Palauan Language Online: Palauan-English Dictionary

bedengel

, n.poss.3s

body; corpse; skin; color; type; kind; appearance; physique.
bedengel a chesbereberel, mamed a mellemau a bedengel. bedengel a chelechedal, ungil okerulel el ngalek a ungil a bedengel.

chansing

, v.t., [From Japanese anshin]

be too sure or proud of (oneself).

chung

, n.

luck or fate.

di

, mod.

only; just; any.
di a olkael; di kau a mei e diak a ngodech; di tedei el buik a mong; se di kau, se di ngii.

el di mle ngii

expr.

all by himself; on his own.

ngii di lebong

expr.

whatever it is; whatever there may be.

Examples:

Kede ko er a di telokl le ng diak dodengei a telngachet.

> We are completely uninformed because we don't know any information (about that).

A kloklek a klilia er a kmo ng ngarang a di kea kudengei.

> I put my things somewhere or into something or other, but I can't remember where.

Ng di kea ak tekingii a ngelekek.

> I'm no longer able to discipline my child by talking to him.

Ng di ngii a chimak el mlo meringel.

> My hand started hurting on its own.

Ng di mlengimet a blai el mo er a chei.

> There was no one at home because they'd all gone fishing.

Proverbs:

Ke ko er a kedam el suebek e ak di oba okum.

> You're a flying kite, but i hold the guide string.

No matter how much you play around, you always come back to me.

Ng ko er a tengadidik el di melekoi el suebek.

> Like the kingfisher, chattering while taking to wing.

The kingfisher, a restless, bullying bluebird, may be heard to chatter loudly when flying up from the ground or from a perch. The saying applies to one who suddenly spouts instructions to a group, then leaves, or to a leader at a meeting who impatiently interrupts a discussion with a burst of pronouncements, then ends the meeting.

Ng ko er a ibuchel er a Ngemai el di kiei me a dekedekel.

> He's like the sea urchins between Ngiwal and Melekeok, on the ocean floor with its cover.

The sea urchin can be seen lying quietly on the lagoon floor, occasionally with a leaf like a hat covering its head. Applied to a man who acquires a wife or great wealth without working for it.

Ng ko er a kaeb er a Chelong el di bekerurt er a ongor.

> Like a racing canoe of Ngerchelong, fast by word of mouth.

Apparently refers to a canoe race of the past when a club of Ngerchelong lost after having given verbal display of greatness. Refers to the bluff or braggart (all-mouth, no action).

Ng ko er a omelkesel Ngirakerisil, el di diak lecheldereder a mlil.

> Like Kerosene, poling his canoe with no obvious destination

Under the German administrator Winkler before World War I, a Palauan named Ngirakerisil (Mr. Kerosene) was employed as a canoe operator. Daily he would take the tireless administrator to a different part of Palau to inspect the various economic programs (largely coconut planting) instituted by the now legendary Winkler. The operator, least of all, could predict where they would be going next. The idiom is applied to any aimless person or action; indecision; a changeable person.

More Examples:

Choi, ak di omes er a eanged me a lsa el mo mekngit e ak merael.

> Yes, if the weather gets worse, I'll leave.

Ng di bita el mera el mo soal mo er ngii a eolt.

> It seems like there is a possibilty of a typhoon.

A rechad el menguteling er a beluad a di meses a ngerir.

> The leaders for our nation speak empty speeches.

A ochellek a di tang.

> I have one younger brother. (Can only be said by a maile).

A buik a di ulsechomel er a blil le a rebulis a osiik er ngii.

> The boy is hiding in his house because the police are looking for him.

kmo

, v.t.

to like someone dearly; express extra or preferential love, care, attention to one person; love; care for; take care of; favor; give preference to. [Unlike the English word 'love,' the usage of this word tends to imply favoritism.]

mla

, v.s.

was/were (located); existed.
mla a melekoi er a rrekui el tekoi; mla mong; mla er ker; mla er a skuul.

bla

v.s.hypothetical

mla

aux.

has (done something).

mlar

cont.

mla er

mlara

cont.

mla er a

a lebla er ngii

expr.

if there had been.

mla mo

expr.

has become.

ng mla er ngii

expr.

there has or have been; there was or were.

Examples:

Tirke el chad a mla ngosuir ngke el bilis.

> Those people have helped that dog.

