O
obedientzúꞋnɛ́nɛadj.vobedient
obeseńtyɔplɛvar. dial.ńtyɔptɛv.stat be or become fat or obesePɛ́ tsuŋ ɛ́fat mápfu, a tyɔplɛ.On nourrie bien la mère d'enfant, elle grossie.ŋgaꞋanobese
obeyńzúꞋnɛ ŋuv.tobey s.o.Mɔɔ sɛ́ ńzúꞋnɛ́ tát wɛ, ńjʉ́ pi.The child obeys his father and benefits from it.ńzúꞋ ntsu mbɔ̌ ŋuex.id.obey s.o.
obligateńcʉʉnɛv.tforce or make (s.o. do s.th), obligateńcʉʉ ŋu nɛfaꞋ yɔ́.force s.o. to work ?
observeḿbɛntɛ 2v.tobserve or follow (with one's eyes); to diagnoseMaꞋpʉ́ɔ jí nɛpɛntɛ mɔ̂mvú.The hunter knows how to observe the dog.
observerntʉnjʉ̈ɔ́nspectateur, observateur
occupationsmɛfaꞋdér.defaꞋworknoccupations
ocean, seaŋkikɛ́ndẅiklɛcmp.deŋki2 1waterkɛ́1NEG(future); NEG(future)ndẅiklɛlimitn.cocéansynŋkikɛ́nɛpat
Octoberpɛsaŋ nɛgɛ́msyn.ntenth month, October
oedemakɔ́Ꞌtɛvar. non spec.var. non spec.kwɛ́tɛnoedema (edema US); illness that makes the feet swellTǎaláꞋ waa tík nʉk-kɔ́Ꞌtɛ ŋkáꞋ wɛ́. My neighbour planted an oedema fetish in his field. kwɛ́tɛvar. non spec.kɔ́Ꞌtɛoedemanoedème
of a frog or toadgɔɔꞋonosound of the croaking of a frog or toadƐ́ nɛtúꞋ pɛtɛtɔꞋ pɔ́ mbʉʉ ncɔꞋ ŋ́kíi ŋgɔ : «GɔɔꞋ, gɔɔꞋ, gɔɔꞋ,» At night the toads around the edge of the swamp croak.
offer a sacrificeńnɔŋ pɔꞋ2dér.depɔꞋ2 (make/offer a) sacrifice
offeringyúupɔꞋcmp.deyúu1pɔꞋ2n.coffering
oh, my! (astonishment)mámâainterjinterjection of astonishment or despair like "oh no!"
oh no!wɛ́ɛinterjinterjection expressing consternation - oh no!
oil saucenáꞋ nuꞋnɛdér.denáꞋsauceńnuꞋmixsyn.nmixed sauce, palm oil sauceNáꞋ nuꞋnɛ mba náꞋ-mɛgwɛt, ɛ́ táꞋ yúu.Mixed sauce (soup) and oil sauce (soup) are the same thing.This sauce is NOT cooked and much mixed is required for the ingredients to hold together. People used to mix it with their hands'(no utensils) and that is what the verb nu' means.
oil sauce mixed with ground grilled groundnut (peanut)náꞋ shɔ́ŋnɛforme comp. non-spéc denáꞋsauceɛ́shɔ́ŋ2n.coil sauce mixed with ground up grilled groundnut (peanut)NáꞋ shɔ́ŋnɛ ɛ́ náꞋ nuꞋnɛ pɛ́ níꞋnɛ mɔ̂nzu nǔu ńdɔk ḿbʉʉnɛ. Ɛ́ pɔŋ páꞋ tɛꞋ.The sauce called 'mixed' is an oil sauce on which one has put groundnuts (peanuts) et then stirred up.
oil sauce with okranáꞋ nuꞋsɛ́forme comp. non-spéc denáꞋsauceńnuꞋmixsɛ́1 1groundn.coil sauce with okra (cooked separately and) added;NáꞋ nuꞋsɛ́, ɛ́ náꞋ-cúꞋ pɛ́ níꞋnɛ gɛgaŋ nǔu.The sauce called 'mixed together on the ground' is a soup (sauce, standard English) for cocoyams which has okra in it.It is eaten with corn foo-foo.
ointmentfu lɔk ńzɔ́Ꞌ mbʉʉdér.defu1ointment, salve
okragɛgaŋnokraŊgʉŋ-náꞋ-gɛgaŋ pɔŋ.Le couscous sauce du gombo est bien.Abelmoschus esculentus
oldlɛnnɛdér.deńdɛnbe_oldadj.voldndɛn1var.lib.dendwɛn 1oldmod.nold, formerNdɛn ndá yɛk kà shí.Our old house burned down.ndwɛn 1var. lib.var. lib.ndɛn1mod.noldpɛlwɛn pʉɔold people, elderly folks.mɛlwɛn (mɛ)ndẅíold clothesWhen this word modifies a plural noun it agrees with it, that is to say it takes the same prefix or as a compound word with the word it 'modifies' taking the plural prefix.
old, beńdwɛnvar.lib.deńdɛnbe_oldv.statbe old, get olderTʉ́ laa ńdwɛn, pɛ́ kwak; ɛ́ tɔ́k pɛpɔ́ fí.If a a tree gets old, one prunes it and it puts out new branches.ńdʉ́mv.statbe oldWɛcɔ́ mɑꞋpʉ́ɔ pɔ́ tsɛt yɛcɔ́ lɑ́Ꞌ , mbɔɔ mɑŋɡɛ́ ɡẅɛɛ, mbɔ ɑ lʉ́m mɔ́ mbíꞋŋɡɔ ɑ ḿbɔ́ ŋɡɑŋfɛl.There was a certain hunter in a certain village without a wife and already old because he was a cheapscape.
old(stative verb)ńdɛnvar. lib.var. lib.ńdwɛnv.stat be old, worn outMatúa lɛn.The car is old.
old way of mourning a deathnjʉŋ 1nformer way of the ndaa of mourning the death of s.o. Ɛ́ ŋkámbi, njʉŋ pɔ́nɛ nɛlaa nɛvú-mbɔ́ndaa. Mbɔ́ndaa ńzɛmɛ tɛtáa, ŋkat pɔ́ tsɛt , ńzɛmɛ tɛtáa, ŋkat pɔ́ tsɛt sɔŋ.Formerly, the 'njung' was the way the ndaa mourned their dead, forming a circle in the courtyard and there was a small tam-tam drum in the middle.
olive baboonndɛn2n.cbaboon (olive)papio anubis
onnǔuprépin, on, againstnii2prépon
onceŋká1 1ntime (occasion)
once, at oncetáꞋ ŋkádér.deŋká1syn.nonce (and for all), suddenly
oneyɛ́mɔ́Ꞌadj.num.cardoneḾbɔ́ pɛ́ pɔɔ sáŋ yúu tɛ ŋ́kúu nɛgɛ́m kɛ́ zɛ nǔu yɛ́mɔ́Ꞌ pɔ.One cannot count to ten without starting at one.pɛ́2pn.indéfonewɛ́mɔ́Ꞌɔadj.num.cardoneUsed to modify class 1 & 3 nouns.
one-eyedpɛ́lík 2cmp.deḿbɛ́get_lost, loselík1eyedér.deḿbɛ́get_lost, loselík1eyen.c.qone-eyed
one-eyed personpɛ́lík 1cmp.deḿbɛ́get_lost, loselík1eyedér.deḿbɛ́get_lost, loselík1eyen.cone-eyed person
one-handedŋkɛmpɔ́ 1cmp.dekɛmpiecepɔ́1handnone-handed or one-armed person
one's selfmbʉʉ 2none's self, this noun functions with the verbe like a reflexive pronoun in EnglishMɔ́ɔ lɔ ɛ́suk mbʉʉ la ŋ́gʉ sɛkút.The child washes herself/himself before going to school.
onionánɔ́ɔshivar. lib.ánúushiAnglaisnonionAlium cepa var.
onlypɔ2var. lib.ɔ2advonly, justIn speech, the 'p' is often swallowed and one only hears the 'ɔ' .zɛ́nɛ́advonly, aloneMɔ ŋ́gʉ mɛtáa zɛ́nɛ mɔ.I am going to the market alone.ndaꞋadvonly, justNdaꞋ mɔ ka gʉ ŋkáꞋ lɔꞋɔ pɔ́.Only I did not go to the field today.A ndaꞋ táꞋ mbɔ́ɔtɛlɛ-ŋgáazɛ ndá.There is just one bottle of gas in the house.
