Guaraní is one of the most remarkable survival stories in the history of human language. According to Ethnologue, Guaraní is spoken by over 6 million people in Paraguay, where it holds official status alongside Spanish, and by millions more in Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia. While dozens of indigenous languages across the Americas have dwindled to near-extinction, Guaraní thrives.

Expand your knowledge with our Guaraní vocabulary guide and explore our complete Guaraní language page.

What makes Guaraní extraordinary is not just its survival but its vitality: approximately 90% of Paraguayans speak Guaraní as a first or second language, and it permeates daily life , markets, politics, music, poetry, and love declarations. In a continent where indigenous languages were systematically suppressed for centuries, Guaraní stands as a living monument to cultural resilience.

  1. Mba'éichapa , The essential greeting
  2. Aguyje , Thank you and more
  3. Nde réra , Introducing yourself
  4. Daily phrases and responses
  5. Jopara , The Guaraní-Spanish blend
  6. Cultural context
  7. Quick-reference table

1. Mba'éichapa , The Essential Greeting

Mba'éichapa? (pronounced mbah-EH-ee-chah-PAH) is the most common way to say "how are you?" / "hello" in Guaraní. It literally means "How is it?" or "In what state are things?"

Pronunciation breakdown:

  • Mba'é: "mbah-EH" , the 'mb' is a prenasalized consonant, very common in Guaraní; the apostrophe indicates a glottal stop
  • icha: "ee-chah" , quick and light
  • pa: "pah" , the 'pa' here is an interrogative marker

Standard responses:

  • Iporã (ee-poh-RAHNG) , "Fine / Good" (literally "it is beautiful")
  • Iporãite (ee-poh-RAHNG-ee-teh) , "Very good / Excellent"
  • Ndaiporãi (ndah-ee-poh-RAHNG-ee) , "Not so good"

The response iporã literally means "it is beautiful/good" , a small window into the Guaraní worldview where wellbeing and beauty are the same concept.

Short form

Among friends, Paraguayans often shorten the greeting: Mba'éicha? (mbah-EH-ee-chah) , more casual, "how's it going?" Response: Iporã, ha nde? (ee-poh-rahng, hah ndeh) , "Good, and you?"

2. Aguyje , Thank You and More

Aguyje (pronounced ah-GOO-yeh) is one of Guaraní's most beautiful words. It means "thank you" but carries deeper connotations , it expresses gratitude, completion, fulfillment. Some translate it as "may you be fulfilled" or "you have reached fullness."

Usage:

  • Aguyje , Thank you
  • Aguyjevéte (ah-goo-yeh-VEH-teh) , Thank you very much
  • Aguyje, mba'éichapa? , "Thanks, and how are you?" (greeting + gratitude combined)

The depth of aguyje reflects Guaraní philosophy: gratitude is not just politeness but recognition of a shared humanity.

3. Nde Réra , Introducing Yourself

Basic introductions in Guaraní:

Che réra [name]. (cheh REH-rah) , "My name is [name]."

  • Che = I/me/my
  • réra = name

Mba'épa nde réra? (mbah-EH-pah ndeh REH-rah) , "What is your name?"

  • Nde = you/your
  • pa = interrogative marker (turns statement into question)

Che [nationality] aiko. (cheh... ah-EE-koh) , "I am [nationality]."

Moõpa reiko? (moh-ONG-pah reh-EE-koh) , "Where do you live/come from?"

