ꞌBëlï-English Dictionary · in this book that are not spelled correctly or have the wrong...
Transcript of ꞌBëlï-English Dictionary · in this book that are not spelled correctly or have the wrong...
This book is a list of some of the most common word spoken by YiꞌBëlï. The meaning of each word is given in English.
Contact Address:ꞌBëlï Translation and Literacy Projectc/o SIL-South SudanP.O. Box 64JubaSouth Sudan
© 2013, ꞌBëlï Translation and Literacy Project
Trial Edition March 2013
Publisher: SIL-South Sudan
Place of Publication: Juba
Introduction
In the ꞌBëlï language there are several different types of words: nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, demonstratives, connectors, and others. This dictionary lists many words and tells what kind of word it is. It also gives the meaning of each word in English. Each word is listed according to the order of the alphabet letters so that it is easier to find the words. This book also shows how each word should be spelled. The lessons of the Reading and Writing ꞌBëlï Book 2 and the ꞌBëlï Grammar Book should be learned and used along with this dictionary.
It is especially important for those writing books and translating Scripture to refer to this book when checking the spelling of words. If all writers spell the way that words are written in this dictionary, it will be easier for readers to recognize each word when they read them. Any words in this book that are not spelled correctly or have the wrong English meaning should be marked in pencil. The correct spelling or meaning should then be told to the authors so that they can make corrections for the next printing.
How to read an entry in this dictionary
When you look in the dictionary, you will see many lines of words. Many look similar to the example below:
dɔkɔ [ ˗ ˉ ] M,H n 1) descendant 2) kind or type of something (lit. head seed)
Here’s what the words mean:
• The word dɔkɔ in bold is called the ‘entry’. All the words after it give information about this word. All entries are listed according to the order of the ꞌBëlï alphabet letters. See the ꞌBëlï Aphlabet Order below for the list of letters in order.
• Next, we read [ ˗ ˉ ] M,H which tells us the entry said by itself has Mid, High tone. There are many entries which have the same letters and only differ by tone. For these entries, the tone can help a speaker hear the difference between the entries. The Reading and Writing ꞌBëlï Book 2 explains how rising and falling tone makes the word have a long (doubled) vowel.
• Next, the letter n tells us the word category (type of word) of the entry is a noun. See below for a list of all possible word category abbreviations.
• Next, we read 1) descendant 2) kind or type of somethingThese are two definitions (meanings) of the entry. 1) descendant is the most common meaning. 2) kind or type of something is a less common meaning.
• The words (lit. head seed) give the literal meaning and show which words the entry comes from. The entry dɔko comes from the words dɔ ꞌheadꞌ and kö ꞌseedꞌ.
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Now look at another example entry.
jɔɔ̱jɔ [ ˗ ˉ ] M,H v 1) try, test mojɔɔ̱jɔ 2) teach (jɔɔ̱ say, tell)
• This entry jɔɔ̱jɔ has the same tone [ ˗ ˉ ] M,H as the first entry. But it has a different word category v that means it is a verb. Verbs entries are the command form of the verb. The Reading and Writing ꞌBëlï Book 2 explains how the first root vowel of each verb is underlined. The ꞌBëlï Grammar Book explains about command verbs.
• This entry also has two definitions. After the first definition 1) try, test we have the word mojɔɔ̱jɔ that is a subentry of (entry related to) jɔɔ̱jɔ. You can find mojɔɔ̱jɔ in the dictionary with other words that begin with the letter m. There you will find mojɔɔ̱jɔ is an adverb meaning ꞌbeing temptedꞌ.
• The words (jɔɔ̱ say, tell) show that jɔɔ̱jɔ is listed as a subentry under the entry jɔɔ̱. This means the original (most basic) verb is jɔɔ̱, and jɔɔ̱jɔ comes from jɔɔ̱.
Here is another example entry.
li ɔ̱ya2 [ ˗ ˉ ] M,H v be same li ɔ̱ya a ne ti not same as him
• There is a small number 2 after the entry li ɔ̱ya2. This means there is another word li ɔ̱ya1 that has the same letters but a completely different meaning. The word li ɔ̱ya1 means ꞌyellꞌ and li ɔ̱ya2 means ꞌbe sameꞌ. The two words are not related, and just happen to have the same spelling.
• The words li ɔ̱ya a ne ti give an example of how the entry li ɔ̱ya2 can be used in a sentence. After the ꞌBëlï example sentence, the English meaning is given.
Here is one further example entry.
tiyara bw (Arabic) n airplane
• The words bw (Arabic) show this entry tiyara is borrowed from Arabic.
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ꞌBëlï Alphabet Order
The words in this dictionary are listed according to the order of the ꞌBëlï letters. ꞌBëlï has 38 letters, and they are in the following order.
ꞌBëlï AlphabetA a akora chickenÄ ä mänyä antelopeB b binya goatꞌB ꞌb ꞌbɔti monkeyC c camanja combD d dɔ headꞌD ꞌd ꞌdu foodE e hegbe ratË ë cërë starG g goŋa axeGb gb gbanda cassavaH h ha cowI i kiꞌdi elephantÏ ï kïꞌdï spoonJ j jï handꞌJ ꞌj ꞌjɔlɔ redbud gazelleK k kïlïru giraffeKp kp kpa mouthL l lïꞌbö behiveM m mɔrɔ lionMb mb mbaga basketN n nɔkɔ uncleNd nd ndï potNg ng ngihi fishNj nj njɔlɔ frogNy ny nyipɔꞌdɔ frogŊ ŋ ŋihi moonŊb ŋb ŋbala armŊm ŋm ŋma termitesO o komo hareÖ ö köŋbö canoeƆ ɔ kɔ eyeP p paꞌdo fireR r ru house, hutT t timara crocodileU u huꞌbu oilW w wari shoeY y yii snake
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Word Category Abbreviations
Here is a list of all word category abbreviations and what they mean:
adj adjectiveadv adverbcon connectorcon.dep.aft dependent connector after main clausecon.dep.bef dependent connector before main clausecon.main main clause connectorcon.rel relative connectordem demonstrativeindef indefinite adjectiven nounnum numberoth other word category or unknown word
categorypref derivational prefixprep prepositionpron pronounpron.obj object pronounpron.posiv possessive pronounpron.posor possessor pronounpron.sub.comp completive subject pronounpron.sub.incomp incompletive subject pronounqu question wordv verbvn verbal noun
iv
A aa. [ ̖ ] L pron.sub.comp (s)he
a. . . . ni [ . . . ̖ ] L . . .
L pron.sub.comp they Kodi aꞌjaa̱a ꞌdɔ ni, . . . If they find something, . . .
