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Chavacano
Chavacano or Philippine Creole Spanish is a Spanish-based creole language spoken in parts of
the Philippines, especially in and around the city of Zamboanga, by over 600,000 people. There
are also speakers of the Zamboanga dialect of Chavacano in Sempornah, Malaysia. It is the only
Spanish-based creole in Asia and the only non-Austronesian language to have developed in the
Philippines.
Chavacano combines vocabulary mainly from Spanish, with grammar mainly from Tagalog and
Cebuano. There are two main varities of Chavacano in Zamboanga - a formal variety that
contains more Spanish vocabulary, and an informal variety containing more vocabulary from
Tagalog, Cebuano and other Philippine languages.
Chavacano is used primarily as a spoken language which dates back to 1635, when Zamboanga
became a permanent Spanish stronghold with the construction of the San Jos Fortress. Recently
a standard written form has began to emerge.
As a general orthographic rule, all words of Spanish/European and Mexican origin are spelt
according to their original spelling in the Spanish alphabet. Words from Philippine languages are
spelt in the native way along Spanish rules. For example: jendeh, meaning no or not, is not
spelled as hinde because h is always silent in the Spanish alphabet, thus it is not spelled as in
Tagalog.
There are six dialects of Chavacano, each with a number of different names:

Zamboanga dialect (about 360,000 speakers): Zamboangueo,

Chavacano/Chabacano/Chabakano de Zamboanga

Cavite dialect (about 200,000 speakers): Caviteo, Chavacano/Chabacano/Chabakano de

Cavite, Caviten, Linguaje di Niso, Tsabakano

Ermita dialect: Ermiteo or Ermitao (practically extinct)

Ternate dialect (about 7,000 speakers): Ternateo Chabacano, Bahra, Linguaje di Bahra.

Davao dialect (about 18,000 speakers): Davaoeo, Davaweo, Davawenyo, Davawenyo

Zamboangenyo, Abakay Spanish, Davao Chabacano/Chavacano/Chabakano.

Cotabato dialect (about 20,500 speakers): Cotabateo, Cotabato

Chabacano/Chavacano/Chabakano.

Chavacano alphabet and pronunciation (Zamboanga

dialect)

Notes

C = [s] when followed by e or i, and [k] when followed by a, o or u

G = [x] when followed by e or i, and [g] when followed by a, o or u

Sample text in Chabacano de Zamboanga

Todo'l maga ser humano nace libre e igual en dignidad y maga derecho. Dotado con ellos el
razon y conciencia y debe ellos comporta fraternalmente con el maga uno con el maga otro.

Listen to this text

Listen to this text

Sample text in Chabacano de Cavite

Todo el mga genti ya naci libre y igual na dignidad y derecho. Tieni ilos rason y conciencia y
debi ilos trata cun uno y otro comu mga hermano.

Translation
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason
and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Lord's Prayer in Common Chavacano of Zamboanga

Tata de amon talli na cielo,
bendito el de Usted nombre.
Manda vene con el de Usted reino;
Hace el de Usted voluntad aqui na tierra,
igual como alli na cielo.
Dale kanamon el pan para cada dia.
Perdona el de amon maga culpa,
como ta perdona kame con aquellos
quien tiene culpa kanamon.
No deja que hay cae kame na tentacion
y libra kanamon na mal.

Lord's Prayer in Formal Chavacano of Zamboanga

Nuestro Tata talli na cielo,
bendito el de Usted nombre.
Manda vene con el de Usted reino;
Hace el de Usted voluntad aqui na tierra,
igual como alli na cielo.
Dale con nosotros el pan para cada dia.
Perdona el de nuestro maga culpa,
como nosotros ta perdona con aquellos
quien tiene culpa con nosotros.

No deja que nosotros hay cae na tentacion

y libra con nosotros de mal.

