BASIC GRAMMAR : MAN

"Man" in Chamorro serves more than one function. 

One of them is to put some verbs into action, just as "um" puts some verbs into action.

Gimen = to drink
Gumimen yo' = I drank
Gumigimen yo' = I am drinking; I drink

But some verbs require "man."

Guife = to dream
Manguife yo' = I dreamt
Manguiguife yo' = I am dreaming

Låkse = to sew
Manlåkse yo' = I sewed
Manlålåkse yo' = I am sewing; I sew

Oppe = to answer
Manoppe yo' = I answered
Mano'oppe yo' = I am answering; I answer

Many of the verb forms using "man" refer to actions without a definite or specific object.  For example, if I wanted to say "I see the man" I would say "Hu li'e i taotao."  I am pointing out one, specific man. 

Or perhaps five specific men.  "Hu li'e i singko na taotao."  "I see the five men."

But if I wanted to say "I see a person."  No one specifically or definitely identified; just a person; I would say "Manli'e yo' taotao."

So...some other examples.

Manhåtsa yo' guma'.  I built a house.  (As opposed to : Hu håtsa i gima'.  I built the house.)

Manyute' yo' basula.  I threw away trash.  (As opposed to : Hu yute' i basula.  I threw away the trash.)