aboyi [ ] L,M,M n net
acɔci [ ̖ ] L,L,L adj obnoxious, disturbing
adiindo [ ‵ ] L,HM,H Qu how is it
adiya [ ] L,H,L Qu is it
akaca [ ] L,M,M n donkey
akora [ ] L,L,M n chicken
ala [ ] H,L Qu who, whom, which
aparaga [ ] L,L,L,H n youth
aranda [ ̖ ] L,L,L n in-law
atɔrɔ [ ̖ ] L,L 1) n sky 2) n rain 3) adv up
awada [ ̖ ] M,H,L n tax
äcïkërï Bw (Arabic) n soldier
äꞌdö [ ] L,H con.dep.bef if had been (introduces action that did not happen)
äyuru [ ̖ ] H,H,L n prostitute
B bbaba [ ] M,H n father
baa̱ba [ ] M,H v rub, touch
baꞌbi [ ̖ ] L,L adv proudly
baci [ ̖ ] L,L adj many, much (uncountable)
bala [ ̖ ] L,L n bull
bali [ ̖ ] H,L n friend
baringɔ [ ] M,M,M n sheep
bata [ ̖ ] M,L adj proud
bea̱ [ ] H v love, want mobea̱ngo
bele [ ] H,H n stick
bete [ ] H,H adj half
bëtï [ ] L,H adv cheating, deceitfully
bi a̱i [ ̖ ] HL v 1) miss (with arrow) 2) (comb) enters (hair on side of head)
bidina [ ] H,L,M oth like this
bidiindo adv greatly
bila [ ̖ ] L,L n horn
binya [ ̖ ] H,L n goat
bira [ ̖ ] L,L adj beautiful
bï [ ̖ ] L n hair
bïï [ ̷ ] LM n place
bï a̱ï [ ⃥ ] HL v smoke, dry (meat)
bïï [ ⃥ ] HL n dog
bo1 [ ̖ ] L adj big, important
bo2 [ ̖ ] L dem that
bo3 [ ] H con.rel who, which, where, of (introduces new action or information)
bo gɔa̱ [ ] H M adj sitting, that sits
bo hï a̱ [ ̖ ] H,L adj that is short
bo lëa̱lë [ ] H L,L adj that slopes
bo loa̱ [ ] H H adj that is deep
bo nɔa̱ɔ adj that makes
bo ndaa̱ [ ] H,H adv without, that is not
bo tua̱ [ ] H H adj that gives birth, is born
bo wo ̱ 2
bo woa̱ [ ̖ ] M,L adj that carries bo wo ꞌdɔ that carries something
bo. pref (a prefix that makes an adjective, noun or adverb from a verb; this is the relative clause connector bo 'that' when attached to the following word and forms new meaning)
bobo [ ̖ ] L,L adj fat, old (lit. that be big, important)
boꞌdo [ ̖ ] H,L adj having (that is like, be)
bogoa̱be [ ] H,L,L adj strong (lit. that is strong)
bohi adj red (lit. that be red)
bola1 [ ] L,H n naked person (that. catches, arrests)
bola2 [ ] L,M adj naked (lit. who catches)
bolea̱e adj good (lit. that be good)
bomi [ ] H,H Con than
bonɔ1 [ ] H,H adj fat (lit. that makes, does)
bonɔ2 [ ̖ ] H,L 1) con.dep.aft so that, in order to, so, thus (introduces the purpose of the previous action) 2) Qu why
bonji [ ̖ ] H,L adj many (countable)
boŋmi a̱i [ ] H,H adj healthy ngo boŋmi healthy body (that is sweet)
bopeminidɔ adj batist (lit. that pours water on
head) (pea̱e pour)
boraa̱ [ ̖ ] H,L adj amazing (lit. that be amazing)
boro [ ] H,H adj big
boteꞌdɔ adj priestly (lit. that sacrifices
something) (tea̱ slaughter, cut, offer sacrifice)
bowɔa̱ɔ [ ̖ ] H,L 1) n distance 2) adj far (lit. that be far)
böbï [ ] L,H n leaf
bödï [ ] H,H adj peaceful, good, quiet, nice (lit. that is cold)
bönyëa̱ adj 1) bad 2) mighty (lit. that be bad)
böŋï [ ] M,M n servant (lit. who dreams)
böŋbëŋï1 [ ] L,L,H adj very big (lit. that are very)
böŋbëŋï2 [ ] L,M,M n kingdom (lit. that are many)
börï [ ] H,H 1) n light 2) adj lighted (lit. that fights)
börö [ ] M,M adv down
bɔ [ ̖ ] L oth almost bɔ moyo almost dead
bɔa̱ɔ [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) get engaged 2) be able
bɔꞌdo [ ] L,H n pig
bɔlɔ [ ̖ ] L,L n ear of maize first budding out from stock
bɔngɔ [ ] L,H n 1) cloth 2) garment
bɔa̱ri [ ] H,H v loiter, move about without purpose
bɔti [ ] M,H num thousand
buruku [ ̖ ] H,L,L n ash
butu [ ] H,H n hill
ꞋB ꞌbꞌbaa̱1 [ ] H v 1) lose, be lost 2) forget
ꞌbaa̱2 [ ] H v 1) make pot 2) build
ꞌbaa̱a [ ⃥ ] HL v turn, change
ꞌbaꞌba [ ] H,M adv among, between
ꞌbaꞌbayi [ ̖ ] L,L,L adv everyday
ꞌbaga [ ] L,H Con even
3 balaꞌ
ꞌbala [ ̖ ] H,L Qu where
ꞌbaa̱ngo [ ] L,M v is turned
ꞌbara [ ̖ ] H,L adv beside
ꞌbayi [ ̖ ] L,L adv tomorrow
ꞌbe [ ̖ ] L n home
ꞌbea̱ [ ] H v 1) go, move 2) follow 3) walk
ꞌbea̱e [ ⃥ ] HL v shoots (with bow and arrow)
ꞌbekim Bw (Arabic) n hospital
ꞌbele [ ] H,H n news, message
ꞌbëa̱ [ ] M v give
ꞌbërïꞌbërï [ ̖ ] L,L,L,L adv brightly
ꞌbi [ ] H n day
ꞌbi a̱ [ ] H v be quiet
ꞌbi a̱i [ ̖ ] HL v sing
ꞌbïru [ ̖ ] L,L n bat
ꞌboa̱o [ ⃥ ] HL v mend, repair
ꞌbogo [ ̖ ] L,L n theif
ꞌbolo [ ̖ ] L,L n 1) money 2) dowry
ꞌbö1 [ ̖ ] L n egg
ꞌbö2 [ ̖ ] L n father
ꞌbö3 [ ] H adj hungry
ꞌbödï [ ̖ ] M,L adj lazy
ꞌböa̱gö [ ] M,M v steal
ꞌbönï [ ] M,H n 1) owner 2) parent
ꞌböŋö [ ] M,H n wound
ꞌbörï [ ] H,H 1) n bush 2) adv away
ꞌbɔ1 [ ̖ ] L n footprint
ꞌbɔ2 [ ̖ ] L Con for, because Ne aꞌjaa̱a ꞌdɔ, bo lï a̱kö dɔ moo dimi-ru lɔŋi Mitɔrɔ lïyötä, ꞌbɔ
ne agɔa̱ kaa̱ ni-moyɔa̱yɔ börö ga-mene mini-jï moo, ka kpa mulugu. They realized something happened to him in the temple, for he remained with hand signals and his mouth was silent.
ꞌbɔa̱1 [ ] H v hold warm cloth on baby
ꞌbɔa̱2 [ ] H v beat (rug)
ꞌbɔɔ [ ̖ ] HL adv is ready
ꞌbɔ ti adv for not
ꞌbɔ- [ ] M prep for (lit. footprint)
ꞌbɔbolɔ [ ] M,H,L adv blessing, wonderfully (lit. for which bless)
ꞌbɔꞌbayi [ ̖ ] L,L,L adv in morning
ꞌbɔa̱ꞌbɔ [ ] M,H v deceive
ꞌbɔgelɔɔ [ ̷ ] L,L,LM adv you (pl) blessed (lit. for you be blessed)
ꞌbɔgilɔɔ adv you (sg) blessed Yï kaa̱ mäŋbï ꞌbɔgilɔɔ. You are truely blessed. (lit. for you be blessed)
ꞌbɔkɔ [ ̖ ] H,L n bush rat
ꞌbɔna [ ̖ ] L,L adv here
ꞌbɔnda [ ] L,M adv there
ꞌbɔngɔ [ ̖ ] L,L n fig
ꞌbɔra [ ] M,M adv around, about
ꞌbɔti [ ] M,H n monkey, baboon
ꞌbɔɔti [ ‵ ] HM,L adv unable (lit. able not)
ꞌbɔɔtöpï [ ′ ] MH,H,M n early morning
ꞌbɔwayi [ ] M,H,M 1) con.dep.aft because (introduces the reason for the previous action) 2) Qu for what reason
ꞌbua̱u [ ⃥ ] HL v foam
ꞌbulu [ ] H,H n pot for storing oil
C c
buluꞌ
ca̱ 4
caa̱ [ ] H v grab, peck
caa̱a [ ⃥ ] HL v put caa̱ca
caa̱ca [ ] M,H v put (caa̱a put)
caa̱dɔ [ ̖ ] H,L v 1) care for mocaa̱dɔ 2) put something on head
caja [ ̖ ] L,L n wood dust
camanja [ ̖ ] L,L,L n comb
cana n strong grass for weaving