Philippine National Anthem (Chavacano de Zamboanga version)

PATRIA DE AMORES
Tierra adorada,
Hija del sol de oriente,
Fervor del corazon,
viv na tuyo pecho.
Patria de Amores,
Cuna del herosmo,
Nunca hay rend t
al mana invasor.
Na tuyo mar y mana monte,
y aire, y azul cielo,
Tiene esplende el poema y cancin
del amado libertad.
Victoria rde el chispa
de tuyo bandera.
Nunca mir apago
Su mana estrella y su sol
Tierra de gloria, del sol y amores,
vida dulce na tuyo abrazda,
Un honor se para con nosotros,
Cuando tiene opresor, mor por t.
Useful phrases in Chabacano

Links
Information about Chavacano
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chavacano
http://chabacano.iespana.es/english.htm
http://www.zamboanga.com/chavacano/chavacano_de_zamboanga_speak.htm
http://filipinokastila.tripod.com/chabig.html
Chavacano dictionary
http://www.zamboanga.com/chavacano/
Habla Chabacano - blog about Chabacano
http://hablachabacano.blogspot.com

Other creole languages

Aukaans/Ndjuk, Bislama, Cape Verdean Creole, Chavacano, Guadeloupean Creole, Haitian
Creole, Jamaican, Nagamese, Papiamento, Saramaccan, Seychelles Creole, Sranan, Tok Pisin
Other languages written with the Latin alphabet
Learn Chinese Characters with the Omniglot Chinese app
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Copyright 1998-2012 Simon Ager
Chavacano (as a proper noun, as a derivative of the Spanish adjective "chabacano," and as it is
generally accepted in literature, the broadcast media, and Zamboangueos) or Chabacano (as the
Spanish adjective) is the common name for the several dialects of the Philippine Creole Spanish
spoken in the Philippines. The word chabacano - which the name Chavacano is derived from - is
Spanish for "poor taste," "vulgar," "common," "tasteless," "tacky," or "coarse."
Chavacano speakers are concentrated mostly in Zamboanga City, in the provinces of
Zamboanga, Basilan, Cavite, and in some areas of Davao and Cotabato. According to the official
2000 Philippine census, there were altogether 607,200 speakers in that same year. The figures
could be much higher as the population of Zamboanga City far exceeds the census figure.
Speakers are also found in Semporna, Sabah in Malaysia -- not surprisingly -- because this
northern part of Borneo is close to the Sulu islands and Zamboanga Peninsula, and it was once
part of Spanish Philippines until the late 19th century. Some people of the Muslim ethnic tribes
of Zamboanga such as the Tausugs, the Samals, and of Basilan such as the Yakans also speak the
language. In the close provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi areas, there are muslim speakers of the
Zamboangueo dialect or formally known as Chavacano de Zamboanga.
Some dialects based on the nearby regions are Castellano Abakay spoken in Davao and
Cotabateo spoken in Cotabato. Castellano Abakay still has two-subdialects namely Catellano
Abakay Chino and Castellano Abakay Japon. There are three known dialects of Chavacano
which have Tagalog as their main substrate language: Caviteo, Ternateo, and Ermitao
(extinct). The other dialects have Cebuano as their main substrate language. Zamboangueo is
the dialect with the most number of speakers, being the main language and official of
Zamboanga City and the de facto language of Basilan Province.

The vocabulary is predominantly derived from the ancient/oldSpanish language, while grammar
is mostly based on other AusthronesianPhilippine languages such as Tagalog and Cebuano. It is
used in education, print media, television and radio.
Contents
[hide]

1 Chabacano? Chavacano? Chabakano?

2 Historical development

2.1 Zamboangueo

2.2 Caviteo / Ternateo

3 Samples
o

3.1 (Zamboangueo)

3.2 (Caviteo / Ternateo)

