Ngerulmud
Nge-rul-mud
Usage
Capital city of Palau
Grammar Note
One of the least populous capital cities in the world
Koror
Ko-ror
Usage
Palau's largest city and former capital
Grammar Note
The commercial and tourism center of Palau
Rock Islands
Rock Is-lands
Usage
UNESCO World Heritage limestone islands of Palau
Grammar Note
Known as one of the world's premier diving destinations
Jellyfish Lake
Jelly-fish La-ke
Usage
A marine lake famous for its non-stinging jellyfish
Grammar Note
A popular snorkeling spot within Palau's Rock Islands
Peleliu
Pe-le-liu
Usage
Island known for fierce World War II battles
Grammar Note
Known for war relics and exceptional diving spots
Chelbacheb
Chel-ba-cheb
Chelbacheb (Rock Islands)
Usage
Palauan name for the Rock Islands — UNESCO World Heritage limestone islands
Grammar Note
World-class diving and snorkeling site; the iconic landscape of Palau
Ngchesar
Ngche-sar
Usage
State on the east coast of Babeldaob, Palau's main island. The capital Ngerulmud is in neighbouring Melekeok State, not here
Grammar Note
A state along the Compact Road. The Palau National Capitol stands at Ngerulmud in Melekeok State, not here
Babeldaob
Ba-bel-daob
Usage
Palau's largest island, featuring pristine wilderness and traditional villages
Grammar Note
daob means sea in Palauan; babeldaob is interpreted as "upper sea" or "great island"
Airai
Ai-rai
Usage
Southern state of Babeldaob with Palau's international airport
Grammar Note
Home to Palau International Airport and traditional bai (meetinghouses)
Ngardmau
Ngar-dmau
Usage
Northern Babeldaob state known for waterfalls and tropical rainforest
Grammar Note
Home to Ngardmau Waterfall, the largest waterfall in Palau
Belau
Be-lau
Palau (Belau)
Usage
The Palauan name of the country itself. The official English name is the Republic of Palau, and signs and passports read Palau; Palauan speakers say Belau
Grammar Note
On arrival the Palau Pledge is stamped into your passport across a full page and you are asked to sign it — a commitment to protect Palau's environment
Melekeok
Me-le-ke-ok
Usage
State on the east coast of Babeldaob. The national capital Ngerulmud is in this state; the state capital is Melekeok village
Grammar Note
About an hour from Koror by car on the Compact Road; ask for this state when heading to the National Capitol
Angaur
An-gaur
Usage
Palau's southernmost inhabited state — a small coral island about 11 km south of Peleliu. State capital is Ngaramasch village
Grammar Note
The Palauan form is Ngeaur; official documents and signs use Angaur. Reached only by the state boat from Koror (Malakal) or by light aircraft
Kayangel
Ka-yan-gel
Usage
Palau's northernmost state — a true coral atoll about 86 km north of Koror, with a population of only a few dozen
Grammar Note
The Palauan form is Ngcheangel. Reached by boat from Ollei at the north tip of Babeldaob, or from T-Dock in Koror
Aimeliik
Ai-me-liik
Usage
State in southwestern Babeldaob; state capital Mongami. One of the three states sharing the Ngaremeduu conservation area
Grammar Note
On the western arm of the Compact Road; stone paths and traditional village sites survive here
Ngaraard
Nga-raard
Usage
State in northeastern Babeldaob; state capital Ulimang. Long sand beaches run along its east coast
Grammar Note
On the eastern arm of the Compact Road, roughly 90 minutes by car from Koror
Ngarchelong
Ngar-che-long
Usage
State at the northern tip of Babeldaob; state capital Mengellang. Home to the Badrulchau megaliths and to Ollei dock for boats to Kayangel
Grammar Note
The northern end of the Compact Road, about two hours by car from Koror
Ngatpang
Ngat-pang
Usage
State on the west coast of Babeldaob; state capital Ngereklmadel. It fronts Ngaremeduu Bay
Grammar Note
Rivers and swamp forest inland; co-manages the Ngaremeduu conservation area with two neighbouring states
Ngeremlengui
Nge-rem-le-ngui
Usage
Largest state by area, on western Babeldaob; state capital Imeong. Home to the Ngermeskang Bird Sanctuary
Grammar Note
Also spelled Ngaremlengui. Mount Ngerchelchuus, Palau's highest point, sits on its border with Ngardmau
Ngiwal
Ngi-wal
Usage
State on the east coast of Babeldaob; state capital Ngerkeai. Immediately north of Melekeok
Grammar Note
A small state of under 300 people, about 20 minutes north of Ngerulmud on the eastern Compact Road
Sonsorol
Son-so-rol
Usage
State of scattered small islands about 300 km southwest of the main group — Sonsorol, Pulo Anna and Merir among them. Population only a few dozen
