Slang

1. Tur kos bon

   All good

   Usage

   A light reply to "Kon ta bai?"; safe with anyone

2. Kon ta ku bida?

   How's life?

   Usage

   Literally "how is life?". For people you already know; with strangers or in formal settings use "Kon ta bai?"

3. Ta bon

   OK / that's fine

   Usage

   An all-purpose "OK"; fine with shop staff and friends alike

4. Hopi bon

   Very good / great

   Usage

   Hopi means "a lot"; safe praise for anyone

5. Poko poko

   Take it easy / little by little

   Usage

   The phrase that sums up island pace. Use it when you are being rushed or to calm someone down; it never offends

6. Trankil

   Relax / no worries

   Usage

   Describes a quiet place, or tells someone to calm down. Use the second sense only with people you know; said to an angry person it inflames things

7. Ban!

   Let's go!

   Usage

   A call to friends and companions. "Ban playa" = let's hit the beach. With elders or at work, "Nos ta bai" is safer

8. Bo ta serio?

   Are you serious?

   Usage

   A reaction of surprise, for friends. Said to a vendor while haggling it sounds like you are calling them a liar, so avoid it there

9. Ta asina

   That's how it is

   Usage

   A shrug at something that cannot be changed; safe with anyone

10. Yu di Kòrsou

    A child of Curaçao (island-born person)

    Usage

    Literally "child of Curaçao", used with pride by island-born people. Asking "Bo ta yu di Kòrsou?" is not rude and usually opens up a conversation

11. Sòri

    Sorry

    Usage

    A light apology borrowed from English; fine for bumping into someone, but use "Diskulpá mi" when a real apology is called for

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