Spoonfed Lesson 12: On the Road

pusila means “transport” or “vehicle.” You and your companion need a way to travel. With the -o ending, pusilo = to transport, to carry. With the -i ending, pusili = vehicular. Transport unlocks many compounds: pusila-pisoma = car (transport-road), pusila-lesona = boat (transport-water), pusila-mesapa = plane (transport-sky), pusila-mopana = bus (transport-group).

tunanso means “to go left” or “to veer left.” Your companion calls out a direction. With the -a ending, tunansa = the left, the left side. With the -i ending, tunansi = left, leftward.

tinonpo means “to go right” or “to veer right.” You correct the direction. With the -a ending, tinonpa = the right, the right side. With the -i ending, tinonpi = right, rightward.

kanpemu is a preposition meaning “in front of.” It comes from the stem kanpem (FRONT/CHEST). With the -a ending, kanpema = front, chest, torso. With the -o ending, kanpemo = to face, to confront.

pukantu is a preposition meaning “behind.” It comes from the stem pukant (BACK). With the -a ending, pukanta = back, rear. With the -o ending, pukanto = to retreat, to reverse. Together with kanpemu, you can now describe what is ahead and what is behind.

ketinla means “the north.” You and your companion head northward. With the -o ending, ketinlo = to go north. With the -i ending, ketinli = northern, northward. Four compass directions guide the way: north (ketinla), south, east, and west are coming next.

lunsoka means “the south.” The city you left is to the south. With the -o ending, lunsoko = to go south. With the -i ending, lunsoki = southern, southward.

tasinka means “the east.” The morning sun shows you the direction. With the -o ending, tasinko = to go east. With the -i ending, tasinki = eastern, eastward.

numonpa means “the west.” As the day passes, the sun moves westward. With the -o ending, numonpo = to go west. With the -i ending, numonpi = western, westward. You now have all four compass directions: ketinla (north), lunsoka (south), tasinka (east), numonpa (west).

munonlu is a preposition meaning “around.” It comes from the stem munonl (ROUND). With the -a ending, munonla = circle, sphere. With the -i ending, munonli = round, circular. The road curves around the mountain rather than going over it.

nekota means “container,” “vessel,” or “box.” You have packed food for the road. With the -o ending, nekoto = to contain, to store. With the -i ending, nekoti = containing, enclosed. Now you can form nekota-tesima = oven (container-fire).

potanlu is a preposition meaning “at the base of” or “at the foot of.” It comes from the stem potanl (FOOT/BASE). With the -a ending, potanla = foot, base, foundation. With the -o ending, potanlo = to step, to walk. Now you can form lunanpa-potanla = shoe (clothing-foot).

tumepu is a preposition meaning “beside” or “next to.” It comes from the stem tumep (SIDE). With the -a ending, tumepa = side, flank. With the -i ending, tumepi = lateral, side.

penlotu is a preposition meaning “between.” It comes from the stem penlot (BETWEEN). With the -a ending, penlota = gap, interval. With the -o ending, penloto = to intervene, to mediate.

sekanta means “leg” or “limb.” After walking all day, your legs ache. With the -o ending, sekanto = to kick, to stride. With the -i ending, sekanti = legged.

tomanka means “dog” or “hound.” A friendly dog appears on the road and falls into step beside you. With the -i ending, tomanki = canine. Now you can form tulima-tomanka = puppy (young-dog).