125 Papiamentu Food Words and Phrases for Travelers

Here’s what you need to understand Papiamentu words for food and dining. This is helpful for both written and spoken Papiamentu, when visiting the ABC Islands. With this guide, you’ll be able to sort out menus and maybe even spoken lunch specials from your waiter.

The list is organized by English to Papiamentu. Looking for Papiamento? Here is our guide to Papiamento food words.

Papiamentu food words:

To begin, here are the basic words for meals, snacks, and side dishes.

9 Papiamentu Words for Meals and Snacks

1. Food – Komida
2. Breakfast – Desayuno
3. Lunch – Kome almuerzo
4. Dinner – Cena
5. Meal – Komida
6. Snack – Snack
7. Appetizer – Aperitivo
8. Main course – Plato prinsipal
9. Side dish – Plato di acompanyante

Papiamentu Words for Foods

1. Soup – Sopa
2. Salad – Insalata
3. Sandwich – Sandwich
4. Bread – Pan
5. Rice – Arus
6. Pasta – Pasta
7. Noodles – Nudia
8. Pizza – Pizza
9. Burger – Hamburger
10. Fries – Fries
11. Chicken – Galinja
12. Beef – Baka
13. Pork – Porko
14. Fish – Pisca
15. Shrimp – Camarón
16. Seafood – Frutanan di laman
17. Vegetables – Blegùnan
18. Fruits – Fruta
19. Apple – Apel
20. Banana – Banana
21. Orange – Sinaasapel
22. Grapes – Uva
23. Pineapple – Pina
24. Watermelon – Patia
25. Strawberry – Fresa
26. Mango – Mango
27. Papaya – Papaya
28. Avocado – Abokado
29. Tomato – Tumati
30. Potato – Patata
31. Onion – Onyon
32. Garlic – Ajo
33. Carrot – Karchi
34. Lettuce – Lechiuga
35. Cucumber – Pepre
36. Bell pepper – Pimiento
37. Eggplant – Berèhi
38. Beans – Frèbou
39. Lentils – Lenteja
40. Chickpeas – Garbansa
41. Cheese – Keshi
42. Milk – Lechi
43. Yogurt – Yoghurt
44. Butter – Manteka
45. Oil – Oliu
46. Vinegar – Binèg
47. Salt – Salu
48. Pepper – Pimienta
49. Sugar – Sùker
50. Honey – Mèr
51. Flour – Harina
52. Cereal – Serja
53. Oats – Avena
54. Breadfruit – Pan di awa
55. Cassava – Kasave
56. Plantain – Platàn
57. Coconut – Kokonut
58. Tapioca – Tapioka
59. Crab – Krabu
60. Lobster – Kreef
61. Clams – Klam
62. Mussels – Mejilla
63. Squid – Kalamar
64. Octopus – Kòktè
65. Sardines – Sardin
66. Anchovies – Ansjovi
67. Salmon – Salmón
68. Tuna – Tonijn
69. Trout – Troet
70. Cod – Bakkeljau
71. Herring – Heriña
72. Mackerel – Macarela
73. Tilapia – Tilapia
74. Catfish – Katvis
75. Bass – Bass
76. Snapper – Snapper
77. Steak – Stèki
78. Ribs – Rebú
79. Sausage – Sorsicha
80. Ham – Ham
81. Bacon – Bacon
82. Eggs – Webo
83. Omelette – Omelet
84. Pancakes – Pankek
85. Waffles – Wafel
86. French toast – Pan bati
87. Cereal – Serja
88. Granola – Granola
89. Milkshake – Milkshake
90. Smoothie – Smoothie

Papiamentu Words for Drinks (Non-Alcoholic)

1. Juice – Sòru
2. Coffee – Kafé
3. Tea – Té
4. Hot chocolate – Choklatu kandu
5. Water – Awa
6. Soda – Sòda
7. Lemonade – Lemunchi
8. Iced tea – Té friu

Papiamentu Words for Drinks (Alcoholic)

1. Wine – Binu
2. Beer – Birra
3. Rum – Rum
4. Vodka – Vodka
5. Whiskey – Whiskey
6. Brandy – Brandy
7. Cocktails – Kòktèl
8. Margarita – Margarita
9. Mojito – Mojito
10. Daiquiri – Daiquiri
11. Sangria – Sangría
12. Caipirinha – Caipirinha
13. Martini – Martini
14. Gin – Djin
15. Vermouth – Vermut
16. Tequila – Tequila
17. Sake – Sake
18. Champagne – Xampán

Here’s more about other Papiamento phrases.

Papiamentu is a distinct dialect from Papiamento. Here’s how they compare.

Your Turn

Have a suggestion or correction? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!