caa̱ndi [ ̖ ] M,L v be poor
cara [ ̖ ] H,L n sickness type
cengelo [ ] M,M,H n quarter of something
cenje [ ̖ ] L,L adv on side
cëa̱ë [ ⃥ ] HL v spear
cëjë [ ̖ ] L,L n honey
cëmu n thinking, thought
cëa̱mu [ ] H,M v remember, think
cërë [ ] M,M n star
cërëbëtï n hook (lit. star cheating)
ci a̱ki [ ] L,M v warn
cï a̱ [ ] H v prevent, stop
cï a̱kï [ ] M,H v accuse
cïkölu [ ̖ ] L,L,L num twenty
coa̱1 [ ] H v 1) drop 2) fall
coa̱2 [ ] H v attack
coa̱3 [ ] M v build
coa̱o [ ⃥ ] HL v fill, be full
cocona [ ̖ ] L,L,L adv now
cokaakii [ ⁄ ⃥ ] L,LH,HL num thirty
conjo [ ] H,H n guinea fowl
coro [ ̖ ] L,L n Shooting (with bow and arrows)
coti [ ] M,M adv before
cɔcɔ [ ̖ ] L,L adv always
cɔkɔcɔkɔ [ ̖ ] L,L,L,L adv earlier, previously
culuku [ ̖ ] L,M,L n spoke of bicycle
cua̱tï [ ̖ ] H,L v join
D dda [ ] H n meat
daa̱ [ ] H v tie daa̱ngo
daa [ ̷ ] LM n grandparent
daa̱a [ ⃥ ] HL v hide
daka [ ] L,H adv first
dala [ ] L,H n stone
daa̱ngo [ ] M,H v be tied, tie self (daa̱ tie)
dari [ ] L,H n noise
daa̱ri [ ] L,M v defeat
dii [ ⃥ ] HL adv like
di- [ ̖ ] L prep from
di-ꞌbɔnda [ ] L,L,M con.main from there (introduces new person, place or situation--new paragraph)
diꞌbɔ- prep from for
diga- [ ] L,M prep from to
digati [ ] L,H,H Con so that
digobati- prep from after
dike [ ̖ ] H,L n cup
dikpa- prep from at
dilo [ ̖ ] L,L n dikdik
dimi- [ ] L,M prep from with, among
5 dina
dina [ ] H,M 1) adj like this bïï di-na place like this 2) adv like this
diindo [ ‵ ] HM,H Qu how
dingo- [ ] L,M prep about
diite [ ⃥ ̖ ] HL,L adv like this
diya [ ] H,M adj like bïï di-ya place like
dï a̱1 [ ] M v 1) sink 2) drown
dï a̱2 [ ] H v be cold
dïgïtörï Bw (Arabic) n doctor
dïhë [ ] M,H adv back
dïlï [ ̖ ] H,L n shadow
dïnyä- [ ] L,M prep among, in middle
dï a̱rï [ ] M,H v fill
doa̱ [ ] H v chase
doa̱o [ ⃥ ] HL v arrive
döa̱ [ ] H v 1) kill 2) beat (person, instrument) 3) shake (instrument)
döa̱dö [ ] M,H v knock, beat
dörï1 [ ̖ ] L,L n desert
dörï2 [ ] L,M Con because
dɔ [ ̖ ] L n head
dɔa̱ [ ] H v 1) lay down 2) buy
dɔ- [ ] M prep on, at (lit. head)
dɔ-kpaduru [ ] M,H,H,H n at river bank
dɔ. pref major (a prefix that makes a new noun from nouns or other word types) (lit. head)
dɔbokɔ [ ] M,H,H n fever, headache
dɔbörö [ ] M,M,M n world (lit. head down)
dɔbötö [ ] M,H,H adv freely
dɔꞌbe [ ] L,M n village (lit. head home)
dɔꞌbɔtɔ [ ] M,H,H adv later, in future
dɔdïlï [ ] L,H,M n spirit (lit. head of shadow)
dɔdolikɔ [ ] M,H,H Bw (Arabic) n eyebrow
dɔgutu [ ] M,H,M n back (lit. head tree)
dɔhayi [ ] L,H,H n land, region (lit. head of sand)
dɔko [ ] M,H n 1) descendant 2) kind or type of something (lit. head seed)
dɔkora [ ] M,H,M adj moving without carrying anything on head
dɔkɔ [ ] H,M adv in presence (lit. at eye)
dɔkɔri [ ] M,M,M adv after
dɔkɔtɔ [ ] M,H,H adv so far, forever (lit. head one)
dɔkɔtɔkpo [ ̖ ] M,M,H,L adv at once (lit. at so much)
dɔlëtu [ ] L,H,M n custom
dɔlëtu motea̱ n circumcision (lit. custom of cutting)
dɔmoga [ ] M,M,H n border
dɔri [ ] L,H n year
dɔru [ ] L,M n roof (lit.on house)
dua̱ [ ] H v 1) cry 2) want
duduŋu [ ̖ ] L,L,L n ring
duduŋu
duduŋu 6
ꞋD ꞌdꞌdaa̱a [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) be cooked 2) be weak, soft,
tired, like
ꞌdea̱e [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) pull 2) (river)
receeds ꞌdea̱ꞌde1 3) (swelling) reduces
ꞌdea̱ꞌde2 [ ] M,H v 1) pull 2) lead
ꞌdea̱ꞌde1 [ ] M,H v have
convulsions (ꞌdea̱e (river) receeds)
ꞌdi a̱ v pick
ꞌdi a̱ꞌdi [ ] M,H v pick
ꞌdï a̱ [ ] H v 1) reach, arrive at 2) touch, have intercourse
ꞌdoa̱ [ ] H v sleep, lie ꞌDoa̱ börö! Lie down!
ꞌdoa̱o [ ⃥ ] HL v like, be
ꞌdodi [ ] H,H Qu like who
ꞌdoa̱ꞌdo [ ] M,H v crucify
ꞌdö1 [ ] H oth there, there is, exists
ꞌdö2 [ ̖ ] L n thigh
ꞌdöa̱ö [ ⃥ ] HL v lay down
ꞌdɔ [ ] H n thing
ꞌdɔa̱ɔ [ ⃥ ] HL v digs, cultivates
ꞌdɔbojɔjɔ [ ] M,H,M,H n teaching (lit. thing that says)
ꞌdɔji [ ] H,M n weapon (lit. thing of hand)
ꞌdɔmonyo [ ] H,L,M n food (lit. thing eating)
ꞌdu [ ] H n 1) food 2) bread
ꞌdua̱ [ ] H v pound
ꞌdua̱u1 [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) spear 2) throw 3) put, plant
ꞌdua̱u2 [ ⃥ ] HL v follow
G ggaa̱a [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) bite gaa̱ga 2) cut
ga- [ ] M prep to
gabana Bw (Arabic) n government
gaꞌdi Bw (Arabic) n judge
gaa̱ga [ ] M,H v bite (gaa̱a bite)
gala [ ̖ ] H,L n fox
gali [ ̖ ] M,L adj leaving
gaa̱mbili [ ] M,H,H v listen (lit. to ear)
gawo [ ̖ ] L,L n town
gayi [ ] H,M Qu what, why
ge [ ̖ ] L pron.posor your (pl)
geli [ ] M,M adj bent over, paralyzed
gi [ ̖ ] L pron.posor your (sg)
girima [ ̖ ] L,H,L n eagle
giya [ ̖ ] H,L n root
go [ ̖ ] L n hole
gobati- [ ] L,M,M prep after
goa̱be [ ̖ ] H,L v be strong mogobe
gomɔ [ ̖ ] M,L adj suffering
goŋa [ ̖ ] H,L n axe
gölï [ ̖ ] L,L n wrestling
gɔa̱ [ ] M v 1) sit 2) remain
7 g naɔ �
gɔa̱ naa̱ v continue to produce (fruit)
gɔa̱da [ ] M,H v wait for someone
gɔa̱gɔ [ ] M,H v sweep
gɔlɔ [ ̖ ] L,L n spear with barbs on handle
gɔmo [ ] L,H n man
gu [ ] H n arrow
gua̱u [ ⃥ ] HL v write
gumö [ ] M,H n blood
gundɔ [ ̖ ] L n tongue
gutëyï [ ̖ ] L,L,L n road
gutï [ ] M,H adv only
gutu [ ] H,H n tree
gbaa̱a1 [ ⃥ ] HL v pay
gbaa̱a2 [ ⃥ ] HL v paw, sratch with paws
gbaꞌda [ ] H,H n short local chair
gbagba [ ] M,M n stick instrument
gbanda [ ̖ ] H,L n cassava
gbe2 [ ̖ ] L (fr. var. gbeti) n 1) child 2) son
gbe1 [ ] H n marriage
gbea̱e [ ⃥ ] HL v marry
gbeꞌdɔngari irreg. infl. of , pl. of gbeti gbeji [ ] L,M n finger (lit. son of hand)
gbeenga [ ′ ] MH,M n young unmarried woman
gbeti (irreg. infl. , pl. gbeꞌdɔngari) fr. var. of gbe
gbingili [ ] H,H,H adj ready, ripe
gbïꞌdïrï [ ] H,H,H adj straight
gboko [ ] M,H n molar tooth
gböa̱ [ ] H v laugh
gböa̱ö [ ⃥ ] HL v wash
gböa̱gbö [ ̖ ] M,L v howls (like dog)
gböndöŋï [ ] L,M,M n cockroach
gbörö [ ] M,H adj 1) selfish 2) glutonous, eating too much
gbɔ [ ] H n fence, wall
gbɔa̱ɔ [ ⃥ ] HL v gather
gbɔa̱dɔ [ ̖ ] H,L v gather
gbulu [ ̖ ] M,L adj 1) alive 2) preganant, round
gbulugbulu [ ̖ ] L,L,L,L adj group
H hha [ ̖ ] L n cow
haa̱1 [ ] H v build
haa̱2 [ ] H v 1) sift grain 2) penetrate
haa̱a [ ⃥ ] HL v push
hayi [ ] H,H n sand
hea̱ [ ] H v break hea̱he
hegbe [ ] H,H n rat
hea̱he [ ] M,H v break (hea̱ break)
hëa̱1 [ ] H v return möhëa̱ hëa̱2 [ ] H v open (door)
Hëgë [ ] M,H n Lord, God
hi2 [ ] M adj narrow
hi1 [ ] H adj red
hi a̱ [ ] M v 1) advise 2) push
hinya [ ̖ ] H,L n gun
hïï [ ⃥ ] HL n something short
hïï
hï dïꞌ 8
hïꞌdï [ ̖ ] L,L n penis
hïlï [ ̖ ] H,L n 1) tail 2) duster, fly swatter
hïngu [ ] H,H oth make straight
hïnyë [ ̖ ] L,L n scorpion
hoa̱ [ ] H v talk
hoa̱be [ ̖ ] H,L v be hot
hoꞌdo [ ̖ ] L,L n husband
hoka [ ̖ ] M,L n leather, skin of cow
holo [ ̖ ] L,L n tree type
horo [ ] H,H n saliva
höa̱ v make smooth
höa̱ö [ ̖ ] HL v blow (instrument)
högbï [ ̖ ] L,L n neck
höŋï [ ] M,H 1) n man 2) adj male
höyï [ ] M,H n guinea worm
hɔ1 [ ̖ ] L n nose
hɔ2 [ ̖ ] L n chaff, grain plants after removing grain
hɔ3 [ ̖ ] L num four
hɔa̱ [ ] H v enter
hɔa̱ɔ [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) fish yibohɔŋihi 2) grind something wet
hɔa̱ꞌdɔ [ ] H,M v squat, sit (like a dog)
hɔgɔ [ ̖ ] H,L n back
hɔgɔ- [ ] (?) H,M prep behind
hɔli [ ] M,H n bird
hɔlɔ [ ̖ ] H,L n tail, buttock
hɔlɔ- [ ] H,M prep under (lit. buttock)
hɔrɔ [ ] M,H n fishing spear
hu [ ] H n anus, buttock
hua̱u [ ⃥ ] HL v grind
huꞌbu [ ] M,H n oil
hudɔ [ ] H,M n plume, feathers on bird head
huru1 [ ̖ ] L,L n liver
huru2 [ ] M,M n flower
hutïgu [ ] H,M,H adv to the end of something enclosed (pipe)
hutundunyu [ ] H,H,H,H,M n ankle
J jjaa̱1 [ ] H v tear jaa̱ngo
jaa̱2 [ ] M v light (lamp)
jaa̱ngo [ ] H,H v burst, break (by
itself) (jaa̱ tear)
jari [ ] H,H n basket
je [ ̖ ] L 1) pron.sub.comp we 2) pron.sub.incomp we 3) pron.obj us
jea̱ [ ] H v arrange jea̱je
jea̱je [ ] M,H v prepare, create (jea̱ arrange)
jëpë1 [ ̖ ] L,L adv easy, without problem
jëpë2 [ ̖ ] M,L adj incompetent, does not do something well
jëtëyï [ ̖ ] L,L,L n hyena
ji [ ] H oth people
ji a̱ [ ] H v 1) remove (sweat) 2) plane wood
ji a̱i [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) milk (cow) 2) pull up
ji a̱ji v scratch
jï [ ] H n hand
jo [ ] H n milet
joma [ ] L,H n utensil
9 jɔ�
jɔa̱ [ ] H v say, tell jɔa̱jɔ mamojɔjɔꞌdɔ
jɔa̱ɔ [ ⃥ ] HL v compare
jɔa̱ kaa̱ [ ] H H v just said
jɔa̱jɔ [ ] M,H v 1) try, test mojɔa̱jɔ 2)
teach (jɔa̱ say, tell)
jɔkɔ [ ̖ ] M,L n baby carrier
jɔlɔ [ ̖ ] L,L n dress
jɔa̱ɔlɔ [ ‵ ] HM,H v say (lit. compare say)
ꞋJ ꞌjꞌja [ ̖ ] L n wife
ꞌjaa̱ [ ] H v run
ꞌjaa [ ⃥ ] HL adv later
ꞌjaa̱a [ ⃥ ] HL v see, find
ꞌjaa̱go [ ̖ ] H,L v overcome, get rid of someone
ꞌjaa̱ꞌja [ ] M,H v insult
ꞌjea̱ [ ] H v is burned
ꞌjënä [ ] H,M adv today
ꞌjoa̱lo [ ] M,M v roll
ꞌjöa̱ [ ] H v 1) braid (hair) 2) weave (grass into
mat) möꞌjöa̱ muꞌjöa̱ ꞌjɔlɔ [ ] M,H n redbud gazelle
ꞌjɔa̱ɔngo [ ‵ ] HM,H v be crooked
K kka [ ̖ ] L con.main and, then (introduces a
clause with new action, or a new noun)
kaa̱ [ ] H v 1) be (before a noun; used as an
equal sign) Yïkölu kaa̱ mäŋö. The person is a woman. 2) continuous (used before a verb) ꞌDɔ, na kaa̱ ꞌbea̱ mi-ndoma, ka ne kaa̱ yi a̱ ro-lee. There is something moving in the grass and coming towards us.
kaa̱ wayi [ ] H M,M Qu for what reason
kabi [ ] L,H n rope
kaꞌbo [ ] H,H 1) n paralytic, lame person 2) adj paralyzed, lame
kada [ ̖ ] L,L n 1) sun 2) day
kaꞌdɔ [ ] H,H Con so that
kagba [ ̖ ] L,L n leopard
kajïbunyë [ ] H,H,H,M adv badly
kala [ ] H,M adv enough, also
kalagbango [ ] H,M,M,H adj wavey, having waves
kali [ ] H,H n finger milet
kambeti [ ] H,M,H con.main instead, but (introduces unexpected action)
kanga [ ̖ ] L,L n ostrich
kangi n spur of cock
kaŋi [ ] H,H n parable
kara [ ̖ ] L,L n 1) pool 2) river
karama [ ̖ ] M,H,L n feast
kaya [ ̖ ] L,L n antibas buffalo
kaya
kätï 10
kätï [ ̖ ] H,L adv suddenly
kea̱ [ ] H v separate, divide
kea̱le [ ] H,M v choose
kende [ ̖ ] L,L 1) adv in time past 2) adj old
kendekende [ ̖ ] L,L,L,L adv usually (lit. old old)
kepe [ ] H,H n yeast
kënyï [ ̖ ] M,L adj owing something, endebted
këyï [ ̖ ] M,L adj new
kii [ ⃥ ] HL num ten
ki a̱i [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) watch, look at,
guard ki a̱ki yibokibinya 2) wait, delay
kii yani kɔtɔ [ ⃥ ] HL M,H M,H num eleven
kii yani yo [ ⃥ ] HL M,H H num twelve
kidi [ ] L,H con.dep.bef if, when (introduces a condition or sequence with new information)
kiꞌdi [ ̖ ] L,L n elephant
kija [ ] M,H adj foreigner
ki a̱ki [ ] M,H v keep (ki a̱i watch, look at, guard)
kileŋ [ ] L,M n tree type
kilikaya [ ] L,L,H,H n shaker instrument
kiliŋba [ ] M,H,H n bone
kiliya [ ̖ ] H,H,L n stick
kiti [ ] H,M adv before, for a while
kitɔ [ ̖ ] H,L n shea nut tree
kïï [ ′ ] MH n stool
kï a̱ï [ ⃥ ] HL v beat
kïꞌbö [ ] H,H n hut
kïꞌdï [ ̖ ] H,L n spoon
kïlïkïdï [ ] H,H,H,H n tree fruit
kïlïru [ ̖ ] L,L,L n giraffe
kïnyï [ ] H,H n small insect
kïnyö [ ̖ ] H,L n thorn
kïrïdïmu [ ] L,H,M,M n sweat
kïrïkï [ ̖ ] H,H,L adj well, righteous
kïtï [ ̖ ] H,L n chair
ko [ ̖ ] L con.main and (continues previous action)
ko ndaa̱ [ ] M,H adv and nothing
ko. pref (a prefix that makes an adverb, noun or dependent verb from a verb)
koꞌbɔɔ [ ̷ ] L,LH adv already
kodi [ ] M,H con.dep.bef if, when (introduces a condition or sequence with new information)
kodii [ ⃥ ] L,HL adv be like
koꞌdi con.dep.bef until
kogba [ ] H,H 1) n something big 2) adv in a big way
koꞌja [ ̖ ] M,L Con as, when
kokpa [ ̖ ] L,L n broom
kola [ ̖ ] H,L Qu when
koliya [ ] L,L,M adv 1) same, identically 2) flatly
kolo [ ] L,H adv deeply
koloro [ ] H,H,H n 1) neck 2) voice
komi [ ] M,H adv more than needed
