Papiamentu vs Spanish, Portuguese & Dutch Words
Compare 180+ common words in Papiamentu, Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch side by side. Search by any language, browse by topic or letter, and spot the fascinating similarities and differences in Papiamentu vocabulary.
How to use this tool
Type an English, Papiamentu, Spanish, Portuguese or Dutch word. The tool searches all five forms and shows matching vocabulary side by side.
Why these languages?
Papiamentu has a strongly Iberian vocabulary alongside an important Dutch layer. Comparing the four languages makes patterns such as kas · casa · casa · huis and sneu · nieve · neve · sneeuw immediately visible.
Compare a word
Search for words such as house, water, tree, new, snow, bread or thank you and compare all four languages instantly.
Search by English, Papiamentu, Spanish, Portuguese or Dutch.
I
PeopleCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
you (singular)
PeopleCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
he / she
PeopleCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
we
PeopleCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
you (plural)
PeopleCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
they
PeopleCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
this
Useful wordsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
that
Useful wordsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
here
Useful wordsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
there
Useful wordsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
who
Useful wordsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
what
Useful wordsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
where
Useful wordsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
when
Useful wordsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
how
Useful wordsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
not
Useful wordsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
all
Useful wordsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
many
Useful wordsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
some
Useful wordsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
few
Useful wordsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
other
Useful wordsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
one
NumbersCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
two
NumbersCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
three
NumbersCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
four
NumbersCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
five
NumbersCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
big
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
long
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
wide
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
thick
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
heavy
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
small
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
short
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
thin
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
woman
PeopleCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
man
PeopleCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
person
PeopleCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
child
PeopleCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
wife
PeopleCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
husband
PeopleCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
mother
PeopleCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
father
PeopleCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
animal
AnimalsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
fish
AnimalsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
bird
AnimalsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
dog
AnimalsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
cat
AnimalsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
snake
AnimalsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
worm
AnimalsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
tree
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
forest
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
fruit
FoodCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
seed
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
leaf
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
root
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
flower
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
grass
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
rope
ObjectsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
skin
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
meat
FoodCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
blood
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
bone
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
fat
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
egg
FoodCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
horn
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
tail
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
feather
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
hair
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
head
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
ear
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
eye
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
nose
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
mouth
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
tooth
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
tongue
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
fingernail
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
foot
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
leg
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
knee
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
hand
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
belly
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
back
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
breast / chest
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
heart
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
liver
BodyCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
drink
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
eat
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
bite
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
breathe
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
laugh
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
see
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
hear
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
know
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
think
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
smell
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
fear
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
sleep
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
live
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
die
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
fight
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
cut
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
dig
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
swim
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
fly
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
walk
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
come
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
sit
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
stand
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
turn
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
fall
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
give
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
hold
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
wash
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
pull
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
push
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
throw
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
tie
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
sew
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
count
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
say
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
sing
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
play
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
sun
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
moon
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
star
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
water
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
rain
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
river
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
lake
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
sea
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
salt
FoodCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
stone
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
sand
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
dust
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
earth
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
cloud
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
fog
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
sky
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
wind
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
snow
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
ice
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
smoke
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
fire
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
ash
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
road
PlacesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
mountain
NatureCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
red
ColoursCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
green
ColoursCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
yellow
ColoursCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
white
ColoursCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
black
ColoursCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
night
TimeCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
day
TimeCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
year
TimeCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
warm / hot
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
cold
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
full
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
new
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
old
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
good
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
bad
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
dirty
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
straight
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
round
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
sharp
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
wet
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
dry
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
correct
AdjectivesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
near
PlacesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
far
PlacesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
right
PlacesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
left
PlacesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
name
PeopleCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
house
HomeCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
food
FoodCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
bread
FoodCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
thank you
Useful wordsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
wheel
ObjectsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
market
PlacesCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
talk
VerbsCommon basic equivalents; exact meaning or preferred form can vary by context.
Try a comparison
These examples show different sides of Papiamentu vocabulary.
Browse words
Browse the English headwords alphabetically, then tap a word to open the full comparison.
Patterns worth noticing
Papiamentu is not simply Spanish, Portuguese or Dutch with different spelling. Its vocabulary reflects a long history of contact. These rows are useful visual comparisons; resemblance alone does not prove the exact historical source of a word.
House
New
Snow
Wheel
Popular comparisons
- House: kas · casa · casa · huis
- Water: awa · agua · água · water
- Good: bon · bueno · bom · goed
- New: nobo · nuevo · novo · nieuw
- Tree: palu · árbol · árvore · boom
- Dog: kachó · perro · cão · hond
- Snow: sneu · nieve · neve · sneeuw
- Wheel: wiel · rueda · roda · wiel
- Bread: pan · pan · pão · brood
- Thank you: danki · gracias · obrigado · dank je
Quick facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Papiamentu closer to Spanish or Portuguese?
Much of Papiamentu vocabulary is Iberian, and many words can resemble Spanish, Portuguese or both. Its history is more complex than a simple one-language origin, and Dutch and other languages have also contributed vocabulary.
Why are Dutch words included?
Dutch has been an important contact language in the ABC islands and has contributed vocabulary to Papiamentu. Comparisons such as sneu and sneeuw or wiel and wiel make that influence easy to see.
Is this Papiamentu or Papiamento?
This page uses the Curaçao/Bonaire spelling convention, so the language name is written Papiamentu. Aruba uses a different standard orthography and normally writes Papiamento.
Can I search using a Papiamentu word?
Yes. Search works across English, Papiamentu, Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch. Accents are ignored when matching, so searches are forgiving.
Are these exact translations in every context?
No single-word list can cover every context. The tool gives common basic equivalents; meanings and preferred forms can vary according to sentence, region and usage.