Palauan Language Online: Palauan-English Dictionary

e

, conj.

and; (and) then or consequently; (if...,) then; while; but.
e a omechoel; omuchel e omech a bebil er a tekoi, e sechelei, toktang echad er a chei; e ngerang?

eng

cont.

e ng

Examples:

A euid el klok e ak oubail e songdii a bdeluk.

> At 7:00 a.m. I dress and comb my hair.

A beab a sebechel mertii er a delongelel a sairio er a blai, rael e kmerd er a Ngcheangel.

> Rats can get to Kayangel by hiding in construction materials.

A uriul er a loureor er a sers a Toki, e ng tilellib a chimal.

> After Toki worked in the garden, she washed her hands.

Kemiu e rengelekei a kmal chebuul e le ng mla mad a demmiu.

> You, children, are to be pitied because your father has died.

Ak mo chemuiu aika el uldasu e ke ouchais el kmo ke kongei, ng diak chomkengei, ke oumededenger, a lechub e ng diak modengei.

> I am going to read you a list of statements and you tell if you agree, disagree, neutral or don't know.

Proverbs:

Ng ko er a kaldos, el choitii a telemall e omkar er a mechubs.

> Like kaldos, putting medicine on a well place, rather than the injury.

Kaldos is a medical treatment, said by some to have been learned from the Germans, in which medicine is applied to a parallel member of an injured part in a way that is supposed to transfer pain to an uninjured place. The idiom is applied to a decision or action that completely misses the point or problem.

A sebiil e kau aimong.

> I am sick with sebiil, but what about you?

When frambesia (yaws; Palauan: kerrdik) was common in Palau almost everyone had the disease as a child, and commonly the entire body was covered with painful sores. When the infection covered the anal region it was known as sebiil. The saying implies that everyone has had sebiil, a painful and disgusting disease. Hence, "What makes you feel you're so good?

Ng di sengsongd e mrechorech a kauang.

> Even a small twig can bring the pot to boil.

From small contributions, great accomplishments; a lot of small twigs can make a hot fire; the virtue of cooperation.

Kom ko er a mekebud el betok e di telechem.

> You're like sardines, very many but only enough for one wrapped piece of fish.

Fish are properly wrapped individually in a leaf for cooking, but sardines are so small that a bunch of them may be wrapped together to make up only one small bundle. The idiom may be applied to a numerous but weak enemy or to a clan that is large but ineffective as in raising money for its members, or for a large group of workers who do not accomplish very much.

Ng ko er a Beachedarsai el di telkib, e diak bo lak

> Like Beachedarsai's food, only a little but it does not disappear.

Beachedarsai and a friend, one day, went to heaven. On arrival they were very hungry, so they visited one of the gods who provided food for them. The "food" was one tiny piece of taro and a bit of fish. Beachedarsai thought to himself that this would hardly suffice, but he picked up the taro and ate it. As he did so another piece appeared on the plate. He ate the piece of fish and another piece of fish appeared. His friend also ate and on his plate as well a new piece of taro or fish appeared as each was consumed. When they were satisfied, there remained on their plates a piece of taro and fish. The idiom is applied to any small blessing, such as a small but steady income, or Western meals that, in contrast with the Palauan tray full of food, are served in small portions, and so on.

More Examples:

A ideliseb e ng mle ongetela el ureor?

> What was the day before yesterday?

Alii, ke moubuu e mokokau.

> Hello,don't trip and take your time.

Lak di momuit er tia el butiliang e moitel a imelem er a kob.

> Don't just take a drink from the bottle and pour your drink in a cup.

Bai di beches el ouchais el kmo ng chetim el mong e lak ko bong e mouuchel er a rengum.

> Be honest and say you don't want to go instead of going and then regretting it.

Aika el berdel a ngerem e ke klsakl?

> Hon, whats wrong with your lips?

e

, mod.

contentless word (used with name when addressing someone).

Examples:

E le a rechad a diak lsal mellomes a rengrir el ua a recharm.

> Because humans aren't as smart as animals.

A Ignacio Anastacio a kiltmeklii e odersii el mo er a Court.

> Ignacio Anastacio prepared it and is offering it to the Court.

Tirka el chad a mla remenges el kmo kau, e Rubak, a obengkemam.

> These people have already heard that you, Lord, are with us.

Lak lesebek a rengum e ng kmal diak a rolem e bo mad.

> Don't worry; there's really no way you're going to die.

A beab a sebechel mertii er a delongelel a sairio er a blai, rael e kmerd er a Ngcheangel.

> Rats can get to Kayangel by hiding in construction materials.

Proverbs:

Ng di sengsongd e mrechorech a kauang.

> Even a small twig can bring the pot to boil.

From small contributions, great accomplishments; a lot of small twigs can make a hot fire; the virtue of cooperation.

A sebiil e kau aimong.

> I am sick with sebiil, but what about you?

When frambesia (yaws; Palauan: kerrdik) was common in Palau almost everyone had the disease as a child, and commonly the entire body was covered with painful sores. When the infection covered the anal region it was known as sebiil. The saying implies that everyone has had sebiil, a painful and disgusting disease. Hence, "What makes you feel you're so good?

Moutekangel e ng kmeda a meched.

> Don't give up because things will improve.

Literally, shallow water is approaching.

Oba tet e luut

> To take a handbag and return.

Applied to a person who "never gets anywhere," a low achiever.

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.

More Examples:

Ak urrenges el kmo ng sebeched el mengesekl a ngais er a tkul a rael e le ng kmal mekeald.

> I heard we can literally fry eggs on the sidewalk because of the heat.

Ng ko er a ngodech a debechiil. Ng mla mo diak e di lkau. Ng di uaia lengar er ngii a bereked er kau er a bek el taem.

> It is weird being married. You're not on your own anymore. It's like something is attached to you all the time.

Ailecha el ngais ng dirk chemadech me a lechub e ng selengoes?

> Are those eggs uncooked or cooked?

Ng uluusekook el loba a oles e dobechii a chimal.

> He or she played with a knife and accidentally cut his or her arm.

Ng kileed e a kusebek a rengrir e le ak mlo meoud.

> I was close to worrying everyone as I was a little late.

e ng di

, mod.

but.

kele

, mod.

don't ... (because); I wonder if; maybe.
kele a tekoi el kirel a omengelechel; alii ng diak; kele bochu mongesuch; kele morutech er tilecha el kall.

klebesei

, n.

night; tonight.
klebesei a ngeltel a sils el mo lmuut er a ngesechel a sils, milkolk.

le
/e le

, mod.

[contentless linking word]; because.

mei
/me

, v.i.

come; arrive.

mei a okedongel a chad; mei er tiei, mei me kulekoi, ka mei.

be

v.imp.

be a ta er a telengtengil a tekoi el mengai er a tekoi el mei; be bong, be metengel.

ble

v.past.hypothetical

mera

cont.

mei er a

merekung
/merkung

v.i.pred.

is about to come or arrive.

mermang
/meremang

v.inch.

meremang a merael mei; ngar er a omerolel el mei; dumiang er a dmuil.

mlei
/mle

v.past

came; arrived.

mlei a mla mei me ngar tiang; skoki a mlei er a tutau.
mle a melekoi er a rrekui; Bung a mle tmuu; ng mle mekerang?

mlera

cont.

mlei er a

be kbong

expr.

goodbye; I'm leaving.

me e mong

expr.

pass by; go on; "(in a direction) towards me and then keep going (past me)."

nguu el mei

expr.

bring.

ta el buil er mla me e mong

expr.

one month ago.

Examples:

A Toki me a Droteo a smecher el terung.

> Both Toki and Droteo are sick.

Ng mle mekelekolt.

> It was cold.

Lak bechititerir a remekngit el chad me losebekii a rengum.

> Don't let evil people worry you.

Ng techa a mle harau?

> Who paid?

Bechititerir me lebo longedub.

> Let them go swimming.

Proverbs:

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.)

Ng ko er a chad er a Ngcheangel, el di me chemed er a Ngkesol.

