Buruya Nzaysa/Thematic dictionary

A Thematic Dictionary of Buruya Nzaysa

Note: Not every word in the main dictionary is included, and some words may appear in multiple semantic fields. In case of conflict, the main dictionary, and not this page, should be considered authoritative.

Time and location

Time

ɛte

n.

day

mɔromə

n.

night

tolma

n.

morning, dawn

badolu

n.

morning, early day

əmuyso

n.

noon

tolbɔ

n.

evening, dusk

esugo

n.

evening, early night

latsa

n.

hour

pelvo

n.

hourglass

kəsusa

n.

calendar

əsu

n.

calendar date

lɛ

n.

year

spexətsa

n.

spring

ya’ɔwa

n.

summer

nzɛwəslu

n.

autumn

rɛyrɔ

n.

winter

xawə́be

n.

month

yɔti

n.

week (of the Fáralo calendar)

gɔyto

n.

week (of the Ndok calendar)

palmayo

n.

1st day of the week

atsɔyo

n.

2nd day of the week

ɛkuyo

n.

3rd day of the week

əbeyo

n.

4th day of the week

buliyo

n.

5th day of the week

omɔyo

n.

6th day of the week

toyo

n.

7th day of the week

tsuyo

n.

8th day of the week

kawa

n.

last year

smalu

n.

last week; last month

usɔ

n.

yesterday

mah

n.

today

tsore

n.

tomorrow

ogo

n.

early

məsta

n.

late

pewəlu

n.

beginning

nta

n.

end

exɛ

n.

first

pɛgavo

n.

last

isaga

n.

previous, preceding

səmvo

n.

next in line, subsequent

ɔdɔvo

n.

event

soslu

n.

annals, chronicles

ogó’ə

n.

history

atsɔlu

n.

the past

dɛlu

n.

the present

ñudɔ

n.

the future

mvora

n.

new

lire

n.

young

ñurɔ

n.

old, ancient

ñire

pp.

before, until

rabɛ

pp.

while, during

owa

pp.

after, since

witsu

pron.

now

tsetsu

pron.

then

ɛtsu

pron.

always

matsu

pron.

never

natsu

pron.

sometime

solə

pron.

when?

piga

adv.

initially, at first

rabəga

adv.

at the same time, simultaneously

səmaga

adv.

next

ntise

adv.

immediately

uvo

adv.

soon

mvuga

adv.

already

pɛga

adv.

finally

smada

adv.

recently

atsa

adv.

still

bu

adv.

again

uvi

v.erg

happen, occur, come to pass

mɔwa

v.

begin

ntada

v.

stop, finish

kwəma

v.

repeat

we’ɔ

v.

expect

oxɔtɔ

v.

anticipate

səma

v.

wait

məmat

v.

remember

esopo

v.

forget

tɛnɔ

v.

delay, postpone

ɛraga

v.

be ineffective, waste time

əno

v.

linger, remain, stay

Distance, direction, movement

kwətso

n.

distance

kəlu

n.

step, yard (measurement of distance)

latsi

n.

abroad

tavlɛ

n.

far away, outside the Edák sphere

petu

n.

separation

ñɛdu

n.

infinite

bədu

n.

near, close-by

tsu

n.

vicinity, surroundings

ega

n.

straight

sisu

n.

left side

ɔ’a

n.

right side

ñunɛ

n.

middle, center

xagala

n.

portion, fraction, part, piece

ɛnalu

n.

ground, floor, bottom

əvle

n.

north

nasa

n.

east

tamlu

n.

south

mvəlu

n.

west

ako

n.

origin, source

kəñəla

n.

target

ñanɛ

n.

link, connection

kwɛña

n.

ring, circle

botsoño

n.

square, rectangle

ñɔlna

n.

state of affairs, setting, situation, circumstances

ñalɔ́nzi

n.

speed, velocity, acceleration

lɔnzi

n.

quick, fast

kəlna

n.

slow

o

pp.

at, on

ada

pp.

to, towards

ni

pp.

in, into

owa

pp.

from

mvəbo

pp.

between, among, along, through

sade

pp.

outside of, behind, beyond

moldu

pp.

in front of

gilu

pp.

over, above, on top of

gɔla

pp.

