Almost; nearly; about to; might.
Istay onnangis i nga-nga nonta istay pingilen ahitoy amayo.
The child nearly started crying when his brother was about to snatch away his toy.
Nem say nainistoriya cha, istay gwara konoy banay a sahit.
But what they usually say is that there was about to be a big epidemic.
Kamo na bimowas ira, istay nat edagwian ired chalan.
If they had left early in the morning, they might not have been overtaken by night on the trail [but they were].
Sibibiyag emo pay laeng si Jose, a? Owen emo et istay maataan ngo no etiy da.
Is Jose still living? Probably otherwise we would have known if he had already died.
About; approximately.