Namia Dictionary - SIL International

Namia Dictionary 

Compiled 

by Tom & Becky Feldpausch 

Edited by Becky Feldpausch 

Namia (nnm) Language 

Papua New Guinea 

Web published in SIL-PNG 2011

a- 2 

a- [a] v emphatic verbal pre x ollim 

anakale take the things and go! 

wom lir arapawom! you must eat 

the coconuts! (sem. domains: 

9.4.3.1 - Imperative.) 

ae [ʼae] n grub (edible) on ae elepae I 

am breaking open grubs am ae paki 

pamkrae you put the bunch of 

grubs there [see mire for lifecycle 

terms] syn: aropu. (sem. 

domains: 1.6.1.7 - Insect, 5.2.3 - 

Types of food.) 

aeleliwao [aeleliʼwao] n mist on top 

of trees syn: arowi. (sem. 

domains: 1.1.3 - Weather.) 

aemakla [aeməʼkla] n women (girls 

and women together) ememia 

apima kijwalome, aemakla 

aemaklaya we alone killed the 

cassowary, us women alone gen: el 

. (sem. domains: 2.6.5.2 - 

Woman.) 

aeni [ʼaeni] n woven band (for arm, 

leg, or a shooting bow) lipamir 

aeni band on leg loko lalpal aeni 

powe he wove a band lalpoku aeni 

A a 

band on upper arm lomko lal aeni 

kelo kelo pwowale they wear many 

arm bands (that is considered 

showing o ) (sem. domains: 5.4 - 

Adornment.) 

aepae [aeʼpae] n sandbar alwoku 

loko aepae po the mound was on 

the sandbar syn: wanir moku 

moku. (sem. domains: 1.2.1 - 

Land.) 

aepworia [aepworʼja] exp 

exclamation (of surprise or 

disgust) (sem. domains: 9.2.7 - 

Interjections.) 

aewal [aeʼwal] n nettles (they are 

rubbed on the skin when in pain) 

eko lolujwalam aewal plale she rubs 

medicinal leaves on her husband 

(sem. domains: 1.5.5 - Parts of a 

plant, 2.5.7.5 - Traditional 

medicine.) 

aewao [ʼaewao] n dream on aewao 

pnakonaowe I was dreaming on 

aewao powe, plane praeka I had a 

dream near dawn on kwalka aewao

3 ailani 

kali nakeija I will tell you about my 

own dream on aewao eno nwae I 

had a dream when half-asleep 

aewao maku dream's meaning 

(sem. domains: 5.7.2 - Dream.) 

ai 1 [ʼai] n mosquito ai onka nolma 

tarawa the mosquito may drink my 

blood (sem. domains: 1.6.1.7 - 

Insect.) 

ai 2 [ʼai] n lime (mixture made of 

heated and pulverized clam 

shells) on ai namia I do not have 

any lime on ai lipae I chew lime 

(and betel nut) loko aijwim 

takikalle he spits around lime juice 

(sem. domains: 5.2.3 - Types of 

food.) comp. ai mari 

ai mari (comp. of ai 2, mari) n clam 

shells used to make lime mixture 

to chew with betel nut loko ai 

mari plawolure he roasted the clam 

shells mari lomko nu palli palli 

powe lokoka ninake clam shells are 

in muddy ground (sem. domains: 

1.6.2.3 - Parts of a sh.) 

ai pae [ai ʼpae] n malaria (sem. 

domains: 2.5.2 - Disease.) 

ai tae [ʼai ʼtae] v proud; arrogant lu 

loko aolok wanowim ai tae the man 

is proud of his own work loko 

aolom aumkya ai prae he is proud 

of himself on ekoka wanowim ai 

prae I am proud of her work (sem. 

domains: 4.3.5.6 - Hypocrite.) 

comp. airae yonae lu 

aijan [aiʼtʃən] n forest lujela waleija 

ari lewale, aijanya. all the people 

left for the forest [forest areas are 

owned by clans and are used to 

hunt or process sago; most 

Namia people have a house in 

the area they own] (sem. 

domains: 1.2.1.6 - Forest, 

grassland, desert.) comp. aijan 

papae 

aijan papae (comp. of aijan, papae) 

n leech (sem. domains: 1.6.1.7 - 

Insect.) 

aijwalwae v tell cover up story (truth 

with lots of other words about 

something you saw or heard) on 

kali aijwalwae I covered up the 

truth with lots of words (sem. 

domains: 3.5.4 - Story.) 

ailani n person who knows sorcery, 

but does not appear to be an 

important person aya ailani ari 

klare my father already gave all 

the power (sem. domains: 4.9.5 -

aimaku 4 

Practice religion.) 

aimaku n wild cucumber aimakujwan 

cucumber bearing wild vine (sem. 

domains: 5.2.3.1 - Food from 

plants.) 

aimta [aimʼta] n right side 

(physically); good ( guratively) 

lal aimta right hand wom aimta ki 

maem aro keinakimo you must look 

on the top right side aimtaya le 

napu the path for going toward 

good (living) ant: yemnawei 1 . 

(sem. domains: 8.5.2.3 - Right, 

left.) 

aip [ʼaip] adj small napu aip kan 

small road tan aip kan small child 

syn: kokro; syn: lirkou. (sem. 

domains: 8.2.1 - Small.) 

aipaki [ʼaipəki] n tusk of pig tit 

bilong pik lwae loko aipaki maip the 

pig had big tusks (sem. domains: 

1.6.2 - Parts of an animal.) 

aipaki [ʼaipəki] n young boy manki 

onka tan aipaki my boy (sem. 

domains: 2.6.4.2 - Child.) 

aipauke (inf. var. aipaukwa; inf. 

var. aipaulwa) n grandfather 

tumbuna (sem. domains: 4.1.9.1.1 

- Grandfather, grandmother.) 

aipaukwa inf. var. of aipauke 

grandfather (2nd person form) 

aipaule [aiʼpaule] n grandmother 

(third person form) (sem. 

domains: 4.1.9.1.1 - Grandfather, 

grandmother.) 

aipaulwa inf. var. of aipauke 

grandfather (3rd person form) 

aipwaip n long term sickness loko 

aipwaip we he has a long term 

sickness (sem. domains: 2.5.1 - 

Sick.) 

airae yonae lu (comp. of ai tae, 

yonai, lu 1) n hypocrite (sem. 

domains: 4.3.5.6 - Hypocrite.) 

aiyeye n worm, plant-eating and in 

people's sores liklik snek aiye elam 

prai the small worms eat breadfruit 

lokoka ilma aiyeye nolma 

prawolwae. the worm eats inside 

the sore and makes blood come up 

[thread worm - can cause a 

person's death] syn: papae. 


animals.) 

aka [aʼka] v yell (for someone to 

help you from harm or trouble) 

lapli akakaya peyawalnae laplire, 

wala walaya. they two circled

5 aklarapi 

around yelling for help from house 

to house lu tija lommom aka 

ikikwam plae a man yelled to them 

to come help him. am lu tija 

taorolaeya, i maku le, amna lu 

lomom aka ikike. you want a man 

to help, the reason is, you yelled 

for that man to come to help you. 

(sem. domains: 3.5.1.1.1 - 

Shout.) 

aka ikike v yell for help syn: 

keinalolae . (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.1.1 - Shout.) 

akaeni [aʼkaeni] n hot coal, still 

burning el akaenim ijoya 

pakromtae. a woman extinguished 

the burning coals with water. 

[these hot coals are borrowed 

from others to start a re] (sem. 

domains: 5.5.5 - What res 

produce.) 

akaklaeno n eyes partially open 

(sem. domains: 2.1.1.1 - Eye.) 

akale [aʼkal] n hunt (by ushing 

animal out with a large group 

and lots of noise) em akal pakale. 

we ushed out (animals) akal akal 

lu lomko pijaki lewale. the hunting 

men went rst (sem. domains: 

6.4.1 - Hunt.) 

akali [aʼkali] adj bitter taste on 

marasin ta apla awe. marasin akali 

maip we. I do not want to take 

medicine. the medicine is very 

bitter. (sem. domains: 2.3.3 - 

Taste.) 

akami [aʼkami] n ant (type of) onma 

akami aro arprae the ants 

continued to bite/eat me (sem. 

domains: 1.6.1.7 - Insect.) 

akan [akan] n tree (hardwood like 

ironwood) em akan pakilwal pae, 

iram polupai. we split ironwood to 

make paddles. syn: wali 3 . (sem. 

domains: 1.5.1 - Tree.) 

aklae n insect binatang aklae na 

ilijouka waria le the insects covered 

the sago. (sem. domains: 1.6.1.7 - 

Insect.) 

aklae pun (comp. of aklae, pun) n 

rice em aklae pun meyam tija 

naklowe we are cooking only rice 

(sem. domains: 5.2.3.1 - Food 

from plants.) 

aklarapi [akləʼrəpi] n sprout (new 

shoot of a plant) lir aklarapi 

pwowale the coconut (seed) has 

sprouted (sem. domains: 1.5.6 - 

Growth of plants.)

akli 6 

akli [ʼakli] n noise (of the movement 

of an animal or person) on taka 

aklim pwanipae I heard the 

movement of an animal lu tija 

takwem walwaenika pakrae popo, i 

akli powe a man puts tobacco 

leaves in the sun and (they) get 

crackly (dry) syn: ili 2 . (sem. 

domains: 1.6.4.3 - Animal 

sounds.) 

akne [ʼakne] n wallaby; tree 

kangaroo akne mijali ki maem yam 

waniri, mi maip lokoka tree 

kangaroos always live on the top 

branches of large trees [this is the 

biggest local animal that kills 

other animals - has a really long 

tail] (sem. domains: 1.6.1.1.5 - 

Marsupial.) 

akrom [aʼkrom] n sh [similar to the 

aleila sh] gen: pira. (sem. 

domains: 1.6.1.5 - Fish.) 

aku [ʼaku] adj lay at (on top of an 

object like water, ground, or a 

felled tree) on ewae palipe i akuka 

paklwae prae I picked leaves and 

put on top (of string bag) to carry 

lal akuja poraeya put on (your) 

hands (for you to care for) onka 

lapa tama aku kija i lwae waramta 

parmari my arrow instead (went) 

above and the pig was laying far 

below (sem. domains: 7.1.3 - Lie 

down, 8.3.1.3.1 - Flat.) 

aku akuja adj at aku akuja plwele 

stand on top of and smash (sem. 

domains: 8.3.1.3.1 - Flat.) 

akujwoku n surface (sem. domains: 

8.6.2 - Top.) 

akujwokuja ire v tell surface of a 

story tok antap loko akujwokuja 

ire, kalimta pamari he only told the 

surface talk, the true story is 

underneath syn: ijworwa kali. 

(sem. domains: 3.5.1.2.7 - 

Summarize.) 

al [ʼalə] n bone bun on kwalka lalma 

aro kwalirwene I broke my own 

arm (sem. domains: 2.1.6 - Bone, 

joint.) comp. al aolia 

al- [ʼalə] v:adv try (try but fail verbal 

pre x) on talakikwa I will try to 

get (it) loko wanowi kokleyau 

lomom alowe he tried to do 

something bad to him em kinali 

lomom talkowa, arna kinali pamire 

we tried to hit the bandicoot but 

the bandicoot ran Restrictions: 

can use for an action that is still

7 aleila 

future and unsure, but not for a 

"future, right there, ready to do 

it" type of action] (sem. domains: 

9.4 - Semantic constituents 

related to verbs.) 

al aolia (comp. of al, aolia) adj 

skinny bun nating tanaki takwe ra 

ran i lomko al aolia pnakopae if 

children smoke, they are skinny 

(sem. domains: 2.4 - Body 

condition.) 

al kali [ʼal ʼkali] n important point 

(of a talk) (sem. domains: 3.5.4 - 

Story.) 

al klar lu [ʼal ʼklər ʼlu] n newly 

married man with young 

children on nakliplak aoloka ai 

takwem aro yarakare. arna on al 

paklare lokoka... I chewed betel nut 

and smoked from the time I was a 

young man. but when I was 

married... loko al ari klare he is 

already a man (has responsibilities, 

wife, etc) but still young [age is 

between nakiplak and ewae 

wapu ages] (sem. domains: 

2.6.4.4 - Adult.) 

al walir lu [ʼal ʼwəlire ʼlu] n older 

man with grandchildren [age 

between pirami and ewae wapu] 

(sem. domains: 2.6.4.5 - Old 

person.) 

alaipou [alaiʼpou] n happy words, 

sounds, shouts aya lwaem pneike 

lomom, i tanaki alaipou lomom 

kowe. because father shot a pig 

(and brought it home), the children 

yelled happily. lomko alaipou 

alaipouja tea plamire they just ran 

south happily yelling loko alaipou 

kame he exclaimed with joy [these 

happy sounds are usually 

accompanied by a hug or kiss. 

This happens when someone 

returns after a trip, father brings 

home meat, etc. This can be done 

by a group of people or one 

person. syn: laiwowaowe. (sem. 

domains: 3.5.1 - Say.) 

alapli pro they two (contrastive) 

lapliko alaplika aplameam ao yare 

they-dual did not come out of their 

own desire. (sem. domains: 9.2.3 - 

Pronouns.) 

aleila [aʼleilə] n cat sh pira kokro 

kakna kar lomko aro kapreyale, 

aleila the very small sh were 

surfacing, the aleila ones [a little 

smaller than the plira sh] (sem. 

domains: 1.6.1.5 - Fish.) comp.

aleila maman 8 

aleila maman 

aleila maman (comp. of aleila, 

maman 1) n hook, question mark 

(sem. domains: 3.5.7 - Reading 

and writing.) 

alelawao [aleləwao] n hazy sky 

(sem. domains: 1.1.3.2 - Cloud.) 

ali [ʼali] n branch of tree, vine or 

river mi lokoka ali pliro the tree 

has two branches na ali tan awe 

sago does not have branches mijali 

wokire there are tree branches 


plant.) comp. mijali 

aliamaole [aliəʼmaole] n large eel 

maleo [large eel that can be 12 

centimeters in diameter] (sem. 


alija [aliʼtʃa] adv open (physically) 

aolo alija pwokire the door was 

open aolo alija paeyaki let lips stay 

open (when saying 'n') [use for 

doors, lips, etc] syn: linae linae. 

(sem. domains: 7.3.6 - Open.) 

alijan [aliʼtʃan] n compensation or 

exchange in kind, not money 

amna onma lwar alijanma tanowa 

you will give me repayment clothes 

(because your dog ruined mine) 

syn: maku 3. (sem. domains: 4.1 - 

Relationships.) 

alijawei [alitʃaʼwei] n sh with 

scales (sem. domains: 1.6.1.5 - 

Fish.) 

alijelija [alitʃeliʼtʃa] adv quick action 

pira kwain kapou lomko alijelija 

pakapreyale the bigger sh surfaced 

quickly Restrictions: not to be 

used for quick in time] (sem. 

domains: 9.2.2 - Adverbs.) 

alilam n leaf (edible) [leaf that is 

edible and has a good avour - 

from a tree] (sem. domains: 

5.2.3.1.4 - Food from leaves.) 

alimawan [alimaʼwan] n long beans 


from plants.) 

alimoklu [aliʼmoklu] n frog, type of 

(sem. domains: 1.6.1.4 - 

Amphibian.) 

alinelo n large, strong spirit [spirit 

who is strong, ghts, has 

children/followers. Could have a 

man's body and grow and reach 

both sides of the Sepik River and 

block it, or become a canoe. 

They respect him. He had one 

daughter named Walwae.] (sem.

9 alkujwapla tan 

domains: 4.9.2 - Supernatural 

being.) 

alipoku [aliʼpoku] n branch (large 

tree branch) mijalipoku wokire 

there are large branches nirolu loko 

mi alipoku kik wali aro wire the owl 

makes a nest high in a large branch 


plant.) 

aljeli [alʼtʃeli] n river divide aljeli 

tija parpeyaram lae the place where 

the river splits and goes back north 

[where a river divides into 

branches] (sem. domains: 1.3.1.3 

- River.) 

alki [ʼalki] n wasp; bee alki onma ire 

the wasp stung me (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.7 - Insect.) 

alkla [ʼaləklə] n heron (sem. 

domains: 1.6.1.2 - Bird.) 

alkopo [alʼkopo] n leaf spine (bare) 

[used for spines after all leaves 

have been taken o ] (sem. 

domains: 1.5.5 - Parts of a plant.) 

alku [ʼalku] n stomach tan lokoka 

alku naklijwe the child's stomach is 

strong (he does not get hungry 

when not eating mid-day) (sem. 

domains: 2.1.8.2 - Stomach.) 

alku olki [ʼalku ʼolki] n upset; 

concern; grudge; distress neka 

alku olki eromwe? what is your 

concern? [this is weaker anger 

than enwalirao - used for your 

emotion when people ght with 

you or say bad about you, or 

your family is hungry because 

you didn't bring home some 

meat] (sem. domains: 3.4.2.1.6 - 

Upset.) 

alku tijei [ʼalku tiʼtʃei] n stubborn 

lomkoka alku tijei powe they are 

stubborn (lit: their stomachs are 

stones) (sem. domains: 3.4.2.1.1 - 

Dislike.) 

alku tipia [ʼalku ʼtipia] n agree em 

alku tipia powe we agreed (lit: had 

one insides) 

alku war n inside a person ant: 

pokulou akujwal. (sem. 

domains: 2.1 - Body.) 

alkujwapla n belly bel wai alku 

jwaplak plwele the snake moves on 

(his) belly (sem. domains: 2.1 - 

Body.) 

alkujwapla tan [ʼalkuʼtʃwəplə ʼtən] n 

sibling (the next younger of 

either sex) el eko lokok alkujwapla

allae 10 

tan this woman is the next born 

one after him (sem. domains: 

4.1.9.1.3 - Brother, sister.) 

allae [alʼlae] n descendant (dead, 

not living) allae lomko lamanka 

tanaki the descendants are the 

ancestor's children. (already dead) 

(sem. domains: 4.1.9.8 - Family, 

clan.) 

almalu kali [alʼmalu ʼkali] n 

language loko almalu kalija iri he 

only speaks his language [used to 

refer to local languages] (sem. 

domains: 3.5.3 - Language.) 

almar [alʼmarə] n derris root lomko 

almar plololipae they beat the 

poison vine em ijoka almar 

tapalakeilonpae we tried to stab the 

water with the poison vine eko 

molujwauwe i almar wi prae she 

was angry and drank poison water 

[used locally to poison sh and 

sometimes people, never used 

during heat of day] syn: kweyau 

. (sem. domains: 6.4.5 - Fishing, 

6.4.6 - Things done to animals.) 

alnao [alʼnao] n yellow sh (sem. 


alo warna n cheek (skin of it) Loko 

onka alo warnama pounaeke he 

(dentist) pulled out my cheek (sem. 

domains: 2.1.1.4 - Mouth.) 

aloklumei kali [alokluʼmei ʼkali] n 

muttering talk on elma ollim tija 

paplake, "ne onma wao kwain 

tanowa?" i eko pakeyalwowe, "on 

wao pelwale." on ple popo, i on 

kwolia aloklumei kali peikame, "eko 

ar mami lip awarka." I ask my wife 

for something, "will you give me 

some salt?" she lies saying, "I do 

not have any salt." I leave and 

mutter to myself, "she is not a 

generous woman." lomko alomeya 

aloklumei kali pneikame... they 

muttered to themselves... 

[muttering talk you say to 

yourself when you are upset. you 

say it quietly so others will not 

hear. it is never positive] (sem. 

domains: 3.5.1.1.6 - Speech 

style.) 

alom [aʼlom] pro they (contrastive) 

lomko lal karma peinoparre i alom 

pnakale they cut o arms and they 

themselves went alomka anou lu 

Moro na pouneire lokok... when 

their in-law Moro was making a 

sago blind... lomko alomia tea aro

11 alwoku 

nakmolunwae they alone just cried 

and slept (sem. domains: 9.2.3 - 

Pronouns.) 

alon [a'lon] n peak of a mountain 


Mountain.) 

alu [ʼalu] n crying, mourning em 

tanaki wanaom alu polupae our 

children were crying from hunger 

lomko alu molure they mourned 

there on alu pnakolu papaoke I just 

cried loudly from my thinking syn: 

ao 3 . (sem. domains: 2.6.6.4 - 

Mourn.) 

alujwolu [aluʼtʃwolu] n crying onka 

tanaki larawou alujwoluja tea 

panamirmirleja my children crying 

in fear just ran together ne tanma 

alujwolu nalowa? did you make the 

child cry? 

alumaki 1 [aluʼməki] n lightning bolt 

mamaliwai alumaki awem tea 

pakakire a lightning bolt just hit us 


Lightning, thunder.) 

alumaki 2 n crocodile (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.3.4 - Crocodile.) 

alwa n spleen (sem. domains: 2.1.8 - 

Internal organs.) 

alwa [ʼalwa] n ax amna to alwa 

pakimarle i to alwa arpwalaolonake 

you cut the pulp crosswise with an 

ax and again as (you) are 

smoothing the pulp with an ax 

alwa lipeim ax handle loko tijei 

alwa meyam kike he took only the 

stone ax (sem. domains: 6.7.1 - 

Cutting tool.) comp. yali alwa 

alwae [alʼwae] n small eel (sem. 


alwan [alʼwən] n saliva (that is spit 

out) lomko lomom alwan 

polanpaowe they spit on him (sem. 

domains: 2.2.3 - Spit, saliva.) 

alwo [ʼalwo] n burning wood (used 

to start another re) alwo 

leilpanka tea warinakwa the 

burning wood will just be laying in 

the middle (of re pit) el mi alwom 

plal walire she took and put 

(outside) the burning wood (sem. 


produce.) 

alwoku [alʼwoku] n mound (things 

that a river piles up) alwoku maip 

tija aro krae, ewanka a big mound 

was put at the Yellow River (sem. 

domains: 1.3.1.3 - River.)

alwopu 12 

alwopu [alʼwopu] n small sh [12 

centimeters or less in length] 

(sem. domains: 1.6.1.5 - Fish.) 

alwowe n bird that makes a hanging 

nest (sem. domains: 1.6.1.2 - 

Bird.) 

alwowe wali ao n bag-like nest that 

bird makes (sem. domains: 1.6.5 

- Animal home.) 

alwowepoku [alwoweʼpoku] adj 

brown braunpela emaku 

nalweinmaku ewaem alwowepoku 

the hornbill's chest feathers are 

brown (sem. domains: 8.3.3.3.5 - 

Animal color, marking.) 

ama n tree, type of (sem. domains: 

1.5.1 - Tree.) 

amakeika adj public 

aman [aʼman] n 1) trap of sticks (to 

catch an animal) aman ari keirae 

the trap already hit/sprung (sem. 

domains: 6.4.2 - Trap.) 2) sign 

(made of crossed sticks) aman 

pwarike/ aman waripolure block 

(road) with crossed sticks (sem. 

domains: 3.5.6 - Sign, symbol.) 

amanao [amaʼnao] n big stone (sem. 

domains: 1.2.2.2 - Rock.) 

amaoke [əʼmaoke] n your mother 

amaokelam alomia nakakijwalome, 

api lomom your mothers by 

themselves stood and killed this 

cassowary (sem. domains: 

4.1.9.1.2 - Father, mother.) 

amaole [əʼmaole] adj huge; many 

loko piraena amaole it is a huge 

lake lujela amaole plewale many 

people went [some say not to use 

this word to refer to lots of 

people] (sem. domains: 8.1.3.1 - 

Many, much, 8.2 - Big.) 

amaole n their mother (sem. 

domains: 4.1.9.1.2 - Father, 

mother.) 

amarla [əʼmarlə] adj width amaral 

nwaejaro 22 mita a width of 22 

meters (sem. domains: 8.2.7 - Fit, 

size.) 

amei 1 [aʼmei] n owner aoloka amei 

his responsibility/thing ar amei 

lomko le the owners of the dog are 

there nu amei characteristic of the 

ground 

amei 2 n ax (ancestors') syn: yali 

alwa . (sem. domains: 6.7.1 - 

Cutting tool.) 

amei lip n female relative on father's 

side (sem. domains: 4.1.9.8 -

13 amujwamu 

Family, clan.) 

amei lu [aʼmei lu] n male relative 

lok aoloka amei lu tan i on kwalka 

amei lu tan ple he with his own 

relatives and I with my own 

relatives went [relative (male 

relative on father's side, or true 

brother, or people who work 

closely together)] ant: naran. 

(sem. domains: 4.1.9.8 - Family, 

clan.) 

amna [ʼamnə] pro you (use only in 

statements) on apo amnama kali 

pnowele I will start giving you some 

talk now am pijaki skulka pwanire 

before (when) you were in school 

amnaka ineinein larkoujwe your 

knowledge is short (small) am 

amnia we you do it alone amam em 

orolaowa you yourself will help us 

syn: ne. (sem. domains: 9.2.3 - 

Pronouns.) 

amo [aʼmo] n friend amo, on apo mi 

maparwa friend, today I will burn 

the garden there [this is a more 

general term than yolan] syn: 

plirna; syn: yolan. (sem. 

domains: 4.1.1 - Friend.) 

amta [əmʼta] adj very (intensi er 

su x) namta genuine sago (edible) 

lujela parpeyarwale, waleijamta the 

people returned, every one of them 

onka pae kapoumta I am very sick 

on apo inein pomtae now I do not 

know anything. (sem. domains: 

9.3.1.3 - To a larger degree.) 

amtou [amʼtou] n pandanus plant 

with red fruit aran am amtou 

paklare popo, i pnakyare i aro 

paronure you pick the pandanus, 

bring (it home) and cook (it) ne lal 

amtou klar! you put your hand in! 

(shake hands) [pandanus fruit 

ripen in October at the end of the 

dry season] (sem. domains: 

5.2.3.1 - Food from plants.) 

amu [ʼamu] n mountain; large hill; 

mound on amu peyawowe I went 

up the mountain amu tea 

kwolnanae the mountains just 

encircle (it) (sem. domains: 

1.2.1.1 - Mountain.) 

amujwamu [amuʼtʃwamu] n food 

that is planted and grows in a 

garden ne amujwamu ari oplia? did 

you already do (plant) all the 

food? ne onma amujwamu maku 

tanowa? will you give me food in 

compensation? (sem. domains: 

5.2.3.1 - Food from plants.)

amujwamu yonae lu 14 

amujwamu yonae lu n farmer (sem. 

domains: 6.2.7 - Farm worker.) 

amujwoku [amuʼtʃwoku] n tree, type 

of lapli amujwoku wanipaika 

peyamkwokirale they two started 

standing here on top of a tree 

stump (sem. domains: 1.5.1 - 

Tree.) 

amujwomu [amuʼtʃwomu] n heap lu 

mokuran Ulourna amujwomu lokok 

aro arpakwoki keinakire some men 

were standing to see more on the 

little mountain of Ulourna (sem. 

domains: 1.2.1.1 - Mountain.) 

amurna [amʼurnə] n high ground (in 

a swamp) (sem. domains: 1.2.1 - 

Land.) 

amwapu [amʼwapu] n girl younger 

than 13 years old pikinini meri tan 

amwapu iraok tija le, tijeim plaipai 

one girls' games is this, catching 

stones (playing jacks) (sem. 

domains: 2.6.4.3 - Youth.) 

an var. of on 

anan [aʼnan] adj another ol arapela 

ananka nu another person's land 

anan tija pelele another (person) is 

coming [use this for another 

person, their things, their land, 

can be a person within the 

family] 

anankiyau [anankiʼjau] adj excellent; 

glorious nambawan on kwalia 

wanirka tarwan ire, anankiyauk I 

by myself am happy on the sand, 

(it is) excellent aya maip loko 

yaumta lu God is very good/holy 

(sem. domains: 8.3.7.3 - Perfect.) 

anapir [aʼnapirə] n bow anapir 

kounae shoot (with) bow (sem. 

domains: 6.7 - Tool.) 

anapir woku n spearhead with spikes 

(sem. domains: 6.7 - Tool.) 

anapiranki [anapiʼrənki] n tendon of 

ankle on lipal anapirankim kowe I 

cut my Achilles tendon syn: 

lipalwan. (sem. domains: 2.1.7 - 

Flesh.) 

anirwar [anirəʼwarə] n under a 

house olli loko wala anirwarka 

wari the thing is laying under the 

house (sem. domains: 8.5.1.3.2 - 

Under, below.) 

anmaoko [anʼmaoko] n ridgepole of 

house eyo anmauko kija pam 

kounan lalnake a bird was ying 

away there above the ridgepole 

(sem. domains: 6.5.2.2 - Roof.)

15 aokwae 

anou [aʼnou] n in-law ( rst person 

form) (sem. domains: 4.1.9.2.2 - 

In-law.) 

anoumral [anouʼməral] n collarbone 

(sem. domains: 2.1.6 - Bone, 

joint.) 

anpirwae [anəʼpirəwae] n thatched 

sago frond leaves used to make a 

roof ne anpirwae kole? are you 

weaving thatch? anpirwaem 

pweiroujwalire cut and put in 

leaves for thatch (sem. domains: 

6.5.2.2 - Roof.) 

anwar [anʼwarə] n inside (usually a 

house) ne war, anwarya you come 

inside (sem. domains: 8.5.1.4 - 

Inside.) 

anwau [anʼwau] n small sh [similar 

to the aleila sh] (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.5 - Fish.) 

ao [ʼao] adv 1) no em apo arka ao 

nwae we will not sleep here today 

em pim ao keinakire we cannot see 

the (sorcery) point em inein awe we 

cannot know 2) many lir awe, kelo 

kelo (no) coconuts, many many 

syn: awarka 1. (sem. domains: 9 

- Grammar.) 

ao 2 [ʼao] n string bag on ao palire I 

made a string bag ne aom 

yamlapapro, on takeinakija you 

must take (the things) out of the 

bags here so I can see on aoka ari 

korae I already put (it) in the string 

bag ne ao pilam kinalwa! you must 

open the mouth of the string bag! 

spec: elowe. (sem. domains: 

6.7.3 - Carrying tool.) 

ao 3 [ʼao] n mourning on ao nakolu lu 

lomom paplake.. I asked the 

mourning man.. eko peilire i em ao 

lomom we she died so we mourn 

ao tija pelele the mourning (sound) 

is coming towards us (from a 

distance) ao wanijwe sit at house 

and mourn [this includes customs 

surrounding the mourning] syn: 

alu. (sem. domains: 2.6.6.4 - 

Mourn.) 

ao elali adv not able to 

aokonao n dust on feet lapliko lipal 

aokonaom pakweipoke yalerre they 

brushed o the dust from their feet 

(sem. domains: 1.2.2.1 - Soil, 

dirt.) 

aokwae [aoʼkwae] n spirit of man; 

demon; loko aokwae namia ro, i 

awarka nija if he doesn't have a 

spirit, (he) isn't alive tapeiro

aokwae maip 16 

nalirae nolwoku lokok lu el tija ao 

yaklelei, lokoka aokwae tea aro 

yakrarara taerire the place where 

(he) hung (himself) a man or 

woman cannot go (or) his spirit 

will just continue to scare (them) 

lu tija loupali prae, i aokwae kar 

peyarwale, i lomom plaplaorenae a 

man eats ginger, and spirits come 

and possess him (and enable him 

to ght, shoot pigs, etc) ne ero, 

aokwae lip? what are you, a spirit 

woman? aokwae mi aro nakyarare 

(I saw) the spirit's re come from 

the north aokwaek ar mangy dog 

aokwae wowi imami ta meat freely 

given to a ritual spirit aokwae 

imami taplu wala house to give 

food to the spirit (shrine) 

(ancestors did) [Older speakers 

say this word is used for the 

spirit of man. Younger people 

associate it more with demons. 

This word is compounded for 

speci c demons associated with a 

swamp or forested area. They 

can speak. People obey and 

respect them, and also give food 

to them. In ancestral times, when 

a wife died, the husband would 

hang a palm sheath basket in the 

tree and put food for her spirit in 

the basket each day. When the 

spirit of a man leaves the body at 

death, others can see their image 

(pakijou) as a re.] (sem. 

domains: 3.1 - Soul, spirit, 4.9.2 - 

Supernatural being.) 

aokwae maip n big demon yao 

aokwae maip big ghting spirit 

(Satan) (sem. domains: 4.9.2 - 


aokwae pira n sea monster (sem. 


aokwae walwa n morning, 7 am 

aokwae walwa kowae [It is light 

but sun is still hidden, not visible 

yet.] (sem. domains: 8.4.1.2.3 - 

Time of the day.) 

aokwae wowi n secret dance to call 

spirit (sem. domains: 4.9.5.4 - 

Religious ceremony.) 

aokwaoka [aoʼkwaokə] adv foolishly; 

funny amna aokwaek ire you are 

being foolish lujel mokuran 

aokwaoka kali pokokwame some 

people with foolish talk said... [use 

when a person brings attention 

to self or when children act up or

17 aowijawe 

rebel] syn: walijwi 4. (sem. 

domains: 4.3 - Behavior.) 

aolia pro by himself; by itself lok 

aolia ple he went by himself il aolia 

irle the sore came up by itself wala 

aolia houses alone (no one home) 

comp. al aolia 

aolia kali n talk to oneself (sem. 

domains: 3.5.1.1.2 - Speak 

quietly.) 

aolia yare v grow up wild kamap 

nating (sem. domains: 1.5.6 - 

Growth of plants.) 

aolirolir [aoliʼrolir] adv hurry lu loko 

aolirolirya yamleknae the man 

hurriedly passed by here loko 

lommom aolirolirwe he hurried 

them plane aolirolirma almost 

dawn aolirolir kali fast talking 

(sem. domains: 7.2.1.2 - Move 

quickly.) 

aolo n 1) lips aolo papli weilwamunae 

both lips are closed aolo alija 

paeyaki let lips stay open (sem. 

domains: 2.1.1.4 - Mouth.) 2) 

door of a house koulonae aolo a 

door for shutting lomko aolo 

koulonae they shut the door on aolo 

kalinaeyale I open the door (and 

leave it open) (sem. domains: 

6.5.2 - Parts of a building.) 

aolo 3 [ʼaolo] pro he; it (contrastive) 

Kokro aolo parpeire Kokro himself 

talked more loko aolom tea nalwani 

japanweire he just bosses himself 

well (sem. domains: 9.2.3 - 

Pronouns.) kt. phr. aolo 

aolomeyam 

aolo 4 n stem of sago frond aolo 

awarka ulwaeya the sago leaf stems 

are not yet walled in [the rm 

stem of a sago frond used to 

make walls of local houses] (sem. 


aolo aolomeyam (kt. phr. of aolo 3) 

adj sel sh lu tija aolomeyam 

ineinein we a man thinks only 

about himself (is sel sh) (sem. 

domains: 4.1.6.2 - Set self apart.) 

aolowaki [aoloʼwəki] n spear shaft 


aoltawoure inf. var. of larawoure 

bold; fearless 

aono [ʼaono] n house loko aoloka 

aonom wanowim we he is working 

on his own house (sem. domains: 

6.5.1.1 - House.) 

aowijawe v waste time

ap 18 

ap [ʼap] n joint (of a human or a 

plant like bamboo) em lawali 

apma pweipapompae we cut the 

torch branches at the joint (sem. 

domains: 1.5.5 - Parts of a plant, 

2.1.6 - Bone, joint.) 

apa n caterpillar (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.7 - Insect.) 

apak n large sh [found in the 

Yellow River] (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.5 - Fish.) 

apan [əʼpən] n footprint or hand 

print (of human or animal) on 

apanma peinaki tiplale I evaluated 

the footprints lal apan pwari the 

mark of the hand is laying there 

(used when you remember 

someone because they planted a 

tree, etc) 

apanapir n spirit (sem. domains: 

4.9.2 - Supernatural being.) 

apau [aʼpau] adj full pulap em waleija 

apau powe all of us lled it up onka 

apau awarkwe (it) does not t me 

(sem. domains: 8.1.8 - Full.) 

apaujwal n back of boat ant: 

waran 1. (sem. domains: 8.6.1.1 - 

Back.) 

apaulwo [apauʼlwo] n older leaf 

yone apaulwo not tender leaves 

[not as tender to eat, but not 

dried out yet. Can use this term 

for mushrooms too.] (sem. 


apaun [aʼpaun] n sorcery words 

apaun kali curse poku apaun 

wanowi sexual sins syn: 

klapaume. (sem. domains: 3.5.1 

- Say, 4.9.5.4 - Religious 

ceremony.) 

ape tir n healing thing [something of 

the ancestors used to heal a lot of 

people] (sem. domains: 2.5.7 - 

Treat disease.) 

apelir [apeʼlirə] n wild coconut wel 

tijo na loko napa aria kokwamwa, 

ar apelir only about this tijo sago 

(we) will say, it is wild coconut 

[has very white meat] (sem. 

domains: 5.2.3.1.2 - Food from 

fruit.) 

apenali [apeʼnəli] n position of a 

person; trail loko onka apenalim 

pakike he took my place loko 

apenali lomom paknanolerre he left 

his place (and went elsewhere) 

syn: lijar yowi.

19 aplakeyak lele i... 

apenoku [apeʼnoku] n 1) trail em 

lwaek apenokum pamkakire we 

stood there at the pig's trail [you 

can see something was laying or 

moved through, but you cannot 

see footprints] (sem. domains: 

1.6.4.1 - Animal movement.) 2) 

position loko apenokum kike he 

took the position 

api [ʼapi] n cassowary ar aowia 

yelinae, api maipma the dog by 

herself chased the big cassowary 

there apijwal lipal no plam lonwawe 

wanirya (they) moved around on 

sand like cassowaries [large 

ightless bird which is native to 

Papua New Guinea] (sem. 


api apija [ʼapi apiʼja] adv bent over 

(person) with face to ground and 

rear in air api apijaka kire stand 

with head down api apija lele walk 

with head down (or bent over) 

(sem. domains: 7.1.8 - Bend 

down, 7.2.1.1.2 - Crawl.) 

apia inf. var. of apo recent; soon 

apijapi [apiʼtʃapi] n ying insect 

binatang apijapi tijak ilei le 

naweimol one ying insect's name 

is dragon y [general term for any 

insect that ies] (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.7 - Insect.) 

apla [ʼaplə] n love, like, preference, 

desire taplu on apla kapoumta 

powe le...ewom the food I really 

like is eggs (sem. domains: 3.4.1.1 

- Like, love.) 

apla we (der. of ) v like to, desire, 

want to on tan nakwanim apla tea 

we I just like caring for children on 

apla awe I do not want to Toni pali 

palijwe, lok yarwapla awe Toni had 

no desire, he did not want to come 

(sem. domains: 3.4.1.1 - Like, 

love.) 

aplaeli [aʼplaeli] n yell from pain 

(make sounds, not say words) 

lwepan aplailija arkok wamlae the 

possum cried out from inside eyo 

aplaeli plae the bird cried out on 

aplaeli plae I yelled out in pain (u- 

u-u) syn: woru 1. (sem. domains: 

2.5.6.1 - Pain, 3.5.1.1.1 - Shout.) 

aplakeyak lele ineinein n sel shness

aplijar 20 

loko aoloka aplakeyak leleya he is 

following his own desires (sem. 

domains: 4.3.1.1 - Bad, 

immoral.) 

aplijar n large shell, used 

traditionally for money (sem. 

domains: 1.6.2.5 - Parts of small 

animals, 6.8.6 - Money.) 

apo [ʼapo] (inf. var. apomta; inf. 

var. apia) n now; today em apo 

Makme maem monwawa today we 

will sleep there at Makme 

Restrictions: used for events that 

are just now happening, or will 

happen today, not for events that 

have already happened a few 

hours ago today] (sem. domains: 

8.4.6.3.1 - Now.) 

apomta inf. var. of apo right now 

apu [ʼapu] adj dry; hard ta apujwe 

the meat is dry [used for meat and 

other things] (sem. domains: 

8.3.6.2 - Hard, rm.) 

apujwoku v eaten up taplu apujwoku 

food is gone! (something you tell 

your children) 

ar [ʼarə] n dog ar lapliko pampowe, 

lwae lomom the two dogs barked 

there at the pig ar lomko takemowe 

the dogs are howling (after one 

starts it) ar plamrale the dog is 

sni ng to the south lu loko ar plele 

arole the man travels like a dog 

(has no shame) (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.1 - Mammal.) 

ar [ʼarə][̰are] 1) n here, close to 

speaker em apo arka aonwae we 

cannot sleep here today awalkinao 

kapou lomko arka ao ninake the big 

ies do not live here (sem. 

domains: 8.5.1 - Here, there.) 2) 

v is here em are we are here 

ar loko (comp. of ar, loko) adj this 

womi ar loko this evening Sande tija 

yar ar lokok waolweli maip tija aro 

kowe one Sunday this year a big 

storm hit 

araku [aʼraku] n white cockatoo 

araku maokrae kik peyam kwani 

klwarporae the cockatoo sat-landed 

here on top of the porch (sem. 


aral [aʼrələ] n banana (small 

cooking type) (sem. domains: 


arali [aʼrali] adv elsewhere (other 

than where the speaker is) long 

hap tan arali tijaya le the child 

went elsewhere ne arali yaknak

21 aripae 

kaki, on kwal peyako you rst 

stand elsewhere, I myself will do it 

rst. lokok kali em arali nakaleya 

his talk will take us elsewhere 

amnaka nalwein arali pam mari 

your heart is elsewhere (sem. 

domains: 8.5.1.7 - Inde nite 

location.) 

arapla [araʼpla] n bare tree [leaves 

have fallen] (sem. domains: 1.5.6 

- Growth of plants.) 

ararna [arʼarnə] n blue beetle (sem. 


area [areʼa] adv only lomko lul tija 

area they are only ten [noun 

modi er that restricts some 

quality] (sem. domains: 9.6.2.2 - 

Limitation of topic.) 

area teya [̰arearea] (der. of continue; 

like that) adv continue oltaim; 

olsem tasol arearea ni raerire just 

continue to live amaole lomom area 

tea nakomurae, i apo nan ao leli. 

his mother gave birth to him like 

that, and he could not move now 

(either). (sem. domains: 8.4.7 - 

Continue, persevere.) 

areri [aʼreri] 1) n edge; border 

alomka nu arerika at the edge of 

their land (sem. domains: 8.6.6 - 

Edge.) 2) adj enough inap wom 

areri ari kakire? did you get enough 

yet (biscuits)? on piram 

pewannake, areri pakakire I was 

dividing the sh, until enough er 

kali areri areri pakeikakire we 

talked enough wom areriya 

pakakire you complete it like this 

(all of slate) 3) adj every olgeta 

hap onka ilei walamaku areri ari 

kakire my name already stands in 

every town (reputation) (sem. 

domains: 8.5.4.2 - Occupy an 

area.) 

ari [ʼari] adv already (perfect aspect) 

amnaka tan ari yawowe your child 

already went/climbed up loko ari 

ilire he already died loko Godlaka 

kalim ari nakei tamnae he already 

nished preaching God's talk (sem. 

domains: 9.4.1.2 - Aspect-- 

dynamic verbs.) 

arijoun [aritʃoʼun] n mushroom 

[grow around tree stumps in the 

bush] (sem. domains: 1.5.4 - 

Moss, fungus, algae, 5.2.3.1 - 

Food from plants.) 

aripae [ariʼpae] (inf. var. aripake; 

inf. var. aripale) n female cousin 

(sem. domains: 4.1.9.1.7 -

aripake 22 

Cousin.) 

aripake inf. var. of aripae female 

cousin (second person form) 

aripakwa inf. var. of aripalu male 

cousin (second person form) 

aripale inf. var. of aripae female 

cousin (third person form) 

aripalu [ariʼpalu] (inf. var. 

aripakwa; inf. var. aripalwa) n 

male cousin (mine) on kwalka 

aripa lu takeinakija I will see my 

own cousin (sem. domains: 

4.1.9.1.7 - Cousin.) 

aripalwa inf. var. of aripalu male 

cousin (third person form) 

arkok [ʼarkwok] adv then Namelam 

arkok yamkapreyale Name and 

them right then arrived here sarip 

parpaneike lokok i arkok, peilire 

when (it was) shot again with 

spear, it died right then (sem. 

domains: 9 - Grammar.) 

armom [arəʼmom] therefore (reason- 

result) olsem na i loko lomom 

armom ikameya he therefore will 

say to him (sem. domains: 

9.6.2.5.1 - Reason.) 

arna [ʼarnə] discourse development 

nau em pnaoli imoure, arna em 

inein awe we could pretend to heal, 

now we do not know how (sem. 

domains: 9.6.3.3 - Prompters of 

attention.) 

aro [ʼaro] adv 1) like, comparison 

olsem am arowa, loko powe aro you 

will do like he does arole go like 

this (sem. domains: 9 - 

Grammar.) 2) temporal 

demonstrative em Yaka aro 

lamonae then we slept at Yaka apo 

ar loko aro we now we do it aro 

warwom come in 

aro aro [ʼaro ʼaro] adj all kinds kain 

kain aojwa kali, lwae neik kali...aro 

aro kali ancestral stories, how to 

shoot game, all kinds of stories 

aropu n beetle with wings binatang 

aropu mire amaole the mother 

insect syn: ae. (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.7 - Insect.) 

aropu [aʼropu] n song lomko aropu 

pakame they sang songs (sem. 

domains: 4.2.3.3 - Sing.) 

arowi [aʼrowi] cf: aeleliwao. n 

cloud; fog; overcast sky arowi 

taklakaowe the fog descends arowi 

nan lao walwanao tija nararomke, 

pelwale the fog did not end with a

23 aujwau 

rain cloud, no way arowi lao misty 

rain syn: aeleliwao. (sem. 

domains: 1.1.3.2 - Cloud.) 

arpa- [ʼarpə] v:adv again, more em 

arpeyarmia we will come 

again/back on ur wal arpeyare I 

have come back from the garden 

loko wei parpakowe he hit the drum 

again loko parpeikame... he 

continued talking... (sem. 

domains: 8.4.6.6.1 - Again.) 

arpakanakire (ph. v. of kanakire, 

arpa-) v rise again kirap bek (sem. 

domains: 4.9 - Religion.) 

aru [ʼaru] n dance eko aru taweire she 

dances happily aeni lalpokuka 

makinakwa, i aro aru nakraweija. 

the woven band stays there on the 

arm and (you can) do a dance 

with it. (sem. domains: 4.2.4 - 

Dance.) 

arura pomu il [aruʼra ʼpomu ʼilə] n 

yaws disease strongpela sua (sem. 


arwei [arəʼwei] n lling; tting 

pamkin num arwei kakire the 

pumpkin plants ll the ground (lit: 

stands full) mae, nek aeni arweija? 

well, does your armband t? (sem. 

domains: 8.1.8 - Full.) 

arwei ijo n water unmixed with 

anything (sem. domains: 1.3.6 - 

Water quality.) 

au [ʼau] n bark pot [ancestors took a 

green palm tree sheath, folded it, 

made re underneath, and boiled 

water in it for sago - could only 

use once or twice] (sem. 

domains: 5.2.1.3 - Cooking 

utensil.) 

aujea kali n oral tradition syn: 

milira kali, aujwa kali, 

walkali. (sem. domains: 3.5.4.6 - 

Verbal tradition.) 

aujwa [ʼautʃwa] n my grandparent 

tumbuna bilong mi amnaka ayaka 

aujwa loko amnaka awa your 

father's grandfather is your great- 

grandfather (sem. domains: 

4.1.9.1.1 - Grandfather, 

grandmother.) 

aujwa kali [ʼautʃwa ʼkali] n tradition 

em aujwa kali ija we will tell 

ancestral stories syn: aujea kali, 

milira kali, walkali. (sem. 

domains: 3.5.4.6 - Verbal 

tradition.) 

aujwau [auʼtʃwau] n hole emaku mi

aujwou 24 

aujwau war maem pun pamomure 

the bird laid eggs there inside the 

hole in the tree nu aujwau cave tijei 

aujwau hole/tomb in rock [this 

word is compounded to show if 

the hole is in the ground, a tree, 

rock, etc] (sem. domains: 8.6 - 

Parts of things.) 

aujwou [auʼtʃwou] n strength syn: 

nakli 2. (sem. domains: 8.3.6.1 - 

Strong, brittle.) 

aumkya [aumʼkja] adj re exive on 

kwolia wanowi powe lokok, i on 

kwalma weirou aumkya aro kowe 

when I was working by myself, I 

cut myself with the bush knife loko 

aolom aumkya takeyalwowe he 

deceives himself [re exive for 

singular (I, he) - use when carry 

a child and work at same time; 

only use for one person not for a 

group of people] (sem. domains: 

9.5.2.4 - Each other.) 

aumyai [aumiʼjai] n spear thrown by 

hand loko werika aumyaija keilone 

he shot it by throwing a bamboo 

spear lu loko lwae maipma aumyai 

keilone this man threw a spear at a 

big pig (sem. domains: 6.7 - Tool.) 

aunwo [auʼnwo] n temporary basket 

loko ijwaur pun lommom aunwok 

lujwalire he scraped apart (the 

nest) (and) put the crocodile eggs 

in a basket [basket that is hastily 

formed by tying together leaves 

and is used to carry something 

like eggs back to the village] 

(sem. domains: 6.7.7.1 - Bag.) 

aupa [auʼpa] adj developed (food) 

taplu lomko aupak maip kar this 

food is very big (developed) (sem. 

domains: 5.2 - Food.) 

aur [ʼaurə] n lizard lomko aurma 

worawa they will hunt lizards 

[generic word for all lizards] 

spec: wari koklomu . (sem. 

domains: 1.6.1.3.2 - Lizard.) 

aura [auʼra] n shells used 

traditionally as money on auram 

pakike, auram kaoro kaoro pakrae I 

took the money and put down that 

amount of money on aura tan awe I 

have no money nek ewom ar loko 

aura maria? how much money for 

your egg? loko aura papi he likes to 

get money (like businessmen in 

towns do) (sem. domains: 6.8.6 - 

Money.) 

aurami [auʼrami] n thin rafter that 

holds up thatch roof sap nil wai

25 awai 

loko aurami kija pnakyawowe the 

snake went up high above the 

rafters (sem. domains: 6.5.2.2 - 

Roof.) 

aurapala [auraʼpələ] n nose ring of 

pig's teeth lomko aurapala 

pwowale they were wearing pig's 

teeth (in their noses) (sem. 

domains: 5.4 - Adornment.) 

auraura [auʼra uʼra] n jewelry on 

emom auraura ollim pwole I gave 

her jewelry things (sem. domains: 

5.4.1 - Jewelry.) 

aureno n vision (sem. domains: 2.3.1 

- See.) 

aurkei [aurəʼkei] n lizard palai 

aurkei lwarma lizard skin (for 

hand drum) (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.3.2 - Lizard.) 

awa [ʼawa] (inf. var. awakwa; inf. 

var. awalwa) n my older 

brother; my great-grandfather 

alomia arkok mewanmia, alomka 

elaele awalwalam. they alone will 

right then divide it there (the 

money among) their sisters and 

brothers (sem. domains: 4.1.9.1.1 

- Grandfather, grandmother, 


awa aya n uncle, male cousin (sem. 

domains: 4.1.9.1.6 - Uncle, aunt, 

4.1.9.1.7 - Cousin.) 

awae n illumination on tos awaek na 

warao plele lokok... when I with 

illuminated torch was hunting a 

pig... on lawali pakowaene I shined 

my torch (sem. domains: 8.3.3.1.1 

- Light source.) 

awae [aʼwae] n everywhere wanao ili 

awae pakakire the famine was 

everywhere wawin momla awae 

peyare lokoka when the fruit 

blossoms were everywhere (sem. 

domains: 8.5.4.2 - Occupy an 

area.) 

awae [əʼwae] (inf. var. awaoke; inf. 

var. awaole) n my elder sister 

[only sisters use this term] (sem. 

domains: 4.1.9.1.3 - Brother, 

sister.) 

awaejawar v pace back and forth 

(sem. domains: 7.2.1 - Manner of 

movement.) 

awai [aʼwai] n thunder; lightning 

klaut i pairap awai kapou kapoumta 

pakowe it thundered very loudly 


Lightning, thunder.)

awaijo 26 

awaijo [aʼwaitʃo] n boiling water 

Boksa lipalma awaijo pnaklowe we 

boiled water for Boksa's leg lu loko 

tijei awaijo popole aro pole man is 

hot-tempered like boiling water 

with stone (sem. domains: 5.2.1 - 

Food preparation.) 

awakwa inf. var. of awa brother 

(second person form) 

awal [aʼwəl] n rainy season awal lao 

polwai loko ... during the rainy- 

season... awem awal lao taltawoure 

we are afraid of (implied: don't 

like) the rainy season rain [the 

time of the rains in this area of 

the Sepik tend to be October- 

April] (sem. domains: 1.1.3 - 

Weather, 1.1.3.3 - Rain.) 

awal [əʼwal] n river mouth loko awal 

maem pakweipokunae he dammed 

up the mouth of the creek em Sanu 

awal napu ijo Tilakya peyawowe we 

went north the way of the Sanu 

mouth to Tila river ant: lar 3 1 . 

(sem. domains: 1.3.1.3 - River.) 

awalkinao [əwalkiʼnao] n y 

[generic word for all ies] (sem. 


awalwa inf. var. of awa brother 

(third person form) 

awan [aʼwan] n forbidden place wei 

pak awaon (secret) place where the 

split-gong drum is made wowi 

awaon (secret) place to do singing 

ritual awaon powire make a 

forbidden place (usually fenced in 

with leaves) el tan aowaon maem 

pnakwanire... the woman stays in 

the birthing house (with child)... 

[usually a fenced in area where 

they will do a singing ritual, 

learn to hunt, also the place of 

giving birth - no longer 

commonly used] (sem. domains: 

4.9.5.8 - Dedicate to religious 

use.) 

awan ta n o ered meat to a family 

after a death. Restrictions: 

cannot refer to general o ering] 

(sem. domains: 5.2.3.2.1 - Meat.) 

awaoke inf. var. of awae elder sister 

(second person form) 

awaole inf. var. of awae elder sister 

(third person form) 

awapli [aʼwəpli] pro you two 

(contrastive) awaplika aya paewe, 

mika nwawa your two's father is 

sick and will sleep by the re (sem.

27 awoku 

domains: 9.2.3 - Pronouns.) 

awarka [əʼwarkə] adv 1) not tarwan 

awarka ire not happy awarka male 

did not count syn: ao. 2) when ne 

awarka arpeyarwa? when will you 

come again? 

awe [ʼawe] pro she (contrastive) el 

eko ple popo awek urya she went to 

her own garden el tija awia wanire 

a lady sat by herself syn: eko. 

(sem. domains: 9.2.3 - 

Pronouns.) 

awei [aʼwei] n muddy ground; 

edible soup (sem. domains: 

1.2.2.1 - Soil, dirt, 5.2.3 - Types 

of food.) 

awem [aʼwem] pro we (contrastive) 

awem aro le mowa we will go there 


Pronouns.) 

awer [aʼwerə] pro we two 

(contrastive) yumi tupela awer apo 

lawomia we two will now go across 


Pronouns.) 

aweyae [aweʼjae] n teeth of the 

cray sh aweyae onono ran yakakik 

warle (you) should rst hold the 

teeth and feelers (of cray sh) 

(sem. domains: 1.6.2 - Parts of an 

animal.) 

aweyaki n memorial thing aweyaki 

wokire the memorial thing 

stands/is (tree, etc) [something 

that helps you remember 

someone] syn: lal apan. (sem. 

domains: 4.1.5 - Unity.) 

awi [ʼawi] adv wait; not yet (direct 

speech) awi, kwain yakwani wait, 

sit for a short time rst (sem. 

domains: 8.4.6.4.2 - Not yet.) 

awijo [ʼawitʃo] n marsh; swampy 

place lwae nwaki loko awijoka tea 

pari the pig's body was just in a 

swampy place (sem. domains: 

1.3.1.2 - Swamp.) 

awijwan [awiʼtʃwən] n wild 

pandanus er awijwan pameinaki 

maniyaole we searched there 

around a clump of wild pandanus 

(sem. domains: 1.5.1 - Tree.) 

awo [aʼwo] v no (direct speech) 

awo, on na welu apla awe no, I do 

not want to scrape sago (sem. 

domains: 9.4.6.1 - No, not.) 

awoku [aʼwoku] n roof beams, long 

[go the length of the roof on 

each side of house under the

awoku yapal 28 

roof] (sem. domains: 6.5.2.2 - 

Roof.) comp. awoku yapal 

awoku yapal (comp. of awoku, 

yapal) n tall corner post of a 

house (sem. domains: 6.5.2.6 - 

Foundation.) 

awom n small black snake (sem. 

domains: 1.6.1.3.1 - Snake.) 

awom 1 [aʼwom] pro you plural 

(statement form) on awom ao 

kananole I could not leave you 

plural awom awom walpan kali 

pneire you plural argued amongst 

yourselves syn: wom. (sem. 


aya [ʼaja] (inf. var. ayalwa) n father 

aya lwaem tija pneike my father 

shot a pig loko aya powele now he 

is becoming a (real) father (acting 

like a mature man) [used as soon 

as a man has a child or two; head 

of clan - leaders of clans stay 

leaders until their death; this is a 

term of respect and can be 

withheld if a young man is 

married with children but is 

ignorant about how to live well] 

(sem. domains: 4.1.9.1.2 - 

Father, mother.) 

ayaka amei adj God's 

ayalwa inf. var. of aya father (third 

person form) 

ayapyou [ajəpʼjou] n hawk ayapyou 

taplum eno peyamlwae inaki 

maniyaole hawk hangs (soars) 

around watching for food lu loko 

ayapyou no pamakikare the man 

takes (things) there like a hawk 

(does) (sem. domains: 1.6.1.2 - 

Bird.) 

ayo [aʼjo] exp really; true (used in 

direct speech to show strong 

agreement) (sem. domains: 9.2.7 

- Interjections.) 

ayowiya [aʼjowiʼja] adv quietly 

lomko ayowiya peyare they came 

quietly ayowiya pamari 

(something) is laying hidden wom 

ayowiya! you all be quiet! ayowiya 

le sneak through bush quietly (sem. 

domains: 4.1.6.5 - Private, 

public, 7.6 - Hide.) 

ayowiya kali [aʼjowiʼja ʼkali] n secret 

kali ayowiya ti (tija), enowal 

awarka kakireya. It is secret talk 

there, not in public. [a secret that 

is told to only one person, this is 

not a good thing to do because 

good news is always public]

29 ekire 

(sem. domains: 3.5.1.1.2 - Speak 

quietly.) 

ayowiya kwarirae v conspire (sem. 


public.) 

ayowiya le v sneak [like sneaking 

quietly through bush so no one 

e [ʼe] conj continue em ple e, i em 

Naoro lokoka parpanire. we went 

until we again stayed at Naoro 

(sem. domains: 8.4.7 - Continue, 

persevere.) 

e- [e] (inf. var. enole) v:dx towards 

speaker (without this pre x, the 

verb implies "away from 

speaker") aya, onma lapa tija enole 

father, give me an arrow ne anapir 

ekrarra, onma yamorola you put 

the bow down towards me, and 

help me here (sem. domains: 

8.5.2.7 - Towards.) 

-e [e] v:mood realis verbal su x em 

emia nwae we alone slept on ijo tae 

I am drinking water loko yowi 

papeire he dug a hole (sem. 

E e 

will notice you] (sem. domains: 

4.1.6.5 - Private, public.) 

ayowiya wanowi [aʼjowiʼja waʼnowi] 

n secret work [includes sorcery, 

magic, and poison] (sem. 

domains: 4.9.5 - Practice 

religion.) 

domains: 9.4.4.1 - Certainly, 

de nitely.) 

ejwalinae [eywəliʼna] v pull-in 

alkum taejwalinae suck in stomach 

(sem. domains: 7.3.2.8 - Pull.) 

ekaeyole adv slowly syn: trowia. 

(sem. domains: 7.2.1.2.1 - Move 

slowly.) 

ekire 1 [ʼeki] v make grass skirt el 

olna enman lommom aro ekire then 

she made a grass skirt from sago 

bers eko imaem peil tamnae popo i 

arkok ekija she nished twisting the 

rope and will right then make (it) 

(sem. domains: 5.3 - Clothing.) 

ekire 2 [eʼki] v rub on aewal ekire I am 

rubbing medicinal leaves syn: 

lowiraowe; syn: lwae 3. (sem.

eko 30 

domains: 7.7.5 - Rub.) 

eko [ʼeko] pro she eko namaklaka 

parpanaklele she went back 

afterward el eko ple the woman 

went syn: awe. (sem. domains: 

9.2.3 - Pronouns.) 

el [ʼelə] (inf. var. eloke; inf. var. 

elole) n woman; wife el tija 

lwarma laolokwa a woman will buy 

some clothes spec: aemakla. 

(sem. domains: 2.6.5.2 - Woman, 

4.1.9.2.1 - Husband, wife.) 

elae [eʼlae] (inf. var. elaeke; inf. 

var. elaele) n my sister 

[brothers use this form] (sem. 


sister.) 

elae [eʼlae] v 1) remove bark from a 

tree loko na tirma pelae he 

removed the sago bark (before 

processing) spec: weirlae. (sem. 

domains: 6.2.5 - Harvest.) 2) 

strain unwanted small bits out of 

something else eko na manlwom 

elprowe, tip walwam she strained 

the sago bits, out of the basket 

(sem. domains: 5.2.1 - Food 

preparation.) 

elaeke inf. var. of elae sister (second 

person form) 

elaele inf. var. of elae sister (third 

person form) 

elaki ilonpae (comp. of elakire, 

ilone) v shoot/stab plural on 

mijaki aupi lokok pakeilone, wai 

lomom. I stabbed this snake with a 

pointed stick (sem. domains: 6.4.1 

- Hunt.) 

elakire v shoot with bow (plural) em 

lwae ao nakelakire, lwae ple we 

could not shoot the pig, and the pig 

left em ijoka almar tapalakeilonpae 

we wanted to shoot the water with 

the derris root syn: walpeire. 

(sem. domains: 6.4.1 - Hunt.) 

comp. elaki ilonpae 

elali [eʼləli] adv cause, let (verbal 

pre x - cause a person to do 

something, usually against their 

will) - can also be used for allow 

loko weipamum kelali kalijape he 

made (us) throw away the gourds 

tanakika nalwani lu lomko 

lommom ewelaliprole the children's 

headmaster sent them away 

towards us elali laoloke let them 

buy (sell to them) (sem. domains: 

9.6.2.5 - Cause.)

31 ele 

elali laole v sell (let buy) lomko num 

pelali laolopae they sold land (they 

let others buy land) ant: laoloke. 

(sem. domains: 6.8.4.2 - Sell.) 

elalijale v send 

elaliyaokame [eʼləlijaoʼkame] v tell 

to get revenge [use for example, 

when someone has killed your 

chickens, and you tell a friend to 

go kill theirs] (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.2.8 - Emphasize, 4.3.4.1 - 

Do evil to.) 

elam [eʼləm] n breadfruit tan tija 

elam pnane a child picked some 

breadfruit em lommom lal elam 

napal pwalire popo after we all 

shook hands with him (lit: put 

breadfruit hooked stick in hand) 

Artocarpus attilis (sem. domains: 

1.5.1 - Tree.) 

elan [eʼlən] n ringworm loko elan 

pamwokinake he has skin fungus 

there elan papijwe i on tawenawe 

the fungus itched and I scratched 

[fungus on human skin] (sem. 

domains: 2.5.2.2 - Skin disease.) 

elan [eʼlan] n in-law (third person) 

[use for those married into one 

family] (sem. domains: 4.1.9.2.2 

- In-law.) 

ele (inf. var. keinanele) v feel pain 

popleya parpele the pain returned 

pae krul aro kele (I) felt the end of 

the sickness onka pokuloum popleya 

tea elpanake my body just is 

hurting onka makujwal tananele/ 

keinanele my head hurts (sem. 

domains: 2.5.6.1 - Pain.) 

ele v sing; croak krai bilong abus eyo 

aro ele the bird/rooster sings/crows 

kwekwae pamele frogs croak there 

(this sentence also is used to mean 

"afternoon time") [used of birds 

and frogs] (sem. domains: 1.6.4.3 

- Animal sounds.) 

ele v break open grubs; chop open 

brukim binatang em ai elepae we 

are breaking open grubs [used of 

breaking open a sago tree trunk 

to get out the grubs that are 

growing inside; this is done 

several months after the tree 

trunk has had holes chopped in it 

so the beetles can lay their eggs 

there] (sem. domains: 6.2.5 - 

Harvest.) 

ele v apportion (sago) on na 

pleyoleire, i pele, i pwaripae I stir 

the sago jelly, apportion, and wrap

elelawe 32 

up [used of dividing up a batch 

of sago jelly into individual 

portions] (sem. domains: 5.2.1.2 

- Steps in food preparation.) 

elelawe v sex; intercourse lapliko 

elelawe, napu popraeka they had 

intercourse near the road loko el 

mul tan elel pnakowe he had 

intercourse with a teenaged girl 

[general term that is also used 

about married people] (sem. 

domains: 2.6.2 - Sexual 

relations.) 

elepauwe [eleʼpau] v hide in hand lu 

tija mijakim lal war maem 

pamelepaurre, mijaki walei larkou a 

man hid some sticks under his 

hand, short and long sticks (sem. 

domains: 7.6 - Hide.) 

elepelpa [eleʼpelpə] n rubbish (small 

bits) elepelpa enom makire there is 

dust in (my) eye (sem. domains: 

1.2.2.1 - Soil, dirt.) 

elijwowi n small thorns elijwowi 

lewire remove small thorns 

elkane [eləʼkən] v get rid of old 

skin/shell ae weipno taelkanpae 

the grubs change into larvae [use 

for snakes, cray sh, beetle] syn: 

klalpaniyae. (sem. domains: 

1.6.3 - Animal life cycle.) 

elke 5 [ʼeləke] v mix things imae kala 

nowea nowea el pelpowe (popokure) 

mix all di erent colors of string (in 

making a string bag) on na tijeika 

pwale i sol aro nakeilokwa I 

steamed the sago on a stone and 

then will mix it with salt karu 

taelpel popae sandalwood mixed 

(not pure but both black and 

white) ao el pelpae not mixed [can 

use for mixing salt into water, 

can also use for thoughts (mixing 

thoughts of human issues with 

thoughts of God), and use for 

people] syn: lapaniyae; syn: 

popokure. (sem. domains: 7.5.3 

- Mix.) 

ellike [ʼeləlike] v betray by 

befriending with intent to harm - 

cause you to go somewhere 

innocently so I can do something 

bad lomko lu tijam takijwalomwom 

ellikare they betrayed a man to kill 

him "Amo, awer plele, urya." I er 

ple. On inein aro awe, er ollim pijou 

owa, pelwale. Loko onma napu 

maem peikame, "Amo, awer urya 

leyam awarka. Awer pijou owa."

33 elnonole 

"Ne ar onma lomom ellike, awer 

pijou owom?" "Friend, let's go to the 

garden." We went. I did not know 

that we were going to steal things, 

de nitely not. He said to me on the 

road, "Friend, we are not going to 

the garden. We are going to steal." 

"You are betraying me (saying) 

that we are going to steal?" syn: 

lopopoke. (sem. domains: 

4.8.2.7 - Betray.) 

ellire [ʼeləli] v follow tracks er 

womika parpellire we again tracked 

at night ewaliya yamellirmia 

tomorrow we will track (it) here 

(sem. domains: 6.4.1.1 - Track an 

animal.) 

ellure [eləʼlu] v harass lu elma pellure 

the man harassed the woman (to 

seduce her) lomko lujelma pellu 

raerire they continually harassed 

people (to work) - like a bad boss 

does on arma pakelulu taele I 

started to sic the dog [do not use 

for convincing or persuasion of 

ideas or thinking - only of 

actions] (sem. domains: 4.3.4.4.2 

- Use a person.) 

elmakli [elʼmakli] n tree with 

scratchy pod seeds which are 

used to scratch itches] (sem. 


elmale [elʼməl] v change from 

human to animal ewolo waelmale 

kali the story about the bird of 

paradise changing long ago [occurs 

in ancestor's stories] (sem. 

domains: 4.9.4 - Miracle, 

supernatural power.) 

elmul [eləʼmulə] n girl teen em 

drama lomom arowe, elmul lul tija 

lomom we did a drama about the 

ten young women (sem. domains: 

2.6.4.3 - Youth.) 

elne [ʼelne] v sway from fatigue or 

dizziness loko pakijelnele he is 

standing swaying (about to fall) 

(sem. domains: 7.2.1.6 - Steady, 

unsteady.) 

elneporae [ʼelnepoʼra] v lean against 

something loko tawani elneporae 

he sits leaning (back against 

something) loko taki elneporae he 

stands leaning (against something) 

syn: kilekamnae. (sem. 

domains: 7.1.6 - Lean.) 

elnonole [elnoʼnole] n closeby 

outskirts ijo yowi wala elnonolek 

plae the water hole was at the edge

eloke 34 

of the village [starts right at house 

and goes away from house] (sem. 

domains: 8.5.4.1 - Vicinity.) 

eloke inf. var. of el wife (second 

person form) 

elole inf. var. of el wife (third person 

form) 

elolwal [eloʼlwalwe] adv slippery nu 

elolwalwe slippery ground (sem. 

domains: 8.3.2 - Texture.) 

elowe n bark of tulip tree gen: ao 2. 


plant.) 

elwae [ʼelwae] n disgust, anger 

(sem. domains: 4.3.1.5.2 - Bad- 

tempered.) 

elwae [elʼwae] v sweat nami elwae 

(he) sweats elwae kowe angry (and 

ready to ght) (sem. domains: 

2.2.6 - Sweat.) 

elwaipak [elwaiʼpak] n nosebone 

decoration aipaukwa onma 

elwaipak tan aro nakyaram keyaine 

grandfather looked through his 

nose bone at me (sem. domains: 

5.4 - Adornment.) 

elwal pokujwal [eʼlwal pokuʼtʃwal] 

exp from childhood on elwal 

pokujwal tea nakowe I just did this 

from the time I was a child (sem. 

domains: 8.4.1 - Period of time.) 

elwale [eʼlwal] v 1) lose an object; 

be lost onka weirou ari elwale my 

bush knife is lost on onka weiroum 

ari kelwalale I lost/left my bush 

knife (sem. domains: 7.6.3 - Lose, 

misplace.) 2) confuse (can't hear 

or think because of being drunk, 

startled, just awaking, or spirit 

in uenced) longlong em waleija 

tea kelwal kanakire we all got up 

confused (by the thunder) loko aro 

elwale he was drunk loko pelwal 

maniyaole he walked around 

confused (because blinded) 

mirelwal walnake run crazy 

elwan ijo [ʼelwən ʼitʃo] n dew 

momom elwan ijo tai butter ies 

(always) eat dew (sem. domains: 

1.3.3 - Wet.) 

elwao nure v trick (ask someone to 

go with you for purpose of 

tricking them or getting 

something) (sem. domains: 

4.3.5.5 - Deceive.) 

elwawi [elwawi] v make fence 

elwawijale (sem. domains: 6.2.2 - 

Land preparation.)

35 eme 

elwe [ʼeləwe] v prepare to build 

wala wi lwapna pelwe prepare a 

place to build house peyakelwale, i 

aro kweijwowarae rst prepare, 

then clear syn: kweijwowaerae 

1. (sem. domains: 6.5 - Working 

with buildings.) 

elweli [eʼlweli] n charcoal loko elweli 

lwae, makujwalma he rubbed 

charcoal on his head lomko elweli 

ulwako tan they had rubbed 

charcoal (on themselves) [charred 

wood (used to mark body; can 

use this word also for chalk)] 

(sem. domains: 5.5.5 - What res 

produce.) 

elyolu el [elʼjolu ʼel] n widow on 

elyolu el plim pake I married two 

widows eko amnaka awakwalak 

elyolu el she is your brother's 

widow (sem. domains: 4.1.9.3 - 

Widow, widower.) 

em [ʼemə] pro we (used as free 

pronoun, and also 1p plural 

imperative person su x) em 

Fondeka lae we went south on 

Thursday emka apla takikwa our 

desire is to get (it) lomko ao 

larawoure. ar em emia larwoure 

they were not afraid. but only we 

were afraid ponaememle. ewaliya 

keinakir emiya, emaku ranma let us 

sleep. tomorrow we ourselves will 

see the hornbill's chicks (sem. 


emaili [eʼmaili] n big bird with a 

loud cry (sem. domains: 1.6.1.2 - 

Bird.) 

emaku [eʼmaku] n hornbill emaku mi 

aujwaum pakeinakire the hornbill 

sees the hole in the tree [mostly 

black, with a brown chest, a 

white tail, and a long beak] 

(sem. domains: 1.6.1.2 - Bird.) 

emampir [eʼməmpirə] n wildfowl 

bird [(larger than a chicken; lays 

dark wildfowl egg called "ewom". 

lays 3-5 eggs, sleeps in tree at 

night - doesn't y much)] (sem. 


emaowe [eʼmao] v raise hand to 

strike loko weirou plira lomom 

tapalkemaowe.. when he raised his 

hand to hit the sh with the bush 

knife.. (sem. domains: 7.3.2.4 - 

Lift.) 

eme v threaten with knife lomko em 

pemepae. they threatened us (with 

knives pointed at us) (sem.

emkwe 36 

domains: 4.8.1 - Hostility.) 

emkwe [ʼemkwe] v crumble into bits 

el tija nam ewaeka emkwe, tijeika 

walwa a woman crumbles sago on 

a leaf to steam it with a stone lu 

tija takwem walwaenika pakrae 

popo i akli powe i aro emkwe a man 

puts tobacco in the sunshine, dries 

(it), and crumbles (it) (sem. 

domains: 6.2.6 - Process harvest.) 

emlo [ʼemlo] n seeds (ancestors used 

for decoration) (sem. domains: 

1.5.5 - Parts of a plant, 5.4 - 

Adornment.) 

emole [eʼmole] v hiccup eko taemole 

she is hiccuping (sem. domains: 

2.2.2 - Cough, sneeze.) 

emom [eʼmomə] pro her (objective 

form) on tan ar emom paklarae I 

put this girl inside (the water) 


Pronouns.) 

emomle [eʼmomlo] v awaken loko 

lomom pakemomle he woke him up 

loko nanwalaka li emomla pakowe 

he poked his brother's abdomen to 

waken him ero ileila yamklemomlo 

to lomom, i woklei lokoka lipanklo 

aro narnaeyale whatever comes 

and disturbs (him), the praying 

mantis opens his arms out (sem. 

domains: 5.7.3 - Wake up.) 

comp. kemomlo kali 

emomowe [emoʼmo] v do healing 

ritual baptais bilong kisim spirit 

nogut [do healing ritual involving 

getting spirits from a river and 

taking them to the sick person - 

older ladies usually involved in 

that] (sem. domains: 2.5.7.5 - 

Traditional medicine.) 

emowe [eʼmo] (inf. var. kemowe) v 

yell out o-o-o ar lomko takemowe 

the dogs are howling (after one 

starts it) wowi powe, pemowe, pae 

yapan kopawa do the ritual, yell 

and the sickness will get better [use 

when hunting pig and scaring it 

(akal), to scare people in the 

dark; can be used when kids are 

making noise] (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.1.1 - Shout.) 

ena [ʼena] n lake (sem. domains: 

1.3.1.1 - Ocean, lake.) 

enal n foot part lipal enal instep (sem. 

domains: 2.1.3.2 - Leg.) 

enanikwa [eʼnənikwə] n nephew; 

grandson (sem. domains: 

4.1.9.1.5 - Grandson,

37 eno amakeika 

granddaughter.) 

enanikwe [eʼnənikwe] n your niece; 

your granddaughter (sem. 

domains: 4.1.9.1.5 - Grandson, 

granddaughter, 4.1.9.1.8 - 

Nephew, niece.) 

enanilwa n his grandson (sem. 



enanilwe n his granddaughter (sem. 



enarkare (comp. of nare, kare 3) v 

pick up aya lwae lapameyam 

penarkare my father picked up and 

brought only the spear from the pig 

loko ekoka lalma pnarke he picked 

up her hand (sem. domains: 

7.3.4.2 - Pick up.) 

enenijwal tan [eneniʼtʃwal 'tən] n 

grandchildren; great 

grandchildren ( rst person form) 

enenijwal tanalwa his grandson 

(third person) (sem. domains: 

4.1.9.1.5 - Grandson, 


enman [enʼman] n grass skirt eko 

enman tan nakamlele she is walking 

with (wearing) a grass skirt (sem. 

domains: 5.3.2 - Women's 

clothing, 5.3.3 - Traditional 

clothing.) 

eno [ʼeno] n eye eno woworu wom 

you all close your eyes on awom 

eno pakeinakire I am watching over 

you wom eno nwawa? are you 

sleeping? eno nwa kwoklu le deep 

sleep eno wei palakaele shifty eyes 

(like thief) lokoka eno nowea 

nowea he wants to steal onka eno 

lar arijwe lit: my eye is short (I 

watch something until it 

disappears) emka eno mi maoko 

maem tea peyamwari our eyes just 

stayed up on the treetops (to see if 

they would break). (sem. domains: 

2.1.1.1 - Eye.) ph. v. enom 

akeinaki 

eno amakeika [eno aməʼkeikə] adj 

public amnaka eno amakeika with 

your knowledge [place where 

someone can see you - generally 

known by people, even though 

not literally done while they 

were watching (farther away 

than lujelka napanka - in the 

midst of people)] (sem. domains: 

2.3.1.5 - Visible, 4.1.6.5 - 

Private, public.)

eno ipapaopu 38 

eno ipapaopu n blind loko 

taleipapaopule lit: he has heavy 

eyes [blind, cannot see anything; 

you see actions of person 

stumbling around or feeling for 

things, also used for when you 

rst arise sleepily, or when 

drunk] (sem. domains: 2.5.4.1 - 

Blind.) 

eno kanikrae [ʼeno ʼkəni ʼkrae] v 

watch for lomko eno kanikrae they 

watched (for something to happen) 

(sem. domains: 2.3.1.2 - Watch.) 

eno keinaki [ʼeno keiʼnəki] v watch 

loko emom eno keinakire he 

watched her (to choose for 

marriage) ne enom akeinaki! you 

must look out! (for dog who bites, 

etc) (sem. domains: 2.3.1.2 - 

Watch, 3.3.1 - Decide, plan.) 

eno kokleyau [ʼeno kokleʼjau] n 

adulterous el eko aowe, eno 

kokleyau not that woman, (she is) 

not adulterous (sem. domains: 

2.6.2.3 - Sexual immorality.) 

eno larkou [ʼeno ʼlarkou] v watch 

until gone onka eno lar arijwe I 

already watched it go (sem. 

domains: 2.3.1.2 - Watch.) 

eno lijwe v sleep poorly because of 

noise (sem. domains: 5.7 - Sleep.) 

eno lwar [ʼeno ʼlwərə] n eyelid eno 

lwar nalaplokure eyelids heavy with 

sleep (sem. domains: 2.1.1.1 - 

Eye.) 

eno nae inakijwe [ʼeno ʼnae] n envy 

(of something) loko eno nae 

inakijwe he envies (something) 

Restrictions: do not use for being 

jealous of a person] pt: inakijwe. 

(sem. domains: 3.4.2.1.8 - 

Jealous.) 

eno nakwoklu (der. of sleep deeply) 

v sleep deeply dai long slip eno 

nwa kwoklu le ran... if you sleep 

deeply... (sem. domains: 5.7 - 

Sleep.) 

eno nakyeinaki lelenae n telescope, 

binocular, microscope 

eno norae [ʼeno noʼrae] v sleep 

outside (plural) tanaki eno ari 

norae the children are sleeping 

outside tea tinorae just sleep 

without cover (sem. domains: 5.7 - 

Sleep.) 

eno nwae [ʼeno ʼnwae] v 1) sleep 

loko eno nwae he sleeps eko awarka 

ilire, eko eno nwaeya she isn't dead,

39 enomta keinaki 

just sleeping on taplu namia tea aro 

onae, womi lokok I just slept 

without eating that night eno nwa 

wal kanakire wake up from sleep 

[no indication of body position] 

(sem. domains: 5.7.1 - Go to 

sleep.) 2) die loko eno ari nwae he 

died (lit: eyes already asleep) 

(sem. domains: 2.6.6 - Die.) 

eno pakijou [ʼeno pəkiʼtʃou] n 

eyeglasses; mirror (sem. 

domains: 2.3.1.7 - Re ect, 

mirror, 2.5.7 - Treat disease.) 

eno tan [ʼeno ʼtən] n pupil of eye eno 

tan kokleyau lu a blind man (sem. 

domains: 2.1.1.1 - Eye.) 

eno taoka [ʼeno ʼtaokə] n cataract of 

the eye (sem. domains: 2.5.4.2 - 

Poor eyesight.) 

eno tea keinaki pleraele (ph. v. of 

inakire see everything (like 

when on top of mountain)) 

eno wamli [ʼeno ʼwəmli] n eyesight 

(poor) (sem. domains: 2.5.4.2 - 

Poor eyesight.) 

eno wan [ʼeno ʼwan] n eye (whole 

thing) tanka eno wan kapou the 

child's eyes are big (sem. domains: 

2.1.1.1 - Eye.) 

eno waolo [ʼeno ʼwaolo] n white of 

eye (sem. domains: 2.1.1.1 - 

Eye.) 

eno wari [ʼeno ʼwəri] n stare at; keep 

eyes on emka eno mi maoko maem 

tea peyamwari our eyes just lay on 

the tops of the trees (stared at) 


eno wowe v surprise shown by eyes 

being wide open (sem. domains: 

3.4.1.3 - Surprise.) 

enol [eʼnolə] n smoke from a re 

(sem. domains: 5.5.5 - What res 

produce.) 

enol yolaewe (ph. v. of ) v smoulder 

enol yolaewe smoulder only (no 

ames) (sem. domains: 5.5.4 - 

Burn.) 

enole inf. var. of nowe , e- give 

towards me 

enom akeinaki (ph. v. of eno, 

inakire watch out!) v watch out 

ne enom akeinaki! you must look 

out! (for dog who bites,etc) (lit: see 

with your eye) (sem. domains: 

9.2.7 - Interjections.) 

enomta keinaki v witness er erka 

enomta pakeinakire we two saw it 

with our own eyes (sem. domains:

enopu 40 

2.3.1 - See, 2.3.1.9 - Something 

used to see.) 

enopu [eʼnopu] n tears (sem. 


enowal [enoʼwələ] n public now but 

hidden before wanowi loko enowal 

aro kakire this action is now shown 

to the public (lit: stands publicly) 

amu alon enwal aro kakipae the 

tops of the mountains could (now) 

be seen enowal pari stay in view 

enowalya completely public (sem. 

domains: 2.3.1.5 - Visible, 

4.1.6.5 - Private, public.) 

enoyao [enoʼjao] adj sleepily on 

enoyao tea panire I was just sitting 

sleepy (sem. domains: 5.7 - 

Sleep.) 

enwalija [enʼwəlitʃa] n open eyes; 

alive (sem. domains: 2.6 - Life.) 

enwalija nire v see vision while 

awake i loko enwalija tea panire 

lokoka when he was just sitting 

with eyes open (like when you see 

a vision) (sem. domains: 2.3.1 - 

See, 5.7.2 - Dream.) 

enwalirao [enʼwəlirao] n anger 

(stronger than alku olki) lapliko 

enwalirao owowirao lu pli those two 

men are the kind that ght for no 

reason lwae onka amujwamu prae 

lomo on lwaem enwalirao takole 

because the pig ate my garden food 

I am angry at the pig (sem. 


enwalirao kali [enʼwəlirao ʼkali] n 

angry words (sem. domains: 

4.8.1 - Hostility.) 

enya lele v sel shly going your own 

way (sem. domains: 4.3.1.3.1 - 

Immature in behavior.) 

eole [eʼole] v wash (object or body 

part) on lalma eole, Aiirawe maem 

I wash my hands in Aiirawe creek 

syn: kloraowale. (sem. domains: 

5.6.3 - Wash dishes, 5.6.4 - Wash 

clothes.) 

ep yowirao [ʼep jowiʼrao] v lust, 

lewd loko elma ar no ep yowiraowe 

he begs women for no reason like a 

dog (sem. domains: 2.6.2.2 - 

Attract sexually, 4.3.1.1 - Bad, 

immoral.) 

epapla [eʼpəplə] n wrung out pulp 

na manlwo epapla sago pulp [use 

this after squeezing something. 

use for sago and coconut pulp] 

(sem. domains: 5.2.1 - Food

41 ewae 

preparation.) 

epawei 1) n banana (type of) (sem. 

domains: 1.5.1 - Tree.) 2) v moon 

rises epaweim molinalirae cut and 

leave the banana (idiom for the 

moon starts to come up) (sem. 

domains: 1.1.1.1 - Moon.) 

eplano [eplaʼno] v witness; see and 

tell syn: inplaeno. (sem. 

domains: 2.3.1 - See, 3.5.1.2 - 

Talk about a subject.) 

epwe [ʼepwe] v urge/beg wom ollim 

tapepwa taeri. em aura pelwale you 

stop continually begging for things. 

we do not have any money lu loko 

elma ar no pepyowiraowe that man 

begs women for no reason like dogs 

(for sex) [urge; beg (to come or 

to give money or things, not for 

help - can be for good things or 

bad things;)] (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.5 - Ask.) 

er [ʼerə] pro we two (used as free 

pronoun and 1p dual imperative 

su x) ereria kowe just the two of 

us hit (it) (sem. domains: 9.2.3 - 

Pronouns.) 

ero [eʼro] adv what ar ero? what is 

it? wom ero kalim ire? what are 

you talking about? wom erokwe? 

what are you doing? em apo erom 

tawa? what will we now eat? 

erokwam [eʼrokwəm] adv why wom 

pin erokwam wanire? why are you 

laughing? [used more often as an 

accusation than for asking 

information] 

errowe [erəʼro] v 1) burnt nar 

perrowolu pleyae the bananas are 

completely burnt awai lirma 

kerarowe the lightning burned the 

coconut erropae/ klaerropae 

(many) are scorched syn: irwoke. 

(sem. domains: 5.5.4 - Burn, 

7.9.3 - Destroy.) 2) wilt so as to 

be inedible or unusable onka 

narma ari kerarowe my bananas 

have wilted syn: ilipe. 

ewae [eʼwae] v abstain; fast (from 

eating, chewing areca nut, or 

smoking, usually because there is 

nothing available, not just from 

choice) tambuim kaikai tarawa 

napam, em pewae about eating sago 

jelly, we abstain on ai takwem tija 

aro ewae I abstain from chewing 

areca nut and smoking taplu ewa 

lalaki a ritual of avoiding food to 

get power from a spirit to hunt or

ewae 42 

do other things (sem. domains: 

5.2.2.9 - Fast, not eat.) 

ewae 2 [eʼwae] n hair; feather 

pokulou ewae kelo kelo hairy body 

(lit: body hair many many) ewae 

yolwae lu hairy man spec: liro. 

(sem. domains: 1.6.2.1 - Parts of 

a bird, 2.1.5 - Hair.) comp. 

mijwae comp. walwakijwae 

ewae 3 [eʼwae] n leaf eko ewaem 

palipe she picked leaves mijwae 

pomouleyanae too dark to see 

leaves (late afternoon -7pm) [used 

for any kind of leaf - they also 

have a bush they call ewae 

because it is only used/grown for 

using its leaves as plates for 

food] (sem. domains: 1.5.5 - 

Parts of a plant.) 

ewae al (comp. of rib (of leaf)) n leaf 

rib olna ewae lomom al pli two ribs 

of the sago leaf (sem. domains: 

1.5.5 - Parts of a plant.) 

ewae tal kali n foundational words 

ne kali ewae tea eral kar yapanwei 

you must give the foundation right. 

[words that give the background 

of the topic] (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.2.2 - Describe.) 

ewae wapu [eʼwae ʼwapu] n middle- 

aged lu loko ewae wapu arijwe that 

man is already middle-aged [still 

strong and active - between al 

walire lu and al klar lu stages; 

no grandchildren yet] (sem. 

domains: 2.6.4.4 - Adult.) 

ewal [eʼwələ] n wildfowl bird the 

size of a chicken and lays white 

wildfowl eggs - its nest is called 

lumirapla (sem. domains: 1.6.1.2 

- Bird.) 

ewal wowi v secret dance (sem. 

domains: 4.9.5.4 - Religious 

ceremony.) 

ewalimamu [eʼwəliməmu] n dove 

(multicolored) ewalimamu ewae 

ipoprouwe the dove's feathers are 

multicolored (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.2 - Bird.) 

ewaliya [eʼwəlija] n future; later; 

tomorrow ne ewaliya mae? he 

what will you do in the future? 

wom lomom ewaliya mor orolawa? 

how will you help him in the 

future? (sem. domains: 8.4.1.2.2 - 

Yesterday, today, tomorrow, 

8.4.6.4.1 - Soon.) 

Ewan [eʼwən] n Yellow River er

43 ewe 

Ewan Ewan tea peyakire we just 

followed the Yellow River north 

[Yellow River in the Sandaun 

Province of Papua New Guinea] 

(sem. domains: 9.7.2.9 - Names 

of rivers.) 

ewane 1 [eʼwan] v re dies mi ari 

ewane the re already died (sem. 

domains: 5.5.3 - Extinguish a 

re.) 

ewane 2 [eʼwan] v divide into 

portions or groups em ta 

pewanepae we divided the meat 

lujela kanikewane the people have 

separated (in their living or 

meeting) (sem. domains: 7.8 - 

Divide into pieces.) 

ewao ewao [ewao ewao] adv open 

mouth pila ewao ewao wanire 

mouth is sitting open (like when 

falling asleep) (sem. domains: 

2.1.1.4 - Mouth.) 

ewaoplae [ewaoʼpla] v remove from 

something and put lomko ollim 

pewaoplarre they unloaded the 

things (from canoe or plane), put 

(them), and left (sem. domains: 

7.3.2.7 - Take something out of 

something.) 

ewaowe [eʼwao] v remove rope; 

untie rope am maru naki 

tapeyaknakwaripae lomom 

pewaoprowe you remove the basket 

vines that were rst tied/wrapped 

lok aolo tea knaewaowe he himself 

just removed (it) eko ao 

pijwakijwal lokoka imaem pewaowe 

she removed the string from an old 

string bag lomko imaem kewaowale 

they untied the rope Restrictions: 

do not use for taking things out 

of a string bag] (sem. domains: 

7.5.4 - Tie.) 

ewawiyo [eʼwawiʼjo] n bird blind on 

ewom wali popraek ewawe aro wire 

I made a bird blind near the nest of 

eggs (sem. domains: 6.4.3 - 

Hunting birds.) 

ewe 1 [ʼewe] v weave a band aeni 

pwolire, aeni pewe make a band 

and weave it (around ends of bow) 

aeni aro ewe walirwa anapir lapaka 

weave a band to put on a bow, 

arrow aeni maku aro kewe kraeya 

weave/put the end of the band 

inside (sem. domains: 6.6.4.2 - 

Weaving baskets and mats.) 

ewe 2 [ʼewe] v light a brush or 

garden re (uncontrolled

ewolo 44 

burning) loko mi pewe he lit a 

brush re tal kewenae? who lit the 

re? walam ewepae houses burned 

syn: kalirakewenae; syn: irle, 

lirae 2 1; syn: pare. (sem. 

domains: 5.5.1 - Light a re.) 

ewolo [eʼwolo] n bird of paradise 

ewolo waelamale kali the story of 

the bird of paradise changing long 

ago lu loko ewolo no taweire the 

man dances/shows o like the bird 

of paradise ewolo nakiyaom taweire 

the bird of paradise 

sings/celebrates [the bird of 

paradise is the national symbol 

of Papua New Guinea] (sem. 


ewom [eʼwom] n egg ewom emampir 

mupai the bird habitually lays the 

wildfowl eggs ewom loko ari wale 

the eggs were already laid ewom ari 

kopke the egg already broke ewom 

talalokure the egg may hatch 

(implied: there are white marks on 

the dark shell) loko aoloka ewom 

lumiraplam pamkeinakire he (the 

male bird) saw there his own egg 

nest [egg from any kind of bird, 

but frequently from ewal or 

emampir birds - the eggs are 

considered nourishing food (ino 

taplu)] (sem. domains: 5.2.3.2.3 

- Egg dishes.) 

ewom no te [eʼwom ʼno ʼte] v 

surprise on apo ewom no te I am 

very surprised [like when you 

hear some news after everyone 

else] 

ewomnolujau [eʼwomnoluʼtʃau] n 

tree (type of) (sem. domains: 

1.5.1 - Tree.) 

ewone [eʼwon] v disappear Jisas 

laplikoka napanka aro ewontae 

then Jesus disappeared from their 

midst [use for how smoke 

disappears, or how a spirit 

disappears when a child sees it 

but the mother does not; do not 

use for people going somewhere 

quickly] 

ewonni [eʼwonni] n crested pigeon 

lomko ewonni lomom pneike they 

shot the crested pigeon (sem. 


ewowale [ewoʼwal] v choose best; 

evaluate on kaukaum ewowale I 

choose the best sweet potatoes on lu 

lommom pwani ewowale I sat and 

chose the best men (the tallest ones

45 eyo ire 

to carry something) lomko balir 

ilim pwanipa wowalke they 

listened/examined the sound of the 

plane on lu pli laplimom 

inakijwowale I examined the two 

men (to try to recognize them) tea 

ewowalle just choose carefully 

(sem. domains: 3.3.1.2 - Choose.) 

ewoweya [eʼwoweja] n day after 

tomorrow (sem. domains: 

8.4.1.2.2 - Yesterday, today, 

tomorrow.) 

eyae [eʼja] v summon animal (not 

people) eko lwae lomom pakeyae. 

loko eyam pwanipae, i peyare she 

called the pig. he heard the call 

and came eko arma parpeyam 

keyarre she again called the dog to 

come here and then left (sem. 

domains: 3.5.1.4.1 - Call.) 

eyalwo [ejəʼlwo] v lie, deceive or 

trick someone by saying you will 

do something without intent of 

following through; includes 

actions, not just words loko 

taeyalwowe he may be joking/lying 

loko eyalwo yonae lu he is a 

joker/liar (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.3.2 - Tell a lie.) 

eyalwo ineinein [ejəʼlwo iʼneinein] n 

hypocrisy (sem. domains: 4.3.5.6 

- Hypocrite.) 

eyalwo kali [eʼjəlwo ʼkali] n lie, trick 

tok giaman [not considered a very 

bad action - traditional 

consequence was ghting or 

anger, or do the same back to 

them in revenge] (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.3.2 - Tell a lie.) 

eyalwo kike v trick, cheat eyalwo 

nure cheat meyalwo kikare there 

take (it) by tricking/lying syn: 

walijwali kali. (sem. domains: 

4.8.2.7 - Betray.) 

eyalwonure [eyalʼwonu] v cheat out 

of something lomko auram 

peyalwonupae they cheated (them 

out of) money (sem. domains: 

4.3.4.4.2 - Use a person.) 

eyeyane [eyeʼyən] v agree; raise 

eyebrows in agreement eno 

eyeyane raise eyebrows (sem. 

domains: 3.5.6.3 - Facial 

expression.) 

eyo [ʼejo] n bird eyo aro unwanprowe 

the birds ew away eyo aro ele the 

bird cries (sem. domains: 1.6.1.2 - 

Bird.) 

eyo ire [ʼejo ʼire] v has epilepsy

eyo wali 46 

awem tanma wanowi lomom 

aoweya, i amnaka tanma eyo 

arpeijarle when we do not do this 

to the child, your child will 

de nitely have epilepsy (sem. 


eyo wali [ʼejo ʼwəli] n bird nest on 

ewom wali popraek ewawe aro wire 

i [ʼi] conj and (associative) lwae tija 

leija mire, i tijan em paeka tea aro 

kire one pig ran to the swamp, and 

the other just stood near us (sem. 

domains: 9.6.1.3 - Association.) 

-i 5 v:mood/asp habitual verb su x 

on napam ao rae. on nameyam tai I 

do not eat sago jelly. I habitually 

eat only sago (implied sago made 

other ways) (sem. domains: 

8.4.6.6.4 - All the time.) 

ijale v pull - no direction given but 

assumed toward you am onka 

lalma taijale you pull my arm 

lomko ijo walwam tea aro ijalke 

they just pulled (the sago partway) 

out of the water on wai lomom aro 

yeijalnae, walaya I pulled the snake 

I i 

I made a bird blind near the nest of 

eggs (sem. domains: 1.6.5 - 

Animal home.) 

eyonleki n shell, medium [medium 

size shell, used traditionally for 

money] (sem. domains: 1.6.2.3 - 

Parts of a sh, 6.8.6 - Money.) 

towards home loko nijalnake he 

was sitting pulling syn: tale 1. (sem. 

domains: 7.3.2.8 - Pull.) 

ijalporae v pull (out) and put down 

lomko tanma pakeijalporae they 

pulled the child (out of water) and 

put (him) on (the shore) (sem. 


ijampaplao [itʃəmpəʼplao] v rip with 

teeth napani onka lalma tea 

peijampaplaorya the possum just 

still ripped my arm (with his teeth) 

(sem. domains: 1.6.4.2 - Animal 

eating.) 

ijamtou [itʃəmtou] v bite o some 

lwae planma peijomtouke the pig 

bites some grass o (sem.

47 ijo pou 

domains: 5.2.2.1 - Bite, chew.) 

ijinplaeno [itʃinplaeʼno] v instruct 

about where something is; 

persuade; convince awom onka 

wanowi kalim nakeijinplaeno warle 

you will certainly instruct (others) 

about my actions and words on 

awom taijinplaenowa, almalu kali 

ipae maku lomom I will instruct you 

about the reason for all these 

languages being spoken (sem. 

domains: 3.6 - Teach.) 

ijo [ʼitʃo] n water on ijo peipe I 

bathed on ijom ari krae I already 

swallowed water (was about to 

drown) ijo nijwowane the water 

came up from the ground 

wamijopae / ijo pweipae ooded 

water ijo pweipolwae walire the 

waves were high lokoka ineinein ijo 

popae aro pae his thinking is like 

high water (implied: generous) ijo 

lapi plele aro lele goes as fast as the 

water nalwein ijo popole aro heart 

boiling like water (implied: upset 

and ready to ght) (sem. domains: 

1.3 - Water.) 

ijo akujwoku (comp. of surface of 

water) n surface of water (sem. 

domains: 1.3 - Water.) 

ijo aolowijwe [ʼitʃo aoloʼwitʃwe] n 

cloudy water (sem. domains: 

1.3.6 - Water quality.) 

ijo lip n creek syn: iweip. (sem. 

domains: 1.3.1.3 - River.) 

ijo lu n Sepik man [Traditionally 

people could tell because he had 

his arms or back scarred with 

patterns] (sem. domains: 9.7.1.6 

- Nickname.) 

ijo nari [ʼitʃo ʼnəri] n ripple made by 

large animal swimming ijo nari 

plae there is a wave (of an animal 

moving) (sem. domains: 1.3.2.4 - 

Wave.) 

ijo nwaki n thirsty on ijo nwaki powe 

(lit: body dies for water) I am 

thirsty (sem. domains: 5.2.2.5 - 

Hungry, thirsty.) 

ijo pakijou [ʼitʃo pəkiʼtʃou] n 

re ection in water (sem. 

domains: 2.3.1.7 - Re ect, 

mirror.) 

ijo plu [ʼitʃo ʼplu] n bubbles ijo plu 

pamlewe the bubbles in the water 

go there [bubbles like when a 

crocodile swims] (sem. domains: 

1.3.2 - Movement of water.) 

ijo pou [ʼitʃo ʼpou] n ripple in water

ijo walireinae 48 

made by an animal swimming ijo 

pou plae (there is a) small wave in 

the water (made by an animal 

swimming) (sem. domains: 1.3.2.4 

- Wave.) 

ijo walireinae [ʼitʃo wəlireiʼnae] v 

waterfall (sem. domains: 1.3.2 - 

Movement of water.) 

ijo walwei [ʼitʃo walwei] n clear 

water (sem. domains: 1.3.6 - 

Water quality.) 

ijo weipolwae n wave ijo pweipolwae 

walire the waves were high (sem. 

domains: 1.3.2.4 - Wave.) 

ijokijokure [iʼtʃwokiʼtʃwoku] v 

distort words; confuse someone's 

words loko kali tapeijokujokure he 

confused the words (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.3.3 - Contradict.) 

ijolip [itʃoʼlip] n ditch ; creek (small) 

(sem. domains: 1.3 - Water.) 

ijolo [iʼtʃolo] n small bandicoot 

[smallest one that is smaller than 

napani] (sem. domains: 1.6.1.1.4 

- Rodent.) 

ijom krae (ph. v. of drown) v drown 

on ijom ari krae I already put 

(swallowed) water (almost 

drowned) (sem. domains: 2.6.6 - 

Die.) 

ijome [iʼtʃom] v break food into 

portions eko na peijome, i prae she 

broke the sago into pieces and ate 

(sem. domains: 5.2.1.2 - Steps in 

food preparation.) 

ijomplowe [itʃomʼplowe] n ghting 

bee that makes large paper nests 

and stings (sem. domains: 1.6.1.7 

- Insect.) 

ijowiraowe [iʼtʃowiʼrao] v spread lies 

to confuse everyone ipla 

taijuraowe falsely accuse (sem. 

domains: 3.5.1.3.6 - Exaggerate.) 

ijuwele [iʼtʃuwele] v insult to face 

loko lomom peijuwele he insulted 

him (to his face) lomko emom 

erokwam taijuwele? why did they 

insult her? on ekoka ijuwele kalim 

molujwao awe I am not angry 

about her insult [this is always 

bad, such as calling someone a 

thief, mispronouncing their 

name, ruining their reputation] 

(sem. domains: 3.5.1.8.2 - 

Insult.) 

ijwai [iʼtʃwai] adv bend; duck head 

pirami lip ijwai ijwai lele the elderly 

lady walks bent over loko

49 ijwaur 

tapalkeijwaire lokoka, i lwepan tea 

pamirnae when he tried to bend 

over, the possum just ran towards 

(him) ijwai ijwai aro kinke to meet 

(someone) bowed low (like some 

cultures do) ijwai ijwai wae bend 

over to go inside (like a very short 

opening) (sem. domains: 7.1.8 - 

Bend down.) comp. ijwai 

paplale 

ijwai ijwai wani [iʼtʃwai iʼtʃwai 

wani] v sit bent over loko ijwai 

ijwai wanire he sat bent over (sem. 

domains: 7.1.2 - Sit, 7.1.8 - Bend 

down.) 

ijwai paplale (comp.) v bend over 

and feel with hands (sem. 

domains: 7.1.8 - Bend down, 

7.2.3 - Move toward something.) 

ijwalire v record loko kali lomom 

peijwalire, masin warka he 

recorded words in the machine 

(sem. domains: 3.5.7.5 - Record.) 

ijwane [iʼtʃwən] v yell an answering 

noise (like u-u) loko pakeijwane he 

yelled a rmative sounds back to 

someone who yells out for him 

[this is u-u, not words; some say 

the spirits call out u-u to scare 

people] (sem. domains: 3.5.1.1.1 

- Shout, 3.5.1.5.1 - Answer.) 

ijwaol [iʼtʃwaolə] n palm limbum 

anapir em ijwaol i ipantawe 

lomomeyam lupai we habitually 

make bows only from these two 

palm trees (sem. domains: 1.5.1 - 

Tree.) 

ijwaone [iʼtʃwaon] v deny the truth 

I've seen awem wanowi lomom ao 

aijwaone we cannot stop this work 

loko amnama peyame ijwaone he 

came to defend you ijwaon kali 

denial (sem. domains: 3.5.1.3.2 - 

Tell a lie.) 

ijwaowe [iʼtʃwao] v yell-exclaim 

your clan name lunapi peijwaowe 

the enemies proudly called out 

their clan names while ghting [It 

is also used as an exclamation: 

ijwao!] (sem. domains: 3.5.1.1.1 

- Shout, 3.5.1.4.5 - Speak in 

unison.) 

ijwarike v agree lapliko kali ijwarike 

they agreed (sem. domains: 

3.2.5.4 - Agree with someone.) 

ijwaur [iʼtʃwaurə] n crocodile ijwaur 

lokoka taplum tea nijwokija the 

crocodile will just sit and watch for 

his food ijwaur womika 

pakapreyale, i ta pokman

ijwaur ijwaur 50 

paklamtaine the crocodile surfaced 

at night and smelled the meat scent 

ijwaur parijallile crocodile noise (of 

crawling on ground) loko ijwaurma 

inalolome he pulled out (cooked) 

crocodile meat (to eat) (sem. 

domains: 1.6.1.3.4 - Crocodile.) 

ijwaur ijwaur [iʼtʃwaurə iʼtʃwaurə] n 

laying on stomach (sem. 

domains: 7.1.3 - Lie down.) 

ijwaur ijwaur mi [iʼtʃwaurə iʼtʃwaurə 

ʼmi] n support wood (cross-wise) 

(sem. domains: 6.5.3 - Building 

materials.) 

ijwe [ʼitʃwe] v splash; play in water 

on ijo ip to, i on ijwe apla tea we if I 

bathe, I just love to splash (sem. 

domains: 1.3.4 - Be in water, 

7.7.1 - Hit.) 

ijworae [ʼitʃworae] v talking noise 

kali peijworae make a lot of noise 

talking (sem. domains: 2.3.2.3 - 

Types of sounds.) 

ijworwa kali (comp. of worwaeke) 

n cover story syn: akujwokuja 

ire. (sem. domains: 3.5.4.3 - 

Riddle.) 

ijworwae [ʼitʃworʼwae] v tell some 

deceitfully lu kar olkim inein powe, 

ar lomko tea ijworwae. Lomko 

makum ao keikapipe. the men know 

about a problem, but they tell only 

some of it. they don't bring out the 

meaning. (sem. domains: 4.3.5.5 - 

Deceive.) 

ijwoulu [iʼtʃwoulu] n corner of 

house (sem. domains: 6.5.2 - 

Parts of a building.) 

ijwowale [itʃwoʼwale] v choose best 

on aem kapou kapou ijwowalke. 

kokro awarka nure I pick out the 

biggest grubs. (I) do not take the 

small ones (sem. domains: 3.3.1.2 

- Choose.) 

ikaeyole [ikaeʼjole] v walk with limp 

nakeikaeyole limp with hurt foot 

turned syn: trowia trowia lele. 

(sem. domains: 7.2.1.5 - Walk 

with di culty.) 

ikai adv jump on one leg taikai lele 

jump on one leg (sem. domains: 

7.2.1.1.3 - Jump.) 

ikale v blow out something from 

your mouth that you do not want 

to eat or swallow loko melon wan 

ikalprowe he spits out melon seeds 

loko ae wim takikalle he spits out 

the lime taste (sem. domains: 

2.2.3 - Spit, saliva.)

51 il 

ikame v speak (direct speech) on mor 

ikamwa... how do I say.. (sem. 

domains: 3.5 - Communication.) 

comp. lalikame 

iki n canoe em iki lokok pokwanire we 

sat down in the canoe iki 

keinaplakae the canoe is 

overturned ne ikim knaeyan! you 

must turn the canoe! loko iki 

papeire he carved out (made) a 

canoe iki akuka (something lies) 

across the canoe (sem. domains: 

7.2.4.2.1 - Boat.) 

iki apaujwal n canoe back/stern 

lomko olli lomom pwalire, 

apaujwalka. they put things there in 

the water from the stern (sem. 

domains: 7.2.4.2.1 - Boat.) 

iki waran n canoe front/bow iki 

waran loko wanirka kekaumta we 

the front of the boat was stuck on 

the sand (sem. domains: 7.2.4.2.1 

- Boat.) 

ikike v make request (for help - 

distance of person does not 

matter) amaole kalim parpeikike, 

tan emom arpakiknowa the mother 

made requests to get back the girl 

lu tija lommom aka ikikwam plae a 

man yelled to them to come help 

him am lu tija taorolaeya, i maku 

le, amna lu lomom aka ikike you 

want a man to help, the reason is, 

you yelled for that man to come to 

help you on awom aka ikikwa I will 

help you (sem. domains: 3.3.2 - 

Request.) 

ikoru adj big; large (in general size, 

not just one dimension) loko lu 

kapou maip, tan loko ikorumta, 

ayalwalaka nowai he was a big 

man, a very big child, as big as his 

father [use for houses, animals, 

people] (sem. domains: 8.2 - 

Big.) comp. ikoru koru 

ikoru koru [iʼkoru ʼkoru] (comp. of 

ikoru very large) adj very fat el 

ikoru koru maip a very fat lady 

(sem. domains: 8.2 - Big.) 

iku n large hawk iku kar lomko lwae 

nwakim tae the hawks were eating 

the pig's body [bigger than the 

ayapyou] (sem. domains: 1.6.1.2 

- Bird.) 

il 1 [ʼilə] n sore ne il marlom kika? how 

did you get the sore? il tanopae 

sores are dry il aolia irle sore came 

up by itself on lokok ilma prrakinae 

I bandaged his sore spec: pinkae. 

(sem. domains: 2.5.2.2 - Skin

il onono 52 

disease.) 

il onono (comp. of scar; mark on a 

person) n scar, mark on person 

(sem. domains: 2.5.2.2 - Skin 

disease.) 

ila [ʼila] n ghting bee nu ila ground 

bee [lives in ground, chases, and 

has a painful bite] (sem. 


ilaemamare [ilaeməʼmare] v give 

directions about how to get 

somewhere, or how to do 

something Josep lomom napum 

peilae mamarire Joseph showed 

him the road (sem. domains: 

3.5.8.4 - Show, indicate.) 

ilaeplaeno [iʼlaeplaeʼno] v reveal by 

your talk something hidden -or 

say to show like a teacher (sem. 

domains: 3.6.1 - Show, explain.) 

ilaerrao [ilaerəʼrao] v admire; talk 

into loko onma tailaerraowe he 

may talk me into something 

ilaerrao kali admiring talk [when 

you say you like something, or 

tell a story so the person will 

give something to you. Similar to 

asking for something or when 

kids cry for something they see] 

(sem. domains: 3.5.1.3.6 - 

Exaggerate.) 

ilailoloure (comp. of ) v break 

promise taklolou porae kame 

exclaimed (sem. domains: 


ilaire [iʼlai] v call out words em 

arpeilaire waolweli ili yamlele, 

pijaki We said again that the wind 

noise would come here rst on 

ilaire, ne ailai I call (it), you must 

call (it) (sem. domains: 3.5.1.2.1 

- Announce.) 

ilalalarwe v prohibit ilalalarwa kali 

words that stop people from one 

direction and steer in another 

direction (sem. domains: 9.4.3.1 - 

Imperative.) 

ilalwapune [iləlʼwapune] v warn 

loudly (can be sounds or words 

said to animals or people; you do 

this to make someone stop doing 

something when you are in close 

proximity to them) aokwae aro 

keilalwapune the spirit warned 

(them) loudly (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.1.1 - Shout, 9.4.3.1 - 

Imperative.) 

ilapalile [iləʼpəʼlile] v jump around 

ekoka tan alkujwarka meilapalile

53 ile 

her child in the womb moved 

(enough to cause pain) before 

giving birth (sem. domains: 

7.2.1.1.3 - Jump.) 

ilapaplole [iləpəʼplole] v push; 

defend; argue (push or defend 

another against an accusation) 

lapliko pneilapoplolpeine popo, i 

wolpan aro neijwire they argued 

and then fought lwaip eyo lapli 

taneilapaplole the possum and the 

bird argued with each other wai 

taneinapoplole the snake was 

defending himself (sem. domains: 

4.8.2.4 - Defend.) 

ilape [iʼləpe] v grab and hold onto 

ar wanipo maem peilapeke the dog 

grabbed onto the tail moro kali tan 

aro nakeilapepae the forked sticks 

hold the (dam) ol ikim peilapeke 

the current grabbed and held the 

canoe loko teyamweilapeke, tea 

pamlwae he just grabbed above 

(tree limb) and just hung there 

ilapekare grab out of (someone's 

hand) (sem. domains: 7.3.4.4 - 

Hold.) 

ilarpure v smash into little pieces 

olli kan tija waol lomom 

pakweimoke popo, i aro ilarpoure 

(the dentist) took a small thing and 

crushed the white ( lling material) 

and then smashed it into little 

pieces (sem. domains: 7.7.6 - 

Grind.) 

ilawali ta n o ering for dead people 

(sem. domains: 4.9.5.5 - O ering, 

sacri ce.) 

ilawe 2 [iʼla] v slander; swear (always 

false words - can be done in the 

presence of the accused or not) 

Hagar Sarai emom aro ilawe Hagar 

insulted Sarai. Gen 16:6 syn: 

namakla namakla kali ire. 

(sem. domains: 3.5.1.8.2 - 

Insult.) 

ilawe kali (comp.) n swear words 

loko ilawe kalim ire he was 

swearing (sem. domains: 3.5.5.1 - 

Obscenity.) 

ile [ʼile] v send word (this verb has 

to go with the noun for 'talk') 

lomko kali peile they sent word (to 

others) loko kalim aro yeile he sent 

word (that came to me/us) (sem. 

domains: 3.5.2.2 - News, 

message.) 

ile 2 [ʼil] v twist string eko ao imae ile 

she twists the bag string eko peil

ilei 54 

tamnae popo i arkok ekija she 

nished twisting (it) and right then 

will make (grass skirt) eko enman 

lomom pakirouke popo, i eko peile 

After she cut the grass skirt vines, 

she twisted (them) [twist string 

(only use for grass skirt and 

string for string bags)] syn: lire 1. 

(sem. domains: 6.6.1 - Working 

with cloth.) 

ilei [iʼlei] n 1) name nem Yelo ilei ar 

pomtarya poporaeya the name 

'Yellow River' has only now been 

put there loko ero ileila? what kind 

of thing is that/what do you call 

that? ne ero ileilama laolokwa? 

what kind of thing do you want to 

buy? (sem. domains: 9.7 - Name.) 

2) reputation; respect loko ilei 

pelwale he has no respect (lit: he 

has no name) lokoka ilei lalalkliya 

wokire his reputation is very good 

(sem. domains: 4.3.2 - Admire 

someone.) 

ilei kik knawo v praise (closely 

linked to happiness) em aya 

maipka ileim kik kanawowe we 

praise God's name [use for 

example when you are happy 

that a doctor healed you] (sem. 

domains: 3.5.1.7 - Praise.) 

ilei ran [iʼlei ʼrən] n important loko 

ilei tan he is important (sem. 

domains: 8.3.7.5 - Important.) 

ilei ran awe n not important (sem. 

domains: 8.3.7.4 - Mediocre.) 

ileilirae [ileiʼlirae] v give name, 

choose nem ilei tal ileilirae? who 

named you? awo, ar lomom ari 

ileilirae no, (someone) already 

chose that puppy Lawo, Aindami 

peileilirae lomko walaya ple those 

chosen of Lawo and Aindami went 

home (sem. domains: 3.3.1.2 - 

Choose.) 

ilemole [ileʼmole] v dip, plural lwar 

tailemole dip clothes (into the 

water) syn: lemolke . (sem. 

domains: 7.3.2.6 - Put in.) 

ili 2 [ʼili] n noise of inanimate force 

(like wind) lao ili aro yare the 

sound of rain came on ilim tija ao 

wanipae I did not hear any noise 

(it was quiet) ili tija ao lae there 

was no noise ili kapou loud noise 

synonyms: kowal 1; ilirae; kame 

2; irale; akli. (sem. domains: 

1.1.3.1 - Wind, 2.3.2.3 - Types of 

sounds.)

55 ilone 

ilijwo [iliʼtʃwo] n sago tree part 


plant.) 

ilil [ilʼil] adj marred food malpiyao 

ililwe the pawpaw is marred (sem. 

domains: 5.2.3 - Types of food.) 

ilipe [iʼlipe] v wither (singular) drai 

taplu ilipapae the food withered 

syn: errowe 2. (sem. domains: 

1.4.1 - Dead things.) 

ilirae [iliʼra] v talk in low voice; 

make noise like bee; buzz like 

bee tanaki lomko ilirae the children 

make noise amna kali ilirae you are 

talking in a low voice alki ilirae the 

bee buzzes syn: ili 2. (sem. 

domains: 2.3.2.3 - Types of 

sounds, 3.5.1.1.2 - Speak 

quietly.) 

ilirae [iliʼra] v root-up lwae loko 

ilirae, ur amujwamum this pig roots 

up the garden food nu mai ili ran 

some soil with worms digging (in 

it) (implied: rich soil) lwae num 

iliprae pig roots up the soil (sem. 

domains: 7.8.6 - Dig.) 

ilire 1 [iʼli] v die ili walwa day of death 

nakwolu awe, aoloka pae kike. pae 

loko ilire. not killed by sorcery, but 

his own sickness got him. the 

sickness (made him) die loko ari 

ilire he already died lomko ijoka 

prailijwalire they drowned in the 

water yam ari keilire the moon has 

died syn: naeyole. (sem. 

domains: 2.6.6 - Die.) 

iliron [iliʼron] n mourning place 

lujela iliron pwaninake people were 

sitting at the place to mourn (sem. 

domains: 2.6.6.4 - Mourn.) 

iloke 2 [iʼloke] v grab, pull back 

ilokare pull back out of [use when 

pulling back a spear out of 

something or sh hooked on 

line] syn: keiloware; syn: oloke. 

(sem. domains: 7.3.2.7 - Take 

something out of something.) 

iloloure [iloʼlou] v argue (because of 

a problem, court case, 

disagreement) lomko neiloloure 

they argued (back and forth) (sem. 

domains: 3.5.1.6.2 - Quarrel.) 

ilonae [iloʼnae] v accuse (3p -use 

when someone else repeats the 

accusation against you) (sem. 

domains: 3.5.1.8.1 - Blame.) 

ilone [iʼlone] v stab at close range 

(singular) lomko pira peilone they

ilore 56 

speared sh (sem. domains: 6.4.6 

- Things done to animals.) comp. 

elaki ilonpae 

ilore [iʼlore] v skewer (of tobacco 

leaves, meat, rubbish) on takwe 

ilore I skewer tobacco (leaves) 

(sem. domains: 7.3.4.4 - Hold.) 

ilorotae [ilorotae] v scoop out (with 

spoon or with a hard piece of 

sago) loko taplu tipka peilorotae he 

scooped food out of the basket 

(sem. domains: 5.2.2.4 - Manner 

of eating.) 

ilorre kali [ilorre kali] n incitement 

(words to get someone to do 

bad); rousing nalwein ilorre kali 

tell to stop (sem. domains: 3.5.1.8 

- Criticize.) 

ilourmae [iʼlourəʼmae] v hop (frog) 

ilouramaele hop (sem. domains: 

1.6.4.1 - Animal movement.) 

ilowe, keilowe [iʼlo] v rot in water; 

ferment from standing water (of 

the olpakla fruit); destroy by 

rising water olpakla ilowe the fruit 

ferments lao loko olli kar lommom 

keilowe the rain rotted those things 

lujel lommom ijo keilowe the rising 

water destroyed the people (and 

plants) syn: lakone. (sem. 

domains: 8.3.7.8 - Decay.) 

ilowolme v kill by shooting mi loko 

makujwalma aro ilowolme the stick 

stabbed (the snake) (sem. 

domains: 2.6.6.1 - Kill.) 

ilpa lwapna n rim and inside of 

container (sem. domains: 8.6.4 - 

Inner part.) 

ilpi cf: ae. n grub, type of na ilpi 

grubs in sago [di erent from 

grubs called ae] (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.7 - Insect.) 

ilpi 1 [ʼilpi] adj ruined (swollen and 

black) loko wao ilpi ari kowe his 

liver has already swollen (sem. 

domains: 8.3.7.8 - Decay.) 

ilpok [ilʼpok] n storm onset (wind & 

rain) ilpok plele the storm came 

syn: molu 2 . (sem. domains: 

1.1.3.5 - Storm.) 

ilulu keinaki [ʼilulu keiʼnakire] v 

tempt keilulu keinakire tempted 


Persuade.) 

ilwakijwanwae [ilwakitʃwanwae] v 

refute talk lomko neilwakijwanwae 

they refuted each others talk (sem. 

domains: 3.2.5.4.1 - Disagree.)

57 imaopoke 

ilwali ta n o erings given to 

relatives at a death (sem. 

domains: 2.6.6.3 - Funeral.) 

ilwaniyarae [ilwanijaʼrae] v straddle- 

ght (stand over while ghting - 

used only of animals?) ar kinalim 

parpeilwaniyarae the dog again got 

on top of the bandicoot ghting 

(sem. domains: 4.8.2 - Fight, 

7.1.1 - Stand.) 

ilwi [ʼilwi] n lizard (green) ilwi loko 

mi kik wari the lizard is high in the 

tree (sem. domains: 1.6.1.3.2 - 

Lizard.) 

imae [iʼmae] n vine from an ino tree 

onma ini peire i on lipalma imae pli 

aro warinae the centipede stung me 

and I tied two vines around my leg 

on wai lomom imae walwanka 

pnaronae popo i aro yeijalnae, 

walaya I tied the snake's neck with 

vine and pulled it up home imae 

pipi tan vine with thorns wh: ino. 

(sem. domains: 1.5.3 - Grass, 

herb, vine.) 

imamarire [iməʼməri] v instruct amu 

God lomom peimamarire lokoka at 

the mountain that God had 

instructed him about syn: krae 2 . 

(sem. domains: 3.6.1 - Show, 

explain.) 

imami taplu n food distributed 

according to families, 

communities during special 

occasions) spec: yao aru tawei 

imami; spec: wowipae imami; 

syn: nonaolire, mami. (sem. 

domains: 5.2 - Food.) 

imamire [iʼmami] v generous to 

many (like a feast) imami taplu 

popokuke lots of food gathered 

(feast) imamijonae lu generous 

man mae, lomko taplu 

nakeimamija? wo, imamire did they 

give you plenty of food? yes, (they) 

gave plenty (sem. domains: 

4.3.4.5 - Share with.) 

imaopke [iʼmaop] v cross arms, legs, 

hands; lal imaop imaopo wanire sat 

with folded hands (implied: not 

working) lal imaopke hands folded 

(sem. domains: 7.1.9 - Move a 

part of the body.) 

imaopoke [iʼmaopoke] v bend arm; 

bend leg lipal tija kik imaopoke 

one leg is bent and on top (sitting 

with one leg up on bench) (sem. 

domains: 7.1.9 - Move a part of 

the body.)

imaoporae 58 

imaoporae [imaopoʼrae] v sit cross- 

legged; cross arms or legs; put 

feet up while sitting or laying ne 

lipal akeimaopora, tan 

lipokujwokuka! you sit with crossed 

legs and hold the child across your 

lap! (sem. domains: 7.1.2 - Sit, 

7.1.9 - Move a part of the body.) 

imoi [imoi] n leaf used in ritual 

imoiran namopum tija pmakikare 

brought one of the sprouting leaves 

[type of leaf a healer uses in 

rituals] (sem. domains: 2.5.7.5 - 


imou lololpae (comp.) v x by 

sorcery (pl) pi ki lwapna lommom 

imoulu aro imou lollopaowa the 

healing man will then x by 

healing the places where the 

(sorcery) points are lolopae x all 



imoure [iʼmou] v heal with magic 

pae powe, peimoure i marasin nan 

pnakrae when sick, heal with have 

magic and also take medicine emka 

aujwalam aro keimou krarre our 

ancestors started doing healing 

imoulu/imou el healer man/woman 

immouwe healing ritual singing that 

ladies do syn: nakwolu lu. (sem. 

domains: 2.5.7 - Treat disease, 

2.5.7.5 - Traditional medicine.) 

imra naklele [imʼra nakʼlele] v take 

with by carrying mara loko 

pokulou pokulou imra naklele the 

spirit makes all of the body move 

(lit: carries-takes) (sem. domains: 

7.3.1 - Carry.) 

imra orolae [imʼra oroʼla] v help by 

carrying olkim peimra orolae 

helped carry (someone's) problem 

(sem. domains: 7.3.1 - Carry.) 

imrae [imʼra] v carry on shoulder 

irkika imtanake carrying on a litter 

loko yapal imrapae he carries posts 

loko kalim kwain ao imrae, pelwale 

he couldn't say a thing, de nitely 

not loko dram laimtanae he was 

carrying south towards us a drum 

lomko wopiyaem peimtarae they put 

down the stretcher syn: lwae 1. 


imrakare [ʼimra ʼkəre] v carry and 

take walum peyameimrakare carry 

and take the body here (sem. 

domains: 7.3.1 - Carry.) 

imtaporae [imtapoʼrae] v carry and 

put on top wopiyaem maokraeka

59 inaki tiplale 

keimtaporae carry the stretcher and 

put it on top of the porch (sem. 

domains: 7.3.1 - Carry, 7.5.9 - 

Put.) 

inakakarwae [inakəkərwae] v gentle 

isi long arapela (sem. domains: 

4.3.1.5 - Patient.) 

inaki aya [inaki aja] n adopted 

father waspapa [adopted father 

(can be used for one who cares 

for you as a father does)] (sem. 

domains: 4.1.9.1.2 - Father, 

mother, 4.1.9.6 - Adopt.) 

inaki ellire v remember and evaluate 

(sem. domains: 3.2.2.1 - Study, 

3.2.6 - Remember.) 

inaki ewowale [iʼnəki ewoʼwale] v 

choose by seeing (sem. domains: 

3.3.1.2 - Choose.) 

inaki lonae [iʼnəki loʼnae] v stare 

loko laplimom eno peinaki lonae he 

stared at the two (sem. domains: 

2.3.1 - See.) 

inaki maniyaole [iʼnəki məniʼjaole] v 

look around lapliko ur 

amujwamum inaki maniyaole they 

look around for garden food (sem. 

domains: 2.3.1.1 - Look.) 

inaki nanaolire [inəki nəʼnaoli] v 

watch to see what someone will 

do loko lu lommom peinaki 

nanaolire he watched those men (to 

see who they are or what they will 

do) (sem. domains: 2.3.1.2 - 

Watch.) 

inaki nanole [inəki nəʼnole] v watch 

until gone; no longer see (sem. 

domains: 2.3.1.2 - Watch.) 

inaki planeyale [iʼnəki pləneʼjale] v 

recognize by seeing on weirou 

peinaki planeyale I recognized the 

bush knife (that someone stole) 

lomko lu lomom peinaki planeyale 

they recognized the man (sem. 

domains: 3.2.6.2 - Recognize.) 

inaki tan n foster child [used when 

the child is young; use 

nakpoweyae when adult] syn: 

nakpoweyae. (sem. domains: 

4.1.9.6 - Adopt.) 

inaki tiplale [iʼnəki tipʼləl] v evaluate 

after seeing (what is good 

ground, good worker, whose 

footprints) on apanma peinaki 

tiplale I evaluate the footprints 

lomko eno peinaki tiplal kame, 

"lapliko ar wala luja." they looked 

and evaluated, saying, "these two 

are only men of the place." (sem.

inaki wanijo tip... 60 

domains: 3.2.2.3 - Evaluate, test.) 

inaki wanijo tiplalke [iʼnəki ʼwanitʃo 

tipʼləl] v discover (sem. domains: 

3.2.2.6 - Realize.) 

inakijelwo lu [iʼnəkitʃelʼwo lu] n 

false witness (a person who does 

not see something happen but 

says they did) inakijelwo lu kar 

lomko the false witnesses (sem. 

domains: 4.7.5.5 - Witness, 

testify.) 

inakijwe [iʼnəkitʃwe] v covet on eno 

nae peinakijwe i pakike I coveted 

(it) and took (it) wh: eno nae 

inakijwe. (sem. domains: 

3.4.1.4.3 - Obsessed.) 

inakiraerire v continually watch 


inakire [iʼnəki] (inf. var. keinakire) 

v look; watch; see; read silently 

on lomom peinakire I watched him 

ne nan aro keinaki? do you also 

see? loko alomka aom areri areri 

tea aro wainakikare then he just 

looked inside their bags to get (it) 

(sem. domains: 2.3.1 - See, 

3.5.7.3 - Read.) comp. wokinaki 

inal [iʼnalə] n sister [man uses this 

term. It does not matter whether 

sister is older or younger] (sem. 


sister.) 

inalape [inaʼləpe] v peel o with 

hand nar walum inalape peel o 

the banana skin muli walum inalap 

prowe peel o the orange skin 

(sem. domains: 5.2.1.2.1 - 

Remove shell, skin.) 

inalarre [inalərre] v strike (match) 

toward mi keinalarre strike a 

match toward person (sem. 


inale [iʼnəl] v watch go (implied 

saying goodbye) on lomom eno 

awark inale I did not watch him go 

on stesanya lae, skul tanakim inale. 

lomko balirka apo plelame. I am 

going to the station to watch the 

school kids leave. they leave today 

on the plane. (sem. domains: 

2.3.1.2 - Watch, 4.1.8 - Show 

a ection.) 

inale 1 [iʼnal] v pull out (like a cat 

pulls meat out of a dead animal) 

elam tainalkwa pull out (one) 

breadfruit (from pulp) inalprowe 

pull out (plural) keinalplale open 

(book) and leave it open syn: 

nalire. (sem. domains: 7.3.2.7 -

61 inanwae 

Take something out of 

something.) 

inalolome [inaloʼlome] v pull out 

meat loko ijwaurma inalolome he 

pulled out (cooked) crocodile meat 

(to eat) (sem. domains: 5.2.2.4 - 

Manner of eating.) 

inalwane [inaʼlwane] v split (leaf) 

naewae keinalwane split the sago 

leaves (to decorate a path) (sem. 

domains: 7.8.1 - Break.) 

inalweine [inaʼlweine] v break o 

part and give; take out ta 

inalwein pae pull out (cooked) 

meat from dried sh am bokisma 

inalweine you break open the box 


something out of something, 

7.8.1 - Break.) 

inanakire [inəʼnəki] v correct; broad 

meaning used for discipline 

(including both action and verbal 

instruction); resolve; consent 

(come to consensus), the work of 

a judge, can be with or without 

emotion wom kalim tainanakija? 

will you settle the complaint? ne 

onka redio ari inanakire? did you 

already x my radio? olkim 

keinanakirae resolve the problem 

awom awom yakeinanakirae you 

rst straighten out yourselves 

(before being baptized) (sem. 

domains: 3.6.5 - Correct, 4.7.6 - 

Judge, render a verdict.) 

inankale [inənʼkəle] v separate (toes, 

ngers with your hand) lipanklo 

keinankale separate toes (with 

hand) (sem. domains: 7.5.1.1 - 

Separate, scatter.) 

inanokare [inənoʼkəre] v go straight 

to a house, across body of water 

like a river iki tea peinanokare the 

canoe just went straight across 


straight without turning.) 

inanplale [inənʼpləle] v tear clothes 

lwarma pakeinanplale torn clothes 

am knanplale you tore it (an 

accusation) (sem. domains: 7.8.4 

- Tear, rip.) 

inanwa kali [iʼnənwə kali] n last 

instructions (in how to take care 

of yourself and avoid problems) 

(sem. domains: 3.6 - Teach.) 

inanwae [inənʼwae] v give last 

instruction; tell someone how to 

care for themselves and avoid 

trouble; this is given by parents,

inapale 62 

elders, police, etc loko onma 

tainanwae he gave me last 

instructions (sem. domains: 3.6 - 

Teach.) 

inapale [inaʼpəle] v break glass eko 

botolma pakeinapale she broke the 

top of the bottle (sem. domains: 

7.9 - Break, wear out.) 

inapamure [keinaʼpamu] v overturn 

(canoe) ikim tanakeinapamure 

overturn the canoe syn: 

lapakipakae. (sem. domains: 

7.2.4.2 - Travel by water, 7.2.7.1 

- Stop moving.) 

inapapoume [inapəʼpoume] v choke 

in anger loko lokoka walwanma 

peinapapoume he choked his neck 

(sem. domains: 4.3.4.1 - Do evil 

to.) 

inapiyae [inəpiʼjae] v shell beans on 

bin wan inapiyae I shell bean seeds 

(sem. domains: 5.2.1.2.1 - 


inaplakane [inapləʼkane] v pick o 

fruit on ur inaplakane, tipia tipia I 

break o the areca nut one at a 

time [use this for breaking o 

areca nuts one by one] (sem. 

domains: 6.2.5 - Harvest.) 

inaplaorae [iʼnəplaorae] v open 

closed object loko ijo tankma 

pakeinaplaorae he opened the 

water tank (sem. domains: 7.3.6 - 

Open.) 

inaplire [inəpli] v clear away using 

hands; tear down (house) ne onka 

ollim erom peinaplire? why did you 

clear away/move my things? on 

walam keinaplijale I cleared 

away/tore down the (old) house on 

num peinaplipawe i arkok ijo aro 

lae I cleared o the earth (of dam) 

and right then the water owed 

wom onma keinaplirarr wom, on 

tawarwa you move away from me 

so I can come in (through a bunch 

of people) syn: keijowarae; syn: 

peire 1 . (sem. domains: 7.2.3.1 - 

Move away, 7.9.2 - Tear down.) 

inaplorekle [inaʼplorekle] v scrape; 

grab-tear (like thorns do); tear 

o clothes (sem. domains: 2.5.3 - 

Injure, 7.8.4 - Tear, rip.) 

inapolwae [inapolwae] v uncover 

(thing to look inside) 

inapolwalale uncover syn: 

keiliyae; syn: kaliyalale. (sem. 

domains: 7.3.7.1 - Uncover.) 

inararae [inaʼrərae] v start motor;

63 inein 

light match mower lomom tisa tija 

plan weirapijam aro keinararae the 

mower was started by a teacher to 

cut the grass inarrar lu pilot mi 

keinarrara strike a match away 

from (sem. domains: 5.5.1 - Light 

a re, 6.6.8 - Working with 

machines.) 

inarelae [inareʼlae] v skin; peel o 

skin or bark; claw and hold on 

mi lwarma lirania aro inarela prowe 

strip o all of the tree bark am 

lwaip lwarma inarelake you take 

o the skin of the possum (sem. 

domains: 6.2.5 - Harvest, 6.4.6 - 

Things done to animals.) 

inarou [inaʼrou] v break rope (on 

purpose or by accident) imae loko 

peinaroujwale the vine broke (when 

pulled on) (sem. domains: 7.9 - 

Break, wear out.) 

inawene v break o end of a long 

item (branch, spear, pencil) tan 

tija ip inawenke a child breaks o a 

(branch of) ton fruit on lwaem 

tapalkounwae lokoka, i anapir aro 

keinawene when I shot the pig, the 

bow broke syn: irweke; syn: ku. 

(sem. domains: 7.9 - Break, wear 

out.) 

ine 1 [ʼin] v cut into sections; section 

walwa tijaka tiram peine e, i papipe 

one day section the bark, and then 

split it weri peinpae split the 

bamboo (to make a sh basket) 

lalma keinwale cut o an arm lal 

karma peinoparre cut o arms 

mijali peinpro tamnae nished 

breaking the branches onma apo 

lunapi lalma aro inke the enemy 

will today cut o my arm (sem. 

domains: 7.8.3 - Cut.) 

ine 2 [ʼin] v put blocking sign to 

forbid access loko aoloka ini ine/ 

keinanae he blocked it (with) his 

own sign/leaf syn: ini 2 . (sem. 

domains: 7.3.6.2 - Block, dam 

up.) 

ine 3 [iʼn] v swell ijo ine water swells 

(when dammed) alkum inae 

stomach swells (sem. domains: 


inein [iʼneinə] v 1) know; believe 

(something) on amnam ineina I 

know you loko api ur inein nan awe 

neither does he know how to 

butcher a cassowary on inein aro 

womo, God onma ao kananole I 

know this, God cannot leave me 

(sem. domains: 3.2.3 - Know,

ineinein 64 

3.2.5.1 - Believe.) 2) learn loko 

inein aro kowe/kike he learns (sem. 

domains: 3.2.2 - Learn.) 

ineinein [ineiʼneinə] n thinking; 

knowledge; foreknowledge loko 

ineinein pwanijonake he sat 

thinking ineinein talamamaope 

thinking may be confused loko 

aoloka ineinein kali peire he told 

his own thinking (he guessed) on 

amnaka ileim ineinein tea pamari I 

just have your name in my thinking 

(I remember) on amnam ineinein o 

yapanwa I will understand you well 

ineinein kowale forget ineinein tipia 

naklele carry (concentrate on) one 

thinking ineinein yapan tan awe 

foolish on ineinein pli powe, i 

ineinein kewane. onka ineinein 

taneijale, i arkok kwarirae. I was 

undecided, and my thoughts were 

split. my thinking went back and 

forth, and then I decided (and 

acted). ineinein apla thoughts and 

desires [usually feelings start in 

the thinking, then go into the 

inner person] (sem. domains: 3.2 

- Think.) 

ineinein alu lu v sad [use nalwein 

when you say how you feel, use 

ineinein when you rst think or 

feel it] (sem. domains: 3.4.2.1 - 

Sad.) 

ineinein ao mari (ph. v.) v not guilty; 

morally good (person) ineinein ao 

mari clean thinking, morally clean, 

has no wrong (sem. domains: 

4.3.1 - Good, moral.) 

ineinein kapou [iʼneiʼnein kaʼpou] n 

worry (sem. domains: 3.4.2.4.1 - 

Worried.) 

ineinein kewane v judge thinking (of 

your own) (sem. domains: 

3.2.2.3 - Evaluate, test.) 

ineinein kowale v forget (sem. 

domains: 3.2.6.1 - Forget.) 

ineinein lonae v concentrate ineinein 

ar aya maip lomom meyam aro 

plonae only concentrate on the 

thinking God wants. (sem. 

domains: 3.2.1.1 - Think about.) 

ineinein mari adj unclean thoughts, 

morally unclean, has done 

something wrong and knows it 

loko ineinein pamari he has wrong 

thinking (sem. domains: 4.3.1.1 - 

Bad, immoral.) 

ineinein neiplaole v change thinking 

(temporarily, not permanently)

65 inke 

(sem. domains: 3.2.5.8 - Change 

your mind.) 

ineinein oraeri v upset - think a lot 

about loko ineinein poraerire he 

was upset (lit: thinking a lot about 

something) [can be used when 

you are missing family who are 

far away even though family is 

doing well, or years after a death 

in the family] (sem. domains: 

3.2.6.4 - Remind, 3.4.2.1 - Sad.) 

ineinein pli [iʼneiʼnein ʼpli] n 

indecision loko ineinein pli naklele 

lit: he carries two di erent thinking 

(is undecided) (sem. domains: 

3.2.5.3 - Doubt.) 

ineinein tipia n concentration 

ineinein tipia naklele concentrate 

on (lit: carry one thinking) syn: 

naklireya. (sem. domains: 

3.2.1.1 - Think about.) 

ineineinya ni n on my mind - when 

you are thinking about 

something, but not overly 

concerned (sem. domains: 

3.2.1.1 - Think about.) 

ineineinyak inanaki v evaluate or 

decide in your own thinking 

about something (sem. domains: 

3.2.2.3 - Evaluate, test.) 

ini 1 [ʼini] n centipede ini ire the 

centipede stings ini loko kala kala 

plwele centipede rustles when it 

moves ini loko onka lalma tea 

paleireya the centipede just tried to 

bite my hand (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.7 - Insect.) 

ini 2 [ʼini] n sign used to block o 

something loko aoloka ini 

keinanae he tied a sign/leaf there 

(to block the way) ini ewae sign to 

block (literally a leaf tied to 

something to mark a forbidden 

path or object) syn: ine 2 (sem. 

domains: 3.5.9.6 - 

Communication devices.) 

ini 3 [ʼini] adj bitter taste lir wei lokok 

ijo inijwe the ripe coconut's water is 

bitter (sem. domains: 8.3.7.1 - 

Bad.) 

inke v come again in cycle (use for 

cycles of years and months, but 

not for seasons) yar lomko aro 

inke the years came yam aro 

arpranwa, i nowea parpeinke the 

moon will descend, and another 

will come again (sem. domains: 

8.4.5.1.5 - Regular.)

ino 66 

ino [ʼino] n tree from which bark is 

used for the string (imae) of 

string bags (sem. domains: 1.5.1 

- Tree.) 

inolopopawe [inolopoʼpa] v heap 

something (while doing garden 

work) on plan pnalire, mi 

peinolopopawe popo, i mi lomom 

papare I pulled out grass, heaped 

wood, and then burned that wood 

(sem. domains: 7.5.9.1 - Load, 

pile.) 

inonoklure [inoʼnoklu] v shake from 

fear tanma aro tapo, tan 

takleinonoklu don't do that to the 

child - the child is afraid and 

shaking loko pakeinonoklure, onma 

he was startled by me loko 

larawoum tapkorale tan, pokulou 

nanao no tea kenonowe he ran in 

fear, his body just shaking like an 

earthquake (sem. domains: 

3.4.2.4 - Afraid.) 

inopa taplu [inoʼpa ʼtaplu] n 

nourishing food eyo eloleka tan 

inopa taplu food appropriate for 

the bird's mate's chicks [nourishing 

food (appropriate for women 

after giving birth, and for 

children. Examples are greens, 

palm heart, meat, eggs)] spec: 

pani. (sem. domains: 5.2.3 - 


inplaeno [inplaeʼno] v show; prove 

loko onma napum peinplaenowe he 

showed me the way syn: eplano. 

(sem. domains: 3.6.1 - Show, 

explain.) 

inplare [inʼplare] v pick (leaves, 

pineapple) eko takwe inplare she 

picks tobacco leaves (sem. 


intae [inʼtae] v nd, meet on 

pamarijonake popo, i on aro intae I 

was looking (for it) and then I 

found (it) em lu maniro lommom 

aro arpeyameintae then we three 

men came back and found them ne 

lwaem marijo intae? awo, on ao 

intae did you look and nd the 

pig? no I could not nd it (sem. 

domains: 4.2.1.2 - .) 

inwae [iʼnwae] (comp. of ire, nwae) 

v talk and then sleep (sem. 

domains: 3.5.1 - Say, 5.7.1 - Go 

to sleep.) 

ip 2 [ʼipə] n fruit tanaki ip lomom 

panane the children picked the fruit 

on ip pnakkakijale i pnarpae I felled

67 Ipi 

the fruit tree and collected (them) 

[this fruit is ripe in Oct, at the 

end of dry season] (sem. 


seeds.) 

ipae v overgrow napu ari ipae the 

path has already overgrown (sem. 

domains: 1.5.6 - Growth of 

plants.) 

ipalipe [iʼpəlip] v belittle with 

sarcasm (use talk that is true in 

order to push someone to do 

something) ipalip kame talk 

sarcastically saying... lujel lokok 

kalim taipalipe the people belittled 

his talk [a wife would do this to 

her husband for not bringing 

meat home] (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.8.3 - Mock.) 

ipantawe [ipənʼtawe] n palm (type 

used to make hunting bows) 

anapir em ijwaol i ipantawe 

lomomeyam lupai bows we 

habitually make only from ijwaol 

palm or ipantawe palm (sem. 


ipapiralki [ipəpiʼrəlki] 1) n little bee 

that bores into wood and stings 

(sem. domains: 1.6.1.7 - Insect.) 

2) adv stinging like bee (used 

when being hit with a small stick 

that makes skin swell but doesn't 

break skin) ipapiralkilkya pweile 

hits lightly with stinging like a bee 


Beekeeping.) 

ipapla [ipəʼpla] v announce; inform 

lapliko onma Menolaka kali lomom 

parpanak yarmeipaplae they again 

came north and told me Meno's 

words [frequently used in church 

setting for announcing events] 

syn: lalire. (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.2.1 - Announce.) 

ipaplae kali (comp. of ) n 

announcement (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.2.1 - Announce.) 

ipe 1 v bathe; baptize a person on ijo 

peipe I bathed lomko ijo neipe they 

bathed yao ijo ipe lit: ghting 

baptism (to give strength to ght 

enemies) wau krae ijo ipe baptize to 

mark a person for something ijo 

kalkawe lit: falling baptism (baptize 

to give a person strength) spec: 

wei ijo. (sem. domains: 5.6.2 - 

Bathe.) 

