This table includes useful phrases in both Portuguese (PT), the official language,and Cape Verdean Creole (CV Creole), the national language spoken daily.Cape Verdean Creole has several dialects, you might encounter slight variations.In Portuguese, “Obrigado” is used by males, “Obrigada” by females for “Thank you”. “Obrigadu” in Creole is used by everyone.
Flat Hal and Flat Stanley found Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu) to be a fascinating language. As the locals spoke they recognized a lot of familiar words. When they set out to learn more about Creole they discovered that’s because Portuguese forms the vast majority of its vocabulary, especially older forms from the 15th-17th centuries. If you know Portuguese or other Romance languages like Spanish or French, many words might sound familiar. You might also catch hints of various West African languages (like Wolof or Mandinka), which contributed vocabulary and influenced its grammar and rhythm, reflecting the diverse origins of the islands’ population.