Grammar Note
No scheduled service — only an irregular state vessel. Residents speak Sonsorolese rather than Palauan
Hatohobei
Ha-to-ho-bei
Hatohobei (Tobi)
Usage
Palau's farthest southwest state — Tobi Island and Helen Reef, about 450 km southwest of Angaur. Population only a few dozen
Grammar Note
Not a place ordinary travellers can visit. Most of its people live in the Echang hamlet in Koror and speak Tobian
Roman Tmetuchl International Airport
Ro-man Tme-tuchl In-ter-na-ti-o-nal Air-port
Usage
Palau's only international airport (code ROR). It is in Airai state on southern Babeldaob, about 30 minutes by car from central Koror
Grammar Note
Formerly Palau International Airport, a name still used on some signs. At immigration the Palau Pledge is stamped into your passport and you are asked to sign it
Koror-Babeldaob Bridge
Ko-ror-Ba-bel-daob Brid-ge
Koror-Babeldaob Bridge (KB Bridge)
Usage
The only bridge linking Koror to Babeldaob. Every trip to the airport, the capital, or the Compact Road crosses it
Grammar Note
Its formal name is the Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge, opened in 2002; locally everyone says "KB Bridge"
Compact Road
Com-pact Ro-ad
Usage
The roughly 85 km paved road that rings Babeldaob — the single artery linking the island's ten states and the capital Ngerulmud
Grammar Note
There is almost no public transport — plan on a rental car or tour vehicle; the full loop takes half a day with stops
Malakal
Ma-la-kal
Usage
The port island of Koror state — Palau's only commercial harbour, most of the dive shops, and the dock for the state boats to Peleliu and Angaur
Grammar Note
The Palauan form is Ngemelachel. It is joined to Koror by a bridge, about ten minutes by car
T-Dock
Usage
One of Koror's boat landings, used by outer-island services including the Kayangel state boat
Grammar Note
Outer-island state boats are infrequent and times change — always confirm with the relevant state office before travelling
Kloulklubed
Kloul-klu-bed
Usage
The main village and state capital of Peleliu, in the island's north. Most islanders live here and the state boat from Koror lands here
Grammar Note
A Japanese base during the Second World War; the shell of a communications building still stands in the village
Ngaramasch
Nga-ra-masch
Usage
The village on the west side of Angaur that serves as state capital — its lodging, administration and boat landing
Grammar Note
Sometimes spelled Ngeremasch. There are almost no shops on the island — bring food and cash from Koror
Angaur Airstrip
An-gaur Airst-rip
Usage
The airstrip on Angaur, built by US forces in 1944 and now used only occasionally by light aircraft
Grammar Note
There are no scheduled flights; the island is normally reached by the state boat from Koror (Malakal)
Peleliu Airfield
Pe-le-liu Air-fi-eld
Usage
The airstrip in southern Peleliu, built by Japanese forces and the objective of the 1944 fighting. Its runway surface is still there
Grammar Note
No scheduled flights; it is visited as part of the island tour, with wartime structures scattered nearby
Ollei
Ol-lei
Usage
A fishing village in Ngarchelong at the north tip of Babeldaob, with a long pier where boats leave for Kayangel atoll
Grammar Note
About two hours by car from Koror; name this village to your driver if you are heading for Kayangel
Ngerekebesang
Nge-re-ke-be-sang
Ngerekebesang (Arakabesan)
Usage
An island joined to Koror by bridge to the northwest, holding the villages of Meyuns, Echang and Ngerekebesang, plus several hotels
Grammar Note
Also called Arakabesan, from the Japanese-era name. The president's office stood here until 2006
Meyuns
Me-yuns
Usage
A village on Ngerekebesang island, just across the bridge from central Koror, with housing and a school
Grammar Note
A name used in taxi directions; under ten minutes by car from central Koror
Echang
E-chang
Usage
A village on Ngerekebesang island and home to the community from the Southwest Islands (Sonsorol and Hatohobei), where languages other than Palauan are spoken
Grammar Note
Most Southwest Islanders actually live here — a starting point if you want to learn about those islands' culture
Ngerbeched
Nger-be-ched
Usage
The hamlet that serves as Koror state's capital, part of the built-up area of Koror island
Grammar Note
Koror town is divided into named hamlets such as Ngerbeched and Ngerchemai; the names appear in addresses and directions
Ngermid
Nger-mid
Usage
A hamlet in eastern Koror island, on the way to the KB Bridge and facing the bay
