File

Basic Nahuatl
Conversations
Phrases
Words
© 2008 Luis and Paula Garcia and Ho Anumpoli!
All rights reserved.
No part of this booklet or the forthcoming CD may be copied for any reason without the
written permission of the authors.
This is community project assisted by Ho Anumpoli! and represents the collaboration of
two calpullin: Calpulli Ehecatl and Calpulli Chalchiuhuitziln.
Ho Anumpoli! is a Tax Exempt, New Mexico educational organization.
316 ½ Columbia Dr. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
2
Dedication
to the Aztec/Mexica people and all their descendants
and the danzantes recreating the dream
Acknowledgements
The following people have contributed to this pilot project.
Paula—female speaker, dialogs, and revisions (Calpulli Chalchiuhuitziln)
Erica Ocegueda—editing Spanish text (Calpulli Ehecatl)
Luis Garcia—translations (Spanish & Nahuatl), editing, male speaker (Calpulli
Chalchiuhuitziln)
Mapitzmitl—editing Nahuatl text (Calpulli Ehecatl)
Padla Domingo Olivarez—Nahuatl language consultant from Cuentepec, Morelos,
Mexico
George Ann Gregory, Ph.D. Linguistic consultant and general editing (Calpulli Ehecatl)
3
Directions for Using the CD
The best way to begin learning Nahuatl is to listen to the CD every day for several weeks.
Do this before opening the booklet. This will allow you to become familiar with
the sounds of the language and will help your pronunciation.
You do not need to try to repeat the words until you feel comfortable with the
language. Listening over and over to the conversations before speaking is a
natural way to learn a language.
Directions for Using the Booklet
You can use this booklet two ways.
First, you can work with a partner to recreate the scenes for each conversation.
Use the booklet like a script. Gather any items named in each scene to make it
real for you. Take turns playing each part.
Do this with other people who are also learning basic Nahuatl until you feel
comfortable with these basic conversations.
Second, you can use this booklet to begin reading and writing in Nahuatl. After
you have learned a conversation, copy it onto a separate sheet of paper. Later, try
to write the conversations as you listen to the CD.
Missing Nahuatl Terms
If there is no Nahuatl term supplied, use the Spanish. In some cases, Spanish terms and
phrases have been borrowed into Nahuatl.
4
Pronunciation Key
Symbol
..a
..au
..c
..ch
..cu
..e
..h
..hu
..i
..l
..m
..n
..o
..p
..qu
..t
..tl
..tz
..u
..uh
..x
..y
..z
Sound
As in father
As in out
/s/ before /e/ and /i/ as in set; elsewhere /k/ as in cap
As in chew
/kw/ as in queen
As in bet
/h/ as in happy
/w/ as in wet
As in machine
/l/ as in lame
/m/ as in more
/n/ as in not
As in or
/p/ as in spoke
/k/ as in keep
/t/ as in tone
This is pronounced by touching the back of the teeth with the tip of
the tongue and releasing the air around the sides of the tongue. It is
not pronounced at the tl in mettle.
/z/ as in pizza
As in fool
/hw/ as in when
As in shoe
As in you
/s/ as in sun
(Ref. Herrera, Fermin. (2004). Nahuatl-English: English-Nahautl (Aztec). New
York: Hippocrene Books, Inc.
5
Basic Nahuatl Greetings and Introductions
Greetings/El Saludo/Tlapaloliztli
Speaker
1
2
1
2
English
Good day!
Good day!
How are you?
Very good, thanks!
And you?
Español
Buenos días.
Buenos días.
¿Cómo está(s)?
Muy bien, gracias.
¿Y tú (usted)?
1
I am good also,
thanks!
Estoy bien también,
gracias.
Nahuatl
Cualli tonalli.
Cualli tonalli.
Quenin tica?
Cualli Cualli,
tlazohcamati. Ihuan
tehua’(tzin)?
Cualli noihqui,
tlazohcamati.
Alternates for extra practice
Time
Dawn to
noon
Evening—
to
nightfall
Night
English
Good morning!
Español
¡Buenos días!
Nahuatl
Cualli tlanequi.
Good evening!
¡Buenas tardes!
Cualli teotlac.
Good night!
¡Buenas noches!
Cualli yohualli.
Alternates for extra practice
Speaker
English
origination Not well! I am
sick.
response
I’m sorry to hear
that.
response
That’s too bad!
origination So-so! OK!
(neutral)
response
What’s up?/Why
just OK?
Español
Nahuatl
Mal. Estoy enfermo. Amo cualli.
Nicocoya.
Lo siento mucho.
Xinechtlapopolhui.
Que pena.
Así así. / Más o
Zan quen, zan quen.
menos.
¿Qué te pasa?/ ¿Por Tleica? / Tleica zan
qué solo bien nada
cualli?
más?
6
Introductions
Speaker
1
2
1
English
What is your
name?
My name is ….
Nice to meet you.
2
Nice to meet you
also.
Speaker
1
English
How old are you?
2
Speaker
1
2
1
2
2
2
2
Español
¿Cómo se (te)
llama(s)?
Me llamo ….
Mucho gusto en
conocerte.
El gusto es mío.
Español
¿Cuántos años
tiene(s)?
I am …(years old). Tengo ….años.
English
Where are you
from?
I am from…
Where is that?
It’s (direction)
from here.
Its in (country)
It’s (distance)
from here.
It’s there
(pointing).
Nahuatl
Tlein motoca?
Nehuatl notoca….
Nicempaqui
nimitzixmati.
Noihqui
nicempaqui.
Nahuatl
Quexqui xihuitl
ticpia?
Nehuatl
nicpia…xihuitl.
Español
¿De dónde eres?
Nahuatl
Canin mochan?
Soy de…
¿Dónde está eso?
Queda en el
(dirección cardinal).
Está en (país).
Queda (distancia) de
aquí.
Por allá (señalando).
Nehuatl nichanti…
Canin?
(direction) ca.
(country) ca.
(distance) huehca’
ca.
Ompa.
7
Directions
Compass
points
N
S
E
W
English
Español
Nahuatl
North
South
East
West
Norte
Sur
Oriente
Poniente
Mictlampa
Huitztlampa
Tlaneztlampa
Cihuatlampa
English
Many
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
A few
Miles
Kilometers
Blocks
Houses
Español
Mucho
Uno/un
Dos
Tres
Cuatro
Cinco
Seis
Siete
Ocho
Nueve
Diez
Uno(a)s poco(a)s
Millas
Kilómetros
Cuadras
Casas
Nahuatl
Miec
Ce(ntetl)
Ome
Yei
Nahui
Macuilli
Chichuace
Chicome
Chicuei
Chicnahui
Matlactli
Tepitzin
Distance/age
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Caltin
See appendix for larger numbers
8
The Home/ In Chantli
Here are some possible conversations.
Speaker
1
2
1
2
English
Good day!
Good day!
How are you?
Very good, thanks!
And you?
Spanish
Buenos días.
Buenos días.
¿Cómo está(s)?
Muy bien, gracías.
¿Y tú (usted)?
1
I am good also,
thanks!
Estoy bien también,
gracías.
Nahuatl
Cualli tonalli.
Cualli tonalli.
Quenin tica?
Cualli cualli,
tlazohcamati. Ihuan
tehua’(tzin)?
Cualli noihqui,
tlazohcamati.
At the dinner table
Speaker
Host
Guest
Host
Guest
Guest
Host
Guest
Guest
Guest
Host
Guest
Host
English
Come and eat
Thanks!
Would you like
some food?
Yes, thanks!
Spanish
Venga a comer.
¡Gracías!
¿Gustas comida?
Nahuatl
Xihualla titlacuaz.
Tlazohcamati!
Ticnequi tepitzin
tlacualli?
¡Si, gracías!
Quema,
tlazohcamati!
No, thanks!
¡No gracias!
Ahmo,
tlazohcamati!
Did you enjoy it?
¿Te gustó? ¿Sabroso? Huelic?
It was delicious
Muy sabroso.
Cencah huelic
What is this called? ¿Qué es?
Tlein itoca?
How do you make ¿Cómo se hace?
Quenin in
this?
tiquechihua?
You take some…
Un poco de…
Tepitzin…
and mix it with…
mezclado con …
xitlaneloa ica…
/cook it for…
/cocido por…
xitlehuaqui…
It’s late. I need to
Ya es tarde. Necesito Ye tlayohuac.
go. Thanks for the ir. Gracías por la
Nicpia niah.
meal.
comida.
Tlazohcamati in
tlacualli.
You are welcome.
De nada.
Ahmo tleinica.
9
Foods (Tlakualli)
English
Chicken
Beef
Pork
Fish
Shrimp
Beans
Rice
Mushrooms
Onions
Salad
Ice cream
Milk
Water
Soda
Tea
Tortilla (corn)
Cake
Candy
Sweet bread
Corn flour
Wheat flour
Spanish
Pollo
Res
Puerco
Pescado
Camaron
Frijoles
Arroz
Hongos
Cebolla
Ensalada
Helado
Leche
Agua
Refresco
Te
Tortilla de maiz
Pastel
Dulce
Pan dulce
Harina de maiz
Harina (de trigo)
Sugar
Salt
Oil
Chile
Chocolate
Azúcar
Sal
Aceite
Chile
Chocolate
Nahuatl
Pionacatl
Cuacuehnacatl
Pitzonacatl
Michnacatl
Chacalin
Yetl
Arroz
Nanacatl
Xonacatl
Quilitl
Helado
Chichihualayotl
Atl
Refresco
Xihuiatlapozonilli
Tlaxcalli
Pastel
Tzopelic
Papantzin tzopelic
Pinolli
Yoltextli caxtillan
tlaolli
Tlazopeliloni
Iztatl
Chiahuacayotl
Chilli
Xocoatl
Kitchen items (Tlakualchihualoyan)
English
Kitchen
Refrigerator
Stove
Table
Spanish
Cocina
Refrigerador
Estufa
Mesa
Nahuatl
Tlacualchihualoyan
Tepuztlacualcehuiloni
Tleamanalli
Ahcopechtli
10
Chair
Plate
Bowl
Cup
Glass
Knife
Spoon
Fork
Baking Pan
Pot
Skillet
spatula
Silla
Plato
Tazón
Taza
Vaso
Cuchillo
Cuchara
Tenedor
Charola
Olla
Sartén
Espátula
Icpalli
Caxitl /Caxpechtli
Caxitl
Tlahuanoni
Tlahuantli
Tezoaloni
Xomalli
Tenedor
Tepuzcomitl
Comitl/xoctli
Tepuzcomitl
Cuauhneloani
Spanish
Sofá
Cama(s)
Cómoda
Estante
Lámpara
Nahuatl
Furniture
English
Couch
Bed(s)
Dresser(s)
Shelf/shelves
Lamp/light
Tlapechtli
Tlahuilli
11
Asking Directions
Speaker English
Guest
Excuse me. Where
is the bathroom?
Host
It is….
To the right.
To the left
The red door.
The green door.
The yellow door.
The blue door.
The black door
The white door.
Up the stairs.
Guest
In the back.
Thanks!
Spanish
¿Disculpe, dónde está
el baño?
Está…
A la derecha
A la izquierda
La puerta roja.
La puerta verde.
La puerta amarilla.
La puerta azul.
La puerta negra.
La puerta blanca.
Sube la escalera.
Detrás.
¡Gracias!
Nahuatl
Mixpantzinco, canin
ca in tlapiazoti?
….. ca.
Mayecantli
Mapochtli
In quiahuachichiltic
In quiahuaxoxoctic
In quiahuakoztic
In quiahuamatlaltic
In quiahuatliltic
In quiahuaiztac
Xitlehco in
tlamamatlatl.
Tlaicampa.
Tlazohcamati!
12
The Market/In Tlanquiztli
Beginning a Conversation
Speaker
1
2
1
2
English
Good day!
Good day!
How are you?
Very good, thanks!
And you?
Spanish
Buenos días.
Buenos días.
¿Como está(s)?
Muy bien, gracias. ¿Y
tu (usted)?
1
I am good also,
thanks!
Estoy bien también,
gracias.
Nahuatl
Cualli tonalli.
Cualli tonalli.
Quenin tica?
Cualli Cualli,
tlazohcamati. Ihuan
tehua’(tzin)?
Cualli noihqui,
tlazohcamati.
English
How much is…?
(number) peso(s)
I want (number).
OK!
Spanish
¿Cuentos cuesta…?
(
) peso(s)
Quiero (number).
¡Gracías!
Nahuatl
Quexquich…?
( ) peso(s)
Ni nequi
Tlazohcamati!
Nahuatl
Quexquich…?
( ) peso(s)
Miat!
(Will generally
come back with
another price)
Tlazohcamati,
nitlanequi.
Ahmo,
tlazohcamati!
Buying
Speaker
Buyer
Seller
Buyer
Seller
Alternate dialog
Speaker
Buyer
Seller
Buyer
Seller
English
How much is…?
(number) peso(s)
That’s too much.
You can have it for
(number) peso(so)
Buyer
Thanks! I’ll take it.
Spanish
¿Cuento cuesta…?
( ) peso(s)
¡Mucho!
(Will generally come
back with another
price)
Gracia, yo lo quiero.
Buyer
No, thanks!
¡No, gracias!
Alternate Phrases
Speaker
Buyer
Seller
English
Do you have
any…?
Yes!/No!
Spanish
¿Tiene(s) un(a)…?
Nahuatl
Tic pia…?
¡Sí!/¡No!
Quema!/Ahmo!
13
Possible Items
English
Barrettes
Blanket
Blouse
Bracelet
Dance costume
Dress
Earrings
Feather
Necklace
Pants
Pottery
Ring
Sandals
Shawl
Shirt
Shoes
Skirt
Spanish
Nahuatl
Pasador para el cabello
Manta
Blusa
Brazalete
Traje
Vestido
Zarcillos
Pluma
Gargantilla
Pantalones
Alferería
Anillo
Huaraches
Manta
Camisa
Zapatos
Falda
Cuachtli
Huipilli
Maquiztli
Spanish
Frutas
Naranjo
Piña
Melon
Carne
Tamale
Taco
Cebolla
Seta
Plàtano
Papa
Botella de agua
Aqua mineral
Café
Serviletta
Nahuatl
Xochihcualli
Lalanyol
Matzahtli
Cihuatlatlatquitli
Nacazpilcayotl
Ihhuitl
Cozcatl
Catli
Pahyo
Coton
Catli
Cuetl
Food Items
English
Fruit
Orange
Pineapple
Melon
Meat
Tamale
Taco
Onion
Mushroom
Banana
Potato
Bottled water
Club soda
Coffee
Napkin
Nacatl
Tamalli
Xonacatl
nanacatl
xochncualli
Acochcayotl
Pahyo
14
For extra practice
Keyword
Bathroom
Bank
English
Where is a
bathroom?
Where is a bank?
ATM
Hospital
Spanish
Nahuatl
¿Donde está el baño? Canin axixcalli?
Where is an ATM?
Where is a
hospital?
Policeman Where is a
policeman?
Phone
Where is a phone?
Restaurant Where is a
restaurant?
Pharmacy Where is a
pharmacy?
¿Donde está el
banco?
Canin
tominpialcalli?
¿Donde está le
hospital?
¿Donde está un
policía?
¿Donde está el
telefono?
¿Donde está el
restaurante?
¿Donde está la
farmacia?
Canin
cocoxcacalli?
Canin
tlatecpanalpixqui?
Canin hueca
tlahtolli?
Canin tlacualoyan?
Canin pahcalli?
Possible responses
English
It’s (direction)
from here.
It’s (distance) from
here.
It’s there.
Spanish
Queda en el
(dirección cordinal).
Queda (distancia) de
aqui.
Por allá (señalando).
Nahuatl
(direction) Ca.
(distance) huehca’
ca.
Ompa.
Directions
Compass
points
N
S
E
W
English
Spanish
Nahuatl
North
South
East
West
Norte
Sur
Este
Oeste
Mictlampa
Huitztlampa
Tlaneztlampa/Tlauhcampa
Cihuatlampa
Distance
English
Many
Spanish
Mucho
Nahuatl
Miec
15
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
A few
Miles
Kilometers
Blocks
Houses
Uno/un
Dos
Tres
Cuatro
Cinco
Seis
Siete
Ocho
Nueve
Diez
Uno(a)s poco(a)s
Millas
Kilometros
Cuadras
Casas
Ce(ntetl)
Ome
Yei
Nahui
Macuilli
Chichuace
Chicome
Chicyei
Chicnahui
Matlactli
Tepitzin
Caltin
16
Aztec dance terms
English
Aztec dance
Dancer
Dance leader
Dance elder
Chant/song
Altar
Flowers
Drum
Two toned log drum
Reed flute
Seed leggings
Metal bells
Loin cloth
Men’s long shirt
Cape
Skirt
Woman’s cover
Blouse
Headdress
Obsidian edged club
Arrow
Shield
Banner/flag
Feather
Rattle
Incense attendant
Incense
Incense holder
Sandals
Ceremony
Heaven
Headband
Spanish
Danza azteca
Danzante
Jefe de danza
Capitán de danza
Alabanza
Altar
Flores
Tambor
Tambor de dos tonos
Flauta de Carrizo
Cascabeles/huesos de fraile
Cascabeles
Tapa rabo
Vestido
Capa
Falda
Quexqueme
Blusa
Penacho/diadema
Macana
Jaras/flechas
Escudo
Bandera/estandarte
Pluma
Sonaja/maracas
Malinche de copal
Incienso
Sahumador/sahumerio
Sandalias
Ceremonia
Cielo
Paleacate
Classical Nahuatl
Mitotiliztli
Mitotiani
Tlayancanqui
Yaotachqui
Teocuicatl
Momoztli
Xochimeh
Panhuehuetl
Teponaztli
Tlapitzalli
Chachayotl/ayoyotl
Coyolli
Maxtlatl
Xicolli
Tilmahtli
Cueitl
Quexquemitl
Huipilli
Copilli
Macuahuitl
Mitl
Chimalli
Pamitl/pantli
Ihuitli/quetzalli
Ayacaxtli
Tlapopochihuani
Copalli
Popoxcaxitl
Cactli
Iluitl
Iluicatl
Ixkuaimekatl
17
Nahuatl numbers
(Base 20 count)
Numeral
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Nahuatl
Ce
Ome
Yei
Nahui
Macuilli
Chicuace
Chicome
Chikuei
Chicnahui
Mahtlactli
Mahtlactli huan ce/mahtlactli once
Mahtlactli huan ome/mahtlactli omome
Mahtlactli huan yei/mahtlactli omei
Mahtlactli huan nahui/mahtlactli onnihui
Caxtolli
Caxtolli huan ce/caxtolli once
Caxtolli huan ome/ caxtolli omome
Caxtolli huan yei /caxtolli omei
Caxtolli haun nahui / caxtolli onnahui
Cempohualli
Cempohualli huan ce/cempohualli once
Cempohualli huan ome /cempohualli omome
Cempohualli huan yei /cempohualli omei
Cempohualli huan nahui/cempohualli onnahui
Cempohualli huan macuilli /cempohualli ommacuilli
Cempohualli huan chicuace /cempohualli onchicuace
Cempohualli huan chicome /cempohualli onchicome
Cempohualli huan chicuei /cempohualli onchicuei
Cempohualli huan chicanahui/cempohualli onchicunahui
Cempohualli huan mahtlactli /cempohualli ommahtlactili
Ompohualli
Ompohualli huan mahtlactli /ompohualli ommahtlactili
Epohualli
Epohualli huan mahtlactli / epohualli ommahtlactli
Nauhpohualli
Nauhpohualli huan mahtlactli /nauhpohualli
ommahtlactli
18
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
2000
Macuilpohualli
Mahtlacpohualli
Caxtolpohualli
Centzontli
Centzontli huan macuilpohualli/centzontli
ommacuilpohualli
Centzontli huan mahtlacpohualli/centzontli
ommahtlacpohualli
Centzontli huan caxtolpohualli /centzontli
oncaxtolpohualli
Ometzontli /ontzontli
Ometzontli huan macuilpohualli/ontzontli
ommacuilpohualli
Ometzontli huan mahtlacpohualli /ontzontli
ommacuilpohualli
Macuiltzontli
19
Now that you have completed these materials help us create the next edition. Answer
these questions.
1. Would you like some grammar included? Yes/no
2. Would you like to learn some songs in Nahuatl? Yes/no
3. 3. Would you be interested in taking Nahuatl classes that included immersion
situations? Yes. no
4. Make suggestions for other scenes.
5. Is there anything else that you would like to suggest?
Return this page to Luis Garcia or email your answers to <[email protected]>
20