Appendix:Niger-Congo Swadesh lists
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This is a Swadesh list of Niger-Congo languages, specifically Yoruba, Igbo, Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, Mom Jango and Vai, compared with that of English.
- Yoruba (Southwestern Nigeria) — Benue–Congo branch
- Igbo (Southeastern Nigeria) — Benue–Congo branch
- Mandinka (Guinea, Gambia, Mali) — Mande branch
- Wolof (Senegal) — Atlantic branch
- Fula (Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Sudan e.a.) — also called Fulah, Fulani; in Fula, Pular, Pulaar, Fulfulde; and in French, Peul, Peuhl, Peulh — Atlantic branch
- Vai (Liberia, Sierra Leone) — Mande branch
- Notes:
Lists
[edit]№ | English | Yoruba | Igbo | Mandinka | Wolof | Fula | Jango | Vai | Lang8 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | I | èmi, mo | mụ | m, n | ma | mi | mi | ŋ | |
2 | you (singular) |
ìwọ, ọ (informal); ẹ̀yin, ẹ (formal) |
gị | ali, i | nga | a | é | í | |
3 | he | òun, ó (informal); | yá | a | mu | o (mo) | o | a | |
4 | we | àwa, a | ányìnwà (incl.), ányì-nílé (excl.), |
an | nu | en (incl.), min/men (excl.) | an | mú | |
5 | you (plural) |
ẹ̀yin, ẹ | únù-nílé | aw | ngeen | on | un | wó | |
6 | they | àwọn, wọn | há | u | ñu | ɓe | wèn | anú | |
7 | this | èyí | ñing | lii | ɗun | di | kɛ mɛɛ̃ | ||
8 | that | ìyẹn | woo | lele, lale | ɗun | da | kɛnú | ||
9 | here | ibí, níhàyín | jang | fi | ɗoo | jò | nínyɛ | ||
10 | there | lọhun, nibẹ | jee | fa | ton | núũ | |||
11 | who | tani, ẹnití | kan | homo, hommbo (plural: homɓe) | kòn | jɔ | |||
12 | what | kíni, kínlá, èwo | lan | koɗun, honnɗun | sìn | mɓe | |||
13 | where | ibo, níbo, níbití | ana, fan | hoto, toye | mínyá | ||||
14 | when | ìgbàtí | kañ | mannde, honnde, ndeye | mínyá banda | ||||
15 | how | bí, báwo | naka | ñaadii | naka | honno, noye | nò | káma | |
16 | not | kò, kì | déedéet | du, bu, déedéet | alaa | na'a | máã | ||
17 | all | gbogbo, olúkúlùkú | bee | lëpp, yëpp | fow, fop, fuu | pèpè | kínɛ́ĩ | ||
18 | many | púpọ̀, pọ̀, ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ | buy, ɗuɗaal | kúluŋ ɓa | |||||
19 | some | díẹ, kan, àwọn kan | ay | yoga | ɓɔ́ɔ | ||||
20 | few | díẹ | tuuti | seeɗa | kpɔ́ fɛlá | ||||
21 | other | òmíràn, míràn | beneen | go'o | mandé | ||||
22 | one | mení, ọ̀kan | otu | kiling | benna, benn | go'o, gooto (human) | oko | lɔndɔ́ | |
23 | two | méjì | abua | fula | ñaar | ɗiɗi, ɗiɗo (humans) | fɛlá | ||
24 | three | mẹta | atọ | saba | ñetta, ñett | tati, tato (humans) | sakpá | ||
