Basic Kuna: Dictionary, Words & Phrases

Learn the Kuna Language One Word at a Time

Located on the North shore of the Republic of Panama, just West of the Colombian border, the Guna Yala, often referred to as the San Blas islands, is a Caribbean archipelago boasting an island for every day of the year, each one blessed with white sand beaches and gently swaying palm trees

The native tongue of the Kuna is pronounced Guna or Tulekaya. From A to Z, this basic Kuna/Spanish/English dictionary details a litany of necessary translations for common words and phrases most likely to be encountered in the San Blas Islands. Here are a few examples designed to whet your appetite.

A Listing of Basic Kuna Words

Kuna/English
Olasu - Nose ring worn by Guna women.Guna Yala - The San Blas Islands.Guna - An indigenous native of Guna Yala.Sahila - Village leader.Tulemola - Clothing.Oros - Rice.Madu - Bread.Ua or Tilapia - Fish.Dulup or Skungit - Lobster.Koibir or Ogob - Coconut.Cabi - Coffee.Cayuca - Canoe carved from a tree trunk.Erragon - A Kuna god.Nuchus - A holy, wooden doll.Poni - An evil spirit.Kuna - Kuna land.Ico-inna - Feast related to coming of age, puberty.Tilapia - A fish.Congresos - A town meeting.
(In Kuna mola means shirt)

In Dulegaya, the Kuna's native language, mola means shirt or clothing. The mola art form originated with the tradition of Kuna women painting their bodies with geometric designs, using available natural colors. Molas form the traditional outfit of a Kuna woman; two mola panels are incorporated as front and back panels in a blouse. Full costumes include a patterned wrapped skirt (saburet), a red and yellow headscarf (musue), arm and leg beads (wini), a gold nose ring (olasu), and earrings in addition to the mola blouse dulemor.

Dulegaya is the primary language of daily life in the comarcas, and the majority of Kuna children speak the language. Spanish is also widely used, especially in education and written documents. Although it is relatively viable, Kuna is considered to be one of the world's endangered languages.

Must Know Words & Phrases English/Dulegaya
Hello – NaHow are you? – Bede nued guddi?Fine – NuediFine, thank you. And you? – An nuedi. Bedina?What is your name? – Igi be nuga?My name is.. – An nugaNice to meet you – An yeel itoeWhere are you from? – Be bia lidi?I am from – An .. ginedi.Yes – ElleNo – SuliThanks – Dot NuetPlease – Uis anga saetOk – Nued gudii oGood – Nabir, nuediWelcome – Nuegambi use be nonikiI'm happy – An yee ito diiI'm warm – An uerba itoeI'm hungry – An uku itoeI'm thirsty – An gobieI'm cold – An dambe itoeI'm sleepy – An nue gapieGoodbye – Degi maloGood luck – Nuedgine, nuegan biSee you tomorrow – An banedese be dakoeI had a good time – An yer ittosa
Suffice it to say, BASIC KUNA is a good pocket beginners guide you can handily carry on your travels in your back pocket or backpack.