Ng mla meluches a babier.

> The letter has been written.

Ak mla tmurk er a omelekoi el mo er tir.

> I've done as much talking to them as I can (with no results)./I've had it with talking to them.

A ultirek a kmal mla mo chusui el kirem.

> My love to you has gone.

A Toki a mla mechell.

> Toki has had a baby.

Proverbs:

Ng mla mkelii a tual.

> He cut down his own banana.

A man supplies fertilizer (money) for a banana tree that, eventually, provides fruit (gifts of food). The cycle, in this saying, is compared with that of the food-money cycle of a marriage in which the wife's clan provides food and service, while the husband's clan provides occasional payments of money. If a banana tree is cut down before it bears fruit, the cycle is interrupted. Hence, a man who marries incestuously within his own clan and thereby inhibits the foodmoney cycle.

Ng mla merekakl a tekingel.

> He swallowed his words.

An inconsistent person, especially one who has stated that he would never do something, then does it.

Ng ko er a chad er a Ngesias, el ngemuu er a mla mokom.

> It's like when the men of Ngesias clamored over what they had lost (after a party of raiders had attacked without warning and taken a head as a trophy).

The men of the Ngesias (Peleliu) village club were sitting near their clubhouse one evening when raiders broke through the brush, shouted wildly, and excaped with the head of one of them. When they recovered their senses, the men jumped to their spears and shouted threats into the darkness of the surrounding brush. Aroused by the commotion, the village chief appeared and ,when appraised of the situation, admonished them to be quiet since the fuss would gain nothing. "Don't cry over spilt milk."

Ng ko er a Ngiramesemong, el omilt a mla me e mong.

> Like Ngiramesemong, rehashing what has been finished.

Pertains to a person who repeatedly reminds another of past favors or continually recalls the mistakes of others. (My sources no longer recalled the episode or story from which this idiom derives.)

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.

More Examples:

Kom kmal mera el dengerodek el ngalek el mla chidir a chiklel a belochel me ng medei.

> Unruly kids that have twisted the pigeon's neck so it died.

Ng mera el chituuk mla rullii a umengel a bechil.

> He's very resourceful and made his wife a kitchen.

Ak mla er a skuul.

> I came from school.

Akai! Ng mla motab a ochik er a rais.

> Ouch! I stubbed my toe on a tree root.

Aika el kerrekar el mahongani a kmal mera el mla mo metongakl.

> These mahogany trees are getting so tall.

mo

, aux.

will; shall; become; get.
mo a melekoi er a ngar medad; mo er a klukuk; ng mo el merekong? ng mo e mei.

bora

cont.

bo er a

mlo

aux.past.

became; got.
mlo a melekoi er a taem el tekoi a dilubech; mlo kot er a rurt; mlo smecher; mlo er a omerael.

mlor

cont.

mlo er

mlora

cont.

mlo er a

mora

cont.

mo er a

ng mo er ngii

expr.

there will be.

Examples:

A Kukumai a ngiluu a kall el mo er a delal.

> Kukumai brought the food to her mother.

Ak oulengechel er a mangidab se el lebo ldibus el kmo ng mo er ngii a klou el eolt.

> Whenever a spider has disappeared (from its web), I take it as a sign that there will be a big storm.

Ng mla mo ua ngara a chubs er a chimam?

> How's the wound on your arm healing?

Ng ulemekall er a mlil a Ioseb el mo er a ngii di el beluu?

> Did Joseph drive his car anywhere?

Ak mo omuchel el mengiis er a kliokl er a klukuk.

> I'm going to begin digging the hole tomorrow.

Proverbs:

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.

Ng ko er a chad er a Ngerechelong, el di bita el mo dechor er a debsel a lei.

> Like the people of Ngerechelong, standing together on the base of the coconut tree.

The mound or hump that forms at the base of the coconut tree is said to represent the highest ranking village clan. The leader of that clan is spoken of as "standing on the mound." In the idiom, it is suggested that the people of Ngerechelong (northern Palau) would all like to be leaders-all standing on the mound at the same time. The idiom may be applied where too many people try to direct an operation; too many leaders.

Metkul a bkul a Ngirair, e klou el Belau el mo er a Ngerechelong.

> From the Metkul boundary point at Ngirair, Palau is yet huge up to Ngerechelong.

