I
Inpn.suIN tɔ́ mɔ́ laanɛ.I have already come. ɛpn.suIƐ suk mɔ́ mbʉʉ.I already bathed.ŋpn.suImpn.suI
Idiochord bar-zither.mvɛtnancient traditional musical intrument, kind of traditional zither
iflaa1aux.condifMbʉŋ laa ńdɔ́, pɛ́ ḿbi yúu.If it rains, one is going to plant.ḿbɛ́Ꞌnɛaux.condif - this auxiliary marks conditional mode in the past
ignorant personkɛ́jípl.pakɛ́jínignorant person
ignore
illness, investigate causeńtúŋtɛ ntɔŋ-gɔɔ 1vdo research to find the cause of a disease
illumateŋ́kyɛꞋ1v light or illuminate, reveal
imageshẅɛtnɛnimageMɔ́ɔ wá shẅɛtnɛ-tát wɛ.This child is the image of his father.
image of, be theɛ́shẅɛtnɛ 2v.i/v.statbe the image ofMɔ́ɔ wɔ shẅɛtnɛ tát wɛ.This child is the image of his tather.
imagineŋ́kwaŋ-kwaŋvimagine
imbecilegʉgʉvar.lib.degɛgʉʉnimbecile, ignoramus, idiot
imitateɛ́fʉꞋnɛ 1vimitateŊkán lɔ ɛ́fʉꞋnɛ yúu mi ŋu gɛnɛ.The monkey often imitates what a person does.
immaturetsitsǐ 2var.lib.deŋkǐŋki 1unripeidimmatureTsitsǐ mɔ́nzɔ.Tsistǐ mɔ̂nzuUnripe groundut/peanut. Refers to peanuts/groundnuts.
immature palm nutncʉ̈ɔ-nɛtʉ́ɔsyn.nimmature palm nutElaeis guineensis
immediatelyŋ́gɔ́ɔaux.advimmediately, straight awayA fúŋ wɛ́, a gɔ́ɔ ḿbɛ́m.When he called him, he answered immediately.
immortalkɛpfú2cmp.dekɛ́1ḿpfúadj.vimmortal; hardyPɛ́ lɔ ńdɔk tʉ́ kɛpfú ńnʉk kɛpɛ́. One uses a hardy tree to mark the borders of the pigpen.
impatient(be)ńcitɛ mbʉʉ 2dér.deńcitɛmbʉʉex.id.be or get impatientA zẅíꞋlɛ súu nɛ tɛ ŋ́káa, ńcitɛ mbʉʉ ŋ́gʉ.He waited for his friend a long time, got impatient and left.
impolitenjɔtntsu 1cmp.deńjɔtbe_heavyntsumouthexpr.id.deńjɔtbe_heavyntsumouthn.c.qimpolite (person), rude (who is silent when he or she should say something, like a greeting)Njɔtntsu ŋu lɔɔ ńcɛꞋlɛ pʉɔ pɔ́.An impolite person never greets people.
importancemɛ́m 2var. lib.mɔ́mnimportancevuvuk 1nexcessive importance, great valueA níꞋ vuvuk nǔu nu sɛ́sʉ́ʉ.He put an excessive importance on the thing.pɔ́m 1nimportanceŃniꞋ pɔ́m nǔu nu!Give the matter some importance!
impotentpfúndɛ́mvar. dial.var. dial.pfɔ́ndɛ́mcmp.deḿpfúdiendɛ́mbuttockḿpfúdiendɛ́mbuttockeuph.impotent (sex)pfɔ́ndɛ́mBbtBfdBjovar.dial. depfúndɛ́mimpotentn.cimpotent
imprisonmenttsáŋ 2nimprisonment, prison sentencePɛ́ níꞋ pɛtsɔ́ŋ tsáŋ.The thieves were imprisonned.
improveḿbɛnɛv.iimprove, be or get betterŊgup-mbʉʉ yáa náꞋ ḿbɛnɛ mbíꞋ mɛsáꞋ mi sɔpnɛ́.My skin is a little better because of the injections that were given.
impurity, dirtylɛplɛ 1dér.deńdɛplɛmod.ndirtiness, dirtyLɛplɛ-ŋki lɔ ɛ́fʉꞋ ŋu. Impure water purges a person.
