Visiting Goa for the first time? A brief guide to popular Konkani phrases to help first time visitors to Goa.
Along with being the official language of the Goa, Konkani is also the mother-tongue of all Goans. This beautiful language is widely spoken in the beach destinations of Goa. One of the most sought-after destinations in India, it is flocked by Indian and international nationals, in crazy numbers. If you too are visiting Goa, learning Konkani would be quite interesting as well as helpful. Using a dash of phrases and words might prove to be quite handy.
For Goa travelers, this blog contains a number common Konkani phrases, used in day-today life, and English to Konkani translations for common expressions and greetings. If you mug-up these, you would be easily able to converse with locals, cab drivers, shopkeepers and fishermen. These people can actually help you out in giving such details about the place, which you might not be aware of.
As they might not be comfortable communicating in English, you can connect really well with them by talking in their own language. Just learn these and you might feel completely at home, when in Goa:
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When we travel to a place that has a different mother tongue from ours, learning some expressions used in daily conversation, might help. Here are some of them:
| ENGLISH | KONKANI |
| Hello/good morning | Deu boro dis dium |
| My name is (name) | Mojem naum (name) |
| I come from (place) | Mau zo gao (place) |
| What is your name? | Tuchem naum kitay? |
| Good evening | Deu bori sanz dium |
| Good night | Deu bori raat dium |
| Can you tell me? | Maka saangshi? |
| How are you? (male) | Tum Ko so asa? |
| Can you help me? | Mhojem modot korshi? |
| How are you? (female) | Ko shem asa? |
| Sorry | Maaf kor |
| Why | Kiteak |
| Thank you | Deu borem korum |
| Where | Khuim |
| Please | Upkar koroonc |
| What | Kitem |
| Yes/no | Hoei/Na |
| I feel sick | Mhojea jivak borem dissonam |
| I am happy | Aoo tsaud kooshi |
| I am tired | Aoo tsod tokla |
| Good | Borem |
| I love Goa | Maka Goemcho mog asa |
| What is the time? | Kitlim voram zaleant? |
| Goodbye | Miochay / Adeus |
| Do you speak English | Tum Inglez uloitai? |
| I speak a little Konkani | Aoo thodee Konkani ooloyta |
Popular Konkani Expressions – Getting Around and Searching accommodation
When we land somewhere overseas for a vacation or a business trip, we search for suitable accommodation and travel around the city or the state for sightseeing and another thing. Here are some important phrases for the same if you are visiting Goa:
| ENGLISH | KONKANI |
| Can you get me a taxi? | Maka ek taxi haadshi? |
| Where is the (Police Station)? | (Police Station) khuim assa? |
| How do I go there? | Thuim hao kosso vossoonk? |
| When does the bus leave? | Bus kitley anc so ta? |
| How much does a taxi charge? | Taxi kitley bhaadem ghetaam? |
| How far is the bus stop? | Bus stop kitley pois assa? |
| How long will it take? | Kitlo vogoth laagtolo? |
| Does this bus go to (Panjim)? | Ee bus (Panjim) voi ta? |
| Which bus goes to (Calangute)? | Khui chi bus Calangute vetaa? |
| Have we arrived in (Candolim)? | (Candolim) pau lay? |
| How much to (Baga) | (Baga)vossoonk kitlay pot ollay? |
| Where can I catch the bus to (Panjim) | (Panjim) bus ko ee tamta? |
| Do you have a room/house to rent? | Tu jay shee room/ghor asa? |
| Turn left/right | Dai an/ Ooj an wot |
| Where can I make a phone call? | Maka phone koroonc khuim meltolem? |
| I would like a single / double room | Maka single / double room zai |
| How many kilometers is it to (Calangute)? | (Calangute) kitlay pois asa? |
| What is the charge per day? | Eke dissak kitley poi shay? |
| I want a room for a day | Maka eke dissak room zai |
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Popular Konkani Expressions – Food and Wine
Goa is extremely popular for its food. Use these common Konkani phrases while searching for suitable wine and dine options when you are visiting Goa:
| ENGLISH | KONKANI |
| I am thirsty | Maka taan lagleah |
| I am hungry | Maka bhook lagleah |
| Water | Oodok |
| I do not want it spicy | Maka tik naka |
| Where can I get some snacks? | Maka khaunk ‘snacks’ khuim meltolem? |
| No sugar | Saakor naka |
| No ice | Borof naka |
| The food is good | Jevon borem |
Common Konkani Expressions – Shopping
Shopping is an important activity in which one indulges, when in Goa. Especially during bargaining for the right deal, little knowledge about these native phrases can go a long way in establishing rapport with shopkeepers. These popular Konkani phrases should help you out when you are visiting Goa:
| ENGLISH | KONKANI |
| Do you sell cashew nuts? | Tumi kaju bhieo viktaat? |
| Have you got another one like this? | Oslem aneek assa? |
| Too expensive! | Ekdom mar rog! |
| Do you take credit card? | Tu credit card ghetam? |
| How much? | Kitlem? |
| I want… | Maka zai… |
| I’ll take this | Haon hem ghetam |
| Can I pay in dollars / pounds? | Mhojean pounds voh dollaraani faarik koroonc zata? |
| I don’t want it | Maka naka |
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Geetika Handa
Geetika Handa is a travel writer who has an interest in sharing her experiences with all. She provides a detailed account of any travel topic she chooses to write on. You can get detailed information and tips about choosing the right kind of holiday packages in the country from her write-ups.
Geetika
How do you say ‘ what happened to you’ in konkani?
So good
Superb this helps for basic interaction
Hey Ms. Geetika,
Can you tell me If there is any learning center or institute in Goa which could provide coaching for Konkani language reading, writing & speaking?
I have a YouTube channel named LEARN KONKANI ,I liked the format of the Blog. Can I use these phrases you have mentioned in the Blog. It’s too good. I would undoubtedly be mentioning you name and website address in the video.
Hey Saurabh,
Thank you for the honor. You can use the blog post for your channel. You can follow our blog for interesting posts on India travels.