu’ux yan u kuuchi T’uuchtaj How much is this? – Bahúux? Bahúux leti’? How do you say… in Yucatec Maya? – Bix u yaálal ich maaya táan Yes, a little (reply to ‘Do you speak …?’) – Chen jumpit Please write it down – Je’u beytal a tsiibĭo you speak English? – Teeche’ a tsiikbal inglés?ĭo you speak Yucatec Maya? – Teeche’ a tsiikbal maaya? Please speak more slowly – Je’ u beytal a táan chambel Have a nice day – Ka manseché ma’lob kiin / Ka’ajxi’ikte’ex utsil / Ka’aj xi’iktech utsilīon appetit / Have a nice meal – Ku méejtech uutsilīon voyage / Have a good journey – Xíiktech uutsil Good evening (Evening greeting) – Ma’lob ak’ab Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting) – Ma’lob chi’inil K’iin ![]() Good morning (Morning greeting) – Ma’lob Ja’atskab K’iin Pleased to meet you – Jach ki’imak in wóol in wilikech Hello (General greeting) – Ba’ax ka wa’alik? When there is an apostrophe between two vowels like “tu’ux”, this is a Mayan long vowel where you say the same sound for twice the normal duration. “X” sounds like /sh/ except when at the beginning of words, then it sounds like “ish” Here’s your guide to having a conversation with this amazing culture. ![]() It is the second most widely spoken native language, after Nahuatl. The Mayan language is an integral part of the commercial, cultural, and social life of the Yucatan Peninsula since more than one million people speak Mayan. Many experts in linguistics from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) consider the Mayan language as one of the most beautiful languages that exists. It is an important cultural legacy full of history that dates back more than 5,000 years and still continues to this day. You have a great opportunity to learn one of the languages that live in the hearts of many descendants of this great culture. Mayan words and phrases such as Ma’lob chi’inil K’iin (good morning), Tak saamal (see you tomorrow), K’a’ ak’ate (goodbye), Tu’ux ka bin? (where are you going?), or Tux a kaajal? (where are you from?) are very useful to learn. ![]() Suppose you go to the Yucatan Peninsula and want a great conversation with a Mayan to discover more about their fascinating history, in that case, you should learn some phrases in their indigenous tongue. Some Mayan words and phrases are beautiful and have a unique ability to convey peace. ![]() Long ago, there was a magnificent civilization, where nature was part of the background, beauty, and art everywhere where a unique and rich language was spoken.
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