A - a

a1 pn. third person singular pronoun; he; she; it. Lendeman taigi en dda taki, a wani libi anga uman, bika a fii taki a kon bigi. Lendeman told his father that he wants to marry a woman, because he has become a man. See: ai1.
a2 art. singular definite article, the. A man e gwe, fu di a pikin umanpikin kon kai en. The man is leaving, because the little girl has come and called him. See: den2; wan. From: EN ? Etym: the or a .
a3 vi. be; copula. See main entry: na1.
a4 prep. according to; at; by, as a locative preposition. See main entry: na2.
á func. negation marker. See main entry: ná.
A bigi, baa! See main entry: bigi. idiom. used to express profuse thanks (lit. it is big + polite marker).
a fika wan pikin sani fu Gadu See main entry: fika. idiom. by the skin of his teeth (lit. it left a small thing of God).
A kai a pasi gi en. See main entry: kai1. idiom. Everything is going fine for him. (lit. it falls on the path for him).
a lutu fu wan toli See main entry: toli. idiom. kernel of a matter (lit. root of a story).
a mama fu wan toli See main entry: toli. idiom. kernel of a matter (lit. the mother of a story).
A mangii enke yooka! See main entry: yooka. idiom. He's as thin as a ghost!
a Masaa Gadu See main entry: Masaa1. idiom. heaven (lit. locative + the Lord God).
a ná abi wini See main entry: wini. idiom. it has no advantages (lit. it not has win).
A ná udu piiti mi! See main entry: piiti. idiom. I have feelings too! (lit. the tree didn't split me [give birth to me]).
A sama de e susu ye! See main entry: susu. idiom. He really knows how to dance! (lit. the person there is really shoeing).
A Sweli (Gadu) n. oracle god resident at Diitabiki. See main entry: sweli1.
A takuu gi en. See main entry: takuu. idiom. He's in trouble. (lit. it evil give him).
A tapu wi oo! See main entry: tapu2. idiom. evening greeting (lit. it covers us oh).
abaa 1) vi. cross over. Te yu e abaa sitaati yu mu luku bun fu wagi á naki yu. When you cross the street, you should carefully look both ways to avoid being hit by a car.
kaasi abaa prep. across. A man poti a paanga kaasi abaa a boto mofu, ne a sidon. The man put the plank across the width of the boat, then he sat down.
2) n. opposite side. Mi teke a boto fu go na abaa, na a taa se fu a liba. I'm taking the boat to go to the opposite side, to the other side of the river.
abaase n. other side. Mi wani go na abaase fu a liba. I want to go to the other side of the river.
3) vt. miscount; miss. Di yu be e teli den manyan, i abaa wan. When you were counting the mangoes, you missed one.
4) prep. over. Yu á mu dyombo abaa a gotoo. You should not jump over the ditch. From: EN. Etym: abroad .
Abaa Booki n. name of a Paramaribo neighborhood. See main entry: booki.
abaa wataa n. overseas. See main entry: wataa.
abaase n. other side. See main entry: abaa.
abani n. criminal; rebel; bandit. See: kiiman2.
Abeni1 n. name of a female born on Tuesday. Abeni na a nen fu wan umanpikin di meke a tudewooko. Abeni is the name for a female who was born on a Tuesday. Male: Kwamina. See table under: dei; See table under: wiki1.
abeni2 n. oil lamp. Wan abeni na wan koko lampu, di wi e leti te neti, fu wi osu á dunguu. An abeni is an oil lamp which we light at night so that our house is not dark. syn: baana foo; koko lampu. See: faya.
I gaan nosu olo enke abeni! Insult: You huge nostrils you, like an oil lamp!
abi vt. have; be in possession of. Mi ná abi moni, da mi á poi bai sani. I don't have any money, so I can't buy anything. Usage: The variant is noticeable when the speaker is seeking to be emphatic. Variant: habi. From: EN. Etym: have .
(abi) bigi ain See main entry: ain1. idiom. be covetous of; be envious of; be jealous of (lit. have big eye).
abi dee ain See main entry: ain1. idiom. be impudently forward (lit. have dry eye).
abi (deki) ati See main entry: ati1. idiom. be brave; be daring; be courageous (lit. have [thick] heart).
abi ede See main entry: ede1. idiom. intelligent; clever (lit. have a head).
abi kiin sikin See main entry: kiin. idiom. be lucky (lit. have clean body).
