Temein languages comparative wordlist - Roger Blench

Comparative Temein wordlists 

Roger Blench 

Mallam Dendo 

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Cambridge CB1 2AL 

United Kingdom 

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E-mail R.Blench@odi.org.uk 

http://www.rogerblench.info/RBOP.htm 

Notes: 

1. The principal source for these wordlists are the material collected by Roland Stevenson in the 1970s and 

early 1980s. For further details see the accompanying paper ‘The Temein languages’. Also incorporated are 

lexical items form the phonology of T(h)ese by May Yip (2004) and from the unpublished notes of Gerrit 

Dimmendaal. The materials should therefore be treated as provisional. 

2. The comparisons in the final column have been added by Roger Blench and are cross-cited from 

comparative sources, principally materials from Stevenson. As a consequence, they have not yet been 

checked against the originals, and newer data that has appeared since Stevenson. I hope to do this in future. 

3. Identifying cognates in Nilo-Saharan is not simple; it depends on the analysis of the affixes. In the case of 

Temein, these are multiple and combined with syllable deletion, can often mean that only a single consonant 

remains, even between singular and plural in Temein. The comparisons will generally show what element of 

the word I speculate is the underlying root. But further analysis may change this and thereby the words that 

are cognate elsewhere. 

4. It will be seen that the classification of Temein is far from obvious; although it has slightly more cognates 

with East Sudanic than other branches of Nilo-Saharan, there are, for example, an elevated number of 

cognates with Berta. The source of the large number of lexical items with no apparent external cognates 

remains to be sought. 

1

̀ 

̀ ̀ 

́ ́ 

English Temein Tese Keiga Jirru External comparisons 

sg. pl. Comment sg. pl. Comment sg. pl. Comment 

adolescent 

nyɛ́rʈàk nyɛ́rɛ́ 

girl 

after aaʈi 

after kama 

after nya 

afternoon wuu i ny 

afterwards ṭɔk 

again onuk konuŋkɛ 

alike ʔbanákà 

alive, awake kápaŋanùk kɛ́ fúnó it is alive 

all càp < Baggara 

all kɛ̀ṭɛ́kɛ̀ʈ u i ccoḍɛ̀k kaláásɪ̀k cf. Tama káák, Ama 

kwɛ́rɛ̀n, Gaam kay, 

allow s.t. to yɔkɔmi yɔkɔmɔʈi 

drop and 

break 

allow, permit suku sukóʈù 

alone (ɛ)kíɗɔŋ 

always nyááʈɪnnyááʈɪn 

wərwər 

and aʔɖa joins 

clauses 

and nya joins 

individual 

words 

angry ʔɖaso ʔɖasoaʈo 

animal yówɪ̀ʈ sɔɔ 

ɗía na ɓok lɛ́[k] na ‘thing of 

ɓok house’ 

ankle ʈúúkúrɪ̀s kuʈúúkúrí ‘child of 

leg’ 

answer ɛɖákìlɔ́ŋɔʈ ɛɖaʈákì 

ant hill ʈíɖàk kíɖàk 

ant, large kɪrínyʈɛ̀ʈ kɪrínyàʔ ohoɪ̂k ohwáʔ orónyiɖàk orónyìk 

black 

ant, red kɪrɪnyééɖə̀k kɪrɪnyáʔ kɪrényaɖàk kɪrényàʔ 

antelope káburè sɔɔ́mɛ 

kusɔɔ́mɛ̀ 

anyone ɗéénì nɗɔ̀ 

2



armpit gɪĺɪgɪĺɪ̀k kɪgɪ́lɪgɪĺɪ̀kɪ̀ kapəlɛɖə̀k káápalàk kwɔ́rʈɛʈàk kwɔ́rʈɔ also wing 

arrow arsàʈ karsaʈì ʈwìʔ kuɖììʔ 

ashes úluk cf. So ûk, Berta Undu 

bùbùdà, Meidob úfúdì (and 

possibly related to more 

widespread #bur- roots. 

ashes puḍòʔ fuɗàʔ < Kadu e.g.Katcha fuɗo, 

ask ʈɛ̀ʈɪ̀ka ʈɛ̀ʈɪ̀kaʈa 

at -(V)ni locative 

suffix 

at ɔ genitive 

suffix 

at ɛnɛ prep. 

awake furuŋoni furuŋoʈonai 

axe ṭúk kùṭúkàʔ máɖàm kɪḿaɖàm alfáì kalfáìŋ < Arabic 

al-fās 

baboon ɔ́limɔ́n kɔ́limɔ́nì ṭákwúúrù kɪɽákwúúrà kóllòŋ kuollèì 

baby, child ʔdámulʈɛ̀ʈ, kiʔɖámula ɗál kányàŋ < Kadu ɗák kɪɗék 

ʔɖámula 

back pɔ̀rɔ́ŋɔ̀ʈ kùpɔ̀rɔ́ŋɔ̀ʈ ɛ́rrɛk kɛ́rrɛɖɪ̀ŋ ṭááràk kɪɽááraɖɪ̀ 

basket large yayáʔ kɪyayáʔ 

3 

k 

àmɪ̀[k] na 

ɽááraʈ 

backbone àmɪ̀[k] na 

ɽááraʈ 

bad asiyòʔ asiʈòʔ not good asíù asɪ́ʈʈòʔ 

bad nʈɛ̀n kíʈɪ̀k ŋaḍɪɖàk bad, old 

thing 

bamboo giokɪ̀ʈ giàk ṭɛlɪk ʈɛlɪk 

bank, river pɔ́kɪʈ nʈɛ 

ḍàŋɪ̀k kɪḍàŋɪ̀k 

nʈɔ̀ŋɪ̀ʈ 

baobab kɔmpurɪ̀ʈ kikɔmpúrì kamurɪk kamuráʔ 

bark of tree pɔ̀páʈɪ̀ʈ cf. Nilotic e.g. Jumjum 

pǝtǝkai, Shilluk padho, Luo 

opok 

bark of tree ʈáhuk ṭófuk cf. Katcha tofu 

basket soróʔ kusoróʔ sóóró kusóóró 

basket árɛ̀ kárɛ̀ saffaláí kɪsaffaláí ʈáŋasàʔ kɪɖáŋasw 

àʔ 

basket, 

bamboo

́ 



bat 

(mammal) 

rɪŕù kɪŕɪŕù kábbíliɖä̀k kábbílɪ̀k kɪḿbɪlɪ̀ŋ kɪnɪkɪḿbɪ 

lɪ̀ŋ 

be spoilt, ʔdàsò ʔdàsàʈò 

rotten, angry 

be sufficient ɛ́ɖɛ́kàk 

bead kɔrɗikiʈɛ̀ʈ karɖòʔ kurɔ̀k kuurɔk stone nyarɗééɖàk nyarɗaʔ 

beam of light kosín 

beans mùnṭɔ́kɪ̀s mùnṭáʔ, mùɽáʔ múɽasɪ̀k muɽáʔ, 

múɽeɖàk muɽáʔ 

munṭáʔ 

bear (child) ʈíjùk ʈijoʈaʈùk ʈúje ʈújù 

beard bíàk kɪbíàkɪ̀k ɓɛ̀k kɪɓáʔ kíja[k] kɪnáɖùk kíja[k] 

kɪnakwúɖ 

ɪ̀ŋ 

beat bá báɗà 

beat báʈɛ̀ báʈàʈà ba baɗa 

beat (drum) báá bááʈà bàɖe bàɖà 

because kɛ 

become mána máʈana 

bed (split kulúŋkɪ̀s kulúŋkò, 

bamboo) 

kolóŋkò 

bed (string) ɛŋkɛrɛ́ʔ kɛŋkɛrɛ́ʔ



below, down kɪĺla 

big ḿbù kɪḿbɪ̀k úbù kúbɪ̀k cf. Keiga abulɔŋɔ, Lendu 

bɔ̀, Teda bu, Lugbara ambo, 

Teso -pol 

big ɗùrù kumɔ́kɔrà 

ʔ 

cf. Dongola Nubian dū́ l, 

Dinik dúbɔ̀, Tama dúút, 

Bari dúmàʔ, Shilluk duoŋ, 

Berta Undu ‘dúúŋí, 

bird íawɛ̀ʔ kawɛ́ʔ nawɛʔ kawɛ́ʔ nɔ́ì kwáì cf. Kanga ndoi 

bite ɛ́wí ɔ́wɔ́ɖɔ́ áwí ʈáʈáɖá also áwəɖɛ áwí áwúʈà 

bitter mpɪ́pɪ̀l àfɪ̀lɪ̀k 

black nṭùṭɪ̀ŋ kunṭùṭɪ̀ŋ úɽúɽɪ́ŋ ánɗúɽɪ́ŋ cf. Keiga aɗuk, Gaam 

ɖùɪ́(n), Dilling uri, Kipsigis 

tʊɪ ́ ̀, Acholi cɔɔ ́ ̀l, Bongo luti, 

Masalit duuŋgi, 

́ ́ 

́ ̀ 

blacksmith ʈɛɛ́rəɖä̀k 

ɛɛ́rì 

blacksmith ɗéynìʔ na nɛɛ kina báʈàn ʈɔɖɔháduʔ kaaɖɔhaɖɪ́ʔ ʈámɖaɗɔ̀k < Kadu 

báʈàn 

blackthroated 

afíìbaɖèì afálaɖòŋ 

dove 

bless kúú+ɛ + okú + ɔ́púŋɪ̀ʈ lit. ‘blow 

ɔ́púŋɪ̀ʈ 

with air’ 

blind kɔ́púlɔ̀ʔ kɪ̀kɔ́pulɪ̀k kahulóʔ 

blind ṭuunṭu kiṭuunṭu 

blood mónɪ̀ʈ mönɪ̀k monɪ̀k ? cf. Nilotic e.g. Acholi 

remo, also Kenga mosò, 

Daju Darfur támöke 

́ 

́ 

́ 

blow kúú 

kwɔɔ́ʈɔ̀k kúú kwəɖa kúú kúúʈà 

(mouth) 

blow on fire kúú kɔɔ́ʈɔ̀ 

blunt, dull ja aʈɛ kɛɛ̀ʔ not sharp 

blunt, dull ʔdúklu 

asɪɖɪyɪk ‘has no 

ʔdúkuluk 

teeth’ 

boat múrkàb kɪmúrkàb < Arabic 

body kɪ̀líʔ kɪlííʔ kɪĺi 

5



bone àmɪ̀s kɔ́maʔ kɔmɛk kɔ́maʔ àmɪ̀k kɔ́maʔ Assuming the key element 

of the root is the mV- then 

cf. Murle amɛɛn, Dinik 

ááma, Uduk asima, 

bow moonɗí kímóónɗì kamɪɗɪ́ŋ 

boy, child ɗál kɪɗɛ́l dál kányaŋ ɗák nɖáámàk kɪɗɪŋ 

kɪnɖáámɪ̀ 

ŋ 

brain nyúl majɔlɪ̀k majɔl ṭɔɛɛŋ 

branch sɪ́lɪmonɪ̀ʈ kisɪĺɪm 

break ŋwɔṭàk ŋwɔṭaʈàk nyányumà áyyɔmà áyyɔmàɖ 

à 

breast nyɛlɪkɪʈɛ̀ʈ kɪnyɛ́lɪ̀k nyɛlɛɖə̀k kɪnyɛlɪ̀k kɪnyɛlɖàk kɪnyɛlɪ̀k cf. Lotuko nɛnayɪ, 

