Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist 9780520961470

Table of contents :
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Abbreviations
Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary
English-Bole Wordlist
Appendices
References

Citation preview

BOLE-ENGLISH-HAUSA DICTIONARY AND ENGLISH-BOLE WORDLIST

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist Alhaji Maina Gimba and & Russell G. Schuh

University of California Press Berkeley Los Angeles London

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS, one of the he most most distinguished distinguished university university presses presses in in the the United States, enriches lives around the world by advancing scholarship in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Its activities are supported by the UC Press Foundation and philanthropic contributions from individuals and institutions. For more information, visit http://www.ucpress.edu http://www.ucpress.edu University of California Press Oakland, Berkeley California and Los Angeles, California University of California Press, Ltd. London England

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PUBLICATIONS IN LINGUISTICS Editorial Board: Judith Aissen, Andrew Garrett, Larry M. Hyman, Marianne Mithun, Pamela Munro, Maria Polinsky

Volume 148

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist by Alhaji Maina Gimba & Russell G. Schuh © 2015 2014 by The Regents of the University of California All rights reserved. Published 2014 2015 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 12345 ISBN 978-0-520-28611-5

Library of Congress Control Number : 2014949249

The paper used in this pubication meets the minimum requirements of ANNS/NISO Z39.48-1992 (R 1997) (Permanence of Paper).

In memory of

HRH Alhaji Dr. Abali ibn Muhammadu Idris Alhaji Aliyu Maina Gimba Hon. Abdullahi Muhammed Garin Ari Malam Baba Ali

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Contents Acknowledgments Introduction Abbreviations

ix xi xxvii

BOLE-ENGLISH-HAUSA DICTIONARY

1

ENGLISH-BOLE WORDLIST

241

APPENDICES BIRDS FISH FLORA IDEOPHONES IDEOPHONIC ADJECTIVES EXPRESSIONS AND INTERJECTIONS PROPER NAMES AND PLACE NAMES TITLES KIN TERMS PRONOUNS VERB FORMS

313 315 317 319 327 331 335 337 341 343 345 349

References

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Compilation of this dictionary has gone through several stages. The first lexical work on Bole done by Schuh was a list of perhaps 1500 items collected in 1982-83 in collaboration with Malam Abdullahi Idi Gadaka1 in Samaru, Kaduna State when Schuh was a Visiting Professor at Ahamdu Bello University, Zaria. This work was supported by a grant from the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research. Gimba, when he was a doctoral student at UCLA from 1996-2000, greatly expanded this list and adjusted it to reflect the Fika dialect. This work was, in part, funded by a US National Science Foundation grant (award # BCS-9905180, Russell G. Schuh, Principal Investigator).2 Compilation of the first printed Bole dictionary was done from 2002-2004, when Gimba and Schuh worked in Potiskum, Yobe State, Nigeria with Madu Bah and the late Malam Baba Ali, supported by a grant from the US National Science Foundation (award #BCS-0111289, Russell G. Schuh, Principal Investigator). During this period the number of entries was greatly expanded, definitions were refined, and Hausa definitions were added. In 2004, the FIRST EDITION of the Bole-English-Hausa dictionary was produced in Potiskum by Ajami Press. In part thanks to the success of this project,3 the Bole team of three collobrators who had worked on the first project was able to continue work from 2006-2009 with the support of another grant from the US National Science Foundation (award #BCS-0111289, Russell G. Schuh, Principal Investigator). This work culminated in production of the SECOND EDITION of the Bole-English-Hausa dictionary, again produced by Ajami Press, Potiskum. The SECOND EDITION not only had a considerably larger number of items than the first but also added examples of use and significantly improved formatting. Throughout the research on Bole lexicon extending from 2002-2009, the project benefited from the support of many people who were instrumental in making it as successful as it was. The compilers are grateful to HRH, the Emir of Fika (Moi Pikka), the late Alhaji Dr. Abali ibn Muhammadu Idris, and the Fika Emirate Council for their interest in and support of this project. Special thanks go to the late Moi Pikka and to the late Hon. Abdullahi

1

It is a pleasure to report that in 2002 Schuh was able to reunite with Malam Abdullahi, who had moved back to his hometown, Gadaka, in Yobe State. 2 In this and other National Science Foundation supported research mentioned in this book, any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of NSF. 3 The full project involved five Chadic languages spoken in Yobe State: Bade (Gashua dialect), Bade (Western dialect), Bole, Karekare, Ngamo, and Ngizim. Dictionaries of all these languages were produced in 2004, and second editions were produced in 2009 for Bade (Western dialect), Bole, Duwai, Karekare, Ngamo, and Ngizim.

ix

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Acknowledgments

Muhammed Garin Ari, who provided generous contributions toward publication of the FIRST EDITION in 2004, which brought written Bole to the attention of the Bole community. Special thanks go to Malam Madu Liman, now Registrar of the College of Education Zuba, Abuja, and to Halima Madu Liman and members of the Madu Liman household, for indispensable logistic support without which the projects would have been difficult if not impossible. Thanks also to Alhaji Ali Goni and to Malam Saleh Adamu for helping to create a smooth working environment. For technical contributions, thanks go to Jeffrey Heinz for invaluable programming of the electronic database from which this dictionary was built and to Sarah VanWagenen for creating the English list on which the English-Bole Wordlist is based. Roger Blench kindly provided a comprehensive list of Hausa botanical names and modern genetic classification that is the basis for the identifications in this dictionary. The present dictionary represents a major expansion and revision of the 2009 SECOND EDITION of the Bole-English-Hausa dictionary. This expansion and revision took place during a two-month visit by Gimba to Los Angeles during May-July, 2012, supported by a grant from the UCLA Academic Senate Committee on Research. The compilers were fortunate to collaborate intensively with Paul Newman, Professor Emeritus of Indiana University, who was able to come to Los Angeles in June, 2012. Prof. Newman’s visit was made possible by a grant from the UCLA College of Letters and Science. The compilers are particularly grateful to Prof. Newman for his detailed comments and advice, which he continued to provide during final revisions of the dictionary. Our collaboration on Bole began in the late 1990’s and has continued both in Los Angeles and in Potiskum, Nigeria, including many visits to Fika town, to rural Bole villages, and to both the University of Maiduguri and Gombe State University. In addition to those whom we acknowledged by name above, we thank all the others who have been generous in their time and support of all kinds and who are too numerous to mention individually. To all of them, we say, “Mu kunnang˘yi!”

Alhaji Maina Gimba Russell G. Schuh Los Angeles, April, 2014

BOLE-ENGLISH-HAUSA DICTIONARY AND ENGLISH-BOLE WORDLIST The Bole Language Bole is a language of the Chadic family spoken in northeastern Nigeria in Yobe, Gombe, and Bauchi States. Newman (1977), with minor revisions in Newman (1990), classifies Bole more specifically as Chadic > West Chadic > West-A > Bole/Angas major group > Bole group. Among its closest linguistic relatives are Karekare, Ngamo, and Maka in Yobe State, Kirfi, Galambu, and Pero in Bauchi State, Kanakuru in Borno State, and Tangale (among others) in Gombe State. The Hausa name for the Bole language is Bolanci, the name found in much of the published literature on Bole. There are two major dialect areas: Fika, spoken in Yobe State, north of the Gongola River, and Gombe, spoken in Gombe and Bauchi States, mainly south of the Gongola River.4 This dictionary is based on the Fika dialect. In the Fika dialect, the language is referred to as B˘ Pkk ‘Language of Fika’. The Gombe dialect refers to the language as B˘ D Ld ‘Language of “Aunt” Ladi’, the traditional mother of the Bole people. The Fika dialect refers to the Bole people as Am Pikk (m.sing.), ni Pikk (f.sing.), nm Pkk (pl.) ‘one(s) of Fika’. The terms B˘l (pl. B˘lw) are also used, primarily in the Gombe region. Ethnologue gives a 1990 population figure of 100,000, whereas Gimba (2000:1) proffers an estimate of 250,000-300,000. Whatever the exact figure, the Bole are numerically a significant ethnic group in northern Nigeria. Unlike most of their geographic neighbors, the Boles have been Muslims throughout their known history, and their traditional leader, Moi Pikka (Emir of Fika) has been one of the most prominent figures in the traditional political scene of northern Nigeria since pre-colonial times. As the title Moi Pikka implies, the

4

The only work explicitly addressing dialect differences is Gimba (1990). Data in Benton (1912), Abraham (1929), and Kraft (1981) are from the Gombe dialect. Data in Lukas (1969, 1970-72, 1971) are from the Fika dialect.

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political and administrative capital of the Bole emirate was Fika (Pikka in Bole), located in what is now southern Yobe State. This was the capital from at least the beginning of the 19th century until 1924, when, during the reign of Moi Mammadi (Mahammadu Ibn Idrissa) the British colonial administration transferred the administrative center of Fika emirate from Fika town to Potiskum (Palmer (1929), cited in Ibriszimow (1996: 211)). The earliest lexical information on Bole is a list of 253 items in Koelle (1854), who referred to the language as P∫ka. The first work on Bole lexicon meeting modern linguistic standards was that of R.C. Abraham on the Gombe dialect in Abraham (1929), which, unfortunately, has never been published.5 Abraham’s work, in addition to an extensive vocabulary, fully marked for tone and vowel length, contained grammatical notes and a large number of sentences and phrases. Kraft (1981), also from the Gombe dialect, is a list of about 430 items. This remained the largest published lexical work on Bole until appearance of the works described in the next section.

Background on This Dictionary The present work is the first dictionary of Bole published outside Nigeria. It is the successor of two earlier dictionaries produced by Ajami Press in Potiskum, Yobe State, Nigeria both authored by Alhaji Maina Gimba, Malam Baba Ali†, and Madu Bah, edited by Russell G. Schuh. The Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary, FIRST EDITION, 2004, was, in effect, a preliminary work based on research done from 2002-2004 as part of the Yobe Languages Research project.6 The SECOND EDITION, 2009,7 was much expanded in terms of number of entries and in forms of entries, which, for example, included notations on grammar and phonology and illustrations of use that were absent from the 2004 edition. The current dictionary is based on the 2009 edition, but it includes several hundred new entries, in particular many idioms, modern loanwords, and items relevant to Bole culture, such as traditional titles and place names. The number of examples of use has been massively expanded, grammatical and phonological information has been augmented, and Hausa glosses have been added to nearly all entries where Hausa was previously omitted. There are now over 5100 headwords, excluding “duplicates” that are pronunciation variants of other entries.

5

John E. Lavers (1992: 30) laments this fact, noting that this was “the first study of an African language by Abraham…the Bolanci study has lain unpublished, unused, and unknown even until very recent times.” 6 This project was funded by a grant from the US National Science Foundation (award #BCS0111289, Russell G. Schuh, Principal Investigator). 7 Work on Bole and other languages leading to the SECOND EDITION was funded by a grant from the US National Science Foundation (award #BCS-05553222, Russell G. Schuh, Principal Investigator).

Introduction

xiii

Orthographic Conventions and Remarks on Phonology Bole uses the same spelling system as Hausa for the most part. The main difference between the alphabet for Bole versus Hausa conerns the letters “p” and “f”. Neither language has a contrast in voiceless labials. In Hausa the voiceless labial is generally pronounced as a bilabial fricative [ɸ], written “f”. The Bole voiceless labial is usually a stop, pronounced [p] and written “p”. Compare the written forms of the following cognate items: Bole:

Pìkkà ptil

Hausa:

Fπk fπtil

‘Fika town’ ‘lamp’

The distinctions between long and short vowels and distinctions between tones are both important for correct pronunciation and for distinguishing the meanings of words in Bole. Native speakers of Bole, however, know the correct vowel lengths and tones of words without having to see them written, and like publications in Hausa intended primarily for native speakers, publications in Bole have generally not marked vowel length and tone. In order to make the dictionary more useful to those who are not fluent speakers of Bole, however, vowel length and tones are marked for all Bole words and illustrative material. Marking of vowel length and tone consists of small diacritic marks above the letters. Native speakers of Bole who do not need these markings to know the correct pronunciation of words may simply ignore them. Marking of tones and vowel lengths are as follows: have a macron above the vowel, short vowels have no marking for length: Long vowel: Short vowel: s‰ni ‘honey’ s ni ‘year’ shri ‘craving’ shri ‘Acacia tree’ by

‘beard’ buyo ‘blowing’

LONG VOWELS

have a grave accent ( ` ) over the vowel, HIGH TONES have no accent marks, FALLING TONES have a circumflex accent ( ^ ), and RISING TONES have a hachek (  ): HIGH-HIGH: korya ‘measurement’ LOW-LOW: k ry ‘storm’ zwa ‘stick’ zw ‘competition’ HIGH-LOW: asàr ‘afternoon’ LOW-HIGH: àsar ‘unfortunate loss’ gr ‘lizard’ gre ‘granary’ FALLING: b r ‘pillow’ HIGH: dir ‘threshing’ RISING: m ‘you (plural)’ HIGH: ’ya ‘thing’ LOW TONES

NOTE ON CONTOUR TONES AND VOWEL LENGTH:

Rising tones and Falling tones occur only on “heavy” syllables, that is, syllables of the form CONSONANT-VOWEL-CONSONANT (as in b r ‘pillow’, sǒn-kò ‘your age’) or syllables with a long vowel. In words like zâ ‘cubit’ and mǎ ‘you (plural)’, the ^ and  tone marks are sufficient to show that the vowel is long, and hence

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

xiv

a macron as an indicator of vowel length is omitted. In general, Bole excludes long vowels from closed syllables (syllables ending in a consonant). There are, however, a few words that have long vowels in closed syllables with a Rising tone. In order to show that these words have a long vowel, the vowel is doubled, e.g. něem ‘hippopotamus’. In fact, it is a little difficult to tell whether such words are actually one or two syllables, so the doubled vowel is also a signal of that feature of pronunciation. The table below lists all the alphabetical symbols used in this dictionary in the order that they appear in lexical entries. For words differing in vowel length, short vowels precede long; for words differing in tone, Low tone precedes High. Symbols represent normal IPA values unless otherwise noted. 8 a

í a b ɓ b c d  e g c h i d j k l m e mb n

p íum d bab   k c‰c did πi em g gg

hkm d jj kki lla mm mb n˘nu

gourd plant dog paternal aunt duiker church fly (insect) bat sp. this one (m) road yawning communal prayer a title crow spider person upper arm, wing mother

e

nd ng e nj e nz f  o p r s g sh t u w y h íy z e

ndk‰ ngud njl nz no

arrival lazy person sleeping yesterday

od

pp rru ssuwa sh shonge ttok zur wwya yy íyla zz

beans persperation augur beetle African myrrh plant sp. worm, grub dust grumbling sand guinea corn winged termites

a

The symbol ’ represents a glottal stop, IPA [ʔ]. All words with orthographic initial vowels are pronounced with initial glottal stop. Since this is 100% predictable, we follow the standard Hausa orthographic practice and do not write it in this position. A few words (fewer than five in current data) have a medial singleton glottal stop, e.g. pò’um ‘gourd plant’. The most common appearance of medial glottal stop is as a geminate. The main sources of this are as a variant of ’y, esp. before front vowels (bíí = bíyíy ‘elder brothers’), Hausa loans 8

All digraphs are treated as alphabetical sequences. For example, words written with initial mb- are alphabetized after words beginning with ma- and before words beginning with me-. Words beginning with sh- are alphabetized after words beginning with se- and before words beginning with si-. The symbol ’y is alphabetized as a separate unit, following y, since it is the palatal counterpart to  and  in the glottal series.

Introduction

xv

with medial  in Hausa (saíí ‘weaving’ < Hausa s). and pluractional forms of CV verb stems (mà’’angò ‘they returned’—cf. māwò ‘he returned’). b The symbol c represents IPA [tʃ], English “ch”. In native words, it basically is a variant of sh (IPA [ʃ]). It is most commonly heard in geminate sequences, e.g. gusshe = gucce ‘stones’, but in a few words there is variation between singleton sh and c, e.g. sh nji = c nji ‘pumpkin’. c The glottal fricative h is rather marginal as a phoneme in Bole. It is found almost exclusively in loanwards, and most words with initial h have an acceptable or preferred variant without the h, e.g. hant = ant ‘button’. In current data, there are fewer than five words with medial h, e.g. lahm ‘counterfeit item’. d The symbol j represents IPA [dʒ], English “j”. In many words j and z are in free or idiolectal variation, e.g. jj = zz ‘porcupine’, but nonetheless, these sounds must be recognized as separate phonemes since this variation is not accepted in many words containing one or the other sound. Variant pronunciations are noted for all words where they have been observed. e In word initial position, the written sequences mb, nd, ng [ŋg], nj, nz are best viewed as unit phonemes. They contrast phonetically with a syllabic nasal followed by a voiced obstruent, e.g. n doluw˘yi ‘I dug it up’ vs. ndoluw˘yi ‘he likes it’. Words beginning with these sounds behave like simple nasals in that they facilitate LOW TONE RAISING (see Remarks on Phonology below), e.g. kn ndigr smpe ndri ‘Proverb: he failed to deal with the (hard) ruins so he took it out on the grass hut’ from ndri ‘grass hut’ with LH tones. Plain voiced obstruents block LOW TONE RAISING, e.g. Leng ni djin/*dajin ‘Lengi is a novice’. However, written NC in medial position behaves like a sequence, with the N closing the first syllable. Thus, a verb such as gàndu ‘lie down’ is a class A2b verb, which has a heavy first syllable (see Categories of Dictionary Entries below). f The velar nasal, ŋ, is contrastive with m and n only in word final position (kram ‘Jerusalem cricket’, kondrn ‘military boots’, gra ‘tall, deep’) and it always assimilates to place of articulation of a following consonant in the same phrase, e.g. gram b z ‘depth of the well’. g The digraph sh represents IPA [ʃ], English “sh”. Parallel to j vs. z (see note d), many words have free or idiolectal variation between s and sh, e.g. sm = shm ‘coughing’. However, many words have one or the other sound without variation, hence both s and sh must given phonemic status. h The symbol ’y is a glottalized palatal glide. Though IPA representation would probably be [ʔʲ], phonologically it parallels  and  as a glottalized stop at the palatal place of articulation.

English and Hausa Definitions and Examples Every Bole headword has as complete an English definition as we have been able to supply. Distinct but related English senses have numbered definitions, e.g. nd (1) weight; (2)

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responsibility for s.o. or s.t. Words that are homophonous in Bole but have unrelated English senses are listed as separate entries numbered with superscripts, e.g. dòm1 ‘blood’ and dòm2 ‘front’. A special case of multiple definitions involves verbs. Many Bole verbs can be used transitively or intransitively, sometimes requiring different expressions in English. In these cases, we have a single definition line for English, but we have separated the transitive and intransitive English renderings with a semicolon, e.g. rgzu raze, destroy; collapse. In cases where the same respective verbs in Bole and English can be used both transitively and intransitively, we have shown this, usually with examples of each function, as in pòyyu tr., intr. break into pieces, shatter ex p yyut kam he broke the pot; kam p yyuw the pot broke. We have included many examples of headwords in context. A majority of the examples were created explicitly for the dictionary, but many are drawn from texts. Examples are essentially of two kinds. Most are meant to clarify aspects of meaning and use, e.g. pisshok very small amount ex onn dr pisshok he gave me very few peanuts, which shows the type of item that the word can be applied to and word ordering. A large number, however, are not examples of the headword per se but are standard expressions, proverbs, or riddles in which the headword is, in some sense, the “key word” in the expression. Most of these are labeled “Expression”, “Proverb”, “Riddle”, sometimes with a literal translation followed by an explanation of usage, e.g. biik cage for chickens, chicken coop ex b rm ko syakk , ka w g biik Proverb: if your camel gets lost, you’ll (even) look in a chicken cage (“desperation leads to extremes”). Nearly all entries include a Hausa gloss. Hausa glosses are not marked for tone or vowel length. For most entries, the Hausa consists of a one-to-one equivalent to the Bole, e.g.

nd˘ri scorpion (red) | Hausa kunama. In some cases, where Hausa seems not to have a oneword equivalent, there is a brief explanatory phrase, e.g. pllw a gift of food from one’s girlfriend | Hausa abincin da budurwa ke dafa wa saurayinta [“food that a young woman cooks for her boyfriend”]. In entries where there are multiple English translations that correspond to different Hausa words, the Hausa words are numbered parallel to the numbers of the English definitions, e.g. rto (1) a split, a tear, a crack; (2) piece(s) of split firewood | Hausa (1) tsage; (2) faskare. For the following classes of entries, we have chosen to give a generic label in Hausa rather than a Hausa equivalent; note that these labels are italicized, whereas actual Hausa glosses are in regular type: amsa amo (ideophone): shit indicates redness ex dài shit bright red | Hausa amsa amo bayanin siffa (ideophonic adjective): dntr short and strong | Hausa bayanin siffa sarauta (title): kcall a man’s traditional title | Hausa sarauta sunan gari (name of a town): Gr Tinj a town in Yobe State | Hausa sunan gari sunan mace (woman’s name): t woman’s name | Hausa sunan mace sunan namiji (man’s name): M m man’s name | Hausa sunan namiji

Introduction

xvii

Words in the first two categories have idiosyncratic meanings, most of which are language specific. Some of the words, esp. ideophones, probably do have close Hausa equivalents (for example, Hausa jā wur is equivalent to Bole dài shit ‘bright red’). However, rather than provide Hausa glosses for some ideophones while giving others generic glosses or leaving them unglossed, we have chosen to use the generic glosses above for all of them. We have applied a similar rationale to the other word categories. For example, the man’s name Hàbu is essentially identical in Hausa and Bole (though the Hausa version has a long final vowel), but hypocoristics and pronunciation variants for many names differ in Hausa and Bole, making it difficult or impossible to say that a particular form in Bole is equivalent to a particular form in Hausa. For example, the Bole name Madù and the Hausa name Mammàn are both variants of the name Mùhammadù, but it makes little sense to say that these variants of the base names are “equivalent” in the respective languages. A number of words, mainly types of foods, that recur in definitions do not have good equivalents in English but have exact counterparts in Hausa. Since it is assumed that many users of this dictionary will have some familiarity with Hausa, we have chosen to use the Hausa words (in italics) in the English definitions. The items in question are the following:9 fura (Bole denjè) kunu (Bole àtti) miya (Bole biyè)

tuwo (Bole ottò) zana (Bole kra)

9

millet flour, cooked and formed into balls that are broken up and mixed into a liquid, preferably cultured milk, but sometimes water a “gruel” made from finely ground flour, cooked to a relatively thin consistency, usually with a flavoring such as tamarind or lime juice a “sauce” or “stew”, usually with a vegetable base, such as okra, sorrel, baobab, tomatoes, etc. and often with meat or fish, served accompanying tuwo staple food made from guinea corn or maize flour, rice, or another starch base, cooked to a stiff consistency a mat made from interwoven heavy grass, used as a fence, granary liner, and in other functions

Alternatively, we could have used the Bole words, giving an explanation under the basic headword. We have chosen not to do this, first, as noted, because we have assumed that the Hausa words would be familiar to many users, and second, because this Bole dictionary has emerged as part of a larger project involving dictionaries from five other languages. Explaining the Hausa words, then using them in all the dictionaries, gives a unified way to refer to the same concepts across languages.

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Categories of Dictionary Entries Verbal entries Verbs are entered in the form that they would have in the PERFECTIVE, with a masculine singular subject, with no extensions (such as TOTALITY or VENTIVE), and with the PERFECTIVE marker –wo removed. The grammatical category information for verbs includes the verb classes, which are as follows: 10 A1 = verbs with two root consonants, a short root vowel, and final –u stem vowel in the PERFECTIVE; A2 verbs all have final –u stem vowel in the PERFECTIVE and have the following sub-classes: A2a = verbs with two root consonants and a long root vowel; A2b = verbs with three stem consonants; A2bg = verbs with two stem consonants, the second being a geminate; A2c = verbs with more than three stem consonants; B = verbs with two root consonants, a short root vowel, and final - stem vowel in the PERFECTIVE; B2 = verbs with a geminate second consonant or more than two stem consonants and final - stem vowel in the PERFECTIVE; C = verbs with one root consonant and final -ī stem vowel in the PERFECTIVE; D = verbs with one root consonant and final - stem vowel in the PERFECTIVE. Examples: A1: A2a: A2b: A2bg: A2c: B: B2: C: D:

motu g˘nu nku nòssu bòngìru pt mss nd m

‘die’ ‘become silent’ ‘stoop’ ‘rest’ ‘turn’ ‘go out’ ‘remain’ ‘go’ ‘return’

(motu-wò (g˘nu-w

(nku-w

(nòssu-wò (bòngìru-wò (pt-w

(mss-w

(nd-w

(m-w

‘he died’) ‘he became silent’) ‘he stooped’) ‘he rested’) ‘he turned’) ‘he went out’) ‘it remains’) ‘he went’) ‘he returned’)

VERBAL NOUNS:

Each verbal entry includes at least one verbal noun, notated “v.n.” These are deverbal nominals. There are certain default types, e.g. most A1 verbs have a verbal noun ending in –she with varying tone patterns (duru ‘hop’, durshe ‘hopping’); many A2 verbs have a verbal noun with HH tones ending in –o (nku ‘bend down’, unko ‘bending down’); etc. For any particular verb, however, the verbal noun is not predictable, e.g. doru ‘toss’ has verbal nouns doro and dòrshè (cf. durshe ‘hopping’ above, with HH tones). In addition to these deverbal nominals, every verb also has a gerund (something like English -ing nominals) that is predictable depending on verb class. Since gerund forms are predictable, they is not included in verbal entries.11 10

The classification system is adapted from the system developed for Bole in Lukas (197072). 11 The gerund is the form of the verb used in the FUTURE TAM. See VERB FORM APPENDIX.

Introduction

PLURACTIONAL VERBS:

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12

Every verb, in principle, has a pluractional form. The default pluractional for all verbs in all verb classes is to reduplicate the first CONSONANT-VOWEL of the verb, e.g. pà-pàtāwò ‘he repeatedly went out’, -nku-w ‘he repeatedly stooped’. These are not included in dictionary entries since they are 100% predictable in both form and function. Some verbs have one or more additional pluractionals, usually differing functionally in some respect from the default, e.g. kàrā- ‘cut, slaughter’ has pluractionals kàrrā- and kàgìrā- ‘slaughter repeatedly’. Special pluractionals are noted in the entries for the base verbs and are also included as separate headwords.13 14 EXTENSIONS: Bole has three verbal extensions, the VENTIVE, the TOTALITY, and the ADDITIVE. The VENTIVE indicates an action initiated at a distance from the point where it is relevant. This extension often gives the sense of “motion toward the speaker”, e.g. ka tambun-g o? ‘have you become lost (in coming here)?’ (VENTIVE suffix underlined). The TOTALITY usually has the sense of doing to completion or irreversibly, e.g. g jju-t kmtr ‘he bought up the tomatoes’ (with the TOTALITY suffix underlined--cf. g jj kmtr ‘he bought some tomatoes’ with no extension. The ADDITIVE15 appears to be multi-functional, but the functions are unified in that they all add an additional element to the predicate. With the verb alone, the ADDITIVE translates as “repeat VERB”, e.g. z-d-wo ‘he put it down again’. It often functions as a sort of pronoun referring to some known adjunct, such as an instrument, a means, or a time, e.g. k˘ri l Bamoi kppu-d íyla y ‘the farm that Bamoi planted guinea corn on’. VENTIVE may co-occur with TOTALITY or ADDITIVE, but TOTALITY and ADDITIVE are mutually exclusive. Because of the complex system of Bole verb morphology, which codes the independent variables of class, TAM, extensions, pronominal direct and indirect objects, and, in some cases, type of subject, the form of a verb as it appears in examples often differs considerably from the dictionary headword. See VERBAL APPENDIX for a table showing all the relevant forms of verbs with all morphological configurations. Noun and adjective entries GENDER: A reconstructable feature for Chadic languages is grammatical gender. Bole has essentially lost gender as a fixed property of lexical items, but it is still reflected in a number 12

Pluractional verbs are derived forms that indicate plurality or repetition of action or actions affecting a multiplicity of beings. For explanation and illustration of the concept, see Newman (1990, 2012). See Gimba (2000) for discussion of pluractionals and functions associated with various pluractional types in Bole. 13 Many class C and D verbs (monoconsonantal roots) have special pluractionals that require plural subjects. These are entered with the PERFECTIVE plural subject suffix –an, e.g. tà’’-an‘(they) repeatedly ate’ from tī- ‘eat’. These are not included as separate head entries. 14 The most complete published description of Bole verbal extensions is Lukas (1971). 15 This extension is called die Wiederholungserweiterung in Lukas (1971).

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of ways, e.g. em ‘this one (masculine referent)’, osh ‘this one (feminine referent)’. For humans and common domestic animals, grammatical gender in Bole has gravitated to a natural gender system much like that of English. For inanimates and most wild animals, assigning gender for agreements in the systems of demonstrative, pronoun, and verb agreement is rather fluid. 16 The default gender assignment is masculine, but certain categories, such a smallish birds, trees, automobiles (!), and some others tend to be feminine, though there are no rigid rules. For these reasons, nominal entries are given simply as “n.”, with no attempt to assign gender as a lexically determined category. Adjectives do not have special forms for gender agreement, even for humans, so adjective entries are marked only as “adj.”. NUMBER: Most nouns and adjectives do not have morphologically marked plural forms. Nouns of certain categories (most nouns with human referents, most domestic animals and birds, some common household tools, utensils, and containers) have special morphological plurals, as do a few adjectives, esp. those associated with size. Plurals are included for all nouns and adjectives for which a special morphological plural has been identified, notated “pl.”. Absence of a plural form for a headword indicates that that noun or adjective lacks a commonly used morphological plural form. For such words, number must be inferred from context. COMPOUNDS: Many entries marked with category “n.” comprise two words (sometimes more than two) separated by spaces, e.g. di shek ‘ankle’ (lit: ‘neck-of foot’), bi gompo ‘playground’ (lit: ‘place-of playing’). These are all compounds, i.e. word collocations that function as unit nouns. We have not labeled these as a separate category “compound” since, in terms of meaning, they behave as if they were unit words. The fact that the head entries consist of two (or more) words separated by a space make it clear that they consist of multiple parts. Pronouns All personal pronoun forms, whether independent words, such as inà ‘I, me’ (independent pronoun) or suffixes, such as –no/-nò (suffixed possessive or object pronoun), are entered as separate headwords, with examples in context, e.g. ina k n oww ‘as for me, I sat down’, tmshi-n ‘my sheep’. Full paradigms of all pronoun forms are found in the PRONOUN APPENDIX. Idioms Nearly all entries with the grammatical category idiom have the form VERB+OBJECT. Because the verb will be conjugated according to context, we have chosen a conventional entry format GERUND+OBJECT, e.g. kòsa woli ‘flatter’ (lit: “gather earth”). The GERUND is the form of the 16

See Gimba (2006) for a discussion of gender in Bole.

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verb used in the FUTURE (see VERB FORM APPENDIX), roughly corresponding to the English -ing gerund. Examples within entries for idioms use the appropriate conjugated form of the verb. Thus, the entry for the idiom meaning ‘flatter’ has the example mu kosannn w li ‘we flattered him’, analyzed as mu kos-an-nì-n wòli ‘we gather-PL.SUBJ.-for himPL.SUBJ. earth’. Other categories Most other categories should be self-explanatory from the category name itself, from the definitions of the headwords, and/or from examples. Some that may warrant further explanation are the following: IDEOPHONES (id.): Ideophones are adverbial modifiers of verbs and adjectives. Many ideophones are special to a single adjective or a verb (or small set of verbs with similar meanings). With few exceptions, ideophones have the form CVC (dài il ‘bright red’, otuw ros ‘he plucked it off with a snap’) or CVCVC (mànshi lukup ‘very old’, lmtw‰ pelem ‘he licked it completely clean’). All ideophones in the dictionary are listed in the IDEOPHONE APPENDIX. IDEOPHONIC ADJECTIVES (id.adj.): Ideophonic adjectives describe nominal referents, usually as having specific idiosyncratic characteristics. They can be used attributively (sn slni ‘slick, shiny shirt, e.g. made of silk’) or predicatively (dníyil Jummai ye mbkktk ‘Jummai’s baby is big and hefty’). Ideophonic adjectives have a restricted set of phonological patterns that are not characteristic of typical nouns and adjectives. All words of this category in the dictionary are listed in the IDEOPHONIC ADJECTIVE APPENDIX. IDEOPHONIC STATIVES (id.stat.): Ideophonic statives comprise a small number (fewer than 10 in current data) that semantically are somewhat like ideophones or ideophonic adjectives but differ from those categories in two ways: they are usually used with a possessive suffix, and they can have HL or LH tone patterns, whereas both ideophones and ideophonic adjectives are either all H or all L. An example is sànkal in  jπ rw snkaln ‘he is wandering about aimlessly and irresponsibly’. PARTICLE (part.): Particles comprise a small group of words that generally add some sort of affect to an utterance. Most have the phonological form CV and are phrase final, e.g. tikk˘ m! ‘please eat it!’, ina de ‘it’s definitely me’. SUFFIX (suffix): Bole has a large number of suffixes, including pronoun objects of verbs, possessive pronouns, noun plural suffixes, verbal extension suffixes, and verb tense suffixes. Entries for pronoun suffixes are all entered with the category “pro.” rather than “suffix”. A number of tense markers and noun plurals consist of a final vowel, e.g. ’yòr-î, ’yòr-â ‘stop!’ (singular and plural imperatives respectively), mòndù (pl. mond-è) ‘woman, wife’. These vocalic suffixes are not listed as separate headwords. Only suffixes that consist of one or more syllables on their own are included as headwords, e.g. ñk‰ ventive verbal noun suffix (à ’y r-k‰ ‘he will come to a stop here’) , -inshe plural (àdà, pl. àd-inshe ‘dog’).

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Pronunciation Variants and Synonyms Bole has a number of recurrent variants in pronunciation that result in words that show those variants being alphabetized non-contiguously. The main such cases are words that have alternate pronuncations with c ~ sh, s ~ sh, j ~ z and words that have initial o- or u- that alternate with the pronounciations wo- and wu- respectively. The dictionary lists attested variants as separate head entries but with alternate pronunciations shown by an equals sign, e.g. both sri = shri and shri = sri ‘Acacia sieberiana’ are listed as head entries, as are li = w li and w li = li ‘earth’. NOTE ON WORDS WITH –a- ~ –e- PRONUNCIATION VARIANTS: Most verbs of Class B have –a- in the first syllable. All these verbs have gerunds (and usually derived verbal nouns) with –e- in the first syllable, e.g. dàmā ‘sweep’ has gerund dèmè (which happens to be identical to the derived verbal noun for this verb). This vowel difference would cause the verbal headword to be alphabetized at some distance from its corresponding gerund/verbal noun. In principle, it would be convenient for a user who encountered either variant in a text to be able to look that variant up directly in the dictionary. However, to enter the gerund/derived verbal noun for every verb of this type as a headword separate from the base verb would have resulted in a ballooning in the number of head entries with a rather small payoff, considering the fact that this alternation is 100% regular. We therefore have decided to enter separate headwords for deverbal nouns only where they have an idiosyncratic meaning not directly inferable from the meaning of the verb. Words with alternate pronunciations are considered to be “the same word” rather than being “synonyms”. A fair number of words, on the other hand, do have (near) synonyms with unrelated pronunciations. These are cross-referenced at the end of an entry following the notation “Synonym”. For example, gùngu ‘leopard’ is cross-referenced to Synonym jjirm = zzirm (a word with pronunciation variants of the type discussed in the preceding paragraph), and jjirm = zzirm is cross-referenced to the Synonym gùngu.

Remarks on Phonology The pronunciation variants discussed in the section above refer to individual or dialectal alternant forms for headwords. Bole also has a number of regular phonological alternations, particularly in tones, that affect the pronunciation of a word depending on context. Since such alternants are predictable, we have chosen to have a single “base” form for each headword, even though pronunciation in examples may differ from the form shown in the headword. The main alternations are the following: Nasal assimilation A final /n/ or /ŋ/ assimilates completely to a following /r/ or /l/ and to the place of articulation of any other following consonant. Headwords show only –n or –ŋ, but examples may show

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the assimilated variants. For example, the masculine /an/ agent clitic shows its assimilated variants where these appear as separate head entries (an dàra ‘rich person’ but ar rannà ‘swindler’, al lei ‘parent’ (agent-of birth), am bìlim ‘deceitful person’). Gàraŋ ‘deep, depth’ includes an example gram b z ‘depth of the well’. There is one exception to this convention for headwords ending in /n/ or/ŋ/. A number of Bole words consist solely of a syllabic nasal /n/, e.g. /n/ first person singular subject pronoun, /ń/ (high tone syllabic n) indirect object preposition. Because these words consist only of a single consonant, in addition to headwords n and n, there are separate headwords m, r, and l, as well as m, r, and l cross-referenced to n and n respectively.17 Orthographically, most speakers prefer to write all of these as in, im, ir, and il, though the “i” seems never to be pronounced. We have headwords for these orthographic variants as well, cross-referenced to n and n. // assimilation When the consonant // comes in contact with another consonant, it consistently assimilates completely to that consonant. Examples in this dictionary show the assimilated form rather than the more abstract base form with “”. For example, the verb tou ‘brush off, knock off, knock down’ has examples n tot-t zur ‘I brushed of the dust’ (with TOTALITY suffix -t), ton-n g kke ‘he knocked me down with a bicycle’ (with direct object suffix -n). LOW TONE RAISING (LTR) A pervasive tone rule of Bole spreads a high tone to a following low-toned syllable under certain phonological and morphological conditions.18 This means that the tones shown for a headword may differ from those of the same word in context. This is frequently the case for agentive constructions marked by an (masculine) and àni (feminine), both of which end in high tone, e.g. shìri ‘stealing, theft’ but an shiri/àni shiri ‘thief (m/f)’ and in the second member of compounds, e.g. shèkè ‘foot’ but ìdi shekè ‘ankle’ (eye-of foot), nàsāra ‘European’ but manda nasāra ‘white granulated salt’ (salt-of European) (as distinct from the traditional form in gray-colored blocks). VARIABLE TONE Disyllabic words other than verbs have five common tone patterns: LL shèkè ‘foot’, LH tèmshi ‘sheep’, HH danda ‘pestle’, HL zottò ‘wrapper’, and HV(ariable) ’yoppà/’yoppa 17

We do not have headwords for  or ŋ. The velar nasal is contrastive with /n/ and /m/ only word final in phrase final position. We therefore write an kacco ‘robber’, even though it is pronounced [aŋ kacco]. 18 This phenomenon was first described in Lukas (1969). It is discussed in more detail, including the specific syntactic contexts where it is found, in Schuh and Gimba (2005).

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‘excrement’. The first four types have stable tone patterns (though those with initial L are subject to LOW TONE RAISING—see section just above). Those with the HV pattern have HL tones at the end of a phrase but HH in the middle of a phrase. This is true regardless of grammatical context, e.g. ’yoppà ‘excrement’ but ’yoppa kōro ‘donkey manure’, ’yoppa sa ‘not excrement’. The number of words with the HV pattern is small, but most are of frequent use. Among nouns, adjectives, and adverbs, there seem to be no properties that allow one to predict which words have HV vs. HH or HL, e.g. HV kārì/kāri ‘stalks’, HH gāri ‘valley’, HL jārì ‘trading’, but certain restricted categories of words cited with [HL] tones consistently have /HV/ tone. The main categories of this type are disyllabic personal pronouns (e.g. inà ‘I, me’, ina sa ‘not me’), demonstratives and related deictics (e.g. em ‘this (m)’, emē sa ‘not this’, mamm ‘like that’, mammē sa ‘not like that’), and plural nouns and adjectives that end in –e (e.g. mondè ‘women, wives’, monde sa ‘not women’; oll ‘small (pl.)’, olle sa ‘not small’). Pronoun suffixes of both nouns and verbs, when they form a HL sequence with the preceding syllable at the end of a phrase, become HH when non-final, e.g. tèmshinò ‘my sheep’ but tèmshino sa ‘not my sheep’. All words that have HV tones are marked as having variable tone in the grammatical information following the headword, e.g. tuww adv.time (variable tone) day after tomorrow ex tuwwa sa not day after tomorrow. PRE-SUFFIX LOWERING When a suffix is added to a word ending in HH or HV (High Variable) tones, the host word takes a HL tone pattern. This is most commonly encountered with HH or HV nouns with suffixed possessive pronouns, e.g. HH gorzo ‘husband’ but gorzòno ‘my husband’, HV ottò ‘tuwo’ but ottònì ‘his tuwo’. In the latter case we know that the HL pattern on the noun is not the HL citation tone but rather is a result of PRE-SUFFIX LOWERING since the tones of tuwo are HH when a non-suffix follows, e.g. otto sa ‘not tuwo’. FINAL VOWEL LENGTHENING Nearly all words in Bole end in short vowels. Exceptions are most monoconsonantal nouns, e.g. b˘ ‘mouth, k ‘seedling’ and most deictic words, e.g. em ‘this (m), ss ‘there it is’. A substantial number of nouns, however, lengthen their final vowel when a pronominal suffix is added, e.g. àdà ‘dog’ but dn ‘his dog’, shungule ‘elbow’ but shungulno ‘my elbow’ (the latter has undergone both PRE-SUFFIX LOWERING and FINAL VOWEL LENGTHENING). There seems to be no way to predict from the form of nouns which ones undergo FINAL VOWEL LENGTHENING and which do not, though all nouns that do this are fairly common, including some (but not all) common domestic animals (àdà ‘dog’), some (but not all) common household utensils (kulà ‘calabash bowl’), some (but not all) body parts (shèkè ‘foot’), and many kin terms (mollè ‘younger siblings’). Words that undergo FINAL VOWEL LENGTHENING are marked as such in grammatical information following the headword, e.g. d n. (pl. dinshe) (lengthens vowel before pronoun) dog ex dn his dog.

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English-Bole Wordlist and Appendices The English-Bole section is meant mainly as an index to the Bole-English-Hausa section. That is, headwords in the English-Bole section comprise words that are used in definitions of the Bole-English-Hausa section. No attempt has been made to create a comprehensive list of words that would serve as headwords in the English-Bole section of a true bilingual dictionary. Following the English-Bole Wordlist are the following appendices: BIRD APPENDIX: A list of all bird names that we were able to collect, listed alphabetically by Latin scientific names with English common names in parentheses. This list is followed by names of birds that we were not able to identify by species, with brief descriptive information. Most birds are also listed by English common names in the English-Bole Wordlist. FISH APPENDIX: A list of all fish names that we were able to collect, listed alphabetically by Latin scientific names with English common names in parentheses. This list is followed by names of fish that we were not able to identify by species, with brief descriptive information. Fish with standardly used English common names are also listed by those names in the English-Bole Wordlist. We did not create appendices for fauna other than birds and fish, i.e. mammals, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods (insects, spiders, scorpions, millipedes, etc.), and other invertebrates. We have assumed that most users of the dictionary would be familiar with the English names of larger mammals and reptiles (elephant, buffalo, crocodile, python, etc.), which are listed in the English-Bole wordlist under English common names and in the Bole-English-Hausa dictionary with English common names, Latin scientific names, and Hausa names. We have not had the scientific expertise nor the resources to identify smaller vertebrates or most invertebrates other than to provide brief descriptive information, and hence we have listed these only by English common names in the English-Bole Wordlist, sometimes grouped by type, such as types of snakes, types of ants, types of locusts, etc. FLORA APPENDIX: A list of all flora names (trees, shrubs, weeds, and grasses, both cultivated and wild) that we were able to collect, listed alphabetically by Latin scientific names with English common names in parentheses. This list is followed by names of flora that we were not able to identify by species, with brief descriptive information. IDEOPHONE INDEX: A list of all the ideophones (adverbs specific to certain verbs and adjectives) that we encountered during our research. None of these are listed in the EnglishBole Wordlist since they rarely, if ever have a meaning separable from the context in which they occur. For example, kip “covered tightly” gains this meaning only if used with a verb that could mean ‘cover’, e.g. pnn kip it is tightly covered. IDEOPHONIC ADJECTIVES: A list of all the ideophonic adjectives that we encountered during our research. Like ideophones, these words are very specific in meaning and usually must be collocated with other words to give them a context for meaning, but because they typically have adjectival functions as noun modifiers or predicates, they seem to be more

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independent than ideophones. Most of the ideophonic adjectives do appear in the EnglishBole Wordlist under English definitions, e.g. wide drnsi (where dàrànsài is an ideophonic adjective), but because they are both formally and semantically an idiosyncratic group of words, we believed that it would be convenient for users of the dictionary to see a comprehensive list. EXPRESSIONS AND INTERJECTIONS: This list is a sort of catch-all for affective expressions used in particular contexts. PROPER NAMES AND PLACE NAMES: A list of all the masculine and feminine proper names as well as all the Bole versions of place names that we were able to assemble. TITLES: A list of traditional titles in the Bole political and social hierarchy, with brief descriptions. Most of these titles come from a list obtained from the Fika Emirate Council. It is hoped that the list in this appendix will serve as a stimulus for further research and elaboration. KIN TERMS: A list of kin terms and other social relationships. As a group, these terms have idiosyncratic morphology. Each term is listed in its citation form, the form that it takes with a pronoun possessor, and the form it takes with a noun possessor. PRONOUN APPENDIX: Paradigms of personal pronouns in all functions. VERB FORM APPENDIX: Paradigms showing all the relevant morphological properties of verbs.

Abbreviations adj. adj.participle adv. adv.loc. adv.man. adv.time aux. conj. det. det.def. det.dem. det.indef. f. existential gen.linker id. id.adj. id.stat. idiom interjection interr. interr.adv. interr.det. interr.pro. m. n. n.mass num.card. num.ord. part. pl. plac. prep. presentative pro. pro.1 pl. pro.1 sg. pro.2 pl.

adjective participle usable as an adjective, e.g. “broken (pot)” adverb locative adverb, such as “outside”, “there” manner adverb, such as “with difficulty”, “thus” time adverb, such as “today”, “last year” auxiliary particle indicating verb tense and the like conjunction, such as “and”, “if”, “until” determiner, including esp. articles and demonstratives definite determiner, such as “the” demonstrative, such as “this”, “those” indefinite determiner, such as “a”, “some” feminine word meaning “there’s...”, “there’s no...” particle meaning “of”, as in “ear of a sheep” ideophone, i.e. a large class of words that emphasize actions or qualities ideophonic adjective, i.e. ideophone-like words than can modify nouns ideophonic stative, i.e. ideophone-like words that can take a pronoun suffix an expression whose meaning is not predictable from its parts all types of exclamations, expressions, greetings, etc. interrogative word, such as “who?”, “how?” interrogative adverb, such as “how?”, “when?” interrogative determiner, such as “which...?” interrogative pronoun, such as “who?” masculine noun mass noun, such as “water”, “millet” cardinal number, such as “five”, “six” ordinal number, such as “fifth”, “sixth” particle, added to reinforce meaning, such as Hausa dai, ma plural pluractional verb indicating multiple action, such as Hausa firfita preposition word meaning “here’s...” when offering something pronoun first person plural pronoun, “we, us” first person singular pronoun, “I, me” second person plural pronoun, “you”

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pro.2 sg.f. pro.2 sg.m. pro.3 pl. pro.3 sg.f. pro.3 sg.m. quant. quant.univ. stat. v.A1 v.A2a v.A2b v.A2bg v.A2c v.B v.B2 v.C v.D v.ext. v.irreg.

Abbreviations

second person feminine pronoun, “you” (to a female) second person masculine pronoun, “you” (to a male) third person plural pronoun, “they, them” third person feminine pronoun, “she, her” third person masculine noun, “he, him” quantifier, such as “all”, “a few” universal quantifier, such a “everything”, “whoever” stative derive from verb, such as “seated” class A1 verb (see comments on “Verbal entries” in the Introduction) class A2a verb (see comments on “Verbal entries” in the Introduction) class A2b verb (see comments on “Verbal entries” in the Introduction) class A2bg verb (see comments on “Verbal entries” in the Introduction) class A2c verb (see comments on “Verbal entries” in the Introduction) class B verb (see comments on “Verbal entries” in the Introduction) class B2 verb (see comments on “Verbal entries” in the Introduction) class C verb (see comments on “Verbal entries” in the Introduction) class D verb (see comments on “Verbal entries” in the Introduction) verbal extension, showing action done this direction, etc. irregular verb, verb not fitting one of the regular classes

BOLE-ENGLISH-HAUSA DICTIONARY bkur n. fried peanut cakes | Hausa arago, uliuli brba n. pineapple (Ananas comosus) | Hausa abarba br n. name for anyone named Ali | Hausa sunan namiji bay n. sleeveless gown like a burnous without a hood | Hausa abaya bu = Hbu n. man’s name, variant of Abubakar | Hausa sunan namiji b n. woman’s name, variant of Zainab | Hausa sunan mace buk n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari abrm n. a grass with pointed leaves, eaten by animals possibly Panicum laetum | Hausa garaji acc n. fonio (Digitaria exilis) | Hausa acca ccama = cce n. titles of certain officials in the Moi’s court subordinate to the masay and the tinj pya | Hausa sarauta cce = ccama n. titles of certain officials in the Moi’s court subordinate to the masay and the tinj pya | Hausa sarauta accit = haccit = ashit n. sneezing, a sneeze | Hausa atishawa

A  prep. 1. at, in, on (stationary locative preposition) ex b lassuí í b n sa she didn’t find them at home. 2. aux. is, are [located at] (third person auxiliary for locative predicates) ex dnde  makaranta the children are at school. 3. aux. is, are, will (auxiliary for imperfective verbal predicates and stative predicates) ex sra m˘i  t ko bn sa one hand does not lift a roof; ishi  jπ pt he is going out; d  ‰n to the dog was seated | Hausa (1) a; (2-3) -na a interjection oh! | Hausa a aía interjection well, well!, oh my! ex dshi, aía, ita nding nÖ and then, oh my, she came and said… | Hausa aía í interjection no | Hausa aía b n. woman’s name | Hausa sunan mace bgna n. (pl. bgnwa) (bgnati, pl. bgnwati before noun possessor) paternal uncle (younger or older) ex bgnas their paternal uncle; bgnati Bamoi Bamoi’s paternal uncle; bgnwati Bamoi Bamoi’s paternal uncles | Hausa baffa

1

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

ci blbl = si blbl n. oil lamp consisting of a clay bowl with a wick | Hausa aci balbal d n. (pl. dinshe) (lengthens vowel before pronoun) dog ex dn his dog; d hny mad dog; zan d, d zi b˘ ptn Proverb: a dog was sent, and the dog sent its tail | Hausa kare d n. custom, tradition | Synonym ld | Hausa alíada d-d n. tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus and probably other H. spp.) | Hausa tsage d br n. someone sent on an unpleasant errand or to do a dirty job | Hausa karen farauta dd n. gabled thatched roof of a square house | Hausa gebirin dd n. boys’ game played during the dry season | Hausa wasa (iri) d g jjj n. grubworm | Synonym dn tre | Hausa gwazarma d hny n. mad dog | Hausa mahaukacin kare adl n. acting in a just manner, justice ex kli t adl the judge acted justly | Hausa adalci adm n. legitimate child ex b ka admno, ka na shri sa if you were my real child, you wouldn’t steal | Hausa an halal dam n. woman’s name | Hausa sunan mace adm bunshlum n. woodpecker (Mesopicos goertae) | Synonym d kokkok | Hausa makoiya, mawawaf Adam n. man’s name | Hausa sunan namiji adni n. common sense, intelligence | Hausa hankali dn tre n. grubworm | Synonym d g jjj | Hausa gwazarma

dr n. filthy hand-woven cloth (cf. kπkk) daw n. ink ex krtu adaw ink pot, small round gourd for ink | Synonym tdaw | Hausa tawada dda n. machete | Hausa adda Add n. woman’s name | Hausa sunan mace dbs n. advance on salary, etc. | Hausa adibas d n n. religion | Hausa addini dπnu v.A2c (v.n. adno) look after carefully, safeguard ex Mad nna dπnut tagrdan y Madu Anna takes good care of his documents | Hausa adana drsh n. address | Hausa adireshi dnu v.A2c (v.n. adno) offer prayers, supplicate | Hausa yi adduía duw n. prayer, supplication | Hausa adduía aglaw n. tonsilitis | Hausa agalawa gl v.B2 (v.n. egile) (plac. of l) take repeatedly | Hausa kakkai gw v.B2 (v.n. egiwe) (plac. of w) | Hausa bubbue goggo n. watch, clock | Hausa agogo agla n. pride, haughtiness | Hausa alfahari, mae i v.C subjunctive of  ‘do’, q.v. ai interjection oh! (cry to invoke sympathy) ex ai Bba! poor Dad!; ai in! poor me! | Hausa assha! aib interjection wow!, amazing! | Hausa abin mamaki! id n n. iodine | Hausa aidin ik n. (pl. ikinshe) ground squirrel (Xerus erythropus) | Hausa kurege jal n. being overly talkative, chattering ex Mad an g‰no, m ndn kala ni ajal Madu is a quiet person, but his wife is a

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

chatterbox | Synonym g dom mbos | Hausa surutu ajam n. dancers’ ankle rattles with containers for seeds made of palm leaves | Hausa caccakai ajp n. amazement, surprise | Hausa mamaki, alíajabi jyib n. disaster, catastrophe | Hausa balaíi aj n. class, classroom | Hausa aji Aj n. man’s name | Hausa sunan namiji

j n. 1. variant of lj. 2. j man’s name | Hausa sunan namiji ajjj n. a plant whose root is boiled with potash to make a mouth rinse for toothache | Hausa bishiya (iri) ajmi = azmi n. fasting; the Ramadan fast | Hausa azumi ajn = azn n. intestines, guts | Hausa hanji jiy n. (pl. jywa) district head (title) | Hausa hakimi ajj = hajj n. 1. a woman who has made the pilgrimage to Mecca;. 2. Ajj = Hajj woman’s name | Hausa (1) hajiya; (2) sunan mace jj n. woman’s name | Hausa sunan mace ak v.C (-k usually realized as a geminate of the following consonant; aki if followed by pause) 1. perfective form of  ‘make, do’ with feminine singular subject ex akk˘yi she did (it); shi akk˘yi you (f) did (it); ar rta she did work; shi as s lu kua you (f) have made a pot. 2. suff. suffix of a perfective verb with a feminine singular subject ex ngit

k nal lw Angito picked up the child; shi gndaj jπshi o? have you (f) lain down?; ita yne bkkakiÖshi y and she took…the skin [from a recorded folktale in which the speaker pauses

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slightly before saying the noun object] | Hausa yi kr n. wages, salary ex  rta kr he did salaried work | Hausa albashi Akk n. man’s name | Hausa sunan namiji kku n. parrot (Psittacus erithracus) | Synonym jijjmko = jijjimk | Hausa aku -k‰ suffix 1. ventive verbal noun suffix ex ndk‰ coming; k nk‰ bringing. 2. ventive suffix for future and habitual TAMs ex   ppk‰yi he will follow (it) here;  oppk‰yi he usually follows (it) here | Hausa ñowa k˘t n. box, trunk | Hausa akwati klm n. loofah gourd (Luffa spp.) | Hausa soso al variant of an1 ‘one who has…, one who does…’ before words beginning with l (see examples under head entries beginning al…) l v.B1 (v.n. l, ele) (plac. gla) 1. carry, take (from one place to another), convey ex l wakit m Moi he took a letter to the Moi. 2. reach, extend to ex srano l bi ptil ye sa I can’t reach where the lamp is. 3. reach, arrive at ex Bamoi lt g ma conc n Bamoi has reached the market now. 4. rise to the level of, be worth ex íyl l w˘ ye l b˘‰ ka dwn sa what he did doesn’t rise to the level of giving him a beating. 5. amount to, be in the number of ex dnde lantn ko b lou nding children amounting to twenty came. 6. equal, be as…as ex n lt kai b˘ s ni I am as old as you are. 7. be enough for, last ex íylamu  lmu g zu sa our grain will not sustain us until next year. 8. mount an attack ex mu alansun k sn we attacked them, we carried the battle to them; n l

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

g ush n an shiri I gave the thief a blow. 9. (in ventive) reach orgasm ex ishi lentngo ita kala leng˘ sa he reached orgasm but she did not | Hausa kai albukuru n. white-faced tree duck (Dendrocygna viduata) | Hausa irinjijiya ld n. 1. custom, tradition. 2. menstruation | Synonym d in meaning #1 | Hausa (1) alíada; (2) haila alad n. pig | Hausa alade lj n. 1. man who has made the Pilgrimage to Mecca. 2. lj man’s name | Hausa (1) alhaji; (2) sunan namiji lkhir n. Cairo | Hausa Alahira lliy n. something that one rightfully owns, one’s valid possession | Hausa halaliya lall interjection with luck ex l nt kari Mad b n y lall getting Madu’s things to his house will take luck; pt boi bnno ko g puz y lall with luck my toilet will survive the rainy season | Hausa ila wa ala alm n. flag | Hausa tuta almi n. hen-pecked husband | Hausa mijin hajiya lamd lly interjection praise be to Allah! | Hausa alhamdu lillahi lmi n. sign, indication ex g lmi  na pito it looks like it will rain | Hausa alama lmsw n. Thursday | Hausa Alhamis alngubr interjection a greeting to a respected person | Hausa ranka ya dae alnshri n. chameleon (Chamaeleo africanus) | Hausa hawainiya lnte n. taking care of something, watching over ex n deik lnte pensrno g b˘ srak I’m leaving my pencil for you to take care of | Hausa kula

Alntrwnns n. the first ten chapters of the Koran | Hausa surori daga Alantarakaifa zuwa Nasi alriy n. a swing, swinging | Hausa lilo, reto alr n. call of a Koranic student seeking alms | Hausa alaro alass n. 1. neglect, being neglected ex dey karin b˘ alass he neglected his belongings. 2. leftovers, food left uneaten ex har otto i alass there was even tuwo left over | Hausa yalewa lws n. allowance (of money) | Hausa alawas alya n. the trees Cassia arereh, C. sieberana, root used for stomach ache or jaundice | Hausa marga, gama faa layypo n. spinach (Amaranthus hybridus) | Hausa alayyaho lbasr n. onion (Allium cepa) | Hausa albasa lbasr kki n. a type of inedible wild onion (Urginea sp.) | Hausa albasar kura lbsh n. wages, pay for work | Hausa albashi lbishr n. good news ex lbishrko/shi/ku! - G‰r ! Here’s some good news for you (m/f/pl)! - (I’ll give you) a kola (to hear it!) [standard exchange on relaying good news] | Hausa albishiri lbrs n. 1. gunpowder. 2. bullet | Hausa (1) albarus; (2) harsashi algji adj. green ex g jj sn algji he bought a green gown | Hausa kore, algashi lgt n. oboe | Hausa algaita alg n.pl. people, populace | Hausa jamaía lgnu v.A2c (v.n. algino) create | Hausa halitta

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

al = hal n. character, temperament | Hausa hali ljinm n. title of an official in the Moi’s court subordinate to the masay | Hausa sarauta lkk n. honey flavored cakes made from millet or wheat | Hausa alkaki, tsattsafa lkli n. (pl. lklπwa) judge | Hausa alali alkam n. wheat (Triticum aestivum) | Hausa alkama lkm n. (pl. lkmwa) a traditional title for women, subordinate to the gmsi | Hausa sarauta ta mata lkarm n. writing pen of any kind (ink or ballpoint) | Hausa alalami, biro lkebb n. burnous | Hausa alkyabba lkym n. the next world, the afterlife | Hausa lahira, kiyama All n. Allah ex nko All d?! is that right?! | Hausa Allah All m‰πn n. Bole tribal mark consisting of one stroke down the nose | Hausa zanen goshi al lw n.m. (pl. nn dnde) (f. ni lw ) a parent, someone with a child ex al lw

 swar sa Expression: someone with a child does not make jerky (children like meat and hence will eat it all before it can be used) | Hausa mai yaro al leyi = al lei n.m. (pl. nl lyi = nl li) (f. ni leyi) (usually used with possessor) parent ex al leyin my father; ni leyin

my mother; nl lyin my parents | Hausa mahaifi lli n. chalk | Hausa alli llo n. Koranic writing board | Hausa allo llu v.A2bg (v.n. allo) soak; dissolve ex n ll sno g g mma I soaked my clothes in the water; manda ll jπn g g mma the salt dissolved in the water; kyanga l lluntn gnyoto ye a girl

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who was dessed up fine (who soaked her beauty) | Hausa jia allum = allumi n. horseradish tree (Moringa oleifera) | Hausa zogale lputt n. handkerchief | Hausa hankici lut n. 1. incense. 2. lut woman's name, signifying beauty or youthfulness | Hausa (1) turaren wuta; (2) sunan mace lwshi n. boasting, bragging | Hausa alwashi am n.m. variant of an1 ‘one who has…, one who does…’ before words beginning with p, b, , m (see examples under head entries beginning am…) m" interjection exclamation of disapproval | Hausa kai! am det.m. (pl. min) (f. osh) (pronounced [amí] when final in phrase) that; that one ex gam am that ram; gam amy that ram in question | Hausa wancan Amad n. man’s name, variant of Muhammadu | Hausa sunan namiji mn n. trust ex tt mn duwt dra kyinshe he betrayed a trust, he spent the orphans’ funds | Hausa amana amarya n. bride | Synonym mokiri | Hausa amarya amasi n. canteen (for water) | Hausa gorar ruwa (na soja) mau n. apogee, highest point, peak, peak of one’s strength ex juno  g maun my illness is at its peak; jajn y an kamo ye  g maun, ishi  kmo g miíyíya kunm when the wrestler was at the peak of his strength he would wrestle with three men (at once) | Hausa hayyaci am badli n.m. (pl. nm badli) (f. ni badli) grain seller | Hausa mai sayar da hatsi

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

am bang n.m. (pl. nm bang) (f. ni bang) ungrateful person | Hausa mai butulci am bangilo n.m. (pl. nm bangilo) (f. ni bangilo) overeager person, to the point that it causes trouble | Hausa mai zarai am br n.m. (pl. nm br) hunter who hunts with dogs (cf. mbzam) | Hausa mafarauci am bars n.m. (pl. nm bars) (f. ni bars) leper | Synonym an wle, d ggom | Hausa kuturu am basri n.m. (pl. nm basri) (f. ni basri) someone who shames people by making their private affairs public | Hausa mai fallasa am blim n.m. (pl. nm blim) (f. ni blim) deceitful person, con artist | Hausa mai damfara am bongira n.m. (pl. nm bongira) (f. ni bongira) 1. magician. 2. a type of male locust, yellow with black markings | Hausa (1) boka; (2) fara (iri) am b˘ nguro n.m. (pl. nm b˘ nguro) canton head | Hausa mai anguwa am b‰n n.m. (pl. nm b‰n) (f. ni b‰n,) the owner of an understood or unexpressed thing (equivalent to Hausa mai shi); see am b‰ti | Hausa mai abu am b n n.m. (pl. nm b n ) 1. householder. 2. polite form of address or reference of a woman to her husband; polite form of address to an adult man | Hausa mai gida am b‰ti n.m. the owner of… (see also am b‰n) ex am b‰ti jka em l ? who is the owner of this bag?; ni b‰ti jka the (female) owner of the bag | Hausa maiÖ ambl n. envelope | Hausa ambulam am bt n.m. (pl. nm bt) dyer | Synonym an sh | Hausa marini

am buyo n.m. (pl. nm buyo) (f. ni buyo) busybody, gossip | Hausa uwar gulma mrik n. America, The United States | Hausa Amirka amra n. leather or woolen apron worn by wrestlers, boxers, or dancers | Hausa bami mma1 n. 1. water ex s mma he drank water; mma aushi river water; mma ushi water (that is) in a river; mmn ushi water from the south; mmm bím clear water. 2. liquid associated with some source ex mma s‰ni honey; mma lm#n orange juice. 3. color ex mman ull its color is yellow; zow s l swan mma woli he put on a brown shirt. 4. a touch point or “home” in chasing games (see njnjel ) | Hausa ruwa mma2 conj. but ex gz ye in an b‰n mm kokkr‰t n in g ru a rooster is the property of his owner but his crowing belongs to the town; dshit p rsu n Mad kam  knti Kdij mma ishn  sna bon rnkat well (the fortuneteller) told them that Madu indeed would marry Kadija but he would experience great trouble; shknan, mma kala shi i huri shi i nzwa sa that’s that, but you should be forebearing and you shouldn’t be afraid (note seemingly redundant use of mma and kala together) | Synonym kala | Hausa amma mm n. woman’s name | Hausa sunan mace mm n. woman’s name, variant of Halima | Hausa sunan mace mma g‰r n. orange | Hausa ruwan goro mma jπw n. sperm, semen | Hausa maniyyi

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

mma lo n. 1. water in which meat has been washed. 2. a type of locust | Hausa (1) ruwan nama; (2) fara (iri) mma mocci n. yellow | Hausa rawaya am mara n.m. (pl. nm mra) (f. ni mara) farmer | Hausa manomi mma s‰ni n. honey | Hausa zuma mm sul n. the locust called am b ngr in Fika | Hausa fara (iri) mma woli adj. brown | Hausa ruwan asa am mbos n.m. (pl. nm mb s) (f. ni mbos) one with who shares secrets, happiness, etc. am mbur n.m. (pl. nm mbr) (f. ni mbur) poor person, poverty stricken person | Hausa matsiyaci am mecce n.m. (pl. nm mcce) (f. ni mecce) traveler | Hausa matafiyi am men n.m. (pl. nm mn) (f. ni men) powerful person, title holder | Hausa basarake, mai sarauta am moi n.m. (pl. nm moi) a ruler, a leader, a moi (in reference to a moi, etc. but not as a title used with a name) ex am moi ngrmu g dra our ruler is wealthy; nm moi n W li Y‰b dppan g Patakmo the rulers of Yobe state convened in Potiskum | Hausa basarake am moto n.m. (pl. nm m to) (f. ni moto) deceased, the late ex knnan am moto moi ~ moi am moto they praised the late king; ni moto jj = jj ni moto the late Ajji | Synonym bòttò | Hausa marigayi am moyy n.m. (pl. nm m yy) (f. ni moyy) someone who waits in a farm to chase away birds or monkeys | Hausa mai jira amp n. food (colloquial use) ex mbr amp mana íyoppa k‰ro as lacking in

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nutritional value as donkey shit | Hausa abinci, kalaci ampka n. (used in s ampka) type of gown with long, wide sleeves | Hausa babbar rigar mai babbar hannu mpni n. food ex mpni w the food is ready | Synonym tπshi| Hausa abinci am pw n.m. (pl. nm pw) butcher | Hausa mahauci am pempel n.m. (pl. nm pempel) (f. ni pempel) madman, mad person, crazy person | Hausa mahaukaci am Pikk n.m. (pl. nm Pkk) (f. ni Pikk) Bole person | Synonym B˘l | Hausa Babole an1 n.m. (pl. nn) (f. ni) 1. one who owns… ex an d‰sho owner of a horse; nn d˘w owners of horses. 2. one who does… ex an gwa blacksmith (one who forges). 3. native of…; resident of ex am Pikk Bole person; am Pkk a resident of Fika (not necessarily a native) | Hausa mai an2 v.C 1. perfective form of  ‘make, do’ with plural subject ex mte an zro they laughed; mte an zwe they made a ladder. 2. suff. suffix of a perfective verb with a plural subject ex mu takantn kppa we have finished planting; m gndan jπku o? have you (pl) lain down? 3. suff. perfective suffix of a verb with an impersonal subject (variously translatable as Hausa an, English ‘it’ or a passive, French ‘on’, etc.) ex an pito it rained; dniy zantan b Proverb: the world, it was put in place at an early time (“no one knows when the world was created”) | Hausa yi an ru n.m. (pl. nn ru) (f. ni ru) singer | Hausa mawai

8

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

an awo n.m. (pl. nn wo) (f. ni awo) glutton | Hausa mai walama ndr n. early morning (before balte) after a night time rain | Hausa safiyar bayan ruwa an dra n.m. (pl. nn dra) (f. ni dra) rich person | Hausa mai dukiya an dsa n.m. (pl. nn dsa) (f. ni dsa) jealous person, envious person ex an dsa  rna jann sa an envious person will not get into heaven | Hausa mai kishi Andm n. a town in Taraba State | Hausa sunan gari an dyi n.m. (pl. nn dyi) (f. ni dyi) herder | Hausa makiyayi and existential 1. there is…, there are… ex and g‰r = g‰r and• there are kolas, kolas are available; g‰r and sa there are no kolas; and kujru kunnm g g bnno there are three chairs in my room. 2. be present, be around ex Bomoi andn o? is Bomoi here?; ishi andn he’s here; ishi and sa he’s not here; A: M andku? - B: Ÿí‰, mu andmu. A: Are you there? - B: Yes, we’re here. 3. (figuratively, in negative) be dead ex b‰no and sa my father has died (could also mean “my father is not here”) | Hausa akwai an dirp n.m. (pl. nn dirp) (f. ni dirp) complainer, someone who is always complaining | Hausa mai langwami an d u n.m. (pl. nn d u) tanner | Hausa majemi an d m n.m. (pl. nn d m) (f. ni d m) superior, one senior to, one older than ex an d mko your superior, someone older than you | Hausa na gaba an d nu n.m. (pl. nn d nu) (f. ni d nu) tailor | Synonym tl | Hausa mainki

an dmo n. (pl. nn dmo) (f. ni dmo) thief | Synonym an shiri | Hausa arawo an duwo b˘ n.m. (pl. nn duwo b˘) suitor of a divorced woman | Hausa bazawari an wa n.m. (pl. nn πwa) (f. ni wa) fortune teller ex ishi Mlm sa ishi an wa he’s not a malam, he’s a fortune teller | Hausa mai duba an onshu n.m. (pl. nn onshu) (f. ni onshu) praise singer | Synonym an kolm | Hausa maroi ang n. hunger (used only in figurative language) ex Harn angn zπn Haruna, hunger is in his body; ang ctar d‰k hunger, disease of the horse | Hausa anga an gd n.m. (pl. nn gd) guard, night watchman | Hausa mai gadi an galwa n.m. (pl. nn galwa) (f. ni galwa) undependable person, irresponsible person | Hausa shashasha nge n. tongs used by blacksmith to hold hot metal | Hausa arautake ngit n. woman’s name | Hausa sunan mace ngy (kshi) n. boabab seeds | Hausa íyaíyan kuka ngy k˘i n. seeds of locust beans from which daddawa is made | Hausa íyaíyan orawa ang n. groom | Synonym an kai b n m p‰yo| Hausa ango an gompo n.m. (pl. nn gompo) (f. ni gompo) one with whom one has a joking relationship | Synonym an wshi, an zro | Hausa mai wasa an gwa n.m. (pl. nn gwa) blacksmith | Hausa maeri an harm n.m. (pl. nn hrm) (f. ni harm) tyrant | Synonym an zmba | Hausa azzalumi

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

ni n.f. (f. of an1) one who owns…, one who does… ex ni pempel mad woman; ni shiri female thief | Hausa mai (tamata) ni bna leyi n.f. (pl. nm bna leyi) midwife | Hausa ungozoma ni duwo b˘(n) n.f. (pl. nn duwo b˘) (his) girlfriend (referring to a divorced woman) | Hausa bazawara ni leyi n.f. (pl. nl lyi) woman who has recently given birth | Hausa mai jego nm moi n.pl. (pl. of moi) chiefs, kings, emirs | Hausa sarakuna nn n.pl. (pl. of m. an1, f. ni) ones who own…, ones who do… ex nn dra rich people; nm mcce travelers | Hausa masu ni rawu n.f. (pl. nn rwu) hair plaiter | Hausa makitsiya ni y n.f. (pl. nn y) widow | Hausa mai takaba an jya n.m. (pl. nn jya) (f. ni jya) stingy person, miser, someone who doesn’t want to spend or share money | Hausa mai tsimi an kacco = an kassho n.m. (pl. nn kacco) robber | Hausa an fashi an kai b n m p‰yo n.m. (pl. nn ki b n m p‰yo) groom (“man who has a new marriage”) | Synonym angò| Hausa ango ankl(i) = hankli n. 1. common sense, intelligence; one’s senses ex b l íy$ jttuw , sw ankli jtte sa Proverb: even if things go wrong, the mind shouldn’t go wrong; ankli Kdj zli mk‰ jπto Kadija began to regain her senses. 2. attention, concentration ex  jπ ta dd lw t sumn b˘ íy llk‰ anklis he was shaking his little alms bowl in order to attract their attention. 3.

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peace of mind ex Mad kam ankln nd jπn rnkat as for Madu, he was very upset (his mind had arisen greatly); anklin gnduw his mind was at ease; íyn em jtut ankli Kdj rnkat this thing greatly disturbed Kadija. 4. (with g) carefully ex Leng ng rash shk tmshito g ankl kob shk ye  li Lengi tied the legs of her sheep carefully lest its legs be broken | Hausa hankali ankli gn n. pulling a trick on someone, getting the better of someone | Hausa renin wayo an kra b n n.m. (pl. nn kra b n ) (f. ni kra b n ) neighbor (“one who shares a fence”), one living in a neighboring house ex an kra b nno my neighbor | Hausa makwabci an kassho = an kacco n.m. robber | Hausa an fashi an ko- n.m. (pl. nn ko-) (f. ni ko-) peer, age-mate (“one who has one's head”) ex an konn my age-mate (m); an konn his age-mate (m); ni konn my age-mate (f); ni kott her age-mate (f) | Hausa tsara an kooki n.m. (pl. nn k oki) (f. ni kooki) owner of a neigboring farm | Hausa mawabci (na gona) an kolm n.m. (pl. nn k lm ) (f. ni kolm ) praise singer | Synonym an onshu | Hausa maroi an k‰yi dibu n. the weed Alternanthera sessilis | Hausa mai kai dubu anku n. (pl. nkunshe) top grindstone | Hausa an dutsen nia an ku n.m. (pl. nn k) (f. ni ku) enemy ex dkwantn nn ksu they killed their enemies | Hausa maiyi

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

an kuw n.m. (pl. nn kw) town crier | Hausa mai shela nn n. woman’s name, nickname for Amina | Hausa sunan mace annab = nab n. 1. prophet. 2. Annab The Prophet Muhammad | Hausa annabi

nna lekk n. a braided thread encircling the head of a woman with d‰k hairstyle an ndolnk n.m. (pl. nn nd lnk) (f. ni ndolnk) 1. a child who is well taken care of. 2. ni ndolnk the favored wife in a polygynous household | Hausa (1) an gata; (2) mowa an ndulm n.m. (pl. nn ndulm) (f. ni ndulm) greedy person, someone craving others’ food | Hausa mai kwaayi an ngre n. a type of male locust (male of dmo) | Hausa fara namiji (iri) an saíí n.m. (pl. nn saíí) (f. ni saíí) weaver | Hausa masai an sarn ge n.m. (pl. nn srn ge) (f. ni sarn ge) left-handed person | Hausa bahago an sek n.m. (pl. nn sk) (f. ni sek) spoiled child | Hausa an gta an serni n.m. (pl. nn srni) (f. ni serni) messenger | Hausa manzo an sersrm n.m. (pl. nn srsrm) (f. ni sersrm) pimp | Hausa kawali an shri nm.. (pl. nn shri) (f. ni shri) person with a greedy desire for meat | Hausa mai awar nama an shl n.m. (pl. nn shπl) (f. ni shl) miser, someone unwilling to share money or possessions | Hausa marowaci an shiri n.m. (pl. nn shri) (f. ni shiri) thief | Hausa arawo an sh n.m. (pl. nn sh) dyer | Synonym an bt | Hausa marini

an sr n.m. (pl. bya ass) (f. ni sr) important person, elder, boss | Hausa oga, uban gida an sirkib n.m. (pl. nn sirkib) (f. ni sirkib) meddler | Hausa mai katsalanda an s‰b = s‰b n.m. (pl. s˘bwa) (f. ni s‰b) friend, one who shares a friendship ex an s‰b g bd zwn  k g g rwe sa Proverb: one who is friends with a monkey, his stick will not get lodged in a tree | Hausa aboki an solu n.m. (pl. nn s lu) (f. ni solu) builder, mason; potter | Hausa magini an sowwo n.m. (pl. nn s wwo) (f. ni sowwo) sorcerer | Hausa maye an sum n.m. (pl. nn sm) leather worker | Hausa baduku an sme n.m. (pl. nn sme) person suffering from swollen scrotum | Hausa mai aba an sun n.m. (pl. nn sun) (f. ni sun) namesake ex lw em an sunn that boy is my namesake | Hausa takwara an surkulle n.m. (pl. nn srkulle) (f. ni surkulle) devious person ex mm ye an surkulle, kutt p ra jir the person is devious, he refuses to tell the truth | Hausa mai kwalo-kwalo ant = hant n. 1. button. 2. a necklace with long bangles the full length | Hausa (1) anini; (2) abin wuya (iri) ntls n. pad for horse’s or donkey’s back | Synonym lbru, praj | Hausa akumari an tu  l n.m. (pl. nn t  l ) (f. ni tu  l ) bone-setter, someone who sets fractured bones | Hausa mai ori an wle n.m. (pl. nn wle) (f. ni wle) leper | Synonym an bars, d ggom | Hausa kuturu an wshi n.m. (pl. nn wshi) (f. ni wshi) people between whom there is a

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

joking relationship, e.g. between first cousins, between Bolawa and Terawa, etc. | Synonym an gompo, an zro | Hausa abokin wasa any interjection 1. OK, well then… (often used when taking one’s leave) ex any ndikko ka ayy OK, go ahead and do it. 2. (with question intonation) expresses doubt or unexpected realization ex any ishi ndingo? has he really come?, so he’s come, has he? 3. (with sharply falling intonation) who cares?!, how would I know?! | Hausa anya, shikenan an yakl n.m. (pl. nn ykl) (f. ni yakl) poor person, needy person | Hausa matalauci an yel n.m. (pl. nn yl) (f. ni yel) traditional title holder | Hausa mai sarauta, basarake an yommu n.m. (pl. nn y mmu) wood carver | Hausa masassai an zmba n.m. (pl. nn zmba) (f. ni zmba) tyrant | Synonym an harm | Hausa azzalumi an z˘m n.m. (pl. nn z˘m) (f. ni z˘m) intimate friend ex an z˘mno my close friend | Hausa aboki, amini an z wwu ruta n.m. (pl. nn z wwu ruta) (f. ni z wwu ruta) applicant | Hausa mai neman aiki an zm n.m. (pl. nn zm) modern barber, i.e. a man who cuts hair and shaves head and beard (cf. wnzm) | Hausa mai aski an zro n.m. (pl. nn zro) (f. ni zro) people between whom there is a joking relationship, e.g. between first cousins, between Bolawa and Terawa, etc. | Synonym an gompo, an wshi | Hausa abokin wasa p l n. appeal (in a court) | Hausa afil

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pno = pno n. (pl. pnwi) Hausa person | Hausa Bahaushe aprd n. 1. velum, soft palate. 2. reed of the musical instrument rk | Hausa hana ptu v.A2b (v.n. apito) beckon | Hausa yafata p‰l n. miya made from membranous parts of meat | Hausa ragadada apppi interjection you'll see! that's what you think! | Hausa ahap! apppap, apppairm interjection oops!, woops! | Hausa ayya! p n. 1 1/2 pence in the old English-based money system | Hausa ahu pno = pno n. (pl. pnwi) Hausa person | Hausa Bahaushe Aprk n. Africa | Hausa Afirka ar = har conj., prep. (see har for additional examples) 1. until, up until, all the way to (time or place), even to, as far as, as long as; to the point that ex mu an njl ar st we slept until morning. 2. culuminating in, so much that, to the point that, (but) finally ex mte tan ott

ar mte si mma they ate food and even drank water. 3. including (among others), and even. 4. including (in addition to others), as well as | Hausa har ar variant of an1 ‘one who has…, one who does…’ before words beginning with r (see examples under head entries beginning ar…) ra n. sorrel, roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) | Hausa yakuwa ra n. official complaint, lawsuite ex n l ra g d m lkli I took a complaint before the judge | Hausa ara ra dnd n. frog roselle (Hibiscus asper) | Hausa yakuwar kwao rg n. fried peanut cakes ground with salt | Hausa arago

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

rha adj. cheap, inexpensive ex sn rha inexpensive shirt | Hausa araha arkau = rkau n. type of trap with long rope and snares attached along it | Hausa tarko (iri) arak n. 1. thorn. 2. fence made of thorn branches | Hausa (1) aya; (2) shingen aya arak Nsra n. the plant Amaranthus viridis, whose leaves are used as spinach | Hausa zai-banza, rukuu arak rmo n. the thorn bush Hygrophila auriculata or Acacia polyacantha, or maybe thistle (Centaurea perrottetti; C. praecox) | Hausa ayar raumi, dayi arambana n. type of long-necked pot with base for storing grain arr n. cashew plant (Anacardium occidentale) and its fruit | Hausa yazawa, fisa rau n. heavy metal bracelets worn around the upper arms | Hausa munduwa r n. (pl. rinshe) (rti with noun possessor in sense of ‘relatives, ancestry’) 1. seed(s); r rwe seedling ex r Bamoi Bamoi’s seeds. 2. kind; race, ancestry, relationship, relative ex rti Bamoi Bamoi’s relatives (cf. also j r Bamoi ‘Bamoi’s type’); rku rn u? what is your origin?; r g ntimwo we are related; isi rno he is my relative | Hausa (1) iri; (2) dangi, zuriya r miíyíy n. tribe, race | Hausa kabila arkl n. Abyssinian roller (Coracias abyssinica) | Hausa tsanwaka riys n. arrears | Hausa ariya rrk adj. bitter taste of various kinds of bark used for medicine ex si ‰ra ye rrk the diarrhea medicine is bitter | Hausa bauri

ar rann n.m. (pl. nr rann) (f. ni rann) swindler | Hausa mazambaci aru v.A1 (v.n. aro) lend (thing to be returned, e.g. article of clothing); borrow (thing to be returned)--cf. z ntmu ex arn kken he lent me his bicycle; n ar m‰t Bamoi I borrowed Bamoi’s car | Hausa ara ru1 v.A2a (v.n. ru) sing for, sing about ex rinwo he sang about me, he sang in praise of me;  jπ r sunno g g g ru he’s spreading rumors about me in town | Hausa wae ru2 n. song ex  ru he sang a song | Hausa waa sabri1 n. mat used as a door covering | Synonym kasar | Hausa asabari sabri2 n. titles of certain officials in the Moi’s court subordinate to the tinj or the masay | Hausa sarauta sar n. loss due to some misfortune ex an sar someone has died | Hausa asara asr n. late afternoon; late afternoon prayer | Hausa laíasar Ashk n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari ashsha n. piece of burlap (wetted and used to keep kola nuts, etc. moist) | Hausa algarara na ajiye goro %sh n. woman’s name, variant of Aishatu | Hausa sunan mace ashit = accit = haccit n. sneezing, a sneeze | Hausa atishawa ashiyam n. non-obligatory prayer at sunset done after breaking fast during the month of Ramadam | Hausa sallar asham ashta n. a trap for catching birds such as guinea fowl, using strings to entangle the feet | Hausa tarkon zabi shwk n. bitterleaf (Salvadora persica) | Hausa ashuwaki

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

si blbl = ci blbl n. oil lamp consisting of a clay bowl with a wick | Hausa aci balbal sir n. 1. secret ex All pmu asir may God protect us (may God keep our secrets); bllnt sir = ponnt sir he revealed my secrets. 2. protective charm or potion | Hausa (1) asiri; (2) sirru asirka n. rope through the nose of a cow | Hausa asirka aska n. razor | Hausa aska skir n. a town in Borno State | Hausa sunan gari aspr n n. aspirin | Hausa asfirin ss presentative (pronounced [ssí] when final in phrase) there it is, there they are, there’s… ex ssí there it is; ss lw

there’s the boy (over there); ss mte there they are (over there) | Hausa ga (shi/su) can ass adj.pl. (pl. of sr; variable tone) big (ones), important (ones); adults ex uwwn ass big goats; miíyíyn ass large people; bya ass important people | Hausa manya ass n. round pot with narrow opening and no neck (used for keeping money), a safe | Hausa asusu At n. man’s name | Hausa sunan namiji ti = ti n. 1. form of íya ‘thing’ with genitive noun ex ti gompo something to play with, toy; zwa yel ye ti dsh sa the staff of high office is not for beating. 2. combines with action nouns to form intrumental compounds ex ti rubtu any writing instrument; ti rmu tool, repair kit; ti ew b˘ bm key; ti ew b˘ kolba bottle opener. 3. combines with a noun to form compounds meaning ’thing associated with [noun]’ ex ti woli euphemism for snake (thing of the

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ground); ti biy meat (thing of miya) | Hausa abin Ö t n. woman’s name | Hausa sunan mace ti biy n. meat to be used in miya ex gn g ti biy sa this miya has no meat in it | Hausa naman miya ti b˘ kmo n. earring | Hausa yari, an kunne ti dm n. broom ex K mshinno dibu ti ngorysu m‰. (ti dm.) Riddle: My cows number 1000 but a single thing binds them. (A broom.) | Hausa tsintsiya ti gee b˘ n. gift from traveler | Hausa tsaraba ti kel n. a gift presented to a superior to gain favor ti mla n. wild animal (used esp. when one does not want to mention the specific name because of a taboo) | Synonym dabb mla, lm mla | Hausa naman daji ti m‰l n. human placenta | Hausa mahaifa ti porni n. “talk of the town”, scandalous event ti woli n. snake | Synonym z˘ri woli | Hausa igiyar asa Att n. woman’s name, nickname for Aisha | Hausa sunan mace ttrubu n. type of pepper | Hausa attarugu tti n. gruel, kunu ex tti dmi kunu flavored with tamarind; tti z ng kunu flavored with desert date | Hausa kunu tti bakit n. fine-textured kunu strained so that it has no lumps | Hausa koko tti woi-woi n. special kunu given to a new mother | Hausa kunun jego u interr.adv.loc. where? ex mte  wan g u? where did they sit?; mte ndan n u? where did they go?; mte ndn ko u? where did they come from?; n mon g u? how should I know? | Hausa ina?

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

u reduced form of wo, q.v. udu n. man’s name, variant of Abdullahi | Hausa sunan namiji ushi n. 1. river. 2. (a) south (so used by people north of the Gongola river); (b) north (so used by people south of the Gongola river) | Hausa (1) kogi; (2) kudu, arewa aw n. hour ex unsho mu ar rta n aw b wr íyorno today we worked five hours non-stop | Hausa awa w v.B1 (v.n. w, ewe) (plac. gwa) 1. open, uncover ex w b˘ bn he opened the door; wn    = wn dangira it is wide open. 2. show ex wno g gg show me the way; wn sn he showed his shirt to me | Hausa (1) bue; (2) nuna wk n. gamba-grass (Andropogon gayanus) | Hausa gamba ww n. woman’s name, Eve | Hausa sunan mace w n. (pl. winshe) cat | Hausa kyanwa, mage we n. jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana or Z. abyssinica), has edible fruits and root used for stomach ache | Hausa magarya we gngu n. buffalo thorn (Ziziphus mucronata) | Synonym we z nge | Hausa magaryar kura w Nsra n. mousetrap, steel spring trap | Hausa tarko we z nge n. buffalo thorn (Ziziphus mucronata) | Synonym we gngu | Hausa magaryar kura wo n. (becomes wu from /wi/ with possessor, optionally u with pronoun) stomach, belly ex wun = un my stomach; wu Bamoi Bamoi’s stomach; wun z i he is happy (his stomach is sweet) | Hausa ciki

aw -wo adv.man. lying face down ex gnd n aw -wo he lay on his stomach | Hausa rub da ciki wu muíya n. a type of sorghum that produces black tuwo (Sorghum bicolor) | Hausa dawa (iri) wun bím idiom be sad, be unhappy ex wuto bím she is sad | Hausa yi bain ciki wun z i idiom be happy ex wuto z i she is happy | Hausa yi farin ciki aww interjection that's too bad!, that's bad news! sorry! (expression of sympathy) ex aww Bamoi! poor Bamoi! | Hausa wyyo! awwa interjection oh no! how terrible! ex awwa in [awwain]! woe is me! | Hausa wyyo! ww n. woman’s name, variant of Awawu | Hausa Hawwa (sunan mace) awwain interjection see aww | Hausa wayyo ni! %ya = łya = y n. woman’s name, variant of Aisha | Hausa sunan mace yb n. banana (Musa sapientum) | Hausa ayaba yn n. iron (for pressing clothes) | Hausa dutsen guga ayandi n. black ants | Hausa tururuwa y interjection well fine! | Hausa to íyíyk = híyíyk n. type of rodent with black and white fur found near houses | Hausa era (iri) yy interjection (as question) is that right?! | Hausa Allah?!, ko? ayy interjection you don't say!, is that right?! (with falling intonation) | Hausa assha yy n. woman’s name, variant of Aishatu | Hausa sunan mace

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

azngw n. sabotage | Hausa maarashiya Azr n. a town in Nasarawa State | Hausa sunan gari azbit n. hospital | Synonym bni likit | Hausa asibiti azmi = ajmi n. fasting; the Ramadan fast | Hausa azumi Azmi n. woman’s name | Hausa sunan mace azn = ajn n. intestines, guts | Hausa hanji azn d n. a type of grass that grows in river beds | Hausa ciyawa (iri)

B b conj. 1. if, when ex b st g lluw

when day breaks; b  ishi ndko if things go well he will come. 2. (with indirect question) whether ex bni gorzo ye  ndπna l˘ b mte l wantngo the husband’s household will go and ask whether they agree to it. 3. (as a correlative, = bik) either… or…; whether…or not… ex b ina b kai either me or you; mb s l p rannak ye ngornt konn , b n ndi b n ndi sa what she told me has made me have trouble deciding whether to go or not to go; n mon g u b ka s‰rk‰ b ka s‰rk‰ sa how do I know whether you will jump down or you won’t jump down?;  zk‰ g bni lw gorzo ye g ko b  ng rti, b m  nzmt in d m they will send to the house of the prospective groom about whether they will perform (the marriage) or whether they will move it ahead | Hausa (1) idan, in; (2) ko

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b, b n. (takes tone opposite the following syllable) polite mark of address or reference used with a man, followed by a title or proper name ex B Pya a title and a man’s name; B M , B Gimb men’s names | Hausa baba b n. 1. Dad. 2. B (a) a man's name; (b) combined with a man's name to make a proper name ex B  le Ba the younger; B sr Ba the elder; B bbakr, lj B men’s names | Hausa (1) baba; (2) sunan namiji ba n. (form of bati used with pronoun possessor; geminates consonant of suffixed pronoun) daughter ex bann my daughter; bakk your (pl) daughter | Hausa íya b1 n. (pl. bíí = bíyíy) (form of bti with pronoun possessor) elder brother; older male cousin ex bn my elder brother | Hausa wa b2 v.D (v.n. bn, bshi) (plac. bab, bíían) 1. pound in (nail, peg, etc.). 2. beat, beat drum; do praise singing ex bt k lm he sang praises; b k lm Moi he praised the Moi. 3. haft a hoe or axe ex b k  wi g jπ j nt he put a blade on the axe. 4. stain teeth with goringo ex baí ídito g g˘rng she colored her teeth with goringo. 5. concern one, be one’s business ex bnw‰ it matters to me; bn sa it does not matter to me/it’s not my concern; mb ssu bn sa their talk doesn’t concern me | Hausa (1) buga; (2) kaa ganga; (3) kwaa gatari; (4) ci fure; (5) shafi wani, bab n. (pl. bbwa) (babti, pl. bbwati before noun possessor) paternal aunt (younger or older) ex babno my aunt; bbwan my aunts; babti Bamoi

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

Bamoi’s aunt; bbwati Bamoi Bamoi’s aunts | Hausa inna bba n. indigo (Indigofera sp.) | Hausa baba B b n. a man’s name | Hausa sunan namiji bba n. (pl. b bb in meaning #1) 1. term of reference or address for father or an older man ex bbas their dad; bbati Bamoi Bamoi’s dad. 2. Bba a man’s name | Hausa (1) baba; (2) sunan namiji bbba interjection it’s all gone! (said to a child) ex n porw l lw y in, ìBbba, lo ye tk jπn!î I said to the child, “It’s all gone, the meat has been finished off!” | Hausa ya are bbn  le = b  le n. (pl. bbwn oll) younger paternal uncle ex bbas#n  le their uncle; bbati Bamoi n  le = bbn  lti Bamoi Bamoi’s uncle; bbwas#n oll their uncles; bbwati Bamoi n oll Bamoi’s uncles | Hausa baffa, anen uba bbn sr = b sr n. (pl. bbwn ass) older paternal uncle ex bbas#n sr their uncle; bbati Bamoi n sr = bbn srti Bamoi Bamoi’s uncle; bbwas#n ass their uncles; bbwati Bamoi n ass Bamoi’s uncles | Hausa baffa, wan uba Bbay n. a man’s name | Hausa sunan namiji bbbe n. a plant, perhaps Lonchocarpus laxiflorus, whose leaves are used to make “bullets” for toy guns made from cornstalks | Hausa fura bawa(?) bbul n. fire-eater | Hausa babule Bbur n. (pl. Bbrwa) Bura or Babur person | Hausa Babur bb#r n. motorcycle, motor scooter | Synonym msh n | Hausa babur bccim‰ = bsshim‰ num. six ex bccim& sa not six (note that the final

tone stays low, cf. m‰ ‘one’) | Hausa shida bad n. round cornstalk hut used as a kitchen | Hausa akin kara bdl n. viper, night adder (Causus maculatus) | Hausa kububuwa badli n. lavish expenditure, squandering, esp. food ex mu am badlim g byi rna bn we used up a lot of food on the marriage | Hausa facaka bdl b˘ k m n. burrowing viper (Atractaspis spp.) | Hausa bida bdm n. low stack of wood on which pots and cooking utensils are laid to dry bdnu v.A2c (v.n. badno) persist in, keep on ex b ka bdn ndna b˘ ushi, ka s‰r gn if you keep going toward the river bank, you will fall in | Hausa ringa badawi n. foreign traders, esp. caravan traders arriving from the north | Hausa farke bad n. greater bustard (Otididae spp.) | Hausa tuje b dr n. a type of small bird with a red throat, probably cutthroat finch (Amadina fasciata) | Hausa yankan Allah b adv.man. 1. fast, quickly ex  jπjo b he is running fast; b-b hastily, very quickly. 2. early ex ndin b he came early | Hausa (1) maza, da sauri; (2) da wuri bm n. clothesline for hanging clothes inside a house | Hausa igiyar shanya be v.A2a (ventive subjunctive of a hypothetical verb bu) become aware ex ‰ ishi be s˘run g konn before he knew what was going on, it fell on him | Hausa ankara b num. five | Hausa biyar bwr id.adj. naked ex zott to bw

d antan bwr her wrapper came

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

undone and she was left exposed | Hausa tsirara b  le = bbn  le n. (for plural and possessed form, see bbn  le) term of reference for father’s younger brother, i.e. junior paternal uncle (cf. bbn  le) | Hausa baffa, anen uba bu v.A2a (v.n. bo) become aware (used only in subjunctive ventive after ‰) ex see be | Hausa ankara bíí = bíyíy n.pl. (pl. of b, bti when used with pronoun possessor; final vowel lengthens before pronoun) elder brothers; older male cousins ex bííno my older brothers | Hausa yayye bííti = bíyíyti n.pl. (pl. of bti; citation form and form used with noun possessor; bíí with pronoun possessor) elder brothers; older male cousins ex bííti Bamoi Bamoi’s older brothers | Hausa yayye maza bg n. pile of guinea corn heads | Hausa baga Bg n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari bgd n. loincloth formed of cloth drawn between legs and tucked at waist; girdle put on for fighting | Hausa unzugu; amara bgdu v.A2b (v.n. bagido) do second pounding of grain or coarse flour to make more fine | Hausa daka gari bgr n. split palm trunk used as a beam | Hausa azara Bhum n. Borno | Hausa Borno bi mod.op. 1. maybe, perhaps, possibly ex bi mte  ndk‰ maybe they will come; bi m ntutwo maybe he forgot. 2. could it be that?; (in yes/no questions) whether ex dn k‰p b˘‰ km bi kmn he touched the cup to feel

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whether it was hot. | Synonym bcc = bssh | Hausa watakila baibai n. drumming done to announce the arrival of horsemen at a celebration ex g wantn baibai kapa shi they have done the horsemen’s drumming, all that remains is the riding | Hausa kian daba bitlmn n. native treasury | Hausa baitulmali bjnga n. title held by a member of the royal family | Hausa sarauta bj n. badge | Hausa baji bjin n. smell, odor (neutral or bad); stench ex bjin otto z i the smell of the food is good; bjin gzr smell of burning rags; bi em g bjin this place has a bad odor; bjin nzo a stench, such as the smell of a fart; bjin mana íyopp/nd o stinking like shit/putrid mud | Hausa wari, oyi; anshi bjr = bzr n. violet tree (Securidaca longepedunculata), has fragrant smelling leaves which can cause one to sneeze | Hausa sanya bk n. stomach of a ruminant | Hausa tumbi bk n. (used in kmb bk) type of woven tray | Hausa faifai (iri) bakira n. digging stick with a wooden handle and wide metal blade | Hausa matoni bakit n. piece of white cloth | Hausa fari, yallen alawayyo bkit-bkit n. a girls’ clapping game | Hausa wasan tafi na íyan mata bk n. regret ex n  bk ykl ndko g m ndno I regret that I didn’t come with my wife; n  bk dwa lw no y I regret having beaten my child | Hausa da-na-sani, nadama

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

Bkr n. a man’s name | Hausa sunan namiji b l see bni bl1 v.B1 (v.n. ble) cry ex n duwnπwo har blw I beat him so hard that he cried | Hausa yi kuka bl2 v.B1 (v.n. bele) be sour, ferment, become rancid ex tti blw , tti bl jπn the kunu has gone sour | Hausa yi tsami bl = d bl n. (pl. blinshe) Abdim’s stork, rainbird (Ciconia abdimii) | Hausa shamuwa blmno n. a chip-like confection made of slightly fermented millet, sweetened with sugar, consumed esp. at marriage or upon finishing Koranic study | Hausa balambo blt n. large fura-like balls of millet mixed with honey, consumed esp. during Id el-Fitr | Hausa angal balw n. respected older man, venerable man | Hausa dattijo bllu1 v.A2bg (v.n. ballo) break a piece off a larger object (wood, a wall); remove bark from a tree | Hausa ambare, sassaa bllu2 n. poor quality kolas with defects trimmed off and sold cheaply | Synonym mlu, gure | Hausa tsintar goro balte n. late morning | Hausa hantsi bltu v.A2b (v.n. balto, bltu) lock, lock up | Hausa kulle bam adj. different, another that is not the same as ex ishin g íya m‰i bam  b˘ t'ln he had a different thing on his mind; tk em bam g am this shoe is different from that one | Hausa dabam b m conj. or ex bni gorzo  lk‰ ybbi bmbai b m dr b lou g zusu the household of the groom will bring 10 or 12 live chickens; p ti sun ye, bni gorzo  l gam b m kar on

the day of the naming ceremony, the family of the husband will bring a ram or a goat; ngort gam ye b m ka ussn tie up the ram or let him go; mm  bkk íya n ko b n sa, b m z winn n do b˘bn a person does does not take from over a wall, nor is it given across a threshhold | Hausa ko bm n. a man’s title | Hausa sarauta Bmi n. man’s name | Hausa sunan namiji bmb n. (pl. bmbinshe) locust | Hausa fara bmbam adv.man. differently, unmatchingingly ex zow tk bmbam he put on the shoes without trying to match them up | Hausa daban bmbr n. bark (of tree) | Hausa awo bambut n. 1. the grasses Eragrostis sp.; Panicum sp., which are used to make brooms. 2. broom | Synonym bst | Hausa tsintsiya bmu v.A2b (v.n. bamo) draw in lips (as in exasperation) | Hausa tsuke baki Bamoi n. a man’s name; namesake of the Moi | Hausa sunan namiji ban n. help, aid ex n ban d‰do he helped me with money | Hausa taimako Bnl n. a town in Yobe State | Hausa sunan gari bnnu v.A2c (v.n. banno, ban) help | Hausa taimaka Band n. a man’s name | Hausa sunan namiji ban g conj. except for ex mu ndal l u ban g Pkk we went everywhere except Fika | Hausa ban da bang n. (pl. bnginshe) 1. baboon (Papio anubis). 2. ingratitude ex ishi n bang he has been ungrateful to me | Hausa (1) gwaggon biri; (2) butulci

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

bnglsa n. doing a poor job of weeding a farm | Hausa tsumbare bnglu v.A2c (v.n. bangilo) be anxious, be distressed ex anklin bngl jπn his mind is in a whirl | Hausa gushe, gigice bng n. jute (Corchorus tridens), used as stock for miya | Hausa lalo bng n gorzo n. a type of plant similar to jute (Corchorus tridens), inedible | Hausa lalo (iri) bni n. (pl. banne; bninshe) (optionally contracts to b l in the collocation b l l ? ‘whose house?’) 1. (form of b n used with nominal possessor) house, compound; living place of any kind ex bni Bamoi Bamoi’s house; banne Bamoi = bninshe Bamoi Bamoi’s houses; bni l ? = b l l ? whose house?; bni uww goat pen. 2. building or establishment used for a business or official activity (see examples under entries where bni is combined with nouns indicating specific locations) ex b n ye bni mecce sa that house is not a house to go to | Hausa (1) gida; (2) gidan bni likit n. hospitial | Synonym azbit | Hausa asibiti bni moi n. palace | Hausa fada bni mr n. service station | Hausa gidan mai bni ngorwa n. guest house | Hausa gidan bai bni pursn n. prison | Hausa kurkuku, gidan yari, jarum bni way n. Post Office | Hausa Gidan Waya, Fasa Ofis bank n. bank (financial institution) | Hausa banki

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banne n.pl. (pl. of b n , bni; lengthens before pronoun possessor) houses ex bannno my houses | Hausa gidaje bnni n.pl. (usually in dll bnni) city center, downtown, an area in a town where activities are going on ex nd dll bnni he went on an errand | Hausa unguwa, cikin gari bnshlu v.A2c (v.n. banshilo) slosh, splash out of container ex  jπ mcce mma ye  jπ bnshl ko g sw she’s walking and water is sloshing out of the pot | Hausa yi tangal-tangal bnyra n. baby scorpion | Hausa kunama arama Bpya n. a man’s name | Hausa sunan namiji br n. hunting; fishing; hunting for, fishing for ex am br yro  gatto sa a bird hunter never gets tired; br kerwo fishing | Hausa farauta, su Br n. a town in Yobe State | Hausa sunan gari bram n. probably the shrub Gisekia pharnacioides | Hausa dandami brr tmshi n. the fodder plant Peristrophe bicalyculata | Hausa tubanin dawaki bars1 n. any of several types of bichir fish or lungfish (Polypterus spp.) | Hausa gartsa bars2 n. leprosy | Synonym wle | Hausa kuturta brasi n. 1. type of fish with a black hard back. 2. type of calabash decoration | Hausa (1) kifi (iri); (2) zane na warya (iri) barde n. 1. title of an official in the Moi’s court subordinate to the tinj py. 2. commander of an army. 3. barde minda an official in the Moi’s court charged

20

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

with protecting royal officials | Hausa barde; sarauta bar n. white dog with large black spots | Hausa bare bre n. alien, foreigner, person from a nonlocal ethnic group | Hausa bare br n. a style of singing and dancing, esp. performed by older men | Hausa kia (iri) brma n. hired farm laborer | Hausa an odago, an barema brglu = brglu = brglu v.A2c (v.n. bargilo) sprain, dislocate, slip out of place (said of chair which collapsed) | Hausa gure barguma n. titles of certain officials in the Moi’s court subordinate to the tinj, the tamn, or the tinj pya | Hausa sarauta briy n. scolding, admonishment ex n briy he scolded me | Hausa tsawatawa, gargai bark n. 1. blessing, greeting ex bark n ss! greetings since our last meeting!; bark st ! good morning! 2. blessings, good fortune enjoyed through someone’s intervention ex nno m‰t nko bark Moi give me a car for the sake of the Moi; ita zli poa barkn she began to disparage him (“she began removing his blessings”) | Hausa barka barso n. rash | Hausa uraje brtu v.A2b (v.n. barto) sneak up on | Hausa yi sana bru n. domestic pigeon, rock dove (Columba livia) | Synonym tttabri | Hausa tantabara baru v.A1 (v.n. baro) withdraw, pull back, conceal onself ex kr bar jπn the snake drew back; n bar g boi rewe I withdrew behind a tree | Hausa noe, uya, rae

brd n. Dane gun, locally made gun | Synonym bindig bto | Hausa bindigar toka bas id. just, nothing but (signals end of an activity or negotiation) ex ‰ n ndi jπno bas just let me be on my way; nno k‰p bas just give me the cup | Hausa amsa amo bs1 v.B1 (v.n. bse, bes) 1. shoot; kick; sting ex molti Mlm bst yuno ye g pocco Malam’s brother shot the elephant dead with an arrow; k m bs Mad ar zww the cow kicked Madu so hard that he fell unconscious; s‰ni  bse a bee stings. 2. intr. be afflicted with, contract an illness ex bs jπn g z mpr he came down with a fever | Hausa (1) harba; (2) kamu da bs2 v.B1 (v.n. bse) spin (thread) ex  jπ bs grza she is spinning thread; bse l‰lo spinning cotton | Hausa kaa zare bsa n. interaction | Hausa cuanya, hula basri n. exposing someone’s secrets to cause shame | Hausa fallasa bst n. the grasses Eragrostis sp.; Panicum sp., which are used to make brooms | Synonym bambut | Hausa tsintsiya b sh sa idiom otherwise, or else (lit: if not thus) ex ikko krtu rnkat, b sh sa ka s‰r jarrabwa study hard, otherwise you will fail the exam | Hausa in ba haka ba b sr = bbn sr n. (for plural and possessed form, see bbn sr) term of reference for father’s older brother, i.e. senior paternal uncle (cf. bbn sr) | Hausa baffa, wan uba bsrnu v.A2c (v.n. basirno) cause someone shame by exposing his secrets ex n pornπ sirn kala bsrnt in I

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

told him my private affairs and then he shamed me (by making them public) | Hausa fallasa, baza wani bsknu v.A2c (v.n. baskino) curse ex All bskne di kild ! may Allah curse the eyes of that evil person! | Hausa tsina bsshim‰ = bccim‰ num. six | Hausa shida bt n. a line of horses ex barde zow nn d˘w g g bt the barde had the horsemen form a line btliy n. battalion | Hausa bataliya btll n. vacation, holiday | Hausa hutu Bat = B Bat n. man’s name | Hausa sunan namiji bati n.f. (pl. dnde (monde)) (citation form and form used with noun possessor; ba, q.v., with pronoun possessor) 1. daughter ex bati Bamoi Bamoi’s daughter. 2. niece ex bati lw gorzo/m nd a niece related through one’s brother/sister | Hausa íya bti n. (pl. bííti) (citation form and form with noun possessor; b, q.v. with pronoun possessor) elder brother; older male cousin ex bti Bamoi Bamoi’s older brother | Hausa wa btlu v.A2c (v.n. btilo) disrupt one’s train of thought, mix up, interrupt ex ka btlnut ina my ko byi mbosni y you confused me while I was trying to count | Hausa rue, rikitar btr n. battery | Hausa batir Bt n. a man’s name | Hausa sunan namiji btt v.B2 (v.n. bette) trick; scare ex bttn g kr he scared me with a snake | Hausa zolaya; razanar batta n.f. (pl. bttwa) senior princess | Hausa sarauta

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btti n. fool, stupid person | Synonym bilkn, kkb, sme, s ííe | Hausa shashasha, wawa btm n. stumbling ex  btm he stumbled | Hausa tuntue bauc n. voucher | Hausa bauca Bauci n. Bauchi, capital of Bauchi State | Hausa sunan gari bw n. grainheads with pollen on the outside | Hausa bununu bw l n. a game in which a string with a loop tied in it is buried in the sand and each player tries to put a stick through the loop and pull it out | Hausa wasan íyar ata, canki-canki bwl n. valve | Hausa bawul bwulo num. seven | Hausa bakwai bwushi n. title held by a member of the royal family, originally given to one of the uncles of the Moi | Hausa sarauta bwsu v.A2c (v.n. bwuso) singe ex bwsut ywi he singed the chicken | Hausa babbake by n. (pl. jbb; byinshe) slave; slavery ex mana zan by g g rus Expression: it’s like they sent a slave to his hometown (said of a person who has not been heard from for a long time) | Hausa bawa. baiwa, bauta byam n. tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentus) | Hausa aya by n. building for servants or slaves of an emir or prince; houseboy’s quarters by l n. fecklessness, incompetence ex l s tt b ka zanπwo kapa w lamr by l no matter when you send him (on an errand), he acts fecklessly | Hausa sakarci byu v.A2a (v.n. byo) spray, e.g. water with mouth, hand | Hausa fesa

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

bíyíy = bíí n.pl. (pl. of b, bti; form of bííti with pronoun possessor; final vowel lengthens before pronoun) elder brothers; older male cousins ex bíyíyno my elder brothers | Hausa yayye bíyíyti = bííti n.pl. (pl. of bti; citation form and form used with noun possessor; bíyíy, q.v., with pronoun possessor) elder brothers; older male cousins ex bíyíyti Bamoi Bamoi’s elder brothers | Hausa yayye maza bza1 n. a hairy sheep or goat | Hausa tunkiya ko akwiya mai baza bza2 n. woolen apron worn by male dancers | Hausa baza bza n. a type of white sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) | Hausa dawa (iri) bzna n. boil (abscess) | Hausa maruru bzr = bjr n. violet tree (Securidaca longepedunculata), has fragrant smelling leaves which can cause one to sneeze | Hausa sanya b n. (pl. dnde (gorji)) (see dnde for forms of plural) 1. son ex bno my son; b Bamoi Bamoi’s son. 2. nephew ex b lw gorzo/m nd a nephew related through one’s brother/sister | Hausa a bbe n. deaf (cannot hear but can speak) | Synonym s˘ma | Hausa bebe beere n. grey-headed sparrow (Passer griseus) | Hausa bakwala, dala, gwara bcc = bssh mod.op. 1. maybe, perhaps, possibly ex bcc mte  ndko maybe they will come; bcc m ntutwo maybe he forgot; nn tre, bcc ‰sh sighting the moon (before or after month of Ramadan), maybe tomorrow. 2. could it be that?; (in yes/no questions) whether ex l˘in n bcc ka ndna jπko o? he asked me whether you would be

going? | Synonym bi | Hausa (1) watakila; (2) ko bcc sh = bssh sh adv.time 1. at this same time (on another day). 2. up until now | Hausa warhaka beki n. partially cooked food | Hausa tuwon da bai nuna ba bge n. 1. nostalgia, longing. 2. Bge man’s nickname | Hausa (1) kewa, tunani; (2) sunan namiji bi reduced form of byi, q.v. bi bre n. cemetery, graveyard | Synonym bi mbal | Hausa makabarta bi gompo n. playground | Hausa filin wasa bi pete n. exit | Hausa mafita bi sshi n. bar, drinking place | Hausa mashaya beíí mod.op. 1. for certain, surely, without fail, exact ex beíí g jj m‰t Mad g jir there’s no question that Madu bought the car. 2. especially ex n ndin beíí b˘ o n nnk I cam especially to see you; ishi ndol njl g p ti sa beíí b byi kmen he doesn’t like sleeping in the afternoon, especially when it is hot | Hausa (1) sadidan, ba shakka; (2) takanas bíí n. middle, center, deepest part ex  g bíí mla out in the middle of the bush | Hausa tsakiya bl1 n. (in do bl) cuspid, canine tooth | Hausa fia bl2 n. (in bl kppa) long-handled planting hoe | Hausa sungumi bl n. belt, seatbelt | Hausa bel Bl n. a town in Bauchi State | Hausa sunan gari ble n. 1. crying ex  ble he cried. 2. cry or sound of most animals ex ble d‰sho = lla d‰sho neighing of a horse; ble ad = od d barking of a dog; ble temshi bleating of a sheep; ble k‰ro braying of

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

a donkey; ble w meowing of a cat | Hausa kuka (na mutum ko na dabba) ble rewe n. sap of a tree | Hausa ruwan bishiya bl n. bail ex men jπn b n , lkli on bln he has come back home, the judge set his bail | Hausa beli blu n. spur on a rooster’s foot | Hausa aimi na zakara bna1 n. prince | Hausa maina bna2 n. a type of bean whose pod grows in a curl | Hausa wake kanannao bna k lm n. praise singing | Hausa wae benc n. bench | Hausa benci bendj n. bandage | Hausa bandeji bnjl n. millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas) | Synonym tggan | Hausa adandoniya bntel n. loincloth ex gbga bntel white cloth for woman’s garment sent to the prospective bride’s family as part of the wedding arrangement | Hausa bante ber n. a type of harmless snake | Hausa tandara, sha nono br n. virgin, unmarried girl | Synonym kyanga | Hausa budurwa bre conj. let alone, how much less ex b‰no m knw˘ bre in my dad fails (at doing it), let alone me; did k mon u br shorn? Expression: how big is a fly, much less it’s fat? (“you are dealing with something even more trivial than the original matter”); an sheke poo ma soruwo bere an sheke bolou Proverb: one with four legs may fall, let alone one with two legs; ka onshe onko ma kawa bere ngankanti (if) you praise someone an he gives you (something), it’s embarrassing, let alone (if) you are denied | Hausa balle, bare

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brem n. a hole into which water from a pond is drained, leaving fish exposed brwa n. red-fronted gazelle (Gazella rufifrons) | Hausa barewa bergl n. failure to do work as assigned, purposely doing a job poorly | Hausa ganda bse b  n. blackquarter (a disease causing local swelling) | Hausa harbin daji bse mla n. skin cancer | Hausa harbin daji bshi n. (v.n. of b) 1. attaching with a nail. 2. beating (drum). 3. staining the teeth with tobacco flowers or goringo | Hausa (1) kafawa; (2) kia; (3) cin fure bssh = bcc mod.op. 1. maybe, perhaps ex bsshe mte  ndko maybe they will come. 2. could it be that?; (in yes/no questions) whether | Synonym bi | Hausa (1) watakila; (2) ko bssh sh = bcc sh adv.time 1. at this same time (on another day) ex kapa Jm bssh she until this time on Friday. 2. up until now ex len bssh sh ka elen d‰do ye sa? it has gotten until this time and you haven’t brought the money? | Hausa warhaka bt n. AIDS ex bs jπn g bt he has gotten AIDS | Synonym m to nem | Hausa anjamau btke n. locust bean fruit in stage after losho has become mature | Hausa orawa (fure) byi n. (can reduce to bi with possessor) 1. place, a place where something is located or an activity takes place ex boi dr bi bunko sa a peanut farm is no place to hide (because peanut plants are short); lw íy g zm bi l sd s‰ni g m r a child best remembers the spot where he consumed honey and oil; s íí

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

jπn g bi tere he acted like a fool at the festival. 2. (with a noun indicating a localized activity) while ex n tmb ko bi mbosni I made a mistake while counting; dnde mbnantn íyla ko bi b sn the children have dumped too many seeds while planting. 3. “it” used as subject of weather expressions and other expressions of a general physical situation ex bi dr jπn it has become light; bi rw jπn it is calm; insho byi njrl today it is cold; bi  míyl wlk lightening flashed; bi g selwi it is slippery | Hausa (1) wuri; (2) a lokacin bbiyye n. swinging around, whirling around | Hausa juyi bibiy kshi adj. light green ex  jπn bibiy kshi it has become green; sm bibiy kshi a light green shirt | Hausa tsanwa, kore bπbyu v.A2c (v.n. bbiyo, bbiyye) swing around, whirl around | Hausa wurga bccru = bsshru v.A2c (v.n. bicciro) expand something circular, open or expand in a threatening or agressive manner, e.g. showing the teeth, pursing the lips, opening of a peacock’s tail | Hausa bua, kumbura na lalacewa bid n. 1. thatching needle. 2. small iron rod for grinding antimony | Hausa bida bid-bid n. a type of harmless snake | Hausa tandara, sha nono bπdi = d‰sho bπdi n. black horse with white legs from knee down ex bπd n bím black horse with white legs from the knee down; bπd n di red horse with white legs from the knee down | Hausa doki (iri), bidi bdy n. video | Hausa bidiyo

bd n. (pl. bddinshe) monkey, esp. patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) | Hausa biri b v.B1 (v.n. bie) (plac. b) untie | Hausa kwance b v.B2 (v.n. bie) (plac. of b) untangle (several things) ex bantn uww they untangled the goats | Hausa warware biki n. 1. flour. 2. any finely-ground or granulated dry substance ex biki m ssi yellow pulp inside locust bean pods; biki shukr granulated sugar (as opposed to sugar cubes) | Hausa gari biik n. cage for chickens, chicken coop ex b rm ko syakk , ka w g biik Proverb: if your camel gets lost, you’ll (even) look in a chicken cage (“desperation leads to extremes”) | Hausa akurki bikr n. a small bird similar to a bishop bird but larger--during dry season it drinks at cattle watering holes | Hausa tsuntsu (iri) bπyu v.A2c (v.n. biyo) wind (rope) round and round | Hausa kanannae, dabaibaye bgl n. bugle | Hausa begila bijj = bizj n. 1. women’s braids that descend forward over the shoulders (particularly Fulani women). 2. strings on apron worn by male dancers or wrestlers | Hausa (1) kitso (iri); (2) baza bjimi n. bull | Hausa bijimi bik mod.op. whether or not, it makes no difference whether (usually used as a correlative bikÖbik/b m*) ex bik ka ge b m ka pete enter or go out as you choose; bik n si mma bik n si lm#n I’ll drink water or soda (it’s all the same to me) | Hausa ko

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

bki mod.op. 1. (in yes-no questions) that is to say, so …? ex bki ka n sa? so you will not do it? 2. (with imperative) just do … ex bki ikk m well just do it! 3. (in p ra bki tlo) speak sarcastically ex porn bki tiln ina kala l mb s n nπ sa he was sarcastic to me but I didn’t say a word to him | Hausa (1) watoÖ; (2) Ömana bkr n. solid black horse whose legs are darker than the rest of the body | Hausa doki bai bkk˘-bikko n. relaying, as in a relay race | Hausa kara-kara bkku v.A2bg (v.n. bikko, bkku) 1. accept, take ex bkk d‰do g srn ge he took the money with his left hand. 2. take on a character, e.g. odor ex bi ye bkke bjin turpshi ngr-ngr the place became heavy with the smell of perfume | Hausa kara bl variant of bn, q.v., before words beginning with l b l n. bill (for payment of goods or services) | Hausa bil bill = bull n. whip | Hausa bulala Bill n. name for a slim woman | Hausa sunan mace bill alnshri n. the herb Schwenkia americana, a compress of which is said to take down swelling of mumps | Hausa dandana bπli n. (pl. bπlinshe) (usually in b˘ bπli) heel ex t b˘ bπlin he stepped on my heel; bπlinshsu shap kshi their heels are all cracked | Hausa didddige blim n. fraud, deceit ex am blim deceitful person, con artist; n blim he conned me | Hausa haíinci

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bilkn n. (pl. blknwi) fool | Synonym btti, kkb, sme, s ííe | Hausa dolo, wawa bl lla n. spider’s egg casing | Hausa akin gizo-gizo bilok id. indicates sleepy looking ex w din bilok he opened his eyes with a sleepy look | Hausa amsa amo bilu v.A1 (v.n. bilo, blsh) 1. blow on, blow away ex blaí í si she blew on the fire; bil zur ko ko tbr he blew dust off the table;  jπ bla jπn he is fanning himself. 2. (with ventive) expand, become expanded, e.g. a flower ex bitte l‰lo blung the cotton flowers opened up. 3. (with ventive) shine brightly ex p tin k ptire blung that day the full moon shone brightly | Hausa (1) busa, fifita; (2) tofo; (3) hasko bl-w si n. a plant having large roundish leaves with jagged edges (cf. bilu ‘fan fire’) | Hausa bishiya (iri) bm = bn n. hut; room | Hausa aki bmbai num. ten | Hausa goma bmbl n. a type of grass found near rivers | Hausa ciyawa (iri) bm b  t n. mosquito net | Hausa gidan sauro bn = bm n. hut; room ex b˘ bn doorway; g bn room; ko bn roof; bn ngorwa guest room; bn ywi chicken coop; sra m‰i  jto ko bn sa Expression: one hand cannot lift a thatched roof (“things get accomplished through cooperation”) | Hausa aki bn v.B1 (v.n. bine, bna) wash; bathe ex bnw˘yi he washed it;  bn knshe she will wash the pots; bnaí ídit she washed her face | Hausa wanke bna n. bathing ex t bna he has bathed; ab bna she took a bath; bna k‰ro (g

26

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

g l) rolling of donkey (in ashes); bna ani leyi ritual washing by new mother | Hausa wanka bn n. bran | Hausa dusa bindig bto n. Dane gun, locally made gun | Synonym brd | Hausa bindigar toka bni n. (pl. bninshe) grinding quern ex pempel kon bni, kmb sshe dbr Proverb: wind has taken the grindstone, let the tray find some another scheme (to avoid the same fate) | Hausa dutsen nia bini-bni n. a worn out grinding stone used for blending ingredients of miya | Hausa dutsen nia tsoho bn yro n. nest | Hausa sheka bníyu v.A2b (v.n. biníyo, biníye) open, esp. mouth while sleeping | Hausa wangale b r n. pillow | Synonym pil , trra | Hausa matashin kai brgdiy n. brigadier | Hausa birgediya brglu = brglu = brglu v.A2c (v.n. birgilo) sprain, dislocate, slip out of place (said of chair which collapsed) ex n díy gsho k n shkno brgle I stepped on a stone and my foot got sprained | Hausa gure biri n. herd of livestock; corral for livestock ex biri komshine herd of cattle; cattle corral; biri temka flock of sheep; sheep pen | Hausa garke Bπri n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari birk n. brake (of car or bicycle) ex kken g birk sa his bike doesn’t have any brakes | Hausa birki brktu v.A2c (v.n. birkito) confuse, fluster; become confused, become flustered ex ka brktut in you confused me; trm

ll dshi mu brkte jπmu the lion roared and we became flustered | Hausa rue birm n. title of an official in the Moi’s court subordinate to the masay | Hausa sarauta br n. ballpoint pen | Hausa biro birt n. simultaneous falling of two wrestlers on their backs, resulting in a draw | Hausa zubar gado, canjaras bπsar n. the plant Euphorbia lateriflora | Hausa bi sartse bism = bismlly interjection expression used when beginning an activity (from Arabic “in the name of Allah”) ex

nansun tti ishn yntuw˘ n, ìBism!î when they had been served kunu, he said, “Please have some!” | Hausa bismillahi bsk t n. biscuit, cookie | Hausa biskit bsshru = bccru v.A2c (v.n. bisshiro) expand something circular, open or expand in a threatening or agressive manner, e.g. showing the teeth, pursing the lips, opening of a peacock’s tail | Hausa bua, kumbura na lalacewa bssu v.A2bg (v.n. bisso) marry the wife of a deceased older brother ex Malm bssut m nd b+n Malum married his (deceased) older brother’s wife | Hausa yi auren gado btt v.B2 (v.n. bitte) expand, open wide, expose by spreading open, e.g. peacock fanning tail, showing ones teeth in a smile ex ishi btt din he showed his teeth (by smiling); wis bttas s ww to the peacock expanded its tail | Hausa bue (fure, laima) bitte n. flowers, blossoms ex rwe ab bitte g do the tree has blossomed a lot | Hausa fure, furanni

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

bπwa n. a twining shrub with tough stems (Hippocratea guineensis) | Hausa gwaayi bya n.pl. people, people forming a particular group, people of… ex bya Pikk Bole people (cf. miíyíym Pkk people from Fika); bya u ndin y? people from where came?; bya ass elders, important people (pl. of an sr) | Hausa mutanen., íyan. by v.B (v.n. biye) be finished, be all gone ex d‰do byw the money is all gone, there’s no more money | Hausa are biy1 n. sauce, miya | Hausa miya biy2 n. a traditional title for women, subordinate to the gmsi | Hausa sarauta biy kshi n. miya made from baobab leaves | Hausa miyar kuka bizj = bijj n. 1. women’s braids that descend forward over the shoulders (particularly Fulani women). 2. strings on apron worn by male dancers or wrestlers | Hausa (1) kitso (iri); (2) baza b˘1 n. 1. mouth; opening ex b˘no, my mouth; b˘ Bamoi Bamoi’s mouth; b˘ bn doorway; b˘ b z n byi gompo mbukm sa Proverb: the mouth of a well is not a place for a blind person to play. 2. language ex b˘ Pkk the Bole language; b˘ pno the Hausa language; b˘ mon u  g w li Y‰b? how many languages are there in Yobe State?; dnde n Njriy  ngozo b˘ ksan b lou sa Nigerian children usually learn at least two languages. 3. edge, border, tip, end ex ‰w g b˘ sh˘wi he sat down next to the wood; ita ngrtt g b˘ zott to she tied it to the edge of her wrapper for her. 4. sharpness (of blade) ex di g b˘ the knife is sharp; di ss yuno s0ri sa kapa b˘ Proverb: a

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knife for skinning an elephant isn’t big, just sharp. 5. share, that which is due to one, one’s turn (in a game or in sharing tasks) ex b˘ mnno my share, my turn; dshit b˘ in lw ye ndett, ita yyi well when the girl’s turn came, she climbed up; b˘ in D wa ‰ b˘ in D‰diyo? what is the purpose of this? (lit: is it for Dawa or is it for Dodiyo?). 6. (with various body parts) the protruding part, exposed part ex b ka ngora s‰t ye, ng r g b˘ pt z nge if you are going to tell a lie, tie it to a hyena’s tail; t b˘ bπlin he stepped on my heel. 7. (with sun and moon) full sun(light), full moon ex n z mma g b˘ p ti I put the water out in the sun; b˘ dmp full moon | Hausa (1) baki; (2) harshe; (3) a bakin; (4) kaifi b˘2 conj. 1. (with noun of action) in order to, for the purpose of (see also b˘‰) ex nd b˘  l he went to clear bush; b˘ l? for what purpose?; nn  jπ ndw bki b˘ tti Anna is stirring the flour mixture for kunu. 2. (introducing subjective complements) as, in the capacity of ex πlannn b˘ wokkl moi he was appointed as representative of the Moi; m b˘ kr he turned into a snake. 3. (with ko) rather than (see kob˘). 4. (with manipulative verbs followed by a nominalized complement) that, to ex nonn  z wan b˘ sna tti his mother made him drink kunu; sak konnb b˘ sna tti she convinced him to drink kunu | Hausa don, domin, saboda b‰ n. (pl. b bb) (form of b˘wu used with pronoun possessors) 1. (with expressed pronoun possessor) father (cf. b˘wu, b‰ti) ex b‰n my father; b bbmu our fathers. 2. interjection (with a second

28

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

person pronoun suffix) damn you! ex B‰k /B‰sh/B‰k! Damn you (m/f/pl)!; Ko b‰k ! Damn you! 3. (in am b‰n) its owner ex am b‰n its owner (equivalent to Hausa mai shi) | Hausa (1) ubanÖ, babanÖ; (2) ubaka!; (3) mai shi b˘ by n. small back door to a palace (leading to slaves’ quarters and as an escape door for Emir in time of crisis) | Hausa ofar bayan gida b bb n.pl. (pl. of b˘wu and b‰; lengthens vowel before pronoun; b bbti with noun possessor) fathers ex b bbsu their fathers; b bbti dnd fathers of the children | Hausa ubanni b˘ bn n. doorway | Hausa ofa b˘b˘1 n. edge ex zw˘ g b˘b˘ he put it at the edge; Mad ow g ko tbr sa, ow ye g b˘b˘ Madu did not sit on the table, he sat at the edge | Hausa baki b˘-b˘2 adv.man. turn by turn, each one in turn ex Mlm Bba g Mad  na rtasu ye b‰b‰ Malam Baba and Madu will do their work in turns | Hausa karakara b˘ brm = brm n. knee ex n zbb b˘ brmno I knelt | Hausa gwiwa b˘ brm z nge n. a millet head that bends over and does not bear seeds | Hausa hatsi (iri) b˘ d n. boundary, limit | Hausa iyaka b˘ dml1 n. sternum (cartiledge at the base of the breast bone) | Hausa marufi b˘ dml2 n. a food made of beans (served with a crabshell) | Hausa abinci (iri) b˘ dm n. sweepings, trash ex zbbi b˘ dm ye ko gra g b n dump the trash far from the house | Hausa shara

b˘ di n. bottom, backside ex b˘ dn g íyopp he has allegations against him | Hausa gindi, uwawu bodini n. familiarity, friendship, fondness ex mu am bodini g ish we are familiar with him | Hausa sabo b˘ d m n. first ex lw b˘ d m first born child; em r jir íya y n p rako: in b˘ d m, mb s BomoiÖ these are the things I want to tell you: first, what Bomoi said … | Hausa na farko bodu v.A1 (v.n. b da, bodini) be fond of, familiar with ex mu b damu g zapp we are familiar with each other | Hausa saba da b˘ dmp n. full moon | Hausa gayan wata b  n. night | Hausa dare b˘‰ conj. 1. (with purpose clause in subjunctive) in order to ex Gimb ndin Amrk b˘‰ mu teke rutam Gimba came to America so that we could finish our work; nonn zannkko b˘‰ g jjitto g‰r his mother sent him to buy kolas for her. 2. (with manipulative verbs followed by subjunctive) that ex n b˘‰ nn tti he asked that one give him kunu; nonn  z wan b˘‰ si tti his mother made his drink kunu (“his mother caused him that he drink kunu”); ngattí íin b˘‰ n ngi lo she prevented me from eating meat | Hausa don, domin, saboda b  t n. mosquito | Hausa sauro b˘ gru g dsh n. boys’ game played once a year in celebration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad | Hausa wasa (iri) b˘ gwa n. 1. chest ex b˘ gwan s˘ruw

his heart sunk. 2. phlegm | Hausa (1) irji; (2) kaki

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

b˘ gwa bkl n. beehive whose honeycomb is filled with honey | Hausa saar-zuma b˘ gwa d‰sho n. a cornstalk that has formed joints (zr) but has not yet formed a head | Hausa karan hatsin da bai fidda kai ba b˘ gwuna n. gate in a city wall | Hausa ofar gari b glu v.A2b (v.n. bogilo) (plac. of bolu) find many | Hausa sassamu b˘ g y n. opposite bank of a river | Hausa gaci boi n. 1. back ex boin my back; boi Bamoi Bamoi’s back; boi g d m one after the other, one following the other. 2. a place where something is planted ex boi dr /moro a place where Bambara groundnuts/millet is planted. 3. prep. behind ex íyor g boin he stood behind me. 4. conj. (ko boi) after; afterwards, later ex w ra b˘ sumbu ko boi woro Expression: (that’s like) lifting the buttocks after having farted (shouting after the game is over); ko boi Bamoi kpp m ro, ishi n sse after Bamoi planted millet, he rested | Hausa (1) baya; (3-4) bayan boi bn n. toilet | Hausa bayan gida b i-boi adv.man. 1. lying flat on the back ex gnd n b i-boi he lay on his back. 2. backwards; upside down; opposite of normal ex zow sn in b i-boi he put on his shirt inside out/backwards; ishi  jπ mcce n b i-boi he is walking backward; la dwun in b iboi he spread the mat upside down. 3. (in n b i-boi) behind the back ex srato ng ran in b iboi her hands are tied behind her back | Hausa bai-bai, rigingine

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boi b n n. excrement, faeces | Hausa bayan gida, kashi boi do n. nape of neck | Hausa dokin wuya boi rewe n. bark (of tree) | Hausa awo boi sara n. back of hand | Hausa bayan hannu boi shek n. top of foot; back of leg | Hausa bayan afa b˘ j adv.time time from noon to about 3 PM, hottest time of day ex Mad k nuntm b˘ j Madu traveled at the hottest time of day | Hausa rana B˘je n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari b‰ka n. mirror | Synonym matankoshi | Hausa madubi b‰ka Nasra n. eye glasses | Hausa tabarau b kl -bokilo n. cheetah | Hausa rabbi b kku v.A2bg (v.n. b kk, b kku) 1. tr., intr. burn ex b kkut sr he burnt the grass; sr b kkuw the grass is burnt; sr b kk jπn murus the grass has burnt to a crisp. 2. roast (in direct contact with fire) ex mu b kkal lo ywi we roasted chicken | Hausa (1) one; (2) gasa b kku kuan n. meat which has been thoroughly cooked, ready to be ground into srra b˘ kul n. share, portion (of food or other thing being shared out) | Synonym b˘ mnn, b˘ si, b˘ zrmi | Hausa rabo bl n. ball | Hausa wallo, bal b˘l n. a white and brown horse | Hausa doki mai danda, doki mai fari biyar b‰l n. a dog with white around the neck | Hausa bola (kare) b l n. scar | Hausa tabo B˘l n. (pl. B˘lw) Bole person | Synonym am Pikk | Hausa Babole

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

b˘ l (w) interr.adv. why? (lit: ‘for what?’) ex g l mk‰ Leng dshit Bamoi l˘to n ita ndin b˘ l upon Lengi’s arrival, well Bamoi asked her why she had come | Synonym nko l | Hausa don me? b˘ lep-lep n. edge ex Mlm z k‰pn g b˘ lep-lep tbr Malum set his cup at the very edge of the table | Hausa bakibaki Boli n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari boll ngi quant. both, the two of…, a pair ex onn sh nji boll ngi he gave me both pumpkins; boll ngis both of them | Hausa biyunÖ b lo conj. then, well then, and then, that’s it ex b lo nd jπn he went and that was that; b lo ita wi sr ni in k m then she got some grass and gave it to the cow | Hausa sai, kuma, shikenan b lou num. two ex b lou kal, b lou rak exactly two | Hausa biyu b ltu v.A2b (v.n. bolto. b ltu) accompany | Hausa raka bolu v.A1 (v.n. b la, b lsh) (plac. b glu) 1. find, come across, discover ex b li mbormi yrn, they found ebony fruits scattered about. 2. find that, discover that ex bol mte ndan jπsu he found that they had left; b lattaí í b n

sa she found that she wasn’t at home. 3. save, rescue ex b lno lw ye kob ishi s˘re rescue the child for me lest he fall | Hausa (1-2) tarar, iske; (2) ceta bm n. bom ex bran bm g g g ma there was a bombing in the market | Hausa bam B˘mla n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari

B˘manda n. a town in Taraba State | Hausa sunan gari b˘ mm n. evil spell, curse ex ngit

nannak si b˘ mm Angito gave me protective medicine against the spell | Hausa baki b˘ mnn n. (b˘ + indep. possessive) one’s share, that which is due to one ex nno b˘ mnno give me what is due to me/my share; Mlm Bba porw n, ìHons n k b˘ mnno!î Malam Baba exclaimed, “Now it’s my turn!” | Synonym b˘ kul, b˘ si, b˘ zrmi | Hausa rabo b˘ m‰ adv.man. 1. (= b˘n m‰) all at once, at one time, together ex pshut kari b˘ m‰ he washed the clothes all at the same time; miíyíya ptten ko g b n b˘ m‰ the people came out of the house all at once. 2. the same as ex s em b˘ m‰i g am this shirt is the same as that one | Hausa (1) baki aya; (2) aya da bompo kul n. children's celebration during harvest season, involving pretend marriage | Hausa wasan dada b n n. (form of b n , q.v., used with pronoun possessor) house of… ex b nno my house; b nshi your (f) house | Hausa gidan Ö bon n. trouble; difficulty ex r g bon he has gotten into trouble | Hausa wahala, wuya b˘newne adv.man. slowly but steadily, carefully ex k˘rko ye b˘newne  mra jπn as for your farm, slowly but steadily will it get cultivated | Hausa sannu sannu, ko ba dae ko ba jima bongl n. sleeveless shirt for men | Hausa íyar shara, íyar ciki bongira n. magic | Hausa tsibbu, tsafi

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

bongirre n. rolling from side to side | Hausa juyawa b ngru = b ngru v.A2c (v.n. bongiro, bongirre) 1. turn, turn around, look over one’s shoulder ex g d m bongiro ye ti am pitin a lot of looking over one’s shoulder is the act of a rumor-monger. 2. roll from side to side. 3. undergo change, turn into, metamorphose ex b˘ puz

b ngruw , mra k  b ngr as goes the rainy season, so goes the farm | Hausa (1) waiwaye; (2) juya; (3) rikia bongo n. wall (of house); round wall of hut | Hausa bango b ngru = b ngru v.A2c (v.n. bonguro) see b ngru b˘n m‰ adv.man. 1. a single one ex k ntti mshe b˘n m‰i ka oni m Mlm Bba take just one waina cake and give it to Malam Baba. 2. (= b˘ m‰) all at once, all together ex w rantun karisu b˘n m‰ they gathered up their things all at once; pshut kari b˘n m‰ he washed the clothes all at the same time | Hausa waya aya; ga baki aya b n koíyíy n. upper lip | Synonym shi b n koíyíy | Hausa lee na sama bonne n.pl. (pl. of b n ; lengthens vowel before pronoun) houses ex bonnsu their houses; bonne miíyíy people’s houses | Hausa gidaje b n n. (pl. banne; bninshe) (bni with nominal possessor; b n with pronoun possessor) compound, house ex b nno my house; bninshno = bannno my houses | Hausa gida b n j rin n. extended family living in one compound b n lí li n. lower lip | Synonym shi b n

lí li | Hausa lee na asa

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b n n sr n. household comprising a large family | Hausa gidan yawa b nt l n. calf (of leg) | Hausa sha raa b˘ si n. one’s share, one’s portion ex an sipp lo kala p am b˘ si Tamn sa portions of meat were distributed but Tamana’s share was not taken out | Synonym b˘ kul, b˘ mnn, b˘ zrmi | Hausa rabo b˘ soki n. (usually in b˘ soki lo) a cut of meat ex ka ndol b˘ soki yll? which cut of meat do you like? | Hausa gunduwar nama b˘ pt = pata n. (lengthens vowel before pronoun) 1. tail ex zan d, d zi b˘ ptn Proverb: a dog was sent, and the dog sent its tail. 2. penis | Hausa (1) jela, wutsiya; (2) bura b˘ ptire = ptire n. moonlight | Hausa farin wata b˘ Pkk n. Bole language | Hausa Bolanci b r n. body odor | Hausa warin-ash b˘ri n. genet (Genetta genetta) | Synonym shre = sre | Hausa inyawara B rk no n. name for a small but harsh woman | Hausa sunan mace b‰ro n. transverse ridge on a farm dividing the farm into sections | Hausa kadada borom n. burrow (usually in termite hill) | Hausa mauga(r kurege) borso n. acne, esp. of teenagers | Hausa barni-da-mugu b˘ shk n. foot track, footstep | Hausa sawu b˘ shsh = b˘ shshe = b˘ ssh = b˘ sshe n. replacement, substitute ex n bkk sa sa, nno rufrna b˘ shsh I didn’t get a shirt (as a gift), (so) he gave me an umbrella as a substitute | Synonym shshe | Hausa madadi

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

b snu v.A2b (v.n. b sn) plant seeds in holes | Hausa shuka bot n. usefulness, function ex mm em g bot sa that person is useless | Hausa amfani b˘ tktk n. last, limit, end of… ex em b˘ tktk mb sno this is the last thing I have to say | Hausa na arshe, iyakanÖ b˘ tre n. menstruation ex nnab b˘ treto sa she has missed a menstrual period | Hausa haila b‰ti n. (pl. b bbti) (form of b˘wu with noun possessor) father ex b‰ti Bamoi Bamoi’s father; b bbti dnde the children’s fathers | Hausa ubanÖ, babanÖ b˘ tikishe n. crossroads, intersection | Hausa mararraba b tk r n. tilapia, cichlid perch (Tilapia spp.) | Hausa karfasa b‰to (rewe) n. blossom(s), breaking open of a flower bud | Hausa fason íyaíyan itace b‰tonk riy n. somersault | Hausa dungure b tt adj. the late, the deceased ex b tt

Bamoi the late Bamoi | Synonym am moto | Hausa marigayi b tt˘-botto n. 1. disclosures, divulging information. 2. (in dind b tt˘-botto) riddle | Hausa (2) kacici-kacici b ttu v.A2bg (v.n. botto) 1. guess, make a guess at ex b tti sunn guess my name. 2. announce, make known publicly ex gomn b tt sun k mishnn unsh‰ the governor announced the name of his commissioner today | Hausa cinta b˘tu v.A2a (v.n. b‰to) make popping sound (e.g. cracking knuckles); explode ex n b˘t kln I cracked my knuckles | Hausa fashe b˘ w i n. nipple (of breast) | Synonym ko woi | Hausa kan nono

b˘wu n. (pl. b bb) (citation form; b‰ti with noun possessor; b‰ with pronoun possessor) father | Hausa uba b˘w#m b n n. mentor, guardian, leader | Hausa uban gida b˘ yr n., adv.time early morning light before the sun comes up | Hausa asuba b˘ ywi n. eating gluttonously, without chewing before swallowing ex takku otto ye l-l  b˘ ywi sa eat your tuwo slowly, not gluttonously | Hausa haama b˘y˘ma n. title held by a member of the royal family | Hausa sarauta b˘ íyorno n. boundary, end | Hausa iyaka b˘ zn adv. together with one’s peers, as a unit with one’s peers ex dnde monde an ga b˘ zn the girls sang the song together; nn mra an kppa b˘ zn the farmers did the planting together | Synonym g jπ zn | Hausa tare b z = b z n n. 1. well ex ko b z at the well. 2. dye pit | Hausa (1) rijiya; (2) karofi Bb n. man’s name, variant of Abubakar | Hausa sunan namiji bbe n. small type of biting fly found around water | Hausa uda (iri) bb n. billygoat | Hausa bunsuru bd n. (pl. budde) (lengthens vowel before pronoun) servant (male) ex bdno my servant; buddno my servants | Hausa bara bdu n. type of grass | Hausa jan bauje b n. Senegal coucal (Centropus senegalensis) | Hausa ragon maza bkl = buukul id.adj. plump (of a person) ex m nd g jπw bkl the woman has a plump body | Hausa bayanin siffa bug n. 1. threshing peanuts or grain ex k san íylasu  jπ bug they piled up

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

their guinea corn and are threshing it. 2. a hard beating ex n bug he gave me a hard beating | Hausa (1) sussuka; (2) duka mai tsanani bhu = bku n. large bag, such as a burlap bag | Hausa buhu bk = mbk id. indicates falling or dropping ex brung˘ bk she threw it down with a bang | Hausa amsa amo bk n. green beans in pods | Hausa jimiri bku = bhu n. large bag, such as a burlap bag, sack | Hausa buhu bkl n. (pl. bklinshe) red-eyed pigeon (Colomba guinea) | Hausa hazbiya bklu v.A2b (v.n. bukulo) roll along | Hausa mirgiza, mirgine bukurd n. a type of creeping plant with small fruits | Hausa jinin kafiri bl v.B1 (v.n. bule) dig out (peanuts, etc.) | Hausa fare bull = bill n. whip | Hausa bulala bulam n. (pl. blmwa) ward head (community leader in hierarchy below lamb) | Hausa mai anguwa, bulama bul n. 1. ewer, long-necked pot for keeping honey. 2. pot-belly ex Bamoi zt bul nko tna z i Bamoi has become pot-bellied because of eating tasty foods | Hausa (1) tulu (iri); (2) tumbi na oshin mutum bll v.B2 (v.n. bulle) scoop out (tuwo from pot, earth from hole); pry out, e.g. something from child's mouth, something from someone’s closed fist ex n bll w li ko g wyo I scooped out sand from the hole; bllnt sir he revealed my secrets | Hausa kwashe bullm n. type of men’s gown with a round neck and pockets in front | Hausa babbar riga

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bl‰t n. blotter, blotting paper | Hausa bulota blndn = plndn id.adj. covered in dust, covered in dirt ex jπto ye blndn mana pten ko g t ngwa her body is all white and dusty looking as if she had come out from a pot firing place | Hausa bayanin siffa bumbu n. deep bush; remote regions, the wide world ex mu an ta mecce g g bumbu we went on traveling deep into the bush; Allh sppe ar g bumbu! may God distribute one’s relatives far and wide! (so that you will have support wherever you go) | Hausa daji, duniya bumbulle n. rolling around on ground | Hausa mirginewa bmblu v.A2c (v.n. bumbulle) roll around on the ground (horse, etc.); roll thing around in liquid or dirt | Hausa birgima bumt n. manure used for fertilizer ex íylano  g  ye nko  ko bumt my grain is good because it is on a fertilized plot | Hausa taki bund n. 1. a greeting or epithet for a chief. 2. Bund a man’s name | Hausa (1) Zaki; (2) sunan namiji bundik n. gun | Hausa bindiga bnga n. (pl. bunje; bnginshe) (lengthens vowel before pronoun) 1. young man, youth; boyfriend ex bngt her boyfriend. 2. adj. handsome ex lw

bnga good-looking youth | Hausa (1) saurayi; (2) mai kyau bunje n.pl. (pl. of bnga; lengthens vowel before pronoun) 1. young men; boyfriends ex bunjsu their boyfriends. 2. adj. handsome ex dnde bunje goodlooking youths | Hausa (1) samari; (2) masu kyau

34

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

bnji n. filth ex am bnji dirty person | Hausa azanta bnk˘-bunko n. game of hide and seek | Hausa wasan uya bnku v.A2b (v.n. bunko) tr., intr. hide ex bnkut d‰d n he has hidden his money; bnkuw he has hidden | Hausa oye, uya bnnte n. enjoyment, merriment | Hausa murna, bushasha, shagali bntu v.A2b (v.n. bunto) intr. shatter, break apart ex s njino n jπn rnkat har bntuw my pumpkin became so overripe that it broke open | Hausa fashe br n. games played in the water ex mmn kmn bi br dnd sa Proverb: hot water is not a place for a toad to play games | Hausa wasa a cikin ruwa bra boi idiom turn one’s back, turn around to leave | Hausa ba da baya brbusk n. “couscous” made from millet or maize | Hausa burabusko brza n. a fragrant herb allied to sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) | Hausa aoya brbi1 n. coffee senna (Senna occidentalis), root boiled and mixed with potash as a cure for jaundice | Synonym karaki | Hausa rai ore brbi2 n. dirt on clothes, etc. | Hausa daua brbnd n. fog, haze | Hausa hazo burburk n. white powder on balls of fura | Hausa burburko bre n. grave ex ishi  kewe sa mana bre Expression: he is never satisfied, just like the grave | Hausa kabari brglu = brglu v.A2c (v.n. burgilo) whisk, stir (with swizzle stick) | Hausa burga

bri n. (pl. brinshe) water pot | Hausa randa brm n. person who is knock-kneed, Klegged | Hausa gwame brmu v.A2b (v.n. burmo) cave in | Hausa urme bur‰d n. bread | Hausa burodi br‰sh n. brush of any kind | Hausa buroshi buru v.A1 (v.n. bra, brsh) 1. throw down something that lies flat; throw out (mat); cast (ballot) ex bur s he threw down a shirt; bra kuriy voting, casting a ballot. 2. lay (eggs) ex ywi bra insa a chicken laid eggs. 3. (in bra kawa) disgrace, shame ex burtt kwato g g di alg n g ru y he disgraced her in the eye of the people of the town. 4. cause death, bring about the demise of ex wshi muíya g míya rnkat ye  bur ti gorzo a lot of fighting between co-wives causes the death of a husband | Hausa (1) ka da, ya da, shimfia, (2) saka (wai); (3) kunyata; (4) hallaka bru v.A2a (v.n. bro) reappear, come back into existence ex brimmungo he has showed up on us again | Hausa sake ullowa burgli n. swizzle stick | Hausa burugali brm1 = b˘ brm n. knee ex brmno gttuw my knee is injured | Hausa gwiwa brm2 n. bunch of fruit, esp. dates | Hausa nonon dabino brum n. two-stringed lute with a large resonator, typically played for hunters | Hausa garaya br-z ni n. one’s personal farm plot aside from the family farm or a master’s farm | Hausa gayauna

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

bshi n. daytime period; spending the day ex ndaj jπto b˘ bshi she went to spend the day; bark bshi! greetings (in the afternoon)! | Hausa wuni bsh n. mat in the making, incomplete mat ex bsh lla multi-colored mat; bsh kur type of large mat; bsh lre small decorated palm leaf mat; bsh pπmo mat made of dum palm fronds | Hausa tabarma bushu = busu v.A1 (v.n. bshi) spend the day | Hausa wuni bs n. synodont catfish (Synodontis clarias) | Hausa araya fara busu = bushu v.A1 (v.n. bsi) spend the day ex bus g mla he spent the day in the bush | Hausa wuni bs n. invisibility ex r bs he has become invisible; laya bs charm for making one invisible | Hausa layar zana bssu n. a spell causing inability to move or speak ex n bssu kn mb s he placed a spell on him and he couldn’t speak | Hausa warjini na tsoratarwa, shashatau btn stat. dark ex bi btn the place is very dark | Hausa mai duhu btre n. wooden flute or trumpet (without reed, larger than algaita) | Hausa irin algaita mai an girma butbto = bto-bto adj. grey, ash-colored ex sm butbto a grey shirt | Hausa toka-toka, ruwan toka bt n. unfortunate situation ex ai btno! Oh no! (e.g. a woman dropping her child) | Hausa takaici bto n. ashes | Hausa toka bto-bto = butbto adj. grey, ash-colored | Hausa toka-toka, ruwan toka bttu v.A2bg (v.n. butto) come out en masse, pour or sprinkle in excessive

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quantity ex btt manda g ko ott he sprinkled too much salt on the tuwo; bttam m r ko g kolba she dumped oil out of the bottle; miíyíya bttun ko bi gompo the people poured out from where the game was held | Hausa ulula btu1 v.A2a (v.n. bt) 1. dye, darken; be darkened ex bt s he dyed the gown;  bt jπn it will become darkened, it will become fully dyed. 2. become black ex ka bt jπn nko nk the pot became black from cooking (over a fire) | Hausa (1) rina, (2) zama bai btu2 v.A2a (v.n. bt) 1. knead. 2. mix ingredients for kunu | Hausa tua kunu bt n. 1. cheap ex n gojjo karino ko kanti Mad nko karinì bt I buy my stuff from Madu’s shop because his goods are cheap. 2. easy ex rta em bt nko onn bon sa this work is easy because it didn’t give me any problems| Hausa (1) mai araha, (2) mai saui bím adj. black ex bím sit, bím yirin coal black; ˘sh n bím black goat; uwwn bím black goats; wun bím he is sad (cf. bím tlo); mmm bím clear water | Hausa bai bím wo n. envy | Hausa hassada bím k˘yi n. ignorance | Synonym ykl m na | Hausa jahilci, duhun kai bím tlo n. 1. sadness. 2. (= bím kta tilo) sadism, humiliation ex ishi an bím tlo, ndol ‰ n ti jarrbbwa ye sa he is a sadist, he didn’t want me to pass the examination | Hausa bain ciki buw n. an immature animal or plant ex buw d‰sho immature horse; buw rwe sapling, immature tree | Hausa butari bya unti idiom blow nose | Hausa fyace majina

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

buyo n. 1. winnowing. 2. spreading rumors ex am buyo busybody, gossip | Hausa (1) shia; (2) gulma by n. chin; beard | Hausa haa; gemu by kar n. a type of grass | Hausa ciyawa (iri) buyu v.A1 (v.n. buyo, bish) 1. blow ex buy alm he blew a horn. 2. winnow with wind ex buit íyla he winnowed the bran from the grains. 3. spread rumors ex buyinw‰ he spread rumors about me | Hausa (1) busa, (2) shea, (3) barara bíyi n. 1. darkness (of a place), blackness ex bíyi mana dwe/usina black like plum fruits/charcoal. 2. swindling, duping ex am bíyi swindler, duper | Hausa (1) duhu; (2) cuta bz v.B (v.n. bz) 1. expand, increase in amount ex biki ye bz jπn nko n swwudwo my flour has become greater in amount because I added to it. 2. reach the age of reason ex shonsh n lw ye bz jπn the child has now grown up | Hausa (1) aru; (2) yi wayo bzn quant. a lot, a large amount ex zbbam manda g g biy shim sa, zbbakk˘ bzn she did not put a small quantity of salt in the miya, she put a lot | Hausa da yawa Bzu n. Tuareg | Synonym Hn Gamb | Hausa Buzu bzwu v.A2b (v.n. buzuwo) take several things, accept several things | Hausa kakkara bzz n. dung beetle | Hausa buzuzu

1 di n. (pl. dinshe) knife | Hausa wua

lam n. a wild plant with tubers similar to Irish potatoes | Synonym dda | Hausa bishiya (iri) ltu v.A2b (v.n. alto) tr. or intr. melt; heat oil ex n lt kumpa I heated the cow butter; n z kumpno g b˘ p ti lt jπn I put my butter in the sun and it melted | Hausa narke, soya mai alm n. (pl. lumshe) horn (of an animal--cf.  lum) | Hausa aho amirsi n. gizzard | Hausa undu nna n. damage ex bddinshe antn nna the monkeys have done damage | Hausa arna 1r n. a town in Bauchi State | Hausa sunan gari argm n. coarsely ground millet used to make burabusko | Hausa biski ri n. the grass Saccharum spontaneum, stems are used for arrow shafts | Hausa kyauro rk n. (pl. rkinshe) nanny goat | Hausa akwiya tamata 1rw n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari sa n. fallow farm | Hausa saura ula n. nonsensical talk | Hausa shirme yu v.A2a (v.n. yo) crack, split ex jπ gru ye y jπn the wall has cracked | Hausa tsage eire n. 1. sparks ex eire drun g jπno the sparks fell on me. 2. a type of small bird | Hausa (1) tartsatsi; (2) dumu eldum id.adj. thin with a swollen belly, as from kwashiorkor ex boi dr lw to y, d ann kapa w eldum after the recovery of her child, he was left with a swollen stomach | Hausa bayanin siffa lu v.A2a (v.n. lo) 1. become bright ex byi l jπn the dawn has come. 2. fade (color of cloth) ex zott to l jπn her

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

cloth has faded | Hausa (1) yi haske; (2) koe endel n. type of cornstalk used for firing pots | Hausa karan gasa tukunya nm adj. sour, fermented; smell of urine or sweat ex nm piu very sour; tt n nm sour kunu; nm mana dmi sour as tamarind | Hausa arni re n. the tall, stiff grass Cymbopogon giganteus | Hausa tsaure ri n. strutting about and shaking by wrestlers or boxers | Hausa shan fage etiker id.adj. excessively short (of clothes) ex zott to etiker her wrapper is too short | Hausa bayanin siffa ilil id.adj. tiny ex ilil k˘yi/k‰yi tiny head; lw  le ilil tiny small child | Hausa an arami illir n. firefly | Hausa maesu llu v.A2bg (v.n. lla) trace, design, etch, decorate by etching | Hausa zana ltu v.A2b (v.n. ilto) pierce or lance a boil, blister, etc. ex n lt bzna I lanced the boil | Hausa yi sakiya    id. indicates wide opening ex wn    it is open wide | Hausa amsa amo   k n. bush duiker (Silvicapra grimmia) | Hausa gada  glu v.A2b (v.n. ogilo) (plac. of olu) break up, break into pieces ex  glu sh‰wi he broke up the stick | Hausa kakkarya  l n. clearing area for a farm | Hausa sassabe  la n. measure from heel of the hand to the tip of the middle finger | Hausa ana  l n. fracture, break (of a bone) ex shkn g  l his leg is broken | Hausa karaya

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 lt grsi idiom recline on the elbow ex n  lt grsin I lay reclining | Hausa kishingia  lt km‰lo n. 1. breakfast. 2. idiom eat breakfast ex mu olt km‰lo g s bccim‰ we will eat breakfast at six o’clock | Synonym otto st | Hausa karin kumallo  ltu v.A2b (v.n. olto) tr. break a stick or other rigid object that snaps in two ex  ltut zwa he broke the stick | Hausa karya olu1 v.A1 (v.n.  l ,  lsh) (plac.  glu) intr. break (of stick, etc.); break out, break away ex zwa ol jπn the stick broke; b di lw oluw ishi mbluw˘ g d m bri, do ye  pt d‰do if the tooth of a child comes out and he buries it in front of a water pot, the tooth will become money | Hausa karye olu2 v.A1 (v.n. olo,  l) clear bush for farming by cutting brush ex nd b˘  l he went to clear bush; n ol k˘r I cleared bush (for a farm) | Hausa yi sassabe  lum n. horn (musical instrument made from animal horn) (cf. alm) | Hausa aho (na busawa) ˘nm num. nine | Hausa tara ‰ra n. diarrhea | Synonym jro, tπsho | Hausa zawo orgo n. marrow | Hausa argo ˘r n. grub found in termite hills | Hausa doli-doli (iri) or ongiro id. nonsense vocables in the tale “Da Zonge” | Hausa amsa amo ‰riyo n. gap or hole (in clothes or wall) which one can peer through | Hausa kafa, kucika  rktu v.A2c (v.n. orkito) find a gap through which to make a hole ex dnde 

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

j  rkt gru b˘‰ i zinge the children are looking for a gap in the wall in order to peek | Hausa yi kafa  rnu v.A2b (v.n. orno) be well dressed, put on finery ex Bamoi  rn jπn Bamoi is dressed in his most impressive clothes | Hausa ure adaka, yi ado ˘ru v.A2a (v.n. ‰ra) have diarrhea | Hausa yi zawo ot n. (pl. ott) piece cut off from something | Hausa yanki  ta b˘ idiom fix a time for an event ex  tam b˘ p ti ngora kaib n Mad ye o? has the date been set for Madu’s marriage? | Hausa yanka rana  ti n. (in b˘ + pronoun  ti) not responding, remaining silent ex n l˘iswo kala b˘su  ti,  jπ nnno I asked them but they did not respond and just looked at me; b˘no  ti I stayed silent | Hausa uffan  tt krm idiom manicure ex  ttin krm he manicured my nails; ti ott krm nail clipper | Hausa yankan farce  ttu v.A2bg (v.n. otto,  ttu) cut through across grain (stalk, sugar cane, etc.), cut off (guinea corn heads with knife) ex  tt ko kut he cut off the sorghum heads | Hausa yanka otu v.A1 (v.n.  ssh, ot) 1. tr. or intr. break rope or similar flexible thing, cut flexible thing ex ita  taz z˘ri she cut the rope; z˘ri otuw the rope is cut. 2. wean (child) ex  tal lw to she weaned her child. 3. become thin (of a liquid) ex btaí ítti kala ot jπn she made kunu but it turned out watery | Hausa (1, 3) tsinke; (2) yaye owu v.A1 (v.n. owo, oushe) despise, scorn, distain, have contempt for, belittle ex out in he belittled me | Hausa rena

k id. soft like a pillow or pile of chaff ex 1k ko bre Bdal. (R m .) Riddle: Bubbuk from Badala’s grave. (Millet chaff.) | Hausa amsa amo uull adj. yellowish ex Mad zow s uull Madu wore a yellowish gown | Hausa rawaya ug n. boys’ game played at night | Hausa wasa (iri) ukud n. hot ashes | Hausa toka mai zafi #l adj. yellow ex sm #l yellow shirt | Hausa rawaya ull adj. yellow ex mman ull its color is yellow; takrdm ull yellow paper | Hausa rawaya umurum id.adj. small, compact, and healthy ex  jπ mcce g karn l umurum he was walking along with his small, healthy-looking goat | Hausa bayanin siffa unga n. ball, something of a spherical shape; a thing in its unitary form; large piece of meat ex unga kul an unsplit calabash | Hausa gunduwa rnji n. the flowering shrub Catunaregam nilotica | Hausa barbaji, wanarya urynda n. 1. a type of coarse d ex Leng na urynda d m Bamoi Lengi gave course d to Bamoi. 2. any food without miya, or tuwo and miya in abnormal proportions ex biy ye tk jπn b lo mu ngaa urm ye uryndan the miya was all gone so we ate the tuwo in its raw state y gni n. red-flanked duiker (Cephalophus rufilatus) | Hausa baurna, maurna

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

C cccnga = shsshnga n. a food comprising beans and millet cooked together | Hausa caccanga cj n. charge (in a court case, charging a battery) | Hausa caji cklt n. chocolate | Hausa cakulati cancala = shanshala n. cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) | Hausa balbela canj n. 1. change (money returned). 2. change (e.g. in a system) | Hausa canji cap = cappi = shap quant. (cappn with pronoun; final p usually becomes a copy of the following consonant with a noun; see shap for additional examples) 1. (following noun) all, both; (as pronoun) all of it, everything, both of them ex cappnsu all of them; cam miíyíy all the people; ka tt caí íotto ye you have eaten up all the tuwo; Alaji Makkau ai cap mana an sei ye porni ishin ayyi Alaji Makkau did everything as the herbalist had told him to do it. 2. (with m‰) it’s all the same, it’s the same thing ex cam m‰ they’re all the same, it’s the same thing. 3. (with ’ya ‘thing’ + relative clause—cap can precede the clause or follow the relative marker) everything that, whatever ex zaiyi ga gama luwarni porni íyay ya cap mate ango ga Malum Bomoi he sent to his representative and told him everything that they had done with Malam Bomoi. 4. too, including, together with. 5. (preceding a verbal or non-verbal predicate) completely ex ik c*í í w2r ti the squirrel was completely collecting it up, collecting it all up. 6. (often vague between being in

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constituency with a noun or acting as a quantificational phrase on its own) all of them; completely ex jπn c*í í dd b˘ mb s sw*r y3 his entire body was shaking because of the talk of meat OR his body was shaking all over because of the talk of met; ka konaniti shuta in konni cap you will be overcome with all his diseases OR you will be completely overcome with his diseases | Synonym git, kirkir | Hausa duka cappn quant. see cap ck n. bank check | Hausa caki cccnu v.A2c (v.n. ciccino) investigate ex bbakr an g don ciccino Abubakar investigates matters deeply | Hausa bincike ciccwt n. a type of locust | Hausa fara (iri) cngm n. chewing gam | Hausa cingam cingrt n. a game in which children form a circle with one chld in the middle; that child rushes to one of the others, locks his legs around the latter’s waist and they sing a song ex Child: Cingrt . Chorus: Dll dd dngr, 4nn, nn, Dll dd dngr, Child: 4nn b‰ka. Chorus: …, (chant used in this game) cip-cip = ship-ship quant. exactly ex b cip-cip exactly 5; dalma cip-cip exactly 100 | Synonym dedei | Hausa daidai cpin = shpin n. namesake | Hausa takwara cir˘m n. title held by a member of the royal family, leading member of the Moi’s children | Hausa sarauta ciymn n. chairman of local government authority, “mayor” | Hausa shugaban aramar hukuma ciyt = shiyt n. grey hornbill (Tockus nasutus) | Hausa cilakowa c‰c n. church | Hausa coci

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

c kki n. beer strainer | Hausa mataci c kk m = sh kk m n. 1. sediment, dregs left once liquid or main substance has been extracted. 2. pulp of a fruit with liquid extracted. 3. (c kk m s‰ni) beeswax | Hausa (1) diddiga; (3) kakin zuma conc n = honc n = shonc n = sonc n adv.time (conc˘n5 phrase final, conc˘n when not final) now ex conc ny right now; conc n sa not now | Hausa yanzu c nji = sh nji n. pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) | Hausa kabewa

D d n. 1. polite mark of address or reference used with a woman, followed by a title or proper name ex d m nd ma’am, madam; d mnshi ma’am (to or about an elderly woman); D Biy/lkm Biye/Alkama (polite reference to women so named). 2. (in d g ru) another town, a different town | Hausa (1) inna; (2) wani gari d , d n. (rising tone before low, low tone before high) “sister”, used as a form of address or reference for females, e.g. tale characters viewed as female ex D Z ng Sister Desert Date; D Ad Sister Dog; D Mbormi Sister Ebony | Hausa yaya D b n. a woman’s name | Hausa sunan mace d bl = bl n. (pl. blinshe [d of singular not used in plural]) Abdim's stork, rainbird (Ciconia abdimii) | Hausa shamuwa dabalm n. piece of white cloth | Hausa fari dbr n. plan, scheme | Hausa dabara

dabb n. animal (domestic or wild) ex dabbm b n domestic animal; dabbm mla wild animal | Hausa dabba dabb mla = dabbm mla n. wild animal | Synonym ti mla, lm mla | Hausa naman daji dab-dap adv.man. very quickly ex akku rta ye dab-dap m tekti jjin mgirp do the work quickly so that you can finish before sunset | Hausa saurisauri dbi = dbi n. hoe with blade at right angle to handle, used for chopping or digging | Hausa magirbi dbl mb s n. tongue twister | Hausa salon magana dblu v.A2b (v.n. dabilo) pile up, pile things one on top of the other | Hausa shirga db ngsho n. gown with upper part dyed indigo and lower part left white | Hausa babbar riga mai launin hankaka d n. the trees Combretum spp. | Hausa kantakara, tarauniya, zindi da n. miya made of ground peanuts and water, eaten with dzi | Hausa miyar gyaa dn di n. the tree Combretum hartmannianum | Hausa zindi dn ptl n. the trees Combretum glutinosum; C. lamprocarpum, used with other plants to cure insanity | Hausa kantakara, tarauniya dur n. basket | Hausa kwando Dccu n. woman’s name, variant of Adama | Hausa sunan mace dci = dshi = dshiti conj. that’s that, then (typically used to indicate a change of scene or initiation of a new sequence of events in narrative) ex ndango, dci, ndi  g rwe mte  ‰no when they

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

went, well they went and they were in a tree sitting | Synonym shknan | Hausa shikenan dda n. (pl. ddd) (form of ddati with pronoun possessor) elder sister; older female cousin ex ddan my elder sister; ddati Bamoi Bamoi’s elder sister | Hausa ya dda n. a wild plant with tubers similar to Irish potatoes | Synonym lam | Hausa bishiya (iri) dda  gry n. a bag woven of palm fronds in which a traveler may bring gifts (means “mother is happy”) | Hausa orami ddap n. liner for buried granary, woven like a zana mat | Hausa rumbu (cikin rami) ddati n. (pl. dddti) (citation form and form with noun possessor; dda with pronoun possessor) elder sister; older female cousin ex ddati Bamoi Bamoi’s elder sister; ddat n p ti a ceremonial elder sister to a bride or groom during a wedding celebration | Hausa ya ddd n.pl. (pl. of ddati when used with pronoun possessor; lengthens vowel before pronoun) elder sisters; older female cousins ex dddno my elder sisters; dddti Bamoi Bamoi’s older sisters | Hausa yayye dddti n.pl. (pl. of ddati; citation form and form used with noun possessor; ddd with pronoun possessor) elder sisters; older female cousins ex dddti Bamoi Bamoi’s older sisters; dddno my elder sisters | Hausa yayye dddiyl n. 1. carrying of a sick or injured person by several people. 2. a type of boys’ game | Hausa (1) mutane da yawa su auki mutum aya; (2) wasa (iri)

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dd n. spiny plum (Ximenia americana) | Hausa tsada ddum n., adj. stupid person; stupid | Hausa dolo ddmu v.A2c (v.n. ddumo) clinch, hold tightly with arms | Hausa runguma ddnge n. stink ant | Hausa gwano dk adj. rather bitter (like yalo, etc.) ex g‰r n dk rather bitter kola | Hausa bauri, aci-aci d n. a food made of mixing beans with a grain such as rice or millet | Hausa kwao d dappi n. collective effort ex kmus em ye d dappi this dictionary is a collective effort | Hausa gayya d kyu n. a type of tree which produces fruits at the end of the dry season | Hausa goli d kerwo n. a type tree found at river banks (fish eat its flowers) | Synonym glndi | Hausa bishiya (iri) d ngirm n. the weed Borreria stachydea, eaten by horses and other domestic animals | Hausa alkamar tururuwa dau v.A1 (v.n. dao, dsh) spend time, dally | Hausa dae dgli n. raised platform in front of house where one sits | Synonym indra | Hausa dakali dgil n. a type of horse | Hausa doki (iri) dgl n. the tree Afzelia africana, a type of mahogany | Hausa kawo Dgr n. a now abandoned town in Yobe State | Hausa sunan gari d g ru n. some other town ex miíyíya ndin ko d g ru people came from various towns | Hausa wani gari dgum n. (pl. dgumshe) 1. forked support post or pole supporting a shelter roof or

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

other structure. 2. hoop around a drum head | Hausa gwafa di adj. 1. red ex di shit, di pit, di il bright red; g‰r n di red kola; m r n di red oil (cf. m r di ‘palm oil’); di mana kkayamba red like a velvet spider. 2. light-skinned (European or African) ex b ka innt di shit if you see her she is very light-skinned; mmn di European, Arab, etc. | Hausa ja didi n. dry season | Hausa rani dishr l id.adj. mature and well-built youth ex b Mad ye sπr jπn dishr l Madu’s son has developed into a wellbuilt youth | Hausa bayanin siffa djal n. person with notorious behavior ex lw em djal, an g don wshi that boy is notorious as someone who fights a lot | Hausa dujal D j n. name for a heavy woman | Hausa sunan mace djin n. learning to do something by watching how another person is doing it, then trying to do the same ex Bamoi kn rm goggo ye ishn  jπ djin g Mad Bamoi can’t fix the watch so he is trying to follow Madu’s example; Leng ni djin Lengi is an apprentice, Lengi is a novice djin = jjin = zjin conj., prep. (requires subjunctive in clauses) 1. before (see jjin for further examples) ex duwt w si ye djin ka pete put out the fire before you leave; djin `l l mi g ma miíyíya  lkt jπsu before I arrive at the market the people will disperse; djin `l l mi g ma miíyíya lktan jπsu before I arrived at the market the people had dispersed; djin Nsrwa ndettu m mu oppo kee even before the Europeans came we were mining gypsum; tkantr

rta djin duwr they finished work before midday; djin s bwulo before seven o’clock. 2. (as second clause, showing sequence) and then, subsequently ex ngit len otto djin mte tyyi Angito brought food and then they ate | Hausa (1) kafin; (2) sannan, sai dk n. thatched roof for a granary ex Dk B n , Gdk (place names incorporating dk) | Hausa kan rumbu dk kmo n. a plant whose leaves are pounded and used as a remedy for stomach ache | Hausa bishiya (iri) d karma n. 1. prostitute. 2. a pattern of kmb weaving. 3. [Ngara dialect] a type of locust, completely black | Hausa (1) karuwa; (2) faifai (iri); (3) fara (iri) dkinakink n. much activity with little progess ex dkinakink g bi m‰ a lot of action without much movement dkin dk n. comb fringe grass (Dactyloctenium aegyptiaca), a type of grass with two fuzzy appendages that can be opened and closed ex N nti ywi rag g bnto, dkin dk! The ostrich has entered her room, dakin daka! (children’s song sung while opening and closing bristles of comb fringe grass, which opens in the shape of a dk) | Hausa gue-gue dkíyu v.A2b (v.n. dakiíyo) (plac. of díyu) repeatedly step on | Hausa tattaka dakka n. fence made of zana mats or cornstalks | Hausa darni, danga daku v.A1 (v.n. dksh, dak) pound in mortar | Hausa daka dk n. oatgrass (Monocymbium ceresiiforme), used for making straw hats | Hausa jan bauje dkulkuli = dakulkli n. the vine Cissus populnea | Hausa dafara

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

dkumbule n. unopened flower of the baobab tree | Hausa kumbali dkundu n. being worried, being troubled ex bu  g dkundu kai b n n Abu is worried about his marriage | Hausa damuwa dl n. title held by a member of the royal family, senior son of the Moi who could traditionally function as the highest official in the absence of the Moi | Hausa sarauta Dal n. man’s name | Hausa sunan namiji dl bm = dl bn n. floor of a room or hut | Hausa tsakar aki dl b n n. interior courtyard of a compound | Hausa tsakar gida D Ld n. mother of the Bole people according to Bojude tradition (hence b˘ D Ld is the Bole language) Dal dwn n. a plant (“Dala, beat me!”) with small roundish pointed leaves | Hausa bishiya (iri) dlti n. title of an official in the Moi’s court subordinate to the tinj | Hausa sarauta dle = dli n. baldness ex konn g dle he is bald | Hausa sano dlyi n. revenge ex  jπ dlyi m moln he took revenge on behalf of his younger brother | Hausa ramuwa d lyi n. swollen glands in armpit or groin (resulting from infection elsewhere) | Hausa kaluluwa dli = dle n. baldness ex konn g dli he is bald | Hausa sano dlbnte n. a cricket with a large abdomen | Hausa tsanya (iri) dl l n. reason | Hausa dalili dlnt adj. sweet; n. sweetness ex dlnt keker very sweet; dlnt ka very

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sweet; tt n dlnt sweet kunu; dlnt mana s‰ni as sweet as honey | Hausa zai dlntu v.A2c (v.n. dalinto) be painful due to pressure or tightness ex n zow tk, shkno dlnt jπn I put on shoes and my feet hurt | Hausa yi zafi dll n. (lengthens vowel before pronoun) middle, center, between, among ex dll Bri g Wwa between (the towns) Biri and Wawa; dllmu between us | Hausa tsakiya dll bnni n. downtown area | Hausa cikin gari dll b  adv.time midnight | Hausa tsakar dare dll pπri n. crown of the head (see pπri) | Hausa tsakar ka dll p ti adv.time midday, noon | Hausa tsakar rana dalma num. hundred ex dalma g m‰ 101; dalma b lou 200; dalma bmbai 1000 | Hausa ari dlo n. calf (young bovine) | Hausa marai dlt n. castrated man, eunuch | Hausa baba dltu v.A2b (v.n. dltu) 1. pound (cloth, bark, palm leaves, etc.) to soften ex n dlt slke I pounded the dum fronds. 2. break open a hard shell by striking it ex n dlt ngy I broke the boabab seeds. 3. castrate and animal by pounding the cords of the testicles. 4. do an action (shouting, running) with force ex ll zli dlt jo kapa b n everyone began running as fast as he could back home | Hausa (1) daka; (2) fashe; (3) dandake; (4) wala dltm id. indicates largeness, hardness of a blow ex zlin g sh˘wi m‰i dltm he lambasted him with a stick whack! | Hausa amsa amo

44

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

d am n. spur-winged goose (Plectropterus gambensis) | Hausa dumya dm v.B1 (v.n. dm) sweep | Hausa share dma n. opportunity; equality, an equal ex mm em g dma sa this man is too much | Hausa dama, sukuni dmk n. a type of palm tree found near water ex mma dmk palm wine made from this palm tree | Hausa bishiya (iri) dmrksy n. huge woman | Hausa atuwar mace dmasr n. maize, corn (Zea mays) | Hausa masara Damturu n. Damaturu, capital of Yobe State | Hausa Damaturu damb n. purdah | Hausa kulle dmbrmb interjection I’ll be damned! | Hausa capi dambul interjection damn you! | Hausa hungo (zagi) damri n. caterpillar | Hausa gizaka dmo n. a type of female locust which is eaten | Hausa lundo d am ko wunti g kalwa n. knob-billed goose, comb duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos) | Hausa ani d mond n. (d mondti before noun posessor) respectful term of address or reference to an older woman or to one’s mother ex d mondno nding my mother has come; d mondti Gimb nding Gimba’s mother has come | Hausa mahaifiya damp n. Fulani dance in which the participants hop and clap hands | Hausa wasa (iri) dmplm n. night blindness | Hausa dindimi dmu v.A2a (v.n. dm) become muddled, become confused | Hausa damu

dmje n. cord passing under donkey's tail to hold load on back | Hausa igiyar aure kaya a bayan jaki dml n. boys’ game where boys in turn bend over and another hits the bent one on the back | Hausa wasa (iri) dmtu v.A2c (v.n. dmuto, dmut) bother, annoy ex ka jπ dmtno you are bothering me | Hausa dama dna n. red-flowered silk cotton tree (Bombax buonopozense and other B. species) | Hausa gurjiya dnam-dnm = dnm-dnm adv.man. slowly, steadily, carefully, gradually, bit by bit ex m‰tno g  sa kala n nkuw˘ dnam-dnm ar Pkk my car isn’t good but I drove it slowly and carefully clear to Fika | Hausa a hankali, sannusannu danan id.adj. completely full ex wo ng man danan his stomach is tightly filled | Hausa bayanin siffa dnn id.adj. large and round, tightly filled out ex sri dnn huge, very big; bri dnn ng man danan the huge pot is filled completely | Hausa tsugugu dnsha n. enjoyment, esp. of food ex ‰shi sall mu g dnsha tomorrow is salla, we’ll have a good time; mu jπ dnsham we are enjoying the large variety of food | Hausa dain cin abinci mai yawa dnda n. platform for chasing birds from farm | Hausa gadawa danda n. pestle | Hausa taarya dndal n. (with ngoru) sitting cross-legged ex Moi ngort dndaln the Emir sat cross-legged; n ngor dndaln b˘ tna ott I sat cross-legged to eat the food; ow dndaln ng ran he sat crosslegged | Hausa harewa

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

dandle = dandne n. newly sprouted baobab leaves, used for miya | Hausa ganyen kuka sabon toho dandlm n. money given to person who sweeps the entrance way of a house at the time of a marriage ceremony | Hausa kuin mai sharar ofa a lokacin aure danda mbole n. copper ornament put in the hair | Hausa azurfa da mata kan sa a gashi don ado dn-dn-dan-dan-dn interjection expression at a tragic event, esp. by the person witnessing it ex dn-dn, dan-dan, dn! m to Mad em ddt jπ miíyíya n g ru ye shap oh my God! this death of Madu shook all the townspeople | Hausa dan-dan-dan-dan-dan dandne = dandle n. newly sprouted baobab leaves, used for miya | Hausa ganyen kuka sabon toho dnd n.pl. (pl. of lw ‘child’, b ‘son’, bati ‘daughter’; variable tone; lengthens vowel before pronoun; dndti with noun possessor) 1. children ex dnde gorji boys; dnde monde girls. 2. offspring, sons, daughters ex dndsu their children; dndti Bamoi Bamoi’s children, i.e. Bamoi’s offspring; dnds#n gorji their sons; dndti Bamoi n gorji Bamoi’s sons; dnds#m monde their daughters; dndti Bamoi m monde Bamoi’s daughters | Hausa (1) yara; (2) íyaíya danr n. carrying a load on the head without using the hands ex k nak kul  jπ danar she carried a calabash on her head without holding it | Hausa igirgire dnu v.A2b (v.n. dano, dnu, dan) 1. taste; touch, tamper with; (figuratively) be “touched”, be crazy ex dn k‰p b˘‰ km bi kmn he touched the

45

cup to feel whether it was hot; dnab biy ye b˘ km mandn she tasted the miya to taste its saltiness; konn dnn he’s crazy. 2. do a little of ex n dn rta I worked a little; n dne innyi let me have a little look. 3. have done before, (neg.) have never done ex n dnut nnyi I have seen it before; n dn nn mi sa I have never seen a python. 4. have to do with, be about, concern ex lb r em dnut am mara m‰ this story is about a certain farmer; mb s em dnut lpiyto this discussion concerns her health | Hausa (1-3) taa; (4) shafa dangl n. the flowering shrub Catunaregam nilotica or elephant henna (Pteleopsis habeesis) | Hausa wanarya, barbaji, lallen giwa dangira id.adj. broad, wide, bright ex st

tk g ll dangiran sa the dawn had not become fully bright | Hausa bayanin siffa dngy n. crowned crane (Balearica pavonina) | Hausa gauraka dngy id.adj. wide, having a large opening, gaping ex kuln dngy wide calabash; yn dngy wide hole | Hausa bayanin siffa dnniy n. looking around helplessly and confusedly ex nd b˘ k nk‰ d‰do ko g bn, dshit zli dnniy he went into the room to get money for you, then he started looking about in all the wrong places | Hausa juyayi, daniniya Dniski n. a town in Yobe State | Hausa sunan gari danj n. traffic light; brake lights of a car | Hausa danja dnkl n. 1. sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) ex dnkl Nsra Irish potato.

46

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

2. idiot, fool, numbskull ex ishi dnkl he is an idiot | Hausa (1) dankali; (2) dolo dntr id.adj. short and strong ex lw

em pten ye l dntr y? who does that boy look like short and strong like that? | Hausa bayanin siffa danya n. an infant after having been given a name in a naming ceremony dap id. indicates grabbing ex kala ishin íyti ngorokum dap nÖ and then he grabbed the heron dap, saying… | Hausa amsa amo dappi n. gathering, meeting ex  jπ dappi g bni Moi they are gathing at the Moi’s palace | Hausa taro dppu v.A2bg (v.n. dappo, dappi) tr., intr. gather, collect into one place ex dppan dnde g makaranta they gathered the children at the school; dnde dppan jπsu the children gathered together | Hausa tara, taru dra n. wealth | Hausa dukiya, arziki dr v.B1 (v.n. dr, dere) hollow out, scrape out ex drt kul he hollowed out the calabash; dr b˘ gwan he cleared his throat | Hausa kankare, karce dar n. the game of draughts ex bni dar draughts board | Hausa dara dra kai b n n. dowry | Hausa sadaki, kuin ango drnsi id.adj. wide, broad ex rwe sri drnsi the tree is very broad | Hausa shirim drtu v.A2c (v.n. drito) heal, cure ex si drtut in the medicine cured me | Hausa warkar dart n. file for sharpening a blade | Hausa zarto, magagari dru v.A2a (v.n. dro) 1. get well, become healed ex dr jπn he has gotten well. 2. become bright; abate, stop (of rain) ex bi

dr jπn it has become light; pito druw the rain has stopped | Hausa (1) warke, (2) waye, auke (ruwan sama) dsa n. 1. jealousy, envy ex  jπ dsa g in he is envious of me. 2. pride ex  jπ dsa g ko olin he is proud of his country | Hausa kishi, hassada dsh n. 1. red sorghum. 2. red seeds of water lily (Nymphaea lotus) | Hausa (1) jar dawa; (2) jan irin bado dshi = dshiti = dci conj. that’s that, then, well… | Synonym shknan | Hausa shikenan dsu1 v.A2a (v.n. dsu) put aside, store, save | Hausa ajiye dsu2 n. something put aside, savings ex p un d‰do ko g dsun he took money from his savings; n ont d‰d no b˘ dsu I gave some of my money for saving | Hausa ajiya D t n. a woman’s name | Hausa sunan mace dti = dt n. length, height, depth ex mm g dt the man is tall (the man has height); dtin ml m‰ it is one mile long | Hausa tsawo, zurfi Dtt n. name given to a child before it receives a sanctioned name at its naming ceremony ex mondno ndan b˘ brkt n Jj mte gtte g m˘l Dtt my wives went to congratulate Jija (on her recent birth) and they busied themselves caring for the newborn | Synonym dìr’il | Hausa sunan yaro dttu1 v.A2bg (v.n. datto, dttu) change residence, move, migrate, relocate ex mu dttang we migrated/changed our place of residence; n dtt dsu kut I changed the storage place for my corn | Hausa aura, sake wuri

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

dttu2 n. migration, changing residence, moving from one place to another | Hausa aura duru v.A2b (v.n. dauro) persevere, put up with, take firm stance ex dur  bna g mma n njlr he gritted his teeth and bathed in cold water | Hausa daure, dage daw n. mocking, mockery | Hausa gori D w n. a woman’s name | Hausa sunan mace dwalwas n. writhing, twisting about in pain ex bu s dsh n dn  jπ ta dwalwas Abu suffered a good beating and I left him writhing in pain | Hausa daniniya Dawm n. a man’s name | Hausa sunan namiji dwna n. adultery ex íywannin g dwna he was caught in adultery | Hausa kwartanci Dw Dri n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari Dw Z ni n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari Dwu = Dwud n. a man’s name | Hausa sunan namiji dwun n. (pl. dwunshe) palm leaf mat ex dwum illa multi-colored mat | Hausa tabarma dwun n. small earthenware bowl used as a pot cover or food bowl ex dwun ott

earthenware bowl used for food; dwun w si earthenware bowl used to carry hot coals | Hausa kasko dw#rwur n. whirling or swinging something around | Hausa wujijjigawa dww = d ww n. (pl. dwwinshe) pants, trousers | Hausa wando dyi = dyi n. tending (animals); feeding (by animals), grazing, foraging | Hausa kiwo

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dyu v.A2a (v.n. dyo) be put into a dilemma, be in an inescapably bad mental or physical state | Hausa shiga uku, hallaka díya n. 1. seed, grain(s), coin(s); tablets, pills. 2. blade of a hoe or axe ex díya j hoe blade | Hausa (1) waya, tsaba, tsabar kui; (2) ruwan fartanya díya d‰do n. coin(s), change (money) | Hausa tsabar kui díya ido n. eyeball | Hausa wayar ido díya si n. pill(s), capsule(s) | Hausa wayar magani d6yu v.A2a (v.n. d6yo, d6yu) (plac. dkíyu) step on | Hausa taka díyk n. an axe-like tool for splitting a gourd | Hausa zarto (iri) d íyula n. swelling of the testicles or scrotum | Hausa kaluluwa de part. (emphatic particle following word or clause) definitely, without question; (in a question) is it really the case that…? ex ina de it’s definitely me; ka ndna de? you’re going, aren’t you?; nko All de?! is that right?!, are you kidding me?! | Hausa ko, ba Db n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari dbi = dbi n. hoe with vertical blade for chopping or digging | Hausa magirbi de n. tarmac, pavement | Hausa kwalta dedei quant. exactly ex b dedei exactly 5; dalma dedei exactly 100 | Synonym cip-cip = ship-ship | Hausa daidai du v.A2a (v.n. do) stuff into ex di l‰lo em g g bku stuff this cotton into the sack | Hausa cusa, danara dei part. emphasizes imperative ex mi m dei! watch out!, be careful! | Hausa dai di n. reduced form of dyi ‘tending, grazing’ or ‘leaving’, q.v.

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

ditu v.A2b (v.n. deito) 1. guard, protect ex ditut b nn he protected/guarded his house; n dit konn I took care of myself. 2. lie in wait, watch for ex ng r˘kum k  jπ dit , dshit ti woli z wuttu konn the heron was lying in wait, and then the snake stuck out its head | Hausa tsare, kiyaye dji = dzi n. fried cakes made from Bambara ground nuts | Hausa wainar gujiya dkkk = dekkiek = dkkk id.adj. heavy and solid ex p íum em (ndn) dkkk this gourd is heavy | Hausa bayanin siffa dle n. sticks laid on a ledge dug in a grave above a corpse | Hausa itacen binne gawa dll id. indicates broadness, spaciousness ex pl dll a spacious field | Hausa amsa amo dembe n. boxing; punch (usually in back) | Hausa dambe dmbu v.A2b (v.n. demb) punch, strike with the fist | Hausa nausa dml(m) n. 1. crab. 2. crab shell used as scraper | Hausa (1) aguwa; (2) makankari dmi n. tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica) and its fruit | Hausa tsamiya dendmi n. monkey tamarind (Dialium guineense) (cf. íympte) | Synonym wwi | Hausa tsamiyar biri dndrum n. meat cooked in pots buried in the ground with hot coals | Hausa tanderu dener n. protruding surface on which an object cannot be set flat ex bi ye dener, nkonn  wa sa the place has a protuberance, and because of that it (some object) will not rest (on it) | Hausa mai tudu

dngys n. bagrid catfish (Bagrus bayad) | Hausa ragon ruwa denj n. 1. kneaded balls of pounded grain, mixed with milk or water (Hausa fura) ex denj b d ww any very sweet fura (so called because drinking it will cause one to loosen his pants). 2. coarse flour (Hausa tsaki) | Synonym roppo in meaning #2 | Hausa (1) fura, (2) tsaki denkr n. 1. hemorrhoids. 2. shamelessness | Hausa (1) basur; (2) rashin kunya dnku v.A2c (v.n. denkio) stuff into, pile onto | Hausa cusa dn n. straight hoe handle with enlarged end for insertion of a hoe or axe blade | Hausa ota na magirbi dr v.B2 (v.n. dr, dere) scrape out completely ex lw drt g ka shakshak the child scraped the interior of the pot clean | Hausa kankare, kwalfe dr b˘ gwa idiom clear one’s throat | Hausa gyara murya dest n. blackboard eraser | Hausa dasta dwe n. black plum (Vitex doniana) and its fruit | Hausa inya dewu = deyu v.A1 (v.n. dyi = di) tr. leave, allow, let (see deyu for examples) | Hausa bari dyi1 n. (can reduce to di with possessor) tending (animals); feeding (by animals), grazing, foraging ex  jπ dyi komshine he is tending the cattle; k mshine  jπ dyi g b˘ pli the cattle are grazing near the pond | Hausa kiwo dyi2 n. (can reduce to di before possessor) nominal form of dewu = deyu ‘leave’ | Hausa bari deyu = dewu v.A1 (v.n. dewo, dyi = di) 1. leave thing behind ex dya komshine g n sa leaving cattle (to roam free) is not

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

good; d mmukko she left us. 2. allow, let ex deit mimmu b˘ k na amma he let us take water. 3. stop doing, cease ex dyantn ndk‰ ten they stopped coming here | Hausa (1, 2) bari; (3) daina dzi = dji n. fried cakes made from Bambara ground nuts | Hausa wainar gujiya dbin n. date palm (Phoenix dactylifera); dates | Hausa dabino dibu num. thousand | Hausa dubu dibudibb num. million | Hausa miliyan dπ n. luck ex All ittu dπ May Allah give good luck | Hausa saía du v.A2bg (v.n. dio u, di) stab, poke | Hausa soka du n. inoculation of cattle | Hausa huji diu v.A1 (v.n. dio) become turbid ex mma diuw the water is turbid | Hausa gurace dtu v.A2b (v.n. diuto) make turbid ex dt mma he made the water turbid | Hausa gurata dd v.B1 (v.n. dd, dide) tr., intr. move; shake, tremble ex íyl l  jπ dd sr

m,  pt g gg something that is moving the grass will come out into the open; jπno  jπ dd I am trembling; ymba  jπ dd it’s thundering; konn ddn he’s crazy | Hausa motsa, yi karkarwa ddm n. woman’s loincloth | Hausa banten mata (iri) ddr n. apron made of goatskin | Hausa didare dddi n. frankincense tree (Boswellia dalzielii; B.odorata; Commiphora kerstingii), used for incense and as a remedy for high blood pressure | Hausa ararrai, hanu dd jπw idiom exercise | Hausa motsin jiki

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dπdi n. red-cheeked cordon-bleu (Uraeginthus bengalus) | Hausa sisita did n. fly, housefly | Hausa uda di n. 1. base, bottom part; anus. 2. (in b˘ di) around, in the vicinity of ex d˘gorn in di k ni klmbun lkte dnde ko b˘ di an shir y a palace guard took a whip and dispersed the children from around the thief | Hausa (1) gindi, tsuliya; (2) wajen di sara n. wrist | Hausa wuyan hannu di shek n. ankle | Hausa wuyan afa do n. (final o becomes i before possessor; optionally deletes with pronoun,  assimilates to pronoun, and tone becomes high) neck ex di n = inn my neck; di Bamoi Bamoi’s neck; di kolba neck of a bottle | Hausa wuya Dg n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari digili n. bed platform made of cornstalks | Hausa gadon kara dgl n. the fish barb (Barbus spp.) | Hausa orawa (kifi) dgmu v.A2b (v.n. digimo) be lethargic, feel lethargic ex jπno dgm jπn I feel lethargic | Hausa imauta dgr n. academic degree | Hausa digiri dgz id.adj. big and broad ex sumbto dgz she has broad buttocks; dgz sumbu broad of beam | Hausa bayanin siffa dki n. hunting birds along a river bank | Hausa farautar tsuntsu dk id.adj. very dirty ex n nnnπ dk I saw him all dirty | Hausa bayanin siffa dπkir n. uttering the profession of faith, “La illaha illalahu!” | Hausa salati dksh id.adj. soaking wet ex pto duw Mad ishi l mum b n dksh the rain

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

beat down on Madu and he arrived home soaking wet | Hausa bayanin siffa dkk n.pl. (pl. of dshti and dyati when used with pronoun possessor; lengthens vowel before pronoun) grandparents; grandchildren ex dkkno my grandparents/my grandchildren | Hausa kakanni, jikoki dkkti n.pl. (pl. of dshti, dyati; citation form and form used with noun possessor; dkk with pronoun possessor) grandparents; grandchildren ex dkkti Bamoi Bamoi’s grandparents/grandchildren; dkkno my grandparents/my grandchildren | Hausa kakanni; jikoki dkkk = dikkiik = dkkk id.adj. heavy and solid ex n nn in ndya ye sokkitok kn dkkk it looked to me like the stool was light but surprisingly it was heavy | Hausa bayanin siffa dkolba n. a dance in which the feet are shuffled forward | Hausa rawa (iri) dila n. jackal (Canis aureus) | Hausa dila dilb n. evidence, reason for making a claim ex mu jπ shna ishi l˘n n dilbno l we were engaged in a dispute and he asked me what my evidence was | Hausa hujja, dalili dle n. neatness, cleanliness ex Bamoi an dle Bamoi is a neat person | Hausa tsabta dlo n. fine (for an offense) ex lkli tin dlo ishn d gge jka bsshim‰ the Alkali imposed a fine on him that he should pay six hundred pounds | Hausa tara dmb solo n. a type of shrub that grows near rivers | Hausa bishiya (iri) dm-dm id. indicates crowdedness (of people) ex miíyíya ye ndingo dm-dm the people came en masse | Hausa amsa amo

dimíyi n. a type of grass like gamba but shorter | Hausa ciyawa (iri) dinr n. gold | Hausa zinariya dinr do n. pupil of the eye | Hausa baar wayar ido dnd n. toad | Hausa kwao dind n. folktale, fable ex Dind! - Mrza! Storyteller: Here’s a tale! - Audience: Let’s hear it! | Hausa tatsuniya dind b tt˘-botto n. riddle | Hausa kacicikacici dnd gii-gii n. a type of frog | Hausa kwao (iri) dn n. message to be delivered, mission, commission ex n g dn y ka el m Mālm Tak g mrik I have a message that you should deliver to Malum Taka in America | Hausa aike dnu v.A2b (v.n. dn ) send (on a mission or errand) ex dnal lw g g ma she sent the child to the market | Synonym srnu | Hausa yi sautu ding n. ledge outside house for sitting; any ledge of cement or mud, e.g. inside a well to stand on | Hausa dakali dngni id.adj. having large, erect buttocks ex nntwo gmto dngni dshit ishi kti it he saw that she had attractively large buttocks so he married her | Hausa bayanin siffa dníil = dníyil n. baby, infant (cf. dìn’il) | Hausa jariri dnku v.A2c (v.n. dinkio, dinki) be crowded ex miíyíya dnkang g bi dappi the people formed a crowd at the gathering | Hausa runduna dinshiir id.adj. short ex íyala ye sπras sa l dinshiir the guinea corn is not full grown its fruit is short | Hausa bayanin siffa

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

dnshikiri n. fowlfoot grass (Eleusine indica) | Hausa tuji dníyil = dníil n. baby, infant | Hausa jariri dr num. teen (precedes unit) ex dr m‰ 11; dr ˘nm 19; dr mon u? how much in the teens? | Hausa sha (goma shaÖ) dir n. threshing, usually in a mortar | Hausa sussuka dr bccim‰ num. sixteen | Hausa goma sha shida dr b num. fifteen | Hausa goma sha biyar dr bwulo num. seventeen | Hausa goma sha bakwai dr b lou num. twelve | Hausa goma sha biyu dr ˘nm num. nineteen | Hausa goma sha tara drk sirmi = drdk smi n. type of shrub with small roundish leaves used for incense | Hausa irin itaciyar da ake turaren wuta da ganyenta dre n. first weeding of a newly planted farm | Hausa noman firi dir n. a type of woman’s wrapper | Hausa zane (iri) dríil n. name given to a child before it receives a sanctioned name at its naming ceremony (cf. dìn’il) | Synonym Dàttì drm n. thickness of foliage, denseness of foliage ex km shla pten g don drm the leaves of the fig tree grew out thickly; drm mana rwe leafy as a tree | Hausa duhu dr kunnm num. thirteen | Hausa goma sha uku dr m‰ num. eleven | Hausa goma sha aya dirp n. constant complaining | Hausa langwami

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dr p o num. fourteen | Hausa goma sha huu dr p‰ro num. eighteen | Hausa goma sha takwas Drr n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari dπru v.A2a (v.n. dir) thresh in a mortar ex  dπr íyla g g tm em she is going to thresh guinea corn in this mortar | Hausa sussuka dirw n. dog with spots like a hyena | Hausa durwa ds v.B1 (v.n. dise) tr., intr. prop up, lean against, depend on; put aside ex dst rwe he propped up the tree; n ds g jπ rwe I leaned against the tree; ds g jπno he depended on me; n ds zwa I set the stick aside | Hausa jingina Ds n. man’s name, variant of Idirisa | Hausa sunan namiji dπsha n. hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) | Hausa ungulu dshi n.m. (pl. dkk) (f. dya; form of dshti used with pronoun possessor; lengthens vowel before pronoun) grandfather; grandson ex dshn my grandfather/grandson | Hausa kaka; jika dshti n.m. (pl. dkkti) (f. dyati; citation form and form used with noun possessor; dsh with pronoun possessor) grandfather; grandson ex dshti Bamoi Bamoi’s grandfather/grandson; dshn

my grandfather/grandson | Hausa kaka, jika disini n. pot with stand for holding fire | Synonym kasko wosi | Hausa kasko na wuta dw n. District Officer (an administrator during the colonial period) | Hausa diío dya n.f (pl. dkk) (f. of dsh; form of dyati used with pronoun possessor)

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

grandmother, granddaughter ex dyan

my grandmother/granddaughter | Hausa kaka, jika dy-dy-dy id. moving hurriedly and clumsily | Hausa amsa amo dym id.adj. broad, expansive, wide ex tbr Mlm sri dym Malam’s table is very broad | Hausa bayanin siffa dyati n.f (pl. dkkti) (f. of dshti; citation form and form used with noun possessor; dya with pronoun possessor) grandmother, granddaughter ex dyati Bamoi Bamoi’s grandmother/granddaughter; dyan my grandmother/granddaughter | Hausa kaka, jika díylu v.A2b (v.n. diíyilo) shake off, shake loose ex alanshri  jπ shkn, ishi díylti gre g jo when a chameleon crawled onto his foot, he shook it off and ran away | Hausa yarfar d‰ b = duwo b n. courting a divorced woman | Hausa zawarci dob˘bn n. doorway, threshold | Hausa dokin ofa d ndogu n. Bagrid catfish (Bagrus bayad) | Hausa musko, muskon dutse d -kokkok n. woodpecker (Mesopicos goertae) | Synonym adm bunshlum | Hausa mawawafi doo n. (pl. d inshe) small pot for miya | Hausa tukunyar miya d u1 v.A2bg (v.n. d u, do) peck ex ywi  jπ do/d u the chicken is pecking | Hausa caka d u2 v.A2bg (v.n. d u) tan (hide) ex ishi  d u ishi he tans hides | Hausa jema d u3 n. tanning ex an d u  d u the tanner did tanning | Hausa jima dod i = dodd i n. concern, anxiety ex n jπ dod i, Gimb ptw n  mk‰

jπn, shonsh n kala men sa, yn bcce pll l? I’m concerned (because) Gimba went out saying that he would return, now he has not come back; what could have happened? | Hausa damuwa d˘i n. a scar that leaves a welt, ganglion | Hausa ari doili n. hollow in the crotch of a tree in which water can collect D‰diyo n. a woman’s name (perhaps occurring only in expressions and proverbs) ex b˘ in D w ‰ b˘ in D‰diyo? Expression: is it for Dawa or for Dodiyo? (“why are you giving me this?”) | Hausa sunan mace d‰do n. money | Hausa kui d ggom n. leper | Synonym an wle, an bars | Hausa kuturu doggom id.adj. cut off, e.g. a hand or foot ex s n m‰i ye  tan doggom one of his hands is cut completely off | Hausa bayanin siffa d ggu v.A2bg (v.n. d ggu, d g nji) pay; pay back, retaliate ex All d ggko boi bonko may Allah reward you for troubles | Hausa biya, rama d glu v.A2b (v.n. dogilo) (plac. of dolu) dig up peanuts repeatedly | Hausa faffare d g nji n. retaliation; payment for service | Hausa ramuwa, biya D‰gon Kk n. a town in Yobe State (near Gr Ar) | Hausa sunan gari d˘ka n. law ex gomnat z wad d˘ka the government imposed a law | Hausa doka d‰k n. type of hairdo with hair plaited into a large crest | Hausa kitso (iri) D‰kri n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari d‰k zna n. 1. the tree Isoberlinia doka. 2. a type of skin disease that makes a

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

distinctive pattern of lesions. 3. a type of hairdo | Hausa doka d k n. tilapia, cichild perch (Tilapia spp.) | Hausa karfasa d k = d k n. the trees Piliostigma reticulatum & P. thonningii, whose bark is used for rope and leaves are mixed with other plants to cure insanity | Hausa kargo d k ymba n. the tree Bauhinia rufescens | Hausa matsattsagi, kargon Allah d klnu v.A2c (v.n. dokilno) quickly drink a lot of, gulp down, drink one’s fill | Hausa kwankwaa dokishi n. 1. small pillars at the bottom of gncarw to support the top part. 2. a type of ladder used to climb into the sleeping area of a mkni | Hausa hannun gancarwa dokt n. 1. medical doctor. 2. PhD. 3. (takes all low tones when used as title) title or term of address for (1) or (2) ex D kt Ms Doctor Musa; D kt B b Doctor Baba | Synonym likità in meaning #1 | Hausa dokta d k = d k n. the trees Piliostigma reticulatum & P. thonningii, whose bark is used for rope and leaves are mixed with other plants to cure insanity | Hausa kargo d‰l n. 1. necessity ex rta d‰l work done out of necessity; kib n d‰l arranged marriage. 2. mod.op. it is necessary that (+ subjunctive) ex d‰l ka ndi you have to go. 3. mod.op. (with kapa, followed by perfective) had to ex d‰l kapa n ndw I had to go | Hausa dole dolu v.A1 (v.n. dolo, d lsh, d lu) (plac. d glu) 1. dig remaining peanuts out of the ground by hand after harvesting ex  jπ d la dr he is digging out peanuts with his hands. 2. draw attention by

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lightly touching ex  jπ d lan he is drawing my attention by touching me | Hausa (1) fare; (2) taa don jawo hankali d m1 n. 1. blood. 2. (with jπ) popularity ex d m jπno g n sa I am not popular | Hausa jini d m2 n. 1. front, in front of, ahead, before (locative) ex íyor g d m b n he stood in front of the house; t d m g rta he continued with work; íyula pul g d m an ku Expression: one’s testicles have swollen before one’s enemy (“it’s an embarrassment”). 2. (in b˘ d m) first ex lw b˘ d m first born child; miíyíyn g ru ye m b˘ d m the original inhabitants of the town. 3. one row of weaving in a strip (kul) of a mat--a kul could have 4, 8, etc. d m. 4. (in negative descriptions) impotence ex kn kab n

nko ykl d m he couldn’t get married because of impotence | Hausa (1) gaba, gaban; (2) na farko d m˘si n. a bee similar to honey bee but larger | Hausa udan zuma (iri) d m jπn g  idiom be popular ex d m jπno g  I am popular; d m jπnn g n sa he is unpopular | Hausa farin jini d m m cci n. type of shrub whose roots are used for heartburn | Hausa bishiya (iri) domo1 n. escape hole of squirrel or other rodent | Hausa ramin kurege domo2 n. gushing of blood, e.g. from wound or nose | Hausa hao, gushewar jini d m sa idiom (in g d m sa) impotence, being impotent ex ishi g d m sa he is impotent | Synonym g d ww sa, ykl d m | Hausa laíifi, maras gaba domu v.A1 (v.n. domo, d msh) exit forcefully, shoot forth ex ik d mun ko

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

g yon nko lloki the squirrel shot out of its hole because of the smoke | Hausa fita da arfi d nu1 v.A2b (v.n. d nu) sew | Hausa inka d nu2 n. sewing, something that is sewed ex  gojjito d nu j r-j r they sell all kinds of sewed things | Hausa inki dongii n. sticks placed vertically in a basket so that it can be loaded above the top of the basket | Synonym gongi | Hausa shingen kaya d ngnu v.A2c (v.n. dongino) bend over with buttocks in the air | Hausa yi botso d ngo adv.time (neg.) not yet; (aff.) first, to start with ex d ngo ishi ndin sa he hasn’t come yet; b shi jπ ndna b z y, d ngo shi ndettu in b nno if you are going to the well, first come by my house | Hausa tukuna d ngma n. continuous raining | Hausa marka d n n. greasiness, oiliness ex g kul  jπ d n the inside of the calabash is greasy; b7i  jπ d n nko  gojjito mr the place is greasy because they sell oil there | Hausa naso d nshi n. shea nut (Vitellaria paradoxa) and its fruit, fruit and oil are eaten and oil is used for rheumatism and colds | Hausa kaanya d˘nu v.A2a (v.n. d˘nu) 1. invite ex d˘nina b˘ tπshi he invited me to eat. 2. ask about, ask for ex d˘n m ndn he asked about his wife; d˘n d‰do he asked for money | Hausa (1) gayyata; (2) yi tambaya, roa doru v.A1 (v.n. doro, d rsh) toss, throw | Hausa jefa d‰sho1 n. (pl. d˘w) horse | Hausa doki d‰sho2 n. capital, resources invested in business | Synonym jr (2) | Hausa jari

d‰sho kosum n. an insect which digs holes in the ground | Hausa waro (iri) d˘sir n. something that one is used to, something habitually characteristic of ex bzna  jπn d˘sir g jπno I am used to having boils | Hausa sabo d˘w n.pl. (pl. of d‰sho) horses | Hausa dawaki d ww = dww n. (pl. d wwinshe) pants, trousers | Hausa wando d‰y n. 1. yam (Dioscorea spp.). 2. (usually d‰y bd ) cassava (Manihot esculenta) | Hausa (1) doya; (2) rogo d‰y bd n. cassava (Manihot esculenta) | Hausa rogo d˘zm n. warthog (Phacocherus aethiopicus) | Hausa gadu, mugun dawa d‰zn n. dozen | Hausa dozin d part. is it really the case? ex w˘ ye ishi d?! was it really him who did it?!; Mad  ye bttno d?! is it really the case that Madu was teasing me?! | Hausa ashe? D n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari dubrm n. large container for arrows dua adj. short; shallow ex dua mana mshe as short as a millet cake (which is flat); b ka opp yo íyta, ka opp dua if you dig a hole of wickedness, dig it shallow | Hausa gajere d n. slice (of meat) | Hausa yanki d n. unfried peanut cakes made from ground peanuts with the oil extracted | Hausa ligi-ligi dgglk id.adj. blunt and flat ex diye  kr ywi ye sa nko b˘n dgglk the knife won’t slaughter the chicken because it is very blunt | Hausa bayanin siffa

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

dgwu = dgwu = dkwu v.A2b (v.n. dugiwo) (plac. of duwu) beat repeatedly | Hausa bubbuga dgum n. harboring ill-feelings ex Bamoi  jπ dgum g Aud nko wsh n dllsu y Bamoi harbors ill feelings against Audu because of the fight between them | Hausa rio duguna n. traditional round brick used to make walls | Hausa tubali dgnam n. klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus), skin is used for Moi’s kettle drum | Hausa gadar dutse d#i n. causing dissension by talking behind one’s back | Hausa gulma dji = dzi n. the tree Acacia sieberiana | Hausa farar aya (iri) dj = dz n. owl (Otus leucotis or Tyto alba) | Synonym míyíyau | Hausa duji dkk n. sibling who is next in order of birth ex Nra dkk Ftim Nura is the one born directly after Fatima | Hausa mabi baya dukk-dkk adv.man. arranged in order by size, age, or other sequential characteristics ex an dpp dnde mte íy ran dts dukk-dkk the children were gathered and they lined up according to height | Hausa a jere gwargwado dkknu v.A2c (v.n. dukkno) pray (either the regular daily prayers or invocational prayers) | Hausa yi salla, yi adduía Dkk n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari dk n. a person without body hair on the pubis, armpits, etc., glabrous person | Hausa shagiri dku v.A2a (v.n. dko) pick up something with the finger tips | Hausa dama

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dkwu = dgwu = dgwu v.A2b (v.n. dukuwo) (plac. of duwu) beat repeatedly | Hausa bubbuga dla n. miya made from blend of beniseed and peanuts, eaten with dzi | Hausa miyar gyaa dle n. a throwing club with a head made from ground tamarind seeds mixed with charcoal | Hausa sandar jifa (iri) dles id. describes someone who is large but not active ex Mad y b˘ mb n syn dles Madu, his arms are big but weak | Hausa amsa amo dlo n. condiment into which something is dipped or that is eaten with some other food | Hausa osana dlu n. the plant Lannea microcarpa and other Lannea spp., whose bark is mixed with kunu or milk and taken as a remedy for tumors | Hausa faru dlu v.A2a (v.n. dlo) dip (in) ex n dl bur‰d g g biy I dipped bread in the miya | Hausa tsoma dmba n. very large calabash | Hausa masaki Dumblw n. a town in Yobe State | Hausa sunan gari dmul n. joint (of body) | Hausa gaa dmo n. (pl. dumme, dminshe) guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) | Hausa zabo dmo n. thievery, theft | Hausa sata dmpo n. (final -o becomes -i before possessive) forehead ex dmpin my forehead; dmpi Bamoi Bamoi’s forehead | Hausa goshi dumpo tere n. full moon | Hausa gayan wata dmpu v.A2b (v.n. dump) butt ex gam dmpinwo the ram butted me | Hausa tunkwiya

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

dmu v.A2a (v.n. dmo) wrench away, whisk away, (figuratively) steal; lift off the ground with both hands ex dmuw˘ ko g sran he wrenched it away from my hand;  dmo he stole | Hausa sura dn n. black animal, esp. a dog or a cow | Hausa duna dunb n. coarsely pounded millet mixed with water, sometimes with sugar added | Hausa gumba dundrs n. metal digging stick used to dig latrine or well | Hausa kwalba, diga dnk n. fresh shoots of gamba grass | Hausa gamba dnge n. 1. sawdust, residue of grain in granary. 2. breast cancer ex Amn  jπ p dnge Amina is afflicted with breast cancer | Hausa (1) dudduga; (2) ciwon dajin mama dngu n. corner | Hausa dungu, kwana dnglmi n. person or animal without fingers or toes ex kla shekn r an jπsu  jπn dnglmi his toes have been cut off and he has become a dnglmi | Hausa guntattaki dungulum = dnglm id.adj. stump remaining of something cut off, remainder of thing cut off ex dungulum sara stump of amputated arm; dungulum sh‰wi cut off piece of wood | Hausa dungu, kututture dngm n. gums | Hausa dasashi dungura n. a spirited young girl ex miíyíya knnanatn lw dungura oshyy people praised that girl for her vigor dniy n. the world | Hausa duniya dnk#i = dnkui n. button grass (Mitracarpus hirtus) ex dnk#i w konn g boi moro Proverb: a weed gets its freedom after the millet [is harvested]

(“while the cat’s away the mice will play”) | Hausa goga masu dns n. fermented cakes made from baobab seeds | Hausa daddawar batso dup-dup id. trimmed or pruned level ex wsshut pilwn dup-dup he has trimmed his flowers neatly | Hausa amsa amo d#rmi n. 1. the fig tree Ficus polita. 2. D#rmi name for a heavy woman | Hausa (1) durumi; (2) sunan mace d#rmi g na n. physic nut (Jatropha curcas) | Synonym d#rmi Makk | Hausa bi ta da zugu dr (Kan ) n. peanuts, groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea) | Hausa gyaa dr‰b n. driver | Hausa direba dr b˘ b n n. Bambara groundnuts (Vigna subterranea) | Hausa gujiya drm n. oil drum | Hausa duro dr ˘shi n. moneywort (Alysicarpus vaginalis), used as fodder | Synonym sinsini | Hausa gadagi durshe n. jumping, hopping ex  durshe he jumped | Hausa tsalle durshe km n. activity with little or no progress | Hausa gudu ba wurin zuwa duru v.A1 (v.n. durshe) jump, hop; fly (bird) ex yro draj jπto the bird flew away; dnd  jπ durshe the toad is hopping | Hausa yi tsalle drnu v.A2c (v.n. durno) stop a herd of animals by skirting them and coming out in front of them | Hausa tare dabbobi dusu v.A1 (v.n. duso) (usually in the ventive) push up ground by germinating seeds ex kppa ye dsung the crop is germinating | Hausa yo bunu dt n. line drawn by pyro-engraving on a calabash | Hausa zane na warya

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

dwa1 n. kapok tree, silk cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra) | Hausa rimi dwa2 n. the fish snakehead (Parachanna obscura) | Hausa dumno dwa ad n. bribe ex m bkk dwa ad I accepted a bribe | Hausa cin hanci dwa ido idiom 1. flavoring a food by adding particular ingredients, e.g. adding peanut flavoring to sorrel sauce ex lkm btaí ítti ita dwi idin g ytu Alkama made kunu and flavored it with tamarind mixture. 2. scowl, give an angry look ex dt din he doesn’t look happy | Hausa (1) haskaka; (2) turnue dwa mbos idiom resolve a dispute, lay a matter to rest | Hausa kashe magana duwr adv.time, n. mid afternoon; mid afternoon prayer | Hausa azahar dwa zu n. murder ex ng rannn nko dwa zu he was imprisoned for murder; an gd duwt zu am b nn the night watchman murdered his employer; an dwa zu murderer | Hausa kisan kai duwo b˘ = d‰ b˘ n. courting a divorced woman | Hausa zawarci duwu v.A1 (v.n. dsh) (plac. dgwu) 1. beat; (usually with totality extension) kill ex duwnwo he beat me; dtwo he has killed it; dwattk kott she committed suicide. 2. stir, mix by stirring ex mma ye dwan the water is stirred. 3. spend (money) ex ishn  jπ zmm r j r dra y duww˘ g kott he was thinking about the money he spent on her | Hausa (1) doka, kashe; (2) tua; (3) kashe kui dzi = dji n. the tree Acacia sieberana | Hausa fara aya (iri) dz = dj n. owl (Otus leucotis or Tyto alba) | Synonym míyíyau | Hausa duji

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8  v.D (v.n. shi, ) (plac. a, íían) 1. mount, place oneself on ex  jπn boi d‰sho he has mounted a horse; b lo ishi i jπn g ndi y then he sat on the bed. 2. climb, ascend ex  jπn ko gsho he has climbed the mountain; kai k etti g rwe you too, climb the tree. 3. rise, ascend, reach a high point ex mma  jπn the water rose; g g ll st , har p ti  jn when the morning came and the sun had risen; b balte w  ln when it is late morning (when the sun is high) they will bring him; 'lsu zal na in koíyíye their voices began to rise up. 4. come upon, stumble upon ex p ti moi ita ndai y i g ko bni Nonti Moto one day she went and happened on the house of the Mother of Death. 5. take up an activity, involve oneself with ex jam an ko mara they have taken up farming again; ita  kmn ishn  ko ru she heard him as he took up the song; dind el-el i g ko (gorzo m‰i am mara) Standard opening formula in folktales: let the story concern itself with (a certain man who was a farmer) | Hausa hau b n. rubber stamp | Hausa biy n. a practice, tradition | Hausa abiía gng n. puffer fish (Tetraodon fahaka) | Hausa kwambami akm n. hard palate | Hausa gana l n. ashes ex biy l unsalted miya flavored with ashes for medicinal purposes | Hausa toka lsh n. leech | Hausa matsattsaku

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

al-al id. smooth, neat, clean ex n  zm al-al I completely shaved my head | Hausa amsa amo am id. indicates silence, quietness ex mte g˘ne am, jm an slm ye swwdi they became completely silent, and again the greeter repeated (his greeting); owi am seated in silence | Hausa amsa amo mr n. the point connecting several lines into one, as a top of a pyramid | Hausa auri nglu v.A2c (v.n. angilo) 1. cling to, stick to ex bd ngl jπn g jπ gsho the monkey was clinging to the rock; lw ngl g jπ nonn the child is clinging to his mother. 2. put on airs, strut about ex  j mcce ngln he is swanking along | Hausa (1) maale; (2) yi taama, yi yanga ansnda n. policeman | Hausa an sanda anu v.A1 (v.n. ano, nsh) 1. set (trap) ex n ant ya I set the trap. 2. (na g bark, na g jπ) rely on, depend on ex n na g barkko I am relying on you; ishi an g j9no he relied on me; Bamoi an g j9 m ndn b˘ ti tshi Bamoi relied on his wife for things to eat | Hausa ana nu v.A2a (v.n. no) request, ask for ex Bamoi g lpiy sa n tti Bamoi is not well so he asked for kunu; n b˘‰ nn tti he asked to be given kunu | Hausa nuna bukata ap id. indicates certainty, lack of doubt ex mm ye nnnπwo j sru de ap the man saw him and it was indeed his in-law | Hausa amsa amo r n. east | Hausa gabas ssn adj. worn out (applied to any object) ex ssn dwun worn out mat;

dwunn ssn his mat is worn out; ssn kujra worn out chair; ssn s worn out shirt | Hausa akwala, cinyayye, tsoho ssm n. (usually in biy ssm) any non-slimy miya made with greens | Hausa miyar taushe tu v.A2a (v.n. to) lift up, raise, mount someone onto an animal ex ishi tin g ko d‰sho he mounted me on the horse; dshit dnde gorji te wula in dnde mond then the boys helped the girls up with their loads | Hausa aga, hawar wa n. stench ex  ye wa it stinks! (it does a stench) | Hausa oyi awu v.A1 (v.n. awo, wa) become odiferous, take on a stench ex ki!  tna sa! otto ye aw jπn hey! don’t eat it! this tuwo has taken on a smell; wan nzo it smells terrible | Hausa yi wari, yi oyi wn n. sexual arousal ex wnno nduw I am sexually aroused;  zt no wnno it causes me to become sexually aroused | Hausa marmari  n. copulation (by animals), rutting ex   he (goat, etc.) copulated | Hausa barbara  gr n. athlete’s foot ex dll kla Mad g  gr, ngnit mcce Madu has athlete’s foot between his toes, which prevents him from walking | Hausa cin ruwa k-k id. indicates laughter ex (from a song) Kyr B‰z zrinno k-k Kiyari Boza laughed at me “hah-hah” | Hausa amsa amo ekkem = ikkim id.adj. too short (typically of clothes), short, with reference to something which could be

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

long ex sto ekkem l tmbto m pw˘ sa her blouse is so short that it doesn’t even cover her navel | Hausa bayanin siffa ekkirek n. clitoris | Synonym ki | Hausa an tsaka el id. indicates hopping ex dur el g boin he hopped up on my back; el g g m‰t he hopped into the car | Hausa amsa amo la n. loud laughter, usually of women | Hausa kakkawa, kyakkyawa el-el id. used in opening sentence and in the closing formula of folktales ex Dind! - Mrza! - Dind el-el i g ko d g Z nge! Here’s a tale! - Let’s hear it! Let the tale mount on The Dog and the Hyena; Dind el-el tkw ! The story is finished! | Hausa amsa amo nge n. convex back, esp. of women | Hausa gantsara shi n. upward slope, hill (see ) | Hausa hawa tto n. bitterleaf (Vernonia amygdalina; V. colorata) | Hausa shiwaka bbu v.A2bg (v.n. bb) stalk, sneak up on ex bb yuno bsw˘yi he snuck up on the elephant and shot it;  bb he did stalking | Hausa yi sana bl n. one or more types of elephant snout fish, probably Marcusenius abadii | Hausa tatir, tatar πi n. insectivorous bat | Hausa burburo π-π id. indicates movement of a group ex mte ndun π-π g boin they followed behind me in a group | Hausa amsa amo gwu v.A2b (v.n. igiwo) (plac. of πwu) look into repeatedly | Hausa dudduba ktu v.A2b (v.n. ikito) sift (Gombe dialect) | Synonym sttu | Hausa bakace

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ikkim = ekkem id.adj. too short (typically of clothes), short, with reference to something which could be long ex z˘ri l n ngord tmshi y dua ikkim the rope that I tied the sheep with is very short | Hausa bayanin siffa kkru v.A2c (v.n. ikkiro) converge on, pile on (as in rugby or American football) | Hausa taru wuri aya kk n. thatch grass | Hausa yanta kku1 v.A2bg (v.n. kk , kka) thatch | Hausa jinka kku2 v.A2bg (v.n. ikko) hit with a blow to the back | Hausa yi dundu 'l reduced form of lo, q.v. il id. indicates redness ex di il bright red | Hausa amsa amo lo n. (final -o becomes -i or deletes with a possessor) 1. voice ex lin = 'ln my voice; •lno kn pt I have lost my voice. 2. noise associated with movement of a living thing ex n jπ km 'l íya m‰i  jπ dn íyla g g íywo I hear the noise of something tampering with the corn in the granary | Hausa murya, diri πlu v.A2a (v.n. lo) 1. wind, wrap on (turban) ex πluttu jπto g g gzw she wrapped her body in vines. 2. install chief, appoint a traditional official, turban (as a sign of installation) ex πlannn b˘ wokkl Moi he was appointed as the Moi’s representative. 3. fold, bundle up; huddle up ex njl πl kuel the millipede coiled up tightly | Hausa naa, ninke imm n. eyelash | Hausa gashin ido imu1 v.A1 (v.n. imo) become quiet, become still | Synonym rmu | Hausa yi shiru

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

imu2 v.A1 (v.n. imo) beat heavily, rain blows on | Hausa irka n n. poison | Hausa dafi nge n. inward curvature of the back ex lw ye l annn g nge the child was born with a curved back; an nge person with a curved back | Hausa gantsara ngmu v.A2c (v.n. ingimo) submerge, dive under water ex ngm lí li amma he submerged under the water | Hausa nitse ngu v.A2b (v.n. nge) curve inward (of a person’s back) | Hausa gantsara nkn stat. being invulnerable to blades ex Bamoi nkn, di  tπshin sa Bamoi is invulnerable, a knife won’t cut him | Hausa tauri inkir(i) n. hill, high ground | Hausa tudu inkiya n. drinking cup | Hausa moa nku v.A2b (v.n. nk ) 1. cook ex nkattí íott she has cooked tuwo. 2. drive a car | Hausa (1) dafa; (2) tua (mota) insa n. 1. egg. 2. electric light bulb (cf. glb). 3. lamp glass | Hausa (1, 2) wai; (3) wan fitila ipira n. bridge | Hausa gada rmu v.A2b (v.n. irmo) become quiet, become still | Synonym imu1 | Hausa yi shiru rwu v.A2b (v.n. irwo) 1. settle out (dirt from water, etc.) ex li rw jπn g

lí li amma the dirt (sand) settled to the bottom of the water. 2. become calm, quiet ex bi rw jπn it is calm | Hausa (1) kwanta (ruwa); (2) nitsu shi n. skin, hide; leather ex shin my skin; shi Bamoi Bamoi’s skin; k na lo ko b˘ shi kapa am b‰n Proverb: removing meat from a hide is only for

one who is skilled in this work | Hausa fata shi b n koíyíy n. upper lip | Synonym b n koíyíy | Hausa lee na sama shi b n lí li n. lower lip | Synonym b n

lí li | Hausa lee na asa ssu v.A2bg (v.n. ssu) skin, flay | Hausa fee tinge n. husk or sheath of cornstalk | Hausa tsirgagiya itt n. 1. Senegal fire finch (Lagonosticta senegala). 2. small thing, tiny thing, runt ex k ni z˘ri sr ng r g jπ di itt k m they took a big rope and tied is on the neck of a tiny cow | Hausa (1) tsada; (2) arami, mitsitsi πwa n. fortune telling | Hausa duba iwir id. calm and clear ex mma Ngeji rwn iwir the Ngeji water is clean and clear | Hausa amsa amo wo n. any tanned hide with hair removed; strips of red leather | Hausa alfowa 8wo n. name for a woman with light skin | Hausa sunan mace πwu v.A2a (v.n. wo, πwa) (plac. gwu) 1. look at, look into, watch, look over ex sw ka we lamar y you should look into the matter. 2. do fortune telling | Hausa duba ya n. 1. trap. 2. honeycomb | Hausa (1) tarko; (2) saar zuma iyu v.A1 (v.n. πsh, ya) set trap | Hausa ana o part. marker of a rhetorical question or a question indicating surprise ex n zsh b˘ mla ye ina o? was it me who sent you into the bush?; kon otto ye kai sa o?! wasn’t it you who took the food?; shi a nk ye sa o? didn’t you do the cooking?; ita o k nakk˘ y? was it her who took it? | Hausa ko

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

‰ conj. 1. or ex b˘ in D wa ‰ b˘ in D‰diyo? Expression: is it for Dawa or for Dodiyo? (‘why are you giving me this?’). 2. before ex ‰ mte ri bumbu ye j, ngur bwr before they had gotten into the deep bush, he had become completely naked. 3. (introducing an indirect question) whether ex l˘it n ‰ ita  ndk‰? (with question intonation) he asked her whether she would come. 4. (in b˘ ‰) in order to ex n kmt mma b˘ ‰ n si shy I heated the water so that I could drink tea. 5. let me…, let’s… (before a subjunctive verb) ex ‰ mu si shy let’s drink some tea | Hausa kafin; ko  gwu v.A2b (v.n. dogiwo) (plac. of owu) sit repeatedly | Hausa zazzauna  ktu v.A2b (v.n. okito) coax, entice, persuade ex Bamoi  ktu k m g bn dsit íywti it Bamoi enticed the cow with the bran then he caught her | Hausa lallashe okkirok = ukkuruk id.adj. small and round ex konn okkirok his head is small and round | Hausa bayanin siffa okko n. drop (of water) | Hausa igo  kku v.A2bg (v.n. okko,  kku) drip | Hausa iga  k nji =  p nji =  kku n. reconciliation between husband and angry wife ex   k nji mondn he reconciled with his wife | Hausa biko oku v.A1 (v.n. oko,  ksh,  ka,  k nji) 1. coax, persuade, entice e.g. an animal by holding out food ex n okinπwo b˘ ‰ πno ruta I persuaded him to work for me. 2. sneak up on | Hausa lallashe

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olol id.adj. small, tiny ex olol g k˘yi he has a small head; k˘yi olol, olol k˘yi small head | Hausa bayanin siffa  le adj. (pl. oll) small, little ex lw n  le small child | Hausa arami oll adj. pl. (pl. of  le; variable tone) small, little ex dndn oll small children; dnde oll the children are small; miíyíyn g ru ye cap, ollnsu g assns, kman z i gompo y the people of the town, young and old, enjoyed the game | Hausa anana 8 ll n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari  llu v.A2bg (v.n.  llu) (plac. of olu) swallow (much/many) | Hausa hahhaiye olu v.A1 (v.n.  lsh) (plac.  llu) swallow | Hausa haiye  moki n. the creepers Aristolochia albida; A. bracteolata | Hausa gaakuka  ngru v.A2c (v.n. ongiro) dote on, be infatuated by, be passionate about, be keen, set one’s heart on ex  ngrattut t'lto ga konn she doted on him, she was passionate about him; Bamoi nn mt

m poyo  ngr jπn n kapa ishi g jjuw˘yi Bamoi saw the new car and set his heart on buying it | Hausa allafa rai ‰no n. sitting, staying, remaining ex  jπ ‰n n he was sitting | Hausa zama  nshu1 =  nsu v.A2b (v.n.  nshu) beg, beseech, request, ask for ex Leng  nshak z ntm d‰do ko gm luti Lengi asked for a loan of money from Aluti | Hausa roa  nshu2 =  nsu n. begging, beseeching ex  nshu amma prayer for the rain | Hausa roo  p nji =  k nji =  ppu n. reconciliation between husband and angry wife | Hausa biko

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

 pp boi idiom support someone, be an adherent to ex Bamoi oppo boi jmiy l yll sa Bamoi doesn’t support any political party | Hausa goyon baya  pp gdum idiom owe ex n jπ  ppn gdum he owes me (money); ishi  jπ  ppno gdum I owe him (money) | Hausa bi bashi  ppu v.A2bg (v.n.  ppu,  p nji) 1. follow ex ka oppe b˘ m minn sa don’t pay any attention to him. 2. (with n via) go by way of, go through ex  ppπ n g njk sa, jπko  jtt don’t go through the sloppy place, you’ll get dirty 3. reconcile with an angry wife ex   ppto he will go after her (angry wife) for reconciliation | Hausa bi  ppu =  p nji =  k nji n. reconciliation between husband and angry wife | Hausa biko ‰sh adv.time (variable tone) 1. tomorrow ex kapa ‰sh until tomorrow (a common leave-taking). 2. (with an expression referring to a time period) next [period of time] ex tren ‰sh next month | Hausa gobe ot id. indicates cutting off, snapping in two ex z˘ri ot ot g g b z the rope snapped in two in the well | Hausa amsa amo  utu = ˘tu v.A2b (v.n. outo) seat ex n  utut is I seated him | Hausa zaunar  wan stat. 1. seated. 2. correct, exact, in good order ex mb s y ka porn ye  wan what you said to me is correct | Hausa (1) a zaune; (2) daidai owu v.A1 (v.n.  ush,  wa, ‰no) (plac.  gwu) 1. sit down, sit; stay, dwell, live ex ˘waj jπto b˘ g dom mbos she just sat chattering; ‰no lpiy íyt  wa am moi living

peacefully is better than living as a ruler; mu owan s ni bmbai g Kan we lived for ten years in Kano; mu owan g jπ zn we live together. 2. become ex  w jπn mana pn g ko ad Proverb: it has become like a sore on the dog’s head (“something troublesome that you can’t do anything about”). 3. be correct. 4. (in  wa kule) replace, substitute for ex tbbum Bamoi b˘‰  wi kule Mad Bamoi was sent to replace Madu | Hausa zauna, zama oww interjection 1. that's enough! ex n jπ swwnd mma, ishi n, ì8oww !î I was going to give him more water, and he said, “That’s enough!”. 2. (connecting clauses) that being sufficient, nothing more being needed ex ko boi lw ye aj jπto njl, dshit oww nonto pte jπto after the girl went to sleep, that was that and her mother left | Hausa ya isa ukk n. kneaded ball ex kka denj a ball of kneaded flour for fura | Hausa curi kku v.A2bg (v.n. ukko, ukk) knead, form balls | Hausa cura ukkm quant. (always in negative) not a little, not small; quite a bit, a fair amount, of fair size ex mte oppe wuyo ukkm sa they dug a hole that was pretty big; g don ukkm sa a not large amount; Kadija pouttu dodo ukkum sa ya Alaji Makkau onta ye Kadija brought out the not small amount of money that Alaji Makkau had given her | Hausa mai an dama, da dama kkru v.A2c (v.n. ukkuro) knead, form balls | Hausa cura ukkuruk = okkirok id.adj. small and round ex ko bd ye ukkuruk the monkey’s head is small and round | Hausa bayanin siffa

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

ungam adv.man. completely, in one fell swoop ex li w runtn karin ko b n

y ungam Ali completely removed his things from the house | Hausa gaba aya nku v.A2b (v.n. unko) bend down, stoop, e.g. to enter low door ex nk g g wyo z nge he bent down and entered the hyena’s den | Hausa sunkwiya ttuki = ttuk adj. 1. bitter ex g‰r n ttuki bitter kola; ttuk mana tni bitter as mahogany. 2. n. calamitous event; evil behavior toward someone ex ttuki wnwo something bad has befallen me | Hausa (1) aci; (2) masifa, abin takaici w v.B1 (v.n. uwe) pour off water | Hausa tsiyaye zt id. indicates a large amount ex g

nto d‰do zt mammÖ upon his giving her a pile of cash like that… | Hausa amsa amo

E glen v.B2 (v.n. glko) (ventive of gl, plac. of len) bring repeatedly | Hausa kakkawo ishu = isu = shu = su v.A2a (v.n. ishu) 1. call; designate with a name. 2. issue the call to prayer | Hausa kira l lbr idiom survive a life-threatening event ex mte s˘ran g m‰t kala g mm l mot sa, caí ílantn lbr they were involved in a car accident but no one died, they all survived | Hausa kai labari len v.B (v.n. lko) (ventive of l, plac. glen) 1. bring ex lenshil l? what has brought you?, why have you come here?; bni gorzo k  lk‰ mcc the

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household of the groom will bring sorrel. 2. reach orgasm ex ishi lentngo ita kala leng˘ sa he reached orgasm but she did not | Hausa kawo em det.m. (pl. min) (f. osh; variable tone) this; this one ex gam em this ram; gam emy this ram in question; em sa not this one | Hausa wannan nn mod.op. so…, I see that… ex nn ka nd b n sa so you didn’t go home | Hausa ashe nn part. so-and-so, whatever (used as a hesitation marker or filler, from íyn em ‘this thing’ = Hausa abin nan) ex nn5, sunk ye l? hmm, what’s your name?; πluttu jπto g g gzw har b˘ nnto she wrapped her body in vines clear to her you-know-what; wak nnÖ she got, you know… (a false start in a narrative); dshi ita n, ëëShi i nn sa.íí then she said, “Don’t do, you know, whatever.” | Hausa abin nan shu = su = ishu = isu v.A2a (v.n. shu) 1. call; designate with a name. 2. issue the call to prayer | Hausa kira ss, ss presentative (ss phrase final, ss when not final) 1. here it is, here they are ex ss lw here’s the boy; ss in here I am; ss mimm here we are; ss mbormi. here are some ebony fruits. 2. (usually reduplicated) here’s what happened, this is how it was ex ishn p r n ss-ss, n ing˘ she, n ing˘ she he spoke saying things went like this, and I did this and I did that. 3. (as a discourse connective) you see, so here’s the situation ex ss n ndin jπno b nko y you see, I have come to your house | Hausa ga (shi/su) nan

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

ssnga presentative here it is, there he is (used only in speaking to a man, cf. h nga) | Hausa ga shi nan estmt n. estimate | Hausa istimat su = shu = ishu = isu v.A2a (v.n. su) 1. call; designate with a name. 2. issue the call to prayer | Hausa kira su n. call to prayer ex unsh‰ g shndl  su ye l ? today in the morning who made the call (to prayer)? | Hausa kiran salla ti = ti n. variant form of íya ‘thing’ with genitive noun (see àti for examples) | Hausa abinÖ w g gg idiom show how to do something, instruct ex wn g gg w b˘ bn he showed me how to open the door | Hausa nuna hanya w kla idiom threaten, warn ex wn kla n kob˘ n ge g bn sa he warned me not to go into the room | Synonym w do | Hausa nuna yatsa

F f m n. film | Hausa fim

G g prep. 1. with (instrument), by means of ex goww˘ g zwa he hit it with a stick; an gwa  mra g pta a blacksmith hoes with a worn out hoe; kerwo  koo g lo zn a fish gets fat with the meat of its compatriots. 2. with (comitative) ex ka  rta g Bamoi o? did you actually do work with Bamoi?; m suni ykku g ygnash you can spend the night with your aunt. 3.

accompanied by, with ex d˘gor g kr ti bodini sa a palace guard with a snake is not someone to become friends with. 4. at, in (place), into ex dshit g ishn g lw n kapa g si then he and his son just (fell) into the fire; sun g b n he slept at home. 5. locative compound formative with stationary relational locative words such as b˘ ‘next to, by’, boi ‘behind’, g ‘in’, ko ‘on’, dàllà ‘between, among’ ex íyor g boi rewe he stopped behind the tree; sun g b˘ wyo kur he slept next to a snake’s den; nn kr g g bnn he saw a snake in his room; m˘lal lw g ko gol mto she held the child on her lap; mte dpp krti gorzo g m ndn g dll they gathered and encircles the husband and his wife in (their) midst. 6. at, in (time) ex Bamoi l mun g st

Bamoi arrived in the morning. 7. conj. and (between nouns, may be mentioned before each conjunct) ex k sum g íyuln ye shap in w the rat and his testicles are all the province of the cat; dshit g ishn g lw n kapa g si then he and his son just (fell) into the fire | Hausa da; a g, g prep., n. (form of gwa used with a complement; g with noun, g with pronoun) 1. in, inside; interior ex g k˘r in the farm; g gargar inside the fenced enclosure; gn in him, in it; gt in her; nonto ye ptettu ko g breto y her mother then came from within her grave; mm l ndol sni g gry gsho  dmt g b˘ glpin sa a person who likes to sleep inside a cave isn’t worried about the sharpness of his axe. 2. compound formative with many words to indicate an interior, or often just the place

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

itself ex g k˘r = k˘r farm (see entries beginning g). 3. part of some place names ex Gdk the town Gadaka “Inside the Fence” | Hausa cikin g1 v.D (v.n. gn, gshi) (plac. gag, gíían) cut grass with sickle ex n g sr

n d‰sho I cut grass for the horse | Hausa yiwo ciyawa g2 v.D (v.n. gn, gshi) (has no pluractional form) wash part of body (face, arms, neck and feet) ex n  bna sa n g jπno I didn’t bathe, but I washed some parts of my body | Hausa wanke gaar jiki g3 v.D (v.n. gn, gshi) (has no pluractional form) become greater (distance between two things) ex dshit mma  jπn, d$llsu gw , ita ndettu b n well, when the water rose and the distance between them grew greater, she came home | Hausa yi tazara gbga n. white hand-woven cloth | Hausa fari g bg n. shelter with a mat permanently available for sitting | Hausa rumfa gbga bntel n. money sent to a prospective bride’s family to affirm an engagement of marriage (traditionally, a white cloth made for a prospective bride and presented to her family) ex sw mte srnti gbga bntel g bni mn Kdj it was fitting that they send the engagement money to Kadija’s family’s house gbga solo n. scapegoat, someone on whom blame is placed | Hausa wanda ake yi wa zargi Gbri n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari gabb n. a heavy gown like a burnous but without a hood | Hausa riga (iri)

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Gbi n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari g bn = g bm n. 1. room: hut; bedroom ex  jπ njl g gbm he is sleeping in the bedroom; gbn nk kitchen; gbn ywi chicken coop; gbn ˘shi shelter for goats. 2. sheath ex gbm di knife sheath; n grun ksikr ko gbnn I drew out the sword from its sheath | Hausa (1) aki; (2) gidan takobi Gbukk n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari gadi n. water strider | Hausa askar ruwa gdl kki n. a wild plant similar to an onion | Hausa gadalin daji gdmbzi n. striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) | Hausa siyaki Gdna n. a town in Yobe State | Hausa sunan gari Gd n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari g d ww sa idiom (in g g d ww sa) impotence, being impotent ex ishi g g d ww sa he is impotent | Synonym d m sa, ykl d m | Hausa laíifi, maras gaba gdu v.A2a (v.n. gd ) inherit | Hausa gada Gdum n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari g v.B1 (v.n. g, gee) (plac. g) 1. tr., intr. pass, pass by ex b shi ndakko shi gattg gr y, shi br when you go and pass by the valley, then throw it down; zppn yro mte d d to ita ge his compatriots, the birds, were pecking her as she was passing. 2. enter abruptly ex g jπn ko mond kapa p b˘ kccn de he burst in on the woman and was crying out because he was caught; g gurut he

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

entered abruptly | Hausa (1) wuce; (2) kutsa ga n. girls clapping game | Hausa gaa Gm n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari gi n. bushbuck, harnessed antelope (Tragelaphus scriptus) | Hausa mazo gt v.B2 (v.n. geite) put in, insert ex ishi gt ybbi g g biik he put the chickens in the cage | Hausa shigar gag v.D2 (v.n. gegn) (plac. of g1) cut grass repeatedly ex an d‰sho gag sr n d‰sh ni the horse owner cut a lot of fodder grass for his horse | Hausa yayyanka ciyawa Ggng n. a town in Yobe State | Hausa sunan gari g gru n. a wall built to screen interior of compound from outside view | Hausa katanga gaggba n. Bataleur eagle (Terathoipus ecaudatus) | Hausa gaggafa ggru v.A2c (v.n. ggiro) behave rebelliously | Hausa gagara g g ru n. downtown, in town | Hausa cikin gari g do n. face ex tas g din he wrinkled up his face | Synonym pusk | Hausa fuska gaigay n. wandering about, moving back and forth ex gaigay mana zan dnak manda Expression: moving back and forth like a Kanuri woman who has tasted salt (Kanuri women have a reputation for caring about their cooking and continually check the taste) | Hausa yawace-yawace gik n. a type of stove over which a beehive is inverted to coat interior with smoke

git v.B2 (v.n. gaite, geite) cause (horse) to gallop ex git d‰sho g palta he galloped the horse on the field | Hausa sukwanar da gito n. expert, strong warrior | Hausa gwani, jarumi gj = gz n. (pl. gajje) rooster, cock | Hausa zakara gajje n.pl. (pl. of gj) roosters, cocks | Hausa zakaru g jr = jr n. living quarters within a larger compound usually occupied by the family of a son or younger brother of the owner of the compound g kao n. fenced in enclosure to protect grain or contain animals | Hausa shinge g klp = klp n. cornstalk shelter | Hausa rumfa gke n. winter thorn (Faidherbia albida) | Hausa gawo g ket adv.man. only with difficulty, barely ex mu íyollun anklin g ket we convinced him only with difficulty | Hausa da kyar gk n. flood ex íyrr lw ko b˘ gk he rescued the child from the flood | Hausa ambaliya gakio n. 1. the shrub Gardenia sokotensis or its fruits. 2. any unripe fruits, esp. dates | Hausa gauen dutse g ko1 prep. 1. on, onto ex m˘lal lw g ko gol mto she held the child on her lap; g sak ka g ko wosi she put the pot on the fire; tnn s˘rung g ko rewe lightening struck the tree; pulag g konn she was angry with (“on”) me; zt din g ko íyl l n jπ nyi he turned his attention to what I was doing. 2. about, regarding, concerning ex. n na mb s g ko B˘ Pkk I am going to speak about the Bole language; n t

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary

sidu g ko mbos I bore witness concerning the matter; mte  jπ kmpa g ko mond they are competing over a woman | Hausa (1) a kan, kan; (2) kan, game da g ko2 conj., mod.op. (uses subjunctive with clausal complements; used as a correlative with ngalk ) than, rather than (see ngalk for examples) | Hausa da (+ gara) g k˘r = k˘r n. farm | Hausa gona gl v.B (v.n. gl, gele) collect into a pile (esp. grain heads) ex gl íyla he piled up the grain heads | Hausa tara (hatsi) gla n. a type of strong fish | Hausa kifi (iri) gldm n. title of an official in the Moi’s court subordinate to the tinj | Hausa galadima galg n. enclosure for storing bundles of guinea corn heads or animal fodder, made of zana mats or stalks | Hausa filin tara hatsi glmlm id.adj. characteristically lacking in taste ex tti glmlm nko g shukr sa the kunu is tasteless because there’s no sugar in it | Hausa bayanin siffa Glm n. a town in Gombe State with a spring whose water is said to have curative powers | Hausa sunan gari gln n. foolishness | Hausa wauta galn n. gallon container ex g jj knz r galn b lou he bought two gallons of kerosene | Hausa galan glpi n. small axe, used for chopping up grass etc. | Hausa gatari galwa n. undependability, irresponsibility ex an galwa irresponsible person | Hausa shashanci galgalm n. large termites | Hausa zago gli n. 1. one row of bricks in a mud or cement construction. 2. large spear used

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for hunting elephants | Hausa (1) zugu; (2) mashin farautar giwa glr n. dye powder or crystals of blue, green, or magenta color | Hausa galura, garura gam n. (pl. gmshine) ram ex gamn = gmno my ram | Hausa rago gm n. glue (for use on paper) | Hausa gam gm1 n. lower back, pelvic region; waist; trunk of body ex gmno my waist; gm Bamoi Bamoi’s waist; gmn mana gm mbπrπt his waist is as narrow as a wasp’s; wnt gm pelvic thrusts; woro  pπt w si sa l ka jt gmko tan Proverb: a fart won’t fan a fire no matter how much you lift your backside | Hausa ugu gm2 n. 1. the place of person or thing (used with a noun to form a locative when the referent is not itself a location) ex ishn ko gm an si mo he set off to a certain herbalist; ndtt gmno g duwr come to me in the afternoon; ita ndi gm k m she went to the cow; b ita k ag gm soki ye, nd˘ri pau! g b˘to if she would head toward a bone, the scorpion (would sting her) pow! on her mouth; mekko gmn g duwr go back to him in the afternoon. 2. in the view of someone, in one’s realm ex Mad 8 le i jπn an ndolnk g gm b‰n Madu the Younger became a favored child for his father | Hausa wurin, wajen gm mod.op. one should (introducing a command formed as a question) ex gm ka nd5k‰ de? don’t you think you should come? | Hausa shin g m = g mb n. 1. armpit. 2. span of arms from one fingertip to the other | Hausa (1) hamata; (2) gaba

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Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

Gmdadi n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari Gmri n. a town in Gombe State | Hausa sunan gari gmy interjection oh, I see!; that’s right! | Hausa haka ne fa! g mb = g m n. 1. armpit. 2. span of arms from one fingertip to the other ex

ppan b z g mb ko poo they dug a well forty spans deep | Hausa (1) hamata; (2) gaba Gmbzi n. a now abandoned town in Yobe State | Hausa sunan gari gamila adj. short-lived, dying prematurely ex lw ye mot snn b,  m to gamila the child died at the age of five, he died prematurely | Hausa mutuwar uruciya g messn and idiom etc., and so on | Hausa da sauransu gamkosn n. being possessed by evil spirits | Hausa hawan bori gmpa n. type of ceremonial axe with a round blade | Hausa barandami gmprm n. millet which has become hard and dry to the point of not being edible as nzmo | Hausa gero busasshe gamsrn n. a large, fast running spider | Hausa rozo, rozo-rozo gamu v.A1 (v.n. gmsh) prune (tree) ex gmum mb rewe he pruned the branches of the tree | Hausa undume gn v.B1 (v.n. gn, gene) cave in, sink, go down into a hole ex gn p ti sunset | Hausa urme, nitse gnm n. title of an official in the Moi’s court subordinate to the tinj | Hausa sarauta gncarw n. furnace used by calabash decorator with holes around base into

which tools are inserted for heating | Hausa gansarwa gnda n. shield made of elephant’s ear | Hausa garkuwa ta kunnen giwa gand n. failure to do work as assigned, purposely doing a job poorly | Hausa ganda gandilo n. section of farm plot half the length of plot so as not to make ridge row too long | Hausa ori gndu v.A2b (v.n. gando) intr. lie down; tr. lay down ex mte  nn mbslm Islamic school 4slmiy it’s... j itchgrass prel = perel itching rw itching of rectum wiwyam

APPENDIX

intelligence adni, ankl(i) = hankli intention niy, íyenm intentionally g íyenm interaction bsa intercept kccu intercourse, have sexual mb ltu = m ltu

J jab y jackal dila jacket jakt

English-Bole Wordlist

jail jrum jaundice krπ-kri jaw shakulkutum jealous person an dsa jealousy dsa jerk v. gashu jerky swar Jimson weed hukt yr

jinn jinn, snkau join gomu, g ntu join ends tu joint (of body) dmul, magam, t joint (of stalk) zr joke with nju joking nji joking partner an gompo joking relationship an wshi, an zro journey mcce = msshe judge lkli, j‰j judgment shriy jug kbrsh = kbrs jujube we jump duru jump down s˘ru jumping durshe jump over ldru just adv. bki just (merely) kawi just (none but) kapa = kaba = k5 just (only) kal, m -/mo-, pir = pal, rak justice adl jute bng

K kaolin pendel kapok tree (H. rimi) dna kapok tree (red-flowered) dwa kebab sπre = shre keen to do zna tlo

275

keep íyuwu keep doing bdnu, ta + verb kenaf jmer = zmer kernel (of grain) dà’ya kernelless legume p‰le kernel of a fruit ng#r kerosene knnz r = knz r kettle kbrsh = kbrs key mabi, makulli kick bs, soru, zmbu kidney od -od

kill duwu killing dwa zu kilogram kil

kilometer kil mt kind (type) r, j r kindle pntu, pπtu, tmu kindling lriya = rriya kinds, different j r-j r = jir-jir king moi kingfisher sintr kitchen bad, kicn, pagji kite (bird) swr klipspringer dgnam knead kku, kkru, mmlu, n˘syu, rshu knead cotton ku knee brm1 = b˘ brm kneel jbb b˘ brm knife di knife, blunt g rdo knifefish jm knit (fractured bone) tu knock down tou knock-kneed brm know monu knowledge m na kob marya kobo (Nigerian currency) kob

kola g‰r

kola, cheap gne

276

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

kola, poor quality bllu, gure, mlu Koran Lkrm Koran, 1st ten chapters Alntrwnns Koran, first five verses kums Koran, ten verses kuri Koranic scribe mbtiri Koranic verses used as charms lhaul Koranic verses used as medicine mbtiri kunu tti tti bakit fine tti woi-woi for new mother gulo heavy type, not flavored with tamarind

L labor, hard nginpu labor (birth) g rsn laborer brma, lbr lack v. ksu, ldu, yklu = yklu lack n. mbr = mr, ykl ladder zwe dokishi inside a house for mounting raised bed gntsk rope jang steps attached to a tree ladle lekid lake pli lambast zlu lame kdu lame, become kdutu lamp ptil = ptil lamp, oil ci blbl = si blbl lance (a boil, a blister) ltu land v. jùggu land n. w li = li language b˘ lap gol m large sr large amount bzn

large but not sturdy mbmbuki large but stooped pmprm large buttocks dngni laryngitis, have lsu last (final in series) tktk = b˘ tktk last until l late, be mkru, ngsnu, yknu late (deceased), the b tt

later ko boi laterite jàngân dài latrine, pit sarga laugh (at) zuru laugh, make na zra laughter zro laughter, loud la launch mblu lavish expenditure badli law d˘ka lawsuit ra lay eggs buru lay out lau, tr laziness krm, lk, m to tilo lazy person ngud leader am moi, barde, b˘w#m b n

leaf kmi rewe = km rewe leak v. nz leak, a small lm

lean against ds leap up siu learn ngozu learning ngoz leather shi, wo leatherwork sm leather worker an sum leave (depart) nd, j leave alone pt ko shek leave behind deyu = dewu leave off doing ssu leave over sktu leave taking mt b˘ leaves ˘k

English-Bole Wordlist

leaves, new m‰ro rewe leaves of guinea corn llm

leaving dyi lecture lecc ledge ding ledge in a grave dle leech lsh left (side) ge left behind, be nguru left hand srn ge left-handed person an sarn ge left over, be mss leftovers alass leg shk legs of locust shnglum lend aru, z ntmu lending z ntm

length dti = dt leopard gngu, jjirm = zzirm leper am bars, an wle, d ggom leprosy bars, wle less, be gtu lessen sktu lest kob˘ = kob = kab let deyu = dewu let alone conjunction bre let down na kawa let me... ‰ let not kob˘ = kob = kab lethargic, be dgmu letter (mail) wakit lettuce lts level surface lbr liberate ùssu liberation (e.g. from slavery) usso library lbrr lice jnkar license lsn lick lm lie (untruth) s˘t lie blatantly jbb s˘t