(abi) lagi manii See main entry: lagi. idiom. have bad manners (lit. low manner).
abi leti See main entry: leti2. idiom. be right (lit. have right).
abi takuudu See main entry: takuu. idiom. be avaricious (lit. have ugly doing).
abii interj. yes. Te yu mma kai yu, da yu mu piki: “Abii!”, fu soi en lesipeki. When your mother calls you, you must answer, “Yes!”, to be respectful of her. Usage: Respectful form of acknowledging when someone calls, especially expected from children in response to parents or adults. See: ai2; eeye. Variant: iya abii.
adaaya n. flashlight.
adalaila n. rubber or plastic thong. See main entry: dalaila.
adongwa n. Red howler monkey, Alouatta seniculus. Adongwa na wan tapu meti enke kesikesi, ma adongwa lebi. The adongwa is a tree animal like the capuchin, except that the adongwa is red. syn: babun2; tobiloli. See: kesikesi; kwata; mongii.
adudu n. hydrocele; pathologically enlarged testicles. Adudu na te wan sama siton taka kon bigi, da a langa. Adudu is (a condition in which) person's testicles become enlarged and lengthened. syn: manungu. See: siton (taka).
adyankoo n. Black or Turkey vulture; the carrion eaters of the family Cathartidae. Adyankoo na wan taa nen fu tingi foo di lobi nyan dede sani. Adyankoo is another name for a vulture that likes to eat carrion. syn: nyamasu; tingi foo.
adyosi n. farewell greeting; goodbye. Den go poti den a boto, fu bali adyosi taki, meke Masaa Gadu seigi a waka fu den. (Ap. 15:33) They accompanied them to the boat to give them farewell greetings saying, may the Lord God bless their trip. From: IB. Etym: adios .
Adyuba n. name of a female born on Monday. Adyuba na a nen fu wan umanpikin di meke a monde. Adyuba is the name for a female who was born on a Monday. Male: Kodyo. See table under: dei; See table under: wiki1.
adyumadye n. grief; bitter weeping; mourning. Namo, mi bali wan gaan adyumadye. Bika ná wan sama be waiti sai fu opo a buku ya ofu fu luku go a ini. (Kon A Kiin 5:4) Then I cried with great grief. Because there was no one worthy enough to open this book or to look inside of it.
Afiba n. name of a female born on Friday. Afiba na a nen fu wan umanpikin di meke a feeda. Afiba is the name for a female who was born on a Friday. Male: Kofi1. See table under: dei; See table under: wiki1.
afiingi n. dumpling soup. Afiingi na wan Ndyuka nyanyan di den e meke anga domii. Afiingi is an Aukan meal that they make with cassava. syn: kwokwo. See: domii.
afiingi baafun n. liquid part of dumpling soup. See main entry: baafun.
afiingi sii n. balls of dough used for dumpling soup. See main entry: sii1.
afo n. great grandfather or great grandmother. A dda efu a mma fu mi gaandda efu mi gaanmma na mi afo. The father or the mother of my grandfather or my grandmother is my afo. See: tata2; toto3; See table under: famii.
den afo n. ancestors as a collective group. syn: den gaandi; den gaansama; den gaanwan; den tata. From: IB. Etym: avo .
afokodeei n. idolatry. Fu begi sani di á de Masaa Gadu seefi, da na afokodeei. To worship that which is not the Lord God himself, is idolatry. See: bonu; gadu2; obiya; wenti; wisi. Variant: afukodeei. From: DU. Etym: afgoderij .
afoowii n. feather. See main entry: foowii.
afu 1) pn. some. Di a tyatya a sii, ne afu kai a sikin pasi. Ne pikin foo kon, ne den nyan den. (Mt. 13:4) When he scattered the seed, some fell on the side of the road. Then little birds came and ate them. Variant: hafu.
2) n. half. Mi booko a beele fu mi leti a mindii gi Sa Lomina afu. I broke my bread in the middle and gave Sr. Lomina half. Usage: The variant is noticeable when the speaker is seeking to be emphatic. From: GE. Etym: half .
afu sensi n. half cent piece. See table under: moni. See main entry: sensi1.
afukati1 n. lawyer. Wan afukati na wan sama di e taki gi yu, te i go a kuutu. A lawyer is a person who speaks on your behalf when you go to court. From: GE. Etym: advocaat .
afukati2 n. pear shaped fruit of the tropical avocado tree, Persea americana. Wan afukati na wan sii fu nyan. An avocado is a fruit for eating. From: GE. Etym: avocado .
afukodeei n. idolatry. See main entry: afokodeei.
afuliki adv. a little while later. Di Baa Soli mandii gwe afuliki a doo baka. After Br. Soli angrily left, a little while later, he came back.
afupasi adv. midway. Luku de, a man de sete a osu, ma a fika afupasi, bika a ná abi moni sai. (Lk. 14:29) Look, that man began (building) the house, but it was left midway, because he did not have enough money. From: GE. Etym: half path .
agaa1 n. any of the predatory birds of the families Accipitridae, Falconidae, or Pandionidae such as the hawk, eagle, falcon; caracara; or kite; raptor. Wan agaa na wan foo di e fee a tapu, da te a saka kon a yu osu, da ai fufuu sani. A hawk is a bird that flies in the sky. When it comes down to your house it steals things. See: ngonini. Variant: aka.
fufuu enke agaa steal like a hawk. From: EN or AI. Etym: hawk or caracara .
agaa2 n. pellet inside a shotgun cartridge. Te wan sama sutu wan meti anga wan goni, da na den agaa e komoto a ini a goni go kisi a meti. When someone shoots an animal with a gun, the pellets come out from inside the gun and get the animal. See: katusu; kuguu; lai3.
agana n. hip.
agaw taya n. kind of edible taro plant, Xanthosoma sagittifolium. See main entry: taya2.
