Dating & Romance

1. Bo ta masha bunita

   Bo ta ma-sha bu-ni-ta

   You are very beautiful/handsome

   Usage

   Complimenting someone you are attracted to

   Grammar Note

   Papiamentu adjectives have no gender; "bunita" (beautiful, lovely) is used for anyone. "masha" means "very"

2. Mi por invitá bo pa un date?

   Mi por in-vi-tá bo pa un date

   Can I invite you on a date?

   Usage

   Asking someone out on a date

   Grammar Note

   "invitá" from Spanish "invitar" (to invite); "date" is borrowed from English

3. Mi ta di akuerdo pa un kòfi huntu

   Mi ta di a-kuer-do pa un kò-fi hun-tu

   I would be happy to go for coffee together

   Usage

   Accepting a casual coffee date invitation

   Grammar Note

   "Together" is "huntu" (from Portuguese "junto"). The English word is not needed here

4. Mi ta gusta bo masha

   Mi ta gus-ta bo ma-sha

   I really like you

   Usage

   Expressing genuine affection for someone

   Grammar Note

   "gusta" identical to Spanish "gustar" (to like); "masha" is a Papiamentu intensifier meaning "very"

5. Bo tin un relashon?

   Bo tin un re-la-shon

   Are you in a relationship?

   Usage

   Asking about someone's relationship status

   Grammar Note

   "relashon" from Spanish "relación" (relationship); yes/no questions have the same word order as statements

6. Mi ta enamorá di bo

   Mi ta e-na-mo-rá di bo

   I am in love with you

   Usage

   Confessing romantic feelings to someone

   Grammar Note

   "enamorá" is the Papiamentu form of Spanish "enamorado" (in love); shortened final syllable

7. Por bo dami bo numero di telefòn?

   Por bo da-mi bo nu-me-ro di te-le-fòn

   Can you give me your phone number?

   Usage

   Asking for someone's phone number in a social context

   Grammar Note

   "numero" identical to Spanish; "telefòn" from Dutch "telefoon" or Spanish "teléfono"

8. Mi ta pasa masha bon tempu ku bo

   Mi ta pa-sa ma-sha bon tem-pu ku bo

   I am having a really good time with you

   Usage

   Expressing enjoyment while spending time with someone on a date

   Grammar Note

   "pasa bon tempu" means "to have a good time"; "masha" strengthens it to "really"

9. Mi no ta interesá den un relashon awor

   Mi no ta in-te-re-sá den un re-la-shon a-wor

   I am not interested in a relationship right now

   Usage

   Politely declining a romantic advance

   Grammar Note

   "awor" is the Papiamentu word for "now"; negation with "no" precedes the progressive marker "ta"

10. Bo ta e persona mas speshal den mi bida

    Bo ta e per-so-na mas spe-shal den mi bi-da

    You are the most special person in my life

    Usage

    Expressing deep affection for a special romantic partner

    Grammar Note

    "speshal" from Dutch "speciaal" or English "special"; "bida" from Spanish "vida" (life)

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