H
habits
habituallyńniiaux.t.asphabitually, usuallyA nii ŋ́gʉ mɛtáa pɛsáasidɛ nɛm nɛgɛ́m.Usually, he goe to the market on Saturday at 10 a.m.
hailmɛzẅii 1nhailMbʉŋ lɔ́ tɛ mɛzẅii vu.It rained until it hailed.
hailstonembaŋ-mɛzẅiidict.dembaŋgrainmɛzẅii 1hailsyn.n.ahailstone
hairmɛnuk-túdér.demɛnuknhair (on the head)mɛnuknhair(s)nuknhair (individual hairs)Ndaa-nuk-tú-maŋgɛ́ sak ńtsa nuk-tu -mɔ́ɔ mbɛnɛ.One hair from a woman's head is longer than a man's.
hairdo, k. ofpɔŋpɔ́ŋn.rédk. of hairdo, ponytail braids
hair, pubicmɛnuk-shyɔ́dér.demɛnuknpubic hair
hairy woodroselǎplǎp-ŋgɔ́dér.delǎplǎpŋgɔ́bambou grovesyn.n.ahairy woodroseMerremia aegyptia
half-fulltʉŋmod.nhalf-fullMɔ́ɔ tíi tʉ́ɔ ńdɔk ŋ́gʉ ŋki, ńtúꞋ tʉŋ yɛ́ ńdɔk ḿbɛn ndá.The child carried the calabasse to the water, drew water to fill it half-way full and brought it back home.
half-furoughcẅɛtnhalf-planting bedPɛ́ lɔ ńzʉ́Ꞌ naŋ tɛ cẅɛt cẅɛt tsɛttsɛt ńdɔk ŋ́gɛ ŋgɔ pfuꞋ pɛgɔŋnaŋ tʉ́ʉ ndʉ́ŋndʉŋ.When cultivating, un half furrow comes out in the middle in order to make the furrows nice and straight.
hallncʉŋ1nreception hall at the fon's palacePɛ́ lɔ ńnáŋ ntsu-ncʉŋ ŋ́ŋak mɛntsaŋ.One sits at the entrance to the reception hall at the fon's palace and settles disputes.
handntsaŋ2nhand or bunch (of bananas)synnɛkapɔ́1nhand
handbagpaa cɔ́ŋɛ́nɛdér.depaańcɔ́ŋɛ́syn.npurse, handbag
handcuffstsáŋ 1nhandcuffs
handfulpʉ̈ɔ́Ꞌdér.deḿbʉ̈ɔ́Ꞌto breaknpiece, morsel (of food) or handful Pʉ̈ɔ́Ꞌ-ŋgʉŋ -ndʉm gúꞋ ńtsa yɛ mɔ́ɔ.An adult's handful of corn foo-foo is bigger than a child's.
hand gesture, make aŋ́ŋẅɛt pɔ́forme comp. non-spéc deŋ́ŋẅɛtsyn.vmake a hand gesture
handicapped personŋkʉ́ɔnhandicapped person
handlekʉɔtɛnhooked handle (for a traditional hoe)Ḿbɔ́ pɛ́ luŋ kuɔtɛ nǔu sɔ́ mba cɔ́p.One can put a hooked handle on a hoe or a spade.ŋgútnhandle of of a knife or a cutlass
handle, hoekʉ̈ɛtɛ-sɔ́dér.dekʉɔtɛhoe handle
hand (of bananas)nɛkanhand/bunch (of bananas)synntsaŋ2
hand of womantú-maŋgɛ́ex.id.a woman's hand (in marriage)Ŋu-mbɔ́ndaa lɔ ŋ́gʉ ńjʉ́ɔ tákẅǐꞋ ḿbíkŋɛ nu-tú-maŋgɛ́.An Ndaa man goes to see the father-in-law to ask for the woman's hand in marriage.
hand signal, give s.o.ḿmaꞋtɛ pɔ́syn.vwave one's hand
hangŋ́kyɛtnɛ 1v.thang up, put up
hang around one's neckńdyɛp 2v.thang around one's neck
hang by the hand or pawńcɔ́ŋɛ́ 2v.ihang by one's hand (or paw)
hang onńnyɛpv.ihang on to, hold or steady one's self
hang one's selfńcʉŋɛ 1v.i hang one's selfNtsɔ́ŋ tíi ŋkáp-ŋu, a záŋ lɔ́ŋ,ŋ́gʉ ńcʉŋɛ.A thief took s.o's money, he got mad (distraught) and went and hung himself.
hang on the neckŋ́kyɛtnɛ 2v.ihang on the neck (a baby)
hang upŋ́kyɛtnɛ tʉ́dér.deŋ́kyɛtnɛsuspend over
happenḿbuutɛ1vcome true, happenNu yí pɛŋgɛ́mndʉ̈ɔꞋ ka ŋwaꞋnɛnɛ, Yɛ́su ka tɔ́, ɛ́ lɔk ḿbuutɛ.What the prophets had written, Jesus came that it might come true.ŋ́kɛ́tv.labhappen (to s.o.)Kʉ̈ɔ kɛ́tnɛ wú? / Kʉ̈ɔ kɛ́t wú?What happened to you?Wɛcɔ́ mɔ́ɔ nɛ pfú, a cú ŋgɔ: «Kíi ŋ́kɛ́t wú, mɛnu pʉ́ɔ lá.»,Another one of his children died, he said, "It happened to you again. There it is."
