Fino'Chamoru

Palåbran 01/18/2012: Gaige

2012-01-18T14:51:00.000-08:00

Gaige (GUY-gi): Be present, stative verb, opposite of absent.

Note: Gaige is the definite form of guåha (there exists). You can also think of gaige as meaning "...is there."

Uses:
"Gaige i yabi-hu gi hilo' lamasa." = "My keys are there on top of the table."
"Gaige si Juan gi eskuelå-ña." = "Juan it there at his school."
"Manggaige ham gi gima'-måmi." = "We (exculsive) were there at our house."

Palåbran 01/14/2012: Tungo'

2012-01-14T15:28:00.000-08:00

Tungo' (TWO-ngoo'): Know, be acquainted with, have knowledge of, recognize, distinguish, have knowledge.

Uses:
"Kao un tungo' gue'?" = "Do you know him/her?"
"Ti hu tungo' na para un fåtto mågi." = "I didn't know that you would come here."
"Faisen si Rosa, sa' sempre ha tungo'." = "Ask Rosa, she'll know."

Palåbran 12/31/2011: Åñu

2011-12-31T08:55:00.000-08:00

Åñu (AH-nyu): Year.

Note: Åñu is sometimes interchangeable with the word såkkan (year, season), except in fixed phrases such as "Felis Åñu Nuebu (Happy New Year)!" and when referring to age. Åñu is also one of the few words whose plural is formed by adding "s" to the end.

Uses:
"Felis Åñu Nuebu!" = "Happy New Year!"
"Kuåntos åños hao?" = "How old are you (How many years are you)?"
"Esta bentesinko åños gue'." = "He's already 25 years old."

Palåbran 12/17/2011: Åmte

2011-12-17T22:38:00.000-08:00

Åmte (UM-tee): Apply first aid, treat wound, cure sickness.

Uses:
"I mediku ha åmte i chetnot-ña." = "The doctor treated his wound."
"Ha åmte i sinengge ni ingguenten aloe." = "She treated the burn with an aloe salve."
"Ma åmte i chetnudan gi addeng-ña, lao ti siña mågong ya ma utot." = "They treated the wound on his foot (sole), but they couldn't heal it and amputated it."

Note: Åmte is sometimes mistakenly confused with na'homlo'/na'mågong (to heal). Åmte is to treat an ailment, but not necessarily to heal it. The last example, however sad and unfortunate, is an example of where åmte does not mean to heal.

Leksion Chamoru: Para bai hu... (I will...)

2011-11-29T16:11:00.000-08:00

The future tense in Chamorro is rather lengthy to explain, so I'll start out with a lesson on how to say "I will..." First off there are three rules to remember all future forms, not just the 1st person singular form.

The base form of the verb is always used.
(The "root" of the verb, and the affixed man- form: såga/mañåga, fåhan/mamåhan/manmamåhan, etc.)
Hu-type pronouns are always used, rather than yo'-type pronouns, even with "um" verbs.
(If a pronoun is going to be used, it has to be a hu-type.)
Verbs which normally use man- in the non-future form will take on fan- in the future form.
(When the normal base verbs uses man-, change it to fan- in the future: mañåga => fañåga, mamåhan => famåhan, etc.)

Don't worry, this sounds complicated, but it's actually not that bad.

Simply put, to say "I will..." you just use "Para bai hu...." in front of the verb phrase.

Såga = To stay ("root" form)
Sumåga yo'. = I stay/stayed. (non-future)
Para bai hu såga. = I will stay. (future)
Fåhan = To buy ("root")
Hu fåhan i pån. = I bought the bread. (non-future, definite object)
Mamåhan yo' pån. = I bought bread. (non-future, indefinite object)
Para bai hu fåhan i pån. = I will buy the bread. (future, definite object)
Para bai hu famåhan pån. = I will buy bread. (future, indefinite object)
Hånao = To go ("root)
Humånao yo'. = I went. (non-future)
Para bai hu hånao. = I will go. (future)
Taitai = To read ("root")
Hu taitai i lepblo. = I read the book. (non-future, definite)
Manaitai yo' lepblo. = I read a book. (non-future, indefinite)
Para bai hu taitai i lepblo. = I will read the book. (future, definite)
Para bai hu fanaitai lepblo. = I will read a book. (future, indefinite)

In all four cases, we're just using the base form of the verb, and changing from man- to fan- when needed.

Note: Generally, in the "para bai hu..." construction, you can omit the "para" and/or the "hu" without significantly changing the meaning.

Palåbran 11/28/2011: Teneki

2011-11-28T15:45:00.000-08:00

Teneki (TEN-ne-key): Surely, certainly, definitely, must.

Note: This is also said tieneki and tieneski. It comes from the Spanish phrase "tiene/tienes que..." which means "you have (must) ..." However, Chamorro uses the phrase to indicate something will certainly occur.

Uses:
"Teneki ma sangåni hao gi despues." = "They'll surely tell you afterwards."
"Ai na inaguaguat na påtgon, tieneki u masaolak." = "What a naughty kid, he's definitely going to be spanked."
"Nangga sa' teneki måtto." = "Wait and it will certainly come."

Palåbran 11/22/2011: Lasgue

2011-11-22T19:37:00.000-08:00

Lasgue (LASS-gwee): Whittle, sharpen, make pointed, cut into pieces or slices, shape by cutting--as sharpening a pencil.

Uses:
"I estodiåntes ma lasgue i lapes-ñiha." = "The students sharpened their pencils."
"Gof chaddek ha lasgue i tekcha'." = "He quickly made the spear (sharpened the wood to a spear)."
"Hu lasgue i pi'ao para dekka' nifen." = "I whittled the bamboo for a toothpick."

Leksion Chamoru: I attikulon I / Si / Iya

2011-11-14T13:27:00.000-08:00

The article i/si/iya is probably the most used in Chamorro. The more technical way to describe it is as a focus marking particles, and grammarians/linguists might describe it as an active voice marker. However, for the rest of us it usually translates to "the." I and si both function the same way, but si is only used with proper names/titles, and iya is only used with proper place names.

The idea of "focus" is that in the subject and/or object positions of a sentence there must always be at least a main concept. The "focus" in the subject position is always the subject itself, and the "focus" in the object position we usually call the direct object in English grammar. That might sound complicated, but it boils down to the general rule that we use i/si/iya with the subjects and direct objects of a sentence. Here are some examples to help clarify:

Dånkolo i gima'. = The house is big.
The subject in this case is the "house" so in Chamorro we precede it by the article i. There is no object in this sentence.
Humånao i patgon. = The child went.
The subject in this sentence is "child" so we use the article i. Once again there is no object.
Ha chule' i lepblo. = He took the book.
The subject here is unspecified and only a pronoun is used, so it doesn't need a marker. However, the object "book" does need one, so we use i.
I taotao ha sangåni yo'. = The person told me.
The subject here is "person" so we use i, and the object is a pronoun so we do not need an article in Chamorro.
I biha ha fa'nå'gue i patgon. = The old woman taught the child.
In this case we have "old woman" and "child" in the subject and object case, respectively, so we use the article i in both cases.

The above examples are relatively simple sentences in Chamorro, the the concept still holds in more complicated ones as well. Here are some examples with indirect objects thrown in.

Lini'e' i patgon ni ma'estra. = The child was seen by the teacher.
In this the subject is the "child" so we use the article i. The "teacher" is more or less used as a modifier in this sentence, to help us understand how the child was seen. In Chamorro we would treat "teacher" as a non-focus of the sentence.
I palao'an ha chule'guan i asagua-ña ni yabi-ña. = The lady (accidentally) took her husband's keys.
Here we have a subject and two objects. The subject is "lady" so we use i. The direct object of the verb "chule'guan" is the "husband," so use use "i" in front of "asagua-ña."
I tata na sangåni i lahi-ña ni estoria. = The father told his son the story.
The "father" and "son" are subject and direct object, respectively, so we, therefore, use i in both cases. The "story" is an indirect object.

If we were to use proper names or titles in any of the above examples, we would use "si" instead of "i." And if we were to use a proper place name, we would use "iya." For example:

Dånkolo si Juan. = John is big
The subject is "John," and since "John" is a proper name we use si.
Humånao si Maria. = Maria went.
Once again the subjet is a proper name, so we use si.
Dikike' na isla iya Guåhan. = Guam is a small island.
The subjet here is "Guam," the proper place name of the island, so we use iya rather than i or si.

In all honesty the word iya is falling into disuse in modern Chamorro, but it's still perfectly acceptable to use. You can impress all the elders by saying "Bunitu iya Guåhan" rather than "Bunitu Guåhan."

Palåbran 11/07/2011: Eståba

2011-11-07T20:18:00.000-08:00

Eståba (es-TAH-bah): Was, used to be, there was or were.

Note: Eståba is sometimes translated to mean "before" in the sense of "used to be."

Uses:
"Eståba si Juan gi eskuela." = "Juan was at school."
"Pa'go håssan guma' haligi giya Guåhan, lao eståba bula." = "Houses on stilts are rare now on Guam, but (there used to be) before there were lots."
"Estaba guåha tångantångan gi kanton guma', lao in taga'." = "There was some tångantångan beside the house, but we chopped it down."

Palåbran 10/24/2011: Barånka

2011-10-24T11:58:00.000-07:00

Barånka (bah-rung-kuh): Rocky, rugged road, bumpy.

Uses:
"Machuda' i gimen-hu sa' baranka i chalan." = "My drink spilled because the road was so bumpy."
"Ladispasio sa' barånka." = "Go slower because the road's rugged."
"Mampos barånka i chalan, kalan roller coaster." = "The road is really bumpy, it's like a roller coaster."

Palåbran 10/16/2011: Hågong

2011-10-16T15:01:00.000-07:00

Hågong (HAH-gung): Breathe, respire, inhale, exhale, draw breath.

Uses:
"Mappot gue' humågong sa' puru åsu (i aire)." = "It's difficult for him/her to breathe because the air's filled with smoke."
"Munga yo' humågong sa' mutong." = "I don't want to inhale because it stinks."
"Hågong ni gui'eng-mu fan!" = "Breathe through (with) your nose please!"