under, below

ñugɛ

pp.

around

ñire

pp.

as far as

wa

pp.

against

wilu

pron.

here

tselu

pron.

there

ɛlu

pron.

everywhere

malu

pron.

nowhere

nalu

pron.

somewhere

yəlu

pron.

where?

kə

v.

go, walk

oskə

v.

come, approach

məlu

v.

arrive

nora

v.

go outside, leave temporarily

noñə

v.

leave, depart, go away

ninólɔyə

v.

emigrate

amo

v.

travel

xañɔ

v.

move

nəlga

v.

turn, twist, rotate, spin, stir

mɔysa

v.

recede, retreat, go backward

iyɔda

v.

lead

wano

v.

follow

xo’a

v.

chase

kalma

v.

lose one's way

əmu

v.

be out of place

xida

v.

climb, go upward

ɛnta

v.

descend, go downward

pə

v.erg

fall

ɔdɛ

v.

pull

mvawɛ

v.

push, shove

tsugə

v.

press, squeeze, pinch

ñawe

v.

put, place

mpadɛ

v.

keep positioned (in a certain way)

taspa

v.

point at

nodɛ

v.

reach for, touch

solvo

v.

bring, carry

xaga

v.

distribute

nzolab

v.

arrange, sort, classify

niñawe

v.

insert

ñañəvi

v.

connect

tɛfta

v.

combine with

ətsa

v.

be attached to

sɔdɔ

v.

stick out, protrude

to’anu

v.

impede, obstruct, block

salaspo

v.

put away

mɛpsɔh

v

expel, eject

kəh

v.

throw

pili

v.

send

Types of places

ŋkana

n.

the world

ɔlu

n.

place, location, territory

la

n.

land, region

latsi

n.

foreign country

layáxa

n.

kingdom, state

bɛru

n.

estate; land owned by a noble

sanu

n.

village

mo

n.

town, city

ñunɛmo

n.

city center

ñuylu

n.

marketplace

baulu

n.

harbor

rɛməl

n.

quay

mlu

n.

home, house

mlusɔmɛ

n.

houseboat

mluñunɛ

n.

inn, hostel

mɛsɛlu

n.

tavern

oñelu

n.

mill

banilu

n.

temple

waslu

n.

grave, tomb

tsɔvlu

n.

tower

pawaymó

n.

city walls

alɔra

n.

wall

kaywemə

n.

fence, boundary

tere

n.

door, gate

murɔ

n.

gap, passageway

nolɔ

n.

road, path, way

xɔpsah

n.

trade route

əlu

n.

bend in the road

xuñe

n.

crossroads

xawaxa

n.

bridge

mopso

n.

ford

ɔtse

n.

river

ñanzɔmɛ

n.

canal, waterway

sɔmɛlu

n.

well, fountain

tasku’u

n.

waterfall, rapids

mɛsɔtsə

n.

confluence

lawa

n.

mouth of a river; delta

ludɛ

n.

riverbank

su

n.

shore, coast (of a lake or ocean)

polu

n.

island

ponaba

n.

small island

tu

n.

lake

ədu

n.

ocean

pɛlbɛ

n.

beach

gɔgəh

n.

bay, bayou

avɛlu

n.

swamp, bog

opsa

n.

lowlands, plains

dɛñə

n.

mountain, hill

xolu

n.

slope

palda

n.

valley

ntɔh

n.

forest

xadalu

n.

woodland

mɛslu

n.

meadow, pastureland

wəlu

n.

garden, orchard

mayradɛ

n.

balcony, terrace, veranda

naysi

n.

field

ɛlu

n.

farm

People

General terms

maldɔ

n.

person, human being

ru

n.

man

asa

n.

woman

dəpse

n.

child

tsɛsəbo

n.

baby, infant

iñeru

n.

boy

iñesi

n.

girl

lirevo

n.

teenager, adolescent

liru

n.

young man

aduna

n.

young woman

ñavo

n.

adult

rauru

n.

old person; senior

da’ɔ

n.

male

sivo

n.

female

Kinship

gəsta

n.

family, relatives, descendants

ñanɛvo

n.

relative

mɛwɛnomɔ

n.

parents

mɛwɛ

n.

