A GRAMMAR OF THE
MOTU LANGUAGE
Percy
Rev, R. USTHR«TURHER,':'H.A.,
r,d'-R«v. J. B.CL/,
PURCHASED FOR THE
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY
FROM THE
CANADA COUNCIL SPECIAL GRANT
FOR
LINGUISTICS
1968
1 Grummur of (lie
MOTU LANGUAGE
OF PAPUA
BY
Rev. R. LISTER-TURNER, MA., F.R.G.S.,
and
Rev. J. B. CLARK.
2nd EDITION
Edited by
Percy Chatterton, L.C.P.
Wholly set up and printed in Australia by
A. H. PETTIFER. GOVERNMENT PRIXTF.R
SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES.
*46120— 1 A
EDITOR'S NOTE
The Motu language is spoken by the Motu tribe, living along
the coast from Manumanu to Gabagaba (Kapakapa) in the Central
Division of Papua. It is also widely used, in a " pidgin " form
known as " Police Motu," as a lingua franca among natives of
other tribes. There are considerable local differences in vocabu-
lary and pronunciation, but the speech of the people of Poreporena,
in Port Moresby Harbour, may be taken as the normal.
Motu was reduced to written form, and the foundations of its
study laid, by Dr. W. G. Lawes, during the last quarter of the
nineteenth century; and the "Third and Enlarged Edition" of
his "Grammar and Vocabulary" was published in the last decade
of that century.
During the first quarter of the present century our knowledge
of Motu was greatly imcreased as a result of the labours of Revs.
R. Lister-Turner and J. B. Clark, and their " Revised Motu
Grammar and Vocabulary," while based on Dr. Lawes' Grammar,
is very much more than a new edition of that book.
The ''Revised Motu Grammar and Vocabulary" has now
been out of print for some years, and, in reprinting it, it has been
decided to issue it in two parts, of which this "Grammar" is the
first. The task of the present editor has been to rearrange Messrs.
Turner and Clark's material in order to make the book more helpful
to the beginner, without, it is hoped, detracting from its value to
the advanced student and the philologist. A few changes have been
made in the grammatical nomenclature ; and a preliminary chapter
on grammatical terms has been written to help those whose
knowledge of English Grammar is rusty.
Beginners are advised thoroughly to assimilate those parts of
the Grammar printed in large type before proceeding to the study
of the matter in small type.
Two Dictionaries will be available for use in conjunction with
this Grammar. The larger will be a reprint, with a few additions, of
the very comprehensive vocabulary which formed the second part
of Messrs. Turner and Clark's book. The second and smaller,
entitled "A Basic Motu Dictionary," comprises a specially selected
vocabulary of approximately 1,000 common words, for the use of
beginners.
In conchision, I should like to express my appreciation of the
enterprise of the Education Department of the Papua-New Guinea
Administration, whicji has made possible the publication of these
books.
P. C.
Preliminary Notes on Grammatical Terms
Grammar has been aptly described by a modern writer as " the
rules of the game of language." It is usually divided into two parts : —
(1) Rules about words — :the Parts of Speech.
(2) Rules for putting the words together to make sentences —
Syntax.
While this division is convenient for purposes of s ady, it mu-r
be remembered that the real unit of language is the sentence. Words
(except for a few interrogatives and exclamations, and words such as
" yes " and " no ") only begin to mean something when they are
combined with other words to form sentences. The problem which
faces anyone who starts out to reduce to writing, and study for the first
time, a native language such as Motu is not to combine words to form
sentences, but to split up sentences to form words, and then to discover
what part each of those words plays in the sentence. He is, in effect,
like a man, who, with no previous knowledge of the game of football,
goes to a football match and tries to deduce the rules by watching the
behaviour of the players. Fortunately, in the case of Motu, this work
has been done for us very thoroughly and ably by Messrs. Lawes, Turner
and Clark.
The Parts of Speech.
Words are sorted by grammarians into eight classes which are called
the Parts of Speech.
1. NOUNS. A noun is the name of anything; e.g., boy, canoe,
strength. (We call " strength " an abstract noun.)
2. PRONOUNS. A pronoun is a word used instead of a noun:
e.g., I, you, they, who, that.
3. ADJECTIVES. An adjective is a word joined to a noun to
limit its application; e.g., good, many.
4. VERBS. A verb is a word by means of which we make a
statement, ask a question, or give a command; e.g., run,
see.
5. ADVERBS. An adverb is a word joined to a verb, adjective,
or other adverb, to qualify its meaning; e.g., slowly, very.
6. PREPOSITIONS. A preposition is a word joined with,
and generally placed before, a noun or pronoun, so that the
preposition together with the noun or pronoun forms a
phrase equivalent in meaning to an adjective or adverb ;
e.g., in, on, with.
(Note. — In Motu, prepositions are replaced by " post-
positions," which come after the noun instead of before
it.)
7. CONJUNCTIONS. A conjunction is a word that joins
together sentences, clauses, phrases or words; e.g., and,
but, until.
8. INTERJECTIONS. An interjection is a word that expresses
a feeling of the mind; e.g., oh! alas!
It is important to remember that words are allocated to one or
other of these classes according to the work that they do in a sentence,
5
and the same word may be, for example, an adverb in one sentence and a
conjunction in another. This is true of English, and it is still more true
of Motu, in which the grammarian's compartments are even less word-
tight than in English.
Number and Person.
Many "-ords change their form according to whether they refer
to one perso or thing or to more than one. The form which refers to
one only is s id to be in the SINGULAR NUMBER, while that which
refers to more than one is said to be in the PLURAL NUMBER;
e.g., axe, singular;
axes, plural.
Some words also change their form according to the person or persons
they refer to. Grammar distinguishes between : —
FIRST PERSON. The person speaking; I, we;
SECOND PERSON. The person spoken to ; you;
THIRD PERSON. The person or thing spoken about; he,
she, it, they.
Sentences.
A sentence is a group of words expressing a statement, command,
or question. Every sentence must contain a SUBJECT (generally a
noun or pronoun) and a PREDICATE (which always includes a verb
and may include an OBJECT).
A sentence that contains one subject and one predicate is called a
SIMPLE SENTENCE.
The following four type sentences will make the matter clearer :—
(1) Subject and Verb :
e.g., The boy ran.
(2) Subject, Verb, Object :
e.g., The man hit the boy.
(3) Subject, Verb, two Objects :
e.g., The man gave the boy a book.
(In this sentence we call " book " the DIRECT OBJECT
and " boy " the INDIRECT OBJECT. The Indirect
Object can always be identified as being the one in front
of which we can place to word " to ").
(4) Subject, Auxiliary Verb, Predicate Adjective or Noun :
e.g., The boy is happy.
The boy is a rascal.
Verbs.
A verb which requires an object to complete its meaning is called a
TRANSITIVE VERB; e.g., hit.
A verb the meaning of which is complete without an object is called
an INTRANSITIVE VERB; e.g., ran.
An AUXILIARY VERB is a verb that is used as an aid to another
verb to extend its meaning. In this book the verb " to be," which is
really no more than a link between subject and predicate, is, for
simplicity, included under this head.
An IMPERSONAL VERB is one that can only be used in the third
person; e.g., to rain.
Verbs have four moods : —
INDICATIVE MOOD. Expressing a plain statement of fact,
or a direct question.
IMPERATIVE MOOD. Expressing a command or prohibition.
SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD. Expressing a supposition, condition
or wish.
INFINITIVE MOOD. Not limited to any particular subject,
and therefore not able to form the predicate of a sentence.
In English this form of the verb is always preceded by the
word " to " ; e.g., to stand, to make.
In each of these moods, the form of the verb may vary to indicate
TENSE, i.e., whether past, present or future time is referred to.
Verbs may be either ACTIVE or PASSIVE. An Active verb is one
the subject of which does something;
e.g., The man hit the boy.
A Passive verb is one the subject of which has something done to
it (or him) ;
e.g., The boy was hit by the man.
Phrases and Clauses.
A group of words which, as a group, forms the equivalent of a noun,
adjective or adverb, but which has not a subject and predicate of its
own, is called a PHRASE ;
e.g., the Administrator of Papua;
at a meeting of villagers.
A group of words which, as a group, forms the equivalent of a noun,
adjective or adverb, and which has a subject and predicate of its own,
is called a SUBORDINATE CLAUSE ;
e.g., when you come.
Compound and Complex Sentences.
A COMPOUND SENTENCE consists of two or more clauses, each
of which would make sense if spoken or written as an independent simple
sentence. These clauses are called CO-ORDINATE CLAUSES, and
they are linked together by Conjunctions which are called CO-ORDINATE
CONJUNCTIONS;
e.g., . You go this way and I will go that way.
'A COMPLEX SENTENCE consists of one PRINCIPAL CLAUSE,
which could stand by itself as a simple sentence, linked with one or more
SUBORDINATE CLAUSES, which would not make sense if left to
stand alone. The subordinate clauses may be linked to the principal
clause either by a SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTION or by some other
part of speech, such as an adverb or a pronoun;
e.g., I will give you the book that you want when you come.
Principal clause : I will give you the book.
Subordinate clauses : that you want ;
when you come.
Idioms.
Words are inclined to be unruly things. Sentences in which they
break the rules, or in which they mean something different from what
we should logically expect them to mean, are called IDIOMS. At least,
that is what the word " idiom " should mean. But those who write
books about foreign languages often use the word more loosely to include
also sentences in which the words, though obeying their own rules,
behave very differently from the way they would if they obeyed the
rules of the mother-tongue of the writer of the book and those he is writing
for. This use of the word is quite unreasonable, since we have no right
at all to expect that the words of one language should obey the rules of
another; but, in practice, it is rather convenient, because it is just those
sentences in which the words behave differently from the way they would
behave in the student's own language which need to be singled out for
special attention and study.
PART 1
THE PARTS OF SPEECH
I. THE ALPHABET.
Motu has been reduced to writing by means of an alphabet of
19 letters. These are : a, e, i, o, u, b, d, g, g, h, k, 1, m, n, p, r. s,
t, v. There are also two compound letters : kw and irw.
The VOWELS have the " continental " sounds, and each may be
either long or short, i.e. : —
a as in " at " or as in " father " ;
e as in " met " or as " a " in " mate " ;
i as in " it " or as " ee " in " meet " ;
o as in " on " or as in " tone " ;
u as in '' put " or as " oo " in " tooth."
The CONSONANTS are pronounced as in English, except for g, which
bears the same relationship to ordinary g that the Scottish " ch " (as
in " loch ") does to k. The pronunciation of this consonant can best
be acquired by getting a Motuan to pronounce the common Motu word
gau (thing), and imitating his pronunciation.
r also differs slightly from English r, as it is not rolled, but approxi-
mates to j in the Phonetic script.
There are many DIPHTHONGS, e.g., ae, ai, ao, au, ei, eu, oe, oi, ou.
The pronunciation of these can be found by blending the long values
of the constituent vowels. Southern English and Australian speakers
must distinguish carefully between long e and ei, and between long o
and ou. Northern English and Scottish speakers will not have any
difficulty in doing so.
No two consonants ever stand together, and there are therefore no
closed syllables.
In speaking, when a word ending in a is followed by a word beginning
in a or e, the first a is elided,
e.g. vada e abia to vade abia.
There is one important exception to this rule of elision, and this
will be dealt with in due course.
There is no fixed rule for Accent or Stress. Usually it is on the
penultimate (i.e., the last syllable but one), but the exceptions are
numerous, and can be learned only by listening to the conversation of
Motu people. Motu is a less strongly accented language than. English,
and beginners should endeavour to pronounce it as smoothly and evenly
as possible.
The accent may aft'ect the number of a very few nouns,
e.g., hahine, woman : hahine, women,
kekeni, girl ; k6keni, girls
9
10 Motu Grammar.
2. THE PERSONAL PRONOUN.
(a) Nominative
(when the pronoun is the subject of the sentence).
Singular. Plural.
1st person lau, I ita, we (inclusive)
ai, we (exclusive)
2nd person oi, thou umui, you
3rd person ia, he, she, it idia, they.
The distinction between ita and ai is very important and must be
thoroughly understood. An example will help to make it clear. Let us
suppose that two Papuans find themselves with nothing to eat. We will
call them A and B. A says to B, " We have no food. C probably has
some. Let us go and ask him to give us some." So they go to C, and
A says to C, " We have no food. Will you give us some ? "
When A says to B, " We have no food," he means, " You and I have
no food." This is " inclusive " (it includes the person spoken to), and
in Motu A would say ita for " we."
When A says to C, " We have no food," he means, " B and I have
no food." This is " exclusive " (it excludes the person spoken to), and
in Motu A would say ai for " we."
(b) Accusative.
(when the pronoun is the object of the sentence).
These pronouns take the form of suffixes to the verb.
Singular. Plural.
1st -£U, nie -da, us (inclusive)
-mai, us (exclusive)
2nd -mu, thee -mui, you
3rd -a, him, her, it -dia, them
(-ia when the verb
ends in a).
Examples : ia e ita-gu, he saw me ;
lau na bota-ia, I hit him (or, unchivalrously, her) ;
oi o utu-a, you cut it.
(c) Possessive.
Singular. Plural.
1st lau-egu, mine iseda, ours (inclusive)
ai-emai, ours (exclusive)
2nd ci-emu, thine umui-emui, yours
3rd iena, his, hers, its idia-edia, theirs.
Note. — For all kinds of food, a replaces e in the above table, thus,
lau-agu, oi-amu, iana, etc.
1st
2nd
3rd
Motu
(d) Reflexive.
11
Singular.
sibogu, myself
sibomu, thyself
sibona, himself, etc.
Plural.
siboda, ourselves (incl.)
sibomai, ourselves (excl.)
sibomui, yourselves
sibodia, themselves.
3. THE VERB.
In Motu, the verb-base itself does not alter, but mood, tense, person
and number are expressed by particles and suffixes. These are, for
convenience of reference, set out in tabular form hereunder; but it is
important to note that they cannot stand alone, but only in conjunction
with a verb.
Particles, Present and Past : —
Singular.
1st na
2nd o
3rd e
Particles, Present and Past, Negative
Singular.
1st asina
2nd
3rd
to or asio
se or asine
Particles, Future : —
Singular.
1st baina
2nd
3rd
ba
baine
Plural.
ta (incl.)
a (excl.)
o
e
Plural.
asita (incl.)
asia (excl.)
asio
asie.
Plural.
baita (incl.)
baia (excl.)
ba
bae.
Notes. — (1) To indicate immediate future the b is dropped and
the particles become : aina, a, aine, aita, aia, a, ae.
(2) When the second person particle ba (or a) is followed by a verb
beginning with a, the two a's are not elided, as in other similar cases,
but a v is inserted ;
e.g., ba atoa becomes bavatoa.
This is the exception to the general rule of elision referred to in Section 1 .
(3) The 2nd and 3rd person Future particles are also used as
Imperative particles.
12 Motu Grammar.
Particles, Future, Negative :—
Singular. Plural.
1st basina basita (incl.)
basia (excl.)
2nd basio basic
3rd basine basic
Note. — As in the positive, the 2nd and 3rd person particles are also
used as Imperative particles.
Particles, Conditional : —
Singular. . Plural.
1st bama baitama (incl.)
baiama (excl.)
2nd boma boma
3rd bema bema.
Particles, Conditional, Negative : —
Singular. Plural.
1st basinama basitama (incl.)
basiama (excl.)
2nd basioma basioma
3rd basinema basiema.
Note. — The use of the Particles renders the Personal Pronouns
redundant, and the latter are not generally used unless special emphasis
is intended.
The use of these PARTICLES constitutes the chief difference between
the Motu of the Motuans and " police " Motuan. They are the backbone
of the language, and anyone who wishes to understand and speak the
real language, as opposed to its " pidgin " variety, must set himself to the
task of learning them.
Suffixes :—
There are two verbal suffixes,
-va, indicating continuous action in the past ;
-mu, indicating continuous action on the present.
These are suffixed to the verb-base, and, in the case of transitive verbs,
follow the accusative-pronoun suffix ;
e.g., kara, to make or to do ;
e kara-ia-va, he was doing it (or making it) :
e kara-ia-mu, he is doing it (or making it).
They follow also the final part of a compound verb,
e.g. e lalo-a-tao-mu ;
e ato-a-hata-va ;
and even adverbs of manner,
e.g. e gwau-heni-gu dikadika-va.
Sometimes -mua is used instead of -mil, either for euphony, or in answer to a
question, or when a thing happens at a distance.
Conjugation of Verbs.
To illustrate the way in which the above-listed particles and suffixes
are used, two verbs will be used, one intransitive and one transitive.
They are: —
Intransitive : gini, to stand.
Transitive : kara-ia, to make or to do.
For brevity the meaning " to do " will be used throughout.
Mi it ii
A. Indicative Mood.
I >t!ll|ll
thou standest
h«« stands, she stands, it stands
we stand (inclusive)
we stand (exclusive)
you stand
they stand.