> Like the man of Kayangel, who procured his gifts from Keso

The saying refers to a man from the atoll of Kayangel, some twenty miles north of the main islands of Palau, who, on his way south to visit friends, stopped at an intermediate reef, Kesol, to fish for a present for his host. Refers to a person who, en route to a visit, tries to borrow a present from another guest; any person who suddenly wants to borrow money.

Ke mera el ngelekel a ulled.

> Really a child of the back.

A child (sometimes an adult) that behaves well whether its parents are present or not; a child that is good when one's back is turned.

A rengud me chodab.

> The heart and assessment.

This might better be translated, "Assessment with knowledge." The mind or head is thought to be the locus of knowledge in Palau, but such knowledge is made useful or is measured with the heart (reng). Chodab, in this context, would appear to mean "to take stock of" or "to measure." In essence, then, the phrase cautions one who seems on the point of making a rash decision to temper his thoughts with his heart.

Ke mera el di medochii el rouar.

> You grab and then you pick it up.

Like telling a joke, you're still telling it yet you laugh like you just heard it.

More Examples:

Me ke mo er ker el stoang?

> Which store are you going to?

A delak me a tonari er kemam a mlo er a sers, aleko te mo meruul a billum.

> Our neighbor and my mom went to the farm, they will be making grated cassava.

A sensei er ngak er a ongak a mera el meduch el oukita.

> My music teacher really is good in playing guitar.

Ngika el dil a mera el ongermermangel.

> This girl complains too much.

Mosischeklii a ngelekem el dongmesii me lesebechel dongmesii a ta er a chad.

> Teach your child to respect themselves so that they can respect others.

melechang

, v.t.

put (into particular position); take (to particular place).
melechang a lochang; ngmai el mechei; loiang, lechengel.

merekui

, v.t.

finish (completely; entirely); consume; accomplish.
merekui a mochu merek; merekui er a urrereel a blai; kmedu el mo merek.

ngikel

,

/uploads/pics/5479.jpg, n.

fish.
ngikel a charm er daob me a ralm el kall; temekai me a meas a ngikel.

obo e

, conj.

but.

omechei

, v.t.

leave around; leave alone; let.
omechei a diak lolai, mecherei, merael e mechei a klalo.

omilt

, v.t.

repeat or rehash (matter).
omilt a omelekl; melekoi a mla medung; omilt a mla memong.

rael

, n.

road; path; way; canal; means; solution; way out (of); way to someone's heart; connection (between families, etc.).
rael a ulekrael el usbechall er a omerael; ledes a rael el mo er a blai; rolel a mlai; ngar ngii a ungil rolel a omengedecheduch, rolel a tekoi.

reng

, n.

heart; spirit; feeling; soul; seat of emotions; will; desire; decision.
reng a tebechelel a chad; reng a omesiur er a chad; rengul, rengelngalek.

renguk

n.poss.1s

renguk a reng er ngak.

rengum

n.poss.2s

rengul

n.poss.3s

his/her/its heart; spirit; feeling; soul; seat of emotions.
rengul a reng er ngii.

rengmam

n.poss.1pe

rengud

n.poss.1pi

rengmiu

n.poss.2p

rengrir

n.poss.3p

rengrir a reng er tir.

omai er a rengul

v.t.

hesitate; be unsure about.

a renguk e

expr.

I think/thought that.

ochemchuml a rengul

expr.

seething inside with anger or hate.

See also:

Examples:

A ngalek a blak a rengul el oureor.

> The child is absorbed in his work.

Ng ko er a bebeot a rengul a Droteo er a omerael el mo er a Hawaii.

> Droteo is rather undecided about travelling to Hawaii.

Ng kesib a rengrir e le a remeklou el chad a di melekoi e ng diak el loruul.

> They are angry because the adults are all talk and no action.

A bocha lemeched a rengum e ke melim a bodes er a bngal a kerrekar.

> Whenever you get thirsty, you drink nectar from the flowers in the trees.

Ng tuobed a rengul.

> His real feelings come out or show.

Proverbs:

Bekokuii er a reng.