happy, beńtsáatɛv be very happy or joyfulTʉ́m yáa sɛ́ ńtsáatɛ́.My heart is joyful.ŋ́ŋwáŋɛ2 1v.statbe happy, joyful
harassńtɛ́mɛvharassńnʉʉ 5vharceler, persisterŃnʉ́ʉ ŋu nɛ́ nu.Harceler quelqu'un sur un problème.
hardńtsikv.stat be hardDescribes a type of yam ruined by exposure to the sun.
hard, beńtɛn 1var. lib.var. lib.mɛluꞋntɛnv.stat be hard or strongŊgɔꞋ tɛn.The rock is hard.
hardenńtaav harden one's self or be hardened againstŊu pɛ́t mɔ́ɔ, ńjʉ́ɔ ŋgʉ̈ɔ́Ꞌ, ŋ́gɔ́ ŋ́guꞋ ńtaa.When one suffers while one is young, one hardens when one grows up.ńtʉʉ1 2var. lib.var. lib.nɛpɛ tʉʉv.i/v.statbe hard or hardenńtɛntɛv.ibecome strong, toughen upMɔ́ɔ náꞋ ḿbɔ́ ńtɛntɛ.The child is becoming somewhat strong.
hardened
hard-headed personŋgaŋndʉꞋns.o. who stubbornly refuses to accept reality, hard-headed
hard, veryntwáŋidvery (hard)ŊgɔꞋ tɛn ŋgɔ ntwáŋ.La pierre est très dur.Used to intensify the qualifier 'hard'.
hardwood tree, large that grows in marshestsǎmnk. of giant tropical hardwood tree that grows in wet areas or near waterwaysTsǎm tʉ́ ńtɛn tɛꞋ. Pɛ́ lɔ ńdɔk ɛ́sáa pɛláŋ, ḿbɛn ńjʉ́ɔ wɛ́ ŋkaŋ-ŋki mba tsɛt ŋgɔ́. V This tree is solid. One often saws it to make boards. And one sees it beside streams, in swampy areas and around raffia palms.
harmattanntʉʉ fɛfʉ̈ɔtforme comp. non-spéc dentʉʉ 2strongfɛfʉ̈ɔtwindsyn.nharmattan
harrass (with insults)ńtsaꞋ...nɛ́ sʉʉdér.deńtsaꞋ harass (with insults)Pɛsúu-Jɔ̂b tsaꞋ wɛ nɛ́ sʉʉ.The friends of Job harassed him with insults.
harvestńdɔk 1v.tharvestPaŋgɛ́ lɔ ńdɔk yúu nǔu pɛsaŋ pɛ́nɛ́fɔmWomen harvest in the month of August.ńdak yúuexpr.id.deńdakgatheryúu1thingex.id.harvest
harvest cornḿbʉ̈ɔ́Ꞌ ŋgɛsáŋdér.deḿbʉ̈ɔ́Ꞌharvest maize
harvest timeŋkálakyuucmp.deŋká1 2timeńdakgatheryúu1thingn.charvest time
hatshɛ́ɛnceremonial hat (made of leaves with a mixture of mohagany dust and oil on them)Pɛ́ lɔ ńtɔꞋ shɛ́ɛ tsɛt láꞋ-kɛ́m.One wears a ceremonial "shay" hat in the nobleman's initiation camp.cɔꞋ-cʉ́ŋexpr.id.decɔꞋex.id.dunce capPɛ́ lɔ ńzɔɔtɛ ŋu nɛ́ «cɔꞋ-cʉ́ŋ».One commonly insults someone calling him 'chewng hat' .This expression is used as part of an insult, telling s.o. he wears this kind of hat. It functions in the culture like 'dunce's cap' in English.cɔꞋvar. lib.cʉ̈ɔꞋ2nhat
hateńnyaŋɛ1vhateḿbaavhate
hater of relativeskɛjíntʉ́ɔn.cs.o. who hates his close relativesKɛjíntʉ́ɔ lɔɔ ńtsáa ŋgɔ ndá yɔp gʉ mbi pɔ́.So one who hates his close relatives doesn't desire the progress of their house (family)
hate s.o.ŋ́gẅɛɛ mbuu mbɔ̌ ŋudér.dembuu have a disagreement with someone, be at odds with someone
hat of royaltycɔꞋ-nɛfɔɔdér.decɔꞋsyn.ntraditional royal crown
hatredkɛpaanhatredKɛpaa ndá yɔnɛ tɛ ńdúkŋɛ́.Hatred fills this house.
hat with broad earscɔꞋpapmɛtúutɛ́cmp.decɔꞋhatḿbaplɛ 2widenɛtúutɛ́earn.chat with broad earsThis is a mask that covers the head. It is worn in a traditional dance for the enthroning of a kind or the burial of a nobleman.
