Palauan Language Online: Palauan-English Dictionary

kodall

, n.

death.

kodall

a

mo

diak

a

klengar

er

ngii;

mo

diak

a

telil;

mad,

kodellel.

chais

, n., [From J?] ]

news.

chais

a

ongasireng

el

tekoi;

merael

el

tekoi,

"chad

a

milengchii

a

bilis"

a

chais;

chisel

a

desiu,

chisel

mekomad.

chisek

n.poss.1s

chisem

n.poss.2s

chisel

n.poss.3s

chisam

n.poss.1pe

chised

n.poss.1pi

chisiu

n.poss.2p

chisir

n.poss.3p

merael a chisel

v.s.

well-known; famous; infamous; (person) popular. (news) spreading quickly.

chad er a chais

expr.

person who always has news to tell.

chisel a Toki

expr.

news about Toki.

chisel a beluu

expr.

news about one's village or country.

chisel a kodall

expr.

news of (someone's) death.

melai a chais

expr.

take a look at (something unusual).

ngera chised

expr.

what's up?

See also:

BEKECHAIS

,

OUCHAIS

Examples:

A

Toki

a

ko

el

rongesa

a

chais.

> Toki has just heard the news.

Aki

kauchais

a

chisel

a

belumam.

> We're exchanging news about our home villages.

Ng

merael

a

chais

er

a

beluu.

> A rumor is going around.

Ng

ulebuu

a

chais.

> The news came out/became known.

A

Osilek

a

ta

er

a

milrael

a

chisel.

> Osilek was very well known.

Proverbs:

Chais

Belau.

> Palauan news.

A paly on words invoving a form of the Palauan word for deception, which is similar in sound to "Belau" (Palau). According to one origin legend, the name "Belau" derives from a deception by which the people of Angaur tricked and killed the giant Uab, whose fallen body became the islands. Identifies a rumor, especially news that gathers detail as it travels farther and farther from its source.

Ng

ko

er

a

kim

er

a

Murael,

el

di

dengarech

e

oker

a

chais.

> She's like the clams at Murael, lying face up (and open) and asking for news.

i.e., she just sits at home asking passersby about what's going on outside. Murael is a reef near Ngerechelong where, as elsewhere in Palau, the various kinds of tradacna shell bask, open and feeding, in the shallow lagoon. The saying applies to gullibility combined with high curiosity for news and to persons who simply sit at home, letting the happenings of the community come to them via passing persons.

More Examples:

A

kabekel

er

a

Belias

el

Kesebekuu

a

bisaol

er

a

chisel

me

a

rretel.

> The famous war canoe of Belias is a show case item for its speed and performance.

Ng

diak

a

beches

el

chais?

> Any news?

mengedall

, v.t.

pole or paddle (canoe) towards left; walk to left side of (elders) to show respect; compete with someone by trying to better him; play game of one-upsmanship (especially, in chanting).

mengedall

a

orrimel;

kodellii

el

orrenges

er

ngii;

kodall

a

uldasu,

kedellel.

mengedall

a

melikes

el

olsarech

er

a

katur;

meluu

er

a

beluu,

klobak;

kedellel

a

mlai.

Palauan Language Online: Palauan-English Dictionary

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