father

omɔ

n.

mother

mɛya

n.

brother

iñomu

n.

sister

gəru

n.

son

ve

n.

son

tara

n.

daughter

isavru

n.

husband

nɛtsi

n.

wife

uyse’abɔ

n.

bride, fiancée

sɛpsɔya

n.

significant other; boyfriend/girlfriend

mɛpsi

n.

grandfather

opsi

n.

grandmother

ruña

n.

uncle; male cousin

asaña

n.

aunt; female cousin

The nobility

sɛtsa’ɔk

n.

emperor

de’áxa

n.

king, ruler

tsɔska

n.

queen

sasama

n.

baron, lord

sasanzi

n.

baroness

nata

n.

noble status

natavo

n.

person of noble descent

erɔvo

n.

sir; man of high prestige

yɔsa

n.

lady; woman of high prestige

səmvo

n.

successor, heir

de’axɛ́to

n.

dynasty

Occupations

aga

n.

craftsman

baxa

n.

captain (of a ship)

daspo

n.

warrior

ɛbo

n.

peasant, farmer

gaxɛtu

n.

veteran, pensioner

gəñobo

n.

singer (of religious songs), reciter (of epic poems), eulogist

gɔlna’a

n.

researcher, explorer

gɔni

n.

member of the merchant guild

gorɔyvo

n.

prophet, guru

kɛyfo

n.

spearman

kəlna

n.

teacher

kwədaspo

n.

junior craftsman

manavo

n.

consultant; member of the city council

mɛgagɔy

n.

general, military commander

məvo

n.

traveller

mɔlado

n.

guard, sentinel, custodian

mvopso

n.

musician

nilədo

n.

judge

ñaysə

n.

slave, servant

ñoxubo

n.

adventurer

ɔyalsi

n.

marketwoman

ɔyalvo

n.

trader, merchant

ɔyrolvo

n.

entertainer, performer

omɔlvo

n.

weaver

ore’e

n.

master craftsman

perɛdo

n.

leader, executive

re’abo

n.

student, apprentice

rulɛwi

n.

writer, poet

rulsi

n.

prostitute

runah

n.

priest

ruyɔvo

n.

inventor, creative person

sɛvɛsɛtɔy

n.

monk, hermit, ascetic

susuvo

n.

messenger

tovo

n.

assistant

tsɛvobo

n.

innkeeper

tsenɛ́ña

n.

scholar

tsɔbo

n.

shepherd

uyɔlvo

n.

philosopher

xo’avo

n.

hunter

Other terms for people

avavo

n.

offender, culprit, criminal

balbo

n.

sick person

dɔ’ɔ

n.

physically weak person

ɛnzədɛ

n.

straight-haired person

ɛñəmu

n.

curly-haired person

əbivo

n.

blind person

əstədo

n.

widow(er), orphan

iravo

n

outsider (derog.)

kalɛste

n.

active person; one who takes charge of things

karo

n.

helpful person

kətsɔ

n.

patron, sponsor, generous person

luki

n.

versatile person, clever person, genius

maməlgɛ

n.

honest person, trustworthy person

mɛlɛdu

n.

member (of a group or category)

meko

n.

lookalike

mepsovo

n.

outgoing person

məmova

n.

business partner

məropso

n.

one who cannot forgive

mlaña

n.

visitor, stranger

mɔdɔnɛ

n.

mysterious person

musmə

n.

fool

mpɛbo

n.

mourner, one who is in grief

mpunə

n.

heathen

mvɔrula

n.

respected person, one who has good social standing

mvoñuvo

n.

founder, initiator

mvora

n.

newcomer

nospo

n.

dying person

nzɛwəspo

n.

recipient, addressee

ñabo

n.

one who does not pay attention

ñalvo

n.

berserk; one who is mad with rage

ñoluvo

n.

rival

oldɛbi

n.

one who lacks foresight

otsevo

n.

experienced person; expert

pauvo

n.

acrobat; person with skillful movement

petuvo

n.

refugee, exiled person

rañavo

n.

insane person, lunatic

rɛnavo

n.

miser, scrooge

rɛvlevo

n.

opponent, antagonist

rosa’o

n.

citizen (person with full civic rights)

rudɔ

n.