277

lie down gndu life zu life, long gran zu lift dmu, tu, ztu = jtu light (electric, etc.) w si = si light bulb insa light in weight sampiram = smprm, sokkitok = s kkt k, s kwum light-skinned di lightning míyl lightening bolt tnn likableness myab like (be fond of) ndolu like (similar to) mana likeness swa lily pad g gose = g sgos pitipiti drnsi flowers lily trotter will-will limit b˘ d, b˘ tktk, kimbi, k oki, zrmi limp v. shngu lined up satat, sri = shri line up nd rnu, ndoru, nzou, srmu liniment lilmn lining in clothes gebb lion trm lip, lower b n lí li, shi b n lí li lip, upper b n koíyíy, shi b n koíyíy listen gosu, km little (quantity) njoirom, pisshok = piccok, shim, yir = yeir little (stature)  le live owu liver rso living quarters jr = zr lizard gr see also ‘gecko’, ‘monitor’, ‘skink’ gr aspn type found in the bush kshingire orange-headed male slp ti said to be poisonous load kari, wula = ula

278

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

load an animal lptu loading l‰d loan gdum loan, take tna gdum lobby íywa shek Local Government l‰kl gommn = l‰kl location kle lock v. bltu lock n. kokko locking legs kil locust bmb locust (types) am bongira mma lo mm sul an ngre ciccwt d karma dmo gutu gsho kukklt lkk bl mbrr njm = nzm nyanyatt shall

locust bean tree m cci = m sshi btke, losho, yl, zgn various stages of development of flowers ngy k˘i seeds krm gngu pods after flowers have been shed mbπw beans after seeds have begun to form íylg hard seeds locust bean tree, false jl locust legs shnglum lodge yutu, ywwu = yggu lodged, become ku log gudiri loincloth bgd, bntel

loincloth for women ddm long gra, zmptm long ago tnin, w nj = w nz = nj =

nz long and flexible mblili long and narrow z‰r‰r‰ = zrr long and oblong zrr long and protruding zntrn long and stretched out mll long and thin zengile long pieces sticking out rng longing bge loofah gourd klm look moyu look after dπnu look at πwu, nn look back b ngru = b ngru look for j wwu = z wwu, yllu look forward to doing zna tlo look through yllu loop nti = wnti loose lipped s kwum loose, be lk = luku = lkt lorry park tash lose (a thing) sπt, ytu lose (game) motu lose heart ygnu, r˘gu lose strength shppu lose voice lsu loss sar lost, be sngyu lost, get sl, sy, tmbu lot (a lot) bzn, g do, kda lottery t mb‰l louse jnkar louse (type) jnkar k tpor louse, fowl mwi love v. ndolu love n. nd lnk love potion ngulkam lower back ko gm

English-Bole Wordlist

loyalty nokina luck dπ, kntap, s lucky find wíí lucky find, make g kku lumps ngl lungfish bars, z˘l lungs ppu = hhu lurk kbbu lute brum, grmi lying curled up muskul lying face down aw -wo lying on back b i-boi

M machete dda machine inj mad, go pmplu madame (as polite address) d mond mad dog d hny madman am pempel madness pempel magic bongira magician am bongira mahogany tni mai (ruler) moi mail (armor) s yl, slke maize dmasr majority gòdoŋ make , rmu malarial fever z mpr krban male gorzo malign pllu mallet, wooden tmpol man gorzo man, venerable balw

man, young bnga manage gitu, íyuwu manager manaj mane gza, jsa = zsa

279

mango mong r

manicure  tt krm manly m m j manure bumt, tk many g do, kda marble miíyili mare wz marijuana w w market g ma marketing, do tna g ma marriage ki b n

married, be r, rna b n

marrow orgo marry k, ng ra kaib n

marry brother’s wife bssu marsh lmp marula tree shemshm = shamshm mason an solu massage njkku, poíyu massaging njakko massless pokkitok = p kkt k mat dwun àsabàri used to cover a doorway bsh partially completed klang made of deleb palm fronds kra grass used as screen (H. zana) kasar used to cover a doorway kor-k r unspecified type klbk˘ri very large kuntu bsh woven strip bound to other strips lre made of soft palm fronds skk ndri woven in one piece rather than in strips ynki abb small with designs in squares z˘ kur of four colors matron mtr n matter udr mattress ndre mature, become sπru Maulud Muld, Sall Njiri

280

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

maybe bi, bcc = bssh, l, wakap mayor ciymn meaning ko shek, mna, mb s = m s meaningful íyman measles purshi measure k ptu = k ptu = k ptu, koru measurement  la heel of hand to tip of middle finger g mb = g m span of arms from one finger tip to the other k a thumb to end of middle finger z elbow to fingertips measuring korya meat lo ti biy for miya b kku kuan cooked for grinding dndrum baked k nd carrion consumed as human food swar dried sπre = shre shishkebab sùrra cooked, shredded, and dried (esp. chicken) mechanic mknik meddle in conversation z wa b˘ meddler an sirkib meddlesomeness sirkib meddling kndo, shok l = sok l, s la = sh la medicine si meet gomu, kccu meet a traveler gee b˘ meeting dappi, g mi, mitn meet up tna g mi melon, bitter sulo melt ltu, 6yn member (of legislative assembly) memb membrane covering a newborn s men gorji, mojje meningitis ru, srmb menstruation ld, b˘ tre

Mentholatum mstlt mention b ttu, tnu, tngu mentor b˘w#m b n

meowing ble w merciful, be jngyytu mercury talban mercy jgyyi merely kawi merriment bnnte message dn , srni, z wu messenger an serni, mtinj metal yum = w yum metamorphose b ngru = b ngru, nguru meter mt meticulousness shπna midday b˘ j, dll p ti middle bíí, dll midnight dll b  midwife ni bna leyi migrate dttu migration dttu mile ml milk w i kndirmo cultured w  n grn fresh milk an animal 6ytu millet (Pennisetum glaucum) b˘ brm z nge bent head gmprm hard and dry m (H. maiwa) m ro (H. gero) shr = sr Eleusine coracana (finger millet) millet, coarsely pounded argm millet heads, newly ripe nzmo, pmo million dibudibb, mlyn millipede bnjl, tggan mind ankl(i) = hankli, kta tilo, tlo minister (government official) minist minute mint mirror b‰ka, matankoshi

English-Bole Wordlist

misaligned nync = nyanca miscarry sr miscellaneous things sh miser an jya, an shl miserliness jya, shπl miserly, be shlu misfortune skin, tasirb mislead tmbtu miss s ttu2 = sh ttu2 miss (a target) tla missing each other s ttuma mission (errand) dn

mist ktng d lu mistake, make s ttu2 = sh ttu2, tmbu, mistletoe gangno mix dmu, l mbu mix by stirring duwu mix into njlu, njlu mix kunu btu mix liquid ndw mix thick substance nd ku, ndou mixture l mbu d

miya biy see ‘food (type)’ for particular types of miya moan mpu mock íywa b˘ mockery daw modesty kwa, wrmo moisten m ktu mollify na hauri Monday Lπtr n money d‰do, yum = w yum money order maní‰d money pouch lrint mongoose íyrk monitor (type) k nji dimíyi monitor, grey k nji monitor, Nile íynga monkey bd

monkey, vervet ngraki

281

month tre moon tre moon, full b˘ dmp, dumpo tere moonfish klp moonlight b˘ ptire = ptire more, be ‘yā moreover yne morning sasst , st

morning, after rain ndr morning, early b˘ yr, shndl morning, late balte morsel s‰k mortar tm mosque mashd = masd mosquito b  t mosquito larva jiti mosquito net bm b  t moss k‰lingo mother nonti, n˘nu mother (vocative) d mother, nursing ni leyi motorcycle bb#r, msh n mould solu mound jnr mound for planting j g i mount , tu mount of Venus kumbu mountain gsho, guzra mourning period takab, y mourning place grna mouse k sum, wleki mouth b˘ move dd, nzmt move aside nzm move of bride to groom’s house tru move quickly zt shk move residence dttu movie slmn = slmn moving to new house by bride rna bn, g‰shiya much g do

282

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

mucilage lkk

mucous ngrm wnti, nti = wnti mud ti jnga for masonry lo clay ndleki slick nd  for building (mixed and putrified) r u black tπn sticky muddy, become njku mud hole njk muezzin ldn multi-colored tabbar-tabbar mum  ti mumble ngngru mumps zekikem murder dwa zu murmur ngngru mushroom gulgul z nge, jl d = zl da, ndya dnd musk shrew zw Muslim Musulm must kapa = kaba = k5 mute mka mynah bird lwu myrrh ssuwa

N nail (finger or toe) kùrùm nail (metal) s Naira Lr = Nr naked bwr, kuntu, slwai = sul = sil name sun see NAME APPENDIX for lists of personal names and place names namesake an sun, shpin = cpin naming ceremony zna sun nanny goat rk nape of neck boi do

narrowness kumbe nation kndigi nausea km‰lo nauseous, feel msku navel tmba near nem nearly (quantity, time) njkk neatness dle necessity d‰l, njei neck do neckbone soki do necklace hant = ant , musr, ngl needle lipir needle, large msilla needle, thatching bid needy person an yakl neem tree n m ne’er-do-well lw pempl negation sa neglect alass negligent, be ngsnu neighbor an kra b n , an kooki neighborhood bnni, nguro neighing ble d‰sho = lla d‰sho nest bn yro net ko z˘ri nettle tree shakyi = sakyi never har bda new p‰yo newborn animal or bird gmul news lbishr, lbr next (time) ‰sh next day kccun st = ksshun st

next to jπ next world lkym, p t n ‰sh next year zu nibble pπplu nice g llaka, g , z i nickname sun bnga niece bati night b , lsh

English-Bole Wordlist

night, spend the sunu night blindness dmplm night watchman an gd nightjar kekerlep(i) nine ˘nm nineteen dìr ˘nm ninety ko ‰nm nip washu nipple b˘ w i nod ngotu nod head slowly ynglu noise lo nominalizer n2 = n2 non-pair mrau nonsense kakiíy, yw n g kkuro nonsense talk ula noon dll p ti north ushi, gudi nose nti = wnti nosebleed domo, tuo nostalgia bge nostril wyo wunti = yo wunti not sa notorious person djal not yet d ngo now conc n = honc n = shonc n = sonc n nuisance, become p a b˘ number lamb number of ko numbness (of foot) íymar nun sist nurse ns, sist nurse (child) m˘lu nurse (sick person) wntu nut grass kjj = kjj b n

O o’clock s

oafish sukkutuk = skktk oatgrass dk oath, take tna laya obedience nokina objection udrs oblong sumulum, ztt = ztt oboe lgt obscene talk la observe moyu, zna do obstacle kl obstacle, stand as pna shk obstructing advancement makalm obtain w occiput njla occupation sniy odd member mrau odiferous, become awu odor bjin odor of body b r of course k˘y office ‰ps offspring dnd oh a oil m r oiliness d n

OK shknan okra gombira old mnshi, mnsh old, become mnshu = mnsu old age tnj old animal gwshi old person mnshi olden times kt , kist

older than, be sπru olive (wood or tree) zit#n on ko one m‰ one at a time, one each palpal onion lbasr

283

284

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

only kapa = kaba = k5, kawi, mo-, m‰, kal = rak (numbers greater than ‘one’), pir = pal (‘one’) on purpose g íyenm ooze maíyu open v. w, bníyu opening b˘ open wide btt operate t operation tyt opinion inne opinion, have nn opportunity dma opposite of normal b i-boi oppressiveness rann or b m, ‰ orange n. lm#n orange adj. mma g‰r

ordeal tree p nnbtk order (command) poru ordinalizer n2 = n2 or else say orgasm, reach l, len oribi k m = kme origin gdm, tmba original gongn, jijir ornament for hair danda mbole, jarl = zarl orphan kyu ostrich nonti ywi other, the (following a number) ye others m otherwise b sh sa, say outcropping of stone ko lle, lle outline tr outside ki, pwe overcome by, be íyuwu overeager person am bangilo overflow l 6y6yu overripe, become knshu overtake bolu, sna k˘yi

overturn kru owe  pp gdum owl dj = dz, míyíyau owner am b‰n, am b‰ti, an, ni, nn ox grw oxpecker trki

P package, packet pkit pack of animals k t

pack ox grw pack up tlu paddle for boat jwshi pad for animal's back ntls, libru, praj padlock kokko pagan kird pail lnga pain ju, j jjo, p, wll pain, to experience sharp gaíyu painful, be dlntu paint pent pair boll ngi pair, one of lnte palace bni moi palate, hard akm palate, soft aprd pale, become shppu paleness píí palm frond spine grkt (gng) palm of hand g sra, tpi palm oil m r di palm pod gulkam gng palm shoots shakm palm tree dbin date gng deleb or fan ng lngole dum slke raffia

English-Bole Wordlist

pant zau, zk panting zek pants d ww = dww

pants string tumr papaya kbsh paper gdi, tagrda paper clip kl p parade pret paradise jann paralyzed, be sngyu parasol rufrna pare sllu parent al lw

parrot kku, jijjmko = jijjimk

part of lepe partner z, zti partridge ywi gsho party, political jmiyy pass by g passenger psinj passionate, be  ngru passport psp pass time n ssu pastor past

patch (on clothes) s‰s

patch something t kku path turb patience huri patience, seek na b˘ patient, be hru pavement de pawpaw kbsh pay d ggu pay attention zna do pay back d ggu payment d g nji peacock shhm Bhum peak mau, pitautau, piti-piti peak of roof tntil peanut oil m r dr

peanut pulp d

285

peanuts dr (Kan ) kysh volunteer plants mndmi roasted ngaro immature ritte imperfect peach (African) tree mlsa pebble miíyili peck d u pedal pd peek jng = zng peel off p˘ku, p lku, potu, wlku, wn6yu peer (age mate) an ko-, z, zti peer at jng = zng peers zpp, zppti pelvic thrusts w nt gm pen (for animals) biri pen (writing instrument) lkarm pence, 1.5 (in old British monetary system) p pencil pensr pendant kukurba penis pt = b˘ pata penis head kors penny kob

pension pensh

pensive jrnm, takulum, zogilom pensiveness nglrm = ngulrum people alg, bya, jm, miíyíy peppers ttrubu type (H. attarugu) shtta small red shtta g llo Malagueta/alligator tttse chili perch, cichlid b tk r, d k perfective (verb suffix) -wo perform songs g ppu perfume smsami, trre, trpshi perhaps bi, bcc = bssh, wakap period (of time) sart perish pyyu permeate trru = trru

286

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

perseverance ngor-gwa persevere duru, kmtu, ng ra gwa persist in bdnu persistence km persistent, be kmu person mm personality kndigi persperation pp persuade  ktu, oku, sna k˘yi pester íy ngmu, y ngmu pestering someone ngunyi-ngunyi pestle danda petrol ptr pewter snkl pharmacy kems phlegm b˘ gwa photocopy k‰p photograph p˘to physician lkit physic nut d#rmi g na pick (fruits, beans) r u pick apart wlku pick out y kku pick up dku, konu picture p˘to piece ot piece broken off lot pieces lottà, ngl pied crow kki pierce taru, t u pierce (boil, blister) ltu pierce hole sou pig alad pigtail k˘kiy

pigeon, Bruce’s mbole gudwi pigeon, domestic bru, tttabri pigeon, red-eyed bkl

pile (put into piles) kasu pile of grass ngm sh = ngm s pile of millet heads bg, gle, jg pile on tblu

pile onto dnku pile up dblu, gl, kosu, nglnu, tlu pile up on kkru pilgrim ajj = hajj (female), lj (male) pill díya si pillar dokishi pillory snslnko pillow b r, pil , trra pimp an sersrm pimping srsrm pin (straight, safety, wooden) p l pinch k n6yu, ngru pinch off njilu pineapple brba pipe (smoking) kolo, l‰p pit (hole) wyo = yo pit (of a fruit) ng#r pith shille = sille pitiable situation kinj alb pity jgyyi pixie gòigoi place v. zowu place n. byi, ks, place of gm placenta ti m‰l placenta of animal sshi plain (open space) kp plaiter of hair ni rawu plait hair lssu, rawu plaiting hair rwu plan dbr plank pulank plant rèwe, sr (see ‘grass’, tree’) see FLORA APPENDIX for list of all flora names and English-Bole for plants with familiar English common names plant (seeds) kppu plant (sow) b snu planting before rain íy w

plants, cultivated

English-Bole Wordlist

see ‘gourd’, ‘guinea corn’, ‘maize’, ‘millet’, ‘rice’, ‘sorghum’ see FLORA APPENDIX for list of all flora names and English-Bole for cultivated plants with familiar English common names plaster v. yu plaster n. sm plastic ld, r‰b plate (ceramic or enamel) prant plate (sign) lamb platform dnda, ding platform, sleeping ko bm playfulness k nk mi playground bi gompo playing gompo pleasant z i please (particle added to a plea) sapa please (particle introducing imperative) l pleasure gry Pleiades, The r ni plot of land pul‰t plow v. kptu plow n. grma plow, hand grma sara plover kry-kiry pluck r u, shttu = shttu, washu pluck (feathers) z plug hole lumu plum, tree or fruits dwe plumber plamb plump bkl = buukul, mbkkk = mbukkuuk pocket rubu point v. tomu point (connecting point) mr pointed shomshom poison n, k˘l, ll poke du, y, zk pole srke, zl pole, forked dgum, sbli

polecat, striped kl-kla, k rki policeman ansnda politeness lprni politics sys pollen on grain heads bw

pomegranate rmn pomposity srin tlo pomposity, cause kitu pompous, become kuyu pond pli, pangali poor job rwu z˘ri mbukm poor person am mbur, an yakl pop b˘tu populace alg, jm, kndigi popular, be d m jπn g  popularity myab porch dgli, indra porcupine jj = zz porridge, see ‘kunu’, ‘tuwo’ portion b˘ kul, b˘ si, zrmi portion out tkku position kle possessed (by spirits) gamkosn possession lliy possible, be  possibly bi, bcc = bssh post (wooden) zl postage stamp ko moi postal order pastl ‰d poster post Post Office bni way postpone ldu, ztu = jtu pot ka cooking, general term arambana long-necked ass round, no neck bul ewer bri water storage disini for holding fire doo small for miya gaya for kunu gulkam for cooking beer

287

288

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

jmpololo long-necked for storing grain kokii unfired kkt old ptrks long neck sw wide-mouthed for water or cooking takkird for vegetables zr for miya potash yw potato, Irish dnkl Nsra potato, sweet dnkl potato, type (H. rizga) jli pot belly bul pot belly, get zna bul pot decoration (types) gidan dar, nd ra bgur pot firing area t ngwa pot neck tngile potsherd jelengi = zelengi, keleki potsherds, ground kt pot support shale = sale potter an solu pound v. daku general, for pounding in a mortar b nail bgdu coarse flour dltu cloth, to soften kru wet substance swwu to remove bran tu floor, to harden zrnu = jrnu for second time pound (money) pm pour jbbu = zbbu, s ru, yru = yru pour down nznu, tkshu pour dry substance mbnu pour off w, íy˘ru, 6yr pour out bttu, jru = zru pour through opening nzolu poverty mbr = mr, ykl powder p‰d powder, become rwwu

powder, white burburk

power mn powerful mrss powerful person am men practice (way of doing things) biy praise v. t wwu praise n. k lm

praise singer an onshu, an kolm

praise singing bna k lm

pray dnu, dkknu prayer duw general supplication asr in late afternoon ashiyam non-obligatory, after breaking fast duwr in early afternoon d communal, at a major holiday lsh at night magirp at dusk maskni on the id nglpu requesting aid pns b˘ offered by cleric in supplication rakk bowing during prayer sall ritual prayer; any Islamic holiday sall st , shndl pre-dawn prayer beads tbji prayer call wazan prayer mat or rug slly praying mantis j ng -jongo = z ng -zongo preaching wz precede ky preferably ngalk

pregnancy wi = i pregnancy before weaning sns = shnsh pregnant, become k na w#i premature death gamila prepare rmu preparedness niy press against/down kltu press down njkku

English-Bole Wordlist

press on mb˘íyu = m˘íyu press out km6yu, 6ytu press together rshu pretentiousness rekke pretty gny

prevent ng prevention si pride agla, dsa, nyamk, tííama primary election prmr prince bna, main (pl. mnda) princess marym princess, senior batta principal (money) nonti d‰do principal (school) krunsupl print v. gowu prison bni pursn, jrum prisoner pursn prison warden màidàla problematic, be ndw proceed tna d m proclamation kw procreate leyu = lewu prod zk profanity la profession of faith dπkir, yke progress, lack of durshe km, jakkutu progressive marker jπ prohibit ng prohibited act hrm pronouns, demonstrative see demonstrative adjectives and pronouns pronouns, personal see PRONOUN APPENDIX pronunciation p ra b˘ prop for load in calabash dongii, gongi prop up ds propane gs prophet annab = nab prophet’s melon ko turwshi propose íymtu

289

prosperity nm prostitute d karma, karma, kilk protect ditu, rπpu, twrnu protected, be l˘u protection jing, l˘n, rpo, si, ws

protocol lprni protruberance dener protrude zl protruding eyes m íyíyl˘t˘ protruding forehead yggdk proud km g k˘yi proud, make one p a kawa proverb mb sn g mb s providing s provoke ngl, z ww b˘ prune (tree) gamu pry into a matter pp g mbos/lamr pry out bll public speech lecc puddle gle puff adder knkrs = knkrsh puffed out cheeks mbkkm = mbakkum puffer fish gng puffing zek puffy cheeks pakkutuk pull íy llu pull aside tusu pull back baru pull cloth between legs tuíyu pull down branches tewu pulling back and forth ling-linge pull out gru pull up shttu = shttu pulp sh kk m = c kk m pump pamp

pumpkin sh nji = c nji punch v. dmbu punch (a blow) n. dembe puncture vine gotig jje pupil of eye dinr do puppy ktru (d)

290

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

purdah damb

purification tanj purpose m na purposefully g íyenm purposefulness íyenm purse lips njru, zmru, zntru, zíyíyru, z6y6yu purslane g#re, lism k m pursuit kdu pus m roki push tbbu push away tnglu push down rwwu put mllu put aside dsu, ds put back mtu put down z put in gt put off ldu put on wolu put on/in zowu put out (fire) mbttu put pot on fire gosu put several things jbbu = zbbu put up with duru python mi

Q quarrelsome person ngadr quarter (fraction) rt rtmi quarter of town nguro quarters by quartet po ngi queen mother magara quelea bird moi wle, zrm

quench mbttu question l˘u question particles o, r, w queueing up wlm

quickly b, dab-dap quiet nglrm = ngulrum quiet, become rwu, g˘nu, rπrmu, shπmu = sπmu quiet someone g˘ntu = g˘ntu quinine kn quinine tree gakio, gukui quite a bit ukkm quiver (for arrows) t

k lwu,

R rabbit kulti race (ethnicity) r, r miíyíy race (running) jo radio rdiy

raffia fronds klem raffle rpl rage at ponu rags gzr rain pito rainbird bl = d bl rainbow sa yamba raincoat kpid

raindrops shato raining d ngma rainy season puz

raise tu, su, ztu = jtu raise one’s voice z wa b˘ raised thing jnr ram gam ram’s tail njiri = njir rancid, become bl, kmpu rank myab ransom v. wngu ransom n. wng rap with knuckles ng˘tu, r˘pu rarely spi rash barso, k d˘zm, ptt-pette rat k sum

English-Bole Wordlist

rat, giant gàndùkì ratel ngshi = ngsi rather b m rather than g ko, kob˘ = kob = kab, say rattlebox knglkaski, sh shonge rattles on ankles ajam, shaimi raw grn razor aska razor (type) mashr razor blade rz reach l, lomu, l ntu, mbau read krtu ready, get rmu realize ykknu = ykknu realize, not ngsnu really? (particle ending a question) d reappear bru rearing (child) s reason dl l, dilb rebel v. ggru rebuff tπp yy g g do receipt rs t receive w recess (dark place) kusr reckon k mnu recline  lt grsi recognize m na ko, sidnu, tktu, ykknu = ykknu reconciliation  p nji =  k nji =  ppu, mt, s l recruit k nshn p‰yo rectum mzrzr red di red, become ta reddened tn redeem wngu redemption íyrr reduce gtu, sktu reed of a flute aprd reedbuck ylpt

291

reed grass wk

referee rpr reflecting (thinking about) zumme refrain of song l ush refrigerator pirj refuse kuu regarding gà ko region lard regress tna boi regret v. t do regret n. bk

reins nnm reject kuu relationship r relax ss jπw , sna pempl relaying bkk˘-bikko release ssu relieve ptu religion d n relocate dttu rely on anu remain mss, mbrtu remain over gtu remainder mess remedy mbtiri, si remember zm remind zm removal p  remove ngu, pou remove bark bllu remove from a liquid tw remove from an appointed or elected position yutu repair rmu repeat mtu, mbtlu, sku repent tbu replace mtu replacement b˘ sshe, b˘ ssh, sshe, shshe replacing mt reply mb sn g shk

292

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

report v. g6y6yu, g ntu report n. g ntu representative luwar, wokkl reprimand íy ll kmo request nu,  nshu1 =  nsu1 rescue bolu, íyrru resemblance swa resemble sw residue dnge resigned, be jrnu resin ndur

resolve dispute dwa mbos response mb sn g shk responsibility nd, wula = ula responsibility, bear k na nda responsibility, take íyorno k‰yi rest v. n ssu, ptu resting n ss, pt restraint (for prisoner) snslnko restraint for mad person pmplm, rnjln retaliate d ggu retaliation d g nji reticence kwa, mtt retina dinr retired person mara retirement rty return m (intr.), mtu (tr.) reveal secrets pllsu revenge dlyi revile pru reward n. lda, swpu, zaup rheumatism wriya rhinoceros mbccmbrm = mbccmrm ribs pdro ribs of bird mb i rice shnkba rich person an dra riddle dind b tt˘-botto ridge dividing farm b‰ro

ridge row tri ridicule íywa b˘ riding a horse zw rifle, see ‘gun’ right (correct)  wan right (side) tπsho right hand srn tπsho rim gere ring yum kla ring, archer’s maka ringworm leulewe rinse lnknu, shnklu rinse mouth m6y6yu rip rtu, tll ripe nnn ripen nguu, n (intr.), nπtu (tr,) rise  river ushi river bed gri road g gg

roast b kku, pyu, srru robber an kacco = an kassho robbery j k r robin mii-mii, yro g allumi rock gsho rock bunting ndagra rock outcropping ko lle rodent (type) íyíyk = híyíyk see also ‘mouse’, ‘rat’ roll gnru, mrmsu roll along bklu, mmsu roll around bmblu roll disk gy roll from side to side b ngru = b ngru rolling bongirre, bumbulle, gunirre roll over trmsu roof ko bn dd gabled dk thatched, for granary g mpi conical thatched roof frame pllo

English-Bole Wordlist

roof purlins liuliu, mdgul room g bn = g bm room, rectangular s‰ro rooster gj = gz root sh‰rn root clump shlm rope z˘ri asirka through nose of cow nj worn out ts leather rosary tbji rosary (type) wudiri roselle ra roselle, wild species ra dnd, jam ra rosewood tree zz k rot ndiu rough texture ngnsh = ngnc round and flat of head kltm = kultum round and huge gngr = gngr round and large dnn round and long zmlm round and protruding r‰, yurum round and small okkirok = ukkuruk, golgol, g˘lπlπ = g‰ll, kumulum, r kk l = rokkol, somilom, tombizom = t mbz m row of bricks gli row of harvested stalks sr rub mrmsu, r˘tu, sm rub between palms rosu rub over surface luu rub to remove dirt grku rubber r‰b rubbish heap jjj rudeness krba rug for prayer slly ruin ju ruins ndgr ruler (for measuring) lr ruler (local) am b˘ nguro ruler (person of authority) am moi, shk

293

rulership mn rummage around rwwu rumors shirim rumors, spread buyu run (away) j running jo, j jjo running about jojò rush off gru Russia Rash rust puz

rutting , k na

S sabotage azngw sack bùku sacrifice v. kr sacrifice n. kr, lya sad, be wun bím saddle sird sadist am bím tlo sadness bím kta tlo, bím tlo safe (spherical pot for keeping money) ass safe (metal, for money) sp safeguard v. dπnu sag l˘pu, mbuu = muu sake, for one’s nko salad slk salary kr saliva íyule salon, hair dressing sl#n salt manda salt, refined manda nasra salt blocks mng#l saltless salamlam salty taste glam same b˘ m‰, m‰ sand yy sandal krpt

294

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

sandhopper jj km sandstorm mblna sap (of tree) ble rewe, ndur

sarcasm bki Satan Shtn satisfied, be kw satisfying thing snd

Saturday Supud sauce, see ‘foods’, ‘miya’ save (money) dsu, save (rescue) bolu, íyrru saving (rescuing) íyrr savings dsu saw (for sawing) grjg

sawdust dnge say poru saying that, said that (followed by quote) n scabies tny scald zu scales skl scandal tnji scandalous event ti porni scapegoat v. smpu scapegoat n. gbga solo scar b l, d˘i scare btt, nztu, na nzwa scare away zwru scarecrow jalulu scared, be nztu scarf kellbi scatter lktu, yru = yru scatter on ground mbtlu scheme dbr school makaranta 4slmiy Islamic prmr primary school sakandr secondary school scissors masak = mashak = maks scolding briy, wshi scoop (utensil) tile scoop out bll, ngu, ngll, pkku

score (a point) s scorn owu scorpion, black ngrw scorpion, red nd˘ri scorpion, small bnyra scout skwt scowl ngl, trnu scrambling kkkyno, shkk scrap lot scrape gru, ngl scrape earth away gr = wr scrape out dr, dr, kr scraper shsshp scratch rbbu scratch (with claws) tkru screen gshiyo, kra screw skr# screwdriver skldrb scribe ktib scrotum, swelling sme seal over lumu, sm search yllu search through rwwu seat v.  utu = ˘tu seatbelt bl secret sir, otto Pnnram secretariat sktriy secretary ktib, sakatar section lepe see nn, jng = zng, moyu seed r, díya seedling k seek out j wwu = z wwu seize íyuwu self-assured km g k˘yi self-importance kolk l self interest nd la k‰yi self-respect z˘m self-sufficient person mi ye mlm y sell g jjtu = g jjtu, shpnu semen mma jπw

English-Bole Wordlist

semi-trailer tantbr send (a message) srnu send (on an errand) dnu, srnu, tbbu send (person) z send (thing) zowu send away sllmu = sllmu senior an d m senna brbi, karaki sense ko shek, mna senses ankl(i) = hankli sensible íyman separate v. rtu, sppu separate out tkku serious, become k na bn sermon kuub serum íyulm servant, male bd service (car) sbs service station bni mr sesame kshu sesame leaves, false mtaki, mtaki zgn

set dislocation íy llu set fire to tmu set fracture tu set off ndu set off forcefully g˘tru = g˘tru set out for kou settle out rwu set trap anu, iyu set up k seven bwulo seventeen dr bwulo seventy ko bwulo sever otu sew d nu sewing d nu sewing machine kke donu sexual intercourse mb l = m l sexual intercourse, have mb ltu = m ltu, sunu (polite term) shade rni

295

shadow rni, shlim shake dd, w ntu, zk shake hands na sara shake loose díylu shake off díylu, ppru shake sharply tou shallow dua, tungulu shame kwa shame, cause bsrnu shameless act tnji shamelessness denkr shaming someone basri shard lot, njil share n. b˘ kul, b˘ mnn, b˘ si, zrmi share (a part of something) b˘ share out mbssu = mssu sharif shrp sharp (blade) t nan sharp (point) s mtn sharpen (blade) s mtu sharpen (point) sòttu2 = shòttu2, tonu sharpness (of blade) b˘ sharp pointed sh ltk m sharp-tongued shomshom shatter bntu, p yyu shave zm shaving the face pelle shawl lppy shea, tree or fruits d nshi shea butter m r d nshi sheath g bn = g bm shed v. pòlku shed (shelter, building) klp2 = g klp sheep tmshi sheep (half-black, half-white) d sheep, small gti geny sheikh g ni, shk shelf kant shell of nut shnkl

shelter g bg, klp2 = g klp, mkni, rmpa

296

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

sherd lotà, njilà shield gnda shilling suli shin íyl shiny min6yilin, slni ship jirginruwa shirt bongl, s shirt, sleeveless shj shishkebab sπre = shre shit íyopp shivering r˘ry

shoddy work tand shoe spd, tk shoot bs, mblu shoot (arrow) s ttu1 = sh ttu1 shoot forth domu shop knti short dinshiir, dua, ndekkem = ndikkim, tungulu short and strong dntr short and stubby jengier, krkr = kerker short in excess etiker, ekkem = ikkim short-lived gamila short neck kikkishik shotgun shell nyimnym should gm, kapa = kaba = k5, sw shoulder ko mb shoulder blade papp shoulder of meat karpta shout v. llu, zgru shout n. lla shovel kabn, shpr shovel, wooden wimkabm show w, tomu show how w g gg

shower (rain) ywuna shrike jwe shrivel krru, lzzu shroud lkkapni shrub rèwe (see also ‘grass’, tree’)

see FLORA APPENDIX for list of all flora names and English-Bole for plants with familiar English common names shyness kwa, mtt sibling lw n˘nu sibling, nearest dkk sickle g˘ji sicklepod tpsa sickness shta, teno sic on sutu side prdl, pta side (direction) pdro side-whiskers gg sieve lriya = rriya sift ktu, sttu sifter lriya = rriya, zaga sigh mpu, p a gro sign (indication) lmi sign (placard) lambà sign (write one’s signature) z wa sara signature z wa sara significant, become k na bn silence g‰no silent, be g˘nu silent movement skk silk-cotton tree (H. rimi) dna silk-cotton tree (red-flowered) dwa sin hrm since íyn sing ru singe bwsu, znknu singer an ru, k ndo singer, female zbya single pal, b˘n m‰ singlet singlt sink v. gn sip gou siren jπniy sister lw n˘nu sister, older dda, ddati sister, term of address or reference d , d

English-Bole Wordlist

sister, younger m le, m leti sit cross-legged ng ra dndal, rsnu sit down owu sitting ‰no six bccim‰ = bsshim‰ sixpence (in the old British currency system) ss sixteen dr bccim‰ sixty ko bccim‰ size sr sketch tr skin v. ssu skin n. shi skin sloughed from snake sπt skink slimpie skinniness rkke skinny nyomnyom, singirt skinny, become krru, rùkku skirt ptri skull kpiy sum , kngrm k˘yi, soki k‰yi sky koíyíy, ndagi, ymba slacking off s ww z nge slag íyoppa oyum slam down tccu = tsshu slanted s rdl slap mru slash sllu slate llo slaughter kr slave by jw female kamb liberated ngrum male slave’s child sunsin = sunshin = shunshin slave’s grandchild tikitikimj

slave’s great grandchild s k t m‰r‰j

slavery by sleep njl sleep (foot) míyíyau

297

slice v. zr slice (of meat) d slick líyíyu, slni, tllk slickness selwi slide srnu = srnu slide off sutu slightly l slim singirt slimness rkke slimy líyíyu, tllk slingshot talulu, tamji slip ptlnu, srnu = srnu, zrnu slip away sotu slip down z slip loose slu slip off ptlnu, sklu, sutu slip through nzolu slipperiness selwi slippers krpt, krlep-krlep slippery slni slope shi, jnk sloping s rdl sloppy, become njku slosh bnshlu slough off p lku slowly dnam-dnm = dnm-dnm, l slug v. mkku slurp g u smack down tccu = tsshu small itt, olol,  le, mbrr, ztt = ztt small amount of liquid teccem = tesshem small and flat k tp r = kotipor, leire, pakkitak = pkktk, pekiter small and round r kk l = rokkol small and skinny mbrr small and thin pillor small but clever pirpir small quantity tanklum, yir = yeir small with round stomach kurshsh

298

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

smallness ngrr smallness of cap korkilok smallpox zanzana smash mbríyu, rku, tccu = tsshu, smear lau, ll smell v. km, snknu smell n. bjin smell bad awu smile ynt zro smiling mùsmùsì = mùsìmùsì smith v. gw smithing gwa smoke lloki smoke (tobacco) v. s smooth al-al, sulsul smoothness of grindstone ngla snail, snail shell tombole snake kr see also ‘cobra’, ‘puff adder’, ‘python’, ‘viper’ ti woli, z˘ri woli euphemisms for ‘snake’ ber type of harmless snake bid-bid type of harmless snake g˘yo small, poisonous, black and white stripes mknzu = mknju West African house snake mllπ-malliy green, probably irregular green snake r kk ldi poisonous, head and tail look alike wishik non-poisonous, probably herald snake snakehead (type of fish) dwa snap off shapu snare on a drum rw , íyaríyar snatch g˘ru, tapu, wpu snatch away gashu snatch up zaru sneak brtu, kbbu

sneak up on bbu, oku sneezing ashit = accit = haccit sniff in siru = shiru snobbishness rekke snoop pp g mbos/lamr, yrlu snoring ng˘rum snub tπp yy g g do so (conjunction or discourse particle) bki, nn, nkonn so much that har = ar so-and-so masc. wn, fem. wanc = wansh soak llu soaking wet dksh soap sb#l socks ss, sot soften through spoilage nguu soil w li = li jngn di laterite, for building mbald clay that retains water mbkui soft and dry soil (on clothes, etc.) brbi soldier s‰j sole of foot tpi solid dkkk = dekkiek = dkkk some m some…or other sh somersault b‰tonk riy someimes p t n m son b, lw

song ru soot gdgudd , íyunkuni soothsayer ndgya sorcerer an sowwo, ndgya sorcery s wwo sore n. gr, znn di sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) kt wu muíya produces black tuwo bza white type dsh red type g wwo type

English-Bole Wordlist

grj l compact heads jrm red type kr type with sweet stalks lt red type lkkit white type lkkit bmni white type m nju = m nzu type whose stalks are used for red dye shshm types with sweet stalks wjir red plants appearing among white sorghum head shsshp sorrel seeds mcc sorry, be t do soul zu sound of animal ble sound of movement lo soup, see ‘miya’ sour nm, sh msh m sour, be bl sour from fermenting, become njau source gdm, sh‰rn south ushi sow b snu, kàppu space grdm spanner spn sparks eire sparrow beere speaking mb s = m s spear r ni gli large, for hunting elephants jankr spear with “ears” on the blade spear-grass suwo speech lism = lishm, mb s = m s speedometer mlj spell b˘ mm, bssu, sanm spell, cast pnsu spend money sπt, sy spend night sunu spend time dau, nòssu spend year sonu spending time n ss

299

sperm mma jπw

sphere unga spices yj spicy wl-wl spider lla kka yamba bright red gamsrn fast running tautu daddy longlegs spiderwort j ngl‰ri spill pttu spin (thread) bs spinach layypo spinal cord kshingire spindle jelek spindle shaft kri bse spindle support (leather) pta spindle weight gll spiny plum dd , keríywi (male) spirit g igoi, pempel, shlim, snkau spit shru, tupu splash out bnshlu split v. yu split n. rto split (gourd) tou split (wood) rtu spoil ju, jttu, ndiu spoil (child) sktu spoiled ndan spoiled, be (a child) sk spoiled child an sek spoiling the show mbtt sponge s˘so sports coat jakt spot (see) v. jng = zng spotted torok-torok sprain brglu = brglu = brglu, msu spray byu, pru spread (mat) lau spread (news) lktu spread (out flat) wolu spread (over a surface), v. pt

300

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

spread over surface adj. tccm = tsshm spread sand lrtu spread to dry z = wz spring (metal) spr  sprinkle byu, pt sprout m˘ru, pt spur jìrìnka spur (rooster's foot) blu squandering badli squash v. mbríyu squash n., see ‘pumpkin’ squat jmu = zmu squeal on g6y6yu squint gmíyu, knnu squinty peller squirrel ik squirrel, fying jye stab du, y stack nd rnu, ndoru stack up srmu staining teeth bshi stain teeth b stale, become gusu stalk v. bbu stalk n. kr stalks used for firing pots endel stallion ngirm stammering mbum stamp, postage ko moi stamp, rubber b stand 6y rtu, íyoru stand erect íyimu stand up ndu standing íy ran, íyorno staple food ottò = wottò see ‘tuwo’, ‘food (type)’ star jnja starbur kshinywo starch ramíya starch for dying knku starling wuyk

start (begin) konu, zalu starter for tuwo ytu startle g˘tru = g˘tru station tash stay owu stay behind nguru staying ‰no steadily b˘newne steal dmu, shiru stealing k nsh steam wut-wut = w#twut steering wheel styr stems, sharp rnt stench bjin, wa, shlluki step for climbing jang step on dkíyu, d6yu stepmother ydikk

sternum b˘ dml stew, d see ‘miya’ stick zwa stick on nnu stick to nglu, lau stick, green lsa sticky nd kk m, ng l m still, become imu, rmu stilts shille gj = sille gj sting bs stinginess jìya, shπl stingy, be shπlu, z ktu stir brglu = brglu, duwu, srku, t klu, z glu = j glu, zklu stir together l mbu stirring stick shinji stirrup pangam stitch t ggu stocks for restraining someone snslnko stoke fire soru stomach wo stomach of ruminant bk, mlram stone gsho stone for forming pot gsho too

English-Bole Wordlist

stone for removing seeds from cotton gsho grza stone partridge ywi gsho stone, small kshak stool gudub, ndya stoop nku stop 6y rtu (tr.), íyoru (intr.) stop animals drnu stop up lumu store v. dsu store (shop) n. knti storeroom st stork, Abdim's bl = d bl stork, marabout jga stork, saddle-bill j ng m stork, white jngum bl storm kkrm, k ry story lbr stove, cooking tripod ren stove, kerosene rsh straight íyman straight ahead sant strain liquid km6yu strainer for beer c kki stranger ng ropi strangle kríyu street gòggò, palta strength gu, gergu stretch out íyimu strew yru = yru strike gdbu, g ppu, gowu, ng˘lu strike match or flint krtu string n. z˘ri string (beads) v. nzou string for trousers tumr strip off gru, g˘ru, p˘ku, p lku, tll, wlku, zr stripe (with a whip) lssu stroll sna pempl strolling rw strong gu, ng

301

strong and tall prtt, prtt strong man gàito, gorzo, shongl struggle with lπlku struggling kmo, wrsngul = rsngul strut nglu strutting by wrestlers ri stubborn person gíyel stubbornness gu k˘yi stuck, be ku stud for nose or ear kurk, p#sh student pkra study carefully k na samat stuff (things) kari stuff (mouth with food) mkku stuff into du, dnku, shku stumbling btm

stump (of limb) dungulum = dnglm stump (of tree) twa stupid btti, ddum, yna stuttering mbum submerge ngmu, nzonu subsequently z subservience w ra woli subside lk = luku = lkt substitute sshe, shshe, b˘ sshe, b˘ ssh successful, be t suck 6ympu suck food from between teeth kklu suck in íy llu suck in lips bmu suet shor suffer mbrt, t do suffer a loss yklu = yklu suffering difficulty kkir-kkir suffice mn sugar shukr = sukr sugar, raw mzerkoil sugar cane rke sugar cane, elephant’s py-py suit (befit) gomu

302

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

suitable, be sw suitcoat kt suitor of divorced woman an duwo b˘ sullen skkm sum komno summit koíyíy sun p ti sunbird tetemshi Sunday Ld sunrise pt p ti sunset gn p ti, p ti b tt bnji superglue gl# superior (in social status) an d m supernatural powers lit supplicate dnu supplication duw support  pp boi, gosu, ng ra gm surface jπ surgery rta, tyt surpass íy surprise n. ajp, ljb, wjb surrender na k‰yi surround kr survive l lbr, mbrtu suspend ldu swallow v. olu swallow, mosque kll-kelle swamp lmp swarming lliwwe sway jngu, lw, wníylu swear (take vow) kntu, sidnu, tna laya sweat pp sweater swt sweep dm sweepings b˘ dm sweet dlnt sweet broom weed ypimlmbím swell kbb, kw, pltu, pulu, bbu swell up sru swelling of scrotum sme swelling of testicles d íyula

swerve lw swift (type of bird) kll-kelle swindle rnnu swindler ar rann swindling bíyi, rannà, zmba swing alriy swing around bπbyu swing in a circle wπwπtu swinging thing around dw#rwur swizzle stick burgli swollen abdomen kirshshi swoop down jggu sword ksikr sympathy, express íywa sara syphilis skyyi

bbiyye,

T table tbr tablet (pill) k ya tail pt = b˘ pata tail of a horse or cow wyy tail of a ram njiri = njir tailor an d nu take (from one place to another) l take (pick up) konu, ’yuwu take (thing offered) bkku take along nd take firm stance duru take out/off pou take place  take several bzwu take up (activity)  taking k nsh talk about solu = sholu talkativeness jal, g dom mbos talking mb s = m s tall gra, zngl tamarind dmi

English-Bole Wordlist

ngarngiy type with sweet fruits g dglo fruit tamarind, monkey dendmi, wwi tamper with wlku tan (hide) v. d u tank (for water or military vehicle) tank tanner an d u tanning d u tap (water) pamp

tape (measuring or recording) tp tape (Scotch) soltp tarmac de tarpaulin tmpl tarred road k lt taste v. dnu, km tasteless glmlm tasty z i taxes ngalna taxicab ts tchagra (type of bird) jwe tea shay teach ngozu teacher mlm tear v. rtu tear n. rto tear off tll tears íylm tease nju, íywa b˘, z ww b˘ teen dr telephone tlp telephone, mobile s‰b msshe telephone call way television talbijn = tlbijn tell poru tell story na labr temper tlo temperament al = hal ten bmbai tender (a bid for a contract) tend tending (animals) dyi tendon tze

303

tens ko tent lííama, tant termite hill gnj termite(s) tor m galgalm large zz winged test v. jrrbu, k ptu = k ptu = k ptu test n. jarrabwa testicleless sy testicles íyula testify sidnu testimony sidu tetanus ru tethering post ks tetra (type of fish) shsha, shpo than g ko thank knnu thanks knn that (+ quote) n that (relative conjunction) l, y that of + noun in3 = n3 thatch kku thatch grass kk , kn that’s that shknan the y the late (deceased) am moto the thing that… íyl l, íyy y theft dmo, shri then conjunction b lo, dci = dshi, k n, yne, z, zyi there payy, tan there (far) paipayy there is (one/some) and there it is, there they are ss these min thick ndkl = nduukul thickness nd thickness (foliage) drm thief an dmo, an shiri thievery dmo, shìri thigh pndo

304

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

thin njll, njuni = nzuni thin (body), become kùrru, rùkku thin (liquid), become otu thin and watery shalal thin with swollen belly eldum thing ti = ti, íya, íyn thing (anaphoric) y thing, this íyn em thing of íyti think (have an opinion) nn think about zmmtu thinking tm, zumme think that konu thinness ngrr, rkke thirst kujm thirteen dr kunnm thirty ko kunm this em (m), osh (f) thistle arak rmo thorn arak those min thought tlo thousand dibu thread grzan threaten w kla, tomu three kunm threepence tarau threesome kunnngi thresh dπru, gdbu thresh (on ground) gowu threshing bug, dir threshold dob˘bn throat g jor = g zor throne ndi moi, sla, throw doru, s ttu1 = sh ttu1, mblu, ytu throw away/out jbbu = zbbu, kkku, pttu throw down buru, wolu throw out (mat) buru thumb kln b˘wu

thunder, thunderbolt tnn Thursday lmsw thus mamm, sh tick girgi, ko tickle ngou, tklu tickling ngo tie gπgyu tie loosely k dlu tie tightly tnku tie together nz tie up ngoru tigerfish d-d tiger nuts byam tighten jru = zru tightfistedness jya tilapia b tk r, d k tilt zsu = jsu tilted s rdl time jajn = zajn, lok shi, sart time (“one time”) shk time period zmn tin can pampam tiny ilil, itt, olol, njiikir, ptir, ztt = ztt tip v. zsu = jsu tip n. b˘ tip (of money) dandlm, ker, shkshk, wte pundo, wurwurm, wíyíy

tire v. mbutu tire n. ty tired, be gttu tire of snku tithing zkka title yl see TITLES APPENDIX for a list of individual titles title holder am men, an yel to (dative, benefactive, malefactive) in2 = n2 toad dnd tobacco tb

English-Bole Wordlist

today inc‰ = insh‰ = unc‰ = unsh‰ = insh‰yi toddling tte = ttt toe kla shek toeless dnglmi together b˘ zn, b˘ m‰ toilet boi bn, sarga tolerance huri tolerate duru, hru, rknu tomato tmtr = kmtr tomorrow ‰sh ton tn tongs used by blacksmith nge tongue lism = lishm tongue twister dbl mb s tonic water t‰nk tonsilitis aglaw tool for removing uvula kule tool for scraping kule tool for splitting gourd díyk tooth do bl canine/cuspid do ngao molar dn koíyíy upper incisors dn lí li lower incisors toothpaste mkl n top ko, koíyíy top (spinning toy) tombole topi mayaya topic p rni torch (cornstalk) shsshp = shpshp tortoise jnj, krk toss doru, z gnu toss (several things) yru = yru toss up zk total komno totality (suffix on verb) -ti, -t, -t touch dnu, dolu, sslu, sowu = s˘swu touching someone when leaving slm tough gu towel twl

305

town g ru town, other d g ru town square bnni trace v. llu trachea íyriti track (left by person or animal) b˘ shk track (path) turb trade (occupation) sniy trademark lamb trading gojjo, jr tradition d, ld, biy, tlbe traffic light danj trailer tirl train n. jirginkas train (animal) r˘tu transfer psku, wltu = ltu translate psku transplant k transport l trap ya arkau = rkau consisting of cord and snares ashta for fowls w Nsra metal spring jingìu fish trap of net between police jppa collapses over prey kl metal spring konte contains sharpened stakes r i consisting of mat that falls over animal trapping jippno trash b˘ dm travel v. nd traveler am mecce traveling mcce = msshe tray tr tray, woven bk, kmb treasury bitlmn treat n. lkshboksh treat nicely shutu tree rèwe

306

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

see FLORA APPENDIX for list of all flora names and English-Bole for trees with familiar English common names tremble dd trembling r˘ry

tribal mark rt All m‰πn vertical down bridge of nose shnkrt five vertical marks on cheeks tribe r miíyíy, gg yy trick v. btt tricking ankli gn trickster in folktales Kurkushishi trim v. wsshu = wccu trim on mat klangam, kurgu trio kunnngi trip (journey) mcce = msshe trophy cup kp trotting garlp trouble bon trouble making gonte troop of animals k t

trousers d ww = dww

truce s l truck (for transporting goods) m‰t g ma truck (military) kinkimri truck (semi-trailer) tantēbùr true gongn, jijjir, jir trumpet gshi trunk (elephant) mblm = mlm

trunk (for storage) k˘t trunk (of body) gm trust mn, yrdu = yrdu truth jijjir, jir try hard kmtu, ttyu try out tagu trying ííori tschagra jwe tube (for tire) t p Tuesday Tlk tuft k˘kiy , tuntu tulip tree tli

tumbler tambl  tunnel gumpi, t u mbole turban rawni turbid, become diu turbid, make dtu turkey t l‰-t lo turn (by turns) b˘-b˘ turn (in a game) b˘ turn around b ngru = b ngru, bra boi turn into b ngru = b ngru turtle lnt tuwo ott = wott

see ‘food (type)’ for particular types urm plain (without miya) mra portion of shri in rolls tweezers kr m twelve dr b lou twenty ko b lou twigs lriya = rriya twin nj nni = nz nni twist mru, mrku twist 2-strand rope rawu twist sideways zsu = jsu twitch mouth ngiíyu two b lou two shillings (in old British monetary system) ptak type àrè, j r typewriter tprt tyranny hrm tyrant an harm, an zmba

U ugly r mo ulcer gr ululation g umbrella lm, rufrna unable, be kn

English-Bole Wordlist

unattainable sirk uncle, maternal rap uncle, paternal bgna bbn  le = b  le younger bbn sr = b sr older uncommunicative sm‰kn undependability bergl, galwa, gand undependable person an galwa under w lw li = lí li undershirt singlt undersized gultum understand gnu, konu, km understanding, seek na b˘ understood, be íyimu undisciplined, be sk undress knshu = knsu uneven s rkl k unexpectedly tni ngo m = tn ng  m unfortunate situation bt ungrateful person am bang unhaft 6yltu unhafted, become íyllu unhappiness jao tilo unhappy, be wun bím United States mrik university jmiy unload yutu unlucky karp unreliableness kudd unripe grn unsettled wssh-wssh untangle b untie b until har = ar, kapa = kaba = k5, said untrustworthiness kudd unusual gde upholstery sm uproot shttu = shttu upset, be íyowu upset (disturb) g ush tlo, tkklu, íy utu urinate  íyopābùm, m kt w li

307

urine íyopbm urine smell kingir use n. mpni, paid use up t usefulness mpni, bot useless ps, sari uterus snsh uvula kr uvula remover t‰

V vacation btll, pt vaccination lamb vagina wte valley gri, wr, zirk = jirk valve bwl various grgde, j r-j r = jir-jir veil gshiyo vein tze velum aprd velvet leaf mtw w li venerable person ndott venom ll verge of, be on the njàkku verse of Koran ts vervet monkey ngraki very mana l very much rnkat vetiver mre vexation haushi via n1 = in1 victory g ru, s video bdy

village ko mla village head bulamà, làwân vines on fig trees jrk violet tree bjr = bzr viper bdl, momocci = momosshi viper, burrowing bdl b˘ k m

308

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

virgin br, kyanga visiting rw visitor mmm pwe, ngòropi voice lo volunteer plant twr vomit l 6y6yu vomiting mto vomiting by nursing baby muk vote n. kriy voucher bauc vulture dπsha vulva wte

W wad up ksshmu, tasu wages kr, lbsh wagon malanke waist gm, kmkm wait for m yyu waiting one’s turn wlm

waitress sbs wake up ndu (intr.), ztu = jtu (tr.) walking mcce = msshe walking single file zw wall bongo of a house or other building g gru external, of compound gru of a city gwuna of a city wandering gaigay want ndolu war k sn warbler (spp.) kumbule ward of town nguro warden of prison midla wardrobe kb d warm kmn warm (person or thing near fire) íy nku warm up (food) kmt

warn w, gr, do kla yru warrior gito warthog d˘zm wash bn, g, pshu wash private parts íywa amma wash without soap shnklu washer (metal spacer) wsh washing psha washing blue zrgin washing by new mother m˘l b n , wowoi wasp mbπrπrπ waste sπt watch πwu, nn watch over jngyytu water mma water, grain soaked kaal water, holy zamzm water, with flour surk water bag znzmiy water strider gadi waterbuck guo watermelon pru = pri waterway pttna watery sh˘r˘r˘ = sh‰r‰r‰, íy‰r‰r‰ = íyoror‰ watery, become otu wax sh kk m = c kk m weak, be motu weaken shppu weakness s ww z nge weak point l‰g wealth dra wean otu wear out motu, t weave lu, sííu weave tray tn weaver an saíí weaver, buffalo (bird sp.) wuyk weaverbird ngz weaving saíí

English-Bole Wordlist

weaving patterns in kumba trays d karma nyw íyopbm rmo wedding ng ra kaib n

wedge wj Wednesday Lrab weed v. maru weeding, do first shttu = shttu weeding, done poorly bnglsa weeding, first dre weeding, second mt, too weeding weed-choked farm z ggz

weeds sr (general term for grasses and weeds) see FLORA APPENDIX for list of all flora names and English-Bole for plants with familiar English common names week sti weigh k ptu = k ptu = k ptu weighing korya weight nd weight, lose kùrru, rkku welcoming, be ss do well, be (after illness) k lwu well (for water) b z = b z n kn collapsed or dry g nji b z n deep sktir shallow in watercourse well interjection y˘ well bucket gga, kurpi well bucket hook kra well-done, be (food) n well-dressed, be  rnu, rnku well then… b lo welt lao, lu west z ni wet m ktn wet, be (ground) nzn wet, get/make m ktu what? l

309

what (introducing headless relative clause) íyy y, íyl l whatchamacallit sunto gdi whatever nn, ll, mn yll whatever kind of l r (Öyll) wheat alkam wheel gere when? s tt

when conjunction b whenever l s tt

where? u, ng

wherever l u whether bi, bcc = bssh, ‰, bik, b m whether…or not b which …?, which one? yll which relative l, y whichever l yll whining wlga whip bill = bull whip (a liquid) v. t klu whip of leather klmbu whirl around bπbyu whirling bbiyye, dw#rwur whirlwind w#rwur whisk v. brglu = brglu whisk (for chasing flies) wàyyà whisk away dmu whisper solu = sholu, sswu whistle n. usr whistling pníyu white ptl white, become ptlu whitewash g‰l whitlow kkkare who(m)? l

who(m) relative l, y whoever ll

whole sorom, sunguram, suram wholeheartedly tlo m‰ whooping cough gii-gii

310

Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary and English-Bole Wordlist

why? b˘ l (w), nko l whydah bird zr g pt wick l g ni wickedness íyta wide drnsi, dym wide-mouthed dngy widen hole prktu widen mouth of pot kl wide open w˘tr˘ wide opening p˘tr˘ = p‰tir‰ widow ni y, gudugm wife m nd ni k disfavored ni ndolnk favored wilfully nd la tilo, tlin = t'ln, wilfulness jirkn wilt lanu, zmu wind n. pl, pempel wind (up/around) bπyu, πlu window tg wing mb winnow buyu winnowing buyo winter thorn tree (H. gawo) gke wipe ngl, s wipe out with finger kll wire way witchcraft samm witchweed tje with g, gda withdraw baru, íy ll jπw

wither lanu, lzzu, zmu withhold ng withholding pna wo without wr witness syid woman m nd dmrksy huge kyanga young porol barren shπma settled

womanizing mndlam womb snsh won’t do kuu wood sh˘wi wood, dry p‰riya wood carver an yommu wood stack bdm woodpecker adm bunshlum, d kokkok wool l work n. rta work during dry season kurna working poorly bergl, gand world dniy worm njwar = nzwar, ttok worn out thing ssn worried, be dkundu, íyowu worry íy ngmu worthless sari wound n. gutto, ju wounded, be gttu wrap on (turban) πlu wrapper (woman’s) zott = jott

dir type gonda worn on special occasions jirgi hand-woven kud worn on special occasions lngis long triangular piece in front that sweeps the ground wrench (tool) spn wrench away dmu, gashu, g˘ru wrestling gungu, kmo wring out km6yu, mru, mrku wrinkle mshu wrinkle up tasu wrist di sara write rbtu writhing dwalwas, wrsngul = rsngul writing rbtu writing board llo

English-Bole Wordlist

Y yam d‰y zm k small type yawning hkm year s ni mbno last year s niy this year zu next year year, spend sonu yearly cycle puz

yellow mma mocci, #l, ull, momocci = momosshi

311

yellowish uull yelping wlga yesterday nz no yet kala = k4 yoke yk yolk k d

youngest sibling ngur-woi youth bnga

Z zero sari zorilla kl-kla, k rki

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APPENDICES BIRDS FISH FLORA IDEOPHONES IDEOPHONIC ADJECTIVES EXPRESSIONS AND INTERJECTIONS PROPER NAMES AND PLACE NAMES TITLES KIN TERMS PRONOUNS VERB FORMS

315 317 319 327 331 335 337 341 343 345 349

Further systematic lists can be found in the English-Bole Wordlist under, but not limited to, the following headings: ants baskets bees bowls bracelets calabashes charms dancing

drums ethnic groups festivals foods games gourds gowns, men’s granaries

313

horses insects mats pots prayers traps wrappers, women’s

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BIRD APPENDIX Acridotheres tristis (mynah bird) Actophilornis africanus (African jacana, lily trotter) Amadina fasciata (cuthroat finch) Ardea cinerea (grey heron) or Ardea melanocephala (black-headed heron) Ardeotis arabs (Arabian bustard) Balearica pavonina (crowned crane) Bubalornis albirostris (buffalo weaver) Bubulcus ibis (cattle egret) Bucorvus abyssinicus (ground hornbill) Buphagus africanus or B. erythrorhyncus (oxpecker) Cecropis = Hirundo senegalensis (swift; mosque swallow) Centropus senegalensis (Senegal coucal) Ceryle rudis (kingfisher) Ciconia abdimii (Abdim’s stork, rainbird) Ciconia ciconia (white stork) Cisticola juncidis (streaked grass warbler) Colomba guinea (red-eyed pigeon) Columba livia (rock dove, domestic pigeon) Coracias abyssinica (Abyssinian roller) Corvus albus (pied crow) Dendrocygna bicolor (fulvous tree duck) Dendrocygna viduata (white-faced tree duck) Emberiza cia (rock bunting) Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis (saddle-bill stork) Eupodotis senegalensis (lesser bustard) Francolinus spp. (francolin) Gyps rueppellii (Ruppell’s griffon) Hedydipna platura (pygmy sunbird) Lagonosticta senegala (Senegal fire finch) Lamprotornis purpureus (purple glossy starling) Leptopilos crumeniferus (marabout stork) Macrodipteryx longipennis (nightjar) Merops pusillus (little bee-eater) Mesopicos goertae (woodpecker) Mesopicos goertae (woodpecker) Milvus migrans (black kite) Necrosyrtes monachus (hooded vulture)

315

lwu will-will b dr ng r˘kum tggaru dngy wuyk shanshala = cancala ziriu trki kll-kelle b sintr bl = d bl jngum bl kumbule bkl

bru, tttabri arkl kki klliuliu albukuru ndagra j ng m tggaru trwshi njm k = nzm k tetemshi itt wuyk jga kekerlep(i) moi olm adm bunshlum d -kokkok swr dπsha

316

Bird Appendix

Numida meleagris (guinea fowl) Otididae spp. (greater bustard) Otis arabs (Sudan bustard) Otus leucotis (owl) Passer griseus (grey-headed sparrow) Plectropterus gambensis (spur-winged goose) Ploceus cucullatus (village weaverbird) Psittacus erithracus (parrot) Ptilopachus petrosus (stone partridge) Quelea quelea (red-billed quelea bird) Sarkidiornis melanotos (knob-billed goose, comb duck) Streptopelia spp. (turtle dove, laughing dove) Struthio camelus (ostrich) Tchagra senegala (black-crowned tchagra, Senegal bush shrike) Terathoipus ecaudatus (Bataleur eagle) Tockus erythrorhynchus (red-billed hornbill) Tockus nasutus (grey hornbill) Treron waalia (Bruce’s green pigeon) Tyto alba (owl) Upupa epops (Senegal hoopoe) Uraeginthus bengalus (red-cheeked cordon bleu) Vanellus lugubris (Senegal plover) or Vanellus tectus (black-headed plover) Vidua macroura (whydah bird) Birds unidentified as to species: bikr a small bird similar to a bishop bird eire a type of small bird jalu a type of sparrow karmmat hawk, accipitral bird k sa-k sa a type of small bird mbole g do g mur type of dove mii-mii robin pπri a black bird that lives in wells njtiir type of bird sharbiy type of small bird yro g allumi robin

dmo bad tggaru dj = dz, míyíyau beere d am ngz kku, jijjmko = jijjimk

ywi gsho moi wle, zrm

d am ko wunti g kalwa mbole nonti ywi jwe gaggba t ng  shiyt = ciyt mbole gudwi dj = dz, míyíyau d-d dπdi kry-kiry zr g pt

FISH APPENDIX Bagrus bayad (Bagrid catfish) Barbus spp. (barb) Brycinus spp., formerly Alestes spp. (tetra or characins) Citharinus citherus (moonfish) Clarias lazera and other Clarias spp. or Heterobranchus bidorsalis (African catfish) Clarias spp. (catfish, large) Distichodus rostratus (grasseater)) Gymnarchus niloticus (African knifefish) Heterotis niloticus (bony tongue) Hydrocynus vittatus (tigerfish) Labeo senegalensis (African carp) Malapterururs electricus (electric catfish) Marcusenius abadii (elephant snout fish spp.) Mormyrus rume or Marcusenius ihuysi (elephant snout fish) Paracchanna obscura (snakehead) Polypterus spp. (bichir fish, lungfish) Protopterus annectens (mudfish, lungfish) Schilbe spp. (African butter catfish) Synodontis clarias (synodont catfish) Tetraodon fahaka (puffer fish) Tilapia spp. (tilapia, cichlid perch) Tilapia spp.(tilapia, cichlid perch) Fish unidentified as to species: brasi type with black, hard back gla strong type kadmi unidentified type (H. mozo) kolam unidentified type mbri unidentified type ndm gsho unidentified type (H. kuma) nd˘gnd gum type rich in fat njut unidentified type peppls unidentified type

317

dngys, d ndogu dgl , jlm shsha, shpo klp zumat pkn srnsh jm z la d-d wdd ndndul bl

mb lm dwa bars z˘l glm bs, ng‰k gng b tk r d k

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FLORA APPENDIX Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) Acacia nilotica (Egyptian mimosa) Acacia polycantha Acacia senegal Acacia sieberiana Acanthospermum hispidum (starbur) Adansonia digitata (baobab) Aframomum melegueta (Malagueta pepper, alligator pepper) Afrormosia laxiflora Afzelia africana Agaricus campestris (mushroom) Albizia chevalieri Allium cepa (onion) Allium sativum (garlic) Alternanthera sessilis Alysicarpus vaginalis Alysicarpus vaginalis (moneywort?) Amaranthus hybridus (spinach) Amaranthus viridis Amblygonocarpus andongensis Anacardium occidentale (cashew) Ananas comosus (pineapple) Andropogon gayanus (gamba grass, fresh sprouts) Andropogon gayanus (gamba grass) Annona senegalensis (custard apple) Anogeissus leiocarpus (chewstick tree) Arachis hypogaea (peanuts, groundnuts) Aristolochia albida; A. bracteolata Azadirachta indica (neem) Balanites aegyptiaca (desert date) Balsamodendron africanum; Commiphora africana (African myrrh) Bauhinia rufescens Bombax buonopozense (kapok) Borassus aethiopum (deleb palm) Borreria stachydea (ant’s wheat) Boswellia dalzielii; Commiphora kerstingii (frankincense)

319

gombira jidimi ongiro kurkr dji = dzi, shri = sri kshinywo kshi shtta g llo jr dgl gulgul z nge, jl d = zl da, ndya dnd jl lbasr kgilmo an k‰yi dibu sinsini sinsini yy, sinsini zirk layypo arak Nsra ongiro gsho arr brba dnk wk redde lπlom = lπlam dr (Kan )  moki n m z ng ssuwa d k ymba dna gng d ngirm dddi

320

Flora Appendix

Burkea africana Cadaba farinosa Calotropis procera (Sodom apple) Capsicum annuum (chili peppers) Capsicum annuum, C. frutescens (red pepper) Carica papaya (papaya) Cassia arereh, C. sieberana Cassia singueana Catunaregam nilotica Catunaregam nilotica or Pteleopsis habeesis (elephant henna) Ceiba pentandra (kapok tree, silk cotton tree) Celtis integrifolia (nettle tree) Cenchrus biflorus, C. ciliaris (burr grass) Ceratotheca sesamoides (false sesame leaves) Chamaecrista mimosoides Cissampelos owariensis; C. mucronata (velvet leaf) Cissus populnea Citrullus lanatus (melon with bitter taste) Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) Clerodendron capitatum Cochlospermum tinctorium Cocos nucifera (coconut) Colocasia esculenta (cocoyam) Combretum hartmannianum Combretum molle, C. glutinosum (bushwillow) Combretum spp. Commelina nudiflora (spiderwort) Corchorus tridens (jute) Cordia africana Crateva religiosa Crossopteryx febrifuga (ordeal tree) Crotalaria mucronata Crotalaria mucronata, C. obovata (smooth rattlebox) Croton zambesicus Cucumis melo (cucumber) Cucumis prophetarum, C. ficifolius (prophet’s melon) Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) Cussonia barter (elephant’s sugar cane) Cyathula prostrata; Indigofera nummulariifolia (burr grass) Cymbopogon giganteus

jr, ongiro gsho gn

kkulti tttse shtta kbsh alya lji = lzi rnji, mbreti dangl dwa shakyi = sakyi maki mtaki, mtaki zgn

m j íyla mtw w li dkulkuli = dakulkli sulo pru = pri shen = sen ks

k‰k g‰za dn di t'l b n

dn ptl j ngl‰ri bng

rrmb shen = sen p nnbtk guumm knglkaski m˘r -m‰r

gldi ko turwshi sh nji = c nji py-py maki kosum re

Flora Appendix

Cynodon dactylon (dub grass) Cypera rotundus (nut grass) Cyperus esculentus (tiger nuts) Cyperus rotundus Dactyloctenium aegyptiaca (comb fringe grass) Dalbergia hostilis Daniellia oliveri (copaiba balsam) Datura stramonium (Jimson weed) Detarium spp. Dialium guineense (monkey tamarind) Dichrostachys cinerea Dichrostachys cinerea or Acacia ataxacantha Digitaria debilis; D. velutina Digitaria exilis (fonio) Dioscorea spp. (yam) and Manihot esculenta (cassava) Diospyros mespiliformis (ebony) Echinochloa pyramidalis (antelope grass) Eleusine indica (fowlfoot) Eragrostis spp. or Panicum spp. (broom grasses) Eucalyptus camaldulensis (eucalyptus) Euphorbia convolvuloides, E. spp. (dove milk) Euphorbia lateriflora Euphorbia unispinas (cactus) Evolvulus alsinoides Faidherbia albida (winter thorn) Ficus (unident. sp.) Ficus gnaphalocarpa, F. sycomorus Ficus iteophylla (type of parasitic fig) Ficus platyphylla (gutta percha tree) Ficus polita Ficus thonningii Gardenia erubescens (fruits of male quinine tree) Gardenia erubescens (quinine tree) Gardenia sokotensis Gisekia pharnacioides Gossypium sp. (cotton) Grewia mollis Guiera senegalensis Gynandropsis pentaphylla (cat's whiskers)

321

kasar kjj = kjj b n

byam kjj d‰sho dkin dk jr rbrm, zmbu hukt yr

tenni dendmi, wwi jngrm = zngrm , kurngut íyula gam nzwura acc d‰y mbormi shnkba d˘zm dnshikiri bambut , bst mi trre woi-woi = wowoi, w i mbole bπsar gro íyt mlm m bím gke shbd gudwi swura ngdk d#rmi shla gakkio gukui gakio bram l˘lo kuimi meccek = messhek jogna = zogna

322

Flora Appendix

Hibiscus asper (frog roselle) Hibiscus asper (thorny roselle) Hibiscus cannabinus (hemp, kenaf) Hibiscus sabdariffa (sorrel, roselle) Hippocratea guineensis Hygrophilla auriculata or Acacia polyacantha or maybe Centaurea perrottetti; C. praecox (thistle) Hymenocardia acida Hyphaene thebaica (dum palm) Imperata cylindrica (spear-grass) Indigofera astragalina Indigofera sp. (indigo) Ipomoea argentaurata Ipomoea asrifolia Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) Isoberlinia doka Jathropha curcas (physic nut) Khaya senegalensis (mahogany) Lannea microcarpa and other Lannea spp. Lawsonia inermis (henna) Leonotis nepetifolia and other Leonotis spp. (rattlebox) Leptadenia hastata Leucas martinicensis, Leonotis spp. Lonchocarpus laxiflorus Loranthaceae spp. and Tapinanthaceae spp. (mistletoe) Loudetia phragmitoides Luffa spp. (loofah gourd) Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) Mangifera indica (mango) Manihot esculenta (cassava) Mimosa asperata Mitracarpus hirtus (button grass) Mitragyna inermis Momordica balsamina (balsam apple) Monocymbium ceresiiforme (oatgrass) Moringa oleifera (horseradish tree) Musa sapientum (banana) Nauclea diderrichii (African peach) Nicotiana rustica; N. tabacum (tobacco) Nymphaea lotus (water lily)

ra dnd jam ra jmer = zmer ra bπwa arak rmo mdy ng lngole suwo mtprum, r m ko an buyo bba íyt mlm m ptl zmb yuno dnkl d‰k zna d#rmi g na tni dlu ndl sh shonge waríyo kors d bbbe gangno zawr ngamd klm tmtr = kmtr mong r

d‰y bd

klri = klri dnk#i = dnkui ngenm gzw dk allum = allumi yb mlsa tb g gose = g sgos

Flora Appendix

Ocimum basilicum Olea europea (olive) Oryza glaberrima (rice) Oxystelma bornouense Oxytenanthera abyssinica (bamboo) Panicum laetum Parkia biglobosa (locust bean) Paullinia pinnata (five hands) Pavonia hirsuta Pennisetum polystachyon, P. pedicellatum, P. subangustum Peristrophe bicalyculata Phoenix dactylifera (date palm) Phragmites australis (reed grass) Piliostigma reticulatum, P. thonningii Plectranthus esculentus Polygala arenaria Portulaca oleracea, P. quadrifida (purslane) Prosopis africana (false locust) Pseudocedrela kotschyii (dry-zone cedar) Psidium guajava (guava) Pterocarpus erinaceus (rosewood) Punica granatum (pomegranate) Quassia undulata (elephant's sugar-cane) Raphia sudanica (raffia) Raphionacme brownii Ricinodendra heudelotii Ricinus communis (castor oil plant and beans) Rottboellia exaltata (itchgrass) Saccarum spontaneum Saccharum officinarum (sugar cane) Salvadora persica (bitterleaf) Schwenkia americana Sclerocarya birrea (marula) Scopiaria dulcis (sweet broom weed) Securidaca longepedunculata (violet tree) Securinega virosa or Ormocarpum bibracteatum Senna obtusifolia (sicklepod) Senna occidentalis (coffee senna) Sesamum orientale (sesame) Sida alba; S. ovata; S. rhombifolia

323

brza zit#n shnkba l kk -lokko gomiri abrm m cci = m sshi sra b yk-yka puro brr tmshi dbin

wk

d k = d k jli kkiy dko g#re, lism k m jl tns goib zz k rmn jlm, py-py slke shlt ste kshdab = ksdab, mbldi = mldi prel = perel ri rke shwk bill alnshri shemshm = shamshm ypimlmbím bjr = bzr k‰w tpsa brbi, karaki kshu sb#l d‰sho

324

Flora Appendix

Solanum incanum (eggplant, garden egg) Solanum incanum (small eggplant) Sterculia setigera (karaya gum tree) Stereospermum kunthianum (tulip tree) Striga senegalensis or S. hermontheca (witchweed) Strychnos spp. Stylochiton lancifolius Tamarindus indica (tamarind with sweet fruits) Tamarindus indica (tamarind) Terminalia spp. Tribulus terrestris (caltrop, puncture vine) Triticum aestivum (wheat) Urelytrum giganteum (vetiver) Urginea sp. Vernonia amygdalina (bitterleaf) Vigna sinensis (cowpeas, beans) Vigna subterranea (Bambara groundnuts) Vigna vexillata Vitellaria paradoxa (shea) Vitex doniana (black plum) Waltheria indica Ximenia americana (spiny plum, male) Xylopia aethiopica (guinea pepper) Zea mays (maize, corn) Zingiber officinale (ginger) Ziziphus mauritiana (jujube) Ziziphus mucronata (buffalo thorn) Ziziphus spina-christi (Christ's thorn) Zornia glochidiata

kta ylo tutmpa tli tje kkuno jnd ngarngiy

dmi tsaki gotig jje alkam mre lbasr kki tto od

dr b˘ b n

od k nji d nshi dwe peppno dd , keríywi (male) kimba dmasr shtta sh‰rn we we gngu, we z nge kurn sb#l solo

Flora Appendix

325

Flora unidentified as to specific name: Descriptive terms and/or Hausa are those given in the dictionary. The Hausa terms provided by Bole speakers were not found in standard sources. ajjj boiled with potash to make mouthwash ttrubu a type of pepper (H. attarugu) azn d type of grass that grows in river beds bng n gorzo plant similar to jute (H. lalo) bl-w si large roundish leaves w. jagged edges bmbl type of grass found near rivers bdu type of grass (H. jan bauje) bukurd a creeping plant w. tiny fruits (H. jinin kafiri) by kar type of grass lam wild plant w. tubers similar to potatos dda wild plant w. tubers similar to potatos d kyu tree that produces fruits at the end of the dry season (H. goli) d kerwo tree found at river banks, fish eat its flowers dk kmo leaves used as remedy for stomach ache Dal dwn plant w. small roundish leaves dmk type of palm found near water dmb solo a shrub that grows near rivers dimíyi a grass similar to gamba but shorter drk sirmi = drdk smi a shrub used for incense d m m cci roots used as a remedy for heartburn gdl kki type of wild onion (H. gadalin daji) g mpirit plant used as a love potion; leaves fold when touched gondi mokiri type of spreading grass g˘rng = g˘rng similar to small eggplant, rubbed on teeth to darken them g˘tile a wild leguminous plant

ggw a type of plant glndi tree found at river banks, fish eat its flowers gmb kshi a type of shrub (H. shashi raa) gn w li root used for medicine (H. kaucin asa) gsgsung a type of grass jimu type of grass that grows near water kakkara kshi used as animal fodder; leaves used as remedy for rashes kkkymdi a heavy grass rolled on new pot to create a design knn plant with roundish leaves (H. kunnen damisa) kangiar a type of shrub karmbit fruits used to make decorations on face kshu kyu wild plant similar to sesame kiak-kiak plant w. small oval-shaped leaves ko dmo grows in clay soil, used as medicine for babies km kosum a plant eaten by animals (H. karkashin tururuwa) kumpa gr a type of shrub krng a type of twiner leme type of grass used to make straw hats maki gr type of thorny grass (H. gaba da tsumma) mln a type of tree mmitt fruit eaten like íympte mbal has tuberous roots that can be ground and used for food like sakwara mokiro used for making rope or animal fodder

326

Flora Appendix

m sn kr a shrub that produces small red berries ndmusi a shrub with small fruits ndze type of grass that grows in river beds ndond liy a type of grass popol type of grass that grows in river beds (H. tagoli) pndi ywi fruits exude black powder when dry (H. lallen zomo) snt lailai use for charms to make one popular sslkum a type of plant (H. rumfar biri) shakai g igoi a plant used by hunters shm bba = sm bba has acacia-like leaves, mixed with bones of a warthog as a cure for k d˘zm shngad a grass that looks like date palm seedlings shla kadm has ovular leaves, grows near water sirki ywi a type of thorny plant

tkkla a type of tree twakkl a type of imported tree tnj l a large tree that produces yam-like fruits (not eaten) trni a type of shrub t˘sh a large tree growing near rivers tshi a type of tree that produces fruits on its trunk and branches usel used for miya or mixed w. peanut flour ygna zirk similar to jute (H. namijin lalo) yayshi a type of grass found near water íyla yro has small grains like fonio, eaten by birds znd large leaves used to bandage wounds zude a tree w. long leaves, used for kunu zwa g b  tall, straight plant whose leaves grow out vertically zengle has fuzzy head, eaten by animals (H. jan kai) zm k a small type of yam

IDEOPHONE APPENDIX This is a list of all the ideophones in the dictionary with approximate senses. See dictionary entries for examples of use. See also IDEOPHONIC ADJECTIVE APPENDIX. The distinction between ideophones and ideophonic adjectives is not always clear. There certain shapes that are not shared between the categories, e.g. only ideophones are represented by the shape CVC and only ideophonic adjectives are represented by the shape CVCCVCVC. There are likewise some differences in syntactic uses, e.g. only ideophones can be used adverbially with intransitive verbs and only ideophonic adjectives can be used as adjectival modifiers of nouns. bas just, nothing bilok sleepy bk = mbk action of falling or dropping    wide opening or ongiro nonsense vocables in a song k swelling and dispersing dltm largeness, hardness dap action of grabbing dll broadness, spaciousness dm-dm state of crowdedness dy-dy-dy movement, hurried dles large but inactive dup-dup trimmed neatly and flat, am silence ap exactly k-k laughter el action of hopping el-el folktale opening and closing π-π movement of a group il redness iwir calm and clear ot action of cutting off zt large amount ga-ga grasping tightly gar erectness goom silently g ríy k swallowing grs small things in a group gurut quick entrance

jo = jol action of jumping j g  = jogo heap jol = jo action of jumping kaca-kaca disordered state kkr-kkr movement of shaking, trembling kal exactly two klws turning around ka sweetness kar extended straight kri-kri-kri action of following closely kasshiyt action of falling with feet in air ktmtm state of waiting in vain ky-ky action done hastily kíyrt all of a sudden keker sweet taste kel conspicuously kle-kle action of walking awkwardly kc-kc = ksh-ksh sound of noises from interior kiak, kiak-kiak action done furtively, stealthily kikilkil sound of tapping metal kikis-kikis sound of scrathing metal kip covered tightly kitip oldness of things ky-ky movement in a group koop = kop action of arising quickly

327

328

Ideophone Appendix

konjom emaciation kop = koop action of arising quickly koshor-koshor sound of rattling seeds or stones k t r s sudden stop kuel rolling kuul-kuul action of walking along kup state of being completely finished, action of falling krshet-krshet scraping ground krs action of falling in a cloud of dust kurut action of getting in kus-kus very near kus-kus hidden scratching lai coldness lai-lai = li-li mildly warm laka good, pleasant lm passing a short amount of time lap action of jumping onto lars sastisfaction, ease lb-lb action of carrying something flexible lksh = rksh disorder lik-lik grasping loosely lpnd = lpndm oversized lukup old (person) lm-lm warm lut wiping mbt action of heavy falling mbo brightness of dawn mbk = bk action of falling or dropping mbuket fine consistency mbul nakedness mrl falling miu stinging pain m˘ti feeling of limpness murus burnt up mskl-mskl rolling on ground mut distant ndat breaking off ndm state of being in a heap

ndir heaviness nenet abuse ngr-ngr pleasant smell nym-nym noisiness of crowd nyim-nyim pieces or drops ny-ny = ny-ny-ny buzzing, swarming nzik heaviness nzil extended straight nzo stench p action of falling with a bang pli unrolling parak opennes, brightness pata-pata pursuit pu bright light pau1 hot pau2 oversweet p sound of exhaling pel snapping pelem licking plm-plm hurried movement pok action of swallowing with a gulp pil new pilim full to the brim pilla-pilla scatteredness pir exactly one pit red piu sour piyot action of pulling out long thing pok white porot1 movement at a run porot2 state of having a hole p rs l = porsol faded put tallness ptm-ptm smell of savory food raal full to the brim rak exactly two rap action of holding tightly rikip wet; well cooked rim eaten completely ros action of cutting, plucking

Ideophone Appendix

ri striking hard rui1 swollen rui2 looking intently rk a lot rm-rm-rm action of consuming rumus burnt up sai cold sk-sk moving without energy sanga-sanga = sng-sng raised up sap early morning sar whiteness sh action of pouring out shai new shak-shak clean shar blueness, greenness sherep dryness shiok arising shilau = silau quiet shit red sok-sok action of swallowing sppm heavy sit black sur-sur narrow surut quick, free movement

329

tai = tai-tai tightly tied tksh sound of falling into a liquid tshk sound of splashing terem-terem one following the other tir action of hacking off something hard tirik unripe, uncooked tuai well-arranged tngl thick smoke tr-tr pleasant smell wllπ reddish wlk flashing yng-yng sticking out in opposite directions yr bright, shining yen action of falling or dropping yep-yep action of traveling along yim completely yirin blackness íyira fullness íyulul weakness, faintness zazza = zzz stretched out znkl water standing z pouring out

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IDEOPHONIC ADJECTIVE APPENDIX This is a list of all the ideophonic adjectives in the dictionary with approximate senses. See dictionary entries for examples of use. See also IDEOPHONE APPENDIX. The distinction between ideophones and ideophonic adjectives is not always clear. There certain shapes that are not shared between the categories, e.g. only ideophones are represented by the shape CVC and only ideophonic adjectives are represented by the shape CVCCVCVC. There are likewise some differences in syntactic uses, e.g. only ideophones can be used adverbially with intransitive verbs and only ideophonic adjectives can be used as adjectival modifiers of nouns. bwr naked bkl = buukul plump (of a person) blndn = plndn covered in dust, covered in dirt eldum thin with a swollen belly, as from kwashiorkor etiker excessively short (of clothes) ilil tiny umurum small, compact, and healthy dishr l mature and well-built youth danan completely full dnn large and round, tightly filled out dangira broad, wide, bright dngy wide, having a large opening, gaping dntr short and strong drnsi wide, broad dkkk = dekkiek = dkkk heavy and solid dgz big and broad dk very dirty dksh soaking wet dngni having large, erect buttocks dinshiir short dym broad, expansive, wide doggom cut off, e.g. a hand or foot dgglk blunt and flat dungulum = dnglm remainder of thing cut off, stump of thing cut off

ekkem = ikkim too short (typically of clothes), short, with reference to something which could be long okkirok = ukkuruk small and round olol small, tiny glmlm characteristically lacking in taste gngr = gngr huge and round golgol small and round g˘lπlπ = g‰ll small and round gultum less than normal size gngr = gngr huge and round jaurur having disheveled hair or feathers jengier short and stubby jrnm sitting pensively kkkk = kekkiek = k kk k indicates hardness kaltum hard and small kamiram = kmrm good-sized, large and healthy kmptm heavy krkr = kerker short, stubby kikkishik having a short neck kirshshi developing a swollen lower abdomen from illness korkilok smallness of a cap for one’s head k tp r = kotipor small and flat kltm = kultum round and flat of head kumulum small and round

331

332

Ideophonic Adjective Appendix

kurshsh physically small with a round stomach lksh-lksh big and loose lattar any small disk-shaped object (coin, watch crystal, etc.); broad and flat leire small and flat from use lksh = rksh in disorder, scattered about lpnd = lpndm excessive size or expansiveness lulu long and flexible mbkktk huge and heavy, hefty mbkkm = mbakkum puffed out cheeks mbccm = mbttm heavy and fat mblili long and sweeping or undulating on the ground mbrr very small and skinny mbkl big and fat mbkkk = mbukkuuk plumpness, round of body mbrr emaciated (child, animal) mll lying long and stretched out min6yilin something that is hard, tiny, and shiny or slick miris having a long face, frowning m íyíyl˘t˘ protruding (of eyes), bug-eyed mkktk huge mks bending or drooping with a silky appearance mrss huge, big, powerful muskul lying curled up, lying in a fetal position ndaral = ndalar soft, fine textured ndekkem = ndikkim short nd kk m greasy, sticky to touch because of filth ndkl = nduukul thick (of a liquid) ngnsh = ngnc rough or coarse in texture, such as roughly ground corn ngrtwk huge, masculine, strong ngrr thinness, slenderness

ngoirom = ng r m dirty, esp. with respect to clothes ng l m sticky nglrm = ngulrum pensiveness, quiet demeanor because of helpless feeling ngrr very small, smallness njll emaciated, thin njuni = nzuni unusually thin njiikir tininess, tiny amount or size njoirom a little bit nync = nyanca being loose, misaligned, not together nyomnyom skinny, emaciated pakkitak = pkktk small and flat, such as a kùmbà tray pakkutuk having puffy cheeks prtt tall, strong, tall but not thin pekiter small and flat pkktk broad surface peller squinty pillor small and thin pirpir small but clever (usually speaking of a child) ptir tiny, esp. a hole pokkitok = p kkt k lacking density p ll r = pollor faded, lightened from original color p˘tr˘ = p‰tir‰ having a wide opening, e.g. a large, wide-open nose pmprm very large and expansive prtt tall, strong, huge ptmtm neutral tasting, bland rng long pieces sticking out, e.g. sticks from a fence r‰ round and protruding r kk l = rokkol small and round rk in great quantity (usually food with meat and sauce) salamlam lacking salt slni slick, slippery; glossy, shiny

Ideophonic Adjective Appendix

smpni insipidness of normally sweet thing sampiram = smprm light (in weight) satat lined up in a row shalal thin (liquid), watery sh ltk m sharp pointed sh msh m sour, fermented (porridge, beer, etc.) shomshom pointed; sharp-tongued sh˘r˘r˘ = sh‰r‰r‰ watery skkm sullen, angry looking singirt slim, skinny, emaciated sppm heavy sokkitok = s kkt k light in weight somilom small and round s rkl k uneven, not straight or level, asymmetric sukkutuk = skktk big and strong looking but lazy or weak, oafish skk moving silently (like a snake) sulsul smooth sumulum oblong shaped takulum having a pensive look tanklum a very small quantity tccm = tsshm spread over a large surface tnkr huge

333

tombizom = t mbz m small and round tulul long and diaphanous tungulu shallow, short wersel good-looking and cheerful w˘tr˘ wide open (door, cave, hole) wl-wl very hot (speaking of food) yettem beady-eyed yggdk protruding, esp. forehead yurum round and protruding íy‰r‰r‰ = íyoror‰ watery zmplm = zmptm big and tall zngl tall and erect zengile long and thin zinkil indicates fullness, fatness of person zogilom having a pensive look z lt m big-eyed z‰r‰r‰ = zrr long and narrow, of a passage or cavity zmlm round and long, like a sausage zmptm long zntrn long and protruding zrklk = zurkuluk deep but narrow zrr long and oblong zrr = z‰r‰r‰ long and narrow, of a passage or cavity ztt = ztt tiny, small, oblong

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EXPRESSION AND INTERJECTION APPENDIX This is a list of all modal expressions and interjections in the dictionary with approximate senses. aía well, well! í no ai oh my! aib astonishment lall with luck lamd lly of gratitude alngubr greeting to respected person Allh p i shek! Have a safe journey! m" disapproval any OK!, fine, go ahead! apppi you'll see! apppap, apppairm woops!, oops! aww sorry!, that's too bad! awwa oh no! y well fine! yy is that right?! ayy you don't say bbba it’s all gone! bism = bismlly when beginning activity dci = dshi = dshiti that's it, that's that dmbrmb I'll be damned! dambul damn you! dn-dn-dan-dan-dn tragic event oww that's enough! gmy I see!, that’s right! gidib boy!, how amazing!, gosh! hb come on, now! in I said... inkli shows mild sympathy kai warning ki wow!, gee! kkkam please kal it’s all the same (to me) kn really?, is that right?

kausyki surprise at quick action kirs I'll be darned! kurmus good for you! (to children) l (l! l! Ö) oh my! lbir warning ll welcome! llle here's some information! mdlla fine!, that's good! m min oh you people! mrza response when folktale is introduced mímpa warning n  so they say ndikkni satisfaction in others misfortune ngi kanto I swear ngl I won't give it to you! nts indicates being fed up ˘ío yes pau it’s hot! shknan OK, that’s that sbanlly = sban dismay s#i good! tn-tan-tn? how can that be so? till head’s up, fore! m helplessness up comforting remark to child who is choking us hello!, greetings!; congratulations! ush dismissal of an idea wa ! you were just lucky wne = wπne who the devil? wyy woe wrwus announcing a discovery y bki oh Lord! yrsl dismay y u really?, is that so?

335

336

Expression and Interjection Appendix

yaww positive response to a greeting y˘ I see! íyir here's a warning!

íy surprise, sudden reaction íyka mts (showing disdain) íyp Oh my God!

PROPER NAME AND PLACE NAME APPENDIX MEN’S NAMES Some names have special connotations. See BOLE-ENGLISH-HAUSA section. br bu = Hbu Adam Aj j Akk

lj Amad At udu B Bba B b Bbay

Bkr Bmi Bamoi Band

Bpya Bat = B Bat Bt

Bge Bb Dal Dtt Dawm Dwu = Dwud Ds Gimb G‰j G kku G ni Hbu = bu Hamm 4bro Isib

Jj Kige Kkkba Kakk Kyi Kr Lucc Mad Mi Main Mji Mkkau M m Mmmad T‰r \ssu Yrm

WOMEN’S NAMES Some names have special connotations. See BOLE-ENGLISH-HAUSA section. b b dam Add Ajj = Hajj jj lut mm mm ngit

nn

%sh t Att ww ww %ya = łya = y yy Azmi Bill B rk no D b

337

Dccu D j D t D w D‰diyo D#rmi 8wo G kku G‰r

Jbu Kdj

338

K k Klt#m Klu Kebb Kushit Lbbat

Proper Name and Place Name Appendix

Leng Pant Shpe Shitt

Tandu Trre

Umm = \mma W w Yyi Zamzm Zrnda

PLACE NAMES Unless otherwise indicated, these are names of towns, mostly in Bole-speaking areas of Yobe, Gombe, and Bauchi States, though some are prominent cities and towns elsewhere in Northern Nigeria. See BOLE-ENGLISH-HAUSA section for additional information on particular names. buk Andm Ashk skir Azr Bg Bhum (Borno region) Bnl Br Bauci Bl Bπri B˘je Boli B˘mla B˘manda 1r 1rw

Dgr Damturu Dniski Dw Dri Dw Z ni, Db Dg Drr D‰gon Kk

D‰kri D Dkk Dumblw 8 ll Gbri Gbi Gbukk Gdna Gd

Gdum Gm Ggng Glm

Gmdadi Gmri Gmbzi Gngn Gngw Gredde Griz ng Gashw Gri/ Gr Kwm G b-dggz G d G mb Gr Ar

Gr Moi Bund Gr Tinj Gr Tong Hmd G ru Gwn G ru Gwn

Gb Gda Gduku Gudwi Giw Guroli Gsho Jnj Ingl (England) Jl Jling

Jebjb J‰re Kdol

Kdna Kafn Bolwa Kalm Kltngo Kan

Ksin Kokor-K k r K m Kndul

Proper Name and Place Name Appendix

Kpp Kwm Lkkau Lpiy Bolwa Lmp L kk L˘m Mad Makk (Mecca) Mlm Mi Manwshi Mzrau Mzwun Mbr Mbll Nainwa

Njriy (Nigeria) Ngr Ngji Nguru Pataskm = Pataskm

Pkk Psmi Syo Shn Tbr Tdngar Tpp Tws Tubure Turmi Ww

339

W li Y‰b (Yobe State) W Wy

Ym Yrw Yutr Y‰b (see W li Y‰b) íY‰l, Zilni Zamba Zmbe Zangya Zny Z s = J s

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TITLES APPENDIX The general term for a traditional title is yèlè. The holder of such a position is an yelè (f. àni yelè, pl. ànìn yèlè). This appendix is an alphabetical list of all the titles found in the dictionary with a brief characterization of the position. ccama = cce jiy ljinm lkm sabri bjnga bm

barguma bwushi birm biy b˘y˘ma bulam cir˘m dl dlti gldm gnm gmsi gishiro jj jrmai kcall kigam kl‰m klt kndirma kazlm kitkw kulim lííama lamb lwn

certain subordinates to the masayà or the tinjà pūya district head, traditional leader in hierarchy between moi and lambà a subordinate to the masayà a female subordinate to the gìmsi certain subordinates to the masayà or the tinjà pūya title held by a member of the royal family a man’s title certain subordinates to the tinjà, the tamn, or the tinjà pūya title held by a member of the royal family, originally a Moi’s uncle a subordinate to the masayà a female subordinate to the gìmsi title held by a member of the royal family ward head, traditional leader in hierarchy below lambà title held by a member of the royal family, leading member of the Moi’s children title held by a member of the royal family, senior son of the Moi a subordinate to the tinjà a subordinate to the tinjà a subordinate to the tinjà lead female office holder in the Moi’s court a subordinate to the masayà a subordinate to the tinjà pūya a subordinate to the tamn certain subordinates to the tamn (see kcall in Bole-English-Hausa) a subordinate to the tinjà title held by a member of the royal family a subordinate to the masayà, puts gown on a newly-turbaned official title of official who bathes the Moi as part of the installation a subordinate to the tinjà pūya a subordinate to the tinjà a subordinate to the tinjà a subordinate to the masayà, in charge of the Id tent traditional leader in hierarchy between àjiyà and bulamà village head, in traditional hierarchy below lambà

341

342

lpid lucc mabt mdy mageshi mji majingini makma makarm mkdibu mkint mndrm mngd mngr masay masay palta mbrum mdl moi m tonko mulm naíbi ng‰m pkma santlm shttim sun‰m talb tamn tda tim

tinj tinj pya wwur˘m wzr wolwosi yrama yrm zarm gna zarm kur

Titles Appendix

a subordinate to the tamn a title for a member of the youth a subordinate to the tinjà pūya title of a female member of the court a subordinate to the masayà, in charge passing out meat in the palace a subordinate to the masayà, in charge of financial matters a subordinate to the masayà a subordinate to the tamn a subordinate to the tinjà pūya title held by a member of the royal family a subordinate to the tinjà title of an Islamic official under the Moi a subordinate to the tamn a female subordinate to the tamn one of the four primary non-royal titles in the Moi’s court a subordinate to the tamn a subordinate to the tinjà pūya a subordinate to the tamn the title of the supreme leader of the traditional royal court a female subordinate to the gìmsi a subordinate to the tinjà pūya title of an Islamic official under the Moi a subordinate to the tinjà pūya a subordinate to the masayà or tinjà pūya, head of the leather workers a subordinate to the masayà a subordinate to the tinjà a subordinate to the tinjà, cares for the Moi’s shoes a subordinate to the tinjà one of the four primary non-royal titles in the Moi’s court title held by a member of the royal family a subordinate to the tinjà one of the four primary non-royal titles in the Moi’s court one of the four primary non-royal titles in the Moi’s court title of an Islamic official under the Moi vizier, a traditional court title a subordinate to the tamn title held by a member of the royal family title held by a member of the royal family, eldest son of the Moi a subordinate to the tinjà pūya a subordinate to the tinjà pūya

KIN TERM APPENDIX Most kin terms have special morphology. There are potentially three forms: a citation form used to name a relationship with no possessor expressed, a form used with a suffixed pronoun possessor (illustrated in the table with –su ‘their’—see PRONOUN APPENDIX for other pronoun suffixes), and a form used with a noun possessor, always marked with a linking suffix –ti (illustrated in the table with the man’s proper name, Bamoi). A few non-kin terms that indicate close social relationships also have these morphological properties. Additionally, the words àrè ‘tribe, race’ and ’ya ‘thing’ roughly fit this paradigm. RELATIONSHIP

grandfather/ grandson grandmother/ granddaughter grandparents/ grandchildren father (“dad”) father mother paternal uncle older paternal uncle youger paternal uncle maternal uncle paternal aunt maternal aunt

CITATION

PRONOUN GENITIVE

NOUN GENITIVE

sg

d shti

d shs

d shti Bamoi

sg

d yati

d yas

d yati Bamoi

pl

d kkti

d kksu

d kkti Bamoi

sg

bba

sg pl sg pl sg pl sg

b˘wu bbb n˘nu nonne bgna bgnwa bbn sr

bbas (but usually bs ) bs bbbsu nons nonnsu bgnas bgnwas bbasn sr

pl sg

bbwn ass bbn le

bbwasn ass bbasn le

pl sg pl sg pl sg pl

bbwn oll rap rpwa bab bbwa ygna ygnwa

bbwasn oll rapsu rpwas babsu bbwas ygnas ygnws

bbati Bamoi (but usually bti Bamoi) bti Bamoi b˘bbti dnd nonti Bamoi nonnti dnde bgnati Bamoi bgnwati Bamoi bbati Bamoi n sr bbn sr ti Bamoi bbwati Bamoi n ass bbati Bamoi n le bbn lti Bamoi bbwati Bamoi n oll rapti Bamoi rpwati Bamoi babti Bamoi bbwati Bamoi ygnati Bamoi ygnwati Bamoi

343

Kin Term Appendix

344

son

sg pl

b dnde gorji

daughter

sg pl

bati dnde monde

sg pl sg pl sg sg pl sg pl sg pl sg pl sg pl sg pl

bti bííti ddati dddti molti mleti mollti m íya muíyíye sru s gur zti zppti sb s˘bwa mm miíyíy r íya

elder brother elder sister younger brother younger sister younger siblings co-wife in-law peer, age-mate friend ally tribe, race thing

bsu dndsu (gorji) dndsn gorji bass dndsu (monde) dndsm monde bs bíísu ddas dddsu mols mles mollsu m íyas muíyíysu srus s gursu zs zppsu sbsu s˘bwas mm su miíyíysu rsu íyssu

b Bamoi dndti Bamoi (gorji) dndti Bamoi n gorji bati Bamoi dndti Bamoi (monde) dndti Bamoi m monde bti Bamoi bííti Bamoi ddati Bamoi dddti Bamoi molti Bamoi mleti Bamoi mollti Bamoi m íyati Leng muíyíyti Leng srti Bamoi s gurti Bamoi zti Bamoi zppti Bamoi sbti Bamoi s˘bwati Bamoi mm ti Bamoi miíyíyti Bamoi rti Bamoi ti Bamoi

PRONOUN APPENDIX Independent Pronouns

1 2m 2f 3m 3f

Singular in kai sh ish it

1

Plural mimm

2

m

3

mte

Independent Possessive Pronouns Singular m nno m kko m sshi m nn m tto

1 2m 2f 3m 3f

1

Plural m mmu

2

m kku

3

m ssu

Functions of Independent Pronouns • • • •

Isolation form and predicate of an identificational sentence: inà ‘(it’s) me’ 3rd person only, optional subject of verb: ishi pàtāwò ‘he went out’ Object of preposition: gà inà ‘with me’ Object of verb with TOTALITY extension: mont in ‘he knows me’ (PERFECTIVE)  ppit in  ‘follow me!’ (IMPERATIVE) • Direct object when indirect object is present: tomt in ‘he showed me to her’

Subject Clitics

1 s. 2 m.s. 2 f.s. 3 m.s. 3 f.s.

Verb root not subject to LTR* ‘lie down’ (PERFECTIVE) n gnd-u-w ka gnd-u-w shi gnd-ak-k (ishi) gnd-u-w (ita) gnd-ak-k

Verb root subject to LTR* ‘fall’ (PERFECTIVE) n s˘r-u-w ka sr-u-w shi sr-ak-k (ishi) s˘r-u-w (ita) s˘r-ak-k

1 pl. mu gnd-an-g mu sr-an-g 2 pl. m gnd-an-g m sr-an-g 3 pl. (mte) gnd-an-g (mte) s˘r-an-g *LTR = LOW TONE RAISING (see Introduction, page xxiii) • 1st and 2nd person clitics condition LOW TONE RAISING (LTR); 3rd person pronouns are independent pronouns; they are optional and do not condition LTR. • 1st and 2nd person clitics function as subjects of all predicate types - Verbal predicates (see paradigms in the table)

345

Pronoun Appendix

346

- Equational predicates: n mlm ‘I am a teacher’ - Locative predicates: n ten ‘I am here’ - Adjectival predicates: n  le ‘I am small’ - Stative predicates: n íy ran ‘I am standing’ - Possessive predicates: n g d‰do ‘I have money’

Non-final Object Suffixes

1 s. 2 m.s. 2 f.s. 3 m.s. 3 f.s.

Verb without Totality extension ‘he followed (for) …’ ppi-n-wo ppi-k-wo ppi-sh-wo ppi-nπ-wo ppi-t-wo

Verb with Totality extension ‘he followed for …’ ppi-n-t ppi-k-t ppi-sh-t ppi-n-t ppi-t-t

1 pl. 2 pl. 3 pl.

ppi-m-wo ppi-k-wo ppi-s-wo

ppi-m-t ppi-k-t ppi-s-t

These suffixes serve as both direct and indirect objects when any suffix follows with the caveat that direct objects are expressed with independent pronouns when the TOTALITY extension is present (see examples under Independent Pronouns). These suffixes always bear H tone except 3rd masculine singular, which bears L except before TOTALITY extension: • TOTALITY extension follows: ngortt ‘he tied (it) up for her’ (PERFECTIVE) ngornt ‘he tied (it) it up for him’ (PERFECTIVE”) ngòrtātì ‘he will tie (it) up for her’ (FUTURE) ng rnt ‘he will tie (it) up for him’ (FUTURE) • PERFECTIVE suffix follows: ngortwo ‘he tied her’ or ‘he tied (it) for her’ ngornπwo ‘he tied him’ or ‘he tied (it) for him’ • IMPERATIVE and SUBJUNCTIVE –yi with direct object pronoun: ngortyi ‘tie her!’ ngornπyi ‘tie him!’

Pronoun Appendix

347

Final Object Suffixes

1 s. 2 m.s. 2 f.s. 3 m.s. 3 f.s.

Direct Object, Final H verb ‘he will tie …  ngra-n  ngra-k  ngra-sh  ngra-n  ngra-t

Direct Object, Final L verb ‘he will follow …’  pp-no  pp-ko  pp-shi  pp-n  pp-to

Indirect Object, Final H verb ‘he will tie for …’  ngr-no  ngr-ko  ngr-shi  ngr-n  ngr-to

Indirect Object, Final L verb ‘he will follow for …’  pp-no  pp-ko  pp-shi  pp-n  pp-to

1 pl. 2 pl. 3 pl.

 ngra-m  ngra-k  ngra-s

 pp-mu  pp-ku  pp-su

 ngr-mu  ngr-ku  ngr-su

 pp-mu  pp-ku  pp-su

Direct and indirect object pronouns are segmentally identical when they are the last suffix in a word, but they differ in tone. Third singular masculine –nì is always L. For others, direct objects are suffixed to the base TAM form of the verb and have polar tone. Indirect objects are incorporated into the verb stem and the resultant indirect object stem has …LH tones as in the FUTURE, illustrated above, and in the SUBJUNCTIVE. (The facts for HABITUAL and for Class C and D verbs are slightly more complex.)

Intransitive Copy Pronouns (ICP) Illustrated with the verb root ’yor- ‘come to a stop’ in the PERFECTIVE Singular Plural 1 n íyor jπno 1 mu íyoran jπmu 2m ka íyor jπko 2 m íyoran jπku 2f sh íyoraj jπshi 3m íyor jπn 3 íyran jπsu 3f íyraj jπto The Intransitive Copy Pronoun (ICP) serves as the intransitive verb counterpart to the TOTALITY extension used with transitive verbs (shown by a suffix –tu or –ti depending on TAM—see VERB FORM APPENDIX).

Pronoun Appendix

348

Genitive Pronoun Suffixes

1 s. 2 m.s. 2 f.s. 3 m.s. 3 f.s.

Final L Noun w ‘cat’ w-no w-ko w-shi w-n w-to

…LH Noun tèmshi ‘sheep’ tmshi-n tmshi-k tmshi-sh tmshi-n tmshi-t

HH Noun dōdo ‘money’ dd-no dd-ko dd-shi dd-n dd-to

Variable Tone Noun ottò ‘tuwo’ ott-no ott-ko ott-shi ott-n ott-to

1 pl. 2 pl. 3 pl.

w-mu w-ku w-su

tmshi-m tmshi-k tmshi-s

dd-mu dd-ku dd-su

ott-mu ott-ku ott-su

Genitive suffixes are segmentally identical to Final Object Suffixes. Tonally they behave as follows: 3rd masculine singular –nì is always L Other pronouns are H after L (see ‘cat’) LH nouns retain LH and pronoun is L (see ‘sheep’) HH nouns become HL and pronouns other than –nì are H (see ‘money’)—see rule of PRESUFFIX LOWERING in the Introduction, page xxiv • Variable tone nouns (HL phrase final, HH phrase medial) behave like HH (see ‘tuwo’)— see VARIABLE TONE in the Introductions, page xxiii • All pronouns except –nì become H when not phrase final, e.g. tèmshi-nò ‘my sheep’, but tèmshi-no sa ‘not my sheep’ • • • •

VERB FORM APPENDIX Like all the Bole-Tangale languages of Yobe State, Bole verb forms are determined by four cross-cutting parameters: • Verb class:19 Class A1 (CVC- roots with the stem vowel –u in the PERFECTIVE), Class A2 (roots longer than CVC- with the stem vowel –u in the PERFECTIVE), Class B (CVC- roots with the stem vowel -ā in the PERFECTIVE), Class C (C- roots with the stem vowel –ī in the PERFECTIVE), Class D (C- roots with the stem vowel -ā in the PERFECTIVE) • Tense/Aspect/Mood (TAM): PERFECTIVE, SUBJUNCTIVE, FUTURE,20 HABITUAL, IMPERATIVE, NEGATIVE IMPERATIVE; there are also periphrastic TAMs, but these use the FUTURE stem or verbal nouns and hence do not introduce distinct morphological verb forms. • Number and gender of the subject: In the PERFECTIVE, plural subjects of all persons require a suffix –an; 2nd and 3rd person feminine singular subjects require a suffix –aG (G = a geminate copy of the following consonant).21 IMPERATIVES have distinct forms for singular subjects, 2nd plural subjects, and 1st plural subjects. • Extensions: TOTALITY (auxiliary focus and/or action done to completion), ADDITIVE (existence of an understood adverb and/or doing an action again), VENTIVE (action initiated at a distance with effect at the point of reference). VENTIVE can be combined with TOTALITY or ADDITIVE, but TOTALITY and ADDITIVE are mutually exclusive because they occupy the same slot in the verbal complex. In addition to these parameters that govern verbal morphology per se, verbal morphology also incorporates three types of pronouns: • Subject clitics: Verbs with 1st and 2nd person subjects require overt subject clitics. Pronominal third person subjects can be overtly expressed by independent pronouns, which behave syntactically like noun subjects. • Direct objects: Depending on TAM and extension morphology, pronominal direct objects are expressed by independent pronouns or by pronominal suffixes. • Indirect objects: Pronominal indirect objects are always expressed by suffixed pronouns. If both direct and indirect objects are expressed as pronouns, the indirect object always preempts the suffix position and the direct object is expressed as an independent pronoun.

19

The classification system is adapted from the system developed for Bole by Lukas (197072). 20 The FUTURE is actually an IMPERFECTIVE that can refer to an event not yet initiated or an ongoing event, but in isolation, it is most reliably elicted with the Hausa future. 21 G is realized as [-k] if followed by pause and occasionally across a word boundary.

349

Verb Form Appendix

350

Full paradigms of pronouns relevant to verb morphology are in the PRONOUN APPENDIX. The following verb roots are used in the illustrative paradigms: Class A1: Class A2: Class B: Class C: Class D:

ngoroppbasāyīwā-

‘tie’ ‘follow’ ‘shoot’ ‘jab, poke’ ‘get, receive’

For each TAM, these verbs, which are representative for their respective classes, are shown with all possible extensions and extension combinations in columns. NOTE: There is no column for TOTALITY+ADDITIVE. These two extensions are mutually exclusive because they occupy the same spot in the verbal complex. The rows in each paradigm show verb forms as they would appear with a 3rd person subject— 3rd persons do not require an overt pronoun subject. As noted above, 1st and 2nd persons require subject clitics, but these have no effect on the form of the verbal complex. The rows show the following morphological configurations: • No object: These are the forms in which a verb would be cited where objects are understood from context. • Noun object: These are the forms that verbs take when an overt noun object is present. • Pro DO ‘her’: The 3rd singular feminine pronoun object is representative for all other persons except 3rd masculine singular in terms of tone and vowel length. When the TOTALITY extension is present, all persons use the independent pronoun to express direct object. • Pro DO ‘him’: In most configurations, the 3rd masculine singular pronoun bears low tone even when other persons bear high. • Pro IO ‘to her’: The 3rd singular feminine pronoun indirect object is representative for all other persons except 3rd masculine singular in terms of tone and vowel length. Pronoun indirect objects in all configurations are expressed as verbal suffixes. • Pro IO ‘to him’: In most configurations, the 3rd singular masculine pronoun indirect object bears low even when other persons bear high. TRANSITIVE VS. INTRANSITIVE VERBS:

The representative verbs here are all transitive. Transitive verbs differ from intransitives in the following ways: • -yi Ø object suffix: When the object of a transitive verb is not overtly expressed, the verb bears a suffix –yi. This is absent with intransitives, e.g. ngoruw˘yi ‘he tied (it)’ vs. ’yoruwò ‘he stopped’.

Verb Form Appendix

351

• TOTALITY extension: Transitive verbs with the TOTALITY extension have a suffix –tu (PERFECTIVE) or –ti (other TAMs). This suffix cannot be used with intransitive verbs. The TOTALITY meaning with intransitives is expressed with the Intransitive Copy Pronoun (ICP), e.g. ngortùwo ‘he tied (TOTALITY) vs. ’yor jπn ‘he stopped’ (ICP = TOTALITY sense). See PRONOUN APPENDIX for the full ICP paradigm. • ADDITIVE extension: As noted above, TOTALITY and ADDITIVE cannot co-occur since they occupy the same spot in the verbal complex. This applies only to transitive verbs. Since intransitive verbs express TOTALITY with an ICP rather than a verbal suffix, they can take the ADDITIVE, e.g. ’yord jπn ‘he stopped again’, ’y raddj jπto ‘she stopped again’, ’y randn jπsu ‘they stopped again’.

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PERFECTIVE

NO

TOTALITY

ADDITIVE

VENTIVE

TOTALITY

ADDITIVE

EXTENSIONS

EXTENSION

EXTENSION

EXTENSION

+VENTIVE

+VENTIVE

No object

ngorw˘yi

ngort wo

ngord wo

ngrung˘yi

ngrunt ngo

ngrund ngo

Noun object

ngor tmshi

ngort tmshi

ngord tmshi

ngrun tmshi

ngrunt n tmshi

ngrund n tmshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ngortwo

ngort it

ngord it

ngrintango

ngrunt n it

ngrund n it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ngornπwo

ngort ish

ngord ish

ngrinn ngo

ngrunt n ish

ngrund n ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ngortwo

ngortt

ngortd

ngrintango

ngrintant

ngrintand

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ngornπwo

ngornt

ngornd

ngrinn ngo

ngrinnint

ngrinnind

No object

ngrakk˘yi

ngratt kko

ngradd kko

Subject number & gender are neutralized in the VENTIVE.

Noun object

ngrat tmshi

ngratt t tmshi

ngradd t tmshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ngrattakko

ngratt í íit

ngradd í íit

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ngrann kko

ngratt í íish

ngradd í íish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ngrattakko

ngratttt *

ngrattdd *

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ngrann kko

ngrannitt *

ngrannidd *

CLASS A1 Singular subject

Feminine subject

*When a direct object follows -tì of the TOTALITY or -dì of the ADDITIVE, no gemination with feminine subject is added, e.g. ngòrattattì tèmshi ‘she tied a sheep for her’, not *ngòrattattìt tèmshi.

Plural subject No object

ngrang˘yi

ngrant ngo

ngrand ngo

Noun object

ngran tmshi

ngrant n tmshi

ngrand n tmshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ngrantango

ngrant n it

ngrand n it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ngrann ngo

ngrant n ish

ngrand n ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ngrantango

ngrantant *

ngrantand *

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ngrann ngo

ngrannint *

ngrannind *

Subject number & gender are neutralized in the VENTIVE.

*When a direct object follows -tì of the TOTALITY or -dì of the ADDITIVE, no -n for plural subject is added, e.g. ngòrantantì tèmshi ‘they tied a sheep for her’, not * ngòrantantìn tèmshi. CLASS A2 Singular subject No object

ppuw˘yi

pput wo

ppud wo

ppung˘yi

ppunt ngo

ppund ngo

Noun object

pp tmshi

pput tmshi

ppud tmshi

ppun tmshi

ppunt n tmshi

ppund n tmshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ppitwo

pput it

ppud it

ppintango

ppunt n it

ppund n it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ppinπwo

pput ish

ppud ish

ppinn ngo

ppunt n ish

ppund n ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ppitwo

ppitt

ppitd

ppintango

ppintant

ppintand

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ppinπwo

ppint

ppind

ppinn ngo

ppinnint

ppinnind

Feminine subject No object

ppakk˘yi

ppatt kko

ppadd kko

Noun object

ppat tmshi

ppatt t tmshi

ppadd t tmshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ppattakko

ppatt í íit

ppadd í íit

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ppann kko

ppatt í íish

ppadd í íish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ppattakko

ppattatt *

ppattadd *

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ppann kko

ppannitt *

ppannidd *

Subject number & gender are neutralized in the VENTIVE.

*See footnote under table for Class A1 verbs with feminine subjects. Plural subject No object

ppang˘yi

ppant ngo

ppand ngo

Noun object

ppan tmshi

ppant n tmshi

ppand n tmshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ppantango

ppant n it

ppand n it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ppann ngo

ppant n ish

ppand n ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ppantango

ppantant *

ppantand *

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ppann ngo

ppannint *

ppannind *

*See footnote under table for Class A1 verbs with plural subjects.

Subject number & gender are neutralized in the VENTIVE.

CLASS B Singular subject No object

bsw˘yi

bst wo

bsd wo

bseng˘yi

bsent ngo

bsend ngo

Noun object

bs tmshi

bst tmshi

bsd tmshi

bsen tmshi

bsent n tmshi

bsend n tmshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

bstwo

bst it

bsd it

bsentango

bsent n it

bsend n it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

bsnπwo

bst ish

bsd ish

bsenn ngo

bsent n ish

bsend n ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

bstwo

bstt

bstd

bsentango

bsnetant

bsentand

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

bsnπwo

bsnt

bsnd

bsenn ngo

bsennint

bsennind

No object

bsakk˘yi

bsatt kko

bsadd kko

Subject number & gender are neutralized in the VENTIVE.

Noun object

bsat tmshi

bsatt t tmshi

bsadd t tmshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

bsattakko

bsatt í íit

bsadd í íit

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

bsann kko

bsatt í íish

bsadd í íish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

bsattakko

bsattatt *

bsattadd *

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

bsann kko

bsannitt *

bsannidd *

Feminine subject

*See footnote under table for Class A1 verbs with feminine subjects.

Plural subject No object

bsang˘yi

bsant ngo

bsand ngo

Noun object

bsan tmshi

bsant n tmshi

bsand n tmshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

bsantango

bsant n it

bsand n it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

bsann ngo

bsant n ish

bsand n ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

bsantango

bsantant *

bsantand *

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

bsann ngo

bsannint *

bsannind *

Subject number & gender are neutralized in the VENTIVE.

*See footnote under table for Class A1 verbs with plural subjects. CLASS C Singular subject No object

yw˘yi

yt wo

yd wo

ying˘yi

yint ngo

yind ngo

Noun object

y tmshi

yt tmshi

yd tmshi

yin tmshi

yint n tmshi

yind n tmshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ytwo

yt it

yd it

yintango

yint n it

yind n it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ynπwo

yt ish

yd ish

yinn ngo

yint n ish

yind n ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ytwo

ytt

ytd

yintango

yintant

yintand

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ynπwo

ynt

ynd

yinn ngo

yinnint

yinnind

Feminine subject No object

yakk˘yi

yatt kko

yadd kko

Noun object

yat tmshi

yatt t tmshi

yadd t tmshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

yattakko

yatt í íit

yadd í íit

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

yann kko

yatt í íish

yadd í íish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

yattakko

yattatt *

yattadd *

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

yann kko

yannitt *

yannidd *

Subject number & gender are neutralized in the VENTIVE.

*See footnote under table for Class A1 verbs with feminine subjects. Plural subject No object

yang˘yi

yant ngo

yand ngo

Noun object

yan tmshi

yant n tmshi

yand n tmshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

yantango

yant n it

yand n it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

yann ngo

yant n ish

yand n ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

yantango

yantant *

yantand *

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

yann ngo

yannitt *

yannind *

*See footnote under table for Class A1 verbs with plural subjects.

Subject number & gender are neutralized in the VENTIVE.

CLASS D Singular subject No object

ww˘yi

wt wo

wd wo

weng˘yi

went ngo

wend ngo

Noun object

w tmshi

wt tmshi

wd tmshi

wen tmshi

went n tmshi

wend n tmshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

wtwo

wt ita

wd ita

wentango

went n it

wend n it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

wnπwo

wt ish

wd ish

wenn ngo

went n ish

wend n ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

wtwo

wtt

wtd

wentango

wentant

wentand

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

wnπwo

wnt

wnd

wenn ngo

wennint

wennind

No object

wakk˘yi

watt kko

wadd kko

Subject number & gender are neutralized in the VENTIVE.

Noun object

wat tmshi

watt t tmshi

wadd t tmshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

wattakko

watt í íit

wadd í íit

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

wann kko

watt í íish

wadd í íish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

wattakko

wattatt *

wattadd *

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

wann kko

wannitt *

wannidd *

Feminine subject

*See footnote under table for Class A1 verbs with feminine subjects.

Plural subject No object

wang˘yi

want ngo

wand ngo

Noun object

wan tmshi

want n tmshi

wand n tmshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

wantango

want n it

wand n it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

wann ngo

want n ish

wand n ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

wantango

wantant *

wantand *

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

wann ngo

wannint *

wannind *

*See footnote under table for Class A1 verbs with plural subjects.

Subject number & gender are neutralized in the VENTIVE.

SUBJUNCTIVE

NO

TOTALITY

ADDITIVE

VENTIVE

TOTALITY

ADDITIVE

EXTENSIONS

EXTENSION

EXTENSION

EXTENSION

+VENTIVE

+VENTIVE

No object

ngr/ngry

ngrti

ngrdi

ngruttyi

ngritti

ngriddi

Noun object

ngri temshi

ngrti temshi

ngrdi temshi

ngruttu tmshi

ngritti temshi

ngriddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ngrt/ngrit

ngrti it

ngrdi it

ngrittyi

ngritti it

ngriddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ngrn /ngrin

ngrti ish

ngrdi ish

ngrinnπyi

ngritti ish

ngriddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ngrto

ngrtt

ngrtd

ngritto

ngrittatt

ngrittadd

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ngrn

ngrnt

ngrnd

ngrinn

ngrinnitt

ngrinnidd

No object

pp"/pp#y

pp ti

pp di

puttyi

ppitti

ppiddi

Noun object

ppe temshi

pp ti temshi

pp di temshi

pputtu tmshi

ppitti temshi

ppiddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

pp#t

pp ti it

pp di it

ppittyi

ppitti it

ppiddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

pp#n

pp ti ish

pp di ish

ppinnπyi

ppitti ish

ppiddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

pp to

pp tt

pp td

ppitto

ppittatt

ppittadd

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

pp n

pp nt

pp nd

ppinn

ppinnitt

ppinnidd

CLASS A1

CLASS A2

CLASS B No object

bs"/bs#y

bsti

bsdi

bsettyi

bsetti

bseddi

Noun object

bse temshi

bsti temshi

bsdi temshi

bsettu tmshi

bsetti temshi

bseddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

bs#t

bsti it

bsdi it

bsettyi

bsetti it

bseddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

bs#n

bsti ish

bsdi ish

bsennπyi

bsetti ish

bseddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

bsto

bstt

bstd

bsetto

bsettatt

bsettadd

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

bsn

bsnt

bsnd

bsenn

bsennitt

bsennidd

No object

yiyi

yπti

yπdi

yittyi

yitti

yiddi

Noun object

yi tmshi

yπti temshi

yπdi temshi

yittu tmshi

yitti temshi

yiddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

yito

yπti it

yπdi it

yittyi

yitti it

yiddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

yin

yπti ish

yπdi ish

yinnπyi

yitti ish

yiddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

yπto

yπtt

yπtd

yitto

yittatt

yittadd

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

yπn

y nt

y nd

yinn

yinnitt

yinnidd

CLASS C

CLASS D No object

wiyi

wti

wdi

wettyi

wetti

weddi

Noun object

wi tmshi

wti temshi

wdi temshi

wettu tmshi

wetti temshi

weddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

wito

wti it

wdi it

wettyi

wetti it

weddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

win

wti ish

wdi ish

wennπyi

wetti ish

weddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

wto

wtt

wtd

wetto

wettatt

wettadd

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

wn

wnt

wnd

wenn

wennitt

wennidd

FUTURE

NO

TOTALITY

ADDITIVE

VENTIVE

TOTALITY

ADDITIVE

EXTENSIONS

EXTENSION

EXTENSION

EXTENSION

+VENTIVE

+VENTIVE

No object

 ngryi

 ngrti

 ngrdi

 ngrkyi

 ngrkitti

 ngrkiddi

Noun object

 ngra temshi

 ngrti temshi

 ngrdi temshi

 ngrk tmsi

 ngrkitti temshi

 ngrkiddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

 ngrat

 ngrti it

 ngrdi it

 ngrkintango

 ngrkitti it

 ngrkiddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

 ngran

 ngrti ish

 ngrdi ish

 ngrkinn ngo

 ngrkitti ish

 ngrkiddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

 ngrto

 ngrtt

 ngrtd

 ngrkintango

 ngrkintant

 ngrkintand

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

 ngrn

 ngrnt

 ngrntd

 ngrkinn ngo

 ngrkinnint

 ngrkinnind

No object

 ppyi

 ppti

 ppdi

 ppkyi

 ppkitti

 ppkiddi

Noun object

 pp tmshi

 ppti temshi

 ppdi temshi

 ppk tmshi

 ppkitti tmshi

 ppkiddi tmshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

 ppto

 ppti it

 ppdi it

 ppkintango  ppkitti it

 ppkiddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

 ppn

 ppti ish

 ppdi ish

 ppkinn ngo  ppkitti ish

 ppkiddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

 ppto

 pptt

 pptd

 ppkintango  ppkintant

 ppkintad

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

 ppn

 ppnt

 ppnd

 ppkinn ngo  ppkinnint

 ppkinnind

CLASS A1

CLASS A2

CLASS B No object

 bsyi

 bsti

 bsdi

 bskyi

 bskitti

 bskiddi

Noun object

 bs tmshi

 bsti temshi

 bsdi temshi

 bsk tmshi

 bskitti temshi

 bskiddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

 bsto

 bsti it

 bsdi it

 bskintango

 bskitti it

 bskiddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

 bsn

 bsti ish

 bsdi ish

 bskinn ngo

 bskitti ish

 bskiddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

 bsto

 bstt

 bstd

 bskintango

 bskintant

 bskintand

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

 bsn

 bsn$t

 bsn$d

 bskinn ngo

 bskinnint

 bskinnind

No object

 ynyi

 ynti

 yndi

 ykyi

 ykitti

 ykiddi

Noun object

 yna tmshi

 ynti temshi

 yndi temshi

 yk tmshi

 ykitti temshi

 ykiddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

 ynto

 ynti it

 yndi it

 ykintango

 ykitti it

 ykiddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

 ynn

 ynti ish

 yndi ish

 ykinn ngo

 ykitti ish

 ykiddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

 ynto

 yntt

 yntd

 ykintango

 ykintant

 ykintand

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

 ynn

 ynnt

 ynnd

 ykinn ngo

 ykinnint

 ykinnind

CLASS C

CLASS D No object

 w#nyi

 w#nti

 w#ndi

 wkyi

 wkitti

 wkiddi

Noun object

 w#na tmshi

 w#nti temshi

 w#ndi temshi

 wk tmshi

 wkitti temshi

 wkiddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

 w#nto

 w#nti it

 w#ndi it

 wkintango

 wkitti it

 wkiddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

 w#nn

 w#nti ish

 w#ndi ish

 wkinn ngo

 wkitti ish

 wkiddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

 w#nto

 w#ntt

 w#ntd

 wkintango

 wkintant

 wkintand

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

 w#nn

 w#nnt

 w#nnd

 wkinn ngo

 wkinnint

 wkinnind

HABITUAL

NO

TOTALITY

ADDITIVE

VENTIVE

TOTALITY

ADDITIVE

EXTENSIONS

EXTENSION

EXTENSION

EXTENSION

+VENTIVE

+VENTIVE

No object

 ngor˘yi

 ngorti

 ngordi

 ngorkyi

 ngorkitti

 ngorkiddi

Noun object

 ngoro temshi

 ngorti temshi

 ngordi temshi

 ngork tmshi

 ngorkitti temshi

 ngorkiddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

 ngorto

 ngorti it

 ngordi it

 ngorkintango

 ngorkitti it

 ngorkiddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

 ngorn

 ngorti ish

 ngordi ish

 ngorkinn ngo

 ngorkitti ish

 ngorkiddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

 ngorto

 ngortt

 ngortd

 ngorkintango

 ngorkintant

 ngorkintand

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

 ngorn

 ngornt

 ngornd

 ngorkinn ngo

 ngorkinnint

 ngorkinnind

No object

 opp˘yi

 oppti

 oppdi

 oppkyi

 oppkitti

 oppkiddi

Noun object

 oppo temshi

 oppti temshi

 oppdi temshi

 oppk tmshi

 oppkitti tmshi

 oppkiddi tmshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

 oppto

 oppti it

 oppdi it

 oppkintango  oppkitti it

 oppkiddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

 oppn

 oppti ish

 oppdi ish

 oppkinn ngo  oppkitti ish

 oppkiddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

 oppto

 opptt

 opptd

 oppkintango  oppkintant

 oppkintand

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

 oppn

 oppnt

 oppnd

 oppkinn ngo  oppkinnint

 oppkinnind

CLASS A1

CLASS A2

CLASS B No object

 besyi

 besti

 besdi

 baskyi

 baskitti

 baskiddi

Noun object

 bese temshi

 besti temshi

 besdi temshi

 bask tmshi

 baskitti temshi

 baskiddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

 besto

 besti it

 besdi it

 baskintango

 baskitti it

 baskiddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

 besn

 besti ish

 besdi ish

 baskinn ngo

 baskitti ish

 baskiddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

 besto

 bestt

 bestd

 baskintango

 baskintant

 baskintand

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

 besn

 besnt

 besnd

 baskinn ngo

 baskinnint

 baskinnind

No object

 ysh˘yi

 yshti

 yshdi

 ykyi

 ykitti

 ykiddi

Noun object

 ysho temshi

 yshti temshi

 yshdi temshi

 yk tmshi

 ykitti temshi

 ykiddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

 yshto

 yshti it

 yshdi it

 ykintango

 ykitti it

 ykiddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

 yshn

 yshti ish

 yshdi ish

 ykinn ngo

 ykitti ish

 ykiddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

 yshto

 yshtt

 yshtd

 ykintango

 ykintant

 ykintand

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

 yshn

 yshnt

 yshnd

 ykinn ngo

 ykinnint

 ykinnind

CLASS C

CLASS D No object

 w#sh˘yi

 w%shti

 w%shdi

 wkyi

 wkitti

 wkiddi

Noun object

 w#sho temshi

 w#shti temshi

 w#shdi temshi

 wk tmshi

 wkitti temshi

 wkiddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

 w#shto

 w#shti it

 w#shdi it

 wkintango

 wkitti it

 wkiddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

 w#shn

 w#shti ish

 w#shdi ish

 wkinn ngo

 wkitti ish

 wkiddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

 w#shto

 w#shtt

 w#shtd

 wkintango

 wkintant

 wkintand

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

 w#shn

 w#shnt

 w#shnd

 wkinn ngo

 wkinnint

 wkinnind

IMPERATIVE

NO

TOTALITY

ADDITIVE

VENTIVE

TOTALITY

ADDITIVE

EXTENSIONS

EXTENSION

EXTENSION

EXTENSION

+VENTIVE

+VENTIVE

No object

ngr

ngort

ngord

ngr tt

ngritti

ngriddi

Noun object

ngri temshi

ngort tmshi

ngord tmshi

ngr tt tmshi

ngritti temshi

ngriddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ngortyi

ngort it

ngord it

ngrittyi

ngritti it

ngriddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ngornπyi

ngort ish

ngord ish

ngrinnπyi

ngritti ish

ngriddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ngrto

ngrtt

ngrtd

ngritto

ngrittatt

ngrittadd

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ngrn

ngrnt

ngrnd

ngrinn

ngrinnitt

ngrinnidd

No object

ngr

ngrt

ngrd

ngrtt

ngratti

ngraddi

Noun object

ngra temshi

ngrt tmshi

ngrd tmshi

ngrtt tmshi

ngratti temshi

ngraddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ngrtyi

ngrt it

ngrd it

ngrattyi

ngratti it

ngraddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ngrnπyi

ngrt ish

ngrd ish

ngrannπyi

ngratti ish

ngraddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ngrto

ngrtt

ngrtd

ngratto

ngrattatt

ngrattadd

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ngrn

ngrnt

ngrnd

ngrann

ngrannitt

ngrannidd

CLASS A1 Singular subject

Plural subject

First plural No object

ngrmyi

ngrm ti

ngrm di

ngrm tt

ngrm tti

ngrm ddi

Noun object

ngrmu temshi

ngrm ti temshi

ngrm di temshi

ngrm tt tmshi

ngrm tti temshi

ngrm ddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ngrm tyi

ngrm ti it

ngrm di it

Uses SUBJUNCTIVE with pronoun objects.

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ngrm nπyi

ngrm ti ish

ngrm di ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ngrm to

ngrm tt

ngrm td

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ngrm n

ngrm nt

ngrm nd

No object

pp

ppit

ppid

pp tt

ppitti

ppiddi

Noun object

ppi temshi

ppit tmshi

ppid tmshi

pp t tmshi

ppitti temshi

ppiddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ppityi

ppit it

ppid it

ppittyi

ppitti it

ppiddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ppinπyi

ppit ish

ppid ish

ppinnπyi

ppitti ish

ppiddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

pp to

pp tt

pp td

ppitto

ppittatt

ppittadd

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

pp n

pp nt

pp nd

ppinn

ppinnitt

ppinnidd

CLASS A2 Singular subject

Plural subject No object

pp

ppt

ppd

pptt

ppatti

ppaddi

Noun object

ppa temshi

ppt tmshi

ppd tmshi

pptt tmshi

ppatti temshi

ppaddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

pptyi

ppt it

ppd it

ppatyi

ppatti it

ppaddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ppnπyi

ppt ish

ppd ish

ppannπyi

ppatti ish

ppaddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ppto

pptt

pptd

ppatto

ppattatt

ppattadd

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ppn

ppnt

ppnd

ppann

ppannitt

ppannidd

No object

ppmyi

ppm ti

ppm di

ppm tt

ppm tti

ppm ddi

Noun object

ppmu tmshi

ppm ti temshi

ppm di temshi

ppm tt tmshi

ppm tti temshi

ppm ddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ppm tyi

ppm ti it

ppm di it

Uses SUBJUNCTIVE with pronoun objects.

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ppm nπyi

ppm ti ish

ppm di ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ppm to

pp'm tt

pp'm td

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ppm n

ppm nt

pp'm nd

First plural

CLASS B Singular subject No object

bs"

bs#t

bs#d

bstt

bsetti

bseddi

Noun object

bse temshi

bs#t tmshi

bs#d tmshi

bst tmshi

bsetti temshi

bseddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

bs#tyi

bs#t it

bs#d it

bsettyi

bsetti it

bseddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

bs#nπyi

bs#t ish

bs#d ish

bsennπyi

bsetti ish

bseddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

bsto

bstt

bstd

bsetto

bsettatt

bsettadd

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

bsn

bsnt

bsnd

bsenn

bsennitt

bsennidd

No object

bs

bst

bsd

bstt

bsatti

bsaddi

Noun object

bsa temshi

bst tmshi

bsd tmshi

bstt tmshi

bsatti temshi

bsaddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

bstyi

bst it

bsd it

bsattyi

bsatti it

bsaddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

bsnπyi

bst ish

bsd ish

bsannπyi

bsatti ish

bsaddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

bsto

bstt

bstd

bsatto

bsattatt

bsattadd

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

bsn

bsnt

bsnd

bsann

bsannitt

bsannidd

Plural subject

First plural No object

bsmyi

bsm ti

bsm di

bsm tt

bsm tti

bsm ddi

Noun object

bsmu tmshi

bsm ti temshi

bsm di temshi

bsm tt tmshi

bsm tti temshi

bsm ddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

bsm tyi

bsm ti it

bsm di it

Uses SUBJUNCTIVE with pronoun objects.

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

bsm nπyi

bsm ti ish

bsm di ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

bsm to

bsm tt

bsm td

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

bsm n

bsm nt

bsm nd

No object (m, f)

yikk˘yi/y, yisshπyi/y

y$t

y$d

Noun object (m/f)

yikko/yisshi tmshi

Noun object (m/f)

yi temshi

yt tmshi

yd tmshi

y tt tmshi

yitti temshi

yiddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ytyi

yt it

yd it

yittyi

yitti it

yiddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ynπyi

yt ish

yd ish

yinnπyi

yitti ish

yiddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

yπto

yπtt

yπtd

yitto

yittatt

yittadd

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

yπn

yπnt

yπnd

yinn

yinnitt

yinnidd

CLASS C Singular subject y tt

yitti

yiddi

The pronoun suffixed forms cannot combine with another suffix.

Plural subject No object

yakkyi/y

yt

yd

ytt

yatti

yaddi

Noun object

yakku tmshi, ya temshi

yt tmshi

yd tmshi

ytt tmshi

yatti temshi

yaddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ytyi

yt it

yd it

yattyi

yatti it

yaddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ynπyi

yt ish

yd ish

yannπyi

yatti ish

yaddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

yto

ytt

ytd

yatto

yattatt

yattadd

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

yn

ynt

ynd

yann

yannitt

yannidd

No object

ymyi

ym ti

ym di

ym tt

ym tti

ym ddi

Noun object

ymu tmshi

ym ti temshi

ym di temshi

ym tt tmshi

ym tti temshi

ym ddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ym tyi

ym ti it

ym di it

Uses SUBJUNCTIVE with pronoun objects.

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ym nπyi

ym ti ish

ym di ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ym to

ym tt

ym td

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ym n

ym nt

ym nd

First plural

CLASS D Singular subject No object (m/f/c)

wekk˘yi/ wessh yi/w"

Noun object (m/f)

wekko/wesshi tmshi

Noun object (m/f)

we temshi

w#t tmshi

w#d tmshi

wtt tmshi

wetti temshi

weddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

w#tyi

w#t it

w#d it

wettyi

wetti it

weddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

w#nπyi

w#t ish

w#d ish

wennπyi

wetti ish

weddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

wto

wtt

wtd

wetto

wettatt

wettadd

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

wn

wnt

wnd

wenn

wennitt

wennidd

No object

wakkyi/w

wt

wd

wtt

watti

waddi

Noun object

wakku tmshi, we temshi

wt tmshi

wd tmshi

wtt tmshi

watti temshi

waddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

w#tyi

wt it

wd it

wattyi

watti it

waddi it

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

w#nπyi

wt ish

wd ish

wannπyi

watti ish

waddi ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

wto

wtt

wtd

watto

wattatt

wattadd

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

wn

wnt

wnd

wann

wannitt

wannidd

w#t

w#d

wtt

wetti

weddi

The pronoun suffixed forms cannot combine with another suffix.

Plural subject

First plural No object

wmyi

wm ti

wm di

wm tt

wm tti

wm ddi

Noun object

wmu tmshi

wm ti temshi

wm di temshi

wm tt

wm tti temshi

wm ddi temshi

Pro DO ʻherʼ

wm tyi

wm ti it

wm di it

Uses SUBJUNCTIVE with pronoun objects.

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

wm nπyi

wm ti ish

wm di ish

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

wm to

wm tt

wm td

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

wm n

wm nt

wm nd

NEGATIVE IMPERATIVE CLASS A1

NO

TOTALITY

ADDITIVE

VENTIVE

EXTENSIONS

EXTENSION

EXTENSION

EXTENSION

ADDITIVE

+VENTIVE

+VENTIVE

not used in negative

not used in negative

TOTALITY

TOTALITY

Singular subject

TOTALITY

No object

ngrπ sa

ngrd7 sa

ngr tt7 sa

ngr dd7 sa

Noun object

ngrπ tmshi sa

ngrd7 tmshi sa

ngr tt7 tmshi sa

ngr dd7 tmshi sa

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ngrt sa

ngrd7 it sa

ngr tt sa

ngr dd7 ita sa

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ngrnπ sa

ngrd7 ish sa

ngr nnπ sa

ngr dd7 ishi sa

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ngrt sa

ngrtd7 sa

ngr tt sa

ngr ttadd sa

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ngrnπ sa

ngrn7d7 sa

ngr nnπ sa

ngr nnidd sa

No object

ngr sa

ngrd7 sa

ngrtt sa

ngrdd7 sa

Noun object

ngr tmshi sa

ngrd7 tmshi sa

ngrtt tmshi sa

ngrdd7 tmshi sa

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ngrt sa

ngrd7 ita sa

ngrtt sa

ngrdd7 ita sa

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ngrnπ sa

ngrd7 ishi sa

ngrnnπ sa

ngrdd7 ishi sa

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ngrt sa

ngrtd sa

ngrtt sa

ngrttdd7 sa

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ngrnπ sa

ngrn7d sa

ngrnnπ sa

ngrnn dd7 sa

Plural subject

First plural No object

ngrm sa

ngrm d7 sa

ngrm tt sa

ngrm dd7 sa

Noun object

ngrm tmshi sa

ngrm d7 tmshi sa

ngrm tt tmshi sa

ngrm dd7 tmshi sa

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ngrm nπ sa

ngrm d7 ita sa

Uses SUBJUNCTIVE.

ngrm dd7 ita sa

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ngrm t sa

ngrm d7 ishi sa

ngrm dd7 ishi sa

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ngrm nπ sa

ngrm td sa

ngrm ttdd7 sa

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ngrm t sa

ngrm td sa

ngrm nn dd7 sa

No object

ppπ sa

pp d7 sa

pp tt7 sa

pp dd7 sa

Noun object

ppπ tmshi sa

pp d7 tmshi sa

pp tπ tmshi sa

pp dd7 tmshi sa

Pro DO ʻherʼ

pp t sa

pp d7 ita sa

pp tt sa

pp dd7 ita sa

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

pp nπ sa

pp d7 ishi sa

pp nnπ sa

pp dd7 ishi sa

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

pp t sa

pp td7 sa

pp tt sa

pp ttdd7 sa

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

pp nπ sa

pp n7d7 sa

pp nn7 sa

pp nn dd7 sa

CLASS A2 Singular subject

Plural subject No object

pp sa

ppd7 sa

Noun object

pp tmshi sa

ppd7 tmshi sa pptt tmshi sa

ppdd7 tmshi sa

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ppt sa

ppd7 ita sa

pptt sa

ppdd7 ita sa

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ppnπ sa

ppd7 ishi sa

ppnnπ sa

ppdd7 ishi sa

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ppt sa

pptd sa

pptt sa

ppttdd7 sa

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ppnπ sa

ppn7d sa

ppnnπ sa

ppnn dd7 sa

No object

ppm sa

ppm d7 sa

ppm tt sa

ppm dd7 sa

Noun object

pm tmshi sa

ppm d7 tmshi sa

ppm tt tmshi sa

ppm dd7 tmshi sa

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ppm t sa

ppm d7 ita sa

Uses SUBJUNCTIVE.

ppm dd7 ita sa

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ppmunπ sa

ppm d7 ishu sa

ppm dd7 ishi sa

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ppm t sa

pp'm td7 sa

ppm ttdd7 sa

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ppmunπ sa

pp'm n7d7 sa

ppm nn dd7 sa

pptt sa

ppdd7 sa

First plural

CLASS B Singular subject No object

bs sa

bsd7 sa

bstt7 sa

bsdd7 sa

Noun object

bs tmshi sa

bsd7 tmshi sa

bstt7 tmshi sa

bsdd7 tmshi sa

Pro DO ʻherʼ

bst sa

bsd7 ita sa

bstt sa

bsdd7 ita sa

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

bsnπ sa

bsd7 ishi sa

bsnnπ sa

bsdd7 ishi sa

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

bst sa

bstd7 sa

bstt sa

bsttdd7 sa

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

bsnπ sa

bsn7d7 sa

bsnnπ sa

bsnn dd7 sa

No object

bs sa

bsd7 sa

bstt sa

bsdd7 sa

Noun object

bs tmshi sa

bsd7 tmshi sa

bstt tmshi sa

bsdd7 tmshi sa

Pro DO ʻherʼ

bst sa

bsd7 ita sa

bstt sa

bsdd7 ita sa

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

bsnπ sa

bsd7 ishi sa

bsnnπ sa

bsdd7 ishi sa

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

bst sa

bstd7 sa

bstt sa

bsttdd7 sa

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

bsnπ sa

bsn7d7 sa

bsnnπ sa

bsnn dd7 sa

Plural subject

First plural No object

bsm sa

bsm d7 sa

bsm tt sa

bsm dd7 sa

Noun object

bsm tmshi sa

bsm d7 tmshi sa

bsm tt tmshi sa

bsm dd7 tmshi sa

Pro DO ʻherʼ

bsm t sa

bsm d7 ita sa

Uses SUBJUNCTIVE.

bsm dd7 ita sa

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

bsm nπ sa

bsm d7 ishi sa

bsm dd7 ishi sa

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

bsm t sa

bsm td7 sa

bsm ttdd7 sa

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

bsm nπ sa

bsm n7d7 sa

bsm nn dd7 sa

No object (m/f)

yπ sa

y7d7 sa

y tt7 sa

y dd7 sa

Noun object

yπ tmshi sa

y7d7 tmshi sa

y tt7 tmshi sa

y dd7 tmshi sa

Pro DO ʻherʼ

yπt sa

y7d7 ita sa

y tt sa

y dd7 ita sa

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

yπnπ sa

y7d7 ishi sa

y nnπ sa

y dd7 ishi sa

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

yπt sa

yπtd sa

y tt sa

y ttdd7 sa

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

yπnπ sa

yπn7d sa

y nnπ sa

y nn dd7 sa

CLASS C Singular subject

Plural subject No object

y sa

yd7 sa

ytt sa

ydd7 sa

Noun object

y tmshi sa

yd7 tmshi sa

ytt tmshi sa

ydd7 tmshi sa

Pro DO ʻherʼ

yt sa

yd7 ita sa

ytt sa

ydd7 ita sa

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ynπ sa

yd7 ishi sa

ynnπ sa

ydd7 ishi sa

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

yt sa

ytd7 sa

ytt sa

yttdd7 sa

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ynπ sa

yn7d sa

ynnπ sa

ynn dd7 sa

No object

ym sa

ym d7 sa

ym tt sa

ym dd7 sa

Noun object

ym tmshi sa

ym d7 tmshi sa

ym tt tmshi sa

ym dd7 tmshi sa

Pro DO ʻherʼ

ym t sa

ym d7 ita sa

Uses SUBJUNCTIVE.

ym dd7 ita sa

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

ym nπ sa

ym d7 ishi sa

ym dd7 ishi sa

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

ym t sa

ym td7 sa

ym ttdd7 sa

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

ym nπ sa

ym n7d7 sa

ym nn dd7 sa

First plural

CLASS D Singular subject No object (m/f)

w sa

wd7 sa

wtt7 sa

wdd7 sa

Noun object (m/f)

w tmshi sa

wd7 tmshi sa

wtt7 tmshi sa

wdd7 tmshi sa

Pro DO ʻherʼ

wt sa

wd7 ita sa

wtt sa

wdd7 ita sa

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

wnπ sa

wd7 ishi sa

wnnπ sa

wdd 7 ishi sa

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

wt sa

wtd7 sa

wtt sa

wttdd sa

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

wnπ sa

wn7d7 sa

wnnπ sa

wnn dd sa

No object

w sa

wd7 sa

wtt sa

wdd7 sa

Noun object

w tmshi sa

wd7 tmshi sa

wtt tmshi sa

wdd7 tmshi sa

Pro DO ʻherʼ

wt sa

wd7 ita sa

wtt sa

wdd7 ita sa

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

wnπ sa

wd7 ishi sa

wnnπ sa

wdd7 ishi sa

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

wt sa

wtd7 sa

wtt sa

wttdd7 sa

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

wnπ sa

wn7d7 sa

wnnπ sa

wnn dd7 sa

Plural subject

First plural No object

wm sa

wm d7 sa

wm tt sa

wm dd7 sa

Noun object

wm tmshi sa

wm d7 tmshi sa

wm tt tmshi sa

wm dd7 tmshi sa

Pro DO ʻherʼ

wm t sa

wm d7 ita sa

Uses SUBJUNCTIVE.

wm dd7 ita sa

Pro DO ʻhimʼ

wm nπ sa

wm d7 ishi sa

wm dd7 ishi sa

Pro IO ʻto herʼ

wm t sa

wm td7 sa

wm ttdd7 sa

Pro IO ʻto himʼ

wm nπ sa

wm n7d7 sa

wm nn dd7 sa

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REFERENCES Abraham, R.C. 1929. “The Bolanchi language and the conclusions to be drawn from it.” Kaduna Archives. Benton, P. A. 1912. Notes on Some Languages of the Western Sudan. London: Oxford University Press. [Reprint 1968 under the title The Languages and Peoples of Bornu with an introduction by A. H. M. Kirk-Greene. London: Frank Cass.] Gimba, Alhaji Maina. 1990. “A study of the Bole dialects.” MA thesis, Bayero University, Kano. Gimba, Alhaji Maina. 2000. “Bole verb morphology.” PhD dissertation, University of California, Los Angeles. Gimba, Alhaji Maina. 2006. “Jinsi a Bolanci [Gender in Bole],” in Paul Newman and Larry M. Hyman (eds.), West African Linguistics: Papers in Honor of Russell G. Schuh, pp. 6776. Studies in African Linguistics, Supplement 11, Columbus: The Ohio State University. Gimba, Alhaji Maina, Malam Baba Ali & Madu Bah. 2004. Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary. Ed. Russell G. Schuh. Potiskum, Nigeria: Ajami Press. Gimba, Alhaji Maina, Malam Baba Ali & Madu Bah. 2009. Bole-English-Hausa Dictionary, 2ND EDITION. Ed. Russell G. Schuh. Potiskum, Nigeria: Ajami Press. Ibriszimow, Dymitr, ed. 1996. Bole Language and Documentation Unit (BOLDU), Report II. Köln: Rüdiger Köppe. Koelle, Sigismund W. 1854. Polyglotta Africana. London: Church Missionary House. [Reprint with a historical introduction by P. E. H. Hair and an index by David Dalby, Graz: Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (1963).] Kraft, Charles H. 1981. Chadic Wordlists. (Marburger Studien zur Afrika- und Asienkunde, Serie A, Afrika, 23, 24, 25) Berlin: Dietrich Reimer. Lavers, John E. 1992. “R. C. Abraham: The Bolewa and Bolanci,” in Papers in Honour of R. C. Abraham (1890-1963), ed. by Philip J. Jaggar, pp. 29-35. London: SOAS. Johannes Lukas. 1969. “Tonpermeable und Tonimpermeable Konsonanten im Bolanci (Nordnigerien),” in Ethnological and Linguistic Studies in Honour of N. J. van Warmelo, pages 133-138. Pretoria: Government Printer. Lukas, Johannes. 1970-72. “Die Personalia und das primäre Verb im Bolanci (Nordnigerien),” Africa und Übersee, 54:237-286, 55:114-139. Lukas, Johannes. 1971. “Über das erweiterte Verb im Bolanci (Nordnigerien).” Journal of African Languages 10(1): 1-14. Newman, Paul. 1977. “Chadic classification and reconstructions.” Afroasiatic Linguistics 5: 1-42.

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Newman, Paul. 1990. Nominal and Verbal Plurality in Chadic. (Publications in African Languages and Linguistics, 12) Dordrecht: Foris Publications. Newman, Paul. 2012 “Pluractional verbs: An overview,” in Verbal Plurality and Distributivity, ed. by Patricia Cabredo Hofherr and Brenda Laca. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter. Palmer, H.R. 1929, 21972. Gazetteer for Bornu Province, compiled by H.R. Palmer and revised by J.B. Welman, in Gazetteers of the Northern Provinces of Nigeria, vol II: The Eastern Kingdoms (Muri, Yola, Bornu). London: Frank Cass. Schuh, Russell G, & Alhaji Maina Gimba. 2005. “Low Tone Raising in Bole,” Afrika und Übersee 88:229-264.