4. Daily Phrases and Responses

Greetings by time

Guaraní traditionally didn't have distinct morning/evening greetings like European languages , the all-purpose mba'éichapa works any time. However, under Spanish influence, Paraguayans now also use Spanish-influenced phrases:

Ko'ê porã (koh-EH poh-RAHNG) , "Beautiful morning" (a poetic good morning) Pyhare porã (pee-HAH-reh poh-RAHNG) , "Beautiful night" (good night)

Farewell

Jajotopata (yah-yoh-toh-PAH-tah) , "Until we meet again" (literally "let's see each other again") Jajoechapeve (yah-yoh-EH-chah-PEH-veh) , "Goodbye" (see you later)

Yes and no

Héê (HEH-EH) , Yes Nahániri (nah-HAH-nee-ree) , No

Basic courtesy

Eikóke (eh-EE-koh-keh) , "Please" (literally "do it well/in a good way") Mba'éichagua (mbah-EH-ee-chah-gwah) , "You're welcome"

5. Jopara , The Guaraní-Spanish Blend

One of Guaraní's most fascinating aspects is Jopara (yoh-PAH-rah) , the mixed Guaraní-Spanish spoken in everyday Paraguayan life. Jopara means "mixture" in Guaraní, and it reflects centuries of coexistence between two languages.

In practice, most Paraguayans switch seamlessly between Guaraní and Spanish in a single sentence:

"La che amiga ou-ma, che aimo'ã." , "My friend already came, I think." (la = Spanish article, che amiga = my friend, ou-ma = she came-already in Guaraní, che = I, aimo'ã = I think in Guaraní)

This fluidity is not "broken" language , it's a sophisticated bilingual competence. Understanding Jopara is key to understanding real Paraguayan speech.

6. Cultural Context

The miracle of survival

Guaraní's survival is genuinely extraordinary. Under Spanish colonialism, indigenous languages across the Americas were systematically suppressed. Guaraní persisted in Paraguay partly because early Jesuit missionaries learned it (producing the first Guaraní grammar in 1640) and partly because Paraguayan society never fully severed its indigenous roots.

Guaraní and national identity

In Paraguay, speaking Guaraní is a point of national pride , it distinguishes Paraguayans from their neighbors and connects them to pre-colonial heritage. During wars (Paraguay fought devastating conflicts in the 19th century), Guaraní served as a secret military code that Spanish-speaking enemies couldn't understand. This history has made the language inseparable from Paraguayan identity.

Guaraní in daily life

You'll hear Guaraní in the market (mercado), in political speeches, in popular music (polka paraguaya), in love songs (guarania), and in everyday affection. Paraguayan mothers may call their children mitã (mee-TAHNG, child) or che membykuéra (cheh mem-BEE-kweh-rah, my children) , pure Guaraní endearments.

Beyond Paraguay

Guaraní is also spoken by communities in northeastern Argentina (Corrientes province), the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso do Sul and Paraná, and in parts of Bolivia. There are diaspora communities in Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and increasingly in Europe and North America.

7. Quick-Reference Table

Guaraní Pronunciation Meaning
Mba'éichapa? mbah-EH-ee-chah-pah How are you? (hello)
Iporã ee-poh-rahng Fine / Good
Iporãite ee-poh-rahng-ee-teh Very good
Aguyje ah-goo-yeh Thank you
Che réra... cheh reh-rah My name is...
Nde réra mba'épa? ndeh reh-rah mbah-eh-pah What is your name?
Héê heh-eh Yes
Nahániri nah-hah-nee-ree No
Jajotopata yah-yoh-toh-pah-tah Until we meet again
Ko'ê porã koh-eh poh-rahng Good morning

Start Learning the Language of Resilience

Guaraní is proof that languages , like the people who speak them , can survive anything. Learning even a few words is an act of respect for one of South America's great civilizations. Say mba'éichapa to a Paraguayan and watch their face light up , it happens every time, without exception.

Aguyje for reading.

Sources et données

  • Ethnologue — Lingala : le lingala est parlé par plus de 15 millions de personnes en République Démocratique du Congo et en République du Congo. Langue bantoue de la famille Niger-Congo.
  • Le lingala est aussi la langue de la musique congolaise (rumba, ndombolo) écoutée dans toute l'Afrique subsaharienne.

Pour aller plus loin

Sources et données

  • Ethnologue — Swahili : le swahili (kiswahili) est parlé par plus de 100 millions de personnes en Afrique de l'Est comme langue première ou seconde. Langue officielle de la Tanzanie, du Kenya et de l'Union africaine.
  • Le swahili est la langue africaine la plus étudiée dans le monde et connaît une croissance rapide sur les réseaux sociaux.

Pour aller plus loin

Sources et données

  • Ethnologue — Arabe égyptien : l'arabe égyptien est parlé par plus de 100 millions de personnes, principalement en Égypte. C'est le dialecte arabe le plus compris dans le monde grâce à l'influence du cinéma et de la télévision égyptienne.
  • L'arabe égyptien est aussi parlé par la diaspora égyptienne dans les pays du Golfe, en Europe et en Amérique du Nord.

Pour aller plus loin

Data & Sources

  • Ethnologue — Wolof: Wolof is spoken by over 12 million people in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania. It is the most widely spoken language in Senegal, understood by about 80% of the population.
  • Wolof is also spoken by the Senegalese diaspora in France, Italy, Spain, and North America.

Learn More

Data & Sources

  • Ethnologue — Bambara: Bambara (Bamanankan) is spoken by over 14 million people in Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, and Guinea. It is the lingua franca of Mali, understood by about 80% of the population.
  • Bambara belongs to the Mande language family and is closely related to Dyula and Mandinka.

Learn More

Data & Sources

  • Ethnologue — Lingala: Lingala is spoken by over 15 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo. It is the lingua franca of Kinshasa, the 3rd largest city in Africa.
  • Lingala is also the language of Congolese rumba, listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Learn More

Data & Sources

  • Ethnologue — Swahili: Swahili (Kiswahili) is spoken by over 100 million people across East Africa. It is an official language of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and the African Union.
  • Swahili is the most widely studied African language in the world and is growing rapidly on social media.

Learn More

Data & Sources

  • Ethnologue — Egyptian Arabic: Egyptian Arabic is spoken by over 100 million people, primarily in Egypt. It is the most widely understood Arabic dialect due to Egypt's dominance in cinema and television.
  • Egyptian Arabic is also widely used by the Egyptian diaspora in Gulf countries, Europe, and North America.

Learn More

Bambara by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Bambara is spoken by over 14 million people in Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, and Guinea. It is the lingua franca of Mali, understood by about 80% of the population and spoken natively by around 4 million people.

Learn More

Burmese by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Burmese (Myanmar) is spoken by over 33 million people as a first language in Myanmar, with an additional 10 million second-language speakers. It is the official language of Myanmar and belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family.

Learn More

Fon by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Fon (Fongbe) is spoken by over 4 million people, primarily in Benin, Togo, and southwestern Nigeria. It is the main language of the Dahomey Kingdom's descendants and belongs to the Gbe language family within Niger-Congo.

Learn More

Hausa by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Hausa is spoken by over 70 million people across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and the broader Sahel region. It is one of Africa's most widely spoken languages and serves as a lingua franca throughout West and Central Africa.

Learn More

Igbo by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Igbo is spoken by over 45 million people, primarily in southeastern Nigeria. It is one of Nigeria's three major official languages alongside Hausa and Yoruba, and belongs to the Niger-Congo language family. The Igbo diaspora is active across the United Kingdom, United States, and throughout Africa.

Learn More

Khmer by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Khmer is spoken by over 16 million people, primarily in Cambodia where it is the official language. It is the most widely spoken Austroasiatic language and has a written tradition stretching back over 1,000 years, making it one of Southeast Asia's oldest documented languages.

Learn More

Kinyarwanda by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Kinyarwanda is spoken by over 12 million people in Rwanda, eastern DRC, Uganda, and Burundi. It is the national language of Rwanda and one of the few African languages spoken by virtually the entire population of a country.