Grammar Note
Traffic heading for the airport or Babeldaob passes through here; the name is used in directions
Ngerusar
Nge-ru-sar
Usage
The village serving as capital of Airai state, in the same state as the international airport, where the state government offices are
Grammar Note
Airai occupies the southern end of Babeldaob, immediately across the KB Bridge
Palau National Capitol
Pa-lau Na-ti-o-nal Ca-pi-tol
Usage
The government complex at Ngerulmud in Melekeok state, built when the capital moved from Koror in 2006
Grammar Note
A domed building on a hilltop with no town around it; about an hour by car from Koror
Ngardmau Waterfall
Ngar-dmau Waterfall
Usage
Palau's largest waterfall, in Ngardmau state on northern Babeldaob, and reckoned the tallest in Micronesia
Grammar Note
Protected since 2005 as the "Taki" conservation area. The walk in goes through forest, so wear shoes you don't mind soaking
Ngerchelchuus
Nger-chel-chuus
Mount Ngerchelchuus
Usage
Palau's highest point at 242 m, on the border of Ngardmau and Ngeremlengui states on Babeldaob
Grammar Note
The source of the Ngardmau waterfall. There is no maintained trail — go with a local guide
Badrulchau
Ba-drul-chau
Usage
The megalith site in Ngarchelong at the north end of Babeldaob — rows of ancient basalt stone pillars on a hillside overlooking the sea
Grammar Note
Tradition holds the pillars supported a bai (traditional meeting house). Listed on the Palau Register of Historic Places in 1989
Airai Bai
Ai-rai Bai
Usage
The oldest surviving bai (men's meeting house) in Palau, in Airai state — over a century old, about 21 m long with a steep roof some 12 m high
Grammar Note
Close to the airport and easy to combine with a Koror run. Visits are managed by the state and carry a fee
Ngaremeduu
Nga-re-me-duu
Ngaremeduu Conservation Area
Usage
A conservation area of estuary and mangrove on Babeldaob's west coast, spanning the states of Aimeliik, Ngatpang and Ngeremlengui
Grammar Note
Protected since 1999 and designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2005; usually visited by kayak or boat tour
Ngermeskang
Nger-mes-kang
Ngermeskang Bird Sanctuary
Usage
A forest reserve in Ngeremlengui state, established in 2008, whose swamp and hill forest hold birds endemic to Palau
Grammar Note
Part of Palau's Protected Areas Network. Trails are maintained by state conservation officers and walked with a guide
Ngerukewid
Nge-ru-ke-wid
Ngerukewid Islands (Seventy Islands)
Usage
A group of 37 small islands within Koror state's Rock Islands. Palau's first protected area, set up in 1956, and entirely closed to entry
Grammar Note
Also spelled Ngerukeuid. Landing and fishing are banned; it can only be seen from a scenic flight or at a distance from the water
Belau National Museum
Be-lau Na-ti-o-nal Mu-se-um
Usage
Palau's national museum in Koror, opened in 1955 and the oldest in Micronesia. A reconstructed bai stands on its grounds
Grammar Note
The museum uses the Palauan Belau in its name rather than the English Palau
Etpison Museum
Et-pi-son Mu-se-um
Usage
A private museum in central Koror, opened in 1999, with strong displays and photographs on Palauan history, culture and life at sea
Grammar Note
Visiting it together with the national museum gives a rounded picture of Palau's history
Palau International Coral Reef Center
Pa-lau In-ter-na-ti-o-nal Co-ral Reef Cen-ter
Usage
A coral reef research institute in Koror whose attached aquarium is open to the public
Grammar Note
Known as PICRC. A good option for non-divers in your party or for a rainy day
Milky Way
Usage
An inlet in the Rock Islands where white limestone mud on the bottom turns the water milky; known for the mud packs visitors use
Grammar Note
A Koror State Rock Islands permit is required to be in these waters; tour operators usually arrange it, but confirm it is included
Blue Corner
Blu-e Cor-ner
Usage
Palau's signature dive site, off the northwest end of Ngemelis island southwest of Koror — a drift dive in strong current
Grammar Note
Strong current, for experienced divers. It lies in the Rock Islands, so a Koror State permit is required
Blue Holes
Blu-e Ho-les
Usage
A dive site at Ngemelis island — a large cavern lit by shafts of light through four holes in its roof
Grammar Note
Usually dived on the same trip as Blue Corner. A Rock Islands permit is required
German Channel
Ger-man Chan-nel
Usage
A cut through the reef in the southern Rock Islands, known for the cleaning station where manta rays gather
