Greetings

1. Alii

   A-lii

   Hello

   Usage

   A common greeting in Palauan, used in the Republic of Palau

   Grammar Note

   Palauan is a Western Micronesian language, one of the official languages of Palau

2. Ke kmal mesaul

   Ke kmal me-saul

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   The most common Palauan expression of gratitude

   Grammar Note

   "Mesaul" alone means thank you; adding "kmal" makes it more emphatic

3. Mechikung

   Me-chi-kung

   Goodbye

   Usage

   A common Palauan farewell expression

   Grammar Note

   Palauan has many Japanese loanwords due to Japanese colonial history; "sayonara" is also understood

4. Choi / Ng diak

   Choi / Ng di-ak

   Yes / No

   Usage

   Basic Palauan words for yes and no

   Grammar Note

   "Yes" is Choi. "No" is Ng diak (diak is the negative, "not / there is none"). Oui is French, not Palauan

5. Ungil tutau

   Un-gil tu-tau

   Good morning

   Usage

   The Palauan morning greeting — locals appreciate when visitors use it

   Grammar Note

   "Ungil" (good) is used for time-based greetings. "Ungil chodechosong" means good afternoon

6. Ungil chodechosong

   Un-gil cho-de-cho-song

   Good afternoon

   Usage

   The Palauan afternoon greeting using ungil (good)

   Grammar Note

   Palauan greetings change by time of day; ungil is the core adjective meaning "good"

7. Ng techa a ngklem?

   Ng te-cha a ngklem

   What is your name?

   Usage

   Standard phrase to ask someone's name when meeting for the first time

   Grammar Note

   ngklem is the second-person possessive of ngakl (name), "your name"

8. Ng di ungil.

   Ng di un-gil.

   I am fine.

   Usage

   Standard reply to "how are you?" in Palauan

   Grammar Note

   di means "just / only", not a "be" verb (the phrase says "just good", i.e. "doing fine"). ungil (good) is the most versatile positive adjective in Palauan

9. Ke mesulang

   Ke me-su-lang

   Thank you

   Usage

   The standard expression of thanks in Palauan

   Grammar Note

   ke mesulang is the everyday thanks in Palauan (Ke mesulang. = "Thanks. Informal."); ke kmal mesaul is a more emphatic version

10. Ungil klebesei

    Un-gil kle-be-sei

    Good evening

    Usage

    The Palauan evening greeting

    Grammar Note

    ungil klebesei means "good evening"; klebesei means evening or night in Palauan

11. Ng ngar er ker a benzio?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Essential Palauan phrase for asking where the bathroom is

    Grammar Note

    "Benzio" is a loanword from Japanese 便所; the euphemism "kekerei el blai" (little house) is also used. Chelsel means "inside", not "toilet"

12. Ak diak el melekoi a tekoi er a Belau

    I can't speak Palauan

    Usage

    Used to let someone know you cannot speak Palauan

    Grammar Note

    "diak el + verb" means "do not ...". melekoi means "speak; talk" (mesaod means "separate; explain", not "speak"). tekoi = word/language. Belau is the Palauan name for Palau

13. Bol uaisei

    Bol ua-i-sei

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Reply to "Sulang" (thank you)

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