True Motu Dictionary

💬 AI-assisted grammar analysis: e functions as a verbal prefix marking a finite, asserted verb within the narrative. It activates the verb root and situates the action or state as occurring within the story world, typically with an explicit subject. The particle does not carry meaning independently but is essential for clause formation, distinguishing realised actions and states from nominal or dependent constructions. No direct English equivalent; grammatical function only.

💬 AI-assisted grammar analysis: na functions as a relational marker introducing and anchoring a noun phrase within a clause. It commonly signals definiteness and prepares the noun for grammatical roles such as agent, location, or state. Rather than carrying a fixed meaning, na positions the noun in relation to the verb or clause structure and enables further grammatical marking. No single English equivalent; meaning depends on context.

💬 AI-assisted grammar analysis: ai functions as a situational linker that anchors actions or states within a defined time, place, or condition. It closes descriptive phrases and converts them into active contextual frames, indicating that what follows occurs within or as a result of that situation. The particle does not translate directly into English but is essential for narrative cohesion and state continuity. There is no single-word English gloss. Functionally, ai means: “within this defi...

💬 AI-assisted grammar analysis: bona functions as a coordinative linker joining elements of equal grammatical status within a clause. Items connected by bona share the same role, governing verb, or relational marker, and are treated as a single coordinated set rather than sequential or hierarchical elements. The particle expresses addition without implication of order, causality, or contrast.

💬 AI-assisted grammar analysis: ese functions as an agentive marker identifying the noun it follows as the intentional performer of the action expressed by the verb. It assigns clear agency and responsibility within the clause, distinguishing the actor from other participants or background elements. The marker is commonly used where intentional or consequential actions are narrated. No direct English equivalent; function expressed through active voice

💬 AI-assisted grammar analysis: ena functions as a relational classifier marker indicating correspondence or conformity to a defined kind, category, or pattern. In Genesis it is frequently used in creation and ordering contexts to express bounded classification rather than temporal sequence. The particle links entities to their appropriate kind or outcome, emphasizing order and continuity rather than change Indicates conformity or alignment, not time sequence. There is no perfect single Engli...

💬 human beings considered collectively AI-assisted grammar analysis: taudia functions as a collective noun referring to human beings as a group rather than as individually enumerated persons. In Genesis it is commonly used in contexts involving ancestry, population-wide identity, blessing or curse, and shared human destiny. The term emphasizes collective human scope rather than individual roles.

💬 as for; with respect to Signals a change in focus, not sequence. AI-assisted grammar analysis: bena functions as a relational frame marker introducing a new participant or perspective within an already established scene. It shifts focus without advancing time or altering the situational context. The particle is commonly used to layer information, contrast relational roles, or foreground a participant while maintaining narrative continuity.

💬 ia — (narrative progression marker) AI-assisted grammar analysis: ia functions as a narrative progression marker introducing a subsequent action, purpose, or result that follows logically or temporally from the preceding clause. It advances the discourse rather than merely adding information, signaling movement from establishment to outcome within the narrative.

💬 Indefinite singulative/distributive marker. Follows nouns to single out one instance: "tau ta" = a man, "ḡau ta" = a thing. "ta ta" = each/every. Distinct from cardinal "tamona" (one).

💬 Discourse marker with two main functions: (1) Adversative/contrastive "but, however" at clause boundaries, introducing contrast or new development. (2) In phrase "A itaia" = "Behold, look" (attention-directing). Often sentence-initial after punctuation.

💬 Perfective aspect marker indicating completed action. Appears before verb markers: "vada e" (3655×) = has/have done, "vada o" (768×) = you have done, "vada na" (713×) = has become/is now. Signals the action is finished or the state is established. Compare: "baine" (future/irrealis), "e" alone (simple/ongoing).

💬 Third person singular irrealis/future verb marker. Indicates future action, purpose, or jussive ("let it..."). "baine haridia" = let it divide, "baine mase" = will die, "baine vara" = let there be. Part of paradigm: ba (2sg), bae (3pl), baine (3sg). Contrast with "vada e" (completed/perfective).