openŋ́ŋáꞋ 2v.topenNdɔ́kta cú ŋgɔ, « ŊáꞋ ntsu!» The doctor said, "Open your mouth!"ńnyɛ́Ꞌv openńtsɔ́Ꞌ1 2v.topen, unlockN tsɔ́Ꞌ kʉ́ŋɛ́-matúwa.I unlock(ed) the car doorŋ́ŋwaa 1v.topenThis has to do with opening curtains by parting them or opening a path by parting the grass.
openednyɛ́Ꞌnɛ́nɛ́adjopen(ed)
openlymántáaadvopenly, publicly, out in the openN cú nu mántáa.I said the thing publicly.
open one's eyes wideɛ́saŋtɛ míkdér.deɛ́saŋtɛ2ex.id.open wide one's eyesPɛ́ sẅíi wɛ́ ŋgɔ súu nɛ pfú, a saŋtɛ mík.He was told his friend died, his eyes opened wide. (indicating he was shocked)
open upɛ́saa1v.iopen up and spread out (as in the new branches of a palm tree), blossomNzap lɛɛ tɛ ɛ́saa, ńtsʉ́Ꞌ ńdẅi lẅinɛ́.When a green leafy vegetable passes to the point of blossoming, it becomes too bitter.
operate (verb, med.)ŋ́gwat1v.t operate (as in perform surgery)
opponentkẅiitɔ́BbtBfdBjovar.dial. dekẅiitúopponentn.copponentkẅiitúvar. dial.var. dial.kẅiitɔ́n.copponentPɛ́ lɔɔ ńtsuŋ ńjí yúu mi kẅiitú zɔŋnɛ pɔ́. One often doesn't know what one's opponent is discussing.
oppressńnɔt 3var.lib.deńnɔꞋvoppress, lord it over s.o.ńnɔꞋ 2var. lib.ńnɔtvoppress, lord it over s.o.
oppression, persecutionnɔꞋnoppression, persecutionḾbɔ́ nɔꞋ pɔ́ ŋgʉ̈ɔ́Ꞌ-papɛ́m Sɛ́ mbi pɛkájí Sɛ́.Persecution can be the suffering of people who believe in God before those who do not know God.
oppressorŋgaŋnɔꞋndictator, oppressor (s.o. who insists on always having his way)
opressionnɛnẅɛtnɛnopression
orkɛpɔ́conjor (used between two nouns)Kɔɔ pɛ́ kʉ̈ɔ́Ꞌ mba nɛsɔp mbʉʉ yu nɛ́ sáꞋ kɛpɔ́ nɛ́ lísaa káꞋ pɛ́ lɔk mɔ́ ɛ́faꞋ nǔu ŋu!Don't get pricked or cut with a needle or a razor that has already been used on someone else !kɛ 1conjor (in interrogative sentences)Ɔ ńnáŋ zaꞋa kɛ ziꞋi?Are you going to sit here or there?
oraclentsɔꞋŋgáan.cone who practices divination
orangelamáashiAnglaisnorangeCitrus sinesis
orange treetʉ́-lamáashiAnglaisdér.delamáashinorange treeCitrus sinesis
orderŋ́kɔ́mɛv.torder, put in an order for s.th.Ɔ kɔ́mɛ saŋsáŋDid you order the sand?
orders, give strictŋ́gẅɛ́Ꞌ2vgive strict orders (under penalty of a curse if disobeyed)
or, evenkɛmbaconjor (in declarative sentences, or evenLɛꞋcɔ́, a gʉ nɛ́ mɛtáa kɛmba nɛ́ cɔ̂ɔshi.Maybe he went to the market or (even) to the church.
originkuŋnorigin, cause Matúwa m̀vu zɔn, ńjẅí pʉɔ. Pɛ́ pɔɔ ntɔŋ jí. Lá. paŋcɔꞋ túŋtɛ tɛ ńjʉ́ɔ kuŋ.A car crashed yesterday and killed some people. Nobody knows the reason for it. The gendarmes investigated thoroughly until they found the cause.nɛsáꞋnoriginekɔŋ 1norigin, crux, bottomƆ lɔ ńdɔɔ kɔŋ-nu tɛꞋ.You always look for the crux of the problem.
ornamentkẅiinornament Fɔɔ gɔ́ ŋ́kɔ́Ꞌ zán, ńníꞋ kẅii mbʉʉ yɛ́. The chief, coming to a public place, put an ornament on him.
ornate nile monitornɔɔpɛkɔ́ŋn.cornate nile monitor (lizard)Nɔɔpɛkɔ́ŋ á nɔ́-mɛku. A lɔ ḿbɔ́ pɔ zʉꞋ-mɛŋgɔꞋThe ornate Nile monitor is a snake with feet (i.e., a lizard). It is in rocky places.Varanus niloticus ornatus
orphanmɔ̂ɔncín.corphanmɔ̂ncínorphan
orphan ritualcí 2nritual for orphansThis ritual is to confirm orphans in their new status.
or whatkɛkʉ̈ɔinterror what
otherndɛꞋ(ɛ)adjother, differentA nǎŋ láꞋ ndɛꞋɛ.He/She lives in another village.wɛcɔ́ 3var. lib.cɔ̌dér.deyɛcɔ́dét.indéfanother, other(s)nɛcɔ́2 1dér.deyɛcɔ́dét.indéfanother (modifying nouns of class 5)
other(s)pɛcɔ́2 1dér.deyɛcɔ́dét.indéfother(s)Used with class 2 nouns.
othersmɛcɔ́1dét.indéfcertain, othermɛcɔ́2 1dér.deyɛcɔ́dét.indéfanother, other(s) (modifying nouns of classes 4 or 6)
ottomanntíknɛ 2nottoman (stool to rest one's feet on while sitting)
ought toŋ́gẅɛɛ nɛgɛ yúuexpr.id.deŋ́gẅɛɛex.id. ought to, have to (must)Ŋ gẅɛɛ nɛgʉ tʉ́sɔn ńdíŋɛ́ ŋwaꞋnɛ.I have to go to town and check the post. (check for mail)ḿbiitɛ 1varrive or come in first; first...A láꞋ ḿbiitɛ mɛtáa la n tɔ́.He was at the the market first, before I arrived.Piitɛ ńcẅɛɛtɛ kɛm-yúu mi ɛ́ lík-gu…!First remove the thing that's in your own eye...!
our(2)pûu 1pn.poss.duour (we two)wûu1 1pn.poss.duour (we two)yûupn.poss.duour (we two)
our (all of us)yɛkŋɛpn.poss.inclnotre (inclusif modifiant les noms de la classe 9)yɛ́kŋɛpn.poss.inclnos (inclusif modifiant les noms de la classe 7 et 10)
our(excl)wɛ́k 1pn.poss.exclour (exclusive = and not your)wɛkpn.poss.exclour (exclusive = and not your)nɛ́kpn.poss.exclour (exclusive = and not your)Used with noun class 5.mɛ́kpn.poss.exclour (exclusive = and not your)
our (exclusive = and not your)yɛ́kpn.poss.exclnos (exclusif = et non pas vous)yɛkpn.poss.exclnos (exclusif = et non pas vos)pɛ́k1 1pn.poss.exclour (exclusive)
our (incl)mɛ́kŋɛpn.poss.inclour (incl)
our(incl)wɛ́kŋɛ 1pn.poss.inclour (inclusive = ours including you)wɛkŋɛpn.poss.inclour (inclusive = ours including you)nɛkŋɛpn.poss.inclour (inclusive = and your)pɛ́kŋɛ 2pn.poss.inclour (inclusive)
our (two)wûu1 2pn.obj.duus (two)yuupn.poss.duour (us two)nûupn.poss.duour (us two)
our (us two)mûupn.poss.duour (us twoLɔk mɛyúu mûu má ńdɔk ńtɔ́.Bring our (us two) things there (next to you)!with classes 4 and 6
outsidenɛzɛꞋnoutside, faceŊu lɛɛ ntsu nɛzɛꞋ-ndá.A person passed by the entrance to the house.nzɛm-píisyn.n.aoutsidepíi1 1adv.loutsideMɔ́ɔ́ sɛ́ ŋ́gɛ mɛgá píi.This child is playing outside.
outside, thekɔp1nlarge urban area in another part of Cameroon, the big city, the outsideMɔ ŋ́gʉ nɛ́ kɔp.I am going to the big city.
overburdened persontɔ̂kukɛ́lutŋaŋtʉ́cmp.detɔ̂kuend footkɛ́1NEG(future); NEG(future)ńdut ndúŋ,cross the roadŋaŋ 1roottʉ́1 1treedér.detɔ̂kuend footkɛ́1NEG(future); NEG(future)ńdut ndúŋ,cross the roadŋaŋ 1roottʉ́1 1treeexpr.id.detɔ̂kuend footkɛ́1NEG(future); NEG(future)ńdut ndúŋ,cross the roadŋaŋ 1roottʉ́1 1treen.c.qperson who is overburdened or has too many problems
overdoŋ́gáꞋ1 2vworsen (a sickness), overdoNdɔ́kta tsuŋ ńzɔŋ gɔɔ yɛ́, lá fípa tɔ́ktɛmɛtɔ́ pɛn ŋ́kwíꞋ ŋ́gáꞋ gáꞋnɛ.The doctor really treated his sickness, but the typhoid fever just got worse and worse.
