At the intermediate level of Chamorro, this is where we really start to have fun. When we reach this level, we have a decent beginner’s vocabulary (~1000 words or so), are confident with fundamental sentence structures, can express ourselves easily and fluidly with the vocabulary we know, and are ready learn how to move beyond simple expressions of thought to be more complex, colorful and nuanced. Here I am starting to delve into more conjugations in Chamorro, focusing on those more commonly used in speech and writing.
TOTAL LESSONS: 4 (Last Updated: April 4, 2024)
Intermediate Descriptions
We start by learning common transformations of our root words, which will allow us to use different sentence structures. In this section we’ll learn how conjugating pronouns helps us say more with them. We’ll also start using the plural man- prefix with nouns. We’ll also start to see how we can transform words from one part of speech to another (i.e.: turning verbs to nouns or adjectives to nouns), and how the particle i gives us flexibility in how we use our words.
Talking About 3 or More With the Plural Man- Prefix: i mamåle’
Using Pronouns to Describe States of Being – annai humíhita
Describing Nouns with Other Nouns, pt. 1 – i trongkon niyok
Describing Nouns with Other Nouns, pt. 2 – i lina’la’ i tano’
Transforming Verbs into Nouns, pt. 1 - i kinanno’-hu
Transforming Verbs into Nouns, pt. 2 – i fafa’nå’gue
Transforming Verbs into Nouns, pt. 3 – i manmambende
Transforming Adjectives into Nouns – i dangkulo’
Comparison Statements – metgotña yu’ nu hågu
Intermediate Action Sentences
Transitive Verbs
This first section will be primarily focused on using the indefinite man- prefix and plural man- prefix with transitive verbs so we can start saying sentences like “I bought coffee” or “I bought some coffee” rather than always needing to make our objects specific with sentences like “I bought the coffee.”
Introduction To Indefinite Objects – The Coffee versus A Coffee
Past Tense – “I bought coffee”
Present Tense – “I am buying coffee”
Commands – “Buy coffee”
Future Tense – “I will buy coffee”
Must / Should – “I must buy coffee”
Can – “I can buy coffee”
Special Transitive Verbs – Different affixation patterns
Quick Reference Chart – Summary of Man- Prefix for Transitive Verbs
This next section covers other sentence types for transitive verbs:
Doing Something For Someone – “I bought you coffee”
Describing Actions Without a Subject – “The coffee was bought”
Focusing on the Object – “The coffee was bought by Maria”
Intermediate Action Sentences
Intransitive Verbs
Next, learn sentence structures for action statements that don’t have objects. In this section we will focus on using the plural man- prefix with our intransitive verbs to make sentences that talk about 3 or more people.
Past Tense – “We (3+) stayed”
Present Tense – “We (3+) are staying”
Future Tense – “We (3+) will stay”
Commands – “Stay (all of you)”
Must / Should – “We (3+) must stay”
Can – “We (3+) can stay”
Quick Reference Chart – Summary of Man- Prefix for Intransitive Verbs
Intermediate Action Sentences
Additional Topics
This final section of intermediate action sentences covers other topics, such as how to appropriately use two verbs in a sentence, using the causitive na- prefix, how to make sentences that emphasize the subject, uses of the article ni, and other common phrase structures.
Using Two Verbs in a Sentence – “I will go and buy coffee”
Want – “I want to buy coffee”
Like – “I like making coffee”
Making Someone Do Something – “I made you buy coffee”
Emphasizing the Subject – “You are the one who bought the coffee”
Linking Article Ni – “I saw the person who took the coffee”
The Reflexive – “Ti un bira hao”
Using Nihi – “Let’s go”
Speech Attribution
Next is a mini-series on speech attribution in Chamorro, which are structures for how Chamorros express things like “he said” or “they asked.” This is helpful for reading or listening to stories in Chamorro:
Speech Attribution, pt. 1 – “Ilek”
Speech Attribution, pt. 2 – “Using the -IN- Infix”
Speech Attribution, pt. 3 – “Using the Man- Prefix”
Speech Attribution, pt. 4 – “Using Basic Action Sentences”
Speech Attribution, pt. 5 – “Hun”
Possessive Statements
In this section we will learn about other structures used for possessive statements.
Talking about someone’s house – gaige yu’ gi as Maria
Combining two nouns – gima’ nanå-hu
Existence
These notes cover additional topics for sentences around existence, including additional ways we can use words like guaha and tåya’. We will also look at using gai and tai to indicate that someone has something:
Guaha / Tåya’ with Verbs pt. 1 – “There is someone making coffee”
Guaha / Tåya’ with Verbs pt. 2 – “Nobody knows how to make coffee”
Guaha / Tåya’ with Verbs pt. 3 – “Somebody said to me”
Gai and Tai – “I have / don’t have coffee”
Question Words
These lessons will expand upon how we can use the major question words in Chamorro with the new sentences we’ve learned at the intermediate level.
What – Håfa
Who – Håyi
Where – Månu Nai / Mångge
When – Ngai’an
Which – Månu
How Much / Many – Kuanto
Why – Håfa na
How – Taimanu
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