I do it
thou doest it
he does it, etc.
we do it (inclusive)
we do it (exclusive)
you do it
they 'do it.
I do not stand
thou dost not stand
he does not stand, etc.
we do not stand (inclusive)
we do not stand (exclusive)
you do not stand
they do not stand.
I do not do it
1. Simple Present : —
(lau) na gini,
(oi) o gini,
(ia) e gini,
(ita) ta gini,
(ai) a gini,
(umui) o gini,
(idia) e gini,
Similarly : —
na karaia,
o karaia,
e karaia,
ta karaia,
a karaia,
o karaia,
e karaia,
In the Negative : —
asina gini,
to gini,
se gini,
asita gini,
asia gini,
asio gini,
asie gini,
Similarly : —
asina karaia,
etc.
Editor's Note. — This, the simplest of all the tenses in Motu, is given by Turner and
Clark as a past tense ; but I think that Dr. Lawes was right in regarding it as applicable
to both present and past. In this connection it is interesting to note that the cognate
language of Roro (spoken in the Yule Island district) has two sets of particles where
Motu has only one. In the singular they are : Present, na, no, ne ; Past, a, o, e. As
Turner and Clark point out, there is evidence of an obsolete particle ne behind the negative
particle asine ; and it looks as if the present Motu particles are a corruption of what were
originally two distinct series.
2. Continuous Present : —
I am standing
1st na ginimu
2nd
3rd
o ginimu
e ginimu
ta ginimu (incl.)
a ginimu (excl.)
o ginimu
e ginimu.
1 [ Motu Grammar.
Similarly : —
na karaiamu, I am doing it
etc.
In the negative : —
asina gin mu I am not standing
etc.,
and
asina karaiamu I am not doing it
etc.
3. Immediate Present : —
Lau ina gini, I am standing here now
Oi ena gini, thou art standing there now
la ina (or una) gini he is standing here (or there) now
Ita ini gigini, we are standing here now (incl.)
Ai ini gigini, we are standing here now (excl.)
Umui ene gigini, you are standing there now
Idia ini (or unu) gigini they are standing here (or there) now.
The plural of this tense frequently drops the demonstrative and becomes : ita gigini,
ai gigini, umui gigini, idia gigini ; but the demonstrative is always understood. The
singular never drops it.
This construction applies only to intransitive verbs and to adjectives used as
predicates. In the plural, the first syllable is always duplicated, e.g., mamahata, sleep;
raraka, walk; hehekure, lie down; memetau, heavy; kukurokuro, white; nanamo
heherea, very good.
Transitive verbs express the same tense as follows : —
Ina na karaimu, I am doing it here now
Ena 0 karaiamu, thou art doing it there now
Una e karaiamu, he is doing it there now
Ini ta karaiamu, we are doing it here now (incl.)
Ini a karaiamu, we are doing it here now (excl.)
Ene 0 karaiamu, you are doing it there now
Unu e karaiamu, they are doing it there now.
4. Perfect Present: —
This is formed by placing the invariable particle vada in front of the Continuous
Present.
Vada na ginimu, I have stood (and I still standing)
etc.
Similarly: —
Vada na karaiamu, I have done it (and am still doing it)
etc.
The particle vada remains unchanged throughout all three persons in both singular and
plural. This tense is generally used in answering a question. Vada also adds the sense
of cessation of doubt.
5. Perfect Continuous Present : —
Lau doini gini, I have been (and am still) standing
Oi doene gini, thou hast been standing
la dounu gini, he has been standing
Ita doini gigini, we have been standing (incl. )
Ai doini gigini, we have been standing (excl.)
Umui doene gigini, you have been standing
Idia dounu gigini, they have been standing.
Modi d ni in imir. 1")
For transitive verbs : —
Doini na karaiamu, I have been (and am still) doing it
Doene o karaiamu, them hast been doingjit
Dounu e karaiamu, he has been doing it
Doini ta karaiamu, we have been doing it (i n< •!.)
Doini a karaimu, we have been doing it (excl.)
Doene o karaiamu, you have been doing it
Dounu e karaiamu, they have been doing it.
Intransitive forms may also follow the transitive usage instead of the one peculiar to
themselves, thus : —
Doini na ginimu, I have been (and am still) standing
etc.
6. Simple Past :—
I stood
1st na gini ta gini (ind.)
a gini (excl.)
2nd o gini o gini
3rd e gini e gini.
Similarly : —
na karaia, I did it
etc.
In the Negative : —
I did not stand
1st asina gini asita gini (incl.)
asia gini (excl.)
2nd to gini asio gini
3rd se gini asie gini.
Similarly : —
asina karaia, I did not do it
etc.
Note, — This tense has the same form as the Simple Present.
7. Continuous Past : —
I was standing
1st na giniva ta giniva (incl.)
a giniva (excl.)
2nd o giniva o giniva
3rd e giniva e giniva.
Similarly : —
na karaiava, I was doing it
ere.
16 \Io1u, Grammar.
In tne negative : —
asina giniva, I was not standing
etc.
and
asina karaiava, I was not doing it
etc.
8. Perfect Past :—
Vada na gini, I have stood (once only), or I had stood
etc.
Similarly : —
Vada na karaia, I have done it (once only), or I had done
it
etc.
9. Perfect Continuous Past : —
Vada na giniva, I had been standing
etc.
Similarly : — •
Vada na karaiava, I had been doing it
etc.
10. Simple Future :—
I shall stand
1st baina gini baita gini (incl.)
baia gini (excl.)
2nd ba gini ba gini
3rd baine gini bae gini
Similarly : —
baina" karaia, I shall do it
etc.
In the negative : —
I shall not stand
1st basina gini basita gini (incl.)
basia gini (excl.)
2nd basio gini basic gini
3rd basine gini basie gini.
Similarly : —
basina karaia, I shall not do it
etc.
11. Near Future :—
This is formed from the Simple Future by dropping the b of the
particle, thus : —
aina gini, I shall stand now
etc.
Moln ('irnntiiiur. 17
Similarly :—
aina karaia, I shall do it n<>\\
etc.
12. Immediate Future : —
I am just going to stand
1st ba ginimu baita ginimu (incl.)
baia ginimu (excl.)
2nd bo ginimu bo ginimu
3rd be ginimu be ginimu.
Similarly : —
ba karaiamu, I am just going to do it
etc.
Note. — Vada added to the Simple Future indicates definite intention or determina-
tion;
e.g., % vada baina gini, I will stand
vada baine karaia, he shall do it.
Vada added to the Xear or Immediate Future expresses decision after doubt
e.g., vada aina gini
vada aita karaia
vada be karaiamu.
Do added to the Present or Future means yet ;
e.g., do se karaia, he has not done it yet
do baine karaia, he will yet do it, or
he will surely do it.
B. Subjunctive Mood.
All tenses are covered by : —
If I stood, stand or should stand
1st bama gini baitama gini (incl.)
baiama gini (excl.)
2nd boma gini boma gini
3rd bema gini bema gini.
Similarly : —
bama karaia, if I did it, do it, or should do it
etc.
In the negative : —
If I did not stand, do not stand or should not stand
1st basinama gini basitama gini (incl.)
basiama gini (excl.)
2nd basioma gini basioma gini
3rd basinema gini basiema gini.
18 Mot u Grammar.
Similarly : —
basinama karaia if I did not do it, do not do it or should
not do it
etc.
C. Imperative Mood.
The Imperative forms are identical with the 2nd and 3rd person,
Fut ire forms.
Simple Imperative : —
Singular, 2nd. ba gini stand
3rd. baine gini let him stand
Plural, 2nd. ba gini stand
3rd. bae gini, let them stand.
Similarly : —
ba karaia, do it
etc.
In the negative : —
Singular, 2nd. basio gini, don't stand
3rd. basine gini, he is not to stand
Plural, 2nd. basio gini, don't stand
3rd. basie gini, they are not to stand.
Similarly : —
basio karaia, don't do it
etc.
Immediate Imperative : —
This is formed by dropping the b from the particles in the above
forms, thus : —
a gini, stand at once
etc.
Similarly : —
a karaia, do it at once
etc.
In the negative : —
asio gini, don't stand
etc.
Similarly : —
asio karaia, don't do it
etc.
These negative forms would be used when the person addressed
showed signs of immediate action which it was desired to prevent.
Note. — The addition of vada to the Imperative indicates the removal of doubt,
e.g., vada a karaia, never mind, you do it.
Motu Gratnimtr.
D. Infinitive Mood.
There is no general form corresponding to the English Infinitive,
but there is an " Infinitive of Purpose," which is formed (from transitive
verbs only) by prefixing i- to the verb-base and suffixing one of the
following suffixes, according to the number and person : -gu, -mu, -na,
-da (inrl.), -mai (excl.), -mui, -dia ;
e.g., ikarana, (in order) to do it (from kara-ia)
iduruda, (in order) to help us (from duru-a).
Examples of the use of this construction will be given in Part 2.
In many other cases in which English uses an infinitive, Motu uses
the future;
e.g., e uramu baine helai, he wants to sit down
na hamaoroa baine karaia, I told him to do it.
E. Passive ; Reciprocal ; Reflexive.
There is no true PASSIVE VOICE in Motu, but the Passive state
is often expressed by prefixing he- to the verb-base ;
e.g., kara, to do; hekara, to be done.
Similarly : —
hetahu, to be sought; hedare, to be torn; helaoahu, to be
hidden from view.
These passive forms are used in conjunction with the various series
of particles in exactly the same way as the active forms listed in
Sections A, B, and C above;
e.g., vada e hekara, it has been done.
Editor's Note. — This is one of the very few points on which I have the temerity to
disagree with Messrs. Turner and Clark, and their predecessor, Dr. Lawes. I see no reason
for not regarding the above construction as a " true Passive Voice." I think it is a fact,
however, that Motuans always prefer the active form of expression, and use the passive
as sparingly as possible.
The passive conditional is sometimes used to offer a tentative suggestion, especially
a suggestion by a junior to a senior, or by a member of the rank-and-file to one in
authority ;
e.g., bema hekara, would it not be a good idea to do so-and-so.
The RECIPROCAL is expressed by adding to the passive form
the word heheni, which is itself the passive form of the verb heni-a, to
give ;
e.g., duru-a, to help; e heduru heheni, they helped one another.
With a repeated action, the verb-base may be duplicated ;
e.g., badu, to be angry; e hebadubadu heheni, they kept on being angry with one
another.
The REFLEXIVE is expressed by the Reflexive Pronoun (q.v.)
followed by the passive form of the verb ;
e.g., sibogu na heiva, I cut myself (iva-ia, to cut).
20
Motn
4. IRREGULAR, AUXILIARY, IMPERSONAL AND
COMPOUND VERBS.
A. Irregular Verbs.
1. Mai, to come; lao, to go; gwau, to speak or say.
These three verbs are regular when used with the suffixe* -m and
-va, and also in the Subjunctive Mood. In other tenses they dro their
final vowels, and it is customary to unite these shortened roots v^h the
particles, writing particle and verb as one word.
The second person (singular and plural) of the simple futui, near
future and imperative are further irregular, infixing o between the ~. rticle
and the verb.
In view of their importance, the principal irregular tenses <' mai,
to come, and lao, to go, are given in full hereunder. Gwau is >f less,
importance, as a synonym, to, to say, is more commonly used.
Simple Past : —
I came
1st
2nd
3rd
1st
2nd
3rd
nama
oma
ema
nala
ola
ela
I went
In the negative : —
I did not come
1st
2nd
3rd
1st
2nd
3rd
asinama
toma
sema
asinala
tola
sela
I did not go
Simple Future : —
1st
2nd
3rd
I will come
bainama
baoma*
bainema*
tama (incl.)
ama (excl.)
oma
ema
tala (incl.)
ala (excl.)
ola
ela.
asitama (incl.)
asiama (excl.)
asioma
asiema
asitala (incl.)
asiala (excl.)
asiola
asiela.
baitama (incl.)
baiama (excl.)
baoma*
baema*
Mofa
•2\
I will go
bainala
baitala (incl.)
baiala (exd.)
baola*
baela*.
2nd baola*
3rd bainela*
In the nr.-;tive : —
I will not come
1st basinama basitama (incl.)
basiama (excl.)
2nd basioma* basioma*
3rd basinema* basiema::.
I will not go
1st basinala basitala (incl.)
basiala (excl.)
2nd basiola* basiola*
3rd basinela* basiela*.
Not — Forms marked with an asterisk (*) are also Imperative.
Near Fuare : —
Thi tense is obtained by dropping the initial b from the above
Simple liture forms.
Not (the following special uses of the verb lao, to go.
(1) i the sense of " to become." When used in this sense, the noun completing
the sentere takes the postposition ai.
e.g., Hesiai taunai ela, He became a servant.
(taunai=taunaai)
(2) i the compound form ha-lao-a, with the meaning of " to make " in the sense
of " to tuse to become." Here also the noun completing the sentence takes the
postpositn ai ;
e.g., Hesiai taunai e halaoa, He made him a servant.
2. ), to say, is a shortened form of toma, but the latter means " to
think ''is well as "to say."
Toia is used in all tenses except the Simple Past and Future. To
is usedin the Simple Past and Future, and can also be used in the
Continous Present, but never in the Continuous Past. Thus in the
Continous Present there are two forms, natomu and na tomamu, but
in the ontinuous Past only one, na tomava.
Inview of its importance, the Simple Past and Future tenses of
to will e given in full. As with mai and lao, it is customary to join the
particl<and the verb to form one word.
SimplePast : —
1st
I said
nato
tato (incl.)
ato (excl.)
22
Motu Grammar.
2nd
3rd
1st
oto
eto
asinato
I did not sav
2nd asioto
3rd asineto
Simple Future : —
I shall sav
1st
2nd
3rd
1st
bainato
baoto*
baineto*
basinato
oto
eto
asitato (incl.)
asiato (excl.)
asioto
asieto.
baitato (incl.)
baiato (excl.)
baoto*
baeto*
I shall not say
basitato (incl.)
basiato (excl.)
basioto*
basieto*
2nd basioto*
3rd basineto*
Forms marked with an asterisk are also imperative.
Near Future : —
Omit the initial b from the above forms.
3. diba, to know. This verb is used transitively with the meaning
of " to get to know " or " to test." In this sense, it is conjugated
regularly ;
e.g., na dibaia I tested it.
When used intransitively, it is irregular in the Simple Past and
Present, with no particle but with the personal suffix of the person
knowing.
Simple Present and Past : —
I know or I knew
1st dibagu dibada (incl.)
dibamai (excl.)
2nd dibamu dibamui
3rd dibana dibadia.
For emphasis, or in answer to a question, mai may precede these
forms, thus : mai dibagu, mai dibamu, etc.
In the negative : —
I do not know or I did not know
1st asi dibagu asi dibada (incl.)
asi dibamai (excl.)
2nd asi dibamu asi dibamui
3rd asi dibana asi dibadia.
Motu Grammar. 'J3
Other tenses are regular, thus, na dibamu. na dibava, baina diba,
bama diba.
.Vote. — diba can also be used as an Auxiliary Verb (q.v.).
4. Mai, with, and asi, without, take the place of the English veil.
'• to have." These are invariable, not changing with changing number
and person;
e.g., ia na mai ana aniani, he has food (lit. he with his food);
ai na asi emai ira, we have no axes (lit. we without our axes).
B. Auxiliary Verbs.
1. There is no verb in Motu corresponding to the English verb
" to be."
Adjectival predicates, which in English would be preceded by a
part of the verb " to be," are in Motu treated as if they were verbs, and
are preceded by the appropriate particle;
e.g., na manoka, I was weak;
e goada, he was strong.
In other cases, the particles na and be seem to stand in the place
of the verb " to be " ;
e.g., lau na tau, ia be hahine, I am a man, she is a woman;
ia na tau badana, he is an elderly man.
These particles are invariable, not changing with changing number and
person.
In the negative, the particle dia is used, following na or be ;
e.g., ia na dia tau badana, he is not an elderly man.
2. heni-a, to give, is used as an auxiliary verb with a number of
different verbs, generally to express position or motion towards. Its
use has the effect of rendering an intransitive verb transitive ;
e.g., lao-henia, to go towards; mahuta-henia, to sleep on; noho-
henia, to dwell in ; hereva-henia, to speak to ; gwau-henia,
to scold; gini-henia, to stand beside; tore-henia, to
write to ; etc.
The particle stands before the first verb, and henia takes the
accusative pronoun suffix;
e.g., e hereva-henidia, he spoke to them.
Notes. — (1) When this construction is used with a compound verb, the auxiliary
is infixed ;
e.g., e toma-henia-diho, he worshipped him ;
e gwau-henia-hamata, he promised him.
(2) An exception to the rule that the auxiliary takes the suffix is —
e balaia-heni, he took care of it.
3. diba, to know, is used as an auxiliary verb in the sense of " can,"
" able to." It takes the same irregular forms as when used as an
intransitive verb.
