Idiom: Pesei enda telam lalu

Peséi enda bei telam lalu

pronounciation: pe-séy en-da bey te-lam la-lu
literally means: No fish eats the bait
Malay: TIada ikan makan umpan or Umpan tidak mengena

Actual meaning: attempts to attract (woo) someone failed.

Malay: percubaan untuk memikat (mengurat) tidak menjadi

By: Learn Melanau On 11:01 PM

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Idiom: Simei Ngau

simei Ngau

pronounciation: si-mey Ngaw
Dialekt: Melanau Rajang
literally means: shy like a cat
Malay: malu-malu kucing

Actual meaning: to be a very shy person

Malay: seorang yang pemalu

By: Learn Melanau On 11:51 PM

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Laei-a: Mun enda ji tibah akou

Mun enda ji tibah akou

pronounciation: Mun en-da ji ti-bah a-kou
literally means: if he/she were not being summoned by me
Malay: Kalau tidak saya panggil

Actual meaning: if you are not listening to my advice,you will be in trouble

Malay: Jika tidak mendengar nasihat saya, kamu akan menerima padah


Explaination:

This expression is commonly used by a mother to her children.

Usage:

Mun enda ji tibah akou tuneh, ngak pededug jahak kretak kaau tuneh.
If you were not listening to me earlier, you will hit by a car.

By: Learn Melanau On 1:27 AM

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Anatomy Special Series Pt 8-8 The Abdomen (Pait)

Original Photo: xxrobot

The abdomen is called Pait in Melanau Mukah. Pait also means Stomach Perut, Magen.

Melanau	English	Malay	Deutsch
Pait	Abdomen, Stomach	Abdomen, Perut	der Bauchraum, der Magen
Betuong	Waist	Pinggang	die Taille
Pused	Belly button	Pusat	der Nabel
Tuleang Id	Thigh bone	Tulang paha	der Oberschenkelknochen
Guem	Groin	Kelangkang	die Leistegegend

By: Learn Melanau On 1:06 AM

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Anatomy Special Series Pt 7-8 The Neck (Tengok)

Original Photo: rachel a. k.
The Neck is called Tengok (pron: Te-Ngo'). It is not to be misunderstood as Tengok pronounced Té-Ngo' ( Malay: to watch). The throat is Ingouk.

Melanau	English	Malay	Deutsch
Tengok	Neck	Leher	der Nacken
Kapei	Bahu	Shoulder	die Schulter
Breguong	Tulang Selangka	Collar bone	das Schlüsselbein
Usuok	Chest	Dada	die Brust
Tuleang Nyaheang	Rib	Tulang rusuk	die Rippe
Buak Lakum	Adam's Apple	Halkum	der Adamsapfel

By: Learn Melanau On 1:05 AM

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Anatomy Special Series Pt 6-8 The Mouth (Bebak)

This post is about the parts of mouth in Melanau Mukah.

Melanau	English	Malay	Deutsch
Bebak	Mouth	Mulut	der Mund
Mujun	Lips	Bibir	die Lippe
Nyipen	Teeth	Gigi	die Zähne
Nyip	Gums	Gusi	das Zahnfleisch
Jelak	Tongue	Lidah	die Zunge
Tengad	Throat	Tekak	die Kehle
Bahud	Larynx	Peti Suara	der Kehlkopf
Kalaq-kalaq	Uvula	Anak Tekak	das Gaumenzäpfchen
Lelangit	Palate	Lelangit	der Gaumen

By: Learn Melanau On 1:04 AM

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Anatomy Special Series Pt 5-8 The Head (Ulou)

Original Photo: JeremyMP

In this post we are going to learn about the names of part on the face in Melanau mukah.
The Face is called Jawai and the head is Ulou.

Important notes:
The mouth is called Bebak
and the lips are called Mujun .
These two words are always misused :)

Melanau	English	Malay	Deutsch
Bebak	Mouth	Mulut	der Mund
Jawai	Face	Muka	der Gesicht
Mujun	Lips	Bibir	die Lippe
Ulou	Head	Kepala	der Kopft
Nyipen	Teeth	Gigi	die Zähne
Jelak	Tongue	Lidah	die Zunge
Gam	Chin	Dagu	das Kinn
Gumei	Moustache	Misai	der Schnurrbart
Buak Lakum	Adam's Apple	Halkum	der Adamsapfel
Bibeh	Corner of the mouth	Tepi Mulut	die Mundwinkel
Uduong	Nose	Hidung	die Nase
Pipei	Cheek	Pipi	die Wanger
Linga	Ear	Telinga	das Ohr
Bulou Ingaih	Sideburns	Bauk	die Koteletten
Buok	Hair	Rambut	die Haare
Beleang	Forehead	Dahi	die Stirn
Bulou Likau	Eyebrow	Kening	die Augenbraue
Mata	Eye	Mata	die Augen
Bulou Mata	Eyelash	Bulu mata	die Wimper
Bulou Rumak	Hairline	Garisan Rambut	der Haaransatz

By: Learn Melanau On 1:04 AM

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Anatomy Special Series Pt 4-8 The Back of the body (Buta biyaih)

Original Photo: evic peacock

In this post we are going to learn about the names of part of the back region in Melanau mukah.
The back region is called Buta Biyaih.