3.1.1 Another Sample of Chavacano de Zamboanga

3.2.1 Another Sample of Chavacano de Cavite

3.3 Text samples

3.3.1 Credo

3.3.2 Lord's Prayer

3.3.1.1 Zamboangueo Chavacano

3.3.2.1 Zamboangueo Chavacano

3.3.2.1.1 Zamboangueo (common)

3.3.2.1.2 Zamboangueo (formal)

3.3.2.2 Caviteo Chabacano

3.3.2.3 Ternateo Chabacano

3.3.3 Angelic Salutation (Hail Mary)

3.3.3.1 Zamboangueo Chavacano

3.3.3.2 Ternateo Chavacano (Chabacano de Ternate)

3.3.4 Angelic Salutation (Hail Holy Queen)

3.3.5 Gloria Patri

3.3.5.1 Zamboangueo Chavacano (formal)

3.3.5.2 Ternate Chavacano

3.3.6 Acto de Arrepentimiento (Act of Contrition)

3.3.7.1 Zamboangueo Chavacano (formal)

4 Vocabulary
o

3.3.6.1 Zamboangueo Chavacano (formal)

3.3.7 Angelus (Angelus)

3.3.4.1 Zamboangueo (Chavacano de Zamboanga)

4.1 Forms and Style

5 Grammar
o

5.1 Nouns

5.1.1 Plural nouns

5.2 Pronouns

5.3 Verbs

6 Archaic Castillian words and False Friends: Spanish words that have
changed in meaning

7 Trivia

8 See also

9 Codes

10 References

11 External links

12 Original Source

[edit] Chabacano? Chavacano? Chabakano?

Zamboangueos usually (but not always) spell the word as Chavacano in reference to the
language or to themselves as chavacanos, and they spell the word as chabacano referring to the
Spanish meaning of the word and also to the language itself. Thus, Zamboangueos generally
spell the word in two different ways. Caviteos, Ternateos, and Ermitaos spell the word as it is
spelled originally in the Spanish language - chabacano. Davaoeos/Castellano Abakay,
Cotabateos and especially those from Basilan province (de Basilan) tend to lean more on the
Zamboangueo dialect spellings. It is important to take note that the dialects of the language are
geographically-related. Thus, Ermitao, Caviteo, and Ternateo are very similar to each other
having Tagalog as their main substrate language while Zamboangueo, Davaoeo/Catellano
Abakay, and Cotabateo are very similar having Visayan (mostly Cebuano, Hiligaynon, and
some Tausug) as their main substrate languages. Tagalog words, though, are present in
Zamboangueo and few other words from other austhronesian languages such as Ilocano,
Subanon, Sama-Lauan, Sama-Banguingui]], Yakan, Tausug, Tau-Laut/Badjao and other
austhronesian native Philippine languages, and from Italian, [Portuguese]], last but not but least
from Native American language such as Quechua, [Taino]], Mexican-Indian, Nauht'l and others.
Also, a Zamboangueo would call his dialect Zamboangueo or Chavacano de Zamboanga or
Zamboangueo Chavacano, a Caviteo would call his dialect Caviteo or Chabacano de Cavite
or Chabacano di Nisos, and etc. to emphasize the difference from one another using their own
geographical location as point of reference.
There are also other alternate names and spellings for this language depending on the varieties
and context (whether hispanized or native). Zamboangueos also sometimes call and spell their
variety as Chavakano. Caviteo is also known as Caviten while Ermitao as Ermiteo and
Ternateo as Ternateo Chabacano o Chabacano di Bahra. Davaoeo is also Davaweo,
Davawenyo, Davawenyo Zamboangenyo, Castellano Abakay, or Davao Chabacano/Chavacano.
Cotabateo is also known as Cotabato Chabacano/Chavacano or Cotabate.
Speakers from Basilan consider their Chavacano as Zamboangueo or Chavacano de
Zamboanga.
[edit] Historical development
[edit] Zamboangueo

On June 23 1635, Zamboanga became a permanent foothold of the Spanish government known
as San Jos Fort. Bombardment of Muslim attackers, harassments of Muslim pirates and the
determination to spread Christianity forced friars to request Spanish reinforcements. Zamboanga
or San Jos Fort was also a crucial strategic location.
The military authorities decided to import labor from Luzon and the Visayas. Thus, the
construction workforce eventually consisted of Spanish soldiers, masons from Cavite-who
comprised the majority, sacadas from Cebu and Iloilo, and those from the various local tribes of
Zamboanga like the Samals and Subanons.
Differences in dialect and culture made it difficult for one tribe to communicate with another. To
add to this, work instructions were issued in Spanish. The majority of the workers were
unschooled and therefore did not understand Spanish but needed to communicate with each other
and the Spaniards. A lingua franca developed and became a full-fledged language still in use
today, mainly in Zamboanga City.
From then on, constant Spanish military reinforcements as well as increased presence of Spanish
religious institutions and educational institutions have fostered the Spanish creole.
[edit] Caviteo / Ternateo

The Merdicas were a tribe of Malays of Ternate in the Moluccas which was a small Spanish
colony. Before this Ternate was a Portuguese colony. In 1574, the Merdicas volunteered to come
to Cavite to support the Spanish against the threat of invasion of the Chinese pirate, Limahong.
The invasion did not occur but the community of Merdicas settled in a place called Barra de
Maragondon at a sandbar at the mouth of the Maragondon River. Today, the place is called
Ternate and the community of Merdicas continued to use broken Spanish which came to be
called Ternateo or Ternateo Chavacano.
[edit] Samples
[edit] (Zamboangueo)
Donde tu anda?
( Where are you going?)
Ya mir yo con Jos.
( I saw Jos.)
Ele ya empez busc que busc con el sal.
(He/She began to search everywhere for the salt.)

Ele ya and na escuela.

(He/She went to school.)
Si Mario ya dorm na casa.
(Mario slept in the house.)
El hombre, quien ya man encuentro tu, amo mi hermano.
(The man [whom] you met is my brother.)
El persona con quien ta conversa tu, bien bueno gayot.
(The person you are talking to is very nice indeed.)
[edit] Another Sample of Chavacano de Zamboanga

Trentay cuatro kilometro desde'l pueblo de Zamboanga, el Bunguiao que un barrio chico estaba
como un desierto. No hay gente quien ta queda aqui. Abundante este lugar de maga animal
particularmente como puerco, gatorgalla, venao y otro mas pa. Maga pajariador lang ta visita con
este lugar.
'Bunguiao, a small village, thirty four kilometers from the city of Zamboanga,
was once a wilderness. No people lived here. The place abounded with wild
animals like pigs, wildcats, deer, and still others. The place was visited only
by (bird) hunters.'
[edit] (Caviteo / Ternateo)
Niss ya pid pabor cun su papang.
(We have already asked your father for a favor.)
[edit] Another Sample of Chavacano de Cavite

Puede nisos habla: que grande nga pala el sacrificio del mga heroe para niso independencia.
Debe nga pala no niso ulvida con ilos. Ansina ya ba numa? Debe haci niso mga cosa para dale
sabi que ta aprecia niso con el mga heroe. Que preparao din niso haci sacrificio para el pueblo.
Que laya? Escribi mga novela como Jose Rizal?
Translation in Zamboangueo:
'Quiere decir, puede nosostros habla cay el que grande sacrificio gale ya
ofrece nuestro maga heroe para obtene nosotros con nuestro independencia.
Entonces, no debe nosostros olvida con ellos. Ancina gane, hende ba?
Necesita nosotros manda sabe con todos que nosotros ta aprecia con nuestro
maga heroe y nosotros preparado tambien sacrifica para con el nacion.

Quemodo ese nosotros hace? Maga clase de novela como ya escribi si Jose
Rizal, el nosotros hay escribir tambien?'

In English:
'We can say what great sacrifices our heroes have done to achieve our
independence. We should therefore not forget them. Is it like this? We should
do things to let it be known that we appreciate the heroes; that we are
prepared to make sacrifices for our people. How? [should we] write novels like
Jos Rizal?'
[edit] Text samples
[edit] Credo
[edit] Zamboangueo Chavacano

El Tata Todopoderoso,
creador del cielo y del tierra,
y con JesuCristo, el Unico hijo de Suyo, el de Nuestro Seor,
con quien ya conceb por medio del poder del Espiritu Santo,
y ya nac con La Virgen Maria.
Ya padec durante el tiempo de Poncio Pilato,
Con Ele ya crucific, ya mur, y ya enterr,
ya and L con el mana muertos,
y na tercer da ya resucita L entre con el mana muertos,
ya sub L na cielo y ya sint L na mano derecha del Dios Tata.
desde all hay ven L otra vez
para juzg con el mana vivos y mana muertos.
ta cre yo con el Espiritu Santo,
con el Santa Iglesia Catlica Apostlica,
con el Comunion del mana Santos,
y el perdon del pecado,
con el Resurreccin del mana muertos
y con el vida eterna. Amen.
[edit] Lord's Prayer
[edit] Zamboangueo Chavacano
[edit] Zamboangueo (common)

De atn Tata que tall na cielo,

bendito el de Ustd nombre.
Mand ven con el de Ustd Reno;

