Shipibo Foundations · Module 1: Beginnings · Lesson 5 of 6

How are you?

By the end you can ask how someone is, and answer when they ask you.

7 new words · about 12 minutes

Bekanwe! Welcome — come in! — Báwa is with you for Module 1.

The question you'll hear most: Jáwekeskarin mía? — How are you? Answer with Éa ríki… (I am…) plus a feeling word. Common answers: ráro — joyful, jakónbires — all good, atires — motivated, páxkina — tired.
Culture note. A false friend to enjoy: in Spanish raro means strange — in Shipibo, ráro is pure joy. Its synonym béne is also the word for a spouse: the language quietly suggests what a spouse should bring you. And note the grain of the feelings: onísi is sadness as a passing state you move through; páxkina is tiredness that has settled in and asks for rest.
✓ sourced Module 1-2 deck slides 2–7 · nothing invented

The words

Read each one. The next screen hides the meaning so you can test yourself.

Jáwekeskarin mía?How are you?
Éa ríki…I am…
rárojoyful
onísisad
páxkinatired
jakónbiresall good
atiresmotivated

Cover the meaning

Say it before you flip. Be honest — "again" brings it back.

tap to reveal
tap to flip back

Match the pairs

Tap a Shipibo word, then its meaning.

In a sentence

Try translating each line yourself before you tap.

Éa ríki ráro.
tap to translate
I am joyful.
Éa ríki jakóntani.
tap to translate
I'm okay — getting there (the most common answer).
Kikín páxkin riki ea.
tap to translate
I am very tired.
Try it. Answer honestly, right now: Jáwekeskarin mía?

Build the sentence

Tap the words into order.

Say:

Now you write it

Accents optional while you learn — jakon = jakón.

Check yourself

Jáwekeskarin mía? means…
'I am joyful' is…
páxkina means…
Báwa
✓

Lesson complete

Báwa approves — Jakonshaman!

You can now ask how someone is, and answer when they ask you.

← Previous Next lesson →

All lessons