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."

Pålåbran 03/24/10: Atanon

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

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

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

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'

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."