A DICTIONARY AND GRAMMAR OUTLINE OF MADA, A PLATEAU LANGUAGE OF CENTRAL NIGERIA
2019 version
BASED ON THE RIJA DIALECT
Mada-English-Mada
Roger Blench Barau Kato (†) McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research University of Cambridge Correspondence to: 8, Guest Road Cambridge CB1 2AL United Kingdom Voice/ Ans (00-44)-(0)1223-560687 Mobile worldwide (00-44)-(0)7847-495590 E-mail [email protected] http://www.rogerblench.info/RBOP.htm
(Cambridge, 27 December 2018)
Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Front matter Preface This dictionary is a preliminary attempt to record the richness of the Mada language. It was prepared in its first form by Roger Blench and Barau Kato. However, Barau died prematurely in 2016, and subsequently, Roger Blench, with assistance from Robert Hedinger, converted the Word file to Flex, which enabled both the preparation of an English-Mada dictionary and more elaborate internal cross- referencing.
The dictionary is intended to help standardise the spelling of Mada words and to define words which are no longer in current use, especially cultural terms. The primary goal is to assist Mada speakers to use and spell words correctly. We hope also that the dictionary will be useful to students of the languages of Nigeria and of African languages in general.
An introduction has been provided to facilitate the effective use of the dictionary. It covers Mada phonology; current orthography; an outline of Mada grammar; Mada language use; abbreviations; and illustrates the structure of individual entries. The appendices provide information of both cultural interest, such as Mada personal names, towns and villages; and words developed for Mada Bible Translation.
The authors are aware that there are still many Mada words which have eluded us and that some words here defined may have secondary meanings that are not included. This is a draft circulated to interested individuals and therefore I would be grateful if any suggestions for amendment, correction and addition could be forwarded to the first author at the address given below.
Roger Blench Barau Kato (†) Cambridge, 27 December 2018
i Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Front matter TABLE OF C O N T E N T S
PREFACE...... I ABBREVIATIONS ...... IV 1. THE MADA PEOPLE: LOCATION, ORIGIN AND CLASSIFICATION...... 1 1.1 Location and Name ...... 1 1.2 Classification...... 1 1.3 Scholarly publication ...... 1 1.4 Dialects...... 2 1.5 Sources of material...... 2 2. THE SOUND SYSTEM OF MADA AND ITS ORTHOGRAPHY...... 3 2.1 Sound system ...... 3 2.1.1 Consonants...... 3 2.1.2 Vowels ...... 5 2.1.3 Tones ...... 5 2.2 Letters of the Mada alphabet...... 6 3. GRAMMAR SKETCH...... 6 3.1 Nouns ...... 6 3.1.1 Morphology...... 6 3.1.2 Synchronic number marking strategies ...... 7 Type I nouns: tone-alternation...... 7 Type II nouns: initial syllable reduplication ...... 13 Type III nouns: prefix addition...... 15 Type IV nouns: person nouns acting as pseudo-prefixes ...... 16 Type V nouns: diminutives acting as pseudo class-prefixes...... 16 Suppletives...... 17 Nouns without number marking ...... 17 3.2 Verbs ...... 18 3.2.1 Verb morphology...... 18 3.2.2 Valency change...... 18 3.2.3 Verb extensions ...... 18 3.2.4 Plural verbs ...... 19 3.2.5 Nominalisation of verbs: gerunds...... 19 3.3 Pronouns ...... 20 3.3.1 Independent pronouns...... 20 3.3.3 Reflexive Pronouns...... 24 3.3.4 Relative pronouns ...... 26 3.3.5 Possessive pronouns ...... 26 3.3.6 Indefinite pronouns...... 26 3.4 Demonstratives...... 27 3.5 Adjectives and qualifiers...... 29 3.5.1 Overview ...... 29 3.5.2 Adjectives ...... 29 3.5.2.1 Adjective morphology ...... 29 3.5.2.2 Adjectival ideophones ...... 32 3.5.2.3 Adjectival intensifiers...... 32 3.5.2.4 Colour intensifiers ...... 33 3.5.2.5 Adjectives following the copula sē...... 33 3.5.3 Stative verbs...... 34 3.6 Numerals ...... 35 3.7 Adverbs ...... 37 3.8 Conjunctions and co-ordination ...... 39 3.8.1 Co-ordinating conjunctions ...... 39 3.8.2 Subordinating conjunctions ...... 40 3.8.3 Correlative conjunctions...... 41 3.9 Interrogatives ...... 41 ii Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Front matter 3.9.1 Polar or closed questions ...... 41 3.9.2 Content questions...... 42 3.10 Particles...... 44 3.10.1 Introducers ...... 44 3.10.2 Discourse particles...... 45 3.10 Locatives ...... 45 3.11 Ideophones ...... 46 4. BASIC SYNTAX...... 47 4.1 Noun phrase ...... 47 4.2 Verb phrase ...... 48 4.2.1 Tense/Aspect...... 48 4.2.2 Imperatives ...... 50 4.2.3 Equative constructions...... 51 4.2.4 Conditionals...... 52 4.2.5 Serial verb constructions...... 53 4.2.6 Indirect speech...... 53 5. GUIDE TO USING THE DICTIONARY...... 54 5.1 Structure of individual entries...... 54 5.2 Scientific Names ...... 54 5.3 Nigerian English Usage...... 54 5.4 Etymology and Loan-words...... 54 5.5 Dialects...... 55 5.6 Parts of Speech...... 55 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 56 1. Publications in Mada...... 56 2. Language, Ethnography and Linguistics...... 56 3. Field guides used for scientific identifications...... 57
TABLES
Table 1. Mada palatalised consonants...... 3 Table 2. Mada labialised consonants ...... 4 Table 3. Mada palatal-labialised consonants ...... 4 Table 4. Mada rhotacised consonants ...... 5 Table 5. Mada lateralised consonants ...... 5 Table 6. Canonical structures of Mada nouns...... 7 Table 7. Mada nominal number marking strategies...... 7 Table 8. Mada tone-plurals in trisyllables...... 12 Table 9. First syllable reduplication in Mada nouns...... 13 Table 10. Mada mə̀- prefixes where stem tone is conserved ...... 15 Table 11. Mada mə̀- prefixes where stem tone is not conserved ...... 15 Table 12. Mada mə̄ - prefixes where stem tone is conserved ...... 15 Table 13. Mada mə̄ - prefixes where the stem tone alters...... 15 Table 14. wān/bān alternation for persons...... 16 Table 15. Optional diminutive prefixes applied to Mada nouns...... 17 Table 16. Mada nouns with no number marking ...... 18 Table 17. Canonical forms of Mada verbs...... 18 Table 18. Verb pairs exhibiting traces of verbal extensions ...... 19 Table 19. Mada suppletive plural verbs...... 19 Table 20. Nominalisation of verb stems via tone...... 19 Table 21. Mada verbal nouns with n- prefix...... 20 Table 22. Mada subject pronouns ...... 20 Table 23. Mada subject pronoun paradigm...... 20 Table 24. Mada progressive subject pronouns...... 21 iii Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Front matter Table 25. Tones on Mada polysyllabic verb-stems...... 21 Table 26. Mada pronouns re-ordered by tone...... 21 Table 27. Mada uncompleted past paradigm: monosyllabic stems...... 22 Table 28. Mada uncompleted past paradigm: polysyllabic stems...... 22 Table 29. Mada verb-stem paradigm ‘come’ ...... 22 Table 30. Tones on Mada polysyllabic verb-stems...... 23 Table 31. Mada imperfective verb-stem paradigm ...... 23 Table 32. Mada object pronouns...... 23 Table 33. Mada reflexive pronouns ...... 24 Table 34. Mada reflexive pronoun paradigm...... 25 Table 35. Mada possessive pronouns...... 26 Table 36. Categories of qualifiers in Mada...... 29 Table 37. Mada adjectives showing number marking ...... 30 Table 38. Mada adjectives not marked for number...... 31 Table 39. Mada stative verbs and derived adjectives...... 34 Table 40. Mada numerals...... 36 Table 41. Mada interrogatives ...... 42 Table 42. Mada locatives ...... 45 Table 43. The Mada verb phrase in intransitive constructions ...... 48 Table 44. Mada present tense subject pronouns ...... 48 Table 45. Mada uncompleted past paradigm: monosyllabic stems...... 49 Table 46. Mada uncompleted past paradigm: polysyllabic stem ...... 49 Table 47. Mada conditional ...... 49 Table 48. The Mada verb phrase in transitive constructions ...... 50
Abbreviations
Amer. American (for Americanisms) arch. archaic CONT continuous dial. dialect et. etymology euph. euphemism fig. figurative hum. humorous idm. idiom id. ideophone ins. insulting lit. literally NE Nigerian English NEG negative Ng. Ningo dialect PST Past Sh. Shugbu dialect
Apart from the abbreviations, symbols are used to indicate particular features;
see Appendix for further detail
iv Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction INTRODUCTION 1. The Mada people: Location, Origin and Classification
1.1 Location and Name The Mada people live primarily in the region between Anjida and Akwanga on and around the road leading from Fadan Karshi to Akwanga in Nasarawa State, Central Nigeria. Their numbers are hard to estimate but probably now exceeds 100,000. Earlier literature refers to the Mada as ‘Yidda’ (e.g. Temple 1922: 260) but no such term is used today. In colonial times a distinction was made between ‘Hill Mada’ and ‘Plains Mada’. The ‘hill Mada’ were however, part of Eggon and as such unrelated to the Mada proper. These terms have now been dropped and today’s Mada now refers to the ‘Plains Mada’ of earlier sources. 1.2 Classification Mada was classified as part of the Plateau language group by Greenberg (1963) and Williamson (1971), Hansford et al. (1976), Gerhardt (1989) and Crozier and Blench (1992) have all followed this view. Mada was put together with Ninzam, Ayu, Che, Ninkyop and some other languages as part of Plateau IV. More recently, this group has been christened ‘Ninzic’ in the light of the numerous languages with a –nin- element in their ethnonym (Blench 2000).
Greenberg’s (1963:9) original list was Rukuba (Kuche), Ninzo (Ninzam), Ayu, Mada, Kaninkwom. The current list of Ninzic languages is as follows;
Ninzo Ce [=Rukuba] Mada Bu-Niŋkada Numana-Nunku-Gwantu-Numbu Ningye Kanufi Ninkyop-Nindem
Doubtfully
Ayu?
Data on many of these languages is too weak to be confident of their place within the group. However, on Ninzo and Ce relatively extensive data means that we can be sure these are the closest relatives of Mada. 1.3 Scholarly publication The principal modern work on the Mada language is Price (1989)1. This work covers the phonology and orthography of Mada spoken in Rija, a village central to Mada country and the dialect chosen for New Testament translation. The anthropology of the Mada is still virtually undocumented. Dandaura & Ngharen (1997) appears to be the first local publication on Mada history and culture. CAPRO (2009: 153 ff.) is a summary account of Mada society and history. Sabo (2011a,b) has published two books which cover the history of individual clans, some ethnography and life stories of prominent Mada individuals.
1 Gerhardt (1983:112 ff.) includes some notes on the phonology and noun-class systems of two Mada dialects, but these have been comprehensively superseded by Price (1989). 1 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction 1.4 Dialects Mada has an extensive dialect network and there is quite high level of variation from village to village. Price (1989) gives a comparative wordlist in different dialects, which shows that at least some have a markedly different phonology from Rija Mada. The following dialects are listed;
Rija, Gbugyar, Anjagwa, Ancho, Buhar, Akwanga, Ungwar Zaria of these, Akwanga and Ungwar Zaria are markedly different from the others. Nonetheless all dialects are mutually intelligible and Mada speakers are used to adjusting to different lects. Map 1 shows the Mada-speaking area.
Map 1 . Mada-speaking area
1.5 Sources of material The original starting point for the present document was a dictionary file prepared by Norman and Barbara Price in relation to the translation of the New Testament, a project finally finished and launched in 2000. However, the entries have been rechecked and in some cases retranscribed, many new items entered and it should be thus considered an essentially new document. Most importantly, example sentences have been added for almost all entries which are not nouns, allowing the reader to understand usage. The grammar outline, written newly in 2018, makes use of these sentences to explain Mada morphology and syntax.
2 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction 2. The Sound System of Mada and its Orthography
2.1 Sound system
2.1.1 Consonants The account of Mada phonology follows closely Price (1989). Mada has twenty-one consonant phonemes:
Labial Labio-dental Alveolar Velar Labio-velar Plosives p b t d k g kp gb Fricatives f v s [z] Affricates ts dz Nasals m n ŋ Laterals l Vibrants r Approximants y ʍ w
The voiceless approximant, /ʍ/ is written ‘hy’ in the orthography but always sounds labialised. It is often written hyw in other Plateau languages, but there is no contrast with /hy/ so marking the labial is redundant. Price (1989) argues that /z/ and /dz/ are in free variation and the Mada orthography writes all instances of [dz] as 'z'. Final -r in the majority of lects is reflected as -x, a voiceless uvular fricative, in Akwanga.
Consonant modification
Palatalisation
Table 1. Mada palatalised consonants Orth IPA Example Gloss py py pyâr to be cold ty ty tyə̄ duiker ky ky běkyɛ̀n Lima beans gy gy gbàngyə̀r never hy ɥ hyɛ̄ n camwood gby gby màgbyɛ̌ n blood-plum kpy kpy mkpə̀ywɛ̀ frog sp. ny ɲ bǎrnyū lip my my myô dark (green) ry ry gàryǎn hairy ly λ nə̄ nlyɛ̄ biting ant sp.
/ly/ is restricted to contexts where it is preceded by prenasalisation. However, the following are alos contrastive and could be written as underlying phonemes, since they written with distinct graphemes in the orthography.
IPA Orth tsy c dzy j sy sh
3 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction Labialisation
The set of labialised consonants in Mada is shown in Table 2.
Table 2. Mada labialised consonants Orth IPA Example Gloss pw pw pwɔ̄ eleven bw bw bwā to fly tsw tsw tswē rainy season zw dzw zwē to follow sw sw swē to bathe lw lw lwè to carry yw ɥw ywɛ̄ egg kw kw kwār all gw gw gwǎ snake ngw ŋw ngwɔn hand
Palatal-labialisation
Table 3 shows the much smaller subset of palatal-labialised consonants;
Table 3. Mada palatal-labialised consonants Orth IPA Example Gloss yw ɥ ywā two nyw ɲw ənywī inside gyw gɥ begywī flying ants
Rhotacisation and lateralisation
Mada allows consonants to be modified by both -r and -l. Price (1989: 7) argues these are in complementary distribution. However, the argument depends on assumptions about the phonology which are not easy to explain to speakers, so in practice these are distinguished in the orthography. Table 4 and Table 5 show the consonants in Mada that can be rhotacised and lateralised. It is evident that the set of consonants is the same in each case, which argues for complementary distribution. Broadly, consonants are rhotacised before front and high vowels, and lateralised before central and mid-back vowels. The vowel chart shows the -r modifications shaded yellow and -l in red.
Front Central Back Close i u Close-Mid e ə o Open-Mid ε ɔ Open a
4 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction Table 4. Mada rhotacised consonants Orth IPA Example Gloss pr pr tàprě whistle (n.) br br bri stomach fr fr frē to peel vr vr vrè to hurst kr kr kru barren woman gr gr grì to bring kpr kpr kprɛ̄ calf of leg gbr gbr gbrě to shiver nge ŋr ngrě to separate
Table 5. Mada lateralised consonants Orth IPA Example Gloss pl pl plò to put excessive pomade bl bl blā to count fl fl flɔ̀ to tread on vl vl mvlɔ̌ n custard-apple kl kl klā to fry gl gl glà axe kpl kpl kpla bachelor gbl gbl gbla to weed ngl ŋl ngla to wash
It is striking that nasalised vowels rarely form the nucleus when the onset is C + liquid. In the single example, this co-occurs with prenasalisation, suggesting that the liquids cause assimilation of nasalised vowels. 2.1.2 Vowels Mada has eight vowel phonemes:
Front Central Back Close i u Close-Mid e ə o Open-Mid ε ɔ Open a but only five corresponding nasalised vowels;
Front Central Back Close ĩ ũ Open-Mid ɛ ̃ ɔ ̃ Open ã
This is identical to the vowel system of Ninkyop, another language in the Ninzic group to have lost its nominal affix system. In the original orthography of 1985, the symbol ñ was adopted to mark nasalisation following a vowel, but this was simplified to n. Thus ã is written ‘an’. Mada has no long or doubled vowels except in ideophones and exclamations. 2.1.3 Tones Mada has three level tones and a rising and falling tone. Tones are marked in the orthography and in this document as follows:
5 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction
high tone is unmarked /ˉ/ mid tone is shown by a macron /`/ for a low tone /ˆ/ for a falling tone /ˇ/ for a rising tone.
The rising tone is uncommon compared with the other tones. Mada is highly tonal and many lexical and grammatical distinctions are made only by tone. The orthography therefore marks tone on all syllables. Mada distinguishes between tone-bearing and non-tone-bearing nasals, and several words have contrastive tone on a syllabic nasal in final position. Thus;
kpm̀ ‘kapok tree’
Price (1989: 16) notes one example of downstep, with the third person singular pronoun kә, but since this is automatic it does not need to be represented in the orthography. 2.2 Letters of the Mada alphabet The alphabet is phonemic and is made up of 34 letters. These are arranged as follows:
a, b, c, e, ε, ə, d, f, g, gb, h, hw, i, j, k, kp, l, m, n, ng, ny, o, ɔ, p, r, s, sh, t, u, v, w, y, z, zh.
These correspond to the IPA symbols used in the phonology via the following conventions;
Orth IPA Notes ng ŋ c tsy j dzy sh sy ny ŋy h ʍ before o, ɔ, u hw ʍ elsewhere z dz in free variation
Nasalisation is represented by -n following the relevant vowel. 3. Grammar sketch
3.1 Nouns
3.1.1 Morphology Table 6 shows the canonical structures of Mada nouns so far identified. Borrowings have introduced some rare structures. The large variety of prosodies in Mada (palatalisation, labialisation, lateralisation and rhotacisation and their combinations) further multiplies the number of possible structures (see Price 1989: 12).
6 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction Table 6. Canonical structures of Mada nouns Structure Example Gloss Comment CC kpm̀ kapok tree CCV mlà first born CV bɛ̄ large male patas monkey CVC bān law CVCCa bǎrga lion CVCCV kǎnggù crab CVCNV bǎrnyū lip CVCV běkì seed CVCVC běkan ring CVCVCV bedə̀rō millet CVCVCVCV belə̄ belà cattle egret borrowing, exceptional CVCVCVN běkìtɔ̄ n ear-ring CVCywV begywī flying ants palatal labial exceptional CVNCVN běmkpàn maize kernel VCV aku grey parrot borrowing, exceptional
The CC structure of kpm̀ ‘kapok tree’ is very unusual within the context of Plateau and there are only seven words with this form (Price 1989: 13). 3.1.2 Synchronic number marking strategies Mada strategies for marking of nominal plurals divide into six categories (Table 7):
Table 7. Mada nominal number marking strategies No. Strategy I tone-change II initial syllable reduplication III prefix addition IV person nouns grammaticalised as pseudo-prefixes V diminutives grammaticalised as pseudo-prefixes VI suppletives
Prefixes marking size can alternate with non-prefixed nouns creating a plethora of additional forms. Some nouns usually take diminutive prefixes in speech, but these are not easy to predict. Concord of a sort, based on tonal correspondences, exists in Mada. The historical layering of these number marking strategies can be detected through the existence of multiple forms, sometimes with, for example, tone- raising applied to a noun formerly which also has first syllable reduplication or prefix addition. The consequence of this has been that the tones of plurals of Mada show extremely low levels of predictability.
Type I nouns: tone-alternation The single most common pattern of pluralisation in Mada is tone alternation. Under different guises this is common across much of Plateau, and in the great majority of cases the tone is raised, usually one level in three-tone languages. This rule is applied to productive prefixes where these are present (Izere, Tarok) and to stems where prefixes have eroded (Hyam, Berom) (see Blench 2000b for discussion). Even in languages where productive prefixes are present synchronically, tone-plurals presumably derive from the erosion of former prefixes and their subsequent renewal. However, such forms may have evolved at various periods in the prehistory of Plateau and it is not necessary to assume they were a feature of proto-Mada. Ninkyop, for example, another Ninzic language without prefixes, shares some features with Mada, suggestive of an earlier phase of prefix loss. For some word-classes, tone-plurals may already have been generalised in pre-Mada although they are also
7 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction found on very recent loanwords such as ‘motorcycle’ or ‘cutlass’ which never have had a prefix. One word, aku, parrot, has been borrowed from Hausa, preserving an undeleted V-initial.
As the examples given below demonstrate, tone-alternations in Mada plurals are highly diverse, pointing to a complex history of compounding, borrowing and reanalysis. Although some patterns are common and others very rare, it would be stretching the case to call these patterns noun-classes. Certainly, they seem to have little semantic unity. Indeed the tones on recently adopted loanwords are probably assigned by interpreting the tone of the donor language, not by a category of semantic content. Mada tone-raising is almost always single-step, L→M or M→H etc. However, where the singular is polysyllabic, the effects on the tone of the plural are highly diverse and difficult to predict. This is undoubtedly due to the creation of new pseudo-prefixes via grammaticalised nouns. These nouns retain their original tone alternations, making a large number of tonal patterns at the word level. The examples give sets of different patterns of tone-raising, divided into single and multiple changes.
Semantically, person, animals and to a lesser extent, trees, are widespread in these classes. In some pairings, animal names form every member of the set, elsewhere they predominate. This strongly suggests that when Mada had a prefix system, classes had a strong semantic element, at least as far as persons and animals were concerned.
Monosyllables
The possible tone-alternations on monosyllables are;
1. LM 2. LH 3. MR 4. MH 5. RH 6. HR
The tables give examples of each possible pairing following the order given above;
1. L M Gloss kyù kyū death brì brī ghost mfə̀r mfə̄ r vagina
2. L H Gloss bə̀r bər royal python bɔ̀n bɔn hawk gùr gur granary kpm̀ kpm silk-cotton tree
Only a single case of MR has been encountered;
3. M R Gloss jū jǔ water-yam
4. M H Gloss bɛ̄ bɛ monkey lə̄ lə locust tree tsə̄ r tsər mahogany cə̄ cə leopard
8 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction 5. R H Gloss dǎ da cutlass cɛ̌ cɛ old age də̌ r dər heart gbyɛ̌ gbyɛ straight razor gbm̌ gbm sound
The alternation HR is rare; the following table lists all examples so far encountered;
6. H R Gloss cun cǔn forest ji jǐ mortar nan nǎn flesh, animal kpə kpə̌ shoe mbu mbǔ mat ngwɔn ngwɔ̌ n hand
Disyllables
Disyllabic roots admit a wide range of pairings. The following tables exemplify all the pairs so far recorded. Where the examples are numerous, the pairing is common. Where only one or two cases are noted, this represents the total of those so far encountered.
LL HL Gloss bə̀bɛ̀ bəbɛ̀ tail mgbə̀mgbə̀r mgbəmgbə̀r navel
LL ML Gloss kpàkì kpākì stick kpàtì kpātì box màmgbyɛ̀n māmgbyɛ̀n wasp
LL MM Gloss gbàrkì gbārkī flower kìkɔ̀n kīkɔ̄ n weapon [‘thing of war’] kì- is a pseudo-prefix, a grammaticalisation of kì pl. kī ‘thing’ which appears in a number of other nominal pairings, for example; kìrē kīrē food kìyə̀wɔ̀ kīyə̄ wɔ̀ domestic animals, livestock kìkyε kīkyε bicycle
The word for ‘bicycle’ is of particular interest, since it is a borrowing from Hausa kyeekye and clearly not part of an ancient word-stock. The first syllable has been analysed as the kì- pseudo-prefix and tonal alternation applied regularly.
LL HH Gloss gə̀ntsù gəntsu grass sp. lùmvù lumvu beetle mə̀gàn məgan sap mgbə̀ryɔ̀ mgbəryɔ throat
9 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction LM LR Gloss mgbə̀rīn mgbə̀rǐn urine
LM FM Gloss mkpànē mkpânē elderly person
LM HM Gloss ywɛ̀kə̄ ywɛkə̄ chicken egg
LM MM Gloss kə̀kə̄ kə̄ kə̄ fowl kə̀nggān kə̄ nggān drum kìrē kīrē food kə̀mbə̄ kə̄ mbə̄ calabash tɔ̀nzɛ̄ tɔ̄ nzɛ̄ goodness, beauty wə̀ndō wə̄ ndō trousers
LM HH Gloss gə̀nggān gənggan barrel-drum gə̀ntē gənte raft-zither gə̀rī gəri co-wife kpàlo kpalo tree pangolin sàpər sapər soap
LR MM Gloss mgbə̀njǎn mgbə̄ njān beard of maize
LR HH Gloss cìnjǐ cinji hourglass drum lə̀ywǎ ləywa stink-ant
LH MH Gloss bàbər bābər motorcycle kìkyɛ kīkyɛ bicycle kə̄ - is likely to be a pseudo-prefix although its etymology is unclear.
ML MH Gloss kə̄ gbù kə̄ gbu baboon
ML HM Gloss pə̄ rkì pərkī cane
ML HH Gloss tə̄ rmgbù tərmgbu snake sp.
MM HM Gloss mgbə̄ rɔ̄ n mgbərɔ̄ n stool
MM MH Gloss tə̄ tē tə̄ te father, elder
10 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction MM HH Gloss nggūnggū nggunggu metal dish tə̄ rmvū tərmvu hyena
MM LR Gloss nyə̄ nyɔ̄ n nyə̀nyɔ̌ n leather thong
MH HH Gloss gbə̄ ntan gbəntan sheep gūgu gugu goat kpɔ̄ gbru kpɔgbru vulture lə̄ kə ləkə age-mate tātsu tatsu amphisbaenid snake
RL HM Gloss brɛ̌ krì brɛkrī yam heap běkì bekī seed
RL HL Gloss mgbə̌ shò mgbəshò speargrass běmkpàn bemkpàn maize kernel
RM HM Gloss lə̌ dē lədē pig nggǎgyū nggagyū dog
RM HH Gloss běkpū bekpu kernel of guinea corn běncī benci acca cultivar bǐshī bishi eye, face mgbǎntə̄ mgbantə stone
RH HH Gloss bǎrga barga lion běkan bekan ring mkplǔn mkplun spherical object
RR HH Gloss bězǔ bezu bullet
The pseudo-prefix bě, meaning something ‘seed’, ‘small round object’ retains its sg./pl. tone change R → H in all compounds, thereby generating a large subset of tone-plurals.
HL LM Gloss mgbəjə̀ mgbə̀jə̄ cane
HL MM Gloss kənkɔ̀n kə̄ nkɔ̄ n way
The pair HL/HH is confined to animals.
11 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction HL HH Gloss gantàn gantan brown spider lunkpùr lunkpur hartebeest məsà məsa cat mkpəlà mkpəla black kite
HL RM Gloss kpəntàn kpə̌ ntān skin ncancùn ncǎncūn story
HM RM Gloss ləgū lə̌ gū cassava (< Hausa) mgbətsā mgbə̌ tsā spoon
HM HH Gloss gbəjī gbəji steam gbəryūn gbəryun knee kagbɔ̄ n kagbɔn tortoise kaprɛ̄ kaprɛ nightjar
Trisyllables
Trisyllabic tone alternations are quite rare in Mada and seem to form no obvious groups. Surprisingly, there are several recent loanwords in this restricted set. Table 8 sets out all the alternations recorded.
Table 8. Mada tone-plurals in trisyllables Singular Plural Gloss Comment bə̀brɛywì bə̄ brɛ̀ywi cockroach redup. gbə̀gbakì gbə̄ gbàkī broken calabash redup. gbə̀lantswē gbə̄ lantswē cricket kāləbā kaləba bottle < Hausa kìyə̀wɔ̀ kīyə̄ wɔ̀ domestic animals, livestock kpɔ̀mgbukpɔ̀n kpɔ̀mgbukpɔ̀n large male patas monkey ? redup. kukukì kùkukī stick redup. mbə̀mblə̄ kì mbə̄ mblə̀kī gutter redup. mə̀lɛka mə̀lɛkū angel < Hausa mə̀sārā mə̄ sārā white person < Hausa mkpɔ̄ lɔ̄ tù mkpɔlɔtu skull njìlàdān njiladan gecko njìnjākì njīnjàkī rag redup. ntə̄ nāntsò ntənantso chameleon ? redup. shə̄ shàrɛ shəsharɛ weaver bird redup. tə̀təlà tə̄ təlà lantern < Hausa + redup.
As with other tone-plurals, animals predominate. Despite the Hausa source of some of these words they do not appear to reflect the tones of the original Hausa, suggesting that they were borrowed indirectly via neighbouring languages. The word for ‘angel’ has retained the morphology of its Hausa plural, unlike other loanwords. Other languages in the region, such as Hyam also show this same conservation of a Hausa plural in the word for angel.
Many of the trisyllabic alternations show evidence of initial syllable reduplication (see Type II below). Usually these exhibit an additional syllable in the plural, but in this case the tone alternation suggests that the plural was re-analysed as a singular and then a tone-plural formed. The case of tә̀ tәlà ‘lamp’ is interesting because it must derive from Hausa fitila. The fi- element was presumably 12 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction analysed as a diminutive prefix (see Type V) and deleted, and then a reduplicated plural generated through a regular process. However, the reduplicated plural then became incorporated in the stem in turn generating the synchronic forms noted above.
Type II nouns: initial syllable reduplication A pattern familiar from other Plateau languages in this region is the full or partial reduplication of the first syllable of the stem. Ningye, Ninzo, Fyem and Hasha all show this pattern in varying degrees, with Hasha a case where all nouns and verbs form plurals in this way. The probable source of this strategy is the Chadic languages with which Plateau has interacted for a long period, but reduplication rules have become generalised in Plateau languages no longer directly in touch with Chadic languages of this type. As a percentage of the overall lexicon, first syllable reduplication is not all that common in Mada, but its occurrence on rather fundamental items of vocabulary does suggest its antiquity. Table 9 shows all the examples so far recorded, including cases where a second plural form is also in use;
Table 9. First syllable reduplication in Mada nouns
Pattern s. pl. gloss bə→bə bə̄ r bə̄ bə̀r farm shelter bə→bə bə̀r bə̄ bə̀r hat be→bə bě be, bəbe seed bwɔ→bə bwɔ̌ bə̄ bwɔ pocket cu→cu cūn mə̀cùn, mə̀cūcùn chief gbɔ→gbə gbɔ̄ n gbə̄ gbɔ̀n short piece of wood gbɔ→gbə gbɔ̀n gbə̄ gbɔ̀n family gbri→gbə gbrīn mə̀gbrīn, gbə̄ gbrìn spirit, photo, shadow, soul, mirror gbu→gbu gbù gbūgbu town, hill gyə→gi gyə̌ r gigyər mother kpa→kpə kpān kpə̄ kpàn friend kprɛ→kpə kprɛ̄ kpə̄ kprɛ̀ lower leg kri→kə krì kə̄ krì yam lɔ→lə lɔn mə̄ lə̄ lɔn husband ci→ci mə̀cī mə̄ cici father-in-law mbə→mbə mbə̄ mbə̀mbə̄ wife, woman mbə→mbə mbə̄ r mpà mbə̀mbə̌ r mpà scar mbɛ→mbə mbɛ̄ mbə̀mbɛ̄ sprout mbwa→mbu mbwà zə̀ mbūmbwà zə foot mgba→mə mgban mə̀mgbǎn armpit mgba→mə mgbān mə̀mgbàn wing mgbə→mgbə mgbə̀ mgbə̀mgbə̀ aroma mgbi→mgbə mgbīr mgbə#mgbìr bush patch mgbɔ→mgbə mgbɔ̄ mgbə̄ gbɔ̀ rice and beans mgbɔ→mgbə mgbɔ̀ mgbə̄ gbɔ̀ swamp, fadama mgbo→mgbo mgborɛn mgbòmgbǒrɛn word mkpi→mkpə mkpìr mkpə#mkpìr hip mla→mə mlà mə̀mlǎ first born mlə→mə mlə̀ mə̀mə̄ mlə̀ groping in darkness mpa→mpə mpā mpə̄ mpà sore, wound mpə→mpə mpə̄ mpə̀mpə calabash mprɛ→mpə mprɛ̄ mpəmprɛ́ sheet of paper mpu→mpu mpù mpūmpù thigh mpu→mpu mpūr mpūmpùr fear nci→nci nci ncīnci traditional district 13 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction Pattern s. pl. gloss nji→nji njī njīnji knife njo→nju njò njūnjo horn nkɔ→nkɔ nkɔ̀n nkɔ̄ n, nkɔ̄ nkɔ̄ n road, way, door nkɔ→kə nkɔn kə̄ nkɔn elbow, ankle nkyə→nkyə nkyə̄ r nkyə̄ nkyə̀r group nkyɛ→nkyɛ nkyɛn nkyɛnnkyɛn remaining part ri→ri rì rīrī day te→tə tè te, tə̄ te father tse→tsɛ tse tsə̄ tse town
Where two forms are given in the plural column both are acceptable to speakers. The shaded items, bə-, can be subject to an alternative interpretation, the compounding of a pseudo-prefix meaning ‘small object’ (cf. Table 9).
This table may conflate two different phenomena, complete reduplication in monosyllables such as knife, district, woman, fly, part and thigh and partial reduplication where syllable copying is not exact. The small number of examples makes these difficult to disaggregate. The great majority of reduplicated syllables begin with prenasalised consonants and labials dominate the remainder. Body parts and kinship terms dominate the semantics of reduplicated plurals although other terms occur. Notably, however, no animals form plurals in this way in contrast to tone-alternations. There are no obvious loanwords in the class of words showing initial syllable reduplication although this process seems to have occurred and then excluded by the adoption of a tone-alternation as a plural, as in the case of tә̀ tәlà ‘lamp’ noted above.
It is clear that these pairings are not generated by morphological rules that admit of no exceptions; the differing results of reduplicating nkɔ suggest that historical explanations must be adduced to account for such variation. Despite this, most of the reduplications do follow a pattern, as the following rules show;
Rule 1. Where V1 is schwa or a high vowel, the syllable is reduplicated precisely Rule 2. All other vowels are reduplicated as schwa, except where C1 is palatalised Rule 3. Rhotacisation, labialisation, palatalisation and fricativisation are ignored in reduplication where Rule 1 has not been applied
Some words suggest ‘fossil’ reduplication, i.e. a previously reduplicated form has now been adapted as a tone-plural and reduplication is now unproductive. In this case, the plural must have been adopted as a base form and a singular created by analogy. The following table gives some examples;
bə̀bɛ̀ bə̄ bɛ̀ tail kə̀kə̄ kə̄ kə̄ fowl lə̀lān lə̄ lān scorpion
Some trisyllabic tone-plurals seem to derive from a similar source.
A case which looks like segmentation by false analogy and consequent creation of a reduplicated form is the word for ‘sweet potato’, either kyūnkyū or dankyū (both singulars). Dankyū is apparently from Hausa dankali. The sweet potato is a recently introduced New World crop, so such a borrowing is very plausible. da-, however, is an unlikely prefix in pre-Mada, but it may have been analysed as a generic prefix and deleted in order to form a reduplicated plural. With some exceptions, tubers do not have morphologically marked plurals in Mada, hence kyūnkyū no longer has a singular corresponding form.
14 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction Type III nouns: prefix addition The most recent addition to the Mada repertoire of plural strategies is probably the mә- prefix. This appears to have two realisations, mә̀ - and mә̄ -. The low-tone form seems to have no strongly-defined semantic field (Table 10, Table 11), but mid-tone mә̄ - is applied quite strictly to persons (Table 12, Table 13). The examples in these tables and in other sections show the prefix has been added, sometimes subsequently to other strategies, such as tone-raising or reduplication, providing evidence for its recent genesis.
Most nouns taking a mә̀ - prefix conserve stem-tone (Table 10);
Table 10. Mada mə̀- prefixes where stem tone is conserved bān mə̀bān law gɔ̄ n mə̀gɔ̄ n back gā mə̀gā shoulder gbrīn mə̀gbrīn, gbə̄ gbrìn spirit jūjū mə̀jūjū hole kpə̄ mə̀kpə̄ female agama lizard
However, a minority of nouns with mә̀ - prefixes alter the stem-tone (Table 11);
Table 11. Mada mə̀- prefixes where stem tone is not conserved cə̄ r mə̀cə̀r stranger do mə̀dō market gbla mə̀gblā tribal mark nzār mə̀nzàr hoe kɔ̄ n mə̀kɔn war gyɔ̀n mə̀gyɔ̄ n hare
In all these examples, except the words for ‘war’ and hoe, the stem tone falls one level.
Table 12 shows mә̄ - prefixes with conserved stem-tone;
Table 12. Mada mə̄ - prefixes where stem tone is conserved brɛ mə̄ brɛ grave lənggə mə̄ lənggə enemy mla mə̄ mla relation nē mə̄ nē person və̄ nggə̄ mə̄ nggə̄ girl and Table 13 the mə̄ - prefix with altered stem-tone;
Table 13. Mada mə̄ - prefixes where the stem tone alters grě mə̄ gre aunt krɛ̌ mə̄ krɛ uncle ywe mə̄ ywē in-law
Table 12 and Table 13 illustrate the strong relationship between the mid-tone mә̄ - prefix and person nouns. The great variability in stem-tones presumably reflects a wide range of different nominal affixes in pre-Mada.
This prefix may be present in the name of the people themselves, /mə̀da/, a form which has no singular today and is invariant. However, earlier sources give these people the name ‘Yidda’, suggesting that in the early colonial period, /mə̀da/ still alternated with a V- prefix, probably ì-, that is 15 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction now lost2. The persistence of such prefixes in the closely related Ninzo language provides some support for this hypothesis. The fixing of Mada as the name of the people may thus well be a phenomenon of the twentieth century. Type IV nouns: person nouns acting as pseudo-prefixes Type IV consists of person nouns or pronouns that alternate in front of stems, giving the appearance of prefixes. Indeed it has been frequently speculated that such systems are the origin of Niger-Congo alternating affix systems (see Williamson & Blench 2000). The most common example is wān-/bān-; wān/bān
Table 14. wān/bān alternation for persons Singular Plural Gloss wāndɔ̀ bāndɔ̀ farmer wānfà bānfà fool wāngbɔ̀ bāngbɔ̀ Igbo person wāngi bāngi thief wānkə̀ bānkə̀ house owner wānkpānnɛ̄ n bānkpānnɛ̄ n soldier, policeman wānkwār bānkwār wizard wānrɛ̀kī bānrɛ̀kī trader wānwɔ̄ bānwɔ̄ blind man wānywànan bānywànan butcher
This alternation exists only in compounds, as there are no corresponding isolated nouns synchronically meaning person. Wilson (2002) gives an example of what is evidently a similar process for Kuche, a related Ninzic language. A prefix bān is used to mark plurals of VCV kin terms, which Wilson claims is a grammaticalised form of the old Class 2 affix and the preposition nà ‘with’. In the case of Mada, wān and bān can also function independently as relative pronouns, which suggests an alternative interpretation of the Kuche marker.
In the other example of such alternations, vә̄ n pl. nywɛn ‘child’, is attested in isolation and is applied both to human and animal nouns; və̄ n/nywɛn (və)nzɛ̀ nywɛnzɛ̀ young man vəncɛ nywɛ̂ nncɛ bird vəmbàn nywɛ̂ nmban hawk vərà nywɛ̂ nra granary vətɔ̀ nywɛ̂ ntɔ squirrel
The nasalised vowel of vә̄ n [və̄ ]̃ is homorganic with the initial consonant of the stem that follows and thus assimilates or is deleted. Curiously, the nasalisation of nywɛ̂ n [ɲwɛ̂ ]̃ is always conserved even when adjacent to a bilabial nasal. The variation of deletion of nasalisation in vә̄ n is quite surprising and a possible explanation is that it is being synchronically re-analysed as a diminutive prefix (see below), but that this process is still incomplete. Type V nouns: diminutives acting as pseudo class-prefixes Like Berom, Mada permits most nouns to take optional diminutives, obligatory in a few cases. The Berom prefix is ke-, so it is unlikely to be cognate with Mada vә-, but the two are used in a very similar fashion. The origin of the Mada diminutive is derived from the word for ‘child’ as described in the previous section. The nasalisation of vә̄ n for child is deleted, and it has an allomorph fә-. Both
2 I am grateful to Norman Price for this suggestion 16 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction allomorphs have the same plural, namely nywɛ̂ n. Table 15 gives some examples of the distribution of these prefixes on syllable reduplicating nouns;
Table 15. Optional diminutive prefixes applied to Mada nouns fə- və- Mada Gloss Mada Gloss bə̄ r farm shelter bə̀r hat gbɔ̄ n short piece of wood bě seed gbɔ̀n family gbù town, hill gbrīn spirit gyə̌ r mother kpān friend kprɛ̄ lower leg mbə̄ wife, woman lɔn husband mbə̄ r mpà scar mbɛ̄ sprout mgban armpit mbwà zə̀ foot mgbān wing mgbɔ̀ swamp, fadama mgbɔ̄ rice and beans mlà first born mgborɛn word mpə̄ calabash mpā sore, wound mpù thigh mprɛ̄ sheet of paper njò horn nci traditional district nkɔ̀n road njī knife tè father nkyɛn remaining part tse town
There seems to be no easy way to predict which allomorph will be applied to which stem nor are these reflected in other areas of the concord system. Words which use the wan/ban alternation cannot also take the vә- prefix. The distinction between the vә-/fә- prefix and the word for ‘child’ is illustrated by the fact that the word for child can take a diminutive prefix and that prefix is fə- not vә-. Thus;
fəvɛ̀n nywɛn small child
Occasionally the intersection of the two systems can produce pseudo-alternations. Thus lɔ́ n, ‘man’, uses syllable reduplication of Type II to form a plural. However, the use of a diminutive in the singular creates an apparent alternation.
və̄ lɔ́n lə̄ lɔ́n man
Suppletives Suppletive plurals in Mada are quite rare. The only examples so far recorded are;
mbrɛ̄ vē day vε̄n nywɛ̂ n child
A unique case is;
mə̀lɛka mə̀lɛkū angel which replicates the Hausa plural alternation. This may well be a transitional form. Nouns without number marking Many nouns in Mada have either no plurals, or are only rarely marked for number and the plural form is not known to many speakers. Examples of such nouns are given in Table 16;
17 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction Table 16. Mada nouns with no number marking Mada Gloss bùkan giant kingfisher ci front, forehead cīncī fly cìta African pepper cūyò tree sp. dar lead də̀də̀n grass sp. dùdù local box gān feast, party gbə̄ gbār weevil
Broadly speaking, trees and grasses rarely have plurals, abstracts, borrowings and other rare cases. Insects are usually treated as inherently plural, although there are counter-examples;
gàr pl. gar army ant
3.2 Verbs
3.2.1 Verb morphology Mada verbs are predominantly CV(n/r) and longer forms are more likely to be evidence of fossil compound. Table 17 summarises all the canonical structures for verbs so far recorded, with examples of each. The dictionary includes 392, when stative verbs and verb phrases are included,
Table 17. Canonical forms of Mada verbs Formula Mada Gloss CN kpm̄ to fold CV bɛ̀ to praise s.o. CṼ bã̄ to take CVC bàr to touch CVCN kāgbm to go home CVCV dèbə̀ to give away CVCṼ fɔ̀rε̃ to fight CṼCṼ cūntān to skin an animal CVCVCV gbə̀jikì to desire CVNCV kankrè to halt NCVN nggrεn to mock
3.2.2 Valency change There are a few examples of valency change where a verb becomes intransitive through tonal change, as in the examples below.
bu to open bǔ to be open krǐ to shine kri to be clean
However, this does not seem to be a common process. 3.2.3 Verb extensions Plateau languages do not show synchronic systems of verbal extensions which are still productive, but many show traces of fossil morphology, which point to the existence of such a system. Due to the severe reduction in verbal stems, Mada has less sign of a pre-existing system. Nonetheless, there are a 18 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction few examples of verbs that seem to provide evidence for this. Table 18 shows what may be a resultative as well as other connected forms;
Table 18. Verb pairs exhibiting traces of verbal extensions Verb Gloss CV- suffix kyō to gather kyōte to be gathered mə̄ r to chase mə̀rtu to return rīn to extinguish fire rintu to go out of sight
dè to give way, get away from dètswē to give way tə̄ r to break, snap tə̄ rtswē to start out at daybreak
-m- infix shàn to fetch shāmān to be present
3.2.4 Plural verbs Plural verbs are a common feature of Plateau languages, as well as the Chadic languages with which they are intertwined. Plural verbs can mark plurality in subject or object, iteratives, and sometimes valency change. Mada has only a small number of true plural verbs, marking number on the subject or object of the verb. The forms are always suppletives (Table 19);
Table 19. Mada suppletive plural verbs Singular Plural Gloss bān vu to follow bān vu to take kyu tsú to die ngūn nlywe to kill ywà sar to slaughter
3.2.5 Nominalisation of verbs: gerunds In languages in the Plateau area where verb stems are highly reduced, nominalisation can proceed via tonal change. This is true for the Chadic languages Mwaghavul and Ngas, but Mada also has some examples of this. The verb is usually higher in tone than the derived noun, although the exact formula for tonal lowering is not always the same. Table 20 presents some examples of nominalisation with their verbal counterparts.
Table 20. Nominalisation of verb stems via tone Verb Gloss Noun Gloss gbrě to shiver gbrē shivering kan to burp; belch kǎn burp n. kūci to be first kùcī beginning kyu to die kyū death lwè to carry lwe load ra to dream rā dream
A small number of Mada verbal nouns with an n- prefix are also recorded (Table 21). Formation of verbal nouns with n- prefixes is common in neighbouring Plateau languages. However, intriguingly, none of the these nouns has a synchronic equivalent verb, suggesting this is now an archaic formant procedure.
19 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction Table 21. Mada verbal nouns with n- prefix Mada Gloss njìnjɛ̄ going on and on about s.t., ‘dragging’ an issue ncar crying out with pain, shrieking nzɛ̄ to dress up, fit
Typically, these verbal nouns are a complement of te ‘make’, but as the example of ‘shrieking’ shows, they can follow other verbs. Example sentences;
və̄ lɔn mē te njìnjɛ̄ rɛn kənàn me man this make dragging talk plenty only This man goes on and on about one thing
fəvɛ̀n là ngār ncar child cont. break shriek the child is screaming
gu te nzɛ̄ he make dressing he is dressing
3.3 Pronouns
3.3.1 Independent pronouns Mada independent pronouns form two sets, subject and object. Indirect objects are subject to complex tonal rules. Table 22 shows the subject pronouns;
Table 22. Mada subject pronouns 1s ŋgə̄ 1p tə̄ 2s wə̄ 2p gyə̄ 3s (persons) gu 3p bə 3s (objects) yə 3p yə
The animacy distinction in pronouns does not seem to be reported elsewhere in Plateau, although it is characteristic of neighbouring Chadic languages. Mada pronouns also divide according to their impact on the stem-tone of the verb they govern. Mada recognises a completed and uncompleted aspect. Where there is no tense/aspect (TA) marker, the tone on the verb stem remains static. Perfective aspect has no auxiliaries and Table 23 shows represents the paradigm with the verb ‘to write’.
Table 23. Mada subject pronoun paradigm 1s nggə̄ car I wrote 2s wə̄ car you wrote 3s (persons) gu car he wrote 3s (objects) yə̄ car it wrote 1p tə̄ car we wrote 2p gyə̄ car you wrote 3p (persons) bə car they wrote 3p (objects) yə car it (pl.) wrote
However, when tense is marked, Mada inserts an auxiliary between the pronoun and verb. The stem tone the has two possible realisations. Table 24 shows the present continuous tense with the auxiliary là, arranged by the verb-tone;
20 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction
Table 24. Mada progressive subject pronouns Number x is writing 2s wə̄ là cǎr 3s gu là cǎr 2p gyə̄ là cǎr 1s nggə̄ là car 1p tə̄ là car 3p bə là car
The same pattern of stem-tone changes also occurs with polysyllabic verbs. Instead Rising and High, a Low-Low pattern becomes Mid-Low. For example, the verb debә̀ , ‘to give way’ has the following paradigm (Table 25);
Table 25. Tones on Mada polysyllabic verb-stems Number x is give way 2s wə̄ là dèbə̀ 3s gu là dèbə̀ 2p gyə̄ là dèbə̀ 1s nggə̄ là debə̀ 1p tə̄ là debə̀ 3p bə là debə̀
The division of the pronouns by tones is the same, but a low-high opposition replaces the rising-high of monosyllabic stems. Table 26 shows the pronouns re-ordered by their corresponding stem-tone.
Table 26. Mada pronouns re-ordered by tone 2s wə̄ 1s nggə̄ 2p gyə̄ 1p tə̄ 3s gu 3p bə
This pattern occurs in all combinations of subject pronouns and TAMs. The irregular verbs ‘come’ and ‘go’ constitute a partial exception (Table 31). The same stem-tone changes on the verb occur with the auxiliary marking future, which can be expressed either as;
nggə̄ lə car I will write or;
nggə̄ lə sə̀ car I will be writ[ing]
The tone-pattern on the verb follows the pronominal pattern outlined above. However, in the uncompleted past and the conditional, the auxiliaries undergo tone-changes that parallel the verb-stem tone-changes. Table 27 shows the paradigm for the uncompleted past for the sentence ‘x was writing’;
21 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction Table 27. Mada uncompleted past paradigm: monosyllabic stems pron. x was writ[ing] 2s wə̄ sə̀ cǎr 3s gu sə̀ cǎr 2p gyə̄ sə̀ cǎr 1s ŋgə̄ sə̄ car 1p tə̄ sə̄ car 3p bə sə̄ car
In the case of a polysyllabic stem, the tonal changes on the auxiliary copy those on the second syllable of the verb-stem (Table 28);
Table 28. Mada uncompleted past paradigm: polysyllabic stems pron. x was escape 2s wə̄ sə̀ gbojùn 3s gu sə̀ gbojùn 2p gyə̄ sə̀ gbojùn 1s ŋgə̄ sə gbojun 1p tə̄ sə gbojun 3p bə sə gbojun
The conditional, which uses the auxiliary dә, follows the same pattern of changing with the verb-stem tones. Thus;
nggə̄ də̄ car I if write wə̄ də̀ cǎr You if write
Mada has at least one pair of ‘irregular’ verbs, ‘come’ and ‘go’, where the tone-pattern is different although it still shows the same underlying divisions in pronouns. Table 29 shows the verb-stem tones for the present tense for ‘to come’;
Table 29. Mada verb-stem paradigm ‘come’ pron. x prog. coming 2s wə̄ là nyə̌ 3s gu là nyə 2p gyə̄ là nyə̌ 1s ŋgə̄ là nyə 1p tə̄ là nyə 3p bə là nyə
The paradigm is the same as in Table 44 except for the 3s. In the case of polysyllabic verb-stems, these very nearly mimic the monosyllabic paradigm except that the 3s is no longer irregular. For example, the verb gbojun, ‘to escape’ has the following paradigm for the present continuous (Table 30);
22 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction Table 30. Tones on Mada polysyllabic verb-stems pron. x am escape 2s wə̄ là gbǒjǔn 3s gu là gbǒjǔn 2p gyə̄ là gbǒjǔn 1s nggə̄ là gbojun 1p tə̄ là gbojun 3p bə là gbojun
The uncompleted past is more distinctive however, compared with Table 45. The tone-changes in the auxiliary sә have been neutralised and the tone oppositions marked on the verb-stem become a simple high-low (Table 31);
Table 31. Mada imperfective verb-stem paradigm pron. x was come 2s wə̄ sə nyə̀ 3s gu sə nyə̀ 2p gyə̄ sə nyə̀ 1s ŋgə̄ sə nyə 1p tə̄ sə nyə 3p bə sə nyə
The same changes apply to the verb ywe ‘to go’. No other monosyllabic verbs in this class have yet been identified.
Mada object pronouns are shown in Table 32. Third person pronouns are identical with the subject set, except that there is no inanimate plural pronoun.
Table 32. Mada object pronouns Number Mada Comment 1s nggə̀ 2s wə̀ 3s (persons) gu invariant between subject and object 3s, p (objects) yə̄ invariant between subject and object 1p tə̀ 2p gyə̀ 3p (persons) bə invariant between subject and object kә is an archaic form of gu, the third person singular for persons, which appear in some idiomatic expressions. Examples of object pronouns in use;
gu ban njī to nggə̀ he took knife pierce me he took a knife to stab me
sē nggwɔ̌ wān tse wə̀? is who that beat you sg.? Who has beaten you?
sē nə̄ nggyɛ yə̀ bə là nan gyə̀? is thing what they CONT do you pl.? Is this what they are doing to you?
23 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction Datives, or indirect objects, in Mada are complex. An ordinary dative is identical with the object and is not marked either with tone or morphology.
kan y nə̄ nggə̀ ə̄ take it give me give it to me
However, in a sequence of two successive clauses, where the object of the first clause is a concrete noun rather than a pronoun, the receiver reverts to the tone of the subject pronoun. Thus;
Mgbāmvū kan kìkyɛn mē nə̄ nggə̄ fà M. take bicycle this give me freely Mgbāmvū take bicycle this give me free and;
vǔ zəkpə cà nggə̄ mān bring pl. shoe bring me there Bring me those shoes there
vun kə̀kə̄ ra nggə̄ catch hen present me catch the hen and give it to me
nə̄ bə te nə̄ gu let them fetch give him let them fetch [it] and give it to him
3.3.3 Reflexive Pronouns Reflexive pronouns in Mada are marked by a prefixed kә-. However, they are not formed regularly from the ordinary pronoun set. The tone is invariant whether they are a subject, an emphatic subject or an object. The reflexives paradigm is shown in Table 33;
Table 33. Mada reflexive pronouns kəmù myself kəywē yourself kəywə him/her/itself kəywə̀ ourselves gyə…kəywə̀ yourselves bə́…kəywə̀ themselves
Table 34 shows a sentence paradigm for these pronouns;
24 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction Table 34. Mada reflexive pronoun paradigm Pronoun Example sentence Gloss kəmù nggə nan ki me kəmù I did this thing to myself kəywē wə nan ki me kəywē You…yourself kəywə gu nan ki me kəywə He…him/her/itself kəywə̀ tə nan ki me kəywə̀ We…ourselves gyə kəywə̀ gyə nan ki me gyə kəywə̀ You…yourselves bə kəywə̀ bə nan ki me bə kəywə̀ They…themselves
The following examples show Mada reflexive pronouns in context;
nggə̄ n-kəmù me nggə̄ lə ywē hwan sε mē I myself only I will go farm year this , I myself only, I’ll go to farm this year
Vəmgbūmgburwɛ̄ ! Kəywē mə bà! Oh! like a small toad Yourself you are
kǎn yə̄ lwè kəywē take it carry yourself take and carry it yourself
When the reflexive pronoun becomes the object of the main verb, the tone on the final syllable is lowered. Thus;
gu kan kəywə̄ cɔ̀ ə mə̀sər he make himself soak in water He soaked himself in water
sē g wān nan kəywə̄ u is he who do himself He did it to himself
sē bə bān nan kəywə̀ it-is they those do themselves It is those people who do it to themselves mkpumù is an archaic form of kә́ mù;
nggə̄ ryun lā mkpum ù I cook food myself I cooked the food myself
Mada has a second way of expressing the reflexive, with the composite word tukpә̀ which means ‘head + body’. This is only used with the first person singular pronoun.
nggə̄ nan kì mē tukpə̀ nggə̄ I do thing this head-body me I did this thing by myself
25 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction 3.3.4 Relative pronouns The relative pronoun in Mada for persons is wān, ‘who, one who, one of, one’. Examples;
wə̄ la sē wān brì kpə yo you neg is who person quick neg. You aren’t someone who is quick
sē nggə̄ wān lə nan kəmē nān it-is I who will do this time around I’ll do it this time around
3.3.5 Possessive pronouns Possessive pronouns are created by prefixing the subject pronoun with mә-, although the resultant tonal pattern is not always predictable. This can be expressed as a bare final pronoun or in a construction with the relative yә̀ , ‘which’. Table 35 shows the two forms of the possessive pronoun, according to whether they are combined with yә̀ .