24 Motu Grammar.
e.g., as auxiliary to an intransitive verb : — •
ia na gini dibana, he can stand ;
gini asi dibamu ? can you not stand ?
asi gini dibagu, I cannot stand.
As auxiliary to a transitive verb : —
ikarana* dibana, he can do it ;
ikarana asi dibadia, they cannot do it.
4. ura, to want, to wish, is also used as an auxiliary verb ;
e.g., e uramu helai, ) ,
> he wants to sit down.
helai e uramu, ;
Editor's -Note. — I would prefer to regard helai in the above examples as a verba
noun, the object of e uramu. It is to be noted that, although ura has the form of an
intransitive verb and does not take the accusative pronoun suffixes, it is frequently used
as a transitive verb ;
e.g., ikoko na uramu, I want some nails;
na uramu oi, I want you.
5. banava, to think mistakenly, is an auxiliary verb which is
invariable and does not take the particles. It is always followed by the
appropriate part of the verb to, to say, whi^h is usually placed at the
end of r,he sentence;
e.g., lau banava baine henigu nato, I thought he would give it to
me (but he didn't) ;
ia banava baine gui eto, he thought he would embark (but he
didn't).
6. ha, me, vasi. These three auxiliaries express position or movement.
ha means to go to a distance, or to be at a distance, from both the speaker and the person
spoken to ;
me means to come to the speaker, or to be beside him ;
vasi means to go to the person spoken to, or to be beside him ;
e.g., e ha karaia, he did it at a distance,
or, he went to a distance to do it ;
e me karaia, he came here and did it,
or, he did it here beside me ;
e vasi karaia, he went to you and did it,
or, he did it beside you.
Notes. — (1) The above auxiliary ha must not be confused with the causative prefix
ha- referred to in the section on Compound Verbs.
(2) me is also sometimes used to indicate the present tense;
e.g., e me utua, he is cutting it.
(3) vasi can also be used as an independent verb meaning movement towards
the person spoken to ;
e.g., baina vasi, I will come to you.
* Infinitive of Purpose.
Motu Grammar. 25
C. Impersonal Verbs.
1. lasihi-a, to be absent, is preceded by the nominative without
a verbal particle, and either with or without the auxiliary na or be. The
plural, for both persons and things, is lasihidia ;
e.g., tauna na lasihia, the man is not here ;
taunimanima lasihidia, there are no people here;
vanagi na lasihidia, the canoes are not here.
Editor's Note. — I follow Messrs. Turner and Clark in classifying this as an Impersonal
Verb, but they appear to have overlooked that it can be used in the 1st and 2nd persons
also;
e.g., nama, to oi lasihimu, I came but you were not here.
It would probably be better to regard it as an Irregular Verb.
2. mia, to remain, is sometimes used as lasihia is u.-r.l :
e.g., gauna mia, the thing is still where it was.
But it can also be used with third person particles, particularly in the
future and imperative ;
e.g., baine mia, let it remain where it is.
It is never used with 1st or 2nd person particles.
D. Compound Verbs.
1. Verbs may be compounded with other verbs or with adverbs to form compound
verbs. The accusative pronoun suffix is attached to the first part of the compound
verb, but the " continuous time " suffixes -mil and -va are attached to the second part ;
e.g., e helaia-tao, he sat on it (to keep it down) ;
e helaia-taomu, he is sitting on it ;
e helaia-taova, he was sitting on it.
The use of such compounds is very common, and under such verbs as abi-a, to get,
ato-a, to put, and kara-ia, to make, a very large number will be found in the Dictionary.
2. Compound verbs may be formed by suffixing -lai-a (in a few cases -rai-a) to a
verb-base. Added to intransitive verbs, it makes them transitive. Added to transitive
verbs, it enables them to take an indirect as well as a direct object. In some cases the
indirect object points to the instrument or agency of the action, the suffix corresponding
in meaning to the English preposition " with."
e.g., io magani na gwadalaia, I pierced the wallaby with a spear; (gwada-ia, to
pierce).
In other cases, the suffix appears to correspond in meaning to the English " about " ;
e.g., vanagi memero na e hamaorolaidia, he told the boys about the canoe;
(hamaoro-a, to tell).
This significance also applies in the case of some intransitive verbs ;
e.g., biaguna e maumauraia, he grumbled about his master; (maumau, to
grumble).
In other cases in which this suffix is added to an intransitive verb, it appears to
correspond to the English non- instrumental " with ";
e.g., e mailaia, he brought it, (i.e., came with it ; mai, to come).
In a few cases this suffix takes the form -hai-a ;
e.g., e laohaia, he took it, (i.e., went with it; lao, to go).
3. Compound verbs may be formed by suffixing -tani-a to certain verb-bases. This
suffix indicates motion away from ;
e.g., e rakatanigu, he left me (lit. walked away from me);
e heautanidia, he ran away from them ;
e guitania, he sailed away from him (by canoe);
e dihotania, she went down from him (used of a woman deserting her husband).
26 M otu Grammar.
4. Verbs may be formed by prefixing ha- to ether parts of speech, generally
adjectives. This ha- is causative in effect;
e.g., goeva, clean; hagoeva-ia, to cause to be clean (i.e., to cleanse).
Sometimes the meanings of these compounds are metaphorical extensions of the
literal meanings ;
e.g., hanamoa, to praise, from namo, good;
hamauria, to save, from mauri, life.
. E. Special Usages.
The following special usages should be carefully noted ;
1. Verbs referring to hunger, cold, sickness, etc.
e hitologumu, I am hungry (lit. it hungers me).
Similarly : —
e goreregumu, I am ill ;
e kerugumu, I am cold.
Other objective suffixes can be used similarly.
2. Verbs expressing feelings, e.g., of fear, shame or desire.
ia ikarana urana e uramu, he wishes to do it ;
e davaria hemaraina e hemaraimu, he is ashamed of having been discovered :
ina ruma kwahina e kwahimu, he has respect for this house ;
lau garigu e garimu, he is afraid of me.
5. THE NOUN.
Nouns may be either primitive (as au, tree ; nadi, stone) or derivative.
Derivative nouns may be derived either from adjectives or verbs.
Abstract nouns may be derived from adjectives without change in
the form of the word ;
e.g., goada, adj., strong; goada, noun, strength;
dika, adj., bad; dika, noun, badness.
Nouns may be derived from verbs in the following ways : —
(1) Without change to the form of the word;
e.g., doko, to stop; doko, the end;
dogo, to anchor; dogo, an anchor.
(2) By prefixing i- to the verb -base;
e.g.. gui-a, to tie; igui, a bundle;
lapa-ia, to slash; ilapa, a long knife (for grass cutting).
(3) By prefixing he- to the verb-base ;
e.g., kaha-ia, to help ; hekaha, help;
nari-a, to care ; henari, care ;
regu-a, to feed ; heregu, sustenance.
When the verb is compounded from the causative prefix ha-, the he- is infixed
following the ha-,
e.g., diba, to know; hadiba-ia, to teach ; hahediba, teaching ;
mauri, life ; hamauri-a, to save ; hahemauri, salvation.
Motu Graiiunar. 27
(4) By duplication of the verb- base;
e.g., tore-a, to write; toretore, the act of writing;
rua-ia, to dig ; ruarua, the act of digging ;
lapa-ia, to cut; lapalapa, the act of cutting; cf. ilapa, a long kniff.
Note. — The original meaning of tore-a was " to tattoo," but it is now commonly-
used for " to write."
Duplication of nouns may give (a) a diminutive significance ;
e.g., kekeni, girl; kekeni-kekeni, little girl;
or (6) a collective significance;
e.g., hua, one banana fruit ; huahua, fruit in general.
There is no grammatical GENDER in Motu. Natural gender may be
indicated by using the nouns maruane, male, hahine, female, in the
Possessive case (q.v.).
In most cases NUMBER does not effect the form of the noun, e.g.,
hisiu, star, or stars. Generally the number is indicated by the context
or by the form of some other word or suffix in the sentence. In cases of
ambiguity, a quantitative adjective, such as ta, one, haida, some, momo,
many, may be used; or na (sing), dia (plural), may be used as definite
articles.
As noted in Section 1, a very few nouns indicate number by accent;
e.g., hahine, woman ; hahine, women ;
kekeni, girl ; kekeni, girls.
A few nouns have the first syllable duplicated to indicate the
plural;
e.g., tau, man ; tat an, men ;
mero, boy ; memero, boys.
Note. — It is probable that those nouns in which plural is now indicated by accent
originally came under this duplication rule. The singular for woman was probably
hane, and for girl, kene. The former is still used in the idiom hane Motu, a Motu woman,
hane Maiva, a Maiva woman, etc. The latter, east of Taurama Head, survives in a dupli-
cated form as kenekene, girl; kekene, girls.
Two irregular plurals should be noted : —
tauhau, youth ; plural, uhau ;
haneulato, adolescent girl ; plural, ulato.
CASE is indicated in a variety of ways, which will now be described.
The NOMINATIVE is the case of the Subject of the Sentence.
Generally it stands first in the sentence ; but, if there is any doubt, the
particle na will be added if the verb is an intransitive one, and ese or se
if it is a transitive one ;
e.g., tau na vada ela, the man has gone;
ruma na vada e ore, the house is finished ;
hahine ese natuna e ubudiamu, the woman feeds her children :
sisia ese boroma e koria, the dog bit the pig.
The VOCATIVE is shown by e in entreaty or prayer, or in calling
out a name ; or by o in crying or distress ;
e.g., Lahui e, or e Lahui e, (calling a man named Lahui) ;
Tamagu e, 0 my father (in entreaty) ;
Tamagu o, or 0 tamagu o, (in distress).
28 Motu Grammar.
The ACCUSATIVE is the case of the Object, The Object generally
follows the Subject and precedes the Predicate. The accusative-pronoun
suffixes are added to the verb even when there is a noun as object; they
serve to indicate the number of the object;
e.g., hahine ese natuna e ubu-a, the woman fed her child ;
hahine ese natuna e ubu-dia, the woman fed her children.
In the singular these suffixes are always added. In the plural,
they are used only for living creatures; for inanimate objects, the verb-
base is used without any suffix ;
e.g., kekeni ese nadi e gogo, the girls gathered stones.
When it is desired to emphasize the object rather than the subject, the object
may precede the subject in the sentence. In such cases the subject is indicated by ese,
and the object by na ;
e.g., normally,
sisia ese boroma e koria, the dog bit the pig;
but, if the speaker's interest is in the pig rather than the dog,
boroma na sisia ese e koria, the dog bit the pig.
The DATIVE is the case of the Indirect Object. The following
verbs take two objects — direct and indirect : —
heni-a, to give; verbs using henia as an auxiliary; and verbs
compounded with the suffix -laia. The verbs hamaoro-a,
to tell, and hadiba-ia, to teach, may also take two objects;
but, more commonly, when it is desired that they should
do so, the suffix -laia is added to them.
In all these cases, the accusative-pronoun suffix agrees with the
Indirect Object;
e.g., tau ese mero na buka e henia, the man gave the boy a book ;
or, if it is desired to emphasize the book rather than the boy,
tau ese buka mero na e henia, the man gave the boy a book.
In the next example the subject is ia, he, understood ;
sivarai ta memero e tiamaorodia, he told the boys a story.
With all other verbs the dative is expressed by a postposition (the
Motu equivalent of an English preposition) governing the Indirect Object,
while the accusative-pronoun suffix agrees with the Direct Object;
e.g., sisia na hanua lohiana enai ba siaidia, send the dogs to the
village chief.
(enai here corresponds to the English preposition " to," but as it follows
the noun it governs it is described as a postposition.)
The GENITIVE or POSSESSIVE case is expressed in two ways :—
(1) By the Possessive Adjectives, ena, his, her, its, and edia, their,
which precede the name of the thing possessed ;
e.g., una tau ena ruma, that man's house ;
hahine edia kiapa, the women's string bags.
(2) By suffixing -na, his, her, its, or -dia, their, to the name of the
person or thing " possessed." This construction is used in connection
with parts of the body, personal and other intimate relationships, and
nouns of location ;
Alolu Grammar. 29
mero sinana, the boy's mother ;
boroma kwarana, the pig's head ;
boroma k waradia, pigs' heads ;
hahine natuna, the woman's child or children :
ruma lalona, the inside of the house ;
maua latana, the top of the box ;
maua anina, the contents of the box.
A.- will be noticed from the fourth example, the number of the suffix depends on the
" possessor," not on the " possessed " ; " woman " being singular, the singular suffix
is used, whether her offspring are one or many.
This construction is extended to cover many cases in which in
English two nouns would be used in juxtaposition or joined by '; of,"
as well as to cover meanings expressed in English by the -er sufiix:
e.g., uda boromana, bush pig;
boroma maruanena, male pig ;
boroma hahinena, female pig ;
au kerumana, the shade of the tree ;
hanua tauna, villager ;
hanua taudia, villagers.
It will be noticed from the last two examples that the rule given for the true
possessive is now reversed ; in cases such as this, the number of the suffix depends on the
" possessed," not on the " possessor."
The same construction can also be used with derivative nouns;
e.g., hekaha tauna, a helper;
hahediba taudia, teachers ;
toretore gauna, a thing to write with :
ruarua gaudia, digging implements.
It can also be used with abstract nouns derived from adjectives;
t'.u.. goada tauna, a strong man (lit. a man of strength).
A closely similar construction is that in which the '' infinitive of
purpose " takes the place of the first noun;
e.g., iutuna gauna, a thing to cut it with.
The construction may be still further extended to the first and
second persons, using the appropriate personal suffixes ;
e.g., hanua taumui e, you village people;
dika taugu, (I am) a bad man,
kavakava hahmemai, (we are) foolish women:
idurumu taugu, (I am) your helper.
Xotes. — (1) When tail- is used in the above construction, taudia is common gender,
the masculine form being tataudia.
(2) When in this construction one noun is singular and the other plural, the suffix
may be either singular or plural according to the emphasis desired.
e.g., if the emphasis is on the canoe,
vanagi larana, the sails of the canoe ;
but, if the emphasis is on the sails,
vanagi laradia, the sails of the can. a-.
30 Motu Grammar.
(3) In a few border-line cases, either of the two forms of the possessive may be
used : —
e.g., kekeni ramina, or, kekeni ena rami, the girl's grass-skirt.
(4) In some other cases, the two forms differentiate two meanings ;
e.g., Morea sivaraina, Morea's story (i.e., the story about Morea);
Morea ena sivarai, Morea's story (i.e., the story told by Morea).
6. THE PRONOUN.
The Personal Pronoun has already been dealt with in Section 2.
The following notes deal with the remaining pronouns :—
1 . Interrogative : —
Daika ? Who ? Plural, Daidia ?
Daika ena ? Whose ? Plural, Daidia edia ?
Dahaka ? What ?
Edana ? Which ?
Edena ta ? Which other ?
Ede a ? With which ? or By which ?
Ede amo ? WThence ?
Note the following very important idiom : — -
Ladamu be daika? What is your name ? (lit. Who is your
name ?)
The answer would be : —
Ladagu na Vagi, My name is Vagi.
If no answer were given at the first time of asking, impatience would be shown
by varying the form of the question to Ladamu na daika ? Similarly, Oi be daika ? Who
are you ? is a pure question; Oi na daika? indicates impatience. Oi daika? is an
invitation to a quarrel.
2. Relative :—
There are no relative pronouns in Motu. but the idiom is expressed
by a clause followed by tauna, hahinena, or gauna, or their plurals; .
e.g., sisia e alaia tauna, the man who killed the dog;
umai e vara gaudia, the things which grew in the garden.
In the plural, taudia is common gender, the masculine form being tataudia.
Note. — The Interrogative Pronoun is never used as a Relative.
3. Demonstrative : —
ina, this ; ini, these ; (beside the speaker) ;
ena, that ; ene, those ; (beside the person spoken to) ;
una, that ; unu, those ; (away from both speaker and spoken
to).
The distinction between ena, ene, and una, unu, is one that has
no equivalent in English, and must be carefully noted.
4. Distributive : —
ta ta, each
daika daika ? who ?
Motn tTfnntinnf. 31
ta ta ena ruma ena ruma ela, ••.« h \\i-\\\ to his own hou
daika daika baela ? who will go > (i.e., which individual-
In sharing or dividing, the number i^ repeated and amo added;
rua rua amo, two each (of thin:.
rarua rarua amo, two by two
Note also : —
ita ta, ai ta, one of us:
umui ta, one of you;
idia ta, one of them.
5. Indefinite : —
.^>c Quantitative Adjectives (b) Indefinite.
7. THE ADJECTIVE.
1. Qualitative : —
The qualitative adjective follows the noun it qualifies, and may be
either indefinite or definite.
The indefinite form employs, in the singular, the simple form of
the adjective, and, in the plural, a form obtained by duplicating the first
syllable;
e.g.s dabua kurokuro, white cloth ;
au didika, bad trees.