Leksion Chamoru: Prefix ya-

2011-09-30T10:54:00.000-07:00

Ya- is the "superlative prefix" according to the dictionaries and grammar books, but it's actually a lot simpler than it sounds. Ya- is used with location and direction words, along with a reduplication of the final syllable, and is used to mean the "most" in that direction. Here are some examples:

Hulo' = Up, above, etc...
Ya- + hulo' => Yahululo' (reduplication of final syllable) = Highest place, farthest up.
Mo'na = Front, before (preposition), ahead, etc...
Ya- + mo'na => Yamo'nana (reduplication) = Front-most, farthest up front.
Håya = South (in Guam), East (in Saipan)
Ya- + håya => Yahåyaya (reduplication) = Southernmost/Easternmost, farthest South/East.

Here are some examples of sentences comparing the stem/root words with the "superlatives."

Hulo':

Po'lo i yabi gi hilo' i estånte. = Put the key on top of the shelf.
Po'lo i yabi gi yahululo' na estånte. = Put the key on the top (highest) shelf.

Mo'na:

Gaige yo' gi me'na. = I'm in front (at the front).
Gaige yo' gi yamo'nana. = I'm at the very front (farthest up front).

Håya:

Må'pos gue' håya. = He went south/east (southward/eastward).
Måtto gue' gi yahåyaya. = He arrived at the southernmost/easternmost point.

Note: This whole construction came about because of the way Chamorro "articles" work (i/si/iya). In modern Chamorro we use iya as the article for places, but we normally only use it with proper place names (i.e.: iya Guåhan; iya Kalifotnia; iya Amerika, etc.). In older Chamorro iya was pretty much used for any location it seems. So, if we use this idea we get terms like iya hulo' (the high place), iya mo'na (the front place), and iya håya (the south place), which through the process of reduplication/intensification turn to iya hululo', iya mo'nana, and iya håyaya. Through common usage and pronunciation we dropped the initial "i" from iya and combined it with the stem/root to get yahululo', yamo'nana, and yahåyaya.

Pronunciation of the new words seems a little tricky, because the technical explanation would be that the stress falls on the "ante penultimate" syllable (3rd to last syllable). If we consider the above note, it makes it a lot easier to understand, because we're essentially saying two words in one:

I yahululo'
=> Iya hululo' => EE-dza WHO-loo-loo'
I yamo'nana
=> Iya mo'nana => EE-dza MOH'-nuh-nuh
I yahåyaya
=> Iya håyaya => EE-dza HA-dza-dza

Remember, if you have any questions or suggestions, please, don't hesitate to leave a comment on the blog or Facebook page.

Palåbran 09/27/2011: Kilili

2011-09-27T17:00:00.000-07:00

Kilili (KEY-lee-lee): To hand-carry, drift away--by current, carry along.

Note: This type of carrying is how you would hold a grocery bag or a purse, by holding it in your hand rather than on your shoulder or to your chest. The other definition means to be taken by the current.

Uses:
"Puti kalalot-hu sa' hu kilili i kestat ya gof makkat." = "My fingers hurt because I was carrying the bag and it was heavy."
"I korente ha kilili i boti." = "The current carried the boat away."
"Ai, annai hu kilili iyo-ku selfon (cell-phone) bumasnak ya mayamak!" = "Ai, when I was carrying my cell-phone in my hand it slipped out and broke!"

Leksion Chamoru: Prefix tak-

2011-09-11T21:16:00.000-07:00

Tak- is a comparative prefix that is used with location and direction words. Essentially, tak- takes the direction/location and makes it "in a far place/degree."

Hulo' = Up, above, on top of.
Tak- + hulo' =>; Takkilo' = High, in a (high) far up place.
Påpa' = Down, below, bottom, southward, downward, beneath.
Tak- + påpa' =>; Takpapa' = Low, in a (low) far down place.
Huyong = Out, ouside.
Tak- + huyong =>; Takhiyong = Far out, in a far out place.

Another way to consider the prefix tak- is that it indicates a place greater degree, but not the greatest degree.

Hålom = In, inside.
Tak- + hålom =>; Takhalom = Inner, in a (inner) far inside place.
(i.e. in an inner area, but not necessarily the innermost place)
Fo'na* = Ahead, be first.
Tak- + fo'na =>; Takfe'na = Out front, in a (forward) far up front place.
(i.e. in a more forward position, but not necessarily the farthest out front)

Let's go ahead and use the above examples in sentences to get a better feeling of what tak- actually does.

Ti siña hu taka' i kisami sa' gof takkilo'. = I can't reach the ceiling because it's very high up.
Hunggan, takpapa' i presio-ña, lao, åhe', ti baråtu ha'. = Yes, its price is low, but, no, it's not really cheap.
Sumåsåga yo' takhiyong gi siudåt. = I live far outside of the city.
Bai sångåni hao ginen takhalom gi korason-hu. = I'll tell you from deep inside my heart.
Ti un li'e' yo' gi fila sa' gof takfe'na hao. = You didn't see me in line, because you were far up front (in line).

Tak- also follows the rules of vowel harmony, meaning, in general, we change the first vowel in the root word from å to a, o to e, and u to i. The prefix also assumes the primary stress of the new word, so the above examples would be pronounced:

Takhilo' => TACK-he-loo'
Takkilo' => TACK-key-loo'
Takpapa' => TACK-pa-pa'
Takhiyong => TACK-he-yung
Takhalom => TACK-ha-lum
Takfe'na => TACK-feh'-nah

*Mo'na (preposition/past participle form of fo'na) is not really used with the prefix tak-. Instead we use the general/future/command form fo'na.

Utugrafian Chamoru (Chamorro Orthography)

2011-09-04T08:05:00.000-07:00

Para todus ni manmalago' tumungo' i utugrafian Chamoru.
Gi halacha mafa'nu'i yo' nu este na PDF utugrafia, ya mientras ti perfektu i tinige'-hu gi Chamoru, ha gof ayuyuda yo'.

(For those that want to learn the Chamorro orthography (the way to write in Chamorro).
I was recently shown the orthography in PDF format, and while my Chamorro writing isn't perfect, the file has been a big help.)

http://www.nmihumanities.org/update/file/Chamorro%20orthography.PDF

Leksion Chamoru: Prefix san-

2011-08-22T23:08:00.000-07:00

San- is called a directional prefix. However, "directional" doesn't fully explain what it does. San- marks a position rather than a relative location. In other words san- changes "above"/"upon" to "(the) top of"; "outside of" to "(the) outside of"; "behind" to "(the) back of." Here are some examples:

Hulo' = Up, above, on top of.
San- + hulo' => Sanhilo' = Above (preposition), (the) top of.
Mo'na = Front, be first, in front of, forward.
San- + mo'na => Sanme'na = Front side of, front of.
Hålom = In, into, inside, enter.
San- + hålom => Sanhalom = Inside, interior, internal, in, into.

Just giving the definitions to the words might not help too much, so here are some examples in sentences:

Hu po'lo i yabi-hu gi hilo' lamasa. = I put my keys on (top of) the table.
Hu po'lo i yabi-hu gi sanhilo' i lamasa. = I put my keys on (the) top of the table.
Gaige i ga'-hu ga'lågu gi me'nan guma'. = My dog is in front of the house.
Gaige i ga'-hu ga'lågu gi sanme'nan guma'. = My dog is on the front part of the house. = My dog is in the front yard.
Siña hao mañodda' pugas gi halom i tenda. = You can find rice in the store.
Siña hao mañodda' pugas gi sanhalom i tenda. = You can find rice (on the) inside (of) the store (as opposed to on the outside).

The prefix san- is only used with location words, e.g. hålom (in), mo'na (front), lågu (north--Guam, west--Saipan), etc.
San- also follows the rules of vowel harmony. Meaning that in general you "pull back" the first vowel of the root word, i.e.: å to a, o to e, and u to i.

Pålåbran 08/22/2011: Hongga

2011-08-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

Hongga (HONG-ga): Audible; able to be heard.

Note: Some also say honggan. I believe the word is a contraction of hungok (to hear) + -(y)on (abilitative suffix) to get something like hungukon, however I, personally, have never heard hungukon.

Uses:
"Hongga i burukento gi halom i måkinan karetå-hu." = "There's an audible noise in my car's engine."
"Famatkilu fan nåya' sa' kalan ti hongga i taotao." = "Be quiet for a bit, because the person is practically inaudible."
"Hongga i essalao-na desde gi halom guma'." = "His yelling was audible from inside the house."

Pålåbran 08/11/2010: Bisita

2011-08-11T10:17:00.000-07:00

Bisita (bee-SEE-ta): Visit, visitor.

Note: Bisita can be use as either a verb or a noun.

Uses:
"Hu bisita i che'lu-hu giya California." = "I visited my sister in California."
"Kao en bisita si Tomås esta?" = "Have you (plural) already visited Tomas?"
"Kuåntos tiempo para un fanbisita guini?" = "How long are you going to visit here?"

"Megaggai bisitå-hu siha gi tiempon Påskua." = "I have a lot of visitors at Christmas time."
"Ti para u fåtto si Jose, sa' guåha bisitå-ña." = "Jose isn't coming, since he has a visitor."
"I bisita ilek-ña taotao Hapon gue'." = "The visitor said he is Japanese."

Estorian Chamoru: Si Sirena

2011-07-12T13:14:00.000-07:00

I happened upon this version of the legend earlier today, I forgot who showed it to me first, but I hope you enjoy it. (As a disclaimer, I changed the spellings to better match the current orthography. I also translated this version more or less contextually, but tried to keep it as literal as possible.)

Si Sirena:

Tåftåf gi ega'an gi primet na hå'åni di primet ågua di Åbrit. På'go dumokko' i atdao gi fanmaigu'on-ña. Ha i'ina gi sumanlichan i fansågåyan Hågåtña. Hagas i lina'la' guihi na fansågåyan ti matulaika. Hå'åni di hå'åni mataiguiguihi ha' i lina'la' i Chamoru.
(Early in the morning on the first day of the first showers of April. The sun was just sprouting from its resting place. It shone from the West on the village of Hågåtña. Life there in the village didn't change. Day to day it was the Chamorro way of life.)