> Sympathetic heart.

Emphasis is on empathy with the other person: serene contemplation of the problems of others and the art of taking the position of the other as one's own. Sources identify it with the Golden Rule and ideal Christian behavior.

Ng ko er a rengul a bolobel el di melemalt.

> Like the heart of the halfbeak, straight.

The halfbeak, a small fish (bolobel), is regarded as one who follows his fancy or heart, doing as he pleases. The idiom is applied to persons who are easy-going, sleeping when the mood calls for it, undisturbed by the behavior or opinion of others.

Dmolech er a reng.

> Sincere heart.

The technique suggests a quiet rational approach to any problem; the acceptance of circumstances without getting ruffled. The advocate does not defend himself against criticism and will meet anger with sincere concern. It involves "checking the facts," rather than backing down in the face of challenge. The student of this discipline is serene in the face of danger.

Ng di rengud e ngused.

> But our heart is our sister-in-law.

A husband's sister is said to spy on her brother's wife during his absence from home. Reference is to a young wife who refused the advances of a young man, even though it was obvious that no sister-in-law was present to spy. Asked about her relationship with the young suitor, the wife replied: "But my heart is my sister-in-law." The saying may be applied more widely to any circumstance where a person is entrusted with a task without supervision.

A resechal a reng er tir bad.

> The male heart is like stone.

The true man or leader has a strong, unwavering character. His decisions are firm and unchanging.

More Examples:

Bo mungil el chuieuii a renguk e lak momes er a klebekel a ikrel.

> Read my heart well and don't get smitten by what covers it.

Ng diak lemeched a renguk.

> I'm not thirsty.

Ng mekngit a renguk se el bo kletkii a delak me a demak el dibus.

> I get sad when I think of my mom and dad that are gone.

Kmal meringel a cheroid er a deluill me ng blechoel ngar er ngii a rrau el reng.

> Long distance realtionship are hard and misunderstandings are always a concern.

Tirka el mengeteklel a beluad a mera el diak lodengei a rengrir.

> Our leaders just don't have any compassion.

uchul

, n.poss.3s

base (of tree); cause; reason; basis.
uchul a uchelel; uchul a kerrekar omuchel a klakoad; uchul a eanged, uchul a lius, uchul a secher a terrekakl.

uchuk

n.poss.1s

uchum

n.poss.2s

uchemam

n.poss.1pe

uchud

n.poss.1pi

uchemiu

n.poss.2p

ucherir

n.poss.3p

chad er a uchul a eanged

expr.

foreigner.

me isei a uchul e

expr.

therefore.

uchul a cheldecheduch

expr.

reason for the meeting.

uchul a eanged

expr.

horizon.

uchul a kerrekar

expr.

base of tree; butt end of log.

Examples:

Ng betik a renguk er kau, me a uchul me ak tsui er kau.

> I have a deep affection for you, so that's why I'm warning you.

Ngara uchul me ke mlo er a Saibal?

> Why did you go to Saipan?

A chermiu a mo uchul a lengeliu.

> You'll all be sorry for laughing.

A chitel a Droteo er a omelamech el dekool a uchul me ng mlo ungil.

> Droteo's giving up smoking is the reason why he got better.

Ng ngera a uchul me ng di mle kau el tang el me er tiang?

> Why did you come here all by yourself?

Proverbs:

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 ko er a uchul a delil ar rurrot.

> Like the crotch of an aristocratic woman.

Women of the wealthy elite in old Palau would be tattooed up the entire leg and about the thighs and hips. Reference is to the black color of such tattooing and the phrase may be applied to any dark occasion, but usually to dark clouds.

More Examples:

Ngar er ker a uchul a eolt?

> From which direction is the wind coming from?

Molengull el di melibkibk aika el keltkat er a ochim a uchul me ng diak a chebsel!

> Stop picking on your sores that's why they don't get healed!

Ng klaubeltikerreng er a delongeled a uchul me kede kaukerreu.

> Because of the love between us we care about each other's well being.

Palauan Language Online: Palauan-English Dictionary

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