Palåbran 06/30/09: Hånao

Hånao (HAW-now): (verb) Go, leave, depart.

Uses:

"Kao humånao gue' esta?" = "Did he leave already?"
"Agupa' para bai in fanhånao para Disneyland." = "Tomorrow we are going to go to Disneyland."
"Manhånao siha para u fanegga' mubi." = "They went to watch a movie."

Palåbran 06/29/09: Taiguihi

Taiguihi (tie-GWEE-he): (adverb) That is the way (something is done), that is how, that is why, that is the reason--talking about a third person or persons.

Uses:

"Taiguihi un fa'tinas i hineksa'." = "That is how you make rice."
"Munga taiguihi as Juan." = "Don't be like John."
"Cho'gue ha' taiguihi as Maria." = "Do it like Maria does."

Palåbran 06/26/09: Eppok

Eppok (EP-puck): (verb) Persuade, entice, urge.

Uses:

"I palao'an ha eppok i asaguå-ña na para u fåhan i kareta." = "The woman persuaded her husband to buy the car."
"Ha e'eppok yo' si Maria na para bai falak i Grand Canyon." = "Maria urged me to go to the Grand Canyon."
"Håyi umeppok hao na un fa'tinas empanåda?" = "Who urged you to make empanadas?"

Palåbran 06/25/09: Låhi

Låhi (LAW-hee): (noun) Man, male, boy.

Note: This is another word that has an "irregular" plural. Instead of saying "låhi siha" we say "lålåhi siha."

Uses:

"Estegue' i lahi-hu si Juan." = "This is my son, John."
"Mamåmålågu mo'na i tres lålåhi siha." = "The three men/boys were running ahead."
"Gof åguguåt i lahen Maria." = "Maria's son is very naughty."

Leksion Chamoru: The prefix acha-

Acha- is called a similative prefix. That means we add it to a word to indicate equality or similarity to something. I know that's a little confusing, but hopefully the examples will help.

1. Guaguan = Expensive.
   Achaguaguan = As expensive, equaly expensive.
   "Guaguan i rediu." = "The radio is expensive."
   "Achaguaguan i rediu yan i TV." = "The radio is as expensive as the TV."
2. Åmko' = Old, with age, elder.
   Acha'åmko' = As old, same age.
   "Guiya i mas åmko' gi familiå-ña." = "She's the oldest in her family."
   "Acha'åmko' si Jose yan si Juan, sa' dinga siha." = "Joe and John are the same age, because they are twins."
3. Dånkolo = Big, large.
   Achadåmkolo = As big, equal size.
   "Dånkolo i gima'." = "The house is large."
   "Manachadånkolo i kuåtto-ta siha." = "Are rooms are the same size."

This prefix forces the primary stress of the word to fall on the 2nd syllable. For the examples above:

1. Achaguaguan => a-CHA-gwa-gwan
2. Acha'åmko' => a-CHA'-um-koo'
3. Achadånkolo => a-CHA-dun-koh-loo

Some people (myself included) usually use cha- rather than acha-.

Palåbran 06/24/09: Påtgon

Påtgon (PUTT-gun): (noun) Child, infant, kid, baby.

Note: Påtgon is one of very few words in Chamorro that has an "irregular" plural. The plural is famagu'on.

Uses:

"Kuånto famagu'on-ña?" = "How many children does s/he have?"
"Sumalamånka i patgon sa' inalulala gue'." = "The kid stumbled because he was rushing."
"I nana ha tågo' i patgon-ña." = "The mother ordered around her child."

Palåbran 06/23/09: Dinga'

Dinga' (DEE-nga'): (noun) Twin, double, fork (of the tree), junction, crossroad.

Uses:

"Kao dinga' siha si Juan yan si Jose?" = "Are Joe and John twins?"
"Hånao para i agapa' gi dinga' chålan." = "Go right at the fork in the road."
"Må'usa i dinga' na råma gi paken goma." = "A forked branch is used for a slingshot."

Leksion Chamoru: The prefix a-

A- is called the reciprocal prefix. It indicates that the action being done is to "each other" or "one another." Here are some examples of how it's used.

• Chiku = To kiss someone/something.
  Achiku = To kiss each other.
  Here's the difference in a sentence:
  "Si Juan ha chiku si Maria." = "John kissed Maria."
  "Umachiku si Juan yan si Maria." = "John and Maria were kissing each other."
• Guaiya = To love someone/something.
  Aguaiya = To love one another.
  For example:
  "Ha guaiya hao si Jose." = "Joe loves you."
  "Umaguaiya i dos." = "The two love one another."
  
• Tungo' = To know.
  Atungo' = To know each other.
  So we get something like:
  "Hu tungo' siha." = "I know them."
  "Manatungo' ham." = "We know eachother." or "We are acquainted."

When you add a- to a word, it forces the primary stress to fall on the a-. This means that for the above words we would say them thus:

• Achiku => A-chee-koo
• Aguaiya => A-gwai-dza
• Atungo' => A-too-ngo'
  

Palåbran 06/22/09: Entalo'

Entalo' (EN-ta-lu'): (preposition) Between, among, middle.

Uses:

"Hu po'lo i kareta-hu gi entalo' dos na tronko." = "I put/parked my car between two trees."
"Guåha dikike' na lamasa gi entalo' i siya siha." = "There's a small table in the middle of the chairs."
"Manmamomokkat i tres, ya si Juan gi entalo'." = "The three were walking with John in the middle."

Palåbran 06/19/09: Atungo'

Atungo' (A-too-ngo'): (noun) Acquaintance, associate, colleague, companion, friend, partner, pal.

Note: This is a verb as well, coming from a- (reciprocal marker) + tungo' (to know).

Uses:

"Kao manatungo' hamyo na dos?" = "Are you two acquaintances?"
"Este i atungo'-hu si Jose." = "This is my friend (acquaintance/associate) Joe."
"Tåya' manatungo'-ña si Rosa gi gipot." = "Rosa didn't know anyone (didn't have any acquaintances) at the party."

Palåbran 06/18/09: Kåddo

Kåddo (CUD-do): (noun) Soup, broth.

Uses:

"Mama'titinas yo' kåddon månnok." = "I am making chicken soup."
"Kao ya-mu kåddo?" = "Do you like soups?"
"Hu o'o' i kaddo sa' tåya' kuchala-hu." = "I drank the soup because I didn't have a spoon."

Palåbran 06/17/09: Hulo'

Hulo' (HU-lu'): (adverb) Up, above, on top of.

Note: Hulo' is rarely used by itself. Usually it's used with gi or with the prefix san-.

Uses:

"Hu po'lo i yabi-hu siha gi sanhilo' i kahon ais." = "I put my keys on top of the refrigerator."
"Ma pega hulo' un litråtu gi liga." = "They put up a picture on the wall."
"Gaige ha' gi hilo' lamasa." = "It's on top of the table."

Palåbran 06/16/09: Dåsai

Dåsai (DAH-sigh): (verb) To give a hair cut, to shear, to cut off (especially hair), to trim.

Uses:

"Bai hu dåsai yo' agupa'." = "I'm going to give myself a haircut tomorrow."
"Ånåkko' i gapotilu-ña, ha nesita mådåsai." = "His hair is long, he needs to get it trimmed."
"Ha dåsai dåkngas i patgon." = "She gave the child a buzz cut."

Leksion Chamoru: Klå'an Siha (Pronouns)

Chamorro has 4 types of pronouns: hu-type, yo'-type, emphatic, and possessive.


Hu-type pronouns:

• Hu (I)
• Un (You, singular)
• Ha (He/She/It)
• Ta (We, inclusive)
• In (We, exclusive)
• En (You, plural)
• Ma (They)

These are used in transitive definite sentence constructions. That means that when there is a definite direct object in the sentence, you use these pronouns. Here are some examples:

• "Hu sångåni si Juan." = "I told John."
• "Ha tågo' i tata i lahi-ña." = "The father commanded his son."
• "Ma fa'tinåsi yo' nu inafliton månnok." = "They made me some fried chicken."
  
  

Yo'-type pronouns:

• Yo' (I)
• Hao (You, singular)
• Gue' (He/She/It)
• Hit (We, inclusive)
• Ham (We, exclusive)
• Hamyo (You, plural)
• Siha (They)

These are used in several ways:

1. Intransitive subject marker:
   
   • "Humånao hao." = "You (singular) went."
   • "Umo'o'mak gue'." = "She is showering."
   • "Giye'ña yo'." = "I am from Yona."
   • "Manlili'of siha." = "They were diving."
2. Transitive subject marker with an indefinite object:
   
   • "Chumochocho yo' pån." = "I am eating bread."
   • "Manaitai gue' lepblu." = "She read a book."
   • "Manmama'titinas hamyo nenkanno'." = "You (plural) are making food."
3. Transitive object pronoun.:
   
   • "Hu kuentusi gue'." = "I spoke to her."
   • "Un pacha yo'." = "You (singular) touched me."
   • "En tingo' siha." = "You (plural) know them."

Emphatic pronouns:

• Guåhu (I/me)
  
• Hågu (You, singular)
  
• Guiya (He/She/It)
• Hita (We/Us, inclusive)
• Hami (We/Us, exclusive)
• Hamyo (You, plural)
• Siha (They)

These are used for emphasis. With an "um" verb the Emphatic pronouns require the verb to insert the -um- for singular case and use the prefix man- for the plural cases.
With a "man" verb it depends on the direct object. If the direct object is definite, then you insert "-um-" in both the singular and plural case. If the direct object is indefinite, or if there is no direct object, you add "man-" for the singular case, and "manman-" for the plural. Here are some examples:

1. "Um" verbs:
   
   • Singular Case:
     
     • "Guåhu humånao para i tenda." = "I was the one that went to the store." or "Me, I went to the store." or "I myself went to the store."
       
     • "Hågu muñangu/ñumangu nigap." = "You were the one that swam yesterday." or "You, you swam yesterday." or "You yourself swam."
       
   • Plural Case:
     
     • "Hamyo mampaseo." = "You were the ones strolling around." or "You (pl.), you were strolling around." or "You yourselves strolled around."
       
     • "Siha mangånta." = "They were the ones that sang." or "Them, they sang." or "They themselves sang."
2. "Man" verbs:
   
   • Definite direct objects:
     
     • "Guåhu tumågo' hao." = "I was the one that ordered you." or "Me, I ordered you." or "I myself ordered you."
     • "Siha chumule' i kareta." = "They were the ones that took the car." or "Them, they took the car." or "They took the car themselves."
     • "Hami numå'i gue'." = We (exclusive) were the ones that gave it to her." or "Us, we gave it to her." or "We gave it to her ourselves."
       
   • Infefinite direct objects:
     
     • "Kao hågu mangganna?" = "Were you the one that won?" or "Did you yourself win?"
     • "Guiya mananaitai." = "He is the one that was reading." or "Him, he was reading." or "He himself was reading."
     • "Hamyo manmannånå'i sålåpe'." = "You were the ones that were giving money." or "You (pl.), you were giving money." or "You yourselves were giving money."
     • "Siha manmananaitai lepblu." = "They were the ones reading books." or "Them, they were reading books." or "They themselves were reading books."

Possessive pronouns:

• -hu/-ku (my)
• -mu (your, singular)
• -ña (his/her/its)
• -ta (our, inclusive)
• -måmi (our, exclusive)
• -miyu (your, plural)
• -ñiha (their)

These are used similarly to the possessives in English, but instead of placing them in front of the noun, you affix it to the end of the noun. Here are some examples:

• "Ilu-hu" = "My head"
• "Karetå-mu" = "Your (singular) car"
• "Hinanao-ña" = "His/Her trip"
• "Familiå-ta" = "Our (inclusive) family"

When you use -måmi, -miyu, and -ñiha, it's almost the same as the other ones. However, if the noun ends with a vowel, then you add the letter "n" to the end of the noun before adding -måmi, -miyu, or -ñiha.

• "Guma'-måmi" = "Our (exclusive) house"
• "Siyan-måmi" = "Out (exclusive) seats"
• "Relos-miyu" = "Your (plural) clock"
• "Sågan-miyu" = "Your (plural) habitation"
• "Parientes-ñiha" = "Their relatives"
• "Mågågon-ñiha" = "Their clothes"

Let me know if you need further clarification on any of this. Either drop me an email or write a comment, I'll get the message either way.

Palåbran 06/15/09: Chatli'e'

Chatli'e' (CHAT-lee'-ee'): (verb) Hate, detest, abhor, abominate, loathe.

Uses:

"Munga manchatli'e' taotao." = "Don't hate people."
"Manchatli'e' yo' piña." = "I hate pineapple."
"Ha chatli'e' i che'cho'-ña." = "He hates his job."

Palåbran 06/12/09: Ga'-

Ga'-: (marker) Animal classifier, pet.

Note: Chamorro makes use of several different markers/classifiers when constructing possessives, I'll try to get a lesson on this posted.