breath nyɪśɪlàk 

breathe, rest àŋáʈ ŋɪśəlà nyɪśəlèi nyɪśəlaɖè 

i 

bring (here) 

mɔɔ ́ ́n ɛ̀ 

mɔɔ ́ ́ʈài ɛ̀ lit. ‘come 

with’ 

aŋáɖɪk aʈááɖɪk akwɛ̀ aˇeikɛ̀ 

brother, his, aranyuná karanyuná arányunàʔ ɔrɔ́inà 

her 

brother, my aranyuná, nɔ̀ŋ ɛrɪ́ŋɔ arɪ́ŋà my sibling 

brother, your ɔrɔnyunɔ́ kɔrɔnyunɔ́ örunò ɔráinùŋ 

buffalo opún na kopún na bull of lɪk kɪláʔ 

kɔ̀rɔ̀m kɔ̀rɔ̀m earth 

build gánya gányaʈà áʈanyà áʈanyaɖà ŋànà ŋànàɖà 

building áʈanyàk 

bull opún kopún ɔtɔ́rr kwotɔ́rɪ̀k < Arabic opún kopún 

toor 

bull II kwɔ́láʔ aʈʈáruk kúʈaruk < Arabic 

toor 

bundle of 

ṭɔk 

thatching 

grass 

burn tr. lásuɖu lásuʈu probably connected with 

widespread isi for ‘fire’ 

burn, light ukogú ukoʈógu nyúrɖɔ nyúrʈɔ ɗárkaɖù ɗárkaɖaɖ also light cf. Berta Undu dáárà, Kadu 

fire tr. 

ù fire ogudaana (which may 

combine both roots) 

6



bury aṭuká aṭukáʈà 

bush ʈɪŕfɛ álelei kuɓɪŋ 

but aʔda, 

nyɔkɔ́nṭɛ 

buttock kuuruk kukuuruk ʈúhùŋ kuɖuhò kɪsámbáráŋ 

buy kɔ́lɔ́ʔbà kɔ́lɔ́ʔbàʈà kwɔ́labà kwɔ́lbà kwɔ́lbaɖà 

call kókwí kókwáʈà kwókwuɖà kwuɖi kwuʈʈà 

camel kámpúlàŋ kíkámpúlàŋ kammaláʔ kammaláá 

k 

can, be able áyák áyáʈàk cf. know 

can, be able gɪʈárà gɪʈáràʈà < Sudanese 

Arabic 

gadar 

captured ɖógoʈò koɖógoʈò ɖókoʈòŋ kuɖókoʈò 

< Hill Nubian 

slave 

ŋ 

carnivore, wi 

ḍía na kuɓɪŋ lέ[k] na 

ld animal 

kuɓɪŋ 

carry (esp. mɛ́ʈak mɛ́ʈaʈak 

on head), 

take 

carry here aŋáɖɪk aʈááɖɪk 

carry there ɖaɖɪk eʈááɖɪk 

cat biis 

cat kaɖíìs < Arabic kaɖɛsɪk kɪnɪ́ŋ < Arabic 

kaɖɛsɪk 

cat, wild muɖurèʔ kumuɖurɪ̀k munɖurè kumunɖu 

rè 

cattle corral sàràŋ kɪsàrɛ̀k saraŋ kɪsaraŋaɖ also fence 

ɪk 

chair, stool murʈɪ́kà kumurʈɪḱà boɽú kɪ́boɽuk ḍíà na gárfak ‘thing of 

sitting’ 

chameleon ḍááràŋ kɪḍááràŋ 

charcoal sɔ́k(g)ɔ́yumɪ̀ʈ sákáyùm sééɗə̀k sák lɪ́ŋ 

cheek kórómɪk kókórómɪk 

cheek kúrúmɪk kúkúrúmɪk múkwolɪk kúmokwɔ̀l 

chest male aɗɔk kwɔɗɔɖɪŋ 

chicken kókoròk kóókoròk k(w)óóròk kókoròk kòròk kwóórok 

chief sɪ́l kɪsɪĺoʔ wáárà kwáárɪ̀k 

7

̀ 

́ ́ 



child ɗál kɪɖɛ́l ʈúrniɖàk ʈúrnì 

chin gɛ̀rɛ̀ʔ kɪgɛ̀rɛ̀ʔ kɛ́bɛbɪ̀k kábabàʔ káɗaŋàk kɪḱɪɗaŋɪ̀k 

chop, cut ṭɛnʈɛŋa ṭɛnʈɛŋaʈa kakalaha kakalahaɖa 

down tree 

circumcise ṭɪpá ṭɪŋɪǹ ṭɪpáʈa ṭɪŋɪ̀n ‘cut penis’ 

claw, nail lúlɪ̀ʈ k w óólɪǹ sɔjarɪ̀k kɪsɔjarɔ̀ŋ kɪśaŋwarʈàk kɪśaŋarù cf. Dilling ʃundi 

clean kɔṭɔ́kɔṭàk 

climb away kalak kalaʈak 

from speaker 

climb kolí kalaʈái 

towards 

speaker 

cloth kɪ̀ʈɪ̀ʔ kɪ̀gɪ̀ʈɪ̀ káɖàʔ kááɖàʔ káʈɛ 

kiáʈɛ̀ 

cloud kɔbɔ́rʈɛ̀ʈ kɔ́bɔ́rɔ̀ʈ kabárɛɖə̀k kábárɪ̀k kubárɖàk kubárɪ̀k pl. = sky cf. Kanga tifudo(k), 

Zaghawa burdu, Shilluk 

polo 

club ɗáluk kɪɗáluk 

coffee bunn plant ? < 

Amharic 

coffee gahwa drink < 

Arabic 

cold njùlùn kunjùlùn anyɔ́l ajullùk cf, Berta Undu àgʊʊrù, 

Bagirmi ùlù, Ilit sulluma 

cold, very ajúlukjúlùk 

come 

mɔɔ ́ ́n 

́ ́ mɔɔ́ʈài áàŋ, ɛɛ̀ŋ áʈàì áù áʈei cf. Kanga ande, So ac, 

Kunama aw, Berta Undu 

àdò, Yulu áì, Moru aɽi, 

́ 

́ ́ 

cook pisɔ̀ pisɔʈɔ̀ öɗumò öɗumòɖo 

porridge, 

sauce 

cook s.t. ɛlùk ɛkaʈùk áwíɖì áwíʈaɖà 

corpse ɗéénì nʈɛ́ nɛɛ̀ʔkɪnʈɛ́ 

bulɪ̀n 

correct sàhíí < Arabic 

śaḥiiḥ 

cotton opúkɔ̀ ɔrɔ̀ʔ kɪsɔrɔ̀ʔ áwaràʔ 

cough (v.) sɛ́nsɛlà sɛ́nsɛlaʈà ɔɔ́lèi (once) ɔ́lɔ (often) ɔɔ́lèì ɔɔlaɖèì 

cough n. ˇɔlɔ 

8



count ṭíṭɪkà ṭíṭɪkàʈa kɪŕa kɪŕaɖà kɪŕʈi kɪŕʈaɖà 

cow kwállàʔ 

cow ńʈɛ̀ŋ kɪ́ʈúk ɛɖɛ̀ŋ kwúɖùk aɖɛ̀ŋ kuɖuk 

crawl, creep, kuṭukú kuṭukóʈu 

kneel 

crocodile tɪmsá(h) kúʈúmsùŋ < Arabic kɪmányáliyàʔ kumɔ́kɔrà 

timsāḥ 

ʔ 

crowd ʔbúúʔbulɔ̀ʈ 

cry, weep, wujìk wujoʈɔ̀k wujì ójà ájaÍà 

shout 

cure, mend, áṭɪ́ŋɪnʈàk áṭɪ́ŋɪnʈàʈàk 

repair 

curse mɔ́rak mɔ́raʈak 

cut bɔ́ʈɔkà bɔ́ʈɔkaʈà, 

káɽahà káɽahaɖà kwɔ́ɽɔfɔ kwɔ́ɽɔfɔɖ 

bɔ́ʈɔkaʈài 

ɔ 

̀ ̀ 

cut, slit ṭɪpá ṭɪpáʈa kwɔ́ɽɔfɔ kwɔ́ɽɔfɔɖ 

ɔ 

dance n. bɪĺɪk 

dance v. mɪĺà mɪĺaʈà bɪĺá bɪĺáɖa bɪĺáʔ bɪĺaɖà 

daughter púsùŋ kɪpúsùŋɪ̀k ɗàl ɛ́nnàŋ + female 

day 

kwáàʔ lit. sleep kwáàʔ 

(counting) 

daytime wuu i ny unyɪŋ ŋóóròŋ 

dead bulɪ̀n 

deaf mɪŕí kɪ̀mɪŕɪǹ mɛrííʔ mɪŕi kɪmɪriyàʔ 

die nyɪḿùk nyɪmáʈaʈùk cf. Krongo ááyà, Nyang’i 

iɲal, Tama eyà, Lotuxo yɛ, 

Kenga oyo, 

die ʈábalà búláɖà ʈábalà búláɖà cf. Ik bad-on, 

difficult, njɛljɛl 

heavy 

difficult, nʈɛ̀nnɛ̀ annɛ́ʔ 

heavy 

dig ììʈì ììʈáʈɔ̀ kö̀ köɖö 

aiʈi aiʈaɖà 

dikdik wɪŕ kuwɪŕáŋɪ̀k kuríʔ k(w)úúriʔ kwuríí kukurííyà 

ʔ 

dirty káŋulɪ̀k 

disperse s.t. ɔfirɔ ɔfirɔʈɔ 

9

́ ́ 

́ 



divide gɪsɪmʈak < Arabic 

divide mina minaʈa (?) 

divorce, lugwíʈɔ́k lugwíʈɔ́ʈɔ́k 

drive away 

do lɪḿɪɖà lɪḿɪʈà 

dog óòʔ kwéèn òòʔ kwɛŋ kòòʔ kweŋ also moon 

month 

dog, wild kòòʔ na kuɓɪŋ kweŋ na 

kuɓɪŋ 

donkey kwóʈɛnɖìr kukwóʈɛnɖìri kɪĺlikɛwɪ̀k kɛllɪkawàʔ kúlkɔ́ŋ kúlkwáí 

door ʷúún kúúnìk tɪĺlayàʔ kɪɖɪ́llayɪ̀k ʈɪĺlɛ̀ʔ kɪɖɪ́llɛ̀ʔ 

door of ʈɛɛ́làʔ 

kɪʈɛɛ́làʔ bɪlgɪǹy kibɪlgɪ̀ny 

branches 

door of wood ṭɔŋṭɔŋ kɪṭɔŋṭɔŋi 

doorway áɖu[k] na 

nyamaɖɪ̀k 

dove ṭɪ́ṭɪ̀m kɪṭɪ́ṭɪmìyy yellowthroated 

dove 

əbbɪ̀k abboŋ afóì afóŋ yellowthroated 

dove 

down kɪlla kwaroŋ, 

ɪlléle [?] 

