Palauan Language Online: Palauan-English Dictionary

chedil

, n.

mother (used as term of address).
chedil a okedongel a ngalek el mo er a delal, chedil a kubengkem.

delak

n.poss.1s

delam

n.poss.2s

delal

n.poss.3s

delal a chedil er ngii; dil el oungalek er ngii a delal.

delmam

n.poss.1pe

delad

n.poss.1pi

delmiu

n.poss.2p

derrir

n.poss.3p

delal a blai

expr.

very large house.

delal a chelebuul

expr.

disaster; calamity.

delal a delak

expr.

my maternal grandmother.

delal a diall

expr.

tremendous ship.

delal a kar

expr.

syn. ongael.

See also: , , , ,

Examples:

Ng delak el mechas a rengul er a teng er ngak.

> It's my mother who is astonished at my grades.

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

> Kukumai brought the food to her mother.

Bellachel a delam!

> Your mother's unclean! (insult)

A delak a mesengaked.

> My mother is slim.

Bengud a delam!

> Your mother smells of fish! (insult).

Proverbs:

Bengud a derrir.

> Stinking of fish

Used of the people of Ngerechelong (northern Palau) who specialize in trap fishing. Trap fish are said to be especially oily and smelly.

Ng kolia a delal.

> He ate his mother.

To marry or have intercourse with the wife of one's brother. There is a potential reciprocation in which money may go from an elder brother in return for food and service from a younger brother. Once established, particularly where the younger couple have children, a cycle of this type may continue after the younger husband has died. Marrying the wife of a deceased younger brother, then, will interrupt such a cycle. Similarly, sexual relations with this woman may jeopardize the cycle.

A mesei a delal a telid.

> The taro field is the mother of our life

Not only is taro an important staple in the Palauan diet, but a serving of taro is essential at any feast and taro is the essential food in a food-money exchange. Its importance is recognized in this idiom.

More Examples: