Jju phrasebook

Jju (diryem Jju) is a Plateau language of Nigeria, closely related to Tyap. It is often seen as a form of Tyap language as it is closely related to its seven dialects. Jju is spoken by over 500,000 people in an area where the Nok culture (c. BC 1,500 – 500 AD) flourished in the Middle Belt (i.e., the geopolitical Northcentral and southern parts of Northwest and Northeast) of Nigeria.

Pronunciation guide

Vowels

a, a̱, e, i, o, u

Short monophthongs

vowel	English equivalent	Sound
a	like 'a' in "father"
a̱	like 'a' in "about"
e	like 'ae' in "aesthetic"
i	like 'y' in "family"
o	like 'o' in "pot"
u	like 'u' in "bantu"

Long monophthongs

vowel	English equivalent	Sound
aa	like 'a' in "far"
ii	like 'ee' in "sheep"

Common diphthongs

ai, a̱u, ei/a̱i, oi

Consonants

b, bv, c, cc, d, g, gb, h, j, jj, k, kh, kp, l, m, n, ng, ny, pf, r, s, ss, sh, t, ts, tss, w, ww, y, yy, z

Monoghraphs

b: /b/; like 'b' in "bean"
c: /t͡ʃ/; like 'ch' in "chair"
d: /d/; like 'd' in "do"
g: /ɡ/; like 'g' in "greet"
h: /h/; like 'h' in "how"
j: /d͡ʒ/; like 'j' in "job"
k: /k/; like 'k' in "clan"
l: /l/; like 'l' in "low"
m: /m/; like 'm' in "mine"
n: /n/; like 'n' in "new"
p: /p/; like 'p' in "pair"
r: /r/; like 'r' in "real"
s: /s/; like 's' in "say"
t: /t/; like 't' in "tree"
v: /v/; like 'v' in "view"
w: /w/; like 'w' in "win"
y: /j/; like 'y' in "you"
z (pronounced: "dz"): /d͡z/; no English equivalent

Digraphs

bv: /b͡v/; no English equivalent
gb: /ɡ͡b/; no English equivalent
kh: /x/; no English equivalent
kp: /k͡p/; no English equivalent
ng: /ŋ/; like 'ng' in "king"
ny: /ɲ/; like Spanish 'ñ' in "niña"
pf: /p͡f/; like German 'pf' in "Pfeffer"
sh: /ʃ/; like 'sh' in "shy"
ts: /t͡s/; like 'ts' in "tsunami"

Labial consonants

Short

bw: /bʷ/; no English equivalent
cw: /t͡ʃʷ/; no English equivalent
fw: /fʷ/; no English equivalent
gw: /ɡʷ/; no English equivalent
ghw: /ɣʷ/; no English equivalent
hw: /hʷ/; no English equivalent
jw: /d͡ʒʷ/; no English equivalent
kw: /kʷ/; like 'qu' in "quick"
khw: /xʷ/; no English equivalent
mw: /mʷ/; like 'mw' in "Cromwell"
nw (ngw): /ŋʷ/; no English equivalent
pw: /pʷ/; no English equivalent
sw: /sʷ/; like 'sw' in "swing"
shw: /ʃʷ/; like 'schw' in "schwa"
tsw: /t͡sʷ/; no English equivalent
yw: /jʷ/; no English equivalent
zw

Phrase list

Basics

Hello.: N na byyek. (N nah byyehg)
How are you?: A shyi ke? (AH SHYEE KAY?)
Fine, thank you.: Ansham ba̱t, n gwai. ()
What is your name?: Ba̱ na̱ yei a̱nyan? ()
My name is ______ .: Ba̱ n yei ______. ()
Nice to meet you.: N shya bu a̱sainhwa da̱ni n na myim i. ()
Please.: Ba̱sa̱kut. ()
Thank you.: N gwai. ()
You're welcome.: Ryok nhok kyang ba. ()
Yes.: Ii. (masculine: "ee") ()
No.: Kaai. ()
Excuse me. (getting attention/begging pardon): Hok ra! (cat a̱huhwa a̱yin/naai a̱yin) ()
I'm sorry.: ()
Goodbye.: Ka̱ra̱m ka̱yaan. ()
Goodbye. (informal): Ba-bai. ()
I can't speak Jju [well].: N bvwo ryat Jju ji [ansham] ba. ()
Do you speak English?: A ryat Shong a? ()
Is there someone here who speaks English?: ()
Help!: Brang! ()
Look out!: Ta̱rwam! ()
Good morning. (before around 9 AM): A (plural: "yi") shyek ansham o? ()
Good afternoon.: A (plural: "yi") kpanom ansham o? ()
Good evening.: A (plural: "yi") kpanom ansham o? ()
Good night.: Sei ka̱ntson. ()
I don't understand.: N hik ba. ()
Where is the toilet?: ()

Problems

Leave me alone.: Ryok nzuk. ( .)
Don't touch me!: ! ( !)
I'll call the police.: N ni yei na̱wonshan a. ( .)
Police!: Na̱wonshan! ( !)
Stop! Thief!: Ryong! A̱tang! ( ! !)
I need your help.: . ( .)
It's an emergency.: . ( .)
I'm lost.: N bvuk. ( .)
I lost my bag.: . ( .)
I lost my wallet.: . ( .)
I'm sick.: . ( .)
I've been injured.: . ( .)
I need a doctor.: . ( .)
Can I use your phone?: ? ( ?)

Numbers (Zuzzwa twang nkyang)

1: a̱yring ( ), yring ( ), jring ( )
2: a̱hwa ( ), hwa ( ), swa ( )
3: a̱tat ( ), tat ( ), tsat ( )
4: a̱naai ( ), naai ( ), nyaai ( )
5: a̱pfon ( ), pfon ( ), tsson ( )
6: a̱ku̱tat ( )
7: a̱tu̱yring ( )
8: a̱ninai ( )
9: a̱kumbvuyring ( )
10: swak ( )
11: swak ba̱ yring ( )
12: swak ba̱ hwa ( )
13: swak ba̱ tat ( )
14: swak ba̱ naai ( )
15: swak ba̱ a̱pfon ( )
16: swak ba̱ a̱ku̱tat ( )
17: swak ba̱ a̱tu̱yring ( )
18: swak ba̱ a̱nu̱nai ( )
19: swak ba̱ a̱kumbvuyring ( )
20: nswak nhwa ( )
21: nswak nhwa ba̱ a̱yring ( )
22: nswak nhwa ba̱ a̱hwa ( )
23: nswak nhwa ba̱ a̱tat ( )
30: nswak ntat ( )
40: nswak nnaai ( )
50: nswak npfon ( )
60: nswak a̱ku̱tat ( )
70: nswak a̱tu̱yring ( )
80: nswak a̱nu̱nai ( )
90: nswak a̱kumbvuyring ( )
100: cyi jring ( )
200: cyi swa ( )
300: cyi tsat ( )
1,000: cyikop jring ( )
2,000: cyikop swa ( )
100,000: cyikop cyi jring ( )
1,000,000: ( )
1,000,000,000: ( )
1,000,000,000,000: ( )
number _____ (train, bus, etc.): ( )
half: a̱kum ( )
less: ( )
more: ( )

Time

now: naanini ( )
later: ( )
before: ( )
morning: a̱ta̱ntson ( )
afternoon: a̱ta̱nom ( )
evening: ka̱jenshring ( )
night: ka̱ta̱tuk ( )

Clock time

one o'clock AM: tswam jring ( )
two o'clock AM: tswam swa ( )
noon: tswam swak ba̱ swa A̱TA̱NOM ( )
one o'clock PM: tswam jring A̱TA̱NOM ( )
two o'clock PM: tswam swa A̱TA̱NOM ( )
midnight: ( )

Duration

_____ minute(s): minti _____ ( )
_____ hour(s): awa _____ ( )
_____ day(s): nom _____ ( )
_____ week(s): sati _____ ( )
_____ month(s): hywan _____ ( )
_____ year(s): a̱rya _____ ( )

Days

today: ka̱pfun ( )
yesterday: ryu ( )
tomorrow: ka̱ntson ( )
this week: sati ani ( )
last week: ( )
next week: sati cong bai ( )

Sunday: Ka̱tuk Ladi ( )
Monday: Ka̱tuk A̱ta̱nii ( )
Tuesday: ( )
Wednesday: ( )
Thursday: ( )
Friday: Ka̱tuk Juma ( )
Saturday: Ka̱tuk A̱sa̱ba̱t ( )

Months

January: Hywan Yring ( )
February: Hywan Hwa ( )
March: Hywan Tat ( )
April: Hywan Naai ( )
May: Hywan Pfon ( )
June: Hywan A̱kitat ( )
July: Hywan A̱tiyring ( )
August: Hywan A̱ninai ( )
September: Hywan A̱kumbuyring ( )
October: Hywan Swak ( )
November: Hywan Swak ba̱ Yring ( )
December: Hywan Swak ba̱ Hwa ( )

Writing time and date

Colors

black: a̱dindying ( )
white: a̱sai ( )
grey/gray: ( )
red: a̱shong ( )
blue: ( )
yellow: ( )
green: ( )
orange: ( )
purple: ( )
brown: ( )

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?: ( )
One ticket to _____, please.: ( )
Where does this train/bus go?: ( )
Where is the train/bus to _____?: ( )
Does this train/bus stop in _____?: ( )
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?: ( )
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?: ( )

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: ( )
...the train station?: ( )
...the bus station?: ( )
...the airport?: ( )
...downtown?: ( )
...the youth hostel?: ( )
...the _____ hotel?: ( )
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: ( )
Where are there a lot of...: ( )
...hotels?: ( )
...restaurants?: ( )
...bars?: ( )
...sites to see?: ( )
Can you show me on the map?: ( )
street: ( )
Turn left.: ( )
Turn right.: ( )
left: ( )
right: ( )
straight ahead: ( )
towards the _____: ( )
past the _____: ( )
before the _____: ( )
Watch for the _____.: ( )
intersection: ( )
north: ka̱za ( )
south: ka̱tak ( )
east: ( )
west: ka̱jenshring ( )
uphill: ka̱zantsok ( )
downhill: ka̱takntsok ( )

Taxi

Taxi!: ( )
Take me to _____, please.: ( )
How much does it cost to get to _____?: ( )
Take me there, please.: ( )

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: ( )
How much is a room for one person/two people?: ( )
Does the room come with...: ( )
...bedsheets?: ( )
...a bathroom?: ( )
...a telephone?: ( )
...a TV?: ( )
May I see the room first?: ( )
Do you have anything quieter?: ( )
...bigger?: ( )
...cleaner?: ( )
...cheaper?: ( )
OK, I'll take it.: ( )
I will stay for _____ night(s).: ( )
Can you suggest another hotel?: ( )
Do you have a safe?: ( )
...lockers?: ( )
Is breakfast/supper included?: ( )
What time is breakfast/supper?: ( )
Please clean my room.: ( )
Can you wake me at _____?: ( )
I want to check out.: ( )

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: ( )
Do you accept British pounds?: ( )
Do you accept euros?: ( )
Do you accept credit cards?: ( )
Can you change money for me?: ( )
Where can I get money changed?: ( )
Can you change a traveler's check for me?: ( )
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?: ( )
What is the exchange rate?: ( )
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: ( )

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: ( )
Can I look at the menu, please?: ( )
Can I look in the kitchen?: ( )
Is there a house specialty?: ( )
Is there a local specialty?: ( )
I'm a vegetarian.: ( )
I don't eat pork.: ( )
I don't eat beef.: ( )
I only eat kosher food.: ( )
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard): ( )
fixed-price meal: ( )
a la carte: ( )
breakfast: ( )
lunch: ( )
tea (meal): ( )
supper: ( )
I want _____.: ( )
I want a dish containing _____.: ( )
chicken: ( )
beef: ( )
fish: ( )
ham: ( )
sausage: ( )
cheese: ( )
eggs: ( )
salad: ( )
(fresh) vegetables: ( )
(fresh) fruit: ( )
bread: ( )
toast: ( )
noodles: ( )
rice: ( )
beans: ( )
May I have a glass of _____?: ( )
May I have a cup of _____?: ( )
May I have a bottle of _____?: ( )
coffee: ( )
tea (drink): ( )
juice: ( )
(bubbly) water: ( )
(still) water: ( )
beer: ( )
red/white wine: ( )
May I have some _____?: ( )
salt: ( )
black pepper: ( )
butter: ( )
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): ( )
I'm finished.: ( )
It was delicious.: ( )
Please clear the plates.: ( )
The check, please.: ( )

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: ( )
Is there table service?: ( )
A beer/two beers, please.: ( )
A glass of red/white wine, please.: ( )
A pint, please.: ( )
A bottle, please.: ( )
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.: ( )
whiskey: ( )
vodka: ( )
rum: ( )
water: ( )
club soda: ( )
tonic water: ( )
orange juice: ( )
Coke (soda): ( )
Do you have any bar snacks?: ( )
One more, please.: ( )
Another round, please.: ( )
When is closing time?: ( )
Cheers!: ( )

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: ( )
How much is this?: ( )
That's too expensive.: ( )
Would you take _____?: ( )
expensive: ( )
cheap: ( )
I can't afford it.: ( )
I don't want it.: ( )
You're cheating me.: ( )
I'm not interested.: (..)
OK, I'll take it.: ( )
Can I have a bag?: ( )
Do you ship (overseas)?: ( )
I need...: ( )
...toothpaste.: ( )
...a toothbrush.: ( )
...tampons.: . ( )
...soap.: ( )
...shampoo.: ( )
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ( )
...cold medicine.: ( )
...stomach medicine.: ... ( )
...a razor.: ( )
...an umbrella.: ( )
...sunblock lotion.: ( )
...a postcard.: ( )
...postage stamps.: ( )
...batteries.: ( )
...writing paper.: ( )
...a pen.: ( )
...English-language books.: ( )
...English-language magazines.: ( )
...an English-language newspaper.: ( )
...an English-English dictionary.: ( )

Driving

I want to rent a car.: ( )
Can I get insurance?: ( )
stop (on a street sign): ( )
one way: ( )
yield: ( )
no parking: ( )
speed limit: ( )
gas (petrol) station: ( )
petrol: ( )
diesel: ( )

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: ( )
It was a misunderstanding.: ( )
Where are you taking me?: ( )
Am I under arrest?: ( )
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: ( )
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: ( )
I want to talk to a lawyer.: ( )
Can I just pay a fine now?: ( )

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