Table 35. Mada possessive pronouns with yə̀ mə̄ nggə̀ mə̀nggə̄ mine your sg. mə̀gu mə̄ gu his, hers, its mə̄ tə̀ mə̀tə̄ ours mə̀gyə̄ yours (pl.) mə̄ bə theirs Thus;
kì mē sē mə̀gu thing this is his This thing is his
Where the possessive pronouns can be combined with the relative yә̀ , ‘which’, the constructions are as follows;
kì mē sē yə̀ mə̀nggə̄ thing this is which mine This thing which is mine
kə̄ yə̄ mə̄ gu house which his The house which is his
Possessive adjectives are simply the subject pronouns which follow the noun which they qualify.
3.3.6 Indefinite pronouns Mada has a range of indefinite pronouns with invariant tones whether in subject or object position. For example; nēnə̄ mān some other people, somebody else
26 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction nēnə̄ mān nkan dan sə̄ sānmenàn Someone else differently said like that Someone else said something different nə̄ mān another person, someonelse
kì mē sē yə̀ nənè nə̄ mān nkan thing this it which person who someone else separate This thing belongs to someone else. nənē gyə̄ r mə̄ somebody, someone, anyone
nənē gyə̄ r mə̄ là fɔ̀ wə̀ someone CONT look for you someone is looking for you nkinē something, anything
nggə̄ lā nan nkinē yo I neg. do something neg. I didn’t do anything mwə̀n anything, nothing
wə̄ lə la mwə̀n yo you fut. neg. get neg. you will get nothing
3.4 Demonstratives The demonstratives in Mada are not marked for number or agency;
mē this, these mū, yə̄ mə̄ that, those
They always follow the noun or pronoun they qualify and their tone is invariant.
wān mē sē krɛ̌ nggə̄ he this is uncle my This is my uncle
bān mē sē mə̄ krε nggə̄ they those is uncles my those are my uncles
If the head noun is qualified, the demonstrative follows the adjective;
krī bəbə̄ mē this rotten yam mū for that, those, operates in a identical manner;
27 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction fǎr gəga mū cut grass that cut that grass
mbə̀mbə̄ mū là grǐ gə̀ri bə women those CONT gossip co-wife their those women are gossiping with their co-wives mū has an alternate form, mūn, used before velars and bilabials.
və̄ lɔn mūn ku bə̀bè man that fall foolish That man is foolish
gwɔ gì bàbər mūn məgyə̀r hear sound motorcycle that particular hear the noise of that particular motorbike
The demonstratives can be bound to third person inanimate pronouns to create demonstrative pronouns referring to non-human entities. For example;
yə̀mē this one yəmē these ones yə̀mū that one yəmū those ones
nə̄ nggə̄ ban yə̀mē gē yə̀mù? let me take this one or that one? Shall I take this one or that one?
yə̀mē sē bə̀ kpə̄ r this is hole large mouse
yə̀mē sē yə̀ gbâgba this is which last this is the last one yә̄ mә̄ can also be used for ‘that’ in the adjectival slot, qualifying the noun kì ‘thing’.
kì yə̄ mə̄ thing that
nggə là dan wə̄ ətù kì yəmē I CONT tell you about thing these I’m telling you about these things
Mada also has an additional demonstrative for persons, which can either be in the adjectival position following the head noun, or precede the noun, implying persons.
Nywεn bān wə̄ sē sen? Children those you are how? Children, how are you? and;
28 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction bān kə̀ tə̄ là ryun mə̀nyɛ̀n sə̄ r those house we CONT extract palm oil people in our house are extracting palm-oil mē can be bound to the relative pronouns to create a sense of ‘this one’ as opposed to ‘that one’;
nə̄ wānmē kya nyə̄ let this one rather than come let this one rather than [that one] come and when mē is bound to әnә̀ it creates a type of adverb;
nan ywə̄ sē ənə̀mē do it is like this This is how you do it
hǎ, kàdə rɛ̀n ənə̀mē yo hǎ do not speak like that NEG Ha! Don’t speak like that
3.5 Adjectives and qualifiers
3.5.1 Overview Qualification in Mada takes a number of forms. The great majority of adjectives are invariant and follow the noun they qualify. However, qualification strategies in Mada can be classified as follows (Table 36);
Table 36. Categories of qualifiers in Mada Category Agreement Sub-class Comment Adjectives Agree in number Do not agree in Unmarked number Ideophonic Identified by reduplicated structure Adjectival Qualify other adjectives intensifiers Colour intensifiers Qualify colour terms Stative verbs
3.5.2 Adjectives
3.5.2.1 Adjective morphology Adjectives in Mada do not agree with head nouns in the manner of other Plateau languages, where the qualifier has an identical or related segmental prefix reflecting that on the nominal. The exception to this are the diminutive prefixes, where the adjective can copy the nominal prefix directly.
(fə-)nyεn small
29 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction fə-vɛ̀n mū sē fə-nyεn boy that is small that boy is small
Apart from showing agreement in number, reduplicated adjectives can indicate intensity; nyɛ̂ nnyɛ̄ n very small and animacy; hyur close (people)
tə̄ sē hyur bə̄ kəywə̀ we are close with one.another hyuhyur close (objects)
nkɔ̀n sē hyuhyur bə̄ tə̀ door is close with us the door is close to us
However, they can agree with the noun in number, although the existence and form of plural adjectives is not predictable. These are comparatively rare and those identified so far are shown in (Table 37);
Table 37. Mada adjectives showing number marking sg. pl. Gloss cīnji cinji black gìgyə̀r gìgyə̄ r together, equal hū hūhū wide kukwɔ kukwɔ̄ small, young lə̀lə̄ lələ cracked, broken nggɔ̀n nggɔn nggɔn big
All adjectives either follow the head noun or are the complement of the copula sē.
The following are examples where the form of the adjective agrees in number with the noun.
mbu kukwɔ mat small small mat
mbǔ kukwɔ̄ mats small small mats
mbu nggɔ̀ n mat large large mat
30 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction mbǔ nggɔn nggɔn mats large large mats
bàbər nggə̄ sē cīnji motorcycle my is black my motorcycle is black
bābər nggə̄ sē cinji motorcycles my are black my motorcycles are black gìgyə̀r pl. gìgyə̄ r together, equal
nə̄ tə̄ blā Məda gìgyə̀r let us read Mada together hū pl. hūhū wide
nkɔ̀n sē hū gate is wide the gate is wide
kə̄ nkɔ̀n sē hūhū gates are wide the gates are wide
However, the majority of adjectives lack number marking (Table 38);
Table 38. Mada adjectives not marked for number sg. pl. Gloss bəbə̄ — decayed, rotten goglo — hot kənàn — much màmpùr — fresh, immature groundnut etc.
krī bəbə̄ mē yam rotten this this rotten yam
bencwē mē sē màmpùr me groundnuts these are immature only these groundnuts are immature
kə̄ jī kənàn money much plenty of money
The first two, ‘small’ and ‘big’ show tonal concord with the noun qualified, while others do not. Some of these adjectives can also act as complements to sē;
31 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction kūkwɔ̌ small, young
yə̀mē sē kūkwɔ̌ this is small kūkwɔ̌ can also agree with a noun. In this case it takes its tone from the noun Thus;
mbú kúkwɔ́ mat small
3.5.2.2 Adjectival ideophones Ideophones in Mada are usually reduplicated and are often related to existing lexical roots. They can be adjectival and adverbial. They can function together in equative sentences or directly qualify nouns. In equative sentences, following a copula verb or equivalent. ntәnntәn smooth
gɔ̄ n tsə̄ mū sē ntənntən outside pot that is smooth the outside of the pot is smooth
Directly qualifying the noun. kpә̄ rɛ̀ -kpә̄ rɛ̀ describes a thick liquid that has been diluted
g te prē kpə̄ rɛ̀-kpə̄ rɛ̀ u he make gruel dilute he made diluted gruel pûrpùr fresh
tərkì mē tɔ mgbā pûrpùr tree this bud leaf fresh this tree has fresh buds and leaves
3.5.2.3 Adjectival intensifiers Adjectival intensifiers qualify other adjectives, corresponding to the English ‘very’. However, Mada seems to only have intensifiers specific to particular adjectives. Colour intensifiers (§3.5.2.4) are similar and also specific to particular colours. tetswē very (tall)
tàn ndē tetswē be tall tall very very tall
32 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction mgbě wide (open)
wə̄ bu nkɔ̀n gyɔ̄ hū mgbě you open door put open wide open the door wide
3.5.2.4 Colour intensifiers Mada has a class of colour intensifiers, invariant adjectives that describe the shade or intensity of colours, typically black, white and red. They can act on either true adjectives or stative verbs. Examples; myô describes s.t. dark green
lan kpəmkpàn mē sər myô farm maize this be.dark green The maize farm is dark green kpî pitch (black)
tswē te bū kpî place make black pitch the place is pitch black pîpī dark (black)
və̄ lɔn mūn sə̌ r kpə pîpī man that be.black body dark that man has a dark black body
3.5.2.5 Adjectives following the copula sē Adjectives following sē are common, and indeed this construction is widespread throughout Plateau, also occurring in Berom and Izere. Some of these adjectives have plurals and thus agree in number with the head noun (see examples under §3.5.2.1). mgbərɛ kəkla innocent lit. ‘intestine white’.
nggə̄ sē mgbərɛ kəkla I be intestine white I am not guilty of the offence
Some adjectives can also precede the noun they qualify; tə̀là muddy (water)
yə̀mē sē tə̀là mə̀sər this is muddy water
Adjectives can qualify pronouns and demonstratives; kyame only
33 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction sē yə̀mē kyame yə̀ wə̄ lə nan is this.one only that you will do you’ll only do this
Another interesting aspect of this construction is the fronting of the copula, which may indicate a dropped pronoun in initial position.
Mada allows other verbs to be co-opted as pseudo-copulas, as for example;
te make k fall u kpə thick
wə̀ndō mē te kpə trouser this make thick these trousers are thick kpəkpɔ old
və̄ lɔn mē cɛ tè kpəkpɔ man this grow make old this man has grown old mpǔr (mə̀) tasteless (local beer)
mə̀ mē ku mpǔr beer this fall tasteless this beer is tasteless pwà undeveloped (groundnuts)
bencwē ku pwà groundnut fall undeveloped the groundnuts are undeveloped
3.5.3 Stative verbs Qualification can often be expressed with stative verbs, i.e. verbs which express a state rather than an action. Many show a relationship with reduplicated adjectives, suggesting that formerly they were more numerous (Table 39).
Table 39. Mada stative verbs and derived adjectives Mada Gloss Example Gloss re to be bitter mə̀sər re water is-bitter rərè bitter mə̀sər mē sē rə̄ re water this is bitter
rε to be long nkɔ̀n Ndə̄ ywān rε road Andaha is-long rərɛ̄ long mgbərīn mē sē rərɛ̄ rope this is-long
bə to be decayed, rotten Krī nggə̄ bə My yams are.rotten bəbə̄ decayed, rotten krī bəbə̄ mē this rotten yam
34 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction Typically, stative verbs are in clause-final position; re to be sharp
njī wə̄ re knife your be.sharp your knife is sharp rǒ to be heavy
mgbantə̄ mē rǒ stone this be.heavy this stone is heavu
However, it is possible to place the demonstrative in clause-final position;
mgbantə̄ rǒ mē stone be.heav this y this heavy stone brì to be quick
wə̄ lā sē wān brì kpə yo you NEG are person be.quick definitely NEG you are definitely a slow person bǔ to be open
rɛn yə kur bǔ menān matter it lie down be.open only the issue is out in the open fà to be free, gratis
bə kan kì mē rɛ̄ wə̄ fà they take thing this sale (for) you be.free They took this object on sale and gave it to you for free mә̀ be wonderful
yə̀mē sē kì yə̀ mə̀ this one is thing which be wonderful this is wonderful
3.6 Numerals Mada has a decimal system of counting, although the word for ‘twelve’, tsɔ, is cognate with other Plateau languages, which suggests the system was formerly duodecimal. It derives cardinals from ordinals through tonal change and tones also change in compounds. Numerals always follow the head noun, but never show tonal or other concord. Where the numeral indicates the plurality of the head noun, the singular rather than the plural form is used. Table 40 shows the count forms and cardinal numbers of Mada numerals;
35 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction Table 40. Mada numerals
Numeral Count Cardinal Adjectival one gyə̌ r gyə̀r mgbrɛn is the adjectival form (see below) two ywā three tar tǎr tàr in compounds four nlyɛ̄ five tun tūn tûn six tānnɛ̀n yə̀mē sē hwə yə̄ tānnɛ̀n this is month of six (June) seven tāmgbā eight tāndà nine tīyār ten gùr When referring to time the tone changes. eleven pwɔ̄ twelve tsɔ twenty sɛ̀ ywā thirty sɛ̀ tàr eighty sɛ̀ tāndà one hundred gigyə̀r thousand nàgyə̀r
For the numeral ‘one’ only, the adjectival form is lexically unrelated to the count form.
nggə̄ sē bə̄ mgbrɛn kì gyə̀r me I am with one thing one only I have only one thing.
yə̀mē sē krī tar these are yam three there are three yams
cu mgbantə tûn lwè nyə̀ pick stones five carry come pick out five stones and bring them
nggə̄ sē wān tūn I be one-who fifth I was fifth
In this construction, the numeral is fronted, and although in principal it functions as a cardinal, it is treated as a count noun.
tāmgbā nggə̄ rīmē nggə̄ la re lā yo seven I today I neg. eat food not this is the seventh day that I haven’t eaten
sε nggə̄ sē tīyār year my are nine I’m nine years old
mkpān dàn de gùr vu ngà bə̄ nkyɛn time says that ten go past with half It’s half-past ten
36 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction nggə̄ sē bə̄ brɛ krī sɛ̀ tāndà I be with yam heap eighty I have eighty yam mounds
3.7 Adverbs Adverbs qualify verbs or other adverbs. They are not marked morphologically, although there is an ideophonic subclass, marked by reduplication. They usually follow the verb they qualify directly.
Adverbs of duration be forever
tə̄ lə sɔ̀n be we will stay forever
However, adverbs can also be fronted in the sentence, for emphasis; jàjà at first
jàjà, nggə̄ la sə̄ tsə rɛn yo at first I NEG do know matter NEG at first I knew nothing about this
Temporal adverbs
Where specific expressions mark days in the past or future, the adverb is in sentence-final position. cundɛ̀ five days hence
tə lə ywe do ə cundɛ̀ we will go market at five days hence gè now
nan y gè ə̄ do it now
Adverbs of potentiality
Adverbs of potentiality are unlike other adverbs syntactically and always appear either fronted or at the end of sentences, like a final tag. The main verb takes the irrealis auxiliary, lә. kә̀ ndà maybe
kə̀ndà gu lə nyə̄ ə mbrɛ maybe he will come on tomorrow mәgē, mәkē maybe, possibly, perhaps
gu lə nan yə̄ məgē he will do it maybe
37 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction munyàn probably, perhaps, maybe
munyàn te tə̄ lə ngā nzεn maybe our father will enter sometime perhaps father will come in sometime njwɛ̂ n maybe, possibly, likely
gu lə sē kə̀, njwɛ̂ n? he will be home, likely maybe he’ll come home tә̀ tɔ̀ maybe
tə̀tɔ̀ Mbə̄ do lə nyə̄ mbrε maybe Mbə̄ do will come tomorrow
Adverbs of manner kuku guiltily
wə là kǎn kuku me mūn? You cont. walk guiltily this why? Why are you walking guiltily like this? bә̀ bè foolishly
və̄ lɔn mūn ku bə̀bè man that fall foolish That man is a fool
In a negative construction, the adverb can be separated from the verb by the object; bә̀ bèbè foolishly
kàdə nàn kī bə̀bèbè ənə̀mē yo NEG do thing foolishly like this NEG don’t behave foolishly like this bwɛ̂ bwɛ̀ slow and steady
bwɛ̂ bwɛ̀ me nggə̄ lə kəsū slow and steady only I will reach I’ll get there by going slowly and steadily cwe full
te mə̀sər sū shɛ̄ tsə cwe fetch water put fill pot full bring water to full the pot mgblamgbla [looking] tough
38 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction g là kyɛ̄ mgblamgbla me u n he CONT look tough onl y He is looking tough
3.8 Conjunctions and co-ordination
3.8.1 Co-ordinating conjunctions an and, then
tə̄ dan gu an gu kan bàn nkɔ̀n də̀ ywè we tell him and he take take road and go we told him, so he took the road and left
mgbāntə tar nggə̄ ə bìshi an yə̄ wu stone shoot me at eye and it swell a stone hit me in the eye and it swelled up
gu kūcici an tə̄ sə zwē mān we lead and we IRR follow there he took the lead and we followed bә̄ with
nggə̄ lə sɔ̀n rɛ̄ nde bə̄ gyə̄ I will stay long with you pl. I’ll be with you for a long time
nggə̄ sē bə̄ nywεn tûn I be with children five I have five children câ together with
tə̄ sə̄ sē câ kəywə̀ we PST be together themselves we were together with them kē or, whether [also gē]
g nan y kē g la nàn yo u ə̄ u he do it or he NEG do NEG Either he did it or he didn’t man then, so as to
kān tə̄ nan man dètswē ə sə̄ kànmē let us do then leave at here then let us leave here
39 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction 3.8.2 Subordinating conjunctions A subordinating conjunction, also called a subordinator, joins a dependent or subordinate clause to a main verb. They show the relationship between them and turn the clause into something dependant on the rest of the sentence for its meaning. Examples; anrīn before
wə̄ də̀ nàn ndu mē anrīn wə̄ sə rē lā you if do work this before you will eat food you must do this work before you can eat anrɛ̀n because
nggə̄ nan ənə̀mē anrɛ̀n dər là ngǎr nggə̀ I do like-this because heart CONT break me I am behaving like this because of heartbreak də̀ if, when, but
wān də̀ kpənyɛ̀n nə̄ gu zǒ ngwɔn who if agree let him raise hand Anyone who agrees let him raise his hand də̀gba if not
yə də̄ gba sē ənə̀mē yo it if-not be like this if it isn’t like this də̀tswē so that ...
də̀tswē yə man nyə sū tswetswe so.that they then come reach quickly so that they should arrive quickly dùdu on account of
nggə̄ là nan kì mē dùdu wə̀ I CONT do thing this on account of you I’m doing this on account of you gbā if (in negative sentences)
nggə̄ gbā ngrɛ̄ n gu yo, nggə̄ lə te gyār I if NEG see him NEG, I will make anger If I don’t see him, I’ll be angry tswēyəmē so, therefore, because lit. ‘this place’
tə̄ ma bə̄ gu ə nkɔ̀n tswēyəmē tə kan nyə kə̄ gigyə̀r we met with him at road so we then come home together we met him on the road so we came home together
40 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction 3.8.3 Correlative conjunctions Correlative conjunctions show the relationship between ideas expressed in different parts of a sentence. Examples; gē or, whether (also kē)
nə̄ nggə̄ ban yə̀mē gē yə̀mù? let me take this one or that one? Shall I take this one or that one? gyɛ̂ n instead, rather
nggə̄ gyε̂n dɔ̄ ban nggà nə̄ mān I instead farm take side another I rather took another direction on the farm kya rather (than)
nggə̄ kpənyεn bə̄ yə̀mē kya I agree with this rather I agree with this rather (than that)
nə̄ wānmē kya nyə̄ let this-one rather-than come let this-one rather-than (that-one) come
3.9 Interrogatives
3.9.1 Polar or closed questions Polar or closed questions, which require binary answers, yes/no or potentially ‘maybe’, possibly’. Remarkably, Mada seems ot have no independent question marker. As in English, questions can be asked through intonation alone, a simply declarative sentence can be interpreted as a question. kyîîn, described below, is more like an exclamation or tag, implying surprise. fà, in sentence final position, which now sounds archaic, may well be a borrowing from Nigerian English.
wə̄ sē wāndɔ̀? you are farmer? are you a farmer?
wə̄ là te do lə̀gā mē? you cont. make bargain shirt this? Are you bargaining for this shirt? kyîîn? question marker expressing surprise
sē sə̄ sānmenàn gyə̄ nan yə̄ kyîîn? is like that you do it QM pl. Is that how you do it?
41 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction 3.9.2 Content questions Mada content (WH) questions are usually introduced by interrogatives. A small subset can be identified by the question formant -tan. Those identified are shown in Table 41;
Table 41. Mada interrogatives Mada Gloss bər how many? mūn why? nggyε̌ what? nə̄ nggyε pl. what? nənggyɛ̀ rɛ̂ n nggyε why? sɛ̀ bər how long? how much? sɛ̌ n how? nggwɔ̌ who? wan who ywə̄ where?
-tan question formant
mbɛ̄ tan when? wāntan who? yə̀tan which? bər how many?
yə sē bər? the be how many? y How many are they? mūn why?
wə̄ là ryùn nggə̄ kyɛn mūn? you cont. look-at me suspiciously, why? Why are you looking at me supiciously? nggyε̌ what?
nggyɛ̌ là nan wə̄ ? what cont. do you? What is happening to you? nə̄ nggyε pl. nənggyɛ̀ what? Exceptionally, this interrogative agrees tonally with the number of the subject.
sē nə̄ nggy yə̀ wə̄ là nan? ɛ be what which yo CONT do? u What are you doing?
42 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction yə̄ mē sē nənggyɛ̀? these are what? what are these? rɛ̂ n nggyε why?
Tsɛ̄ ncun ngwur wə̄ rɛ̂ n nggyε Tsɛ̄ ncun hit you why? Why did Tsɛncun hit you? sɛ̌ n how?
nywεn bān wə̄ sē sɛ̌ n? children they your are how? How are your children?
wə̄ sē sεn you are how? How are you? sɛ̀ bər how long? how much?
wə̄ rε kpɔ̄ mē kə̄ jī sɛ̀ bər? you buy bag this money how much? How much did this bag cost?
wə̄ bān sɛ̀ bər də̀ là nan ndu mē you take year how many and cont. do work this? How long have you been doing this work? wān Who?
sē wān.tan ənywī mə̄ nē mē wān nggə̄ lə cu? this who among people these who I will choose? Who shall I choose among these people?
When it is fronted in the sentence, it can take the sense of ‘whoever’ or ‘whosoever’.
wān də̀ kpənyɛ̀n nə̄ gu zǒ ngwɔn who COND agree let him raise hand Whoever agrees, let him raise his hand
wān mē sē wāntan? who this is which-one? Who is this?
Who questions can also expressed with a fronted copula and the additional relative nggwɔ̌ .
sē nggwɔ̌ wān tse wə̀? it-is who who beat you? Who was it who beat you?
43 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction sē nggwɔ̌ wān ngrɛn brì gbàgyə̀r? it-is who who see ghost ever? Who has ever seen a ghost?
However, in response to a question, the nggwɔ̌ can be omitted;
sē wə̄ wān nan kì mē? is-it you who do thing this? Did you do this?
sē gu wān nan kəywə̄ it-is he who do for himself He did it by himself ywə̄ where?
wə̄ là ywe ywə̄ ? you cont. go where? Where are you going?
-tan is an interrogative formant applied to three conjunctions mbɛ̄ tan when? mbɛ̄ tan can be placed both in initial and final position in interrogative questions
mbɛ̄ tan wə̄ lə nyə̄ ? when you will come? When will you come?
wə lə ngā mbɛ̄ tan you will return when? when will you return? yə̀tan which?
sē yə̀tan ənywī kī mē nə nggə ban? be which among things these that I choose Which one of these things shall I choose?
3.10 Particles
3.10.1 Introducers Mada introduces reported speech (§4.2.) with de ‘that’;
gu dan de he said that yə̄ that (relative pronoun)
tə̄ nan yə̄ tə̄ lə we do that we will…
44 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction 3.10.2 Discourse particles Mada has a discourse particle kàn ‘then’, which is part of pushing forward the narrative.
gu kàn dàn de he then said that
3.10 Locatives The main locatives or prepositions in Mada are shown in Table 42;
Table 42. Mada locatives Mada Gloss bē outside ə at, on, in (ə)nywī inside ənywīnywī right inside ətù atop, about, concerning gi next to nywī inside nggà bishi front, in front of, before nggà gɔ̄ n behind, at the back of sə̄ kànmē here sə̄ kànmū there
Examples; bē outside
gu sē ə bē he is at outside he’s outside
ə at, on, in Introduces many other locative expressions
gu sē ə bē he is at outside he’s outside
(ə)nywī inside
nggə̄ sē ənyw tàr ī I be inside room I’m inside the room
ənywīnywī right inside, deep inside
gu ban yə̄ nyə̄ r ənywīnywī he take it hide right.inside he took it and hid it right inside
45 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction ətù atop, about, concerning lit. ‘at head’
yə̄ sa ətù tsə̄ it put on.top.of pot put it on top of the pot gi next to, beside
nggə̄ kre gi wə̀ I stay next to you I stood next to you nggà bishi front, in front of, before
wə kre ə nggà bishi nggə̀ you stand in front of me you stood in front of me nggà gɔ̄ n behind, at the back of
gu krè ə nggà.gɔ̄ n wə̀ he stand at behind you He stood behind you sə̄ kànmē here
kə̄ nggə̄ sē ə sə̄ kànmē house my is at here here is my house sə̄ kànmū there
ywē bàn dǎ ə sə̄ kànmū lwe nyə̀ go take cutlass at there carry come Go and get the cutlass and bring it here
3.11 Ideophones Mada ideophones are defined principally by their morphology, either reduplicated or repeated ad libitum. Ideophones are highly idiosyncratic from the tonal point of view, with a preponderance of rising and falling tones, often on sequences of doubled vowels, which do not otherwise occur in the Mada lexicon. The ideophones are principally adverbial, but some are adjectival (see §3.5.2.2). They can either follow directly the verb they qualify or be placed at the end of the clause. Some ideophones may be further qualified by intensifiers. brɛ̂ ɛ̂ describes s.o. falling down unconscious
gu sar gyɛkū brɛ̂ ɛ̂ he slip fall unconscious he slipped and fell down unconscious brîbrî restlessly
46 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction wə là te brîbrî mwɔn you CONT do restlessly too.much you are very restless bwɛ̂ ɛ̂ bwɛ̀ɛ̀ describes doing s.t. slowly and deliberately
tə là nan ndu bwɛ̂ ɛ̂ bwɛ̀ɛ̀ me ma tə nan krɛ we CONT do work cautiously only reach we do finish we are doing the work cautiously until we finish it frēfrè describes s.t. hanging loosely
kì mē sē frēfrè me thing this is loosely only this is only loose
Some monosyllabic ideophones take on a specific meaning when reduplicated; gblɔ̌ pl. gblɔ̌ gblɔ̌ describes the sound made when gulping down water or food
gu mre lā gblɔ̌ he swallow food gblɔ̌ he swallowed the food gblɔ̌
bə sə mə̀sər gblɔ̌ gblɔ̌ they drink water gblɔ̌ gblɔ̌ they drank water gblɔ̌ gblɔ̌ (very fast because they were intensely thirsty)
4. Basic syntax
4.1 Noun phrase The basic word order of Mada is;
S - AUX - V - O - [DAT] - O₂
nggə̄ sɔn bə̀r I wear hat I wore a hat
nggə̄ lə sɔ̀n rεndē bə̄ gyə̄ I will stay long-time with you I’ll stay long with you
The second object can follow the first directly without any overt marking;
nggə̄ gy běkan ngwɔ̀n ɔ I put ring hand I put the ring on my hand
Mada inverts the order of O - O₂ in constructions where the beneficiary is fronted;
47 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction ywē bù tə̄ nzan ə kə̀ go grind us guinea-corn at house Go and grind guinea-corn for us at the house
nggə̄ gbla wə̄ kpəmkpàn mbɛ̄ I weed you maize already I've already weeded the maize for you
Mada dative markers are quite uncommon, but dùdu, ‘on account of’, is used in the following construction;
nggə̄ là nan kì mē dùdu wə̀ I cont. do thing this on account of you I’m doing this on account of you
However, Mada commonly avoids dative particles by either repeating the verb or introducing a secondary verb, as in the following examples;
cǔ bemkpàn mǎ bwɛ̂ cà nggə̄ mān fetch maize reach fetch-small bring me there bring me a little bit of maize from there
4.2 Verb phrase
4.2.1 Tense/Aspect The tense/aspect system of Mada is bound up with the pronominal system, already described in §3.3. The system for intransitive verbs can be summarised as follows (Table 43);
Table 43. The Mada verb phrase in intransitive constructions T/A Subject TAM Pronoun Verb cf. Table Recapitulation Present + là — concord with subject Table 44 continuous Future + lə — concord with subject Future continuous + lə sə̀ — concord with subject Uncompleted past + sə̀ — concord with subject Table 45 Conditional + də̀ — concord with subject Completed past + — — concord with subject
Of these, sә and dә show tonal concord with the number of the subject, while the other TAMs remain invariant.
Table 44 shows a typical present tense marked by the auxiliary là;
Table 44. Mada present tense subject pronouns pron. am writing 2s wə là cǎr 3s gu là cǎr 2p gyə là cǎr 1s ŋgə là cár 1p tə là cár 3p bə̀ là cár
48 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction Mada can express future action in two ways, either;
ŋgə lə cár I will write or;
ŋgə lə sə̀ cár I will be write
In both cases, the tone-pattern on the verb follows the pronominal pattern outlined above and the TAM is invariant.
nggə̄ tse nggǎgyū I beat dog
However, in the case of the uncompleted past and the conditional, the auxiliaries undergo tone- changes that reflect the verb-stem tone-changes. Table 45 shows the paradigm for the uncompleted past;
Table 45. Mada uncompleted past paradigm: monosyllabic stems pron. was writing 2s wə sə̀ cǎr 3s gu sə̀ cǎr 2p gyə sə̀ cǎr 1s ŋgə sə̄ cár 1p tə sə̄ cár 3p bə̀ sə̄ cár
In the case of a polysyllabic stem, comparable changes occur on the second syllable of the verb-stem (Table 46);
Table 46. Mada uncompleted past paradigm: polysyllabic stem pron. was escape 2s wə sə̀ gbojùn 3s gu sə̀ gbojùn 2p gyə sə̀ gbojùn 1s ŋgə sə gbojún 1p tə sə gbojún 3p bə̀ sə gbojún
The conditional, which inserts the auxiliary də between pronoun and verb, follows the same pattern of mimicking the verb-stem tones (Table 47). Thus;
Table 47. Mada conditional ŋgə də cár I if write wə də̀ cǎr you if write
Table 48 shows the transitive system;
49 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction Table 48. The Mada verb phrase in transitive constructions T/A Subject Object TAM Verb Pronoun cf. Table Recapitulation Present continuous + + là invariant + Future + + lə — Future continuous + + lə sə̀ — Uncompleted past + + sə̀ — Conditional + + də̀ — Completed past + + — invariant —
4.2.2 Imperatives Mada has a variety of constructions marking imperative. In the simplest form, there is no overt imperative marker, but the characteristic VO is inverted, with the object fronted.
yə̄ sa ətù tsə̄ it put on top of pot put it on top of the pot
The primary imperative verb is followed by a direct object, but the dependent element repeats the pronoun in indirect form in this example;
ywe kə mâ bə̄ gu ə nkɔ̀n go him meet with him on way go and meet with him on the road
In this example, the imperative verb is followed by a subordinating conjunction and to has no direct object, since ‘tree’ is understood.
ngǔn shū də̀ man cùn mənggə̀rō sū nggə̀ climb up and so as to shake mango put me climb up so as to shake down mangoes for me
Hortatives, ‘let [me], let [us]’ have overt marking using;
nə singular, third person plural kan first person plural placed at the beginning of the command. Examples;
nə̄ nggə̄ ban yə̀mē gē yə̀mù? let me take this one or that one? Shall I take this one or that one?
nə̄ yə man nan da tē nggɔnggɔn let them then make heads become big Let them make the [sorghum] heads grow bigger
kān tə̄ nan man dètswē ə sə̄ kàn mē let us do then leave at here this Let’s leave this place
50 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction kān tə̄ ywe tswē glǒ let us go place dance Let’s go to the dancing place
Negative commands
Mada has an initial particle to mark negative commands;
kàsə…yo singular kàdə…yo plural which always precedes the primary imperative verb. kàsə…yo
kàsə nàn sə̄ sānme nàn yo don’t do like that do NEG Don’t do it like that
kàsə zər nyɔ̄ nnyɔ̀n nə̀mē yo don’t walk lazily like-that NEG don’t walk lazily like that kàdə…yo
kàdə nàn kī bə̀bèbè ənə̀mē yo don’t do thing foolishly like this not Don’t behave foolishly like that
kàdə tè nggə̄ də̌ r ngàr yo don’t do me heart break NEG don’t break my heart
4.2.3 Equative constructions Many sentences which would be equative constructions in English make use of stative verbs, for example;
prē mē mə̌ r guinea-corn-drink this be-sweet guinea-corn drink is sweet
These are covered in more detail in §3.5.3. The common verb used in Mada equative constructions, sē, ‘is, are’, which can either be used in qualifications or expressing the equivalence of one nominal with another. Examples;
kì mē sē məme thing this is bad this thing is bad
yə̀mē sē mɛ̄ yə̄ glō this is season it rains this is the rainy season
51 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction sē can also be followed by a locative;
gu sē ə mun he is at there he’s there or an interrogative;
yə sē bər? the be how many? y How many are they?
Commonly, equative sentences with more abstract nouns are inverted, so that the nominal becomes the subject. Two Mada verbs, te ‘make’, nan ‘do’, are used in these constructions.
hwə̌ là te gu intoxication cont. make him he is drunk
kpə̀kplə̌ là te nggə̀ laziness cont. make me I am lazy
lələ là nan Tsɛ̄ ncun sickness CONT do Tsɛ̄ ncun Tsɛ̄ ncun is sick
Another verb commonly found in equative sentences is ku, ‘fall’.
lā ku mbwàr food fall watery the food is watery
və̄ lɔn mūn ku bə̀bè man that fall foolish that man is a fool
gu kan kū ywǔr he then fall afraid he then became afraid
4.2.4 Conditionals The main particles introducing conditionals are dә̀ and gba…yo [in negative sentences]. Examples;
wān də̀ kpənyɛ̀n nə̄ gu zǒ ngwɔn who if agree let him raise hand whoever agrees, let him raise his hand
wə̄ də̀ nàn ndu mē anrīn wə̄ sə rē lā you if do work this before you will eat food you must do this work before you can eat
52 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction Where the supposition is negative;
nggə̄ gbā ngrɛ̄ gu yo n I if-not see him not If I don’t see him
4.2.5 Serial verb constructions Mada has a system of lexicalised verbs which are quasi-auxiliaries, typically te, ‘do’, nàn ‘make’ etc. which are probably the genesis of serial verb constructions. However, it also allows sequences of up to three verbs to form sentences without intervening conjunctions. Examples;
nywεn blá krε children read finish The children have finished reading
cu jā lə̀lwè cà nggə̄ mān fetch use grass bring me there bring the grass to me there
nggə̄ là ca blā I CONT learn write I'm learning to write
g klwe kə̄ nyə̄ u r he run g hide o he ran and hid
4.2.6 Indirect speech Indirect speech or quotations are introduced by the relative pronoun de, which is also used in relative clauses.
dan gu de nggə̄ kre ə sə̄ kànmē tell him that I stand at here tell him I’m standing here
bə dan de nə̄ nggə̄ cī mə̀nyɛ̀sər they say that let me avoid palm-oil they said I should avoid palm-oil
Mada allows speakers to omit the main verb introducing the reported speech. In this sentence, the word ‘said’ is understood.
və̄ lɔn mē de yə te gu dē man this that it make him difficult this man [said] it was difficult for him
53 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction 5. Guide to using the dictionary
5.1 Structure of individual entries Each entry has the following order;
Mada word Part of speech Meaning Examples Scientific Grammar notes Singular Plural n. v.
Plural verbs are rarer than nouns, but they are listed in the second column where they occur. Mada also has plural adjectives. Parts of speech are given in §4.5. Class is a semantic classification used to identify different fields of meaning. It will be deleted in the printed version. Hausa is included in some cases, but will probably also be eliminated from the printed version. The final column gives examples of the words in use, but also scientific names and other types of information. Mada words are always in boldface. 5.2 Scientific Names In this dictionary, many scientific names are given for plants and animals. Scientific names are in Latin, and they are written in italics to show they are not English. Scientific names are intended to be an international language so that researchers in all countries will have a single name for a living creature, although the name in their own language will vary. For example, when the definition of a word is baobab, Adansonia digitata this means that baobab is the common English name corresponding to the Latin or scientific name following. These may not be familiar to Mada speakers, but it is important to try and identify correctly those plants and animals that people experience in their everyday life. 5.3 Nigerian English Usage Certain usages in Nigerian English have now diverged from international English, and this is a potential source of confusion in definitions. For example, 'follow' in Nigeria generally means 'to go along with', whereas in International English it means to 'go after' or 'go behind'. Similarly ‘use to' has the sense of 'customarily' in Nigeria, so 'he use to go to market' implies a practice. In International English the sense is rather 'formerly', implying that the action referred to no longer takes place. In this dictionary, International English is used for the primary definition throughout. Where Nigerian usage is given, it is always in apostrophes, thus; ‘use to' or 'fox'.
Other meanings of a word are listed below the first meaning. Where a word is used in an idiom it is marked ‘idm.’ and the literal translation of the idiom is given. Examples of the word in use are given first in Mada and then in a natural English translation. 5.4 Etymology and Loan-words Not every word in the language is native to Mada; like English, Mada has borrowed words from other languages. The sources of many words have not been identified; however, obvious loanwords from other languages are marked in the text. The following abbreviations are used;
E. = English F. = Fulfulde H. = Hausa Y. = Yoruba
Occasionally a word can be identified as a loan-word but the precise source language is unknown. In this case the word is marked (
An. = Ancho Gw. = Gwanje Sh. = Shugbu
5.6 Parts of Speech Like all languages, Mada words can be classified according to the function they have in the sentence. These are known as 'parts of speech' -the most well-known types are nouns and verbs. The following table gives the abbreviations used in the dictionary with short explanations;
Abbrev Full form Explanation iation a. Adjective Describes a noun adv. Adverb Qualifies a verb aux. Auxiliary Added to a verb to modify it, like a tense-marker c.i. Colour intensifier Invariant word which modifies a colour term cond. Conditional Expresses the relation between two events conj. Conjunction A word used to join two or more nouns, verbs or clauses dem. Demonstrative Words used to point out something. ‘this’, ‘that’ etc. excl. Exclamation Greetings or expressions that do not form part of an ordinary sentence int. Interrogative Question words loc. Locative Words describing where a thing is n. Noun Refers to things, objects etc. n.p. Noun phrase A phrase where a head-noun is joined to other words to form an expression num. Numeral Number part. Particle Short words added to complete the sentence p.n. Proper Name A name of a person or object; always capitalised prep. Preposition A word positioning nouns or verbs in time or space pron. Pronoun A word that stands for a noun s.v. Stative Verb Expresses the state of something, often an adjective in English v. Verb Expresses action v.i. Intransitive Verb A verb with no object v.n. Verbal Noun A noun formed directly from a verb to express a state of being v.p. Verb phrase A phrase where a head-noun is joined to other words to form an expression v.t. Transitive verb A verb with an object
Needless to say, these categories were developed to describe English grammar and not all Mada words fit neatly into them. For example, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish verbs from adjectives. Only a clear grammatical description will help the reader understand the function of a word in a sentence. At that point, the assignment to a particular part of speech is somewhat arbitrary; what counts is consistency throughout.
55 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction Bibliography
1. Publications in Mada
a. Mada Phonology b. Yɛso sē bə̄ nggɔn nggɔn yə̄ gu kpə̄ tə̄ cūngwɔn (Jesus has power to save us) c. Alphabet chart d. The Jesus Film e Tə Blā Mada (a booklet for non-literate) f. Tə Blā m̀ ada Gìgyə̀r (a booklet introducing the Mada alphabets for literate)
2. Language, Ethnography and Linguistics Blench, R. M. 2000a. Revising Plateau. In: Proceedings of 2nd WOCAL, Ekkehard Wolff & O. Gensler eds. 159-174. Köln: Rüdiger Köppe. Blench, R. M. 2000b. Transitions in Izere nominal morphology and implications for the analysis of Plateau languages. In: Nominal classification in African languages. A. Meißner & A. Storch (eds.) 7-26. Frankfurter Afrikanistische Blätter, 12. Köln: Rüdiger Köppe. CAPRO 2009. Refine the gold. Jos: CAPRO Research Office. Crozier, D.H. and R.M. Blench 1992. An Index of Nigerian Languages. Dallas: Summer Institute of Linguistics. Dandaura, E.S. and Ngharen, A.Z., 1997. Mada People and Culture. Victory Family Books. De Wolf, P. 1971. The noun class system of Proto-Benue-Congo. The Hague: Mouton. Gerhardt, L. 1972/3a. Das Nominalsystem der Plateau-4 Sprachen: Versuch einer Rekonstruktion. Afrika und Übersee, 56:72-89. Gerhardt, L. 1983. Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Sprachen des Nigerianischen Plateaus. Glückstadt: Verlag J.J. Augustin. Gerhardt, Ludwig & Heinz Jockers 1981. Lexikostatistische Klassifikationen von Plateausprachen. In: Berliner Afrikanistische Vorträge, H. Jungraithmayr and G. Miehe eds., 25-54. Berlin: Dietrich Reimer. Gerhardt, Ludwig 1989. Kainji and Platoid. In: Niger-Congo. Bendor-Samuel, J. 359-76. Lanham: University Press of America Inc. Greenberg, J. H. 1963. The Languages of Africa. Bloomington: Indiana University. Hansford, K. et. al. 1976. An Index of Nigerian Languages. Studies in Nigerian Languages, No. 5. SIL, Accra. Kadima, H. & K. Jerzyk n.d. The phonology of Ninkyob. ms. Jos. Kingdon, Jonathan ,1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals. San Diego: Academic Press. Maydell, H. J. von, 1986. Trees and shrubs of the Sahel. Eschborn: GTZ. Okezie, Akobundu, I. & C.W. Agyakwa 1998. A handbook of West African weeds. 2nd. ed. Ibadan: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. Price, N. 1989. Notes on Mada phonology. Language Data, Africa Series, 23. Dallas: SIL. Sabo, Peter D. 2011a. The Ncho clan of Mada of Central Nigeria. Abuja: Impact Media Press. Sabo, Peter D. 2011b. The Mada of Central Nigeria. Abuja: Impact Media Press. [NB The rubric notes this a ‘revised and expanded edition’ but no details of the first edition are given] Shimizu, K., 1975. A Lexicostatistical Study of Plateau Languages and Jukun. Anthropological Linguistics 17, : 413-418. Temple, Olive, 1922. Notes on the Tribes, Provinces, Emirates and States of the Northern Provinces of Nigeria. Argus Printing and Publishing Co. Capetown. Williamson, Kay & Roger M. Blench, 2000. Niger-Congo. In: Bernd Heine & Derek Nurse (eds.), African Languages: An Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 11-42. Williamson, Kay, 1984. Practical Orthography in Nigeria. Heinemann Educational Books (Nigeria) Limited, Ibadan. Williamson, Kay, 1989. Benue-Congo Overview. In: John Bendor-Samuel (ed.), The Niger-Congo Languages. Lanham: University Press of America, pp. 247-276. 56 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada Dictionary Introduction
3. Field guides used for scientific identifications Adesulu, E.A. and Sydenham, D.H.J. 2007. The Freshwater Fishes and Fisheries of Nigeria. Lagos: Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Limited. Arbonnier, Michel 2004. Trees, Shrubs and Lianas of West African Dry Zones. Montpellier: CIRAD. Arbonnier, Michel 2009. Arbres, arbustes et lianes des zones sèches d’Afrique de l’Ouest. Montpellier: CIRAD. Berland L. 1955. Les arachnides de l'Afrique noire française. (Initiations et Etudes africaines de l'IFAN - 12) Dakar : IFAN. Boorman, J. 1981. West African Insects. Nigria: Longmans. Borrow, N. & Demey, R. 2010. Field Guide to the Birds of Western Africa. (Helm Field Guides). London: Christopher Helm. Burkill, H.M. 1985. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, Families A-D. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens. Burkill, H.M. 1994. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, Families E-I. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens. Burkill, H.M. 1995. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, Families J-L. Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens. Burkill, H.M. 1997. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, Families M-R. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens. Burkill, H.M. 2000. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, Families S-Z. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens. Burkill, H.M. 2004. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, General Index. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens. Chirio, L., & LeBreton, M. 2007. Atlas des reptiles du Cameroun. Paris: IRD Editions. Happold, D.C.D. 1987. The Mammals of Nigeria. New York: Oxford University Press. Hawthorne, W. & Jongkind, C. 2006. Woody plants of western African forests: a guide to the forest trees, shrubs and lianes from Senegal to Ghana. Kew, United Kingdom: Kew Publishing, Royal Botanic Gardens. Holden, M. and Reed, W. 1972. West African freshwater fish. Nigeria: Longmans. Kingdon, Jonathan 2015. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals. London: Bloomsbury. Okezie Akobundu, I. & C.W. Agyakwa 1998. A handbook of West African weeds. 2nd ed. Ibadan: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. Paugy, D. Lévêque, C. & G. Teugels 2004. Poissons d’eaux douces et saumâtres de l’Afrique de l’Ouest. Paris/Bruxelles: IRD/MRAC. Reed, W. et al. 1967. Fish and fisheries of Northern Nigeria. Zaria: Ministry of Agriculture, Northern Nigeria. Rosevear, D.R., 1965. The bats of West Africa. London: Natural History Museum. Rosevear, D.R., 1969. The Rodents of West Africa. London: Natural History Museum. Rosevear, D.R., 1974. The Carnivores of West Africa. London: Natural History Museum. Teugels, G.G., Reid, G. McG. & R.P. King 1992. Fishes of the Cross River Basin (Cameroon- Nigeria). Taxonomy, zoogeography, ecology and conservation. Tervuren: Musée Royale de l’Afrique Centrale. Trape, J. F., & Mané, Y. 2006. Guide des serpents d'Afrique occidentale: savane et désert. Paris : IRD. Trape, J.F., Chirio, L., Trape, S., Diatta, G., Mané, Y., & Chauvancy, G. 2012. Lézards, crocodiles et tortues d'Afrique occidentale et du Sahara. Paris : IRD.