Hace el de Ustd voluntad aqu na tierra,

igual como all na cielo.
Dle conamn el pan para cada da.
Perdon el de amn maga pecados,
como ta perdona tambin kam con aquellos
quien ya pec conamn.
Y no dej que hay ca kam na tentacin
sino libr conamn de mal.
[edit] Zamboangueo (formal)

Nuestro Tata Quien talli na cielo,

bendito el de Usted nombre.
Manda ven con el de Usted reno;
Hace el de Usted voluntad aqui na tierra,
igual como alli na cielo.
Dale con nosotros el pan para cada dia.
Perdona el de nuestro mana pecados,
como nosotros ta perdona con aquellos
quien ya peca con nosotros.
Y no deja que nosotros hay ca na tentacion
sino libra con nosotros de mal.
[edit] Caviteo Chabacano

Niso Tata Qui ta na cielo,

quida santificao Tu nombre.
Manda vini con niso Tu reino;
Sigui el qui quiere Tu aqui na tierra,
igual como na cielo!
Dali con niso ahora,
niso comida para todo el dia.
Perdona el mga culpa di niso,
si que laya ta perdona niso con aquel
mga qui tiene culpa con niso.
No dija qui cai niso na tentacion,
pero salva con niso na malo.

[edit] Ternateo Chabacano

Padri di mijotru ta all na cielo,

quid alaba Bo nombre.
Llev cun mijotru Bo trono; Vin con mijotru Bo reino;
Sigu cosa qui Bo mand aqu na tiehra,
parejo all na cielo!
Dali con mijotro esti da,
el cumida di mijotro para cada da.
Perdon qul mg culpa ya hac mijotro con Bo,
como ta perdon mijotro quel
mga culpa ya hac el mga otro genti cun mijotro.
No dij qui ca mijotru na tintacin,
sin hac libr con mijotro na malo.
[edit] Angelic Salutation (Hail Mary)
[edit] Zamboangueo Chavacano

Dios te salve, Maria!

Lleno Usted de gracia;
El Seor es talli con Usted.
Bendita Usted entre todas las mujeres,
y bendito el fruto del de Usted vientre, si Jesus.
Santa Maria, Nana de Dios,
roga para con nosotros mana pecadores,
ahora y na hora de nuestro muerte tambien. Amen.
[edit] Ternateo Chavacano (Chabacano de Ternate)

El Saludu di Anghl Gabriel cun Mara

Ta salud yo cun buh, Mara, quid alegri buh! Llenu buh di gracia!
El Sior tall cun buh!
Ya bindic Dis cun buh comu unicu mujer na todu, Benditu buh na todu el mga mujer
y ya bindic Dis tamin cun Jess, el Fruta di buh bahriga!
Sant Mara, Madri di Dis:
Hac riz para mijotru, mga genti culpabli,
agora y cuandu di mur ya mijotru.

[edit] Angelic Salutation (Hail Holy Queen)

[edit] Zamboangueo (Chavacano de Zamboanga)

DIOS TE SALVE, REINA

Dios te salve, Reina!
de Nuestra vida, Nuestra Nana, de Nuestra esperanza.
con Usted nosotros ta llama, mana desterrados hijos de eva.
con Usted nosotros suplicando, suspirando
y llorando na valle de lagrimas.
de Nuestra abogada, vira el de Usted ojos
de misericordia para con nosotros.
y despues del de nuestro destierro, manda mira con nosotros,
el bendito fruto del de Usted vientre, si Jesus.
O Lastimosa, O Amorosa, O Dulce Virgen Maria. Amen.
[edit] Gloria Patri
[edit] Zamboangueo Chavacano (formal)

Gloria con El Tata, con El Hijo,

y con El Espiritu Santo.
Igual como na principio,
ahora y siempre para
los siglos de los siglos. Amen.
[edit] Ternate Chavacano

El Gloria cun el Santsima Trinidad

Gloria cun el Padri, cun el Hiju, y cun el Espritu Santo.
Comu quel principiu, ansina agora y siempri, y para na todu tiempu.
[edit] Acto de Arrepentimiento (Act of Contrition)
[edit] Zamboangueo Chavacano (formal)

Pesame, Dios mio, de todo corazon de aberos ofendido,

pesame de todos mis pecados por el infierno
que mereci y por el cielo que perdi, pero mucho mas
me pesa porque pecando ofendi a un Dios tan bueno
y digno de todo mi amor. prometo firmemente,
con la ayuda de vuestra gracia, confesar mis pecados,
hacer penitencia y cambiar mi costumbre. Amen.

[edit] Angelus (Angelus)

[edit] Zamboangueo Chavacano (formal)

L.: El Angel del Seor ya lleva el mensaje con Maria.

T.: y ELE ya concebi por medio del Espiritu Santo.
L.: taqui el muchacho del Dios/Seor.
T.: hace conmigo conform, Usted ya habla.
L.: y ya queda LE entre con nosotros.
T.: roga para de Nuestra, Nana Santa de Dios.
L.: para nosotros hay puede merece el mana promesa de JesuCristo.
T.: Nosotros Reza: O Seor, vacia el de Usted gracia na de nuestro mana corazones,
para que nosotros, con quien ya manda sabe el encarnacion de JesuCristo,
el de Usted Hijo, por medio de un mensaje de un Angel, hay gana nosotros el
gloria del resureccion por medio de su pasion y cruz. nosotros ta pedi este
por medio de JesuCristo, Nuestro Seor. Amen.
[edit] Vocabulary
[edit] Forms and Style

Chavacano (especially Zamboangueo) has two levels of usage for words: The common or
familiar and formal.
In the common or familiar form, words of local origin or a mixture of local and Spanish words
predominate. They are used ordinarily when conversing with people of equal or lower status in
society and in the family, with friends and acquaintances. Their use are of general acceptance and
usage.
In the formal form, words of Spanish origin predominate. They are used when conversing with
elders and those in authority. They are also used especially when conversing with people of
higher status in society and family. They are used in speeches, education, media, and writing.
The following examples show a contrast between the usage of formal words and common or
familiar words in Chavacano:
English

Chavacano (Formal)

Chavacano (Common/Familiar)

slippery

rezbaloso/resbaladizo

malandug

rice

morisqueta

canon

rain

aguacero

ulan

dish

vianda

comida

braggart/boastful

orgulloso

hambugero/bugalon

car

coche

auto

housemaid

muchacho/muchacha

ayudante/ayudanta

father

papa

tata

mother

mama

nana

grandfather

abuelo

lolo

grandmother

abuela

lola

small

chico/chiquito

diutay

nuisance

fastidio

malihug

hard-headed

testaduro

duro cabeza/duro pulso

slippers

chancla

chinelas

[edit] Grammar
[edit] Nouns

Unlike Spanish, Chavacano nouns do not follow gender rules in general. In Zamboangueo, the
article 'el' basically follows every singular noun. However, this rule is not rigid (especially in
Zamboangueo) because the formal vocabulary mode wherein Spanish words predominate
almost always is the preferred mode especially in writing. The Spanish article 'la' for feminine
singular nouns do exist in Chavacano. When in doubt, the article 'el' is safe to use. Compare:
English
singular
noun

Chavacano singular noun

(general and common)

Chavacano singular noun

(accepted or uncommon)

the virgin

el virgen

la virgen (accepted)

the peace

el paz

la paz (accepted)

the sea

el mar

la mar (accepted)

the cat

el gato

el gato (la gata is uncommon)

the sun

el sol

el sol

the moon

el luna

el luna (la luna is uncommon)

the view

el vista

la vista (accepted)

the tragedy

el tragedia

el tragedia (la tragedia is

uncommon)

the doctor

el doctor

el doctora (la doctora is

uncommon)

And just like Spanish, Chavacano nouns do have gender but only when referring to persons.
However, they are always masculine in the sense that they are generally preceded by the article
'el'. Places and things are almost always masculine. The -o is dropped in masculine nouns and -a
is added to make the noun feminine:
English singular
noun

Chavacano singular noun

(masculine)

Chavacano singular noun

(feminine)

the teacher

el maestro

el maestra

the witch

el burujo

el buruja

the engineer

el engeniero

el engeniera

the tailor/seamstress

el sastrero

el sastrera

the baby

el nio

el nia

the priest/nun

el padre

el madre

the
grandson/granddaught el nieto
er

el nieta

the professor

el profesor

el profesora

the councilor

el consejal

el consejala

Not all nouns referring to persons can become feminine nouns. In Chavacano, some names of
persons are almost always masculine and doesn't always end in -o. Examples: el alcalde, el
politico, el negociante, el ayudante, el chufer
All names of animals are always masculine preceded by the article 'el'. Examples: el gato (gata is
uncommon), el puerco (puerca is uncommon), el perro (perra is uncommon)
Names of places and things can be masculine or feminine, but they are considered masculine
because the article 'el' always precedes the noun: el cosina, el pantalon, el comida, el agua, el
camino, el trapo

[edit] Plural nouns

In Chavacano, the Spanish articles 'los' and 'las' have almost disappeared when naming plural
forms of persons, places or things (whether masculine or feminine). They have been replaced by
'maga'. Maga comes from the native Tagalog or Cebuano 'mga'. This rule applies whether in
common, familiar or formal mode.
There are some Chavacano speakers (especially older Caviteo or Zamboangueo speakers) who
would tend to say 'mana' for 'maga'. 'Mana' is accepted and quite common especially with older
speakers, but when in doubt and almost always, the article 'maga' to pluralize nouns is safer to
use.
English plural noun

Chavacano plural noun

(masculine)

Chavacano plural noun

(feminine)

the teachers

maga maestro

maga maestra

the witches

maga burujo

maga buruja

the engineers

maga engeniero

maga engeniera

the tailors/seamstresses maga sastrero

maga sastrera

the babies

maga nio

maga nia

the priests/nuns

maga padre

maga madre

the
grandsons/granddaughte maga nieto
rs

maga nieta

the professors

maga profesor

maga profesora

the councilors

maga consejal

maga consejala

Again, this rule is not rigid (especially in Zamboangueo). The articles 'los' or 'las' do exist
sometimes before few nouns and are accepted: los caballeros, los dias, las noches, los
chabacanos, los santos, las maanas, las almujadas, las mesas, las plumas, los cosas
When in doubt, it is always safe to use 'maga' to pluralize singular nouns: maga caballero, maga
dia, maga noche, maga chabacano, maga santo, maga dia que viene (this is a phrase; 'maga
maana' is uncommon), maga almujada, maga mesa, maga pluma
In Chavacano, it is common for some nouns to become double when pluralized: maga cosa-cosa
(maga cosa is uncommon), maga casa-casa (maga casa is common), maga gente-gente (maga
gente is common), maga bata-bata (maga bata, 'child', is common), maga juego-juego (maga
juego is common)

In general, the letters -s, -as, -os to pluralize nouns in Spanish have also almost disappeared in
Chavacano. The singular form of the noun generally retains although it becomes plural because
of the preceding article 'maga' or 'mana':
maga caballeros (wrong) maga caballero (correct) maga dias (wrong) mana dia (correct)
However, the use of adding -es to some nouns is quite common and accepted, and sometimes
nouns ending in -cion can be pluralized by adding -es: maga meses, maga mujeres, maga
mayores, maga tentaciones, maga contestaciones, maga naciones, maga organizaciones
Still, it is safer to use the general rule (when in doubt) of retaining the singular form of the noun
preceded by the article 'maga' or 'mana': maga mes, maga mujer, maga mayor, maga tentacion,
maga contestacion, maga nacion, maga organizacion
[edit] Pronouns

Chavacano pronouns are based on native (Tagalog and Cebuano) and Spanish sources; many of
the pronouns are not used in either but may be derived in part.
In Chavacano de Zamboanga, there are three different levels of usage for certain pronouns
depending on the level of familiarity between the speaker and the addressee, the status of both in
family and society, or the mood of the speaker and addressee at the particular moment: common,
familiar, and formal. The common forms are, particularly in the second and third person plural,
derived from Cebuano while most familiar and formal forms are from Spanish. The common
forms are used to address a person below or of equal social or family status or to someone is who
is acquainted. The common forms are used to regard no formality or courtesy in conversation. Its
use can also mean rudeness, impoliteness or offensiveness. The familiar forms are used to
address someone of equal social or family status. It indicates courteousness, and is commonly
used in public conversations, the broadcast media, and in education. The formal forms are used
to address someone older and/or higher in social or family status. It is the form used in writing.
Additionally, Zamboangueo is the only variety of Chavacano which distinguishes between the
inclusive we (kita) - including the person spoken to (the addressee) - and the exclusive we
(kame) - excluding the person spoken to (the addressee) - in the first person plural except in the
formal form where nosotros is used for both.
Below is a chart comparing the personal pronouns in three varieties of Chavacano.
Zamboangueo
1st person singular

iyo
yo

Caviteo

Ternateo
yo

2nd person singular

evo(s) (common)
vo(s) (common)
tu (familiar)
uste(d) (formal)