Melanau	English	Malay	Deutsch
Kapei Mudak	Shoulder Blade	Tulang Belikat	das Schulterblatt
Sikou	Elbow	Siku	das Ellbogengelenk
Betuong	Waist	Pinggang	die Taille
Pupoh	Buttscheeks	Punggung	das Gesäß
Sei Jeloh	Calf	Betis	die Wade
Tug	Heel	Tumit	die Ferse
Betaked	Knee pit	Pelipatan	die Kneekehle
Beteh	Thigh	Paha	der Oberschenkel
Kubin	Tailbone	Tulang tongkeng.	das Steißbein
Awieak	Arm pit	Ketiak	die Achsel
Kapei	Shoulder	Bahu	die Schulter

By: Learn Melanau On 1:03 AM

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Anatomy Special Series Pt 3-8 The Leg (Buduek)

Today we are going to learn about the names of part of the leg region in Melanau mukah.

The Leg is called Buduek. It it is always misunderstood as the foot. To my knowledge. in Melanau Mukah, the foot have no special name but the upper region of the foot is called Bau buduek ( lit. means above leg) and the lower region of the foot is called tap buduek ( lit. means base of the leg).

Hence when ones hurt his foot usually the region where it hurts will be mentioned.

Eg:
Pedéh tap buduek kou- My sole hurts
Pedéh bau buduek kou- My foot hurts ( upper region of the foot)

Parts of the Leg in Melanau Mukah

Melanau	Malay	English	Deutsch
Buduok	Kaki	Leg	das Bein
Bau Buduok	-	upper of foot	-
Tap Buduok	Telapak kaki	Sole	die Fußsohle
Tujok Buduok	Jari kaki	Toes	die Zehen
Buak Bawun	Buku lali	Ankel	der Knöchel
Tug	Tumit	Heel	die Ferse
Wud	Keting	Shin	die Schienbeine
Sei Jeloh	Betis	Calf	die Wade
Bukou	Lutut	Knee	die Knie
Betaked	Pelipatan lutut	Knee pit	die Kneekehle
Beteh	Paha	Thigh	der Oberschenkel

By: Learn Melanau On 1:03 AM

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Anatomy Special Series Pt 2-8 Parts of Arm in Melanau ( Pa'a)

Original Photo: ~Victoria Gracia~

Today we are going to learn about parts of arm in melanau mukah dialect. The Arm is the upper limb of human body.

In Melanau mukah the arm is called Paa. The hand is called Nyagem which also can be translated as fist. The word Paa is always being confused as hand, which is actualy called Nyagem

The Palm (Malay: Telapak Tangan ) however is called Tap Paa   instead of Tap Nyagem

Many young generations of Melanau are confused with this term. They refer the arm as Lengen as in Malay Lengan and the hand as Paa. This post will try to clarified this confusion :)

List of parts of arm in Melanau mukah.

Melanau	Malay	English	Deutsch
Paa	Lengan	Arm	der Arm
Nyagem	Tangan	Hand	die Hand
Tap Paa	Telapak Tangan	Palm	die Handfläche
Ligok	Pergelangan Tangan	Wrist	das Handgelenk
Sikou	Siku	Elbow	das Ellbogengelenk
Awieak	Ketiak	Armpit	die Achsel
Kapei	Bahu	Shoulder	die Schulter
Breguong	Tulang Selangka	Collar bone	das Schlüsselbein
Silou	kuku	nail	der Nagel
Tujok	Jari	finger	der Finger

By: Learn Melanau On 1:03 AM

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Anatomy Special Series pt 1-8 Names of finger in Melanau

Original Photo: sochacki.info
Ngadan Tujok gak Nyagem  - Names of finger of the hand

Melanau	English	Malay	German
Tujok Pou	Thumb	Ibu jari	die Daumen
Tujok Ijuk	Index finger	Jari telunjuk	Zeigerfinger
Tujok Dagen	Middle finger	Jari Hantu	Mittlefinger
Tujok Isieang	Ring finger	Jari Manis	Ringfinger
Tujok Ingeh	Pinky	Jari Kelingking	kleiner Finger

By: Learn Melanau On 1:02 AM

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Anatomy Special Series Pt 0-8 Anatomy special 8 Parts series in melanau mukah

When you were a young child, it's possible that among the first words taught to you (as opposed to the words you picked up naturally) were the names of the parts of your body. Those words aren't likely the first words you'll need to learn in Melanau, but they're often indispensable.

Today we would like to introduce a series of post that will concentrate on the names of the parts of your body. This series will be called Anatomy Special Series.

Anatomy Special Series

This series will dicuss about the names of the parts of your body. In each new post you can answer a series of Questions that will test your vocabulary. By making connections between words and ideas, and between words and pictures, this exercise build your vocabulary skills. Start discovering name of body parts in melanau. Enjoy and happy learning!!!

Start learning the names of the parts of your body today by clicking here:

Anatomy Special Series Part 1/8 : Names of Finger in melanau.

Anatomy Special Series Part 2/8 : Parts of Arm in Melanau (Pa'a).

Anatomy Special Series Part 3/8: The Leg ( Buduek)

Anatomy Special Series Part 4/8: The back of the body ( Buta Biyaih)

Anatomy Special Series Part 5/8: The Head (Ulou)

Anatomy Special Series Part 6/8: The Mouth (Bebak)

Anatomy Special Series Part 7/8: The Neck (Tengok)

Anatomy Special Series Part 8/8: The Abdomen ( Pa'id)

By: Learn Melanau On 1:02 AM

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Why Melanau use Bin and Binti in their names

The Melanaus are mostly :
1. Muslim
2. Christian
3. Pagan

Traditionally malay muslim have a 'Bin' (son of) and 'Binti' (daughter of) in their names. Hence from the name alone one can guess that the person is a muslim. However all the Melanaus have a 'Bin' (son of) and 'Binti' (daughter of) in their names similar to the Malays regardless of their religion.

There are 2 theories why this has happened:

By: Learn Melanau On 1:00 AM

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The Melanau Calendar

Wearing Ipok Balau (Sago Spirit) Mask during Kaul Festival (Melanau New Year)

 The Melanau used a lunar-based calendar where Bulan Pengejin, the first month of the year starts in March. During this month, the Melanau celebrate the Kawul (Kaul) Festival, which constitutes both a thanksgiving for a bountiful year past and a prayer for a bountiful year ahead.

The Melanau calendar comprises 12 months, each month consisting of 30 days. The Melanau calendar is guided by the constellations and the way of nature, as is that of their guardian spirits (‘gods’).

Each month is named after the occurrences during the specific month or after events that is supposed to have occurred during that particular month according to legend. The rise and fall of the sun, the moon and the stars determines their time for planting and harvesting, fishing and building as well as other movements, such as travel, marriages and the like.

The Melanau Calendar ( Bulan Melanau) serves as an important guide for daily activities of livelihood such as fishing, planting, harvesting, house construction and marriage because the calendar is guided by the constellations and the way of nature, the spirits and god. The First month begins in March. Each month consists of 30 days. The names of the Month are as follows:

Gregorian	Melanau Month
March	Pengejin ( The Month of the Spirits)
April	Pengelawah Umik (The Month of the Lesser Clear Water)
May	Pengelawah Ayeng (The month of the Greater Clear Water)
June	Paka Umik (The Month of the Rise of the Lesser Stars)
July	Paka Ayeng (The Month of the Rise of the Greater Stars)
August	Pelepa’ (Month of Plentiful)
September	Pegalan (Month of the North Star)
October	Suwah (The Month of the Waves)
November	Pidai (The Month of the Discoloured Skies)
December	Penangaih (The Month of Revival)
January	Pemalei (The Month of Taboo)
February	Pengesiseng (The Month of the Gills)

Read more about Bulan Melanau here

By: Learn Melanau On 12:56 AM

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Melanau philosophy of Life

While the Melanau have mostly converted to Islam and Christianity, their view of the world and action still have strong influence from their ancient religion. In fact the christian and muslim melanaus are very similiar in conducting their daily life and developing unique understanding about the world around them.

By: Learn Melanau On 12:56 AM

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Jimalang Tanak- an earth Spirit

Jimalang Tanak- Image: The Trustees of The British Museum & Paul Beavitt

The Melanau believe that we are living alongside with many spirits. Each of the spirits have their proper place and territories and these must be respected. In general these spirits remain in their territories, but it is believed that they sometimes seek human company if possible, particularly to feed off human blood.

By: Learn Melanau On 12:55 AM

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Melanau New Year

Image by abbybiha: Seraheing- Offering Basket during Kaul festival.
New Year and the Month of Taboo

January 1st is the start or advent of a new year for those people who follow the Gregorian calendar. It marks the end of one year and the start of the next year and is the day on which the year count is incremented.

By: Learn Melanau On 12:55 AM

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Aristocratic Numbers

The aristocratic Melanau ( a-nyat) have their own set of language to show their rank. This is almost a forgotten language and not many research about it can be found.

