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:

A cherridel a Droteo er a rolel a ochur a diak lmotoir er a resechelil.

> Droteo is so so advanced in math that his friends can't catch up with him.

A Droteo a dimlak longang me a ka lullim a merael.

> Droteo neither ate nor drank and just left.

Ng diak a mechoit er ngii.

> She doesn't miss anything./Nothing gets by her.

A ngelekel a rruul el diak loleb a tekoi.

> Her child is trained not to interrupt people.

Ng diak rriid a resmel.

> She's very thorough./She doesn't miss anything.

Proverbs:

Ng ko er a derumk, el di merrumk er ngii el diak a ultutelel.

> Like lightning, a big, unnecessary noise.

Lightning rarely strikes in such a way as to cause serious damage in Palau. May be applied to any unnecessary fuss or oratory at a meeting.

Kmakm mechab: charm er a chab el kmeed er a ngau e diak lemedul.

> Like the insects which stays at ashes of fire but doesn't burn.

You're near a situation which needs immediate attention but you don't lend a hand.

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.

Ke ko er a otaor el di omtitechakl el diak a blil.

> You're like a floating log without a resting place.

You have no fixed abode.

Ng ko er a Chelebesoi er a Ngeriil el mad er a diak lebngel.

> He's like Chelebesoi of Ngeriil, dead in a fishtrap not his own.

A man named Chelebesoi (also the name of a fish) was robbing another man's fish trap when a head-hunting party came by and removed his head. He lost both his head and his reputation. The idiom may apply to one who gets hurt while trying to do someone else's job.

More Examples:

Aika el meldung er a tutau a diak e mengodech me a klukuk e domes er ngii.

> What was said this morning will stay as is until we resume tomorrow.

A delak a diak lsal soal a kouotobai.

> My mom doesnt really want me to have a motorcycle.

Ngerang a sebechem el rullii er a delengcheklem me ng mo diak msal kurusii?

> What can you do in your household that would help relieve your stress?

Ulang a mera el mekreos a kelel iedel el chetil el merrous. Ng diak el dilechelid el lebo el meringel a delel.

> Ulang is hoarding her mango and doesn't want to share, hopefully she will get a bellyache.

Bai di beketeklii el kmo ng diak el soam.

> Just make it clear that you really do not want to.

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:

Aika el kall a mla mo medeel er kemam.

> There's gotten to be too much food for us.

Ak mla ngmai a klubelek er kau.

> I've learned my lesson from you./I've profited from your experience.

Tia el blil a Wilbur a mla er ngii a tungelel me ng mle sebechel a Wilbur el mo tuobed.

> Wilbur's pen had a gate, so Wilbur could go outside.

Ng mla ngmasech a bidokel er ngak.

> I've broken out in hives.

Ak mla mo merek er a subelek.

> I've finished my homework.

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 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.

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.

More Examples:

Ak mla mtengii se el kuabang el mileuukel.

> I propped up that guava tree that fell.

Ng mla er ngii a ngloik?

> Was there much dancing?

Ka bo mesang ngke el dechuu el malk el mla omechell e mngai teblol er a ngisel me desengoes.

> Go see the hen that has laid her eggs and bring a couple so we can cook them.

Achedil, ng mla omung aika el kerdeu.

> The ixora plant is blooming.

John, mousubes e ak mla touchakl er a blil a Ngerkumer me ak mo telkib el meoud.

> John, forgive me, I made a stop at Ngerkumer's and may be a run a little late.

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:

Me a rechad er a blil me a beluu a ko er a kmal mlo mechas a rengrir, e le ngika el buik a kmal mesisiich el diak a meringel er ngii.

> His family and the villagers were quite surprised at the boy's sudden good health and quick recovery.

A di kkilungii a renguk el telkib el meketeket e ng ultebechel el ngar er ngii a mo ungil el kudesuii.

> Whenever I was just patient and waited for a little while, I was certain to have a good idea.

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

> That's why the wind always gets strong.

A ngelekel a kiuid a mla mo oubusech.

> The blackbird has begun to grow/get feathers.

Ng mla mo oikab.

> She's a bit better.

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.

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 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 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.

More Examples:

Ke mlo er ker er a elii?

> Where did you go yesterday?

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

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

Ng kmal ungil a renguk mlo sebechek el remuul a urerek.

> I'm so happy I finished my work.

Aki mo omengedub er a omoachel.