komo [ ] H,H n 1) hare, rabbit 2) story 3) voice
komotɔlɔ [ ] H,H,H,H adv tearfully
kombili [ ] M,H,H n fingernail
konjo [ ̖ ] H,L n 1) drum 2) dancing place
kopara [ ̖ ] L,L,L adv more than expected
11 kop pɔ ɔ
kopɔpɔ [ ̖ ] L,L,L adv smoothly
kora [ ] H,M adj empty, with nothing
kori a̱ n fighting, war (ri a̱ defend, be ready to fight)
koro [ ] L,H adv more than expected
kotimo [ ] M,H,M adv already
koto [ ] H,M adv again
kowɔ [ ̖ ] L,L 1) n long thing 2) adv far
kö [ ] H n seed
köbï [ ̖ ] L,L n buffalo
köŋbö [ ] H,H n 1) board 2) canoe
köpï [ ] M,H adv 1) shamefully 2) respectfully
köröwu [ ̖ ] L,L,L n drought, no water
kötï [ ̖ ] L,L n club, stick
kötua̱ adv multiplying (tua̱ be born, give birth)
kɔ [ ̖ ] L n eye
kɔa̱ɔ1 [ ⃥ ] HL v break
kɔa̱ɔ2 [ ⃥ ] HL v search, look for
kɔa̱ɔ3 [ ⃥ ] HL v weave (strong grass into stretcher)
kɔa̱ɔ ꞌbɔ [ ⃥ ] HL H v look for
kɔa̱ piya [ ] H M,H v come out
kɔ- [ ] M prep into (lit. eye)
kɔa̱ꞌbɔ [ ̖ ] H,L v look
kɔꞌdo [ ̖ ] L,L n groin, between stomach and upper thigh
kɔki [ ̖ ] L,L n bird type (egret)
kɔkɔ1 [ ̖ ] H,L n circling wind
kɔkɔ2 [ ] M,H n stock of maize or dura
kɔa̱kɔ1 [ ] M,H v lead
kɔa̱kɔ2 [ ̖ ] H,L v hatch, break shell
kɔkɔtɔ [ ] H,H,H adv one only
kɔɔna [ ⃥ ] HL,M adv for awhile
kɔndata [ ] M,L,L adv that side
kɔngolo [ ̖ ] L,L,L 1) n crack (inbetween tiles) 2) adj cracking (inbetween something) kɔngolog ra cracking inbetween it
kɔngɔ [ ̖ ] L,L n cock, rooster
kɔnyɔ [ ̖ ] L,L n foot
kɔŋɔ [ ] H,H n fly, insect type
kɔpi [ ] M,H n right hand
kɔtɔ [ ] M,H num one
kɔtɔ kpöö [ ⃥ ] L,H ML oth once (lit. one wipe)
kɔyɔ [ ̖ ] H,L n bean
kua̱ [ ] M v cover
kua̱u [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) climb 2) make things from iron
kuꞌdu adv kneeling
kuꞌju [ ̖ ] L,L n well
kulu [ ] M,H adv shouting loudly
kulundu [ ] H,L,L adv kneeling
kunï [ ] H,H n last born child
kungu adv eveloping, surrounding
kunyë [ ] L,M adv sinfully
kuru [ ̖ ] H,L n groundnut
kuruꞌbë [ ] H,H,H n widow
kuruꞌbu [ ] H,H,H n dove
kurukudu [ ] H,H,H,M n end of something
kurumu [ ] H,M,M n manure
kurutu [ ̖ ] L,L,L 1) n crippled person 2) adj crippled, lame
kutëkutë [ ] H,M,H,M adj different
kutu [ ̖ ] L,L n comb handle
kutu
kpa 12
kpa [ ̖ ] L n 1) mouth 2) language
kpaa̱ [ ] H v swim, splash in water
kpaa̱a1 [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) throw 2) scatter 3) herd (cattle)
kpaa̱a2 [ ⃥ ] HL v be sick with diarrhhoea
kpa paꞌdɔ [ ̖ ] L L,L n tribe (lit. mouth of fire)
kpa- [ ] M prep at (lit. mouth)
kpaki [ ] M,M n 1) mat 2) stretcher for caring lame person
kpaa̱kpa [ ] M,H v chop
Kpapaꞌdɔ [ ̖ ] L,L,L n Tribe name (lit. mouth of fire)
kpatëyï [ ] H,M,H n door
kpatulï [ ̖ ] L,L,L n 1) rubbish 2) garden
kpayi [ ̖ ] L,L n rock
kpe [ ̖ ] L adv really, again
kpea̱ [ ] H v dance
kpee [ ⃥ ] ML adv 1) long 2) forever
kpea̱hɔrɔ [ ̖ ] L,L,L v jump
kpea̱ngo [ ] M,H v be untied, untie self
kpere [ ] H,M n sesame, simsim
kpea̱ri [ ] M,H v deny
kpërï [ ] H,H n mulberry tree
Kpërï Ranga n place name (lit. tree bed)
kpi a̱ [ ] H v 1) help mamokpiꞌdɔ 2) get certifide
kpiꞌdï [ ̖ ] L,L adv straight
kpikpikpi [ ] H,H,H adv silently
kpili [ ] H,H adj small, short
kpitɔ binya [ ̖ ] H,H,H,L n billy goat
kpöa̱kpö [ ̖ ] H,L v wipe
L llaa̱ [ ] H v hold, catch, arrest laa̱la
laa̱a [ ⃥ ] HL v crawl (like vine or water)
Laadi [ ′ ̖ ] MH,L n Sunday
laadi [ ′ ̖ ] MH,L n 1) week 2)
lajana bw (Arabic) n comittee
laki [ ] M,H n hunt
laa̱la [ ] M,H v catch (laa̱ hold, catch, arrest)
lamba n lamp
lano [ ̖ ] H,L n uncle
langiri [ ] L,M,M n bed
lari [ ̖ ] M,L adv falsely
laweya [ ̖ ] L,L,L n short dura, sorghum
le [ ] H n big pot
lea̱ [ ] H v dig
lee1 [ ⃥ ] ML adv slowly
lee2 [ ⃥ ] HL pron.posor our
lea̱e [ ⃥ ] HL v be good
lebe [ ] H,H n dish
lea̱dɔ [ ̖ ] H,L v start
lenoma [ ] M,L,L adv pleasingly
lendo [ ̖ ] H,L n brother
Lero [ ̖ ] H,L adj Passover karama Lero Passover feast (Lk 2:41)
lea̱ro [ ̖ ] H,L v pass over
lëa̱ [ ] H v soar, fly (like eagle)
lëbï n news
lëhï [ ] M,H adj begging
13 lëkï
lëkï [ ̖ ] L,L adv judging
lëkïkä [ ̖ ] L,H,L n court
lëa̱lë [ ] M,M v slope
lëmï [ ̖ ] H,L n sister
lëa̱mu [ ] M,H v curse
lëa̱tï [ ] M,H v grow mölëtï lëÿï [ ] M,H adj brezzy, with air or wind
li a̱1 [ ] H v lock
li a̱2 [ ] H v untie
li a̱3 [ ] M v supervise
li a̱4 [ ] H v mix, stir
lii [ ⃥ ] HL n father's sister
li a̱i [ ⃥ ] HL v swallow
likɔ [ ] H,M n chameleon
lili [ ̖ ] H,L n storm
limbila [ ̖ ] H,M,L n slingshot
li a̱ya1 [ ] M,H v yell nëa̱në li a̱ya throw yell
li a̱ya2 [ ] M,H v be same li a̱ya ne ti not same as him
lï a̱ [ ] H v 1) love 2) peel (sugarcane)
lïbïrä Bw (Arabic) n needle
lïꞌbö [ ̖ ] H,L n beehive
lï a̱kö [ ] M,H v 1) refuse 2) confuse, wonder
lï a̱lï [ ] H,M v scatter
lïmö [ ̖ ] H,L n smell
lïyötä [ ] M,H,M adv there
loa̱ [ ] M v narrate, speak
loa̱dɔ [ ̖ ] M,L v be around
loma [ ̖ ] L,L n spirit
lowa [ ] L,M n 1) woman 2) wife
löa̱ö [ ⃥ ] HL v call, name
lömï [ ] M,H n engagement
löa̱ndïlö [ ̖ ] H,L,L v call
löŋï [ ̖ ] H,L n law
löa̱rï [ ] M,H v 1) cry 2) call name
löa̱tï [ ̖ ] H,L v be dark
lɔa̱1 [ ] H v say yibolɔ awada yibolɔꞌdɔ
lɔa̱2 [ ] M v collect
lɔa̱ɔ [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) wear 2) untie, release, take off (clothes)
lɔꞌbi [ ] H,H n 1) mat 2) bed
lɔa̱ꞌbi [ ] M,H v sleep
lɔgɔ [ ̖ ] H,L n hoe, plow
lɔli [ ̖ ] L,L n swamp place
lɔngɔ [ ] H,H n clothes line
lɔŋi [ ] H,H n prayer
lɔa̱ŋi [ ] M,H v pray
lua̱1 [ ] H v 1) feed 2) suck
lua̱2 [ ] H v put out fire
lua̱lu [ ] H,M v roll
lua̱lungu [ ] H,M,M v roll
lurï [ ] M,H n marabou stork
lutu1 [ ] H,H adj stump (of tree)
lutu2 [ ̖ ] L,L n grass
M mma1 [ ] H pron.sub.incomp I ma2 [ ̖ ] L 1) pron.obj me 2) pron.posor my
ma
maa̱ 14
maa̱a [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) go 2) visits
ma. pref person (used to make a noun from another word type) (lit. mother)
maboci Bw (Arabic) n prison
maca [ ] H,H n rhino
madaa [ ̷ ] L,LM n descendent (lit. mother of grandparent)
magbɔkɔ [ ̖ ] M,L,L n old person
mahinya [ ̖ ] L,M,L n trap (lit. mother of gun)
majangili [ ] M,H,H,H n sun bird
makombili [ ] L,H,H,M adj crawling (lit. mother of fingernail)
makungu [ ̖ ] M,H,L n manager (mother organizing)
malayika Bw (Arabic) n angel
malɔki [ ] L,M,M n crowd of people
mama [ ̖ ] L,L n python
mamala [ ] M,H,H n teacher
mamojɔjɔꞌdɔ n teacher (lit. mother testing
something) (jɔa̱ say, tell)
mamokpiꞌdɔ [ ] M,M,H,H n saviour (l
it. mother helping something) (kpi a̱ help)
mamomɔꞌdɔ [ ] L,L,M,H n saviour (lit
. mother saving something) (mɔa̱ɔ save, redeem)
mamoyɔyɔꞌdɔ [ ] L,L,H,H,H n teacher, trainer (lit. mother showing something) (yɔa̱ teach)
mangirawa [ ̖ ] M,L,L,L n montitor lizard
mangita [ ] L,L,H n bread
manya [ ] H,M n dura, sorghum
manyataba [ ] H,H,H,M n maize (lit. leprosy sorghum)
maŋa [ ] H,H n grave (lit. mother of taking)
maŋba [ ] L,M 1) n adultery 2) adj adulterous
matidɔ [ ̖ ] L,L,L n leader (lit. mother ahead)
matoo [ ‵ ] L,HM n mother-in-law (lit. mother of in-law)
mä [ ̖ ] L n mother
mäku [ ̖ ] L,L n owl
mäkpërï [ ] L,H,M n horn instrument (lit. mother of mulberry tree)
mänyä [ ̖ ] L,L n antelope
mäŋö [ ] L,H n woman (lit mother of girl)
mäŋbï [ ] L,H oth true
märï [ ̖ ] L,L adj shaking (as with earthquake)
mätïkërï [ ] L,H,M,M n cross
mätïlö [ ] M,H,L adv opposite, contrastively
mea̱ [ ] M v wrap
mee1 [ ′ ] MH n spear
mee2 [ ⃥ ] HL pron.posor their
mene [ ̖ ] L,L 1) pron.sub.incomp they 2) pron.obj them
mea̱nge [ ] H,M v grow
mere [ ̖ ] L,L n palm tree
mëgï [ ] H,H n work
mërë1 adv inside
mërë2 adj type of something
mërï [ ̖ ] H,L n hippo
mëtï n greeting
mëa̱tï [ ] M,H v greet
mi a̱ v win
mi- [ ] M prep in (lit. stomach) (mï stomach)
mida [ ] L,H n flesh, body
15 midɔ
midɔ [ ] L,M n 1) brain, mind 2) thinking (lit. in head)
mige [ ] L,M adv among, into
mikɔ [ ̖ ] L,L 1) n face 2) adv without looking (lit.with eye)
mini [ ] M,H n water
mini- [ ] L,H prep in with
miniyɔ [ ̖ ] L,H,L num nine
minya [ ̖ ] L,L 1) n complaint 2) adj complaining
miŋari [ ̖ ] L,L,L adj 1) forceful, powerful 2) single, alone
mitɔrɔ [ ] L,L,M n 1) heaven 2) god (lit. in up)
mï [ ̖ ] L n stomach mi- mïnïmutä [ ̖ ] L,H,L,L num eight
mïnïu [ ] L,H num seven
mo [ ] H pron.sub.comp I
moo [ ⃥ ] HL pron.posor his, her
moa̱ piya [ ] M H,H v run out
mo. pref (a prefix that makes a noun, adverb, or adjective from a verb)
mobea̱ngo n love, be loved (bea̱ love, want)
moꞌbaa̱dɔ vn 1) destroying 2) forgetting
mocaa̱dɔ vn faith (lit. put on) (caa̱dɔ care for)
mogobe [ ̖ ] L,L,L n power (goa̱be be strong)
mojɔa̱jɔ adv being tempted (jɔa̱jɔ try, test)
moki [ ̖ ] M,L adj few
mokpaa̱ vn scattering
mokpaa̱ gi a̱ v be quiet
mokpiꞌdɔ adj saving
mona [ ] L,H 1) n load 2) adj bearing
moni [ ] H,H n duck
monda [ ̖ ] L,L adv promising
monyaki adv awaking
moŋaa̱ vn praising
moŋaa̱ŋi vn beginning, starting (ŋaa̱ŋi start)
moŋmaa̱ngo [ ] L,L,M n wrestling
mopaa̱ri [ ] L,L,H vn appreciation (paa̱ri praise)
moroa̱ vn going fast, with speed
mota [ ̖ ] L,L num three
moti a̱ vn adding
moya n angry person
moyaŋa n rich person, wealthy
person (yaa̱ŋa be rich, have wealth)
moyaa̱wo vn resting, breathing
moyɔyɔ [ ] M,H,H n teaching,
training (yɔa̱ show, reveal)
möhëa̱ vn repay (hëa̱ return)
möꞌjöa̱ vn insulting (ꞌjöa̱ weave (grass into mat))
mölëtï adv growing (lëa̱tï grow)
mölu [ ̖ ] H,L n darkness
mömbu [ ̖ ] L,L n dead body
mönjëa̱një adv faithfully (njëa̱një obey)
mönyëa̱ 1) vn sinning 2) adj sinning (nyëa̱ be bad)
möpëa̱ vn census taking, counting (pëa̱ count)
mötumötu [ ] L,H,L,H adj rough
möyï [ ̖ ] L,L n summer
mɔ [ ] H n pregnant woman
mɔa̱ [ ] H v be pregnant
mɔa̱ɔ [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) be alive, live 2) save,
redeem mamomɔꞌdɔ
mɔnɔ [ ] M,H n grape
mɔri [ ̖ ] L,L adj rich, wealthy
m riɔ
m rɔ ɔ 16
mɔrɔ [ ̖ ] H,L n lion
mɔtɔ [ ] M,H n yam
mu [ ̖ ] L n bush
mucï [ ̖ ] H,L n banana
muꞌjöa̱ vn weaving (ꞌjöa̱ weave (grass into mat))
muku [ ] M,H n soup, broth
mulugu adv silently
munä [ ̖ ] H,L n old wine
munötö [ ] L,H,H num six
munjua̱lu vn kissing
mutua̱ n birth (tua̱ be born, give birth)
muyï [ ̖ ] H,L num five
mba [ ] H n breast
mbaa̱ [ ] M v leave, let
mbaa̱a [ ⃥ ] HL v squeeze
mbaga [ ̖ ] H,L n basket
mbala [ ̖ ] L,L n song
mbaya [ ] M,H n wing
mbä [ ̖ ] L n wine
mbea̱1 [ ] H v quarrel, fight, argue
mbea̱2 [ ] H v order, give command
mbele [ ] H,H n sword
mbëru [ ] H,H n fig
mbila1 [ ] H,M adv possibly, might be
mbila2 [ ] M,H n elastic
mbili [ ] H,H n ear
mbï a̱ï [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) jump 2) fly
mboꞌda [ ̖ ] L,L n bag
mboho [ ] L,M n bitter yam
mbowa [ ̖ ] L,L adv for a while, recently
mböku [ ̖ ] H,L 1) n deaf person 2) adj deaf
mbulu n calf of leg
N nna1 [ ] M dem this (near speaker)
na2 [ ] H con.rel who, which, where, of (introduces words that identify the previous noun)
na3 n center of something (hand)
naa̱1 [ ] H v stretch, pull back arrow
naa̱2 [ ] H v bare, produce (fruit)
na gɔa̱ [ ] H M adv usually (lit. this remains)
na- [ ] M prep before, in front of
naka [ ] L,H con.main then, so (introduces important action)
nate [ ] H,H con.dep.bef when (introduces old information to show importance to
following important action)
nawa adv this is it (lit.this know)
ne [ ̖ ] L 1) pron.sub.incomp (s)he 2) pron.obj him, her
nea̱ [ ] H v finish nea̱ngo
nea̱ne [ ̖ ] H,L v test
nea̱ngo [ ] H,H v be finished, finish
self (nea̱ finish)
nëa̱ [ ] H v throw
nëbï Bw (Arabic) n prophet
nëa̱në kua̱lu v alarm (lit.throw warning)
ni1 [ ̖ ] L pron.sub.comp they (follows verb
and object) Kodi aꞌjaa̱a ꞌdɔ ni, . . . If they find something, . . .
17 ni
ni2 [ ̖ ] L oth there is ꞌDɔ na bïï ndogo kɔtɔ ni. There is this thing that is one place of merchant.
ni3 [ ] H oth be, is, have Je ŋaa̱ ni Hëgë Mitɔrɔ Yicirel. We praise be the Lord God of Israel (Lk 1:68).
ni- [ ] H prep with
nidɔ adv with on
niga- prep with to
nige pron.posiv yours (pl)
nigi pron.posiv yours (sg)
nilee pron.posiv ours
nima1 pron.posiv mine
nima2 oth the one
nimala [ ] H,L,M adv which one
nimatɔ [ ] H,L,H adv otherwise
nimee pron.posiv theirs
nimoo pron.posiv his, hers
no [ ] H oth that one, that person Nji a̱ ꞌbönï gi Alicabet kaa̱ magbɔkɔ, ji waa̱a kaa̱ ꞌdɔ, bo nɔa̱ɔ kaa̱ ne mɔa̱, ti, cocona no amɔa̱. Your relative Elizabeth is old, and people know she can't be pregnant, now that person is pregnant.
nɔa̱ɔ [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) make 2) do
nɔkɔ [ ̖ ] L,L n maternal uncle, mother's brother
nɔa̱ngo [ ] M,H v happen, makes by itself
nda [ ] M dem that (away from speaker)
ndaa̱ [ ] H v is not
ndaa̱a [ ⃥ ] HL v beat
ndako [ ̖ ] L,L n foolish person
ndawa oth that is it
ndayaa [ ⃥ ] M,HL oth watch out
ndea̱e [ ⃥ ] HL v be old
ndi a̱ [ ] H v be ripe
ndi a̱ndi [ ] M,H v be wise
ndiya [ ̖ ] M,L dem plural (makes other demonstratives become plural)
ndiya na dem these (near speaker)
ndiya nda dem those (away from speaker)
ndiya ndölïyö dem those (far from speaker and hearer)
ndiya te dem those (previous known)
ndï [ ̖ ] L n pot
ndï a̱lö [ ̖ ] M,L v shout
ndo [ ] H Qu how much
ndogo [ ̖ ] L,L n merchant, person who sells
ndoli [ ] L,M n bicycle
ndoma [ ] M,H n grass
ndölïyö [ ] M,H,M dem that (far from speaker and hearer)
ndölö [ ̖ ] L,L adj there, that
ndɔɔ [ ⃥ ] HL n tongue
ndɔri [ ̖ ] H,L n night
nduwë [ ] H,H adv continually
ngaa̱ [ ] H v reject
ngaa̱li [ ] M,H v put arm around
ngangari [ ] H,H,H adv little, simply
ngara [ ̖ ] L,L n ivory tree
ngëa̱ [ ] M v bend
ngërï [ ] H,H n tree
ngihi [ ] H,H n fish
ngi a̱ꞌji [ ] M,H v investigate, look into
ngi a̱lɔngo [ ] M,H,H v be shriveled
ngïï [ ⃥ ] HL adv at once
ngo [ ] H n body
ngo
ngoo̱ 18
ngoa̱o [ ⃥ ] HL v pull down ngoa̱ngo
.ngo suf 1) self (attaches to the ends of verbs to make them reflexive, intransitive, or
passive) 2) self (used after the preposition ga- 'to' and before possessor pronouns to make reflexive pronouns) (lit. body)
ngo- [ ] H prep at (lit.body)
ngobodi [ ] H,H,H adv favorably
ngobono [ ] H,H,H adj 1) carrying 2) honourable
ngobopɔli [ ̖ ] H,H,H,L adv disgracefully (lit. at skin)
ngoa̱ngo [ ] M,H v pick (fruit) with
stick (ngoa̱o pull down)
ngöngölö [ ] H,H,H n bell
ngɔli [ ] M,M adj whistling
ngɔlɔ [ ̖ ] L,L n hill, mountain
ngulu [ ̖ ] L,L n deep place
nja [ ̖ ] L n junction
njaa̱ [ ] H v leave, let
njanja [ ] H,H n woven furniture (mat, table)
njara [ ̖ ] M,L n ant
njea̱e [ ⃥ ] HL v burn
njëa̱një [ ̖ ] H,L v 1) obey mönjëa̱një 2) respond, accept
nji a̱ [ ] H v 1) look, see 2) show
njoa̱njo [ ̖ ] H,L v 1) shiver, shake 2) grip
njore [ ̖ ] L,L 1) n fear 2) adv fearfully
njowa [ ] H,H adv both
njɔa̱ [ ] H v 1) leak, flow 2) bleed, shed blood
njɔlɔ [ ̖ ] L,L n frog
njua̱u [ ⃥ ] HL v carry
njua̱nju [ ] M,H v gather
nyaꞌbele [ ̖ ] L,L,L n messenger
nyaka [ ] H,H n field, farm, vineyard
nyandɔki [ ̖ ] L,L,L n dura, sorghum
nyata [ ̖ ] L,L n some
nyaa̱to [ ] H,M v waste (incompletive)
nyëa̱ [ ] M v be bad mönyëa̱ nyigari [ ̖ ] M,H,L adv in evening
nyipɔꞌdɔ [ ] M,H,H n frog
nyï a̱ï [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) migrate 2) get
nyoa̱o [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) eat 2) play Dɔꞌbolo bea̱ monyoa̱o yete. Dobolo wants to play cards.
nyoa̱tongo [ ] H,M,H v is ruined, destroy self
nyöa̱kï M,H v defecate
nyöa̱tu [ ] H,M v waste (completive)
nyɔkpɔ [ ] H,M n tree type
nyɔrɔ [ ] H,H n poison
Ŋ ŋŋaa̱ [ ] H v praise
ŋaa̱a [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) take 2) marry
ŋaa̱ngo [ ] L,H v take self, is taken
ŋaa̱ŋi [ ] M,H v start moŋaa̱ŋi
ŋämërë [ ] H,L,M adv many, much
ŋea̱lo [ ] H,M v flash
ŋere [ ̖ ] H,L n chief
ŋete [ ̖ ] H,L adv near
19 ŋihi
ŋihi [ ] H,H n 1) moon 2) month
ŋi a̱ri [ ] M,H v hate, be against
ŋï a̱ [ ] H v dream, have vision
ŋïꞌdu [ ̖ ] H,L n blind person (lit. vision want)
ŋïtï [ ̖ ] H,L n cat
ŋö [ ] H n 1) girl 2) daughter
ŋɔa̱ [ ] H v appreciates, praises
ŋba [ ] H 1) con.main then, as a result (introduces a result of previous action) 2) adv also
ŋba ni [ ] H,L Con then
ŋbaki [ ] L,H n shoulder
ŋbala [ ] L,H 1) n arm 2) n power 3) adj powerful
ŋbanda [ ̖ ] M,L n whip
ŋbaŋi [ ̖ ] L,L adj many
ŋbaya [ ] H,M Con also, but (when reporting)
ŋbä [ ̖ ] L n guest, visitor
ŋbekpe [ ] M,H n heart
ŋbëŋï [ ̖ ] L,L adv very, many
ŋbïlï [ ] M,H n ankle bracelet, band around leg
ŋma [ ̖ ] L n termite
ŋmaa̱1 [ ] H v roast, burn
ŋmaa̱2 v wrestle
ŋmea̱e [ ⃥ ] HL v be wet
ŋmi a̱ [ ] H v be white
ŋmi a̱i [ ⃥ ] HL v be sweet
O ooo [ ⃥ ] HL oth no
Ɔ ɔɔɔ [ ⃥ ] ML oth yes
P ppa [ ̖ ] L n open area
paꞌdo [ ̖ ] L,L n fire
panga [ ] H,H n animal
panyi [ ̖ ] H,L n wall
paa̱pa [ ] M,H v puncture, poke holes
paa̱ri [ ] M,H v praise mopaa̱ri pea̱e [ ⃥ ] HL v 1) pour bopeminidɔ 2)
shower 3) baptize
pea̱mo [ ] M,M v discuss, debate
pëa̱1 [ ] H v penetrate
pë̱
pë̱ 20
pëa̱2 [ ] M v 1) read 2) count möpëa̱ pii [ ′ ] MH n bamboo
pi a̱i [ ⃥ ] HL v be tall
pili [ ] H,H adv all
piri [ ] M,M n word
piriga [ ] H,H,H n sieve for grain
piya [ ] H,H adv out
pï a̱ [ ] H v push
pï a̱ï [ ⃥ ] HL v send
pïrï [ ] L,H adv again
po [ ] H adv long time ago
pori [ ] H,H n wound
pöbï [ ] L,H n leaf
pɔa̱ [ ] H v light
pɔa̱ɔ [ ⃥ ] HL v go another way, redirect
pɔli1 [ ̖ ] L,L n cloud
pɔli2 [ ] H,H n skin
pɔa̱pɔ v be smooth
pɔri [ ̖ ] M,L adj few
pulï [ ] H,H n cooking stone
R rra [ ] H oth it
raa̱ [ ] H v 1) smear 2) amaze
raa̱a [ ⃥ ] HL v make a ladder from tree branch
ranga [ ] H,H n vulture
rea̱ [ ] H v obey, be afraid, respect, revere
reme [ ̖ ] L,L n squirrel
rëa̱ë [ ⃥ ] HL v twist (rope)
ri a̱ [ ] M v 1) defend, be ready to fight kori a̱ 2) be confident 3) hold tight
riyali Bw (Arabic) n coin
rï [ ̖ ] L n 1) name 2) handle (for carrying something)
rï a̱rï [ ] H,M v 1) excuse 2) prevent, refuse
ro [ ̖ ] L n back
roa̱1 [ ] H v cover (chick), hide
roa̱2 [ ] H v 1) not eat unclean thing 2) respect
ro- [ ] M prep towards (lit back)
roꞌba [ ] H,H n part of something
roꞌboroꞌbo [ ] H,H,H,H adv in pieces
roa̱kpa [ ̖ ] H,L v be fast
ronga [ ̖ ] L,L n forest
roroꞌbo [ ] H,H,H adv completely
Rowa [ ̖ ] L,L n river name
röa̱ö [ ⃥ ] HL v mix röa̱öngo
röcö [ ] H,H n mediator
röju [ ] L,M n flour
röa̱öngo [ ‵ ] HM,H v be anxious,
worry (röa̱ö mix)
rɔa̱ɔ [ ⃥ ] HL v stop, stand
ru [ ] H n house, hut
rua̱1 [ ] H v sew (clothes)
rua̱2 [ ] H v roar
rua̱3 [ ] H v gather and burn (branches, grass)
rua̱u [ ⃥ ] HL v be away a long time, be last, delay
rutu [ ̖ ] L,L n grass
21 ta̱
T ttaa̱ [ ] H v meet
taa [ ′ ] MH adv there
taba [ ] M,H n leprosy
taa̱nya [ ] M,H v 1) be durable, tough 2) be malnurished
tanyari [ ̖ ] L,L,L n camel
tata [ ̖ ] H,L n table
tayi [ ̖ ] L,L adv through the night until morning
täa̱mï [ ̖ ] H,L v disturb
täräbëcä Bw (Arabic) n table
te1 [ ] H con.rel who, which, where, of (introduces words that remind hearers of a noun already known) (put comma before)
te2 [ ̖ ] L dem that (already known)
tea̱1 [ ] H v slaughter, cut, offer
sacrifice boteꞌdɔ yiboteꞌdɔ
tea̱2 [ ] H v remain
tea̱be [ ̖ ] H,L v be better
telɔ [ ] L,M Con seems
tea̱ri [ ] L,H v argue, be against, resist
tëa̱ [ ] M v 1) depend on 2) support
tëa̱gë [ ] M,M v hear, listen
tëyï [ ̖ ] L,L n road
ti1 [ ] H adv not
ti2 [ ] H oth will (future word)
ti pïrï [ ] H M,H adv yet
ti a̱ꞌbɔ [ ̖ ] M,L v make fence around house
tidɔ [ ] H,M adv ahead
timara [ ̖ ] L,L,L n crocodile
tinge [ ] M,H n tree type
tinyi [ ̖ ] H,L n curse
tinyigari Bw (Arabic) n west
titii [ ′ ] H,MH n bird type
ti a̱ti [ ] M,M v ask
tiyara bw (Arabic) n airplane
tï a̱ [ ] H v 1) answer, reply 2) return 3) repeat
tï a̱ dïhë [ ] H M,H v return (lit. return back)
tï a̱ hëa̱ë [ ⃥ ] H HL v refund, return
tïkï [ ] M,M n cloudly day
tïmïnï [ ] H,H,H n things made from iron (spear head, arrow head)
too [ ⃥ ] HL n in-law
toa̱o [ ⃥ ] HL v smell
togbe [ ] H,H n wild pumpkin, gourd
tonyi [ ̖ ] L,L n official, governor
topa [ ] H,H n sign, colour
toro [ ] H,H n water hog
torototo [ ] H,H,H,H adv uncountably, many
toto [ ] H,H n grinding stone
töa̱ [ ] H v 1) follow 2) escort, free (?)
töa̱ö [ ⃥ ] HL v press
tödï [ ̖ ] L,L n life
töa̱ŋï [ ] M,H v invite
törö n song
tɔ [ ] M indef certain, any, other (used when mentioning a noun for the first time)
tɔa̱ [ ] H v leave tɔa̱tɔ
tɔꞌdɔ [ ̖ ] H,L n salt
tɔlɔ [ ̖ ] L,L n dew
t lɔ ɔ
t ndɔ ɔ 22
tɔndɔ [ ] H,H n tip
tɔrɔ [ ̖ ] L,L 1) n sky 2) adj up
tɔtɔ [ ] H,H n wood insect
tɔa̱tɔ [ ̖ ] H,L v 1) be around 2) change
position of something (tɔa̱ leave)
tua̱1 [ ] H v step tua̱tu
tua̱2 [ ] H v 1) be born, give
birth kötua̱ mutua̱ 2) lay egg
tudi [ ] M,H n bull
tuŋï [ ] M,H n base for pounding or grinding grain
turë, tulë [ ̖ ] L,L n dust
tua̱ru [ ̖ ] H,L v rub
turumbïlï [ ] L,L,H,M n vehicle
tutë moya [ ] L,H,L,M n generation
tua̱tu [ ] M,H v step (tua̱ step)
U uugä bw (Arabic) n container
W wwaa̱a [ ⃥ ] HL v know
wala Bw (Arabic) Con or
wali1 [ ̖ ] L,L n crime
wali2 [ ] H,H adv all
wara [ ̖ ] L,L n cotton
waraga Bw (Arabic) n book
wari [ ] M,H n shoe, sandal
watɔ [ ] M,H n someone
wayi [ ̖ ] L,L Qu what
wiliwili [ ] H,H,H,H adv very far, distantly
woa̱1 [ ] M v carry
woa̱2 [ ] M v lie, deceive
woa̱jo Bw (Arabic) v want
wöwö [ ̖ ] L,L adj around
wɔa̱ [ ] H v remove, scoop out (food)
wɔa̱ɔ [ ⃥ ] HL v be far, long
wɔcɔ [ ] M,H n wolf, small hyena
wɔa̱ti [ ̖ ] H,L v remove (small place)
wɔwɔ [ ̖ ] L,L n shelter
Y yya [ ̖ ] L oth plural (shows more than one
noun) ha kpili ya small cows
yaa̱1 [ ] H v 1) cut, harvest (sorghum) 2) not love
yaa̱2 [ ] H v hate, be angry, be cruel
23 yaa̱
yaa̱a [ ⃥ ] HL v skin
yaa̱ki [ ] M,H v grab
yanga [ ̖ ] L,L n removed foreskin
yangali [ ] L,L,H n sweet potato
yaa̱ŋa [ ̖ ] H,L v be rich, have
wealth moyaŋa
yaa̱ya [ ̖ ] H,L v wave, shake
ye [ ̖ ] L 1) pron.sub.comp you (pl) 2) pron.sub.incomp you (pl) 3) pron.obj you (pl)
yea̱2 [ ] M v stretch yea̱ye
yea̱1 [ ] H v drink
yea̱e [ ⃥ ] HL v play
yeke [ ̖ ] L,L n crow, bird type
yelo [ ] H,H adv quickly
yete [ ] M,H n game (mancala, cards)
yea̱ye [ ] M,H v stretch (yea̱ stretch)
yëa̱ë [ ⃥ ] HL v awake
yëa̱ku [ ̖ ] H,L v resurrect, be raised from the dead, come back to life
yi a̱ [ ] H v come yi a̱ ni yii [ ′ ] MH n snake
yi a̱ ni [ ] H,H v bring, come with (yi a̱ come)
yi. pref person (used to make a noun from another word type)
yi'bele [ ] H,H,H n messenger (lit. person of news)
yibata [ ] H,L,M n proud person
yibëtï [ ] H,M,H n hypocrite, cheating person (lit. person cheating)
yibo [ ] H,M adj elder (person important)
yibo'be [ ] H,H,H n traveller (lit. person who moves)
yibobo [ ] H,M,M n elder (lit. person old)
yibohɔŋihi [ ] L,H,L,H,H n fisherm
an (lit. person who catches fish) (hɔa̱ɔ fish)
yibokibinya [ ̖ ] L,H,L,M,L n shephe
rd (lit. person who guards sheep) (ki a̱i watch, look at, guard)
yibolɔ awada [ ] H,M,M L,H,M n collector (lit. person that collects taxes) (lɔa̱ say)
yibolɔꞌdɔ [ ] H,H,M,H n collector (lit.
person that collects something) (lɔa̱ say)
yiboteꞌdɔ n priest (lit. person that offers
something) (tea̱ slaughter, cut, offer sacrifice)
yiꞌbogo [ ] H,L,M n theif (lit. person of theif)
yidɔmoga [ ] H,M,M,H n neighbor (lit. person of border)
yigee [ ̷ ] H,LM n some people, others
yikija [ ] H,M,H n foreigner, gentile (lit. person of foreignor)
yinyaka [ ] H,H,M n farmer (lit. person of field)
yitaba [ ] H,L,M n leper, person with leprosy
yiteri [ ] H,M,H n enemy (lit. person arguing)
yiti [ ] M,H n 1) young man 2) son
yï1 [ ] H 1) pron.sub.comp you (sg) 2) pron.sub.incomp you (sg)
yï2 [ ̖ ] L pron.obj you (sg)
yïkölu [ ̖ ] L,L,L n person
yïturu [ ] H,M,M n government (lit. person rubbing)
yo [ ] H num two
yö [ ̖ ] L n death
yöa̱ö [ ⃥ ] HL v die
yöö̱