Leksion Chamoru: Yanggen/anggen/an/annai (If and when)

In Chamorro when we want to say "when" we have a few different ways to say it. There is the word "ngai'an," but that is strictly used in questions, and we can discuss it in another post. For now let's focus on the words "annai" and "anggen."

"Annai" simply put is "when."

• Maigo'ñaihon yo' annai umåsson yo' gi sofå.
  
  •  I took a nap when I laid down on the sofa.
• Annai humånao yo' para i tenda hu fåhan i pån.
• When I went to the store I bought the bread.
• Taigue hao gi gimå'-mu gi annai måtto yo' guihi.
• You weren't at home when I arrived there.

Chamorro (English as well) has another form of the word, namely "anggen." Many times we translate this word to "if" in English, but it is really the conditional, uncompleted form of "when" ("annai"). All that means is that when you want to say "if," or "when" in the future, you use "anggen," or it's shortened form "an." If we alter the examples above we can begin to see the difference.

• Bai maigo'ñaihon, anggen umåsson yo' gi sofå.
  (Bai maigo'ñaihon, an umåsson yo' gi sofå.)
• I will take a nap if/when lay down on the sofa.
• Anggen humånao yo' para i tenda, bai fåhan i pån.
  (An humånao yo' para i tenda, bai fåhan i pån.)
• If/when I go to the store, I will buy the bread.
• Para un taigue gi gimå'-mu gi anggen måtto yo' guihi.
  (Para un taigue gi gimå'-mu gi an måtto yo' guihi.)
• You will not be at home if/when I arrive there.

 The word "anggen" also shows up in other ways, "yanggen" and "an." Fortunately, "yanggen" is just the form of "anggen" that connects phrases or clauses, and can even be thought of as the contraction of the phrase "ya anggen." Also, "an" is once again the shortened form of "yanggen."

• Ågang gue', yanggen ha oppe hao, kuentusi gue'.
  (Ågang gue', an ha oppe hao, kuentusi gue'.)
• Call her, and if/when she answers you, talk to her.
• Yanggen para un hånao mågi, sangåni yo' fine'nana
  (An para un hånao mågi, sangåni yo' fine'nana.).
• If/When you are going this way, tell me first.
• Chule' yanggen malago' hao.
  (Chule' an malago' hao.)
• Take it if/when you want.