3rd person singular

el
ele

1st person plural

kame (exclusive)
kita (inclusive)
nosotros (formal)

nisos

mijotro
motro

2nd person plural

kamo (common)
vosotros (familiar)
ustedes (formal)

vusos

ustedi
tedi

3rd person plural

sila (common & familiar)

ellos (formal)

ilos

lojotro
lotro

tu
vo
uste

vo
uste

eli

[edit] Verbs

The simple form of the Zamboangueo verb is identical to the vos imperative form of the
Rioplatense Spanish verb. Compare:

Zamboangueo: continu (continue)

Rioplatense: Continu! (Continue!)

Zamboangueo: pregunt (to ask)

Rioplatense: Pregunt! (Ask!)

Zamboangueo: and (go)

Rioplatense: And! (Go!)

Exceptions, however, include dale, and others.Template:Stub-section

[edit] Archaic Castillian words and False Friends: Spanish words that have changed
in meaning

Chabacano has preserved plenty of archaic Spanish words in its vocabulary that modern Spanish
no longer uses; for example:
En denantes - a while ago (Spanish: hace un tiempo)

Take note that "En denantes" is an archaic Spanish phrase. Modern Spanish would express the
phrase as "poco antes de hoy" or "hace un tiempo," but Chabacano still retains this archaic
Spanish phrase and many other archaic Spanish words.
On the other hand, some Spanish words have evolved or have acquired totally different meanings
in Chavacano. Hence for Spanish speakers who would encounter Chavacano speakers, some
words familiar to them have become false friends.
Some examples of false friends are:
Cerilla means 'earwax'. (In Spain, cerilla means 'match'; Although in Latin
America its meaning is 'earwax'.)
Siguro/Seguro means 'maybe'. (In Spanish, seguro means 'sure', 'secure', or
'stable'.)
Siempre means 'of course'. (In Spanish, siempre means 'always'.)
Firmi means 'always'. (In Spanish, firme means 'firm' or 'steady'.)
Masquen means 'even (if)'. (In Spanish, ms que means 'more than'.)
[edit] Trivia

Chabacano is apricot for Mexican Spanish speakers. Although apricot is albaricoque in

Spanish, in Mexico 'chabacano' is an apricot variety, to be exact.
[edit] See also

Spanish in the Philippines

[edit] Codes
SIL code: cbk
ISO 639-1: none
ISO 639-2: none
ISO 639-3: cbk
[edit] References

McKaughan, Howard P. Notes on Chabacano grammar, Journal of East Asiatic

Studies 3(1954) 205-26.

[edit] External links

Early history of Chavacano de Zamboanga A perspective on Chavacano de

Zamboanga's evolution

Chavacano: Ethnologue Ethnologue report on Chavacano.

Chavacano information

"Jesus" A two-hour religious film in RealVideo dubbed in Chavacano

Chavacano samples More samples of the Chavacano language

FilipinoKastila The Spanish and Chabacano situation in the Philippines

Ben Saavedra's speech on Chabacano at the University of the Philippines

(Web archive version)

El Chabacano El Chabacano en Espaol

Austronesian Elements in Philippine Creole Spanish (pdf)

Spanish world-wide: the last century of language contacts (PDF)

Chavacano of Cavite

Swearsaurus - Chabacano contains pornographic images

Simple grammar

The Puzzling Case of Chabacano: Creolization, Substrate, Mixing, and

Secondary Contact by Patrick O. Steinkrger

Confidence in Chabacano by Michael L. Forman

Chabacano/Spanish and the Philippine Linguistic Identity by John M. Lipski

About the word amo in Zamboangueo A paper in Spanish

[edit] Original Source

Original content from Wikipedia under GNU Free Documentation License. See full disclaimer.
Category: Hispano-Filipino

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