Spoonfed Lesson 7: New Friends

nopamu means “together with” or “accompanied by.” A preposition for accompaniment — different from sulu (and), which conjoins. nopamu tenama = together with a friend. A friend has invited you to dinner.

numala means “parent.” Using the familiar possession pattern: numala kantu pa = the parent of him/her. You arrive and meet the family.

pinso means “to feel.” With a modifier: pinso anli = feel good, pinso kinli = feel bad. The parent asks how you are — you feel good.

masula means “woman.” The mother of the family serves food. With the -i ending, masuli = female, feminine.

lenku means “like” or “same as.” A preposition for equality comparison: lenku mansa kantu sa = like my place. The warmth of this home reminds you of your own.

talumo means “to love.” With the -a ending, taluma = love (the noun). You see the love between parent and child.

mutola means “man.” The father also serves food. With the -i ending, mutoli = male, masculine.

katulu means “try.” A modal preverb — it goes before the verb like musu (want) and tupaku (can): katulu peso = try to eat. The family offers you something you have never tasted before.

sapino means “to laugh.” You try the new food — the mother laughs at your reaction.

nomasa means “sibling” — brother or sister. More family members arrive for dinner.

mapisa means “youth” or “youngness.” The compound oma-mapisa = a child (person-young). Two children run around the dinner table.

nimata means “spouse.” One more person joins the dinner — your friend’s partner.

enso means “to think.” This sentence also shows the reflexive: sa si = myself. The pronoun + si (self, modifier): sa si = myself, uta si = yourself, pa si = himself/herself. Surrounded by family, you reflect on your own journey.

sokumi means “sad.” The opposite of pamini (happy). Seeing this family makes you miss your own home.

kisuti means “afraid” or “scared.” lumu (slightly) softens it — you are just a little afraid, not terrified. Being far from home can feel that way.

naku means “zero.” Like other number quantifiers, it goes before its target: naku ila = zero things = nothing, naku oma = zero people = no one. The family reassures you — nothing bad is here.

nekipu means “one hundred.” The first magnitude after nalaku (ten). You can now build multi-digit numbers. Dashes link a multiplier to its magnitude; spaces separate groups: nalaku nepu = 11 (ten one), nomu-nalaku nanu = 35 (three-ten five), nanu-nekipu nomu-nalaku nilu = 532 (five-hundred three-ten two). Number parts keep their -u endings.