The official language on Aruba is Dutch but the people speak papiamento among each other. Papiamento arose from the different languages that were spoken by all the european settlers, spanish, dutch, portuguese, french, english and a little african. The name "papiamento" comes from "papia" which means "to speak". Most of the arubian people speak several languages like papiamento, english, spanish and dutch.
The following are much used expressions;
| Con ta bai? |
How are you? |
| Mi ta bon |
I'm fine |
| Bon dia |
Good day |
| Bon tardi |
Good afternoon |
| Bon nochi |
Good night |
| Unda bo ta bai? |
Where are you going? |
| Mi ta bai cas |
I'm going home |
| Danki |
Thank you |
| Ayo! |
Goodbye |
| Cuantu e ta costa? |
How much does that cost? |
| Dushi |
Darling |
| Awe |
Today |
| Awa |
Water |
| Bebe |
Drinking |
| Come |
Eating |
| Placa |
Money |
| Bon bini |
Welcome |
| Un, dos tres |
One, two, three |
| Cuater, cinco, seis |
Four, five, six |
| Shete, ocho, nuebe, diez |
Seven, eight, nine, ten |