Weather & Climate

1. A mekeald a eanged er a chelechang

   A me-keald a e-an-ged er a che-le-chang

   It's hot today, isn't it?

   Usage

   Common conversation opener about hot weather in Palau

   Grammar Note

   "Mekeald" is a stative verb (v.s. "warm; hot"; example Ng mera el mekeald! = "It is very hot!"). Hot weather is "mekeald a eanged" (the sky/weather is hot): the predicate comes first and the subject a eanged follows.

2. Ng chellang

   Ng chel-lang

   It looks like it will rain

   Usage

   Used when it looks like rain is coming

   Grammar Note

   "Chellang" is a form of chull (rain) meaning "is getting rainy" (v.s.inch.). "Ng" is the subject-agreement particle.

3. Ng mei a eolt

   Ng mei a e-olt

   A storm is approaching

   Usage

   Warning phrase when a typhoon or storm is approaching Palau

   Grammar Note

   Palauan is verb-initial (VOS). The preverbal particles ak / ke / ng carry subject agreement, and a full noun-phrase subject comes last — a eolt ("the storm") in this very card is that clause-final subject. An alternative analysis reads those particles as subject pronouns and puts the subject first, so the point is unsettled

4. A mekelekolt a eanged er a chelechang

   A me-ke-le-kolt a e-an-ged er a che-le-chang

   It's cool today, isn't it?

   Usage

   Express appreciation for a cool, comfortable day

   Grammar Note

   "Mekelekolt" is a stative verb (v.s. "cold, cool"). The weather is "mekelekolt a eanged" (the sky/weather is cool), with the predicate first. "Er a chelechang" means "today".

5. Ke meral ungil el omekodong er a eanged?

   Ke me-ral un-gil el o-me-ko-dong er a e-an-ged?

   Please tell me the weather forecast

   Usage

   Politely ask someone about the weather forecast

   Grammar Note

   "Ke meral ungil" is a polite preface for making requests

6. Ak kirel a sunscreen?

   Ak ki-rel a sunscreen?

   Do I need sunscreen?

   Usage

   Ask before going outdoors under the strong tropical sun

   Grammar Note

   The English loanword "sunscreen" is used directly. Palauan has many English influences

7. Ak kirel el melai a umbrella?

   Ak ki-rel el me-lai a umbrella?

   Should I bring an umbrella?

   Usage

   Check whether to bring an umbrella when rain might occur

   Grammar Note

   "Umbrella" is an English loanword. "Melai" is a transitive verb (v.t. "bring; take; get") meaning to bring or take along

8. Nget er a hong el belsechel a lomer?

   Nget er a hong el bel-se-chel a lo-mer?

   When is the dry season?

   Usage

   Ask about Palau's dry season (November–April)

   Grammar Note

   "Nget" is the question word for time. "Lomer" is the native Palauan word for dry season

9. Nget er a hong el belsechel a chull?

   Nget er a hong el bel-se-chel a chull?

   When is the rainy season?

   Usage

   Ask about Palau's rainy season (May–October)

   Grammar Note

   "Belsechel" means "season/time of" and combines with "a chull" (rain) for rainy season

10. Ng kmal merredes a cheos

    Ng kmal mer-re-des a che-os

    The sun is really strong

    Usage

    Describe the intense tropical sun in Palau

    Grammar Note

    "Merredes" is a stative verb (v.s. "(sun) burning"). "Kmal" intensifies it ("very"); the predicate kmal merredes comes first and the subject a cheos ("the sun") follows

11. chull

    Rain

    Usage

    For asking or telling about the weather; also means the rainy season

12. eolt

    Wind

    Usage

    Covers breeze through to typhoon

13. cheos

    Sun

    Usage

    For asking whether it is sunny

14. eabed

    Cloud

    Usage

    For asking whether it is cloudy

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