Ipi [ʼipi] n lake near Norambalip 

Village on other side of the 

Yellow River, Sandaun Province,

ipipe 68 

Papua New Guinea] (sem. 

domains: 9.7.2.8 - Names of 

oceans and lakes.) 

ipipe [iʼpip] v confess in public; 

reveal in public (tell things you 

cannot currently see) kali ipipa lu 

court witness on ar on kwalka 

wanowi kokleyau lomom Godlama 

ipipwa, on irno irno kanija I will 

tell my own sins to God, I will 

believe (sem. domains: 3.5.1.2.1 - 

Announce, 3.5.1.3.1 - Tell the 

truth.) 

ipir [iʼpirə] adj hot walwa ipir amaole 

a very hot day (sem. domains: 

8.3.4 - Hot.) 

ipiyo lele v walk quietly loko 

aiyowiyae taipiyolele he walks 

quietly (so no one can hear) (sem. 

domains: 7.2.1.2.1 - Move 

slowly.) 

ipla [ʼiplə] adv guessing; aimlessly 

(with no bad intent) on ipla taire I 

am guessing ipla talonae falsely 

accuse ipla talele aimlessly walking 

(sem. domains: 3.2.2.4 - Guess, 

9.6.2.7.1 - Without purpose.) 

ipla lonae (comp. of ) v accuse 

falsely ipla talonae falsely accuse 

(sem. domains: 4.7.5.3 - Accuse, 

confront, 4.7.9.2 - Unfair.) 

ipla talele v aimlessly walk syn: 

ipoume. (sem. domains: 7.2.1.1 - 

Walk, 9.6.2.7.1 - Without 

purpose .) 

iplaeno [iplaeʼno] v talk to show 

(sem. domains: 3.5.1.2.2 - 

Describe.) 

iplane [iʼpləne] v undress wakewa 

makujwalam pakeiplane porae, 

nuka the black cockatoo took o 

his head and put it on the ground 

em lwar ijo ran lomom peiplan lwae 

walire we removed-hung-put the 

wet clothes loko weipamum 

pakeiplaneyale he took o his 

gourd (and left it) (sem. domains: 

5.3.7 - Wear clothing.) 

iplawae lu [ipləʼwae lu] n widower 

who has remarried amaole lu tija 

panire, iplawae lu his mother lives 

with a man, a widower syn: yalija 

lu. (sem. domains: 4.1.9.3 - 

Widow, widower.) 

ipokupoku [iʼpokuʼpoku] n crosswise 

nalweinami ipokupokuja, awoku 

waleija the crossbeams go width- 

wise, the beams lengthwise lomko 

Jisaslama ipokupokuja

69 iraok kali 

pnakweikokranae they nailed Jesus 

to the crossed wood (sem. 

domains: 8.5.1.6 - Across.) 

ipoprou [iʼpoprou] adj multicoloured 

niroluka ewae ipoprouwe the owl's 

feathers are multicoloured (sem. 

domains: 8.3.3.3.7 - 

Multicolored.) 

ipoum wala (comp.) n guesthouse 

lomko ipoum wala lokya le they 

went to the guesthouse (sem. 


houses.) 

ipoume [iʼpoume] v visit for a short 

time loko ipoume he visits em loko 

tan pneipoume, kali peire we visited 

with him and talked lomko 

taipoumwom yare they came to visit 

syn: ipla talele. (sem. domains: 

4.2.1.4 - Visit.) 

ipreke [iʼpreke] v restrain loko am 

taiprekwa i am lomom 

kweipolwaeyale he will restrain 

you, but you overcome him (sem. 

domains: 3.3.3.6 - Control, 

4.3.4.2.1 - Hinder.) 

ir peike [ir peike] v partially burn 

(not everything is burned, for 

instance when some grass doesn't 

burn) (sem. domains: 5.5.4 - 

Burn.) 

ir popome [ir popome] v burn 

completely olli mokuran ao ir 

popome some things cannot burn 

completely (like metal) (sem. 

domains: 5.5.4 - Burn, 7.9.3 - 

Destroy.) 

ira [iʼra] n paddle loko aoloka ira 

lomom aro larawa, ijoka he will 

paddle the water with his own 

paddle 

irale [iʼrale] v make noise (usually 

by children or lots of birds) tan 

eyo no irale the child is noisy like 

birds syn: ili 2. (sem. domains: 

1.6.4.3 - Animal sounds.) 

irane [iʼrane] v 1) enter anapir maru 

arijwe, i lapa awarka irane, lwae 

pokulouja the bow was already 

weak/wet, and the spear did not go 

in the pig's body (sem. domains: 

7.2.3.4 - Move in.) 2) blow on 

something to make music (sem. 

domains: 4.2.3.2 - Play music.) 

iraok kali n joke (sem. domains: 

4.2.8 - Humor.)

iraoke 70 

iraoke v play tanaki lirkou lomko 

iliaoli poke ao iraoke the small 

children should not play and make 

noise lok irao iraoke he is joking 

lapliko aro neiraoke they are 

playing together (sem. domains: 

4.2.7 - Play, fun.) 

irapkire [iʼrəpki] v explode (of a 

bomb or gun or volcano 

erupting) amu keirapkire the 

mountain erupts (sem. domains: 

1.2.1.2 - Volcano.) 

irapolenae [irəpoleʼnae] v tie with 

rope loko imae nakeirapolenae, 

lijeiralka he ties a belt around (his) 

waist (sem. domains: 7.5.4 - Tie.) 

irarole inf. var. of irole 

ire v say (indirect speech) loko 

kalijire he talked (angrily) loko 

peire.. he said... lomko kalim 

paknakei kraerre popo... they 

nished telling their talk... (sem. 

domains: 3.5.2.1 - Report.) 

compounds: inwae, keikyelwo, 

nakeire. der. waire 

ire v 1) make on maru kapou maip 

lomom ipai I habitually make very 

large sh baskets (sem. domains: 

9.1.2.5 - Make.) 2) plant (by 

standing) on mijali yakeinprowe, 

nolujaki i lwapna I cut a stick for 

the place to plant banana shoots 

(sem. domains: 6.2.3 - Plant a 

eld.) 

ire v catch to kill; bite onka ar lwaem 

ire my dog killed a pig onma ini ire 

the centipede bit me em pira moklo 

mokloya pakeire we very excitedly 

caught/killed sh ijo takwem peire 

the standing water destroyed/killed 

the tobacco plants [catch to kill or 

bite - used for hunting animals 

like bats and sh - context tells 

you the whether it is bite or kill, 

kill plants by standing water] 

(sem. domains: 5.2.2.1 - Bite, 

chew, 6.4.6 - Things done to 

animals.) 

ire [i] v sharpen metal by hitting; 

use stone to sharpen (sem. 


irei [iʼrei] n stick for digging marok 

arowe, pakakijale, pakeplonwale e, 

irei plaoloke do palm tree (planks) 

like this - cut down, section, 

sharpen small sticks on mim tija 

ireire plaololuplenae I sharpened a 

stick (sem. domains: 6.7 - Tool.) 

irelni [iʼrelni] n soot from a re

71 irno 

wala loko irelni arijwe this house is 

already covered with soot (sem. 


produce.) 

irene v burnt amujwamu irenepae 

garden food was burnt repeatedly 

until they died (sem. domains: 

5.5.4 - Burn.) 

irke [ʼirk] v pick up with ngertip 

tan solma peirke the child is picking 

up salt with his nger (licking o 

ngertip) (sem. domains: 7.3.4.2 - 

Pick up.) 

irki [ʼirki] n platform (can sit on or 

lie on it) loko irki kija peyamkwari 

he laid up here on the bed (sem. 

domains: 5.1.1.3 - Bed.) 

irlalaole [irləʼlao] v re continues 

burning mi irlalaole the re 

continues burning (sem. domains: 

5.5 - Fire.) 

irle [ʼirle] v burn or cook in re em 

walam nalwanika yapanwa, mi 

tairle we will care for houses well, 

(they may) burn in a re on 

amujwamu yaki nu mi irli namia lok 

maem paplae I planted sprouts in 

the ground (that was) not burnt lu 

tija mi pakewenae loko, i onka 

walam mi aro irwe when a man lit 

the wood, then my house burned 

nar peirle, i on plalpae i prae the 

banana cooked, I took it out of the 

re, and ate (it) syn: ewe 2, lirae 2 

1. (also occurs as irwe) (sem. 

domains: 5.5 - Fire.) 

irlwolure [irlwolu] v char; blacken 

by re ollim mi irlwolure re 

charred the thing irwo womakale 

remains of wood or other things 

after re destroyed most (sem. 


irmom kowe v melt; misshape by re 

ollim mi irmom kowe the thing was 

melted by re (sem. domains: 

5.5.4 - Burn.) 

irnamal [irnəʼmələ] n face irnamal 

tipia similar-looking face laplikok 

irnamal alulu irno awe their faces 

looked (sad) like crying syn: irno. 

(sem. domains: 2.1.1 - Head.) 

irnawal [irnəʼwalə] n forehead 

irnowal nalolole face changes 

(when sad or downcast) (sem. 

domains: 2.1.1 - Head.) 

irno [ʼirno] n face onka enom amnaka 

irnom prae your eyes (lit: ate) 

stared at my face (before rebuking) 

syn: irnamal. (sem. domains:

irno ariawe 72 

2.1.1 - Head.) 

irno ariawe [ʼirno ariawe] v 

resemble in appearance (used in 

comparisons) mi ramba loko irno 

aria we, emka mi ip powe aro. this 

ramba tree resembles our fruit tree 

lokok irnom aria we? its 

appearance is like what? syn: 

wowowe. (sem. domains: 

8.3.5.2.2 - Like, similar.) 

irno irno [ʼirno ʼirno] n facing on 

aom irno irno pokolwatae I put the 

string bag facing (him) (sem. 

domains: 8.5.1.1 - In front of.) 

irno irno kani olli n idol (lit: thing to 

believe in) (sem. domains: 

4.9.8.1 - Idol.) 

irno irno kanire (ph. v. of ) v believe 

(in God) lujela irno irno 

pokupokuja pakanire the people 

believe with only their bodies 

(hypocrites) (sem. domains: 4.9.5 

- Practice religion.) 

irnom tae [irnom ʼtae] v stare down 

(do to a person before rebuking 

them) onka enom amnaka irnom 

prae your eyes stared at my face 

(before rebuking) (lit: ate my face) 

(sem. domains: 4.8.1.1 - Oppose.) 

irnomal akoklol n frown; sad face 

(sem. domains: 3.4.2.1 - Sad.) 

irnomal aujau n happy face loko 

irnowal aujauka aro lele he has a 

happy face syn: irnowal 

weyoweyau. (sem. domains: 

3.4.1.2.2 - Calm.) 

irnomal aujau ao n sad face irnomal 

aujau arm ao lele therefore your 

face is sad (sem. domains: 3.4.2.1 

- Sad.) 

irnomal kijiyawe n happy face; smile 

(sem. domains: 3.4.1.2 - Happy.) 

irnomal nalolole n sad face, ready to 

cry (sem. domains: 3.4.2.1 - Sad.) 

irnowal weyoweyau n happy face pes 

i lait syn: irnomal aujau. (sem. 

domains: 3.4.1.2 - Happy.) 

iro 1 [iʼro] n holding rack (only used 

for catching sago liquid) on na iro 

peirowe I made the sago basket 

holding rack (sem. domains: 6.2.6 

- Process harvest.) 

irole (inf. var. irarole) v cast a 

shadow walwani irole the sun casts 

a shadow (sem. domains: 

8.3.3.2.1 - Shadow.) 

iromu [iʼromu] n stick for ghting; 

cane for walking loko iromu

73 irrae 

krapanwa he will hit with a stick 

(in anger) (sem. domains: 6.7 - 

Tool.) 

iron [iʼron] n men’s house em ple, 

ironya we went to the men's house 

[house where traditionally 

teenaged boys and married men 

slept; few still exist] (sem. 


houses.) 

ironalirae [ʼironəliʼrae] v hang by 

rope mi nirolu aolo peyakeinakire 

lok maem aro meiro nalirae at the 

leaning tree he rst saw there (he) 

hung (himself) lam peironalirae the 

lamp hung (from a rope) (sem. 

domains: 7.3.2.4.1 - Hang.) 

Ironeli Amu [irnoneli amu] n Edwaki 

mountain (sem. domains: 9.7.2.7 

- Names of mountains.) 

ironure v shake; tremble, assumed to 

not include fear unless fear is 

included in the statement ekoka 

lipal aro ironure her legs shook eko 

paltawou peironure she shook in 

fear miroku iron ironuja lwele the 

bridge trembles syn: upli uplija. 

(sem. domains: 7.2.1.6 - Steady, 

unsteady.) 

iroure v ridicule as fruitless talk that 

you do not believe is true, even 

though it can be/usually is true; 

accuse of lying tan tija lum ari 

keinakire, loko pijoujwe. I loko ple 

popo e, i olli amei lum peikame, 

"amnaka olli lu ar loko pijoujwe." I 

pijou lu loko peikame, "amna 

tairoure." a child sees a man steal. 

he goes and tells the owner, "This 

man here stole your thing." But the 

thief says, "You are telling 

ridiculous talk." On pokokwame, 

"Amna tairoure." "Aya, on ao 

iroure." I said, "You are deluded." 

"Father, I am not deluded." (sem. 

domains: 4.3.5.5 - Deceive.) 

irowe 2 v make holding rack on na iro 

peirowe I made the sago basket 

holding rack (sem. domains: 6.2.6 

- Process harvest.) 

irpalpale [irəpəʼpale] v (sparks that) 

shoot upward; re noise (sem. 


produce.) 

irpapamku [ʼirəpəʼpəmku] v (sparks 

that) fall (sem. domains: 5.5.5 - 

What res produce.) 

irrae [irəʼrae] n everywhere lao 

polwae irrae lokok when it rained

irrao 74 

everywhere (sem. domains: 

9.2.3.2 - Inde nite pronouns.) 

irrao [irəʼrao] v tell story to get 

something El tija amnaka paeja 

peyare, i peirrao kame, "On wao 

namia powe lomom i on tero armom 

ao lipe." Eko amnama ao nakeire, 

"On waom apla we." Eko tea 

yakeirraowe. A woman comes to 

you and dishonestly says, "Because 

I do not have any salt, I therefore 

cannot pick greens." She did not 

say clearly, "I want salt." She just 

made a veiled request. on bairo tija 

tairraowe I told a story about a pen 

(to get one) (sem. domains: 

4.3.5.1 - Dishonest.) 

irrao kali (comp.) n defraud (hide 

true meaning, tell partial truth) 

tok piksa; tok bokis (sem. domains: 

4.3.5.1 - Dishonest.) 

irroupa il [irərouʼpa ʼilə] n leprosy 

irroupa il lu tija a leper man (sem. 

-k [ʼk] v:asp telic verbal su x eko 

olna enman pakirouke she cut down 

leaves for a grass skirt (sem. 

K k 


irweke [irəʼweke] v pick branch em 

ur irwe parwa we want to pick a 

branch of areca nuts lomko ur al 

tipia irweke they pick one areca nut 

branch syn: inawene. (sem. 


irwoke [irʼwoke] v ame (little) mi 

peirwoke the re amed syn: 

errowe 1. (sem. domains: 5.5.5 - 


iweip [iʼweip] n ditch; creek syn: ijo 

lip. (sem. domains: 1.3.1 - Bodies 

of water.) 

iwononi [iʼwononi] n quail [Ajax 

quail thrush that has a high- 

pitched whistle] (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.2 - Bird.) 

iyan kali n talk that heals [An iyan 

lu can also do a ritual to stop 

rain.] (sem. domains: 2.5.7.5 - 


domains: 8.4 - Time.) 

ka- 1 [kə] v:pers perfective verbal 

pre x on arm kowe I hit the dog on

75 kakire 

amnama pakeinakire I see you 

(sem. domains: 9 - Grammar.) 

-ka 2 [kə] postposition oblique lomko 

mi tija peyakwaripae, nuka they 

rst tied up a tree, on the ground 

onka tanakim lunapi taipro my 

children the enemies may kill em 

Fondeka lae we went south on 

Thursday syn: maem. (sem. 

domains: 9.2.4 - Prepositions, 

postpositions.) 

kake [ʼkake] n far lwae larawoum 

pamire, kake kakeya the pig in fear 

ran far, far away ant: prae. (sem. 

domains: 8.5 - Location.) 

kakei [kəʼkei] n trap made of rope 

kakei loko eyom pokonae/pakike 

the trap caught the bird. (sem. 

domains: 6.4.2 - Trap.) 

kakeri [kəʼkeri] n Tahitian chestnut 

kakeri ari laweire i em aro nare the 

nuts (ripened) and already fell and 

we gathered (them) syn: mapo 1. 

(sem. domains: 1.5.1 - Tree, 

5.2.3.1.1 - Food from seeds.) 

kaki palire v straighten up (to 

standing position like from a 

squatting position) loko pakaki 

papalire he straightened up to stand 

(sem. domains: 7.1.1 - Stand.) 

kakijele [kəkiʼtʃele] v fell tree; cut 

tree (singular) waplika nam apo 

tal kakijele? who will cut down 

your sago tree today? syn: 

kijwalire. (sem. domains: 6.6.3.1 

- Lumbering.) 

kakinae [ʼkəkinae] v last cut to fell 

tree mi alku maem yakakire, i 

arkok wanijal maem kakinae cut 

the tree on the front rst and right 

then on the back (to fell it) an 

weirou panim pakikinae I cut the 

two-leaf tree with my knife (sem. 

domains: 6.6.3.1 - Lumbering.) 

kakire [ʼkəki] (inf. var. nakakire1 

and kire 3) v stay standing loko 

takakija, ao mirle he will stand (and 

ght), (he) will not run 

kakire 2 v arrive; stop and stay em 

stetion maem peyamkakire we 

arrived here at the mission station 

walweyam parpakakire the dry 

season is here again (lit: again 

arrives/stands) (sem. domains: 

7.2.3.3.1 - Arrive.) 

kaklan [ʼkəklən] n embarrassment 

eko kaklan namia she has no shame 

(sem. domains: 3.4.2.2.2 - 

Embarrassed.)

kaklan 76 

kakna [ʼkəknə] (fr. var. kan) 1) adj 

small tan kakna a small child 

kwain kanya pari only some left 

tanaki kan kar lomko the small 

children (sem. domains: 8.2.1 - 

Small.) 2) v very awemka aijan 

pira kokro kakna i Yapu pira kelo 

kelo our bush sh are very small 

but the Sepik sh are many 

kakou [kəʼkou] adj crazy (has bad 

thinking, follows own ideas) loko 

kakou lu he is a crazy man (sem. 

domains: 2.5.8 - Mental illness.) 

kala kala [ʼkələ ʼkələ] adv rustling 

sound (when something is 

moving) mijaki ijo maem kala kala 

kijwe the stick was standing 

shaking in the water wek onka 

walak kala kala powele the rat was 

starting to rustle in my house (sem. 


sounds.) 

kalalou porae [kələʼlouʼporae] v 

accuse by facial expression loko 

kali kalalouporae he accused (him) 


confront.) 

kalawae [kələʼwae] v stir thickening 

sago with a big stick on napam 

paklwae I stirred sago jelly (with a 

big stick) (sem. domains: 5.2.1.1 - 

Cooking methods.) 

kalawele [kələʼwele] v leave a 

person after walking with them 

loko lomom napuk pamkalawele he 

left him on the road (sem. 

domains: 7.2.3.3 - Leave.) 

kale v hunt in large group (used 

only with akal verb) em akal 

pakale we ushed out (animals) 


kali 1 [ʼkəli] n fork eko pakim 

pakoprae, kali kika she put the 

trough up on top of forked sticks 

loko kalim morok pnakwalire he put 

the wood inside the fork of the 

wood (for a sh basket) pinal kali 

kali teeth roots spec: pinal kali 

kali. (sem. domains: 8.3.1 - 

Shape.) 

kali 2 [ʼkali] n talk, words loko kali ire 

he is talking angrily (to someone's 

face) ineinein kweijwowarae kali 

talk to make you think (sem. 

domains: 3.5.3.1 - Word.) comp. 

kemomlo kali 

kali 3 [ʼkali] n time; occasion lo pli 

kali the second time (sem. 

domains: 8.4.3 - Inde nite time.)

77 kalijaprae 

compounds: mani kali, pli kali 

kali ijalnake v talk for a long time 

lomko kali peijalnake they had a 

long discussion (lit: were pulling 

talk) (sem. domains: 3.5.1.1.3 - 

Speak a lot.) 

kali ijo pae [kali ijo pae] v talk 

loudly kali ijo no pae elwale lit: 

talk crazy like ooded water (sem. 

domains: 3.5.1.1.3 - Speak a lot.) 

kali inanaki v correct; resolve; come 

to consensus), the work of a 

judge, can discuss with or 

without emotion wom kalim 

tainanakija? will you settle/resolve 

the complaint? (sem. domains: 

4.7.6 - Judge, render a verdict.) 

kali inanaki lu n judging man 

kali ipip lu n prophet (sem. domains: 

4.9.4.6 - Prophecy.) 

kali ire v talk angrily syn: namakla 

namakla kali ire. (sem. 

domains: 3.5.1.6.2 - Quarrel.) 

kali irola lu [ʼkali iroʼla lu] n witness 

(friendly - one who is on your 

side to help, usually in a court 

situation) (sem. domains: 4.7.5.5 

- Witness, testify.) 

kali kalijape v disobey loko milira 

kalim takalijaplare he disobeyed 

the law (sem. domains: 4.7.3 - 

Break the law.) 

kali kapou n talk loudly; a long 

discussion (sem. domains: 3.5.1.6 

- Debate.) 

kali lonae v accuse or charge - this 

can be used for an accuser in a 

court situation lomko lomom kali 

talonaeya they will accuse him 


confront.) 

kali nae ran n good talk (sem. 

domains: 3.5.1.1.7 - Speak well.) 

kali naklele lu n messenger (sem. 

domains: 3.5.9 - Mass 

communication.) 

kalijaki lu [ʼkaliʼtʃaki ʼlu] n news 

bringer 

kalijale inf. var. of lile 

kalijape inf. var. of lijape 

kalijaplare inf. var. of lijape throw 

into something like hole, bucket, 

basket hoop; jump over 

kalijaprae inf. var. of lijape 

kalijonae lu [ʼkali tʃoʼnae ʼlu] n 

storyteller (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.1.3 - Speak a lot.)

kalijonae lu 78 

kalijweli n attery loko kalijweli kali 

peikame... he said attery talk 

saying... (sem. domains: 4.3.2 - 

Admire someone.) 

kalikowe v go around lomko napu 

tijaya pam kalikowe they went 

around there on another path 

(sem. domains: 7.2.2 - Move in a 

direction.) 

kalimarijo warle inf. var. of limarijo 

kalirae [kəli'rae] v move away on 

lomom pakalirae i loko leknae I 

moved away from him and he 

passed ne kalira! you move away! 

eyo tija unwan kalirrae a bird ies 

to and lands on (the ground) 


away.) comp. kaliraporae 

kalirakewenae [ʼkəlirəkeweʼnae] v 

heat on re on lapa aro 

kalirakewenae, mika, i aolia tea 

perrowolu pleyae then I put /lit the 

spear, on the re, and it alone just 

burnt completely syn: ewe 2 . (sem. 


kaliraloweine [kəlirəloʼweine] v look 

up loko pakaliraloweine he looked 

up (into a tree) ant: kwalireine. 

(sem. domains: 2.3.1.1 - Look.) 

kaliraporae (comp. of kalirae, 

porae) v move on top; put on top 

(sem. domains: 7.3.2 - Move 

something in a direction.) 

kaliyalale v remove top syn: 

inapolwae. (sem. domains: 7.3.6 

- Open.) 

kalkao porae [kələʼkao poʼrae] v 

jump up onto em ikijwal 

pkalkaoporae we jumped out of the 

canoe (onto land) (sem. domains: 

7.2.1.1.3 - Jump.) 

kalkaowe [kəlʼkao] v fall; slip tan 

kan taklakaowe, maokraeka the 

small child fell o the porch (sem. 

domains: 7.2.2.5.1 - Fall.) comp. 

kalpaowe 

kalkaware [kələkaʼwəre] v jump 

over; step over lapliko auram 

taklakaware they jumped over the 

money (bride exchange) (sem. 

domains: 7.2.1.1.3 - Jump.) 

kallapirae [kələləpiʼrae] v prepare 

and put lomko mim makallapiraele 

they started to gather wood there 

(felled and skinned it) lomko 

taplum aro kallapirae then they 

prepared and put the food (sem. 

domains: 5.2.1 - Food

79 kamkam 

preparation.) 

kalnolu [kəlʼnolu] n scorpion [their 

bite is not as painful as a 

centipede] (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.7 - Insect.) 

kalpaowe (comp. of kalkaowe, 

paowe) v jump on eyo loko 

pwanilwaeyale i aro yakwalkaorre 

the bird sat and hung down and 

then rst fell (sem. domains: 

7.2.1.1.3 - Jump.) 

kalwane [kəʼlwəne] v split into two 

nakim pakike popo i pakalwane 

take the vine and split it into two 

pieces (sem. domains: 7.8 - 

Divide into pieces.) 

kalware [kaʼlware] v break neck 


kalweine v break open syn: 

kaneipke. (sem. domains: 7.3.6 - 

Open.) 

kamamae [kəməʼmae] v 1) compare 

(things not people) lir loko yaram 

kamamaewenae the coconuts 

represent years [use when trying 

clothes on for size, comparing 

days to something, comparing 

wood for a house - do not use for 

comparing people with each 

other] 2) set day walwa 

pkamamaewenae loko ari kepe the 

chosen day has already gone (sem. 

domains: 8.4.1.2 - Day.) 

kame v 1) sing song; cry; make noise 

el arapu pakame the women sang a 

song loko alujmta polukame he 

cried hard womuraklae wala marok 

war maem lawei aro wam wani 

kamwa the cricket will sing sitting 

under the oor [this is the verb 

for insect sounds, singing, 

thunder, drums; it is frequently 

compounded as in ikame;] (sem. 

domains: 2.3.2.2 - Sound, 4.2.3.3 

- Sing.) 2) hit to make a sound 

aolo wei tal kame? who is knocking 

on the door? lu tiramli pakame, 

womika men played the hand 

drums at night syn: ili 2. 

kamir krae (comp. of mire, krae run 

and stop) v run and stop loko 

weijwei ao kamir krae he cannot 

run for long (sem. domains: 

7.2.1.1.1 - Run.) 

kamkam [ʼkəmkəm] n support piece 

(of bench or house to give it 

strength) kamkam anaknonae put 

a support piece in (sem. domains: 

6.5.2.6 - Foundation.)

kamo 80 

kamo [ʼkamo] n barbed spear lapa 

kamo barbed spear imae kamo 

vine with looped hooks (sem. 

domains: 4.8.3.7 - Weapon, 

shoot.) 

kan fr. var. of kakna 

kanakapakinklowe v divide; split-up 

lu lapliko plij walo no kanakapa 

kinklowe the two men divided up 

like branches of a tree (sem. 

domains: 7.8 - Divide into 

pieces.) 

kanakire [kəʼnaki] v arise (use when 

leaving a place - stand up rst 

and then leave) lir lommom prae 

tamnae, i em arkok pakanakire i ple 

(we) nished eating the coconuts, 

and right then we stood up and 

went pira ijo war maem takanakire 

the sh were rising under the water 

kanakile arise quickly (sem. 

domains: 7.2.2.4 - Move up.) ph. 

v. arpakanakire 

kanako kanaroure (der. of divide 

amongst) v ght/divide amongst 

lomko alom naneila yao knako 

kanarou ran... if they ght 

themselves... (sem. domains: 4.8.2 

- Fight.) 

kanale [kəʼnəl] v reverse; turn back 

lain loko takanalwa that line will 

reverse (the order or will turn 

back) ne takwani kanala! you turn 

your back (to me while sitting) 

syn: polwae. (sem. domains: 

7.3.2 - Move something in a 

direction.) comp. kanalpalwae 

kanalpalwae [kənaləpəl wae] (comp. 

of kanale, polwae change mind) 

kanamamaerae [kənaməmaerae] v 

motion with hand for quiet - 

frequently associated with 

seduction activity loko lalya 

pakanamamaerae he motioned only 

with (his) hand (sem. domains: 

3.5.6.1 - Gesture.) 

kananaeyantae (der. of naeyane 

block way) 

kananaorae [kənənaoʼrae] v wait a 

little time (minutes) ne onma 

kwain yak kananaora, awer leya 

you must wait for me rst a little 

while so that we can go (sem. 

domains: 7.2.7.3 - Wait.) 

kananem [kənəʼnem] adv always 

lwae loko womi walwa taplu kra 

kananem tai the pig habitually eats 

day and night am womi walwa tea 

klara kanenem laraeya you will just 

paddle day and night (on Sepik)

81 kankeiporae 

(sem. domains: 8.4.6.6.4 - All the 

time.) 

kanapaeyale inf. var. of napae , -lale 5 

dump out, spill, or pour 

everywhere 

kanapaeyare v pour on top syn: 

keipkaeyare. (sem. domains: 

1.3.2.2 - Pour.) 

kanaplolorae [kənaʼploloʼrae] v kill 

by squeezing (like a python kills) 

weilwaon kinalim pakanaplolorae 

the python killed the bandicoot 

(sem. domains: 2.6.6.1 - Kill.) 

kanawanwalare [kənawənwalər] v 

overcome olki onma 

kanawanwalare the problem 

overcame me (sem. domains: 

4.8.3.1 - Defeat.) 

kaneipke [kəʼneipke] v burst open 

amnaka pak tanakaneipkle your 

stomach is about to burst (you ate 

so much) amnaka balloon ari 

kaneipke your balloon already 

burst syn: kalweine. (sem. 

domains: 7.9 - Break, wear out.) 

kanekirae [kəʼnekirae] n at place 

on mountain side amu kanekirae 

at part on a mountain side (sem. 

domains: 1.2.1.3 - Plain, 

plateau.) 

kanikanaroure (comp. of nire, 

naroure separate as in living, 

working) 

kanikraerre (comp. of nire, krae 

leave sitting) v leave you sitting 

on awom takanikraerre I will leave 

you sitting (sem. domains: 7.2.3.3 

- Leave.) 

kanirnae [kənirʼnae] v put down in 

sitting position eko narip 

pakanirnae, irok she set the palm 

basket in the holding rack eko 

tanma mi warka pamkanirnaerre 

she sat the boy there under a tree 

and left (sem. domains: 7.3.4.3 - 

Put down.) 

kanke [ʼkənke] n bird (type of) 

kanke loko amnam keinaki ro, i 

lawei aro kamwa "ke, ke" if the 

kanke bird sees you, he will call, 

"ke, ke" (sem. domains: 1.6.1.2 - 

Bird.) 

kankeiporae [ʼkənkei poʼrae] v cut- 

put on na mijaki yak kankei 

porowa I will rst cut and put the 

sago shoots (before planting) (sem. 


kanoklolwale [kənokloʼlwale] v

kanoklolwale 82 

divide people into groups syn: 

pipe. (sem. domains: 7.2.3.1 - 

Move away.) 

kanokokwame v move away 

kanokumakune [kəʼnokuʼmakune] v 

show 

kaoro [ʼkaoro] n amount, size nu 

lokok aura kaoro le, K400 this 

land's monetary amount (price) is 

K400 lokok aura kaoro kapou awe 

his monetary amount is not much 

lipal kaoro tamale measure size of 

something by stepping o (sem. 

domains: 8.1 - Quantity.) comp. 

kaoro kaoro 

kaoro kaoro (comp. of kaoro same) 

n same amount on auram pakike, 

auram kaoro kaoro pakrae I got the 

money and put the same amount 

down kaoro kaoro nari the two are 

the same amount nu kaoro kaoro 

nalowe the two parts of ground are 

level with each other 

kapaeromtae [kəpaeromtae] (comp. 

of tome) v extinguish re by 

pouring water on it mi ijo 

kapaeromtae extinguish re by 

pouring water (sem. domains: 

5.5.3 - Extinguish a re.) 

kapakijwowane [kəpəkitʃwoʼwəne] v 

slide into small opening on lapam 

kapakijwowane I slid the arrow into 

an opening (in the bird blind) 

kapaowale v shave head completely 

syn: ure 2. (sem. domains: 2.1.1 - 

Head, 7.8.3 - Cut.) 

kapapalire [kəpəʼpəli] v stretch out 

(muscles) lal kapapalire stretch out 

hands syn: nawirowiraowe 1. 

kapapaorae [kəpəpaoʼrae] v abandon 


Abandon.) 

kapapleine [kəpəʼpleine] v feel; 

touch tapkapleina, napanijo ro am 

lalma apo taija don't feel (for it), if 

it's a small bandicoot it may bite 

your hand on lalya kapapleine I 

only felt (it) with (my) hand mo 

onka pokulou ipir kapou powe 

lomom pakapapleine my mother felt 

my very hot skin syn: paplale. 

(sem. domains: 2.3.5 - Sense of 

touch.) 

kaparou [kaparou] v extinguish; 

blow out ( re or match) mi 

kaparou ewantae extinguish the re 

(sem. domains: 5.5.3 - Extinguish 

a re.)

83 kare 

kapeikarerae [kəpeikəreʼrae] v dig 

out; carve out syn: peire 1. (sem. 

domains: 7.8.5 - Make hole, 

opening, 7.8.6 - Dig.) 

kaperle [kəʼperle] v gut (animal) on 

lomom naip aro kaperle keinakire 

then I gutted (the snake) with a 

knife to look lim yakaperle rst gut 

the intestines (sem. domains: 

5.2.1.2 - Steps in food 

preparation.) 

kapi kapi [ʼkəpi ʼkəpi] v pump fast 

lokoka nalwein nalwein kapi kapiwe 

his heart is pumping fast (implied: 

in fear) (sem. domains: 2.1.8.1 - 

Heart.) 

kaplakijworurae v blind with light 

(temporarily) kowae loko onka 

enom takaplakijworurae the light 

blinded my eyes (sem. domains: 

2.5.4.1 - Blind.) 

kaplowaine [kəploʼwaine] v turn and 

look back on pakaplowaine I 

looked back (sem. domains: 

2.3.1.1 - Look, 7.3.5 - Turn 

something.) 

kapou [kaʼpou] adj big em iron kapou 

lomom wire we are making a large 

men's house loko lu kapou maip he 

is a big/important man awi, pei 

kapou paeyako wait, let (dog) bark 

loudly rst (sem. domains: 8.2 - 

Big.) comp. kapou kapou 

kapou kapou (comp. of kapou big 

(very)) adj very big onka popleya 

el kapou kapoumta my pain is very 

very big (sem. domains: 8.2 - 

Big.) 

kapreyale [kəpreʼjəle] inf. var. of pre 

kapwolei [kapwoʼlei] n sweet potato 

(white) (sem. domains: 5.2.3.1.5 

- Food from roots.) 

kar 1 [ʼkərə] adj plural amnaka lir kar 

your coconuts pira kokro kakna kar 

some very small sh (sem. 

domains: 8.1.3.3 - Group of 

things.) 

kar karwe [kərʼkərwe] v grind teeth 

pinal karwe karwe powe (he) grinds 

his teeth syn: lomupapane. (sem. 

domains: 2.2 - Body functions.) 

kare 2 [ʼkər] v have an opening wan 

awarka kareya the boil does not 

have an opening (has not broken) 

yet tiramli walwae awark kareya 

the hole in the drum does not have 

an opening (is not carved out) yet 


kare 3 [ʼkər] v take, bring (used in

kare 84 

compounds to show movement 

away from or towards) Manwe 

Lorinma polwa kare Manwe 

carried-took Lorin makikare go 

there and get lepaekare go meet 

and take lapliko lomom pameijal 

kare they pulled-took him there tija 

naewae lomom al pli irou kare 

break o and take two ribs of a 

sago leaf (sem. domains: 7.3.3.1 - 

Take something from 

somewhere.) comp. enarkare 

karna [kərʼnae] v stretch out ngers; 

stretch out hands; open arms lal 

takarnae open arms wide 

karrakinae [kərʼrəkinae] v bandage 

pasim (sua) on lokoka ilma 

prrakinae I bandaged his sore for 

him (sem. domains: 2.5.7 - Treat 

disease.) 

kaujwel [kauʼtʃwel] n lizard tan tija 

kaujwelma pamkeinakire a child 

saw a lizard there [is brown with 

multicoloured tail] (sem. 


ke- [ʼk] v marry loko el pake he 

married a wife loko el emom takwa 

he will marry that woman 

[marriages normally exchange a 

female in one family with a 

female in another family, causing 

two marriages to happen at 

once] (sem. domains: 2.6.1 - 

Marriage.) 

kei klolorae v cause to be at rest 

onka nalwein pakari, i on awomka 

nalweinma kei kloloraeya my heart 

rests easy, and I will make your 

hearts rest easy 

kei kweilalwarae v explain clearly; 

give clear meaning on awom kei 

klal warae yapanwa I will explain 

to you clearly (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.2.3 - Explain.) 

keijei [keiʼtʃei] adj dwarfed (of 

greens, sago, bananas) nar keijei 

keijei we the banana is 

undeveloped syn: tontaone. (sem. 


keijou n spirit man [half man and 

half spirit] (sem. domains: 4.9.4 - 

Miracle, supernatural power.) 

keijowarae [keitʃowaʼrae] v clear o 

land am wala wiro, i am 

peyakelwale, peyakeijowarae, i 

arkok walam aro wimia if you 

make a house, prepare rst, then 

clear o the land and right then 

(you) can build the house [cut 

down trees, etc to make garden

85 keikrae 

or house] syn: inaplire. (sem. 

domains: 6.2.2.1 - Clear a eld.) 

keijoweyae [keiʼtʃowejae] v clean o 

(erase writing or tear down a 

house) keijoweyaeyale syn: 

kloplomwale. (sem. domains: 

5.6.6 - Wipe, erase, 7.9.2 - Tear 

down.) 

keik nanwa kali [keik ʼnənwə ʼkali] n 

instruction (like last talk of 

father); summary of meeting 

(sem. domains: 3.6 - Teach.) 

keikae [ʼkeikae] n long time em nan 

keikae we also (sat) a long time 

(sem. domains: 8.4.2.2 - A long 

time.) 

keikakire [keiʼkaki] v nish or stop 

talking er aom keikakire we cannot 

stop talking (sem. domains: 3.5 - 

Communication.) 

keikapipe [keikapipe] v reveal or say 

clearly and completely lu kar 

olkim inein powe, ar lomko tea 

ijworwae. lomko makum ao 

keikapipe. the men know about a 

problem, but they tell only some of 

it. They don't bring out the 

meaning. (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.3.4 - Expose falsehood.) 

keikei n frog (big) keikei tea 

panilamnanake the frog was just 

jumping (sem. domains: 1.6.1.4 - 

Amphibian.) 

keikeijwal [keikeiʼtʃwal] adj old bipo 

tru (sem. domains: 8.4.6.5.4 - 

Old, not new.) 

keikeijwe 1 [ʼkeikei] v wiggle, move 

am lami keikei, i lapeke you wiggle 

the thorn, then pull (it) out loko 

wala keikeijwe he moves the house 

(sem. domains: 7.3 - Move 

something.) 

keikinae [keikiʼnae] v put/tie on a 

grass skirt eko enman keikinae she 

put on a grass skirt (sem. domains: 

5.3.7 - Wear clothing.) 

keiklamnae v skip over words 

accidentally (in speech or 

reading) (sem. domains: 3.5 - 

Communication.) 

keiklarwarae [keiklarwarae] v 

explain (sem. domains: 3.5.1.2.3 

- Explain.) 

keikrae [keiʼkrae] v promise; make 

contract walkali lomom emka 

aujwalam tea keikraerre this 

custom our grandfathers just gave 

us as law walwa ari kepe, nek

keikwarirae 86 

keikra kali mae? the day you 

promised has past, where is your 

promise? syn: warirae. (sem. 

domains: 3.5.1.9 - Promise.) 

keikwarirae v decide & announce 

(sem. domains: 3.5.1.2.1 - 

Announce.) 

keikyelwo (comp. of ire promise 

falsely) 

keileleyaorae [keilelejaorae] v 

approve and encourage to take 

something 

keiliyae [keilijae] v uncover to look 

wom tipraku aro keilialaleyam then 

you must take o the at bark 

pieces (that are covering the holes) 

syn: inapolwae. (sem. domains: 

7.3.7.1 - Uncover.) 

keilkantae [keiləkənʼtae] v shed old 

skin (sem. domains: 1.6.3 - 

Animal life cycle.) 

keilolorae [keiʼlolorae] v renege on 

decision; change group decision 

milira kalim keilolorae cancel the 

law (sem. domains: 3.3.2.2 - 

Refuse to do something.) 

keilolwale (inf. of lwale) v split 

already mi loko keilolwale the stick 

cracked in two 

keilopolwae [keilopoʼlwae] v stop 

ght (sem. domains: 4.8.2.4 - 

Defend.) 

keiloware [keiloʼwə] v hug (child) 

loko tan lomom pakeiloware he 

hugged the child ilopae hug many 

but one at a time syn: iloke 2. 

(sem. domains: 4.1.8 - Show 

a ection.) 

keilulu keinakire (comp. of tempt) 

keimaoporae (comp. of bend both 

legs and put up - do while sitting 

or standing) 

keinakire inf. var. of inakire 

keinalola lu n rescuer; savior Jisas 

aoliya awemka keinalola lu (sem. 

domains: 4.4.4.4 - Save from 

trouble.) 

keinalolae v free up someone by 

pulling hands apart that are 

holding them, pull apart or hold 

apart someone who is ghting, 

freeing a hand that is caught in 

something loko em 

pekeinalolaelale he frees us syn: 

aka ikike. (sem. domains: 

4.4.4.4 - Save from trouble.) 

keinanele inf. var. of ele 

keinaplakae [keinapləʼkae] v

87 kel 

overturn something (like when 

dumping water, or overturning 

canoe) lu loko ikim keinaplakae the 

man (in water) overturned the 

canoe is overturned am tipma 

keinaplakae you overturn the 

basket (to dump out some water) 

(sem. domains: 7.3.1.4 - Knock 

over.) 

keinaplanetae [keinaʼpləneʼtae] v 1) 

open to see loko aolok enom 

keinaplanerae he rubbed and 

opened his eyes (sem. domains: 

7.3.6 - Open.) 2) explain loko 

lomkok ineineinma aro 

keinaplanetae he opened their 

understanding (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.2.3 - Explain.) 

keineyaorae [keinejaoʼrae] v accuse 

(from distance) (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.8.1 - Blame.) 

keinle v waste (food, money, spears) 

loko taplu iku takeinole lomom he 

was wasting the food (sem. 

domains: 4.3.1.3.1 - Immature in 

behavior.) 

keipkaeyare [keipkaeʼjəre] v dump 

(into hole) syn: kanapaeyare . 

(sem. domains: 7.5.9.2 - Fill, 

cover.) 

keirae v trap between something 

woklei aoloka lalpanklo pliro 

lokoka lunapim keirae the praying 

mantis traps his enemy with his 

two hands (and stings that way) 

syn: maman 1. (sem. domains: 

6.4.6 - Things done to animals.) 

keiyaene [keiʼjaene] v peer at; signal 

with eyes loko onma eno 

pakeiyaene, "ne yakei." he peered at 

me with his eyes meaning, "you 

talk rst." (sem. domains: 2.3.1.2 

- Watch, 3.5.6.3 - Facial 

expression.) 

keiyuntae [keijunʼtae] v break in 

lwae pakma keiyuntae the pig 

breaks through (the fence to eat) lu 

tija lwae irno ariawe, olli walam 

pakeiyuntae lwae powe aro a man 

is like this, breaking into house 

things like a pig (i.e. thief) (sem. 

domains: 4.3.4.7 - Enter by 

force.) 

kel [ʼkelə] n water noise on ijo kelma 

pwanipae I heard the noise of the 

water (sem. domains: 1.3.2 - 

Movement of water, 2.3.2.3 - 


kelalijale [keʼləliʼtʃəle] v send away, 

get rid of; remove am arm ao

kelalijale 88 

kelalijale you did not get rid of the 

dog loko aokwae kokleyau lommom 

aro nakelaliprowe then he got rid of 

the evil spirits am nar plalke, 

pakelalijale, i prae you take the 

banana (from the re), remove the 

(ashes), and eat. 

kelaliporae [keʼləlipoʼrae] v invite in 

and care for eko tanakim 

pakelaliporae she invited in 

children (lit: caused them to be put 

on top) alomka mi aokwaem 

pamkelali porae their spirit- re was 

invited in there synonyms: 

tarwan ijinke, lepaekare. (sem. 

domains: 4.2.1.1 - Invite.) 

kelerae [keleʼrae] v hide something 

am lalewae kali ao nakeire, kali 

tapkelerae loko you cannot tell 

power-talk, that talk is secret 

wanowi awem em powe lomom 

parpakelerae the actions we 

ourselves have done were hidden 

again (sem. domains: 7.6 - Hide.) 

kelerae kali [ʼkelerae ʼkali] n secret 

tok hait 

kelerae olli (comp. of secret things) 

n secret things ne onka kelerae olli 

lomom enowalia erom naklele? why 

are you carrying publicly my secret 

things? 

kelo adj many lujela kelo peyarwale 

many people came (sem. domains: 

8.1.3.1 - Many, much.) 

kelo kelo (comp. of numerous) adj 

very many loko onma Baibel ves 

kelo kelo pnakeipoplae he explained 

many Bible verses to me. (sem. 

domains: 8.1.3.1 - Many, much.) 

kelone [keʼlon] v forbid; stop on 

tanaki lomom takelone, wal 

anwarya tairaopae I forbid the 

children to play inside the house 

onka tan alu lure, i on lomom 

takelone my child was crying and I 

stopped him kiap loko yam 

kelonrre, yao napu lomom the 

o cer stopped the way of ghting 

here Restrictions: this verb does 

not necessarily stop any action] 


Prevent.) 

kelpeikaiwe adj bent 

kemamowe v scare syn: ororale. 

kemaowe [keʼmao] v hit (hit ax on 

tree, hit person with hand) 

kemaowe (sem. domains: 7.7.1 - 

Hit.) 

kemkorae [ʼkemkoʼrae] v crumble

89 ki ki ki 

and spread on na pakemkorae, 

praipanka I crumbled and spread 

the sago in the fry pan (sem. 

domains: 7.5.1.1 - Separate, 

scatter.) 

kemomlo kali (comp. of emomle, 

kali 2) 

kemowe [keʼmo] inf. var. of emowe 

kenaeyan v turn syn: 

kiweipopolwae. 

kenaeyan maniyaole (comp. of 

naeyane, maniyaol turn body 

(while standing)) 

kenunurae [kenunuʼrae] v prepare 

kenunurae walwa the day to 

prepare things 

kepe [ʼkepe] v end of day or time 

allotted walwa ari kepe, nek keikra 

kali mae? the day (you promised) 

has past, where is your promise? 

walwa pkamamaewenae loko ari 

kepe the day you set has gone 

(sem. domains: 8.4.6.1.3 - End.) 

kepeyowale [kepejoʼwəle] v escape 

kepleyawe [kepleʼya] v dive into 

water lomko parpnakepleyawe, i 

ikim parpnak yamweilapeke they 

again dived with (poison vine) and 

again came up and grabbed the 

canoe syn: mepleawe. (sem. 

domains: 7.2.4.2.3 - Dive.) 

kerplone [kerʼplone] v cut into 

sections marok pakerplonwale e, i 

irei plaoloke section the palm tree 

and then shape the pieces (sem. 


kewaonlale v separate things for 

di erent purposes (sem. 


scatter.) 

keyayane [keyaʼyane] v yawn (sem. 


ki 1 [ʼki] n palm heart (sem. domains: 


ki 2 [ʼki] n above aya maip ki maem 

yamkwanire God lives up there irki 

kika on top of the platform mi ki nu 

lwae carry rewood above and 

below (two bundles) (sem. 

domains: 8.5.1.3.1 - Above.) 

comp. mikita 

ki ki ki [ʼki ʼki ʼki] n noise of 

earthquake nanao ki ki kik pelele 

the sound of the earthquake ki ki 

ki is coming (sem. domains: 

1.2.1.7 - Earthquake, 2.3.2.3 - 


kijiyo adj shine walwa kijiyo powe the

kijiyo 90 

sun is light (good day, no rain) 

[can use for face or sun shining] 

(sem. domains: 3.4.1.2 - Happy.) 

kijwalame [kiʼtʃwaləme] v kill (with 

knife or ax) loko bulmakaum 

kijwalame he killed a cow 

kijwalamtae kill body and it lays 

on ground nearby syn: kikone. 

(sem. domains: 2.6.6.1 - Kill.) 

kijwalamlale inf. var. of kill and 

leave there 

kijwalire [kiʼtʃwəli] v fell trees 

(plural) lomko mi pakijwalire, i mi 

tija peyakwaripae, nuka they cut 

down trees, and rst tied up a tree 

on the ground (for a platform) 

syn: kakijele. (sem. domains: 

7.8.3 - Cut.) 

kijwalnale [kitʃwalʼnale] v lazy; 

aimless wom erokwam kijwalnale? 

why are you being lazy? (sem. 

domains: 6.1.2.4.2 - Lazy.) 

kijwe inf. var. of stand and do 

nothing else 

kijwokire [kiʼtʃwoki] v stand and 

guard (sem. domains: 2.3.1.2 - 

Watch.) 

kik naolire v take without paying 

ollim tea kik naolire just get things 

without (paying) (sem. domains: 

6.8.5 - Borrow, 7.4.3 - Get.) 

kik yowirao [ʼkik jowiʼrao] v borrow 

(plan to give back) ollim kik 

yowiraowe lomom things (I) have 

borrowed/not paid for yet (sem. 

domains: 6.8.5 - Borrow.) 

kikare [ki kǝre] v take-bring-hold on 

tomiokyak makikare I went there 

and took only my ax (sem. 

domains: 7.4 - Have, be with.) 

kike [ʼkike] v get; take; hold 

(singular object) em iki tija parpa 

kike we again took a canoe (sem. 

domains: 7.4.3 - Get.) 

kikija ire v tell part of the story, but 

not the whole thing [this is bad 

behavior] (sem. domains: 3.5.1.2 

- Talk about a subject.) 

kikone [kiʼkone] v kill (man) syn: 

kijwalame. (sem. domains: 

2.6.6.1 - Kill.) 

kikraerire inf. var. of hold onto 

kil [ʼkil] n noise of sago tree falling 

kilya pamkele the noise of a sago 

tree falling sounds over there (sem. 


sounds.) 

kilakla v mark on something (sem.

91 kinke 

domains: 3.5.7 - Reading and 

writing.) 

kilalolire [kiləʼloli] v throw and hit 

aya tijei alwa lokya kapakilalolire 

father threw the stone ax (at the 

enemies) gen: lololire. (sem. 

domains: 7.3.1.1 - Throw.) 

kilankeire [kilənʼkei] v stand 

jumping (sem. domains: 7.2.1.1.3 

- Jump.) 

kilekamnae [kiʼlekamʼnae] v stand 

against [when your body is 

against something else like a wall 

or other person] syn: elneporae. 

(sem. domains: 7.1.6 - Lean.) 

kilkwaryae [kilkwarʼjae] v chop (tree 

into short pieces) mi lomom 

larkouja kilkwaryae (I) chopped 

the tree into short pieces (sem. 


kilwaeyele [kilwaeʼyele] v stand 

swaying (from dizziness) (sem. 

domains: 7.2.1.6 - Steady, 

unsteady.) 

kilwale (comp. of cut and split) v 

cut-split loko tanali pakilwale he 

cut-split the pandanus (into 2 

halves) em wali mi pakilwalpae, 

iram polupai we cut-split ironwood 

to make paddles (sem. domains: 

7.8.3 - Cut.) 

kimarle [kiʼmarle] v cut across loko 

marok pakapiplale tamnae e, i to 

alwa pakimarle he nished splitting 

apart the palm tree (planks), and 

then cut across the pulp with an ax 

(sem. domains: 7.8.3 - Cut.) 

kinali [kiʼnəli] n bandicoot em kinali 

lomom talkowa, ar kinali pamire. 

we tried to hit the bandicoot, but 

the bandicoot ran away (sem. 

domains: 1.6.1.1.4 - Rodent.) 

kinalire (comp. of ) v stand & pull 

out loko plan kokleyau kinalire he 

stands and pulls out the bad grass 

kinalijale stand, pull out and leave 


kinalwae [kinalʼwae] v open bag eko 

ao pilam kinalwae she opened the 

mouth of the string bag (sem. 

domains: 7.3.6 - Open.) 

kinke [ʼkinke] v meet face-to-face er 

Alai maem maket lip pakinke we 

met (ran into) the market ladies at 

Alai ijwai ijwai aro kinke meet 

bowed (low in respect) (sem. 

domains: 4.2.1.2.) 

kinkei [ʼkinkei] n banana bunch loko 

aolok amom nar lomom al tanya

kinkei 92 

nowe, i aolo kinkei tipia kike he 

gave his friend a stalk of bananas, 

and himself took one hand 

kinkeimta bananas (top hand 

which is large, well-formed, and 

ripens rst) (sem. domains: 

5.2.3.1.2 - Food from fruit.) 

kiolele [kioʼlele] v do wrong 

sexually lu elma kiolele ran ... if 

man commits sexual sin with a 

woman... el tija i lu pliro kionlele a 

woman committed adultery with 

two men [sexual sin including 

fornication for unmarried people, 

adultery for married people, 

prostitution - traditional 

consequence for this was to kill 

the man] (sem. domains: 2.6.2.3 

- Sexual immorality.) 

kipaki n pith of sago palm heart [a 

very white substance, a very 

nourishing food, called "inopa 

taplu"] (sem. domains: 5.2.3.1 - 

Food from plants.) 

kipale [kiʼpale] v get wet; rained on 

lujela mokuran lao tea kipalpae 

some people just got wet in the rain 

(sem. domains: 1.3.3 - Wet.) 

kipariyae [kiʼpəriyae] v err while 

standing on takakipariyae I stood 

making mistakes (lit: stand-err) 

kiple [kiʼple] v crack stones into 

smaller pieces, or a crack in a 

stone lomko tijeik kiple they 

cracked stones (into smaller pieces 

for airstrip) tijei kiple warka inside 

the crack in the stone tijei pwaliple 

stone breaks into pieces (when 

dropped) (sem. domains: 1.2.2.2 - 

Rock, 7.8.2 - Crack.) 

kipol [kiʼpolə] n bridge em napu 

kipol wanowijwe we worked on the 

bridge on the path (sem. domains: 

6.5.4.1 - Road.) 

kipome [kiʼpome] v split open; split 

apart em lir pakakipome i 

plapleipae we split open the 

coconut and scooped out (meat) 

eko lawali lomom pweipapompae i 

em lawali lomom palirpae she hit to 

split the leaves and we lit them 

tanaki lomko na mopum 

pweipapome the children are 

splitting the new sago leaves (for 

decorations) spec: weipapome. 

(sem. domains: 7.8.1 - Break.) 

kipowijweri [kipowiʼtʃweri] n bird 

that foretells em kipowijweri kalim 

arpeire we again told the prophecy 

bird's talk (sem. domains: 1.6.1.2

93 klainkowale 

- Bird, 3.5.8.4 - Show, indicate.) 

kire 3 [ʼki] (inf. var. kakire, wokire) 

v is (standing); stand lwae tijan 

em paeka tea aro kire the other pig 

was just standing near us wowali 

kire there is a re pit wolwae kire 

there is a hole on aro kiplake... I 

stood and asked... em mokuran lu 

pamakinake some of us men were 

standing there wamakinake is 

inside syn: kakire 1. (sem. 

domains: 7.1.1 - Stand.) 

kiroume [kiʼroume] v eat (as insect) 


eating.) comp. kiroumkure 

kiroumkure (comp. of kiroume) v 

eat by cutting kweirolu 

amujwamum kiroum kure the 

grasshopper eats the garden food 

syn: klamuroure. (sem. 


eating.) 

kiroure [kiʼrou] v break down; break 

into; cut through (of bushes or of 

a house) on poplowanma pakiroure 

I broke through the vine loko nakim 

tija pakakiroure, i maokom pakike, i 

lao lawei kalim aro nakeire he cuts 

a vine, takes the top, and says 

rain-ritual words on wala ari 

kirouprowe I already dismantled 

the house eko olna enman 

pakirouke she cut down leaves for 

grass skirt ijo lapim plakiroure 

break through the water wanpir no 

plakiroure breaks through quickly 

like the little bird ies past (you 

don't hear it until it's long past 

you) syn: weiroure 1. (sem. 

domains: 7.8.1 - Break, 7.8.3 - 

Cut.) 

kirrowale [ʼkirəroʼwəle] v tiptoe 

(from embarrassment) el kaklan 

powe lomom i aro kirrowale 

because the woman is embarrassed 

she tiptoed away loko pakirrowale, 

aolok walaya ple he walked 

stealthily, (and) went to his own 

house (sem. domains: 3.4.2.2.2 - 

Embarrassed, 7.2.1 - Manner of 

movement.) 

kiweipopolwae [kiʼweipopoʼlwae] v 

turn body while standing syn: 

kenaeyan. (sem. domains: 

7.2.2.6 - Turn.) 

klainkowale inf. var. of lainkowe 

jump up away from 

klakakeiyaene (comp. of ) v stare at 

aya arkok paklakakeiyaene father 

right then stood and peered at (the

klakakeiyaene 94 

possum) (sem. domains: 2.3.1.3 - 

Examine.) 

klaklale [klǝk ǝle] inf. var. of shave 

o 

klalawaowale v remove something 

and replace it with new [used 

when getting rid of old spear or 

thatch, throw away and replace 

with new - don't think of it 

again] (sem. domains: 7.4.5.2 - 

Throw away.) 

klalikrae (comp. of lalire, krae tell 

after agreeing) 

klalpaniyae [kləlpəniʼjae] v change 

color ewae nowea ari klalpaniyae 

(leaves died) and new leaves grew 

syn: elkane . (sem. domains: 

9.1.2.6 - Change something.) 

klalwalirae [kləlwəliʼrae] v prepare 

klamtaine [kləmʼtaine] v smell loko 

taplu lomom paklamtaine he 

smelled the food loko ta pokman 

paklamtaine he smelled the meat 

aroma syn: tale 3 . (sem. domains: 

2.3.4 - Smell.) 

klamupapaerae [kləmupəʼpaerae] v 

kiss loko lolar maem 

paklamupapaerae he kissed (him) 

on the cheek (sem. domains: 4.1.8 

- Show a ection.) 

klamuroure [kləmuʼrou] v bite araku 

redio imaem klamuroure the 

cockatoo bit through the radio 

antenna syn: kiroumkure. (sem. 


klanakirae [klənakiʼrae] v resurrect 

ar lomko lwae maip lomom aro 

klanakiraere the dogs woke up this 

big pig lu tapelire lomom klanakirae 

resurrect (with sorcery) the man 

who died (sem. domains: 2.6.6.8 - 

Life after death.) 

klanplale v tear (clothes) on lwar 

taklanplale lokle I sewed up the 

torn clothes (sem. domains: 7.8.4 

- Tear, rip.) 

klapakipakae [kləʼpəkipəʼkae] v 

overturn (canoe by current, etc) 

(sem. domains: 7.2.4.2 - Travel 

by water.) 

klapalirae [kləpəliʼrae] v move 

things away klapalirae (sem. 

domains: 7.3.3.1 - Take 

something from somewhere.) 

klapaume v curse to kill na amnama 

taklapaumle this sago will kill you 

kali kei klapaume continually make 

bad talk about someone until they

95 klele 

die syn: apaun . (sem. domains: 

3.5.1 - Say.) 

klapeyale v remove banana skin 

(sem. domains: 5.2.1.2.1 - 


klare 1 [ʼklər] v put inside (singular) 

eko nam tipka klare she puts the 

sago in the basket loko nowakim 

pnakale, i pamklare, yowi maem he 

took the body and put it there in 

the hole (grave) on olnao klare I 

take a breath ne lal amtou klar you 

must put (your) hand in mine (an 

idiom for shake hands) syn: 

walire 5. (sem. domains: 7.3.2.6 - 

Put in.) 

klare 2 [ʼklər] v pick (pandanus) on 

tanalim maklarwa I will pick 

pandanus there (sem. domains: 

6.2.5 - Harvest.) 

klarerae inf. var. of lare 2 (hatch) 

klarlawalare v push down (sem. 

domains: 7.3.2.9 - Push.) 

klarrae inf. var. of lare put in 

(singular) and then leave 

klartae [klərəʼtae] v walk; take a 

step; step from one place to 

another lijeija klartae take small 

steps maru tipia paklartarre, i amna 

ple you walk with one sh basket 

and you go syn: larkai, kakire 2. 

(sem. domains: 7.2.1.1 - Walk.) 

klarwaonae [klərwaoʼnae] v immerse 

(do not use for baptism) almar 

klarwaonae immerse poison vine 

syn: larwao walire. (sem. 

domains: 1.3.4 - Be in water, 

7.3.2.6 - Put in.) 

kleikiyale v get rid of some (sem. 

domains: 5.6.6 - Wipe, erase.) 

kleirwale v rid (sem. domains: 5.6 - 

Cleaning.) 

klekowe [kleʼko] v go through loko 

Norombalipya aro naklekowe he 

went through Norombalip with 

them [no indication of whether 

you stop or not] (sem. domains: 

7.2.2.9 - Move straight without 

turning.) 

klele [ʼklele] v push; spread (of 

things) pumkin nuk aro klelenake 

pumpkin plant is spreading over 

ground syn: lonae. (sem. 


kleleporae (comp. of push) v push 

under; push into; stuck on lapam 

pakleleporae popo, i on lwae lomom 

pneike when I had put the arrow

kleleporae 96 

into it, I shot the pig lal paklele 

porae put hand under (sem. 


kleletae v spread out (things) wai 

loko napuka ipoku ipokuja ari 

kleletae the snake had already 

spread out cross wise on the road 

(sem. domains: 7.3.7.3 - Spread, 

smear.) 

klenae [kleʼnae] v plant (singular) 

loko takwemia armom klenae so he 

only planted tobacco (sem. 

domains: 6.2.3 - Plant a eld.) 

klepeikaiwe [klepeiʼkai] v crooked 

loko klepeikaiwe he went crooked 

syn: tereya. (sem. domains: 

8.3.1.5 - Bend.) 

klewaelu [ʼklewae ʼlure] v swim (of 

sh and crocodiles) (sem. 


movement.) 

kleyoleprae (comp. of reach-put) v 

reach out-put aipaulwa lal aimta 

loko lal yemnawei kik 

pakleyeyoleprae grandfather 

reached out and put his right on 

top of his left hand lipal 

kleyeyolerae rest feet on (sem. 

domains: 7.3.4.7 - Extend.) 

kleyowe v burn/destroy by re (sem. 

domains: 5.5.4 - Burn, 7.9.3 - 

Destroy.) 

kline [ʼkline] n spear tip, hooked 

lomko Lulujweilama aro neike, mu 

makuka, i kline tea aro kijwenlale 

They shot Lulujwei in the breast, 

and the spear tip just broke o (in 

him) (sem. domains: 6.7.8 - Parts 

of tools.) 

klole v 1) send loko laom awia kloleya 

he (God) had not yet sent rain on 

kwal tapananole lomom, apo onma 

God aokwaem lomom klowe because 

I had left him, God now sent me a 

spirit on elma awarka klowaleyale, 

on emom tea klole, walaya I did not 

divorce my wife, I just sent her 

back home (temporarily) lokoka 

alku trowia tea paklole lokoka when 

his insides were just peaceful (sem. 


scatter.) 2) push am mijaki klole 

You push (it) with a stick (to make 

coconut fall) alkum eklole push out 

stomach (sem. domains: 7.3.2.9 - 

Push.) 

klolekinae (comp. of ) v push up 

high loko lwamo anpirwae ki maem 

klolekinae he stuck the spear tip

97 kloraowale 

high up into the thatch on iram 

wala kik poklolekinae I put the 

paddle high in the house (sem. 

domains: 7.3.2 - Move something 

in a direction.) 

kloleyare inf. var. of send 

kloliraolire [kloliʼraoli] v empty out 

lomko alomka aom pakloliraolirae 

they emptied their bags syn: plae 2. 



kloliraolire porae (comp.) v empty 

out-put on maru lomom 

pakloliraolire porae I emptied out 

the sh basket (sem. domains: 

7.3.3.1 - Take something from 

somewhere.) 

klolnae inf. var. of stop by pressure 

klolorae [kloloʼrae] v x some - 

regarding road work, this action 

is done after someone has 

already cut a rough path (sem. 


kloman [kloʼman] n smell; odor 

elweli kloman the smell of charred 

wood (after re has died) liropae 

kloman smell of feces pan kloman 

smell of vomit (sem. domains: 

2.3.4 - Smell.) 

klomjwene [klomʼtʃwene] v break by 

biting lwae loko Boksak lipalam 

pokolomjwene the pig bit and broke 

Boxer's leg (sem. domains: 5.2.2.1 

- Bite, chew.) 

kloplom olli (comp. of 

kloplomwale, olli) n eraser 

(sem. domains: 3.5.7 - Reading 

and writing.) 

kloplomwale v erase/clean o kali ar 

lomom kloplomwale erase these 

words wowem kloplomwale remove 

dirt (by washing) syn: 

keijoweyae. (sem. domains: 

5.6.6 - Wipe, erase.) compounds: 

kloplom olli, nakplom lwar 

kloplorarae [kloploraʼrae] v open; 

unlock am ijo tankma klopolorarae 

you open/unlock the water tank 


klorae [kloʼrae] v roast (singular) 

eko na weri plim pnaklorae she 

roasted two bamboo pieces with 

sago inside (sem. domains: 5.2.1.1 

- Cooking methods.) 

kloraowale v wash o [wash o 

ashes from body or wash o a 

dirty child] syn: eole. (sem. 

domains: 5.6 - Cleaning.)

klowaleyale 98 

klowaleyale [klowəleʼjəle] v get rid 

of on emom tea poklowaleyale I just 

divorced her namankli peyare, i 

mijakika klowaleyale the millipede 

comes, and (you) get rid of it with 

a stick (sem. domains: 2.6.1.4 - 

Divorce, 7.3.3.4 - Chase away.) 

kloware [kloʼware] v stick upright 

into am morom paramkloware, pli, 

napan napanya klowarwa you stick 

the wood down into the ground 

(under the river), two of them, to 

stand it in between (to hold a sh 

basket) loko nolujaki kloware. he 

plants the banana shoots (in the 

ground to grow). (sem. domains: 

6.2.1 - Growing crops, 7.5.9 - 

Put.) 

klowartae [klowərʼtae] v land (on 

feet after falling or jumping) tana 

mijali ki tija maem parpam 

klowartae the sugar glider again 

lands there on a high branch on 

wai lokoka napan kik armom 

klowartae I therefore landed on top 

of the middle of the snake awem 

Godlaka pae maem maklowarrae we 

stand there with God loko kloware 

he jumps down (sem. domains: 

7.2.2.5 - Move down.) 

klowe [ʼklo] v reach toward amna lal 

klowe you reach your hand out (to 

take a child) (sem. domains: 

7.3.4.5 - Actions of the hand.) 

kloweyayare [klowejaʼyare] v 

disobey; break law lapliko onka 

kalim pakloweyaraerre popo, i 

larawoum pamirwale they disobey 

me and then run in fear am kali 

takloweyayare lomom, i am weijwei 

ao nire because you disobey, you 

will not live long (sem. domains: 

4.7.3 - Break the law.) 

klum klum [ʼklum ʼklum] n chopping 

noise (of chopping a tree, or 

knocking on wood, can be loud 

or soft) klum klum we noise of 

chopping syn: kulwamu 

kulwamu . (sem. domains: 

2.3.2.3 - Types of sounds.) 

klwanae [klowəʼnae] v rub out 

amaole ijo plemolke, i aro klowanae 

the mother dipped (her nger) in 

water, and rubbed out (the spot of 

dirt) (sem. domains: 5.6 - 

Cleaning, 7.7.5 - Rub.) 

knakourao porae v free up something 

that was stuck or buried before 

(use for trees and things) mi 

nujwar pari knakourao porae free a

99 kokro 

tree/piece of wood that was stuck 

under the ground (sem. domains: 

7.5.2.4 - Remove, take apart.) 

knarome v stop power (including 

engines) nakli aro knarome stop 

the power (of ritual or spirit) wowi 

powe, i pae(ka) nakli aro knarome 

do a secret dance, and the power 

of the sickness is stopped [To stop 

the power of a sorcerer, you cook 

ginger with greens. When he 

unknowingly eats it, then his 

power is stopped.] (sem. 



knaroure inf. var. of naroure 

knawowe [kənaʼwo] v raise (object 

to a higher position) loko redio 

imaem kanawowe he raises the 

radio rope (antenna) am inein o 

ran, i lalma paekanawo If you 

know (answer), raise your hand 

(sem. domains: 7.3.2.4 - Lift.) 

kokaki [koʼkəki] v stop kokaki ran 

awe (it) does not stop (sem. 

domains: 8.4.6.1.2 - Stop 

something.) 

kokeinakire [kokeiʼnəki] v test/ask 

someone to do something 

(always unsuccessful) on awom 

aro takokeinakija I will test you on 

awomka kalim aro kokeinakija I 

will test your words syn: krrao 

keinakire . (sem. domains: 

6.1.2.1 - Try, attempt.) 

koklane [koʼkləne] n re smell mi 

koklane smell of re (sem. 

domains: 2.3.4 - Smell, 5.5.5 - 


kokleyau [kokleʼjau] adj bad em 

wanowi kokleyaum tea aro opleyae 

all of us just do bad things on 

kokleyau takole I may start to do 

bad (sem. domains: 8.3.7.1 - 

Bad.) 

-kokranae [kokraʼnae] v hold 

together aolo lokokranae the doors 

were locked nakweikokranae nail 

(fasten) to something (sem. 

domains: 7.5.2.2 - Stick 

together.) 

kokro [ʼkokro] adj small api eko 

kokro a? kapou kapou maip! is the 

female cassowary small? (no), 

very very big! on pira kokro kan 

ponure I got some small sh syn: 

aip. (sem. domains: 8.2.1 - 

Small.) der. kokrowe

kokrowe 100 

kokrowe (der. of kokro) v pretend 

tairaoke kokrowe play-pretend 

(sem. domains: 6.1.2.1 - Try, 

attempt.) 

kokwame [koʼkwam] v say (direct 

speech) em pokokwame, "em apo 

arka ao nwae." we said, "we will 

not sleep here tonight." (sem. 

domains: 3.5.1 - Say.) 

kolanae [koləʼnae] v rub kolanae 

(sem. domains: 7.7.5 - Rub.) 

kole [ʼkol] v make thatch on 

anpirwae kole I weave thatch 

kolepae thatch plural (sem. 

domains: 7.5.2.1 - Link, connect.) 

kolkwalna (der. of wolna) 

kolpira [ʼkolpirə] n pumpkin (round) 


from plants.) 

kolujwane v chew ijwaur taplu 

polwowi, awarka kolujwani the 

crocodile swallows food (whole), 

does not chew (it) (sem. domains: 

5.2.2.1 - Bite, chew.) 

kolwaeporae (comp. of lwae 1, porae 

carry on top) v put on top and 

carry on ewae palipe i aokuka 

pakolwaeporae I picked leaves and 

put on top of my string bag to 

carry loko mijwan waem tija nakik 

pokolwaeyare he had fruit seeds 

hanging around (his) neck (sem. 

domains: 8.5.1.5.1 - Next to.) 

kolwaeyale [koʼlwaeʼjəle] v throw o 

el lomko mim pokolwaeyale the 

ladies shook o (from shoulders) 

rewood (onto ground) (sem. 

domains: 7.4.5.2 - Throw away.) 

kolwaeyare inf. var. of lwae 1 

kolwarle [kolwarle] v let down 

lomko nakam kolwarle, nuja they 

let him down with (basket) to the 

ground (sem. domains: 7.3.2.5 - 

Lower something.) 

kolwayale inf. var. of lwae 1 

kolwenae [kolweʼnae] v hide ari 

yamwei kolwenae (the animal has) 

already hidden ki kolwenae hide in 

a standing position (sem. domains: 

7.6 - Hide.) 

kom [ʼkwom] n bamboo (large) 


herb, vine.) 

kom [ʼkom] adj black or blue color 

loko kom lu he is a black-skinned 

man (sem. domains: 8.3.3.3.2 - 

Black.) 

komurae inf. var. of mure birth time

101 koplu nawene 

(speci cally) 

konae [koʼnae] v dress, put on 

clothes loko lwarm ari konae he 

already dressed with clothes loko 

weipamu pokonae he put on a penis 

gourd (sem. domains: 5.3.7 - 

Wear clothing.) 

konia [ʼkwənea] adj rst physically 

in the order of things em peyare 

stetionya, koniamtak we came to 

the station, the very rst Godlaka 

kwarirae kali konia konia wale 

lomo God's promises he made at 

the very rst (sem. domains: 

8.4.5.1.2 - First.) 

kopa [koʼpa] n sound of clapping, 

hitting, apping wom lal kopa 

kopa kweijo you must clap (your) 

hands! eyo kopa kopa we the birds 

are apping (wings) loko ijoka 

kopa weijwei he hit the water (with 

hand, clothes) (sem. domains: 


kopaijele [kopaiʼtʃele] v stop 

working by choice (of working or 

going to school) lwae kakeya 

pnakale. Em pakopaijele. the pig 

ran far away. We stopped (chasing 

it). (sem. domains: 8.4.6.1.2 - 

Stop something.) 

kopke [kopke] v crack or break an 

egg open ewom ari kopke the egg 

has broken (sem. domains: 1.6.3.1 

- Egg.) 

koplu 1 [ʼkoplu] n part of something 

am lowali koplum aro laolwa you 

will scrape o part (the top to 

make a canoe) lomko wala lowali 

koplum kwain aro keinaplirae they 

took o some of the house (roof) 

(sem. domains: 8.6 - Parts of 

things.) 

koplu 2 [ʼkoplu] adj unripe fruit or 

immature people (too young to 

be married) nar wei awarkweya, 

koplu we the bananas are not ripe 

yet, still unripe lu loko koplu 

nawene that man is too immature 

(to be married) syn: kurle. (sem. 


plants, 2.6.4.3 - Youth.) 

koplu koplu [ʼkoplu ʼkoplu] n nose 

ring [a special stick put in the 

nose for decoration] (sem. 


koplu nawene (ph. v.) v lit: not ripe 

syn: napal kike. (sem. domains: 

2.6.4.3 - Youth.) 

kopnae [kopʼnae] v care for (used

kopnae 102 

for caring for children, wife, or 

brothers by providing food, not 

ghting, etc) mo ayam tapkopnae 

yapanweire lu lomom, am lomom 

kikwarle a man who cares well for 

(his) father and mother, (I expect) 

you to marry him aya onma tea 

kopnae yapanweiri my father just 

habitually cares for me well gen: 

nalwanire. (sem. domains: 

2.6.4.2.1 - Rear a child.) 

kopokunae [kopokuʼnae] v block; 

stop; protect loko napum 

kopokunae he blocked the road on 

amnama takopokunaeya I will 

protect you (from someone trying 

to hit, shoot) syn: krowenae 2. 

koprae inf. var. of krae 

korale [koʼrəle] v surprise about 

something new eko tea korale she 

is just surprised lujel lomko waleija 

tea knokorale all the people were 

just surprised together (sem. 

domains: 3.4.1.3 - Surprise.) 

korre [ʼkorre] v move noisily akli 

awarka ekorre (animal) did not 

move towards me with rustling 

noise (sem. domains: 1.6.4.3 - 

Animal sounds, 2.3.2.3 - Types of 

sounds.) 

koru [ʼkoru] n tree [type that sheds 

leaves in dry season, and does 

not have strong wood] (sem. 


koulonae [koulwoʼnae] v shut (door) 

napu larma pakoulwonae the 

doorway is shut el, aolo koulonae 

woman, the door is shut koulonae 

aolo door (sem. domains: 7.3.6.1 - 

Shut, close.) 

kounae [kouʼnae] v shoot with bow 

on anapir kounae I shot with the 

bow on lwaem tapalkounae lokok, i 

anapir keinawene when I tried to 

shoot the pig, the bow broke on 

lapa pakike i pakounae. arna on ao 

neike, tea plakiraele. I took the 

spear and shot it. But I didn't spear 

(it), (it) just started dodging. 

pnakounaepae napalya tighten (& 

climb) with vine (sem. domains: 

6.4.1 - Hunt.) 

kowae [koʼwae] v shine in general 

(not shine on things) walwa ari 

kowae the sun is light walwa kowae 

the sun shines (through clouds) on 

lawali awarka kowae yapane I did 

not shine the torch well (sem. 

domains: 8.3.3.1 - Shine.) 

kowae walnale (comp. of shine

103 krae 

around) 

kowaeporae v shine on top of walwa 

ollim kowaeporae the sun shines on 

top of the things (sem. domains: 

8.3.3.1 - Shine.) 

kowaerae inf. var. of shine around 

on things/ down on things - 

enough sun to give a shadow 

kowal 1 [koʼwalə] n chopping noise; 

cutting noise lwae lapliko awemka 

kowalma, awemka kalim ao 

wanipaya the two pigs did not yet 

hear our noise or our talk syn: ili 2; 

syn: pakei pakei. (sem. domains: 


kowale [kowale] v kick (sem. 

domains: 7.7.3 - Kick.) 

kowale 2 [koʼwəl] v remember on 

ineinein pokowale I think again 

(remember) on mak karu kowale I 

forgot (sem. domains: 3.2.6 - 

Remember.) 

kowanire [koʼwani] v avoid loko 

lomom kowanire he passed by him 

kowaonae [kowaoʼnae] v immerse; 

overcome; humiliate loko lokoka 

kalim kowaonae he won the 

argument comp. kwari 

kowaonae 

kowijawoku [kowitʃaʼwoku] n roof 

beam (long) kowijawoku walak 

maoko praeka the roof beam is at 

the top of the house (sem. 

domains: 6.5.2.2 - Roof.) 

koworae v stand together; 

strengthen; work together 

wanowi lapliko papli tea koworae 

the two actions just work together 

(to strengthen each other) lal pli 

lapliko papli tea koworae the two 

hands just work together syn: 

wowanae. (sem. domains: 4.1.5 

- Unity.) 

kra karnem tai (ph. v. of tae 2 eat 

constantly) v eat constantly loko 

womi walwa taplu krakarnem tai he 

eats all day and all night (sem. 

domains: 5.2.2 - Eat.) 

kra kra [kra kra] n say tsk tsk (with 

tongue near teeth to show 

displeasure); soft sound (of 

hitting metal, hitting a nail, 

knocking with one nger) lal kra 

kra we make tsk tsk noise with 

tongue (sem. domains: 2.3.2.3 - 


krae [ʼkrae] (inf. var. koprae) v 1) 

put; leave em ikim pakrae we left 

the canoe (on the shore) loko lwae

kralakolele 104 

kokro pourke, aoya pokoraele he 

caught a small pig, and started 

putting it in the string bag (sem. 

domains: 7.3.2.3 - Put aside.) 2) 

instruct (lt: put and leave talk) 

emka ayalam, molam kali lomom 

tea kraerre our fathers and mothers 

just instructed (us) with this maru 

emka ayalam tea kraerre about sh 

baskets, our fathers just instructed 

(us) syn: imamarire. (sem. 

domains: 3.6 - Teach.) 

compounds: kamir krae, 

kanikraerre, klalikrae, 

kwarirol kraerre 

kralakolele (der. of lwele push & 

leave on road) 

kraleya [kwraleʼja] v shining of sun 

or moon; use this term when the 

sun sets red; when the sun, 

moon, star, rainbow shines like 

this, it means something bad will 

happen maralma on eno nwa 

kwoklu le ran, planemiyam 

kwraleya sometimes if I sleep 

deeply, (I) wake up only when 

dawn lightens walwa pakraleyae 

aro shine like the sun walwa 

pamkraleya rane sun goes down red 

yam takraleyae moon shines well 

synonyms: wa- 2, ura. (sem. 

domains: 8.3.3.1 - Shine.) 

kralwalale 1 [krəlʼwa] v hit with 

object on weirou napu lar maem 

kralia pwelke I hit the knife on the 

door (to wake up wife) (sem. 

domains: 7.7.1 - Hit.) 

kralwalale 2 (comp. of hit and leave 

there) v hit/kill and leave wai 

lomom on aro kralwalale I hit 

(killed) and left the snake (sem. 


krane [ʼkrane] adj large (of man, 

pig) lwae loko krane kranemta that 

pig is very very large (sem. 

domains: 8.2 - Big.) 

kraoke v clean, unmixed water (only 

used for water) ijo ari kraoke 

water is already clean (sem. 

domains: 1.3.6 - Water quality.) 

krapane [kraʼpan] v slap (with hand 

in anger); hit (in anger with hand 

or stick) am tanma lalya krapane 

you hit the child with your hand 

(to punish) [use this when hitting 

a house in anger with a stick to 

communicate you want person in 

house to come out] (sem. 

domains: 7.1.9 - Move a part of

105 krul 

the body.) 

krapejele [krapeʼtʃele] v milk ow el 

tan tan powe lokok, mu apo 

krapejelka when the woman has 

the child with her, the milk is now 

still owing syn: laowe, laore. 

