The Sawai language (also Weda) is a South Halmahera language of the Austronesian language family spoken in the Weda and Gane Timor districts of southern Halmahera, northern Maluku Province, Indonesia. There are approximately 12,000 speakers.

Below is a description of the Kobe dialect of Sawai spoken in the villages of Lelilef Woyebulan and Kobe Peplis, as well as from Whistler (1995).

Sawai has 15 consonants:

Sawai has eight vowels:

Sawai has the following syllable structure:

(C)(C)V(C)

Examples:

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Central–Eastern Malayo-Polynesian languages Aru Barakai Batuley Dobel Karey Koba Kola-Kompane Lola Lorang Manombai Mariri Tarangan Ujir Central Maluku Alune Amahai Ambelau Asilulu Banda Bati Benggoi Boano Bobot Buru Geser Haruku Hulaliu Kailolo Pelauw Rohomoni-Kabauw Hitu Hoti † Huaulu Hukumina † Hulung † Kaibobo Kamarian † Kayeli Kowiai Laha Larike-Wakasihu Latu Liana-Seti Lisabata-Nuniali Lisela Loun † Luhu Mangole Manipa Manusela Masiwang Naka'ela Nuaulu Nusa Laut Paulohi Salas Saleman Saparua Seit-Kaitetu Sepa-Teluti Sula Taliabo Teor-Kur Tulehu Watubela Wemale Yalahatan Flores–Lembata Alorese Kedang Lamaholot Adonara Ile Ape Lamalera Lamatuka Levuka Lewo Eleng Lewotobi South Lembata West Lembata Sika Halmahera- Cenderawasih Ambai Ambel Ansus Arguni As Bedoanas Biak Biga Buli Busami Dusner Erokwanas Gane Irarutu Iresim Kuri Kurudu Maba Maden Matbat Ma'ya Munggui Marau Meoswar Mor Papuma Patani Pom Roon Sawai Serui-Laut Taba Tandia Wabo Wamesa Wandamen Waropen Woi Yaur Yeretuar Yeresiam Kei-Tanimbar Fordata Kei Onin Sekar Uruangnirin Yamdena Micronesian Mapia † Selaru Selaru Seluwasan Sumba–Flores Anakalangu Baliledo Bima Dhao Ende Gaura Hawu Kambera Kéo Kodi Komodo Lamboya Lio Mamboru Manggarai Nage Ngadha Palu'e Pondok Rajong Rembong Riung Rongga So'a Kepo' Wae Rana Wanukaka Wejewa Timor–Babar Amarasi Bekais Bilba Dai Dawera-Daweloor Dela-Oenale Dengka East Damar Emplawas Galoli Helong Imroing Kemak Kisar Leti Lole Luang Masela Nila North Babar Ringgou Romang Serili Serua Southeast Babar Tela'a Termanu Tetum Te'un Tii Uab Meto West Damar Welaun Wetar Western Oceanic Anus Bonggo Kayupulau Liki Masimasi Ormu Podena Kaptiau Sobei Tarpia Tobati Wakde Yamna
Papuan languages North Halmahera Galela Gamkonora Kao Loloda Modole Pagu Sahu Tabaru Ternate Tidore Tobelo Togutil Waioli West Makian Timor–Alor–Pantar Abui Adang Blagar Bunak Kaera Kafoa Kamang Klon Kui Kula Nedebang Oirata Retta Sawila Teiwa Wersing Western Pantar Woisika Asmat–Mombum Buruwai Casuarina Coast Asmat Central Asmat North Asmat Citak Mombum Kamberau Kamoro Koneraw Sempan West Bird's Head Kalabra Kuwani Moi Moraid Seget Tehit South Bird's Head Arandai Dombano Duriankari Inanwatan Kaburi Kais Kemberano Kokoda Konda Kovojab Puragi Yahadian East Bird's Head Hatam Mansim Meyah Moskona Sougb West Bomberai Baham Iha Karas Dani Grand Valley Dani Hupla Nduga Nggem Silimo Walak Wano Western Dani Yali Paniai Lakes Auye Dao Ekari Moni Wolani Digul River Aghu Awbono Bayono Densar Edera Jair Kombai Komyandaret Korowai Mandobo Pisa Sawi Shiaxa Tsaukambo Wambon Foja Range Airoran Bagusa Berik Betaf Bonerif Dabe Dineor Edwas Gresi Isirawa Itik Kapori Kauwera Keijar Kemtuik Kwerba Kwerba Mamberamo Kwesten Kwinsu Mander Massep Mawes Mekwei Mlap Namblong Nimboran Orya Sause Oksapmin Samarokena Trimuris Vitou Lakes Plain Awera Biritai Doutai Duvle Eritai Fayu Foau Iau Kaiy Keuw Kirikiri Kwerisa Obokuitai Papasena Rasawa Sikaritai Tause Taworta Waritai East Cenderawasih Bay Baropasi Bauzi Burate Demisa Kofei Nisa-Anasi Sauri Tefaro Tunggare Woria Yawa Saweru Yawa Demta–Sentani Demta Nafri Sentani Tabla Ok Burumakok Faiwol Iwur Kopka Muyu Nakai Ngalum Ninggerum Tangko Tifal Yonggom Momuna–Mek Eipo Goliath Ketengban Kosarek Korupun Nalca Nipsan Somahai Skou Skou South Pauwasi Biksi-Yetfa Kembra Kimki Lepki Murkim East Pauwasi Emem Zorop West Pauwasi Namla Tebi Tofanma Towei Usku Kaure–Kosare Kaure Kosare Marind–Yaqai Bipim Marind Yaqay Bulaka River Maklew Yelmek Kayagar Atohwaim Kayagar Tamagario Border Awyi Elseng Taikat Manem Sowanda Viid Waris Senagi Dera Mairasi Mairasi Mer Semimi Kolopom Kimaghama Morori Ndom Riantana Yam Ngkolmpu Kanum Rema Smerki Tamer Yei Lower Mamberamo Warembori Yoke Others Abinomn Abun Amung Burmeso Dem Kanum Maklew Maybrat Molof Momina Mor Mpur Sumuri Tambora † Uhunduni
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