Ma'ålok na gi manmaloffan na hå'åni siha guåha un achaiguasguas måñåsåga guihi na fansågåyan gi Barion San Nicolas, hihut gi Minondo gi Saddok Hågåtña. Ma'ålok nu ini na achaigåsguås na guåha maisan gefpå'go yan masamai na på'go pålao'an ni mafa'na'an, Sirena.
(It's said that in a past time there were people living there in the San Nicolas neighborhood, near Minondo by the Hågåtña River. It's said that among those people there was a beautiful girl, she was especially beautiful, who was called Sirena.)

Un hå'åni tinago' as nånå-ña, "Sirena, Sirena, iha, hågå-hu. Kahulo' yan un tåftåfgui chumuli'i i pinigan."
(One day she was commanded by her mother, "Sirena, Sirena, daughter, my daughter. Get up so you can go early and get the charcoal.")

Annai på'gu para u dingu si Sirena iyasihaa, gof tinago' as nånå-ña na cha'ña u o'otatnon. Tinago' na u lachaddek ni pinigan. Lao ma'ålok na chatmatågo' si Sirena. Mofo'na i tinane'-ña, tåtåtte i inesge'-ña. Ya yanggen guåha matågo'-ña, fine'na sumugo' gi saddok ya ñumangu.
(When Sirena was just about to leave, her mother sternly commanded her that she should not dawdle. She was commanded to quickly get the charcoal. However, it's said that Sirena didn't take orders well. First came her own business, then her obedience followed. And when she received a command, she would first stop by the river and swim.)

Ayu na oga'an, hagas ninangga nu as nånå-ña. Maloffan åpmam i hinanao-ña ki håfa matågo'-ña. Annai ti måfåtto ha', måtto i minaipe-ña ya ilek-na, "Asi pudiera mohon na u fama'guihan."
(That morning, her mother had been waiting. Her trip was taking a great length of time for what she was commanded. When she didn't come, the mother became enraged and said, "I wish she would turn into a fish.")

Annai på'go ha sångan uhi, kakakalom i matlinan Sirena. Ha li'e' na gof chathinasso. Ha faisin "Mångge si Sirena?"
(When she had said that, Sirena's godmother was entering. She saw that the mother was extremely worried. She asked, "Where is Sirena?")

Ineppe', "Gaigi ta'lo gi saddok ya ohalara mohon na u fama'guihan. Yanggen i hanom muna'mamagof gue', ohala mohon na u sen såga ha' gi saddok!"
(The mother answered, "She's at the river again and I hope she turns into a fish. If the water makes her happy, then I wish she would just stay there in the river!")

Ha alulåyi umenta'lu i matlinan Sirena. Ilek-ña, "Put et amot di Di'os! Na'yo'åsi' hao! Na'maggem i sentimiento-mu! Håfa masusedi, masusedi! Lao guåha lokkue' iyoku nu guiya kumu saina. ya iyoku ni pine'lon Yu'os, eyu ti siña matulaika, gi ilu-ña påpa' guatu gi apuyå'-ña! Ayu na echong-ña yan empi' ti siña måfnas gi tataotao-ña!"
(The godmother hurried to intervene. She said, "For the love of God! Have some compassion! Calm your emotions! What has happened, has happened! However, I also own a part of her as an elder. And mine is given to me by God, that part you can't change, from her head down to her navel! That part of her cannot be erased!")

Annai på'gu maloffan uhi na inadingan, ñumañangu ha' si Sirena gi saddok. Lao guihi na momento, chumatguiya. Mumakkat i tataotao-ña ya ha alulåyi ñumangu guatu gi fanggo'tiyan. Ha kehago' i hinagon-ña ya umågang, "Ai nåna, matlaya sea." Annai ha atan påpa' i nao'ao hånom, ha li'e' na matulalaika i tataotao-ña. Lumuhan ya guse' ha hasso i matågo'-ña.
(When the conversation had just taken place, Sirena was still swimming in the river. However at that moment, she felt ill. Her body became heavy and she hurriedly swam to the bank. She tried to catch her breath and called out, "Oh Mother, matlaya sea*." When she looked down in the clear water, she saw her body was changing. She became frightened and quickly remembered what she was commanded.)

Guihi lokkue' na momento, manfugo' yan ha sienti na nana i makkat ya maipe na fino'-ña; lao atrasao. Ha falågue malak i Minondo. Annai ha li'e' si Sirena, ha tungo' na hiningok yan magutos i fino'-ña mågåhet. Kumasao ya ilek-ña, "Sirena, Sirena, hågå-hu, asi'i yo'ni fino'-hu. Na ada ennao mågåhit minalago'-hu!"
(Also at that moment, the mother shivered and felt how hard and hot her words were; but it was too late. She went running to Minondo. When she saw Sirena, she knew she was heard and her last words come true. She cried and said, "Sirena, Sirena, my daughter, forgive me what I said. It wasn't what I really wanted!")

Annai ha hihuhuti si Sirena, ha kehago' i kannai-ña, lao ti siña ha go'te.
(When Sirena came close, she tired to reach for her hand, but she couldn't hold it.)
Inatan hulo' gi fanggo'tiyan ya ilek-ña, "Nåna, masusedi, åsi'i yo'. Håfa maloffan, maloffan."
(She looked up at the bank and said, "Mother, it's already done, forgive me. What has happened, has happened.")
Annai på'go ha sångan uhi, milalak i lago'-ña ya ilek-ña, "Nåna, adios, adios, nåna. Yo entrego mi alma**."
When she has said that, her tears flowed and she said, "Mother, goodbye, goodbye, mother. Yo entrego mi alma.")

Ma'ålok na desdi ayu na hå'åni, sumåga si Sirena gi pachot Sågua' Hågåtña. Tåya' na ma li'e'. Lao i fumatotoigui yuhi na lugåt, ma'ålok na ma huhungok i masamai na lailai-ña.
(It's said that from that day, Sirena stays at the mother of the Hågåtña River. They never see her. However, those that come by that place, it's said that they hear her song.)

*I don't really know what "matlaya sea" means.
**Spanish for "I give my soul."

Kåntan Chamoru: Måloffan Hao (Johnny Sablan)

2011-07-02T09:34:00.000-07:00

Another oldie but goodie from Johnny Sablan.

Måloffan Hao
as Johnny Sablan

[F]
Måloffan hao (måloffan hao),
(You passed by,)
                                    [Bb]
ya tåya' neni nai sinangan-mu
(and, baby, you didn't say anything)
[C] [F]
pues håfa nai neni malago'-mu?
(then what, baby, do you want?)

[F]
Mampos triste yo' (måloffan hao),
(I'm so sad (you passed by),)
[Bb]
sa' ti hu tungo' nai kao båsta hao.
(because I don't know if you're done.)
   [C]                  [F]
Hu guaiya hao gi korason-hu (hu guaiya hao).
(I love you in my heart (I love you).)

                  [Bb]                     [F]
Yanggen konfotme hao na ta para (hu konfotme)
(If it's you wish that we're going to end (I agree))
   [G7] [C] [C7]
tåya' siña hu cho'gue, lao bai hu konfotme.
(I can't do anything, but I'll agree.)

[F]
Måloffan hao (måloffan hao),
(You passed by,)

                                    [Bb]
ya tåya' neni nai sinangan-mu
(and, baby, you didn't say anything)

[C] [F]
pues håfa nai neni malago'-mu?
(then what, baby, do you want?)

Neni, mampos un na'triste yo', eståba yo' gi bentanå-hu annai måloffan hao, lao tåya' neni sinangan-mu--ni sikiera un ayu'os yo'. Lao diahlo' neni, bai sungon todu i puten i korason-hu, ya bai konfotme yanggen ennao malago'-mu. Neni, hongge yo', ya hu hahasso hao todu i tiempo, ya bai hu måtai påpa' gi hilo' tåno', ya ti hu maleffa nu hågu.
(Baby, you made me really sad, I was at my window when you passed by, but you didn't say anything--you didn't bother to even wave at me. But that's alright, baby, I'll bear all my heartaches, and I'll conform if that's what you want. Baby, believe me, I'll think of you all the time, and I'll be dead on the earth, but I won't forget about you.)

                  [Bb]                     [F]
Yanggen konfotme hao na ta para (hu konfotme)
(If it's you wish that we're going to end (I agree))
   [G7] [C] [C7]
tåya' siña hu cho'gue, lao bai hu konfotme.
(I can't do anything, but I'll agree.)

[F]
Måloffan hao (måloffan hao),
(You passed by,)

                                    [Bb]

ya tåya' neni nai sinangan-mu
(and, baby, you didn't say anything)
   [C]    [F]
Hu gaiya hao gi korason-hu (hu guaiya hao).
(I love you in my heart (I love you).)
   [C]    [F]
Hu gaiya hao gi korason-hu (hu guaiya hao).
(I love you in my heart (I love you).)
   [C]    [F]
Hu gaiya hao gi korason-hu (måloffan hao).
(I love you in my heart (you passed by).)

Pålåbran 07/02/2011: Maloffan

2011-07-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

Maloffan (muh-LOAF-fan):

Transported, toted, hauled, transferred, carried from one place to another.
Past time, recently, previous, some time ago, previously.
Exceedingly, surpassingly, superlatively, notably, excessively, extremely, amazingly, preeminently, immeasurably.
Passed by, crossed by, gone/went by.

Note: Loffan is the Chamorro word for "transport" or "carry." This allows for maloffan to have various different applications. The first definition is straightforward and literal, in a figurative sense the 2nd is also fairly clear (the 4th is just like the 2nd), and the 3rd is a similar to English when you say that someone got "carried away."

Note: The 4th definition of maloffan cannot be used in active voice, meaning you can't say "pass the car in front of you" using maloffan. In this case you would most likely use the word upos (pass - as in a race).