57 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary
Mada -English Dictionary
A a aku n. grey parrot Psittacus erithacus wān nan kì mē? is-it you who did thing this? → Did you do this? anrɛ̀n conj. because nggә̄ nan әnә̀ mē anrɛ̀ n dәr là ngǎr nggә̀ I do like-this because heart cont. break (pain) me. → I am behaving like this because of my heartbreak anrīn conj. before; prior to; previously wә̄ dә̀ nàn ndu mē anrīn wә̄ sә rē lā you if do work this before you will eat food → You must do this work before you get food aku atìshâû id. describes sneezing nggә̄ te gbә̀ shǔ de atìshâû I do sneeze atìshâû! ( Atishoo!) an conj. and; then; subsequently tә̄ dan gu an gu Āyiririii! excl. ululation Āyiriririiii! Là gbo mbә̄ kan bàn nkɔn dә ywe we told him and he then ̀ ̀ ca Ncān → (they) are bringing a wife to Ncān take road and went → We spoke to him and went out on the road an àn excl. No! (response to a question) sē wә̄
B b bà z??? bē loc. outside gu sē ә bē he is at outside → he is bàbər pl. bābər n. motorcycle; motorbike (< H.) outside bān1 v. to accompany; to go with; to ‘follow’ gu bě pl. be, bəbe n. seed; pip; stone; grain lә dān mә̄ nē tswē yә̄ bә lә ban he FUT tell bě-- pref. diminutive prefix ( (applied to crops people place they them FUT follow. → He with small seeds)) will tell people where they are to go bedə̀rō pl. — n. millet Pennisetum americanum bān2 pl. vu v. to take (vu governs a plural object) (< H. dauro) Ban yә̄ nә̄ nggә̀ Take it give me → Take it and begywī n. flying ants; termites give it to me Vǔ zәkpә cà nggә̄ mān → Bring běkan pl. bekan n. ring nggә̄ gyɔ běkan ngwɔ̀ n I me those shoes put ring hand → I put a ring on my hand bān3 dem. those Nywεn bān wә̄ sē sen? Children běkì pl. bekī n. seed; grain those (of) you are how? → How are your běkìtɔ̄ n pl. bekītɔ̄ n n. ear-ring yә̀ mē sē běkìtɔ̄ n children? this is ear-ring bān4 pl. mə̀bān n. law; custom; tradition; rules běkpū pl. bekpu n. guinea-corn kernel Bān tә̄ dan de tә̄ ka sә̄ mә̀ yo → Our law says běkyɛ̀n pl. bekyɛ̀n n. Lima beans Phaseolus that we should not drink wine. lunatus ban mgbə̀ v.p. to sniff nggә̄ là ban mgbә̀ I cont. belə̄ belà pl. nywɛ̂ n belə̄ belà n. cattle egret take sniffing → I am sniffing [it] Ardeola ibis (< H.) bàr v. to touch bàr nggә̄ dә̀ man kyɛn → touch me and see bǎrga pl. barga n. lion Leo africanus bǎrnyū pl. barnyū, mə̀bǎrnyū n. lip bǎrnyū gu sē nggɔ̀ n lips his are big be adv. forever; eternally; everlasting tә̄ lә sɔ̀ n be → we will stay forever 1 belə̄ belà Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary běmè pl. — n. wickedness; malice; evil; mushroom animosity wә̄ là te běmè mē mūn? you cont. bə̀brɛ̀ywì pl. bə̄ brɛ̀ywi n. cockroach Periplaneta make wickedness this why? → why are you americana persisting in behaving wickedly? Běmè p.n. personal name bər1 v. to add water to a solid tә̄ là bәr nzan we běmkpàn pl. bemkpàn n. maize kernel cont. add water to boiled guinea-corn (local běncī pl. benci n. acca cultivar Digitaria exilis food drink) běncwē pl. bencwē n. groundnut; peanut Arachis bər2 int. How many? How much? Yә sē bәr? it is hypogaea how many? běntə pl. bentə n. beniseed; sesame Sesamum bər3 v. to appeal; beg; plead; entreat Nggә̄ là bәr indicum wә̄ , kàdә tè gyār yo. I am begging you, should běntsu pl. béntsú n. acca; fonio Digitaria exilis not make angry not. → [I beg you, don’t be běnzɛ̄ pl. benzε n. jumblebeads; catseyes Abrus angry with me.] precatorius bə̄ r pl. bə̄ bə̀r n. farm shelter tә̄ sɔn ә bә̀ r → we sit at the farm shelter bə̀r1 pl. bə̄ bə̀r n. hat; cap nggә̄ sɔn bә̀ r I wear a hat → I wear a hat bə̀r2 pl. bər n. royal python Python regius
běnzɛ̄ běsə̄ n pl. bésə̄ n n. cowpea; bean Vigna unguiculata bětsə̀kā pl. bétsə̀kā n. rice Ozyza sativa bə̀r2 bězǔ pl. bezu n. bullet bə1 pron. they; them (3rd person plural pronoun.) bə̀r3 pl. bər n. genet cat Genetta genetta bə2 s.v. to be decayed; to be rotten; to decompose Krī nggә̄ bә → My yams are rotten bə̄ conj. with; together with Nggә̄ lә sɔ̀ n rɛ̄ nde bә̄ gyә̄ I will stay long with you pl. Nggә̄ sē bә̄ nywεn tûn I be with children five → I have five children bə̀ pl. bə̄ bə̀ n. place; hole (natural); position yә̀ mē sē bә̀ kpә̄ r → this is the hole of a giant mouse bə̀r3 yә̀ mē sē bә̀ mә̀ nggә̄ this is position my → this is my position bə̀bàrì pl. bə̄ bàri n. butterfly bə̂ rbər pl. bə̂ rbərbər id. describes how a lantern bəbè adv. foolishly; stupidly; idiotically; crazily ̀ ̀ ̀ ̀ burns (plural describes the continuous burning vә̄ lɔn mūn ku bәbè man that fall foolish → ̀ of the lantern, not necessarily many lanterns.) that man is a fool pl. bəbèbè. ̀ tәtәlà là rɛn bә̂ rbәr lantern cont. burn bə̂ rbər bəbèbè adv. foolishly; stupidly; idiotically; ̀ ̀ ̀ ̀ → the lantern is burning bə̂ rbər crazily kàdә nàn kī bәbèbè әnәmē yo don’t do ̀ ̀ ̀ Bətərē p.n. personal name ( bature) thing foolishly like this not pl. bəbè. ̀ ̀ bɛ̄ pl. bε n. large male patas monkey bəbə̄ a. decayed; rotten; decomposed krī bәbә̄ mē Erythrocebus patas syn cər, kpɔmgbukpɔn. → this rotten yam ̀ ̀ ̀ bɛ v. to praise s.o. for good work gu là bɛ zәywә bə̄ bə̄ n. tree sp. ̀ ̀ ̄ ̄ he cont. praise child his → he is praising his bəbɛ pl. bə̄ bɛ n. tail ̀ ̀ ̀ child Bəbrɛ̂ p.n. personal name ̀ bì s.v. to be adapted; accustomed to (the bəbrɛgyùn pl. bə̄ brɛgyún n. large, brown, edible 1 ̀ ̀ ̀ weather) kpә nggә̄ ban bì mbɛ̄ body my take be adapted already → my body is already 2
bə̀brɛ̀ywì Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary adapted [to the weather] it was still twilight bì2 pl. bi n. cobra Naja sp. brîbrî pl. — adv. restlessly; restively; agitatedly bǐshī pl. bishi n. eye; face; presence Kә ngwur wә là te brîbrî mwɔn you cont. make restlessly nggә̄ ә bīshi wә̀ He slapped me in your too much → you are so restless presence brε pl. mə̀brε n. grave; tomb tә̄ là gya brɛ we bīshizə̀ pl. bishizə̀ n. ankle cont. dig grave blā v. 1) to count; enumerate tә̄ là blá krī we bu pl. — v. to open bǔ nggә̄ nkɔ̀ n open me door cont. counting yams 2) to read nywεn blá krε → open the door for me v.t. bǔ. children read finish → The children have bū1 pl. bu n. aardvark Orycteropus afer finished reading 3) to teach; instruct Nggә̄ là ywe tswē blā nywεn → I am going to teach the children Blā p.n. personal name reading Blāmə̀kə̀ p.n. personal name count houses Blāntān p.n. personal name count animal skin Blārɛn p.n. personal name count matters blə pl. — s.v. to be flat; to be deflated; punctured tayā matò wә̄ blә tyre car your is flat → Your bū1 car tyre has gone flat bɔ̌ pl. bɔ n. grass sp. ́ bū pl. — n. night; darkness bū te night make → bɔn pl. bɔn n. hawk 2 ̀ it is night rɛn yә te nggә bū bishi matter it brè pl. brěbrè adv. describes things of the same make me dark (night) eyes height, matching tә tan brê kәywә we tall ̀ bù pl. bu v. to grind; crush; pulverise ywē bù tә̄ same with ourselves → we are as tall as each nzan ә kә go grind for us boiled guinea-corn at other ̀ house brêbrè adv. correctly; rightly; appropriately kān bǔ pl. — s.v. to be open rɛn yә kur bǔ menān the tә gә yә brêbrè let us share it out correctly ̄ ̄ ̄ matter it lie be open only → the issue’s now brɛ̄ brε, brɛ̂ brɛ a. weak; feeble gu sē brɛ̂ brɛ he is ̀ ̄ in the open v.t. bu. weak bu bishi pl. — v.p. to be wise; be educated; be brɛ̌ krì pl. brεkrī n. yam heap; yam mound knowledgeable; be learned (idiom) nggә̄ bla bri pl. — v. to ache; hurt; be painful nɛn là bri 1 ̄ mgbāmvū dә bu bishi I read book and open nggә stomach cont. aching me → I’ve got a ̀ ̀ eyes → I read the book and became wise stomach-ache bubu n. exact spot; place; location yәmē sē bubu bri pl. məbri n. lower part of abdomen; belly; ̀ 2 ̀ tswēywә̄ this is exact place of it stomach sɔn wәndō ywān bri wear trouser ̀ būbū pl. — n. early morning; daybreak; dawn tә cover lower abdomen doglo būbū dә ywe tswē hwā kpu we got up brì pl. brī n. ghost; phantom; spirit; spectre sē 1 early morning and went to the place of nggwɔ̌ wān ngrɛn brì gbàgyәr? is who see ̀ trampling guinea-corn ghost ever? → Who has ever seen a ghost? bùbù pl. — n. taste for something; appetite gu là brì v. to shuck; shell; dehusk (e.g. maize) Nggә 2 ̄ te bùbù tan nan he cont. has an-appetite eat là brì kpәmkpàn I cont. shuck maize → I'm meat shucking maize. bǔbù pl. bubù n. large basket with lid brì pl. — a. quick; rapid; speedy; fast wә la sē 3 ̄ bùbwɔ pl. — n. petition; pleading; entreating sē wān brì kpә yo you cont. neg. be person of ̀ bùbwɔ nggә̄ là te nә gyә̄ It-is pleading (that) I quick not → you are slow ̀ cont. make give you (pl). Nggә̄ te wә̄ bùbwɔ brî pl. brîbrì v. to appear and disappear ((the ̀ ka tè gyār yo.. I make you pleading (you) plural describes the frequency of the action)) should-not get angry not → please don’t get gu sә kàn brî meme dә kan nànsɛn? he just ̀ angry appear and disappear now to where? Bùbwɔ p.n. personal name brîbrì pl. — n. twilight; half-light; before ̀ bùkan n. giant kingfisher sunrise; dusk; dawn gu gәrù mà tswē kasә̄ sē bū məsər n. fish sp. Gymnarchus niloticus brîbrī menrīn he go out → he went out while ̀
3 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary bwәr we cont. dance of rejoicing bwɛ̂ 1 v. to fetch s.t. small; to bring cǔ bemkpàn mǎ bwɛ̂ cà nggә̄ mān fetch maize reach fetch- small bring me → bring me a little bit of maize syn cū1, fə̀r. bwɛ̂ 2 v. to watch a person so as to catch him at a later time bwɛ̂ me nggә̄ lә vūn gu kpaki watch only I will catch him must → watch him, I’ll catch him later bū mə̀sər bwɛ̂ bwɛ̀ adv. slow and steady; cautious bwɛ̂ bwɛ̀ me nggә̄ lә kәsū slow and steady only I will bwā pl. bwa v. to fly vәncɛ là bwā (a) bird cont. reach flying bwi pl. — n. witchcraft; sorcery; magic; bwà pl. bwā v. to pour out; to spill out kan mәsәr ̀ conjuration Nē là te bwi people cont. make bwà take water pour → pour out the water syn witchcraft. kàrε. bwɔ̂ bwɔ̄ a. parboiled; half-cooked Mbә̄ do là te bwə pl. mətərbwə n. fig tree sp. used to make ̀ ̀ nan bwɔ̂ bwɔ̄ Mbə̄ do cont. make meat parboil arrowheads bwɔkì, bwɔ̌ pl. bə̄ bwɔkī n. pocket (? < E. pocket) bwər pl. — v. to dance a dance of rejoicing tә̄ là
C c ca v. to splash either water or mud on s.o. Gu ca cə̄ r1 pl. mə̀cə̀r n. stranger; guest; visitor cә̄ r nyә ncan bwà nggә̀ → he splashed mud on me bә̄ nggә̀ stranger come with me cā1 pl. — n. unfermented wine; sweet wine nggә̄ cə̄ r2 v. to despise s.o.; to refuse to accept s.t. là sә cā I cont. drink unfermented sweet wine because it is too little; belittle; scorn; be cā2 pl. — v. 1) to learn nggә̄ là ca blā I cont. contemptuous of wә̄ là cә̄ r mәnē kәnàn mwɔ̄ n learn write → I'm learning to write 2) to you cont. despising people so much vɛ̄ n mē là mock; to ridicule cә̄ r lā child this scorning food this cà pl. — v. to bring to te mә̀ sәr cà nggә̄ mān cə̀r pl. cər n. patas monkey Erythrocebus patas fetch water bring to me (dim. vəcə̀r) syn bɛ̄ , kpɔ̀mgbukpɔ̀n. câ conj. together with tә̄ sә̄ sē câ kәywә̀ … we were together with…. càn pl. can, cān v. to pound; crush (yams or palm nuts); mash with foot; trample Vә̄ nggә̄ rin là càn krī Vənggərin cont. pound yam syn flɔ̀, kpàn1. Cāngrɛ̄ n p.n. personal name Cànkyū p.n. personal name càn nyū v.p. to be about to cry Mgbǔn là càn nyū cə̀r yә̄ gu gì menān → Mgbǔn is about to cry car pl. — v. to write; inscribe; mark Swɛ̌ nyū là ci1 pl. — n. vein(s) (already plural) car Swɛ̌ nyū cont. write ci2 pl. — n. front; forehead cā…zu v. to spoil; wreck; destroy; damage rɛn cī v. to move; to squeeze together (people) on a cazu matter spoil gu ca nggә mkpān zù he bench; shift; squeeze up; give way cī nә̄ nggә̄ spoil my time spoil → he wasted my time syn te sɔ̄ n move (shift) let me sit down cī ywè → fε 2. move away syn dè. cə̄ pl. cə n. leopard Panthera pardus (dim. vəcə̄ ) cì1 pl. ci n. rat, general cə̄ car a. colourful; multicoloured kì mē sē cәcar ̄ cì pl. cī v. to avoid; abstain from; evade; thing this is colourful 2 circumvent bә dan de nә̄ nggә̄ cī mәnyɛsәr cər s.v. to be alone; solitary wә là krè cәr me ̀ ̀ ̄ they said that let me avoid palm oil mūn? you cont. stand alone only why? Cìkyū p.n. personal name 4 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary Cìmbə̄ p.n. personal name corn] Cìncān p.n. personal name cumgbə̀ pl. — n. aroma; sweet scent; odour; cincì pl. — n. fried sweet dough; snack (< H.) smell mә̀ nyɛ̀ n mē cumgbә̀ pomade this sweet cīncī pl. — n. housefly scent Cìnē p.n. personal name cun pl. cǔn n. forest; woodland cīnji pl. cinji a. black; dark (Agrees in number cūn1 pl. mə̀cùn, mə̀cūcùn n. chief; king; ruler; with the noun it qualifies.) bàbәr nggә̄ sē cīnji leader wә̄ là te cūn bә̄ nggwɔ̌ ? you cont. make motorcycle my is black chief with who? cìnjǐ pl. cinji n. hourglass drum [played for cūn2 pl. cun n. stream; brook; rivulet nggә̄ là funeral dances] ywe cun I cont. go stream syn mblə̄ . cūn3 v. to not to do any work; to be idle; to slack off cūn4 v. to sigh gu kùr dә̀ là kpә̄ cūn he lies and cont. receive sigh cùn pl. — v. to shake ngǔn shū dә̀ man cùn mәnggә̀ rō sū nggә̀ climb up and shake mangoes put me syn gyàn. Cūnbə p.n. personal name cìnjǐ Cūncɔ̀ p.n. personal name cuncwən n. droplets; globules glō là te cuncwәn rain cont. make droplets → the rain’s coming cìta n. African pepper Xylopia aethiopica (< H. down in drops citta) cundɛ adv. five days hence tә lә ywe do ә cundɛ co pl. — v. to sew; embroider gu là cō kī he cont. ̀ ̀ we will go market at five days hence → we’ll sew clothes → he is sewing clothes go to the market five days from now Cōntān p.n. personal name Cūnjà p.n. personal name cɔ̀1 v. to get wet; be soaked; to become soggy; be Cūnjə̀ma p.n. personal name drenched gu kan kәywә̄ cɔ ә mәsәr he make ̀ ̀ Cūnmbə p.n. personal name himself soak in water → he has become Cūnmgbɔ p.n. personal name soaked ̀ Cūnmwɔcu p.n. personal name cɔ v. to poke gu là cɔ bә he cont. poke hole ̀ ̀2 ̀ ̀ Cūnndə̄ ywān p.n. personal name cɔ v. to cause people to fight; incite; to instigate ̀3 cūn…ngwɔn v. to release; let go of; leave off; wә̄ là cɔ bә mūn? you cont. causing them to ̀ abandon cūn yә ngwɔn leave it fight why? ̄ Cūnrīnzɛ̄ p.n. personal name cu v. to appoint bә cu gu nә̄ gu lwè bә they cūntān v. to skin an animal appoint him let him lead them cǔ rɛn v.p. to crack a joke sē nggә̄ là cu rɛn bә̄ cū1 pl. cǔ v. to fetch; bring (grass etc.) cu jā wә̄ me is I cont. only crack a joke with you → lәlwè cà nggә̄ mān fetch use grass bring me ̀ I’m only joking syn bwɛ̂ 1, fər. ̀ cū tānrìn v.p. to swear [This is mostly an old cū pl. — v. to choose; select tә̄ là cu bān nggɔn 2 man swearing by the masquerade] cū tānrìn nggɔn tә we cont. choose leaders our ̀ wә̄ lә la mwәn yo (I) swear you will not be cū pl. — v. to stir; mix Yā là cū lā Yā cont. stir ̀ 3 given. food cūyò n. tree sp. Vitex diversifolia cū pl. — v. to plant; sow tә̄ là cu kpu we cont. 4 cwàr pl. cwārcwàrcwàr id. describes feeling cool plant guinea-corn (This is mostly in answer to a greeting asking cucu pl. — n. wind; breeze how you are feeling. cwārcwàrcwàr is not cùcùn(mu) adv. always; every time; regularly necessarily pl. but for emphasis) nggә̄ shāmān nggә̄ là nyә kә̄ wә̄ cùcùnmu I cont. come susù cwàr I exist cool cwàr → I feel cool, house you always cwàr Cudè p.n. personal name cwe pl. — adv. full; filled; replete te mәsәr sū shɛ̄ cùmbwɛ̌ pl. cúmbwɛ n. large edible fruit [from a ̀ ́ tsә cwe fetch water put fill pot full tree that grows by streams. The seeds are cε pl. — v. to be mature; grow up wә̄ cɛ tè vәnzɛ extracted and cooked like beans with guinea- ̀ → you have grown up into a young man
5 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary
D d dǎ1 pl. da n. guinea-corn head nә̄ yә man nan da də̀də̀n n. grass sp. tē nggɔnggɔn let them then make heads də̀dǔn lə̄ pl. də̄ dun lə n. flower of locust tree become big Parkia biglobosa dǎ2 pl. da n. cutlass; matchet ( adda) dān pl. mə̀tərdān n. copaiba balsam tree Daniellia oliveri dàn pl. dan, dān v. to say; tell; communicate dan gu de nggә̄ kre ә sә̄ kànmē tell him that I am standing here Danbə p.n. personal name dàncà pl. danca n. tree sp. Entada abyssinica dàncɔ̀ pl. dancɔ n. hard ground (gravelly) tswē te də̀dǔn lə̄ dàncɔ̀ place make hard ground → the place is hard dəgba conj. if not yә dә̄ gba sē әnәmē yo it if-not dankū n. tree sp. ̀ ̀ be like this → if it isn’t like this dankyū n. sweet potato Ipomoea batatas (< H.) dəmgbà rě pl. də̄ mgbà re n. palm midrib Danrɛn p.n. personal name ̀ dəmgbà shɔ pl. də̄ mgbà shɔ n. beehive Dantsù p.n. personal name ̀ ́ ́ də̄ mū pl. — n. calf (of cow) dar pl. — n. lead (< H.) də̄ n pl. — n. boundary; limit; frontier tә̄ te dә̄ n bә̄ dârdār id. describes how s.o. walks quickly gu kәywә we make boundary with each other là zәr dârdār mwɔn he cont. walk faster more ̀ dən pl. dən n. tree sp. Piliostigma reticulatum than → he is always walking faster ̀ dənggàn n. 1) side-blown reedbuck horn [played dàtso pl. datso n. green fruit-pigeon Treron ̀ together with the panpipes for festive australis occasions] 2) reedbuck Redunca redunca de part. that [introduces indirect speech] gu dan
de he said that dē pl. — n. tiredness; exhaustion; fatigue tә̄ lә te sɔ̄ n mà dē dә̄ te tswe zәr we will sit down when tiredness if make them place walking → we’ll sit down when we’re tired dè pl. — v. to give way; get away from; move off doglò dè sә̄ kànmē get up, get away from here syn cī, dèbə̀, dètswē. dèbə̀ pl. debə̀ v. to give way gyә cī dèbә̀ you də̀nggàn 1 move give way syn dè, dètswē. dètswē pl. detswē v. to give way dan bә nә̄ bә dənggə pl. mədənggə n. rival; enmity; enemy; dētswē tell them to give way syn dè, dèbə̀. antagonist Gu sē dәnggә nggә̀ he is rival me də pl. — s.v. to be lost; be missing gu dә he be → he/she is my rival bә sē mәdәnggә they are lost → he's lost rivals də̄ conj. when; if bә dә̄ nyә nzɛn they if come də̀ntswe loc. in the middle of; between; centre; then → if they come syn də̀sē. amidst; among nggә̄ kre ә dә̀ ntswe mә̄ nē I də̀ conj. and; if; when; but wān dә̀ kpәnyɛ̀ n nә̄ gu stand in the midst of people zǒ ngwɔn who if agrees let him raise (his) də̀r pl. — v. to swim; bathe tә̄ là dәr mә̀ sәr we hand cont. swim water də̄ dār pl. mə̀tər də̄ dār n. fan-palm; deleb palm də̌ r pl. dər n. heart Borassus aethiopium də̌ r cīnji n.p. unhappy; sad; despondent; də̄ dārglō pl. — n. rainbow kyɛn dә̄ dārglō mū see downcast nggә̄ sē bә̄ dәr cīnji I be with heart rainbow that black → I am despondent də̀dè n. grass sp. də̀rè n. whitlow [(this appears only on the leg)] 6 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary dә̀ rè là nan Sātī whitlow cont. do Sati press him down də̌ r kə̄ kla n.p. happy; joyful; merry; jubilant; do pl. mə̀dō n. market; market-day mbrε sē do cheerful; delighted nggә̄ sē bә̄ dәr kә̄ kla I be Ndәywan → tomorrow is market day Andaha with heart white → I'm happy do ywә̄ sē sen? market cost is how.much? → də̌ r ngàr n.p. angry; annoyed; furious; enraged; How much is it? exasperated; irate; resentful dә̌ r là ngar nggә̀ dō pl. do v. to sing nggә̄ là do sεn I cont. sing heart cont. break me → I’m angry song → I am singing a song dərsù pl. dərsu n. red-eyed dove Streptopelia doglō pl. doglo v. to stand up; to arise; get up semitorquata doglō krè ndè get up stand upright dòrù pl. — v. to come out; exit dorù nyә̀ sә̄ kànmē come out here syn gərù. -dɔ pl. — n. farmer (in compounds) dɔ̀ pl. — n. tree sp. Dɔ̀hwan p.n. personal name dɔ̀n pl. — v. to announce; declare dɔ̀ n rɛn sū mәnē announce matter put people → Announce it to the people dərsù Dɔ̀nbə p.n. personal name Dɔ̀nkɔ̄ n p.n. personal name Dɔnkyū p.n. personal name Dərsùbə p.n. personal name ̀ dɔnrεn pl. — v. to shout, yell, scream, shriek Titi dəsē cond. if dәsē wә̄ lә la nyә̄ yo if you will neg. ̀ ̀ ̀ là dɔnrεn bә Tani Titi cont. shouting with Tani come not syn də̄ , gbā. ̀ ̄ → Titi is shouting at Tani syn ncar. dətswē conj. so that gu dōglò dɛ̄ n mān dәtswē gu ̀ ̀ dū n. history; narrative; tale; story Tiyà là dan tә mān nyә sū tswetswe He get up early so that dū yә bān Ncɔ Father cont. tell us history of he then come reach quickly ̄ ̀ Ncɔ people dɛ̌ pl. nywɛ̂ n dɛ n. dwarf chicken dùdu conj. on account of; because of; due to dɛ̄ n pl. — v. to cure; heal bә lә dɛ̄ n gu they will 1 nggә là nan kì mē dùdu wә I cont. do thing cure him ̄ ̀ this on account of you dɛ̄ n pl. — v. to press dɛ̄ n nggә̄ tәr press my 2 dùdù n. local box syn kpàtì. waist dùr pl. dur v. to doze gu là dùr nәnә he cont. dɛn pl. dεn n. large mammal sp. ̀ ̄ ̀ doze sleep dɛ̄ n … ngan v.p. to press down on dɛ̄ n gu ngàn
Ә ə
ə loc. at; in; on (Introduces many adverbial ənə̀mē dem. like this nan әnә̀ mē do [it] like this expressions.) gu sē ә bē he is at outside
(ə)nywī loc. inside; within; in nggә̄ sē әnywī tàr I be inside room syn nywī.
Ә ə
ənywīnywī loc. right inside gu ban yә̄ nyә̄ r rә. → I will come here three days from now. әnywīnywī he took it hide right inside ətù 1) loc. on top yә̄ sa әtù tsә̄ it put on top of pot ə rə adv. three days hence Nggә̄ lә nyә̄ sә̄ kànmē ә → put it on top of the pot 2) part. about;
7 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary concerning
Ɛ ɛ
ɛ̄ n excl. Yes! (in response to a question) wә̄ re lā mbɛ̄ ? ɛ̄ n. You ate food already? Yes!
F f fa a. useless; pathetic; feeble; futile; worthless fənzə pl. nywεnzə n. cup; mug; goblet (person) gu sē wān fa he is person useless → fə̀r pl. fər v. to fetch; bring of solid objects, such he is useless syn flɔ̀fi. as cooked yam fә̀ r nә̄ nggә̀ fetch give me syn fā pl. — v. to itch zә là fa nggә̄ leg cont. itch me bwɛ̂ 1, cū1. fà1 int. question marker (In sentence final fə̌ r1 v. to mistreat s.o. because you are stronger position. Now sounds archaic) than them; bully; oppress Mbә̄ rɛn là fә̌ r Ncaka fà2 pl. — s.v. given freely; for free; gratis; cheap Mbə̄ rɛn cont. mistreat Ncaka Mgbāmvū kan kìkyɛn mē nә̄ nggә̄ fà Mgbāmvū fə̌ r2 v. to come out of a hole; exit mostly of take bicycle this give me free → Mgbāmvū animals that live in holes cì to ru fә̌ r rat poke gave me this bicycle for free come out of hole → the rat came out in a rush fà3 v. to cut more than one thing; harvest as grass fərɔ̀n pl. fə̀rɔ̌ n n. calabash cup; ladle tә̄ là fa lә̀ lwè we cont. cut grass pl. far2. fətse pl. nywεntse n. village; hamlet; settlement fafa a. light; not heavy mgbāmvū mē sē fafa leaf (dim.) this is light fətsɛ̀ a. few; little; small; tiny lā nggә̄ sē fәtsɛ̀ far1 v. to bless gu nan kì zәzè dә̀ tswe bә mān far food my is small syn fə-, fənyεn. nyu zәze gyɔ̄ gu. He did a good thing so that fəvɛ̀n pl. nywεn n. child; infant (dim.) people would bless him. fɛ̀ mvre v.p. to make trouble with people; stir up far2 v. to cut; to wrench out fǎr gәga mū cut trouble; incite; to instigate Mbwarnɛ̀ n là fɛ̀ grass that pl. fà3. mvre kәnàn mwɔn → Mbwarnɛ̀n always far3 pl. fà v. to mark out bān gbù yә far mpә makes trouble mgbәji gyә̄ r gyɔ̄ ... those village it mark out flɔ̀ v. to tread on; trample; match tә̄ là zәr flɔ tswe piece bush one put. → The village people we cont. walk tread place syn càn. marked out an area of bush flɔ̀fi a. useless; pathetic; feeble; worthless; futile Fàvɛ̄ n p.n. personal name gu sē flɔ̀ fi, fà he is useless, isn’t he? syn fa. fè v. to lick one’s finger gu tsә tswē fè ngwɔn fɔ̀ v. to search; seek; look for nggә̄ là fɔ wә̀ I cont. nggān → he knows how to lick his finger search for you very well Fɔ̀kyɛn p.n. personal name fə- pref. small; diminutive prefix kì mē sē fәnyɛn Fɔ̀ngrɛ̄ n p.n. personal name thing this is small syn fətsɛ̀. fɔ̀rεn v. to fight; battle with; combat Mbә̄ rā bә̄ fəgbɔ̀n a. short nzār nggә̄ sē fәgbɔ̀ n hoe my is Dānrɛn là fɔnrɛn Mbə̄ rā with Dānrɛn cont. short syn kpəmkpūn, krε…nyər. fight fəgyə̄ r a. only one gu sē fәgyә̄ r me he is only one Fɔ̀rεn p.n. personal name only Fɔ̀tswē p.n. personal name fəgyə̀ywə̄ pl. nywεngyə̀r n. comrade; friend; frē v. to peel; skin frē nggә̄ lèmu peel me orange companion; mate gu sē fәgyәr nggә̀ he is frēfrè a. loose; lax kì mē sē frēfrè me thing this is comrade mine syn kpān, zān. loose only frē tè nkan peel it make different Fəjə̀ p.n. personal name fū pl. — n. lung(s) yә̀ mē sē fū kә̀ kә̄ this is lung Fəmbə̄ p.n. personal name chicken → this is the lungs of a chicken Fəntàn p.n. personal name fù pl. — v. to blow up a fire; to smoke fù nggә̄ fənyεn a. small; little; tiny fәvɛ̀ n mū sē fәnyεn glo nә̄ yә rɛn blow me fire let it talk (flames) boy that is small syn fətsɛ̀. → fan the fire into flames Tīyà là fù lә̀ ta Fənyεn p.n. personal name Grandfather cont. blow smoke pipe → Grand 8 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary father is smoking a pipe who? → Who are you exposing your buttocks fû pl. — n. indigestion nɛ̄ n nggә̄ kre fû stomach to? i.e. Who are you insulting? 2) to destroy; my stand indigestion damage bɛ̄ nyә fε kpәmkpàn kyεn monkeys fùkān pl. fukan n. medium-sized red bird with come destroy maize look → See, the monkeys big beak seen around streams have destroyed the maize syn cā…zu. fùkpə n. puff adder Bitis arietans fε bishi1 v.p. to stare at s.o. as a warning wә̄ là fɛ fù mgbo v.p. to blow one’s cheeks as a sign of bishi zù nggwɔ̌ ? you cont. open eyes point (at) anger Bә̀ ryo là fù mgbo bә nggwɔ̌ ? Bəryo who? → who are you staring at? cont. blow cheek with who → Who is Bə̀ryo fε bishi2 v.p. to concentrate on doing s.t. fɛ bishi angry with? dә̀ krɛ̀ ndu → concentrate and finish the work fε pl. — v. 1) to expose; to reveal wә là fɛ bә̀ mә̄ zù nggwɔ̌ ? you cont. expose buttocks point
G g gā pl. mə̀gā n. shoulder gbà1 cond. not even; not unless (usually found in gà mgbān adv.p. walking with arms spread out la..gba yo.) nggә̄ lә la nan ndu me gba yo → I [This is a sign of pride] gu là zә̌ r gà mgbān he will not do this work under any circumstances cont. walk with arms spread out → he is gbà2 v. to rub in; smear on as an ointment nggә̄ walking with arms spread out syn gà ngwɔn. là gba mә̀ nyɛ̀ n → I am rubbing in pomade gān pl. — n. feast; party; banquet; celebration gbà3 v. to crawl; drag yourself along (Usually nggә̄ lә nan gān ә sε yә̄ mù I will do feast at followed by a body part.) gbà nɛ̀ nɛ̀ n drag with year that (next year) stomach gàn s.v. to be too tight; close-fitting wә̀ ndō là gàn gbǎ pl. gba n. cock; rooster gu trouser cont. tight him → his trousers are gbàdò pl. — n. arthritis; rheumatism gbàdò là tight nǎn Tǒbә arthritis cont. do Tǒbə → Tobə is gǎncɛ̌ n. grass sp. Brachiaria deflexa arthritic syn kpə ngār. gà ngwɔn adv.p. walking with arms spread out gbâgba pl. — a. last; final yә̀ mē sē yә̀ gbâgba syn gà mgbān. this is which of the last → Which one is the Gànkɔ̀n p.n. personal name last? gan …kre v.p. to halt; to stop; to cease; desist gban1 pl. — v. to miss out on; omit; disregard; matò gan kan krē car stop take stop → the car skip gu gban lā rīmē → he missed food today came a halt gban2 pl. mə̀gbǎn n. pubic area vɛ̄ n mē ru mfù gàn…mkpān v.p. to arrive on time; be punctual gban child this sprout hair pubic nggә̄ nyә gàn mkpān yә̄ bә de tә̄ nyә I came at gbān pl. mə̀gbān n. frog the right time which they said we should come gbàngyə̀r adv. never; ever nggә̄ la re kì mē kyɛn gan ngwɔn s.v. to be plentiful and readily gbàngyә̀ r yo I neg. eat this thing never → I available; abundant mәnē gan ngwɔn people never eat this are plenty → there are many people gbàr1 pl. gbārkī n. flower (general) gantàn pl. gantan n. brown spider gbàr2 pl. — n. Adam’s apple Junglō sē bә̄ gbàr gànyǎn n. dry food Junglō is with Adam’s apple → Junglō has a gar pl. mə̀gar n. adze pronounced Adam’s apple gàr pl. gar n. army ant gbàr3 v. to confess [This refers to a traditional gàryǎn a. very hairy; hirsute Ridan sē gàryǎn ceremony to force a woman to admit to Ridan is very hairy adultery. The cock stays on her head till she Gàsūba p.n. personal name has confessed everything.] bә gbō Mbәrɛn gba a. all; only; complete tә̄ dɔ̄ lan yә gba nānrɛ̄ n ywe cun nә gu gbàr dә̀ tswe gbǎ man dōglò dè we farm farm it all yesterday → we cultivated gu tu → They took Mbərɛn to the stream to it all yesterday syn kwār1. confess so that the cock (would) leave her gbā cond. if (in negative sentences) nggә̄ gbā head. ngrɛ̄ n gu yo I if didn't see him not → if I gbə̀1 v. to discuss; debate; consider; confer bә là didn't see him syn də̀sē. te gbә̀ bә̄ kәywә̀ they cont. discussing together 9 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary gbə̀2 pl. — n. gourd vine gbla2 pl. — v. to weed tә̄ là gbla we cont. weed gbə̀cu v. to curse te gbә̀ cu sū wә̀ make curse put → we are weeding you → you are cursed gblà v. to disappear; to vanish [respectful way of gbə̀dàr pl. — n. soldier termite announcing death] gu kan gblà he then gbə̀gbakì pl. gbə̄ gbàkī n. broken calabash (dim. ‘disappear’ → he is dead vəgbə̀gbakì, nywɛ̂ ngbə̄ gbakī) gblǎ pl. — n. weeding tә̄ gbla lan yә krɛ nānrɛ̄ n gbə̄ gbār pl. — n. weevil we weed farm it finished yesterday → we gbə̄ gbə̄ kpm̀ n. red flying insects found around finished weeding the farm yesterday kapok cotton gblàkə̀ntsà pl. gblākə̄ ntsà n. tilapia spp. gbə̀gbə̀zə̀ adv. describes s.t. happening under gblancā n. termite sp. your nose kì mē te gbә̀ gbә̀ zә̀ nggә̄ dә̀ nggә̄ la gbm̌ pl. gbm n. sound màtò là gbm car cont. tsә yo → this thing happened under my nose make sound → the car is making a sound but I did not know gbm̄ pl. mə̀gbm̄ n. canoe; boat; ship mә̀ sәr ban gbə̄ gblǎ pl. — adv. brilliantly tswē là la gbә̄ gblâ gbm̄ water took canoe → the canoe sank place cont. shine brilliantly → the place is lit gbò v. to remove; take away nggә̄ là ywe tswē up gbo tәr gәga mù I am going place remove tree gbəgbrè pl. — a. ripe; mature mәnggә̀ rō mū sē grass that gbәgbrè mango that is ripe → that mango is gbōjūn v. to escape; flee; scarper gu klwe gbojun ripe he run escape → he ran away gbə̄ gbrē n. small brown insects that seek sweet gbō rɔ̄ v. to play with s.o as playmate wә̄ là gbō things rɔ̄ you cont. play gbəjā a. ugly; wicked; bad; evil nggә̄ sē gbәjā, gbō te nkɔ̀n v.p. to see somebody off tә̄ là gbo gu nggә̄ sē nē gbәjā → I am ugly, I’m a wicked te nkɔ̀ n we cont. see him off person syn məme. gbōtsū pl. gbotsu v. to break suddenly; snap; Gbə̀jə̀ p.n. village of the Mgbə̀njɛ clan crack mgbәnrīn gbotsu rope broke suddenly gbəjī pl. gbəji n. steam; evaporation; vapour gbō ywe ngə̄ v.p. to marry; wed bә là gbo mbә mә̀ sәr là te gbәjī water is making steam ywe ngә̄ they cont. carrying woman to be gbə̀jikì v. to covet; desire; envy; lust after gu là te married gbә̀ jikì kәnànmē he cont. covet too much gbɔ̄ n pl. gbə̄ gbɔ̀n n. short piece of wood syn Gbə̀jikì p.n. personal name gbɔ̄ nkì. gbə̀jimkplɔn pl. gbəjimkplɔn n. millipede gbɔ̀n pl. gbə̄ gbɔ̀n n. family; kin tә̄ sē bān gbɔ̀ n gbə̄ kpəmkpàn n. corn forest gyә̄ r we are of the same family gbə̀lantswē pl. gbə̄ lantswē n. cricket (dim. gbɔ̀ngbɔ̀ngbɔ̀n id. sound of a big drum kә̀ nggān vəgbə̀lantswē, nywɛ̂ ngbə̄ lantswē) là gì de gbɔ̀ ngbɔ̀ ngbɔ̀ n drum big cont. cry that gbə̀lāntswē n. grass sp. gbɔ̀ngbɔ̀ngbɔ̀n gbə̄ mgbɛ̄ ntɔ̄ n n. false termite that flies during the gbɔ̌ ngbɔ̌ ngbɔ̌ ngbɔ̌ n id. sound of water being heat of the day poured out of a gourd or similar container gbə̄ ntan pl. gbəntan n. sheep gbɔ̄ nkì pl. gbə̄ gbɔ̀nkī n. log; billet syn gbɔ̄ n. gbə̄ r v. to drag; pull gbә̄ r bwɔ lә̀ lwè mē lwè nyә̀ gbre1 pl. — s.v. to be ripe; be mature mәnggә̀ rō → drag this bundle of grass and bring it syn mē gbre → these mangoes are ripe gbì. gbre2 pl. — s.v. to be cooked krī nggә̄ gbre ә glo gbə̀rǐn n. levirate marriage Mgbɔn cu gbә̀ rǐn mbε? yam my be-cooked at fire yet Mbәgì Mgbɔn has fetch levirate marriage gbrē n. shivering; trembling; quaking kpә nggә̄ Mbəgì ban gbrē te body mine take shivering make → gbəryūn pl. gbəryun n. knee I'm shivering gbə̀sho n. sneezing gbә̀ sho là te gu sneezing gbrě pl. — v. to shiver; tremble; quake nggә̄ là cont. make him → he is sneezing gbrě → I am shivering gbī pl. mə̀gbī n. arrow gbrɛ̌ v. to flaunt; to show off vә̄ nggә̄ mē là gbrɛ̌ gbì pl. — v. to pull; drag; pull off gbì tә̄ bә̄ nggwɔ̌ ? who is this girl showing herself nggūnggwūr mē dèbә̀ pull this vine away syn off with? gbə̄ r. gbrɛ̄ n adv. describes cutting s.t. into two quickly; Gbìn p.n. Rija town with a snap gu sar kә̀ kә̄ tyә̄ gbrɛ̄ n he cut gbla1 pl. mə̀gblā n. tribal mark gu sē bә̄ gbla ә chicken neck quickly ngà he is with tribal marks on the face gbrīn pl. mə̀gbrīn, gbə̄ gbrìn n. 1) photo; picture; 10 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary image yә̀ mē sē gbrīn nggә̀ this is photo my hooked stick [Played for festive occasions, 2) spirit; shadow; soul yә̀ mē sē gbrīn this is and the initiation cycle] syn kə̀nggān. spirit gbrīn nggә̄ ywar wә̀ shadow my block you gbrīn nggә la kpәnyɛn bә gu yo soul my ̄ ̄ ̄ gə̀ntē1 pl. gənte n. false locust tree Prosopis neg. agree with you not africana gbrǔ pl. gbru n. vulture syn kpɔ̄ gbru, gə̀ntē2 pl. gənte n. raft-zither made of grass- kpɔ̄ mkpan. stems wә̄ tsә ngwùr gә̀ nte? → (do) you know gbrε pl. məgbrε n. agama lizard (female) ̀ (how to) play gə̀nte? syn mbwɛ̌ wùyà. gbù1 pl. gbūgbu n. town; settlement gbù2 pl. gbūgbu n. mountain; hill Gbùkpm p.n. village along Wamba road Gbùmkpàn p.n. village name Gbùncū p.n. village name gbùr pl. gbur n. banana; plantain gbyɛ̌ pl. gbyε n. straight razor yә̀ mē sē gbyɛ̌ this is straight razor gbyɛ̄ n excl. Be careful! Look out! Gbyɛn! → be 1 gəntē careful ̀ 2 gbyɛ̄ n2 v. to watch out for; look out for; be careful of gbyɛ̄ n bә̄ nggagyū mē take-care gə̀ntsù pl. gəntsu n. grass sp. Pennisetum with these dogs pedicellatum gē conj. or; whether; either nә̄ nggә̄ ban yә̀ mē gē gər pl. mə̀gər n. slave; serf gu sē gәr nggә̀ he is yә̀ mù? let me take this-one or that-one? syn slave my kē. gə̀r pl. — v. to become engaged; to be betrothed gè adv. now; at once; immediately nan yә̄ gè → gu là gә̀ r mbә̄ he cont. betrothing a lady do it now syn mē1, nzɛ̂ nmē. gə̀rī pl. gəri, mə̄ gəri n. co-wife bә sē mә̄ gәri → they are co-wives Mbәcūn sē gәri Làmā gə̄ 1 pl. — n. dry season yә̀ mē sē mkpān gә̄ this is ̄ ̀ dry season Mbə̄ cūn is co-wife with Làmā gərīncwē n. plant sp. gə̄ 2 pl. mə̀gə̄ n. throwing stick used by hunters ̀ gərù pl. gəru v. to go out; exit kān tә gәru → let nggә̄ sē bә̄ mә̀ gә̄ ywā I be with throwing sticks ̄ ̄ ̄ two us go out syn dòrù. gə̀1 v. to split; to divide; to share out gә̀ lā share gi1 loc. next to; beside nggә̄ kre gi wә̀ I stay the food gә̀ yә tè ywā → divide it into two beside you → I am next to you gə̀2 v. to snore gu là kùr nә̀ nә̄ dә̀ gә̀ → he gi2 pl. — n. stealing; theft; robbery; burglary bә continued to lie there and snore te nggә̄ gi they make me theft → they robbed gəga pl. — n. grass (generic) me gi pl. məgi n. maternal uncle; grand child gu sē gəgə̄ v. to go to nggә̄ gәgә̄ Kә̄ gbә̀ I went 3 Akwanga gi nggә̀ he is uncle my gì pl. — v. to cry; to weep vɛn là gì → (the) gə̄ grεn a. red bә̀ r nggә̄ sē gә̄ grεn cap my is red 1 ̄ syn grɛ̌ n. child is crying gì pl. — v. to settle out (from water) kà mәsәr gə̀lǐmgbə̀ pl. gəlimgbə̀ n. sugar ant 2 ̀ gə̄ mē adv. this time gә̄ mē nggә̄ lә la kà wә̄ dɔn yo dɔ̀ n nә̄ yә̄ gì leave the water let it settle this time I will not leave you gìga v.aux. to get up hastily gu giga doglò he got gə̀mvə̀r pl. gəmvər n. aeroplane; aircraft the up hastily syn klà…doglò. sound, mvər, divides gə your attention gigi adv. secretly; clandestinely gyә̄ ka nàn kī gigi gə̀mvī pl. gəmvi n. smut on guinea-head that is yo → (you) don’t do things secretly collected and eaten, either raw or roasted gyә̄ gigyə̀r num. one hundred nyә tә̄ ywe kә fɔ̀ gә̀ mvī you come we go search gìgyə̀r pl. gìgyə̄ r a. together; equal; matching nә̄ smut guinea-head tә̄ blā Mada gìgyә̀ r → let us read Mada gə̀ncə tù n. migraine; headache together gə̀nggān pl. gə̄ nggān n. barrel-drum beaten with gì gyɔ̄ v. to blame; to criticise; to censure wә̄ lә la gì gyɔ̄ nәnè yo mà wә̄ dә̀ kpan tu dә̀ nàn kì mē you will neg. cry put anybody not when you if you insist and do thing this 11
gə̀nggān Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary gigyun pl. — n. small, white, edible mushroom grǐ v. to gossip; chatter mbә̀ mbә̄ mū là grǐ gә̀ ri bә sp. women those cont. gossiping their co-wife gigyūn adv. quietly tswē kur gigyun kә̄ de kyū te grǐgbō n. fried ground maize → (the) place is quiet as if there is death gu pron. him; her nә̄ bә te nә̄ gu let them fetch Gìkyū p.n. personal name give him Gә̄ mē bә kan dan gu de nә̄ gu ngǎ Gìmwɔ̄ n p.n. personal name nyū this.time 3s then tell 3s that let 3s open Gǐndə̄ n p.n. personal name mouth glā pl. gla v. to chase; to drive off; pursue glā gū1 v. to leak; drip nә̄ bә man kan yә̄ sū gu ә nyū. nggǎgyū mē dèbә̀ drive away this dog syn let them then take 3p put 3s at mouth mə̄ r. gū2 v. to flow mә̀ sәr là gū water cont. flowing glà pl. gla n. axe gūgu pl. — n. goat Glābə p.n. personal name gūgū pl. mə̀gūgū n. mother-in-law (daughter-in- glə̀1 pl. glə v. to pass through; to ‘follow’ nggә̄ là law) gu sē gūgū nggә̄ → she is my mother-in- glә sә̄ kànmē I cont. pass through here law glə̀2 pl. glə n. water monitor lizard Varanus gùgwǎ v. to tickle wә̄ là te nggә̄ gùgwǎ ә zә̀ you exanthematicus cont. make tickle me at leg glo1 pl. — n. fire gǔn n. termite sp. glo2 pl. — v. to dance kān tә̄ ywe tswē glǒ let us gur pl. — s.v. to be crooked; bent; zigzag nkɔ̀ n go place dance mē gur road this is crooked glō pl. — n. rain gūr pl. — n. interior of traditional grave glǒkyū n. funeral dance bә là glokyū they cont. gùr1 num. ten (count form. But when referring to do funeral dance time the tone changes.) mkpān dan de gur goglo a. hot te mә̀ sәr goglo cà nggә̄ mān fetch vunga bә̄ nkyɛn time says that ten past with water hot bring me syn wǔ 2. half → It’s half-past ten gɔ̄ n pl. mə̀gɔ̄ n 1) n. back gɔ̄ n là fa nggә̀ back gùr2 pl. gur n. granary; grain-store; barn; silo syn cont. itch me 2) loc. behind; around gu sә̄ sē ә vərà. nggà gɔ̄ n he is still at behind gurgur adv. humbly; submissively mbә̄ mē là te gɔ̀n pl. gɔn n. bag Tīyà klә gɔ̀ n ә mgbàn gurgur nә̄ lɔnywә̄ → this woman is Grandfather hang bag at armpit submissive to her husband gɔ̌ n pl. gɔn n. tree sp. Hexalobus monopetalus gwa n. 1) grey hair nggә̄ ru gwa I sprout grey hair → I have grey hair food push fungi 2) fungus; mould nzan tur gwa food push mould gwǎ pl. gwa n. snake (generic) gwàr pl. — v. to be noisy nә̄ nggyε nan dә̀ tswē sē gwàr mē nàn? → what happened? the place is noisy gwǎ rìcī pl. gwa rìcī n. West African house snake Boaedon lineatus gɔ̌ n gwɔ pl. — v. to hear; listen gu là gwɔ̌ wә̄ tswē rɛn he cont. hear you as you talk grě pl. mə̄ gre n. aunt gu sē grě nggә she is aunt ̀ gwɔ̀ pl. gwɔ n. African beauty snake (plain form) my Psammophis sibilans grɛn pl. grεn v. to leer gu là grɛn nggә he cont. ̀ ̀ ̀ gwɔ̀nywεnggə̄ pl. nywεngwɔ̀nywεnggə̄ n. leer at me African beauty snake (striped form) grɛ̌ n pl. grεn s.v. to be red bә̀ r nggә̄ grɛ̌ n hat my Psammophis sibilans is red syn gə̄ grεn, sə̄ mban. gwūr n. dassie; rock hyrax; rock rabbit grɛ̌ nyū pl. grεnyū n. bird sp. medium size with a gyà pl. — v. to dig; excavate gu là gyà he cont. red beak dig → he's digging grì1 pl. gri v. to bring te mә̀ sәr grì nggә̀ fetch gyàn v. to shake gyàn vәmbǔ mē → shake this jar water bring me syn cùn. grì pl. gri v. to rebuke; to scold; to admonish 2 Gyancə̀ p.n. personal name gyә̌ r gu gri gu nә̄ gu nàn kyūn her mother Gyànkɔ̀n p.n. personal name rebuked her let her do well Gyanzo p.n. personal name 12 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary gyār a. angry; furious; enraged; annoyed wә̄ sē Gyɔ̄ gɔ̄ n p.n. personal name gyār me kә̄ de wә̄ sē shɔ̀ you are just as angry Gyɔ̌ jə̄ p.n. personal name as if you are a bee Gyɔ̌ kɔ̄ n p.n. personal name gyàr pl. gyar n. buffalo; bushcow gyɔ̀n1 pl. mə̀gyɔ̄ n n. hare (dim. vəgyɔ̀n) Gyàr p.n. personal name gyɔ̀n2 n. starvation; hunger; famine gyɔ̀ n là te Gyārku p.n. personal name mә̄ nē mē starvation cont. make people these gyə̄ pron. you pl. 2nd person pl. subject pronoun syn mfə. gyә̄ là dō sɛn you pl. cont. sing gyɔ̄ zə v.aux. to start a journey nggә̄ là sә gyɔ zә gyə̀ pron. you pl. 2nd person object pronoun sē ji wә̀ I cont. fut. start journey wait you nә̄ nggyɛ yә̀ bә là nan gyә̀ ? it is what they cont. gyūn n. dizziness gyūn là te nggә̀ dizziness cont. do you? make me gyə̌ pl. — v. to mock; ridicule gu là gyә̌ nggә̀ he gyǔn pl. gyun n. shade; shadow tә̄ sɔn ә gyǔn we cont. mocking me sit at (under) shade gyəgyərtsò n. wasp that lives on trees Gyǔnggɔ̀n p.n. personal name -gyə̄ r adv. times (different prefixes indicate how Gyunka p.n. personal name many times s.t. happened) Gyǔnkə̀ p.n. personal name gyə̀r num. one (time etc ) gyùn ngwɔn v.p. to swing one’s hand ready to hit gyə̌ r1 num. one (count form) s.o. gu là gyùn ngwɔn yә̄ gu lә ngwur nggә̀ he gyə̌ r2 pl. gigyər n. mother; mum syn yā. cont. swing hand which he will hit me gyə̌ r3 n. longest pipe in the four-note panpipe Gyǔnrē p.n. personal name gyərgyər adv. one by one gyә̄ sū ndә nyә̀ Gyǔnrɛ̄ p.n. personal name gyәrgyәr you should make line come one by gyùr pl. — v. to deceive; trick; defraud; swindle; one mislead; cheat; dupe Shɛ̀ tan là gyùr mә̀ nē gyərndu p.n. Monday Satan cont. deceive people gyərtsò n. Sodom apple; swallow-wort gyǔr pl. gyur n. bedbug Calotropis procera syn mə̀ywɛ̀. Gyùrbə p.n. personal name gyə̀ywə̄ n. his, her mother gywār pl. — adv. describes rushing into; entering gyɛ̀n pl. gyεn n. cutting grass; grasscutter; cane suddenly cì klwe nyәr bә̀ gywār rat run enter rat Thryonomys swinderianus hole in a rush gyɛ̂ n adv. instead; rather nggә̄ gyε̂n dɔ̄ ban nggà gyε pl. mə̀gyε n. faeces; excrement; manure; nә̄ mān I instead farm take side another → I dung; stool; shit would rather go in another direction on the gyεkū pl. — v. to fall; to tumble gu gyɛkū → he farm (has) fallen gyɔ pl. — v. to call gyɔ̌ nggә̄ Fәntàn → call me gyεn ncār pl. — v.p. to jump up tә̄ là gyɛn ncār Fəntàn we cont. jump up → we are jumping gyɔ̄ pl. — v. to put down kan njī mē gyɔ̄ take gyεzē n. grass sp. knife this put down syn kan…gyɔ̄ . Gyɔ̌ bə p.n. personal name
H h hǎ excl. expresses distaste at the way s.o. terrorised nggә̄ kan kū hɔ̄ → I then became expresses themselves negatively Hǎ, kàdә rɛ̀ n frightened әnә̀ mē yo → Really! Don’t, speak like that! hū pl. hūhū a. wide; broad nkɔ̀ n sē hū → the gate hân? excl. Hah! So! Hân, sē әnә̀ mē gyә̄ nan rɛn is wide kә̄ nkɔ̀ n sē hūhū → the gates are wide yә? → So! Is that how you settle the issue? hùhwàr pl. huhwar n. crowned crane; crownbird hen excl. expresses disgust hen, sē nә̄ nggyɛ yә̀ wә̄ Balearica pavonina syn lə̀ngā. là nan sә̄ sānmenàn? → what is it that you are hwā pl. hwa v. to press down; to massage a doing like this? dislocated part of the body nywɛn là hwa kpu hm̀ excl. expresses relief hm̀ , dәr sù nggә̄ nān → children cont. pressing down guinea-corn hm̀ , I am now comfortable Wuzà là hwā Bùbwɔ̀ zә Wuzà cont. massage hɔ̄ v. to be frightened by s.o.; be terrified; be Bùbwɔ̀’s leg 13 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary hwà pl. mə̀hwà n. bunch; bundle yә̀ mē sē hwà hyuhyur a. near; close (objects) kī mē sē hyuhyur kpәmkpàn this is bunch (of) maize syn mkpm. bә̄ kәywә̀ → things these are close to each hwān pl. mə̀hwān n. bush; farm syn mgbə̀jī. other syn hyur1. hwàr pl. hwar n. stork sp. hyūn v. to make haste; hurry tә̄ kan te hyūn ywe hwə1 n. fish sp. mān we then make haste go there hwə2 pl. mə̀hwə n. moon; month hyur1 a. near, close (people) tә̄ sē hyur bә̄ kәywә̀ hwə̌ pl. — n. intoxication; drunkenness hwә̌ là te → we are close to one another syn hyuhyur. gu intoxication cont. make him → he is drunk hyur2 v. to approach a lady for love on behalf of Lәyà là hwә̌ → Ləyà is drunk s.o. else nggә̄ là te hyur gu zwe vɛ̄ n nggә̀ I hwə̀n v. to roast maize in its husk Būkí là hwә̀ n cont. approach her for my son kpәmkpàn → Būkī is roasting maize hyūr v. to block; support; stop s.t. falling; wedge hwɔn pl. — v. to hatch kә̀ kә̄ nggә̄ hwɔn nywɛn kǎn ngwɔn hyūr → bring up your hand to gur → my chicken has hatched ten chicks wedge it hyar v. to chat; discuss tә̄ là hyar rɛn we cont. hyūr tɔ̄ n v.p. to listen attentively hyūr tɔ̄ n dә̀ man chat gwɔ̌ kì yә̀ nggә̄ lә dan wә̀ → listen attentively hyɛ̄ n1 pl. — v. to pluck; pick (fruit) tә̄ là hyɛn lә̄ and hear what I will tell you → we cont. pluck locust bean fruits hyε pl. hyεhyε a. narrow nkɔ̀ n mē sē hyɛ me → hyɛ̄ n2 pl. hyεn n. camwood rubbed on the body this door is very narrow during dances Hyɛnyū p.n. personal name hyī pl. hyi n. fish (generic)
I i
Ishìì excl. expresses disappointment at s.o.’s itsàr excl. expressing disgust at s.o. doing s.t. sluggishness Ishìì, sē nә̄ nggyɛ yә̀ wә̄ là nan dirty itsàr, kà kì gbәjā mē dɔ̀ n leave this bad kә̄ de wә̄ la tè mә̀ gì yo nàn? what is it that you thing that you are doing are doing as if you don’t have blood?