> We are going swimming at the river.

A rechad er a blik a mla mo smecher.

> My folks have passed on.

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:

A Droteo a meluchel el mo er a ochedal.

> Droteo is carrying out an obligation to his sister.

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).

Ng sebechek el mo ngmai a betotek er sel llemau.

> I can dive and pick up something in the bottom of the blue deep ocean.

A Droteo a ko el mocha er a Guam.

> Droteo should just be arriving in Guam.

A rebek el ngalek a kirir el mo er a skuul.

> Every child must attend school.

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 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 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.

More Examples:

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

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

Ak mo er a mesei el mo melai a teblo er a brak.

> I'm going to the taro garden to get two yellow taro.

Ak milruul a oeaol er blik. Ak milekrolii el mo er a tank.

> I made rain gutters for my house. I ran it into a tank.

Ke choilii a ralm el omrechorech er ngii e mochu oldebodeb a billum.

> Wait for the water to boil and then put in the tapioca.

Me dorael el mo melim a rrom.

> Lets go drink alcohol.

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 mle chull.

> It rained/was raining.

Ng diak a ngii di lengarang mekdektak.

> There isn't anything that frightens me.

Ng di mle ngii el tang el mo ngmasech er a rois el mo meluluuch. Me se er a bocha lekebesengei, e a Jesus a di mle ngii el tang.

> He went up a hill by himself to pray. When evening came, Jesus was there alone.

Ng kmal mekngit a tekingem.

> You're very unkind or inconsiderate.

A kerierengel a Droteo e ng ririid a ududel.

> Droteo had the misfortune of losing his money.

Proverbs:

Ng ko er a terriid el teloi er a klab e di mengerem.

> Like the terriid, in the taro garden but hungry

The terriid, a bird, is often seen in the taro garden but, unlike the purple swamp hen which eats taro corms, the terriid seems to eat nothing. The idiom may apply to anyone who works hard without recognition, or to a man frequently in the company of women but with no success as a lover.

Ng diak kobetik rengii recheroid e me douchi er a rebai.

> Without looking afield, it was cut down behind the house.

From the folk tale concerning Mesubed Dingal, the inventor of the Palauan kite (see also No. 73). After his wife had been kidnapped, he constructed a kite using feathers from all the birds of Palau and he needed also wood from an Edebsungel tree to fashion the body of the bird-kite. After looking all over Palau and being on the point of giving up, he found the tree he needed behind his own house. The saying may be applied to anyone who does things the hard way, or who goes far afield to find something which is close at hand.

Ng ko er a chelid er a Ngebuked, el di rirekir er a bab.

> Like the gods of Ngebukd, completed up above.

As part of the festivities of a village feast or in celebration of some event, such as the completion of a community hall, Palauan young people produce a variety of named dances. One type of dance, called ruk, was never conducted in Ngebukd (in Ngaraard, northern Palau). It was said that the gods of the village had done their dancing in heaven before coming to earth and thus it was not necessary for the people of Ngebukd to dance. The saying pertains to a completed task, indicating to another that the work need not be repeated.

Ng ko er a mud er a Bngei, el di melecheb er a rrengor.

> Like the mud fish of the Bngei lagoon, drawn to the passing wind

The reef fish mud seldom leaves a given rock or cleft in the reef, but according to this saying the mud of Bngei lagoon, near Airai, may be attracted away from their locus by the dust raised by a passing school of fish. The latter portion of this proverb is difficult to translate. The word melecheb may be applied to a person drawn forward by a current of water. Rrengor refers to a movement of air caused by one body passing another. The idiom is applied to a changeable person, a faddist, or a joiner

Ng ua lemechebiso tolekngel a Modelab

> Like making a whirlpool in Modelab's water tub.

Probably having reference to a folk tale, this saying is applied to any state of general social confusion. Some worldly Palauans used it with reference to the state of world affair

More Examples:

Ng diak, ng diak lsebechek el ngosukau.

> No, I can't help you.

Ng techa ngklel a demam?

> What's your father's name?

Ng soak el oucharm a bersoech.

> I like pet snakes.

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.

Ng uoi soak a bilem. Ke milecherar a bilem er ker?

> I really like your dress. Where did you buy it?

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.

rur

, n.

shame; timidity.
rur a merur; rrengel er a recherechel; seked; titmekl.

Palauan Language Online: Palauan-English Dictionary

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