Uses:
"Manmaloffan i trastes-ña siha esta ginen i tenda para i gima'-ña." = "Her furniture (stuff) was already transported from the store to her house."
"I maloffan na tiempo." = "Past time." = "Time gone by."
"Esta maloffan i ora annai para u fåtto mågi." = "The time is past when they would be here."
"Maloffan gue' dudos." = "She extremely showoff-ish."
"Maloffan yo' ñålang." = "I am overly hungry."
"Maloffan hao ya ni sikiera un ayu'os yo'." = "You passed by and didn't bother to wave at me."
"Hu li'e' si Juan annai maloffan yo' gi che'cho'-ña." = "I saw John when I passed by his job."

Kåntan Chamoru: Nobia Nene (Johnny Sablan)

2011-06-13T13:37:00.000-07:00

Here's another one of my favorite old time Chamorro songs. The translation isn't word-for-word, it's more contextual, if you would like the word for word translation, let me know.

Also, if it's too high, you can transpose it from A to G by A=>G, A7=>G7, D=>C, E7=>D7, F#m=>Em.

Nobia Nene
as Johnny Sablan

[A] [D]

I puti'on, yanggen gumupu
(When the star flies)

[A]

gi islan i langet,
(on our heavenly island)

[E7]

oggan guatu gi tronkon mapågåhes.
(it lands in a base of clouds)

[A] [D]

Annai hu li'e' si neni
(When I saw baby)

[A]

åntes di ha dingu yo',
(before she left me,)

[A] [E7]

ya ha sångan åntes di hu maigo' na
(and she said before I slept that)

[A] [A7]

ha guaiya yo'.
(she loved me.)

Chorus:

[D] [E7]

Hågu nai neni, hågu na pålao'an,
(You, baby, you girl,)
[A] [F#m]

hu guiguifi, hå'åni yan puengi,
(I dream about, day and night,)
[D] [E7]

sa' iyo-mu yo', ya iyo-ku hao,
(because I'm yours, and you're mine,)

[A] [A7]
nobia neni.
(sweetheart.)
[D] [E7]

Hågu na pålao'an, hågu nai neni,
(You, girl, you, baby,)
[A] [F#m]

hå'åni yan puenge, hu guiguife,
(day and night I dream about,)
[D] [E7]

sa' iyo-mu yo', ya iyo-ku hao,
(because I'm yours, and you're mine,)
[A] [E7]

nobia neni.
(sweetheart.)

[A] [D]

Sesso hu hahasso i tiempo
(I'm always thinking about the time)
[A]

pot hågu neni yan i flores-mu.
(of you, girl, and your flowers.)
[A] [E7]

Annai un dingu yo' gi un puengi,
(when you left me one night,)
[A] [D]

lao esta neni ti hu langak
(but, baby, I can't stand it)
[A]

ya triste yo' yan gof måhålang.
(I'm sad and missing you.)
[A] [E7]

Konne' yo' neni ya ta hita
(Take me baby, and we'll go together)

[A] [A7]
gi langet isla.
(to the heavenly island.)

(Chorus)... [F#m]

[D] [E7]

Sa' iyo-mu yo', ya iyo-ku hao,
(Because I'm yours, and you're mine,)

[A]
nobia neni.
(sweetheart.)

Pålåbran 06/12/2011: Ågupa'

2011-06-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

Ågupa' (uh-GOO-pa'): Tomorrow

Note: By adding the comparative suffix ña, you form ågupå'ña (the day after tomorrow).

Uses:
"Ågupa' bai hu bisita i tiå-hu." = "I will visit my aunt tomorrow."
"Ki ora para un facho'cho' ågupa'?" = "What time are you working tomorrow?"
"Ti siña hu cho'guiyi hao på'go, lao hunggan gi agupa'." = "I can't do it for you now, but tomorrow, yes."

Pålåbran 06/04/2011: Luhan

2011-06-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

Luhan (LOO-han): Frightened, scared, terrified, horrified, fear.

Uses:
"Kao luhan hao nu roller coaster?" = "Are you scared of roller coasters?"
"Munga luluhan." = "Don't be scared."
"Luhan si Juan annai måpuha i botte." = "John was scared when the boat capsized."

Kantan Chamoru: Apu Magi (JD Crutch)

2011-05-27T09:48:00.000-07:00

It's been said that one of the best helps in learning a language is listening to songs in the language. I think this is a good idea, the only problem with it is that in Chamorro, many of the singers aren't the easiest to understand. So, here are the lyrics to one of my favorites with chords and a tranlsation:

Apo' Mågi
as J.D. "Crutch"

[G]

Ai, siña ti un tungo', taiguhi tiningo' put hågu,

(Oh, you might not have known, I thought that way of you,)

[G] [D]

ya ti hu achakka' hao yanggen un dingu.

(and I don't blame you if you leave.)

[D]

Lao hu li'e' hao gi painge, ya un lågo' gi matå-mu,

(But I saw you last night, with a tear in your eye,)

[D] [D7] [G]

ya ha påcha yo' mås ki pa bai hu sångan.

(and it touched me more than I'll say.)

[G]

Lao ti hu hongge i che'lu-hu, na po un na'puti yo' nai på'go,

(But I don't believe, my sister, that you're going to hurt me now,)

[G] [G7] [C]

ni guåhu gagaige mågåhet gi fi'on-mu

(with me truly being there by your side.)

Chrous:

[C] [D] [G]

Apo' mågi gi apagå'-hu,

(Lean here on my shoulder,)

[G] [Em] [C]

ya bai hu sångåni hao ni estoriå-hu,
(and I'll tell you my story,)

[C] [D] [G] [G7]

sa' hågu ya-hu.

(because I love you.)

[G7] [C] [D] [G]

Apo' mågi gi apagå'-hu,

(Lean here on my shoulder,)

[G] [Em] [C]

ya bai hu sångåni hao ni estoriå-hu,

(and I'll tell you my story,)

[C] [D] [G]

sa' hågu ya-hu.

(because I love you.)

[G] [D]

Ai, siña ti un hongge na i korason-hu kumåkåti, ai, pot hågu.

(Oh, you might not believe that my heart is crying, oh, for you.)

[D]

Ai, lao hågu i che'lu-hu, ai, i mågåhet ti un hahasso,

(Oh, but you my sister, oh, you don't remember the truth,)

[D] [D7] [G]

na pot hågu yo' nai neni na måfåtto.

(that it's for you that I've come.)

[G]

Lao un na'klåru giya guåhu yan mågåhet na i ti ya-mu,

(But you've made it clear to me, and you don't like the truth.)

[G] [G7] [C]

ya bai hu hånao yanggen nå'ån-hu na ti hu hungok.

(and I'll go if I don't hear my name.)

Chorus (2x)

Pålåbran 05/12/2011: Åpmam

2011-05-12T10:15:00.000-07:00

Åpmam (UP-mam): Ago, past, gone, awhile, for sometime, since olden times.

Note: The above definition is from Topping's dictionary, but another way to view this word is as "long time."

Uses:
"Åpmam na tiempo." = "A long time ago."
"Ti åpmam yo' tåtte." = "I'll be back soon (not long)."
"Ti åpmam yo' guatu." = "I'll be there soon." / "I won't be long getting there."
"Åpmam ti umali'e' hit." = "We haven't seen each other for a long time." / "Long time no see."
"Ti åpmam bai yute'." = "I'll throw it away soon."

Pålåbran 05/09/2011: Låkse

2011-05-09T20:17:00.000-07:00

Låkse (LUCK-see): Sew, stitch.

Uses:
"Ya-ña manlåkse si Rosa." = "Rosa likes to sew."
"Ha låkse i nuebu na chininå-hu." = "She sewed my new shirt."
"Kao hågu lumåkse i bestidu?" = "Were you the one that sewed the dress."

Leksion Chamoru: Prefix na'-

2011-04-29T15:50:00.000-07:00

One of the most common prefixes in Chamorro is na'-. The formal definition is that na'- is a causative prefix, that just means that it causes or makes something to happen. To use the prefix you simply add it in front something to be caused. Here are some examples:

Hånao = To go.
Na'- + hånao => Na'hånao = To make (someone) go.
Sugon = To drive (the car/cart/...).
Na'- + sugon => Na'sugon = To make (somone) drive (the car/cart/...)
Bulåchu = Drunk, intoxicated.
Na'- + bulåchu => Na'bulåchu = To make (someone) drunk, to intoxicate (someone).
Magof = Happy.
Na'- + magof => Na'magof = To make (someone) happy.

Notice that na'- causes "someone" or "something" to do whatever na'- is attached to. Using the above examples we can start to see what that means:

Na'hånao i lahi-mu para i tenda. = Make your son go to the store.
I tata ha na'sugon i hagå-ña ni kareta = The father made his daughter drive the car.
Ma na'bulåchu yo' gi painge. = They got me drunk last night.
Na'magof si nånå-mu! = Make your mother happy!

The more grammatically technical part of the prefix na'- is that you need to keep plural and "transitive" aspect of the verbs intact. That is to say, if the verb is plural, then keep it plural, and if the verb is "intransitive", then keep it that way. Also, since it's a potential action, things change to the future forms. Hopefully some examples will make more sense:

Manhånao siha. = They went/go.
Na'- + manhånao => Na'fanhånao
Ha na'fanhånao siha = He made them leave
Mañugon yo' = I drive/drove.
Na'- + mañugon => Na'fañugon
Si tåtå-hu ha na'fañugon yo'. = My father caused me to drive.
Mambulåchu i lalåhi. = The men are drunk.
Na'- + mambulåchu => Na'fambulåchu
I famalao'an ma na'fambulåchu i lalåhi gi painge. = The women got the men (caused them to become) drunk last night.
Manmagof i famagu'on. = The children are happy.
Na'- + manmagof => Na'fanmagof
Nihi para Disneyland ya ta na'fanmagof i famagu'on. = Let's go to Disneyland and make the children happy.

One last thing to keep in mind is accentuation/pronunciation. In all the above examples the prefix na'- does not change the emphasis/stress of the syllables. However, in some cases na'- takes the primary stress of the new word; in these cases na'- means "one who causes" or "that which makes." There are several well known examples of this case:

Na'magof = One who makes others happy.
Pronounced: NAH'-ma-guf
Na'bubu = One who makes others angry.
Pronounced: NAH'-boo-boo
Na'chålek = One who makes others laugh; something which causes laughter.
Pronounced: NAH'-chuh-lick
Na'o'son = One who makes others bored; boring, tiresome.
Pronounced: NAH'-o'-sun
Na'må'åse' = One who makes others merciful; miserable; pitiful; pathetic; wretched.
Pronounced: NAH'-muh'-see'; Nah'-muh'-ah-see'

Pålåbran 04/29/2011: Fa'na'an

2011-04-29T14:22:00.000-07:00

Fa'na'an (fah'-NAH'-an): Maybe, perhaps.

Note: Fa'na'an comes from fa'- (to change or pretend to be) + nå'an (name). Fa'na'an literally means "nickname," but is often used as "maybe," "perhaps," or even in the sense of "seems like."

Uses:
"Fa'na'an ti ya-ña i fina'tinås-hu." = "Perhaps (it seems like) she doesn't like my cooking."
"Fa'na'an ni sikiera un na'gåsgås i gima'-mu." = "Maybe (it's like) you didn't even bother to clean your house."
"Para bai hånao fa'na'an para i gipot." = "Perhaps I'll go to the party."

Pålåbran 04/25/2011: Likkidu

2011-04-25T21:27:00.000-07:00

Likkidu (LICK-key-dew): Only, one and only, unique.

Uses:
"Likkidu na måfañågu hao." = "You're an only child (only-born)."
"Estegue' i likkidu na påpet siento gi kapetå-hu." = "Here's the only 100 dollar bill in my wallet."
"Guiya likkidu gi familiå-ña umeskuekuela gi unibetsidåt." = "She the only one in her family to go to university."

Pålåbran 03/21/2011: Taitai

2011-03-21T20:26:00.000-07:00

Taitai (TIE-tie): Read

Note: Taitai also can mean "pray."

Uses:
"I patgon ha taitai i lepblo." = "The child read the book."
"Ya-hu manaitai." = "I like to read."
"Manmanaitai i famagu'on lepblo." = "The children read books."

Pålåbran 03/15/2011: Pålapåla

2011-03-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

Pålapåla (paw-la-PAW-la): Shack, hut, shanty, roof extending from house to provide shelter from sun and rain, pavillion.

Note: This definition is from Topping's dictionary, but it's not clear that only parts of the definition are generally used in some of the dialects of Chamorro. In Guam's northern dialect, the pålapåla generally only refers to a pavilion or a temporary canopy of sorts, but not a shack or hut. Whereas in Saipan's dialect of Chamorro it is more generally used to mean the shack or hut (I've heard it called a homestead).

Uses:
"Ma håtsa i palapåla para i fiesta." = "They raised (built) the canopy/shelter for the party."
"Kao guåha pålapåla, sa' sempre para u uchan." = "Is there a pavilion/canopy, because it going to rain?"
"Manmatåtå'chong i manamko' gi papa' i palapåla, sa' maipe i semnak." = "The elders are sitting beneath the canopy, because the heat of the sun."

Leksion Chamoru: Prefix mina'-

2011-03-13T23:57:00.000-07:00

Mina'- is a very simple prefix, it is an "ordinal marker." That just means that it takes a "cardinal" number (2, 3, 4...) and changes it to an ordinal (2nd, 3rd, 4th...).

Dos (two) => Mina'dos (second)
Bente (twenty) => Mina'bente (twentieth)
Katotse (fourteen) => Mina'katotse (fourteenth)

Only the number 1 is different,

Unu (one) => Fine'na/Finene'na/Fine'nana (first)

Fine'na/Finene'na/Fine'nana all come from the root fo'na/mo'na (front).

Pålåbran 02/09/2011: Lekngai

2011-02-09T08:42:00.000-08:00

Lekngai (LEK-ngai): Stiff-necked; cricked neck.

Uses:
"Lekngai yo'." = "I have a crick in my neck."
"Munga maigo' taiguenao na un lekngai." = "Don't sleep like that or you'll get a stiff neck."
"Gof ya-ña umegga' TV, ya fihu lekngai gue'." = "He really likes to watch TV, and often has a stiff neck."

Note: In Chamorro you "are" lekngai rather than "have" lekngai. Also, instead of using lekngai as in the above examples, you can also use it to describe your neck, i.e.: Lekngai i tengho-hu (My neck is stiff).

Leksion Chamoru: Prefix mi-

2011-01-20T22:51:00.000-08:00

The prefix mi- is added to nouns to say "full of" or "plenty of." Here are some examples:

åcho' = rock
Mi- + åcho' => Mi'acho' = Full of rocks, rocky.
kulot = color
Mi- + kulot => Mikulot = Full of color, colorful.
unai = sand
Mi- + unai => Mi'inai = Full of sand, sandy.

The primary stress of the new word falls on mi-, so for the above examples we get:

Mi'acho' => ME'-a-choo'
Mikulot => ME-koo-lut
Mi'inai => ME'-ee-nigh

One thing to note is that mi- follows the rules of vowel harmony. That just means that, in general, the first vowel of the root word is "pulled back." I.e.: å to a, o to e, and u to i.

Pålåbran 01/15/2011: Ulu

2011-01-15T12:13:00.000-08:00

Ulu (OO-loo): Head

Note: When using with a possessive suffix, it always changes to ilu, i.e., ilu-hu, ilu-mu, ... This occurs even when the focus marker "i" is not there.

Uses:
"Mådanche ilu-ña, ya på'go diso'." = "His head was hit, and now has a bump."
"Gof ataktak ilu-hu." = "I have a very stubborn head."
"Usa i matiyu ni dankolo ilu-ña." = "Use the big-headed hammer."

Leksion Chamoru: Prefix la-

2010-11-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

The prefix la- is a comparative degree marker meaning slightly or a little bit more. It can be used with most nouns and adjectives/adverbs in Chamorro, however here are several which are more commonly known/used:

Maolek = Good, well.
La- + maolek => Lamaolek = Better (slightly).
Meggai = Many, several.
La- + meggai => Lameggai = Very many.
Bunitu = Beautiful.
La- + bunitu => Labunitu = More (slightly) beautiful, prettier.
Chaddek = Fast.
La- + chaddek => Lachaddek = Faster.
Guse' = Quick, lively.
La- + guse' => Laguse' = Quicker, livelier.

You can also use the word mås to mean "more," but some words, like chaddek, usually use the prefix la- rather than mås, i.e., it is more common to hear lachaddek rather than mås chaddek.

The prefix also takes the primary stress of new word, so for the above examples:

Lamaolek => LA-mao-lick
Lameggai => LA-meg-guy
Labunitu => LA-boo-knee-too
Lachaddek => LA-chad-deck
Laguse' => LA-goo-see'

Note: Some use la- to almost mean "to make more..." rather than just "more." This is not "wrong" per se, but it is safer to use na'la- or na'mås.

Pålåbran 10/29/2010: Go'te

2010-10-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Go'te (GO'-tee): Hold, support, retain by force, grasp.

Uses:
"Go'te fan i balakbak-hu." = "Hold my bag, please."
"I lahi ha go'te i lepblo-ña i palao'an." = "The guy held the girl's books."
"Na'go'te i che'lu-mu ya un ayuda yo'." = "Make your brother hold it so you can help me."

Leksion Chamoru: Prefix ke-

2010-09-14T19:04:00.000-07:00

The prefix ke- is used to mean "to try to" or "about to."

Tungo' (to know) => Ketungo' (to try to know, about to know)
Målångu (sick) => Kemålångu (to try to get sick, about to be sick)
Chule' (to take) => Kechule' (to try to take, about to take)
Såga (to stay) => Kesåga (to try to stay, about to stay)

It is relatively simply to use within a Chamorro sentence after you've affixed ke- to the word, you just use the new word according to if it's a "man-" or "-um-" verb. So, using the above examples:

Ketungo' ("man-" verb) => Hu ketungo' i na'ån-ña. (I tried to know his/her name.)
Kemålångu ("-um-" verb) => Kumemålångu i patgon. (The child was about to be (getting) sick.)
Kechule' ("man-" verb) => Ha kechule' i bola ginen i ga'chong-ña. (He tried to take the ball from his friend.)
Kesåga ("-um-" verb) => Kumesåga si Juan giya Yoña. (Juan was trying to stay/live in Yoña.)

One thing to keep in mind is that the prefix ke- shows up in several different forms, but they are are essentially the same: keke- (reduplication of ke-), mange- (man- + ke-), mangeke- (man- + keke-). For example:

Ketungo' => Ha keketungo' ki ora måbaba i tenda. (He is trying to know (figure out) what time the store will be opened.)
Kemålångu => Mangekemålångu i tres na lålåhi. (The three men were about to be (getting) sick.)

Sometimes the word "chagi" is used to mean "to try to," however, while similar it is essentially different than the prefix ke-. "Chagi" does indeed mean "to try," but it is in the sense of testing, attempting, or proving.

Pålåbran 08/23/2010: Måmåhlao

2010-08-23T14:41:00.000-07:00

Måmåhlao (muh-MAH-lao): Ashamed; be ashamed; shamefaced; bashful; shy; emarrassed.

Note: This is also spelled/said as måmålao.

Uses:
"Måtåtå'chong i lahi sa' måmåhlao gue' bumaila." = "The guy is sitting down because he's ashamed to dance."
"Kånno' fan... munga måmåhlao." = "Please eat... don't be embarrassed."
"Gakgao na boi, ti måmåhlao manggåggao." = "The boy likes to ask for things, he's not bashful about begging (for stuff)."

Pålåbran 07/12/2010: Taiguenao

2010-07-12T15:46:00.000-07:00

Taiguenao (tie-GWEH-now): That is the way (something is done); that is how; that is why; that is the reason--talking to and about addressee.

Note: This definition comes from Topping's dictionary, but an easier, more enlightening definition would be "like that," or "that way."