overeatḿvɛpv.i/v.statovereat, stuff one's selfMɔɔ lɔ ńjʉ́ɔ yúu ɛ́ pɔŋnɛ wɛ́, ḿvɛp. When a child see something he likes, he stuffs himself.
overflowńjɛ́Ꞌ 4var. dial.ńzɛ́Ꞌv.ioverflow, spill overńzɛ́Ꞌ 3BbtBfdBjovar.dial. deńjɛ́Ꞌvoverflow, spill over
overlappingnɛfaŋɛnoverlapping; crossing
overlap(verb) ; intersectɛ́faŋɛv.roverlap, intersect, intertwinePʉɔ tsɛt ndá-cɔ́ɔshi lɔ ɛ́faŋɛ pɛtɔ̂mbɔ́ ŋká pɛ́ cɛꞋlɛnɛ Sɛ́.People in a church often fold their hands (lit. interlace their fingers) when they pray (to) God.
overly talkative womanmaŋgɛ́-ntsucmp.demaŋgɛ́womanntsumouthn.coverly talkative woman
overnight food leftoverssɛm2nfood leftovers from the night or day beforePɛ́ lɔ ńdɔ sɛ́ láꞋ, ńdẅiitɛ sɛm-ŋgʉŋ, mbɔ́ŋkʉ̈ɔ́ jʉ́ la ŋ́gʉ sɛkút.When one gets up (in the morning) in the village, one reheat the foo-foo corn leftovers from the day before and the children eat it before leaving for school.
over, onndǔ 1prépover, above, on
over thereliinɛvar. lib.var. lib.lii2adv.lover thereA pʉ́ɔ liinɛ.There he/she is over there.And one points with one's finger.
over there, wayziꞋnɛ1adv.lover there
overwhelmńtsa1 2v.tovewhelm, worryWɛcɔ́ maꞋŋkatɛ́m jẅí mɔ́ɔma wɛ, ḿbɔɔ gɛ nɛ́ jí pɔ́ ; ŋ́gʉ ntɔ́Ꞌ ŋkɔ̂ɔ, ɛ́sẅíi fɔɔ. Nu tsa wɛ́ tsanɛ!A hunter killed his brother, not doing it on purpose. He goes to the fon's palace now and tells the fon. The fon is totally overwhelmed by the thing.
overwhelmedḿbáŋtɛ mbɔ́ paꞋ mɔ̂ncí.ex.id.cross one's arms like an orphan; to feel all alone faced with a difficult situation, overwhelmedFʉfʉ̈ɛt lɛɛ ńtíi tʉ-ndá-ŋu, a naŋ ḿbáŋtɛ mbɔ́ mɛ́ paꞋ mɔ̂ncí.A strong wind took away the roof of s.o. and he was left crossing his arms like an orphan.The arms are crossed with the palms on the chest.
owǎyíivar. lib.áayiinterjexclamation of pain (like "ow!" or "ouch!")
owlpfuŋnowlOtus senegalensis etc.
owl's crykwɔkkúuonoowl's hootTúꞋ lɔ ɛ́sʉ́ʉ, pɛpfuŋ gɛ ŋgɔ : «kwɔkkúu». When it gets dark, owls hoot.
ownerŋgaŋ1 1nowner«CẅimaŋkɔꞋ tɔɔ ndá. Ŋgaŋ-ndá tɔ́ ḿbíkŋɛ ŋu ẅi a tɔɔnɛ ndá yɛ.» "The tortoise burned [down]a house. The owner came to ask who burned [down] his house.ŋút (-yúu)nowner
owner of a fieldŋgaŋŋkáꞋ 1n.cowner of a field
owner of buildingŋgaŋndá 2n.cbuilding owner
owner ; possessorŋgaŋgẅɛɛforme comp. non-spéc deŋ́gẅɛɛ 1holdn.cowner
oystersɔ́t 1noysterWest African mangrove oysterCrassotrea tulipa
oyster shellgʉ̈ɔplɛ-sɔ́tsyn.noyster shell