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local Thursday 31 OcTOber 2024
Papiamento words and phrases you may want to know!

(Oranjestad)—Aruba is a melting ened “tardi” is used to keep
pot of different nationalities, cul- the rhythm on the phrase. And
tures and languages. Primarily for the same could be said for our
this reason, the average Aruban last greeting of the day.
can understand and speak Dutch, 3. Bon nochi. You guessed it, “bon
English and Spanish relatively well. nochi” means “good night”.
However, as much as we pride Just like “tardi”, “nochi” is ac-
ourselves in being able to com- tually the shortened version of
municate with almost everyone, the word “anochi”.
we cherish our native tongue Pa-
piamento above all else. Want to Yes…no…maybe?
learn some common words in our The affirmative and negative ex-
language? Here are a few basic pression is very simple in Papia-
words and phrases that can get mento. Just like Spanish, our yeses
you a hat tip from an Aruban. are “si” and our no’s are “no”. Pret-
ty easy right? If you want to gain
When you arrive at the airport in some extra points from younger lo-
Aruba, one of the first words in Pa- cals, you can also say “se”, which
piamento you may encounter is is a more casual affirmative used
“Bon bini.” Bon bini in Papiamento means “how?” and is pronounced es may look very familiar. mostly by the younger generation.
means welcome, and is probably with a rounder “o” sounds, like in However, do note: some older
the most famous Papiamento the English word “cone”. “Ta bay” 1. Bon dia is used in the morning, generations may find this improper
word for tourists. refers to how you are doing. up to about noon. Bon dia es- and not respectful, so keep that in
sentially means good morn- mind.
Hi! Bye! When we say goodbye, we use ing. The word “bon” means
To be fair, there is no unique way the word “ayo” (not like the Ayo “good”, and while “dia” does Thanks man…
to say “hello” in Papiamento. At Rock Formation, but also…kinda?). not directly mean “morning” in Lastly, a word that we can also
least, not officially. We often just We may also use “te oro”, which English, it is used often to refer say more often is “danki”, which
use the English “hello” or “hey”, or means “see you later”. to the morning time. means literally “thank you”. “Dan-
Dutch “hallo” to greet someone. 2. Bon tardi. In the afternoon to ki” is derived from the Dutch word
We do however, always follow it up Greetings during the day early evening hours, we use “bedankt”. Though we don’t really
with “con bay?” or “con ta?” Con Most, if not all, languages have dif- “bon tardi” to greet people, have a translation for “I appreciate
bay is a shortened version of “con ferent ways to greet according to which means “good after- it” in English, we do use “masha
ta bay?”, which essentially means the time of day, and Papiamento noon”. “Tardi” actually comes danki” to convey the message.
“how are you?” is no different. Since Papiamento is from the word “atardi”, which “Masha” means “a lot” or “very”,
heavily influences from Portuguese directly translates to “after- so “masha danki” means “thank
The word “con” in Papiamento and Spanish, some of these phras- noon”. However, the short- you very much”. q

Visit the historic museum at Fort Zoutman!

(Oranjestad)—Located in ally referring to two sepa- Governor Jan Helenus in
the middle of downtown rate buildings that, over the 1866, it also became a bell
Oranjestad, situated right years, have been merged: tower.
next to the government the fort and the tower. The fort itself was originally
building “Cocolishi”, is one That’s right, the iconic constructed to protect
of the oldest buildings of 5-story, squared tower was the commerce bay of
Aruba: Fort Zoutman. First not part of the original Paardenbaai from pirates
constructed in 1796, this structure of the fort, and and other disreputable
site has been used (or left is actually called “Willem characters roaming the
unused) in many ways and III Toren”. Constructed in Caribbean Sea. Unlike the
have survived eras of war 1867, this tower was named Willem III Toren, Fort Zout-
and attempted disman- after the then-reigning king man had a more tumul-
tling. of The Netherlands, Willem tuous past, including the
III. Willem III Toren was origi- on-and-off reception of (The Netherlands was at Historic Museum guards a
When anyone refers to Fort nally a light tower, but after unwanted members of the constant war with England rich depository of the com-
Zoutman, they are actu- a request from Lieutenant English military several times back in the colonial era). mercial, military and social
Over the years, both the history of Oranjestad, offer-
fort and the tower had ing a glance into how the
functioned as different social culture of the town
government center points, came to be. If you are in-
including a tax and stamps terested in history and want
office. For some time these to learn more about Aruba,
two buildings also housed then Fort Zoutman should
a police precinct and jail, definitely be included into
and even experienced your itinerary.
abandonment until the Cul- The museum is open Mon-
tural Center Aruba Founda- day to Friday from 9am-
tion (CCA) petitioned for its 6pm, and Saturday from
renovation in 1964, turning 10am-2pm.
the site into the Historic Mu-
seum it currently is. Source: The Old Fort of Aruba
Despite its small size, The by Jan Hartog.