Uses:
"Munga taiguenao." = "Don't be like that (that way)."
"Håfa na un ippe' i niyok taiguenao?" = "Why did you split the coconut like that?"
"Ti taiguenao mama'tinas nu kåsiyas." = "You don't build a chicken coop that way."

Pålåbran 06/12/2010: Fatå'chong

2010-06-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Fatå'chong (fa-TAH'-chung): Sit down.

Note: Fatå'chong is used either as a future tense or as the command, otherwise matå'chong is used.

Uses:
"Matåtå'chong yo' gi siyå-hu." = "I was sitting in my chair."
"Fatå'chong fan gi fi'on nånå-mu." = "Please sit down by your mother."
"Para u fatå'chong gi hilo' guåfak." = "She's going to sit on the mat."

Pålåbran 05/20/2010: Atan

2010-05-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

Atan (AH-tan): Look at, glance, perceive.

Uses:
"Ti hu atan i chalan annai mañugon yo' ya aksidente yo'." = "I didn't look at the road when I was driving, and got into an accident."
"Atan fan kuåntu båli-ña." = "Please, see (perceive) how much it costs."
"Atan ha' på'go i bidå-mu!" = "Look at what you've done now!"

Pålåbran 05/09/2010: Nihi

2010-05-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

Nihi (NEE-hee): Let's (do something)--used with future verb and 1st person plural pronouns.

Note: Nihi can be used as a stand alone sentence as a shorter way to say, "Let's go."

Uses:
"Nihi ta hånao para i tenda." = "Let's (2 people) go to the store."
"Nihi ta famboka." = "Let's (3 or more people) eat."
"Nihi ta egga' i mubi." = "Let's (2 people) watch the movie."

Leksion Chamoru: Prefix ha-

2010-04-30T19:50:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-23T19:43:00.000-07:00

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'

2010-04-08T19:33:00.000-07:00

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-

2010-04-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-02T21:26:00.000-07:00

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."

Pålåbran 03/24/10: Atanon

2010-03-24T18:27:00.000-07:00

Atanon (a-TA-none): Handsome, good looking, pretty, appearance, decent looking.

Uses:
"Ti gof bunita gue', lao atanon." = "She's not that pretty, but she's decent."
"Måtto gi chatpa'go gue', ni didide' atanon." = "He is very ugly, he's not even slightly good looking."
"Atanon i hatdin gi me'nan guma'-mu." = "The garden in front of your house is pretty."

Pålåbran 03/19/2010: Frihon

2010-03-19T15:55:00.000-07:00

Frihon (free-HON): Joker, jester, buffoon.

Uses:
"Frihon si Jose, ya-ña umossitan." = "Jose is a joker, he likes to play tricks."
"Ha eståni i che'lu-ña, sa gof frihon gue'." = "He played a trick on his brother, because he's a joker."
"Gof ya-ña si Juan frumihon." = "Juan likes to be a joker (to joke around)."

Pålåbran 03/10/10: Nå'yåni

2010-03-10T10:07:00.000-08:00

Nå'yåni (nah'-DZAH-knee): Serve food (to someone), prepare a plate (for someone), give food or drink (to someone).

Uses:
"Ha nå'yåni yo' ni na'-hu." = "She served my food to me."
"Nå'yåni i patgon fan, sa' ñålang." = "Give the kid some food, because he's hungry."
"Hu nå'yåni si nånå-hu nenkanno' ginen i gipot, sa' atrasao macho'cho'." = "I made my mother a plate of food from the party, because she worked late."

Pålåbran 03/08/10: Po'lo

2010-03-08T15:25:00.000-08:00

Po'lo (PO'-loo): Place, set, arrange, establish, put, invest.

Note: Po'lo also means "wait, hold off, set aside, etc." but that's for another post.

Uses:
"Po'lo i plåtu-mu gi lamasa." = "Put your plate on the table."
"Ha po'lo i salåpe'-ña gi kapetå-ña." = "He put his money in his wallet."
"Kao hågu pumo'lo i kahita gi papa' i siya?" = "Were you the one that put the box under the chair?"

Palåbran 03/05/10: Eyugue'

2010-03-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

Eyugue' (EH-dzoo-gwee'): There is, stating existence (object away from both the speaker and the addressee).

Note: Some also say this word as ayugue'.

Uses:
"Eyugue' i gimen-ña kafe." = "There is his coffee."
"Eyugue' i karetå-hu." = "There's my car."
"Eyugue' i tenda." = "There is the store."

Leksion Chamoru: Prefix ge'-

2010-02-27T22:30:00.000-08:00

The prefix ge'- is a comparative degree marker for directions. In essence it means "further (in a direction)." Here are some examples:

Hålom = Go in, go inside, enter.
Ge'- + hålom => Ge'halom = further inside, deeper inside
Hulo' = Up, above, on top.
Ge'- + hulo' => Ge'hilo' = further up, higher, a little upward
Kåttan = East (Guam and Rota), north (Saipan).
Ge'- + kåttan => Ge'kattan = further eastward, eastwardly, easterly direction
Mågi = Here (towards the direction of the speaker).
Ge'- + mågi => Ge'magi = further towards here

There is another prefix (hat-) that does something very similar to ge'-, however ge'- puts more emphasis on the location rather than the action.
Ge'- also takes the primary stress of the new word. For the above examples:

Ge'halom => GE'-ha-lum
Ge'hilo'=> GE'-hee-loo'
Ge'kattan => GE'-cut-tan
Ge'magi => GE'-ma-gi

The prefix also follows the rules of vowel harmony, which means that we change the first vowel of the root word from å to a, o to e, and u to i.

Leksion Chamoru: Prefix ga'-

2010-02-27T21:26:00.000-08:00

The prefix ga'- has two completely different uses. The first use of ga'- is that of an animal classifier, and the second is that of connoting preference, or strong liking towards something.

Ga'- : Animal Classifier
While many Chamorro speakers decide not to use this construction, it's still used by most, and is not very difficult to understand. In this application ga'- simply denotes an animal.

The most common usage of the prefix is with one of the possessive suffixes, i.e., -hu, -mu, -ña, etc. For example:

Ga'-hu = My animal
Ga'-ña = His/Her animal
Ga'-ñiha = Their animal

The prefix also may be added to the beginning of other words to indicate "an animal of." However, I know only of one instance where this happens in modern Chamorro:

Ga'lågu = Dog

Note: Ga'lågu did not mean "animal from the north," it originally meant "animal from outside the island."

Ga'- : Strong liking or Preference

This application of the prefix is rather simple, because when it's added to the front of a word it just means that it's preferred or strongly liked. Here are some examples:

Ga'sålåpe' si Juan. = John really likes/loves money.
Ga'kumentos gue'. = S/he likes to talk (is talkative).
Ga'maigo' si Maria. = Maria loves to sleep.

Palåbran 02/25/10: Foggon

2010-02-25T17:46:00.000-08:00

Foggon (FOHG-gun): Stove, barbecue pit.

Uses:
"Adahi i nina'lagu-mu gi feggon." = "Watch your cooking on the stove."
"Ga'o-ku umusa i feggon gas ki i feggon elektrisida." = "I prefer to use the gas stove than electric."
"Ma tunu i guihan gi hilo' foggon." = "They grilled the fish on the barbecue pit."

Palåbran 02/20/10: Yabbao

2010-02-17T23:20:00.000-08:00

Yabbao (DZAB-bow): Swat at, hack away at, whack at, wave away, clear path by chopping bushes, mow, chop down trees.

Uses:
"Hu yabbao i tangantångan gi santatte." = "I chopped down the tangantangan trees out back."
"Ha yabbao i tinanom sa' gof dånkolo." = "He chopped the plant down, because it was very big."
"Munga måyabbao i flores fan." = "Please don't mow down the flowers."

Palabran 02/09/2010: Danges

2010-02-09T09:40:00.000-08:00

Danges (DANG-ess): Candle, wax, gum.

Uses:

"Meggai na danges gi iyo-ña kek." = "There are a lot of candles on his cake."
"Songge fan i danges." = "Please, light the candle."
"Yanggen tåya' kandet, bai usa i danges." = "When there are no lights, I'll use the candles."

Leksion Chamorro: I attikulon "nu/as"

2009-11-21T11:15:00.000-08:00

The article "nu" is arguably the most confusing article within Chamorro coming from an English speaking viewpoint. Sometimes nu is translated as "about," "with," "by," etc., but sometimes there is no compatible English word.

Technically, nu is a non-focus marking particle. Meaning, nu is a particle that precedes a nouns when it's not the "focus" of a sentence/clause, whereas i/si mark the "focus" of the sentence/clause. Nu often occurs as ni, a contraction of nu + i; nu also occurs as the particle as when the non-focus is a proper noun (i.e.: when the particle si would otherwise be used). I'll try to explain it in a little more detail.

In any Chamorro sentence there must be a focus, which we mark with the articles i/si. For example:

Hu ina i chalan. = I lit the road.
Ha sångåni i ga'chong-ña. = He told his friend.
Ma nå'i i patgon. = They gave the child (something).
Manmåsångåni i famagu'on. = The children were told.
Mågåggao i nana. = The mother was asked.
Måleffa si Maria. = Maria forgot.

Sometimes, there is some sort of modifier or explanation in the sentence, along with the main focus. Adjusting the above examples, we get:

Hu ina i chalan ni kandet. = I lit the road with the light.
Ha sångåni i ga'chong-ña ni bidå-ña. = He told his friend about his deed.
Ma nå'i i patgon nu regålu. = They gave the child a gift.
Manmåsångåni i famagu'on ni estoria. = The children were told a story.
Mågåggao i nana nu kande. = The mother was asked for candy.
Måleffa si Maria as Jose = Maria forgot about Joe.

In exmaple 1 the "light" isn't what's being lit, so it cannot be the focus of the verb ina. However, it explained how the road was lit, so we call that the non-focus of the verb.

In example 2 "his friend" is spoken to, and the "deed" is being talked about. So, the "deed" is the non-focus of the verb sångåni.