The definite form employs the suffixes -na and -dia, to indicate
the number and to serve as definite articles;
e.g., dabua kurokurona, the white cloth;
au dikadia, the bad trees ;
tau namona, the good man ;
reirei severadia, the thin boards.
The definite form is much the commoner of the two, and seems to be preferred by
Motu speakers.
An alternative construction to the above is that already described under Xouns,
in which the" adjective " is used as an abstract noun with a second noun in the genitive;
e.g., dika tauna, lit. man of badness, is an alternative to tau dikana.
This construction is especially favoured in the 1st and 2nd persons;
e.g., ai na dika taumai, we are bad men;
umui na dagedage taumui, you are fierce men.
The adjectival construction is not impossible, however;
e.g., lau na natumu dikana, I am your bad son.
Duplication of an adjective usually intensifies the quality ;
e.g., kuro, whitish ; kurokuro, white;
goeva, clean; goevagoeva, very clean.
With some adjectives, however, duplication minimises the quality;
e.g., auka, hard: auka-auka, not so hard :
metau, heavy; metau-metau, not so heavy.
*46120— IB
32 Motu Grammar.
There does not seem to be any rule to guide us as to which are intensified and which
minimised.
The duplicated forms of namo, good, and dika, bad, cannot be used as adjectives,
but only as adverbs. The intensified forms of these adjectives are namo herea, very
good, and dika rohoroho, very bad.
-ka suffixed to the adjective always intensifies the quality, while mia before the
adjective detracts from the quality.
Note the following series as examples : —
(1) mia kuro, greyish; kuro, whitish; kurokuro, white; . kuroka-kuroka,
dazzling white;
(2) negari-negari, very clear (of water); negari, clear; duhuduhu, slightly
cloudy; mia duhu, cloudy; duhu, muddy; duhuka-duhuka, very muddy.
There are no Comparative and Superlative forms of adjectives in
Motu. Consequently, the only way in which such a sentence as
This is better than that
can be expressed is by some circumlocution, such as
Ina na namo herea, una na dia namo,
This is very good, that is not good ;
or —
Ina na namo herea, una na mia namo mo,
This is very good, that is only fairly good.
In addition herea, very, herea-ia, to exceed, hereadae, excellent,
and goevadae, perfect, may be used in forming such circumlocutions.
2. Quantitative : —
Quantitative Adjectives also follow the noun, and may be either
Definite or Indefinite.
(a) Definite.
1, ta 6, tauratoi ' 11, gwauta-ta
2, rua 7, hitu 12, gwauta-rua
3, toi 8, taurahani etc.
4, hani 9, taurahani-ta
5, ima 10, gwauta
20, ruahui, is an elision of rua ahui
21, ruahui-ta 22, ruahui-rua 23, ruahui-toi, etc.
30, toi-ahui 70, hitu-ahui
40, hari-ahui 80, taurahani-ahui
50, imahui 90, taurahani-ta-ahui
60, tauratoi-ahui 100, sinahu-ta
101, sinahu-ta dikoana ta, or, sinahu-ta mai ta
102, sinahu-ta dikoana rua, or, sinahu-ta mai rua
etc.
200, sinahu-rua 300, sinahu-toi, etc.
1,000, daha-ta 2,000, daha-rua, etc.
10,000, gerebu-ta 20,000, gerebu-rua, etc.
100,000, domaga-ta.
Grammar. 33
In counting persons, the numbers from two to eight have special
forms as follows : —
-2. rarua
3, tatoi
4, hahani Similarly :—
•'•. laima 12, gwauta-rarua
C, tatauratoi 13, gwauta-tatoi
7, hahitu etc.
8, tataurahani.
\i>h ,v. — (1) The special forms for six and eight are not used by all Motuans.
(-) The form laima probably originated at a time when the word for five was lima
(as it is in some other Melanesian languages), and the special form was lalima.
The suffix -osi may be added to either series of numbers, acting
more or less as a definite article, thus : —
things persons
ruaosi, the two of them ; raruosi, the two of them ;
toiosi, the three of them; tatoisi, the three of them;
etc.
Hona following the numbers signifies " only," thus : —
things persons
rua hona, two only; rarua hona, two only;
toi hona, three only; tatoi hona, three only;
etc.
'' One only " is tamona.
Some Motuans say that in sixty, eighty and ninety, ahui is not used. For these
three numbers they use : 60, rabu tauratoi ; 80, rabu taurahani ; 90, rabu taurahani-ta.
But, if this was the original usage, it is not now adhered to by the younger generation of
Motuans.
The villages east of Taurama Head use rabu for all tens, thus : 10, rabu-ta ; 20,
rabu-rua ; 30, rabu-toi, etc. These villages also do not use hitu, but say tauratoi-ta for
.seven, and rabu-tauratoi-ta for seventy.
Fish, pigs and wallaby are counted by the ordinary numbers to 9; 10 is bara-ta :
-0, bara-rua ; but after 29 the ordinary number series is reverted to, i.e., toi-ahui, etc.
Coconuts are counted by varo, strings, thus : 10 coconuts, varo-ta ; 20, varo-rua,
etc.
A special series is used for counting long articles, such as spears, poles, trees, houses
and canoes. From 1 to 9, au- (tree) is prefixed to the ordinary number series, thus : —
auta, aurua, autoi, auhani, etc.
10, adara-ta ; 11, adarata-auta, etc.
20, rabu-rua ; 30, toi-ahui ; 40, hari-ahui ; 50, imahui ; 60, rabu-tauratoi ; 70,
hitu-ahui ; 80, rabu-taurahani ; 90, rabu-taurahani-ta ; 100, slnahu-ta.
The ordinal numbers are as follows : —
things persons
1st gini gunana gini gunana
2nd iharuana i ha rarua na
34 Motu Grammar.
3rd ihatoina ihatatoina
4th ihahanina ihahahaniaa
5th ihaimana ihalaimana
etc. etc.
Last gini gabena gini gabena.
(b) Indefinite.
ta, any haida, some
dia ta, none hidaosi, some (things)
idau ta, a different one hahidaosi, some (people)
ma ta, another momo, many (things)
ta ta, a few hoho, many (persons and things)
gadoi, few dia hoho, not many
kwabudia, a few diagau, many
kwabukwabudia, a very few hutuma, very many (persons)
logora, every one.
As in English, all these Indefinite Quantitative Adjectives can also
be used as Indefinite Pronouns.
ibou-, all, and idoi-, the whole, both take the suffixes -na and -dia ;
and when used as pronouns can also take the 1st and 2nd person suffixes.
-gu, -mu, -da, -mai, -mui. They are always followed by ai:
e.g., hanua idoinai, the whole village ;
hanua idoidiai, the whole of the villages :
hanua iboudiai, all the villages ;
iboumui-ai ba raka, all of you will walk.
3. Interrogative : —
Daikaena? Whose? Plural Daidia edia ?
Dahaka? What ?
Edana? Which? Plural. Ede?
can be used as adjectives as well as pronouns.
4. Demonstrative : —
Ina, ena, una, and their plurals, ini, ene, unu, already tabulated as
Demonstrative Pronouns, can also be used as Demonstrative Adjectives.
When so used, they precede the noun they qualify:
e.g., (1) Ina na daika ena boroma ? This is whose pig :
In this example ina is a Demonstrative Pronoun and daika ena an
Interrogative Adjective.
(2) Ina boroma be daika ena ? This pig is whose ?
In this example ina is a Demonstrative Adjective and daika ena
an Interrogative Pronoun.
5. Possessive : —
As with the Possessive Case of Nouns, there are two forms, a general
and a special.
Mot ii firm,' mar. 35
(1) General. The general form is as follows: —
Singular. Plural,
egu, my eda, our (incl.)
emai, our (excl.)
emu, thy emui, your
ena, his, her, ir> edla, their
e.g., ina na egu boroma, this is my pi-.
For emphasis, the forms given in Section '1 for the Possessive Case
of the Personal Pronoun may be used, i.e.. lau-egu, oi-emu, etc.:
e.g.. ina na lau-egu boroma, this is my pig.
For all kinds of food and drink, a replaces e in the above form- :
e.g., agu biku, my banana, or bananas;
amui gwarume, your fish.
Note. — uru, generation, may take either a or e ;
e.g., ana uru or ena uru, his generation.
(2) Special. The special form, for all parts of the body, and personal
relationships and attributes, consists of the suffixes -gu, -mu, -na, -da,
-mai, -mui, -dia :
e.g., Singular. Plural.
imagu, my hand(s) imada, our hands (incl.)
imamai, our hands (excl.)
imamu, thy hand(s) imamui, your hands
imana, his hand(s) imadia, their hands
etc.
For emphasis, the nominative personal pronoun may precede these
forms ;
e.g., lau imagu, oi imamu, etc.
Note these further examples : —
aegu, my leg or legs ;
bogamu, thy stomach ;
lalona, his or her mind :
turada, our friend or friends (incl.) :
sinamai, our mother (excl.) ;
tamamui, your father ;
natudia, their child or children.
The number of the noun, in cases where it is ambiguous, will generally
be indicated by the accusative-pronoun suffix to the verb.
Note. — Inai, enemy, may either follow this special usage or take the form for food;
e.g., inaigu or agu inai, my enemy or enemies.
6. The Article :—
There are no words in Motu corresponding to the Indefinite Article,
a, an, or the Definite Article, the: but in some instances there are words
36 Motu Grammar.
and suffixes that appear to perform the functions of those articles. Some
of these have already been referred to.
ta, one, is often used where in English we should use the Indefinite
Article ;
e.g., tail ta varani ema, a man came yesterday.
As already noted, the suffix -osi has, in certain cases, the significance
of a Definite Article ; na and dia may also be used where in English
we should use " the " ;
e.g., tau na be maimu, the man is corning;
gau dia vada na davari, I have found the things.
Hari, now, is often used with the significance of a Definite Article ;
e.g., hari kekeni, the girl mentioned, or seen, today.
Varani, yesterday, and vanegai, the other day, may be similarly used;
e.g., varani boroma, the pig seen yesterday ;
vanegai magani, the wallaby seen the other day.
8. THE ADVERB.
(a) Of Manner.
like this, iniheto ; inihetomana ; ini - - toma* ;
like that (beside you), eneheto ; enehetomana ; ene — — toma ;
like that (yonder), unuheto ; unuhetomana ; unu — — toma ;
whatever, ini unu ;
as, na heto ; hegeregerena.
:;:e.g., ini e karaia toma, he did it like this.
hata, once ; harua, twice ; hatoi, thrice ;
lou, again ; loulou, again and again ;
hanaihanai, continually, eternally ;
vaia, also vaevae, habitually.
Many qualitative adjectives can be used without change of form as
adverbs of manner ;
e.g., haraga, quick (adj.), quickly (adv.);
goeva, clean (adj.), cleanly (adv.).
Duplication of the adverb generally intensifies the quality ;
e.g., e raka haraga, he walked quickly;
e raka haraga-haraga, he walked very quickly ;
but'there are exceptions as noted under Adjectives.
Note on namonamo and dikadika : As already noted under adjectives, these
duplicated forms of namo and dika are adverbs only. But they do not, as might be
expected, mean " well " and " badly."
namonamo means " carefully " ;
e.g., e karaia namonamo, he did it carefully ;
cf., e karaia goevagoeva, he did it well (lit. cleanly).
dikadika means " badly " only in the sense in which it is sometimes used in English,
of " exceedingly " ;
Motu Gramma i . 37
e.g., e ura dikadikamu bainela, he wants badly to go
(note also use of future in place of infinitive).
For " he did it badly," a Motuan would probably say
e hadikaia, he spoiled it.
(b) Of Time,
hari, also harihari, now ;
hari ina neganai, just now;
varani, yesterday ;
kerukeru, tomorrow ;
vanegai, the day before yesterday, or, the day after tomorrow (also
used indefinitely for " a few days ago '*) ;
varani vanegai, at some past time (indefinite) ;
kerukeru vanegai, at some future time (indefinite) ;
vainananegai, three days ago or hence;
unananegai, four days ago or hence;
do, still, yet;
dohore, not yet, presently ;
guna, also gunaguna, first ;
dokonai, last.
(c) Of Place.
Here, inai ; binai (contracted from be inai) ; heina (answering
a question) ; o ina (following a pronoun) ; iniseni (indefinite) :
iniseni ai (definitely marking the place).
There (beside you), enai ; benai (be enai) ; heena ; o ena ; eneseni ;
eneseni ai.
There (yonder), unai ; bunai (be unai) ; heuna ; o una ; unuseni ;
unuseni ai.
Wherever. Ini unu.
Everywhere. Gabu iboudiai.
Inside, lalomai. Outside, murimuri ai.
Above, atai ai. Below, henu ai.
In addition to the above, a number of Postpositions (q.v.) can also
be used as Adverbs of Place.
(d) Of Degree,
mia, less ;
herea, also diagau, very ;
dikadika, also masemase, exceedingly;
hereadae, also herea mikamika, excellently ;
goevadae, perfectly;
vaitani, also guguru, completely.
38 Motu Grammar.
(e) Of Reason,
taunabinai ~"l
taunabenai f therefore.
taunnabunai J
(f ) Of Affirmation, Negation and Doubt,
oibe, yes;
io, yes (in answer to a call) ;
e, i, or (east of Taurama Head) 0, colloquial or affectionate assen
lasi, no ;
asi, not, also dia, not;
momokani, certainly, truly;
reana, perhaps; plural, readia ;
sedira, " I'm not sure,"; occasionally, isedira.
(g) Of Interrogation.
A question is generally indicated by inflection of the voice, but
the following may also be used at the end of the question : —
a ? for any question ;
ani? when an affirmative answer is expected,
e.g., mai amui aniani a ? have you any food ?
mai amui aniani ani ? you have some food, haven't you ?
How ? Edeheto ? Ede — — toma ?
When ? Edana negai? Aidana negai? (jeeringly).
Where? Ede? Edeseni? (general). Edeseni ai ? (in particular).
Bedaina? pi. Bedaidia? (of persons only).
Why ? Dahaka dainai ? Badina be dahaka ? Edeheto ?
Examples : —
Gorere tauna be edeheto ? How is the sick man ?
Ede baine karaia toma ? How will he do it ?
Edana negai baoma ? When will you come ?
Edebolaomu? Where are you going ?
Mero na edeseni ? Hanuai. Edeseni ai? Vagi ena rumai.
Where is the boy ? In the village. WThereabouts ? In Vagi's house.
Dahaka dainai o kara kavamu ? 1
Badina be dahaka o kara kavamu ? > Why are you acting so foolishly ?
0 kara kavamu badina be dahaka ? J
Edeheto to hamaorogu ? Why did not you tell me ?
(h) Relative.
There are no Relative Adverbs in Motu. Constructions similar
to those already noted as taking the place of Relative Pronouns are
used, i.e., clauses followed by gabuna (place), negana (time), badina
(reason), and their plurals;
Muf'i fjrmnmar. 3?
e.g., boroma e mase gabuna, the place where the pig died :
lagatoi ema negadia, tin- timr- when the trading canoes came;
ena mai badina, th«- reason why he came (lit. the reason of his
coming).
9. THE POSTPOSITION.
Postpositions are Motu words that do the work that is done in
English by Prepositions, but which, instead of preceding the nouns or
noun-equivalents with which they are associated, as in English and
other European languages, follow them: hence their nam«-.
ai, in, on, at, from.
This basic postposition is used by itself, with one or other of the
meanings given above ; and it can also be suffixed to a number of other
words, generally nouns of location, to form what may be described as
Compound Postpositions. One or other of the personal suffixes (-gu,
-mu, -na, -da, -mai, -mui, -dia) follows the word with which ai is
compounded, and is itself followed by the ai. In the case of the third
person suffixes, singular and plural, the suffix and ai are elided ; thus
-na ai becomes -nai and -dia ai becomes -diai. Similarly, in the 1st
person plural inclusive, -da ai becomes -dai. In the following list, these
compound postpositions are shown in their person singular form, except
for the last two, which, from their nature, cannot be used in the singular
and are therefore given in their third person plural form : —
lalonai. inside ;
murimurinai, outside;
murinai, behind;
vairanai, in front (from vaira, face) ;
henunai, below;
daenai, above;
latanai, on ;
dekenai, beside, at (persons only) ;
dekedekenai, close beside (persons only) :
badi badinai, beside (persons or things) ;
enai, beside, at, to (persons only) ;
inikahanai, this side of;
enekahanai, on your side of;
unukahanai, on the other side of;
dainai, also bagunai, because of, for the sake of;
padadiai, also ihuadiai, between :
bogaragidiai, among, in the midst of.
Examples : —
kone ai, on the beach ;
davarai, in the sea ; (elided from davara ai) ;
maua lalonai, in the box ;
40 Motu Grammar.
maua latanai, on the box ;
hanua murimurinai, outside the village ;
lau dekegu-ai, beside me ;
sinavai unukahanai, on the other side of the river
umui daimui-ai, because of you ;
du padadiai, between the piles.