This saying is given two meanings, both negative, pertaining to the people of northern Palau and to Ngaraard particularly: (i) the people of northern Palau are so provincial that they still think Palau is a huge country; (2) the people of northern Palau are the biggest liars (a play on "to deceive," which sounds like Belau [Palau] ). The idiom may be shortened to "Men of the point" (Chad ra bkul), referring to a point of land at Ngirair marking the boundary of Ngaraard. Or the act of patting the elbow (bkul) may carry the same meaning. Actually, the idiom is of fairly recent vintage, pertaining in part to resistance on the part of some of the people of northern Palau to administrative programs instituted by the Japanese.

A uel el kuk meremang el me omeklatk me ng mo uchul a klengitereng

> When the purple swamp hen appears, it brings remembrance

There is a song (Oumachas) from which this saying derives: Once there was a young couple who made love in a secluded spot in the taro garden. While they were lying together a purple swamp hen darted out of the brush startling the couple. Eventually love cooled, but thereafter whenever the girl saw a purple swamp hen while she worked in the gardens, she recalled her lover. Hence any occurrence that brings back fond memories.

Ng kora osechel a mengur, el di ngar er a milkolk el mo er a milkolk.

> Like coconut water, passing from darkness to darkness.

Water, drunk from a coconut, passes from the dark of the nut to the dark of the mouth. Some discussions, such as those of village leaders, are secretively passed from mouth to mouth without public discussion.

More Examples:

Ke mo meketeket er a Belau?

> Will you stay long in Palau?

Ngka el chad a mla mo dengerengel er a ta er a redil.

> This guy is having an affair with another woman.

Ng soam el mo er a chelebacheb er a Sabadong?

> Do you want to go to Rock Island on Saturday?

A delak a ulelsisechakl er ngak el mengaus a llel a such el mo oulkou.

> My mom tried to teach me how to weave hats from pandanus leaves.

Ak mo melalem er a tedobech er ngii el chemutii e a bitang a diokang.

> I'm planting sweet potatoes on one half and cassava on the other half.

mong

, v.i.

go (in a direction not towards either the speaker or listener).
mong a merael mo cheroid; skuul a ngar a mong.

Bong!

v.imp.

Go! Go ahead!.

bocha
/bochang

v.inch.hypo.

may become.

bochung
/bochu

v.hypothetical

is about to go.

bong

v.hypothetical

mlong

v.past

went.
mlong a mla mong; mlo er a skuul.

mochang
/mocha

v.inch.

is beginning to arrive; is just arriving.
mochang a omerolel el mong; locha mochang.

mochung
/mochu

v.pred.

is about to go.
mochung a kmeed el mong; ke mochung? ak mochung.

el mo

expr.

until.

el mo el mong

expr.

(do something) in a continuous fashion; go on or keep on (doing something).

ng mochu er ngii

expr.

there is about to be.

nguu el mong

expr.

take.

Examples:

Ng uchul e ng di blechoel el mo meses a eolt.

> That's why the wind always gets strong.

Ng diak a temek el mo er a party.

> I don't have time to go to the party.

A Remeliik a mocha meleel er tia el telemall el sersel a blil a Sulial.

> Remeliik began nailing up Sulial's broken pigpen.

Te mla er sei e milrael el mo er a chelechol.

> They were over there and then walked to the beach.

Ng soal el mo (er ngii a) chull.

> It looks as if it's going to rain.

Proverbs:

Metkul a bkul a Ngirair, e klou el Belau el mo er a Ngerechelong.

> From the Metkul boundary point at Ngirair, Palau is yet huge up to Ngerechelong.

This saying is given two meanings, both negative, pertaining to the people of northern Palau and to Ngaraard particularly: (i) the people of northern Palau are so provincial that they still think Palau is a huge country; (2) the people of northern Palau are the biggest liars (a play on "to deceive," which sounds like Belau [Palau] ). The idiom may be shortened to "Men of the point" (Chad ra bkul), referring to a point of land at Ngirair marking the boundary of Ngaraard. Or the act of patting the elbow (bkul) may carry the same meaning. Actually, the idiom is of fairly recent vintage, pertaining in part to resistance on the part of some of the people of northern Palau to administrative programs instituted by the Japanese.

Ng ko er a ebedel a Mengellakl el di mochu meleketek.

> Like the clouds of Mengellakl that just pile up

High points like Mengellakl in Palau sometimes create clouds as the moisture-laden air is lifted by the wind to higher cooler altitudes. This saying applies to a situation or a fad that spreads; drinking to excess.

Ng kora osechel a mengur, el di ngar er a milkolk el mo er a milkolk.

> Like coconut water, passing from darkness to darkness.

Water, drunk from a coconut, passes from the dark of the nut to the dark of the mouth. Some discussions, such as those of village leaders, are secretively passed from mouth to mouth without public discussion.

Ng ko er a chad er a Ngerechelong, el di bita el mo dechor er a debsel a lei.

> Like the people of Ngerechelong, standing together on the base of the coconut tree.

The mound or hump that forms at the base of the coconut tree is said to represent the highest ranking village clan. The leader of that clan is spoken of as "standing on the mound." In the idiom, it is suggested that the people of Ngerechelong (northern Palau) would all like to be leaders-all standing on the mound at the same time. The idiom may be applied where too many people try to direct an operation; too many leaders.

More Examples:

A sechelimam a mo merael el mo er a Rosia er tia el mei el sandei.

> Our friend is leaving to Russia next week.

Ngar er ngii a klemechek el mo er a rechad er a blik.

> I have a message for my folks.

Kede bai mochu melamech a cheliud.

> We should chew homegrown tobacco.

Omerollam el mo er a chelbacheb, aki ngilasech er a meched. Aki ngeltengat el dimlak lobeu a brobera.

> On the way to the rock island, we ran over the shallows. Good thing the propeller stayed intact.

Ke mo merael er a oingerang el mo er a Belau?

> When are you leaving to Palau?

ngar

, v.s.

be (located); exist; be alive.
ngar a outeliil; chad a ngar; ngar er ngii a klengar er ngii; charm a ngar.

ngar ngii

cont.

ngar er ngii

ngarker

cont.

ngar ker

ngar er a bab a rengul

expr.

conceited; disrespectful; proud; arrogant; haughty; snobbish.

ngar er a bab el chad

expr.

one's superior; wealthy/well-to-do person.

ngar er a eou a rengul

expr.

(person is) humble/respectful.

ngar er ngii

expr.

there is.

ngar ker

expr.

where is it.

Examples:

Ng ngar er ngii a demmiu?

> Do you have a father?

Ng ngar er ngii a elolem el rengedel a Ngchesar.

> There are six hamlets in Ngchesar.

A beab a sebechel kmerd er a Ngcheangel el ngar er a chelsel a blil a kall el ua bek el beras.

> Rats can get to Kayangel in bags of food such as rice.

Ng ngar er ngii a kombalii er ngak.

> I've got people who can help me in preparing food.

Ngar ngii a chad er a Kayangel el mla mo smecher er a leptospirosis?

> Is there anyone from Kayangel who has ever had leptospirosis?

Proverbs:

Melim e menga er a ngar er a ucharm.

> To eat and drink by the mast tip.

The ucharm (bird) is the hardwood tip at the top of the canoe mast. The person to whom the idiom is applied is accused of thriving on gifts from other places. Particularly it may be applied to persons of a highranking village who rather expect that visitors in canoes from other villages will come provisioned with gifts-thus, those who watch for the canoes. Sometimes the idiom goes: Ngkora chad ra Oreor, "Like the man of Koror," with reference to the high ranking community of Koror in central Palau.

Ng ngar ngii a melebisech er a chutem e imiit

> Are there any who spear at the ground and miss?

Used to describe something that is easily accomplished.

Ng kora osechel a mengur, el di ngar er a milkolk el mo er a milkolk.

> Like coconut water, passing from darkness to darkness.

Water, drunk from a coconut, passes from the dark of the nut to the dark of the mouth. Some discussions, such as those of village leaders, are secretively passed from mouth to mouth without public discussion.

More Examples:

Ngar er ngii a chermel uos.

> He has horses.

Ng techang a ngar er a bitang er a Mary?

> Who is next to Mary?

Ngar er ker a uked er a mekebud?

> Where is the sardine fishing net?

Ng ngarang a ngar er a bebul �a tebel

> What is on the table or desk?

A eolt a ngar er a dimes el mei.

> The wind is coming from the south.

ngera
/ngerang
/ngarang
/ngara

, pro.

what; which; what kind of; anything (but or except).
ngerang a ker; ngera ke melekoi? tia ng ngerang? ngera soam?

ngii

, pro.

he/she/it (emphatic).
ngii a melekoi el kirel a chad me a klalo; ngii el dil, ngii el kall, ngii el beluu; ngii el urreor; ngii el udoud.

ngii di el

, pro.

any.

singio

, n., [From Japanese]

trust; reputation.

meruul a singio er ngii

expr.

show (oneself) in a good light; show (oneself) to be responsible or trustworthy; put one's best food forward.

Examples:

Ng ungil a singio er ngii.

> She is trustworthy.

ta
/tang

, num.

1 [one] (unit of time; human; counting).
tang a ochur el chimong , ta el buil, ta el tekoi, ta el chad.

tal

cont.

ta el

tara

cont.

ta er a

el di ngak el tang

expr.

alone; by myself.

ko el tang

expr.

the very first time; the first time after a long while.

ngii di el tang

expr.

either one; anything.

ta el chad

expr.

one person; (persons) having same mother or father; (persons) of same blood.

ta el rak

expr.

one year.

ta el sils

expr.

one day.

ta er kemam

expr.

one of our relatives (usually, close); one of us.

ta er ngak

expr.

one of my relatives (usually, close).

ta er tir

expr.

one of them.

Examples:

Ng ko el ta el leme chull.

> It's the first time it's rained in a long while.

A Droteo me a Toki a ko er a kmal ta a dekelir.

> Droteo and Toki are quite close or always doing things together.

Me ta er a oluches.

> Give me one of the pencils.

Te oumesingd a rechad el omuchel el me er a ta el klok.

> People tend to start arriving at one o'clock.

A blai a mlukbeches er a chelsel a ta el buil.

> The house was renovated in a month.

Proverbs:

Ng cheiko e omekrael er a ta er a cheiko.

> A blind man leading another blind man.

The application is identical to that of the familiar English idiom

Ng kora chebiei el Cheangel, el di ta e chutur a ta el suk.

> Like the breadfruit of Kayangel, just one rotten piece will spoil the whole bunch.

One bad person can ruin the reputation of a whole group. It is said of the Chebiei variety of breadfruit found at Kayangel atoll that one rotten one will spoil others packaged with it. Similar to "One bad apple spoiled the bushel."

Ng ta el suk me ng diilut re Meduu.

> A full basket was dropped in Ngeremeduu bay.

From the folk tale about Obak era Kedesau on his way to a feast being given in honor of his wife by her adoptive father. While crossing Ngeremeduu Bay between Ngatpang and Ngeremlengui, Obak dropped a basket of Palauan money overboard. Despite this terrible loss, he still had the courage and sufficient cash to carry off his visit in high style. The saying may be used to reassure someone, following a loss, reminding them that Obak era Kedesau recovered from an even greater loss.

Ng ko er a cherellel a beab el di ta e keroker.

> It's like the birth of a rat with one offspring per mother.

It's something that happens just once, something I put up with only once. According to this saying, the rat bears but one litter. Hence the application "once is enough" about an act that bears no repeating.

Ng ko er a chelebed er a Utaor, el di ta temetemir

> Like the blow at Utaor, one stroke for all

A person or perhaps a club of the hamlet of Utaor (a hamlet of either Koror or Chol) offended a major village and, in consequence, the village retaliated by attacking the whole hamlet. The idiom applies to any general statement or punishment that might better be directed toward a particular group or individual

More Examples:

Me ta er a taod

> Please give me a fork

Ng di ungil a kumekedong er kau er a ta er a taem?

> Is it OK for me to call you sometime?

Ngka el chad a mla mo dengerengel er a ta er a redil.

> This guy is having an affair with another woman.

Ak meleng a udoud el diak lengesonges me a lechub lemekesai er a ta el telael.

> I'm borrowing money not less than a thousand dollars.

Rungalek, ka bo mocheuir a ta er a taxi el mei me lotekak el mo er a bdelul a chang.

> My child, go hail me a taxi cab so that I can take it to the dock.

tab

, n.

destination.
tab a motab; tabeluach.

teblo
/teblong

, num.

2 [two] (animal; nonliving thing).
teblong a ochur ; bduu a teblong. mengur a teblong; teblong el blai.

Palauan Language Online: Palauan-English Dictionary

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