Faleni · Lesson 2: Your first words
You can say the sounds now; that was Lesson 1. Let's use them. By the end of this lesson you'll greet someone, say how you are, say no, and give your name. Total grammar so far: one rule.
Hear these first
Tap each word to hear it, say it aloud, then reveal the meaning. These are the words this lesson is built from; meet them by ear before you read them in use.
Tap a word to hear it, say it aloud, then reveal the meaning.
The one rule: Subject + ha + Predicate
The little word ha means "is / does." Everything before it is who/what
you're talking about; everything after is what's said about them.
wa ha masu: I am happy. (wa= I,ha= am,masu= happy)
The three people:
wa |
we |
wi |
|---|---|---|
| I / me | you | he / she / it / they |
Saying how you are
Just put a describing word after ha:
wa ha masu: I'm happy.we ha lunu: You're tired.wi ha luje: He/she is hungry.wa ha lulu: I'm healthy / well.
Saying not: he
Put he right before what you deny:
wa ha he lunu: I'm not tired.we ha he luje: You're not hungry.
Asking yes/no: ho, and answering awe / ohu
Add ho at the end to make a question. Answer with awe (yes) or
ohu (no).
we ha luje ho?: Are you hungry?awe: Yes. ·ohu: No. ·ohu, wa ha he luje: No, I'm not hungry.
Greetings & courtesies (set phrases)
Greeting = la (good) + the time of day:
la nami: good morning ·la nita: good day ·la nana: good evening ·la noti: good nightla ka: goodbye ·fife: thanks ·he nu: you're welcome
Your name
fone = name. Possession is just putting the owner after: fone wa = "my name."
fone we ha jeta?: What's your name? (jeta= what)fone wa ha ji jano.: My name is John. (jimarks a borrowed name)- or simply:
wa ha ji jano.: I'm John.
Vocabulary (this lesson)
| word | meaning | · | word | meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
wa |
I | · | masu |
happy |
we |
you | · | lunu |
tired |
wi |
he/she/they | · | luje |
hungry |
ha |
is / does | · | lulu |
healthy |
he |
not | · | la |
good |
ho |
(question) | · | fone |
name |
awe / ohu |
yes / no | · | ji |
(name marker) |
Practice
1. Listen & choose
Tap 🔊, listen, then pick what it means.
2. Read & understand
Read each line aloud (tap to check your pronunciation), then reveal the meaning.
wi ha lunu.wa ha he masu.fone we ha jeta?
Meanings
1. He/she is tired. 2. I'm not happy. 3. What's your name?3. Say it in Faleni
Translate to Faleni: 1. I'm tired. 2. You're not happy. 3. Are you healthy? 4. Good morning! 5. My name is Foval.
Answers
1. `wa ha lunu` 2. `we ha he masu` 3. `we ha lulu ho?` 4. `la nami!` 5. `fone wa ha ji fofalo` (or `wa ha ji fofalo`)Next: Lesson 3, Doing things →