25 | four | mẹrin | anọ | naani | ñenent, ñeent | nayi, nayo (humans) | náãni | ||
26 | five | màrún | ise | luulu | juróom | jowi, joyi; joyo, jowo (humans) | sóólú | ||
27 | big | nlá, tóbi, gbórin | ukwu | mag | mawɗo, maw- | ɓa | |||
28 | long | jìnnà, gùn, pẹ́ | juutugol (=to be long/tall/big) | tɛ jaŋ | |||||
29 | wide | gbòrò, jìnnà | mbara | njaju | já kolo | ||||
30 | thick | nípọn | gouma,tekki | kpɔ́tú | |||||
31 | heavy | wúwo | ike | teddugol (=to be heavy) | fahanyá | ||||
32 | small | kéré, diẹ | ntakiri | ndaw | famar | leŋ | |||
33 | short | kúrú | gatt | raɓɓiɗugol (=to be short),dammuɗo | kúndú | ||||
34 | narrow | tóró, híhá, há | kpachiri | ɓiɗɗi | lɔ kpátiya | ||||
35 | thin | tínrín, tẹ́rẹ́ (?) | sew | shauɗo | kpányá | ||||
36 | woman | obìnrin | nwanyị | musoo | jigéen | debbo (plural: rewɓe) | musú | ||
37 | man (adult male) |
ọkùnrin | nwokè | góor | gorko (plural: worɓe) | kpakoo | |||
38 | man (human being) |
ènìyàn | ndì mmadụ | nit | neɗɗo (plural: yimɓe) | mɔ kɛ́ndɛ́ | |||
39 | child (a youth) |
èwe, ọmọ, ọmọdé | xale | ɓiɗɗo (plural: ɓiɓɓe) | ɗléŋ | ||||
40 | wife | ìyàwó, aya | musoo | jabar | ɓeyngu,kore | musú | |||
41 | husband | ọkọ | kee, kewo | jëkkër | moodi.gorko | kaí | |||
42 | mother | ìyá, abiyamọ | nne | naa | yaay, ndey | neene.yaaye | ɓa | ||
43 | father | bàbá | nna | baabaa | baay | baaba | fa | ||
44 | animal | ẹran | rab | kullun,mardi marle(plural) | kɛ́ndɛ́ feŋ | ||||
45 | fish | ẹja | azu | ñewo | jën | linngii (plural: liƴƴi) | nyínyɛ́ | ||
46 | bird | ẹiyẹ, ẹyẹ abìyẹ́ (?) | nnụnụ, okuko (chicken) |
kunoo | picca, picc | sondu ( plural: sholli) | kondé | ||
47 | dog | ajá | nkịta | xaj | rawaandu, bareeru,kutiru | wulú | |||
48 | louse | iná | igwu | duñoo, karankoo | teen | tenga (plural: tenɗi) | nyaá | ||
49 | snake | ejọ́ | agwo | capatoo, saa | jaan, saa | mboddi | kalá | ||
50 | worm | ekòló, kòkòròìdinaràn | idide | kaliyaa | saan | ngilnga (plural: gilɗi) | tɔɔnɔ́ɔ̃ | ||
51 | tree | igi | osisi | kapalipaloo, yiroo |
garab | lekki | kɔŋ | ||
52 | forest | igbó, ẹgàn | ohia | ladde | fílá | ||||
53 | stick (of wood) |
kùmọ, ọgọ (?) | sawru | kɔŋ | |||||
54 | fruit | éso, ọmọ | biɓɓe-leɗɗe | kɔŋ kpɔ́ | |||||
55 | seed | irúgbìn, irúmọ | aawdi | kpɔ́ | |||||
56 | leaf | ewé | ɗerol, haako | jamɓá | |||||
57 | root | gbòngbò, ìpilẹ̀sẹ̀ | ɗaɗol | súú | |||||
58 | bark (of tree) |
èpo igi | sheɓɓe | fóo | |||||
59 | flower | òdòdó | piindi | jamɓá fu | |||||
60 | grass | koríko | nax, ñax | fuɗo | pii | ||||
61 | rope | okùn | boggol | julú | |||||
62 | skin (of a person) |
ara | der | gurii,laral | kpoló | ||||
63 | meat (as in flesh) |
ẹran jíjẹ | suboo | yaapa, yapp | teewu,kusel | suyɛ́ | |||
64 | blood | ẹ̀jẹ | obara | ƴiiƴam | woí | ||||
65 | bone | egungun | ọkpụkpụ | k'i'al | kúú | ||||
66 | fat (noun) |
ọ̀rá | ɓellere | ɓɛ bhuutɛɛ | |||||
67 | egg | ẹyin | nen | boofo,ɓoccoɗe | kéí | ||||
68 | horn | ìwo | luwal | ɓúú | |||||
69 | tail | ìrú | wissho | fɛ́nyɛ́ | |||||
70 | feather (rather not down) |
ìyẹ́ ẹyẹ | tiyo | wiyengo,leɓol | kundíi | ||||
71 | hair | irun | abubara | kawar | cukulol (plural: sukuundu), gasa | kundíi | |||
72 | head | orí | isi | kungo | boopa, bopp | hoore | kuŋ | ||
73 | ear | etí | nti | tuloo | noppa, nopp | nowru (plural: noppi) | tólo | ||
74 | eye | ojú | anya | ñaa | bet, bot, bët | yitere (plural: gite) | já kpɔ́ | ||
75 | nose | imú | imi | nungo | baken, bakkan | hinere, kinal | súŋ | ||
76 | mouth | ẹnu | onu | daa | gemmiñ | hunnduko | lá | ||
77 | tooth (rather not molar) |
ehín | eze | ñingo | boñ | nyiire (plural: nyiiƴe) | nyíŋ | ||
78 | tongue | ahọ́n | ire | nengo | laameñ, lammiñ | demngal | nɛɛ̃ | ||
79 | fingernail | èékánná ìka ọwọ́ (?) | feɗe ngo | ɓóló loi kɛnji | |||||
80 | foot | ẹsẹ̀ | ukwu | singo | koyngal, kosngal | keŋ | |||
81 | leg | ẹsẹ̀ | singo | tanka, tank | kos ngal | keŋ | |||
82 | knee | orúkún, ekún | ikpere | kumbalingo | óom | howru (plural: koppi),hosɓu ndu | kúmɓéé | ||
83 | hand | ọwọ | olu | buloo | loxo | junngo (plural: juuɗe) | ɓóló | ||
84 | wing | ìyẹ́ apá | ngelaw | biyeli, bippoɗi | kafa | ||||
85 | belly | inú, ikùn | afo | konoo | biir | reedu | ɓú | ||
86 | guts | ìfun | cewɗi (singular: sewngol),ketetti | nuú | |||||
87 | neck | ọrùn, ẹ̀mí | olu | kango | baat | hoƴƴudu.daande | káŋ | ||
88 | back | ẹ̀hìn | azu | kooma | ganaw | ɓaawo, caggal | kɔ́ɔ tɛ | ||
89 | breast | ọmú, ọyọ̀n | ara | sunjoo | enndu (plural: enɗi); kunndulal = nipple | susu | |||
90 | heart | ọkàn | obi | jusoo, kijoo | ɓernde | kpuu | |||
91 | liver | ẹ́dọ | imeji | jusoo, buñoo | ke nye | falá | |||
92 | to drink | mu | ming | naan | yarugol | mi | |||
93 | to eat | jẹ, jẹun | domo | lekka, lekk | nyamugol | lɔŋ | |||
94 | to bite | gé jẹ, bù jẹ | maata, matt | soppugol, nngattaka | kiŋ | ||||
95 | to suck | mu ọmú, fi ẹnu fà mu | murugol | saha | |||||
96 | to spit | tutọ́ | kartugol | tɛ ka | |||||
97 | to vomit | bì, pọ̀ jade | woccu | tutugol | fɔnɔ | ||||
98 | to blow (as wind) |
mí kíkanfẹ́ (?) | luɗugol | tuu | |||||
99 | to breathe | mí | foofugol | fiyá ɓɔ | |||||
100 | to laugh | rẹrin | jalugol | jɛ́ɛ kɛ | |||||
101 | to see | rí, fojú rí, ríran | je | gis | yi'ugol | fɛɛ | |||
102 | to hear | gbọ, tẹtí sí | anu | dégg | heɗagol,nangol | laŋ | |||
103 | to know (a fact) |
mọ̀ | xam | anndugol | sɔ | ||||
104 | to think | rò, ronú, wòye | xalaat | sikkugol,nyumol | kuŋndɔ kíi ma | ||||
105 | to smell (sense odor) |
gbórùn | urgol | kunyɛ | |||||
106 | to fear | ẹ̀rù, ìfòyà (?) | sila | hulugol | miĩnyáã | ||||
107 | to sleep | sùn, simi | nelaw | ɗaanagol | ki kɛ | ||||
108 | to live | wà láyé | wuurugol,jodugol | to fiya ɓɔ́ɛ lɔ | |||||
109 | to die | kú, ṣaláìsí | maayugol | faha | |||||
110 | to kill | pa, gbẹ̀mí | warugol | faha | |||||
111 | to fight | ìjà, jagun (?) | haɓugol | tílíŋ kɛ | |||||
112 | to hunt (transitive) |
dẹ, lé, ṣọdẹ | róbba | ngasha | fɛ kpai | ||||
113 | to hit | gbá, nà, lù | piyugol | tuu | |||||
114 | to cut | gé, ké, ṣá, yún | kuntu | dog | hirsugol | tiyɛ | |||
115 | to split | là, pín, là wẹ́wẹ́ | shendugol | tɛ ka | |||||
116 | to stab (or stick) |
gún lọ́bẹ, fi ohun mímún gún (?) |
tufgol | ɓú fuwa | |||||
117 | to scratch (an itch) |
họ, ya, yún, ya ni nkan |
nyanyugol | wɔnyɛ | |||||
118 | to dig | walẹ̀, wà nílẹ̀, wáàdí | gas | ngirgol | seŋ | ||||
119 | to swim | lúwẹ̀, wẹ̀ | feey | mbuulol | jí ɓɛla | ||||
120 | to fly | fò, fò-lọ | peerol | pii | |||||
121 | to walk | rìn, fi ẹsẹ̀ rìn | taamaa | dem, dox, doxantu | yahadol | táháyɛ́ | |||
122 | to come | wá | bia | naa | ñëw | arugol,wargol | na | ||
123 | to lie (as on one's side) |
dùbúlê, nà gbôôrô (?) | tedda, taanu | waalol | sa | ||||
124 | to sit | jókó | no odu | toog | joɗɗgol | sii | |||
125 | to stand | dúró, dìde, nàró | guzoro | taxaw | darol | sɔ téŋ | |||
126 | to turn (change direction) |
yípadà | wa ailitol | muĩ | |||||
127 | to fall (as in drop) |
ṣubú, wó (?) | janoigol,tettoygol | ɓɛla | |||||
128 | to give | fi fún, fi bùn, jìn | jox | gokkol | kɔ | ||||
129 | to hold (in one's hand) |
dìmú, gbámú | jogol | ɓiya | |||||
130 | to squeeze | fún pọ̀, há láyè | ɓ iɗɗugol | ɓoti | |||||
131 | to rub | gbo, pa, fi ra, fi pa | moytugol | ma máĩ | |||||
132 | to wash | wẹ̀, fọ̀ bọ́ | kuu | raxas | yiggol | ko | |||
133 | to wipe | nù, nùkúrò | fompa, fomp | moytogol | fiya | ||||
134 | to pull | fà | poɗol | saha | |||||
135 | to push | tì, tari | tutaki | jɔndɔ | |||||
136 | to throw | sọ, jù, fi sọ̀kò | perugol | fili | |||||
137 | to tie | dì, so, se kókó | kaɓɓol | kili | |||||
138 | to sew | rán-ṣọkósọ (?) | ñaw | nyo'otol | lomɓo | ||||
