mei do not happen yet; happen before

Part of Speech vi
    • do not happen yet; happen before
      • time
      • Comment The word <mei> is an intransitive verb that can govern a complement clause introduced by <tea>.
      • Example 704:
        Enaa kahi vaagunaha rom unoman, benaa mei nom tea voosu vo vaan tenaa.
        I am going to drop you off halfway before I come back to my village.
        Source: Vae 01R 331
      • Example 3663:
        Enam he mei nom tea koara vananaoana, a komana inu he boobon vakavara.
        We had not yet talked for a long time, when inside the house it became completely dark. (lit. when the inside of the house became completely dark)
        Source: Mah 13E(Eno) 065-066
      • Example 4431:
        "... amaa hoi ohita paa hapusuu?" "Na mei vakisi nana."
        "...are the galip nut baskets full?" "Not yet."
        Source: Aro 12R 025
      • Example 4432:
        O sumeke mei bata maana
        Old age is not yet approaching.
        Source: Pur 01R(Pur) 551
      • Example 4433:
        Enaa paa skul a puana he mei maana.
        I started school when the war was not here yet (i.e. I started school before the war).
        Source: Mah 01R 029
      • Example 4434:
        Mei nana tea kaokahi bona Teapu evehee vatasu kurina mi bona abana.
        Before leaving Teop Island, however, he shook hands with the people.
        Source: Vaa Mah 06E(Eno) 079

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