J j jā v. to use moringa [The leaves are eaten as soup] jàjà adv. at first; primarily; initially jàjà, nggә̄ la Moringa oleifera syn mkpən kyə̀gbò. (< H.) sә̄ tsә rɛn yo at first I NEG do know matter Jə̄ krɛ p.n. personal name mә̀ sәr là jә̀ ә ywār NEG → at first I knew nothing about this water is falling (waterfalls) Jākī p.n. personal name jən adv. low jәn nggūnggū lwè nyә̀ sәr lower dish jan1 v. to rebuke s.o. junior nggә̄ jan gu әtù kì yә̀ bring come down gu nan I rebuke him on what he did Jə̄ nē p.n. personal name jan2 adv. s.t. not completely ripe e.g. mango jɛ̀ n. civet cat Civettictis civetta mәnggә̀ rō mē te jan mango these make ripe ji1 pl. jǐ n. mortar (not completely) – the sense is understood ji2 v. to be weak; feeble kpә là ji nggә̀ body mine jàn pl. mə̀jan n. tree sp. cont. be weak me → I feel weak Jànbə p.n. personal name ji3 pl. — v. to flow down; climb down; slump ji jə̄ pl. — n. suffering; poverty; penury jә̄ là te nyә̀ climb down nggә̄ là ji ban sәr fәtsɛ̀ I cont. nggә̄ poverty cont. has me going down small jə̀ pl. — v. to urinate; to fan liquid; to spray jì pl. — v. to wait jì nggә̄ ә sә̄ kànmē wait for me (waterfall) gu là jә̀ mgbә̀ nrǐn he cont. urinate here nggә̄ là jә cā I cont. fan sweet local brewed jijà pl. nywεn jijà n. long-tailed shrike Corvinella beer corvina jəgule pl. — n. horseradish tree; ben oil tree; Jìme p.n. personal name 14 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary jìmə̀ v. to make local beer te nggә̄ là jìmә̀ yә̀ tō gәga mē dètswē remove grass this give way mgbīr father my cont. make local beer for jùn n. crowd burning bush jǔnglō pl. — n. thunder nggә̄ gwɔ jǔnglō I heard Jìngrɛ̄ n p.n. personal name sound thunder jū pl. jǔ n. water yam Dioscorea alata Jǔnglō p.n. personal name jūjū pl. mə̀jūjū n. pit; hole in ground (dug by Jùnnē p.n. personal name man) wɔnki tә̄ là gya jūjū we cont. dig hole jwè n. black cobra Naja melanoleuca jun v. to fall (plural); shed (of leaves) mәnggә̀ rō jwɛ̀ pl. nywεn jwɛ̀ n. fat mouse Steatomys jun kәkәrɛ̄ mango fall pour-down → mangoes caurinus have fallen down syn kū1. jūn pl. — v. to remove; to pick out; extract jūn
K k ka v. to separate, divide (as two people fighting) kān3 v.aux. let us Hortative plural preceding verb gu ka bә fɔ̀ nrɛn he separated them from kàn1 part. then; subsequently gu kàn dàn de he fighting then said that kà1 pl. ka n. crab kàn2 pl. kan n. rim; steering wheel kàn matò can kà2 pl. ka v. to refuse; reject gu là kà rɛn nan ndu gu ә dәr steering vehicle fall at (his) heart yә he cont. refuse to do the work kǎn n. burp kǎn là te nggә̄ burp CONT do me → Kàbə p.n. personal name nggә̄ ka gu dɔn ә nkɔ̀ n I am burping kàbǔ n. sand kàn…bishi v.p. to not recognise s.o. easily wә̄ kāca pl. kaca n. hedgehog Erinaceus albiventris kan nggә̄ bishi I can’t recognise your high kādə…[yo] neg. don't kàdә tè nggә̄ dәr ngàr yo tone for the present don't do me heart break not → don’t break my Kancānkī p.n. personal name heart kancɔn n. sweet thing kàdɛ̀n n. biggest size of winnowing tray yә̀ mē sē Kànē p.n. personal name kàdɛ̀ n this is big winnowing tray kànggǔ pl. kanggu n. musical bow [played solo Kadɔn p.n. personal name by men to express sadness, at funerals, for kà…dɔ̀n v. to leave off; to not do kà yә̄ dɔ̀ n leave example] it kà rεn Tә̄ rmvū dɔ̀ n leave talk (of) Hyena kǎnggù n. crab [very big, bigger than the usual leave crab] kāgbm v. to go home; return nggә̄ là kagbm I kan…gyɔ̄ v. to put down kan krì gyɔ̄ ә mә̀ mē take CONT go home → I am going home syn yam put at ground syn gyɔ̄ . ngā4. kǎnjàr pl. kanjar n. deluded spirit that is friendly kagbɔ̄ n pl. kagbɔn n. tortoise [It comes to interact with humans whenever a kàkū pl. kaku n. palm nut special music is played for it.] Kadɔn là kakùr pl. kakūr v. to lie down kakùr ә sә̄ kànmē ngwur kǎnjàr gә̀ ntē Kadɔnn cont. play lie down at here deluded spirit zither Kàlā p.n. personal name kanjùn n. cashew fruit Anacardium occidentale kāləbā pl. kaləba n. bottle (< H.) (< E.) kambàn pl. kamban n. ant sp. kànkàrɛ̄ adv. describes liquid thrown out gu kan Kàmə̀ p.n. personal name mә̀ sәr kànkàrɛ̄ he threw water away kan1 v. to take; put kan kə̄ v. to fence bә là kan kә̄ they cont. fencing kan2 v. to burp; belch nggә̄ là ywe tswē kan I house cont. go place burp Kànkə̄ p.n. personal name kan3 v. to twist gu kan nggә̄ ngwɔn he twisted kankrè v. to stop; halt; cease gu kankrè jì nggә̀ my arm he stopped wait (for) me kān1 n. parts of an animal [assigned to the first kan…ngàn v.p. to put together kan wә̀ ndō ngàn person who spotted it, after it is killed.] nggә̄ bә̄ lә̀ gā put trousers together with shirt re kān yә I eat part it kan ngwɔn sà tu v.p. to die [This means the kān2 n. forest vine sp. used in making roofs person is dead. [this is usually the polite way 15 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary of saying it]] Cūnjә̀ mǎ kan ngwɔn sà tu baboon Cūnjə̀mǎ take hand put head kəgyə̄ r adv. once (N.B. different prefixes indicate Kànzan p.n. personal name the number of times s.t. happened.) Likita nyә kaprɛ̄ pl. kaprε n. nightjar Caprimulgus sp. sә̄ kànmē kәgyә̄ r Likita was here once kar pl. mə̀kǎr n. prostitute; whore; harlot syn kəji n. box; covered basket syn kpàtì. kilakī. kə̄ jī pl. — n. money kàrà pl. kārà n. bean-cake (< Y.) kə̀jì pl. — n. love potion; philtre; aphrodisiac bә Kàrɛn p.n. personal name ban kә̀ jì te vә̄ nggә̄ mē they take love potion kàrε v. to pour away; to spill wә̄ kan mә̀ sәr kàrε make girl this mūn you make water pour away why? syn kəkan…də̄ pl. — v.p. to forget kәkan nggә̄ dә̄ bwà. forget I forget → I have forgotten Kasē p.n. personal name kə̀kə̄ pl. kə̄ kə̄ n. fowl; hen; chicken kasə̄ sē v. to continue doing bān kә̀ tә̄ kasә̄ sē nǎn kə̀kə̄ gbù pl. kə̄ kə̄ gbu n. black birds that move in cā that house our continue doing sweet wine fives found around the hills kàsə…[yo] neg. don't Negative imperative kàsә kəkə̀rɛ̄ pl. kə́kə̀rɛ̄ v.n. pouring out kyɛn pre là nàn sә̄ sānme nàn yo don’t do like that do kәkәrɛ look kunu cont. pouring out NEG → Don't do it like that kəklà pl. — n. small fish sp. Kàwu p.n. personal name kə̄ kla a. white kә̀ kә̄ nggә̄ sē kә̄ kla hen my is kē conj. or; whether; either gu nan yә̄ kē gu la white nàn yo he did it or he did not do it syn gē. kəklàmfu n. fish sp. Heterotis niloticus kə1 pl. — n. thought; consideration kә tsɔ kū nggә̄ nɛ̀ n thought drop fall me stomach kəkrɛ̄ pl. — n. fireplace; hearth kə2 pron. him; her; it (archaic) kə̀lànzər pl. — n. kerosine; paraffin (< E.) kə3 pl. — v. to borrow; lend kә nggә̄ mgbāmvū kələ n. age-mate syn lə̄ kə. tar loan me Naira three kə̀mbə̄ pl. kə̄ mbə̄ n. calabash; gourd kə- pref. number of times s.t. is done wә̄ nan kì kə̀mbə̀ mə̀sər pl. kəmbə mə̀sər n. water-lettuce mē tè kә ywā mbɛ̄ you did thing this two times Pistia stratiotes
kəklàmfu
already kəmē adv. this time sē nggә̄ wān lә nan kәmē nān kə̄ 1 v.aux. marks infinitive (archaic) is I who will do it this time around kə̄ 2 pl. mə̀kə̀ n. house; home; compound kəmfār n. hidden dark place kə̄ 3 pl. kə v. to scratch; scrape kә̄ nggә̄ gɔ̄ n kəmù pron. I; myself (1st singular reflexive scratch my back pronoun.) nggә̄ n kәmù me nggә̄ lә ywē hwan kəbū n. one kobo sε mē I myself only, I will go to farm this year kə̀bǔ pl. kəbu n. pathway kə mù adv. next time kә mù wә̄ lә ywē nān next Kə̀bunyān p.n. personal name time you will go kə̀cɛ̀ n. boomslang snake Dispholidus typus kə̀mvrè ngwɔ̀n pl. kə̄ mvrè ngwɔn n. finger kədè v. to remain; stay bān kәdè mān those who kə̀mvrè ngwɔ̀n nggɔ̀n n. thumb remained (left behind) kənàn a. many; much kә̄ kә̄ nggә̄ sē kәnàn kə̄ de adv. like; similar to Sonia sē kә̄ de tә̀ ywә̄ chickens my are many Sonia is like father her kənànme adv. plentifully; abundantly; copiously kə̄ dè n. remains yә̀ mē sē yә̀ kәdè this is what glō ku kәnànme rain fall plenty remains kə̀ndà adv. maybe; perhaps; possibly kә̀ ndà gu lә Kə̄ gbə̀ p.n. Akwanga town nyә̄ ә mbrɛ maybe he would come tomorrow kə̄ gbù pl. kə̄ gbu n. baboon Tsɛ̄ ncun ngun kә̄ gbù syn məgē, məkē, munyàn, njwɛ̂ n, tə̀tɔ̀. Tsɛ̄ cun kill baboon → Tsɛ̄ cun has killed a kə̀ndàrǐ pl. kə̄ ndàri n. bird sp. 16 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary kə̄ nfə̀ pl. — n. claw; fingernail; talon dactylon kə̀nggān pl. kə̄ nggān n. barrel-drum syn kə̀zēnyān n. itchgrass Rottboelia cochinchinensis gə̀nggān. kə̀zəlaba pl. kəzəlaba n. wild duck kì pl. kī n. thing kìkì pl. — n. suffocation; shortness of breath kìkì là te nggә̀ suffocation is catching me kìkɔ̀n pl. kīkɔ̄ n n. weapon kìkyε pl. kīkyε n. bicycle; cycle (< H.) kilakī pl. — n. prostitute; prostitution; harlot; whore syn kar. (< H.) kīnɛ̀n pl. — n. guts kə̀nggān kìnkyɛ̀n n. skewer kīnzɛ̀ n. clothes for masquerade kìrē pl. kīrē n. food kì yə̀ sǎ n. vehicle; car; motor kənka adv. five days hence kìyə̀wɔ̀ pl. kīyə̄ wɔ̀ n. domestic animals; livestock kə̄ nkā v. to make a mistake; err nggә̄ can wә̄ zә klā pl. kla v. to fry Tìti là klā krī Titi is frying kә̄ nkā I march your feet by mistake yams kə̀nkabān pl. nywεnkabān n. Abyssinian roller klǎ pl. kla n. monkey sp. Coracias abyssinica klà…bàn v. to grab; seize; grasp nggә̄ kla yә̄ ban kə̀nkabān hwan pl. nywεnkabān hwan n. swift I grab it grab → I grabbed it Apodidae klà…doglò v. to get up hastily gu kàn klà…doglò kənkɔ̀n pl. kə̄ nkɔ̄ n n. way; path; road he got-up hastily syn gìga. kənkulwe pl. — n. herb sp. [plant with a single klàmkpā v. to try to do what older people do stem that grows in the bush and has small, (young person) vɛ̄ n mē là klàmkpā kәnànme black, edible fruits] child the cont. trying to do elders → this boy kə̄ ntə n. beniseed; sesame Sesamum indicum is always trying to do things as elders kəntsə̄ r pl. — n. wall klə̄ 1 pl. klə n. fruit kənvər n. disease that cuts the nose (caused by klə̄ 2 v. to hang; suspend gu lwe kәywә kә̄ klә̄ ә man) shū he carry himself hang on tree syn ncàwǔ. kə̀nyūjε n. snake sp. klò pl. nywεn klo n. bushbuck Tragelaphus kəsàn pl. — n. side; edge nggә̄ ta brεkrī ә kәsàn scriptus nē I make heaps at side of river syn kətɔ̄ n, klwe v. to run gyә̄ vu klwe nyә̀ you (people) nggà. should run come here kə̀tà pl. kəta n. hat kɔ̀mitì pl. — n. committee (< E.) kətar a. fork; bifurcation; s.t. that divides into kɔn n. corpse; carcass; cadaver two e.g. a crossroads; junction yә̀ mē sē kәtar kɔ̄ n pl. mə̀kɔn n. war; combat; battle; skirmish bә nkɔ̀ n this is a junction road → this is a là ta kɔ̄ n ә Lebano there is a war in Lebanon crossroads kɔ̄ n vɛ̄ n pl. kɔ̄ n nywεn n.p. umbilical cord kətɔ̄ n pl. — n. edge nggә̄ kre ә kәtɔ̄ n nkɔ̀ n I stand kpā n. shout of joy tә̄ là ta krī dә̀ te kpā we cont. at edge road → I stand beside the road syn make yam heaps and make shout kəsàn. kpà a. dot kəyə̄ mē adv. this time nggә̄ lә tsē wә̄ kәyә̄ mē → I kpǎ pl. kpa n. roof will beat you this time kpàcɔ̀ n. sickness like smallpox kəywā adv. twice kpàgə̄ pl. kpāgə̄ n. long hooked stick for getting kə̌ ywǎ pl. kəywa n. cave; cavern; grotto down fruits such as mangoes [also known in kəywē n. yourself kǎn yә̄ lwè kәywē take it carry NE as ‘go to hell’] yourself Kpakə̀ p.n. personal name kəywə̄ pl. nkəywə̄ pron. himself; herself; itself sē kpaki pl. — n. necessity; requirement sē kpaki gu wān nan kәywә̄ it-is he who do for himself nggә̄ re lā? is it a necessity I fut. eat food? → kəywə̀ pl. kəywə̄ pron. themselves (reflexive) sē must I eat the food? bә bān nan kәywә̀ it-is they those do for kpàkì pl. kpākì n. stick syn kukukì. themselves kpakiki v.aux. must; be required; be necessary kəywε n. Bahama grass, dogtooth grass Cynodon kpakiki wә̄ lә rē lā it is necessary you fut. eat 17 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary food kpə̀ v. to receive; get kpә̄ yә̄ → receive it kpǎkpǎ id. describes laughter gu là mlǎ kpǎkpǎ kpə̀cawù n. brown lizard seen during the rains he cont. laugh kpǎkpǎ kpə̄ ...kà pl. kpə̄ ...ka v. to disagree, dissent nggә̄ kpakpm̄ kì pl. kpakpm̄ kī n. tree bark kpә rɛn yәmē ka → I disagreed with him kpàkrīn pl. — n. spherical; round thing kpəkpà n. bird sp. with a big beak kpàlo pl. kpalo n. tree pangolin Phataginus kpə̌ kpǎkpǎkpǎ id. describes chirping of kpəkpà tricuspsis bird kpәkpà là gì de kpә̌ kpǎkpǎkpǎ → (the) Kpamə̀ p.n. personal name bird kpəkpà chirps that…. kpǎ mə̀ n. surface of local beer kpə̀kpalaywī pl. kpəkpalaywī n. red centipede kpān pl. kpə̄ kpàn n. friend syn fəgyə̀ywə̄ , zān. [seen only in the rainy season. When children kpàn1 v. to pound Mbә̀ mbә̄ là kpàn tswē women come home with skin broken between the cont. pound place syn càn, kyə̄ r. toes, it is attributed to this centipede] kpàn2 pl. — v. 1) to tie; fasten; bind kpān yә̄ tie kpəkpalə̄ gà pl. — n. sword-bean planted for the it 2) to ripen large pods which are used by women as rattles Kpānbə p.n. personal name Canavalia ensiformis. kpáncá n. small lizard sp. kpəkpə pl. — n. cloud kpǎncun excl. describes wishing for a bad thing kpə̀kplǎ n. bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus to happen again kpǎncǔn, tɔ̀ nzɛ әnә̀ mē gba me kpə̀kplə̌ n. laziness; idleness; indolence kpә̀ kplә̌ it is good for you like that là te nggә̀ laziness cont. make me → I am kpàn də̌ r s.v. to be courageous; bold; brave; lazy gu là te kpә̀ kplә̌ he cont. make laziness valiant gu kpan dә̌ r dә̀ ywe → he took heart → he is lazy and went kpə̄ kplɔkplɔ̄ id. describing making too much kpandɛ̄ n. tiger-nut [cultivated plant whose noise which prevents others from talking wә̄ tubers are eaten as a snack] Cyperus là rɛn kpә̄ kplɔkplɔ̄ nggān mwɔ̄ n you cont. talk esculentus too much noise kpànjǔn pl. kpanjun n. snuffbox tree Oncoba kpəkpɔ a. old; aged; elderly vә̄ lɔn mē cɛ tè spinosa kpәkpɔ man this grow make old kpəkpɔ̀ n. finch Estrildae kpǎnjūn pl. kpanjūn n. largest type of gourd kpə̄ kpɔ̀ pl. — n. shrine; altar yә̀ mē sē kpә̄ kpɔ̀ this Cucurbita maxima is a shrine kpàn mgbo v.p. to be sour (e.g. unripe fruit) kpəkprɛ̄ pl. kpəkprε n. blue-breasted kingfisher kǎnjùn mē kpàn mgbo cashew this is sour Halcyon malimbicus kpānε n. tree sp. kpə̀kprɛ̀ pl. — n. catarrh; phlegm; smallpox kpәkprɛ là te nggә catarrh is doing me kpar1 pl. mə̀kpǎr n. base of a yam ̀ ̀ ̀ kpəkprɛ sɔ̌ n pl. — n. tuberculosis kpar2 n. used in compounds to form abusive ̀ ̀ kpə̄ kpri pl. kpəkpri a. complete; whole; round expressions kpar mә̄ bottom buttocks kpār pl. — adv. openly; transparently frē rɛn yә krì mū sē kpә̄ kpri yam that is complete kpəmkpan n. exact position; location yәmē sē gyɔ̄ bē kpār peel the matter put outside openly ̀ kpәmkpan tswē yә kì yә te this is the position kpàr n. open space tswē yә̄ tә̄ kre sē kpàr me the- ̄ ̄ place which we stand is open space only place which thing it happen kpǎr pl. kpar n. snail spp. kpəmkpàn n. maize; corn Zea mays kpàtì pl. kpātì n. box syn dùdù, kəji. (< H.) kpəmkpi n. epilepsy kpәmkpi là nan gu epilepsy cont. do him kpə1 pl. kpə̌ n. shoe kpəmkpūn a. short vә̄ lɔn mū sē kpәmkpūn man kpə2 n. body that is short syn fəgbɔn, krε…nyər. kpə3 a. thick wәndō mē te kpә trouser this make ̀ ̀ kpə ngār n. arthritis (caused by man) syn thick syn kpə̄ ntɛ̀n. gbàdò. kpə̄ pl. mə̀kpə̄ n. small agama lizard kpəntàn pl. kpə̌ ntān n. skin kpə̄ ntɛ̀n pl. — a. thick nzār mē sē kpә̄ ntɛ̀ n hoe this is thick syn kpə3, tsər. kpə̄ nyɛ̀n pl. kpənyεn v. to agree; accept; trust nggә̄ kpәnyεn bә̄ gu I (have) trust with him kpə̄ nyìn n. grass sp. kpə̀r n. fool; idiot; nitwit; nincompoop; twit; kpànjǔn 18 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary blockhead; imbecile wә̄ ku kpә̀ r? you fall fool kpm̀ 1 pl. kpm n. silk-cotton; kapok tree Ceiba → are you a fool? syn wānfà. pentandra kpə̄ rɛ̀-kpə̄ rɛ̀ id. describes a thick liquid that has kpm̀ 2 pl. kpm v. to fold back earth in the process been diluted gu te prē kpә̄ rɛ̀ -kpә̄ rɛ̀ he make of making ridges gu là ngār ryә dә̀ bān kә̀ gu là kpm zwe gu mān he cont. make ridges and those of his house are covering following him kpm̄ 1 v. to thresh with sticks nggә̄ là kpm kpu I cont. thresh sorghum kpm̄ 2 v. to fold (cloth) vu kī mē kpm̌ nggә̄ yә carry clothes this fold me them ̄ kpətεglā kpɔ pl. kpɔ n. bag kpɔ̀cūn pl. kpɔcun n. clump; grove; cluster of trees kpɔ̄ gbru pl. kpɔgbru n. vulture syn gbrǔ, gruel dilute → he made a diluted gruel kpɔ̄ mkpan. kpə̀tàn n. barbet Lybius spp. Kpɔ̄ kə̀ p.n. personal name kpə̀tùr-kpə̀tùr adv. very thick liquid Njumā la kpɔ̀mgbukpɔ̀n pl. kpɔ̄ mgbukpɔ̀n n. large male kàmù mē kpә̀ tùr-kpә̀ tùr Njumā make pap this patas monkey Erythrocebus patas syn bɛ̄ , cə̀r. very thick kpɔ̄ mkpan pl. kpɔmkpan n. vulture (archaic) syn kpətεglā pl. nywεn kpətεglā n. bushbaby; galago gbrǔ, kpɔ̄ gbru. Galago senegalensis kpɔ̌ n s.v. to be stylish; fashionable gu là kpɔ̌ n kәywә he cont. stylish himself kpətεnyān pl. nywεn kpətεnyān n. small kprɛ̄ pl. kpə̄ kprɛ̀ n. lower leg; calf weeding hoe (< H.) kpǔ pl. kpu n. guinea-corn; sorghum kpə̄ wu v. to burn kә̄ Bàkūntān kpәwu house B. kpukpà n. grey plantain-eater Crinifer piscator burn → Bakuntan’s house is burnt down syn kpùkpə pl. kpukpə n. tree sp. wǔ 1. kpūmkpār pl. — n. fruit-bat Epomophorus kpî a. pitch black tswē te bū kpî place make dark gambianus black kpūr pl. kpur n. giant rat Cricetomys gambianus kpǐr pl. kpir n. duiker krè v. to stand; stay; stop; halt krè jì nggә̄ mān kpla pl. — n. batchelor vә̄ lɔn mū sɔ̀ n kpla man stay wait for me kan krè → stop that stays batchelor krè gɔ̄ n v.p. to support nggә̄ là kre gu gɔ̄ n I cont. kplā1 pl. — n. haste; hurry nә̄ gu man tè kplā → stand him back let him then make haste krè nɛ̄ n n.p. swollen stomach gu là lә lәlә krè kplā2 pl. kpla v. to prepare, as a masquerade; set nɛ̄ n he is sick the sickness of swollen stomach up bә kpla njwe zwē they prepare krɛ̀ pl. krε v. to finish; end; complete; finalise tә̄ masquerades keep nan ndu krɛ we do work finish kplà v. to beat the floor mbә̀ mbә̄ là kpla tār tә̀ krɛ̌ pl. mə̄ krε n. uncle wān mē sē krɛ̌ nggә̄ he women cont. beat the floor room our (one-this) is my uncle bān mē sē mә̄ krε nggә̄ kplabē pl. — n. courtyard → they (those-this) are my uncles kplà mgbo v.p. z?? kri s.v. to be clean nggә̄ kri → I am clean kplà nyū v.p. s.t. eaten that is not much in the krì pl. kə̄ krì n. guinea-yam Dioscorea rotundata mouth; eating s.t. sweet wә̄ là kplà nyū kәnàn krǐ pl. kri v. to shine (body); gleam; glow as a mwɔ̄ n you cont. eat mouth too much result of rubbing lotion nggә̄ gba mә̀ nyɛ̀ n dә̀ kplǒ adv. hastily (as swallowing) gu kan lā mrè kri I rub pomade and (am) shining syn lan2. de kplǒ he swallowed food and it made the kru pl. — n. barren woman sound… krǔ v. to gather up s.t. that is scattered tә̄ là kru kplɔ adv. entering at high speed gu kulwe nyә̌ r kә sә̄ sān ә lan we cont. gather cornstalks on the kplɔ he ran enter house hastily farm kplɔ glə v. to make incomprehensible noise; to krushə̄ pl. krushə n. night-adder Causus speak angrily wә là kplɔ glә mwɔn you make rhombeatus noise too much krε…nyər s.v. to be short ngwɔn gu krɛ nyәr his kpm v. to wear gu kpm lә̀ gà cīnji he (is) wearing hands are short syn fəgbɔ̀n, kpəmkpūn. shirt black ku v. to become dry; desiccate; aridify mpā nggә̄ 19 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary ku sore my is dried kūkwɔ̌ a. small; young (kukwɔ can also agree kū1 pl. ku v. to fall glō là kū → rain is falling syn directly with a noun; thus mbú kúkwɔ́ small jun. mat. In this case it takes its tone from the kū2 pl. ku v. to follow; pursue gyә̄ lә kū dә̀ mān noun) yә̀ mē sē kūkwɔ̌ → this is small ywē kә̄ . you will fall (follow way) and there kùlwè v. to imitate; mimic gu là kpә̄ kùlwè tә̀ ywә go home → if you follow the road you’ll → he is imitating his father reach home syn mə̄ r, zwē. kumfə s.v. to feel hungry; ravenous nggә̄ kumfә kū3 pl. ku v. to include; incorporate tә̄ gә kīyә̄ rē → I am feeling hungry kū bә nә̀ nàn we divided (the) food included kùngga n. tree sp. Burkea africana them also (shared with them) kunkur n. firewood kū4 pl. ku v. to be menstruating mbә̄ là kū → the kùr v. to lay down; lay gu kùr ә tàr → he lies in woman is having her period the room kūci pl. — v. to be first nggә̄ kuci wә̀ I first you (I kurkpə v. to catch when s.t. is thrown gu nan came before you) kurkpә → he will catch (it) kùcī pl. — n. beginning; start; inception; kūsar v. to cross path tә̄ kūsar vәkә̀ bǔ nkɔ̀ n we commencement yә̀ mē sē kùcī ndu yә̄ tә̄ nan cross pathway syn zà. this is the beginning work which we did kùtsɔ pl. — n. hepatitis; jaundice; ‘yellow fever’ kūcici pl. — v. to lead; to go ahead gu kucici nyә̀ kùtsɔ là nan gu hepatitis cont. do him he lead come (came first) gu kucici an tә̄ sә kūwà n. game played by girls mә̄ nggә̄ là kuwà zwē mān → he took the lead and we followed girls cont. make game kùcūn pl. kucun n. ocarina [made from a dried kwakwà pl. — n. coconut fruit-shell of Oncoba spinosa and played only kwār1 a. all tә̄ kūkwār nan ndu yә we all do by masquerades or men only during the work it syn gba. Rínnzē festival.] kwār2 pl. mə̀kwàr n. voice kūjì pl. — v. to get down kūjì dè tәr mәnggәrō kwār3 n. wizardry; sorcery; magic get down from that mango tree kwàr1 pl. kwar n. hook kukā pl. mə̀kukā n. baobab Adansonia digitata kwàr2 v. to pet gu là kwàr vɛ̄ n → she is petting (< H.) the child kuku1 pl. — n. bone kwār rεn pl. mə̀nyū rεn n. language kuku2 adv. guiltily wә là kǎn kuku me mūn? You kwɔ1 pl. mə̀kwɔ n. place of former domicile cont. walk guiltily this why? kwɔ2 v. to turn around kwɔ̌ nyә̀ ә sәkànmē → turn kukù pl. — a. dry; desiccated; arid tәrkì mē sē and come here kukù tree this is dry kwɔ̀ v. to grind; crush; pulverise Yā là kwɔ̀ → kūkū pl. — a. old (things) lә̀ gā nggә̄ sē kūkū Mother is grinding shirt my is old kwɔ̌ pl. kwɔ n. bushfowl; partridge kùku v. to forget bә te nggә̄ ndu dә̀ nggә̄ kpә yә kya conj. only; rather than nggә̄ kpәnyεn bә̄ yә̀ mē re kùku they make me message and I receive it kya → I agree with this rather (than that) nә̄ eat forget wānmē kya nyә̄ let this-one rather-than-that- kùkù pl. — n. reed grass; arrow shaft one come syn kyame. kukukì pl. kùkukī n. stick syn kpàkì. kyame a. only sē yә̀ mē kyame yә̀ wә̄ lә nan it is kùkùkpur pl. kukukpur n. transverse clarinet this one only that you will do syn kya, me. [made from guinea-corn stem. Played by kyǎn v. to push nggә̄ kyan gu zwē lә̀ gә̀ r I pushed young men at harvest-time.] him kept aside kǔkukuku id. chirping of cicì insect cicì là gì de kyə̀nkɛ̀n n. plant sp. kǔkukuku cicì cont. cry (chirp) that…. kyə̄ r pl. kyər v. to pound Mbә̄ rɛn là kyәr bentsu kū-kukurukû id. crowing of a cock gbǎ là to de Mbərɛn cont. pounding acca syn kpàn1. kū-kukurukû cock is crowing that… kyɛ̄ n pl. kyεn v. 1) to look at; regard; sē nә̄ nggyɛ kuku-kùrǔkùkù id. chirping of bush pigeon yә̀ gyә̄ là kyɛn? what are you looking at? 2) to ywudә̀ là gì kuku-kùrǔkùkù. bush pigeon is appear; to look like chirping… kyɛn nggə ma! excl. calling attention expressing kukushār pl. nywεn kukushār n. jumping frog disapproval kyɛn nggә̄ man, nggә̄ la kpә̄ nyɛn sp. bә̄ kì yә̀ wә̄ là nan mē yo look at me, I do not kūkwār adv. completely; totally tә̄ swε kpәmkpàn accept what you are doing kūkwār → we shuck maize completely kyîîn? int. question expressing surprise sē 20 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary sә̄ sānmenàn gyә̄ nan yә̄ kyîîn? was that how kyūn pl. kyun v. to gather; prepare kyūn kī mē you did (the thing?) nàn zwè gather these things keep properly kyō pl. kyo v. to gather; collect gyә̄ kyō kī sɔ̀ n kyūn anrɛ̀ n ә mbrɛ tә̄ lә ywē Jos → prepare zwè ә tswē gyә̄ r gather the seats in one place because tomorrow we will be going to Jos Kyōnē p.n. personal name Kyūnē p.n. personal name kyōntàn pl. mə̀kyōntàn n. karaya gum tree kyūngwɔn n. fish sp. Auchenoglanis occidentalis Sterculia setigera kyūnkyū n. sweet potato (< H.) kyōte v. to gather in a group (people) mә̄ nē kyote kyūnkyūntɛ̀ n. rizga [Cultivated for its tuber.] mgbɔ̀ tswē kyɛn Gbrīn yә̄ Yɛsò people gather Plectranthus esculentus in group to watch the ‘Jesus Film’ kyūn rɛ̀ v. to gather and sell kyu pl. tsu v. to die kyū dә̄ te ә kә̄ nә̄ mān nzεn kyūntu n. cooperation death if occur at house someone now → if a kyūte v.n. dying; death kyūte bә̄ tә̄ dying has death has occurred at someone's house.. sg. occurred with us tsu. kyù1 pl. kyū n. death dә̄ gwɔ kyū yә when (they) hear (of) death the kyù2 pl. kyu n. land monitor lizard Varanus niloticus
kyù2
L l la1 v. to give or take credit; loan; borrow nggә̄ Ladi p.n. Sunday rīmē sē rì Ladi today is day kpә mgbāmvū tar bә̄ wә̄ la I received Naira (of) Sunday → today is Sunday (< H.) three with you credit lā…gba yo neg. definitely not nggә̄ lә la nan ndu la2 v. to separate bad seeds from good; to sort gu mē gba yo I will my neg. do work this even là la bekī he is sorting seeds not → I definitely won’t do my work la3 v. to harm; be harmed; damage gu la nggә̀ he lāhyε n. snake sp. has harmed me Lākpu p.n. personal name lā pl. mə̀lā n. food Lākrɛ p.n. personal name là1 v.aux. continuous marker bān nә̄ mān là ryun làmgbà pl. lāmgbà n. male agama lizard lā dә̀ la prē those others cont. cook food and làmǔ n. orange (< H.) cont. prepare lamukā n. typhoid (? < H.) là2 v. to help; aid; assist tekә, yә̀ gu sē bә̄ yә̄ , lә sē lan1 pl. mə̀lǎn n. farmland yә̀ la mān fәtsɛ̀ ... thinking, which he is with it, lan2 v. to shine hwә là lan nggān me moon cont. will be of helping then small ... shine plenty only syn krǐ. lǎ1 s.v. to be mad; crazy; insane; lunatic fәvɛ̀ n mū lān n. red-lined snake Bothopthalmus lineatus là lǎ boy that is mad làndār pl. landar n. cow lǎ2 n. madness; craziness; insanity; lunacy lǎ là lan kyɛn adv.p. looking unsettled; confused; te nggә̄ madness is having me muddled; mixed up, chaotic, disorganised, lǎ3 s.v. to be bright, illuminated tswē là la → jumbled kyɛn gu tswē lan kyɛn mәgyә̀ r see the (the) place is bright way he is looking (confused, unsettled etc)
21 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary lan ngglan adv. shiny; gleaming zә̄ mū là lan applies to other thatching grasses] Hyperthelia ngglan iron that is bright and shiny dissoluta dә̀ shun bwɔ lә̀ lwè gyәr gyәr ... and laru s.v. to be transparent; translucent lә̀ gā nggә̄ bring out thatch one by one ... là laru shirt my is bright and transparent lə̀mgbɔ̀ pl. ləmgbɔ̀ n. dung-beetle Heliocopris Làtswē p.n. personal name spp. la…[yo] neg. part of the negative marker nggә̄ lә la ywē yo I will neg. go not lə̀ndūr pl. ləndur n. bird sp. la...yo neg. not nggә̄ lā nan nkinē yo I NEG do Lə̀ndūr pl. Ləndur n. masquerade [appears only something NEG → I didn’t do anything once every five years. Drives away the laywī n. place where harvested acca is threshed Rínnzē.] Lāywi p.n. personal name lə̀ngā pl. lənga n. crowned crane; crownbird lə̄ 1 pl. lə v.aux. will; shall nggә̄ lә ywē do mbrɛ I Balearica pavonina syn hùhwàr. will go to market tomorrow lənggə pl. mə̄ lənggə n. enemy; antagonist; ̄ lə2 pl. lə n. locust bean tree lә̄ mē sē yә̀ te nggә̄ opponent gu sē lәnggә nggә̀ he is enemy my locust bean tree this is father my tә̄ sē mә̄ lәnggә bә̄ Nkɔ̀ nryān → we are lə̄ 3 v. to spread out (for drying) kan bemkpàn lә̄ enemies with Nkɔ̀nryān nә̄ yә man ku take maize spread let it – dry lənggə̀ id. describes groaning in pain gu là gә̀ ̄ lə4 pl. lə v. to ache; be ill; to be sick; to be in pain lәnggә̀ → he is groaning in pain gbәryūn là lә nggә̄ knee cont. pain I → my lə̄ nkū pl. bān lə̄ nkū n. senior person gu sē lә̄ nkū knee hurts me nggә̄ he is senior my lə̀basā pl. — n. onion (< H. albasa) lə̌ dē pl. lədē n. pig syn lə̌ sō. (< H.) lə̌ dē hwan pl. lədē hwan n. bushpig Potamochoerus larvatus lə̀gā pl. lə̄ gā n. shirt (< H. riga) lə̀gə̀r adv. aside; to one side vu kī mē zwè lә̀ gә̀ r → pack these things and keep them aside lə̀mgbɔ̀ ləgū pl. lə̌ gū n. cassava; manioc ywē jūn lәgū cà nggә̄ go remove cassava bring me (< H. roogoo) lə̌ sō pl. ləsō n. pig [Sh.] syn lə̌ dē. ̄ lə̄ kə pl. ləkə n. age-mate tә̄ sē bān lәkә gyә̄ r bә̄ ləsur v. to refuse to help s.o. with your Susan we are age-mates one with Susan syn possessions Mbә̄ ncān lәsur kī kәnànme → kələ. Mbəncān always refuses to help ləla v. to reciprocate; pay back; repay; revenge lə̀ywǎ pl. ləywa n. stink-ant lō v. to plait; weave; braid; twine bә là lo mbә̄ nggә nan ywan lәla kì yә̀ gu nan nggә̀ I did pay back what he did to me → I took revenge nggә̄ tu → they are plaiting my wife’s head for what he did to me lo ngàn pl. lo ngan v.p. to stick to; adhere lә̀ gā lo ləlà n. upper palate; roof of mouth ngàn gu kpә̀ shirt stuck to his body lɔ^lɔ pl. — n. warm water lə̀lǎ pl. — n. iron clapper-bell [played during the ̀ panpipe dance.] lɔn pl. mə̄ lə̄ lɔn n. husband gu sē lɔn nggә̄ he is husband my lə̀lān pl. lə̄ lān n. scorpion lùmù pl. lumu n. mud-wasp Belenogaster spp. lə̀lān kəkə pl. lə̄ lān kəkə n. centipede which curls up when touched. Does not sting syn màmgbyɛ̀n. lələ pl. — n. sickness; disease; illness; malady lùmvù pl. lumvu n. beetle that flies at night lәlә là nan Tsɛ̄ ncun sickness CONT do lunkpùr pl. lunkpur n. hartebeest Alcelaphus Tsɛ̄ ncun → Tsɛ̄ ncun is sick busephalus lwe n. load gu là lwě lwe he cont. carry load lə̀lə̄ pl. lələ a. cracked; broken; snapped tār mē lwē pl. — n. garden egg; aubergine; eggplant ngar lә̀ lә̄ room this is broken [Cultivated for its edible fruits] Solanum sp. lə̀lɔ̀ pl. — n. cocoyam; taro cu lә̀ lɔ̀ sùr nggә̄ yә̄ fetch cocoyam boil lwè pl. lwe v. to carry nggә̄ lwe nzār ә ngwɔ̀ n I lə̄ lɔn pl. mə̄ lə̄ lɔn n. man carry hoe at hand lwe nɛ̄ n v.p. to be pregnant mbә nggә lwe nɛn lə̀lwè pl. — n. thatching grass [but probably ̄ ̄ ̄ wife my carry belly → wife my is pregnant
22 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary màgbyɛ̌ n
M m ma1 pl. — v. to meet; encounter tә̄ ma bә̄ kәywә̀ are just immature only → we met with each other syn ma…nkɔn. màmvē pl. mamve n. immature yam ma2 pl. — v. 1) to reach; arrive tә̄ dɔ ma mān man conj. then; so as to kān tә̄ nan man dètswē ә nān we farm reach now → now we have sә̄ kàn mē let us do then leave this place reached the farm 2) to be okay mān loc. there gu sә sē mān ә tswēywә̄ → he was mā1 pl. — n. sorcerer; magician there also mā2 v. to wrestle Kpàtù bә̄ Ntānmә̄ là ma Kpàtù màn pl. man v. to nurse, suck vɛ̄ n là màn child with Ntānmə̄ cont. wrestle cont. suck mà pl. — v. to measure; gauge Njumā là mà bekī màndē adv. until sɔ̀ n màndē gu dә̀ mә̀ rtu ngā → Njuma cont. measure seeds sit until he returns syn se. màdār n. wasp māndɛ̄ pl. — n. edible immature palm-fruit Màdo p.n. personal name ma…nkɔn v.p. to meet on the road; to encounter màgbyɛ̌ n pl. — n. blood-plum [fruits edible] ywe kә mâ bә̄ gu ә nkɔ̀ n go meet with him on Haematostaphis barteri way → welcome him syn ma1. Mankɔ̀n p.n. personal name Magwa p.n. personal name màn mgbo v.p. to lick the mouth after eating s.t. màjǎn n. fire-crowned bishop bird Euplectes sweet gu là màn mgbo he cont. lick his mouth hordeacea Mǎshi p.n. personal name matò n. vehicle; car (< H.) mbàn pl. mban n. black kite Milvus migrans mbǎnrìn1 excl. questioning expression with hands palm up; bafflement; perplexity Danrɛn kan nànsɛn mbǎnrìn? Danrɛn take do where? → where has Danrɛn been all this while? mbǎnrìn2 v. to dive into water nggә̄ ku mbǎnrìn → I dived deep into the water mbàr1 n. false shea; meni oil tree Lophira màjǎn lanceolata mākī n. person who is believed to use magical powers to steal other people’s crops vә̄ lɔn mē sē wān mākī man this is one-who takes away people’s crops Mākpu p.n. personal name Mālā p.n. personal name Mamān p.n. personal name màmfɛ̄ n. crocodile tears wә̄ là te màmfɛ̄ fà me mbàr1 you cont. make tears for nothing only → you make crocodile tears màmgbān adv. insisting on one doing s.t. gu te mbàr2 n. leaves for ceremonial head dress made nggә màmgbān → he made me insist from mbàr [Used in a peace-making ceremony in families where accusations of witchcraft màmgbyɛ̀n pl. māmgbyɛ̀n n. mason wasp syn lùmù. may be made and to make a charm to put on farms to stop the land from yielding. Also Màmgbyɛ̀n p.n. personal name màmpùr a. fresh; immature groundnut etc. placed on mango trees to prevent people from bencwē mē sē màmpùr me groundnuts these stealing the fruit.] mbe fà v. to be later mbe fà anrīn gu sә nyә̀ time 23 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary later before he came → It was later that he mbə̄ ngǎn kwɔ̀ pl. mbə̀mbə̄ ngǎn kwɔ̀ n. widow came Mbə̄ nggɔn p.n. personal name mbə̄ pl. mbə̀mbə̄ n. woman; wife; female Mbənkɔ̀n p.n. personal name Mbə̄ bàr p.n. personal name Mbə̄ nyān p.n. personal name Mbə̄ bū p.n. personal name mbə̄ r1 pl. mbə̀mbə̄ r n. remains; dregs; grouts Mbə̄ cā p.n. personal name mbə̄ r2 v. to turn around suddenly nggә̄ kan Mbə̄ cūn p.n. personal name gyɔ̄ gɔ̄ n mbә̄ r → I then turned around at once Mbə̄ dān p.n. personal name mbə̌ r pl. mbər n. lovegrass Eragrostis tremula Mbə̄ do p.n. personal name Mbə̄ rā p.n. personal name Mbə̄ gəga p.n. personal name Mbərāgɔn p.n. personal name Mbə̄ gì p.n. personal name Mbə̄ rāntān p.n. personal name Mbə̄ glā p.n. personal name Mbə̄ rɛ̀ p.n. personal name Mbə̄ glə̄ p.n. personal name Mbə̄ rɛ̀do p.n. personal name Mbə̄ glō p.n. personal name Mbə̄ rɛn p.n. personal name Mbəgribə p.n. personal name Mbə̄ rì p.n. personal name Mbəgyaga p.n. personal name Mbə̄ rmə̀ p.n. personal name Mbə̄ gyànkɔ̀n p.n. personal name mbə̄ r mpà pl. mbə̀mbə̌ r mpà n. scar Mbə̄ gyār p.n. personal name Mbəryān p.n. personal name Mbə̄ gyə̄ r p.n. personal name Mbəsanga p.n. personal name Mbəgyɔ̀n p.n. personal name Mbə̄ səlè p.n. personal name Mbə̄ gyūn p.n. personal name Mbə̄ sər p.n. personal name Mbə̄ hwan p.n. personal name mbə̄ suswɛ pl. mbə̀mbə̄ suswɛ̀ n. blue insect sp. Mbə̄ jə̄ p.n. personal name which appears in Oct/Nov. after the rains Mbə̄ jìmə̀ p.n. personal name Mbə̄ swē p.n. personal name Mbə̄ kàbu p.n. personal name Mbə̄ tɔ̀ p.n. personal name Mbə̄ kə̀ p.n. personal name Mbə̄ wànggwe p.n. personal name Mbə̄ kə̄ jī p.n. personal name Mbə̄ wu p.n. personal name Mbə̄ kə̀jì p.n. personal name Mbə̄ wushi p.n. personal name Mbə̄ kɔ̄ n p.n. personal name Mbə̄ ywan p.n. personal name Mbəkpu p.n. personal name mbə̄ zē pl. mbə̀mbə̄ zē n. daughter-in-law syn Mbə̄ kru p.n. personal name mbə̄ kwɔ̀. Mbəkū p.n. personal name Mbə̄ zè p.n. personal name mbə̄ kwɔ̀ pl. mbə̀mbə̄ kwɔ̀ n. daughter-in-law syn Mbə̄ zə̄ p.n. personal name mbə̄ zē. Mbə̄ zə̄ r p.n. personal name Mbə̄ kyū p.n. personal name Mbə̄ zəze p.n. personal name Mbəkyūbe p.n. personal name Mbə̄ zō p.n. personal name Mbə̄ lā p.n. personal name mbɛ̄ 1 adv. already Nggә̄ gbla wә̄ kpәmkpàn mbɛ̄ I mbəlanzān n. small lizard which makes holes in weed (for) you maize already → I've already farm ridges weeded the maize for you Mbələlə p.n. personal name mbɛ̄ 2 pl. mbə̀mbɛ̄ n. sprout; shoot Yә̀ mē sē mbɛ̄ mbə̄ lò pl. mbəlò n. elephant-snout fish spp. kpu. This is a guinea-corn sprout Mormyrus spp. Mbɛ̄ kī p.n. personal name Mbəmbàr p.n. personal name Mbɛ̄ kpu p.n. personal name mbə̀mblə̄ kì pl. mbə̄ mblə̀kī n. gutter mbɛ̄ nō adv. in the indeterminate future; mbə̀mbɔ̀ n. termites that surround the queen sometime; someday Mbɛ̄ nō nggә̄ lә ywē ә mbə̀mbrɛ̀cə̄ n. early morning America → Someday I will go to America mbə̀mbrɛ̀mbrɛ̀ adv. throughout the morning mbɛ̄ tan int. when? Mbɛ̄ tan wә̄ lә nyә̄ ? → When Mbə̄ mbrī p.n. personal name will you come? wә lә ngā mbɛ̄ tan → when Mbə̄ mə̀shi p.n. personal name will you return? Mbə̄ mkpàn p.n. personal name mblə̄ pl. mbə̀mblə̄ n. stream; brook; rivulet syn Mbə̄ mkpūn p.n. personal name cūn2. Mbə̄ ncān p.n. personal name mblɔ̀n pl. mblɔn n. skink sp. Mabuya spp. Mbəngǎn p.n. personal name mbɔ̄ n. s.t. rotten yә̄ bә tè mbɔ̄ ywә̄ it rot make rotten of-it → it is rotten 24 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary mbɔ̄ kə̄ jī n.p. too much money mə̀gàn n. sap tәrkì mē te mә̀ gàn tree this make Mbɔ̄ kī p.n. personal name sap Mbɔ̄ nē p.n. personal name məgē, məkē adv. maybe; possibly; perhaps gu lә mbrɛ̄ pl. vē n. day nan yә̄ mәgē he will do it maybe syn kə̀ndà, mbrɛ̀ n. morning munyàn. mbrɛ̀cə̄ n. morning mə̀gì pl. — n. blood mbrī1 pl. — n. charcoal mə̀gìmbəÜ pl. mə̄ gìmbəÜ n. plant sp. about 1 m. mbrī2 n. fibrous high, with very smooth leaves mbrī3 pl. mbri n. shield Mə̀gìnē p.n. personal name mbrì pl. mbrī n. fruit tree sp. [large tree with mə̀gu pl. mə̄ gu p.a. his kì mē sē mә̀ gu thing this small golden fruit] is his → this belongs to him kә̄ yә̄ mә̄ gu house mbrε n. tomorrow of his mbu pl. mbǔ n. mat mə̀gyə̄ p.a. yours (pl.) kì mē sē yә̀ mә̀ gyә̄ thing mbū pl. mbūmbù n. gum (of mouth) this is of yours → this is yours mbù n. gap teeth syn mbù nyə̄ r. məgyə̀r adv. z?? mbǔ pl. mbu n. narrow-necked pot [women hoist mə̀kəbwə n. sieved leftover liquid of palm-oil it on their shoulders to carry water] Mə̀kì p.n. personal name mbùmbɔ̀ n. small termites that destroy wood mə̀kpǎ n. top part of a settled liquid mbumburɛn pl. mbumbu mə̀rɛ̌ n n. small mə̀krì n. sweat; perspiration nggә̄ là ku mә̀ krì I (particles of talk) cont. fall sweat → I am sweating Mbumburɛn p.n. personal name Mə̀kwɔnē p.n. personal name mbù nyə̄ r pl. mbū nyər n. tooth gap syn mbù. Mə̀kyū p.n. personal name Mbwā p.n. personal name mə̀lεka pl. mə̀lεkū n. angel (< H.) Mbwancə̀ p.n. personal name mə̀mān pl. — n. salt Mbwanzǒ p.n. personal name mə̀mān kancɔn pl. — n. sugar mbwār n. ritual food məme pl. — a. bad; evil; wicked kì mē sē mәme mbwàr pl. mbùmbwàr a. watery (food) lā ku thing this is bad syn gbəjā. mbwàr food fall watery mə̀mē pl. — n. earth; ground; soil; land mbwà zə̀ pl. mbūmbwà zə n. foot Mə̀mērebe p.n. personal name mbwɛ̌ wùyà n. raft-zither syn gə̀ntē2. mə̀mə̀ pl. mə̄ mə̀ n. liquid me adv. only; just like that wә̄ cu fәtsɛ̀ me? you mə̀mə̄ mlə̀ v. to grope; feel your way nggә̄ lә fetch small only? syn kyame. mә̀ mә̄ mlә̀ ban kәtɔ̄ n nē → I will feel my way mē1 adv. now; at once; immediately lwě njī cà along the side of the river syn mlə̀. nggә̄ mān me yә → bring me the knife now mə̀mɛ̄ pl. - n. dew syn gè, mēmē, nzɛ̂ nmē. Mə̀mɛ̄ p.n. personal name mē2 dem. this, these mbә̄ mē woman this mə̀mgbān v. persistence wә te mә̀ mgbān rɛn mēmē adv. at once, now, immediately gu de nә̄ mwɔn you make persistence talk too-much wә̄ nyә̀ mēmē he said should you come now- mə̄ mi shɔ pl. nywεnywεn shɔ n. bee larva now syn mē1. mə̀nǎn pl. — n. bean cake menrīn adv. still nggә̄ kasә̄ sē nan yә̄ menrīn → I mə̀ncà pl. — n. yam root am doing it still Mə̀ncakì p.n. personal name mə̄ 1 pl. — n. buttocks, arse Mə̀ncàkpu p.n. personal name mə̄ 2 pl. — n. secret kpān wān tsә mә̄ gu friend mənca-mənca id. sound of s.o. chewing kàdә tàn who knows secret his kī mәnca-mәnca yo do not chew food making mə̀1 n. beer sound ….. mə̀2 s.v. to be wonderful; amazing; marvellous; mə̀ncεrɛ̀ v. to tickle wә̄ là te nggә̄ mә̀ ncɛrɛ̀ you fantastic yә̀ mē sē kì yә̀ mә̀ this one be thing it cont. tickling me be.winderful → this is wonderful mə̀ndɛ̀rɛ̀ a. tender; soft vәgbә̄ ntan mē sē mә̀ ndɛ̀ rɛ̀ Mə̀bàn p.n. personal name me this calf is so tender syn rôrō. mə̄ bə pron. theirs Mə̀nggànē p.n. personal name mə̀cī1 pl. mə̄ cici n. father-in-law [for a woman] mə̄ nggə̀ p.a. mine kì mē sē yә̀ mә̀ nggә̄ thing this mə̀cī2 pl. mə̄ cici n. ancestors is mine Mə̀cùn p.n. personal name mənggə̀rō pl. — n. mango Mə̀da pl. Məda p.n. Mada people mə̄ nggla pl. mənggla n. iron clapper [An iron 25 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary ring that goes around the wrist is struck with mə̀tɔ̀ pl. — n. potash; natron te mә̀ tɔ̀ gyɔ̄ lā ә glo another iron clapper. Played for the festive fetch potash put food at fire dance nzɔ̄ n] mə̀tù pl. — n. pity; compassion; mercy gu te mә̀ tù nggә̄ he have pity on me Mə̀wu p.n. personal name mə̀ywè pl. — n. grease; fat mə̀ywɛ̀ pl. mə̄ ywɛ̀ n. Sodom apple; swallow-wort [Medium-sized shrub. The stems are used to make rafters] Calotropis procera syn gyərtsò. mɛ̄ pl. mε v. to build; construct Gyɔ̄ gɔ̄ n là mɛ̄ vәrà Gyɔ̄ gɔ̄ n cont. build small granary mə̄ nggla mfè n. one-eyed person mfə pl. — n. hunger; famine; starvation mfә là te nggә̄ hunger cont. do me syn gyɔn2. Mə̀nggɔ̀n p.n. personal name ̀ mfə̄ pl. — n. foam; froth; bubbles; suds mə̀ntɛ̀ pl. — n. beard mfə̀r pl. mfə̄ r n. vagina mə̀nyɛ̀n pl. mə̄ nyɛ̀n kī n. oil mfù n. hair syn mfùtù. mə̀nzɛ̀gbù n. red-flowering silk-cotton tree Bombax buonopozense mfùbrì n. grass sp. Digitaria gayana mə̄ nzε pl. mənzɛ n. jumblebeads; cats’ eyes [The mfucì pl. mfuci n. Senegal coucal Centropus red seeds are used to decorate masquerades] senegalensis Abrus precatorius mfùgban pl. — n. pubic hair Mfùnan p.n. personal name mər v. to become broken gu vu kә̀ ntsà yә mә̄ r he carry broom it broke mfùru kpm̀ pl. — n. kapok cotton mə̄ r v. to chase; pursue bә mәr gbǎ vūn they mfùrūrū pl. — n. cotton wool mfùtù pl. — n. hair syn mfù. chase cock and catch it syn glā, kū2. mgbà pl. mgbā n. fig tree sp. Ficus platyphylla mə̀r v. 1) to plait (as a rope); to weave; Tiyà là 1
