Traveling with Kids

1. Ng techa a ngklem?

   ng te-CHA a NGKLEM

   What is your name?

   Usage

   Asking a child their name

   Grammar Note

   Palauan asks for a name with "techa" (who), so this is literally "who is your name?". The noun is "ngakl" (name) and "ngklem" is its 2nd-person possessed form (-m = your)

2. Ng tela a rekim?

   ng te-LA a re-KIM

   How old are you?

   Usage

   Asking how old a child is

   Grammar Note

   "Ng tela a X?" is the set frame for asking a quantity (example: Ng tela a rekim? = how old are you?). Rekim is the 2nd-person possessive of rak (age/year).

3. Ungil!

   u-NGIL

   Good! Well done!

   Usage

   A short exclamation to praise a child

   Grammar Note

   ungil can stand alone as an exclamation of praise

4. Ng soam a sukal?

   ng so-AM a su-KAL

   Do you want candy / a sweet?

   Usage

   Offering candy or a sweet treat to a child

   Grammar Note

   sukal means "sugar" but also refers to sweets in general

5. Ng ngar er ker a delam?

   ng ngar er ker a de-LAM

   Where is your mother?

   Usage

   Asking a lost child where their parent is

   Grammar Note

   The frame for asking where something is is "Ng ngar er ker a X?". delam is the 2nd-person possessive of "mother" (cf. delal = his/her mother): "your mother"

6. Lak lmangel

   LAK lmang-EL

   Don't cry

   Usage

   Comforting a crying child

   Grammar Note

   A prohibition is Lak + imperative (e.g. Lak mongerodech. = "Don't make noise."). lmangel means "to cry"

7. Ng ungil el sebechel

   ng u-NGIL el se-BE-chel

   That's very impressive / you're very capable

   Usage

   Praising a child's ability or action

   Grammar Note

   sebechel is a noun referring to one's capability or skill

8. Bo milil

   bo mi-LIL

   Let's play

   Usage

   Inviting a child to play

   Grammar Note

   bo + verb forms an invitation "let's do something"

9. Ng ultebochel a reng-el

   ng ul-te-BO-chel a reng-EL

   Don't worry / Be at peace

   Usage

   Reassuring a worried or anxious child

   Grammar Note

   reng is an important word meaning "heart / emotions"

10. Chelechad

    che-le-CHAD

    Together / Friendly (with others)

    Usage

    Encouraging children to play and be together nicely

    Grammar Note

    chelechad expresses social bonding and cooperation

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