Palauan Language Online: Palauan-English Dictionary

diak

, v.s.

is/are not; does not exist; non-existent.
diak a bechachau; diak a kall, diak a udoud, diak a chad er a blai.

diadiak

v.s.redup.

dikeang
/di kea
/di keang
/dikea

v.s.inch.

no longer; no more; not... after all.
di keang a mla er ngii e mla mo diak, udoud a di keang.

dimlak

v.s.past

were not; did not exist; was/were non-existent.
dimlak a di mla diak, dimlak le medung er a cheldecheduch, dimlak rengesii, dimlak lemei.

ng diak

mod.

no.

ngdiak

cont.

ng diak

diak a rengul

expr.

inconsiderate; impolite.

mo diak

expr.

run out; stop; disappear; become non-existent.

Examples:

Ng diak be mrei el di merekmo a chobetik er ngii.

> Don't return until you've found her.

A Droteo a mle er a elii, adang diak?

> Droteo arrived yesterday, didn't he?

Ng diak momisaos a beches el buuch, ke melamech aike el blisaos el ngar er a tet.

> Don't split an unopened betelnut; (instead) chew (one of) the already split betelnuts in the betelnut bag.

Te di diu el diak lodengei a ngerang e leko te mesaod.

> They both don't know anything and yet they're trying to explain.

Ak mle smecher me ng dimlak kbo er a skuul.

> I was sick, so I didn't go to school.

Proverbs:

Ng ko er a chelatngikl el diak lebeldakl oltellel e dingemuu.

> Like the honey bee, celebrating without first boiling down the coconut syrup.

Once coconut syrup, dripping from the cut flower stem, is collected it is thickened by boiling. The honeybee, however, collects his nectar, puts it in the hive without boiling it, then proceeds to fly around noisily as though celebrating the completed task. Hence, to talk or boast loudly about successes and accomplishments when one has none; to make plans but never carry them out; to celebrate without cause.

Ng dimlak longesimer a tekoi el chad.

> One for whom the door of words was not closed.

When the secrets of a clan or a profession were being taught by an expert, the house was completely closed and instruction took place in strict, whispered secrecy. the idiom may be applied to a person who, while having the proper status to be knowledgeable, has never learned in closed session; an important but uninformed person. Conversely, an expert or knowledgeable clan his torian is one who "has had the door closed" (mleng a simer).

Ng ko er a omenga el Raus, el sosokod e di keang.

> It's like the way they eat in Ngeraus (where food is scarce): as soon as they get to like or enjoy the food, it's gone.

Just as something becomes popular, it becomes unavailable. Ngerraus is a small village in Ngchesar (central Palau). The idiom suggests a person who begins to feel hungry just as the food runs out. The reference is to the meager food resources of a small village. In contemporary Palau the idiom may be applied to some popular import that soon disappears from the shelves of the stores.

Ke ko er a bisech er a bai el dechor er a rebai e diak dousbech er ngii.

> You're like the bisech plant in the backyard which has no purpose.

A person who isn't trusted so he/she is not needed.

A ralm a diak locheraol.

> Water is without cost.

Palauans bathe frequently; many will not miss a daily bath if at all possible. Bathing places are usually widened areas, natural or artificial (some elaborately paved with stone) in fresh-water streams. The phrase simply reminds another, probably a reluctant child, that he should bathe.

More Examples:

A ildisel aika el ngikel, dimlak a kokemiu!

> That's a lot of fish, you guys should not have brought so much.

Diak ka mongebelung.

>

Ng diak kumekall me ak di ngar er a bas.

> I dont drive so I take the bus.

Ng dimlak a klachechei er a delongelir.

> There was no jealousy amongst siblings.

Diak moruul a imeled el otsia.

> Why dont you make us some tea?

e ng di

, mod.

but.

imiit

, v.i.

miss; fail to hit; pass by or over; go from one state to another.
imiit a iit, diak el taut; imiit er a delenguchel, ometech e imiit, omurech e imiit, ietel, iit er ngii.

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.

merekui

, v.t.

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

metik

, v.i.

find.
metik a seliik; mla smiik; mla siekii; mla metik a ririid el kiis.

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:

Ke mla choitii a omelamech el dekool?

> Have you quit or giving up smoking?

Ng obekuk a mla merngii a sechelik.

> It's my brother who has hit my friend.

Ng mla nguemed a kangdalang.

> The candle has died out.

Ke mla er ker er a elii?

> Where were you yesterday?

Ng sechelik a bla leberngii a obekuk.

> It's my friend who my brother has hit.

Proverbs:

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.

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.

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 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 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.

More Examples:

Ak mla mo make.

> I have lost.

A kimlo melechong er a diong e mla er ngii a melengok.

> There was a peeping tom when we went shower.

Ng mla er ngii a dengchel ngka el tolechoi er a remechas er a blai.

> The baby had a serious recognition comparison by the ladies of the house.

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.

Tia el oak a mla metecherakl. Ka mhantai mel mengubet.

> The anchor is stuck. Back up and see if it will come out.

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 Toki a mlo er a Guam el di mo milil.

> Toki went to Guam just to fool around.

A Toki a kmal soal el mo er a Guam, e ng di ng mla mo diak a ududel.

> Toki wanted to go to Guam, but her money ran out.

Alii. Ke di ocherchur el mo el ruames.

> Watch out; you're laughing so hard you'll split your sides.