The following postpositions take the personal suffixes but not ai : —
totona, for the purpose of; (syn. helaoreana) ;
dekena, to towards; (of persons only).
Examples : —
gadara totona ama, we came for the purpose of playing ;
biagumu dekena baola, go to your master.
Note that when " to " or " towards " refers to a place, not a person,
no postposition is used at all ;
e.g., hanua baola, go to the village.
The following postpositions remain to be noted : —
a, from, by, with, (instrument) ;
amo, from, (of direction — places) ;
ena amo, from, (of direction — persons) ;
Ida, with, accompanying, (non-instrumental).
Examples : —
Hanuabada amo nama, I came from Hanuabada ;
Gavana ena amo nama, I came from the Governor ;
Io a na gwadaia, I pierced it with a spear ;
Memero ida baita haoda, We will go fishing with the boys.
Note. — Many Motuans do not recognise the distinction between amo and a. Some
use them indiscriminately ; some use amo for both meanings ; some of the villages east
of Taurama Head use a for both meanings. But the distinction between instrumental
a or amo and the non-instrumental ida is strictly maintained and should be carefully
noted, as either may be the equivalent of English " with."
10. THE CONJUNCTION.
(a) Co-ordinate,
bona, and, (joining clauses);
mai, and, (joining words and phrases);
ma, and, in the sense of " and in addition," moreover;
bena, and, then;
a, but (of comparison) ;
to, but (of explanation) ;
eiava, or.
Motu Grammar. 41
(b) Subordinate.
ema bona, until, (of events in the past) ;
ela bona, until, (of events in the future) ;
badina, also badina be, and madi be, because.
(Note. — Some Motuans reject madi be as a corruption.)
The above are all used as in English ; but those that now tollow
require special notes as to their usage.
ena be - — to, though ;
Ena be introduces the subordinate clause, and to the principal clause.
The subordinate clause must always comefr*t ;
e.g., Ena be baine alagu to baina abidadama henia .
Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.
garina, lest.
This comes at the end of the subordinate clause it " introduces " ;
e.g., Basio ania, ba mase garina ;
Do not eat it lest you die.
bema, if.
In most cases the use of the subjunctive mood renders a conjunction unnecessary in
sentences in which, in English, a subordinate clause is introduced by " if." But Motuans
sometimes use the 3rd person subjunctive particle bema as a conjunction followed by a
verb in the indicative mood. In such cases, the subordinate clause introduced by bema
always precedes the principal clause.
11. THE INTERJECTION.
Are ! of fear ;
Eke ! of surprise ;
la ! of dissent, (pronounce iya) ;
Ihi ! of satisfaction at accomplishment, Ah !
Ina ! of disappointment or reproof, Oh !
Inai ! of amazement, Oh !
Madi ! of pity, Poor thing !
Madi o ! Alas !
Matona ! Well then ! I told you so !
Matogana ! Well then ! Who knows ! (of ignorance) ;
Benaini ! That's right'! Never mind !
Hunama ! Gammon !
Vadaeni ! Enough ! That'll do ! Never mind !
PART 2
SYNTAX
1. THE SIMPLE SENTENCE.
A number of typical simple sentences have already appeared in
Part 1. All that need be done here is to summarise a few rules for the
construction of these sentences.
1. The normal word order in Motu is : Subject— Object (or objects,
if there are both direct and indirect ones) — Verb.
Occasionally, for emphasis, the Object may precede the Subject.
For particles indicating Subject and Object in such cases, see Part 1,
Section 5.
2. When the Subject is a Personal Pronoun, it is generally omitted,
being inferred from the form of the verbal particle, but it may be included
for emphasis, or to distinguish between singular and plural in the second
and third persons.
3. Qualitative and Quantitative Adjectives follow the Noun they
qualify. Interrogative, Demonstrative and Possessive Adjectives precede
it.
4. Adjectives may be used as Predicates. In the plural of the
present tense they duplicate their first syllable.
5. Adverbs of Manner derived from Qualitative Adjectives follow
the Verb, and are so closely linked with it that the " continuous tense "
suffixes -mu and -va are suffixed to the adverb, not to the verb.
Adverbs of Time precede the Verb.
The use of Adverbs of Interrogation is fully illustrated in Part 1,
Section 8 (g). Note that edeheto comes at the beginning of the sentence
when it means " why ? ", and at the end of the sentence when it means
'' how ? "
No fixed rule can be given for the remaining classes of adverbs.
6. Postpositions, as explained in Part 1, always follow the Noun
they govern.
7. In asking a question, the order of the words in the sentence is
not altered. The question is indicated either by the inflection of the
voice, or by the use of a? or ani? (see Part 1, Section 8 (g).
Note. — Negative questions are answered in a different manner in
Motu from that in which they would be answered in English. Thus, the
question —
la na asinema a ? Hasn't he come ?
would be either —
Oibe, meaning " Yes, he hasn't,"
or —
Lasi, vada ema, No, he has come.
42
Mot it Grumm'ir. 43
2. COMPOUND SENTKM B8,
These present no difficulty. As in English. th«-y ron*i>t «'t' two
or more independent clauses linked together by a co-ordinate Conjunction ;
p.p.. Mokona na mase, to ia ese e hamaurigu .
I nearly died, hut lit- s.-m-d MIC.
3. COMPLEX SENTENCES.
(a) Adjectival Clauses.
Adjectival clauses are introduced by relative pronouns, and the
construction used in Motu has been explained in Part 1, Section 6 (2).
It is only necessary to give a few examples of its use;
Boroma e alaia tauna na vada ema ;
The man who killed the pig hus come.
Dina siahuna ese umai e vara gaudia vada e hadika ;
The sun's heat has spoiled the things that grew in the garden.
•The nouns used in constructing these clauses need not necessarily
he limited to tauna, hahinena, gauna and their plurals. A large range
of nouns can similarly be used :
e.g., Biku e ani ore boromadia na vada e heau boio ;
The pigs that ate up the bananas have run away.
Habai e tauadae laulauna na vada e moru ;
The picture he hung on the wall has fallen.
Sote. — It will be noticed that in three of the above examples na is
used as a connective particle between the principal and subordinate
clauses. This usage is very common in all types of Complex Sentences.
(b) Adverbial Clauses.
1 . Clauses of Time : —
Five forms are to be noted, three in reference to present and past
time and two in reference to future time : —
(i) Present and Past, Simple. The personal suffixes are
attached to the verb-base and followed by ai ;
e.g., Mahutagu ai natugu e mase ;
While I slept my child died.
(ii) Present and Past, Continuous. The continuous forms of
the verb are followed by ai ;
e.g., Na mahutamu ai vadivadi e maimu ;
Visitors are always coming when I am asleep.
Na diguvai tamagu ema ; (note elided a) ;
My father came while I was bathing.
(iii) Present and Past, Definite. The time clause is followed
by neganai or its plural;
e.g., E ginidae neganai na noga ;
I awoke when he arrived (i.e., at the momeiit or
his arrival).
44 Motu Grammar.
(iv) Future, Simple. The time clause is followed by ai na ;
e.g., Lai baine namo ai na bae heau ;
When the wind is good, they will set sail.
la bainemai na baina hamaoroa ; (note elided a) :
When he comes I will tell him.
(v) Future, Definite. The time clause is followed by neganai na ;
e.g., Lai baine namo neganai na bae heau ;
Immediately the wind becomes good, they will
set sail.
la bainema neganai na baina hamaoroa ;
The moment he comes I will tell him.
2. Clauses of Place :—
These have gabunai, place, following the clause, and the main
predicate is always at the end of the sentence :
e.g., E moru gabunai e rakatania ;
He left it where it fell.
3. Clauses of Cause :—
These are introduced by badina, badina na, badina be, or madi be
The subordinate clause may either precede or follow the principal clause ;
e.g., Na lolomu badina na ia taiana e kudima ;
I am shouting because he is deaf.
4. Clauses of Purpose :—
These have totona following the clause, which may either precede
or follow the principal clause ;
e.g., Boroma ta ba henigu totona nama ;
I came in order that you might give me a pig.
Clauses of purpose are not common, however, in Motu, purpose
being more often expressed by phrases embodying, in the case of trans-
itive verbs, the infinitive of purpose, and, in the case of intransitive verbs
the simple verb-base. Totona may or may not be added to these phrases :
e.g., Boroma iabina nama, or, Boroma iabina totona nama ;
I came to get the pig.
la na digu ela, or, la na digu totona ela ;
He went to bathe.
The form without totona indicates a more definite expectation of achieving
the purpose than that with it.
5. Clauses of Consequence : —
These are introduced by bena or taunabinai (also taunabenai and
taunabunai), and follow the principal clause;
E siaigu bena nala ;
He sent me, so I went.
E dadabagu taunabinai na taimu ;
He beat me and therefore I am crying.
Mi it n (1 mm mar. 45
6. Clauses of Concession : —
These are introduced by ena be, and are followed by the principal
clause introduced by to. The subordinate clause must always come
first;
er.g., Ena be ba heau boio, to baina davarimu ;
Though you run away (lit. run lost), I shall find you.
7. Clauses of Condition : —
These are expressed by putting the verbs of both the subordinate
clause and the princi i><il clause in the Subjunctive Mood. The subordinate
clause musc always come first;
e.g., Boma noia bema henimu ;
If you beg him, he will give it to you.
In the negative,
Basioma noia, basinema henimu ;
If you do not beg him, he will not give it to you.
S. Clauses of Comparison : —
These have na heto or hegeregerena following the clause. Hegere-
gerena implies a closer and more literal resemblance than na heto. The
subordinate clause may either precede or follow the principal clause ;
e.g. Ba durugu, kakagu o durua hegeregerena ;
Help me as you helped my eldest brother.
Tamana ese natuna e bogadiahisi na heto, lehova e>3 ia e
matauraiamu taudia unu e bogadiahisi tomamu ;
As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities them that
fear him.
(c) Direct and Indirect Speech.
Direct Speech : —
Biagugu eto, Baina karaia ;
My master said, I will do it.
Indirect Speech : —
Biagugu eto baine karaia,
or, Biagugu baine karaia eto ;
My master said he would do it.
Indirect speech is frequently used in reporting isolated remarks ;
but in reporting a long speech, or in narrating a story, direct speech is
generally used.
(d) Dependent Commands, Petitions and Questions.
Dependent Command : —
E hamaorodia kekeni ana bae henia ;
He told them to give the girl some food.
(Note again the use of the Motu Future in place of the English Infinitive,
already referred to in Part 1.)
46 Motu Grammar.
Dependent Petition : —
E noia baine bamoa eto ;
He begged him that he might accompany him.
(Note the use of eto here, as in Indirect Speech.)
Dependent Question : —
Oi dibamu ia be daika ?
Do you know who he is ?
A BASIC MOTU
DICTIONARY
By
Percy Chatterlon, L.C.P.
FOREWORD
This short vocabulary of approximately 1,000
common words has been prepared, at the request of
the Department of Education of the Territory of
Papua-New Guinea, for the convenience of those who
require a smaller and more easily consulted vocabulary
than the very comprehensive one prepared by R<-\ -.
R. L. Turner and J. B. Clark.
Entries have been kept as terse as possible, and
grammatical labels have only been used in cases where
there would otherwise be ambiguity.
In cases where nouns and verbs are normally used
with personal suffixes, the third person singular form
of the suffix is shown hyphened to the noun or verb in
question. With verbs, the presence or absence of this
suffix indicates whether the verb is transitive or
intransitive.
Numerals are not included in this vocabulary. The
"Grammar" may be consulted for a list of them; but
most Papuans nowadays are familiar with the English
numerals.
P.O.
49
ENGLISH-MOTU
A
a, an ta
about (nearly) sisiva-na
above ... ... ... ... ... atai ai
accuse ... ... ... ... ... e habadelai-a
accusation hahebade
act (noun) kara
act (verb) e kara
add e habou-a
advice sisiba
advise e sisiba heni-a
afraid e gari
after, afterwards murinai, gabeai, gabeamo
afternoon adorahi, dina gelo-na
again
lou
age (in years) lagani
ago (of time) vada ela
agree ... ... ... ... ... lalo tamona
all ... ... ... ... ... idoi-nai, ibou-diai
almost ... ... ... ... ... mokona, kahira-kahira
alone ... ... ... ... ... sibo-na
also ... ... ... ... .*. danu
although ena be -to
always nega idoi-nai
among bogaragi-diai
and nmi, bona, ida
anger ... ... ... ... ... badu
angry ... ... ... ... ... e badu
another ma ta
answer (noun) haere
answer (verb) e haere
ant dimairi (small black)
birairo (soldier)
mudumu (white)
appear (in sight) e hedinarai
arm ima
armlet (plaited) gana
armshell toea
arrow diba
as (of comparison) ... ... ... na heto
ashamed e hemarai
ashes (of fire) gahu
ask (intransitive) e henanadai
ask (transitive) e nanadai-a
51
52 English-Motu Dictionary.
at ai
attack ' e heatu heni-a
aunt ... ... ... ... ... lala-na (father's sister)
sina-na lahai-na (mother's sister)
away -oho
axe ira
B
back (of thing) muri-na kaha-na
back (of person or animal) doru-na
bad dika
bag (as rice bag) puse, iuda-uda
bag (string) kiapa
bag (string, used as cradle) ... ... ihui
bake (food) e gabu-a
bake (pots) e tunu-a
bamboo baubau
banana (plant) dui
banana (fruit) ,. biku
bandicoot mada
bark (of tree) kopi-na
bark (of dog) e kwaru
basket ... ... ... ... ... bosea
bat (animal) ... ... ... ... sisiboi
bathe ... ... ... ... ... e digu
battle ... ... ... ... ... tuari
bay (geog. ) dogudogu
beach ... ... ... ... ... kone
beads ... ... ... ... ... ageva
beat (strike) e bota-ia, e kwadi-a, e dadaba-ia.
beautiful mai hairai-na
because badina, madi be
because of dai-nai, bagu-nai
before (of place) vaira-nai
before (of time) ... ... ... guna
beg e noi-a
beggar... ... ... ... ... noinoi tau-na, noi hegame tau-na
begin e matama-ia
beginning matama-na
behind ... ... ... ... ... muri-nai
believe e kamonai, e abi-a dae
bell gaba
below henu ai
beside badi-nai, badibadi-nai
betel nut buatau
between ihua-diai,. pada-diai
big ;. bada
bird manu
bite . e kori-a
English-Motu Dictionary. 53
black korema
blind (without sight) mata kcpulu
blood ... ... ... ... ... rara
blow (of wind) e toa
blunt ... ... ... ... ... asi mata-na, asi gano-na, bum
board reirei
boast ... ... ... ... ... e heagi, e hekokoroku
body tau ani-na
boil (intransitive) e daidai
boil (transitive) e nadu-a
bone turia
born e vara
borrow e abi torehai
both ruaosi (of things)
raruosi (of people)
bottle kavabu (glass)
ahu (gourd)
bottom henu-nai, kunu-nai
bow (to bend down) e toma diho, e igo diho
bow (for shooting arrows) peva
box maua
boy mero; plural, memero
branch rigi
brave haheauka
break (intransitive) e makohi
break (transitive) e hamakohi-a
breathe ... ... ... ... e laga
bridge nese hanai
bright hururu-hururu, kiama-kiaraa
bring e mailai-a
broom darodaro gau-na, buriki
brother (of a male) tadi-na (younger) ; kaka-na (older)
brother (of a female) taihu-na
build e hagini-a, e hadai-a
bundle ikumi
burn (intransitive) e ara
burn (transitive) e hara-ia, e dou-a
burst (intransitive) ... ... ... e pou
burst (transitive) ... ... ... e hapou-a
bury ... ... ... ... ... e guri-a
bush (forest) uda
but a, to
butterfly kaubebe
by (beside) badibadi-nai
by (instrumental) a, amo
C
call (noun) boiboi
call (verb) .* e boiri-a
54 English'Motu Dictionary.
call (to name) e hato-a
calm (of sea) vea, gaima
canoe vanagi
carefully ... ... ... ... namonamo
carry e hua-ia, e dibu-a, e gei-a, e ehe-a
cassowary ... ... ... ... kokokoko
catch ... ... ... ... ... e abi-a, e gobe-a
cause (noun) ... ... ... ... badi-na
cause (verb) ... ... ... ... e havara-ia
cave ... ... ... ... ... kohua
certain (sure) ... ... ... ... momokani
chair ... ... ... ... ... helai gau-na
chase (verb) ... ... ... ... e lulu-a, e hava-ia
cheap ... ... ... ... ... dava-na maragi
chief (noun) ... ... ... ... lohia, lohiabada
child ... ... ... ... ... natu-na
choose ... ... ... ... ... e abi-a hidi
church ... ... ... ... ... dubu
claw ... ... ... ... ... kahau
clay ... ... ... ... ... raro
clean goeva-goeva
clear (of water) negari
clever aonega
climb e dara dae
clock dina gau-na
close (shut) e kou-a
close (near) kahira-kahira
cloth, clothes dabua
cloud ori
coast kone
coat hahedoki
cockatoo ... ... ... ... karai
coconut ... ... ... ... niu
coconut oil dehoro
cold keru, keruma
comb iduari
come e mai-mu
come in e raka vareai
come out ... ... ... ... e raka lasi
company ... ... ... ... orea
companion ... ... ... ... bamona
complain ... ... ... ... e maumau
completely guguru, vaitani
cook (by boiling) e nadu-a
cook (by baking) ... e gabu-a
cool ... ... ... ... ... keruma
corner ... ... ... ... ... daiguni
cost .... ... ... ... ... dava-na
count . . e duahi-a
English-Alotu ]j«-ti<>i>ai'{. 00
crab ... ... ... ... ... bava, tlubara
crack (noun) maka, parara
crack (verb, transitive) e haparara-ia
crack (intransitive) e parara
crawl erau
crayfish ura
crocodile huala
cross (verb) e hanai-a
crowd hutuma
cruel dagedage
crush (verb) e moi-a tao
cry (verb) e taitai
cup kehere, kebere
cuscus vaura
cut ... ... ... ... ... e utu-a, e iva-ia
D
dance mavaru
danger hahedika
dark dibura
daughter natu-na kekeni-na
day dina
dead e mase
death mase
dear (expensive) dava-na bada
dear (beloved) lalokau
debt abi torehai
deceive... ... ... ... ... e koi-a
deception koikoi
decide lalo-na e hadai-a
deep (of water) dobu
destroy e bua-ia tari
die e mase
different '.. idau-idau
difficult ... ... ... ... auka
dig egei-a
dirt ... ... ... ... ... miro
dirty mai miro-na
disagree e hepapahuahu
disappear e puki
disobey e gwau edeede
dish nau (pottery), dihu (wooden)
distant daudau, dauhai
ditch dadaira, koupa
divide ... e hari-a
do e kara-ia
dog sisia
door iduara
down . diho
56 English-Motu Dictionary.
draw (a picture) e tore-a
draw (water) ... ... ... ... e utu-a
dream nihi
dress dabua
drink e inu-a
drive (chase) e lulu-a
drop (intransitive) e moru
drop (transitive) e hamoru-a
drown e maloa
drum gaba
dry kaukau
duck mokoraha
dugong rui
during lalo-nai
dust , kahu
E
each ta ta
ear taia
earth (soil) ... ... ... ... tano
earth (world) ... ... ... ... tanobada
east ... ... ... ... ... mairiveina
easy haraga
eat e ani-a
edge ise-na
egg gatoi
elbow diu
empty asi ani-na
end doko-na
endless ... ... ... ... asi doko-na, hanai-hanai
enough ... ... ... ... davana
equal ... ... ... ... ... hegeregere
escape ... ... ... ... ... e roho mauri
evening ... ... ... ... adorahi
ever (for ever)... ... ... ... hanai-hanai
every ... ... ... ... ... ibou-diai
everybody ... ... ... ... taunimanima ibou-diai
everything ... ... ... ... gau ibou-diai
exactly ... ... ... ... dodi-nai
eye ... mata
F
face ... ... ... ... ... vaira
faith ... ... ... ... ... kamonai, abidadatna
fall ... ... ... ... ... e keto, e moru
family ... ... ... ... ... iduhu
fan ... ... ... ... ... itapo
far . daudau
Englisk-Mottt Dirt In /»//•//. 57
fast ............... haraga-haraga
fat ............... digara
father ............... tama-na
father-in-law ............ rava-na
fault ............... kerere
fear ............... gari
for fear of ......... gari-na
feast ............... aria
feather ............ manu hui-na
feel ............... e dau-a toho
fence ... ... ... ... ... ara, magu
few ............... gadoi
fight ............... e heatu
fill ............... e hahonu-a
find ... ... ... ... ... e davari-a
finger ............... ima kwaki-kwaki-na
finish ... ... ... ... ... e haore-a, e haguguru-a
fire ............... lahi
fish (noun) ... ... ... ... gwarume
fish (verb) ............ e haoda
fisherman ............ haoda tau-na
flat ............... palaka-palaka
flesh ............... hidio
float (verb) ... ... ... ... e hure
flower ... ... ... ... ... au bure-na
fly (insect) ............ lao
fly (verb) ............ e roho
flying fox ............ mariboi
follow ............... e gava-ia
food ............... aniani
foolish ............... kavakava
foot ... ... ... ... ... ae palapala-na
footstep ......... ... ae gabu-na
foreign ............... nao
foreigner ............ tau nao
forest ............... uda
forget ............... e lalo-a boio
forgive ... ... ... ... ... e lalo-a nege, e gwau-a tao
fork ............... diniga
fresh ... ... ... ... ... mat a mat a
friend ............... tura-na
friendship ............ hetura
frighten ............ e hagari-a
frog ...... ' ......... parapara
from ............... amo
front ................ vaira
fruit ............... au huahua-na
full . honu
58 English-Mote Dictionary.
game (play) gadara
garden uma, sega
gate ikoukou, iduara
gather e habou-a
gentle manada
gently metaira
get ... ... ... ... ... e abi-a
girl ... ... ... ... ... kekeni
give ... ... ... ... ... e heni-a
glad moale
glass (mirror) ... ... ... ... hevarivari
go ... ... ... ... ... e lao-mu
God ... ... ... ... ... Dirava
good namo
good-bye ba mahuta
goods kohu
govern e halohia-ia
grass rei, kurukuru, masia, siriho
grass-hopper kwadi
gravel miri
great bada
green gadoka-gadoka
ground tano
grow (of plants, etc.) e vara, e tubu
grow up (of children) e badaoho-badaoho
guilty e kerere
gun ... ... ... ... ... ipidi
H
hair hui
half ... ... ... ... ... kahana
hand ... ... ... ... ... ima palapala-na
hang ... ... ... ... ... e tau-a dae
happen ... ... ... ... e vara
happy ... ... ... ... ... moale
hard ... ... ... ... ... anka
harm ... ... ... ... ... dika
hat ... ... ... ... ... kwara gau-na
hawk ... ... ... ... ... kipa (land), bogibada (sea)
he ia
head ... ... ... ... ... kwara
heap ... ... ... ... ... senu
hear ... ... ... ... ... e kamonai
heart ... ... ... ... ... kudou
heavy ... ... ... ... ... metau
help (noun) ... ... ... ... hekaha, heduru
help (verb) e kaha-ia, e duru-a
I,i>glish-Motu Dictionary. 59
her (objective pronoun) -a, -ia (suffixed to verb)
her (adjective) ena, ana (of food)
hers iena, iana (of food)
herself ... ... ... ... ... ia sibona
here ... ... ... ... ... iniseni ai
hide (intransitive) ... ... ... e komu
hide (transitive) ... ... ... e huni-a
high ... ... ... ... ... lata, atai ai
hill ... ... ... ... ... ororo
him -a, -ia (suffixed to verb)
himself ia sibona
hire e hoi-a asi
his (adjective) ena, ana (of food)
his (pronoun) iena, iana (of food)
hit e bota-ia
hold e dogo-a tao
hole guri (in ground) ; matu (in board, etc.)
holiday laga ani
honest kara maoro-maoro
horn ... doa
hot siahu
house rurna
how ? edeheto ?
how many ? hida ?
how much ? hida ?
hungry hitolo
hunt labana
hunter labana tau-na
hurry e haraga, e kara haraga
hurt e hahisi-a
husband . adava-na
I
I lau
idea ... ... ... ... ... lalo-hadai
iguana ... ... ... ... ... ariha
if bema
ill gorere
immense ... ... ... ... gaubadabada
impossible asi dala-na
in ai
inside lalo-nai
instead of gabu-nai, ibolo-na
into ai
iron ... auri (introduced)
island motumotu
it (subject pronoun) ia
it (object pronoun) -a, -ia (suffixed to verb)
its (adjective) ena, ana (of food)
60 English-Motu Dictionary.
its (pronoun) iena, iana (of food)
itself . ia sibona
J
jealous vagege, mama, gahusi
join ... ... ... ... ... e siriu-a
joke ... ... ... ... ... hevaseha
journey laolao
joy ... ... ... ... ... moale
judge (verb) ... ... ... ... e hahemaoro
judge (noun) hahemaoro tau-na
jump ... ... ... ... ... e roho
K
keep e abi-a
kick ... e laha-ia
kill e ala-ia mase
kind (sympathetic) hebogahisi
king gaubada, lohiabada
knee ... ... ... ... ... tui
kneel tui-na e hadai
knife kaia
knock (at door) e pidipidi
know diba-na
knowledge aonega
L
lake ... ... ... ... ... gohu
land tano
language ... ... ... ... gado
large bada
last gabe-na, doko-na
last night boi hanuaboi
late e halahe
laugh e kiri
law taravatu
lead (verb) e hakau-a
leader ... ... ... ... ... hahekau tau-na
leaf ... ... ... ... ... au rau-na
learn e hahediba
leave (not take away) ... ... e rakatani-a
leave (go away) ... ... ... e raka oho
left (opposite of right) lauri
leg ae
lend ... ... ... ... ... e heni-a torehai
lest ... ... ... ... ... gari-na (at end of clause)
letter . , revareva
English -Motu Dictionary. 61
lie (lie down) ... ... . ... e hekure
lie (an untruth) koikoi
lie (to tell an untruth) e koikoi
light (not heavy) haraga
light (not dark) diari
light (a lamp) e hara-ia
like (adverb) bamo-na, na heto
like (verb) e ura heni-a
listen e kamonai
little maragi
live (not die) e mauri
live (dwell) e noho
lizard vaboha, variga, hohoduks
long ... ... ... ... ... lata, daudau
look at ... ... ... ... e ita-ia
look for ... ... ... ... e tahu-a
look after ... ... ... ... e nari-a
loose ... ... ... ... ... manoka, heruha
lord ... ... ... ... ... lohiabada
lose ... ... ... ... ... e haboio-a
lost ... ... ... ... ... e boio
lot (of) ... ... ... ... momo
loud ... ... ... ... ... rege-na bada
love ... ... ... ... ... e ura heni-a, e lalokau heni-
low , henu ai
M
mad kava
madman kava tau-na
magic mea
magician mea tau-na
make ekara-ia
man tau; plural, tatau
man (collective) taunimanima
many momo, hoho, hutuma
mango vaivai
mark (noun) toana
marriage headava
marry e headava
mast au tubua
master biaguna
mat geda
me ... ... ... ... ... -gu (suffixed to verb)
meaning (noun) ani-na
measure (noun) hahetoho
measure (verb) ... ... ... e hahetoho-a
meat ... ... ... ... ... vamu
medicine muramura
meet . e hedavari
62 English- Mot u Dictionary.
mercy hebogahisi
merry ... ... ... ... ... moale
messenger ... ... ... ... hesiai tau-na
midday ... ... ... ... dina tubua
middle ... ... ... ... ... bogaragi-na
midnight malokihi
milk rata
mind (take care of ) e nari-a
mind (pay attention to) ... ... e lalo-a
mine lauegu, lauagu (of food)
miss ... ... ... ... ... e rea-ia
mistake kerere
mix ... ... ... ... ... e bulo-a
month hua
moon ... ... ... ... ... hua
morning daba
mosquito namo
mother sina-na
mother-in-law rava-na
mountain ororo
mouth udu
move (intransitive) e marere
move (transitive) e hamarere-a
much ... ... ... ... ' ... momo
mud ... ... ... ... ... kopukopu
my ... ... ... ... ... egu, agu (of food)
myself ... ... ... ... ... lau sibogu
N
nail (carpenters) ikoko
nail (finger or toe) kahau
name ... ... ... ... ... lada-na
narrow hekahi
near kahira
nearly kahira-kahira, mokona
neck ... ... ... ... ... alo
need (to be in) e dabu
nest manu ruma-na
net (fishing) reke, varo
net (pig or wallaby) huo
never nega ta lasi
new ... ... ... ... ... matamata
next (as in " next week ") ... ... vairai
night ... ... ... ... ... hanuaboi
no lasi
nobody... ... ... ... ... asi tau-na
no one asi tau-na
nothing asi gau-na
ndise helogo-helogo, rege-na
English-Moln D'u-tin, 63
north ... ... ... ... ... mirigini
north-west lahara
nose udu buulmu
now (at present) harihari
0
oar bara
obey ekamonai
off -oho
offer ... e dudui-a
often nega momo
oh! inai! ia!
old (not new) guna-na
old (not yonng) buruka
on ... ... ... ... ... lata-nai
once ... ... ... ... ... nega tamona
one ... ... ... ... ... ta, tamona
only mo, hona
open e keho-a
or eiava
order (noun) hahegani
order (verb) e hagani-a
other ma ta
others ma haida
oar (inclusive) eda, ada (of food)
our (exclusive) emai, amai (of food)
ours (inclusive) iseda, isada (of food)
ours (exclusive) ai emai, ai amai (of food)
ourselves (inclusive) ita siboda
ourselves ^exclusive) ai sibomai
out, out of -lasi
outside murimuri ai
over (finished) e ore, e doko
over (on the other side) unukahai
over (from one side to the other) . . . hanai
owl baimumu
owner biagu-na
P
pack ... ... ... ... ... e kumi-a
package ... ... ... ... ikumi »
paddle (noun) hode
paddle (verb) e kalo-a
pain ... hisihisi
pair ruaosi (of things); raruosi (of people)
part (portion) kaha-na
pass (verb) e hanai-a
path dala
* 461 20— 3
64 English-Mote Dictionary.
patience haheauka
pay dava-na e heni-a
payment dava-na
peace maino
pelt e hodo-a
people ... ... ... ... ... taunimanima
perfect goevadae
perhaps sedira, reana
pickup abi-aisi
picture laulau
piece ... ... ... ... ... taina
pig ... ... ... ... ... boroma
pity (noun) hebogahisi
pity (verb) e boga-ia hisi
what a pity madi
place gabu
plant (verb) e hado-a
plate ... ... ... ... ... mereki (introduced)
play e gadara
please (make glad) ... ... ... e hamoale-a
if you please ... ... ... mani emu(i) kara
plenty ... ... ... ... ... momo
point (noun) ... ... ... ... mata-na
point (verb) e duanai-a
poor (not rich) ogogami
poor (of sympathy) madi
possible mai dala-na
pot uro
potato (sweet) kaema
pour e sei-a
praise e hanamo-a
pray e guriguri
present (gift) ... ... ... ... barman gau-na, herahia gau-na
presently ... ... ... ... dohore
pretty ... ... ... ... ... mai hairai-na
prevent e ru-a, e lao-a ahu
price ... ... ... ... ... dava-na
prison dibura ruma-na
prisoner dibura tau-na
promise (noun) gwau hamata
promise (verb) e gwau hamata
protect ... ... ... ... e gima-ia
proud e heagi
pride heagi, hekokoroku
prove * e hamomokani-a
pull e veri-a
push e dori-a
put ... e ato-a
/•"</i>'*}t-Motu Dictionary. 65
Q
quarrel (verb) e heai
question (noun) henanadai
<tue>tion (verb) c nunadai-a
quick haraga
quietly asi regerege-na
quite vaitani
R
rain medu
raise eabi-aisi
rat bita
reach (arrive at) e ginidae
read e duahi- 1
n-ady hegaegae
real korikori
receive e abi-a dae
red kakakaka
reef moemoe
refuse e dadarai-a
remember e lalo-a tao
reply haere
re-rue e hamauri-a
rest (repose) laga ani
rest (remainder) ore-na
rich (not poor) taga
right (opposite of left) idiba
right (opposite of -wrong) macro
ring (a bell) e tou-a
rise (verb) ... ... ... ... e dae
river sinavai
road dala
roar e lolo
rob e henao-a
robber henao tau-na
rock nadi
roll up (a mat) e loku-a
roof guhi
room (of house) daiutu
root ramu
rope kwanau
rough (not smooth) rigika-rigika
round kuboro
row (a boat) e bara
rule (law) taravatu
rule (measure)... ... ... ... hahetoho
run . e heau
66 English-Motu Dictionary.
sacred helaga
sad lalo hisihisi
sago ... ... ... ... «•• rabia
sail (noun) lara
sail (verb) e heau
salt damena
salt-water tadi
same ... hegeregere-na
sand raria
satisfied (mentally) lalo-na e hegeregere
satisfied (hunger abated) boga kunu
saw (tool) iri
say ... ... ... ... ... e to (usually written " eto ")
scraps (of food) bahu
sea davara
seashore kone
secretly hehuni
see e ita-ia
sell e hoi-a
seller hoihoi tau-na
send e siai-a
separate (verb) e hidi-a
separately sibo-na sibo-na
serve (give service) ... ... ... isiai-na e laoheni
serve (food) e dabara-ia
servant hesiai tau-na
set (of sun) (dina) e diho
several haida, ta ta
shadow laulau
shake (intransitive) e marere-marere, e heude-heucle
shake (transitive) e hamarere-a
shame hemarai
shape oromana
sharp (of an edge) ... ... ... gano, mai gano-na. mai mata-na
sharp (of a point) mai mata-na
sharpen e sege-a
she ia
shell koukou
shine ... ... ... ... ... e hururu-hururu (of a polished surface)
e tara (of the sun)
e rara (of the moon)
e kiama (of the stars)
ship lagatoi
shirt hahedoki
shoe tamaka (introduced)
shoot (with a gun) e pidi-a
shoot (with arrows) e taraki-a
shore . kone
k it'll i'.<h-Motu Dictiowr;/. 67
8hort kwadogi
shoulder paga
shout e lolo
show e haheitalui-a
shut e kou-a
sick (ill) e gorere
sick (vomiting) e mumuta
sickness gorere
side ohe-na, kaha-na
silly kavakava
sing (anc) e abia
sink (intransitive) e mutu
sister (of a female) tadi-na (younger), kaka-na (older)
sister (of a male) taihu-na
sit ehelai
skin (noun) kopi-na
skin (verb) e kopa-ia
sky guba
sleep e mahuta
slip e dedidedi
slippery dedika-dedika
slow(ly) metaira-metaira
small maragi
smell (noun) bona-na
smell (transitive verb) ... ... e bona-ia
smoke (noun) kwalahu
smoke (to smoke tobacco) (kuku) e ani-a
smoke (to smoke fish) (gwarume) e nono-a
smooth manada
snake gaigai
so taunabinai, taunabenai, taunalmnai
soft manoka-manoka
soldier tuari tau-na
some haida
sometimes nega haida
son natu-na maruane-na
soon asivanaha-na
sore toto
sorrow lalo hisihisi
sound (noun) rege-na
south diho kaha-na
south-east laurabada
splash ... ... ... ... ... e pisipisi
speak ehereva
spear io
speech hereva, haroro
spirit lauma
spoil (verb) e hadika-ia
spoon bedi
stand e gini
68 English-Motu Dictionary.
stand up e toreisi
star hisiu
start (verb) e matama-ia
stay (verb) e noho
steal e henao-a
steam varahu
steep e hekei
steer (a boat) e tari-a
stick (noun) au
stick (walking-stick) ... itotohi
stick (transitive verb) e kapa-ia tao
stick (intransitive verb) s ... ... e hekamo
still (of time) do
still (not moving) ... se marere
stir ( of food, etc.) e bulo-a
stone nadi
stop (intransitive) e doko
stop (transitive) e hadoko-a
store (food) ... roge
storm guba
story sivarai
straight maoro-maoro
straighten e hamaoromaoro-a
strange idau
stream sinavai
street ariara
strength goada
strengthen e hagoada-ia
stretch (verb) e haroro-a
strike (verb) e bota-ia
string ... ... ... ... ... varo
strong ... ... ... ... ... goada
succeed ... ... ... ... e kwalimu
sun dina
sunshine dina e tara
sure momokani
surprise hoa
sweep e daro-a
swim e nahu
sword ilapa
T
table pata
tail (of animal) ... ... ... iu-na
tail (of bird) dubi-na
take ... ... ... ... ... e abi-a, e laohai-a
talk (noun) here va- here va
talk (verb) e hereva-hereva
tall , lata
Dictionary.
taste (noun) ............ mami-nu
taste (verb) ............ e mami-a toho
teach ............... ehadiba-ia
teacher ............ hahediba tau-na
tear (of weeping) ......... iruru mata-na
tear (verb) ............ e dare-a
tell ............... e hamaoro-a
tempt ............... e dibagani-a
temptation ............ hedibagani
tent ............... kalaga
thank ............... e hanamo-a
that ............... ena, una
tlu-ir ............... edia, adia (of food)
theirs ............... idia edia, idia adia (of food)
them ... ... ... ... ... -dia (suffixed to verb)
themselves ... ... ... ... idia sibodia
then ... ... ... ... ... bena
there ............... eneseni ai, unuseni ai
they ............... idia
thick ............... uduna
thief ............... henao tau-na
thin ............... severa-severa (of things)
varoda-varoda' (of people)
thing ............... gau
think ............... elalo-a
thirsty ............... ranu mase
this ... ... ... ... ... ina
those ............... ene, unu
though ............ ena be -- to
thought (noun) ......... lalo hadai
through ... ... ... ... hanai
throw ............... etaho-a
thunder ............ guba e rahu-a
tie (verb) ............ e kwatu-a, e gui-a. e mata-ia
tight ............... auka
time ............... nega
tide (high) ............ davara e hagaru
tide (low) ............ komada e kui
tired ............... tau boera
today ............... hari dina
toe ............... ae kwakikwaki-na
together ............ hebou
tomorrow ............ kerukeru
tongue ............... mala
tonight ............ hari hanuaboi
too ............... danu
tooth ............... ise
top ............... atai kaha-na, dori-na, kwara-na
on top of ......... lata-nai
70 EngUsh-Motu Dictionary.
torn e hedare
touch e dau-a toho
towards ... ... ... ... deke-na (of people only)
travel ... ... ... ... ... elaolao
traveller ... ... ... ... laolao tau-na
tree au
true ... ... ... ... ... momokani, korikori
truth ... ... ... ... ... hereva momokani
trust (noun) ... ... ... ... abidadama
trust (verb) e abidadama heni- a
try e kara-ia toho
turn (intransitive) e hegiro, e gini kerehai
turn (transitive) e giro-a, e siva-ia
turtle . matabudi
U
umbrella damaru (introduced)
uncle ... ... ... ... ... tama-na lahai-na (father's brother)
vava-na (mother's brother)
under ... ... ... ... ... henu-nai
understand ... ... ... ... diba-na, lalo-na e parara
untie ... ... ... ... ... e ruha-ia
until ... ... ... ... ... ema bona (in past)
ela bona (in future)
untrue ... ... ... ... ... koikoi
up dae
us -da (inclusive)
-mai (exclusive)
use e gaukaralai-a
V
valley koura
veranda dehe
very herea, dikadika
village hanua
visit e igo-a ita
visitor vadivadi tau-na
voice gado
W
wait (for) e nari-a
wake (intransitive) e noga
wake (transitive) e hao-a
walk e raka
wall haba
wallaby magani
want (desire) e ura heni-a
Ki»tl>'.<l'.-M,tt>i Dictionary. 71
want (need) e dabu
war timri
warm ... ... ... ... ... siahu
warn ... ... ... ... ... c sisiba heni-a
wash c huri-a
waste e hapotapetalai-a
watch (intransitive) e hegima
watch (transitive) ... ... ... c gima-ia
watchman hegima tau-na
water ranu (fresh); tadi (salt)
wave hurehure
way dala
we ita (inclusive)
ai (exclusive)
weak manoka
weaken e hamanoka-ia
weigh metau-na e hahetoho-a
weight ... ... ... ... ... metau-na
welcome (verb) e abi-a dae
well (adverb) namonamo
well (of water) ranu guri-na
west kunududu
wet paripari
what ? dahaka ?
when ? edana negai ?
when (relative) nega-nai
where ? edeseni ai ?
where (relative) gabu-nai
which ? edana ? edena ?
which (relative) gau-na
while nega-nai
white kurokuro
who? whom? daika ? (singular) ; daidia ? (plural)
who, whom (relative) tau-na (singular); tau-dia (plural)
whose ? daika ena ? daidia edia ?
whole idoi-nai
why ? dahaka dainai ?
wicked dika
wickedness kara havara, lebulebu
wide ... ... ... ... ... lababa-na bada, gamoga bada
width lababa-na
wife adava-na
wild uda gau-na
win (intransitive) ... ... ... e kwalimu
wind lai
window ... ... ... ... gabamauru
wise aonega
wisdom aonega
wish (noun) ura
wish (verb) ... ... ... ... e ura
72 English- Motu Dictionary.
with (accompanied by) ida
with (instrumental) ... ... ... a, amo
without ... ... ... ... asi
woman ... • • • • • • • • • hahine
wonder (noun) hoa
wonder (verb) ... ... ... e hoa
wood au
word hereva
work (noun) gaukara
work (verb) e gaukara
worker gaukara tau-na
world tanobada
worry (noun) lalo hekwarahi
worry (verb) lalo-na e hekwarahi
wound (noun) bero
wound (verb) e habero-a
wrap e kumi-a
write e tore-a
writing toretore
wrong kerere
Y
yam ... ... ... ... ... maho
year ... ... ... ... ... lagani
yellow labora
yes ... ... ... ... ... oibe
yesterday ... ... ... ... varani
yet ... ... ... ... ... do
you ... ... ... ... ... oi (singular) ; umui (plural)
young ... ... ... ... ... matamata
young man ... ... ... tauhau (unmarried) ; uhau (plural)
eregabe (married)
young woman ... ... ... hane-ulato (unmarried) ; ula to (plural)
eregabe (married)
your ... ... ... ... ... emu (singular) ; emui (plural)
yours ... ... ... ... ... oiemu (singular) ; umui emui (plural)
yourself ... ... ... ... oi sibomu
yourselves ... ... ... ... umui sibomui
MOTU-ENGLISH
a but, from, with, by
abi-a to get, to take
abidadama trust, faith, strength
abi-a dae to receive, to accept, to entertain
abi-a hidi to choose
abi-a isi to pick up
abitorehai debt
ada our (incl.) — of food only
adava-na husband, wife
adia their (food)
adorahi afternoon
ae leg
ageva beads
agu my (food)
ahu lime, also the gourd in which it is kept.
ai we (excl.), also in
ai emai ours (excl.)
ai amai ours (excl.) — of food only
aio-na neck
ala-ia to kill
amai our (excl.) — of food only
amo from, with, by
ana his (food)
ane song, hymn
ani-a to eat
aniani food
ani-na ... ... ... ... ... contents, meaning
aonega wisdom
ara garden fence
aria feast
ariara street
ariha iguana
asi not
atai ai above, high
atai kahana along coast to eastward
ato-a to place, to put
an tree, post, stick
auka hard
auri (introduced) iron
au tubua mast
avti ... ... ... ... ... weed
73
74 Motu-Engli&h Dictionary.
B
bada big
badaoho-badaoho to grow up (of people)
badi-na base, cause
badi-nai, badibadi-nai beside
badina be because
bagu-nai on account of
bahu food left over from a meal
baimumu owl
bamo-na like, companion
bara oar, to row
baubau... ... ... ... ... bamboo, pipe
bava crab
bedi coconut-shell spoon
bema ... if
bena then
bero wound
biagu-na master
biku banana
birairo ant (red)
bita rat
boga-na stomach
boga-ia hisi to pity
boga kunu replete (with food)
bogaragi-na middle
bogaragi-diai in the midst of
bogibada hawk
boiboi call
boio lost
boiri-a to call
bona and
bona-ia to smell
bona-na smell
boroma pig
bosea basket
bota-ia to strike
bua-ia tari to destroy
buatau betel nut
bure-na blossom, flower
buriki midrib of coconut leaflet, and broom made from
bum ... ... ... ... ... blunt
buruka old (of people)
D
daba morning
dabara-ia to serve up food
dabu to be in want of
dabua clothing
Motu-English Dictionary. 75
<iadaba-ia to beat
dadaira ditch
dadarai-a to reject, to disdain
dae up
<iaekau to go up
dagedage fierce, savage, wild
dahaka ? what ?
dahaka dainai ? why ?
daidai ... ... ... ... ... sting-ray
daidia ? who? (plural form)
daiguni corner
daika ? who ? (singular)
dai-nai on account of, because
daiutu room
dala road, path, track
damaru (introduced) umbrella
damena salt
danu too, also
dara dae to ascend (a hill)
dare-a to tear
darima outrigger
daro-a to sweep
darodaro ... ... ... ... the work of sweeping
dau-a toho ... ... ... ... to touch
daudau... ... ... ... ... distant
dauhai ... ... ... ... ... distant
dava-na ... ... ... ... price
davara ... ... ... ... ... sea
davari-a ... ... ... ... to find
dedidedi ... ... ... ... slippery
dehe ... ... ... ... ... verandah
dehoro ... coconut oil
deke-na ... ... ... ... towards
deke-nai ... ... ... ... at
diari ... ... ... ... ... light (opposite of dark)
diba ... ... ... ... ... arrow
dibagani-a ... ... ... ... to tempt, to deceive
diba-na to know
dibu-a to carry (a string'bag)
dibura dark
dibura ruma-na • ... ... ... jail
dibura tau-na prisoner, also sometimes used in the sense of an
unenlightened person
digara ... ... ... ... ... fat
digu to bathe
diho ... ... ... ... ... down
dihu dish
dika ... ... ... ... ... bad
dikadika very
dimairi ant (small black)
76 Motu-English Dictionary.
dina ... ... ... ... sun, day
dina gau-ru. watch, clock
dina gelo -na early afternoon
dina tubua mid-day
diniga ... ... ... ... ... fork
Dirava God (originally meant soul of dead person)
diu-na ... ... ... ... ... elbow
do ... ... ... ... ... still, yet
doa-na ... ... ... ... ... horn
dobu ... ... ... ... ... deep
dodinai exactly
dogo-a tao ... ... ... ... to hold
dogudogu bay
dohore presently
doko to stop
doko-na end
dori-a to push
dori-na ... ... ... ... top, peak
doru-na ... ... ... ... back (of person)
dou-a ... ... ... ... ... to burn
du piles (of house)
duahi-a to read, to count
duanai-a to point to
dubara crab
dubi-na tail (of bird)
dubu church, sacred house or platform
dudui-a to stretch out
dui banana plant
duru-a ... ... ... ... ... to help
E
eda our (incl.)
edana ? which ?
edana negai ? when ?
edeheto ? how ?
edena ? • which ?
edeseni ai ? where ?
edia their
egu my
ehe-a to carry (on shoulder)
eiava ... ... ... ... ... or
ela bona until (future)
ema bona until (in narrative of past)
emai our (excl.)
emu your (singular)
emui your (plural)
ena ... ... ... ... ... his, her, its, that (beside person spoken to }»
ena be -to although
ene those (beside person spoken to)
Motu-Engl;sh Dictionary. 77
*
eneseni ai there (beside person spoken to)
eregabe ... ... ... ... young man or woman
G
gaba bell, drum
gabamauru window
gabeai, gabeamo after, afterwards
gabe-na last, end, after-end of canoe
gabu place
gabu-a to bake
gabu-nai where (relative)
gadara game, to play
gado throat, language
gadoi few
gadoka-gadoka green
gageva, gageva-gageva crooked
gaigai snake
gaima ... ... ... ... ... calm (of sea at night)
gana armlet
gano sharp
gari fear, to be afraid
gari-na lest, for fear of (at end of phrase)
gatoi egg
geda mat
gei-a ... ... -... ... ... to carry a person on back
gima-ia to watch
gini to stand
gini dae to arrive
gini kerehai to turn round
giro-a to twist, to spin, to turn around
goada ... ... ... ... ... strong, strength
gohu lake
gorere sick
guba ... sky, storm
guba e rahu-a thunder
guhi ... ... ... ... ... roof
guma soot
guna first
guna-na first, old
gui-a to tie, to bind
guri ... ... ... ... ... hole in ground, well
guri-a to bury
gwarume fish
gwau to speak, to say
gwaurai-a to tell, to proclaim
gwau-a tao ... ... ... ... to forbid, to forgive
gwauedeede disobedient, to disobey
gwauhamata promise, to promise
78 Motu-English Dictionary.
G
gahu mist, haze, ashes of fire
gahusi-a to desire
gamoga wide
gau thing
gaubada chief (term of respect)
gaubadabada huge, immense
gaukara ... ... ... ... work, to work
gaukaralai-a to use
gava-ia to follow, to imitate
gei-a to dig
gobe-a to catch (in hands)
goeva, goevagoeva ... ... ... clean
goevadae excellent
guguru complete, completely
guri-a to pray to
guriguri prayer
H
haba wall
habada-ia ... ... ... ... to make bigger
habadelai-a ... ... ... ... to accuse
habero-a ... ... ... ... to wound
haboio-a ... ... ... ... to lose
habou-a to add together, to gather
hadai-a to build (a house)
hadika-ia to spoil
hadiba-ia to teach
hado-a to plant
hadoko-a to put a stop to
haere to answer
haese-a to hold
hagari-a ... ... ... ... to frighten
hagaru ... ... ... ... ... to come in (of tide)
hagini-a to erect
hagani-a ... ... ... ... to command
haguguru-a ... ... ... ... to complete
haheauka ... ... ... ... endurance
hahebade ... ... ... ... accusation
hahediba ... ... ... ... teaching
hahediba tauna ... ... ... teacher, scholar
hahedika misfortune
hahedoki ... ... ... ... clothing
hahegani ... ... ... ... commandment
haheitalai-a ... ... ... ... to show (by sight)
79
hahekau ............ guidance
hahemaoro ............ investigation, legal proceed! i
hahetoho ............ measure
hahetoho-a ............ to measure
hahine ... ... ... ... ... woman
hahisi-a ... ... ... ... to cause pain
hahonu-a ............ to fill
haida ... ... ... ... ... some
hairai ............... beauty
hakala ............... to listen
hakau-a ............ to lead, to guide
hakaukau-a ............ to dry
hakwaidu-a ............ to break (sticks, etc.)
halahe ............... to linger, to dawdle, to be late
halohia-ia ... ... ... ... to rule (over people)
hamakohi-a ............ to break (pots, etc.)
hamanoka-ia ............ to weaken
hamaoro-a ............ to tell, to show
hamaoromaoro-a ......... to straighten
hamarere-a ............ to cause to move
hamauri-a ............ to heal, to save
hamoale-a ............ to make glad
hamoalelai-a ............ to rejoice over
hamomokani-a . ........ to make certain
hamoru-a ............ to drop
hamotu-a ............ to break (string, etc.)
hanai ............... across, through
hanai-a ............... to cross (from one side'to the other)
hanaihanai ............ continually, for ever
hanamo-a ............ to mend, to improve, to praise
haneulato; (plural) ulato ...... adolescent girl
hanua ............... village
hanuaboi ............ night
hao-a ............... to waken
haoda ............ ... fishing, to fish
haore-a ............... to finish
haparara-ia ............ to split
hapetapetalai-a ......... to scatter
hapou-a ......... ... to cause to burst
haraga ............... quick
hara-ia ......... ... to light (a fire)
hari-a ............... to share, to divide
harihari ............ now
harihari gauna ... ... ... a present
haroro ............... to preach, to declaim
hato-a ... ............ to name (a person)
hava-ia ............... to chase, to pursue
havara-ia ............ to give birth to
headava ............ marriage, to get married
heagi ............... proud, boastful
80 Motu-English Dictionary.
heai ... ... ... ... ... quarrel, to quarrel
heatu to fight
heau to run
hebogahisi pity
hebou a meeting, to meet together
hedare to be torn
hedavari to meet
hedibagani temptation
hedinarai to be manifest, to be clear
heduru assistance, helpfulness
hegima care, watchfulness
hegiro to spin
hegaegae to prepare, to be prepared
hegeregere equal, like, as
hehuni hidden
hekaha assistance, helpfulness
hekahi near
hekamo adhering, stuck
hekei to slide down, to roll down
hekokoroku boastful
hekure to lie down
hekwakwanai to stumble
hekwarahi ... ... ... ... trouble, toil
helaga holy, sacred
helai ... ... ... ... ... to sit
helai gauna ... ... ... ... chair
helogohelogo ... ... ... ... noise (of people)
hemarai ... ... ... ... shame, to be ashamed
henanadai ... ... ... ... question, to ask
henao-a to steal
henao tauna thief
heni-a to give
henitorehai a loan, to lend
henu ai underneath
hemi kaha-nai along coast to westward
henu-nai under
henuhenu-nai under (the house)
hepapahuahu argument, to argue
herahia a present
herea very
hereva speech, to
heruha loose, untied
hesiai to
hesiai tauna a messenger
hetura friendship
heudeude to shake, to shiver
hevarivari mirror
hevaseha joke, to joke
hida ? how many ?
hidi-a to separate, to divide
Motu-EngUsh Dictionary. 81
... ... ... ... ... H«-sh
hisihisi pain
hisiu star
hitolo hungrj'
hoa ... ... ... ... ... to wonder, to be surprised
hode a paddle (canoe)
hoiiu a water pot
hodo-a to pelt with stones
hoho many (persons)
hohoduka a large li/.anl
hoi-a to buy, to sell
lioi-a asi to hire
hona ... ... ... ... ... only (of numbers)
honu full
hua ... ... ... ... ... moon, month
huahua fruit •
hua-ia to carry
luiala crocodile
hui hair
huni-a to hide
huo wallaby-net
hure to float, to drift
hurehure waves (of sea)
huri-a to wash
hururu-hururu shining, to shine~(of bright surface)
hutuma many (people), a crowd
I
ia he, she, it
iana ... ... ... ... ... his, hers (of food)
ibolona ... ... ... ... substitute, successor, instead of
iboudiai ... ... ... ... all
ida ... ... ... ... ... with (accompanying)
idau ... ... ... ... ... different
idauidau ... ... ... ... different
idia they
idiba right (opposite of left)
idoinai ... ... ... ... ... the whole
iduara ... ... ... ... ... door
iduari ... ... ... ... ... comb
iduhu ... ... ... ... •.. clan, family
iena ... ... ... ... - his, hers
igo-aita to visit
ihuadiai between
ihui string-bag used as cradle
ikoko ... nail
ikoukou ... gate
ikumi bundle
ilapa large knife
82 Motu-English Dictionary.
ima hand, five
ina this
inai this
ini ... ... ... ... ... these
iniseni ai ... ... ... ... here
inu-a ... ... ... ... ... to drink
io ... ... ... ... ... spear, yes
ipidi ... ... ... ... ... gun
ira axe
iri saw
irurumata-na tears
isada ours (incl.) — of food
ise tooth
iseda ours (incl.)
ita ... t we (incl.)
ita-ia to see
itapo fan
itotohi walking stick
iudauda bag
iu-na tail
iva-ia . , to cut
K
kaema ... ... ... ... ... sweet potato
kaha-ia... ... ... ... ... to help
kaha-na part, half
kahau nail (of finger or toe)
kahira-kahira near
kahu dust
kaia (introduced) knife
kakakaka red
kaka -na elder brother or si ster
kalaga hut, rough shelter, tent
kalo-a to paddle (a canoe)
kamonai to hear
kapa-ia tao to affix
kara act, to do
kara havara loose or immoral behaviour
karai white cockatoo
kara-ia to do, to make
kara-ia toho to try
karu green coconut
kaubebe butterfly
kaukau dry
kava mad
kavabu bottle
kavakava silly, stupid, foolish
kebere cup (small)
Motu-English Dictionary 83
kehere cup (large)
keho-a to open
kekeni girl
keme-na chest
kerere mistake, wrong
keru ... ... ... ... ... cold
kerukeru .... ... ... ... tomorrow
keruma cool
keto to fall down
kevaru ... ... ... ... ... lightning
kiama ... ... ... ... ... bright, shining, to shine
kiapa string bag
kimai fish-hook
kipa hawk; also the midrib of the sago-palm leaf
kiri to laugh
kohu goods, possessions
kohua cave
koi-a to deceive
koikoi untrue, to tell a lie
kokokoko cassowary
kokoroku fowl (domestic)
komada ... ... ... ... low tide
komu to hide (intransitive)
kone ... ... ... ... ... beach, shore, coast
kopi-na ... ... ... ... skin
kopukopu ... ... ... ... mud
korema... ... ... ... ... black
kori-a ... ... ... ... ••• to bite
korikori true
kou-a to shut
koukou... ... ... ... ... shell
koupa ... ... ... ••• ••• ditch, gully, small stream
koura valley
kuboro round
kudou-na ... heart
kui to ebb (of tide)
kumi-a to wrap up
kunu-na bottom, buttocks
kunududu ... westerly wind
kurokuro white
kurukuru long grass (" kunai ")
kwadi grasshopper
kwadi-a to beat, to hit
kwadogi short
kwaidu broken
kwakikwaki-na finger
kwalahu smoke
kwalimu to succeed, to conquer
kwanau rope
84 MoUi-English Dictionary.
kwara-na head
kwaru to bark
kwatu-a ... ... ... ... to tie
L
lababa-na ... ... ... ... width
labana to hunt
labora ... ... ... ... ... yellow
lada-na name
lagatoi ... large trading canoe
laga breath, to breathe
laga ani to rest
lagani year
laha-ia to kick
lahara north-west wind
lahedo lazy
lahi fire
lai wind
lala-na ... ... ... ... ... aunt on father's side, niece
lalo-a to think
lalo-a boio to forget
lalo-a nege to forget, to forgive
lalo-a tao ... ... ... ... to remember
lalohadai idea
lalo hekwarahi worry
lalo hisihisi ... ... ... ... sorrow
lalokau affection, object of affection
lalokau heni-a ... ... ... to love
lalo-nai inside
lalo tamona of one mind, in agreement
lao to go; aho a fly (insect)
laoahu to prevent
laohai-a to take (to a distance)
laolao ... ... ... ... ... journey
lara sail
lasi ... ... ... ... ... no
-lasi (suffixed to verb) outside
lata ... ... ... ... ... long
lata-na length
lata-nai ... ... ... ... on top of
lau I
lauagu mine (of food only)
lauegu mine
laulau shadow, reflection, picture
lauri left (opposite of right)
lauma spirit
laurabada ... ... ... ... south-east wind
lebulebu immoral, of loose character
lohia . chief
Mm« English Dictionary. 85
lohiabada chief, king, lord
loku-a to roll up
lolo to shout
lou again
lulu-a to chase
ma again, another
mada bandicoot
madi poor thing ! what a pity !
madi be because
raaeda cooked
magani wallaby
magu fence, wall, enclosure
ma haida others
maho yam
mahuta to sleep
mai ... ... ... ... ... to come; also with, and
mailai-a to bring
maino peace
mairiveina east
maka gap
makohi broken
mala-na tongue
maloa to be drowned
malokihi midnight
mama jealousy, to be jealous
mami-a toho ... to taste
mami-na taste
manada smoothe (of things); tame (of animals); meek,
modest (of people)
mani please
manoka-manoka weak
manu ... bird
manu rumana nest
maoro right ( opposite of wrong)
maoro-maoro straight
maragi small, little
marero-marere move, shake, tremble
mariboi flying-fox
mamane male
mase ... ... ... ... ... dead, to die
masia ... ... ... ... ... grass (short as on lawn)
ma ta another
mata eye
matabudi turtle
mata-ia to tie
matakepulu blind
matama-ia begin, start
86 Mote-English Dictionary
matamata new
mata-na eye, point
matu hole (in board, etc.)
maua box
maumau to grumble
mauri ... ... ... ... ... life, to live
mavaru ... ... ... ... to dance
mea ... ... ... ... ... magic
medu ... ... ... ... ... rain
mereki ... ... ... ... ... plate
mero ... ... ... ... ... boy
metaira-metaira ... ... ... slow
metau ... ... ... ... ... heavy
metau-na ... ... ... ... weight (of)
miri ... ... ... ... ... gravel
mirigini ... ... ... ... northerly wind
miro ... ... ... ... ... dirty
mo ... ... ... ... ... only
moale ... ... ... ... ... happy
moemoe ... ... ... ... reef
moi-a tao to tread on, to crush with foot
moko-na almost (in past only)
mokoraha ... ... ... ... duck
momo ... ... ... ... ... many
momokani certain, certainly
moru to fall (from height)
motu to break (rope, etc.)
motumotu island
mudumu white ant
mumuta to vomit
muramura medicine
murimuri ai outside
muri-nai behind
mutu ' to swamp, to sink
N
nadi stone
nadu-a ... , to cook, to boil
na heto as, like
nahu ... ... ... ... ... to swim
namo good
namonamo carefully
nanadai-a ... ... ... ... to ask
nao ... ... ... ... ... foreign
nau dish (wooden)
nari-a to watch, to look after, to wait for
natu-na son or daughter
nega ... ... ... ... ... time
nega-nai when (relative)
Motiir-English Dictionary. 87
negari clear (of water)
nese hanai bridge
nihi to dream
niu coconut (tree and ripe fruit)
noga to wake
noho to live, to dwell
noi-a to beg
noinoi request
noinoi tauna beggar
noi hegame tauna beggar
nono-a to smoke (fish, etc.)
0
ogogami poor
ohe-na side (of person)
-oho away
oi you (singular)
oiamu yours (of food only)
oibe yes
oiemu yours (singular)
ore to be finished
orea company, class, group
ore-na remainder
ori cloud
oroma-na ... ... ... ... appearance, form
ororo ... ... ... ... ... hill, mountain
P
pada-diai between
paga ' shoulder
pakosi (introduced) scissors
palaka-palaka flat
palapala-na foot
parara ... split
parapara frog
paripari ... ... ... ... wet
pata table
pepe flag
peva bow (for shooting arrows)
pidi-a to shoot
pidipidi to knock, to tap
piripou trousers
pisipisi to splash
pou to burst
puapua double canoe
puki ... ... ... ... ... to disappear
puse (introduced) bag, sack
88 Motu-English Dictionary.
R
rabia sago
raka to walk
raka oho to depart
rakatani-a to leave (a person or place)
rakuraku firewood
rami grass-skirt, loin-cloth
ramu-na ... ... ... ... root
ranu water
ranu guri-na ... ... ... ... well
ranu mase ... ... ... ... thirst v
rara blood
raria sand
raro clay
raruosi both (of people)
rata ... ... ... ... ... milk
rau to crawl
rau-na leaf
rava-na father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-
in-law
rea-ia ... ... ... ... ... to forget, to miss
reana, readia perhaps, probably
rege-na, regerege-na sound, noise
rei ... ... ... ... ... grass
reirei board
reke fishing-net
revareva tattooing, letter, writing
rigika-rigika rough
rigi-na branch
roge food-store
roho to jump, to fly
ru-a to prevent
ruaosi both (of things)
ruha-ia to untie
rui ... ... ... ... ... dugong
ruma ... ... house
S
sedira ... ... ... ... ... perhaps, I don't know
sega ... ... ... ... ... clearing for garden
sege-a ... ... ... ... ... to sharpen
sei-a ... ... ... ... ... to pour
senu ... ... ... ... ... heap, pile
severa-severa thin
siahu hot, heat, power
siai-a to send
sibo-na ... ... ... ... alone, himself
sina-na ... ... ... ... mother
sina-na lahai-na ... ... ... aunt on mother's side
M tAu-Englisli l)«t,n«ary. 89
sinavai rivt-r
siriho ... ... ... ... ... reed
siriu-a to join
sisia dog
sisiba warning, ad\ i< .
sisiba heni-a to warn, to advi^-
sisiboi bat (animal)
sisivana approximately
siva-ia to turn end to end
sivarai ... ... ... ... ... story
T
ta one, a
tadi salt water
tadi-na younger brother or si-t»-r
tagi wealth
taho-a ... ... ... ... ... to throw
tahu-a ... ... ... ... ... to seek, to look for
taia-na ... ... ... ... ear
taihu-na ... ... ... ... brother or sister (opposite >^N)
tai-na a little (of)
taitai ... ... ... ... ... to cry
taitu yam
tamaka (introduced) ... ... ... shoe
tama-na ... ... ... ... father
tama-na lahai-na ... ... ... uncle on father's .side
tamona ... ... ... ... one only
tano ... ... ... ... ... land, ground, soil
tanobada ... ... ... ... mainland, world
tara ... ... ... ... ... to shine (of sun)
taraki-a ... ... ... ... to shoot (with arrows)
taravatu ... law
tari-a ... ... ... ... ... to steer
ta ta each
tau (plural, tatau) man, men
tau-a dae to hang up
tau ani-na body
tau boera tired
tauhau (plural, uhau) young man, young men (unmarried)
taunabinai "1
taunabenai > therefore
taunabunai J
taunimanima people
to but
toa to blow (of wind)
toa-na sign, mark
toea arm-shell
tohu ... ... ... ... ... sugar cane
90 M otu -English Dictionary.
toma diho ... ... ... ... to worship
tore-a to write
toreisi to stand up
toto sore, ulcer
tou-a to ring (a bell), to beat (a drum)
tuari war
tubu ... to grow, to swell, to sprout
tubu-na grandfather, grandmother, grandchild
tui-na knee
tunu-a to bake (pottery)
tura-na friend
turia bone
U
uda bush, forest
uda-ia to put into (a bag or box)
udu-na * mouth
udu baubau nose
uduna thick
uhau ... ... ... ... ... young men (unmarried)
ulato ... ... ... ... ... young women (unmarried)
uma ... ... ... ... ... garden
umui you (plural)
umui amui yours (of food only)
umui emui yours
una that
unai there
unu those
unukahai on the other side
unuseni ai ... ... ... ... there
ura wish
ura heni-a to wish, to want
uro cooking pot
utu-a ... ... ... ... ... to cut
V
vaboha gecko
vadavada steps of house
vadivadi ... ... ... ... visitor
vagege jealous
vaira-na face
vairai ahead
vaira-nai in front of
vaitani completely
vaivai mango
vamu meat
vanagi canoe
vanegai the day before yesterday, or, more loosely, a fe\
days ago
Motu-Etiglish Dictionary.
91
vara ............... to be born
varavara-na ... ... ... ... relative
varahu ............ steam, perspiration
varani ............... yesterday
variga ............... small lizard
varo ............... twine, cotton
varoda-varoda ......... thin, emaciated (of people)
vaura ............... cuscus
vava-na ............ uncle on mother's side, m-p
vea ............... calm (of sea by day)
ve-a
to pull
PL
6257
T8
19—
Turner, R. Lister
A grammar of the Motu
language of Papua
PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE
CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11