kwɔrɔŋ 

dream (v.) ɔɔ́gɔʈɪ̀k awaɖɪk n. áwɛɛɖàk 

dress (v.) iiʈú iiʈáʈú kuɖukurɪŋ kuɖuhaaɖa 

rɪŋ 

drink awsà awsaʈà máʈɪla máʈɪlaɖa ɔ́sà ɔ́sɔɖà 

drum ánɗɛ̀ŋ kɛnɪńɗɛ̀ŋ 

drunk ausaʈ verbal 

noun from 

ausà 

dry season pɛlɛɲ 

dry, empty rààri ɛɖɪnyàr ṭáárɪ̀k kɛɽáárɪ̀k dry, 

empty, har 

d 

dum palm apurṭɛkɪʈ apurṭɛ ṭaɗɛ́manyáʔ ṭaɗɛ́manyɪ́ 

k 

dumb, koʈikoli 

foolish 

dung week kuwéék of cow 

10

́ 

́ 

́ ́ ́ 



dura mórɪŋɪnʈɛ̀ʈ mórɪŋɪs (one mórɪŋ mörɪnyɪ̀k mörɪ̀ŋ marɪŋyɪ̀ɖàk mərɪŋ 

(one grain) head of grain) 

dust wúlṭò ṭuŋ ṭúŋ 

dwarf ɔŋgɔrɔ́ŋɪnʈɛ̀ʈ ɔŋgɔrɔ́ŋ 

ear wénàʈ kwèén ŋwánɪk kwɛɛ́ŋ wanək kwɛ̀ŋ cf. Gaam wind, Liguri 

unɛʈɛ, Tama ùtu, Murle itat, 

early ʔjooʔjoon 

morning 

earth, soil, kɔ̀rɔ̀m kɔrɔŋ kwɔ́rɔk 

ground 

eat láma lámaʈà láma lámaɖà láma lámaɖà cf. Gaam nàm, Lugbara ɲá, 

Songhay nã, Kunama ŋa, 

Tama ŋàn, ? Ama tàm, 

eat one’s fill gumàk gumaʈàk 

eat together lamana lamaʈána 

egg warɪs kwaraʔ kwɔrɛk kwaraʔ kwɔrɛɖàk kwaraʔ cf. Nara ware, Daju Sila 

wálace. If the plural k- 

prefix is old, the many 

forms across Nilo-Saharan 

of the type #kol- including 

Songhay guri woud be 

cognate. 

eight kɔ́ŋɔnʈɪǹ kéṭàʔ aɓɓà 

elbow rɪṕìʔ kɪrɪṕìʔ kwóɽörɛ̀k ṭɔŋwɔrɛ̀k kuɽɔŋwɔr 

ɛ̀k 

elephant lɔ́ŋɔ̀n kɪlɔ́ŋɔ̀nɪ̀k lɔŋɔ̀l kɪlɔ́ŋɔlɪk lɔŋɔ̀ŋ kúlɔŋɔ̀ŋ 

eleven ámù[k] fuɖɪ 

gɪ́ɗɗe 

empty II ʈáámɛ̀ kɪɖáámɪ̀k 

empty, dry rààrì ʈɔ́mɛ̀ kuɖɔ́mɪ̀k < Daju 

enclosure, gɛ̀ʈ kɪgɛ̀ʈɪǹ araká kɪsárakaɖɪ̀ 

corral 

n 

enemy ɔɗɔn ɗosoʔ also 

‘stranger’, 

‘slave’ 

enter ʔdii ʔɖiaʈanai (to 

speaker) 

11

̀ 



enter ʔduu ʔbulɔʈu, 

ʔbulaʈanai 

(from 

speaker) 

evening nèègí, nɛɛ̀gí 

everywhere láàŋɪni kɛ̀ṭɛ́kɛ̀ʈ ‘place in 

all’ 

ewe kɪríàŋ kɪkɪríàŋ kʷɔ́gɔmɪ̀k kʷɔ́gɔmàʔ kokomeɖàk kɔ́kɔ́mɛ́k 

exit ʔdii ʔɖiaʈanai (to 

speaker) 

exit ʔɖuu ʔbulɔʈu (from ɖákɪŋ 

̀ 

̀ 

speaker) 

eye nɪ́ŋɪǹàʈ kɛɛ́n náánɪ̀k kɛ́nyɪ̀ŋ náŋanàk kɪɗákɪŋyɛ̀ face = 

ŋ kɪńyɛ́ŋ 

face kɛɛ́n lit. ‘eyes’ kɛ́nyɪ̀ŋ lit. ‘eyes’ kɪ́ŋyɛ́ŋ cf. eyes in 

Nilotic 

faeces, ɔŋɪ̀s kɪ́ŋɔ kínyòʔ kɪŋyàʔ kɪ́ŋyáá 

excrement 

fall (rain) lè 

fall (v.) ʈurò ʈuraʈò bɛɖɛlà armulà armulaɖà fall from 

level 

fall from nyúnyákì nyúnyaʈákì 

fall from 

saguɖulà 

height 

family rágàʔ kɪŕágàʔ 

fan, deleb papɪs kipapa fahɪk kɪfafááʔ 

palm 

far ŋgɔnɔrràŋ stem = ràŋ aḍd)ákɪŋ keewáɗɗáwɛ̀ŋ 

fat ʔbɛ̀kàn ʔbɛ̀kàʈàʈ lúmwullɛ̀ people ɗokorok 

fat a. kɪlɪmunnàŋ kɪʈɛɛ 

fat n. kɪṭínyɔ̀ nányɛɖə ́ ̀k nányàʔ pl. 

12 

cf. Mangbetu nɛ́ŋɔ̀, Ama 

aŋɛ̀, Dinka ɲin, 

́lɪmu 

ɖannàŋ 

ḍokorok cf. Ilit anya, Ciita yin, Bari 

nyiret, 

kɪnányàʔ 

father, my ápà apà áfa cf. Tulishi apa, Ama aba, 

Meidob abbá, Berta Undu 

àbbá etc. 

father, your konò kweinuŋ cf. Kamdang kɔ, 

fear (v.) wɔ̀nɔ̀ wɔ̀ʈɔ̀nɔ̀ ö́ri ö́riɖɛ̀ arlɛ̀k arlɛɖɛ̀k 

feather k(w)ómpɛrɪ̀ʈ k(w)ómpɛr kuhúhúɖə̀k kúhúhùk àguruk kugúru

̀ 



female [nɖa]lmɛ 

fence lálàʔ kílálàʔ aak kwoor(u)p 

arɪk 

fence, 

enclosure 

few kárɖìʔ 

few tears kalakɔ́màʔ 

field ɔ́jɔ̀m kɔ́jɔ́mɪ̀k fɔ́k kuhaɖàʔ agɛŋ kɛɛ 

fifteen ámù[k] fuɖɪ́ 

gɪ́ḍɛŋàk 

fifty ʈeaɗi kɛ 

kɪ́ɗenàk 

fig, wild ópujɪ̀ʈ ápɔ̀s cf. Arabic 

jammēz 

13 

kunɖóólɪ̀ 

k 

fight, áʔɖáʈ 

struggle (n.) 

fill s.t. píkú píkóʈù kwɔ́rnyù kwɔ́rnyaɖ 

ù 

find, see, ɗɪka ɗɪkaʈa 

discern 

finger nínàʈ nʈɛ́ ɗál kɛ́n nʈɛ́ kɪɖɛ́l hand + ɗálanɪ̀k kányagááyɪ̀ child of ɖá[k] na nánàk kɪɗágɛ́ŋ 

child 

ŋ 

hand 

finish s.t. mɔrú mɔrɔʈú 

finish, cease, mɔrú mɔrɔʈú 

stop 

fire pɔ́ɗɪ̀ŋ kɪ̀pɔ́ɗɪ̀ŋɪ̀k pö́ḍɪ̀ŋ kɪpö́ḍɪ̀ŋ fáɗɪ̀ŋ kɪfáɗɪ̀ŋ cf. Bongo pfoɗu, Bagirmi 

podu 

firewood mɛ́rɛŋ márɛnyɪ̀k márɛ̀ŋ maranyɪ̀k mɛɛrɛk 

first lúlɔ̀, lɔ́lɔ̀ 

fish kálálɪ̀s kálálàʔ also lálìs álélɪk kálálaʔ kɛ́lɛ́ɖak káála cf. Tulishi kalowa’ (fishes), 

So kɔlɛʔ, Dongolawi kā́rɛ, 

Kara kánza, Turkana ekolia 

fist nánàk nḍɪ́ŋɪlà 

five 

ŋgɛ́ɗɗàʈ, 

ŋgɛ́ɗɪnàʈ, 

ɗínaʈ 

keḍinàk) kɪ́ɗenàk 

́ ́mɪ̀k

̀ 

̀ ̀ 



flame ŋáɗɪmàk ya 

hö́ɗɪ̀ŋ 

kɪŋáɗɪmàk 

kɛ hö́ɗɪ̀ŋ 

tongue of 

fire 

flame panaʈ kipanaʈi údùk ya kwúɗɪ̀ŋ kɛ mouth of lílíŋàk 

hö́ɗɪ̀ŋ hö́ɗɪ̀ŋ fire 

flat rock ṭáfálɪ̀k kɪɽafáálì 

flee, run ɲúnyákì ɲúnyaʈákì 

away, fall 

from 

flood mɔ́nɔ́ŋ 

floor, earth, kɔ̀rɔ̀m 

ground 

flower ʈogɔ́yokɪʈɛ̀ʈ ʈogɔ́yokɪʈà ʈuliɖä̀ ʈolɛŋ ʈulɛnyiɖàk ʈulɛŋ 

fly n. ɔ́ŋɪ̀s kɔ́ŋàʔ kɔ́ŋwɛ̀k kɔ́ŋwàʔ kɔ́ŋwɛ̀k cf. Lugbara óŋú, Liguri 

Daju aŋax, 

fly, rise, ŋɛ́ʈàk ŋɛ́ʈaʈàk pó ʈuhóʈó fúfúŋò fufúŋáʈáɖ 

stand up 

ò 

follow oŋiʈi, aŋiʈi oŋiʈaʈɔ 

food lámàʈ kɪlámàʈɪ̀k lámàk lámàk 

foot, leg ɔ́llòk kwɔ́óaɖɛ̀ állùk kwúlɖɪ̀ŋ cf. Mamwu kalʊ (leg), 

Gaam lúɖ, Berta Sillok lu 

(leg) 