A Droteo ng mlo er ker me ker?

> What places did Droteo go to?

Ke mo omekedong a katuu er a ngii di el chad?

> Are you going to call anyone's cats?

Proverbs:

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.

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 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.

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.

More Examples:

Ak mo melasem el merrob er a omelmechek er a buuch.

> Im going to try to stop my betelnut chewing.

Ng locha bai kirel el lmuut el mo er ngii a bul er a beluu e meruul a skoki el di me soiseb se el mellomes el ua ngar e mong.

> I think there should be a curfew on land and have flights only come in during the day like before.

A rechad el meringel a bderrir a mo er a osbitar.

> People with headaches go to the hospital.

A eim el renged el mo dmak e Kerradel.

> Five villages united and called Kerradel.

A sechelik me a telungalek er ngii a mo er a omerael.

> My friend and his family are going on a trip.

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 diak chobo er a chei, e le ke menga el mo smecher.

> Don't go fishing because you'll get sicker (than you are now).

Ak kmal medinges me ng soak el mo smecher.

> I'm very full, so I feel as if I'll be sick.

Ulekum ng ngar er ngii a ududek, me ng mo sebechek el mo er a Merikel.

> If only I had some money, then I'd be able to go to America.

Ng mocha chodechosong e kau a dirk e mechiuaiu?

> The sun is about to be high and you are still lying down?

Ng mochu klebesei.

> It will be dark soon.

Proverbs:

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.

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 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:

Tia el otngeklel a chutem el mo er a mera el chad er tia el kebliil a kma el mle ungil omesodel el dimlak a uldikel er ngii.

> The return of the land to the original clan members went well as planned without any disruptions.

Momes el mo marek a bitang.

> Watch till the other side is brown.

Ak oureng er a ta er a taem el mo sebeched el kasoues.

> I only wish that we will see each other in the future.

Ke mekudem el mo er a Oreor me a kuk kesengil e bo mtuchakl el oldingel er a rechedam.

> You visit Koror frequently so at least visit your relatives.

Ak mera el mo oureng er a demak me a delak se el bebil er a taem.

> Sometimes, i really miss my father and mother.

ng

, pro.

he/she/it (nonemphatic).
ng a ngii; ngii el chad; ngii el kall; ngii el blai; ng melim a ralm; ng kall; ng blimiu?

Examples:

Ng mla imiit a cheokl.

> The worst is over.

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.

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

> Did Joseph drive his car anywhere?

Ng ngar er ngii a kmong techa el mle osiik er kau.

> Someone or other came looking for you.

Ng diak kiit el mekodkau.

> I won't fail to kill you (one of these days).

Proverbs:

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.

Ng meredem er oiaol bedul ngii.

> Attaching the drain spout to oneself.

Pertains to favoritism, the adjustment of the flow of favors from the leader to one-self. It is considered unsporting and in poor taste to seek favoritism through undue support of a leader in direct anticipation of favors.

Ng okouik me ng obached, e a lokouim eng diak lobached.

> If it is my lunch it can be divided, if it is yours then it cannot

Two men habitually trapped fish in the same region of the lagoon. One would occasionally ask the other to join him at lunch, the other would always refuse. One day the man who refused arrived with no lunch. When the usual invitation was extended the man refused, saying that, anyway, he had no lunch. The invitation was insistently pressed until the reluctant one gave in. As they split the taro between them the one who shared made the above statement. The idiom is a mild rebuke of a retentive person

Ng ko er a rrut rubak.

> Like the running elder.

Elders do not run fast, but they can run for great distances. Young men can sprint, but have little endurance. Hence, a person with enduring persistence.

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:

Ng mla tmaut a ureor.

> The work has (recently) begun.

Ng kleim a tuangel er ngii.

> It has five doors.

Ng tuobed a cherik el tirka el chad er a kabelment, aika el mlai lomekall a rengrir klokir a bedengir.

> I'm smirking at the people working for the government, do they think they own these government vehicles when they're behind the wheels.

A elii e ng mle ongetela el ureor?

> What day was yesterday?

Ng mera el ungil a cheritel me a klekedellel e ng di aika el berdel a ngerel a ko er a ulechero er tia el kutsibeni er ngii.

> She looks so beautiful with her traditional grass skirt and decorations except her lips look inside out with that lipstick.

ng diak a tal chad
/ng diak a ta el chad
/ng diak a ta el chad

, pro.

nobody.

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?

nguemed

, v.i.

finish; die out; run out; get used up; get depleted.
nguemed a mo diak; mla nguemed a remechuodel el chad.

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.

rolek

n.poss.1s

rolem

n.poss.2s

rolel

n.poss.3s

rolel a rael er ngii.

rolam

n.poss.1pe

roled

n.poss.1pi

roliu

n.poss.2p

rolir

n.poss.3p

Rael Kedam

n.

The mountain range that runs North-South on Babeldaob. In Palauan legend, it comes from Uab's spine. It marks the boundary of many states in Babeldaob. The name literally means the flight path of the kedam.
Ng ikel rois el meliud er a Keiukl me a Desbedall.

rael el beluu

n.

person without a fixed residence.

chad er a rael

expr.

outsiders.

ng diak a rolel e

expr.

there's no way to/have no way to.

ngalek er a rael

expr.

fatherless child; bastard.

rolel a ralm

expr.

ditch.

Palauan Language Online: Palauan-English Dictionary

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