incenselǐipɔꞋcmp.delǐi 3incensepɔꞋ2sacrificen.cincensePɛ́ lɔ ńtɔɔ lǐipɔꞋ tsɛt mɛcɔ́ mɛndá-cɔ́ɔshi. One burns incense in some churches.lǐi 3nincenseLǐi yi pɛ́ tɔɔnɛthe incense (which) one burnsDried carnarium tree sap is crushed to make incense.
incessantkɛtsaadj.vincessant, unending
inchwormcucu-túvar. dial.cucu-tɔ́forme comp. non-spéc decucutúsyn.ninchworm, cankerwormCucu-tú lɔ ŋ́ŋuꞋlɛ tɛ ńtsʉ́Ꞌ túꞋ yɛ́, ŋ́kít. This type of caterpillar rolls up into a ball and jumps.Non-hairy, light brown or green coloured caterpillar of butterflies of the geometridae family..cucu-tɔ́BbtBjovar.dial. decucu-túsyn.ninchworm
incisormbi nɛsɔŋsyn.nincisor, front too
inciteɛ́swɛtɛ2v.tincite or start a fightsynŋ́kuutɛ2ŋ́kuutɛ1v.t incite or start (a fight)A kuutɛ ŋkɔt.He started a fight.ńtẅíttɛv incite (a quarrel)Mɔ́ɔ́ sɛ́ ńtẅíttɛ́ pɛsúu pɛ́ ŋgɔ́ pɔ́p púꞋnɛ́ ŋkɔtThe child incited his friends to fight each other.
incite the dog to actńtsẅik mɔ̂mvú a gɛ yúucmp.deńtsẅik 2incite violencelocincite a dog to do s,th. (bite s.o. or chase an animal)MaꞋpʉ́ɔ tsẅik mɔ̂mvú, a zuŋ mɔ́naa/ a nɛm ŋu.The hunter incited the dog to chase an animal / to bite s. o..
increaseŋ́kẅiꞋv.tadd or increaseN zʉꞋ naŋ yáa tɛ ɛ́ tsʉ́Ꞌ ŋgɔ́ŋ yɛ́tát, ŋ káa; lá Sɛ́ kẅiꞋ mɛtʉʉ máa, m mɛk. I cultivated my field until there were only three furrows to go; I was tired, but God gave me the strength to finish.
indefinite et somewhat distant futureńdaꞋ2aux.t indefinite and somewhat distant (starting six months from the present) futureA ńdáꞋ ŋguꞋ laa ńtɔ́ nǔu zɔꞋ mɔ́ɔ waa. He will come next year for the marriage of my child. (It's certain, but the date has not yet been set.)To have this meaning, it must always carry the nasal prefix.
Indefinite very distant futureńtáa2aux.tIndefinite very distant (starting years from now) future
independencelɛpavar. lib.lɛpandaŋnindependenceƐ́ ŋkɔ̂ɔnɛ ŋguꞋ ntsɔ̌ppá nɛ mɛgɛ́m mɛ́nɛntúkú páꞋ ŋgɔŋ-Kamɛlûm ka gẅɛɛnɛ lɛpa.Il is now sixty-two years that Cameroun got its independence.Mɔ́ɔ lɛɛ tɛ ɛ́fúꞋ njɛ́Ꞌ plóp ńcẅɛt, ŋ́gẅɛɛ lɛpa.When a child leaves (i.e., moves out of) the family conpound, he/she is independent.lɛpandaŋvar.lib.delɛpanindependence
independent adultsáanɛ ŋucmp.deɛ́sáanɛspliteŋupersondér.deɛ́sáanɛspliteŋupersonex.id.independent adult, i.e., one who no longer is dependent on his parentsSáanɛ ŋu, a ŋu a láanɛ mɔ́ ndá tɛ tát wɛ nʉk tʉ́ yɛ́ ńdɔk ɛ́fak wɛ́.An independent person is someone who has already paid his dowry to his parents and who father has planted a tree in order to separate him from the household.
independent (free) personndẅǐinindependent (free) person, autonomous personantpuꞋ
inevitablekɛkʉ̈ɔńdukforme comp. non-spéc dekɛ́1NEG(future); NEG(future)ŋ́kʉ̈ɔflee, runńduk2 1surviven.cunavoidable or inevitable thingNɛvu kɛkʉ̈ɔńduk. Pʉɔ tsʉʉ lɔ ḿpfú.Death is unavoidable. Everyone dies.
infant diarrheatɛt3ndiarrhea that attacks nursing infants
inferiorkɛ́kuꞋcmp.dekɛ́1NEG(future); NEG(future)ŋ́kuꞋ 2ablemod.ninferior or insufficient, that does not lastNɛpɛ́m kɛ́kuꞋ nu ká pɔŋ.To accept something that doesn't last is not good.
inflamation of the spleenmbát záŋnɛdér.dembát2syn.npainful inflamation of the spleen
influenceɛ́shɔt jínuforme comp. non-spéc deɛ́shɔtjínusyn.vinfluenceMaŋgɛ́ lɔ ńnɛ́ɛ yúujʉ́ sʉ́Ꞌnɛ ńdɔk ɛ́shɔt jínu-ndúu mɛ la ńdɔ́ɔ yúu mbɔ̌ wɛ́A woman often prepares good food to indluence her husband before asking him for something.
ingratejʉ́kɛpɛ́mningrate, ungrateful personPaa-jʉ́kɛpɛ́m lɔɔ ńdúu pɔ́.The ungrateful person's sack is never full.kɛtsáambɔ́ŋn.cingrateNtsɔ́ŋ kɛtsáambɔŋ.The thief is an ingrate.
in heat, beŋ́kyak2v.i be in heatPɛ́ gɔ ńjí ŋgɔ nzwɛ́-naa kyak, nzʉʉ yɛ mut. Ŋki fúfú pɛn ḿbɔ́ ńcẅɛt tsɛtú. Before one can tell a sow is in heat, her vagina swells and white liquid flows out.
inheritńjʉ́ ndádér.deńjʉ́ex.id. inherit family leadership
inheritancentʉ̈ɔt3ninheritance, heritageTǎa mɔ ka gá ntʉ̈ɔt wáa páꞋ jínu, ŋkáp mba nzwɛ́.Mon père ma donné l'héritage comme sagess, argent et ma femme.jʉ́ndáninheritance
initiateńnɔ́k 2v.tinitiate
initiate (into)ńdɛ́kvinitiate (into), introduce s.o. to s.th.Mɔ̂shʉ́ŋ lɔ ńdɛ́k mɔ́ɔ nɛ la a tatThe bird initiates its offspring into flying.
inject, give an injectionɛ́sɔp sáꞋforme comp. non-spéc deɛ́sɔpsáꞋ1needlesyn.vinject, give an injectionNdɔ́kta sɔp sáꞋ nǔu mɔ/ndɔ́kta sɔp a nɛ́ sáꞋ.The doctor gave me an injection.
injure one's selfńdʉ́ɔv injure (one's self), have an accident
inmost beingshuk1ncourage, self esteem
inner thigh chafingmɛsɔtninner thigh chafingŊu gaꞋnɛ lɔ ńnɛn ŋ́gʉ ŋga sɛsa, mɛsot kɔꞋ wɛ́.When an overweight person walks for a long distance, he gets chafing on his/her inner thighs.
innocentntsaꞋmbúꞋn.cdeaf personmbúꞋ 1ninnocent person
in order thatnɛpɔ́ yiforme comp. non-spéc deḿbɔ́1 1beyi 1demcoordconnso that, in order thatA túu mɔ́ɔ ŋkáꞋ nɛ́ mɔ́ɔ-ŋkɛndɔŋ, nɛpɔ́ yi a ŋ́kúu zúꞋu ḿbi.He sent a child to the field with a plaintain shoot in order to plant it when he arrives.
insanityjʉ́ɔmɛninsanity, mental illnessJʉ́ɔmɛ nǔu ŋu, a pɔɔ ḿbɛn ḿbɔ́ ɛ́sáŋ nu pɔ́.Someone who suffers from mental illness no longer reasons correctly.
insect in taro leavesmâmbʉŋmɛtɔ́kuꞋún.ckind of insect found in cocoyam leaves (especially beside water)
insertɛ́fɛɛmɛv.tinsertMáamɔ fɛɛmɛ ŋkap nɛ́lẅi-ndá.Mother inserted the money into a corner of the house.