(sem. domains: 2.2 - Body 

functions.) 

kromu [ʼkromu] n banana (fat, red, 

eaten when ripe) (sem. domains: 

1.5 - Plant.) 

krorae [kroʼrae] v make new/rough 

path wom napum kororaeyam you 

must prepare the road [make path 

through garden so you can begin 

work- do this before you cut 

trees down, or cut grass; mainly 

means taking out thorns and 

overgrowth that would hinder 

walking] (sem. domains: 6.1 - 

Work, 7.2.4.6 - Way, route.) 

kroujale [krouʼtʃwəle] v cut by 

sawing loko makujwaem 

koroujwale he cut o his hair (sem. 


krowenae [kroweʼnae] v 1) cover to 

protect (this has more force than 

kelone) loko anapirwae walwae 

lommom krowenae he covered up 

the holes in the thatch walwanao 

walwam krowenae the clouds cover 

the sun yao wali pakrowenae a 

ghting shield protects/covers 

lujela tapakinake lomko lokok eno 

keinaki napum takrowenae the 

people standing there blocked his 

vision [can use krowenae for 

pushing on skin with at hand to 

stop bleeding] (sem. domains: 

4.4.4.5 - Protect, 7.3.7 - Cover.) 

2) stop entry syn: kopokunae. 

(sem. domains: 4.5.3 - Exercise 

authority.) 

krrao keinakire [ʼkərərao keiʼnəki] v 

test; ask (not knowing what 

answer will be, may be 

repeatedly) syn: kokeinakire. 

(sem. domains: 3.5.1.5 - Ask.) 

krraorae v test Satan Jisaslama 

takrraorae taleijalkwom krraowe 

Satan tested Jesus in order to pull 

him (implied to do wrong) 

krul [ʼkrul] n end of something pae 

krulya aro kele it was the end of 

the sickness mu kru tan the last 

child (lt: end of milk child) moto ili 

kru the motor noise stopped on 

makujwal maem kru I cut o head 

(of snake) syn: toure 2. (sem.

ku 106 

domains: 8.6.7 - End, point.) 

ku n wild sugarcane ku tawokir lwane 

the wild sugarcane stands rotting 

ku talwane the wild sugarcane is 

spoiling (in house) (sem. domains: 


ku [ʼku] v break balira lowi loko ku 

the wing of the plane broke 

amnaka lal al papli ku both the 

bones of your arm are broken syn: 

inawene. (sem. domains: 7.9 - 

Break, wear out.) 

kulkul [kulʼkul] n scabies tan ai 

parprae loko kula kula plapawe the 

child who was again eaten by 

mosquitoes had sores come up 

(sem. domains: 2.5.2.2 - Skin 

disease.) 

kulmo [ʼkulmo] n taste with your 

nger lal kulmo keinakire see 

about the taste with your nger 

(sem. domains: 2.3.3 - Taste.) 

kulwae [kuʼlwae] v swim lomko ijo 

pokulwae they swam ne takulwae? 

can you swim? syn: lae 2 1. 

kulwalke [kuʼlwalke] v split part o 

na pakakijele, tomiok pokulwalpae 

cut down a sago tree, split (it) with 

an ax syn: lwale. (sem. domains: 

7.8.3 - Cut.) 

kulwamu kulwamu n chopping noise 

syn: klum klum. (sem. domains: 


kuni kuni n asking in an irritating, 

challenging manner kuni kuni kali 

ire (sem. domains: 3.5.1.6 - 

Debate.) 

kurle [ʼkurle] adj unripe fruit elam 

kurle unripe breadfruit (nuts not 

formed yet) syn: koplu 2. (sem. 


kwa- [ʼkwə] n down verbal deictic 

pre x kweinakile look down onto 

(sem. domains: 8.5.2.5 - Down.) 

kwain [ʼkwain] adj some lomko 

narma kwain ao plae they did not 

plant any bananas loko kwain 

ineina, api urma he knows some 

about butchering a cassowary (not 

a lot) loko apo kwain plele he is 

now moving some (feeling better) 

kali kwainya a short talk (sem. 

domains: 8.1.3.2 - Few, little.) 

kwaku [ʼkwaku] v clear away (sem. 

domains: 7.2.2.2 - Move back.) 

kwakwal [ʼkwəʼkwale] v crack 

knuckle kwakwaleya ele crack the 

knuckle (sem. domains: 2.1.3.3 -

107 kwarirol kraerre 

Finger, toe.) 

kwalir kanire [ʼkwəlirəʼkəni] v kneel; 

squat aya aka tapaleirane lokok, i 

lapliko tea aro kwalira kanire when 

father ran down yelling, the two 

just kneeled (looking for enemies) 

lapliko tea aro kwalira kanire the 

two just squatted (sem. domains: 

7.1.4 - Kneel.) 

kwaliramaune [ʼkwəlirəʼmaune] v 

crack partially (sem. domains: 

7.9.1 - Damage.) 

kwalireine [ʼkwəlireine] v look down 

(from a height) eno keinaki 

kwalireine look down from height 

(like the top of tree) olli tija 

kwalireine looked down on 

something ant: kaliraloweine. 


kwalirpomku v break into tiny pieces 

(like happens with stones) (sem. 


kwalirweine v break open (sem. 


kwalkwala [ʼkwələkwəʼla] n bird 

(type of bird that springs around) 

kwalkwala no naklainko maniyaole 

spring around like the kwalkwala 

bird (sem. domains: 1.6.1.2 - 

Bird.) 

kwam [ʼkwəm] adj own (belonging) 

lolol aolokwam pakra pleraele, i 

pinarnijwoulak kwam parpnakrae 

the crab ate all of his own (food) 

and then ate the ant's own (food) 

too 

kwaniropnae [kwəniropʼnae] v put 

on clothes; wear clothes loko kap 

kwaniropnae he puts on/wears a 

cap (sem. domains: 5.3.7 - Wear 

clothing.) 

kwape [ʼkwape] n knife of ancestors 

loko kwapem pakike popo, i tanma 

pakeilone he took the small knife, 

and stabbed the child (sem. 

domains: 6.7.1 - Cutting tool.) 

kwari kowaonae (comp. of wari 1, 

kowaonae wrap&submerge) 

kwarirae kali [ʼkwarirae ʼkali] n 

decision; consensus (sem. 


kwarirol kraerre (comp. of krae) v 

bundle-leave on imae 

yamweiroukar tamnae e i er 

pakwarirol kraerre I nished 

cutting the vines here and we 

bundled them up and left them 

(sem. domains: 7.5.4 - Tie.)

kwarla 108 

kwarla [ʼkwərlə] n bird that ies 

around in dry season (sem. 


kweijantae [kweitʃənʼtae] v point 

way (like a sign points the right 

way- usually something also 

blocks the other way) Jisas 

lujelma kweijanpaowa Jesus 

stopped people (from going the 

wrong way) 

kweijwowaerae [kweitʃwowaeʼrae] v 

clean o area to build am wala 

wiro, peyakelwale, peyak 

weijwowaerae i arkok walam aro 

wimia when you build a house, 

prepare (it) rst, rst clean (area) 

o , and right then build the house 

syn: elwe. (sem. domains: 6.2.2 - 

Land preparation.) 

kweilalaololale [kweil ǝlaolo lǝle] inf. 

var. of shake-throw o ; swing 

then throw hook into water, kick 

something o of leg 

kweilolwae tae kali (comp. of 

explanation) 

kweilolwaerae [kweilolwaeʼrae] v 1) 

clean-o (a former road or place) 

wala ni lwapna kweilolwaerae clear 

o a place for a house to be 2) 

remind amnak kali onka 

ineineinma ari kweilolwaetae your 

words already reminded/cleared 

up my thinking 

kweilyae [kweilʼjae] v arrive em 

Maniroku pae maem ulapukyak 

makweilyae we arrived there at 

Maniroku nally in the afternoon 

lomko walamaku aro mirweilyae 

prowe they ran & arrived at the 

village (sem. domains: 7.2.3.3.1 - 

Arrive.) 

kweimae [kweiʼmae] v jump down 

(both people and animals) (sem. 

domains: 7.2.1.1.3 - Jump.) 

kweimonae v cover eko pilam 

pnakweimonae she covered her 

mouth (with her hand to hide a 

laugh) (sem. domains: 7.5.9.2 - 

Fill, cover.) 

kweinakile [kweiʼnəkile] v look down 


kweipamunae v close (book, mouth) 

kweipapapujware 

[kweipaʼpapuʼtʃware] v hit in air 

amna ero ero mijakija 

kweipapapujwarwa you will hit 

whatever (like butter ies) with any 

kind of stick mamaliwai loko 

kweipapapujware i lal ewae 

kerarowe the lightning knocks

109 kwekwao 

(you) at and your arm hair is 

singed 

kweipokulwae [kweipokuʼlwae] v 

shake out; brush o 

kweipokunae v block loko awal maem 

pakweipokunae he blocked o the 

river mouth 

kweipokurae [kweipokuʼrae] v block 

(with object) on takwem 

pakweipokurae I blocked in the 

tobacco (with a fence) on na worao 

napum takweipokurae, lu ta worao 

lomom I blocked o the sago 

hunting place from men hunting 

animals 

kweipolaeyale [kweipolwaeʼjəle] v 

shake o -escape; overcome lwae 

onma parpa kweipolaeyale the 

(small) pig again wiggled away 

from me loko am taiprekwa, i 

ineinein kokleyau pokweipolaeyale. 

he may grab you and bad thinking 

will overcome you gen: 

weipolwae; syn: kolwayale. 

kweirolu [kweiʼrolu] n grasshopper 

kweirolu ur maem pounwan larpae 

the grasshopper ew/hopped in the 

garden gen: wamu. (sem. 


kweirou klolorae (comp. of 

weiroure 1, klolorae) v x road 

by cutting am napu kweirou 

klolorae you nish xing/making 

the road 

kwekwae [kweʼkwae] n frog 

kwekwae pamele the frogs croaked 

there (implied: time of dusk) 

lapliko kwekwae laweik yarare they 

came south when the frogs croaked 

(at dusk) (sem. domains: 1.6.1.4 - 

Amphibian.) 

kwekwae ele n dusk kwekwae pamlele 

lit: frogs croaked there (implied: 

dusk) (sem. domains: 8.4.1.2.3 - 


kwekwao [kweʼkwao] n wrong 

action, mistake, di erent 

directions am kwekwao ari kowale 

you already did wrong/made a 

mistake lomko walwa kwekwao 

kwekwao nalowe they (said) 

di erent things about (which) day 

(to go) iki waran loko waniraka 

kwekwaomta we the front of the 

boat was moving around in 

di erent directions (stuck) in the 

sand [other examples include 

putting too little water in sago so 

it doesn't jell and you have to 

throw it out, or you make a

kwen 110 

mistake on a piece of paper so 

need another piece - this is 

considered worse behavior than 

walijwire] syn: walijwi 4. 

kwen [ʼkwen] v bounce up and 

down, bob in water, oor 

bouncing marok kwen kwen we 

palm tree plank bounces (on 

shoulder) 

kwerolure [kweʼrolu] v stir sago 

(with a big stick) on napam 

pakwerolure I stirred sago jelly 

(w/big stick) (sem. domains: 


preparation.) 

kweyau [kweʼjau] n poison vine syn: 

almar. (sem. domains: 1.5.3 - 

Grass, herb, vine, 2.5.3.2 - 

Poison.) 

kwoklu [ʼkwoklu] v sleep deeply 

loko eno nwa kwoklu le he sleeps 

la 2 [lə] postpos male su x for nouns 

Lwowela nan tea plamakire Lwowe 

also just stood to the south 

la- 1 [ʼla] v:dx downriver em lamonae 

L l 

deeply (sem. domains: 5.7 - 

Sleep.) 

kwoparyei n lizard (very small, 

doesn't go into sun, goes to sleep 

quickly) kwoparyei eno lwawalwa 

the small lizard goes to sleep [used 

as an illustration of children 

going to sleep quickly] (sem. 


kwoplorowe [kwoʼplorowe] v jump 

down ar tea kwoplorowe yowija, ijo 

prae the dog just jumped down in 

the hole and drank water (sem. 

domains: 7.2.1.1.3 - Jump.) 

kworol [kwoʼrol] n kookaburra 

kworol loko wali namia the 

kookaburra has no nest (sem. 


kworwarae v cover gen: worwaeke. 

(sem. domains: 7.3.7 - Cover.) 

we slept downriver (sem. domains: 

8.5.2.8 - North, south, east, 

west.) 

lae 1 [ʼlae] n genitals (female) on tan

111 laimeke 

tija, lae ran I have a girl child 

(sem. domains: 2.1.8.4 - Female 

organs.) 

lae 2 [ʼlae] v 1) oat iki maip ijoka tea 

aro lae a big ship just just oats in 

the water ijo aolia lae only water is 

there (describing a ooded place) 

lokoka ineinein talae maniyaole his 

thinking oats around (he is 

distracted or easily scared) syn: 

kulwae. 2) hang from; dock boat 

momom paklaele i urpaom aro tawa 

the butter y hangs (under ower) 

to eat the blossom ne klaele, onka 

lawali kika you hang on my 

shoulders em iki tan peyanak yaram 

klaele we docked the canoe north 

up (on land) iki lae lwam place to 

dock a canoe 

lae 3 [ʼlae] v go downriver lomko 

Trindek lae they went downriver on 

Wednesday (sem. domains: 7.2.2 - 

Move in a direction.) 

lae naolire v paralyzed (limb) lipal 

tea plae naolire the leg just is 

paralyzed (sem. domains: 2.5.4 - 

Disabled.) 

laerkeinwale [laerəkeinʼwale] v 

surface lu tija ijoka pakweira 

waonae, i plaerkeinwale a man was 

hit-submerged under water and 

resurfaced (sem. domains: 7.2.2.4 

- Move up.) 

laerkle [ʼlaerkle] v make (rack) irki 

plaerkle, kika, nowakim aro 

yamporaerrwa make a rack up 

high, to put the body up on em 

lamnae plaerklapae we made many 

racks (for smoking sh) (sem. 

domains: 5.1 - Household 

equipment.) 

laewowe v climb up a fence lu pak 

kija laewowe, i pamlerane the man 

climbs up the fence and goes down 

(on the other side) (sem. domains: 

7.2.1 - Manner of movement.) 

laike [ʼlaike] v catch (an object that 

is thrown) amwapu iraok tija le, 

tijei plaipai one girl's game is this, 

catching stones (playing jacks) 

laimeke [laimeke] v 1) crouch (down 

as when hiding from someone) 

loko tani laimeke he crouches down 

(hiding from someone) (sem. 

domains: 7.1.2 - Sit.) 2) op (as a 

sh opping up into air) (sem. 


movement.) 

lainkowe [lainʼko] (inf. var.

lainkowe 112 

klainkowale) v jump up and 

down in place (implied feet are 

together?) lipal papli tea 

nakalijape i lainkowa just throw 

(spear) at both legs, and jump/hop 

from foot to foot (during a ght) 

lujel lainkopae people jump up and 

down warpaki no lainko maniyaole 

like a warpaki snake jumping 

around syn: nilamnae. (sem. 

domains: 7.2.1.1.3 - Jump.) 

laire [ʼlaire] v kick 

lairoupure [laiʼroupu] v pump 

(heart) nalwein kapou kapou 

talairoupure the heart beats quickly 

(when running) nalwein awarka 

lairoupure the heart doesn't beat 

(when dead) (sem. domains: 

2.1.8.1 - Heart.) 

laiwowaowe [laiwoʼwao] v shout 

loudly using words (usually done 

from short distances when 

happy, and/or in large group) 

loko kapou kapou paklaiwowaowe 

he shouted very loudly syn: 

alaipou. (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.1.1 - Shout.) 

lak [ʼlakə] 1) n cup (ancestors used 

coconut shells for cups) eko ijo 

ipir lomom lakka poluke she fetched 

hot water in a cup (sem. domains: 

5.2.1.5 - Serve food.) 2) adj bald 

lokok makujwal lak his head is bald 

lu lakepau loko maman piram 

nakakike the balding man gets sh 

with a hook (sem. domains: 2.1.5 

- Hair.) 

lakakau lu n person who is famous, 

has authority, deserves respect 

syn: walalao lu. 

lakla [ʼlaklə] n duck (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.2 - Bird.) 

laklapauke [ləkləʼpau] v remove 

afterbirth from newborn mo 

onma tapkomurae lokok, awarka 

laklapauke when my mother gave 

birth to me, (she) did not clean 

(me - remove the afterbirth) (sem. 

domains: 2.6.3.5 - Help to give 

birth.) 

lakle [ʼləkle] v 1) cut small places in 

skin onka makujwal tananele. ne 

talaklaprowa? my head hurts. will 

you cut it? (to help pain) aoweka 

pokulou nolma aro laklapae her 

skin blood was cut (sem. domains: 

2.5.7 - Treat disease.) 2) sting 

onka enom sol klakle the salt water 

stung my eyes emka enom sol 

plaklapae the salt water stung our

113 lal ap 

eyes 

lakli [ʼlakli] n yelling in union - not 

words lomko lakli pnakamkonake 

they were yelling there (in unison 

after a ght: u u u) em lakli lomom 

wanipae we heard the yelling 

lunapi lakli pamnakleleya the 

enemies were still yelling there 


Celebrate.) 

lakone v drown by a ood or fast 

current (not used when a person 

falls into water and drowns) lujel 

lomko ijo plakonpae the people 

drowned in a ood loko Ewan wo 

loko ijo lapi lomom pakike i 

paklakone when he was crossing 

the Yellow River, the current held 

and drowned him syn: ilowe, 

keilowe. (sem. domains: 2.6.6.1 

- Kill.) 

lakonka v grow up and die without 

being used na pae lakonka let the 

sago grow up and die (because 

there is a bad memory associated 

with it) 

lal 1 [ʼlalə] n tongue (of person, 

animal, or tongue of re) (sem. 

domains: 2.1.1.4 - Mouth.) comp. 

milal 

lal 2 [ʼlələ] n hand lal pwalir paowe 

put hands on (plural people) to 

show pleasure or heal lal kral 

kanaki hold hand to pull up lal 

aralnaka (you) hold hands (and go 

together) em waleija lal praolke 

popo, i aolo ema beten panakowe 

we all held hands and then he 

prayed with us ne lal amtou klar 

you must shake hands aya lal elam 

napakla awalirwom you must all 

shake hands with father lal polwae 

gesture with hand to come near 

wom lal kopa kopa kweijowom you 

must clap (your) hands lalya ipir 

powe hands only are hot (from 

cooking) lal pakweipokurae motion 

for person to stop talking kali ijam 

lal plonae point at someone for 

them to start talking (sem. 

domains: 2.1.3.1 - Arm.) 

lal akukya koporae (kt. phr.) v trust; 

lit: put on top of hands lal akukya 

koporae put on top of hands (sem. 

domains: 4.3.4.5.3 - Entrust to 

the care of.) 

lal ap [ʼləl ʼap] n knuckle lal ap 

knuckle (sem. domains: 2.1.3.3 - 

Finger, toe.) 

lal apan n hand print lal apan pwari

lal apan 114 

the mark of the hand (used when 

you remember someone because 

they planted a tree, etc) syn: 

aweyaki. (sem. domains: 3.2.6.4 

- Remind.) 

lal tapena [ʼlələ ʼtapenə] n ngertips 

wom lal tapena nowai aro 

yakwaripae you must rst tie 

(platform) as high as our ngertips 

(can reach) (sem. domains: 

2.1.3.3 - Finger, toe.) 

lal walei lu [ləl wəʼlei lu] n 

government man (lit: man with 

long hand/reach) (sem. domains: 

4.5.1 - Person in authority, 4.6.6 

- Government functions.) 

lal wopa [ʼləl woʼpa] n glove (lit: 

hand wrapper) (sem. domains: 

5.3 - Clothing.) 

lalakik [ləʼlakik] 1) n ritual or 

custom, frequently involving rst 

avoiding certain activities lomko 

lalakik namaklaka lele they have 

followed the custom (avoided 

something) loko lalakik ao 

kalijaplare he did not break the 

custom lalakik ao lele paplae did 

not follow the custom pijou lalakik 

a ritual for stealing lalakik ari 

kalijape already broken the 

customs [can use for good or bad, 

ie for a Christian way of doing 

things – it covers actions and 

words, what is and isn't done - 

noun is used for one speci c 

ritual, not a ritual system - the 

rituals are seen as being helpful 

for good living] (sem. domains: 

4.3.9.1 - Custom.) 2) v follow 

rituals loko aolom lalakire he 

forbids himself (to do certain 

activities) ne am amnaka ni lelem 

tea lalakik yapanwei. wanowi 

kokleyau tap wowirao. you must 

follow customs well in your own 

life. do not do all kinds of wrong 

things. lomko aya maipka eno 

amakeika tea lalakik yapanweire in 

God's eyes they are clean ritually 

(have followed rituals well) syn: 

milira kali, laope. 

lalakliya [ləʼləklija] n well-known; 

good reputation lokok ilei 

lalakliya wokire his name 

(reputation) stands publicly (sem. 


public.) 

lalale [laʼləle] v spread out loko 

takwem walwaenik plalale he 

spread out the tobacco (leaves) in

115 lalei 

the sun lao ili plele, ne napa ijo 

anaklalale the sound of rain is 

coming, you should dump out the 

sago water (sem. domains: 7.3.7.3 

- Spread, smear.) 

lalanik lu n wise man who knows a 

lot of things, does good loko kali 

plalanik yapanweire he says wise 

talk 

lalaole [ləʼlao] v rock child; shake 

person eko tanma plalaole she 

rocked the child (to sleep) lokoka 

wanowi nalwein tea laola lale his 

heart swings to and fro about 

nishing the work yakijaki aro 

weilwae whole body was shaken 


something.) 

lale 1 [ʼləl] v plant by scattering on 

takwe wanma lale I scatter tobacco 

seeds loko wanma taplal prowe 

lokok when he scattered the seeds 

[this is the way to plant tobacco 

seeds, and greens seeds] syn: 

plae 4. (sem. domains: 6.2.3 - 

Plant a eld.) comp. nanilalae 

lale 2 [ʼlal] v remove from re mi 

lalkwa nowea mi papare take re 

(a burning stick) out to start 

another re nar peirle, i on plalpae 

i prae (I) roasted bananas, then I 

took (them) out of the re and ate 

on tam tija plalkare I took out and 

carried o a piece of meat (sem. 


lale 3 [ʼləle] v hit lightly loko lomom 

aewal plale he (gently) hits him 

with nettles (to ease pain) (sem. 


-lale 5 [ləl] (inf. var. kanapaeyale) 

v:adv o ; separate from (verbal 

su x that means the action 

caused something to separate 

from something else) on anapir i 

weirou lomom tea aro kaplalale, 

nuka I just put my bow and knife 

down and left (them) on the 

ground mi...maoko tija aro wenlale 

then the top of a tree broke o el 

lomko mim pokolwayale the women 

threw o the (carried) rewood 

(sem. domains: 8.5.2.6 - Away 

from.) 

lalei [ləʼlei] n point of chin namal 

lalei plolle point with chin/lips 

(sem. domains: 3.5.6.2 - Point 

at.) 

lalewae [ləleʼwae] n 1) spirit Loko 

pijaki lwae neik yonai lu. Loko 

aoloka lalewae nakrae, ta. Lalewae

lalewae 116 

loko kokwame, “Aya, na 

waraowera.” Ar apo aolo aoloka 

lwae neikama taparae loko, lalewae 

ari le. I apo loko lwae ao arpaneiki. 

At rst he was a real hunter of 

pigs. He with his own spirit ate 

meat. The spirit said, "Father, let 

us two go hunt at the sago." But 

now because he himself ate the 

meat he shot, the spirit has gone. 

Now he cannot shoot more pigs. 

[one of the spirits (aokwae) that 

gives a person strength to do 

good or bad. It cannot do strong 

work like miracles or healing, 

you cannot ask for it's help, he 

tricks people sometimes, can be 

seen at some times] (sem. 


being.) 2) strength lalewae kali 

power talk am lalewae kali ao 

nakeire, kali tapkelerae loko you 

cannot tell power talk, the kind of 

talk that is hidden loko lalewae tan 

ple he goes with power syn: nakli 2. 

lalikame (comp. of lalire, ikame) v 

tell-say on lalikame, "am akika, 

onka ollim." I said, "you take my 

things." (sem. domains: 3.5.1.2 - 

Talk about a subject.) 

lalire [ʼləli] v command, always said 

to a person's face lomko popraeja 

parmirmirle, i loko aro lalire, "Aya, 

lunapi!" they came running down 

here and there, and he told (us), 

"Father, enemies!" on ero kalim lali 

ro, aya prraowe whatever I tell 

(him), my father does for me on 

plele, on ayalama kalim malalija I 

am going to tell the fathers there 

the talk syn: ipapla. (sem. 

domains: 3.5.1.2 - Talk about a 

subject.) compounds: klalikrae, 

lalikame 

lallokwau [ləlloʼkwau] n work of 

raising children (sem. domains: 

2.6.4.2.1 - Rear a child.) 

lalou kali n defense (like in court - 

what a person says in their own 

defense) on kwalka lalou kalim 

tanakeija I will now tell (you) my 

own defense syn: ulwakijwaonae 

(sem. domains: 3.5.1.2 - Talk 

about a subject.) 

lalpal [lələʼpalə] n forearm; wrist; 

top of hand loko emom lalpal aeni 

pli pwole he gave her two wrist 

bands (sem. domains: 2.1.3.1 - 

Arm.) 

lalpamu [lələʼpamu] n elbow (sem.

117 lalweli 

domains: 2.1.3.1 - Arm.) 

lalpan klerira [ʼləlpən ʼklerirə] n 

ngernail (sem. domains: 2.1.3.3 

- Finger, toe.) 

lalpanklo [ləlʼpənklo] n nger 

lalpanklo tipia little nger [ ngers 

are counted from smallest 

(number one) to thumb (number 

ve) - when counting something, 

the Namia person folds down the 

smallest nger for one, the ring 

nger for number two, and so 

forth] (sem. domains: 2.1.3.3 - 

Finger, toe.) 

lalpanklo napei [ləlʼpənklo nəʼpei] n 

thumb (sem. domains: 2.1.3.3 - 

Finger, toe.) 

lalpanklo tir n (comp. of nger and 

shell) ngernail 

lalpoku [ləlʼpoku] n arm (upper) 

lalpoku aeni band for the upper 

arm (sem. domains: 2.1.3.1 - 

Arm.) 

lalpomu [ləlʼpomu] n st lal ari 

namamnanke, i lalpomu powe 

already tighten your ngers and it 

makes a st (sem. domains: 


lalwae [ləlʼwa] v push people or 

things away or out of from house 

or area - can do with hands and 

with words - does not have to be 

done in anger walalwaeprole push 

out plural tawaklalaele start 

pushing out elalwaeprowe push 

towards eklalwae push towards me 

klalwaeyale push away from (sem. 


lalwalire [ləlʼwəli] v collect to take 

lomko na pweire i na olli plalwalire 

they washed sago and collected 

their sago things klalwalirae need 

ex (sem. domains: 7.5.1 - 

Gather.) 

lalwarna [ləlʼwələrən] n siblings 

(younger) (sem. domains: 


lalwawei [ləlwaʼwei] n palm of hand 

(sem. domains: 2.1.3.1 - Arm.) 

lalweli [ləʼlweli] n 1) phlegm; slime 

(of a type of greens) lokoka 

woklar lalweli awarka tarwore his 

cold phlegm has not come up 

(loosened) nolu lalweli the slimy 

water after cooking greens [some 

greens have lalweli when 

cooked] (sem. domains: 2.2.4 - 

Mucus.) 2) snake poison (sem. 

domains: 1.6.2 - Parts of an

lalworeke 118 

animal, 2.5.3.2 - Poison.) 

lalworeke [lələʼworeke] v fall o ; 

fall down (use for bananas, 

pandanus ripening and falling; or 

when holding a knife under your 

arm and it falls) lwaweila ari 

lalworeke the raw skin has already 

fallen o (after a burn) weirou 

lalworeke the knife (I was holding 

under my arm) fell aokwae lu 

lomom aro lalworekare the spirit 

left (lit: fell o ) this man (sem. 

domains: 7.2.2.5.1 - Fall.) 

lam- 1 [ləm] adv downriver em Inei 

maem pira plamtaerre we shed 

downriver at Inei Lake lu loko nan 

tea plamakire the man also just 

stood downriver (south) (sem. 

domains: 8.5.2.8 - North, south, 

east, west.) 

lamamaope [ləməʼmaopee] v confuse 

lomko makum talamamaope they 

may be confused about the 

meaning lokok ineinein 

talamamaope his thinking is 

confused on pijaki tea klamamaope 

i on apo ineinein arijwe before I 

was just confused, but now I 

already know/understand on tea 

plamamaopemtae I am just 

completely confused (sem. 

domains: 3.4.2.5 - Confused.) 

laman [ləʼman] n ancestor (blood 

relatives past the great- 

grandfather) pijaki emka laman 

walum irkika yampawi before our 

ancestors always put bodies up on 

racks emka lamanlam arowe our 

ancestors did it like this laman tipia 

one ancestor (one clan) (sem. 

domains: 4.1.9.1.1 - Grandfather, 

grandmother.) 

lamaokle [laʼmaokle] v bow (head) 

makujwal lamaokle kire (his) head 

was bowed (as he was) standing 

(sem. domains: 7.1.5 - Bow.) 

lamaope [ləʼmaope] v fold back 

nakim tija pakike popo i 

paklamaope take a vine and fold it 

back (sem. domains: 7.5.2 - Join, 

attach.) 

lamapiralke v meet (unplanned) 

syn: weijyoke 2. 

lamaplae [ləməʼplae] v gather; meet 

lujel lomko waleija plamaplae all 

the people gathered em taplum 

lamaplae we gather food em waleija 

pamklamaplarae we all met 

together there

119 lamnae 

lamaural [ləmaurəl] n spine (sem. 

domains: 2.1.6 - Bone, joint.) 

lamaurwai [ləmaurwai] n tendon 

loko sipsipma aoloka lamaura 

lowalijoku kika pakeimra porae he 

put the sheep on his shoulders gen: 

lanae 1. (sem. domains: 2.1.7 - 

Flesh.) 

-lame 2 [ʼləmə] v:pers they (verbal 

su x) Jonlam ple Jon and them 

(probably family) went alomia 

arkok mewanmia, alomka elaele 

awalwalam tan right then they 

alone divided it there with their 

sisters and brothers er mi 

parmeijalkare lame we pulled trees 

down there lomko ijo pameipe lame 

they bathed (sem. domains: 9.2.3 

- Pronouns.) 

lamewaire [lameʼwaire] v swim by 

wriggling (of snake and eel) wai 

loko plamewaire (sem. domains: 

1.6.4.1 - Animal movement, 

7.2.4.2.2 - Swim.) 

lameyaewe [ləmejae] v 1) represent; 

symbolize (need to say the 

comparison) 2) judge; choose a 

day to meet lomko lu lommom ari 

lameyaewepae they already chose 

the men (who will do something) 

loko amnaka wanowi 

talameyaewenaeya he will judge 

your work syn: wanira onae 2. 

(sem. domains: 3.3.1.2 - Choose.) 

lami [ʼlami] n thorn loko lami lal 

lapeike he extracts the thorn from 

his hand lami lomom kowale the 

thorn sticks him (sem. domains: 


lamilwe [ləmiʼlwe] v stuck in teeth 

ta wapu pinal talamilwewe the dried 

meat is stuck in (my) teeth 

lamnae [ləmʼnae] n rack above re 

pit em lamnae plaerklapae we 

made many racks em ai lamnaek 

pakoprae, mimamik wapujowa we 

put the grubs on the rack to dry in 

the heat (sem. domains: 5.2.1.4 - 

Food storage.) 

lamnae [ləmʼna] v skip over; hop 

over kali taklamnae skip over 

something while talking keikei tea 

panilamnae the large frog just sat- 

hopped klamna porae skip over 

(sem. domains: 7.2.1.1.3 - 

Jump.) 

lamo [lə'mo] n muscle (use 

compound to tell which muscle - 

can be used for people and

lamo 120 

animals, but lwar is more 

frequently used for animals) lipal 

lamo leg muscle (sem. domains: 

2.1.7 - Flesh.) 

lan [ʼlan] n string; gristle (in meat or 

food) on wolmane pnaklowe, loko 

lanwe I boiled the sweet potato 

(because) it was stringy (sem. 

domains: 5.2.3.2.1 - Meat.) 

lanae [ləʼnae] 1) n tendon amna lal 

lanae takweirou ro... if you cut the 

tendons in (your) hand... lanae 

yakijaki olli tendons are things for 

all parts of the body spec: 

lamaurwai. (sem. domains: 2.1.7 

- Flesh.) 2) v feel sti from pain 

loko popleya elma awarka kike, i 

awarka lanae he did not feel pain 

or sti ness (sem. domains: 2.5.6.1 

- Pain.) 

lanalale [ləʼnaləl] v 1) ame up - 

start re mi tea lanalale re sprung 

up (in plane crash) (sem. 

domains: 5.5 - Fire.) 2) jump in 

surprise lujel klanalale people 

jump (in surprise) (sem. domains: 

3.4.1.3 - Surprise.) 

lanaweire [lənaʼwei] v roll around in 

pain (convulse) lwae loko tea 

planaweire this pig just rolls around 

(convulses before dying) lanawei 

lwam the place of rolling around 

lanirae [ləniʼra] v atten (by 

scraping or splitting) amna marok 

maklak pli lommom alwa 

arpwalaolonake i aro klaniraeya 

you are scraping again the two 

sides of palm with an ax to atten 

aem elwa, nam planirae to break 

open grubs, split open the sago 

[used to provide access in sago 

tree trunk for grubs to grow and 

to shave o pulp of split palm to 

make boards for housebuilding] 

lankeire [lənʼkei] v nod head yes 

(implied: I heard you) makujwal 

talankeire nod the head yes (sem. 


expression.) 

lao 1 [ʼlao] n rain lao polwae it rained 

lao pakroure the rain stopped lao 

polwae irrae it rained everywhere 

lao wowe no plale very light rain 

lujel mokuran lao tea kipalpae some 

people just got wet in the rain 

lomko lao lwaepawe they got wet 

from the rain (sem. domains: 

1.1.3.3 - Rain.) 

lao mari mari (comp.) raindrops 

laola [ʼlaolə] n bubble loko laola

121 laowe, laore 

pweirnire he foams at mouth ijo 

laola foam or bubbles in water 

(sem. domains: 1.3 - Water, 2.2.3 

- Spit, saliva.) 

laole [ʼlaole] v shape/smooth lomko 

marok malaole there they smoothed 

the palm napaki plaole shape the 

trough (for sago making) (sem. 

domains: 6.5 - Working with 

buildings.) 

laoloke [ʼlaolo] v buy laolo olli things 

to buy ne weiroum mar lokwom 

plaoloke? where did you buy the 

bush knife from? mae, olli lommom 

talaolopawa? owo, ao laolopae. are 

these things for buying? no, not for 

buying. loko ollim aro naklaolo 

wole he bought and gave things (to 

adopt a child). ant: elali laole. 

(sem. domains: 6.8.4.1 - Buy.) 

laolplae v yell from distance lujela 

kali laolplae lomom tapwanipae 

lokoka, i lomko aro yam 

klamaplarae when the people heard 

the yelling, they gathered here 

(sem. domains: 3.5.1.1.1 - 

Shout.) 

laom ikame [laom ikəme] n ritual 

that stops rain (spoken by iyan 

lu) (sem. domains: 4.9.5.4 - 


laomi [ʼlaomi] n tree (cedar) (sem. 


laononle v spin like a drill pinal lour 

lola taplaononle lomom pakike, i 

onka pinalma aro lourke (dentist) 

took a tooth (drill) for smoothing, 

and then smoothed (the surface of) 

my tooth (sem. domains: 7.3 - 

Move something.) 

laope [ʼlaop] v ritual (done while 

shooting a pig before giving the 

meat to mourners) lomko lwae 

plaope they do the pig ritual syn: 

lalakik 2, milira kali. (sem. 


ceremony.) 

laoware [laoʼwar] v hang limply 

(plants) lao awarka lwae i mopu 

armom laowarpae it has not rained 

and the sprouts therefore hang 

limply (sem. domains: 1.5.6 - 


laowe, laore [ʼlao] v feed; nurse loko 

lwae lommom laowenake he is 

feeding (raising) these pigs amaole 

lommom mu tea laore the mother 

just nurses them (puppies) el tanma 

mu plaowe the woman nursed the

laoweijware 122 

child on tan pli laplimom on kwal 

mu laowe I am giving these two 

children my own milk (implied: 

adopting them) [use this verb 

when a man gives animals food; 

don't use when you adopt a child 

who no longer nurses, or when 

caring for animals without 

feeding them] gen: nalwanire; 

syn: krapejele. (sem. domains: 

2.6.4.1.1 - Care for a baby, 6.3 - 

Animal husbandry.) 

laoweijware [laoweiʼtʃware] v hang 

head (when sick or embarrassed) 

makujwal plelaoweijwareke walk 

with head hanging down makujwal 

panilaoweijwareke sit with head 

hanging down (sem. domains: 

3.4.2.2.2 - Embarrassed.) 

lapa 1 [laʼpa] n 1) arrow lapa pamire, i 

lwaem pneike the arrow ew, and 

(it) shot the pig lapa mino kik 

pnalirae the arrow hung up on a 

piece of wood (sem. domains: 

6.4.1 - Hunt.) 2) in uence on 

thinking and actions - 

encouraging us to do or not do 

something - can be good or bad 

depending on who is in uencing 

aokwae maip Satan lokoka lapa 

parile, awem tan lijeija the demon 

Satan's in uence is here, close to 

us (sem. domains: 3.3.3 - 

In uence.) 

lapa no keilone v convict; challenge 

kali loko lomkoka nalwein lapa no 

keilone the talk convicted their 

hearts like an arrow (sem. 

domains: 3.3.3.5 - Compel.) 

lapae [ləʼpae] n hillside (steep) eko 

amu lapae kalkaowe she fell down 

the steep side of the hill/mountain 

Yaiyap lapae laplikok wala their 

house on the steep side of Yaiyap 

hill em Wolipae nu lapae lokok 

parpakeilonpae we again speared 

( sh) from Wolipae steep bank 


Mountain.) 

lapake v steer (canoe) iki lapak lu 

man who steers canoe (sem. 

domains: 7.3.8 - Transport.) 

lapake 2 [̈ləʼpa] v remove from bag ne 

aom yamlapapro, on takeinakija 

you must remove (the things) from 

the bags so I can see. 

lapakipakae [ləpəkipəʼkae] v 

overturn by current syn: 

inapamure.

123 lapeike 

lapaniyae [ləpənijae] (inf. var. 

nalpaneyae) v mix one thing 

together syn: elke 5. (sem. 

domains: 7.5.3 - Mix.) 

lapapae [lapəʼpae] v ap tomu aro 

lapapa maniyaole yarle the bats 

ap around mamna taplapapae 

lokok... when the bat aps by... 

syn: pru pru. (sem. domains: 


lapaplae [lapəplae] v fall (plural - 

use for little things that can't be 

picked up again) wan mokuran 

napuka plapaplapae some seeds fell 

on the road [use for salt, small 

seeds] (sem. domains: 7.2.2.5.1 - 

Fall.) 

lapaplole [ləpəʼplole] v push against 

(someone or something to move 

them away - frequently with 

anger like children pushing each 

other) tanaki tanalapaplole the 

children were pushing each other 

lujel amaole lomom peyaki 

lapaplolnae many people stood 

pushing/crowding him loko tawani 

lapaplole he is sitting pushing 

(someone out of the way) (sem. 

domains: 7.2.3.4 - Move in, 

7.3.2.9 - Push.) 

lapariyae [ləʼpəriyae] v err on 

taklapariyae I made a mistake aeni 

pewe lokoka, i on ari lapariyalale 

when making an armband, I 

already made it wrong (sem. 

domains: 4.3.6.4 - Mistake.) 

lape [lape] v skin an animal loko ta 

lwarma plapepae he skinned 

animals lwar lapeke skin (one) 

animal (sem. domains: 6.4.6 - 

Things done to animals.) 

lapei 1 [ləʼpei] n future napu tipia tea 

le, napu tija aori. apo nan, lapei 

nan warwa. there is just one road, 

no other road. to enter now and 

also in the future. (sem. domains: 

8.4.6.4 - Future.) 

lapeike 2 [ləʼpei] v extract loko lami lal 

lapeike he extracts the thorn from 

(his) hand lao polwae lokoka, 

yapalma palapeike when it rains, 

(the water) pulls out the house 

posts ijo ao lapeike the water 

cannot pull out (house posts) syn: 

lapirke 1. (sem. domains: 7.3.2.7 - 


something.) 

lapi 1 [ʼlapi] n alongside wanir lapi 

maem along the sand (beach) lapi 

maem (draw) outside (the line) iki

lapi 124 

moku lapi lapija pnakyakire the 

boat went north staying along the 

coast (sem. domains: 8.5.1.5.1 - 

Next to.) 

lapi 2 [ʼləpi] n water current ijo lapi 

kapou the river current is powerful 

ikim ijo lapi tanaklae lomom... 

because the water current carries 

the canoe... ijo lapi plele aro lele 

move like (as fast as) the water 

(sem. domains: 1.3.2.1 - Flow.) 

lapijoku [lapiʼtʃoku] n ribcage or 

side of a person lu lokok lapijoku 

pli maem on both sides of the man 

(sem. domains: 2.1.2 - Torso.) 

lapijoku lapijoku (redup. of 

sideways) adj sideways lapijoku 

lapijoku wae go inside sideways 

lapijoku lapijokuja wari lay on 

one's side (sem. domains: 8.5.5 - 

Spatial relations.) 

lapipe 1 [ʼləpipe] v thunder walwanao 

plapipe the clouds thundered (sem. 

domains: 1.1.3.6 - Lightning, 

thunder.) 

lapipe 2 [ʼləpipe] v grow-break 

through (like a plant does 

coming out of the ground) wan 

lomko plapipae i pwowale the seeds 

break the ground and grow (sem. 


plants.) 

lapire 2 [ʼlapire] v landslide nu 

talapire there was a landslide (sem. 

domains: 1.2.1 - Land.) 

lapirke 1 [laʼpir] v cut and pull out 

imae plapirke cut and pull out vine 

(to use to tie something) syn: 

lapeike 2. (sem. domains: 7.8.3 - 

Cut.) 

laplanaonae [ləplənaoʼnae] v stuck 

(of a person stuck in a small 

space, or clothes that are too 

tight) ar wolwaeka talaplanaonae 

the dog is stuck in the hole 

laplaorenae [ləʼplaorenae] v stay 

tightly on; oppress as in demon 

possession loko makujwalka aro 

laplaorenae (the cap) stayed tightly 

on his head aokwae kokleyau 

plaplaorepae lomko the people who 

had bad spirits staying tightly on 

them [demons grab onto people's 

backs and hold on] (sem. 

domains: 4.9.4.2 - Demon 

possession.) 

laplawae [laplaʼwae] v come loose 

(of a handle on a bag)

125 lararowe 

lapleire [ləʼplei] v scoop out 

(coconut meat) lomko lir wei 

lommom pnakyarewale, i em 

pakakipome, i plapleipae they 

brought dry coconuts, we split 

them, and scooped out the meat 


food preparation.) 

lapliko [ʼləpliko] pro they two (used 

as free pronoun and verbal 

person su x lapli) onka aya lapli 

ekoka aya lapli kali pakwarirae i 

lapliko peikame.. my father & her 

father they-dual decided/agreed 

and they-dual said.. (sem. 


laplimom pro inf. var. on laplimom 

aro keinakire I saw them-dual 

lapokulwae [lapokuʼlwae] v drop- 

throw (onto ground) onka olli 

plapokulwae my things fell 

(dropped) (while running) (sem. 

domains: 7.3.1.1 - Throw.) 

lapolwaeyale [ləpolwaeʼjəle] v turn 

ankle (sem. domains: 2.5.3 - 

Injure.) 

lapoplole [lapoʼplole] v ignore loko 

lomkoka kalim pwanipa 

lapoplolkare he heard and ignored 

their talk (and kept going) (sem. 

domains: 4.1.6.2 - Set self apart.) 

lapwae [ləʼpwae] v make ring am 

paklapwae you made a ring 

lar 3 [ʼlarə] n 1) head water, spring 

Namna lar lok maem at the head of 

the Namna river ant: awal. (sem. 

domains: 1.3.1.4 - Spring, well.) 

2) opening of house wala napu lar 

paek at the opening of the house 


larae [ləʼra] (inf. var. laranae) v 

paddle on iram pakike popo i on 

plarae I got the oar and I paddled 

ne weijwei tanaklarawa? can you 

paddle a long time? (sem. 


laran [laʼrən] n ea (of animal) ar 

laran pneirkale the dog's ea 

jumped (sem. domains: 1.6.1.7 - 

Insect.) 

laranae inf. var. of larae pull 

towards 

lararowe [ləraʼro] v shred (leaves or 

clothing) imoiran na mopum tija 

pamakikare lomom pweipapome i 

plararowe brought one sprouting 

leaf, hit/split it and shredded it (in 

healing ritual) tanaki na mopu 

lararowe the children shred sago

larawaeke 126 

shoots (to decorate building) [use 

for greens (tero), sprouts (mopu), 

coconut leaves (lir ewae); kids 

sometimes shred clothing on 

purpose] (sem. domains: 7.9.3 - 

Destroy.) 

larawaeke [lərəʼwaeke] v bear (give 

birth) eko tan tamule, plarawaeke 

she is starting to have a child, to 

give birth (sem. domains: 2.6.3 - 

Birth.) 

larawaunae v scrape towards amna 

nu peilarawaunae popo i num aro 

knalpaneyaerae you scrape the top 

of ground (with a spade) towards 

(this) and then mix the dirt (sem. 

domains: 5.2.1.2.1 - Remove 

shell, skin.) 

larawaure [ləraʼwau] v scrape; peel 

(with instrument - used for 

scraping the grass o of the 

ground, or peeling a fruit) eko 

num awarka larawaure she has not 

scraped the ground am pawpaw 

walum larawaure you cut/peel o 

the papaya skin (sem. domains: 

5.2.1.2.1 - Remove shell, skin, 

5.6 - Cleaning.) 

larawoure [ləraʼwou] (inf. var. 

aoltawoure) v fear loko nan emka 

paeja larawoum irkija peyamirnae 

he also, out of fear, came running 

to us at the platform tan arma 

taltawoure the child fears the dog 

loko larawou namia tan kakire he 

stood without fear em larawou tan 

panire we are living in fear (sem. 

domains: 3.4.2.4 - Afraid.) 

lare [ʼləre] (inf. var. klarrae) v ll a 

container with water maru lip 

kapou lok maem larepawa sh 

baskets will ll with water in big 

creeks eko ijo larepae she lls 

(them) with water syn: lure 4. 

(sem. domains: 1.3.2.2 - Pour.) 

lare 1 [ʼlare] v come north em stetion 

wal arplare we came north again 

from the station (sem. domains: 

7.2.2 - Move in a direction.) 

lare 2 [ʼlare] (inf. var. klarerae) v 

hatch (singular) woklo pun larepae 

the turtle hatches (many) eggs 

(sem. domains: 1.6.3.1 - Egg.) 

lareinae [ləreiʼnae] v touch on lalma 

talareinae I touch (your) hand loko 

onka nolma lareipae he took my 

blood (for a blood test) tan pak ari 

lareinae can already feel the child 

in the womb (3-5 months 

pregnant) (sem. domains: 7.3.4.1

127 laroukle 

- Touch.) 

lareke [ʼləreke] v hit (head) lomko 

lomom makujwal maem plareke 

they hit him on the head (sem. 


larkai [lərkai] adv hop or take large 

steps (man or animal) loko larkai 

lele he hops kweirolu ur maem 

pounwan larpae the grasshopper 

ew and hopped in the garden lipal 

walei lok malarpae long legs take 

large steps syn: klartae. (sem. 

domains: 7.2.1.1.3 - Jump.) 

larkal walire (comp. of ) v scrape o - 

put in mi lwar larkal walire scrape 

the skin o the tree and put (it) 

inside. (sem. domains: 7.3.2.6 - 

Put in, 7.8.1 - Break.) 

larkale [lərʼkale] v scrape o (use 

for scraping dry bits of food from 

dish, or scraping bark from tree) 

larna larkalale scrape o the scales 

(of sh)(also use for scraping dry 

bits of food from dish, or 

scraping bark from tree) (sem. 

domains: 7.8.1 - Break.) 

larkou [ʼlarkou] adj short wakewa 

lokok namal maru larkou the black 

cockatoo's beak is short amna 

mapo mijaki lomom larkouja 

pakamarlale you cut o to shorten 

the spinning top's stick ant: walei. 

(sem. domains: 8.2.2.1 - Short, 

not long.) 

larna [ʼlərnə] n scale (of sh and 

snake) larna larkalale scrape o 

the scales (sem. domains: 1.6.2.3 

- Parts of a sh.) 

larouke 1 [laʼrou] v break-fall (usually 

from rottenness, but strong 

current can also larouke a rope) 

irki mi loko lirania plarouke all the 

rack wood (resting place for a 

dead body) broke and fell syn: 

olire. (sem. domains: 7.8.1 - 

Break.) 

laroukle 2 [laʼrou] v stop beating 

(heart - use when can't catch 

breath, are dying, or have a big 

concern) lokok nalwein talaroukle 

his heart was close to no longer 

beating (sem. domains: 2.1.8.1 - 

Heart.) 

larran olli (comp. of larrane) comb 

larrane [lərəʼrane] v comb (hair) ne 

makujwaem plarrane? did you 

comb (your) hair? (sem. domains: 

5.4.3.1 - Comb hair.) comp. 

larran olli

larran olli 128 

larwao walire [larʼwao ʼwəlire] v put 

down into (with the hand) syn: 

klarwaonae. (sem. domains: 

7.3.4.3 - Put down.) 

launne v whirl (water) ol launne the 

current whirls (is a whirlpool) syn: 

leijol. (sem. domains: 1.3.2 - 


laurolalae [ʼlaurolaʼlae] v swing from 


movement.) 

lawali [laʼwəli] n torch of branches 

lapliko lawali pwarirolpae they 

bundled/tied together a dry-branch 

torch on lawali pakaliraene I saw 

(it) with the torch loko lawali 

pakowaene he shined the torch eko 

lawali lomom pweiroupae she cut 

the torch branches lawali lirake 

light torch of branches 

laware [laʼware] v come across (of a 

river; do not use for traveling in 

a large body of water) loko ikim 

pnaklaware i em plawowe, Yapu 

wakiranya he came across in the 

canoe, and we went across to the 

other side of the Sepik River syn: 

lawowe 1 . (sem. domains: 7.2.4.2 

- Travel by water.) 

lawei 1 [laʼwei] n croak; chirp em 

kwekwae laweik aparplae we 

returned south when the frogs 

croaked wamurklae wala marok 

war maem lawei aro wam wani 

kamwa the cricket will chirp while 

sitting there under the house oor 

(sem. domains: 2.3.2.3 - Types of 

sounds.) 

lawei 2 [laʼwei] n ritual words and 

action (in order to get something 

from a spirit) lomko lawei yakowe 

they rst do the ritual words loko 

nakim tija pakakiroure, i maokom 

pakike, i lao lawei kalim aro 

nakeire, i nakim nu maem klowarwa 

he cuts a vine, holds the top, says 

rain-ritual words, and will stick the 

vine in the ground (sem. domains: 

4.9.5.4 - Religious ceremony.) 

laweire 3 [laʼwei] v fall to ground 

kakeri ari laweire, i on aro nare the 

nuts already fell and then I 

collected (them o the ground) 

(sem. domains: 6.2.1.4 - Growing 

fruit.) 

lawolu inakire v test by re 

lawolure v roast (plural) on nar 

lomom mik plawolure I roasted 

bananas on the re eko na fraipan

129 leijol 

plawolure she cooked sago in a fry 

pan loko ai mari plawolure he 

cooked clam shells for lime mixture 

- (shells turn white) (sem. 


methods.) 

lawowe 1 v go across a river (do not 

use for traveling in large bodies 

of water) eko Akwomya lawowe 

she went across the water to 

Akwom Village ne Ewan wakiranya 

talawowa? might you go across to 

other side of the Yellow River? 

syn: laware . (sem. domains: 

7.2.2 - Move in a direction.) 

lawowe 2 [ləʼwowe] v string (use for 

anything you put on rope or stick 

like beads, owers, pieces of 

dried meat) mijurpao imaeka 

lawowe string owers on a rope 

loko pira lomom pakeilon tamnae, i 

nakija paklawonae he nished 

spearing the sh, and strung 

(them) on a vine syn: lope. (sem. 

domains: 7.5.4.1 - Rope, string.) 

le 1 v go er Paijwale tan ple we went 

with Paijwale on talalea I tried to 

go wh: lele. (sem. domains: 7.2 - 

Move.) 

le 2 n there mi yapanwei tija le, pakirle 

there is a good tree, standing there 

lomko ema pokokwame, "Wom 

lerwo?" "Wao, em are." they said to 

us "Is that you there?" "Yes, we're 

here." nek ar lerwa? is that your 

dog there? (sem. domains: 8.5.1 - 

Here, there.) 

-le 3 v:asp start (inceptive aspect 

verbal su x) on tailile I may soon 

die on na praeka plelele... as I 

began coming close to the sago.. 

lei 1 [ʼlei] adj deep nu lei awe the 

ground is not deep ijo lei powe the 

water is deep syn: tapena. (sem. 

domains: 8.2.6.5 - Deep, 

shallow.) 

lei 2 [ʼlei] n swamp pira lei maip 

takapreyale the sh surfaced in a 

big swamp (sem. domains: 1.3.1.2 

- Swamp.) 

leijol [leiʼtʃol] n whirlpool em leijol 

lomom pnakam leawalnake we 

passed by (avoided) the whirlpool 

syn: launne. (sem. domains: 


leilpan [leiləʼpən] n middle of area 

loko leilpan maem aro nakame 

pleawe he dived there with (poison 

vine) in the middle (of water) lwae 

pnakmire, yoku leilpanma the pig

leilpan 130 

ran in the middle of the grassland 

(sem. domains: 8.5 - Location.) 

leknae [lekʼnae] v pass by on lomom 

pakalirae i loko leknae I moved 

away and he passed lu loko 

aolirolirya yamleknae the man 

came and passed by hurriedly 


past, over, through.) 

lele [ʼlele][ʼləle] v move; walk eko 

plele she is walking (you say this 

when you can see her) loko yapan 

ari ko ro? wo, apo kwain plele. is he 

already better? yes, (he) now 

moves some. pt: le 1. (sem. 

domains: 7.2 - Move.) 

lele kali n travelogue on emka lele 

kalim ijarle I will tell the story of 

our journey (sem. domains: 

3.5.2.2 - News, message.) 

leleilowe v point with the hand 

(traditionally pointing is done 

with the chin) lal leleilowe point 

with the hand (sem. domains: 

3.5.6.2 - Point at.) 

lelelire v roll loko tijeim aro klelelire 

he rolled away the (large) stone ari 

klellijale already rolled away (sem. 

domains: 7.3.4 - Handle 

something.) 

lelepaole [leleʼpaole] v slither (of a 

snake or a person who never 

stays put) (sem. domains: 1.6.4.1 

- Animal movement, 7.2.1 - 

Manner of movement.) 

lelepapare [ʼlelepəʼpare] v follow 

lomko lelepapare, aura nujwa they 

follow to get money (sem. 

domains: 7.2.5.2 - Follow.) 

lelepaplae [ʼlelepəʼplae] v imitate 

(follow by imitating) mokuran lu 

awemka namaklaka lokok ao 

lelipaplae some men won't follow 

(imitate) us 

lelletane [lelleʼtane] v squat (move 

to a squatting position) (sem. 

domains: 7.1.2 - Sit.) 

leme v ll hole nu leme ll (one) hole 

in ground lomko ijo lommom nuk 

aro lemewalire they lled up the 

holes with dirt syn: ole 2. (sem. 

domains: 7.5.9.2 - Fill, cover.) 

lemolke v dip (singular) amaole ijom 

plemolke, i wowem aro klwanae 

mother dipped (her nger) in 

water, and rubbed out the (spot of) 

dirt syn: ilemole. 

lepaekare v take with (use when

131 lewire 

person or other living thing is 

with me now and I take them 

and go) lomko lomom nakyam 

lepaekare they came to take him 

syn: kelaliporae . (sem. 

domains: 7.2.5.4 - Move 

together.) 

lepaeke v meet tan eko aoweka amom 

plepaeke popo, i tijei plaipae lapli 

the girl met her friend, then they 

caught stones (played jacks) (sem. 

domains: 4.2.1.3 - Meet 

together.) lepaeknae, lepaepare 

inf. var. 

lepekare v pull out of (of a tree held 

up by tangled vines) 

lero (say. of that's it) exp that's it 

awem mak wanipae. Lero. we 

listened. that's it. (sem. domains: 


lewal [leʼwalə] n oor beam; bearer 

beam under the oor on wala 

lewalma tea wananemlonake I am 

just joining the house beams 

together (sem. domains: 6.5.2.6 - 

Foundation.) 

lewan [lewən] n voice; human 

sound (this is words not just 

sounds but cannot see the person 

who is talking. You can only hear 

them.) polislam lapa lewan lomom 

aro wanipae the police heard the 

sound of the arrows (gunshots) 

(sem. domains: 3.5.1.1 - Voice.) 

lewawe [lewəwe] v crooked lir loko 

lewawe the coconut (grew) crooked 

ijo loko nu lokya nalewawenake the 

river is winding crooked to that 

land 

lewe [ʼlewe] v move (plural) lu tija 

ao lewe, awem praeka no man is 

moving (walking) near us lomko ar 

pamlewe they roam there em yowe 

lommom tea naklewe, napuka 

tapawa we just carried this 

sugarcane to eat on the road (sem. 

domains: 7.2 - Move.) 

lewire v remove thorns amna na 

pakakijele, i na elijwowi plewire 

you fell the sago tree, then remove 

the small sago thorns (sem. 


leyakle [leʼjəkle] v convulse weijwei 

weijwei po api aro pakleyakla lele 

for a long time the cassowary 

moved and convulsed aokwae lu 

lomom nakleyakla lale the spirit 

shakes the man ulwaki leyakle 

convulse on ground (sem.

leyakle 132 

domains: 2.5.6 - Symptom of 

disease.) 

leyale [leʼjəle] v go around loko 

nakleyale napum aro marijo peinae 

he could not nd a way to take 

them around (the mountain) on 

apo pakijou kali lomom peire 

lokoka, i on apo ayaka kali tan 

nakleyale now as I tell an 

illustration I will also (tell) God's 

talk with it 

leyawe [leyawe] v 1) pass by 

(without stopping); go straight 

by (without stopping) em 

lomkoka aijan wala tija plam 

leawaolenake we were bypassing 

one of their bush camps without 

stopping (sem. domains: 7.2.3.5 - 

Move past, over, through.) 2) 

surpass (in size or quality, as 

children do when they outgrow 

parents) plakileyawale 

leyeyolerae [lejejoleʼrae] v stretch 

out (a hand or a leg in any 

direction) lal kleyeyolerae stretch 

out (your) hand (sem. domains: 

7.3.4.7 - Extend.) 

leyoleire [lejoʼleire] v stir (sago after 

it has thickened) na pelijale e, i 

pleyoleire the sago thickens, and 

(you) stir it (sem. domains: 


preparation.) 

li 2 [ʼli] n 1) feces loko li tea 

nakarijoupae he was just defecating 

on tanakika li naweim taltawoure I 

am afraid of the children's feces 

and urine lokoka pae arowe, 

pokulou ipir poraerire, i alku li 

pouraerire he was sick like this, his 

skin was continually hot, and he 

had continual diarrhea (sem. 

domains: 2.2.8 - Defecate, feces.) 

2) intestines em Wakan maem pira 

li pamalijape we threw away the 

sh guts there at Wakan ok li 

maem pamakire loko i ijwaur 

wanowi awarpowe when the hook is 

in the intestines, the crocodile does 

not do anything more (sem. 

domains: 2.1.8 - Internal organs.) 

3) rust nil lirupae/lijurpae the 

needle is completely rusted (sem. 

domains: 8.3.7.8.1 - Rust.) 

lijape [liʼtʃəp] (inf. var. kalijaplare, 

kalijape) v throw away (one 

thing or in one direction) on 

kwolia skul m tara lijapwa I alone 

will pay the school fee for (you) 

ne ollim akalijap throw away that

133 lile 

thing! spec: wolijape. (sem. 

domains: 7.4.5.2 - Throw away.) 

lijar [liʼtʃarə] n end (of something); 

buttocks lijarya, enman tan awe 

(naked) just buttocks, no grass 

skirt amna naki lomom pwaenake e, 

lijaramta you keep putting the vine 

inside until you get to the very end 

(sem. domains: 2.1.7 - Flesh, 

8.6.7 - End, point.) 

lijar yowi n mark of buttocks syn: 

apenali. 

lijei [liʼtʃei] n close by walamaku 

lijeika parinake the village is close 

by on peikame, "kakek awe, popraek 

tea le, lijeija." I said, "(It) is not 

far, just near, very close by." (sem. 

domains: 8.5 - Location.) 

lijeiral [litʃeiʼrələ] n hip; waist loko 

imae tija pnakeirapolenae, lijeiralka 

he tied a rope around (his) waist 

tan lijeiral peilire feeling birth 

pangs (sem. domains: 2.1.6 - 

Bone, joint.) 

lijon [liʼtʃon] n toilet loko lijonya 

pwae he went inside the toilet (sem. 


houses.) 

lijowi n toilet (hole) on lijowi peire I 

dug a toilet hole 

lijwalnale [iʼtʃwalʼnale] v lick lips (to 

taste something) lal talijwalnale 

lick lips (sem. domains: 2.3.3 - 

Taste.) 

lijweipe [liʼtʃweipe] v mend (a hole 

of string bags, clothes) lomko 

welim nakalijweipe they mended 

nets 

likike [liʼkike] v meet eko ema 

nakyarmalikike, ememka ur lokoka 

she met us north at our own garden 

lile ['lile] (inf. var. kalijale) v chase; 

chase away or fend o on ar peim 

lile I chased/ran towards the dogs' 

barking lomko lommom tea 

palinake they were just running 

after them ero ileila olli loko eyo 

tanakim kaliklalero, i lomko 

amaoleka lowi ewae war lokya 

waewali whatever thing chases the 

little chickens, they always run 

under their mother's wing 

kalipapliyale get rid of kalijalere 

run after (sem. domains: 7.2.1.1.1 

- Run.) 

lilomu [liʼlomu] adj formed elam 

lilomu formed breadfruit nuts 

limapa [liməʼpa] n one loop of 

intestines (sem. domains: 2.1.8 -

lilomu 134 


limarijowe [limariʼtʃo] v go search 

loko ineineinma talimarijowe he 

may go nd some thinking (that 

agrees with his) (sem. domains: 

7.6.1 - Search.) 

linae [liʼnae] v open (door or 

building as in selling food) loko 

wala lommom pamalinae he opened 

the house there (to sell food) ne 

aolom kalinae! open the door! lu 

loko aolom aro kalinarae the man 

leaves the door open on aolom 

kalinaeyale I open up the door 

linae linae (comp. of ) adv open aolo 

linae linae pwokire the door stood 

open syn: alija. 

linao [liʼnao] n 1) web wolwol wala 

aoloka linaoka wire the spider 

makes a house with his own web 

wolwol loko yapal aolok linaom 

yakneire the spider makes the posts 

for his web (sem. domains: 1.6.5 - 

Animal home.) 2) venom 

namanklika linao lokoka enom 

pneike the millipede's venom 

pierced his eye (and blinded him) 

(sem. domains: 2.5.3.2 - Poison.) 

linarijon [linariʼtʃon] n house (with 

a roof that only slopes one way) 


houses.) 

lip 1 [ʼlip] n ditch, creek eko lip peire 

she digs a ditch maru lip kapou lok 

maem larepawa sh traps will ll 

with water in large creeks (sem. 

domains: 1.3.1 - Bodies of 

water.) 

lip 2 [ʼlip] n women (third person 

form) Amani lip ema pokokwame... 

the women from Amani said to 

us... (sem. domains: 2.6.5.2 - 

Woman.) 

lipae [liʼpae] v chew areca nuts 

lapliko ai palipae they chewed 

(areca nuts &) lime (sem. 


lipal [liʼpələ] n leg lipalya kike pick 

up (something) with foot tan 

lokoka lipal waniyaowe that boy's 

leg is malformed (but he can walk 

with a limp or a cane) lipal taplae 

naolire leg hangs uselessly (cannot 

walk) lipal muru popae leg is limp 

(cannot walk well) lipal neinan 

waonae leg joint is tight (cannot 

straighten) (sem. domains: 2.1.3.2 

- Leg.) 

lipal anapiranki [liʼpələ anapiʼranki]

135 lipanklo napei 

n tendon (Achilles) (sem. 

domains: 2.1.7 - Flesh.) 

lipal enal [lipəl eʼnalə] n instep eko 

lipal enalka kowe she cut her instep 

(sem. domains: 2.1.7 - Flesh.) 

lipal kokleyau n crippled leg (leg can 

feel pain, but is not useful) (sem. 

domains: 2.5.4 - Disabled.) 

lipal lipei [lipəl liʼpei] n ankle 

tendon 

lipal peilire (ph. v. of paralyzed leg) 

lipal wopa [liʼpəl woʼpa] n shoe wom 

lipal wopa awowaleyam you put 

your shoes on gen: wopa. (sem. 

domains: 5.3 - Clothing.) 

lipali [liʼpəli] n menstruation eko 

lipali paewe she is menstruating 

(sem. domains: 2.2.5 - Bleed, 

blood.) 

lipalwan [lipalʼwən] n ankle tendon 

syn: anapiranki. (sem. domains: 

2.1.7 - Flesh.) 

lipamir [lipaʼmirə] n shin syn: 

yaplon. (sem. domains: 2.1.3.2 - 

Leg.) 

lipamir lamo n calf muscle onka 

lipamir lamo ari mire, yaplon ki 

maem pamwokire my calf muscle 

had moved, it was there on top of 

my shin (a bad injury) syn: 

yaplon. (sem. domains: 2.1.7 - 

Flesh.) 

lipamu [liʼpəmu] n knee skru bilong 

lek tan aripalwa lipamu kik 

pakwanire the child sat on 

grandfather's knees lipamu lipamu 

tea kanire knee knee just sit (kneel 

on knees) lipamu lipamuja lele 

walk on knees (sem. domains: 

2.1.6 - Bone, joint.) 

lipamujaran [lipəmutʃaʼrən] n 

tendon (on the side of the knee) 


lipanklo [liʼpənklo] n toe lipankloya 

kike pick up (something) with foot 

(sem. domains: 2.1.3.3 - Finger, 

toe.) 

lipanklo napei (comp.) n big toe 

(sem. domains: 2.1.3.3 - Finger, 

toe.) 

lipanklo tir n toenail 

lipe [ʼlip] v pick (leaves) on ewae 

palipe I picked leaves on nan kwolia 

lipapaklawa I also pick greens by 

myself (sem. domains: 6.2.5 - 

Harvest.) 

lipei [liʼpei] n 1) handle (long) alwa 

lipeim keinawenke the ax handle

lipanklo tir 136 

breaks (sem. domains: 6.7.8 - 

Parts of tools.) 2) tendon lipal 

lipei ankle tendon namal lipei aura 

no nose thing like a shell-ring (sem. 


lipmapei [lipmaʼpei] n heel (sem. 


lipoku [liʼpoku] n thigh; lap ne tan 

lipoku wari you hold a child in 

your lap 

lipwanijal [lipwəniʼtʃəl] n top of the 

foot (sem. domains: 2.1.3.2 - 

Leg.) 

lipwawei [liʼpwawei] n sole (of the 

foot) (sem. domains: 2.1.3.2 - 

Leg.) 

lipwoki [liʼpwoki] n ankle (sem. 

domains: 2.1.3.2 - Leg.) 

lipwolwan n tendon in back of leg 


lir [ʼlirə] n coconut em lir prae 

tamnae.. when we had nished 

eating the coconuts... loko lir nane 

he picks coconuts lir lwolure scrape 

coconut meat lir tawale husk the 

coconut (sem. domains: 1.5.1 - 

Tree.) 

lir moklolo [ʼlirə moʼklolo] n coconut 

(unripe) (sem. domains: 5.2.3.1.1 

- Food from seeds.) 

lir tir (comp.) n coconut shell (sem. 


lir yareple [ʼlirə ʼjareple] n coconut 

(one that is partly water and 

partly meat – has stronger avor 

than lir moklolo) (sem. domains: 


lirae 1 [liʼrae] v cook eko ewom palirae 

she cooked the egg syn: taplure 2. 

(sem. domains: 5.2.1.1 - Cooking 

methods.) 

lirae 2 [liʼrae] v 1) light torch eko 

lawali lomom pweipapompae, i em 

lawali lomom palirpae she hit and 

split the torch leaves, and we lit the 

torch leaves lomko lawali 

yelirakare they lit and took the 

torch there on mi kakna tija yoku 

planma pakalira kewenae I started 

a small re in the grass syn: irle, 

ewe 2. (sem. domains: 5.5.1 - 

Light a re.) 2) hunt at night 

with a light loko lawali meilirae he 

hunts there with a are on aro yam 

kaliraene er nolma pakaliraene. 

lwae nol awe. we spotted blood. the 

pig had bled a lot. syn: . 

liramta inf. var. of coconut

137 lirop na 

lirania [liʼrənia] adj all (used more 

often as a modi er for things 

than for people) lwar lirania pari 

all the clothes are here (sem. 

domains: 8.1.5 - All.) 

lirapya [lirəpʼja] adj smooth (skin) 


Smooth.) 

lire 1 v make string bag on ao palire I 

made a string bag syn: ile 2. (sem. 

domains: 6.6.1 - Working with 

cloth.) 

lirewayo [lireʼwajo] n basket (made 

of a coconut leaf) (sem. domains: 

6.7.7 - Container.) 

lirklae [lirəʼklae] n insect that lives 

in trees [part of the wamu 

family of insects] gen: wamu. 


lirklai [lirəʼklai] n side of house, or 

ground on the sides of and near a 

house ne tomiak lirklaija krae put 

the ax at the side of the house 


building.) 

lirklu [lirəʼklu] n coconut (small, 

undeveloped) (sem. domains: 


lirkou [lirʼkou] adj small on kwalka 

wala lirkou kakna my own house is 

very small syn: aip. (sem. 

domains: 8.2.1 - Small.) 

liro [ʼliro] n black tail feathers of a 

bird of paradise gen: ewae 2. 


a bird.) 

lirolwomu [liroʼlwomu] n yam (sem. 


roots.) 

lironau [liroʼnau] n gourd made 

from coconut shell [men wear] 


Traditional clothing.) 

lirononame [lironoʼname] adj fat 

(animal or person) tan tija 

lirononame the child is fat (sem. 

domains: 8.2.3.2 - Fat person.) 

lirop na [ʼlirop ʼna] n sago (without 

thorns) gen: na. (sem. domains: 

1.5.1 - Tree.) 

lirouke v grow (used for people, not 

plants) tan palirouke the child 

grew tan awarka lirou yapanweire 

the child is not growing well (sem. 

domains: 2.6.4.6 - Grow, get 

bigger.) 

lirpae [lirʼpae] v land; put on ground 

(put plural things) lirpawe put on

lirouke 138 

plural kalir porae move put on top 

of (singular) (sem. domains: 

7.3.4.3 - Put down.) 

lirwala n home village (place where 

you have your own things like 

coconuts - do not use if you grew 

up there but no longer own 

things there) gen: wala. (sem. 

domains: 4.6.7.4 - Community.) 

lirwei [lirʼwei] n coconut (with hard 

meat and little liquid) lirwei 

lokoka ijo inijwe a dry coconut's 

water is bitter (sem. domains: 


liryaki [lirʼjəki] n great 

grandchildren (sem. domains: 

4.1.9.1.1 - Grandfather, 

grandmother.) 

lo [ʼlo] n time, occasion on aokwaem 

pakeinakire, lo mani I saw a spirit 

three times (sem. domains: 8.4.3 - 

Inde nite time.) 

lokle [ʼlokle] v sew on sket pli 

taklanplale lommom lokle I sew two 

torn skirts (sem. domains: 6.6.1.1 

- Cloth.) 

loklok adv oating lujela mokuran 

olli lokoka loklok pnaklaewale some 

people went by oating with some 

things (sem. domains: 7.2.4.2 - 

Travel by water.) 

loko [ʼloko] pro 1) he, it loko peilire 

he died loko aolia tei it grew up by 

itself (not planted) lwae loko ple 

this pig went (“loko” used as a 

noun speci er) loko le that there 

(reference to former statement) 


Pronouns.) 2) his lokoka wala his 

house 

lokoka [loʼkokə] adj third person 

possessive pronoun used as time 

clause marker loko pakweiliyae 

lokoka... when he arrived em arowe 

aya lwaem tija pneike lokoka this is 

how we did it when my father shot 

a pig on taparpanakale lokoka, de 

17 loko, yar 1996 when I went 

back (it) was on the 17th day of 

the year 1996 

lokure v hatch an egg ewom 

talalokure the egg is about to hatch 

(sem. domains: 1.6.3.1 - Egg.) 

lol lele v do wrong (continually) 

loko lol lele he continues to do 

wrong syn: walijwi 4. 

lola [ʼlolə] n dam lola loko wokire the 

dam is (stands) lola ijo lomom

139 lololire 

womklolnae the dam stops the 

water (sem. domains: 6.6.7.3 - 

Controlling water.) 

lolar [loʼlarə] n cheek loko lolar 

maem paklamupapaerae he kissed 

(him) on the cheek loko lolar pin 

pwanire he smiles (sem. domains: 

2.1.1 - Head.) 

lole v dam (river) mokuran Ewalo 

piram pamlowe some dammed 

(river) for sh there at Ewalo River 

[rivers in this area are dammed 

only when the water is low, 

usually in the dry season April- 

October] (sem. domains: 6.6.7.3 - 

Controlling water.) 

loleke v take down (o something 

high) em ikimeyam parploleke i em 

peyarwore we again took only our 

canoe down o (bank) and we 

came down river amna lwar ijo 

peolpae, i lain walire, kweikukuke, i 

aro lolepae you wash clothes, hang 

on line, when dry, take down o 

(line) ne walum ipoku kijwalwam 

yamlwolekar go up and take down 

the body o the cross (sem. 



lolle v fashion (of an object such as 

a paddle or carved drum) on 

pakijoum lolle I am making an 

image aya maip ollim plollepleyae 

God made everything [things they 

lolle: wakir (paddle), nawowi 

(headdress), napaki (trough), 

yawi tiramli (carved hand 

drum)] 

lolokure v marked; scarred (of 

scabies, and hairless sores) ewom 

talalolokure the egg has marks 

(implied: about to hatch) 

lolol [loʼlolə] n land crab that makes 

holes in ground (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.5 - Fish.) 

lololire v hit; beat (of metal or other 

things) lomko almarma plololipae 

they beat the poison vines (to 

release the sap) saripma weilalolire 

beat/ atten a metal spearhead 

spec: kilalolire. (sem. domains: 

7.7.1 - Hit.) 

lolone [lolwone] v loose and fall 

(like rope from something which 

was tied) imae lokoka lalma aro 

loloneyale the rope on his hands 

came loose and fell o 

lolujwa [ʼlolutʃwə] n husband (third 

person form) lolujwa aro yare her

lolone 140 

husband came gen: lu 1. (sem. 

domains: 4.1.9.2.1 - Husband, 

wife.) 

lolujwou [loluʼtʃwou] v forbid; be 

stingy on ta no lolujwou lomom we 

so I forbid giving meat (to the 

baby) loko aura lolujwoujwe 

awarkwe he does not forbid giving 

money (is not stingy with) 

lolwou n backyard syn: walapir. 


Vicinity.) 

lomi [ʼlomi] n sticks that support a 

dam lomim ponure popo, i 

makurokok pwalonake (he) took 

dam sticks, and then was putting 

(them) on the main support 

lomko [ʼlomko] pro they lomko 

ponae, paplane they slept until 

dawn tanaki lomko wolumnama 

arkok lelame the children 

immediately went (looking for) 

spiders 

lommom [lomʼmom] pro them 

(object) em lommom kalim 

pnakeire we told them the talk 

lomom [loʼmom] 1) pro him; it 

(object) on lomom peikame.. I said 

to him loko lu lomom yarali 

marijonae he went north to look for 

the man 2) conj therefore 

(dependent clause marker) on ao 

yawowe, mi walei maip powe lomo I 

could not climb up because the tree 

was very tall lwae onka amujwamu 

prae lomom, on lwaem enwalirao 

takole because the pig ate my 

garden food I am angry at the pig 

lomukokranae [lomukokraʼnae] v 

hold with teeth wai lokoka lalka 

plomukokranae the snake bit and 

held onto his arm 

lomupapane [lomupəʼpane] v grind 

teeth when angry loko pinalma 

klomupapane he grinds his teeth (in 

anger) syn: kar karwe. (sem. 

domains: 2.1.1.5 - Tooth, 4.8.1 - 

Hostility.) 

lonae [loʼnae] v push makurokom 

pakike popo, i moku maem 

pamlonarre take the supporting 

piece (of dam), and push it there 

into the shore syn: klele. (sem. 


lonae [loʼnae] v aim; point at; 

motion to speak lapliko lommom 

anapir tea plonae they (robbers) 

just aimed the bows (guns) at them 

loko lal plonae he points his nger

141 loupali 

(implied: give permission to speak) 

(sem. domains: 7.3.4.5 - Actions 

of the hand.) 

lonae kali (comp. of accuse, talk) n 

accusation 

lone v squeeze juice lomko wan 

lommom pnalon walire they 

squeezed the fruit (to get juice) 

(sem. domains: 5.2.1 - Food 

preparation.) 

lonwae [lonʼwae] v strut (of people 

and animals with long legs) api 

plonwaewe the cassowary strutted 

(sem. domains: 7.2.1.1 - Walk.) 

lope v heap mi lope heap rewood 

loko tijeim ploppae he heaped the 

stones (sem. domains: 7.3.4.3 - 

Put down.) 

lope v string; put on string (such as 

sh) on ae imaeka plope I strung 

the grubs lomko miklopae 

makipomwom ple they went there to 

split sticks for stringing ( sh) syn: 

lawowe 2 . 

loplome v remove mark or dirt 

irnowalma nan pakna plomwale 

also wash your faces (sem. 

domains: 5.6.6 - Wipe, erase.) 

lopopo kikare v trick to harm (sem. 

domains: 4.8.2.7 - Betray.) 

lopopoke v trick to harm syn: ellike. 

lopopokikare (comp. of lopopoke, 

kikare) v bribe awem ar tam 

plopopokikare we bribe dogs with 

meat (in order to hit them) (sem. 

domains: 4.3.5.5 - Deceive.) 

loupali 1 [louʼpəli] n afterbirth loupali 

awarka kalkaowe the afterbirth did 

not come out (lit: fall) syn: 

walirae. (sem. domains: 2.1.8.4 - 

Female organs.) 

loupali 2 [louʼpəli] n frog loupali 

woruwe, ena maem the frogs 

croaked in the lake spec: namae, 

nanapo, nanarolu, napli. (sem. 

domains: 1.6.1.4 - Amphibian.) 

loupali 3 [louʼpəli] n ginger, ginger 

leaves amna amujwamu loupali 

lomom maklenaeyarle, ur napan 

maem, i amujwamu tawowale yapan 

you should plant ginger there in the 

middle of the garden food, and the 

garden food will grow well [ginger 

leaves are eaten to call the spirits 

- usually scraped and cooked 

with greens - frequently used to 

nish a sickness] syn: walko. 

(sem. domains: 1.5 - Plant.)

loure 142 

loure v resharpen (tool) on weiroum 

loure I resharpen a bush knife 

dokta loko onka pinalma aro lourke 

the dentist then re-smoothed my 

tooth 

lournae v stoke ( re by putting more 

wood on) mi paparo kike i 

plourenae the re gets the blowing 

and burns again (sem. domains: 

5.5.2 - Tend a re.) 

lowa [loʼwa] adj four (sem. domains: 

8.1.1.1 - Cardinal numbers.) 

lowa kali (comp. of fourth) adj 

fourth (sem. domains: 8.1.1.2 - 

Ordinal numbers.) 

lowali [loʼwəli] n shoulder; back 

(top of person's back) onka ao 

lowalika kolwaeyare my string bag 

hangs on my shoulders (sem. 

domains: 2.1.2 - Torso.) 

lowaran inf. var. of 

lowi [ʼlowi] n wing of a bird emaku 

tan amaolek lowijewae warka wam 

wariri the hornbill's chicks stay 

under the mother's wing feathers 


a bird.) 

lowiraowe v rub lal pokuloum 

talowiraowe the hand rubs the 

body syn: ekire 2. (sem. domains: 

7.7.5 - Rub.) 

lowone v rub; smash (of rub 

medicine onto skin, rub place 

that hurts) api tapamire lokoka, 

emka nolu ar lomom naklowone ran 

when the cassowary was running, 

(it) smashed our spinach plants 

here (sem. domains: 7.7.5 - Rub.) 

lu 1 [ʼlu] n man; husband ( rst 

person form - this word can be 

used for men, spirits and 

animals) lu tija tam maman 

pnakwarike a man wrapped the 

hook with meat spec: lolujwa. 

(sem. domains: 4.1.9.2.1 - 

Husband, wife.) compounds: 

airae yonae lu, lu maip, 

naeyan lu, pijou lu 

lu awauke [ʼlu əʼwauke] n brother 

(eldest of your husband) nek 

lujawauke mae? where is your 

husband's older brother? (sem. 


sister.) 

lu awaule eldest brother of a 

woman's husband 

lu maip (comp. of lu 1, maip) n lord, 

sir (used to describe and address

143 lul 

an important man) 

lujel [luʼtʃelə] n people lujel waleija 

plewale all the people went 

lujelka amei n of people, available to 

all, not special lujelka amei olli 

ordinary things of people (sem. 

domains: 8.3.5.3.1 - Usual.) 

lujelma nakli no i kali lu (kt. phr.) n 

encourager 

lujwaki [luʼtʃwaki] n clan (one 

generation of a clan) lujwaki 

lomko aujwa tipia those in the clan 

have one grandfather (sem. 

domains: 4.1.9.8 - Family, clan.) 

lujwala lu [lujwa'la lu] n other 

people (not of our group, not 

enemies) - always treated with 

respect and fear (sem. domains: 

4.1.9.7 - Non-relative.) 

lujwane 1 [luʼtʃwan] v chew (sem. 


lujwane 2 [luʼtʃwən] v yell sounds on 

lujwan lujwanya peyawo mirnae I 

ran up yelling on polujwane, aplaeli 

plae I yelled out for someone, and 

yelled out (in pain) u-u-u peyar 

kolujwane yell north 

lujwanwale v separate people or 

money for di erent purposes 

auram kolujwanwale separate 

money syn: knaroure. 

lujwapu [luʼtʃwapu] n command; 

threat (always verbal to stop 

doing something or a call to 

come) loko lujwapu kowe he 

threatened (them to stop talking, 

etc) [usually this word is used 

when yelling at people to stop 

doing something (even a pastor's 

strong words) (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.1.1 - Shout.) 

lujwapu kali (comp. of ) n yelling 

lomko lujwapu kali peire they were 

yelling (sem. domains: 3.5.1.1.1 - 

Shout.) 

luke inf. var. of lure 4 

lul [ʼlulə] adj ten (or ten times the 

number it occurs with) lul tija 

aria only ten mani lul pli lit: two 

ll 

tens) twenty cray sh (sem. 

domains: 8.1.1.1 - Cardinal 

numbers.) 

lulamalula [ʼlulamaʼlulə] adj 

hundred, thousand lujel lomko 

nwaejaro, lulamalula lowa ran aro 

the people were this many, 400 

(sem. domains: 8.1.1.1 - Cardinal 

numbers.)

lulamalula 144 

lumirapla [lumiʼrəpla] n nest of 

wildfowl bird loko aoloka ewom 

lumiraplam pamkeinakire he saw 

there his own wildfowl nest [the 

lumirapla makes a large mound 

for a nest of grass, leaves and 

dirt] (sem. domains: 1.6.5 - 

Animal home.) 

lumta n young adult man, already 

married and with children; or 

real man in contrast to a spirit 

man lumta maip young adult man 

awom lumta lomom owa you will 

therefore be mature [this label can 

be withheld if young man is 

married with children but is 

ignorant about how to live well] 

(sem. domains: 2.6.4.4 - Adult.) 

lunapi [luʼnapi] n enemy, normally 

used of strangers loko yakla 

peyakwokire, lunapim he rst stood 

on top looking for enemies (sem. 

domains: 4.8.2.9 - Enemy.) 

lure 1 v mourn alu molure go mourn 

there loko alujamta polukame ... he 

cried out saying... on alu tea nakolu 

papaoke I just cried thinking about 

it (sem. domains: 2.6.6.4 - 

Mourn.) 

lure 2 (inf. var. luke) v ll something 

eko ijo molure she goes to ll up 

containers with water loko almar 

lommom tipraku popolupae he lled 

up the at bark with poison vines 

syn: lare. (sem. domains: 1.3.2.2 

- Pour.) 

lure 3 v 1) smooth; scrape to smooth 

(use for making bows, paddles, 

palm slats and ooring) on 

anapirma polure I made a bow 2) 

scrape apart the dirt and grass 

nest of a wildfowl loko ewom 

poluprowe popo he scraped apart 

the egg (nest) on ewom tija poluke I 

scraped/dug out one (nest of eggs) 

-lwa 4 [̤lwə] adj male noun su x 

(variant of -la) ayalwa his father 

(3p) 

lwae 1 (inf. var. kolwayale, 

kolwaeyare, lwaeke) v carry 

someone when they hang on 

your shoulders piggyback; or 

carry something by hanging it 

around neck or from head eko mi 

ki nu lwae she is carrying (two 

loads of) rewood, on top and 

below em ollim pamolwaepae we 

carried the things there em nolujaki 

pomulwae pronake we continued 

carrying banana shoots at di erent

145 lwaip 

times eko onma tea ao lwae she just 

cannot carry me piggyback syn: 

imrae, taole- 1, nalirae, spec: 

tapeilwae lu. (sem. domains: 

7.3.1 - Carry, 7.3.2.4.1 - Hang.) 

comp. kolwaeporae 

lwae 2 v rain (verb that goes with 

lao) lao polwae it rained lomko lao 

lwaepawe they got rained on (sem. 

domains: 1.1.3.3 - Rain.) 

lwae 3 v smear loko elweli lwae he 

smeared ashes on his skin mi nol 

polwae smear sap (onto new bow) 

tan loko nam lwae that child 

smeared sago (on his face) syn: 

ekire 2. comp. ulwaoko lwae 

lwae 4 [ʼlwae] n pig loko lwae lu 

kapoum pneike he shot a big male 

pig lwae num ili tapai pigs dig up 

the ground lwae loko nae ran powe 

the pig is fat (literally: has grease) 

(sem. domains: 1.6.1.1.3 - 

Hoofed animals.) 

lwae lwaeya [ʼlwae ʼlwaeya] adv on 

hands and feet lwae lwaeya lele 

crawl on hands and feet (sem. 

domains: 7.1.4 - Kneel.) 

lwae nalirae (comp. of carry, hang) 

v carry and hang eko sospen 

pnaklwae nalirae, mika she carried 

and hung the pan above the re 


lwaekare v carry o (sem. domains: 

7.3.1 - Carry.) 

lwaekiyae [lwaekiʼjae] n tiny yellow 

frog (sem. domains: 1.6.1.4 - 

Amphibian.) 

lwaenake v bear fruit that hangs 

down wan aro lwaenak warle 

(plants) will certainly bear fruit 

(sem. domains: 1.5.6 - Growth of 

plants.) 

lwaenalirae [ʼlwaenaliʼrae] v hang 

up sospen pnaklwae nalirae, mika 

hang the pan on/above the re 

(sem. domains: 7.3.2.4.1 - Hang.) 

lwaip [ʼlwaip] n possum (white or 

spotted) lwaip tanaki alomka 

ulwaka naklele possum o spring 

are carried in their own pouch 

(sem. domains: 1.6.1.1.5 - 

Marsupial.) 

lwale v halve; split (into long pieces) 

loko marok lwale he splits the palm 

tree into long pieces irei plaoloke e, 

pokolwale i pakapipaplale sharpen 

small sticks, halve (them), and 

split (them) apart syn: kulwalke.

lwale 146 

lwam [ʼlwam] n place (for one 

person or one thing) lokok ni 

lwam his place to sit (sem. 

domains: 8.5.4.3 - Space, room.) 

lwamo [ʼlwamo] n spear tip (made 

of bamboo) loko lwamo anpirwae 

kimaem klolekinae he stuck the 

spear tip high up into the thatch 

(sem. domains: 6.7.8 - Parts of 

tools.) 

lwane 1 v rot (of food and wood) ku 

tawoki lwane the wild sugarcane is 

standing and rotting malpiyao 

tolwae lwane the pawpaw is 

hanging and rotting irki mi loko 

polwan pleyae the platform wood 

has rotted completely syn: oru, 

pokpoke. (sem. domains: 8.3.7.8 

- Decay.) 

lwane 2 v spit (aimed) lomko lomom 

alwan polwan prowe they spit on 

him (sem. domains: 2.2.3 - Spit, 

saliva.) 

lwape [ʼlwape] n tree (strong, tall) 


lwapipa [ʼlwəpipə] n hole er lwapipa 

lomom parweirounake popo i 

pokwalireine we were cutting down 

into the hole and then looked down 

lwapna [ʼlwapnə] n big place; oor 

(bigger place than lwam) lwae 

loko ple, wali wi lwapna pam 

keinakire the pig goes and sees 

there a place to make a nest (sem. 


comp. wani lwapna 

lwar [ʼlwərə] n 1) clothes onka lwar 

taklanplare my clothes are torn 

loko lwar nowea pokonae he put 

other clothes on (sem. domains: 

5.3 - Clothing.) 2) skin of body 

pokulou lwar skin of body lwar 

wala house of skins lwar maman 

skinny - tightly stretched skin (sem. 

domains: 2.1.4 - Skin.) comp. 

nakplom lwar 

lwau n bark that smells good, but 

not edible (sem. domains: 1.5.5 - 


lwawalwae v sleep eno lwawalwa eyes 

going to sleep (sem. domains: 

5.7.1 - Go to sleep.) 

lwaweila [lwəʼweilə] n dead skin 

lwaweila ari laworeke the dead skin 

has fallen (burnt o ) (sem. 

domains: 2.1.4 - Skin.) 

lweal [lweʼalə] n joist (width wise 

joists under the oor) (sem.

147 lwolure 

domains: 6.5.2.3 - Floor.) 

lweine v crack open; split open; cut 

open (of long things with a tool 

and it is implied that inside of 

what you split may spill out) on 

melonma palweine I split open the 

melon on napanta pari lomom 

pakalweine I cut open the middle 

(of snake) [use lweine for sago 

and pandanus in dry season, and 

for pumpkin when it falls; also 

use for clothes, or canoe splitting 

when it hits a stump] (sem. 

domains: 7.8.2 - Crack.) 

lwele [ʼlwəle] v walk on top; go with 

lwepan mijeli kik yamlwele the 

possum walks high on the branch 

am iron ironja talwele you tremble 

when walking on top (of a log 

bridge) lu pli em yowe napu maem 

aro yamkweijwen kolwele here two 

men broke sugarcane for us on the 

M m 

road and went with us (sem. 

domains: 7.2.1.1 - Walk.) der. 

kralakolele 

lwelle v rise (of water and other 

things) ijo tea lwellenake parwam 

the water is just rising up to the 

steps ijo lwellewowe water is level 

(sem. domains: 1.3.2 - Movement 

of water.) 

lwepan [lweʼpan] n possum (black) 

lwepan aplaelija arkok wamlae the 

possum then cried out from inside 

(sem. domains: 1.6.1.1.5 - 

Marsupial.) 

lwewao [lweʼwao] n possum 

(female) [male is waowip] syn: 

waowip. (sem. domains: 1.6.1.1 - 

Mammal.) 

lwolure v scrape coconut meat on lir 

lwolure I scrape coconut meat 


food preparation.)

ma- 148 

ma- [ʼmə] (inf. var. mani) v:dx there 

close by verbal pre x - closer 

than ya-; malele! Let's go! loko 

manire he is there (at a distance) 

ne mao! you go do that! (sem. 

domains: 8.5.1 - Here, there.) 

comp. wamanire 

-ma [ʼmə] adj case marker su x eko 

arma taltawoure she fears the dog 

mae [ʼmae] adv where (question 

word) wom mokuran lu mae? 

where are the other men? 

maem [ʼmaemə] n location on station 

maem lamlelerre I have come from 

the station syn: -ka 2. 

mai [ʼmai] n earthworm nu mai ili 

ran ground with worms (good 

ground) (sem. domains: 1.6.1 - 

Types of animals.) 

maip [ʼmaip] adj 1) large lwae maip 

pakire the big pig stands (sem. 

domains: 8.2 - Big.) 2) very wom 

lamnae kapou kapou maip kara 

malairokolopawom, walei walei, 

pira paowa you must make a very 

big rack, really long to put sh on 

(sem. domains: 9.3 - Very.) 

comp. lu maip 

mak [ʼmakə] n ear eko mak peijale 

she pulled the ear (of a disobedient 

child to rebuke) mak wale blow 

into ear (to heal a sickness) on 

redio mak krae I put-ears (listen) to 

the radio on mak pari I can hear 

(but not fully awake) lomko 

makma touwole they put their 

ngers in their ears (so they could 

not hear like they do when scared 

of thunder and lightning) (sem. 

domains: 2.1.1.2 - Ear.) 

mak karu n forget on mak karu 

kowale I forgot (sem. domains: 

3.2.6.1 - Forget.) 

mak krae v listen/obey eko mak ao 

krae she did not listen/obey (sem. 

domains: 4.3.8.1 - Conform.) 

mak taran enwae lu n stubborn man 


makau n sh, type of (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.5 - Fish.) 

maki [ʼməki] n hard work (implied 

dislike) (do not use for disliking 

the work of someone else) on 

maki powe I worked hard and am 

tired (of it) er maki, maki, maki, 

maki we worked and worked, 

worked and worked (sem. 

domains: 6.1.3 - Di cult,

149 makujwae 

impossible.) 

maklan [məʼklan] adj side (must co- 

occur with a noun) iki maklan 

maem the sides of the ship el 

maklan the ladies' side (of church) 

marok maklan pli lommom alwa 

arpwalaolonake more scraping of 

the two sides of palm with an ax 

makmak [ʼmakmak] adv listen 

closely (by putting ear close to 

something) er makmak tija powe 

we listened closely loko onka 

aplaelim makmakya pwanijwe he 

sat just listening to my yelling 

(sem. domains: 2.3.2.1 - Listen.) 

maku 1 [ʼmaku] n group em peilone, 

maku plija arowe we shot ( sh), in 

two groups 

maku 2 [ʼmaku] n reason; meaning 

(may be hidden) tapklowaleyale 

maku lok mae? what is the reason 

for the divorce? loko maku ran, 

lokok maku le it has a meaning, 

here is it's meaning (sem. domains: 

3.5.8.1 - Meaning.) 

maku 3 [ʼmaku] n revenge; 

compensation lokoka tan maipma 

nakwolujwe, i loko ineinein arowe, 

on maku kik napu pelwale his own 

big child was killed by sorcery, and 

he was thinking this way, I do not 

have any way to get revenge ne 

maku tapakika! you must not take 

revenge! ne onma amujwamu maku 

tanowa? will you compensate me 

for the food (ruined by pig)? syn: 

alijan. (sem. domains: 4.7.7.2 - 

Fine.) 

maku kali [ʼmaku ʼkali] n subject (of 

a talk) ar maku kalimta le, on apo 

lomom aro ijarle the real subject of 

this talk is here, I will now tell it 

maku kali loko aro kokwame... the 

subject of the talk says this... (sem. 

domains: 3.5.1.2 - Talk about a 

subject.) 

maku kani wala n home place 

(where a person is originally 

from) 

makujwae [makuʼtʃwae] n hair (on 

head) loko makujwaem kroujale he 

cut the hair on his head eko 

makujwaem pewao wipae she makes 

her hair in pigtails (considered 

showing o ) (sem. domains: 2.1.5 

- Hair.) 

makujwal [makuʼtʃwalə] n head 

onka makujwal popleya le my head 

hurts onka makujwal keinanele my 

head hurts loko makujwalma

makujwal 150 

klaklale he shaved (his) head (sem. 


makujwal korale v make upset 

makujwal praele (ph. v. of salute) v 

salute lal makujwal papraele 

saluted (lit: put hand on head) 

(sem. domains: 4.5.5 - Honor.) 

makujwal tipia v agreement er 

makujwal tipia powe we two have 

one head (agree) syn: wowanae. 

(sem. domains: 4.1.5 - Unity.) 

makujwal tir (comp. of head, shell) 

n skull (sem. domains: 2.1.1 - 

Head.) 

makujwal woujolwae v insulting, 

rebellious (sem. domains: 4.3.6.1 

- Lack self-control.) 

makujwo [makuʼtʃwo] n cap 

(ancestor's); bark (used to weave 

rings) (sem. domains: 5.3.3 - 


makula [ʼmakulə] n brain (sem. 


makum ijinplaeno v prove a point 

ilonae kali makum nakeijinplaeno 

yapanweire proved the accusation 

true (sem. domains: 3.6.1 - Show, 

explain.) 

makumta inf. var. of beginning 

makupaki [makuʼpəki] n neck (back 

of) (sem. domains: 2.1.1 - Head.) 

makuroko [makuʼroko] n support 

(main support of a small 

structure like a table) loko 

makurokom pakike popo, i moku 

maem pamlonarre he took the main 

(dam) support, and pushed it there 

into the shore (sem. domains: 

6.5.3 - Building materials.) 

makurou [makuʼrou] adj dull (as 

knife) onka weirou makurou my 

knife is dull (sem. domains: 

8.3.2.4 - Blunt.) 

makwanir [makʼwənirə] n crest 

(only cockatoos and cassowaries 

have) wakewaka makwanir kom. 

the black cockatoo's crest is black 


a bird.) 

makwei [məkʼwei] n large tongs eko 

makwei ponpae she split the tongs 

to hold the sago basket (narip) 

(sem. domains: 6.7.6 - Holding 

tool.) 

makya wanowi n hearing but not 

doing/obeying (sem. domains: 

4.3.6.1 - Lack self-control.) 

mal 2 [ʼmal] n banana, type of (sem.

151 mamaliwai 

domains: 1.5 - Plant.) 

male 1 v count lu tija ao malpleyae a 

man could not count it all olli mal 

wanowi counting work (math) 

(sem. domains: 8.1.2 - Count.) 

male male n throbbing pain onka 

lipamu male male powe my knee is 

throbbing (sem. domains: 2.5.6.1 - 

Pain.) 

malei [məʼlei] n tree (used to make 

canoes) eyo ewalimu pakounanlale 

i mi malei lokoka ki mae pam 

klowartae the dove ew o and 

landed there on top of a malei tree 


malpiyao [malpiʼjao] n papaya on ur 

maem malpiyao pnane I picked the 

papaya in the garden malpiyao 

tolwaelwane the papaya is 

hanging/rotting (sem. domains: 


malpowi [malʼpowi] (kt. phr.) v sin; 

do bad (can cover a number of 

bad actions, both serious and 

minor ones) malpowi nakli the 

strength of sin - law of sin (sem. 

domains: 4.3.1.1 - Bad, 

immoral.) 

malyai rae n circumcision (Namia 

people practiced cutting a 

pattern on the back of a man) 

malyai ta wala n spirit house of 

ancestors [it is very dark inside, 

a person can be cut badly if they 

enter, women and children are 

not allowed inside] (sem. 

domains: 4.9.8.2 - Place of 

worship.) 

malyaira lu n leader of the customs 

of the village; he does the cutting 

of skin for ceremonies, people 

respect him and does what he 

says (sem. domains: 4.5.1 - 

Person in authority.) 

mamaliwai [məməliʼwai] n 

lightning/thunder (no 

distinction) mamaliwai loko 

kweipapapujware i lal ewae 

kerarowe the lightning knocks 

(you) at and your arm hair is 

singed mamaliwai loko pneike the 

lightning struck (and killed) (sem. 

domains: 1.1.3.6 - Lightning, 

thunder.) 

mamalkia [maʼmalkia] n correct 

amount (of money or objects - 

for an amount agreed 

beforehand) wom anapirwae 

mamalkia poklopae e? have you

mamalkia 152 

made the correct amount of 

thatch? (sem. domains: 8.1.7 - 

Enough.) 

maman 1 [məʼmən] n hook (for 

crocodiles); trap (for rats or pigs) 

lu lakepau loko maman piram 

nakakike the balding man gets a 

sh with a hook syn: keirae. 

(sem. domains: 6.4.2 - Trap, 

6.4.5.2 - Fish with hooks.) comp. 

aleila maman 

maman 2 [məʼman] adj loose imae 

maman ari lejarle the rope already 

hangs loosely (sem. domains: 8.3 - 

Quality.) 

mami v give one thing to someone 

freely, this practice shows you 

are a good person in the Namia 

culture mamijo syn: nonaolire, 

imami taplu. (sem. domains: 

7.4.1 - Give, hand to.) 

mamna [ʼməmna] n large bat 

malpiyaom mamna tapeire the bat 

has eaten some of the papaya 

(hanging on a tree) mamna 

taplapapae lokok when the bat 

aps by... em mamna talae we hang 

(like) bats (live at a place that is 

not our real home) (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.1.8 - Bat.) 

mamnal [məmʼnalə] n spear (made 

from the bone of a bat) loko 

mamnal pakike popo i aro neike he 

got his spear and shot (it) (sem. 


mamo [ʼmamo] n cousin (male on 

the mother's side); these are the 

relatives who have the right to 

get compensation from the 

younger ones when one of them 

dies; inf. var. maomkwa, syn: 

naran. (sem. domains: 4.1.9.1.7 - 

Cousin.) 

mamou [məʼmou] adj muteness; 

craziness loko mamoujwe he is 

mute (sem. domains: 2.5.4.4 - 

Mute.) 

mamplijei [məmpliʼtʃei] n long thin 

pumpkin (sem. domains: 

5.2.3.1.3 - Food from 

vegetables.) 

manaura [məʼnaurə] n spear with 

barbs (used only for shooting 

small animals) on paneike i 

manaur lomom pnakweijwene I shot 

and the barbed spear broke on lapa 

manaur lokoka neike I shot it with 

the barbed spear (sem. domains: 

6.4.1 - Hunt.)

153 manu 

mane v stink taplu manwe the food 

stinks ta lomom klomanwe, plastik 

war maem the meat stinks inside 

the plastic olli ijo ran kloman popae 

things with water that stink (sem. 

domains: 2.3.4 - Smell.) 

mane 1 v hook; catch by hooking (of 

sh or frogs) em pira mane we 

hook sh (sem. domains: 6.4.5.2 - 

Fish with hooks.) 

mane 2 [ʼməne] n mother (third 

person form - used in Tipas) 

(sem. domains: 4.1.9.1.2 - 


mani inf. var. of ma- , nire 

mani [ʼmani] n small cray sh on 

maru lomom pakloliraolire porae, 

mani loko lul pli I emptied the 

basket and there were twenty 

cray sh spec: manirma. (sem. 


mani kali (comp. of maniro, kali 3) 

adj third (sem. domains: 8.1.1.2 - 


manimo [məniʼmo] n banana, type 

of (sem. domains: 5.2.3.1 - Food 

from plants.) 

maninono [maniʼnono] n bird (small 

one that they hit with sticks) 

[Wiyari Area calls this bird: 

wanijali] (sem. domains: 1.6.1.2 

- Bird.) 

manirma [manirəʼma] n big cray sh 

amna manirma aweyae onono ran 

yakakik worle you should rst grab 

the teeth and feelers of a cray sh 

gen: mani. (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.5 - Fish.) 

maniro [məʼniro] adj three lomko lu 

maniro peyare the three men came 

(sem. domains: 8.1.1.1 - Cardinal 

numbers.) comp. mani kali 

maniyaol [məniʼjaole] adv around 

(always used in a compound) on 

talele maniyaole I'm merely walking 

around. ni maniyaole transient 

living comp. kenaeyan 

maniyaole 

manu 1 [ʼmanu] adj wild, not tame 

manu ta wild animal manu lwae pli 

aro worinake the two wild pigs 

were laying (sem. domains: 8.3.5 - 

Type, kind.) 

manu 2 [ʼmanu] n deep sleep em 

manu plewale we slept deeply on iki 

kik pokwari, i on manu ple I laid on 

top of the canoe, and I slept deeply 

(sem. domains: 5.7.1 - Go to

manu 154 

sleep.) 

manu lwae (comp. of wild pig) n 1) 

wild pig 2) wild person who 

spends too much time in the 

forest, rather than in the village 

mao [ʼmao] n chestnut (Tahitian) 

[tree has red leaves; scientif: 

Tahitian chestnut, Canarium 

indicum] (sem. domains: 1.5.1 - 

Tree.) 

maokliriya adj straight mim 

maokliriya makakire the straight 

tree standing there (sem. domains: 

8.3.1.3 - Straight.) 

maoko [ʼmaoko] n top (of a plant or 

house) wala maoko top (ridge 

pole) of house yam mi maoko lijeik 

taramlele lokok when the moon 

descends close to the tree tops 

walwa maoko kik pakwokire the sun 

stood up on top (noontime) naki 

maoko klowarwe (he) plants the 

head of a vine (to make rain) 

(sem. domains: 8.6.2 - Top.) 

comp. mimaku 

maokrae [maoʼkrae] n porch tan loko 

taklakaowe, maokraeka the child 

fell o the porch (sem. domains: 

6.5.1.1 - House.) 

maon n testicles maon wan testicles 

(sem. domains: 2.1.8.3 - Male 

organs.) 

maope v hit foot kweimaope hit foot 

while walking kwalirmaope hit foot 

while jumping down 

mapa [məʼpa] n loop on imae lo mani 

kalim parpanaronae lokoka, imae 

mapa mani when I tied the vine 

three times, there were three loops 

of vine wai mapa loko kinalim 

pakike i pakanapoplolotae the 

snake held the bandicoot in (his) 

loop, and killed (it) ...ewonni aro 

unwanwowe i naki mapa kik 

pamkounwanporae the crested 

pigeon ew up and out and landed 

there on the top of a vine loop 

mapa plaele the loose (wire) is 

hanging 

mapak [maʼpak] n lemon (sem. 


fruit.) 

mapal [məʼpələ] n stem; trunk (of 

tobacco and other plants) em iki 

elam mapal lijeika pakrae we put 

the canoe near the breadfruit tree 

trunk (sem. domains: 1.5.5 - Parts 

of a plant.) 

mapo 1 [ʼmapo] n type of edible nut

155 mari 

syn: kakeri. (sem. domains: 


mapo 2 [ʼmapo] adj spinning; dizzy 

onka eno mapo no onnole my eyes 

spin around weakly (before 

fainting) tanaki mapo nakowe the 

children play with spinning tops 

syn: weinune. (sem. domains: 

2.5.6 - Symptom of disease, 7.2 - 

Move.) 

mar [ʼmarə] adv where (question 

word) ne mar wal yare? where are 

you coming from? ne lwae mar lom 

pamkraerre? where did you put the 

(dead) pig? 

mara [məʼra] adj true, real, genuine 

- most commonly used to 

describe words that are true, do 

not use as a noun for man's spirit 

onka kali mara kali my talk is true 

mara kalim ai! (you) must tell the 

truth! (sem. domains: 3.5.1.3.1 - 

Tell the truth.) 

marae [məʼrae] adj very (intensi er 

that modi es nouns and 

modi ers) namia marae none at 

all kwainia marae very little (sem. 

domains: 9.3.1.1 - To a large 

degree.) 

maralma [məʼralmə] adv sometimes 

maralma yam lowa ran aria 

wanijarle sometimes (we) should 

sit (and mourn) only four months 

(sem. domains: 8.4.3 - Inde nite 

time.) 

maran [məʼran] n re (made by 

friction) on nakim pakoporaerre 

popo, i maran lomom aro wire, i mi 

loko peirle I bend a vine, and make 

a re, so the re burns (sem. 


marapi [ʼmərəpi] n tree, type of 


mare mare [məre məre] v smack lips 

(when person smells something 

good) aolo mare marewe smack 

lips together (sem. domains: 

2.1.1.4 - Mouth.) 

mari ['məri] v be inside (verb 

includes being inside of 

something - used for non-human 

objects) ineinein pamari thinking is 

in (head) aura aoka pamari the 

money is inside the bag (sem. 

domains: 8.5.3 - Be at a place.) 

mari [ʼməri] n small knife; clam 

shell (sem. domains: 6.7.1 - 

Cutting tool.) comp. ai mari

mari 156 

maria [mariʼa] adj how many nek 

tan maria? how many are your 

children? 

marijo intae [mariʼtʃo inʼta] v search 

and nd loko ple e, ayapyouka 

pamarijo intae he went until he 

found the hawk (sem. domains: 

7.6.2 - Find.) 

marijo kike v nd-get (one thing) 

(sem. domains: 7.6.2 - Find.) 

marijowe [mariʼtʃo] v search em 

taplu marijowe we are looking for 

food on weiroum marijowe, mor 

mari ro I am searching for (my) 

knife, where it might be (sem. 

domains: 7.6.1 - Search.) 

mariole [mariʼole] n demon (sem. 


being.) 

mariyowe [məriʼyo] v whiz past 

pakaplakimariyowe (it) whizzed 

past (me) (sem. domains: 7.2.1.2 

- Move quickly.) 

marki [ʼmərki] n umbilical cord; 

belly button tanka markim aro 

touke then cut the child's umbilical 

cord (sem. domains: 2.1.8 - 


marle v cut across loko lomom napan 

napanya pakamarle he cut it (pig) 

across the middle maku maem 

paklamarlale, i pnakale, i aro 

imoujwa (you) cut o the head (of 

new leaves), take it, and (use it to) 

heal lemarle go-&cut-across (sem. 


maro [məʼro][mo ro] n small, 

vertical sticks used in a river dam 

pnakarawale, i maru morom aro 

kijwelire, pijaki. maru morom 

peyakakijwelire, i peyamaplae. 

kalim tija parpamakijwelire popo, i 

parpeyamkrae, moro tan. go down, 

cut the sticks for the basket rst. 

rst the sticks were cut, and came 

and put them in. again cut a forked 

stick and again come put it with 

the small sticks of the dam. (sem. 


marok [məʼrok] n palm, type of on 

marok malaole I go to smooth the 

palm (pieces into planks) (sem. 


marolu [məʼrolu] n brother ( rst 

person form that sisters use) 

marokwa your brother (second 

person form that sisters use) 

marolwa his brother (third person 

form that sisters use) maralwa lapli

157 merali 

nalaola kalim peire lokoka, i ekoka 

lu ni ineinein armom kapreyale 

when her two brothers talked about 

an exchange, that's when her 

thinking about getting married 

started (sem. domains: 4.1.9.1.3 - 

Brother, sister.) 

maru 1 [ʼmaru] n woven sh basket 

er maru plaowe we put in sh 

baskets ne maru klarrae? have you 

left your sh baskets? em maru lip 

kapou lok maem larpawa we will 

put the sh baskets in big creeks 

(sem. domains: 6.4.5.3 - Fishing 

equipment.) 

maru 2 [ʼməru] adj weak (of a wet 

bow, or a person who is weak 

from not eating) anapira loko 

maru arijwe, i lapa awarka irane, 

lwae pokulouja the bow was weak, 

and the spear did not go inside the 

pig's body lokoka lipal maru popae 

his legs are weak (from not eating) 

(sem. domains: 8.3.7.1 - Bad.) 

maryai [mərʼjai] n pointed reddish 

banana [the type eaten when 

ripe, of medium size] (sem. 


fruit.) 

melo melo [melo melo] adv stick out 

tongue (to show displeasure) lal 

melo melowe stick out tongue (to 

show displeasure) (sem. domains: 

2.1.1.4 - Mouth.) 

-memle [ʼmemle] exp let us 

(compound of em 'we' and le 

'start'; use in direct speech as a 

mild imperative when you are 

including yourself) ple memle let 

us go ponae memle, ewaliya... let us 

start sleeping. tomorrow ... kali 

loko peilai paemle let us start 

saying these words (sem. domains: 

9.4.3.1 - Imperative .) 

mepleawe v dive into water lomko 

almar lommom iki ran nakalewale 

popo, i leilpan maem aro 

nakmepleyawe they took the poison 

ropes in the canoe, and then dived 

with them there in the middle. syn: 

kepleyawe. (sem. domains: 7.2.3 

- Move toward something.) 

merali [meʼrali] n vine (to put 

around legs to help climb a 

limbless palm or coconut tree) ne 

merali tan ayawo you must go up 

with a vine (sem. domains: 1.5.3 - 

Grass, herb, vine.) 

mero [ʼmero] n long smoke pipe lu 

loko meroka tae that man is

mero 158 

smoking with the long smoke pipe 

(sem. domains: 5.2.4 - Tobacco.) 

mi [ʼmi] n 1) re (any type) mi lal 

irwoke the re ames up (small) 

on mi papare I am making a re 

loko mika kanire he sits by the re 

pt: minoli, mino, mimami, 

mijalpla. (sem. domains: 5.5 - 

Fire.) 2) tree (general word) mi 

ari tapokpoke the tree has already 

rotted - a little solid wood left mi 

oru arijwe the tree has completely 

rotted - no solid wood left el mim 

pnaweine the ladies chop wood 

(into rewood) (sem. domains: 

1.5.1 - Tree.) compounds: mi 

neijwe, mi pokulou, mijaki, 

mijali, mijwae, mijwan, 

mikita, milal, mimaku, plami 

mi ipoku impoku n crossed wood 

(one piece crosswise on another) 

mi lwar [ʼmi ʼlwərə] (comp. of ) n 

skin (of tree); blackboard (sem. 


mi maip ki aokwae n bad spirit of big 

trees who incites people to do 

wrong 

mi neijwe (comp. of mi, neijwe tree 

that is bent over, used for 

hanging to commit suicide) 

mi neman [mi neman] n re smell 

(when re is burning) (sem. 


produce.) 

mi parei [mi paʼrei] n kindling wood 


plant.) 

mi pokulou [ʼmi pokuʼlwou] (comp. 

of mi, pokulou) n tree trunk 


plant.) 

mijakaini n hot coals of a re - ready 

to fan into ame (sem. domains: 

5.5.5 - What res produce.) 

mijaki [miʼtʃəki] (comp. of mi, yaki) 

n 1) stick Jon mijaki tija 

pweijwenke popo i peilelele Jon 

broke a stick and started poking 


plant.) 2) tree shoot loko na 

mijaki plapae he plants sago shoots 


plants.) 

mijali [miʼtʃəli] (comp. of mi, ali) n 

branch (of tree) tan kapou 

awarkwe, awaripoluka tiprakuka. 

tama lwae naliraeya, mijali kika the 

child is not big, so wrap (him) in a

159 mimaku no 

bark. you must hang (him) up high 

on a branch (sem. domains: 1.5.1 

- Tree.) 

mijalpla [mitʃəlpla] n branch (with 

no leaves) mijalpla weirome 

extinguish ( re) by hitting with a 

lea ess branch wh: mi 1 . (sem. 


mijwae [miʼtʃwae] (comp. of mi, 

ewae 2) n leaf (of tree) (sem. 


mijwae pomouleyane n dusk, 5-6 

p.m. mijwae pomouleyanae dusk 

(too dark to see leaves in late 

afternoon) syn: ulapu wamli. 

(sem. domains: 8.4.1 - Period of 

time.) 

mijwan [miʼtʃwən] (comp. of mi, 

wan) n tree seed; fruit of tree api 

mijwan pilaya pnarke i 

pakapolwowe the cassowary picks 

up seeds with his mouth and 

swallows them (whole) (sem. 


mijwan urpao [miʼtʃwan urʼpao] n 

ower em mijwan urpao 

pnakuraule we heaped owers (on 

grave) (sem. domains: 1.5.5 - 


mikita [mikiʼta] (comp. of mi, ki 2, 

ta 3) n tree animals (like possums 

that live up in the trees) (sem. 

domains: 1.6.6 - Animal group.) 

miklowane [miʼklowəne] n lung 

(sem. domains: 2.1.8 - Internal 

organs.) 

milal [miʼlalə] (comp. of mi, lal 1) n 

big ames (use when big ames 

burn a house, grassland, etc) 

milal pleme the ames shoot up 

high (sem. domains: 5.5.5 - What 

res produce.) 

milira kali [miliʼra ʼkali] n law 

system (more comprehensive 

than lalaki) syn: lalakik 2, 

laope, aujea kali, aujwa kali, 

walkali. (sem. domains: 3.5.4.6 - 


mimaku [miʼmaku] (comp. of mi, 

maoko) n stump onma mi maku 

kowe the tree stump cut me (sem. 


mimaku no [miʼmaku ʼno] adv 

quietly; peacefully loko mi maku 

no nire he lives quietly & peacefully 

(lit: like a tree stump) 

mimami [miʼməmi] n ames; hot 

coals em ai lamnaeka pokoprae,

mimami 160 

mimamika wapujowa we put the 

grubs on the rack to dry from the 

hot coals on praipan lomom 

mimami pamkrae I put the fry pan 

on the hot coals wh: mi 1. (sem. 


produce.) 

mino [ʼmino] n wood piece (piece of 

wood that has been cut o ) lapa 

mino kik pnalirae the arrow hung 

on a piece of wood wh: mi 1. 


plant.) 

minoli [miʼnoli] n tree sap loko 

minoli polwae he smeared tree sap 

(onto bow) wh: mi 1. (sem. 


mir ijwowaleyaole [ʼmir 

iywoʼwaeʼyao] v run around and 

under (houses) tanaki mir 

ijwowaleyaole the children run 

around under houses (trying to 

catch a chicken) (sem. domains: 

7.2.1.1.1 - Run.) 

mir lainkowe v skip; lope loko tamir 

lainkonake he is skipping trowia 

trowia mir lainkonake slowly 

skipping (sem. domains: 7.2.1.2 - 

Move quickly.) 

mir laonanole [ʼmir laonəʼno] v run 

around (in various directions) 

tanaki mir laonanole the children 

run around (like when chasing a 

chicken) (sem. domains: 7.2.1.1.1 

- Run.) 

mir larpae v run and stop tamir 

larpanake to be running and 

stopping (sem. domains: 7.2.1.1.1 

- Run.) 

mir leyalire v run and stop (Ameni 

area) syn: mir leyaowale 

mir leyaowale v run and win (arrive 

rst or win a race – Ameni Area) 

loko mir leyaowale he ran and 

arrived rst (sem. domains: 

7.2.1.1.1 - Run.) 

mir mir yonae lu n racer; athlete 

mire [ʼmire] cf: ae. n grub (of a 

beetle that lives in holes of trees, 

and are good to eat) em mire 

pakipeire we stood digging for 

grubs mire loko weipno peyakowe 

rst the grub turns into a maturing 

grub [stage 1-winged mature 

aropu, mire, amaole; stage 2- 

rst grub, mire, aemar; stage 3- 

grub maturing but not strong: 

weipno; stage 4-wings forming:

161 miyam 

waolo aropu nak -Namia people 

eat stages 2&3;] (sem. domains: 

1.6.3 - Animal life cycle.) 

mire [ʼmir] mirle v run; move (no 

direction implied or assumed 

away from) lwae larawoum 

pamire, kake kakeya the pig in fear 

ran far away lapa pamire, i lwaem 

pneike the spear moved, and shot 

the pig loko takakija ao mirle he 

will stand (and ght), will not run 

(away) (sem. domains: 7.2.1.2 - 

Move quickly.) comp. kamir 

krae 

mireni [miʼreni] n heat (of a re) ae 

mik pwale popo i mirenika pakoprae 

steam the grubs and then put on 

the heat of the re mirenika 

yakprae, i wapu owa rst put on 

the re heat and it will dry (sem. 


produce.) 

mirlalae [ʼmirələʼla] v run and 

scatter tayaki mirlalae the animals 

run and scatter (sem. domains: 

7.2.3.1 - Move away.) 

mirmirkaiyo lele v skip tamirmir 

kaiyolele move by skipping (sem. 

domains: 7.2.1.2 - Move quickly.) 

mirmirle [mirʼmirle] (redup of mire) 

v run quickly (no speci c 

direction implied) waolweli maip 

tija pakowe, i emka ikika mirmirlem 

pakelone a big storm hit, and 

stopped the speed of our boat (sem. 

domains: 7.2.1.2 - Move quickly.) 

mirnali [mirəʼnali] n small tree (that 

grow like weeds) (sem. domains: 

1.5.2 - Bush, shrub.) 

mirwoku [mirəʼwoku] n fallen tree 

em mirwokum pwae we went on the 

log bridge em mirwokum 

yakeilapaplal inakire we rst went 

to look for a submerged log (sem. 


-miya [miʼya] v:asp contingent 

action (verbal su x) lwae plaope, 

i yowi plan preire. lero. lu loko 

arkok lelemiya. the pig ritual is 

done, and the grass has grown on 

the grave. after that this man can 

walk around (again) awi, 

paeyakkam. pei kapou paeyako. on 

apo warmiya wait, allow (it) to 

bark rst. let (it) bark loudly rst. 

after that I will come (sem. 

domains: 9.4.1.4 - Relational 

tenses.) 

miyam [miʼjam] (alternate form of

mo 162 

-ya allative) adj only (noun 

modi er) loko lommom miyam 

peinakirele he started to see only 

them loko tijei alwa miyam kike he 

took only the stone ax (sem. 

domains: 8.1.5.7 - Only.) 

mo [ʼmo] n mother ( rst person 

form and term of respect) mo 

onma tea pnalwani yapanweire my 

mother cares well for me [this 

term can be withheld if young 

woman is married with children 

but is ignorant about how to live 

well] (sem. domains: 4.1.9.1.2 - 


-mo [ʼmo] adv must do later (remote 

imperative verb su x used when 

the imperative command is more 

remotely future, not face to face; 

it is only used once in a set of 

instructions) wom aria tea oraeri 

mo, e i Jisas parpeyare! you must 

continue all the time until Jesus 

returns! ne onka kali mak lomom 

kraemo! you must listen to/obey 

my talk! (sem. domains: 9.2.2 - 

Adverbs.) 

mokla n excited motion of body 

(when you are happy or really 

want something - accompanied 

by facial expressions and words; 

can use for people and children) 

tan ollim tija pakeinakire, i mom 

peikame, "On mokla ire, olli talakik 

lomom." a child sees a thing (he 

wants) and says to his mother, "I 

am excited about getting that 

thing." tan kokro kan lu tijam 

tapekeinakire lokoka, i loko mokla 

ire aolom tapakikwa. when a small 

child (baby) sees a man, he gets all 

excited about being held. (like 

seeing his father) tan loko mokla ire 

that child is happy loko mokla ire 

kalim pameire he was talking 

happily (sem. domains: 3.4.1.3 - 

Surprise.) 

moklo mokloya [ʼmoklo ʼmokloʼja] 

adv excitedly lomko pira moklo 

mokloya aro keire, i on wala wire 

they very excitedly shed and I 

built my house moklo mokloya 

parpale go again excitedly 

mokmok [ʼmokmok] n very small 

brown bush frog (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.4 - Amphibian.) 

moko [ʼmoko] adj tight lwar moko 

kan the clothes are too tight yowi 

loko mokowe the hole is too small 

mokrao [moʼkrao] n short, fat

163 mom 

cooking banana (sem. domains: 


moku [ʼmoku] n riverbank (higher 

ground than toklu) em iki moku 

maem pamkakire, i em ikim pakrae 

we stopped there with the canoe on 

the bank, and we put the canoe 

wakiran mokuja to the high ground 

on the other side (sem. domains: 

1.3.1.5 - Island, shore.) 

mokuran [moʼkuran] adj some em 

apo mokuran Namik maem 

monwawa now some of us will 

sleep there in Nami (sem. 

domains: 8.1 - Quantity.) 

mokwei [moʼkwei] n wild palm with 

no thorns [Mokwidami Village 

got its name from this palm] 


molu 2 (Lawo Area uses: walaka 2) n 

medium strong wind (comes 

before rain) em napuja ple lokoka, 

i lao molu ar yakyare when we 

were walking on the road, the wind 

came rst (before the rain) molu 

kwainya pokowe lomom... because 

the wind was not (blowing) 

strongly.. [this word not widely 

known or used. This kind of wind 

shows that a spirit is moving 

around.] syn: ilpok, walaka 1, 

waolweli, panwei. (sem. 

domains: 1.1.3.1 - Wind.) 

molujwan 1 n greens with a strong 

smell on molujwan lalwa I will 

scatter seeds gen: tero. (sem. 


leaves.) 

molujwau [moluʼtʃwau] n 

unhappiness (shown by actions 

and in the face but not in the 

words- it is a lesser anger in 

comparison to namalwe) loko el 

molujwau lomom plele maniyaole 

lokoka... when he walked around 

because of her unhappiness... loko 

molujwau tea aro nire he was just 

sitting unhappy loko elma 

molujwauwe he is unhappy with his 

wife eko molujwauwe i almar wi 

prae she was unhappy and drank 

poison water syn: namal we. 

(sem. domains: 4.8.1 - Hostility.) 

mom n sleep ritual nakwolu mom 

aropu kam lokoka, i lu eno aro 

nwae a sorcerer sings the sleep 

ritual song, and then the man 

sleeps mom lawei onma ari kike the 

sleep ritual got me [a sorcerer 

does this ritual, puts a person to

momla 164 

sleep, then works sorcery on 

them while they are sleeping] 



momla [ʼmomlə] n new leaf; fresh 

mushroom wawin momla awae 

peyare lokoka when the new leaves 

of the wawin fruit are everywhere 

yone momla new fresh leaves of 

spinach (good to eat) (sem. 


momol [moʼmolə] n sleepiness eno 

nwae momol tan powe loko they still 

have sleep in their eyes eno nwa 

kanakire lokoka, i am momol powe 

when (you) get up from sleep, you 

are sleepy (sem. domains: 5.7 - 

Sleep.) 

momom [moʼmom] n butter y 

momom urpaom keinakire, paklaele, 

i aro tawa the butter y sees a 

ower, lands on it, and then will 

eat (sem. domains: 1.6.1.7 - 

Insect.) 

monkwae [monʼkwae] n overgrowth 

onka wala monkwae we my place is 

overgrown lwae lapliko tea aro 

tinake, monkwae warka the two 

pigs were just there, under the 

overgrowth (sem. domains: 

1.2.1.6 - Forest, grassland, 

desert.) 

mopu n new leaf sprout; fresh 

mushroom nanir enman aro 

kiroupae, na mopu cut the budding 

sago sprouts to make a grass skirt 

mopu kalalane small shoots on tree 

start to grow (new season) yone 

mopu newest, tender budding leaves 

of spinach (sem. domains: 1.5.6 - 


mor [ʼmorə] adv how/where ne mor 

le? how/where are you going? ne 

mor yare? where did you come 

from? ne moro poweya? how are 

you? em mor kopraeya? how will 

we put them (sem. domains: 

9.4.3.3 - Interrogative .) 

mor worwa (say. of how should) adv 

how should em taplu mor worwa 

makikarwa? how should we bring 

food from there? (sem. domains: 

9.4.3.3 - Interrogative.) 

moro n dam support (wood used for 

holding the sh dam in the river 

bottom) maru morom param 

klowarre stick the fence for the sh 

basket upright into the water 

morowa exp how do (sem. domains:

165 na 

9.4.3.3 - Interrogative.) 

mou [ʼmou] n small sh (sem. 


mu [ʼmu] n breast or breast milk 

ekoka mu parwale her breasts went 

down (are developed) pt: 

mumaku. (sem. domains: 2.1 - 

Body.) 

muku [ʼmuku] adv quietly (for a 

person who sees something for 

the rst time and does not know 

what to say, or for a person who 

does not respond to an 

accusation) lu loko mukuja tea 

pwanire the man sat there without 

talking. 

muku muku lu (comp. of ) n soft- 

spoken man (sem. domains: 4.3.7 

- Polite.) 

mumaku [muʼmaku] n nipple lunapi 

lomom aro neike, ar mu makuka 

kline neike the enemies shot him 

but shot him in the nipple with a 

hooked spear wh: mu. (sem. 

N n 

domains: 2.1 - Body.) 

mumu [mumu] adj moving closed 

lips aolo mumu wokire lips are 

moving (but closed) aolo mumu 

lolle move/point with lips aolo 

mumu wanire sitting with shut lips 

(sem. domains: 2.1.1.4 - Mouth.) 

muplejo [muʼpletʃo] n breast 

excretion (not milk) (sem. 

domains: 2.2.4 - Mucus.) 

murapei [muraʼpei] n younger 

sibling or clan member (sem. 

domains: 4.1.9.1.9 - Birth order.) 

mure (inf. var. komurae) v give 

birth (general reference - not 

speci cally, or right now) eko tan 

mure, amwapu she gives birth to a 

girl napan napanya mure miscarry 

(sem. domains: 2.6.3 - Birth.) 

muru muru [muʼru muʼru] adj sticky; 

thick (of glue or sap) ijo muru 

muru napa no powe water thick and 

sticky like sago jelly (sem. 

domains: 8.3 - Quality.) 

na n sago (general word for all types of sago) em na lomom prae we ate

na- 166 

the sago eko na lomom pweire she 

process the sago namta true sago 

spec: lirop na, olna. metroxylon 

sagus (sem. domains: 1.5 - 

Plant.) comp. na paki comp. 

narip 

na- [nə] v:pers reciprocal verb pre x 

awom awom walpan kalim neire we 

discussed/argued among us em 

tanalaolwa we will exchange em 

panewane we divided ourselves up 

kaoro kaoro nari two groups the 

same lapliko wolpan paneijwire 

lokoka... when the two were 

ghting with each other... lomko ijo 

neipe they are bathing lomkoka kali 

tipia pnalowe they each said the 

same talk (sem. domains: 9.2.9.1 

- Verb a xes.) 

-na v:dx toward (deictic verbal su x 

meaning the action moves 

toward something other than the 

speaker) er peyammirnae we ran 

towards (them) i peijalnae, walaya 

... and pulled it towards home ar 

wolwaeka talaplononaonae the dog 

is stuck here in the hole/door on 

imae tija pnaronae i on nolma 

taklolnae I tied a vine and I 

stopped the blood (sem. domains: 

9.2.9.1 - Verb a xes.) comp. 

warinae 

na ilijou (comp. of sago skin that is 

under the shell tir) n sago skin 

underneath shell aklae na ilijouka 

waria le the ants are all over the 

sago skin (sem. domains: 1.5.5 - 


na manlwo [ʼna ʼmanlwo] n 

shredded sago (ready to be 

washed) eko na manlwo paplakuke, 

tiprakuka she put the shredded 

sago on the bark (sem. domains: 


na mopu (comp.) n sago sprout na 

mopu sago sprouts (that are salty) 


plants.) 

na paki (comp. of na, paki) n trough 

made of sago leaf 

nae [ʼnae] n grease; sweetness kali 

nae ran pleasant talk eno nae 

inakijwe look with envy about a 

thing (sem. domains: 5.2.3 - 


naepiyouke v steal naepiyouke syn: 

pijou. (sem. domains: 6.8.9.1 - 

Steal.) 

naeplejo [naeʼpletʃo] n serum (from

167 -nak 

a cut or sore) (sem. domains: 

2.2.4 - Mucus.) 

naepolwae [naepoʼlwae] v turn 

(head back) syn: weipolwae. 

naewowal wala (comp. of 

naewowaltae, wala) n court 


Court of law.) 

naewowaltae [ʼnaewowaləʼtae] v 

choose best people for a team, 

choose best food out of a bunch 

eko terom naewowaltae she (looked 

carefully at and) chose the (best) 

greens (and showed that by 

separating them into a di erent 

pile) am kanaewowaltae yapan you 

choose carefully wom awomka tija 

tama kanaewowaltae you instead 

pick one of yourselves (to go to a 

course) wom ari kanaewowaltae? 

have you already chosen? (sem. 

domains: 3.3.1.2 - Choose.) 

comp. naewowal wala 

naeyan lu (comp. of naeyane, lu 1) 

man who steers from back of 

canoe 

naeyane [naeʼjən] v steer vehicle 

(such as canoe - do not use for 

turning people in a di erent 

direction) em ikim armom 

kanaeyane we therefore turned the 

canoe lomkoka makujwal ao 

naeyane their heads did not turn 

(sem. domains: 7.2.4.2 - Travel 

by water.) der. kananaeyantae 

comp. kenaeyan maniyaole, 

naeyan lu 

naeyayake [naeyəjək] v turn head 

makujwal tanaeyayake his head 

turned (implied: to hear something) 

naeyole [naejole] v die loko aro 

naeyoleyale then he died (was no 

longer moving) syn: ilire 1 . (sem. 

domains: 2.6.6 - Die.) 

nak [ʼnak] n black ants plakolu tija 

nak mijirle a young man burns the 

black ants [these ants make large 

nests in trees] (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.7 - Insect.) 

nak- [ʼnakə] v:pers with 

(accompaniment and instrument 

verbal pre x - frequently used to 

show inclusion of the family) on 

na nakweire I am washing sago 

with (the family) ijo nakowe wash 

it with water comp. nakeire 

-nak [ʼnak] v:asp durative aspect 

verbal su x lomko wolo lomom

nakakinae 168 

plamarijonake i lunapim aro 

keinakire while they were looking 

down there for spiders, (they) saw 

the enemies alom pnakale, i lakli 

pnakamkonake they went, yelling in 

unison 

nakakinae [nakəki] v bear fruit wae 

wan pnakakinae the wae tree bore 

fruit (sem. domains: 1.5.6 - 


nakakire 1 inf. var. of kakire stand 

with (or support) 

nakale [nəʼkale] v go with; take wom 

olli nakalewale you take the things 



nakamlele [nakəmʼlele] v 1) go rst 

ne nakamlele you go ahead 2) 

wear/carry (on or in your body) 

loko weipamu tan nakamlele he is 

wearing a penis gourd eko tan 

pakma nakamlele she is pregnant 

(literally: she carries a child in her 

abdomen) (sem. domains: 5.3.7 - 


nakanirowe [nakəniʼro] v cook on 

terom nakanirowe I cook greens 

syn: taplure 2. (sem. domains: 

5.2.1.1 - Cooking methods.) 

nakeipoplae v explain; teach on 

awom God onma eyom pnowe kali 

lomom nakeipoplaeya I will explain 

to you the story of how God gave 

me a bird (sem. domains: 3.6 - 

Teach.) 

nakeire (comp. of nak-, ire) v tell 

loko ayaka kalim panakeire he told 

father's talk 

naki [ʼnaki] adj new on wala naki 

wija I will build a new house loko 

mi naki papare i takwe yakim aro 

klenae he burned new trees and 

then planted tobacco seeds (sem. 


naki 1 [ʼnəki] n neck loko mijwan 

waem tija nakika pokolwaeyare he 

hung beads around (his) neck 

(sem. domains: 2.1.1 - Head.) 

naki 2 [ʼnəki] n vine (general term for 

all vines) loko nakim pakike i 

nakim pokolwale he held the vine 

and split the vine [vines are also 

used as symbols, for instance, to 

make peace] (sem. domains: 

1.5.3 - Grass, herb, vine.) 

naki naki (comp. of make peace 

(used when a parent does not 

spank a child when he deserves 

it, or not spanking as hard) - only

169 naklepaeleke 

used when there has been a 

problem, not for helping widows 

for instance) n peace, reconcile 

lomko naki naki powe they made 

peace loko naki nakija weijwaore 

he hits (them) without anger 

naki waki n peace-vine [a vine 

wrapped into a ring - when it is 

put on the road it shows that a 

dispute has been settled] 

naki warire (inf. var. nakijwe) v 

settle a problem or make peace 

loko naki warija he will o er peace 

lomko naki pwarire, i nalwein 

noliriaka aro nire they settled the 

problem, then live peacefully (sem. 

domains: 4.4.3.5 - Solve a 

problem, 4.8.4.8 - Make peace.) 

nakijamkae v steal lu loko 

tanakijamkawa the man will steal 

(sem. domains: 6.8.9.1 - Steal.) 

nakijela amu [nəkitʃelə amu] n 

mountain (near Edwaki airstrip, 

Sandaun Province) (sem. 

domains: 9.7.2.7 - Names of 

mountains.) 

nakijwe var. of naki warire o er 

peace, or post a sign to nish a 

ght - if the ght is nished, 

then the two parties are said to 

be "naklirya" or nalwein 

noliriaka nire 

nakiplak [nakiʼplakə] n male youth 

(sem. domains: 2.6.4.3 - Youth.) 

nakirom womi [nəkirom womi] 

(comp.) n late night, 9-10 pm 

(sem. domains: 8.4.1.2.1 - 

Night.) 

nakla [ʼnəklə] n yesterday lomko 

nakla plelame they went yesterday 

nakla wasman lomko alomka 

wanowim lirania peyakeinanakirae 

yesterday the elders straightened 

out all their own actions (sem. 

domains: 8.4.5 - Relative time.) 

nakla allali nakla [ʼnəklə aləʼləli 

ʼnəklə] n day before yesterday 

(sem. domains: 8.4.5 - Relative 

time.) 

naklele [nakʼlele] v hold; carry (in 

hand) loko erom naklele? what is 

he holding? (sem. domains: 7.3.1 

- Carry.) 

naklepaeleke v go-hide (a person, or 

a thing) amna naklepaeleke 

monkwae lokya, i lwae ao keinakire 

you go to the overgrowth to hide, 

and then the pig cannot see you 

[hide yourself when hunting -

nakli 170 

also used to hide boat from 

storm] (sem. domains: 7.2.2 - 

Move in a direction.) 

nakli 1 [ʼnəkli] adj cold ar loko nakli 

wala this is a cold place (sem. 

domains: 8.3.4.1 - Cold.) 

nakli 2 [ʼnakli] adj strong loko nakli 

maipwe it is really strong ar on 

Klaraka nakli lokoka arpanire I 

continue to live because of Klara's 

strength syn: lalewae 2, aujwou. 

(sem. domains: 8.3.6.1 - Strong, 

brittle.) 

nakli kali [ʼnakli ʼkali] n covenant; 

warning (do not use for an 

imperative, use as "warning") 

awer nakli kalim keikrae we make a 

covenant 

nakli kijonae (kt. phr.) v stand 

strong ne nakli area tea kijonae 

raerimo you must always stand 

strong (in Christ) 

nakli wanowi n miracle (sem. 



naklijwe [ʼnakliʼtʃwe] v oppose loko 

naklijwe he opposes it/is insistent 


naklim nowe (kt. phr.) v encourage 

loko lommom naklim pnowe he 

encouraged them 

naklireya [nəklireʼja] adv good 

relationship between people - 

frequently used after there was a 

problem and it has been resolved 

loko tan lomom naklireya we he has 

a good relationship with that child 

(not angry at him) lomko naklirya 

arpnalowe they live peacefully 

again syn: ineinein tipia. (sem. 

domains: 4.3.1 - Good, moral.) 

naklowe v boil food in a container 

tero naklowe, tin mae the greens 

boil in the tin syn: pole 1, taplure 2 


methods.) 

nako [naʼko] n tree, type of nakowan 

seed of nako tree (sem. domains: 

1.5.1 - Tree.) 

nakopoplae v teach; show (used for 

teaching a skill) on awom ewaliya 

aro nakopoplae, ijoka weirwao 

walira lomom tomorrow I will teach 

you about being baptised eko 

tanakim nakopoplae she teaches the 

children (sem. domains: 3.6.1 - 

Show, explain.) 

nakopoplae lu (comp.) n teacher

171 nalaole 

nakowe v work with 

nakplom lwar (comp. of 

kloplomwale, lwar) n towel 

nakpoweyae n foster child, to foster 

a person, raising him as part of 

the family, can use when the 

person is grown up too syn: 

inaki tan . (sem. domains: 

4.1.9.6 - Adopt.) 

nakwanire [naʼkwəni] v sit with on 

tan nakwanim apla we I like caring 

for children 

nakweikokranae v nail together 

lomko mijaki pnakweikokranae they 

nailed the wood together (sem. 


nakwolu lu [nakʼwolu ʼlu] n sorcerer, 

male loko pakakijwalam lale, lwar 

poure, pim paklare, nakwolu lu 

lomom paklanakirae he kills there, 

cuts open the skin, puts in a spear 

tip, and the sorcerer raises that 

man back to life syn: imoure. 

(sem. domains: 4.9.9 - Irreligion.) 

nakwolure v kill (use sorcery on 

someone; the victim goes home 

not knowing about what was 

done and dies 3 days later) loko 

nakwolujwe he was killed by 

sorcery (sem. domains: 4.9.4.7 - 

Omen, divination.) 

nakyare v 1) bring; come with 

(something or someone) balus 

emka olli awarka nakyare the plane 

did not bring our things loko nan 

pnakyare he also came with (us) 

(sem. domains: 7.2 - Move.) 2) 

use em yao aropum nakyare we are 

using a ghting song (melody for 

another song) 

nalamkame (comp.) v answer saying 

(use only when a direct quote 

follows) lomko parpa nalamkame, 

"... they answered again saying, "... 

(sem. domains: 3.5.1.5.1 - 

Answer.) 

nalamke [ʼnaləm] v answer nalam 

kali answer loko awarka nalamke 

he did not answer (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.5.1 - Answer.) 

nalankeire [nalənʼkei] v walk 

(proudly and nod head and body 

to show pride) loko makujwal 

pnalankeire he nodded his head 

proudly 

nalaole [nəʼlaol] v exchange lapli el 

nalaole they exchanged sisters ne 

onma wanowi auram nalaole you

naleleyare 172 

changed my work wages (for 

another amount) em lwarma 

pwonalaole popo we exchanged our 

clothes (for others) (sem. 

domains: 6.8.4.9 - Exchange, 

trade.) 

naleleyare v reduce; lower (like 

turning down the volume of 

music) lu lokok aura lomom 

takanaleleyarwa the man's 

money/debt will be reduced (by 

paying some) amna lam 

kanaleleyale you turn down the 

lamp wick (sem. domains: 7.3.2.5 

- Lower something.) 

nalirae [nəliʼra] v hang up loko tam 

mijaki pnaknalirae, ijo ki maem he 

hung the meat on a stick up above 

the water em ikim peyaramnalirae 

at the north we hung up the canoe 

syn: lwae 1. (sem. domains: 

7.3.2.4.1 - Hang.) 

nalire v pull out (of ground - out of 

all the root foods, only use for 

taro poumaku) on plan pnalire I 

pulled out the grass loko plan 

kokleyau kinalire he stands and 

pulls out the bad grass poumaku 

pnalike popo, i mi papare, 

plawolure after digging up the taro 

then make a re and roast it 

waolweli mim nalipae the wind 

uprooted the trees syn: inale 1. 


nalnae v turn back and look 

nalolole v 1) angry; frown lokoka 

irnowal nanalolole his face is 

frowning (angry) (lit: wrinkle 

forehead) (sem. domains: 3.4.2.3 

- Angry.) 2) becoming cloudy 

walwa nalolole the sun is cloudy, 

ready to rain (sem. domains: 

1.1.3.2 - Cloud.) 

nalone [nəʼlon] v squeeze (a singular 

object, like getting juice from a 

fruit) lir wim aro nalone squeeze 

out the juice from shredded 

coconut (sem. domains: 7.7.4 - 

Press.) 

nalpaneyae inf. var. of lapaniyae 

nalwani lu (comp. of ) n leader (sem. 

domains: 4.5.1 - Person in 

authority.) 

nalwanire [naʼlwəni] v lead; rule 

(people, work, animals as in 

herding them) on arapum 

nalwanir I led the songs awem emka 

walam tea nalwanik yapanwa, mi 

tairle we care for our house well, it

173 nalwein ipir 

may burn nalwani japan care for 

(guard) well spec: laowe, laore, 

kopnae. (sem. domains: 4.5.3.1 - 

Lead.) 

nalwein [nəʼlwein] n heart; emotions 

lokoka nalwein kwain plairoupuria 

his heart still beats slowly (before 

death) lokoka nalwein kapou kapou 

talairoupure his heart is beating 

hard lokoka nalwein nalwein kapi 

kapiwe his heart is pumping fast 

(afraid) on tan lomom nalwein war 

maem krae I hug the child to my 

chest (an action/not a gure of 

speech) aya inein arowe, onka 

nalwein nakani taplu le, ewom my 

father knows my heart's desire, 

wildfowl eggs. (Lawo Area uses: 

nalwein ti taplu) onka nalwein 

amnaka praeka ti I love you/am 

concerned about you (lit: my heart 

is with you) tan loko onka nalwein 

wan aro mari my heart is on that 

child (sem. domains: 2.1.8.1 - 

Heart, 3.4 - Emotion.) 

nalwein alkum alakolu klora porae v 

break heart awom onka nalwein 

alkum alakolu klora poraeyama you 

are breaking my heart (sem. 

domains: 3.4.2.1 - Sad.) 

nalwein alu lu v sad [this is what 

you feel when you can't help 

your family with food, or you see 

a relative has been beaten up, or 

your spear misses, or you hear a 

relative has died - use nalwein 

when you say how you feel, use 

ineinein when you rst think or 

feel it] (sem. domains: 3.4.2.1 - 

Sad.) 

nalwein ao v sad, lonely nalwein 

aomtawe/ aujwe very sad [what 

you feel when you can't help 

your family with food, or you see 

a relative has been beaten up, or 

your spear misses, or you hear a 

relative has died] (sem. domains: 

3.4.2.1.5 - Lonely.) 

nalwein ao kari v upset; bothered 

nalwein awia kari still concerned; 

unsettled (sem. domains: 3.4.2.1.6 

- Upset.) 

nalwein ijo v sorrowful; troubled 

nalwein ijo we sorrowful (about 

someone's death or sickness) wom 

nalwein ijo tapo don't be troubled 

like water (sem. domains: 

3.4.2.1.6 - Upset.) 

nalwein ipir v distress (as by an 

unsettled argument) (sem.

nalwein kalkao 174 


nalwein kalkao v obsess - an action 

that starts quickly, and the 

person does not do any work 

because they are thinking of this 

all the time - frequently used for 

male-female relationships, but 

can also be used for objects eko 

lu ni nalwein aro kalkaowe she is 

obsessed about being married ta 

nalwein kalkaowe always thinking 

about hunting (sem. domains: 

3.3.1.8 - Lust.) 

nalwein kanaki v arouse emotions 

(may be anger, surprise) lokoka 

nalwein pakanakire, i enwalirao 

kali kemomle he got angry, and 

that started the angry talk lomkoka 

nalwein arm kanakire their insides 

therefore were surprised syn: 

namal we. (sem. domains: 

3.4.2.3 – Angry, 3.4.1.3 - 

Surprise.) 

nalwein kanaki ineinein n suspicion; 

suspicious thinking 

nalwein kapou n compassion (for 

someone when something bad 

has happened) aya maip lommom 

nalwein kapou powe God has given 

them much compassion (sem. 


nalwein kari n peaceful lokoka 

nalwein aro kari his heart is 

peaceful/happy 

nalwein keikamtae kali n comforting 

talk 

nalwein kokleyau v be nauseous 

(ready to vomit) el nalwein 

kokleyau arowe she was feeling 

nauseous (sem. domains: 2.5.1 - 

Sick.) 

nalwein koplu n nervous (as when 

you do something in public for 

rst time) lokoka nalwein koplu, i 

walwakijalka taironure he is fearful 

and his voice is shaking 

nalwein korale v get upset (what 

your emotions do when you rst 

hear of a death) 

nalwein nakani taplu n favorite food 


food.) 

nalwein nalweinya n concern, 

sorrowful (like when you know a 

relative is sick and might die) on 

kali pwanipae lokoka i nalwein 

nalwein nire when I heard the 

news, (I) was living with sorrow 

nalwein noliriaka n peaceful living

175 nalwore lu 

after trouble has been settled 

(after naki wari) lomko naki 

pwarire, i nalwein noliriaka aro nire 

they settled the problem, then lived 

peacefully 

nalwein oraeri v have continual 

sorrow (what you still feel years 

after a close death) 

nalwein owe v sadness on lujelma 

nalwein opae I am sorry about the 

people (how they are behaving) 

nalwein pokeya n worry nalwein 

pokeya poraerire continually worry 

a lot 

nalwein powe i porolae (kt. phr.) v 

mercy 

nalwein praeka exp love (for one 

person, sit with, go with, give 

food to, listen to wife) onka 

nalwein amnaka praeka ti lit: my 

heart is with you (concerned about 

you) 

nalwein tarwan ire v love (can use 

for when a friend helps you and 

you are happy about that or 

about seeing them, or really 

wanting to see your grandchild, 

etc.) (sem. domains: 3.4.1.1.8 - 

Pleased with.) 

nalwein we v sorry; have compassion 

on someone who is mourning, in 

pain on amnama nalweinwe I am 

sorry for you 

nalwein wei exp brave lu lokoka 

nalwein mae, wei? loko takakija, ao 

mirle is that man brave (for a 

ght)? he will stay and not run 

away 

nalwein weirouke v grieve; distress 

(as when your child dies or a 

spouse cheats on you) onka 

nalwein weirouke my heart is very 

distressed (sem. domains: 

3.4.2.1.7 - Shock.) 

nalweinami [nalweiʼnami] n 

crossbeams (go width wise on 

top of awoku at ends of a house) 

eko pounwan maniyaole, 

nalweinami nalweinami kija she 

was ying around among the 

rafters up above the crossbeams 

(sem. domains: 6.5.2.2 - Roof.) 

nalweinmaku [nəlweinʼmaku] n 

chest (of man or bird) emaku 

lokoka nalwein maku alwowepoku 

hornbill's chest is brown (sem. 

domains: 2.1.2 - Torso.) 

nalwore lu [naʼlwore lu] n man who 

doesn't aim when shooting

nama nama we 176 

nama nama we [nəʼma nəʼma we] v 

oppose; resist; tease (sarcastically 

- this action includes both talk 

and actions) lu tija awem tan 

nama nama aowe no one opposes 

us (sem. domains: 4.3.4.3.1 - 

Compete with.) 

namae [nəʼmae] n small yellow frog 

gen: loupali 2. (sem. domains: 


namakla [nəʼmaklə] 1) n later in a 

sequence eko namaklaka parpa 

naklele she returned behind /later 

(than others) loko onka tan 

namaklamta he is my very last 

child loko namakla namakla lele he 

came last (of all those who came) 

2) n behind /back of something 

in location wala namakla maem 

back of /behind the house lal 

namakla maem wari (your) hands 

are behind you 3) adv backwards 

loko namakla namakla nellenake he 

is walking backwards 

namakla namakla v despise (by 

turning away from - this is an 

attitude more than an action) eko 

onma namakla namaklaya armom 

nire therefore she (turned her back 

on) despised me (sem. domains: 

4.3.2.1 - Despise someone.) 

namakla namakla kali ire v slander 

(not said to a person's face) 

lomko namakla namakla kali peire 

they slandered (him) [this is 

considered a very bad action, 

much worse than stealing] syn: 

ilawe 2, kali ire. 

namaklaka lae lu n follower who is 

consistent and has already 

learned from the person he is 

following 

namaklaka lele lu n follower - but 

may not follow all the time 

namal 1 [nəʼmələ] n nose; anger onka 

namal tea pari my anger just stays 

namal lalei plolle point with chin 

namal ijo runny nose [namal is 

shortened from namal maru; 

namal is used for people's noses, 

but not for animal's noses] syn: 

namal maru. (sem. domains: 

2.1.1.3 - Nose.) 

namal 2 [nəʼmalə] n ber; sieve 

(woven-looking coconut ber 

used as a sieve in washing sago 

starch) namal peinowae x the 

sieve inside (the trough) (sem. 

domains: 1.5.5 - Parts of a plant.)

177 namaplae 

namal kaklanwe v smirk 

namal lu [nəʼmələ ʼlu] n enemy (use 

for someone who hates you) 

(sem. domains: 4.8.2.9 - Enemy.) 

namal maru [nəʼmələ ʼmaru] n nose 

(of an animal or bird, not used 

for nose of a person) wakewaka 

namal maru larkou the black 

cockatoo's beak is short syn: 

namal 1 . (sem. domains: 1.6.2 - 

Parts of an animal.) 

namal namal [nəʼməl nəʼmələ] adj 

complain namal namal kali 

complaint (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.8.5 - Complain.) 

namal tomu no [nəʼmələ ʼtomu ʼno] 

exp greet (give nose to) loko 

lomom namal tomu pnowe he gave 

him his nose (rubbed noses with 

him) [(traditionally after a long 

absence, adults greeted each 

other by rubbing noses - now the 

custom is a hug or back-slapping 

and this term is used for that] 

(sem. domains: 4.1.8 - Show 

a ection.) 

namal waki [nəʼmələ ʼwəki] n 

decoration for nose (young 

people do not know) (sem. 

domains: 5.4.1 - Jewelry.) 

namal we (ph. v. of very angry 

(shown by ared nostrils)) v very 

angry on am namalwe I am very 

angry with you syn: nalwein, 

kanaki, molujwau. (sem. 


namamnane v curl up; clench (hand) 

loko lal panamomnanke i pakalijape 

he made a st and struck out (at 

someone) lokoka lalpanklo 

namomnanpae his ngers are 

clenched tight (sem. domains: 


namankli [nəʼmankli] n millipede 

namankli lu lokoka lipal wei 

pakowe, i poplia pele the millipede 

urinates on the man's foot and it 

hurts (sem. domains: 1.6.1.7 - 

Insect.) 

namapae [nəmaʼpa] v 1) pull back 

(physically); fold (arms) 

namapake lal namapa fold arms (in 

front of you) 2) change decision 

agreed upon before 

namaplae [namaʼplae] v restrain (by 

holding hands together in front) 

lomko lomom sen lokoka pwari 

namaplake they tied and restrained 

him with chains (sem. domains:

nami 178 

7.3.4.4 - Hold.) compounds: 

olnamaplake, wari namaplake 

nami [ʼnəmi] n 1) sweat on nami 

elwae I am sweating on na lomom 

nami pelwae I sweated over the 

sago (cooking it) (sem. domains: 

2.2.6 - Sweat.) 2) hard work 

amnaka nami lokoka kikworle, aura 

your hard work will certainly get 

money (sem. domains: 6.1 - 

Work.) 

nami nami [nəmi nəmi] n moss (on 

wet wood) (sem. domains: 1.5.4 - 

Moss, fungus, algae.) 

namia [nəmiʼa] adv not; without 

(negation used for non-verbal 

clauses and as adverbial modi er 

"without") on ijo namia I do not 

have water on amujwamu yaki nu 

mi irli namia lok maem paplae I 

planted sprouts in the ground not 

burning (or burnt) 

namiamta! exp no and no! 

namolure v wrap; fold; choke; clench 

(for wrapping food in leaves, or 

folding or rolling a sheet or mat; 

choke plants, clench hand) imae 

mopu lomom namolurpae the vines 

choked the plants naknamolurke 

wrap with something lal namolurke 

close ngers into a st syn: wari 1. 

nan 1 [ʼnan] adj also on upei tijam 

pnawe i nar nan pweirouke I dug up 

a taro and also cut a banana stalk 

down syn: tan 3. 

nan 3 [ʼnən] n roots ewom wali mi 

nanka lijeika the egg nest was near 

the roots of the ironwood tree mi 

lomkoka nan kakeya ao towale the 

roots of those trees were not deep 

mi nan pake pake tree roots (sem. 


nanae [nəʼna] v angry; jealous (of 

spouse only) eko lomom 

nanaeyarle she (wife) should be 

jealously angry (about husband). 

(sem. domains: 3.4.2.1.8 - 

Jealous.) 

nanae ineinein n suspicion (comp.) 

syn: nalwein kanaki ineinein 

nanalir [nəʼnəlirə] n pineapple (sem. 


fruit.) 

nanao [nəʼnao] n earthquake nanao 

powe loko an earthquake came pira 

kanakijam, nanao no aro kowe 

when the sh came up, it was like 

an earthquake shaking (the water)

179 nanemlonae 


Earthquake.) 

nanaolire v test, try to see if that is 

the person who stole, or if they 

can do the work I need done 

nanaone n next to; leaning on, 

depend on another person's 

strength/wisdom; privileges 

because of (like one tree leans on 

and gives strength to another, or 

a leading clan gives privileges to 

a sub-clans) wala loko pak 

nanaoneke pakire that house stood 

next to the fence amnaka nanaone 

lokoka ware (I) have privileges (in 

a clan because) I come under you 

(in the clan) 

nanapo [nəʼnapo] n frog, type of 



nanarolu [nənaʼrolu] n big frog (one 

that climbs trees) gen: loupali 2. 


Amphibian.) 

nane [ʼnən] v knock down (with a 

stick, as coconuts) tan kakna loko 

emka lira pnane a small child 

picked our coconuts (to give us) on 

lir tija peyawowe, lir lommom 

napeiran aro kananlare I climbed a 

coconut and knocked ve coconuts 

down (with a stick) and left 

(them) on the ground (sem. 


naneikame inf. var. of ikame v 

rebuke saying lomko emom 

pananeikame... they rebuked her 

saying... 

naneila [nəʼneilə] 1) adv among 

tisalam alom naneila kalim 

pakwarirae the teachers among 

themselves agreed alom naneila 

pakanokokwame... they said to 

each other... 2) n co-worker 

lokoka naneila his fellow member 

(of work, group, church) onka irno 

irno kani naneila tija ... one of my 

fellow believers... ...pnaneila kire 

...is together 

naneire [nəʼnei] v do something 

against another; rebuke with 

words ne emom erokwam naneire? 

why did you do something against 

her? (sem. domains: 3.5.1.8.1 - 

Blame.) 

nanemlonae [nanemloʼnae] v join 

together on wala lewalma tea 

wananemlonake I am just joining 

the house beams inside lomko pawa

nanilalae 180 

imaem tea nanemlonake they are 

just joining the electric wires (sem. 

domains: 7.5.2.1 - Link, connect.) 

nanilalae (comp. of nire, lale 1 

scatter) v scatter to live lomko 

pananilalae people scattered to live 

in di erent places (sem. domains: 

7.2.3.1 - Move away.) 

nanir [ʼnanirə] n sago, type of nanir 

enman grass skirt (sem. domains: 

1.5.1 - Tree.) 

naniranke [nəniʼran] v remember 

amna amtou peyakplae, i ari 

naniranke you rst planted 

pandanus and now remember 

planting it naniranlale syn: 

weipalale . (sem. domains: 3.2.6 

- Remember.) 

nanole [nəʼnole] v release (let go of 

someone or something but object 

remains- do not use for leaving a 

place) on kwal tapnanole I myself 

let go (of her) syn: kalijape. 

(sem. domains: 7.4.5.1 - Leave 

something.) 

nanolonae v partner (like two people 

who do things together, share, 

and do not argue) erer 

tananolonae yapane we two 

(friends) partner well 

nanpo [ʼnanpo] n mango nanpo tea 

lwaenake the mangoes just hang 

(sem. domains: 5.2.3.1.2 - Food 

from fruit.) 

nanpou [nənʼpou] n louse (of 

people) (sem. domains: 1.6.1.7 - 

Insect.) 

nanpou el (comp.) n female mango 

(term used for a mango tree that 

produces well - if a tree doesn't 

produce well, they call it male) 

nanu n hope, expect to get or see 

something lomko biskit kik ineinein 

powe, i nanu lom nire they are 

thinking of getting a biscuit, so 

(they) expect that (sem. domains: 

3.2.7.1 - Hope.) 

nanwa [nənʼwa] adj last kok nanwa 

wanowi last work keik nanwa kali 

last words lomko kananwamia they 

will be last (sem. domains: 

8.4.5.1.4 - Last.) 

nanwa [ʼnənwə] n younger brother 

(third person form) (sem. 


sister.) 

nanwae v say goodbye eko laplimom 

pnanwae she said goodbye to the

181 napaewalire 

two of them 

naoli [ʼnaoli] adv without tea no 

naolire just give without (money, in 

other words, give for free) ni 

naolire sit without (doing anything) 

awom ewaliya ijo peiprrae naolire 

aro trraip naolijarle later after you- 

plural have been baptised without 

(repenting) the washing for you 

will be without (any bene t) 

naolo n overgrowth naolo mim 

pwolke, i takakiroujwale lokoka, i 

mi aolia wowokleya aro kija the 

overgrowth wrapped up the tree, 

and when it was cut away, the tree 

was freed by itself to stand (sem. 

domains: 1.5.3 - Grass, herb, 

vine.) 

naolure v observe; witness (rather 

than participate) - for witnessing 

someone's actions on lotuya 

yakonaolure, i on irno irno awarka 

yakanire I rst went to church to 

observe, I did not believe yet em 

naoloujowa we go to observe (not 

participate) lujel eno naolu lomko 

guests (sem. domains: 2.3.1.2 - 

Watch.) 

naorip [naoʼrip] n 1) basket (of/for 

sago) naorip pakanironae, iroka 

insert the sago basket into the fence 


Container.) 2) palm (tree that has 

thicker, dustier bark) (sem. 


napa [nəʼpa] n sago pudding napa 

wan pele make one portion of sago 

pudding [this is made by adding 

boiling water to sago starch and 

stirring until it gels] (sem. 

domains: 5.2.3.1 - Food from 

plants.) 

napae [nəpae] (inf. var. 

kanapaeyale) v pour on top of; 

anoint wel kwain panapaepawe 

anoint with oil ijo poluke, 

pakanpaeporae. pakanpaeporae 

popo e, pweire. fetch water, pour it 

onto (the sago). After pouring, 

then wash (the sago). (sem. 

domains: 1.3.2.2 - Pour.) comp. 

napaewalire 

napaewalire (comp. of napae, 

walire 5 

ll by pouring) v pour- 

ll eko ijo yowija panapaewalire 

she lled-poured water into the 

hole ijo ipir lomom lakka poluke 

popo, tipya pakanapaeyare fetch 

hot water with a cup, then ll up 

the basket (sem. domains: 1.3.2.2

napaki 182 

- Pour.) 

napaki [naʼpəki] n trough (for 

washing sago) (sem. domains: 

1.5.5 - Parts of a plant, 6.7.7 - 

Container.) 

napal [nəʼpal] n loop (used for 

climbing limbless trees); hooked 

stick (for picking coconuts or 

breadfruit) eko napal pwarinae i 

aro nakyawowe she tied the (vine) 

loop (to the tree) and went up 

with (it) elam napal walire shake 

hands 

napal kike n immature - too young 

to be married lu loko napal kike 

that man is too immature (to be 

married) syn: koplu nawene. 

(sem. domains: 2.6.4.3 - Youth.) 

napalwae [napəlʼwa] v 1) to turn 

over (food) 2) puzzle onka 

ineinein tananapalwae my thinking 

puzzles (over where my children 

went) 

napan [nəʼpən] adj middle eko wai 

napanma aro keinakire then she 

saw the middle of the snake loko 

wanowim powe, awom napanka he 

did the work in your midst (sem. 

domains: 8.5.5 - Spatial 

relations.) 

napan kinkei (comp. of hands in the 

middle of stalk) 

napan napanya (comp. of middle; 

true; among) n in middle tija 

parpakike i lomom napan napanya 

nakwarinae take another one and 

wrap it in the middle amna em 

napan napanya kire you are here 

among us napan napanya mure 

miscarry 

napan napanya ki lu n middle man 

(Namia people would appoint 

such a man for an occasion to 

solve disputes) 

napani [nəʼpəni] n small male 

bandicoot napani amna lalma apo 

taija the bandicoot may now bite 

your hand [this is a small male 

bandicoot that lives on the 

ground- about the size of a rat - 

kinali is name for small female 

bandicoot] (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.1.4 - Rodent.) 

napanto [nəʼpənto] n island napanto 

pamwokinake, ijo werikijapu 

paplakiraropae the island is there, 

in the sea napanto Krit island of 

Crete (sem. domains: 1.2.1 - 

Land.)

183 nar kinkei 

napapankinae v hold (one hand tight 

- implied so you can't get away); 

also use for fastening a box 

closed amna onka lal 

tanapapankinae you hold my arm 

tightly 

napei [nəʼpei] adj ve (most 

frequent form is napeiran; napei 

is used when counting or using 

ordinal numbers) lipanklo napei 

big toe lalpanklo napei thumb 

napeiran aria only ve na napeiran 

wal plijaria only seven sago (sem. 


numbers.) 

napeyanwa n hook (sem. domains: 

6.7 - Tool.) 

napli [ʼnapli] n frog with big legs 



napu 1 [ʼnapu] n gallbladder am 

napum takourro, i ta akalijwe if you 

cut the gallbladder, the meat will 

be bitter (sem. domains: 2.1.8 - 


napu 2 [nəʼpu] n path; row; line; 

sentence napu ari ipae the road 

has overgrown on balir napu namia 

I have no way (to go) by plane 

napu lirikou loko are here is the 

narrow path anapirwae napu a row 

of thatch (sem. domains: 6.5.4.1 - 

Road, 8.3.1.2 - Line.) 

napu tan [nəʼpu ʼtan] n illegitimate 

child (sem. domains: 4.1.9.5 - 

Illegitimate child.) 

nar [ʼnarə] n banana (general word 

for all types) nar ari walijape a 

stalk of bananas is hanging down 

on nar pweirouke I cut down a 

stalk of bananas nar wei ripe 

(eating) banana nar koplumta 

unformed banana (only skin) 

wanao nar banana that is small yet 

nar pujwapujwe banana with peel 

that has turned black nar 

teipaeli(jwe) bananas that are hard 

(only good for throwing away) 

naramta real banana (sem. 


fruit.) 

nar al tanya n stalk of bananas loko 

aolok amom nar lomom al tanya 

nowe i aolo kinkei tipia kike he gave 

bananas with the stalk to his own 

friend and he took one hand (sem. 


nar kinkei n hand of bananas

nar wonu 184 

nar wonu n banana (last and 

smallest banana of a stalk) nar 

enman wonu kakna the last, 

smallest bottom hands of bananas 

nar wonu tamano banana not ripe 

(even though it is yellow) (sem. 


fruit.) 

naralmowinae [nəralmowiʼna] v stop 

liquid (wrap or pinch in order to 

stop blood or water from 

owing) on nolma lal tea 

naralmowi peinae I could not stop 

the blood with my hand (sem. 

domains: 7.7.4 - Press.) 

naran [nəʼran] n clan (member of 

your clan one who lives in 

another village - or a relative on 

mother's side) syn: mamo; ant: 

amei lu. (sem. domains: 4.1.9.8 - 

Family, clan.) 

nararawarane [ʼnarərəwaʼran] v 

lower slowly; land slowly (like 

an airplane) lomko walum yowija 

pnaknararawarane they lowered 

the body into the hole (sem. 

domains: 7.3.2.5 - Lower 

something.) 

nararole [narəʼrol] v do slowly kwain 

kwainya nararole (pour) it very 

slowly (into cup) amna wanowi 

kwain kwainya nararole, pokeya 

tapo you do the work slowly, not 

all at once lomkoka irno irno kani 

pnararole their faith is weak (sem. 

domains: 6.1.2.3.1 - Careful.) 

nare v pick up; collect (by lifting - 

usually o the ground, in 

contrast to kike which does not 

have lift up; use only for picking 

up lifeless things) on mani 

lommom pnare I picked up the 

cray sh kakeri ari laweire, i em aro 

nare the nuts ripened and fell to 

ground and we then picked (them) 

up em elam wan pamnarre we 

picked up the breadfruit api 

mijwanma pnarke the cassowary 

picks up seeds (sem. domains: 

7.3.4.2 - Pick up.) comp. 

enarkare 

narelnae v erect (as a person or 

thing to a standing position) loko 

mi pakakijele i pakanarelnae he cut 

the tree and stood it up 

narip (comp. of na, tip 2 basket made 

of sago bark and used to catch 

sago liquid) n basket (sem. 

domains: 6.7.7 - Container.) 

nariroku [nariʼroku] n sago bark

185 nawei 

shell eko tanma narirokuja pnakale 

she took the child to the sago bark 


plant.) 

narnae [narʼnae] v hold out (hand 

straight and sti ) lokoka lal 

tanarnae his ngers are sti and 

straight lal tanarnae kire stretch 

out and hold out both hands wide 

while standing woklei lal aro 

narnaeyale yarle the praying 

mantis certainly holds his hands 

out 

naro [ʼnaro] n sago pith (compound) 


plant.) 

narona [naroʼnae] v tie up on wai 

lomom imae walwanka pnaronae, i 

aro walaya yeijalnae I tied up the 

snake's neck with vine and pulled it 

home lomkoka weli kar 

taweiplolpae, i lomko aro naropae 

their nets were torn, and they tied 

them (to x the holes) 

narou nowe v split & give ne onma 

kwain yeinarou nowe you break o 

some and give it to me 

naroure (inf. var. knaroure) v 

separate maku pli pakanaroure 

separate into two groups imae loko 

peinaroujwale the vine has 

separated wanowi naroujwale work 

stops taplu panaroujwale, i ewane 

separate/divide the food and 

apportion out (sem. domains: 

7.5.1.1 - Separate, scatter.) 

comp. kanikanaroure 

nawal awa [nəʼwal aʼwa] n nephew 

(child of younger brother) (sem. 

domains: 4.1.9.1.8 - Nephew, 

niece.) 

nawarna [naʼwərnə] adj rebellious 

(will not listen) nawarna tan 

rebellious child [used to describe a 

child who won't listen to 

instructions, usually used for last 

or adopted child - can also be 

used to describe an adult who 

never corrects himself] (sem. 

domains: 4.3.1.3.1 - Immature in 

behavior.) 

nawe v dig up food loko poumaku 

nawe he digs up taro (sem. 


nawei [naʼwei] n urine loko nawei 

pamoure (naweijure) he urinated on 

kwal wala armom ao nwae, tanaki li 

nawei poupawe lomom because of 

the children's feces and urine I 

cannot sleep in my house (sem.

nawei tao 186 

domains: 2.2.7 - Urinate, urine.) 

nawei tao n bladder (sem. domains: 

2.1.8 - Internal organs.) 

naweikakiyae v surprise lwae pli 

lapliko tea naweikakiyae the two 

pigs just were surprised (sem. 

domains: 3.4.1.3 - Surprise.) 

naweilake v tie hand (both hands 

behind back) lalma naweilake tie 

hands behind back (sem. domains: 

7.5.4 - Tie.) 

naweimol [naweiʼmol] n dragon y 

naweimol ijoka tea aro unwan 

maniyaoli the dragon y always 

ies around the water (sem. 


naweine v chop ( rewood) 

nawerna [nawerna] n chest pu ed 

loko nawerna nawernaya kire he 

stands with his chest out (proudly 

or at attention) nawerna nawerna 

wari nwae lay with chest up 

nawirowiraowe [nawiʼrorowiʼro] v 1) 

to straighten something 

physically or to edit words -can 

be used for when a judge listens 

to both sides of an issue loko 

lapam nawirorowirowe he 

straightens an arrow (by heating 

it) lal takinawirowiraowe stand and 

stretch out hands syn: kapapalire. 

2) edit (words) walwan 

nawirorowirowe edit sounds (how 

something sounds) 

nawol nalaole [naʼwol nəʼlaole] v 

give in exchange (use when a 

person gives and gets something 

in return) 

nawowi n sago secret dance and/or 

headdress for happiness (sem. 


ceremony.) 

nayaki [naʼjəki] n sago ower (sem. 


nayoku [naʼjoku] n palm tree amna 

nayoku pakakijale you cut down a 

palm tree (sem. domains: 1.5.1 - 

Tree.) 

ne [ne] pro you (for questions and 

commands) on ne ran taleya? can 

I go with you? ne aro yakwani you 

sit rst nek lu mae? where is your 

husband? syn: amna. (sem. 


neijapwa [neitʃəʼpwa] n ring (of a 

sh basket) 

neijwe [ʼneitʃwe] adv bent over syn: 

nirolu 1 1. comp. mi neijwe

187 neinei 

neijwire v ght wolpan pakneijwei 

kakire lapli they two were standing 

ghting 

neike v pierce on lapa pakike, i 

pakounae arna on ao neike, tea 

plakiraele I took the spear, and 

shot it but I didn't pierce (it), (it) 

just started dodging lwae neik kali 

instructions in shooting pigs (sem. 

domains: 6.4.1 - Hunt.) 

neikolwane [neikoʼlwən] v smirk 

namal neikolwane screw up face or 

smirk (implied: do not like 

something) (sem. domains: 

3.5.6.3 - Facial expression.) 

neilalake [neiləʼlek] v 1) move away 

(physically) lwae amnama yaowa, 

i amna lomom pneilaleke the pig 

will ght you, (so) you move away 

from him on awarka neilaleke, on 

tea pakakire I will not move away, 

I will just stand (sem. domains: 

7.2.3.1 - Move away.) 2) doubt 

neilalane [neiləʼlane] v smile pinal 

neilalanenae smile (sem. domains: 

3.5.6.3 - Facial expression.) 

neinae 1) v tighten (net); sti en 

(from pain or injury for a short 

time period) aeni pewe pleyae e i 

on anapirma aro neinae, nakika. 

complete the woven band and then 

tighten on the bow with vine naki 

yakneinae keinakire see the 

tightness of the bowstring lomko sel 

pliro lommom nenaeyam mi 

pakijwalire they cut down trees in 

order to stretch out the two tents 

wolwol aolok linao yapal 

peyakneiwalnale the spider rst 

stretched out his own web house 

post (spoke) lipal neinanwae the leg 

joint is tight (can't straighten) 

[doctors can operate on a limb 

that is described as neinanwae 

and loosen it - can use neinae for 

stretching a sh net across a 

river] 2) 

neinalaol kali (comp.) n quarrel, 

brag (sem. domains: 3.5.1.6.2 - 

Quarrel.) 

neinalaole [neinəʼlaole] v disagree; 

exchange opinions; reason; 

question back and forth (sem. 

domains: 3.5.1.6 - Debate.) 

neinawalire (comp. of pull apart) v 

pull apart (by many people) em 

urma neinawalire we (each) pulled 

o of a branch of areca nuts (sem. 


neinei (comp. of tightly) adj tightly

neipal 188 

ijo loko neinei nire, lola loko 

pwokire the water is blocked, the 

dam stands imae loko neinei 

yaklaeyarle this rope is hanging 

tightly 

neipal [neiʼpalə] n large sh with 

scales (about a metre long) (sem. 


neiplaole v change mind (this is not 

a permanent change of thinking - 

always used with ineinein; rst 

think one way and then change) 

lomko ineinein neiplaoli they 

always change their minds ineinein 

tarpa kaneiplaole thinking is about 

to change (sem. domains: 3.2.5.8 

- Change your mind.) 

neipopokure v discuss/gather talk 

(sem. domains: 3.5.1.4 - Speak 

with others.) 

neiraole v open eyes ar tanaki eno 

awarka neiraolopaeya the puppies 

eyes had not yet opened eno 

kaneiraolwam open your eyes! awai 

loko emka enom weiraole the 

lightning (forced us to) open our 

eyes (sem. domains: 2.1.1.1 - 

Eye.) 

neirkale v op (as sh on ground); 

move (as waves); jump (as eas) 

ar laran pneirkale the dog's eas 

jump around solwara ijo pneirkale 

the ocean waves come up ijo 

tapapole lokok, i ijo neirkale when 

the water boils, the water moves ijo 

yon pakakirele, i ijo neirkale the 

water starts to steam and the water 

moves (sem. domains: 7.2.1.1.3 - 

Jump.) 

nekake v bicker (frequently used of 

children arguing) tanaki erokwam 

nakake? why are the children 

arguing? (sem. domains: 3.5.1.8.5 

- Complain.) 

nekire [ʼneki] v lay at (and 

straight) on matma kenakirae, 

walak I laid my mat down in the 

house on ta ewae panekire lokok... 

when I laid the meat on the 

leaves... ewaem paknekirae laid the 

leaves down straight 

neman [neʼman] n re smell (while 

it is burning) mi neman smell of a 

re while it is burning (sem. 

domains: 2.3.4 - Smell.) 

nene [ʼnene] adv upside down 

ewoulo mijali kik paklarprae popo, i 

neneya aro lae the bird of paradise 

sat on top of the branch and then

189 nimomun 

hung upside down [ewoulo (bird 

of paradise), araku (cockatoos) 

and mamna (bats) all sometimes 

hang upside down] 

neowe [neo] v wheeze (as from a 

sickness, not from exertion) loko 

woklar neowe he wheezes from a 

cold (sem. domains: 2.2.1 - 

Breathe, breath.) 

nepe [ʼnepe] n crow, raven [has 

white breast and strip on neck, 

brown feathers, circles when you 

burn the grassland] (sem. 


newoke v make a big disturbance, 

noise (many people involved in 

it) (sem. domains: 2.3.2.4 - 

Loud.) 

nijaleijole [nitʃaleiʼtʃole] v hop 

(animal); scoot (on rear end like 

a baby does) eyo nuk 

tapanijaleijole the bird hops on the 

ground (sem. domains: 1.6.4.1 - 

Animal movement, 7.2.1 - 


nijoneke (comp. of nire, oneke sit 

and rest) 

nijopae v sit with lapliko sospen tip 

panijopae. Panijopae popo e 

polunpaewalire. they two sat and 

worked with a pan (sitting nearby). 

After sitting and working, (they) 

lled (it) up. 

nijwokire v sit-watch ijwaur lokoka 

taplum tea nijwokija the crocodile 

just sits and waits for his food 

nikolwenae (comp. of hide in a 

sitting position) v sit and hide 

keikei ao maem pamani kolwenae 

the frog hid in the string bag 

nilalae [niləʼlae] (comp. of live 

apart) v live apart elali nilalae 

cause to live scattered 

nilamnae v jump syn: lainkowe. 

nilele [niʼlele] n actions lomkoka 

nilele yapan their actions (lit: 

sitting-walking) are good lomko 

pananilelenake they were moving 

around (transient) 

nilume v squat down and write loko 

warakaija panilume he squatted 

down and wrote (on ground) 

nimapo [niʼmapo] n yam nimapo pipi 

tan the yam has prickly skin (sem. 


roots.) 

nimomun [nimoʼmun] n seed, type 

of (sem. domains: 1.5.5 - Parts of

ninaki nararole 190 

a plant.) 

ninaki nararole (comp. of wait 

impatiently) 

ninakire [niʼnəki] v sit-wait em balir 

ninakire we wait for the plane 

aninaki! you wait! ninaki raerire 

wait for a long time apninaki 

pekari, i ple give up waiting and go 

comp. wokinakire 

ninanwaenae [niʼnənwaeʼnae] v sti 

from sitting 

ninke [ʼnink] v sit (only animals) 

pakla maip tija aro ninke, napuka a 

big wallaby sat there on the path 

nipapae [nipəʼpa] v irt (hope to 

get) lu loko elma nipapare he is 

irting with the woman lu loko 

tainaki raerire, Tomlaka taplu 

tanipapare that man is just 

watching, begging for Tom's food. 

(without saying anything) [use this 

word when a man lives near a 

girl's family for awhile hoping he 

will be noticed and accepted as a 

husband] 

nipwae v live among (permanently 

when you do not belong or own 

land) am walamaku nowea aro 

yammanipwae you have come to 

live from another village (sem. 

domains: 5.9 - Live, stay.) 

nipwae lu (comp. of stranger) n man 

who stays permanently in a place 

that isn't his birth place syn: 

weijwal, woujwal. (sem. 

domains: 4.1.9.7 - Non-relative.) 

nirae (comp. of sit and eat) v sit and 

eat lomko taplum panirapae they 

sat and ate food 

niramwowire [nirəmwowi] v clog (of 

ears and water) lomkoka mak ijo 

paniramwowipae, mak walwae 

awarka tarawale their ears are 

clogged like water is clogged, and 

the hole does not go down 

(implied: do not want to hear) 

nire (inf. var. mani) v live; sit loko 

panire he is there (close by) (may 

imply: still alive) lomko paninake, 

em awarpanire they were staying, 

we did not continue to stay eko lu 

tan nire she is married (lit: lives 

with a man) ni yapan wala place to 

live well mi maoko no nire live 

righteously (lit: like tree trunk) em 

yam tipia manirrawa we will stay 

there one month then return 

warwam, anwar maem yam 

manijam you come in, inside to sit

191 nolam tijei 

loko irno irno pakanire he sits 

facing (he accepts/agrees) (sem. 

domains: 5.9 - Live, stay.) comp: 

kanikanaroure, kanikraerre, 

nanilalae, nijoneke, wamanire 

nirolu 1 [niʼrolu] 1) adj leaning mi 

nirolu aolo peyakkeinakire lok 

maem aro meiro nalirae rst he saw 

a leaning tree and there hanged 

(himself) el pirami eko nirolu nirolu 

lele the old woman walks bent over 

syn: neijwe. (sem. domains: 

7.1.6 - Lean.) 2) v lean over eko 

kanirolure she is bent over 

nirolu 2 [niʼrolu] n owl niroluka ewae 

ipoprou the owl's feathers are 

multicoloured (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.2 - Bird.) 

no 1 n similar to (word used to 

compare two things that behave 

in similar ways - but not for 

comparing two things that look 

alike) pira kanakijam, nanao no 

aro kowe when the sh came up, 

(the water) was like an earthquake 

shaking lomko makujwal tijei no 

marinake their heads are like 

stones (implied: stubborn or stupid) 

no 2 n short sh (live in water holes) 

gen: pira. (sem. domains: 1.6.1.5 

- Fish.) 

nol [ʼnolə] n blood nol peyare bled a 

small amount (lit: blood came) nol 

tane bleeding a larger amount (lit: 

blood goes down) nol tea weipae 

blood is just all over (implied: 

death) nol peileire loko nowai tea 

the blood that spilled out was just a 

lot nolwe bloody, blood spattered 

nol tourae the bleeding stopped 


blood.) 

nol palpaolo [nol pǝl ̰paolo] (der. of 

dried, clotted blood) 

nol tipia (comp. blood, one) n same 

family nol tipia brothers & sisters 

(sem. domains: 4.1.9.1 - Related 

by birth.) 

nol walwaerna tan (comp. of 

newborn) 

nolam tijei [ʼnoləm tiʼtʃei] n long 

stone (ancestors used in spears) 

nolam tijei lomko Ewan ijo 

(Weinap) moku maem parinake the 

long stones are on the bank of the 

Yellow River (Weinap river) 

ayalam nolam tijei kan lapam 

nakeijweriri our fathers always put 

a small long stone in the spears (to 

give it weight). (sem. domains:

nole 192 

1.2.2.2 - Rock.) 

nole inf. var. of nowe give away 

from me 

noloku [noʼlwoku] n place of blood 

(the exact spot where blood was 

spilled or someone died - cannot 

be used for a general area) lokok 

lwae i nolwoku loko aolok naklele 

napu paeka tea pari the place where 

the pig bit him is still there near the 

road where he goes tapeiro nalirae 

nolwoku lokok lu el tija ao yaklelei, 

lokoka aokwae tea aro yakrarara 

taerire the place where (he) hung 

(himself) a man or woman cannot 

go (or) his spirit will just continue 

to scare (them) (sem. domains: 

2.6.6 - Die.) 

nolu 1 [ʼnolu] n greens eko nolu palipe 

she picked greens (sem. domains: 


nolu 2 [ʼnolu] adj webbed ( ngers or 

toes like the sugar glider tana 

has) ekoka lal nolujwe her hand is 

webbed (deformed hand) 

nonaolire v give freely as a gift, do 

not use for o ering to God syn: 

mami, imami taplu. 

norolae (comp. of nowe, orolae) v 

share 

noupalwae [noupəlwae] v face 

opposite kamo loko tananoupalwae 

the hook goes in a di erent 

direction wonulaman lu lapliko 

tananoupalwae the two men joined 

back to back faced di erent 

directions 

noure v mate (this term is very 

explicit) awapli talanoupaowa you 

two may mate (sem. domains: 

2.6.2 - Sexual relations.) 

nowae [noʼwae] 1) adv enough; 

nished (also use for alu 

(mourn), wanowi (work) ijo 

nowaele the water is almost 

nished (in a cup or a water tank) 

em aya amaole kalim nowae nowae 

powe loko... when the sermon (lit: 

big father's talk) was almost 

nished.. syn: tapi. 2) adv similar 

to; enough wala em nowaejawe the 

house was not (big) enough for us 

em em nowaeja (it is) enough for 

only us alomka wanipa nowaija as 

much as they could hear 3) a lot 

(intensi er) nol nowae plenty of 

blood em pin pwanire tan nowae 

tea we laughed a lot 

nowe (inf. var. enole; inf. var. nole) 

v give (a singular item - the

193 nu palli 

direction of giving is shown by 

the a xation: enole means give 

to me; nole means to give away 

from me; nowe means to give 

with no speci c direction) Yaupa 

em ikim tija pnowe Yaupa gave us a 

canoe em auram Klemen nowai aro 

nowe, wopa napeiran waki tija aro 

nole. we gave Klemen this much 

money, gave K60 nakla Name 

pamkin ari yamnorre yesterday 

Name came and gave (me) a 

pumpkin and then left syn: wole 1. 

comp. norolae 

noweya [noweʼya] adj another; 

separate noweya kali another kind 

of talk 

noweya noweya (comp. of 

separately) adj separately em 

tonam tipia ao nwae. em noweya 

noweya monwawa. we cannot sleep 

in one mosquito net. we will sleep 

there in separate (ones). 

noweyamta adj special, holy (sem. 

domains: 4.9.8 - Religious 

things.) 

nowoke [noʼwoke] (inf. var. 

nowole) n younger sister (term a 

sister uses) (sem. domains: 


nowole inf. var. of nowoke younger 

sister (3rd person) 

nu n 1) land on nu napu leya I will go 

by land road (go on foot rather 

than by plane) nu tijei tan rocky 

ground nu mai ili ran rich ground 

(lit: with worms) lomko gol nujwar 

maem peinupae they dug and got 

gold from under the ground (sem. 

domains: 1.2.2.1 - Soil, dirt.) 2) 

below pinal nu mae teeth in lower 

jaw mi ki nu lwae carried rewood 

above and below nu aolia barren 

land (lit: by itself) (sem. domains: 

8.5.2.5 - Down.) 

nu knarou ran n small piece of land, 

divided up from bigger section 

(sem. domains: 1.2.1 - Land.) 

nu lali [ʼnu ʼləli] n loose dirt yowi 

papeire lokoka, i nu lali pewokire 

when digging a hole, the loose dirt 

piles up (lit: stands on top) 

nu laplire n landslide (sem. domains: 

1.2.1 - Land.) 

nu palli [ʼnu pələʼli] n mud mari 

lomko nu palli palli powe lokok 

ninake the shells were sitting there 

in the muddy ground (sem. 

domains: 1.2.2.1 - Soil, dirt.)

nu ta 194 

nu ta n animals of ground (sem. 

domains: 1.6.6 - Animal group.) 

nu wamtakae n deep ground (sem. 


nu wolwae n cave 

nujwal adj of ground, common, 

sometimes evil in contrast to 

God's nujwal olli common things 

(not special) (sem. domains: 

8.3.7.5.1 - Basic.) 

nujwal ineinein n thinking of the 

ground; sin nature lu tipia tija 

malpowi peyakowe, i nujwal 

ineinein aro kapreyale one man 

rst sinned, so the sin nature 

arrived (sem. domains: 4.9.9 - 

Irreligion.) 

nuklu [ʼnuklu] n earlier wik nuklum 

ple lokoka during the week past 

(sem. domains: 8.4.5.2 - Before.) 

nure v get; take (plural) em loupali 

ponure, lalya we got frogs with our 

hands ewaleya kar kopi bek 

yamonurra lokoka... tomorrow 

when the car gets the co ee bags 

and then leaves... wala yapal 

meinupae they took the posts there 

nwa wala [ʼnwa wəʼla] n bedroom 

(sem. domains: 6.5.2.7 - Room.) 

nwae v sleep loko eno nwae he is 

sleeping (sem. domains: 5.7.1 - Go 

to sleep.) comp. inwae 

nwalu [ʼnwalu] n sleeping place on 

amnaka nwalu ari kallapirae I have 

prepared your sleeping place (sem. 

domains: 6.5.2.7 - Room.) 

nwari [ʼnwari] n small tongs 

(bamboo) mijaki nwari prapae 

taplum food to eat with stick tongs 

(not hands) em mijaki nwari 

pnakwarike we wrapped/splinted 

(the leg) with bamboo stick tongs 

[these tongs are small, made of 

bamboo, used like chopsticks, or 

for splinting broken bones] (sem. 

domains: 5.2.2.8 - Eating 

utensil.) 

nwoke v yell (sounds, not words) 

Lorin tea ponwoke, "wao, lwae maip 

o" Lorin just yelled, "Yes, a big 

pig!" (sem. domains: 3.5.1.1.1 - 

Shout.) 

nwoki 1) v swell, swollen lipalwoki 

tanwokire top of foot swells 

nowakijwowe swollen (raised) 

amnaka lal lami koro, i nwokire, 

oya tea wamolure if a thorn cuts 

your hand, it will swell, and the 

pus just stays underneath the skin

195 ole 

namal ponwokire nostrils are 

(angry) syn: walu 1 . (sem. 


disease.) 2) n body (may be used 

more for dead animals than dead 

people) on lwae nwaki lomom 

o 1 [o] exp sound used on end of 

sentence when calling out to 

people "wao, lwae maip-o, am yar- 

o!" yes, there is a big pig, you 

come! lomko em pokokwame, "Wom 

lerw-o?" "Wao, em are." they asked 

us "Are you there?" "We're here." 


Interjections.) 

o 2 n pus amnaka lal lami koro, i 

nwokire, oya tea wamolure if a 

thorn cuts your hand, it will swell, 

and the pus just stays underneath 

the skin (sem. domains: 2.2.4 - 

Mucus.) 

okle v make thatch loko anapirawaem 

okle he weaves thatch (sem. 

domains: 6.6.4 - Crafts.) 

okolke inf. var. of olokolokwe 

O o 

pamkeinakire I saw the pig's body 

there nwoki awarka lwaneya the 

body has not swollen up yet am 

nwokimta (an expression meaning 

you don't work) (sem. domains: 

2.6.6.2 - Corpse.) 

ol 3 [ʼolə] n penis tan tija ol ran one 

boy child (lit: child with penis) 

(sem. domains: 2.1.8.3 - Male 

organs.) 

ole 1 1) v recede (water) ijo loko tea 

polpleyae the water has just 

completly receded awi, apo ulapuka 

aleyamya, ijo peyakola wait, you 

must go this afternoon (when) the 

water rst goes down (sem. 

domains: 1.3.2 - Movement of 

water.) 2) n water current; low 

water em marum ijo olka ao larpae 

we cannot ll the sh baskets in 

low water ol ikim peilapeke the 

current grabbed and held the canoe 

ol tijei pneike the current hits a 

stone (sem. domains: 1.3.2 - 

Movement of water.)

ole 196 

ole 2 v ll partially - put things inside 

something aoka ole put into the 

string bag syn: leme. 

olire v fall down (used of non- 

human objects) sel on wala polire 

the tent house fell down walwa tea 

pamkolire the sun just went down 

there aleyam, mi pakei pakei 

powele, mi taolile, awom apo 

tairpawa go, the tree is starting to 

crack, and may start falling and 

kill you now mi polirle the tree has 

started falling (so don't walk there) 

syn: larouke 1. (sem. domains: 

7.2.2.5.1 - Fall.) 

olirwomi [olirəʼwomi] n morning 

(this is a general word - there are 

speci c words for smaller time 

segments of the morning) lomko 

parpa yarwale, olirwomika they all 

returned in the morning olirwomi 

aolok early morning (7 am) (sem. 

domains: 8.4.1.2 - Day.) 

olke v do ritual loko amtou lomom eyo 

laweim polke, i el aro nakranmia he 

did a ritual with pandanus and a 

bird call, and after that she will 

descend (from house) (sem. 


ceremony.) 

olki [olʼki] adj 1) heavy physically 

pira olki maip, tanaki nan the sh 

were very heavy, the children 

(were) too lok olki tan it is heavy 

(lit: it is with heaviness) (sem. 

domains: 8.2.9.1 - Heavy.) 2) 

problem, concern onka alku 

lomom olkijwe I am unhappy (lit: 

my stomach is heavy) on olki pari I 

have a problem (lit: I have 

heaviness) on tanka olki nire, tan 

onma olkim nowe I live with the 

problem from my child, my child 

gave me this problem (sem. 

domains: 4.4.2.1 - Problem.) 

olku [ʼolku] adj gray (color of some 

animals and plants) api ekoka 

ewae olku powele the cassowary's 

feathers are starting to turn dark 

(sem. domains: 8.3.3.3.3 - Gray.) 

olli [ʼolli] n thing (material object 

but not immaterial objects like 

thoughts or feelings) em olli 

pomolwaepae we carried our things 

olli olli everything olli larkou short 

of things/needy syn: ulli. comp. 

kloplom olli 

olli mal wanowi [ʼolli ʼmal waʼnowi] 

n math 

olli nakweijwaor kik lu n robber

197 onae 

(sem. domains: 4.8.2.3 - Attack.) 

ollu [oʼllu] n sweat y (sem. 


olna [olʼna] n sago, type of olna 

enman grass skirt made of olna 

sago leaves gen: na . (sem. 


olnamaplake (comp. of oloke, 

namaplae) v grab-restrain lomko 

lomom olnamaplake they grabbed 

and restrained him 

olnao [olʼnao] n breath loko olnao 

aro walire he breathes (lit: puts in 

breath) olnao klare (he) takes one 

(big) breath olnao kwain kan 

pwaliria breathing shallowly 

(before death) (lit: put some 

breath) loko olnao namia kire he 

stands without breathing (as at 

attention) (sem. domains: 2.2.1 - 

Breathe, breath.) 

oloke v grab; hug lomko lomom 

poloke they grabbed him mi tija 

taoloke may grab a stick lapli 

pnoloke they hugged each other 

syn: iloke 2. comp. olnamaplake 

olokolokwe [oloʼkolokwe] (inf. var. 

okolke) n small frog (sem. 


olome v write muela alomka ilei olome 

the girls write their names 

kolomnae yam you write (it) (sem. 

domains: 3.5.7.1 - Write.) 

olpakla [olʼpəkla] n tree (type of); 

fruit (type of) olpakla ilowe the 

fruit ferments [there is a long 

process with a certain fruit where 

you take o skin, crush it, boil it, 

let it ferment, then cook and eat 

it with greens or sago - it has a 

smell] (sem. domains: 1.5.1 - 

Tree.) 

olwao n sheath (of muscle) lamo 

olwao sheath around muscle (sem. 


on 1 [ʼonə][wən][ən] (inf. var. 

onkwolia) pro I onka kali kan 

nwae tea le my small story is over 

God onma ao kananole. onia nanole 

God cannot leave me. I alone left 

(him). "tapopla, molam. on kwolia 

waniraka tarwan ire." "do not call 

(for me) mothers. I by myself am 

happy on the sand (beach)." (sem. 


onae v do towards; apply wanira aro 

onae choose tea onae yapanweire 

just do good to awem waleija 

wanowi lomom naklimta yakonaeya

onae yapanweire 198 

we all will rst do this work with 

all our strength lomko yonae yonae 

they were excited (dogs about a 

pig) wanowi onae lu man who 

really works 

onae yapanweire v do good to; grace 

one v split (of sticks) eko makwei 

ponpae she split the sticks (to make 

large tongs for washing sago) 

oneke v rest a little em lipal poneke 

we rested our legs awom kwain tea 

konekwa you just will rest a while 

comp. nijoneke 

onkwal [onʼkwalə] pro I myself 

(contrastive) I waplika nam apo tal 

kakijale? I eko pokokwame, 

"Onkwal." Who will cut down your 

sago tree today? She said, "I 

myself". onkwalma weirou kowe (I) 

cut myself with a knife (sem. 


onkwolia inf. var. of on 1 I alone 

onnole [onəʼnol] v weak onka eno 

mapo no onnole my eyes are 

spinning around weakly (about to 

faint) pokulou onnole the body is 

weak 

onono [ʼonono] n whiskers; feelers 

(of dogs, cats, cray sh) em ijo 

war maem onono meyam keinakire 

we see only the (cray sh) feelers 

under water (sem. domains: 1.6.2 

- Parts of an animal.) 

opaplae v imitate (something you 

have seen done before) loko pae 

powile i em lomom opoplae he was 

sick and we did a drama on that 

em drama lomom opaplae we did a 

drama 

opein [oʼpein] exp really (an 

expression of surprise) eko 

pokokwame, "Opein!" she said, "Oh 

really!" 

orola kali n defense on orola kalim ire 

I defend (you) 

orola olli n necessity 

orolae v 1) help (materially) amna 

onma porolae you helped me 2) join 

(in with someone, support 

someone) ne lomko ran wanowi 

lomom taporola you must not join 

in with their work/actions comp. 

norolae 

ororale [oroʼrəl] v scare (what you 

do to others) tan erom ororale, tan 

pakeinonoklure what did you scare 

the baby with, the baby is shaking 

syn: kemamowe.

199 pae 

oru [ʼoru] adj rotten (inside but 

rottenness may not be visible - 

you can tell by the sound when 

you chop on it) mi oru we the tree 

is rotten inside syn: pokpoke; 

syn: lwane 1. 

owe v 1) do (a general verb that has 

many extended meanings, and 

occurs with nouns to make 

predicates) eko amnama 

"olirawomijapan" ko she said 'good 

morning' to you onka ineinein 

arowe, loko tao yapanweija I think 

that he may do right loko beten 

pa- [pə] v:disc sequential action 

discourse verbal pre x walwa 

tijaka tiram peine e i papipe one 

day (we) cut a section and split 

(sago) (sem. domains: 9 - 

Grammar.) 

-pa [ʼpa] v:pers plural (verbal su x 

on transitive verbs that agrees 

with the plural object) loko ollim 

pomolwapae he carried things 

pae 1 [ʼpae] n sickness; rotten pae ipir 

P p 

powe he prayed am tea powe/ 

pomta you only did it (an 

accusation) aolo powe aro similar 

to him (in general characteristics) 

yao taole trouble may come 

marasin loko onma yapan pakowe 

the medicine made me better 2) 

strike with object, can also imply 

being cut or pierced as struck eko 

arma kowe she hit the dog onma 

mimaku kowe the stump cut me 

onka tan ki pamoure i lami kowale 

my child was cutting palm heart 

there and thorns pricked/cut (him) 

owirao adv ignorantly 

kromte the fever (lit: heat of 

sickness) stopped pae koplotae the 

sickness is over loko pae eno nwae 

he is sleeping because of sickness 

taplam paejwe the pumpkin is 

rotten (sem. domains: 2.5.1 - 

Sick.) 

pae 2 [ʼpae] v ood (to ood as a 

verb, the state of high water as a 

noun) wom apo moro leya? ijo 

tapae where are you going? the

pae- 200 

river is ooded ijo pweipae water is 

ooded lokoka ineinein ijo popae 

aro pae his thinking is like high 

water (generous) em marum ijo 

paekyak larpae we only ll sh 

baskets during high water (sem. 

domains: 1.3.2 - Movement of 

water.) 

pae- 3 [ʼpae] cf: a-. adv let; permit 

(verbal imperative pre x that 

can mean 'permit' or be a third 

person command said to a person 

not present) loko paeyeili let him 

die (condemnation) eko nan 

paeyara let her also come paeyari 

naoli leave it alone - don't use it 

paejwal [ʼpaetʃwəl] n sibling (next 

younger) nek praejwal lu tal? who 

are your siblings? (sem. domains: 

4.1.9.1.9 - Birth order.) 

paemari [paeʼməri] exp never mind 

paemari, nijapnwe are never mind, 

here is the good way to live 

peyakmari let it be for now paeyeri 

let it be (literal) (sem. domains: 


paewari inf. var. of wari 2 leave it lay 

paeyo [ʼpaejo] adv enough (modi er 

or expression that means that is 

enough, or something is capable) 

on paeyo! I am able! (implied: so 

ask me) napeiran woki tija, i aro 

ikame, ar paeyo six, then say, 

enough tea paeyo (that is) just 

enough syn: popo 2. 

pak 1 [ʼpək] n fence loko pakya wae he 

goes inside the fence pak wari tie 

the fence together 

pak 2 [ʼpak] n abdomen tan pak 

nakamlele pregnant (lit: carry 

child in abdomen) (sem. domains: 


pakei pakei [pəʼkei pəʼkei] n 

cracking noise (the noise of a 

tree or branch cracking before it 

falls) loko pakire lokoka, mi loko 

pakei pakei powe when he chopped, 

this tree made a cracking noise 

syn: kowal 1. (sem. domains: 


paki [ʼpəki] n trough (made of sago 

leaf) pira paki plaole shape the 

trough for shing [this trough is 

used in processing the sago 

liquid and is made out of the 

large, widened end of a sago leaf 

nearest the trunk of tree] comp. 

na paki

201 pakpak 

paki paki [pəʼki pəʼki] v hop pakla 

paki paki yolae meam lewi a 

wallaby always hops? around 

(sem. domains: 7.2.1.1.3 - 

Jump.) 

pakijou [pəkiʼtʃou] n shadow; 

re ection; example; this is not an 

evil spirit - also used for 

carvings, photos; or a spirit that 

speaks to you only in dreams; 

when a person dies, their spirit 

aokwae leaves and appears as a 

pakijou to the living; luk pakijou 

maralma walei maip i maralma 

larkouja a man's shadow is 

sometimes long and sometimes just 

short loko pakijouja keinakire he 

can only see shadows (because his 

eyes are damaged) amnaka irnomal 

pakijou your face's re ection (in 

mirror) 

pakijou kali n parable or illustration, 

where you talk about one thing 

that has a meaning that is not 

explained, veiled talk (don't say 

the whole story - similar to irrao 

kali) 

pakike [pəkike] v hold or take a 

child to hold it ne tanma 

yampakika! you must give the child 

here! eko tanma peyampakiknae she 

came and gave the child to me here 

pakinowe v put child on shoulders 

ne awelujwo, onma tanma 

yampakino! you must scrape (sago) 

and come here and put the child on 

me (my shoulders)! 

pakiporae [pəkiʼporae] v put up (as 

putting a child up on shoulders 

or on a platform for safety) eko 

tanakim papakipaolele, mi nanelya 

kija she started putting the children 

up on top of the broken tree 

pakla [ʼpəklə] n wallaby na napuka 

pakla maip tija aro ninke on the 

path to the sago a big wallaby was 

sitting (sem. domains: 1.6.1.1.5 - 

Marsupial.) 

pakle [ʼpəkle] v scrape o (big 

thorns) on lamim papaklaprowe I 

scraped thorns o (of sago tree) 

pakpak [pəkʼpak] adv at (a state); 

atten (an action) ewae pak pakya 

aro yaolamapapanae the leaf 

oated down in a at manner lu 

loko pakpakya pamari the man lays 

there at buk loko pakpakya pari 

the book lays at comp. 

weipakpak

pala pala 202 

pala pala [pəʼla pəʼla] n sizzling 

(noise from a re); chopping 

(noise) nae mik pala pala we the 

fat in the re sizzles (sem. 


sounds, 5.5.5 - What res 

produce.) 

pali pali [ʼpəli ʼpəli] n dislike on pali 

palijwe I have no desire to (sem. 

domains: 3.4.2.1.1 - Dislike.) 

palkae palkae [pəlʼkae pəlʼkae] adv 

carefully (how to move like 

when on a very narrow, steep 

path) palkae palkae lele walk 

carefully 

palkeni [pəlʼkeni] n mud (sem. 


palli [pələʼli] adj muddy mari lomko 

nu palli palli powe lokok ninake the 

shells are sitting there in muddy 

ground 

palokure v blow into (bugle, shell, or 

ute) ari palokure already blew 

loko aolok kani lwapnam pani 

paloku prowe he blew o his 

sitting-down place lujela weri 

papaloku pae the people were 

blowing bamboo ( utes) 

palwi [ʼpəlwi] n gecko (sem. 


palwou [pəlwou] n tree (good for 

making canoes) (sem. domains: 

1.5.1 - Tree.) 

pam- adv there; west pamowe west 

(sem. domains: 8.5.1 - Here, 

there.) 

pamtar [pəmʼtarə] n today (use for 

something that already happened 

today) em pamtar olirwomika napu 

wanowijwe today in the morning 

we worked on the road (sem. 

domains: 8.4.6.2.1 - Recently.) 

pamu nakli [pamu nəkli] n middle of 

the night 2-3 am (sem. domains: 

8.4.1.2.1 - Night.) 

pamu nakli praeka powele n 

midnight or 1 am (sem. domains: 

8.4.1.2.1 - Night.) 

pamure v capsize iki ari pamure the 

canoe has already capsized ikim 

tanakeinapamure overturn the 

canoe 

pane [ʼpən] v vomit lok papane he 

vomited pan kloman smell of vomit 

(sem. domains: 2.5.6 - Symptom 

of disease.) 

pani [ʼpani] n greens (two-leaf) on 

pani palipe I picked tulip greens

203 papar 

[tulip greens are nourishing food 

inopa taplu ; the bark is of the 

pani tree is called elowe and 

used for string-bag string;] gen: 

inopa taplu. gnetum gnemon 


from leaves.) 

panijwe (der. of sit & work) v sit and 

work em tea panire loko i i ulapuk 

tea panijwe we just sat until 

afternoon, sat and worked on 

awom kanikraerre I am leaving you 

sitting 

panto [ʼpanto] n cooking banana 

(type of) (sem. domains: 


panwei [ʼpənwei] n light breeze 

(lightest of the three types) 

panwei onma pweijwire the wind 

hits me panwei pneike the breeze 

hits me (and tells me a spirit is 

moving) syn: molu 2 . (sem. 

domains: 1.1.3.1 - Wind.) 

panwei napu lar n window (sem. 

domains: 6.5.2.5 - Window.) 

paol [ʼpaolə] n shoulder (top of a 

person's shoulder) lu lomko nan 

tanaki, pira paolka plenake men 

carried children and sh on their 

shoulders ao paolka lwae carry the 

bag on shoulder (sem. domains: 

2.1.2 - Torso.) 

paowe v put on top (use for plural 

objects on top of something) 

lamnae kapou, malaerkolpaowam 

big racks! you must make them to 

put ( sh) on top comp. kalpaowe 

papa [pa pa] n apping noise mamna 

papa laele the bat hangs apping 

(wings) 

papae [pəʼpae] n green plant-eating 

worm pakla taplu popae ran we 

pakalijape a wallaby throws away 

food with worms papae papae 

worm syn: aiyeye. (sem. 

domains: 1.6.1 - Types of 

animals.) comp. aijan papae 

papana [pəpənə] n plumage of bird 

of paradise (sem. domains: 

1.6.2.1 - Parts of a bird.) 

papankinae [pəpənkina] adv (hold) 

strongly nakwarina papankinae 

tied strongly onka lal 

tanapapankinae (you) squeeze my 

hand strongly 

papar [pəpar] n water crab papar ijo 

war maem tamlewi the crab moves 

down under the water (sem.

paparowe 204 


paparowe [pəʼparo] v blow on re 

(to make it bigger or to blow out 

ame) (sem. domains: 5.5.2 - 

Tend a re.) 

paparwan [pəparʼwən] n tree, type 

of er paparwan pamworaowalire we 

hunted there by the paparwan tree 

[the possums lwepan and lwaip 

eat seeds of this tree] (sem. 


papi [ʼpəpi] n itch on papijwe I am 

itching spec: wenawe. (sem. 

domains: 2.2 - Body functions.) 

papla prole v throw around lomko nu 

poupoum kija papla prole they 

threw dust up in the air (so it ies 

all over) 

paplae [̤ 

̤pəplae] v imitate lele paplae 

walking and learning 

paplale [pəʼpləle] v feel for / around 

with hands because cannot see 

because of blindness, or darkness 

taijowai paplale bend over and feel 

for with hand womi nan powe. em 

lalya tea naweipaplalle. it also 

became dark. we just began to feel 

around with our hands. syn: 

kapapleine. (sem. domains: 

2.3.5 - Sense of touch.) 

papli [ʼpəpli] pro both (dual 

pronoun that can occur alone or 

with another dual pronoun) 

lapliko pakalkaowe i papli aro ilire 

they two fell and then both 

(animals) died apo awer papli 

yakwaeya now we two both will 

rst go in 

papli maku n twin heads or close 

friends (came from a snake that 

had two heads) 

par mi n rewood mi tapar rewood 

(sem. domains: 5.5.6 - Fuel.) 

paralepo [pərəleʼpo] n ute (sem. 

domains: 4.2.3.5 - Musical 

instrument.) 

pare v make re (controlled re for 

cooking or for burning a heap of 

things) lomko mi pnakpare they 

made a cooking re loko mi par 

owe he is blowing on the cooking 

re (to start it) (lit: he does re) 

syn: ewe 2 . (sem. domains: 5.5.1 

- Light a re.) 

pariya [pəriʼja] adv erring; missing 

(and falling - always a xed or 

compounded) lomko tea peija 

papariyae nole they just missed

205 pelwale 

paronure v cook (in container 

without water) el tija napa 

paparonure a woman made sago 

pudding on tanali lomom 

paparonure I cooked the pandanus 


methods.) 

parwa [ʼpərwa] n ladder; steps (to a 

house - traditionally made of a 

notched log) lomko parwa lokoka 

peyawowe they went up the ladder 


building.) 

paumei [pauʼmei] n magic pijkai 

lomko paumei popae i nakwolu 

powe before they did bad magic 

and sorcery (sem. domains: 

4.9.5.4 - Religious ceremony.) 

paurna [paurnə] n orphan (a child 

who has one deceased parent) 

tan paurna tijan Jon an orphan 

child, Jon (sem. domains: 4.1.9.4 

- Orphan.) 

pei 2 [pei] v noise (of dog barking or 

people yelling to inform others) 

em ar peim pwanipae we heard the 

dog's bark/noise awem apo pei 

kowa we will now yell (for them to 

come) (sem. domains: 2.3.2.4 - 

Loud.) 

pei 3 [ʼpei] n leftover (food or water 

not eaten) na tapei i pira tapei 

leftover sago and leftover sh 

malpiyaom mamna tapeire about 

the pawpaw (hanging on the tree), 

the bat ate some of it 

-peina [peiʼna] v:adv uselessly 

(action completed but it did not 

accomplish its goal) on marijo 

peinae I uselessly searched for it 

(everywhere) 

peire 1 v dig out (ground or holes in 

wood to nd grubs); hollow (out 

wood) loko iki peire he hollows out 

a canoe on mire lomom aro kipeire I 

stood and dug for grubs on 

pakapeirae i napani loko aro 

yawomirnae I dug a hole (and left 

it open) and the small bandicoot 

ran up towards (me from the hole) 

syn: kapeikarerae, inaplire. 

(sem. domains: 6.2 - 

Agriculture.) 

pelwale [peʼlwale] adv no (a verb 

that can complete a negative 

clause, or it can be used as an

penapu 206 

emphatic intensi er after a 

negative clause) em aura pelwale 

we have no money lu tija ao 

malpleyae. Pelwale! A man could 

not count them all. De nitely not! 

on na pnakelwale we had no sago 

penapu [peʼnəpu] n manioc penopu 

nuwar maem ninake manioc sits 

under the ground (sem. domains: 


peyakwari inf. var. of leave it lay 

rst 

pi [ʼpi] n sharp point nakwolu pi 

lomom aro walijapwa the sorcerer 

will throw down the spear tip on 

mijaki au pi lokoka pakeilone, wai 

lomom. I stabbed the snake with a 

pointed stick [this word is 

frequently used in sorcery 

context; can also be used for 

common spear tip, point of 

thorn, etc.] 

pijaki [piʼtʃaki] adv rst (in time, 

not necessarily in importance) 

mo pijaki peyawomire mother rst 

ran up (sem. domains: 8.4.5.1.2 - 

First.) 

pijakijwal inf. var. of rstborn; old 

pijou [piʼtʃou] v steal (most common 

verb for steal) on pijoujawe I do 

not steal pijoupae steal plural 

things pijou kike get by stealing 

pijou nakale steal and carry away 

syn: naepiyouke. (sem. 

domains: 4.3.5.1 - Dishonest.) 

comp. pijou lu 

pijou lu (comp. of pijou, lu 1) n thief 

pila [ʼpila] n mouth em tea kaplae, 

pilaya we just yelled out with our 

voices eko pilam pnakweimonae she 

covered her mouth (with hand to 

hide laugh) loko pilaya lwa naolire 

he talks without thinking (lit: only 

with mouth - without) (sem. 


pilawei [pilaʼwei] n 1) saliva (sem. 

domains: 2.2.3 - Spit, saliva.) 2) 

egg white 

pilon [piʼlon] n pronged spear (for 

shooting small animals) loko 

kaujwel lomom peilonya keilone he 

speared the lizard with just a 

pronged spear (sem. domains: 

6.4.1 - Hunt.) 

pin [ʼpin] n laughter em pin pwanire 

tan nowae tea we laughed a lot 

(sem. domains: 4.2.8 - Humor.) 

pin [ʼpin] adj sharp onka weirou pin

207 pirami 

awarkire my bush knife is not 

sharp (sem. domains: 8.3.2.3 - 

Sharp.) 

pinal [piʼnələ] n tooth lwae pinal 

polure scrape (it) with a pig's tooth 

pinal kipaki no we teeth like sago 

pith (very white) pinal karwe karwe 

powe (he) grinds his teeth (sem. 

domains: 2.1.1.5 - Tooth.) 

pinal kali kali n roots of teeth gen: 

kali 1. (sem. domains: 2.1.1.5 - 

Tooth.) 

pinal nakweirninae v grimace (in 

pain or when dying - mouth is 

closed) 

pinarnijwou [piʼnarniʼtʃwou] n ant 


pinkae [ʼpinkae] n scar (on person) 

gen: il 1. (sem. domains: 2.5.3 - 

Injure.) 

pinko n point woklei lokok lalpanklo 

pli lokok i pinko pinko kokro kakna 

kar napeiran woki tija wokinake the 

praying mantis has six small sharp 

points on the two ngers (sem. 

domains: 8.3.2.3.1 - Pointed.) 

pipe v split (a tree or a group of 

people) walwa tijaka tiram peine e, 

i papipe another day cut a section 

and split (sago) irei plaoloke e, i 

pokolwale i pakapiplale sharpen 

sticks, split into long halves, and 

split apart em lwae pakapipe we 

split into two groups (and 

surrounded) the pig syn: 

kanoklolwale. 

pipi [ʼpipi] n vine with thorns imae 

pipi tan vine with thorns (sem. 


vine.) 

pira [ʼpira] n sh awemka aijan pira 

kokro kakna our bush sh are 

small. pira manu warae ancestral 

shing net spec: no 2, wem, 

akrom. (sem. domains: 1.6.1.5 - 

Fish.) 

piraena [piʼraenə] n lake; pond 

piraena kakna tija parprae. (we) 

shed more at a small lake (sem. 

domains: 1.3.1.1 - Ocean, lake.) 

pirakla [pirəkla] n small bird [the 

small bird that lives in coconut 

leaves] (sem. domains: 1.6.1.2 - 

Bird.) 

pirami [piʼrəmi] adj old lu pirami 

powele the man is getting old area 

tea leleyarle, i pirami tea powe 

certainly keep going this way until

pirnae 208 

(you) are old 

pirnae v equip - like have all the 

tools you need to work or t like 

trousers t am tea pirnae you are 

equipped (for work) 

pirolai [piroʼlai] n sh, type of (sem. 


pla 3 [pla] n platform; raft (used to 

sit on or place things on) lapliko 

plak kik tea aro arpwanire they 

were just sitting again high up on 

the platform comp. plami 

pla pla [ʼplə ʼplə] n noise (of re 

crackling) mi pla plameam wanipae 

hear only the noise of the re 

crackling (sem. domains: 2.3.2.3 - 

Types of sounds, 5.5.5 - What 

res produce.) 

pla porae (comp. of plae 2, porae) v 

dump on top of na manlwo pakike, 

pakaplaporae, paki kika get the 

loose sago, and dump it on top of 

the trough 

pla tarouke v ask already knowing 

plae v lay at (usually a person, not 

an object) anapira i weirou lomom, 

on nuk tea aro plae about the bow 

and bush knife, I just laid them 

down on the ground 

plae 1 v 1) call; yell (to someone you 

can see but is at a distance) on 

aplaelija plae I yelled out many 

times in pain I an ayam aro 

nakplae, "Aya, aro o." I called out 

repeatedly to father, "Father, here." 

plaraerire keep asking (month after 

month) em tea kaplae, pilaya we 

just yelled out with our voices (one 

time) lomko emka plam ao wanipae 

they could not hear our talking 

spec:. 2) ask questions on 

amnama taplake I ask you (one 

time) spec: plananale. comp. 

plalaraninae 

plae 2 v throw (down); dump out 

(used for pouring salt on food, 

dumping dirt and grass into a 

pile) er tan maru plawa we two 

threw the sh baskets down into 

the water syn: kloliraolire. (sem. 

domains: 7.3.4.3 - Put down.) 

comp. pla porae 

plae 4 v plant (plural) lomko nar yaki 

paplae they planted banana shoots 

syn: lale 1; spec: weipaplae. 

(sem. domains: 6.2.3 - Plant a 

eld.) 

plak lu n Caucasian man 

plak weipla n mature man who is

209 plananale 

not yet a grandfather (sem. 


plak weiropu n man who is almost 

an adult (sem. domains: 2.6.4.3 - 

Youth.) 

plakijantae [pləkitʃənʼta] v shake 

plakike v yell (to come) em tea 

paplakike we just yelled to (him) to 

come 

plakileyawale [ʼpləkileaʼwəle] v 

dodge (sem. domains: 7.2.3.1 - 

Move away.) 

plakimariyowe [pləkimərijo] v whiz 

(like when something goes right 

past your face but does not hit 

you) pakaplakimariyowe (it) 

whizzed past (me) (sem. domains: 

7.2.1.2 - Move quickly.) 

plakipapankae [pləkipəpənʼka] v 

blind (a person as lighting does 

when it ashes or as someone 

shines a ashlight in a person's 

face or a mirror re ects sun in a 

person's eyes) mamaliwai 

pakweimariyowe (or pakowe) lokok 

i onma pakaplakipankawe when the 

lightning ashed (or struck) (it) 

blinded me temporarily syn: 

weimariyowe . 

plakirae [pləkiʼrae] v dodge loko ilwi 

awarka neike, tea plakirae he did 

not shoot the lizard (because it) 

just dodged loko ari plakirae it 

already dodged (sem. domains: 

7.2.3.1 - Move away.) 

plakolu [plaʼkolu] n teen (sem. 

domains: 2.6.4.3 - Youth.) 

plakuke v put; dump eko na manlwo 

paplakuke, tiprakuka she put the 

shredded sago on the bark (sem. 

domains: 7.3.4.3 - Put down.) 

plalaraninae [plalərəniʼnae] (comp. 

of plae 1 keep asking 

plami [ʼpləmi] (comp. of pla 3, mi) n 

bearer (lengthwise bearers 

underneath the split palm bark 

ooring) kiplami (sem. domains: 

6.5.2.3 - Floor.) 

plan [ʼplan] n grass on plan weirapire 

I cut the grass lomko plan no kire 

they stand like grass (numerous 

people) plan wali house of grass 

(bird makes, people can make as 

shelter) (sem. domains: 1.5.3 - 


plananale v repeatedly question - 

considered a good thing to do 

gen: plae 1 2.

plane 210 

plane [ʼplane] v dawn plane praeka 

near dawn 3-4 am plane alirolim 

almost dawn womi tija promke e, i 

parpamaplane the night went, and 

dawn came again er eno ponae 

planetae we slept until daylight on 

nam pamakiplanetae I watched the 

sago until dawn (sem. domains: 

8.4.1.2 - Day.) 

planewowe [pləneʼwowe] v clears 

(of sky) arowi ari planewowe the 

fog has cleared (sem. domains: 

1.1 - Sky.) 

planeyale [pləneʼjəle] v clear (of 

sight, thinking, sky); daylight; 

walwa awarka planeyaleya the day 

has not become clear yet (still 

cloudy) eno taplaneyale clear the 

eyes ineinein ari planeyale thinking 

has already cleared (after a demon 

leaves) paplaneyale i walo kali 

awarpeire daylight, and the butcher 

bird sings again 

plaore v pull (quickly) ari plaoreke 

already quickly pulled onka 

mamanma pira ari weiplaoreke the 

sh already quickly pulled my 

hook ijo ikim weiplaoreke the 

water quickly pulled the canoe 

(sem. domains: 7.3.2 - Move 

something in a direction.) 

plarraoke v say a veiled statement or 

request when you know more 

than you are saying Lu inein powe 

loko i amnama paplarraoke, "Ne olli 

tija pamarijowe?" I amna aro 

kokwame, "Wo." A man knows 

(about it) and (instead) asked in a 

veiled way, "Are you looking for 

something?" And you say, "Yes." 

-pleraele [pleʼraele] v:num all (verbal 

su x that means the action was 

completed or object completely 

a ected) on takwe lomom ari 

laolopleraele I have completely 

wrapped the tobacco (cigarette) 

walam ari kowipleraele already 

made the all the houses em skul 

pokopleraele we did all of school 

( nished the day) syn: -pleyae. 

(sem. domains: 8.4.6.1.3 - End.) 

-pleyae [pleʼjae] v:num all peimaku 

lommom tea prapleyae (we) just ate 

all the taro syn: -pleraele. (sem. 

domains: 8.4.6.1.3 - End.) 

pli adj two lomko sel pliro paneiplae 

they tightened two tents lu pli pli 

Kleinmakuja men went to 

Kleinmakuja in twos (pairs) (sem. 

domains: 8.1.1.1.2 - Two.) comp.

211 poku 

pli kali 

pli kali (comp. of pli, kali 3) adj 

second (sem. domains: 8.1.1.2 - 


plir [plirə] n sh (smallest) (sem. 


plirna [ʼplirənə] n friend onka plirna 

my friend syn: amo. (sem. 


plo [plo] n sh (that jumps around) 

lu loko wolpan plo no lijape the 

man ghts and throws like the plo 

sh (sem. domains: 1.6.1.5 - 

Fish.) 

plokowe [plo] v disagree (make 

noise pttt! with lips to show 

displeasure) lu loko ari plokowe 

that man already disagreed lomko 

plopaknako yowiawe they made 

completely disagreeable sounds 

aolo ploplowe make noise with lips 


sounds.) 

pnalnae v remain with; stick 

together (like the band holding a 

spear tip); united (in marriage) 

nakwei pnalpae stick together/hold 

together (like mortar holds bricks) 

aya maip awom tan pnalnae God is 

in you (pl) (sem. domains: 7.4 - 

Have, be with.) 

po 2 [ʼpo] n fruit (like areca nut) 


from fruit.) 

pokeya [ʼpokeja] adv many, much lu 

takwe pokeya ta ran.. if a man 

smokes much amuka weri pokeya 

lommom kari much of the 

mountain's bamboo is there keikei 

aolo pokeya klamnae the frog 

jumped many (times) aura pokeya 

peyawowe lomom the price went up 

a lot (lit: much money went up 

lots) pokeya aowe not many 

(implied: only some) (sem. 


pokpoke v rot (completely so that 

when a person picks the wood 

up, it crumbles) mi tapokpoke the 

tree has rotted completely mi loko 

pokpok arijwe that tree has already 

rotted completely syn: lwane 1; 

syn: oru. (sem. domains: 8.3.7.8 

- Decay.) 

poku / pokulou n body; skin poku 

nowea di erent skin (implies 

di erent color, customs, language) 

pokulou lirania all of the body 

pokulou enyawe very tired em poku

poku apaun wanowi 212 

pujwapu popleya ele our bodies are 

sore and in pain el pokulou ipir 

powe she has a fever (lit: does hot 

body) pokulouka il waria le body 

covered with sores pokuloum 

yapanwei takelali kowa (he) makes 

his body well ekoka pokulou ari 

kalkaowe she is pregnant (lit: her 

body has already fallen - rst time 

you notice a pregnancy) mi 

pokulou trunk of tree em elwal 

pokujwal loko tea aro nakwowa 

from the time we were small we 

just will grow like this awem arowe, 

pokulou yakijaki powe aro we are 

like the parts of the body (of 

Christ) pokulou noweya kowe body 

made di erent (like when you are 

weak from sickness or fasting) 

(sem. domains: 2.1 - Body.) 

poku apaun wanowi n sexual activity 

(sem. domains: 2.6.2.3 - Sexual 

immorality.) 

poku elpae wanowi n curse 

poku kaklan kali n insult 

poku lapam wanowi n prostitution; 

homosexual sin (sem. domains: 

2.6.2.3 - Sexual immorality.) 

poku nami [ʼpoku ʼnəmi] n 

menstruation (sem. domains: 

2.1.8.4 - Female organs.) 

poku pokuja [ʼpoku pokuʼya] adv 

hypocritically lomko poku pokuja 

peyare, nalwein tan awarkwe they 

come with only skins, not with 

their hearts (implied: hypocrisy) 


Hypocrite.) 

poku tipia [ʼpoku ʼtipia] n clan em 

poku tipia we are one clan lokoka 

poku ileile Wakijawe his clan name 

is Wakijawe (sem. domains: 

4.1.9.8 - Family, clan.) 

pokujo n mixed colours (of a 

multicoloured shirt or string bag) 

pokujo ao rae not mixed colours 

(sem. domains: 8.3.3.3.7 - 

Multicolored.) 

pokujolan [pokutʃoʼlan] n have sex 

(an acceptable way of talking 

about sex and can be used for 

either married or unmarried 

people) lapliko pokujolan tija awia 

they had not had sex yet (sem. 

domains: 2.6.2 - Sexual 

relations.) 

pokulou n body, skin (sem. domains: 

2.1 - Body.) comp. mi pokulou

213 polwowe 

pokulou akujwal n outside of a 

person's skin ant: alku war. 

(sem. domains: 2.1 - Body.) 

pokulou kanakire v surprise 

pokulou noweya kowe n body is weak 

(from sickness, fasting, etc) (sem. 

domains: 2.5.1 - Sick.) 

pokuman [ʼpokuman] n smell 

(usually a good smell but can be 

bad) lwae aijan pokuman ari 

kalijale the pig has already lost the 

scent of the bush (implied: pig is 

used to the village now) ero ero 

mijwae pokuman tan lomom 

lolwekija make (a band - aeni) 

with any kind of good smelling leaf 

pol 2 [ʼpolə] n platform spec: weipol 

mi. (sem. domains: 5.1.1.3 - 

Bed.) comp. wanipol 

pole 1 v boil (ancestor's way to boil 

water using hot stones) tijei 

awaijo ari pole (hot stones) made 

the hot water already boil syn: 

naklowe. (sem. domains: 5.2.1.1 

- Cooking methods.) 

polkupae v heap (sago) na manlwo 

papolkupae, tiprakuka heap 

shredded sago on palm bark 

(before washing) 

poluke v bundle (a wrapped bundle 

or to wrap in a bundle) lwar polu 

roll of material ewae polu bundle 

wrapped in a leaf tan kapou 

awarkwe, awaripoluka, tiprakuka. 

the child is not big, you must 

wrap/bundle (him) in a bark. 

comp. waripolure 

polwae v turn back pakla pamire ar 

aro arpeyam mirpolwarre the 

wallaby ran but turned and came 

running back mapolwalerre turn 

back and go other way loko 

lommom paki polwaelale he 

standing turned his back on them 

on lwaem pakana polwaelale I 

turned the pig over syn: kanale. 

comp. kanalpalwae 

polwapu [poʼlwapu] n conch shell 

polwapu palokure blow into the 

shell lapli onma polwapu aro 

yamkwo waplimo they must blow 

the conch for me here (sem. 

domains: 1.6.2.3 - Parts of a 

sh.) 

polwapu ili n noise of blowing on 

the hole in a shell or a whistle 


sounds.) 

polwowe v swallow (whole) ijwaur

poplawan 214 

taplu polwowi, awarka koujwani 

crocodiles swallow food whole, 

(they) do not chew api mijwan 

panarke i pakapolwowe the 

cassowary picks out a seed and 

swallows it aurkei maipma 

kopolwowe (it) swallowed a big 

lizard whole (sem. domains: 

5.2.2.4 - Manner of eating.) 

poplawan [popləʼwan] n vines 

bunched above ground on 

poplawanma pakiroure I cut the 

vines down (sem. domains: 1.5.3 - 


popleya [popleʼya] n pain; su ering; 

punishment onka pokuloum 

popleya tea elapnake my (whole) 

body is just hurting em poku 

pujwapu popleya ele our bodies are 

sti and painful popleya el loko 

krul ya pakele the pain stopped 

popleya parpele the pain returns 

loko popleyam kikwa he will be 

punished (lit: get pain) (sem. 

domains: 2.5.6.1 - Pain.) 

popleya el v feel pain (sem. domains: 

2.5.6.1 - Pain.) 

popo 1 [ʼpopo] conj after em lir 

lommom prae popo, i em ple after 

we ate coconuts we left walwa pli 

ple popo.. after two days.. (sem. 

domains: 8.4.5.2.1 - After.) 

popo 2 [ʼpopo] v able to loko popo he 

can/is able to syn: paeyo. (sem. 

domains: 6.1.2.3 - Work well.) 

popo e [ʼpopo ʼe] conj when ( rst 

action continued until the second 

one was started) on na manlwom 

tiprakuk papolkupae popo e, i on 

pnakyare when I had heaped the 

sago in the bark, I brought it (sem. 

domains: 8.4 - Time.) 

popokuke [poʼpokuke] n broom 

[made from nijwoki] (sem. 


popokure v meet; gather (of things 

or people - to call people 

together, or to call for people to 

bring gathered food); mix or put 

together (food) em iron maem 

pakanipopokurae we sit together in 

the men's house ko pakike, suga 

pakike, mu pakike, (stir), i 

kopopokurae take (some instant) 

co ee, take some sugar and milk, 

stir and it is mixed imami taplu 

popokuke feast em waleija 

parpakopopokurae, stetion maem 

we all met again at the station kali 

lomom waleija pakopopokurae (we)

215 pre 

gathered all the talk syn: elke 5. 

(sem. domains: 4.2.1.3 - Meet 

together, 7.5.1 - Gather, 7.5.3 - 

Mix.) 

porae v put on top (used of a 

singular object on top of 

something) er maru peijalnake, i on 

pamporae I was pulling (out) the 

sh trap and I put (it) there on top 

(of the riverbank) em anpirwae 

koprae we put the thatch up on top 

eko pakim pakoprae, kali kika she 

put the trough up on top of the 

forked sticks (sem. domains: 

7.3.4.3 - Put down.) comp: 

kaliraporae, kolwaeporae, pla 

porae 

poumaku [pouʼmaku] n Chinese taro 

(has one root) loko poumaku nawe 

he digs up taro (sem. domains: 

5.2.3.1.5 - Food from roots.) 

poupou [pouʼpou] n bits; crumbs (of 

food or dirt) taplu poupoum bits of 

food 

powe 1 v bark (as dog); call out to dog 

ar lapliko pampowe, lwae lomom 

two dogs barked there at the pig 

Boksa lwaem ar kapowe Boksa 

barked here at the pig loko arma 

naklele popowe he called for the 

dogs to go rst (sem. domains: 

1.6.4.3 - Animal sounds.) 

prae [ʼprae] adv nearby (location 

word meaning near when used 

with a place; but is also 

necessary in the construction to 

visit a person; when this form is 

used for visiting a person, the 

person's name or pronoun must 

be a xed with -ka) em pamkakire 

Ena paeka we arrived there near 

Ena on lokoka pae mae 

peyaramanirle Tomlaka praeka I 

started to go up to visit Tom 

kakeka awe, popraeka tea le, lijeija 

it is not far, just close by, very near 

ant: kake. (sem. domains: 8.5 - 

Location.) 

pre [pre] (inf. var. kapreyale) v 1) 

surface (to come up to the 

surface from under water) pira 

kapou pijaki aro kapreyale the big 

sh surfaced rst ijwaur womika 

pakapreyale the crocodile surfaced 

at night (sem. domains: 7.2.2.4 - 

Move up.) 2) happen (young 

people also use for 'arrive') pae 

loko aro kapreyale this sickness 

happened olli loko tea pakapreyale 

this thing just happened preprowe

-pro 216 

plural (things) happened 

-pro v:adv collective (verbal aspect 

su x meaning multiple events 

that occur at same time) el mi 

panawenprowe the ladies broke 

rewood (all were breaking at the 

same time) olki olki awom prae 

maem tapreprowa. all kinds of 

problems will come to you. (sem. 



pru pru [ʼpru ʼpru] n noise (of birds 

ying) eyom pru pru plele the noise 

of birds comes syn: lapapae. 


sounds, 2.3.2.3 - Types of 

sounds.) 

-ra 5 [rae] v:dx out on pakapeirae i 

napani loko aro yawomirnae I dug 

out/down and the bandicoot ran 

up towards (them) lomko 

wopiyaem pakeimtarae they carried 

the stretcher out of (village) and 

put it down on na pakemkorae, 

R r 

pujwapu [puʼtʃwapu] adv sti ; lazy 

em poku pujwapu popleya ele our 

bodies are sti and hurting on nan 

pujwapu lu aowe neither am I a 

lazy man nar pujwapujwe banana 

with black peel imae pujwapu sti 

(strong) rope pujwapu lu lazy man 

(sleeps all day long) (sem. 

domains: 2.4.4 - Tired.) ph. v. 

walwan pujwapujwe 

pun [ʼpun] n egg pun plarepae popo.. 

after the eggs have hatched.. (sem. 

domains: 5.2.3.2.3 - Egg dishes.) 

pupu [ʼpupu] n ring (for nger or for 

bow) lalpanklo aura popu 

peiplaneke i aro klare took the ring 

o (my) nger and put it on 

(yours) 

praipanka I crumbled and spread 

out the sago in the fry pan on lum 

taorae I carry out a (sick) man 

piggyback 

-re v:mood realis su x loko yowi 

papeire he dug a hole (sem. 

domains: 9.4.4.2 - Sure.)

217 -taeri 

-rr [ʼrər] v:adv brief (verbal su x for 

brief interval or duration 

between events) on station maem 

lamlelerre I went to the station and 

shortly (returned) emaku pijaki 

ta 3 [ʼta] n meat; animal em napa ta 

tan prae we ate sago jelly with 

meat tayaki domesticated animal 


Mammal.) comp. mikita 

ta- 4 v:mood opinion verbal pre x on 

talele I think I will go talemoa? do 

you think you will go? tamo maybe 

nek ineinein mae? tamo what do 

you think? maybe (sem. domains: 

9.4.4 - Epistemic moods.) 

tae 1 v destroy, kill plural em piraena 

tija parprae we again killed sh at 

a lake nu kar kar korae completely 

destroy the land lirki tae 

completely destroy a village (like 

during tribal wars) nujwom tae 

completely destroy the land [when 

killing sh, the Namia people use 

the poison derris root and spear 

T t 

peyakarworre the hornbill came up 

rst out of water and shortly 

after... (sem. domains: 9.4.1.2 - 

Aspect--dynamic verbs.) 

the sh who are stunned 

downstream, or dam a narrow 

part of a river and spear the sh 

caught in that] (sem. domains: 

6.4.5 - Fishing, 7.9.3 - Destroy.) 

tae 2 v eat on taplu tae I eat food on ao 

rae I could not eat on taplu ra inein 

tea powe (when I grow up) I know 

how to eat food tan loko erom 

erare? what did the child eat? 

lomko ta rae they eat meat (sem. 

domains: 5.2.2 - Eat.) ph. v. kra 

karnem tai comp. wanirae 3 

-taeri [ʼtaeri] v:adv repeat (verbal 

iterative aspect su x - means to 

continue over days or weeks) lu 

aolia eloleka wala wowim aolia aria 

tea leletaerire a man alone always 

came to his wife's village ritual 

mae, lao takrouja? awo, loko ar 

takiraerire will the rain stop? no, it

tailire 218 

just continues ne ewaliya mae? tan 

talaolotaerija, am taklowaleyale tan 

what will you do in the future? 

(you may) continue to pay for the 

child if you divorce (your wife). 

inakiraerire keep looking at (sem. 



tailire v drown; sink (boat) iki maip 

loko trailija the big canoe will sink 

em ijoka ewaliya tanakrailija 

tomorrow we may drown in the 

water with (the boat) lomko ijoka 

prailijwalire they drowned in the 

water (sem. domains: 1.3.4 - Be 

in water.) 

taklai [təʼklai] n house side (the side 

of a house that has no steps or 

door) (sem. domains: 6.5.2 - 

Parts of a building.) 

takoklure v break ancestral taboo 

laman pijaki kali tija aro kwarirae, 

"lu taplu taplu tarakoklu ran, i loko 

lwae tija ao neike." apo em taplu tea 

tayowiraowe. long ago our 

ancestors agreed, "if a man breaks 

a food taboo, he will not shoot any 

pigs." now we just eat whatever 

(without any consideration of food 

taboos.) am ao takoklure, i am lwae 

neikwa you do not break a food 

taboo, so you will shoot a pig am 

ari takoklure, am ewaliya lwaem 

awarpa neike you have already 

broken a food taboo so later you 

will not shoot pigs again [this food 

taboo says to not eat bat, 

possum, eel, certain sh - if a 

person breaks a taboo and eats 

that food, they will not grow 

well, have lots of sicknesses, not 

hunt well, etc. Most Namia 

people no longer follow these 

taboos.] (sem. domains: 4.3.1.2.1 

- Below standard.) 

takola [təʼkolə] n threadworm (sem. 


animals.) 

takwe [ʼtakwe] n tobacco on takwe 

inplare I break the tobacco leaves 

takwem walwaenika pakrae popo i 

akli powe i aro emkwe (you) put 

tobacco in the sun, (it) dries, then 

(you) crumble (it) Nicotiana 

tabacum (sem. domains: 1.5.2 - 

Bush, shrub.) 

tal 2 [ʼtələ] n who (usually a question 

word) wom kali tal yakeija? who 

rst told you? lok talka lu? who is 

that man? onka kali mak tal krae

219 tama 

ro whoever listens to my words 


Interrogative .) 

tala tala mi n trees stunted or lack of 

fruit because they grow 

under/too close to other trees 


tale 1 v hold; pull (of a person's hand 

in order to help them walk or to 

get up) aya onka lal pralke i er 

walaya ple father held my hand 

and we went to the house wapli lal 

aral nakwapli! you two walk 

holding hands! ne tanma kral 

kanaki you stand the child up (by 

pulling/lifting) nowari no pralke 

lokoka, i on tea ar nakeijalke when 

holding onto (the snake) like with 

tongs, I just pulled with it talpae 

pull away plural talkare pull away 

singular kralalele push away kral 

kolele push and leave syn: ijale. 


tale 3 v sni ; gasp loko aoloka 

namalma rale he smelled with his 

own nose ar plamrale the dog 

sni ed to the south loko olnao 

keimralale he stops and gasps for 

breath (implied: after running) 

syn: klamtaine. (sem. domains: 

2.2.1 - Breathe, breath.) 

tali tali [ʼtəli ʼtəli] n junction er napu 

tali tali pakakire we arrived at the 

path junction napu tali tali wam 

keinaki come inside and look at the 

junction of the road (sem. 

domains: 8.5.4.1 - Vicinity.) 

taltanae v warn someone to stop 

doing something (sem. domains: 

3.6.5 - Correct.) 

tam 1 [ʼtəm] n scraper (of sago pith) 

eko nan awek tamma parpwelure 

she also with her scraper again 

scraped sago on nakla tam 

keinakire yesterday I watched the 

scraping [tool to scrape sago pith 

- tool is made out of wood with a 

sharp metal end] (sem. domains: 

6.7.1 - Cutting tool.) 

tam- 2 [təm] v:dx down (deictic 

verbal pre x) makujwal pijaki tam 

lele, lipal namaklaka (his) head 

went down rst, then his legs ijoya 

tamlae only water oating down 

(in a hole) U! Walwa kakeya 

paramlele. U! The sun has moved 

down far (late in the afternoon) 

(sem. domains: 8.5.2.5 - Down.) 

tama [təʼma] conj instead (clausal

tamai 220 

modi er) ne tama arpeyar you 

instead come back tomiak enole, on 

tama kwain arpeyakakire (you) 

give me the ax, I will instead chop 

some tan kapou awarkwe, 

awaripoluka tiprakuka. Tama lwae 

naliraeya, mijali kika. the child is 

not big, so do not wrap (him) in a 

bark. Instead you must hang (him) 

up high on a branch (and leave 

him to die). 

tamai [taʼmai] n big grassy mound 

ar lwae tamai warka pamnakare the 

pig was under a big mound (of 

grass) ini lir tamai kik wari the 

centipede was laying on top of the 

coconut mound (sem. domains: 

1.2.1.6 - Forest, grassland, 

desert.) 

tamal [təʼmalə] n tree with red seeds 

[this tree has red seeds called 

taman wan that are used for 

coloring strings in string bags] 


-tamna [təmʼna] v:adv cessative 

verbal su x loko pnakeitamnae he 

nished talking lapliko 

pwelutamnae they nished scraping 

the sago (sem. domains: 9.4.1.2 - 

Aspect--dynamic verbs.) 

tamo [ʼtamo] n banana (type eaten 

when ripe) (sem. domains: 


tamol [tamol] n hawk eyo ramol eyo 

tanaki taelapepae lomom, i lomko 

amaoleka lowi ewae warya waewale 

because the hawk tries to get the 

baby birds, they go underneath 

their mother's wing (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.2 - Bird.) 

tan 1 [ʼtən] n child (1st person form) 

eko tanma plalaole she rocked the 

child (to sleep) onka plak poku tan 

child of my youth onka pirami poku 

tan child of my old age tan melala 

the child fusses spec: tanalwa, 

tanaki. (sem. domains: 2.6.4.2 - 

Child.) 

tan 3 [tən] conj with; 

accompaniment; instrument 

(conjunction postposed to noun 

phrases) em napa ta tan prae we 

ate sago jelly with meat em eno 

ponae, tanaki ran we slept with the 

children syn: nan 1. (sem. 

domains: 9.2.5.1 - Phrase 

conjunctions.) 

tan 4 [tən] conj if; conditional 

(clausal conjunction) on tale ran, 

i ... if I go, then ... lu loko awem tea

221 tani 

yamkeinaki tan... if the man just 

comes here to see us... (sem. 

domains: 9.2.5.2 - Clause 

conjunctions, 9.4.4.5 - 

Uncertain.) 

tan lijeiral ilire [ʼtən litʃeiʼrəl iʼlire] v 

feel contraction (before giving 

birth) tan lijeiral peilire feeling 

birth pangs (sem. domains: 

2.6.3.4 - Labor and birth pains.) 

tan nawel [ʼtən naʼwelə] n womb 

syn: tano. (sem. domains: 2.1.8.4 

- Female organs.) 

tana [təʼna] n sugarglider tana mi 

kija nolu ran the sugarglider is up 

high in the tree with webbed (feet) 

(sem. domains: 1.6.1.1.5 - 

Marsupial.) 

tanaeyale [tənaeʼyəle] v stretch out 

( ngers or hands, arms) lal 

taranaeyale stretch out arms wide 

(sem. domains: 7.3.4.5 - Actions 

of the hand.) 

tanaki n children ayalwa tanakim 

irkika pnakwanire father was sitting 

on the platform with the children 

gen: tan 1 . (sem. domains: 2.6.4.2 

- Child.) 

tanali [təʼnəli] n pandanus (yellow - 

use this word for both the tree 

and the fruit) loko tanali klarwom 

ple he went to pick pandanus loko 

tanalim pakikulwale he broke half 

of pandanus (sem. domains: 


tanalijwi [tənəliʼtʃwi] adj yellow 

momom mokuran wei, komo, 

tanalijwi some butter ies are red, 

(or) black, (or) yellow (sem. 

domains: 8.3.3.3 - Color.) 

tanalwa n their son gen: tan 1. (sem. 

domains: 4.1.9.1.4 - Son, 

daughter.) 

tane 2 v descend in height; disembark 

(from canoe) em woleija tea prane, 

ijoka we all just descended into the 

water lomko iki kijwal pran walire 

they disembarked from the canoe 

yar lomko prane the years went (lit: 

descended) nol tanwa blood will 

ow (lit: will descend) (sem. 

domains: 7.2.2.5 - Move down.) 

taneni [təʼneni] n pregnant eko 

tanenijwe she is pregnant (sem. 

domains: 2.6.3.1 - Pregnancy.) 

tani [ʼtəni] adj empty; old lokoka 

wala tani pakire his house stands 

empty/old (implied: it is falling

tanmul 222 

apart) tani tani old (men) (sem. 

domains: 8.4.6.5.4 - Old, not 

new.) 

tanmul [tən'mul] n young girl, 

younger than teen tanmul tija ple 

a young girl went (sem. domains: 

2.6.4.2 - Child.) 

tano [təʼno] n womb tan aro mariri, 

tano lok maem the child stays in the 

womb syn: tan nawel. (sem. 

domains: 2.1.8.4 - Female 

organs.) 

tanoke [təʼnoke] n your daughter 

amnaka tanoke your daughter 

(sem. domains: 4.1.9.1.4 - Son, 

daughter.) 

tanokwa [təʼnokwə] n your son 

(sem. domains: 4.1.9.1.4 - Son, 

daughter.) 

tanole n their daughter (sem. 

domains: 4.1.9.1.4 - Son, 

daughter.) 

tanpi tanpi [ʼtənpi ʼtənpi] n ant (sem. 


tanwalire [tanʼwəlire] v swamp (a 

boat because of too much 

weight) iki loko tea nakranwalire, 

pira olkim (lit: put in and down 

with) the canoe just was sinking 

from the heaviness of the sh 

tanwein [tənʼwein] n barren (use 

only after woman has had 

children or has taken medicine) 

eko tanwein lele she was barren 

(lit: walks barren) (sem. domains: 

2.6.3.8 - Fertile, infertile.) 

tanyano lu [tənʼjəno ʼlu] n son-in-law 

( rst person form) (sem. 

domains: 4.1.9.2.2 - In-law.) 

tao 2 [ʼtao] n bladder (sem. domains: 


tao inakire v trial (trying things out) 

loko wanowi tao inakinake he keeps 

trying di erent kinds of work (to 

see what he likes) 

taoko [ʼtaoko] n small, white stone 

(found in sand) [girls use these 

stones for playing the game of 

jacks] (sem. domains: 1.2.2.2 - 

Rock.) 

taole- 1 v carry piggy back loko lwaem 

taraole he may carry the pig on his 

back on tan lomom praolke I 

carried the child (on shoulders) on 

lum taorae I carry the (sick) man 

on my back er lwae lomom parpe 

yaram raolrre we again came north 

carrying the pig syn: lwae 1. (sem.

223 taplu taplu 

domains: 7.3.1 - Carry.) 

tapa- 1) v:mood prohibitive (verbal 

pre x used in imperative verb 

forms- most often said to a 

person's face, but it can be said 

to someone not present) tapale! 

do not go! eko pokokwame, "erma 

tarwan tapei" she said, "do not be 

happy about us" lu loko wanowi 

lomom tapo. paemari the man 

should not do that 2) simultaneous 

(verbal pre x used in declarative 

verb forms when the time of the 

marked event partially or fully 

overlaps with the time of the 

clause which follows. The verb 

with tapa- frequently is in a 

clause that ends the with a third 

person male possessive form 

lokok) loko tapkeinakire lokok... 

when he saw him... 

tapane [təʼpan] v hit repeatedly in 

anger iromu krapanwa hit 

repeatedly with a stick (in anger) 

(sem. domains: 7.7.1 - Hit.) 

tapeilwae lu n man who carries 

tapeilwae lu man who carries gen: 

lwae 1 . 

tapena [tapeʼna] n deep syn: lei 1. 

tapi [ʼtəpi] adj used up aura tapijwe 

the money is nished aura tapi 

arijwe money is already nished 

syn: nowae 1. 

taplaero n good smelling substance 

(made of bark - rub on body) 

taplam [təʼpləm] n hook-shaped 

pumpkin (sem. domains: 

5.2.3.1.3 - Food from 

vegetables.) 

taplu 1 [ʼtaplu] n food (from the 

garden or store, excludes sago) lu 

lomko em taplu awarpwole the men 

did not give us any food imami 

taplu popokuke feast taplu 

apujwoku the food is gone! 

(something you tell your children) 


from plants.) 

taplu laolo lwapna [ʼtaplu ʼlaolo 

ʼlwəpnə] exp food market lit: 

place to buy food; (sem. 

domains: 6.8.4.8 - Store, 

marketplace.) 

taplu porae lwapna [ʼtaplu poʼrae 

ʼlwəpnə] exp cupboard (for food) 

lit: place to put food (sem. 

domains: 5.2.1.4 - Food storage.) 

taplu taplu (comp.) n feast (sem.

taplure 224 

domains: 5.2.2.3 - Feast.) 

taplure 2 v cook (most general verb 

for cook); already cooked and 

ready to eat loko taplu aro taplure 

he cooks food like this syn: 

nakanirowe, naklowe, lirae 1. 


methods.) 

taporolae olli [taporoʼlae ʼolli] n 

need [these are things that are 

necessary for life like food, knife] 

tara- 1 [təʼra] v:pers benefactive 

verbal pre x onkwolia skul 

taralijapwa by myself I will pay 

school fees for (you) on ero kalim 

lali ro i aya parraowe whatever I 

say, my father does for me aya 

onma ewom manu lommom taraleli 

my father always nds wildfowl 

eggs for me (sem. domains: 

9.5.3.1 - Bene ciary (of a 

patient).) 

tara- 2 [ʼtərə] v:dx up (verbal deictic 

pre x) taraklolle send or hand up 

(like handing a hammer to 

someone on the roof) ne taworra 

you go up (onto porch above) 


up.) 

taraki no tan n person who learns 

sorcery taraki wole gave teaching 

about sorcery 

taraki taraki olli [təʼrəki təʼrəki 'olli] 

n magic thing (sem. domains: 

4.9.8 - Religious things.) 

taran [təʼran] n one of the evil 

spirits (aokwae) that you see in a 

dream - frequently comes to trick 



tarare [təʼrəre] v scare loko Devitlam 

taprarare lokok... when he scared 

Devit aokwae tarare spirit scares 

tarawei lu [taraʼwei ʼlu] n busybody 

(male) 

tarei [təʼrei] n sucker na tarei pellure 

sago shoots grow plenty [sucker or 

shoot of sago, banana, bamboo 

that come up right next to stalk 

(mapal) or send roots out away 

from stalk and then come up] 


plants.) 

tarou [təʼrou] n scrap of cloth 

lwarma tarou parpanakwarike wrap 

again with a scrap of cloth (sem. 

domains: 5.3.6 - Parts of 

clothing.)

225 te 

tarwan [tarʼwən] n happiness on 

kwolia wanirka tarwan ire I am 

happy by myself on the beach onka 

alku tarwan peire I am 

happy/agree (lit: my stomach is 

happy) on tarwan tapeire ran nowai 

tea I am very happy (sem. 

domains: 3.4.1.2 - Happy.) 

tarwan ijinke v greet/welcome with 

happiness - shown in face and 

words lomko lomom tarwan ijinke 

they greeted him syn: kelaliporae 

tarwan kali n greeting, thanks 

tarwan kail ija say thank you 

tarwani olli n reward (thing of 

happiness) loko onma tarwani 

ollim pnowe he gave me a reward 

tawae tawae [təʼwae təʼwae] v 

whistle (while sucking air in) 

syn: wore 1. (sem. domains: 


tawale 1 [təʼwal] v husk (coconut) on 

lir walum parawalprowe I husk the 

coconut skins lir walum karwallale 

husk the coconut skin 

karwallalepae husk plural coconuts 

(sem. domains: 5.2.1.2.1 - 


tawale 2 [təʼwəl] v go down incline, 

or into something like a hole 

nawi parawale, naripya the sago 

water goes down into the palm 

bark basket wala yapal kakeya 

parawale the house posts go down 

very far (deep) wala yapal kakeya 

ao tawale the house posts do not go 

down very far 

tawau [təʼwau] n ood ijo tawau 

powe loko tea peyalwelle wonake 

the ood water just was rising syn: 

wamujo. (sem. domains: 1.3.4 - 

Be in water.) 

tawauwijo [təʼwauwitʃo] n large 

beetle tawauwijo pounwane the 

beetle ies [the larvae of this 

large beetle are a delicacy] (sem. 


taweire [taʼwei] v celebrate by 

words, dance eko aru aro taweire 

she dances to celebrate ewolo 

nakiyaom taweire the bird of 

paradise celebrates (displays 

himself by dancing, etc) tanaki 

lomko peikame, "Aya tawei, tawei, 

tawei." the children said, "Father 

celebrate, celebrate, celebrate." 

(sem. domains: 4.2 - Social 

activity.) 

te [ʼte] adj holey (small holes);

tea 226 

breaking ewom loko te egg is 

breaking kap loko te, wolwae ari 

kire the cup has holes, there are 

already holes 

tea [teʼa] adv yet (verb phrase 

modi er that makes the verb 

more speci c) lu lomko aijan tea 

tinorae, wala ran awe the men just 

slept in the bush, without houses i 

welim tea pamkoprae and we just 

put the nets there on top em tea ple, 

tea ple, tea ple we just walked, just 

walked, and just walked 

teire v grow (used for plants only) 

yowi plan preire the grass grew on 

the hole (grave) loko aolia tei it 

grew by itself (not planted) popo 

wanma palijape, i wan loko 

parpakireire (he) threw a pawpaw 

seed, and the seed grew (sem. 


plants.) 

temalo [teʼmalo] n taro (red taro 

with lots of roots) temalo lokoka 

mara wei the taro's meat is red 


from roots.) 

tereya [tereʼya] adj bent mi maoko 

tereya tea parinake the tops of the 

trees were just bending over syn: 

klepeikaiwe. (sem. domains: 

8.3.1.5 - Bend.) 

tero [ʼtero] n greens (edible local 

greens -generic term) awom napa 

tero tan tawa do you want to eat 

sago jelly with greens? tero wapu 

withered greens tero apaulwo older 

greens tero momlo fresh greens tero 

mopu tender or budding greens 

spec: molujwan 1. (sem. domains: 


ti [ʼti] v is at (being verb that 

includes the position of laying 

at or resting but not on top of 

anything - wari means on top of 

something) emka aujwalamka 

wala kali aro ti our ancestors' 

stories remain on tija ao ri I do not 

have one alku aro kari insides (of a 

person) rest (are peaceful) tan loko 

tea pamkari the child just rested 

there kaoro kaoro nari the two 

groups are the same syn: wari 2. 

(sem. domains: 7.1.3 - Lie down, 

8.5.3 - Be at a place.) 

tija [tiʼtʃa] adj determiner noun 

marker lomko napu tija yare they 

came on a road tijan nan aro 

kokwame the other one also said 

tijalalile [titʃaʼləlile] v crawl aurke

227 tipra 

tarijalalile the lizard crawls (sem. 

domains: 7.2.1.1.2 - Crawl.) 

tijei [tiʼtʃei] n stone em na lommom 

tijeika lowa ran aro prae. we ate 

four sago (portions) (steamed) 

around stones amwapu iraoka tija 

le, tijei plaipai one girls' game is 

jacks (lit: catch stones) alku tijei 

powe stubborn (sem. domains: 

1.2.2.2 - Rock.) 

tijo na [ʼtijo ʼna] n sago (best kind) 

tijo na kokleyaumta, narip maku tea 

mwakinakwa tijo sago is very good 

(lit: bad), (it) just is lling up the 

bark basket (implied: quickly) 


from plants.) 

tinae v lay; sleep (with no reference 

to being on top of something) 

syn: wari 2. (sem. domains: 7.1.3 

- Lie down.) 

tinapu [tiʼnapu] n banana, type of 


from fruit.) 

tip 2 n palm tree eko tip pelwe she 

made a palm-sheath bag tip ao 

palm sheath bag (sem. domains: 

1.5.1 - Tree.) comp. narip comp. 

yolu tip 

tipia [ʼtipiə] adj one on kali tipia aro 

tea plake I just have one thing to 

ask lapliko apo tipia nire they now 

live as one (implied: harmony in 

marriage) (sem. domains: 

8.1.1.1.1 - One.) 

tipia tipia (redup) adj each am lu el 

tipia tipia tea nalwanire you just 

watch over each man and woman 

(sem. domains: 8.1.1 - Number.) 

tiplale [tiʼpləl] v evaluate; discern 

amnaka ameilu awerma aro 

kariplaleya your relatives will then 

decide between us em pira lol 

lwapnama kariplaltaerre we scouted 

a place for a sh dam then left em 

ari ni tiplalke I sat and evaluated 

inaki wanijo tiplalke see, hear and 

evaluate (sem. domains: 3.2.2.3 - 

Evaluate, test.) 

tiplulu [ʼtiplulu] n basket sticks 

(small ones that hold the bark 

basket tip together) 

tipra [tiʼpra] n palm, type of womi 

powe, i eyo tipra plujware eno nwae 

night came, and the bird slept 

inside the palm tree yolu tipra 

palm tree (sem. domains: 1.5.1 - 

Tree.)

tipraku 228 

tipraku [tiʼpraku] n at bark (made 

of palm sheath) almar lommom 

tipraku popolupae lled up the 

poison vines in the at bark (sem. 


tir [ʼtirə] n bark lir tir coconut shell 

na tiram pelae removed the sago 

tree bark walwa tijaka tiram peine 

another day section o more bark 


plant.) comp. walwan tir 

tiraeri olli n treasure 

tirali [tiʼrəli] n 1) owering stalk (of 

wor, a type of wild sugarcane) 


plant.) 2) arrow 

tiramli [tiʼrəmli] n hand drum lu 

womika tiramli pakame the men hit 

the hand drums at night wowi nako 

tiramli a hand drum for secret 

dances [made of a hollowed 

section of round wood usually 

with a handle and designs, with 

the covering of snake or lizard 

skin] (sem. domains: 4.2.3.5 - 

Musical instrument.) 

to 1 [ʼto] n pulp naro pith of sago 

pakapiplale tamnae e, to alwa 

pakimarle, i to alwa arpwalwalnake 

nished splitting, cut the pulp, and 

with an ax scraping out the pulp 

again (sem. domains: 1.5.5 - Parts 

of a plant.) 

to 2 [ʼto] adj maybe (dubitative mood 

particle that occurs after nouns, 

modi ers, and at the end of 

phrases to express doubt) lwae 

ari ili ro maybe the pig already 

died... kinalim to, i napanim to 

maybe a bandicoot, maybe another 

animal apo ro, ewaleya ro maybe 

today, maybe tomorrow (sem. 

domains: 9.4.4.5 - Uncertain.) 

tok [ʼtok] n oor plate (of house) 

(sem. domains: 6.5.2.3 - Floor.) 

toklu [ʼtoklu] n shore (soft ground 

near water) mijwan ijo tokluka 

pnakwokinake seeds are close to 

the water wala le, ijo tokluka there 

is the house, on the edge of the 

river (sem. domains: 1.3.1.5 - 

Island, shore.) 

tol [ʼtol] n stick (for thatch, or 

woven blind walling) 

tolwae v kill (snake) on apo aorolwae 

I cannot kill (the snake) now (sem. 

domains: 6.4.6 - Things done to 

animals.) 

tome v extinguish ( re) el akaenim

229 towaelopu 

ijoya pakromtae a woman puts out 

the burning coals with water (sem. 

domains: 5.5.3 - Extinguish a 

re.) comp. kapaeromtae 

tomke v fall (the action of night 

beginning) womi tija promke e, i 

parpamaplane the night fell, and it 

dawned again (sem. domains: 

8.4.1.2.1 - Night.) 

tomtomya [ʼtomtomʼya] adv still; 

sti lal tomtomya arpwakinake the 

hand is still sti -straight lu loko 

tomtomya aro kire the man stands 

still (while hunting) (sem. 


disease, 7.2.7.1 - Stop moving.) 

tomu [ʼtomu] n small bat tomu 

mijwae warmaem wamlaenake the 

bats are hanging under the leaves 

(sem. domains: 1.6.1.1.8 - Bat.) 

tonae v tie (with rope or vine) imae 

plapirke, imae lomom pronae cut 

and pull out the vine and tie the 

vine (around the snake to pull it) 

syn: wari 1 . (sem. domains: 7.5.4 

- Tie.) 

tontaone [tonʼtaone] adv deformed 

(not well-grown - use for tree, 

food, etc when soil is bad – not 

for people) taplu tontaone we, nu 

nae pelwale lomom the food did not 

grow well, because the ground did 

not have any nutrients (lit: had no 

grease) syn: keijei. (sem. 

domains: 1.5.7 - Plant diseases.) 

toupa il (comp.) n oozing sore 

pokulouk il wariale the body is 

covered with sores (sem. domains: 

2.5.2.2 - Skin disease.) 

toure v 1) stop (by itself); clot 

waolweli lao tan aro kroure the 

wind and rain stopped mae, lao 

takrouja? awo, loko ar takiraerire 

might the rain stop? no, it just 

continues nol loko aro touraeyarle 

the blood will certainly clot ir touke 

re stopped (at a certain point) nu 

popleyae, i ijo aro weiraroujwakale 

put all the ground (to make a dam) 

and then the water stops (sem. 

domains: 7.2.7.1 - Stop moving.) 

2) clear (cut little bushes in 

garden) syn: krul. (sem. 


towae [toʼwae] n small cockroach 


towaelopu n big cockroach lomom 

towaelopu aro ijamtouke the 

cockroach bit o some (of his skin)

towe 230 


towe 3 v make road (large new road 

for vehicles, etc) napum kapou 

towe make a new highway 

tapeyakrowe clear the road rst 

syn:. (sem. domains: 6.5.4.1 - 

Road.) 

towiarowi [towiaʼrowi] n carrying 

strap wom towiarowi lomom 

arpeyaknaliraeyam, ki maem you 

must hang the strap up high (so I 

can hang my foot) [made from 

bark of imae tree] (sem. domains: 

6.7.3 - Carrying tool.) 

tronku [ʼtronku] n next to (the place 

of being next to something else - 

use for people or things being 

next to each other; also use when 

votes for two people are very 

close) onka lipal kinali tranku 

lokoka aro tane my foot came 

down right next to the bandicoot 

walwa mi maoko trankuka 

paramwokire lokoka when the sun's 

rays are next to the tree tops 

awerka irno irno kani tranku tranku 

naklele our beliefs go next to our 

lives (sem. domains: 8.5.5 - 

Spatial relations.) 

trorro [ʼtrorəro] n small pieces balira 

trorro tea aro waliroprowe the 

plane just broke apart in little 

pieces ta trorro ari laroupae the 

meat was already cut into little 

pieces 

trowia [ʼtrowiə] adv slowly; 

carefully (verbal modi er) trowia 

aro kakija, trowia ple (I) slowly 

stood and slowly went trowia 

trowia lele limp syn: ekaeyole. 

(sem. domains: 9.2.2 - Adverbs.) 

trowia trowia lele v go slowly, go 

carefully syn: ikaeyole. 

tumein [tuʼmein] n lemon Citrus 

aurantifolia (sem. domains: 


tweplu [ʼtweplu] n vine, type of on 

tweplum plapirke I cut and pulled 

out a vine (sem. domains: 1.5.3 - 


tweplukoko [twepluʼkoko] n possum, 

type of (sem. domains: 1.6.1.1.5 - 

Marsupial.) 

twoukijwau n healing thing of the 

ancestors used to heal a lot of 

people (sem. domains: 4.9.8 - 

Religious things.)

231 ulwae 

ulanir [uʼlwənirə] adj green color 

(only used for limited objects) 

nanarolu pokulou ulanir the frog's 

skin is green (sem. domains: 

8.3.3.3 - Color.) 

ulapu [uʼlwapu] n afternoon (the 

time between when the sun starts 

going down and it gets totally 

dark) em ple, ulapuka we went in 

the afternoon (sem. domains: 

8.4.1.2.3 - Time of the day.) 

ulapu nakli [uʼlapu nəkli] n later 

afternoon, 5-6 pm (sem. 

domains: 8.4.1.2.3 - Time of the 

day.) 

ulapu walwa [uʼlapu wəlʼwa] n mid- 

afternoon (time when the sun is 

low 4 pm) ulapu walwaka at the 

mid afternoon (sem. domains: 


ulapu wamli [uʼlapu ʼwəmli] n after 

sunset, about 6 pm when only 

some light is left ulapu wamli 

U u 

powe it was after sunset (lit: 

afternoon dark) syn: uleyanae, 

mijwae pomouleyane. (sem. 


day.) 

uleyanae [ulejaʼnae] v become dark 

(in the afternoon) mijwae tea 

pomouleyanae leaves too dark to 

see (late afternoon) syn: ulapu 

wamli . (sem. domains: 8.4.1.2.3 

- Time of the day.) 

ulli n thing syn: olli. 

ulwa [uʼlwa] n pouch; sling for baby 

lwaip tanaki alomka ulwaka naklele 

possum o spring are carried in 

their own pouch (sem. domains: 

1.6.2.5 - Parts of small animals.) 

ulwae [uʼlwae] v wall in (a house) 

aya aolo awarka ulwaeya father 

has not walled (the house) in yet 

ne anwarka wamoulwa 

weiroupropae you make walls 

inside (sem. domains: 6.5.1.5 -

ulwaki keikeiyale 232 

Fence, wall.) 

ulwaki keikeiyale [uʼlwaki 

keikeiʼjəle] v shake o (shake or 

rub with feet - like getting dirt 

o feet or shoes) 

ulwaki leyakle [uʼlwaki lejəkle] v 

convulse; thrash (legs - like an 

animal does when it dies) 

ulwaki pariyaenae [uʼlwəki pəriʼjae] 

v slip o (feet slip o of 

something) loko lwae pli laplimom 

tea pomoulwaki pariyaenae he (his 

feet) just slipped o the two pigs 

ulwaki polwaelale [uʼlwəki 

polwaeʼləle] v turn ankle (while 

walking) 

ulwakijwaonae [uʼlwakitʃwaonae] v 

complain; defend (by denial) nuk 

aya loko onma toulwakijwaonae the 

landowner complained about me 

(trespassing) syn: lalou kali. 

ulwakikaniyae [uʼlwakikəniyae] v 

straddle (something between 

your legs) ulwakikaniyae straddle 

syn: ulwakipareire. 

ulwakilone [uʼlwakiʼlone] v squeeze 

with feet [Namia people use this 

verb to describe how people in 

Western Province process sago 

with their feet] 

ulwakipareire [uʼlwakiʼparei] v 

straddle (something with your 

legs) ulwakipareire straddle syn: 

ulwakikaniyae . 

ulwakirane [uʼlwakiʼran] v break o 

(with the foot) ulwakiranke break 

o with foot 

ulwakirarwa ure [uʼlwakirarwau] v 

hold-cut (hold with your legs and 

cut something) aya aolia lwae 

lomom lipalya poulwakirarwa ure 

father by himself held the pig 

between his legs and cut it up 

ulwakire [uʼlwəki] v stamp (break 

with one's foot) on kinalim 

koulakirerele I started to stamp on 

the bandicoot onka lipal aro 

ulakiwalire my leg broke lots of 

holes (in something) (lit: stamp 

and put in plural) 

ulwakiromkure [uʼlwakiromku] v 

smash (and kill with foot) 

takulwakiromkure smash and kill 

with foot 

ulwakirwarae [uʼlwəkirəwara] v 

stand on (hold something down 

with foot) 

ulwakitarwarae [uʼlwakiʼtərwaʼrae] v

233 unwanporae 

cover (with foot) takulwaki 

tarawarae cover something with 

foot 

ulwaklirya [ulwaklirja] adv moving; 

alive 

ulwao [uʼlwao] n algae; moss (grows 

in water) (sem. domains: 1.5.4 - 

Moss, fungus, algae.) 

ulwaoko lwae [uʼlwaoko ʼlwae] 

(comp. of lwae 3) v smear lomko 

elweli ulwaoko tan pakinake, i 

aurpal lomom pwowale they were 

standing with ashes smeared on 

them and wearing nose rings mo 

tanka li naweim ulwaokopolae 

mother cleans up the child's feces 

un [ʼunə] n mushroom eko un ari lipe 

she already picked mushrooms 

(sem. domains: 1.5.4 - Moss, 

fungus, algae.) 

un un [ʼun ʼun] n small noise un 

unya wanipae hear only a small 

noise (sem. domains: 2.3.2.3 - 


unae [uʼnae] v jump over; pull out 

kounaele jumps over (like a 

wallaby jumps over a dog) 

unaepapaol v move around lwaip mi 

ki kija unwae papaole the bandicoot 

moved around up high in the tree 

loko onka alo warnama pounaeke 

he (dentist) pulled out my cheek 

(skin) 

unane [uʼnwan] v y eyo mijali kija 

unannakwa the bird will be ying 

up to the tree branch eyo aro 

unanprowe the birds ew up 

together eko aro kounanlale she 

then ew away (sem. domains: 


unanwowe [unwanʼwo] v y up 

...ewonni aro unwanwowe i naki 

mapa kik pamkounwanporae the 

crested pigeon ew up and out and 

landed there on the top of a vine 

loop (sem. domains: 1.6.4.1 - 

Animal movement.) 

unne [unne] adj dry mi unne powe 

loko rewood that is completely 

dry 

unonnae [unonʼnae] v block; trap 

inside (like trapping an animal 

inside a hollow log) 

unwanlarpae [unwənlərpae] v y- 

hop (as crickets, birds, frogs do) 


movement.) 

unwanporae [unwanpoʼrae] v y-

unweire 234 

land eyo maokraeka unwanporae 

the bird ew and landed on top of 

the porch ewonni aro unwanwowe i 

naki mapa kik pamkounwanporae 

the crested pigeon ew up and out 

and landed there on the top of a 

vine loop (sem. domains: 1.6.4.1 - 

Animal movement.) 

unweire [uʼnwei] v make hunting 

blind na pakakijale i pouneire fell a 

sago tree, and make a pig blind 

[Namia people make a one sided 

blind with holes to watch for and 

shoot a pig. It is made of sticks 

and leaves.] (sem. domains: 6.4.1 

- Hunt.) 

upei [uʼpei] n taro (white taro with 

lots of roots) on upei tija pnawe I 

dug up a taro (sem. domains: 


upli uplija [ʼupli upliʼja] adv shaking 

amna miroku upli uplija lwele you 

shake when walking on top of the 

bridge syn: ironure. (sem. 

domains: 7.2.1.5 - Walk with 

di culty.) 

ur 1 [ʼurə] n areca nut loko ur lomom 

peyawowe i peirweke he climbed a 

areca tree and broke o a (branch 

of nuts) on ur inaplakane, tipia 

tipia I pick o one areca nut at a 

time urki areca nut meat (sem. 

domains: 5.2.6 - Stimulant.) 

ur 2 [ʼurə] n garden emka ur peyarmari 

our garden is up north on ur 

wanowim powe I did garden work 

spec: urakla. (sem. domains: 6.2 

- Agriculture.) 

ura n beauty walwa ura rane sun goes 

down in beauty(red) (implied: this 

is a sign of something good) syn: 

kraleya. (sem. domains: 8.3.8.2 - 

Glory.) 

urae v dress in special clothes, 

traditionally done before ghting 

(sem. domains: 5.3.4 - Clothes 

for special occasions.) 

urakla [uʼraklə] n old, unused 

garden em urkla maem 

peyamkakire we arrived here at the 

old garden gen: ur 2. (sem. 

domains: 6.2 - Agriculture.) 

ure 1 v defecate tanaki li poupae the 

children defecated loko lijure he 

defecates (sem. domains: 2.2.8 - 

Defecate, feces.) 

ure 2 v cut up (meat); cut o (hair, 

animal head) on ta lomom poure I 

butchered the meat loko makujwae

235 wa 

takure he shaves his hair loko wal 

wokijwaem pakujwale he shaved o 

his beard weirou makujwalma 

kweiroumkure the bush knife cut 

o (the snake's) head syn: 

kapaowale, uroure. (sem. 


urke [ʼurək] v catch (a young animal 

in order to raise it) loko lwae 

kokro kakna lomom pourke, aoya 

pokraele he caught a small pig to 

raise, (and) put it in a string bag 

urlwae [urəʼlwa] v cut-carry 

urlwalu [urʼlwalu] n banana ower 

(the white and brown ower of 

the banana) nar urlwalu ower of 

banana (sem. domains: 1.5.5 - 


urlweine [urəʼlwein] v cut open (and 

remove); scarify (use for surgery 

and for cutting open pig to gut) 

wa 2 [ʼwa] v shine; illuminate on 

tosma pakike popo i ijo maem 

powainakire I got the torch and 

looked into the water by 

W w 

pourlweinprowe scarify (sem. 


uro [ʼuro] n portion (food) Alai lu 

tauro yamnonae an Alai man here 

gave me a piece of meat uro uro 

small portion (sem. domains: 5.2 - 

Food.) 

uroure v cut o part of something 

kouroujale cut o part (of 

something) loko onka pinalma aro 

uriprowe he (dentist) scraped my 

teeth syn: ure 2. (sem. domains: 

7.8.3 - Cut.) 

urpaowe v blossom mi aklarapi 

pwowale popo i aro urpaowe the 

tree blossomed and then owered 

mijwan urpao lommom aro 

nakramparre put owers (on the 

grave) and then leave (sem. 


plants.) 

illuminating (it) on piram 

powaenpae popo i peilonpae I saw 

the sh (inside water) and speared 

them syn: kraleya.

wa- 236 

wa- 3 [ʼwa] v:adverb distant time 

(verbal pre x distant future or 

distant past tense) ayalam pwaowi 

aro tapeyaklele you must not follow 

the fathers' customs from the 

distant past emka enenijwal tanaki 

waninakwa, na lomom our 

grandchildren will wait for the sago 

in the distant future (sem. 

domains: 8.4 - Time.) der. waire 

-wa 4 [̤wə] v:mood irrealis (verbal 

su x for irrealis and used to 

make in nitive forms) on lokoka 

wanowim arpowa I will again do 

his work am nan takeinakija you 

also must see ne maeya? what will 

you do? em marasin tawam taleya 

we may go to drink medicine em 

pira lujwam ple we went to get sh 

(by damming a river) (sem. 

domains: 9.4.4.5 - Uncertain.) 

wae [ʼwae] n seed (used in 

necklaces) loko mijwan waem tija 

nakika pokolwaeyare he hung a 

seed necklace around his neck 


plant, 5.4.1 - Jewelry.) 

wae 1 v go in/out; go east/west (the 

direction of movement depends 

on location of speaker) on pwaele 

I started going in em arkok waeya, 

o s anwarya right then we went in, 

into the o ce awae go in! naki 

lomom maruka aro waenakwa... as 

the vine is going inside the sh 

basket... loko nakwae he went west 

with (his family to Aiendami) lu 

lomko wakakire the men stood east 

(on east side of the river) tana loko 

mi aujwauka wamwaniri 

sugarglider always lives inside 

holes in trees kinali enom wamari 

nwae the bandicoot sleeps inside (a 

nest) lwepan tea pwamirnae the 

animal ran out ant: ware 1. (sem. 

domains: 7.2.2 - Move in a 

direction.) comp. wamanire 

wai [ʼwai] n snake wai eyom wanipo 

wolwan maem kike a snake got the 

bird's neck with (his) tail wai lipal 

lal namia a snake has no legs or 

arms spec: waronu, warpaki. 

(sem. domains: 1.6.1.3.1 - 

Snake.) 

wainapu [waiʼnapu] adj blue color 

(sem. domains: 8.3.3.3 - Color.) 

waire (der. of wa- 3, ire predict) v 

said long ago kali pwaire said 

long ago 

wakei [waʼkei] n big white heron

237 wala 


wakewa [wakeʼwa] n black cockatoo 

wakewa loko komo liraniawe the 

black cockatoo is completely black 

wakewaka makwanir the black 

cockatoo's crest (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.2 - Bird.) 

waki [ʼwəki] adj six (sem. domains: 

8.1.1.1 - Cardinal numbers.) 

waki 1 [ʼwaki] n full stomach awem 

waki lomom krae that is how we ll 

up (our stomachs) (sem. domains: 

5.2.2.6 - Satiated, full.) 

waki 2 [ʼwaki] n spear stick, type of 


wakip [ʼwakip] n plank am mi wakip 

kar lommom ponure you got many 

planks na wakipae split sago tree 


plant, 6.5.3 - Building materials.) 

wakiran [wəkiʼrən] n other side loko 

onma tanali wakiran lomom nowe 

he gave me one side of the 

pandanus lomko emka ollim 

nakalewale, wakiran mokuja they 

took our things to the other side to 

dry ground (sem. domains: 

8.5.1.7 - Inde nite location, 

8.6.3 - Side.) 

wakraele v push inside (a hole) (var 

of krae) 

wakri [ʼwakri] n 1) paddle 2) raft 

wal 3 [ʼwal] adv from (noun phrase 

modi er) ne mar wal yar? on aijan 

wal yare. where did you come 

from? I came from the bush loko 

eno nwa wal pakanakire he woke 

up from sleeping comp. walwam 

wal 4 [ʼwalə] adj brown color (of pigs 

and tree bark) (sem. domains: 

8.3.3.3 - Color.) 

-wal 6 [̤ 

̤ʼwəl] v:num plural (for motion 

verbs) em plewale we all are going 

lomko larawoum aro yamirwalnae 

they came running here in fear 

wal kali n custom; myth emka 

aujwalamka walkali nan aro ti our 

grandfather's custom also remains 

on apo walkali tija ija I will now 

tell you a myth (sem. domains: 

3.5.4.1 - Fable, myth, 3.5.4.6 - 


wala n house; place (no distinction 

for di erent sizes of villages or 

towns) spec: lirwala. (sem. 

domains: 4.6.7.2 - City, 6.5.1.1 - 

House.) comp. naewowal wala

wala napu lar 238 

wala napu lar (comp. of ) n doorway 

(sem. domains: 6.5.2.4 - Door.) 

wala napu maku (comp. of ) n front 

of house 

wala olli n common thing in contrast 

to something special or holy - no 

evil connotation (sem. domains: 

8.3.5.3.1 - Usual.) 

wala takla [wəʼla ʼtəkla] n side of 

house (sem. domains: 6.5.2.1 - 

Wall.) 

wala wala [wəʼla wəʼla] n everyone 

Aiirawe wala wala ple everyone 

from Aiirawe went (sem. domains: 

8.1.5.4 - Most, almost all.) 

walaka 1 n medium strong wind syn: 

molu 2. (sem. domains: 1.1.3.1 - 

Wind.) Lawo area uses for molu 2 

walakleya [wəʼləkleja] adv visible 

(not hidden) olli walakleya kakire 

the thing is visible 

walalao lu n person with authority 

that you are related to, or have 

something in common with syn: 

lakakau lu. 

walalari [waləʼləri] v lays at (as a 

snake does) apo aro pae walalari, 

wai maip loko now leave it lay 

here, this big snake 

walalip [waləlip] n daughter-in-law 

(father-in-law uses this term) eko 

onka tanka walalip she is my 

daughter-in-law (lit: my son's wife) 

syn: yakilwe . (sem. domains: 

4.1.9.2.2 - In-law.) 

walamaku [wəlaʼmaku] n another 

place, not your own walamaku 

tija lu man of another place 

[Namia terms make no 

distinction for size of place like 

village, town, city, country; 

distinction in terms is based on 

where a person is from] (sem. 

domains: 4.6.7.2 - City.) 

walan [wəʼlan] n place Ewalo walan 

paeka near the place of Ewalo river 

walapi [waʼləpi] n point of land (in 

body of water) em walapi lomom 

pnakle kwolnae we went around the 

point (sem. domains: 1.2.1 - 

Land.) 

walapir [wəʼlapirə] n yard - clear 

area around a house syn: 

lolwou. (sem. domains: 8.5.4.1 -

239 wali 

Vicinity.) 

wale v go down (an incline) (sem. 

domains: 7.2.2.5 - Move down.) 

wale 1 v steam (food in wrapped 

leaves or a hole in the ground) 

eko ta wale she steams meat em 

piram mik pamwalpae we steamed 

some sh there on the re (sem. 


methods.) 

wale 2 [ʼwəl] v sweep (dirt from the 

ground or oor with a broom- 

type instrument) eko walam 

tawale she may be sweeping the 


Sweep, rake.) 

wale 5 v lay egg ewom loko ari wale 

the eggs were already laid (sem. 

domains: 1.6.3.1 - Egg.) 

walei [wəʼlei] adj long on ao 

yawowe, mi walei maip powe lomo I 

could not climb up, because the 

tree was tall emaku lokoka namal 

maru i walwokijal walei the 

hornbill's upper and lower beaks 

are long manirama onono walei 

walei the cray sh's feelers are 

really long ant: larkou. (sem. 

domains: 8.2.2 - Long.) 

waleija [wəʼleitʃa] adj all lomko 

waleija peyare they all came (sem. 


walelo [wəʼlelo] n sago twirler 

(short stick about the size of a 

pencil used to twirl sago jelly 

into portions) (sem. domains: 6.7 

- Tool.) 

wali 1 [ʼwəli] n nest (of animal or 

bird) kworol loko wali namia the 

kookaburra has no nest (sem. 

domains: 1.6.5 - Animal home.) 

wali 2 [ʼwəli] n shield used by 

ancestors for protection when 

ghting loko yao walim pakeinae 

he put the ghting shield (in the 

ground while ghting) ayalam 

pijaki yao pwaopae lokoka, lomko 

wali lok ran wi when our fathers 

fought long ago, they always did it 

with shields yao wali pakrowenae a 

ghting shield covers/protects 

(sem. domains: 6.7.6 - Holding 

tool.) 

wali 3 [ʼwali] n ironwood tree (used 

for house posts and canoe 

paddles) wali kilwalpae i iram 

lupai (we) split ironwood and 

make paddles wh: yapal; syn: 

akan. (sem. domains: 1.5.1 -

walija nu 240 

Tree.) 

walija nu [ʼwalitʃa ʼnu] n valley; 

atland (sem. domains: 1.2.1.4 - 

Valley.) 

walijaki v funny walijaki jonae lu a 

man who is funny (sem. domains: 

4.2.7 - Play, fun.) 

walijwali kali [ʼwaliʼtʃwali ʼkali] n 

empty promise (talk that resolves 

an issue but may be telling a lie 

to do so - like an evil spirit who 

seems to do good, but only for 

the purpose of tricking) syn: 

eyalwo kike . (sem. domains: 

3.5.5 - Foolish talk.) 

walijwi 4 [ʼwəli] adv wrong behavior 

or trouble-making (always in 

motion - can imply good or bad 

actions) loko kiolele, i peilire i em 

peikame, aolo walijwire he 

committed sexual sin and died, so 

we say, he did wrong (so he died) 

ar loko taplewe lokoka wali wali 

wiri when the dog moves around, 

(it) always is in motion wali wali 

jonai tan active (implied: 

troublesome) child walijwi namia 

plele lu a man who is not 

troublesome awem aro aro wanowi 

kokleyau walijwire we are busily 

doing all kinds of bad things loko 

wali poraerire he continued to do 

wrong syn: kwekwao, 

aokwaoka, lol lele. (sem. 

domains: 4.3.6.1 - Lack self- 

control.) 

walinalirwar [waliʼnəlirəʼwar] n pre- 

dawn (the time when it is still 

foggy) (sem. domains: 8.4.1.2.3 - 


walirae [wəlirae] n afterbirth syn: 

loupali 1. (sem. domains: 2.1.8 - 


walire 5 [ʼwəli] v put in (plural) 

lomko yapal ari walirpleyae they 

already put in all the posts ne maru 

walire? did you put the sh baskets 

in? elam napal walire they shook 

hands lomko waraowalire they hunt 

from tree to tree syn: klare 1. (sem. 

domains: 7.3.2.6 - Put in.) comp. 

napaewalire 

walireine v strum (guitar) eko gita 

yamkwalireine she came strumming 

the guitar (sem. domains: 4.2.3.2 

- Play music.) 

walirpaowe [wəlirəʼpao] v touch 

(place hands on plural people) 

walirpaowe place hands on plural

241 walmaku 

people (sem. domains: 7.3.4.1 - 

Touch.) 

walirprae [ʼwəlirəʼprae] v put hand 

(singular - on something or on 

someone) (sem. domains: 7.3.4.1 

- Touch.) 

walirwakle [ʼwəlirəʼwakle] v cough 

woklar tawalirwakle cough from a 

cold walirwakla nanowe continue 

coughing (sem. domains: 2.2.2 - 

Cough, sneeze.) 

walirwene [ʼwəlirəʼwen] v break (for 

person's bone or for tree 

breaking) on kwalka lalma aro 

kwalirwene I broke my own arm 

(sem. domains: 7.9 - Break, wear 

out.) 

walirya kali n calm talk even though 

angry walirya walirya(we)! calm 

down! Pita lu aoloka lirma pijou 

powe lomom walirya kalim aro 

kokwame... Pita said calmly to the 

man who stole his coconuts... On 

olki tan panakale, ar kali kapou 

awarka arpeire. On walirya kalija 

ire. I went with a problem, but did 

not shout. I talked only calmly. 

(sem. domains: 3.5.1.1.2 - Speak 

quietly.) 

waliyaowe [wəliʼjao] v menstruate 

eko waliyaowe she is menstruating 


blood.) 

walkali [ʼwal ʼkali] n custom; 

instructions such as a father gives 

to sons, a story that someone 

saw happen, and then passes the 

story on on apo walkali tija ija I 

will now tell you a legend on tanma 

walkali peire I told my child our 

customs (about marriage) syn: 

aujea kali, milira kali, aujwa 

kali. (sem. domains: 3.5.4.6 - 


walkeija le [walʼkeiya ʼle] v tiptoe 

loko walkeija lele he tiptoes (on hot 

stones or hot path) (sem. domains: 

7.2.1 - Manner of movement.) 

walkeiya nire v squat (on haunches) 

(sem. domains: 7.1 - Posture.) 

walko [ʼwalko] n ginger root syn: 

loupali 3. (sem. domains: 


wallaowe v respect tanaki ayalwalam 

wal paelao children must respect 

their fathers (sem. domains: 4.3.4 

- Do good to.) 

walmaku [wəlʼmaku] n root (of the 

cane vine) (sem. domains: 1.5.5 -

walmu 242 


walmu [ʼwalmu] n strand (of fern or 

grass) lalpoku aeni walmu lowa ran 

arm band has four strands (sem. 


walne [ʼwəlne] n pigeon, type of 


walo [ʼwalo] n butcher bird 

paplaneyale i walo kali awarpeire 

(it was) daylight, and the butcher 

bird did not sing more (sem. 


walowei [waloʼwei] adj clear; 

Caucasian on walowei lulam 

peyamakikare I brought the 

European men here lokoka pokulou 

waloweijwe his skin is clear (white) 

ijo walowei clear water (sem. 


walpei kakla lu [ʼwəlpei ʼkəklə ʼlu] n 

hunter [most Namia men would 

be described as hunters] (sem. 


walpeire [wəlʼpei] v shoot plural 

things loko eyom walpeire he shot 

some birds syn: elakire. (sem. 


walpli [walʼpli] adj seven (sem. 


numbers.) 

walu [ʼwalu] n 1) skin (of plant ); 

body (dead) lomko walum 

pakeinakire they saw the body wit 

walum weipokulwae take o wheat 

skins (husks) [after dead body has 

been in grave, use nwoki - don't 

call a pig's dead body walu, but 

only nwoki] syn: nwoki 1. (sem. 

domains: 1.5.5 - Parts of a plant, 

2.1 - Body.) 2) rolled-up grass 

skirt (worn after childbirth) eko 

walu naklele she wears a grass skirt 

(sem. domains: 5.3.2 - Women's 

clothing.) 

walwa [ʼwəlwa] n sun; day walwa 

pijakijwal the rst day (Monday) 

walwa lowa arile after four days 

(lit: four days went) aya, walwa li 

pweipolele father, the sun is shining 

(implied: a new day) walwa nan 

pakalijaple the rst rays of the sun 

also came up (lit: sun throws) 

walwa kik peyamlwele, on na ao 

weire the sun it too hot (1-3 pm) 

(lit: sun moved high), (therefore) I 

cannot make sago walwa peirrolele 

sun has started to cool (at any time 

of day) (sem. domains: 1.1.1 - 

Sun, 8.4.1.2 - Day.)

243 walwa pokujwali 

walwa ari plane n early morning, 6 

am (sem. domains: 8.4.1.2.3 - 


walwa ipir kapou n noon walwa ipir 

kapou arowe noon - sun's heat is a 

lot (sem. domains: 8.4.1.2.3 - 


walwa ipir powile n mid-morning, 10 

am walwa ipir powile the sun 

started to get hot (sem. domains: 


walwa kik peyamwokire n mid- 

morning, 9-10 am walwa kik 

peyamwokire lokoka... when it was 

mid-morning (9-10 am)... (sem. 


day.) 

walwa kolire n early afternoon, 1-2 

pm walwa kolire 1-2 pm the sun 

has moved down walwa tea 

pamkolire after midday (lit: sun 

just fell down) (sem. domains: 


walwa maoko kika n noon em plare, 

walwak maoko kika we came north 

at noontime (lit: sun high on top) 

(sem. domains: 8.4.1.2.3 - Time 

of the day.) 

walwa nijwo lwapna [ʼwəlwa ʼnitʃwo 

ʼlwəpnə] n east walwa nijwo 

lwapna maem in the east (lit: place 

where the sun sits) (sem. domains: 

8.5.2 - Direction.) 

walwa pakijou n 1) shadow made by 

the sun (sem. domains: 1.1.1 - 

Sun.) 2) hand watch (sem. 


walwa paralele n morning, 7 am 


of the day.) 

walwa pijakijwal n Monday walwa 

pijakijwal the rst day (Monday 

for Namia people) (sem. domains: 

9.7.3 - Name of a thing.) 

walwa pokowae n morning - 7 am 


of the day.) 

walwa pokowae yowiyawe n 

morning, 8-9 am walwa pokowae 

yowiyawe 8-9 am the sun's shining 

is completely visible (sem. 


day.) 

walwa pokujwali n mid-afternoon, 3 

pm, when the sun has cooled 

some walwa pokujwali powe lokoka 

when the sun had cooled (at 3 pm) 

(sem. domains: 8.4.1.2.3 - Time

walwa tereya kwo... 244 

of the day.) 

walwa tereya kwokire n early 

afternoon, 1-2 pm walwa tereya 

kwokire 1-2 pm the sun stands up 

at an angle (sem. domains: 


walwa tir [walwa tir] n sky walwa tir 

aolia cloudless sky (sem. domains: 

1.1 - Sky.) 

walwaeni [wəlʼwaeni] n sunshine 

takwem walwaenika pakrae popo, i 

akli powe (you) put tobacco in the 

sun, and (it) dries on pae powe 

loko, on walwaeni maip tea aro 

manire when I was sick, I just sat 

in the hot sunshine (sem. domains: 

1.1.1 - Sun.) 

walwaenijon [wəlʼwaeniʼtʃon] n 

shelter (from the sun) (sem. 


houses.) 

walwaerna n newborn nol walwaerna 

tan newborn (sem. domains: 

2.6.4.1 - Baby.) 

walwaki [waʼlwəki] n chin (the esh 

not the bone) (sem. domains: 

2.1.1.4 - Mouth.) comp. 

walwakijwae 

walwakijal [wəlwəkiʼtʃələ] n jaw; 

voice loko aolo tea knaewaowe, 

walwakijalma he himself just 

opened (the pig's) jaw 

walwakijalka taironure the voice 

may waver (lit: shake) (when 

scared) niroluka makujwala, 

walwakijal kapou an owl's head 

and beak are big (sem. domains: 

2.1.1.4 - Mouth, 3.5.1.1 - Voice.) 

walwakijwae (comp. of walwaki, 

ewae 2) n beard (sem. domains: 

2.1.1 - Head.) 

walwam [wəlʼwəm] (comp. of wal 3, 

-wom) n out of nam ijo walwam 

pakeijalporae pulled the sago out of 

the water and put on top (dry 

ground) loko kali lomom mar 

walwam kike? from where did he 

get this talk? (sem. domains: 8.5.2 

- Direction.) 

walwam ijale v waste time lomko 

walwam taijal raerire they kept 

wasting time (sem. domains: 

6.1.2.4.1 - Careless, 

irresponsible.) 

walwan [wəʼlwən] n front of neck; 

voice pipe loko amnaka walwanka 

imae pronae he tied a rope around 

your neck walwan pila warwal 

sound that comes from back of

245 wamu 

throat (sem. domains: 2.1.1 - 

Head.) see walwan pujwapujwe 

comp: walwan tir 

walwan pujwapujwe (ph. v. of 

walwan, pujwapu dry throat) v 

throat is dry loko walwan 

pujwapujwe his throat is dry 

(lit:throat is sti ) (sem. domains: 

2.5.6 - Symptom of disease.) 

walwan tir (comp. of walwan, tir 

windpipe) n windpipe walwan 

tipia the same sound walwan nowea 

a di erent sound (sem. domains: 

2.1.1 - Head.) 

walwanao [walwəʼnao] n sky 

walwanao kika high in the sky 

walwanao aro yare the sky clouds 

come walwanao plapipe the sky 

thundered (sem. domains: 1.1 - 

Sky.) 

walwanao tir [walwəʼnao ʼtirə] n 

clear sky, empty sky walwanao tir 

aolia mara cloudless sky (lit: only 

shell of sky) (sem. domains: 1.1 - 

Sky.) 

walweyam [walweʼjəm] n dry season 

[in the dry season, usually April- 

September, it rains less 

frequently] (sem. domains: 1.1.3 

- Weather.) 

wamanire (comp. of wae- 1, ma-, 

nire) v is inside 

wami 1 [ʼwami] n small striped 

possum wami womika plwele i 

mijeli tijaya pokounaele the possum 

moves around at night and started 

moving to a branch [this possum 

is the size of a mouse and is 

white and black striped] (sem. 

domains: 1.6.1.1.5 - Marsupial.) 

wami 2 [ʼwami] n pandanus 

(inedible) (sem. domains: 1.5.1 - 

Tree.) 

wamlerrowe v walk quietly without 

talking loko pwamlerrao walenake 

he was walking quietly without 

talking (sem. domains: 7.2.1 - 


wamli [ʼwəmli] n darkness ulapu 

wamli powe the darkness just after 

sunset eno wamlijwe poor eyesight 

(cataracts, etc) (lit: eyes dark) 

loko amu wamlim pakeinakire he 

saw the darkness (outline) of the 

mountain (sem. domains: 8.3.3.2 

- Dark.) 

wamu [ʼwamu] n grasshopper (may 

refer to all insects) kworol loko

wamujo 246 

wamu tae the bird eats 

grasshoppers spec: kweirolu, 

lirklae. (sem. domains: 1.6.1.7 - 

Insect.) 

wamujo [wamuʼtʃo] n ood nu 

wamujopae ooded land syn: 

tawau. (sem. domains: 1.3.2 - 


wan [wan] n 1) fruit; seed 

pourpaowe popo i wan polwaenake 

after blossoming then (it) carries 

fruit spec: waniraplu. (sem. 


2) boil on a person (sem. 


comp. mijwan 

wanao [wəʼnao] n hunger on wanao 

pelire I was hungry (lit: I hunger 

died) onka tanaki lomko wanao 

peilipaele my children were starting 

to get hungry wanao ilipa awae 

loko during the famine (sem. 

domains: 5.2.2.5 - Hungry, 

thirsty.) 

wani elneporae [wani elneporae] v 

lean back (sit leaning back 

against something) (sem. 

domains: 7.1.6 - Lean.) 

wani lwapna (comp. of wanire 1, 

lwapna) n sitting place (sem. 


wanijal [wəniʼtʃələ] n lower back 

keikei paklamnae prae, ayapyouka 

wanijal kika the frog jumped and 

sat on top of the back of the hawk 

(sem. domains: 2.1.2 - Torso.) 

wanijali [wənijəli] n small bird 


wanijo [wəniʼtʃo] v sit-work (use 

any time you sit and also do 

something) loko ineinein aro 

wanijonake he was sitting and 

thinking lomko yar tija aro 

wanijopae worle they should sit 

(and mourn) for a year (sem. 

domains: 7.1.2 - Sit.) 

wanijwani [waniʼtʃwani] n blowing 

stick [Namia ancestors used this 

to send messages] (sem. 


wanijwowanae [waniʼtʃwowənae] v 

sit together; united awer 

tawanijwowanae we two are sitting 

together (on the bench) (sem. 


wanipae [wəniʼpae] v listen; hear i 

on lokoka kali lomom pwanipae 

lokok ... when I heard his talk...

247 wanire 

lomko kalim pewanipanae they 

heard the talk many times on tea le 

wanipake, lwae maipwe I heard, (it 

was) a big pig (sem. domains: 

2.3.2.1 - Listen.) 

wanipae tiplale [wəniʼpae tiʼpləle] v 

evaluate (something that is 

heard) on yakwanipa tiplale I rst 

want to hear and evaluate (sem. 

domains: 3.2.2.3 - Evaluate, test.) 

wanipai [wəniʼpai] n trunk (the hard 

end of any stump or stalk) naki 

wanipaim the hard end of the stalk 

of vine (used for hitting) loko 

amujwoku wanipaik palyam 

kwokirale he tried to stand here on 

top of a stump (sem. domains: 


wanipapi [wəniʼpəpi] n backside (of 

a mountain) awem wanipapim wae 

lokoka.. when we go on the 

backside of this mountain... (sem. 

domains: 1.2.1.1 - Mountain.) 

wanipo [wəʼnipo] n tail wai eyom 

wanipo wolwan maem kike the 

snake got the bird's neck with his 

tail eyo waik wanipo kik tea aro lae 

the bird was just hanging by the 

snake's tail (sem. domains: 1.6.2 - 

Parts of an animal.) 

wanipol (comp. of wanire 1, pol 2 

bench or platform for sitting) 

wanir moku moku n sandbar wanir 

moku moku wari the sandbar is 

underneath syn: aepae. (sem. 

domains: 1.3.4 - Be in water.) 

wanira 1 [ʼwanirə] n sand on wanirka 

lwele. I am walking around on the 

sand (sem. domains: 1.2.2.1 - 

Soil, dirt.) 

wanira onae 2 [wəniʼra oʼnae] v 

choose men; delegate to do one 

task am aura lomom pnaklae, aura 

loko amnama wanira aro nae kame, 

you take the money, and that 

money says you are chosen walwa 

aya maip wanira porae the day God 

chose syn: lameyaewe 2. (sem. 

domains: 3.3.1.2 - Choose, 6.9.2 - 

Work for someone.) 

wanirae 3 [wəniʼra] (comp. of 

wanire 1, tae 2) v sit-eat (sem. 

domains: 5.2.2 - Eat, 7.1.2 - Sit.) 

waniraplu [waniʼraplu] n seed (of 

the tulip tree) pani wan seed of 

tulip gen: wan 1 . (sem. domains: 


wanire 1 [ʼwəni] v sit on; stay (verb 

of being that means the position

wanire 248 

of sitting or staying) - add the 

perfective pre x ka- to make it 

the action of sitting em iki lokoka 

pokwanire we sat down in the 

canoe on maokraeka wanire I sit on 

the porch tank ijo nakwanire there 

is water in the tank leta 'a' loko 

imae kika pakwanire the letter 'a' 

sits on top of the line (sem. 

domains: 7.1.2 - Sit.) comp: wani 

lwapna, wanipol, wanirae 3 

wanire 2 [ʼwəni] v laugh em pin 

pwanire tan nowae tea we laughed 

a lot lu pirami tijan pin pnakwanire 

lokoka... when one of the old men 

laughed... (sem. domains: 3.5.6.4 

- Laugh.) 

waniroko [wəniʼroko] n seat (made 

from stump) (sem. domains: 8.5 - 

Location.) 

waniroure [wəniʼrou] v shrug 

shoulders (meaning you don't 

know or don't want to hear) 

lawali waniroure shrug shoulders 


something.) 

waniyaowe [wəniʼjao] v deform (as a 

small, weak limb that is still 

somewhat usable) lipal 

waniyaowe the leg is deformed 

(sem. domains: 2.5.4 - Disabled.) 

wankeyal [wənkeʼjələ] n rib 

wankeyalma tija one of his ribs 

(sem. domains: 2.1.6 - Bone, 

joint.) 

wankowe [wənʼkowe] adj many 

(more than kelo kelo or amaole) 

ta yaki sipsip wankowe a great 

number of sheep (sem. domains: 

8.1.3.1 - Many, much.) 

wanowi [waʼnowi] n work; actions 

wanowi lujel lomko pwaowe loko 

kokleyaujwe the actions people did 

long ago were bad wanowi 

talameyaewenae judge your actions 

wanowi naroujwale work does not 

continue with any e ect (lit: 

divided) wanowi pwaowe history 

(lit: actions long ago) (sem. 

domains: 6.1 - Work.) 

wanowi nako [waʼnowi naʼko] n 

work with wanowi nako lu 

workman 

wanowi nano naneila lu n co-worker 

(male) - one who works with 

you, in the same group or work 

(sem. domains: 4.1.2.1 - Working 

relationship.) 

wanowi onaoli [waʼnowi oʼnaoli] n

249 waolweli 

slave work (sem. domains: 

4.5.4.4 - Slave.) 

wanowi onaoli lu (comp.) n slave 

(male) (sem. domains: 4.5.4.4 - 

Slave.) 

wanowi trao lu [waʼnowi ʼtrao ʼlu] n 

servant (sem. domains: 4.1.2.1 - 

Working relationship.) 

wanowi wanowija [waʼnowi 

wanowiʼtʃa] adv quickly loko 

wanowi wanowija panakale he left 

quickly (sem. domains: 8.4.8.1 - 

Quick.) 

wanpaun [wənʼpaun] n banana 

(tastes like an apple) (sem. 


fruit.) 

wanpir [wənʼpirə] n bird (small, 

blue-brown bird that ies too fast 

to shoot) wanpir no plakiroure fast 

as a wanpir bird (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.2 - Bird.) 

wao n salt (sem. domains: 5.2.3.3.2 - 

Salt.) 

wao 2 [ʼwao] n liver (sem. domains: 


wao 3 [wao] n short handle on weirou 

wao awark kik yapan I did not hold 

the bush knife handle well (sem. 

domains: 6.7.8 - Parts of tools.) 

wao tir n healing thing of the 

ancestors used to heal a lot of 

people (sem. domains: 2.5.7 - 

Treat disease.) 

waoko [waoko] n chest and all the 

parts in the body cavity loko 

waoko ki kija lele he walks with 

chest out (implied: proudly 

strutting) (sem. domains: 2.1.2 - 

Torso.) 

waole [ʼwaole] v sneeze; cough eko 

tawaole she sneezes (sem. 

domains: 2.2.2 - Cough, sneeze.) 

waolo 1 [ʼwaolo] adj white color 

ekoka ar waolo eko awia yakelinae 

her white dog by herself followed 

waolo yowiyao completely white 

(sem. domains: 8.3.3.3.1 - 

White.) 

waolo 2 [ʼwaolo] cf: ae. n winged 

larvae waolo loko kapou tea powe i 

aropu papowe the winged larvae 

just gets big and is a winged beetle 

(sem. domains: 1.6.3 - Animal 

life cycle.) 

waolweli [waolʼweli] n storm or big 

wind that breaks trees waolweli 

maip tija aro kowe i mim

waoprrae 250 

kwelelenerae a big storm hit and 

bent the trees syn: molu 2. (sem. 

domains: 1.1.3.5 - Storm.) 

waoprrae [waoʼprərae] n tattoo 

lomko waoprrae ari weilowe they 

already tattooed marks (sem. 


waornae v select person or thing for 

future work (like a person to do a 

job, a place to build a house) 

waowe 1 v did long ago (long ago 

customs can be implied) ayalam 

pwaowi aro tapeyaklele you must 

not follow the customs of our 

fathers wanowi lujel lomko pwaowe 

loko kokleyaujwe the things people 

did long ago were bad (sem. 

domains: 8.4.6.2 - Past.) 

waowip [ʼwaowip] n male possum 

syn: lwewao. (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.1.5 - Marsupial.) 

waowiyae [waowiʼjae] n salty vine 


herb, vine.) 

wapli [ʼwəpli] pro you-two (used in 

questions and commands as free 

pronoun, and as imperative 

verbal a x for 2p dual) waplik 

taplu mae? where is your-two's 

food? wapli apo Kleinmaku tea 

tarwaleya? today will you two just 

go down to Kleinmaku? ayalwa aro 

kokwame, "mim marijo wapli" our 

father said, "you two go get 

rewood" (sem. domains: 9.2.3 - 

Pronouns.) 

wapu 1 [ʼwapu] adj dry (use for 

leaves, mushrooms, ground) 

mimamika wapujowa (it) will dry 

from the heat yone wapu withered 

up greens (don't buy or eat) nu 

wapu powe the ground has dried 

(sem. domains: 8.3 - Quality.) 

wapu 2 [ʼwapu] n chalk; ground (sem. 

domains: 1.2.2.1 - Soil, dirt.) 

war 2 [ʼwarə] n under; inside 

mokuran wolwae amujwar maem 

pamakinake some caves (lit: holes) 

were in the mountain irom nan ijo 

warya pnakale the sago holding 

rack was also carried into the 

water wonweli warka under the 

porch roof lu loko onma warka krae 

the man was put under me lokoka 

alku war maem yapanwei awe he 

has a bad conscience (lit: inside his 

stomach is not good) aujwau war 

maem (eggs) inside hole (in tree) 

(sem. domains: 8.5.1.3.2 - Under,

251 wari 

below.) 

-war v:asp authoritative verbal su x 

(based on a decision or 

expectation, sometimes a cultural 

norm) amna aro ala owarle you 

should (I expect you to) try to do 

like this on aro kokwam warwa ... I 

expect to say "... aria wanijarle 

expect to always sit amna weijwei 

lomom kamir kraeyarle you expect 

to be able to run a long time (sem. 

domains: 9 - Grammar.) 

waran 1 [wəʼran] n front lomko dinkim 

alaklarle, iki waranya they tried to 

dock the front of the boat iki waran 

loko wanirka kekaumta we the front 

of the boat hit the sandbar lipamu 

waran kneecap (lit: knee front) 

ant: apaujwal. (sem. domains: 

8.6.1 - Front.) 

waran 2 [wəʼran] n banana stalk tail 


plant.) 

waranira [wəʼranirəʼ] n kidney (sem. 

domains: 2.1.8 - Internal organs.) 

ware 1 v come in-out; come east-west 

(the direction of motion depends 

on location of speaker) em 

parpeyakware we rst came outside 

again ne war, anwarya you must 

come in, inside anakwar come with 

it (to front of room) lomko nakla 

pnakware they came east yesterday 

(from Wakou Village east to Yaru 

Village) ant: wae- 1 . (sem. 

domains: 7.2.2 - Move in a 

direction.) 

wari 1 [ʼwari] v wrap a single thing 

or one packet of things; tie to 

itself (like tie hands together) ne 

takwe yakwari? are you wrapping a 

cigarette rst? on mani lommom 

pwarike I wrapped up the cray sh 

lomko naki pwarire they settled the 

problem (lit: wrapped a vine) em 

kali aro waripae we decided (lit: 

wrapped talk) about several 

matters syn: tonae, namolure; 

spec: warinae. (sem. domains: 

7.5.2 - Join, attach.) comp: 

kwari kowaonae, wari 

namaplake, warinae, 

waripolure 

wari 2 (inf. var. paewari) v lay at 

on irkika pokwari i manu ple I lay 

on the bed and went to sleep syn: 

ti, tinae. (sem. domains: 7.1.3 - 

Lie down.) 

wari 3 n betel pepper vine imou lu ur,

wari koklomu 252 

wari, ai pakalipae the healer chews 

areca nut, betel pepper and lime 


Stimulant.) 

wari koklomu [ʼwəri koʼklomu] n 

lizard, type of wari koklomu 

lomom parpeilapeke the lizard 

again grabbed him gen: aur. (sem. 


wari kowaonae [ʼwari kowaoʼnae] v 

wrap and immerse kwari 

kowaonae wrap & put under water 

(sem. domains: 1.3.4 - Be in 

water, 7.5.1 - Gather.) 

wari namaplake [ʼwari ʼnamaʼplake] 

(comp. of wari 1, namaplae) v tie 

and restrain lomko lomom pwari 

namaplake they tied and restrained 

him (sem. domains: 7.2.6.1 - 

Catch, capture, 7.5.4 - Tie.) 

wari nwae (comp. of sleep while 

lying down) v laying-sleeping 

eno wari nwae laying down asleep 

loko eno pari nwae he is laying 

there sleeping (sem. domains: 5.7 - 

Sleep, 7.1.3 - Lie down.) 

wari tipra [ʼwari tiʼpra] n sleeping 

mat loko wari tipra lomom 

pnamolurke he folded up his mat 

(sem. domains: 5.7 - Sleep.) 

waria [wariʼa] n all over ai waria ple 

mosquitoes were all over (us) lujel 

waria ple people were all over 

(sem. domains: 8.5 - Location.) 

warijowe [wəriʼtʃo] v lay and do eko 

irkika pwarijowe she was lying on 

the bed (and thinking) (sem. 

domains: 7.1.3 - Lie down.) 

warinae v lay on top (sleep or lay on 

top of something like a bed) loko 

warinae he lays on top/sleeps (sem. 

domains: 7.1.3 - Lie down, 

8.5.1.3 - On.) 

warinae (comp. of wari 1, -na) v tie 

things together on lommom 

warinae, tailapapla lomom I tied 

them together so (they would not) 

spread/scatter onma ini peire i on 

lipalma imae pli aro warinae the 

centipede stung me so I tied two 

vines around my leg werim 

pnakwowaripanake tie the bamboo 

strips together (to make sh 

basket) gen: wari 1. (sem. 

domains: 7.5.4 - Tie.) 

warip [ʼwarip] n wild yam (sem. 


roots.)

253 waunep 

waripolure [wariʼpolu] (comp. of 

wari 1, poluke) v bundle and tie 

tan kapou awarkwe, awaripoluka, 

tiprakuka. the child is not big, you 

must wrap/bundle (him) in a bark 

(and let him die) (sem. domains: 

7.5.2 - Join, attach.) 

warirae v agree or decide on 

something - usually compounded 

with speech verb ire for deciding 

on words aya lapli kali pakwarirae 

our two fathers agreed (lit: 

wrapped up the talk) loko aoloka 

ineineinma pakwarirae he decided 

his own thinking (lit: wrapped up 

his thinking) waleija kali 

pakeikwarirae e, i aro leyamwa all 

decided (lit: wrapped talk) so will 

go syn: keikrae. (sem. domains: 

4.1.5 - Unity.) 

wariroloke v bundle lawali wariroloke 

wrap up leaves for a burning torch 

(sem. domains: 7.5.2 - Join, 

attach.) 

warka nire v submit; get privileges 

tan loko mo ayaka warka nire that 

boy is obedient to his parents (lit: 

lives under them) (sem. domains: 

4.5.4 - Submit to authority.) 

warklai [wərʼklai] adv react 

surprised pokulou warklai we the 

body reacts (when surprised or 

afraid) (sem. domains: 3.4.1.3 - 

Surprise.) 

warle fr. var. of -yarle 

waronu [waʼronu] n poisonous 

brown snake gen: wai. (sem. 


warpaki [warʼpəki] n snake, type of 

warpaki lomom yakeilapeke the 

snake grabs onto him warpaki no 

lainko maniyaole jumping around 

like a snake gen: wai. (sem. 


wau [ʼwau] n age-mate, can also 

work with you, equal in status to 

you, not learning from you onka 

wau my age-mate amnaka waukwa 

your age-mate aoloka waulwalam 

his own age-mates ekoke waulwe 

her (female) age-mate (sem. 


waune v deny (an accusation) loko 

aolomeya waune he denies himself 

(did it) on tawaunamtae I really 

did not do it! (sem. domains: 


waunep [wauʼnep] n tree (leaves are 

used for scrubbing cooking pots)

wawin 254 

waunep ewae (sem. domains: 1.5.1 

- Tree.) 

wawin [ʼwawin] n fruit, type of em 

wawin palip pleyae we picked all 

the fruit wawin momla awae peyare 

the new leaves of fruit tree are 

everywhere spec: woklain. (sem. 


fruit.) 

wawolao [wawoʼlao] n gasp (short 

of breath because of work or 

from bronchitis) loko nan 

wawolao powe he too was out of 

breath (from work) (sem. 

domains: 2.2.1 - Breathe, breath, 

2.5.6 - Symptom of disease.) 

we [ʼwe] adv realis modal verbal 

su x loko em ikim tija pnowe he 

gave us a canoe (sem. domains: 

9.4.4.2 - Sure.) 

we-e [weʔe] exp no (expression) on 

peikame, "we-e, womi powile." I 

said, "No, it is getting dark." (sem. 

domains: 9.2.7 - Interjections.) 

wei 1 [ʼwei] adj 1) ripe nar wei ripe 

banana lir wei dry (ripe) coconut 

mokuran wei popae some were ripe 

(sem. domains: 8.3 - Quality.) 2) 

red lwar wei red clothes/skin (sem. 

domains: 8.3.3.3 - Color.) 

wei 2 [ʼwei] n slit gong drum em wei 

pakowe we hit the slit-gong drum 

lomko weim wanipa lokoka... when 

they hear the drum... [wooden slit 

gong or signal drum, usually 

about 1 1/2 meters long and 1 

meter circumference, with a slit 

cut into it. It is hit near the slit 

with a heavy blunt ended 

wooden stick about 2 meters 

long to make a sound that can be 

heard several kilometers away. 

The elders know how to send and 

interpret speci c messages.] 

syn:. (sem. domains: 4.2.3.5 - 

Musical instrument.) 

wei 4 [ʼwei] n hit; knock on a door 

awom aolo wei pakame lokoka 

when you knock on the door aolo 

wei tal kame? who is knocking on 

the door? loko lo pli kali lalwei 

parpakame two times he knocked 

(sem. domains: 7.7 - Physical 

impact.) comp. weipakpak 

wei ijo n water for ritual; baptism

255 weijwene 

ritual on wei ijom peipe I ritually 

washed in the water (for strength) 

[this water is rubbed on you, 

really hurts, afterward you have 

strength for shooting pigs, killing 

enemies, etc] gen: ipe 1. (sem. 

domains: 4.9.8 - Religious 

things.) 

weijeyake [weitʃeʼjə] v turn head 

(turn head from side to side to 

disagree or avoid hearing) 

makujwal weijeyake nod head (in 

disagreement) lipal weijeyake kick 

out sideways (sem. domains: 

3.5.6.1 - Gesture.) 

weijeyan [weitʃeʼjən][weirjajən] v 

shake (head to disagree) (sem. 

domains: 3.5.6.1 - Gesture.) 

weijo [weiʼtʃo] v clap (hands 

together) lal kweijo kweijo clap 

(your) hands lal kopa kopa 

kweijowom you must clap (your) 

hands (sem. domains: 7.7 - 

Physical impact.) 

weijonae [weitʃonae] v move 

(something into or next to 

something and then the object 

remains there iki ijo napanka 

waniromu aro mweijonae the boat 

hit and stuck on the sandbar in the 

middle of the water (sem. 

domains: 7.3 - Move something.) 

weijwal [weiʼtʃwal] n stranger syn: 

woujwal, nipwae lu. (sem. 


people.) 

weijwaor plae v hit and yell at 

someone to make them do or say 

something (like police may do) 


weijwaore [weiʼtʃwaore] v hit 

(singular object - the hitting may 

or may not draw blood) er 

lwepanma pweijwaore we hit the 

possum (sem. domains: 7.7.1 - 

Hit.) 

weijwei [weiʼtʃwei] n long time em 

walaka kwani, weijwei powe we sat 

at the house, a long while weijwei 

awaloweya not a long time and 

(sem. domains: 8.4.1 - Period of 

time.) 

weijwene [weiʼtʃwen] v cut and 

break (with a knife or ax) on 

mijaki tija pweijwenke I cut and 

broke a branch em yowem 

pweijwenwole we cut and broke 

and gave out the sugarcane 

manaura lomom panakweijwene the

weijyo 256 

spear broke mijali weijwen nalirae 

the tree branch cracked but hung 

(sem. domains: 7.8.1 - Break, 

7.8.3 - Cut.) 

weijyo 1 [weiʼtʃjo] v slip (and miss or 

fall) weirou lal wal aro 

taweijoyowale the bush knife may 

have slipped out of (my) hand 

(sem. domains: 7.2.2.5.1 - Fall.) 

weijyoke 2 [weiʼtʃjo] v meet 

(unplanned - only use for 

meeting living things you did not 

know were there and it is 

implied that you do not come or 

leave together) on lu lomom 

pweijyoke I met a man (on the 

road) syn: lamapiralke. (sem. 

domains: 4.2.1.2 - .) 

weikakau [weikəʼkau] v re ect (light 

or to send signals with lights) 

(sem. domains: 8.3.3.1 - Shine.) 

weikakire [weiʼkəki] v motion to 

stop or be silent loko lal 

pweikakire he motioned with (his) 

hand to stop them (from talking) 


Gesture.) 

weikalkae [weikəlʼkae] v shake (like 

an earthquake shakes, or to 

shake something to move it) wala 

yapal aro weikalkae (an 

earthquake) shook the posts of the 

house lal weikalkale st and arm 

are shaking (like in anger) (sem. 

domains: 7.2.1 - Manner of 

movement.) 

weikokrae [weikoʼkrae] v hit into; 

hit-down (into something) on na 

weri kakna lomom pakweikakrae. I 

hit (loose sago) down into the 

small bamboo (sem. domains: 

7.7.1 - Hit.) 

weikukarure v close ear lu tija 

wamurklae tawanipa ro, i makma 

paplakika karure if a man hears a 

cricket, his ears close tiramli mak 

taweiku karunae the drums kept me 

awake (sem. domains: 2.3.2 - 

Hear.) 

weikuku [weikuʼku] adj dry lwar 

weikkuke dry clothes weikukupae 

dry plural (sem. domains: 1.3.3.1 

- Dry.) 

weilalao v shake another person, 

shake a foot (sem. domains: 7.3 - 

Move something.) 

weilapae [weiləʼpa] v call; read (call 

roll, call words as you read) loko

257 weilwamunae 

lomkoka ileim weilapae he called 

their names (on the radio) 

kweilpae call once (sem. domains: 

3.5.7.3 - Read, 3.5.7.6 - List.) 

weile v whip lightly (gives pain and 

makes marks, does not usually 

draw blood) lomko lomom 

ipapiralkilya pweile they whipped 

him (with a vine) (sem. domains: 

7.7.1 - Hit.) 

weilele [weiʼlele] v increase lujela 

lomkoka kaorom parpeyam 

kweilelenake the people's number 

was again increasing on maku mani 

arpanakweileleya I will add three 

more parts (sem. domains: 8.1.4.2 

- Increase.) 

weille [weiləʼlele] v move to prepare 

(as moving slats to sit on to their 

proper places) (sem. domains: 

7.3 - Move something, 7.5.5 - 

Organize.) 

weilolwae v clear overgrowth on a 

road that already exists wom 

lokoka yar napum yakweilolwaerae 

yam you must clean the road where 

he will come (sem. domains: 

6.5.4.1 - Road.) 

weilolwae lu (comp.) n man who 

shows way through the bush 

weilolwae lu pijaki lele the man 

who shows the way went rst (sem. 


person, 6.5.4.1 - Road.) 

weilopolwake [weilopoʼlwake] v 

defend (put a friend behind you 

and take his place ghting 

another) (sem. domains: 4.4.4.4 - 

Save from trouble.) 

weilowe [weiʼlo] v tattoo lomko 

waoprrae taweilowe they are 

making tattoos eko tapweilowe i 

pinkae wokinakire she tattooed 

(herself) and the marks were there 

(lit: the marks stood) (sem. 


weiluple [weiluʼple] v sharpen (to a 

point) on mim tija yakweiluplekya I 

will rst sharpen a stick to a point 

(sem. domains: 6.1 - Work.) 

weilwalprowe v hit-split aokwae 

lapam taweilwalprowe, neik namia 

the spirit hit-split the spears so they 

didn't shoot him (sem. domains: 

7.7.1 - Hit, 7.8 - Divide into 

pieces.) 

weilwamunae [weilwamunae] v 

close (an opening) aolo papli 

weilwamunae both lips are closed

weilwaon 258 

(sem. domains: 8.3 - Quality.) 

weilwaon [weiʼləwaonə] n python, 

type of wai maip weilwaon 

wamanire the big python was under 

there weilwaon kinalim paknapo 

plolotae the python squeezed the 

bandicoot syn: yon 2 . (sem. 


weimaop [weiʼmaop] v hit foot 

(while walking) (sem. domains: 

7.7.3 - Kick.) 

weimariyowe [weiməriʼjo] v ash (as 

lightning) mamaliwai 

pakweimariyowe the lightning 

ashed syn: plakipapankae. 


Lightning, thunder, 8.3.3.1.2 - 

Bright.) 

weimoke v crush into little pieces 

olli kan tija waol lomom 

pakweimoke popo, i aro ilarpoure. 

(dentist) with a small thing crushed 

(material for a lling), and then 

smashed it in (sem. domains: 7.7 - 

Physical impact.) 

weinali pakou lu n bad hunter who 

misses a lot (sem. domains: 6.4 - 

Hunt and sh.) 

weinalijwe v lose power loko 

weinalijwe he lost power (to do 

something) [for instance when 

man gives something to dogs so 

they can kill animals. If a man 

does something that nishes his 

own power, then he cannot get 

meat anymore - bad spirits are 

interfere and there is no way to 

reverse it] (sem. domains: 4.9.4.1 

- Sorcery.) 

weinalipae (comp. of shake-remove) 

v shake-pull out waolweli loko 

mim weinalipae the storm wind 

shook and toppled the trees (sem. 


something out of something, 7.7 

- Physical impact.) 

weinapo [weiʼnapo] n black nut 


from seeds.) 

weinune [weiʼnun] v spin (as a 

propeller) ewae lommom weinune 

(a breeze) spins the leaves ne erom 

weinune? why are you spinning 

(yourself) around? weino olli a 

drill (lit: spin thing) syn: mapo 2. 


movement.) 

weinyalae [weinʼyəlae] v turn head 

(sideways to look) makujwal

259 weipapariyae 

weinyala maniyaole turn head 

sideways to look (sem. domains: 

7.3.5 - Turn something.) 

weipae [weiʼpae] v over ow; spill 

out ijo pweipapae water over ows 

(like from bucket while carrying it) 

(sem. domains: 1.3.2 - Movement 

of water.) 

weipakpak (comp. of wei 4, pakpak) 

v hit to atten (like attening 

clay into a re pit) (sem. 


weipalale v remember weipalale syn: 

naniranke. (sem. domains: 3.2.6 

- Remember.) 

weipale [weiʼpale] v mix (make by 

mixing) weipale (sem. domains: 

7.5.3 - Mix.) 

weipalpale [weipalʼpale] v yell 

(direct speech while close to a 

person) on emom pweipalpalke I 

yelled at her (sem. domains: 

3.5.1.1.1 - Shout.) 

weipamu [weiʼpamu] n gourd (worn 

by men) weipamu pleiplaneyale, 

lijaria wanija (he) took o the 

gourd to sit naked syn: younau. 



weipan [weiʼpan] n possum, type of 

(sem. domains: 1.6.1.1.5 - 

Marsupial.) 

weipanki [weiʼpənki] adj fat 

weipanki kiraerire always fat (lit: 

fat standing) (sem. domains: 2.4 - 

Body condition.) 

weipapalkae [ʼweipəpəlʼkae] v 

glance around, peer around eno 

wani weipapalkae eyes sit and look 

around (body doesn't move) eno 

kweipalkaene glance (sem. 

domains: 2.3.1 - See.) 

weipapalwae [weipəpəlʼwae] v nod 

head no (to disagree) makujwal 

pweipapalwae maniyaole head 

turns from side to side to look at 

something (sem. domains: 

3.5.6.1 - Gesture.) 

weipapankinae [weipəʼpənki] v hold 

(something tight); tighten (rope 

or bowstring) weipapankilele hold 

tight/sti y & go weipapanki raerire 

always hold tight naweipapankinae 

tight? (sem. domains: 7.4.5 - Keep 

something.) 

weipapariyae [weipəpəriʼyae] v hit 

and miss; chop and miss eko 

weirou tea pweipapariyae, weirou

weipaplae 260 

walei awarka she just chopped with 

the knife missing, the knife was not 

long (enough) (sem. domains: 

7.7.1 - Hit.) 

weipaplae [weipəʼplae] v plant (by 

spilling seeds); pour out (on 

something else) yoni wan 

weipaplaeprowe dump out greens 

seeds to plant sol kweipaplae porae 

pour/put salt on (sago) gen: plae 4 

. (sem. domains: 7.4.4 - 

Distribute.) 

weipaplakak [weipəpʼləkak] v rock 

(from side to side like in a boat) 


something.) 

weipapome v hit to split open gen: 

kipome. (sem. domains: 7.7.1 - 

Hit.) 

weipi [weipi] v kick bolma kweipiyale 

kick the ball (sem. domains: 7.7.3 

- Kick.) 

weipirpir [weipirəʼpir] v hit lightly 

(without words) kweipirpirtae hit 

lightly [like teachers do to 

students - this hitting does not 

have talking with it)] (sem. 


weiplane [weiʼpləne] v clear ineinein 

alku ijo no weiplane thinking and 

insides clear like water (sem. 


weipno [ʼweipno] cf: ae. n mature 

larvae mire loko weipno peyakowe 

rst the beetle was a larvae (sem. 

domains: 1.6.3 - Animal life 

cycle.) 

weipol mi n dam support (horizontal 

pieces of wood in one kind of 

sh dam) gen: pol 2. (sem. 

domains: 6.4.5.3 - Fishing 

equipment.) 

weipolwae v turn head loko 

pakweipolwae he turned around 

loko makujwal pweipolwae he 

turned his head back eno 

weipopolwa maniyaole look around 

behind (you) kweipolwalale turn 

back syn: naepolwae; spec: 

kweipolaeyale. (sem. domains: 

7.3.5 - Turn something.) 

weipopijale [weipopiʼtʃəle] v push 

through (a crowd) lomko lokoka 

paeja nakweipopijaliwalnake they 

were pushing toward him (sem. 

domains: 7.2.3.5 - Move past, 

over, through.) 

weipopokulu v pat on back as sign of

261 weirlae 

a ection [this action is done to 

wife, children, friends - other 

actions frequently accompany 

this such as kissing, hugging, 

greeting] (sem. domains: 4.1.8 - 

Show a ection.) 

weipreke v 1) decapitate (cut head 

o something living) loko 

makujwalma pweipreke he cut the 

head o kweipreyale cut o and 

left (sem. domains: 2.6.6.1 - Kill.) 

2) top (of something) falls o 

(sem. domains: 7.8 - Divide into 

pieces.) 

weirapire 1) v cut grass on plan 

weirapire I cut the grass (sem. 

domains: 7.8.3 - Cut.) 2) n razor 

weirapi ran touke cut with bamboo 

razor (sem. domains: 6.7.1 - 

Cutting tool.) 

weirauk lapa [weiʼrauk ləʼpa] n hand 

spear (sem. domains: 6.4.1 - 

Hunt.) 

weire 3 v 1) process sago (by washing 

and squeezing the juice out of 

the pulp) eko na parpwelure popo 

e, i parpweire she scraped the sago 

more, and then washed more 

(sago) (sem. domains: 5.2.1.2 - 

Steps in food preparation.) 2) cut 

open coconut loko tirma pakweire 

he cut the top of the coconut o 

(to drink it) (sem. domains: 


preparation.) 

weireinae [weireiʼnae] v tap (with a 

hand) eko ijo peipi loko aoweka 

amolam tan pweireipai when she 

bathes, she plays tag with her 

friends (sem. domains: 2.3.5 - 

Sense of touch.) 

weirklae v hit (house) wala 

weirklaeke hit the house wala 

weirklaepae hit the house many 

times (sem. domains: 4.8.2.3 - 

Attack.) 

weirkowe v hit/slap with at of 

knife blade/or stick (with or 

without anger) weirpane hit (with 

small stick - kids do) on lal pakleya 

pweirke I hit (her) with my hand 

kralia weirkowe hit (with knife, 

stick) syn: weirpane. (sem. 


weirlae [weirəʼlae] v strip bark mi 

lwar weirlae skin the bark o of a 

tree (with knife) ali lwar kwainya 

kwainya aro weirlapae strip small 

pieces of bark from a branch tol 

eplae/elae skin the sago stem to

weirlaole 262 

weave a wall gen: elae 1. (sem. 

domains: 6.5 - Working with 

buildings.) 

weirlaole v circle (movement in a 

circle) lal weirlaole arm moves in a 

circle (sem. domains: 7.2.2.7 - 

Move in a circle.) 

weirnina v grimace in pain pinal 

nakweirninae grimace (in pain or 

when dying - mouth is closed). 

(sem. domains: 2.5.6 - Symptom 

of disease.) 

weirnire [weirəʼni] v foam at the 

mouth loko laola pweirnire he 

foams at mouth peilire popo e, i 

pila maem laola aro weirnija after 

dying, bubbles foamed from his 

mouth (sem. domains: 2.5.6 - 

Symptom of disease.) 

weirome v extinguish (small re by 

hitting with something) mijalpla 

weirome extinguish (small re) by 

hitting with a lea ess branch yam 

weiromwam you all come put out 

( re)! (sem. domains: 5.5.3 - 

Extinguish a re.) 

weiromkure v cut o weirou 

makujwalma aro kweiroumkure the 

bush knife cut o its head (sem. 


weirou 2 [ʼweirou] n knife weirou 

onka lipal anapirankim aro kowe 

then the bush knife cut my tendon 

loko weiroum lalya naklele he 

carried the bush knife in his hand 

loko nan aolok tamiok, weirou 

ponure he also got his own ax and 

bush knife weirou wa handle (sem. 


weiroure 1 v cut (tree or rope); divide 

area (of a garden) on mi weiroure 

I cut the tree (with a bush knife) 

amnaka lalma weirou ko ro.. if your 

hand is cut... er ur kweiroure we 

separated the garden (on) imae 

parpeyakyam weiroukare (I) rst 

cut-brought some more vines here. 

syn: kiroure. (sem. domains: 

7.5.1.1 - Separate, scatter, 7.8.3 - 

Cut.) comp. kweirou klolorae 

weirpane v hit with small sticks (like 

children do) syn: weirkowe. 


weirwaonae [ʼweirəwao] v push 

down (into water or ground); 

push to submerge weirawao walire 

push down into plural weirawaonae 

tan alu powe lokoka, i aya tanma 

ijoka kweirwaonae when a child is

263 wene 

crying, the father will push the 

child into water (to stop his crying 

and make him afraid to keep 

crying) (sem. domains: 1.3.4 - Be 

in water, 7.7 - Physical impact.) 

weiryayan [ʼweiryaʼyən] v shake 

head (to disagree) (sem. 


expression.) 

wek [ʼwek] n rat wek onka lwarma 

tae the rat ate my clothes (sem. 

domains: 1.6.1.1.4 - Rodent.) 

weklomujol [weklomutʃol] n 

waterfall (sem. domains: 1.3.2 - 


weli [ʼweli] n net lapliko weli walijap 

wanowim we they were doing the 

work of throwing nets lomkoka weli 

kar taweiplolpae, i lomko aro 

naropae their nets were torn, and 

they tied them (to x the holes) 

(sem. domains: 6.4.5.1 - Fish 

with net.) 

welire v prepare na welire prepare 

sago things 

welke v hit/slap with at of knife 

(may or may not be in anger) on 

weirou napu lar maem kralia pwelke 

I hit the knife on the door (to wake 

my wife) (sem. domains: 7.7.1 - 

Hit.) 

welure v scrape sago (before 

processing with water) el lapli 

parpwelure the two ladies again 

scraped sago (sem. domains: 


preparation.) 

wem [ʼwem] n long-nosed white sh 

gen: pira. (sem. domains: 1.6.1.5 

- Fish.) 

wemarle (der. of cut down 

(something that is high and 

falls)) v cut down and it falls em 

aolo wemarle we cut sago stems 

pijakija mi ewaem peyak 

wemarlapae rst cut down the 

leaves (sem. domains: 7.8.3 - 

Cut.) 

wen onae v mature (physically, 

socially, or spiritually) (sem. 


wenawe v scratch skin elan papijwe i 

on unwawe I scratched the fungus 

infection gen: papi. (sem. 

domains: 7.3.4 - Handle 

something.) 

wene v break o (used of something 

long like a paddle, tree, spear) i

weri 264 

mi maoko tija aro wenlale then the 

top of a tree broke o amnaka 

lipalma lami takijwenprowa the 

(sago) thorns will break o in your 

foot kline tea aro kijwenlale the 

spear tip just broke o el mim 

panawene the ladies broke rewood 

loko inim klowen lale he broke the 

posted sign (broke the rule of not 

entering a marked area) (sem. 


weri [ʼweri] n small bamboo na weri 

pli pnaklorae. roast sago in two 

bamboo pieces weri peinpae i weri 

lommom polwalapae cut bamboo 

into pieces and split into long 

pieces lujela weri papaloku pae the 

people were blowing bamboo 

( utes) (sem. domains: 1.5.1 - 

Tree.) 

werikijapu [werikiʼtʃapu] n large 

lake (ancestral term from a 

myth) (sem. domains: 1.3.1.1 - 

Ocean, lake.) 

weyan [weʼjan] n wild sago (type of 

wild sago) (sem. domains: 1.5.1 - 

Tree.) 

weyau [weʼjau] n bird (with a loud 

cry "kuko kuko") na klapipe weyau 

lokok we this is how the bird came 

from sago (sem. domains: 1.6.1.2 

- Bird.) 

wi 2 [wi] n taste taplu ar lomom wi 

nowea this food has a di erent 

kind of taste loko aijwim takikalle 

he spits around areca nut/lime 

taste wi amaole good taste (lit: big 

taste) (sem. domains: 2.3.3 - 

Taste.) 

wire 1 v make (a house or work - 

general 'make' verb) on wala naki 

wija I will build a new house (sem. 

domains: 9.1.2.5 - Make.) 

wo 3 [ʼwəo] exp yes (expression of 

agreement or a rmation) wo, on 

pakeinakire yes, I saw (it) wo, on 

ammana napum tainplaenowa yes, I 

will show you the way (sem. 

domains: 9.2.7 - Interjections.) 

woki ilipae v stand/grow up and die 

(of a plant grows up and dies 

without begin used) pae woki 

ilipa let it grow up and die (use for 

coconuts, etc) (sem. domains: 1.5 

- Plant.) 

wokijwoki (comp. of ) adj deep yowi 

loko wokijwoki pokeya tea we this 

hole is very deep (sem. domains: 

8.5.2.5 - Down.)

265 wolae 

wokilanakire v fall when trying to 

stand (as a child learning to 

walk) tan wokilanakireya, ao lele 

yapanya the child falls and stands 

yet, cannot move well yet (sem. 

domains: 7.2.1.4.1 - Clumsy.) 

wokinaki (comp. of wokire, 

inakire) v stand-wait 

wokinakile [wokiʼnəkile] v look 

down (while standing) (sem. 

domains: 2.3.1.1 - Look.) 

wokinakire (comp. of wokire, 

ninakire stand-wait) 

wokire inf. var. of kire 3 compound: 

wokinakire 

woklain [woʼklain] n fruit (type of, 

might be fruit of wawin) gen: 

wawin. (sem. domains: 5.2.3.1.2 

- Food from fruit.) 

woklar [woʼklarə] n cold lokok 

woklar lalweli awarka tarwore the 

phlegm from his cold did not come 

up (sem. domains: 2.5.2 - 

Disease.) 

woklei [woʼklei] n 1) praying mantis 

woklei lal aro narnaeyale the 

praying mantis puts his hands out 


2) ancestral knife [sharpened 

from a sago leaf spine] (sem. 


woklo 1 [ʼwoklo] n turtle woklo loko 

womika taplu marijowa the turtle 

will search for food at night (sem. 


woklo 2 [ʼwoklo] n side of a person's 

body (sem. domains: 2.1.2 - 

Torso.) 

wokure v mate el nakwokure she is 

pregnant aya lwae nwoku lum 

pnakeintae father met two pigs 

mating (sem. domains: 2.6.2 - 

Sexual relations.) 

wol 2 [ʼwolə] n spider (type that 

stings) tanaki tan wol 

pnakmarijowe the children hunted 

for spiders. (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.8 - Spider.) 

wolae v motion (with the hand to 

come, by using the hand, palm 

down, and the ngers move 

towards you) lomom on lal 

pokwolae, yar! I motioned to him, 

come! loko amnama lal alwolae he 

tried to signal you by hand 

lalpanklo tipa tawolae motion to 

come with one nger (sem. 

domains: 3.5.6.1 - Gesture.)

wolane 266 

wolane n spray (with water or re) 

wolane rane burnt by striking or 

falling heat, electric shock (sem. 


produce.) 

wolapi [woʼləpi] n river bend (sem. 

domains: 1.3.1.3 - River.) 

wole 1 v give (plural) loko aoloka 

yowem ema pwole he gave us his 

own sugarcane syn: nole, nowe. 

wolijape v thrown down loko maman 

peyamwolijape he threw down a 

hook (to sh) nar ari wolijape 

banana stalk has already come 

down (started forming) gen: 

lijape. (sem. domains: 7.4.5.2 - 

Throw away.) 

wolmane [wolʼməne] n red sweet 

potato on walmane pnaklowe, loko 

lanwe I cooked the sweet potato, 

(because) it was tough loko 

walmane nawe he digs out the 

sweet potatoes (sem. domains: 


wolna v surround; encircle (one 

form may be a noun for a 

circular area; wolnanae is a 

result, not an action) amu tea 

kwolnanae the mountains just 

encircle (it) lomko walam aro 

kwolnarae they encircled the house 

lomko lwaem pakaki kwolnarae, 

akal akal powe lokoka they stood 

encircling the pig when (they) 

ushed (it) out (sem. domains: 

8.5 - Location.) der. kolkwalna 

wolpan [wolʼpan] n ght with words 

and actions - probably only for 

in-house or in-family, not wars 

between villages lu loko wolpan 

yonai lu that man is a ghting man 

(implied that he cannot get along 

with anyone) onka tan pli 

wolpanwe my two children ght 

syn: yaowe. (sem. domains: 

4.8.2 - Fight.) 

wolpan iromu [wolʼpan iʼromu] n 

ghting stick (used for 

arguments within the village - 

not with outsiders) (sem. 

domains: 4.8.2 - Fight.) 

wolpan kali [ʼwolpan ʼkali] n 

argument (sem. domains: 4.8.1 - 

Hostility.) 

wolpan weipolwae v make peace 

lujela wolpanma pweipolwae raerire 

peacemakers (Mat 5.9) (sem. 

domains: 4.8.4.8 - Make peace.) 

woluna [woʼluna] n large spider

267 womi walwa 

tanaki lomko wolunama arkok 

lelame the children then went for 

spiders (sem. domains: 1.6.1.8 - 

Spider.) 

wolwae [woʼlwae] n hole wolwae 

kire there is a hole (sem. domains: 

7.8.5 - Make hole, opening.) 

wolwol [ʼwolwolə] n small house 

spider wol wol wala aoloka linaoka 

wire the spider makes a house with 

is own web (sem. domains: 

1.6.1.8 - Spider.) 

wom pro you plural (question, 

imperative form free pronoun 

and verbal su x) wom awanipa 

wom! you plural must listen! wom 

mar wal yare? where did you plural 

come from? yarwom, kalim 

yamwanipawom you plural must 

come, come listen syn: awom 1. 


Pronouns.) 

-wom [ʼwom] adj out of eko onma 

tipraku tanwom pnakmolwaekare 

she brought me out with the basket 

lolol aolokwom pakra pleraele 

popo... after the crab ate all of his 

own... (sem. domains: 7.3.2.7 - 


something.) comp. walwam 

womi [ʼwomi] n night womi powile 

night is coming (close to dark) 

(sem. domains: 8.4.1.2.1 - 

Night.) comp. nakirom womi 

womi aolok [ʼwomi ʼaolokə] n before 

dawn, about 5-6 am lomko 

womijaoloka peyarewale, iki ran 

they came with the canoe right 

before dawn (sem. domains: 


womi arijwe n night, 7-8 pm (sem. 


day.) 

womi kom n late night, 9.30 pm 

womi kom powe lokoka wowe when 

it was late at night (sem. domains: 


womi kworwarae n early evening, 7 

pm womi kworwara 7 pm night 

(night covers) (sem. domains: 

8.4.1.2.1 - Night.) 

womi powile n nightfall, close to 

night time womi powile night is 

coming (close to dark) (sem. 

domains: 8.4.1.2.1 - Night.) 

womi walwa [ʼwomi ʼwəlwa] n 

always womi walwa amaole tanaki 

lommom mu tea laoraerire night 

and day the mother (dog)

womi womija 268 

continues to nurse the puppies syn: 

womiran womiran. (sem. 

domains: 8.4.6.6.4 - All the 

time.) 

womi womija (redup) adj darkness 

apo womi womija tea lelemwa when 

it gets dark today we will just go 

(sem. domains: 8.3.3.2 - Dark.) 

womilei [womilei] n late night (11 

pm to midnight) womilei powe 

midnight came (sem. domains: 

8.4.1.2.1 - Night.) 

womilei praeka wowe n night 9.30 

pm (sem. domains: 8.4.1.2.1 - 

Night.) 

womiran [womiʼrən] n next day 

lomko womiranka polopae the next 

day they dammed (the river) again 

(sem. domains: 8.4.5.1.3 - Next.) 

womiran womiran n day after day 

syn: womi walwa. (sem. 

domains: 8.4.7 - Continue, 

persevere.) 

womu [ʼwomu] n heap; clod (of 

dirt); small hill ne nujwomu 

lomom nakalewale you carry away 

the dirt clod nujwomujo dirt clods 

(sem. domains: 1.2.2.1 - Soil, 

dirt.) 

womurklae [womurʼklae] n cricket 

womuraklae wala marok war maem 

lawei aro wam wanikamwa the 

cricket will make noise sitting 

under the house oor (sem. 


wonalaole [ʼwonəʼlao] v change 

clothes em lwarma pwonalaole 

popo e... after we changed clothes... 

(sem. domains: 5.3.7 - Wear 

clothing.) 

wonu [ʼwonu] n scent gland (has a 

strong smell, but not bitter to the 

taste like gall) on wonu areri 

lokoka kru I cut o (the snake) 

near the scent gland (sem. 

domains: 1.6.2 - Parts of an 

animal.) 

wonulaman lu [ʼwonu ləʼman ʼlu] n 

Siamese twin (joined back to 

back) wonu laman lu 

tananoupalwae the two men faced 

di erent directions (sem. domains: 

2.5.4.5 - Birth defect.) 

wonweli [wonʼweli] n porch roof 

wonweli warka under the porch 

roof (sem. domains: 6.5.2.2 - 

Roof.) 

wop [ʼwopa] n star (in sky), dot (on

269 woro 

paper) wop walwanao kik 

peyamtweire the stars shine high in 

the sky (sem. domains: 1.1.1.2 - 

Star, 8.3.1.1 - Point, dot.) 

wopa [woʼpa] n wrapper (for coins, 

spear tips, etc) em auram nowai 

aro nowe, wopa napeiran waki tija 

aro nole. we gave this much money, 

gave K60 on lapa pim wopak 

worike I wrapped the spear tips in a 

wrapper spec: lipal wopa. (sem. 

domains: 7.3.7.2 - Wrap.) 

wopiyae [wopiʼjae] n stretcher (for 

sick people) (sem. domains: 7.3.1 

- Carry.) 

woplakenae [wopləkeʼnae] v tighten 

(like wind on a sail) (sem. 

domains: 7.7.4 - Press.) 

woplelijwau [wopleliʼtʃwau] n cold 

ash, white ash (sem. domains: 

5.5.5 - What res produce.) 

woplu [ʼwoplu] n meteor strike; 

shooting star (some say it is 

caused by a spirit) (sem. 

domains: 1.1.1.2 - Star.) 

wopma keinaki kariplaretae lu n 

astrologer [some Namia men 

watch the stars, notice new ones 

and think about the meaning of 

that] (sem. domains: 3.2.3.2 - 

Area of knowledge.) 

worae v make noise wanowi oworae 

the noise of (someone) working 


sounds, 6.1 - Work.) 

woraowe v hunt lomko anapiram 

ponure i plelame, aur worawa they 

got bows and went to hunt lizards 

er na pamworaowe lokoka... when 

we went there to hunt at the sago 

tree... lomko worao walire they 

hunted (from tree to tree) pira 

moraowa, i elakipawa, moku maem 

go to hunt sh, spearing from shore 


wore 1 v whistle aokwae wore kalim ire 

the spirit speaks in whistles on wore 

wore I am whistling (continuously) 

syn: tawae tawae. (sem. 


worireire v tie by wrapping em api 

lomom pworireire we tied up the 

cassowary (to carry it) worirei 

nawe lake tie hands behind back 

(sem. domains: 7.5.4 - Tie.) 

woro 2 [ʼworo] n wild sugarcane lwae 

woro warka nakwari the pig is 

inside the wild sugarcane (sem.

worre 270 


vine.) 

worre [ʼworər] v come up-out (come 

up in altitude) waik makujwal aro 

taraworre the snake's head came up 

and out parpeyam kanijoworre i 

parpa nakrawale come up to sit 

then went back down on skul 

tanakim arpanak worre I came up 

again with the school children 


up.) 

woru 1 [ʼworu] n cry (of an animal) 

loupali ena maem woruwe the frogs 

croaked in the lake taneike yapan, 

lwae woru pokowe (I) shot it good, 

the pig cried out ar eko parpapowe, 

api woru parpakowe the dog barked 

again and the cassowary again 

made noise syn: aplaeli. (sem. 


sounds.) 

woru 2 [ʼworu] n owering ku woru 

popae the wild sugarcane is 

owering (implied: almost ready to 

bear) (sem. domains: 1.5.6 - 


worwaeke [worəʼwa] v cover 

(physically) on laom worwaeke I 

cover up from the rain (with 

umbrella or at bark) loko li tipia 

tipia lomom mijwae pnak 

worwapaele he started covering 

over each dropping with leaves 

plan kokleyau nu ar lomom 

pokworwarae bad grass overgrew 

this ground here kworwalare cover 

and leave covered (like cover up a 

child with blanket) spec: 

kworwarae. (sem. domains: 

7.3.7 - Cover.) comp. ijworwa 

kali 

wou [ʼwou] adj width lwar wou the 

clothing is wide/loose 

woujwal [wouʼtʃwal] n stranger syn: 

weijwal, nipwae lu. (sem. 

domains: 4.1.9.7 - Non-relative.) 

wowal n maggot that eats dead esh 

ili wowal maggots of death (sem. 

domains: 1.6.3 - Animal life 

cycle.) 

wowal [woʼwələ] n larvae (of blue 

ies) taplu wowal we the food has 

worms (sem. domains: 1.6.3 - 

Animal life cycle.) 

wowali [woʼwali] n re pit eko 

wowali pakire she made a re pit 

wowali alwo leilpanka tea 

warinakwa the burning log will lay 

in the middle of the re pit (sem.

271 wowele 

domains: 5.5.7 - Fireplace.) 

wowanae [wowao] v united; love 

(be with, work with, support in 

politics, accompany) lapli 

tanawowanae yapan those two live 

together well (implied: have a good 

marriage) loko aoloka amo tan ple 

wowanae he accompanies his friend 

syn: makujwal tipia, koworae. 


Cooperate with.) 

wowane v rise (like water) ijo 

nijwowane water went up from 

ground (sem. domains: 1.3.2 - 


wowe [ʼwowe] n 1) broom naorip 

wowe a broom from the palm tree 

[made from naorip palm] (sem. 

domains: 5.6.5 - Sweep, rake.) 2) 

dirt (physical not ritual) amna 

taplu lommom wowe ranya prae 

you eat food with dirt (on it) onka 

lwar wowijwe my clothes are dirty 

wowe ran dirty 

wowe 1 v go across, go up out of, go 

upstream loko pwowe he went up 

(out of the water) em kot 

peyamwowe lomom we went up (the 

hill to o ce) for the court case 

loko Ewanma panakwowe he 

crossed the Yellow River ijo arkok 

arpakwowe water again broke over 

(dam) ewonni aro unwanwowe, i 

naki mapa kik pamkounanporae a 

crested pigeon ew out (of 

something), and landed there on 

top of the vine stalk lomko parwa 

lokoka peyawowe they ascended on 

a ladder em amu yawowe I am 

going up the mountain (sem. 

domains: 7.2.2.4 - Move up.) 

wowe 2 v 1) grow (singular) lir 

aklarapi pwowale the coconut buds 

grew/budded nu taplu ao wowale 

yapan the food could not grow well 


plants.) 2) increase (habits - like 

with a child) lujel lomkoka 

ineinein kokleyau elwal pokujwal 

tea nakwowe these people were bad 

since their birth (sem. domains: 

8.1.4.2 - Increase.) 

wowe 4 v wear (clothes or 

decoration) on lwar ari wowe I 

already put clothes on lomko 

aurpal lomom pwowale they wore 

nose rings (sem. domains: 5.3.7 - 


wowele v angry tan laplimom peiraoke 

i pwowele the two kids play and

wowi 272 

ght (sem. domains: 3.4.2.3 - 

Angry.) 

wowi [ʼwowi] n 1) idol; false god 

alom plolle wowi lomom irno irno 

pakanire they believe in the idols 

they made nawowi mother god of 

sago aokwae wowi god of the spirit 

aiwal wowi god of the nettles 

kamkai wowi god of legs and death 

(sem. domains: 4.9.8.1 - Idol.) 2) 

dance, ritual or mask for idol 

worship lomko apo wowijowa they 

will now do a spirit dance nu loko 

wowi nakani lwapna no powe nu 

loko ground like the place for spirit 

dances [there are three di erent 

types of wowi dances] 

wowi pakijou n false god - clearest 

way to contrast with real God 

wowipae imami n food exchanged 

during ritual feasts related to 

worship of spirits gen: imami 

taplu. 

wowokelya adv free up by cutting 

away hindering vines (tree stuck 

in vines that could not grow) 

naolo mim pwolke, i takakirou jwale 

lokoka, i mi aolia wowokleya aro 

kija the bush trees and vines had 

wrapped up the tree, and when 

(they) were cut away, the tree by 

itself was free to stand (and grow) 

(sem. domains: 6.2 - Agriculture, 

8.3.5.3 - Common.) 

woworunae v close (eyes) lokok eno 

woworu powe his eyes are closed 

(blind) em eno pworworupae we 

closed our eyes eno awoworupa 

wom you plural must close your 

eyes enoya tawoworu naolire eyes 

still closed/heavy in sleep (also 

blind) eno woworu lu blind man 

lomko enom pworupae they close 

their eyes (so can't see) (sem. 


wowowe [woʼwowe] n act like 

(always used in comparisons) on 

kwalka ayak wowowe I act like my 

father syn: irno ariawe. (sem. 

domains: 8.3.5.2.2 - Like, 

similar.)

273 yaki 

-ya [ʼja] postpos source; goal (noun 

su x attached to the last word of 

a noun phrase as a source or goal 

phrase for motion verbs) er apo 

Yuwalikya yakija we will go north to 

Y y 

Yuwali today on walaya ple I went to yae n vine stem/trunk (sem. domains: 

the house taplu lalya ao rae, mijaki 

nwarika taowa do not eat food with 

hands, will eat with tongs (sem. 

domains: 9.5.1.6.1 - Source (of 

movement), 9.5.1.6.3 - Goal (of 

movement).) 

no, (the pig) still stands (here) em 

Yaru maem ulapukyak mokweilyae 

we arrived there at Yaru just in the 

afternoon (sem. domains: 9 - 

Grammar.) 


yaka- [ʼyaka] adv preceding (verbal 

pre x aspect); bit (of time) ne 

yakaki! you stop! yakmarijowom! 

you all search rst/for a bit! (sem. 

domains: 8.4.5.2 - Before.) 

ya- [ʼjə] v:dx far away eko pokokwame, 

yaki [ʼjaki] n part (of the body) onka 

"praipan le. arka ro. mari ro. yari ro." 

yaki tija popleya pele one part of my 

she said, "the fry pan is there. maybe 

(body) hurts yaki tipia tipia ewanwa 

here, maybe close, maybe farther." 

divide parts of meat (to give to 

lomko arma pnakamlele lokoka, i 

di erent people) yaki kelo kelo, i 

paklam tija yeirre when they took the 

yaki tija pila there are many parts 

dogs, (they) killed a wallaby there 

(of the body) and one part (is) the 

far away (sem. domains: 8.5.2.6 - 

Away from.) 

mouth (sem. domains: 2.1 - Body.) 

yaki [ʼjəki] n 1) sprout; seed ne nar 

-ya [ʼja] only; just; still em panireya we 

yaki plawa? did you plant the 

are still sitting manija only three 

banana shoots? (sem. domains: 

nowarikyak tea nupleyawarle (you) 

1.5.6 - Growth of plants.) 2) young 

should hold everything only with 

(plant or animal) lu loko yaki laowe 

tongs takwemya tea plaelame (they) 

the man is raising young animals 

planted only tobacco a-a pakireya 

(sem. domains: 1.6.3 - Animal life

yakijaki 274 

cycle, 2.6.4.2 - Child.) comp. 

mijaki 

yakijaki [jakiʼtʃaki] n everywhere; 

every part yakijaki pokulou all parts 

of the body lao num yakijakijam lwae yaleya [jaleʼja] v go-return (in one 

it rained everywhere (sem. domains: 

8.1.5 - All, 8.5 - Location.) 

yakilapaplole [jəkiləpəplol] v stand 

pushing lujel amaole lomom 

peyakilapaplolonae many people 

stood pushing him (sem. domains: 

7.1.1 - Stand, 7.7.4 - Press.) 

yakilwe [ʼjəkilwe] n daughter-in-law 

(third person form that only a 

mother-in-law uses) yakilwe Sara... 

daughter-in-law Sara syn: walalip. 

(sem. domains: 4.1.9.2.2 - In-law.) 

yakire v go upstream (north) on 

Norambalip peyakirle I was starting 

to go north to Norombalip (sem. 


yakla le [ʼjəklə le] v look rst; spy on 

tanma yakla le I go to see the child 

(newborn) loko yakla peyakwokire 

he rst on top stood looking (for 

enemies) loko yapum yaklam yarwa 

he will come to see the Sepik (for 

rst time) yaklele lu look- rst man 

(implied: one who stays about two 

weeks and then leaves) 

yaku [ʼjaku] n ebony tree [used to 

make sago scraping tools] (sem. 


day without sleeping there) on 

yaleyam malelerre I went there and 

returned (sem. domains: 7.2 - 

Move.) 

yali alwa (comp. of alwa) n ax 

(ancestors') syn: amei 2. (sem. 


yalija [jaliʼtʃa] n widower; widow; 

single person loko yalija ninake he 

is living alone (single) yalija el single 

woman (usually older) yalija plak 

young unmarried man (sem. 

domains: 2.6.1.3 - Unmarried.) 

yalija lu n widower syn: iplawae lu. 

(sem. domains: 4.1.9.3 - Widow, 

widower.) 

yalu [ʼjalu] n gobble (the red gobble 

of cassowary) [the development of 

this shows the bird is almost 

mature] (sem. domains: 1.6.2.1 - 

Parts of a bird.) 

yalwelenae v oat (straight down like 

in air) ewae yalwelenae the leaf 

oats straight down (sem. domains:

275 yapal 

7.2.2.5.1 - Fall.) 

yam [ʼjəm] n moon, month yam nakija 

inke a new moon rises yam ari tane 

the moon has gone down er peyakire, 

yamka we went north, during the 

moon (shining) yam wowaeka time 

of moon shining (sem. domains: 

1.1.1.1 - Moon, 8.4.1.4 - Month.) 

yam- [jəm] v:dx here (verbal spatial 

pre x meaning "here" or towards 

the speaker) lapliko peyare, i 

peyamkeinakire they came, and saw 

(it) here (sem. domains: 8.5.1 - 

Here, there.) 

yamaya [jəʼmaja] adv give something 

with nothing in return [can be 

marry without giving a sister in 

exchange (sister exchange is the 

norm for Namia people)] (sem. 

domains: 7.4.1 - Give, hand to.) 

yammirnae (der. of ) v run towards 

loko peyam mirnae he runs here 

(towards us) mirwale (plural people) 

run away from (sem. domains: 

7.2.1.2 - Move quickly.) 

yanalwa [jəʼnəlwə] n son-in-law (third 

person - both mother and father- 

in-law can use this term) (sem. 

domains: 4.1.9.2.2 - In-law.) 

yankae [jənʼkae] n rack (sem. 

domains: 5.2.1.4 - Food storage.) 

yao aru tawei imami n feast that 

happens traditionally after a 

victory in battle gen: imami taplu 

. (sem. domains: 5.2.2.3 - Feast.) 

yao wali naklele lu n ghter who 

stands in front of others with the 

shield yao wali naklele lu loko pijaki 

pamnaklele, i anapir tan lomko 

namaklaka plewe the ghter carrying 

the shield goes rst, and the ones 

carrying bows come behind (and are 

protected by the shield) (sem. 

domains: 4.8.2.3 - Attack.) 

yaolapapanae [jaoləpəpana] v oat 

around ewae yaolapapanae the leaf 

oats around as it descends 

yaowe v ght (with outsiders, not 

with those in village) lu loko yaowe 

yonai lu that man is a ghter yao 

kwawe make a ght yao taole a ght 

may come yao ineinein thinking 

about ghting yao lunapi enemy 

yaoyaoya ghting yaonei lu enemy 

syn: wolpan. (sem. domains: 

4.8.2.3 - Attack.) 

yapal [jəʼpələ] n house post (made of 

ironwood usually); ironwood tree

yapalnao 276 

loko yapal laole he smooths the post 

lomko wala yapal kakeya ao rowale 

they did not put house posts down 

deep linao yapal peyakneiwalnale 

(the spider) rst tightened its web 

spoke pt: wali 3. (sem. domains: 

6.5.2.6 - Foundation.) comp. 

awoku yapal 

yapalnao n bark with a good smell, 

not for eating (sem. domains: 1.5.5 

- Parts of a plant.) 

yapan [jəʼpan] adj good; kind yapan 

kowe heal (lit: do good to) yapanya 

powe was kind to (sem. domains: 

4.1.8 - Show a ection, 8.3.7 - 

Good.) comp. yapanwei 

yapan kowe v heal loko yapan ari kowe 

he has healed (sem. domains: 2.5.7 

- Treat disease.) 

yapanwei [jəpanʼwei] (comp. of 

yapan) adj good; kind nek ar 

yapanweija? are your dogs good? mo 

onma tea pnalwani yapanweire my 

mother just cared for me well lu loko 

lwar yapanweijam konae this man 

put very good clothes on (sem. 

domains: 8.3.7 - Good.) 

yaplon [jə'plon] n calf muscle; shin 

syn: lipamir lamo, lipamir. (sem. 


yaram- [ʼjarəm] v:dx north; upriver 

loko peyaramwanire he lives up north 

yarare [jəʼrare] v come downriver 

(south) lapliko kwekwae laweika 

yarare, Kleinmakuja they came south 

from Kleinmaku in the late 

afternoon (lit: at frog-croaking time) 


down.) 

yarau [jəʼrau] n claw kinali lum yarau 

ilonpae bandicoots prick men with 

their claws awem api eko apo yarau 

tailonpawa now the cassowary might 

kick/stab us with its claws [only 

bandicoots (kinali) and 

cassowaries (api) have yarau] 

(sem. domains: 1.6.2.1 - Parts of a 

bird, 1.6.2.5 - Parts of small 

animals.) 

yare [ʼjər] v come from a distance of 

metres away at least ne yar! you 

come! em walaya aro arpeyare we 

returned to the house mi tija aro 

arpeyarwenlalerre a tree broke o 

coming back (at us) an nakiplak 

aolok ai takwem aro yarakare from 

the time I was a young man coming 

(to now) I (chewed) areca nut and 

smoked (sem. domains: 7.2.3.2.1 -

277 yolan 

Come.) 

-yarle [ʼjərle] (fr. var. warle) adv 

authority mood su x takikwariya 

will certainly get 

yau adj excellent, holy (sem. domains: 

8.3.7 - Good.) 

yaware [jaʼware] v descend peyawowe 

i parpeyaware (they) went up and 

down wolwol trowea tea peyaware i 

lalma peyameire the spider just 

slowly descended and bit (my) hand 

here lu tija aro yaware a man 

descended (sem. domains: 7.2.2.5 - yokwo [ʼjokwo] n seed, type of yokwo 

Move down.) 

yawi [ʼjawi] n carving; writing on kali 

yawi lomwe I write the words (sem. 

domains: 3.5.7.1 - Write.) 

yawowe [jaʼwowe] v ascend loko 

peyawowe he went up (sem. 


yemnawei [jemnaʼwei] n 1) left wom 

yemnawei ki maem aro keinakimo 

you must look on the top left side 

ant: aimta. (sem. domains: 8.5.2.3 

- Right, left.) 2) wrong kali loko 

kwain yamnaweija kowe that talk 

goes a little wrong (lit: a little left) 

(sem. domains: 8.3.7.7.1 - Wrong, 

unsuitable.) 

yoku [ʼjoku] n grassland; sword grass 

em yoku wala panire we stayed at the 

grassland house yoku plan the grass 

of the grassland yoku wai the snake 

of the grassland (sem. domains: 

1.2.1.6 - Forest, grassland, desert, 

1.5.3 - Grass, herb, vine.) 

yoku wao [ʼjoku ʼwao] n salt (from a 

type of grass) (sem. domains: 

5.2.3.3.2 - Salt.) 

yokujwai [jokuʼtʃwai] n death adder 

(sem. domains: 1.6.1.3.1 - Snake.) 

wan medicine tablet (sem. domains: 


yolae [joʼlwae] adj very aura yolae lu 

a man with much money (rich) 

(sem. domains: 8.1.3.1 - Many, 

much.) 

yolan [jolʼwan] n friend - a person 

who welcomes you, gives you 

food, speaks kindly to you, can 

extend to sexual relationship 

lapliko em tan kali peire, yolwan 

powe they talked with us and we 

became friends nowea nowea 

walamaku lujela yarwale lommom 

pakike, i wala yapan kalkao porae. 

taplu pnowe, i walaka pelali nowae, 

tarwan kali peire, i yolan powe.

yolu tip 278 

(you) take all kinds of people who 

come, invite them to sit at your 

house, give them food and a place to 

sleep, and speak kindly to them, and 

that is being a friend. yolan 

leyoweraowe always friends awaplija 

poku yolwan nanolo namia powe loko 

when you two had not had 

intercourse... syn: amo. (sem. 


yolu tip [ʼtʃolu ʼtip] (comp. of tip 2) n 

palm with weaker bark [Yaru 

Village is named after this - this 

palm is used to make bark basket 

tip] Areca palm (sem. domains: 

1.5.1 - Tree.) 

yon 1 [ʼjon] n steam (of hot water) ijo 

yon pakakirele, i ijo neirkale when 

the water starts to steam, the water 

youna [jouʼna] n ancestor's stone (for 

moves (sem. domains: 5.2.1 - Food 

cutting sago) [found on Elamoli's 

preparation.) 

mountain near the Sepik River] 

yon 2 [ʼjon] n python wai maip yon loko 

takanakire the spirit gives a man 

strength and then actions can start 

[one of the aokwae spirits that 

gives a person strength to do both 

good and bad actions - or may be 

something inside of a man related 

to his blood - not an outside thing 

like an evil spirit - it does nol 

wanowi - work of the blood] (sem. 

domains: 3.1 - Soul, spirit.) 

yonai 1) adv do towards; apply 2) adj 

many (sem. domains: 8.1.3.1 - 

Many, much.) comp. airae yonae 

this big python snake yon weilawaon 

younau n gourd syn: weipamu. 

python snake [type that does not 

yowe [ʼjowe] n sugarcane loko yowe 

ght, has yellow & white marks on 

pweijwenwole he cut and gave us 

nose, has diamond pattern on 

some sugarcane (sem. domains: 

belly] syn: weilwaon. (sem. 


5.2.3.3.1 - Sugar.) 

yoweyao [joweʼjao] adv completely 

yonae n man's spirit; spirit yonae loko 

lum naklim pnowe, i wanowim 

(verb modi er that means the 

lu 

yone [ʼjone] n spinach eko yone palipe 

she picked spinach greens Araman 

gangeticus (sem. domains: 


(sem. domains: 1.2.2.2 - Rock.)

279 -yowirao 

in uence of the verb is more 

intense - used frequently as the 

second part of a compound verb). 

When used with motion verbs, 

implies that the subject does not 

return. kinali loko pleyoweyaowe the 

bandicoot left completely em ao 

arpakakire, Elmolika. em tea ple 

yoweyawe e, ena we did not stay at 

Elmolika. we just went completely 

(to) the lake em tea peyakire 

yoweyaowe we just went completely 

north yoweyao kakija aro kakire 

stand up bravely during a hunt (lit: 

stay completely standing) (cannot 

use this form for bravery in other 

situations) (sem. domains: 9.3.2 - 

Completely.) 

yowi [ʼjowi] n hole yowi yowi opae full Lokok aura maria? How much is it? 

of holes yowijapla out of womb 

(sem. domains: 1.2.1 - Land.) 

-yowirao [̤jowiʼrao] adv ignorantly (as 

Nevermind. The cost is too much. 

in something is made poorly 

because one does not know how - 

this modi er is used in compound 

verbs - frequently co-occurs with 

the word meaning aimless ipla) on 

ta lomom taurowiraowe I cut the 

meat ignorantly ipla talonae owirao 

falsely accuse parwa taowiraowe 

made the steps without knowing how 

wala tawijowiraowe build a house 

without knowing how am nakwolu 

armom owowiraowe you therefore 

worked sorcery ignorantly a-a, onma 

na tea yaknowirao no, you rst just 

give me sago for free (sem. 

Domains: 8.3.7.1 - Bad.) 

Namia Conversations: 

1. Ne morle? Where are you going? 

On aijanya le. I am going to the forest. 

Ne apo arpeyarwa? Will you come back 

today? 

Awo, ewaliya arpeyarmiya. 

No, tomorrow will come back. 

2. On pira rin talaolkwa. I want to buy a 

can of sh. 

Lokok aura le, lula mani. Its cost is 30 (K3). 

Paemari. Aura loko kapou maip. 

3. Awem plemele, urya. Let's go to the 

garden. 

Yapanwei, on wanao peilire. Good I'm 

hungry. 

Em nar yakim maplaowa. 

We will plant banana shoots.

Namia Dictionary - SIL International

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