In example 5 the "mother" was asked, so she is the focus of the verb mågåggao. The non-focus of the verb is "candy," since it explains what she was being asked for.

Lastly, in example 6 "Maria" forgets, and we see that "Joe"explains who she forgot.

Palåbran 10/05/09: Lamas

2009-10-05T06:53:00.000-07:00

Lamas (LA-mass): (adjective) Rotten, decayed, decomposed, putrefied.

Uses:

"Munga måkånno' i lamas na hineksa'." = "Don't eat the rotten rice."
"Adahi nininok-mu na u lamas." = "Be careful of the thing you're hiding to ripen that it doesn't become rotten."
"Ma yute' i dankolo na troson kåtne sa' lamas esta." = "They threw away the large cut of meat, because it already became rotten."

Palåbran 10/02/09: Inetnon

2009-10-02T06:49:00.000-07:00

Inetnon (ee-NET-none): (noun) Assembly, association, club, group, league, corporation, crowd, gathering.

Uses:

"Kao un atende i inetnon eskuela?" = "Did you go to the school assembly?"
"Guåha un inetnon mane'egga' gi aksidente." = "There was a crowd of onlookers at the accident."
"Dånkolo na inetnon taotao gi gipot." = "There was a large gathering of people at the party."

Palåbran 10/01/09: Atalaki

2009-10-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

Atalaki (a-ta-LA-kee): (verb) Scowl, look at menacingly, to give a dirty look.

Note: Many times, people use atan båba (bad look) when they mean atalaki.

Uses:

"Ha atalaki i patgon." = "He scowled at the kid."
"Cha'-mu umatalaki yo'!" = "Don't give me a dirty look!"
"Hu atalaki i che'lu-hu sa' manoppe'." = "I gave my sibling a dirty look because he was talking back."

Palåbran 09/28/09: Tåftåf

2009-09-28T06:55:00.000-07:00

Tåftåf (TOUGH-tough): (adverb) Early.

Uses:

"Makmåta yo' gof tåftåf gi egga'an." = "I woke up early in the morning."
"Humånao gue' tåftåf." = "He left early."
"Tåftåf ha baba i pachot-ña." = "He spoke (opened his mouth) too soon (early)."

Palåbran 09/25/09: Håle'

2009-09-25T08:53:00.000-07:00

Håle' (HAH-lee'): (noun) Root, source, origin.

Uses:

"Hu tatme i simiyas, lao ti manmanhåle' trabia." = "I planted the seeds, but they have no roots yet."
"Dumokko' ta'lo i cha'guan, sa' ti hu laknos todu i hale'-ña." = "The weed sprouted back, because I didn't remove all its roots."
"Håfa i hale' enao na sinangan?" = "What is the origin of that saying?"

Palåbran 09/23/09: Laknos

2009-09-23T06:18:00.000-07:00

Laknos (LACK-nus): (verb) Take out.

Uses:

"Hu laknos i leche gi kahon ais." = "I took out the milk from the refrigerator."
"Ma laknos i maletan-ñiha siha." = "They took out their suitcases."
"Ha laknos i salåpe' para i chenchule'." = "She took out the money for chunchule'."

Palåbran 09/22/09: Låña

2009-09-22T10:09:00.000-07:00

Låña (LAWN-ya): (noun) Oil (generic term).

Note: Be careful how you pronounce this word, låña means "oil," but laña' is an expletive that can be considered very offensive depending on the company present.

Uses:

"Kao un tulaika i lañan måkina gi karetå-mu?" = "Did you change the engine oil in your car?"
"Na'maipe i laña ya ta aflitu lumpia." = "Heat up the oil and we'll fry lumpia."
"Hu yute' i lañan niyok sa' mahange'." = "I threw away the coconut oil, because it was rancid."

Palåbran 09/21/09: Gacha'

2009-09-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

Gacha' (GA-cha'): (verb) Catch up with, detect.

Uses:

"Ma gacha' i polisia i sakke." = "The police caught up with the thief."
"Cha'-mu dumigeru sa' mågacha' hao sempre." = "Don't be a cheater, because you'll eventually get caught."
"Hu gacha' gue' gi karera, lao ti hu upos gue'." = "I caught up with him in the race, but didn't pass him."

Palåbran 09/18/09: Bråbu

2009-09-18T08:10:00.000-07:00

Bråbu (BRA-boo): (adjective) Healthy, industrious, hard working person, active.

Uses:

"Bråbu gue' yanggen makmåta." = "He is active when he wakes up."
"Gof bråbu na påtgon gue." = "He's a very active (hyper) kid."
"Bråbu na bihu si Ton Jose." = "Mr. Joseph is a healthy old man."

Palåbran 09/17/09: Hokkok

2009-09-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

Hokkok (HOK-cook): (adjective) No more, none, all gone, nothing, not one, not any, nothing at all, none at all.

Uses:

"Hokkok i na'-hu." = "I have no more food."
"Kao hokkok i pigas?" = "Is the rice all gone."
"Kana' hokkok i gas gi kareta esta." = "There is almost no gas in the car already."

Palåbran 09/16/09: Hågu

2009-09-16T09:34:00.000-07:00

Hågu (HAH-goo): (pronoun) You (emphatic singular).

Uses:

"Kao hågu ha' humånao?" = "Did you go alone?"
"Hågu para un faisen." = "You are the one that is going to ask."
"Hågu tumaitai." = "You are the one that read it."

Palåbran 09/15/09: Fotgon

2009-09-15T07:59:00.000-07:00

Fotgon (FUHT-gun): (adjective) Wet, watery, not dry, soaked, drenched.

Uses:

"Adahi na un sulon sa' fotgon i satge." = "Careful that you don't slip, because the floor is wet."
"Fotgon todu i chininå-ña ni ichan." = "His whole shirt got soaked from the rain."
"Mama'gågåsi yo' nå'yan ya fotgon i franelå-hu ni sinatpen hånom." = "I was washing dishes and my shirt got wet from the splashing water."

Palåbran 09/14/09: Cho'cho'

2009-09-14T09:27:00.000-07:00

Cho'cho' (CHO'-chu'): (noun) Work, job, employment, task, position.

Note: Many times you'll see che'cho' rather than cho'cho', due to vowel harmony. In fact, it sometimes shows up as che'cho' even when vowel harmony isn't necessary.

Uses:

"Gaige si Jose gi che'cho-ña." = "Joe is at work."
"Kao guåha che'cho' giya Guåhan." = "Are there jobs in Guam?"
"Gos ya-ña si Juan i che'cho'-ña." = "John really likes his job."

Palåbran 09/11/09: Li'e'on

2009-09-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

Li'e'on (lee'-eh'-on): (adjective) Visible, can be seen.

Note: This is a combination of li'e' (to see) and -on (abilitative suffix). This word is one way around the construction using siña in certain cases..

Uses:

"Ti li'e'on i gima'-hu ginen i chalan." = "My house cannot be seen from the road."
"Li'e'on i manådan i'e' gi hanom sa' gof klåru." = "The school of baby skip jacks is visible in the water because it's very clear."
"Li'e'on i islan Luta ginen Guåhan." = "The island of Rota is visible from Guam."

Palåbran 09/09/09: Lachaddek

2009-09-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

Lachaddek (LA-chad-deck): (verb) Hurry up, hasten.

Note: This is just a combination of the prefix la- (intensifier) and chaddek (fast).

Uses:

"Gof ñateng hao, lachaddek fan!" = "You're so slow, hurry up!"
"Lachaddek i un chocho'gue." = "Hurry up what you are doing."
"Lachaddek ya ta fanhånao." = "Hurry up and let's go."

Palåbran 09/08/09: Pat

2009-09-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

Pat (pat): (conjunction) Or--a co-ordinating particle that marks an alternative.

Uses:

"Håfa ga'ña-mu: chå pat kafe?" = "What would you prefer: tea or coffee?"
"Kao hunggan pat åhe'?" = "Is it yes or no?"
"Kao para un hånao lamo'na pat gi egga'an?" = "Are you going tonight or in the morning?"

Palåbran 09/07/09: Maila'

2009-09-07T09:45:00.000-07:00

Maila' (MY-la'): (verb) Come, hand over.

Note: Maila' means "to come" but in more of the sense of being "on the way over here." For most of the other uses of "to come" in English we use the Chamorro word "fåtto."

Uses:

"Kao mamaila' gue'?" = "Is he coming? (Is he on is way over here?)"
"Maila' fan mågi i yabi." = "Please, hand the keys over here."
"Maila' fan." = "Come (here) please."

Palåbran 09/04/09: Chåda'

2009-09-04T09:56:00.000-07:00

Chåda' (CHA-da'): (noun) Egg, ovum.

Uses:

"Gof mutong i chada' gueru." = "Rotten eggs really stink."
"Ya-hu inafliton chåda'." = "I like fried eggs."
"Tåya' chåda' para i amotså-ta." = "We have no eggs for our breakfast."

Palåbran 09/03/09: Upos

2009-09-03T10:57:00.000-07:00

Upos (OO-pus): (verb) Overtake--as in a race, pass by.

Uses:

"Upos fan eyu i kareta gi me'nå-ta." = "Pass by that car in front of us."
"Ha upos yo' ya ni ha atan yo'." = "She passed by me and didn't even look at me."
"Un upos i gimå'-hu, lao ti sumåga hao ya un bisita." = "You passed by my house, but you didn't stay and visit."

Palåbran 09/02/09: Respeta

2009-09-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

Respeta (re-SPE-ta): (verb) Respect, honor, esteem, admire.

Uses:

"Respeta i mañainå-mu." = "Respect your elders."
"Fanginge' i manåmko' siha sa un respeta siha." = "Fanginge' the elders because you respect them."
"Kao un respeta i fino'-ña si nanå-mu." = "Do you honor the words of your mother?"

Palåbran 09/31/09: Sångan

2009-09-01T07:29:00.000-07:00

Sångan (SONG-an): (verb) Say, tell (something), speak, utter.

Uses:

"Hu sångan i estoria." = "I told the story."
"Kao un hungok eyu i ha såsångan?" = "Did you hear what she was saying?"
"Sångan fan i minagåhet." = "Please speak the truth."

Palåbran 08/31/09: Ågang

2009-08-31T08:49:00.000-07:00

Ågang (AH-gang): (verb) Call (someone), beckon, summon.

Uses:

"Ha ågang yo' si nanå-hu gi painge." = "My mother called me last night."
"Para ha ågang hao yanggen måtto gue' gi gimå'-ña." = "She'll call you when she gets home."
"Kao un ågang si che'lu-mu esta?" = "Did you call your brother yet?"

Palåbran 08/28/09: O'son

2009-08-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

O'son (OH'-sun): (adjective) Bored, tired, exhaust ones patience.

Uses:

"Esta o'son yo' mañuñugon kada dia." = "I'm already bored of driving every day."
"Kao o'son hao nu guåhu?" = "Are you tired of me?"
"O'son gue' ni che'cho'-ña." = "He is bored of his work."

Palåbran 08/27/09: Råtu

2009-08-27T09:02:00.000-07:00

Råtu (RAH-too): (noun) Short time, little while.

Uses:

"Nangga fan un råtu." = "Please wait for a little while."
"Un råtu ha' tataigue yo'." = "I was gone only for a short time."
"Un råtu manhugåndo ham gi sanhiyong åntes di kumekeuchan." = "We played outside for a little while before it started to rain."

Palåbran 08/26/09: Gimen

2009-08-26T07:25:00.000-07:00

Gimen (GI-men): (noun) Beverage, drink.

Uses:

"Håyi gai gimen este?" = "Who owns this drink?"
"Håfa gimen-mu?" = "What is your drink (what did you drink)?"
"Munga mana'mames i gimen-hu chå fan." = "Please do not sweeten my tea (my drink tea)."

Note: Gimen is also a classifier in Chamorro. If you want some clarification on that, let me know and I'll make a lesson on classifiers. It's not that difficult of a concept, but it does require a bit of explanation and example.

Palåbran 08/25/09: Ipe'

2009-08-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

Ipe' (EE-pee'): (verb) Cut open, split, notch, chip.

Uses:

"Adahi i kannai-mu an para un ipe' i niyok." = "Watch your hand if you're going to split open the coconut."
"Hu ipe' i chandia ya hu chåchåk." = "I opened the watermelon and cut it up."
"Ipe' fan i tininon lemmai ya un dibidi." = "Cut open the roasted breadfruit and divide it up please."

Palåbran 08/24/09: Espiha

2009-08-24T10:52:00.000-07:00

Espiha (ess-PEE-ha): (verb) Seek, search, look for, locate.

Note: This is also said/written as espia.

Uses:

"Manespipiha gue' che'cho'." = "He's looking for work."
"I famagu'on ma espiha i yaben nånån-ñiha." = "The children looked for their mother's keys."
"Hu espiha i lepblo-ku, lao ti hu sodda'." = "I searched for my book, but did not find it."

Palåbran 08/21/09: Pine'lo

2009-08-21T08:44:00.000-07:00

Pine'lo (pee-NEH'-loo): (noun) Presumption, assumption, thought, presuming opinion.

Note: This is usually used with a possessive pronoun (suffix).

Uses:

"Ti hu ofresi hao nu chå sa' pine'lo-ku na ti ya-mu chå." = "I didn't offer you any tea because I thought you didn't like tea."
"Un chule'guan yo' ni lepblo-ku sa' pine'lo-mu na bai na'ayao hao." = "You took my book because you assumed I was going to lend it to you."
"Pine'lon-måmi na para un fåtto tåftåf gi egga'an." = "We presume that you will come early in the morning."

Palåbran 08/20/09: Toktok

2009-08-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

Toktok (TOK-tok): (verb) Hug, embrace, hold fast.

Uses:

"Ya-ña i nana tumoktok i famagu'on-ña." = "The mother likes to hug her children."
"I patgon ha toktok i nana-ña åntes malingu." = "The kid hugged his mother before he left."
"Umatoktok i dos." = "The two were hugging each other."

Palåbran 08/19/09: Chomma'

2009-08-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

Chomma' (CHOM-ma'): (verb) Forbid, prevent, impede, obstruct.

Uses:

"Ma chomma' i patgon gumimen setbesa." = "The forbid the kid to drink beer."
"Chomma' gue' malågu na u sulon." = "Prevent him from running so he doesn't slip."
"Måchomma' yo' humålom." = "I was forbidden to enter."

Palåbran 08/18/09: Fa'tinas

2009-08-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

Fa'tinas (fa'-TEE-nas): (verb) Cook, construct, create, invent, make, form, shape, build, fashion.

Note: This is also sometimes written/said fattinas.

Uses:

"Mama'titinas yo' kåddo." = "I am making soup."
"Håyi fuma'tinas?" = "Who made it?"
"Ha chule' i hayu ya ha fa'tinas i siya." = "He took the wood and made the chair."

Palåbran 08/17/09: Åttilong

2009-08-17T09:54:00.000-07:00

Åttilong (AHT-tee-long): (adjective) Black.

Uses:
"Håyi gai'iyo na åttilong na kåreta?" = "Who owns that black car?"
"Åttilong i mås maipe na kulot." = "Black is the hottest color."
"Åttilong i dagan i la'uya sa' dokngos." = "The bottom of the pot is black because it is burned."

Palåbran 08/14/09: Emmok

2009-08-14T09:41:00.000-07:00

Emmok (EM-muck): (verb) Avenge, get even.

Note: Topping's dictionary also says it means to "hide something until it ripens," but I have only ever heard the word nunok used like that. If you know emmok to be similar to nunok, please let me know.

Uses:

"Ha emmok si Juan i che'lu-ña para u aña." = "John got even with his brother by hitting him."
"Guåha na biåhi na må'emmok yo' gi eskuela." = "I've gotten picked on (someone got even with me) at school."
"Hu emmok hao, sa' un pañiti yo' nigap." = "I got revenge on you, because you hit me yesterday."

Leksion Chamoru: Prefix fa'-

2009-08-13T15:31:00.000-07:00

The prefix fa'- has two rather unique meanings. The first means "to change to." The second is similar, although markedly different, it means "to pretend," "make believe," or "feign." Here are some examples.

Fa'- = "to change to":

Maolek = good or well.
Fa'- + maolek => fa'maolek = to fix, repair, or make better.
Nå'an = name.
Fa'- + nå'an => fa'na'an = to nickname, to name, or to call someone by a name other than their own.
Dagi = to lie.
Fa'- + dagi => fa'dagi = to belie, to create a false impression, or to use as an excuse.

Fa'- = "to pretend to":

Bunita = beautiful (female)
Fa'- + bunita => fa'bunita = to pretend to be beautiful.
Guåha = to exist, to have.
Fa'- + guåha => fa'guaha = to pretend to have or to put on airs.
Måleffa = to be unable to recall.
Fa'- + måleffa => fa'maleffa = to pretend to forget.

This prefix leaves the primary stress of the root word intact. However, it does follow the rules of vowel harmony. All this means is that on most words we change the first vowel from å to a, from o to e, and from u to i.

Palåbran 08/13/09: Bira

2009-08-13T10:06:00.000-07:00

Bira (BEE-ra): (verb) Turn, revolve, rotate, invert, change, direction, divert, turnabout.

Uses:

"Bira i kareta, sa' esta abak hit." = "Turn the car around, because we're already lost."
"Bira i tininu-mu kåtne." = "Turn over the meat you are bbq'ing."
"Sisigi gue' bumira gi maigo'-ña." = "She keeps turning in her sleep."

Palåbran 08/12/09: Egga'

2009-08-12T09:44:00.000-07:00

Egga' (EGG-ga'): (verb) Watch, observe (as a spectator).

Uses:

"Para in fanegga' mubi lamo'na." = "We're going to watch a movie tonight."
"Kao guåha na un egga' Harry Potter?" = "Have you ever watched Harry Potter?"
"Bai hanao para i eskuelan sobrinu-hu ya bai egga' i presentasion-ña." = "I'm going to my nefew's school and watching his presentation."

Palåbran 08/11/09: Hinanom

2009-08-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

Hinanom (he-NA-nom): (adjective) Watery.

Uses:

"Hinanom i gimen-hu chå sa' lalago' i ais." = "My tea is watery, because the ice is melting."
"Kalan hinanom i kaddo' ya ti gof måtempla." = "The soup is sort of watery and not well seasoned."
"Ti nahong månha yan asukåt ya hinamon i åhu." = "There's not enough coconut and sugar, and the åhu (type of food) is watery."

Palåbran 08/10/09: Såtpe

2009-08-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

Såtpe (SUT-pee): (verb) Sprinkle.

Note: Topping's dictionary also says it means "sow," but it is sowing in the sense of sprinkling seeds. It also says it is a slang for "go ahead" or "o.k.," but I don't know how to use it that way. If you know it, let me know.

Uses:

"Hu såtpe i tinanom siha nu hånom kada dia." = "I sprinkle the plants with water every day."
"Adahi na un sinatpe ni laña." = "Careful you don't get splashed by the oil."
"Måloffan i kareta ya ha såtpe yo' ni fache'." = "The car passed by and sprayed (sprinkle) me with mud."

Palåbran 08/07/09: Gå'ga'

2009-08-07T09:46:00.000-07:00

Gå'ga' (GAH'-ga'): (noun) Animal, vermin, insect, beast, bug.

Uses:

"Chumochocho hao kalan gå'ga'." = "You eat like an animal."
"I ga'ga' ma chalapon i basula." = "The animals scattered the trash."
"Inakka' gue' ni ga'ga' gi tingho-ña." = "A bug bit his neck."

Palåbran 08/06/09: Å'påkå'

2009-08-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

Å'påka' (AH'-puh-ka'): (adjective) White, light-complexted skin.

Uses:

"Tinino' gue' ni semnak, sa' å'påka' låssås-ña." = "She got sun-burned, because she is light skinned."
"Håyi gai guma' å'påka' eyu?" = "Who owns that white house?"
"Å'påka' yan agaga' i chininå-ña." = "His shirt was white and red."