mә̀ r mgbәnrīn → grandfather is weaving rope 2) to look at mə̌ r pl. mər v. to be sweet prē mē mә̌ r guinea- corn drink this be-sweet → guinea-corn drink is sweet mə̀rǐn v. to go deep inside water nggә ku mә̀ rǐn → I fell deep inside water mə̀r kyɛn v.p. to look at s.t. incessantly; to stare wә là mә̀ r kī kyɛn mwɔ̄ n you cont. look at mgbà1 things see pass Mə̀rkyɛn p.n. personal name mgbà2 pl. mgbā n. sling mə̀rtu pl. mərtu v. to return; come back gu kan mgbādār n. edible leaf mә̀ rtu ngā → he then returned back syn ngā4. mgbākī pl. — n. green leaves for making soup mə̌ rzə s.v. to be tired and hungry after a journey mgbākī ngə̀ pl. — n.p. food made from sesame tә̄ nga tswē glā kwɔ dә̀ mәrzә → we have and leaves returned from a hunting expedition and are mgbākī nggwār pl. — n.p. sesame leaves tired mgbāmgbān adv. firmly vūn gu nàn lwè məsà pl. məsa n. cat (< H.) mgbāmgbān catch him carry firmly mə̀sārā pl. mə̄ sārā p.n. white person; European mgbāmvū pl. mgbāmvū kī n. leaf; paper money; (< H.) letter; book; banknote mə̀sər pl. — n. water mgbāmvū blā pl. — n. book for reading Məsər-nglazə p.n. personal name mgbāmvū car pl. — n. paper; book mə̀shi pl. — n. tears mgbāmvū gywi n. sharp leaf for wrapping food Mə̀shi p.n. personal name mgbāmvū Rì pl. — n. Bible Mə̀shikarɛ p.n. personal name mgban pl. mə̀mgbǎn n. armpit mə̄ tə̀ p.a. ours kì mē sē yә̀ mә̀ tә̄ thing this is of mgbān pl. mgbə̄ mgbàn n. wing ours mgbân adv. very (cold) mә̀ sәr sù mgbân water 26 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary be.cool very → the water is very cold mgbə̄ mgbār n. grass sp. Loudetia arundinacea mgbāngə̄ n n. grass sp. used to make local curry mgbəmgbə̀r n. fig tree sp. Ficus polita mgbǎntə̄ pl. mgbantə n. stone; rock syn ywan. mgbə̀mgbə̀r pl. mgbə́mgbə̀r n. navel mgbāntur n. bitterleaf Vernonia amygdalensis mgbəmgblan n. tree sp. mgbārəhū n. waterleaf Amaranthus caudatus mgbə̄ mgblān pl. — n. pepper mgbàsàn n. side of a hill mgbəmgbrè pl. — n. world mgbāshε pl. — n. roselle; sorrel Hibiscus mgbəmgbrɛn pl. __ n. s.t. small and round e.g. sabdariffa. lumps; small gravel; small balls of pap. mgbě a.i. wide (open) wә̄ bu nkɔ̀ n gyɔ̄ hū mgbě mgbə̄ ncī pl. mgbə̀ncī n. chair (modern type) you open door put open wide → open the mgbənjan pl. mgbə̀njǎn n. silk or beard of door wide maize; corn silk mgbě hyô v.p. to on/off (light) tә̄ r là te glo mgbě Mgbənjan p.n. personal name hyô evil light make fire on/off mgbə̀nwɔ̄ n pl. mgbə̄ nwɔ̄ n n. fly sp. that buzzes mgbə̄ pl. — n. panpipe with four/five pipes. around the ears and is attracted to sweat Used for festive occasions and played in large Mgbə̀nyūglo p.n. personal name sets of up to twenty instruments mgbərɛ n. intestine mgbərɛ kəkla a.p. innocent nggә̄ sē mgbәrɛ kәkla I be intestine white → I am not guilty of the offence mgbərīn pl. mgbə̀rǐn n. rope, cord mgbə̀rīn pl. mgbə̀rǐn n. urine; piss Mgbərìngan p.n. personal name mgbə̄ rìnkī pl. mgbə̀rīnkī n. root Mgbə̄ rìnkī p.n. personal name mgbə̄ mgbərìnrìn id. roots completely removed gbǒ tәrkì mē mgbәrìnrìn remove tree this with its roots mgbə̀ pl. mgbə̀mgbə̀ n. aroma; scent; smell; mgbə̄ rɔ̄ n pl. mgbərɔ̄ n n. stool odour gu gba mә̀ nyɛ̀ n dә̀ cu mgbә̀ . → He rubbed on some cream and it smelt nice mgbərshi pl. mgbəmgbərshi n. Bambara groundnut Vigna subterranea mgbədē n. thanks nggә̄ te mgbәdē bә̄ gyә̀ → I am thankful to all of you mgbəryàn pl. — n. fish (generic) mgbəga pl. — n. grass (generic) mgbə̀ryɔ̀ pl. mgbə̄ ryɔ̀ n. throat Mgbəga p.n. personal name mgbə̌ shi n. egusi melon Citrullus lanatus mgbə̌ shò pl. mgbəshò n. speargrass Imperata mgbə̀glò pl. mgbəglo n. toad cylindrica yәmē sē mgbәshò this is spear grass mgbəgɔ̀n n. local shoulder bag made of fan-palm ̀ leaves mgbətsā pl. mgbə̌ tsā n. spoon (metal or wood) mgbī pl. mgbi n. needle; injection mgbə̀hwà a. wide and big; an abusive word describing mouth kyɛn sē yә̄ nyū gu sē mgbīmgbī v. to greet someone properly nan nggә̄ tәywē zɛ mgbīmgbī → greet your father mgbә̀ hwà → see how his mouth is wide ̀ ̀ properly for me mgbəjə̀ pl. mgbə̀jə̄ n. cane stick mgblamgbla id. looking tough gu là kyɛn mgbə̀jī pl. mgbəji n. bush; wilderness; uninhabited place syn hwān. mgblamgbla me he cont. looking tough only mgbəlà pl. — n. tree sp. [Used to symbolise a mgblàn n. crag chestnut-winged starling compound that is deserted.] Gardenia aqualla Onychognathus morio mgblarì n. noon; mid-day; hot sun ban mgbәlà gyɔ̄ nkɔ̀ n → take a Gardenia and put it over the entrance mgblè pl. mgbəmgble n. upward slope; embankment mgbə̀là pl. mgbə̄ là n. wooden headboard mgbəlan n. tree sp. mgbo pl. mə̀mgbō n. inner cheek mgbò pl. mgbo n. bush yam mgbə̀lantù n. termite with large head mgbomgboyo adv. never at all; never nggә̄ la mgbə̀lo pl. mgbəlo n. tree sp. nan kì mē mgbomgboyo I neg. did thing this mgbəlɔkì pl. mgbə̀lɔkī n. log never not → I never do this mgbə̀mgbàn1 pl. mgbə̀mgbànkī n. sour thing mgbōn n. African golden oriole Oriolus auratus mgbə̀mgbàn2 n. sickness caused by man mgborεn pl. mgbòmgbǒrεn n. word 27 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary mgbɔ̄ pl. mgbə̄ mgbɔ̀ n. rice and beans cooked mkpən kyə̀gbò n. ben oil tree; horseradish tree together Moringa oleifera syn jəgule. mgbɔ̀1 pl. mgbə̄ mgbɔ̀ n. marsh; bog; swamp; fadama mkpə̀ryò s.v. to become weak; paralysed due to a mgbɔ pl. — n. 1) ball 2) group ̀2 sudden fright nggә̄ kan kū mkpә̀ ryò I then mgbɔ̀3 v. to gather at a place; assemble bә kyote became weak → I then became paralysed mgbɔ̀ ә tswē gyә̄ r they gather group at place Mkpə̄ ryòkī p.n. personal name one mkpə̀ywɛ̀ pl. mkpəywɛ̀ n. frog sp. small, sits on Mgbɔ̀kəji p.n. personal name leaves, not edible mgbɔ̌ n pl. mgbɔn n. stomach; belly syn nɛ̄ n. mkpi n. bundle (mostly of guinea-corn) (mostly Mgbɔ̀nē p.n. personal name of guinea-corn) Mgbɔnjɛ n. clan name ̀ mkpīr pl. mə̀kpīr n. gizzard mgbɔ̄ npər n. tooth-billed barbet Libius mkpìr pl. mkpə̄ mkpìr n. hip bidentatus mkpǐr n. grass sp. mgbrêmgbrē pl. — n. strength mkpītɔ̄ n, mkpɔntɔ̄ n n. deaf person mgbrɛn num. one (adjectival form as opposed to mkplǔn pl. mkplun n. small spherical object e.g. count form) nggә̄ sē bә̄ mbrɛn kì gyә̀ r me I palm-nut, eyeball, ball have only one thing mkpm n. bundle; bunch syn hwà. mgbrǐn adv. tight; tightly nggә̄ vun gu lwe mkpɔn n. body mgbrǐn I caught him carry hold tightly → I mkpɔ̌ n n. fatness vә̄ lɔn mū te mkpɔ̌ n man that has caught him firmly fatness mgbù pl. mgbu n. palm-wine gourd mkprìshì pl. mkprishì n. shaggy rat Dasymys mgbǔ n. to suffer incomptus mgbǔnmgbǔnmgbǔn id. sound of liquid being mkpūlɔ̄ tù pl. mkpulɔtu n. skull poured from a vessel kan mә̀ re jūn sū mkpumù pron. oneself (arch.) nggә̄ ryun lā mgbǔnmgbǔnmgbǔn. take palmwine remove mkpumù I cooked food myself put …… mkpun adv. finally; at an end; at last tә̄ nan du yә mgbyīr pl. mgbə̄ mgbyìr n. bush patch [When an krε mkpun we did work it finish end old man dies, a piece of bush is reserved for mkpūn pl. mə̀mkpūn n. bridge the end of the dry season. It is then burnt and Mkpūnmbə̄ p.n. personal name the hunters of the community go out, catch as mkpyɛ̀n n. knock on the head nggә cu gu mkpyɛ̀ n many animals as possible and give them to the I fetch him knock → I gave him a knock household of the dead man.] mla1 pl. mə̄ mla n. relation; kin mīn loc. inside; in; within syn nywī. mla2 pl. mlǎ v. to laugh nggә̄ là mla I cont. laugh miyāū-miyāū id. cry of a cat mәsà là gì de mlā1 a. left miyāū-miyāū cat cont. cry that mlā2 v. to press forcefully mlā lә̀ ywa mū ngǔn mkpān pl. — n. time press black ant that kill mkpàn n. buttocks of monkeys mlà pl. mə̀mlǎ n. first born mkpànē pl. mkpânē n. elderly person nggә̄ sē mlə̀ v. to grope; feel your way wә̄ là mlә̀ kū tswē mkpànē I am an elderly person → you can grope and follow the place syn mkpān fa n. harvesting season mə̀mə̄ mlə̀. mkpān mvri n. harmattan mò n. lie; falsehood; untruth; lying mò la ma wә̄ ̄ mkpān nəmān adv.p. sometime (near future) yo lie neg. fit you not → lying is not for you mkpān nәmān ә nggà bishi nggә lә nyә ̄ ̄ ̄ wә̄ là te mò you cont. make lies sometime in front I will come mpā pl. mpə̄ mpà n. ulcer; sore; wound; soreness mkpān sɔ̄ n n. planting season mpar nyū n. elephant-snout fish Mormyrus spp. Mkparū p.n. sky; God mpə n. cover (access hole to a granary); lid; mkparyə̀ n. pond-skater piece mkpəlà pl. mkpəla n. black kite Milvus migrans mpə̄ pl. mpə̀mpə̄ n. calabash; gourd mkpəlàshū pl. — n. sky; heavens mpəmprε pl. mpə̄ mprɛ̌ n. sheet mkpənǎ n. tree sp. ̀ mpənkɔ̀n pl. mpə̌ nkɔ̄ n n. door mpəryō mpə̄ ryò id. describing a colourful design on somebody’s body Usually a
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mkpən kyə̀gbò Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary frightening design. gu ngrɛn nәnè gu krè dә̀ it qualifies.) vә̄ lɔn mūn that man syn mū. car kpә mpәryō mpә̄ ryò → he saw somebody munyàn adv. probably; perhaps; maybe munyàn stand and has designed his body colourfully te tә̄ lә ngā nzεn. → maybe our father will mplǒ id. describes the sound of a stone dropped come in sometime syn kə̀ndà, məgē, məkē, inside water njwɛ̂ n, tə̀tɔ̀. mplomplomplo id. sound of water in one’s mur adv. completely; fully nggә̄ nan krɛ mur I do stomach as they run mә̀ sәr là tar cū ә nɛ̀ n finish completely mplomplomplo water cont. move at stomach mvān pl. mvānmvān a. disgusting; dirty; bad; ……. revolting mvē pl. mve n. sedge (generic) Cyperus spp. mvə̄ r n. red spider-mite mvə̄ rkì pl. mvə̄ rki n. beetles; general term mvlɔ̌ n pl. mvlɔn n. wild custard-apple Annona senegalensis mvre pl. mə̀mvrě, mvrě n. nose mvri pl. — n. cold; coldness mvri là te nggә cold mplɔ̄ n ̄ cont. has me → I’m feeling cold mvu n. greed gu là te mvu kәnàn mwɔ̄ n he cont. mplɔ̄ n pl. mplɔn n. side-blown horn [Made from make greed much a cow's horn and played together with the mvumvu pl. — n. greed for many things panpipes for festive occasions.] mvūmvùmvūn id. describes how vehicles or
people pass each other tә̄ vun kәywә̀ nga mpù pl. mpūmpù n. thigh mvūmvùmvūn we catch ourselves passed fast mpūr pl. mpūmpùr n. fear; terror; fright mpūr là fast te nggә̄ fear cont. make me mwāmwār a. naked; nude mpǔr pl. mpur n. blister mwēshɔ n. tree sp. mpǔr (mə̀) a. tasteless; bland (local beer) mә̀ mē mwetso n. black-crowned tchagra Tchagra ku mpǔr beer this fall tasteless senegala Mpǔrmə̀ p.n. personal name mwə̀n1 v. to get wә̄ lә la mwә̀ n yo you will neg. mpwǎrkədān n. plant sp. get nothing mre pl. — v. to swallow kan là mrè take food mwə̀n2 v. to rebuke; admonish nggә̄ mwә̄ n gu swallow nānrɛ̄ n → I rebuked him yesterday mren1 v. to drown gu kan dә̄ mren he take lost mwɔ̀ pl. mwɔ v. to kindle fire ywē mwɔ̀ glo → go drown make fire mren2 n. bush yam (splits into fingers) mwɔ̌ pl. mwɔ n. enlarged testicle; hydrocele mū dem. that; those (follows the noun it Dantsu ru mwɔ̌ → Dantsu has an enlarged qualifies) syn mūn2. testicle mūcā pl. — n. stirring stick for gruel mwɔn v. to be more than; surpass nggә̄ mwɔn wә̄ mùmū pl. — n. flour → I surpass you mūmūn pl. — n. maggot found in cow-dung Mwɔnbə p.n. personal name mūmùn pl. — n. winnowing tray Mwɔnshīn p.n. personal name mùmwɔ̀n pl. — n. shame; shyness; myô c.i. describes s.t. that is dark green lan embarassment mùmwɔ̀ n là te nggә̄ shyness kpәmkpàn mē sәr myô farm maize this black CONT do me → I'm shy green → The maize on the farm is dark green mū(n) loc. there gu sē ә mun he is at there mε n. season yә̀ mē sē mɛ̄ yә̄ glō this is season of mūn1 int. why? rain mūn2 dem. that; those (Form of mū realised before velars and bilabials. Follows the noun
N n nà1 v. to pass the night gu kàn nà he then pass the night 29 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary nà2 v. to copulate; to have sex Danrɛn bә̄ Mbә̄ rɛn ncə̄ pl. ncə n. witchweed [A parasite on sorghum] là na kәywә̀ Danrɛn with Mbə̄ rɛn cont. having Striga hermonthica sex ncə̀kpū n. go-between [intermediary between the nàgyə̀r pl. — num. thousand boy and girl’s house for marriage] nan pl. mə̀nan, nǎn n. flesh; meat; animal ncə̀ryɛ̌ n n. herb sp. with a single stem and edible nān p.u.t. emphasises content of sentence green leaves Corchorus sp. nàn pl. nan v. to do; make gu là nan ndu she ncɛ̄ pl. ncε n. tree sp. Hymenocardia acida cont. do work Nànggwe p.n. personal name Nangrɛ̄ n p.n. personal name nan hwān pl. mə̀nan hwān n. bush animal; wild animal Nankrè p.n. personal name Nankyɛn p.n. personal name nan ngwɔn v.p. to refuse hence to die (euphemism) gu ka dә̀ nan ngwɔn he/she ncɛ̄ ‘refused’ and still gave up nanrɛn adv. recently (not yesterday) tә̄ rɔ̄ nanrɛn ̀ ̀ ncɛlàdān pl. ncɛ̄ ladan n. gecko syn ncìlàdān. → we danced recently ̀ ncɛ̄ zə̄ zə̄ pl. ncɛ̄ zəzə n. caterpillar found on the nānrɛ̄ n adv. yesterday nggә ywe hwān nānrɛn I ̄ ̄ shea-tree went farm yesterday nci pl. ncīnci n. traditional district tә̄ sē bān nci nanrεn pl. — n. tongue syn rərεn. gyә̄ r bә̄ Likita we are those district one with nanrεn glo pl. — n. flame Likita nanrεn gyàr n. tree sp. ncìgǎn pl. — n. bean plant with edible tubers Nansɔ̀n p.n. personal name [tubers and beans are both eaten. Probably the nār1 pl. nar n. mongoose Ichneumia albicauda winged yam] [?] ncikla n. pygmy mouse Mus minutoides nār2 pl. — n. lightning ncikrè n. dormouse Graphiurus sp. nàr pl. nar v. to watch closely; watch out for nàr ncìlàdān pl. nciladan n. gecko syn ncɛ̀làdān, nggә gūgu mū watch me goat that ̄ njìlàdān. Nàrcūn p.n. personal name ncinrin n. small matters; minor issues nggә̄ la fɔ ncā pl. mə̀cə̄ ncà n. yam hut ncinrin rɛn yo I NEG look for small matters ncà1 excl. once upon a time (used to recall talk NEG → I'm not talking about minor former times.) ncà tә̄ sә̄ sē nywɛnzɛ̀ one time issues we were young ncìryɛ̄ n n. grass sp. used as fire-retardant tә̄ kan ncà n. yellow yam grown in gardens, with 2 ncìryɛ̄ n ywar tswē. We took some n. to block bitter and sweet types the place ncà brī n. yellow-fleshed tuber found in the bush nciryεn n. tree sp. [inedible] ncɔ̀ n. game of hiding a stone in one hand and Ncaka p.n. personal name asking s.o. to guess which one tә̄ là rɔ ncɔ̀ we ncān1 n. bird sp. cont. play hide…… ncān pl. — n. mud 2 Ncɔ̀cūn p.n. Ancho town Ncān p.n. personal name Ncɔ̀mishɔ̀n p.n. Ancho mission (< E.) ncancùn pl. məncancùn, ncǎncūn n. story; tale; ̀ ncɔ̂ n a. straight nggā mә̀ nggә̄ sē ncɔ̂ n pole my is narrative; folktale straight ncar v.n. crying out in pain; shrieking; yelling; ncū pl. mə̀tərncū n. black plum tree [edible fruit screaming fәvɛ̀ n là ngār ncar child this cont. and leaves] Vitex doniana break shriek syn dɔnrεn. ̀ ncùkùryɔ̄ pl. — n. fufu nggә̄ re ncùkùryɔ̄ I eat ncār n. disapproving click of the tongue wә̄ ta fufu nggә̄ ncār mūn? you throw me click why? ncuwɛ̀ id. describes carrying something and ncàr n. palm wine carelessly letting it fall mәsәr kan kàrɛ ncuwɛ̀ ncàwǔ v. to hang; to swing; suspend; dangle tә̄ là water take pour accidentally klә ncàwǔ we cont. hang swing syn klə̄ 2. ncwə̄ n n. grass sp. for demarcating boundary ncə pl. mə̀ncə n. tail 30 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary between portions of land nggә̄ se ncwә̄ n ә dә̄ r nə̄ nggyε pl. nənggyɛ̀ int. what? (Agrees with the lan nggә̄ bә̄ Nggyàrɛn I plant grass at number of the subject.) sē nә̄ nggyɛ yә̀ wә̄ là demarcation land mine with Nggyàrɛn nan? it is what which you cont. do? → What ncwə̄ r pl. — n. thorn are you doing? yә̄ mē sē nәnggyɛ̀ ? → What are ndān pl. — adv. inaudibly gu là rɛn ndān he these? cont. speak inaudibly nə̄ nlyɛ̄ n. biting ant sp. ndasan n. tree sp. nə̄ nlyɛ̄ cinjǐ n. biting ant sp. ndē 1) adv. for a long time; lengthy tә̄ kre mān te nə̄ nlyɛ̄ səmban n. biting ant sp. ndē. We stood there for a long time 2) a. long; nə̀r pl. nər v. to try; to attempt gu là nә̀ r he cont. tall try ndèndè adv. to stand upright; stand doglò krè nɛ̄ n pl. mə̀nɛ̀n n. belly; stomach syn mgbɔ̌ n. ndә̀ ndè get-up stand straight ngā1 pl. — n. sweat-fly ndə̄ adv. in line nyān su ndә horss put in line ngā2 pl. mə̀ngà n. jaw ndə̀ n. fish sp. Mormyrus rume ngā3 pl. nga v. to collapse; fall down tār nggә̄ ndə̄ ndɛ̀ pl. — n. chin nga room my has collapsed ndə̀ndɛ̀n n. slippery area (e.g. with mud) ngā4 pl. — v. to return; to gu ngā kә̄ he returned Ndənē p.n. personal name home syn kāgbm, mə̀rtu. ndə̀r pl. ndə̄ r n. okra; gumbo Abelmoschus ngalā pl. — v. to yawn gu là ngalā he cont. yawn esculentus ngàn1 pl. ngan v. to become part of tә̄ kan ngan ndō pl. ndo n. cow bә̄ bә we take become part of with them → we ndɔ̀ pl. — n. tree sp. became part of the same group ndu pl. ndū n. 1) work 2) message Tīyà te nggә̄ ngàn2 pl. ngan v. to report nggә̄ ngan rɛn yә sū ndu Grandfather make me message bә I reported the matter to them Ndwə̀r pl. Ndwər p.n. big masquerade that ngǎn pl. — v. to crawl; creep vɛ̄ n là ngǎn child comes afterwards to drive Rinze away cont. crawl nē1 pl. mə̄ nē n. person syn něnjì. Ngànsūbə p.n. personal name nē2 pl. — n. river; sea ngàr pl. ngār v. to break (as a bottle); smash; Nēgyə̄ r p.n. personal name crack open; be broken kә̀ mbә̀ ngar → the Nēkrɛ p.n. personal name calabash is broken syn tə̄ r2. nēnə̄ mān pron. somebody else nēnә̄ mān nkan Ngārɛn p.n. personal name [Applied to one who dan sә̄ sānmenàn → a different person said so addresses issues bluntly] něnjì pl. mə̄ nenjì n. human being; person syn Ngārgbù p.n. personal name nē1. ngarmpwà v. 1) to be wiped out; eliminated nə̄ pl. nə v. to give; let kan yә̄ nә̄ nggә̀ → give it kpә̀ kprɛ̀ nlywe bә dә̀ bә ngarmpwà → to me Smallpox killed them and they were wiped nə̀ v. to straighten out nә̀ kì mē → straighten out out 2) to dry up mә̀ sәr ngarmpwà water is my legs drying up [as a well] 3) to not produce proper nə̀ kpə v.p. to stretch out the body nggagyū là nә̀ fruits (groundnut) kpә dog cont. stretch out body ngə̄ 1 n. tree sp. bencwe ngarmpwà groundnut is nə̄ mān pron. another person kì mē sē yә̀ nәnè not producing fruits nә̄ mān nkan This thing belongs to someone ngə̄ 2 pl. — n. marriage, wedding else. ngə̀1 v. to press cloth gu là ngә̀ nggә̄ kī he cont. nə̀mē dem. like this nan nә̀ mē do like this press my things (clothes) nənè pron. person who (used in relative ngə̀2 v. to mix beniseed with leaves eaten raw as constructions.) tә̄ la tsә nәnè wān kan kì mē a food Yā là ngә̀ mgbākī mother cont. mix zwè ә sә̄ kànmē yo we neg. know person who leaves take thing this keep at place that not → We ngə̀3 v. to rub; scrub gu là ngә̀ zә he cont. rub don’t know who put this here legs nə̄ nə̄ pl. mə̀nə̄ nə̄ n. grinding stone ngəganmə n. hamerkop Scopus umbretta nə̀nə̄ pl. — v. to sleep; doze gu là kùr nә̀ nә̄ he cont. lie sleep nə̀nə̌ r adv. year or so ago; some time ago tә̄ rɛn rɛn mē nә̀ nә̌ r we talk matter this some time ago 31
ngəganmə Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary ngə̀ngǎn n. hotness; heat; warmth ngә̀ ngǎn là te nggɛrɛnggɛrɛng id. sound of bicycle bell kìkyɛ là nggә̄ hotness is doing me → I am hot te kә̀ rārāwā de ….. bicycle cont. make sound Ngə̀ngǎn p.n. personal name that nggā1 pl. ngga n. ladder; forked pole; river fork ngglan adv. brilliantly tswē lan ngglan place shine brilliantly ngglàn pl. ngglan n. purple glossy starling nggā2 pl. — n. fornication; sex; copulation vә̄ lɔn mē là te nggā man this cont. make fornication Lamprotornis purpureus nggà pl. ngga n. side; direction syn kəsàn. nggɔn n. big; leader; authority gu sē nggɔn he is Nggabē p.n. personal name leader nggɔ̀n pl. nggɔnnggɔn a. big; large; huge; vast Nggɔnggɔn Ri p.n. personal name nggre n. local hanger for drying meat by fireplace (basket-like) Tīyà kan nan sū ә nggre dә̀ kan klә̄ ә kәkrɛ̄ Grandfather take meat put inside hanger and take hang at fireplace nggrū n. wrinkles nggә̄ cu nggrū I fetch wrinkles nggā1 → I am wrinkled nggrεn v. 1) to make fun of, mock, ridicule Mbә̄ glā là nan Vәncɛ nggrɛn Mbə̄ glā cont. do Vəncɛ fun 2) to refuse to do s.t when asked gu nggà bishi loc. front; in front of; before wә kre ә là te nggrɛn tswē nan ndu yә → he is refusing nggà bishi nggә̀ → You stood in front of me to do the work nggà gɔ̄ n loc. behind; at the back of gu krè ә nggu n. confidence gu la sē bә̄ nggu yә̄ gu lә krè nggà gɔ̄ n wә̀ → He is standing behind you dә̀ mā bә̄ gu yo. → He’s not confident enough nggǎgyū pl. nggagyū n. dog nggә̄ tse nggǎgyū → to wrestle with him I beat the dog nggù pl. mə̀nggù n. feather nggǎgyū hwān pl. nggagyū hwan n. jackal Canis nggūnggū pl. — n. metal dish adustus nggūngwūr1 pl. mə̀nggūngwūr n. emerald snake nggǎgyū mə̀sər pl. nggagyū mə̀sər n. otter Aonyx Gastropyxis smaragdina capensis nggūngwūr2 pl. mə̀nggūngwūr n. vine; creeper; nggākì pl. mə̄ nggàkī n. branch of tree liana (general) Nggampwar p.n. personal name Nggwě pl. Nggwe p.n. Hausa man nggān adv. greatly; intensely; strongly lә̀ lān là nggwɔ̌ pl. — int. who? sē nggwɔ̌ ? it is who? tǎr ràn nggān scorpion cont. sting pain nggyə̄ r v. to stare; to look without blinking eyes; greatly to look straight ahead wә̄ là kyɛn kī nggyә̄ r nggà nzān n. east mwɔ̄ n you cont. look things without blinking Nggarē p.n. personal name much nggà rùglò n. west nggyɛ̌ int. what? nggyɛ̌ là nan wә̄ ? what cont. do nggà sə̀r n. south you? → What is happening to you? nggà shū n. north nggyɛ̀ rεn pl. — v.p. proverb; saying; maxim gu nggaswε pl. — n. twins là te nggyɛ̀ rɛn he cont. make proverb nggə̄ pron. I first singular subject pronoun ngla pl. — v. to wash gu là ngla kī he cont. wash nggə̀ pron. me (first singular object pronoun) things (clothes) nggə̀bān pl. nggəbān n. thatch rooftop ngre v. to add weight wә̄ ngre sū you add weight nggə̀r pl. nggər n. axe; hatchet put nggɛ̌ pl. mə̀nggɛ̌ n. ornamental axe held up ngrě1 v. to separate different items ngrě krī mē tè during the panpipe dance and for bwər nkānkān separate yams these make different rejoicing ngrě2 v. to roll over and fall gu ngre gyɛkū әtù kì sɔ̀ n he roll over fall from thing of-sitting Ngresubə p.n. personal name ngrɛ̄ n pl. ngrεn v. to see nggә̄ là ngrɛn wә̀ I cont. see you ngrin1 pl. — v. to give birth; deliver mbә̄ ngrin woman give birth 32
nggɛ̌ Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary ngrin2 pl. — v. to roll up a mat ngrin mbu man njò pl. njūnjo n. horn bàn zwè tàr roll up the mat and take it keep in njɔ pl. — n. whip syn ntswa. the room syn nyεn2. njūn pl. — n. space beneath a granary ngun v. to climb; mount gu là ngun shu he cont. njùn n. grass sp. Scleria verrucosa climb up Njùwàci p.n. personal name ngūn1 pl. nlywe v. to kill; murder; assassinate bә Njwě pl. Njwe n. masquerade nggә̄ ngrεn Njwě ngun vә̄ lɔn gyә̄ r → they killed one man sg. → I saw a masquerade nlywe. Njwě hwākī pl. — p.n. masquerade which ngūn2 v. to bail; scoop out water tә̄ là ngun appears during the funeral dance mә̀ sәr we cont. scoop water tә̄ nlywe kwɔ tun Njwě shīshā pl. — p.n. masquerade which ngǔnsū1 pl. — v. to add to wә̄ bla ngǔnsu you appears during the funeral dance cont. add to njwɛn pl. — n. interest; enthusiasm njwɛn là te ngǔnsū2 pl. — v. to do s.t. excessively; to overdo nggә bә ndu mē interest cont. making me with nggә̄ kur nә̀ nә̄ ngunsu I lay sleeping too much work this → I overslept njwɛ̂ n adv. maybe; possibly; perhaps gu lә sē kә̀ ngwār v. to filter; strain; sieve; sift Yā là ngwār njwɛ̂ n he will be home maybe or likely → mә̀ sәr Mother cont. filter water syn sɛ̀n. maybe he’ll come home syn kə̀ndà, munyàn, ngwɔn pl. ngwɔ̌ n, mə̀ngwɔn n. hand; arm tə̀tɔ̀. Ngwɔn Ri n. personal name nka adv. four days hence Ngwɔnrì p.n. personal name nkā pl. nka n. fig tree sp. Ficus thonningii ngwur1 pl. — v. to hit; ring; pluck reed nkan1 n. gamba grass Andropogon gayanus instrument; pluck nggә̄ là ngwur gә̀ ntē I cont. nkan2 n. s.t. dried kwɔ la kù nkan mbɛ̄ yo → play the zither guinea-fowl is yet to be dried ngwur2 pl. — v. to skin an animal tә̄ là ngwur nkanka id. proudly; boastfully gu là sa mәnē rɛn gūgu we cont. skin goat nkanka me he answers people talk proudly ngwur ngār1 v.p. to circulate; spread; diffuse rɛn only kan ngwur ngār tswē matter then break round nkan nan n. dried meat place nkan, nkânnkān adv. differently; separately; ngwur ngār2 v.p. to break into pieces; smash gu apart vu kī mē tè nkânnkān → put these things ban kә̀ mbә̄ ngwùr ngār he take calabash break apart into pieces nkan ntàn n. dried skin njār pl. mə̀njàr n. nest nkarɛ̀n pl. nkarεn n. very large pot for liquids njàrkpà pl. njārkpà n. male cricket resting in a hole in the ground njārrr id. sound of a door bell kì yә̀ nyūlәnkɔ̀ n là nkə̄ n. cow-itch vine [A vine with hairy pods that gì njārrr thing of door cont. cry ….. stings badly] Mucuna pruriens njə̀r pl. njər n. worm (applied both to earthworms and intestinal worms) njī pl. njīnji n. knife yә̀ mē sē njī → this is a knife njì1 adv. forever; eternally nggә̄ lә ywē sɔ̀ n ә Kә̄ gbә njì I fut. go sit at Akwanga forever njì2 n. grass sp. njìlàdān pl. njiladan n. gecko syn ncìlàdān. njīmgbàn pl. mə̀njīmgbàn n. sword njìnjà pl. — n. beniseed; brown sesame cultivar nkə̄ Sesamum indicuum njìnjakì pl. njīnjàkī n. rag nkəgbò pl. nkəgbo n. pawpaw; papaya njìnja nkùlwè pl. njīnjà nkulwe n. piece of cloth ̀ [Cultivated for its edible fruit] Carica papaya from a wrapper syn ywēmkpər. njìnjɛ̄ v.n. going on and on about s.t.; ‘dragging’ ̀ nkə̂ nkə a. rough (surface) an issue vә̄ lɔn mē te njìnjɛ̄ rɛn kәnàn me man nkí n. tree sp. this make dragging talk plenty only → This nkinē pron. something nggә la nan nkinē yo I man goes on and on about one thing ̄ neg. do something not njìnjì pl. — n. truth nklaglo n. burning charcoal njo pl. mə̀njǒ n. penis; prick 33 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary nklambrī pl. — n. charcoal gu cu nklambrī sū ә nkyɛn ywә̄ → this is the remaining part of it glo yә̄ he put charcoal in the fire nlyɛ̄ 1 pl. — n. lightning nklān pl. — n. black substance made from locust nlyɛ̄ 2 num. four pods used to seal winnowing trays Mashi là nlyɛ̄ ndu p.n. Thursday gbà mūmù nklān Mashi cont. smear nlywe v. to kill (pl.) nggә̄ nlywe mә̄ nē tar. I killed winnowing tray people three sg. ngūn1. nkɔn pl. kə̄ nkɔn n. elbow; ankle nrìnmē adv. today nkɔ̀n1 pl. nkɔ̄ n, nkɔ̄ nkɔ̄ n, mə̀nkɔ̀n n. door ntan pl. — n. argument; debate gyә̄ là rē ntan de nkɔ̀n2 pl. kə̄ nkɔ̀n n. road; way; path; track; trail nә̄ nggyε? you cont. eat argument that give Nkɔ̀ncɔ̀ p.n. personal name what (why?) Nkɔ̀nggwe p.n. personal name ntān pl. — n. wrinkles Nkɔ̀nkyū p.n. personal name ntàn pl. ntān n. skin Nkɔ̀nrɛ p.n. personal name ntanntan pl. — a. thin lә̀ gā nggә̄ sē ntanntan Nkɔ̀nryān p.n. personal name shirt my is thin nkɔ̀n tsɔ̌ pl. kə̄ nkɔ̀n tsɔ̌ n. tarred road Ntànrin p.n. personal name Nkɔ̀nyān p.n. personal name ntǎr pl. — n. slap on the back gu te nggә̄ ntǎr ә nkɔ̄ nzə̀ pl. nkɔ̄ nzə n. heel gɔ̄ n he slapped me on the back nkɔ̀n zə̄ pl. kə̄ nkɔ̀n zə̄ n. railway; tracks ntēn adv. describes watching intently kyɛn gu nkrē1 pl. — n. scales of a fish ntēn nә̄ gu man ka gbladә̄ yo look him nkrē2 pl. — n. disease which gives the skin a intently let him should neg. disappear not → scaly appearance watch him carefully to make sure he doesn't nkrētəgya pl. nywεn nkrētəgya n. sand fox vanish [identification uncertain; perhaps the jackal] ntə̄ nāntsò pl. ntənantso n. chameleon Vulpes pallida ntənntən a. smooth gɔ̄ n tsә̄ mū sē ntәnntәn nkrǐn1 pl. nkrin n. tree sp. outside pot that is smooth syn sən. nkrǐn2 pl. — a. round; circular tār yә̄ yā sē nkrǐn ntə̄ r pl. — n. clay room of my mother is round ntə̀ywàn pl. nywɛ̂ n ntəywan n. ground squirrel nkrù pl. nkrū n. male sheep; ram Euxerus erythropus nkū n. file snake Mahelya poensis ntɛ̄ pl. — n. saliva, spittle nkǔ n. break in rainfall glō sa nkǔ rainfall put ntɛ̀ pl. ntɛ̄ n. 1) hydrocele; swollen testicle break 2) testicle nkulwe pl. nkùlwè n. cloth; fabric ntɔ̄ pl. — v. to swing on a rope gu là klә ntɔ̄ he nkūr1 pl. nkur n. crocodile Crcodylus niloticus cont. hang swing nkūr2 pl. nkur n. sausage tree Kigelia africana ntsē n. strawberry tree ntsər pl. — n. purity ntsə̄ r adv. describes spitting saliva straight gu sar nggә̄ ntɛ̄ ntsә̄ r he cut me saliva straight ntsɛ adv. describes the smell of adolescents or the bad smell of fish vә̄ nggә̄ mē nyɔn ntsɛ girl this smell bad nggә̄ là gwɔ ntsɛ mgbәryàn I cont. ‘hear’ bad odour of fish ntsɛ̄ pl. ntsɛ n. star ntsɛ̄ kì pl. ntsɛkī n. pimples; body spots; nkūr2 ̄ blemishes ntsɛ̄ kì sa wә̄ ә ngà pimple is-on you at cheek nkùwu pl. nkuwu n. owl ntsɛn pl. — n. wooden arrow nkwār pl. — n. kenaf Hibiscus cannabinus ntsū pl. — n. maggot nkwɔ̄ pl. nkwɔ n. tree sp. Terminalia spp. ntswa pl. — n. whip syn njɔ. nkyə̄ r pl. nkyənkyər n. group nkyәr nē → group ̄ ̀ ̄ ntswē pl. ntswe n. burrowing locust (of) people ntsεn n. saddlebill stork Ephippiorhynchus nkyɛ̄ n pl. — n. fist kyɛn nkyɛn yә nggә lә ngwùr ̀ ̀ ̄ senegalensis wә mē see the fist which I will hit you this ̄ ntεn pl. — n. backyard [ also stands for a place Nkyɛnnē p.n. personal name where people defecate] nkyεn pl. nkyεnnkyεn n. remaining part yә̀ mē sē nùwàr v. to ambush nggә̄ là nuwar vɛ̄ n mē dә̀ 34 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary man kyɛn kì yә̀ gu lә nan I cont. ambush boy nyə̄ r…rin v.p. to circumcise bә là nyәr gu rin this and see thing which he will do they cont. circumcise him nggә̄ là nyәr wә̀ I nvər id. describing the look on s.o.’s face sē sɛn cont. deceive you dә̀ wә sɔn nvәr menàn? It is how you are nyɛ̄ n1 pl. — n. small insects [general term for looking tough like that? (i.e. not smiling) small insects which does not include beetles, nvɛ v. to tie or hold oneself gu kpan tәr nvɛ̄ he tie mvə̄ rkì] waist tightly nyɛ̄ n2 pl. — n. trivial things gu là tān nyɛ̄ n rɛn nvɔ̄ kī n. hidden place; concealed place tә̄ klwe kә mwɔ̄ n he cont. pick trivial things talks much nyә̄ r ә nvɔ̄ kī we ran go hide at [a] concealed → he goes on and on about minor details place vūn nɛ̄ n grì nvɛ catch stomach hold nyɛ̀n pl. nyɛ̄ n n. tick tightly Nyɛ̌ nme p.n. personal name nvyūūng id. sound of a motorcycle speeding gwɔ Nyɛ̌ nnē p.n. personal name gì bàbәr mūn mәgyә̀ r nvyūūng hear (the) nyɛ̂ nnyɛ̄ n pl. — a. very small kī mē sē nyɛ̂ nnyɛ̄ n sound of that motorcycle things these are very small nwə̄ nzàn n. tree sp. nyi pl. — v. to roll up (as roofing grass) nyǐ lә̀ lwè nwɔ̄ n n. slender mongoose Herpestes sanguinea mē → roll up this grass syn nyεn2. nwɔ̌ n n. rubber vine Landolphia owariensis, nyī pl. nyi n. elephant Saba florida nyì pl. nyi n. python Python sebae nyìnyī pl. nyīnyī n. soup nyɔ̄ n1 pl. — v. 1) to scrub s.o.’s back nggә̄ là nyɔn mbә̄ kә̀ nggә̄ gɔ̄ n I cont. scrub wife my back 2) to rub; to reduce the pain caused by the sting or bite of an insect nyɔ̄ n nggә̄ zә → rub my leg nyɔ̄ n2 pl. — v. to thresh acca without sticks tә̄ là nyɔn ntsu we cont. thresh acca nwɔ̌ n nyɔ̌ n pl. — v. to smell; to stink tswē nyɔ̌ n → the place smells nyɔ̄ n mə̄ adv. describes walking stiffly as a result nyàn1 pl. nyān n. horse of shame kyɛn ywe yә gu lә ywe nyɔ̄ n mә̄ nān nyàn2 pl. mə̄ nyinyàn n. people who share ̀ see go which he will go with shame, isn’t it? maternal uncles Rìdan sē nyàn nggә Rìdan ̀ ̂ shares maternal uncle with me nyɔnnyɔ̀n id. describes walking lazily kàsә zәr nyɔnnyɔn nәmē yo don’t walk lazily like that nyānmē dem. here nyә nyānmē come here syn ̄ ̀ ̀ not sə̄ kànmē. nyū pl. mənyū n. mouth nyàn mkparu pl. nyan mkparu n. praying mantis ̀ nyū lə̄ nkɔn pl. mənyə lūnkɔn n. door; doorway; (? Hausa calque) ̀ ̀ ̄ ̄ entrance nyàr pl. nyar n. louse nyūrεn pl. mənyūrεn n. language nyâr adv. of the same height mәtәrkī mē krè nyâr ̀ ̀ nywār-nywār id. describes leaving in trees these stand the same embarassment after a request is refused gu kàn nyə v. to come nyә nggә̄ kyɛn come (let) me see ̀ kà tswēywә dɔn nywār-nywār → he then left nyənyər pl. — a. raw krī mē sē nyәnyәr yam this ̄ ̀ ̀ ̀ the place in embarrassment is raw nywī loc. inside; in; within gu sē ә nywī tàr → nyə̄ nyɔ̄ n pl. nyənyɔ̌ n n. leather thong made of ̀ He is inside the room syn (ə)nywī, mīn. goatskin; grass whip nyεn v. to love; to embrace gu là nyεn nggә he nyənyǔn pl. — n. grass sp. 1 ̄ ̀ is loving me nyər1 pl. — v. to enter; come in nyә̌ r nyә enter ̀ nyεn v. to roll up nyɛ̌ n mbu mē roll up this mat come 2 syn ngrin2, nyi. nyər2 pl. — v. to thank nggә̄ nyәr Mkparu I nzan pl. — n. food made from boiled guinea- thank God corn nyə̄ r pl. — v. to hide; conceal gu klwe kә̄ nyә̄ r he nzān pl. — n. sunrise; daybreak; dawn ran go hide Nzàn p.n. village name in Kəmgbɔ clan nyə̌ r pl. nyər n. tooth; teeth ̀ nzār pl. nzàr n. hoe Nyərèrè p.n. personal name nzě pl. — n. hiccup gu là te nzě he cont. make 35 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary hiccup eyes, but not to read syn gè, mē1. nzənze n. ululation nzәnze mū sē yә̄ nә̄ nggyɛ? nzɔ̂ a. a few tә̄ sē nzɔ̂ me we are few only ululation that is for what? nzɔ̌ adv. again gu nan yә̄ nzɔ̌ he do it again nzə̀nzər pl. — n. partition of a room Nzɔ̌ me p.n. personal name [Possibly the baby is nzə̄ nzɛ̄ pl. — n. chain either a boy or girl who is following another nzə̀nzɛ̀ pl. — n. grass sp. Hyparrhenia one] involucrata nzɔ̄ n pl. — p.n. festive dance [involves shaking nzə̄ nzɛ̄ tə̄ pl. — n. necklace vә̄ nggә̄ mū klә the back. Played for weddings etc. The nzә̄ nzɛ̄ tә̄ girl that hung necklace → girl that mə̄ nggla iron clapper is used.] has put on a necklace nzu1 pl. — n. cripple nzɛ̄ pl. — v.n. dressing up; fitting (clothes) gu te nzu2 pl. — n. strong wind [If you are touched by nzɛ̄ he make dressing up this wind then will become a cripple, hence nzɛ̌ 1 pl. nywɛ̂ n nzε n. plantain-eater Corythaeola this is the same word.] spp. nzū pl. — n. tree sp. Pteleopsis suberosa nzɛ̌ 2 pl. nywɛ̂ n nzε n. rat sp. nzεn adv. later on nzɛn wә̄ man nyә̀ later on you Nzɛmwɔ̀n p.n. personal name should come nzɛ̂ nmē adv. now; nowadays; present mkpān yә̄ nε n. wild date-palm Phoenix reclinata nzɛ̂ nmē time of nowadays → these days nywɛnzɛ̀ bān nzɛ̂ nmē la fɛ bishi te tswe blā yo. Those young boys of today open up their
nε
P p pàr pl. par n. spear make bicycle cry that … pə̄ pl. pə n. upper arm prē pl. — n. drink made of guinea corn nggә̄ là pə̀làpəle pl. — n. oar; paddle (< H.) sә prē I cont. drink prē pə̄ mpān pl. — n. tin can (< H.) pûrpùr id. tender; fresh (of budding flower) pə̀r v. to be sour shǔn mәnggә̀ rō mē pә̀ r mgbo tәrkì mē tɔ mgbā pûrpùr tree this bud leaves fruit mango this very sour cheek tender and fresh pə̌ r v. to crush dry leaves (usually for making pwà s.v. to be undeveloped (groundnuts) bencwē soup) Mbә̄ cā là pә̌ r mgbākī kukù Mbə̄ cā cont. ku pwà groundnut fell undeveloped crush dry leaves pwapwa id. describes the sound of clapping pə̄ rkì pl. pərkī n. cane hands gyә̄ tsē gu ngwɔn pwapwa you beat him pîpī a. dark black vә̄ lɔn mūn sә̌ r kpә pîpī man hands … that black body blackness pwâr adv. brightly bishi nggә̄ tsa pwâr face mine plò pl. plôplò v. to put excessive pomade on the shine brightly body ((the plural is for emphasis)) kyɛn sē yә̀ pwə̂ adv. carelessly (talk) gu ban rɛn mē dān pwә̂ wә̄ vu mә̀ nyɛ̀ n plò kpә see how you carry me he took matter this say carelessly only → pomade lavish your-body He took this matter very casually pɔ̄ mpɔ̄ n id. sound of horn of a train or lorry gbm pwɔ̄ pl. — num. eleven là te gì de pɔ̄ mpɔ̄ n train cont. make sound that pyâr s.v. to be chilled mә̀ sәr mē sù dәr pyâr …. water this cool heart chill pɔ̄ mpuu id. sound of horn of a motorcycle (rubber type) gu là te kìkyɛ gì de … he cont.
36 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary
R r ra1 pl. — s.v. to be bald vә̄ lɔn mū ra tu man that bitter syn re2. is-bald (of) head rərɛ̄ pl. — a. long, tall mgbәrīn mē sē rәrɛ̄ rope ra2 v. to give ceremonially; present formally vun this is long kә̀ kә̄ ra nggә̄ catch hen give me rərɛ̀ adv. few days ago ra3 v. to dream nggә̄ ra rīn bū I dream this night rəryar n. termite sp. → I dreamed this night rərεn n. tongue syn nanrεn, rεnrεn. rā n. dream Tsɛ̄ ncun ra rā yә̄ tɔ̀ yo Tsɛ̄ ncun rɛ̄ 1 pl. mə̀rɛ̄ n. front of the house tә̄ sɔn ә rɛ̄ → dreamed dream of good not → Tsɛ̄ ncun had a we are sitting at the front of the house nightmare mgbәrīn mē rε rope this is long rà pl. — v. to lick gyә̄ ka vu nyìnyī rà krɛ̀ yo you rɛ̄ 2 pl. rε, mə̀tər rɛ̄ n. sasswood Erythrophleum neg. carry soup lick finish not guineense ràn1 pl. ran n. gelded, castrated goat syn rə̌ 1. rɛ̄ 3 v. to apply to ràn2 v. to pain sharply; hurt Kә̀ mvrè ngwɔ̀ là ràn rɛ̀ pl. rε v. to buy; sell nggә̄ là kә rɛ̀ wu I cont. nggә̄ . finger cont. pain me (go) buy medicine nggә̄ là kan wu rε I cont. rànkpə s.v. to be difficult; problematic vә̄ lɔn mē take medicine sell rànkpә this man is not very easy rɛ̄ kə̀ n. enclosed area around granary re1 v. to be; is sān nggә̄ re Barau my name is rɛn1 n. stump of a worn hoe or anything iron Barau nzār nggә̄ rɛn krɛ hoe my ‘talk’ finish → only re2 s.v. to be bitter mә̀ sәr re water is bitter syn a stump remains rərè. rɛn2 n. matter, issue re3 s.v. to be sharp njī wә̄ re knife your is sharp rɛ̀n pl. rεn n. large water-pot rɛ̀ n mū sē yә̀ rē1 pl. re n. oil-palm Elaeis guineensis nggwɔ̌ ? pot that is of who? → whose pot is rē2 v. to eat; consume nyә tә̄ re lā come we eat that? food Rɛ̀nē p.n. personal name rē3 v. to defeat; to win; vanquish; conquer tә̄ re Rɛnkrɛ p.n. personal name bә ә kɔ̄ n → we defeated them in war Rɛnmwɔ̄ n p.n. personal name rē be v.p. to enjoy; to appreciate; to relish wә̄ là rɛ̂ n nggyε int. why? Tsɛ̄ ncun ngwur wә̄ rɛ̂ n-nggyε rē be you cont. eat forever → you will Tsɛ̄ ncun hit you why? → Why did Tsencun hit continue to enjoy [it] you? rē ntan v.p. to argue; debate; to discuss gyә̄ là rē rɛ̌ no adv. sometime in the past, ago ntan de nә̄ nggyε? you cont. eat argument that Rɛnsər p.n. personal name - why? → why are you harping on about that? Rɛnshāmān p.n. personal name syn vεn. Rɛnshū p.n. personal name rērè adv. slowly ywē rērè me go slowly ri c.i. very dirty, black gu sәr ri he is black very rə adv. three days hence; from now nggә̄ lә nyɛ̄ rә rì1 pl. rīrī n. day; sun; God rì yә̀ rīmē sē nggyɛ̌ ? → I will come three days from now. day of today is what? rə̌ 1 pl. rə n. castrated goat syn ràn1. rì2 pl. ri v. to ask; request nggә̄ là ri wә̄ rɛn I rə̌ 2 pl. rə n. termite sp. cont. ask you question rə̀cǔn n. termite sp. rìbū pl. — n. night rə̀demə̀ n. tiger bittern Tigriornis leucolopha rìcī pl. rīcī n. musk shrew Crocidura spp. rə̄ hyε pl. — n. mistletoe Tapinanthus or Rìdan p.n. personal name Loranthus spp. rìglò pl. — n. evening, dusk, twilight rə̀kyε n. sugar-cane (< H.) Rìgwɔ p.n. personal name rə̀mgbyìr pl. rəmgbyir n. house-bat [live in caves rì gyə̀r n. one day dān nggә̄ rì gyә̀ r yә̀ wә̄ nyә̄ tell and hunted for food] me day one which you (will) come rə̌ ncε n. grasshopper Rījà p.n. Rija town Rənyū p.n. personal name rìjī pl. rījī n. sickle (< H.) rəre n. hanger near fireplace Rìkyɛn p.n. personal name rərè pl. — a. bitter mә̀ sәr mē sē rә̄ re water this is Rìla p.n. personal name 37 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary rìmū pl. — n. day before yesterday rūrūlə pl. rùrūlə n. pied crow rin n. oath gu shә rin he took oath ryan n. chicken droppings vǔ ryan kә̄ kә̄ mē dèbә̀ rīn1 v. to wipe (as a soup dish) rīn nyìnyī ә pack dropping of chicken this give-way nggūnggū wipe out soup in dish ryān v. to hunt Bān Mә̀ da sē bān là ryan kәnàn rīn2 v. to extinguish fire; quench ywē rīn glo ә me. Mada be cont. hunt many tàr go extinguish fire in room ryǎncū n. grass sp. Rinangrɛn p.n. personal name ryǎ ngwɔn n. reward nggә̄ kpә ryǎ ngwɔn nggә̀ Rìnanrɛn p.n. personal name → I have received my reward Rìnə p.n. personal name ryàr v. to persuade; convince nggә̄ là ryar gu I Ringrɛn p.n. personal name am trying to persuade him/her Rīntān p.n. personal name ryārkī n. fibrous dirt inside water nggә̄ kә kū ә rintu v. to go out of sight, vanish, disappear nggә̄ tswē ryārkī I take follow at place of fibres kyεn vә̄ lɔn mū mâ ndē gu rintu I looked at (inside water) man that until long-time he went out of sight ryə̀n v. to go backward; backslide; reverse Rín zē p.n. masquerade which appears every five ryɛ̄ n. ridge years; initiation cycle for young boys ryɛ̀1 v. to dig s.t. out of sand tә̄ là ryɛ krī we cont. Rin-zè p.n. personal name dig yams riri a. thin; slender mgbәrīn mē sē riri rope this is ryɛ̀2 v. to seize; take s.t. by force from s.o. nggә̄ thin (? < H.) ryɛ gu dә̀ kpә kә̄ jī I force hands his and ririmə̀ n. Smyth’s water-snake Grayia smithii receive money Risangwɔn p.n. personal name ryɛ̄ n n. whitlow Rìsēbə̄ tə̄ p.n. personal name ryò1 n. antelope sp. Rìsēnggɔn p.n. personal name ryò2 pl. ryǒryò v. to roast (tubers) in charcoal gu Rìsēnyɛn p.n. personal name là ryò fәkrì ә tә̀ ntɔ̄ n glo → he is roasting a Rìshāmā p.n. personal name small yam in ashes of fire Rìtɔ̀nzɛ̄ p.n. personal name ryôryō a. soft mә̀ mē sē ryôryō the ground is soft Rìtsə p.n. personal name ryɔ̄ pl. — n. eczema; dermatitis ro v. to cross (water) tә̄ ro nē we cross river syn ryɔ̂ id. describes how s.o. has an innocent face gu zà. là kyɛn nggә̄ ryɔ̂ → he is looking at me with rō n. boil syn shīshī1. an innocent expression rǒ s.v. to be heavy mgbantә̄ rǒ mē stone heavy ryɔ̌ pl. — n. pounded yam this → this heavy stone mgbantә̄ mē rǒ stone ryɔryɔ a. describing how narrow a path is nkɔ̀ n this is heavy mē sē ryɔryɔ me → this path is just too narrow rôrō a. soft; succulent; tender sәsә̄ vә̄ nggә̄ mē sē ryɔryɔ̀ id. describes a loose animal following rôrō breasts girl this are succulent syn sheepishly gu su nggǎgyū dә̀ yә zwe gu mān mə̀ndɛ̀rɛ̀. ryɔryɔ̀ → he loosed the dog and it followed rɔ̄ pl. — v. to play tә̄ là ro we cont. play him sheepishly rɔn v. to make ridges nggә̄ là rɔn I am farming ryùn1 v. to cook; to extract oil by cooking bān kә̀ rù pl. ru, rū v. 1) to resemble gu ru wә̄ he tә̄ là ryun mә̀ nyɛ̀ n sә̄ r those house (people) resembles you kwɔ ru kwɔ, tse ru tse bush ours cont. extract palm oil ywē ryun nggә̄ lā fowl resembles bush fowl, guinea-fowl go cook (for) me food resembles guinea-fowl → like father, like son ryùn2 v. to bury; inter nggә̄ là ywe tswē ryùn kɔn 2) to come out; emerge kә̀ kә̄ I cont. go place bury carcass chicken ru gbàr v.p. goitre vә̄ lɔn mē ru gbàr man this has ryùn…kyɛn v.p. to look at s.o. with suspicion wә̄ goitre là ryùn nggә̄ kyɛn mūn? you cont. look-at me runcə̄ v. to run fast (water after a heavy rain) suspiciously, why? mә̀ sәr runcә̄ water runs fast → water runs fast rε1 n. thirst rε là te nggә̄ thirst cont. has me rur, rər n. tree sp. rε2 s.v. to be long nkɔ̀ n Ndә̄ ywān rε road Andaha ruru n. alarm ruru mū sē yә̄ nә̄ nggyɛ? alarm that is long it-is for what? rεn1 v. to speak; tell; say nggә̄ dān rεn yә̄ Rì rūrū1 n. thread; twine; cord nānrɛ̄ n I told word of God yesterday rūrū2 n. fishing-net rεn2 pl. mə̀rεn n. matter; issue mә̀ rɛn te jùn rūrū gantàn n.p. spider web; cobweb Corvus matters are plenty albus rεn3 pl. mə̀rεn n. talk rɛn mē tɔ̄ nzɛ̄ talk this is 38 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary good rεnrεn n. tongue rεnrεn nggә̄ te mpā tongue my rεndē adv. for a long time nggә̄ lә sɔ̀ n rεndē bә̄ do soreness → my tongue is sore syn rərεn. gyә̄ I will stay long time with you
S s sà1 pl. sa v. 1) to retain; sit on mān klā yә sà tè vē sə̄ kànmē loc. here kә̄ nggә̄ sē ә sә̄ kànmē house tāmgbā dә̀ mān sә̄ vū there fry they retain my is here syn nyānmē. make days seven and there PST carry.away sə̄ kànmū loc. there ywē bàn dǎ ә sә̄ kànmū lwe 2) to put on nyә̀ go take cutlass at there carry come sà2 pl. sa v. to answer; respond; reply sa gu rεn sə̄ mban a. red bә̀ r wә̄ sē sә̄ mban cap your is red yә̄ gu là rεn bә̄ wә̄ answer him which he cont. syn grɛ̌ n. talk with you sən v. to be smooth mgbantә̄ mē sәn kpә stone Sàbərɛn p.n. personal name this is smooth thick syn ntənntən. sān1 pl. mə̀sān n. name sə̌ n n. cowpea plant sān2 pl. mə̀sān n. rib; side of body; cornstalk sər1 v. to change; exchange; transform sә̌ r nggә̄ sàn1 pl. san n. basket lә̀ gā mē change (for) me shirt this sàn2 v. to mix termites with beniseed Mbә̄ dān là sər2 s.v. to be black vә̄ lɔn mū sә̌ r man that sàn begywī ә kә̀ Mbə̄ dān cont. mix termites at be.black home sə̀r loc. beneath; under; below mә̀ sәr glә sә̀ r sanga v. to put cheek (jokingly) yә̀ mē sē nggә là mgbantә̄ water pass under stone sanga me lә this is I cont. just joking only sə̄ sān1 adv. as; like gu nan sә̄ sān tә̄ kyun zwē he now did as we gather keep syn sə̄ sānmenàn. sa nkū v. to leave s.t. for s.o. based on seniority sə̄ sān2 pl. — n. cornstalks nggә̄ là ywe tswē tān nggә̄ kan sa wә̄ nkū I take it put on you sә̄ sān I cont. go place collect cornstalks because of seniority sə̀sàn n. herb sp. laxative used to treat children Sà ntān p.n. personal name sə̄ sānmenàn adv. like that; so tә̄ kyun sàpə̌ r pl. sapər n. soap (< H.) sә̄ sānmenàn we gather like that → we sar1 pl. — v. to be slippery tswē là sar place arranged it like that syn sə̄ sān1. cont. is slippery səsemgbɔ̀ n. red-headed lovebird Agapornis sar2 v. to slaughter (pl.) sǎr kә̄ kә̄ mē tә̄ cut pullaria chickens these necks səsə̄ pl. səsə n. breast; tit sàr tu v. to comb hair nggә̄ là sar tu I cont. comb sə̀sɛ̀ adv. in the past kә gyә̄ r sә̀ sɛ̀ one time in the sàzwē v. to follow in order of birth Mbә̄ do sazwē past Mankɔ̀ n Mbə̄ do followed Mankɔ̀n sə̀sɛ̀mu adv. long ago gu kyu sә̀ sɛ̀ mu he die long se adv. until se mbrε until tomorrow syn màndē. ago → he died long ago (< H. sai) sə̄ sɛ̀n pl. — n. beer filter yә̀ mē sē sә̄ sɛ̀ n this is sē1 v. to be; is; are nywεn nggә̄ sē ywā children beer filter my are two sə̀sɛ̄ n pl. — n. large swelling [large swelling that sē2 v. to plant; transplant nggә̄ là ywe tswē sē kpu can appear under the armpits or on the breast. I cont. go place transplant guinea corn Filled with pus, it is usually drained by sə v.aux. progressive future marker gu lә sә̀ nan piercing with a hot iron] ndu yә he will be doing work sɛ̀ bər int. how long? how much? wә̄ rε kpɔ̄ mē sə̄ 1 v.aux. completed past marker gu sә̄ nàn ndu kә̄ jī sɛ̀ bәr? you buy bag this money much yә he did the work how? wә̄ ban sε bәr dә̀ là nan ndu mē you sə̄ 2 pl. sə v. to drink gu là sә̄ mә̀ sәr he cont. drink take years how many and cont. do work this? water → How long have you been doing this work? sə̀ v.aux. progressive present marker gu sә̀ sē sɛ̀n v. to filter liquids; to strain; sieve vә̄ nggә̄ là wāndɔ̀ he cont. be farming sɛ̀ n prē girl is filtering kunu syn ngwār. səka n. gravel Yā de wә̄ cu sәka cà gu mān sɛ̌ n int. how? wә̄ sē sɛ̌ n you are how? Mother (said) that you fetch gravel bring her Sɛnmgbə̄ p.n. personal name sə̀kā n. rice (< H. shinkafa) sɛ̀ tāndà num. eighty nggә̄ sē bә̄ brɛ krī sɛ̀ tāndà 39 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary I be with yam heaps eighty shī2 n. tree sp. sɛ̀ tàr num. thirty sε nggә̄ sē sε sɛ̀ tàr years I am shì1 pl. — n. leprosy years thirty shì2 n. coolness of room due to excessive rainfall shā v. to be present gu shā he is present syn tār mē ban shì te room this take coolness shāmān. make → this room is cool Shākwɔ p.n. personal name shirì adv. in the open; openly; public rɛn mē kur shāmān v. to be present; to exist gu shāmān ә kә̀ be shirì menān the matter is lie out openly he is-present at home syn shā. only → the issue is out in the public shān n. acca cultivar [brown, it swells when shisha n. residue of acca; groundnut; chaff cooked] shishà a. describes s.o. who looks pale because shàn pl. shān v. to fetch water from a stream shàn of intoxication from wine or drugs gu sә mә̀ mә̀ sәr shɛ̄ tsә mē fetch water fill these pots dә̀ sē shishà gu me he drank wine and is pale shǎn v. to despise wә̄ shan kī mwɔ̄ n you despise him only → he’s looking pale from drinking things too much too much Shǎnnē p.n. personal name shishar pl. — n. junior gu sē shishar nggә̄ he is shār pl. shar n. small frog sp. known for its junior my powerful jumps shishɛ̄ n pl. — n. life shàr v. to invite shàr nē tә̄ man ywe glā kwɔ shīshī1 pl. — n. boil shīshī ru nggә̄ boil comes- invite people we go chase bush-fowl out (of) me → I have a boil syn rō. Shāyo p.n. personal name shīshī2 n. black beniseed; sesame Sesamum sp. shàzə adv. tiptoeing shɔ̀1 pl. shɔ n. honey; bee shɔ̀ tar Bàba → bee shə̄ pl. shə n. iron clapperless bell [beaten during stung Father the funeral dance] shɔ̀2 pl. shɔ n. crested porcupine Hystrix cristatus
shə̄ shɔ̀2 shə̀r v. to grow thin; grow lean; emaciate vә̄ nggә̄ Shɔ̀ p.n. personal name mē shәr girl this is getting lean shɔ̌ 1 pl. nywεn shɔ n. calf of cow shə̄ rin v.p. to swear; to take oath Jalà shε rin shɔ̌ 2 v. to make trouble wә là shɔ̌ bә fɔ̀ rɛn mūn? Jalà took oath you cont. troubling them to fight why? shə̄ r tɔ̄ n v.p. to pay close attention shә̄ r tɔ̄ n bә̄ shū loc. up; above kә̀ kә̄ sa ә shū hen perched at nggә̄ → pay close attention with (to) me up shə̄ shàrε pl. shəshàrε n. village weaver bird shùn pl. shun v. to bring out; go out; exit Ploceus cucullatus Shùnkī p.n. personal name shɛ̄ 1 v. to fill mә̀ sәr shε tsә̄ water fill pot shǔnkì pl. shunkī n. fruit sp. shɛ̄ 2 v. to fullfil nggә̄ shɛ rɛn yә̄ nggә̄ kan zwē I shun ntεn v.p. to go out and defecate nggә̄ là fullfil talk which I take keep shun ntɛn I cont. defecate outside shɛ̄ 3 v. to patch up s.t.; fix; mend; repair nggә̄ là shǔr v. to wander aimlessly; to ramble vɛ̄ n nggә̄ shɛ zәkpә I cont. patch up my shoes là shǔr ә Jɔ̀ s child my cont. wander at Jos shɛ̄ 4 pl. mə̀shɛ̄ n. fish-trap, conical valve type shushù a. wet; green; fresh gәga sē shushù grass Shɛ̄ kə̄ p.n. personal name is green Shɛ̄ ngwɔn p.n. personal name shε pl. — n. fermented locust-seed cakes; local Shɛ̌ nnē p.n. personal name maggi Shɛ̄ rɛn p.n. personal name shε kpàn n. fermented cakes made from sorrel shī1 pl. — v. to peel; carve Mbә̄ cūn là shī krī seeds Mbə̄ cūn cont. peel yams shεn v. to wake up; awake nggә̄ shɛn nә̀ nә̄ I wake
40 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary sleep kә̀ kә̄ this is a hen sɔ̀ n. tree sp. Newbouldia laevis sùr1 v. to boil sùr nggә̄ mә̀ sәr boil (for) me water sùr2 v. to judge Tīyà là sùr Tsɛ̄ ncun rεn Father cont. judge Tsɛ̄ ncun talk sùr3 pl. — n. small, destructive termites sǔrkə̄ pl. — n. medicinal, scented plant used to cure headaches susù pl. — a. well; cool nggә̄ sē susù I am well susur pl. — n. liver sūswē n. feathergrass Loudetia annua sɔ̀ suswɛ̀ a. new lә̀ gā nggә̄ sē suswɛ̀ shirt my is new sūswɛ̌ pl. — n. ankle rattles [made from tree seeds on strings. Anyone can put them on to sɔ̂ adv. straight; upright tәrkì mē kre sɔ̂ tree that dance for the funeral dance glǒkyū.] stands straight sɔn v. to cough Māme là sɔ̌ n kpә̀ kprɛ̀ Māme cont. cough catarrh swǎ s.v. to be sour nyìnyī swa soup (is) sour sɔ̀n1 pl. sɔ̄ n v. to sow Mbә̄ rɛn là sɔ̄ n kpu Mbə̄ rɛn swàà id. describes s.o. full up and satisfied lying cont. sow guinea-corn down kyɛn kùr yә̀ gu lә kùr swàà nān mәgyә̀ r sɔ̀n2 pl. sɔ̄ n v. to sit; stay te sɔ̀ n ә sә̄ kànmē sit see how he is lying satisfied and full down at this place swē pl. swe v. to bathe; wash gu là swē he cont. sɔ̀nsù n. holiday; vacation mbrε sε sɔ̀ nsū bathe tomorrow is holiday swɛ n. termite sp. sssp-sssp id. describes sipping a hot liquid nggә̄ swɛ̌ v. to peel (maize) tә̄ là swɛ kpumkpàn we là vun mә̀ sәr gloglo de ssp-ssp I cont. catch cont. peel maize water hot de sssp-sssp Swɛ̌ mə̀shi p.n. personal name su1 v. to unroll; unfold; untie sǔ mgbәrīn mē Swɛ̌ nyū p.n. personal name untie rope this Swɛ̌ zə p.n. personal name su2 s.v. to be cool mә̀ sәr sù mgbân water is cool swε v. to clean swε nggә̄ gɔ̄ n clean (for) me (my) much back sū pl. su v. to put; reach shàn mә̀ sәr sū ә tsә̄ fetch sε pl. sɛ̌ n. year yә̀ mē sē sε yә̄ gyәr nggә̄ ә Jɔ̀ s this water put in container is year of first I (am) at Jos wә se sε sε tàr tun sur v. to suffer from diarrhoea nggә̄ là sur I cont. you years are years three five → you are 35 suffer from diarrhoea sεn pl. mə̀sɛ̄ n n. song nggә̄ là ywe tswē dō sεn I sūr1 pl. — n. diarrhoea; dysentery sūr là te nggә̄ cont. go place sing song diarrhoea cont. has me sūr2 pl. — n. kidney sūr3 pl. sur n. hen; chicken; fowl yә̀ mē sē sūr
T t tā pl. ta v. 1) to throw ban mgbantә̄ tā take stone Tākpir p.n. personal name throw 2) to shoot syn tar3. tambrishɔ n. worm-like insect which inflicts Tābə p.n. personal name wounds on people’s feet especially during the tàcù pl. tacu n. tree sp. rainy season yә̀ mē sē tambrishɔ this is tā gyɔ̄ v.p. to throw away; out; down kan yә̄ tā tambrishɔ gyɔ̄ take it throw away tāmgbā num. seven; seventh tāmgbā nggә̄ rīmē Tākə̄ p.n. personal name nggә̄ la re lā yo seven I today I neg. eat food takī pl. — n. fertiliser (< H.) not → this is the seventh day that I haven’t tāki pl. — n. owner eaten tākikə̀ pl. taki mə̀kə̀ n. house owner; landlord tāmgbā ndu p.n. Sunday -tan interrogative formant
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sūswɛ̌ Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary tān v. to collect; to pick up nggә̄ là ywe tswē tān tātsu pl. tatsu n. amphisbaenid snake; blind sә̄ sān I cont. go place collect cornstalks snake Typhlops punctatus tàn1 s.v. to be tall; high tәrkì mē tan tree this is te1 v. to have nggә̄ te bàbәr I possess motorcycle tall syn tàn ndē. te2 v. to occur; happen kyū te death occurred → tàn2 v. to chew nggә̄ là tan nan I cont. chew there was a death meat te3 v. to make bә te nggә̄ ndu they make me tāncà v. to agonise Tīyà là tāncà grandfather message cont. agonise te4 pl. tē v. to become nggә̄ kan te wān rɛ̀ do I tāndà num. eight tә̄ sē ә hwә yә̄ tāndà we are at then become one-who sells month of eight te5 v. to fetch (water) te mә̀ sәr nә̄ nggә̀ fetch tāndō n. tin water give me Tānē p.n. personal name te6 v. to pack; store tә̄ lә te kpu yә̄ kә̀ tә̄ mbrε we tangganrang id. sound of broken plates nywɛ̂ n will pack (into the granary) guinea corn of nzә kәkәrɛ dә̀ ngar tangganrang glass cups house ours tomorrow fell down and broke into pieces tè pl. te, tə̄ te n. father syn tīyà. tàn ndē v.p. to be tall vә̄ lɔn mē tàn ndē tetswē yo te cucu v.p. to be a prostitute vә̄ nggә̄ mē là te man this be tall very not syn tàn1. cucu girl this cont. ‘make wind’ → this girl is Tǎnnē p.n. personal name a prostitute tānnɛ̀n num. six yә̀ mē sē hwә yә̄ tānnɛ̀ n this is te…dē 1) v.p. to be difficult vә̄ lɔn mē de yә te gu month of six (June) dē man this (said) that it make him difficult → tan…nyər v.p. to bite tan yә̄ nyәr chew it teeth this man said it was difficult for him 2) s.v. to → bite it be tired; fatigued; exhausted tǎn nyər nyər v.p. to regret gu là tǎn nyәr nyәr te…do v.p. to bargain; to be costly wә̄ là te do fàfà me he/she is chewing teeth for nothing → lә̀ gā mē? you cont. bargain (for) shirt this? → his regrets have no effect Are you bargaining for this shirt? Tānyān p.n. personal name te…gi v.p. to steal; rob vә̄ lɔn mū te nggә̄ gi ndō tàprě pl. tapre n. cruciform wooden whistle man that did me stole cow → the man that played solo for funerals stole my cow tar1 adv. firmly gu nan vūn tār he do catch te gyār v.p. to be angry; enraged; furious nggә̄ là firmly te gyār I cont. make anger → I am angry tar2 num. three yә̀ mē sē krī tar these are yams tè…kə v.p. to think; consider te kә kyεn mû, sē three nggwɔ̌ wān ban krì think see it-is who one- tar3 v. to shoot; be shot at wә̄ tar nggә̄ mūn? you who took the-yam shoot at me why syn tā 2. tekpm̄ v. to squat tekpm̄ ә sә̄ kàn mē squat down tar4 v. to mix; move tǎr mә̀ sәr ә prē mix water at here (with) pre te ngà v.p. to be unconcerned wә̄ là te ngà bә̄ tār pl. mə̀tàr n. room yә̀ mē sē tār this is a room nggwɔ̌ ? → why are you so unconcerned about tàr1 num. three (in compounds) me like this? tàr2 pl. tar v. to kick gu kàn zo zә yә̄ ywā tàr gu te…ngwɔn v. to wave sē nggwɔ̌ wān te wә̄ ngwɔn he took raised leg of two (2nd leg) kicked him it is who one-who make you hand (...who tǎr num. third waved to you) tǎrcū v. sound of s.o. searching for s.t. sē nggwɔ̌ te nka s.v. to be playful gu tsә tswē te nka kәnàn là tǎrcū ә tàr? it-is who cont. moving at (in) me he knows how to be playful very much the-room te…nzɛ̄ v. to decorate; ornament wә̄ te tār wә̄ tarnggə̄ (n) pl. mə̀tarnggə̄ (n) n. Hadada ibis nzɛ̄ ? you make room your decorate? Bostrychia hagadash te…sɔ̀n v. to sit nyә tè sɔ̀ n ә sә̄ kànmē come sit tārtār v. to follow closely; chase; pursue wә̄ là down at here zwē nggә̄ tārtār mwɔ̄ n you cont. follow me tetswē a.i. very (tall) tàn ndē tetswē be very tall too closely tə1 v. to fetch (honey) Dә̀ kәgyɔ̄ Kagbɔ̄ n de nә̄ bә tārwu pl. mə̀tàrwu n. clinic te nggә̄ ywe ә tàrwu ywē kә tә shɔ and put to tortoise that let them father my went at clinic go to fetch honey tashɛ̀n v. to awaken from death; to resurrect Yεsu tə2 s.v. to be rusty nzār nggә̄ tә hoe my is rusted kyu dә̀ tashɛ̀ n → Jesus died and (was) tə̄ pron. we (1st plural subject pronoun) resurrected tə̀ pron. us (1st plural object pronoun) 42 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary təbà n. tobacco wә̄ ywe kàn tәbà nә̄ gu? you went tə̀tə̌ r a. rough; careless; untidy mfùtù wә̄ sē tә̀ tәr took tobacco gave him? hair your is untidy tə̀kpàn pl. təkpan n. tubular mat enclosing a tə̀tɔ̀ adv. maybe; possibly; perhaps tә̀ tɔ̀ Mbә̄ do lә corpse made from palm leaves and woven in nyә̄ mbrε → maybe Mbə̄ do will come strips tomorrow syn kə̀ndà, munyàn, njwɛ̂ n. təkpā tsə̄ pl. təkpa tsə n. potsherd used for frying tə̀tur pl. — n. whirlwind; dust-devil tә̀ tur là te tə̀kpə̌ pl. təkpə n. tree sp. whirlwind cont. happen → there’s a tə̀kpǒ n. grass sp. Heteropogon contortus whirlwind tə̀là a. muddy (water) yә̀ mē sē tә̀ là mә̀ sәr → this tɛ̀kpǔ pl. tεkpu n. cornstalk is muddy water tīyà pl. — n. father syn tè. Tə̌ ndè p.n. personal name tīyār pl. — num. nine sε nggә̄ sē tīyār years my təndur n. sunstroke tәndur là nan gu sunstroke are nine cont. do him tō1 v. to burn cu glo tō tswē fetch fire burn place tə̀ndǔr n. tree sp. syn wǔ 1. tə̀ntàn v.n. stammering; stuttering gu là ngan tō2 pl. to v. to pierce; stab; to prick gu ban njī to tә̀ ntàn he cont. break stutter → he’s stuttering nggә̀ he took knife pierce me tə̄ ntɔ̄ n. aerial yam Dioscorea bulbifera tō3 pl. to v. to crow gbǎ là tō cock cont. crows tə̀ntɔ̄ n n. ash; cinders tǒ v. to say s.t. that hurts s.o. gu dan nggә̄ rɛn yә̄ təntùr adv. remotest past; time immemorial tǒ dә̌ r he said s.t. to me that hurt me tәntùr sә̀ sɛ̀ mu long ago time past Tǒbə p.n. personal name tə̀ntùr matò n. tomato (< E.) tɔ adv. quietly; silently kan zwè tɔ me take keep tər1 pl. — n. lower back; waist quietly only tər2 pl. — v. to deny gu là tәr rɛn nggān me he tɔ̀ pl. tɔ̄ s.v. to be good kì mē tɔ̀ thing this is good cont. deny talks very much tɔ̄ mwɔ̄ n v.p. to wish strongly for s.t. to occur tə̄ r1 pl. mə̀tə̄ r n. light indicating presence of again tɔ̄ mwɔ̄ n sә̄ sānmenàn me it is good like witches that → there is no problem with what has tə̄ r2 v. to break, snap vūn kukukì tә̄ r catch stick happened break syn ngàr. tɔn v. to drip mә̀ sәr là tɔn water cont. drip tərbwə̀ n. fig tree sp. Ficus sp. tɔ̄ n pl. mə̀tɔ̄ n n. ear tərkì pl. tərkī, mə̀tərkī n. tree tɔ̀n v. to sieve (using winnowing tray) Gyùrbә là tərkyū v.p. to struggle with death gu là tәrkyū he tɔ̀ n mùmu ә kә̀ Gyùrbə cont. sieving corn cont. struggle with death → he is about to die powder at home syn zɔ̀n1. tə̄ rmgbù pl. tərmgbu n. snake sp. tɔ̄ n shɔ n. honey nggә̄ là ywe tswē rɛ̀ tɔn shɔ I tə̄ rmvū pl. tərmvu n. spotted hyena Crcocuta cont. go place buy honey bee (bee honey) crocuta tɔ̄ ntàn pl. mə̀tɔ̄ ntàn n. karaya gum tree Sterculia setigera tɔ̀nzɛ̄ pl. tɔ̄ nzɛ̄ s.v. to be good; beautiful; fine vә̄ nggә̄ mē tɔ̀ nzɛ̄ girl this be beautiful Tɔ̀nzɛ̄ p.n. personal name tsa1 pl. tsǎ s.v. to be white zә wә̄ tsa leg your is white kә̄ kә̄ nggә̄ tsa hens my are white tsa2 adv. high; tall tswē mē zo tsa place this is raised high tu gu tsa head his white tsànì n. malachite kingfisher Alcedo cristata tə̄ rmvū tsàr pl. tsar v. to show; teach; instruct tsar nggә̄ kә̄ gyә show me house your tə̄ rtswē pl. — v. to start out at daybreak; get ̀ Tsàr kə̀dərirî excl. implies despising s.o. Tsàr started early nggә̄ lә tә̄ rtswē nzεn dә ywe kә̄ I ̀ kәdәrirî! Wә̄ sē nggwɔ̌ shishɛn? Hah! Who are fut. get-up-early later and go house ̀ you? → this is actually looking down on the tə̄ tar ywə num. three of them ̀ person as being insignificant tə̄ tē pl. tə̄ te n. father; elder tse pl. tsə̄ tse n. town; village; settlement tse yә̄ bә tə̄ tə̄ pl. mətə̄ tə n. bow ywē bàn tә̄ tә̄ ә tàr cà nggә̄ ̀ mε yә ә tù gbù lә la sē yә̄ ryә̄ r yo town which mān go take bow at room bring me they build it at top hill fut. neg. be secret not tətəlà pl. tətəlà n. lantern; lamp; light (< H. fitila) ̀ ̄ tsē pl. tse v. to beat; clap; strike together tsē gu 43 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary ngwɔn beat him hands → clap for him Tsɛ̄ nrɛn p.n. personal name tsè pl. tse n. guinea-fowl tsō a. correct; right; exact yә sē tsō it is correct Tsēbə p.n. personal name tsò n. poison; toxin; venom tәrkì mē te tsò tree tsèkpɔ̌ n. banded mongoose Mungos mungo this makes poison tsə̄ 1 pl. tsə n. pot, vessel, jar (generic) tsōtsō adv. completely; correctly yә sē zwē tsōtsō tsə̄ 2 pl. tsə v. to know gu tsә tswē he knows it is follow completely → it is complete places tsɔ1 num. twelve nә̄ nggә̄ tsә tsɔ give me pots tsəka n. gravel for flooring twelve tsə̄ kì n. knowledge; learning gu tsәkì nggān me tsɔ2 v. to vomit nggә̄ là tsɔ I cont. vomit he has knowledge tsɔ3 v. to shave the head; to smoothe; plane te tsə̀ntsā pl. tsəntsa n. army ant nggә̄ tsɔ nggә̄ tu father my shaved me head tsə̀ntsē pl. — n. smoke (my) tsɔ̌ nggә̄ kә̄ tākū mē smooth (for) me Tsə̀ntsē p.n. personal name wood this tsər v. to be solid; thick; viscous prē tsәr rεn, tsu v. to die (pl.) kә̄ kә̄ nggә̄ tsu chickens my died nggyɛ̌ ? guinea-corn drink is solid why syn sg. kyu. kpə̄ ntɛ̀n. tsǔ də̄ r v.p. to become afraid due to bad news; tsə̄ r pl. tsər n. mahogany tree Khaya senegalensis panic nggә̄ kan tsu dә̄ r әtù kì yә̀ gu dan I then die heart over thing which he said → I panicked over s.t. he said tsûr n. group; cluster (of small things, tiny creatures, birds, heat rashes etc.) tsùtsǔ pl. — adv. describes falling gently glō là te tsùtsǔ rain cont. has gentleness tsùtsǔglō n. raindrops Tsùtsǔglō p.n. personal name tsutswè pl. — n. grasshopper sp. tsə̄ r tswē1 pl. — n. place; here tswē yә̄ tә̄ sē mān place which we are now tsə̄ rεn v. to have wisdom; to have sagacity gu tswē pl. — n. rainy season (archaic) yәmē sē tsәrɛn nggān me he knows talk very much → 2 ̀ mkpān tswē this is time rainy season he has wisdom tswě pl. tswe s.v. to be strong vә̄ lɔn mē tswě man tsɛ̄ pl. tsε n. chest this is strong tsɛ̂ n. a little; small amount yә kәdè sē tsɛ̂ me ̀ tswēyəmē conj. so; therefore; because tә̄ ma bә̄ which remains is little only gu ә nkɔn tswēyәmē tә kan nyә kә̄ gigyәr we tsɛ̄ n v. to cut down (tree) gu là tsɛn tәrkì he cont. ̀ ̀ ̄ met with him at road so we then came home cut down tree together tsɛn pl. tsεn n. spitting cobra Naja nigricollis ̀ tswətswe adv. quickly; rapidly; speedily; fast ...
dә̀ tswē yә man nyә sū tswәtswe ... so.that it (pl) then come reach quickly tswɛ̂ v. to scatter helter-skelter because of danger (people, animals) (N.B. falling tone indicates plurality to speakers.) bә kān vār tswê they then scatter helter-skelter tu pl. mə̀tǔ n. top; head kә̀ kә̄ sa ә tù tàr hen perched at top room tsɛ̀n tukpə̀ 1) n. body nggә̄ nan kì mē tukpә̀ nggә̄ I did thing this by body myself 2) pron. myself; Tsɛ̄ nbə p.n. personal name first singular reflexive pronoun Tsɛ̄ ncun p.n. personal name tu mə̀mē n.p. head of the land; governor Lalong Tsɛnkpə p.n. personal name sē tu mә̀ mē Plateau State Lalong is governor tsɛ̌ n ... mfɛ̀n v.p. to put out a leg to cause s.o. to (of) Plateau State stumble gu tsɛn nggә̄ mfɛ̀ n he cut me leg to tun num. five cu mgbantә tûn lwè nyә̀ pick stones fall me five carry come Tsɛ̄ nnē p.n. personal name tūn num. fifth nggә̄ sē wān tūn I be one-who fifth 44 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary tu ngār n.p. headache husk guinea-corn Tunggɔn p.n. personal name tur…mə̄ v.p. to assist s.o. to climb up (the tun ndu p.n. Friday context is always understood) nggә̄ là tur gu tūr n. divination to try and find out who has done mә̄ I cont. assist him s.t. bә vu kәywә̀ ywe tswē tur they carry tyə̄ 1 pl. tyə n. duiker Cephalophus sp. themselves go place divination tyə̄ 2 pl. mə̀tyə̄ n. neck tùr1 pl. tur v. to push tur yә̄ push it Tyir! excl. expressing a wish not to do s.t. bad tùr2 a. mouldy; rotten; decaying; decomposing Tyir! nggә lә lǎ nan nkinē sә̄ sānmenàn → God kàmù mē sē tùr me akamu this is mouldy only forbid that I do s.t like that tùr3 n. guinea-corn husk yә̀ mē sē tùr kpu this is
V v va pl. — n. discharge that forms round the eyes vəgyɔ̀n pl. nywɛ̂ ngyɔn n. hare; rabbit Lepus during sleep crawshayi vâ v. to scatter (people) mә̄ nē kan kan vâ the Vəgyɔ̀n p.n. personal name people then take scatter vəkagbɔ̄ n n. tortoise vââ id. describes talking nonsense gu là rɛn vââ vəkpir pl. nywɛ̂ nkpir n. antelope sp. mwɔ̄ n he cont. talk nonsense xx vəkpotù n. hoopoe Upopa epops Vànē p.n. personal name vàr pl. vār v. to scatter (things) sē nggwɔ̌ wān kan bemkpàn vàr ә mә̀ mē? it is who who took maize scattered at (on) the-ground vē pl. — n. days vəcə̀kpancin pl. nywɛ̂ nkpancin n. pin-tailed whydah Vidua macroura
vəkpotù
və̄ lɔn pl. lə̄ lɔn n. man vəmbàn pl. nywɛ̂ nmban n. hawk; eagle vəmgbūmgburwɛ̄ a. describes s.o. who looks like a small toad (abusive complement precedes the reflexive pronoun) vəcə̀kpancin vәmgbūmgburwɛ̄ kәywē mә bà! yourself is like a small toad vəcùn pl. nywɛ̂ ncun n. striped mouse vəmkpanār pl. nywɛ̂ nkpanar n. bird sp. Lemniscomys sp. vəmpane pl. nywɛ̂ nmpane n. red-billed wood- dove Turtur afer vəmpərò pl. nywɛ̂ nmpəro n. long-crested helmet- shrike Prionops plumata vəmvɛ̀n pl. nywɛ̂ nmvɛ̀n n. sunbird Nectariniidae vəncān n. bird sp. which sits on ridges in the farm, probably the wagtail vəncε pl. nywɛ̂ n ncε n. bird (generic) Vəncε p.n. personal name vəcùn vəndakpyɛ̀n pl. nywɛ̂ n ndakpyεn n. grass warbler Cisticola sp. vəndεndān pl. nywɛ̂ n ndεndān n. wood mouse Vəcùn p.n. personal name Hylomyscys spp. vəgrɛ̄ nnyū pl. nywɛ̂ ngrεnnyū n. pygmy və̄ nggə̄ pl. mənggə n. girl; maiden kingfisher Ceyx picta ̄ ̄ 45 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary Və̄ nggə̄ nggwe p.n. personal name warm-up fire → I’m warming myself by the Və̄ nggə̄ rì p.n. personal name fire və̄ nggə̄ rin pl. mə̄ nggə̄ rin n. 1) bethrothed virgin vrē n. day after tomorrow nggә̄ lә nyә̄ vrē I fut. vә̄ nggә̄ mē sē vә̄ nggә̄ rin girl this is virgin come day-after-tomorrow 2) female masquerade yә̀ mē sē vә̄ nggә̄ rin this vrè1 pl. — v. to breathe; respire vɛ̄ n là vrè child is female masquerade cont. breathes Və̄ nggə̄ rin p.n. personal name vrè2 v. to pain; to hurt kә̀ mvrè ngwɔ̀ n là vrè nggә̀ vənggù pl. nywɛ̂ nnggu n. dove vәnggù hwɔn ә kә̀ finger mine cont. pain me tә̀ dove hatched at house our vrěnjō pl. — v. to whistle gu là vrenjō he cont. vənjɛ̀njɛ̀ pl. nywɛ̂ njɛ̀njɛ̀ n. bird sp. whistle vənkɔ̀n pl. nywɛ̂ nkɔ̀n n. path; track; trail Vrěnjō p.n. personal name Vəntsɛ̄ p.n. personal name vrûûm id. describes the sound of a motorcycle vənyɛ̄ n nggyε pron. whatever dә̀ gba sē vәnyɛ̄ n gyɔ̄ bàbәr glo nә̄ yә̄ gì de vrûûm put nggyε if-not it-is small-whatever (whatever it motorcycle fire let it cry de ….. is) vū pl. vu v. 1) to sweep Jalà là vu tswē Jalà cont. vənyɔ̀n pl. nywɛ̂ nnyɔn n. small granary for sweeps place 2) to carry away storing grains such as acca, beniseed etc yә̀ mē vūn1 v. to smoke fish, meat on fire Te tә̄ là vūn sē vәnyɔ̀ n this is small granary nan ә glo Father our cont. smoke meat at fire vənzē pl. nywɛ̂ nze n. gazelle vūn2 pl. vun v. to catch; hold on to; sieze; grasp və̄ nzɛ̀ pl. nywɛ̂ nzɛ̀ n. young man vūn yә̄ lwè catch it vərà pl. nywɛ̂ nra n. medium size granary yә̀ mē sē vu ngà pl. vū ngà v.p. to go past; out of the way rà mә̀ nggә̄ this is my granary syn gùr2. gu ywe vū yә̄ ngà (...) he went siezed it passed vəryàn pl. nywɛ̂ nryan n. harrier hawk → he went by it Polyboroides radiatus vūn nzɛ̄ v.p. to stubbornly refuse to do s.t. gu vun vəsə̀r pl. nywɛ̂ nsər n. Gambian tree squirrel nzɛ̄ de gu lә la nan ndu yә yo he stubbornly Helioscurus gambianus refuse that he will neg. do work of it not → he vəsùr n. antelope sp. stubbornly refused to do the work vətə̀ndār pl. nywɛ̂ ntəndar n. quail vwââp id. describes how s.t. is snatched from s.o. vətɔ̀ pl. nywɛ̂ ntɔ n. palm civet ? by force vәmbàn kla vәkә̀ kә̄ bàn vwââp e agle vəvà pl. — n. green insect sp. that sits on leaves snatched (a) chick at once and emits a fluid that makes you scratch vεn v. to quarrel; argue mbә̀ mbә̄ là vεn women vəywudə̀ pl. nywɛ̂ nywudə n. domestic pigeon cont. quarrel syn rē ntan. vɛ̄ n1 pl. nywεn n. boy vɛ̄ n2 pl. nywεn n. fruit vre v. to warm up by nggә̄ là vre glo I cont.
W w wǎdɛ̄ n adv. arriving early for s.t. tә̄ ywe mān nincompoop wә̄ sē wānfà you are a fool syn wadɛ̄ n we went there early kpə̀r. wān pl. bān pron. who; one who; one of; one; wāngbɔ̀ pl. bāngbɔ̀ p.n. Igbo person of (relative pronoun, but also a fronted wāngi pl. bāngi n. thief; robber; burglar singular pronoun used with demonstratives) wānkə̀ pl. bānkə̀ n. house owner wān- pl. bān- pref. alternating prefix marking wǎnklǎ pl. wankla n. arm bangle used during persons (A grammaticalised form of the dancing yә̀ mē sē wǎnklǎ this is an arm bangle relative pronoun and not a historical noun wānkpānnɛ̄ n pl. bānkpānnɛ̄ n n. soldier; prefix) policeman gu sē wānkpānnɛ̄ n → he is a wāndɛ̄ n pl. bāndɛ̄ n n. modern doctor policeman Wāndō p.n. personal name wānlāzə̄ , wānfùkpɔ pl. bānlāzə̄ , bānfùkpɔ n. wāndɔ̀ pl. bāndɔ̀ n. farmer; peasant wә̄ sē wāndɔ̀ ? blacksmith; smith gu sē wānlāzә̄ → he is a are you a farmer? blacksmith wānfà pl. bānfà n. fool; idiot; nitwit; wān(re)kwār pl. bān(re)kwār n. wizard; sorcerer; 46 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary witch; magician nggwɔ̌ sē wānkwār? who is a tse wә̀ ? it-is who who beat you? wizard wə̀ndō pl. wə̄ ndō n. trousers (< H. wando) wānrɛ̀kī pl. bānrɛ̀kī n. trader; merchant gu sē wowowo id. describes the barking of a dog wānrɛ̀ do → he is a trader nggǎgyū là te glә̄ de wowowo dog barks that wāntan int. who? which? sē wāntan әnywī mә̄ nē …. mē wān nggә̄ lә cu? this who among people wɔ̄ pl. — n. blindness zāngyәr nggә̄ ku wɔ̄ these who I will choose wānmē sē wāntan? brother my fell blind one this is which-one wɔ̀ pl. wɔ v. to rear; feed gu là wɔ̀ nggǎgyū he wāntānan pl. bāntānan n. hunter gu sē wāntānan cont. rear dog he is one-who hunt wɔ̄ nkì pl. mə̀wɔ̄ nkī n. hole in tree yә̀ mē sē wɔ̄ nkì wāntěwu pl. bāntěwu n. herbalist; traditional this is a hole doctor wu1 v. to swell up; inflate mgbāntә tar nggә̄ ә wānwɔ̄ pl. bānwɔ̄ n. blind man gu sē wānwɔ̄ he is bìshi an yә̄ wu stone shoot me at eye and it a blind man swell wānwùntān pl. bānwùntān n. tanner ndu gu sē yә̄ wu2 pl. — n. medicine; medicament; remedy wùntān work his is of tanner wù1 s.v. to be satisfied nggә̄ sә̄ mә̀ sәr dә̀ wu I wānywànan pl. bānywànan n. butcher gu sē drank water and was satisfied wānywànan he is a butcher wù2 pl. wu n. mosquito war1 pl. — n. runniness mvre wә̄ te war nose wǔ v. 1) to burn glo là wu mgbәga fire cont. yours has runniness burns the grass syn kpə̄ wu, tō1. 2) to be hot war2 pl. — n. immoral behaviour; sin yә̀ mē sē kì mә̀ sәr mē wu glo water this is-hot fire syn yә̀ war this is a-thing of immoral behaviour goglo. wartə̀war-wartə̀war id. describes the chirping of wukì pl. mə̀wukī n. tree sp. small black birds (vəkəgbù) found around wushi pl. — n. happiness; pleasure; joy nggә̄ là rocks nywɛ̂ n kә̄ kә̄ gbu là gi de wartә̀ war- te wushi I cont. make happy syn zə̀zè. wartә̀ war children-birds cont. cry that …… Wùzə p.n. personal name wə̄ pron. you sg. subject pronoun wә̄ là ywē ywә̄ ? you cont. go where? wə̀ pron. you sg. object pronoun sē nggwɔ̌ wān
Y y yā pl. — n. mother; mum syn gyə̌ r2. we did that we will … yà pl. mə̄ yiyà n. female friend Mbә̄ cūn bә̄ yə̀ pron. what (relative pronoun) Mbә̄ rɛn sē mә̄ yiyà Mbə̄ cūn bə̄ Mbə̄ rɛn are yə̀mē pl. yəmē pron. this (only of objects, not friends Vәntsɛ̄ sē yà Vәncɛ Vəntsɛ̄ is a friend people) nggә là dan wә̄ әtù kì yәmē I cont. tell of Vəncɛ you about things these Yākwɔ̀ p.n. personal name yə̄ mə̄ dem. that kì yә̄ mә̄ thing that yà ngwɔn v.p. to swing arms as you walk gu là yə̀mū pl. yəmū dem. that (objects, not people) yà ngwɔn he cont. swing arms nggә là dan wә̄ әtù kì yә̀ mū I cont. tell you yà nyū v.p. to bring out particles of food hidden about thing that by the molars with the tongue Bә̀ ryo là yà nyū yə̀tan int. which? se yә̀ tan әnywī kī mē nә nggә anrɛ̀ n nzan sɔn gu ngà Bə̀ryo cont. ‘moving’ ban this what among things these who I will mouth because food sits his cheek choose yàwǔ n. grass sp. that has burs which stick to yo1 adv. not nggә̄ lә la nan yo I will neg. do-it passers-by not yə pron. they; them; it [3rd person non-animate yo2 n. millet yә̀ mē sē be yo this is millet pronoun, both singular and plural] yɔ̄ kpə s.v. to be lazy wә̄ là yɔ̄ kpә kәnànme you yə̄ 1 pron. they; them; it 3rd person non-animate cont. be lazy too much object pronoun ban yә̄ dèbә̀ take it give way yɔ̂ yɔ̀ id. describing s.o. doing s.t lazily sē bә tse yә̄ they beat it nә̄ nggyɛ wә̄ là nan yɔ̂ yɔ̀ nàn? what are you yə̄ 2 part. that (relative particle) tә̄ nan yә̄ tә̄ lә … doing lazily like this? 47 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary yūr pl. yur n. male goat ywɛ̄ pl. mə̀ywɛ̀ n. egg ywa v. to mix Yā là ywa nzan Mother cont. mix ywɛ̀kə̄ pl. ywεkə̄ n. chicken egg guinea corn food ywɛ̀n pl. ywεn n. hippopotamus yә̀ mē sē ywɛ̀ n ywā num. two this is a hippopotamus ywà pl. sar v. to slaughter gu là ywà gūgu he ywi pl. ywǐ v. to squeeze; to crush ywi mә̀ làmu cont. slaughter goat nә̄ zә̄ ywē squeeze juice orange give your child ywǎ1 pl. ywa n. ravine; canyon tә̄ klwe kә nyә̄ r ә ywì adv. describes smelling bad (insect, human ywǎ we ran go hide at canyon being) mvә̄ rkì mē nyɔn ywì beetle this smell ywǎ2 v. to cut [idiom for sharp pain] nɛ̄ n là ywa bad nggә̀ stomach cont. cut me → I am hungry ywǐkrǔ pl. — v. to have dysentery gu là ywǐkrǔ ywamgbar pl. — n. plaintain he cont. have dysentery ywan pl. — n. rock; stone syn mgbǎntə̄ . ywu pl. — n. jealousy; envy ywu là te gu ywān v. to cover; close ban tu nggūnggū ywān jealousy cont. make him take head dish cover ywudə̀ pl. ywudə n. speckled pigeon Columba Ywānkə̄ p.n. personal name guinea (dim. vəywudə̀) ywar1 v. to prevent; block; obstruct doglò ywar ywur pl. — n. pus; lymph mpā là gu ywur wound gu nkɔ̀ n get up prevent his way cont. run pus ywar2 n. crossroads inside animal burrow ywūr n. dust ywūr ywan tswē dust cover the- ywār pl. — a. sloping; uneven tswē sē ywār place place is sloping ywǔr a. fearful; afraid; timorous gu kan kū ywǔr ywe pl. — n. tree used for fish-poison Tephrosia he then fall afraid vogelii ywūr glō n.p. fog; haze; mist tswē là te ywūr the- ywē1 pl. mə̄ ywē n. in-law wānmē sē ywē nggә̀ → place cont. make fog this man is my in-law ywur nji n.p. sheath; scabbard yә̀ mē sē ywur njì ywē2 n. pumpkin; squash yә̀ mē sē ywē this is this is knife sheath pumpkin ywûryùrywùr id. fearfully dәr là tsǔ nggә ywè pl. ywe, ywē v. to go kān tә̄ ywe let us go ywûrywùrywùr heart cont. fall me fearfully ywēmkpə̀r pl. — n. pawpaw; papaya Carica ywûrywùr a. fearful dә̌ r nggә̄ sē ywûrywùr me papaya syn nkə̀gbò. heart my is-fearful only ywə v. to wither; be withered; shrivel kpumkpàn ywūywə̄ r pl. ywuywər n. stick for beating flat the ywә maize is withered floor of a room ywə̄ 1 int. where? wә̄ là ywe ywә̄ ? you cont. go ywùywǔ n. tuberculosis where? ywə̄ 2 pron. of it nan ywә̄ sē nә̀ mē the doing of it is like this
Z z zà v. to cross over to tә̄ za ngga we cross over to zān nzɛ̀ pl. nywɛ̂ n nzɛ̀ n. young man wānmē sé [the other] side syn kūsar, ro. zān nzɛ̀ → this boy is a young man zāgū n. namesake wānmē sē zāgūn nggә̀ this man zān tè pl. nywɛ̂ n tè n. sibling of the same father is my namesake gu sē zān te nggә̀ he is sibling mine zà kū v.p. to go in or out gu zà kū әnywī tàr he zàr1 n. tree sp. went into room zàr2 pl. zar n. mirror yә̀ mē sē zǎr this is a mirror zān pl. — n. friend; companion; comrade; mate zē n. plague locust Locusta migratoria zē là re tә̄ sē zān → we are friends syn fəgyə̀ywə̄ , nggә̄ kpu locusts cont. eat me guinea-corn kpān. zê v. to put s.t. down gently kan yә̄ zwè zê me take zàn v. 1) to disperse tә̄ kan zān we then dispersed it keep gently only 2) to stir zə̄ pl. — n. metal; iron yә̀ mē sē zә̄ this is metal zān gyə̄ r pl. nywɛ̂ n gyə̄ r, nywɛ̂ n gyə̀gyər n. zə̀ pl. zə n. leg sibling of the same mother tә̄ sē nywεngyә̀ r bә̄ zəkpə n. shoe yә̀ mē sē zәkpә this is a shoe Ambε we are brothers with Ambε zə̄ r1 v. to walk gu là zәr he cont. walk 48 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary zə̄ r2 pl. mə̀zə̄ r n. tree sp. Berlinia grandiflora. catch Zərmwɔ̄ n p.n. personal name zəzè pl. zəze n. goodness yә̀ mē sē zәze yә̄ Rì this is the goodness of God zə̀zè pl. — n. joy; pleasure; happiness zә̀ zè là te nggә̀ joy cont. make me syn wushi. Zəzerì p.n. personal name zə̄ zə̄ 1 n. eggshell zə̄ zə̄ 2 n. shea oak Vitellaria paradoxa zɛ̄ 1 n. kusu; rufous Nile rat Arvicanthis sp. zɛ̄ 2 n. comb yә̀ mē sē zɛ̄ this is comb zɛ̀ pl. zε v. to greet nggә̄ là zɛ wә̀ I cont. greet you zɛ̀n v. to winnow bә là zɛn tsә̀ kā they cont. winnow rice zinari pl. — n. silver (< H.) zō pl. — n. part-fermented local beer yә̀ mē zō mә̀ this is part-fermented beer zǒ pl. zo v. to raise up; elevate; lift up là nggә̄ zo tsә̄ help me raise the pot zɔ̌ v. to assist; help; aid zɔ̌ nggә̄ bә̄ ndu assist me with work zɔn pl. mə̄ zɔn n. junior in-law [joking partners of the speaker] zɔ̀n1 v. to sieve, sift Yā là zɛ̀ n bekpu Mother cont. sieve guinea-corn syn tɔ̀n. zɔ̀n2 n. divination; ordeal [there are at least three types; peering into a bowl of water, forcing suspected parties to put their hand in hot oil, and a collar with a sharp point that will stab s.o. who is guilty.] zu v. to soften; to soak Mbә̄ zәze zu kī zwè yә̄ nglǎ Mbə̄ zəze soak clothes keep for washing zù1 pl. zu n. warthog Phacocherus africanus zù2 pl. zū v. to knot; tie together nggә̄ là zu mgbәrīn I cont. knot the rope zǔ1 pl. — n. vibration; sound tswē là te zǔ the place cont. make sound zǔ2 pl. zu n. gun; rifle; pistol yә̀ mē sē zǔ this is a gun zù ngwɔn v.p. to point at gu là zù nggә̄ ngwɔn he cont. point me finger zuzù pl. zuzùzù id. describes sound of movement (human beings, vehicles etc.) sē nәnggyɛ̀ yә̄ klwe dә̀ te zuzùzù rìbū rīn nàn? → what are those things that were running and making sound in the night like that? zùzu pl. nywε̂n zuzù n. flappet lark Mirafra rufocinnamonea zùzǔ n. heat rashes zùzǔ là nan vɛ̄ n mē heat rashes cont. do child this zwē v. to follow, pursue zwē nggә̄ mān follow me then syn kū2. zwè pl. zwe, zwē v. 1) to keep; store ban kә̀ mbә̄ zwè ә sә̄ kànmù take calabash keep there 2) to 49 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary ambush, to v. nùwàr A a amidst loc. də̀ntswe among loc. də̀ntswe a few a. nzɔ̂ amphibian n. gbān; n. shār a little n. tsɛ̂ amphibian sp. n. kukushār; n. mgbə̀glò aardvark n. bū1 amphisbaenid snake n. tātsu 2 abandon, to v. cūn…ngwɔn ancestors n. mə̀cī about part. ətù 2 Ancho mission p.n. Ncɔ̀mishɔ̀n above loc. shū Ancho town p.n. Ncɔ̀cūn abstain from, to v. cì2 and conj. an; conj. də̀ abundant, to be s.v. gan ngwɔn angel n. mə̀lεka abundantly adv. kənànme angrily, to speak v. kplɔ glə Abyssinian roller n. kə̀nkabān angry n.p. də̌ r ngàr; a. gyār acca n. běntsu angry, to be v.p. te gyār acca cultivar n. běncī; n. shān animal n. nan accept, to v. kpə̄ nyɛ̀n animosity n. běmè accompany, to v. bān1 ankle n. bīshizə̀; n. nkɔn accustomed to s.v. bì1 ankle rattles n. sūswɛ̌ ache, to v. bri1; v. lə̄ 4 announce, to v. dɔ̀n Adam’s apple n. gbàr2 annoyed n.p. də̌ r ngàr; a. gyār adapted, to be s.v. bì1 another person pron. nə̄ mān 2 add to, to v. ngǔnsū1 answer, to v. sà add water to a solid, to v. bər1 ant sp. n. kambàn add weight, to v. ngre antagonist n. dənggə; n. lənggə 1 adhere, to v.p. lo ngàn antelope sp. n. ryò ; n. vəkpir; n. vəsùr 2 1 2 admonish, to v. grì ; v. jan ; v. mwə̀n apart adv. nkan, nkânnkān adze n. gar aphrodisiac n. kə̀jì 3 aerial yam n. tə̄ ntɔ̄ appeal, to v. bər aeroplane n. gə̀mvə̀r appear and disappear, to v. brî afraid a. ywǔr appear, to v. kyɛ̄ n 2 afraid, to become v.p. tsǔ də̄ r appetite n. bùbù 3 African beauty snake n. gwɔ̀; n. gwɔ̀nywεnggə̄ apply to, to v. rɛ̄ African golden oriole n. mgbōn appoint, to v. cu African pepper n. cìta appreciate, to v.p. rē be 2 again adv. nzɔ̌ approach a lady, to v. hyur agama lizard n. gbrε; n. kpə̄ ; n. làmgbà appropriately adv. brêbrè 1 age-mate n. kələ; n. lə̄ kə are v. sē aged a. kpəkpɔ argue, to v.p. rē ntan; v. vεn agitatedly adv. brîbrî argument n. ntan ago adv. rɛ̌ no arid a. kukù agonise, to v. tāncà aridify, to v. ku agree, to v. kpə̄ nyɛ̀n arise, to v. doglō aid, to v. là2; v. zɔ̌ arm n. ngwɔn aircraft n. gə̀mvə̀r armpit n. mgban Akwanga town p.n. Kə̄ gbə̀ army ant n. gàr; n. tsə̀ntsā alarm n. ruru aroma n. cumgbə̀; n. mgbə̀ all a. gba; a. kwār1 around loc. gɔ̄ n 2 alone, to be s.v. cər arrive on time, to v.p. gàn…mkpān 2 already adv. mbɛ̄ 1 arrive, to v. ma 1 altar n. kpə̄ kpɔ̀ arriving early for s.t. adv. wǎdɛ̄ n alternating prefix marking persons pref. wān- arrow n. gbī; n. ntsɛn always adv. cùcùn(mu) arrow shaft n. kùkù 2 1 amazing, to be s.v. mə̀ arse n. mə̄ 50 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary arthritis n. gbàdò; n. kpə ngār at first adv. jàjà as adv. sə̄ sān1 at last adv. mkpun as a masquerade, to v. kplā2 at once adv. gè; adv. mē1; adv. mēmē ash n. tə̀ntɔ̄ n at the back of loc. nggà gɔ̄ n aside adv. lə̀gə̀r attempt, to v. nə̀r ask, to v. rì2 aubergine n. lwē assassinate, to v. ngūn1 aunt n. grě 3 assemble, to v. mgbɔ̀ authority n. nggɔn assist s.o., to v.p. tur…mə̄ avoid, to v. cì2 assist, to v. là2; v. zɔ̌ awake, to v. shεn at loc. ə awaken from death, to v. tashɛ̀n at an end adv. mkpun axe n. glà; n. nggə̀r; n. nggɛ̌
B b baboon n. kə̄ gbù bean-cake n. kàrà back n. gɔ̄ n 1 beans n. běkyɛ̀n backslide, to v. ryə̀n beard n. mə̀ntɛ̀ backyard n. ntεn beard of maize n. mgbənjan bad a. gbəjā; a. məme; a. mvān beat the floor, to v. kplà bafflement excl. mbǎnrìn1 beat, to v. tsē bag n. gɔ̀n; n. kpɔ̄ ; n. mgbəgɔ̀n beautiful, to be s.v. tɔ̀nzɛ̄ Bahama grass n. kəywε because conj. anrɛ̀n; conj. tswēyəmē bail, to v. ngūn2 because of conj. dùdu bake, to v. ryò2 become, to v. te4 bald, to be s.v. ra1 bedbug n. gyǔr 2 1 ball n. mgbɔ̀ 1 bee n. shɔ̀ Bambara groundnut n. mgbərshi bee larva n. mə̄ mi shɔ banana n. gbùr beehive n. də̀mgbà shɔ́ 1 banded mongoose n. tsèkpɔ̌ beer n. mə̀ ; n. zō bangle n. wǎnklǎ beer filter n. sə̄ sɛ̀n banknote n. mgbāmvū beetle sp. n. lùmvù banquet n. gān beetles n. mvə̄ rkì baobab n. kukā before conj. anrīn; loc. nggà bishi barbet n. kpə̀tàn before sunrise n. brîbrì bargain, to v.p. te…do beg, to v. bər3 2 barn n. gùr ; n. vənyɔ̀n beginning n. kùcī barrel-drum n. kə̀nggān behind loc. gɔ̄ n 2; loc. nggà gɔ̄ n barren woman n. kru belch, to v. kan2 basket n. bǔbù; n. sàn1 belittle, to v. cə̄ r2 batchelor n. kpla belly n. bri2; n. mgbɔ̌ n; n. nɛ̄ n bathe, to v. də̀r; v. swē below loc. sə̀r battle n. kɔ̄ n ben oil tree n. jəgule; n. mkpən kyə̀gbò battle with, to v. fɔ̀rεn beneath loc. sə̀r be v. re1 beniseed n. běntə; n. kə̄ ntə; n. njìnjà Be careful! Look out! excl. gbyɛ̄ n1 bent, to be s.v. gur be shot at, to v. tar3 beside loc. gi1 be, to v. sē1 bethrothed virgin n. və̄ nggə̄ rin 1 bean n. běsə̄ n betrothed, to be, to v. gə̀r bean cake n. mə̀nǎn between loc. də̀ntswe bean plant n. ncìgǎn Bible n. mgbāmvū Rì
51 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary bicycle n. kìkyε blow up a fire, to v. fù bifurcation a. kətar blue-breasted kingfisher n. kpəkprɛ̄ big a. mgbə̀hwà; a. nggɔ̀n; n. nggɔn boastfully id. nkanka billet n. gbɔ̄ nkì boat n. gbm̄ 2 2 bind, to v. kpàn 1 body n. kpə ; n. mkpɔn; n. tukpə̀ 1 bird (generic) n. vəncε body spots n. ntsɛ̄ kì 1 bird sp. n. aku; n. belə̄ belà; n. bɔ̀n; n. bùkan; n. bog n. mgbɔ̀ dàtso; n. dərsù; n. fùkān; n. gbrǔ; n. grɛ̌ nyū; boil n. rō; n. shīshī1 1 n. hùhwàr; n. hwàr; n. jijà; n. kaprɛ̄ ; n. kə̀kə̄ boil, to v. sùr gbù; n. kə̀ndàrǐ; n. kə̀nkabān hwan; n. bold, to be s.v. kpàn də̌ r 1 kə̀nkabān; n. kə̀zəlaba; n. kpəkpà; n. bone n. kuku kpə̀kplǎ; n. kpəkpɔ̀; n. kpəkprɛ̄ ; n. kpə̀tàn; book n. mgbāmvū blā; n. mgbāmvū car; n. n. kpɔ̄ gbru; n. kpɔ̄ mkpan; n. kpukpà; n. mgbāmvū kwɔ̌ ; n. lə̀ndūr; n. lə̀ngā; n. màjǎn; n. mbàn; boomslang snake n. kə̀cɛ̀ n. mfucì; n. mgblàn; n. mgbōn; n. borrow, to v. kə3; v. la1 mgbɔ̄ npər; n. mkpəlà; n. mwetso; n. ncān1; bottle n. kāləbā n. ngəganmə; n. ngglàn; n. nkùwu; n. ntsεn; boundary n. də̄ n 1 n. nzɛ̌ ; n. rə̀demə̀; n. rūrūlə; n. səsemgbɔ̀; n. bow n. tə̄ tə̄ shə̄ shàrε; n. sūr3; n. tarnggə̄ (n); n. tsànì; n. box n. dùdù; n. kəji; n. kpàtì 1 tsè; n. vəcə̀kpancin; n. vəgrɛ̄ nnyū; n. boy n. vɛ̄ n vəkpotù; n. vəmbàn; n. vəmkpanār; n. braid, to v. lō vəmpane; n. vəmpərò; n. vəmvɛ̀n; n. branch of tree n. nggākì vəncān; n. vəndakpyɛ̀n; n. vənggù; n. brave, to be s.v. kpàn də̌ r vənjɛ̀njɛ̀; n. vəryàn; n. vətə̀ndār; n. break in rainfall n. nkǔ 2 vəywudə̀; n. ywudə̀; n. zùzu break into pieces, to v.p. ngwur ngār bite, to v.p. tan…nyər break suddenly, to v. gbōtsū biting ant sp. n. nə̄ nlyɛ̄ cinjǐ; n. nə̄ nlyɛ̄ ; n. nə̄ nlyɛ̄ break, to v. ngàr; v. tə̄ r2 səmban breast n. səsə̄ bitter a. rərè breathe, to v. vrè1 bitter, to be s.v. re2 breeze n. cucu bitterleaf n. mgbāntur bridge n. mkpūn black a. cīnji; c.i. ri bright, to be s.v. lǎ3 black beniseed n. shīshī2 brightly adv. pwâr black cobra n. jwè brilliantly adv. gbə̄ gblǎ; adv. ngglan black kite n. mbàn; n. mkpəlà bring out, to v. shùn; v.p. yà nyū black plum tree n. ncū bring to, to v. cà 1 1 1 black substance n. nklān bring, to v. bwɛ̂ ; v. cū ; v. fə̀r; v. grì black-crowned tchagra n. mwetso broad a. hū 2 black, to be s.v. sər broken a. lə̀lə̄ blacksmith n. wānlāzə̄ , wānfùkpɔ broken calabash n. gbə̀gbakì blame, to v. gì gyɔ̄ broken, to be v. ngàr bland a. mpǔr (mə̀) broken, to become v. mər blemishes n. ntsɛ̄ kì brook n. cūn2; n. mblə̄ bless, to v. far1 brown spider n. gantàn blind man n. wānwɔ̄ bubbles n. mfə̄ blind snake n. tātsu buffalo n. gyàr blindness n. wɔ̄ build, to v. mɛ̄ blister n. mpǔr bulbul n. kpə̀kplǎ block, to v. hyūr; v. ywar1 bullet n. bězǔ 1 blockhead n. kpə̀r bully, to v. fə̌ r blood n. mə̀gì bunch n. hwà; n. mkpm blood-plum n. màgbyɛ̌ n bundle n. hwà; n. mkpm blow one’s cheeks, to v.p. fù mgbo bundle n. mkpi
52 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary burglar n. wāngi bushbaby n. kpətεglā burglary n. gi2 bushbuck n. klò burn, to v. kpə̄ wu; v. tō1; v. wǔ 1 bushcow n. gyàr burning charcoal n. nklaglo bushfowl n. kwɔ̌ burp n. kǎn bushpig n. lə̌ dē hwan 2 burp, to v. kan but conj. də̀ burrowing locust n. ntswē butcher n. wānywànan 2 bury, to v. ryùn butterfly n. bə̀bàrì 1 bush n. hwān; n. mgbə̀jī buttocks n. mə̄ bush animal n. nan hwān buttocks of monkeys n. mkpàn bush patch n. mgbyīr buy, to v. rɛ̀
C c cadaver n. kɔn cautious adv. bwɛ̂ bwɛ̀ calabash n. kə̀mbə̄ ; n. mpə̄ cave n. kə̌ ywǎ calabash cup n. fərɔ̀n cavern n. kə̌ ywǎ calf n. kprɛ̄ cease, to v.p. gan …kre; v. kankrè calf (of cow) n. də̄ mū celebration n. gān calf of cow n. shɔ̌ 1 censure, to v. gì gyɔ̄ call, to v. gyɔ centipede sp. n. lə̀lān kəkə calling attention expressing disapproval excl. centre loc. də̀ntswe kyɛn nggə ma! chaff n. shisha camwood n. hyɛ̄ n2 chain n. nzə̄ nzɛ̄ can n. pə̄ mpān chair n. mgbə̄ ncī cane n. pə̄ rkì chameleon n. ntə̄ nāntsò cane rat n. gyɛ̀n change, to v. sər1 cane stick n. mgbəjə̀ chaotic adv.p. lan kyɛn canoe n. gbm̄ charcoal n. mbrī1; n. nklambrī canyon n. ywǎ1 chase, to v. glā; v. mə̄ r; v. tārtār 1 cap n. bə̀r chat, to v. hyar car n. kì yə̀ sǎ; n. matò chatter, to v. grǐ carcass n. kɔn cheat, to v. gyùr careful of, to be v. gbyɛ̄ n2 cheerful n.p. də̌ r kə̄ kla careless a. tə̀tə̌ r chest n. tsɛ̄ carelessly adv. pwə̂ chew, to v. tàn2 3 carry away, to v. vū 2 chicken n. kə̀kə̄ ; n. sūr carry, to v. lwè chicken droppings n. ryan 1 carve, to v. shī chicken egg n. ywɛ̀kə̄ cashew fruit n. kanjùn chief n. cūn1 cassava n. ləgū child n. fəvɛ̀n castrated goat n. ràn1; n. rə̌ 1 chilled, to be s.v. pyâr casually adv. pwə̂ chin n. ndə̄ ndɛ̀ cat n. məsà chirping of bush pigeon id. kuku-kùrǔkùkù catarrh n. kpə̀kprɛ̀ chirping of cicì insect id. kǔkukuku catch, to v. kurkpə; v. vūn2; v. zwè 2 choose, to v. cū2 caterpillar sp. n. ncɛ̄ zə̄ zə̄ cinders n. tə̀ntɔ̄ n cats’ eyes n. mə̄ nzε circular a. nkrǐn2 catseyes n. běnzɛ̄ circulate, to v.p. ngwur ngār1 cattle egret n. belə̄ belà circumcise, to v.p. nyə̄ r…rin 3 cause people to fight, to v. cɔ̀ circumvent, to v. cì2
53 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary civet cat n. jɛ̀ conceal, to v. nyə̄ r clan name n. Mgbɔ̀njɛ concealed place n. nvɔ̄ kī clandestinely adv. gigi concentrate on doing s.t., to v.p. fε bishi2 clap, to v. tsē concerning part. ətù 2 1 claw n. kə̄ nfə̀ confer, to v. gbə̀ clay n. ntə̄ r confess, to v. gbàr3 clean, to v. swε confidence n. nggu clean, to be s.v. kri confused adv.p. lan kyɛn climb down, to v. ji3 conjuration n. bwi climb, to v. ngun conquer, to v. rē3 1 clinic n. tārwu consider, to v. gbə̀ ; v.p. tè…kə close a. hyur1 consideration n. kə1 close (objects) a. hyuhyur construct, to v. mɛ̄ close-fitting, to be s.v. gàn consume, to v. rē2 close, to v. ywān contemptuous of, to be v. cə̄ r2 cloth n. nkulwe continue doing, to v. kasə̄ sē 1 clothes for masquerade n. kīnzɛ̀ continuous marker v.aux. là cloud n. kpəkpə convince, to v. ryàr 1 clump n. kpɔ̀cūn cook, to v. ryùn cluster n. tsûr cooked, to be s.v. gbre2 cluster of trees n. kpɔ̀cūn cool a. susù 2 co-wife n. gə̀rī cool, to be s.v. su cobra n. bì2 coolness n. shì2 cobweb n.p. rūrū gantàn cooperation n. kyūntu cock n. gbǎ copaiba balsam tree n. dān cockroach n. bə̀brɛ̀ywì copiously adv. kənànme coconut n. kwakwà copulate, to v. nà2 2 cocoyam n. lə̀lɔ̀ copulation n. nggā cold n. mvri cord n. mgbərīn; n. rūrū1 coldness n. mvri corn n. kpəmkpàn collapse, to v. ngā3 corn forest n. gbə̄ kpəmkpàn collect, to v. kyō; v. tān corn silk n. mgbənjan 2 2 colour a. gə̄ grεn; s.v. grɛ̌ n; a. sə̄ mban; s.v. sər cornstalk n. sān ; n. tɛ̀kpǔ colourful a. cə̄ car cornstalks n. sə̄ sān2 comb n. zɛ̄ 2 corpse n. kɔn comb hair, to v. sàr tu correct a. tsō combat n. kɔ̄ n correctly adv. brêbrè; adv. tsōtsō combat, to v. fɔ̀rεn costly, to be v.p. te…do 4 come back, to v. mə̀rtu; v. ngā cotton wool n. mfùrūrū come in, to v. nyər1 cough, to v. sɔn come out, to v. dòrù; v. fə̌ r2; v. rù 2 count, to v. blā 1 come, to v. nyə̀ courageous, to be s.v. kpàn də̌ r commencement n. kùcī courtyard n. kplabē committee n. kɔ̀mitì cover n. mpə communicate, to v. dàn cover, to v. ywān companion n. fəgyə̀ywə̄ ; n. zān covered basket n. kəji compassion n. mə̀tù covet, to v. gbə̀jikì complete a. gba; a. kpə̄ kpri cow n. làndār; n. ndō complete, to v. krɛ̀ cow-itch vine n. nkə̄ completed past marker v.aux. sə̄ 1 cowpea n. běsə̄ n completely adv. kūkwār; adv. mur; adv. tsōtsō cowpea plant n. sə̌ n compound n. kə̄ 2 crab n. kà1; n. kǎnggù comrade n. fəgyə̀ywə̄ ; n. zān crack a joke, to v.p. cǔ rɛn
54 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary crack open, to v. ngàr crow, to v. tō3 crack, to v. gbōtsū crowd n. jùn cracked a. lə̀lə̄ crowing of a cock id. kū-kukurukû crag chestnut-winged starling n. mgblàn crownbird n. hùhwàr; n. lə̀ngā 3 crawl, to v. gbà ; v. ngǎn crowned crane n. hùhwàr; n. lə̀ngā crazily adv. bə̀bè; adv. bə̀bèbè crush dry leaves, to v. pə̌ r 2 craziness n. lǎ crush, to v. bù; v. càn; v. kwɔ̀; v. ywi crazy, to be s.v. lǎ1 crustacean n. kà1 creep, to v. ngǎn crustacean sp. n. kǎnggù; n. kpǎr creeper n. nggūngwūr2 cry of a cat id. miyāū-miyāū 2 2 1 creeper sp. n. gbə̀ ; n. kān cry, to v. gì 2 crested porcupine n. shɔ̀ cry, to be about to v.p. càn nyū cricket n. gbə̀lantswē cup n. fənzə cripple n. nzu1 cure, to v. dɛ̄ n1 criticise, to v. gì gyɔ̄ curse, to v. gbə̀cu crocodile n. nkūr1 custom n. bān4 crocodile tears n. màmfɛ̄ cut down, to v. tsɛ̄ n crooked, to be s.v. gur cut, to v. fà3; v. far2; v. ywǎ2 cross (water), to v. ro cutlass n. dǎ2 cross over to, to v. zà cutting grass n. gyɛ̀n cross path, to v. kūsar cycle n. kìkyε crossroads a. kətar; n. ywar2
D d damage, to v. cā…zu; v. fε 2; v. la3 decomposed a. bəbə̄ dance n. glǒkyū; p.n. nzɔ̄ n decomposing a. tùr2 dance, to v. bwər; v. glo2 decorate, to v. te…nzɛ̄ dangle, to v. ncàwǔ defeat, to v. rē3 dark a. cīnji definitely not neg. lā…gba yo dark (green) c.i. myô deflated, to be s.v. blə dark black a. pîpī defraud, to v. gyùr darkness n. bū2 dehusk, to v. brì2 dassie n. gwūr deleb palm n. də̄ dār date-palm n. nε delighted n.p. də̌ r kə̄ kla 1 daughter-in-law n. gūgū; n. mbə̄ kwɔ̀; n. mbə̄ zē deliver, to v. ngrin dawn n. brîbrì; n. būbū; n. nzān deny, to v. tər2 day n. mbrɛ̄ ; n. rì1 dermatitis n. ryɔ̄ day after tomorrow n. vrē describes a loose animal id. ryɔryɔ̀ day before yesterday n. rìmū describes a thick liquid that has been diluted id. daybreak n. būbū; n. nzān kpə̄ rɛ̀-kpə̄ rɛ̀ days n. vē describes carrying something id. ncuwɛ̀ deaf person n. mkpītɔ̄ n, mkpɔntɔ̄ n describes chirping id. kpə̌ kpǎkpǎkpǎ; id. death n. kyù1; v.n. kyūte wartə̀war-wartə̀war debate n. ntan describes cutting s.t. into two quickly adv. gbrɛ̄ n 1 debate, to v. gbə̀ ; v.p. rē ntan describes falling gently adv. tsùtsǔ decayed a. bəbə̄ describes feeling cool id. cwàr decayed, to be s.v. bə2 describes groaning id. lənggə̀ decaying a. tùr2 describes how a lantern burns id. bə̂ rbə̀r deceive, to v. gyùr describes how s.o. has an innocent face id. ryɔ̂ declare, to v. dɔ̀n describes how s.o. walks quickly id. dârdār
55 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary describes how s.t. is snatched from s.o. by force difficult, to be s.v. rànkpə; v.p. te…dē 1 id. vwââp diffuse, to v.p. ngwur ngār1 1 describes how vehicles or people pass each other dig s.t. out of sand, to v. ryɛ̀ id. mvūmvùmvūn dig, to v. gyà describes laughter id. kpǎkpǎ diminutive pref. bě--; pref. fə- describes leaving in embarassment id. nywār- direction n. nggà nywār dirty a. mvān; c.i. ri describes liquid thrown out adv. kànkàrɛ̄ disagree, to v. kpə̄ ...kà describes s.o. full up id. swàà disappear, to v. gblà; v. rintu describes s.o. who looks like a small toad a. disapproving click of the tongue n. ncār vəmgbūmgburwɛ̄ discharge n. va 1 describes s.o. who looks pale a. shishà discuss, to v. gbə̀ ; v. hyar; v.p. rē ntan describes s.t. happening under your nose adv. disease n. də̀rè; n. kənvər; n. kpə̀kprɛ̀; n. gbə̀gbə̀zə̀ kpə̀kprɛ̀ sɔ̌ n; n. kpəmkpi; n. kpə ngār; n. 2 describes sipping a hot liquid id. sssp-sssp kùtsɔ; n. lamukā; n. lələ; n. mgbə̀mgbàn ; n. describes smelling bad adv. ywì nkrē2; n. shì1; n. ywùywǔ describes sneezing id. atìshâû disgusting a. mvān describes sound of movement id. zuzù dish n. nggūnggū describes spitting saliva straight adv. ntsə̄ r disorganised adv.p. lan kyɛn describes talking nonsense id. vââ disperse, to v. zàn 1 describes the barking of a dog id. wowowo disregard, to v. gban1 describes the smell of adolescents or the bad dissent, to v. kpə̄ ...kà smell of fish adv. ntsɛ district n. nci describes the sound of a motorcycle id. vrûûm dive, to v. mbǎnrìn2 1 describes the sound of a stone dropped inside divide, to v. gə̀ ; v. ka 2 water id. mplǒ divination n. tūr; n. zɔ̀n describes the sound of clapping hands id. dizziness n. gyūn pwapwa do s.t. excessively, to v. ngǔnsū2 describes things of the same height adv. brè do, to v. nàn describes walking lazily id. nyɔ̂ nnyɔ̀n doctor n. wāndɛ̄ n describes walking stiffly as a result of shame adv. dog n. nggǎgyū nyɔ̄ n mə̄ domestic animals n. kìyə̀wɔ̀ describes watching intently adv. ntēn domestic pigeon n. vəywudə̀ describes wishing for a bad thing excl. kpǎncun don't neg. kādə…[yo]; neg. kàsə…[yo] 1 describing a colourful design id. mpəryō door n. mpənkɔ̀n; n. nkɔ̀n ; n. nyū lə̄ nkɔ̀n mpə̄ ryò doorway n. nyū lə̄ nkɔ̀n describing how narrow a path is a. ryɔryɔ dormouse n. ncikrè describing s.o. doing s.t lazily id. yɔ̂ yɔ̀ dot a. kpà describing the look on s.o.’s face id. nvər dough n. cincì describing too much noise id. kpə̄ kplɔkplɔ̄ dove n. vənggù desiccate, to v. ku downcast n.p. də̌ r cīnji desiccated a. kukù doze, to v. dùr; v. nə̀nə̄ desire, to v. gbə̀jikì drag yourself along, to v. gbà3 desist, to v.p. gan …kre drag, to v. gbə̄ r; v. gbì 2 despise s.o., to v. cə̄ r dragging an issue v.n. njìnjɛ̄ despise, to v. shǎn dream n. rā despondent n.p. də̌ r cīnji dream, to v. ra3 1 destroy, to v. cā…zu; v. fε 2 dregs n. mbə̄ r ; n. mə̀kəbwə dew n. mə̀mɛ̄ drenched, to be v. cɔ1 1 ̀ diarrhoea n. sūr dressing up v.n. nzɛ̄ diarrhoea, to have, to v. ywǐkrǔ dried meat n. nkan nan die, to v.p. kan ngwɔn sà tu; v. kyu dried skin n. nkan ntàn die, to v. tsu drink n. prē differently adv. nkan, nkânnkān 56 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary drink, to v. sə̄ 2 due to conj. dùdu drip, to v. gū1; v. tɔn duiker n. kpǐr; n. tyə̄ 1 drive off, to v. glā dung n. gyε droplets n. cuncwən dung-beetle n. lə̀mgbɔ̀ drown, to v. mren1 dupe, to v. gyùr drum n. gə̀nggān dusk n. brîbrì; n. rìglò drunkenness n. hwə̌ dust n. ywūr dry a. kukù dust-devil n. tə̀tur dry food n. gànyǎn dwarf chicken n. dɛ̌ dry season n. gə̄ 1 dying v.n. kyūte dry up, to v. ngarmpwà 2 dysentery n. sūr1 dry, to become v. ku dysentery, to have v. ywǐkrǔ
E e eagle n. vəmbàn emphasises content of sentence p.u.t. nān ear n. tɔ̄ n enclosed area n. rɛ̄ kə̀ ear-ring n. běkìtɔ̄ n encounter, to v. ma1; v.p. ma…nkɔn early morning n. būbū; n. mbə̀mbrɛ̀cə̄ end, to v. krɛ̀ earth n. mə̀mē enemy n. dənggə; n. lənggə east n. nggà nzān engaged, to become v. gə̀r eat, to v. rē2 enjoy, to v.p. rē be eating s.t. sweet v.p. kplà nyū enlarged testicle n. mwɔ̌ eczema n. ryɔ̄ enmity n. dənggə edge n. kəsàn; n. kətɔ̄ n enraged n.p. də̌ r ngàr; a. gyār edible leaf n. mgbādār enraged, to be v.p. te gyār educated, to be v.p. bu bishi enter, to v. nyər1 egg n. ywɛ̄ entering at high speed adv. kplɔ eggplant n. lwē entering suddenly adv. gywār eggshell n. zə̄ zə̄ 1 enthusiasm n. njwɛn egusi melon n. mgbə̌ shi entrance n. nyū lə̄ nkɔ̀n eight num. tāndà entreat, to v. bər3 eighty num. sɛ̀ tāndà entreating n. bùbwɔ̀ either conj. gē; conj. kē enumerate, to v. blā 1 elbow n. nkɔn envy n. ywu elder n. tə̄ tē envy, to v. gbə̀jikì elderly a. kpəkpɔ epilepsy n. kpəmkpi elderly person n. mkpànē epiphyte n. rə̄ hyε elephant n. nyī equal a. gìgyə̀r elephant-snout fish n. mpar nyū err, to v. kə̄ nkā elephant-snout fish spp. n. mbə̄ lò escape, to v. gbōjūn elevate, to v. zǒ eternally adv. be; adv. njì1 eleven num. pwɔ̄ European p.n. mə̀sārā eliminated, to be v. ngarmpwà 1 evade, to v. cì2 emaciate, to v. shə̀r evaporation n. gbəjī embankment n. mgblè evening n. rìglò embarassment n. mùmwɔ̀n ever adv. gbàngyə̀r embrace, to v. nyεn1 everlasting adv. be embroider, to v. co every time adv. cùcùn(mu) emerald snake n. nggūngwūr1 evil n. běmè; a. gbəjā; a. məme emerge, to v. rù 2 exact a. tsō
57 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary exact position n. kpəmkpan expresses disappointment excl. Ishìì exact spot n. bubu expresses disgust excl. hen exasperated n.p. də̌ r ngàr expresses distaste excl. hǎ excavate, to v. gyà expresses relief excl. hm̀ exchange, to v. sər1 expressing a wish not to do s.t. bad excl. Tyir! excrement n. gyε expressing disgust excl. itsàr exhausted s.v. te…dē 2 extinguish fire, to v. rīn2 exhaustion n. dē extract oil by cooking, to v. ryùn1 exist, to v. shāmān extract, to v. jūn exit, to v. dòrù; v. fə̌ r2; v. gərù; v. shùn eye n. bǐshī expose, to v. fε 1
F f fabric n. nkulwe feed, to v. wɔ̀ face n. bǐshī feel your way, to v. mə̀mə̄ mlə̀; v. mlə̀ 1 fadama n. mgbɔ̀ female n. mbə̄ faeces n. gyε female friend n. yà fall down, to v. ngā3 female masquerade n. və̄ nggə̄ rin 2 fall, to v. gyεkū; v. jun; v. kū1 fence, to v. kan kə̄ 1 false locust tree n. gə̀ntē fermented cakes made from sorrel seeds n. shε false shea n. mbàr1 kpàn false termite n. gbə̄ mgbɛ̄ ntɔ̄ n fermented locust-seed cakes n. shε falsehood n. mò fertiliser n. takī family n. gbɔ̀n fetch water, to v. shàn 2 1 1 5 1 famine n. gyɔ̀n ; n. mfə fetch, to v. bwɛ̂ ; v. cū ; v. fə̀r; v. te ; v. tə fan liquid, to v. jə̀ few a. fətsɛ̀ fan-palm n. də̄ dār few days ago adv. rərɛ̀ 2 2 fantastic, to be s.v. mə̀ fibrous n. mbrī farm n. hwān fibrous dirt n. ryārkī farm shelter n. bə̄ r fifth num. tūn 1 farmer n. -dɔ; n. wāndɔ̀ fig tree n. mgbà ; n. nkā 1 farmland n. lan fig tree sp. n. bwə̀; n. mgbəmgbə̀r; n. tərbwə̀ fashionable s.v. kpɔ̌ n fight, to v. fɔ̀rεn fast a. brì3; adv. tswətswe file snake n. nkū fasten, to v. kpàn2 1 fill, to v. shɛ̄ 1 fat n. mə̀ywè filled adv. cwe fat mouse n. jwɛ̀ filter liquids, to v. sɛ̀n father n. tè; n. tə̄ tē; n. tīyà filter, to v. ngwār 1 father-in-law n. mə̀cī final a. gbâgba fatigue n. dē finalise, to v. krɛ̀ fatigued s.v. te…dē 2 finally adv. mkpun fatness n. mkpɔ̌ n finch n. kpəkpɔ̀ fear n. mpūr fine, to be s.v. tɔ̀nzɛ̄ fearful a. ywǔr; a. ywûrywùr finger n. kə̀mvrè ngwɔ̀n fearfully id. ywûryùrywùr fingernail n. kə̄ nfə̀ feast n. gān finish, to v. krɛ̀ feather n. nggù fire n. glo1 feathergrass n. sūswē fire-crowned bishop bird n. màjǎn feeble a. brɛ̄ brε, brɛ̂ brɛ̀; a. fa; a. flɔ̀fi fireplace n. kəkrɛ̄ feeble, to v. ji2 firewood n. kunkur
58 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary 1 firmly adv. mgbāmgbān; adv. tar foolishly adv. bə̀bè; adv. bə̀bèbè first born n. mlà foot n. mbwà zə̀ first, to be v. kūci for a long time adv. ndē 1; adv. rεndē fish (generic) n. hyī; n. mgbəryàn for free s.v. fà2 1 2 fish sp. n. bū mə̀sər; n. gblàkə̀ntsà; n. hwə ; n. forehead n. ci kəklàmfu; n. kəklà; n. kyūngwɔn; n. mbə̄ lò; forest n. cun 1 n. mpar nyū; n. ndə̀ forever adv. be; adv. njì fish-trap n. shɛ̄ 4 forget to deliver a message, to v. kùku fishing-net n. rūrū2 forget, to v.p. kəkan…də̄ fist n. nkyɛ̄ n fork a. kətar fitting v.n. nzɛ̄ forked pole n. nggā1 five num. tun forms abusive expressions n. kpar2 2 five days hence adv. cundɛ̀; adv. kənka fornication n. nggā fix, to v. shɛ̄ 3 four num. nlyɛ̄ 2 flame n. nanrεn glo four days hence adv. nka 3 flappet lark n. zùzu fowl n. kə̀kə̄ ; n. sūr flat, to be s.v. blə fresh a. màmpùr; id. pûrpùr; a. shushù flaunt, to v. gbrɛ̌ Friday p.n. tun ndu flee, to v. gbōjūn friend n. fəgyə̀ywə̄ ; n. kpān; n. zān flesh n. nan fright n. mpūr flour n. mùmū frightened by s.o., to be, to v. hɔ̄ flow down, to v. ji3 frog n. gbān 2 flow, to v. gū frog sp. n. mkpə̀ywɛ̀ flower (general) n. gbàr1 front n. ci2; loc. nggà bishi 1 flower of locust tree n. də̀dǔn lə̄ front of the house n. rɛ̄ fly sp. n. mgbə̀nwɔ̄ n frontier n. də̄ n fly, to v. bwā froth n. mfə̄ flying ants n. begywī fruit n. klə̄ 1; n. vɛ̄ n2 foam n. mfə̄ fruit sp. n. cùmbwɛ̌ ; n. kanjùn; n. mənggə̀rō; n. fog n.p. ywūr glō shǔnkì fold back earth, to v. kpm̀ 2 fruit-bat n. kpūmkpār fold, to v. kpm̄ 2 fry, to v. klā follow closely, to v. tārtār fufu n. ncùkùryɔ̄ follow in order of birth, to v. sàzwē full adv. cwe follow, to v. bān1; v. kū2; v. zwē fullfil, to v. shɛ̄ 2 1 ‘follow’, to v. glə̀ fully adv. mur fonio n. běntsu fungus n. gwa 2 food n. grǐgbō; n. kàrà; n. kìrē; n. lā; n. mbwār; furious n.p. də̌ r ngàr; a. gyār n. mə̀nǎn; n.p. mgbākī ngə̀; n. mgbɔ̄ ; n. furious, to be v.p. te gyār ncùkùryɔ̄ ; n. nzan futile a. fa; a. flɔ̀fi fool n. kpə̀r; n. wānfà
G g galago n. kpətεglā gather in a group, to v. kyōte gamba grass n. nkan1 gather up s.t., to v. krǔ 3 Gambian tree squirrel n. vəsə̀r gather, to v. kyō; v. kyūn; v. mgbɔ̀ game n. kūwà; n. ncɔ̀ gauge, to v. mà gap teeth n. mbù gazelle n. vənzē garden egg n. lwē gecko n. ncɛ̀làdān; n. ncìlàdān; n. njìlàdān 1 gather and sell, to v. kyūn rɛ̀ gelded goat n. ràn
59 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary 3 3 genet cat n. bə̀r grand child n. gi get away from, to v. dè grasp, to v. klà…bàn; v. vūn2 get down, to v. kūjì grass (generic) n. gəga; n. mgbəga get started early, to v. tə̄ rtswē grass sp. n. bɔ̌ ; n. də̀dè; n. də̀də̀n; n. gǎncɛ̌ ; n. get up hastily, to v.aux. gìga; v. klà…doglò gbə̀lāntswē; n. gə̀ntsù; n. gyεzē; n. kəywε; n. get up, to v. doglō kə̀zēnyān; n. kpə̄ nyìn; n. lə̀lwè; n. mbə̌ r; n. 1 get wet, to v. cɔ̀ mfùbrì; n. mgbāngə̄ n; n. mgbə̄ mgbār; n. 1 get, to v. kpə̀; v. mwə̀n mgbə̌ shò; n. mkpǐr; n. ncìryɛ̄ n; n. ncwə̄ n; n. 1 2 1 ghost n. brì njì ; n. njùn; n. nkan ; n. nyə̀nyǔn; n. giant kingfisher n. bùkan nzə̀nzɛ̀; n. ryǎncū; n. sūswē; n. tə̀kpǒ; n. giant rat n. kpūr yàwǔ girl n. və̄ nggə̄ grass warbler n. vəndakpyɛ̀n 1 give birth, to v. ngrin grasscutter n. gyɛ̀n give ceremonially, to v. ra2 grasshopper n. rə̌ ncε give or take credit, to v. la1 grasshopper sp. n. tsutswè 2 give way, to v. cī; v. dèbə̀; v. dètswē; v. dè gratis s.v. fà give, to v. nə̄ grave n. brε given freely s.v. fà2 gravel n. mgbəmgbrɛn; n. səka; n. tsəka gizzard n. mkpīr grease n. mə̀ywè gleam, to v. krǐ greatly adv. nggān gleaming adv. lan ngglan greed n. mvu globe n. kpàkrīn greed for many things n. mvumvu globules n. cuncwən green a. shushù glow, to v. krǐ green fruit-pigeon n. dàtso go ahead, to v. kūcici green leaves n. mgbākī go backward, to v. ryə̀n greet someone, to v. mgbīmgbī go deep inside water, to v. mə̀rǐn greet, to v. zɛ̀ go home, to v. kāgbm grey hair n. gwa 1 go in or out, to v.p. zà kū grey parrot n. aku go out and defecate, to v.p. shun ntεn grey plantain-eater n. kpukpà go out of sight, to v. rintu grind, to v. bù; v. kwɔ̀ go out, to v. gərù; v. shùn grinding stone n. nə̄ nə̄ go past, to v.p. vu ngà grope, to v. mə̀mə̄ mlə̀; v. mlə̀ go to, to v. gəgə̄ grotto n. kə̌ ywǎ 1 go with, to v. bān ground n. dàncɔ̀; n. mə̀mē go-between n. ncə̀kpū ground squirrel n. ntə̀ywàn go, to v. ywè groundnut n. běncwē; n. shisha 1 2 goat n. gūgu; n. rə̌ ; n. yūr group n. mgbɔ̀ 2; n. nkyə̄ r; n. tsûr goblet n. fənzə grouts n. mbə̄ r1 1 God p.n. Mkparū; n. rì grove n. kpɔ̀cūn going on and on about s.t. v.n. njìnjɛ̄ grow lean, to v. shə̀r goitre v.p. ru gbàr grow thin, to v. shə̀r good, to be s.v. tɔ̀nzɛ̄ ; s.v. tɔ̀ grow up, to v. cε goodness n. zəzè guest n. cə̄ r1 gossip, to v. grǐ guiltily adv. kuku2 gourd n. gbə̀gbakì; n. kə̀mbə̄ ; n. kpǎnjūn; n. guinea-corn n. kpǔ mgbù; n. mpə̄ guinea-corn head n. dǎ1 2 3 gourd vine n. gbə̀ guinea-corn husk n. tùr governor n.p. tu mə̀mē guinea-corn kernel n. běkpū grab, to v. klà…bàn guinea-fowl n. tsè grain n. běkì; n. bě guinea-yam n. krì grain-store n. gùr2 gum (of mouth) n. mbū 2 granary n. gùr ; n. vənyɔ̀n; n. vərà gumbo n. ndə̀r
60 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary 2 gun n. zǔ gutter n. mbə̀mblə̄ kì guts n. kīnɛ̀n
H h
Hadada ibis n. tarnggə̄ (n) hedgehog n. kāca Hah! So! excl. hân? heel n. nkɔ̄ nzə̀ hair n. mfù; n. mfùtù help, to v. là2; v. zɔ̌ 3 half-cooked a. bwɔ̂ bwɔ̄ hen n. kə̀kə̄ ; n. sūr half-light n. brîbrì hepatitis n. kùtsɔ halt, to v.p. gan …kre; v. kankrè; v. krè her pron. gu; pron. kə2 hamerkop n. ngəganmə herb sp. n. kənkulwe; n. ncə̄ ; n. ncə̀ryɛ̌ n; n. hamlet n. fətse sə̀sàn hand n. ngwɔn herbalist n. wāntěwu hang, to v. klə̄ 2; v. ncàwǔ here dem. nyānmē; loc. sə̄ kànmē; n. tswē1 hanger n. rəre herself pron. kəywə̄ happen, to v. te2 hiccup n. nzě happiness n. wushi; n. zə̀zè hidden dark place n. kəmfār happy n.p. də̌ r kə̄ kla hidden place n. nvɔ̄ kī 1 hare n. gyɔ̀n ; n. vəgyɔ̀n hide, to v. nyə̄ r harlot n. kar; n. kilakī high s.v. tàn1; adv. tsa2 harlot, to be v.p. te cucu hill n. gbù2 harm, to v. la3 him pron. gu; pron. kə2 harmattan n. mkpān mvri himself pron. kəywə̄ harmed, to be v. la3 hip n. mkpìr harrier hawk n. vəryàn hippopotamus n. ywɛ̀n hartebeest n. lunkpùr hirsute a. gàryǎn harvest season n. mkpān fa his p.a. mə̀gu harvest, to v. fà3 history n. dū haste n. kplā1 hit, to v. ngwur1 hastily adv. kplǒ hoe n. kpətεnyān; n. nzār 1 2 hat n. bə̀r ; n. kə̀tà hold on to, to v. vūn hatch, to v. hwɔn hole (natural) n. bə̀ hatchet n. nggə̀r hole in ground n. jūjū Hausa man p.n. Nggwě hole in tree n. wɔ̄ nkì 2 have sex, to v. nà holiday n. sɔ̀nsù have, to v. te1 home n. kə̄ 2 1 hawk n. bɔ̀n; n. vəmbàn honey n. shɔ̀ ; n. tɔ̄ n shɔ haze n.p. ywūr glō hook n. kwàr1 head n. tu hooked stick n. kpàgə̄ head dress n. mbàr2 hoopoe n. vəkpotù head of the land n.p. tu mə̀mē horn n. də̀nggàn 1; n. mplɔ̄ n; n. njò 1 headache n. gə̀ncə tù; n.p. tu ngār horse n. nyàn 1 heal, to v. dɛ̄ n horseradish tree n. jəgule; n. mkpən kyə̀gbò hear, to v. gwɔ hot a. goglo heart n. də̌ r hot sun n. mgblarì hearth n. kəkrɛ̄ hot, to be v. wǔ 2 heat n. ngə̀ngǎn hotness n. ngə̀ngǎn heat rashes n. zùzǔ hourglass drum n. cìnjǐ heavens n. mkpəlàshū house n. kə̄ 2 heavy, to be s.v. rǒ house owner n. tākikə̀; n. wānkə̀
61 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary house-bat n. rə̀mgbyìr hunt, to v. ryān housefly n. cīncī hunter n. wāntānan 1 how long? how much? int. sɛ̀ bər hurry n. kplā How many? int. bər2 hurry, to v. hyūn How much? int. bər2 hurt, to v. bri1; v. ràn2; v. vrè2 how? int. sɛ̌ n hurtful, to be v. tǒ huge a. nggɔ̀n husband n. lɔn human being n. něnjì hut n. ncā humbly adv. gurgur hydrocele n. mwɔ̌ ; n. ntɛ̀ 1 2 hunger n. gyɔ̀n ; n. mfə hyena n. tə̄ rmvū hungry, to feel s.v. kumfə
I i
I pron. kəmù; pron. nggə̄ injection n. mgbī idiot n. kpə̀r; n. wānfà inner cheek n. mgbo idiotically adv. bə̀bè; adv. bə̀bèbè innocent a.p. mgbərɛ kəkla idle, to be v. cūn3 insane, to be s.v. lǎ1 2 idleness n. kpə̀kplə̌ insanity n. lǎ if conj. də̀; conj. də̄ ; cond. də̀sē; cond. gbā inscribe, to v. car if not conj. də̀gba insect sp. n. begywī; n. bə̀bàrì; n. bə̀brɛ̀ywì; n. Igbo p.n. wāngbɔ̀ cīncī; n. gantàn; n. gàr; n. gbə̀dàr; n. ill, to be v. lə̄ 4 gbə̄ gbār; n. gbə̄ gbə̄ kpm̀ ; n. gbə̄ gbrē; n. 2 illness n. lələ; n. mgbə̀mgbàn gbə̀jimkplɔn; n. gbə̀lantswē; n. 3 illuminated, to be s.v. lǎ gbə̄ mgbɛ̄ ntɔ̄ n; n. gblancā; n. gə̀lǐmgbə̀; n. image n. gbrīn 1 gǔn; n. gyəgyərtsò; n. kambàn; n. imbecile n. kpə̀r kpə̀kpalaywī; n. lə̀lān kəkə; n. lə̀lān; n. imitate, to v. kùlwè lə̀mgbɔ̀; n. lə̀ywǎ; n. lùmù; n. lùmvù; n. immature a. màmpùr màdār; n. màmgbyɛ̀n; n. mbə̀mbɔ̀; n. mbə̄ 1 immediately adv. gè; adv. mē ; adv. mēmē suswɛ; n. mbùmbɔ̀; n. mə̄ mi shɔ; n. 2 immoral behaviour n. war mgbə̀lantù; n. mgbə̀nwɔ̄ n; n. mkparyə̀; n. implies despising s.o. excl. Tsàr kə̀dərirî mūmūn; n. mvə̄ rkì; n. mvə̄ r; n. ncɛ̄ zə̄ zə̄ ; n. in loc. ə; loc. (ə)nywī; loc. mīn; loc. nywī njàrkpà; n. njə̀r; n. ntsū; n. ntswē; n. nyàn 2 in front of loc. nggà bishi mkparu; n. nyàr; n. nyɛ̀n; n. rə̌ ; n. rə̀cǔn; n. 1 3 in line adv. ndə̄ rə̌ ncε; n. rəryar; n. shɔ̀ ; n. sùr ; n. swɛ; n. in pain, to be v. lə̄ 4 tambrishɔ; n. tsutswè; n. vəvà; n. wù2 1 in the middle of loc. də̀ntswe insects n. nyɛ̄ n in the open adv. shirì inside loc. (ə)nywī; loc. mīn; loc. nywī in the past adv. sə̀sɛ̀ insisting on one doing s.t adv. màmgbān in-law n. ywē1 instead adv. gyɛ̂ n 3 inaudibly adv. ndān instigate, to v. cɔ̀ ; v.p. fɛ̀ mvre inception n. kùcī instruct, to v. blā 3; v. tsàr 3 incite, to v. cɔ̀ ; v.p. fɛ̀ mvre intensely adv. nggān include, to v. kū3 inter, to v. ryùn2 incorporate, to v. kū3 interest n. njwɛn indigestion n. fû interior of traditional grave n. gūr indolence n. kpə̀kplə̌ interrogative formant -tan infant n. fəvɛ̀n intestine n. mgbərɛ inflate, to v. wu1 intoxication n. hwə̌ initially adv. jàjà invite, to v. shàr initiation cycle p.n. Rín zē irate n.p. də̌ r ngàr
62 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary iron n. zə̄ issue n. rɛn2; n. rεn2 iron clapper n. mə̄ nggla it pron. kə2; pron. yə̄ 1; pron. yə iron clapper-bell n. lə̀lǎ itch, to v. fā iron clapperless bell n. shə̄ itchgrass n. kə̀zēnyān is v. re1; v. sē1 itself pron. kəywə̄
J j jackal n. nggǎgyū hwān jumblebeads n. běnzɛ̄ ; n. mə̄ nzε 1 jar n. mbǔ; n. rɛ̀n; n. tsə̄ jumbled adv.p. lan kyɛn jaundice n. kùtsɔ jump up, to v.p. gyεn ncār jaw n. ngā2 jumping frog sp. n. kukushār jealousy n. ywu junction a. kətar; n. ywar2 joy n. wushi; n. zə̀zè junior n. shishar joyful n.p. də̌ r kə̄ kla junior in-law n. zɔn jubilant n.p. də̌ r kə̄ kla just like that adv. me judge, to v. sùr2
K k kapok cotton n. mfùru kpm̀ kindle fire, to v. mwɔ̀ kapok tree n. kpm̀ 1 king n. cūn1 karaya gum tree n. kyōntàn; n. tɔ̄ ntàn knee n. gbəryūn keep, to v. zwè 1 knife n. njī kenaf n. nkwār knock on the head n. mkpyɛ̀n 2 kerosine n. kə̀lànzər knot, to v. zù kick, to v. tàr2 know, to v. tsə̄ 2 kidney n. sūr2 knowledge n. tsə̄ kì kill, to v. ngūn1; v. nlywe knowledgeable, to be v.p. bu bishi 1 1 kin n. gbɔ̀n; n. mla kusu n. zɛ̄
L l ladder n. nggā1 law n. bān4 ladle n. fərɔ̀n lax a. frēfrè lamp n. tə̀təlà lay down, to v. kùr land n. mə̀mē lay, to v. kùr 2 land monitor n. kyù layer n. mə̀kpǎ landlord n. tākikə̀ laziness n. kpə̀kplə̌ language n. kwār rεn; n. nyūrεn lazy, to be s.v. yɔ̄ kpə lantern n. tə̀təlà lead n. dar large a. nggɔ̀n lead, to v. kūcici 1 large male patas monkey n. bɛ̄ ; n. kpɔ̀mgbukpɔ̀n leader n. cūn ; n. nggɔn last a. gbâgba leaf n. mgbāmvū gywi; n. mgbāmvū later on adv. nzεn leak, to v. gū1 later, to be v. mbe fà learn, to v. cā2 1 laugh, to v. mla2 learned, to be v.p. bu bishi
63 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary learning n. tsə̄ kì mbəlanzān leave off, to v. cūn…ngwɔn; v. kà…dɔ̀n load n. lwe leave s.t. for s.o., to v. sa nkū loan, to v. la1 leer, to v. grɛ̀n local hanger n. nggre left a. mlā1 local maggi n. shε leg n. zə̀ location n. bubu; n. kpəmkpan lend, to v. kə3 locust bean tree n. lə̄ 2 lengthy adv. ndē 1 log n. gbɔ̄ nkì; n. mgbəlɔkì leopard n. cə̄ long a. rərɛ̄ 1 leprosy n. shì long ago adv. sə̀sɛ̀mu let go of, to v. cūn…ngwɔn long-crested helmet-shrike n. vəmpərò let, to v. nə̄ long-tailed shrike n. jijà letter n. mgbāmvū long, to be s.v. rε2 levirate marriage n. gbə̀rǐn look at s.o., to v.p. ryùn…kyɛn 2 liana (general) n. nggūngwūr look at s.t. incessantly, to v.p. mə̀r kyɛn 2 liana sp. n. kān look at, to v. kyɛ̄ n 1; v. mə̀r 2 lice n. nyàr look for, to v. fɔ̀ lick one’s finger, to v. fè look like, to v. kyɛ̄ n 2 lick the mouth, to v.p. màn mgbo look out for, to v. gbyɛ̄ n2 lick, to v. rà look straight ahead, to v. nggyə̄ r lid n. mpə look, to v. nggyə̄ r lie n. mò looking tough id. mgblamgbla lie down, to v. kakùr looking unsettled adv.p. lan kyɛn life n. shishɛ̄ n loose a. frēfrè lift up, to v. zǒ lost, to be s.v. də 1 light a. fafa; n. tə̄ r ; n. tə̀təlà louse n. nyàr 2 1 lightning n. nār ; n. nlyɛ̄ love potion n. kə̀jì like adv. kə̄ de; adv. sə̄ sān1 love, to v. nyεn1 like that adv. sə̄ sānmenàn lovegrass n. mbə̌ r like this dem. ənə̀mē; dem. nə̀mē low adv. jən 1 Lima beans n. běkyɛ̀n lower back n. tər limit n. də̄ n lower leg n. kprɛ̄ lion n. bǎrga lower part of abdomen n. bri2 lip n. bǎrnyū lunacy n. lǎ2 1 liquid n. mə̀mə̀ lunatic, to s.v. lǎ listen, to v. gwɔ; v.p. hyūr tɔ̄ n lung(s) n. fū little a. fənyεn; a. fətsɛ̀ lust after, to v. gbə̀jikì liver n. susur lying n. mò livestock n. kìyə̀wɔ̀ lymph n. ywur 2 lizard sp. n. kpáncá; n. kpə̀cawù; n. kyù ; n.
M m mad, to be s.v. lǎ1 maize n. grǐgbō; n. kpəmkpàn Mada people p.n. Mə̀da maize kernel n. běmkpàn madness n. lǎ2 make a mistake, to v. kə̄ nkā maggot n. mūmūn; n. ntsū make beer, to v. jìmə̀ magic n. bwi; n. kwār3 make fun of, to v. nggrεn 1 magician n. mā1; n. wān(re)kwār make haste, to v. hyūn mahogany tree n. tsə̄ r make incomprehensible noise, to v. kplɔ glə maiden n. və̄ nggə̄ make ridges, to v. rɔn
64 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary make trouble with people, to v.p. fɛ̀ mvre munyàn; adv. njwɛ̂ n; adv. tə̀tɔ̀ 2 make trouble, to v. shɔ̌ me pron. nggə̀ make, to v. nàn; v. te3 measure, to v. mà malachite kingfisher n. tsànì meat n. nan; n. nkan nan 2 2 malady n. lələ; n. mgbə̀mgbàn medicament n. wu male cricket n. njàrkpà medicine n. wu2 male sheep n. nkrù meet on the road, to v.p. ma…nkɔn malice n. běmè meet, to v. ma1 3 1 3 mammal sp. n. bǎrga; n. bə̀r ; n. bɛ̄ ; n. bū ; n. mend, to v. shɛ̄ 1 cə̄ ; n. cə̀r; n. dɛ̀n; n. gwūr; n. gyàr; n. gyɛ̀n; meni oil tree n. mbàr 1 4 n. gyɔ̀n ; n. jɛ̀; n. jwɛ̀; n. kāca; n. kə̄ gbù; n. menstruating, to be v. kū klǎ; n. klò; n. kpàlo; n. kpətεglā; n. kpǐr; n. merchant n. wānrɛ̀kī kpɔ̀mgbukpɔ̀n; n. kpūmkpār; n. kpūr; n. mercy n. mə̀tù lə̌ dē hwan; n. lunkpùr; n. mkprìshì; n. nār1; merry n.p. də̌ r kə̄ kla n. ncikla; n. ncikrè; n. nggǎgyū hwān; n. message n. ndu 2 nggǎgyū mə̀sər; n. nkrētəgya; n. ntə̀ywàn; n. metal n. zə̄ 2 nwɔ̄ n; n. nyī; n. nzɛ̌ ; n. rə̀mgbyìr; n. rìcī; n. mid-day n. mgblarì 1 2 1 ryò ; n. shɔ̀ ; n. tə̄ rmvū; n. tsèkpɔ̌ ; n. tyə̄ ; n. migraine n. gə̀ncə tù 2 vəcùn; n. vəgyɔ̀n; n. vəkpir; n. vəndεndān; millet n. bedə̀rō; n. yo n. vənzē; n. vəsə̀r; n. vəsùr; n. vətɔ̀; n. ywɛ̀n; millipede n. gbə̀jimkplɔn n. zɛ̄ 1; n. zù1 mimic, to v. kùlwè man n. lə̄ lɔn; n. və̄ lɔn mine p.a. mə̄ nggə̀ mango n. mənggə̀rō mineral n. zinari manioc n. ləgū minor issues n. ncinrin manure n. gyε mirror n. zàr2 many a. kənàn mislead, to v. gyùr mark out, to v. far3 miss out on, to v. gban1 mark, to v. car missing, to be s.v. də market n. do mist n.p. ywūr glō market-day n. do mistletoe n. rə̄ hyε marks infinitive v.aux. kə̄ 1 mistreat s.o., to v. fə̌ r1 2 2 marriage n. ngə̄ mix beniseed, to v. ngə̀ marry, to v.p. gbō ywe ngə̄ mix, to v. cū3; v. sàn2; v. tar4; v. ywa 1 marsh n. mgbɔ̀ mixed up adv.p. lan kyɛn 2 2 marvellous, to be s.v. mə̀ mock, to v. cā 2; v. gyə̌ ; v. nggrεn 1 mash with foot, to v. càn Monday p.n. gyərndu mason wasp n. màmgbyɛ̀n money n. kə̄ jī 1 masquerade n. Lə̀ndūr; p.n. Ndwə̀r; p.n. Njwě mongoose n. nār hwākī; n. Njwě; p.n. Njwě shīshā; p.n. Rín monkey sp. n. bɛ̄ ; n. cə̀r; n. klǎ; n. zē kpɔ̀mgbukpɔ̀n massage, to v. hwā month n. hwə2 2 mat n. mbu; n. tə̀kpàn moon n. hwə match, to v. flɔ̀ more than, to be, to v. mwɔn matchet n. dǎ2 moringa n. jəgule matching adv. brè; a. gìgyə̀r morning n. mbrɛ̀cə̄ ; n. mbrɛ̀ 1 mate n. fəgyə̀ywə̄ ; n. zān mortar n. ji maternal uncle n. gi3 mosquito n. wù2 2 2 2 matter n. rɛn ; n. rεn mother n. gyə̌ r ; n. gyə̀ywə̄ ; n. yā mature a. gbəgbrè mother-in-law n. gūgū 1 mature, to be s.v. gbre motor n. kì yə̀ sǎ mature, to be, to v. cε motorbike n. bàbər maxim v.p. nggyɛ̀ rεn motorcycle n. bàbər maybe adv. kə̀ndà; adv. məgē, məkē; adv. mould n. gwa 2
65 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary mouldy a. tùr2 mum n. gyə̌ r2; n. yā mount, to v. ngun murder, to v. ngūn1 2 mountain n. gbù mushroom sp. n. bə̀brɛ̀gyùn; n. gigyun mouth n. nyū musical bow n. kànggǔ move off, to v. dè musical instrument n. cìnjǐ; n. də̀nggàn 1; n. 4 2 3 move, to v. cī; v. tar gə̀nggān; n. gə̀ntē ; n. gyə̌ r ; n. kànggǔ; n. much a. kənàn kə̀nggān; n. kùcūn; n. kùkùkpur; n. lə̀lǎ; n. mud n. ncān2 mbwɛ̌ wùyà; n. mə̄ nggla; n. mgbə̄ ; n. mplɔ̄ n; mud-wasp n. lùmù n. shə̄ ; n. sūswɛ̌ muddled adv.p. lan kyɛn musk shrew n. rìcī muddy (water) a. tə̀là must v.aux. kpakiki mug n. fənzə myself pron. kəmù; pron. tukpə̀ 2 multicoloured a. cə̄ car
N n naked a. mwāmwār nightjar n. kaprɛ̄ 1 name n. sān nincompoop n. kpə̀r; n. wānfà namesake n. zāgū nine num. tīyār narrative n. dū; n. ncancùn nitwit n. kpə̀r; n. wānfà narrow a. hyε No! excl. an àn narrow-necked pot n. mbǔ noisily id. kpə̄ kplɔkplɔ̄ natron n. mə̀tɔ̀ noisy, to be v. gwàr navel n. mgbə̀mgbə̀r noon n. mgblarì near a. hyuhyur; a. hyur1 north n. nggà shū necessary, to be v.aux. kpakiki nose n. mvre necessity n. kpaki not adv. yo1 2 neck n. tyə̄ not do, to v. kà…dɔ̀n necklace n. nzə̄ nzɛ̄ tə̄ not even cond. gbà1 needle n. mgbī not produce, to v. ngarmpwà 3 nephews n. nyàn2 not recognise s.o. easily, to v.p. kàn…bishi nest n. njār not to do any work, to v. cūn3 1 never adv. gbàngyə̀r; adv. mgbomgboyo not unless cond. gbà never at all adv. mgbomgboyo now adv. gè; adv. mē1; adv. mēmē; adv. nzɛ̂ nmē new a. suswɛ̀ nowadays adv. nzɛ̂ nmē next time adv. kə mù nude a. mwāmwār next to loc. gi1 number of times s.t. is done pref. kə- night n. bū2; n. rìbū nurse, to v. màn night-adder n. krushə̄
O o
2 oar n. pə̀làpəle of it pron. ywə̄ oath n. rin of the same height adv. nyâr 1 obstruct, to v. ywar oil n. mə̀nyɛ̀n ocarina n. kùcūn oil-palm n. rē1 occur, to v. te2 okay, to be v. ma2 2 odour n. cumgbə̀; n. mgbə̀ okra n. ndə̀r oedema n. sə̀sɛ̄ n old a. kpəkpɔ
66 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary old (things) a. kūkū only a. gba; conj. kya; a. kyame; adv. me omit, to v. gban1 only one a. fəgyə̄ r on loc. ə open space n. kpàr on account of conj. dùdu open, to v. bu on top loc. ətù 1 open, to be s.v. bǔ on/off (light), to v.p. mgbě hyô openly adv. kpār; adv. shirì once adv. kəgyə̄ r opponent n. lənggə once upon a time excl. ncà1 oppress, to v. fə̌ r1 1 one num. gyə̌ r ; num. gyə̀r; num. mgbrɛn; pron. or conj. gē; conj. kē wān orange n. làmǔ 2 one by one adv. gyərgyər ordeal n. zɔ̀n one day n. rì gyə̀r ornament, to v. te…nzɛ̄ one hundred num. gigyə̀r otter n. nggǎgyū mə̀sər one kobo n. kəbū ours p.a. mə̄ tə̀ one of pron. wān out of the way, to v.p. vu ngà one who pron. wān outside loc. bē one-eyed person n. mfè overdo, to v. ngǔnsū2 oneself pron. mkpumù owl n. nkùwu onion n. lə̀basā owner n. tāki
P p
6 pack, to v. te pathetic a. fa; a. flɔ̀fi paddle n. pə̀làpəle pathway n. kə̀bǔ 2 pain sharply, to v. ràn pawpaw n. nkə̀gbò; n. ywēmkpə̀r pain, to v. vrè2 pay back, to v. ləla painful, to be v. bri1 pay close attention, to v.p. shə̄ r tɔ̄ n palm civet ? n. vətɔ̀ peanut n. běncwē palm midrib n. də̀mgbà rě peasant n. wāndɔ̀ palm nut n. kàkū peel (maize), to v. swɛ̌ palm wine n. ncàr peel, to v. frē; v. shī1 palm-fruit n. māndɛ̄ penis n. njo panic, to v.p. tsǔ də̄ r penury n. jə̄ panpipe n. gyə̌ r3; n. mgbə̄ pepper n. mgbə̄ mgblān papaya n. nkə̀gbò; n. ywēmkpə̀r perhaps adv. kə̀ndà; adv. məgē, məkē; adv. paper n. mgbāmvū car munyàn; adv. njwɛ̂ n; adv. tə̀tɔ̀ paper money n. mgbāmvū perplexity excl. mbǎnrìn1 paraffin n. kə̀lànzər persistence v. mə̀mgbān paralysed due to a sudden fright person n. nē1; n. něnjì parboiled a. bwɔ̂ bwɔ̄ person of pron. wān part of the negative marker neg. la…[yo] person who pron. nənè part of, to become v. ngàn1 person who uses magical powers n. mākī partition n. nzə̀nzər personal name p.n. Běmè; p.n. Bə̀brɛ̂ ; p.n. partridge n. kwɔ̌ Bə̀tərē; p.n. Blāmə̀kə̀; p.n. Blāntān; p.n. Blā; 1 parts of an animal n. kān p.n. Blārɛn; p.n. Bùbwɔ̀; p.n. Cāngrɛ̄ n; p.n. party n. gān Cànkyū; p.n. Cìkyū; p.n. Cìmbə̄ ; p.n. pass the night, to v. nà1 Cìncān; p.n. Cìnē; p.n. Cōntān; p.n. Cudè; 1 pass through, to v. glə̀ p.n. Cūnbə; p.n. Cūncɔ̀; p.n. Cūnjà; p.n. patas monkey n. cə̀r Cūnjə̀ma; p.n. Cūnmbə; p.n. Cūnmgbɔ̀; p.n. 3 patch up s.t., to v. shɛ̄ Cūnmwɔ̀cu; p.n. Cūnndə̄ ywān; p.n. 2 path n. kənkɔ̀n; n. nkɔ̀n ; n. vənkɔ̀n Cūnrīnzɛ̄ ; p.n. Danbə; p.n. Danrɛn; p.n.
67 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary Dantsù; p.n. Dərsùbə; p.n. Dɔ̀hwan; p.n. p.n. Məsər-nglazə; p.n. Mə̀shikarɛ; p.n. Dɔ̀nbə; p.n. Dɔ̀nkɔ̄ n; p.n. Dɔ̀nkyū; p.n. Mə̀shi; p.n. Mə̀wu; p.n. Mfùnan; p.n. Fàvɛ̄ n; p.n. Fəjə̀; p.n. Fəmbə̄ ; p.n. Fəntàn; Mgbəga; p.n. Mgbənjan; p.n. Mgbə̀nyūglo; p.n. Fənyεn; p.n. Fɔ̀kyɛn; p.n. Fɔ̀ngrɛ̄ n; p.n. p.n. Mgbərìngan; p.n. Mgbə̄ rìnkī; p.n. Fɔ̀rεn; p.n. Fɔ̀tswē; p.n. Gànkɔ̀n; p.n. Mgbɔ̀kəji; p.n. Mgbɔ̀nē; p.n. Mkpə̄ ryòkī; Gàsūba; p.n. Gbə̀jikì; p.n. Gìkyū; p.n. p.n. Mkpūnmbə̄ ; p.n. Mpǔrmə̀; p.n. Gìmwɔ̄ n; p.n. Gǐndə̄ n; p.n. Glābə; p.n. Mwɔnbə; p.n. Mwɔnshīn; p.n. Nànggwe; p.n. Gyancə̀; p.n. Gyànkɔ̀n; p.n. Gyanzo; p.n. Nangrɛ̄ n; p.n. Nankrè; p.n. Nankyɛn; p.n. Gyārku; p.n. Gyàr; p.n. Gyɔ̌ bə; p.n. Gyɔ̄ gɔ̄ n; Nansɔ̀n; p.n. Nàrcūn; p.n. Ncaka; p.n. Ncān; p.n. Gyɔ̌ jə̄ ; p.n. Gyɔ̌ kɔ̄ n; p.n. Gyǔnggɔ̀n; p.n. p.n. Ndənē; p.n. Nēgyə̄ r; p.n. Nēkrɛ; p.n. Gyunka; p.n. Gyǔnkə̀; p.n. Gyǔnrē; p.n. Ngànsūbə; p.n. Ngārɛn; p.n. Ngārgbù; p.n. Gyǔnrɛ̄ ; p.n. Gyùrbə; p.n. Hyɛnyū; p.n. Ngə̀ngǎn; p.n. Nggabē; p.n. Nggampwar; Jākī; p.n. Jànbə; p.n. Jə̄ krɛ; p.n. Jə̄ nē; p.n. p.n. Nggarē; p.n. Nggɔnggɔn Ri; p.n. Jìme; p.n. Jìngrɛ̄ n; p.n. Jǔnglō; p.n. Jùnnē; Ngresubə; n. Ngwɔn Ri; p.n. Ngwɔnrì; p.n. p.n. Kàbə; p.n. Kadɔn; p.n. Kàlā; p.n. Kàmə̀; Njùwàci; p.n. Nkɔ̀ncɔ̀; p.n. Nkɔ̀nggwe; p.n. p.n. Kancānkī; p.n. Kànē; p.n. Kànkə̄ ; p.n. Nkɔ̀nkyū; p.n. Nkɔ̀nrɛ; p.n. Nkɔ̀nryān; p.n. Kànzan; p.n. Kàrɛn; p.n. Kasē; p.n. Kàwu; Nkɔ̀nyān; p.n. Nkyɛnnē; p.n. Ntànrin; p.n. p.n. Kə̀bunyān; p.n. Kpakə̀; p.n. Kpamə̀; Nyərèrè; p.n. Nyɛ̌ nme; p.n. Nyɛ̌ nnē; p.n. p.n. Kpānbə; p.n. Kpɔ̄ kə̀; p.n. Kyōnē; p.n. Nzɛmwɔ̀n; p.n. Nzɔ̌ me; p.n. Rənyū; p.n. Kyūnē; p.n. Lākpu; p.n. Lākrɛ; p.n. Làtswē; Rɛ̀nē; p.n. Rɛnkrɛ; p.n. Rɛnmwɔ̄ n; p.n. p.n. Lāywi; p.n. Màdo; p.n. Magwa; p.n. Rɛnsər; p.n. Rɛnshāmān; p.n. Rɛnshū; p.n. Mākpu; p.n. Mālā; p.n. Mamān; p.n. Rìdan; p.n. Rìgwɔ; p.n. Rìkyɛn; p.n. Rìla; Màmgbyɛ̀n; p.n. Mankɔ̀n; p.n. Mǎshi; p.n. p.n. Rinangrɛn; p.n. Rìnanrɛn; p.n. Rìnə; Mbə̄ bàr; p.n. Mbə̄ bū; p.n. Mbə̄ cā; p.n. p.n. Ringrɛn; p.n. Rīntān; p.n. Rin-zè; p.n. Mbə̄ cūn; p.n. Mbə̄ dān; p.n. Mbə̄ do; p.n. Risangwɔn; p.n. Rìsēbə̄ tə̄ ; p.n. Rìsēnggɔn; Mbə̄ gəga; p.n. Mbə̄ gì; p.n. Mbə̄ glā; p.n. p.n. Rìsēnyɛn; p.n. Rìshāmā; p.n. Rìtɔ̀nzɛ̄ ; Mbə̄ glə̄ ; p.n. Mbə̄ glō; p.n. Mbəgribə; p.n. p.n. Rìtsə; p.n. Sàbərɛn; p.n. Sà ntān; p.n. Mbəgyaga; p.n. Mbə̄ gyànkɔ̀n; p.n. Sɛnmgbə̄ ; p.n. Shākwɔ; p.n. Shǎnnē; p.n. Mbə̄ gyār; p.n. Mbə̄ gyə̄ r; p.n. Mbəgyɔ̀n; p.n. Shāyo; p.n. Shɛ̄ kə̄ ; p.n. Shɛ̄ ngwɔn; p.n. Mbə̄ gyūn; p.n. Mbə̄ hwan; p.n. Mbə̄ jə̄ ; p.n. Shɛ̌ nnē; p.n. Shɛ̄ rɛn; p.n. Shɔ̀; p.n. Shùnkī; Mbə̄ jìmə̀; p.n. Mbə̄ kàbu; p.n. Mbə̄ kə̄ jī; p.n. p.n. Swɛ̌ mə̀shi; p.n. Swɛ̌ nyū; p.n. Swɛ̌ zə; p.n. Mbə̄ kə̀jì; p.n. Mbə̄ kə̀; p.n. Mbə̄ kɔ̄ n; p.n. Tābə; p.n. Tākə̄ ; p.n. Tākpir; p.n. Tānē; p.n. Mbəkpu; p.n. Mbə̄ kru; p.n. Mbəkū; p.n. Tǎnnē; p.n. Tānyān; p.n. Tə̌ ndè; p.n. Tǒbə; Mbəkyūbe; p.n. Mbə̄ kyū; p.n. Mbə̄ lā; p.n. p.n. Tɔ̀nzɛ̄ ; p.n. Tsēbə; p.n. Tsə̀ntsē; p.n. Mbələlə; p.n. Mbəmbàr; p.n. Mbə̄ mbrī; p.n. Tsɛ̄ nbə; p.n. Tsɛ̄ ncun; p.n. Tsɛnkpə; p.n. Mbə̄ mə̀shi; p.n. Mbə̄ mkpàn; p.n. Tsɛ̄ nnē; p.n. Tsɛ̄ nrɛn; p.n. Tsùtsǔglō; p.n. Mbə̄ mkpūn; p.n. Mbə̄ ncān; p.n. Mbəngǎn; Tunggɔn; p.n. Vànē; p.n. Vəcùn; p.n. p.n. Mbə̄ nggɔn; p.n. Mbənkɔ̀n; p.n. Vəgyɔ̀n; p.n. Vəncε; p.n. Və̄ nggə̄ nggwe; p.n. Mbə̄ nyān; p.n. Mbərāgɔn; p.n. Mbə̄ rāntān; Və̄ nggə̄ rin; p.n. Və̄ nggə̄ rì; p.n. Vəntsɛ̄ ; p.n. p.n. Mbə̄ rā; p.n. Mbə̄ rɛ̀do; p.n. Mbə̄ rɛn; p.n. Vrěnjō; p.n. Wāndō; p.n. Wùzə; p.n. Yākwɔ̀; Mbə̄ rɛ̀; p.n. Mbə̄ rì; p.n. Mbə̄ rmə̀; p.n. p.n. Ywānkə̄ ; p.n. Zərmwɔ̄ n; p.n. Zəzerì Mbəryān; p.n. Mbəsanga; p.n. Mbə̄ səlè; p.n. perspiration n. mə̀krì Mbə̄ sər; p.n. Mbə̄ swē; p.n. Mbə̄ tɔ̀; p.n. persuade, to v. ryàr Mbə̄ wànggwe; p.n. Mbə̄ wu; p.n. Mbə̄ wushi; pet, to v. kwàr2 p.n. Mbə̄ ywan; p.n. Mbə̄ zè; p.n. Mbə̄ zə̄ ; p.n. petition n. bùbwɔ̀ Mbə̄ zə̄ r; p.n. Mbə̄ zəze; p.n. Mbə̄ zō; p.n. phantom n. brì1 Mbɛ̄ kī; p.n. Mbɛ̄ kpu; p.n. Mbɔ̄ kī; p.n. philtre n. kə̀jì Mbɔ̄ nē; p.n. Mbumburɛn; p.n. Mbwancə̀; phlegm n. kpə̀kprɛ̀ p.n. Mbwanzǒ; p.n. Mbwā; p.n. Mə̀bàn; p.n. photo n. gbrīn 1 Mə̀cùn; p.n. Mə̀gìnē; p.n. Mə̀kì; p.n. physician n. wāndɛ̄ n Mə̀kwɔnē; p.n. Mə̀kyū; p.n. Mə̀mērebe; p.n. pick out, to v. jūn Mə̀mɛ̄ ; p.n. Mə̀ncakì; p.n. Mə̀ncàkpu; p.n. pick up, to v. tān 1 Mə̀nggànē; p.n. Mə̀nggɔ̀n; p.n. Mə̀rkyɛn; pick, to v. hyɛ̄ n
68 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary picture n. gbrīn 1 pound, to v. càn; v. kpàn1; v. kyə̄ r piece n. mpə pounded yam n. ryɔ̌ piece of cloth n. njìnja nkùlwè pour away, to v. kàrε pied crow n. rūrūlə pour out, to v. bwà 2 pierce, to v. tō pouring out v.n. kəkə̀rɛ̄ poverty n. jə̄ pig n. lə̌ dē; n. lə̌ sō [Sh.] praise s.o. for good work, to v. bɛ pimples n. ntsɛ̄ kì ̀ praying mantis n. nyàn mkparu pin-tailed whydah n. vəcəkpancin ̀ pregnant, to be v.p. lwe nɛ̄ n pip n. bě prepare, to v. kplā2; v. kyūn piss n. mgbərīn ̀ presence n. bǐshī pistol n. zǔ2 present adv. nzɛ̂ nmē pit n. jūjū present formally, to v. ra2 pitch dark a. kpî present, to be v. shā pity n. mətù ̀ present, to be, to v. shāmān place n. bə; n. bubu; n. tswē1 ̀ press cloth, to v. ngə1 place of former domicile n. kwɔ1 ̀ press down on, to v.p. dɛ̄ n … ngan place where harvested acca is threshed n. laywī press down, to v. hwā plague locust n. zē press forcefully, to v. mlā2 plaintain n. ywamgbar press, to v. dɛ̄ n2 plait (as a rope), to v. mər 1 ̀ prevent, to v. ywar1 plait, to v. lō previously conj. anrīn plane, to v. tsɔ3 prick n. njo plant sp. n. gərīncwē; n. kəmbə məsər; n. ̀ ̀ ̀ ̀ prick, to v. tō2 kyənkɛn; n. məgìmbəÜ; n. mpwǎrkədān; n. ̀ ̀ ̀ primarily adv. jàjà sǔrkə̄ prior to conj. anrīn plant, to v. cū4; v. sē2 probably adv. munyàn plantain n. gbùr problematic s.v. rànkpə plantain-eater n. nzɛ̌ 1 progressive future marker v.aux. sə planting season n. mkpān sɔ̄ n progressive present marker v.aux. sə play with s.o., to v. gbō rɔ̄ ̀ prostitute n. kar; n. kilakī play, to v. rɔ̄ prostitute, to be a v.p. te cucu playful, to be s.v. te nka prostitution n. kilakī plead, to v. bər3 proudly id. nkanka pleading n. bùbwɔ ̀ proverb v.p. nggyɛ rεn pleasure n. wushi; n. zəzè ̀ ̀ pubic area n. gban2 plentiful, to be s.v. gan ngwɔn pubic hair n. mfùgban plentifully adv. kənànme public adv. shirì pluck reed instrument, to v. ngwur1 puff adder n. fùkpə pluck, to v. hyɛ̄ n1; v. ngwur1 pull off, to v. gbì pocket n. bwɔkì, bwɔ̌ pull, to v. gbə̄ r; v. gbì point at, to v.p. zù ngwɔn pulverise, to v. bù; v. kwɔ poison n. tsò ̀ pumpkin n. ywē2 poke, to v. cɔ2 ̀ punctual, to be v.p. gàn…mkpān policeman n. wānkpānnɛ̄ n punctured, to be s.v. blə pond-skater n. mkparyə ̀ purity n. ntsər position n. bə ̀ purple glossy starling n. ngglàn possibly adv. kəndà; adv. məgē, məkē; adv. ̀ pursue, to v. glā; v. kū2; v. mə̄ r; v. tārtār; v. zwē njwɛ̂ n; adv. tətɔ ̀ ̀ pus n. ywur pot n. mbǔ; n. nkarɛn; n. rɛn; n. tsə̄ 1 ̀ ̀ push, to v. kyǎn; v. tùr1 potash n. mətɔ ̀ ̀ put cheek, to v. sanga potherb n. mgbākī; n. mgbāntur; n. mgbārəhū put down, to v. gyɔ̄ ; v. kan…gyɔ̄ potherb sp. n. mgbādār put excessive pomade, to v. plò potsherd n. təkpā tsə̄ 69 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary put on, to v. sà1 1; v. sà1 2 put, to v. kan1; v. sū put out a leg, to v.p. tsɛ̌ n ... mfɛ̀n pygmy kingfisher n. vəgrɛ̄ nnyū put s.t. down, to v. zê pygmy mouse n. ncikla put together, to v.p. kan…ngàn python n. nyì
Q q quail n. vətə̀ndār question expressing surprise int. kyîîn? quake, to v. gbrě question marker int. fà1 quaking n. gbrē quick a. brì3 quarrel, to v. vεn quickly adv. tswətswe quench, to v. rīn2 quietly adv. gigyūn; adv. tɔ
R r rabbit n. vəgyɔ̀n red-lined snake n. lān 2 raft-zither n. gə̀ntē ; n. mbwɛ̌ wùyà red, to be s.v. grɛ̌ n rag n. njìnjakì reduce the pain caused by the sting or bite of an 1 railway n. nkɔ̀n zə̄ insect, to v. nyɔ̄ n 2 rain n. glō reed grass n. kùkù rainbow n. də̄ dārglō reedbuck n. də̀nggàn 2 raindrops n. tsùtsǔglō refuse hence to die, to v.p. nan ngwɔn rainy season n. tswē2 refuse to accept s.t., to v. cə̄ r2 raise up, to v. zǒ refuse to do s.t when asked, to v. nggrεn 2 ram n. nkrù refuse to do s.t., to v.p. vūn nzɛ̄ ramble, to v. shǔr refuse to help s.o., to v. lə̄ sur rapid a. brì3 refuse, to v. kà2 rapidly adv. tswətswe regard, to v. kyɛ̄ n 1 rat sp. n. nzɛ̌ 2 regret, to v.p. tǎn nyər nyər rat, generic n. cì1 regularly adv. cùcùn(mu) rather adv. gyɛ̂ n reject, to v. kà2 rather than conj. kya relation n. mla1 ravenous, to be s.v. kumfə release, to v. cūn…ngwɔn ravine n. ywǎ1 relish, to v.p. rē be raw a. nyənyə̀r remain, to v. kədè reach, to v. ma2 1; v. sū remaining part n. nkyεn read, to v. blā 2 remains n. kə̄ dè; n. mbə̄ r1 2 rear, to v. wɔ̀ remedy n. wu 2 1 2 rebuke, to v. grì ; v. jan ; v. mwə̀n remotest past adv. təntùr receive, to v. kpə̀ remove, to v. gbò; v. jūn 3 recently adv. nanrɛ̀n repair, to v. shɛ̄ reciprocate, to v. ləla repay, to v. ləla red a. gə̄ grεn; a. sə̄ mban replete adv. cwe 2 red centipede n. kpə̀kpalaywī reply, to v. sà red spider-mite n. mvə̄ r report, to v. ngàn2 2 red-billed wood-dove n. vəmpane reptile sp. n. gbrε; n. glə̀ ; n. kagbɔ̄ n; n. kpáncá; 2 red-eyed dove n. dərsù n. kpə̀cawù; n. kpə̄ ; n. kyù ; n. làmgbà; n. red-flowering silk-cotton tree n. mə̀nzɛ̀gbù mbəlanzān; n. mblɔ̀n; n. ncɛ̀làdān; n. 1 red-headed lovebird n. səsemgbɔ̀ ncìlàdān; n. njìlàdān; n. nkūr ; n.
70 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary ntə̄ nāntsò; n. vəkagbɔ̄ n rivulet n. cūn2; n. mblə̄ 2 request, to v. rì rizga n. kyūnkyūntɛ̀ 2 required, to be v.aux. kpakiki road n. kənkɔ̀n; n. nkɔ̀n ; n. nkɔ̀n tsɔ̌ 2 requirement n. kpaki roast, to v. hwə̀n; v. ryò resemble, to v. rù 1 rob, to v.p. te…gi resentful n.p. də̌ r ngàr robber n. wāngi residue of acca n. shisha robbery n. gi2 respire, to v. vrè1 rock n. mgbǎntə̄ ; n. ywan respond, to v. sà2 rock hyrax n. gwūr restively adv. brîbrî rock rabbit n. gwūr restlessly adv. brîbrî roll over and fall, to v. ngrě2 2 resurrect, to v. tashɛ̀n roll up a mat, to v. ngrin retain, to v. sà1 1 roll up, to v. nyi; v. nyεn2 4 return, to v. kāgbm; v. mə̀rtu; v. ngā roof n. kpǎ reveal, to v. fε 1 roof of mouth n. ləlà revenge, to v. ləla room n. tār reverse, to v. ryə̀n rooster n. gbǎ revolting a. mvān root n. mgbə̄ rìnkī reward n. ryǎ ngwɔn roots removed id. mgbərìnrìn rheumatism n. gbàdò rope n. mgbərīn rib n. sān2 roselle n. mgbāshε 2 rice n. bětsə̀kā; n. sə̀kā rotten a. bəbə̄ ; a. tùr rice and beans n. mgbɔ̄ rotten, to be s.v. bə2 ridge n. ryɛ̄ rough a. tə̀tə̌ r ridicule, to v. cā2 2; v. gyə̌ ; v. nggrεn 1 rough (surface) a. nkə̂ nkə rifle n. zǔ2 round a. kpə̄ kpri; a. nkrǐn2 right a. tsō round thing n. kpàkrīn 2 right inside loc. ənywīnywī royal python n. bə̀r rightly adv. brêbrè rub in, to v. gbà2 3 1 Rija town p.n. Gbìn; p.n. Rījà rub, to v. ngə̀ ; v. nyɔ̄ n 2 rim n. kàn2 rubber vine n. nwɔ̌ n ring n. běkan rufous Nile rat n. zɛ̄ 1 ring, to v. ngwur1 ruler n. cūn1 ripe a. gbəgbrè rules n. bān4 ripe, to be s.v. gbre1 run fast, to v. runcə̄ ripen, to v. kpàn2 2 run, to v. klwe rival n. dənggə runniness n. war1 river n. nē2 rushing into adv. gywār river fork n. nggā1 rusty, to be s.v. tə2
S s s.t. dried n. nkan2 sand fox n. nkrētəgya 2 s.t. not completely ripe adv. jan sap n. mə̀gàn s.t. rotten n. mbɔ̄ sasswood n. rɛ̄ 2 s.t. small and round n. mgbəmgbrɛn satisfied, to be s.v. wù1 sad n.p. də̌ r cīnji sausage tree n. nkūr2 saddlebill stork n. ntsεn say s.t. that hurts s.o., to v. tǒ saliva n. ntɛ̄ say, to v. dàn; v. rεn1 salt n. mə̀mān saying v.p. nggyɛ̀ rεn sand n. kàbǔ scabbard n.p. ywur nji
71 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary scales of a fish n. nkrē1 shave the head, to v. tsɔ3 scar n. mbə̄ r mpà shea oak n. zə̄ zə̄ 2 scarper, to v. gbōjūn sheath n.p. ywur nji scatter, to v. tswɛ̂ ; v. vàr; v. vâ shed, to v. jun scent n. mgbə̀ sheep n. gbə̄ ntan scold, to v. grì2 sheet n. mpəmprε scoop out water, to v. ngūn2 shell, to v. brì2 scorn, to v. cə̄ r2 shield n. mbrī3 scorpion n. lə̀lān shift, to v. cī scrape, to v. kə̄ 3 shine, to v. krǐ; v. lan2 scratch, to v. kə̄ 3 shiny adv. lan ngglan scream v.n. ncar ship n. gbm̄ scream, to v. dɔ̀nrεn shirt n. lə̀gā scrub s.o.’s back, to v. nyɔ̄ n1 1 shit n. gyε 3 scrub, to v. ngə̀ shiver, to v. gbrě sea n. nē2 shivering n. gbrē sealant n. nklān shoe n. kpə1; n. zəkpə 2 search, to v. fɔ̀ shoot n. mbɛ̄ season n. mε shoot, to v. tā 2; v. tar3 2 secret n. mə̄ short a. fəgbɔ̀n; a. kpəmkpūn secretly adv. gigi short piece of wood n. gbɔ̄ n sedge (generic) n. mvē short, to be s.v. krε…nyər see somebody off, to v.p. gbō te nkɔ̀n shortness of breath n. kìkì see, to v. ngrɛ̄ n shoulder n. gā seed n. běkì; n. bě shout of joy n. kpā seek, to v. fɔ̀ shout, to v. dɔ̀nrεn 2 seize, to v. klà…bàn; v. ryɛ̀ show off, to v. gbrɛ̌ select, to v. cū2 show, to v. tsàr sell, to v. rɛ̀ shriek v.n. ncar Senegal coucal n. mfucì shriek, to v. dɔ̀nrεn senior person n. lə̄ nkū shrine n. kpə̄ kpɔ̀ separate bad seeds from good, to v. la2 shrivel, to v. ywə 1 separate, to v. ka; v. ngrě shrub sp. n. gyərtsò; n. mə̀ywɛ̀ separately adv. nkan, nkânnkān shuck, to v. brì2 serf n. gər shyness n. mùmwɔ̀n sesame n. běntə; n. kə̄ ntə; n. shīshī2 sibling n. zān gyə̄ r; n. zān tè sesame cultivar n. njìnjà sick, to be v. lə̄ 4 sesame leaves n.p. mgbākī nggwār sickle n. rìjī 2 2 set up, to v. kplā sickness n. kpàcɔ̀; n. lələ; n. mgbə̀mgbàn settle out (from water), to v. gì2 side n. kəsàn; n. nggà settlement n. fətse; n. gbù1; n. tse side of a hill n. mgbàsàn seven num. tāmgbā side of body n. sān2 seventh num. tāmgbā side-blown reedbuck horn n. də̀nggàn 1 1 sew, to v. co sieve, to v. ngwār; v. sɛ̀n; v. tɔ̀n; v. zɔ̀n sex n. nggā2 sieze, to v. vūn2 1 shade n. gyǔn sift, to v. ngwār; v. tɔ̀n; v. zɔ̀n shadow n. gbrīn 2; n. gyǔn sigh, to v. cūn4 shaggy rat n. mkprìshì silently adv. tɔ shake, to v. cùn; v. gyàn silk-cotton n. kpm̀ 1 1 2 shall v.aux. lə̄ silo n. gùr ; n. vənyɔ̀n shame n. mùmwɔ̀n silver n. zinari 1 share out, to v. gə̀ similar to adv. kə̄ de sharp, to be s.v. re3 sin n. war2
72 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary sing, to v. dō nggūngwūr1; n. nkū; n. nyì; n. tātsu; n. 1 sit on, to v. sà 1 tə̄ rmgbù; n. tsɛ̀n 2 2 sit, to v. sɔ̀n ; v. te…sɔ̀n snap, to v. gbōtsū; v. tə̄ r six num. tānnɛ̀n snapped a. lə̀lə̄ skewer n. kìnkyɛ̀n sneezing n. gbə̀sho skin n. kpəntàn; n. ntàn sniff, to v.p. ban mgbə̀ 2 2 skin an animal, to v. cūntān; v. ngwur snore, to v. gə̀ skin, to v. frē snuffbox tree n. kpànjǔn skink sp. n. mblɔ̀n so adv. sə̄ sānmenàn; conj. tswēyəmē skip, to v. gban1 so as to conj. man skirmish n. kɔ̄ n so that conj. də̀tswē skull n. mkpūlɔ̄ tù soak, to v. zu 1 sky p.n. Mkparū; n. mkpəlàshū soaked, to be v. cɔ̀ slack off, to v. cūn3 soap n. sàpə̌ r slap on the back n. ntǎr Sodom apple n. gyərtsò; n. mə̀ywɛ̀ 2 slaughter, to v. sar ; v. ywà soft a. mə̀ndɛ̀rɛ̀; a. rôrō; a. ryôryō slave n. gər soften, to v. zu 1 sleep, to v. nə̀nə̄ soggy, to become v. cɔ̀ slender a. riri soil n. mə̀mē slender mongoose n. nwɔ̄ n soldier n. wānkpānnɛ̄ n 2 sling n. mgbà soldier termite n. gbə̀dàr slippery area n. ndə̀ndɛ̀n solid, to be, to v. tsər slippery, to be v. sar1 solitary, to be s.v. cər sloping a. ywār some time ago adv. nə̀nə̌ r slow and steady adv. bwɛ̂ bwɛ̀ somebody else pron. nēnə̄ mān slowly adv. rērè someday adv. mbɛ̄ nō slump, to v. ji3 something pron. nkinē small a. fənyεn; pref. fə-; a. fətsɛ̀; a. kūkwɔ̌ ; n. sometime adv. mbɛ̄ nō; adv.p. mkpān nə̄ mān mbumburɛn sometime in the past adv. rɛ̌ no small amount n. tsɛ̂ song n. sεn small balls of pap. n. mgbəmgbrɛn sorcerer n. mā1; n. wān(re)kwār small frog sp. n. shār sorcery n. bwi; n. kwār3 small matters n. ncinrin sore n. mpā small spherical object n. mkplǔn soreness n. mpā smallpox n. kpə̀kprɛ̀ sorghum n. kpǔ smash, to v. ngàr; v.p. ngwur ngār2 sorrel n. mgbāshε smear on, to v. gbà2 sort, to v. la2 smell n. cumgbə̀; n. mgbə̀ soul n. gbrīn 2 smell, to v. nyɔ̌ n sound n. gbm̌ ; n. zǔ1 smith n. wānlāzə̄ , wānfùkpɔ sound of a big drum id. gbɔ̀ngbɔ̀ngbɔ̀n smoke n. tsə̀ntsē sound of a door bell id. njārrr smoke, to v. fù; v. vūn1 sound of a horn id. pɔ̄ mpɔ̄ n; id. pɔ̄ mpuu smooth a. ntənntən sound of a motorcycle speeding id. nvyūūng smooth, to be v. sən sound of bicycle bell id. nggɛrɛnggɛrɛng smoothe, to v. tsɔ3 sound of broken plates id. tangganrang smut on guinea-head n. gə̀mvī sound of liquid id. mgbǔnmgbǔnmgbǔn Smyth’s water-snake n. ririmə̀ sound of s.o. chewing id. mənca-mənca snack n. cincì sound of s.o. searching for s.t. v. tǎrcū snail spp. n. kpǎr sound of water id. gbɔ̌ ngbɔ̌ ngbɔ̌ ngbɔ̌ n snake (generic) n. gwǎ sound of water in one’s stomach as they run id. 2 2 snake sp. n. bə̀r ; n. bì ; n. fùkpə; n. gwǎ rìcī; n. mplomplomplo gwɔ̀; n. gwɔ̀nywεnggə̄ ; n. jwè; n. kə̀cɛ̀; n. soup n. nyìnyī 1 kə̀nyūjε; n. krushə̄ ; n. lāhyε; n. lān; n. sour thing n. mgbə̀mgbàn
73 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary sour, to be v.p. kpàn mgbo; v. pə̀r; s.v. swǎ stink, to v. nyɔ̌ n south n. nggà sə̀r stir up trouble, to v.p. fɛ̀ mvre 4 1 3 sow, to v. cū ; v. sɔ̀n stir, to v. cū ; v. zàn 2 space beneath a granary n. njūn stirring stick n. mūcā speak, to v. rεn1 stomach n. bri2; n. mgbɔ̌ n; n. nɛ̄ n spear n. pàr stone n. bě; n. mgbǎntə̄ ; n. ywan speargrass n. mgbə̌ shò stool n. gyε; n. mgbə̄ rɔ̄ n speckled pigeon n. ywudə̀ stop s.t. falling, to v. hyūr spectre n. brì1 stop, to v.p. gan …kre; v. kankrè; v. krè speedily adv. tswətswe store, to v. te6; v. zwè 1 speedy a. brì3 stork sp. n. hwàr spherical n. kpàkrīn story n. dū; n. ncancùn spider web n.p. rūrū gantàn straight a. ncɔ̂ n; adv. sɔ̂ spill out, to v. bwà straight razor n. gbyɛ̌ spill, to v. kàrε straighten out, to v. nə̀ 1 spirit n. brì ; n. gbrīn 2; n. kǎnjàr strain, to v. ngwār; v. sɛ̀n 1 spitting cobra n. tsɛ̀n stranger n. cə̄ r spittle n. ntɛ̄ strawberry tree n. ntsē splash, to v. ca stream n. cūn2; n. mblə̄ 1 split, to v. gə̀ strength n. mgbrêmgbrē spoil, to v. cā…zu stretch out the body, to v.p. nə̀ kpə spoon (metal or wood) n. mgbətsā strike together, to v. tsē spray, to v. jə̀ striped mouse n. vəcùn spread out, to v. lə̄ 3 strong, to be s.v. tswě spread, to v.p. ngwur ngār1 strongly adv. nggān sprout n. mbɛ̄ 2 struggle with death, to v.p. tərkyū squash n. ywē2 stump of a worn hoe n. rɛn1 squat, to v. tekpm̄ stupidly adv. bə̀bè; adv. bə̀bèbè squeeze together, to v. cī stuttering v.n. tə̀ntàn squeeze up, to v. cī stylish, to be s.v. kpɔ̌ n squeeze, to v. ywi submissively adv. gurgur stab, to v. tō2 subsequently conj. an; part. kàn1 stammering v.n. tə̀ntàn succulent a. rôrō stand suck, to v. màn stand up, to v. doglō suds n. mfə̄ stand upright, to adv. ndèndè suffer from diarrhoea, to v. sur stand, to v. krè; adv. ndèndè suffer, to n. mgbǔ star n. ntsɛ̄ suffering n. jə̄ stare at s.o., to v.p. fε bishi1 suffocation n. kìkì stare, to v.p. mə̀r kyɛn; v. nggyə̄ r sugar n. mə̀mān kancɔn start n. kùcī sugar ant n. gə̀lǐmgbə̀ start a journey, to v.aux. gyɔ̄ zə sugar-cane n. rə̀kyε start out at daybreak, to v. tə̄ rtswē sun n. rì1 2 starvation n. gyɔ̀n ; n. mfə sunbird n. vəmvɛ̀n 2 stay, to v. kədè; v. krè; v. sɔ̀n Sunday p.n. Ladi; p.n. tāmgbā ndu steal, to v.p. te…gi sunrise n. nzān stealing n. gi2 sunstroke n. təndur steam n. gbəjī support, to v. hyūr; v.p. krè gɔ̄ n 2 steering wheel n. kàn surface of local beer n. kpǎ mə̀ stick n. kpàkì; n. kukukì; n. ywūywə̄ r surpass, to v. mwɔn stick to, to v.p. lo ngàn suspend, to v. klə̄ 2; v. ncàwǔ still adv. menrīn swallow-wort n. gyərtsò; n. mə̀ywɛ̀ stink-ant n. lə̀ywǎ swallow, to v. mre
74 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary 1 swamp n. mgbɔ̀ swim, to v. də̀r swear, to v.p. cū tānrìn; v.p. shə̄ rin swindle, to v. gyùr sweat n. mə̀krì swing arms as you walk, to v.p. yà ngwɔn sweat-fly n. ngā1 swing on a rope, to v. ntɔ̄ sweep, to v. vū 1 swing one’s hand ready to hit s.o., to v.p. gyùn sweet potato n. dankyū; n. kyūnkyū ngwɔn sweet scent n. cumgbə̀ swing, to v. ncàwǔ sweet thing n. kancɔn swollen stomach n.p. krè nɛ̄ n sweet, to be v. mə̌ r swollen testicle n. ntɛ̀ 1 swell up, to v. wu1 sword n. njīmgbàn swelling n. sə̀sɛ̄ n sword-bean n. kpəkpalə̄ gà swift n. kə̀nkabān hwan
T t
1 1 tail n. bə̀bɛ̀; n. ncə them pron. bə ; pron. yə̄ ; pron. yə take away, to v. gbò themselves pron. kəywə̀ take oath, to v.p. shə̄ rin then conj. an; part. kàn1; conj. man 2 take s.t. by force from s.o., to v. ryɛ̀ there loc. mān; loc. mū(n); loc. sə̄ kànmū take, to v. bān2; v. kan1 therefore conj. tswēyəmē tale n. dū; n. ncancùn these dem. mē2 talk n. rεn3 they pron. bə1; pron. yə̄ 1; pron. yə 2 3 tall adv. tsa thick a. kpə ; a. kpə̄ ntɛ̀n tall, to be s.v. rε2; s.v. tàn1; v.p. tàn ndē thick, to be v. tsər talon n. kə̄ nfə̀ thief n. wāngi tanner n. wānwùntān thigh n. mpù taro n. lə̀lɔ̀ thin a. ntanntan; a. riri taste for something n. bùbù thing n. kì tasteless a. mpǔr (mə̀) think, to v.p. tè…kə teach, to v. blā 3; v. tsàr third num. tǎr 1 tears n. mə̀shi thirst n. rε teeth n. nyə̌ r thirty num. sɛ̀ tàr 1 2 tell, to v. dàn; v. rεn this dem. mē ; pron. yə̀mē ten num. gùr1 this time adv. gə̄ mē; adv. kəmē; adv. kəyə̄ mē tender a. mə̀ndɛ̀rɛ̀; id. pûrpùr; a. rôrō thong n. nyə̄ nyɔ̄ n termite sp. n. gblancā; n. gǔn; n. mgbə̀lantù; n. thorn n. ncwə̄ r 2 3 2 rə̌ ; n. rə̀cǔn; n. rəryar; n. swɛ those dem. bān ; dem. mū; dem. mūn 1 termites n. begywī; n. mbə̀mbɔ̀; n. mbùmbɔ̀; n. thought n. kə 3 sùr thousand num. nàgyə̀r terrified, to be v. hɔ̄ thread n. rūrū1 terror n. mpūr three num. tàr1; num. tar2 terrorised, to be v. hɔ̄ three days from now adv. rə testicle n. ntɛ̀ 2 three days hence adv. ə rə; adv. rə 2 thank, to v. nyər three of them num. tə̄ tar ywə̀ thanks n. mgbədē thresh acca without sticks, to v. nyɔ̄ n2 that part. de; dem. mū; dem. mūn2; part. yə̄ 2; thresh, to v. kpm̄ 1 dem. yə̄ mə̄ ; dem. yə̀mū throat n. mgbə̀ryɔ̀ thatch rooftop n. nggə̀bān throughout the morning adv. mbə̀mbrɛ̀mbrɛ̀ thatching grass n. lə̀lwè throw away, to v.p. tā gyɔ̄ theft n. gi2 throw down, to v.p. tā gyɔ̄ theirs pron. mə̄ bə throw out, to v.p. tā gyɔ̄
75 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary throw, to v. tā 1 toxin n. tsò 2 2 throwing stick n. gə̄ track n. nkɔ̀n ; n. vənkɔ̀n thumb n. kə̀mvrè ngwɔ̀n nggɔ̀n tracks n. nkɔ̀n zə̄ thunder n. jǔnglō trader n. wānrɛ̀kī Thursday p.n. nlyɛ̄ ndu tradition n. bān4 tick n. nyɛ̀n traditional doctor n. wāntěwu 2 tickle, to v. gùgwǎ; v. mə̀ncεrɛ̀ trail n. nkɔ̀n ; n. vənkɔ̀n tie or hold oneself, to v. nvɛ trample, to v. càn; v. flɔ̀ tie together, to v. zù2 transform, to v. sər1 tie, to v. kpàn2 1 translucent s.v. laru tiger bittern n. rə̀demə̀ transparent s.v. laru tiger-nut n. kpandɛ̄ transparently adv. kpār tight adv. mgbrǐn transplant, to v. sē2 tightly adv. mgbrǐn transverse clarinet n. kùkùkpur tilapia spp. n. gblàkə̀ntsà tread on, to v. flɔ̀ time n. mkpān tree bark n. kpakpm̄ kì time immemorial adv. təntùr tree pangolin n. kpàlo times adv. -gyə̄ r tree sp. n. bə̄ bə̄ ; n. bwə̀; n. cūyò; n. dàncà; n. 1 timorous a. ywǔr dankū; n. dān; n. də̀n; n. dɔ̀; n. gə̀ntē ; n. tin n. tāndō gɔ̌ n; n. jàn; n. jəgule; n. kpànjǔn; n. kpānε; tin can n. pə̄ mpān n. kpm̀ 1; n. kpùkpə; n. kukā; n. kùngga; n. 2 1 tiny a. fənyεn; a. fətsɛ̀ kyōntàn; n. lə̄ ; n. màgbyɛ̌ n; n. mbàr ; n. 1 tiptoeing adv. shàzə mbrì; n. mə̀nzɛ̀gbù; n. mgbà ; n. mgbəlan; tired and hungry, to be s.v. mə̌ rzə n. mgbəlà; n. mgbə̀lo; n. mgbəmgbə̀r; n. tired, to be s.v. te…dē 2 mgbəmgblan; n. mkpə̀nǎ; n. mkpən kyə̀gbò; tiredness n. dē n. mvlɔ̌ n; n. mwēshɔ; n. nanrεn gyàr; n. ncɛ̄ ; 1 tit n. səsə̄ n. nciryεn; n. ncū; n. ndasan; n. ndɔ̀; n. ngə̄ ; to become weak n. nkā; n. nkí; n. nkrǐn1; n. nkūr2; n. nkwɔ̄ ; to cry out with pain v.n. ncar n. ntsē; n. nwə̄ nzàn; n. nzū; n. nε; n. rɛ̄ 2; n. 2 2 to decompose s.v. bə rur, rər; n. shī ; n. sɔ̀; n. tàcù; n. tə̀kpə̌ ; n. to one side adv. lə̀gə̀r tə̀ndǔr; n. tərbwə̀; n. tɔ̄ ntàn; n. tsə̄ r; n. to stand upright wukì; n. ywe; n. zàr1; n. zə̄ r2; n. zə̄ zə̄ 2 to suffer tree, generic n. tərkì toad n. mgbə̀glò tremble, to v. gbrě tobacco n. təbà trembling n. gbrē today adv. nrìnmē tribal mark n. gbla1 together a. gìgyə̀r trick, to v. gyùr together with conj. bə̄ ; conj. câ trivial things n. nyɛ̄ n2 tomato n. tə̀ntùr matò trousers n. wə̀ndō tomb n. brε trust, to v. kpə̄ nyɛ̀n tomorrow n. mbrε truth n. njìnjì tongue n. nanrεn; n. rərεn; n. rεnrεn try, to v. klàmkpā; v. nə̀r too much money n.p. mbɔ̄ kə̄ jī tuber n. jū too tight, to be s.v. gàn tuber sp. n. ncà brī tool n. gar tuberculosis n. kpə̀kprɛ̀ sɔ̌ n; n. ywùywǔ tooth n. nyə̌ r tumble, to v. gyεkū tooth gap n. mbù nyə̄ r turn around suddenly, to v. mbə̄ r2 tooth-billed barbet n. mgbɔ̄ npər turn, to v. kwɔ2 top n. tu twelve num. tsɔ1 tortoise n. kagbɔ̄ n; n. vəkagbɔ̄ n twice adv. kəywā totally adv. kūkwār twilight n. brîbrì; n. rìglò touch, to v. bàr twine n. rūrū1 town n. gbù1; n. tse twine, to v. lō
76 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary twins n. nggaswε two num. ywā twist, to v. kan3 typhoid n. lamukā twit n. kpə̀r
U u ugly a. gbəjā untidy a. tə̀tə̌ r ulcer n. mpā untie, to v. su1 ululation excl. Āyiririii!; n. nzənze until adv. màndē; adv. se umbilical cord n.p. kɔ̄ n vɛ̄ n untruth n. mò uncle n. krɛ̌ up loc. shū unconcerned, to be v.p. te ngà upper arm n. pə̄ under loc. sə̀r upper palate n. ləlà undeveloped, to be s.v. pwà upright adv. sɔ̂ uneven a. ywār upward slope n. mgblè 1 unfold, to v. su urinate, to v. jə̀ unhappy n.p. də̌ r cīnji urine n. mgbə̀rīn uninhabited place n. mgbə̀jī us pron. tə̀ unripe a. màmpùr use, to v. jā 1 unroll, to v. su useless a. fa; a. flɔ̀fi
V v
1 vacation n. sɔ̀nsù vessel n. mbǔ; n. tsə̄ 1 vagina n. mfə̀r vibration n. zǔ valiant, to be s.v. kpàn də̌ r village n. fətse; n. tse vanish, to v. gblà; v. rintu village along Wamba road p.n. Gbùkpm 3 vanquish, to v. rē village name p.n. Gbə̀jə̀; p.n. Gbùmkpàn; p.n. vapour n. gbəjī Gbùncū; p.n. Nzàn vast a. nggɔ̀n village weaver bird n. shə̄ shàrε 2 vehicle n. kì yə̀ sǎ; n. matò vine n. nggūngwūr vein(s) n. ci1 vine sp. n. kān2; n. mə̄ nzε; n. nkə̄ ; n. nwɔ̌ n venom n. tsò viscous, to be v. tsər very adv. mgbân visitor n. cə̄ r1 very (tall) a.i. tetswē voice n. kwār2 very hairy a. gàryǎn vomit, to v. tsɔ2 very small a. nyɛ̂ nnyɛ̄ n vulture n. gbrǔ; n. kpɔ̄ gbru; n. kpɔ̄ mkpan very thick liquid adv. kpə̀tùr-kpə̀tùr
W w waist n. tər1 wall n. kəntsə̄ r wait, to v. jì wander aimlessly, to v. shǔr wake up, to v. shεn war n. kɔ̄ n walk, to v. zə̄ r1 warm up by, to v. vre walking with arms spread out adv.p. gà mgbān; warm water n. lɔ^lɔ̀ adv.p. gà ngwɔn warmth n. ngə̀ngǎn 77 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) Mada - English Dictionary warthog n. zù1 whore n. kar; n. kilakī wash, to v. ngla; v. swē whore, to be v.p. te cucu wasp n. màdār why? int. mūn1; int. rɛ̂ n nggyε wasp sp. n. gyəgyərtsò wicked a. gbəjā; a. məme watch closely, to v. nàr wickedness n. běmè watch out for, to v. gbyɛ̄ n2; v. nàr wide a. hū watch, to v. bwɛ̂ 2 wide (open) a.i. mgbě water n. mə̀sər widow n. mbə̄ ngǎn kwɔ̀ 2 water monitor lizard n. glə̀ wife n. gə̀rī; n. mbə̄ water yam n. jū wild animal n. nan hwān water-lettuce n. kə̀mbə̀ mə̀sər wild custard-apple n. mvlɔ̌ n water-pot n. rɛ̀n wild duck n. kə̀zəlaba waterleaf n. mgbārəhū wilderness n. mgbə̀jī watery a. mbwàr will v.aux. lə̄ 1 wave, to v. te…ngwɔn win, to v. rē3 2 2 way n. kənkɔ̀n; n. nkɔ̀n wind n. cucu; n. nzu we pron. tə̄ wine n. cā1 weak a. brɛ̄ brε, brɛ̂ brɛ̀ wing n. mgbān 2 weak, to be, to v. ji winnow, to v. zɛ̀n weak, to become s.v. mkpə̀ryò winnowing tray n. kàdɛ̀n; n. mūmùn 1 weapon n. kìkɔ̀n wipe, to v. rīn wear, to v. kpm wiped out, to be v. ngarmpwà 1 weave, to v. lō; v. mə̀r 1 wisdom, to have v. tsə̄ rεn wed, to v.p. gbō ywe ngə̄ wise, to be, to v.p. bu bishi wedding n. ngə̄ 2 wish strongly for s.t., to v.p. tɔ̄ mwɔ̄ n wedge, to v. hyūr witch n. wān(re)kwār weed, to v. gbla2 witchcraft n. bwi weeding n. gblǎ witchweed n. ncə̄ weep, to v. gì1 with conj. bə̄ weevil n. gbə̄ gbār with a snap adv. gbrɛ̄ n well a. susù wither, to v. ywə west n. nggà rùglò withered, to be v. ywə West African house snake n. gwǎ rìcī within loc. (ə)nywī; loc. mīn; loc. nywī wet a. shushù wizard n. wān(re)kwār 3 what pron. yə̀ wizardry n. kwār what? int. nə̄ nggyε; int. nggyɛ̌ woman n. mbə̄ 2 whatever pron. vənyɛ̄ n nggyε wonderful, to be s.v. mə̀ when conj. də̀; conj. də̄ wood mouse n. vəndεndān when? int. mbɛ̄ tan wooden headboard n. mgbə̀là where? int. ywə̄ 1 woodland n. cun whether conj. gē; conj. kē word n. mgborεn which? int. wāntan; int. yə̀tan work n. ndu 1 whip n. njɔ; n. ntswa; n. nyə̄ nyɔ̄ n world n. mgbəmgbrè whirlwind n. tə̀tur worm n. njə̀r whistle n. tàprě worm-like insect n. tambrishɔ whistle, to v. vrěnjō worthless a. fa; a. flɔ̀fi white a. kə̄ kla wound n. mpā white person p.n. mə̀sārā wreck, to v. cā…zu white, to be s.v. tsa1 wrench out, to v. far2 2 whitlow n. də̀rè; n. ryɛ̄ n wrestle, to v. mā who pron. wān wrinkles n. nggrū; n. ntān who? int. nggwɔ̌ ; int. wāntan write, to v. car whole a. kpə̄ kpri
78 Roger Blench and Barau Kato (†) English - Mada Dictionary
Y y yam n. kpar1; n. màmvē; n. mgbò; n. ncà2 yellow fever n. kùtsɔ yam heap n. brɛ̌ krì Yes! excl. ɛ̄ n yam mound n. brɛ̌ krì yesterday adv. nānrɛ̄ n yam root n. mə̀ncà you pl. pron. gyə̄ ; pron. gyə̀ 2 yam sp. n. mren you sg. pron. wə̄ ; pron. wə̀ yawn, to v. ngalā young a. kūkwɔ̌ year n. sε young man n. və̄ nzɛ̀; n. zān nzɛ̀ year or so ago adv. nə̀nə̌ r yours (pl.) p.a. mə̀gyə̄ yell v.n. ncar yourself n. kəywē yell, to v. dɔ̀nrεn
Z z z?? v.p. kplà mgbo; adv. məgyə̀r z??? bà zigzag, to s.v. gur
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