139 | to count | kà, rò, ṣírò | lim | limgol | laŋ | ||||
140 | to say | wí, sọ | fo | wax | wi'igol | fɔ | |||
141 | to sing | kọrin | woy | gimgol | lɔŋ ɓɔ | ||||
142 | to play | ṣiré | fo | pijol | tɔmɓɔ́ kɛ | ||||
143 | to float | lefó, fó lójú omi | mbeyol | ɓofoŋ | |||||
144 | to flow | ṣàn | ilul | jii | |||||
145 | to freeze | dì | kpu áísi la | ||||||
146 | to swell | wú | ɓuutol | jiijíi | |||||
147 | sun | òrùn | anwu | naaj | naange | télee | |||
148 | moon | oṣù, òṣùpá | onwa | karoo | weer | lewru | káwó | ||
149 | star | ìràwọ̀ | kpakpandu | loolo | kodel | tóóma | |||
150 | water | omi | mmịrị | duuroo, jiyo | ndox | ndiyam | jí | ||
151 | rain | òjò | ndiyam | soná | |||||
152 | river | odò | (mmịrị) oruru | shaangol | jí sálé | ||||
153 | lake | adágún | gassol | jí sálé (yɔ́ pisoe) | |||||
154 | sea (as in ocean) |
òkun omi-iyọ́ | geej | weendu | kɔí | ||||
155 | salt | iyọ̀ | nnu | koo | xorom | lamɗam | kpɔndɔ lɔ kɔɔ | ||
156 | stone | òkúta | okwuta | beroo | xeer | hayre | seŋ | ||
157 | sand | yanrìn | suuf | njareendi | kɛnyɛ́ | ||||
158 | dust | eruku | sollare | bhúndufú | |||||
159 | earth (as in soil) |
ilẹ̀, erùpẹ̀ | ala | bankoo | suuf | lesdi, leydi | luma | ||
160 | cloud | gùdẹ (?) | ade, ndula | lúú | |||||
161 | fog | ìkùúkùù, kùrukùru | shammam,shuddi | lúú | |||||
162 | sky | ọ̀run, ojú ọ̀run | igwe | asamaan | dule, dow | ɓándaha | |||
163 | wind (as in breeze) |
afẹ́fẹ́, ẹ̀fúfú | ikuku | keni, henndu | fiyá | ||||
164 | snow | ìrì dídìòjò dídì (?) yìnyín ti ohun jábọ́ lójú ọ̀run (?) |
kímá ɓa múĩ ɓɔ ɓandaha lɔ | ||||||
165 | ice | yìnyín, omi dídì | oyi | malemalleje | áísi | ||||
166 | smoke | éfí | shurka | sisí | |||||
167 | fire | iná | oku | yiite | tá | ||||
168 | ash | eérú | sewo | doondi | bhuwá | ||||
169 | to burn (intransitive) |
sún, jóná, mú gbóná | wulol | ɓinda | |||||
170 | road | ọ̀nà | yoon | ɗatal | kíla | ||||
171 | mountain | òkè gíga | ugwu | 'yolde | kɔɔ̃ nyamá | ||||
172 | red | pọ́n, pupa (?) | uhie | xonxa, xonq | boɗeejum | jahalé | |||
173 | green | aláwọ̀ ewé | akwụkwọ nri | jambakere | werta, weer | hakohakoje | jamɓa kúwa | ||
174 | yellow | pupa rúsúrúsú bí àwọ ìyeyè (?) | edo | netemunkoy | olol | wãã | |||
175 | white | funfun | ocha | weex | danejum | kpɛ́ímá | |||
176 | black | aláwọ̀ dúdú, ṣú | oji | fing | ñuul | ɓalejum | fiimá | ||
177 | night | òru | abali | suutoo | guddi | jemma | lifí | ||
178 | day (daytime) |
ọjọ́, ọ̀sán | ehihe, ubochi | lungo | nyelauma | télé lɔ | |||
179 | year | ọdún | afo | at, atum | hita nde | saŋ | |||
180 | warm (as in weather) |
gbóná diẹ, lílọ́ wọ́rọ́ | oku | guldum | tɔmu | ||||
181 | cold (as in weather) |
tutù | oyi | sedda, sedd | jangol | kímá | |||
182 | full | kún | hewal | lá fálé | |||||
183 | new | titun, àkọtun | ọhụrụ | bees | kesum | námá | |||
184 | old | ìdarúgbó, ìdàgbà, gbó, ìhewú | ochie | magget | nayewu | kɔ́ɔ́ | |||
185 | good | rere, suwọ̀n, dára | nma | baax, neex | boɗɗum | ɓɛ́ɛ | |||
186 | bad | burú, burúkú, búburú | njo | woɗa | jáwo | ||||
187 | rotten (as, a log) |
dìbàjẹ́, rà | nyoldum | toilé | |||||
188 | dirty | léèrí, lẹgbin, àìmọ́, lọ́bùn | ọjịị | tilim, salte | tuhundi | nɔ́ɔ̃wã | |||
189 | straight | tàrà, tọ, láìwọ | forti | táŋndé | |||||
190 | round | òbìrìkìtì (?) | lelal | gɛɛlíí | |||||
191 | sharp (as a knife) |
mímú, yára se kan | shattal | lá sáha | |||||
192 | dull (as a knife) |
kúnú, àìmú, lọ́ra, kújú, yòpe | welay | já ɓɛ púu | |||||
193 | smooth | tẹ́jú, tẹ́rẹrẹ, ọ̀bọ̀rọ́ | ɓotiɗiɗum | máĩ kpɔelé | |||||
194 | wet | rin, tutu | tooy | shoftugol | dɔgbɔlé | ||||
195 | dry (adjective) |
gbígbẹ, gbẹ, gbẹrẹfu, láìlómi | wow | jo'oral | kpaha | ||||
196 | right (correct) |
títọ́, tó yẹ, dára | esi okwu | tooñaa | footi | ɓɛ́ɛna | |||
197 | near | nítòsí, súnmọ́ra | nso | sinna | jege | ha'ade | máĩ | ||
198 | far | jìnà, jijina | anya | sori, sore | ɓadaki | kaŋ kpɔ́ŋ | |||
199 | right (side) |
ọ̀tún | (aka) nri | bulubaa | ndeyjoor | 'yamo | féŋ lɔ́ŋ ɓolo ma | ||
200 | left (side) |
òsì | (aka) ekpe | maraa | cammooñ | nano | maã ɓólo ma | ||
201 | at | ní, níbí, lí | ci, si | i | la | ||||
202 | in | nínú, ní | ci biir | nder | lɔ | ||||
203 | with (accompanying) |
pẹ̀lú, àti, lọ́dọ̀, bá, fi, dání | fee | ak | i | fɛ | |||
204 | and | àti, sì | na | andung | ak, te | ee | amu | ||
205 | if | bí, bí ó bá | bu fekkee | to a | hĩ | ||||
206 | because | nítorí, nítorítí | ndaxte | gam | ɓɛ́ímáã | ||||
207 | name | orúkọ | too | tur, tudd | innde | tɔ́ɔ́ |
Sources
[edit]- Yoruba dictionary (Aroade)
- Yoruba dictionary by Pamela Smith Ph.D & Adebusola Onayemi FRCPC
- Awde, Nicholas and Onyekachi Wambu (1999) Igbo: Igbo-English/English-Igbo Dictionary and Phrasebook New York: Hippocrene Books.
- Wolof and Mandinka dictionaries/grammars
- Ka, Omar (2009) Nanu dégg Wolof: let's speak Wolof: a first-year textbook Madison, WI: NALRC Press.
External links
[edit]- Yoruba dictionary
- Igbo language center
- Nigerian languages (comparative lists)
- Niger-Congo numbers
- Wolof and Mandinka dictionaries/grammars
Diacritics: