Palauan Language Online: Palauan-English Dictionary

daob

, n.

sea; ocean; salt water.
daob a ralm er a chei; beluu er a Belau a iliuekl er a daob, debel.

debel

n.poss.3s

meraeldaob

strong current in open sea (usually accompanied by swells).
meraeldaob a mesisiich el berius er a ikrel, dailechei.

debel a klengoes

expr.

salt water for cooking klengoes.

debel a mekaeb

expr.

the ocean between Angaur and Peliliu.

debel a mlai

expr.

boat's wake.

debel a redil

expr.

labor pains.

See also: , ,

Examples:

Kengti, a eanged a uchul e a National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) a mla otebedii A Small craft warning er a beluu er Belau rokir. Daob er a delongelel a Beliliou me a Ngeaur, Ollei ma Ngcheangel me a ikrel a chelmoll a kmal mekngit er elecha el taem. Me a leuaisei, e aike el banderang er a small craft warning a mla mengerd el mo er bab el merrob a rokui el omerael el mo tuobed el mo er aike el basio. A obis er a NEMO a melemolem el omes er a teletelel a daob e ouchais er a buai lokiu tia el radio station.

> Due to the weather conditions and increasing hazardous surf, the National Emergency Office (NEMO) is issuing a Small Craft Warning for the entire Republic of Palau. Water conditions from outside the reef through all exposures are very rough at this time. Travel between Peleliu and Angaur, Kayangel and Ollei and/or outside the reefs are strictly prohibited. Small craft warning flags have been raised and the republic is requested to observe this warning. NEMO will continue to monitor these marine conditions and advise the public accordingly.

Tia el kar a oubuch er a daob.

> This medicine must be used with salt water (to be effective).

A Sis a mesilek a bilel er a daob.

> Sis is washing her clothes in the ocean.

A debel a ingsed a meteet er a ngikel.

> The ocean of our islands is abundant in fish.

Proverbs:

A rekung el daob a mla otitech a rekung el beluu.

> Sea crabs have pushed out land crabs.

Outsiders have taken over the land or titles of local people. An outsider (e.g., adopted child, friend) has become more important than a blood relative.

A ungil el merreder a ua chull el melemedem er a daob.

> A good leader, like rain, stills the ocean.

Rain falling during an ocean squall often seems to wipe away the winds and still the ocean. A good leader should be able to dispel the problems facing his people. He can calm down disputes and settle problems easily.

Rekung el daob otetechi a rekung el beluu.

> The ocean crabs crowd out the village crabs.

"Crabs from the sea," in other words, commoner peoples who have only recently taken up residence, may become more influential than long-term residents of higher, historical rank. Members of such lineages, omengdakl or low status, because they must achieve to gain recognition and because they are adopted and protected by high ranking clans, may actually be more privileged than older residents.

Ng ko er a teribsel a daob el di mei e mo diak.

> It's like the foam of the sea, which forms unexpectedly and then disappears.

It's a matter that comes up for lengthy discussions and then is dropped without resolution or effect. Some things, like sea foam, drift on without settlement. Endless discussion without reaching agreement.

More Examples: