Leksion Chamoru: Prefix ha-

The prefix ha- is used to mean "usually" or "often." Here are some examples to help clarify that a bit:

• Målångu = Sick.
  Ha- + målångu => Hamålångu = Sickly, often is sick.
• Måleffa = Forgot.
  Ha- + måleffa => Hamåleffa = Forgetful, usually forgets.
• Fåtta = Lacking, missing, absent.
  Ha- + fåtta => Hafåtta = Usually lacking, usually missing, often absent.

There are also several other ways to connote similar ideas in Chamorro, such as "sesso (continuously, often)," "fihu (often)," "todu i tiempo (always, all the time)," etc.

One thing to note about "ha-" is that it forces the primary stress to fall on the first syllable. Using the above examples, we get:

• Hamålångu => HA-ma-luh-ngoo
• Hamåleffa => HA-ma-lef-fa
• Hafåtta => HA-fut-ta
  

Pålåbran 04/23/2010: Mångge

Mångge (MUNG-gi): Where (question), where is it.

Note: Mangge is a contraction of "månu nai gaige." However, the contraction of "where are they" or "månu nai manggaige" is "manmångge."

Uses:
"Mångge si Juan?" = "Where is Juan?"
"Kao un tungo' mångge i yabi-hu?" = "Do you know where my key is?"
"Manmångge i mañe'lu-mu?" = "Where are your siblings?"

Pålåbran 04/08/2010: Ekulo'

Ekulo' (EH-ku-lu'): Climb up, get on top of.

Note: Kahulo' can be interchanged with ekulo' in many instances, but ekulo' draws more attention to the actual act of climbing, whereas kahulo' doesn't necessarily do so. Feddos is also another word that can be used for "climb."

Uses:
"Ekulo' fan i atof ya un chule' påpa' i bola." = "Please get on top of (climb up to) the roof and bring down the ball."
"Umekulo' gue' gi tronko ya u tife' lalanghita." = "He climbed up the tree to pick a tangerine."
"Manekulo' yan manunok i famagu'on gi tronko." = "The kids were climbing up and down the tree."

Leksion Chamoru: Prefix gi-

The prefix gi- is not used as frequently anymore as it once was, but the concept is rather simple. Gi- just represents origin and/or residence. Here are some examples:

• Gi- + Luta => Gilita (a person from Rota)
• Gi- + Yo'ña => Giye'ña (a person from Yona)
• Gi- + Guåhan => Giguahan (a person from Guam)

This construction is still used, but is often replaced by "taotao ___."

When you add the prefix gi- to a noun the rules of vowel harmony apply. The prefix "pulls back" the sound of the vowel that follows, where applicable. I.e.: In general, we change the first vowel in the root word from å to a, o to e, and u to i.

Pålåbran 04/02/2010: Appleng

Appleng (APP-pling): Slang, markedly colloquial language, nonsense, incoherent speech.

Note: Appleng also means sprained.

Uses:
"Ti komprendiyon gue' sa' appleng i fino'-ña." = "He's incomprehensible, because his words are nonsensical."
"Adahi na un måsångan appleng." = "Careful or it will be said that you can't speak well."
"Ai gof appleng gue' kumentos." = "Oh how slangy his speech is."