Coastal Dayak language spoken by Iban people
Phrasebooks > 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.

Pronunciation guide edit

Vowels edit

Consonants edit

Common diphthongs edit

grammar edit

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"

Phrase list edit

Some phrases in this phrasebook still need to be translated. If you know anything about this language, you can help by plunging forward and translating a phrase.


Basics edit

  • 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 edit

Pukul brapa diatu?


Days edit

Months edit

Colors edit

red

(mirah)

black

(celum)

white

(burak)

Transportation edit

Bus and train edit

Directions edit

dictionary edit

Learning more edit

This Iban phrasebook is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!