betok, v.s.many; numerous; plenty; abundant.
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bebetokv.s.redup.just more than enough.
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beltokn.
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betekngei
/betekngang
v.s.inch.accumulating; increasing in number.
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rebetokv.s.many (required before noun referring to human beings).
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toklechadslangmany people.
rebetok el chadexpr.many people.
rebetok el senseiexpr.many teachers.
See also:
Synonyms: , ,
Examples:
> We talked about lots of problems.
> Satsko told Toki a lie (saying) that John has lots of money.
> He left the road to look at the lion he had killed, and he was surprised to find a swarm of bees.
> Droteo really know a lot of proverbs.
> I have quite a rash on my neck.
Proverbs:
> 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.
> Like one who has eaten the thorny puffer fish, full of many things.
The thorny puffer fish is sometimes gulped by the wide-mouthed grouper fish. The puffer, expanding and extending its thorns in the grouper's mouth, renders the latter rather "full of things" and completely helpless. Groupers in this predicament are occasionally caught by fishermen. The idiom is applied to anyone who faces more problems, more work, or more sweethearts than he can cope with.
More Examples:
> I'm going to be a little late tomorrow. I have a lot of work.
> The reason is, there are too many crimes in the society.
> You caught a lot of fish so at least give me one red snapper.
> People who wrote these books didn't have enough experience or teachings so there are some mistakes.
> He says he's been there several times.
telkib, v.s.a little; a bit; part of piece of.
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di telkib expr.only a little; just a bit.
el telkib expr.for a while.
telkib a bebetok expr.a shade too much.
telkib el betok expr.a bit too much.
telkib el kekesai expr.just barely not enough.
telkib el kesai expr.not enough.
telkib el taem expr.a short while; a short time.
telkib er a Ngiual expr.part of the village of Ngiual.
telkib er a kall expr.part of the food.
telkib er a lius expr.small piece of coconut.
See also: ,
Examples:
> I'll be here for just a short while and then go.
> Whenever I was just patient and waited for a little while, I was certain to have a good idea.
> I can only talk (with you) a little.
> Some of the wood has been burned up.
> Try to control yourself a little bit.
Proverbs:
> 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:
> Im a bit awkward when dancing.
> I have a hard time reading Palauan.
> Pretty soon they'll disown me.
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