agba n. chin. See: alaka; baiba; kakumbe; tooto1.
ageisi toli n. parable; figurative story used to teach a principle. Namo Masaa Jesesi gi den ete wan taa ageisi toli fu soi fa a Nyun Tii fu Masaa Gadu de. A taki: “A de leti enke wan basi di be teke wan sii fi en, go tyatya ne en goon.” (Mt. 13:34) The Lord Jesus gave them another parable to teach what the Kingdom of the Lord God is (like). He said, “It is just like a landlord who took his seed and sowed it in his field.” See: gei; toli.
agina saka n. burlap sack. See main entry: saka2.
aginamoto n. monosodium glutamate; flavor enhancer; MSG. Te i e boli nyanyan, na a aginamoto e switi a nyanyan. When you cook food, aginamoto makes the food taste better. See: ayun; baaka pepee; fikisin; magin. From: CH. Etym: ayinomoto .
agu n. domesticated pig, Sus scrofa. Agu na wan meti di gei pingo, ma a nái tan a busi enke pingo. A pig is an animal that looks like a peccary, but unlike the peccary does not live in the jungle. See: pakila; pingo. From: EN. Etym: hog .
agu tee n. pig's tail. See main entry: tee1.
aguti n. agouti; the rodent of the genus Dasyprocta. Aguti na a seefi meti enke konkoni, di lobi nyan sama kasaba a den goon. Agouti is the same as konkoni, which likes to eat people's cassava in their planting ground. syn: konkoni. See: ginipi; he; mabula. From: IB. Etym: aguti .
agwago n. thorn plant. Ne den suudati teke wan tetei di gei agwago maka, ne den beei en kon enke wan kownu ati. (Jn. 19:2) Then the soldiers took a vine which resembled the thorn plant, and they braided it like a king's crown.
ai1 pn + func. joining of the 3rd person singular pronoun and the continuative aspect marker e. Sa Lomina á wani tan moo, ai gwe. Sr. Lomina does not want to stay anymore, she is leaving. Usage: E is the continuative aspect marker. The total construction [i.e. joining a and e] is an orthographic convention preferred over writing them as two separate words. See: a1; e.
ai2 adv. yes. Di a boi akisi mi efu mi o gwe, ne mi taki: “Ai”. When the boy asked me if I'll be leaving, I said, “Yes!” syn: eeye; ant: nono. See: abii.
ai3 n. eye. See main entry: ain1.
ai4 n. color. See main entry: ain2.
ai5 n. grain of rice, corn, etc. See main entry: ain3.
Ai pina enke keliki alata. See main entry: pina1. idiom. He is as poor as a church mouse.
Ai pompu ye! See main entry: pompu. idiom. He's brave! (lit. he is pumping, hear).
Aids n. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Efi i go a bedi anga wan uman efu wan man di abi Aids kaba, da i sa kisi a Aids siki. If you go to bed with a woman or a man who already has AIDS, you can also get the AIDS disease. Aids na wan siki di e kisi yu tu, te a buulu fu a sama di abi Aids kon a ini i buulu. AIDS is also a sickness that you get when the blood of a person who has AIDS gets into your blood. Variant: Sida. From: EN. Etym: AIDS .
aiko pesi n. yellow, split peas. See main entry: pesi.
ain1 n. eye. Anga mi tu ain mi e si sani. I see things with my two eyes. Variant: ai.
(abi) bigi ain be covetous of; be envious of; be jealous of (lit. have big eye). Baa Kodyo abi bigi ain a sama sani tapu. Br. Kodyo is covetous of someone else's things.
booko ain gi wan sama wink (suggestively) (lit. break eye at someone). Den yongu boi fu disi ten lobi booko ain gi pikin uman. The young boys of this time like to wink at young females. syn: kii ain gi wan sama; pingi ain gi wan sama.
de anga ain be awake; be alert (lit. be with eye). A pikin á siibi, a de anga ain. The child isn't sleeping; he's awake. ant: didon; siibi.
abi dee ain be impudently forward (lit. have dry eye). Te wan sama e du sani gaangaan sondee sen, da den e taki a sama de abi dee ain. When someone does things (ideophone describing forwardness) without shame, they say that person is impudently forward. ant: sen.
fiingi wan ain a wan sani glance at something (lit. fling an eye on something).
gaasi fu ain apple of the eye (lit. glass of eye). Sa Lomina na Baa Kodyo gaasi fu ain. Sr. Lomina is the apple of Br. Kodyo's eye. syn: wan sama wan ain kalu.
I gaan ain enke awaa koko! Insult: You big-eyed you, like an awaa seed.
I gaan ain enke kuguu! Insult: You huge eye you, like a cannonball!
I gaan ain enke patawa (sii)! Insult: You huge eye you, like a palm seed!
