Sightseeing

1. Ng ngar er ker a Rock Islands?

   Ng ngar er ker a Rock Is-lands

   Where are the Rock Islands?

   Usage

   Ask directions to Palau's UNESCO World Heritage Rock Islands

   Grammar Note

   The frame for asking a location is "Ng ngar er ker a X?" (expression ngar ker = "where is it"). Rock Islands is the English name; in Palauan they are also called Chelbacheb

2. Ng tela a cheral a ticket?

   Ng te-la a che-ral a ti-cket

   How much is the ticket?

   Usage

   Ask the entrance fee for a tourist site or marine park

   Grammar Note

   The fixed frame for asking a price is "Ng tela a cheral ...?". "ticket" is borrowed from English

3. Ak sebechekel el orrurt er a photo er tiang?

   Ak se-be-che-kel el or-rurt er a pho-to er ti-ang

   Can I take a photo?

   Usage

   Ask permission to photograph at a tourist site or a bai (meetinghouse)

   Grammar Note

   The frame for asking permission is "Ak sebechekel el orrurt er a photo er tiang?". "photo" is borrowed from English

4. Ng tela el mile?

   Ng te-la el mi-le

   How many miles is it?

   Usage

   Ask the distance to a tourist attraction or dive site

   Grammar Note

   Quantity is asked with "Ng tela el ...?". English units like miles are commonly used in Palau

5. Ke merang a Belau! Ng kmal ngerang!

   Ke me-rang a Be-lau! Ng kmal nge-rang

   Palau is truly wonderful! It is very beautiful!

   Usage

   Express awe at Palau's stunning natural environment

   Grammar Note

   merang means "truly" or "really" in Palauan — a strong positive intensifier

6. Ng ngar er ker a guide?

   Ng ngar er ker a guide

   Where is the guide?

   Usage

   Ask for a guide at a dive shop or tourist tour in Palau

   Grammar Note

   The frame for asking a location is "Ng ngar er ker a X?" (expression ngar ker = "where is it"). guide is from English

7. Ng tela er a taem el open?

   Ng te-la er a taem el o-pen

   What time does it open?

   Usage

   Ask the opening time of a museum or tourist attraction

   Grammar Note

   open is from English; signage and guides at Palauan attractions are largely in English

8. Ng soak a map er a Belau.

   Ng so-ak a map er a Be-lau

   I would like a map of Palau.

   Usage

   Request a map of Palau at a visitor center or hotel

   Grammar Note

   A wish uses soak (the first-person possessive of sau "liking") with the subject marker ng; a following noun takes a (Ng soak a rodech. = "I would like fruit."). map is from English

9. Ng ngar er ngii a tour er tiang?

   Ng ngar er ngii a tour er ti-ang

   Is there a tour here?

   Usage

   Ask if a guided tour is available at a sight

   Grammar Note

   ngar er ngii is the existential expression "there is"; tour is from English

10. Ak di ungil el mo er a Chelbacheb.

    Ak di un-gil el mo er a Chel-ba-cheb

    I am glad I went to the Rock Islands.

    Usage

    Express happiness about having visited the Rock Islands

    Grammar Note

    Chelbacheb is the Palauan name for the Rock Islands; mo means to go (lmuut means "return / again", not "go")

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