Spoonfed Lesson 7: New Friends

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

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

luneno means “to feel.” With a modifier: luneno moni = feel good, luneno kinti = feel bad. The parent asks how you are — you feel good.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

tulima means “youth” or “child.” Two children run around the dinner table.

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

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

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

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

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

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