role model; archetype

ruñɔxɔ

n.

liar, hypocrite, double-dealer

səmədo

n.

stubborn person

simvo

n.

one who prefers to be alone

sɔsa

n.

slut, whore

spɛspo

n.

hero; strategist

stasavo

n.

changed person; convert

suñabo

n.

ally; one who cooperates

tagɔvo

n.

rebel; traitor

tivo

n.

friend

toñɔ

n.

strict person, authoritative person

uylospo

n.

inexperienced person; amateur

uysɔbo

n.

jealous person

vono

n.

aggressive person

wayfo

n.

confident person, one who is prudent

wemə

n.

neighbor

we’ɔvo

n.

optimist; ambitious person

Flora, fauna, and agriculture

Livestock

bɔ

n.

ox

mɛsa

n.

cow, bull

xɛvra

n.

sheep

kwərə

n.

goat

nzata

n.

pig

nalo

n.

horse

pə’águ

n.

pack horse

aski

n.

stallion; war horse

lɔyse

n.

poultry

mpiña

n.

chicken

lɛñanɛ

n.

goose

lidu

n.

duck

Other animals

tsə

n.

dog

dəsmobo

n.

tracking dog

ñufɛ

n.

cat

sose

n.

mouse, rat

yubuso

n.

oppossum

nɔlsi

n.

squirrel

xi’ɔ

n.

rabbit

reyo

n.

fox

tilɛ

n.

tiger

dɔ’ɛ

n.

wild boar

tikasa

n.

llama

yɛski

n.

bird

gɛxu

n.

eagle

tali

n.

hawk, falcon

tɔfu

n.

owl

adavo

n.

crow, raven

romoldu

n.

peacock

mpɛsa

n.

fish

oño

n.

crayfish, crustacean

pisoño

n.

crab

se’əspo

n.

frog

ɛma

n.

snake

mogi

n.

worm

ɔyvinza

n.

insect

ame

n.

fly

amedalsu

n.

bee

kusavo

n.

wasp, hornet

tsətse

n.

louse

yuska

n.

a legendary creature that eats people

Animal-related words

əña

n.

animal

əñamlu

n.

pet

əñali

n.

young (of an animal)

ɛsɛtsi

n.

type, species

sudusa

n.

meat

dəbu

n.

fat, oil

te’o

n.

milk

xɛvrine

n.

wool

nakwi

n.

fur

ntəwa

n.

tail

xolnálo

n.

hoof

munanɔ

n.

claw

tɔwi

n.

horn

mavli

n.

beak

tɛde

n.

wing

rɔva

n.

feather

ŋkili

n.

egg

mɔñi

n.

shell (of an egg)

teseñu

n.

beehive

dalsu

n.

honey

kili

n.

wild, feral, fierce, dangerous

koxi

v.

domesticate; keep (animals)

mɛspɔra

v.

breed, raise (animals)

bɔra

v.

feed

ya’iga

v.

tie, bind

rələh

v.

ride

xo’a

v.

hunt, chase

kweka

n.

game (hunted animals)

esevo

n.

trap

ti’aga

n.

net (especially for fishing)

same

v.

bring down, hunt down, slay, prey upon

Food crops

monzi

n.

grain

boma

n.

wheat

nigiwo

n.

rice

afe

n.

fruit

suni

n.

apple

wɛna

n.

vegetable

kwaxa

n.

beans

ñitsɔrə

n.

sweet potato

sɔntu

n.

carrot

nɛnagɔ

n.

cabbage

nzukatu

n.

tomato

yastɛ

n.

pumpkin, gourd

ɔvɔdɛ

n.

beetroot

bapsɛ

n.

onion

saxə

n.

garlic

kusə’a

n.

olive

bɔsalɔ

n.

ginger

kepə

n.

herb, spice

xalu

n.

black pepper

ŋkura

n.

cloves

tulsu

n.

cinnamon

naga

n.

cardamom

gamu

n.

cumin

wəsku

n.

turmeric, curcuma

xiso

n.

coriander

sasalgɔ

n.

sugar cane

Other plants

nzi

n.

tree

te’i

n.

willow tree

mvaronowɛ

n.

beech tree

ilu

n.

