The official language of Cape Verde is Portuguese. However, oral communication among the inhabitants of the various islands is conducted in Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu).
Serving as a central means of connection for all Cape Verdeans, this language is the result of the fusion of Portuguese with languages from the Guinea coast.
Cape Verdean Creole has long been a lingua franca, and as early as the 16th century, it spread to the African coast, where various products were traded. In the colonial context, where Portuguese was supposed to be the vehicular language, paradoxically,
Creole was used as the language of instruction (catechizing slaves) by Portuguese religious institutions. This highlights its significance in our islands from an early stage. Cape Verde, as part of the Portuguese-speaking community, has clearly chosen unity and closer relations among speakers of the same language and affections.
|
English |
Krioulo (Santiago) |
Crioulo (São Vicente) |
|
Yes |
Sin |
Sin |
|
No |
Nau |
Nau |
|
Maybe |
Talves |
Talves |
|
Please |
Pur favor |
D’favor |
|
Excuse me |
Kon Lisensa |
kolsensa |
|
Sorry |
Disculpam |
Dsculpam |
|
Thank you |
Obrigadu |
Brigadu |
|
You’re welcome |
Es é ka nada |
Es ne nada |
|
Do you speak portuguese (English, France…)? |
Bu ta papia Português (Inglês, Francês…)? |
Bo ta falá Português (Inglês, Francês…)? |
|
Speak slowly, please |
Pur favor, papia divagar |
fala d’vagar, d’favor |
|
I don’t understand |
N ka ta konprende |
Un ka intende |
|
I don’t know |
N ka sabi |
N ka sabe |
|
Repeat, please |
Torna fla, pur favor |
Fala ot vez, d’favor |
|
What do you want? |
Kuzé ki bu kre? |
Cze ke bo kre? |
|
How much does it cost? |
E kantu? |
Ê tonté ? |
|
Came here. |
Ben li |
Ben li |
|
Wait a minute |
Spera un momentu |
Esperá um minut |
|
What’s your name? |
Mó ki bu tchoma? |
Mané ke bo nome? |
|
My name is … |
Nha nomi ê…. |
Nha nome ê… |
|
Why? When? |
Pamódi? Kuandu? |
Purque? Kondé? |
|
Who? What? |
Ken? Kuzé? |
Ken? O ke? |
|
Okey / Not okey |
Sta dretu / Ka sta dretu |
Ta dret / Ka ta dret |
|
A lot / a litleLess |
Txeu / Poku |
Tcheu / Pok |
|
More / less |
Mas / Menus |
Mas / Mens |
|
Now |
Gosi li |
Grinhasin |
|
listen / look « |
Obi li / Djobe li |
Uvi li / Oiá |
|
Can you help? |
Bu pode djuda-m? |
Bo pode jdame |
|
Do you want? |
Bu kre ? |
Bo kre? |
|
I don’t want |
N ka kre |
N ka kre |
|
I don’t know |
N ka sabi |
N ka sabê |
|
Where is it? |
Ê na undi? |
Ondê? |
|
How are you ? |
Modi ki bu sta? |
Ke Mane bo stâ? |
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