Here are set of aristocratic numbers in melanau:

English	Arisocratic Numbers	Common Numbers
one	jei	ja
two	jerunei	dua
three	telamong	telew
four	besei	pat
five	tuka'	lima
six	nawa'	nem
seven	kuten	tujuk
eight	dulen	ayan
nine	pulu'	ulan
ten	plu'en	plu'en

If any readers have any information about the aristocratic numbers please leave a comment under this post. Thanks

source johan1960

By: Learn Melanau On 12:54 AM

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Lesson 5: Expressing Feelings

You will come to discover that, in life, for every situation that you may find yourself in, expressing what you feel can be so relieving. In this lesson you will learn about expressing feelings in Melanau Mukah dialect.

Feeling ( Naseng, Rasa )

Angry	Melalaih
Scare, Fear	Mengeang
shy	Miak
Happy	Manah
Sad, Troubled	Susah Naseng
Shocked	Apuk Jawai
Like	Suka
Love, to miss someone/something	Berahi
Surprise	Kelejet

In melanau, there are 2 ways to express ones feeling.

1: Use special verb:

to be shy- miyak
I am shy to...- Akou miak bak+ action verb
eg. Akou miak bak makau adep- I am shy to walk alone.

I am shy around.. - Akou miak gak + noun
eg. Akou miak gak a mahou- I am shy around girls.
AKou miak gak siyen- I am shy around him.
Dont be shy- Kak miak.

to be angry- melalaih
I am angry about..- Akou melalaih buyak...
eg. AKou melalaih buyak duit tanak yen- I am angry about the land settlement.
I am angry at...- Akou melalaih gak+noun...
Stop being angry - Kak melalaih un. kak means "do not" and un means "only".

to be scared (of)- mengeang
I am scared of...- Akou mengeang gak...
Do not be scared (of...) - Kak mengeang (gak+ noun), (bak+ action Noun).
- Do not be scared of him- kak mengeang gak siyen
- Do not be scared of walking alone- kak mengeang bak makau adep. makau means walking adep means alone.

What do you afraid of?- Inou bak kenengeang nou?
- bak kenengeang is the passive form of mengeang.

to like- suka
I like...- Akou suka...
eg. I like to eat rice- Akou suka keman nasek

Thats the way I like it- Tan nyen senuka kou. senuka is the passive form of suka.
What do you like?- Inou wak senuka nou?
Whom do you like?- Sai wak senuka nou?

to love- berahi
I would love to...- Akou berahi bak+action verb
eg. I would love to eat here- Akou berahi bak keman gitou.

to fall in love with..- berahi gak+noun
eg. I fall in love with her..- Ajou berahi gak siyen.

berahi also means:

to miss someone
eg. I miss my mother- akou berahi gak tina kou
I miss speaking with my mother- akou berahi bak telabau jahak tina kou

Notes:
theoretically berahi can be used to say: I love you or I fall in love with you.
eg. I love you- akou berahi gak nou.
But nowadays most people prefer to use the verb suka.
(eg. Akou suka kaau ) because berahi means lust in malay and it may sound inappropiate.

2. Using the the verb "to feel"

to feel- tan rasa

This sentence structure must be used in order to use this verb:
the feeling + tan rasa + subject.
e.g.
Mengeang tan rasa kou- I feel scared.
Melalaih tan rasa Maya-Maya feels angry
Miak tan rasa kou- I feel shy
Manah tan rasa siyen- He feels happy
susah naseng tan rasa mak ayeng- Grandmother feels sad/ troubled.
kelejet tan rasa kou- I feel surprised.

How do you feel ?- Betan tan rasa nou?

By: Learn Melanau On 12:53 AM

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Lesson 4: Days and Dates in Melanau

Days

In Melanau days are being expressed in numeral except Sunday. ei. Monday = Lau satu (lit. Day one). Here the word satu ( malay for one) is being used instead of the word ja. This is one of the influence of malay language in melanau. Theoreticaly Lau Ja can be used but very rare.

English	Melanau
Monday	Lau Satu
Tuesday	Lau Dua
Wednesday	Lau Telou
Thursday	Lau Pat
Friday	Lau Lima
Saturday	Lau Nem
Sunday	Lau Minggu

Useful Words

Day	Lau
Today	Lau itou
Tomorrow	Semuneh
Yesterday	Mabei
the day after tomorrow	Silih semuneh
2 days ago	silih mabei
morning	suap
noon	dagen lau
evening	abei
night	malem
midnight	dagen malem
dawn	badek

Dates

Months are also being expressed in numerals like days of the week.
Note: sepuluh is malay word for ten.

English	Melanau
Januari	Bulan Satu
February	Bulan Dua
March	Bulan Telou
April	Bulan Pat
May	Bulan Lima
Jun	Bulan Nem
July	Bulan Tujuk
August	Bulan Ayan
September	Bulan Ulan
October	Bulan Sepuluh
November	Bulan Ja belaih
Decembre	Bulan Duwa belaih

To tell the date follow this construction:
date (numeral) + lau bulan + month + ta-un + year
eg: 25th decembre 2010
Duwa poluk lima lau bulan duwa belaih ta-un duwa ribu plu-en

Useful Words

Year	Taun
Week	Minggu
Month	Bulan
Day	Lau
next month	Bulan mudei
last month	Bulan siieng
this month	Bulan itou
next week	Minggu mudei
last week	Minggu siieng
this week	Minggu itou
When	Paya
too late	tayi angai
too short	jujok angai

By: Learn Melanau On 12:53 AM

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Lesson 1: Greetings

Here we are going to learn about exchanging conversation in melanau mukah

How are you? - Inou dengah nou?
I'm fine- Akou diak un.
I'm not feeling well- Enda diak angai tan rasa kou.

What is your name?- Sai ngadan nou?
My name is... , - Ngadan kaw...

Who is your friend?- Sai sakai nou?

Whoose son/ daughter is that?- Aneok sai itou?

This is my friend. His/Her name is- Itou sakai kou. Ngadan siyen..

Oh, I didn't notice you- An ji, enda kelalak kou gak nou?

It's has been a long time sicne we met- Paut ngak tua enda petemu.

Where are you going?- Menaan kaau?
I just came from..- Akou japan un tapak keman...
I am going to...- Akou bak mapun ....

Where do you come from?- Kaau tapak menaan?
I come from...- Akou tapak keman...

Where do you live?- Takan gan diem nou?
I live at.. - Akou diem gak...
I am living with..- Akou diem jahak..
I am renting a ...- Akou menyiwak...

What are you doing right now?- Inou sibet nou itou selau?
I am working at..- Akou kreja gak..
I am studying at..- Akou belajer gak...
I am still hunting for job- Agei pinyeang kreja.

I need to go now.- Akou makau siieang.

Sorry. I am in a hurry.- Ma-ep eh. Akou bak legah itou.

By: Learn Melanau On 12:52 AM

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Lesson 3 Numbers in Melanau

Counting in Melanau is as easy as one, two, three. Both the English and Melanau languages use the same symbols to represent numbers, e.g. 1, 2, 3, etc.; however, the two differ in how the numbers are pronounced.

Fortunately, you really only need to learn a small handful of words to be fluent at counting. You should push yourself to learn to do math in you head using Melanau words instead of English words.

English	Melanau
Zero	Kusuong
One	Ja
Two	Dua
Three	Telou
Four	Pat
Five	Lima
Six	Nem
Seven	Tujuk
Eight	Ayan
Nine	Ulan
Ten	Plu-en

Construction of number after 10 is rather simple. From 11 till 19 you just need to add the prefix belaih. This is similar to english teen.

2nd digit + belaih
eg.
11, in Melanau ja belaih.
12, in Melanau dua belaih.
18, in Melanau ayan belaih
19, in Melanau ulan belaih

English	Melanau
Eleven	Ja Belaih
Twele	Dua Belaih
Thirdteen	Telou Belaih
Fourteen	Pat Belaih
Fifhteen	Lima Belaih
Sixteen	Nem Belaih
Seventeen	Tujuk Belaih
Eighteen	Ayan Belaih
Nineteen	Ulan Belaih

To construct number from 20 till 99 you just need to add pulok.

1st digit number + pulok + 2nd digit number ( if zero omit the 2nd digit)
eg.
23, in Melanau dua pulok telou
20, in Melanau dua pulok and NOT dua pulok kusuong!!

English	Melanau
Twenty	Dua pulok ( zero is not included)
Thirty	Telou pulok
Fourty	Pat pulok
Fifty	Lima pulok
Sixty	Nem pulok
Seventy	Tujuk pulok
Eighty	Ayan pulok
Ninety	Ulan pulok
Twenty one	Dua pulok ja
Sixty nine	Nem pulok ulan

To construct number from 100 till 999 you just need to add ratuih.

1st digit + ratuih + 2nd digit ( if zero omit the 2nd digit)+ pulok (if zero this will be omitted) + 3rd digit ( if zero omit the 3rd digit)

eg.
123, in Melanau Ja ratuih dua pulok telou
113, in melanau Ja ratuih telou belaih NOT Ja ratuih ja pulok telou!!!
120, in Melanau Ja ratuih dua pulok
100, in Melanau Ja ratuih

To construct number from 999 till 1000 you just need to add ribu.

1st digit + ribu + 2nd digit ( if zero omit the 2nd digit)+ ratuih (if zero this will be omitted) + 3rd digit ( if zero omit the 3rd digit)+pulok ( if zero this will be omitted)+ 4th digit( if zero omit the 4th digit)
eg.
1234, in Melanau Ja ribu dua ratuih telou pulok pat
1211, in Melanau Ja ribu dua ratuih ja belaih NOT Ja ribu dua ratuih ja pulok ja!!!
1023, in Melanau Ja ribu dua pulok telou
1003, in Melanau Ja ribu telou
1000, in Melanau Ja ribu

Mathematical Operations:

+ : tambah
- : tuleq
/ : bagi
x : kali
= : jadi

eg:
2+3=5 ; dua tambah telou jadi lima
2 x 5=10; dua kali lima jadi pluen

Image Above: Matt Banks / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

By: Learn Melanau On 12:52 AM

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Lesson 2: Direction and Position

One of the most important things to know is how to ask for directions. You don't want to end up lost with no way of getting help. Learn a few key phrases and you'll be able to find your way around with no problems.


Here are list of vocabularies and phrases about directions and positions.

Where is..?.- Gak gan..?
eg.
Where is the bus stop?
Gak gan stesen bas/ bus stop?

Where are you (sing) going?- Mapun gan kaau?

Where are you (plural) going?- Mapun gan keleu?

I am not familiar with the streets here.- enda akou taou alun gak gitou.

How do I get to...?- Jian tan akou bak mapun...

How do I get to the bus stop?- Jian tan akou bak mapun stesen bas/ bus stop?

How do I get there?- Jian tan akou bak meninan?

Is it far?- Jauk ka?

It is not very far- Enda jauk angai.

It is nearby.- Segak un

It is not here- Enda bei ngadan gian yen gak gitou.

far- jauk

near-segak

go straight ahead until..- makau un tigah tapak...
eg. You go straight ahead until you see a red house- Makau un kaau tigah tapak peden lebuk seak.

to the left- gak bah ulai
eg. the bus station is to the left of the red house- stesen bus yen gak bah ulai lebuk seak.

to the right- gak bah tu-u
eg. there is a groceries to the left of the bus station- bei kedai runcit gak bah tuu bus stesen yen.

behind- gak buta
eg. there is a coconut tree behind the groceries.- bei daan benyuh gak buta kedai runcit yen.

in front of- gak jawai
eg. there is a small road in front of the groceries.- Bei alun umik gak jawai kedai yen.

opposite- dipah
eg. there is a big Supermarket opposite the groceries.-Bei Supermarket nyat dipah kedai runcit yen.

near-segak
eg. the supermarket is near the fish market.- Supermarket yen segak pajak jekan.

on top of- gak bau
eg. there is a small flag on top of the supermarket.- Bei bendirak umik gak bau supermaket yen.

under- gak dibak.
eg. there is a cat under the table.- bei sieang gak dibak mija.

By: Learn Melanau On 12:52 AM

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Laéi-a: Singouih lah Bedil

Singouih lah Bedil

pronounciation: si-nguiyh lah be-dil
literally means: cold like a cannon
Malay: Sejuk seperti meriam

Actual meaning:a very cold weather, being too cold

Malay: keaadan yang sangat sejuk, sangat sejuk


Example:
Kelalu tan lau itou. Singouih lah bedil
Today is the worst. It is cold like a cannon.

By: Learn Melanau On 12:51 AM

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Idiom: Pebulou Usuek

Photo: StayPround

Pebulou Usuék

pronounciation: Pe-Bu_low U-su-ék
literally means: hairy chest
Malay: dada berbulu

Actual meaning: a jealous person

Malay: Orang yang iri hati


Explaination:
Pebulou means " hairy "
Usuék means "chest"( malay dada )

Origin:unknown?

By: Learn Melanau On 12:50 AM

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Idiom: Pinyéang Nyawa

Pinyéang Nyawa

pronounciation:
literally means: to search for Life
Malay: Mencari nyawa

Actual meaning: to intentionally engage in dangerous and lethal activities

Malay: sengaja mencari bahaya atau mencari nahas


Explaination:
This figure of speech may sound positive but actually it brings a very negative connotation.

Example:
Kak taban suis Lampu yen. Tujok nou basak. Bak Pinyéang Nyawa ka!
Do not touch the Lamp switch with your wet fingers (here means wet hand). Do you want to search for life! ( Do you want to get electrocuted!)

By: Learn Melanau On 12:50 AM

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Idiom: Sepuhut ji jawai

Sepuhut ji jawai

pronounciation: Se-pu-hut ji ja-wai
literally means: look like a face that just being washed
Malay: seperti muka yang baru sahaja dibasuh

Actual meaning: to talk with no evidence

Malay: Becakap tanpa sebarang bukti


Explaination:
Sepuhut means to wash the face
ji means like
Jawai means face

The origin of this idiom still unclear to me. Any one who have any ideas where this comes from please leave comment below :) thanks

By: Learn Melanau On 12:50 AM

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Idiom: Nyat Bam

Nyat Bam

pronounciation: Nyat Bam
literally means: big step
Malay:langkah besar

Actual meaning:comfortable

Malay: selesa


Explaination:
Nyat means big
Bam means step

By: Learn Melanau On 12:49 AM

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Idiom: Pebulou Kabut

Pebulou Kabut

pronounciation: Pe-Bu-low Ka-but
literally means: hairy buttocks

Actual meaning: a coward, one who shows disgraceful fear or timidity

Malay: Penakut

By: Learn Melanau On 12:49 AM

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Idiom: Menggagak tan nyawa a debei

Menggagak tan nyawa a debei

pronounciation:
literally means: to intentionally test one owns life
Malay: cuba menguji nyawa sendiri

Actual meaning: to intentionally engage in dangerous activities.

Malay: mencuba sesuatu yang bahaya


Explaination:
This Idiom has the same conotation and meaning as Pinéang Nyawa (to search for Life).
Menggagak tan is a verb: to test something that is already predictable.
Malay: menguji sesuatu yang memang sudah dijangka akibatnya.

Example:
Menggagak tan bak belabok: trying to fall
Menggagak tan bak matai: trying to die


Usage:

Kak perukok segak toéng benzin yen. Menggagak tan nyawa a debei!
Do not light a cigarrete near the benzin tank. Do you want to test your life!

Learn Melanau idioms, idiomatic expressions, proverbs and sayings used in everyday language, with their meaning and an example!

By: Learn Melanau On 12:48 AM

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Idiom: Menyebueng tan bulou biyaih kou

Menyebuéng tan bulou biyaih kou

pronounciation: Me-nye-bu-éng tan bu-low bi-ya-ih kow
literally means: the hair on my body stands straight up
Malay: meremang rasanya bulu badan ku

Explaination:

Actual meaning: to get goose bumps

deutsch: ich bekam eine Gänsehaut


Malay: meremang bulu roma


More about Goose Bumps at Wikipedia

By: Learn Melanau On 12:48 AM

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Idiom: Nepeang bau Linga

Nepéang bau Linga

pronounciation: Ne-péAng Bau Li-ngA
literally means: to drape over the ears
Malay: Sidai di telinga

Actual meaning: Someone who will not listen to other people's advice

Malay: Enggan mendengar nasihat orang lain


Explaination:
Nepéang is a verb means to drape over*.
bau means above
Linga means ears

Here the Word ( Advice) is treated like a cloth that covers the ears.

EXAMPLE:
Min-min wak teniju kou gak siyen, nepéang bau linga un.
He just ignores everything that I adviced him to do.

*drape over= [for cloth] to cover something and hang down.

By: Learn Melanau On 12:48 AM

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Idiom: Lah tipa musit matalau

Lah tipa musit matalau

pronounciation: lah ti-pa mu-sit ma-ta-lau
literally means: like ray of sunrise
Malay: seperti pancaran/ sinaran terbit mentari

Actual meaning: a very beautiful Lady.

Malay: Perempuan yang sangat cantik


Explaination:
lah means " Like "
tipa means "ray"( malay Pancaran, Sinaran )
musit matalau is Sunrise.

Melanau Women are known to be fair. Therefore the most beautiful one will be compliment fair ie like ray of sunrise. Eda Green in her book in 1909 wrote "...the Milanaus, whose girls are as fair as any Europeans and the belles of Borneo."

By: Learn Melanau On 12:47 AM

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Laéi-a: Lah Manouk ka

Lah manouk ka

pronounciation: Lah Ma-nouk ka
literally means: like a magpie
Malay: seperti burung murai

Actual meaning:a very talkative peson

Malay:cakap terlalu banyak


Explaination:
Lah means like
Manouk ka is a Magpie , german: Dajaldrossel


Learn Melanau idioms, idiomatic expressions, proverbs and sayings used in everyday language, with their meaning and an example!

By: Learn Melanau On 12:47 AM

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Laéi-a: gak guun alan

Gak guun alan

pronounciation: gak gu-un a-lan
literally means: deep in the forest
Malay:

Actual meaning:Something that is very difficult to find

Malay: Sesuatu yang sukar ditemui


Explaination:
To a melanau a deep jungle ( Guun alan) is a very dangerous place especially this is where evil spirits (tou) mostly reside. Hence to search for anything inside a deep jungle is difficult and sometimes can be said like Pinyéang Nyawa


Learn Melanau idioms, idiomatic expressions, proverbs and sayings used in everyday language, with their meaning and an example!

By: Learn Melanau On 12:46 AM

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Idiom: Lah asou mueng amou

Lah asou muéng amou

*Contribution from our reader:

Lah asou mueng amou, ikui kiwa kiwed,bebak kiya kaong
Meaning: like a dog seeing a ghost, the tail wiggles cowardly,the mouth barking empty

pronounciation: lah A-sow mu-éng A-mow
literally means: like a dog greets a ghost (spirits)
Malay: seperti anjing menegur hantu (makhluk halus)

Actual meaning: all talk no action

Malay: Becakap besar tapi tidak berbuat apa-apa


Explaination:
lah means " Like "
Asou means dog
muéng is a verb: to greet ( menegur)

It is believed that when a dog barks, it actualy is trying to greet spirits ( in this case an amou). The barking is very loud and fruitless. Here the "all talk " is the barking and the ghost ( spirits) represents "nothingness" and whole thing apparently seems fruitless.

By: Learn Melanau On 12:46 AM

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Idiom: Lah Lisou

Lah lisou

pronounciation: lah li-sow
literally means: like a Cyclone
Malay: seperti taufan

Actual meaning: someone who walks very fast

Malay: berjalan terlalu cepat


Explaination:
lah means " Like "
Lisou means hurricane (Malay: taufan)

A lisou (Malay: taufan) is a very strong and fast wind and has a diameter on scale of hundreds of kilometer. It can last for days. A lisou should not be confused with Nyaru which is actualy a tornado (Malay: puting beliung) . A tonado has a diameter on the scale of hundreds of meters and dies out in minutes.

Example: Ka'au makau lah lisou- You walk too fast. (You walk like a cyclone)

By: Learn Melanau On 12:46 AM

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Idiom: Belipan gak tagak a kek den,naga gak tagak adep nda bei den

belipan gak tagak a kek den,naga gak tagak adep nda bei den

pronounciation: be-li-pan gak ta-gak a kek den,na-ga gak ta-gak a-dep nda bei den
literally means: one can see a centipede under other people's ladder, but cannot see a dragon under one's ladder.
Malay: Lipan ditangga orang nampak, naga ditangga sendiri tidak nampak

Actual meaning: to be able only to spot other people's mistake but not own mistake

Malay: Kesalahan orang lain sahaja yang nampak tetapi bukan kesalahan sendiri



Origin:unknown?

By: Learn Melanau On 12:45 AM

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Idiom: Diak kaau piman baya

Diak kaau piman baya

pronounciation: Di-yak ka-aw pi-man bA-yA
literally means: It is better for you to pet a crocodile
Malay: Baik awak pelihara buaya

Actual meaning: someone who is untrustworthy.

Malay: Orang yang tidak amanah


Explaination:
Diak kaau means " It is better for you "
piman is a verb which means to pet or to breed (Malay: ternak, pelihara)
Baya is corcodile

An untrustworthy person is always living a very dangerous life because when caught red handed, he will get into serious trouble. Thus it is like petting a crocodile. You will never know when a timid crocodile will suddenly attack.

EXAMPLE:

Siyen peguna duit a lah duit siyen. Diak siyen piman baya!
He uses other people's money for his own sake. Such an untrustworty person! (It is better for him to pet a crocodile)

By: Learn Melanau On 12:45 AM

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Idiom: Apuk Tap Buduek

Apuk tap buduék

pronounciation: A-puk tAp Bu-du-é'
literally means: White sole
Malay: Putih tapak kaki

Actual meaning: to be very scared (of something)

Malay: berada dalam keaadan yang sangat takut


Explaination:
Apuk means " white "
tap Buduék means "sole"( malay Tapak kaki )

By: Learn Melanau On 12:44 AM

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Grammar 4: Penjodoh Bilangan Melanau II ( Melanau Classifier II) Pt 2-2

In this lesson we will introduce you with another set of classifiers which some thought only possible with malay classifiers but actually exist in melanau.

By: Learn Melanau On 12:21 AM

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Grammar 3: Penjodoh bilangan melanau I (Melanau Classifier I) Pt 1-2

One difference is that the melanau classifier can be used for anaphoric reference but in malay it is not possible. Anaphoric reference is simply a word that represent another word.

By: Learn Melanau On 12:20 AM

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Grammar 2: The Melanau Pronouns

Fortunately in Melanau the pronouns do not chance to the grammatical cases mentioned above. The melanau pronouns maintain their form in any cases.

By: Learn Melanau On 12:18 AM

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Grammar 1: The Shortest Melanau Word

Different from Malay which only uses yang as an indicator to relate to both animate and inanimate objects (Rumah yang besar, Pelajar-pelajar yang bijak), melanau uses 4 types of indicator.

By: Learn Melanau On 12:12 AM

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Melanau Land of the dead- Likou a Matai

At the mouth of the river (Kala) and before entering the land of the dead, a Bedua (Soul) must first seek permission from the guardian called Balou Adet.

Journey on the river of the dead

By: Learn Melanau On 1:05 PM

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