Though at times I feel almost genetically incapable of learning other languages (I have trouble enough with my own English!), I have found the Aklanon vocabulary below very useful in visiting and residing in Aklan. For a much more extensive phrase book see Felimar's Aklanon Page. Fortunately both Tagalog and English are widely spoken as well--particularly on Boracay. I haven't been successful in finding any Aklanon/English or even Aklanon/Tagalog or Pilipino dictionary other than an old (1968) Peace Corps Dialect Field Book. If anyone comes across one please email me. Likewise, I'm searching for someone wishing to transform the vocabulary below into a more useful Aklanon phrase book for visitors and residents alike. Again, let me know. Finally, my survival Aklanon has no certification as to its accuracy other that the fact that I have thus far survived quite enjoyably throughout Aklan!
Some basic phrases
Mayad-ayad nga agahon/hapon/gabi-i Good morning/afternoon/evening
Kumusta ka?/mayad man How are you?/fine
Si-in ka gaagto? Where are you going?
Taga si-in ka? Where are you from?
Sino ro imong ngaean? What is your name?
Ro ngaean ko hay si - My name is -
Ilang taon ka na? How old are you?
Ginagutom/gina-uhaw/ginaduyong Hungry/thirsty/sleepy
Uwakman It's nothing
Saeamat Thank you
Ho-o/indi Yes/no
May/uwa Exist/nothing
O or
Gid true
Hin-ono? when?
Ham-an? why?
Si-in? where?
Sino? who?
Pila? how much?
Some Pronouns
Ako/Kita/Kami I/I with you/I with others
Ikaw/Kamo You/You (plural)
Imaw/Sanda Him or Her/They
Akong my
Counting
Isaea/daywa/tatlo/apat/lima/an-om/pito/waeo/siyam/napoeo one through ten
Bilog one piece
Gatos hundred
People
Laeaki/babayi/onga man/woman/child
Tatay/nanay/asawa/ig-manghod father/mother/wife/sibling
Paa foot
Ugo head
Time
Makaron/hin-aga/kahapon today/tomorrow/yesterday
Adlaw/gabi-i day or sun/night
Adlaw-adlaw everyday
Sa pilong adlaw someday
Hasta hin-ono whenever
Dominggo/Lunes/Martes/Mierkules/Huwebes/Biernes/Sabado days of the week
Dominggo Sunday or week
Habagat rainy season, summer
Directions
Waea left tu-o right tadlong/directso straight
Pasueod/Paguwa entrance/exit
Pagpungko anay/pagtindog anay please-sit down/stand-up
Dagom/ibabaw downstairs/upstairs
Iya/ina this/that
Hiron/da-on here/there
Some verbs
Tan-awa look
Maliya come here
Hueat wait
Ta-o give
Para stop or for
Puwede can
Dukpon catch you
Kita see
Paligos bathe
Maligos swim
Gagi-ok dancing on rice
Descriptions
Guapa/maeaw-ay pretty/ugly
Mabohoe/maisot big/small
Mainit/maeamig hot/cold
Mahae/barato expensive/cheap
Mayad/bolok good/bad
Malimpio/mahigko clean/dirty
Malayo/maeapit far/near
Manami delicious
Matam-is/maaslam sweet/sour
Pirmi/bag-o old/new
Madasig/mahinay fast/slow
Sunod next
Maramig many
Malipayon happy
Bugtow awake
Places
Kalye street
Isla island
Banwa/siyudad town/city
Baybay beach
Paradahan it jeep bus station
Bukid mountain
Sapa creek
Various nouns
Adlaw/buean sun/moon
Iwag light
Kaeayo fire
Lamesa table
Papel/bolpen paper/pen
Baso glass
Hampang sa -game of -
Bangko bench
Portahan door
Bola ball
Bueay house
Sousi key
Bintana window
Diyogdog thunder
Sinilas slippers
Baroto boat
Kwan ho da kine
Food
Ilabase/kain/hapon food
Tinapay bread
Pulutan pupus
Busog full
Tubi water
Homai rice
Palay just harvested rice
Kanin cooked rice
Sibuyas onions
Asin/asukal salt/sugar
Itlog egg
Tinapay bread pandisol rolls
Karne meat
Pusit squid
Taeaba oyster
Kagang crab
Pasayan shrimp
Toway clam
Kogeta octapus
Tahong mussel
Animals
Ayam dog
Anwang carabao
Koring cat
Baka cow
Baboy pig
Manok chicken
Eamok mosquito
Langgam rat
Amo monkey
Kutos lice
Sawa type of snake
Gansa goose
Butiki kind of lizard
Plants
Butong bamboo
Kahoy wood or tree
Saging banana
Niyog coconut
Ambulong used like nipa for roofs
Bulukluk flower