| be | v.imp. |
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| ble | v.s.hypo. | |
| mera | cont. | mei er a |
merekung
/merkung | v.i.pred. | is about to come or arrive. |
mermang
/meremang | v.inch. |
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mlei
/mle | v.past | came; arrived.
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| mlera | cont. | mlei er a |
| be kbong | expr. | goodbye; I'm leaving. |
me e mong
/memong | expr. | pass by; go on; "(in a direction) towards me and then keep going (past me)." |
| nguu el mei | expr. | bring. |
| ta el buil er mla me e mong | expr. | one month ago. |
Examples: |
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> Please cover the pot so flies do not go into the stew. |
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> It's her first time coming to Hawaii. |
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> Droteo arrived yesterday, didn't he? |
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> I was thinking or expecting that Toki would come to class, but she didn't come. |
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> The picture was drawn in five minutes. |
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Proverbs: |
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> Like his father, for he ate his father's premasticated food. Applied to a child by adoption, with the implication that the adopted child resembles his adoptive father |
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> The heart and assessment. This might better be translated, "Assessment with knowledge." The mind or head is thought to be the locus of knowledge in Palau, but such knowledge is made useful or is measured with the heart (reng). Chodab, in this context, would appear to mean "to take stock of" or "to measure." In essence, then, the phrase cautions one who seems on the point of making a rash decision to temper his thoughts with his heart. |
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> Bitter and salty. The strategy of "doing things the hard way." When alternatives are available, the appropriate choice is the more difficult one. In voice, expression, and action there is a positive accent on personal ability. |
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> He's like the sea urchins between Ngiwal and Melekeok, on the ocean floor with its cover. The sea urchin can be seen lying quietly on the lagoon floor, occasionally with a leaf like a hat covering its head. Applied to a man who acquires a wife or great wealth without working for it. |
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> Really a child of the back. A child (sometimes an adult) that behaves well whether its parents are present or not; a child that is good when one's back is turned. |
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More Examples: |
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> The mango tree at the taro swamp is covered with fruits. |
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> I'm going swimming. |
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> I'm sixteen years old. |
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> That Ulang has really been behaving shamefully. |
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> I hit him in the solar plexus and knocked him out. |
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