Religion & Temples

1. Unda ta e misa?

   Un-da ta e mi-sa

   Where is the Mass?

   Usage

   Ask about the location of a Catholic Mass

   Grammar Note

   Most Arubans are Catholic; "misa" from Spanish "misa" (Mass)

2. Ki ora ta e misa?

   Ki o-ra ta e mi-sa

   What time is the Mass?

   Usage

   Ask about Mass time

   Grammar Note

   "Ki ora" = "what time"; "ora" from Spanish "hora" (hour)

3. Mi ta respeta tur religion

   Mi ta res-pe-ta tur re-li-gion

   I respect all religions

   Usage

   Express respect for religious diversity

   Grammar Note

   "tur" from Portuguese "todo" (all); Aruba has a religiously diverse population

4. Danki Dios

   Dan-ki Di-os

   Thank God

   Usage

   Common everyday expression of gratitude or relief

   Grammar Note

   "Danki" (from Dutch "dank je") is the Papiamentu word for thanks. Spanish "gracias" is not used in Papiamentu

5. Unda ta e kerk?

   Un-da ta e kerk

   Where is the church?

   Usage

   Ask for a Protestant church (Dutch influence in Aruba)

   Grammar Note

   "kerk" from Dutch "kerk" (church); Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

6. E bishita di Papa ta importante pa nos

   E bi-shi-ta di Pa-pa ta im-por-tan-te pa nos

   The Pope's visit is important for us

   Usage

   Discuss the importance of a Catholic event

   Grammar Note

   "Papa" from Spanish "Papa" (Pope); "nos" is the first-person plural pronoun

7. Masha pabien cu bo fiesta

   Ma-sha pa-bien cu bo fies-ta

   Congratulations on your feast day

   Usage

   Congratulate someone on a religious feast day

   Grammar Note

   "pabien" from Spanish "para bien" (for good/congratulations); "cu" is a preposition/complementizer

8. Dios ta bon

   Di-os ta bon

   God is good

   Usage

   A simple religious affirmation used in worship

   Grammar Note

   "bon" from Portuguese "bom" / Spanish "bueno" (good) — a simple religious affirmation

9. Mi ke resa pa bo

   Mi ke re-sa pa bo

   I want to pray for you

   Usage

   Express intention to pray for someone

   Grammar Note

   "Resa" is the verb to pray. "Ora" means hour/time (as in "Ki ora ta e misa?") and cannot mean to pray. "Bo" is the 2nd-person singular pronoun

10. Kua ta bo fe?

    Kua ta bo fe

    What is your faith?

    Usage

    Politely inquire about someone's faith

    Grammar Note

    "fe" from Spanish "fe" (faith); Aruba is multicultural and interfaith dialogue is common

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