flower

lanɔ

n.

rose

əpse

n.

grass

təska

n.

flax

istixu

n.

cotton

mpexəme

n.

tallgrass

sasɔmɛ

n.

reed

tsɔyɔspe

n.

moss

tsɔxevo

n.

fungus, mushroom (in general)

xɛrɔ

n.

a type of mushroom

Plant-related words

ponə

n.

vegetation; plants

itu

n.

blossom

tsi

n.

seed

bawo

n.

root

xat

n.

wood

mvaro

n.

rind, peel

mɔñi

n.

shell (of a nut)

alnɔ

n.

branch, twig

nɛpsonə

n.

leaf

stonza

n.

needle, spike, thorn

kwamɛdi

n.

tea, herbal infusion

ntɔh

n.

forest

xadalu

n.

woodland

mvotsi

v.erg

grow

avɔ

v.

flourish, thrive

iluso

v.

bloom

ŋkɛtsa

v.

wilt, wither, decay

Other agricultural words

ɛbo

n.

peasant, farmer

ɛlu

n.

farm

naysi

n.

field

mɛslu

n.

meadow, pastureland

wəlu

n.

garden, orchard

rɛbɛ

n.

fertile

buli

n.

soil, earth

bulnanɔ

n.

plough

oñelu

n.

mill

bɛru

n.

estate; land owned by a noble

tsiso

v.

sow

Weather and astronomy

tuyasa

n.

good weather

rəlse

n.

hot weather

avɛ

n.

bad weather

səlu

n.

sky

tol

n.

sun

əbe

n.

moon

vi

n.

star

sivɔy

n.

cloud

kara

n.

fog, mist

mpəlɔ

n.

rain

kisɛ

n.

snow

mola

n.

ice

alsɔ

n.

wind

sexad

n.

storm

sexaspi

n.

hurricane

agono

n.

thunder

kexə

n.

lightning

əftapə́lɔ

n.

rainbow

bogə

n.

heat

rɛlga

n.

warm, hot

lətsu

n.

cold

iwe

v.erg

freeze

asna

v.erg

be dry

wəñə

v.erg

be wet

mlana

v.refl

flood

The human body

Body parts

ŋkwayfo

n.

body

əmo

n.

head

ɛne

n.

hair

kolduma

n.

face

soldu

n.

eyes

sɔga

n.

ears

puma

n.

nose

mab

n.

mouth

kayma

n.

lip

tselɔ

n.

tooth

koma

n.

tongue

pɛnɔra

n.

jaw, chin

mvintu

n.

shoulder

eta

n.

arm

tsoñeta

n.

elbow

to

n.

hand

nɛtso

n.

palm

toma

n.

fist

dəñe

n.

finger

lanɛvo

n.

index finger

kwe’əñe

n.

fingernail

bitsi

n.

leg

tso

n.

knee; joint

xol

n.

foot

ñəba

n.

toe

mpəwa

n.

nipple (of a woman)

mvusmo

n.

belly

boña

n.

back

lamɔ

n.

spine

xañɔvo

n.

muscle

mɔdɛ

n.

heart

əme

n.

liver

xorɔ

n.

guts

kəsa

n.

flesh and blood

gatsɔmɛ

n.

sweat

mpɛsɔmɛ

n.

tears

smɛnɔ

n.

gall

pɛsala

n.

feces, excrements

Senses and bodily actions

nzəna

v.erg

breathe, be alive

ena

v.erg

see, notice

tsɔve

v.

watch, observe

kasəl

v.

examine, inspect, look closely

buna

v.

hear, listen

kwɛsta

n.

noise

magɛsta

n.

silence

dubɔ

v.erg

smell (perceive scent)

dəñɛ

v.

taste, savour

algɔ

n.

sweet

e’u

n.

sour

ɛnɔ

n.

bitter

tul

v.

eat

nzugi

v.

devour, eat greedily

savla

v.

drink

pɛnə

v.

bite

kwɛtsa

v.

chew

inzɔ

v.

swallow

ani

n.

hungry

konzo

v.

lick

malɛ

v.

suck

utse

v.

blow

lɛldɛ

v.

touch, caress

spɛ

v.erg

feel, experience (of physical sensations)

ogab

v.