Uses:

"Kao ga'-mu ga'lågu enao?" = "Is that your dog?"
"Dumånkolo i ga'-hu babui esta." = "My pig has already gotten big."
"Gof metgot i ga'-ña karabao." = "His water bufalo is very strong."

Palåbran 06/11/09: Ma'aksom

Ma'aksom (ma'-AX-some): (adjective) Sour, acid, acidulous, tart.

Uses:

"Månnge' lemonåda sa' ma'aksom yan mames." = "Lemonade tastes good because it's sour and sweet."
"Gof ma'aksom i kelaguen." = "The kelaguen is very tart."
"Kalan ti ma'aksom i Meyer lemon siha." = "Meyer lemons don't seem very sour."

Palåbran 06/10/09: Tånom

Tånom (TAH-nom): (verb) To plant--seeds or seedlings.

Uses:

"Manånom gue' tomåtes gi gualo'." = "He planted some tomatoes at the farm."
"Ha tånom i kalachucha gi santåtten guma'." = "She planted the plumeria on back of the house."
"Ma tånom i flores siha gi hatdin." = "They planted the flowers in the garden."

Palåbran 06/09/09: Diahlo

Diahlo (DIAH-lu): No, no thanks, never mind, it's all right, it's ok.

Note: "No, no thanks, never mind" is the definition given by Topping in his dictionary, but I don't know how to use it like that personally, so I'll give you my understanding of it. If you know how to use it another way, let me know.

Uses:

"Ti måmåsa i kaddo, lao diahlo sa' ti ñålang yo'." = "The soup is not done, but it's ok, because I'm not hungry."
"Diahlo na måkopbla yo', sa' hu ekspepekta." = "It's alright that they asked me to pay up, because I was expecting it."
"Målålåtde yo', lao diahlo sa' isao-hu ha'." = "I was scolded, but it's ok, because it was my fault."

Palåbran 06/08/09: Chiku

Chiku (CHEE-ku): (verb) Kiss, touch or press with lips.

Uses:

"Machiku si Rosa as Jose." = "Rosa was kissed by Joe."
"Munga gue' machiku sa' mañum." = "She doesn't want to be kissed because she's sick."
"Umachiku i dos." = "The two of them kissed."

Palåbran 06/05/09: Hun

Hun: (marker) Quotative marker. Used to distinguish a reported statement from a statement known to be fact. Usually placed after the predicate to establish the tone of the sentence, but never before the predicate.

Note: You can get a similar meaning by using ilek-ña (he/she said), except that with hun the speaker is simply reporting the information, taking no responsibility for its veracity.

Uses:

"Ya-ña hun åtulai." = "He said that he likes mackerel."
"Mambisisita gue' hun gi as Maria." = "She said that she was visiting Maria's place."
"Ilek-ña hun na para u hånao para i gipot." = "He said that he was going to go to the party."

Palåbran 06/04/09: Åtådok

Åtådok (AH-tah-duk): (noun) Eye, eyeball.

Note: Måta also means "eye," but åtådok refers specifically to the eyeball.

Uses:

"Agaga' i atådok-mu siha." = "Your eyes are red."
"Adahi na un danche åtådok-ña si Juan." = "Careful that you don't hit John's eye."
"Papago' i atådok-hu." = "My eye is irritated."

Palåbran 06/03/09: Måta

Måta (MAH-ta): (noun) Eye, eyeball, face.

Uses:

"Bonitu i matå-ña si Rosa." = "Rosa has a pretty face."
"Håfa na måtan muyo' hao?" = "Why do you have a pouty face (Why are you pouting)?"
"Aplacha' i matå-mu." = "Your face is dirty."

Palåbran 06/02/09: Fåtto

Fåtto: (verb) To come, to arrive.

Note: The root form of the verb is fåtto, but turns up as måtto in present and past uses.

Uses:
"Måtto esta si Jose." = "Joe alredy arrived."
"Kao måfåtto si Rosa?" = "Did Rosa come yet?"
"Måfåtto yo' sempre gi alas dos." = "I should arrive at 2 o'clock."

Palåbran 06/01/09:Måsa

Måsa (MAH-sa): (adjective) Ripe, cooked.

Uses:

"Kao måsa pat gada' i mangga?" = "Is the mango ripe or young?"
"Ti måsa i hineksa' trabiha." = "The rice isn't cooked yet."
"Maila' ya un chocho, sa' måsa esta i na'-mu." = "Come and eat, because you're food is cooked."