hat with hornscɔꞋ-mɛndɔ́ŋvar. lib.var. lib.cʉ̈ɔꞋ-mɛndɔ́ŋdér.decɔꞋsyn.n.ahorned hatThis hat is worn by noblemen of the class called 'group of seven' at the fon's palace.
hat with two cordscɔꞋ-nzuꞋvar. lib.var. lib.cʉ̈ɔꞋ-nzuꞋ syn.n.atraditional hat with two cordsPɛkɛ́m lɔ ńtɔ́Ꞌ cɔꞋ-nzuꞋ ńdɔk ŋ́gʉ nɛvú, ḿbɛn ŋ́gɛ nɛtẅíi, kɛmba kɛm-nɛvú.The notables wear a traditional hat with two cords when they go to a wake (crydie in local English) and burial or even to a ceremonial celebration ending a period of mourning.
have a long eyeŋ́gẅɛɛ lík sɛsa/ sɛsa likvar.lib.deŋ́gẅɛɛ mík sɛsa / sɛsa míkhave long eyesex.id.have a long eye, be jealous or envious of what someone else hassynŋ́gẅɛɛ fúꞋlɔ́ŋŋ́gẅɛɛ mík sɛsa / sɛsa mík
have a stomach achenɛpɛm-ŋu sɛ́ ńnɛmlochave a stomache ache, s.o's stomach hurtsNɛpɛm náa ńnɛm zɔ́n. Ɛ́ sɛ́ ḿbɛn ńnɛm lɔꞋɔI had a stomach ache yesterday. It hurts (or is hurting) again today.
have courageɛ́sʉk tʉ́mdér.deɛ́sʉkhave courage, master one's emotions
have diarrhoeanɛpɛm ɛ́fʉꞋ ŋuexpr.id.denɛpɛmabdomenɛ́fʉꞋ2purgeex.id. have diarrhoea (diarrhea US)Nɛpɛm sɛ́ ɛ́fʉꞋ wáa.I have diarrhoea.
have faithŋ́gẅɛɛ pɛ́mtʉ́mdér.depɛ́mtʉ́mex.id.have faith, believeƆ gẅɛɛ pɛ́mtʉ́m ŋgɔ fu yɔnɛ ŋ́gɛ ɔ fiitɛ ?Do you believe that this medicine will heal you?
have funŋ́gɛ mɛgaadér.demɛgaa have fun, playMbɔ́ŋkʉ̈ɔ sɛ́ ŋ́gɛ mɛgaa.The children are having fun/playing.
have justḿbɛ́t 2aux.adv(have) justM bɛ́t ńtɔ́ zaꞋa.I (have) just arrived here.
have long eyes, be enviousŋ́gẅɛɛ mík sɛsa / sɛsa míkvar. lib.var. lib.ŋ́gẅɛɛ lík sɛsa/ sɛsa likex.id.have long eyes, be jealous or envious of what someone else hassynŋ́gẅɛɛ fúꞋlɔ́ŋŋ́gẅɛɛ lík sɛsa/ sɛsa lik
have pity onńtsáa mɛjʉ́ŋ 1dér.deńtsáa 2to wishmɛjʉ́ŋpityloc pity, have compassion onMámú lɔ ńtsáa mɛjʉ́ŋ mɔ́ɔ nɛ páꞋ a gɔɔnɛ.A mother has compassion on her child when he is sick.Tsapʉɔ Sɛ́ tsá mɛjʉ́ŋ/mɛjíŋLord God have mercy!
having a desire to eatlɔŋ-ŋu gɔ mmûkex.id.expresses the desire to eat - 'one's throat says 'yum' ' A jʉ́ɔ yúujʉ́, lɔ́ŋ wɛ gɔ mmûk.She saw food and her throat said yum-yum.It's a kind of ideophone in an ideomatic expression.
headtɔ́BbtBfdBjovar.dial. detúheadnheadtúvar. dial.var. dial.tɔ́forme comp. non-spéc detú nɛ́mnɛhead achetú záŋnɛkind of head ailmenttú ziinɛbald headnhead
head, at the, firstnɛ́ tú1dér.detúat the head of, the first
headboardnɛgẅíꞋlɛnheadboard
head, crownfufuꞋ-túsyn.n.acrown of head
head disease, k. oftú záŋnɛsyn.nkind of head ailmentsynŋ́gíitútú nɛ́mnɛ
headdress, funeral with featherstyɔ́ŋnfeathered headdress or hat worn by the eldest daughter of the family during the death celebration dances
head of familyfɔɔtsɛtndá 1cmp.defɔɔtsɛt1ndánfamily head
head padnɛkát 2dér.deŋ́kátɛ́get/be tangled, coil, wiltnhead padPɛ́ ḿbáꞋ nɛkát ńdɔk ńtíi piꞋ.One weaves a head pad for carrying a load (on one's head).
Heads up!Lak tú yú!dér.deńdakPay attention! Be careful!
heal
healer, traditionalŋgaŋnɛkaŋn.ctraditional healer, sorcerer, witch doctor
healer(trad.) ; sorcererŋgaŋfucmp.defu1n.ctraditional healer, sorcerer
heal(vi)ɛ́fíitɛv.iheal (up)
hearttʉ́mnheart, soul, characterA gẅɛɛ́ tʉ́m sʉ́Ꞌnɛ.He/She is kind, trustworthy.
heartburnɛ́sap1v.tcause heartburn or gasTǎa kwɛ́t nɛlʉ̈ɔꞋ, ɛ́sap wɛ́.The father ate a yam and it gave him heartburn.
hearthnɛkɛ̌lmúkn.cfireplace/hearth
hearth bottomsɔŋmúkcmp.desɔŋ1 2insidemúkfiren.cfond du foyer
hearthstonenɛtswɛ́tnhearthstoneMɛtswɛ́t mɛ́ntát lɔɔ ḿmaꞋ nɛkʉŋ sɛ́ pɔ́.The three hearthstones never overturn the pot. (meaning one should never be too rushed in life)Stone or mud brick for the placement of a pot on the fire.
hearthstonesmɛcwɛtnstones used in a fireplace
heart of fearlɛ́mnheart of fear (where one feels fear)M vu sɛ́ tɛ lɛ́m yáa sáanɛ.I fell down so that I was overcome with fear.
heatluu1nheatŋká luudry season (lit. hot season)ńdẅiitɛv.theat
heat over a flameḿbápvheat over a flame, to roastPɛ́ páp tsɔꞋ-ŋgɛsáŋ nɛ́ pápOne roasts an ear of corn on a skewer.
heaventʉ́nɛ́pún.cheaven, sky
heavyńcʉ́ʉnɛv.statbe heavysynńjɔt
heavy, beńjɔtv.stat be heavyantɛ́fʉ̈ɔkŋɛsynńcʉ́ʉnɛ
hedgetâŋkáꞋnhedge/barrier
heelntsɛ́n-kucmp.dentsɛ́nbottomku1footsyn.nheelsynnɛtsɛ́n 1
heightntí3 2nheightNtí-ndá sakThe house is tall.
height, measure theńdʉŋtɛ ntí 1ex.id.measure the hight
hellŋgɔŋ-ŋgʉ̈ɔꞋeuph.hell, land of suffering
help carryńjaklɛv.thelp s.o. put a load on their head
help(verb)ɛ́hɛ́pɛ́var. lib.ɛ́hɛ́plɛ́ɛ́hɛ́pmɛ́Pidginv.thelpFaꞋ gáꞋ mbɔ pɛ́ fúŋ mbɔŋkʉ̈ɔ, pɔ́p tɔ́ ɛ́hɛ́pɛ́.The work was too much so the children were called and they came and helped.Mbɔ́ŋkʉ̈ɔ́ cú ŋgɔ pɔ́p gʉ ɛ́hɛ́plɛ́ má wɔp ndʉ́m zɔ́nThe children said they were going to help their grandmother tomorrow.
hem of garmentnɛcɔ́ŋ-ndẅídér.denɛcɔ́ŋhem (of a garment)
hempndapaꞋ-ŋkánsyn.nhemp, wild (uncultivated) marijuanaCannabis sativa
hennzwɛ́-mɔ̂ngɛ́pcmp.denzwɛ́syn.nhenGallus gallus domesticus var.
herbnɛŋkwandaantype of herbe used by villagers to treat internal injuries called 'vampire' woundsAgeratum conyzoides
herderntáŋmɛnaꞋácattle sellerNɛgáa-patáŋmɛnaꞋá lɔ ńnɛn pɔ mɛláꞋ mɛláꞋ.Most cattle sellers walk from village to village.
herezaꞋaadv.lherezaꞋnɛadv.lhere
herniamɛntɔlɛ̌ɛ 1cmp.denɛtɔ́intestineńdɛɛpass (by)nhernia
heronncǔmvar. lib.var. lib.ntsǔmnblack heron or black egretLɔ́ŋ-ncǔm lɔ ɛ́sak. A kɔŋ pɔ̌lfuꞋ.The black heron's neck is long. He likes wetlands.Egretta ardesiacantsǔmvar.lib.dencǔmheronnblack héron or black egretEgretta ardesiaca
he ; sheapn.susubject pronoun for class 1 (he/she)
heyyíinterjfriendly attention-getter like "hey!")
hey!ɔ́ɔinterjinterjection at the end of a sentence to get someone's attention or express surprise (hey!)
hiccupmɔ́nuꞋmbʉ̈ɔtmbʉ̈ɔt 1n.chiccup(s)Mɔ́nuꞋmbʉ̈ɔtmbʉ̈ɔt sɛ́ ŋ́gɛ wɛ́.He/she has the hiccups.
hideŋ́kʉŋv.thide, concealSúu waa lɔk yúu-ndẅí ŋ́kʉ́ŋ kúu, ḿb̀ɔ́k pɛ́ nɛtʉʉ píi ńjʉ́ɔ.My friend hid his bed with a curtain for fear that someone standing outside might see it.ńdʉɔv.t hide (something)
hide-and-go-seekmálʉɔmɛnhide-and-go-seek (game)
hide for eatingkup 1ncow, hippopatamus or buffalo hide prepared for eatingOne may specify the animal, especially if it is not cow hide.
hide to watch s.o.ḿbaamɛvhide to watch s.o.Ntsɔ́ŋ paamɛ ńzẅítꞋlɛ pɛ́ gʉ, a pʉ̈ɔ́Ꞌ ndá.The thief hid to watch someone, waited until they left and then he broke into the house.This word also indicates an intent to steal or do s.o. harm.
hide(vi)ńdʉɔmɛvar. lib.var. lib.ńdyɔmɛv.i hide; sneak or slink
hiding placendʉɔmɛnhiding place
hightʉ́2adjhigh, up(ward)
high tonŋgi tʉ́dér.detʉ́2ŋgisyn.nhigh tone
hillmbát1nhillnɛŋkɔ́Ꞌnhill, mountainsynnɛkɔ́Ꞌ 1nɛkɔ́Ꞌ 1nhillsynnɛŋkɔ́Ꞌ
hilltoptú-nɛkɔ́Ꞌdér.detúpeak of a hill
himjʉpn.tonhim, emphatic 3rd person singular pronounA jʉ!It's him(her)!
him/her/itwɛ́ 2pn.objhim (for males), her (for females), it (for things)
hinderńtɔꞋ 2v hinder, keep fromA tɔꞋ wáa nɛ́ fɛlɔ́k.He hindered me from sleeping.
hippopotomusndẅîŋkin.chippopotamusHippopotamus amphibius
hismɛadj.posshis or herNdúu mɛ.Son mari.
his, as for himyɛ́2dér.deyɛ́1proas for him, also
his, hermɛ́adj.posshis, hisA tík mɛku mɛ́ ndǔ ŋgup ŋkán.Il a mis ses pieds sur la peau du singe.
his/herpɛ́1adj.posshis/herUsed with noun class 2.
his/her/itsyɛ́1pn.posshis (for male possessors), her (for female possessors), its (for things or animals that possess)nɛ́1pn.posshis, her, itswɛpn.posshis , her, itswɛ́ 1his (for male possessors), her (for female possessors), its (for things/animals that possess)́
his/her/its (with class 9)yɛpn.posshis, her, its
hitɛ́shyak2 1v.thitMɔ́ɔ wá tʉʉ tú, pɛ́ shyak wɛ́.That child is stubborn, someone hit him.ńzɛpvhit, whipsynńtswáaḿbúꞋ 1vhit or beat
hit eachotherńtsɛmmɛv.r collide, hit each other
hit one anotherńtɛ́mmɛv hit one another/each other
hoarse, beńtaꞋ 2vbe hoarseŊgi yáa taꞋ.My throat (or voice) is hoarse
hoarse voiceŋgi taꞋnɛdér.deŋgihoarse throat
hoe a fieldŋ́kúŋɛ naŋsyn.vweed or hoe a fieldsynńtákŋɛ1 1
hoe handlekʉ̈ɛtɛ-sɔ́dér.dekʉɔtɛhoe handle
hoe (v)ŋ́kẅɛ́ɛ 2forme comp. non-spéc denɛ́2 2withsɔ́hoesyn.vhoePɛ́ lɔ ŋ́kẅɛ́ɛ naŋ, ńníꞋ tsɛ́tsáꞋ mɛtsɛ́n-ŋgɛsáŋ ŋgɔ mɛŋaŋ mɛ́ gẅɛɛ sɛ́.One frequently hoes a corn field so the roots will cling well to the soil.synńtákŋɛ1 2
holdŋ́ŋyɛ́p (nǔu)vhold or grasp on to, cling toPɛ́ ŋyɛ́p nǔu ntsɔ́ŋ.Someone held on to the thief.Kwɛ́n lɔ ŋ́ŋyɛ́p nǔu yúu, nɛcẅɛɛtɛ tɛnWhen a bushbaby clings to something, getting if off again is hard. ŋ́gẅɛɛ 1v.thold, have or possessḾbɔ́ ntát mba fúꞋ kɛmba mɛcɔ́ mɛgɔɔ gẅɛɛ ŋu.A cramp, a cold or certain illnesses catch or seize someone.In Ngomba, it isn't the person who catches the illness, but the illness who catches or seizes the person!
hold a grudgeńzáꞋ ŋkwaaexpr.id.deńzáꞋ1cutńzáꞋ ŋkwaa-ŋubear a grudge against s.o.ex.id.hold a grudge (against s.o.)Ɔ laa ńzáꞋ ŋkwaa ŋu, mbɔ ɛ́ gʉ ŋ́gá gɔɔ mbɔ̌ tʉ́m guIf you hold a grudge against someone, then it will give you sickness of heart.
hold(a sick person)ńtáŋtɛ3vhold a sick person, put one's arm over another's shoulderńtáŋtɛ1vhold a sick person, put one's arm over another's shoulder
hold many thingsŋ́gẅɛɛtɛv.thold many things at onceŊu laa ŋ́gẅɛɛtɛ mɛyúu pɔ́ yɛ́ mbɔ mɛcɔ́ gʉ ḿbɛ́ mba nɛvuutɛ sɛ́.If someone holds many things in his hand, then some are going to be lost or fall down.
hold up s.o.ŋ́giꞋ ŋuv.trob s.o. (with a weapon)
holegʉ́ɔnhole, pothole Matúwa lɛɛ tsɛt gʉ́ɔ.The car went into a pothole.
hole, smallmbʉ́nsmall holenɛpʉ́ 1nsmall hole
hole, tinysʉʉ2nminiscule holePɛ́ lɔ ńdɔk ndaa-sáŋ ńtsɛ́t sʉʉ nǔu tʉ́ɔ mba nɛgɔk mɛfu-sʉ̌ʉndáꞋndáꞋ nǔu sʉʉ ɛ̂yá ɛ́ tsɛtnɛ.One uses a broom straw to close a miniscule hole in a calabash or one rubs the leaves of a weed (called suhnda'nda') over the hole and that closes it.These are holes made by weevils in calabashes.
hollowfúꞋ2 2nhollow, depression
hollow inside a tree trunktɔ̂ɔtɛ́nhollow inside a tree trunkŊ kúu tsɛt tɔ̂ɔtɛ́, ńdʉɔmɛ zuꞋu.I went into the hollow in a tree trunk and hid there.
holylɛ́ɛnɛnɛnpure; clean; holyNjẅɛt pɛ́ Yɛ́su njẅɛt lɛ́ɛnɛ́nɛ. The family of Jesus is a holy family.
homeownerŋgaŋndá 1nhomeowner
honey collectorntákŋwáꞋcmp.deńták2extractŋwáꞋ 2honeydér.deńták2extractŋwáꞋ 2honeyn.choney collector
honeycombnɛka-ŋwaꞋ 2dér.denɛkahoneycombŋgɔꞋ-ŋwáꞋnhoneycomb at the middle of a hive containing very sweet and rather white honey
honeycomb, first in hivenɛka-ndǔdér.denɛkanfrontmost or top honeycomb in a beehivesynntsaŋ (sn
honey from the groundlúnaapaŋgɛ́cmp.delúmɔ́naawild honeymaŋgɛ́womann.cwomen's wild honey (extracted from the ground)Lúnaapaŋgɛ́ lɔ ŋ́kúu pɔ tsɛt pfú-masɛ́m.Woman's wild honey is found in abandoned termite mounds.
honey from the middle of the hivembiꞋsɔŋcmp.desɔŋ1nhoney from the middle of the hiveThis honey is of exceptional quality and one supposes it is kept in reserve for times of famine by the bees.
honey, wildlúmɔ́naacmp.deńdúvomitmɔ̂naalittle animalnwild honey Lúmɔ́naa lɔ ńdʉʉ páꞋ tɛꞋ. Wild honey is very sweet.synlúnaaŋwáꞋ-mɔ̂naalúnaacmp.deńdúvomitnaaanimaln.cwild honeysynlúmɔ́naaŋwáꞋ-mɔ̂naa
honey, wild (from tree)lúnaambɛ́ɛnɛcmp.delúmɔ́naawild honeymbɛ́ɛnɛmalesn.cmen's wild honey (extracted from a tree trunk)It is called 'men's' because one must work hard to extract it.
honor or praiseŋ́gá mɛkuꞋ1dér.demɛkuꞋ give honour, praiseMɛkuꞋ nǔu lík-Tsápʉɔ Sɛ́.Praise be to the name of the Lord God!
honourńtiŋv honor, give a title of honor
honour, thankspáꞋlánhonour, thanks
honour(verb)ŋ́gá mɛkuꞋ2syn.v honour
hoodŋkwá 2nhood (that covers the face)
hookŋgɔpdér.deŋ́gɔpcrossnhookmbaꞋnhookntɔ̂nsewing awl with hookPɛ lɔ ńdɔk ntɔ̂ ńtá mɛtap mba nɛpáꞋ kɛshɔŋ.One uses a sewing awl with hook to sew shoes or weave a small traditional basket without handles.
hoopkaatɛnhoop, round playthingMbɔ́ŋkʉ̈ɔ lɔ ńdɔk ndwɛn ku-matúwa ŋ́gɛ kaatɛ, ḿbɔ́ ŋ́kʉ̈ɔ ńdɔk ŋ́gɛ mɛgaa.Children often use an old car tyre as a hoop and roll it to amuse themselves.
hoopoe, woodŋgɛ̌ŋgákɛ́lɛcmp.deŋgɛ1 1doerŋ́gáklɛ 1agitateddér.deŋgɛ1 1doerŋ́gáklɛ 1agitatedn.cwood hoopoePhoniculus spp.
hoot of owlkuku2idhoot (of an owl)
hopeɛ́fiitɛvhopeMɔ ḿbɔ́ ɛ́fiitɛ ŋgɔ mɔ́ ḿbɛɛnɛ ntswaꞋ lɔꞋnɛ mbɔ ŋu ndɛꞋ kɛ záꞋ mɔ́ nji ńdɔ́ɔ.I was hoping to draw out my savings club money today, then someone else asked before me.
hope(n)fiitɛnhopePapɛ́m Sɛ́ gẅɛɛ fiitɛ luk.Les chrétiens ont l'espérance de vie.
horizontallykʉ́Ꞌkʉ́Ꞌadvhorizontally
horizontally stripedmɛŋkaŋmɛŋkaŋadjhorizontally stripedNdẅí mɛnkaŋmɛŋkaŋ ɛ́ yi ŋkaŋ fú nǔu táꞋ gúŋ ŋ́kúu nǔu yɛcɔ́.A horizontally striped garment is one in which strips go from one side to the other.antmɛndaamɛndaa
horn, bamboocǔunlong horn made from bamboo (one Pɛ́ lɔ ńtɔ́ŋ cǔu tsɛt mɛlúŋ-paŋgɛ́ tsʉʉ.One blows a bamboo horn in all women's dances.This instrument makes one low note.
horsenaalʉ́ɔvar. lib.var. lib.lʉ́ɔnhorseEquus ferus caballus
horse hoofntsáꞋ-lʉ́ɔdér.dentsáꞋ3horse's hoof
horsetailsáŋ-lʉ́ɔforme comp. non-spéc desáŋ1taillʉ́ɔsyn.nhorsetail, pony tail
hospitalndá-ndɔ́ktaforme comp. non-spéc dendáhousendɔ́kta(medical) doctorsyn.nhospital, clinic
hotńtɔɔnɛv.i be hottɔɔnɛnɛadj.vhot
hot, beńduumɛvar.lib.deńduuwarmv.ibe hot
hotelndápɛgʉʉcmp.dendáhouseŋgʉʉstrangernhotel, inn, guesthouseSúu waa gʉ tʉ́sɔn, ḿbíi ndápɛgʉʉ ńdɛ́ zuꞋ.My friend went into town, paid for a hotel and slept there.
hourháwanhourMɔ ḿbɛn nǔu táꞋ háwa.I'll return in one hour. Used to measure the passing of time, not for telling time.nɛmnhour, time, o'clock; day, daytime (as opposed to at night/nighttimeƆ gẅɛɛ nɛm yɛsʉ́Ꞌʉ́ nǔu wáashi wu?What time do you have on your watch?Ɛ́ nɛm saambá.It is seven o'clock.
housebuilderŋgaŋkútndácmp.deŋ́kút ndábind housedér.deŋ́kút ndábind housen.chousebuilder
househelpmɔ̂ŋkʉ̈ɔ́-ndádér.demɔ̂ŋkʉ̈ɔ́domestique servant, househelp
house in ruinsvǔndácmp.deḿvu (sɛ́) 1fall downndáhousen.crun-down house, house in ruinsPɛ́ lɔ ḿbɔ́k nɛnáŋ tsɛt vǔndá.One fears staying in a run-down house.
hovelkʉ̈ɔꞋndácmp.deŋ́kʉ̈ɔꞋ 1limpndáhousedér.deŋ́kʉ̈ɔꞋ 1limpndáhousen.chovel, abandonned housePɛtsɔ́ŋ lɔ ńdʉɔmɛ tsɛt kʉ̈ɔꞋndá. Bandits are hiding in an abandonned house.
howŋgɔ́kudér.deŋ́gɔsayku2whatinterrhow?páꞋa2interrhow?Pɛ́ sɛ́ ŋ́gɛ páꞋa la ńtúꞋ ŋki?How does one draw water?kaꞋconjhow, whenSúu waa ǹjʉ́ɔ ntsɔ́ŋ tsɛt nɛtúꞋ kaꞋ a cẅɛtnɛ ndá-tǎaláꞋ wɛ.My friend saw a thief during the night when he left the house of his neighbour.
how many?yɛsʉ́Ꞌʉvar. lib.ɛsʉ́Ꞌʉ́interrhow much? or how many?Ɔ gẅɛɛ mbí yɛsʉ́Ꞌʉ?How many goats do you have?pɛsʉ́Ꞌʉinterrhow many?with nouns of class 2mɛsʉ́Ꞌʉ́interrhow many?
how muchnɛsʉꞋʉinterrhow much or how manyWith n. class t (nɔ́p)
how much?láahow much (money)TáꞋ kílɔ-mɛkúu-líishi láa?How much is it for one kilo of rice?
huckleberry, gardennzap 2ngarden huckleberrysolanum scabrum
hug(verb)ɛ́sʉʉ mbʉʉdér.deɛ́sʉʉsyn.vhug
huh?!yʉ́ʉꞋinterjcry of astonishment
human beingŋumɛ́sɔŋn.chuman being
humbleŋkɔkmbʉʉn.c.qobedient, humble
humble, beŋ́kɔk mbʉʉ 2forme comp. non-spéc deŋ́kɔklowermbʉʉ 2selfsyn.vbe humble
humble onekɔ̌kmbʉʉpl.pakɔ̌kmbʉʉn.csubmissive person, humble person
humble one's selfŋ́kɔk mbʉʉ 1forme comp. non-spéc deŋ́kɔklowermbʉʉ 2selfsyn.vhumble one's self
humiliateɛ́sa shukdér.deɛ́satearshuk1ex.id.humiliateFúk-Ána Pɛnína, wɛcɔ́ nzwɛ́-Ɛlkána, ḿbɔ́ ńdɔɔ ŋká tsʉʉ nɛgɛ ŋgɔ lɔ́ŋ-Ána záŋ nɛlɔk ɛ́sa shuk yɛ́ mbíꞋŋgɔ Yǎwɛ ŋ́kaa mɔ́ɔ mbɔ̌ wɛ gá. Hannah's co-wife, Penina, Elkana's other wife, tried to anger Hannah all the time in order to humiliate her because the Lord had not given her any children.
humiliate publicallyńtɔ́ ntsɔ́pex.id.publically humiliate (s.o.)
humptúꞋ1 1nhumpKáawu gẅɛɛ túꞋ-ŋkwɛ gwɛ́.The cow has a large hump on its back.
hump backtúꞋ-ŋkwɛnforme comp. non-spéc detúꞋ1 1humpŋkwɛn1 1backsyn.nhumpback(ed person)
hundredŋkʉ1adj.num.cardhundred
hungernji1dér.deńjinhunger, famine
hungry personŋgaŋnjin.chungry person
hungry(verb)nji ńzáŋexpr.id.denji1ńzáŋex.id.be hungryNji sɛ́ ńzáŋ wáa.I'm hungry.
huntpʉ́ɔ1nhunt, huntingḿmaꞋ pʉ́ɔexpr.id.deḿmaꞋthrowpʉ́ɔ1huntlochunt, go hunting
huntermaꞋpʉ́ɔcmp.deḿmaꞋthrowpʉ́ɔ1huntdér.deḿmaꞋthrowpʉ́ɔ1huntn.cday hunter (who hunts with a dog)maꞋŋkantɛ́mforme comp. non-spéc deḿmaꞋthrowŋ́ka3flush out (of hiding)ńtɛ́m 1strike, hitn.chunter with a rifle
hurtńzáŋv.t hurt (severely), be irritatedLɔ́ŋ waa sɛ́ ńzáŋ wáa.My neck hurts.ńnɛ́m 2v.thurtTú yáa sɛ́ ńnɛ́m wáa.My head hurts. To say that a part of one's body hurts, on takes the body part as the subject of the sentence and the person as the object of the action.
hurt one's self
hushńnaꞋ 2v.ikeep or be quiet
hush!shʉ́tvar. lib.var. lib.shhtidnoise ordering silence - shh!, hush!Má cú mbɔ̌ mɔ́ɔ ŋgɔ shʉ́t, páꞋ a laꞋ ḿbɔ́ ŋ́kíi.The mother told her child "shh" when he/she cried.
husk cornńjɔp ŋgɛsáŋv remove husks from maïze
husk or hullfʉ̈ɔplɛnhusk or hullPɛ́ lɔ ńdɔk matáŋkɛ́lɛ́ ɛ́fak ŋgʉŋ tɛ mɛfʉ̈ɔplɛ cẅɛ́t.A traditional winnowing platter is used to winnow the corn foo-foo until the dry husks blow away.
hutmbaa1nhut, temporaty shelterntapnshelter, hut
hyphenŋkútpɛcúcmp.deŋ́kútcú 2wordn.chyphen to unite two words, 'of ' Ɛ́ nǔu cu-ŋgɔmbǎa, pɛ níꞋ ŋkútpɛcú tsɛtsɛt mɛkɛm-cú mɛ́mbá ńdɔk ńtɛmtɛ wɔ́p ɛ́ pɔ́ páꞋ ‘deʼ nǔu cú-fɛlaancí. One uses a hypen to link two words in Ngomba. It functions in Ngomba like the word 'de' in French.In the Ngomba orthography, the hyphen represents what is called an "associative marker" in linguistics. The pronunciation involves changes in the tone melody of one or both words.
hypocrisie, hyprocriteŋkɔŋmíkforme comp. non-spéc deŋ́kɔŋ 1like, lovelík1eyesyn.nhypocrite, hypocrisy
hypocriteŋgaŋkɔ̌ŋmíkcmp.deŋ́kɔŋ 1like, lovelík1eyedér.deŋ́kɔŋ 1like, lovelík1eyen.chypocrite, a person that pretends to be a friendjʉ́ntukntsucmp.deńjʉ́ńtuk1ntsun.ckind of con artist who pretends not have received any food or moneyJʉ́ntukntsu lɔ ńnáŋ pɔ páꞋ ŋgaŋŋgʉ̈ɔpꞋ.A con artist always lives like a wretch.ntáamɛzúŋn.chypocrite
hyrax, rockkúpŋgɔꞋcmp.deŋ́kúpchangeŋgɔꞋstonenrock hyraxMɛku-kúpŋgɔꞋ tuꞋ, mba mɛtúutɛmɛ́. A lɔ ńnáŋ pɔ tsɛt mɛŋgɔꞋ. The paws of the rock hyrax are short, even (as well as) its ears. It lives in the rocks.This animal's name stems from the fact that it hides itself by becoming quite still among the rocks so that it appears to have changed into a stone.Procavia capensis
hyssopfífí2nkind of grass (used in a traditional blessing ceremony) commonly called hyssop