suffer, feel pain

nodɛ

v.

reach for

ɛsul

v.

take, catch, grab

ɔdɛ

v.

take, pull

dənzo

v.

grasp, handle, manipulate; ply

yana

v.

cling to, hold fast, retain

mvunɛ

v.

have, hold

la’e

v.

lift, hold up (physically)

dalmə

v.

present; lift towards

solvo

v.

bring, carry

tsɔmva

v.

drop, let go of

kəh

v.

throw

tsugə

v.

press, squeeze, pinch

mvawɛ

v.

push, shove; urge

kume

v.

punch; test

tsoñəba

v.

kick

xoñi

v.

break, tear apart

sili

v.

pierce, stab

əxra

v.

scratch; dig

ñədɛ

v.

wipe

bəbɔ

v.

rub

ləmo

v.

smile

ñañɔ

v.

laugh

mpi

v.erg

cry, weep

wesi

v.

scream

nzəxrə

v.

yell, shout

mvəgɛ

v.

sing

mve

v.

say, speak

sɛwə

v.

whisper

masto

v.

whistle

rɔnzobe

n.

voice

ɔrɛ

v.

stand

xəme

v.

stand up straight

mpɛ

v.erg

sit

xodah

v.

rest, relax

ñada

v.erg

sleep

xañɔ

v.

move

ntada

v.

stop, finish

kə

v.

go, walk

kwɛno

v.

walk around, stroll

otɛ

v.

run

pɛpɔy

v.

dance

se’ə

v.

jump

kəlu

n.

step

tsɛ

v.refl

wash oneself

əbu

v.refl

swim

nəlga

v.

turn

mɔysa

v.

go backward; retreat, recede

ɔlatsa

v.

tire, exhaust oneself

lesəgɔ

v.

tremble

pə

v.erg

fall

bal

v.erg

lie, lie down

ulbo

v.

crouch, kneel

kəñɛma

v.

crawl

pɛsa

v.

defecate

tsatsa

v.

sneeze

radɛna

v.

cough

bɛle

v.

burp, hiccup

ɔsinə

v.erg

choke

tsuto

v.

spit

wimvɔ

v.

vomit

gasta

v.

sweat, perspire

rɛtsisa

v.

bleed

Body condition

rɛtsə

n.

nature (of a thing/person), characteristic attribute

mu

n.

semblance, looks

əlmo

n.

beautiful, attractive

yumu

n.

neat, pretty, cute

navɔ

n.

ordinary-looking, average-sized

bɛgɔ

n.

puny, undesirable

rifə

n.

ugly, scary

ulpi

n.

size

tətsɔ

n.

big, fat

asi

n.

thick, obese

mewa

n.

stout, heavy, broad-shouldered

olto

n.

thin, slender, skinny

sewe

n.

tall, high

mvɔ

n.

short, small

nabaña

n.

tiny, little, dwarf-sized

katsu

n.

power, strength

mɛgɔ

n.

mighty, intimidating, powerful

kunə

n.

tough, muscular

ɛtsɛ

n.

weak, fragile

dɔ’ɔ

n.

weary, tired, physically weak

lɛlta

n.

graceful, agile, nimble, flexible

pauvo

n.

person with skillful movement

kɔla

n.

clumsy person

ñadə́nzo

n.

skill, dexterity, sleight of hand

ɛnzədɛ

n.

straight-haired person

ɛñəmu

n.

curly-haired person

mɛpsɔgo

n.

drunk, intoxicated

Health and disease

laste

n.

health

nɛsɔ’u

n.

not feeling well

nɛsɔ

n.

disease

əno

n.

disease, illness, plague

ñu’o

n.

pain

ñu’əmo

n.

headache

boñamad

n.

backache

rəstə

n.

scar

kwayo

n.

skin disease

tolta

n.

sunburn

ale

n.

fever

əbivo

n.

blind person

uño

n.

lame, crippled

əkə

v.

hobble, limp

ɛrula

n.

impotent

lamatɛ

n.

medicine (field of study)

orovo

n.

doctor

orono

n.

medicine (potion, medical drug)

lalpɔ

n.

medicine (cure-inducing treatment)

bəduspo

n.

bandage

mabo

n.

massage