foot, leg áwàʈ kwúlʈɪǹ cf. Krongo àwwà 

forbid ányɛk ányɛʈak 

forehead ṭáŋa kɪɽáŋa 

foreigner, 

stranger 

ɔɗɔn ɗosoʔ áɗɛ̀ŋ nɖóɖɪ̀ŋ nɛɛ̀ʔ 

kɪnɖóɖɪ̀ŋ 

forest, bush ɔ̀gɔ̀ʈ áámɔ̀ álelei kuɓɪŋ 

forge (v.) bàʈi ṭɪ́ṭɪʈ bàʈaʈà ṭɪ́ṭɪʈ bàɖè bàɖà to strike bá báɖà 

forget ʈɔɔ̀lu 

ʈɔɔ̀lɔʈu 

forty ʈeaḍi kɛ 

kwɔŋwɔŋ 

four kɔ́ŋɔn kwɔ́ŋùŋ kwɔŋwɔŋ 

fox ṭaŋarɪk kɪṭaŋarɪk 

friend wórɪńyà kórɪńyànɪ̀ úrunyɪ̀ŋ kúrunyɔ̀ ɔrɔŋyɪ́ŋ 

frog, toad kwúɗóʔ kúkwúɗóʔ kwuɗóʔ kwúúɗóʔ aʈáuɗaʔ kɪ́ʈáuɗɪ̀k 

full kapúkanùk kɪjɛnɛ kégwɔ́rnyunàŋ 

gather oʔbulɔ oʔbulɔʈɔ 

14

́ 



gecko kafunḍóliyòʔ kɪnɪ́ŋ 

kafunḍóli 

yòʔ 

giraffe kɔbɔrɛ̀ʔ kɔɔ́bɔrɛ̀k 

giraffe mɪrɪń kɪmɪrɪńɪ̀k mɪrɪĺ kɪmɪrláʔ mɛrlɪk kɪmɛrliyà 

́ ́ 

girl púsùŋ kɪpúsùŋɪ̀k ɗál iɖa kányaŋ 

nàmɛ̀ʔ kiɖóllɪk 

give okú okuʈɔ̀kù ʈɪn ʈɪnaɖà ʈɪņi ʈɪņɖi 

give back ɛɖákì ɛɖákiaʈákì 

go ìʈák ìʈàʈák ɪ́ɖɖà ɪ́ʈà ɪņɖá aʈá cf. Didinga to, Bari tu, 

Berta Undu àdá, Mabaan 

ootta, 

go and meet urɔ urɔʈɔ 

s.o. 

go down gɪro gɪraʈo 

go up (away kalak kalaʈak 

from 

speaker) 

go up kolí kalaʈái 

(towards 

speaker) 

goat (f.) nâ kàɪ́ náʔ lígáátə̀k naʔ kai 

goat (m.) kwɔɔ̀rlàʔ 

kukwɔɔ̀rlàʔ, 

kwɔ́rɔmàl kwúrumàlɔ̀ 

kɔrmak kɔrmɪ̀k 

kukúrlàʔ 

ʔ 

goat, male kɔrmak kɔrmɪ̀k 

God, rain, náŋanàʈ Ɓáròʔ = ‘shadow, masalɪ̀k < Kadu 

sky 

spirit’ 

Masala 

good nʈóbàn konʈóbàn, 

ö́yyòʔ anaɖítòʔ áyùk áʈò cf. Lotuxo ol-oyyu, 

goodbye ìʈák ɔ́púŋɪ̀ʈ 

ókúúʈɪǹ 

kunʈóbàn 

Go and the 

world blow 

upon you 

Go well körönyɪk kaaraŋ 

goodbye ìʈík kɛ nʈábàn ìʈàʈák kɛ 

konʈíbàn 

gourd tááɖaɖàk kɪɖááɖaɖàk nɗɔ̀ŋ kɪnɗɔ̀ŋ 

gourd ṭɔ́ŋ kɪ̀ṭɔ́ŋàʔ áyùk áʈò 

15 

ʔ



gourd ṭɔ́ŋ kɪ́ṭɔ́ŋàʔ púnyɔŋ kuhúnyɔnɪ́ 

kárḍɛ̀ŋ kiáárḍɛ̀ŋ gourd small 

k 

granary ʈálàp kɪ́ʈálàpɪḱ dúnnùŋ kudúnnɪ̀ farɪk kɪfarɪk 

grass ɔ́yɔ́mɪ̀ʈ ɔ́yɔ́m áyòŋ áyòŋɖə̀k áyòŋɖàk áyòŋ 

grave, tomb ṭúkanàʈ kuṭúkanàʈ ṭwáánɪ̀k koɽóónàʔ ṭuanàk kuɽuánɛ̀ 

green yɔ́yɔm kiyɔ́yɔmɪ̀ emɪmɪ̂l aŋgarmàʔ 

grindstone 

ánɗulùk kánɗulùk 

for oil 

ground ʈábbàŋ kɪ́ɖabbèk 

ground 

ʈufɔ̀k kʉɖufɔ̀k 

between 

khors 

groundnut ʈómpúkɪʈɛ̀ʈ ʈámpúkò kwáásɪĺɪɖä̀l kwáásɪĺ akuɖubeɖàk akuɖubò 

guinea-fowl nánɪ̀ŋ kɪ́ŋ 

guinea-worm fɪrɪnɖídɪk kɪfɪrɪnɖíd 

ɪk 

hail koroŋɪ̀ʈ kíkaraŋ 

hair jɛ́ʈɪ̀ʈ kɪ́jɛ̀ʈ kijáɖɪ̀k kíjàk kíjaɖàk kíjàk cf. Ama jè, 

hand, arm nínâʈ kɛ́n ɛ́nnɛ̀k kɛ́ŋ nánák kɛ́ŋ cf. So ân, Lotuxo aanɪ, 

Toposa akan, Ilit kona, 

happy màksúúʈ < Arabic óòmɔ̀nʈóbàn ‘good in 

mabsuuṭ 

belly’ 

happy óòmɔ̀ nʈóbàn lit. ‘good 

belly’ 

hard, dry, nʈɪ̀rààrɪʔ nyàrɪ̀ ṭáárɪ̀k kɛɽáárɪ̀k 

empty 

hare ʈíàʈ kɪʈíàʈì sák kɪsɛŋ cf. ʈɛ̀k kɪɖɛ́k 

charcoal 

hartebeest káburàŋɛ̀ káburàŋɪ̀k asɪnɪḱ kasunó 

harvest (n.) pílɔn 

harvest (v.) píli píloʈɔ 

has aʈɛ 

has, he áʈɛ 

hate (v.), ányak ányaʈak 

refuse, 

dislike 

have, I ŋáʈáʈɛ 

have, they áʈáʈɛ 

16

́ 

́ 



hawk nɔ́i na 

gwóóròk 

he, she nákà ɛnnáʔ nɛ́ 

head lulò k(w)olúlɪǹ, 

kululɪǹ 

óllò kúllìɖɪ̀ŋ állò kwúlɖɪ́ŋ cf. Dinik ɔ́r, Gaam ɔ́l, 

Meidob or, 

hear ʈóŋwà ʈóŋwàʈà ʈuŋwa ʈuŋwaðà ʈɔŋwa ʈɔŋwaɖà cf. Ilit tüka 

heart óòm 

ṭɔɔ́mà 

also seat of 

? cf. Tama àmùl 

(physical) 

emotions 

heart 

ḍalááɖónò kɪdááɖónɪ̀k ɗanááɖonò kɪɗááɖon 

cf. Kanga ɖunugu 

(physical) 

ò 

hearth, 

láàŋ ná pɔ́ɗɪ̀ŋ kɪ̀láánʈɪ̀k 

kɪmsɛ́msi 

fireplace 

kɪná 

heavy nʈɛ̀nnɛ̀ kɪnʈɛ̀nnɛ̀ ánnɛ̂ ʔ aŋŋɛ̀k naaɖɪńnɛ̀ 

k 

heel nanɖɪɖɪ̀k kɛnɖɪɖɪ̀k 

Hello ʔja nʈɪḱɛ ʔja kíʈɪḱɛ Are you 

nʈóbàn konʈóbàn not well? 

help mákì baŋa maʈákì ~ 

here nʈàkànì aláŋ ánú 

hide ʔbɪĺónòk ʔbɪĺaʈónòk 

hide s.t. ʔbɪĺi ʔbɪĺáʈɔ̀ 

hippopotamu opún na múŋ ‘bull of algɪrɪńʈì kaalgɪrɪ́nʈì < Arabic opún na muŋ kopún na ‘bull of 

s 

water’ 

girinti 

muŋ water’ 

his, her kɔ́nyúnɔ̀ kányúnà kɔnyunà kwainá 

father 

hit báá bááʈà ɓa, baɖa báɖì báʈʈà strike 

hit báʈɛ̀ báʈàʈà [or ɖ] 

hoe n. kɪɽɪ́ɲ kɪkɪɽɪ́ɲ ṭɔ́gwɔ̀ŋ kɔ́ɽɔgwɔ̀ŋ ṭɔŋɔ́ŋ kuɽɔŋɔ́ŋ 

hoe v. léí láÍéí 

hoeing lɛɛ́ŋ 

hold, kɔ́mùk kɔ́mɔʈɔ̀k kömu kömuɖa kəmu komaÍà 

grasp, catch 

hole (w)úún kúúnɪ̀k uuŋ kunik 

honey ʈɪ́ju also ‘bee’ ʈúju ʈuju kuɖuju 

horn kɪńɪʈ kɪń kinɪk kɪŋ kiŋik kiŋíà cf. Kipsigis kúínò, 

horn, 

instrumental 

ʈɪrikɔk kùʈúrùkìy 

òʔ 

17

́ 

̀ ̀ ́ ́ 

́ 



horse mánʈà kɪmánʈà [could be ɖ móʈòʔ komóʈòʔ mɔ̀ʈò kumɔ̀ʈɔ̀ 

not a ʈ] 

house nyáà, nyuáà kwíìʔ ɓɔ́k kuböö́ɖɪ̀ŋ ɓok kwik 

how many? ɗɛɛkɛɛ 

aba ɗɛɛ 

how? ŋɛɛ́nɔ́ ɛbei alkáí How is it? 

hundred sakar 

ʈeaɗi kɛ mùk 

ŋgɛ́mmùk 

hungry, be nánàŋ ɔ́tù ‘hunger nanàŋ hunger nánàŋ hunger 

kills [me]’ 

hungry, be II aʈak 

hunt (v.) ɛsiʈuk ɛsʈaʈuk ɪɖɖa lámɔ ɪʈá lámɔ go hunting ɪņɖá lamɔ aʈá lamɔ 

hunting lɔ́m lám lamɔk 

hyena, ŋóŋóŋ kuŋóŋóŋí agwúúk kwugwóóʔ aŋwúk kúŋwuàʔ 

spotted 

hyena, 

séégàʔ kɪséégàʔ 

striped 

I, me nán náŋ náŋ cf. Bari nân, Acholi an, 

Gaam áán, 

immediately, koomoʈoni 

suddenly 

inside ɛnɛ lááŋ lááŋ= place 

intestines, kwúrúnyɪʈ kwúrúny kwurɪ́ŋɪdə̀k kwurɪ́ŋ kwúrɪ́ŋy 

guts 

iron ṭɪ́ʈɪʈ kɪṭɪ́ṭì sg. = alilliiɖək alelèʔ lelɪk alelɪk < Keiga 

‘piece of 

iron’ 

jackal bɔ̀rɔ̀l kɪbɔ̀rɔ̀lì waaŋ kwaanɪk waŋ kuwaŋ cf. Dinka 

awàn 

jaw guṭɔkɪ̀ʈ kigɔṭɔ̀k kɛ́bɛbɪ̀k kábabàʔ kɛbɛkɛbɛ́ʔ kɪbɛkɛ́be 

ʔ 

jaw ṭuṭokɪ̀ʈ koṭoṭak 

judge (v.) ákumá ákumáʈa < Arabic 

jump (v.) ṭáŋkɪrà ṭáŋkɪràʈà 

Keiga Jirru ḍóni 

kick báá ɛ áwàʈ bááʈà hit with 

foot 

kidney kɪǵɪ̀n 

18

̀ 

́ 

̀ 



kidney kurwɪɲ kuməɖä̀k kumɔ̀ŋ ɗá[k] na kiɗá 

kumàŋ kumàŋ 

kill ɔ́ʈù ɔ́ʈóʈù óɖò óɖoɖò áɖù áɖaɖù cf.Bongo atun, Bari tatʊ, 

knee nɔ́ŋgù kɪnɔ́ŋgù, 

nóù kə́wɪ̀ŋ nóù kɪnóù cf. Bari kuŋú, Mabaan uŋu, 

kɪnɔ́ŋgùʈɪǹ 

kneel, crawl kuṭukú kuṭukóʈu 

knife pókò, pógò kɪṕókò, 

kúpókò, 

sakínɪ̀ʔ kɪsákinɪ̀ʔ ʈoroŋ kuɖoroŋɛ̀ 

ʔ 

kópókò 

know áya(k) áyáʈà(k) ɛɛ́ʔ ááɖɛ̀ ái áyaɖɛ̀ cf. Tama ajili, Maasai a- 

yioló, Ik iyes, 

kokaab kányamuràʔ kɛnɪŋkán 

yamuràʔ 

kujur múseeʔ kumúsee 

ʔ 

lake, pool, kúlàʔ kukúlàʔ surwóó kusurwóó lɔfɔŋ kulɔfɔŋ 

pond 

lamb, kid kɔ́rɔ́màn kukúrúmùn 

land-monitor gɔ́ŋgɔrɔ̀ŋ kɪgɔ́ŋgɔrɔŋɪ̀k karaɓúŋ kááraɓáʔ ŋárábú kɪŋárábú 

language, lɔ́ŋɔʈ ílák cf. word alŋak 

word, speech 

last, final kinʈɪrɪk 

laugh (v.) ŋolɪlì ŋolɪʈaʈàʔ mɛ́lʈɪɖà mɛ́lʈɪʈà kúɽɪʃɪɖà kúɽɪʃʈaɖà 

leaf ? ṭoorɛɖàk ṭaaro Tese < Kadu e.g. Tulishi 

kin-ʈaro/øleaf 

kɔ́bùkɪ́ʈ kabó cf. Luo oboke, ? Tama aful 

leave off s.t. suku sukoʈu 

leave, let jɔŋgwa jɔŋgwaʈa 

alone 

left hand nínàʈ nʈɛ́ 

ɛ́nnɛ̀k ɪɖááʔ 

nánà[k] na 

kɔ́kɔ́lɛ̀ʔ 

kule 

kwáálɛ 

leopard ɔlúŋ kɔlúŋɪ̀k ʈunnuʔ kuɖunnuʔ ʈojoròʔ kuɖojorò 

ʔ 

leper áḍɛ̀ŋ na ʈónyɪ̀ŋ nɛɛ̀gɪna 

ʈónyɪ̀ŋ 

leprosy ʈónyɪ̀ŋ 

lick ɗénɗenyàk ɗénɗenyaʈàk nánnányiɖà nánnányiʈà ɗaŋei ɗaŋaɖei 

licking áɗainyɪɖàk 

19



lie (v.) ilɛŋéì 

ʔɖuyaŋaʈ 

light (not pùl, pwɔ̀l kɛpwɔ̀l yɛhálhallɪ̀k nyɪfɛlfɛllɛ̀k 

heavy) 

light fire ukú ukóʈa kúú kwəɖa 

light leather fáyuŋ kɪfáyuŋ 

lightning ámakalàn biɖɪnàŋ làmà[k] na nók 

lightning nyamaʈa 

lion kámpɪ̀ŋ kɪḱámpɪ̀ŋɪ̀k [or 

ásaɖ ásaɖa < Arabic ʈiamùk agamù 

kɪḱámpɪ̀ŋɪ̀kì] 

live, dwell kárpànà kárpàɖànà 

liver múrɪ̀ʈ kɪmúrʈɪkɔ̀ múrɪ̀k kúmúrɪ̀k múrɪ̀ŋ kúmúrɪ̀ŋ cf. Ama máɽɪ̀ɲ, Teso emaɲ, 

Songhay dāmal, Zaghawa 

màán 

lizard kɔ́ŋgɔlɔ̀s kɪ́ŋgɔlɔ̀ʔ kikɪ́lbaʈúrɛ̀ kííkɪĺbaʈúr 

ɛ̀ 

locust wulɪ̀ʈ kwulɪǹ wulɪ̀k kwulɛ̀ŋ allɪḱ kwulɪk 

long sagal(l)áʔ asaŋaláʔ asɛsaŋalɪ́ 

k 

long njɔ́rʈàʔ, 

njɔ́rʈàk 

kɪnjɔ́rʈàʔ, 

kɪnjɔ́rʈàk 

lose s.t. wayaŋa wayaŋaʈa 

louse gámuíʈìʈ gámul

̀ ̀ 



man (vir) kwórʈòʔ kwóròʔ < Nubian 

e.g. 

Kadaru 

kworto 

ʈam(m)aɖám 

(m)àk 

ʈákak áɗɛŋ ņɖáámàk ŋɛɛ 


ŋ 

cf. Tama máá 

many 

kɛ́lṭɪ̀ŋ, 

ɛ́mbɛrɛ̀n, 

ɛ́mbɛràn 

many ajjáŋ 

many káʈábák cf. Katcha (k)aɖagbo 

market kɔ́lɔ́ʔbɪ̀ʈ kɔkɔ́lɔ́ʔbɪ̀ʈ dakulabana 

market súúk < Arabic asúk kəsuk < Arabic 

marry (men) àràmà àràmàʈà 

marsh ɗagi kɪɗagi 

mat albɪŕɪs káálbɪrɪs < Arabic 

mat bɪŕɪsù kɪbɪ́rɪsù < Arabic bɪròʃ buruuʃ < Arabic albɪrsɪ̀k kalbɪrsɛ̀ < Arabic 

maternal 

ám n-ánnà 

grandmother 

meat nʈɛ̀ʈɪ̀ʈɛ̀ʈ nʈɛ̀ʈ 

meat liɖə̀k bɪlanɖàk (one kɪnɖaɖɪ̀k archaic, for 

piece) ɪnɖàk 

merly ɪlɖàk 

medicine, mɔ́rɔ̀ʔ kɪmɔ́rɔ̀ʔ muréék kumɔrɔ móreɖàk komórò 

root 

meet so. urɔnɔ wɔʈɔnu 

coming in 

opposite 

direction 

milk (n.) kíí sàáʔ kíí 

milk (v.) kɔ́njulúk kɔ́njulɔ́ʈɔ̀k ɗúúɖu ɗúúʈu kweilu kweilɛɖà 

modern ɖáwà

́ 

́ 



mother, their ámunanyɔ 

mother, your ɔ́ŋúnɔ̀ ámmunɔ̀ ámunuŋ 

mountain, 

hill, stone 

kúrɛ̀ʈ kukúrɛ̀ʈ widespread for ‘stone’. cf. 

Birgid kuur, 

mountain, 

hill, stone 

bɔ̀bɔ́rɔ̀t kì-bóbóròt-ɪ̀ uɖumɪk kuɖumɪk uɖumɪk kuɖumɪk hill, 

mountain 

mouth íʈùk k(w)úʈɪǹ úɖùk kwúɖɪ̀ŋ áɖùk kwúɖɪ̀ŋ cf. Murle otok, Bari kutuk, 

Maiak (+ most of Nilotic) 

ʈok, Fur ùtò, 

much ɛ́mbɛràn 

much, very keṭṭu 

mud ʈɔkiʈɛ̀ʈ ʈɔk ʈɔ̀k ʈɔk 

mud wall kumáŋgál kukumáŋgáli 

mushroom kɪɖéékɪɖàk kɪɖɛɛ́kɛ́ 

my maternal 

áfa n-ánnà 

grandfather 

my maternal 

kwai n-ánnà 

grandfather 

my paternal 

áfa n-apa 

grandfather 

my paternal 

kwai n-apa 

grandfather 

my paternal 

ám n-apa 

grandmother 

my sister aranyuná nɔ̀ŋ 

nʈɛ́ púsùŋ 

árɪŋà arɪ́ŋà[ɪ] nɖálmɛ 

name kàlɪń, kàlɪ́ŋ pl. sometimes 

kikàlì 

kalɪŋ kalɪk cf. Katcha ɛrɛ, Meidob eere, 

Lotuxo kari, Baka iri 

narrow kárianùk éjɪnyɪlàʔ amɪɗɪlàʔ 

navel kwúllɔ̀ʔ kwúúllɔ́ʔ kúllà kugúllɛ̀ŋ 

navel, 

prominent 

sulúkuʈúk kusulúkuʈúkì surukurùk kusuruku 

rùk 

near ʈɪkáʔ eɖɪkaʔ kééɖikà 

neck ŋálòʔ kɪŋóónɖɪǹ ŋálo kɪŋáɖɖɪŋ ŋálo kɪŋáʈɪŋ cf. Daju Shatt ŋase, Gaam 

ŋálg, 

necklace karɗòʔ nʈɛ 

kuurk kɪɖáá 

nyarɗaʔ 

olaʈ 

ɗaaɗarak 

net for fish kömɪk köömɪk 

22



new n(ɗ)ɪ́ŋàn kɪnɗɪ́ŋàn aŋáŋ áŋaŋ cf. Shilluk ɲan, Gule gaŋas, 

next year áwuḍḍɛ̀ŋ 

nice áɗɗɪŋ 

night ʔjóón kuʔjóónɪ̀k ʔjúnì koʔjúnì ajunì cf. Bagirmi njó 

Nile monitor nyɛ́màl kɪnyɛ́malɪ̀k Varanus 

niloticus 

nine ŋgɛʈúùn keɗina[k] 

nya ááŋùŋ 

no álaaŋ asɛ not 

no láʔ < Arabic 

nose kɪḿɪńʈɪǹ kɪkɪ́mɪ́nʈɪ́nì kɪḿɖɪ̀ŋ kɪɖɪ́mɖɪ̀ŋ cf. Tama àmɪt, Berta Undu 

àmʊ́ ŋ, Lugbara umvú, 

Maiak umu, 

nose mámárɔ̀k kɔ́marɛ̀k cf. Kanga mɔrɔk, Daju 

Njalgul man-, 

now kááʈanì alaʔŋ 

oil nyínyàʔ Sg: bɪla 

nyínyàʔ. 

Pl: 

kɪnyínyàʔ 

oil ɗúúsì bɪla nyínyàʔ kɪnyínyàʔ 

old (people) ʈíí kiṭííɔ papá áfaŋa 

old (things) rùn, nɗórùn kɪnɗórùn orɪŋ asíù = ‘bad’ 

one kíɗɔŋ kíɖɔ kɪ́ɗɗe cf. Uduk ɗe, Bagirmi kɛ́ɗɛ, 

onion marjɛlʈɛʈ marjɛl < Arabic 

basal 

open kɔ́ɖù kɔ́ɗɔʈɔ̀ kɔ́ɖuɖu kɔ́ɖuʈu kwɔɗiʈú kwɔɗiʈaɖ 

á 

ostrich ʈɪḿɔnɪ̀ʈ kɪ́ʈɪmɔ̀n ʈúɖɖumò kúúʈumɪ̀k ánɖumàŋ kúnɖumɪ̀ < Kadu 

k 

other ńɗɔ̀ kɪʔja ídə̀ŋ ɪ́ɗɗèŋ cf. So ɛdɛn, Gaam ɗààn, 

Dinka daŋ, 

outside ɛnɛ lááŋ 

over, above kɪŕɪ̀ŋ ullʷalɪŋ ɪllɛ́rover, 

above lúllò cf. head 

owl ʔduuki kuʔduuki 

penis ṭɪŋɪǹ kɪṭɪŋɪnì ámmɔ̀r káámmɔ̀r ámurùk kámurùk 

pepper ʃaṭṭa



pepper filfil



python ɪŕi, irí kirí ɪríí kiiriʔ ə́ri kɪniə́ri 

quick saromsarom 

(eating) 

quick kwolṭɪŋ 

(running) 

quickly 

ásulá sákorɛʈ, 

sákorɛʈ 

sɔɔ́mɛ 

náŋanàʈ nók not God nók 

kusɔɔ ́ ́mɛ̀ 

rain, sky, 

God 

rainbow úlul kùlúlɪ̀k kafunɗɔ́lɪnyɔ̀ŋ 

rainy season waaʈɪn 

ram ṭúmpúlɔ̀ʔ kuṭúmpúlɔ̀ʔ ṭúgʷɔ̀ʔ kúɽugʷɔ̀ʔ ṭuŋwáʔ kuɽuŋwɪ̀k < Kadu 

rat, brown báákú kubáákú 

rat, mouse ʈɛ́ɗɪŋ, ʈɪ́ɗɪŋ kɪʈɪ́ɗɪŋ, kɪʈɛ́ɗɪŋ ṭɛ́dɛ́ŋ kɪɗɛ́dɛ́ŋ ṭɛ́ɗɪ́ŋ kɪ́ṭɛ́ɗɪ́ŋ 

red nʈɛ̀rɛ̀ kɪnʈɛ̀rɛ̀ örutwɛʔ orbɛk also orɛk 

archaic 

remember ɗoɗɪḱ ɗoɗɪḱiʈik 

rest, breathe áŋak áŋaʈak 

return here kɪŕɪ́ŋònìk kɪŕɪ́ŋàʈànài ɗáŋŋanà ɗáŋŋananà ʈúsanà ʈúsaɖanà 

return there kɪŕɪ́ŋànàk kɪŕɪ́ŋàʈànàk 

́ rib kúrúkɔk kùkúrúkɔkɪ̀ kɪ́ŋinɪ̀k kɛŋɪ́ŋ kiniɖək kɪ̀ŋ 

rich sɪ́l kɪsɪĺoʔ < Hill Nubian. lit ‘chief’ 

rifle, gun almúnɖuŋ kálmunɖ 

uŋ 

nánà[k] na 

right hand nínàʈ nʈɛ́ 

ɛ́nnɛ̀k yáá 

‘hand of 

bɔ́kùn 

lámàk 1 lamàk 

food’ 

rise, go up ŋɛ́ʈàk ŋɛ́ʈaʈàk ŋáʈarɪ̀ŋ ŋáʈaʈarɪ̀ŋ 

river pɔ́kɪʈ kɪpɔ́kiʈɪ̀n súrɔ́ʔ kusúrɔ́ʔ kɪri 

road aro, arw kɔ́rr áro kwárɪŋ cf. Nandi ɔɔ 

road ɔ́nʈɪ̀ʈ kɔ́nʈɪ̀n ? cf. So ôd, 

roan antelope kɔ́lloruk kwɔ́llɛrɪ̀k 

rock rááràŋ kɪrááràŋ 

root muréék kumɔrɔ vein, 

sinew 

̀ ̀r, 

1 ‘hand of food’ 

25



root, vein kɪŕɪkɪ̀rɪ̀ʈ kɪrákɪràʔ kɪŕɪk kɛ̂ r kíriɖàk kírɪk root, 

vein, sinew 

Assuming the underlying 

root is –ri(k) this looks very 

, tendon much like Niger-Congo 

forms 

rope mɪ̀s máà lɔ̀l kalɔ́l lɔ̀k kɔlány 

rope hanging sɛsɪlàŋ sɛsɪlàŋì lɔ̀kɔ̀k kɪńílɔ̀kɔ̀k 

frame, net 

rope, cattle rók kurók 

round, ṭɔ́ŋkɔlɔŋanɛ̀n oɗogoláʔ kéŋɔrʈunà 

spherical 

rub, wipe kurana kuraʈana 

run kajaŋài kajaŋaʈài ráʈʈà ráttaɖà ráʈʈà ráʈʈaɖà 

sack, bag, ṭúlúkɔ̀ʔ kuṭúlúkɪ̀k bɪlaɖɛ < KK 

waterskin 

sacrifice for 

kɛ̀lɛ̀ŋ 

dead 

sad, angry, pori 

sorry 

saliva kùmùʔ 

salt sɛlɛlɪnʈɛʈ sɛlɛlɛ sɛlɪk bɪlasɛlɛŋ sɛlɛŋ < Kadu 

N.B. biis 

a dim. 

same as ɛ kɪ̀lí kɪnyàŋ lit. ‘with 

their 

bodies’ 

sand pɔ́kɪ̀ʈ ɖ/ð also river, ʈɛnnɪ́k ʈɛ́ŋ cf. Mayak tiŋil 

valley 

saw (v.) ʔbɔʈɔka ɛ 

< Arabic 

munʃáár 

say ilɛŋéì ilɛŋɛ̀ʈéì nyá nyaɖáá nyá nyɛ́ʈá 

scar kɔ̀rànɛ́n 

scar súkurʈɛ̀ʈ súkur, kusúkúrì 

scorpion nyínyɔ̀ŋ kunyínyɔ̀ŋ nányòŋ kunányòŋ nyúnyɔ̀ŋ kinyúnyɔ̀ 

ŋ 

scratch (v.) aŋgurana aŋguraʈana 

scrotum kuÍɛ̀rɪ̀ŋ 

26 

prefix



see aŋkɪlɪ̀k aŋkɪlàʈa ŋk 

assimilates 

? Nubian Kadaru ŋɛl, Fur 

ögil, 

to ŋg 

see pà faɖa fù faaɖà 

́ seed ʈɛɛ̀ʈɪ̀ʈ 

self kɪ̀líʔ body + 

reflexive 

pronoun 

sell, buy kɔ́lɔ́ʔbà kɔ́lɔ́ʔbàʈà kwɔ́kwɔ́labà also ‘buy 

many 

things’ 

send agɪlɪḱ agɪlàʈàk 

sesame káfálaŋ afóŋ na 

káfálaŋ 

sesame káfalɛɖàk kiáfálàŋ 

ʈɛɛ ́ ̀ʈ ʈɔ́yoɖə̀k ʈòyɔ́k ʈééyɪɖàk ʈééyàk < Katcha ʈɔyɔ/na- 

́ ̀ 

́ 

́ 

seven kálákaròk kwɔ́ŋuŋ 

4 + 3 àŋwàiɖànàʔ 

nyɛɖanàʔ 

sew ranɗɪnà ranɗɪnàʈà ɗáɗɗarɖà ɗáɗɗarʈà áɗ[ɪ]rʈì áɗɪrʈaɖà 

sewing áɗ(ɪ)rˇàk 

shadow, ʔbɔɔ 

kuʔbɪńy, 

ɓáròʔ cf. God boro kuboro 

spirit 

kuʔbɪ́ŋ 

shake head pipiṭikɔ pipiṭikɔʈɔ 

sideways 

sharp aʈɛʔkɛɛ̀ʔ ‘has teeth’ sa i ccók aɖɛ kèèʔ ‘has teeth’ 

sharp ṭɛlʈɛl a i cakarrà 

shield dáragà kɪdáragà < Arabic 

shield wór, wúr kwòráʔ ʈɔ́nɔ̀ŋ kuɖɔɔ́nɪk láŋ kɪĺaŋ archaic 

word 

shiver ɔ́làk ɔ́laʈàk 

shoe óɖuŋɪ̀k kinyúnyɔ̀ 

ŋ 

shoot gun ármà almùnɖù ármaɖà 

kalmùnɖ 

ù 

short sɛ̀rɛ̀ʔ kɪsɛ̀rɛ̀ʔ oɗogoláʔ anɖɪŋɪràʔ 

shoulder kɔ́kɔlɔŋɪ̀ʈ kíkɔlɔ̀ŋ mésawèk kemésawà 

ʔ 

shout kugɪ̀k kugwaʈà kwáá 

27 

lɔfɔk kulɔfɔk

́ 



shout, weep wujìk wojoʈɔ̀k ɗɔ́rɔnà ɗɔ́rɔnaɖà 

shut yákà yákaʈà ɗɛ́kkɪrà ɗɛ́kkɪràɖa nyakɪɖà nyakɪɗaɖ 

à 

sick bòlébòlɪń, kùbòlá 

bùlɛ́bùlɛ́n 

side rɛmɛ kɪrɛmɛ 

sieve grain ulu ulɔʈɔ 

sing ssö ssöɖo 

sing síà síaɖà 

sister, his arányanà ɔrɔ́inà nɖálmɛ̀ 

sister, your áranɔ̀ ɔráinù[y] 

nɖálmɛ̀ 

sit ʈɛ̀nyù ʈɛ̀ɲʈàʈù(k) cf. Dinik ɗɛ̀n, Berta Fadashi 

doŋoʃ, 

sit kárpà kárpaɖà kárfulà kárfulaɖà 

six sɛ́ŋkɛ̀ʈ, sáŋgàʈ [or k not g] kwɔ̀ɖenɪ̀ŋ kɪɗenṭɪ̀ŋ 

sixteen ámù[k] fuɖɪ 

gɪ́ɖenṭɪ̀ŋ 

skin, hide laŋún kɪlaŋúni lanyɪ́k kɪlanyáʔ kɪlɛnyóʔ lɛnya kɪlɛnya 

sky náŋanàʈ nók also rain arŋóóɖàk 

slave ɔɗɔn desoʔ also, aɗuŋ kaɗuŋ aɗɔŋ kwɔɗɔŋ 

stranger, 

enemy 

sleep rɔ́ŋɪnùk rɔ́ŋɪnṭaʈùk ḍáŋ(g)ɪrɔ̀ ḍáŋ(g)ɪrɔ̀ɖ 

ɔ̀ 

slowly kɔ́nɔkɔnɔ́k 

slowly ŋɔ́nɔŋɔnɔ́k ɗúccókwàì 

small nsɪ̀ɗɪ̀ɗì kɪkɛ̀nɪ̀k ímúḍókwàk kɪḿɪ́ḍɪ́ḍɪ̀k ɗúccàì ɗúccógw 

àì 

ṭáŋunù ṭáŋanaɖù cf. Dinik tuŋgùn, Surmic 

e.g. Didinga taŋu, 

? Katcha -ɪʈiʈi 

́ 

smell s.t. ŋóŋulù ŋóŋulaʈùk ŋwáń ŋwááɖa ŋwei ŋweiɖà 

smell, smelly ŋulaʈ 

smoke kɪ́ʈɪḿùʔ, 

kuɖúmmɔ̀ʔ kuɖúmu ? Meidob kumédí if 

kúʈúmùʔ, 

metathesis 

kɪ́ɖɪ́mùk 

smooth ʔbulu ʔbulùs ohólhollɪ̀k nyifúlfullɪ̀k 

snake lólùk, lólòk kɔ́lugɪ̀k, 

lö́lùk kóliʔ laluk kwólɪŋ cf. Daju Shatt dɔl, Acholi 

kɔ́logɪ̀k 

twol, Gaam ɖöö́r, ? So dɛu 

snap stick pílà fɪĺi fɪĺÍaÍà 

28

̀ 

́ ́ 

́ ́ 

́ 



sneeze ɔ̀sak ɔ̀saʈak əssɪɖei əssɪʈei 

so ʈiṭɔk 

soft nyírguʈnyirgùʈ nyínyullunyull 

ùk 

soil ʈabbàŋ kɪ́ɖabbèk 

son, boy ɗál kɪɗɛ́l ɗák nɖáámàk kɪɗɪŋ 


ŋ 

son, his ɗá[k]nanɛ̀ 

son, my ɗál ɛ́nnàŋ ɗánnáŋ 

son, your ɗál ɛ́nnàŋ 

ɗánnɪ́ŋ 

únnò 

song málàn kumálánɪ̀ kɪsi kɪsiik kɪ̀sɪk 

sour ʈɪ́ɗɛ̀r aɗàrr àɗɛɛ̀rɪ̀k 

speak agɛʈa agɛʈaʈa 

speak ílɛŋɛ̀ speak to ílɔnɔ̀k ílɔŋɔ̀ʈɔ̀k ilɔ ilɔɖɔɔ 

spear ṇsɔ̀ kɪn káɽaʔ kááɽàʔ kaɽa kiaɽa ? < Kadu 

spear, barbed sésɪ̀ŋ kɪsésɪ̀ŋ 

spider óò ná kɔ́ŋàʔ kwéèn kɪná lit. ‘dog of aráárək — 

kɔ́ŋà 

flies’ 

spit báá kɔmú bááʈà kɔmú sɪkɪɖane a sɪkɪɖanádɪ 

ɖɪʈanɛ kumuʔ ɖɪʈaʈanɛ kumuʔ = 

kumúʔ k a kumúʔ 

kumuʔ saliva 

spit báʈɛ̀ kɔmú báʈàʈà kɔmú 

split ɛʈɛka ɛʈɛkaʈa 

split kɔ́rù kɔ́ràʈà kɔ́ru kɔ́rɖù kɔ́ru kwɔ́rʈaʈà 

spoon lɛnsá kɪlɛnsá káɓu kááɓuk 

spread s.t. farɪʃɔ farɪʃɔʈɔ < Arabic ʈáppolo ʈáppoloɖo 

out 

squeeze nyúlà nyúlàʈà 

stab ápì ápaʈà ákwuɖì ákwuʈò áfì áfaɖà 

stand ilʈùk ilʈɔʈɔ̀k ʈɪǵɪɖonò ʈɪǵɪʈonò líɖù líʈaɖù stand, stop 

star ɗúlɪ̀ʈ kuɗúlàʔ kwuḍɪĺlɪɖə̀k kwuḍɪĺlllɪ̀ŋ ɗúlɪ̀k kuɗúlɪ̀ŋ cf. Ik ɗɔ́ɫɛát, 

steal agulà agulaʈà ákwula ákwulaɖà ákwulì ákwulaɖà 

stem bigur kubiguri 

stick karṭábù kɪgárṭabù 

stick ɗók kwɔɗ(ɪg)ɪń ɗók koɗéŋ ɗók kwuɗɪŋ 

stirring stick pɪś kɪṕɪ́sɪń pusɔŋ kɪhísɛnɪḱ fɪḱ kɪ̀fíyàʔ 

29

́ ́ 



stone kórɛ̀ʈ kukórɛ̀ʈ kúrɔ̀k kúúrɔ̀k also beads kuràk kuurak cf. Tama kwʊ́ ɽa, proto- 

Nilotic *kɔr, Dongolawi 

kúlu, Songhay guru ‘hill’, 

Malinke kulu, Heiben k-ɔl, 

stop, cease ʈɪlʈiʈɔ ʈɪlʈiʈaʈɔ 

story ʈamunɗɛɛ̀kà 

kɪʈamunɗɛɛ̀kà 

straight ʈɛ̀rʈɛ̀r, ʈɪ̀rʈɪ̀r esɪjjɔraʔ kɛʈʈwɪḱ 

stranger, 

guest 

ɔ́jɪĺʈɛ̀ʈ ɔ́jɪĺì [first letter 

may be ɛ 

according 

to notes] 

stream, 

seasonal 

string lɔ̀[k] ɪŋjíjilaʔ 

strong (of bírʈù < Hill 

áÍɛnyà 

people) 

Nubian 

strong (of kɪlákkɪlàŋ nyàrɪ̀ dry, hard nyɛkuṭákuṭàŋ 

things) 

strong thing 

strongly, koṭṭo 

quickly, 

harshly 

30 

ḍɛ̀k kɪḍík small sandy 

khor 

stupid koʈikoli kikoʈikoli 

suck ɛlɪk ɛlaʈàk jé’joɖà jé’joʈà 

suckle ɛlákì ɛlaʈákì áli álaɖá ààlì aalaɖà 

sun nónù, núnù nö́nù ŋáŋùʔ 

swamp ɗagi kɪɗagi 

́ ́ 

sweat sɪ́rɛnɛ́n ilɔ ilɔɖɔɔ 

sweep argwá argwáʈà kwúrɖà kwúrʈà kwurʈà kwurʈaʈà 

sweet nɖɪ́ʔjì kɪnɖɪ́ʔjì aṭul nyɪkɛ́ɗikɛɗɗɪ̀k 

swell yáì 

swim báá luɪǹy báálà luɪ̀ny also 

bááláál 

tail 

rɪ́ŋgákɪs, 

rɪɪ́ ́ŋgɪ̀s 

lɪḿ(ɪ)ɖamuŋ 

lɪḿ(ɪ)ʈámu 

ŋ 

? + water bá ánɗɔ̀ŋ bááʈá 

ánɗɔ̀ŋ 

kɪrɪ́ŋgákàʔ k ~ g sábòŋ kɪsáboŋàʔ ṭákak kɪɽákik 

lit. hit 

swimming 

cf. Tama baɽa, Daju Liguri 

ɓa(a)y, but these may be 

simply cognates of ‘hit, 

strike’

́ 



take kɔ́mùk kɔ́mɔʈɔ̀ kám kámaɖei / 

ámuʈà 

take away àràmà àràmàʈà umweanɪ̀k 

take away, àràmù àràmùʈà 

hold 

take for 

sɛ́ŋ sɛ́ɖei 

oneself 

tail 

rɪ́ŋgákɪs, kɪrɪ́ŋgákàʔ sábòŋ kɪsáboŋàʔ ṭákak kɪɽákik 

rɪɪ́ ́ŋgɪ̀s 

talk, speak, t ílɔŋɔ̀k ílɔŋɔ̀ʈɔ̀k áɗafɖà aɗúfʈaɖà 

ell 

taste jejɛmà jejɛmàʈà lapa láfá láfaáɖà also try, 

test 

tear (n.) kɔ́manʈɛ̀ʈ kɔ́mɔ̀ʔ kɪɖáhòŋ kɔ́màʔ 

tear (v.) swirà swiraʈà ásí, ásɪɗa ásɪṭa séréi sérʈaɖà 

tell story ʔɖaʈak ʔɖaʈakaʈak 

ten 

ŋgɛ́mmùk, 

[maybe k alanɪkì alakɪnakà àmɖáʈúk 

kɛ́mmùk 

not g], 

termite logwan kologwani 

termite luganʈɛ̀ʈ lugàn ŋwɔ̀ŋ áinanuàŋ nuàŋ 

termite, 

áwɛŋ 

soldier 

testicle ṭorunyɪ̀ʈ kɪṭorùny ʈɛ́rɪŋìk kɪ́ɖɛrɪ̀ŋ ɗánakuɖɛ̀rɪ̀ŋ kɪɗɗákuɖ ‘child of 

ɛ̀rɪ̀ŋ scrotum’ 

thank you kɛ́ nʈóbàn lit. ‘it is 

good’ 

that (far) nɔnnɔ kɪnɔnnɔ 

that (far) nʈɪgɪnɔɔnɔk kɪnʈɪgɪnɔɔnɔk 

that (near) nɔ kɪna 

that (near) nʈɪgɪnɔ kɪnʈɪgɪna nɛ̀ kɪnɛ̀ 

thatching 

nyìk nyìk 

grass 

then ìs(s)ún ussʷɪŋ 

there nʈàkànà ɔlonò ánɔ 

they nákàʈà kɪnnáʔ kɪnnáʔ 

thick ɗúrmà 

thick ḿbù ḍúrru 

thigh kuṭuŋuṭùg kuṭuŋuṭùgì óhùʔ kohunòʔ afuk kɪńɪŋafuk 

31



thigh ŋuṭuŋuṭúŋ kuŋuṭuŋuṭúŋi 

thin (people) máŋanɛ̀n 

thin (people, nyɪĺɔŋàʔ ejényelàʔ ájijilàʔ ájijilɪ̀k 

objects) 

thing ʈɪĺɔ̀ŋ kɪ́ʈalɔŋ, kɪ́ʈɔlɔŋ ɗía lɛ́[k] 

think óòmɔ̀ + verb 

particularl 

y lɪ́pà, to 

look for, or 

ɗɪka, to 

find, see 

thirsty, to be nónù, núnù + verb ɔ́ʈù, nanáámùŋ hunger for arámʈàʔ thirst 

to kill 

water 

thirty ʈeaɗi kɛ 

kwáɖanàʔ 

this ni kɪni nì kɪnɪ̀ cf. So nɪn, Tama ɪ́ŋ, Dinik 

nɛ̀, Gaam nɛ́ and mnay 

further probable cognates 

(or do demonstratives just 

look like this?) 

this nʈɪ̀gɪǹɪ̀ kɪnʈɪgɪni aléì alakè 

thorn nɔ́ŋonɪ̀ʈ kɔ̀ník 

thorn núŋwanɪ̀ʈ kwàník nánɪ̀ŋ kánɪ̀k nánɪ̀ŋ kíanɪ̀k 

thou nɪń nɪ́ŋ nɪ́ŋ cf. Daju Sila ɪńɪŋ, Mursi 

nina, Pokot ɲíì, Songhay ni, 

Kanuri ɲi, Mangbetu íní. 