Learn More

Lao by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Lao is spoken by approximately 7 million people in Laos, where it is the official language. It is also spoken by communities in Thailand, Cambodia, and worldwide diaspora. Lao belongs to the Kra-Dai language family and is closely related to Thai.

Learn More

Tigrinya by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Tigrinya is spoken by over 9 million people in Eritrea (where it is co-official) and Ethiopia (Tigray region). It is a Semitic language written in the Ge'ez script, which also serves Amharic and is one of the world's oldest continuously used writing systems.

Learn More

Twi by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Twi (part of the Akan language group) is spoken by over 17 million people in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. It is the most widely spoken language in Ghana and serves as a lingua franca across southern Ghana. The Akan people are known for their rich tradition of kente cloth, gold jewelry, and the Adinkra symbol system.

Learn More

Wolof by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Wolof is spoken by over 12 million people in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania. It is understood by approximately 80% of Senegal's population and serves as the country's main lingua franca. The Wolof people are known for the philosophy of Teranga (hospitality) that permeates all social interactions.

Learn More

Sources et données linguistiques

  • Ethnologue — Sango : le sango est parlé par plus de 5 millions de personnes comme lingua franca en République centrafricaine (RCA). C'est une langue créole dérivée du ngbandi, parlée par quasiment toute la population centrafricaine.
  • Le sango est l'une des deux langues officielles de la RCA avec le français. C'est l'un des rares cas en Afrique où une langue pidgin/créole est devenue langue officielle nationale.

Pour aller plus loin

Sources et données linguistiques

  • Ethnologue — Soninké : le soninké est parlé par environ 2 millions de personnes au Mali, au Sénégal, en Mauritanie, en Gambie et en Guinée-Bissau. La diaspora soninké en France est l'une des plus importantes d'Afrique subsaharienne, avec une forte présence en région parisienne.
  • Langue mandé de la famille Niger-Congo, le soninké est la langue historique de l'Empire de Ghana (IVe-XIIIe siècle).

Pour aller plus loin

Sources et données linguistiques

  • Ethnologue — Mooré : le mooré est parlé par environ 7 à 8 millions de personnes au Burkina Faso, principalement par le peuple Mossi. C'est la langue la plus parlée du pays avec plus de 40% de la population. Langue gur (voltaïque) de la famille Niger-Congo.
  • Le mooré est aussi parlé par la diaspora burkinabè au Côte d'Ivoire, en France et au Ghana.

Pour aller plus loin

Sources et données linguistiques

  • Ethnologue — Zarma : le zarma est parlé par environ 2,5 à 3 millions de personnes dans l'ouest du Niger. C'est la deuxième langue du pays après le haoussa et la langue dominante de la capitale Niamey. Langue nilo-saharienne du groupe Songhay.
  • Le zarma est étroitement lié au songhaï, parlé au Mali et au Bénin, avec une intelligibilité mutuelle élevée.

Pour aller plus loin

Sources et données linguistiques

  • Ethnologue — Ewé : l'ewé est parlé par environ 7 millions de personnes au Ghana (région des Volta) et au Togo (sud du pays). C'est une langue kwa de la famille Niger-Congo, appartenant au groupe Gbe avec le fon. Langue à tons avec une riche tradition musicale et orale.
  • La diaspora éwé est présente en Allemagne, en France, aux États-Unis et au Royaume-Uni.

Pour aller plus loin

Sources et données linguistiques

  • Ethnologue — Temne : le temne est parlé par environ 2 millions de personnes en Sierra Leone, principalement dans le nord et l'ouest du pays. C'est la langue ethnique la plus parlée du pays, représentant environ 35% de la population. Langue atlantique de la famille Niger-Congo.
  • Le temne coexiste avec le mende et le krio (créole anglais) comme principales langues de Sierra Leone.

Pour aller plus loin

Sources et données linguistiques

  • Ethnologue — Kabiyè : le kabiyè est parlé par environ 1 à 1,5 million de personnes au Togo, principalement dans la région de la Kara. C'est la deuxième langue nationale du Togo après le français, et la langue maternelle d'une grande partie de l'élite politique togolaise. Langue gur (voltaïque) de la famille Niger-Congo.

Pour aller plus loin

Sources et données linguistiques

  • Ethnologue — Dioula : le dioula est parlé comme langue maternelle par environ 3 millions de personnes, mais compris comme lingua franca par plus de 12 millions en Côte d'Ivoire, au Burkina Faso et au Mali. Langue mandé très proche du bambara, appartenant à la famille Niger-Congo.
  • Le dioula est la langue des marchands mandé et a joué un rôle historique majeur dans les réseaux commerciaux de l'Afrique de l'Ouest.

Pour aller plus loin

Sources et données linguistiques

  • Ethnologue — Sérère : le sérère est parlé par environ 1,5 à 2 millions de personnes au Sénégal (régions de Thiès et Fatick) et en Gambie. Langue atlantique de la famille Niger-Congo, le sérère est distinct du wolof malgré leur coexistence géographique. C'est la langue maternelle du premier président du Sénégal, Léopold Sédar Senghor.

Pour aller plus loin

Sources et données linguistiques

  • Ethnologue — Kikongo : le kikongo est parlé par environ 10 millions de personnes au Congo-Brazzaville, en RDC (provinces de Kongo-Central, Kinshasa) et en Angola. C'est la langue historique du puissant Royaume Kongo (XIVe-XIXe siècle) et une des langues bantoues les plus importantes d'Afrique centrale.
  • Des traces du kikongo se retrouvent dans les créoles des Caraïbes (Haïti, Cuba) et du Brésil, héritage de la traite négrière.

Pour aller plus loin

Sources et données linguistiques

  • Ethnologue — Tshiluba : le tshiluba est parlé par environ 6 à 8 millions de personnes en République Démocratique du Congo, principalement dans les provinces du Kasaï. C'est la quatrième langue nationale de la RDC et une lingua franca importante dans le centre et le sud du pays. Langue bantoue de la famille Niger-Congo.

Pour aller plus loin

Sources et données linguistiques

  • Ethnologue — Mandinka : le mandinka est parlé par environ 1,8 million de personnes en Gambie (40% de la population), au Sénégal (Casamance), en Guinée-Bissau et en Guinée. Langue mandé appartenant à la famille Niger-Congo, étroitement liée au bambara et au dioula.
  • Les Mandinkas sont historiquement connus comme marchands et griots, porteurs de la tradition orale de l'Empire du Mali.

Pour aller plus loin

Sources et données linguistiques

  • Ethnologue — Baoulé : le baoulé est parlé par environ 3 à 4 millions de personnes en Côte d'Ivoire, principalement dans la région du Bélier (centre du pays). C'est la principale langue du groupe akan en Côte d'Ivoire, proche du twi ghanéen. Langue kwa de la famille Niger-Congo.
  • Le baoulé est riche d'une tradition artistique exceptionnelle : sculptures, masques, bijoux en or, qui ont influencé l'art moderne international.

Pour aller plus loin

Sources et données linguistiques

  • Ethnologue — Nzema : le nzema est parlé par environ 300 000 à 500 000 personnes dans la Western Region du Ghana et dans la région côtière de Côte d'Ivoire. Langue akan du groupe kwa (Niger-Congo), proche du twi et du fante, avec une intelligibilité partielle avec ces langues voisines.
  • La région nzema est historiquement liée au commerce de l'or et de l'ivoire, et sa culture côtière est d'une richesse remarquable.

Pour aller plus loin

Sources et données linguistiques

  • Ethnologue — Dagbani : le dagbani est parlé par environ 1 à 1,5 million de personnes dans la Northern Region du Ghana, principalement autour de Tamale. Langue gur (voltaïque) de la famille Niger-Congo, proche du mooré (Burkina Faso) et du kabiyè (Togo).
  • Le peuple Dagomba est connu pour son organisation politique sophistiquée autour du Yaa-Naa et sa tradition des tambours royaux, inscrits au patrimoine culturel du Ghana.

Pour aller plus loin

Hindi by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Hindi is spoken by over 600 million people worldwide, making it the third most spoken language on Earth. It is the official language of India alongside English, and is used across the northern and central states. As a member of the Indo-Aryan branch of Indo-European languages, Hindi is written in the Devanagari script.

Learn More

Polish by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Polish is spoken by approximately 50 million people worldwide, primarily in Poland where it is the official language, and by significant diaspora communities in the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, and France. It belongs to the West Slavic branch of the Indo-European family.

Learn More

Somali by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Somali is spoken by approximately 25 million people across Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia (Ogaden region), Kenya, and a large global diaspora. It is a Cushitic language of the Afroasiatic family and one of the few African languages with a standardized writing system established since 1972. Somali oral poetry is recognized by UNESCO as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Learn More

Amharic by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Amharic is spoken by over 35 million people as a first language in Ethiopia, with an additional 25 million second-language speakers across the country. It is the official working language of Ethiopia, one of the world's oldest nations. Written in the Ge'ez (Ethiopic) script, one of the few ancient writing systems still in daily use, Amharic is the second most widely spoken Semitic language after Arabic.

Learn More

Yoruba by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Yoruba is spoken by over 50 million people across Nigeria (primarily Lagos and southwest), Benin, Togo, and a global diaspora in Brazil, Cuba, and the Caribbean — a legacy of the transatlantic slave trade that kept Yoruba culture alive across the Atlantic. Yoruba is one of Africa's most studied and documented languages, with a rich academic and literary tradition.

Learn More

Zulu by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Zulu (isiZulu) is spoken by approximately 12 million people as a first language in South Africa, making it the country's most widely spoken home language. It is one of South Africa's 11 official languages. Zulu belongs to the Bantu language family and is closely related to Xhosa, Swati, and Ndebele. The Zulu Kingdom was one of the most powerful African states of the 19th century.

Learn More

Pashto by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Pashto is spoken by approximately 60 million people, primarily in Afghanistan (where it is one of two official languages) and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan. It belongs to the Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family and is written in a modified Perso-Arabic script. Pashto is the language of the Pashtun people and the Pashtunwali code of honor.

Learn More

Xhosa by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Xhosa (isiXhosa) is spoken by approximately 8.2 million people as a first language in South Africa, primarily in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces. It is one of South Africa's 11 official languages and is famous worldwide for its distinctive click consonants. Xhosa is the native language of Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Miriam Makeba.

Learn More

Marathi by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Marathi is spoken by approximately 83 million people, making it the third most spoken language in India and the 15th most spoken language in the world. It is the official language of Maharashtra state, which contains Mumbai, India's financial capital. Marathi has a literary tradition stretching over 900 years, written in the Devanagari script.

Learn More

Punjabi by the Numbers

According to Ethnologue, Punjabi is spoken by approximately 130 million people worldwide, making it the 10th most spoken language in the world. It is the most widely spoken language in Pakistan and the sixth most spoken in India. Punjabi is the liturgical language of Sikhism and is written in the Gurmukhi script in India and the Shahmukhi (Perso-Arabic) script in Pakistan.

Learn More

Sources et données linguistiques

  • Ethnologue — Hindi : le hindi est parlé par plus de 600 millions de personnes dans le monde, ce qui en fait la 3e langue la plus parlée. Langue officielle de l'Inde avec l'anglais, c'est la lingua franca des États du nord et du centre du pays. Langue indo-aryenne de la famille indo-européenne, écrite en alphabet devanagari.
  • La diaspora indienne (15 millions de personnes dans le monde) maintient le hindi vivant sur tous les continents.

Pour aller plus loin

Sources and References

Further Reading