💬 Ablative/source marker indicating origin, source, or separation. "tanobada amo" = from the earth, "tano amo e vara" = came from the ground, "Aigupto amo" = from Egypt, "unu amo" (375×) = from there/that. Follows nouns/locations. Common patterns: "X amo e" (1865×) = came/went from X. Compare: "ai" (locative, at/in), "ela" (allative, to/toward).

💬 Marks second-person irrealis mood, used for commands, instructions, blessings, and intended actions addressed directly to the addressee. It encodes both person (you) and non-actualized status (future, command, wish). Common in divine speech where God speaks to creatures regarding what they are to do. Part of paradigm: baina (1sg), ba (2nd), baine (3sg), bae (3pl)

💬 Two functions: (1) Copula/equative marker linking subject to predicate, indicating identity or equivalence ("ladana ta be Abraham" = another name is Abraham). (2) In fixed phrase "badina be" (3531×) = because, for (causal). Standalone "be" marks what something IS rather than what it DOES.

💬 Motu transliteration of Hebrew YHWH, the personal covenant name of God. Often paired with "Dirava" (God): "Dirava Iehova" = Yahweh God, "Iehova Sabaota" (242×) = Yahweh of Hosts/Armies. Common constructions: "Iehova ese" (1391×) = Yahweh [did], "Iehova ena" (1324×) = Yahweh's, "Iehova vairanai" (318×) = before Yahweh.

💬 Third person plural irrealis/future verb marker. Indicates future action or jussive ("let them...") for plural subjects. "bae haridia" = let them divide, "bae honu" = let them fill, "bae mase" = they will die, "bae vara" = let them multiply. Part of paradigm: baina (1sg), ba (2nd), baine (3sg), bae (3pl). Used when speaking ABOUT multiple entities, not TO them.

💬 Definite/specific singular of "tau" (man/person). Used to indicate a specific individual or as an agentive suffix forming occupational nouns: "hahelaḡa tauna" (470×) = priest, "hesiai tauna" (468×) = servant, "peroveta tauna" (220×) = prophet. "tauna ta" (443×) = a certain person. Compare: tau (generic), taudia (plural), taunimanima (mankind/humanity)

💬 3rd person plural possessive pronoun. "edia tano" (303×) = their land, "edia dirava" (220×) = their god, "edia hanua" (138×) = their village, "edia ruma" (108×) = their house. Part of possessive paradigm: egu (my), emu (your-sg), ena (his/her), eda (our), emui (your-pl), edia (their).

💬 AI-assisted grammar analysis: dirava functions as a personal agent noun referring to the supreme acting being. In Genesis, it consistently appears as the grammatical subject of intentional verbs such as creating, speaking, commanding, blessing, and judging. The term is not used abstractly or impersonally; grammatical constructions regularly mark dirava as the deliberate source of action, speech, and relational presence.

💬 Metadata/Notes: Particle meaning also/too/as well. Follows pronouns/nouns: "lau danu" (91×) = I also / me too, "ia danu" (86×) = he/she also, "umui danu" (88×) = you (pl) also, "oi danu" (54×) = you also. Very common in lists and additions

💬 Comitative marker indicating accompaniment or association. Follows pronouns/nouns: "ia ida" (with him/her, 249×), "idia ida" (with them, 126×), "oi ida" (with you, 61×), "lau ida" (with me, 59×). Used with groups: "taudia ida" (with the people, 248×), "natuna ida" (with children, 78×), "iboudiai ida" (with all, 73×). Often precedes verb markers: "ida e" (together they..., 525×). Expresses joint action, shared fate, or physical togetherness as in "ia ida e mase bou" (died together with him).

💬 First person singular possessive pronoun. Precedes nouns: "egu Dirava" (my God, 94×), "egu bese" (my people, 111×), "egu hesiai" (my servant, 95×), "egu hereva" (my word, 92×), "egu lalokau" (my beloved, 80×), "egu taravatu" (my law, 74×), "egu ruma" (my house, 47×). Part of possessive paradigm: egu (my), emu (your-sg), ena (his/her), emai (our), emui (your-pl), edia (their). Common in divine speech where God refers to "egu bese Israel" (my people Israel).

💬 Directional and extent marker indicating motion toward or continuation until. Most common phrase: "ela bona" (until/as far as, 1286×), marking endpoint of action or movement. Used with destinations: "dekena ela" (went to, 150×), "amo ela" (from...to, 241×). Shows direction of movement: "dae ela" (went up to, 47×), "isi ela" (rose up to, 43×). Often combines with "bona" for temporal extent: "ela bona hanaihanai" (until forever). Indicates both physical destinations and abstract limits.

💬 Distal demonstrative, pointing to something previously mentioned or distant. Common temporal phrases: "una negana ai" (at that time, 384×), "una dina ai" (on that day, 281×), "una murinai" (after that, 108×). Points to specific referents: "una tau" (that man, 193×), "una tano" (that land, 131×), "una hahine" (that woman, 62×), "una gabu" (that place, 97×). Also forms causal link: "una dainai" (because of that/therefore, 272×). Contrasts with "ina" (this, proximal).

💬 Second person singular possessive pronoun. Precedes nouns: "emu Dirava" (your God, 135×), "emu hesiai tauna" (your servant, 277×), "emu kara" (your deeds, 170×), "emu ruma" (your house, 75×). Part of possessive paradigm: egu (my), emu (your-sg), ena (his/her), emai (our), emui (your-pl), edia (their). Common in prayers and commands addressed to one person. Formula "mani emu kara" = polite request "please do".

💬 Second person singular subject pronoun. Used when addressing one person. Often followed by subject marker "na": "oi na" (you are, 475×), or agent marker "ese": "oi ese" (you did, 370×). Common body terms follow: "oi vairamu" (before you, 101×), "oi imamu" (your hand, 70×), "oi ladamu" (your name, 70×). Contrasts with "umui" (you plural). Possessive form is "emu" (your). Pronoun paradigm: lau (I), oi (you-sg), ia (he/she), ai (we), umui (you-pl), idia (they).

💬 Proper noun, the nation and people of Israel. Also the personal name given to Jacob (see GEN 32:28). Most common collocations: "Israel taudia" (people of Israel, 947×), "Israel Diravana" (God of Israel, 181×), "Israel pavapavana" (king of Israel, 161×), "Israel besena" (tribe/nation of Israel, 130×), "bese Israel" (the people Israel, 67×). Often paired with "Iehova" in the phrase "Iehova Sabaota, Israel Diravana" (Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel).

💬 Kinship term for child or offspring. Takes possessive prefixes: "ia natuna" (his/her child, 155×). Gender specified by modifiers: "natuna mamaruanedia" (sons, 132×), "natuna hahinena" (daughter, 76×), "natuna maruanena" (son, 69×), "natuna hahinedia" (daughters, 34×). Used for animal young: "mamoe natuna" (lamb, 84×), "boromakau natuna" (calf, 61×). Common in genealogies and titles: "taunimanima natuna" (son of man, 177×), "Dirava natuna" (son of God, 67×), "natuna roboana" (firstborn, 53×).

💬 Verb and noun meaning "to die" or "death". As verb: "e mase" (he/she died, 366×), "baine mase" (will die, 118×), "bae mase" (they will die, 76×). Forms compound verbs: "aladia mase" (killed them, 267×), "alaia mase" (killed him, 256×). As noun: "mase taudia" (dead people, 121×), "mase tauna" (dead person, 76×), "mase gabuna" (place of death, 47×), "mase amo" (from death, 63×). Common in genealogies with succession formula: "X e mase, bena Y e lohia" (X died, then Y reigned).

💬 Temporal noun meaning "time" or "when". Almost always followed by locative "ai": "negana ai" (at the time when, 1756×). Forms temporal clauses: "una negana ai" (at that time, 384×), "e hebou negana ai" (when they gathered), "e mase negana ai" (when he died). Other constructions: "negana amo" (from that time, 55×), "matama negana" (beginning time, 57×). Used to set narrative context, marking when events occurred. Often pairs with demonstrative "una" for past reference.