insidetsɛtúvar. dial.var. dial.tsɛtɔ́prépinside(of), from inside ofA lɔk kalɛ́m ḿbɛn tɛt, ńtswɛɛtɛ nzʉꞋ tsɛtú.He returned from the farm with the pumpkin and took out the seeds from inside of it.sɔŋ1 2ninterior, insidesyntsɛttsɛttsɛtɔ́BbtBfdBjovar.dial. detsɛtúinsdieprépinside
inside of bodysɔŋ-mbʉʉsyn.ninside the body
insistńnʉʉ 6v insistTǎa-ntík nʉʉ nu la pɛ́ tsuŋ ńzúꞋ.The consellor emphasizes the matter to be understood.
insomniac
instead ofńtsʉ́Ꞌ yiforme comp. non-spéc deńtsʉ́Ꞌstayyilocinstead of
instrumentyúu-nɛluŋsyn.nmusical instrumentnɛkɔŋ-lúŋ 2syn.ntype of musical instrument
instrument(musical)nɛfɛ́m2npercussion instrument made from several (often 4) calabashes. fʉ̈ɔt2 2nmusical pipePaŋgɛ́ ní ńtɔ́ŋ fʉ̈ɔt tsɛt lúŋ.Women blow a pipe for the (women's) dance .
instrument, musicalnɛlúŋ1nmusical instrument
instrument of bamboo, percussionmbaa3na kind of percussion f instrument made from hollowed out bamboo that is scored with lines across the surfacePɛ́ lɔ ńdɔk kwáŋ ŋ́gɔ́k mbaa. One rubs the musical instrument called 'mbaa' with a bracelet.
insultnzɔɔmɛninsultMɛnzɔɔmɛ mɔ́p pɛ́k tɛꞋ.Their insults are quite bad.ńnyaklɛ1v.tinsultńtɛ́m sʉ́ʉ (nǔu ŋu)expr.id.deńtɛ́msʉ́ʉ2shamesʉ́ʉ2ex.id.shame (s.o.)
insult each otherńzɔɔmɛv insult or curse one another
insulternzɔɔtɛforme comp. non-spéc deńzɔɔtɛcursen.vinsulter
intercourse(sexual)nɛtsɔ́ŋ-tsɛndér.deńtsɔ́ŋ 1have sexual intercoursetsɛnvaginasyn.nsexual intercourse, coitusRefers to moments of sexual union.
interfere(verb)ŋ́kúu nǔu mɛnu-pʉɔexpr.id.deŋ́kúunǔunu2pʉɔex.id.interfere in other people's business
interiortsɛt2 2ninterior, insides
interjectionŋgʉ́tɛ 1interjexclamation of dismay
interjection expressing disgustyîshinterjinterjection expressing disgust (yuk!)
interjection expressing surpriseyɔ̂yvar. lib.var. lib.yʉ̂yinterjinterjection expressing surprise - wow!
interrogateɛ́swɛtɛ1 2vinterrogatePɛcɔꞋ shíshí lɔ ɛ́swɛtɛ ntsɔ́ŋ, a kyɛ́Ꞌ ku yɔ́p.Policemen interrogate a thief and he betrays his gang.
intersection ; crossroadsmɛfaŋɛ-ndúŋdér.denɛfaŋɛmɛfaŋɛintersection, crossroadssynmɛkʉ́Ꞌ-ndúŋ
interupt(verb)ŋ́gwɛ́tnɛv interuptMɔ́ɔ gwɛ́tnɛ wɛ́k nǔu faꞋ.The child is interupting us in our work.
intestinenɛtɔ́nintestineNɛtɔ́-mɔ̂mvú sak ńtsa nɛ́ pǔushi. A dog's intestine is longer than a cat's.
intestine, largenɛtɔ́ gwɛ́ 1forme comp. non-spéc denɛtɔ́intestinegwɛ́bigsyn.nlarge intestine
intestine, smallnɛtɔ́ kɛ́kʉ̈ɔ́Ꞌforme comp. non-spéc denɛtɔ́intestinekɛ́kʉ̈ɔ́Ꞌsmallnsmall intestine
in three years, three years from nowŋguꞋ yinɛexpr.id.deŋguꞋyearex.id.three years from now, in three years
intimidateḿvukŋɛ 3v.tintimidate, scareA lɔk pfú-nɔ́ ḿvukŋɛ mɔ́ɔ, a kíi tɛꞋ.He/she scared a child with a dead snake. He cried a lot.ḿvuutɛ 2v.tintimidate
intimidatingmvukŋɛmod.nintimidating, who scares othersMvukŋɛ ŋu ká jí ŋgɔ wɛcɔ́ ŋu lɛɛ wɛ́ pɔ́.The person who scares others doesn't realise s.o. else may be beyond (his ability to scare or inimidate).
intimidationvukŋɛdér.deḿvukŋɛ 3intimidaten.vintimidationḾbɔ́ vukŋɛ gɛ ŋu tsii tsɛt ndẅí yɛ.Intimidation can make someone wet his/her clothes.
intoxicated, beḿbá mɛluꞋdér.deḿbáex.id.be drunkŊu pá mɛluꞋ tɛ ńtsʉ́Ꞌ ńnɛn ńjɔ́mtɛ jɔ́mtɛ́nɛ.The man became so drunk that he wandered around aimlessly.
introductionmɛtú-nuforme comp. non-spéc detúheadnu2question, affair, problemsyn.nintroduction (as of a discourse)tú-nu 2cmp.detúheadnu2question, affair, problemn.cintroductionThis concerns the introduction of a discourse or a book, not of a person.
investigateńtúŋtɛv.tinvestigate thoroughly, do in depth researchMɔ sɛ́ ńtúŋtɛ mɛnu nǔu cú-mbɔ́ndaa.I am thoroughly investigating the language of the Ndaa people.
investigate cause of illnessńtúŋtɛ ntɔŋ-gɔɔ 1vdo research to find the cause of a disease
invite(verb)ŋ́gúuv invite
irismɔ́ɔlíkshíshíforme comp. non-spéc delík1eyemɔ́ɔ 1childshíshíblackn.ciris
ironhányaŋAnglaisnironHányaŋ pɔ́ yúu lɔk ɛ́shʉŋ ndẅí.An iron is something used for pressing clothes.tẅín 2niron
iron, metaltʉ́ntinvar.lib.detẅín 1metalniron, metal
iron(verb)ɛ́shʉŋ ndẅíforme comp. non-spéc deɛ́shʉŋ 2smooth outndẅí 2ex.id.iron or press (a garment)ńcʉv.t iron or press (a garment)Pɛ́ lɔ ŋ́gɔ ḿmáꞋ ndẅí, ńcʉ.Before putting on clothes they are ironed.
irresponsiblekɛgʉ̈ɔꞋnirresponsible person who ruins things without understanding their valueŊu lɔɔ ŋ́gap yu ŋ́kúꞋtɛ yi á záa mba á kɛgʉ̈ɔꞋ.Si quelqu'un partage quelque chose et garde la grande partie alors, c'est l'avarice.
irresponsible personnɔŋmaŋgɛ́kúuŋgʉcmp.deńnɔŋputmaŋgɛ́womankúubedn.cirresponsible personNɔŋmaŋgɛ́kúuŋ́gʉ lɔnɛ ńdɔknɛ ntsu wɛ ńniitɛ nu; ŋká nɛníꞋ pɔ́ paa kuꞋ, a kak tú yɛ́.The irresponsible person is one who arranges his affairs with his mouth but when the time comes to put his hand into his pocketbook, he just scratches his head.
irrigateŋ́kyak ŋkiv.tirrigate, channel water (from a swamp or stream)Pɛ́ lɔ ŋ́kyak ŋki ŋká luu ńdɔk ńtswɛtɛ tɔmátɔ.One irrigates tomato plants during the dry season.
irritateɛ́shẅɛplɛvirritate, hurtYúu vu tsɛt lík mɔ, ḿbɔ́ ɛ́shẅɛplɛ.Something get into my eye and it's hurting.
irritated, sorezáŋnɛadj.virritated, soreŊ gẅɛɛ gák záŋnɛ.I have a sore throat.
itchńzukv.t itch, be itchysɔtnitchŊu gaꞋnɛ lɔ ńnɛn tɛ ŋga sak, mɛsɔt cẅɛt tsɛt mɛtuꞋ mɛ́.When a fat person walks a long distance, he/she gets an itch on the insides of his thighs.yúu zuknɛdér.deyúu1syn.nitch
it ; theyɛ́pn.suit/they (not in ref. to human beings)