Grammar Note
Named for the channel blasted through the reef in the German era for phosphate shipping. A Rock Islands permit is required
Ulong
U-long
Usage
An island in the western Rock Islands with a beach and rock art; the adjoining Ulong Channel is a favourite drift dive
Grammar Note
Often used as the lunch stop on day tours. A Rock Islands permit is required
Ngemelis
Nge-me-lis
Ngemelis Islands
Usage
A group of islands in the southwestern Rock Islands; Blue Corner, Blue Holes and Big Drop-off all lie around it
Grammar Note
The name you will hear on the dive boat as the destination. A Rock Islands permit is required
Chandelier Cave
Chan-de-li-er Ca-ve
Usage
An underwater limestone cave near Koror with five air chambers and stalactites hanging from the ceiling
Grammar Note
Very close to the Malakal dive shops and divable in poor weather. It is a cave dive — a guide is essential
Big Drop-off
Usage
A sheer wall along Ngemelis island — a wall dive where the shallow reef edge drops straight into deep water
Grammar Note
Also called Ngemelis Wall. A Rock Islands permit is required
Helen Reef
He-len Reef
Usage
A large atoll belonging to Hatohobei state — some 25 km long but with almost no dry land; an uninhabited protected area
Grammar Note
There is no public transport there. It is cited as a symbol of Palau's marine conservation
Tobi
To-bi
Usage
Palau's farthest southwest inhabited island and the centre of Hatohobei state, about 450 km southwest of Angaur
Grammar Note
The island's name is used alongside the state name Hatohobei; its people speak Tobian, not Palauan
Umurbrogol
U-mur-bro-gol
Umurbrogol (Bloody Nose Ridge)
Usage
The limestone ridge in central Peleliu. It was the main ground of the fighting that began in September 1944 and lasted 73 days, and several hundred caves used by Japanese forces remain
Grammar Note
US forces called it Bloody Nose Ridge. Steps lead to a lookout and memorial at the top
Orange Beach
O-ran-ge Be-ach
Usage
The beach on Peleliu's southwest shore where US Marines landed on 15 September 1944, just southwest of the airfield
Grammar Note
The name comes from the colour codes used for the landing beaches. Wreckage and memorials stand along the shore
Thousand Man Cave
Thou-sand Man Ca-ve
Usage
A large cave in northern Peleliu — a Japanese underground position with several entrances and interconnecting tunnels
Grammar Note
Dark and uneven inside — do not enter without a light and a guide
Peleliu World War II Memorial Museum
Pe-le-liu World War II Me-mo-ri-al Mu-se-um
Usage
The museum on Peleliu, housed in a building that served as a wartime dispensary, displaying photographs, weapons and uniforms
Grammar Note
Visiting first helps you place the island's sites; opening days are limited, so check ahead
Angaur Lighthouse
An-gaur Light-hou-se
Usage
The remains of a Japanese-era lighthouse on Angaur — a concrete stub reached by a short scramble up coral rock
Grammar Note
Built in the 1930s. The footing is rough, so wear proper shoes
Angaur Phosphate Mine
An-gaur Phosp-ha-te Mi-ne
Usage
The phosphate workings on Angaur — cut terraces and quarries spread across the island's interior
Grammar Note
Begun under the German administration and expanded under the Japanese; traces of the narrow-gauge mining railway and concrete structures survive
More Palauan phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Flirting
- Nightlife
- Massage & Spa
- Compliments
- Contacts & SNS
- Beach & Activities
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
- Pharmacy & Health
- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
- Internet & WiFi
- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
- Sports & Activities
- Public Transport
- Accommodation
- Banking & ATM
- Visa & Immigration
- Business & Work
- School & Education
- Cooking & Markets
- Music & Entertainment
- Art & Museums
- Festivals & Events
- Photography
- Laundry
- Post Office
- Language Learning
- Dating & Romance
- Dating Apps
- Volunteering
- Accessibility
- Sustainability & Eco
- Fruits
- Colors
- Dietary & Allergies
- Markets & Souvenirs
- Wine & Spirits
- Car Rental & Driving
- Time & Dates
- Hiking & Trekking
- Diving & Water Sports
- Skiing & Winter Sports
- Hot Springs & Baths
- Yoga & Wellness
- Casino & Gambling
- Beauty & Grooming
- Remote Work
- Fashion & Clothing
- Convenience Store
- Martial Arts
- Signs
- Body Parts
- Animals
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences