Basic Words

1. Gea

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply to a question

   Grammar Note

   gea is the adverb for yes; it also works as a masculine noun

2. Na

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

   Grammar Note

   na is the word for no and is also the negation particle placed before the verb (Jau na chapesch betg)

3. Per plaschair

   Please

   Usage

   A polite tag added to a request or an order

   Grammar Note

   per plaschair literally means "for pleasure"; it is added after a request

4. Grazia

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic way to say thanks; use Grazia fitg for emphasis

   Grammar Note

   Grazia alone is enough; adding fitg (very much) makes it warmer

5. Perstgisai!

   Excuse me

   Usage

   A polite way to get someone's attention or apologise lightly (imperative for Vus). To a friend use Perstgisa!

   Grammar Note

   The plural/polite imperative of perstgisar (to excuse). The singular, for a friend, is perstgisa

6. I ma displascha.

   Sorry

   Usage

   Used to apologise or to express sympathy

   Grammar Note

   Literally "it displeases me"; ma is the light pronoun for "to me"

7. En urden

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Means "fine" or "all right"; works as a reply to a check

   Grammar Note

   Literally "in order"; a fixed expression for "all right"

8. Jau na chapesch betg.

   I don't understand

   Usage

   The basic way to say you did not understand, before asking someone to speak more slowly

   Grammar Note

   Negation wraps the verb: na before it and betg after it. Before a vowel na becomes n'

9. Jau chapesch.

   I understand

   Usage

   A short reply to show you understood

   Grammar Note

   First person singular of chapir (to understand); it is the negative Jau na chapesch betg without na ... betg

10. Jau hai terminà.

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Say it when you have finished a meal or a task; handy when you want a plate cleared

    Grammar Note

    avair (have) + the past participle terminà expresses completion; terminar means to finish. Composed sentence; native review recommended

11. Spetgai, per plaschair.

    Please wait

    Usage

    A polite way to ask someone to wait (imperative for Vus)

    Grammar Note

    spetgai is the plural/polite imperative of spetgar (to wait); to a friend use spetga. Composed sentence; native review recommended

12. In mument.

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A short way to ask for a moment

    Grammar Note

    in is the masculine indefinite article; mument (moment) is masculine

13. In creschì, per plaschair.

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Use it to ask for one adult ticket or entry

    Grammar Note

    creschì is the masculine noun for adult; the plural is creschids. Composed sentence; native review recommended

14. Jau n'hai nagina reservaziun.

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Tells a hotel or restaurant that you have no booking

    Grammar Note

    nagina (feminine) carries the negation, so betg is not added here. na becomes n' before a vowel. Composed sentence; native review recommended

15. Jau hai ina reservaziun.

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Tells staff you have a booking; follow it with your name

    Grammar Note

    reservaziun is feminine, so the indefinite article is ina. Composed sentence; native review recommended

16. Gidai a mai, per plaschair.

    Please help me

    Usage

    A polite way to ask for help (imperative for Vus)

    Grammar Note

    gidar (to help) takes a + person; a mai means "me". Composed sentence; native review recommended

17. Anc ina giada, per plaschair.

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Asks someone to repeat what they said

    Grammar Note

    anc ina giada is a fixed expression for once more (giada means time, occasion)

18. Discurri plaun, per plaschair.

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    A polite request to speak slowly (imperative for Vus)

    Grammar Note

    The plural/polite imperative of discurrer (to speak) is discurri; to a friend use discurra. Composed sentence; native review recommended

19. Jau discur in pau rumantsch.

    I speak a little Romansh

    Usage

    Says you speak a little Romansh. Speakers use their own local idiom day to day; rumantsch grischun is the written standard

    Grammar Note

    discurrer rumantsch means to speak Romansh. Language names are written in lower case. Composed sentence; native review recommended

20. Discurris Vus englais?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Polite form for strangers, shops and stations. German is widely understood in Graubünden, so you can switch to asking about German if needed

    Grammar Note

    Questions are formed by putting the subject Vus after the verb. The polite second person is capital Vus. Composed sentence; native review recommended

21. Quai

    This

    Usage

    Points at something near you: this; use it together with pointing

    Grammar Note

    quai is an invariable demonstrative that can mean this or that

22. Quel

    That

    Usage

    Points at something farther away: that one; use it together with pointing

    Grammar Note

    quel is the masculine form; for a feminine thing use quella

23. Qua

    Here

    Usage

    Means here, the place where you are

    Grammar Note

    qua is the adverb for here; there is là

24. Là

    There

    Usage

    Means there, a place away from you. Keep the grave accent on à

    Grammar Note

    là is the adverb for there and carries a grave accent on à

25. Jau

    I / me

    Usage

    I; the subject pronoun is normally kept because verb endings alone are not clear

    Grammar Note

    jau is the first person singular subject pronoun; it is written in lower case except at the start of a sentence

26. Vus

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The polite you for elders and strangers; always written with a capital V

    Grammar Note

    The polite second person is capital Vus (with the vus verb form). Use ti with friends

27. Ensemen

    Together

    Usage

    Together; useful for doing something jointly or paying together

    Grammar Note

    ensemen is an adverb that goes after the verb or at the end of the sentence

28. Immediat

    Right now

    Usage

    Right away; use it when you need something done quickly

    Grammar Note

    immediat is an adverb meaning at once; it can also be used as an adjective

29. Ina persuna

    One person

    Usage

    How to state the number of people, for bookings and seating

    Grammar Note

    persuna is feminine, so "one" is ina. Composed sentence; native review recommended

30. Duas persunas

    Two people

    Usage

    How to say there are two of you

    Grammar Note

    Two takes the feminine form duas (masculine is dus); the plural adds -s. Composed sentence; native review recommended

31. Trais persunas

    Three people

    Usage

    How to say there are three of you

    Grammar Note

    trais does not change with gender; persunas is the plural of persuna. Composed sentence; native review recommended

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