Spoonfed Lesson 5: Morning in Town

nunku means “very” or “intensely.” A degree modifier — it goes before its target: nunku tasiki = very cold, nunku popi = very big. You already know lumu (slightly); nunku is the opposite end of the scale. The night in the hotel was cold!

sunopi means “dark.” The night is dark and cold. You wait for morning.

katipa means “light” or “brightness.” Morning comes — light arrives. With the -i ending, katipi = bright: monpa no katipi = the day is bright.

tekilu means “now.” A preverb — it goes before the verb: tekilu laso = now go. Use it for emphasis when the timing matters. The traveler heads outside to explore.

sonula means “river.” You spot a river running through the town.

sitopi means “fast” or “quick.” A modifier after the verb: laso sitopi = moves quickly. The river is fast this morning.

tenopu means “using” or “with (an instrument).” A preposition — tenopu kanopa lumi = using a small path. You follow a little path that runs along the river. With the -a ending, tenopa = a tool or instrument.

nulomi means “slow” or “slowly.” The opposite of sitopi (fast). You take your time, walking slowly through the town.

sumapo means “to work.” You see people heading to their jobs. With the -a ending, sumapa = work, a job.

sotilu means “above.” A preposition — sotilu sonula = above the river. With the -i ending, sotili works as an adverb after a verb: laso sotili = move upward.

ponumu means “below” or “under.” The opposite of sotilu (above). Here the river flows below the building. Like sotilu, it also has a -i form: ponumi = downward.

ninpa means “part” or “portion.” Using the familiar possession pattern: ninpa kantu tunima = a part of the city. You are exploring one section of a larger place.

tikonu means “already.” An aspect preverb — it marks that an action is complete or in progress earlier than expected: tikonu sumapo = already working. Even though it is early morning, people are already at work.

sulotu means “also” or “too.” It works as a preverb before the verb: sulotu musu peso = also want to eat. It can also modify a whole sentence: sulotu sa laso = also, I go. You have been walking — now you also want to eat.

topimo means “to happen” or “to occur.” An intransitive verb — things happen, events occur. The city is alive with activity.

nesu means “six.” The numbers continue: nulu (4), nanu (5), nesu (6). Same pattern — a quantifier before its target noun.

nimu means “seven.” The morning walk reveals a growing town — seven buildings and counting.