I lontu ain enke yowka! Insult: You round eye you, like a marble!
iti ain a wan sani check up on something; take a look at (lit. throw eyes on something). Te i go a Ndyuka, iti ain a mi osu gi mi, baa! When you go to the Interior, check up on my house for me, please!
kii ain gi wan sama wink (suggestively) (lit. kill eye at someone). Den yongu boi fu disi ten lobi kii ain gi pikin uman. The young boys of this time like to wink at young females. syn: booko ain gi wan sama; meke ain gi wan sama; pingi ain gi wan sama.
kiinkiin ain awake (lit. clean clean eye). Te wan sama de kiinkiin ain, da a nái siibi. When someone is awake, he isn't sleeping. See: de anga ain.
meke ain gi wan sama wink at someone (lit. make eye at someone). syn: kii ain gi wan sama.
pingi ain gi wan sama wink (suggestively) (lit. pinch eye at someone). Den yongu boi fu disi ten lobi pingi ain gi pikin uman. The young boys of this time like to wink at young females. syn: booko ain gi wan sama; kii ain gi wan sama.
puu ain ignore (lit. remove eye).
tyai doo ain underestimate (lit. bring arrive eye).
bon fu ain n. bone under the eyebrow (lit. bone of eye). syn: tapu ain; ant: ondoo ain.
buba ain uwii n. eyelash.
gaasi fu ain n. pupil of eye (lit. glass of eye).
kiin ain n. have good eyesight (lit. clean eye).
ogii ain n. evil or strict look.
gi ogii ain evil eye believed to inflict injury or misfortune (lit. give evil eye).
luku ogii ain dirty looks as a disciplinary warning (lit. look evil eye). Di a pikin e du wan sani di á bun, ne a mma luku en ogii ain, fu a sa fika a sani di ai du. When the child did something that wasn't good, his mother gave him a dirty look so that he would stop what he was doing.
ondoo ain n. under the eye. ant: tapu ain.
sikeli ain n. crossed or lazy eye (lit. square eye). Te wan sama abi sikeli ain, da tu ain fi en e kengi. When someone has a crossed (or lazy) eye, his two eyes are different. Variant: sikweli ain.
(luku anga) sikeli ain angry jealousy (lit. look with square eye). Te wan sama ati boon efu te ai dyalusu, da ai luku anga sikeli ain. When someone is angry or jealous, he is looking with angry jealousy.
soo ain n. inflammation of eye.
tapu ain n. bone under the eyebrow (lit. above the eye). syn: bon fu ain; ant: ondoo ain.
tapu ain uwii n. eyebrow (hair is in focus).
wataa ain n. tears (lit. water eye). From: EN. Etym: eye .
ain2 n. color. Na wan sukaati ain empi mi wei go na a toow. I wore a brown-colored shirt to go to the wedding. syn: kololu. Variant: ai4. From: EN. Etym: eye .
ain3 n. grain of rice, corn, etc. Mi teke tu ain kalu fu towe gi den foo fu nyan. I took two grains of corn and threw it down for the chickens to eat. syn: sii1. Variant: ai5.
wan sama wan ain kalu apple of the eye (lit. someone's one grain of corn). Sa Lomina na Baa Kodyo wan ain kalu, bika a nái meke sipowtu anga en. Sr. Lomina is the apple of Br. Kodyo's eye, in that he doesn't mince any words or actions (lit. not makes joke) (in his love) for her. syn: gaasi fu ain.
alisi ain n. unhusked rice kernel.
ain uwii buba n. eyelid. See main entry: buba.
Aiti1 1) n. Haitian; the people of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. Den Aiti na den sama di komoto na a moo pina kondee na a pisi wataa fu ondoose fu Ameekan. The Haitians are the people who come from the poorest country in the area south of the U.S. Variant: Haiti.
2) n. the Caribbean nation of Haiti. Aiti na a moo pina kondee fu a hii pisi fu goontapu pe a de. Haiti is the poorest country in that whole area of the world where it is located.
aiti2 num. eight. See main entry: aitin.
aitin num. eight. Te i teli doo seibin, da na aitin yu o kisi. When you count up to seven, after that you get eight. See table under: nombuu. Variant: aiti2.
aitin dunsu num. eight thousand. Aitin toon wan dunsu, na aitin dunsu. Eight times one thousand equals eight thousand.
aitin ondoo num. eight hundred. Aitin toon wan ondoo, na aitin ondoo. Eight times one hundred equals eight hundred.
aitin yuu ten n. eight o'clock. See table under: yuu1.
aitintenti num. eighty. Tin leisi aitin, na aitintenti. Ten times eight equals eighty.
tin na aitin num. eighteen. Tin anga aitin, na tin na aitin. Ten plus eight equals eighteen.
aitin dunsu num. eight thousand. See table under: nombuu. See main entry: aitin.
aitin mun (fu baka yali) n. August. See table under: mun.
aitin ondoo num. eight hundred. See table under: nombuu. See main entry: aitin.
aitintenti num. eighty. See table under: nombuu. See main entry: aitin.
aka n. any of the predatory birds of the families Accipitridae, Falconidae, or Pandionidae such as the hawk, eagle, falcon; caracara; or kite; raptor. See main entry: agaa1.
akaa n. personal soul. Te wan sama akaa gwe a Gadu, da a dede a goontapu ya. When someone's soul goes to God (dies), then he is dead on this earth. See: jeje; yooka. From: AF. Etym: akra .
akaabobi n. tarantula; large, hairy spiders of the family Aviculariidae. Akaabobi na wan gaan baaka anainsi. A tarantula is a big, black spider. syn: busi anainsi. See: anainsi2.
akaawii n. dishcloth, dishrag. Anga wan akaawii wi e wasi tyobo sani. We wash dishes with a dishrag.
akada n. Emerald boa, Corallus caninus. Wan akada na wan sineki di lobi tan a ini bon. An akada is a snake that likes to live in trees. See: mboma.
akale n. worm which burrows in a maripa pit. Akale na wan pikin woon di e tan a ini maipa sii. Akale is a worm in a maripa pit. See: maipa; woon.
akami n. Grey-winged trumpeter, Psophia crepitans, having a loud, resonant call. Akami na wan foo di e tan a busi, da en futu langa. Akami is a long-legged bird that lives in the jungle. Variant: kami.
I langa futu enke akami! Insult: You long-foot you, like a trumpeter bird! From: AI. Etym: akami .
akantaasi n. termitarium. Akantaasi na wan sowtu nesi fu udulosu di Ndyuka sama e feele fu muliki, bika a sa du ogii anga yu. An akantaasi is a kind of termite nest which Aukaners are afraid to disturb, because it can bring evil to you. Usage: specific termite nest which is believed to be the dwelling of a spirit. See: mila; udulosu. Variant: kantaasi.
akisi1 1) [akísi] vt. ask; get information. Yu mu akisi gaansama, te yu á sabi wan sani. You should ask the elders when you don't know something. ant: piki1. See: fini wan sama.
akisi sama step just before a marriage is finalized (lit. ask someone). Na di den akisi sama a uman gi mi fosi mi anga en go tan na awan osu. Right after they asked for the woman's (hand in marriage) for me, she and I moved into the same house. Usage: Among Aukaners intermediaries discuss and finalize marriages.
2) n. question. Mi poti wan akisi gi en tapu san a taki, ma a á poi piki mi. I put a question to him about what he said, but he wasn't able to answer me. ant: piki1. From: EN. Etym: ask .
akisi2 [akìsi] n. ax. Wan akisi na wan sani fu koti udu. An ax is a thing for cutting wood. From: EN. Etym: ax .
(Akisi) Lebiman de a tapu. (Piki) Awaa. See main entry: awaa. idiom. (Riddle) What is the red man up high? (Answer) Awaa.
akisi mofu See main entry: mofu. idiom. expect compensation for a favor done (lit. ask mouth).
akisi paadon See main entry: paadon. idiom. ask forgiveness; confess (lit. ask pardon).
akisi sama See main entry: akisi1. idiom. step just before a marriage is finalized (lit. ask someone).
Akuba n. name of a female born on Wednesday. Akuba na a nen fu wan umanpikin di meke a diidewooko. Akuba is the name for a female who was born on a Wednesday. Male: Kwaku. See table under: dei; See table under: wiki1.
Dyu Akuba n. one of the twelve matriclans of the Aukaners.
Akuli n. until recently an insulting term used for the Hindustani people. See main entry: Kuli.
Akwenda1 n. ghost sp.; evil spirit sp. Den Ndyuka sama taki Akwenda na wan satu didibii, di abi tu se: wanse libisama anga wanse udu. The Aukan people say that Akwenda's are short, evil spirits. They are double-sided: one side is human; the other side is wooden. syn: Bakuu1; Legwa.
akwenda2 n. small person; short person; midget; dwarf. Na wan sama di satu, den e kai: “akwenda”. A short person is called, “akwenda.” Usage: nickname for such a person. syn: bakuu2; sandopi.
Akwenda, mi de a hei. Challenge: Midget, I'm high up. Usage: used by someone who has elevated himself and believes no one can pull him down.
Akwenda, mi de a hei. See main entry: hei1. idiom. Challenge: Midget, I'm high up.
ala adj. all; every; each. Ala sama fu goontapu meke komoto a mama bee. All people (everybody) in the world are born from their mother's womb. Mi abi a gwenti fu begi kai a Masaa Gadu ala mamanten, te mi opo na amaka. I have the habit of praying to the Lord God each morning when I wake up (lit. get up from my hammock). Di a dda kii a Nengee, ne a toon kunu gi den na a bee, bika ala sama fu a bee de e dede. When the man killed the (other) man, it (the homicide) became a family curse, in that many (lit. all) in the family are dying. Wan uman di e go anga ala man a bedi e motyo. A woman who goes to bed with any (lit. all) man (who comes along) is whoring. See: alafiya; fiya; somen. Variant: alamala. From: GE. Etym: all .
ala fu dati adv. all of that. See main entry: aladati.
ala pe adv. wherever; everywhere. See main entry: pe.
Alabii n. the Arab people. Den Alabii na den sama fu wan kondee, di de na a se fu Isalaili kondee. The Arabs are the people of a country that is next to the country of Israel. See: Kuli.
Alabii tongo n. referring to the Arabic language. Na Alabii tongo den e taki, na a moo gaan kondee di e meke oli. In the foremost oil-producing countries, they speak Arabic.
Alabii tongo n. referring to the Arabic language. See main entry: Alabii.
aladati adv. all of that. A boi taigi en mma taki, a ná abi sikoo, ma aladati a koli ai koli en. The boy told his mother that he didn't have school, but all of that was to trick her. Variant: ala fu dati. From: EN. Etym: all that .
aladiyon n. radio. See main entry: laadiyow.
alafiya pn. all. Den manyan lepi te, alafiya losi kai. The mangoes are so ripe that they all fell. Saanan Kondee na fu wi alafiya. The nation of Suriname belongs to all of us. Beina ala den Kuli fiya e seli a wowoyo. Almost all the Hindustanis sell things in the big market. Usage: composite ala + an ideophone describing completeness or inclusivity. See: ala; fiya.
alaka n. chin. See: agba; baiba; kakumbe; tooto1.
alama n. aluminum tub for washing clothes. A ini a gaan alama wi e wasi koosi. We wash clothes in a big tub. syn: beki; besini. See: boketi.
alamala adj. all; every; each. See main entry: ala.
alanya n. sour citrus fruit of the evergreen tree, Citrus aurantium. Alanya na wan sani enke apeesina, ma a di na ai tesi taa fasi. Alanya is like an orange, except that it tastes differently. See: apeesina; lemiki; ponpon; situun. Variant: suwa alanya. From: GE. Etym: oranje .
alasi a wataa See main entry: wataa. idiom. clear glass plate (lit. it [is] lost in the water).
alasitiki n. elastic band.
alata n. common rice rat, Oryzomys capito. Alata anga moisi moisi gei, ma a di alata moo bigi. A rat and a mouse are similar, except the rat is bigger. See: moisi moisi. Variant: lata.
fufuu enke alata steal like a rat.
den lata children (lit. the rats). Te wan sama akisi yu taki: “Fa fu den lata?”, wani taki: “Fa fu den pikin fi yu?” When someone asks you saying, “How are the rats?”, it means, “How are your children?” Usage: a veiled way to refer to a number of young offspring. From: GE. Etym: rat .
alateiti adv. always. Alateiti i weki mamanten, da i mu gi den sama: “Molugu”! When you wake up in the morning, you must always give people the morning greetings. syn: alaten; ant: noiti. From: DU. Etym: altijd .
alaten adv. whenever; always. Alaten alen kai, mi e kisi wataa fu diingi. Whenever rain falls, I collect drinking water. syn: alateiti; ant: noiti. From: EN. Etym: all time .
aleke 1) n. kind of Aukan dance or song. Aleke na wan piisii dansi di den sama e dansi, da den e waka a lo. Aleke is a dance of joy that the people dance. They dance in a line (one behind the other).
2) n. song sp. Den sama e singi aleke e meke piisii na a Bookode fesa. The people sing aleke and are joyful at the feast that celebrates the end of the mourning period.
aleke futu See main entry: futu1. idiom. good aleke dancer.
alen n. rain. A alen kai te, a hii kondee sungu. So much rain fell that the whole village flooded.
alenten n. rainy season. Te alenten, da alen e kai ipi. In the rainy season it rains heavily. ant: dee weli; deeten. See: fuudu; gaan wataa.
filifili alen n. drizzle; light rain. From: GE. Etym: rain .
alen baaka See main entry: baaka. idiom. threatening to rain (lit. rain black).
alen koosi n. raincoat. See main entry: koosi.
alen wataa n. rainwater. See main entry: wataa.
alenten n. rainy season. See main entry: alen.
ali 1) vt. haul. Wi ali a boto subi Gaan Peegudu Sula. We hauled the boat over the Great Peegudu Rapids. Usage: The variant is noticeable when the speaker is seeking to be emphatic. Variant: hali.
ali boo breathe; inhale (lit. haul breath). Ala sama di e libi musu fu ali boo. Anyone who is alive must breathe.
2) vt. extend; lengthen; expand. Mi dda ali a osu go anga baka moo, bika a be nyoni. My father extended the back of the house because it was (too) small.
3) vt. massage. Te i wooko taanga tumisi, da i mu ali i sikin. When you work too hard, you have to massage your body (muscles). From: EN. Etym: haul .
ali ali n. rake. See main entry: aliki2.
ali boo See main entry: boo1. idiom. breathe; inhale (lit. haul breath).
ali boto See main entry: boto1. idiom. rope or wire used to tie up a boat (lit. haul boat).
ali sikin 1) vt. massage body (lit. stretch skin). See main entry: sikin.
2) See main entry: sikin. idiom. beat; spank (lit. massage body).
ali tabaka (a nosu) See main entry: tabaka. idiom. snort tobacco (lit. haul tobacco).
ali tiki See main entry: tiki. idiom. draw straws (lit. haul stick).
Alibina n. Albina. See main entry: Alimina.
aliki1 1) vt. listen; hear. Mi teke mi yesi aliki san a taki. I perked up my ears and listened to what he said. Usage: The variant is noticeable when the speaker is seeking to be emphatic. See: yee. Variant: haliki.
alikiman n. listener; audience. Te a laadiyow e pee, da den alikiman mu de pii fu den sa yee san ai taki. When the radio is on, the listeners must be quiet to hear what is being said.
2) vt. obey. Di mi bali Baa Konisi fu a á go feti anga Baa Tompa, ne a ná aliki mi, bika a go feti. When I warned Br. Konisi to not go fight with Br. Tompa, he didn't obey (lit. listen to) me, because he went to fight (with him). syn: yee; ant: pasa wan sama mofu; taanga yesi. See: lesipeki. From: EN. Etym: harken .
aliki2 n. rake. Anga aliki, mi e sibi mi peesi mamanten. I sweep my yard in the mornings with a rake. See: sisibi. Variant: ali ali.
alikiman n. listener; audience. See main entry: aliki1.
Alimina n. Albina. Alimina na wan kondee, di de na a se fu san komoto fu Saanan, a mofu wataa. Albina is a town which is on the riverbank on the eastern side of Suriname. Usage: a town on the eastern border of Suriname across the Marowijne River from French Guiana town of St. Laurent. See: Soolan. Variant: Alibina.
alimiyon n. aluminum. From: GE. Etym: aluminum .
alisi n. rice; the cereal grass, Oryza sativa. Mi boli alisi fu nyan anga pesi. I cooked rice to eat with brown beans.
kaabu alisi cover sown rice with dirt (lit. scrape rice). Usage: Rice is not “planted,” it is “plowed” to set the seeds in the ground. See: paandi.
alisi deke n. water poured on rice just before it has finished cooking.
fon alisi vt. pound rice.
masi alisi vt. thresh rice.
mokisa alisi n. fried rice.
papa alisi n. rice porridge.
pesi anga alisi n. brown beans and rice. Alisi anga pesi na wan nyanyan di ala sama sabi. Rice with brown beans is a meal that everyone knows.
sawtu alisi n. fried rice. syn: mokisa alisi.
soso alisi n. meal with only rice (lit. only rice). From: GE. Etym: rice .
alisi ain n. unhusked rice kernel. See main entry: ain3.
alisi anga okoo n. rice in okra soup. See main entry: okoo.
alisi anga wataa n. rice cooked in water. See main entry: wataa.
alisi boon n. burned pieces of rice at the bottom of the pan. See main entry: boon.
alisi buba n. rice husk or chaff. See main entry: buba.
alisi deke n. water poured on rice just before it has finished cooking. See main entry: alisi.
alisi mii n. device used to grind rice. See main entry: mii.
aloliki n. freshwater fish of the genus Crenicichla. syn: dataa fisi.
alubu n. owl of the family Strigidae. Alubu na wan foo di ain bigi. An owl is a bird with big eyes.
Aluku n. the Aluku people of Suriname living along the border with French Guiana. Den Aluku sama, na wan kulu sama fu Busi Kondee, di e tan a Lawa, na a se fu san komoto fu Saanan. The Aluku are a people group of the Interior, who live along the Lawa, in eastern Suriname. Usage: a people group of the Interior, who live along the Lawa River, in the Sipaliwini district. Population is approximately 4500. They are also called by the name, Boni. syn: Boni Nengee.
Aluku (liba) n. the river (also the Lawa River) along which the Alukus live; the area inhabited by Aluku.
Aluku (tongo) n. the language spoken by the Alukus. Usage: a closely related language to Aukan.
Aluku (liba) n. the river (also the Lawa River) along which the Alukus live; the area inhabited by Aluku. See main entry: Aluku.
Aluku (tongo) n. the language spoken by the Alukus. See main entry: Aluku.
Alukuyan n. Wayana Amerindian of Suriname. Alukuyan na wan kulu Ingii, di e tan te a opu, a ini den Busi Kondee. Wayana is a group of Amerindians who live deep in their interior villages. See: Aluwaka; Awayaikule; Ingii; Kiibisi; Tiiyo.
Aluma Bakaa n. person from German background. See main entry: Bakaa.
Aluwaka n. Arawak Amerindian people of Suriname. Aluwaka na wan kulu Ingii. Arawaks are a group of Amerindians. See: Alukuyan; Awayaikule; Ingii; Kiibisi; Tiiyo. From: GE. Etym: Arawak .
amaka n. hammock. Te mi didon na amaka, mi lobi doodoi. When I lie in a hammock, I like to rock back and forth. See: bedi; gaiden; kalambu; siibipe.
opo na amaka wake up in the morning (lit. rise from hammock). Mi abi a gwenti fu begi kai a Masaa Gadu ala mamanten, te mi opo na amaka. I have the habit of praying to the Lord God each morning when I wake up (lit. get up from my hammock).
sikeli amaka vt. attach a rope to a hammock (lit. square hammock). From: AI ? Etym: hamaca .
amaka lobi n. erotic love (lit. hammock love). See main entry: lobi1.
amaka tetei n. rope for hammock. See main entry: tetei.
Amba n. name of a female born on Saturday. Amba na a nen fu wan uman sama di meke a sataa. Amba is the name for a female who was born on a Saturday. Male: Kwami. See table under: dei; See table under: wiki1.
ambaa n. hammer. Anga wan ambaa wi e sipikii sani fasi. We secure nails down with a hammer. See: sipikii1. From: GE. Etym: hammer .
ambaa basi n. chairperson (lit. hammer boss). See main entry: basi2.
ambei n. short-handled ax. Ambei na wan pikin sowtu akisi fu koti meti. An ambei is a small kind of ax used to cut meat. See: akisi2; how. From: DU. Etym: hand bijl .
Ameekan 1) n. the people of the United States of America; American. Den Ameekan feti puu denseefi a den Ingiisiman ondoo. The American people fought to remove themselves from under the Englishmen. Variant: Ameenkan.
Ameekan (tongo) n. the language of the people of the United States of America; American English.
2) n. the country, the United States of America. Ameekan na wan gaan kondee fu goontapu, di de na a se fu san dongo a opuse fu Saanan. The United States of America is a large country in the world which is northwest of Suriname.
Ameekan dala n. American or U.S. dollar. See main entry: dala1.
Ameekan (tongo) n. the language of the people of the United States of America; American English. See main entry: Ameekan.
Ameenkan n. the people of the United States of America; American. See main entry: Ameekan.
Ampuku n. forest spirit. Ampuku na wan sowtu wenti. Ampuku is a kind of spirit.
ana 1) n. hand; arm; finger. Mi abi tin finga a den tu se ana fu mi. I have ten fingers on my two hands (or arms). Ponpon na wan sii enke apeesina, ma a di na a moo makiliki fu pii anga ana. A ponpon is a fruit like an orange, except that it is easier to peel with your fingers. ant: futu1.
bigi ana rich (lit. big hand). Mi dda a bigi ana, bika ai bai san a wani. My father is rich, for he buys what he wants.
ibi ana financially well-to-do person (lit. heavy hand).
kisi a ana be skilled at; have expertise; accustomed to (lit. grip with hand). A man kisi a ana fu lei wagi, bika a nái naki taa wagi moo. The man is skilled at driving a car, in that he isn't hitting other cars anymore. ant: lasi a ana. See: gwenti.
lasi a ana unused to something which someone was once experienced in doing (lit. lost from hand). Di a man tan dii yali a á lei wagi, ne a lasi a ana. After the man had not driven a car for three years, he was unused (to driving). ant: kisi a ana.
soso ana empty-handed. A man go a onti, te a daai kon baka anga soso ana, sondee fu kii wan sani. The man went hunting, and returned empty-handed, without having killed anything.
baka ana n. back of the hand. ant: bee ana.
wasi wan sama baka ana backhanded slap against the face (lit. wash someone back hand). Baa Kodyo wasi Sa Lomina wan baka ana, bika a kosi en langa. Br. Kodyo slapped Sa Lomina's face with the back of his hand, because she had been insulting him for a long time.
bee ana n. palm of the hand (lit. belly of hand). ant: baka ana.
impi ana n. sleeve (lit. shirt arm).
koko ana n. elbow (lit. knot of arm).
neki ana n. wrist (lit. neck of arm).
ondoo ana n. armpit (lit. under arm).
tapu ana n. upper arm (lit. top arm).
tiki ana n. forearm (lit. stick arm).
udu ana n. branch of a tree (lit. tree arm). syn: taka.
2) n. bunch or hand of bananas. Mi mma gi mi anga mi sisa wan ana baana fu u paati. My mother gave my sister and me a bunch of bananas to share. A man booko wan finga bakuba puu na a ana di a be booko na a bosu gi mi. The man broke off a single banana for me from the hand which he had broken from the cluster. See: bosu; finga.
3) n. handful of small loose objects. Mi teke wan ana kwaka poti a ini wan kan fu nyan. I took a handful of kwaka and put it in a can to eat (later). From: GE. Etym: hand .
Anainsi1 n. the folktale subject, Anainsi (the mythical spider). Te den sama e gi toli, ne den e kai Anainsi nen, wani taki a ná wan tuu toli den e gi. When the people tell stories and mention Anainsi by name, it means that what they are telling is a fable.
koni enke Anainsi as clever as Anainsi.
anainsi2 n. spider of the order Araneae. Anainsi na wan meti di abi tyaipi finga moo akaabobi. A spider is an animal which has more legs (lit. fingers) than a tarantula. See: akaabobi.
busi anainsi n. tarantula, spider of the family Aviculariidae. syn: akaabobi. From: AF. Etym: anansi .
Anainsi kisi wan sama See main entry: kisi1. idiom. cramp; numbness due to lack of blood circulation (lit. Anainsi got someone).
anainsi tetei n. spider web. See main entry: tetei.
Anainsi toli n. folktale; yarn; unbelievable report (lit. Anainsi story). See main entry: toli.
anamu n. rail; marsh birds of the family Rallidae. Anamu na wan foo di e tan a busi. A rail is a bird that lives in the jungle. See: mama foo. From: AI. Etym: inamu .
anda adv. there, in an undefined or generalized sense. Sani dii a pe yu e tan anda moo enke pe mi e tan ya. Things are more expensive there where you live than here where I live. ant: dise; ya1. See: