Iban phrasebook

Iban (jaku Iban) is a tribal language of western Borneo, spoken in Malaysia's state of Sarawak, the Indonesian state of West Kalimantan, and Brunei. There are many dialects; this phrasebook uses the Kuching dialect.

grammar
Basic Iban grammar is easy to study. Some of the grammar is closely related to Malay grammar. Word order is verb-object-subject.


 * I read a book
 * "Macha bup aku"

Adjectives are placed after the verb
 * Macha bup aku

Another example:
 * I'm go shopping with my friend
 * "Raun enggau bala bakih ke pasar aku"


 * I search for something
 * " Ngigak utai aku tok"


 * I'm so tired
 * " Lelak mai aku"

Basics

 * Aku - I
 * Nuan/Dek - You
 * Aok - Yes
 * Ndak - No
 * Iti - Piece
 * Aku Kak Ngenak Jamban Dulok - I Would Like To Go To The Toilet
 * Nuan/Dek Ari Dini? - Where Are You From?
 * Nyamai Mai Utai Empak Tuk - This Food Is Quite Tasty
 * Aku Mupok Dulok - I'd Like To Make A Move


 * Hello. : . ( )
 * Hello. (informal) : . ( )
 * How are you? : ? ( Nama brita nuan?)
 * Fine, thank you. : . (Manah )
 * What is your name? : ? ( Sapa nama nuan?)
 * My name is ______ . :  ______ . (  _____ .)
 * Nice to meet you. : . (Manah begulai enggau dik )
 * Please. :. (Bah )
 * Thank you. :. (Terima Kasih )
 * You're welcome. :. (Sama-sama )
 * Yes. :. (aok )
 * No. : . ( enda)
 * Excuse me. (getting attention) : . ( )
 * Excuse me. (begging pardon) : . ( )
 * I'm sorry. :. ( Minta ampun)
 * Goodbye :. ( Selamat Jalai)
 * Goodbye (informal) : . ( )
 * I can't speak Iban [well]. : [ ]. ( enda nemu jako ?????? [])
 * Do you speak English? : ? ( ?)
 * Is there someone here who speaks English? : ? ( bisi urang nemu jako English ditu?)
 * Help! :! ( Tulung!)
 * Look out! :! ( Berjimat!)
 * Good morning. : . (Selamat pagi )
 * Good evening. : . (Selamat lemai )
 * Good night. : . ( )
 * Good night (to sleep) : . ( )
 * I don't understand. : . ( endak nemu aku)
 * Where is the toilet? : ? ( Dini jamban )

Clock time
Pukul brapa diatu?

Colors
red
 * (mirah)

black
 * (celum)

white
 * (burak)