paogao
The English word 'smell' is translated into Chamorro as paogao.
paogao is used as a noun to refer to a smell or the sensation of an odor.
Meaning: sensation (noun)
Did you know?
- A speaker might use a different noun for a 'good' smell versus a 'bad' smell, whereas English uses the neutral 'smell' for both.
- Chamorro is an Austronesian language, meaning paogao shares a distant linguistic ancestor with languages as far away as Tagalog and Hawaiian, despite its unique local development.
- In Chamorro, many words like paogao rely on a system of glottal stops, which are tiny pauses in the throat, to change the meaning or intensity of the sensation.
Examples in context
- I paogao na ma'å'chas.The smell is delicious.
Example conversation
Luis and Maria are in the kitchen.
- LuisMaria, na'an-mu i paogao na i kåno?Maria, do you like the smell of the food?
- MariaHåga, na'anni i paogao.Yes, I like the smell.
- LuisI paogao yan i kano i magågao.The smell and the scent are strong.
- MariaSigue, muna'i i kåno.Go ahead, cook the food.
