Jopara and Guarani
Jopara is everyday Paraguayan speech that mixes Guarani and Spanish.
How It Works
Between 5.5 and 6 million Paraguayans speak Guarani. Many mix in Spanish words, and Paraguayans call this mix Jopara, “mixed”. People mix a little or a lot. Guaraniete (“true Guarani”) is the careful style that keeps Spanish out as much as possible.
The same request can be said in different ways.
| Style | Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Guaraniete | Chepytyvõmína. | Help me, please. |
| Jopara | Cheayudamína. | Help me, please. |
In the second sentence, ayuda is the Spanish word for help. It takes Guarani pieces: che- “me” in front and -mína “please” behind.
Some Spanish words fit Guarani so well that speakers no longer hear them as Spanish. They are spelled the Guarani way: kavaju “horse” (from Spanish caballo) and kesu “cheese”.
These lessons teach everyday Guarani. They include the Spanish words Paraguayans really say inside Guarani, such as numbers above four, days, months, prices and pero “but”. These lessons never put a whole Spanish clause inside a Guarani sentence. Formal written Guarani, with words from the Academy of the Guarani Language, starts at Level 5.
Examples (4)
- Chepytyvõmína.
Help me, please.
Careful Guarani: every piece is Guarani.
- Cheayudamína.
Help me, please.
Jopara: the Spanish word ayuda takes Guarani pieces.
- Chegustaite la yvoty regueruvaʼekue chéve.
I like the flower you brought me very much.
Jopara: the Spanish words gusta and la sit inside a Guarani sentence.
- Ko karai oguereko kavaju.
This gentleman has a horse.
Kavaju comes from Spanish caballo and is spelled the Guarani way.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- Spanish Words Spelled the Guarani Way
Learn which Spanish loanwords are spelled the Guarani way.
Level 2 - Numbers Above Four
Numbers above four are Spanish words used inside Guarani.
Level 2 - Spanish Verbs in Guarani
Spanish verbs take Guarani person prefixes in everyday speech.
Level 3 - Academy Words and guaraniete
Formal written Guarani adds Academy words at Level 5.
Level 5
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Jopara and Guarani in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Guarani lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