Incidentally, this looks like 

a pretty good isogloss for 

Nilo-Saharan (Niger-Congo 

has the same for 1 st person 

sg.) 

three kwɔ́ʈanáʔ kwɔ́ɖanàʔ kwáɖaŋàʔ cf. Tulishi -ɛɖɔna, Gaam 

ɔ́tɔ́, Berta Malkan odo, 

Maiak ɗö́k, as all West 

Nilotic 

throat kíro kííro 

throw ɔpurú ɔpurɔ́ʈù árɔma árɔmad 

ɖà 

= ‘shoot’ ármà ármaɖà 

32

́ 

́ 

́ 

́ 



throw 

ɔ́rɔmai ɔ́rɔmaɖài 

towards 

throwing wuʈal kuwuʈali 

knife 

thumb ɗánanánàk 

ɗúrmà 

kɪɗágɛ́ŋ 

ɗúrmà 

thunder koʈujɪǹ ná 

‘shouting nók ʈɪbaʈanɛ ‘sky 

náŋanàʈ 

of sky’ 

struck’ 

thus, so gi 

thus, so nʈɔga aləɓɓí 

thus, so nyagá 

tie ɛ́mbɛ̀là ɛ́mbɛ̀làʈà ámmalà ámmalaɖà amɛmɛlà amɛleɖà 

time, place láàŋ 

today kááʈanì nɪmɪnà ánnamanɪ̀ŋ 

together, be ana, ɔnɔ 

together, ɛʈɛ, ɛ 

with 

tomorrow isááʈɪǹ lɛ́bɪrɖä̀ ásɪɖɪ̀ŋ 

tongue mɛ́nɖɪnyàʈ kɪmɛ́nɖɪnyàʈ ŋáḍɪmàk kɪŋáḍɪmàk kɛ́ɗɛmàk kɛɛ́ɗɛmà 

k 

cf. Songhay dèènè. Possibly 

widespread cognacy with 

metathesised forms e.g. 

Dongolawi nɛ́d, Bari ŋɛ́dɛ́p, 

Uduk aled, Lendu ledà. 

Alternatively a loan from a 

lost Niger-Congo language. 

Cf. Defaka mɛnduɔ, Bedik 

i-ɗem, Proto-Gbaya *lembe 

und so weiter 

tooth awɪ̀s kɛɛ̀ʔ iyɪḱ sɛʔ áyàk kèèʔ 

touch ɔ̀lák ɔ̀láʈak 

tree mɛ́rɛŋɪ̀s mɛ́rɛŋ ɓòʔ kùɓwɛ̀ŋ < kùɓòɛ̀ŋ bɔɔ́rɪ̀ŋ kuɓɪŋ 

tribe nɛɛ̀ʔ 

kiná 

‘people of 

kwuÍùŋ 

kurɛ̀ʈ 

hill’ 

true jɪŕjɪ̀r 

turn welak welaʈak 

turn s.t. ɲiʈà ɲiʈàʈà kwáʈalarɪ̀ŋ fállanyà fállanyaɖ 

à 

turtle I káɗáʔ kááɗáʔ 

33



turtle II abugaɖom kabugaɖo < Arabic 

m abūgadaḥ 

twenty ʈeaɗi 

twenty-one ʈeaḍi gɪ́ḍḍe 

twin ɗál nʈɛ ɗulɔ̀n kɪɗɛ́l nʈɛ ɗulɔ̀n kuŋwúlɪɖä̀l koŋól kulɔŋɔŋ 

two károkwɛ káro káro 

udder nyúŋ kɪnɪnyúŋ 

under aʈak ʈuhalɪŋ ɪlléleuntie 

ŋwúlɖì ŋwúlʈaɖà 

up kɪrɪŋ aɗɗárɪŋ ɪllɛ́r- (?) 

upper 

grindstone 

ḍá[k] ḍɪḿɪḱ kɪɖɪŋ na 

ḍɪḿɪḱ 

for grain 

upper lip íʈùk nɖɛɛrɪ̀ŋ lanyɪ́k ya 

áɖù[k] 

ull w alɪŋ 

ɪllélewòk 

urinate ábiɖa ábitə ábbiʈa ábiɖɖa 

urine kɪbɔ́lɔ̀ʔ kibö́lɔ̀ʔ kibélàʔ 

valley, pɔ́kɪʈ 

seasonal 

stream 

vein, tree kɪŕɪkɪ̀rɪ̀ʈ kɪrákɪràʔ kibélàʔ 

root 

very koṭṭu 

village ɪĺɛ̀ < Arabic 

قروى ḥil 

alhɪlli < Arabic 

ḥil 

́ 

village kwíìʔ lit. houses kwùÍùŋ also ‘tribe’ 

voice ŋálòʔ kɪŋóónɖɪǹ #NAME? alleɖà alleʈà 

vomit káṭakà káṭakaʈà alleɖì alliʈaɖà 

vulture sɪ́bɪ̀r kɪsɪ́bɪŕì kúnnɛ̀k kúnnɔŋ kʷósolò kʷóósolò 

vulva, vagina ììr kììrɪ̀k ìr kììr árɪ̀k kɪŕɪ̀k 

wait ùnjɪli ùnjɪlaʈa 

wake s.o. furuŋai furuŋɪnʈɔʈai 

walk wírɔ̀k wírɔ̀ʈɔ̀k ŋwùrò ŋwùròɖò ɪņɖá k-ɛ́llù 

walk wúrɔ̀k wúrɔ̀ʈɔ̀k 

want, look lɪṕà lɪṕàʈà ɔh(w)ài ‘I want’ anyɛ 

‘I want, 

for 

like’ 

war, quarrel ŋɔ́rbɔ́k 

warm, hot wááraŋ arráŋ aaraŋ 

34

́ 

̀ 

́ ̀ 

́ ́ 

̀ ̀ 

̀ 

́ ́ 



warrior ɖéénì nʈɛ nɛɛ̀ʔ 

nʈɛ́ < Hill 

fáárɪ̀s < Arabic 

bɪrʈùk kɪbɪ̀rʈùk Nubian 

wash (self), ɔ́ʔbɔ̀ ɔ́ʔbɔ̀ʈɔ̀ ɛ́bɛnà abenà abeÍanà 

bathe 

wash s.t. weʈí weʈaʈà ŋwóɖà kwúʈì kwúʈaɖà 

watch, guard, áŋkɪlʈi áŋkɪlʈaʈà 

care for 

water múŋ imúŋ, umúŋ amuŋ 

water lizard mányálɪ̀k kɪmányál 

iyàʔ 

water-rat ámmɛ kúmmɛ̀ 

we (dual) sák 

we (excl.) káʈ kák kák 

we (incl.) sasák, sásàk kasák kalásɪk 

weak, thin nyɔ́nyɔ̀ʔ 

wear iyú iyáʈú 

well pɔɔ 

kupɪń [or ɪ for 

fɔ́ʔ kupɛ́ŋ fɔ́k kufɪ́ŋ 

the u] 

wet nʈwì nyɪlɛ kɪnyálkaɖàk 

what? ŋɛ́, ŋ i ɛɛ 

ŋei ŋɛʔ 

when? láàŋɛ́ ? < láàŋ láánɪ̀k áwei 

‘place, 

time’ + ŋɛ́ 

‘what’ 

where? kʷóó, ʔbóó mme wááʈɪkà 

which? nɛ̀nɛ̀, nɛɛ̀n 

kɪnɛɛ̀n 

white ṇṭɪ̀ṭɪ̀k kɪ́ṇṭɪṭɪ̀k ɛɽɛɽɛ̀k kɛɽɛɽɛ̀k ɽ ~ ʈ áṇɗəɽɪ̀k 

white man áḍɛ̀ŋ ánḍəɽɪ̀k nɛɛ̀ʔ 

kɪńḍəɽɪ̀k 

who? ŋáni ŋáninʈ [no faith ŋanɛ́ ánnɪ́ŋ 

in this] 

why? kɔɔ 

áɓei 

wide ɗwìrɗwìr ihallâʔ áfalɛŋà 

wife, his nɪmɛ́nna 

wife, his irɛ́nnwà nɪmɛ́nna 

wife, my irɛ́nnàŋ nɪmɛ́nnáŋ 

wife, your irɛ́nnɔ̀ nɪmɛ́nnɪ́ŋ 

wind ɔ́púŋɪ̀ʈ kɔ́púŋɪ̀k ʈurrí ʈúrí 

35

̀ 

̀ 

̀ 



windstorm ɔ́púŋɪ̀ʈ ḿbù 

wing lúpɔkɪ̀ʈ kulupókàʔ kapä́lɛɖàk káápalàk 

witch aḍéŋ n-áwuɖàk nɪ́ŋi 

n-áwuɖàk 

witchcraft áwuɖàk 

̀ 

wobbling ɔrrɛ̀k 

woman áɖɛŋ nɖalmɛ 

nɛɛ ̀ ̀ 

kɪnɖólɪ̀k 

woman lɪḱámɛ̀ʔ lúgɪ̀ʈ g ~ k ír dànàmɛ̀ʔ nuɖóllɪ̀k nɪ̀mɛ̀ʔ nɪŋ ɖólɪ̀k 

word lɔ́ŋɔʈ kɪlɔ́ŋɔʈ ilä́k kilä́k kɪmɛ́sɛnɪk kɪmɛ́sɛ́ni 

yaʔ 

̀ work ágɪĺàʈ lógwɔ̀ʔ kulógwɛ̀ŋ lúŋɔ 

kulúŋɔ̀ 

work v. amʈá lúŋɔ amʈaɖá 

lúŋɔ̀ 

worm ɛ́jɛ́mɪ̀ʈ kɪ́jɔmɔ̀ 

write kɪ́ʈɪ́bɔ̀ kɪ́ʈɪ́bɔ̀ʈà < Arabic 

yawn amáì mɪnʈaʈà ámmɪɖèi ámaaɖài ama amoɖà 

year sɪnɛ̀ʔ kɪsinɛ̀ʔ

Temein languages comparative wordlist - Roger Blench

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