Dictionnaire

Lorom koromfe – anglais /

français / allemand

Lorom Koromfe – English /

French / German dictionary

Lorom-Koromfe – Englisch,
Französisch und Deutsches
Wörterbuch
par

John R. Rennison
(Prof. de linguistique, Université de Vienne, Autriche)
avec le soutien de la
famille Konfé de Pobé-Mengao

Version imprimée le 16 septembre 2018

L’alphabet utilisé dans cette publication est en accord avec
l’alphabet agréé par la Commission Nationale des Langues
Burkinabè, augmenté par quelques lettres manquantes.

L’alphabet utilisé dans cette publication est en accord (sans

augmentation) avec

– l’alphabet international phonétique (IPA),

– l’alphabet de la grammaire koromfe

(Rennison, John (1997) Koromfe. Londres : Routledge)

– l’alphabet antérieur de ce dictionnaire

sauf que [j] est remplacé par [y] et les formes des lettres [ɪ, ʊ]
sont [ɩ, ʋ]. La lettre Ṿ signifie « chaque voyelle ».

Ce dictionnaire a été agréé par

le regretté Chef du Lorom
a yɔ Sigri
(Pobé-Mengao)

© Tous droits réservés

Contact : john.rennison@univie.ac.at
 Preface

This document is the latest version of my “Koromfe – English, French, German

dictionary” as of the date of 10th September 2018. It will also hopefully be one
of the last versions to rely so heavily on English instead of French. The
dictionary is under constant enhancement and this file represents simply a
convenient snapshot. Many easily derivable entries are still missing (e.g.
morphophonological underlying forms, or agent, instrument and local nouns
from verbs). The notes and parts of speech are still only in English – which
caters to the majority of readers (i.e. linguists), but unfortunately not to the
speakers of Koromfe.
I thank my informants and collaborators Ousséini Badini, Malick Kemde,
Mamoudou Konfé, Micailou “Jacques” Konfé, Souleymane Sawadogo, and
many speakers of Koromfe who have helped me over the years, especially my
ever-patient wife Amsetou Konfé and her family.
The dictionary is an exported version of a Shoebox/Toolboxa database
which is currently being expanded to incorporate texts (from audio
recordings). Previously there were separate dictionaries for words and roots.
Now they are merged. As in the earlier “roots” version, the basic dictionary is
a morpheme dictionary (now with some derivational and inflectional
morphemes alongside the lexical roots). The entry for a given (usually
unpronounceable) morpheme contains sub-entries for each occurring (i.e.
pronounceable) word that is derived from that particular root. This dictionary
also includes main entries which are cross-references from pronounceable
words to roots, generated automatically using a CC script. As before, words
which take the article [a] are preceded by “a”. Capital letters have not yet
been implemented for lack of time.
The alphabet used here contains more symbols than the official alphabet
for Koromfe or for Burkina Faso. This is because there is no adequate way to
write a “tense” ([+ATR]) low vowel. I use “ʌ”. The use of schwa for this vowel

a
The new Shoebox/Toolbox website is on http://www.angelfire.com/planet/linguisticsisfun/. Contact
email: Toolbox@sil.org
in the alphabet of Bélédé Koromfe is inaccurate and misleading (since there
are true schwas in the language, as in the 1sg and 3sg subject pronouns, [mə]
and [də] and as variable hiatus-breakers of consonant sequences). Also, the
consonant [ỹ] (which is the nasal variant of /y/ and occurs only before a nasal
vowel, as in Mòoré) is not written as “ny”, and the nasal vowel which
(always!) follows this sound is transcribed as nasal, not oral (as in the Bélédé
orthography). I hope that the relevant language commissions will eventually
see that these transcriptions are phonologically more accurate and
pedagogically more suitable.
The few photos in the dictionary were taken by myself or members of my
family.

Vienna, September 2018 John Rennison

a almɛt-

A - a

a (=/a/) article. a, an; fr: un, une; dt: ein, eine. word because the first a is more prominent
a / (a) (=/a/) article. [Note: This vowel a has than the second.]
no position of its own within syllable structure. ala (=/ala/) interrogative pronoun human sg.
Therefore when it is merged with a preceding ala dãŋ la koŋ interrogative sentence Whose
high vowel to create a mid vowel, the resulting house is that?; fr: C’est la maison de qui?;
vowel is never longer than the original high dt: Wessen Haus ist das?
vowel. The vowel a is also deleted after a mid alama (=/ala-ma/) interrogative pronoun human
or low vowel; in such cases the lost a is shown pl. who (pl․); fr: qui (pl․); dt: wer (pl․).
in parentheses, i.e. as “(a)”. The article alama la bɛ interrogative sentence Who (pl.)
precedes the noun or noun-phrase which it has arrived?; fr: Qui (pl.) est venu?; dt: Wer
qualifies. It is obligatory for all common nouns (pl.) ist angekommen?
(including nominal derivations from verbs) and alama la na nã interrogative sentence Who
some proper nouns, but not for place names. (pl.) did you (pl.) see?; fr: Qui (pl.) avez-
Adverbs and finite verbs are never preceded by vous vu?; dt: Wen (pl.) habt ihr gesehen?
the article. The article a is omitted if the noun ala relative pronoun. who, whoever, he/she who;
or noun-phrase is qualified by a personal fr: qui, celui / celle qui; dt: wer, wer auch
pronominal adjective (my, your, etc.), whether immer.
in the weak or strong form. It is also omitted if ala relative pronoun sg.
the noun or noun-phrase is qualified a numeral bɛ̃nəmãŋ relative pronoun pl. who (pl․); fr: qui
or by certain (final) deictic or demonstrative (pl․); dt: die (Pl․).
adjectives, such as nandɩ. Such cases are noted bɛ̃nəmãm bɛ relative clause those who have
individually in the entry of each such adjective. come; fr: ceux qui sont venus; dt:
The article a has no special meaning, but since diejenigen, die gekommen sind
there is no indefinite article in Koromfe, it bɛ̃nəmãn da relative clause those who have
conveniently translates as ‘a/an’.] won; fr: ceux qui ont gagné; dt: diejenigen,
aa negative particle. not; fr: ne...pas; dt: nicht. die gewonnen haben
[Note: This rare negative particle occurs bɛ̃nəmãŋ kʋ relative clause those who have
between the subject NP and the verb (in the killed; fr: ceux qui ont tué; dt: diejenigen,
same position as the usual negative particle, die getötet haben [Note: The final velar
ba). It is only attested when the subject is a nasal assimilates to the place of articulation
proclitic pronoun or the quantifier kãã of words of the following consonant.]
like ‘everyone’, ‘everything’, ‘everywhere’. This albasl- noun. onion; garlic; fr: oignon; ail; dt:
particle in turn might originally have come Zwiebel; Knoblauch. [Note: The singular refers
from the commonly used áʔà ‘no’. The particle to a single onion/garlic (plant). Generically
ba is far more common and can always be used (e.g. as an ingredient in cooking) the plural is
in place of aa.] used.]
aa negative particle. a albaslrɛ sg.
kãŋ kãã aa harɛ dɩ conditional clause If nothing a aləbasəla pl.
has touched him...; fr: Si rien ne l’a albaslrɛ sg. → albasl-.
touché...; dt: Wenn ihn nichts berührt hat... alkʌmisʌ noun. Thursday; fr: jeudi; dt: Donnerstag.
-aa (=/aa/) tense/aspect; future. Future tense a alkʌmisʌ sg.
suffix (which is added to the imperfective stem a alkʌmisʌu pl.
of the verb); future; fr: Suffixe du temps futur a alkʌmisʌfi pl.
(qui s’ajoute à la racine imperfective du verbe), a alkʌmisʌmʌ pl.
futur; dt: Futursuffix (das sich am alkʌmisʌfi pl. → alkʌmisʌ.
Imperfektivstamm des Verbs angehängt), alkʌmisʌu pl. → alkʌmisʌ.
Futur. all- (=/all/) noun. enemy; fr: ennemi; dt: Feind.
-aa / -ʌʌ (=/aa/) future tense. future; fr: futur; a allɔ (=/all-ɔ/) sg.
dt: Futur. a yallɔ (=/all-ɔ/) sg.
-aɩ deriv. Adj to N. (=/Ṿɩ/) → -Ṿɩ. a alləba (=/all-ba/) pl.
-al ?causative. (=/-Ṿl/) → -Ṿl. a yalləba (=/all-ba/) pl.
ala interrogative pronoun. who, whom, whose; fr: alləba pl. (=/all-ba/) → all-.
qui, à qui; dt: wer, wen, wem, wessen. [Note: allɔ sg. (=/all-ɔ/) → all-.
The first a of this word could be analysed as almɛt- noun. match; fr: allumette; dt: Streichholz,
the article. But I consider ala to be a single Zünder.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 5

aləmɛtəfɛ
a aləmɛtəfɛ singulative. arəba sg. → arba.
a aləmɛtɩ pl./collective. arəbafɩ pl. → arba.
a aləmɛtʋ pl./collective. arəbaʋ pl. → arba.
a aləmɛtəfɩ pl. arɩɔ sg. (=/ad-ɩɔ/) → ar-.
aləmɛtəfɛ singulative. → almɛt-. arkɩl- noun. strip of woven cotton (about 4-5 in.
aləmɛtɩ pl./collective. → almɛt-. wide); fr: bande de coton tissé (env. 8-12 cm.
aləmɛtʋ pl./collective. → almɛt-. de largeur); dt: gewebter Baumwollstreifen (ca.
-am V→N. action noun / gerund / infinitive; 8-12 cm. breit). [Note: These long strips of
infinitive, action noun; fr: nom d’action / cloth are the basis of all traditional garments
gérondif / infinitif, infinitif, nom d’action; dt: etc. made of cotton. They are cut to length and
Infinitiv, nomen actionis. sewn together.]
-am inf./action noun. a arkɩllɛ sg.
-ʌm inf./action noun. a arkɩla pl.
-am transitive. → -Ṿm. a arkɩlaʋ pl.
amĩĩnʌ exclamation; exclamation. amen; fr: amen; arkɩla pl. → arkɩl-.
dt: amen. arkɩllɛ sg. → arkɩl-.
amĩĩnʌ sentential exclamation. arzɛg- noun. riches, treasure; fr: richesse, trésor;
ar- (=/ad/) noun. blacksmith, jeweller; fr: dt: Reichtum, Schatz.
forgeron, bijoutier; dt: Schmied, Juwelier. a arzɛkɛ sg./mass.
a arɩɔ / a yarɩɔ (=/ad-ɩɔ/) [Note: Unusual a arzɛka sg./mass.
extra ɩ in the singular, as also in a balɩɔ a arzɛgsʋʋ pl.
‘stranger’ and a bɛrɩɔ ‘Nyonyosi’.] sg. arzɛka sg./mass. → arzɛg-.
a arəba / a yarəba (=/ad-ba/) pl. arzɛkɛ sg./mass. → arzɛg-.
a arəfɛ / a yarəfɛ (=/ad-fɛ/) singulative. arzumʌ noun. Friday; fr: vendredi; dt: Freitag.
blacksmith’s trade; blacksmith’s tools and a arzumʌ sg.
equipment; fr: métier de forgeron; outils et a arzumʌfi pl.
appareils du forgeron; dt: Schmiedeberuf; a arzumʌmʌ pl.
Werkzeug und Ausrüstung des Schmieds. arzumʌfi pl. → arzumʌ.
a arə kɛ̃ɔ̃ / a yarə kɛ̃ɔ̃ N+N compound noun sg. ase interrogative pronoun non-human sg. → se.
blacksmith’s wife (= potter); fr: femme du -at reversive. → -Ṿt.
forgeron (= potière); dt: Frau des Schmieds ayawoodi exclamation. okay, good heavens; fr:
(= Töpferin) d’accord, ça alors; dt: okay, ach.
a arə kɛ̃na / a yarə kɛ̃na ayawoodi sentential exclamation.
arba sg.; noun. Wednesday; fr: mercredi; dt: ayɛy exclamation. no; fr: non; dt: nein. [Note:
Mittwoch. Synonymous with ayo.]
a arəba sg. ayɛy sentential exclamation.
a arəbaʋ pl. ayo exclamation. no; fr: non; dt: nein. [Note:
a arəbafɩ pl. Synonymous with ayɛy.]
a arəbama pl. ayo sentential exclamation.
arəba pl. (=/ad-ba/) → ar-.

Ʌ - ʌ

-ʌl ?causative. (=/-Ṿl/) → -Ṿl. -ʌt reversive. → -Ṿt.

-ʌm transitive. → -Ṿm.

B - b

b- (=/b/) noun. child, person younger than ego; Kind, Mensch, der jünger ist als ego; (in
(in compounds) fruit, small part of sth.; fr: Komposita) Frucht, kleiner Teil von etwas.
enfant, personne moins âgé que ego ; (dans les a bi (=/b-ɩ/) sg.
mots composés) fruit, petite partie de q.ch.; dt: a bu (=/b-ʋ/) pl.
6 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at
ba babt-
a togre bi NP+N compound noun sg. baobab chief). The vowel of this pronoun is lexical
fruit; fr: fruit du baobab; dt: Baobabfrucht and is therefore (in contrast with some
a togre bu NP+N compound noun pl. other pronouns) never omitted.]
a bi pɛɛləga NP+N compound noun sg. baby; fr: bakɔ (=/ba-kɔ/) strong personal pronoun
bébé; dt: Baby (subject or object).
a bu peeləsu NP+N compound noun pl. — strong possessive adjective 3rd person pl.
a nũŋgu bi NP+N compound noun sg. small human. they; their(s); fr: ils, elles; leur(s), le/la
millstone (hand-held); fr: petite meule leur(e)(s); dt: sie (3. pl.); ihr(,-er,-e,-es) (3.
(tenue dans la main); dt: kleiner Mühlstein pl.).
(in der Hand gehalten) bakɔ bo ke ba bɛllaa sentence They said that
a nũŋgu bu NP+N compound noun pl. they will come.; fr: Ils ont dit qu’ils
a bĩĩŋʌ diminutive sg. baby; fr: bébé; dt: Baby. viendront.; dt: Sie haben gesagt, dass sie
[Note: This word has no plural - instead a bu or kommen werden.
a beliʌ is used] maa hamanda la bakɔ wɔgɔ sentence I don’t
a bilei denominal abstract quality noun sg. believe their words.; fr: Je ne crois pas leurs
childhood; fr: enfance; dt: Kindheit. paroles.; dt: Ich glaube nicht an ihren
ba neg.particle. not; fr: ne...pas; dt: nicht. [Note: Worten. [Note: This form of the pronoun
Can be used to negate a verb, or participial indicates some kind of “emphasis”, but this
adjective. It precedes the constituent which it can be so minimal that in practice the
negates.] disjunctive form can always be used in place
ba (=/ba/) neg.particle. of a clitic pronoun. It never undergoes any
a yɔ ba bɛ̃nɛ sentence The chief hasn’t arrived.; phonological reduction or expansion. It can
fr: Le chef n’est pas arrivé.; dt: Der Chef ist stand in the normal (preverbal) subject or
noch nicht angekommen. (postverbal) object positions, and can also
a pɛrəgʋ ba bĩnəmʌ̃ NP+neg+participle be used as the elliptical answer to a
compound noun sg. a shirt that is not black; question. As with all disjunctive pronouns in
fr: une chemise qui n’est pas noire; dt: ein Koromfe, it is formed with the proclitic
Hemd, das nicht schwarz ist prefix version of the pronoun and the
a pɛ̃nɛ ba bĩnĩʌ̃ NP+neg+adjectival noun pl. invariant stem-like element kɔ.]
shirts that are not black; fr: chemises qui ne baa (=/ba-aa/) negative pronoun. they...not; fr:
sont pas noires; dt: Hemden, die nicht ils/elles ne...pas; dt: sie (3. pl.)...nicht.
schwarz sind baa negative proclitic subject personal pronoun
ba pronoun / possessive adjective. they; their; 3rd plural. they...not; fr: ils/elles ne...pas; dt:
them; fr: ils, elles; leur(s); les, leur; dt: sie (3. sie (3. pl.)...nicht.
pl.); ihr(,-er,-e,-es) (3. pl.); ihnen. baa bɛ̃nɛ sentence They didn’t come.; fr: Ils ne
ba proclitic personal pronoun subject 3rd person sont pas venus.; dt: Sie sind nicht
pl. human. gekommen. [Note: This pronoun is
— postclitic personal pronoun object 3rd equivalent to the proclitic subject pronoun
person pl. human. ba combined with the old negation particle
— possessive adjective 3rd person pl. human. aa. As with the negative particle ba,
ba bo ke ba bɛllaa sentence They said that they negative pronouns cause shortening of the
will come.; fr: Ils ont dit qu’ils viendront.; final /aa/ vowel of the future tense/aspect.]
dt: Sie haben gesagt, dass sie kommen babt- verb. crouch, hide, duck; fr: s’accroupir, se
werden. cacher; dt: sich zusammenkauern, sich
maa hamanda la ba wɔgɔ sentence I don’t verstecken, sich ducken.
believe their words.; fr: Je ne crois pas leurs bafaa future.
paroles.; dt: Ich glaube nicht an ihren babtraa future.
Worten. babtɛ past.
maa hamanda ba sentence I don’t believe babt(ʋ) perfective.
them.; fr: Je ne leur crois pas.; dt: Ich baf(ʋ) imperfective.
glaube ihnen nicht. [Note: This form is babtr(ʋ) imperfective.
either prefixed to a verb (or noun) phrase, a babtam action noun sg./mass.
or suffixed to a verb; it cannot stand alone a bafɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who is
(e.g. as the elliptical answer to a question). crouching / hiding; fr: q.un qui s’accroupit / se
As the prefix of a verb, it is the subject cache; dt: jmd. der sich zusammenkauert /
pronoun, on a noun phrase it is the versteckt.
“possessor”, and as a suffix on a verb it is a babtrɔ deverbal agent noun sg.
the (direct or indirect) object. The 3rd a bafəba deverbal agent noun pl.
person plural pronoun can be used when a babtrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
referring to a single person as a sign of
respect (e.g. when speaking about the

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 7

babtam bar-
a bafəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object for a bakrəhɛ̃ (=/bak-d-hɩ̃/) deverbal instrument
hiding oneself; fr: objet pour se cacher; dt: noun pl.
Gegenstand, um sich zu verstecken. a bakrəga (=/bak-d-ga/) deverbal instrument
a babtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. noun diminutive sg.
a bafəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. a bakrəsɩ (=/bak-d-sɩ/) deverbal instrument
a babtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. noun diminutive pl.
a bafəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive a bakrəfa (=/bak-d-fa/) deverbal local noun.
sg. place for making (sth.); fr: endroit pour faire
a babtrəga deverbal instrument noun (q.chose); dt: Platz um (etwas) zu machen.
diminutive sg. a bakmãʋ̃ (=/bak-mãʋ̃/) deverbal nomen acti pl.
a bafəfa deverbal local noun. what remains after one has made something;
a babtrəfa deverbal local noun. place to hide; fr: fr: ce qui reste lorsqu’on a fait q.chose; dt: das,
endroit pour se cacher; dt: Versteckplatz. was bleibt, wenn man etwas gemacht hat.
a bafmãʋ̃ (=/bab-f-mãʋ̃/) deverbal nomen acti bakam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/bak-am/)
pl. places to hide; fr: endroits pour se cacher; → bak-.
dt: Versteckplätze. bakɛ past. (=/bak-ɛ/) → bak-.
babtam action noun sg./mass. → babt-. bak(ɩ) perfective. (=/bak/) → bak-.
babtɛ past. → babt-. bakraa future. (=/bak-d-aa/) → bak-.
babtraa future. → babt-. bakrəba deverbal agent noun pl. (=/bak-d-ba/) →
babtrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → babt-. bak-.
babtrəfa deverbal local noun. → babt-. bakrəfa deverbal local noun. (=/bak-d-fa/) → bak-.
babtrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. bakrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
→ babt-. (=/bak-d-ga/) → bak-.
babtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → babt-. bakrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/bak-d-
babtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → babt-. gʋ/) → bak-.
babtrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → babt-. bakrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/bak-d-
babtr(ʋ) imperfective. → babt-. hɩ̃/) → bak-.
babt(ʋ) perfective. → babt-. bakr(ɩ) imperfective. (=/bak-d/) → bak-.
bafaa future. → babt-. bakrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/bak-d-ɔ/) → bak-.
bafəba deverbal agent noun pl. → babt-. bakrəsɩ deverbal instrument noun diminutive pl.
bafəfa deverbal local noun. → babt-. (=/bak-d-sɩ/) → bak-.
bafəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. → bal- noun. ball, balloon; fr: balle, ballon; dt: Ball,
babt-. Luftballon.
bafəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → babt-. a ballɩ sg.
bafəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → babt-. a bala pl.
bafɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → babt-. a balləfɩ pl.
baf(ʋ) imperfective. → babt-. a balləma pl.
ba-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 3rd person human pl. → bal- noun. stranger; fr: étranger; dt: Fremder.
gɩllɛ. a balɩɔ sg.
baɩlɔ noun. Jew’s harp; fr: arc musical; dt: a baləba pl.
Maultrommel. bala conjunction. because; fr: parce que; dt: weil.
a baɩlɔ sg. [Note: = Mòoré. Cf. Koromfe ke.]
a baɩlɔfɩ pl. bala conjunction.
a baɩlɔma pl. bala pl. → bal-.
baɩlɔfɩ pl. → baɩlɔ. balafɔ̃ noun. balafon (xylophone-like musical
bak- verb. make, do; fr: faire; dt: machen, tun. instrument); fr: balafon (instrument musical
bakraa (=/bak-d-aa/) future. ressemblant à une xylophone); dt: Balafon
bakɛ (=/bak-ɛ/) past. (Xylophon-ähnliches Musikinstrument).
bak(ɩ) (=/bak/) perfective. a balafɔ̃ sg.
bakr(ɩ) (=/bak-d/) imperfective. a balafɔ̃fɩ pl.
a bakam (=/bak-am/) deverbal action noun a balafɔ̃ma pl.
sg./mass. balafɔ̃fɩ pl. → balafɔ̃.
a bakrɔ (=/bak-d-ɔ/) deverbal agent noun sg. balɩɔ sg. → bal-.
s.o. who makes / does; fr: q.un qui fait; dt: jmd. balləfɩ pl. → bal-.
der macht / tut. ballɩ sg. → bal-.
a bakrəba (=/bak-d-ba/) deverbal agent noun bar- noun. husband; fr: mari; dt: Ehemann.
pl. a bara (=/bar-a/) sg.
a bakrəgʋ (=/bak-d-gʋ/) deverbal instrument a barama (=/bar-ama/) pl.
noun sg. object for doing/making (sth.); fr: a barə kɛ̃ɛ̃nɛ̃ɩ̃ jealousy; fr: jalousie; dt:
objet pour faire (q.chose); dt: Gegenstand um Eifersucht. [Note: The lengthening of ɛ̃ is
(etwas) zu machen. unexpected.]

8 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

bara bãgɛ
bara sg. (=/bar-a/) → bar-. batəfɩ pl. → bat-.
barama pl. (=/bar-ama/) → bar-. batʋ sg. → bat-.
bark- verb. bless; fr: bénir; dt: segnen. bazɛ̃n- noun. lazy; fr: paresseux; dt: faul.
barəkraa future. a bazɛ̃nəŋa diminutive sg.
barəkɛ past. a bazɛ̃nəba pl.
barək(ɩ) perfective. a bazɛ̃nəya pl. [Note: Possibly related to a zɛŋdɛ
barəkr(ɩ) imperfective. ‘upper arm’]
a barəkam deverbal action noun sg./mass. bazɛ̃nəba pl. → bazɛ̃n-.
a dɔfrɛ barəkɛ hɔ̃ sentence God has blessed us.; bazɛ̃nəŋa diminutive sg. → bazɛ̃n-.
fr: Dieu nous a béni.; dt: Gott hat uns bããd- noun. ill, sick (person); fr: malade; dt: krank,
gesegnet. Kranke(r). [Note: = Mòoré]
a barəkrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who a bããda sg.
blesses; fr: q.un qui bénit; dt: jmd. der segnet. a bããdama pl.
a barəkrəba deverbal agent noun pl. a bããdɛɩ sg. illness, sickness; fr: maladie; dt:
a barəkrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object Krankheit.
for blessing; fr: objet pour bénir; dt: a bããdɛɩfɩ pl.
Gegenstand um zu segnen. bããda sg. → bããd-.
a barəkrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. bããdama pl. → bããd-.
a barəkrəga deverbal instrument noun bããdɛɩ sg. → bããd-.
diminutive sg. bãg perfective. (=/bãg/) → bãg-.
a barəkrəfa deverbal local noun. place for bãg- verb. thin out (shoots of a crop), weed; fr:
blessing; fr: endroit pour bénir; dt: Platz zum sarcler; dt: jäten. [Note: = Mòoré]
Segnen. bãgəraa (=/bãg-d-aa/) future.
a barəkəmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. things bãgɛ (=/bãg-ɛ/) past.
which are blessed; fr: choses qui sont bénies; bãg / bãgɩ (=/bãg/) perfective.
dt: Dinge, die gesegnet sind. bãgər / bãgərɩ (=/bãg-d/) imperfective.
barka exclamation. thank you; fr: merci; dt: Danke. a bãgam (=/bãg-am/) deverbal action noun
[Note: Clearly related to a barkam ‘bless’; sg./mass.
analysable as the plural of a -dɛ nomen acti.] a bãka (=/bãg-ga/) deverbal action noun sg.
barka sentential exclamation. diminutive. second stage of cultivation (in
barəkam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → bark-. August): thinning and weeding; fr: deuxième
barəkɛ past. → bark-. étape de la culture (en août): sarclage; dt:
barək(ɩ) perfective. → bark-. zweite Etappe des Feldbaus (im August): jäten.
barkɩ bi noun. Burkinabe; fr: burkinabé; dt: [Note: This is also the name of a traditional
Burkinabe. lunar month - see a pɩlaŋ]
a barəkɩ bi sg. a bãgəsʋʋ (=/bãg-sʋʋ/) deverbal action noun
a barəkɩ bu pl. pl.
barəkɩ bi sg. → barkɩ bi. a bãgərɔ (=/bãg-d-ɔ/) deverbal agent noun sg.
barəkraa future. → bark-. s.o. who thins out / weeds; fr: q.un qui sarcle;
barəkrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → bark-. dt: jmd. der jätet.
barəkrəfa deverbal local noun. → bark-. a bãgərəba (=/bãg-d-ba/) deverbal agent noun
barəkrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive pl.
sg. → bark-. a bãgərəgʋ (=/bãg-d-gʋ/) deverbal instrument
barəkrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → bark-. noun sg. object for thinning out / weeding; fr:
barəkrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → bark-. objet pour sarcler; dt: Gegenstand zum Jäten.
barəkr(ɩ) imperfective. → bark-. a bãgərəhɛ̃ (=/bãg-d-hɩ̃/) deverbal instrument
barəkrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → bark-. noun pl.
bat- noun. meeting (generic, incl. celebration); fr: a bãgərəga (=/bãg-d-ga/) deverbal instrument
réunion (générique, y inclus une fête); dt: noun diminutive sg.
Versammlung (generisch, einschl. Fest). a bãgərəfa (=/bãg-d-fa/) deverbal local noun.
a batʋ sg. place for thinning out / weeding; fr: endroit
a batəfɩ pl. pour sarcler; dt: Platz zum Jäten.
a batʋʋ pl. a bãgəmãʋ̃ (=/bãg-mãʋ̃/) deverbal nomen acti
batag- noun. bachelor; fr: célibataire; dt: pl. plants already weeded; fr: plantes déjà
Junggeselle. sarclées; dt: bereits gejätete Pflanzen.
a batagrɛ sg. bãkʋ imperative sentence Weed it!; fr: Sarcle-
a batagəba pl. [Note: The element tag may be le!; dt: Jäte es! [Note: g-g → k. Never *bãg
distantly related to a tɔɔm ‘marry a woman’. It gʋ or *bãgɩ gʋ.]
seems to have no connection with the word a bãgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/bãg-am/)
tagrɛ ‘pond, lake’.] → bãg-.
batagrɛ sg. → batag-. bãgɛ past. (=/bãg-ɛ/) → bãg-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 9

bãgɩ
bãgɩ perfective. (=/bãg/) → bãg-. clouer (p. ex. un marteau); dt: Gegenstand zum
bãgər imperfective. (=/bãg-d/) → bãg-. Hämmern (z.B. ein Hammer).
bãgəraa future. (=/bãg-d-aa/) → bãg-. a bãŋnəhɩ̃ / a bãŋnəhɛ̃ (=/bãŋ-d-hɩ̃/) deverbal
bãgərəba deverbal agent noun pl. (=/bãg-d-ba/) → instrument noun pl.
bãg-. a bãŋnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
bãgərəfa deverbal local noun. (=/bãg-d-fa/) → sg.
bãg-. a bãŋnəfa deverbal local noun. place for
bãgərəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. hammering; fr: endroit pour clouer; dt: Platz
(=/bãg-d-ga/) → bãg-. zum Hämmern.
bãgərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/bãg-d- a bãŋmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. things that
gʋ/) → bãg-. have been hammered in; fr: choses qui sont
bãgərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/bãg-d- clouées; dt: Dinge, die hineingehämmert
hɩ̃/) → bãg-. worden sind.
bãgərɩ imperfective. (=/bãg-d/) → bãg-. bãŋ- noun. bare; fr: nu; dt: nackt.
bãgərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/bãg-d-ɔ/) → a bãŋdɛ sg.
bãg-. a bãŋa pl.
bãgəsʋʋ deverbal action noun pl. (=/bãg-sʋʋ/) → a fɩrɛ bãŋdɛ NP+N compound noun sg. full
bãg-. sunlight; midday (about 12:00-15:00); fr:
bãɩ̃ perfective. → bãɩ̃-. plein soleil; midi (env. 12:00-15:00); dt:
bãɩ̃- defective verb. not know; fr: ne pas savoir, ne volles Sonnenlicht; Mittag (ca. 12:00-15:00)
pas connaître; dt: nicht wissen, nicht kennen. a pɩlaŋ bãŋdɛ NP+N compound noun sg. full
bãɩ̃ perfective. [Note: This form may have moon; fr: lune pleine; dt: Vollmond
originated from a perfective form of the verb a a ỹʋ̃ bãŋdɛ NP+N compound noun sg. hairless
jɛ̃ɛ̃lɛ̃ɩ̃ preceded by the negative particle ba, i.e. head; fr: tête sans cheveux; dt: haarloser
baj ̃ɛ̃.] Kopf
a bãɩ̃lɛɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. not a ỹʋ̃fɩ bãŋa NP+N compound noun pl.
knowing, ignorance; fr: ignorance; dt: bãŋam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → bãŋ-.
Nichtwissen, Unwissenheit. bãŋdɛ sg. → bãŋ-.
ase la - mə bãɩ̃ interrogative sentence & answer bãŋɛ past. → bãŋ-.
What’s up? - I don’t know.; fr: Qu’est-ce bãŋgʋ noun. circumcised (= initiated) male (who
qu’il y a? - Je ne sais pas.; dt: Was ist los? - must then leave his mother’s house); fr: homme
Ich weiß (es) nicht. circoncis (= initié) (qui doit quitter la maison de
ala la dəkɔ - mə bãɩ̃ interrogative sentence & sa mère); dt: Beschnittener (= Initiierter) (der
answer Who’s that? - I don’t know (him).; darauf das Haus seiner Mutter verlassen
fr: Qui est celui-là? - Je ne (le) connais pas.; muss). [Note: = Mòoré]
dt: Wer ist das? - Ich kenne (ihn) nicht. a bãŋgʋ sg.
bãka deverbal action noun sg. diminutive. (=/bãg- a bãŋgʋfɩ pl.
ga/) → bãg-. a bãŋgʋma pl.
bãn- noun. mother’s brother; any male member of a bãŋgʋ bi NP+N compound noun sg.
the mother’s family; fr: frère de la mère ; circumcised male; fr: homme circoncis; dt:
chaque membre mâle de la famille de la mère; Beschnittener
dt: Bruder der Mutter; jedes männliche a bãŋgʋ bu NP+N compound noun pl.
Mitglied der Familie der Mutter. bãŋgʋfɩ pl. → bãŋgʋ.
a bãna sg. bãŋkɛsa sg. → mãŋkɛsa.
a bãnama pl. bãŋkɛsafɩ pl. → mãŋkɛsa.
bãna sg. → bãn-. bãŋnaa future. → bãŋ-.
bãŋ perfective. → bãŋ-. bãŋnəba deverbal agent noun pl. → bãŋ-.
bãŋ- verb. hammer in (e.g. nail, stake); fr: clouer (p. bãŋn(ɛ) imperfective. → bãŋ-.
ex. une pointe, un piquet); dt: hineinhämmern bãŋnəfa deverbal local noun. (=/bãŋ-d-hɩ̃/) →
(z.B. Nagel, Pflock). bãŋ-.
bãŋnaa future. bãŋnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
bãŋɛ past. (=/bãŋ-d-hɩ̃/) → bãŋ-.
bãŋ perfective. bãŋnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → bãŋ-.
bãŋn(ɛ) imperfective. bãŋnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/bãŋ-d-
a bãŋam deverbal action noun sg./mass. hɩ̃/) → bãŋ-.
a bãŋnɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who bãŋnəhɩ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/bãŋ-d-
hammers; fr: q.un qui cloue; dt: jmd. der hɩ̃/) → bãŋ-.
hämmert. bãŋnɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → bãŋ-.
a bãŋnəba deverbal agent noun pl. bãŋs- (=/bãŋs/) noun. spear; fr: lance; dt: Speer.
a bãŋnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object a bãŋsʋ (=/bãŋs-ʋ/) sg.
for hammering (e.g. hammer); fr: objet pour a bãŋsɩɩ (=/bãŋs-ɩɩ/) pl.

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bãŋsʋ
bãŋsʋ sg. (=/bãŋs-ʋ/) → bãŋs-. a bɛbmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. places to
bʌhʌpʌ noun. glutton; fr: gourmand; dt: Vielfraß. which one has travelled; dressed; fr: endroits
[Note: Possibly from a ba hitə saa ‘non-stop’.] où on a voyagé; habillé; dt: Orte, wohin man
a bʌhʌpʌ sg. gereist ist; angezogen.
a bʌhʌpʌmʌ pl. bɛbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → bɛb-.
bʌluu- noun. kind of flute (made by children from bɛbɛ past. → bɛb-.
millet stalks); fr: espèce de flûte (de tiges de bɛbfaa future. → bɛb-.
mil fabriquée par les enfants); dt: Art Flöte bɛbf(ʋ) imperfective. → bɛb-.
(von Kindern aus Hirsestängeln gemacht). bɛbraa future. → bɛb-.
[Note: Probably not of Koromfe origin.] bɛbrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → bɛb-.
a bʌluuri sg. bɛbrəfa deverbal local noun. → bɛb-.
a bʌluuyʌ pl. bɛbrəga deverbal instrument noun sg. → bɛb-.
a bʌluuyo pl. bɛbrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → bɛb-.
bʌluuri sg. → bʌluu-. bɛbrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → bɛb-.
bʌluuyʌ pl. → bʌluu-. bɛbrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → bɛb-.
bʌndə-bi (=/bana bi/) noun. mother’s brother bɛbr(ʋ) imperfective. → bɛb-.
who is still a child; child of the mother’s family; bɛb(ʋ) perfective. → bɛb-.
fr: frère de la mère qui est un enfant; enfant de bɛl- noun. back; fr: dos, arrière; dt: Rücken,
la famille de la mère; dt: Bruder der Mutter, Rückseite. [Note: This word actually refers to
der noch ein Kind ist; Kind der Familie der the whole rear surface of the body, from the
Mutter. [Note: Origin as a bana bi not certain.] shoulders to the feet, though it is commonly
a bʌndə-bi N+N compound noun sg. used to refer to the back only. The less
a bʌndə-bu N+N compound noun pl. commonly used word a kundoŋ refers to the
bʌ̃ʌ̃ni noun. health; fr: santé; dt: Gesundheit. [Note: back only (from the shoulders to the waist).]
Often used in greetings. See a kɩbarʋ. An older a bɛllɛ sg.
Koromfe term for ‘health’ is a kʋlɔ jagaɩ a bɛla pl.
‘freshness/coolness of the body’.] bɛllɛ (nɛ) postposition. behind; fr: derrière; dt:
a bʌ̃ʌ̃ni sg. hinter.
bʌ̃ndʌku noun. manioc; fr: manioc; dt: Maniok. a dãŋ koŋ bɛllɛ prepositional phrase behind the
[Note: = Mòoré] house; fr: derrière la maison; dt: hinter dem
a bʌ̃ndʌkufe singulative. Haus
a bʌ̃ndʌkufre singulative. a dãŋ koŋ bɛllɛ nɛ prepositional phrase behind
a bʌ̃ndʌku pl./collective. the house; fr: derrière la maison; dt: hinter
a bʌ̃ndʌkufi pl. dem Haus [Note: Can be used with or
bʌ̃ndʌkufe singulative. → bʌ̃ndʌku. without nɛ.]
bʌ̃ndʌkufre singulative. → bʌ̃ndʌku. bɛllɛ nɛ adverb. at the back; fr: en arrière; dt:
bɛ perfective. (=/bɛl/) → bɛ(l)-. hinten.
bɛb- verb. travel; get dressed, put on; fr: voyager ; də tuko bɛllɛ nɛ sentence He sat at the back.;
s’habiller, mettre; dt: reisen; sich anziehen, fr: Il était assis en arrière.; dt: Er saß
anziehen. hinten.
bɛbraa future. bɛllɛ nɛ saa adverb+N compound noun sg. last;
bɛbfaa future. fr: dernier; dt: letzt(-er,-e,-es) [Note: No
bɛbɛ past. article a because the first element of this
bɛb(ʋ) perfective. compound is an adverb.]
bɛbr(ʋ) imperfective. bɛllɛ nɛ sammã adverb+N compound noun pl.
bɛbf(ʋ) imperfective. [Note: Can be used with or without nɛ.]
a bɛbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. bɛ(l)- (=/bɛl/) verb. come, (auxiliary) happen; fr:
a bɛbrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. traveller; venir, (auxiliaire) arriver; dt: kommen,
dresser; fr: voyageur; habilleur; dt: Reisender; (Auxiliar) geschehen, dazukommen. [Note:
Anzieher. Irregular]
a bɛbrəba deverbal agent noun pl. bɛllaa (=/bɛl-d-aa/) future.
a bɛbrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. bɛnɛ (=/bɛl-ɛ/) past.
garment (of any kind); fr: vêtement, habit (de bɛ (=/bɛl/) perfective.
toute sorte); dt: Kleidungsstück (jeder Art). bɛll(ɩ) (=/bɛl-d/) imperfective.
a bɛbrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. a bɛ̃nam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a bɛbrəga deverbal instrument noun sg. a bɛ̃ʋ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass. also:
a bɛbrəfa deverbal local noun. place to which one arrival; fr: aussi: arrivée; dt: auch: Ankunft.
travels; place for dressing; fr: endroit où on a bɛllɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who is
voyage; endroit pour s’habiller; dt: Ort, wo man coming; fr: q.un qui vient; dt: jmd. der kommt.
hinreist; Platz zum anziehen. a bɛlləba deverbal agent noun pl.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 11

bɛla bɛŋ
a bɛlləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing / bɛlləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/bɛl-d/) →
animal that is coming; fr: objet / animal qui est bɛ(l)-.
en train de venir; dt: Ding / Tier, das kommt. bɛll(ɩ) imperfective. (=/bɛl-d/) → bɛ(l)-.
a bɛlləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. bɛll(ɩ) perfective. → bɛll-.
a bɛlləga deverbal instrument noun diminutive bɛllɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/bɛl-d/) → bɛ(l)-.
sg. bɛllraa future. → bɛll-.
a bɛlləfa deverbal local noun. place for arriving; bɛllrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → bɛll-.
fr: endroit pour arriver; dt: Platz zum bɛllrəfa deverbal local noun. → bɛll-.
Ankommen. bɛllrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
a biisi bɛlləfa NP+N compound noun sg. bus → bɛll-.
stop, bus station; fr: arrêt d’autobus, bɛllrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → bɛll-.
station d’autobus; dt: Bushaltestelle, bɛllrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → bɛll-.
Busbahnhof bɛllr(ɩ) imperfective. → bɛll-.
bɛla pl. → bɛl-. bɛllrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → bɛll-.
bɛll- verb. pan (generic), separate grain from chaff bɛnɛ past. (=/bɛl-ɛ/) → bɛ(l)-.
(by panning with a straw fan or calabash), bɛnn- noun. backside, arse; fr: derrière, cul; dt:
clean (after pounding); fr: vanner (générique), Hintern, Arsch.
nettoyer (après avoir pilé); dt: trennen, a bɛnnəŋa diminutive sg.
waschen (generisch), Getreide von Spreu a bɛnnənɛ diminutive pl.
trennen (mit einem Strohfächer oder einer a bɛnnəŋa yɩbrɛ NP+N compound noun sg.
Kalebasse), reinigen (nach dem Stampfen). anus, arsehole; fr: anus; dt: After,
[Note: This is the penultimate process in Arschloch
preparing grain for cooking. First comes a a bɛnnənɛ yɩba NP+N compound noun pl.
sɔgtam, followed by a sellʌm, then a bɛllam. bɛnnəŋa diminutive sg. → bɛnn-.
Afterwards the grains are panned in water to bɛŋ demonstrative.
remove stones (a jislʌm). Cf. also a forʌm bɛŋ demonstrative adjective / pronoun human pl.
‘separate grain from chaff by pounding’.] these, those, the; these / those people; fr: ces,
bɛllraa future. les; ceux-ci/là, celles-ci/là; dt: diese, jene, die.
bɛllɛ past. a bɛ̃nna bɛŋ NP+demonstr. noun phrase pl. the
bɛll(ɩ) perfective. / these / those man; fr: les / ces hommes;
bɛllr(ɩ) imperfective. dt: die / diese / jene Männer
a bɛllam deverbal action noun sg./mass. bɛ̃nna nãã bɛŋ NP+demonstr. noun phrase pl.
a bɛllrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who pans; the / these / those four men; fr: les / ces
fr: q.un qui vanne; dt: jmd. der trennt / wäscht. quatre hommes; dt: die / diese / jene vier
a bɛllrəba deverbal agent noun pl. Männer [Note: *a bɛnna nãã bɛŋ is
a bɛllrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. tool for impossible because a numeral precludes the
panning; grain that is being panned; fr: outil article a.]
pour vanner; grains qui sont en train d’être bɛŋ ba zɔmma mɛ sentence Those guys don’t
vannés; dt: Werkzeug zum trennen / waschen; like me.; fr: Ceux-la ne m’aiment pas.; dt:
Körner, die gerade getrennt/gewaschen Die dort mögen mich nicht. [Note:
werden. Demonstrative adjectives are also used as
a bɛllrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. definite articles. Their similarity to the
a bɛllrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive corresponding noun-class suffixes is
sg. unmistakable. They always follow the NP
a bɛllrəfa deverbal local noun. place for panning; and do not affect the presence or absence
fr: endroit pour vanner; dt: Platz zum trennen / of the article a before the NP. When used
waschen. pronouns they stand alone in the position of
a bɛlləmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. panned grain; an NP. Cf. the full set of demonstratives:
fr: grains vannés; dt: getrenntes / hoŋ, koŋ, bɛŋ, hɛ̃ŋ, kɛ̃ŋ.]
gewaschenes Getreide. bɛŋgɛ strong demonstrative adjective / pronoun.
bɛllaa future. (=/bɛl-d-aa/) → bɛ(l)-. a bɛ̃nna bɛŋgɛ NP+demonstr. noun phrase
bɛllam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → bɛll-. human pl. the / these / those man; fr: les /
bɛlləba deverbal agent noun pl. (=/bɛl-d/) → bɛ(l)-. ces hommes; dt: die / diese / jene Männer
bɛllɛ sg. → bɛl-. bɛ̃nna nãã beŋgɛ NP+demonstr. noun phrase
bɛllɛ past. → bɛll-. human pl. the / this / that one woman; fr:
bɛllɛ (nɛ) postposition. → bɛl-. les / ces quatre hommes; dt: die / diese /
bɛlləga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. jene vier Männer [Note: *a bɛnna nãã beŋ is
(=/bɛl-d/) → bɛ(l)-. impossible because a numeral precludes the
bɛlləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/bɛl-d/) → article a.]
bɛ(l)-. bɛŋgɛ ba zɔmma mɛ sentence Those guys don’t
like me.; fr: Ceux-la ne m’aiment pas.; dt:

12 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

bɛr- bɛrɛms-
Die dort mögen mich nicht. [Note: The gegeneinander gestützt. [Note: This
strong demonstratives are said to be more example assumes that a group of people are
emphatic than the corresponding normal lying on the ground next to one another. I
demonstrative, but in practice can be found lay down either alongside their heads or
everywhere where the latter occur. All alongside their feet.]
strong demonstratives are formed by adding a bɛrɛdɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who lies
-gṾ to the normal demonstrative, where Ṿ is down turned by 90º; fr: q.un qui se couche à
a (non-nasal) copy of the (one and only, côté tourné à 90º; dt: jmd. der sich daneben
mid) vowel of the normal demonstrative.] hinlegt um 90º gedreht.
bɛr- noun. small piece (of sth.); fr: petite pièce, a bɛrɛdəba deverbal agent noun pl.
petit morceau (de q.ch.); dt: kleiner Teil, a bɛrɛdəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. prop; fr:
kleines Stück (von etwas). [Note: (= Mòoré)] objet pour caler; dt: Gegenstand zum
a bɛrəga sg. aufstützen.
a bersi pl. a bɛrɛdəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
bɛr- noun. male (animal); (in compounds, also) a bɛrɛdəga deverbal instrument noun
penis-shaped; fr: (animal) mâle; (dans les mots diminutive sg.
composés, aussi) à forme de pénis; dt: a bɛrɛdəfa deverbal local noun. place for
männliches (Tier); (in Zusammensetzungen, propping things; fr: endroit pour caler; dt:
auch) penisförmig. Platz zum stützen.
a bɛtɛ sg. a bɛrɛmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. that which is
a bɛra pl. propped; enclosure in the bush (made of sticks
a sũndu bɛtɛ NP+N compound noun sg. male propped against one another); fr: ce qui est
horse, stallion; fr: cheval mâle, étalon; dt: calé; clôture en brousse (fabrique de bois qui
männliches Pferd, Hengst sont calés l’un contre l’autre); dt: das, was
a sũndii bɛra NP+N compound noun pl. gestützt ist; Umzäunung im Busch (aus
a wɔ̃nə bɛtɛ N+N compound noun sg. Stöcken, die aufeinander gestützt sind).
a wɔ̃nə bɛra N+N compound noun pl. male bɛrədam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/bɛd-Ṿl-
chicken, cock; fr: poulet mâle, coq; dt: am/) → bɛrd-.
männliches Huhn, Hahn [Note: For ‘penis- bɛrədɛ past. (=/bɛd-Ṿl-ɛ/) → bɛrd-.
shaped’, see the compounds a hʋrə-bɛtɛ, a bɛrɛ perfective. (=/bɛd-Ṿl/) → bɛrd-.
wɔ̃nə-bɛtɛ, a da-bɛtɛ.] bɛrɛd imperfective. (=/bɛd-Ṿl-d/) → bɛrd-.
a bɛrəga diminutive sg. young male (animal); fr: bɛrɛdaa future. (=/bɛd-Ṿl-d-aa/) → bɛrd-.
(animal) jeune mâle; dt: junges männliches bɛrɛdəba deverbal agent noun pl. (=/bɛd-Ṿl-am/)
(Tier). → bɛrd-.
a bɛrɩɩ diminutive pl. bɛrɛdəfa deverbal local noun. (=/bɛd-Ṿl-am/) →
a pesə bɛrəga N+N compound noun diminutive bɛrd-.
sg. young male sheep, young ram; fr: petit bɛrɛdəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
mouton mâle; dt: kleines männliches Schaf, (=/bɛd-Ṿl-am/) → bɛrd-.
kleiner Schafbock bɛrɛdəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/bɛd-Ṿl-
a pesə bɛrɩɩ N+N compound noun diminutive pl. am/) → bɛrd-.
[Note: The regular diminutive plural would bɛrɛdəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/bɛd-Ṿl-
be a bɛrənɛ, but no such form exists.] am/) → bɛrd-.
bɛra pl. → bɛr-. bɛrɛdɩ imperfective. (=/bɛd-Ṿl-d/) → bɛrd-.
bɛrd- (=/bɛd-Ṿl-/) verb. lie down / lay next to bɛrɛdɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/bɛd-Ṿl-am/) →
(obj.) turned at an angle, prop against one bɛrd-.
another; fr: se coucher / poser à coté de (obj.) bɛrɛms- verb. overtake, cross; fr: dépasser,
tourné, caler; dt: (sich) hinlegen neben (Obj.) traverser; dt: überholen, überqueren, kreuzen.
gedreht, gegeneinander stützen. bɛrɛmsraa future.
bɛrɛdaa (=/bɛd-Ṿl-d-aa/) future. bɛrɛmsɛ past.
bɛrədɛ (=/bɛd-Ṿl-ɛ/) past. bɛrɛms(ʋ) perfective.
bɛrɛ (=/bɛd-Ṿl/) perfective. bɛrɛmsər(ʋ) imperfective.
bɛrɛd / bɛrɛdɩ (=/bɛd-Ṿl-d/) imperfective. a bɛrɛmsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a bɛrədam (=/bɛd-Ṿl-am/) deverbal action noun a bɛrɛmsərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
sg./mass. overtakes / crosses, passer-by; fr: q.un qui
mə bɛrədɛ (a) fʋba sentence I lay down next to dépasse / traverse, passant; dt: jmd. der
the people.; fr: Je me suis couché près des überholt / überquert / kreuzt, Passant.
gens.; dt: Ich habe mich neben den Leuten a bɛrɛmsərba deverbal agent noun pl.
hingelegt. a bɛrɛmsərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg.
mə bɛrədɛ (a) dãɩ̃ã dombʌ sentence I propped place where many people pass by (e.g. busy
one stick against the other.; fr: J’ai calé un street); bridge; fr: endroit où beaucoup de gens
bois contre l’autre.; dt: Ich habe die Stöcke passent (p. ex. une rue fréquentée); pont; dt:

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 13

bɛrɛmsam
Ort, wo viele Menschen vorbeigehen (z.B. a bɛrɛndəgʋ ordinal numeral non-human sg. & pl.
belebte Straße); Brücke. [Note: Non-human ordinal numerals have no
a bɛrɛmsərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. plural form; instead the singular is used.]
a bɛrɛmsərəga deverbal instrument noun bɛrʋma cardinal numeral pl. → bɛrʋ.
diminutive sg. bɛtɛ sg. → bɛr-.
a bɛrɛmsərəfa deverbal local noun. place where bɛ̃n- noun. faeces, shit; fr: merde, crotte; dt:
many people pass by (e.g. busy street). Fäkalien, Scheiße, Kot. [Note: This word has no
crossing place; fr: endroit où beaucoup de gens singular form. Cf. also a bɛnnəŋa ‘backside’.]
passent (p. ex. une rue fréquentée), endroit à a bɛ̃na pl.
traverser; dt: Ort, wo viele Menschen a bɛ̃n gɛllɛ N+N compound noun sg. piece of
vorbeigehen (z.B. belebte Straße), shit; fr: morceau de merde; dt: Stück
Überquerungsstelle. Scheiße
bɛrɛmsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → a bɛ̃n gɛla N+N compound noun pl.
bɛrɛms-. bɛ̃n gɛllɛ N+N compound noun sg. → gɛl-.
bɛrɛmsɛ past. → bɛrɛms-. bɛ̃nam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/bɛl-d/)
bɛrɛmsraa future. → bɛrɛms-. → bɛ(l)-.
bɛrɛmsərba deverbal agent noun pl. → bɛrɛms-. bɛ̃nna pl. → bɔrɔ.
bɛrɛmsərəga deverbal instrument noun bɛ̃nna tɔɔndəba noun phrase pl. → tɔɔ.
diminutive sg. → bɛrɛms-. bɛ̃nta noun. traditional shorts (single piece of
bɛrɛmsərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → material); fr: culotte traditionnelle (une seule
bɛrɛms-. pièce d’étoffe); dt: traditionelle kurze Hose (ein
bɛrɛmsərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → einziges Stück Stoff).
bɛrɛms-. a bɛ̃nta sg.
bɛrɛmsərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → bɛrɛms-. a bɛ̃ntafɩ pl.
bɛrɛmsər(ʋ) imperfective. → bɛrɛms-. bɛ̃ʋ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/bɛl-d/) →
bɛrɛms(ʋ) perfective. → bɛrɛms-. bɛ(l)-.
bɛrɛndəba ordinal numeral human pl. → bɛrʋ. bel- noun. child, person younger than ego; fr:
bɛrɛndɔ ordinal numeral human sg. → bɛrʋ. enfant, personne moins âgé que ego; dt: Kind,
bɛrəga sg. → bɛr-. Mensch jünger als ego.
bɛrəga diminutive sg. → bɛr-. a beləŋʌ diminutive sg.
bɛr(ɩ)- noun. specific clan, Nyonyosi; fr: clan a beliʌ pl.
spécifique, Nyonyosi; dt: spezifische mə sa beləŋʌ NP+N compound noun sg. my
Großfamilie (Clan), Nyonyosi. [Note: The ɩ of sibling; fr: mon frère / ma sœur; dt: mein
the singular form is unusual. See also the Geschwister
Mòoré word a ỹɔ̃ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ga] mə sa beliʌ NP+N compound noun pl. [Note:
a bɛrɩɔ sg. This plural suffix is otherwise found mainly
a bɛrəba pl. on nominal adjectives with the sg. suffix -V
bɛrɩɔ sg. → bɛr(ɩ)-. ŋ (where V is a copy of the preceding
bɛrʋ numeral. (a) hundred (100); 500 francs CFA; vowel). Such adjectives also often have a
fr: centaine, cent (100); 500 francs CFA; dt: diminutive with - əŋa (cf. e.g. a feleŋ).
Hundert, hundert (100); 500 Francs CFA. However, there is no form like * a beleŋ.]
[Note: No article a is used before this word, beld- (=/bel-Ṿl-/) verb. sell, barter; fr: vendre,
except (optionally) when it is used non- échanger, faire le marché; dt: verkaufen,
attributively (disjunctively). Mengao speakers tauschen. [Note: The meaning of this verb does
say that this is an Aribinda form. The normal not include the actual exchange of money, for
Mengao form is kɔbəga (=Mòoré) or (older) which a dolʌm must be used.]
zãŋfɔ. The plural form is used when this word beledʌʌ (=/bel-Ṿl-d-aa/) future.
qualifies another numeral (e.g. bɛrʋma hĩĩ ‘two beləde (=/bel-Ṿl-ɛ/) past.
hundred; 1000 francs CFA’).] bele (=/bel-Ṿl/) perfective.
bɛrʋ cardinal numeral sg. beled / beledi (=/bel-Ṿl-d/) imperfective.
bɛrʋma cardinal numeral pl. a belədʌm (=/bel-Ṿl-am/) deverbal action noun
fʋba bɛrʋ NP+N compound noun sg. a hundred sg./mass.
people; fr: cent gens, cent personnes; dt: a beledo (=/bel-Ṿl-d-ɔ/) deverbal agent noun
hundert Menschen sg. seller, salesperson; buyer, customer; fr:
dãɩ̃ bɛrʋ NP+N compound noun sg. a hundred vendeur; acheteur, client; dt: VerkäuferIn;
houses; fr: cent maisons; dt: hundert KäuferIn, KundIn.
Häuser a beledəbʌ (=/bel-Ṿl-d-ba/) deverbal agent noun
a bɛrɛndɔ ordinal numeral human sg. pl.
hundredth; fr: centième; dt: hundertst(-er,-e,- a beledəgu (=/bel-Ṿl-d-gʋ/) deverbal instrument
es). noun sg. article that is for sale; fr: article à
a bɛrɛndəba ordinal numeral human pl. vendre; dt: Verkaufsartikel.

14 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

belədʌm
a beledəhẽ (=/bel-Ṿl-d-hĩ/) deverbal instrument bɩgt / bɩgtɩ (=/bɩgt/) perfective.
noun pl. bɩgtr / bɩgtrɩ (=/bɩgt-d/) imperfective.
a beledəgʌ (=/bel-Ṿl-d-ga/) deverbal instrument a bɩgtam (=/bɩgt-am/) deverbal action noun
noun sg. sg./mass.
a beledəfʌ (=/bel-Ṿl-d-fa/) deverbal local noun. a bɩgtrɔ (=/bɩgt-d-ɔ/) deverbal agent noun sg.
place for selling; market; fr: endroit pour s.o. who stumbles; fr: q.un qui trébuche; dt:
vendre; marché; dt: Platz zum verkaufen; jmd. der stolpert.
Markt. a bɩgtrəba (=/bɩgt-d-ba/) deverbal agent noun
mə bele la d a pɛrəgʋ sentence I bought a shirt pl.
from him.; fr: J’ai acheté une chemise à lui.; a bɩgtrəgʋ (=/bɩgt-d-gʋ/) deverbal instrument
dt: Ich habe von ihm ein Hemd gekauft. noun sg. object that one stumbles over; fr:
belədʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/bel-Ṿl- objet sur lequel on trébuche; dt: Gegenstand
am/) → beld-. über den man stolpert.
beləde past. (=/bel-Ṿl-ɛ/) → beld-. a bɩgtrəhɛ̃ / a bɩgtrəhɩ̃ (=/bɩgt-d-hɩ̃/)
bele perfective. (=/bel-Ṿl/) → beld-. deverbal instrument noun pl.
beled imperfective. (=/bel-Ṿl-d/) → beld-. a bɩgtrəga (=/a bɩgtr-ga/) deverbal instrument
beledʌʌ future. (=/bel-Ṿl-d-aa/) → beld-. noun diminutive sg.
beledəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. (=/bel-Ṿl-d-ba/) a bɩgtrəfa (=/a bɩgtr-fa/) deverbal local noun.
→ beld-. place where one stumbles; fr: endroit où on
beledəgʌ deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/bel-Ṿl- trébuche; dt: Ort, wo man stolpert.
d-ga/) → beld-. bɩgtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/bɩgt-
beledəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/bel-Ṿl- am/) → bɩgt-.
d-gʋ/) → beld-. bɩgtɛ past. (=/bɩgt-ɛ/) → bɩgt-.
beledəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/bel-Ṿl- bɩgtɩ perfective. (=/bɩgt/) → bɩgt-.
d-hĩ/) → beld-. bɩgtr imperfective. (=/bɩgt-d/) → bɩgt-.
beledi imperfective. (=/bel-Ṿl-d/) → beld-. bɩgtraa future. (=/bɩgt-d-aa/) → bɩgt-.
beledo deverbal agent noun sg. (=/bel-Ṿl-d-ɔ/) → bɩgtrəba deverbal agent noun pl. (=/bɩgt-d-ba/)
beld-. → bɩgt-.
beləŋʌ diminutive sg. → bel-. bɩgtrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
bɩ adverb. then, just; fr: donc, tout simplement; (=/a bɩgtr-ga/) → bɩgt-.
dt: dann, doch. bɩgtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/bɩgt-d-
bɩ hortative adverb. gʋ/) → bɩgt-.
mə zɔmmʋ̃ mə wũn dããnɛ --- bɩ ŋ wũn 2 bɩgtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/bɩgt-d-
sentences A: I want to go home. - B: Then hɩ̃/) → bɩgt-.
go home.; fr: A: Je veux rentrer à la maison. bɩgtrəhɩ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/bɩgt-d-
- B: Rentre donc.; dt: A: Ich will nach Hause hɩ̃/) → bɩgt-.
gehen. - B: Dann geh. bɩgtrɩ imperfective. (=/bɩgt-d/) → bɩgt-.
bɩ conjunction. or; fr: ou, ou bien; dt: oder. [Note: bɩgtrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/bɩgt-d-ɔ/) →
Also used as a yes/no interrogative particle bɩgt-.
(anticipating the answer yes) at the end of a bɩlgm- noun. big; fr: gros; dt: groß. [Note: (=
sentence, like “oder” in some varieties of Mòoré)]
German.] a bɩləgəmdɩ sg.
bɩ co-ordinating conjunction. a bɩləgəma pl.
də bɛllaa yoote bɩ də bɛllaa sã sentence He will bɩləgəmdɩ sg. → bɩlgm-.
come today or he will come tomorrow.; fr: Il bɩr perfective. (=/bɩd/) → bɩr-.
viendra aujourd’hui ou il viendra demain.; bɩr- (=/bid-/) noun. kind of frog; fr: espèce de
dt: Er wird heute kommen oder er wird grenouille; dt: Art Frosch. [Note: Koromfe has
morgen kommen. a 5-way distinction of frogs and toads
də bɛllaa yoote bɩ sã sentence He will come according to their size. The smallest is a
today or tomorrow.; fr: Il viendra sãndəga, followed by a pãtɛ, a gɔŋdɛ, a bɩtɛ, a
aujourd’hui ou demain.; dt: Er wird heute purgoŋ.]
oder morgen kommen. a bɩtɛ sg.
n sam a sala hɛ̃ŋ bɩ interrogative sentence You a bɩra pl.
have washed the dishes, haven’t you?; fr: Tu bɩr- (=/bɩd-/) verb. grow, ripen, be cooked
as fait la vaisselle, n’est-ce pas?; dt: Du through; be a clairvoyant; fr: grandir, mûrir,
hast abgewaschen, oder? devenir cuit ; être voyant; dt: wachsen, reifen,
bɩgt perfective. (=/bɩgt/) → bɩgt-. garen; Hellseher sein. [Note: The meaning ‘be a
bɩgt- verb. stumble; fr: trébucher; dt: stolpern. clairvoyant’ derives from ‘growing beyond
[Phon: g is a stop, not a fricative] oneself’. With that reading, the imperfective
bɩgtraa (=/bɩgt-d-aa/) future. stems with -f are preferred.]
bɩgtɛ (=/bɩgt-ɛ/) past. bɩtaa (=/bɩd-d-aa/) future.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 15

bɩram bilkoob-
bɩrəfaa (=/bɩd-f-aa/) future. a bɩrəgrəga deverbal instrument noun
bɩrɛ (=/bɩd-ɛ/) past. diminutive sg.
bɩr(ɩ) / bɩr (=/bɩd/) perfective. a bɩrəgrəfa deverbal local noun.
bɩt(ɩ) / bɩtɩ (=/bɩd-d/) imperfective. a bɩrəgmãʋ deverbal nomen acti pl. ripe
bɩrəf(ʋ) / bɩrəf (=/bɩd-f/) imperfective. (things); fr: mûr (choses); dt: reif(e Dinge).
a bɩram deverbal action noun sg./mass. bɩrəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → bɩrg-.
a bɩrfɔ deverbal agent noun sg. clairvoyant; fr: bɩrəgɛ past. → bɩrg-.
voyant; dt: Hellseher. bɩrəg(ɩ) perfective. → bɩrg-.
a bɩrfəba pl. bɩrəgraa future. → bɩrg-.
a bɩrfɩɩ (=/bɩr-f-ɩɩ/) abstract quality noun sg. bɩrəgrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → bɩrg-.
clairvoyance; fr: clairvoyance; dt: bɩrəgrəfa deverbal local noun. → bɩrg-.
Hellsehertum. bɩrəgrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
a bɩtɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who is → bɩrg-.
growing; fr: q.un qui grandit; dt: jmd. der bɩrəgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → bɩrg-.
wächst. bɩrəgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → bɩrg-.
a bɩtəba deverbal agent noun pl. bɩrəgr(ɩ) imperfective. → bɩrg-.
a bɩtəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. ripe fruit; bɩrəgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → bɩrg-.
piece of food that is sufficiently cooked; fr: bɩr(ɩ) perfective. (=/bɩd/) → bɩr-.
fruit mûr; morceau de nourriture qui est bien bɩtaa future. (=/bɩd-d-aa/) → bɩr-.
cuit; dt: reife Frucht; Speise, die gar ist. [Note: bɩtəba deverbal agent noun pl. (=/bɩr-f-ɩɩ/) → bɩr-.
The form a bɩrfəgʋ, although interpretable as bɩtɛ sg. → bɩr-.
‘object used by a clairvoyant’ is not actually bɩtəfa deverbal local noun. (=/bɩr-f-ɩɩ/) → bɩr-.
used.] bɩtəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
a bɩtəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/bɩr-f-ɩɩ/) → bɩr-.
a bɩtəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive bɩtəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/bɩr-f-ɩɩ/)
sg. → bɩr-.
a bɩtəfa deverbal local noun. place for cooking; bɩtəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/bɩr-f-ɩɩ/)
fr: endroit pour cuir; dt: Platz zum Kochen. → bɩr-.
a dɩʋ bɩtəfa NP+N compound noun sg. place for bɩtɩ imperfective. (=/bɩd-d/) → bɩr-.
cooking food; fr: endroit pour cuir la bɩt(ɩ) imperfective. (=/bɩd-d/) → bɩr-.
nourriture; dt: Platz zum Nahrung Kochen bɩtɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/bɩr-f-ɩɩ/) → bɩr-.
[Note: The form a bɩrfəfa is not normally bɩ̃n- noun. heart; fr: cœur; dt: Herz.
used.] a bɩ̃ndɛ (=/bɩ̃n-dɛ/) sg.
a bɩrəmãʋ deverbal nomen acti pl. ripe (things); a bɩ̃na (=/bɩ̃n-a/) pl.
fr: mûr (choses); dt: reif(e Dinge). a bɩ̃-yɛɩgʋ N+N compound noun sg. discontent,
bɩram deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/bɩd-f/) → sadness; fr: mécontentement, tristesse; dt:
bɩr-. Unzufriedenheit, Traurigkeit [Note: < bɩ̃n-
bɩrɛ past. (=/bɩd-ɛ/) → bɩr-. ‘heart’ + yɛɩgʋ ‘waste’]
bɩrəf imperfective. (=/bɩd-f/) → bɩr-. bɩ̃ndɛ sg. (=/bɩ̃n-dɛ/) → bɩ̃n-.
bɩrəfaa future. (=/bɩd-f-aa/) → bɩr-. bi sg. (=/b-ɩ/) → b-.
bɩrfəba pl. (=/bɩd-f/) → bɩr-. bike- noun. unmarried young woman (about age 14
bɩrfɩɩ abstract quality noun sg. (=/bɩr-f-ɩɩ/) → bɩr-. up to marriage); fr: jeune femme non-mariée
bɩrfɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/bɩd-f/) → bɩr-. (env. 14 ans jusqu’au mariage); dt: junge
bɩrəf(ʋ) imperfective. (=/bɩd-f/) → bɩr-. unverheiratete Frau (ca. 14 Jahre bis zur
bɩrg- verb. cause to grow, cause to ripen, cause to Heirat). [Note: Probably originates in a
be cooked through; fr: faire grandir, faire compound of bi ‘child’ and kɛ̃ɔ̃ ‘female human’]
mûrir, faire devenir cuit; dt: wachsen lassen, a bikeŋʌ diminutive sg.
reifen lassen, garen (lassen). a bikeni pl.
bɩrəgraa future. a bikei abstract quality noun sg. state/period
bɩrəgɛ past. when s.o. is a bikeŋʌ (about age 14 up to
bɩrəg(ɩ) perfective. marriage); fr: état/période quand q.un est a
bɩrəgr(ɩ) imperfective. bikeŋʌ (environ 14 ans jusqu’au mariage); dt:
a bɩrəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. Zustand/Zeit, wo jmd. a bikeŋʌ ist (ca. 14
a bɩrəgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. Jahre bis zur Heirat).
a bɩrəgrəba deverbal agent noun pl. bikeni pl. → bike-.
a bɩrəgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. ripe bikeŋʌ diminutive sg. → bike-.
fruit; piece of food that is sufficiently cooked; bilkoob- noun. bracelet (of any material); fr:
fr: objet ou substance pour faire mûrir; dt: bracelet (en chaque matériel); dt: Armband
Gegenstand oder mittel, um (etwas) reifen zu (aus jedem beliebigen Material). [Note: =
lassen. Mòoré]
a bɩrəgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. a bilkoobri sg.

16 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

bilkoobʌ
a bilkoobʌ pl. teinté; teinture (a gara); dt: Gegenstand, der
a bilkoobo pl. gefärbt wird; Färbungsmittel (a gara).
a bilkoobʌu pl. a birəgrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
bilkoobʌ pl. → bilkoob-. a birəgrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun
bilkoobo pl. → bilkoob-. diminutive sg.
bilkoobri sg. → bilkoob-. a birəgrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for dying;
bir- noun. soul (belonging to an individual); fr: endroit pour teinter; dt: Platz zum färben.
compost; fr: âme (d’un individu); composte; dt: a birəg(i) sg. fertilizer; fr: fumier; dt:
Seele (eines Einzelnen); Kompost. [Note: See Düngemittel. [Note: This is a nominal usage of
also a hʋtɛ ‘(shared) soul’ and a leŋgem.] the perfective form.]
a birəgu sg. birəgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → birg-.
a birii pl. birəge past. → birg-.
bir- noun. kind of bird (very small, red); fr: espèce birəg(i) perfective. → birg-.
d’oiseau (rouge, très petit); dt: Art Vogel (sehr birəgrʌʌ future. → birg-.
klein, rot). birəgrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → birg-.
a birəfe singulative. birəgrəfʌ deverbal local noun. → birg-.
a birəfeŋʌ [Note: double suffixation] singulative birəgrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
diminutive sg. → birg-.
a birəgu sg. birəgrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → birg-.
a birii pl. birəgrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → birg-.
bireŋg- verb. become black/dark, make black, birəgr(i) imperfective. → birg-.
blacken; fr: devenir noir, faire noir, noircir; dt: birəgro deverbal agent noun sg. → birg-.
schwarz/dunkel werden, schwarz machen, birəgu sg. → bir-.
schwärzen. [Note: Not synonymous with a birəgu sg. → bir-.
birəgʌm. This verb is primarily used for bĩĩm noun. soup, stew; fr: soupe; dt: Suppe, Eintopf.
darkness falling in the evening.] [Note: = Mòoré. Cf. Koromfe a nɛ̃mmɔ̃ hem.]
bireŋgrʌʌ future. a bĩĩm sg./mass.
bireŋge past. a bĩĩm hem NP+N compound noun sg./mass
bireŋg(i) perfective. soup; fr: soupe; dt: Suppe [Note: “Soup”
bireŋgr(i) imperfective. consists predominantly of some kind of
a bireŋgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. meat, but often contains more liquid than a
[Note: No agent, instrument or local nouns are stew. This can be just the liquid part of a
derived from this verb.] bĩĩm]
a bireŋgre deverbal state noun sg. twilight bĩĩŋʌ diminutive sg. (=/b-ʋ/) → b-.
(evening only); fr: crépuscule (le soir bĩm perfective. → bĩm-.
seulement); dt: Abenddämmerung. bĩm- (=/bĩm/) verb. swell; fr: s’enfler; dt:
bireŋgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → anschwellen.
bireŋg-. bĩmmʌʌ future.
bireŋge past. → bireŋg-. bĩmmoo future.
bireŋg(i) perfective. → bireŋg-. bĩme past.
bireŋgrʌʌ future. → bireŋg-. bĩm perfective.
bireŋgr(i) imperfective. → bireŋg-. bĩmm(õ) imperfective.
birəfe singulative. → bir-. a bĩmʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
birəfeŋʌ singulative diminutive sg. → bir-. a bĩmmo deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
birg- verb. make black/dark, blacken, dye; fr: faire swells; fr: q.un qui s’enfle; dt: jmd. der
noir, teinter; dt: schwarz/dunkel machen, anschwillt.
schwärzen, färben. [Note: This verb is also a bĩmməbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
used for dying with the indigo plant a garfɛ a bĩmməgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
(probably); the resulting colour is between blue which swells; fr: chose qui s’enfle; dt: Ding, das
and black.] anschwillt.
birəgrʌʌ future. a bĩmməhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
birəge past. a bĩmməgʌ deverbal instrument noun dimin.
birəg(i) perfective. a bĩmməfʌ deverbal local noun. swollen place
birəgr(i) imperfective. (e.g. part of the body); fr: endroit enflé (p. ex.
a birəgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. partie du corps); dt: angeschwollene Stelle
a birəgro deverbal agent noun sg. clothes dyer; (z.B. Körperteil).
fr: teinturier de vêtements; dt: a bĩmmʌ̃ũ deverbal nomen acti pl. swollen things
Kleidungsfärber. (e.g. bodies of dead animals); fr: choses enflées
a birəgrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. (p. ex. cadavres d’animaux morts); dt:
a birəgrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object angeschwollene Dinge (z.B. Leichen toter
which is dyed; dye (a gara); fr: objet qui est Tiere).

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 17

bĩmʌm bɔlɔŋgrəba
bĩmʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → bĩm-. Hand oder einem Werkzeug). [Note:
bĩme past. → bĩm-. Synonymous with a bɔlɔŋgam]
bĩmmʌʌ future. → bĩm-. bɔləgraa future.
bĩmməbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → bĩm-. bɔləgɛ past.
bĩmməfʌ deverbal local noun. → bĩm-. bɔləg(ʋ) perfective.
bĩmməgʌ deverbal instrument noun dimin. → bĩm-. bɔləgr(ʋ) imperfective.
bĩmməgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → bĩm-. a bɔləgam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
bĩmməhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → bĩm-. a bɔləgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
bĩmmo deverbal agent noun sg. → bĩm-. plasters; fr: q.un qui crépit; dt: jmd. der
bĩmmoo future. → bĩm-. verputzt.
bĩmm(õ) imperfective. → bĩm-. a bɔləgrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
bĩn- adj.verb. to be black/dark (also for a bɔləgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. tool
black/African v white/European); fr: être noir for plastering; fr: outil pour crépir; dt:
(aussi pour noir/africain v blanc/européen); dt: Werkzeug zum verputzen.
schwarz/dunkel sein (auch für a bɔləgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
schwarz/afrikanisch vs. weiß/europäisch). a bɔləgrəga deverbal instrument noun
bĩnəmʌ̃ʌ̃ future. diminutive sg.
bĩnəfʌʌ future. a bɔləgrəfa deverbal local noun. surface that is
bĩne past. plastered; fr: surface qu’on crépit; dt: Fläche,
bĩni perfective. die verputzt wird.
bĩnem imperfective. bɔləgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → bɔlg-.
bĩnəf(u) imperfective. bɔləgɛ past. → bɔlg-.
a bĩnəmĩĩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. to be bɔləgraa future. → bɔlg-.
black/dark (also for black/African vs. bɔləgrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → bɔlg-.
white/European); blackness, darkness; fr: être bɔləgrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
noir (aussi pour noir/africain v → bɔlg-.
blanc/européen) ; le noir; dt: schwarz/dunkel bɔləgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → bɔlg-.
sein (auch für schwarz/afrikanisch vs. bɔləgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → bɔlg-.
weiß/europäisch); Schwärze, Dunkel, bɔləgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → bɔlg-.
Finsternis. bɔləgr(ʋ) imperfective. → bɔlg-.
a bĩnĩŋ adjectival noun sg. black, dark coloured; bɔləg(ʋ) perfective. → bɔlg-.
fr: noir, d’une couleur sombre; dt: schwarz, bɔllɩ sg. → bɔl-.
dunkel. [Note: This word is also used with bɔlɔŋg- verb. plaster / cement (with the hand or a
other colour terms to indicate a darker shade tool); fr: crépir / cimenter (avec la main ou un
of that colour. Cf. also a pɔ̃nɔ̃ŋ ‘white’, which outil); dt: verputzen / zementieren (mit der
indicates a darker shade.] Hand oder einem Werkzeug). [Note:
a bĩnĩʌ̃ adjectival noun pl. Synonymous with a bɔləgam]
bĩne past. → bĩn-. bɔlɔŋgraa future.
bĩnem imperfective. → bĩn-. bɔlɔŋgɛ past.
bĩnəfʌʌ future. → bĩn-. bɔlɔŋg(ʋ) perfective.
bĩnəf(u) imperfective. → bĩn-. bɔlɔŋgr(ʋ) imperfective.
bĩni perfective. → bĩn-. a bɔlɔŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
bĩnĩŋ adjectival noun sg. → bĩn-. a bɔlɔŋgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
bĩnəmʌ̃ʌ̃ future. → bĩn-. plasters; fr: q.un qui crépit; dt: jmd. der
bĩnəmĩĩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. → bĩn-. verputzt.
bɔɩ adverb. slowly, gently; fr: lentement, a bɔlɔŋgrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
doucement; dt: langsam, sachte. a bɔlɔŋgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. tool
bɔɩ adverb. for plastering; fr: outil pour crépir; dt:
bɔɩ bɔɩ reduplicated adverb. Werkzeug zum verputzen.
bɔl- noun. kind of squash vegetable shaped and a bɔlɔŋgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
used like a bottle; fr: gourde; dt: Art Kürbis in a bɔlɔŋgrəga deverbal instrument noun
Form einer Flasche. [Note: This word must be a diminutive sg.
loan; if it were real Koromfe, it would have to a bɔlɔŋgrəfa deverbal local noun. surface that
be a bɔllɛ in the singular.] is plastered; fr: surface qu’on crépit; dt:
a bɔllɩ sg. Fläche, die verputzt wird.
a bɔlaʋ pl. bɔlɔŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. →
bɔl- noun. clay; fr: argile; dt: Lehm. bɔlɔŋg-.
a bɔlga (=/bɔl-ga/) sg. bɔlɔŋgɛ past. → bɔlɔŋg-.
bɔlg- verb. plaster / cement (with the hand or a bɔlɔŋgraa future. → bɔlɔŋg-.
tool); fr: crépir / cimenter (avec la main ou un bɔlɔŋgrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → bɔlɔŋg-.
outil); dt: verputzen / zementieren (mit der

18 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

bɔlɔŋgrəga bɔʋ
bɔlɔŋgrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive bɔɔgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → bɔɔg-.
sg. → bɔlɔŋg-. bɔɔgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → bɔɔg-.
bɔlɔŋgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → bɔɔgr(ʋ) imperfective. → bɔɔg-.
bɔlɔŋg-. bɔɔg(ʋ) perfective. → bɔɔg-.
bɔlɔŋgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → bɔɔlɛ noun. kind of nut; fr: espèce de noix; dt: Art
bɔlɔŋg-. Nuss. [Note: = Mòoré]
bɔlɔŋgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → bɔlɔŋg-. a bɔɔlɛ sg.
bɔlɔŋgr(ʋ) imperfective. → bɔlɔŋg-. bɔɔla pl.
bɔlɔŋg(ʋ) perfective. → bɔlɔŋg-. bɔr- noun.
bɔm- noun. a bɔrəga sg. slave; fr: esclave; dt: Sklave.
a bɔŋfɛ sg. stake; fr: piquet; dt: Pfahl. a bɔrɩɩ pl.
a bɔmɛ pl. bɔr- noun. way, road, journey; fr: chemin, route,
bɔndɔ- noun. voyage; dt: Weg, Straße, Reise.
a bɔndɔŋ sg. mortar; fr: mortier (pour piler); dt: a bɔrʋ sg.
Mörser. a bɔrəfɩ pl.
a bɔndɔɩ pl. a bɔrəga pl. also: path; fr: aussi: sentier; dt:
bɔndɔŋ sg. → bɔndɔ-. auch: Pfad.
bɔŋfɛ sg. → bɔm-. bɔrəfɩ pl. → bɔr-.
bɔɔdɛ noun. coloured robe (as worn by Ful); fr: bɔrəga sg. → bɔr-.
habit teint (comme porté par les peuls); dt: bɔrm- adj.verb. to be soft; fr: être doux (à toucher);
gefärbtes Gewand (wie von den Ful getragen). dt: weich sein.
[Note: = Fulfulde] bɔrəmaa future.
a bɔɔdɛ sg. bɔrɔm imperfective.
a bɔɔdɛfɩ pl. bɔrəma participial adjective. soft; fr: doux (à
a bɔɔdɛma pl. toucher); dt: weich. [Note: This is the
bɔɔdɛfɩ pl. → bɔɔdɛ. shortened future form used participially.]
bɔɔg- verb. diminish; fr: diminuer; dt: verringern, a bɔrəmɛ̃ɩ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass.
kleiner werden. [Note: Similar to Mòoré.] softness; fr: douceur (à toucher); dt:
bɔɔgraa future. Weichheit.
bɔɔgɛ past. bɔrəma participial adjective. → bɔrm-.
bɔɔg(ʋ) perfective. bɔrəmaa future. → bɔrm-.
bɔɔgr(ʋ) imperfective. bɔrɔ noun. male human (incl. children), man (vir);
mə bɔ̃ɛ̃ bɔɔgɛ sentence I have recovered from (male) friend (of a male); fr: humain masculin
the German measles.; fr: Ma rougeole s’est (enfants y inclus), homme (vir) ; ami (mâle); dt:
diminuée.; dt: Ich habe mich von den Röteln männlicher Mensch (einschl. Kinder), Mann;
erholt. (männlicher) Freund.
a bɔɔgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a bɔrɔ sg.
a bɔɔgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who a bɛ̃nna pl.
diminishes; fr: q.un qui diminue; dt: jmd. der a bɛ̃nnɛ̃ɩ̃ denominal abstract quality noun sg.
verringert. friendship, masculinity, courage; fr: amitié,
a bɔɔgrəba deverbal agent noun pl. masculinité, courage; dt: Freundschaft,
a bɔɔgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing Männlichkeit, Mut.
that is diminished; fr: chose qu’on diminue; dt: bɔrɔ tɔɔndɔ noun phrase sg. → tɔɔ.
etwas, was verringert wird. bɔrɔm imperfective. → bɔrm-.
a bɔɔgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. bɔrʋ sg. → bɔr-.
a bɔɔgrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive bɔtɔ noun. bag (of any material), sack; fr: sac (en
sg. matériel quelconque); dt: Tasche (aus jedem
a bɔɔgrəfa deverbal local noun. place where sth. beliebigen Material), Sack.
is diminished; fr: endroit où on diminue a bɔtɔ sg.
q.chose; dt: Platz, wo etwas verringert wird. a bɔtɔʋ sg.
a sarʋ kebre koŋ bɔɔgɛ sentence The sandstorm a bɔtɔfɩ pl.
has died down.; fr: La tempête de sable s’est bɔtɔʋ sg. → bɔtɔ.
diminuée; dt: Der Sandsturm hat bɔʋ defective verb. recover; be better than; fr:
nachgelassen. guérir; valoir plus que; dt: sich erholen; mehr
bɔɔgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → bɔɔg-. wert sein als.
bɔɔgɛ past. → bɔɔg-. bɔʋ perfective.
bɔɔgraa future. → bɔɔg-. mə hem bɔʋ sentence I have recovered from
bɔɔgrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → bɔɔg-. malaria.; fr: Ma paludisme est finie.; dt: Ich
bɔɔgrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. habe mich von der Malaria erholt.
→ bɔɔg-. a kɩzamdɛ hɔ̃mnɛ sa bɔʋ a seno sentence an
bɔɔgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → bɔɔg-. ugly intelligent person is worth more than a

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 19

bɔʋfaa bɔ̃n-
good-looking person; fr: une personne laide fr: oseille de Guinée ; moustique ; rougeole; dt:
intelligente vaut plus qu’une personne schwarze Körner, mit denen soumbala (für die
belle.; dt: Ein hässlicher intelligenter Sauce) gemacht wird; Mücke, Moskito; Röteln.
Mensch ist mehr wert als ein schöner. a bɔ̃ɛ̃ pl./collective.
a bɔʋlɛɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. recovery; a bɔ̃ɛ̃fɛ singulative.
fr: guérison; dt: Genesung. a bɔ̃ɛ̃ la wɔ̃fə dɩ sentence She has German
bɔʋfaa future. → bɔʋs-. measles.; fr: Elle a la rougeole.; dt: Sie hat
bɔʋf(ʋ) imperfective. → bɔʋs-. Röteln.
bɔʋs- verb. be better, recover; fr: aller mieux, bɔ̃n perfective. → bɔ̃n-.
guérir; dt: sich erholen. bɔ̃n- adj.verb. be miserly; fr: être avare; dt: geizig
bɔʋsraa future. sein. [Note: probably originating in a bɔ̃nam
bɔʋfaa future. ‘harvest’, but now morphologically quite
bɔʋsɛ past. distinct]
bɔʋs(ʋ) perfective. bɔ̃nəfaa future.
bɔʋsr(ʋ) imperfective. bɔ̃nəf(ʋ) imperfective.
bɔʋf(ʋ) imperfective. a bɔ̃nɔ̃ [Note: irregular formation] deverbal
a bɔʋsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. abstract quality noun sg./mass. miserliness; fr:
a bɔʋsrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who is avarice; dt: Geiz, Geizigkeit.
recovering; fr: q.un qui es en train de guérir; a bɔ̃nɔ̃ sa NP+N compound noun sg. miser,
dt: jmd. der dabei ist, sich zu erholen. miserly; fr: avare; dt: Geizhals, geizig
a bɔʋsrəba deverbal agent noun pl. a bɔ̃nɔ̃ sammã NP+N compound noun pl.
a bɔʋsrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. means a bɔ̃nəfɩɩ deverbal abstract quality noun
for recovering (e.g. medicine); thing (e.g. sg./mass. miserliness; fr: avarice; dt: Geiz,
animal) that is recovering; fr: moyen de guérir Geizigkeit.
(p. ex. médicine); chose (p. ex. animal) qui est a bɔ̃nəfɔ deverbal agent noun sg. miser, miserly;
en train de guérir; dt: Mittel zur Erholung (z.B. fr: avare; dt: Geizhals, geizig.
Medizin); Ding (z.B. Tier), das dabei ist, sich zu a bɔ̃nəfəba deverbal agent noun pl.
erholen. bɔ̃n- noun. goat; fr: chèvre; dt: Ziege.
a bɔʋsrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. a bɔ̃nɔ̃ŋ sg.
a bɔʋsrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive a bɔ̃nɛ pl.
sg. bɔ̃n- noun. grain storehouse; fr: grenier; dt:
a bɔʋsrəfa deverbal local noun. place for Getreidespeicher. [Note: Also, less frequently,
recovering (e.g. bed, hospital); fr: endroit pour a bʋ̃ndɛ.]
guérir (p. ex. lit, hôpital); dt: Ort zum Erholen a bɔ̃ndɛ sg.
(z.B. Bett, Krankenhaus). a bɔ̃na pl.
bɔʋsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → bɔʋs-. bɔ̃n- verb. harvest; fr: récolter; dt: ernten.
bɔʋsɛ past. → bɔʋs-. bɔ̃taa future.
bɔʋsraa future. → bɔʋs-. bɔ̃nnaa future.
bɔʋsrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → bɔʋs-. bɔ̃nɛ past.
bɔʋsrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. bɔ̃n perfective.
→ bɔʋs-. bɔ̃t(ʋ) imperfective.
bɔʋsrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → bɔʋs-. bɔ̃nn(ɔ̃) imperfective.
bɔʋsrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → bɔʋs-. a bɔ̃nam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
bɔʋsrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → bɔʋs-. harvest, harvest season; fr: récolte, saison de
bɔʋsr(ʋ) imperfective. → bɔʋs-. récolte; dt: Ernte, Erntezeit.
bɔʋs(ʋ) perfective. → bɔʋs-. a bɔ̃nnɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
bɔ̃- noun. hole, crevasse; fr: trou, abîme; dt: Loch, harvests; fr: q.un qui récolte; dt: jmd. der
Abgrund. [Note: This word typically refers to a erntet.
hole that is deeper than but not as wide as a a bɔ̃tɔ̃ [Note: There is no difference between the
tɔŋdɛ.] deverbal nouns with bɔ̃nn- and those with bɔ̃t-.
a bɔ̃ɔ̃ sg. Both types are in common usage.] deverbal
a bɔ̃fɩ pl. agent noun sg.
a di bɔ̃ɔ̃ N+N compound noun sg. hole for a bɔ̃nnəba deverbal agent noun pl.
seed(s); fr: creux; dt: Saatloch [Note: di a bɔ̃təba deverbal agent noun pl.
‘sow’, bɔ̃ɔ̃ ‘hole’] a bɔ̃nnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. tool for
a di bɔ̃fɩ N+N compound noun pl. harvesting; fr: outil pour récolter; dt:
bɔ̃- noun. furnace; fr: haut-fourneau; dt: Hochofen. Werkzeug zum ernten.
a bɔ̃ŋga [Note: =Mòoré] sg. a bɔ̃təgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg.
a bõõsi pl. a bɔ̃nnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
bɔ̃ɛ̃ noun. black grains used in making soumbala a bɔ̃təhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
(for sauce); midge, mosquito; German measles;

20 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

bɔ̃nam bolləgu
a bɔ̃nnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive bɔ̃təhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → bɔ̃n-.
sg. bɔ̃tɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → bɔ̃n-.
a bɔ̃təga deverbal instrument noun diminutive bɔ̃t(ʋ) imperfective. → bɔ̃n-.
sg. bo perfective. (=/bol/) → bol-.
a bɔ̃nnəfa deverbal local noun. place where one bol- noun.
harvests; fr: endroit où on récolte; dt: Stelle, a boləgʌ [Note: Not the same stem as a bollre
wo man erntet. (bol- vs. boll-).] diminutive sg. hole in a wall,
a bɔ̃təfa deverbal local noun. window (larger than a bollre); fr: trou de mur,
bɔ̃nam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → bɔ̃n-. fenêtre (plus grand que a bollre); dt: Loch in
bɔ̃nd- noun. einer Wand, Fenster (größer als a bollre).
a bɔ̃ndrɛ sg. a boləni diminutive pl.
a bɔ̃nda pl. bump (on the skin), pimple; fr: bouton a boləsuu pl.
(sur la peau); dt: Erhebung der Haut, Pickel. a dãŋ boləgʌ NP+N compound noun diminutive
bɔ̃ndɛ sg. → bɔ̃n-. sg. window; fr: fenêtre; dt: Fenster
bɔ̃ndrɛ sg. → bɔ̃nd-. a dãŋ boləsuu NP+N compound noun pl.
bɔ̃ndʋ quantifier. zero; simple; empty; fr: zéro ; bol- (=/bol/) verb. say, announce, order/command;
simple ; vide; dt: Null; einfach; leer. fr: dire, annoncer, ordonner; dt: sagen,
bɔ̃ndʋ quantifier. ansagen, befehlen.
ase ŋ kɔ̃ndɛ - bɔ̃ndʋ question sentence & bollʌʌ future.
answer A: What did you find? - B: Nothing; bole past.
fr: A: Qu’est-ce que tu as trouvé? - B: Rien; bo (=/bol/) perfective. [Note: The form *bol is
dt: A: Was hast du gefunden? - B: Nichts not used.]
[Note: The reply could also be kãŋ kãmã or bollu imperfective.
kãŋ kãã.] a bolʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a ỹɔ̃ bɔ̃ndʋ NP+Quantifier compound noun sg. a bollo deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who gives
ordinary earth, banco (e.g. for facing walls); away secrets, liar; fr: q.un qui dévoile des
fr: terre simple, banco (p. ex. pour crépir les secrets, menteur; dt: jmd. der Geheimnisse
murs); dt: einfache Erde, Banco (z.B. um verrät, Lügner.
Mauern zu verputzen) a bolləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
a bɔllɩ bɔ̃ndʋ NP+Quantifier compound noun sg. a bolləgu deverbal instrument noun sg.
empty squash-bottle; fr: gourde vide; dt: something that is said; fr: chose que q.un dit;
leere Kürbisflasche dt: etwas, was jemand sagt.
a bɔlaʋ bɔ̃ndʋ NP+Quantifier compound noun a bolləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
pl. [Note: This word either stands alone or a bolləgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
follows a noun that it qualifies.] sg.
bɔ̃nɛ past. → bɔ̃n-. a bolləfʌ deverbal local noun. place for saying
bɔ̃nɛ tɔɔ noun phrase. → tɔɔ. things; fr: endroit pour dire q.chose; dt: Platz,
bɔ̃nəfaa future. → bɔ̃n-. wo man etwas sagt. [Note: This word is used
bɔ̃nəfɩɩ deverbal abstract quality noun sg./mass. → for example for the place in the chief’s hangar
bɔ̃n-. where the chief speaks.]
bɔ̃nəfɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → bɔ̃n-. bolʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/bol/) →
bɔ̃nəf(ʋ) imperfective. → bɔ̃n-. bol-.
bɔ̃nnaa future. → bɔ̃n-. bole past. → bol-.
bɔ̃nnəba deverbal agent noun pl. → bɔ̃n-. boləgʌ diminutive sg. → bol-.
bɔ̃nnəfa deverbal local noun. → bɔ̃n-. boll- noun. small hole in a wall, small window; fr:
bɔ̃nnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. petit trou dans un mur, petite fenêtre; dt:
→ bɔ̃n-. kleines Loch in einer Mauer, kleines Fenster.
bɔ̃nnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → bɔ̃n-. [Note: synonymous with a hullre]
bɔ̃nnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → bɔ̃n-. a bollre sg.
bɔ̃nnɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → bɔ̃n-. a bollʌu pl.
bɔ̃nn(ɔ̃) imperfective. → bɔ̃n-. a bolləgʌ sg. also: small rear door; fr: aussi:
bɔ̃nɔ̃ deverbal abstract quality noun sg./mass. → petite porte en arrière; dt: auch: kleine
bɔ̃n-. Hintertür.
bɔ̃nɔ̃ŋ sg. → bɔ̃n-. bollʌʌ future. → bol-.
bɔ̃ŋga sg. → bɔ̃-. bollʌu pl. → boll-.
bɔ̃ɔ̃ sg. → bɔ̃-. bolləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. (=/bol/) → bol-.
bɔ̃taa future. → bɔ̃n-. bolləgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
bɔ̃təba deverbal agent noun pl. → bɔ̃n-. (=/bol/) → bol-.
bɔ̃təga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. → bolləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/bol/) →
bɔ̃n-. bol-.
bɔ̃təgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → bɔ̃n-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 21

bolləhẽ bʋgərəga
bolləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/bol/) → bool- noun. kind of medicine (to make s.o.
bol-. travelling far away come home); fr: espèce de
bollo deverbal agent noun sg. (=/bol/) → bol-. médicament (pour faire rentrer à la maison
bollre sg. → boll-. q.un qui est de voyage); dt: Art Medizin (um
bollu imperfective. (=/bol/) → bol-. einen Verreisten heimkehren zu lassen). [Note:
boləni diminutive pl. → bol-. =Mòoré]
bondu noun. porridge (of any kind); fr: bouillie (de a booli sg.
toute sorte); dt: Brei (jeder Art). a bɔɔla pl.
a bondu sg. booli sg. → bool-.
a bonʌu pl. borou noun.
boŋ imperfective. → boŋ-. a borou sg./mass. mud; fr: boue; dt: Schlamm.
boŋ- verb. love, like; fr: aimer; dt: lieben, gern a boroufi pl. muddy places; fr: endroits boueux;
haben. dt: schlammige Stellen.
boŋʌʌ future. bʋfãɛ̃ noun. leaves of a specific bush; fr: feuilles
boŋ imperfective. d’oseille; dt: Blätter eines spezifischen
a boŋoi deverbal action noun sg./mass. love, Strauchs. [Note: Probably bʋ < bɔ̃ɛ̃.]
desire; fr: amour, désir; dt: Liebe, Lust. a bʋfãɛ̃ pl./collective.
mə boŋʌʌ mə yaʋ zɩbɔʋ sentence I would like to a bʋfãɛfɛ singulative. single leaf of a specific
go to Djibo.; fr: J’aimerais aller à Djibo.; dt: bush; fr: feuille seule d’oseille; dt: einzelnes
Ich möchte gern nach Djibo fahren. Blatt eines spezifischen Strauchs.
a boŋo deverbal agent noun sg. lover, boyfriend, bʋg- noun. shoulder, armpit; fr: épaule, aisselle; dt:
girlfriend; fr: amant, petit(e)-ami(e), aimé(e); Schulter, Achsel.
dt: Liebhaber(in), Freund(in). a bʋkʋ sg.
a boŋbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. a bʋgəma pl.
boŋʌʌ future. → boŋ-. bʋg- verb. soothsay, see (as a clairvoyant); fr: voir
boŋo deverbal agent noun sg. → boŋ-. (de la manière d’un clairvoyant); dt:
boŋoi deverbal action noun sg./mass. → boŋ-. wahrsagen, sehen (wie ein Wahrsager). [Note:
boŋs- verb. love, like; fr: aimer; dt: lieben, mögen. This verb denotes the activity of women, whilst
boŋsrʌʌ future. a niilei is gender neutral.]
boŋse past. bʋgraa future.
boŋs(u) perfective. bʋgɛ past.
boŋsr(u) imperfective. bʋg(ʋ) perfective.
a boŋsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. bʋgər(ʋ) imperfective.
mə boŋsrʌʌ mə yaʋ zɩbɔʋ sentence I would like a bʋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
to go to Djibo.; fr: J’aimerais aller à Djibo.; a bʋgərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (woman)
dt: Ich möchte gern nach Djibo fahren. clairvoyant; fr: clairvoyante; dt: Wahrsagerin.
a boŋsəro deverbal agent noun sg. lover, a bʋgərəba deverbal agent noun pl.
boyfriend, girlfriend; fr: amant, petit(e)- a bʋgərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg.
ami(e), aimé(e); dt: Liebhaber(in), Freund(in). instrument for seeing / soothsaying; fr:
a boŋsərəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. instrument pour voir; dt: Instrument zum
a boŋsərəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. love sehen / wahrsagen.
potion, charm, etc.; fr: q.chose qui fait aimer; a bʋgərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
dt: Liebestrank, Liebesglücksbringer, etc. a bʋgərəga deverbal instrument noun dimin.
a boŋsərəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. a bʋgərəfa deverbal local noun. place where a
a boŋsərəgʌ deverbal instrument noun clairvoyant sees; place where a clairvoyant
diminutive sg. meeting takes place; fr: endroit où une
a boŋsərəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where clairvoyant voit ; endroit où une rencontre de
lovers meet; fr: endroit où se rencontrent les clairvoyance a lieu; dt: Platz, wo eine
amants; dt: Ort, wo sich Liebende treffen. Wahrsagerin sieht; Platz, wo ein
boŋsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → boŋs-. Wahrsagungstreffen stattfindet.
boŋse past. → boŋs-. bʋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → bʋg-.
boŋsrʌʌ future. → boŋs-. bʋgɛ past. → bʋg-.
boŋsərəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → boŋs-. bʋgl- noun. kind of small white worm, maggot; fr:
boŋsərəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive grelot; dt: Art kleiner weißer Wurm, Made.
sg. → boŋs-. [Note: = Mòoré]
boŋsərəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → boŋs-. a bʋgələfɛ singulative.
boŋsərəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → boŋs-. a bʋgəlɩɩ pl./collective.
boŋsəro deverbal agent noun sg. → boŋs-. bʋgələfɛ singulative. → bʋgl-.
boŋsr(u) imperfective. → boŋs-. bʋgraa future. → bʋg-.
boŋs(u) perfective. → boŋs-. bʋgərəba deverbal agent noun pl. → bʋg-.
bʋgərəga deverbal instrument noun dimin. → bʋg-.

22 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

bʋgərəgʋ bũnondu
bʋgərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → bʋg-. a bũno [Note: Related to the verb a bunoi ‘steal’,
bʋgərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → bʋg-. but not a regular agent noun derivation (which
bʋgərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → bʋg-. would give *a bunondo, pl. *a bunondəbʌ) nor a
bʋgər(ʋ) imperfective. → bʋg-. normal usage of the perfective stem as a
bʋg(ʋ) perfective. → bʋg-. participle (which would require a head noun
bʋkʋ sg. → bʋg-. and would preclude the plural form
bʋrəkɩmba pl. → bʋrkɩn-. /bũnombʌ/).] sg.
bʋrkɩn- noun. person with dignity, freed slave; fr: a bũnombʌ pl.
personne de dignité, esclave libéré; dt: bũnl- (=/bũn-Ṿl-/) verb. steal; fr: voler; dt:
würdevoller Mensch, befreiter Sklave. [Note: = stehlen. [Phon: Possibly /bũd-Ṿl/ since the
Mòoré] nasal stem vowel would obligatorily nasalise
a bʋrəkɩndɩ sg. /d/ to [n].]
a bʋrəkɩna pl. bũnondʌʌ (=/bũn-Ṿl-d-aa/) future.
a bʋrəkɩmba pl. bũnne (=/bũn-Ṿl-ɛ/) past.
a bʋrəkɩndəm sg. dignity; fr: dignité; dt: bũno (=/bũn-Ṿl/) perfective.
Würde. bũnond / bũnondu (=/bũn-Ṿl-d/) imperfective.
bʋrəkɩna pl. → bʋrkɩn-. a bũnnʌm (=/bũn-Ṿl-am/) deverbal action noun
bʋrəkɩndɩ sg. → bʋrkɩn-. sg./mass. [Note: Rare; normally a bunoi is
bʋʋrɩ noun. [Note: = Mòoré. Probably from French used]
“bruit”.] a bũnoi (=/bũn-Ṿɩ/) deverbal action noun
a bʋʋrɩ sg. noise; fr: bruit; dt: Lärm. sg./mass. also: theft; fr: aussi: vol; dt: auch:
a bʋʋya pl. Diebstahl.
bu pl. (=/b-ʋ/) → b-. a bũnondo (=/bũn-Ṿl-d-ɔ/) deverbal agent noun
budo noun. forward roll (in gymnastics); fr: roulade sg. s.o. who steals, thief; fr: q.un qui vole,
(de gymnastique); dt: Purzelbaum (beim voleur; dt: jmd. der stiehlt, Dieb.
Turnen). [Phon: The intervocalic [d] indicates a bũnondəbʌ (=/bũn-Ṿl-d-ba/) deverbal agent
that this is not a Koromfe word.] noun pl.
a budo sg. a bũnondəgu (=/bũn-Ṿl-d-gʋ/) deverbal
bug- (=/bug/) noun. (large) rat; fr: (gros) rat; dt: instrument noun sg. tool for stealing (e.g.
(große) Ratte. crowbar); thing that is stolen; fr: outil pour
bugre (=/bug-dɛ/) n.sg. voler (p. ex. pince monseigneur); objet volé; dt:
bugʌ (=/bug-a/) n.pl. (large) rat; fr: rat (gros); Werkzeug zum stehlen (z.B. Brecheisen); das,
dt: (große) Ratte. was gestohlen wird.
bugre n.sg. (=/bug-dɛ/) → bug-. a bũnondəhẽ (=/bũn-Ṿl-d-hĩ/) deverbal
bul- noun. pond; fr: mare; dt: Teich. [Note: This instrument noun pl.
word is found as the last part of many place a bũnondəgʌ (=/bũn-Ṿl-d-ga/) deverbal
names, e.g. Baraboulé, Gargaboulé.] instrument noun diminutive sg.
a bulle sg. a bũnondəfʌ (=/bũn-Ṿl-d-fa/) deverbal local
a bulʌ pl. noun. place where sth. is stolen; fr: endroit où
bulle sg. → bul-. q.chose est volé; dt: Ort, wo etwas gestohlen
bullo- noun. kind of snake; fr: espèce de serpent; dt: wird.
Art Schlange. bũnnʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/bũn-Ṿl-
a bulloŋ sg. am/) → bũnl-.
a bulloi pl. bũnne past. (=/bũn-Ṿl-ɛ/) → bũnl-.
bulloŋ sg. → bullo-. bũno sg. → bũn-.
bus- noun. small storage hut for women (e.g. for bũno perfective. (=/bũn-Ṿl/) → bũnl-.
peanuts); fr: petit grenier des femmes (p. ex. bũnoi deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/bũn-Ṿɩ/)
pour les arachides); dt: kleiner Speicher für → bũnl-.
Frauen (z.B. für Erdnüsse). bũnond imperfective. (=/bũn-Ṿl-d/) → bũnl-.
a busgʌ sg. bũnondʌʌ future. (=/bũn-Ṿl-d-aa/) → bũnl-.
a busni pl. bũnondəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. (=/bũn-Ṿl-d-
busgʌ sg. → bus-. ba/) → bũnl-.
butel noun. bottle; fr: bouteille; dt: Flasche. bũnondəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
a butel sg. sg. (=/bũn-Ṿl-d-ga/) → bũnl-.
a butelfi pl. bũnondəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/bũn-
buuri noun. bread, loaf of bread; fr: pain; dt: Brot, Ṿl-d-gʋ/) → bũnl-.
Brotlaib. [Note: = Mòoré] bũnondəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/bũn-
a buuri sg. Ṿl-d-hĩ/) → bũnl-.
a buurəfi pl. bũnondo deverbal agent noun sg. (=/bũn-Ṿl-d-ɔ/)
bũn- noun. thief; fr: voleur; dt: Dieb. → bũnl-.
bũnondu imperfective. (=/bũn-Ṿl-d/) → bũnl-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 23

d da-

D - d

d pron.3sg.hum. (=/d/) → d-. kind of “emphasis”, but this can be so

d pron.3sg.hum. (=/d/) → d-. minimal that in practice the disjunctive form
d- (=/d/) pronoun. he, she; his her; fr: il, elle; can always be used in place of a clitic
son/sa/ses; dt: er, sie (3.sg.); sein, ihr (3.sg.). pronoun. It never undergoes any
d / də (=/d/) pron.3sg.hum. [Note: This form is phonological reduction or expansion. It can
prefixed to either a verb or a noun phrase; it stand in the normal (preverbal) subject or
cannot stand alone (e.g. as the elliptical (postverbal) object positions, and can also
answer to a question). On a verb, it is the be used as the elliptical answer to a
subject pronoun, on a noun phrase it is the question. As with all disjunctive pronouns, it
“possessor”. The vowel (ə) is epenthetic and is formed with the proclitic prefix version of
therefore, at least in theory, optional. But the pronoun and the invariant stem-like
conspiratorially all verbs and most nouns in element kɔ. Here the pronoun is in phrase-
Koromfe begin with a consonant (which final position, and so the final vowel ɛ
triggers epenthesis). The handful of words appears. Here the pronoun is in non-phrase-
apparently beginning with a have a distinct final position, and schwa appears because
glottal stop (i.e. consonant) when preceded by the consonant g follows. In this sentence
d(ə), e.g. də ʔallɔ.] the article a is elided after the vowel ɔ. This
d / dɩ (=/d/) pron.3sg.hum. him, her; fr: le, la; is a regular property of the article, and has
dt: ihn, ihm, sie, ihr (3.sg.). nothing to do with the pronoun.]
hãŋsə dɩ imperative sentence Help him!; fr: daa (=/d+aa/) negative proclitic (subject)
Aide-le!; dt: Hilf ihm! [Note: Here the personal pronoun 3rd person sg. human.
pronoun is in phrase-final position, and so (s)he...not; fr: il/elle ne...pas; dt: er/sie...nicht.
the final vowel ɩ appears.] daa kɔ̃ndɛ kãŋkãã sentence He hasn’t found
hãŋsə də sãŋkoŋ imperative sentence Help him anything.; fr: Il n’a rien trouvé..; dt: Er hat
right now!; fr: Aide-le immédiatement!; dt: nichts gefunden. [Note: This pronoun is
Hilf ihm sofort! equivalent to the proclitic subject pronoun
pa d a hem imperative sentence Give her some d(ə) combined with the negative particle ba.
water!; fr: Donne-lui de l’eau!; dt: Gib ihr The origin of this old negation particle aa.
Wasser! [Note: This pronoun follows the As with the negative particle ba, negative
verb, and is its (direct or indirect) object. pronouns cause shortening of the final
The final ɩ is “epenthetic”, i.e. it occurs only vowel of the future tense/aspect.]
phrase-finally. Here the pronoun is in non- də pron.3sg.hum. (=/d/) → d-.
phrase-final position, and schwa appears -d (=/d/) aspect. imperfective; fr: inaccompli; dt:
because the consonant g follows. Here the Imperfektiv.
pronoun is in non-phrase-final position and da past. → da-.
a vowel follows, so no vowel is realized at da perfective. → da-.
the end of the pronoun itself.] da- verb. gain, win, regain, receive, (past) have,
dəkɔ pron.3sg.hum. he, she, him, her; his, her, (auxiliary) succeed in, (reflexive) save oneself;
hers; fr: il, elle, le, la, son/sa/ses, le/la/les fr: gagner, regagner, recevoir, (passé) avoir,
sien(ne)(s); dt: er, sie (3.sg.), ihn, ihm, ihr (auxiliaire) réussir à, (réflexif) se sauver; dt:
(3.sg.); sein(,-er,-e,-es), ihr(,-er,-e,-es) (3.sg.). gewinnen, wiedergewinnen erhalten, (reflexiv)
hãŋsə dəkɔ imperative sentence Help him!; fr: sich retten (Vergangenheit) haben, (Auxiliar)
Aide-le!; dt: Hilf ihm! es schaffen.
hãŋsə dəkɔ sãŋkoŋ imperative sentence Help daraa future.
him right now!; fr: Aide-le immédiatement!; da past.
dt: Hilf ihm sofort! da perfective. [Note: Also used as a preverbal
pa dəkɔ (a) hem imperative sentence Give her particle meaning ‘already’ without repetition of
some water!; fr: Donne-lui de l’eau!; dt: Gib the subject pronoun]
ihr Wasser! darɩ imperfective.
a dãŋ koŋ dəkɔ la sentence That house is his.; də da də leb a dãŋ sentence He succeeded in
fr: Cette maison-là est la sienne.; dt: Das building a house.; fr: Il a réussi à bâtir une
Haus dort ist seines. maison.; dt: Es ist ihm gelungen, ein Haus zu
ala la (a) dãŋ koŋ - dəkɔ question sentence & bauen.
answer A: Whose house is that? - B: His; fr: ba da ba gɩllɛ sentence They saved
A: Cette maison est à qui? - B: A lui.; dt: A: themselves.; fr: Ils se sont sauvés.; dt: Sie
Wessen Haus ist das? - B: Seines. [Note: haben sich gerettet.
This form of the pronoun indicates some
24 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at
da kurʌ dagəsərəhɛ̃
a daam deverbal action noun sg./mass. also: dagal / dagalɩ (=/dag-Ṿl-d/) imperfective.
profit, gain; fr: aussi: profit, gain; dt: auch: dagəf / dagəfʋ (=/dag-Ṿl-f/) imperfective.
Profit, Gewinn. a dagəlam (=/dag-Ṿl-am/) deverbal action noun
a darɔ deverbal agent noun sg. winner, victor; fr: sg./mass.
gagnant, vainqueur; dt: Gewinner, Sieger. a dagalɔ (=/dag-Ṿl-d-ɔ/) deverbal agent noun
a darəba deverbal agent noun pl. sg. s.o. who waits (for sth. / s.o.); fr: q.un qui
a darəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. sth. that attend (q.chose / q.un); dt: jmd. der (auf jmdn.
is gained; means of gaining sth.; fr: ce qu’on / etwas) wartet.
gagne; moyen de gagner q.chose; dt: etwas, a dagaləba (=/dag-Ṿl-d-ba/) deverbal agent
was gewonnen wird; Methode, um etwas zu noun pl.
gewinnen. a dagaləgʋ (=/dag-Ṿl-d-gʋ/) deverbal
a darəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. instrument noun sg. object for waiting; bus
a darəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive shelter, waiting room; fr: objet pour attendre;
sg. abri, salle d’attente; dt: Gegenstand zum
a darəfa deverbal local noun. place where one warten; Wartehäuschen, Wartesaal.
wins; fr: endroit où on gagne; dt: Platz, wo man a dagaləhɛ̃ (=/dag-Ṿl-d-hɩ̃/) deverbal
gewinnt. instrument noun pl.
da kurʌ N+N compound noun pl. → kut-. a dagaləga (=/dag-Ṿl-d-ga/) deverbal
da kutʌu N+N compound noun pl. → kut-. instrument noun diminutive sg.
da kutgʌ N+N compound noun diminutive sg. → a dagaləfa (=/dag-Ṿl-d-fa/) deverbal local noun.
kut-. place for waiting; bus shelter, waiting room; fr:
da kutre N+N compound noun sg. → kut-. endroit pour attendre; abri, salle d’attente; dt:
daa- noun. market, marketplace; fr: marché; dt: Platz zum warten; Wartehäuschen, Wartesaal.
Markt, Marktplatz. [Note: = Mòoré. There is no dagəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/dag-Ṿl-
non-Mòoré word which directly expresses the am/) → dagl-.
notion ‘market’, but in Koromfe one can say a dagəlɛ past. (=/dag-Ṿl-ɛ/) → dagl-.
beledəfʌ or a beledəfʌ tike ‘place for selling’.] dags- verb. add, increase, grow, join; fr: ajouter,
a daaga sg. augmenter, croître, joindre; dt: hinzufügen,
a daasʋʋ pl. vermehren, wachsen, dazugesellen. [Note: This
daaga sg. → daa-. is the causative of a daam ‘win’.]
daam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → da-. dagəsəraa future.
dabɛɛ- noun. camp, village, quarter; fr: camp, dagəsɛ past.
village, quartier; dt: Lager, Dorf, Bezirk. [Note: dagəs(ɩ) perfective.
= Fulfulde] dagəsər(ɩ) imperfective.
a dabɛɛrɛ sg. a dagəsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a dabɛɛya pl. a dagəsərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
dabɛɛrɛ sg. → dabɛɛ-. adds; someone who joins (a group of people);
daga perfective. (=/dag-Ṿl/) → dagl-. fr: q.un qui ajoute; q.un qui s’ajoute (à un
dagal imperfective. (=/dag-Ṿl-d/) → dagl-. groupe de gens); dt: jmd. der hinzufügt; jmd.
dagalaa future. (=/dag-Ṿl-d-aa/) → dagl-. der sich (einer Menschengruppe) anschließt.
dagaləba deverbal agent noun pl. (=/dag-Ṿl-d-ba/) a dagəsərəba deverbal agent noun pl.
→ dagl-. a dagəsərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg.
dagaləga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. object for adding; fr: objet pour ajouter; dt:
(=/dag-Ṿl-d-ga/) → dagl-. Gegenstand zum Hinzufügen.
dagaləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/dag-Ṿl- a dagəsərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
d-gʋ/) → dagl-. a dagəsərəga deverbal instrument noun
dagaləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/dag-Ṿl- diminutive sg.
d-hɩ̃/) → dagl-. a dagəsərəfa deverbal local noun. place for
dagalɩ imperfective. (=/dag-Ṿl-d/) → dagl-. adding; fr: endroit pour ajouter; dt: Platz zum
dagalɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/dag-Ṿl-d-ɔ/) → hinzufügen.
dagl-. dagəsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dags-.
dagəf imperfective. (=/dag-Ṿl-f/) → dagl-. dagəsɛ past. → dags-.
dagəfaa future. (=/dag-Ṿl-f-aa/) → dagl-. dagəs(ɩ) perfective. → dags-.
dagəfʋ imperfective. (=/dag-Ṿl-f/) → dagl-. dagəsəraa future. → dags-.
dagl- (=/dag-Ṿl-/) verb. wait (for); protect; fr: dagəsərəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dags-.
attendre (tr. et intransitif); protéger; dt: dagəsərəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
warten (auf); schützen. sg. → dags-.
dagalaa (=/dag-Ṿl-d-aa/) future. dagəsərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. →
dagəfaa (=/dag-Ṿl-f-aa/) future. dags-.
dagəlɛ (=/dag-Ṿl-ɛ/) past. dagəsərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. →
daga (=/dag-Ṿl/) perfective. dags-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 25

dagəsər(ɩ) dãɩ̃nɛ
dagəsər(ɩ) imperfective. → dags-. ‘house’ or dãŋa ‘small house’. In either case,
dagəsərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dags-. the formation with n rather than ŋ is
dar- noun. chest; fr: poitrine; dt: Brust(korb). unusual and the second [a] unexpected.]
a datɛ sg. a dãna-kɔ̃naʋ N+N compound noun pl.
a dara pl. a dãna-kɔ̃na N+N compound noun pl.
daraa future. → da-. a ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ dãŋ NP+N compound noun sg.
darəba deverbal agent noun pl. → da-. (rectangular) mud house; fr: case
darg- verb. push; fr: pousser, bousculer; dt: stoßen. (rectangulaire) en banco; dt: (rechteckiges)
darəgraa future. Lehmhaus [Note: The property ‘rectangular’
darəgɛ past. is the normal case. If a mud house is round,
darəg(ɩ) perfective. the roundness is usually mentioned
darəgr(ɩ) imperfective. explicitly (see the example below with
a darəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. gĩndre).]
a darəgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who a ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ dãɩ̃ NP+N compound noun pl.
pushes; fr: q.un qui pousse; dt: jmd. der stößt. a ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ dãŋ gĩndre NP+N compound noun sg.
a darəgrəba deverbal agent noun pl. round mud house; fr: case ronde en banco;
a darəgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object dt: rundes Lehmhaus
for pushing; fr: objet pour pousser; dt: a ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ dãɩ̃ gĩndo NP+N compound noun pl.
Gegenstand zum Stoßen. a nɛbə-dãŋ N+N compound noun sg. small field
a darəgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. of chickpeas; fr: petit champs de pois de
a darəgrəga deverbal instrument noun terre; dt: kleines Kichererbsenfeld
diminutive sg. a nɛbə-dãɩ̃ N+N compound noun pl.
a darəgrəfa deverbal local noun. place for a pɛ̃n-dãŋ N+N compound noun sg. mosquito
pushing; fr: endroit pour pousser; dt: Platz zum net; fr: moustiquaire; dt: Moskitonetz
Stoßen. a pɛ̃n-dãɩ̃
darəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. → dããnɛ adverb. at home, home; fr: à la maison; dt: zu
da-. Hause, nach Hause. [Note: Clearly, but not
darəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → darg-. regularly related to a dãŋ ‘house’.]
darəgɛ past. → darg-. dããnɛ local adverb.
darəg(ɩ) perfective. → darg-. dããnɛ dɔʋ adverb+N compound noun sg.
darəgraa future. → darg-. domestic animal; fr: animal domestique; dt:
darəgrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → darg-. Haustier
darəgrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive dããnɛ dɔɔfɩ adverb+N compound noun pl.
sg. → darg-. [Note: As the first member of a compound,
darəgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → darg-. this adverb cannot take the article a.]
darəgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → darg-. dãɩ̃ pl. → dã-.
darəgr(ɩ) imperfective. → darg-. dãɩ̃- (=/da; dã-ɩ/) noun. wood, piece of wood, stick;
darəgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → darg-. fr: bois, morceau de bois, bâton; dt: Holz,
darəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → da-. Holzstück, Stock. [Note: As the first part of
darəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → da-. N+N compounds, this word stem is reduced to
darɩ imperfective. → da-. da, as in the examples below. See also other
darɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → da-. compounds of this word listed under da-.]
darpo noun. flag; fr: drapeau; dt: Fahne. a dãɩ̃nɛ sg.
a darəpo sg. a dãỹã pl.
a darəpofi pl. a dãɩ̃ŋa diminutive sg. small piece of wood, small
darəpo sg. → darpo. stick; fr: petit morceau de bois, petit bâton; dt:
datɛ sg. → dar-. kleines Holzstück, kleiner Stock.
dã- noun. house, hut, room, home, married life; a da-bɛtɛ N+N compound noun sg. kind of
small field (e.g. for chickpeas, peanuts, etc.); lizard; fr: margouillat; dt: Art Eidechse
fr: maison, case, cabane, chambre, foyer, vie a da-bɛra N+N compound noun pl.
conjugale ; petit champ (p. ex. pour les pois de a da-yɩbrɛ N+N compound noun sg. forked
terre, les arachides, etc.); dt: Haus, Hütte, branch (used for the vertical supporting
Zimmer, Haushalt, Eheleben; kleines Feld (z.B. posts of hangars or as traditional
für Kichererbsen, Erdnüsse, etc.). doorposts); fr: bois fourchu (pour les
a dãŋ sg. hangars ou les portes traditionnelles); dt:
a dãɩ̃ pl. verzweigter Ast (der einen Hangar oder eine
a dãŋa diminutive sg. small house etc.; fr: petite traditionelle Tür stützt) [Note: This type of
maison etc.; dt: kleines Haus etc. forked branch is much heavier than a gete.]
a dãna-kɔ̃nnɛ N+N compound noun sg. a da-yɩba N+N compound noun pl.
household mouse; fr: souris domestique; dt: dãɩ̃nɛ sg. → dãɩ̃-.
Hausmaus [Note: Either dãna < a dãŋ

26 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

dãmmɛ dɛb-
dãmmɛ noun. sauce (which accompanies millet dãŋkala noun. white potato; fr: patate blanche; dt:
porridge etc.); fr: sauce (qui accompagne le tô weiße Kartoffel.
etc.); dt: Sauce (zum Hirsebrei etc). a dãŋkaləfɛ singulative.
a dãmmɛ sg./mass. a dãŋkala collective.
a dãmməfɩ pl. a dãŋkalafɩ pl.
a dãmmə bi N+N compound noun sg. ingredient dãŋkaləfɛ singulative. → dãŋkala.
of sauce; fr: ingrédient de la sauce; dt: dãŋn- noun. kind of bush (with edible leaves); fr:
Zutat der Sauce espèce d’arbuste (à feuilles mangeables); dt:
a dãmmə bu N+N compound noun pl. [Note: Art Strauch (mit essbaren Blättern).
Typically, a dãmmə bi refers typically, a dãŋnəfɛ singulative.
though not exclusively to tomatoes.] a dãŋənãʋ̃ pl./mass.
dãn perfective. → dãn-. dãŋnəfɛ singulative. → dãŋn-.
dãn- verb. lick; fr: lécher, laper; dt: lecken, dãtaa future. → dãn-.
schlecken. dãtəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dãn-.
dãnnaa future. dãtəfa deverbal local noun. → dãn-.
dãtaa future. dãtəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. →
dãnɛ past. dãn-.
dãn perfective. dãtəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dãn-.
dãnn(ɛ̃) imperfective. dãtəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dãn-.
dãt(ɩ) imperfective. dãt(ɩ) imperfective. → dãn-.
a dãnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. dãtɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dãn-.
a dãnnɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who licks; dãỹã pl. → dãɩ̃-.
fr: q.un qui lèche; dt: jmd. der leckt. dɛ past. (=/dɩ-ɛ/) → dɩ-.
a dãtɔ deverbal agent noun sg. dɛ- irregular verb. sleep, go to sleep; fr: dormir,
a dãnnəba deverbal agent noun pl. s’endormir ; sommeil; dt: schlafen, einschlafen;
a dãtəba deverbal agent noun pl. Schlaf.
a dãnnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object dɛyaa future. [Note: The expected regular form *
for licking (e.g. tongue; ice-cream); fr: objet dɛraa does not exist.]
pour lécher (p. ex. la langue; la glace); dt: dɛrɛ past. [Note: The expected regular form * dɛ
Gegenstand zum lecken (z.B. Zunge; Eis). does not exist for this verb; there is a form dɛ
a dãtəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. which is the past tense of the verb dɩ- ‘eat’.]
a dãnnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. — perfective.
a dãtəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. dɛr(ɩ) imperfective.
a dãnnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive a dɛm deverbal action noun sg./mass. also:
sg. sleep; fr: aussi: sommeil; dt: auch: Schlaf.
a dãtəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive [Note: This form is unexpectedly short; other
sg. verbs with a CV stem have a long vowel in this
a dãnnəfa deverbal local noun. place for licking; form, e.g. a daam.]
fr: endroit pour lécher; dt: Platz zum lecken. a dɛmfɩ deverbal action noun pl.
a dãtəfa deverbal local noun. dɛya participial adjective.
a dãnəmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. things that a fo dɛya NP+participle compound noun sg.
one licks; fr: choses qu’on lèche; dt: Dinge, die sleeping person; fr: personne dormante; dt:
man leckt. schlafender Mensch [Note: The form dɛja is
dãnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dãn-. the shortened form of the future used as a
dãnɛ past. → dãn-. participial adjective. The perfective form is
dãnnaa future. → dãn-. not used as the participial adjective of this
dãnnəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dãn-. verb.]
dãnn(ɛ̃) imperfective. → dãn-. a nɔ̃ŋa koŋ dɛya sentence The butter is stiff.
dãnnəfa deverbal local noun. → dãn-. (lit: sleeping); fr: Le beurre est solide. (lit.:
dãnnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. dort); dt: Die Butter ist steif. (wörtl.:
→ dãn-. schläft)
dãnnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dãn-. -dɛ (=/dɛ/) noun class singular. singular; fr:
dãnnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dãn-. singulier; dt: Singular. [Note: This noun class
dãnnɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → dãn-. corresponds to Bantu class 5.]
dãŋ sg. → dã-. -dɛ ncl.sg.
dãŋg- (=/dãŋg/) verb. stir (porridge); fr: remuer (le -de ncl.sg.
tô); dt: (Brei) umrühren. dɛb- verb. follow; fr: suivre; dt: folgen. [Note:
dãŋgraa (=/dãŋg-d-aa/) future. Cannot be used with jɩka-nɛ to mean ‘take the
dãŋgɛ (=/dãŋg-ɛ/) lead’ as a jomʌm can.]
dãŋgraa future. (=/dãŋg-d-aa/) → dãŋg-. dɛfaa future.
dɛbraa future.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 27

dɛbam
dɛbɛ past. which the verb a dɛgəlam is derived (though
dɛb(ʋ) perfective. such derivations are rare), and it is used as the
dɛf(ʋ) imperfective. action noun of that verb.]
dɛbr(ʋ) imperfective. a dɛgrɛ sg.
a dɛbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a dɛgɩa pl.
a dɛfɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who follows; dɛgɛ perfective. (=/dɛg-Ṿl/) → dɛgl-.
fr: q.un qui suit; dt: jmd. der folgt. dɛgɛl imperfective. (=/dɛg-Ṿl-d/) → dɛgl-.
a dɛbrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. dɛgɛlaa future. (=/dɛg-Ṿl-d-aa/) → dɛgl-.
a dɛfəba deverbal agent noun pl. dɛgɛləba deverbal agent noun pl. (=/dɛg-Ṿl-d-ba/)
a dɛbrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɛgl-.
a dɛfəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. sth. (e.g. dɛgɛləga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
an animal) that follows; fr: q.chose (p. ex. un (=/dɛg-Ṿl-d-ga/) → dɛgl-.
animal) qui suit; dt: etwas (z.B. ein Tier), was dɛgɛləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/dɛg-Ṿl-d-
folgt. gʋ/) → dɛgl-.
a dɛbrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. dɛgɛləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/dɛg-Ṿl-d-
a dɛfəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. hɩ̃/) → dɛgl-.
a dɛbrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. dɛgɛlɩ imperfective. (=/dɛg-Ṿl-d/) → dɛgl-.
a dɛfəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive dɛgɛlɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/dɛg-Ṿl-d-ɔ/) →
sg. dɛgl-.
a dɛbrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive dɛgəf imperfective. (=/dɛg-Ṿl-f/) → dɛgl-.
sg. dɛgəfaa future. (=/dɛg-Ṿl-f-aa/) → dɛgl-.
a dɛfəfa deverbal local noun. place for dɛgfəba deverbal agent noun pl. (=/dɛg-Ṿl-f-ba/)
following; fr: endroit pour suivre; dt: Platz zum → dɛgl-.
folgen. dɛgfəfa deverbal local noun. (=/dɛg-Ṿl-f-fa/) →
a dɛbrəfa deverbal local noun. dɛgl-.
a dɛbmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. things that dɛgfəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
one has followed (e.g. animals); fr: choses (=/dɛg-Ṿl-f-ga/) → dɛgl-.
qu’on a suivie (p. ex. des animaux); dt: Dinge, dɛgfəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/dɛg-Ṿl-f-
denen man gefolgt ist (z.B. Tiere). gʋ/) → dɛgl-.
dɛbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɛb-. dɛgfəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/dɛg-Ṿl-f-
dɛbɛ noun. mat made from leaves of the Borassus; hɩ̃/) → dɛgl-.
fr: natte de feuilles du rônier; dt: Matte aus dɛgfɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/dɛg-Ṿl-f-ɔ/) →
Borassusblättern. [Note: Similar to Mòoré] dɛgl-.
a dɛbɛ sg. dɛgəfʋ imperfective. (=/dɛg-Ṿl-f/) → dɛgl-.
a dɛbɛfɩ pl. dɛgl- (=/dɛg-Ṿl-/) verb. carry; accuse, libel; fr:
dɛbɛ past. → dɛb-. porter, charger ; accuser, calomnier; dt:
dɛbraa future. → dɛb-. tragen; beschuldigen, verleumden. [Note:
dɛbrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɛb-. Probably derived from a dɛgrɛ ‘load’.]
dɛbrəfa deverbal local noun. → dɛb-. dɛgəfaa (=/dɛg-Ṿl-f-aa/) future.
dɛbrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. dɛgɛlaa (=/dɛg-Ṿl-d-aa/) future.
→ dɛb-. dɛgəlɛ (=/dɛg-Ṿl-ɛ/) past.
dɛbrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dɛb-. dɛgɛ (=/dɛg-Ṿl/) perfective.
dɛbrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dɛb-. dɛgɛl / dɛgɛlɩ (=/dɛg-Ṿl-d/) imperfective.
dɛbrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɛb-. dɛgəf / dɛgəfʋ (=/dɛg-Ṿl-f/) imperfective.
dɛbr(ʋ) imperfective. → dɛb-. a dɛgəlam (=/dɛg-Ṿl-am/) deverbal action noun
dɛb(ʋ) perfective. → dɛb-. sg./mass.
dɛɛm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/dɩ-am/) → a dɛgrɛ (=/dɛg-dɛ/) deverbal action noun
dɩ-. sg./mass. [Note: This word is used as the
dɛfaa future. → dɛb-. action noun / infinitive of this verb, even
dɛfəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɛb-. though it lacks the -Vl suffix which the verb
dɛfəfa deverbal local noun. → dɛb-. carries.]
dɛfəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. → a dɛgfɔ (=/dɛg-Ṿl-f-ɔ/) deverbal agent noun sg.
dɛb-. carrier; accuser; fr: porteur ; accusateur; dt:
dɛfəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dɛb-. Träger; Beschuldigender.
dɛfəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dɛb-. a dɛgɛlɔ (=/dɛg-Ṿl-d-ɔ/) [Note: Less frequently
dɛfɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɛb-. used than a dɛgfɔ.] deverbal agent noun sg.
dɛf(ʋ) imperfective. → dɛb-. a dɛgfəba (=/dɛg-Ṿl-f-ba/) deverbal agent
dɛg- noun. load, luggage; accusation, libel; fr: noun pl.
charge, bagages ; accusation, calomnie; dt: a dɛgɛləba (=/dɛg-Ṿl-d-ba/) deverbal agent
Last, Gepäck; Beschuldigung, Verleumdung. noun pl. [Note: Less frequently used than a
[Note: This noun is probably the base from dɛgfəba.]

28 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

dɛgəlam dɛ̃ɛ̃
a dɛgəmãʋ (=/dɛg-mãʋ/) pl./mass. load; fr: dɛɩs- verb. master, dominate, conquer; (auxiliary)
charge; dt: Last. [Note: This form has no -Vl be able to, succeed in; fr: maîtriser, dominer,
suffixoid.] vaincre ; (auxiliaire) pouvoir, réussir; dt:
a dɛgfəgʋ (=/dɛg-Ṿl-f-gʋ/) deverbal instrument meistern, beherrschen, besiegen; (Auxiliar)
noun sg. tool for transporting (e.g. trolley, können, gelingen.
lorry); fr: outil pour transporter (p. ex. caddie, dɛɩsraa future.
camion); dt: Werkzeug zum transportieren dɛɩsɛ past.
(z.B. wagen, Lastwagen). dɛɩs(ɩ) perfective.
a dɛgɛləgʋ (=/dɛg-Ṿl-d-gʋ/) deverbal dɛɩsr(ɩ) imperfective.
instrument noun sg. [Note: Less frequently a dɛɩsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
used than a dɛgfəgʋ.] a dɛɩsrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
a dɛgfəhɛ̃ (=/dɛg-Ṿl-f-hɩ̃/) deverbal instrument masters etc.; fr: q.un qui maîtrise etc.; dt: jmd.
noun pl. der meistert usw.
a dɛgɛləhɛ̃ (=/dɛg-Ṿl-d-hɩ̃/) deverbal instrument a dɛɩsrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
noun pl. [Note: Less frequently used than a a dɛɩsrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object
dɛgfəhɛ̃.] for mastering etc.; fr: objet pour maîtriser etc.;
a dɛgfəga (=/dɛg-Ṿl-f-ga/) deverbal instrument dt: Gegenstand zum Meistern usw.
noun diminutive sg. a dɛɩsrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
a dɛgɛləga (=/dɛg-Ṿl-d-ga/) deverbal a dɛɩsrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
instrument noun diminutive sg. sg.
a dɛgfəfa (=/dɛg-Ṿl-f-fa/) deverbal local noun. a dɛɩsrəfa deverbal local noun. place for
place for accusing s.o.; fr: endroit pour accuser mastering etc.; fr: endroit pour maîtriser etc.;
q.un; dt: Platz um jmdn. zu beschuldigen. dt: Platz zum Meistern etc.
[Note: a dɛgfəfa is preferentially used with the dɛɩsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɛɩs-.
reading ‘accuse’ and a dɛgɛləfa with the dɛɩsɛ past. → dɛɩs-.
reading ‘carry’.] dɛɩs(ɩ) perfective. → dɛɩs-.
a dɛgɛləfa (=/dɛg-Ṿl-d-fa/) deverbal local noun. dɛɩsraa future. → dɛɩs-.
place for carrying sth.; fr: endroit pour porter dɛɩsrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɛɩs-.
q.chose; dt: Platz um etwas zu tragen. dɛɩsrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
dɛgəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/dɛg-Ṿl- → dɛɩs-.
am/) → dɛgl-. dɛɩsrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dɛɩs-.
dɛgəlɛ past. (=/dɛg-Ṿl-ɛ/) → dɛgl-. dɛɩsrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dɛɩs-.
dɛgəmãʋ pl./mass. (=/dɛg-mãʋ/) → dɛgl-. dɛɩsr(ɩ) imperfective. → dɛɩs-.
dɛgrɛ sg. → dɛg-. dɛɩsrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɛɩs-.
dɛgrɛ deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/dɛg-dɛ/) dɛm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɛ-.
→ dɛgl-. dɛmfɩ deverbal action noun pl. → dɛ-.
dɛɩ perfective. → dɛɩ-. dɛr- noun. mountain; fr:
dɛɩ- defective verb. master, dominate, conquer; montagne; dt: Berg.
(auxiliary) be able to, succeed in; fr: maîtriser, a dɛrəga sg.
dominer, vaincre ; (auxiliaire) pouvoir, réussir; a dɛrɩɩ pl.
dt: meistern, beherrschen, besiegen; (Auxiliar) a dɛr sɔka N+N compound noun diminutive sg.
können, gelingen. boundary mound; fr: colline de frontière; dt:
dɛɩlaa future. Grenzhügel [Note: These mounds were built
dɛyaa future. by the Koromba along the boundary of their
dɛɩ perfective. settlement area. They contain artefacts but
a dɛɩlɛɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. also: no human remains.]
ability, capability, power; fr: aussi: pouvoir, a dɛr sɔgənɩ N+N compound noun diminutive
capacité; dt: auch: Können, Fähigkeit, Macht. pl.
a dɛɩlɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who dɛr sɔka N+N compound noun diminutive sg. →
masters / dominates / conquers; fr: q.un qui sog-.
maîtrise / domine / vainquit; dt: jmd. der dɛrɛ perfective. → dɛ-.
meistert / beherrscht / besiegt. dɛrəga sg. → dɛr-.
a dɛɩləba deverbal agent noun pl. dɛr(ɩ) imperfective. → dɛ-.
a dɛɩləma [Note: This form is morphologically dɛyaa future. → dɛ-.
unusual, but more commonly used than a dɛyaa future. → dɛɩ-.
dɛɩləba.] deverbal agent noun pl. dɛ̃ɛ̃ adverb. yesterday; fr: hier; dt: gestern. [Note:
dɛɩlaa future. → dɛɩ-. As in English etc., this word can also be used to
dɛɩləba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɛɩ-. designate the past in general.]
dɛɩlɛɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɛɩ-. dɛ̃ɛ̃ temporal adverb.
dɛɩlɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɛɩ-. dɛ̃ɛ̃ wɔləmam adverb+N compound noun
sg./mass the words of the past; fr: les

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 29

dɛ̃ɛ̃s- dembo
paroles du passé; dt: die Worte der a dɛ̃təba (=/dɛ̃d-d-ba/) deverbal agent noun pl.
Vergangenheit [Note: As with all Adv+N a dɛ̃nnəba (=/dɛ̃d-d-ba/) deverbal agent noun
compounds, the article a cannot be used.] pl.
dɛ̃ɛ̃s- verb. trace, draw a line (e.g. in sand), write; a dɛ̃təgʋ (=/dɛ̃d-d-gʋ/) deverbal instrument
fr: tracer, tirer une trace (p. ex. dans le sable), noun sg. object for pulling; fr: objet pour tirer;
écrire; dt: Spur ziehen (z.B. im Sand), dt: Gegenstand zum ziehen.
schreiben. a dɛ̃nnəgʋ (=/dɛ̃d-d-ɔ/) deverbal instrument
dɛ̃ɛ̃sraa future. noun sg.
dɛ̃ɛ̃sɛ past. a dɛ̃təhɛ̃ (=/dɛ̃d-d-ɔ/) deverbal instrument noun
dɛ̃ɛ̃s(ɩ) perfective. pl.
dɛ̃ɛ̃sr(ɩ) imperfective. a dɛ̃nnəhɛ̃ (=/dɛ̃d-d-hɩ̃/) deverbal instrument
a dɛ̃ɛ̃sam deverbal action noun sg./mass. noun pl.
a dɛ̃ɛ̃srɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who a dɛ̃təga (=/dɛ̃d-d-ga/) deverbal instrument
writes; writer, author; fr: q.un qui écrit; noun diminutive sg.
écrivain, auteur; dt: jmd. der schreibt; a dɛ̃nnəga (=/dɛ̃d-d-ga/) deverbal instrument
Schreiber, Schriftsteller, Autor. noun diminutive sg.
a dɛ̃ɛ̃srəba deverbal agent noun pl. a dɛ̃təfa (=/dɛ̃d-d-fa/) deverbal local noun.
a dɛ̃ɛ̃srəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object place for pulling; fr: endroit pour tirer; dt:
for writing; paper, exercise book etc.; pen, Platz zum Ziehen.
pencil etc.; typewriter; keyboard; fr: objet pour a dɛ̃nnəfa (=/dɛ̃d-d-fa/) deverbal local noun.
écrire; papier, cahier etc.; stylo, crayon etc.; dɛ̃nam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/dɛ̃d-am/)
machine à écrire; clavier; dt: Gegenstand zum → dɛ̃n-.
Schreiben; Papier, Heft etc.; Feder, dɛ̃nɛ past. (=/dɛ̃d-ɛ/) → dɛ̃n-.
Kugelschreiber, Bleistift; Schreibmaschine; dɛ̃nn imperfective. (=/dɛ̃d-d/) → dɛ̃n-.
Tastatur. dɛ̃nnaa future. (=/dɛ̃d-d-aa/) → dɛ̃n-.
a dɛ̃ɛ̃srəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. dɛ̃nnəba deverbal agent noun pl. (=/dɛ̃d-d-ba/) →
a dɛ̃ɛ̃srəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive dɛ̃n-.
sg. dɛ̃nnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
a dɛ̃ɛ̃srəfa deverbal local noun. place for writing; (=/dɛ̃d-d-ga/) → dɛ̃n-.
fr: endroit pour écrire; dt: Platz zum Schreiben. dɛ̃nnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/dɛ̃d-d-ɔ/)
dɛ̃ɛ̃sam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɛ̃ɛ̃s-. → dɛ̃n-.
dɛ̃ɛ̃sɛ past. → dɛ̃ɛ̃s-. dɛ̃nnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/dɛ̃d-d-
dɛ̃ɛ̃s(ɩ) perfective. → dɛ̃ɛ̃s-. hɩ̃/) → dɛ̃n-.
dɛ̃ɛ̃sraa future. → dɛ̃ɛ̃s-. dɛ̃nnɩ imperfective. (=/dɛ̃d-d/) → dɛ̃n-.
dɛ̃ɛ̃srəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɛ̃ɛ̃s-. dɛ̃nnɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/dɛ̃d-d-ɔ/) → dɛ̃n-.
dɛ̃ɛ̃srəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. dɛ̃nnɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/dɛ̃d-d-ɔ/) → dɛ̃n-.
→ dɛ̃ɛ̃s-. dɛ̃t imperfective. (=/dɛ̃d-d/) → dɛ̃n-.
dɛ̃ɛ̃srəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dɛ̃ɛ̃s-. dɛ̃taa future. (=/dɛ̃d-d-aa/) → dɛ̃n-.
dɛ̃ɛ̃srəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dɛ̃ɛ̃s-. dɛ̃təba deverbal agent noun pl. (=/dɛ̃d-d-ba/) →
dɛ̃ɛ̃sr(ɩ) imperfective. → dɛ̃ɛ̃s-. dɛ̃n-.
dɛ̃ɛ̃srɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɛ̃ɛ̃s-. dɛ̃təfa deverbal local noun. (=/dɛ̃d-d-fa/) → dɛ̃n-.
dɛ̃n perfective. (=/dɛ̃d-ɛ/) → dɛ̃n-. dɛ̃təga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
dɛ̃n- (=/dɛ̃d-/) verb. pull; fr: tirer; dt: ziehen. (=/dɛ̃d-d-ga/) → dɛ̃n-.
dɛ̃taa (=/dɛ̃d-d-aa/) future. [Note: The forms dɛ̃təgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/dɛ̃d-d-gʋ/)
with t are the more frequently used, especially → dɛ̃n-.
by younger speakers. But the forms with nn dɛ̃təhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/dɛ̃d-d-ɔ/)
must be an innovation (based on the reanalysis → dɛ̃n-.
of [dɛ̃n] as / dɛ̃n/, not / dɛ̃d-/).] dɛ̃tɩ imperfective. (=/dɛ̃d-d/) → dɛ̃n-.
dɛ̃nnaa (=/dɛ̃d-d-aa/) future. dɛ̃tɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/dɛ̃d-d-ɔ/) → dɛ̃n-.
dɛ̃nɛ (=/dɛ̃d-ɛ/) past. deb- noun. tamtam (small round drum, made from a
dɛ̃n perfective. calabash), tamtam player; fr: tamtam (petit
dɛ̃t / dɛ̃tɩ (=/dɛ̃d-d/) imperfective. tambour rond, construit d’une calebasse),
dɛ̃nn / dɛ̃nnɩ (=/dɛ̃d-d/) imperfective. joueur de tamtam; dt: Tamtam (kleine runde
a dɛ̃nam (=/dɛ̃d-am/) deverbal action noun Trommel, aus einer Kalebasse gemacht),
sg./mass. Tamtamspieler.
a dɛ̃tɔ (=/dɛ̃d-d-ɔ/) deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. a debre (=/deb-de/) sg.
who pulls; fr: q.un qui tire; dt: jmd. der zieht. a debiʌ (=/deb-ɩa/) pl.
a dɛ̃nnɔ̃ (=/dɛ̃d-d-ɔ/) deverbal agent noun sg. debre sg. (=/deb-de/) → deb-.
a dɛ̃nnɔ (=/dɛ̃d-d-ɔ/) deverbal agent noun sg. dembo noun. kind of black clay (used to make large
[Note: This form is unusual; it may be a pots); waterhole containing this kind of clay; fr:
participial form from the shortened future.] espèce d’argile noir (dont on fait des canaris);

30 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

dems- dɩlɛ
marigot qui contient ce genre d’argile; dt: Art dɩg- noun. right hand, right side, to the right; fr:
schwarze Tonerde (mit der große Töpfe main droite, coté droite, à droite; dt: rechte
gemacht werden); Wasserloch, das diese Art Hand, rechte Seite, rechts.
Tonerde enthält. a dɩgrɛ sg.
a dembo sg. a dɩgɩa pl.
a dembofi pl. yaʋ a dɩgrɛ imperative sentence Go right!; fr:
dems- noun. lower leg (from knee to ankle), shin; Tourne à droite!; dt: Geh nach rechts!
fr: mollet; dt: Unterschenkel. yaʋ ʋ dɩgrɛ imperative sentence Go right! (Lit.:
a demsəre (=/dems-dɛ/) sg. Go to our right.); fr: Tourne à droite! (Lit.:
a demsʌ (=/dems-a/) pl. Va à notre droite.); dt: Geh nach rechts!
a demsəre nɛ̃mmɔ̃ NP+N compound noun (Lit.: Geh zu unserem Rechts.)
sg./mass calf; fr: mollet; dt: Wade dɩgrɛ sg. → dɩg-.
demsəre sg. (=/dems-dɛ/) → dems-. dɩɩg- verb. approach, come closer, bring closer; fr:
deŋgel- noun. clearing, open area of ground; fr: s’approcher, approcher; dt: sich nähern, näher
clairière, place nue, terrain nu; dt: Lichtung, kommen, näher bringen. [Note: = Mòoré]
offener Platz. dɩɩgraa future.
a deŋgele (=/deŋgel-dɛ/) sg. dɩɩgɛ past.
a deŋgelʌ (=/deŋgel-a/) pl. dɩɩg(ɩ) perfective.
deŋgele sg. (=/deŋgel-dɛ/) → deŋgel-. dɩɩgr(ɩ) imperfective.
də-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 3rd person human sg. → a dɩɩgam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
gɩllɛ. dɩɩgə na mɛ imperative sentence Come (pl.)
dɩ pron.3sg.hum. (=/d/) → d-. closer to me.; fr: Approchez-vous de moi.;
dɩ perfective. (=/dɩ/) → dɩ-. dt: Kommt mir näher.
dɩ- (=/dɩ/) verb. eat, enjoy, devour; fr: manger, dɩɩgə na yere imperative sentence Come (pl.)
jouir de, dévorer; dt: essen, genießen, closer!; fr: Approchez-vous!; dt: Kommt
verschlingen. näher!
dɩraa (=/dɩ-d-aa/) future. dɩɩgɛ past. → dɩɩg-.
dɛ (=/dɩ-ɛ/) past. dɩɩg(ɩ) perfective. → dɩɩg-.
dɩ (=/dɩ/) perfective. [Note: There is no dɩɩgraa future. → dɩɩg-.
alternative form d -- probably because the dɩɩgr(ɩ) imperfective. → dɩɩg-.
vowel ɩ is a part of the word stem.] dɩld- verb. feed; fr: nourrir; dt: ernähren. [Note: a
dɩr / dɩrɩ (=/dɩ-d/) imperfective. dɩldam and a dɩləgam are synonymous]
a gabrɛ koŋ dɩraa halə wasɩ sentence That dɩlɛdaa future.
knife cuts very well.; fr: Ce couteau coupe dɩldɛ past.
très bien.; dt: Diese Messer schneidet sehr dɩlɛ perfective.
gut [Note: A knife is considered to “devour” dɩlɛd(ɩ) imperfective.
the thing that it cuts.] a dɩldam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
dɛɛm (=/dɩ-am/) [Note: Rare; a dɩʋ is preferred.] a dɩlɛdɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who feeds;
deverbal action noun sg./mass. breadwinner; fr: q.un qui nourrit; gagneur du
a dɩʋ (=/dɩ-ʋ/) deverbal action noun sg. also: pain; dt: jmd. der ernährt; Brotverdiener.
food, meal; fr: aussi: nourriture, repas; dt: a dɩlɛdəba deverbal agent noun pl.
auch: Nahrung, Mahlzeit. a dɩlɛdəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object
a dɩʋfɩ (=/dɩ-ʋ-fɩ/) deverbal action noun pl. for feeding; food specially arranged at the time
a dɩrɔ (=/dɩ-d-ɔ/) deverbal agent noun sg. of the first harvest; fr: objet pour nourrir;
eater; fr: mangeur; dt: Esser. nourriture arrangée de manière spéciale au
a dɩrəba (=/dɩ-d-ba/) deverbal agent noun pl. temps de la première récolte; dt: Gegenstand
a dɩrəgʋ (=/dɩ-d-gʋ/) deverbal instrument noun zum Ernähren; Nahrung, die auf besondere Art
sg. object for eating (e.g. crockery, cutlery); angeordnet wird zur Zeit der ersten Ernte.
something edible; fr: objet pour manger (p. ex. a dɩlɛdəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
vaisselle, couvert); chose mangeable; dt: a dɩlɛdəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
Gegenstand zum essen (z.B. Geschirr, sg.
Besteck); etwas Essbares. a dɩlɛdəfa deverbal local noun. place for feeding;
a dɩrəhɛ̃ (=/dɩ-d-hɩ̃/) deverbal instrument noun small house where one eats at the time of the
pl. first harvest; fr: endroit pour nourrir;
a dɩrəga (=/dɩ-d-ga/) deverbal instrument noun maisonnette où on mange au temps de la
diminutive sg. première récolte; dt: Platz zum Ernähren;
a dɩrəfa (=/dɩ-d-fa/) deverbal local noun sg. kleines Haus, wo zur Zeit der ersten Ernte
place for eating (e.g. dining room, restaurant); gegessen wird.
fr: endroit pour manger (p. ex. salle à manger, dɩldam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɩld-.
restaurant); dt: Platz zum Essen (z.B. dɩldɛ past. → dɩld-.
Esszimmer, Restaurant). dɩlɛ perfective. → dɩld-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 31

dɩlɛdaa dɩ̃ŋgɛtrəgʋ
dɩlɛdaa future. → dɩld-. a dɩ-nɔ̃ŋa N+N compound noun pl.
dɩlɛdəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɩld-. dɩr imperfective. (=/dɩ-d/) → dɩ-.
dɩlɛdəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. dɩraa future. (=/dɩ-d-aa/) → dɩ-.
→ dɩld-. dɩrəba deverbal agent noun pl. (=/dɩ-d-ba/) → dɩ-.
dɩlɛdəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dɩld-. dɩrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
dɩlɛdəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dɩld-. (=/dɩ-d-ga/) → dɩ-.
dɩlɛd(ɩ) imperfective. → dɩld-. dɩrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/dɩ-d-gʋ/)
dɩlɛdɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɩld-. → dɩ-.
dɩlg- verb. feed; fr: nourrir; dt: ernähren. [Note: a dɩrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/dɩ-d-hɩ̃/)
dɩldam and a dɩləgam are synonymous] → dɩ-.
dɩləgraa future. dɩrɩ imperfective. (=/dɩ-d/) → dɩ-.
dɩləgɛ past. dɩrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/dɩ-d-ɔ/) → dɩ-.
dɩləg(ɩ) perfective. dɩsɔga noun. sumbala (made from néré (Parkia
dɩləgr(ɩ) imperfective. Biglobosa) and sorrel); fr: soumbala (fabriqué
a dɩləgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. du néré et de l’oseille); dt: Sumbala (aus Néré
a dɩləgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who feeds; (Parkia Biglobosa) und Sauerampfer).
breadwinner; fr: q.un qui nourrit; gagneur du a dɩ-sɔga N+N compound noun sg. [Note: dɩ
pain; dt: jmd. der ernährt; Brotverdiener. ‘eat’, sɔga ‘sorrel’.]
a dɩləgrəba deverbal agent noun pl. dɩʋ deverbal action noun sg. (=/dɩ-ʋ/) → dɩ-.
a dɩləgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object dɩʋfɩ deverbal action noun pl. (=/dɩ-ʋ-fɩ/) → dɩ-.
for feeding; food specially arranged at the time dɩ̃ŋdɛ sg. (=/dɩ̃ŋn-dɛ/) → dɩ̃ŋn-.
of the first harvest; fr: objet pour nourrir; dɩ̃ŋgɛ perfective. → dɩ̃ŋgl-.
nourriture arrangée de manière spéciale au dɩ̃ŋgɛlaa future. → dɩ̃ŋgl-.
temps de la première récolte; dt: Gegenstand dɩ̃ŋgɛləba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɩ̃ŋgl-.
zum Ernähren; Nahrung, die auf besondere Art dɩ̃ŋgɛləga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
angeordnet wird zur Zeit der ersten Ernte. → dɩ̃ŋgl-.
a dɩləgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. dɩ̃ŋgɛləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dɩ̃ŋgl-.
a dɩləgrəga deverbal instrument noun dɩ̃ŋgɛləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dɩ̃ŋgl-.
diminutive sg. dɩ̃ŋgɛl(ɩ) imperfective. → dɩ̃ŋgl-.
a dɩləgrəfa deverbal local noun. place for dɩ̃ŋgɛlɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɩ̃ŋgl-.
feeding; small house where one eats at the dɩ̃ŋgɛt- verb. flee; fr: fuir; dt: fliehen. [Note: This
time of the first harvest; fr: endroit pour verb is the reversive of a dɩ̃ŋgəlam ‘have an
nourrir; maisonnette où on mange au temps de erection’.]
la première récolte; dt: Platz zum Ernähren; dɩ̃ŋgɛtraa future.
kleines Haus, wo zur Zeit der ersten Ernte dɩ̃ŋgɛtɛ past.
gegessen wird. dɩ̃ŋgɛt(ɩ) perfective.
dɩləgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɩlg-. dɩ̃ŋgɛtr(ɩ) imperfective.
dɩləgɛ past. → dɩlg-. a dɩ̃ŋgɛtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
dɩləg(ɩ) perfective. → dɩlg-. a dɩ̃ŋgɛtrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
dɩləgraa future. → dɩlg-. flees; fr: q.un qui fuit; dt: jmd. der flieht.
dɩləgrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɩlg-. a dɩ̃ŋgɛtrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
dɩləgrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. a dɩ̃ŋgɛtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
→ dɩlg-. that makes one flee; fr: chose qui fait qu’on
dɩləgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dɩlg-. fuit; dt: etwas, was einen fliehen lässt.
dɩləgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dɩlg-. a dɩ̃ŋgɛtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
dɩləgr(ɩ) imperfective. → dɩlg-. a dɩ̃ŋgɛtrəga deverbal instrument noun
dɩləgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɩlg-. diminutive sg.
dɩlla- noun. tongue (not language!); fr: langue (de a dɩ̃ŋgɛtrəfa deverbal local noun. place from
la bouche seulement); dt: Zunge (nicht which one flees; fr: endroit d’où on fuit; dt: Ort,
Sprache!). von wo man flieht. [Note: This word cannot
a dɩllaŋa sg. mean ‘place to which one flees’.]
a dɩllaʋ pl. dɩ̃ŋgɛtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. →
dɩllaŋa sg. → dɩlla-. dɩ̃ŋgɛt-.
dɩnɔ̃ŋa noun. shea butter; fr: beurre de karité; dt: dɩ̃ŋgɛtɛ past. → dɩ̃ŋgɛt-.
Sheabutter. dɩ̃ŋgɛt(ɩ) perfective. → dɩ̃ŋgɛt-.
a dɩ-nɔ̃ŋnɛ N+N compound noun sg. [Note: dɩ < dɩ̃ŋgɛtraa future. → dɩ̃ŋgɛt-.
a dɩʋ ‘food’. This compound could also be dɩ̃ŋgɛtrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɩ̃ŋgɛt-.
analysed as V+N, with dɩ as the stem of the dɩ̃ŋgɛtrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
verb ‘eat’. Cf. a nɔ̃ŋa ‘fat, grease’. The sg. → dɩ̃ŋgɛt-.
singular or plural can be used with no dɩ̃ŋgɛtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. →
apparent distinction of amount.] dɩ̃ŋgɛt-.

32 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

dɩ̃ŋgɛtrəhɛ̃ dirg-
dɩ̃ŋgɛtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → digrʌʌ future. → dig-.
dɩ̃ŋgɛt-. digrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → dig-.
dɩ̃ŋgɛtr(ɩ) imperfective. → dɩ̃ŋgɛt-. digrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
dɩ̃ŋgɛtrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɩ̃ŋgɛt-. → dig-.
dɩ̃ŋgl- verb. have an erection; fr: avoir une digrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → dig-.
érection; dt: eine Erektion haben. digrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dig-.
dɩ̃ŋgɛlaa future. digr(i) imperfective. → dig-.
dɩ̃ŋgəlɛ past. digro deverbal agent noun sg. → dig-.
dɩ̃ŋgɛ perfective. digs perfective. (=/digs/) → digs-.
dɩ̃ŋgɛl(ɩ) imperfective. digs- verb. land; fr: atterrir; dt: landen. [Note: This
a dɩ̃ŋgəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. verb designates landing after a free fall (e.g.
a dɩ̃ŋgɛlɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who has after jumping in the air). For aircraft etc. the
an erection; fr: q.un qui a une érection; dt: jmd. verb a yirʌm is used.]
der eine Erektion hat. digsrʌʌ (=/digs-d-aa/) future.
a dɩ̃ŋgɛləba deverbal agent noun pl. digse (=/digs-e/) past.
a dɩ̃ŋgɛləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. penis; digs / digsi (=/digs/) perfective.
fr: pénis; dt: Penis. digsri / digsr (=/digs-d/) imperfective.
a dɩ̃ŋgɛləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. a digsʌm (=/digs-am/) deverbal action noun
a dɩ̃ŋgɛləga deverbal instrument noun sg./mass.
diminutive sg. a digsro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who lands;
a dɩ̃ŋgɛləfa deverbal local noun. place where fr: q.un qui atterrit; dt: jmd. der landet.
one has an erection; fr: endroit pour avoir une a digsrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
érection; dt: Ort, wo man eine Erektion hat. a digsrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object
dɩ̃ŋgəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɩ̃ŋgl-. for landing; fr: objet pour atterrir; dt:
dɩ̃ŋgəlɛ past. → dɩ̃ŋgl-. Gegenstand zum Landen.
dɩ̃ŋgʋ noun. blacksmith’s workshop, smithy; fr: a digsrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
atelier du forgeron; dt: Schmiede. a digsrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
a dɩ̃ŋgʋ sg. sg.
a dɩ̃ŋɩɩ pl. a digsrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for landing;
dɩ̃ŋn- (=/dɩ̃ŋn/) noun. ear; fr: oreille; dt: Ohr. fr: endroit pour atterrir; dt: Platz zum Landen.
a dɩ̃ŋdɛ (=/dɩ̃ŋn-dɛ/) sg. [Note: The /n/ which a sã digs sa compound noun (a specific) sacred
appears in the plural is absent from this house of traditional religion, “Sandigsa”; fr:
singular form. The sequence /ŋnd/ does not maison (spécifique) sacrée de la religion
occur in my Koromfe corpus.] traditionnelle, “Sandigsa”; dt: (spezifisches)
a dɩ̃ŋna (=/dɩ̃ŋn-a/) pl. heiliges Haus der traditionellen Religion,
dig- verb. sow, plant; fr: semer, planter; dt: säen, “Sandigsa” [Note: Literal gloss: “jump (and)
pflanzen. land now”.]
digrʌʌ future. digsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/digs-
dige past. am/) → digs-.
dig(i) perfective. digse past. (=/digs-e/) → digs-.
digr(i) imperfective. digsi perfective. (=/digs/) → digs-.
a digʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. digsr imperfective. (=/digs-d/) → digs-.
a diu deverbal action noun sg. [Note: This noun digsrʌʌ future. (=/digs-d-aa/) → digs-.
may be derived from an original unsuffixed digsrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. (=/digs-am/) →
verb stem /di/ (not /dig/).] digs-.
a diufi deverbal action noun pl. digsrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
a digro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who sows; (=/digs-am/) → digs-.
fr: q.un qui sème; dt: jmd. der sät. digsrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/digs-am/)
a digrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → digs-.
a digrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object for digsrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/digs-am/)
sowing; seed (for sowing); fr: objet pour semer; → digs-.
semence; dt: Gegenstand zum Säen; Saatgut. digsri imperfective. (=/digs-d/) → digs-.
a digrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. digsro deverbal agent noun sg. (=/digs-am/) →
a digrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive digs-.
sg. dirg- verb. rub; fr: frotter; dt: reiben. [Note: /g/ is
a digrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for sowing, [g], not [ɣ] and /ə/ is very [i]-like.]
field; fr: endroit pour semer, champ; dt: Platz dirəgrʌʌ future.
zum Säen, Feld. dirəge past.
digʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dig-. dirəg(i) perfective.
dige past. → dig-. dirəgr(i) imperfective.
dig(i) perfective. → dig-. a dirəgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 33

dirəgʌm dɔf-
a dirəgro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who rubs; dĩmməhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dĩm-.
fr: q.un qui frotte; dt: jmd. der reibt. dĩmm(õ) imperfective. → dĩm-.
a dirəgrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. dĩŋg- noun. kind of tree; fr: espèce d’arbre; dt: Art
a dirəgrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object Baum.
for rubbing; fr: objet pour frotter; dt: a dĩŋgre sg.
Gegenstand zum Reiben. a dĩŋgʌ pl.
a dirəgrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. a dĩŋgo pl.
a dirəgrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun dĩŋgʌ pl. → dĩŋg-.
diminutive sg. dĩŋgre sg. → dĩŋg-.
a dirəgrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for dəkɔ pron.3sg.hum. (=/d/) → d-.
rubbing, toilet; fr: endroit pour frotter, dɔ (=/dɔ/) negative copula. not be; fr: ne pas
toilette; dt: Platz zum reiben, Toilette. être; dt: nicht sein.
dirəgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dirg-. dɔ (=/dɔ/) negative equative copula.
dirəge past. → dirg-. a yɔ dɔ mɛ sentence I am not the chief.; fr: Je
dirəg(i) perfective. → dirg-. ne suis pas le chef.; dt: Ich bin nicht der
dirəgrʌʌ future. → dirg-. Chef.
dirəgrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → dirg-. ala la wɔk mə sallɛ koŋ - məkɔ dɔ question
dirəgrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. sentence & answer A: Who broke my plate?
→ dirg-. - B: Not me.; fr: A: Qui a cassé mon
dirəgrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → dirg-. assiette? - B: Pas moi.; dt: A: Wer hat
dirəgrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dirg-. meinen Teller kaputt gemacht? - B: Ich
dirəgr(i) imperfective. → dirg-. nicht. [Note: This is the negative
dirəgro deverbal agent noun sg. → dirg-. counterpart of the equative copula la.]
diu deverbal action noun sg. → dig-. dɔ- (=/dɔ/) noun. (domestic) animal; fr: animal,
diufi deverbal action noun pl. → dig-. bête (domestique); dt: (Haus)Tier. [Note: This
dĩm perfective. → dĩm-. word cannot be used for wild animals, for
dĩm- verb. thunder; fr: tonner; dt: donnern. which a kãŋ ‘thing’ is used.]
dĩmmʌʌ future. a dɔɔ sg.
dĩme past. a dɔʋ sg.
dĩm perfective. a dɔɔfɩ pl.
dĩmm(õ) imperfective. dɔba adverb. at / to the top, in(to) the sky,
a dĩmʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. Also: up(wards); fr: en haut, au ciel; dt: (nach) oben,
thunder, thunderclap; fr: Aussi: tonnerre, coup am / in den Himmel, hinauf.
de tonnerre; dt: Auch: Donner, Donnerschlag. dɔba local adverb.
a dĩmməgu deverbal instrument noun sg. dɔba dɔba reduplicated local adverb.
thunder; fr: tonnerre; dt: Donner. dɔba la sɛ̃nɛ hɛ̃ɛ̃aa la dombʌ sentence Heaven
a dĩmməhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. and earth are far apart.; fr: Le ciel et la
a dĩmməgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive terre sont loin.; dt: Der Himmel und die Erde
sg. sind weit voneinander entfernt.
a dĩmməfʌ deverbal local noun. place where it a lembəgʌ koŋ yʋ dɔba (dɔba) sentence The
thunders; east; fr: endroit où il tonne; l’est; dt: bird flew up (and up) into the sky.; fr:
Ort, wo es donnert; Osten. L’oiseau a volé en haut (en haut) dans le
dĩmʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dĩm-. ciel.; dt: Der Vogel ist (weit) hinaufgeflogen
dĩmbʌ pl. → dĩmb(ɛ). in den Himmel.
dĩmb(ɛ) noun. [Note: Perhaps dĩm < a dĩmʌm dɔba noun.
‘thunder’, and perhaps bɛrɛ < a bɛtɛ. The dɔba adverb as noun. sky, heaven; fr: ciel; dt:
irregular plural formation indicates that any Himmel. [Note: This noun does not take the
original compound is no longer transparent to article a.]
speakers.] dɔba postposition. on (top of), over (the top of); fr:
a dĩmbɛrɛ sg. huge (e.g. person, animal, house), sur, à travers; dt: auf, über.
giant; fr: géant (p. ex. personne, animal, dɔba temporal adverb.
maison); dt: riesengroß (z.B. Mensch, Tier, dɔba nɛ temporal adverb.
Haus), Riese. mə tɩ mə ỹʋ̃ tas(ʋ) feleŋ mə ỹʋ̃ dɔba (nɛ)
a dĩmbʌ pl. sentence I put my new cap on my head.; fr:
a dĩmbʌu pl. J’ai mis mon nouveau képi sur ma tête.; dt:
dĩmbɛrɛ sg. → dĩmb(ɛ). Ich habe meine neue Kappe auf den Kopf
dĩme past. → dĩm-. gesetzt.
dĩmmʌʌ future. → dĩm-. dɔd- noun. cloud; fr: nuage; dt: Wolke.
dĩmməgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. a dɔtɛ sg.
→ dĩm-. a dɔra pl.
dĩmməgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → dĩm-. dɔf- noun.

34 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

dɔfɩa dɔm
a dɔfrɛ sg. God; fr: dieu; dt: Gott. [Note: The a dɔɩ deverbal action noun sg. length, height (e.g.
religions practised by the Koromba are of a person); fr: longueur, hauteur (p. ex. d’une
traditional (“animism”), Islam and Christianity. personne); dt: Länge, Höhe, Größe (z.B. eines
All three are monotheistic.] Menschen).
a dɔfɩa pl. [Note: This word has the (relatively dɔɩfaa future. → dɔɩ-.
rare) - ɩa plural form only. * a dɔfa is dɔɩf(ʋ) imperfective. → dɔɩ-.
impossible.] dɔɩs- verb. become long, lengthen; fr: devenir long,
a dɔfrɛ kesəgʌ [Note: a kesəgʌ does not exist as allonger; dt: lang werden, verlängern.
an independent word, but must mean ‘big’; cf. a dɔɩsəraa future.
domkesəgʌ and a kesem.] N+N compound noun dɔɩsɛ past.
diminutive sg. God almighty (can also be used dɔɩs(ɩ) perfective.
to swear); fr: le tout puissant seigneur (peut dɔɩsər(ɩ) imperfective.
s’utiliser pour jurer); dt: der allmächtige Gott a dɔɩsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
(auch zum Fluchen verwendbar). a dɔɩsərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
a dɔfɩa kesəni N+N compound noun diminutive becomes longer; someone who lengthens; fr:
pl. q.un qui devient plus long; q.un qui allonge; dt:
dɔfɩa pl. → dɔf-. jmd. der länger wird; jmd. der verlängert.
dɔfrɛ sg. → dɔf-. a dɔɩsərəba deverbal agent noun pl.
dɔfrɛ kesəgʌ N+N compound noun diminutive sg. → a dɔɩsərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
dɔf-. which becomes longer (e.g. animal, tree); fr:
dɔgs- verb. jump over, jump and straddle; fr: chose qui devient plus long (p. ex. un animal,
sursauter, sauter et enjamber; dt: un arbre); dt: Ding, das länger wird (z.B. Tier,
überspringen, springen so dass (Obj.) zwischen Baum). [Note: The instrument noun does not
den Beinen ist. seem to have a transitive reading.]
dɔgsəraa future. a dɔɩsərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
dɔgsɛ past. a dɔɩsərəga deverbal instrument noun
dɔgs(ʋ) perfective. diminutive sg.
dɔgsər(ʋ) imperfective. a dɔɩsərəfa deverbal local noun. place for
a dɔgsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. becoming longer / lengthening; fr: endroit pour
a dɔgsərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who devenir plus long / allonger; dt: Platz zum
jumps over / straddles; fr: q.un qui sursaute / länger Werden / Verlängern.
enjambe; dt: jmd. der überspringt. dɔɩsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɔɩs-.
a dɔgsərəba deverbal agent noun pl. dɔɩsɛ past. → dɔɩs-.
a dɔgsərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object dɔɩs(ɩ) perfective. → dɔɩs-.
for jumping; skipping rope; fr: objet pour dɔɩsəraa future. → dɔɩs-.
sauter; sautoir, fil à sauter; dt: Gegenstand dɔɩsərəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɔɩs-.
zum springen; Sprungschnur. dɔɩsərəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
a dɔgsərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dɔɩs-.
a dɔgsərəga deverbal instrument noun dɔɩsərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dɔɩs-.
diminutive sg. dɔɩsərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dɔɩs-.
a dɔgsərəfa deverbal local noun. place for dɔɩsər(ɩ) imperfective. → dɔɩs-.
jumping; fr: endroit pour sauter; dt: Platz zum dɔɩsərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɔɩs-.
springen. dɔl- noun. pile (e.g. of sand), small hill, rise; fr: tas
dɔgsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɔgs-. (p. ex. de sable), petite colline, élévation; dt:
dɔgsɛ past. → dɔgs-. Haufen (z.B. Sand), kleiner Hügel, Anhöhe.
dɔgsəraa future. → dɔgs-. a dɔllɛ sg.
dɔgsərəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɔgs-. a dɔla pl.
dɔgsərəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive dɔllɛ sg. → dɔl-.
sg. → dɔgs-. dɔm adverb. for the moment, as yet; fr: pour le
dɔgsərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dɔgs-. moment, jusqu’ici; dt: im Moment, bis jetzt.
dɔgsərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dɔgs-. [Note: This adverb is quite distinct from the
dɔgsərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɔgs-. numeral dɔ̃m ‘one’.]
dɔgsər(ʋ) imperfective. → dɔgs-. dɔm temporal adverb.
dɔgs(ʋ) perfective. → dɔgs-. gʋ yisi dɔm sentence That’s enough for now.;
dɔɩ imperfective. → dɔɩ-. fr: Ça suffit pour le moment.; dt: Das genügt
dɔɩ- adj.verb. be long; fr: être long; dt: lang sein. für jetzt.
dɔɩfaa future. baa bɛ̃nɛ dɔm sentence They haven’t come yet.;
dɔyaa future. fr: Ils ne sont pas encore venus.; dt: Sie sind
dɔɩ imperfective. [Note: Alternatively the form noch nicht gekommen.
dɔɩ could be analysed as a perfective.] dɔm perfective. → dɔm-.
dɔɩf(ʋ) imperfective. dɔm attributive cardinal numeral. → dɔ̃m.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 35

dɔm- dɔɔ
dɔm- noun. sound, noise; fr: son, bruit; dt: dɔmməga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
Geräusch, Lärm. [Note: The singular suffix - ɛ → dɔm-.
(or - ɩ with post-nasal lowering) is irregular. dɔmməgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dɔm-.
This word is clearly (but not morphologically dɔmməhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dɔm-.
regularly) related to a dɔmnam ‘hear’. Both dɔmmɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɔm-.
may also be related to a dɔmam ‘tap’.] dɔmmʋ̃ imperfective. → dɔm-.
a dɔmɛ sg. dɔmnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɔml-.
a dɔmfɩ pl. dɔmnɛ past. → dɔml-.
dɔm- verb. tap (to make a noise); fr: taper (pour dɔmɔ perfective. → dɔml-.
faire un bruit); dt: klopfen (um ein Geräusch zu dɔmɔndaa future. → dɔml-.
erzeugen). dɔmɔndəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɔml-.
dɔmmaa future. dɔmɔndəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
dɔmɛ past. sg. → dɔml-.
dɔm perfective. dɔmɔndəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dɔml-.
dɔmm / dɔmmʋ̃ imperfective. dɔmɔndəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dɔml-.
a dɔmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. dɔmɔndɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɔml-.
a dɔmmɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who hits dɔmɔnd(ʋ) imperfective. → dɔml-.
(incl. drummer); fr: celui qui bat/tape (y inclus dɔn- noun. goodness; fr: bonté; dt: Güte.
joueur de tambour); dt: jmd. der schlägt a dɔnɔm abstract noun sg./mass.
(einschl. Trommelspieler). dɔŋs- verb. be good / tasty / sweet (to eat); fr: être
a dɔmməba deverbal agent noun pl. bon / doux (à goûter); dt: gut /
a dɔmməgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. wohlschmeckend / süß sein (zum Essen). [Note:
instrument for hitting (incl. drumstick); fr: This verb is clearly an - s derivation from the
instrument à battre (y inclus baguette de same source as the verb a dɔ̃ndəmɛ̃ɩ̃, but the
tambour); dt: Instrument zum Schlagen apparent change of n to ŋ is anomalous and not
(einschl. Schlagstock für Trommeln). phonologically motivated.]
a dɔmməhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. dɔŋsəraa future.
a dɔmməga deverbal instrument noun dɔŋsɛ past.
diminutive sg. dɔŋs(ʋ) perfective.
a dɔmməfa deverbal local noun. place for dɔŋsər(ʋ) imperfective.
hitting; fr: endroit pour battre; dt: Platz zum a dɔŋsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
Schlagen. mə bɩ̃ndɛ dɔŋsrʋ sentence I am happy.; fr: Je
dɔmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɔm-. suis content.; dt: Ich bin zufrieden.
dɔmɛ sg. → dɔm-. a dɔŋsərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
dɔmɛ past. → dɔm-. makes others happy; fr: q.un qui fait plaisir aux
dɔml- verb. hear, listen to; understand; fr: gens; dt: jmd. der andere glücklich macht.
entendre, écouter ; comprendre; dt: hören, a dɔŋsərəba deverbal agent noun pl.
zuhören; verstehen. a dɔŋsərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
dɔmɔndaa future. (ingredient) which makes food taste good; fr:
dɔmnɛ past. chose (ingrédient) qui donne un bon goût à la
dɔmɔ perfective. nourriture; dt: etwas (Zutat), was dem Essen
dɔmɔnd(ʋ) imperfective. einen guten Geschmack gibt.
a dɔmnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a dɔŋsərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
n dɔmnɛ Do you understand? (Lit.: Have you a dɔŋsərəga deverbal instrument noun
understood?); fr: Tu comprends? (Lit.: Tu as diminutive sg.
compris?); dt: Hast du verstanden? a dɔŋsərəfa deverbal local noun. place for
a dɔmɔndɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; preparing food; fr: endroit pour préparer la
fr: q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der am ... nourriture; dt: Platz zum Essen Herrichten.
a dɔmɔndəba deverbal agent noun pl. dɔŋsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɔŋs-.
a dɔmɔndəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing dɔŋsɛ past. → dɔŋs-.
which ...; fr: chose ...; dt: Ding, welches ... dɔŋsəraa future. → dɔŋs-.
a dɔmɔndəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. dɔŋsərəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɔŋs-.
a dɔmɔndəga deverbal instrument noun dɔŋsərəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
diminutive sg. sg. → dɔŋs-.
a dɔmɔndəfa deverbal local noun. place where dɔŋsərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dɔŋs-.
... takes place; fr: endroit où on ...; dt: Platz, dɔŋsərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dɔŋs-.
wo man ... dɔŋsərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɔŋs-.
dɔmm imperfective. → dɔm-. dɔŋsər(ʋ) imperfective. → dɔŋs-.
dɔmmaa future. → dɔm-. dɔŋs(ʋ) perfective. → dɔŋs-.
dɔmməba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɔm-. dɔɔ sg. → dɔ-.

36 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

dɔɔ- dɔ̃m
dɔɔ- noun. long, high, tall; fr: long, haut, grand (p. a dɔ̃nəfa deverbal local noun. place for
ex. pour les humains); dt: lang, hoch, groß (z.B. dreaming; fr: endroit pour rêver; dt: Platz zum
für Menschen). [Note: The long vowel may be Träumen.
of onomatopoeic origin, or may result from the dɔ̃ɛ̃ past. → dɔ̃-.
assimilation of ɔɩ to ɔɔ found occasionally in dɔ̃ɩ̃ perfective. → dɔ̃ɩ̃-.
other words such as gɔɔnɛ < gɔɩnɛ.] dɔ̃ɩ̃- noun. tied up bundle of millet (still with stalks);
a dɔɔrɛ adjectival noun sg. fr: fagot de mil attaché (toujours avec les
a dɔɔya adjectival noun pl. tiges); dt: zusammengebundenes Bündel Hirse
dɔɔ- noun. sacrifice, alms; fr: sacrifice, aumône; dt: (noch mit Stängeln). [Note: < a dɔ̃j ̃am ‘tie (up)’]
Opfer, Almosen. [Note: = Mòoré] a dɔ̃ɩ̃nɛ sg.
a dɔɔa sg. a dɔ̃ỹã pl.
a dɔɔga sg. a nɛ̃n dɔ̃ɩ̃nɛ NP+N compound noun sg. fasting,
a dɔɔfɩ pl. fast; fr: carême; dt: Fasten [Note: In this
dɔɔa sg. → dɔɔ-. compound, a dɔ̃ɩ̃nɛ has its original meaning
dɔɔba noun. peasant (recent non-integrated, and ‘tie up’. This compound is also used to refer
usually poor immigrant), beggar; fr: paysan to the month of Ramadan.]
(immigrant récent non-intégré et assez a nɛ̃n dɔ̃yaʋ NP+N compound noun pl.
pauvre), mendiant; dt: Bauer (neuerer, nicht dɔ̃ɩ̃- verb. join (e.g. 2 pieces of string), tie (up);
integrierter, meist armer Zuwanderer), Bettler. make and tie a bundle of millet; fr: attacher (p.
a dɔɔba sg. ex. 2 ficelles); faire un fagot de mil; dt:
a dɔɔbama pl. verbinden (z.B. 2 Schnüre); ein Hirsebündel
dɔɔga sg. → dɔɔ-. machen. [Note: The reversive of this verb is a
dɔɔm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dʋ-. dɔ̃nɔ̃tam.]
dɔɔmdɛ adverb. early, in good time; fr: tôt, à dɔ̃ɩ̃naa future.
temps; dt: früh, frühzeitig, rechtzeitig. [Note: dɔ̃ỹɛ̃ past.
This adverb does not in itself mean ‘early in the dɔ̃ɩ̃ perfective.
morning’.] dɔ̃ɩ̃n(ɛ) imperfective.
dɔɔmdɛ temporal adverb. early, in good time; fr: a dɔ̃ỹãm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
tôt, à temps; dt: früh, frühzeitig, rechtzeitig. a dɔ̃ɩ̃nɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ties
a sɔ̃nɔ̃ dɔɔmdɛ compound temporal adverb. (up); fr: q.un qui attache; dt: jmd. der
early in the morning; fr: le matin de bonne verbindet.
heure; dt: in der Früh. a dɔ̃ɩ̃nəba deverbal agent noun pl.
n yɛ̃ŋsɩ dɔɔmdɛ sentence You got up early.; fr: a dɔ̃ɩ̃nəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object
Tu t’est levé de bonne heure.; dt: Du bist for tying (up), rope; fr: objet pour attacher,
früh aufgestanden. corde; dt: Gegenstand zum verbinden, Schnur.
dɔɔrɛ adjectival noun sg. → dɔɔ-. a dɔ̃ɩ̃nəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
dɔtɛ sg. → dɔd-. a dɔ̃ɩ̃nəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
dɔʋ sg. → dɔ-. sg.
dɔyaa future. → dɔɩ-. a dɔ̃ɩ̃nəfa deverbal local noun. place for tying
dɔ̃ perfective. → dɔ̃-. (up); fr: endroit pour attacher; dt: Platz zum
dɔ̃- verb. dream; fr: rêver; dt: träumen. verbinden.
dɔ̃naa future. dɔ̃ɩ̃naa future. → dɔ̃ɩ̃-.
dɔ̃ɛ̃ past. dɔ̃ɩ̃nəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɔ̃ɩ̃-.
dɔ̃ perfective. dɔ̃ɩ̃nɛ sg. → dɔ̃ɩ̃-.
dɔ̃n(ɔ̃) imperfective. dɔ̃ɩ̃n(ɛ) imperfective. → dɔ̃ɩ̃-.
a dɔ̃ɔ̃m deverbal action noun sg./mass. dɔ̃ɩ̃nəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
a dɔ̃ɔ̃ŋa deverbal action noun diminutive sg. → dɔ̃ɩ̃-.
dream; fr: rêve; dt: Traum. [Note: This is the dɔ̃ɩ̃nəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dɔ̃ɩ̃-.
rare (unique?) case of a diminutive arguably dɔ̃ɩ̃nəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dɔ̃ɩ̃-.
formed from a deverbal action noun. The latter dɔ̃ɩ̃nɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɔ̃ɩ̃-.
form is the only form of this verb which has a dɔ̃m numeral. one; alone, only; fr: un(e); seul; dt:
long ɔ̃ɔ̃.] ein(-er,-e,-es); allein, einzig(-er,-e,-es). [Note:
a dɔ̃nɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who dreams, Synonymous with dʋfɛ. No ordinal numeral is
dreamer; fr: q.un qui rêve, rêveur; dt: jmd. der formed from this word; see a pote ‘first’. Being
träumt, Träumer. a numeral, this word prohibits the article a
a dɔ̃nəba deverbal agent noun pl. with a compound NP of which it is the second
a dɔ̃nəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. dream; part. The disjunctive numeral ‘one’ is ndom or
fr: rêve; dt: Traum. gadɔ̃m (see below).]
a dɔ̃nəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. dɔm attributive cardinal numeral.
a dɔ̃nəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
sg.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 37

dɔ̃m dɔ̃nɔt-
kɛ̃ɔ̃ dɔm NP+N compound noun sg. one woman; dɔ̃nda participial adjective. good; fr: bon; dt: gut.
fr: une (seule) femme; dt: eine (einzige) [Note: This is the e shortened future form
Frau [Note: *a kɛ̃ɔ̃ dɔ̃m is impossible] dɔ̃nda is used participially]
gadɔm disjunctive cardinal numeral. [Note: < a dɔ̃ndəmɛ̃ɩ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass. also:
ga+dɔ̃m, where ga is the diminutive singular good taste (of some kind of food); fr: aussi: bon
personal pronoun and dɔ̃m the attributive goût (d’un plat); dt: guter Geschmack (des
cardinal numeral. (Cf. the prefix ɩ- on the Essens).
disjunctive cardinal numerals from 2 to 9.) The mə bɩ̃ndɛ dɔ̃ndʋ sentence I am happy. (Lit.: My
diminutive is probably used because the heart is sweet.); fr: Je suis content. (Lit.:
Koromba typically count by folding down each Mon cœur est doux.); dt: Ich bin zufrieden.
finger, starting with the little finger of the left (Lit.: Mein Herz ist süß.)
hand. However, ndom is preferred over gadɔ̃m a pɩlaŋ dɔ̃nda NP+participle compound noun
when counting without the aid of fingers.] sg. (name of a lunar month beginning in
dɔ̃m perfective. → dɔ̃m-. December), the good month (i.e. when the
dɔ̃m- verb. bite, sting (of insects); fr: mordre, first crops ripen), time of the traditional
piquer (pour les insectes); dt: beißen, stechen festivity of the Korombʌ; fr: (nom d’un mois
(für Insekten). lunaire qui commence en décembre), le bon
dɔ̃mmaa future. mois (c.à.d. lorsque les premières récoltes
dɔ̃mɛ̃ past. mûrissent), temps de la fête traditionnelle
dɔ̃m perfective. des korombʌ; dt: (Name eines Lunarmonats,
dɔ̃mm / dɔ̃mmʋ̃ imperfective. der im Dezember beginnt), der gute Monat
a dɔ̃mam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (d.h. als die ersten Feldfrüchte reifen), Zeit
a dɔ̃mmɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who bites; des traditionellen Festes der Korombʌ
fr: q.un qui mord; dt: jmd. der beißt. a (sɔmdɛ) hem dɔ̃nda NP+participle compound
a dɔ̃mməba deverbal agent noun pl. noun sg. fizzy drink (coke, etc.) (Lit.: (white
a dɔ̃mməgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object man’s) sweet water); fr: boisson gazé,
for biting (e.g. false tooth); thing that bites “sucrerie” (Lit.: eau douce (du blanc)); dt:
(e.g. insect); fr: objet pour mordre (p. ex. dent Getränk mit Kohlensäure (Cola, etc.)
artificiel); Chose qui mord (p. ex. insecte); dt: (Wörtl.: süßes Wasser (des Weißen)) [Note:
Gegenstand zum Beißen (z.B. künstlicher Here dɔ̃nda is a participial adjective. The
Zahn); Ding, das beißt (z.B. Insekt). element sɔmdɛ is only used for
a dɔ̃mməhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. disambiguation, but otherwise omitted.]
a dɔ̃mməga deverbal instrument noun [Note: This is the normal way to express
diminutive sg. being happy.]
a dɔ̃mməfa deverbal local noun. place for biting; dɔ̃nd- noun. long shirt (to below the knee) (worn by
bite (e.g. of an insect); fr: endroit pour mordre; men); fr: chemise longue, grand boubou (porté
morsure (p. ex. d’insecte); dt: Platz zum par les hommes); dt: langes Hemd (bis
beißen; Biss (z.B. eines Insekts). unterhalb der Knie) (von Männern getragen).
dɔ̃mam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɔ̃m-. a dɔ̃ndəgʋ sg.
dɔ̃mɛ̃ past. → dɔ̃m-. dɔ̃ndəsʋʋ pl.
dɔ̃mm imperfective. → dɔ̃m-. dɔ̃nda participial adjective. → dɔ̃nd-.
dɔ̃mmaa future. → dɔ̃m-. dɔ̃ndaa future. → dɔ̃nd-.
dɔ̃mməba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɔ̃m-. dɔ̃ndəgʋ sg. → dɔ̃nd-.
dɔ̃mməga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. dɔ̃nd(ʋ) imperfective. → dɔ̃nd-.
→ dɔ̃m-. dɔ̃nəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. →
dɔ̃mməgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dɔ̃m-. dɔ̃-.
dɔ̃mməhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dɔ̃m-. dɔ̃nəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dɔ̃-.
dɔ̃mmɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɔ̃m-. dɔ̃nəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dɔ̃-.
dɔ̃mmʋ̃ imperfective. → dɔ̃m-. dɔ̃nɔt- verb. detach, untie; fr: détacher, défaire;
dɔ̃naa future. → dɔ̃-. dt: losbinden, aufmachen. [Note: This verb is
dɔ̃nəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɔ̃-. the reversive of a dɔ̃jãm.]
dɔ̃nd- adj.verb. be good / tasty / sweet (to eat); fr: dɔ̃nɔtraa future.
être bon / doux (à goûter); dt: gut / dɔ̃nɔtɛ past.
wohlschmeckend / süß sein (zum Essen). [Note: dɔ̃nɔt(ʋ) perfective.
This verb probably originated as the dɔ̃nɔtr(ʋ) imperfective.
imperfective stem of dɔn, of which only the a dɔ̃nɔtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
abstract noun dɔnɔm remains in present-day a dɔ̃nɔtrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
Koromfe.] unties; fr: q.un qui détache; dt: jmd. der
dɔ̃ndaa future. losbindet.
dɔ̃nd(ʋ) imperfective. a dɔ̃nɔtrəba deverbal agent noun pl.

38 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

dɔ̃nɔtam dogt-
a dɔ̃nɔtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. a doboləgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
something that has been untied; fr: q.chose qui sg.
est détaché; dt: etwas, was losgebunden ist. a doboləfʌ deverbal local noun. place where one
a dɔ̃nɔtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. brings to ground; fr: endroit où on terrasse; dt:
a dɔ̃nɔtrəga deverbal instrument noun Platz, wo man zu Boden bringt.
diminutive sg. dobəlʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dobl-.
a dɔ̃nɔtrəfa deverbal local noun. place for dobəle past. → dobl-.
untying; fr: endroit pour détacher; dt: Platz dobo perfective. → dobl-.
zum losbinden. dobolʌʌ future. → dobl-.
a nɛ̃n dɔ̃nɔtrɛ NP+N compound noun sg. feast doboləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → dobl-.
at the end of Ramadan; fr: fête du jour de doboləgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
Ramadan; dt: Fest am Ende des Ramadans → dobl-.
[Note: The word a dɔ̃nɔtrɛ does not exist in doboləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → dobl-.
isolation. Note that its suffix -dɛ is the same doboləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dobl-.
as that of dɔ̃ɩ̃nɛ (although the latter is dobolo deverbal agent noun sg. → dobl-.
obligatorily nasalized) and a regular dobol(u) imperfective. → dobl-.
(though fairly rare) formation.] dogm- verb. cut (anything), slaughter (an animal
dɔ̃nɔtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɔ̃nɔt-. by cutting its throat); fr: couper (toute chose),
dɔ̃nɔtɛ past. → dɔ̃nɔt-. abattre (un animal en l’égorgeant); dt:
dɔ̃nɔtraa future. → dɔ̃nɔt-. (irgendetwas) schneiden, (ein Tier durch Hals
dɔ̃nɔtrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dɔ̃nɔt-. Abschneiden) schlachten. [Note: a dogəmam
dɔ̃nɔtrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive and a dogtam are synonymous. There is no
sg. → dɔ̃nɔt-. simple verb a dogʌm, even though both verbs
dɔ̃nɔtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dɔ̃nɔt-. are clearly derived from a stem dog-.]
dɔ̃nɔtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dɔ̃nɔt-. dogomʌʌ future.
dɔ̃nɔtrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɔ̃nɔt-. dogəme past.
dɔ̃nɔtr(ʋ) imperfective. → dɔ̃nɔt-. dogom perfective.
dɔ̃nɔt(ʋ) perfective. → dɔ̃nɔt-. dogom(õ) imperfective.
dɔ̃nɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → dɔ̃-. a dogəmʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
dɔ̃n(ɔ̃) imperfective. → dɔ̃-. a dogomo deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who cuts
dɔ̃ɔ̃m deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɔ̃-. / slaughters, slaughterer; fr: q.un qui coupe /
dɔ̃ɔ̃ŋa deverbal action noun diminutive sg. → dɔ̃-. abat, abatteur; dt: jmd. der schneidet /
dɔ̃ỹãm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɔ̃ɩ̃-. schlachtet, Schlachter.
dɔ̃ỹɛ̃ past. → dɔ̃ɩ̃-. a dogoməbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
dobl- verb. trip (up), cause to fall, bring to ground, a dogoməgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object
wrestle; fr: terrasser, faire tomber, lutter, for cutting, knife; fr: objet pour couper,
faire le catch; dt: jm. das Bein stellen, zu Boden couteau; dt: Gegenstand zum schneiden,
bringen, ringen. Messer.
dobolʌʌ future. a dogoməhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
dobəle past. a dogoməgʌ deverbal instrument noun
dobo perfective. diminutive sg.
dobol(u) imperfective. a dogoməfʌ deverbal local noun. place for
a dobəlʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. cutting / slaughtering; slaughterhouse,
a dobolo deverbal agent noun sg. victor; fr: butchery; fr: endroit pour couper / abattre;
vainqueur; dt: Sieger. abattoir, boucherie; dt: Platz zum schneiden /
a doboləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. schlachten; Schlachthaus, Fleischhauerei.
a doboləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing dogəmʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. →
which brings / is brought to ground (e.g. a dogm-.
trap, a lasso laid on the ground to catch an dogəme past. → dogm-.
animal; an animal that is brought to ground in dogom perfective. → dogm-.
this way); fr: objet pour terrasser / chose dogomʌʌ future. → dogm-.
terrassée (p. ex. une piège, un lasso posé à dogoməbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → dogm-.
terre pour attraper un animal; un animal qui es dogoməgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
terrassé de cette manière); dt: Gegenstand der sg. → dogm-.
zum Sturz bring / etwas, was zu Sturz dogoməgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → dogm-.
gebracht wurde (z.B. eine Falle, ein Lasso, das dogoməhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dogm-.
auf den Boden gelegt wird, um ein Tier zu dogomo deverbal agent noun sg. → dogm-.
fangen; ein Tier, das auf diese Art zu Boden dogom(õ) imperfective. → dogm-.
gebracht wird). dogt- verb. cut (anything), slaughter (an animal by
a doboləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. cutting its throat); fr: couper (toute chose),
abattre (un animal en l’égorgeant); dt:

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 39

dogtʌm dolləhẽ
(irgendetwas) schneiden, (ein Tier durch Hals une chemise.; dt: Ich habe von ihm ein
Abschneiden) schlachten. [Note: <g> is [g], not Hemd gekauft. / Ich habe ihm ein Hemd
[ɣ]. a dogomam and a dogtam are synonymous. verkauft.
There is no simple verb a dogʌm, even though a dollo deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who buys /
both verbs are clearly derived from a stem sells, buyer, seller; fr: q.un qui achète / vend,
dog-.] acheteur, vendeur; dt: jmd. der kauft /
dogtrʌʌ future. verkauft, Käufer, Verkäufer.
dogte past. a dolləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
dogt(u) perfective. a dolləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object for
dogtr(u) imperfective. selling (e.g. a stand); thing for sale, goods,
a dogtʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. wares; fr: objet pour vendre (p. ex. une table);
a dogtro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who cuts / chose à vendre, marchandise; dt: Gegenstand
slaughters, slaughterer; fr: q.un qui coupe / zum Verkaufen (z.B. Verkaufsstand); etwas,
abat, abatteur; dt: jmd. der schneidet / was verkauft wird, Ware.
schlachtet, Schlachter. a dolləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
a dogtrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. a dolləfʌ deverbal local noun. place for buying /
a dogtrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object selling; market; fr: endroit pour acheter /
for cutting, knife; fr: objet pour couper, vendre; marché; dt: Platz zum kaufen /
couteau; dt: Gegenstand zum schneiden, verkaufen; Markt.
Messer. a dolləŋʌ deverbal nomen acti diminutive sg.
a dogtrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. a dollo deverbal nomen acti sg.
a dogtrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive a dolləfi deverbal nomen acti pl. goods, wares;
sg. fr: choses à vendre, marchandises; dt: Waren.
a dogtrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for cutting [Note: This is an unusual formation which I
/ slaughtering; slaughterhouse, butchery; fr: have not found on any other verb.]
endroit pour couper / abattre; abattoir, dolʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dol-.
boucherie; dt: Platz zum schneiden / dole past. → dol-.
schlachten; Schlachthaus, Fleischhauerei. doll- verb. put (somewhere above ground level); fr:
dogtʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dogt-. poser (q.part plus haut qu’à terre); dt: stellen /
dogte past. → dogt-. legen (auf einen Platz höher als am Boden).
dogtrʌʌ future. → dogt-. [Note: Cf. a konʌm ‘put’ i.e. put anywhere and
dogtrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → dogt-. a dolotʌm, the reversive of this verb.]
dogtrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. dollrʌʌ future.
→ dogt-. dolle past.
dogtrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → dogt-. doll(u) perfective.
dogtrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dogt-. dollr(u) imperfective.
dogtro deverbal agent noun sg. → dogt-. a dollʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
dogtr(u) imperfective. → dogt-. a dollro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who puts;
dogt(u) perfective. → dogt-. fr: q.un qui pose; dt: jmd. der stellt / legt.
dol perfective. → dol-. a dollrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
dol- noun. vertical beam / rafter (of roof); fr: a dollrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object
poutre vertical (d’un toit); dt: senkrechter for putting things on; fr: objet pour poser
Balken (eines Daches). [Note: Cf. also a pɔgʋ q.chose; dt: Gegenstand, worauf man etwas
‘horizontal pole’] stellen / legen kann.
a dolo sg. a dollrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
a doləfi pl. a dollrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
dol- verb. buy, sell, pay for; fr: acheter, vendre, sg.
payer; dt: kaufen, verkaufen, bezahlen. [Note: a dollrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for putting
Takes la + NP for the non-subject NP of the things; fr: endroit où on pose q.chose; dt: Platz,
transaction. Cf. also a beldʌm. The transaction wo man etwas hinstellen / hinlegen kann.
described by this verb involves the exchange of a dolləmʌ̃ũ deverbal nomen acti pl. things that
money; for an exchange of goods alone, a one puts (s.where); fr: choses qu’on pose
kɩram is used.] (q.part); dt: Dinge, die man (irgendwo)
dollʌʌ future. hinstellt / hinlegt.
dole past. dollʌʌ future. → dol-.
dol perfective. dollʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → doll-.
doll(u) imperfective. dolləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → dol-.
a dolʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. dolle past. → doll-.
mə dol la d a pɛrəgʋ sentence I bought a shirt dolləfʌ deverbal local noun. → dol-.
from him. / I sold a shirt to him.; fr: J’ai dolləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → dol-.
acheté une chemise à lui. / Je lui ai vendu dolləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dol-.

40 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

dolləŋʌ don-
dolləŋʌ deverbal nomen acti diminutive sg. → dol-. ndom disjunctive cardinal numeral.
dollo deverbal agent noun sg. → dol-. pa mɛ ndom sentence Give me 5 (francs CFA).;
dollo deverbal nomen acti sg. → dol-. fr: Donne-moi 5 (francs CFA); dt: Gib mir 5
dollrʌʌ future. → doll-. (Francs CFA) [Note: This word is
dollrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → doll-. synonymous with gadɔ̃m. It cannot be used
dollrəfʌ deverbal local noun. → doll-. attributively. This word is preferred over
dollrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. gadɔ̃m in counting. The initial syllabic n
→ doll-. could be the 2nd person singular personal
dollrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → doll-. pronoun. Cf. also the attributive numerals
dollrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → doll-. dɔ̃m and dʋfɛ. In Koromfe, as in many other
dollro deverbal agent noun sg. → doll-. West African languages in areas where the
dollr(u) imperfective. → doll-. CFA currency is used, money is counted in
doll(u) imperfective. → dol-. multiples of the smallest coin which was
doll(u) perfective. → doll-. originally issued - the 5 franc coin. When
dolo sg. → dol-. speaking about money, the name of the
dolot- verb. take (down); fr: prendre (en bas ce qui currency is not used, but simply the
est en haut); dt: (herunter)nehmen. [Note: This numerical amount (see the example
is the semantically the reversive of a dollʌm immediately below).]
‘put’, though formally that of a dolʌm ‘buy, dom- noun. snake; fr: serpent; dt: Schlange.
sell’. The simplification of the double /l/ is a doŋfe singulative.
unexpected, but there exists no (other) a domi pl.
reversive verb with the shape CVllVt-, or with a a domkesəgʌ N+N compound noun diminutive
geminate in the position of the /ll/..] sg. python, boa; fr: python, boa; dt: Python,
dolotrʌʌ future. Boa. [Note: a kesəgʌ does not exist as an
dolote past. independent word, but must mean ‘big’; cf. a
dolot(u) perfective. kesem and a dɔfrɛ kesəgʌ)]
dolotr(u) imperfective. a domkesəni N+N compound noun diminutive pl.
a dolotʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. dombʌ pronoun. one another; fr: l’un l’autre; dt:
a dolotro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who takes einander, sich gegenseitig. [Note: This is the
down; fr: q.un qui prend en bas; dt: jmd. der plural form of a dono. It can be used as the
herunternimmt. object of a verb and as a possessive adjective
a dolotrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. or pronoun.]
a dolotrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object dombʌ reciprocal pronoun.
to help take sth. down; fork-lift truck; fr: objet dombʌ pl. → don-.
pour prendre q.chose; chariot élévateur; dt: domi pl. → dom-.
Gegenstand zum herunternehmen; domkesəgʌ N+N compound noun diminutive sg. →
Gabelstapler. dom-.
a dolotrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. don- noun. pal, neighbour, person of the same age;
a dolotrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun other (of the same kind); fr: camarade, voisin,
diminutive sg. personne du même âge ; autre (de la même
a dolotrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where sorte); dt: Kumpel, Nachbar, Gleichaltriger;
one takes sth. down; fr: endroit où on prend anderer (der gleichen Art). [Note: The plural of
q.chose; dt: Ort, wo man etwas herunternimmt. this word, dombʌ, is used as the reciprocal
a dolotəmʌ̃ũ deverbal nomen acti pl. things that pronoun.]
are taken down; fr: choses qu’on prend; dt: a dono sg.
Dinge, die heruntergenommen werden. a dombʌ pl.
dolotʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dolot-. a dombre denominal abstract quality noun sg.
dolote past. → dolot-. comradeship (of friends, people of the same
dolotrʌʌ future. → dolot-. age); fr: camaraderie des voisins, des
dolotrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → dolot-. personnes du même âge; dt: Kameraderie (von
dolotrəfʌ deverbal local noun. → dolot-. Freunden, Gleichaltrigen).
dolotrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. a yommədono V+N compound noun sg.
→ dolot-. comrade, pal, mate; fr: camarade, ami; dt:
dolotrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → dolot-. Kamerad [Note: Cf. a yomʌm ‘follow’.]
dolotrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dolot-. a yommədombʌ V+N compound noun pl.
dolotro deverbal agent noun sg. → dolot-. a yommədombre V+N compound noun sg.
dolotr(u) imperfective. → dolot-. comradeship (of friends, people of the same
dolot(u) perfective. → dolot-. age); fr: camaraderie des voisins, des
dom numeral. one (1); five francs CFA; fr: un (1); personnes du même âge; dt: Kameraderie
cinq francs CFA; dt: eins (1); fünf Francs CFA. (von Freunden, Gleichaltrigen) [Note: This
[Note: This root only occurs in ndom.] word is derived with the suffix - rɛ from the

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 41

dono dʋɛ
V+N compound noun a yommədono.] [Note: a dʋbrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object
The presence of /mb/ in this word suggests for grabbing; fr: objet pour arracher; dt:
that it is derived from the plural form of a Gegenstand zum ergreifen.
dono.] a dʋbrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
dono sg. → don-. a dʋbrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
doŋfe singulative. → dom-. sg.
doo noun. néré, kind of tree (Parkia biglobosa) a dʋbrəfa deverbal local noun. place for
whose dried seeds are used for sumbala; fr: grabbing; fr: endroit pour arracher; dt: Platz
néré, espèce de arbre (Parkia biglobosa) dont zum ergreifen.
les graines séchées sont utilisées pour le a dʋbmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. things that
soumbala); dt: Néré, Art Baum (Parkia are grabbed; fr: ce qui est arraché; dt: Dinge,
biglobosa), dessen getrockneten Samen für die ergriffen sind.
soumbala verwendet werden). dʋbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dʋb-.
a doo sg. dʋbɛ past. → dʋb-.
a doofi pl. dʋbraa future. → dʋb-.
a doo varam NP+N compound noun sg./mass dʋbrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dʋb-.
néré flour; fr: farine de néré; dt: Nérémehl dʋbrəfa deverbal local noun. → dʋb-.
[Note: This phrase is also used as a nominal dʋbrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
adjective for the colour yellow.] → dʋb-.
doom deverbal action noun sg./mass. → du-. dʋbrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dʋb-.
dʋ perfective. → dʋ-. dʋbrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dʋb-.
dʋ- verb. throw; fr: jeter; dt: werfen. dʋbrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dʋb-.
dʋraa future. dʋbr(ʋ) imperfective. → dʋb-.
dʋɛ past. dʋbt- verb. grab (once, one object); fr: arracher
dʋ perfective. (une fois, un objet); dt: ergreifen (einmal, einen
dʋr(ʋ) imperfective. Gegenstand).
a dɔɔm deverbal action noun sg./mass. dʋbtraa future.
a dʋrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who throws, dʋbtɛ past.
thrower; fr: q.un qui jète, jeteur; dt: jmd. der dʋbt(ʋ) perfective.
wirft, Werfer. dʋbtr(ʋ) imperfective.
a dʋrəba deverbal agent noun pl. a dʋbtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a dʋrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object for a dʋbtrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who grabs;
throwing; fr: objet pour jeter; dt: Gegenstand fr: q.un qui arrache; dt: jmd. der ergreift.
zum Werfen. a dʋbtrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
a dʋrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. a dʋbtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object
a geŋde dʋrəgʋ NP+N compound noun sg. for grabbing; fr: objet pour arracher; dt:
slingshot, catapult; fr: lance-pierres; dt: Gegenstand zum ergreifen.
Schleuder, Katapult [Note: This word is a dʋbtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
rare. Normally the corrupted Mòoré a a dʋbtrəga deverbal instrument noun
kʋtənlɛɛdga is used.] diminutive sg.
a geŋʌ dʋrəhɛ̃ NP+N compound noun sg. a dʋbtrəfa deverbal local noun. place for
a dʋrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive grabbing; fr: endroit pour arracher; dt: Platz
sg. zum ergreifen. [Note: There is no form a
a dʋrəfa deverbal local noun. place for throwing; dʋbtəmãʋ̃; instead a dʋbmãʋ̃ from a dʋbam is
place for shooting at birds (with a catapult); fr: used.]
endroit pour jeter; endroit où on tire sur les dʋbtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dʋbt-.
oiseaux (avec un lance-pierres); dt: Platz zum dʋbtɛ past. → dʋbt-.
werfen; Platz, wo man (mit einem Katapult) auf dʋbtraa future. → dʋbt-.
Vögel schießt. dʋbtrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dʋbt-.
dʋb- verb. grab (several times or several objects); dʋbtrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
fr: arracher (plusieurs fois ou plusieurs objets); → dʋbt-.
dt: ergreifen (mehrmals oder mehrere dʋbtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dʋbt-.
Gegenstände). dʋbtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dʋbt-.
dʋbraa future. dʋbtrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dʋbt-.
dʋbɛ past. dʋbtr(ʋ) imperfective. → dʋbt-.
dʋb(ʋ) perfective. dʋbt(ʋ) perfective. → dʋbt-.
dʋbr(ʋ) imperfective. dʋb(ʋ) perfective. → dʋb-.
a dʋbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. dʋd- noun.
a dʋbrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who grabs; a dʋtɛ sg. vagina; fr: vagin; dt: Scheide.
fr: q.un qui arrache; dt: jmd. der ergreift. a dʋra pl.
a dʋbrəba deverbal agent noun pl. dʋɛ past. → dʋ-.

42 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

dʋfɛ du-
dʋfɛ numeral. one; alone, only; fr: un(e); seul; dt: a dʋləsʋʋ pl.
ein(-er,-e,-es); allein, einzig(-er,-e,-es). [Note: dʋləgʋ sg. → dʋl-.
Synonymous with dɔ̃m. No ordinal numeral is dʋraa future. → dʋ-.
formed from this word; see a pote ‘first’. Being dʋrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dʋ-.
a numeral, this word prohibits the article a dʋrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. →
with a compound NP of which it is the second dʋ-.
part. The disjunctive numeral ‘one’ is ndom or dʋrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dʋ-.
gadɔ̃m (see below).] dʋrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dʋ-.
dʋfɛ attributive cardinal numeral. dʋrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dʋ-.
bɔrɔ dʋfɛ NP+N compound noun sg. one man; dʋrʋ quantifier.
fr: un (seule) homme; dt: ein (einziger) dʋrʋ indeclinable quantifier. all, every, each,
Mann [Note: *a bɔrɔ dʋfɛ is impossible] whole; only; fr: tout, entier ; seulement; dt:
dʋg- verb. leave, abandon; stop (doing sth.); fr: all(-er,-e,-es), jed(-er,-e,-es), ganz; nur.
laisser, abandonner ; s’arrêter (de faire a kunne dʋrʋ compound noun sg. the whole
q.chose); dt: lassen, verlassen; aufhören village; fr: tout le village; dt: das ganze Dorf
(etwas zu tun). a kunʌu dʋrʋ compound noun pl. all the
dʋgəraa future. villages; fr: tous les villages; dt: alle Dörfer
dʋgɛ past. bɛ̃nna tãã dʋrʋ la bɛ sentence Only three men
dʋg(ʋ) perfective. came.; fr: Trois hommes sont venus
dʋgər(ʋ) imperfective. seulement.; dt: Nur drei Männer sind
a dʋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. gekommen.
dʋkʋ imperative sentence Stop doing that!; fr: dʋdʋrʋ [Note: This is the emphatic form of dʋrʋ.
Laisse ça!; dt: Lass das! [Note: < dʋg + gʋ. Reduplication of the first syllable is rare.]
The geminate /gg/ is regularly realized as indeclinable quantifier. all, every, each, whole;
[k].] only; fr: tout, entier ; seulement; dt: all(-er,-e,-
a dʋgərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who es), jed(-er,-e,-es), ganz; nur.
leaves; s.o. who leaves his/her spouse; fr: q.un dʋr(ʋ) imperfective. → dʋ-.
qui laisse; q.un qui abandonne son mari /sa dʋtɛ sg. → dʋd-.
femme; dt: jmd. der lässt; jmd. der ihren Mann dʋ̃ɩ̃ adverb. this year; fr: cette année; dt: dieses
/ seine Frau verlässt. Jahr, heuer.
a dʋgərəba deverbal agent noun pl. dʋ̃ɩ̃ temporal adverb.
a dʋgərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object dʋ̃m- noun. lion; fr: lion; dt: Löwe.
to be abandoned, rubbish; fr: objet à a dʋ̃mdɛ sg.
abandonner, déchets; dt: Gegenstand zum a dʋ̃ma pl.
verlassen, Abfall. dʋ̃mdɛ sg. → dʋ̃m-.
a dʋgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. du perfective. → du-.
a dʋgrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive du- verb. wet and mix (banco, e.g. when building);
sg. fr: mouiller et mélanger (banco, p. ex. en
a dʋgrəfa deverbal local noun. place for construisant); dt: (Banco) nass machen und
abandoning; waste bin, rubbish tip; fr: endroit durchmischen (z.B. beim Bauen). [Note: The
pour abandonner; poubelle, dépôt des ordures; process designated by this verb is similar to
dt: Platz zum verlassen; Mistkübel, Müllhalde. mixing cement, but with plain earth.]
a dʋgmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. things that durʌʌ future.
are abandoned; rubbish; fr: ce qui est due past.
abandonné; déchets, ordures; dt: Dinge, die du perfective.
verlassen werden; Müll. dur(u) imperfective.
dʋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dʋg-. a doom deverbal action noun sg./mass.
dʋgɛ past. → dʋg-. a duro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who wets and
dʋgəraa future. → dʋg-. mixes; fr: q.un qui mouille et mélange; dt: jmd.
dʋgərəba deverbal agent noun pl. → dʋg-. der nass macht und mischt.
dʋgrəfa deverbal local noun. → dʋg-. a durəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
dʋgrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. a durəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object for
→ dʋg-. mixing; fr: objet pour mélanger; dt: Gegenstand
dʋgərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → dʋg-. zum Mischen.
dʋgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dʋg-. a durəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
dʋgərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → dʋg-. a durəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
dʋgər(ʋ) imperfective. → dʋg-. sg.
dʋg(ʋ) perfective. → dʋg-. a durəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for wetting
dʋl- noun. crow; fr: corbeau; dt: Krähe. [Note: = and mixing; fr: endroit pour mouiller et
Mòoré] mélanger; dt: Platz zum nass machen und
a dʋləgʋ sg. mischen.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 43

dubl- durʌʌ
dubl- adj.verb. to be heavy; fr: être lourd; dt: dubəsərʌʌ future. → dubs-.
schwer sein. dubəsərəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → dubs-.
dubolʌʌ future. dubəsərəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
dubəle past. sg. → dubs-.
dubo perfective. dubəsərəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. →
dubol(u) imperfective. dubs-.
dubəlʌ participial adjective. heavy; fr: lourd; dt: dubəsərəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. →
schwer. dubs-.
a fo dubəlʌ NP+Participle compound noun sg. a dubəsəro deverbal agent noun sg. → dubs-.
heavy person; fr: une personne lourde; dt: dubəsər(u) imperfective. → dubs-.
ein schwerer Mensch dubəs(u) perfective. → dubs-.
a fʋba dubəlʌ NP+Participle compound noun pl. due past. → du-.
[Note: This is the shortened future form.] dug- (=/dug/) noun. type, prototype; fr: type,
a duboi abstract noun sg./mass. weight, respect, prototype; dt: Typ, Prototyp. [Note: This word
obedience; fr: poids, respect, obéissance; dt: is normally used only in the plural.]
Gewicht, Respekt, Gehorsam. a dugre (=/dug-dɛ/) sg.
dubəlʌ participial adjective. → dubl-. a dugəfe (=/dug-fɛ/) sg.
dubəle past. → dubl-. a dugo / a dugʌ (=/dug-a/) pl. pl. also: race,
dubo perfective. → dubl-. strain, people; fr: pl. aussi: espèce, race,
dubolʌʌ future. → dubl-. ethnie, peuple; dt: pl. auch: Art, Rasse, Ethnie,
dubol(u) imperfective. → dubl-. Volk.
dubs- verb. respect, obey, be considerate, honour, dugəfe sg. (=/dug-fɛ/) → dug-.
admire, congratulate; fr: respecter, obéir, dugre sg. (=/dug-dɛ/) → dug-.
considérer, honorer, admirer, féliciter; dt: dugs- verb. soap (up), rub (to make lather); fr:
respektieren, gehorchen, rücksichtsvoll sein, savonner, frotter (pour faire la mousse); dt:
ehren, verehren, gratulieren. [Note: This verb einseifen, reiben (um Seifenblasen / Schaum zu
is derived from the adjectival verb dubl- ‘be erzeugen).
heavy’ in the extended sense of ‘be worthy of dugəsərʌʌ future.
respect’.] dugəse past.
dubəsərʌʌ future. dugəs(u) perfective.
dubəse past. dugəsər(u) imperfective.
dubəs(u) perfective. a dugəsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
dubəsər(u) imperfective. a dugəsəro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
a dubəsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. also: soaps (up); fr: q.un qui savonne; dt: jmd. der
respect, obedience, consideration, honour, einseift.
admiration, congratulation; fr: aussi: respect, a dugsərəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
obéissance, considération, honneur, a dugsərəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object
admiration, félicitation; dt: auch: Respekt, for soaping (up) (e.g. shaving brush); fr: objet
Gehorsam, Rücksicht, Ehre, Verehrung, pour savonner (p. ex. une brosse); dt:
Gratulation. Gegenstand zum einseifen (z.B. Rasierpinsel).
a dubəsəro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who a dugsərəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
respects; polite / respectful / considerate a dugsərəgʌ deverbal instrument noun
person; fr: q.un qui respecte; personne polie / diminutive sg.
respectueuse / attentionnée; dt: jmd. der a dugsərəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for
respektiert; höflicher / respektvoller / soaping (up); fr: endroit pour savonner; dt:
aufmerksamer Mensch. Platz zum einseifen.
a dubəsərəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. dugəsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dugs-.
a dubəsərəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. dugəse past. → dugs-.
object for respecting (especially a gift given to dugəsərʌʌ future. → dugs-.
show respect); fr: objet pour respecter (surtout dugsərəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → dugs-.
un cadeau donné pour être respectueux); dt: dugsərəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
Gegenstand zum Respektieren (insbes. ein sg. → dugs-.
Geschenk, das Respekt bezeugt). dugsərəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → dugs-.
a dubəsərəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. dugsərəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dugs-.
a dubəsərəgʌ deverbal instrument noun dugəsəro deverbal agent noun sg. → dugs-.
diminutive sg. dugəsər(u) imperfective. → dugs-.
a dubəsərəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for dugəs(u) perfective. → dugs-.
respecting; fr: endroit pour respecter; dt: Platz duniʌ noun. world; fr: monde; dt: Welt.
zum Respektieren. a duniʌ sg.
dubəsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dubs-. a duniʌfi pl.
dubəse past. → dubs-. durʌʌ future. → du-.

44 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

durəbʌ dũŋgrʌʌ
durəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → du-. a dũŋgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
durəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. → a dũŋgro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who is
du-. carrying a child on her back; fr: q.une qui porte
durəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → du-. un enfant au dos; dt: jmd., der ein Kind am
durəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → du-. Rücken trägt.
duro deverbal agent noun sg. → du-. a dũŋgrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
dur(u) imperfective. → du-. a dũŋgrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object
duud- noun. indigenous violin; fr: violon indigène; (e.g. cloth) for carrying a child on one’s back;
dt: einheimische Violine. [Note: = Mòoré] fr: objet (p. ex. étoffe) pour porter un enfant
a duudəgʌ sg. au dos; dt: Gegenstand (z.B. Tuch), mit dem
a duudəsuu pl. man ein Kind am Rücken zu tragen.
duudəgʌ sg. → duud-. a dũŋgrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
dũĩ- noun. shea nut; fr: noix de karité; dt: Shea- a dũŋgrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun
Nuss. diminutive sg.
a dũĩne sg. a dũŋgrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for
a dũỹʌ̃ pl. carrying a child on one’s back; fr: endroit pour
a dũỹõ pl. [Note: See also a hãmbəga and a porter un enfant au dos; dt: Platz wo man ein
hãmbrɛ ‘shea-nut’.] Kind am Rücken trägt.
dũĩne sg. → dũĩ-. dũŋgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dũŋg-.
dũmb- noun. short / small (piece of); fr: court / dũŋge past. → dũŋg-.
petit morceau; dt: kurz / klein(es Stück von). dũŋgl- verb. carry (a baby or child) on one’s back;
a dũmbəgʌ diminutive sg. fr: porter (un bébé ou un enfant) au dos; dt:
a dũmbəni diminutive pl. (Baby oder Kind) am Rücken tragen. [Note:
a da dũmbəgʌ N+N compound noun diminutive This verb is synonymous with a dũŋgʌm. Babies
sg. piece of wood (from any source); fr: / children are normally carried by women or
morceau de bois (de chaque origine); dt: girls, not by men or boys.]
Stück Holz (von jeder beliebigen Quelle) dũŋgolʌʌ future.
[Note: da < a dãɩ̃nɛ. This non-suffixed form dũŋgəle past.
is interpreted as ‘wood’ generically; a dãɩ̃nɛ dũŋgo perfective.
is interpreted as a “single piece of wood”.] dũŋgol(u) imperfective.
a da dũmbəni N+N compound noun diminutive a dũŋgəlʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
pl. a dũŋgolo deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who is
a dãɩ̃nɛ dũmbəgʌ NP+N compound noun carrying a child on her back; fr: q.un qui porte
diminutive sg. un enfant au dos; dt: jmd. der ein Kind am
a dãɩ̃nɛ dũmbəni NP+N compound noun Rücken trägt.
diminutive pl. pieces of wood (from one a dũŋgoləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
bigger piece); fr: morceaux de bois (venant a dũŋgoləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object
d’un seule morceau plus grand); dt: (e.g. cloth) for carrying a child on one’s back;
Holzstücke (aus einem einzigen größeren fr: objet (p. ex. étoffe) pour porter un enfant
Stück) au dos; dt: Gegenstand (z.B. Tuch), mit dem
a dãỹã dũmbəni NP+N compound noun man ein Kind am Rücken zu tragen.
diminutive pl. pieces of wood (from more a dũŋgoləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
than one bigger piece); fr: morceaux de bois a dũŋgoləgʌ deverbal instrument noun
(venant de plus d’un morceau plus grand); diminutive sg.
dt: Holzstücke (aus mehr als einem a dũŋgoləfʌ deverbal local noun. place for
größeren Stück) carrying a child on one’s back; fr: endroit pour
dũmbəgʌ diminutive sg. → dũmb-. porter un enfant au dos; dt: Platz wo man ein
dũmm- noun. knee; fr: genou; dt: Knie. Kind am Rücken trägt.
a dũmməne sg. dũŋgəlʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. →
a dũmmʌ̃ pl. dũŋgl-.
dũmməne sg. → dũmm-. dũŋgəle past. → dũŋgl-.
dũŋg- verb. carry (a baby or child) on one’s back; fr: dũŋgo perfective. → dũŋgl-.
porter (un bébé ou un enfant) au dos; dt: (Baby dũŋgolʌʌ future. → dũŋgl-.
oder Kind) am Rücken tragen. [Note: This verb dũŋgoləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → dũŋgl-.
is synonymous with a dũŋgəlʌm. Babies / dũŋgoləgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
children are normally carried by women or sg. → dũŋgl-.
girls, not by men or boys.] dũŋgoləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → dũŋgl-.
dũŋgrʌʌ future. dũŋgoləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dũŋgl-.
dũŋge past. dũŋgolo deverbal agent noun sg. → dũŋgl-.
dũŋg(u) perfective. dũŋgol(u) imperfective. → dũŋgl-.
dũŋgr(u) imperfective. dũŋgrʌʌ future. → dũŋg-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 45

dũŋgrəbʌ falaʋ
dũŋgrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → dũŋg-. dũŋgro deverbal agent noun sg. → dũŋg-.
dũŋgrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. dũŋgr(u) imperfective. → dũŋg-.
→ dũŋg-. dũŋg(u) perfective. → dũŋg-.
dũŋgrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → dũŋg-. dũỹʌ̃ pl. → dũĩ-.
dũŋgrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → dũŋg-.

Ɛ - ɛ

-ɛ (=/ɛ/) verb.suffix. past; fr: passé; dt: see the suffix -ŋa, which attaches to the
Vergangenheit. imperfective stem.]
ɛ / e (=/ɛ/) [Note: This suffix attaches to the -ɛɩ deriv. Adj to N. (=/Ṿɩ/) → -Ṿɩ.
bare stem (=perfective) of verbs and produces -ɛl ?causative. (=/-Ṿl/) → -Ṿl.
the “past” form. This form is also used in real -ɛm transitive. → -Ṿm.
conditional clauses (and there is no word -ɛt reversive. → -Ṿt.
corresponding to “if”). For unreal conditions,

E - e

-ei deriv. Adj to N. (=/Ṿɩ/) → -Ṿɩ. -em transitive. → -Ṿm.

-el ?causative. (=/-Ṿl/) → -Ṿl. -et reversive. → -Ṿt.

F - f

-f (=/f/) verbal imperfective inflectional suffix. neuf.; dt: Diese Frauen sind neun (an der
verbal imperfective inflectional suffix; fr: Zahl). [Note: The disjunctive numeral ɩfa is
suffixe flexionnel verbal inaccompli; dt: used when counting. When fa is used
verbales Flexionssuffix Imperfektiv. [Note: This attributively the prefix ɩ must be dropped
suffix is sometimes accompanied by truncation and there can be no article a before the
of the verb stem.] qualified noun or noun phrase.]
fa numeral. nine (9); forty-five francs CFA; fr: a faandɔ ordinal numeral human sg. ninth; fr:
neuf (9); quarante-cinq francs CFA; dt: neun neuvième; dt: neunt(-er,-e,-es).
(9); fünfundvierzig Francs CFA. [Note: The a faandəba ordinal numeral human pl.
disjunctive numeral ɩfa is used when counting. a faandəgʋ ordinal numeral non-human sg. & pl.
When fa is used attributively the prefix ɩ must [Note: Non-human ordinal numerals have no
be dropped and there can be no article a before plural form; instead the singular is used.]
the qualified noun or noun phrase.] faaɩ pronoun. everything; fr: tout; dt: alles. [Note:
fa attributive cardinal numeral. Only used with the verb ŋgo ‘lack’.]
ɩfa disjunctive cardinal numeral. faaɩ quantitative pronoun.
fʋba fa NP+numeral compound noun pl. nine faandəba ordinal numeral human pl. → fa.
people; fr: neuf gens; dt: neun Menschen faandɔ ordinal numeral human sg. → fa.
[Note: Not *a fʋba fa or *a fʋba ɩfa or *fʋba falaʋ noun. representative of the chief (a jɔ) and
ɩfa] keso at the new year celebration (a pɩlaŋ
kɛ̃na fa la bɛ sentence Nine women have come.; dɔ̃nda); fr: représentant du chef (a jɔ) et keso à
fr: Neuf femmes sont arrivées.; dt: Neun la fête de la nouvelle année (a pɩlaŋ dɔ̃nda); dt:
Frauen sind gekommen. Vertreter des Chefs (a jɔ) und des keso am
a kɛ̃na bɛŋ ba fa la sentence Those women are Neujahrsfest (a pɩlaŋ dɔ̃nda). [Note: This word
nine (in number).; fr: Ces femmes sont
46 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at
far-
does not take the article a when referring to fãɩ̃ gɛllɛ N+N compound noun sg. → gɛl-.
the present bearer of this office.] fãnaa future. → fã-.
(a) falaʋ common & proper noun sg. fãnəba deverbal agent noun pl. → fã-.
a falaʋma sg. fãnɛ imperfective. → fã-.
far- (=/fad/) verb. advance; be the first to; fr: fãnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. →
avancer; être le premier qui...; dt: vorgehen; fã-.
erster sein, der... bebauen, (am Acker) fãnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → fã-.
arbeiten. fãnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → fã-.
fataa future. fãnɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → fã-.
farɛ past. fʌu adverb. certainly, surely; fr: certainement,
far(ɩ) perfective. sûrement; dt: gewiss, sicher. [Note: This
fat(ɩ) imperfective. adverb always occurs at the end of the
a faram deverbal action noun sg./mass. sentence.]
a fatɔ deverbal agent noun sg. fʌu sentential adverb.
a fatəba deverbal agent noun pl. ba bɛllaa fʌu sentence He’s sure to come.; fr: Il
a fatəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. viendra certainement.; dt: Er wird sicher
a fatəhɩ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. kommen.
a fatəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive -fɛ (=/fɛ/) noun class singulative. singulative; fr:
sg. singulatif; dt: Singulativ.
a fatəfa deverbal local noun. -fɛ singulative.
faram deverbal action noun sg./mass. → far-. -fe singulative.
farɛ past. → far-. fɛb- noun. tree, plant; fr: arbre, plante; dt: Baum,
far(ɩ) perfective. → far-. Pflanze.
fataa future. → far-. a fɛkʋ sg.
fatəba deverbal agent noun pl. → far-. a fɛbɩ pl.
fatəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. → a fɛkəŋa diminutive sg.
far-. fɛbɩ pl. → fɛb-.
fatəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → far-. fɛkʋ sg. → fɛb-.
fatəhɩ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → far-. fɛl- adj.verb. be narrow/thin; fr: être
fat(ɩ) imperfective. → far-. étroit/mince/maigre; dt: eng/dünn/schlank
fatɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → far-. sein.
fã past. → fã-. fɛləmaa future.
fã perfective. → fã-. fɛləfaa future. [Note: There is no imperfective
fã- verb. scratch (to hurt s.o.); fr: gratter (pour *fɛləf(ʋ)]
faire mal à q.un); dt: kratzen (um jm. Weh zu fɛlɛm imperfective.
tun). a fɛləŋa adjectival noun diminutive sg.
fãnaa future. a fɛləmɛ adjectival noun pl. narrow, thin; fr:
fã past. étroit, mince, maigre; dt: eng, dünn, schlank.
fã perfective. a bɔrə fɛləŋa N+N compound noun diminutive
fãnɛ imperfective. sg. a narrow path; fr: un sentier étroit; dt:
a fããm deverbal action noun sg./mass. ein enger Weg
a luko fãnaa sentence Cats scratch.; fr: Le chat a bɔrə fɛləmɛ N+N compound noun pl.
griffe.; dt: Katzen kratzen. a fɛləmɛ̃ɩ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a fãnɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who narrowness, thinness; fr: étroitesse, minceur,
scratches; fr: q.un qui gratte; dt: jmd. der maigreur; dt: Enge, Dünnheit, Schlankheit.
kratzt. fɛlɛm imperfective. → fɛl-.
a fãnəba deverbal agent noun pl. fɛləfaa future. → fɛl-.
a fãnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object for fɛləmaa future. → fɛl-.
scratching; fr: objet pour gratter; dt: fɛləmɛ adjectival noun pl. → fɛl-.
Gegenstand zum Kratzen. fɛləŋa adjectival noun diminutive sg. → fɛl-.
a fãnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. fɛr- (=/fɛd/) verb. farm, cultivate, work (in the
a fãnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive fields); fr: cultiver, travailler (au champ); dt:
sg. bebauen, (am Acker) arbeiten.
a fãnəfa deverbal local noun. place for fɛtaa future.
scratching; fr: endroit pour gratter; dt: Platz fɛrɛ past.
zum Kratzen. fɛr(ɩ) perfective.
fããm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → fã-. fɛt(ɩ) imperfective.
fãɩ̃ noun. porridge; fr: tô; dt: Brei. a fɛram deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a fãɩ̃ sg. a fɛtə ỹãʋ̃ V+N compound noun sg. land in the
a fãɩfɩ pl. course of being cultivated; fr: terre qu’on
fãɩ̃ gɛla N+N compound noun pl. → gɛl-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 47

fɛram
est en train de cultiver; dt: Land, das fɛ̃fəlɛɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. → fɛ̃f-.
gerade bebaut wird fɛ̃fɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → fɛ̃f-.
a fɛtə ỹãʋ̃ŋa V+N compound noun diminutive fɛ̃f(ʋ) imperfective. → fɛ̃f-.
sg. fɛ̃n- (=/fɛ̃n/) noun. day (of the week); fr: jour (de la
a fɛtɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who semaine); dt: Tag (der Woche).
cultivates; fr: q.un qui cultive; dt: jmd. der am fɛ̃ndɛ (=/fɛ̃n-dɛ/) sg.
Acker arbeitet. fɛ̃na (=/fɛ̃n-a/) pl.
a fɛtəba deverbal agent noun pl. fɛ̃ndɛfɩ (=/fɛ̃n-dɛ-fɩ/) pl.
a fɛtəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. tool for ase fɛ̃ndɛ la yoote sentence What day of the
cultivating; plant that is cultivated; fr: outil week is it today?; fr: C’est quel jour de la
pour cultiver; plante qui es cultivée; dt: semaine aujourd’hui?; dt: Welcher
Werkzeug für den Ackerbau; Pflanze, die Wochentag ist heute?
angebaut wird. fɛ̃na pl. (=/fɛ̃n-a/) → fɛ̃n-.
a fɛtəhɩ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. fɛ̃ndɛ adverb. one day; fr: un jour; dt: eines Tages.
a fɛtəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive fɛ̃ndɛ (=/fɛ̃ndɛ/)
sg. fɛ̃ndɛ sg. (=/fɛ̃n-dɛ/) → fɛ̃n-.
a fɛtəfa deverbal local noun. place for fɛ̃ŋ perfective. → fɛ̃ŋ-.
cultivating; fr: endroit pour cultiver; dt: Platz, fɛ̃ŋ- verb. leave over, save (for s.o.); fr: laisser (de
wo angebaut wird. reste), réserver (pour q.un); dt: (einen Rest)
a fɛrəmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. thing that is übrig lassen, (für jmdn.) aufheben. [Note: This
cultivated; crop (of any kind); fr: ce qui est verb us usually used for food which is kept for
cultivé; chose cultivable; dt: das, was angebaut someone else to eat later.]
wird; anbaufähige Pflanzenart. fɛ̃ŋnaa future.
fɛram deverbal action noun sg./mass. → fɛr-. fɛ̃ŋɛ past.
fɛrɛ past. → fɛr-. fɛ̃ŋ perfective.
fɛr(ɩ) perfective. → fɛr-. fɛ̃ŋn(ɛ) imperfective.
fɛtaa future. → fɛr-. a fɛ̃ŋam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
fɛtəba deverbal agent noun pl. → fɛr-. a fɛ̃ŋnɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who leaves
fɛtəfa deverbal local noun. → fɛr-. over / saves; fr: q.un qui laisse (de reste) /
fɛtəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. → réserve; dt: jmd. der (einen Rest) überlässt /
fɛr-. aufhebt.
fɛtəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → fɛr-. a fɛ̃ŋnəba deverbal agent noun pl.
fɛtəhɩ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → fɛr-. a fɛ̃ŋnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. rest
fɛt(ɩ) imperfective. → fɛr-. (kept for someone else); fr: reste (réservé pour
fɛtɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → fɛr-. q.un d’autre); dt: Rest (der für wen anderen
fɛ̃f- defective verb. continue, carry on; fr: aufgehoben wird).
continuer; dt: fortsetzen, weitermachen. a fɛ̃ŋnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
fɛ̃faa future. a fɛ̃ŋnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
fɛ̃f(ʋ) imperfective. sg.
a fɛ̃fəlɛɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. also: a fɛ̃ŋnəfa deverbal local noun. place where left-
continuation, continuity; fr: continuation, over food is kept; fr: endroit pour garder les
continuité; dt: Fortsetzung, Kontinuität. restes de nourriture; dt: Platz, wo
a fɛ̃fɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who übergebliebenes Essen aufgehoben wird.
continues, s.o. who is still around; fr: q.un qui fɛ̃ŋam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → fɛ̃ŋ-.
continue, q.un qui est toujours là; dt: jmd. der fɛ̃ŋɛ past. → fɛ̃ŋ-.
weitermacht, jmd. der noch immer da ist. fɛ̃ŋnaa future. → fɛ̃ŋ-.
a fɛ̃fəba deverbal agent noun pl. fɛ̃ŋnəba deverbal agent noun pl. → fɛ̃ŋ-.
a fɛ̃fəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. sth. that is fɛ̃ŋn(ɛ) imperfective. → fɛ̃ŋ-.
still around; fr: q.chose qui est toujours là; dt: fɛ̃ŋnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
etwas, was noch immer da ist. → fɛ̃ŋ-.
a fɛ̃fəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. fɛ̃ŋnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → fɛ̃ŋ-.
a fɛ̃fəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. fɛ̃ŋnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → fɛ̃ŋ-.
a fɛ̃fəfa deverbal local noun. place where s.o. is fɛ̃ŋnɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → fɛ̃ŋ-.
still around; fr: endroit où q.un est toujours là; fee participial adjective. → fee-.
dt: Ort, wo jmd. noch immer da ist. fee- (=/fee/) verb. live, exist; fr: vivre, exister; dt:
fɛ̃faa future. → fɛ̃f-. leben, existieren. [Note: The imperfective stem
fɛ̃fəba deverbal agent noun pl. → fɛ̃f-. has a shortened first vowel.]
fɛ̃fəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. → fefʌʌ future.
fɛ̃f-. fef(u) imperfective.
fɛ̃fəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → fɛ̃f-. fee participial adjective.
fɛ̃fəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → fɛ̃f-.

48 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

feelei fɩɩndɔ
a feelei deverbal action noun sg./mass. life, a feləmi adjectival noun pl.
existence; fr: vie, existence; dt: Leben, felem imperfective. → felm-.
Existenz. feleŋ adjectival noun sg. → fel-.
a fefo deverbal agent noun sg. living human felm- adj.verb. be new; fr: être nouveau / neuf; dt:
being; fr: humain vivant; dt: lebender Mensch. neu sein.
a fefəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. feləmʌʌ future.
a fefəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. living felem imperfective.
thing; fr: chose vivante; dt: lebendes Ding. a feləmẽĩ abstract quality noun sg. newness; fr:
a fefəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. nouveauté; dt: Neuheit.
a fefəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive feləmʌʌ future. → felm-.
sg. feləŋʌ adjectival noun diminutive sg. → fel-.
a fefəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where s.o. / ferd- verb. whistle, play a wind instrument (e.g. a
sth. lives; fr: endroit où q.un / q.chose vit; dt: flute); fr: siffler, jouer d’un instrument qui
Platz wo jmd. / etwas lebt. siffle (p. ex. la flûte); dt: pfeifen, ein
feelei deverbal action noun sg./mass. → fee-. Blasinstrument spielen (z.B. eine Flöte).
fefʌʌ future. → fee-. feredʌʌ future.
fefəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → fee-. ferəde past.
fefəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. → fere perfective.
fee-. fered(i) imperfective.
fefəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → fee-. a ferədʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
fefəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → fee-. a feredo deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
fefo deverbal agent noun sg. → fee-. whistles / plays; fr: q.un qui siffle / joue; dt:
fef(u) imperfective. → fee-. jmd. der pfeift / spielt.
feget- verb. revive, resuscitate; fr: ranimer, a feredəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
ressusciter; dt: wieder beleben. [Note: There is a feredəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. wind
no word *fegʌm of which this could be the instrument, flute; fr: instrument qui siffle,
reversive, although clearly this verb is related flûte; dt: Blasinstrument, Flöte.
to fee ‘live’.] [Phon: [g], not [ɣ].] a feredəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
fegetrʌʌ future. a feredəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
fegete past. sg.
feget(i) perfective. a feredəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for blowing
fegetr(i) imperfective. / playing; fr: endroit pour siffler / jouer; dt:
a fegetʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. Platz zum pfeifen / spielen.
a fegetro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who a ferede sg. whistle (e.g. a football referee’s); fr:
revives; fr: q.un qui ranime; dt: jmd. der wieder sifflet (p. ex. de l’arbitre en football); dt: Pfeife
belebt. (z.B. eines Schiedsrichters beim Fußball).
a fegetrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. [Note: This form is probably a - dɛ derivation;
a fegetrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing there is no regular source for the variant with
for reanimating (e.g. a sɛ̃ɔ̃); fr: chose pour an n.]
ranimer (p. ex. a sɛ̃ɔ̃); dt: etwas zum a ferende sg.
wiederbeleben (z.B. a sɛ̃ɔ̃). a feredefi pl.
a fegetrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. a ferendefi pl.
a fegetrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun ferədʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → ferd-.
diminutive sg. ferəde past. → ferd-.
a fegetrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where fere perfective. → ferd-.
s.o. is reanimated; fr: endroit où on ranime feredʌʌ future. → ferd-.
q.un; dt: Platz zum. feredəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → ferd-.
fegetʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → feget-. ferede sg. → ferd-.
fegete past. → feget-. feredefi pl. → ferd-.
feget(i) perfective. → feget-. feredəfʌ deverbal local noun. → ferd-.
fegetrʌʌ future. → feget-. feredəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
fegetrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → feget-. → ferd-.
fegetrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. feredəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → ferd-.
→ feget-. feredəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → ferd-.
fegetrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → feget-. fered(i) imperfective. → ferd-.
fegetrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → feget-. feredo deverbal agent noun sg. → ferd-.
fegetr(i) imperfective. → feget-. ferende sg. → ferd-.
fegetro deverbal agent noun sg. → feget-. fɩɩndəba ordinal numeral human pl. → fi.
fel- adj.noun. new; fr: nouveau, neuf; dt: neu. fɩɩndɔ ordinal numeral human sg. → fi.
a feleŋ adjectival noun sg.
a feləŋʌ adjectival noun diminutive sg.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 49

fɩl fib-
fɩl verb. ? start; fr: ? commencer; dt: ? beginnen. a fɩrɛ sɔɩraa dɔba sentence The sun traverses
[Note: Used with the reversive suffix at in fɩlɛt- the sky.; fr: Le soleil traverse le ciel.; dt: Die
‘finish”.] Sonne überquert den Himmel.
fɩlɛt- verb. finish, end, leave; fr: finir, cesser, a fɩrɛ selle NP+N compound noun sg. sunlight;
partir; dt: aus sein, zu Ende gehen, weggehen. fr: (lumière du) soleil; dt: Sonnenlicht
[Note: This verb can only be used with the fɩtla noun. lamp (of any kind), candle; fr: lampe (de
name of a season as its subject. Although it toute sorte), bougie; dt: Lampe (jeder Art),
looks morphologically like a reversive, there is Kerze.
no corresponding verb a fɩlam. There are no a fɩtəla sg.
agent, instrumental or local nouns derived a fɩtəlaɩ sg.
from this verb.] a fɩtəlafɩ pl.
fɩlɛtraa future. will finish; a fɩtəlaɩfɩ pl.
fɩlɛtɛ (=/fɩl-at-ɛ/) past. finished; fɩtəla sg. → fɩtla.
fɩlɛtɩ perfective. fɩtəlafɩ pl. → fɩtla.
fɩlɛtrɩ imperfective. fɩtəlaɩ sg. → fɩtla.
a fɩlɛtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. fɩtrmagsɩ noun.
fɩlɛtɛ past finished. (=/fɩl-at-ɛ/) → fɩlɛt-. a fɩtərəmagəsɩ [Note: Used by older speakers -
fɩlɛtɩ perfective. (=/fɩl-at-ɛ/) → fɩlɛt-. meaning unclear.] sg. type of lamp; fr: espèce
fɩlɛtraa future will finish. → fɩlɛt-. de lampe; dt: Art Lampe.
fɩlɛtrɩ imperfective. (=/fɩl-at-ɛ/) → fɩlɛt-. fi numeral. ten (10); fifty francs CFA; fr: dix (10);
fɩlla- noun. Fula, Fulani; fr: Peul; dt: Ful. cinquante francs CFA; dt: zehn (10); fünfzig
a fɩllaŋa diminutive sg. Fulani (person); fr: Francs CFA.
(personne) peul; dt: Ful (Mensch). fi attributive cardinal numeral.
fɩllanɛ diminutive pl. — disjunctive cardinal numeral.
a fɩllaŋa la bɛ sentence A Fulani has come.; fr: bɛ̃nna fi la bɛ sentence Ten men have come.; fr:
Un Peul est venu.; dt: Ein Ful ist gekommen. Dix hommes sont arrivées.; dt: Zehn Männer
a fɩllan(ɛ) naɩ NP+N compound noun sg. Fulani sind gekommen.
cattle; fr: bovins peuls, bovins des Peuls; dt: a bɛ̃nna bɛŋ ba fi la sentence Those women are
Ful-Rinder, Rinder der Ful [Note: This type nine (in number).; fr: Ces femmes sont
of compound (or the N+N type below) is the neuf.; dt: Diese Frauen sind neun (an der
only way of expressing ethnic affiliation of Zahl). [Note: This word never takes the
non-humans.] article a. It also cannot take the prefix ɩ- of
a fɩlla naɩ N+N compound noun sg. Fulani the non-attributive (disjunctive) numerals
cattle; fr: bovins peuls, bovins des Peuls; dt: from 2 to 9.]
Ful Rinder, Rinder der Ful [Note: This type a fɩɩndɔ ordinal numeral human sg. ninth; fr:
of compound (or the NP+N type above) is neuvième; dt: neunt(-er,-e,-es).
the only way of expressing ethnic affiliation a fɩɩndəba ordinal numeral human pl.
of non-humans.] [Note: There is no non- a fɩɩndəgʋ ordinal numeral non-human sg. & pl.
diminutive form of this word.] [Note: Non-human ordinal numerals have no
a fɩllafɛ singulative. Fulfulde (language); fr: (la plural form; instead the singular is used.]
langue) Peul; dt: (die Sprache) Fulfulde. fib- verb. throb; fan, ventilate, air; fr: palpiter ;
fɩllanɛ diminutive pl. → fɩlla-. vanner, ventiler, aérer; dt: pulsieren; fächern,
fɩllaŋa diminutive sg. → fɩlla-. lüften.
fɩllɔ noun. traditional celebration of the new year fibrʌʌ future.
(in mid December); fr: fête coutumière de la fibroo future.
nouvelle année (mi-décembre); dt: traditionelle fibe past.
Feier des neuen Jahres (Mitte Dezember). fib(u) perfective.
[Note: Also called a karə pɩlaŋ, actually the fibr(u) imperfective.
name of the traditional month in which a fɩllɔ a fibʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
falls (<a kara ‘dry season’ + a pɩlaŋ ‘moon, a fibro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who fans; fr:
month’)] q.un qui vanne; dt: jmd. der fächert.
a fɩllɔ sg. a fibrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
a fɩllɔfɩ pl. a fibrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. throbbing
fɩrɛ noun. sun, daytime (vs. night), daylight; fr: noise (e.g. of a passing lorry); fan, ventilator;
soleil, journée (v nuit); dt: Sonne, Tag (vs. fr: bruit palpitant (p. ex. d’un véhicule lourd
Nacht), Tageslicht. passant) ; van, ventilateur; dt: pulsierendes
a fɩrɛ sg. Geräusch (z.B. eines vorbeifahrenden
a fɩrɛ hãmnɛ NP+N compound noun sg. Lastwagens); Fächer, Ventilator.
sunshine, sunlight; fr: brillance de soleil, a fibrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
lumière de soleil; dt: Sonnenschein, a fibrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun dimin.
Sonnenlicht

50 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

fibʌm fird-
a fibrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where a instrument pour déterrer (typiquement a
throbbing sound can be heard; well ventilated zugʌ); dt: Instrument zum ausgraben
place; fr: endroit où on entend un bruit (normalerweise a zugʌ).
palpitant ; endroit bien ventilé; dt: Platz, wo a figetrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
ein pulsierendes Geräusch zu hören ist; gut a figetrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun
gelüfteter Platz. diminutive sg.
a fibmʌ̃ũ deverbal nomen acti pl. good air (after a figetrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where sth.
ventilation); fr: air bon (après avoir ventilé); is dug up; fr: endroit où on déterre q.chose; dt:
dt: gut Luft (nach dem Lüften). Platz, wo etwas ausgegraben wird.
a yɩkʋ koŋ fibru sentence There is a lot of figetʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → figet-.
activity (and noise) in this termite hill.; fr: Il figete past. → figet-.
y a beaucoup d’activité (et bruit) dans cette figet(i) perfective. → figet-.
termitière.; dt: Es gibt viel Bewegung (und figetrʌʌ future. → figet-.
Geräusch) in diesem Termitenhaufen. figetrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → figet-.
fibʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → fib-. figetrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
fibe past. → fib-. → figet-.
fibrʌʌ future. → fib-. figetrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → figet-.
fibrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → fib-. figetrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → figet-.
fibrəfʌ deverbal local noun. → fib-. figetr(i) imperfective. → figet-.
fibrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun dimin. → fib-. figetro deverbal agent noun sg. → figet-.
fibrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → fib-. fig(i) perfective. → fig-.
fibrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → fib-. figrʌʌ future. → fig-.
fibro deverbal agent noun sg. → fib-. figrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → fig-.
fibroo future. → fib-. figrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. →
fibr(u) imperfective. → fib-. fig-.
fib(u) perfective. → fib-. figrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → fig-.
field !!! sg. → kɔ̃b-. figrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → fig-.
fig- verb. bury; fr: enterrer; dt: begraben, figr(i) imperfective. → fig-.
eingraben. [Note: [g], not [ɣ]. Cf. the reversive figro deverbal agent noun sg. → fig-.
of this verb, a figetʌm ‘dig up’.] fill- noun. stick (forked at the bottom for mixing
figrʌʌ future. sauce); fr: bâton (fourchu en bas pour remuer
fige past. la sauce); dt: Stock (unten verzweigt, mit dem
fig(i) perfective. [Note: fig(i) + gʋ → fiku] man die Sauce quirlt).
figr(i) imperfective. a filləŋʌ diminutive sg.
a figʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. a filləni diminutive pl.
a figro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who buries; filləŋʌ diminutive sg. → fill-.
fr: q.un qui enterre; dt: jmd. der eingräbt. fird- verb. blow (e.g. the wind), spread over, break
a figrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. out in (e.g. a rash, measles; flowers); fr:
a figrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. souffler (p. ex. le vent), se déclarer (p. ex.
instrument for burying; fr: instrument pour rougeole; fleurs); dt: blasen (z.B. der Wind),
enterrer; dt: Instrument zum eingraben. sich ausbreiten über, ausbrechen (z.B.
a figrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. Ausschlag, Röteln; Blüten).
a figrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive firedʌʌ future.
sg. firəde past.
a figrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where sth. is fire perfective.
buried; fr: endroit où on enterre q.chose; dt: fired(i) imperfective.
Platz, wo etwas eingegraben wird. a firədʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
figʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → fig-. a sarʋ koŋ firedʌʌ sentence The wind is blowing
fige past. → fig-. (hard).; fr: Le vent souffle (fort).; dt: Der
figet- verb. dig up, unearth; fr: déterrer; dt: Wind bläst (stark).
ausgraben. [Note: [g], not [ɣ]] a bɔ̃ɛ̃ la fire mə kʋlɔ sentence Measles have
figetrʌʌ future. broken out (on my body).; fr: La rougeole
figete past. s’est déclaré (à mon corps).; dt: Die Röteln
figet(i) perfective. sind (auf meinem Körper) ausgebrochen.
figetr(i) imperfective. a firedo deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who has
a figetʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. broken out in sth.; fr: personne chez laquelle
a figetro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who digs q.chose s’est déclaré; dt: jmd., bei dem etwas
up; fr: q.un qui déterre; dt: jmd. der ausgräbt. ausgebrochen ist.
a figetrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. a firedəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
a figetrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. a firedəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. sth.
instrument for digging up (typically a zugʌ); fr: (e.g. tree) which has broken out (in blossom);

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 51

firədʌm fɔ̃nnɔ̃
fr: q.chose (p. ex. un arbre) qui s’est déclaré unexpected n where the verbs arguably derived
(en fleurs); dt: etwas (z.B. ein Baum), was (in from it have ŋ.]
Blüten) ausgebrochen ist. fɔ̃nnaa future.
a firedəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. fɔ̃nəfaa future.
a firedəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive fɔ̃nnɔ̃ imperfective.
sg. fɔ̃nəf(ʋ) imperfective.
a firedəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where fɔ̃nna participial adjective. fearful, timid, shy;
(flowers etc.) have broken out; fr: endroit où [Note: This is the shortened future form, used
(les fleurs etc.) se sont déclarées; dt: Ort, wo because this verb has no perfective form.]
(Blumen etc.) ausgebrochen sind. a fɔ̃nnɛ̃ɩ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass. fear,
a firede deverbal nomen acti sg. dust; fr: timidity, shyness; fr: peur, timidité; dt: Angst,
poussière; dt: Staub. Ängstlichkeit, Scheu, Schüchternheit.
firədʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → fird-. a fɔ̃nəfɩɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. fear,
firəde past. → fird-. timidity, shyness; fr: peur, timidité; dt: Angst,
fire perfective. → fird-. Ängstlichkeit, Scheu, Schüchternheit.
firedʌʌ future. → fird-. a sũndu koŋ fɔ̃nnaa That horse is shy.; fr: Ce
firedəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → fird-. cheval est timide.; dt: Dieses Pferd ist scheu.
firedəfʌ deverbal local noun. → fird-. mə fɔ̃nnaa dɩ sentence I am afraid of him.; fr:
firedəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. J’ai peur de lui.; dt: Ich fürchte mich vor
→ fird-. ihm.
firedəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → fird-. a sũndu fɔ̃nna NP+Participle compound noun
firedəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → fird-. sg. a shy horse; fr: un cheval timide; dt: ein
fired(i) imperfective. → fird-. scheues Pferd
firedo deverbal agent noun sg. → fird-. a sũndii fɔ̃nna NP+Participle compound noun
fite noun. flower, blossom, bud; fr: fleur, bourgeon; pl.
dt: Blume, Blüte, Knospe. [Note: This word a bɔrɔ fɔ̃nna NP+Participle compound noun sg.
probably originated as a - dɛ derivation from a a shy man; fr: un homme timide; dt: ein
root fid- which also underlies the verb fidl-.] ängstlicher Mann
a fite sg. a bɛ̃nna fɔ̃nna NP+Participle compound noun
a fitre sg. sg.
a firʌ pl. a fɔ̃nnɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who is
fite sg. → fite. afraid; timid, fearful; fr: q.un qui a peur;
fitre sg. → fite. timide, peureux; dt: jmd. der Angst hat;
fɔr- noun. belly, stomach, abdomen; character; fr: schüchtern, ängstlich.
ventre, estomac, abdomen ; caractère; dt: a fɔ̃nnəba deverbal agent noun pl.
Bauch, Magen, Abdomen; Charakter. a fɔ̃nnəŋa deverbal agent noun diminutive pl.
a fɔrʋ sg. [Note: This form is used primarily for a child
a fɔrəfɩ pl. who is afraid.]
a fɔrə saa N+N compound noun sg. pregnant a fɔ̃nnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. sth.
woman (lit. owner of belly); fr: femme enceinte frightening; fr: q.chose qui fait peur; dt: etwas,
(lit.: possesseur de ventre); dt: schwangere was Angst macht.
Frau (wörtl.: Bauchbesitzerin). a fɔ̃nnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
a fɔrə sammã N+N compound noun pl. a fɔ̃nnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
fɔrə saa N+N compound noun sg. → fɔr-. sg.
fɔrəfɩ pl. → fɔr-. a fɔ̃nnəfa deverbal local noun. frightening place;
fɔrʋ sg. → fɔr-. fr: endroit qui fait peur; dt: Platz, der Angst
fɔ̃- noun. leaf; (bank-)note; fr: feuille; billet macht.
(d’argent); dt: Blatt; (Geld-)schein. fɔ̃nəfaa future. → fɔ̃n-.
a fɔ̃frɛ singulative. fɔ̃nəfɩɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. → fɔ̃n-.
a fɔ̃ɔ̃ pl./collective. fɔ̃nəf(ʋ) imperfective. → fɔ̃n-.
a fɔ̃fɩ pl. fɔ̃nna participial adjective. → fɔ̃n-.
fɔ̃frɛ dɔ̃m NP+N compound noun sg. CFA 500 fɔ̃nnaa future. → fɔ̃n-.
note; fr: billet de CFA 500; dt: CFA 500- fɔ̃nnəba deverbal agent noun pl. → fɔ̃n-.
schein [Note: Money is counted in units of fɔ̃nnɛ̃ɩ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass. → fɔ̃n-.
the smallest denomination. Thus for coins fɔ̃nnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
1=5 CFA and for notes 1=500 CFA] → fɔ̃n-.
fɔ̃frɛ singulative. → fɔ̃-. fɔ̃nnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → fɔ̃n-.
fɔ̃n- defective verb. be afraid (of), fear; fr: avoir fɔ̃nnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → fɔ̃n-.
peur (de), craindre; dt: Angst haben (vor), fɔ̃nnəŋa deverbal agent noun diminutive pl. → fɔ̃n-.
befürchten. [Note: This verb has an fɔ̃nnɔ̃ imperfective. → fɔ̃n-.
fɔ̃nnɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → fɔ̃n-.

52 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

fɔ̃ŋn- foll-
fɔ̃ŋn- verb. stop working, rest; fr: arrêter le travail, fɔ̃ŋɔ̃ndaa future. → fɔ̃ŋn-.
se reposer; dt: aufhören zu arbeiten, sich fɔ̃ŋɔ̃ndəba deverbal agent noun pl. → fɔ̃ŋn-.
ausrasten. [Note: Synonymous with a fɔ̃ŋɔtam.] fɔ̃ŋɔ̃ndəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
fɔ̃ŋɔ̃ndaa future. sg. → fɔ̃ŋn-.
fɔ̃ŋnɛ past. fɔ̃ŋɔ̃ndəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → fɔ̃ŋn-.
fɔ̃ŋɔ̃ perfective. fɔ̃ŋɔ̃ndəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → fɔ̃ŋn-.
fɔ̃ŋɔ̃nd(ʋ) imperfective. fɔ̃ŋɔ̃ndɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → fɔ̃ŋn-.
a fɔ̃ŋnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. fɔ̃ŋɔ̃nd(ʋ) imperfective. → fɔ̃ŋn-.
a fɔ̃ŋɔ̃ndɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who is fɔ̃ŋs- verb. frighten; fr: faire peur (à); dt:
resting; fr: q.un qui se repose; dt: jmd. der sich schrecken, Angst machen.
ausrastet. fɔ̃ŋsəraa future.
a fɔ̃ŋɔ̃ndəba deverbal agent noun pl. fɔ̃ŋsɛ past.
a fɔ̃ŋɔ̃ndəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object fɔ̃ŋs(ʋ) perfective.
for resting (e.g. chair, bed); fr: objet pour se fɔ̃ŋsər(ʋ) imperfective.
reposer (p. ex. chaise, lit); dt: Gegenstand zum a fɔ̃ŋsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
Ausrasten (z.B. Sessel, Bett). a fɔ̃ŋsərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
a fɔ̃ŋɔ̃ndəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. frightens (other people); fr: q.un qui fait peur
a fɔ̃ŋɔ̃ndəga deverbal instrument noun (aux autres); dt: jmd. der (anderen) Angst
diminutive sg. macht.
a fɔ̃ŋɔ̃ndəfa deverbal local noun. place for a fɔ̃ŋsərəba deverbal agent noun pl.
resting; fr: endroit pour se reposer; dt: Platz a fɔ̃ŋsərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
zum Ausrasten. (e.g. animal) that frightens (people); fr: chose
fɔ̃ŋnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → fɔ̃ŋn-. (p. ex. animal) qui fait peur (aux gens); dt: Ding
fɔ̃ŋnɛ past. → fɔ̃ŋn-. (z.B. Tier), das (Menschen) Angst macht.
fɔ̃ŋɔt- verb. stop working, rest; fr: arrêter le travail, a fɔ̃ŋsərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
se reposer; dt: aufhören zu arbeiten, sich a fɔ̃ŋsərəga deverbal instrument noun
ausrasten. [Note: Synonymous with a fɔ̃ŋnam. diminutive sg.
The reversive morphology may indicate that a fɔ̃ŋsərəfa deverbal local noun. place that
this verb derives from the fɔ̃ŋ base of the verb frightens (people); fr: endroit qui fait peur (aux
a fɔ̃ŋsam ‘frighten’, or be related to the gens); dt: Ort, der (Menschen) Angst macht.
defective verb a fɔ̃nnɛ̃ɩ̃.] fɔ̃ŋsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → fɔ̃ŋs-.
fɔ̃ŋɔtraa future. fɔ̃ŋsɛ past. → fɔ̃ŋs-.
fɔ̃ŋɔtɛ past. fɔ̃ŋsəraa future. → fɔ̃ŋs-.
fɔ̃ŋɔt(ʋ) perfective. fɔ̃ŋsərəba deverbal agent noun pl. → fɔ̃ŋs-.
fɔ̃ŋɔtr(ʋ) imperfective. fɔ̃ŋsərəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
a fɔ̃ŋɔtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → fɔ̃ŋs-.
a fɔ̃ŋɔtrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who is fɔ̃ŋsərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → fɔ̃ŋs-.
resting; fr: q.un qui se repose; dt: jmd. der sich fɔ̃ŋsərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → fɔ̃ŋs-.
ausrastet. fɔ̃ŋsərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → fɔ̃ŋs-.
a fɔ̃ŋɔtrəba deverbal agent noun pl. fɔ̃ŋsər(ʋ) imperfective. → fɔ̃ŋs-.
a fɔ̃ŋɔtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object fɔ̃ŋs(ʋ) perfective. → fɔ̃ŋs-.
for resting; fr: objet pour se reposer; dt: fɔ̃ɔ̃ pl./collective. → fɔ̃-.
Gegenstand zum Ausrasten. fo noun. person, human (being), someone, (pl.)
a fɔ̃ŋɔtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. people; fr: personne, humain, quelqu’un, (pl.)
a fɔ̃ŋɔtrəga deverbal instrument noun gens; dt: Mensch, Person, jemand, (pl.) Leute.
diminutive sg. a fo sg.
a fɔ̃ŋɔtrəfa deverbal local noun. place for a fʋba [Note: Irregular change of vowel quality
resting; fr: endroit pour se reposer; dt: Platz (incl. ATR class) in the plural] pl.
zum Ausrasten. fo past. → fu-.
fɔ̃ŋɔtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → fɔ̃ŋɔt-. fog- noun. sweat, perspiration; fr: sueur,
fɔ̃ŋɔtɛ past. → fɔ̃ŋɔt-. transpiration; dt: Schweiß.
fɔ̃ŋɔtraa future. → fɔ̃ŋɔt-. a fogre sg.
fɔ̃ŋɔtrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → fɔ̃ŋɔt-. a fogiʌ pl.
fɔ̃ŋɔtrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. a fogre la wɔ̃fə mɛ sentence I’m feeling hot
→ fɔ̃ŋɔt-. (and sweaty).; fr: J’ai chaud (et je
fɔ̃ŋɔtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → fɔ̃ŋɔt-. transpire).; dt: Mir ist heiß (und schwitzig).
fɔ̃ŋɔtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → fɔ̃ŋɔt-. [Note: The plural means ‘a lot of sweat’.]
fɔ̃ŋɔtrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → fɔ̃ŋɔt-. fogre sg. → fog-.
fɔ̃ŋɔtr(ʋ) imperfective. → fɔ̃ŋɔt-. foll- noun. friend; fr: ami; dt: Freund. [Note: There
fɔ̃ŋɔt(ʋ) perfective. → fɔ̃ŋɔt-. is no verb like * a folʌm from which this could
fɔ̃ŋɔ̃ perfective. → fɔ̃ŋn-. be an agent noun.]

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 53

folləbʌ fʋsrɛ
a follo sg. provides no explanation for the long vowel and
a folləbʌ pl. the d.]
a follre abstract quality noun sg. friendship; fr: a fʋrəmããndəga sg.
amitié; dt: Freundschaft. a fʋrəmããndɩɩ pl. [Note: Mòoré: wiləmwiigʌ, pl.
folləbʌ pl. → foll-. wiləmwiisi.]
follo sg. → foll-. fʋrəmããndəga sg. → fʋrmããnd-.
foom deverbal action noun sg./mass. → fu-. fʋrʋ sg. → fʋr-.
for- verb. pound millet (to remove the chaff); fr: fʋs- verb. breathe, blow, inflate, blow up, rekindle
piler le mil (pour enlever le son); dt: Hirse (by blowing); sweat, perspire; fr: respirer,
stampfen (um die Spreu zu entfernen). souffler, enfler d’air, rallumer (en soufflant);
fotʌʌ future. transpirer; dt: atmen, blasen, aufblasen,
fore past. anfachen (durch Blasen); schwitzen.
for(u) perfective. fʋsraa future.
fot(u) imperfective. fʋsɛ past.
a foru deverbal action noun sg./mass. fʋs(ʋ) perfective.
a forʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. fʋsr(ʋ) imperfective.
a foto deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who pounds; a fʋsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. also:
fr: q.un qui pile; dt: jmd. der stampft. exhaust (of an internal combustion engine); fr:
a fotəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. aussi: échappement (d’un engin à combustion
a fotəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. millet interne); dt: auch: Auspuff (eines
that is being pounded; fr: mil qu’on pile; dt: Verbrennungsmotors).
Hirse, die gestampft wird. a fʋsrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who moves /
a fotəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. inflates / rekindles / sweats; fr: q.un qui bouge
a fotəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive / enfle / rallume / transpire; dt: jmd. der
sg. bewegt / aufbläst / anfacht / schwitzt.
a fotəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for pounding; a fʋsrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
fr: endroit pour piler; dt: Platz zum Stampfen. a fʋsrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. artificial
forʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → for-. respirator; air pump (e.g. of a bicycle); lung;
fore past. → for-. instrument for rekindling (typically: traditional
foru deverbal action noun sg./mass. → for-. blacksmith’s bellows); fr: respirateur ; pompe
for(u) perfective. → for-. d’air (p. ex. pompe de vélo) ; poumon ;
fotʌʌ future. → for-. instrument pour rallumer (typiquement: souffle
fotəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → for-. traditionnel du forgeron; dt: Beatmungsgerät;
fotəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. → Luftpumpe (z.B. eines Fahrrads); Lunge;
for-. Instrument zum anfachen (normalerweise:
fotəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → for-. traditioneller Blasbalg des Schmiedes).
fotəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → for-. a fʋsrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
foto deverbal agent noun sg. → for-. a fʋsrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
fot(u) imperfective. → for-. sg.
fʋr- noun. medicine man’s sacred storehouse; fr: a fʋsrəfa deverbal local noun. place where one
maison sacré du chef de terre; dt: heiliges inflates (e.g. tyres at a filling station); place
Lagerhaus des Medizinmanns. [Note: This is a where fire is rekindled; sweaty weather; fr:
single small house in the medicine man’s endroit où on enfle (p. ex. les pneus à la station
compound where sacred objects are stored. d’essence) ; endroit où on rallume le feu; climat
When a new chief is elected, he must spend à transpirer; dt: Platz wo man aufbläst (z.B. die
one week in this house before he is allowed to Reifen an einer Tankstelle); Platz, wo man das
go home. Cf. a vɩrɛ ‘chief’s sacred storehouse’.] Feuer wieder anfacht; schwitziges Wetter.
a fʋrəgʋ sg. [Note: The meaning ‘sweaty weather’ shows
a fʋrɩɩ pl. that deverbal local nouns, just like the word a
fʋr- noun. antelope, gazelle (with horns); fr: tike ‘place, weather’, also refer to climatic
antilope, gazelle (à cornes); dt: Antilope, conditions.]
Gazelle (mit Hörnern). a fʋsrɛ deverbal nomen acti sg. (single) breath,
a fʋrʋ sg. (pl.) breath, breathing; fr: (seule) respiration,
a fʋrɩɩ pl. (pl.) respiration; dt: Atemzug, (pl.) Atem,
fʋrəgʋ sg. → fʋr-. Atmung.
fʋrmããnd- noun. kind of bush; fr: espèce de a fʋsa deverbal nomen acti pl.
arbuste; dt: Art Strauch. [Note: This word fʋsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → fʋs-.
could originate in a compound of a fʋrʋ fʋsɛ past. → fʋs-.
‘antelope’ and a mãnam ‘be used to’. Antelopes fʋsraa future. → fʋs-.
eat the leaves of this bush. However, this fʋsrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → fʋs-.
fʋsrɛ deverbal nomen acti sg. → fʋs-.

54 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

fʋsrɛ ga
fʋsrɛ deverbal action noun sg. → fus-. pas); faire bouger (etc.); dt: sich bewegen,
fʋsrəfa deverbal local noun. → fʋs-. seinen Platz verlassen, sich (einige Schritte)
fʋsrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. zurückziehen. [Note: Used only for short
→ fʋs-. distances. Leaving town would demand a
fʋsrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → fʋs-. gondʌm.]
fʋsrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → fʋs-. fusrʌʌ future.
fʋsrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → fʋs-. fuse past.
fʋsr(ʋ) imperfective. → fʋs-. fus(u) perfective.
fʋs(ʋ) perfective. → fʋs-. fusr(u) imperfective.
fu perfective. → fu-. a fusʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
fu- verb. pull, drag along the ground; fr: tirer, a mobilli la bɛ̃nɛ la mə fuse (a) bɔrə dɔba
traîner à terre; dt: am Boden ziehen. sentence A car came along and I left the
furʌʌ future. (surface of the) road.; fr: Une voiture est
fo past. venue et j’ai quitté (la surface de la) rue.;
fu perfective. dt: Ein Auto ist gekommen und ich habe die
fur(u) imperfective. (Oberfläche der) Straße verlassen.
a foom deverbal action noun sg./mass. a fusro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who moves;
a furo deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who drags; fr: fr: q.un qui bouge; q.un qui fait bouger; dt: jmd.
q.un qui traîne; dt: jmd. der zieht. der (sich) bewegt.
a furəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. a fusrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
a furəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing a fusrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. sth.
that is dragged; fr: chose traînée; dt: Ding, das that is moved (e.g. a stone removed from the
gezogen wird. road); tool for moving things; fr: objet qui
a furəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. bouge (p. ex. une pierre qu’on déplace de la
a furəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive rue); outil pour faire bouger; dt: Gegenstand,
sg. der bewegt wird (z.B. ein Stein, den man von
a furəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where sth. is der Straße entfernt); Werkzeug zum Bewegen.
dragged; fr: endroit où on traîne q.chose; dt: a fusrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun pl.
Stelle, wo etwas gezogen wird. a fusrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
a furo (=/fu-d-ɔ/) deverbal nomen acti sg. trail sg.
(e.g. of a snake, of writing in sand); fr: trace a fusrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where sth.
(p. ex. d’un serpent, de l’écriture en sable); dt: moves; fr: endroit où q.chose bouge; dt: Platz,
Spur (z.B. einer Schlange, des Schreibens im wo sich etwas bewegt.
Sand). [Note: This derivation, if such it is, a fusəmʌ̃ũ deverbal nomen acti pl. things that
producing nouns of the -ʋ/-fɩ and -ʋ/-ɩɩ class are moved; fr: ce qui bouge; dt: Dinge, die
from the imperfective stem, is rare.] bewegt werden.
a furəfi deverbal nomen acti pl. a fʋsrɛ deverbal action noun sg. air, breathing;
a furii deverbal nomen acti pl. fr: air, respiration; dt: Luft, Atmung.
furʌʌ future. → fu-. a fʋsa deverbal action noun pl.
furəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → fu-. fusʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → fus-.
furəfʌ deverbal local noun. → fu-. fuse past. → fus-.
furəfi deverbal nomen acti pl. (=/fu-d-ɔ/) → fu-. fusəmʌ̃ũ deverbal nomen acti pl. → fus-.
furəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. → fusrʌʌ future. → fus-.
fu-. fusrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → fus-.
furəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → fu-. fusrəfʌ deverbal local noun. → fus-.
furəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → fu-. fusrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun pl. → fus-.
furo deverbal agent noun sg. → fu-. fusrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
furo deverbal nomen acti sg. (=/fu-d-ɔ/) → fu-. → fus-.
fur(u) imperfective. → fu-. fusrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → fus-.
fus- verb. move, leave one’s position, retreat (a fusro deverbal agent noun sg. → fus-.
short distance); cause to move (etc.); fr: fusr(u) imperfective. → fus-.
bouger, quitter sa place, reculer (quelques fus(u) perfective. → fus-.

G - g

ga pronoun / possessive adjective. — postclitic personal pronoun object (direct or

ga proclitic personal pronoun subject. indirect).
Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 55
-ga
— proclitic possessive adjective 3rd person sg. gaabʋ noun. power, force; fr: force; dt: Kraft.
diminutive. he, she, it; his, her, its; him, her; fr: a gaabʋ sg.
ça, il, elle; son/sa/ses; le, la (diminutif); dt: es, a gaabə saa NP+N compound noun sg. s.o. with
er, sie; sein, ihr (3.sg.); ihn, ihm (diminutiv). drive, s.o. who gets things done; fr: q.un
a beləŋʌ kɛ̃ŋ tamsə ga wakɩrɩ sentence That avec persévérance, q.un qui achève des
child has lost his/her/its coin.; fr: Cet résultats; dt: jmd. mit Power, jmd., der
enfant a perdu sa pièce de monnaie.; dt: Ergebnisse erzielt
Dieses Kind hat sein Geldstück verloren. a gaabə sammã NP+N compound noun pl.
ga kommu sentence He/she/it is crying.; fr: Il gaarɩ sg. → gaa-.
pleure.; dt: Es weint [Note: This form is gab- noun. knife (of any kind), sword, dagger; fr:
either prefixed to a verb or a noun phrase, couteau (de toute sorte), épée, poignard; dt:
or suffixed to a verb; it cannot stand alone Messer (jeder Art), Schwert, Dolch.
(e.g. as the elliptical answer to a question). a gabrɛ sg.
As the prefix of a verb, it is the subject a gaba pl.
pronoun, on a noun phrase it is the a gabka diminutive sg. small knife; fr: petit
“possessor”, and as a suffix on a verb it is couteau; dt: kleines Messer.
the (direct or indirect) object. The vowel of a gabənɛ diminutive pl.
this pronoun is lexical and is therefore (in gaba pl. → gab-.
contrast with some other pronouns) never gabka diminutive sg. → gab-.
omitted. Diminutives can be human or non- gabrɛ sg. → gab-.
human, but must be of smaller-than-normal gabt- noun. aubergine, egg plant; fr: aubergine; dt:
size (usually some non-fully-grown instance Melanzani.
of something).] a gabtrɛ sg.
gakɔ strong personal pronoun (subject or object) a gabtəfɛ singulative.
3rd person sg. diminutive. a gabta pl.
— strong possessive adjective 3rd person sg. gabtəfɛ singulative. → gabt-.
diminutive. he, she, it, him, her; his, her, hers; gabtrɛ sg. → gabt-.
fr: il, elle, ça, le, la, son/sa/ses, le/la/les gafa noun. book; fr: livre; dt: Buch. [Note: Probably
sien(ne)(s); dt: er, sie (3.sg.), es, ihn, ihm, ihr from Arabic.]
(3.sg.); sein(,-er,-e,-es), ihr(,-er,-e,-es) (3.sg.). a gafa sg.
a beləŋʌ kɛ̃ŋ tamsə gakɔ wakɩrɩ sentence That a gafafɩ pl.
child has lost his/her/its coin.; fr: Cet gafag noun. decoration for the flanks of a horse; fr:
enfant a perdu sa pièce de monnaie.; dt: décoration des cotés d’un cheval; dt: Schmuck
Dieses Kind hat sein Geldstück verloren. für die Flanken eines Pferdes. [Note: = Mòoré]
gakɔ kommu sentence He/she/it is crying.; fr: a gafaka sg.
Il pleure.; dt: Es weint. [Note: This form of a gafagsʋʋ pl.
the pronoun indicates some kind of gafaka sg. → gafag.
“emphasis”, but this can be so minimal that gaga past. → gagn-.
in practice the disjunctive form can always gagandaa future. → gagn-.
be used in place of a clitic pronoun. It never gagandəba deverbal agent noun pl. → gagn-.
undergoes any phonological reduction or gagandəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
expansion. It can stand in the normal sg. → gagn-.
(preverbal) subject or (postverbal) object gagandəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gagn-.
positions, and can also be used as the gagandəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gagn-.
elliptical answer to a question. As with all gagand(ɩ) imperfective. → gagn-.
disjunctive pronouns, it is formed with the gagandɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gagn-.
proclitic prefix version of the pronoun and ga-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 3rd person diminutive
the invariant stem-like element kɔ. The sg. → gɩllɛ.
expected negative pronoun form gagn- (=/gag-Ṿl̃-/) verb. cry (noisily) and talk
corresponding to ga ought to be gaa. But (aggressively); fr: pleurer (en faisant du bruit)
this form is used as the negative version of et parler (agressivement); dt: (laut) weinen
gʋ, and not as the negative of ga.] und (aggressiv) sprechen. [Note: This verb has
-ga (=/ga/) noun class diminutive singular. the nasal variant of the -Vl suffixoid, even
diminutive singular; fr: diminutif singulier; dt: though there is no source of nasality in its stem
Diminutiv Singular. gag-.]
-ga ncl.dimin.sg. gagandaa future.
-gʌ ncl.dimin.sg. gagənɛ past.
gaa- noun. saddle; fr: selle; dt: Sattel. [Note: = gaga past.
Mòoré] gagən(ɩ) perfective.
a gaarɩ sg. gagand(ɩ) imperfective.
a gaaya pl. a gagənam deverbal action noun sg./mass.

56 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

gagənam gar-
a gagandɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; gamsər(ʋ) imperfective.
fr: q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der ... a gamsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a gagandəba deverbal agent noun pl. a gamsərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
a gagandəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing takes a stride; fr: q.un qui fait un pas; dt: jmd.
(e.g. bird) which ...; fr: chose (p. ex. oiseau) qui der einen Schritt macht.
...; dt: etwas (z.B. Vogel), was ... a gamsərəba deverbal agent noun pl.
a gagandəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. a gamsərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg.
a gagandəga deverbal instrument noun obstacle (that needs to be stepped over); fr:
diminutive sg. obstacle (où on doit faire un pas pour le
a gagandəfa deverbal local noun. place where traverser); dt: Hindernis (über welches man
one ...; fr: endroit où on ...; dt: Platz, wo man einen Schritt machen muss).
... a gamsərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
gagənam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gagn-. a gamsərəga deverbal instrument noun
gagənɛ past. → gagn-. diminutive sg.
gagən(ɩ) perfective. → gagn-. a gamsərəfa deverbal local noun. place where
gal perfective. → gal-. one takes a stride; fr: endroit où on fait un pas;
gal- verb. swim, play in water; have a lot of sth.; fr: dt: Stelle, wo man einen Schritt macht.
nager, s’amuser dans l’eau; avoir beaucoup de a gamsəmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. places that
q.chose; dt: schwimmen, sich im Wasser one has already stepped across; fr: lieux qu’on
unterhalten; viel von etwas haben. a déjà traversé en faisant des pas; dt: Stellen,
gallaa future. über die man schon geschritten ist.
galɛ past. a gamsərɛ deverbal nomen acti sg. step, pace; fr:
gal perfective. pas; dt: Schritt.
gall(ɩ) imperfective. a gamsa deverbal nomen acti pl.
a galam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a gamsaʋ deverbal nomen acti pl.
də gal a manɛ pɔtʋ sentence He is swimming in gamsa deverbal nomen acti pl. → gams-.
money.; fr: Il nage dans l’argent.; dt: Er gamsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gams-.
schwimmt in Geld. gamsɛ past. → gams-.
a gallɔ deverbal agent noun sg. swimmer; gamsəmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. → gams-.
someone who has a lot; fr: nageur; q.un qui a gamsəraa future. → gams-.
beaucoup; dt: jmd. der. gamsərəba deverbal agent noun pl. → gams-.
a galləba deverbal agent noun pl. gamsərɛ deverbal nomen acti sg. → gams-.
a galləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object for gamsərəfa deverbal local noun. → gams-.
swimming (e.g. lifejacket, lifebelt, ring, wings, gamsərəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
flippers); fr: objet pour nager (p. ex. gilet de sg. → gams-.
sauvetage, bouée de sauvetage, bouée de gamsərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gams-.
natation, brassard, flippers); dt: Gegenstand gamsərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gams-.
zum schwimmen (z.B. Rettungsweste, gamsərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gams-.
Rettungsring, Schwimmring, Schwimmflügel, gamsər(ʋ) imperfective. → gams-.
Flipper). gams(ʋ) perfective. → gams-.
a galləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. gar- noun. indigo; fr: indigo; dt: Indigo. [Note:
a galləga deverbal instrument noun diminutive Similar to Mòoré garəgandɛ. This plant used to
sg. dye traditional clothes. Resulting colour: blue
a galləfa deverbal local noun. place for to black (depending on additives)]
swimming; fr: endroit pour nager; dt: Platz zum a garəfɛ singulative.
Schwimmen. a gara pl.
galam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gal-. gar- noun. inner courtyard (of a compound); fr: cour
galɛ past. → gal-. (intérieure) d’une concession; dt: Innenhof
gallaa future. → gal-. (eines Hofes).
galləba deverbal agent noun pl. → gal-. a gatɛ sg.
galləga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. → a gara pl.
gal-. gar- verb. cook in a particular way (stirring) (e.g.
galləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gal-. couscous, fonio); fr: cuire d’une façon
galləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gal-. particulière (en remuant) (p. ex. couscous,
gall(ɩ) imperfective. → gal-. fonio); dt: auf eine besondere Art kochen
gallɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gal-. (umrührend) (z.B. Couscous, Foniohirse).
gams- verb. take a stride, step; fr: faire un pas; dt: gataa future.
einen Schritt machen, schreiten. garɛ past.
gamsəraa future. gar(ɩ) perfective.
gamsɛ past. gat(ɩ) imperfective.
gams(ʋ) perfective. a garam deverbal action noun sg./mass.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 57

garam gãnat-
a gatɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; fr: gãnɛ past.
q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der ... gãn perfective.
a gatəba deverbal agent noun pl. gãnn(ɛ) imperfective.
a gatəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object gãt(ɩ) imperfective.
(e.g. stick) for stirring; fr: objet (p. ex. bois) a gãnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. also:
pour remuer; dt: Gegenstand (z.B. Stock) zum bandage (N); fr: aussi: bandage; dt: auch:
Umrühren. Verband.
a gatəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. a gãnʋ deverbal action noun sg.
a gatəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive mə ỹʋ̃ ganɛ sentence I have a big problem.
sg. (Lit.: My head is bandaged.); fr: J’ai un
a gatəfa deverbal local noun. place for ...; fr: grand problème. (Lit.: Ma tête est bandée.);
endroit pour ...; dt: Platz zum ... dt: Ich habe ein großes Problem. (Wörtl.:
garam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gar-. Mein Kopf ist eingewickelt.)
garɛ past. → gar-. a ỹʋ̃ gãn NP+N compound noun sg. (person
garəfɛ singulative. → gar-. with a) big problem; fr: (personne qui a un)
gar(ɩ) perfective. → gar-. grand problème; dt: (jmd., der ein) großes
gars- noun. couscous; fr: couscous; dt: Couscous. Problem (hat) [Note: Here the active verb
garsgʋ sg. form is interpreted passively.]
gas- noun. baobab leaf; fr: feuille de baobab; dt: a gãnnɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
Affenbrotbaumblatt, Baobabblatt. bandages; fr: q.un qui bande; dt: jmd. der
a gasəga diminutive sg. verbindet.
a gasənɛ diminutive pl. a gãnnəba deverbal agent noun pl.
a gasəga dammɛ NP+N compound noun sg. a gãnnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object
sauce of baobab leaves; fr: sauce de feuilles for bandaging (e.g. strip of cloth); fr: objet
de baobab; dt: Affenbrotbaumblattsauce pour bander (p. ex. bande d’étoffe); dt:
[Note: Because of its gooey consistency, Gegenstand zum verbinden (z.B. Stoffstreifen).
this sauce is also called a mɛ̃rəgʋ dammɛ a gãnnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
‘cold sauce, snot sauce’.] [Note: The a gãnnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
singular can be used generically, as in the sg.
compound a gasəga dammɛ ‘baobab-leaf a gãnnəfa deverbal local noun. place for
sauce’.] bandaging; wrapping counter (in a store); fr:
gasəga diminutive sg. → gas-. endroit pour bander; comptoir à emballer (dans
gataa future. → gar-. un magasin); dt: Platz zum verbinden;
gatəba deverbal agent noun pl. → gar-. Verpackungstisch (in einem Kaufhaus).
gatɛ sg. → gar-. a gãnəmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. bandages; fr:
gatəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. → bandes; dt: Verbände.
gar-. gãnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gãn-.
gatəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gar-. gãnam perfective. → gãnm-.
gatəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gar-. gãnamaa future. → gãnm-.
gat(ɩ) imperfective. → gar-. gãnamba deverbal agent noun pl. → gãnm-.
gatəŋgar- noun. kind of spider; fr: espèce gãnaməga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
d’araignée; dt: Art Spinne. [Note: = Mòoré] sg. → gãnm-.
a gatəŋgarəga diminutive sg. gãnaməgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gãnm-.
a gatəŋgarəsʋʋ pl. gãnaməhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gãnm-.
gatəŋgarəga diminutive sg. → gatəŋgar-. gãnamɔ̃ imperfective. → gãnm-.
gatɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gar-. gãnamɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → gãnm-.
gãmb- noun. special kind of bag (e.g. into which gãnat- verb. undo something which is
the wife’s belongings are put at a wedding); fr: wrapped/bandaged, take down/off; fr: défaire
sac spécial (p. ex. dans lequel on met les q.chose qui est bandé, décroître, dérouler; dt:
affaires de la femme à l’occasion d’un etwas Gewickeltes abwickeln, abmontieren.
mariage); dt: besondere Art von Tasche (in [Note: This is the reversive of a gãnam.]
welche die Sachen der Frau bei der Hochzeit gãnatraa future.
hineingegeben werden). [Note: = Mòoré] gãnatɛ past.
a gãmbrɩ sg. gãnat(ɩ) perfective.
a gãmba pl. gãnatr(ɩ)
gãmbrɩ sg. → gãmb-. a gãnatam deverbal action noun sg.
gãn perfective. → gãn-. a gãnatrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
gãn- verb. bandage, wrap, pack; fr: bander, undoes; fr: q.un qui défait; dt: jmd. der
emballer; dt: verbinden, einwickeln, verpacken. abwickelt.
gãnnaa future. a gãnatrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
gãtaa future.

58 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

gãnatam gãŋgl-
a gãnatrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object gãŋənaa future.
for undoing; fr: objet pour défaire; dt: gãŋɛ past.
Gegenstand zum abwickeln. [Note: This word is gãŋ perfective.
well formed, but no plausible scenario has yet gãŋənɛ imperfective.
been found where it would be used.] a gãŋam deverbal action noun sg.
a gãnatrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. a sũndu kɔ̃ɛ̃ koŋ gãŋ sentence The horse
a gãnatrəga deverbal instrument noun refused.; fr: Le cheval a refusé.; dt: Das
diminutive sg. Pferd hat sich geweigert.
a gãnatrəfa deverbal local noun. place for a fo gãŋ NP+Participle compound noun sg.
undoing; fr: endroit pour défaire; dt: Platz zum person who refuses (to do what he is
Abwickeln. asked); fr: personne qui refuse (de faire ce
gãnatam deverbal action noun sg. → gãnat-. qu’on lui demande); dt: jmd. der sich
gãnatɛ past. → gãnat-. weigert (das zu tun, worum man ihn bittet)
gãnat(ɩ) perfective. → gãnat-. a fʋba gãŋma NP+Participle compound noun pl.
gãnatraa future. → gãnat-. [Note: The form gãŋma is a unique and its
gãnatrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → gãnat-. origin unknown.]
gãnatrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive a gãŋənɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
sg. → gãnat-. refuses; fr: q.un qui refuse; dt: jmd. der sich
gãnatrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → weigert.
gãnat-. a gãŋənəba deverbal agent noun pl.
gãnatrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gãnat-. a gãŋənəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
gãnatr(ɩ) perfective. → gãnat-. (e.g. animal) that refuses; fr: chose (p. ex.
gãnatrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gãnat-. animal) qui refuse; dt: Ding (z.B. Tier), das sich
gãnɛ past. → gãn-. weigert.
gãnm- verb. make a turban; fr: enturbanner, a gãŋənəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
bander (un turban); dt: ein Turban binden. a gãŋənəga deverbal instrument noun
gãnamaa future. diminutive sg.
gãnəmɛ past. a gãŋənəfa deverbal local noun. place where
gãnam perfective. s.o. / sth. refuses; fr: endroit où q.un/q.chose
gãnamɔ̃ imperfective. refuse; dt: Platz, wo jmd./etwas sich weigert.
a gãnəmam deverbal action noun sg. gãŋam deverbal action noun sg. → gãŋ-.
a gãnamɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who gãŋɛ past. → gãŋ-.
makes a turban; fr: q.un qui enturbanne; dt: gãŋga perfective. → gãŋgl-.
jmd. der ein Turban bindet. gãŋgalaa future. → gãŋgl-.
a gãnamba deverbal agent noun pl. gãŋgaləba deverbal agent noun pl. → gãŋgl-.
a gãnaməgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object gãŋgaləga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
(cloth) for making a turban; fr: objet (étoffe) sg. → gãŋgl-.
pour enturbanner; dt: Gegenstand (Stoff), mit gãŋgaləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gãŋgl-.
dem man ein Turban macht. gãŋgaləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gãŋgl-.
a gãnaməhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. gãŋgal(ɩ) imperfective. → gãŋgl-.
a gãnaməga deverbal instrument noun gãŋgalɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gãŋgl-.
diminutive sg. gãŋgl- verb. refuse (to do sth.); fr: refuser (de faire
a gãnaməfa deverbal local noun. place where q.chose); dt: sich weigern (etwas zu tun).
one makes a turban; fr: endroit où on [Note: Synonymous with a gãŋam. The
enturbanne; dt: Platz zum Turban Machen. presence of the second g in this verb and its
gãnəmam deverbal action noun sg. → gãnm-. absence in a gãŋam is anomalous.]
gãnəmɛ past. → gãnm-. gãŋgalaa future.
gãnnaa future. → gãn-. gãŋgəlɛ past.
gãnnəba deverbal agent noun pl. → gãn-. gãŋga perfective.
gãnn(ɛ) imperfective. → gãn-. gãŋgal(ɩ) imperfective.
gãnnəfa deverbal local noun. → gãn-. a gãŋgəlam deverbal action noun sg.
gãnnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. a gãŋgalɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
→ gãn-. refuses; fr: q.un qui refuse; dt: jmd. der sich
gãnnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gãn-. weigert.
gãnnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gãn-. a gãŋgaləba deverbal agent noun pl.
gãnnɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → gãn-. a gãŋgaləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
gãnʋ deverbal action noun sg. → gãn-. (e.g. animal) that refuses; fr: chose (p. ex.
gãŋ perfective. → gãŋ-. animal) qui refuse; dt: Ding (z.B. Tier), das sich
gãŋ- verb. refuse (to do sth.); fr: refuser (de faire weigert.
q.chose); dt: sich weigern (etwas zu tun). a gãŋgaləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
[Note: Synonymous with a gãŋgəlam.]

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 59

gãŋgəlam gɛb-
a gãŋgaləga deverbal instrument noun a gʌrʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
diminutive sg. a gʌto deverbal agent noun sg. burper, belcher;
a gãŋgaləfa deverbal local noun. place where fr: roteur; dt: Rülpser.
s.o. / sth. refuses; fr: endroit où q.un/q.chose a gʌtəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
refuse; dt: Platz, wo jmd./etwas sich weigert. a gʌtəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
gãŋgəlam deverbal action noun sg. → gãŋgl-. (animal) that ruminates; fr: chose (animal) qui
gãŋgəlɛ past. → gãŋgl-. rumine; dt: Ding (Tier) das wiederkäut.
gãŋənaa future. → gãŋ-. a gʌtəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
gãŋənəba deverbal agent noun pl. → gãŋ-. a gʌtəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
gãŋənɛ imperfective. → gãŋ-. sg.
gãŋənəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. a gʌtəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for ...; fr:
→ gãŋ-. endroit pour ...; dt: Platz zum ...
gãŋənəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gãŋ-. gʌrʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gʌr-.
gãŋənəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gãŋ-. gʌre past. → gʌr-.
gãŋənɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → gãŋ-. gʌr(i) perfective. → gʌr-.
gãtaa future. → gãn-. gʌtʌʌ future. → gʌr-.
gãt(ɩ) imperfective. → gãn-. gʌtəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → gʌr-.
gʌb- verb. knock/hit with the head, butt (e.g. bulls, gʌtəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. →
goats), head (in football); fr: cogner avec la gʌr-.
tête, téter (p. ex. bœuf, chèvre), téter (en gʌtəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → gʌr-.
football); dt: mit dem Kopf schlagen, mit dem gʌtəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gʌr-.
Kopf stoßen (z.B. Stier, Ziege), köpfeln (beim gʌt(i) imperfective. → gʌr-.
Fußball). gʌto deverbal agent noun sg. → gʌr-.
gʌbrʌʌ future. gʌ̃mbu noun. gate of a compound or area of
gʌbe past. compounds (inhabited by one family); fr: porte
gʌb(u) perfective. d’une concession ou d’un quartier (d’une
gʌbr(u) imperfective. famille); dt: Tor zu einem Hof oder Ortsteil
a gʌbʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (einer einzigen Familie).
a gʌbro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; fr: a gʌ̃mbu sg.
q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der ... a gʌ̃mbufi pl.
a gʌbrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. a gʌ̃mbu nɛ̃nɛ NP+N compound noun sg.
a gʌbrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing entrance to a courtyard/area; fr: entrée
(e.g. animal) that ...; fr: chose (p. ex. animal) d’une concession / d’un quartier; dt:
qui ...; dt: Ding (z.B. Tier), das ... Eingang zu einem Hof/Ortsteil
a nagfɛ gʌbrəgu a bull that likes to butt a gʌ̃mbu nɛ̃ỹã NP+N compound noun pl. [Note:
(people); fr: un bœuf qui aime cogner (les For the plural a gʌ̃mbu nɛ̃j ̃ã ‘entrances to
gens); dt: ein Stier, der (die Leute) gern mit compounds’ is preferred. There is no plural
dem Kopf stößt. form like * a gʌ̃mbii.]
a naɩ gʌbrəhẽ gʌ̃nd- noun. large pot (for water); fr: jarre (pour
a gʌbrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. l’eau); dt: großer Topf (für Wasser).
a gʌbrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive a gʌ̃ndu sg.
sg. a gʌ̃ndii pl.
a gʌbrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for ...; fr: gʌ̃ndu sg. → gʌ̃nd-.
endroit pour ...; dt: Platz zum ... gɛb- verb. pound incompletely to make a gɛbrɛ; fr:
gʌbʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gʌb-. écraser grossièrement pour faire a gɛbrɛ; dt:
gʌbe past. → gʌb-. unvollständig zerstampfen um a gɛbrɛ zu
gʌbrʌʌ future. → gʌb-. machen. [Note: This verb contrasts with a
gʌbrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → gʌb-. nɔ̃mam ‘pound completely’.]
gʌbrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. gɛbraa future.
→ gʌb-. gɛbɛ past.
gʌbrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → gʌb-. gɛb(ʋ) perfective.
gʌbrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gʌb-. gɛbr(ʋ) imperfective.
gʌbro deverbal agent noun sg. → gʌb-. a gɛbam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
gʌbr(u) imperfective. → gʌb-. a gɛbrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; fr:
gʌb(u) perfective. → gʌb-. q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der ...
gʌr- verb. burp, belch; ruminate; fr: roter; ruminer; a gɛbrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
dt: rülpsen; wiederkäuen. a gɛbrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object
gʌtʌʌ future. for ..., millstone (large or small); fr: objet pour
gʌre past. ..., meule (grand ou petit); dt: Gegenstand zum
gʌr(i) perfective. ..., Mühlstein (groß oder klein).
gʌt(i) imperfective. a gɛbrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.

60 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

gɛbam gelləhẽ
a gɛbrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive gɛləgoobe proper noun sg.
sg. mə yaka gɛləgoobe hĩĩ sentence I’m going to
a gɛbrəfa deverbal local noun. place for ..., the north.; fr: Je vais vers le nord.; dt: Ich
millstone (large or small); fr: endroit pour ..., gehe nach Norden. [Note: This word does
meule (grand ou petit); dt: Platz zum ..., not take the article a. The direction “north”
Mühlstein (groß oder klein). is calculated from Pobé-Mengao, the capital
a gɛbrɛ deverbal nomen acti sg. kind of millet of Lorom.]
flour (not completely pounded on millstone); fr: gɛllɛ sg. → gɛl-.
espèce de farine de mil (incomplètement écrasé gɛnd- noun. spindle (for spinning cotton); fr:
à la meule); dt: Art Hirsemehl (am Mühlstein quenouille (pour faire le fil de coton); dt:
unvollständig gestampft). Spindel (um Baumwolle zu spinnen).
gɛbɩa deverbal nomen acti pl. supplies (e.g. for a a gɛndrɛ sg.
journey); fr: provisions (p. ex. pour un voyage); a gɛndaʋ pl.
dt: Proviant (z.B. für eine Reise). gɛndrɛ sg. → gɛnd-.
a gɛbrɛ hem NP+N compound noun sg./mass gɛ̃nɛ noun. kind of traditional dance (with calabash
kind of traditional millet water made from a drums and one male singer); fr: espèce de
gɛkʋ; fr: espèce d’eau de mil traditionnel danse traditionnelle (avec les tambours de
préparée avec a gɛkʋ; dt: Art traditionelles calebasse et un chanteur mâle); dt: Art
Hirsewasser (zubereitet aus a gɛkʋ) [Note: traditioneller Tanz (mit Trommeln aus
synonymous with a gɛkʋ hem] [Note: Plural Kalebassen und einem männlichen Sänger).
forms of deverbal - dɛ nomina acti are rare.] a gɛ̃nɛ sg.
a gɛkʋ (=/gɛb-gʋ/) deverbal nomen acti sg. a gɛ̃nɛma pl.
a gɛkʋ hem NP+N compound noun sg./mass a gɛ̃nɛfɩ pl. [Note: This dance is obligatorily
kind of traditional millet water made from a performed at the new year celebration and at
gɛkʋ; fr: espèce d’eau de mil traditionnel the funeral of one of the village dignitaries: a
préparée avec a gɛkʋ; dt: Art traditionelles jɔ, keso, falaʋ, a sɛ̃ndɛ sa.]
Hirsewasser zubereitet aus a gɛkʋ [Note: gɛ̃nɛma pl. → gɛ̃nɛ.
Synonymous with a gɛbrɛ hem.] [Note: This gel perfective. (=/gel/) → gel-.
word has no plural form and is a rare gel- verb. know, recognize; fr: savoir, connaître,
formation (with /-gʋ/ suffixed to the reconnaître; dt: wissen, kennen, erkennen.
perfective rather than the imperfective gellʌʌ (=/gel-d-aa/) future.
stem.] [Phon: [k] results from /b+g/.] gele (=/gel-ɛ/) past.
gɛbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gɛb-. gel (=/gel/) perfective.
gɛbɛ past. → gɛb-. gelli (=/gel-d/) imperfective.
gɛbɩa deverbal nomen acti pl. → gɛb-. a gelʌm (=/gel-am/) deverbal action noun
gɛbraa future. → gɛb-. sg./mass.
gɛbrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → gɛb-. a gello deverbal agent noun sg. knowledgeable,
gɛbrɛ deverbal nomen acti sg. → gɛb-. wise; fr: savant, sage; dt: wissend, weise.
gɛbrəfa deverbal local noun. → gɛb-. a gelləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
gɛbrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. a gelləgu deverbal instrument noun sg.
→ gɛb-. something one would like to know; fr: q.chose
gɛbrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gɛb-. qu’on voudrait savoir; dt: etwas, was man gern
gɛbrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gɛb-. wissen möchte.
gɛbrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gɛb-. a gelləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
gɛbr(ʋ) imperfective. → gɛb-. a gelləgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
gɛb(ʋ) perfective. → gɛb-. sg.
gɛl- noun. piece (of sth. malleable); fr: morceau (de a gelləfʌ deverbal local noun. place / time at
q.chose de déformable); dt: Stück (von etwas which one knew sth.; fr: endroit / temps où on
Verformbarem), Klumpen. a connu q.chose; dt: Ort / Zeit, wo man etwas
a gɛllɛ sg. gekannt hat.
a gɛla pl. gelʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/gel-am/)
a fãɩ̃ gɛllɛ N+N compound noun sg. piece of → gel-.
porridge; fr: morceau de tô; dt: Stück Brei. gele past. (=/gel-ɛ/) → gel-.
a fãɩ̃ gɛla N+N compound noun pl. gellʌʌ future. (=/gel-d-aa/) → gel-.
a bɛ̃n gɛllɛ N+N compound noun sg. piece of shit; gelləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. (=/gel-am/) → gel-.
fr: morceau de merde; dt: Stück Scheiße. gelləgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
a bɛ̃n gɛla N+N compound noun pl. (=/gel-am/) → gel-.
gɛla pl. → gɛl-. gelləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/gel-am/)
gɛlgoobe noun. region (proper name), north; fr: → gel-.
région (nom propre), nord; dt: Gegend gelləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/gel-am/) →
(Eigenname), Norden. gel-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 61

gelli gɩllɛ
gelli imperfective. (=/gel-d/) → gel-. gɩgaa- noun. vulture; fr:
gello deverbal agent noun sg. (=/gel-am/) → gel-. charognard; dt: Geier.
geŋ- noun. stone, pebble; bullet; fr: pierre, caillou; [Phon: Both /g/’s are
balle; dt: Stein, Kieselstein; Kugel. [Note: [g], not [ɣ].]
Stones in the area where the Koromba live are a gɩgaarɛ sg.
generally red sandstone and therefore very a gɩgaaya pl.
soft; but there are also granite outcrops and gɩgaarɛ sg. → gɩgaa-.
other sources of harder stones. Traditionally gɩll- verb. intercept (e.g. s.o. who is about to leave),
stones (filed to shape) were used as bullets and hold up, prevent, forbid; fr: intercepter (p. ex.
referred to with this word.] qu’un qui veut partir), retenir, empêcher,
a geŋde sg. interdire; dt: abfangen (z.B. jmdn., der
a geŋʌ pl. abreisen will), zurückhalten, verhindern,
a geŋ sãtɛ N+N compound noun sg. red stone verbieten.
(which is not durable); fr: pierre rouge (qui gɩllraa future.
n’est pas forte); dt: roter Stein (der nicht stark gɩllɛ past.
ist). [Note: sãtɛ is Mòoré. The NP+N compound gɩll(ɩ) perfective.
a geŋde sɔmdɛ can be used instead of this gɩllr(ɩ) imperfective.
compound noun.] a gɩllam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a geŋ sãra N+N compound noun pl. a bulle koŋ gɩll a hem dʋrʋ sentence That dam
a geŋde pɔ̃nɔ̃ŋ NP+N compound noun sg. white has held up all the water.; fr: Ce barrage a
stone; flint; fr: caillou blanc; pierre à feu; arrêté toute l’eau.; dt: Dieser Staudamm
dt: weißer Stein; Feuerstein hat das ganze Wasser zurückgehalten.
a geŋʌ pɔ̃nɩ̃ʌ̃ NP+N compound noun pl. a gɩllrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. thief, bandit
geŋ sãtɛ N+N compound noun sg. → geŋ-. (lit.: holder-up); man who “catches” women; fr:
geŋʌ pl. → geŋ-. voleur, brigand (de route); homme qui
geŋde sg. → geŋ-. “attrape” les femmes; dt: Dieb,
ger- noun. forked stick (as used e.g. by shepherds); (Straßen)Räuber; Mann, der Frauen “fängt”.
drumstick (bent, to play tamtam held under a gɩllrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
one’s armpit); fr: bâton fourchu (comme celui a gɩllrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object
d’un berger) ; baguette (courbée, pour jouer du for ...; dam; fr: objet pour ...; barrage; dt:
tamtam qui est tenu sous l’aisselle); dt: Gegenstand zum ...; Staudamm.
verzweigter Stock (wie der eines Hirten); a gɩllrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
Trommelstock (gebogen, um Tamtam unter der a gɩllrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
Achsel zu spielen). [Note: The fork of a gete is sg.
smaller than that of a da jɩbrɛ, and the whole a bããdɛɩ gɩllrəgʋ NP+N compound noun sg.
stick is much thinner and lighter.] a bããdɛɩ gɩllrəhɛ̃ NP+N compound noun pl.
a gete sg. condom (lit: illness-holder-up); fr:
a gerʌ pl. préservatif (lit.: empêcheur de maladie); dt:
gese noun. group of threads (in weaving); fr: groupe Kondom (wörtl.: Verhinderer von Krankheit)
fils de la trame (tissage); dt: Gruppe von Fäden a gɩllrəfa deverbal local noun. place for ..., dam;
(beim Weben). [Note: These are the fr: endroit pour ..., barrage; dt: Platz zum ...,
longitudinal threads which are tied together Staudamm.
and placed several meters (up to 100) away gɩllam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gɩll-.
from the loom, usually weighted down with a gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun. -self; fr: se, soi-même; dt:
large stone. There is no singulative of this word sich, sich selbst, selbst. [Note: This word has
to refer to a single thread. The plural refers to no separate plural form such as * gɩla; gɩllɛ is
more than one group of threads (with one used in both singular and plural reflexives. An
group per loom).] “emphatic” form of each of the following
a gese sg. reflexive pronouns can be formed using the
a gesefi pl. strong/disjunctive pronouns (e.g. məkɔ-gɩllɛ).]
gete sg. → ger-. mə-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 1st person sg.
gɩb- noun. hatchet, axe; fr: hache; dt: Axt. myself; fr: me, moi-même; dt: mich, mich
a gɩbrɛ sg. selbst, selbst.
a gɩba pl. ŋ-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 2nd person sg. yourself
a gɩbka diminutive sg. small hatchet, small axe; (sg.); fr: te, toi-même; dt: dich, dich selbst,
fr: hachette; dt: kleine Axt. selbst.
a gɩbənɛ diminutive pl. də-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 3rd person human sg.
gɩba pl. → gɩb-. himself, herself; fr: se, lui-même, elle-même;
gɩbka diminutive sg. → gɩb-. dt: sich, sich selbst (sg.), selbst.
gɩbrɛ sg. → gɩb-.

62 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

gɩllɛ gilʌm
gʋ-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 3rd person non-human a gɩtɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who judges,
sg. itself; fr: se, lui-même, elle-même; dt: sich, judge; fr: q.un qui juge, juge; dt: jmd. der
sich selbst (sg.), selbst. richtet, Richter.
ga-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 3rd person diminutive a gɩtəba deverbal agent noun pl.
sg. himself, herself, itself; fr: se, lui-même, a gɩtəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. case (to
elle-même; dt: sich, sich selbst (sg.), selbst. be tried); fr: cas (à juger); dt: Gerichtsfall.
ʋ-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 1st person pl. ourselves; a gɩtəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
fr: nous, nous-mêmes; dt: uns, uns selbst, a gɩtəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
selbst. sg.
na-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 2nd person pl. a gɩtəfa deverbal local noun. place for judging; fr:
yourselves; fr: vous, vous-mêmes; dt: euch, endroit pour juger; dt: Platz zum Richten.
euch selbst, selbst. gɩram deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gɩr-.
ba-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 3rd person human pl. gɩrbal- noun. spoon; fr: cuillère; dt: Löffel. [Note: =
themselves; fr: se, eux-mêmes, elles-mêmes; Fulfulde]
dt: sich, sich selbst, selbst (pl.). a gɩrəballɛ sg.
ɩ-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 3rd person non-human a gɩrəbalaʋ sg.
pl. themselves; fr: se, eux-mêmes, elles-mêmes; gɩrəballɛ sg. → gɩrbal-.
dt: sich, sich selbst, selbst (pl.). gɩr(ɩ) perfective. → gɩr-.
ba da ba-gɩllɛ sentence They saved their skins. gɩrʋfɩ deverbal action noun pl. → gɩr-.
(lit.: gained themselves); fr: Ils se sont gɩrʋʋ deverbal action noun sg. → gɩr-.
sauvés. (lit.: gagnés); dt: Sie haben sich die gɩtaa future. → gɩr-.
Haut gerettet. (wörtlich: sie haben sich gɩtəba deverbal agent noun pl. → gɩr-.
selbst gewonnen) gɩtɛ past. → gɩr-.
gɩllɛ-nɛ adverb. therefore, for that reason; fr: gɩtəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. →
donc, pour cette raison; dt: daher, deshalb, gɩr-.
deswegen. gɩtəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gɩr-.
kɔ-gɩllɛ adverb. therefore, for that reason; fr: gɩtəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gɩr-.
donc, pour cette raison; dt: daher, deshalb, gɩt(ɩ) imperfective. → gɩr-.
deswegen. gɩtɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gɩr-.
kɔ-gɩllɛ-nɛ adverb. therefore, for that reason; fr: gil- verb. make a detour; fr: dévier (de la route
donc, pour cette raison; dt: daher, deshalb, directe); dt: einen Umweg machen, umgeleitet
deswegen. werden. [Note: This verb is formally the
gɩllɛ past. → gɩll-. reversive of a gilʌm, but has the no reversal of
gɩllɛ-nɛ adverb. → gɩllɛ. meaning.]
gɩll(ɩ) perfective. → gɩll-. gillʌʌ future.
gɩllraa future. → gɩll-. gile past.
gɩllrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → gɩll-. gil(i) perfective.
gɩllrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. gill(i) imperfective.
→ gɩll-. a gilʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
gɩllrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gɩll-. a gillo deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who makes a
gɩllrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gɩll-. detour; fr: q.un qui dévie; dt: jmd. der einen
gɩllr(ɩ) imperfective. → gɩll-. Umweg macht.
gɩllrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gɩll-. a gilləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
gɩr- verb. judge; fr: juger; dt: richten. a gilləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. place
gɩtaa future. which cannot be reached because of a detour;
gɩtɛ past. thing (e.g. animal, vehicle) which makes a
gɩr(ɩ) perfective. detour; fr: endroit qu’on ne peut pas atteindre
gɩt(ɩ) imperfective. à cause d’une déviation; chose (p. ex. animal,
a gɩram deverbal action noun sg./mass. also: véhicule) qui fait une déviation; dt: Ort, den
trial, judgement; fr: aussi : procès, jugement; man wegen einer Umleitung nicht erreichen
dt: auch: Prozess, Urteil. [Note: Only a gɩrʋ is kann; Ding (z.B. Tier, Fahrzeug), das einen
used for an ongoing trial; both a gɩram and a Umweg macht.
gɩrʋ can be used to refer to a trial after the a gilləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
event.] a giletrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
a gɩrʋʋ deverbal action noun sg. also: trial, sg.
judgement; fr: aussi : procès, jugement; dt: a gilləfʌ deverbal local noun. place which cannot
auch: Prozess, Urteil. [Note: The lengthened ʋʋ be reached because of a detour; fr: endroit
is unusual / unique.] qu’on ne peut pas atteindre à cause d’une
a gɩrʋfɩ deverbal action noun pl. déviation; dt: Ort, den man wegen einer
Umleitung nicht erreichen kann.
gilʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gil-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 63

gild- gilmgilm
gild- verb. stroll around outdoors (in no particular à cause d’une déviation; chose (p. ex. animal,
direction); fr: tourner, se promener au dehors véhicule) qui fait une déviation; dt: Ort, den
(sans direction particulière); dt: man wegen einer Umleitung nicht erreichen
herumspazieren im freien, streunen (ohne kann; Ding (z.B. Tier, Fahrzeug), das einen
besondere Richtung). [Note: Synonymous with Umweg macht.
a giləmʌm.] a giletrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
giledʌʌ future. a giletrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
gilde past. sg.
gile perfective. a giletrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place which
giled(i) imperfective. cannot be reached because of a detour; fr:
a gildʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. endroit qu’on ne peut pas atteindre à cause
a giledo deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; fr: d’une déviation; dt: Ort, den man wegen einer
q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der ... Umleitung nicht erreichen kann.
a giledəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. giletʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gilet-.
a giledəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing gilete past. → gilet-.
(e.g. animal) which ...; fr: chose (p. ex. animal) gilet(i) perfective. → gilet-.
qui ...; dt: Ding (z.B. Tier), das ... giletrʌʌ future. → gilet-.
a giledəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. giletrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → gilet-.
a giledəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive giletrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
sg. → gil-.
a giledəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for ...; fr: giletrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
endroit pour ...; dt: Platz zum ... → gilet-.
gildʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gild-. giletrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → gilet-.
gilde past. → gild-. giletrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gilet-.
gile past. → gil-. giletr(i) imperfective. → gilet-.
gile perfective. → gild-. giletro deverbal agent noun sg. → gilet-.
giledʌʌ future. → gild-. gil(i) perfective. → gil-.
giledəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → gild-. gillʌʌ future. → gil-.
giledəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. gilləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → gil-.
→ gild-. gilləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → gil-.
giledəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → gild-. gilləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gil-.
giledəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gild-. gill(i) imperfective. → gil-.
giled(i) imperfective. → gild-. gillo deverbal agent noun sg. → gil-.
giledo deverbal agent noun sg. → gild-. gilm- verb. stroll around outdoors (in no particular
gilem perfective. → gilm-. direction); fr: tourner, se promener au dehors
gilemʌʌ future. → gilm-. (sans direction particulière); dt:
gileməbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → gilm-. herumspazieren im freien, streunen (ohne
gileməgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. besondere Richtung). [Note: Synonymous with
→ gilm-. a gildʌm.]
gileməgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → gilm-. gilemʌʌ future.
gileməhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gilm-. giləme past.
gilemõ imperfective. → gilm-. gilem perfective.
gilemõ deverbal agent noun sg. → gilm-. gilemõ imperfective.
gilet- verb. make a detour; fr: dévier (de la route a giləmʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
directe); dt: einen Umweg machen, umgeleitet a gilemõ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; fr:
werden. [Note: This verb is formally the q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der ...
reversive of a gilʌm, but has the no obvious a gileməbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
reversal of meaning.] a gileməgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
giletrʌʌ future. (e.g. animal) which ...; fr: chose (p. ex. animal)
gilete past. qui ...; dt: Ding (z.B. Tier), das ...
gilet(i) perfective. a gileməhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
giletr(i) imperfective. a gileməgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
a giletʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. sg.
a giletro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who makes a gileməfʌ deverbal local noun. place for ...; fr:
a detour; fr: q.un qui dévie; dt: jmd. der einen endroit pour ...; dt: Platz zum ...
Umweg macht. giləmʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gilm-.
a giletrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. giləme past. → gilm-.
a giletrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. place gilmgilm noun. blind man’s buff (children’s game
which cannot be reached because of a detour; where one child is blindfolded); fr: colin-
thing (e.g. animal, vehicle) which makes a maillard (jeu des enfants où un enfant porte un
detour; fr: endroit qu’on ne peut pas atteindre bandeau); dt: blinde Kuh (Kinderspiel, wo die

64 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

girg- gĩnnʌʌ
Augen eines Kindes verbunden werden). [Note: a gĩtəfʌ deverbal local noun.
This is probably the reduplicated imperative of a gĩnnəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where s.o.
a giləmʌm.] ...; fr: endroit où q.un ...; dt: Platz, wo jmd. ...
a giləmgiləm sg./mass. gĩnʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gĩn.
girg- verb. be stunned; fr: être étourdi; dt: gĩnd- noun. circle, curve, circular, round, curved;
verblüfft sein. [Note: [g], not [ɣ]] fr: cercle, courbe, circulaire, rond, courbé; dt:
girəgrʌʌ future. Kreis, Kurve, kreisförmig, rund, gebogen.
girəge past. a gĩndre sg.
girəg(i) perfective. a gĩndʌ pl.
girəgr(i) imperfective. a gĩndo pl.
a girəgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. a gĩndəgʌ diminutive sg.
a girəgro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who is a gĩndəni diminutive pl.
stunned; fr: q.un qui est étourdi; dt: jmd. der a dãŋ gĩndre NP+N compound noun sg. a round
verblüfft ist. house; fr: une maison ronde; dt: ein rundes
a girəgrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. Haus
a girəgrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing a dãɩ̃ gĩndʌ NP+N compound noun pl.
(e.g. animal) that is stunned; fr: chose (p. ex. a dãŋ gĩndəgʌ NP+N compound noun sg. a
animal) qui est étourdi; dt: Ding (z.B. Tier), das round house; fr: une maison ronde; dt: ein
verblüfft ist. rundes Haus [Note: The use of the
a girəgrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. diminutive form of the adjective implies that
a girəgrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun this house is smaller than a dãŋ gĩndre.)]
diminutive sg. a dãɩ̃ gĩndəni NP+N compound noun pl.
a girəgrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where gĩndʌ pl. → gĩnd-.
s.o. is stunned; fr: endroit où q.un est étourdi; gĩndəgʌ diminutive sg. → gĩnd-.
dt: Platz, wo jmd. verblüfft ist. gĩndo pl. → gĩnd-.
girəgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → girg-. gĩndre sg. → gĩnd-.
girəge past. → girg-. gĩne past. → gĩn.
girəg(i) perfective. → girg-. gĩnet- noun. untie, straighten out (something that
girəgrʌʌ future. → girg-. was in a knot); fr: dénouer, démêler (un nœud);
girəgrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → girg-. dt: (einen Knoten) entwirren, entflechten.
girəgrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. [Note: This is the reversive of a gĩnʌm.]
→ girg-. gĩnetrʌʌ future.
girəgrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → girg-. gĩnete past.
girəgrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → girg-. gĩnet(i) perfective.
girəgr(i) imperfective. → girg-. gĩnetr(i) imperfective.
girəgro deverbal agent noun sg. → girg-. a gĩnetʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
gĩn verb. get tied up in a(n unwanted) knot (e.g. a gĩnetro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; fr:
with a rope); fr: se mêler (p. ex. dans une q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der ...
ficelle); dt: sich verwickeln (z.B. mit einer a gĩnetrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
Schnur). a gĩnetrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object
gĩtʌʌ future. for ... (e.g. a knife); fr: objet pour ... (p. ex. un
gĩnnʌʌ future. couteau); dt: Gegenstand zum ... (z.B. ein
gĩne past. Messer).
gĩn perfective. a gĩnetrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
gĩt(i) imperfective. a gĩnetrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun
gĩnn(i) imperfective. diminutive sg.
a gĩnʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. a gĩnetrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where
a gĩto deverbal agent noun sg. one ...; fr: endroit où on ...; dt: Platz, wo man
gĩnno deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; fr: ...
q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der ... gĩnetʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gĩnet-.
a gĩtəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. gĩnete past. → gĩnet-.
a gĩnnəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. gĩnet(i) perfective. → gĩnet-.
a gĩtəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. gĩnetrʌʌ future. → gĩnet-.
a gĩnnəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing gĩnetrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → gĩnet-.
(e.g. animal) which ...; fr: chose (p. ex. animal) gĩnetrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
qui ...; dt: Ding (z.B. Tier), das ... → gĩnet-.
a gĩtəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. gĩnetrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → gĩnet-.
a gĩnnəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. gĩnetrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gĩnet-.
a gĩtəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. gĩnetr(i) imperfective. → gĩnet-.
a gĩnnəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive gĩnetro deverbal agent noun sg. → gĩnet-.
sg. gĩnnʌʌ future. → gĩn.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 65

gĩnnəbʌ gɔgtr(ʋ)
gĩnnəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → gĩn. gɔb- verb. dig (e.g. holes for sowing seed); fr:
gĩnnəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. creuser (p. ex. des poquets pour semer); dt:
→ gĩn. graben (z.B. Löcher um zu säen).
gĩnnəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → gĩn. gɔbraa future.
gĩnnəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gĩn. gɔbɛ past.
gĩnn(i) imperfective. → gĩn. gɔb(ʋ) perfective.
gĩnno deverbal agent noun sg. → gĩn. gɔbr(ʋ) imperfective.
gĩtʌʌ future. → gĩn. a gɔbam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
gĩtəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → gĩn. a gɔbrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who digs; fr:
gĩtəfʌ deverbal local noun. → gĩn. q.un qui creuse; dt: jmd. der gräbt.
gĩtəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. → a gɔbrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
gĩn. a gɔbrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object
gĩtəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → gĩn. for digging (usually a gɔbʋ); fr: objet pour
gĩtəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gĩn. creuser (normalement a gɔbʋ); dt: Gegenstand
gĩt(i) imperfective. → gĩn. zum graben (normalerweise a gɔbʋ).
gĩto deverbal agent noun sg. → gĩn. a gɔbrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
gɔ perfective. → gɔ-. a gɔbrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
gɔ- verb. return, go back; fr: repartir; dt: sg.
zurückgehen, zurückkehren. [Note: This verb a gɔbrəfa deverbal local noun. place for digging;
means returning to a place that is not one’s fr: endroit où on creuser; dt: Platz zum Graben.
home.] gɔbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gɔb-.
gɔraa future. gɔbɛ past. → gɔb-.
gɔɛ past. gɔbraa future. → gɔb-.
gɔ perfective. gɔbrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → gɔb-.
gɔr(ʋ) imperfective. gɔbrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
a gɔɔm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gɔb-.
də gɔ də bɔrɔ wa sentence He returned to his gɔbrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gɔb-.
friend’s (place).; fr: Il est reparti chez son gɔbrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gɔb-.
ami.; dt: Er ist zu seinem Freund gɔbrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gɔb-.
zurückgegangen. [Note: In this example gɔbr(ʋ) imperfective. → gɔb-.
“he” was at his friend’s place, left to go gɔbʋ sg. → gɔb-.
somewhere else, and returned to his gɔb(ʋ) perfective. → gɔb-.
friend’s place. The sentence refers to the gɔɛ past. → gɔ-.
second of these trips.] gɔgt- verb. peck, bite; fr: picorer, béqueter, donner
a gɔrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who returns; un coup de bec, mordre; dt: picken, beißen.
fr: q.un qui revient; dt: jmd. der zurückgeht. gɔgtraa future.
a gɔrəba deverbal agent noun pl. gɔgtɛ past.
a gɔrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing gɔgt(ʋ) perfective.
(e.g. animal) which returns; fr: chose (p. ex. gɔgtr(ʋ) imperfective.
animal) qui revient; dt: Ding (z.B. Tier), das gɔgtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
zurückgeht. a gɔgtrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who bites;
a gɔrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. fr: q.un qui mord; dt: jmd. der beißt.
a gɔrəsɩ deverbal instrument noun pl. a gɔgtrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
a gɔrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive a gɔgtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
sg. (e.g. animal) which pecks; fr: chose (p. ex.
a gɔrəfa deverbal local noun. place to which one animal) qui béquète / picore; dt: Ding (z.B.:
returns; fr: endroit vers lequel on repart; dt: Tier), das pickt.
Platz wohin man zurückkehrt. a gɔgtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
gɔb- noun. pick; fr: pioche (longue); dt: Hacke. a gɔktrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
[Note: This is the long pick-like instrument sg.
used to make holes in the ground for sowing a gɔgtrəfa deverbal local noun. place where
seed. Though clearly closely related, it is not (animals) peck; fr: endroit où (les animaux)
regularly derived from the verb a gɔbam. In picorent; dt: Platz, wo (Tiere) picken.
particular, it cannot be used as a deverbal gɔgtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gɔgt-.
action noun, even though other verbs do have gɔgtɛ past. → gɔgt-.
action nouns in - ʋ; this is confirmed by the gɔgtraa future. → gɔgt-.
absence of ʋ in the plural (which is always gɔgtrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → gɔgt-.
present in genuine deverbal action nouns in - gɔgtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gɔgt-.
ʋ).] gɔgtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gɔgt-.
a gɔbʋ sg. gɔgtrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gɔgt-.
a gɔbəfɩ pl. gɔgtr(ʋ) imperfective. → gɔgt-.

66 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

gɔgt(ʋ) gɔrg-
gɔgt(ʋ) perfective. → gɔgt-. used for twisting metal or wood, but not for
gɔɩnɩ adverb. still, yet; (with negative: no longer); twisting rope.]
fr: encore, toujours; (avec négation: ne...plus); gɔndɔlaa future.
dt: noch, noch immer (mit Verneinung: nicht gɔndəlɛ past.
mehr). [Note: This adverb occurs at the end of gɔndɔ perfective.
the sentence.] gɔndɔl(ʋ) imperfective.
gɔɩnɩ / gɔɩnɛ temporal adverb. a gɔndəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
gɔɔnɩ / gɔɔnɛ temporal adverb. a gɔndɔlɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...;
maa zɔmmə nɩ gɔɩnɩ sentence I don’t like you person lying in a curled up position; fr: q.un qui
any more.; fr: Je ne t’aime plus.; dt: Ich mag ...; personne couchée dans une position pliée;
dich nicht mehr. dt: jmd. der ...; jmd. der zusammengebogen
gɔktrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. liegt.
→ gɔgt-. a gɔndɔləba deverbal agent noun pl.
gɔm perfective. → gɔm-. a gɔndɔləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
gɔm- noun. small drum (held under the armpit); fr: that is (or can be) twisted / bent; instrument
petit tambour (porté sous l’aisselle); dt: kleine for twisting / bending (e.g. pliers); fr: chose
Trommel (unter der Achsel gehalten). que est (ou peut être) tordue / pliée;
a gɔməŋa sg. instrument pour tordre / plier (p. ex. pince);
a gɔmənɛ pl. [Note: Probably derived from a dt: etwas, was verdreht / gebogen ist (oder
gɔmam ‘chase’. One method of chasing game werden kann); Instrument zum drehen / biegen
involves making noise on instruments of this (z.B. Zange).
kind.] a gɔndɔləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
gɔm- verb. pursue, chase, drive, hunt; fr: a gɔndɔləga deverbal instrument noun
poursuivre, chasser; dt: folgen, verfolgen, diminutive sg.
treiben, jagen. [Note: This verb is used for a gɔndɔləfa deverbal local noun. place for ...; fr:
chasing both domestic animals (to drive them endroit pour ...; dt: Platz zum ...
somewhere) and hunting wild animals.] gɔndəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. →
a gɔmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. gɔndl-.
gɔmmaa future. gɔndəlɛ past. → gɔndl-.
gɔmɛ past. gɔndɔ perfective. → gɔndl-.
gɔm perfective. gɔndɔlaa future. → gɔndl-.
gɔmm / gɔmmʋ̃ imperfective. gɔndɔləba deverbal agent noun pl. → gɔndl-.
a gɔmmɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. driver; hunter; gɔndɔləga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
fr: chasseur; dt: Treiber; Jäger. [Note: For the sg. → gɔndl-.
profession of hunter, a sɔbɔ is used.] gɔndɔləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gɔndl-.
a gɔmməba deverbal agent noun pl. gɔndɔləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gɔndl-.
a gɔmməgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object gɔndɔlɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gɔndl-.
for chasing / hunting (e.g. stick, rifle); fr: objet gɔndɔl(ʋ) imperfective. → gɔndl-.
pour chasser (p. ex. bâton, fusil); dt: gɔŋ- noun. kind of toad; fr: espèce de crapaud; dt:
Gegenstand zum Treiben / Jagen (z.B. Stock, Art Kröte. [Note: Koromfe has a 5-way
Gewehr). distinction of frogs and toads according to
a gɔmməhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. their size. The smallest is a sãndəga, followed
a gɔmməga deverbal instrument noun by a pãtɛ, a gɔŋdɛ, a bɩtɛ, a purgoŋ.]
diminutive sg. a gɔŋdɛ sg.
a gɔmməfa deverbal local noun. place for chasing a gɔŋa pl.
/ hunting; fr: endroit pour chasser; dt: Platz gɔŋdɛ sg. → gɔŋ-.
zum Treiben / Jagen. gɔɔm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gɔ-.
gɔmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gɔm-. gɔraa future. → gɔ-.
gɔmɛ past. → gɔm-. gɔrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → gɔ-.
gɔmm imperfective. → gɔm-. gɔrg- verb. put back, return (sth. to s.o.), give
gɔmmaa future. → gɔm-. back; fr: remettre, retourner, rendre (q.chose à
gɔmməba deverbal agent noun pl. → gɔm-. q.un); dt: zurücklegen, zurückstellen,
gɔmməga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. (jemandem etwas) zurückgeben. [Note: This
→ gɔm-. verb implies that sth. is ‘put back’ where it
gɔmməgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gɔm-. belongs.]
gɔmməhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gɔm-. gɔrəgraa future.
gɔmmɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → gɔm-. gɔrəgɛ past.
gɔmmʋ̃ imperfective. → gɔm-. gɔrəg(ʋ) perfective.
gɔməŋa sg. → gɔm-. gɔrəgr(ʋ) imperfective.
gɔndl- verb. twist, bend; fr: tordre, plier; dt: gɔrəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
drehen, verdrehen, biegen. [Note: This verb is

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 67

gɔrəga a gondʌm
a gɔrəgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; fr: gɔrəs(ʋ) perfective. → gɔrs-.
q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der ... gɔr(ʋ) imperfective. → gɔ-.
a gɔrəgrəba deverbal agent noun pl. gɔ̃nɛ noun. roll (e.g. of weavers to hold the finished
a gɔrəgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing strip of cloth); fr: rouleau (p. ex. du tisserand
that is put / given back; fr: chose qui est remise pour la bande d’étoffe tissé); dt: Rolle (z.B.
/ rendue; dt: das, was zurückgestellt / eines Webers für den fertig gewebten
-gegeben wird. Stoffstreifen).
a gɔrəgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. a gɔ̃nɛ sg.
a gɔrəgrəga deverbal instrument noun a gɔ̃nɛfɩ pl.
diminutive sg. gog- noun. left hand, left (side); fr: main gauche,
a gɔrəgrəfa deverbal local noun. place where (coté) gauche; dt: linke Hand, links.
sth. is put back; fr: endroit où on remet a gokʌ sg.
q.chose; dt: Platz, wo etwas zurückgestellt a gogəni pl.
wird. a gogəsuu pl.
gɔrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. → mə hɔ̃gfaa a dɩrəgʋ la mə gokʌ (wɔ̃ndɛ)
gɔ-. sentence I am holding the food in my left
gɔrəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gɔrg-. hand.; fr: Je tiens la nourriture à la main
gɔrəgɛ past. → gɔrg-. gauche.; dt: Ich halte das Essen in der
gɔrəgraa future. → gɔrg-. linken Hand. [Note: The order a gokʌ wɔ̃ndɛ
gɔrəgrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → gɔrg-. or a wɔ̃ndɛ gokʌ is free.]
gɔrəgrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive gogəni pl. → gog-.
sg. → gɔrg-. gokʌ sg. → gog-.
gɔrəgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gɔrg-. gom- noun. (large) calabash, box (from a
gɔrəgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gɔrg-. calabash); ruin of a deserted house; fr: gourde
gɔrəgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gɔrg-. (grosse), boîte (de gourde); ruine d’une maison
gɔrəgr(ʋ) imperfective. → gɔrg-. abandonnée; dt: (große) Kalebasse, Schachtel
gɔrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gɔ-. (aus Kalebasse); Ruine eines verlassenen
gɔrəg(ʋ) perfective. → gɔrg-. Hauses. [Note: This word can only be used for
gɔrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gɔ-. a house that has been abandoned suddenly.
gɔrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gɔ-. Ruins caused by rain attrition are a dãŋ too ‘an
gɔrs- verb. give back (sth. one has borrowed); fr: empty house’.]
rendre (q.chose qu’on a emprunté); dt: (etwas, a gomde sg.
was man ausgeborgt hat) zurückgeben. a gomʌu pl.
gɔrəsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a dãŋ gomde NP+N compound noun sg. ruin of
gɔrəsraa future. a deserted house; fr: ruine d’une maison
gɔrəsɛ past. abandonnée; dt: Reste eines verlassenen
gɔrəs(ʋ) perfective. Hauses
gɔrəsr(ʋ) imperfective. gomb- noun. shuttle (in weaving); fr: navette (du
a gɔrəsrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; fr: tissage); dt: Schiff (beim Weben).
q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der ... a gombre sg.
a gɔrəsrəba deverbal agent noun pl. a gombo pl.
a gɔrəsrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing a gombʌ pl.
that is given back; fr: chose qu’on rend; dt: das, gombo pl. → gomb-.
was man zurückgibt. gombre sg. → gomb-.
a gɔrəsrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. gomde sg. → gom-.
a gɔrəsrəga deverbal instrument noun gond perfective. (=/gond/) → gond-.
diminutive sg. a gondʌm (from: gond-) verb. leave (a place); pass
a gɔrəsrəfa deverbal local noun. place where (subj.=time); fr: partir, quitter (un endroit),
one gives back; fr: endroit où on rend; dt: passer; passer (sujet=le temps); dt: (einen Ort)
Platz, wo man zurückgibt. verlassen, abreisen, weggehen vorbeigehen;
gɔrəsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gɔrs-. vergehen (Subj.=Zeit).
gɔrəsɛ past. → gɔrs-. gondrʌʌ (=/gond-d-aa/) future.
gɔrəsɩ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gɔ-. gonde (=/gond-ɛ/) past.
gɔrəsraa future. → gɔrs-. gond(u) / gond (=/gond/) perfective.
gɔrəsrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → gɔrs-. gondr(u) (=/gond-d/) imperfective.
gɔrəsrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. gondʌm (=/gond-am/) deverbal action noun
→ gɔrs-. sg./mass.
gɔrəsrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gɔrs-. a wete koŋ gonde taʋ-taʋ sentence The day has
gɔrəsrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gɔrs-. passed quickly.; fr: Le jour a passé très
gɔrəsrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gɔrs-. vite.; dt: Der Tag ist schnell vergangen.
gɔrəsr(ʋ) imperfective. → gɔrs-.

68 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

gondʌm
a gondro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ..., incliné).; dt: Sie stellte den Topf gerade hin
passer-by; fr: q.un qui ..., passant; dt: jmd. der (der schief gestanden war).
..., Passant. a gotro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; fr:
a gondrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der am ...
a gondrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing a gotrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
that passes / has passed; fr: chose qui passe / a gotrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
a passé; dt: etwas, was vorbeigeht / which ...; fr: chose ...; dt: Ding, welches ...
vorbeigegangen ist. a gotrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
a gondrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. a gotrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
a gondrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun sg.
diminutive sg. a gotrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where ...
a gondrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place that one takes place; fr: endroit où on ...; dt: Platz, wo
passes; fr: endroit qu’on passe; dt: Platz, wo man ...
man vorbeigeht. gotʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → got-.
gondʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/gond- gote sg. → gor-.
am/) → gond-. gote past. → got-.
gonde past. (=/gond-ɛ/) → gond-. gotrʌʌ future. → got-.
gondrʌʌ future. (=/gond-d-aa/) → gond-. gotrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → got-.
gondrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. (=/gond-am/) → gotrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
gond-. → got-.
gondrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. gotrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → got-.
(=/gond-am/) → gond-. gotrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → got-.
gondrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/gond- gotro deverbal agent noun sg. → got-.
am/) → gond-. gotr(u) imperfective. → got-.
gondrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/gond- got(u) perfective. → got-.
am/) → gond-. gʋ (=/gʋ/) pronoun. it; its; fr: ça, il, elle;
gondro deverbal agent noun sg. (=/gond-am/) → son/sa/ses; le, la (non-humain); dt: es, er, sie;
gond-. sein, ihr (3.sg.); ihn, ihm (nicht-menschlich).
gondr(u) imperfective. (=/gond-d/) → gond-. gʋ (=/gʋ/) pron 3sg. non-hum.
gond(u) perfective. (=/gond/) → gond-. gʋ magətɛ sentence It was just.; fr: C’était
gor- noun. kind of (large) bird; fr: espèce d’oiseau juste.; dt: Es war gerecht [Note: This
(grand); dt: Art Vogel (groß). pronoun is either prefixed to a verb or a
a gorfe singulative. noun phrase, or suffixed to a verb; it cannot
a gorii pl. stand alone (e.g. as the elliptical answer to
gor- (=/god/) noun. stream, river; fr: ruisseau, a question; instead the independent
rivière; dt: Bach, Fluss. [Note: Sizes of bodies pronoun gʋkɔ must be used). As the prefix
of flowing water are hardly comparable with of a verb, it is the subject pronoun, on a
“rivers”, “streams” etc. because of their highly noun phrase it is the “possessor”, and as a
ephemeral nature. This word is synonymous suffix on a verb it is the (direct or indirect)
with a hem hore.] object. The vowel of this pronoun is lexical
a gote sg. and is therefore (in contrast with some
gorʌ pl. other pronouns) never omitted.]
gorʌu pl. gʋ (=/gʋ/) pos.adj.3sg.non-human.
gorʌ pl. → gor-. a pesu koŋ tamsə gʋ zugo sentence That sheep
gorfe singulative. → gor-. has lost its tail.; fr: Ce mouton a perdu son
got- verb. put in its proper place, put straight (sth. queue.; dt: Dieses Schaf hat seinen Schwanz
that is crooked or not standing straight), put verloren.
sth. back where it belongs; fr: poser à sa place, gʋkɔ (=/gʋ-kɔ/) strong pron 3sg. non-hum.
redresser (q.chose d’incliné), faire reposer — strong poss. adj. 3sg. non-hum. he, she, him,
q.chose à sa place; dt: etwas auf seinen Platz her; his, her, hers; fr: il, elle, le, la, son/sa/ses,
stellen, aufrichten, (etwas auf seinen Platz) le/la/les sien(ne)(s); dt: er, sie (3.sg.), ihn,
zurückstellen lassen. ihm, ihr (3.sg.); sein(,-er,-e,-es), ihr(,-er,-e,-
a gotʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. es) (3.sg.).
gotrʌʌ future. a pesu koŋ tamsə gʋkɔ zugo sentence That
gote past. sheep has lost its tail.; fr: Ce mouton a
got(u) perfective. perdu son queue.; dt: Dieses Schaf hat
gotr(u) imperfective. seinen Schwanz verloren.
də gote (a) subre koŋ sentence She stood the gʋkɔ magətɛ sentence That was just.; fr:
pot up straight (which had been lopsided).; C’était juste.; dt: Das war gerecht [Note:
fr: Elle a redressé le canari (qui était This form of the pronoun indicates some
kind of “emphasis”, but this can be so

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 69

-gʋ gʋmdɛ
minimal that in practice the disjunctive form gʋbrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gʋb-.
can always be used in place of a clitic gʋbrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gʋb-.
pronoun. It never undergoes any gʋbrʋ imperfective. → gʋb-.
phonological reduction or expansion. It can gʋbʋ perfective. → gʋb-.
stand in the normal (preverbal) subject or gʋ-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 3rd person non-human
(postverbal) object positions, and can also sg. → gɩllɛ.
be used as the elliptical answer to a gʋɩɩla pl. → gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃n-.
question. As with all disjunctive pronouns, it gʋkɔ strong poss. adj. 3sg. non-hum. (=/gʋ-kɔ/) →
is formed with the proclitic prefix version of gʋ.
the pronoun and the invariant stem-like gʋl perfective. → gʋl-.
element kɔ.] gʋl- noun. bag (of leather); fr: sac (en cuir); dt:
gaa (=/gʋ-aa/) negative proclitic (subject) Tasche (aus Leder).
personal pronoun 3rd person sg. non-human. a gʋlɔ sg.
it...not; fr: ça ne...pas; dt: es...nicht. a gʋləfɩ pl. [Note: Can be used for water or millet
gaa magətɛ sentence It was unjust.; fr: Ce (e.g. for trips into the bush)]
n’était pas juste.; dt: Es war ungerecht. gʋl- verb. lean, not stand straight; fr: être incliné,
[Note: This pronoun is equivalent to the ne pas être droit; dt: geneigt sein, nicht gerade
proclitic subject pronoun gʋ combined with stehen.
the (rare) negative particle aa.] gʋllaa future.
-gʋ noun-cl. noun class suffix non-human singular; gʋlɛ past.
fr: suffixe de classe nominale non-humain gʋl perfective.
singulier; dt: Nominalklassensuffix nicht- gʋll(ʋ) imperfective.
menschlich Singular. a gʋlam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
gʋb noun. water hole, pond; fr: trou d’eau, mare a dãŋ koŋ gʋl sentence That house has a lean.;
(plus grande); dt: Wasserloch, Teich. fr: Cette maison-là est incliné.; dt: Das Haus
a gʋbrɛ sg. dort steht schief.
a gʋba pl. a gʋllɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; fr:
gʋb- verb. stab; fr: piquer; dt: stechen. q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der am ...
gʋbraa future. a gʋlləba deverbal agent noun pl.
gʋbɛ past. a gʋlləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
gʋbʋ perfective. which ...; fr: chose ...; dt: Ding, welches ...
gʋbrʋ imperfective. a gʋlləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
a gʋbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a gʋlləga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
a gʋbrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; fr: sg.
q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der am ... a gʋlləfa deverbal local noun. place where ...
a gʋbrəba deverbal agent noun pl. takes place; fr: endroit où on ...; dt: Platz, wo
a gʋbrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing man ...
which ...; fr: chose ...; dt: Ding, welches ... gʋlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gʋl-.
a gʋbrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. gʋlɛ past. → gʋl-.
a gʋbrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive gʋllaa future. → gʋl-.
sg. gʋlləba deverbal agent noun pl. → gʋl-.
a gʋbrəfa deverbal local noun. place where ... gʋlləga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. →
takes place; fr: endroit où on ...; dt: Platz, wo gʋl-.
man ... gʋlləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gʋl-.
gʋbal- noun. pile of soil (e.g. around a millet gʋlləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gʋl-.
plant); fr: butte de terre (p. ex. autour d’une gʋllɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gʋl-.
plante de mil); dt: Erdhaufen (z.B. um eine gʋll(ʋ) imperfective. → gʋl-.
Hirsepflanze herum). [Phon: The phonological gʋlɔ sg. → gʋl-.
shape of this word is quite unusual; it might be gʋm noun. dumpling (e.g. of millet porridge); fr:
a loan or a compound.] boule (p. ex. de tô); dt: Knödel (z.B. aus
gʋballɛ sg. Hirsebrei). [Note: Probably a nomen acti of the
gʋbala pl. base verb from which a gʋmnam is derived.]
gʋballɛ sg. → gʋbal-. a gʋmdɛ sg.
gʋbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gʋb-. a gʋma pl.
gʋbɛ past. → gʋb-. a gʋmaʋ pl.
gʋbraa future. → gʋb-. a buuri gʋmdɛ NP+N compound noun sg. round
gʋbrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → gʋb-. loaf of (local) bread; fr: pain rond (local);
gʋbrɛ sg. → gʋb. dt: runder Laib (örtliches) Brot
gʋbrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. gʋma pl. → gʋm.
→ gʋb-. gʋmdɛ sg. → gʋm.
gʋbrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gʋb-.

70 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

gʋml- gubt-
gʋml- verb. form a dumpling (e.g. of porridge); fr: a gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃na firʌ / a gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃na firo N+N compound
faire une boule (p. ex. de tô); dt: einen Knödel noun pl.
formen (z.B. aus Brei). gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃na pl. → gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃n-.
gʋmɔndaa future. gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃na fite N+N compound noun sg. → gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃n-.
gʋmnɛ past. gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃ndɩ sg. → gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃n-.
gʋmɔ perfective. gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃ŋgãna N+N compound noun pl. → gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃n-.
gʋmɔnd(ʋ) imperfective. gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃ŋgãndɩ N+N compound noun sg. → gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃n-.
a gʋmnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. gʋ̃ʋ̃ noun. mushroom; fr: champignon; dt: Pilz.
a gʋmɔndɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; [Note: = Mòoré]
fr: q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der am ... a gʋ̃ʋ̃gʋ sg.
a gʋmɔndəba deverbal agent noun pl. a gʋ̃ʋ̃dʋ pl.
a gʋmɔndəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing gʋ̃ʋ̃gʋ sg. → gʋ̃ʋ̃.
which ...; fr: chose ...; dt: Ding, welches ... gub- noun. pile; fr: tas; dt: Haufen. [Note: Probably
a gʋmɔndəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. a nomen acti of the base verb from which a
a gʋmɔndəga deverbal instrument noun gubəlʌm is derived.]
diminutive sg. a gubre sg.
a gʋmɔndəfa deverbal local noun. place where a gubʌ pl.
... takes place; fr: endroit où on ...; dt: Platz, a geŋʌ gubre NP+N compound noun sg. a pile of
wo man ... stones; fr: un tas de pierres; dt: ein Haufen
gʋmnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gʋml-. Steine
gʋmnɛ past. → gʋml-. a ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ gubre NP+N compound noun sg. a pile of
gʋmɔ perfective. → gʋml-. earth; fr: un tas de terre; dt: ein Haufen
gʋmɔndaa future. → gʋml-. Erde
gʋmɔndəba deverbal agent noun pl. → gʋml-. gubl- verb. pile up, make (one or more) pile(s) (e.g.
gʋmɔndəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive of stones, of fruit for sale); fr: entasser (p. ex.
sg. → gʋml-. des pierres, des fruits à vendre); dt: (einen
gʋmɔndəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → oder mehrere) Haufen machen (z.B. Steine, zu
gʋml-. verkaufender Früchte). [Note: Equivalent to a
gʋmɔndəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gʋml-. gubtʌm, but for things, not humans.]
gʋmɔndɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → gʋml-. gubolʌʌ future.
gʋmɔnd(ʋ) imperfective. → gʋml-. gubəle past.
gʋʋ noun. bludgeon; fr: massue, casse-tête; dt: gubo perfective.
Schlagstock. [Note: This is a stick with a large, gubol(u) imperfective.
round head, typically used by Fulani and as a a gubəlʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
weapon.] a gubolo deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; fr:
a gʋʋgʋ sg. q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der am ...
a gʋʋdʋ pl. a guboləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
gʋʋgʋ sg. → gʋʋ. a guboləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
gʋʋrɩ noun. cola nut; fr: noix de cola; dt: Kolanuss. which ...; fr: chose ...; dt: Ding, welches ...
a gʋʋrɩ sg. a guboləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
a gʋya pl. a guboləgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
gʋʋrɩ sg. → gʋʋrɩ. sg.
gʋya(a)g noun. guava; fr: goyave; dt: Guave. a guboləfʌ deverbal local noun. place where ...
[Phon: Irregular length alternation of the a.] takes place; fr: endroit où on ...; dt: Platz, wo
a gʋyaaka sg. man ...
a gʋyagəsɩ pl. gubəlʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gubl-.
a gʋyagəsʋʋ pl. gubəle past. → gubl-.
gʋyaaka sg. → gʋya(a)g. gubo perfective. → gubl-.
gʋyagəsɩ pl. → gʋya(a)g. gubolʌʌ future. → gubl-.
gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃n- noun. water lily (edible); fr: nénuphar guboləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → gubl-.
(mangeable); dt: Seerose, Wasserlilie (essbar). guboləgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
[Note: = Mòoré] → gubl-.
a gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃ndɩ sg. guboləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → gubl-.
a gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃na pl. guboləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gubl-.
a gʋɩɩla pl. gubolo deverbal agent noun sg. → gubl-.
a gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃ŋgãndɩ N+N compound noun sg. flower of gubol(u) imperfective. → gubl-.
the water lily; fr: fleur du nénuphar; dt: Blüte gubre sg. → gub-.
der Seerose. gubt- verb. assemble, bring together; fr: assembler,
a gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃ŋgãna N+N compound noun pl. rassembler, réunir; dt: versammeln,
a gʋ̃ɩ̃ɩ̃na fite N+N compound noun sg. zusammenbringen.
gubtrʌʌ future.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 71

gubtʌm gũmb-
gubte past. a gursəro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...;
gubt(u) perfective. fr: q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der am ...
gubtr(u) imperfective. a gursərəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
a gubtʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. a gursərəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
də gubtə hɔ̃ dombʌ də da ʋ wɔl sentence He which ...; fr: chose ...; dt: Ding, welches ...
brought us together to make us work.; fr: Il a gursərəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
nous a rassemblés pour nous faire a gursərəgʌ deverbal instrument noun
travailler.; dt: Er hat uns diminutive sg.
zusammengebracht, um uns arbeiten zu a gursərəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where ...
lassen. [Note: Equivalent to a gubəlʌm, but takes place; fr: endroit où on ...; dt: Platz, wo
for humans, not things.] man ...
a gubtro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; fr: gursʌ noun. kind of flat stone (to separate grains of
q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der am ... cotton); fr: espèce de pierre plate (pour
a gubtrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. enlever les graines de coton); dt: Art flacher
a gubtrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing Stein (mit dem Baumwollkörner abgeschabt
which ...; fr: chose ...; dt: Ding, welches ... werden). [Note: Clearly derived from a gursʌm,
a gubtrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. but irregularly.]
a gubtrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive a gursʌ sg.
sg. a gursʌfi pl.
a gubtrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where ... gursʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gurs.
takes place; fr: endroit où on ...; dt: Platz, wo gurse past. → gurs.
man ... gursərʌʌ future. → gurs.
gubtʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gubt-. gursərəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → gurs.
gubte past. → gubt-. gursərəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
gubtrʌʌ future. → gubt-. sg. → gurs.
gubtrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → gubt-. gursərəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → gurs.
gubtrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. gursərəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gurs.
→ gubt-. gursəro deverbal agent noun sg. → gurs.
gubtrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → gubt-. gursər(u) imperfective. → gurs.
gubtrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gubt-. gurs(u) perfective. → gurs.
gubtro deverbal agent noun sg. → gubt-. gute sg. (=/gud-dɛ/) → gud-.
gubtr(u) imperfective. → gubt-. gũmb- noun. hunchback (body part); fr: bosse; dt:
gubt(u) perfective. → gubt-. Buckel. [Note: Used mainly in the plural, even if
gud- (=/gud/) noun. mongoose (Herpestidae); fr: only a single hunchback is referred to. The
mangouste (Herpestidae); dt: Manguste singular is used only for a small hunchback.
(Herpestidae). The phonological shape of this word suggests
a gute (=/gud-dɛ/) sg. that it might be a nomen acti from a gũmbʌm.]
a gurʌ / a guro (=/gud-a/) pl. a gũmbre sg.
gul- noun. drum; fr: tambour; dt: Trommel. a gũmbʌ pl.
a gulle sg. drum (small); fr: tambour (petit); dt: a gũmbʌ sa NP+N compound noun sg.
Trommel (klein). hunchback (person); fr: bossu; dt: bucklig
a gulʌ pl. [Note: Both sizes of drum are made of a nagfɛ gũmbʌ NP+N compound noun sg. cow
wood, cylindrical in shape, with skins at either with a hunchback; fr: bovin bossu; dt:
end (both of which can be played, though buckliges Rind
usually they sound different).] gũmb- verb. miss (getting a share of sth.); do one’s
a gulo sg. hair in the traditional way, with short hair
a gulfi pl. drum (large); fr: tambour (grand); dt: (women only); fr: manquer (q.chose dans le
Trommel (groß). partage); se coiffer à la manière traditionnelle,
gulʌ pl. → gul-. à cheveux courts (les femmes seulement); dt:
gulle sg. → gul-. nichts bekommen (beim Aufteilen); sich eine
gulo sg. → gul-. traditionelle Frisur (mit kurzen Haaren)
gurs verb. remove grains from cotton; fr: égrener le machen lassen (nur Frauen).
coton; dt: Körner von Baumwolle entfernen. gũmbrʌʌ future.
[Note: This verb is not used for anything but gũmbe past.
cotton.] gũmbu perfective.
gursərʌʌ future. gũmbru imperfective.
gurse past. a gũmbʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
gurs(u) perfective. də gũmbu də ỹʋ̃ sentence She had his hair done
gursər(u) imperfective. in the traditional way.; fr: Elle a fait la
a gursʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. coiffure traditionnelle.; dt: Sie hat sich auf
traditionelle Art frisiert. [Note: This

72 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

gũmbʌm halams-
traditional hairdo enjoys low prestige, and gũmbʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → gũmb-.
so is equivalent to not getting a share of gũmbe past. → gũmb-.
something better. The equivalent hairdo for gũmbrʌʌ future. → gũmb-.
men is a shaved head: a jʋ̃ pɔ̃nam.] gũmbrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → gũmb-.
a gũmbro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ...; gũmbre sg. → gũmb-.
fr: q.un qui ...; dt: jmd. der am ... gũmbrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
a gũmbrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → gũmb-.
a gũmbrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing gũmbrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → gũmb-.
which ...; fr: chose ...; dt: Ding, welches ... gũmbrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → gũmb-.
a gũmbrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. gũmbro deverbal agent noun sg. → gũmb-.
a gũmbrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun gũmbru imperfective. → gũmb-.
diminutive sg. gũmbu perfective. → gũmb-.
a gũmbrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where ...
takes place; fr: endroit où on ...; dt: Platz, wo
man ...

H - h

-gṾ (=/gṾ/) strong demonstrative stem. strong hal until, up to; since; fr: jusqu’à; depuis; dt: bis;
demonstrative stem; fr: racine de démonstratif seit.
fort; dt: starker Demonstrativstamm. halə wasɩ adverb. very much; fr: beaucoup; dt:
haɩ- defective verb. like; (auxiliary) want to; fr: sehr, sehr viel.
aimer; (auxiliaire) vouloir; dt: mögen; (Auxiliar) mə dagəlɛ hal wakatma fi la ɩnɔm sentence I
wollen. waited until 15:00.; fr: J’ai attendu jusqu’à
haɩfaa future. 15 heures.; dt: Ich habe bis 15 Uhr
haɩf(ʋ) imperfective. gewartet.
maa haɩfa də gɔɩnɛ sentence I don’t want to mə dagalɩ hal wakatma fi la ɩnɔm sentence I
know him any more.; fr: Je ne veux plus le have been waiting since 15:00.; fr: J’attends
connaître.; dt: Ich will ihn nicht mehr depuis 15 heures.; dt: Ich warte seit 15 Uhr.
kennen. hal perfective. → hal-.
də haɩfʋ də dol a homoi sũndu sentence He hal- noun.
wants to buy a moped.; fr: Il veut acheter a halʋ sg.
une mobylette.; dt: Er will ein Mofa kaufen. a haləfɩ pl. hangar; fr: hangar; dt: Hangar.
haɩfaa future. → haɩ-. hal- verb.
haɩt- verb. a halam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a haɩtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. hallaa future.
haɩtraa future. haləfaa future.
haɩtɛ past. halɛ past.
haɩtɩ perfective. hal perfective.
haɩtrɩ imperfective. remember, recall; fr: se hallɩ imperfective.
souvenir, se rappeler; dt: sich erinnern. haləf(ʋ) imperfective. possess, be master of, keep
haɩtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → haɩt-. (for oneself); fr: posséder, être maître de,
haɩtɛ past. → haɩt-. garder (pour soi); dt: besitzen, Herr sein über,
haɩtɩ perfective. → haɩt-. (für sich) behalten.
haɩtraa future. → haɩt-. halam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hal-.
hal conjunction. until; fr: jusqu’à; dt: bis. halams- verb.
hal conjunction. a halamsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
dagalə mɛ yere halə mə bɛ imperative sentence halamsəraa future.
Wait for me here until I come back.; fr: halamsɛ past.
Attends-moi ici jusqu’à ce que je reviens.; halams(ʋ) perfective.
dt: Warte hier auf mich, bis ich halamsər(ʋ) imperfective. slide, slip; fr: glisser;
wiederkomme. dt: gleiten, rutschen, ausrutschen.
hal deverbal nomen acti. də zɔgɔ (a) dɛrəga kebre dɔba də halamsʋ də
a haləmãʋ̃ pl. possessions; fr: possessions; dt: sol də pɔgɔ sentence He climbed up the (big)
Besitz. [Note: < a halam ‘possess’] mountain, slipped, fell and injured himself..;
hal preposition. fr: Il a grimpé sur la (grande) montagne, il a
glissé, il a tombé, il s’est blessé.; dt: Er ist
Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 73
halamsam hãm-
auf den (großen) Berg gestiegen, haraŋg(ɩ) perfective.
ausgerutscht, gestürzt und hat sich haraŋgr(ɩ) imperfective. stroke; fr: caresser; dt:
verletzt. streicheln. [Note: This is the more intensive
halamsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → version of a haram ‘touch’.]
halams-. haraŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. →
halamsɛ past. → halams-. haraŋg-.
halamsəraa future. → halams-. haraŋgɛ past. → haraŋg-.
halams(ʋ) perfective. → halams-. haraŋg(ɩ) perfective. → haraŋg-.
halɛ past. → hal-. haraŋgraa future. → haraŋg-.
haləfaa future. → hal-. harɛ past. → har-.
hall- verb. be smooth/slippery/gooey (like sauce of har(ɩ) perfective. → har-.
baobab leaves); fr: être glissant/gluant has- noun.
(comme la sauce de feuilles de baobab); dt: sich a hasfɛ sg.
gut ziehen (wie Sauce aus Baobabblättern). a hasʋ pl. broom; fr: balai; dt: Besen. [Note:
a halləmɛ̃ɩ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass. 3080]
hallaa future. has- verb.
hall(ɩ) imperfective. a hasam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
halla participial adjective. hasraa future.
a dammɛ koŋ hallaa halə wasɩ sentence This hasɛ past.
sauce is very gooey.; fr: Cette sauce est très has(ɩ) perfective.
gluante.; dt: Diese Sauce zieht sich sehr. hasr(ɩ) imperfective. sweep; fr: balayer; dt:
a mɛ̃rgʋ dammɛ la gʋ sentence It’s snot sauce.; kehren/fegen.
fr: C’est la sauce de rhume.; dt: Es ist eine də hasɛ (a) gatɛ dʋrʋ sentence She has swept
Schnupfen-Sauce. the whole yard.; fr: Elle a balayé toute la
hallaa future. → hal-. cour.; dt: Sie hat den ganzen Hof gekehrt.
hallaa future. → hall-. [Note: The deverbal instrument noun is a
hallɩ imperfective. → hal-. hasfɛ, not a hasrəgʋ]
hall(ɩ) imperfective. → hall-. hasam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → has-.
halləmɛ̃ɩ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hall-. hasɛ past. → has-.
hals- verb. hasfɛ sg. → has-.
a halsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. has(ɩ) perfective. → has-.
halsraa future. hasraa future. → has-.
halsɛ past. hat- noun.
halsɩ perfective. a hatɩ sg.
halsrɩ imperfective. slide, slip; fr: glisser; dt: a hatəfɩ pl. Sunday; fr: dimanche; dt: Sonntag.
gleiten, rutschen, ausrutschen. [Note: 3090]
də zɔgɔ (a) dɛrəga kebre dɔba də halsɩ də sol də hataa future. → har-.
sɩbʋ sentence He climbed up the (big) hatɩ sg. → hat-.
mountain, slipped, fell and died.; fr: Il a hat(ɩ) imperfective. → har-.
grimpé sur la (grande) montagne, il a glissé, haya exclamation. okay, right; fr: bon; dt: okay,
il a tombé, il est mort.; dt: Er ist auf den gut. [Note: This expression is used, among
(großen) Berg gestiegen, ausgerutscht, other things, to signal the well-formed end of
gestürzt und gestorben. [Note: 124] the leave-taking at the end of a conversation.
halsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hals-. It is usually pronounced on a high pitch. After
halsɛ past. → hals-. this word has been said, normally one or more
halsɩ perfective. → hals-. people physically leave.]
halsraa future. → hals-. haya exclamation.
halʋ sg. → hal-. hã- noun.
har- verb. touch; fr: toucher; dt: berühren. a hãm sg./mass. hunger, famine; fr: faim, famine;
hataa future. dt: Hunger, Hungersnot.
harɛ past. hãm- adj.noun. brilliant, shining; fr: brillant; dt:
har(ɩ) perfective. leuchtend. [Note: This adjective can be used as
hat(ɩ) imperfective. a sentential exclamation. In this usage it refers
a haram deverbal action noun sg./mass. to the impression of ‘shining’ in something in
kam bɛ harə mɛ sentence Don’t go so far as to the immediate prior context.]
touch me!; fr: N’arrive pas à me toucher!; a hãmãŋ adjectival noun sg.
dt: Rühr mich ja nicht an! a hãmɩ̃ã adjectival noun sg.
haraŋg- verb. hãm- noun. fire; fr: feu; dt: Feuer.
a haraŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. sg.
haraŋgraa future. a hãma pl.
haraŋgɛ past.

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hãm yelle hãŋsamaa
a hãm yelle N+N compound noun sg. light; fr: gaa hãnɛ sentence It isn’t good.; fr: Ce n’est
lumière; dt: Licht. pas bon..; dt: Es ist nicht gut.
a hãm yelʌ N+N compound noun pl. [Note: cf. a hãna hãna adverb. well, very well; fr: bien, très
jeu ‘look at’] bien; dt: gut, sehr gut.
hãm yelle N+N compound noun sg. → hãm-. ba wɔl a tomʌ hɛ̃ŋ hãna hãna sentence They did
hãma pl. → hãm-. their work very well.; fr: Ils ont très bien
hãmã perfective. → hãmn-. fait leur travail.; dt: Sie haben ihre Arbeit
hãmãndaa future. → hãmn-. sehr gut gemacht.
hãmãŋ adjectival noun sg. → hãm-. hãn- (=/hãn/) adj.noun. good; fr: bon; dt: gut.
hãmb- noun. shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa); fr: [Note: Clearly related to the defective verb
karité (espèce d’arbre) (Vitellaria paradoxa); hãn- ‘be good’, but there is no regular
dt: Karitébaum, Sheanussbaum (Vitellaria derivation in either direction.]
paradoxa). a hãnəŋa (=/hãn-ga/) diminutive sg.
a hãmbəga diminutive sg. a hãnãŋ (=/hãn-gʋ/) sg.
a hãmbɩɩ diminutive pl. a hãnɩ̃ã (=/hãn-ɩa/) pl. good, beautiful, nice; fr:
a hãmbrɛ sg. shea fruit; fr: fruit de karité; dt: bien, beau, joli; dt: gut, schön, nett.
Frucht des Karitébaums. a hãnãɩ̃ (=/hãn-aɩ/) sg. goodness, beauty,
a hãmba pl. shea fruit; fr: fruit de karité; dt: generosity; fr: bonté, beauté, générosité; dt:
Frucht des Karitébaums. Güte, Schönheit, Großzügigkeit.
a hãmbrɛ yoro-ni bi PP+N compound noun sg. a hãnãʋ̃ (=/hãn-aʋ/) [Note: Rare derivation.] sg.
shea nut (alternative term for a dũĩne); fr: good turn, favour; fr: bien fait, faveur; dt: gute
noix de karité (terme alternatif pour a Tat, Gefallen.
dũĩne); dt: Sheanuss (Alternativausdruck də tɩ m a hãnãʋ̃ sentence He did me a favour.;
für a dũĩne) fr: Il m’a rendu un bienfait.; dt: Er hat mir
a hãmbrɛ yoro-ni bu PP+N compound noun pl. einen Gefallen getan.
hãmbəga diminutive sg. → hãmb-. hãna ? future. → hãn-.
hãmbɩɩ diminutive pl. → hãmb-. hãnãɩ̃ sg. goodness bonté Güte. (=/hãn-aɩ/) →
hãmbrɛ sg. → hãmb-. hãn-.
hãmn- verb. hãnãŋ deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hãn-.
a hãmnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. hãnãŋ sg. (=/hãn-gʋ/) → hãn-.
hãmãndaa future. hãnda adverb. really, truly; fr: vraiment; dt:
hãmnɛ past. wirklich. [Note: This word seems to be related
hãmã perfective. to the verb hãn- ‘be good’. This adverb occurs
hãmãnd(ɩ) imperfective. believe, think; fr: croire, between the subject and verb of a sentence.]
penser; dt: glauben, denken. hãnda manner adverb.
mə hãmãndaa ke a wolou la sentence I think ba hãnda bɛ̃nɛ nã mɛ sentence They really
that it isn’t true. (lit.: that it is a lie); fr: Je came to see me.; fr: Ils sont vraiment venus
crois que ce n’est pas vrai. (lit.: que c’est me voir.; dt: Sie sind wirklich gekommen, um
une mensonge); dt: Ich glaube, dass es mich zu sehen.
nicht wahr ist. (wörtl.: dass es eine Lüge ist) hãnɛ ? perfective. → hãn-.
[Note: 125] hãn(ɛ) verb. here is; fr: voici; dt: hier ist.
— deverbal instrument noun pl. hãnə mɛ. mə bɛ̃nɛ sentence & sentence Here I
hãmnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hãmn-. am. I’ve arrived.; fr: Me voici. Je suis
hãmnɛ past. → hãmn-. arrivé.; dt: Da bin ich. Ich bin angekommen.
hãn- verb. be good; fr: être bon, être bien; dt: gut hãnɩ̃ã pl. (=/hãn-ɩa/) → hãn-.
sein. [Note: This verb has no aspect hãnəŋa diminutive sg. (=/hãn-ga/) → hãn-.
distinctions. In a positive sentence, only hãna hãŋs- verb.
can be used, in a negative sentence only hãnɛ. a hãŋsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
This verb cannot be used for food or drink (for hãŋsraa future.
which a dɔ̃ndəmɛ̃ɩ̃ must be used).] hãŋsɛ past.
hãna ? future. hãŋs(ɩ) perfective.
hãnɛ ? perfective. hãŋsr(ɩ) imperfective. arrange, help; fr:
a hãnãŋ deverbal action noun sg./mass. arranger, aider; dt: in Ordnung bringen, helfen.
a gɛ̃nɛ koŋ hãna halə wasɩ sentence This dance a dɔfrɛ hãŋsɩ sentence May God help (us)!; fr:
is very good.; fr: Cette fête de danse est Que Dieu (nous) aide!; dt: Gott helfe (uns)!
très bonne.; dt: Dieses Tanzfest ist sehr gut. a dɔfre hãŋsɛ sentence It was God’s will.; fr:
a gɛ̃nɛ koŋ ba hãnɛ sentence This dance isn’t C’était la volonté de Dieu.; dt: Es war Gottes
good.; fr: Cette fête de danse n’est pas Wille.
bonne.; dt: Dieses Tanzfest ist nicht gut. hãŋsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hãŋs-.
gʋ hãna sentence It’s good.; fr: C’est bon..; dt: hãŋsam perfective. → hãŋsm-.
Es ist gut. hãŋsamaa future. → hãŋsm-.

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hãŋsamam hɛ̃ɛ̃mɛ̃ɩ̃
hãŋsamam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hɛb(ʋ) perfective.
hãŋsm-. hɛbr(ʋ) imperfective.
hãŋsamɛ past. → hãŋsm-. hɛbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hɛb-.
hãŋsɛ past. → hãŋs-. hɛbɛ past. → hɛb-.
hãŋs(ɩ) perfective. → hãŋs-. hɛbraa future. → hɛb-.
hãŋsm- verb. hɛbrɔ sg. → hɛb.
a hãŋsamam deverbal action noun sg./mass. hɛb(ʋ) perfective. → hɛb-.
hãŋsamaa future. hɛr- noun. side; fr: côté; dt: Seite.
hãŋsamɛ past. a hɛrəga sg.
hãŋsam perfective. a hɛrənɛ pl.
hãŋsam(ɔ̃) imperfective. arrange, help; fr: a hɛrəgafɩ pl.
arranger, aider; dt: in Ordnung bringen, helfen. hɛrəga postposition. beside, next to, near; fr: à
[Note: Synonymous with a hãŋsam, except that côté de, près de; dt: neben, nahe.
this verb involves more activity (e.g. making hɛrəga nɛ N+P compound postposition. beside,
more arrangements).] next to, near; fr: à côté de, près de; dt: neben,
hãŋsraa future. → hãŋs-. nahe.
hãr noun. bɛ hori mə hɛrəga (nɛ) imperative sentence
a hãrəgʋ sg. Come and lie down next to me.; fr: Viens te
a hãrɩɩ pl. kind of tree; fr: espèce d’arbre; dt: couche à côté de moi.; dt: Komm und lege
Art Baum. dich zu mir.
hãrəgʋ sg. → hãr. hɛrəga sg. → hɛr-.
hãʋŋa diminutive sg. → kãŋ. hɛrəga postposition. → hɛr-.
hãʋ̃ma pl. → kãŋ. hɛrəgafɩ pl. → hɛr-.
hʌd(i) verb. here is; fr: voici; dt: hier ist. hɛrənɛ pl. → hɛr-.
hʌdə mɛ. mə bɛ̃nɛ sentence & sentence Here I hɛ̃ postclitic personal pronoun object 3rd person
am. I’ve arrived.; fr: Me voici. Je suis pl. non-human. → ɩ.
arrivé.; dt: Da bin ich. Ich bin angekommen. hɛ̃bt verb. divide, separate; fr: diviser, séparer; dt:
hʌwei noun. teilen, trennen.
a hʌwei sg. a hɛ̃btam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a hʌweimʌ pl. female marriage witness; fr: hɛ̃btraa future.
témoin (féminine) de mariage; dt: Ehezeugin. hɛ̃btɛ past.
[Note: This woman traditionally accompanies a hɛ̃bt(ʋ) perfective.
newly married woman throughout her entire hɛ̃btr(ʋ) imperfective.
married life. Her main function seems to be to hɛ̃bt noun.
persuade the newly-wed not to leave her a hɛ̃btʋ sg.
husband.] a hɛ̃btəfɩ pl. tongs (used by a blacksmith); fr:
hʌ̃n(i) verb. here is; fr: voici; dt: hier ist. pince (du forgeron); dt: Zange (eines
hʌ̃nə mɛ. mə bɛ̃nɛ sentence & sentence Here I Schmieds). [Note: These tongs are used to
am. I’ve arrived.; fr: Me voici. Je suis break pieces of metal apart (cf. a hɛ̃btam
arrivé.; dt: Da bin ich. Ich bin angekommen. ‘divide, separate’).]
hɛb noun. hɛ̃btam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hɛ̃bt.
a hɛbrɔ sg. hɛ̃btɛ past. → hɛ̃bt.
a hɛbrəba pl. person who introduces; fr: celui hɛ̃btraa future. → hɛ̃bt.
qui introduit; dt: jemand der einführt. hɛ̃btʋ sg. → hɛ̃bt.
a bãŋgʋ hɛbrɔ NP+N compound noun sg. hɛ̃bt(ʋ) perfective. → hɛ̃bt.
a bãŋgʋ hɛbrəba NP+N compound noun sg. hɛ̃ɛ̃ imperfective. → hɛ̃ɛ̃-.
circumciser (i.e. someone who introduces hɛ̃ɛ̃- adj.verb.
people to the initiation); fr: circonciseur a hɛ̃ɛ̃mɛ̃ɩ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass.
(c.à.d. qu’un qui introduit les gens à hɛ̃ɛ̃faa future.
l’initiation); dt: Beschneider (d.h. jemand, hɛ̃ɛ̃aa future.
der die Leute in die Initiation einführt) hɛ̃ɛ̃f(ʋ) imperfective.
hɛb- verb. introduce, make/cause to enter, pocket, hɛ̃ɛ̃ imperfective.
put into (e.g. into a plastic bag); perform an hɛ̃fa participial adjective. be far away; fr: être
enema; fr: introduire, faire entrer, empocher, loin d’ici; dt: weit weg sein von hier.
mettre dedans (p. ex. dans un sac en a kunne hɛ̃fa NP+participle compound noun a
plastique); faire un lavement; dt: einführen, distant village; fr: un village qui est loin
hineinbringen/-geben (z.B. in einen d’ici; dt: ein fernes Dorf
Plastiksack), einstecken; klistieren. hɛ̃ɛ̃aa future. → hɛ̃ɛ̃-.
a hɛbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. hɛ̃ɛ̃faa future. → hɛ̃ɛ̃-.
hɛbraa future. hɛ̃ɛ̃f(ʋ) imperfective. → hɛ̃ɛ̃-.
hɛbɛ past. hɛ̃ɛ̃mɛ̃ɩ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hɛ̃ɛ̃-.

76 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

hɛ̃m hɛ̃n-
hɛ̃m perfective. → hɛ̃m-. a hɛ̃mnam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
hɛ̃m- verb. meet, reach, hit (e.g. a target); must, a hɛ̃mɛ̃ndɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
have to; fr: rejoindre, rencontrer, croiser, prepares; fr: q.un qui prépare; dt: jmd. der
atteindre, frapper (p. ex. avec une flèche); vorbereitet.
devoir; dt: treffen (Menschen, Ziel), kreuzen, a hɛ̃mɛ̃ndəba deverbal agent noun pl.
erreichen; müssen. a hɛ̃mɛ̃ndəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg.
hɛ̃mmaa future. object which is prepared; fr: q.chose qu’on
hɛ̃mɛ past. prépare; dt: etwas, was vorbereitet wird.
hɛ̃m perfective. a hɛ̃mɛ̃ndəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
hɛ̃mm(ɔ̃) imperfective. a hɛ̃mɛ̃ndəga deverbal instrument noun dimin.
a hɛ̃mam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a hɛ̃mɛ̃ndəfa deverbal local noun. place where
yoote ʋ hɛ̃m dombʌ mə sa wa sentence Today preparations take place; fr: endroit où on
we met (one another) at my father’s prépare; dt: Platz, wo man vorbereitet.
(house).; fr: Aujourd’hui on s’est croisé chez a hɛ̃mɛ̃mãʋ̃ things that have been prepared;
mon père.; dt: Heute sind wir uns bei wedding presents for a girl; fr: choses qui ont
meinem Vater begegnet. [Note: Synonymous été préparées ; dons de mariage pour une jeune
with a hɛ̃msam.] fille; dt: Dinge, die vorbereitet worden sind;
hɛ̃mɛ past. → hɛ̃m-. Hochzeitsgeschenke für ein Mädchen. deverbal
hɛ̃mɛ perfective. → hɛ̃mn-. nomen acti pl.
hɛ̃mɛ̃ndaa future. → hɛ̃mn-. a vɛ̃ŋa ba hɛ̃mnɛ la gʋ bɛ sentence There was a
hɛ̃mɛ̃ndəba deverbal agent noun pl. → hɛ̃mn-. sudden cloudburst. (Lit.: The rain did not
hɛ̃mɛ̃ndɛ sg. → hɛ̃mn-. prepare but came.); fr: La pluie a éclaté tout
hɛ̃mɛ̃ndəfa deverbal local noun. → hɛ̃mn-. d’un coup. (Lit.: La pluie ne s’est pas
hɛ̃mɛ̃ndəga deverbal instrument noun dimin. → préparée mais elle est venue.); dt: Es gab
hɛ̃mn-. einen plötzlichen Wolkenbruch. (Wörtl.: Der
hɛ̃mɛ̃ndəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → hɛ̃mn-. Regen hat sich nicht vorbereitet, sondern
hɛ̃mɛ̃ndəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → hɛ̃mn-. kam.)
hɛ̃mɛ̃ndɩ imperfective. → hɛ̃mn-. hɛ̃mnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hɛ̃mn-.
hɛ̃mɛ̃ndɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → hɛ̃mn-. hɛ̃mnɛ past. → hɛ̃mn-.
hɛ̃mm noun. hɛ̃ms- verb. meet, reach, hit (e.g. a target); fr:
a hɛ̃mməŋa sg. rejoindre, rencontrer, croiser, atteindre,
hɛ̃mmənɛ pl. date tree; fr: dattier; dt: frapper (p. ex. avec une flèche); dt: treffen
Dattelbaum. (Menschen, Ziel), kreuzen, erreichen.
hɛ̃mmaa future. → hɛ̃m-. hɛ̃msraa future.
hɛ̃mməŋa sg. → hɛ̃mm. hɛ̃msɛ past.
hɛ̃mm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → hɛ̃m-. hɛ̃ms(ʋ) perfective.
hɛ̃mn- noun. hɛ̃msr(ʋ) imperfective.
a hɛ̃mɛ̃ndɛ sg. a hɛ̃msam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a hɛ̃mɛ̃ỹã [Note: This word seems to be derived yoote ʋ hɛ̃msə dombʌ mə sa wa sentence Today
from the verb a hɛ̃mnam ‘prepare’, although my we met (one another) at my father’s
informants are not aware of any reason, except (house).; fr: Aujourd’hui on s’est croisé chez
that a crocodile shares the soul of a human and mon père.; dt: Heute sind wir uns bei
therefore ‘prepares’ his life.] pl. crocodile, meinem Vater begegnet. [Note: Synonymous
caiman; fr: crocodile, caïman; dt: Krokodil, with a hɛ̃mam.]
Kaiman. [Note: Crocodiles are sacred to the hɛ̃msɛ past. → hɛ̃ms-.
Koromba. They are considered to share their hɛ̃msraa future. → hɛ̃ms-.
soul (a hʋtɛ) with a human being who is hɛ̃msr(ʋ) imperfective. → hɛ̃ms-.
presently alive. If the crocodile is killed, the hɛ̃ms(ʋ) perfective. → hɛ̃ms-.
human will die too. Therefore crocodiles are hɛ̃n perfective. → hɛ̃n-.
never killed. The crocodiles in Koromba villages hɛ̃n- verb. sew; dig; give (with outstretched hand),
are extremely docile and present no threat to hand (over); fr: coudre; creuser; donner
children or animals.] (tendant la main), tendre; dt: nähen; graben;
hɛ̃mn- verb. prepare; fr: préparer; dt: vorbereiten. geben (mit ausgestreckter Hand), übergeben.
[Note: This is the general word for ‘prepare’. It hɛ̃taa future.
takes objects such as a wedding, a journey, and hɛ̃nnaa future.
food. It is also used for preparing a girl for hɛ̃nɛ past.
marriage.] hɛ̃n perfective.
hɛ̃mɛ̃ndaa future. hɛ̃t(ɩ) imperfective.
hɛ̃mnɛ past. hɛ̃nn(ɩ) imperfective.
hɛ̃mɛ perfective. a hɛ̃nam deverbal action noun sg./mass. [Note:
hɛ̃mɛ̃ndɩ imperfective. This word is probably the source of a hɛ̃nam

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hɛ̃nam
‘beer’, perhaps because some up-and-down Schafe) [Note: Demonstrative adjectives are
motion as in sewing and digging is involved in also used as definite articles. Their
the production of traditional millet beer.] similarity to the corresponding noun-class
a hɛ̃tɔ deverbal agent noun sg. suffixes is unmistakable. They always follow
a hɛ̃təba deverbal agent noun pl. also: tailor; fr: the NP. Cf. the full set of demonstratives:
aussi: tailleur; dt: auch: Schneider. hoŋ, koŋ, bɛŋ, hɛ̃ŋ, kɛ̃ŋ.]
a hɛ̃tə samdɛ V+N compound noun sg. needle; hɛ̃ŋgɛ strong demonstrative adjective.
fr: aiguille; dt: Nadel — strong demonstrative pronoun.
a hɛ̃tə sama V+N compound noun pl. a pesii hɛ̃ŋgɛ NP+demonstrative compound NP
hɛ̃nam noun. beer, dolo; fr: bière, dolo; dt: Bier, the / these / those sheep; fr: les / ces
Dolo. [Note: Probably < a hɛ̃nam ‘sew; dig’.] mouton; dt: die / diese / jene Schafe
a hɛ̃nam sg./mass. pesii tãã hɛ̃ŋgɛ NP+demonstrative compound
a hɛ̃namfɩ pl. NP the / these / those three sheep; fr: les /
a sɔmdɛ hɛ̃nam NP+N compound noun sg./mass ces trois moutons; dt: die / diese / jene drei
beer (of the European type); fr: bière (de Schafe [Note: * a pesii tãã hɛ̃ŋgɛ is
type européen); dt: Bier (europäischer Art) impossible because a numeral precludes the
a mɔsə hɛ̃nam N+N compound noun sg./mass article a.]
millet beer, dolo (of the indigenous type); fr: hɛ̃ŋgɛ ba zɔmma mɛ sentence Those doesn’t
bière de mil, dolo (de type indigène); dt: like me. (= sheep); fr: Ceux-la ne m’aiment
Hirsebier, Dolo (einheimischer Art) [Note: pas. (= moutons); dt: Die dort mögen mich
Lit. dolo of the Mossi. Traditional dolo is nicht. (= Schafe) [Note: The strong
also used in sacrificial ceremonies, when it demonstratives are said to be more
is poured on the ground for the ancestors.] emphatic than the corresponding normal
hɛ̃nam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hɛ̃n-. demonstrative, but in practice can be found
hɛ̃nd- verb. everywhere where the latter occur. All
a hɛ̃ndam deverbal action noun sg./mass. strong demonstratives are formed by adding
hɛ̃ndraa future. -gṾ to the normal demonstrative, where Ṿ is
hɛ̃ndɛ past. a (non-nasal) copy of the (one and only,
hɛ̃ndɩ perfective. mid) vowel of the normal demonstrative.]
hɛ̃ndrɩ imperfective. catch up with (something hɛ̃s- verb.
that is ahead), hit (e.g. a bullet); fr: rattraper a hɛ̃sam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
(q.chose qui est en avant), frapper (p. ex. un hɛ̃sraa future.
plomb); dt: (etwas, was weiter vorne ist) hɛ̃sɛ past.
einholen, erreichen (z.B. Geschoss). hɛ̃sɩ perfective.
a vɛ̃ɛ̃ndɩ koŋ hɛ̃nd a tubre nagəfɛ sentence The hɛ̃srɩ imperfective. take away, put at a distance;
bullet hit the buffalo.; fr: Le plomb a frappé fr: éloigner; dt: entfernen.
le buffle.; dt: Die Kugel hat den Büffel hɛ̃sə na dɩ la məkɔ sentence Take him out of my
getroffen. sight!; fr: Eloignez-le de moi!; dt: Entfernt
hɛ̃ndam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hɛ̃nd-. ihn von mir!
hɛ̃ndɛ past. → hɛ̃nd-. də hɛ̃srɩ la məkɔ sentence He is going away
hɛ̃ndɩ perfective. → hɛ̃nd-. from me.; fr: Il est en train de s’éloigner de
hɛ̃ndraa future. → hɛ̃nd-. moi.; dt: Er entfernt sich gerade von mir.
hɛ̃nɛ past. → hɛ̃n-. hɛ̃sam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hɛ̃s-.
hɛ̃nnaa future. → hɛ̃n-. hɛ̃sɛ past. → hɛ̃s-.
hɛ̃nn(ɩ) imperfective. → hɛ̃n-. hɛ̃sɩ perfective. → hɛ̃s-.
hɛ̃ŋ demonstrative adjective; demonstrative hɛ̃sraa future. → hɛ̃s-.
pronoun. hɛ̃taa future. → hɛ̃n-.
hɛ̃ŋ demonstrative adjective non-human pl. these, hɛ̃t(ɩ) imperfective. → hɛ̃n-.
those, the (ones); fr: ces, les; ceux-ci/là, hɛ̃tɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → hɛ̃n-.
celles-ci/là; dt: diese, jene, die. he- (=/he/) noun. water, liquid; fr: eau, liquide; dt:
a pesii hɛ̃ŋ NP+demonstrative compound NP Wasser, Flüssigkeit. [Note: The primary
the / these / those sheep; fr: les / ces meaning of this word is water. But it can be
mouton; dt: die / diese / jene Schafe used as the second element of a compound
pesii tãã hɛ̃ŋ noun phrase the / these / those noun to indicate that the first element is a
three sheep; fr: les / ces trois moutons; dt: liquid. This liquid need can but need not have
die / diese / jene drei Schafe [Note: * a pesii been produced from water, as in the example
tãã hɛ̃ŋ is impossible because a numeral ‘honey’ below.]
precludes the article a.] a hem (=/he-m/) sg./mass.
hɛ̃ŋ ba zɔmma mɛ sentence Those don’t like me. a hemfi (=/he-m-fɩ/) pl.
(= sheep); fr: Ceux-la ne m’aiment pas. (=
moutons); dt: Die dort mögen mich nicht. (=

78 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

heg- herəde
a heməŋʌ diminutive sg. drop, drip (of water / a hegre adjectival noun sg.
liquid); fr: goutte (d’eau / liquide); dt: Tropfen a hegʌ adjectival noun pl.
(Wasser / Flüssigkeit). a dɛrəga hegre NP+N compound noun sg. a
a hem hore NP+N compound noun sg./mass high mountain; fr: une montagne haute; dt:
stream, river; fr: ruisseau, rivière; dt: Bach, ein hoher Berg
Fluss [Note: Synonymous with a gote. This a hegei abstract quality noun sg. height; fr:
compound seems to have been reanalysed hauteur; dt: Höhe.
from NP + participle ‘running water’ to hegʌ adjectival noun pl. → heg-.
NP+N.] hegre adjectival noun sg. → heg-.
a hem hoyʌu NP+N compound noun sg./mass hell- verb. separate chaff from grain (by pouring
a (sɔmdɛ) hem dɔ̃nda NP+participle compound from a height of about 1 metre); fr: séparer de
noun fizzy / carbonated drink (coke, etc.) son du mil (en versant d’une hauteur d’un
(Lit.: white man’s sweet water); fr: boisson mètre environ); dt: Spreu von Körnern trennen
gazé, “sucrerie” (Lit.: eau douce du blanc); (indem man sie aus einer Höhe von ca. 1 Meter
dt: Getränk mit Kohlensäure (Cola, etc.) fallen lässt). [Note: This is the traditional
(Wörtl.: süßes Wasser des Weißen) [Note: method for separating chaff from grain using
The element sɔmdɛ is only used for two calabashes. It depends on the presence of
disambiguation, but otherwise omitted.] a light wind (which carries away the chaff, but
a gɛkʋ hem NP+N compound noun sg./mass still allows one to catch the grain in the bottom
traditional water (of millet); fr: eau calabash).]
traditionnelle (du petit mil).; dt: hellrʌʌ future.
traditionelles Wasser (aus Hirse) [Note: helle past.
This type of millet water is spilled on the hell(i) perfective.
ground as a sacrifice for the ancestors at hellr(i) imperfective.
the annual a pɩlaŋ dɔ̃nda New Year a hellʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
ceremony.] helle past. → hell-.
a homoi hem NP+N compound noun sg./mass hell(i) perfective. → hell-.
petrol, paraffin, diesel oil; fr: essence, hellrʌʌ future. → hell-.
pétrole, diesel; dt: Benzin, Petroleum, Diesel hellr(i) imperfective. → hell-.
a nɛmmɔ̃ hem NP+N compound noun sg./mass hem sg./mass. (=/he-m/) → he-.
soup, stew; fr: Soupe; dt: Suppe, Eintopf hemfi pl. (=/he-m-fɩ/) → he-.
[Note: “Soup” consists predominantly of hen perfective. → hen-.
some kind of meat, but often contains more hen- verb. expose to the sun: spread out, dry,
liquid than a stew.] stretch out; fr: exposer au soleil: étaler,
a nɛmmɔ̃ hemfi NP+N compound noun pl. sécher, étendre; dt: der Sonne aussetzen:
a tɔ̃ɩ̃ hem NP+N compound noun sg./mass ausbreiten, trocknen, ausdehnen. [Note:
honey; fr: miel; dt: Honig [Note: This Synonymous with a tɛbam]
compound is used to disambiguate ‘honey’ hennʌʌ future.
from ‘bees’; if ambiguity is contextually hene past.
unlikely, a tɔ̃ɩ is used alone.] hen perfective.
a tɔ̃ɩ̃ hemfi NP+N compound noun pl. henn(i) imperfective.
a hɩ labrɛ N+N compound noun sg. water-bag a henʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
(leather); fr: outre pour l’eau (en cuir); dt: hene past. → hen-.
Wasserflasche (aus Leder) [Note: hɩ < a hennʌʌ future. → hen-.
hem ‘water’] henn(i) imperfective. → hen-.
a hɩ laba N+N compound noun pl. herd- verb.
a hem la wɔ̃fə dɩ sentence (S)he has malaria.; herədʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
fr: Il/Elle a le paludisme.; dt: Er/Sie hat heredʌʌ future.
Malaria. herəde past.
a hem kʋrgɩ NP+N compound noun sg. ice (lit: here perfective.
dried water); fr: glace (lit.: eau séché); dt: hered(i) imperfective. liquefy, dilute; fr:
Eis (wörtlich: getrocknetes Wasser) liquéfier; dt: flüssig machen, verdünnen.
a hem sɩrɩ NP sg./mass [Note: Double mə hered a dammɛ sentence I am diluting the
suffixation: -m -ŋʌ] sauce.; fr: Je suis en train de liquéfier la
heg- noun. high; fr: haut; dt: hoch. [Note: This word sauce.; dt: Ich verdünne die Sauce.
cannot be used for the intrinsic height of a damme koŋ here sentence The sauce has
human beings or animals, though it can be used become (more) liquid.; fr: La sauce est
e.g. for buildings, trees. But it can be used for devenue (plus) liquide.; dt: Die Sauce ist
the height of a human being or animal relative flüssig(er) geworden.
to some point of reference (e.g. someone herədʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → herd-.
standing on a wall, on a hillside, etc.).] herəde past. → herd-.

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here hil-
here perfective. → herd-. hibe past.
heredʌʌ future. → herd-. hib(u) perfective.
herem perfective. → herm-. hibr(u) imperfective. fill up, be full (intransitive);
herm- verb. fr: se remplir, être plein (intransitif); dt: sich
herəmʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. anfüllen, voll sein (intransitiv).
herəmʌʌ future. hibʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hib-.
herəme past. hibe past. → hib-.
herem perfective. hibrʌʌ future. → hib-.
herəm(õ) imperfective. be liquid; fr: être liquide; hibs- verb.
dt: flüssig sein. a hibsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
herəmʌʌ future. → herm-. hibsrʌʌ future.
herəmʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → herm-. hibse past.
herəme past. → herm-. hibs(u) perfective.
hers- verb. hibsr(u) imperfective. fill (up) (transitive); fr:
hersʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (r)emplir (transitif); dt: anfüllen, auffüllen
hersərʌʌ future. (transitiv). [Note: Synonymous with a hibtʌm
herse past. but used less commonly.]
hers(i) perfective. hibsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hibs-.
hersər(i) imperfective. become liquid; fr: devenir hibse past. → hibs-.
liquide; dt: flüssig werden. hibsrʌʌ future. → hibs-.
a bondu koŋ hersi sentence The gruel has hibs(u) perfective. → hibs-.
become liquid.; fr: La bouillie est devenue hibt- verb.
liquide.; dt: Die Grütze ist flüssig geworden. a hibtʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
hersʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hers-. hibtrʌʌ future.
herse past. → hers-. hibte past.
hers(i) perfective. → hers-. hibt(u) perfective.
hersərʌʌ future. → hers-. hibtr(u) imperfective. fill (up) (transitive); fr:
hɩfaa future. → hɩt-. (r)emplir (transitif); dt: anfüllen, auffüllen
hɩfʋ imperfective. → hɩt-. (transitiv).
hɩlaʋ noun. də hibte (a) yoroŋ koŋ a hem sentence He filled
hɩlaʋ sg. the pot with water.; fr: Il a rempli de canari
hɩlaʋfɩ pl. sand; fr: sable; dt: Sand. [Note: The d’eau.; dt: Er hat den Topf mit Wasser
singular looks like a plural of the - dɛ/-a noun gefüllt.
class, but there is no corresponding hibtʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hibt-.
singular/singulative like * hɩllɛ. This noun is hibte past. → hibt-.
also not a genuine member of the ʋ/fɩ noun hibtrʌʌ future. → hibt-.
class since the ʋ is preserved in the plural.] hibt(u) perfective. → hibt-.
hɩt- verb. stop, stand, stand up, wait; fr: hib(u) perfective. → hib-.
(s’)arrêter, être debout, se mettre debout, hig- noun.
attendre; dt: anhalten, stehen, stehen bleiben, hikʌ sg.
aufstehen, warten. higəni pl. partridge; fr: perdrix, perdreau; dt:
hɩtraa future. Rebhuhn. [Note: pl. has [g], not [ɣ]]
hɩfaa future. hikʌ sg. → hig-.
hɩtɛ past. hil- noun.
hɩt(ɩ) perfective. a hilo sg.
hɩtr(ɩ) imperfective. a hilfi pl. voice, throat; spoken sound, order (to
hɩfʋ imperfective. do something); piece of news; fr: voix, gorge;
a hɩtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. son (parlé), ordre (de faire q.chose), nouvelle;
hɩtɛ past. → hɩt-. dt: Stimme, Kehle, Laut; Befehl (etw. zu
hɩt(ɩ) perfective. → hɩt-. machen), Nachricht.
hɩtraa future. → hɩt-. mə hilo la wollu sentence My throat
hɩtr(ɩ) imperfective. → hɩt-. hurts/aches.; fr: J’ai mal à la gorge.; dt: Ich
hɩ̃ personal pronoun. they, them, their, theirs; fr: habe Halsweh.
ils, elles, eux, leur(e)(s); dt: sie, ihr. baa dubse ba ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ndɔ hilo sentence They have
hɩ̃ / hɛ̃ postclitic personal pronoun object 3pl. not obeyed their elder brother’s orders; fr:
non-human. Ils n’ont pas respecté les ordres de leur
hɩ̃ postclitic personal pronoun object 3rd person grand frère.; dt: Sie haben die Befehle ihres
pl. non-human. → ɩ. großen Bruders missachtet.
hib- verb. də bɛ sɛb m a hilo sentence He came to tell me
a hibʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. a piece of news.; fr: Il est venu me raconter
hibrʌʌ future.

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hilo hɔ̃ɩ̃-
une nouvelle.; dt: Er ist gekommen, um mir Strauch mit essbaren Früchten. [Note: The
eine Nachricht zu erzählen. [Note: 3340] fruit is brown, smooth, round and about 1cm
hilo sg. → hil-. diameter. It contains a large nut. The flesh
hir- noun. tastes almost like strawberries. Mòoré name of
a hiriŋ sg. abundance; fr: abondance; dt: Fülle. the fruit: mugənʌ]
[Note: < a hirʌm] hĩnʌ sg. → hĩn-.
hir- verb. hĩne sg. → hĩn-.
a hirʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. hĩnefi pl. → hĩn-.
hitʌʌ future. hĩnne adverb.
hire past. hĩnne temporal adverb. the day after tomorrow;
hir(i) perfective. fr: après-demain; dt: übermorgen.
hit(i) imperfective. be full (after eating); fr: être ba digrʌʌ (a) ỹãna hɛ̃ŋ hĩnne sentence They will
rassasié; dt: satt sein. sow the millet the day after tomorrow.; fr:
hirʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hir-. Ils sèmeront le mil après-demain.; dt: Sie
hire past. → hir-. werden übermorgen die Hirse säen.
hirf- imperfective. be in form; fr: être en forme; dt: hɔb- verb. put at (or near) the bottom of a pile; fr:
in Form sein. mettre au-dessous d’un tas; dt: unten (oder
hirfʌʌ future. fast unten) in einen Stoß hineingeben.
hirfu (=/hidfu/) hɔbraa future.
hirfʌʌ future. → hirf-. hɔbɛ past.
hir(i) perfective. → hir-. hɔb(ʋ) perfective.
hitʌʌ future. → hir-. hɔbr(ʋ) imperfective.
hĩ noun. hɔbam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a hĩ sg. hɔbɛ past. → hɔb-.
a hĩfi pl. direction; fr: direction; dt: Richtung. hɔbraa future. → hɔb-.
nde hĩ zɩbɔʋ wɛ̃ sentence Which direction is hɔbr(ʋ) imperfective. → hɔb-.
Djibo?; fr: Dans quelle direction se trouve hɔb(ʋ) perfective. → hɔb-.
Djibo?; dt: In welcher Richtung liegt Djibo? hɔl- noun.
nɛŋ hĩ elliptical sentence That way.; fr: Comme a hɔllɛ sg.
ça.; dt: Diese Richtung. a hɔla pl. part, share; fr: part; dt: Teil, Anteil.
a ỹĩmde hĩ NP+N compound noun sg. eastwards mə pa mə hɔllɛ sentence I have done my part.;
(lit.: towards sunrise); fr: vers l’est (lit.: fr: J’ai fait ma part.; dt: Ich habe meinen
vers le levant du soleil); dt: ostwärts Teil geleistet.
(wörtl.: Richtung Sonnenaufgang) ba da ba hɔla sentence They have received
ho də hĩ sentence Run towards him! (lit.: his their share.; fr: Ils ont reçu leurs parts.; dt:
direction); fr: Cours vers lui! (lit.: sa Sie haben ihre Anteile erhalten.
direction); dt: Lauf’ ihm entgegen! (wörtl.: hɔllɛ hɔllɛ adverb. in equal parts, one-to-one; fr:
seine Richtung) à parts égaux, un à un; dt: in gleichen Teilen,
hĩĩ numeral. [Note: The disjunctive numeral ɩhĩĩ is eins zu eins.
used when counting. When hĩĩ is used ba totʌʌ hɔ̃ hɔllɛ hɔllɛ sentence They are going
attributively the prefix ɩ must be dropped and to share out the food among us in equal
there can be no article a before the qualified parts.; fr: Ils vont nous distribuer la
noun or noun phrase.] nourriture à parts égaux.; dt: Sie werden
hĩĩ attributive cardinal numeral. two (2); ten das Essen in gleichen Teilen unter uns
francs CFA; fr: deux (2); dix francs CFA; dt: aufteilen.
zwei (2); zehn Francs CFA. hɔla pl. → hɔl-.
ɩhĩĩ disjunctive cardinal numeral. hɔllɛ sg. → hɔl-.
a hĩĩndo ordinal numeral human sg. second; fr: hɔ̃ postclitic pronoun (direct or indirect object)
deuxième; dt: zweit(-er,-e,-es). 1st person pl. → ʋ.
a hĩĩndəbʌ ordinal numeral human pl. hɔ̃ɛ̃ past. → hɔ̃ɩ̃-.
a hĩĩndəgu ordinal numeral non-human sg. & pl. hɔ̃gəfaa future. (=/hɔ̃g-f-aa/) → hɔ̃ŋn-.
[Note: Non-human ordinal numerals have no hɔ̃gəf(ʋ) imperfective. (=/hɔ̃g-f-aa/) → hɔ̃ŋn-.
plural form; instead the singular is used.] hɔ̃ɩ̃ perfective. → hɔ̃ɩ̃-.
hĩĩndəbʌ ordinal numeral human pl. → hĩĩ. hɔ̃ɩ̃- noun.
hĩĩndo ordinal numeral human sg. → hĩĩ. a hɔ̃ɩ̃nɛ sg.
hĩn- noun. a hɔ̃ɩ̃ã pl. penis; fr: pénis; dt: Penis.
a hĩnʌ sg. hɔ̃ɩ̃- verb. barbecue, grill, roast; fr: griller, rôtir; dt:
a hĩne sg. grillen, rösten. [Note: This verb signifies
a hĩnefi pl. cooking meat on a fire or (more usually)
a hĩnʌfi pl. kind of bush with edible fruit; fr: charcoal directly, i.e. without using a grill or
espèce d’arbuste à fruits mangeables; dt: Art

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 81

hɔ̃ɩ̃naa hɔ̃ŋg-
any kind of surrounding container. Cf. a a nagfɛ hɔ̃ndɛ NP+N compound noun sg. ox-
kɛləgam and a paŋam.] drawn plough; fr: charrue à bœuf; dt: von
hɔ̃ɩ̃naa future. Ochsen gezogener Pflug
hɔ̃ɛ̃ past. a hɔ̃ zoro N+N compound noun sg. handle of a
hɔ̃ɩ̃ perfective. daba (traditional hoe); fr: manche de daba;
hɔ̃ɩ̃n(ɛ) imperfective. dt: Griff eines Daba (traditionellen Rechens)
a hɔ̃ỹãm deverbal action noun sg./mass. a hɔ̃ zorəfi
hɔ̃ɩ̃naa future. → hɔ̃ɩ̃-. — N+N compound noun pl.
hɔ̃ɩ̃nɛ sg. → hɔ̃ɩ̃-. hɔ̃n- verb.
hɔ̃ɩ̃n(ɛ) imperfective. → hɔ̃ɩ̃-. hɔ̃ndaa future.
hɔ̃k- verb. hɔ̃nɛ past.
a hɔ̃kam deverbal action noun sg./mass. hɔ̃n perfective.
a hɔ̃krɛ deverbal action noun sg. hɔ̃nd(ʋ) imperfective. amuse oneself, dance, play;
hɔ̃kraa future. fr: s’amuser, danser, jouer; dt: sich
hɔ̃kɛ past. unterhalten, tanzen, spielen.
hɔ̃k(ʋ) perfective. a hɔ̃nɛ deverbal action noun sg./mass. game,
hɔ̃kr(ʋ) imperfective. scratch (an itch); fr: dance; fr: jeu, danse; dt: Spiel, Tanz.
gratter; dt: kratzen (etwas, was juckt). hɔ̃nəga diminutive sg. short dance; fr: danse
hɔ̃kam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hɔ̃k-. courte; dt: kurzer Tanz. [Note: For the pl., only
hɔ̃kɛ past. → hɔ̃k-. the mass noun a hɔ̃nɛ can be used.]
hɔ̃kraa future. → hɔ̃k-. a hɔ̃ndɔ deverbal agent noun sg. dancer; fr:
hɔ̃krɛ noun. danseur, danseuse; dt: Tänzer, Tänzerin.
hɔ̃krɛ sg. kind of illness; fr: gale (espèce de a hɔ̃ndəba deverbal agent noun pl.
maladie); dt: Art Krankheit. [Note: < a hɔ̃kam hɔ̃nd- noun.
‘scratch’. No plural except with - fɩ.] a hɔ̃ndəga diminutive sg.
hɔ̃krɛ deverbal action noun sg. → hɔ̃k-. a hɔ̃ndənɛ diminutive pl.
hɔ̃kʋ noun. a hɔ̃ndrɛ sg.
a hɔ̃kʋ sg. fog; fr: brouillard; dt: Nebel. [Note: Fog a hɔ̃nda pl. navel; fr: nombril; dt: Nabel. [Note:
consists of particles of sandy dust rather than 3400]
water.] hɔ̃ndaa future. → hɔ̃n-.
hɔ̃k(ʋ) perfective. → hɔ̃k-. hɔ̃ndɛ sg. → hɔ̃n-.
hɔ̃mb- noun. fig tree, (pl.) figs; fr: figuier, (pl.) hɔ̃ndəga diminutive sg. → hɔ̃nd-.
fruits du figuier; dt: Feigenbaum, (pl.) Feigen. hɔ̃ndənɛ diminutive pl. → hɔ̃nd-.
[Note: This type of fig is now virtually hɔ̃ndɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → hɔ̃n-.
unknown; the word exists only in traditional hɔ̃ndrɛ sg. → hɔ̃nd-.
stories. The normal word for ‘fig’ is “a were”.] hɔ̃nd(ʋ) imperfective. → hɔ̃n-.
a hɔ̃mbrɛ sg. hɔ̃nɛ past. → hɔ̃n-.
a hɔ̃mba pl. hɔ̃nɛ deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hɔ̃n-.
a hɔ̃mbrɛ bi NP+N compound noun sg. hɔ̃nəga diminutive sg. → hɔ̃n-.
a hɔ̃mbrɛ bu NP+N compound noun pl. fig; fr: hɔ̃ŋg- verb.
fruit du figuier; dt: Feige a hɔ̃ŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
hɔ̃mbrɛ sg. → hɔ̃mb-. hɔ̃ŋgraa future.
hɔ̃mnɛ noun. hɔ̃ŋgɛ past.
a hɔ̃mnɛ sg. intelligence; idea; fr: intelligence; hɔ̃ŋg(ʋ) perfective.
idée; dt: Intelligenz; Idee. hɔ̃ŋgr(ʋ) imperfective. show, point to, teach; fr:
a hɔ̃mnɛ sa NP+N compound noun sg. montrer, indiquer, apprendre (à q.un); dt:
a hɔ̃mnɛ sammã NP+N compound noun pl. zeigen, deuten, beibringen.
intelligent, clever; fr: intelligent, malin; dt: a hɔ̃ŋgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who shows
intelligent, schlau / points / teaches, Teacher; fr: q.un qui montre
hɔ̃n perfective. → hɔ̃n-. / indique / apprend (à q.un, Instituteur; dt:
hɔ̃n- noun. jmd. der zeigt / deutet / beibringt, LehrerIn.
hɔ̃ndɛ sg. a hɔ̃ŋgrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
hɔ̃na pl. daba, hoe (traditional agricultural tool a hɔ̃ŋgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object
for piling up earth around plants); plough; fr: for showing, instrument (e.g. of a car), clock;
daba (outil agricole traditionnel pour entasser fr: objet pour montrer, instrument (p. ex. d’une
la terre autour d’une plante); charrue; dt: voiture), montre; dt: Gegenstand zum zeigen,
Daba, Rechen (traditionelles Anzeige (z.B. eines Autos), Uhr.
landwirtschaftliches Werkzeug, mit dem Erde a hɔ̃ŋgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
um die Pflanzen aufgehäuft wird); Pflug. a hɔ̃ŋgrəga deverbal instrument noun
diminutive sg. also: watch; fr: aussi: montre-
bracelet; dt: auch: Armbanduhr.

82 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

hɔ̃ŋgam ho
a hɔ̃ŋgrəfa deverbal local noun. place for a hɔ̃ŋgɔtrəfa deverbal local noun. place
showing / pointing / teaching, school, discovered; fr: endroit qu’on découvre; dt:
university; fr: endroit pour montrer / indiquer / Platz, der entdeckt wird.
enseigner, école, lycée, université; dt: Platz hɔ̃ŋn- (=/hɔ̃g-Ṿl/) verb. hold, bring (with one),
zum zeigen / deuten / unterrichten, Schule, have, possess, keep, support; (auxiliary)
Gymnasium, Universität. repeatedly; fr: tenir, apporter (avec soi), avoir,
a hɔ̃ŋgəmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. things that posséder, garder, soutenir; (auxiliaire)
have been shown (e.g. collections in a plusieurs fois; dt: halten, mitbringen, haben,
museum); fr: choses qui ont été montrées (p. besitzen, behalten, erhalten; (Auxiliar)
ex. les collections d’un musée); dt: Dinge, die mehrmals.
gezeigt worden sind (z.B. die Sammlungen hɔ̃gəfaa (=/hɔ̃g-f-aa/) future.
eines Museums). hɔ̃ŋnɛ (=/hɔ̃g-Ṿl-ɛ/) past.
hɔ̃ŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hɔ̃ŋg-. hɔ̃ŋɔ̃ (=/hɔ̃g-Ṿl/) perfective.
hɔ̃ŋgɛ past. → hɔ̃ŋg-. hɔ̃gəf(ʋ) (=/hɔ̃g-f-aa/) imperfective.
hɔ̃ŋgɔtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → a hɔ̃ŋənam (=/hɔ̃g-Ṿl-am/) deverbal action noun
hɔ̃ŋgṾt-. sg./mass.
hɔ̃ŋgɔtɛ past. → hɔ̃ŋgṾt-. hɔ̃ŋnɛ past. (=/hɔ̃g-Ṿl-ɛ/) → hɔ̃ŋn-.
hɔ̃ŋgɔtraa future. → hɔ̃ŋgṾt-. hɔ̃ŋɔ̃ perfective. (=/hɔ̃g-Ṿl/) → hɔ̃ŋn-.
hɔ̃ŋgɔtrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → hɔ̃ŋgṾt-. hɔ̃ɔ̃ noun.
hɔ̃ŋgɔtrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive a hɔ̃ɔ̃ sg./mass. shell of a grain of millet; fr:
sg. → hɔ̃ŋgṾt-. enveloppe de mil; dt: Schale eines Hirsekorns.
hɔ̃ŋgɔtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → ba sɔgtraa a ỹãnzamba ba sell a hɔ̃ɔ̃ sɩrɩ
hɔ̃ŋgṾt-. sentence They take the grains of millet from
hɔ̃ŋgɔtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → their cobs and remove their husks (by
hɔ̃ŋgṾt-. stamping).; fr: Elles enlèvent les graines de
hɔ̃ŋgɔtrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → hɔ̃ŋgṾt-. petit mil de leurs épis et elles enlèvent (en
hɔ̃ŋgɔtr(ʋ) imperfective. → hɔ̃ŋgṾt-. pilant) les enveloppes.; dt: Sie nehmen die
hɔ̃ŋgɔt(ʋ) perfective. → hɔ̃ŋgṾt-. Hirsekörner von den Kolben und entfernen
hɔ̃ŋgraa future. → hɔ̃ŋg-. (durch stampfen) ihre Schalen.
hɔ̃ŋgrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → hɔ̃ŋg-. hɔ̃s- noun.
hɔ̃ŋgrəfa deverbal local noun. → hɔ̃ŋg-. a hɔ̃səga sg.
hɔ̃ŋgrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. a hɔ̃sənɛ pl. well; fr: puits; dt: Brunnen. [Note: <
→ hɔ̃ŋg-. a hɔ̃sam]
hɔ̃ŋgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → hɔ̃ŋg-. hɔ̃s- noun.
hɔ̃ŋgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → hɔ̃ŋg-. a hɔ̃sʋ sg. piece of soft iron used to clean
hɔ̃ŋgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → hɔ̃ŋg-. calabashes; fr: fer mou pour nettoyer les
hɔ̃ŋgr(ʋ) imperfective. → hɔ̃ŋg-. calebasses; dt: weiches Eisen, mit dem
hɔ̃ŋg(ʋ) perfective. → hɔ̃ŋg-. Kalebassen gereinigt werden. [Note: Used e.g.
hɔ̃ŋgṾt- verb. uncover, discover; fr: découvrir; dt: to clean the calabash cups from which millet
abdecken, entdecken. [Note: This is the beer is drunk. < a hɔ̃sam ‘clean out’, probably
reversive of a hɔ̃ŋgam ‘to show’. Its slightly the indeclinable participial form (= perfective)
unexpected meaning derives from “not to need originally used with a preceding noun like a
to be shown / taught”.] kɔ̃sʋ.]
hɔ̃ŋgɔtraa future. hɔ̃s- verb.
hɔ̃ŋgɔtɛ past. a hɔ̃sam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
hɔ̃ŋgɔt(ʋ) perfective. hɔ̃sraa future.
hɔ̃ŋgɔtr(ʋ) imperfective. hɔ̃sɛ past.
a hɔ̃ŋgɔtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. hɔ̃s(ʋ) perfective.
a hɔ̃ŋgɔtrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who hɔ̃sr(ʋ) imperfective. put millet porridge from
discovers, discoverer; fr: q.un qui découvert, the pot onto a plate; clean out (a well); fr:
découvreur; dt: jmd. der entdeckt, Entdecker. servir du tô (de la marmite sur une assiette);
a hɔ̃ŋgɔtrəba deverbal agent noun pl. nettoyer (un puits); dt: Hirsebrei aus dem Topf
a hɔ̃ŋgɔtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. auf einen Teller geben; (einen Brunnen)
object discovered; exploratory instrument (e.g. ausräumen.
metal detector); fr: objet découvert; hɔ̃sam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hɔ̃s-.
instrument exploratoire (p. ex. détecteur de hɔ̃sɛ past. → hɔ̃s-.
métal); dt: entdeckter Gegenstand; hɔ̃səga sg. → hɔ̃s-.
Entdeckungsinstrument (z.B. Metalldetektor). hɔ̃sraa future. → hɔ̃s-.
a hɔ̃ŋgɔtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. hɔ̃s(ʋ) perfective. → hɔ̃s-.
a hɔ̃ŋgɔtrəga deverbal instrument noun ho perfective. → ho-.
diminutive sg.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 83

ho- hoigʌm
ho- verb. run, flee; fr: courir, s’enfuir; dt: laufen, hobtru imperfective. → hobt-.
flüchten. hobtu perfective. → hobt-.
horʌʌ future. hob(u) perfective. → hob-.
hoe past. hoe past. → ho-.
ho perfective. [Note: unexpected - e] hog- noun.
hor(u) imperfective. a hokʌ sg.
a horei deverbal action noun sg./mass. a hogəni wild millet; fr: mil sauvage (non-semé);
a horo deverbal agent noun sg. dt: (wild aufgegangene) Hirse.
a horəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. a sarʋ hokʌ NP+N compound noun sg.
hob- verb. whirlwind; fr: tourbillon; dt: Wirbelwind
a hobʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. a sarʋ hogəni NP+N compound noun pl. [Note:
hobrʌʌ future. Pl. has [ɣ], not [g].]
hobe past. hogo noun.
hob(u) perfective. a hogo sg. underside; fr: dessous, surface
hobr(u) imperfective. pick (e.g. fruit), massage inférieure; dt: Unterseite.
(e.g. a limb); fr: cueillir (p. ex. des fruits), hogo (ni) postposition. under, beneath, below; fr:
masser (p. ex. un membre); dt: pflücken (z.B. sous, au-dessous de; dt: unter, unterhalb.
Früchte), massieren (z.B. Gliedmaßen). [Note: Can be used with or without ni.]
hobʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hob-. a fɛkʋ koŋ hogo (ni) prepositional phrase.
hobe past. → hob-. under the tree; fr: sous l’arbre; dt: unter dem
hobrʌʌ future. → hob-. Baum.
hobt- verb. grab (forcefully), defend; fr: retirer (par də tufʌʌ a yɔ halʋ hogo (ni) sentence He is
force), défendre; dt: an sich reißen (kräftig), sitting under the chief’s hangar.; fr: Il es
verteidigen. assis sous le hangar du chef.; dt: Er sitzt
hobtrʌʌ future. unter dem Hangar des Chefs.
hobte past. hogo (ni) postposition. → hogo.
hobtu perfective. hoi- verb.
hobtru imperfective. a hoigu deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a hobtʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. hoifʌʌ future.
a hobtre deverbal action noun sg. hoyʌʌ future.
a hobtʌ deverbal action noun pl. hore past.
a hobtro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who grabs; hori perfective.
robber, thief; fr: celui qui retire; brigand, hoifu imperfective. lie down, go to bed; fr: se
voleur; dt: der, der an sich reißt; Räuber, Dieb. coucher, aller au lit; dt: sich niederlegen, ins
a hobtrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. Bett gehen.
a hobtrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object a bʌ̃ʌ̃nə hori sentence Good night! (lit.: lie in
that could be stolen / snatched; tool for health); fr: Bonne nuit! (lit.: couche-toi en
stealing; fr: objet qui pourrait être volé / retiré santé); dt: Gute Nacht! (lit.: lieg’ gesund)
par force; outil pour voler; dt: Gegenstand, der n hore bʌ̃ʌ̃ni sentence Did you sleep well?; fr:
gestohlen / an sich gerissen werden könnte; As-tu bien dormi?; dt: Hast du gut
Werkzeug zum Stehlen. geschlafen? [Note: Greeting the last time
a hobtrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. you see someone in the evening. Reply: the
a hobtrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive same thing. Greeting the first time you see
sg. someone in the morning. Reply: a bʌ̃ʌ̃nə
a hobtrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where hore or (more casually) a bʌ̃ʌ̃ni]
people are attacked by thieves; fr: endroit où a hoifʌ deverbal local noun sg.
les gens sont attaqués par le voleurs; dt: Platz, a hoifʌfi deverbal local noun pl. place to lie
wo man von Dieben angegriffen wird. down, sleeping place; fr: lieu où on se couche,
a hem hobtre NP+N compound noun sg. flood; lieu où on dort; dt: Liegeplatz, Schlafplatz.
fr: inondation; dt: Überschwemmung hoifʌ deverbal local noun sg. → hoi-.
hobtʌ deverbal action noun pl. → hobt-. hoifʌʌ future. → hoi-.
hobtʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hobt-. hoifu imperfective. → hoi-.
hobte past. → hobt-. hoig- verb.
hobtrʌʌ future. → hobt-. a hoigʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
hobtrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → hobt-. hoigrʌʌ future.
hobtre deverbal action noun sg. → hobt-. hoige past.
hobtrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. hoig(i) perfective.
→ hobt-. hoigr(i) imperfective. lay (s.o.) down; have sex;
hobtrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → hobt-. fr: coucher (quelqu’un); copuler; dt:
hobtrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → hobt-. niederlegen; Sex haben.
hobtro deverbal agent noun sg. → hobt-. hoigʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hoig-.

84 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

hoige
hoige past. → hoig-. a homsəro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
hoig(i) perfective. → hoig-. heats, aggressive person; s.o. who is fast; fr:
hoigrʌʌ future. → hoig-. q.un qui chauffe, personne agressive ; q.un qui
hoigu deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hoi-. est vite; dt: jmd. der heizt, aggressiver
hokʌ sg. → hog-. Mensch; jmd. der schnell ist.
hol noun. river; fr: rivière, fleuve; dt: Fluss, Strom. a homsərəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
[Note: Is this the same as a hʋlɔ?] a homsərəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
a holəfe sg. for heating (e.g. oven, hearth, pot, electrical
a holəfi pl. [Note: Wider than a gote.] power); sth. that is fast; fr: chose pour
holəfe sg. → hol. chauffer (p. ex. four, foyer, marmite, courrant
hom perfective. → hom-. électrique); q.chose qui est vite; dt: etwas zum
hom- noun. dry season (from December to May); fr: heizen (z.B. Backrohr, Herd, Topf, elektrischer
saison sèche (du décembre jusqu’au mai); dt: Strom); etwas Schnelles.
Trockenzeit (von Dezember bis Mai). a homsərəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
a homde sg. a homsərəgʌ deverbal instrument noun
a homdefi pl. [Note: < a homoi ‘heat’. See also diminutive sg.
other seasons: a kara, a wɩrɛ.] a homsərəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for
hom- verb. heating (e.g. oven, hearth, pot); fr: endroit
a homʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. pour chauffer (p. ex. four, foyer, marmite); dt:
hommʌʌ future. Platz zum erhitzen (z.B. Backrohr, Herd, Topf).
home past. a homsəmʌ̃ũ deverbal nomen acti pl. heated
hom perfective. things (e.g. hot food); fr: choses chauffées (p.
homm(õ) imperfective. kiss; caress, have sex; fr: ex. nourriture chaude); dt: erhitzte Dinge (z.B.
baiser; caresser, copuler, coïter; dt: küssen; heißes Essen).
streicheln, Geschlechtsverkehr haben. — deverbal nomen acti pl.
hom- verb. heat, speed; be warm/hot, be fast; fr: yoote homsu sentence It is hot today.; fr: Il
chaleur, vitesse; être chaud, être vite; dt: fait chaud aujourd’hui.; dt: Es ist heute
Hitze, Schnelligkeit; warm/heiß sein, schnell heiß.
sein. homsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → homs-.
homnʌʌ future. homse past. → homs-.
homo imperfective. homsərʌʌ future. → homs-.
a homoi deverbal action noun sg./mass. homsərəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → homs-.
homnʌ participial adjective. also: fast, quick; fr: homsərəfʌ deverbal local noun. → homs-.
aussi: vite; dt: auch: schnell. homsərəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
bɛ yere homnʌ homnʌ imperative sentence sg. → homs-.
Come here quick!; fr: Viens ici vite-vite!; dt: homsərəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → homs-.
Komm her schnell-schnell! homsərəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → homs-.
yoote homnʌʌ halə wasɩ sentence It is hot homsəro deverbal agent noun sg. → homs-.
today.; fr: Il fait chaud aujourd’hui.; dt: Es homsər(u) imperfective. → homs-.
ist heute heiß. [Note: The adverb joote is homs(u) perfective. → homs-.
the subject of this sentence; therefore no hon- noun. bean; fr: haricot; dt: Bohne.
subject pronoun such as gʋ ‘it’ is used.] a honde sg.
homʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hom-. a honʌ pl.
homde sg. → hom-. honde sg. → hon-.
home past. → hom-. hoŋ (=/hoŋ/) demonstrative. this, that, the; this /
hommʌʌ future. → hom-. that person; fr: ce, cet, cette, le, la; celui-ci/là,
homnʌ noun. celle-ci/là; dt: dies(-er,-e,-es), jen(-er,-e,-es),
a homnʌ sg. der, die, das.
a homnʌfi pl. funeral; fr: funérailles; dt: hoŋ (=/hoŋ/) demonstrative adjective human sg.
Begräbnis. — demonstrative pronoun human sg.
homnʌʌ future. → hom-. a kɛ̃ɔ̃ hoŋ NP+demonstr. noun phrase sg. the /
homo imperfective. → hom-. this / that woman; fr: la / cette femme; dt:
homoi deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hom-. die / diese / jene Frau
homs- verb. kɛ̃ɔ̃ dɔ̃m hoŋ NP+demonstr. noun phrase sg. the
a homsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. / this / that one woman; fr: la / cette seule
homsərʌʌ future. femme; dt: die / diese / jene Frau allein
homse past. [Note: *a kɛ̃ɔ̃ dɔ̃m hoŋ is impossible because
homs(u) perfective. the numeral dɔ̃m ‘one’ precludes the article
homsər(u) imperfective. heat; hurry, be fast; fr: a.]
chauffer; se dépêcher, être vite; dt: heizen, hoŋ ba zɔmma mɛ sentence That guy doesn’t
erhitzen, aufwärmen; sich beeilen, schnell sein. like me.; fr: Celui-la ne m’aime pas.; dt: Der

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hor- hʋbɔtam
dort mag mich nicht. [Note: Demonstrative horod(u) imperfective. cook (porridge and
adjectives are also used as definite articles. similar); fr: préparer (le tô etc.); dt: (Brei etc.)
Their similarity to the corresponding noun- kochen.
class suffixes is unmistakable. They always də horod a fãɩ̃ sentence She is cooking
follow the NP and do not affect the porridge.; fr: Elle est en train de préparer
presence or absence of the article a before du tô.; dt: Sie kocht gerade Brei.
the NP. When used pronouns they stand də horod a safandɩ sentence She is making
alone in the position of an NP. Cf. the full (traditional) soap.; fr: Elle est en train de
set of demonstratives: hoŋ, koŋ, bɛŋ, hɛ̃ŋ, faire du savon (traditionnel).; dt: Sie macht
kɛ̃ŋ.] gerade (traditionelle) Seife. [Note: This type
hoŋgo (=/hoŋ-gṾ/) strong demonstrative of cooking involves heating in a big pot and
adjective / pronoun human sg. stirring. Synonymous with a horʌm / a
a kɛ̃ɔ̃ hoŋgo NP+demonstr. noun phrase sg. the horəgu]
/ this / that woman; fr: la / cette femme; dt: horədʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hord-.
die / diese / jene Frau horəde past. → hord-.
kɛ̃ɔ̃ dɔ̃m hoŋgo NP+demonstr. noun phrase sg. hore past. → hoi-.
the / this / that one woman; fr: la / cette horei deverbal action noun sg./mass. → ho-.
seule femme; dt: die / diese / jene Frau horəgu deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hor-.
allein [Note: * a kɛ̃ɔ̃ dɔ̃m hoŋgo is impossible hori perfective. → hoi-.
because a numeral precludes the article a.] horo deverbal agent noun sg. → ho-.
hoŋgo ba zɔmma mɛ sentence That guy doesn’t horo perfective. → hord-.
like me.; fr: Celui-la ne m’aime pas.; dt: Der horodʌʌ future. → hord-.
dort mag mich nicht. [Note: The strong hor(u) imperfective. → ho-.
demonstratives are said to be more hor(u) perfective. → hor-.
emphatic than the corresponding normal hotʌʌ future. → hor-.
demonstrative, but in practice can be found hoyʌʌ future. → hoi-.
everywhere where the latter occur. All hʋbɩ pl. → hʋg-/hʋb-.
strong demonstratives are formed by adding hʋbl- verb.
-gṾ to the normal demonstrative, where Ṿ is a hʋbəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a (non-nasal) copy of the (one and only, hʋbɔlaa future.
mid) vowel of the normal demonstrative.] hʋbəlɛ past.
hor- verb. hʋbɔ perfective.
a horʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. hʋbɔl(ʋ) imperfective. hide; fr: cacher; dt:
a horəgu deverbal action noun sg./mass. [Note: verstecken.
[g] not [ɣ]] də hʋbɔ də gɩllɛ sentence He has hidden.; fr: Il
hotʌʌ future. s’est caché.; dt: Er hat sich versteckt.
horəbe past. a hʋbɔləfa deverbal local noun sg. hiding place;
hor(u) perfective. [Note: rare; instead horo from fr: cachette; dt: Versteck.
a horədʌm is preferred] a hʋbɔləfafɩ deverbal local noun pl.
hot(u) imperfective. cook (porridge and similar); a hʋbɔləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. hiding-
fr: préparer (le tô etc.); dt: (Brei etc.) kochen. place; fr: cachette; dt: Versteck.
də hot a fãɩ̃ sentence She is cooking porridge.; a hʋbɔləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
fr: Elle est en train de préparer du tô.; dt: hʋbəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hʋbl-.
Sie kocht gerade Brei. hʋbəlɛ past. → hʋbl-.
də hot a safandɩ sentence She is making hʋbɔ perfective. → hʋbl-.
(traditional) soap.; fr: Elle est en train de hʋbɔlaa future. → hʋbl-.
faire du savon (traditionnel).; dt: Sie macht hʋbɔləfa deverbal local noun sg. → hʋbl-.
gerade (traditionelle) Seife. [Note: This type hʋbɔləfafɩ deverbal local noun pl. → hʋbl-.
of cooking involves heating in a big pot and hʋbɔləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → hʋbl-.
stirring. Synonymous with a horədʌm] hʋbɔl(ʋ) imperfective. → hʋbl-.
horʌʌ future. → ho-. hʋbɔt- verb.
horʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hor-. a hʋbɔtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
horəbe past. → hor-. hʋbɔtraa future.
hord- verb. hʋbɔtɛ past.
a horədʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. hʋbɔt(ʋ) perfective.
horodʌʌ future. hʋbɔtr(ʋ) imperfective. discover (something
horəde past. hidden), take out (of a hiding-place; fr:
horo perfective. [Note: rare; instead horo from a découvrir (q.chose qui était caché), faire sortir
horədʌm is preferred] d’une cachette; dt: (etwas Verstecktes)
entdecken, aus einem Versteck herausholen.
hʋbɔtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hʋbɔt-.

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hʋbɔtɛ hʋlg-
hʋbɔtɛ past. → hʋbɔt-. də hʋɩsɩ də sa sentence He has humiliated his
hʋbɔtraa future. → hʋbɔt-. father.; fr: Il a humilié son père.; dt: Er hat
hʋbɔt(ʋ) perfective. → hʋbɔt-. seinen Vater erniedrigt.
hʋbt- verb. throw (once only); fr: jeter, lancer (une a hʋɩsrɔ deverbal agent noun sg.
seule fois); dt: werfen (nur einmal). [Note: cf. a a hʋɩsrəba deverbal agent noun pl. impertinent,
hʋkam ‘throw (several times)’] disrespectful; fr: impertinent, non-
hʋbtraa future. respectueux; dt: unverschämt, respektlos.
hʋbtɛ past. [Note: Disrespect is a far greater offence than,
hʋbt(ʋ) perfective. say, in Europe.]
hʋbtr(ʋ) imperfective. hʋɩsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hʋɩs-.
a hʋbtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. hʋɩsɛ past. → hʋɩs-.
a hʋbtrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who hʋɩs(ɩ) perfective. → hʋɩs-.
throws, thrower; fr: q.un qui jète, jeteur; dt: hʋɩsraa future. → hʋɩs-.
jmd. der wirft, Werfer. hʋɩsr(ɩ) imperfective. → hʋɩs-.
a hʋbtrəba deverbal agent noun pl. hʋɩsrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → hʋɩs-.
a hʋbtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object hʋk- verb.
for throwing (e.g. bow, slingshot); object that a hʋkam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
is thrown (e.g. arrow, stone); fr: objet pour hʋkraa future.
jeter (p. ex. arc, lance-pierres); objet qu’on hʋkɛ past.
jète (p. ex. flèche, pierre); dt: Gegenstand zum hʋk(ʋ) perfective.
werfen (z.B. Bogen, Schleuder); Gegenstand, hʋkr(ʋ) imperfective. throw (several times); fr:
der geworfen wird (z.B. Pfeil, Stein). jeter, lancer (plusieurs fois); dt: werfen
a hʋbtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (mehrmals). [Note: cf. a hʋbtam ‘throw (once
a hʋbtrəga deverbal instrument noun only)’]
diminutive sg. hʋkam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hʋk-.
a hʋbtrəfa deverbal local noun. place for hʋkɛ past. → hʋk-.
throwing; place for shooting at birds (with a hʋkəŋa diminutive sg. → hʋg-/hʋb-.
catapult); fr: endroit pour jeter; endroit où on hʋkraa future. → hʋk-.
tire sur les oiseaux (avec un lance-pierres); dt: hʋkʋ sg. → hʋg-/hʋb-.
Platz zum werfen; Platz, wo man (mit einem hʋk(ʋ) perfective. → hʋk-.
Katapult) auf Vögel schießt. hʋl perfective. → hʋl-.
hʋbtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hʋbt-. hʋl- verb.
hʋbtɛ past. → hʋbt-. a hʋlam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
hʋbtraa future. → hʋbt-. hʋllaa future.
hʋbtrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → hʋbt-. hʋlɛ past.
hʋbtrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. hʋl perfective.
→ hʋbt-. hʋll(ʋ) imperfective. birth; bear (a child), give
hʋbtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → hʋbt-. birth, be born; fr: naissance; enfanter,
hʋbtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → hʋbt-. accoucher, naître; dt: Geburt; gebären, zur
hʋbtrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → hʋbt-. Welt bringen, geboren werden.
hʋbtr(ʋ) imperfective. → hʋbt-. də hʋl a korom kunne sentence He was born in
hʋbt(ʋ) perfective. → hʋbt-. a Koromba village.; fr: Il est né dans un
hʋg-/hʋb- noun. village des Koromba.; dt: Er ist in einem
a hʋkʋ sg. Koromba-Dorf geboren.
a hʋbɩ pl. hʋl- noun. pool, pond, lake, sea, ocean; fr: bas-
a hʋkəŋa diminutive sg. fond, lac, mer, océan; dt: Teich, See, Meer,
a hʋgnɩ diminutive pl. kind of lizard; fr: espèce de Ozean.
lézard, gueule tapée; dt: Art Eidechse. a hʋlɔ sg.
hʋɩs- verb. a hʋləfɩ pl.
a hʋɩsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. hʋlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hʋl-.
hʋɩsraa future. hʋlɛ past. → hʋl-.
hʋɩsɛ past. hʋlg- verb.
hʋɩs(ɩ) perfective. a hʋləgam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
hʋɩsr(ɩ) imperfective. degrade, humiliate, hʋləgraa future.
dishonour, mock, criticise, be impertinent; hʋləgɛ past.
decrease (illness); fr: dégrader, humilier, hʋləg(ʋ) perfective.
déshonorer, se moquer, critiquer, être hʋləgr(ʋ) imperfective. help bear a child; fr: aider
impertinent; se diminuer (maladie); dt: à enfanter; dt: gebären helfen.
erniedrigen, entehren, verhöhnen, kritisieren, hʋləgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg.
frech sein; abflauen (Krankheit).

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hʋləgam hub-
hʋləgrəba deverbal agent noun pl. midwife; fr: a hʋrə bɛtɛ V+N compound noun sg.
sage-femme, accoucheuse auxiliaire; dt: a hʋrə bɛra V+N compound noun pl.
Hebamme. hʋrɛ past. → hʋr-.
a kɛ̃ɔ̃ hʋləgrɔ NP+N compound noun sg. hʋrg- verb.
midwife; fr: sage-femme, accoucheuse a hʋrəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
auxiliaire; dt: Hebamme [Note: normally hʋrəgraa future.
used together with a kɛ̃ɔ]̃ hʋrəgɛ past.
hʋləgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hʋlg-. hʋrəg(ʋ) perfective.
hʋləgɛ past. → hʋlg-. hʋrəgr(ʋ) imperfective. make nervous, annoy;
hʋləgraa future. → hʋlg-. fr: rendre nerveux, énerver; dt: nervös
hʋləgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → hʋlg-. machen, ärgern.
hʋləgr(ʋ) imperfective. → hʋlg-. də hʋrəgʋ də ỹĩmde sentence He has annoyed
hʋləg(ʋ) perfective. → hʋlg-. his younger sister; fr: Il a énervé sa petite
hʋllaa future. → hʋl-. sœur.; dt: Er hat seine jüngere Schwester
hʋləŋkɔ̃ndʋ noun. tradition, folklore, the geärgert
traditional way of life; fr: tradition, coutume, la hʋrəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hʋrg-.
vie traditionnelle; dt: Tradition, Brauchtum, die hʋrəgɛ past. → hʋrg-.
traditionelle Lebensweise. hʋrəgraa future. → hʋrg-.
a hʋləŋkɔ̃ndʋ V+V compound noun sg. hʋrəg(ʋ) perfective. → hʋrg-.
a hʋləŋkɔ̃ndʋ ba dʋgra sentence (saying) hʋrʋ numeral.
Tradition will not be abandoned.; fr: La hʋrʋ attributive cardinal numeral. six (6); thirty
tradition ne sera pas abandonnée.; dt: Die francs CFA; fr: six (6); trente francs CFA; dt:
Tradition wird nicht aufgegeben werden. sechs (6); dreißig Francs CFA.
[Note: Cf. a hʋlam ‘be born’ and a kɔ̃ndam ɩhʋrʋ disjunctive cardinal numeral. [Note: The
‘find’. This word literally means ‘that which disjunctive numeral ɩhʋrʋ is used when
one finds when one is born’. The velar nasal counting. When hʋrʋ is used attributively the
[ŋ] may be the 2nd person sg. pronoun, in prefix ɩ must be dropped and there can be no
which case this formation is unique. Here article a before the qualified noun or noun
dʋgra(a) is interpreted as a passive.] phrase.]
hʋlɔ sg. → hʋl-. a hʋrʋʋndɔ ordinal numeral human sg. second;
hʋr- noun. soul, spirit; fr: âme, esprit; dt: Seele, fr: deuxième; dt: zweit(-er,-e,-es).
Geist. a hʋrʋʋndəbʌ ordinal numeral human pl.
a hʋtɛ sg. a hʋrʋʋndəgu ordinal numeral non-human sg. &
a hʋra pl. [Note: Human beings who are presently pl. [Note: Non-human ordinal numerals have no
alive are each considered to share their soul (a plural form; instead the singular is used.]
hʋtɛ) with a crocodile (cf. a hɛ̃mɛ̃ndɛ hʋrʋ numeral. six; fr: six; dt: sechs.
‘crocodile’). See also a birgu ‘soul of an hʋrʋ pl. [Note: 3780]
individual’ and a leŋgem ‘soul of a dead hʋr(ʋ) perfective. → hʋr-.
person’.] hʋrʋʋndəbʌ ordinal numeral human pl. → hʋrʋ.
hʋr- verb. be angry; fr: être fâché; dt: böse sein. hʋrʋʋndɔ ordinal numeral human sg. → hʋrʋ.
a hʋram deverbal action noun sg./mass. hʋtaa future. → hʋr-.
hʋtaa future. hʋtɛ sg. → hʋr-.
hʋrɛ past. hʋʋ noun. kind of tree; fr: espèce d’arbre; dt: Art
hʋr(ʋ) perfective. Baum. [Note: Has no fruit or other usable
hʋt(ʋ) imperfective. parts, but its wood is used for hoe handles (a
də bɩndɛ hʋtaa la mɛ sentence He is angry with hɔ̃zoro).]
me.; fr: Il est fâché contre moi.; dt: Er ist a hʋʋ sg.
böse auf mich. a hʋʋfɩ pl.
də bɩndɛ hʋtaa la məkɔ sentence He is angry hʋ̃ɩ̃- noun.
with me.; fr: Il est fâché contre moi.; dt: Er a hʋ̃ɩ̃nɛ sg.
ist böse auf mich. a hʋ̃ỹã pl. worm (generic term, including
də bɩndɛ hʋtaa la mə hĩ sentence He is angry caterpillars and earthworms); fr: ver (terme
with me. (lit.: with my direction); fr: Il est générique, y inclus les chenilles et les vers de
fâché contre moi. (lit.: contre ma direction); terre); dt: Wurm (generisch, einschl. Raupen
dt: Er ist böse auf mich. (wörtl.: auf meine und Regenwürmer). [Note: This word implies
Richtung) no restriction in size.]
hʋrə bɛtɛ V+N compound noun sg. → hʋrəbɛtɛ. hʋ̃ɩ̃nɛ sg. → hʋ̃ɩ̃-.
hʋram deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hʋr-. hub- noun. grave, graveyard; debt; fr: tombe,
hʋrəbɛtɛ noun. stick (to stir porridge); fr: bâton tombeau, cimetière; dette; dt: Grab, Friedhof;
(pour remuer le tô); dt: Stock (zum Brei Schuld(en).
Rühren). [Note: < a horʌm and a bɛtɛ] a hubre sg.

88 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

hub- hull-
a honʌ pl. a hubtrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. day
mə wɔ̃faa də hubʌ sentence I owe him a debt. when one ought to get up early; alarm clock; fr:
(lit.: I have his debts.); fr: Je lui dois une jour où on devrait se lever tôt; réveille-matin;
dette. (lit.: J’ai ses dettes.); dt: Ich habe bei dt: Tag, an dem man früh aufstehen sollte;
ihm Schulden. (wörtl.: Ich habe seine Wecker.
Schulden.) [Note: As with ‘work’, the plural a hubtrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
is preferred for this word. Grammatically, a hubtrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
the owner of the debt is the creditor, not sg.
the debtor.] a hubtrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where one
hub- verb. drink (at one go); fr: boire (d’un seul gets up early; fr: endroit où on se lève tôt; dt:
coup); dt: (auf einmal) austrinken. Platz, wo man früh aufsteht.
a hubʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. yoote ʋ hubtu ʋ wɔl a tomʌ sentence Today we
hubrʌʌ future. got up early to work.; fr: Aujourd’hui nous
hube past. nous sommes levés de bonne heure pour
hub(u) perfective. travailler.; dt: Heute sind für früh
hubr(u) imperfective. aufgestanden, um zu arbeiten.
hubʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hub-. hubtʌ deverbal action noun pl. → hubt-.
hube past. → hub-. hubtʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hubt-.
hubl- verb. wash (the whole body), shower; fr: laver hubte past. → hubt-.
(le corps entier), doucher; dt: (den ganzen hubtrʌʌ future. → hubt-.
Körper) waschen, duschen. [Note: This involves hubtrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → hubt-.
removing one’s clothes and washing the whole hubtre deverbal action noun sg. → hubt-.
body, in contrast with a sɔrəmam.] hubtrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
hubolʌʌ future. → hubt-.
hubəle past. hubtrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → hubt-.
hubo perfective. hubtrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → hubt-.
hubol(u) imperfective. hubtro deverbal agent noun sg. → hubt-.
a hubəlʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. hubtr(u) imperfective. → hubt-.
hubo (a) bi hoŋ sentence Wash this child!; fr: hubt(u) perfective. → hubt-.
Lave cet enfant!; dt: Wasch’ dieses Kind! hub(u) perfective. → hub-.
də hubol də gɩllɛ sentence He is getting huk- verb. swim, bath(e); fr: nager, baigner; dt:
washed.; fr: Il est en train de se laver.; dt: schwimmen, baden. [Note: requires a hem as
Er wäscht sich gerade. its object]
hubəle past. → hubl-. hukrʌʌ future.
hubo perfective. → hubl-. huke past.
hubolʌʌ future. → hubl-. huk(u) perfective.
hubol(u) imperfective. → hubl-. hukr(u) imperfective.
hubrʌʌ future. → hub-. a hukʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
hubre sg. → hub-. yoote zɔɩ mə hukrʌʌ (a) hem sentence This
hubt- verb. get up early; fr: se lever de bonne afternoon I’m going swimming.; fr: Cet
heure; dt: früh aufstehen. après-midi je vais aller nager.; dt: Heute
hubtrʌʌ future. Nachmittag gehe ich schwimmen.
hubte past. huke past. → huk-.
hubt(u) perfective. hukrʌʌ future. → huk-.
hubtr(u) imperfective. hukr(u) imperfective. → huk-.
a hubtʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. huk(u) perfective. → huk-.
a hubtre deverbal action noun sg. communal hul perfective. → hul-.
work (in the fields); fr: travail commun (au hul- verb. drip, bleed; fr: suinter, saigner; dt:
champ); dt: Gemeinschaftsarbeit (am Acker). tröpfeln, bluten.
[Note: The owner of the field(s) invites a hulʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
everyone to help with one major process of hullʌʌ future.
agriculture (e.g. sowing, harvesting). Payment hule past.
is in the form of free food and drink for the hul perfective.
duration of the work.] hull(u) imperfective.
a hubtʌ deverbal action noun pl. hulʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → hul-.
a hubtro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who gets hule past. → hul-.
up early, earlybird; fr: q.un qui se lève de hull- noun. small hole in a wall, small window; fr:
bonne heure; dt: jmd. der früh aufsteht, petit trou dans un mur, petite fenêtre; dt:
Frühaufsteher. kleines Loch in einer Mauer, kleines Fenster.
a hubtrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. [Note: synonymous with a bollre]
a hullre sg.

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hullʌʌ ɩ
a hullʌ pl. hurəfe sg. → hur-.
hullʌʌ future. → hul-. hũnde adverb. even; fr: même; dt: sogar.
hullre sg. → hull-. hũnde manner adverb.
hulm- noun. kind of squash (from which a calabash a hãm ŋgo mɩ. maa zɔmma mə dɛ sɔ̃ŋkaamdɛ
or a tamtam, a debre, can be made); fr: espèce hũnde. sentence & sentence I’m not hungry.
de courge (dont on peut faire une calebasse ou I don’t even want to eat a peanut.; fr: Je
un tamtam, a debre); dt: Art Kürbis (aus dem n’ai pas faim. Je ne veux même pas manger
eine Kalebasse oder ein Tamtam, a debre, une arachide.; dt: Ich habe keinen Hunger.
gemacht werden können). Ich will nicht einmal eine Erdnuss essen.
a huləmde sg. hũũ sg. → hũũ-.
a huləmʌ pl. hũũ- noun. calabash tree; fr: calebassier; dt:
huləmde sg. → hulm-. Kalebassenbaum.
hur- noun. testicle; fr: testicule; dt: Hode. a hũũ sg.
a hurəfe sg. a hũũfi pl.
hurii pl.

ɩ - Ɩ

ɩ pronoun / possessive adjective. they; their; fr: ɩkɔ ba yʋraa mbaa (a) lembii sentence They do
ils, elles; leur(s); dt: sie (3. pl.); ihr(,-er,-e,-es) not fly like birds. (They = sheep); fr: Ils ne
(3. pl.). volent pas comme les oiseux. (Ils = les
ɩ proclitic personal pronoun subject 3rd person moutons); dt: Sie fliegen nicht wie Vögel.
pl. non-human. (Sie = Schafe)
— possessive adjective 3rd person pl. non- zãŋ a pɛ̃nɛ hɛ̃ŋ maa zɔmma ɩkɔ gɔɩnɛ sentence
human. Have these shirts, I don’t want them any
a pesii ba dɛɩ ɩ yʋ mbaa (a) lembii sentence more.; fr: Prends ces chemises, je ne les
Sheep cannot fly like birds.; fr: Les moutons veux plus!; dt: Nimm diese Hemden, ich will
ne peuvent pas voler comme les oiseux.; dt: sie nicht mehr! [Note: This form of the
Schafe können nicht fliegen wie Vögel. pronoun indicates some kind of “emphasis”,
[Note: This form is prefixed to either a verb but this can be so minimal that in practice
or a noun phrase; it cannot stand alone (e.g. the disjunctive form can always be used in
as the elliptical answer to a question). On a place of a clitic pronoun. It never undergoes
verb, it is the subject pronoun, on a noun any phonological reduction or expansion. It
phrase it is the “possessor”.] can stand in the normal (preverbal) subject
hɩ̃ / hɛ̃ postclitic personal pronoun object 3rd or (postverbal) object positions, and can
person pl. non-human. them; fr: les, leur; dt: also be used as the elliptical answer to a
uns. question. As with all disjunctive pronouns, it
zãŋ a pɛ̃nɛ hɛ̃ŋ maa zɔmma hɛ̃ gɔɩnɛ sentence is formed with the proclitic prefix version of
Have these shirts, I don’t want them any the pronoun and the invariant stem-like
more.; fr: Prends ces chemises, je ne les element kɔ. The future is used in this
veux plus!; dt: Nimm diese Hemden, ich will sentence to denote a general property of
sie nicht mehr! [Note: This pronoun follows sheep.]
the verb, and is its (direct or indirect) yaa negative proclitic (subject) personal pronoun
object. Its form is phonologically invariant 3rd person pl. non-human. they...not; fr:
and clearly related to the proclitic form, ils/elles ne...pas; dt: sie (3. pl.)...nicht.
especially since a final nasal ɩ̃ is regularly yaa yʋraa mbaa (a) lembii sentence They do
lowered to ɛ̃ in Koromfe. The relationship not fly like birds. (They = sheep); fr: Ils ne
between ɩ and hɛ̃ is phonologically exactly volent pas comme les oiseux. (Ils = les
parallel to that between the 1st person moutons); dt: Sie fliegen nicht wie Vögel.
plural clitic pronouns ʋ and hɔ̃.] (Sie = Schafe) [Note: This pronoun is
ɩkɔ strong personal pronoun 3rd person pl. non- equivalent to the proclitic subject pronoun ɩ
human. combined with the negative particle ba. The
— strong possessive adjective 3rd person pl. origin of this negative pronoun (and of all
non-human. they, them, their(s); fr: ils, elles, others) seems to be an old negation particle
les, leur; dt: sie (3. pl.), ihnen, ihr(,-er,-e,-es) aa, which occurs once in an oral text
(3. pl.). recorded in 1967 by Wilhelm Staude and
published in Rennison (1985b). This particle
90 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at
-ɩ kana
in turn might possibly have come from the ɩfa disjunctive cardinal numeral. → fa.
commonly used áʔà ‘no’. As with the ɩ-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 3rd person non-human pl.
negative particle ba, negative pronouns → gɩllɛ.
cause shortening of the final vowel of the ɩhĩĩ disjunctive cardinal numeral. → hĩĩ.
future. The future is used in this sentence ɩhʋrʋ disjunctive cardinal numeral. → hʋrʋ.
to denote a general property of sheep.] ɩkɔ strong possessive adjective 3rd person pl. non-
-ɩ (=/ɩ/) noun-cl. noun class suffix singular; fr: human. → ɩ.
suffixe de classe nominale singulière; dt: ɩnaa disjunctive cardinal numeral. → naa.
Nominalklassensuffix Singular. [Note: This ɩnɔm disjunctive cardinal numeral. → nɔm.
noun class suffix is rare.] ɩpɛ̃ɛ̃ disjunctive cardinal numeral. → pɛ̃ɛ̃.
ɩ / ɩ (=/ɩ/) ɩtãã disjunctive cardinal numeral. → tãã.
bi n.sg child; fr: enfant; dt: Kind ɩtɔɔ disjunctive cardinal numeral. → tɔɔ.

K - k

ka (=/ka/) conjunction. that...not; fr: a kakama (=/kak-ama/) pl.

que...ne...pas; dt: dass...nicht. kaka sg. (=/kak-a/) → kak-.
ka (=/ka/) negative conjunction. kakɩ noun. khaki (colour); fr: kaki (couleur); dt:
ka ŋ fɔ̃nsʋ negative imperative sentence Don’t khaki (Farbe). [Note: < French]
be afraid (sg.)!; fr: N’aie pas peur!; dt: a kakɩ sg.
Fürchte dich nicht! a kakɩ pl.
ka na fɔ̃nsʋ negative imperative sentence Don’t kal- verb. count, calculate; fr: compter, calculer; dt:
be afraid (pl.)!; fr: N’ayez pas peur!; dt: zählen, rechnen.
Fürchtet euch nicht! [Note: Possibly < ke + kallaa future.
aa with phonological attrition. This kalɛ past.
conjunction is used exclusively in the kal(ɩ) perfective.
regular formation of the negative kall(ɩ) imperfective.
imperative. See the examples below. It a kalam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
cannot be used to negate other subordinate kalɛ past. → kal-.
clauses introduced by ke.] kal(ɩ) perfective. → kal-.
kabs- noun. sickle; fr: faucille; dt: Sichel. kallaa future. → kal-.
a kabsʋ sg. kall(ɩ) imperfective. → kal-.
a kabsɩɩ pl. kaləwaasa noun. stick (to hit s.o. with); fr: bois
kabsʋ sg. → kabs-. (pour frapper q.un); dt: Stock (mit dem man
kafɛ noun. coffee, tea, traditional tea (from guava jmdn. schlagen kann).
leaves); fr: café, thé, thé traditionnel (des a kaləwaasa sg.
feuilles de goyave); dt: Kaffee, Tee, a kaləwaasaʋ pl.
traditioneller Tee (aus Guaveblättern). a kaləwaasafɩ pl.
a kafɛ sg. kaləwaasaʋ pl. → kaləwaasa.
a kafɛfɩ pl. kam perfective. → kam-.
kags- noun. bracelet of stone; fr: bracelet en pierre; kam- verb. press, grip, squeeze, pinch; milk; fr:
dt: Armband aus Stein. presser, pincer, coincer, serrer; traire; dt:
a kagsəfɛ sg. drücken, zusammenpressen, quetschen,
a kagsɩɩ pl. zwicken; melken.
kagsəfɛ sg. → kags-. kammaa future.
kak- noun. grandfather (paternal or maternal), kamfaa future.
grandmother (paternal or maternal); ancestor kamɛ past.
(non-paternal); fr: grand-père (paternel ou kam perfective.
maternel), grand-mère (paternelle ou kamm(ɔ̃) imperfective.
maternelle), ancêtre (non-paternel); dt: kamf(ʋ) imperfective.
Großvater (väter- oder mütterlicherseits), a kamam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
Großmutter (väter- oder mütterlicherseits), kamɛ past. → kam-.
Ahne (nicht väterlicherseits). [Note: In the kamfaa future. → kam-.
sense of ‘ancestor’, this word denotes all blood kamf(ʋ) imperfective. → kam-.
relatives of generation -1 or more that are not kammaa future. → kam-.
on the direct male line.] kamm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → kam-.
a kaka (=/kak-a/) sg. kana postposition. like; fr: comme; dt: wie.
Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 91
kand- kãɩ̃
də horʌʌ a yergʌ kana sentence He runs like a karam(ɔ̃) imperfective.
rabbit.; fr: Il court comme un lapin.; dt: Er a karəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
läuft wie ein Hase. a karamɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. pupil, student;
kand- (=/kand/) verb. hailstone; (pl. alsoː hail); fr: fr: élève, étudiant; dt: Schüler, Student.
morceau de grêle; (pl. aussi:) grêle; dt: a karamba deverbal agent noun pl.
Hagelkern; (pl auch:) Hagel. karəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → karm-.
a kandrɛ sg. karəmɛ past. → karm-.
a kanda pl. karəŋ- noun. mask, masked person; fr: masque,
kandrɛ sg. → kand-. personnage masqué; dt: Maske, maskierter
kar- noun. mould for making bricks; fr: moule pour Mensch.
fabriquer les briques; dt: Model, um Ziegel zu a karəŋa sg.
machen. a karəŋsʋʋ pl. [Note: = Mòoré. But the Mòoré
a karəgʋ sg. word a waŋɔ is used more commonly.]
a karəgʋfɩ pl. karəŋa sg. → karəŋ-.
a karədʋ pl. [Note: Mòoré of Ouahigouya only] karəsããmba sg. → karãsããmba.
kara noun. winter, dry season (from October to kas- noun. prison; fr: prison; dt: Gefängnis.
December); fr: hiver, saison sèche (de l’octobre a kasʋ sg.
jusqu’au décembre); dt: Winter, trockene a kasəfɩ pl.
Jahreszeit (von Oktober bis Dezember). a kasə bi N+N compound noun sg. prisoner; fr:
a kara (=/kara/) sg. dry season; fr: saison sèche; prisonnier; dt: Gefangener.
dt: Trockenzeit. a kasə bu N+N compound noun pl.
a karafɩ (=/kara-fɩ/) pl. dry seasons; fr: saisons a kasə dãŋ N+N compound noun sg. prison
sèches; dt: Trockenzeiten. (building); fr: (bâtiment du) prison; dt:
a karə pɩlaŋ N+N compound noun sg. traditional Gefängnis(gebäude).
lunar month in which the dry season starts; fr: a kasə dãɩ̃ N+N compound noun pl.
mois lunaire traditionnel dans laquelle la saison kasə bi N+N compound noun sg. → kas-.
sèche commence; dt: traditioneller kasə bu N+N compound noun pl. → kas-.
Lunarmonat, in dem die Trockenzeit beginnt. kasə dãŋ N+N compound noun sg. → kas-.
[Note: see also other seasons and months kaseet- (=/ka-seet-/) noun. judgement; fr:
under: a homde, a wɩrɛ, a pɩlaŋ] jugement; dt: Urteil.
karafɩ pl. dry seasons saisons sèches a ka-seeto NP+N compound noun sg.
Trockenzeiten. (=/kara-fɩ/) → kara. judgement; fr: jugement; dt: Urteil [Note:
karam perfective. → karm-. Probably a compound of kãŋ ‘thing’ and a
karamaa future. → karm-. plural action noun of the dɛ/a class from the
karamɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → karm-. verb a seetʌm ‘judge’. Synonymous with a
karam(ɔ̃) imperfective. → karm-. gɩrʋ.]
karaŋɔ̃ noun. studies; fr: études; dt: Studium. a kaseetə saa NP+N compound noun sg.
[Note: This is a very unusual word shape.] observer of potential offences;
a karaŋɔ̃ sg. troublemaker; fr: observateur d’offenses
a karaŋɔ̃fɩ pl. potentielles; chercheur de querelles; dt:
karãsããmba noun. teacher, professor; fr: Beobachter potentieller
instituteur, professeur; dt: Lehrer, Professor. Gesetzesübertretungen; Streitsüchtiger
[Note: cf. a karəmam ‘read’] a kaseetə sammã NP+N compound noun pl.
a karãsããmba sg. a kaseetə saa a yɩbrɛ dɔm la sentence A
a karəsããmba sg. troublemaker has only one eye.; fr: Un
a karəsããmbama pl. chercheur de querelles n’a qu’un seul oeil.;
karəgʋ sg. → kar-. dt: Ein Streitsüchtiger hat nur ein Auge.
karəgʋfɩ pl. → kar-. kasəfɩ pl. → kas-.
karəka noun. fence; fr: clôture; dt: Zaun. kasʋ sg. → kas-.
a karəka sg. kãã quantifier. every, each; fr: chaque; dt: jed(-er,-
a karəkama pl. e,-es). [Note: synonymous with kãmã]
a karəkafɩ pl. [Note: This word denotes any kãã quantifier sg.
fence (e.g. around a small field), including the kãɩ̃ exclamation. hard!; fr: solide!; dt: fest!
railing on a cart. It is typically made of millet gʋ kʋrɔ hɛ̃ dombʌ gʋ kãŋsɩ - kãɩ̃ sentence He
stalks -- a kof karəka.] tied them together (so that) it [the knot]
karəkama pl. → karəka. was hard. Hard!; fr: Il les a attachés (pour
karm- verb. read; teach; fr: lire ; enseigner; dt: faire un nœud qui) était solide. Solide!; dt:
lesen; lehren. [Note: Cf. a karaŋɔ̃ ‘studies’] Er hat sie zusammengebunden, (so dass) er
karamaa future. [der Knoten] fest war. Fest! [Note: Typically
karəmɛ past. used when a knot is tied. Usually
karam perfective.

92 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

kãɩ̃m- kãŋ
pronounced on a high pitch and utterance kãnəgr(ɩ) imperfective.
finally.] a kãnəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
kãɩ̃m- noun. old; important; fr: vieux, âgé; də kãnəgɛ (a) beliʌ ba wol la dombʌ sentence
important; dt: alt; wichtig. [Note: In the sense He provoked the children into fighting one
‘old’, this word can only be used for humans.] another.; fr: Il a incité les enfants à faire
a kãɩ̃mɔ̃ sg. palabre.; dt: Er hat die Kinder dazu
a kɛ̃mmɔ̃ sg. angestiftet, miteinander zu kämpfen.
a kãɩ̃mbaʋ pl. kãnəgɛ past. → kãng-.
a bʌ̃ʌ̃n(i) la (a) kãɩ̃mɔ̃ sentence Health is the kãnəg(ɩ) perfective. → kãng-.
most important thing.; fr: La santé est le kãnəgraa future. → kãng-.
plus important.; dt: Die Gesundheit ist das kãnəgr(ɩ) imperfective. → kãng-.
Wichtigste. kãnn- adj.verb. be bitter; fr: être amer; dt: bitter,
a kãɩ̃mɛ̃ɩ denominal abstract quality noun herb sein.
sg./mass. kãnnaa future.
a kɛ̃mmɛ̃ɩ̃ denominal abstract quality noun kãnn(ɛ) imperfective.
sg./mass. age, old age; fr: âge, vieillesse; dt: a kãnnɛ̃ɩ̃ deverbal action noun sg. bitterness; fr:
Alter. [Note: 4990] amertume; dt: Bitterkeit.
kãɩ̃mbaʋ pl. → kãɩ̃m-. kãnna participial adjective. bitter; fr: amer; dt:
kãɩ̃mɛ̃ɩ denominal abstract quality noun sg./mass. bitter, herb.
→ kãɩ̃m-. a fɛkʋ koŋ bu kãnnaa sentence The fruits of
kãɩ̃mɔ̃ sg. → kãɩ̃m-. that tree are bitter.; fr: Les fruits de cet
kãmã quantifier. every, each; fr: chaque; dt: jed(- arbre sont amers.; dt: Die Früchte dieses
er,-e,-es). Baumes sind bitter.
kãmã quantifier sg. [Note: synonymous with a fɔrʋ kãnna saa NP+N compound noun sg. a
kãã] grouchy/nasty person (lit.: owner of a bitter
kãmããna noun. maize; fr: maïs; dt: Mais. [Note: = stomach); fr: une personne mauvaise (lit.:
Mòoré, =Fulfulde] possesseur d’un ventre amer); dt: ein
a kãmããndɛ sg. schlecht gelaunter Mensch, ein böser
a kãmããna pl./collective. Mensch (wörtl.: Besitzer eines bitteren
a kãmããnaʋ pl./collective. Magens) [Note: This is the shortened future
a kãmããnfɩ pl. form. The stomach is considered to be the
a kãmããna fãɩ̃ NP+N compound noun sg. maize seat of the character, and the heart of (less
porridge, mealie meal; fr: tô de maïs; dt: permanent) emotion.]
Maisbrei kãnnaa future. → kãn-.
kãmããnaʋ pl./collective. → kãmããna. kãnnaa future. → kãnn-.
kãmããndɛ sg. → kãmããna. kãnn(ɛ) imperfective. → kãnn-.
kãn perfective. → kãn-. kãnnɛ̃ɩ̃ deverbal action noun sg. → kãnn-.
kãn- verb. make a detour, leave the main path; fr: kãnn(ɩ) imperfective. → kãn-.
dévier, déchirer; dt: einen Umweg machen, den kãnəŋkããga noun. wasp; fr: guêpe; dt: Wespe.
Hauptweg verlassen. [Note: =Mòoré]
kãtaa future. a kãnəŋkããga sg.
kãnnaa future. a kãnəŋkããsʋʋ pl.
kãnɛ past. kãŋ noun. thing, object, (wild) animal; fr: chose,
kãn perfective. objet, animal (sauvage); dt: Ding, Gegenstand,
kãt(ɩ) imperfective. (wildes) Tier.
kãnn(ɩ) imperfective. a kãŋ sg.
a kãnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a hãʋ̃ma pl.
kãndɩa noun. paraffin lamp; fr: lampe à pétrole; dt: a hãʋŋa diminutive sg.
Petroleumlampe. tubre kãŋ adverb+N compound noun sg. wild
a kãndɩa sg. animal (lit.: animal of the bush); fr: animal
a kãndɩafɩ pl. sauvage (lit.: animal de brousse); dt: wildes
a kãndɩama pl. Tier (wörtl.: Buschtier) [Note: The article a
kãndɩafɩ pl. → kãndɩa. is omitted here because the first element of
kãnɛ past. → kãn-. the compound is an adverb.]
kãng- verb. insult, make trouble, provoke; fr: tubre hãʋ̃ma adverb+N compound noun pl.
insulter, calomnier, inciter, provoquer; dt: a tuu kãŋ NP+N compound noun sg. wild animal
beleidigen, Schwierigkeiten machen, anstiften, (lit.: thing of the bush); fr: animal sauvage
provozieren. (lit.: chose de brousse); dt: Wildtier (wörtl.:
kãnəgraa future. Buschtier)
kãnəgɛ past. a tuu hãʋ̃ma NP+N compound noun pl.
kãnəg(ɩ) perfective.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 93

kãŋ- kãs-
kãŋ pronoun. something; fr: quelque chose; dt: kãŋs- verb. harden, make solid, make strong,
etwas. [Note: without the article a] strengthen, make difficult; (reflexive) make an
kãŋ kãmã pronoun. everything (in negative effort, (auxiliary) try; fr: durcir, rendre solide,
sentences: nothing); fr: tout, toute chose (dans rendre fort, fortifier, rendre difficile ; (réflexif)
une phrase négative: rien); dt: alles (in se débrouiller, faire effort, (auxiliaire) essayer;
Verneinungen: nichts). dt: erhärten, hart machen, fest machen, stark
maa nã kãŋ kãmã sentence I saw nothing.; fr: machen, stärken, schwierig machen; (reflexiv)
Je n’ai rien vu.; dt: Ich habe nichts gesehen. sich anstrengen, (Auxiliar) versuchen,
[Note: When kãŋ kãmã or kãŋkãã are the trachten. [Note: In the sense ‘try’ the reflexive
(elliptical) answer to a question, they are pronoun must be used - see the example
ambiguous between ‘everything’ and below.]
‘nothing’. For the reading ‘everything’ kãŋsraa future.
paraphrases such as gʋ dʋrʋ are available.] kãŋsɛ past.
kãŋ kãã everything (in negative sentences: kãŋs(ɩ) perfective.
nothing); fr: tout, toute chose (dans une kãŋsr(ɩ) imperfective.
phrase négative: rien); dt: alles (in a kãŋsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
Verneinungen: nichts). də kãŋsɩ dəgɩllɛ də zɔgɔ (a) dɛrga sentence He
maa nã kãŋ kãã sentence I saw nothing.; fr: Je tried to climb the mountain.; fr: Il a essayé
n’ai rien vu.; dt: Ich habe nichts gesehen. de grimper sur la montagne; dt: Er hat
kãŋ- verb. be hard / solid / strong; be difficult;; fr: versucht, den Berg zu besteigen.
être dur / solide / fort; être difficile; dt: hart / a kãŋsrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who makes
fest / stark sein; schwierig sein. [Note: also things worse; persistent person; fr: q.un qui
used to mean ‘be in full health’, especially when aggrave la situation; personne persistante; dt:
negated] jmd. der die Lage noch schlimmer macht;
kãŋənaa future. beharrlicher Mensch.
kãŋa perfective. [Note: This form is used like a kãŋsrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
dɔ̃nda, hãna etc. for the general present. Its a kãŋsrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg.
morphological shape is irregular, though it serious situation; fr: situation grave; dt:
patterns with hãna and a hãnaɩ, and like the ernsthafte Lage.
former cannot be negated.] a kãŋsrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
kãŋənɛ imperfective. a kãŋsrəga deverbal instrument noun
kãŋəna participial adjective. diminutive sg.
a kãŋaɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. strength, a kãŋsrəsɩ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
full health, solidity; difficulty; fr: force, santé, pl.
solidité; difficulté; dt: Stärke, volle Gesundheit, a kãŋsrəfa deverbal local noun. place that is
Festigkeit; Schwierigkeit. hard; fr: endroit qui est dur; dt: Platz, der hart
mə ỹɩ̃mde hoŋ ba kaŋəna sentence My younger ist.
brother isn’t feeling well.; fr: Mon petit kãŋsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → kãŋs-.
frère ne se sent pas.; dt: Mein jüngerer kãŋsɛ past. → kãŋs-.
Bruder fühlt sich nicht wohl. kãŋs(ɩ) perfective. → kãŋs-.
gʋ kãŋa sentence It’s difficult.; fr: C’est kãŋsraa future. → kãŋs-.
difficile.; dt: Es ist schwer. kãŋsrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → kãŋs-.
a kãŋaɩ saa NP+N compound noun sg. healthy, kãŋsrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
strong person; fr: personne saine et solide; → kãŋs-.
dt: gesunder, starker Mensch kãŋsrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → kãŋs-.
a kãŋaɩ sammã NP+N compound noun pl. kãŋsrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → kãŋs-.
mə kãŋa sentence I am in good health.; fr: Je kãŋsr(ɩ) imperfective. → kãŋs-.
suis en bonne santé.; dt: Ich bin gesund. kãŋsrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → kãŋs-.
a tomde kãŋəna ba boŋ gʋ kɛndɩ sentence A kãŋsrəsɩ deverbal instrument noun diminutive pl. →
difficult job never wants to end.; fr: Un kãŋs-.
travail difficile ne veut pas finir.; dt: Ein kãr- noun. (impenetrable) thorny forest/wood; fr:
schwierige Arbeit will nie enden. [Note: The forêt/bois épineuse (impénétrable); dt:
negation of this sentence is gaa kãŋsɛ ‘It (undurchdringlicher) Dornenwald.
isn’t difficult’, from a kãŋsam. * gaa kaŋa is a kãtɛ sg.
impossible.] a kãra pl.
kãŋ kãmã pronoun. → kãŋ. kãs- verb. rip apart; fr: déchirer; dt: zerreißen.
kãŋa perfective. → kãŋ-. kãsraa future.
kãŋəna participial adjective. → kãŋ-. kãsɛ past.
kãŋənaa future. → kãŋ-. kãs(ɩ) perfective.
kãŋənɛ imperfective. → kãŋ-. kãsr(ɩ) imperfective.
a kãsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.

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kãsam kʌ̃mbe(r)-
kãsam perfective. → kãsm-. tas de contenus de récipients (p. ex. au
kãsamaa future. → kãsm-. marché); dt: Haufen von Inhalten von
kãsamɔ̃ imperfective. → kãsm-. Behältern (z.B. am Markt).
kãsɛ past. → kãs-. kʌblʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → kʌbl-.
kãs(ɩ) perfective. → kãs-. kʌble past. → kʌbl-.
kãsm- verb. rip apart; fr: déchirer; dt: zerreißen. kʌfi- noun. fan (for fire); fr: éventail; dt: Fächer (für
kãsamaa future. Feuer). [Note: This fan is woven from leaves
kãsəmɛ past. (usually by Ful, Dogon, Mossi etc., but not
kãsam perfective. traditionally by the Koromba)]
kãsamɔ̃ imperfective. a kʌfikʌ sg.
a kãsəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a kʌfigdu pl.
kãsəmɛ past. → kãsm-. kʌfikʌ sg. → kʌfi-.
kãsraa future. → kãs-. kʌmsel- noun. (woman’s) dress; fr: robe (de
kãsr(ɩ) imperfective. → kãs-. femme); dt: (Frauen-)Kleid. [Note: = Fr.
kãtaa future. → kãn-. “camisole”]
kãtɛ sg. → kãr-. kʌmseli sg.
kãt(ɩ) imperfective. → kãn-. kʌmseləmʌ pl.
kʌbʌ perfective. → kʌbl-. kʌmseləfi pl. [Note: -mʌ is the older plural form,
kʌbʌlʌʌ future. → kʌbl-. -fi the current one of younger speakers]
kʌbʌləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → kʌbl-. kʌmseli sg. → kʌmsel-.
kʌbʌləfʌ deverbal local noun. → kʌbl-. kʌmseləmʌ pl. → kʌmsel-.
kʌbʌləgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. kʌus- verb. shout, cry; fr: crier; dt: schreien. [Note:
→ kʌbl-. used for any kind of shouting, with no
kʌbʌləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → kʌbl-. implication of calling; also used for the crying
kʌbʌləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → kʌbl-. of babies]
kʌbʌlo deverbal agent noun sg. → kʌbl-. kʌusrʌʌ future.
kʌbʌləsi deverbal instrument noun diminutive pl. → kʌuse past.
kʌbl-. kʌus(u) perfective.
kʌbʌl(u) imperfective. → kʌbl-. kʌusr(u) imperfective.
kʌbl- verb. dump a container (e.g. a sack, a basket) a kʌusʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
upside down on the ground and remove the a kʌusro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
container, leaving the contents on the ground; shouts; fr: q.un qui crie; dt: jmd. der schreit.
empty; fr: laisser un récipient (p. ex. un sac, un a kʌusrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
panier) tomber à terre la tête en bas et a kʌusrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object
éloigner le récipient en laissant le contenu par for crying, horn, siren; fr: objet pour crier,
terre; vider; dt: einen Behälter (z.B. einen klaxon, sirène; dt: Gegenstand zum schreien,
Sack, einen Korb) auf den Boden stürzen und Hupe, Sirene.
den Behälter entfernen, wobei der Inhalt am a kʌusrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
Boden liegen bleibt; leeren. a kʌusrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
kʌbʌlʌʌ future. sg.
kʌble past. a kʌusrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for crying;
kʌbʌ perfective. fr: endroit où on crie; dt: Platz zum Schreien.
kʌbʌl(u) imperfective. a kʌusemʌ̃ũ deverbal nomen acti pl. cries; fr:
a kʌblʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. cris; dt: Schreie.
a kʌbʌlo deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who a sarʋ koŋ kʌusərʌʌ sentence The wind is
empties; fr: q.un qui vide; dt: jmd. der leert. howling / crying.; fr: Le vent hurle / crie.;
a kʌbʌləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. dt: Der Wind brüllt / schreit.
a kʌbʌləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. kʌusʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → kʌus-.
container that is emptied; fr: récipient qui est kʌuse past. → kʌus-.
vidé; dt: Behälter, der geleert wird. kʌusrʌʌ future. → kʌus-.
a kʌbʌləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. kʌusrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → kʌus-.
a kʌbʌləgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive kʌusrəfʌ deverbal local noun. → kʌus-.
sg. kʌusrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
a kʌbʌləsi deverbal instrument noun diminutive → kʌus-.
pl. kʌusrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → kʌus-.
a kʌbʌləfʌ deverbal local noun. place where kʌusrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → kʌus-.
containers are emptied; fr: endroit où les kʌusro deverbal agent noun sg. → kʌus-.
récipients sont vidés; dt: Platz, wo Behälter kʌusr(u) imperfective. → kʌus-.
geleert werden. kʌus(u) perfective. → kʌus-.
a kʌbmʌ̃ũ deverbal nomen acti pl. piles of kʌ̃mbe(r)- noun. kind of illness, joint pain; fr:
contents of containers (e.g. at a market); fr: espèce de maladie, douleur articulaire; dt: Art

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kʌ̃mbeyʌ kɛlgɛɩ
Krankheit, Gelenkschmerz. [Note: The kɛbtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → kɛbt-.
symptoms of this illness are general weakness kɛbtɛ past. → kɛbt-.
and joint pains.] kɛbtraa future. → kɛbt-.
a kʌ̃mbeyʌ sg. kɛbtrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → kɛbt-.
a kʌ̃mbersii pl. kɛbtrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
kʌ̃mbeyʌ sg. → kʌ̃mbe(r)-. → kɛbt-.
kʌ̃r- noun. kind of thorny bush; fr: espèce d’arbuste kɛbtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → kɛbt-.
épineuse; dt: Art Dornenstrauch. kɛbtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → kɛbt-.
a kʌ̃rfe sg. kɛbtrɔ deverbal action noun sg./mass. → kɛbt-.
a kʌ̃rii pl. kɛbtrəsɩ deverbal instrument noun diminutive pl. →
kʌ̃rfe sg. → kʌ̃r-. kɛbt-.
kɛb- noun. (large) field (used by a whole family); fr: kɛbtr(ʋ) imperfective. → kɛbt-.
champ (grand utilisé par une famille entière); kɛbt(ʋ) perfective. → kɛbt-.
dt: Acker, (großes) Feld (das von einer ganzen kɛb(ʋ) perfective. → kɛb-.
Familie benutzt wird). [Note: cf. a dãŋ kɛkʋ sg. → kɛb-.
‘(smaller) field’ and a kurəgʌ ‘(small private) kɛl- noun. embers, charcoal; fr: braise, charbon; dt:
field’. The last is used by one wife only.] Glut, Holzkohle. [Note: Can be used both for
a kɛkʋ sg. burning and cold embers]
a kɛbɩ pl. a kɛllɛ sg.
a kɛkəga diminutive sg. small field; fr: petit a kɛla pl.
champ; dt: kleines Feld. kɛl- verb. close, shut in; fr: fermer, enfermer; dt:
kɛb- verb. tremble, shiver; fr: trembler, grelotter; schließen, einsperren.
dt: zittern. kɛllaa future.
kɛbraa future. kɛlɛ past.
kɛbɛ past. kɛl(ɩ) perfective.
kɛb(ʋ) perfective. kɛll(ɩ) imperfective.
kɛbr(ʋ) imperfective. a kɛlam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a kɛbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. kɛlɛ past. → kɛl-.
kɛbɛ past. → kɛb-. kɛlɛt- verb. open, release, free; fr: ouvrir, lâcher,
kɛbɩ pl. → kɛb-. libérer; dt: öffnen, herauslassen, befreien.
kɛbraa future. → kɛb-. [Note: This verb is the reversive of a kɛlam
kɛbr(ʋ) imperfective. → kɛb-. ‘close’]
kɛbt- verb. hit gently on the backside (e.g. a small kɛlɛtraa future.
child); fr: frapper légèrement sur les fesses (p. kɛlɛtɛ past.
ex. un petit enfant); dt: am Hintern leicht kɛlɛt(ɩ) perfective.
schlagen (z.B. ein kleines Kind). kɛlɛtr(ɩ) imperfective.
kɛbtraa future. a kɛlɛtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
kɛbtɛ past. kɛlɛtɛ past. → kɛlɛt-.
kɛbt(ʋ) perfective. kɛlɛt(ɩ) perfective. → kɛlɛt-.
kɛbtr(ʋ) imperfective. kɛlɛtraa future. → kɛlɛt-.
a kɛbtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. kɛlɛtr(ɩ) imperfective. → kɛlɛt-.
a kɛbtrɔ s.o. who hits gently; fr: q.un qui frappe kɛlg- verb. roast, fry; fr: frire; dt: rösten, braten.
légèrement; dt: jmd. der leicht schlägt. [Note: This verb implies that the food is cooked
a kɛbtrəba deverbal agent noun pl. in some kind of container (pan, pot, etc.)
a kɛbtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (any) without the addition of fat or liquid. Food
object used for hitting; fr: (chaque) objet cooked in this way includes meat, flying
utilisé pour frapper légèrement; dt: (jeder) termites, grasshoppers, worms, sesame,
Gegenstand, der zum leicht Schlagen peanuts, chickpeas, fonio, unshelled rice. For
verwendet wird. roasting or barbecuing on an open fire a paŋam
a kɛbtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. is used.]
a kɛbtrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive kɛlgraa future.
sg. kɛlgɛ past.
a kɛbtrəsɩ deverbal instrument noun diminutive kɛlg(ɩ) perfective.
pl. kɛlgr(ɩ) imperfective.
a kɛbtrəfa deverbal local noun. place where s.o. a kɛlgam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
is hit; backside; fr: endroit où q.un est frappé; kɛlgɛ past. → kɛlg-.
fesses; dt: Platz, wo jemand geschlagen wird; kɛlgɛɩ noun. kind of bush (with edible leaves); fr:
Hintern. espèce d’arbuste (à feuilles comestibles); dt:
də kɛbtɛ də bi sentence He hit his child gently.; Art Strauch (mit essbaren Blättern).
fr: Il a frappé son enfant légèrement.; dt: Er a kɛləgɛɩfɛ sg.
hat sein Kind leicht geschlagen. a kɛləgɛɩ pl.

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kɛləgɛɩfɛ
kɛləgɛɩfɛ sg. → kɛlgɛɩ. enfant sous l’aisselle.; dt: Sie trägt ihr Kind
kɛlg(ɩ) perfective. → kɛlg-. unter dem Arm.
kɛlgraa future. → kɛlg-. kɛrədɛ past. → kɛrd-.
kɛlgr(ɩ) imperfective. → kɛlg-. kɛrɛ past. → kɛr-.
kɛl(ɩ) perfective. → kɛl-. kɛrɛ perfective. → kɛrd-.
kɛllaa future. → kɛl-. kɛrɛdaa future. → kɛrd-.
kɛllɛ sg. → kɛl-. kɛrɛd(ɩ) imperfective. → kɛrd-.
kɛll(ɩ) imperfective. → kɛl-. kɛrɛt- verb. straighten (sth. tilted); fr: redresser
kɛnd perfective. (=/kɛnd/) → kɛnd-. (q.chose d’incliné); dt: gerade machen (etwas
kɛnd- (=/kɛnd/) verb. finish, end (intransitive); fr: Geneigtes). [Note: reversive of a kɛram This is
finir, terminer (intransitif); dt: enden, sich the reversive of a kɛram.]
beenden (intransitiv). [Note: This verb cannot kɛrɛtraa future.
be used transitively; cf. its transitive kɛrɛtɛ past.
counterpart a kɛndəgam.] kɛrɛt(ɩ) perfective.
kɛndraa (=/kɛnd-d-aa/) future. kɛrɛtr(ɩ) imperfective.
kɛndɛ (=/kɛnd-ɛ/) past. a kɛrɛtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
kɛnd / kɛndɩ (=/kɛnd/) perfective. kɛrɛtɛ past. → kɛrɛt-.
kɛndr / kɛndrɩ (=/kɛnd-d/) imperfective. kɛrɛt(ɩ) perfective. → kɛrɛt-.
a kɛndam deverbal action noun sg./mass. kɛrɛtraa future. → kɛrɛt-.
kɛndɛ past. (=/kɛnd-ɛ/) → kɛnd-. kɛrɛtr(ɩ) imperfective. → kɛrɛt-.
kɛndg- verb. finish, end (transitive); fr: finir, kɛr(ɩ) perfective. → kɛr-.
terminer (transitif); dt: beenden (transitiv). kɛsɛŋg- verb. mix; fr: mélanger; dt: mischen.
[Note: This verb cannot be used intransitively; kɛsɛŋgraa future.
cf. its intransitive counterpart a kɛndam.] kɛsɛŋgɛ past.
kɛndəgraa future. kɛsɛŋg(ɩ) perfective.
kɛndəgɛ past. kɛsɛŋgr(ɩ) imperfective.
kɛndəg(ɩ) perfective. a kɛsɛŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
kɛndəgr(ɩ) imperfective. kɛsɛŋgɛ past. → kɛsɛŋg-.
a kɛndəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. kɛsɛŋg(ɩ) perfective. → kɛsɛŋg-.
kɛndəgɛ past. → kɛndg-. kɛsɛŋgraa future. → kɛsɛŋg-.
kɛndəg(ɩ) perfective. → kɛndg-. kɛsɛŋgr(ɩ) imperfective. → kɛsɛŋg-.
kɛndəgraa future. → kɛndg-. kɛt- verb. open (e.g. mouth, eyes, door); fr: ouvrir
kɛndəgr(ɩ) imperfective. → kɛndg-. (p. ex. la bouche, les yeux, la porte); dt: öffnen
kɛndɩ perfective. (=/kɛnd/) → kɛnd-. (z.B. Mund, Augen, Tür).
kɛndr imperfective. (=/kɛnd-d/) → kɛnd-. kɛtraa future.
kɛndraa future. (=/kɛnd-d-aa/) → kɛnd-. kɛtɛ past.
kɛndrɩ imperfective. (=/kɛnd-d/) → kɛnd-. kɛt(ɩ) perfective.
kɛr- verb. put under one’s arm; tilt; fr: mettre sous kɛtr(ɩ) imperfective.
l’aisselle; incliner; dt: unter den Arm nehmen; a kɛtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
neigen. [Note: Things are considered to be kɛtaa future. → kɛr-.
tilted by virtue of being held under one’s arm.] kɛtɛ past. → kɛt-.
kɛtaa future. kɛt(ɩ) imperfective. → kɛr-.
kɛrɛ past. kɛt(ɩ) perfective. → kɛt-.
kɛr(ɩ) perfective. kɛtraa future. → kɛt-.
kɛt(ɩ) imperfective. kɛtr(ɩ) imperfective. → kɛt-.
a kɛram deverbal action noun sg./mass. kɛ̃ perfective. → kɛ̃-.
də kɛrə də bi sentence She put her baby at her kɛ̃- verb. surpass, be more than; fr: surpasser,
side.; fr: Elle a mis son enfant à sa côté.; dt: dépasser, être plus que; dt: übertreffen, mehr
Sie hat Ihr Baby zu sich gelegt. sein als. [Note: This verb is often used in the
kɛrd- verb. carry (under one’s arm/shoulder); tilt; comparative/superlative construction.]
fr: porter (sous l’aisselle); incliner; dt: tragen kɛ̃ perfective.
(unter dem Arm); neigen. [Note: Things are a kɛ̃ɛ̃lɛɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass.
considered to be tilted by virtue of being held superiority; fr: supériorité; dt: Überlegenheit.
under one’s arm.] kɛ̃- (=/kɛ̃/) noun. woman, wife; fr: femme, épouse;
kɛrɛdaa future. dt: Frau, Ehefrau. [Note: Irregular plural
kɛrədɛ past. formation, otherwise found only in a bɔrɔ
kɛrɛ perfective. ‘man’, pl. a bɛ̃nna.]
kɛrɛd(ɩ) imperfective. a kɛ̃ɔ̃ (=/kɛ̃-ɔ/) sg.
a kɛrədam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a kɛ̃na (=/kɛ̃-na/) pl.
də kɛrɛdɩ də bi sentence She is carrying her a kɛ̃ɔ̃lɛɩ (=/kɛ̃-ɔ-lɛɩ/) abstract quality noun sg.
baby under her arm.; fr: Elle porte son femininity; fr: féminité; dt: Weiblichkeit. [Note:

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kɛ̃ɛ̃ kɛ̃ŋ
Irregular formation keeping the -ɔ class suffix pronoun must be used (see the example
of the singular] below).]
kɛ̃ɛ̃ past. → kɛ̃ɛ̃-. kɛ̃mɛtraa future.
kɛ̃ɛ̃ perfective. → kɛ̃ɛ̃-. kɛ̃mɛtɛ past.
kɛ̃ɛ̃- noun. blue, green; fr: bleu, vert; dt: blau, grün. kɛ̃mɛt(ɩ) perfective.
[Note: sg. = Mòoré] kɛ̃mɛtr(ɩ) imperfective.
a kɛ̃ɛ̃ga sg. a kɛ̃mɛtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a kɛ̃ɛ̃sʋʋ pl. kɛ̃mɛt ŋgɩllɛ imperative sentence Turn round!;
kɛ̃ɛ̃- verb. fall out with s.o. and not speak to them fr: Retourne-toi!; dt: Dreh’ dich um!
again; fr: se fâcher et ne plus parler avec q.un; kɔ̃ mə yɩrɛ dɩ də kɛ̃mɛtɩ sentence When I called
dt: sich mit jm. zerstreiten und nicht mehr mit him he turned his head (towards me).; fr:
ihm sprechen. Lorsque je l’ai appelé il a tourné la tête
kɛ̃ɛ̃naa future. (vers moi).; dt: Als ich ihn rief, drehte er
kɛ̃ɛ̃ past. den Kopf (zu mir).
kɛ̃ɛ̃ perfective. kɔ̃ mə yɩrɛ dɩ də kɛ̃mɛt də gɩllɛ sentence When
kɛ̃ɛ̃nɛ imperfective. I called him he turned round.; fr: Lorsque je
a kɛ̃ɛ̃m deverbal action noun sg./mass. l’ai appelé il s’est retourné.; dt: Als ich ihn
a kɛ̃ɛ̃ŋa deverbal agent noun diminutive sg. s.o. rief, drehte er sich um.
who is angry; fr: q’un qui s’est fâché; dt: jmd. kɛ̃mɛtɛ past. → kɛ̃mɛt-.
der böse ist. [Note: irregular formation] kɛ̃mɛt(ɩ) perfective. → kɛ̃mɛt-.
a kɛ̃ɛ̃nɛ deverbal agent noun diminutive pl. kɛ̃mɛtraa future. → kɛ̃mɛt-.
kɛ̃ɛ̃ga sg. → kɛ̃ɛ̃-. kɛ̃mɛtr(ɩ) imperfective. → kɛ̃mɛt-.
kɛ̃ɛ̃m deverbal action noun sg./mass. → kɛ̃ɛ̃-. kɛ̃mmaa future. → kɛ̃m-.
kɛ̃ɛ̃naa future. → kɛ̃ɛ̃-. kɛ̃mmɔ̃ sg. → kãɩ̃m-.
kɛ̃ɛ̃nɛ imperfective. → kɛ̃ɛ̃-. kɛ̃mmɔ̃ sg. → kɛ̃m-.
kɛ̃ɛ̃ŋa deverbal agent noun diminutive sg. → kɛ̃ɛ̃-. kɛ̃mm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → kɛ̃m-.
kɛ̃ɛ̃s- verb. surpass; fr: surpasser; dt: übertreffen. kɛ̃na pl. (=/kɛ̃-na/) → kɛ̃-.
a kɛ̃ɛ̃sam deverbal action noun sg./mass. kɛ̃ŋ demonstrative. this, that, the; this / that one;
kɛ̃ɛ̃sraa future. fr: ce, cet, cette, le, la; celui-ci/là, celle-ci/là;
kɛ̃ɛ̃sɛ past. dt: dies(-er,-e,-es), jen(-er,-e,-es), der, die,
kɛ̃ɛ̃s(ɩ) perfective. das.
kɛ̃ɛ̃sr(ɩ) imperfective. [Note: 224] kɛ̃ŋ demonstrative adjective diminutive sg.
kɛ̃ɛ̃sam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → kɛ̃ɛ̃s-. — demonstrative pronoun diminutive sg.
kɛ̃ɛ̃sɛ past. → kɛ̃ɛ̃s-. a pesgʌ kɛ̃ŋ NP+demonstr. noun phrase
kɛ̃ɛ̃s(ɩ) perfective. → kɛ̃ɛ̃s-. diminutive sg. the / this / that lamb; fr: l’ /
kɛ̃ɛ̃sraa future. → kɛ̃ɛ̃s-. cet agneau; dt: das / dieses / jenes Lamm
kɛ̃m perfective. → kɛ̃m-. a beləŋʌ kɛ̃ŋ NP+demonstr. noun phrase
kɛ̃m- verb. twist (e.g. to make a hairdo, a rope), diminutive sg. the / this / that child; fr: l’ /
grasp (with a twisting motion of the hand); fr: cet enfant; dt: das / dieses / jenes Kind
tourner (p. ex. pour faire une coiffure, une pesəgʌ dɔ̃m kɛ̃ŋ NP+demonstr. noun phrase
corde), serrer (avec une geste tournante); dt: diminutive sg. the / this / that sheep alone;
drehen (z.B.: um eine Frisur, ein Seil zu fr: le / ce seule moutons; dt: das / dieses /
machen). jenes Lamm allein [Note: * a pesəgʌ dɔ̃m kɛ̃ŋ
kɛ̃mmaa future. is impossible because a numeral precludes
kɛ̃mɛ past. the article a.]
kɛ̃m perfective. kɛ̃ŋ ba zɔmma mɛ sentence That one doesn’t
kɛ̃mm(ɔ̃) imperfective. like me.; fr: Celui-la ne m’aime pas.; dt: Das
a kɛ̃mam deverbal action noun sg./mass. dort mag mich nicht. [Note: Demonstrative
kɛ̃m- noun. adjectives are also used as definite articles.
a kɛ̃mmɔ̃ sg. Their similarity to the corresponding noun-
a kɛ̃mmɛ̃ɩ̃ denominal abstract quality noun class suffixes is unmistakable. They always
sg./mass. See: kãɩ̃m-. follow the NP and do not affect the
kɛ̃mɛ past. → kɛ̃m-. presence or absence of the article a before
kɛ̃mɛt- verb. turn round, turn (sth.) (transitive); the NP. When used pronouns they stand
turn one’s head; fr: se retourner, tourner alone in the position of an NP. Cf. the full
(q.chose), faire un demi-tour; tourner la tête; set of demonstratives: hoŋ, koŋ, bɛŋ, hɛ̃ŋ,
dt: (sich) umdrehen, eine Kehrtwendung kɛ̃ŋ.]
machen; den Kopf drehen. [Note: This verb is kɛ̃ŋgɛ strong demonstrative adjective / pronoun
the reversive of a kɛ̃mam. It is transitive. If diminutive sg.
used intransitively / reflexively, the reflexive

98 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

kɛ̃ŋka keŋg-
a pesgʌ kɛ̃ŋgɛ NP+demonstr. noun phrase a kebre (=/keb-dɛ/) sg.
diminutive sg. the / this / that lamb; fr: l’ / a kebiʌ (=/keb-ɩa/) pl.
cet agneau; dt: das / dieses / jenes Lamm a kebio (=/keb-ɩa/) pl.
a beləŋʌ kɛ̃ŋgɛ NP+demonstr. noun phrase a kebei (=/keb-ei/) abstract quality noun sg.
diminutive sg. the / this / that child; fr: l’ / size; fr: grosseur; dt: Größe.
cet enfant; dt: das / dieses / jenes Kind kebelʌʌ future. (=/keb-Ṿl-aa/) → kebl.
pesəgʌ dɔ̃m kɛ̃ŋgɛ NP+demonstr. noun phrase kebeloo future. (=/keb-Ṿl-aa/) → kebl.
diminutive sg. the / this / that sheep alone; kebiʌ pl. (=/keb-ɩa/) → keb-.
fr: le / ce seule moutons; dt: das / dieses / kebio pl. (=/keb-ɩa/) → keb-.
jenes Lamm allein [Note: * a pesəgʌ dɔ̃m kebl (=/keb-Ṿl/) verb. be big, large, huge; fr: être
kɛ̃ŋgɛ is impossible because a numeral grand, gros, géant; dt: groß, riesengroß sein.
precludes the article a.] kebelʌʌ / kebeloo (=/keb-Ṿl-aa/) future.
kɛ̃ŋgɛ ba zɔmma mɛ sentence That one doesn’t kebe (=/keb-Ṿl/) perfective.
like me.; fr: Celui-la ne m’aime pas.; dt: Das də kebe sentence He is big.; fr: Il est grand.;
dort mag mich nicht. [Note: The strong dt: Er ist groß [Note: This word has no
demonstratives are said to be more infinitive; instead a kebei is used.]
emphatic than the corresponding normal kebre sg. (=/keb-dɛ/) → keb-.
demonstrative, but in practice can be found kebs perfective. (=/kebs/) → kebs-.
everywhere where the latter occur. All kebs- (=/kebs/) verb. grow large/tall/big; fr:
strong demonstratives are formed by adding grandir, grossir, pousser; dt: groß werden,
-gṾ to the normal demonstrative, where Ṿ is wachsen.
a (non-nasal) copy of the (one and only, kebsrʌʌ (=/kebs-d-aa/) future.
mid) vowel of the normal demonstrative.] kebse (=/kebs-ɛ/) past.
kɛ̃ŋka sg. → kɛ̃ŋkɛ. kebs / kebsu (=/kebs/) perfective.
kɛ̃ŋkɛ noun. tweezers (used e.g. to remove thorns); kebsr / kebsru (=/kebs-d/) imperfective.
fr: pincette (utilisée p. ex. pour enlever des a kebsʌm (=/kebs-am/) deverbal action noun
épines); dt: Pinzette (z.B. um Dornen zu sg./mass.
entfernen). kebse past. (=/kebs-ɛ/) → kebs-.
a kɛ̃ŋkɛ sg. kebsr imperfective. (=/kebs-d/) → kebs-.
a kɛ̃ŋka sg. kebsrʌʌ future. (=/kebs-d-aa/) → kebs-.
a kɛ̃ŋkɛfɩ pl. kebsru imperfective. (=/kebs-d/) → kebs-.
a kɛ̃ŋkɛnɩ pl. kebsu perfective. (=/kebs/) → kebs-.
kɛ̃ŋkɛfɩ pl. → kɛ̃ŋkɛ. kek- verb. take a piece of sth. (e.g. millet porridge,
kɛ̃ɔ̃ sg. (=/kɛ̃-ɔ/) → kɛ̃-. cigarette from a packet); fr: enlever et prendre
kɛ̃r- noun. metal object (used and old); fr: objet (p. ex. du tô, une cigarette d’un paquet); dt:
métallique utilisé et ancien; dt: ein Stück von etwas nehmen (z.B. Hirsebrei,
Metallgegenstand (gebraucht und alt). eine Zigarette aus einer Packung).
a kɛ̃rga sg. kekrʌʌ future.
a kɛ̃rsʋʋ pl. keke past.
kɛ̃rga sg. → kɛ̃r-. kek(i) perfective.
ke (=/ke/) conj. that; because, for; fr: que; parce kekr(i) imperfective.
que, car; dt: dass; weil, denn. a kekʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
ke (=/ke/) [Note: This conjunction is used to keke past. → kek-.
introduce noun clauses, indirect speech and kek(i) perfective. → kek-.
causal clauses.] conj. that; because, for; fr: kekrʌʌ future. → kek-.
que; parce que, car; dt: dass; weil, denn. kekr(i) imperfective. → kek-.
mə gel ke ŋ wose complex sentence I know that ken perfective. → ken-.
you are there.; fr: Je sais que tu es là.; dt: ken- verb. strangle; fr: étrangler; dt: erwürgen.
Ich weiß, dass du da bist. kennʌʌ future.
ba bole ke ba zɔmmʋ̃ ba bɛ yoote complex kene past.
sentence They said that they wanted to ken perfective.
come today.; fr: Ils ont dit qu’ils veulent kenn(i) imperfective.
venir aujourd’hui; dt: Sie haben gesagt, dass a kenʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
sie heute kommen wollen. kene past. → ken-.
ba bɛllaa ke ba zɔmm a mãnɛ complex sentence kennʌʌ future. → ken-.
They will come because they want some kenn(i) imperfective. → ken-.
money.; fr: Ils viendront parce qu’ils veulent keŋg- noun. edge, side; fr: bord, bordure, côté; dt:
de l’argent.; dt: Sie werden kommen, weil Rand, Umrandung, Seite.
sie Geld wollen. a keŋgre sg.
keb- (=/keb/) noun. big, large, huge; fr: grand, a keŋgʌ pl.
gros, géant; dt: groß, riesengroß. a keŋgo pl.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 99

keŋgʌ kɩpar-
keŋgʌ pl. → keŋg-. word does not take the article a when referring
keŋgre sg. → keŋg-. to the present bearer of this office.]
ker- noun. parrot; fr: perroquet; dt: Papagei. (a) keso sg.
a kerfe sg. a kesomʌ pl.
a kerii pl. kɩb- noun. tick; creeper; fr: tique; liane; dt: Zeck;
keret- (=/ker-Ṿt/) verb. appear, become visible, Liane.
uncover oneself; fr: apparaître, se rendre a kɩbfɛ sg.
visible, se découvrir; dt: erscheinen, sichtbar a kɩbɩ pl. [Note: The two meanings of this word
werden, sich zeigen. [Note: Possibly from kɛlam are closely related: something which climbs its
‘hide’.] host and feeds from it.]
keretrʌʌ (=/ker-Ṿt-d-aa/) future. kɩbarʋ noun. (piece of) news; fr: nouvelle(s); dt:
kerete past. Nachricht(en).
keret(i) perfective. a kɩbarʋ sg.
keretr(i) imperfective. a kɩbaya pl.
a keretʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. a sɔ̃nɔ̃ kɩbarʋ sentence Good morning! (lit.:
kerete past. (=/ker-Ṿt-d-aa/) → keret-. (What is the) news of the morning?); fr:
keret(i) perfective. (=/ker-Ṿt-d-aa/) → keret-. Bonjour! (lit.: Quelles sont les nouvelles du
keretrʌʌ future. (=/ker-Ṿt-d-aa/) → keret-. matin?); dt: Guten Morgen! (wörtl.: Was
keretr(i) imperfective. (=/ker-Ṿt-d-aa/) → keret-. sind die Nachrichten des Morgens?) [Note:
kerfe sg. → ker-. The singular can be used in the collective
kerg- verb. disappear, hide; close partially (e.g. a sense of ‘news’. This word is commonly used
door); fr: disparaître, se cacher; fermer à in greetings of the type “(What is the) news
moitié (p. ex. une porte); dt: verschwinden, of X”, where X can be a time of day, a place,
sich verstecken; halb schließen (z.B. eine Tür). a person group of people, etc. The reply to
kergrʌʌ future. such a greeting is normally a bʌ̃ʌ̃ni ‘health’,
kerge past. occasionally kãŋ kãã ŋgo ‘nothing lacks’.]
kerg(i) perfective. kɩbfɛ sg. → kɩb-.
kergr(i) imperfective. kɩbt perfective. → kɩbt-.
a kergʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. kɩbt- verb. pinch (e.g. to remove grains of millet);
kerge past. → kerg-. fr: pincer (p. ex. pour enlever graines de petit
kerg(i) perfective. → kerg-. mil); dt: zwicken (z.B. um Hirsekörner
kergrʌʌ future. → kerg-. herauszuholen).
kergr(i) imperfective. → kerg-. kɩbtraa future.
keriʌ noun. kind of tree with edible fruit; fr: espèce kɩbtɛ past.
d’arbre à fruits comestibles; dt: Art Baum mit kɩbt / kɩbtʋ perfective.
essbaren Früchten. kɩbtr(ʋ) imperfective.
a keriʌ sg. a kɩbtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a keriʌfi pl. a kɩbtʋ / a kɩbtʋʋ deverbal instrument noun
kes- exclamation. much, many; fr: beaucoup, sg. pincers, tongs; fr: pince; dt: Zange. [Note:
“trop”; dt: viel. This is an unusual derivation.]
kesem exclamation. [Note: typically used alone or a kɩbtəfɩ deverbal instrument noun pl.
preceded by hal ‘up to’. Optionally spoken at kɩbtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → kɩbt-.
high pitch.] kɩbtɛ past. → kɩbt-.
kes- noun. abundance; fr: abondance; dt: Überfluss. kɩbtraa future. → kɩbt-.
a kesre sg. kɩbtr(ʋ) imperfective. → kɩbt-.
a wɔgɔ kesre sa NP+N compound noun sg. big- kɩbtʋ perfective. → kɩbt-.
mouth, s.o. who talks a lot; fr: bavard, qu’un kɩbtʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → kɩbt-.
qui parle beaucoup; dt: Schwätzer, jmd. der kɩbtʋʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → kɩbt-.
viel redet kɩfra noun. uncircumcised, non-initiated, non-
a wɔgɔ kesre sammã NP+N compound noun sg. Moslem; fr: incirconcis, non-initié, non-
[Note: only used in the compound noun a musulman; dt: unbeschnitten, nicht-initiiert,
wɔgɔ kesre sa. Cf. kesem ‘much, many’] Nicht-Moslem.
keso noun. spokesman and representative of the a kɩfra sg.
chief (a jɔ) (who must be a grandson of the a kɩframa pl.
chief or of one of the chief’s brothers); fr: kɩl- noun. kind of flying insect; fr: espèce d’insecte
locuteur et représentant du chef (a jɔ) (qui doit volant; dt: Art fliegendes Insekt.
être un petit fils du chef ou d’un des frères du a kɩllɛ sg.
chef); dt: Sprecher und Vertreter des Chefs (a a kɩla pl.
jɔ) (der ein Enkel des Chefs oder ein Enkel eines kɩllɛ sg. → kɩl-.
der Brüder des Chefs sein muss). [Note: This kɩpar- noun. hot pepper, chilli; fr: piment; dt:
Pfefferoni, Chili.

100 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

kɩparfɛ kiisomʌ
a kɩparfɛ sg. a kɩrkɔgnɛ N+N compound noun pl. [Note:
a kɩparɩ pl. Neither part of this compound occurs as an
kɩparfɛ sg. → kɩpar-. independent word. Both may be adaptations of
kɩpɛr- noun. blanket; fr: couverture; dt: Decke. a kɛ̃ɔ̃ ‘woman’.]
[Note: This is clearly a compound of kɩ and a kɩrkɔka N+N compound noun sg. → kɩrkɔg-.
pɛrgʋ, but the meaning of the first element is kɩrkɔ̃ɔ̃- noun. old woman still able to do some
unclear. It could derive from a kɛ̃ɔ̃ ‘woman’ or household work (derogatory); fr: vieille qui
a kʋlɔ ‘body’.] peut toujours travailler dans la cour (mot
a kɩpɛrgʋ N+N compound noun sg. ridiculisant); dt: alte Frau, die im Haushalt
a kɩpɛ̃nɛ N+N compound noun pl. noch arbeiten kann (abschätzig).
kɩpɛrgʋ N+N compound noun sg. → kɩpɛr-. a kɩrkɔ̃ɔ̃nɛ N+N compound noun sg.
kɩr- noun. vagina; fr: vulve; dt: Scheide. a kɩrkɔ̃ɔ̃ya N+N compound noun sg. [Note: The
a kɩrfɛ sg. first part of this compound may derive from a
a kɩrɩɩ pl. kɛ̃ɔ̃ ‘woman’. The second part is the word a
kɩr- verb. exchange; forbid; fr: échanger; interdire; kɔ̃ɔ̃nɛ ‘old’.]
dt: tauschen, wechseln; verbieten. [Note: The kɩrkɔ̃ɔ̃nɛ N+N compound noun sg. → kɩrkɔ̃ɔ̃-.
rationale behind the meaning ‘forbid’ is: kɩrʋ deverbal noun sg. → kɩr-.
Something that is forbidden must be exchanged kɩrʋʋ deverbal noun sg. → kɩr-.
for something that is not forbidden. This verb kɩtaa future. → kɩr-.
is also used for the commercial exchange of kɩt(ɩ) imperfective. → kɩr-.
goods (excluding money).] kɩzabrɛ noun. abandoned field; fr: champ
kɩtaa future. abandonné; dt: verlassenes Feld. [Note: kɩ < a
kɩrɛ past. kɛkʋ ‘field’. Possibly zab < a zabəlam ‘chase and
kɩr(ɩ) perfective. jeer at’]
kɩt(ɩ) imperfective. kɩzabrɛ N+N compound noun sg.
a kɩram deverbal action noun sg./mass. kɩzaba N+N compound noun pl.
a kɩrʋ / a kɩrʋʋ deverbal noun sg. sth. kɩzabrɛ N+N compound noun sg. → kɩzabrɛ.
forbidden; fr: chose interdite; dt: verbotene kɩzam- noun. ugly; fr: laid, vilain; dt: hässlich.
Sache. [Note: Unusual formation] a kɩzamdɛ N+N compound noun sg.
a kɩrʋʋfɩ deverbal noun pl. a kɩzama N+N compound noun pl.
kɩram deverbal action noun sg./mass. → kɩr-. a kɩzamaʋ N+N compound noun pl. [Note:
kɩrɛ past. → kɩr-. Possibly kɩ < a kʋlɔ ‘body’ (cf. a kɩpɛrgʋ for the
kɩrɛt- verb. become, change into, be transformed same element kɩ). Cf. a zamde ‘bad’.]
into; fr: devenir, changer, se transformer en; a kɩzamɛ̃ɩ̃ abstract quality noun sg. ugliness; fr:
dt: werden, sich ändern, sich verwandeln in. laideur; dt: Hässlichkeit.
[Note: This reversive derivation from a kɩram kɩzama N+N compound noun pl. → kɩzam-.
‘exchange’ seems superficially not to have a kɩzamaʋ N+N compound noun pl. → kɩzam-.
reversed meaning. Perhaps the reversal is kɩzamdɛ N+N compound noun sg. → kɩzam-.
between “exchange for something else”, ki noun. calabash; fr: calebasse; dt: Kalebasse.
involving two arguments, and “change a ki sg.
spontaneously” involving only one argument.] a kiu pl.
kɩrɛtraa future. a kife singulative. single small calabash; fr:
kɩrɛtɛ past. petite calebasse seule; dt: einzelne kleine
kɩrɛt(ɩ) perfective. Kalebasse.
kɩrɛtr(ɩ) imperfective. a kifeŋʌ diminutive sg. small calabash; fr: petite
a kɩrɛtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. calebasse; dt: kleine Kalebasse. [Note: This is
kɩrɛtɛ past. → kɩrɛt-. one of the rare cases of word with two class
kɩrɛt(ɩ) perfective. → kɩrɛt-. suffixes.]
kɩrɛtraa future. → kɩrɛt-. a kifeni diminutive pl.
kɩrɛtr(ɩ) imperfective. → kɩrɛt-. kibsi noun. Ramadan; fr: Ramadan; dt: Ramadan.
kɩrfɛ sg. → kɩr-. a kibəsi sg.
kɩrɩ noun. mascara; fr: mascara; dt: kife singulative. → ki.
Wimperntusche. kifeŋʌ diminutive sg. → ki.
a kɩrɩ sg. kii noun. madness; fr: folie; dt: Verrücktheit.
kɩr(ɩ) perfective. → kɩr-. a kii sg.
kɩrkɔg- noun. old woman no longer able to do any a kiiso sg. mad person; fr: fou; dt: verrückt.
household work (derogatory); fr: vieille qui ne [Note: possibly < a kii sa ‘owner of madness’]
peut plus travailler dans la cour (mot a kiisomʌ pl.
ridiculisant); dt: alte Frau, die im Haushalt a kiisofi pl.
nicht mehr arbeiten kann (abschätzig). kiiso sg. → kii.
a kɩrkɔka N+N compound noun sg. kiisomʌ pl. → kii.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 101

kill- kɔgsɔ-
kill- noun. cry of the women; fr: cri des femmes; dt: kɔ (=/kɔ/) adverb.
Schrei der Frauen. kɔ past. (=/kʋ-ɛ/) → kʋ-.
a killəŋʌ sg. -kɔ (=/kɔ/) strong pronoun. strong pronoun; fr:
a killəni pl. [Note: This cry is produced by waving pronom fort; dt: starkes Pronomen. [Note: This
the tongue tip laterally (loosely but rapidly) morpheme occurs only in conjunction with a
while producing a fairly high-pitched [ʋ] vowel. personal pronoun prefix.]
At the same time the index finger of the right kɔ (=/kɔ/) strong pronoun.
hand is held pointing upwards about 1 cm in kɔbəga numeral. (a) hundred (100); 500 francs
front of the lips. This [ʋ] is followed by an [ɩ] CFA; (a) hundred (100); 500 francs CFA; fr:
without tongue-tip movement. This [ʋ]-[ɩ] centaine, cent (100); 500 francs CFA, centaine,
sequence is repeated 2 or 3 times, and is cent (100); 500 francs CFA; dt: Hundert,
followed by gʋ hana ‘it is good’.] hundert (100); 500 Francs CFA, Hundert,
killəŋʌ sg. → kill-. hundert (100); 500 Francs CFA.
kiŋkir- noun. spirit of the bush, twin; fr: génie de la kɔbəga attributive cardinal numeral sg.
brousse, esprit de la brousse, jumeau / jumelle; — disjunctive cardinal numeral sg.
dt: Buschgeist, Zwilling. [Note: (=Mòoré). For kɔsəma attributive cardinal numeral pl.
the true Koromfe word, see a kereŋkʌŋʌ. A — disjunctive cardinal numeral pl.
spirit of the bush is a leprechaun-like figure fʋba kɔbəga NP+N compound noun sg. a
who appears in folk tales and can be dangerous hundred people; fr: cent gens, cent
to humans (though rarely actually harms them personnes; dt: hundert Menschen
and often helps). It is commonly held that dãɩ̃ kɔbəga NP+N compound noun sg. a
every spirit of the bush is a twin, and hundred houses; fr: cent maisons; dt:
conversely that every twin is a spirit of the hundert Häuser [Note: There is no ordinal
bush. This word looks phonologically like a numeral derived from this cardinal numeral.
compound, but its parts have no independent Instead, the corresponding ordinal numeral
meaning.] from bɛrʋ or zãŋfɔ is used.] [Note: No
a kiŋkirgʌ sg. article a is used before this word, except
a kiŋkirsi dt: Buschgeist; Zwilling. (optionally) when it is used non-
kiŋkirgʌ sg. → kiŋkir-. attributively (disjunctively).]
kipel- noun. bat, vampire; fr: chauve-souris, kɔd- noun. back of the neck; fr: nuque; dt: Nacken.
vampire; dt: Fledermaus, Vampir. [Note: a kɔtɛ sg.
Possibly ki < ‘calabash’, pelgʌ < Mòoré pɛɛləga a kɔra pl.
‘small, new-born’.] kɔfɛ noun. antelope; fr: antilope; dt: Antilope.
a kipelgʌ sg. [Note: The plural form is uncertain; there are
a kipelni pl. no antelopes near where the Koromba live.]
kipelgʌ sg. → kipel-. a kɔfɛ sg.
kireŋkʌŋ- noun. spirit of the bush; twin; fr: génie a kɔɩ pl.
de la brousse, esprit de la brousse; jumeau / kɔ-gɩllɛ adverb. → gɩllɛ.
jumelle; dt: Buschgeist; Zwilling. [Note: For kɔgs- verb. pour; fr: vider; dt: gießen, einschenken.
details, see the entry a kiŋkirgʌ.] kɔgsraa future.
a kireŋkʌŋʌ sg. [Note: This word is much too kɔgsɛ past.
long to be monomorphemic, but it has no kɔgs(ʋ) perfective.
recognisable parts, except perhaps that kʌŋ kɔgsr(ʋ) imperfective.
may come from a kaŋ ‘wild animal’. The second a kɔgsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
velar nasal in this word is a phonological kɔgs a hem mə subre ni imperative sentence
(though not phonetic) geminate, i.e. Pour some water into my pot!; fr: Vide de
kireŋkʌŋ-ŋʌ.] l’eau dans mon canari!; dt: Gieß Wasser in
a kireŋkʌŋəni pl. meinen Topf!
kireŋkʌŋʌ sg. → kireŋkʌŋ-. kɔgsɛ past. → kɔgs-.
kiu pl. → ki. kɔgsɔ- noun. lighter (including the traditional one
kɔ (=/kɔ/) adverb? as for X, as far as X is using flint and metal); fr: briquet (y inclus le
concerned; fr: en ce qui concerne X; dt: was X briquet traditionnel avec une pierre à feu et un
betrifft. [Note: The NP “X” precedes the fer); dt: Feuerzeug (einschl. des traditionellen
adverb kɔ] Feuerzeugs mit Feuerstein und Metall).
kɔ (=/kɔ/) adverb. a kɔgəsɔŋ sg.
məkɔ kɔ ba bɛlla sentence As far as I’m a kɔgəsɔɩ pl.
concerned, I won’t come.; fr: Moi en tout a sɔmdɛ kɔgəsɔŋ NP+N compound noun sg.
cas, je ne viendrai pas.; dt: Ich jedenfalls (modern) lighter; fr: briquet (moderne); dt:
werde nicht kommen. (modernes) Feuerzeug [Note: This
kɔ (=/kɔ/) adverb. then, next, afterwards; fr: compound is used only for disambiguation.]
puis, ensuite, après; dt: dann, nachher. a sɔmdɛ kɔgəsɔɩ NP+N compound noun pl.

102 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

kɔgəsɔŋ kɔt-
kɔgəsɔŋ sg. → kɔgsɔ-. [Note: The word ɩkɔl is actually ɩ kɔl ‘how
kɔgsraa future. → kɔgs-. many of them’. The initial I is the 3rd
kɔgsr(ʋ) imperfective. → kɔgs-. person plural non-human pronoun, as also
kɔgs(ʋ) perfective. → kɔgs-. used in the cardinal numerals from 2 to 9.
kɔk- verb. peel, extract, shell (e.g. peanuts); fr: This variant of the word cannot be used to
arracher, décortiquer (p. ex. des arachides); qualify an NP; instead the attributive form
dt: herausholen, schälen (z.B. Erdnüsse). kɔl must be used.]
[Note: Synonymous with a kɔtam.] kɔna pl. → kɔndɩ.
kɔkraa future. kɔndɩ noun. guitar; fr: guitare; dt: Gitarre. [Note: =
kɔkɛ past. Mòoré]
kɔk(ʋ) perfective. a kɔndɩ sg.
kɔkr(ʋ) imperfective. a kɔna pl.
a kɔkam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a kɔnaʋ pl.
kɔkɛ past. → kɔk-. kɔŋ- noun. kind of tree; fr: espèce d’arbre; dt: Art
kɔkɔɔdʋ noun. saliva, spit; fr: salive, crachat; dt: Baum. [Note: = Mòoré]
Speichel, Spucke. [Note: A very un-Koromfe- a kɔŋa sg.
like word, but not Mòoré or Fulfulde.] a kɔŋsʋʋ pl.
a kɔkɔɔdʋ sg. kɔŋa sg. → kɔŋ-.
kɔkɔrɔ noun. shuttle (of a weaver’s loom); fr: kɔɔb- noun. kind of bird (very small); fr: espèce
navette (du tisserand); dt: Schiff (eines d’oiseau très petit; dt: Art Vogel (sehr klein).
Webstuhls). a kɔɔbrɩ sg.
a kɔkɔrɔ sg. a kɔɔbaʋ pl.
a kɔkɔrɔ bi NP+N compound noun sg. kɔɔbrɩ sg. → kɔɔb-.
a kɔkɔrɔ bu NP+N compound noun pl. bobbin kɔɔm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/kʋ-am/) →
(inside a weaver’s shuttle); fr: bobine (dans kʋ-.
la navette d’un tisserand); dt: Spule (im kɔɔsa noun. butcher; fr: boucher; dt: Fleischhauer.
Schiff eines Webers) [Note: Cf. also a [Note: = Mòoré. See Koromfe a nɛ̃mmɔ̃ kʋrɔ.]
jagsam ‘spool’.] a kɔɔsa sg.
kɔkraa future. → kɔk-. a kɔɔsafɩ pl.
kɔkr(ʋ) imperfective. → kɔk-. a kɔɔsama pl.
kɔk(ʋ) perfective. → kɔk-. kɔɔsafɩ pl. → kɔɔsa.
kɔl interrogative numeral. how much, how many; kɔrkɔya noun. fibre used to fix rooves; fr: fibre
fr: combien (de); dt: wieviel, wieviele. pour fixer le toit; dt: Fasern, mit denen Dächer
kɔl attributive interrogative numeral. zusammengehalten werden. [Note: = Mòoré]
bɛ̃nna kɔl la wose interrogative sentence How a kɔrkɔya sg.
many men are here?; fr: Combien d’hommes a kɔrkɔyaʋ pl.
sont présents?; dt: Wieviele Männer sind a kɔrkɔyafɩ pl.
da? kɔrkɔyaʋ pl. → kɔrkɔya.
varam kɔl la də dagsɛ interrogative sentence kɔrɔt- verb. separate, divide; fr: séparer, diviser; dt:
How much flour did she put (in it)?; fr: trennen.
Combien de farine a-t-elle ajouté?; dt: kɔrɔtraa future.
Wieviel Mehl hat sie hineingegeben? [Note: kɔrɔtɛ past.
For the disjunctive form, see ɩkɔl below. As kɔrɔt(ʋ) perfective.
with cardinal numerals, this pronoun does kɔrɔtr(ʋ) imperfective.
not take the article a.] a kɔrɔtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
ɩkɔl (=/ɩ-kɔl/) disjunctive interrogative numeral. ʋ kʋrɔtə dombo sentence We split up (and went
ɩkɔl ɩkɔl interrogative sentence how much for separate ways).; fr: Nous nous sommes
how many; fr: combien pour combien; dt: séparés (et avons pris des chemins
wieviel für wieviele [Note: Possibly elliptical différents).; dt: Wir trennten uns (und
for ɩkɔl la ɩkɔl. This reduplicated version of gingen verschiedene Wege).
ɩkɔl asks for the price and the number of kɔrɔtɛ past. → kɔrɔt-.
articles that the price includes. Often goods kɔrɔtraa future. → kɔrɔt-.
have standard-sized units (e.g. a pile of kɔrɔtr(ʋ) imperfective. → kɔrɔt-.
peanuts, oranges, etc.) in which they are kɔrɔt(ʋ) perfective. → kɔrɔt-.
laid out at stalls.] kɔt- verb. peel, extract, shell (e.g. peanuts); fr:
ɩkɔl la interrogative sentence How much does it arracher, décortiquer (p. ex. des arachides);
cost?; fr: Ça coûte combien?; dt: Wieviel dt: herausholen, schälen (z.B. Erdnüsse).
kostet das? [Note: Synonymous with a kɔkam.]
ɩkɔl ɩkɔl la interrogative sentence How much do kɔtraa future.
how many cost?; fr: Ça coûte combien pour kɔtɛ past.
combien?; dt: Wieviel kosten wieviele? kɔt(ʋ) perfective.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 103

kɔtɛ kɔ̃ŋ-
kɔtr(ʋ) imperfective. kɔ̃ɛ̃fɛ sg. → kɔ̃ɛ̃-.
a kɔtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. kɔ̃ɩ̃- noun. squirrel; fr: écureuil; dt: Eichhörnchen.
kɔtɛ sg. → kɔd-. a kɔ̃ɩ̃nɛ sg.
kɔtɛ past. → kɔt-. a kɔ̃ỹã pl.
kɔtraa future. → kɔt-. kɔ̃ɩ̃nɛ sg. → kɔ̃ɩ̃-.
kɔtr(ʋ) imperfective. → kɔt-. kɔ̃m conj. (=/kɔ̃/) → kɔ̃.
kɔtʋ noun. substance made of bones used for kɔ̃m non-spec. rel.pron. (=/kɔ̃/) → kɔ̃.
spinning thread; fr: produit d’os pour filer; dt: kɔ̃m perfective. → kɔ̃m-.
Produkt aus Knochen, das beim Spinnen von kɔ̃m- verb. vaccinate; fr: vacciner; dt: impfen.
Schnur verwendet wird. kɔ̃mmaa future.
a kɔtʋ sg. kɔ̃mɛ past.
a kɔtəfɩ sg. kɔ̃m perfective.
kɔt(ʋ) perfective. → kɔt-. kɔ̃mm(ɔ̃) imperfective.
kɔʋ noun. traditional razor; fr: rasoir traditionnel; a kɔ̃mam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
dt: traditionelles Rasiermesser. kɔ̃mɛ past. → kɔ̃m-.
a kɔʋ sg. kɔ̃mmaa future. → kɔ̃m-.
a kɔɔfɩ pl. kɔ̃mm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → kɔ̃m-.
kɔ̃ (=/kɔ̃/) conjunction. when, since (causal); fr: kɔ̃n conj. (=/kɔ̃/) → kɔ̃.
quand, lorsque, puisque; dt: wenn (zeitlich), kɔ̃n non-specific rel.pron. (=/kɔ̃/) → kɔ̃.
da. kɔ̃n perfective. → kɔ̃n-.
kɔ̃ (=/kɔ̃/) conj. kɔ̃n- verb. pick up, pile up; fr: ramasser, mettre en
kɔ̃m (=/kɔ̃/) conj. [Note: before labial tas; dt: aufheben, aufhäufen.
consonants] kɔ̃taa future.
kɔ̃n (=/kɔ̃/) conj. [Note: before alveolar kɔ̃nɛ past.
consonants] kɔ̃n perfective.
kɔ̃ŋ (=/kɔ̃/) conj. [Note: before velar consonants] kɔ̃n(ɔ̃) perfective.
kɔ̃nɔ̃ (=/kɔ̃/) conj. [Note: before syllabic nasals, kɔ̃t(ʋ) imperfective.
vowels or h] a kɔ̃nam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
kɔ̃ (=/kɔ̃/) relative pronoun. who, whom, that, kɔ̃naa future. → kɔ̃-.
which; fr: qui, que, lequel, laquelle, ce qui / ce kɔ̃nd- verb. find; fr: trouver; dt: finden.
que; dt: der/die/das, welch(-er,-e,-es), was. kɔ̃ndraa future.
kɔ̃ (=/kɔ̃/) non-spec. rel.pron. kɔ̃ndɛ past.
kɔ̃m (=/kɔ̃/) non-spec. rel.pron. [Note: before kɔ̃nd(ʋ) perfective.
labial consonants] kɔ̃ndr(ʋ) imperfective.
kɔ̃n (=/kɔ̃/) non-specific rel.pron. [Note: before a kɔ̃ndam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
alveolar consonants] a kɔ̃ndɔʋ deverbal nomen acti pl. tradition,
kɔ̃ŋ (=/kɔ̃/) non-specific rel.pron. [Note: before custom; fr: tradition, coutume; dt: Tradition,
velar consonants] Brauch, Brauchtum.
kɔ̃nɔ̃ (=/kɔ̃/) non-specific rel.pron. [Note: before kɔ̃ndam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → kɔ̃nd-.
syllabic nasals, vowels or h] kɔ̃ndɛ past. → kɔ̃nd-.
kɔ̃ perfective. → kɔ̃-. kɔ̃ndraa future. → kɔ̃nd-.
kɔ̃- verb. escape; recover; fr: s’échapper; guérir; kɔ̃ndr(ʋ) imperfective. → kɔ̃nd-.
dt: entkommen; sich erholen. kɔ̃nd(ʋ) perfective. → kɔ̃nd-.
kɔ̃naa future. kɔ̃nɛ past. → kɔ̃n-.
kɔ̃ɛ̃ past. kɔ̃nma noun. kind of long shirt (down to the thighs,
kɔ̃ perfective. without sleeves, for women); fr: espèce de
kɔ̃n(ɔ̃) imperfective. chemise longue (arrivant aux cuisses, sans
a kɔ̃ɔ̃m deverbal action noun sg./mass. manches, pour les femmes); dt: Art langes
də kɔ̃ (a) hem sentence He has recovered from Hemd (bis zu den Oberschenkeln, ohne Ärmel,
malaria.; fr: Il s’est guéri du paludisme.; dt: für Frauen).
Er hat sich von der Malaria erholt. a kɔ̃nəma sg.
kɔ̃b- noun. a kɔ̃nəmafɩ pl.
kɔ̃brɛ sg. kɔ̃nəma sg. → kɔ̃nma.
kɔ̃ba pl. See: a kʋbrɛ ‘bone’. [Note: = Mòoré] kɔ̃n(ɔ̃) imperfective. → kɔ̃-.
kɔ̃brɛ sg. → kɔ̃b-. kɔ̃n(ɔ̃) perfective. → kɔ̃n-.
kɔ̃brɛ sg. → kʋb-. kɔ̃ŋ conj. (=/kɔ̃/) → kɔ̃.
kɔ̃ɛ̃ past. → kɔ̃-. kɔ̃ŋ non-specific rel.pron. (=/kɔ̃/) → kɔ̃.
kɔ̃ɛ̃- noun. hair, feather; fr: cheveu, poil, plume; dt: kɔ̃ŋ perfective. → kɔ̃ŋ-.
Haar, Feder. kɔ̃ŋ- verb. age; fr: vieillir; dt: altern.
a kɔ̃ɛ̃fɛ sg. kɔ̃ŋənaa future.
a kɔ̃ɛ̃ pl. kɔ̃ŋɛ past.

104 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

kɔ̃ŋɛ kobt-
kɔ̃ŋ perfective. kɔ̃srɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → kɔ̃s-.
kɔ̃ŋən(ɔ̃) imperfective. kɔ̃sr(ʋ) imperfective. → kɔ̃s-.
a kɔ̃ŋam deverbal action noun sg./mass. kɔ̃sʋ sg. → kɔ̃s-.
kɔ̃ŋɛ past. → kɔ̃ŋ-. kɔ̃s(ʋ) perfective. → kɔ̃s-.
kɔ̃ŋənaa future. → kɔ̃ŋ-. kɔ̃taa future. → kɔ̃n-.
kɔ̃ŋən(ɔ̃) imperfective. → kɔ̃ŋ-. kɔ̃t(ʋ) imperfective. → kɔ̃n-.
kɔ̃ɔ̃ noun. smell, odour; fr: odeur; dt: Geruch. ko past. → ko-.
a kɔ̃ɔ̃ sg. ko perfective. → ko-.
a kɔ̃ɔ̃fɩ pl. ko- noun. millet stalk; fr: tige de mil; dt:
a kɔ̃ɔ̃ sa NP+N compound noun sg. onion, garlic Hirsestängel.
(lit.: owner of smell); fr: oignon, ail (lit.: kogo sg.
possesseur d’odeur); dt: Zwiebel, Knoblauch kofi pl.
(wörtl.: Geruchsbesitzer) a kofre singulative/diminutive. single small
a kɔ̃ɔ̃ sammã NP+N compound noun pl. millet stalk; fr: seul petit tige de mil; dt:
kɔ̃ɔ̃- noun. kind of tree, African Palmyra palm, einzelner kleiner Hirsestängel.
Borassus; fr: espèce d’arbre, rônier; dt: Art ko- verb. gather leaves of beans or sorrel; fr:
Baum, Borassuspalme. cueillir les feuilles de haricot ou d’oseille; dt:
a kɔ̃ɔ̃ŋa sg. [Note: = Mòoré] Bohnen- oder Sauerampferblätter sammeln.
a kɔ̃ɔ̃ỹã pl. [Note: This activity involves pinching the
kɔ̃ɔ̃- noun. old; fr: vieux; dt: alt. [Note: Can be used leaves to remove them without further
for human, non-human and inanimate damaging the branch. Synonymous with a
referents alike.] kokʌm.]
a kɔ̃ɔ̃nɛ sg. korʌʌ future.
a kɔ̃ɔ̃ỹã pl. ko past.
kɔ̃ɔ̃d- noun. yellow; fr: jaune; dt: gelb. [Note: = ko perfective.
Mòoré] kor(u) imperfective.
kɔ̃ɔ̃drɩ sg. a koom deverbal action noun sg./mass.
kɔ̃ɔ̃da pl. kobt- verb. shave (forehead or neck); direct;
kɔ̃ɔ̃drɩ sg. → kɔ̃ɔ̃d-. protect; fr: raser (front ou nuque) ; diriger ;
kɔ̃ɔ̃nɛ sg. → kɔ̃ɔ̃-. protéger; dt: rasieren (Stirn oder Nacken);
kɔ̃ɔ̃ŋa sg. → kɔ̃ɔ̃-. lenken; schützen. [Note: This verb is used for
kɔ̃s- noun. iron, piece of iron; metal (of any kind); shaving around the edges of a piece of hair
fr: fer; métal (de toute sorte); dt: Eisen, Stück that remains in place (e.g. on top of the head).
eisen; Metall (jeder Art). [Note: This word’s For shaving the entire head, a pɔ̃nam is used.]
primary meaning seems to be ‘metal’ rather kobtrʌʌ future.
than ‘iron’, and ‘iron’ is just the default case.] kobte past.
a kɔ̃sʋ sg. kobt(u) perfective.
a kɔ̃sfɩ pl. kobtr(u) imperfective.
a kʋrəgʋ kɔ̃sʋ V+N compound noun sg. silver; fr: a kobtʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
argent; dt: Silber. a kobtro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
a kʋrəgʋ kɔ̃səfɩ V+N compound noun pl. shaves; s.o. who protects, protector; fr: q.un
a kɔ̃sə sɔ̃mdɛ N+N compound noun sg. copper; qui rase; q.un qui protège, protecteur; dt: jmd.
fr: cuivre; dt: Kupfer. der rasiert; jmd. der schützt, Schützer.
a kɔ̃sə sɔ̃mɩ̃ã N+N compound noun pl. a kobtrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
kɔ̃s- verb. scrape (to clean); build; fr: gratter (pour a kobtrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object
nettoyer) ; construire; dt: kratzen (zum for shaving, razor; object for protecting (e.g.
Reinigen); bauen. garment or hat for protection against the sun);
kɔ̃sraa future. fr: objet pour raser, rasoir; objet pour se
kɔ̃sɛ past. protéger (p. ex. un habit ou un chapeau pour se
kɔ̃s(ʋ) perfective. protéger contre le soleil); dt: Gegenstand zum
kɔ̃sr(ʋ) imperfective. rasieren, Rasierer; Gegenstand um sich zu
a kɔ̃sam deverbal action noun sg./mass. schützen (z.B. ein Gewand oder ein Hut gegen
a kɔ̃srɔ deverbal agent noun sg. founder, die Sonne).
creator; fr: fondateur, créateur; dt: Gründer, a kobtrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
Schöpfer. a kobtrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
a kɔ̃srəba deverbal agent noun pl. [Note: 254] sg.
kɔ̃sə sɔ̃mdɛ N+N compound noun sg. → kɔ̃s-. a kobtrəsi deverbal instrument noun diminutive
kɔ̃sam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → kɔ̃s-. pl.
kɔ̃sɛ past. → kɔ̃s-. a kobtrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for
kɔ̃sfɩ pl. → kɔ̃s-. shaving; place for protection; fr: endroit pour
kɔ̃sraa future. → kɔ̃s-. se raser; endroit pour se protéger; dt: Platz

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 105

kobtʌm kombot-
zum Rasieren; Platz, wo man sich schützen koke past.
kann. kok(u) perfective.
a kobtəmʌ̃ũ deverbal nomen acti pl. hair that kokr(u) imperfective.
was shaved off; fr: cheveux qui étaient rasés; a kokʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
dt: abrasierte Haare. koke past. → kok-.
mə kobtrʌʌ a naɩ sentence I am guiding the kokrʌʌ future. → kok-.
herd.; fr: Je guide le troupeau.; dt: Ich führe kokr(u) imperfective. → kok-.
die Herde. kok(u) perfective. → kok-.
kobtʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → kobt-. kom perfective. → kom-.
kobte past. → kobt-. kom- noun. kind of tree (with edible fruit); (pl.)
kobtrʌʌ future. → kobt-. fruits of this tree; fr: espèce d’arbre (à fruits
kobtrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → kobt-. comestibles); (pl.) fruits de cet arbre; dt: Art
kobtrəfʌ deverbal local noun. → kobt-. Baum (mit essbaren Früchten); (pl.) Früchte
kobtrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. dieses Baumes.
→ kobt-. a komgu sg.
kobtrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → kobt-. a komi pl.
kobtrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → kobt-. a komgʌ diminutive sg. small tree of this kind;
kobtro deverbal agent noun sg. → kobt-. fr: petit arbre de cet espèce; dt: kleiner Baum
kobtrəsi deverbal instrument noun diminutive pl. → dieser Art. [Note: [g], not [ɣ]]
kobt-. kom- verb. cry; blow one’s horn; fr: pleurer;
kobtr(u) imperfective. → kobt-. klaxonner; dt: weinen; hupen.
kobt(u) perfective. → kobt-. kommʌʌ future.
kod- noun. temples, area around the eye; fr: kome past.
tempes, zone autour d’un oeil; dt: Schläfen, kom perfective.
Gebiet rund um ein Auge. [Note: Normally only komm(õ) imperfective.
used in the compound a jɩbrɛ kote.] a komʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a kote sg. a komsi deverbal action noun pl. crying; fr:
a korʌ pl. pleurs; dt: Weinen.
a yɩbrɛ kote NP+N compound noun sg. temples, komʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → kom-.
area around the eye; fr: tempes, zone komb- noun. crowd (of people); dry piece of
autour d’un oeil; dt: Schläfen, Gebiet rund porridge; fr: foule (de gens); morceau sec de
um ein Auge tô; dt: (Menschen)menge; ausgetrocknetes
a yɩba korʌ NP+N compound noun pl. Stück Hirsebrei. [Note: (Crowd:) Meaning
kofi pl. → ko-. similar to that of a mɛndɛ. (Porridge:) This is
kogo sg. → ko-. the porridge that originally stuck to the bottom
koi noun. shame; fr: honte; dt: Scham. of the pot. It is loosened with water, and can
a koi sg. subsequently be pounded to make couscous.]
koi- noun. bracelet; fr: bracelet; dt: Armband. a kombre sg.
a koire sg. a kombo pl.
a koyʌ pl. a fãɩ̃ kombre NP+N compound noun sg. dry
a koyo pl. piece of porridge; fr: morceau sec de tô; dt:
a wɔ̃n bi koire NP+N compound noun sg. ring ausgetrocknetes Stück Hirsebrei
(for the finger); fr: bague (pour le doigt); dt: a fãɩ̃ kombo NP+N compound noun pl.
Ring (für den Finger) kombot- verb. help; fr: aide, secours; dt: Hilfe.
a wɔ̃n bu koyo NP+N compound noun pl. [Note: These derived nouns seem to come from
a kʋrəgʋ koire Participle+N compound noun sg. the above verb stem, which is probably the
large silver bracelet; fr: grand bracelet en reversive of a komʌm ‘to cry’. This word is
argent; dt: großes Silberarmband [Note: hardly used except in the expression a komboto
The participle (=perfective) form of a horo (see below).]
kʋrgam is here used nominally in the sense a kombotre sg. help; fr: aide; dt: Hilfe. [Note:
‘hard stuff’, i.e. silver.] Rare]
a kʋrəgʋ koyʌ Participle+N compound noun pl. a kombotʌ pl.
koire sg. → koi-. a komboto pl. [Note: This is the most common
kok- verb. gather leaves of beans or sorrel; fr: form.]
cueillir les feuilles de haricot ou d’oseille; dt: a kombotro helper; fr: assistant, aide,
Bohnen- oder Sauerampferblätter sammeln. sauveteur; dt: Helfer. deverbal agent noun sg.
[Note: This activity involves pinching the a kombotrəbʌ deverbal agent noun sg.
leaves to remove them without further a komboto horo NP+N compound noun sg.
damaging the branch. Synonymous with a helper; fr: assistant, aide, sauveteur; dt:
kokʌm.] Helfer
kokrʌʌ future. a komboto horəbʌ NP+N compound noun sg.

106 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

kombotʌ kord-
kombotʌ pl. → kombot-. absence of the article a before the NP.
komboto pl. → kombot-. When used pronouns they stand alone in
kombotre sg. → kombot-. the position of an NP. Cf. the full set of
kombotro deverbal agent noun sg. → kombot-. demonstratives: hoŋ, koŋ, bɛŋ, hɛ̃ŋ, kɛ̃ŋ.]
kombre sg. → komb-. koŋgo (=/koŋ-gṾ/) strong demonstrative
kome past. → kom-. adjective / pronoun non-human sg.
komgu sg. → kom-. a dãŋ koŋgo NP+demonstr. noun phrase sg. the
komi pl. → kom-. / this / that house; fr: la / cette maison; dt:
kommʌʌ future. → kom-. das / dieses / jenes Haus
komm(õ) imperfective. → kom-. dãŋ dɔ̃m koŋgo NP+demonstr. noun phrase sg.
koms- verb. make (s.o.) cry; fr: faire pleurer; dt: the / this / that one house; fr: la / cette
weinen lassen. seule maison; dt: das / dieses / jenes Haus
komsrʌʌ future. allein [Note: * a dãŋ dɔ̃m koŋgo is
komse past. impossible because a numeral precludes the
koms(u) perfective. article a.]
komsr(u) imperfective. koŋgo ba zɔmma mɛ sentence That one doesn’t
a komsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. like me. (= that sheep); fr: Celui-la ne
komse past. → koms-. m’aime pas. (= ce mouton); dt: Das dort mag
komsrʌʌ future. → koms-. mich nicht. (= jenes Schaf) [Note: The
komsr(u) imperfective. → koms-. strong demonstratives are said to be more
koms(u) perfective. → koms-. emphatic than the corresponding normal
kon perfective. → kon-. demonstrative, but in practice can be found
kon- noun. door; fr: porte; dt: Tür. everywhere where the latter occur. All
a konne sg. strong demonstratives are formed by adding
a konʌu pl. -gṾ to the normal demonstrative, where Ṿ is
a konʌ pl. a (non-nasal) copy of the (one and only,
kon- verb. put, place; fr: poser, placer; dt: stellen, mid) vowel of the normal demonstrative.]
legen, setzen. koŋfe noun. Konfe (family name); fr: Konfe (nom de
konnʌʌ future. famille); dt: Konfe (Familienname). [Note: This
kone past. the name of the family from which the chief of
kon perfective. Lorom is chosen. It is might be related to the
konn(ũ) imperfective. names Kofi and Koné found extensively in West
a konʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. Africa.]
konʌu pl. → kon-. a koŋfe sg.
kone past. → kon-. a koŋfemʌ pl.
konnʌʌ future. → kon-. koŋg- noun. kind of bush; fr: espèce d’arbuste; dt:
konne sg. → kon-. Art Strauch.
konn(ũ) imperfective. → kon-. a koŋgre sg.
koŋ (=/koŋ/) demonstrative; demonstrative a koŋgʌ pl.
pronoun. this, that, the; this / that one; fr: ce, a koŋgo pl.
cet, cette, le, la; celui-ci/là, celle-ci/là; dt: koŋgʌ pl. → koŋg-.
dies(-er,-e,-es), jen(-er,-e,-es), der, die, das. koŋgre sg. → koŋg-.
koŋ (=/koŋ/) demonstrative adjective non-human koon- noun. chameleon; fr: caméléon; dt:
sg. Chamäleon.
a dãŋ koŋ NP+demonstr. noun phrase sg. the / a koonde sg.
this / that house; fr: la / cette maison; dt: a koonʌ pl.
das / dieses / jenes Haus koonde sg. → koon-.
dãŋ dɔ̃m koŋ NP+demonstr. noun phrase sg. korʌʌ future. → ko-.
the / this / that one house; fr: la / cette kord- verb. surround, form a circle around; fr:
seule maison; dt: das / dieses / jenes Haus entourer, encercler, faire un cercle autour de;
allein [Note: * a dãŋ dɔ̃m koŋ is impossible dt: umzingeln / umgeben, einen Kreis bilden
because a numeral precludes the article a.] um.
koŋ ba zɔmma mɛ sentence That one doesn’t korodʌʌ future.
like me. (= that sheep); fr: Celui-là ne korde past.
m’aime pas. (= ce mouton); dt: Das dort mag koro perfective.
mich nicht. (= jenes Schaf) [Note: korod(u) imperfective.
Demonstrative adjectives are also used as a kordʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
definite articles. Their similarity to the a karãm bu koro ba karãsaamba sentence The
corresponding noun-class suffixes is pupils formed a circle around their teacher.;
unmistakable. They always follow the rest of fr: Les élèves ont fait un cercle autour de
the NP and do not affect the presence or

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 107

korde kʋrd-
leur enseignant.; dt: Die Schüler haben um a kʋba pl. [Note: Also, commonly, the very similar
ihren Lehrer einen Kreis gebildet. Mòoré word is used.]
a alləba korde ʋ kunne ʋ sɩbraa sentence If the a kɔ̃brɛ sg. [Note: (= Mòoré)]
enemies surround our village we will die.; fr: a kɔ̃ba pl. [Note: (= Mòoré)]
Si les ennemies encerclent notre village kʋb- noun. neck; fr: cou; dt: hals.
nous mourrons.; dt: Wenn die Feinde unser a kʋbɔ sg.
Dorf umzingeln, werden wir sterben. a kʋbəfɩ pl.
korde past. → kord-. kʋba pl. → kʋb-.
koro perfective. → kord-. kʋbɔ sg. → kʋb-.
korodʌʌ future. → kord-. kʋbrɛ sg. → kʋb-.
korod(u) imperfective. → kord-. kʋl- noun. body; fr: corps; dt: Körper.
korom- noun. Koromba; fr: Koromba; dt: Koromba. a kʋlɔ sg.
a koromdo sg. [Note: Unexpected and a kʋləfɩ pl.
unaccountable [d].] a kʋlə-yagaɩ N+N compound noun sg./mass.
a korombʌ pl. health (lit.: freshness of the body); fr: santé
a korombo pl. (lit.: fraîcheur du corps); dt: Gesundheit
a koromfe singulative. Koromfe (the language of (wörtl.: Frische des Körpers).
the Koromba); fr: koromfe (la langue des a kʋlə-hem N+N compound noun sg./mass.
Koromba); dt: Koromfe (die Sprache der liquid of the body; fr: liquide du corps; dt:
Koromba). Flüssigkeit des Körpers.
a korom-kunne N+N compound noun sg. the a kʋlə-homoi N+N compound noun sg. body
country of the Koromba; fr: le pays des heat; sickness; fr: chaleur du corps; maladie;
Koromba; dt: das Land der Koromba. dt: Körperwärme; Krankheit.
korombʌ pl. → korom-. kʋləfɩ pl. → kʋl-.
korombo pl. → korom-. kʋlə-hem N+N compound noun sg./mass. → kʋl-.
koromdo sg. → korom-. kʋlkɛbɛ noun. tool for cutting millet cobs; fr: outil
koromfe singulative. → korom-. pour couper les épis de mil; dt: Werkzeug um
kor(u) imperfective. → ko-. Hirsekolben abzuschneiden.
kote sg. → kod-. a kʋlkɛbɛ sg.
koto- noun. trough; chest; fr: abreuvoir; malle, a kʋlkɛbɛʋ pl.
caisse; dt: Trog; Kiste. a kʋlkɛbɛfɩ pl. [Note: This word may derive from
a kotoŋ sg. a kʋl(ɔ) kɛbɛ ‘the body trembled’, referring to
a kotoi pl. the trembling of the millet stalk once the cob
a hem kotoŋ NP+N compound noun sg. boat, has been cut off. If so, it is a very rare type of
ship; fr: bateau, navire; dt: Boot, Schiff derivation.]
a hem kotoi NP+N compound noun pl. [Note: kʋlkɛbɛʋ pl. → kʋlkɛbɛ.
The basic meaning of this word is: large, kʋlɔ sg. → kʋl-.
hollow wooden object.] kʋlə-yagaɩ N+N compound noun sg./mass. → kʋl-.
kotoŋ sg. → koto-. kʋlə-yagaɩ N+N compound noun sg./mass. →
koyʌ pl. → koi-. yag(l)-.
kʋ perfective. (=/kʋ/) → kʋ-. kʋmɩ̃ʌ̃ pl. → kʋməŋa.
kʋ- (=/kʋ/) verb. kill, extinguish (e.g. fire, light); kʋməŋa noun. short; fr: court; dt: kurz.
fr: tuer, éteindre (p. ex. feu, lumière); dt: a kʋməŋa sg.
töten, löschen (z.B. Feuer, Licht). a kʋmɩ̃ʌ̃ pl.
kʋraa (=/kʋ-d-aa/) future. a kʋmənɩ pl.
kɔ (=/kʋ-ɛ/) past. kʋr imperfective. (=/kʋ-d/) → kʋ-.
kʋ (=/kʋ/) perfective. kʋr- noun. handle (e.g. of an axe); fr: manche (p. ex.
kʋr / kʋrʋ (=/kʋ-d/) imperfective. de hache); dt: Griff (z.B. einer Axt).
a kɔɔm (=/kʋ-am/) deverbal action noun a kʋrgʋ sg.
sg./mass. a kʋrɩɩ pl.
a kʋrəgʋ (=/kʋ-d-gʋ/) deverbal instrument kʋr- verb. put a handle on an implement (e.g. an
noun sg. deadly; fr: ce qui tue; dt: tödlich. axe); fr: emmancher (p. ex. une hache); dt:
a kʋrəhɩ̃ / a kʋrəhɛ̃ (=/kʋ-d-hɩ̃/) deverbal einen Griff montieren (z.B. bei einer Axt).
instrument noun pl. kʋtaa future.
a kʋrɔ (=/kʋ-d-ɔ/) deverbal agent noun sg. killer, kʋrɛ past.
murderer; fr: tueur, assassin; dt: Killer, kʋr(ʋ) perfective.
Mörder. kʋt(ʋ) imperfective.
a kʋrəba (=/kʋ-d-ba/) deverbal agent noun pl. a kʋram deverbal action noun sg./mass.
[Note: 249] kʋraa future. (=/kʋ-d-aa/) → kʋ-.
kʋb- noun. bone; fr: os; dt: Knochen. kʋrd- verb. tie, make a knot; put a handle on an
a kʋbrɛ sg. implement (e.g. axe); fr: nouer, faire un nœud;

108 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

kʋrədam kuloms-
emmancher (p. ex. une hache); dt: binden, kʋrəgraa future. → kʋrg-.
(ver)knüpfen, einen Knopf machen; einen Griff kʋrəgr(ʋ) imperfective. → kʋrg-.
montieren (z.B. bei einer Axt). kʋrgʋ sg. → kʋr-.
kʋrɔdaa future. kʋrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/kʋ-d-gʋ/)
kʋrədɛ past. → kʋ-.
kʋrɔ perfective. kʋrəg(ʋ) perfective. → kʋrg-.
kʋrɔd(ʋ) imperfective. kʋrəgʋ kɔ̃səfɩ V+N compound noun pl. → kɔ̃s-.
a kʋrədam deverbal action noun sg./mass. kʋrəgʋ kɔ̃sʋ V+N compound noun sg. → kɔ̃s-.
a kʋrɔ participial adjective. knot; fr: nœud; dt: kʋrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/kʋ-d-hɩ̃/)
Knoten / Knopf. [Note: In its second meaning → kʋ-.
this verb is synonymous with a kʋram] kʋrəhɩ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/kʋ-d-hɩ̃/)
kʋrədam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → kʋrd-. → kʋ-.
kʋrədɛ past. → kʋrd-. kʋrkɛbɛ noun. knife (used for harvesting); fr:
kʋrɛ past. → kʋr-. couteau (utilisé pour la récolte); dt: Messer
kʋrɛŋgɛʋ noun. dry period (during the rainy (zum Ernten).
season), lack of rain; fr: période sèche kʋrkɛbɛ sg.
(pendant la saison des pluies), manque de kʋrkɛbɛfɩ pl.
pluie; dt: Trockenperiode (während der kʋrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/kʋ-d-ɔ/) → kʋ-.
Regenzeit), Regenmangel. kʋrɔ perfective. → kʋrd-.
a kʋrɛŋgɛʋ sg. kʋrɔdaa future. → kʋrd-.
a kʋrɛŋgɛʋfɩ [Note: Clearly related to a kʋrgam kʋrɔd(ʋ) imperfective. → kʋrd-.
‘to dry’, but not by any productive kʋrʋ imperfective. (=/kʋ-d/) → kʋ-.
morphological process. The same final kʋr(ʋ) perfective. → kʋr-.
sequence occurs in a mɛ̃nɛŋgɛʋ ‘dew’.] kʋsa noun. boyfriend, lover, fiancé; fr: petit-ami,
kʋrg- verb. dry (out); fr: (dé)sécher; dt: amant, fiancé; dt: Freund, Liebhaber,
(aus)trocknen. Verlobter. [Note: Can only be used for men, not
kʋrəgraa future. for women. The female equivalent is a bikeŋa
kʋrəgɛ past. ‘girl’]
kʋrəg(ʋ) perfective. a kʋsa sg.
kʋrəgɩ perfective. [Note: This form contradicts a kʋsama pl.
vowel harmony.] a kʋsafɩ pl.
kʋrəgr(ʋ) imperfective. mə kʋsa la dɩ sentence He is my boyfriend.
a kʋrəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (not: *She is my girlfriend); fr: Il est mon
a pɛrgʋ koŋ kʋrəgʋ sentence The shirt is dry. petit-ami. (non: *Elle est ma petite-amie);
(lit.: The shirt has dried.); fr: La chemise est dt: Er ist mein Freund (nicht: *Sie ist meine
sèche. (lit.: La chemise est séchée.); dt: Das Freundin)
Hemd ist trocken. (wörtl.: Das Hemd hat a kʋsaɩ denominal abstract quality noun sg. love
getrocknet.) affair; fr: affaire d’amour; dt: Liebschaft.
a pɛrgʋ koŋ kʋrəgɩ sentence The shirt is dry. kʋsafɩ pl. → kʋsa.
(lit.: The shirt has dried.); fr: La chemise est kʋsama pl. → kʋsa.
sèche. (lit.: La chemise est séchée.); dt: Das kʋt- noun. knot; fr: nœud; dt: Knoten, Knopf. [Note:
Hemd ist trocken. (wörtl.: Das Hemd hat Clearly related to, but not regularly derived
getrocknet.) from, a kʋram ‘tie a knot’.]
a pɛrgʋ koŋ a kʋrəgʋ la sentence The shirt is a kʋtrɛ sg.
dry. (lit.: The shirt is a dry (thing).); fr: La a kʋra pl.
chemise est sèche. (lit.: La chemise est (une kʋtaa future. → kʋr-.
chose) sèche.); dt: Das Hemd ist trocken. kʋtənlɛɛd- noun. type of slingshot; fr: lance-pierre
(wörtl.: Das Hemd ist ein trockenes (Ding).) traditionnel; dt: traditionelle Schleuder. [Note:
a pɛrgʋ koŋ a kʋrəgɩ la sentence The shirt is This word is a corruption (b > d) of Mòoré
dry. (lit.: The shirt is a dry (thing).); fr: La kʋtənlɛɛbga.]
chemise est sèche. (lit.: La chemise est (une kʋtənlɛɛdga sg.
chose) sèche.); dt: Das Hemd ist trocken. kʋtənlɛɛdsɩ pl.
(wörtl.: Das Hemd ist ein trockenes (Ding).) kʋtənlɛɛdga sg. → kʋtənlɛɛd-.
kʋrəgɛ past. → kʋrg-. kʋtrɛ sg. → kʋt-.
kʋrgɩ noun. dry, hard; silver, piece of silver; fr: sec, kʋt(ʋ) imperfective. → kʋr-.
dur; argent (=le métal), morceau d’argent; dt: ku- noun. tortoise; fr: tortue; dt: Schildkröte.
trocken, hart; Silber, Stück Silber. [Note: = Mòoré]
a kʋrəgɩ sg. a kuri sg.
a kʋrəgəfɩ pl. a kuyʌu pl.
kʋrəgɩ perfective. → kʋrg-. kuloms- verb. pass under; fr: passer en dessous
kʋrəgɩ sg. → kʋrgɩ. (de); dt: unter (...) durchgehen. [Note: This

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 109

kulomse kũũsri
typically involves passing between the legs of a a kuromgʌ sg.
person or animal.] a kuromi pl.
kulomsrʌʌ future. kuromgʌ sg. → kurom-.
kulomse past. kurs- noun. pair of trousers, pair of shorts; fr:
kuloms(u) perfective. pantalon, culotte; dt: Hose (kurz oder lang).
kulomsr(u) imperfective. a kursu sg.
a kulomsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. a kursii pl.
kulomse past. → kuloms-. kursu sg. → kurs-.
kulomsrʌʌ future. → kuloms-. kur(u) perfective. → kur-.
kulomsr(u) imperfective. → kuloms-. kut- noun. root, stump, trunk (of a tree); fr: racine,
kuloms(u) perfective. → kuloms-. souche, tronc (d’arbre); dt: Wurzel, Strunk,
kun- noun. place, village, town, area, land; fr: lieu, Stamm (eines Baumes). [Note: This word
village, ville, région, pays; dt: Ort, Dorf, Stadt, probably originates are a nomen acti of a
Gebiet, Land. kurʌm, but the regular singular formation
a kunne sg. would be * a kute, which does not exist, even
a kunʌu pl. though its corresponding plural a kurʌ does
kundo- noun. back; hunchback; fr: dos; bosse; dt: exist - though now only as the anomalous
Rücken; Buckel. [Note: See also a bɛllɛ, which plural from of a kutre. The form a kutre is
refers to the whole rear surface of the body, probably a back formation from the diminutive
from the shoulders to the feet, though it is also a kutgʌ, which in turn is the diminutive
commonly used to refer to the back only. The deverbal instrument noun from a kurʌm. See
word a kundoŋ refers to the back only (from also a kurgʌ, which is a regular diminutive
the shoulders to the waist).] nomen acti of a kurʌm, though now with an
a kundoŋ sg. idiosyncratic meaning.]
a kundoi pl. a kutre sg. [Note: The non-diminutive form is not
kundoŋ sg. → kundo-. used in the sense of ‘stool’.]
kunne sg. → kun-. a kurʌ pl.
kur- noun; noun. (small private) field; fr: champ a kuro pl.
(petit privé); dt: (kleines privates) Feld. [Note: a da kutre [Note: da < a dãɩ̃nɛ ‘wood’] N+N
This word may originate as the diminutive of a compound noun sg. stump of a tree; fr: souche
nomen acti from the verb a kurʌm ‘begin’, de bois; dt: Baumstrunk.
although its meaning is now idiosyncratic. This a da kutgʌ [Note: This form is used more
kind of field is used by one wife of a family only. commonly than a dakutre.] N+N compound
A field used by the whole family is a kɛkʋ.] noun diminutive sg.
a kurgʌ diminutive sg. a da kutʌu N+N compound noun pl.
a kursuu pl. a da kurʌ N+N compound noun pl. [Note: This
kur- verb. begin, start; found; fr: commencer ; plural form is anomalous; the corresponding
fonder; dt: beginnen, anfangen; gründen. singular would be * a dakute (without an /r/).
kutʌʌ future. But no such form exists.]
kure past. a kutəgʌ diminutive sg. stool (made from a piece
kur(u) perfective. of the trunk of a tree); fr: tabouret (fabriqué
kut(u) imperfective. d’une pièce d’un tronc d’arbre); dt: Schemel
a kurʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (hergestellt aus einem Stück Baumstamm).
a kuto deverbal agent noun sg. person who a kutəni diminutive pl.
begins; founder; first; fr: celui qui commence; a kutəsi diminutive pl.
fondateur; premier; dt: derjenige, der beginnt; kutʌʌ future. → kur-.
Gründer; erst(-er,-e,-es). kutəgʌ diminutive sg. → kut-.
a kutəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. [Note: 267] kutəni diminutive pl. → kut-.
kurʌ pl. → kut-. kuto deverbal agent noun sg. → kur-.
kurʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → kur-. kutre sg. → kut-.
kure past. → kur-. kut(u) imperfective. → kur-.
kurgʌ diminutive sg. → kur-. kũũs- noun. kind of trap (for catching cats, mice,
kuri sg. → ku-. rats, birds); fr: espèce de piège (pour attraper
kurku- noun. pig; fr: porc, cochon; dt: Schwein. les chats, les souris, les rats, les oiseaux); dt:
[Note: = Mòoré] Art Falle (um Katzen, Mäuse, Ratten, Vögel zu
a kurkuri sg. fangen). [Note: =Mòoré]
a kurkuyo pl. a kũũsri sg.
kurkuri sg. → kurku-. a kũũsʌ pl.
kuro pl. → kut-. kũũsri sg. → kũũs-.
kurom- noun. flying squirrel; fr: écureuil volant; dt:
fliegendes Eichhörnchen.

110 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

-l lab-

L - l

-l ?causative. (=/-Ṿl/) → -Ṿl. This particle is used to focus any NP in a

-əl ?causative. (=/-Ṿl/) → -Ṿl. sentence in situ. It can also focus a
la (=/la/) conjunction. and, but; fr: et, mais; dt: topicalised NP (which has been moved to
und, aber. the sentence-initial position). This particle
la (=/la/) conj. and/but; fr: et/mais; dt: cannot be used adjacent to the copular verb
und/oder. la, as in *mə j̃ɔ̃ɔ̃ndɔ la la a sɛ̃ndɛ sa. Without
mə ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ndɔ la mə ỹĩmde yaʋ tubre sentence My la, this sentence has a neutral reading. With
elder brother and my younger brother have la, the NP ‘My elder brother’ is focussed
gone into the bush.; fr: Mon frère aîné et (e.g. contrastively with other candidates for
mon frère cadet sont allés en brousse.; dt: the office of medicine man).]
Mein älterer Bruder und mein jüngerer la (=/la/) preposition. with; fr: avec; dt: mit.
Bruder sind in den Busch gegangen. [Note: la (=/la/) prep.
This conjunction can coordinate either NPs mə ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ndɔ yaʋ tubre la mə ỹĩmde sentence My
or sentences, but not verbs or other word elder brother has gone into the bush with
classes. In lists with more than 3 NPs, la and my younger brother.; fr: Mon frère aîné
must occur between the last two NPs, but est allé en brousse avec mon frère cadet.;
may (and frequently does) occur between dt: Mein älterer Bruder ist mit meinem
each of them.] jüngeren Bruder in den Busch gegangen.
la (=/la/) copula. be; fr: être; dt: sein. [Note: Cf. də dogom a nɛ̃mmɔ̃ koŋ la mə gabrɛ sentence
also the negative equative copula dɔ.] He cut the meat with my knife.; fr: Il a
la (=/la/) copula. coupé la viande avec mon couteau.; dt: Er
mə ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ndɔ la (a) sɛ̃ndɛ saa sentence My elder hat das Fleisch mit meinem Messer
brother is the medicine man.; fr: Mon frère geschnitten. [Note: This is the only
aîné est le chef de terre.; dt: Mein älterer preposition in Koromfe; all other
Bruder ist der Medizinmann. adpositions are postpositions. Its usage is
ŋkɔ la (a) sɛ̃ndɛ saa sentence You are the comitative or instrumental.]
medicine man.; fr: Tu es le chef de terre.; laas- verb. keep, save; fr: préserver, sauver; dt:
dt: Du bist der Medizinmann. erhalten, retten. [Note: Synonymous with, and
a sɛ̃ndɛ saa la mɛ sentence I am the medicine probably a phonological variant of a laɩsam.
man. (Lit.: The medicine man is me.); fr: Je ...”from X” = ... “la X” (see example below)]
suis le chef de terre. (Lit.: Le chef de terre, laasəraa future.
c’est moi.); dt: Ich bin der Medizinmann. laasɛ past.
(Wörtl.: Der Medizinmann bin ich.) laas(ɩ) perfective.
a ỹãʋ̃ la sentence It’s true!; fr: C’est vrai!; dt: laasər(ɩ) imperfective.
Es ist wahr! a laasam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
ala la bɛ --- məkɔ la question sentence & a dɔfrɛ laasə mɛ la də wɔgɔ zaabɩ sentence God
answer Who’s that? (Lit.: Who has come?) save me from his evil words!; fr: Que Dieu
--- It’s me!; fr: C’est qui? (Lit.: Qui est me préserve de ses paroles mauvaises!; dt:
venu?) --- C’est moi!; dt: Wer ist da? Gott schütze mich vor seinen bösen Worten!
(Wörtl.: Wer ist gekommen?) --- Ich bin’s! laasɛ past. → laas-.
[Note: This kind of inversion of full noun and laas(ɩ) perfective. → laas-.
pronoun is quite usual (though not as laasəraa future. → laas-.
common as the order pronoun - full noun). laasər(ɩ) imperfective. → laas-.
The la in the question is not an example of lab- noun. leather bag; fr: sac portatif en peau; dt:
the copula, but of the focus particle.] Tragtasche aus Leder.
la (=/la/) focus. it’s ... that; fr: c’est ... qui; dt: es a labrɛ sg.
ist ..., der/die/das. a laba pl.
la (=/la/) focus. lab- verb. collect, assemble, group, join (a group);
mə ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ndɔ la kɩrɛt a sɛ̃ndɛ saa sentence My fr: collecter, rassembler, grouper, s’ajouter (à
elder brother has become the medicine man. un groupe); dt: sammeln, versammeln,
or It’s my elder brother who has become the gruppieren, sich (einer Gruppe) anschließen.
medicine man.; fr: Mon frère aîné est labraa future.
devenu le chef de terre. ou C’est mon frère labɛ past.
aîné qui est devenu le chef de terre.; dt: lab(ʋ) perfective.
Mein älterer Bruder ist der Medizinmann labr(ʋ) imperfective.
geworden. oder Es ist mein älterer Bruder, a labam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
der der Medizinmann geworden ist. [Note:
Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 111
labam lag-
a bɛ̃nna bɛ̃ŋ labʋ (dombʌ) sentence The men a lagɔ sg.
assembled.; fr: Les hommes se sont a lagəfɩ pl.
rassemblés.; dt: Die Männer haben sich lag- verb. wake up, awaken; fr: (se) réveiller; dt:
versammelt. aufwachen, aufwecken. [Note: This verb is
mə labraa mə gɩllɛ la (a) bɛ̃nna bɛ̃ŋ sentence I used both transitively and intransitively
am going to join the men.; fr: Je vais without the reflexive pronoun. The future and
m’ajouter aux hommes.; dt: Ich werde mich imperfective forms lagəfaa and lagəf(ʋ) do not
den Männern anschließen. occur with this verb, but only with a lagam
mə labraa la (a) bɛ̃nna bɛ̃ŋ sentence I am going meaning ‘be afraid’.]
to join the men.; fr: Je vais m’ajouter aux lagraa future.
hommes.; dt: Ich werde mich den Männern lagɛ past.
anschließen. lag(ɩ) perfective.
mə labraa a bɛ̃nna bɛ̃ŋ sentence I am going to lagr(ɩ) imperfective.
join the men.; fr: Je vais m’ajouter aux a lagam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
hommes.; dt: Ich werde mich den Männern a lagrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who gets
anschließen. [Note: dombʌ is optional Here up; fr: q.un qui se lève; dt: jmd. der aufsteht.
la is necessary because the optional a lagrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
reflexive object is present. Here la can a lagrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
optionally be omitted.] that wakes one up (e.g. alarm clock, noise); fr:
a labrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who chose qui réveille (p. ex. réveille-matin, bruit);
assembles, leader; fr: q.un qui rassemble, dt: etwas, was einen aufweckt (z.B. Wecker,
leader; dt: jmd. der versammelt, Geräusch).
Führer(persönlichkeit). a lagrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
a labrəba deverbal agent noun pl. a lagrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
a labrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing for sg.
assembling, assembly hall / square; fr: chose a lagrəfa deverbal local noun. place where one
pour rassembler, salle / place de réunion; dt: gets up; fr: endroit où on se lève; dt: Platz, wo
Ding zum versammeln, Versammlungshalle, man aufsteht.
-platz. lagɩ imperative sentence Wake up!; fr:
a labrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. Réveille-toi!; dt: Wach’ auf!
a labrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive mə da lagɩ sentence I’m already awake. (Lit.: I
sg. have succeeded in awakening.); fr: Je me
a labrəfa deverbal local noun. place for suis déjà réveillé. (Lit.: J’ai réussi à me
assembling; fr: endroit pour rassembler; dt: réveiller.); dt: Ich bin schon wach. (Wörtl.:
Platz zum versammeln. Ich habe es geschafft, aufzuwachen.)
a labmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. collection, lag- verb. be afraid (of), fear; fr: avoir peur (de),
collectivity; fr: collection, collectivité; dt: s’effrayer; dt: Angst haben (vor), sich fürchten.
Sammlung, Gesamtheit. [Note: The future and imperfective forms
a vɛ̃ŋa dɔra hɛ̃ŋ labrʋ ɩ pisi lagraa and lagr(ɩ) do not occur with this verb,
labam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → lab-. but only with the verb a lagam meaning
labɛ past. → lab-. ‘awaken’.]
labmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. → lab-. lagəfaa future.
labraa future. → lab-. lagɛ past.
labrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → lab-. lag(ɩ) perfective.
labrɛ sg. → lab-. lagəf(ʋ) imperfective.
labrəfa deverbal local noun. → lab-. a lagam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
labrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. a lagəfɩɩ deverbal action noun sg. fear; fr: peur;
→ lab-. dt: Angst.
labrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → lab-. a lagəfɔ deverbal agent noun sg. frightened,
labrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → lab-. timid, shy; frightening; fr: peureux, timide;
labrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → lab-. effrayant; dt: ängstlich, scheu, schüchtern;
labr(ʋ) imperfective. → lab-. furchterregend.
lab(ʋ) perfective. → lab-. a lagəfəba deverbal agent noun pl.
lada noun. duck; fr: canard; dt: Ente. [Note: = a lagəfəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg.
Mòoré. Here (as everywhere) intervocalic [d] frightened thing; frightening thing; fr: chose
could be a dissimilated realisation of /l/.] qui a peur;chose qui fait peur; dt: Ding, das
a lada sg. Angst hat; Ding, das Angst hervorruft.
a ladafɩ pl. a lagəfəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
lag- noun. merchandise; fr: marchandise; dt: Ware. a sundu lagəfəgʋ NP+N compound noun sg. a
[Note: This word refers to anything of any kind timid horse; a frightening horse; fr: un
that can be sold.] cheval timide; un cheval qui fait peur; dt:

112 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

lagam laŋsm-
ein scheues Pferd; ein furchterregendes a dɔfrɛ laɩsə mɛ la də wɔgɔ zaabɩ sentence God
Pferd save me from his evil words!; fr: Que Dieu
a lagəmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. frightening me préserve de ses paroles mauvaises!; dt:
things; fr: choses qui font peur; dt: Dinge, die Gott schütze mich vor seinen bösen Worten!
Angst machen. laɩsɛ past. → laɩs-.
lagam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → lag-. laɩs(ɩ) perfective. → laɩs-.
lagam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → lag-. laɩsəraa future. → laɩs-.
lagam perfective. → lagm-. laɩsər(ɩ) imperfective. → laɩs-.
lagamaa future. → lagm-. laɩta noun. (electric) torch; fr: torche (électrique);
lagam(ɔ̃) imperfective. → lagm-. dt: Taschenlampe. [Note: possibly < Engl.
lagat- verb. open (e.g. a book, a door); fr: ouvrir lighter]
(p. ex. un livre, une porte); dt: öffnen (z.B. ein a laɩta sg.
Buch, eine Tür). [Note: Although this verb is a laɩtaʋ pl.
morphologically a reversive, there is no a laɩtama pl.
corresponding verb a lagam with a converse a laɩtafɩ pl.
meaning.] laɩtama pl. → laɩta.
lagatraa future. laɩtaʋ pl. → laɩta.
lagatɛ past. lakɩa pl. → lakɩ(rɩ).
lagat(ɩ) perfective. lakɩrɩ sg. → lakɩ(rɩ).
lagatr(ɩ) imperfective. lakɩ(rɩ) noun. couscous; fr: couscous; dt: Couscous.
a lagatam deverbal action noun sg./mass. [Note: = Mòoré. The traditional couscous of the
lagatɛ past. → lagat-. Koromba is made from peanuts.]
lagat(ɩ) perfective. → lagat-. a lakɩrɩ sg.
lagatraa future. → lagat-. a lakɩa pl.
lagatr(ɩ) imperfective. → lagat-. a lakɩrfɩ pl.
lagɛ past. → lag-. lambə sɛmdɛ N+N compound noun sg. → sɛm-.
lagɛ past. → lag-. lamptrɩkɩ noun. paraffin lamp; fr: lampe à pétrole;
lagəfaa future. → lag-. dt: Kerosinlampe. [Note: < Fr. lampe
lagəfəba deverbal agent noun pl. → lag-. électrique. Can no longer be used for any kind
lagəfəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → lag-. of electric light, torch, etc.]
lagəfəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → lag-. a lamptrɩkɩ sg.
lagəfɩɩ deverbal action noun sg. → lag-. a lamptrɩkəfɩ pl.
lagəfɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → lag-. laŋ perfective. → laŋg-.
lagəf(ʋ) imperfective. → lag-. laŋg- verb. spread out; fr: étaler; dt: ausbreiten.
lag(ɩ) perfective. → lag-. [Note: This verb is used e.g. for spreading out
lag(ɩ) perfective. → lag-. leaves or fruit (to dry) or for hair.]
lagm- verb. frighten; fr: faire peur (à), effrayer; dt: laŋgraa future.
(jm.) Angst machen, schrecken. laŋgɛ past.
lagamaa future. laŋ perfective.
lagəmɛ past. laŋgr(ɩ) imperfective.
lagam perfective. a laŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. [Note:
lagam(ɔ̃) imperfective. 273]
a lagəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. laŋgɛ past. → laŋg-.
lagəmɛ past. → lagm-. laŋgraa future. → laŋg-.
lagɔ sg. → lag-. laŋgr(ɩ) imperfective. → laŋg-.
lagraa future. → lag-. laŋs- verb. pour (in small amounts); fr: verser (à
lagrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → lag-. petits coups); dt: gießen (in kleinen Güssen).
lagrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. [Note: This verb is exclusively used for pouring
→ lag-. drinks on the ground for the ancestors.]
lagrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → lag-. laŋsraa future.
lagrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → lag-. laŋsɛ past.
lagr(ɩ) imperfective. → lag-. laŋs(ɩ) perfective.
lagrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → lag-. laŋsr(ɩ) imperfective.
laɩs- verb. keep, save; fr: préserver, sauver; dt: a laŋsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
erhalten, retten. [Note: Synonymous with a laŋsam perfective. → laŋsm-.
laasam. ..from X = ... la X (see example below)] laŋsamaa future. → laŋsm-.
laɩsəraa future. laŋsam(ɔ̃) imperfective. → laŋsm-.
laɩsɛ past. laŋsɛ past. → laŋs-.
laɩs(ɩ) perfective. laŋs(ɩ) perfective. → laŋs-.
laɩsər(ɩ) imperfective. laŋsm- verb. pour (in small amounts); fr: verser (à
a laɩsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. petits coups); dt: gießen (in kleinen Güssen).

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 113

laŋsəmɛ lɛbl-
[Note: This verb is exclusively used for pouring a lãmbʋ n.mass. [Note: lãmbʋ is the most
drinks on the ground for the ancestors.] commonly used form for ‘cotton’]
laŋsamaa future. a lãmbaʋ pl.
laŋsəmɛ past. lãmbrɛ sg. → lãmb-.
laŋsam perfective. lãmbʋ n.mass. → lãmb-.
laŋsam(ɔ̃) imperfective. lãmpor- noun. kind of tree; fr: espèce d’arbre,
a laŋsəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. kapokier; dt: Art Baum.
laŋsəmɛ past. → laŋsm-. a lãm porgʌ [Note: lam < a lãmbʋ ‘cotton’] N+N
laŋsraa future. → laŋs-. compound noun sg.
laŋsr(ɩ) imperfective. → laŋs-. a lãm porii N+N compound noun pl.
lar perfective. (=/lad/) → lar-. a lãmporgʌ bi NP+N compound noun sg. fruit of
lar- (=/lad/) verb. seek, look for, search for; fr: a lãmporgʌ; fr: fruit du kapokier, kapok; dt:
chercher, rechercher; dt: suchen. [Note: Also Frucht des a lãmporgʌ
used with the connotation of ‘want’, ‘need’ or a lãmporgʌ bu NP+N compound noun pl.
even ‘ask for (indirectly)’. See the example lʌmpor- noun. kind of tree (whose fruit can be used
below.] in making sauce); fruit of this tree; fr: espèce
lataa (=/lad-d-aa/) future. d’arbre (dont les fruits sont utilisées pour la
larɛ (=/lad-ɛ/) past. sauce); fruit de cet arbre; dt: Art Baum (dessen
lar / larɩ (=/lad/) perfective. Früchte für die Sauce verwendet werden);
lat / latɩ (=/lad-d/) imperfective. Frucht dieses Baumes. [Note: The first part of
a laram (=/lad-am/) deverbal action noun this compound comes from a lambʋ ‘cotton’,
sg./mass. but the loss of b and addition of ATR are
ʋ lataa (a) bʌ̃ʌ̃ni sentence We look for health.; irregular.]
fr: Nous cherchons la santé.; dt: Wir suchen a lʌmporgʌ N+N compound noun diminutive sg.
Gesundheit. [Note: This sentence is taken a lʌmporii N+N compound noun pl.
from a ceremony where sacrifices were a lʌmporəfe N+N compound noun singulative.
made to the ancestors in order to ask them small single tree of this kind; fr: petit arbre
for a good harvest in the coming year. At seul de cet espèce; dt: einzelner kleiner Baum
other points in the ceremony the verb a dieser Art.
zorəmʌm ‘ask for’ is used instead of a a lʌmporgʌ ỹã NP+N compound noun sg. kind of
laram.] tree (whose fruit can be used in making
a larəmãʋ̃ (=/lad-mãʋ̃/) deverbal nomen acti pl. sauce); fr: espèce d’arbre (dont les fruits
things which can be looked for; fr: choses sont utilisées pour la sauce); dt: Art Baum
cherchables; dt: suchbare Dinge. [Note: This (dessen Früchte für die Sauce verwendet
word refers not only to anything that a human werden) [Note: This compound noun can be
being might spend his time trying to acquire used to refer unambiguously to the tree
(e.g. food of all kinds, money, household rather than its fruits.]
equipment, etc.) but also abstract benefits a lʌmporgʌ ỹãmmã NP+N compound noun sg.
(health, respect, political or traditional office, lʌmporgʌ N+N compound noun diminutive sg. →
etc.).] lʌmpor-.
laram deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/lad-am/) lʌmporii N+N compound noun pl. → lʌmpor-.
→ lar-. lɛ (=/lɛ/) manner adverb. thus, so; fr: ainsi,
larɛ past. (=/lad-ɛ/) → lar-. comme ça; dt: so, auf diese Weise.
larɩ perfective. (=/lad/) → lar-. lɛ (=/lɛ/) adverb.
lat imperfective. (=/lad-d/) → lar-. lɛlɛ (=/lɛ lɛ/) adverb.
lataa future. (=/lad-d-aa/) → lar-. lɛbɛ perfective. → lɛbl-.
latɩ imperfective. (=/lad-d/) → lar-. lɛbɛlaa future. → lɛbl-.
latkɔlɩ noun. perfume (for women or men), lɛbɛlɩ imperfective. → lɛbl-.
deodorant; fr: parfum (pour les femmes ou lɛbl- verb. keep oneself hidden, walk (secretly
pour les hommes), déodorant; dt: Parfum (für following), lie prostrate, withdraw into a
Frauen oder Männer), Deodorant. [Note: = corner; fr: se cacher, marcher
Mòoré] (clandestinement poursuivant), se mettre à
a latkɔlɩ sg. l’affût, se retirer dans un coin; dt: sich
a latkɔya pl. versteckt halten, gehen (heimlich verfolgend),
a latkɔlfɩ pl. sich bäuchlings auf den Boden legen, sich in
latkɔya pl. → latkɔlɩ. eine Ecke zurückziehen. [Note: This verb
lãm porgʌ N+N compound noun sg. → lãmpor-. implies potential movement, while a lɛbtam is
lãmb- noun. cotton, (cotton) thread; fr: coton, fil static.]
(en coton); dt: Baumwolle, (Baumwoll-)Faden. lɛbɛlaa future.
a lãmbrɛ sg. lɛfaa future.
lɛbəlɛ past.

114 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

lɛbəlɛ lembəri
lɛbɛ perfective. lebe past.
lɛbɛlɩ imperfective. leb(u) perfective.
lɛf(ʋ) imperfective. lebr(u) imperfective.
a lɛbəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a lebʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
lɛbəlɛ past. → lɛbl-. lebe past. → leb-.
lɛbt- verb. keep oneself hidden, watch secretly, lebrʌʌ future. → leb-.
withdraw into a corner; fr: se cacher, observer lebr(u) imperfective. → leb-.
clandestinement, se retirer dans un coin; dt: leb(u) perfective. → leb-.
sich versteckt halten, heimlich beobachten, leendi sg. → lɛɛna.
sich in eine Ecke zurückziehen. [Note: This verb lel- noun. song; fr: chanson; dt: Lied. [Note: Clearly
implies a static situation. For (potential) related to a lelʌm, but not derived by any
movement a lɛbəlam is used.] regular process -- though see also a nãnəfɛ
lɛbtraa future. from a nãnam. This is a particular kind of song
lɛbtɛ past. sung at the death of a chief, a medicine man, or
lɛbt(ʋ) perfective. one of the chief’s wives.]
lɛbtr(ʋ) imperfective. a leləfe sg.
a lɛbtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a leli sg.
lɛbtɛ past. → lɛbt-. lel- verb. sing, sound; fr: chanter, sonner; dt:
lɛbtraa future. → lɛbt-. singen, klingen. [Note: This verb basically
lɛbtr(ʋ) imperfective. → lɛbt-. means “make music”; for a human being, this is
lɛbt(ʋ) perfective. → lɛbt-. by singing and for a musical instrument by
lɛɛna noun. cherry tree; cherry; fr: cerisier; cerise; sounding.]
dt: Kirschenbaum; Kirsche. [Note: = Mòoré. Cf. lellʌʌ future.
also a wããnda.] lele past.
a leendi sg. lel(i) perfective.
a lɛɛna pl. lell(i) imperfective.
a lɛɛnaʋ pl. a lelʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a lɛɛnafɩ pl. lele past. → lel-.
lɛɛnaʋ pl. → lɛɛna. leləfe sg. → lel-.
lɛɛrɩ noun. watch, clock; time of day; fr: montre; lel(i) perfective. → lel-.
heure; dt: Uhr; Uhrzeit. [Note: < Fr. l’heure See lellʌʌ future. → lel-.
also a wãŋkatɩ] lell(i) imperfective. → lel-.
a lɛɛrɩ sg. lem perfective. → lem-.
a lɛɛrəma pl. lem- verb. taste; fr: goûter, déguster; dt:
a lɛɛrəfɩ pl. schmecken, kosten.
lɛɛrəma kɔl la wose interrogative sentence lemmʌʌ future.
What time is it?; fr: Quelle heure est-il?; dt: leme past.
Wieviel Uhr ist es? lem perfective.
mə wɔ̃faa lɛɛrəma fi la gadɔm sentence It’s lemm(ũ) imperfective.
eleven o’clock (by my watch). (Lit.: I have a lemʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
eleven o’clock.); fr: Il est onze heure (à ma lemb- noun. bird; fr: oiseau; dt: Vogel.
montre). (Lit.: J’ai onze heures.); dt: Es ist a lembəgʌ sg.
elf Uhr (nach meiner Uhr). (Wörtl.: Ich habe a lembii pl.
elf Uhr.) [Note: This sentence is a lemb-bĩnĩŋʌ N+N compound noun sg. kind of
synonymous with wãŋkatma kɔl la wose (mainly black) bird; fr: espèce d’oiseau
‘what time is it?’.] (principalement noir); dt: Art
lɛɛrəma pl. → lɛɛrɩ. (hauptsächlich schwarzer) Vogel [Note: The
lɛfaa future. → lɛbl-. final /b/ of the stem lemb is not noticeably
lɛf(ʋ) imperfective. → lɛbl-. pronounced in this word.]
lɛʋga noun. hook (for fishing); fr: hameçon (pour la a lem bĩnĩʌ̃ N+N compound noun pl.
pêche); dt: Haken (zum Fischen). [Note: = a lemb-kulle N+N compound noun sg. turtle
Mòoré. This word cannot be used to refer to dove; fr: tourterelle; dt: Turteltaube
any other kind of hook. The traditional Koromfe lembəgʌ sg. → lemb-.
expression for a fishing hook is a j ̃ɛ̃nɛ j̃ɛ̃ɛ̃nəgʋ ‘a lembii pl. → lemb-.
fish-catcher’.] lembr- noun. orange, lemon; fr: orange, citron; dt:
a lɛʋga sg. Orange, Zitrone.
a lɛʋsʋʋ pl. a lembrəfe singulative.
le past. → li-. a lembəri collective pl.
leb- verb. build, construct; fr: bâtir, construire; dt: a lembrəfi singulative pl.
bauen. lembrəfe singulative. → lembr-.
lebrʌʌ future. lembəri collective pl. → lembr-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 115

leme lɔŋg-
leme past. → lem-. lig(i) perfective. → lig-.
lemmʌʌ future. → lem-. ligrʌʌ future. → lig-.
lemm(ũ) imperfective. → lem-. ligr(i) imperfective. → lig-.
lems- verb. put in one’s mouth; fr: emboucher; dt: lim perfective. → lim-.
in den Mund stecken. lim- verb. submerge, immerse oneself, jump/dive
lemsrʌʌ future. (into water); fr: submerger, plonger (dans
lemse past. l’eau); dt: untertauchen, hineintauchen, (ins
lems(u) perfective. Wasser) springen. [Note: This verb applies to
lemsər(u) imperfective. humans only, not to objects. No distinction can
a lemsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. be made between jumping (feet first) and
lemse past. → lems-. diving (head first) into water. Synonymous with
lemsrʌʌ future. → lems-. a minʌm.]
lemsər(u) imperfective. → lems-. limmʌʌ future.
lems(u) perfective. → lems-. lime past.
leŋge- noun. shadow, shade; soul (of a dead lim perfective.
person); picture, image, photograph; TV set; fr: limm(ũ) imperfective.
ombre; âme (d’un mort); image, photographie; a limʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
téléviseur; dt: Schatten; Seele (eines Toten); lime past. → lim-.
Bild, Nachbild, Foto; Fernseher. limmʌʌ future. → lim-.
a leŋgem sg. limm(ũ) imperfective. → lim-.
a leŋgemfi pl. lirʌʌ future. → li-.
a pɩlaŋ leŋgem NP+N compound noun sg. spots lir(i) imperfective. → li-.
on the moon; fr: taches de la lune; dt: lɔ- noun. kind of climbing
Flecken am Mond plant, Saba senegalensis;
a ỹɔ̃nɛ leŋgem NP+N compound noun sg. group fr: espèce de liane, liane
of stars, constellation; fr: groupe d’étoiles, goïne, Saba senegalensis;
constellation; dt: Sternengruppe, -bild dt: Art Liane, Saba
leŋgem sg. → leŋge-. senegalensis.
leŋləfu noun. small bell; fr: clochette; dt: kleine a lɔʋ sg.
Glocke. [Note: = Mòoré. Small bells are used a lɔɔ sg.
inter alia for the leading animal of a herd and a lɔʋfɩ pl.
by merchants to signal their presence. This a lɔɔfɩ pl.
word is also used to designate a bicycle bell.] a lɔɔŋa diminutive sg. small / young creeper of
a leŋləfu sg. this kind; (edible) fruit of this creeper; fr: petit
a leŋləfufi pl. / jeune liane de cet espèce; fruit (mangeable)
li perfective. → li-. de cette liane; dt: kleine / junge Liane dieser
li- verb. forget; fr: oublier; dt: vergessen. Art; (essbare) Frucht dieser Liane.
lirʌʌ future. a lɔʋ bi NP+N compound noun sg. fruit of this
le past. creeper; fr: fruit de cette liane; dt: Frucht
li perfective. dieser Liane [Note: This fruit looks similar
lir(i) imperfective. to a mango.]
a leem deverbal action noun sg./mass. a lɔʋ bu NP+N compound noun pl.
lig- verb. cover; fr: couvrir; dt: zudecken. lɔgt- verb. cross someone’s path, meet, encounter;
ligrʌʌ future. break (a branch) off; fr: rencontrer, se croiser,
lige past. casser (une branche); dt: sich kreuzen,
lig(i) perfective. begegnen; (einen Zweig) brechen. [Note: In the
ligr(i) imperfective. sense of ‘meet’ this verb always implies that
a ligʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. the participants were originally going in
lige past. → lig-. different directions.]
liget- verb. uncover; fr: découvrir; dt: abdecken. lɔgtraa future.
[Note: This verb is the reversive of a ligʌm lɔgtɛ past.
‘cover’.] lɔgt(ʋ) perfective.
ligetrʌʌ future. lɔgtr(ʋ) imperfective.
ligete past. a lɔgtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
liget(i) perfective. lɔgtɛ past. → lɔgt-.
ligetr(i) imperfective. lɔgtraa future. → lɔgt-.
a ligetʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. lɔgtr(ʋ) imperfective. → lɔgt-.
ligete past. → liget-. lɔgt(ʋ) perfective. → lɔgt-.
liget(i) perfective. → liget-. lɔlɔŋa sg. → lolo-.
ligetrʌʌ future. → liget-. lɔŋg- noun. shoe, sandal, boot; fr: chaussure,
ligetr(i) imperfective. → liget-. sandale, botte; dt: Schuh, Sandale, Stiefel.

116 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

lɔŋgrɛ lugri
[Note: This word denotes any kind of a lʋmdɛ sg.
footwear.] a lʋma pl.
a lɔŋgrɛ sg. lu- noun. (sg.) gluttony; (pl.) intestines; fr: (sg.)
a lɔŋga pl. gourmandise; (pl.) intestins, boyaux; dt: (sg.)
lɔŋgrɛ sg. → lɔŋg-. Gefräßigkeit; (pl.) Gedärme.
lɔɔ sg. → lɔ-. a luu sg.
lɔɔfɩ pl. → lɔ-. a lufi pl.
lɔɔga sg. → loo-. a luu saa NP+N compound noun sg. glutton; fr:
lɔʋ sg. → lɔ-. gourmand; dt: Fresssack
lɔʋfɩ pl. → lɔ-. a luu sammã NP+N compound noun pl.
logom- noun. camel; fr: lug- noun. piece of wood which closes a traditional
chameau; dt: Kamel. door; fr: bois fermant une porte traditionnelle;
a logomde sg. dt: Holz, das eine traditionelle Tür schließt.
a logomʌ pl. [Note: A traditional door consists of two Y-
logomde sg. → logom-. shaped posts (a da jɩba) hammered into the
loku noun. bow; scoop / ground on either side, and this piece of wood
bucket (of a well); fr: placed between the two posts. = Mòoré.]
arc; seau à puiser, a lugri sg.
“puisette” (d’un puits); a lugʌ pl.
dt: Bogen; Schöpfeimer lug- noun. side (of the body); fr: côté (du corps); dt:
(eines Brunnens). [Note: Seite (des Körpers). [Note: This word refers to
= Mòoré in the sense the side of humans or animals. For humans this
‘bow’, but the area extends from the armpit to the waist.]
contemporary Mòoré a lugre sg.
word for ‘scoop’ is in the a lugʌ pl.
-ga / -sɪ class, not the mə lugre koŋ la wollu sentence My side hurts.;
-gʊ / -dʊ class.] fr: Mon côté me fait mal.; dt: Mir tut meine
a loku sg. Seite weh.
a logdu pl. lug- noun. roof; fr: toit; dt: Dach.
lolo- noun. ford, dam, bridge; fr: gué, digue, pont; a lugu sg.
dt: Furt, Damm, Brücke. [Note: = Mòoré. a lugəfi pl.
Possibly < Fr. l’eau. There is no other Koromfe lug- (=/lug/) noun. cat; eclipse (of sun or moon);
word for a bridge; there were no fords or fr: chat; éclipse (du soleil ou de la lune); dt:
bridges before the advent of colonialism.] Katze; Sonnen- oder Mondfinsternis. [Note: An
a lɔlɔŋa sg. eclipse is considered to be the arched back of a
a loloẽsi pl. cat which interposes itself between the earth
a lɔlɔŋafɩ pl. and the sun or between the sun and the moon.]
loloẽsi pl. → lolo-. a lukʌ / a luko (=/lug-ga/) sg.
loo- noun. pocket (in a garment); fr: poche (d’un a lugni (=/lug-nɩ/) pl.
vêtement); dt: Tasche (in einem a luko la ỹɛ̃ỹɛ (a) pɩlaŋ sentence A cat has
Kleidungsstück). [Note: = Mòoré. See also a caught the moon. (= There is an eclipse of
zɩfʋ.] the moon.); fr: Un chat a attrapé la lune. (=
a lɔɔga sg. Il y a une éclipse de la lune.); dt: Eine Katze
a loosɩ pl. hat den Mond gefangen. (= Es gibt eine
loondi noun. brain, marrow; fr: cerveau, moelle; dt: Mondfinsternis.)
Hirn, Mark. [Note: This word refers to brain a luko la wɔ̃f a pɩlaŋ sentence A cat has the
only in the sense of a kind of food, not to the moon. (= There is an eclipse of the moon.);
human brain or the seat of the mind. Despite fr: Un chat a la lune. (= Il y a une éclipse de
its phonological shape, this word is reported la lune.); dt: Eine Katze hat den Mond. (= Es
not to be of Mòoré origin.] gibt eine Mondfinsternis.)
a loondi sg. lugədu noun. branches (of an enclosing fence); fr:
a loondəfi pl. branchettes (d’une haie); dt: Zweige (eines
lotiisi noun. paper handkerchief; fr: mouchoir en Zauns). [Note: = Mòoré. This word has no
papier; dt: Papiertaschentuch. [Note: This singular; to refer to a single branch in Koromfe
word comes from Burkina-French a dãɩ̃nɛ ‘stick’ must be used. Enclosing fences
pronunciation of the brand name Lotus.] are used for small fields, for animals, and for
a lotiisi sg. the protection of compounds or small
a lotiisəfi pl. settlements against wild animals.]
lʋmdɛ noun. crop, stick; fr: fouet, cravache; dt: a lugədu pl.
Peitsche, stock. [Note: This stick is used for lugre sg. → lug-.
hitting animals or school children.] lugri sg. → lug-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 117

lugs- mə
lugs- verb. twitch; fr: avoir un tic; dt: zucken. lukʌ sg. (=/lug-ga/) → lug-.
lugsərʌʌ future. luko sg. (=/lug-ga/) → lug-.
lugse past. lur- (=/lud/) noun. wall; fr: mur; dt: Mauer, Wand.
lugs(u) perfective. [Note: This word refers to any kind of wall. In
lugsər(u) imperfective. the plural, a lurni refers principally to smaller,
a lugsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. lower or unfinished walls, and a lursi to larger
mə gokʌ yɩbrɛ la lugsru sentence My left eye or higher walls.]
has a twitch.; fr: Mon oeil gauche palpite.; a lurgʌ / a lurgo (=/lud-ga/) sg.
dt: Mein linkes Auge zuckt. a lurni (=/lud-nɩ/) pl.
lugse past. → lugs-. a lursi (=/lud-sɩ/) pl.
lugsərʌʌ future. → lugs-. lurgʌ sg. (=/lud-ga/) → lur-.
lugsər(u) imperfective. → lugs-. lurgo sg. (=/lud-ga/) → lur-.
lugs(u) perfective. → lugs-. lurni pl. (=/lud-nɩ/) → lur-.
lugu sg. → lug-. luu sg. → lu-.

M - m

mə (from: m) (=/m/) pronoun. I, my; fr: je, mon / məkɔ (=/mə-kɔ/) [Note: This form of the pronoun
ma / mes; dt: ich, mein(,-er,-e,-es). [Phon: This indicates some kind of “emphasis”, but this can
/m/ is never syllabic.] be so minimal that in practice the disjunctive
mə (=/m/) proclitic personal pronoun subject 1st form can always be used in place of a clitic
person sg. pronoun. It never undergoes any phonological
— proclitic possessive adjective 1st person sg. reduction or expansion. It can stand in the
[Note: This form is prefixed to either a verb or normal (preverbal) subject or (postverbal)
a noun phrase; it cannot stand alone (e.g. as object positions, and can also be used as the
the elliptical answer to a question). On a verb, elliptical answer to a question. As with all
it is the subject pronoun, on a noun phrase it is disjunctive pronouns, it is formed with the
the “possessor”. The vowel (ə) is epenthetic proclitic prefix version of the pronoun and the
and therefore, at least in theory, optional. But invariant stem-like element kɔ.] strong
conspiratorially all verbs and most nouns in personal pronoun 1st person sg.
Koromfe begin with a consonant (which — strong possessive adjective 1st person sg. I,
triggers epenthesis). The handful of words me, my, mine; fr: je, me, -moi, mon / ma / mes,
apparently beginning with a have a distinct le/la/les mien(ne)(s); dt: ich, mich, mir, mein(,-
glottal stop (i.e. consonant) when preceded by er,-e,-es).
m(ə), e.g. mə ʔallɔ.] ye məkɔ imperative sentence Look at me!; fr:
m / mɩ / mɛ (=/m/) postclitic personal Regarde-moi!; dt: Schau’ mich an!
pronoun object 1st person sg. me; fr: me, -moi; ye məkɔ gɔɩnɛ imperative sentence Look at me
dt: mich, mir. again!; fr: Regarde-moi encore une fois!; dt:
ye mɛ imperative sentence Look at me!; fr: Schau’ mich noch einmal an!
Regarde-moi!; dt: Schau’ mich an! [Note: pa məkɔ (a) hem imperative sentence Give me
Here the pronoun is in phrase-final position, some water!; fr: Donne-moi de l’eau!; dt:
and so the final vowel ɛ appears.] Gib mir Wasser! [Note: In this sentence the
ye mə gɔɩnɛ imperative sentence Look at me article a is elided after the vowel ɔ. This is a
again!; fr: Regarde-moi encore une fois!; dt: regular property of the article, and has
Schau’ mich noch einmal an! [Note: Here the nothing to do with the pronoun.]
pronoun is in non-phrase-final position, and a dãŋ koŋ məkɔ la sentence That house is
schwa appears because the consonant g mine.; fr: Cette maison-là est la mienne.; dt:
follows.] Das Haus dort ist meines.
pa m a hem imperative sentence Give me some ala la (a) dãŋ koŋ - məkɔ question sentence &
water!; fr: Donne-moi de l’eau!; dt: Gib mir answer A: Whose house is that? - B: Mine;
Wasser! [Note: This pronoun follows the fr: A: Cette maison est à qui? - B: A moi.; dt:
verb, and is its (direct or indirect) object. A: Wessen Haus ist das? - B: Meines.
The final vowel is “epenthetic”, i.e. it occurs maa negative proclitic (subject) personal
only phrase-finally. Here the pronoun is in pronoun 1st person sg. I...not; fr: je ne...pas;
non-phrase-final position and a vowel dt: ich...nicht.
follows, so no vowel is realized at the end of maa tɛŋgra nɛ sentence I won’t go with you.;
the pronoun itself.] fr: Je ne vais pas t’accompagner.; dt: Ich
118 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at
m matee
gehe nicht mit. [Note: This pronoun is convenir; dt: richtig sein, angemessen sein,
equivalent to the proclitic subject pronoun recht sein.
mə combined with the negative particle ba. magtraa (=/mag-t-d-aa/) future.
The origin of this negative pronoun (and of magtɛ (=/mag-t-ɛ/) past.
all others) seems to be an old negation magt / magtɩ (=/mag-t/) perfective.
particle aa, which occurs once in an oral magtr / magtrɩ (=/mag-t-d/) imperfective.
text recorded in 1967 by Wilhelm Staude a magtam (=/mag-t-am/) deverbal action noun
and published in Rennison (1985b). This sg./mass.
particle in turn might possibly have come magtɩ participial adjective. measured, correct,
from the commonly used a´ʔa` ‘no’. As with appropriate, equal; fr: mesuré, correct, juste,
the negative particle ba, negative pronouns égal; dt: gemessen, richtig, angemessen,
cause shortening of the final vowel of the gleich.
future. The final vowel of tɛŋgraa has been magtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/mag-t-
shortened here because the sentence is am/) → magt-.
negative.] magtɛ past. (=/mag-t-ɛ/) → magt-.
m postclitic personal pronoun object 1st person magtɩ perfective. (=/mag-t/) → magt-.
sg. (=/m/) → m. magtr imperfective. (=/mag-t-d/) → magt-.
m proclitic personal adjective 2nd person sg. magtraa future. (=/mag-t-d-aa/) → magt-.
(=/ŋ/) → ŋ. [Phon: This form is used before magtrɩ imperfective. (=/mag-t-d/) → magt-.
labial obstruents only.] makʋ sg. (=/mag-gʋ/) → mag.
mə proclitic possessive adjective 1st person sg. maŋ perfective. (=/maŋ/) → maŋ-.
(=/m/) → m. maŋ- (=/maŋ/) verb. be alike, similar, equal; fr:
-m (=/m/) noun-cl. ncl. shapeless, “liquid”; fr: être pareil, semblable, égal; dt: ähnlich, gleich
cl.nom. sans forme, “liquide”; dt: Nkl. formlos, sein.
“Flüssigkeiten”. maŋaa (=/maŋ-d-aa/) future.
-m (=/-m/) ncl. shapeless. maŋɛ (=/maŋ-ɛ/) past.
-m transitive. → -Ṿm. maŋ (=/maŋ/) perfective.
-əm transitive. → -Ṿm. maŋən (=/maŋ-d/) imperfective.
mag (=/mag/) noun. rectangular house; fr: case a maŋaɩ (=/maŋ-Ṿɩ/) deverbal action noun
rectangulaire; dt: rechteckiges Haus. [Note: = sg./mass. alikeness, similarity, equality; fr:
Mòoré. In Koromfe a j ̃ɔ̃ɔ̃ dãŋ ‘a mud house’ similarité, égalité; dt: Ähnlichkeit, Gleichheit.
implies a rectangular house.] maŋaa future. (=/maŋ-d-aa/) → maŋ-.
a makʋ (=/mag-gʋ/) sg. maŋɛ past. (=/maŋ-ɛ/) → maŋ-.
a magdʋ (=/mag-dʋ/) pl. maŋən imperfective. (=/maŋ-d/) → maŋ-.
maga perfective. (=/mag-Ṿl/) → magl-. mar- (=/mar/) noun. cave, cavern, burrow; fr:
magal imperfective. (=/mag-Ṿl/) → magl-. caverne, grotte; dt: Höhle, Bau. [Note: This
magalaa future. (=/mag-Ṿl-d-aa/) → magl-. word normally applies to caves, holes, burrows
magalɩ imperfective. (=/mag-Ṿl/) → magl-. etc. inhabited by larger animals.]
magl- (=/mag-Ṿl/) verb. measure; fr: mesurer; dt: a margʋ sg.
messen. [Note: synonymous with a mɛsəlam] a marɩɩ pl.
magalaa (=/mag-Ṿl-d-aa/) future. margʋ sg. → mar-.
magəlɛ (=/mag-Ṿl-ɛ/) past. margʋʋm- noun. beard, facial hair; fr: barbe, poils
maga (=/mag-Ṿl/) perfective. du visage; dt: Bart, Gesichtshaare. [Note: =
magal / magalɩ (=/mag-Ṿl/) imperfective. Mòoré. This word includes all types of facial
a magəlam (=/mag-Ṿl-am/) deverbal action hair: moustache, beard, sideburns.]
noun sg./mass. a marəgʋʋmdɩ sg.
maga participial adjective. measured, correct, a marəgʋʋma pl.
appropriate, equal; fr: mesuré, correct, juste, marəgʋʋmdɩ sg. → margʋʋm-.
égal; dt: gemessen, richtig, angemessen, masa noun. chief; fr: chef; dt: Chef. [Note:
gleich. Eventually < Engl. master. This word is
magəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/mag- reported to be used in Eastern Koromfe where
Ṿl-am/) → magl-. Western Koromfe uses a jɔ ‘chief’.]
magəlɛ past. (=/mag-Ṿl-ɛ/) → magl-. a masa sg.
magsa (=/magsa/) noun. pair of (traditional) a masama pl.
scissors; fr: paire de ciseaux (traditionnels); dt: matee exclamation. [Note: This is the obligatory
(traditionelle) Schere. answer to a greeting of the type ŋ jabrɛ ‘(How
a magsa sg. was) your journey’. To say matee, the speaker
a magsafɩ pl. must be male; female speakers use waŋ. With
magt perfective. (=/mag-t/) → magt-. both words, the last vowel is pronounced on a
magt- (=/mag-t/) verb. be correct, be appropriate, high pitch.]
be agreed; fr: être correct, être juste, matee sentential exclamation.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 119

mãn mɛ̃nt-
mãn perfective. (=/mãn/) → mãn-. a mãŋkɛsa sg.
mãn- (=/mãn/) noun. cowry shell; 5 franc coin, a bãŋkɛsa sg.
coin, banknote, (pl.) money; fr: cauris; pièce de a mãŋkɛsafɩ pl.
5 francs, pièce, billet d’argent, (pl.) argent; dt: a bãŋkɛsafɩ pl.
Kaurimuschel ; 5 Francs Münze, Münze, a mãŋkɛsama pl.
Geldschein, (Pl.) Geld. [Note: This word was a bãŋkɛsama pl.
originally used to designate cowry shells, which mãŋkɛsafɩ pl. → mãŋkɛsa.
were used as money. When the first coins were mãŋkɛsama pl. → mãŋkɛsa.
introduced, it was used to designate the mbaa particle. like; fr: comme; dt: wie.
smallest of them (= 5 francs). Among the mbaa equative particle.
Koromba (as is widespread in Burkina Faso) də yakʋ mbaa (a) kãɩ̃mɔ̃ sentence He walks like
money is counted in multiples of this smallest an old man.; fr: Il marche comme un vieux.;
coin. Thus a price of kɔbəga ‘a hundred’ is five dt: Er geht wie ein alter Mann.
hundred francs CFA. Cf. also a wakɩrɩ ‘coin, mbʌ (=/mbʌ/) noun. master, br’er; fr: maître,
money’] compère; dt: Meister, Vetter. [Note: < Mòoré
a mãnəfɛ singulative. əm ba ‘my father’. In Koromfe this word is used
a mãnɩ / a mãnɛ pl./collective. only in fables when animals address one
mãn- (=/mãn/) verb. get used to, accustom another.]
oneself; fr: s’habituer; dt: sich gewöhnen. mbʌ (=/mbʌ/) sg. & pl.
mãnnaa (=/mãn-d-aa/) future. mbʌ yergʌ NP+N compound noun sg. Master
mãnɛ (=/mãn-ɛ/) past. Rabbit; fr: Maître Lapin; dt: Meister Hase
mãn (=/mãn/) perfective. mbʌ yerii NP+N compound noun pl. [Note: The
mãnnɛ (=/mãn-d/) imperfective. diminutive plural form jerəni cannot be used
a mãnam (=/mãn-am/) deverbal action noun when compounded with mba.]
sg./mass. mɛsɛ perfective. (=/mɛs-Ṿl/) → mɛsl-.
ka m bɛ mãnə mɛ negative imperative sentence mɛsɛl imperfective. (=/mɛs-Ṿl-d/) → mɛsl-.
Don’t get used to me. (I.e. Don’t be familiar; mɛsɛlaa future. (=/mɛs-Ṿl-d-aa/) → mɛsl-.
don’t forget your manners.); fr: Il ne faut mɛsɛlɩ imperfective. (=/mɛs-Ṿl-d/) → mɛsl-.
pas t’habituer à moi. (C.-à.-d. Ne sois pas mɛsl- (=/mɛs-Ṿl/) verb. measure; fr: mesurer; dt:
impertinent; n’oublie pas le respect.); dt: messen. [Note: synonymous with a magəlam]
Gewöhne Dich nicht an mich. (D.h. Sei nicht mɛsɛlaa (=/mɛs-Ṿl-d-aa/) future.
frech; vergiss die Höflichkeit nicht.) mɛsəlɛ (=/mɛs-Ṿl-ɛ/) past.
a mãnãʋ̃ / a mãnɔ̃ɔ̃ (=/mãn-Ṿʋ/) deverbal mɛsɛ (=/mɛs-Ṿl/) perfective.
nomen acti sg. habit; fr: habitude; dt: mɛsɛl / mɛsɛlɩ (=/mɛs-Ṿl-d/) imperfective.
Gewohnheit. a mɛsəlam (=/mɛs-Ṿl-am/) deverbal action noun
də manãʋ̃ ba magtɛ la mɛ sentence I don’t sg./mass.
agree with his habits.; fr: Ses habitudes ne mɛsəlɛ past. (=/mɛs-Ṿl-ɛ/) → mɛsl-.
me conviennent pas.; dt: Seine mɛ̃n- noun. group; combat group, battalion,
Gewohnheiten sind mir nicht recht. [Note: assembly of warriors; fr: groupe ; groupe de
Unusual formation. Possible sources: man + combat, bataillon, rassemblement de guerriers;
mãʋ̃ or man + ʋ] dt: Gruppe; Kampfgruppe, Bataillon,
mãna noun. so-and-so; fr: un tel, une telle; dt: Kämpferversammlung.
sowieso. [Note: This word is used to avoid a mɛ̃ndɛ (=/mɛ̃n-dɛ/) sg.
stating the name of a specific person in a mɛ̃na (=/mɛ̃n-a/) pl.
conversation. For non-human referents (e.g. a mɛ̃ndɛ sg. (=/mɛ̃n-dɛ/) → mɛ̃n-.
village) naŋsa is used.] mɛ̃nɛŋgɛʋ noun. dew; fr: rosée; dt: Tau. [Note: The
mãna sg. same final sequence occurs in a kʋrɛŋgɛʋ ‘dry
mãnama pl. period (during the rainy season)’.]
a fo mãna NP+N compound noun sg. Mr. so- a mɛ̃nɛŋgɛʋ sg.
and-so; fr: Monsieur un tel; dt: Herr sowieso a mɛ̃nɛŋgɛʋfɩ sg.
mãnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/mãn- mɛ̃nt perfective. (=/mɛ̃nt/) → mɛ̃nt-.
am/) → mãn-. mɛ̃nt- verb. put together, unite, assemble; mix (e.g.
mãnɛ past. (=/mãn-ɛ/) → mãn-. ingredients); fr: rassembler, unir ; mélanger
mãnəfɛ singulative. → mãn-. (des ingrédients); dt: zusammenbringen,
mãnnaa future. (=/mãn-d-aa/) → mãn-. versammeln, vereinen; zusammenmischen (z.B.
mãnnɛ imperfective. (=/mãn-d/) → mãn-. Zutaten). [Note: Related to a mɛ̃ndɛ ‘group’
mãŋkɛsa noun. match; fr: allumette; dt: and probably also to a mɛ̃ŋam ‘remain’.]
Streichholz. [Note: Probably originally < Engl. mɛ̃ntraa (=/mɛ̃nt-d-aa/) future.
matches. This is the only word I have yet mɛ̃ntɛ (=/mɛ̃nt-ɛ/) past.
discovered with free variation of word-initial b- mɛ̃nt / mɛ̃ntɩ (=/mɛ̃nt/) perfective.
m.] mɛ̃ntr / mɛ̃ntrɩ (=/mɛ̃nt-d/) imperfective.

120 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

mɛ̃ntam mɔtɔg-
a mɛ̃ntam (=/mɛ̃nt-am/) deverbal action noun diving (head first) into water. Synonymous with
sg./mass. a limʌm.]
a mɛ̃ntʋ (=/mɛ̃nt-ʋ/) deverbal action noun sg. minnʌʌ future.
assembly, meeting, conference; fr: assemblée, mine past.
rassemblement, réunion; dt: Versammlung, min perfective.
Treffen, Besprechung. [Note: Rare -ʋ / fɩ minn(i) imperfective.
deverbal derivation] a minʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a mɛ̃ntəfɩ (=/mɛ̃nt-fɩ/) deverbal action noun pl. a minno deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who jumps
a yɔ mɛ̃nt a kunne kãɩ̃mɛ̃ɩ̃ sentence The chief (into water), diver; fr: q.un qui saute (dans
assembled the old men (lit.: the old age) of l’eau), plongeur; dt: jmd. der (ins Wasser)
the village.; fr: Le chef a rassemblé les vieux springt, Taucher.
(lit.: la vieillesse) du village.; dt: Der Chef a minnəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
versammelte die Alten (wörtlich: das Alter) a minnəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
des Dorfes. that submerges, animal (e.g. bird) that dives;
mɛ̃ntam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/mɛ̃nt- fr: objet qui s’immerge, animal (p. ex. oiseau)
am/) → mɛ̃nt-. qui plonge; dt: Gegenstand das untergeht, Tier
mɛ̃ntɛ past. (=/mɛ̃nt-ɛ/) → mɛ̃nt-. (z.B. Vogel) das taucht.
mɛ̃ntɩ perfective. (=/mɛ̃nt/) → mɛ̃nt-. a minnəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
mɛ̃ntr imperfective. (=/mɛ̃nt-d/) → mɛ̃nt-. a minnəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
mɛ̃ntraa future. (=/mɛ̃nt-d-aa/) → mɛ̃nt-. sg.
mɛ̃ntrɩ imperfective. (=/mɛ̃nt-d/) → mɛ̃nt-. a minnəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for diving;
mɛ̃ntʋ deverbal action noun sg. (=/mɛ̃nt-ʋ/) → fr: endroit pour plonger; dt: Platz zum
mɛ̃nt-. Tauchen.
mɛ̃ŋ perfective. → mɛ̃ŋ-. minʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → min-.
mɛ̃ŋ- verb. stay, remain; suck; fr: rester ; sucer; dt: mine past. → min-.
bleiben; saugen. minnʌʌ future. → min-.
mɛ̃ŋənaa future. minnəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → min-.
mɛ̃ŋɛ past. minnəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
mɛ̃ŋ perfective. → min-.
mɛ̃ŋənɛ imperfective. minnəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → min-.
a mɛ̃ŋam deverbal action noun sg./mass. minnəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → min-.
mɛ̃ŋɛ past. → mɛ̃ŋ-. minn(i) imperfective. → min-.
mɛ̃ŋənaa future. → mɛ̃ŋ-. minno deverbal agent noun sg. → min-.
mɛ̃ŋənɛ imperfective. → mɛ̃ŋ-. mirg- verb. spin (cotton); fr: filer (le coton); dt:
mɛ̃r- noun. cold; fr: rhume; dt: Erkältung. (Baumwolle) spinnen. [Note: Cotton spinning is
mɛ̃rgʋ sg. typically done by young girls or old women,
mɛ̃rɩɩ pl. even those who are too old to stand up.]
a mɛ̃rgʋ hem NP+N compound noun sg./mass mirgrʌʌ future.
snot; fr: morve; dt: Rotz mirge past.
mɛ̃rgʋ sg. → mɛ̃r-. mirg(i) perfective.
mə-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 1st person sg. → gɩllɛ. mirgr(i) imperfective.
mɩ / mɛ postclitic personal pronoun object 1st a mirgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
person sg. (=/m/) → m. mirge past. → mirg-.
mɩlỹɔ̃ numeral. million; fr: million; dt: Million. [Note: mirg(i) perfective. → mirg-.
= French. Unlike many numerals, this word can mirgrʌʌ future. → mirg-.
also optionally be used with the article a.] mirgr(i) imperfective. → mirg-.
(a) mɩlỹɔ̃ cardinal numeral sg. məkɔ strong possessive adjective 1st person sg.
(a) mɩlỹɔ̃ma cardinal numeral pl. (=/mə-kɔ/) → m.
miisəgu noun. thin round cake made from small mɔgʋ noun. area of the Mossi; fr: région des Mossi;
millet; fr: galette ronde de petit mil; dt: kleiner dt: Gebiet der Mossi.
dünner runder Fladen aus kleiner Hirse. a mɔgʋ sg. [Note: The two variants a mɔgʋ and a
a miisəgu sg. mɔɔgʋ are in free variation.]
a miisədu pl. a mɔɔgʋ sg.
min perfective. → min-. mɔsəŋa noun. Mossi (person); fr: (personne)
min- verb. submerge, immerse oneself, jump/dive Mossi; dt: (Mensch) Mossi.
(into water); fr: submerger, immerger, plonger a mɔsəŋa sg.
(dans l’eau); dt: untertauchen, hineintauchen, a mɔsənɛ pl.
(ins Wasser) springen. [Note: This verb applies mɔtɔg- noun. lorry; fr: camion; dt: Lastwagen.
to humans only, not to objects. No distinction [Note: Probably < Engl. motor car. Hardly used
can be made between jumping (feet first) and nowadays -- is being replaced by a mobilli

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 121

mɔtɔgnɩ na
‘vehicle’, which covers a wider range of mɔ̃mgʋ sg. → mɔ̃m-.
motorized vehicles.] mɔ̃mmaa future. → mɔ̃m-.
a mɔtɔka sg. mɔ̃mm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → mɔ̃m-.
a mɔtɔgnɩ pl. mɔ̃nɔm noun. red ink; belly, sexual organ; fr: encre
a mɔtɔgəsʋʋ pl. rouge; bas-ventre, sexe; dt: rote Tinte;
mɔtɔgnɩ pl. → mɔtɔg-. Unterleib, Geschlechtsteil.
mɔtɔka sg. → mɔtɔg-. a mɔ̃nɔm sg.
mɔ̃ adverb. also; fr: aussi; dt: auch. [Note: This a mɔ̃nɔmfɩ pl.
adverb occurs immediately after the subject NP mɔ̃nt- noun. watch, clock; fr: montre; dt: Uhr. [Note:
and before a verb or negative particle (if = Mòoré]
present).] a mɔ̃ntrɩ sg.
mɔ̃ co-ordinating adverb. a mɔ̃ntaʋ pl.
mɔ̃- noun. Moslem; fr: musulmane; dt: Moslem. mɔ̃ntrɩ sg. → mɔ̃nt-.
a mɔ̃rɩ sg. mɔ̃rɩ sg. → mɔ̃-.
a mɔ̃ɩ̃baʋ pl. mobil- noun. vehicle, car, lorry, truck; fr: véhicule,
mɔ̃gs- verb. suck; kiss; fr: sucer; caresser; dt: voiture, camion; dt: Fahrzeug, Auto,
saugen; küssen. Lastwagen, Pritschenwagen.
mɔ̃gsraa future. a mobilli sg.
mɔ̃gsɛ past. a mobilʌ pl.
mɔ̃gs(ʋ) perfective. mobilli sg. → mobil-.
mɔ̃gsr(ʋ) imperfective. mʋkʋ noun. deaf, deaf-mute; fr: sourd, sourd-muet;
a mɔ̃gsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. dt: taub, taubstumm. [Note: = Mòoré]
mɔ̃gsɛ past. → mɔ̃gs-. a mʋkʋ sg.
mɔ̃gsraa future. → mɔ̃gs-. a mʋgədʋ pl.
mɔ̃gsr(ʋ) imperfective. → mɔ̃gs-. mugdgu noun. ball made of a kind of traditional
mɔ̃gs(ʋ) perfective. → mɔ̃gs-. flour; fr: balle d’un espèce de farine
mɔ̃m perfective. → mɔ̃m-. traditionnelle; dt: Kugel aus einer Art
mɔ̃m- noun. eel; fr: anguille; dt: Aal. traditionelles Mehl. [Note: = Mòoré. A mixture
a mɔ̃mgʋ sg. of partly pounded small millet and pounded
a mɔ̃mɛ pl. peanuts, which is pounded again when mixed.
mɔ̃m- verb. laugh; fr: rire; dt: lachen. It is shaped into balls, which are put into the
mɔ̃mmaa future. mouth and sucked rather than eaten.]
mɔ̃mɛ past. a mugədəgu sg. [Note: Two [g]’s, not [ɣ].]
mɔ̃m perfective. a mugədəgufi sg.
mɔ̃mm(ɔ̃) imperfective. mugədəgu sg. → mugdgu.
a mɔ̃mam deverbal action noun sg./mass. mũĩ- noun. grain of rice, (pl.) rice; fr: graine de riz,
a mɔ̃msɩ deverbal action noun pl. laughing, (pl.) riz; dt: Reiskorn, (Pl.) Reis.
laughter; fr: rire, rigolade; dt: Lachen, a mũĩfe sg.
Gelächter. a mũĩ pl.
mɔ̃mam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → mɔ̃m-. mũĩfe sg. → mũĩ-.
mɔ̃mɛ past. → mɔ̃m-.

N - n

n proclitic personal adjective 2nd person sg. na ɩhɩ̃ɩ̃ multiplicative adverb twice; fr: deux
(=/ŋ/) → ŋ. [Phon: This form is used before fois; dt: zweimal
alveolar consonants only.] na hɩ̃ɩ̃ iterative numeral twice; fr: deux fois; dt:
n proclitic personal adjective 2nd person sg. zweimal [Note: This stem can be used with
(=/ŋ/) → ŋ. [Phon: This form is used in all other any cardinal numeral. The numerals from 2
phonological contexts, i.e. before velar to 9 which have the prefix ɩ can keep or
consonants, before h, j, w and before vowels.] drop the prefix (free variation).]
n dɔmnɛ deverbal action noun sg./mass. → dɔml-. na pronoun / possessive adjective. you (pl.); your
na multiplicative adverb stem. time(s); fr: fois; dt: (pl.); fr: vous; votre/vos; dt: ihr (2. pl.), euch;
-mal. euer(,-er,-e,-es).
na dɔm multiplicative adverb once; fr: une fois; na proclitic personal pronoun subject 2nd person
dt: einmal [Note: *na gadom and *na ndom pl.
are impossible for ‘once’.]
122 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at
-na naan-
— postclitic personal pronoun object 2nd negative pronoun (and of all others) seems
person pl. to be an old negation particle aa, which
— possessive adjective 2nd person pl. [Note: occurs once in an oral text recorded in 1967
This form is either prefixed to a verb or a noun by Wilhelm Staude and published in
phrase, or suffixed to a verb; it cannot stand Rennison (1985b). This particle in turn
alone (e.g. as the elliptical answer to a might possibly have come from the
question). As the prefix of a verb, it is the commonly used a´ʔa` ‘no’. As with the
subject pronoun, on a noun phrase it is the negative particle ba, negative pronouns
“possessor”, and as a suffix on a verb it is the cause shortening of the final vowel of the
(direct or indirect) object. It also occurs after future.]
the (usually sentence-initial) verb in a plural -na (=/na/) pl.suffix. plural; fr: pluriel; dt: Plural.
imperative. As in French, the 2nd person plural [Note: Extremely rare plural suffix found on
pronoun can be used when addressing a single the words ‘man’ and ‘woman’.]
person as a sign of respect. The vowel of this na saa nãʋ̃ - n yɛ̃ŋsɩ bʌ̃ʌ̃ni - a bʌ̃ʌ̃ni
pronoun is lexical and is therefore (in contrast dialogue. (=/nã-d/) → nã-.
with some other pronouns) never omitted.] naa numeral. [Note: The disjunctive numeral ɩnaa
naa negative proclitic (subject) personal pronoun is used when counting. When naa is used
2nd person pl. you (pl.), your(s) (pl.); fr: vous; attributively the prefix ɩ must be dropped and
votre/vos; dt: ihr (2. pl.), euch; euer(,-er,-e,- there can be no article a before the qualified
es). noun or noun phrase.]
bɛ na la na tɩra imperative sentence Bring (pl.) naa attributive cardinal numeral. four (4); twenty
your papers! (Lit. Come (pl.) here with your francs CFA; fr: quatre (4); vingt francs CFA; dt:
papers!); fr: Amenez vos papiers! (Lit. vier (4); zwanzig Francs CFA.
Venez avec vos papiers!); dt: Bringt eure ɩnaa disjunctive cardinal numeral.
Papiere (Lit. Kommt mit euren Papieren!) fʋba naa NP+cardinal numeral compound noun
mə pandaa na (a) mãnɛ sentence I will give you pl. four people; fr: quatre gens; dt: vier
(pl.) some money.; fr: Je vous donnerai de Menschen [Note: Not *a fʋba naa.]
l’argent.; dt: Ich werde euch Geld geben. a naandɔ ordinal numeral human sg. [Note:
nakɔ disjunctive personal pronoun (subject, There exists a homophonous word a naandɔ
direct or indirect object) & possessive ‘creator’, the agent noun formed from the verb
adjective 2nd person pl. a naanam ‘create’.]
bɛ na la nakɔ tɩra imperative sentence Bring a naandəba ordinal numeral human pl.
(pl.) your papers! (Lit. Come (pl.) herewith a naandəgʋ ordinal numeral non-human sg.
your papers!); fr: Amenez vos papiers! (Lit. — ordinal numeral non-human pl.
Venez avec vos papiers!); dt: Bringt eure a fo naandɔ NP+ordinal numeral compound
Papiere (Lit. Kommt mit euren Papieren!) noun sg. the fourth person; fr: la quatrième
mə pandaa nakɔ (a) mãnɛ sentence I will give personne; dt: der vierte Mensch
you (pl.) some money.; fr: Je vous donnerai a fʋba naandəba NP+ordinal numeral
de l’argent.; dt: Ich werde euch Geld geben. compound noun pl. the fourth (group of)
[Note: This form of the pronoun indicates people; fr: le quatrième (groupe de) gens;
some kind of “emphasis”, but this can be so dt: die Vierten
minimal that in practice the disjunctive form a geŋʌ naandəgʋ NP+ordinal numeral
can always be used in place of a clitic compound noun pl. the fourth (pile of)
pronoun. It never undergoes any stones; fr: le quatrième (tas de) pierres; dt:
phonological reduction or expansion. It can der vierte (Haufen) Steine [Note: In
stand in the normal (preverbal) subject or contrast with the cardinal numerals,
(postverbal) object positions, and can also attributive ordinal numerals take the article
be used as the elliptical answer to a a.]
question. As with all disjunctive pronouns, it naa negative proclitic (subject) personal pronoun
is formed with the proclitic prefix version of 2nd person pl. → na.
the pronoun and the invariant stem-like naan- verb. create; fr: créer; dt: schöpfen, schaffen.
element kɔ.] [Note: = Mòoré. This word applies to creating
naa negative proclitic personal subject pronoun things such as metal objects (by a blacksmith),
2nd person pl. you (pl,)...not; fr: vous ne...pas; pots (by a potter), but does not extend to cloth
dt: ihr...nicht. produced by a weaver (who has far lower
naa dɛɩ na ỹɛ̃ɩ̃ məkɔ sentence You (pl.) can’t prestige in Koromba society).]
catch me.; fr: Vous ne pouvez pas naandaa future.
m’attraper; dt: Ihr könnt mich nicht fangen. naanɛ past.
[Note: This pronoun is equivalent to the naanɩ perfective.
proclitic subject pronoun na combined with naandɩ imperfective.
the negative particle ba. The origin of this a naanam deverbal action noun sg./mass.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 123

naanam
a naandɔ deverbal agent noun sg. creator; fr: der/die/das dort. [Note: These words consist
créateur; dt: Schöpfer. of the stem naŋ plus the post-clitic forms of the
a naandəba 3rd person pronouns. The velar nasal is deleted
naanam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → naan-. before h (as with ndeeŋ ‘which’).]
naandaa future. → naan-. nandɩ human sg.
naandəba ordinal numeral human pl. → naa. naŋgʋ non-human sg.
naandɩ imperfective. → naan-. namba human pl.
naandɔ ordinal numeral human sg. → naa. nahɛ̃ non-human pl.
naandɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → naan-. naŋgʋ non-human sg. → naŋ.
naanɛ noun. chief of the initiation candidates; fr: naŋkãã interrogative adverb. → naŋkã(n)ã.
chef des candidats d’initiation; dt: Chef der naŋkã(n)ã interrogative adverb. How?; fr:
Initiationskandidaten. [Note: = Mòoré. This Comment?; dt: Wie?
person is the leader of the group of boys naŋkãã interrogative adverb.
undergoing initiation and circumcision in a naŋkãnã interrogative adverb.
particular year.] nas- verb. spread out, lay out; hand over; fr: étaler,
a naanɛ sg. étendre ; tendre; dt: ausbreiten, auslegen;
a naanəma pl. übergeben. [Note: In the sense of ‘lay out’,
naanɛ past. → naan-. typically used of stallholders or merchants
naanɩ perfective. → naan-. laying out their wares.]
nabt- noun. sesame; fr: sésame; dt: Sesam. nasraa future.
a nabtəfɛ singulative. nasɛ past.
a nabtɩ pl./collective. nas(ɩ) perfective.
a nabtəfɩ pl. nasr(ɩ) imperfective.
nabtəfɛ singulative. → nabt-. a nasam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
nabtɩ pl./collective. → nabt-. nasɛ past. → nas-.
nad- noun. kind of ailment; fr: espèce de maladie; nasɩ sg. → nasʋ.
dt: Art Krankheit. [Note: =Mòoré. This ailment nas(ɩ) perfective. → nas-.
manifests itself with sore patches in the scalp nasraa future. → nas-.
which turn white and may result in hair loss. It nasr(ɩ) imperfective. → nas-.
is referred to with either the singular or the nasʋ noun. flat roof; fr: toit plat; dt: flaches Dach.
plural form.] [Note: Probably a deverbal action noun < a
a nadga sg. nasam ‘spread out’. Flat rooves are often used
a nadsʋʋ pl. as terraces, for which this word is also used.]
nadga sg. → nad-. a nasʋ sg.
na(g)- noun. cattle, bull, cow; fr: bovin, bœuf, a nasɩ sg.
vache; dt: Rind, Stier, Kuh. [Note: < Fulfulde. a nasəfɩ pl.
Traditionally only the Ful had cattle and the nã perfective. (=/nã/) → nã-.
Koromba had none. Today there are also nã- (=/nã/) verb. see, perceive, find; fr: voir,
Koromba cattle owners. This is the generic apercevoir, trouver; dt: sehen, wahrnehmen,
word for cattle.] finden. [Note: This verb has no other
a nagfɛ sg. inflectional forms.]
a naɩ pl. nãnaa (=/nã-d-aa/) future.
nagfɛ sg. → na(g)-. nãã (=/nã-ɛ/) past.
nagfɛ gʌbrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → nã (=/nã/) perfective.
gʌb-. nãnɩ (=/nã-d/) imperfective.
na-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 2nd person pl. → gɩllɛ. nãnɛ (=/nã-d/) imperfective.
nags- verb. decorate; fr: décorer; dt: zieren. a nããm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
nagsraa future. a nãʋ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass. [Note:
nagsɛ past. This form occurs only in the fixed phrase given
nags(ɩ) perfective. below.]
nagsr(ɩ) imperfective. na saa nãʋ̃ - n yɛ̃ŋsɩ bʌ̃ʌ̃ni - a bʌ̃ʌ̃ni
a nagsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. dialogue. A: Seeing your owner - B: Have you
nagsɛ past. → nags-. got up (in) health - A: Health.; fr: A: Voir votre
nags(ɩ) perfective. → nags-. propriétaire - B: Tu t’es levé (en) santé? - A:
nagsraa future. → nags-. Santé.; dt: A: Das Sehen Ihres Besitzers. - B:
nagsr(ɩ) imperfective. → nags-. Bist du (in) Gesundheit aufgestanden? - A:
naɩ gʌbrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun sg. → gʌb-. Gesundheit. [Note: This is a greeting sequence
namba human pl. → naŋ. used by older Koromba when seeing someone
nandɩ human sg. → naŋ. for the first time in the morning.]
naŋ demonstrative personal pronoun. that/those
over there; fr: celui/celle/ceux/celles-là; dt:

124 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

nãã nɛbraa
a nãnɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who sees, nãnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/nã-d/) →
clairvoyant; fr: q.un qui voit, clairvoyant; dt: nã-.
jmd. der sieht, Hellseher. nãnɩ imperfective. (=/nã-d/) → nã-.
a nãnəba deverbal agent noun pl. nãnnãã future. → nãn-.
a nãnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object for nãnnɛ adverb.
looking at / into, mirror, spectacles; fr: objet nãnnɛ temporal adverb. four days from today; fr:
pour regarder, miroir, lunettes; dt: Gegenstand dans quatre jours; dt: in vier Tagen.
zum ansehen / hineinsehen, Spiegel, Brille. ba digrʌʌ (a) ỹãna hɛ̃ŋ nãnnɛ sentence They
a nãnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. will sow the millet four days from now.; fr:
a nãnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive Ils sèmeront le mil dans quatre jours.; dt:
sg. Sie werden in vier Tagen die Hirse säen.
a nãnəfa deverbal local noun. place for looking; nãnnɛ̃ imperfective. → nãn-.
fr: endroit pour regarder; dt: Platz zum sehen. nãnɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/nã-d/) → nã-.
a nãnəmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. things that nãʋ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/nã-d/) →
one has seen, things that one appreciates; fr: nã-.
choses qu’on a vu, choses qu’on apprécie; dt: nde (=/nde/) interrogative adverb. where; fr: où;
Dinge, die man gesehen hat, Dinge, die man dt: wo.
schätzt. nde (=/nde/) interrogative adverb.
nãã past. (=/nã-ɛ/) → nã-. ndeehɛ̃ non-human pl. → ndeeŋ-.
nããm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/nã-d/) → ndeemba human pl. → ndeeŋ-.
nã-. ndeendɩ human sg. → ndeeŋ-.
nãmba adverb. not yet; fr: pas encore; dt: noch ndeeŋ- interrogative adjective. which; fr:
nicht. [Note: The ba at the end of this word quel(le)(s); dt: welch(-er,-e,-es). [Note: These
could be the negative particle ba.] words consist of the stem ndeeŋ plus the post-
nãmba negative temporal adverb. clitic forms of the 3rd person pronouns. The
də nãmba bɛ̃nɛ sentence He hasn’t arrived yet.; pronouns are not harmonised for ATR (here or
fr: Il n’est pas encore arrivé.; dt: Er ist noch anywhere else in the language). The velar nasal
nicht gekommen. is deleted before h (as with naŋ ‘that/those
nãn- noun. song; fr: chanson; dt: Lied. [Note: Clearly over there’).]
related to a nãnam, but not derived by any ndeendɩ human sg.
regular process -- though see also a leləfɛ from ndeemba human pl.
a lelʌm.] ndeeŋgʋ non-human sg.
a nãnəfɛ sg. ndeehɛ̃ non-human pl.
a nãnɛ pl. ndeeŋga diminutive sg.
a nãnɔ̃ pl. ndeeŋgʋ non-human sg. → ndeeŋ-.
nãn- verb. praise, thank, congratulate, treat nɛ → -nɩ.
politely, sing s.o.’s praise; fr: louer, remercier, nɛ postclitic personal pronoun 2nd person sg.
féliciter, traiter avec politesse, louer en object. (=/ŋ/) → ŋ.
chantant; dt: loben, danken, gratulieren, nɛb perfective. (=/nɛb/) → nɛb-.
höflich behandeln, lobsingen. nɛb- noun. green pea plant, chickpea plant; fr:
nãnnãã future. plante de petit pois, plante de pois de terre; dt:
nãnɛ̃ past. grüne Erbsen-Pflanze, Kichererbsenpflanze.
nãnɛ̃ perfective. a nɛbrɛ sg.
nãnnɛ̃ imperfective. a nɛba pl.
a nãnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a nɛbka diminutive sg. green pea, chickpea; fr:
a nãnnɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. singer; fr: petit pois, pois de terre; dt: grüne Erbse,
chanteur; dt: Sänger. [Note: This word only Kichererbse.
applies to singing someone’s praise.] a nɛba pl. [Note: Phonologically the plural of the
nãnaa future. (=/nã-d-aa/) → nã-. plant and the plural of peas are identical. Older
nãnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → nãn-. forms are lɛbrɛ, lɛba, lɛbə bi.]
nãnəba deverbal agent noun pl. (=/nã-d/) → nã-. nɛb- (=/nɛb/) verb. lick; fr: lécher; dt: lecken.
nãnɛ imperfective. (=/nã-d/) → nã-. nɛbraa (=/nɛb-d-aa/) future.
nãnɛ pl. → nãn-. nɛbɛ (=/nɛb-ɛ/) past.
nãnɛ̃ past. → nãn-. nɛb / nɛbʋ (=/nɛb/) perfective.
nãnɛ̃ perfective. → nãn-. nɛbr / nɛbrʋ (=/nɛb-d/) imperfective.
nãnəfa deverbal local noun. (=/nã-d/) → nã-. nɛbam (=/nɛb-am/) action noun sg./mass.
nãnəfɛ sg. → nãn-. nɛba pl. → nɛb-.
nãnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. nɛbɛ past. (=/nɛb-ɛ/) → nɛb-.
(=/nã-d/) → nã-. nɛbka diminutive sg. → nɛb-.
nãnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/nã-d/) → nɛbr imperfective. (=/nɛb-d/) → nɛb-.
nã-. nɛbraa future. (=/nɛb-d-aa/) → nɛb-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 125

nɛbrɛ nɛ̃m-
nɛbrɛ sg. → nɛb-. poussière de la bouche); dt: Spucke (wörtl.:
nɛbrʋ imperfective. (=/nɛb-d/) → nɛb-. Pulver des Mundes) [Note: During the dry
nɛbʋ perfective. (=/nɛb/) → nɛb-. season the air is full of fine sandy dust, and
nɛŋ (=/nɛŋ/) adverb. thus, so, like that; fr: ainsi, people often have to spit to get it out of the
de cette manière; dt: so, auf diese Weise. mouth and nose.]
nɛŋ (=/nɛŋ/) adverb of manner. a dɔ nɛ̃nɛ NP+N compound noun sg. ostrich; fr:
nɛŋgɛ (=/nɛŋ-gṾ/) adverb of manner. [Note: autruche; dt: Vogel Strauß
The stronger form has the same structure as nɛ̃- verb. defecate, shit,
the strong demonstrative adjectives hoŋgo urinate, piss; rain; fr:
etc., i.e. a suffixed /g/ followed by a copy of déféquer, chier, uriner,
the stem vowel.] pisser ; pleuvoir; dt:
nɛŋ perfective. → nɛŋ-. Stuhl haben, scheißen,
nɛŋ- verb. water (animals); fr: abreuver (les urinieren, pissen;
animaux); dt: (Tiere) tränken. regnen. [Note: In the
nɛŋənaa future. sense of ‘rain’, the
nɛŋɛ past. subject must be a vɛ̃ŋa
nɛŋ perfective. ‘rain cloud’. Cf. also a nɩ
nɛŋənɛ imperfective. hem’urine’. In the sense
a nɛŋam deverbal action noun sg./mass. of ‘defecate, urinate’, this is the generic word.
nɛŋɛ past. → nɛŋ-. There is no word meaning ‘urinate’ only, but cf.
nɛŋɛt- verb. oblige, force; fr: obliger, forcer; dt: a wɛ̃j ̃ãm, which means ‘defecate’ but not
verpflichten, zwingen. [Note: Probably the ‘urinate’.]
reversive of a nɛŋam ‘water’.] nɛ̃naa future.
nɛŋɛtraa future. nɛ̃ past.
nɛŋɛtɛ past. nɛ̃ perfective.
nɛŋɛt(ɩ) perfective. nɛ̃nɛ imperfective.
nɛŋɛtr(ɩ) imperfective. a nɛ̃ɛ̃m deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a nɛŋɛtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a nɛ̃ʋ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass.
nɛŋɛtɛ past. → nɛŋɛt-. yoote a vɛ̃ŋa koŋ nɛ̃naa sentence It’s going to
nɛŋɛt(ɩ) perfective. → nɛŋɛt-. rain today.; fr: Il va pleuvoir aujourd’hui.;
nɛŋɛtraa future. → nɛŋɛt-. dt: Es wird heute regnen. [Note: This form is
nɛŋɛtr(ɩ) imperfective. → nɛŋɛt-. more widely used than a nɛ̃ɛ̃m.]
nɛŋənaa future. → nɛŋ-. nɛ̃ɛ̃ noun. “in-law-ness”; father-in-law’s family; fr:
nɛŋənɛ imperfective. → nɛŋ-. “beau-parenté”; famille du beau-père; dt:
nɛ̃ past. → nɛ̃-. “Schwiegerschaft”; Familie des
nɛ̃ perfective. → nɛ̃-. Schwiegervaters.
nɛ̃- noun. mouth, beak, muzzle, snout, door, a nɛ̃ɛ̃ sg. [Note: This noun refers both to the
entrance, blade, edge; fr: bouche, bec, museau, relationship of ego to his father-in-law and his
gueule, porte, entrée, lame, tranchant; dt: family (which is often problematic) and to the
Mund, Schnabel, Schnauze, Maul, Tür, father-in-law’s family itself.]
Eingang, Klinge, Schneide. a nɛ̃ɛ̃ba pl. parents-in-law, parents-in-law’s
nɛ̃nɛ sg. family; fr: beaux-parents, famille des beaux-
nɛ̃ỹã pl. parents; dt: Schwiegereltern, Familie der
a nɛ̃n-dɔ̃nda saa NP+N compound noun sg. Schwiegereltern.
sweet talker, flatterer (lit.: owner of a a nɛ̃ɛ̃ bɔrɔ NP+N compound noun sg. father-in-
good-tasting mouth); fr: baratineur, law; fr: beau-père; dt: Schwiegervater
Flatteur (lit.: possesseur d’une bouche à bon [Note: The plural also designates the
goût); dt: Süßmaul, Schmeichler (wörtl.: brothers and other male relatives of the
Besitzer eines wohlschmeckenden Mundes) father-in-law.]
a nɛ̃n-dɔ̃nda sammã NP+N compound noun pl. a nɛ̃ɛ̃ bɛ̃nna NP+N compound noun pl.
a nɛ̃ŋ-hamnɛ saa NP+N compound noun sg. a nɛ̃ɛ̃ kɛ̃ɔ̃ NP+N compound noun sg. mother-in-
gossip (lit.: owner of a mouth of fire), fickle law; fr: beau-mère; dt: Schwiegermutter
person; promiscuous girl; fr: bavard (lit.: a nɛ̃ɛ̃ kɛ̃na NP+N compound noun pl. [Note: The
possesseur d’une bouche de feu), personne plural also designates the father-in-law’s
variable; fille aux mœurs légères; dt: sisters and other female relatives of the
geschwätziger Mensch (wörtl.: Besitzer father-in-law.] [Note: This word has no
eines Feuermauls), unbeständiger Mensch; singular.]
leichtes Mädchen nɛ̃ɛ̃m deverbal action noun sg./mass. → nɛ̃-.
a nɛ̃ŋ-hamnɛ sammã NP+N compound noun pl. nɛ̃m- noun. meat, flesh; fr: viande; dt: Fleisch.
a nɛ̃n-tɔm N+N compound noun sg./mass spit [Note: The final mɔ̃ of this word and of a sɔ̃mmɔ̃
(lit.: dust of the mouth); fr: crachat (lit.: ‘salt’ may be the remnants of a class suffix,

126 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

nɛ̃ma niiləbʌ
possibly a variant of - m, since both are mass ne (=/n/) [Note: The vowels are only
nouns..] pronounced phrase-finally. The mid variants
a nɛ̃mmʋ̃ sg./mass. occur in more casual / faster speech styles.
a nɛ̃ma pl. ATR agrees with the last vowel of the
a nɛ̃mmɔ̃fɩ pl. butcher; fr: boucher; dt: preceding word.] postposition.
Fleischhauer. nɩhem noun. urine; fr: urine; dt: Urin. [Note: The
a nɛ̃mmɔ̃ hem NP+N compound noun sg./mass first element of this compound, nɩ, must come
soup, stew; fr: soupe; dt: Suppe, Eintopf from the verb a nɛ̃ʋ̃ ‘urinate’. The second is
[Note: “Soup” consists predominantly of hem ‘water’.]
some kind of meat, but often contains more a nɩ hem V+N compound noun sg./mass.
liquid than a stew.] nɩ̃ŋgɛt- noun. mirror; fr: miroir; dt: Spiegel. [Note:
a nɛ̃mmɔ̃ kʋrɔ NP+N compound noun sg. = Mòoré]
butcher; fr: boucher; dt: Fleischhauer a nɩ̃ŋgɛtəga sg.
a nɛ̃mmɔ̃ kʋrəba NP+N compound noun pl. nɩ̃ŋgɛtəsɩ pl.
[Note: The plural designates single pieces of nɩ̃ŋgɛtəga sg. → nɩ̃ŋgɛt-.
meat.] ni → -nɩ.
nɛ̃ma pl. → nɛ̃m-. ni perfective. → ni(i)-.
nɛ̃mmʋ̃ sg./mass. → nɛ̃m-. nibəgʌ noun. grandchild (paternal or maternal); fr:
nɛ̃naa future. → nɛ̃-. petit fils, petite fille (du côté paternel ou
nɛ̃ndɔ̃nɔtrɛ noun. Ramadan prayer; fr: prière de maternel); dt: Enkel (väter- oder
Ramadan; dt: Ramadan-Gebet. mütterlicherseits).
a nɛ̃ndɔ̃nɔtrɛ NP+N compound noun sg. [Note: a nibəgʌ sg.
a nɛ̃n dɔ̃nɔtrɛ ‘the mouth a nibəni pl.
detaching/untying’] ni(i)- verb. see; fr: voir; dt: sehen. [Note: This verb
a nɛ̃n dɔ̃nɔta NP+N compound noun pl. is not used in the extended sense of ‘perceive’,
nɛ̃nɛ sg. → nɛ̃-. but refers to eyesight and clairvoyance only.
nɛ̃nɛ imperfective. → nɛ̃-. This verb does not seem to have a past form;
nɛ̃nɛm perfective. → nɛ̃nm-. instead naa from a naam is used.]
nɛ̃nɛmaa future. → nɛ̃nm-. niilʌʌ future.
nɛ̃nɛm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → nɛ̃nm-. ni perfective.
nɛ̃nm- verb. shout, call; fr: crier, appeler; dt: niili imperfective.
schreien, rufen. a niilei deverbal action noun sg./mass.
nɛ̃nɛmaa future. a niilo deverbal agent noun sg. clairvoyant,
nɛ̃nəmɛ past. soothsayer, astrologer, meteorologist; fr:
nɛ̃nɛm perfective. voyant, devin, astrologue, météorologiste; dt:
nɛ̃nɛm(ɔ̃) imperfective. HellseherIn, WahrsagerIn, AstrologIn,
a nɛ̃nəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. MeteorologIn. [Note: Among the Koromba a
nɛ̃nəmɛ past. → nɛ̃nm-. clairvoyant can be a man or a woman.]
nɛ̃ŋɛms- verb. sprain; fr: se fouler, “entorser”; dt: a niiləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
verstauchen. a niiləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object for
nɛ̃ŋɛmsraa future. seeing (e.g. eye, spectacles); visible object; fr:
nɛ̃ŋɛmsɛ past. objet pour voir (p. ex. oeil, lunettes); objet
nɛ̃ŋɛms(ʋ) perfective. visible; dt: Gegenstand zum sehen (z.B. Auge,
nɛ̃ŋɛmsr(ʋ) imperfective. Brille); sichtbarer Gegenstand.
a nɛ̃ŋɛmsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a niiləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
a sundu koŋ wolle nɛ̃ŋɛmsʋ sentence That a niiləgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
horse has sprained its leg.; fr: Ce cheval-là sg.
a foulé sa jambe.; dt: Das Pferd dort hat a niiləfʌ deverbal local noun. place for seeing
sein Bein verstaucht. (e.g. in a cinema or stadium); place where a
nɛ̃ŋɛmsɛ past. → nɛ̃ŋɛms-. clairvoyant goes to see the future; fr: endroit
nɛ̃ŋɛmsraa future. → nɛ̃ŋɛms-. pour voir (p. ex. dans un cinéma ou un stade);
nɛ̃ŋɛmsr(ʋ) imperfective. → nɛ̃ŋɛms-. endroit où un clairvoyant va pour voir l’avenir;
nɛ̃ŋɛms(ʋ) perfective. → nɛ̃ŋɛms-. dt: Platz zum sehen (z.B. in einem Kino oder
nɩ → -nɩ. Stadion); Platz wo ein(e) HellseherIn hingeht,
nɩ postclitic personal pronoun 2nd person sg. um die Zukunft zu sehen.
object. (=/ŋ/) → ŋ. a niimʌ̃ũ deverbal nomen acti pl. everything /
-nɩ (=/n/) postposition. at, in, to; fr: à, dans; dt: everyone that is visible; fr: toute chose /
an, in, zu. personne qui est visible; dt: alle sichtbaren
nɩ Dinge / Personen.
ni niilʌʌ future. → ni(i)-.
nɛ niiləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → ni(i)-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 127

niilei nɔ̃m-
niilei deverbal action noun sg./mass. → ni(i)-. nɔgtraa future.
niiləfʌ deverbal local noun. → ni(i)-. nɔgtɛ past.
niiləgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. → nɔgt(ʋ) perfective.
ni(i)-. nɔgtr(ʋ) imperfective.
niiləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → ni(i)-. a nɔgtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
niiləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → ni(i)-. nɔgtɛ past. → nɔgt-.
niili imperfective. → ni(i)-. nɔgtraa future. → nɔgt-.
niilo deverbal agent noun sg. → ni(i)-. nɔgtr(ʋ) imperfective. → nɔgt-.
nir- noun. melon (of any kind); calabash in which a nɔgt(ʋ) perfective. → nɔgt-.
weaver keeps his tools; fr: melon (de chaque nɔkʋ sg. → nɔb-.
sorte); calebasse dans laquelle un tisserand nɔm numeral. five (4); twenty-five francs CFA; fr:
garde ses outils; dt: Melone (jeder Art); cinq (4); vingt-cinq francs CFA; dt: fünf (4);
Kalebasse, in der ein Weber seine Ausrüstung fünfundzwanzig Francs CFA. [Note: The
aufbewahrt. disjunctive numeral ɩnɔm is used when
a nirfe sg. counting. When nɔm is used attributively the
a nirii pl. prefix ɩ must be dropped and there can be no
nirfe sg. → nir-. article a before the qualified noun or noun
nɔb- noun. hazel-tree; fr: noisetier; dt: phrase.]
Haselstrauch. nɔm attributive cardinal numeral.
a nɔkʋ sg. ɩnɔm disjunctive cardinal numeral.
a nɔbɩ pl. fʋba nɔm NP+cardinal numeral compound noun
nɔb- verb. grow; fr: grossir; dt: wachsen. pl. five people; fr: cinq gens; dt: fünf
nɔbraa future. Menschen [Note: Not * a fʋba nɔm.]
nɔbɛ past. a nɔməndɔ ordinal numeral human sg. fifth; fr:
nɔb(ʋ) perfective. cinquième; dt: fünft(-er,-e,-es).
nɔbr(ʋ) imperfective. a nɔməndəba ordinal numeral human pl.
a nɔbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a nɔməndəgʋ ordinal numeral non-human sg.
a bɔrɔ nɔbʋ NP+N compound noun sg. a big — ordinal numeral non-human pl.
man; fr: un homme grand; dt: ein großer a fo nɔməndɔ NP+ordinal numeral compound
Mann noun sg. the fifth person; fr: la cinquième
a bɛ̃nna nɔbʋ NP+N compound noun pl. personne; dt: der fünfte Mensch
nɔbɛ past. → nɔb-. a fʋba nɔməndəba NP+ordinal numeral
nɔbraa future. → nɔb-. compound noun pl. the fifth (group of)
nɔbr(ʋ) imperfective. → nɔb-. people; fr: le cinquième (groupe de) gens;
nɔb(ʋ) perfective. → nɔb-. dt: die Fünften
nɔd- noun. field behind a house; fr: champ derrière a geŋʌ nɔməndəgʋ NP+ordinal numeral
une maison; dt: Feld hinter einem Haus. [Note: compound noun pl. the fifth (pile of) stones;
This type of field is very close to the house, fr: le cinquième (tas de) pierres; dt: der
used by the whole family but especially by the fünfte (Haufen) Steine [Note: In contrast
older people who cannot easily walk to the with the cardinal numerals, attributive
main fields (a kɛbɩ).] ordinal numerals take the article a.]
a nɔtɛ sg. nɔmm- noun. scorpion; fr: scorpion; dt: Skorpion.
a nɔraʋ pl. a nɔmməŋa sg.
nɔgs- verb. pinch (between the nails of the thumb a nɔmmənɛ pl.
and index finger); take a pinch of sth.; fr: nɔmməŋa sg. → nɔmm-.
pincer (entre les ongles du doigt et de l’index) ; nɔməndəba ordinal numeral human pl. → nɔm.
prendre (une pincée de q.chose); dt: zwicken; nɔməndɔ ordinal numeral human sg. → nɔm.
(eine Prise von etwas) nehmen. nɔtɛ sg. → nɔd-.
nɔgsraa future. nɔ̃gfaa future. → nɔ̃ŋn-.
nɔgsɛ past. nɔ̃gf(ʋ) imperfective. → nɔ̃ŋn-.
nɔgs(ʋ) perfective. nɔ̃m perfective. → nɔ̃m-.
nɔgsr(ʋ) imperfective. nɔ̃m- verb. pound (at the mill, e.g. millet),
a nɔgsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. pulverize; fr: écraser (à la meule, p. ex. le mil),
nɔgsɛ past. → nɔgs-. broyer; dt: zerstampfen (an der Mühle, z.B.
nɔgsraa future. → nɔgs-. Hirse), verpulvern. [Note: Cf. a nʋŋgʋ
nɔgsr(ʋ) imperfective. → nɔgs-. ‘millstone’. This verb involves the complete
nɔgs(ʋ) perfective. → nɔgs-. pounding of grain to make flour. Cf. a gɛbam
nɔgt- verb. straighten (sth. twisted/crumpled); ‘pound incompletely’. This verb cannot be used
force, compel; fr: redresser (q.chose de tordu) ; for other activities such as squashing an
forcer; dt: (etwas verdrehtes) gerade machen; insect.]
zwingen. nɔ̃mmaa future.

128 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

nɔ̃mɛ nũŋgu
nɔ̃mɛ past. nɔ̃ŋɔ̃ perfective.
nɔ̃m perfective. nɔ̃gf(ʋ) imperfective.
nɔ̃mm(ɔ̃) imperfective. nɔ̃ŋɔ̃n(ɛ) imperfective.
a nɔ̃mam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a nɔ̃ŋənam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
nɔ̃mɛ past. → nɔ̃m-. nɔ̃ŋənɛ sg. → nɔ̃ŋ-.
nɔ̃mmaa future. → nɔ̃m-. nɔ̃ŋənɛ past. → nɔ̃ŋn-.
nɔ̃mmɔ̃ adverb. nɔ̃ŋɔ̃ perfective. → nɔ̃ŋn-.
nɔ̃mmɔ̃ temporal adverb. five days from today; nɔ̃ŋɔ̃naa future. → nɔ̃ŋn-.
fr: dans cinq jours; dt: in fünf Tagen. nɔ̃ŋɔ̃n(ɛ) imperfective. → nɔ̃ŋn-.
ba digrʌʌ (a) ỹãna hɛ̃ŋ nɔ̃mmɔ̃ sentence They nɔ̃s- verb. rip apart; remove the skin, skin; fr:
will sow the millet five days from now.; fr: déchirer ; enlever la peau, dépecer, dépouiller;
Ils sèmeront le mil dans cinq jours.; dt: Sie dt: zerreißen; die Haut entfernen, häuten.
werden in fünf Tagen die Hirse säen. [Note: Synonymous with a nɔ̃nam.]
nɔ̃mm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → nɔ̃m-. nɔ̃sraa future.
nɔ̃n perfective. → nɔ̃n-. nɔ̃sɛ past.
nɔ̃n- verb. rip apart; remove the skin, skin; fr: nɔ̃s(ʋ) perfective.
déchirer ; enlever la peau, dépecer, dépouiller; nɔ̃sr(ʋ) imperfective.
dt: zerreißen; die Haut entfernen, häuten. a nɔ̃sam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
[Note: Synonymous with a nɔ̃sam.] nɔ̃sɛ past. → nɔ̃s-.
nɔ̃taa future. nɔ̃sraa future. → nɔ̃s-.
nɔ̃nɛ past. nɔ̃sr(ʋ) imperfective. → nɔ̃s-.
nɔ̃n perfective. nɔ̃s(ʋ) perfective. → nɔ̃s-.
nɔ̃t(ʋ) imperfective. nɔ̃taa future. → nɔ̃n-.
a nɔ̃nam deverbal action noun sg./mass. nɔ̃t(ʋ) imperfective. → nɔ̃n-.
nɔ̃nɛ past. → nɔ̃n-. nũm- noun. mill (including the “mother” millstone
nɔ̃nɔ̃ŋɔ̃ noun. ostrich; fr: and all the “children” millstones); fr: meule (y
autruche; dt: Vogel inclus la meule “mère” et toutes les meules
Strauß. “enfants”); dt: Mühle (einschl. des “Mutter”-
a nɔ̃ nɔ̃ŋɔ̃ N+participle Mühlsteins und der “Kinder”-Mühlsteine.
compound noun sg. a nũŋgu sg.
a nɔ̃ nɔ̃ŋsʋʋ N+participle nũmi pl.
compound noun pl. a nũŋgu ỹãʋ̃ NP+N compound noun sg.. mother
See: a dɔ nɛ̃nɛ under millstone; fr: meule mère; dt: Mutter-
nɛ̃nɛ. [Note: If nɔ̃ŋɔ̃ is Mühlstein
a participial form of a nũmi ỹããnɛ NP+N compound noun pl
the verb a nɔ̃ŋənam a nũŋgu bi NP+N compound noun sg..
‘mount (e.g. a horse)’, then the initial nɔ̃ a nũŋgu bu NP+N compound noun pl child
would be the noun stem of ‘ostrich’. This in millstone; fr: meule enfant; dt: Kind-
turn means that a dɔ nɛ̃nɛ might be a Mühlstein
popular etymology originating from a a nũŋgu geŋde
hypothetical singular noun a nɔ̃-nɛ with a nũŋgu geŋʌ hard white stone used to shape
harmonisation of the stem vowel to the children millstones by tapping; fr: pierre
suffix vowel.] blanche très dure utilisée pour former les
nɔ̃ŋ- noun. grease, oil, butter; fr: graisse, huile, meules enfants en tapant; dt: harter weißer
beurre; dt: Fett, Öl, Butter. [Note: Either the Stein mit dem man die Kinder-Mühlsteine
singular or the plural of this word can be used, formt, indem man darauf klopft [Note: A
without any apparent difference in meaning.] millstone comprises a “mother”, which is a
a nɔ̃ŋənɛ sg. large stone (> 2 metres diameter) with
a nɔ̃ŋa pl. smooth hollows to hold grain, and several
nɔ̃ŋn- verb. mount (e.g. a horse); fr: monter (p. ex. “children”, which are smooth stones of hand
sur un cheval); dt: aufsteigen (z.B. auf ein size used to crush grain in the hollows of
Pferd). the “mother”. Cf. the verb a nɔ̃mam
nɔ̃gfaa future. ‘pound’.]
nɔ̃ŋɔ̃naa future. nũŋgu sg. → nũm-.
nɔ̃ŋənɛ past.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 129

ŋ ŋa

Ŋ - ŋ

ŋ (=/ŋ/) pronoun. you (sg.); your (sg.); fr: tu; postclitic pronoun follows the verb, and is
ton/ta/tes; dt: du; dein(,-er,-e,-es). [Phon: its (direct or indirect) object. The final ɩ or ɛ
Phonetically, all proclitic variants of this occurs only phrase-finally.]
pronoun are “syllabic” (i.e. nuclear) nasals, ŋkɔ (=/ŋ-kɔ/) strong personal pronoun 2nd
and all assimilate to the place of articulation of person sg.
the following obstruent.] — strong possessive adjective 2nd person sg.
m (=/ŋ/) proclitic personal pronoun 2nd person you (sg.), your(s) (sg.); fr: tu, te, -toi,
sg. subject. ton/ta/tes, le/la/les tien(ne)(s); dt: du, dich,
— proclitic personal adjective 2nd person sg. dir, dein(,-er,-e,-es).
[Phon: This form is used before labial mə zɔmmə ŋkɔ sentence I love you. (Lit.: I want
obstruents only.] you); fr: Je t’aime. (Lit.: je te veux); dt: Ich
n (=/ŋ/) proclitic personal pronoun 2nd person liebe dich. (Wörtl.: ich will dich)
sg. subject. maa zɔmma ŋkɔ gɔɩnɛ sentence I don’t love you
— proclitic personal adjective 2nd person sg. any more. (Lit.: I won’t want you any more);
[Phon: This form is used before alveolar fr: Je ne t’aime plus. (Lit.: je ne te voudrai
consonants only.] plus.; dt: Ich liebe dich nicht mehr. (Wörtl.:
ŋ proclitic personal pronoun 2nd person sg. ich werde dich nicht mehr wollen.)
subject. mə pandaa ŋkɔ (a) hem sentence I will give you
— proclitic personal adjective 2nd person sg. some water.; fr: Je te donnerai de l’eau.; dt:
[Note: The above forms are prefixed to either a Ich werde dir Wasser geben.
verb or a noun phrase; they cannot stand alone ala la (a) sundu koŋ --- ŋkɔ interrogative
(e.g. as the elliptical answer to a question). On sentence Whose is that bike? --- Yours?; fr:
a verb, they are the subject pronoun, on a noun A qui est ce vélo? --- A toi?; dt: Wessen Rad
phrase the “possessor”. Phonologically, they ist das? --- Deines? [Note: The velar nasal
are all homorganic “syllabic” nasals in post- of ŋ̩kɔ is “syllabic” (i.e. nuclear). This form
consonantal and post-pausal contexts; but of the pronoun indicates some kind of
after a vowel the nasal is not syllabic. There is “emphasis”, but this can be so minimal that
no negative pronoun like *ŋaa for the 2nd in practice the disjunctive form can always
person singular. No Koromfe words begin the be used in place of a clitic pronoun. It never
sequence /ŋ/+vowel (pace the marginal word undergoes any phonological reduction or
ŋa), so this putative negative pronoun is expansion. It can stand in the normal
banned for phonological reasons] [Phon: This (preverbal) subject or (postverbal) object
form is used in all other phonological contexts, positions, and can also be used as the
i.e. before velar consonants, before h, j, w and elliptical answer to a question. As with all
before vowels.] disjunctive pronouns, it is formed with the
n proclitic prefix version of the pronoun and
nɩ / nɛ (=/ŋ/) postclitic personal pronoun 2nd the invariant stem-like element -kɔ. Here
person sg. object. the pronoun is in phrase-final position, and
mə zɔmmə nɛ sentence I love you. (Lit.: I want so the final vowel ɛ appears. Here the
you); fr: Je t’aime. (Lit.: je te veux); dt: Ich pronoun is in non-phrase-final position and
liebe dich. (Wörtl.: ich will dich) [Note: Here a vowel follows, so no vowel is realized at
the pronoun is in phrase-final position, and the end of the pronoun itself. In this
so the final vowel ɛ appears.] sentence the article a is elided after the
maa zɔmma nə gɔɩnɛ sentence I don’t love you vowel ɔ. This is a regular property of the
any more. (Lit.: I won’t want you any more); article, and has nothing to do with the
fr: Je ne t’aime plus. (Lit.: je ne te voudrai pronoun.]
plus.; dt: Ich liebe dich nicht mehr. (Wörtl.: ŋ proclitic personal adjective 2nd person sg.
ich werde dich nicht mehr wollen.) [Note: (=/ŋ/) → ŋ. [Phon: This form is used in all other
Here the pronoun is in non-phrase-final phonological contexts, i.e. before velar
position, and schwa appears because the consonants, before h, j, w and before vowels.]
consonant g follows.] ŋa noun. the smallest person (of a group); fr: le
mə pandaa n a hem sentence I will give you plus petit (d’un groupe); dt: der/die Kleinste
some water.; fr: Je te donnerai de l’eau.; dt: (aus einer Gruppe).
Ich werde dir Wasser geben. [Note: Here ŋa marginal noun / pronoun.
the pronoun is in non-phrase-final position ŋa ba bɛlla sentence Tiny won’t catch up with
and a vowel follows, so no vowel is realized us. (Lit.: The smallest won’t come.); fr: Le
at the end of the pronoun itself.] [Note: The petit ne nous atteindra pas. (Lit.: Le plus
130 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at
-ŋa pal-
petit ne viendra pas.); dt: Der Winzling wird ŋgose perfective.
uns nicht aufholen. (Lit.: Der Kleinste wird ŋgo perfective.
nicht kommen.) [Note: This word is used mə ŋgo faaɩ sentence I have nothing.; fr: Je
alone, like a pronoun, and never takes the n’ai rien.; dt: Ich habe nichts.
article a. It seems to be derived from the faaɩ ŋgo mɛ sentence I have nothing.; fr: Je
diminutive suffix - ŋa as in a bɔrɔŋa ‘small n’ai rien.; dt: Ich habe nichts.
boy’, a kɛ̃ɔ̃ɔ̃ŋa ‘small girl’.] mə ŋgo kãŋ kãmã sentence I have nothing.; fr:
-ŋa verb.suffix. unreal conditional; fr: conditionnel Je n’ai rien.; dt: Ich habe nichts. [Note: ŋgo,
irréel; dt: irrealer Konditional. [Note: This but not ŋgose also means ‘not have’ The
suffix attaches to the imperfective stem of word faaɩ is not used with any other verb.]
verbs and produces the “unreal conditional” a ŋgore deverbal action noun sg./mass. lack,
form. In such clauses there is no word poverty; fr: manque, pauvreté; dt: Mangel,
corresponding to “if”. For real conditions, see Armut.
the suffix -ɛ, which attaches to the bare a ŋgore sa la mɛ sentence Now I have nothing.
(=perfective) stem..] (Lit.: Now poverty has me.); fr: Maintenant
ŋgei exclamation. yes; fr: oui; dt: ja. je n’ai rien. (Lit.: Maintenant la pauvreté
ŋgei sentential exclamation. m’a.); dt: Jetzt habe ich nichts. (Wörtl.:
ŋ-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 2nd person sg. → gɩllɛ. Jetzt hat mich die Armut.)
ŋgo perfective. → ŋgo-. ŋgose perfective. → ŋgo-.
ŋgo- verb. not exist, be missing, lack; fr: ne pas
exister, être absent, manquer; dt: nicht
existieren, nicht vorhanden sein, fehlen.

Ɔ - ɔ

-ɔ (=/ɔ/) noun-cl. human singular; fr: humain -ɔl ?causative. (=/-Ṿl/) → -Ṿl.
singulier; dt: menschlich Singular. -ɔm transitive. → -Ṿm.
-ɔɩ deriv. Adj to N. (=/Ṿɩ/) → -Ṿɩ. -ɔt reversive. → -Ṿt.

P - p

pa perfective. (=/pan/) → pa(n). pagatɛ past. → pagat-.

paal- noun. pounder (foot-shaped wooden tool); fr: pagat(ɩ) perfective. → pagat-.
damier (outil en bois en forme de pied); dt: pagatraa future. → pagat-.
Stampfer (fußförmiges Holzwerkzeug). [Note: pagatr(ɩ) imperfective. → pagat-.
This kind of tool is made by the blacksmith.] pagl- verb. close, shut in (e.g. animals); fr: fermer,
a paaləga sg. enfermer (p. ex. des animaux); dt: schließen,
a paaləsɩ pl. einschließen (z.B. Tiere).
a paaləsʋʋ pl. pagalaa future.
paaləga sg. → paal-. pagəlɛ past.
paaləsɩ pl. → paal-. paga perfective.
paga perfective. → pagl-. pagal(ɩ) imperfective.
pagalaa future. → pagl-. a pagəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
pagal(ɩ) imperfective. → pagl-. pagəlɛ past. → pagl-.
pagat- verb. open, let out; fr: ouvrir, laisser sortir; pal- noun. stretcher (for a dead person); fr:
dt: öffnen, herauslassen. [Note: This verb is brancard (pour un mort); dt: Tragbahre (für
the reversive of a pagəlam ‘close, shut in’.] einen Toten). [Note: Stretchers are not used
pagatraa future. for the living, and modern ambulance / hospital
pagatɛ past. equipment is unknown to the Koromba.]
pagat(ɩ) perfective. a pallɛ sg.
pagatr(ɩ) imperfective. a pala pl.
a pagatam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 131
pala pat-
a pan dãɩ̃nɛ N+N compound noun sg. pole of a pandɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/pan-d-ɔ/) →
stretcher; fr: bois de brancard; dt: Stange einer pa(n).
Tragbahre. [Note: The change of /l/ to /n/ in a panɛ past. (=/pan-ɛ/) → pa(n).
nasal environment is common in Koromfe, but paŋ perfective. → paŋ-.
here the nasal trigger is not local.] paŋ- verb. barbecue, grill, roast; fr: griller, rôtir; dt:
a pan dãỹã N+N compound noun pl. grillen, rösten. [Note: This verb signifies
pala pl. → pal-. cooking meat over a fire or (more usually)
palg- verb. shoulder, carry on one’s shoulder; put charcoal using a grill, but without any kind of
one’s hand or foot on sth.; fr: épauler, porter surrounding container. Cf. a kɛləgam and a
sur l’épaule; mettre la main ou le pied sur hɔ̃ɩ̃ãm]
q.chose; dt: schultern, auf der Schulter tragen; paŋənaa future.
die Hand oder den Fuß auf etwas legen / paŋɛ past.
stellen. paŋ perfective.
paləgraa future. paŋənɛ imperfective.
paləgɛ past. a paŋam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
paləg(ɩ) perfective. paŋɛ past. → paŋ-.
paləgr(ɩ) imperfective. paŋənaa future. → paŋ-.
a paləgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. paŋənɛ imperfective. → paŋ-.
də ya paləg a dãɩ̃nɛ tubre də bɛ dããnɛ sentence par- noun. place; distance between things; small
He went into the bush to bring back a piece group of people; fr: place; distance entre deux
of wood on his shoulder and returned entités; petit groupe de gens; dt: Platz;
home.; fr: Il est allé en brousse apporter un Entfernung zwischen zwei Dingen; kleine
bois sur l’épaule et est revenu à la maison.; Menschengruppe.
dt: Er ist in den Busch gegangen, um ein a para sg.
Stück holz auf der Schulter heimzutragen. a parəma pl.
mə paləg mə wolle a lurgo dɔba sentence I put ʋ para NP+N compound noun sg. here, in our
my foot on the wall.; fr: J’ai mis mon pied little group; fr: ici, dans notre petit groupe;
sur le mur.; dt: Ich habe meinen Fuß auf die dt: hier, in unserer kleinen Gruppe
Mauer gestellt. ʋ para ʋ ỹɔ̃n a yigei sentence In our little group
paləgɛ past. → palg-. we smoke.; fr: Dans notre petit groupe on
paləg(ɩ) perfective. → palg-. fume.; dt: In unserer kleinen Gruppe raucht
paləgraa future. → palg-. man.
paləgr(ɩ) imperfective. → palg-. para sg. → par-.
pallɛ sg. → pal-. pas- verb. split, cut in two; fr: fendre, couper en
pa(n) (=/pan/) verb. give; fr: donner; dt: geben. deux; dt: spalten, auseinanderschneiden.
[Note: Irregular] pasraa future.
pandaa (=/pan-d-aa/) future. pasɛ past.
panɛ (=/pan-ɛ/) past. pas(ɩ) perfective.
pa (=/pan/) perfective. [Note: The expected pasr(ɩ) imperfective.
form pan does not exist.] a pasam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
pand / pandɩ (=/pan-d/) imperfective. pasɛ past. → pas-.
a panam (=/pan-am/) deverbal action noun pasg- verb. cross; fr: traverser; dt: überqueren.
sg./mass. pasgraa future.
a pãʋ̃ deverbal action noun sg. also: gift, pasgɛ past.
pleasant surprise; fr: aussi: don, cadeau, pasg(ɩ) perfective.
surprise agréable; dt: auch: Geschenk, pasgr(ɩ) imperfective.
angenehme Überraschung. [Note: Irregular a pasgam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
formation. This noun is used more frequently pasgɛ past. → pasg-.
than a panam.] pasg(ɩ) perfective. → pasg-.
a pandɔ (=/pan-d-ɔ/) deverbal agent noun sg. pasgraa future. → pasg-.
also: generous person; fr: aussi: personne pasgr(ɩ) imperfective. → pasg-.
généreuse; dt: auch: großzügiger Mensch. pas(ɩ) perfective. → pas-.
a pandəba (=/pan-d-ba/) deverbal agent noun pasraa future. → pas-.
pl. pasr(ɩ) imperfective. → pas-.
pan dãɩ̃nɛ N+N compound noun sg. → pal-. pat- verb. joke; fr: plaisanter; dt: spaßen. [Note:
panam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/pan- The subject of this verb can only be a maternal
am/) → pa(n). uncle.]
pand imperfective. (=/pan-d/) → pa(n). patraa future.
pandaa future. (=/pan-d-aa/) → pa(n). patɛ past.
pandɩ imperfective. (=/pan-d/) → pa(n). pat(ɩ) perfective.
patr(ɩ) imperfective.

132 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

patam pʌ̃rsrəgu
a patam deverbal action noun sg./mass. objet pour prendre la route la plus directe,
a patrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who jokes; raccourci; dt: Gegenstand zum kürzesten Weg
maternal uncle; fr: q.un qui plaisante ; oncle nehmen, Abkürzung.
maternel; dt: jmd. der spaßt; Onkel a pãratrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
mütterlicherseits. a pãratrəga deverbal instrument noun
a patrəba deverbal agent noun pl. diminutive sg.
a patrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object a pãratrəfa deverbal local noun. place for taking
for joking; fr: objet pour plaisanter; dt: the most direct route, shortcut; fr: endroit
Gegenstand zum Spaßen. pour prendre la route la plus directe,
a patrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. raccourci; dt: Platz zum kürzesten Weg
a patrəga deverbal instrument noun dimin. nehmen, Abkürzung.
a patrəfa deverbal local noun. place where joking pãratam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → pãrat-.
takes place; fr: endroit où on plaisante; dt: pãratɛ past. → pãrat-.
Platz, wo man spaßt. pãrat(ɩ) perfective. → pãrat-.
patam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → pat-. pãratraa future. → pãrat-.
patɛ past. → pat-. pãratrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → pãrat-.
pat(ɩ) perfective. → pat-. pãratrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
patraa future. → pat-. sg. → pãrat-.
patrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → pat-. pãratrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → pãrat-.
patrəga deverbal instrument noun dimin. → pat-. pãratrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → pãrat-.
patrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → pat-. pãratr(ɩ) imperfective. → pãrat-.
patrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → pat-. pãratrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → pãrat-.
patr(ɩ) imperfective. → pat-. pãtɛ sg. → pãd-.
patrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → pat-. pãʋ̃ deverbal action noun sg. (=/pan-am/) → pa(n).
pãd- noun. kind of toad; fr: espèce de crapaud; dt: pʌ̃rʌm perfective. → pʌ̃rm-.
Art Kröte. [Note: Koromfe has a 5-way pʌ̃rm- verb. be wide; fr: être large; dt: breit sein.
distinction of frogs and toads according to pʌ̃rəmʌʌ future.
their size. The smallest is a sãndəga, followed pʌ̃rəme past.
by a pãtɛ, a gɔŋdɛ, a bɩtɛ, a purgoŋ.] pʌ̃rʌm perfective.
a pãtɛ sg. pʌ̃rəmo imperfective.
a pãnɛ pl. [Note: The plural form is irregular. One a pʌ̃rəmẽĩ deverbal action noun sg./mass.
would expect a pãra or a pãna; no such forms pʌ̃rəmʌʌ future. → pʌ̃rm-.
exist.] pʌ̃rəme past. → pʌ̃rm-.
pãŋga noun. power; fr: force, pouvoir; dt: Kraft, pʌ̃rəmo imperfective. → pʌ̃rm-.
Macht. pʌ̃rs- verb. widen; fr: élargir; dt: verbreitern.
a pãŋga sg. pʌ̃rsrʌʌ future.
a pãŋsʋʋ pl. pʌ̃rse past.
pãrat- verb. take the most direct route; fr: prendre pʌ̃rs(i) perfective.
la route la plus directe; dt: den kürzesten Weg pʌ̃rsr(i) imperfective.
nehmen. [Note: This verb can take a direct a pʌ̃rsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
object indicating the location of the most direct a pʌ̃rsro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
route.] widens; fr: q.un qui élargit; dt: jmd. der
pãratraa future. verbreitert.
pãratɛ past. a pʌ̃rsrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
pãrat(ɩ) perfective. a pʌ̃rsrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object
pãratr(ɩ) imperfective. for widening; fr: objet pour élargir; dt:
a pãratam deverbal action noun sg./mass. Gegenstand zum verbreitern.
də pãrat a tuu də farə mɛ dããnɛ sentence He a pʌ̃rsruhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
took the direct route through the bush and a pʌ̃rsrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
got home before me.; fr: Il a pris la route sg.
directe à travers la brousse et est arrivé à a pʌ̃rsrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for
la maison avant moi.; dt: Er hat die direkte widening; fr: endroit pour élargir; dt: Platz zum
Route durch den Busch genommen und war Verbreitern.
vor mir zu Hause. pʌ̃rsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → pʌ̃rs-.
a pãratrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who takes pʌ̃rse past. → pʌ̃rs-.
the most direct route; fr: q.un qui prend la pʌ̃rs(i) perfective. → pʌ̃rs-.
route la plus directe; dt: jmd. der den pʌ̃rsrʌʌ future. → pʌ̃rs-.
kürzesten Weg nimmt. pʌ̃rsrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → pʌ̃rs-.
a pãratrəba deverbal agent noun pl. pʌ̃rsrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
a pãratrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object → pʌ̃rs-.
for taking the most direct route, shortcut; fr: pʌ̃rsrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → pʌ̃rs-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 133

pʌ̃rsr(i) pes-
pʌ̃rsr(i) imperfective. → pʌ̃rs-. a pɛ̃ɛ̃ndɔ ordinal numeral human sg. seventh; fr:
pʌ̃rsro deverbal agent noun sg. → pʌ̃rs-. septième; dt: siebter.
pʌ̃rsruhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → pʌ̃rs-. a pɛ̃ɛ̃ndəbʌ ordinal numeral human pl.
pɛɛt- verb. pull (by the hand); marry (a woman); fr: a pɛ̃ɛ̃ndəgu ordinal numeral non-human sg. & pl.
tirer à la main ; marier (une femme); dt: (an a kɛ̃ɔ̃ pɛ̃ɛ̃ndɔ NP+N compound noun sg. the
der Hand) ziehen; (eine Frau) heiraten. seventh woman; fr: la septième femme; dt:
pɛɛtraa future. die siebte Frau
pɛɛtɛ past. a kɛ̃na pɛ̃ɛ̃ndəba NP+N compound noun pl. the
pɛɛt(ɩ) perfective. seventh group of women; fr: le septième
pɛɛtr(ɩ) imperfective. groupe de femmes; dt: die siebte Gruppe
a pɛɛtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. Frauen
pɛɛtɛ past. → pɛɛt-. a vaga pɛ̃ɛ̃ndəgʋ NP+N compound noun sg. the
pɛɛt(ɩ) perfective. → pɛɛt-. seventh dog; fr: le septième chien; dt: der
pɛɛtraa future. → pɛɛt-. siebte Hund [Note: This form is clearly a
pɛɛtr(ɩ) imperfective. → pɛɛt-. non-human singular; but it is also used for
pɛgsʋʋ pl. → pɛka. the plural instead of an expected formation
pɛka noun. slap; fr: gifle; dt: Ohrfeige. [Note: = with -hɛ̃.]
Mòoré. This word refers only to a slap on the pɛ̃ɛ̃ndəbʌ ordinal numeral human pl. → pɛ̃ɛ̃.
side of the head.] pɛ̃ɛ̃ndɔ ordinal numeral human sg. → pɛ̃ɛ̃.
a pɛka sg. pɛ̃n perfective. → pɛ̃n-.
a pɛgsʋʋ pl. pɛ̃n- common noun. nerve (anat.); fr: nerf (anat.);
a pɛgsɩ pl. dt: Nerv (anat.).
pɛl- noun. rock; fr: rocher; dt: Fels. [Note: Typically pɛ̃ndɛ sg.
this word is used for the granite outcrops in pɛ̃na pl. nerve; fr: nerf; dt: Nerv.
the otherwise flat bush in the Koromba area, pɛ̃n- noun. kidney; fr: rein; dt: Niere.
including the rocks at Aribinda.] a pɛ̃ndɛ sg.
a pɛllɛ sg. a pɛ̃na pl.
a pɛla pl. pɛ̃n- verb. plait (hair); fr: tresser (les cheveux); dt:
pɛllɛ sg. → pɛl-. (die Haare) flechten.
pɛmpɛr- noun. kind of tree; fr: espèce de arbre; dt: pɛ̃taa future.
Art Baum. [Note: = Mòoré] pɛ̃nnaa future.
a pɛmpɛrga sg. pɛ̃nɛ past.
a pɛmpɛrsʋʋ pl. pɛ̃n perfective.
pɛmpɛrga sg. → pɛmpɛr-. pɛ̃t(ɩ) imperfective.
pɛr- noun. cloth (of any kind), cloth (worn by pɛ̃nn(ɩ) imperfective.
women), shirt (short or long), sail (of a boat); a pɛ̃nam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
fr: étoffe (de chaque sorte), pagne (de femme), pɛ̃ndɛ sg. → pɛ̃n-.
chemise, boubou, voile (d’un bateau); dt: Tuch pɛ̃ndɛ sg. → pɛ̃n-.
(jeder Art), Tuch (der Frauen), Hemd (kurz pɛ̃nɛ past. → pɛ̃n-.
oder lang), Segel (eines Bootes). pɛ̃nnaa future. → pɛ̃n-.
a pɛrgʋ sg. pɛ̃nn(ɩ) imperfective. → pɛ̃n-.
a pɛ̃nɛ pl. also: laundry; fr: aussi: linge (à laver); pɛ̃taa future. → pɛ̃n-.
dt: auch: Wäsche. pɛ̃t(ɩ) imperfective. → pɛ̃n-.
pɛrgʋ sg. → pɛr-. peŋg- noun. grain of fonio, (pl.) fonio (Digitaria
pɛta noun. sieve; fr: van; dt: Sieb. [Note: This sieve exilis); fr: graine de fonio; (pl.) fonio (Digitaria
is made with the leaves of the tree a kɔŋa.] exilis); dt: Foniokorn; (Pl.) Fonio (Digitaria
a pɛta sg. exilis). [Note: White fonio (Digitaria exilis) is
a pɛtafɩ pl. common among the Koromba, but black fonio
pɛ̃ɛ̃ numeral. seven (7); thirty-five francs CFA; fr: (Digitaria iburua) is not.]
sept (7); trente-cinq francs CFA; dt: sieben (7); a peŋgfe singulative.
fünfunddreißig Francs CFA. a peŋgi pl./collective.
pɛ̃ɛ̃ attributive cardinal numeral. a peng pɔ̃nɩ̃ã N+N compound noun
ɩpɛ̃ɛ̃ disjunctive cardinal numeral. pl./collective white fonio (Digitaria exilis);
pɛ̃nɛ pɛ̃ɛ̃ NP+cardinal numeral compound noun fr: fonio blanc (Digitaria exilis); dt: weiße
pl. seven shirts; fr: sept chemises; dt: sieben Fonio (Digitaria exilis)
Hemden [Note: Not *a pɛ̃nɛ pɛ̃ɛ]̃ [Note: The peŋgfe singulative. → peŋg-.
disjunctive numeral ɩpɛ̃ɛ̃ is used when per- noun. donkey; fr: âne; dt: Esel.
counting. When pɛ̃ɛ̃ is used attributively the pergʌ diminutive sg.
prefix ɩ must be dropped and there can be perii pl.
no article a before the qualified noun or pergʌ diminutive sg. → per-.
noun phrase.] pes- noun. sheep; fr: mouton; dt: Schaf.

134 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

pes- pɩla-
a pesu sg. a pɩlləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg.
a pesii pl. traditional (wooden) tool for pounding earth;
a pesəgʌ diminutive sg. lamb; fr: agneau; dt: fr: outil traditionnel (en bois) pour damer le
Lamm. [Note: There is no plural form of the sol; dt: traditionelles Werkzeug (aus Holz), um
diminutive (e.g. * a pesni); the non-diminutive Erde festdrücken.
plural is used.] a pɩlləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
pes- verb. weigh; fr: peser; dt: wiegen. [Note: a pɩlləga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
Probably ultimately < Fr. peser] sg.
pesrʌʌ future. a pɩlləfa deverbal local noun. place where earth
pese past. is being pounded; fr: endroit où le sol est en
pes(i) perfective. train d’être damé; dt: Platz, wo die Erde gerade
pesr(i) imperfective. festgedrückt wird.
a pesʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. a pɩləmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. pounded
a pesro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who weighs place(s); fr: endroit(s) damé(s); dt:
(e.g. a nurse); fr: q.un qui pèse (p. ex. une festgedrückte(r) Platz/Plätze.
infirmière); dt: jmd. der wiegt (z.B. eine a dãŋ pɩlləfa NP+N compound noun sg. house
Krankenschwester). whose floor is being pounded; fr: maison
a pesrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. dont le plancher est en train d’être damé;
a pesrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object dt: Haus, dessen Boden gerade festgedrückt
for weighing, scales; fr: objet qui pèse, balance; wird
dt: Gegenstand, der wiegt, Waage. pɩla- noun. moon, month; fr: lune, mois; dt: Mond,
a pesrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. Monat.
a pesrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive a pɩlaŋ sg.
sg. a pɩlaŋa sg.
a pesrəsi deverbal instrument noun diminutive a pɩlaʋ pl.
pl. a gʌ̃mbu pɩlaŋ NP+N compound noun sg. (name
a pesrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where of a lunar month beginning in January), the
weighing takes place (e.g. clinic); fr: endroit où moon of the compound; fr: (nom d’un mois
on pèse (p. ex. dispensaire); dt: Platz, wo man lunaire qui commence en janvier), la lune de
wiegt (z.B. Ambulanz). la concession; dt: (Name eines
pesʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → pes-. Lunarmonats, der im Januar beginnt), der
pese past. → pes-. Mond des Hofes
pes(i) perfective. → pes-. a pɩlaŋ gʌ̃mbu NP+N compound noun sg. (name
pesii pl. → pes-. of a lunar month beginning in February), the
pesrʌʌ future. → pes-. moon in its compound; fr: (nom d’un mois
pesrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → pes-. lunaire qui commence en février), la lune
pesrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. dans sa concession; dt: (Name eines
→ pes-. Lunarmonats, der im Februar beginnt), der
pesrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → pes-. Mond in seinem Hof [Note: In February the
pesrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → pes-. moon can seldom be seen clearly because of
pesr(i) imperfective. → pes-. the dust raised by the Harmattan.]
pesro deverbal agent noun sg. → pes-. a wɔ̃msə pɩlaŋ V+N compound noun sg. (name
pesrəsi deverbal instrument noun diminutive pl. → of a lunar month beginning in March); fr:
pes-. (nom d’un mois lunaire qui commence en
pesu sg. → pes-. mars); dt: (Name eines Lunarmonats, der im
pɩl perfective. → pɩl-. März beginnt) [Note: wɔ̃ms is probably
pɩl- verb. pound flat (e.g. the floor of a house), related to a wɔ̃mam ‘chew (meat)’]
trample; fr: damer (p. ex. le plancher d’une a bʋgr pɩlaŋ V+N compound noun sg. (name of
maison), piétiner; dt: festdrücken (z.B. den a lunar month beginning in April), month of
Boden eines Hauses), trampeln. [Note: women’s clairvoyance; fr: (nom d’un mois
Pounding a floor flat involves hitting the lunaire qui commence en avril), mois de la
ground with a special piece of wood, a pɩlləgʋ.] clairvoyance des femmes; dt: (Name eines
pɩllaa future. Lunarmonats, der im April beginnt), Monat
pɩlɛ past. des Wahrsagens der Frauen [Note: Cf. a
pɩl perfective. bʋgam ‘soothsay’]
pɩll(ɩ) imperfective. a gurs pɩlaŋ V+N compound noun sg. (name of
a pɩlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a lunar month beginning in May), month for
a pɩllɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who pounds; removing grains from cotton and spinning
fr: q.un qui dame; dt: jmd. der festdrückt. (women’s work); fr: (nom d’un mois lunaire
a pɩlləba deverbal agent noun pl. qui commence en mai), mois pour enlever
les graines du coton et filer (travail des

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 135

pɩlam pɩll(ɩ)
femmes); dt: (Name eines Lunarmonats, der Feldfrüchte reifen), Zeit des traditionellen
im Mai beginnt), Monat, in dem die Frauen Festes der Korombʌ [Note: This month is
die Kerne von der Baumwolle entfernen und longer than the rest, which probably
spinnen. compensates for the lack of a 13th lunar
a digr pɩlaŋ V+N compound noun sg. (name of a month. The beginning of this month is set
lunar month beginning in June), month of each year by a sɛ̃ndɛ sa.]
sowing; fr: (nom d’un mois lunaire qui a karə pɩlaŋ N+N compound noun sg.
commence en juin), mois de semence; dt: (alternative name for a pɩlaŋ dɔ̃nda), month
(Name eines Lunarmonats, der im Juni of the dry season; fr: (nom alternatif pour a
beginnt), Monat des Säens [Note: Sowing is pɩlaŋ dɔ̃nda), mois de la saison sèche; dt:
possible either before or after the weeding (alternativer Name für a pɩlaŋ dɔ̃nda),
of the old grass.] Monat der Trockenzeit
a wɔ̃ɩ̃ kɔ̃ɔ̃nɛ pɩlaŋ NP+N compound noun sg. a pɩlaŋ bãŋdɛ NP+N compound noun sg. full
(name of a lunar month beginning in July), moon; fr: lune pleine; dt: Vollmond
month of weeding (the old grass) and a pɩlaŋ yiku NP+N compound noun sg. darkness
sowing; fr: (nom d’un mois lunaire qui of a moonless night (due either to the moon
commence en juillet), mois de sarclage (de phase or clouds / dust); fr: noir d’une nuit
l’herbe ancienne) et de semence; dt: (Name sans lune (soit à cause de la phase de la
eines Lunarmonats, der im Juli beginnt), lune, soit à cause des nuages ou de la
Monat des Jätens (des alten Grases) und poussière); dt: Finsternis einer mondlosen
des Säens [Note: Sowing is possible either Nacht (entweder wegen der Mondphase
before or after the weeding of the old oder wegen Wolken / Staub)
grass.] a pɩlaŋ leŋgem NP+N compound noun sg. spots
a bãka pɩlaŋ NP+N compound noun sg. (name on the moon; fr: taches de la lune; dt:
of a lunar month beginning in August), Flecken am Mond
month of weeding (= 2nd stage of a pɩlaŋ sɛkrɛ NP+N compound noun sg. half
cultivation); fr: (nom d’un mois lunaire qui moon; fr: demi-lune; dt: Halbmond
commence en août), mois de sarclage (= a pɩlaŋ selle NP+N compound noun sg.
2me étape de la culture); dt: (Name eines moonlight, moonshine; fr: claire de lune; dt:
Lunarmonats, der im August beginnt), Mondlicht, Mondschein
Monat des Jätens (= 2. Etappe des a pɩlaŋ koŋ zu sentence The moon has set. (lit.:
Feldbaus) [Note: See also under a bãka] gone in); fr: La lune a tombé. (lit.: est
a pɩlaŋ kãnna NP sg. (name of a lunar month rentrée); dt: Der Mond ist untergegangen.
beginning in September); fr: (nom d’un mois (wörtl.: hineingegangen)
lunaire qui commence en septembre); dt: a pilaŋ yiku ʋ wunsroo (a) bikeni a barəma
(Name eines Lunarmonats, der im sentence (saying) At new moon we will
September beginnt) brings the girls to their husbands.; fr: Au
a kʋ̃ndəba (pɩlaŋ) NP+N compound noun sg. temps de la nouvelle lune nous amènerons le
(name of a lunar month beginning in jeunes filles à leurs maris.; dt: Bei Neumond
October); fr: (nom d’un mois lunaire qui werden wir die Mädchen zu ihren
commence en octobre); dt: (Name eines Ehemännern bringen.
Lunarmonats, der im Oktober beginnt) pɩlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → pɩl-.
a pɩlaŋ dãŋ too NP sg. (name of a lunar month pɩlaŋ sg. → pɩla-.
beginning in November), the empty month pɩlaŋa sg. → pɩla-.
(i.e. before the first crops ripen); fr: (nom pɩlɛ past. → pɩl-.
d’un mois lunaire qui commence en pɩlɩ noun. kind of gravel (e.g. for the floor of a
novembre), le mois vide (c.à.d. avant que les house); fr: espèce de gravillon (p. ex. pour faire
premières récoltes mûrissent); dt: (Name le plancher d’une maison); dt: Art Kieselstein
eines Lunarmonats, der im November (z.B. für den Boden eines Hauses). [Note:
beginnt), der leere Monat (d.h. bevor die Related to a pɩlam ‘pound flat’. Could have
ersten Feldfrüchte reifen) originated in an earlier perfective form with a
a pɩlaŋ dɔ̃nda NP sg. (name of a lunar month phrase-final ɩ.]
beginning in December), the good month a pɩlɩ sg.
(i.e. when the first crops ripen), time of the pɩllaa future. → pɩl-.
traditional festivity of the Korombʌ; fr: pɩlləba deverbal agent noun pl. → pɩl-.
(nom d’un mois lunaire qui commence en pɩlləfa deverbal local noun. → pɩl-.
décembre), le bon mois (c.à.d. lorsque les pɩlləga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. →
premières récoltes mûrissent), temps de la pɩl-.
fête traditionnelle des korombʌ; dt: (Name pɩlləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → pɩl-.
eines Lunarmonats, der im Dezember pɩlləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → pɩl-.
beginnt), der gute Monat (d.h. als die ersten pɩll(ɩ) imperfective. → pɩl-.

136 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

pɩllɔ pis-
pɩllɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → pɩl-. pilete past. → pilet-.
pɩs- noun. caïlcédrat (kind of tree), Khaya pilet(i) perfective. → pilet-.
senegalensis; fr: caïlcédrat (espèce d’arbre), piletrʌʌ future. → pilet-.
Khaya senegalensis; dt: Caïlcédrat (Art Baum), piletr(i) imperfective. → pilet-.
Khaya senegalensis. pilg- verb. unroll; fr: dérouler; dt: ausrollen,
a pɩsɩŋ sg. ausbreiten. [Note: Synonymous with a piletʌm.
a pɩsɩa pl. Typically used for unrolling straw mats to put
a pɩsɩɩ pl. on a roof.]
a pɩsəŋa diminutive pl. small / young caïlcédrat; pilgrʌʌ future.
fr: petit / jeune caïlcédrat; dt: kleiner / junger pilge past.
Caïlcédrat. pilg(i) perfective.
pɩs- verb. rinse the mouth and squirt out water; pilgr(i) imperfective.
bury the battle axe; fr: rincer la bouche et a pilgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
rejeter l’eau; enterrer la hache de guerre; dt: pilge past. → pilg-.
den Mund ausspülen und das Wasser pilg(i) perfective. → pilg-.
herausspritzen lassen; das Kriegsbeil pilgrʌʌ future. → pilg-.
begraben. [Note: The sense ‘bury the battle pilgr(i) imperfective. → pilg-.
axe’ comes from rinsing one’s mouth to get rid pill- verb. grip tightly with the legs (e.g. when riding
of the bad things that were said during a a horse); fr: serrer les jambes (p. ex. quand on
quarrel.] est monté à cheval); dt: mit den Beinen fest
pɩsraa future. zusammendrücken (z.B. beim Pferdereiten).
pɩsɛ past. a pillʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
pɩs(ɩ) perfective. pillrʌʌ future.
pɩsr(ɩ) imperfective. pille past.
a pɩsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. pill(i) perfective.
pɩsɛ past. → pɩs-. pillr(i) imperfective.
pɩs(ɩ) perfective. → pɩs-. pillʌʌ future. → pil-.
pɩsɩa pl. → pɩs-. pillʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → pill-.
pɩsɩɩ pl. → pɩs-. pille past. → pill-.
pɩsɩŋ sg. → pɩs-. pill(i) imperfective. → pil-.
pɩsraa future. → pɩs-. pill(i) perfective. → pill-.
pɩsr(ɩ) imperfective. → pɩs-. pillrʌʌ future. → pill-.
pɩtəmpad- noun. kind of bush, the roots of which pis- verb. burst, explode; fr: crever, éclater,
can be used as a medicine; fr: espèce d’arbuste exploser; dt: bersten, explodieren, platzen.
dont les racines peuvent être utilisées comme pisrʌʌ future.
médicament; dt: Art Strauch, deren Wurzeln pise past.
als Medikament verwendet werden können. pis(i) perfective.
[Note: Rare word. The medicine has a general pisr(i) imperfective.
effect and is not directed towards any specific a pisʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
ailment.] a pisro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who bursts;
a pɩtəmpatɛ sg. s.o. who makes sth. burst (e.g. a piece of
a pɩtəmpadaʋ pl. news); fr: q.un qui crève; q.un qui fait éclater
pɩtəmpatɛ sg. → pɩtəmpad-. q.chose (p. ex. une nouvelle); dt: jmd. der
pil perfective. → pil-. platzt; jmd. der etwas platzen lässt (z.B. eine
pil- verb. roll up (e.g. cloth, mat); fr: rouler (p. ex. Nachricht).
étoffe, natte); dt: aufrollen (z.B. Stoff, Matte). a pisrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
[Note: =Mòoré] a pisrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
pillʌʌ future. that can burst (e.g. balloon, pot, chewing gum);
pile past. fr: objet qui peut éclater (p. ex. ballon, canari,
pil perfective. chewing-gum); dt: etwas, was platzen kann
pill(i) imperfective. (z.B. Luftballon, Tontopf, Kaugummi).
a pilʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. a pisrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
pile past. → pil-. a pisrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
pilet- verb. unroll; fr: dérouler; dt: ausrollen, sg. small thing that can burst (e.g. balloon, pot,
ausbreiten. [Note: This is the reversive of a chewing gum); fr: petit objet qui peut éclater
pilʌm ‘roll up’.] (p. ex. ballon, canari, chewing-gum); dt: etwas
piletrʌʌ future. Kleines, was platzen kann (z.B. Luftballon,
pilete past. Tontopf, Kaugummi).
pilet(i) perfective. a pisrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place for bursting;
piletr(i) imperfective. fr: endroit pour éclater; dt: Platz zum platzen.
a piletʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 137

pisʌm pɔ̃n-
a pisəmʌ̃ũ deverbal nomen acti pl. what is left a pɔtəmɛ̃ɩ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass. also:
after something has burst; fr: ce qui reste abundance; fr: aussi: abondance; dt: auch:
lorsque q.chose a éclaté; dt: das, was Fülle.
überbleibt, wen etwas geplatzt ist. pɔtaa future. → pɔt-.
a pɩlaŋ pise sentence The moon has risen.; fr: pɔtɛ past. → pɔt-.
La lune s’est levé.; dt: Der Mond ist pɔtrəpɔɔga noun. kind of bush; fr: espèce
aufgegangen. d’arbuste; dt: Art Strauch.
pisʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → pis-. a pɔtrəpɔɔga sg.
pise past. → pis-. a pɔtrəpɔɔsʋʋ pl.
pisel- noun. pile of dirt; fr: tas d’ordures; dt: pɔt(ʋ) imperfective. → pɔt-.
Schmutzhaufen. pɔ̃m perfective. → pɔ̃m-.
a pisele sg. [Note: Not (as previously noted) *a pɔ̃m- verb. hit, knock, bang; fr: frapper, assommer,
piselle with a geminate /ll/.] battre; dt: schlagen, klopfen, pochen. [Note:
a piselʌu pl. Also used for killing animals if they are killed by
pisele sg. → pisel-. knocking them on the head.]
pis(i) perfective. → pis-. pɔ̃mmaa future.
pisrʌʌ future. → pis-. pɔ̃mɛ past.
pisrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → pis-. pɔ̃m perfective.
pisrəfʌ deverbal local noun. → pis-. pɔ̃mm(ɔ̃) imperfective.
pisrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. → a pɔ̃mam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
pis-. pɔ̃mdɛ noun. nose; life, (pl.) snot; fr: nez, vie, (pl.)
pisrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → pis-. morve; dt: Nase, Leben, (pl.) Rotz.
pisrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → pis-. a pɔ̃mdɛ sg.
pisr(i) imperfective. → pis-. a pɔ̃ma pl.
pisro deverbal agent noun sg. → pis-. a pɔ̃ma hem NP+N compound noun sg./mass
pɔg- noun. parasitic worm; horizontal pole of a roof snot; fr: morve; dt: Rotz
(about 1 metre long); fr: ver parasite; bois a pɔ̃m dɔɔrɛ N+N compound noun sg. a long
horizontal d’un toit (env. 1 mètre de longueur); life; fr: une longue vie; dt: ein langes Leben
dt: parasitärer Wurm; waagrechte Dachstange [Note: This compound noun is used
(ca. 1 Meter lang). [Note: Cf. a dolo ‘vertical elliptically as a wish (e.g. for birthdays). It
beam’.] cannot be taken to mean ‘a long nose’.]
a pɔgʋ sg. a pɔ̃mdɛ dɔɔrɛ NP+N compound noun sg. a long
a pɔgəfɩ pl. nose; fr: un nez long; dt: eine lange Nase
a pɔgɩ pl. [Note: This compound cannot be taken to
pɔgəfɩ pl. → pɔg-. mean ‘a long life’.]
pɔgl- verb. injure, wound; have a wound; fr: a pɔ̃ma dɔɔya NP+N compound noun pl.
blesser; avoir une plaie; dt: verletzen, pɔ̃mɛ past. → pɔ̃m-.
verwunden; eine Verletzung haben. pɔ̃mmaa future. → pɔ̃m-.
pɔgɔlaa future. pɔ̃mm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → pɔ̃m-.
pɔgəlɛ past. pɔ̃mptɛɛr- noun. potato; fr: pomme de terre; dt:
pɔgɔ perfective. Kartoffel. [Note: < Fr. pomme de terre]
pɔgɔl(ʋ) imperfective. a pɔ̃mpətɛɛrəfɛ sg.
a pɔgəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a pɔ̃mpətɛɛrɩ pl./collective.
mə pɔgɔ dɩ sentence I wounded him.; fr: Je l’ai pɔ̃mpətɛɛrəfɛ sg. → pɔ̃mptɛɛr-.
blessé.; dt: Ich habe ihn verletzt. pɔ̃n perfective. → pɔ̃n-.
mə pɔgɔ sentence I am wounded.; fr: Je suis pɔ̃n- noun. white, light coloured; fr: blanc, d’une
blessé.; dt: Ich bin verletzt. couleur claire; dt: weiß, hell. [Note: This word
pɔgəlɛ past. → pɔgl-. is also used with other colour terms to indicate
pɔgɔ perfective. → pɔgl-. a lighter shade of that colour. Cf. also a bĩnĩŋ
pɔgɔlaa future. → pɔgl-. ‘black’, which indicates a darker shade.]
pɔgɔl(ʋ) imperfective. → pɔgl-. a pɔ̃nɔ̃ŋ sg.
pɔgʋ sg. → pɔg-. a pɔ̃nɩ̃ã pl.
pɔm- noun. mat; fr: natte; dt: Matte. a pɔ̃nəŋa common noun diminutive.
a pɔŋgʋ sg. a ỹɔ̃nəfɛ pɔ̃nəŋa NP+N compound noun sg.
a pɔmɩ pl. starlight; fr: lumière des étoiles; dt:
pɔŋgʋ sg. → pɔm-. Sternenlicht
pɔt- verb. be much, be many, be a lot; fr: être a pɔ̃nəmɛ̃ɩ̃ abstract quality noun sg. whiteness;
beaucoup; dt: viel sein, viele sein. fr: blancheur; dt: Weißheit.
pɔtaa future. a fɔrə pɔ̃nəmɛ̃ɩ̃ N+N compound noun sg.
pɔtɛ past. generosity (lit.: whiteness of the belly); fr:
pɔt(ʋ) imperfective.

138 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

pɔ̃n- pʋgt(ʋ)
générosité (lit.: blancheur de l’estomac); dt: pogl- noun. bark, shell; fr: écorce, coque; dt: Rinde,
Großzügigkeit (wörtl.: Weißheit des Bauches). Schale. [Note: In contrast with a pogu, this
a fɔrə pɔ̃nəmɛ̃ɩ̃ sa NP+N compound noun sg. word does not signify a claw or fingernail.]
generous person (lit.: owner of whiteness of a pogəlle sg.
the belly); fr: personne généreuse (lit.: a pogəlʌ pl.
possesseur de blancheur de l’estomac); dt: a pogəlo pl.
großzügiger Mensch (wörtl.: Besitzer der pogəlʌ pl. → pogl-.
Weißheit des Bauches) pogəlle sg. → pogl-.
a fɔrə pɔ̃nəmɛ̃ɩ̃ sammã NP+N compound noun pogu sg. → po-.
pl. poi pl. → po-.
pɔ̃n- verb. shave; fr: raser; dt: rasieren. [Note: This pol- noun. kind of bush; Fulani (secret word); fr:
verb is used for shaving an area completely espèce d’arbuste; Peul (nom caché); dt: Art
(e.g. the whole head). For shaving around the Strauch; Ful (Geheimwort). [Note: The wood of
edges of a piece of hair, a kobtʌm is used.] this bush is used to strengthen the base of a
pɔ̃taa future. traditional straw basket.]
pɔ̃nnaa future. a poləgʌ diminutive sg.
pɔ̃nɛ past. a polii pl.
pɔ̃n perfective. poləgʌ diminutive sg. → pol-.
pɔ̃tʋ imperfective. porʌ ordinal numeral pl. → pod-.
pɔ̃nn(ɔ̃) imperfective. pos- verb. pray, greet, praise, thank, congratulate,
a pɔ̃nam deverbal action noun sg./mass. treat politely; fr: prier, saluer, louer,
pɔ̃nɛ past. → pɔ̃n-. remercier, féliciter, traiter avec politesse; dt:
pɔ̃nɩ̃ã pl. → pɔ̃n-. beten, grüßen, loben, danken, gratulieren,
pɔ̃nəmɛ̃ɩ̃ abstract quality noun sg. → pɔ̃n-. höflich behandeln.
pɔ̃nnaa future. → pɔ̃n-. posrʌʌ future.
pɔ̃nn(ɔ̃) imperfective. → pɔ̃n-. pose past.
pɔ̃nəŋa common noun diminutive. → pɔ̃n-. pos(u) perfective.
pɔ̃nɔ̃ŋ sg. → pɔ̃n-. posr(u) imperfective.
pɔ̃ntɩ noun. nail; fr: clou; dt: Nagel. [Note: < Fr. a posʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
pointe] pose past. → pos-.
pɔ̃ntɩ sg. posrʌʌ future. → pos-.
pɔ̃ntəfɩ pl. posr(u) imperfective. → pos-.
pɔ̃taa future. → pɔ̃n-. posru sal- noun. large earthenware bowl used at
pɔ̃tʋ imperfective. → pɔ̃n-. Moslem prayer; fr: bol grosse en terre cuite
po- noun. claw, fingernail; bark, shell; fr: griffe, utilisé à la prière musulmane; dt: große
ongle; écorce, coque; dt: Klaue, Fingernagel; Tonschüssel, die beim moslemischen Gebet
Rinde, Schale. [Note: To avoid possible verwendet wird.
ambiguity, a wɔ̃nə pogu is used for ‘fingernail’.] a posru sallɛ sg.
a pogu sg. a posru sala pl.
a poi pl. posru sallɛ sg. → posru sal-.
a wɔ̃nə pogu N+N compound noun sg. pos(u) perfective. → pos-.
fingernail; fr: ongle; dt: Fingernagel. pote ordinal numeral sg. → pod-.
a wɔ̃nə poi N+N compound noun pl. pʋ- noun. viper; fr: naja, vipère; dt: Viper.
a poi saa NP+N compound noun sg. peanut; fr: a pʋfɛ sg.
arachide; dt: Erdnuss [Note: The Mòoré loan a pʋɩ pl.
a sɔ̃ŋkaamdɛ is more common in everyday pʋfɛ sg. → pʋ-.
speech.] pʋgt- verb. remove (bark/shell/skin), shell, peel; fr:
a poi sammã NP+N compound noun pl. enlever l’écorce, écorcher, décortiquer; dt:
pod- numeral. first; fr: premier; dt: erst (-er,-e,-es). (Rinde/Schale) entfernen, schälen. [Note: This
a pote ordinal numeral sg. [Note: This word is the verb has as typical objects: peanuts, green
only ordinal numeral in Koromfe which is not peas, bananas, oranges.]
derived from a cardinal numeral. It is a noun in pʋgtraa future.
its own right and (unlike all other ordinal pʋgtɛ past.
numerals) does not agree with its head noun pʋgt(ʋ) perfective.
with respect to humanness. It always takes the pʋgtr(ʋ) imperfective.
article a. Cf. the cardinal numerals ndom, dʋfɛ a pʋgtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
and dɔ̃m ‘one’.] pʋgtɛ past. → pʋgt-.
a porʌ ordinal numeral pl. pʋgtraa future. → pʋgt-.
a poro ordinal numeral pl. pʋgtr(ʋ) imperfective. → pʋgt-.
pʋgt(ʋ) perfective. → pʋgt-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 139

pʋl- pugotro
pʋl- noun. stick; fr: bâton; dt: Stock. [Note: This a yɔ puglo NP+N compound noun sg. chief’s
stick is used by herdsmen (usually children) bonnet; fr: bonnet de chef; dt: Haube eines
both for protection against wild animals and to Chefs [Note: In order to be inaugurated as
round up their herd.] chief, on needs a bonnet. Traditionally
a pʋllɛ sg. chiefs’ bonnets were provided by villages
a pʋla pl. under the chief’s sway.]
pʋllɛ sg. → pʋl-. pugl- verb. sacrifice; fr: faire une offrande,
pʋpaa- noun. kind of grass; fr: espèce d’herbe; dt: sacrifier; dt: opfern. [Note: Sacrifices are
Art Gras. [Note: The singular designates a normally made at the traditional altar. This
single blade / stalk of this grass, the plural is verb normally takes a sɛ̃ndɛ as its direct object
generic.] and the thing sacrificed in a prepositional
a pʋpaarɛ sg. phrase introduced by la]
a pʋpaaya pl. pugolʌʌ future.
pʋpaarɛ sg. → pʋpaa-. pugəle past.
pʋs- verb. make white, whiten, bleach; fr: faire pugo perfective.
blanc, blanchir; dt: weiß machen, bleichen. pugol(u) imperfective.
[Note: This verb is distantly related to a pɔ̃nɔ̃ŋ a pugəlʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
‘white’. It can also be used in the sense of də pugo (a) sɛ̃ndɛ la (a) wɔ̃ñɔŋ sentence He
painting something white (e.g. cloth, walls).] sacrificed a chicken.; fr: Il a sacrifié un
pʋsraa future. poulet.; dt: Er hat ein Huhn geopfert.
pʋsɛ past. puglʌ sg. → pugl-.
pʋs(ʋ) perfective. puglʌu pl. → pugl-.
pʋsr(ʋ) imperfective. pugəle past. → pugl-.
a pʋsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. puglio sg. → pugl-.
pʋsɛ past. → pʋs-. puglo sg. → pugl-.
pʋsraa future. → pʋs-. pugloi pl. → pugl-.
pʋsr(ʋ) imperfective. → pʋs-. pugo perfective. → pugl-.
pʋs(ʋ) perfective. → pʋs-. pugolʌʌ future. → pugl-.
pʋt- noun. (softer) inner part of a millet stalk whose pugol(u) imperfective. → pugl-.
outer skin has been removed; fr: partie pugot- verb. appear; fr: apparaître; dt: erscheinen.
intérieure (molle) d’une tige mil dont la peau pugotrʌʌ future.
extérieure a été enlevée; dt: weicher Innenteil pugote past.
eines Hirsestängels, dessen Außenhaut pugot(u) perfective.
entfernt worden ist. [Note: These are used by pugotr(u) imperfective.
children to make model bicycles.] a pugotʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a pʋtʋ sg. a pugotro deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who
a pʋtəfɩ pl. appears; fr: q.un qui apparaît; dt: jmd. der
a kãŋka pʋtʋ NP+N compound noun sg. [Note: erscheint.
Alternative term for a pʋtʋ. kãŋka < Mòoré a pugotrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
kãŋkarɛ ‘stalk’.] a pugotrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. thing
a kãŋka pʋtəfɩ NP+N compound noun pl. that appears; fr: chose qui apparaît; dt: Ding,
pʋtʋ sg. → pʋt-. das erscheint.
pud- (=/pud/) noun. compost; fr: composte; dt: a pugotrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl.
Kompost. a pugotrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun dimin.
pute (=/pud-dɛ/) sg. a pugotrəfʌ deverbal local noun. place where X
pug- noun. kind of ash (used to conserve shelled appears; fr: endroit où X apparaît; dt: Platz, wo
green peas and grains of sorrel); fr: espèce de X erscheint.
cendre (utilisé pour conserver les petits pois a vɛ̃ŋa kebre pugotru sentence A storm has
décortiqués et les graines l’oseille); dt: Art broken.; fr: Une tempête a éclatée.; dt: Ein
Asche (mit der man geschälte grüne Erbsen Sturm ist ausgebrochen.
und Sauerampfer-Körner konservieren kann). pugotʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. →
a tɔm pugre NP+N compound noun sg. pugot-.
a tɔm pugʌ NP+N compound noun pl. [Note: pugote past. → pugot-.
Used only in the compound a tɔm pugre] pugotrʌʌ future. → pugot-.
pugl- noun. bonnet; fr: bonnet; dt: Haube. pugotrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → pugot-.
a puglʌ sg. pugotrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun dimin. →
a puglo sg. pugot-.
a puglio sg. pugotrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. →
a puglʌu pl. pugot-.
a pugloi pl. pugotrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → pugot-.
a puglofi pl. pugotro deverbal agent noun sg. → pugot-.

140 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

pugotr(u) sab-
pugotr(u) imperfective. → pugot-. purot- verb. rip apart, open; fr: déchirer, ouvrir;
pugot(u) perfective. → pugot-. dt: zerreißen, öffnen. [Note: The object of this
purgo- noun. kind of frog; fr: espèce de grenouille; verb is usually some kind of animal.]
dt: Art Frosch. [Note: Koromfe has a 5-way purotrʌʌ future.
distinction of frogs and toads according to purote past.
their size. The smallest is a sãndəga, followed purot(u) perfective.
by a pãtɛ, a gɔŋdɛ, a bɩtɛ, a purgoŋ.] purotr(u) imperfective.
a purgoŋ sg. a purotʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a purgoi pl. purote past. → purot-.
purgoŋ sg. → purgo-. purotrʌʌ future. → purot-.
purotr(u) imperfective. → purot-.
purot(u) perfective. → purot-.

R - r

ragyo noun. radio; fr: radio; dt: Radio. a rɩỹɔ̃ sg.

a ragyo sg. a rɩỹɔ̃fɩ pl.
a ragyoma pl. rʋba noun. ink; mascara; fr: encre; mascara; dt:
a ragyofi pl. Tinte; Wimperntusche. [Note: Ink is used only
ragyoma pl. → ragyo. by Moslems and not a part of traditional
rɩỹɔ̃ noun. spoke (of a bicycle); fr: rayon (de vélo); Koromba culture.]
dt: Speiche (eines Fahrrads). [Note: < Fr. a rʋba sg.
rayon. The word a kɔ̃sʋ ‘(piece of) iron’ can also
be used to refer to the spoke of a bicycle.]

S - s

sa adverb. now; fr: maintenant; dt: jetzt. word is a nominalization (with the suffix -
sa temporal adverb. re) of the NP+N compound sa+bi ‘father’s
sãŋkoŋ temporal adverb. right now; fr: child’.]
immédiatement; dt: sofort. [Note: = sa + koŋ] saa noun. master, owner, proprietor; fr: maître,
sa noun. father, father’s brother, ancestor; fr: possesseur, propriétaire; dt: Meister, Besitzer,
père, frère du père, ancêtre; dt: Vater, Bruder Eigentümer. [Note: As the last element of
des Vaters, Ahne. [Note: This word can be used compound nouns, the singular of this word can
by extension to most male relatives on the be shortened phonetically to sa.]
father’s side of the family that are older than a saa sg.
ego, though not to relatives on the mother’s a sammã pl.
side of the family.] saandrɛ noun. consanguinity; fr: consanguinité; dt:
a sa sg. Verwandtschaft. [Note: < a sa ‘father’, but not
a sammã pl. by regular derivation. This word refers to
a sa bi NP+N compound noun sg. sibling, close consanguinity on the father’s side of the
relative; rival (within the clan); fr: frère ou family, not the mothers.]
sœur, consanguin; adversaire (dans la a saandrɛ sg.
grande famille); dt: Geschwister, naher a saandrɛ la wɛ̃ ʋ para sentence We are
Verwandter; Gegner (innerhalb der related. (Lit.: There is consanguinity
Großfamilie) between us.); fr: Nous sommes apparentés.
a sa bu NP+N compound noun pl. (Lit.: Il y a la consanguinité entre nous.); dt:
a sa bire abstract quality noun sg. Wir sind verwandt. (Wörtl.: Es besteht
consanguinity; rivalry (within the clan); fr: Verwandtschaft zwischen uns.)
consanguinité; rivalité (dans la grande sab- noun. pickaxe; fr: pioche; dt: Hacke. [Note:
famille); dt: Verwandtschaft; Rivalität Minimal pair with a sãbəga ‘kind of illness’.]
(innerhalb der Großfamilie) [Note: This a sabəga sg.
Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 141
saba sam-
a sabənɛ pl. sagl- verb. stack neatly (e.g. crockery), pack one’s
saba perfective. → sabl-. luggage; fr: entasser (p. ex. la vaisselle), faire
sabalaa future. → sabl-. ses valises; dt: ordentlich stapeln (z.B.
sabal(ʋ) imperfective. → sabl-. Geschirr), die Koffer packen.
sabfaa future. → sabl-. sagalaa future.
sabf(ʋ) imperfective. → sabl-. sagəlɛ past.
sabəga sg. → sab-. saga perfective.
sabl- verb. be calm person; fr: être calme; dt: ruhig sagal(ɩ) imperfective.
sein. [Note: This verb indicates calmness of a sagəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
character rather than physical inactivity.] sagəlɛ past. → sagl-.
sabalaa future. sagt- verb. crouch; fr: s’accroupir, être accroupi;
sabfaa future. dt: sich niederhocken, hocken. [Note: This verb
sabəlɛ past. can be motional or stative.]
saba perfective. sagtraa future.
sabal(ʋ) imperfective. sagfaa future.
sabf(ʋ) imperfective. sagtɛ past.
sabaɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. sagt(ɩ) perfective.
sabəlɛ past. → sabl-. sagtr(ɩ) imperfective.
sabt- verb. be bitter; mock; fr: être amer; se sagf(ʋ) imperfective.
moquer de; dt: bitter sein; verhöhnen. [Note: a sagtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
The sense ‘mock’ is a direct abstraction from sagtɛ past. → sagt-.
the concrete meaning ‘be bitter’. One is bitter sagt(ɩ) perfective. → sagt-.
towards person X if one speaks badly of him to sagtraa future. → sagt-.
others.] sagtr(ɩ) imperfective. → sagt-.
sabtraa future. saɩ perfective. → say-.
sabtɛ past. saɩraa future. → say-.
sabt(ʋ) perfective. saɩr(ɩ) imperfective. → say-.
sabtr(ʋ) imperfective. saka sg. → sag-.
a sabtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. sal- noun. plate, bowl, (pl.) crockery; fr: assiette,
sabtɛ past. → sabt-. bol, (pl.) vaisselle; dt: Teller, Schüssel, (Pl.)
sabtraa future. → sabt-. Geschirr. [Note: This word designates any kind
sabtr(ʋ) imperfective. → sabt-. of plate or bowl that is used to eat from, but
sabt(ʋ) perfective. → sabt-. not cooking pots.]
sadəga noun. young female (animal) that has not a sallɛ sg.
yet given birth; fr: femelle jeune (d’un animal) a sala pl.
qui n’a pas encore enfanté; dt: junges salb- noun. bridle (of a horse); fr: bride (d’un
Weibchen (einer Tierart), das noch nicht cheval); dt: Kopfgeschirr (eines Pferdes).
geworfen hat. [Note: = Mòoré. Cf. Koromfe a [Note: = Mòoré]
j ̃ããŋa.] a saləbrɩ sg.
a sadəga sg. a saləba pl.
a sadəsʋʋ pl. saləbrɩ sg. → salb-.
a sadəsɩ pl. salla- noun. strip of cloth (about 10-15 cm. wide);
sadəsʋʋ pl. → sadəga. head scarf; fr: bande d’étoffe (env. 10-15 cm.
safan- noun. piece of soap, (pl.) soap; fr: morceau de largeur); foulard; dt: Stoffstreifen (ca. 10-
de savon, (pl.) savon; dt: Stück Seife, (Pl.) 15 cm. breit); Kopftuch.
Seife. [Note: = Mòoré. Probably originally < Fr. a sallaŋa sg.
savon] a sallaʋ pl.
a safandɩ sg. sallaŋa sg. → salla-.
a safana pl. sallɛ sg. → sal-.
safandɩ sg. → safan-. sam perfective. → sam-.
sag- noun. compound; fr: concession; dt: Hof (als sam- noun. pointed object, arrow, needle; fr: objet
Ganzes). See: a gatɛ, which designates the pointu, flèche, aiguille; dt: spitzer Gegenstand,
inner part of a compound. Pfeil, Nadel. [Note: This is the generic word for
a saka sg. anything that is pointed, arrows and needles
a sagənɛ pl. being the most common.]
saga perfective. → sagl-. a samdɛ sg.
sagalaa future. → sagl-. a sama pl.
sagal(ɩ) imperfective. → sagl-. sam- noun. rib; fr: côte; dt: Rippe.
sagfaa future. → sagt-. a saŋfɛ singulative.
sagf(ʋ) imperfective. → sagt-. a samɛ pl.

142 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

sam- sataa
sam- verb. wash (clothes); fr: laver (les a sarʋ kebre la pugotu sentence A sandstorm
vêtements); dt: (Kleider) waschen. [Note: This has broken.; fr: Une tempête de sable a
verb is used for washing clothes, bedding, etc., éclatée.; dt: Ein Sandsturm ist
but not for washing the human body (see a ausgebrochen.
hubəlʌm and a sɔrəmam).] sar- verb. finish / stop too early; fr: finir / cesser
sammaa future. trop tôt; dt: zu früh aufhören. [Note: Also the
samɛ past. normal verb for “to stop raining”]
sam perfective. sataa future.
samm / sammʋ̃ imperfective. sar(ɩ) past.
a samam deverbal action noun sg./mass. sarɛ perfective.
sam m pɛ̃nɛ sentence Do your washing!; fr: Fais sat(ɩ) imperfective.
ta lessive!; dt: Wasch’ deine Sachen! [Note: a saram deverbal action noun sg./mass.
Here a pɛ̃nɛ is used to mean any kind of a satɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who stops
personal garment, not just shirts.] working before the job is finished; fr: q.un qui
a sammɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. launderer; fr: cesse de travailler avant que le travail soit fini;
laveur de linge; dt: Wäschewäscher. [Note: dt: jmd. der zu arbeiten aufhört, bevor die
When done for money, this is mainly a male Arbeit beendet ist.
activity.] a satəba deverbal agent noun pl.
a samməba deverbal agent noun pl. a satəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. rain that
samam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sam-. has stopped; fr: la pluie qui a cessé; dt: Regen,
samdɛ sg. → sam-. der aufgehört hat.
samɛ past. → sam-. a satəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
samm imperfective. → sam-. a satəga deverbal instrument noun dimin.
sammaa future. → sam-. a satəfa deverbal local noun. place where the
sammɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → sam-. rain has stopped; place where work was
sammʋ̃ imperfective. → sam-. stopped too early; fr: endroit où la pluie a
samsa (=/samsa/) noun. doughnut (made with cessé ; endroit où on a cessé de travailler trop
bean flour); fr: beignet (fabrique avec la farine tôt; dt: Platz, wo der Regen aufgehört hat;
de haricot); dt: Krapfen (aus Bohnenmehl). Platz, wo man zu früh zu arbeiten aufgehört
a samsa (=/samsa/) n.sg. & pl. hat.
saŋfɛ singulative. → sam-. a sarəmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. work that was
sar- noun. air, wind; fr: air, vent; dt: Luft, Wind. stopped too early; fr: travail qui a cessé trop
a sarʋ sg. tôt; dt: Arbeit, die zu früh beendet wurde.
a sarəfɩ pl. a fãɩ̃ sarəmãʋ̃ NP+N compound noun pl. several
a sarəga common noun diminutive. breeze, lots of porridge that were not made
gentle wind; sudden wind, whirlwind (which properly, gruel (which results from them);
can contain a kereŋkʌŋʌ); fr: brise, vent faible; fr: plusieurs tôs qui n’ont pas été bien fait,
vent soudain, tourbillon (qui peut contenir un bouillie (qui résulte de cela); dt: mehrere
kereŋkʌŋʌ); dt: Brise, schwacher Wind; Breie, die nicht richtig gemacht wurden,
plötzlicher Wind, Wirbelwind (der einen Grütze (die daraus resultiert)
kereŋkʌŋʌ enthalten kann). saram deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sar-.
a sarəŋa common noun diminutive. saram perfective. → sarm-.
a sarʋ kebre NP+adjectival noun sg. saramaa future. → sarm-.
a sarfɩ kebiʌ NP+adjectival noun pl. strong saram(ɔ̃) imperfective. → sarm-.
wind, gale, sandstorm; fr: vent fort, sarɛ perfective. → sar-.
tempête, tempête de sable; dt: starker sarəfɩ pl. → sar-.
Wind, Sturm, Sandsturm sarəga common noun diminutive. → sar-.
a sarʋ la dobo (a) fɛkʋ sentence The wind has sar(ɩ) past. → sar-.
blown down a tree.; fr: Le vent a fait tomber sarm- verb. have diarrhoea; fr: avoir la diarrhée; dt:
un arbre.; dt: Der Wind hat einen Baum Durchfall haben.
umgestürzt. saramaa future.
a sarʋ la fibr a fɔ̃fɩ hɛ̃ŋ sentence The wind is sarəmɛ past.
blowing those leaves around.; fr: Le vent saram perfective.
fait bouger ces feuilles-là.; dt: Der Wind saram(ɔ̃) imperfective.
bläst die Blätter herum. a sarəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a sigʌ sarʋ NP+N compound noun sg. a saramdɛ deverbal nomen acti sg. diarrhoea; fr:
Harmattan; fr: harmattan; dt: Harmattan diarrhée; dt: Durchfall.
a sarə hʋkʋ N+N compound noun sg. Tornado; sarəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sarm-.
fr: Tornade; dt: Tornado sarəmɛ past. → sarm-.
a sarə hʋgənɩ N+N compound noun pl. sarʋ sg. → sar-.
sataa future. → sar-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 143

satəba sãk-
satəba deverbal agent noun pl. → sar-. Länge schneiden (mit Hilfe eines Kamms und
satəfa deverbal local noun. → sar-. einer Rasierklinge). [Note: The razor blade is
satəga deverbal instrument noun dimin. → sar-. held against the comb at the desired length of
satəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → sar-. hair, then the hair is combed (from back to
satəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → sar-. front) and simultaneously cut. This method is
sat(ɩ) imperfective. → sar-. used for the whole head, not for individual
satɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → sar-. parts.]
sawadʋgʋ noun. Sawadugu / Sawadogo (family sããsraa future.
name); fr: Sawadougou / Sawadogo (nom de sããsɛ past.
famille); dt: Sawadugu / Sawadogo sããs(ɩ) perfective.
(Familienname). [Note: This name comes sããsr(ɩ) imperfective.
originally from Mòoré, where it means ‘storm- a sããsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
cloud tamer’ (i.e. tamer of lightning/fire), and sããsɛ past. → sããs-.
designates a blacksmith.] sããs(ɩ) perfective. → sããs-.
a sawadʋgʋ sg. sããsraa future. → sããs-.
a sawadʋgʋma pl. sããsr(ɩ) imperfective. → sããs-.
say- verb. separate, disperse; fr: se séparer, se sãb- noun. kind of illness (symptoms: slight fever
disperser; dt: sich trennen, auseinandergehen. and vomiting); fr: espèce de maladie
[Note: Typically used when a group of people (symptômes: petite fièvre et vomissement); dt:
disperse and go their separate ways.] Art Krankheit (Symptome: leichtes Fieber und
saɩraa future. Erbrechen).
sayɛ past. a sãbəga sg.
saɩ perfective. a sãbəsʋʋ pl.
saɩr(ɩ) imperfective. sãb- noun. liver; fr: foie; dt: Leber. [Note: Used for
a sayam deverbal action noun sg./mass. the liver of both humans and animals, and for
sayɛ past. → say-. the food.]
sã past. → sã-. a sãbrɛ sg.
sã perfective. → sã-. a sãba pl.
sã- verb. jump, spring, fly (ballistically); fr: sauter, sãbəga sg. → sãb-.
bondir, voler (balistiquement); dt: springen, sãbrɛ sg. → sãb-.
hüpfen, (ballistisch) fliegen. [Note: sãɩ̃g- verb. tip/pour out, scatter; fr: verser,
Synonymous with a sãkam.] éparpiller; dt: ausschütten, ausleeren,
sãnaa future. herumstreuen.
sã past. sãɩ̃graa future.
sã perfective. sãɩ̃gɛ past.
sãn(ɛ̃) imperfective. sãɩ̃g(ɩ) perfective.
a sããm deverbal action noun sg./mass. sãɩ̃gr(ɩ) imperfective.
a sãnɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who jumps; a sãɩ̃gam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
fr: q.un qui saute; dt: jmd. der springt. sãɩ̃gɛ past. → sãɩ̃g-.
a sãnəba deverbal agent noun pl. sãɩ̃g(ɩ) perfective. → sãɩ̃g-.
a sãnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object for sãɩ̃graa future. → sãɩ̃g-.
jumping; thing that jumps (e.g. animal, insect); sãɩ̃gr(ɩ) imperfective. → sãɩ̃g-.
fr: objet pour sauter; q.chose qui saute (p. ex. sãk- verb. jump, spring, fly (ballistically); fr: sauter,
animal, insecte); dt: Gegenstand zum Springen; bondir, voler (balistiquement); dt: springen,
etwas was springt (z.B. Tier, Insekt). [Note: hüpfen, (ballistisch) fliegen. [Note:
See also the separate entry for a sãnəgʋ in the Synonymous with a sããm.]
sense of ‘fibre’.] sãkraa future.
a sãnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. sãkɛ past.
a sãnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sãk(ɩ) perfective.
sg. sãkr(ɩ) imperfective.
a sãnəfa deverbal local noun. place for jumping a sãkam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
(e.g. where girls jump and sing in the night); fr: a sãkrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who jumps;
endroit pour sauter (p. ex. où les jeunes filles fr: q.un qui saute; dt: jmd. der springt.
sautent et chantent dans la nuit); dt: Platz zum a sãkrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
springen (z.B. wo Mädchen in der Nacht a sãkrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object
springen und singen). for jumping; thing that jumps (e.g. animal,
sããm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sã-. insect); fr: objet pour sauter; q.chose qui saute
sããs- verb. cut hair to a particular length (using a (p. ex. animal, insecte); dt: Gegenstand zum
comb and a razor blade); fr: couper les cheveux Springen; etwas was springt (z.B. Tier, Insekt).
à une longueur particulière (avec une peigne et [Note: See also the separate entry for a sãnəgʋ
une lame); dt: die Haare auf eine bestimmte in the sense of ‘fibre’.]

144 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

sãkam sãrsʋʋ
a sãkrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. a sãm pogəbʌu NP+N compound noun pl. [Note:
a sãkrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive = Mòoré. Such people are believed to return
sg. to haunt the living.]
a sãkrəfa deverbal local noun. place for jumping sãn- noun. fibre (from bark of the tree a hãrəgʋ); fr:
(e.g. where girls jump and sing in the night); fr: fibre (d’écorce de l’arbre a hãrəgʋ); dt: Faser
endroit pour sauter (p. ex. où les jeunes filles (aus Rinde des Baumes a hãrəgʋ). [Note: This
sautent et chantent dans la nuit); dt: Platz zum word originates as a deverbal instrument noun
springen (z.B. wo Mädchen in der Nacht from a sããm ‘to fly’. It has developed an
springen und singen). opaque plural form. The singular designates a
sãkam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sãk-. single piece of fibre, the plural can be generic.]
sãkam perfective. → sãkm-. a sãnəgʋ sg.
sãkamaa future. → sãkm-. a sãnɛ̃ɛ̃ pl.
sãkaməba deverbal agent noun pl. → sãkm-. sãnaa future. → sã-.
sãkaməga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. sãnam noun. piece of gold, (pl.) gold; fr: morceau
→ sãkm-. d’or, (pl.) or; dt: Stück Gold, (Pl.) Gold. [Note: =
sãkaməgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → sãkm-. Mòoré]
sãkaməhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → sãkm-. a sãnam sg.
sãkamɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → sãkm-. a sãnəma pl.
sãkam(ɔ̃) imperfective. → sãkm-. sãnəba deverbal agent noun pl. → sã-.
sãkɛ past. → sãk-. sãnd- noun. kind of frog; fr: espèce de grenouille;
sãk(ɩ) perfective. → sãk-. dt: Art Frosch. [Note: Most probably derived
sãkm- verb. jump, spring (repeatedly); fr: sauter, from a sããm ‘jump’. Koromfe has a 5-way
bondir (à plusieurs reprises); dt: springen, distinction of frogs and toads according to
hüpfen, fliegen (wiederholt). their size. The smallest is a sãndəga, followed
sãkamaa future. by a pãtɛ, a gɔŋdɛ, a bɩtɛ, a purgoŋ.]
sãkəmɛ past. a sãndəga sg.
sãkam perfective. a sãndənɩ pl.
sãkam(ɔ̃) imperfective. a sãndəsɩ pl.
a sãkəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. sãndəga sg. → sãnd-.
a sãkamɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who jumps sãndənɩ pl. → sãnd-.
(repeatedly); fr: q.un qui saute (à plusieurs sãn(ɛ̃) imperfective. → sã-.
reprises); dt: jmd. der (wiederholt) springt. sãnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. →
a sãkaməba deverbal agent noun pl. sã-.
a sãkaməgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object sãnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → sã-.
for jumping; things that jump (repeatedly); fr: sãnəgʋ sg. → sãn-.
objet pour sauter ; choses qui sautent (à sãnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → sã-.
plusieurs reprises); dt: Gegenstand zum sãnɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → sã-.
springen; Ding das (wiederholt) springt. sãŋg- (=/sãŋg/) noun. Ring of woven leaves; fr:
a sãkaməhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. cercle de feuilles tissées; dt: Ring geflochtener
a sãkaməga deverbal instrument noun Blätter. [Note: This word designates a ring
diminutive sg. woven with the leaves of the Borassus palm
a sãkamfa deverbal local noun. place for that is used as a base on which to place
jumping; fr: endroit pour sauter; dt: Platz zum calabashes.]
Springen. sãŋgrɛ (=/sãŋg-dɛ/) sg.
sãkəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sãkm-. sãŋga (=/sãŋg-a/) pl.
sãkəmɛ past. → sãkm-. sãŋgrɛ sg. (=/sãŋg-dɛ/) → sãŋg-.
sãkraa future. → sãk-. sãr- noun. filed tooth; fr: dent taillée; dt: gefeilter
sãkrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → sãk-. Zahn. [Note: = Mòoré. Some younger women
sãkrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. file away the corners of their upper front teeth
→ sãk-. to make themselves look more attractive.]
sãkrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → sãk-. a sãrɩa sg.
sãkrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → sãk-. a sãrsʋʋ pl.
sãkr(ɩ) imperfective. → sãk-. a sãrsɩ pl.
sãkrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → sãk-. sãr- noun. kind of lizard (which lives in water); fr:
sãm pog- noun. person killed by force; fr: personne espèce de lézard (qui habite dans l’eau); dt: Art
tué par la force; dt: Mensch, der durch Gewalt Eidechse (die im Wasser lebt). [Note: = Mòoré]
umgebracht wurde. a sãrɩ sg.
a sãm pogri NP+N compound noun sg. a sãrəfɩ pl.
a sãm pogʌ NP+N compound noun pl. sãrɩ sg. → sãr-.
sãrɩa sg. → sãr-.
sãrsʋʋ pl. → sãr-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 145

sãtɛ sɛrg-
sãtɛ noun. placenta, afterbirth; fr: placenta; dt: a sɛblam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
Plazenta, Mutterkuchen, Nachgeburt. a sɛbɛlɔ (=/sɛb-l-d-ɔ/) deverbal agent noun sg.
a sãtɛ sg. a sɛbɛləba (=/sɛb-l-d-ba/) deverbal agent noun
a sãtɛfɩ pl. pl. teacher; fr: enseignant; dt: Lehrer.
sãỹãŋg- verb. tip/pour out, scatter; fr: verser, mə sɛbɛlaa (a) koromfe sentence I’m learning
éparpiller; dt: ausschütten, ausleeren, Koromfe.; fr: J’apprends le koromfe.; dt: Ich
herumstreuen. [Note: Reported to be the lerne Koromfe.
“plural” of a sãɩ̃gam, i.e. to involve more sɛblam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/sɛb-Ṿl-
objects.] d/) → sɛbl-.
sãỹãŋgraa future. sɛblɛ past. (=/sɛb-Ṿl-ɛ/) → sɛbl-.
sãỹãŋgɛ past. sɛbraa future. → sɛb-.
sãỹãŋg(ɩ) perfective. sɛbrɛ deverbal nomen acti sg. → sɛb-.
sãỹãŋgr(ɩ) imperfective. sɛbrɛfɩ deverbal nomen acti sg. → sɛb-.
sãỹãŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. sɛbrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/sɛb-d-ɔ/) → sɛb-.
sãỹãŋgɛ past. → sãỹãŋg-. sɛbr(ʋ) imperfective. → sɛb-.
sãỹãŋg(ɩ) perfective. → sãỹãŋg-. sɛb(ʋ) perfective. → sɛb-.
sãỹãŋgraa future. → sãỹãŋg-. sɛk- noun. half (e.g. of an orange); fr: moitié (p. ex.
sãỹãŋgr(ɩ) imperfective. → sãỹãŋg-. d’une orange); dt: Hälfte (z.B. einer Orange).
sʌdĩĩ- noun. garden; fr: jardin; dt: Garten. [Note: = [Note: Possibly related to a sɛ̃kam ‘split’.]
Mòoré (though hardly used in Mòoré today). < a sɛkrɛ sg.
Fr. jardin. Cf. Koromfe a sɛmdɛ.] a sɛka pl.
a sʌdĩĩŋʌ diminutive sg. a pɩlaŋ sɛkrɛ NP+N compound noun sg. half
a sadɩ̃ɩ̃sʋʋ pl. [Note: The change from ATR to moon; fr: demi-lune; dt: Halbmond
non-ATR between sg. and pl. is unexpected.] sɛkɛ perfective. → sɛkl-.
sʌdĩĩŋʌ diminutive sg. → sʌdĩĩ-. sɛkɛl noun. block; fr: bloc; dt: Block. [Note: Used
sɛb- verb. teach, learn, discuss, tell, explain; fr: only for a block of salt.]
enseigner, apprendre, discuter, raconter, a sɛkɛl sg.
expliquer; dt: unterrichten, lernen, a sɛkɛlfɩ pl.
besprechen, erzählen, erklären. a sɔmmɔ̃ sɛkɛl NP+N compound noun sg. block
sɛbraa future. of salt; fr: bloc de sel; dt: Salzblock
sɛbɛ past. a sɔmmɔ̃ sɛkɛlfɩ NP+N compound noun pl.
sɛb(ʋ) perfective. sɛkɛlaa future. → sɛkl-.
sɛbr(ʋ) imperfective. sɛkɛl(ɩ) imperfective. → sɛkl-.
a sɛbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. sɛkɛlɔ n.sg. → sɛkl-.
a sɛbrɛ deverbal nomen acti sg. conversation, sɛkl- verb. advise, teach; fr: conseiller, enseigner;
discussion, story; fr: conversation, discussion, dt: beraten, unterrichten.
histoire; dt: Gespräch, Diskussion, Geschichte. sɛkɛlaa future.
a sɛbrɛfɩ deverbal nomen acti sg. [Note: There is sɛkəlɛ past.
no plural form like *sɛba.] sɛkɛ perfective.
a sɛbrɔ (=/sɛb-d-ɔ/) deverbal agent noun sg. sɛkɛl(ɩ) imperfective.
a sɛbrəba (=/sɛb-d-ba/) deverbal agent noun a sɛkəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
pl. teacher; fr: enseignant; dt: Lehrer. sɛkɛlɔ n.sg. teacher, professor; fr: enseignant,
mə sɛbraa (a) koromfe sentence I’m learning instituteur, professeur; dt: Lehrer, Professor.
Koromfe.; fr: J’apprends le koromfe.; dt: Ich sɛkɛləba n.pl.
lerne Koromfe. sɛkəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sɛkl-.
sɛbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sɛb-. sɛkəlɛ past. → sɛkl-.
sɛbɛ past. → sɛb-. sɛkrɛ sg. → sɛk-.
sɛbɛ perfective. (=/sɛb-Ṿl/) → sɛbl-. sɛm- noun. fence (e.g. around a field); cotton-tree;
sɛbɛl imperfective. (=/sɛb-Ṿl-d/) → sɛbl-. fr: clôture (p. ex. d’un champ); cotonnier; dt:
sɛbɛlaa future. (=/sɛb-Ṿl-d-aa/) → sɛbl-. Zaun (z.B. eines Feldes); Baumwollbaum.
sɛbɛlɩ imperfective. (=/sɛb-Ṿl-d/) → sɛbl-. [Note: In the meaning ‘cotton-tree’ this word
sɛbɛlɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/sɛb-l-d-ɔ/) → must be compounded with a lambʋ ‘cotton’]
sɛbl-. a sɛmdɛ sg.
sɛbl- (=/sɛb-Ṿl-/) verb. teach, learn, discuss, tell, a sɛma pl.
explain; fr: enseigner, apprendre, discuter, a lambə sɛmdɛ N+N compound noun sg.
raconter, expliquer; dt: unterrichten, lernen, a lambə sɛma N+N compound noun pl.
besprechen, erzählen, erklären. sɛma pl. → sɛm-.
sɛbɛlaa (=/sɛb-Ṿl-d-aa/) future. sɛmdɛ sg. → sɛm-.
sɛblɛ (=/sɛb-Ṿl-ɛ/) past. sɛrg- verb. tell (stories of the traditional type); fr:
sɛbɛ (=/sɛb-Ṿl/) perfective. raconter (des contes de genre traditionnel); dt:
sɛbɛl / sɛbɛlɩ (=/sɛb-Ṿl-d/) imperfective. (Geschichten traditioneller Art) erzählen.

146 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

sɛrəgam sɛ̃krɔ
sɛrəgraa future. a sɛtafɩ pl.
sɛrəgɛ past. a sɛtama pl. [Note: Not * sɛtəma.]
sɛrəg(ɩ) perfective. sɛtafɩ pl. → sɛta.
sɛrəgr(ɩ) imperfective. sɛ̃bt- verb. split, divide, chop (wood); fr: fendre,
a sɛrəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. diviser, hacher (bois); dt: spalten, trennen,
a sɛrəgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. story-teller; fr: (Holz) hacken. [Note: Synonymous with a
conteur; dt: Erzähler. sɛ̃kam]
a sɛrəgrəba deverbal agent noun pl. sɛ̃btraa future.
sɛrəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sɛrg-. sɛ̃btɛ past.
sɛrəgɛ past. → sɛrg-. sɛ̃bt(ʋ) perfective.
sɛrəgɛm perfective. → sɛrgm-. sɛ̃btr(ʋ) imperfective.
sɛrəgɛma deverbal nomen acti pl. → sɛrgm-. a sɛ̃btam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
sɛrəgɛmaa future. → sɛrgm-. a woll sɛ̃btrɛ NP+N compound noun sg. ankle;
sɛrəgɛmdɛ deverbal nomen acti sg. → sɛrgm-. fr: cheville; dt: Knöchel
sɛrəgɛmɔ̃ imperfective. → sɛrgm-. a wala sɛ̃bta NP+N compound noun pl.
sɛrəgɛmɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → sɛrgm-. sɛ̃btɛ past. → sɛ̃bt-.
sɛrəg(ɩ) perfective. → sɛrg-. sɛ̃btraa future. → sɛ̃bt-.
sɛrgm- verb. tell (stories of the traditional type); fr: sɛ̃btr(ʋ) imperfective. → sɛ̃bt-.
raconter (des contes de genre traditionnel); dt: sɛ̃bt(ʋ) perfective. → sɛ̃bt-.
(Geschichten traditioneller Art) erzählen. sɛ̃k- verb. split, divide, chop (wood); fr: fendre,
sɛrəgɛmaa future. diviser, hacher (bois); dt: spalten, trennen,
sɛrəgəmɛ past. (Holz) hacken. [Note: Synonymous with a
sɛrəgɛm perfective. sɛ̃btam]
sɛrəgɛmɔ̃ imperfective. sɛ̃kraa future.
a sɛrəgəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. sɛ̃kɛ past.
a sɛrəgɛmdɛ deverbal nomen acti sg. story, tale sɛ̃k(ɩ) perfective.
(of the traditional kind); fr: histoire, conte (du sɛ̃kr(ɩ) imperfective.
genre traditionnel); dt: Geschichte, Erzählung a sɛ̃kam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
(der traditionellen Art). [Note: In contrast with a sɛ̃krɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who chops
a sɛrəgəmam, which means ‘story-telling’ in (wood); fr: q.un qui hache (le bois); dt: jmd. der
general, with potentially more than one story, (Holz) hackt.
the word a sɛrəgɛmdɛ refers to a single story a sɛ̃krəba deverbal agent noun pl.
only.] a sɛ̃krəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object for
a sɛrəgɛma deverbal nomen acti pl. [Note: This chopping (e.g. an axe); fr: objet pour hacher (p.
is one of the rare cases of a plural in - a of a ex. une hache); dt: Gegenstand zum hacken
deverbal noun in - dɛ.] (z.B. eine Hacke).
a sɛrəgɛmɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. story-teller; a sɛ̃krəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
fr: conteur; dt: Erzähler. a sɛ̃krəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
a sɛrəgɛmba deverbal agent noun pl. sg.
sɛrəgɛm sɛrəgɛm sentence I have a story to a sɛ̃krəfa deverbal local noun. place for chopping
tell. (Lit.: Tell, tell!); fr: J’ai un conte à (wood); fr: endroit pour hacher (le bois); dt:
raconter. (Lit.: Raconte, raconte!); dt: Ich Platz zum (Holz) hacken.
habe eine Geschichte zu erzählen. (Wörtl.: a sɛ̃kmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. small chippings
Erzähl’, erzähl’!) [Note: This formula is used (of wood) that remain when the chopping is
at a story-telling session by someone who over; fr: petits morceaux (de bois) qui restent
wishes to tell the next story. He must await lorsqu’on a fini de hacher; dt: kleine (Holz-
the reply tʋka tʋka from someone else )Splitter, die überbleiben, wenn man mit dem
before beginning his story. If no-one gives Hacken fertig ist.
this reply, the story cannot be told. I have sɛ̃kam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sɛ̃k-.
found no explanation for the apparent sɛ̃kɛ past. → sɛ̃k-.
contradiction of saying “tell, tell!” when one sɛ̃k(ɩ) perfective. → sɛ̃k-.
wants to tell a story oneself.] sɛ̃kraa future. → sɛ̃k-.
sɛrəgəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sɛ̃krəba deverbal agent noun pl. → sɛ̃k-.
sɛrgm-. sɛ̃krəfa deverbal local noun. → sɛ̃k-.
sɛrəgəmɛ past. → sɛrgm-. sɛ̃krəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
sɛrəgraa future. → sɛrg-. → sɛ̃k-.
sɛrəgr(ɩ) imperfective. → sɛrg-. sɛ̃krəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → sɛ̃k-.
sɛrəgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → sɛrg-. sɛ̃krəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → sɛ̃k-.
sɛta noun. wise man (beggar); fr: griot, homme sage sɛ̃kr(ɩ) imperfective. → sɛ̃k-.
mendiant; dt: bettelnder Weiser. sɛ̃krɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → sɛ̃k-.
a sɛta sg.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 147

sɛ̃m- sebl-
sɛ̃m- noun. tamarind tree, tamarind; fr: tamarinier, compound is probably an older form of a gɩbka
tamarin; dt: Tamarindenbaum, Tamarinde. (the diminutive of a gɩbrɛ).]
a sɛ̃mnɛ sg. a sɛ̃ŋ gɩka N+N compound noun sg.
a sɛ̃mɩ̃ã pl. a sɛ̃ŋ gɩbnɛ N+N compound noun pl.
sɛ̃mnɛ sg. → sɛ̃m-. a sɛ̃ŋ gɩgnɛ N+N compound noun pl. [Note: This
sɛ̃n- noun. altar (for sacrifices); fr: autel de form is probably result of morphological
sacrifice; dt: Altar (für Opfer). [Note: This levelling.]
word probably meant “ground” (cf. “Chef de sɛ̃ɔ̃ noun. medicine, remedy, drug, sorcery; fr:
terre”), but has been replaced in this meaning médicament, remède, drogue, gris-gris; dt:
by the (clearly historically related, if not Medizin, Heilmittel, Droge, Zauberei.
identical) adverb sɛ̃nɛ.] a sɛ̃ɔ̃ sg.
a sɛ̃ndɛ sg. a sɛ̃ɔ̃fɩ pl.
a sɛna pl. a sɛ̃ɔ̃ bi NP+N compound noun sg. pill, tablet,
a sɛ̃ndɛ saa NP+N compound noun sg. medicine capsule; fr: pilule, comprimé, capsule; dt:
man (lit.: owner of the altar); fr: chef de Pille, Tablette, Kapsel
terre (lit.: possesseur de l’autel); dt: a sɛ̃ɔ̃ sa NP+N compound noun sg.
Medizinmann (wörtl.: Besitzer des Altars a sɛ̃ɔ̃fɩ sa NP+N compound noun sg. sorcerer;
[Note: This is the second-highest office in fr: sorcier; dt: Zauberer
Koromba society after that of the chief. The a sɛ̃ɔ̃ sammã NP+N compound noun pl.
medicine man is a member of the Sawadugu a sɛ̃ɔ̃fɩ sammã NP+N compound noun pl.
(sawadʋgʋ) family. In contrast with the se pronoun. what; fr: quoi, qu’est-ce qui, qu’est-
offices of keso and falaʋ, a sɛ̃ndɛ sa (like a ce que; dt: was. [Note: Since a and e are ATR-
jɔ) is always used with the article a, even disharmonic, and the vowel e is more
when referring to or addressing the present prominent, I assume that a is the article. But
holder of the office.] to all intents and purposes ase behaves like a
sɛ̃ndɛ sg. → sɛ̃n-. single word. Unlike ala ‘who’, it has no plural.]
sɛ̃nɛ adverb. to the ground, down, on the ground; ase interrogative pronoun non-human sg.
ground; fr: à terre, en bas, par terre; terre; dt: ase ni interrogative postpositional phrase. why,
zum Boden, hinunter, am Boden; Boden. for what reason, to what end; fr: pourquoi,
sɛ̃nɛ adverb. pour quelle raison, à quel but; dt: warum,
sɛ̃nɛ koŋ kaŋənaa sentence This ground is weshalb, aus welchem Grund, zu welchem
hard.; fr: La terre d’ici es dure.; dt: Dieser Zweck.
Boden ist hart. ase la pa (ke...) interrogative main clause why,
sɛ̃nɛ sɛ̃nɛ adverb downwards; fr: en bas; dt: for what reason (lit.: What resulted in (the
hinunter fact that...)); fr: pourquoi, pour quelle
sɛ̃nɛ la dɔba adverb phrase; noun phrase raison (lit.: Qu’est-ce qui a donné (que...));
heaven and earth, the world; fr: le monde; dt: warum, weshalb, aus welchem Grund
dt: Himmel und Erde, die Welt [Note: This (wörtl.: Was hat ergeben, (dass...)) [Note:
adverb is sometimes used as a noun, though This interrogative phrase is not normally
never with the article a.] used to ask ‘why’ in the sense of ‘to what
sɛ̃nɛ- noun. large pot; fr: grande jarre; dt: großer end’.]
Topf. [Note: This pot is even larger than a sebə kɛ̃- noun. widow; fr: veuve; dt: Witwe. [Note:
joroŋ, and is hardly used nowadays.] This word is a deliberate deformation of a sɩbʋ
a sɛ̃nɛŋ sg. kɛ̃ɔ̃ ‘wife of a dead person’.]
a sɛ̃nɛɩ pl. a sebə kɛ̃ɔ̃ V+N compound noun sg.
sɛ̃nɛŋ sg. → sɛ̃nɛ-. a sebe kɛ̃ɔ̃ V+N compound noun sg.
sɛ̃ŋ- noun. bottom, anus; vagina (polite); fr: a sebə kɛ̃na V+N compound noun pl.
derrière, anus; vulve (poli); dt: Hintern, After; a sebe kɛ̃na V+N compound noun pl.
Scheide (höflich). sebə kɛ̃na V+N compound noun pl. → sebə kɛ̃-.
a sɛ̃ŋa sg. [Note: < sɛ̃ŋ+ŋa by simplification of the sebə kɛ̃ɔ̃ V+N compound noun sg. → sebə kɛ̃-.
(illicit) geminate velar nasal] sebe perfective. → sebl-.
a sɛ̃ŋnɛ pl. sebe kɛ̃ɔ̃ V+N compound noun sg. → sebə kɛ̃-.
sɛ̃ŋ gɩbnɛ N+N compound noun pl. → sɛ̃ŋgɩka. sebelʌʌ future. → sebl-.
sɛ̃ŋ gɩka N+N compound noun sg. → sɛ̃ŋgɩka. sebel(u) imperfective. → sebl-.
sɛ̃ŋa sg. → sɛ̃ŋ-. sebl- verb. swear; fr: jurer; dt: schwören.
sɛ̃ŋgɩka noun. small axe, small pick; fr: hachette, sebelʌʌ future.
petite pioche; dt: kleine Axt, kleine Hacke. sebəle past.
[Note: This is small, very sharp tool used to sebe perfective.
make normal-sized tools like a gɩbrɛ. It is sebel(u) imperfective.
smaller than a gɩbka. The second part of this a sebəlʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.

148 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

sebəle semb-
mə sebelu ke (a) ỹãʋ̃ dɔ sentence I swear that famille?); dt: Wie lautet dein Familienname?
it isn’t true.; fr: Je jure que ce n’est pas (Wörtl.: Dein Familienname?)
vrai.; dt: Ich schwöre, dass es nicht wahr n segtʌ la naŋkãã interrogative sentence
ist. What’s your surname? (Lit.: Your surname
sebəle past. → sebl-. is how?); fr: Quel es ton nom de famille?
see- noun. inner (edible) part of the kernel of a nut; (Lit.: Ton nom de famille est comment?); dt:
fr: partie intérieure (comestible) d’une noix; dt: Wie lautet dein Familienname?(Wörtl.: Dein
(essbarer) Innenteil eines Nusskerns. Familienname ist wie?)
a seem sg./mass. sel- noun. open space, open area of ground; (outer)
a seemfi pl. space; fr: espace nu, terrain nu; espace; dt:
seem sg./mass. → see-. offener Platz, offenes Stück Grund; Weltraum.
seet- verb. judge, condemn, punish; fr: juger, a selle sg.
condamner, punir; dt: richten, verurteilen, a selʌ pl.
strafen. [Note: Cf. the compound a kaseeto a selo pl.
‘judgement’. Judgements are felled primarily by a fɩrɛ selle NP+N compound noun sg. sunlight;
consensus among the groups concerned (e.g. fr: (lumière du) soleil; dt: Sonnenlicht
family, men and women of the village). If no sel- (=/sel/) adverb. outdoors, outside; fr: au
consensus can be reached, the matter goes to dehors; dt: im Freien, draußen.
the chief.] selle (=/sel-dɛ/) local adverb. outdoors, outside;
seetrʌʌ future. fr: au dehors; dt: im Freien, draußen.
seete past. selle elliptical imperative sentence Out!; fr:
seet(i) perfective. Dehors!; dt: Raus!
seetr(i) imperfective. sɩr na selle imperative sentence Get out!; fr:
a seetʌm deverbal action noun sg. Sortez!; dt: Geht raus!
seete past. → seet-. mə yakaa selle hĩ sentence I’m going for a shit.;
seet(i) perfective. → seet-. fr: Je vais faire la crotte.; dt: Ich gehe
seetrʌʌ future. → seet-. scheißen. [Note: This is the polite
seetr(i) imperfective. → seet-. expression for mə jakaa a bɛ̃na nɛ̃ʋ̃.]
seg- noun. first name, christian name; fr: prénom; selʌ pl. → sel-.
dt: Vorname. [Note: [g], not [ɣ].] sell- verb. remove (millet chaff by pounding); fr:
a segre sg. enlever (les enveloppes de mil en pilant); dt:
a segiʌ pl. (Hirseschalen durch stampfen) entfernen.
a segio pl. sellərʌʌ future.
n segre interrogative sentence What’s your selle past.
(first) name? (Lit.: Your name?); fr: sell(i) perfective.
Comment t’appelles-tu? (Lit.: Ton nom?); sellər(i) imperfective.
dt: Wie heißt du? (Wörtl.: Dein Name?) sellʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
n segre la naŋkãã interrogative sentence selle sg. → sel-.
What’s your (first) name? (Lit.: Your name selle past. → sell-.
is how?); fr: Comment t’appelles-tu? (Lit.: sell(i) perfective. → sell-.
Ton nom est comment?); dt: Wie heißt du? sellərʌʌ future. → sell-.
(Wörtl.: Dein Name ist wie?) sellər(i) imperfective. → sell-.
segiʌ pl. → seg-. sem perfective. → sem-.
segre sg. → seg-. sem- (=/sem/) verb. sigh; moo (the noise made by
segt- noun. kind of grass; fr: espèce d’herbe; dt: cows), howl (like a dog); fr: gémir; meugler,
Art Gras. beugler, mugir (le bruit produit par les vaches),
a segtre sg. [Note: The expected plural a segtʌ hurler (comme chien); dt: seufzen; muhen
does not exist, possibly because it would be (Geräusch der Kühe), heulen (wie Hund).
homophonous with a segtʌ ‘surname’.] semmʌʌ future.
segtʌ noun. family name, surname; fr: nom de seme past.
famille; dt: Familienname. [Note: [g], not [ɣ]. sem perfective.
Though strikingly similar to a segre ‘first semm / semmũ (=/sem-d/) imperfective.
name’, not regularly derived from it; the only a semʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
other pair of words with a similar /+t/ element semb- noun. piece, fragment (e.g. of a broken
are a bɛ̃nta and a bɛ̃na.] calabash, pot, plate); fr: morceau, fragment (p.
a segtʌ sg. ex. d’une calebasse, marmite, assiette cassée);
a segtʌfi pl. dt: Stück, Splitter, Scherbe (z.B. einer
n segtʌ interrogative sentence What’s your zerbrochenen Kalebasse, eines Topfes, eines
surname? (Lit.: Your surname?); fr: Quel es Tellers). [Note: Synonymous with a sembele.]
ton nom de famille? (Lit.: Ton nom de a sembre sg.
a sembʌ pl.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 149

sembʌ sɩgfɩɩ
a sembo pl. a sete sg.
sembʌ pl. → semb-. a serʌ pl.
sembel- noun. piece, fragment (e.g. of a broken ses- verb. make a kind of noise; fr: faire un espèce
calabash, pot, plate); fr: morceau, fragment (p. de bruit; dt: ein spezifisches Geräusch machen.
ex. d’une calebasse, marmite, assiette cassée); [Note: = Mòoré. Phonologically and
dt: Stück, Splitter, Scherbe (z.B. einer morphologically good Koromfe, hence not
zerbrochenen Kalebasse, eines Topfes, eines identifiable as a loan. This noise is described as
Tellers). [Note: Synonymous with a sembre.] that of the heavier and faster breathing of
a sembele sg. [Note: Expected geminate /ll/ is someone who has eaten too much.]
simplified to single /l/.] sesrʌʌ future.
a sembelʌ pl. sese past.
a sembelo pl. ses(i) perfective.
sembelʌ pl. → sembel-. sesr(i) imperfective.
sembele sg. → sembel-. a sesʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
sembre sg. → semb-. sese past. → ses-.
seme past. → sem-. ses(i) perfective. → ses-.
semm imperfective. (=/sem-d/) → sem-. sesrʌʌ future. → ses-.
semmʌʌ future. → sem-. sesr(i) imperfective. → ses-.
semmũ imperfective. (=/sem-d/) → sem-. sete sg. → ser-.
sen- noun. young, youthly; beautiful; fr: jeune, sg. → hãm-.
adolescent; beau / belle; dt: jung, jungendlich; sɩb- verb. die, decease; fr: mourir, décéder; dt:
schön. sterben.
a seno sg. sɩbraa future.
a senəbʌ pl. sɩbɛ past.
a senəbʌ yɔ NP+N compound noun sg. Chief of sɩb(ʋ) perfective.
the young people; fr: Chef des jeunes; dt: sɩbr(ʋ) imperfective.
Chef der Jugend [Note: This person is the a sɩbam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
chosen leader of the young people of a a sɩbrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. dying person; fr:
village.] mourant; dt: Sterbender.
a senii denominal abstract quality noun sg. youth; a sɩbrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
beauty; fr: jeunesse; beauté; dt: Jugend; sɩbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sɩb-.
Schönheit. [Note: Can also used in the sɩbɛ past. → sɩb-.
collective sense of “the young people”.] sɩbraa future. → sɩb-.
sen- verb. be young / beautiful; fr: être jeune / sɩbrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → sɩb-.
beau; dt: jung / schön sein. sɩbr(ʋ) imperfective. → sɩb-.
senəfʌʌ future. sɩb(ʋ) perfective. → sɩb-.
senəfu imperfective. sɩg- verb. calm, quieten, silence, be silent; fr:
a senei deverbal action noun sg./mass. calmer, faire se taire, se taire; dt: beruhigen,
senəbʌ pl. → sen-. schweigen lassen, schweigen. [Note: In the
senəfʌʌ future. → sen-. sense of ‘be silent’ this verb takes the object a
senəfu imperfective. → sen-. nɛ̃nɛ ‘mouth’.]
seno sg. → sen-. sɩgfaa future.
sens- verb. make beautiful; fr: faire beau / belle; dt: sɩgf(ʋ) imperfective.
schön machen. [Note: This verb does not mean a sɩgfɩɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. silence,
‘make younger’.] timidity; fr: silence, timidité; dt: Stille,
sensrʌʌ future. Zurückhaltung.
sense past. a sɩgfɔ deverbal agent noun sg. quiet, timid; fr:
sens(i) perfective. silencieux, timide; dt: still, zurückhaltend.
sensr(i) imperfective. a sɩgfəba deverbal agent noun pl.
a sensʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. də sɩgfʋ də nɛ̃nɛ sentence He shut up.; fr: Il
də sens də ỹĩmde sentence He improved his s’est tu.; dt: Er wurde still.
younger brothers looks.; fr: Il a rendu son sɩgaar- noun. cigarette, cigar; fr: cigarette,
petit frère beau.; dt: Er hat seinen jüngeren cigare; dt: Zigarette, Zigarre. [Note: =Mòoré.
Bruder verschönert. Smoking cigars is not usual among the
sense past. → sens-. Koromba. And, quite generally in Burkina Faso,
sens(i) perfective. → sens-. women do not normally smoke.]
sensrʌʌ future. → sens-. a sɩgaarɩ sg.
sensr(i) imperfective. → sens-. a sɩgaarəma pl.
ser- noun. kind of grass; fr: espèce d’herbe; dt: Art sɩgaarɩ sg. → sɩgaar-.
Gras. [Note: Despite its phonological similarity, sɩgfaa future. → sɩg-.
this kind of grass is not the same as a segtre.] sɩgfɩɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sɩg-.

150 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

sɩgfɔ sigləfe
sɩgfɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → sɩg-. a hem sɩrɩ NP sg./mass clean water, drinking
sɩgf(ʋ) imperfective. → sɩg-. water; fr: eau propre, eau potable; dt:
sɩgt- verb. calm, quieten, silence; fr: calmer, faire sauberes Wasser, Trinkwasser
se taire; dt: beruhigen, schweigen lassen. sɩram deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sɩr-.
sɩgtraa future. sɩraʋ noun. snuff; fr: tabac en poudre; dt:
sɩgtɛ past. Schnupftabak.
sɩgt(ɩ) perfective. a sɩraʋ sg./mass.
sɩgtr(ɩ) imperfective. a sɩraʋfɩ pl.
a sɩgtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. sɩrɛ past. → sɩr-.
a sɩgtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. filter; sɩr(ɩ) perfective. → sɩr-.
fr: gouttière; dt: Filter. [Note: A filter is sɩrs- verb. send away, make leave; marry off (a
considered to ‘calm’ the liquid passing through daughter); fr: faire sortir, faire quitter; faire
it.] marier (une fille); dt: weggehen lassen,
a sɩgtrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. wegschicken; (eine Tochter) in die Ehe
sɩgtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sɩgt-. schicken. [Note: This verb is the causative of a
sɩgtɛ past. → sɩgt-. sɩram]
sɩgt(ɩ) perfective. → sɩgt-. sɩrsraa future.
sɩgtraa future. → sɩgt-. sɩrsɛ past.
sɩgtrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → sɩgt-. sɩrs(ɩ) perfective.
sɩgtr(ɩ) imperfective. → sɩgt-. sɩrsr(ɩ) imperfective.
sɩka- noun. sugar; fr: sucre; dt: Zucker. [Note: = a sɩrsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
Mòoré. Probably < Fr. sucre. Cf. Koromfe a sɩrsɛ past. → sɩrs-.
sɔ̃mmɔ̃ tɔ̃ɩ̃.] sɩrs(ɩ) perfective. → sɩrs-.
a sɩkarɩ sg. sɩrsraa future. → sɩrs-.
a sɩkayaʋ pl. [Note: The plural designates sɩrsr(ɩ) imperfective. → sɩrs-.
several lumps or packets of sugar.] sɩtaa future. → sɩr-.
sɩkarɩ sg. → sɩka-. sɩt(ɩ) imperfective. → sɩr-.
sɩlaal- noun. swallow; fr: hirondelle; dt: Schwalbe. sɩtɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → sɩr-.
[Note: = Mòoré] sib- noun. Saturday; fr: samedi; dt: Samstag. [Note:
a sɩlaalɩ sg. = Mòoré. < Arabic]
a sɩlaaləfɩ pl. a sibri sg.
a sɩlaaləma pl. a sibʌu pl.
sɩlaaləfɩ pl. → sɩlaal-. a sibrifi pl.
sɩlaalɩ sg. → sɩlaal-. a sibrimʌ pl.
sɩlg- noun. anvil; fr: enclume; dt: Amboss. [Note: = sibʌu pl. → sib-.
Mòoré] sibri sg. → sib-.
a sɩləgrɛ sg. sibrifi pl. → sib-.
a sɩləga pl. sidg- verb. sob (while crying); fr: soupirer (en
sɩləgrɛ sg. → sɩlg-. pleurant); dt: seufzen (beim Weinen). [Note: =
sɩll- noun. thread; fr: fil; dt: Zwirn, Faden. Mòoré.]
a sɩlləfɛ singulative. sidəgrʌʌ future.
a sɩllɩɩ pl./collective. sidəge past.
sɩlləfɛ singulative. → sɩll-. sidəg(i) perfective.
sɩr- verb. go away, leave, come from; fr: sortir, sidəgr(i) imperfective.
quitter, venir de; dt: weggehen, verlassen, a sidəgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
kommen von/aus. [Note: This verb is the most sidəge past. → sidg-.
common way of expressing the notion ‘from’ in sidəg(i) perfective. → sidg-.
Koromfe.] sidəgrʌʌ future. → sidg-.
sɩtaa future. sidəgr(i) imperfective. → sidg-.
sɩrɛ past. sig- noun. rainy season; fr: saison des pluies; dt:
sɩr(ɩ) perfective. Regenzeit.
sɩt(ɩ) imperfective. a sigʌ sg.
a sɩram deverbal action noun sg./mass. a sigfi pl.
a sɩtɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who leaves; a sigʌ sarʋ NP+N compound noun sg.
refugee; fr: q.un qui quitte; réfugié; dt: jd. der Harmattan; fr: harmattan; dt: Harmattan
(von X) kommt; Flüchtling. sigʌ sg. → sig-.
sɩtəba deverbal agent noun pl. sigləfe noun. kind of bush which brings good luck;
nde n sɩtɩ interrogative sentence Where are fr: espèce d’arbuste qui apporte le bonheur; dt:
you from? Or: Where are you coming from?; Art Strauch, die Glück bringt.
fr: D’où viens tu?; dt: Von wo bist du? Oder: a sigləfe singulative.
Woher kommst du (gerade)? a sigli pl./collective.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 151

sil sag- sɔkl-
sil sag- noun. kind of musical instrument, rattle; fr: sɔgl- verb. lock; strangle; fr: fermer à clef ;
espèce d’instrument musical, crécelle; dt: Art étrangler; dt: zusperren; erwürgen.
musikalisches Instrument, Klapper. [Note: = sɔgɔlaa future.
Mòoré. Because it is disharmonic, this must be sɔgəlɛ past.
a compound; but its parts have no independent sɔgɔ perfective.
meaning in Koromfe. This traditional sɔgɔl(ʋ) imperfective.
instrument is made from a calabash, into which a sɔgəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
wooden hooks are inserted. When it is struck it sɔgəlɛ past. → sɔgl-.
makes a rattling noise. This instrument is used sɔgənɩ diminutive sg. → sog-.
by the young men who are being initiated for sɔgɔ perfective. → sɔgl-.
dancing.] sɔgɔlaa future. → sɔgl-.
a sil saka N+N compound noun sg. sɔgɔl(ʋ) imperfective. → sɔgl-.
a sil sagənɛ N+N compound noun pl. sɔgɔtam verb. unlock, open; fr: ouvrir (à clef); dt:
a sil sagəsʋʋ N+N compound noun pl. aufsperren, öffnen. [Note: This is the reversive
sil sagənɛ N+N compound noun pl. → sil sag-. of a sɔgəlam ‘lock’]
sil saka N+N compound noun sg. → sil sag-. sɔgɔtraa future.
sɔb- noun. hunter; sorcerer (secret word); fr: sɔgɔtɛ past.
chasseur; sorcier (mot caché); dt: Jäger; sɔgɔt(ʋ) perfective.
Zauberer (Geheimwort). [Note: The meaning sɔgɔtr(ʋ) imperfective.
‘sorcerer’ derives from the notion of ‘hunter of a sɔgɔtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
souls’.] sɔgɔtɛ past. → sɔgɔtam.
a sɔbɔ sg. [Note: This may be a participial sɔgɔtraa future. → sɔgɔtam.
adjective of the verb sɔbəlam] sɔgɔtr(ʋ) imperfective. → sɔgɔtam.
a sɔba sg. [Note: This form, with final a, is the sɔgɔt(ʋ) perfective. → sɔgɔtam.
more common in current speech.] sɔgt- verb. pound (cobs of millet or maize to
a sɔpa pl. [Note: Here /b+b/ becomes [p].] remove the grains); fr: piler (les épis de mil ou
a sɔbama pl. [Note: There may be two nouns maïs pour enlever les graines); dt: (Hirse- oder
here: a sɔbɔ, pl. a sɔpa (in the - ɔ/-ba class) Maiskolben) stampfen (um die Körner
and a sɔba, pl. a sɔbama (in the - a/-ma class.] herauszuholen). [Note: Phonetically [gt] or
a sɔbɩɩ denominal abstract quality noun sg. [kt], not [ɣət]]
hunting; fr: chasse; dt: Jagd. [Note: This word sɔgtraa future.
may be deverbal (from a sɔbəlam) rather than sɔgtɛ past.
denominal.] sɔgt(ʋ) perfective.
sɔba sg. → sɔb-. sɔgtr(ʋ) imperfective.
sɔbama pl. → sɔb-. a sɔgtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
sɔbl- verb. hunt; fr: chasser; dt: jagen. [Note: sɔgtɛ past. → sɔgt-.
Related to, but not regularly derived from a sɔgtraa future. → sɔgt-.
sɔbɔ ‘hunter’.] sɔgtr(ʋ) imperfective. → sɔgt-.
sɔbɔlaa future. sɔgt(ʋ) perfective. → sɔgt-.
sɔbəlɛ past. sɔgʋ sg. → sog-.
sɔbɔ perfective. sɔɩ perfective. → sɔɩ-.
sɔbɔl(ʋ) imperfective. sɔɩ- verb. split, separate, divide; fr: fendre,
a sɔbəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. séparer, diviser; dt: spalten, trennen.
a sɔbɩɩ deverbal action noun sg. [Note: This sɔɩraa future.
word may be denominal (from a sɔbɔ) rather sɔyɛ past.
than deverbal.] sɔɩ perfective.
sɔbəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sɔbl-. sɔɩr(ɩ) imperfective.
sɔbəlɛ past. → sɔbl-. a sɔyam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
sɔbɔ sg. → sɔb-. sɔɩraa future. → sɔɩ-.
sɔbɔ perfective. → sɔbl-. sɔɩr(ɩ) imperfective. → sɔɩ-.
sɔbɔlaa future. → sɔbl-. sɔka adjectival noun sg. (=/sɔg-ga/) → sɔg-.
sɔbɔl(ʋ) imperfective. → sɔbl-. sɔka diminutive sg. → sog-.
sɔg- (=/sɔg/) adj.noun. small; fr: petit/; dt: klein. sɔkl- verb. make sth. that is small; fr: faire q.chose
[Note: Only for inanimate things.] qui est petit; dt: etwas Kleines machen. [Note:
sɔka (=/sɔg-ga/) adjectival noun sg. Clearly related to a sɔka ‘small’, but not by any
sɔgənɩ (=/sɔg-nɩ/) adjectival noun pl. productive or transparent morphological
sɔga noun. paste of sorrel; fr: pâte d’oseille; dt: process.]
Pasta aus Sauerampfer. sɔkɔlaa future.
a sɔga sg. sɔkəlɛ past.
a sɔgaɩ sg. See: see also a dɩsɔga. sɔkɔ perfective.
sɔgəfɩ pl. → sog-. sɔkɔlʋ imperfective.

152 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

sɔklam sɔ̃
a sɔklam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (sanft) stampfen (um z.B. Erbsen, Erdnüsse,
a sɔkɔlɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who makes Sauerampfer von ihren Schalen
sth. that is small; fr: q.un qui fait q.chose de herauszulösen).
petit; dt: jmd. der etwas Kleines macht. sɔrɔdaa future.
a sɔkɔləba deverbal agent noun pl. sɔrədɛ past.
a sɔkɔləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. small sɔrɔ perfective.
thing which is being made; fr: chose petite qui sɔrɔd(ʋ) imperfective.
est en train d’être fait; dt: etwas Kleines, das a sɔrədam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
gerade gemacht wird. sɔrədɛ past. → sɔrd-.
a sɔkɔləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. sɔrəgʋ adjectival noun non-human sg. (=/sɔd-gʊ/)
a sɔkɔləga deverbal instrument noun diminutive → sɔr-.
sg. sɔrəhɛ̃ adjectival noun non-human pl. (=/sɔd-hɛ̃/)
a sɔkɔləsɩ deverbal instrument noun diminutive → sɔr-.
pl. sɔrm- verb. wash oneself; fr: faire la toilette; dt:
a sɔkɔləfa deverbal local noun. place where sich waschen. [Note: ‘Washing oneself’ involves
small things are made; fr: endroit où des washing the extremities of the body (head,
choses petites sont faites; dt: Platz, wo kleine arms, lower legs) without removing one’s
Dinge gemacht werden. clothes. This contrasts with a full wash /
sɔklam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sɔkl-. shower a hubəlʌm.]
sɔkəlɛ past. → sɔkl-. sɔrɔmaa future.
sɔkɔ perfective. → sɔkl-. sɔrəmɛ past.
sɔkɔlaa future. → sɔkl-. sɔrɔm perfective.
sɔkɔləba deverbal agent noun pl. → sɔkl-. sɔrɔm(ɔ̃) imperfective.
sɔkɔləga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. a sɔrəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
→ sɔkl-. a sɔrɔmɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who is
sɔkɔləgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → sɔkl-. washing himself; fr: q.un qui se lave; dt: jmd.
sɔkɔləhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → sɔkl-. der sich wäscht.
sɔkɔlɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → sɔkl-. a sɔrɔməba deverbal agent noun pl.
sɔkɔləsɩ deverbal instrument noun diminutive pl. → a sɔrɔməgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object
sɔkl-. for washing; fr: objet pour laver; dt:
sɔkɔlʋ imperfective. → sɔkl-. Gegenstand zum Waschen.
sɔm- noun. red; white person; fr: rouge; personne a sɔrɔməhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
blanche; dt: rot; weißer Mensch. a sɔrɔməga deverbal instrument noun
a sɔmdɛ sg. diminutive sg.
a sɔma pl. [Note: This plural form is for the a sɔrɔməsɩ deverbal instrument noun diminutive
reading ‘red’ only.] pl.
a sɔmɩa pl. [Note: This plural form is for the a sɔrɔməfa deverbal local noun. place for
reading ‘red’ only.] washing; fr: endroit pour se laver; dt: Platz
a sɔmãʋ̃ pl. [Note: This plural form is for the zum waschen.
reading ‘white person’ only.] sɔrəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sɔrm-.
sɔma pl. → sɔm-. sɔrəmɛ past. → sɔrm-.
sɔmdɛ sg. → sɔm-. sɔrəŋa adjectival noun diminutive sg. (=/sɔd-ga/)
sɔmɩa pl. → sɔm-. → sɔr-.
sɔpa pl. → sɔb-. sɔrɔ adjectival noun human sg. (=/sɔd-ɔ/) → sɔr-.
sɔr- (=/sɔd/) noun. other; fr: autre; dt: ander(-er,- sɔrɔ perfective. → sɔrd-.
e,-es). sɔrɔdaa future. → sɔrd-.
sɔrɔ (=/sɔd-ɔ/) adjectival noun human sg. sɔrɔd(ʋ) imperfective. → sɔrd-.
sɔrəba (=/sɔd-ba/) adjectival noun human pl. sɔrɔm perfective. → sɔrm-.
sɔrəgʋ (=/sɔd-gʊ/) adjectival noun non-human sɔrɔmaa future. → sɔrm-.
sg. sɔrɔməba deverbal agent noun pl. → sɔrm-.
sɔrəhɛ̃ (=/sɔd-hɛ̃/) adjectival noun non-human sɔrɔməga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
pl. → sɔrm-.
sɔrəŋa (=/sɔd-ga/) adjectival noun diminutive sɔrɔməgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → sɔrm-.
sg. sɔrɔməhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → sɔrm-.
sɔrəfa (=/sɔd-fa/) local noun sg. sɔrɔmɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → sɔrm-.
sɔrəba adjectival noun human pl. (=/sɔd-ba/) → sɔrɔm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → sɔrm-.
sɔr-. sɔrɔməsɩ deverbal instrument noun diminutive pl.
sɔrd- verb. stamp (gently to remove e.g. peas, → sɔrm-.
peanuts, sorrel from their shells); fr: piler sɔyɛ past. → sɔɩ-.
(doucement pour enlever p. ex. les petits pois, sɔ̃ perfective. → sɔ̃-.
les arachides, l’oseille de leurs coques); dt:

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 153

sɔ̃- sog-
sɔ̃- noun. death; dead person; fr: (la) mort; (un) a sɔ̃ŋəna participial adjective. sharp, pointed; fr:
mort; dt: Tod; Toter. [Note: If related to a aigu, pointu; dt: scharf, spitz.
sɩbam, then only very distantly. The sense sɔ̃ŋənaa future. → sɔ̃ŋn.
‘dead person’ is used only in a non-physical sɔ̃ŋən(ɔ̃) imperfective. → sɔ̃ŋn.
sense; a corpse is referred to as a fo sɩbʋ ‘a sɔ̃ŋɔ̃ perfective. → sɔ̃ŋn.
dead person’. A dead person can also be sɔ̃ŋɔ̃ɩ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sɔ̃ŋn.
referred to as a pɔ̃mdɛ kɛndɩ ‘a finished nose / sɔ̃ɔ̃- noun. period, time, moment; when; fr: période,
life’.] temps, moment; lorsque; dt: Periode, Zeit,
a sɔ̃m sg. Augenblick; als.
a sɔ̃mfɩ pl. a sɔ̃ɔ̃nɛ sg.
sɔ̃- verb. weave; fr: tisser; dt: weben. [Note: This a sɔ̃ỹã pl. days; fr: jours; dt: Tage.
verb typically has the object a sʋlaɩ ‘weaving’.] sɔ̃ɔ̃nɛ sg. → sɔ̃ɔ̃-.
sɔ̃naa future. sɔ̃ɔ̃rɩ noun. morning (about 8-9 a.m.); fr: matin
sɔ̃ɛ̃ past. (vers 8-9 heures); dt: Morgen (um ca. 8-9 Uhr).
sɔ̃ perfective. [Note: = Mòoré. This word seems to have no
sɔ̃n(ɔ̃) imperfective. plural; expected sɔ̃j ̃ã is the plural of a sɔ̃ɔ̃nɛ
a sɔ̃ɔ̃m deverbal action noun sg./mass. and means ‘days’.]
a sʋlaɩ sɔ̃nɔ̃ NP+N compound noun sg. weaver; a sɔ̃ɔ̃rɩ sg.
fr: tisserand; dt: Weber [Note: This agent sɔ̃s- verb. redden, make red; fr: rougir, faire rouge;
noun is rarely used without a sʋlaɩ] dt: erröten, rot machen. [Note: Cf. a sɔmdɛ
a sʋlaɩ sɔ̃nəba NP+N compound noun pl. ‘red’. Not regularly morphologically related.
sɔ̃ɛ̃ past. → sɔ̃-. This verb can be both intransitive (‘become
sɔ̃m sg. → sɔ̃-. red’) and transitive (‘make red’).]
sɔ̃mmʋ̃ noun. salt; fr: sel; dt: Salz. [Note: The final sɔ̃sraa future.
mɔ̃ of this word and of a nɛ̃mmɔ̃ ‘meat’ may be sɔ̃sɛ past.
the remnants of a class suffix, possibly a sɔ̃s(ʋ) perfective.
variant of - m, since both are mass nouns.] sɔ̃sr(ʋ) imperfective.
a sɔ̃mmʋ̃ sg. a sɔ̃sam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a sɔ̃mmʋ̃fɩ pl. sɔ̃sɛ past. → sɔ̃s-.
a sɔ̃mmʋ̃ tɔ̃ɩ̃ NP+N compound noun pl./mass sɔ̃sraa future. → sɔ̃s-.
sugar (lit.: salt-honey); fr: sucre (lit.: miel sɔ̃sr(ʋ) imperfective. → sɔ̃s-.
de sel); dt: Zucker (wörtl.: Salzhonig) [Note: sɔ̃s(ʋ) perfective. → sɔ̃s-.
The plural designates individual units of salt so noun. bucket; fr: seau; dt: Eimer, Kübel. [Note:
(e.g. packets).] < Fr. seau]
sɔ̃naa future. → sɔ̃-. a so sg.
sɔ̃nɔ̃ noun. early morning (about 6-7 a.m.); fr: matin a somʌ pl.
de bonne heure (env. 6-7 heures); dt: Frühe, a sofi pl.
früher Vormittag (ca. 6-7 Uhr). sofe numeral. twenty (20); one hundred francs CFA;
a sɔ̃nɔ̃ sg. fr: vingt (20); cent francs CFA; dt: zwanzig
a sɔ̃nɔ̃ɩ̃ pl. (20); hundert Francs CFA.
a sɔ̃nəfɩ pl. sofe attributive & disjunctive cardinal numeral.
sɔ̃n(ɔ̃) imperfective. → sɔ̃-. [Note: This numeral does not take the article a.
sɔ̃nɔ̃ɩ̃ pl. → sɔ̃nɔ̃. The final [fe] could be the singulative class
sɔ̃ŋfaa future. → sɔ̃ŋn. suffix /-fɛ/. However, there is no noun stem
sɔ̃ŋf(ʋ) imperfective. → sɔ̃ŋn. like /so/.]
sɔ̃ŋkaam- noun. peanut; fr: arachide; dt: Erdnuss. a sofendo ordinal numeral human sg. twentieth
[Note: = Mòoré (but ɔ̃ for ʋ̃). The Koromfe word (person); fr: vingtième (personne); dt:
for peanut is a poi saa.] zwanzigster (Mensch).
a sɔ̃ŋkaamdɛ sg. a kɛ̃ɔ̃ sofendo NP+N compound noun sg. the
a sɔ̃ŋkaam pl. twentieth woman; fr: la vingtième femme;
sɔ̃ŋkaamdɛ sg. → sɔ̃ŋkaam-. dt: die zwanzigste Frau [Note: This ordinal
sɔ̃ŋn verb. be sharp / pointed; fr: être aigu / pointu; numeral always takes the article a.]
dt: scharf / spitz sein. [Note: No past form a sofendəbʌ ordinal numeral human pl.
could be elicited; in particular, *sO&97nE does a sofendəgu ordinal numeral non-human sg. & pl.
not exist..] twentieth; fr: vingtième; dt: zwanzigst(-er,-e,-
sɔ̃ŋənaa future. es).
sɔ̃ŋfaa future. sofendəbʌ ordinal numeral human pl. → sofe.
sɔ̃ŋɔ̃ perfective. sofendo ordinal numeral human sg. → sofe.
sɔ̃ŋən(ɔ̃) imperfective. sog- noun. limit, end, border; fr: limite, fin,
sɔ̃ŋf(ʋ) imperfective. frontière; dt: Grenze, Ende.
a sɔ̃ŋɔ̃ɩ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass. a sogo sg.

154 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

sogəfi
a sɔgʋ sg. a pengə somde NP+N compound noun sg.
a sogəfi pl. couscous of fonio; fr: couscous de fonio; dt:
a sɔgəfɩ pl. Couscous von Fonio
a sɔka diminutive sg. [Note: This word is used a dãŋənãʋ̃ somde NP+N compound noun sg.
only in the compound a dɛr sɔka ‘boundary couscous of a dãŋənãʋ̃; fr: couscous de a
mound’.] dãŋənãʋ̃; dt: Couscous von a dãŋənãʋ̃
a sɔgənɩ diminutive sg. som- (=/som-Ṿl/) noun. illness, sickness; fr:
a dɛr sɔka N+N compound noun diminutive sg. maladie; dt: Krankheit.
boundary mound; fr: colline de frontière; dt: a somoi (=/som-Ṿl/) abstract noun sg.
Grenzhügel. a somoifi (=/som-Ṿl-fɩ/) abstract noun pl.
a dɛr sɔgənɩ N+N compound noun diminutive pl. somʌ pl. → so.
sogəfi pl. → sog-. somde sg. → som-.
sogo sg. → sog-. somhĩĩ adverb. two days ago, the day before
soi- noun. pearl, necklace, (pl.) jewellery; fr: perle, yesterday; fr: il y a deux jours, avant-hier; dt:
collier, (pl.) parure; dt: Perle, Halsband, (Pl.) vor zwei Tagen, vorgestern. [Note: hĩĩ ‘two’.
Schmuck. som does not exist as a root in present-day
a soife singulative. Koromfe; it may originate in a sɔ̃nɔ̃.]
a soi pl./collective. somhĩĩ temporal adverb.
soife singulative. → soi-. somoi abstract noun sg. (=/som-Ṿl/) → som-.
sol perfective. → sol-. soms- verb. be hectic, make a lot of noise; fr: être
sol- verb. fall; fall upon (to rob), attack; fr: tomber ; hectique, faire beaucoup de bruit; dt: hektisch
tomber sur (pour voler), attaquer; dt: fallen, sein, viel Lärm machen. [Note: Typically this
hinfallen; überfallen. [Note: In the sense ‘rob’ verb is used for the lamentations of friends and
this verb takes the postposition dɔba or dɔba relatives if some catastrophe (e.g. death)
nɛ.] occurs.]
sollʌʌ future. a somsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
sole past. somsərʌʌ future.
sol perfective. somse past.
soll(u) imperfective. soms(u) perfective.
a solʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. somsər(u) imperfective.
yobo ka n sol imperative sentence Take care somsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → soms-.
that you don’t fall!; fr: Fais attention que tu somse past. → soms-.
ne tombes pas!; dt: Pass auf, dass du nicht somsərʌʌ future. → soms-.
hinfällst! soms(u) perfective. → soms-.
a hobtərəba sol mə dɔba ba zaŋ mə sorfi dʋrʋ sond- noun. egg; fr: œuf; dt: Ei.
sentence The robbers attacked me and took a sondre sg.
away all my things.; fr: Les voleurs m’ont a sondʌ pl.
attaqué et ont pris toutes mes affaires.; dt: a sondo pl.
Die Räuber haben mich überfallen und mir sondʌ pl. → sond-.
meine ganzen Sachen weggenommen. sondre sg. → sond-.
a sollo deverbal agent noun sg. robber; fr: songrəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. (=/soŋg-d-ba/)
brigand; dt: Räuber. → soŋ(g)-.
a solləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. songre deverbal action noun sg. (=/soŋg-dɛ/) →
solʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → sol-. soŋ(g)-.
sole past. → sol-. songrəfʌ deverbal local noun. (=/soŋg-d-fa/) →
sollʌʌ future. → sol-. soŋ(g)-.
sollo deverbal agent noun sg. → sol-. songrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
soll(u) imperfective. → sol-. (=/soŋg-d-ga/) → soŋ(g)-.
som- noun. kind of food (boiled flour etc. which has songrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/soŋg-d-
solidified into particles, e.g. couscous); fr: gʋ/) → soŋ(g)-.
espèce de nourriture (farine etc. bouillie qui songrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/soŋg-d-
est devenue solide en particules, p. ex. hɩ̃/) → soŋ(g)-.
couscous); dt: Art Nahrung (gekochtes Mehl songrəhɩ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/soŋg-d-
etc., das in Bröselform fest geworden ist, z.B. hɩ̃/) → soŋ(g)-.
Couscous). [Note: This word has no plural in - songro deverbal agent noun sg. (=/soŋg-d-ɔ/) →
a.] soŋ(g)-.
a somde sg. soŋ perfective. (=/soŋg/) → soŋ(g)-.
a somdefi pl. soŋ(g)- (=/soŋg/) verb. receive, take, accept, obey,
a varam somde NP+N compound noun sg. agree; fr: recevoir, prendre, accepter, obéir,
couscous; fr: couscous; dt: Couscous être d’accord; dt: erhalten, nehmen,
akzeptieren, gehorchen, zustimmen.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 155

soŋgʌm sʋs-
soŋgrʌʌ (=/soŋg-d-aa/) future. sʋgtraa future. → sʋgt-.
soŋge (=/soŋg-e/) past. sʋgtr(ʋ) imperfective. → sʋgt-.
soŋ (=/soŋg/) perfective. sʋgt(ʋ) perfective. → sʋgt-.
soŋgr(u) (=/soŋg-d/) imperfective. sʋɩ- noun. grasshopper, cricket; fr: sauterelle,
a soŋgʌm (=/soŋg-am/) deverbal action noun criquet; dt: Heuschreck, Grashüpfer.
sg./mass. a sʋɩfɛ singulative.
a songre (=/soŋg-dɛ/) deverbal action noun sg. a sʋɩ pl./collective.
action of taking; fr: action de prendre; dt: sʋɩfɛ singulative. → sʋɩ-.
Handlung des Nehmens. sʋk perfective. (=/sʋk/) → sʋk-.
a songro (=/soŋg-d-ɔ/) deverbal agent noun sg. sʋk- verb. ventilate, fan; fr: ventiler, aérer; dt:
s.o. who accepts / takes; fr: q.un qui accepte / lüften.
prend; dt: jmd. der (an)nimmt. sʋkraa (=/sʋk-d-aa/) future.
a songrəbʌ (=/soŋg-d-ba/) deverbal agent sʋkɛ (=/sʋk-ɛ/) past.
noun pl. sʋk / sʋkʋ (=/sʋk/) perfective.
a songrəgu (=/soŋg-d-gʋ/) deverbal instrument sʋkr / sʋkrʋ (=/sʋk-d/) imperfective.
noun sg. something lent that one wants to have a sʋkam (=/sʋk-am/) deverbal action noun
back; job that one has agreed to do; finished sg./mass.
job that ought to draw appreciation; fr: chose sʋkɛ past. (=/sʋk-ɛ/) → sʋk-.
prêtée qu’on veut récupérer; travail qu’on a sʋkr imperfective. (=/sʋk-d/) → sʋk-.
accepté de faire; travail complété qui devra sʋkraa future. (=/sʋk-d-aa/) → sʋk-.
être apprécié; dt: etwas Geliehenes, das man sʋkrʋ imperfective. (=/sʋk-d/) → sʋk-.
zurückhaben möchte; Arbeitsauftrag, den man sʋkʋ perfective. (=/sʋk/) → sʋk-.
angenommen hat; fertige Arbeit, die sʋl- noun. eagle, hawk; fr: aigle, épervier; dt: Adler,
Hochachtung bewirken sollte. Sperber.
a songrəhɩ̃ / a songrəhẽ (=/soŋg-d-hɩ̃/) a sʋllɛ (=/sʋl-dɛ/) sg.
deverbal instrument noun pl. a sʋla (=/sʋl-a/) pl.
a songrəgʌ (=/soŋg-d-ga/) deverbal a sɔ̃mdɛ sʋllɛ NP+N compound noun sg.
instrument noun diminutive sg. aeroplane, aircraft (lit.: eagle of the white
a songrəfʌ (=/soŋg-d-fa/) deverbal local noun. man); fr: avion (lit.: aigle du blanc); dt:
place for accepting / taking; fr: endroit pour Flugzeug (wörtl.: Adler des Weißen)
accepter / prendre; dt: Platz zum (an)nehmen. sʋlaɩ noun. weaving, set of weaving equipment; fr:
a songəmʌ̃ũ (=/soŋg-mãʋ̃/) deverbal nomen acti métier à tisser, tissage, appareils d’un
pl. things that one has accepted, obligations; tisserand; dt: Weben, Satz Webeausrüstung.
fr: choses qu’on a acceptées, obligations; dt: a sʋlaɩ sg.
Dinge, die man angenommen hat, a sʋlaɩfɩ pl.
Verpflichtungen. a sʋlaɩ sɔ̃nɔ NP+N compound noun sg. weaver;
a hem songre NP+N compound noun sg. flood; fr: tisserand; dt: Weber [Note: This is the
fr: inondation; dt: Überschwemmung normal expression for a weaver.]
soŋgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/soŋg- a sʋlai sɔ̃nəba NP+N compound noun pl.
am/) → soŋ(g)-. sʋllɛ sg. (=/sʋl-dɛ/) → sʋl-.
soŋge past. (=/soŋg-e/) → soŋ(g)-. sʋrg- verb. drop; sow (scattering seed by hand); fr:
soŋgrʌʌ future. (=/soŋg-d-aa/) → soŋ(g)-. laisser tomber, faire tomber ; semer à la volée;
soŋgr(u) imperfective. (=/soŋg-d/) → soŋ(g)-. dt: fallen lassen; säen (mit der Hand streuend).
sorou noun. object, (pl.) things, luggage; fr: objet, [Note: Possibly historically a causative of a
(pl.) affaires, bagages; dt: Gegenstand, (Pl.) solʌm ‘fall’, but no longer synchronically
Sachen, Gepäck. related.]
a sorou sg. sʋrəgraa (=/sʋrg-d-aa/) future.
a sorəfi pl. sʋrəgɛ (=/sʋrg-ɛ/) past.
sʋbɔʋ noun. wax, glue, (sticky) rubber; fr: cire, sʋrəg / sʋrəgʋ (=/sʋrg/) perfective.
colle, caoutchouc (collant); dt: Wachs, sʋrəgr / sʋrəgrʋ (=/sʋrg-d/) imperfective.
Klebstoff, Gummi (klebend). a sʋrəgam (=/sʋrg-am/) deverbal action noun
a sʋbɔʋ sg. sg./mass.
a sʋbɔʋfɩ pl. sʋrəg perfective. (=/sʋrg/) → sʋrg-.
sʋgt- verb. castrate (an animal); fr: castrer (un sʋrəgɛ past. (=/sʋrg-ɛ/) → sʋrg-.
animal); dt: (ein Tier) kastrieren. sʋrəgr imperfective. (=/sʋrg-d/) → sʋrg-.
sʋgtraa future. sʋrəgraa future. (=/sʋrg-d-aa/) → sʋrg-.
sʋgtɛ past. sʋrəgrʋ imperfective. (=/sʋrg-d/) → sʋrg-.
sʋgt(ʋ) perfective. sʋrəgʋ perfective. (=/sʋrg/) → sʋrg-.
sʋgtr(ʋ) imperfective. sʋs- noun. scythe; fr: scie; dt: Sichel.
a sʋgtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a sʋsʋ (=/sʋs-ʋ/) sg.
sʋgtɛ past. → sʋgt-. a sʋsəfɩ (=/sʋs-fɩ/) pl.

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sʋsʋ sũmb-
sʋsʋ sg. (=/sʋs-ʋ/) → sʋs-. sukʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/suk-am/)
su noun. cabbage; fr: chou; dt: Kohl, Kraut. [Note: → suk-.
< Fr. chou] suke past. (=/suk-ɛ/) → suk-.
a su (=/su/) sg. sukr imperfective. (=/suk-d/) → suk-.
a sufi (=/su-fɩ/) pl. sukrʌʌ future. (=/suk-d-aa/) → suk-.
su noun. guinea-fowl; fr: sukrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/suk-d-
pintade; dt: Perlhuhn. gʋ/) → suk-.
a su sg. [Note: This word sukru imperfective. (=/suk-d/) → suk-.
has no singular form suku perfective. (=/suk/) → suk-.
with - de ([re]) which suku indeclinable participial noun sg. & pl. (=/suk-
would be the regular am/) → suk-.
counterpart of the plural sul- noun. forehead; fr: front; dt: Stirn.
suffix - ʌ.] a sulle (=/sul-dɛ/) sg.
a suyʌ / a suyo (=/su-a/) pl. a sulʌ / a sulo (=/sul-a/) pl.
tubre su PP+N compound noun sg. capercaillie, sulle sg. (=/sul-dɛ/) → sul-.
grouse; fr: poule de bruyère; dt: Auerhuhn sur perfective. (=/sud/) → sur-.
sub- noun. pot; fr: canari; dt: Topf. [Note: This is sur- (=/sud/) verb. pour; fr: verser; dt: gießen,
the standard smaller-sized earthenware pot einschenken. [Note: This is the normal verb for
for cooking.] pouring a liquid. It cannot be used for pouring
a subre (=/sub-dɛ/) sg. a liquid on the ground for the ancestors.]
a subʌ / a subo (=/sub-a/) pl. sutʌʌ (=/sud-d-aa/) future.
a subkʌ (=/sub-ga/) diminutive sg. small pot; fr: sure (=/sud-ɛ/) past.
petit canari; dt: kleiner Topf. [Note: Here gʌ sur / suru (=/sud/) perfective.
becomes kʌ after a stop (a regular process).] sut / sutu (=/sud-d/) imperfective.
a subəni (=/sub-nɩ/) diminutive pl. a surʌm (=/sud-am/) deverbal action noun
subʌ pl. (=/sub-a/) → sub-. sg./mass.
subkʌ diminutive sg. (=/sub-ga/) → sub-. sure past. (=/sud-ɛ/) → sur-.
subo pl. (=/sub-a/) → sub-. suru perfective. (=/sud/) → sur-.
subre sg. (=/sub-dɛ/) → sub-. sus- noun. group of stars, constellation; fr: groupe
sug- noun. pardon, forgiveness; fr: pardon; dt: d’étoiles, constellation; dt: Sternengruppe,
Verzeihung, Vergebung. [Note: =Mòoré] Sternbild.
a sugri sg. a susre (=/sus-dɛ/) sg.
ʋ zorom a sugri sentence We beg pardon.; fr: a suso (=/sus-a/) pl. (=/sus-aʋ/)
Nous demandons pardon.; dt: Wir bitten um — pl.
Verzeihung. susre sg. (=/sus-dɛ/) → sus-.
a dɔfrɛ tɛ sugri sentence God forgive (us)!; fr: sut imperfective. (=/sud-d/) → sur-.
Que Dieu (nous) pardonne!; dt: Gott sutʌʌ future. (=/sud-d-aa/) → sur-.
verzeihe (uns)! sutu imperfective. (=/sud-d/) → sur-.
bak na mɛ sugri sentence Pardon me.; fr: sũmb perfective. (=/sũmb/) → sũmb-.
Excusez-moi.; dt: Entschuldigen Sie mich. sũmb- verb. close (with a lid), seal; fr: fermer
[Note: tɛ < tɩ a] (avec un couvercle), sceller; dt: schließen (mit
suk perfective. (=/suk/) → suk-. Deckel), verschließen. [Note: Synonymous with
suk- verb. hit, beat, trample (on); fr: frapper, a sũmbəlʌm.]
flageller, battre, piétiner; dt: schlagen, sũmbrʌʌ (=/sũmb-d-aa/) future.
verprügeln, stampfen (auf). sũmbe (=/sũmb-ɛ/) past.
sukrʌʌ (=/suk-d-aa/) future. sũmb / sũmbu (=/sũmb/) perfective.
suke (=/suk-ɛ/) past. sũmbr / sũmbru (=/sũmb-d/) imperfective.
suk / suku (=/suk/) perfective. a sũmbʌm (=/sũmb-am/) deverbal action noun
sukr / sukru (=/suk-d/) imperfective. sg./mass.
a sukʌm (=/suk-am/) deverbal action noun a sũmbrəgu (=/sũmb-d-gʋ/) deverbal
sg./mass. instrument noun sg. lid; fr: couvercle; dt:
a suku indeclinable participial noun sg. & pl. trail, Deckel.
footprint; fr: trace, trace de pied; dt: Spur, a sũmbrəhẽ (=/sũmb-d-hĩ/) deverbal
Fußstapfen. instrument noun pl.
a sukrəgu (=/suk-d-gʋ/) deverbal instrument a sũmbrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun
noun sg. trail, footprint; sandal, shoe; fr: trace, diminutive sg. small lid; fr: petit couvercle; dt:
trace de pied; sandale, chaussure; dt: Spur, kleiner Deckel. [Note: Diminutive deverbal
Fußstapfen; Sandale, Schuh. [Note: instrument nouns are relatively rare.]
Phonetically [g], not [ɣ].] a sũmbrəni (=/sũmb-d-ni/) deverbal
a sukrəhĩ (=/suk-d-hĩ/) deverbal instrument instrument noun pl.
noun pl.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 157

sũmbʌm taalam
sũmbʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/sũmb- sũmbotrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg.
am/) → sũmb-. (=/sũmb-Ṿt-d-gʋ/) → sũmbot-.
sũmbe past. (=/sũmb-ɛ/) → sũmb-. sũmbotru imperfective. (=/sũmb-Ṿt-d/) →
sũmbl- (=/sũmb-Ṿl/) verb. close (with a lid), seal; sũmbot-.
fr: fermer (avec un couvercle), sceller; dt: sũmbotu perfective. (=/sũmb-Ṿt/) → sũmbot-.
schließen (mit Deckel), verschließen. [Note: sũmbr imperfective. (=/sũmb-d/) → sũmb-.
Synonymous with a sũmbʌm.] sũmbrʌʌ future. (=/sũmb-d-aa/) → sũmb-.
sũmbolʌʌ (=/sũmb-Ṿl-d-aa/) future. sũmbrəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
sũmbəle (=/sũmb-Ṿl-ɛ/) past. (=/sũmb-d-hĩ/) → sũmb-.
sũmbo (=/sũmb-Ṿl/) perfective. sũmbrəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/sũmb-
sũmbol / sũmbolu (=/sũmb-Ṿl-d/) d-gʋ/) → sũmb-.
imperfective. sũmbrəhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/sũmb-d-
a sũmbəlʌm (=/sũmb-Ṿl-am/) deverbal action hĩ/) → sũmb-.
noun sg./mass. sũmbru imperfective. (=/sũmb-d/) → sũmb-.
sũmbəle past. (=/sũmb-Ṿl-ɛ/) → sũmbl-. sũmbu perfective. (=/sũmb/) → sũmb-.
sũmbo perfective. (=/sũmb-Ṿl/) → sũmbl-. sũnd- noun. horse, bicycle, moped, motor cycle; fr:
sũmbol imperfective. (=/sũmb-Ṿl-d/) → sũmbl-. cheval, bicyclette, mobylette, moto; dt: Pferd,
sũmbolʌʌ future. (=/sũmb-Ṿl-d-aa/) → sũmbl-. Fahrrad, Mofa, Moped, Motorrad.
sũmbolu imperfective. (=/sũmb-Ṿl-d/) → sũmbl-. a sũndu (=/sũnd-ʋ/) sg.
sũmbot perfective. (=/sũmb-Ṿt/) → sũmbot-. a sũndii (=/sũnd-ɩɩ/) pl.
sũmbot- (=/sũmb-Ṿt/) verb. open (sth. closed with a sũndu kɔ̃ɛ̃ NP+N compound noun sg. horse; fr:
a lid), unseal; fr: ouvrir (q.chose qui est fermé cheval; dt: Pferd [Note: Used to
avec un couvercle), desceller; dt: (etwas, was disambiguate; otherwise a sũndu is used
mit einem Deckel zugemacht ist) öffnen, alone.]
entsiegeln. [Note: Reversive of a sũmbʌm and a a sũndii kɔ̃ɛ̃ NP+N compound noun pl.
sũmbəlʌm.] a sũndu mɔsəŋa NP+N compound noun sg.
sũmbotrʌʌ (=/sũmb-Ṿt-d-aa/) future. horse; fr: cheval; dt: Pferd [Note: Used to
sũmbote (=/sũmb-Ṿt-ɛ/) past. disambiguate; otherwise a sũndu is used
sũmbot / sũmbotu (=/sũmb-Ṿt/) perfective. alone.]
sũmbotr / sũmbotru (=/sũmb-Ṿt-d/) a sũndii mɔsənɛ NP+N compound noun pl.
imperfective. a kɔ̃sə sũndu NP+N compound noun sg. bicycle;
a sũmbotʌm (=/sũmb-Ṿt-am/) deverbal action fr: bicyclette, vélo; dt: Fahrrad [Note: Used
noun sg./mass. to disambiguate; otherwise a sũndu is used
a sũmbotrəgu (=/sũmb-Ṿt-d-gʋ/) deverbal alone.]
instrument noun sg. a kɔ̃sə sũndii NP+N compound noun pl.
sũmbotrəhĩ (=/sũmb-Ṿt-d-hĩ/) deverbal a homoi sũndu NP+N compound noun sg.
instrument noun pl. thing for opening, bottle- moped, motor cycle; fr: mobylette, moto; dt:
opener; fr: objet pour ouvrir, ouvre-bouteille; Mofa, Moped, Motorrad [Note: Used to
dt: Ding zum Öffnen, Flaschenöffner. disambiguate; otherwise a sũndu is used
sũmbotʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. alone.]
(=/sũmb-Ṿt-am/) → sũmbot-. a homoi sũndii NP+N compound noun pl.
sũmbote past. (=/sũmb-Ṿt-ɛ/) → sũmbot-. sũndu sg. (=/sũnd-ʋ/) → sũnd-.
sũmbotr imperfective. (=/sũmb-Ṿt-d/) → sũmbot-. sũndu koŋ fɔ̃nnaa deverbal action noun sg./mass.
sũmbotrʌʌ future. (=/sũmb-Ṿt-d-aa/) → sũmbot-. → fɔ̃n-.

T - t

-t verb.deriv. transitive; fr: transitif; dt: transitiv. taraa future.

[Note: This suffix derives transitive verbs from ta past.
simple verb stems (which may be transitive or ta perfective.
intransitive).] tar(ɩ) imperfective.
-t / -ət (=/-t/) transitive. a taam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
ta past. → ta-. taalam verb. reproach, accuse, blame; fr:
ta perfective. → ta-. reprocher, accuser; dt: Vorwürfe machen,
ta- verb. shoot, fire; put/pull on (trousers); fr: beschuldigen. [Note: = Mòoré]
projeter, tirer ; mettre (un pantalon); dt: taandaa future.
schießen, feuern; (eine Hose) anziehen.
158 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at
taalədaa tams-
taalədaa [Note: This form is less common.] tags(ɩ) perfective.
future. tagsr(ɩ) imperfective.
taalɛ past. a tagsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
taal(ɩ) perfective. tagsɛ past. → tags-.
taand(ɩ) imperfective. tags(ɩ) perfective. → tags-.
taaləd(ɩ) [Note: This form is less common.] tagsraa future. → tags-.
imperfective. tagsr(ɩ) imperfective. → tags-.
a taalam deverbal action noun sg./mass. tal- noun. scar; fr: cicatrice; dt: Narbe. [Note:
a taalʋ deverbal action noun sg. reproach, Despite its Mòoré-like singular suffix, this word
accusation; fr: reproche, accusation; dt: is reported not to be the same in present-day
Vorwurf, Beschuldigung. Mòoré.]
taalədaa future. → taalam. a tallɩ sg.
taaləd(ɩ) imperfective. → taalam. a tala pl.
taalɛ past. → taalam. talaata noun. Tuesday; fr: mardi; dt: Dienstag.
taal(ɩ) perfective. → taalam. [Note: = Mòoré. < Arabic.]
taandaa future. → taalam. a talaata sg.
taand(ɩ) imperfective. → taalam. a talaataʋ pl.
taayɔ noun. rubber; catapult; fr: caoutchouc; lance- a talaatafɩ pl.
pierre moderne; dt: Gummi; moderne a talaatama pl.
Schleuder. talaatafɩ pl. → talaata.
a taayɔ sg. talaataʋ pl. → talaata.
a taayɔfɩ pl. tallɩ sg. → tal-.
taba pl. → tabrɛ. tam perfective. → tam-.
tabg- verb. trample; fr: piétiner; dt: (zer)stampfen. tam- verb. get lost, be lost; fr: se perdre, s’égarer,
[Note: = Mòoré. Cf. Koromfe a sukʌm ‘trample’] être perdu; dt: sich verlaufen, verloren sein.
tabəgraa future. tammaa future.
tabəgɛ past. tamɛ past.
tabəg(ʋ) perfective. tam perfective.
tabəgr(ʋ) imperfective. tamm(ɔ̃) imperfective.
a tabəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a tamam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
tabəgɛ past. → tabg-. mə ya tam tubre sentence I went into the bush
tabəgraa future. → tabg-. and got lost.; fr: Je suis allé en brousse et
tabəgr(ʋ) imperfective. → tabg-. me suis égaré.; dt: Ich bin in den Busch
tabəg(ʋ) perfective. → tabg-. gegangen und habe mich verlaufen.
tabrɛ noun. (piece of) tobacco; fr: (morceau de) mə mãnɛ dʋrʋ tam sentence I’ve lost all my
tabac; dt: (Stück) Tabak. money. (Lit.: All my money is lost.); fr: J’ai
a tabrɛ sg. perdu tout mon argent. (Lit.: Tout mon
a taba pl. argent est perdu.); dt: Ich habe mein
a tabafɩ pl. ganzes Geld verloren. (Wörtl.: Mein ganzes
tag- noun. pond, lake; fr: mare; dt: Weiher, See Geld ist verloren.)
(m.). tamat- noun. tomato; fr: tomate; dt: Tomate.
a tagrɛ sg. [Note: < Fr. tomate]
a tagɩa pl. a tamatəfɛ / a tomatəfɛ singulative.
taga perfective. → tagl-. a tamatɩ / a tomatɩ pl./collective.
tagalaa future. → tagl-. a tamatəfɩ / a tomatəfɩ pl.
tagal(ɩ) imperfective. → tagl-. tamatəfɛ singulative. → tamat-.
tagl- verb. cook, boil; fr: cuire, bouillir; dt: kochen. tamatɩ pl./collective. → tamat-.
[Note: This word is used for cooking, but not tamɛ past. → tam-.
for boiling water with nothing in it. For this, a tammaa future. → tam-.
homsʌm ‘heat’ is used.] tamm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → tam-.
tagalaa future. tams perfective. → tams-.
tagəlɛ past. tams- verb. lose; fr: perdre; dt: verlieren. [Note:
taga perfective. This is the causative of a tamam ‘be lost’.]
tagal(ɩ) imperfective. tamsraa future.
a tagəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. tamsɛ past.
tagəlɛ past. → tagl-. tams / tamsʋ perfective.
tagrɛ sg. → tag-. tamsr(ʋ) imperfective.
tags- verb. reflect, think; fr: réfléchir, penser; dt: a tamsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
nachdenken, denken. mə tamsɛ mə mãnɛ dʋrʋ sentence I’ve lost all
tagsraa future. my money.; fr: J’ai perdu tout mon argent.;
tagsɛ past. dt: Ich habe mein ganzes Geld verloren.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 159

tamsɛ tããm
tamsɛ past. → tams-. tat(ɩ) imperfective. → tar-.
tamsraa future. → tams-. taʋ adverb. quick; fr: vite; dt: schnell.
tamsr(ʋ) imperfective. → tams-. taʋ adverb. [Note: = Mòoré. Cf. Koromfe wele.]
tamsʋ perfective. → tams-. taʋ taʋ quick; fr: vite-vite; dt: schnell-schnell.
tar- verb. wipe, plaster (e.g. the outer wall of a [Note: = Mòoré. Cf. Koromfe wele wele.]
house); fr: essuyer, crépir (p. ex. le mur taʋ noun. pond, lake, river, water-hole, well; fr:
extérieur d’une maison); dt: wischen, marigot, lac, rivière, bas-fond (avec de l’eau),
verputzen (z.B. die Außenwand eines Hauses). puits; dt: Teich, See, Fluss, Wasserloch,
tataa future. Brunnen. [Note: This word includes the
tarɛ past. meanings of a tagrɛ, but can also mean ‘well’,
tar(ɩ) perfective. which a tagrɛ cannot.]
tat(ɩ) imperfective. a taʋ sg.
a taram deverbal action noun sg./mass. a taʋfɩ pl.
də tarɩ də wãna dammɛ la (a) lotiisi sentence tã past. → tããm.
He wiped the sauce from his hands with a tã perfective. → tããm.
paper handkerchief.; fr: Il a essuyé la sauce tãã numeral. three (3); fifteen francs CFA; fr: trois
de ses mains avec un mouchoir en papier.; (3); quinze francs CFA; dt: drei (3); fünfzehn
dt: Er hat die Sauce mit einem Francs CFA. [Note: The disjunctive numeral
Papiertaschentuch von seinen Händen ɩtãã is used when counting. When tãã is used
gewischt. [Note: Here də wãna dammɛ is a attributively the prefix ɩ must be dropped and
compound noun ‘his hands-sauce’.] there can be no article a before the qualified
taraa future. → ta-. noun or noun phrase.]
tarɛ past. → tar-. tãã attributive cardinal numeral.
targ- verb. move backwards, move back (to it’s ɩtãã disjunctive cardinal numeral.
original position), disengage, retreat, ukɔ ʋ tãã la sentence There are three of us.; fr:
withdraw; fr: bouger en arrière, remettre (à sa Nous sommes à trois.; dt: Wir sind zu dritt.
place originaire), se dégager, reculer, se a tããndɔ ordinal numeral human sg. third; fr:
distancer; dt: nach hinten bewegen, (auf seinen troisième; dt: dritt(-er,-e,-es).
ursprünglichen Platz) zurückgeben, sich a bi tããndɔ noun phrase sg. the third child; fr:
entflechten, zurückfallen, sich zurückziehen. le troisième enfant; dt: das dritte Kind
[Note: This is probably the causative of a [Note: In contrast with the attributive
taram ‘wipe’, though with some semantic shift.] cardinal numerals, attributive ordinal
tarəgraa future. numerals take the article a, as in the
tarəgɛ past. following examples.]
tarəg(ɩ) perfective. a tããndəba ordinal numeral human pl.
tarəgr(ɩ) imperfective. a bu tããndəba noun phrase pl. the third group
a tarəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. of children; fr: le troisième groupe
tarəgɛ past. → targ-. d’enfants; dt: die dritte Gruppe Kinder
tarəg(ɩ) perfective. → targ-. a tããndəgʋ ordinal numeral non-human sg. & pl.
tarəgraa future. → targ-. [Note: Non-human ordinal numerals have no
tarəgr(ɩ) imperfective. → targ-. plural form; instead the singular is used.]
tar(ɩ) imperfective. → ta-. tããm verb. contradict (an accusation), swear the
tar(ɩ) perfective. → tar-. opposite of s.o. else; fr: contredire (une
tarɩɔ noun. open area; fr: espace ouvert; dt: freie accusation), jurer le contraire de q.un d’autre;
Fläche. [Note: Pace the difference in dt: (einer Beschuldigung) widersprechen, das
grammatical category, this word is synonymous Gegenteil schwören.
with the nominal usage of the adverb selle.] tãnaa future.
a tarɩɔ sg. tã past.
a tarɩɔfɩ pl. tã perfective.
tasʋ noun. basket (made of straw); fr: panier tãnɛ imperfective.
(fabriqué en paille); dt: Korb (aus Stroh). a tããm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
[Note: Cf. also a tɛ̃ŋa ‘small basket made of a tããŋa deverbal action noun diminutive sg.
wood’.] [Note: This is a very rare, perhaps unique
a tasʋ sg. formation.]
a tasəfɩ pl. a tããnɛ deverbal action noun diminutive sg.
a ỹʋ̃ tasʋ NP+N compound noun sg. headwear a nɛ̃n tããŋa NP+N compound noun sg.
of any kind (hat, cap, beret,...); fr: contradiction of an accusation (lit.: mouth
couverture de tête de toute sorte (chapeau, contradiction); fr: contradiction d’une
képi, béret,...); dt: Kopfbedeckung jeder Art accusation (lit.: contradiction de bouche);
(Hut, Kappe, Mütze,...) dt: Widerspruch gegen eine Beschuldigung
tataa future. → tar-. (wörtl.: Mund-Widerspruch)

160 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

tããndəba tɛ̃nəfɩ
a nɛ̃n tããnɛ NP+N compound noun sg. a tɛfrɛ sg.
tããndəba ordinal numeral human pl. → tãã. a tɛfa pl.
tããndɔ ordinal numeral human sg. → tãã. tɛŋg- verb. accompany; fr: accompagner; dt:
tããŋa deverbal action noun diminutive sg. → tããm. begleiten.
tãn perfective. → tãn-. tɛŋgraa future.
tãn- verb. spread; fr: s’étendre; dt: sich ausbreiten. tɛŋgɛ past.
[Note: This verb is used for plants which tɛŋg(ɩ) perfective.
spread rapidly, e.g. sesame, peanuts, a koŋgre] tɛŋgr(ɩ) imperfective.
tãnnaa future. a tɛŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
tãnɛ past. daga mɛ mə tɛŋgraa nɛ sentence Wait for me,
tãn perfective. I’ll go with you.; fr: Attends-moi, je vais
tãnnɛ imperfective. t’accompagner.; dt: Warte auf mich, ich
a tãnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. werde dich begleiten.
tãnaa future. → tããm. a tɛŋgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. also:
tãnɛ imperfective. → tããm. companion, associate; fr: aussi: compagnon,
tãnɛ past. → tãn-. associé; dt: auch: Begleiter, Kompagnon.
tãnnaa future. → tãn-. a tɛŋgrəba deverbal agent noun pl.
tãnnɛ adverb. tɛŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → tɛŋg-.
tãnnɛ temporal adverb. three days from today; tɛŋgɛ past. → tɛŋg-.
fr: dans trois jours; dt: in drei Tagen. tɛŋg(ɩ) perfective. → tɛŋg-.
ba digrʌʌ (a) ỹãna hɛ̃ŋ tãnnɛ sentence They will tɛŋgraa future. → tɛŋg-.
sow the millet three days from now.; fr: Ils tɛŋgr(ɩ) imperfective. → tɛŋg-.
sèmeront le mil dans trois jours.; dt: Sie tɛŋgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → tɛŋg-.
werden in drei Tagen die Hirse säen. tɛ(r)- verb. arrive; become an adult; fr: arriver ;
tãnnɛ imperfective. → tãn-. devenir adulte; dt: ankommen; erwachsen
tɛ perfective. → tɛ(r)-. werden.
tɛb- verb. expose to the sun: spread out, dry, tɛtaa future.
stretch out; fr: exposer au soleil: étaler, tɛrɛ past.
sécher, étendre; dt: der Sonne aussetzen: tɛ perfective. [Note: Irregular loss of /d/, which
ausbreiten, trocknen, ausdehnen. [Note: occurs occasionally in this position in
Synonymous with a henʌm.] perfective forms of high token frequency
tɛbraa future. words.]
tɛbɛ past. tɛt(ɩ) imperfective.
tɛb(ʋ) perfective. a tɛram deverbal action noun sg./mass. also:
tɛbr(ʋ) imperfective. anniversary, birthday; fr: aussi: anniversaire;
a tɛbam deverbal action noun sg./mass. dt: auch: Jahrestag, Geburtstag.
tɛbɛ past. → tɛb-. a zende tɛram NP+N compound noun sg. the
tɛbraa future. → tɛb-. New Year; fr: la nouvelle année; dt: das
tɛbr(ʋ) imperfective. → tɛb-. Neue Jahr [Note: The traditional New Year
tɛb(ʋ) perfective. → tɛb-. of the Koromba begins in December, on
tɛɛs- verb. bring, transmit, pass on, run an errand; varying dates (depending on the moon).]
fr: amener, transmettre, faire une commission; tɛrɛ past. → tɛ(r)-.
dt: bringen, überbringen, einen Auftrag tɛtaa future. → tɛ(r)-.
ausführen. tɛt(ɩ) imperfective. → tɛ(r)-.
tɛɛsraa future. tɛ̃m- noun. beard; fr: barbe; dt: Bart. [Note: This
tɛɛsɛ past. refers only to the beard on the chin, not to
tɛɛs(ɩ) perfective. other facial hair (e.g. on the jaw or cheeks).]
tɛɛsr(ɩ) imperfective. a tɛ̃mdɛ sg.
a tɛɛsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a tɛ̃ma pl.
mə wũne mə tɛɛsraa m posʌm a yɔ nɛ sentence tɛ̃mdɛ sg. → tɛ̃m-.
If I go home I’ll pass on your greetings to tɛ̃mɛ noun. sieve (for flour); fr: tamis (pour la
the chief.; fr: Si je rentre je transmettrai tes farine); dt: Sieb (für das Mehl). [Note: Possibly
salutations au chef.; dt: Wenn ich < Fr. tamis]
heimfahre, werde ich dem Chef deine Grüße a tɛ̃mɛ sg.
überbringen. a tɛ̃mɛfɩ pl.
tɛɛsɛ past. → tɛɛs-. tɛ̃nɛ noun. Monday; fr: lundi; dt: Montag. [Note: =
tɛɛs(ɩ) perfective. → tɛɛs-. Mòoré. < Arabic.]
tɛɛsraa future. → tɛɛs-. a tɛ̃nɛ sg.
tɛɛsr(ɩ) imperfective. → tɛɛs-. a tɛ̃nəfɩ pl.
tɛfrɛ noun. combed cotton; fr: coton peigné; dt: a tɛ̃nəma pl.
gekämmte Baumwolle. tɛ̃nəfɩ pl. → tɛ̃nɛ.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 161

tɛ̃ntɔ̃ɔ̃ tɩrga
tɛ̃ntɔ̃ɔ̃ pl./collective. → tɛ̃ntɔ̃ɔ̃-. tɩkɩ (=/tɩk/) imperfective.
tɛ̃ntɔ̃ɔ̃- noun. termite; fr: termite; dt: Termite. a tɩgam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
[Note: Synonymous with a tɩtɔ̃ɔ̃] gaa tɩgɛ X nɛ subordinate clause. if it weren’t
a tɛ̃ntɔ̃ɔ̃fɛ singulative. for X; fr: s’il n’y avait pas X; dt: wenn X nicht
a tɛ̃ntɔ̃ɔ̃ pl./collective. wäre, 24/Jan/2000.
a tɛ̃ntɔ̃ɔ̃fɩ pl. gaa tɩgɛ a fɩrɛ koŋ nɛ mə yakaa tubre yoote
tɛ̃ntɔ̃ɔ̃fɛ singulative. → tɛ̃ntɔ̃ɔ̃-. sentence If it weren’t for the sun, I would
tɛ̃ŋa noun. (small) basket (made of wood); fr: go into the bush today.; fr: S’il n’y avait pas
(petite) corbeille (fabriquée en bois); dt: le soleil j’irais en brousse aujourd’hui.; dt:
(kleiner) Korb (aus Holz). [Note: Cf. also a tasʋ Wenn die Sonne nicht wäre, ginge ich heute
‘basket made of straw’.] in den Busch.
a tɛ̃ŋa diminutive sg. tɩgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/tɩk/) →
a tɛ̃sʋʋ pl. tɩg-.
a tɛ̃ŋafɩ diminutive sg. tɩgɛ past. → tɩg-.
tɛ̃ŋs- verb. be late, be last, (auxiliary) then, later; tɩgrɛ sg. → tɩg-.
fr: être en retard, être dernier, (auxiliaire) tɩk perfective. → tɩg-.
ensuite, plus tard; dt: verspätet sein, letzter tɩkaa future. → tɩg-.
sein, (Auxiliar) dann, später. tɩkɩ imperfective. (=/tɩk/) → tɩg-.
tɛ̃ŋsraa future. tɩlaɩ noun. force, obligation, necessity; fr: force,
tɛ̃ŋsɛ past. obligation, nécessité; dt: Zwang, Verpflichtung,
tɛ̃ŋs(ɩ) perfective. Notwendigkeit. [Note: = Fulfulde]
tɛ̃ŋsr(ɩ) imperfective. a tɩlaɩ sg.
a tɛ̃ŋsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a tɩlaɩfɩ sg.
tɛ̃ŋsɛ past. → tɛ̃ŋs-. mə wɔllaa (a) tomʌ la (a) tɩlaɩ sentence I am
tɛ̃ŋs(ɩ) perfective. → tɛ̃ŋs-. forced to do this work. (Lit.: I am doing this
tɛ̃ŋsraa future. → tɛ̃ŋs-. work with obligation.); fr: Je suis forcé a
tɛ̃ŋsr(ɩ) imperfective. → tɛ̃ŋs-. faire ce travail. (Lit.: Je fais ce travail avec
tɛ̃sʋʋ pl. → tɛ̃ŋa. obligation.); dt: Ich bin gezwungen, diese
temb- noun. brick; fr: brique; dt: Ziegelstein. [Note: Arbeit zu machen. (Wörtl.: Ich mache diese
This is the generic word for a brick, and does Arbeit mit Verpflichtung
not presuppose what the brick is made of.] a tɩlaɩ tomʌ mə wɔllʋ sentence I am forced to
a tembre sg. do this work. (Lit.: I am doing obligation-
a tembʌ pl. work.); fr: Je suis forcé a faire ce travail.
a tembo pl. (Lit.: Je fais travail d’obligation.); dt: Ich
tembʌ pl. → temb-. bin gezwungen, diese Arbeit zu machen.
tembre sg. → temb-. (Wörtl.: Ich mache Zwangsarbeit.)
terku noun. cart (e.g. as drawn by donkeys); fr: tɩr- noun. paper; anything written or printed on
charrue (p. ex. d’âne); dt: Wagen (wie von paper (e.g. identity card, newspaper,
Eseln gezogen). magazine, book); necklace; fr: papier; tout ce
a terku sg. qui est écrit ou imprimé sur le papier (p. ex.
a terkufi pl. [Note: = Mòoré. See Koromfe a carte d’identité, journal, magazine, livre);
wotre] chaîne, collier; dt: Papier; alles, was auf Papier
tɩ perfective. → tɩg-. geschrieben oder gedruckt wird (z.B. Ausweis,
tɩg- noun. thigh; fr: cuisse; dt: Oberschenkel. Zeitung, Zeitschrift, Buch); Halskette.
a tɩgrɛ sg. a tɩtɛ sg.
a tɩga pl. a tɩra pl.
tɩg- (=/tig/) verb. put; do, make; fr: mettre ; faire; a tɩrəfɩ pl.
dt: stellen/legen/setzen; tun. [Note: This word a tɩrəga diminutive pl. small piece of paper,
cannot be used in the sense of the perpetrating etc.; small necklace; fr: petit morceau de
a crime. Thus for example the deverbal agent papier, etc.; chaînette; dt: kleines Stück Papier,
noun a tɩkɔ cannot be used to refer to an etc.; kleine Halskette. [Note: Homophonous
unidentified perpetrator.] with a tɩrəga ‘straight’.]
tɩkaa future. [Note: Irregular formation of the tɩra pl. → tɩr-.
future and imperfective. Possibly suffixal /d/ tɩrəfɩ pl. → tɩr-.
→ /g/ and geminate /g+g/ → /k/] tɩrga noun. straight; fr: droit; dt: gerade.
tɩgɛ past. [Note: Irregular loss of /g/, which a tɩrəga diminutive sg. [Note: This is
occurs occasionally in this position in homophonous with the diminutive singular
perfective forms of high token frequency form of a tɩtɛ ‘paper’.]
words.] a tɩrəsʋʋ pl.
tɩ perfective.
tɩk

162 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

tɩrəga tiintããn-
a bɔrə tɩrəga NP+N compound noun sg. a arcs); dt: Art Gras (verwendet für Dächer,
straight road; fr: un chemin droit; dt: ein Pfeile und Bögen).
gerader Weg a tɩ̃ɩ̃n wɔ̃ɩ̃fɛ singulative.
a bɔrəfɩ tɩrəsʋʋ NP+N compound noun pl. a tɩ̃ɩ̃n wɔ̃ɩ̃ pl./collective.
tɩrəga adverb. straight ahead; fr: tout droit; dt: tɩ̃ɩ̃n wɔ̃ɩ̃fɛ singulative. → tɩ̃ɩ̃n wɔ̃ɩ̃-.
gerade aus. ti- (=/ti/) noun. elephant; fr: éléphant; dt:
zaŋ tɩrəga imperative sentence Keep going Elefant. [Note: Most Koromba have never seen
straight! (Lit.: Take straight!); fr: Va tout an elephant, though they are still spoken of in
droit! (Lit.: Prends tout droit!); dt: Immer traditional stories.]
gerade aus! (Wörtl.: Nimm gerade aus!) a tife (=/ti-fɛ/) singulative.
[Note: When used as an adverb, this word a tii (=/ti-ɩ/) pl./collective.
does not take the article a.] tib- verb. shuffle/tap one’s feet; fr: taper le pied à
tɩrəga diminutive sg. → tɩrga. terre; dt: mit den Füßen auf dem Boden tapsen.
tɩrəsʋʋ pl. → tɩrga. tibrʌʌ future.
tɩsɛm perfective. → tɩsm-. tibe past.
tɩsɛmaa future. → tɩsm-. tib(u) perfective.
tɩsɛm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → tɩsm-. tibr(u) imperfective.
tɩsm- verb. sneeze; fr: éternuer; dt: niesen. a tibʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
tɩsɛmaa future. tibe past. → tib-.
tɩsəmɛ past. tibrʌʌ future. → tib-.
tɩsɛm perfective. tibr(u) imperfective. → tib-.
tɩsɛm(ɔ̃) imperfective. tib(u) perfective. → tib-.
a tɩsəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. tife singulative. (=/ti-fɛ/) → ti-.
tɩsəmɛ past. → tɩsm-. tig- noun. place, spot, terrain, weather; fr: endroit,
tɩtɛ sg. → tɩr-. place, lieu, terrain, temps (qu’il fait); dt: Stelle,
tɩtɔka noun. kind of tree; small hammer; fr: espèce Platz, Ort, Terrain, Wetter.
d’arbre; petit marteau; dt: Art Baum; kleiner a tike sg. [Note: This is the only case of a
Hammer. [Note: This small hammer is used to singular suffix - ge. There is no form of this
repair the large picks used for cultivation.] word like * tikʌ or * tiko.]
a tɩtɔka sg. a tigni pl.
a tɩtɔgənɩ pl. a tike dɔ̃nda NP+participle compound noun sg.
tɩtɔ̃ɔ̃ noun. termite; fr: termite; dt: Termite. [Note: good weather; fr: beau temps; dt: gutes
Synonymous with a tɛ̃ntɔ̃ɔ]̃ Wetter [Note: For descriptions of the
a tɩtɔ̃ɔ̃fɛ singulative. weather a tike koŋ ‘this place’ is normally
a tɩtɔ̃ɔ̃ pl./collective. used; but it is also often replaced by a sɔ̃ɔ̃rɩ
a tɩtɔ̃ɔ̃fɩ pl. koŋ ‘this morning’ or a sɔ̃nɔ̃ koŋ ‘this (early)
tɩtɔ̃ɔ̃fɛ singulative. → tɩtɔ̃ɔ̃. morning’ at the corresponding times of
tɩ̃ɩ̃n dom- noun. rainbow; fr: arc-en-ciel; dt: day.]
Regenbogen. [Note: The element tɩ̃ɩ̃n does not a tike koŋ dɔ̃ndaa sentence The weather is
exist as a separate word in Koromfe. On the good.; fr: Il fait beau temps.; dt: Das Wetter
evidence of this word and the word a tɩ̃ɩ̃n wɔ̃ɩ̃fɛ ist schön.
it probably means ‘bow’ (cf. a tɔ ‘bow’ and a a tike koŋ kɩrɛtr a hãnãŋ sentence The weather
taam ‘shoot’, both of which also begin with getting better.; fr: Le temps qu’il fait
/t/).] devient mieux.; dt: Das Wetter wird
a tɩ̃ɩ̃n doŋfe N+N compound noun sg. schöner.
a tɩ̃ɩ̃n domi N+N compound noun sg. a tike zaabɩ NP sg. bad weather; fr: mauvais
tɩ̃ɩ̃n doŋfe N+N compound noun sg. → tɩ̃ɩ̃n dom-. temps; dt: schlechtes Wetter
tɩ̃ɩ̃n tĩmbʌ N+N compound noun pl. → tɩ̃ɩ̃n tĩmbri. a tike koŋ kɩrɛtr a zaabɩ sentence The weather
tɩ̃ɩ̃n tĩmbri noun. thick forked wooden post (in the is getting worse.; fr: Le temps qu’il fait
middle of a house which supports the rafters of devient moins bon.; dt: Das Wetter wird
a roof); fr: bois fourchu fort (au milieu d’une schlechter.
maison qui tient les poutres du toit); dt: starke a tike zaabə la sentence The weather is bad.;
gegabelte Holzpfosten (in der Mitte eines fr: Il fait mauvais temps.; dt: Das Wetter ist
Hauses, der die Dachbalken trägt). schlecht.
a tɩ̃ɩ̃n tĩmbri N+N compound noun sg. a tike koŋ wɔ̃f a dɔra pɔta sentence The
a tɩ̃ɩ̃n tĩmbʌ N+N compound noun pl. weather is cloudy.; fr: Le temps est
a tɩ̃ɩ̃n tĩmbo N+N compound noun pl. nuageux.; dt: Das Wetter ist wolkig.
tɩ̃ɩ̃n wɔ̃ɩ̃- noun. kind of grass (used for making tiintããn- noun. kind of worm (large and edible); fr:
rooves, arrows and bows); fr: espèce d’herbe espèce de ver (gros et mangeable); dt: Art
(utilisée pour faire des toits, des flèches et des Wurm (groß und essbar).
a tiintããndɛ compound noun sg.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 163

tiintããndɛ tɔk-
tiintããna pl. [Note: These worms are first put in [Note: This is the normal expression for a
flour, which they eat, then fried and dried in man’s marrying a woman.]
the sun, then eaten.] tɔraa future.
tiintããndɛ compound noun sg. → tiintããn-. tɔɛ past. [Note: This form was checked
tike sg. → tig-. thoroughly.]
til- noun. ladder; fr: échelle; dt: Leiter. tɔ perfective.
a tilo sg. tɔr(ʋ) imperfective.
a tiləfi pl. a tɔɔm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
tilo sg. → til-. tɔ- noun. marriage; fr: mariage; dt: Ehe. [Note:
tim perfective. → tim-. Probably morphologically tɔ-ɩ. Cf. a tɔɔm
tim- verb. fight, struggle, try hard; fr: lutter, se ‘marry a woman’.]
débrouiller, essayer fort; dt: kämpfen, sich a tɔɩ sg.
anstrengen, fest versuchen. a tɔɩfɩ pl.
timmʌʌ future. tɔb- noun. small axe; fr: petite hache; dt: kleine Axt.
time past. [Note: = Mòoré. Smaller than a gɩbka. Cf.
tim perfective. Koromfe a tɔsəga.]
timm(ũ) imperfective. a tɔbəga sg.
a timʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. a tɔbənɛ pl.
a timsi deverbal action noun pl. fighting; fr: tɔbəga sg. → tɔb-.
lutte; dt: Kampf. tɔɛ past. → tɔ-.
mə timmʌʌ mə da mə kɛndɩ mə karaŋɔ̃ sentence tɔfa noun. hearth, stove, kitchen; fr: foyer, cuisine;
I’m trying to finish my studies.; fr: J’essaie dt: Herd, Küche.
de finir mes études.; dt: Ich versuche, mein a tɔfa sg.
Studium zu beenden. a tɔfafɩ pl.
timʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → tim-. tɔfl- verb. cook; fr: cuisiner; dt: kochen. [Note: This
time past. → tim-. verb used for anything that can be cooked
timmʌʌ future. → tim-. using a stove (a tɔfa).]
timm(ũ) imperfective. → tim-. tɔfɔlaa future.
tin- noun. kind of tree (which grows at the edge of tɔfəlɛ past.
a body of water); fr: espèce d’arbre (qui pousse tɔfɔ perfective.
au bord de l’eau); dt: Art Baum (der beim tɔfɔl(ʋ) imperfective.
Wasser wächst). a tɔfəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a tini sg. tɔfəlɛ past. → tɔfl-.
tinəfi pl. tɔfɔ perfective. → tɔfl-.
yɩləga Mòoré sg. tɔfɔlaa future. → tɔfl-.
yɩləsɩ Mòoré pl. tɔfɔl(ʋ) imperfective. → tɔfl-.
tinəfi pl. → tin-. tɔg- noun. deer; fr: cerf, biche; dt: Reh, Hirsch.
tini sg. → tin-. a tɔka diminutive sg.
tisfe noun. large millet, sorghum; fr: gros mil, a tɔgənɩ diminutive pl.
sorgho; dt: große Hirse, Sorghum. tɔgʋ noun. sheath (for a knife); fr: fourreau (d’un
a tisfe singulative. couteau); dt: Scheide (für ein Messer).
a tisi pl./collective. a tɔgʋ sg.
titii- noun. kind of tree (with edible leaves); fr: a tɔgəfɩ pl.
espèce d’arbre (à feuilles comestibles); dt: Art tɔɩ sg. → tɔ-.
Baum (mit essbaren Blättern). tɔk- verb. cut (e.g. fruit from a tree), cut down (e.g.
a titiikʌ sg. a tree); slaughter (an animal by cutting its
a titiiko sg. throat); fr: couper (p. ex. les fruits d’un arbre,
a titiisuu pl. un arbre) ; abattre (un animal en coupant sa
titiikʌ sg. → titii-. gorge); dt: schneiden (z.B. um die Früchte
titiiko sg. → titii-. eines Baumes zu ernten), umschneiden (z.B.
tĩŋgfe noun. fly; fr: mouche; dt: Fliege. einen Baum); (ein Tier) schlachten (indem man
a tĩŋgfe singulative. ihm den Hals abschneidet).
a tĩŋgii pl./collective. tɔkraa future.
tɔ noun. bow; fr: arc; dt: Bogen. tɔkɛ past.
a tɔ sg. [Note: In Eastern Koromfe this is a tɔʋ.] tɔk(ʋ) perfective.
a tɔfɩ pl. tɔkr(ʋ) imperfective.
tɔ perfective. → tɔ-. a tɔkam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
tɔ- verb. plunder, grab; marry (a woman); fr: a tɔkmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. cuttings
piller, arracher ; marier (une femme); dt: clearing; fr: défrichement; dt: abgeschnittenes
plündern, an sich reißen; (eine Frau) heiraten. Geäst. [Note: This word refers to the remains
of trees and bushes when a field has been

164 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

tɔka tɔsg-
cleared for planting. These remains are usually bɔ̃nɛ tɔɔ noun phrase. eight goats; fr: huit
put in a pile and then burnt.] chèvres; dt: acht Ziegen. [Note: Not * a bɔ̃nɛ
tɔka diminutive sg. → tɔg-. tɔɔ]
tɔkam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → tɔk-. ɩtɔɔ disjunctive cardinal numeral.
tɔkɛ past. → tɔk-. a tɔɔndɔ ordinal numeral human sg. eighth; fr:
tɔkraa future. → tɔk-. huitième; dt: acht(-er,-e,-es).
tɔkr(ʋ) imperfective. → tɔk-. a tɔɔndəba ordinal numeral human pl.
tɔk(ʋ) perfective. → tɔk-. a bɔrɔ tɔɔndɔ noun phrase sg. the eighth man; fr:
tɔllʋ noun. small-scale hunting (e.g. for rats, le huitième homme; dt: der achte Mann.
hedgehogs, birds); fr: petite chasse (p. ex. de a bɛ̃nna tɔɔndəba noun phrase pl.
rats, de hérissons, d’oiseaux); dt: kleine Jagd a tɔɔndəgʋ attributive ordinal numeral non-
(z.B. nach Ratten, Igeln, Vögeln). [Note: This human. [Note: Non-human ordinal numerals
kind of hunting is typically done by children.] have no plural form; instead the singular is
a tɔllʋ sg. used.]
mə yakaa tubre a tɔllʋ sentence I’m going to go tɔɔma noun. homonym, namesake; fr: homonyme;
into the bush to small-scale hunt.; fr: Je vais dt: homonyme, Namensvetter.
aller en brousse pour faire la petite chasse.; a tɔɔma sg.
dt: Ich werde in den Busch gehen, um a tɔɔmama pl.
Kleinjagd zu machen. mə tɔɔma la dɩ sentence He has the same name
tɔm noun. ground, dust, ash(es); fr: terre, as I do.; fr: Il a le même nom que moi.; dt:
poussière, cendre; dt: Erde, Staub, Asche. Er hat denselben Namen wie ich. [Note: This
[Note: Can also be used as a colour term for word is also used to show respect. Anyone
brownish dark red (the normal colour of the with the same first name as the chief of the
ground where the Koromba live), as in the village is called a jɔ tɔɔma, rather than the
example below.] name itself.]
a tɔm sg. tɔɔndəba ordinal numeral human pl. → tɔɔ.
a tɔmfɩ pl. tɔɔndɔ ordinal numeral human sg. → tɔɔ.
a wɔ̃nɔ̃ŋ tɔm NP+N compound noun sg. a tɔr- noun. okra; fr: gombo; dt: Okra.
brownish dark red hen; fr: un poulet brun- a tɔrfɛ singulative.
rouge sombre; dt: ein braun-dunkelrotes a tɔrɩ pl./collective.
Huhn a tɔrəfɩ pl.
a wɔ̃nɛ tɔm NP+N compound noun pl. [Note: tɔraa future. → tɔ-.
The plural is used in the sense of ‘lots of’.] tɔrfɛ singulative. → tɔr-.
tɔŋdɛ noun. hole; fr: trou; dt: Loch. [Note: This tɔrɩ pl./collective. → tɔr-.
word typically refers to a hole that is wider tɔrsa noun. torch; fr: torche; dt: Taschenlampe,
than but not as deep as a bɔ̃ɔ̃.] Fackel. [Note: < Fr. torche. This word can be
a tɔŋdɛ sg. used for both a torch that burns and an electric
a tɔŋa pl. torch.]
tɔŋg- verb. last; hesitate; fr: durer ; tarder; dt: a tɔrsa sg.
dauern; zögern. a tɔrsafɩ pl.
tɔŋgraa future. tɔr(ʋ) imperfective. → tɔ-.
tɔŋgɛ past. tɔs- noun. small axe; fr: petite hache; dt: kleine Axt.
tɔŋg(ʋ) perfective. [Note: Smaller than a gɩbka. Cf. a tɔbəga.]
tɔŋgr(ʋ) imperfective. a tɔsəga sg.
a tɔŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a tɔsənɛ pl.
a tɔŋgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. also: late, last; tɔs- verb. pick up; fr: ramasser; dt: aufheben.
fr: aussi: en retard, dernier; dt: auch: spät, [Note: This verb implies picking up one thing
letzt(-er,-e,-es). only. Cf. a tɔsəmam ‘pick up (several things)’.]
tɔŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → tɔŋg-. tɔsraa future.
tɔŋgɛ past. → tɔŋg-. tɔsɛ past.
tɔŋgraa future. → tɔŋg-. tɔs(ʋ) perfective.
tɔŋgr(ʋ) imperfective. → tɔŋg-. tɔsr(ʋ) imperfective.
tɔŋg(ʋ) perfective. → tɔŋg-. a tɔsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
tɔɔ numeral. eight (8); forty francs CFA; fr: trois tɔsɛ past. → tɔs-.
(3); quarante francs CFA; dt: drei (3); vierzig tɔsg- verb. ooze, drip; fr: suinter, goutter; dt:
Francs CFA. [Note: The disjunctive numeral sickern, tropfen.
ɩtɔɔ is used when counting. When tɔɔ is used tɔsəgraa future.
attributively the prefix ɩ must be dropped and tɔsəgɛ past.
there can be no article a before the qualified tɔsəg(ʋ) perfective.
noun or noun phrase.] tɔsəgr(ʋ) imperfective.
tɔɔ attributive cardinal numeral. a tɔsəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 165

tɔsəga tɔ̃nəŋa
a tɔsəgʋ participial adjective. also: drip, drop; a tɔ̃ɩ̃ pl./collective.
fr: aussi: goutte; dt: auch: Tropfen. a tɔ̃ɩ̃fɩ pl.
tɔsəga sg. → tɔs-. a tɔ̃ɩ̃ hem NP+N compound noun sg./mass
tɔsəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → tɔsg-. honey; fr: miel; dt: Honig
tɔsəgɛ past. → tɔsg-. a tɔ̃ɩ̃ hemfi NP+N compound noun pl.
tɔsəgraa future. → tɔsg-. a sɔ̃mmɔ̃ tɔ̃ɩ̃ NP+N compound noun pl./mass
tɔsəgr(ʋ) imperfective. → tɔsg-. sugar (lit.: salt-honey); fr: sucre (lit.: miel
tɔsəg(ʋ) perfective. → tɔsg-. de sel); dt: Zucker (wörtl.: Salzhonig)
tɔsm- verb. pick up (several things); fr: ramasser tɔ̃ɩ̃- verb. vomit; fr: vomir; dt: erbrechen.
(plusieurs choses); dt: (mehrere Dinge) tɔ̃ɩ̃naa future.
aufheben. [Note: This verb implies picking up tɔ̃ɩ̃ past.
several things, in contrast with a tɔsam.] tɔ̃ɩ̃ perfective.
tɔsɔmaa future. tɔ̃ɩ̃n(ɛ) imperfective.
tɔsəmɛ past. a tɔ̃ỹãm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
tɔsɔm perfective. tɔ̃ɩ̃fɛ singulative. → tɔ̃ɩ̃-.
tɔsɔm(ɔ̃) imperfective. tɔ̃ɩ̃naa future. → tɔ̃ɩ̃-.
a tɔsəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. tɔ̃ɩ̃n(ɛ) imperfective. → tɔ̃ɩ̃-.
tɔsəmɛ past. → tɔsm-. tɔ̃m perfective. → tɔ̃m-.
tɔsɔm perfective. → tɔsm-. tɔ̃m- verb. chat (at night); fr: causer (dans la nuit);
tɔsɔmaa future. → tɔsm-. dt: (nachts) plaudern. [Note: Cf. a jebkʌ ‘chat
tɔsɔm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → tɔsm-. (during the day)’]
tɔsɔŋg- verb. ooze, drip; fr: suinter, goutter; dt: tɔ̃mmaa future.
sickern, tropfen. [Note: This verb implies more tɔ̃mɛ past.
frequent dripping than a tɔsəgam.] tɔ̃m perfective.
tɔsɔŋgraa future. tɔ̃mm(ɔ̃) imperfective.
tɔsɔŋgɛ past. a tɔ̃mam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
tɔsɔŋg(ʋ) perfective. a tɔ̃məŋa deverbal action noun diminutive sg.
tɔsɔŋgr(ʋ) imperfective. [Note: This diminutive form is used more often
a tɔsɔŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. than a tɔ̃mam.]
tɔsɔŋgɛ past. → tɔsɔŋg-. tɔ̃mam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → tɔ̃m-.
tɔsɔŋgraa future. → tɔsɔŋg-. tɔ̃mɛ past. → tɔ̃m-.
tɔsɔŋgr(ʋ) imperfective. → tɔsɔŋg-. tɔ̃mmaa future. → tɔ̃m-.
tɔsɔŋg(ʋ) perfective. → tɔsɔŋg-. tɔ̃mm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → tɔ̃m-.
tɔsraa future. → tɔs-. tɔ̃mɔ̃- noun. kind of ant (large, black); fr: espèce de
tɔsr(ʋ) imperfective. → tɔs-. fourmi (grosse, noire); dt: Art Ameise (groß,
tɔs(ʋ) perfective. → tɔs-. schwarz). [Note: People sometimes make
tɔ̃ past. → tɔ̃-. sacrifices to these ants by putting something
tɔ̃ perfective. → tɔ̃-. edible on their nest. This is supposed to bring
tɔ̃- verb. walk; fr: se promener; dt: gehen. good luck.]
tɔ̃naa future. a tɔ̃mɔ̃ndɛ sg.
tɔ̃ past. — pl.
tɔ̃ perfective. tɔ̃n imperfective. → tɔ̃-.
tɔ̃nʋ̃ / tɔ̃n imperfective. tɔ̃n- noun. (piece of) skin, leather; fr: (morceau de)
a tɔ̃ɔ̃m deverbal action noun sg./mass. peau, cuir; dt: (Stück) Haut, Leder.
a tɔ̃nɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. a tɔ̃nɔ̃ŋ sg.
a tɔ̃nəba deverbal agent noun pl. a tɔ̃nɛ pl.
a tɔ̃nəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. a tɔ̃nəfɩ pl.
a tɔ̃nəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. a nɛ̃nɛ tɔ̃nɔ̃ŋ NP+N compound noun sg. lip; fr:
a tɔ̃nəŋa deverbal instrument noun diminutive lèvre; dt: Lippe
sg. small walk; fr: petite promenade; dt: kleiner a nɛ̃nɛ tɔ̃nɛ NP+N compound noun pl.
Spaziergang. [Note: Homophonous with a sɛ̃nɛ tɔ̃nɔ̃ŋ adverb+N compound noun sg.
tɔ̃nəŋa ‘small piece of skin / leather’] ground, dry ground; fr: terre, terre firme;
a tɔ̃nəfa deverbal local noun sg. dt: Grund, fester Grund
a tɔ̃nəfafɩ deverbal local noun pl. tɔ̃naa future. → tɔ̃-.
tɔ̃ɩ̃ pl./collective. → tɔ̃ɩ̃-. tɔ̃nəba deverbal agent noun pl. → tɔ̃-.
tɔ̃ɩ̃ past. → tɔ̃ɩ̃-. tɔ̃nɛ pl. → tɔ̃n-.
tɔ̃ɩ̃ perfective. → tɔ̃ɩ̃-. tɔ̃nəfa deverbal local noun sg. → tɔ̃-.
tɔ̃ɩ̃- noun. bee; (collective also:) honey; fr: abeille; tɔ̃nəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → tɔ̃-.
(collectif aussi :) miel; dt: Biene; (kollektiv tɔ̃nəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → tɔ̃-.
auch:) Honig. tɔ̃nəŋa deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. →
a tɔ̃ɩ̃fɛ singulative. tɔ̃-.

166 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

tɔ̃nɔ̃ tom
tɔ̃nɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → tɔ̃-. tobse past. → tobs-.
tɔ̃nɔ̃ŋ sg. → tɔ̃n-. tobsrʌʌ future. → tobs-.
tɔ̃nʋ̃ imperfective. → tɔ̃-. tobsr(u) imperfective. → tobs-.
tɔ̃ŋg- verb. send; send on an errand; fr: envoyer ; tobs(u) perfective. → tobs-.
commissionner; dt: schicken; beauftragen. tog- noun. baobab; fr:
tɔ̃ŋgraa future. baobab, arbre de pain de
tɔ̃ŋgɛ past. singe; dt: Baobab,
tɔ̃ŋg(ʋ) perfective. Affenbrotbaum.
tɔ̃ŋgr(ʋ) imperfective. a togre (=/tog-dɛ/) sg.
a tɔ̃ŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a togiʌ / a togeo
mə ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ndɔ tɔ̃ŋgʋ mə ỹĩmde də yaʋ wʌgyʌ də dol (=/tog-ɩa/) pl.
a sɔmdɛ leŋgem sentence My elder brother a togeo pl.
sent my younger brother to Ouahigouya to a tokʌ diminutive sg. small
by a television set.; fr: Mon grand frère a / young baobab; fr:
envoyé mon petit frère à Ouahigouya pour baobab petit / jeune; dt:
acheter un téléviseur.; dt: Mein großer kleiner / junger Baobab.
Bruder hat meinen kleinen Bruder nach a togəni diminutive pl.
Ouahigouya geschickt, um einen Fernseher a tokoŋʌ common noun
zu kaufen. double diminutive sg.
tɔ̃ŋgɛ past. → tɔ̃ŋg-. [Note: This is one of the rare cases of double
tɔ̃ŋgraa future. → tɔ̃ŋg-. class suffixation. This form has no
tɔ̃ŋgr(ʋ) imperfective. → tɔ̃ŋg-. corresponding plural; a togəni is used.]
tɔ̃ŋg(ʋ) perfective. → tɔ̃ŋg-. tog- noun. nest; fr: nid; dt: Nest. [Note: = Mòoré.
tɔ̃ŋn- verb. light, ignite; fr: allumer; dt: anzünden. Cf. Koromfe a lembəgʌ dãŋ.]
[Note: This verb is used for ignitable fires a toku sg.
(including cigarettes, lamps, candles etc.) and a togədu pl.
electric light, but not other electrical devices.] a tokʌ diminutive sg.
tɔ̃ŋɔndaa future. a toko diminutive sg.
tɔ̃ŋənɛ past. togədu pl. → tog-.
tɔ̃ŋɔ perfective. togeo pl. (=/tog-ɩa/) → tog-.
tɔ̃ŋɔnd(ʋ) imperfective. togeo pl. (=/tog-ɩa/) → tog-.
a tɔ̃ŋənam deverbal action noun sg./mass. togiʌ pl. (=/tog-ɩa/) → tog-.
a tɔ̃ŋənɛ deverbal action noun sg./mass. togəni diminutive pl. (=/tog-ɩa/) → tog-.
tɔ̃ŋənam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → tɔ̃ŋn-. togre sg. (=/tog-dɛ/) → tog-.
tɔ̃ŋənɛ past. → tɔ̃ŋn-. tok- noun. small window; (bird’s) nest; fr: petite
tɔ̃ŋɔ perfective. → tɔ̃ŋn-. fenêtre; nid (d’oiseau); dt: kleines Fenster;
tɔ̃ŋɔndaa future. → tɔ̃ŋn-. Vogelnest. [Note: Probably of Mòoré origin, but
tɔ̃ŋɔnd(ʋ) imperfective. → tɔ̃ŋn-. today there is no Mòoré word of this shape,
tɔ̃ɔ̃m deverbal action noun sg./mass. → tɔ̃-. though cf. a toku. Cf. Koromfe a lembəgʌ dãŋ.]
to past. → tu-. a tokri sg.
tobl- verb. pound (grains to make flour); fr: piler a tokiʌ pl.
(les graines pour faire la farine); dt: (Kerne) a tokio pl.
zerstampfen (um Mehl zu machen). a tokʌu pl.
tobolʌʌ future. tokʌ diminutive sg. (=/tog-ɩa/) → tog-.
tobəle past. tokʌ diminutive sg. → tog-.
tobo perfective. tokiʌ pl. → tok-.
tobol(u) imperfective. tokio pl. → tok-.
a tobəlʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. tokri sg. → tok-.
tobəle past. → tobl-. toku sg. → tog-.
tobo perfective. → tobl-. tollom noun. potash; fr: potasse; dt: Pottasche.
tobolʌʌ future. → tobl-. [Note: - om is the class suffix - m.]
tobol(u) imperfective. → tobl-. a tollom sg.
tobs- verb. indicate, point / go in a particular a tollomfi pl.
direction; fr: indiquer, indexer / aller dans une toloŋgo noun. gutter on a roof; fr: égout du toit;
direction particulière; dt: zeigen, in einer dt: Dachrinne. [Note: The length and - fi plural
bestimmten Richtung zeigen / gehen. suggest that this word could be a loan.]
tobsrʌʌ future. a toloŋgo sg.
tobse past. a toloŋgofi pl.
tobs(u) perfective. toloŋgo sg. → toloŋgo.
tobsr(u) imperfective. tom perfective. → tom-.
a tobsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 167

tom- too
tom- noun. job, work; profession; fr: ouvrage, tomne past.
travail; métier; dt: Arbeit; Beruf. tomo perfective.
a tomde sg. tomond(u) imperfective.
a tomʌ pl. a tomnʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a tomo pl. tomne past. → tomn-.
a tomʌfi pl. tomo pl. → tom-.
də wɔll a tomde sentence He is working. (Lit.: tomo perfective. → tomn-.
He is working a job.); fr: Il travaille. (Lit.: Il tomondʌʌ future. → tomn-.
travaille un travail.); dt: Er arbeitet. tomond(u) imperfective. → tomn-.
(Wörtl.: Er arbeitet eine Arbeit.) [Note: This toŋ- verb. be sour; fr: être aigre; dt: sauer sein.
doubly suffixed form implies even more toŋənʌʌ future. [Note: No past form of this verb
work than a tomʌ.] could be elicited.]
a toməŋʌ diminutive sg. small job; fr: petit toŋo perfective.
travail; dt: kleine Arbeit. toŋən(õ) imperfective.
tom- verb. put on, wear (a woman’s cloth); fr: toŋnʌ participial adjective. sour; fr: aigre; dt:
attacher, porter (un pagne); dt: (ein sauer.
Frauentuch) umhängen, tragen. [Note: This a toŋoi deverbal action noun sg. sourness;
verb is used for putting on / wearing any kind something sour; fr: aigreur; chose aigre; dt:
of woman’s cloth. Cf. a tomnʌm for the special Säure; etwas Saures.
black cloth for pregnant women.] a toŋoifi
tommʌʌ future. toŋg- verb. align, join, attach (two ends); fr:
tome past. aligner, joindre, attacher (deux bouts); dt:
tom perfective. richten, (zwei Enden) zusammenfügen,
tomm(õ) imperfective. verbinden.
a tomʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. toŋgrʌʌ future.
tomatəfɛ singulative. → tamat-. toŋge past.
tomatɩ pl./collective. → tamat-. toŋg(u) perfective.
tomʌ pl. → tom-. toŋgr(u) imperfective.
tomʌfi pl. → tom-. a toŋgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
tombot- verb. take off (a woman’s cloth); fr: toŋge past. → toŋg-.
détacher / enlever (un pagne); dt: (ein toŋgrʌʌ future. → toŋg-.
Frauentuch) ausziehen. [Note: This is the toŋgr(u) imperfective. → toŋg-.
reversive of a tomʌm. The b is unexpected.] toŋg(u) perfective. → toŋg-.
tombotrʌʌ future. toŋnʌ participial adjective. → toŋ-.
tombote past. toŋənʌʌ future. → toŋ-.
tombot(u) perfective. toŋən(õ) imperfective. → toŋ-.
tombotr(u) imperfective. toŋo perfective. → toŋ-.
a tombotʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. toŋoi deverbal action noun sg. → toŋ-.
tombote past. → tombot-. toŋs- verb. become sour; catch (e.g. sth. thrown to
tombotrʌʌ future. → tombot-. you); respond (to a song by greeting the
tombotr(u) imperfective. → tombot-. musicians); fr: devenir aigre; attraper (p. ex.
tombot(u) perfective. → tombot-. q.chose qu’on te jette); répondre (à une
tomde sg. → tom-. chanson et saluant les musiciens); dt: sauer
tome past. → tom-. werden; fangen (z.B. etwas, was dir
tommʌʌ future. → tom-. zugeworfen wird; reagieren (auf ein Lied,
tomm(õ) imperfective. → tom-. indem man die Musiker begrüßt). [Note:
tomn- verb. put on / wear (a special black cloth for Greeting musicians is a special way of dancing,
a woman about to bear her first child); fr: in which an individual dancer approaches the
attacher / porter (un pagne noir spécial pour musicians, (optionally) touches the ground,
une femme qui va accoucher pour la première then dances away again.]
fois); dt: (ein spezielles schwarzes Tuch) toŋsrʌʌ future.
umhängen / tragen (für eine Frau, die ihr toŋse past.
erstes Kind gebären wird). [Note: This cloth is toŋs(u) perfective.
put on a woman once her pregnancy is clearly toŋsr(u) imperfective.
visible. She wears it continuously up to the a toŋsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
birth of the child. The cloth is usually put on toŋse past. → toŋs-.
the pregnant woman by an old woman of the toŋsrʌʌ future. → toŋs-.
family (a tomondo, pl. a tomondəbʌ), and the toŋsr(u) imperfective. → toŋs-.
pregnant woman has to cry while the cloth is toŋs(u) perfective. → toŋs-.
being put on.] too noun. emptiness, empty; fr: vide; dt: Leere,
tomondʌʌ future. leer.

168 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

tor- tʋla
a too sg. tʋg- noun. kind of storehouse (in the bush); fr:
a toofi pl. espèce de grenier (en brousse); dt: Art
a dãŋ too NP+N compound noun sg. deserted Speicher (im Busch).
house (where no-one lives); fr: maison a tʋka diminutive sg.
abandonné (où personne n’habite); dt: a tʋgənɛ diminutive pl.
verlassenes Haus (wo niemand wohnt) a tʋkaŋa common noun double diminutive sg.
[Note: This word can only be used for a tʋgm- verb. insult, scold, provoke; fr: insulter,
house that has not been abandoned injurier, inciter; dt: beleidigen, beschimpfen,
suddenly (cf. a dãŋ gomde).] provozieren. [Note: This verb implies more
a dãɩ̃ toofi NP+N compound noun pl. (either in quantity or quality) than a tʋgsam.]
tor- (=/tod-/) noun. wild pig, boar; fr: cochon tʋgɔmaa future.
sauvage, sanglier, phacochère; dt: wildes tʋgəmɛ past.
Schwein, Wildschwein. tʋgɔm perfective.
a tote sg. tʋgɔm(ɔ̃) imperfective.
a torʌ pl. a tʋgəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a toro pl. tʋgəmɛ past. → tʋgm-.
tor- verb. share, share out; fr: partager, répartir; tʋgənɛ diminutive pl. → tʋg-.
dt: teilen, austeilen. tʋgɔm perfective. → tʋgm-.
totʌʌ future. tʋgɔmaa future. → tʋgm-.
tore past. tʋgɔm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → tʋgm-.
tor(u) perfective. tʋgs- verb. insult, scold, provoke; fr: insulter,
tot(u) imperfective. injurier, inciter; dt: beleidigen, beschimpfen,
a torʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. provozieren.
a torgu deverbal action noun sg. [Note: This tʋgsraa future.
form is used more commonly than a torʌm.] tʋgsɛ past.
torʌ pl. → tor-. tʋgs(ʋ) perfective.
torʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → tor-. tʋgsr(ʋ) imperfective.
tore past. → tor-. a tʋgsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
toro- noun. pipe (for smoking); fr: pipe (à fumer); tʋgsɛ past. → tʋgs-.
dt: Pfeife (zum Rauchen). tʋgsraa future. → tʋgs-.
a toroŋ sg. tʋgsr(ʋ) imperfective. → tʋgs-.
a toroi pl. tʋgs(ʋ) perfective. → tʋgs-.
toroŋ sg. → toro-. tʋka diminutive sg. → tʋg-.
tor(u) perfective. → tor-. tʋka tʋka sentence.
tos- verb. lay (an egg); fr: pondre; dt: (ein Ei) legen. tʋka tʋka Tell your story!; fr: Raconte ton conte!;
tosrʌʌ future. dt: Erzähl’ deine Geschichte! [Note: This
tose past. formula is the reply to the request sɛrgɛm
tos(u) perfective. sɛrgɛm ‘I have a story to tell’ at traditional
tosr(u) imperfective. story-telling sessions. The word tʋka itself
a tosʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. seems to have no meaning beyond its use in
mə wɔ̃nɔ̃ŋ koŋ tosə sondʌ hĩĩ sentence My hen this formula; it is not the word a tʋka ‘kind of
has laid two eggs.; fr: Ma poule a pondu storehouse (in the bush)’.]
deux œufs.; dt: Meine Henne hat zwei Eier tʋl- noun. middle, centre; waist; fr: milieu, centre;
gelegt. taille; dt: Mitte, Mittelpunkt; Taille.
tose past. → tos-. a tʋllɛ sg.
tosrʌʌ future. → tos-. a tʋla pl.
tosr(u) imperfective. → tos-. tʋllɛ postposition. in the middle of, between,
tos(u) perfective. → tos-. among(st); fr: au milieu de, entre; dt: mitten in,
totʌʌ future. → tor-. zwischen, unter. [Note: When used as a
tote sg. → tor-. postposition, tʋllɛ does not take the article a.
tot(u) imperfective. → tor-. If tʋllɛ has more than one argument, they are
tʋbs- verb. spit; fr: cracher; dt: spucken. conjoined with la, as in the example below.]
tʋbəsəraa future. tʋllɛ nɛ N+P compound postposition. in the
tʋbəsɛ past. middle of, between, among(st); fr: au milieu de,
tʋbəs(ʋ) perfective. entre; dt: mitten in, zwischen, unter.
tʋbəsər(ʋ) imperfective. mə sũndu hɩf a dãŋ koŋ la a bɔ̃ndɛ tʋllɛ (nɛ)
a tʋbsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. sentence My horse is standing between the
tʋbəsɛ past. → tʋbs-. house and the grain storehouse.; fr: Mon
tʋbəsəraa future. → tʋbs-. cheval se tient entre la maison et le
tʋbəsər(ʋ) imperfective. → tʋbs-. grenier.;
tʋbəs(ʋ) perfective. → tʋbs-. tʋla pl. → tʋl-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 169

tʋllɛ tull-
tʋllɛ sg. → tʋl-. sich setzen, sitzen, existieren, wohnen. [Note:
tʋllɛ postposition. → tʋl-. Defective in the perfective, whose form is
tʋr- verb. introduce; thread (a needle); fr: borrowed from the paradigm of a tukəlʌm. It is
introduire, enfiler (une aiguille); dt: einführen, impossible to say whether the future and
(Zwirn bei einer Nadel) einfädeln. imperfective forms are from a tukʌm or a
tʋtaa future. tukəlam.]
tʋrɛ past. tufʌʌ (=/tuk-f-aa/) future.
tʋr(ʋ) perfective. tuke (=/tuk-e/) past.
tʋt(ʋ) imperfective. tuko (=/tuk-ol/) perfective. [Note: tuko is from a
a tʋram deverbal action noun sg./mass. tukəlʌm]
tʋrɛ past. → tʋr-. tuf / tufu (=/tuk-f/) imperfective.
tʋr(ʋ) perfective. → tʋr-. a tukʌm (=/tuk-am/) deverbal action noun
tʋs- verb. pull out (of a sheath, pile), draw (a sg./mass.
weapon); fr: tirer (d’un fourreau, tas), a tuflei (=/tuk-f-lɛɩ/) sg. existence; fr:
dégainer (une arme); dt: herausziehen (von existence; dt: Existenz. [Note: This word is not
einem Etui, Stoß), (eine Waffe) ziehen. normally used in the sense ‘sit’.]
tʋsraa future. tufəgu (=/tuk-f-gʋ/)
tʋsɛ past. deverbal instrument
tʋs(ʋ) perfective. noun sg.
tʋsr(ʋ) imperfective. tufəhĩ (=/tuk-f-hɩ̃/)
a tʋsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. deverbal instrument
tʋsɛ past. → tʋs-. noun pl. small seat,
tʋsraa future. → tʋs-. stool; fr: petite siège,
tʋsr(ʋ) imperfective. → tʋs-. escabeau, tabouret; dt:
tʋs(ʋ) perfective. → tʋs-. kleiner Sitz, Schemel.
tʋtaa future. → tʋr-. tufəgʌ (=/tuk-f-ga/)
tʋt(ʋ) imperfective. → tʋr-. deverbal instrument
tu perfective. → tu-. noun diminutive sg.
tu- verb. coat, paint; fr: enduire; dt: bestreichen. tufəni (=/tuk-f-nɩ/) deverbal instrument noun
[Note: This verb is also used for applying oil to diminutive pl. small seat, stool; fr: petite siège,
the body (to protect the skin and give off a escabeau, tabouret; dt: kleiner Sitz, Schemel.
pleasant odour).] a tufədono V+N compound noun sg. neighbour;
turʌʌ future. fr: voisin; dt: Nachbar
to past. a tufədombʌ V+N compound noun pl.
tu perfective. tukʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/tuk-am/)
tur(u) imperfective. → tuk-.
a toom deverbal action noun sg./mass. tuke past. (=/tuk-e/) → tuk-.
tubre adverb. in the bush, into the bush; fr: en tukl- (=/tuk-Ṿl/) verb. sit down, be seated, exist,
brousse; dt: im Busch, in den Busch. live, dwell; fr: s’asseoir, être assis, exister,
tubre yɔ adverb+N compound noun sg. king of habiter; dt: sich setzen, sitzen, existieren,
the bush (= lion); forest guard; fr: roi de la wohnen. [Note: Synonymous with a tukʌm.]
brousse (= lion); forestier; dt: König des tukolʌʌ (=/tuk-Ṿl-d-aa/) future.
Buschs (= Löwe); Förster [Note: This word tukəle (=/tuk-Ṿl-ɛ/) past.
never takes the article a. It is synonymous tuko (=/tuk-ol/) perfective.
with a tuu jɔ (which does take the article).] tukol / tukolu (=/tuk-Ṿl-d/) imperfective.
tubre yɩɩba adverb+N compound noun pl. a tukəlʌm (=/tuk-Ṿl-am/) deverbal action noun
[Note: This adverb cannot take the article a. sg./mass.
This applies even when it is the first element tukəle past. (=/tuk-Ṿl-ɛ/) → tukl-.
of a compound.] tuko perfective. (=/tuk-ol/) → tuk-.
tuf imperfective. (=/tuk-f/) → tuk-. tuko perfective. (=/tuk-ol/) → tukl-.
tufʌʌ future. (=/tuk-f-aa/) → tuk-. tukol imperfective. (=/tuk-Ṿl-d/) → tukl-.
tufəgʌ deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. tukolʌʌ future. (=/tuk-Ṿl-d-aa/) → tukl-.
(=/tuk-f-ga/) → tuk-. tukolu imperfective. (=/tuk-Ṿl-d/) → tukl-.
tufəgu deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/tuk-f-gʋ/) tul- (=/tul/) noun. reverse side; fr: côté renversée;
→ tuk-. dt: linke Seite. [Note: E.g. of a garment]
tufəhĩ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/tuk-f-hɩ̃/) → a tulle (=/tul-dɛ/) sg.
tuk-. a tulo / a tulʌ (=/tul-a/) pl.
tuflei sg. (=/tuk-f-lɛɩ/) → tuk-. tull- verb. bend down, bow; fr: se baisser, se
tufu imperfective. (=/tuk-f/) → tuk-. courber, s’incliner; dt: sich bücken, sich
tuk- (=/tuk/) verb. sit down, be seated, exist, live; beugen. [Note: Synonymous with a zullʌm.]
fr: s’asseoir, être assis, exister, habiter; dt: tullrʌʌ future.

170 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

tulle ʋ
tulle past. tuŋsərʌʌ future. → tuŋs-.
tull(u) perfective. tuŋsər(u) imperfective. → tuŋs-.
tullr(u) imperfective. tuŋs(u) perfective. → tuŋs-.
a tullʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. turʌʌ future. → tu-.
tulle sg. (=/tul-dɛ/) → tul-. tur(u) imperfective. → tu-.
tulle past. → tull-. tusʌ cardinal numeral pl. → tusri.
tullrʌʌ future. → tull-. tusəndəbʌ ordinal numeral human pl. → tusri.
tullr(u) imperfective. → tull-. tusəndo ordinal numeral human sg. → tusri.
tull(u) perfective. → tull-. tuso cardinal numeral pl. → tusri.
tuŋ- verb. be deep; fr: être profond; dt: tief sein. tusri numeral. thousand (1000); five thousand
tuŋənʌʌ future. [Note: No past form of this verb francs CFA; fr: mille (1000); cinq mille francs
could be elicited.] CFA; dt: tausend (1000); fünftausend Francs
tuŋo perfective. CFA. [Note: = Mòoré. This word does not take
tuŋən(ũ) imperfective. the article a except when the plural form is
a tuŋənʌ participial adjective. deep; fr: profond; used in the vague sense of ‘thousands (of
dt: tief. francs)’]
a tuŋoi deverbal action noun sg. depth; fr: tusri cardinal numeral sg.
profondeur; dt: Tiefe. tusʌ cardinal numeral pl.
tuŋənʌ participial adjective. → tuŋ-. tuso cardinal numeral pl.
tuŋənʌʌ future. → tuŋ-. də tams a tusʌ (tusʌ) sentence He has lost
tuŋən(ũ) imperfective. → tuŋ-. thousands.; fr: Il a perdu des milliers.; dt:
tuŋo perfective. → tuŋ-. Er hat Tausende verloren.
tuŋs- verb. become deep; fr: devenir profond; dt: a tusəndo ordinal numeral human sg.
tief werden. [Note: This verb is also used for thousandth; fr: millième; dt: tausendst(-er,-e,-
the water container at the end of a rope at a es).
well. See the example below.] a tusəndəbʌ ordinal numeral human pl.
tuŋsərʌʌ future. a tusəndəgu ordinal numeral non-human sg. & pl.
tuŋse past. tuu noun. bush, forest; fr: brousse, forêt; dt:
tuŋs(u) perfective. Busch, Wald. [Note: In contrast with the
tuŋsər(u) imperfective. adverb tubre, this word takes the article a.]
a tuŋsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. a tuu sg.
a loku koŋ tuŋsr a hɔ̃səga yoro ni gʋ kekr a hem a tuufi pl.
sentence The water container goes down to a tuu yɔ NP+N compound noun sg. king of the
the bottom of the well and brings up water.; bush (= lion); forest ranger; fr: roi de la
fr: La puisette se rabaisse au fond du puits brousse (= lion); forestier; dt: König des
et enlève de l’eau.; dt: Der Wasserbehälter Buschs (= Löwe); Förster [Note: This word
geht im Brunnen hinunter und bringt takes the article a. It is synonymous with
Wasser (herauf). tubre jɔ (which does not take the article).]
tuŋse past. → tuŋs-. a tuu yɩɩba NP+N compound noun pl.

Ʋ - ʋ

ʋ pronoun / possessive adjective. we; our; fr: phonologically invariant and clearly related
nous; notre/nos; dt: wir; unser(e). to the proclitic form, especially since a final
ʋ proclitic personal pronoun (subject) & nasal ʋ̃ is regularly lowered to ɔ̃ in Koromfe.
possessive adjective 1st person pl. [Note: This The relationship between ʋ and hɔ̃ is
form is prefixed to either a verb or a noun phonologically exactly parallel to that
phrase; it cannot stand alone (e.g. as the between the 3rd person non-human plural
elliptical answer to a question). On a verb, it is clitic pronouns ɩ and hɛ̃.]
the subject pronoun, on a noun phrase it is the ʋkɔ disjunctive personal pronoun (subject, direct
“possessor”.] or indirect object) & possessive adjective 1st
hɔ̃ postclitic pronoun (direct or indirect object) person pl. we, us; our, ours; fr: nous,
1st person pl. us; fr: nous; dt: uns. notre/nos, le/la/les nôtre(s); dt: wir, uns;
yom na hɔ̃ imperative sentence Follow us!; fr: unser(,-er,-e,-es).
Suivez nous!; dt: Folgt uns! [Note: This yom na hɔ̃ imperative sentence Follow (pl.) us!;
pronoun follows the verb, and is its (direct fr: Suivez nous!; dt: Folgt uns! [Note: This
or indirect) object. Its form is form of the pronoun indicates some kind of
Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 171
-ʋ vɩ̃ʋ̃
“emphasis”, but this can be so minimal that -ʋ noun-cl. noun class suffix plural; fr: suffixe de
in practice the disjunctive form can always classe nominale plurielle; dt:
be used in place of a clitic pronoun. It never Nominalklassensuffix Plural.
undergoes any phonological reduction or bu n.pl. children; fr: enfants; dt: Kinder [Note:
expansion. It can stand in the normal This noun class is rare]
(preverbal) subject or (postverbal) object -ʋ noun-cl. noun class suffix singular; fr: suffixe
positions, and can also be used as the de classe nominale singulière; dt:
elliptical answer to a question. As with all Nominalklassensuffix Singular. [Note: This
disjunctive pronouns, it is formed with the noun class includes some long-and-thin objects
proclitic prefix version of the pronoun and and some animals. The corresponding plural
the invariant stem-like element kɔ.] classes are -ɩɩ and -fɩ.]
waa negative proclitic (subject) personal ʋ-gɩllɛ reflexive pronoun 1st person pl. → gɩllɛ.
pronoun 1st person pl. we...not; fr: nous ʋkɔ disjunctive personal pronoun (subject, direct or
ne...pas; dt: wir...nicht. indirect object) & possessive adjective 1st
waa wɔ̃f a manɛ sentence We have no money.; person pl. → ʋ.
fr: Nous n’avons pas d’argent.; dt: Wir
haben kein Geld.

V - v

vaba perfective. → vabl-. a vɛ̃ŋa heməŋʌ NP+N compound noun sg.

vabalaa future. → vabl-. raindrop; fr: goutte de pluie; dt:
vabal(ʋ) imperfective. → vabl-. Regentropfen
vabl- verb. hit, knock, bang (hard); fr: frapper, a vɛ̃ŋa hemfi NP+N compound noun pl.
assommer, battre (fort); dt: schlagen, klopfen, a vɛ̃ŋa kure sentence It has started raining.; fr:
pochen (fest). Il a commencé à pleuvoir.; dt: Es hat zu
vabalaa future. regnen begonnen.
vabəlɛ past. a vɛ̃ŋa sarɛ sentence It has stopped raining.;
vaba perfective. fr: Il a cessé de pleuvoir.; dt: Es hat
vabal(ʋ) imperfective. aufgehört zu regnen.
a vabəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. vɛ̃ŋa diminutive sg. → vɛ̃ŋ-.
vabəlɛ past. → vabl-. vɛ̃ŋənɛ diminutive pl. → vɛ̃ŋ-.
vaga noun. dog; fr: chien; dt: Hund. ved- (=/ved/) verb. raise / adopt (a child) /
a vaga sg. educate; fr: élever / adopter (un enfant) /
a vaɩ pl. éduquer; dt: (eine Kind) erziehen / großziehen
var- noun. flour; fr: farine; dt: Mehl. / adoptieren.
a varam sg. vetʌʌ (=/ved-d-aa/) future.
a varamfɩ pl. vere (=/ved-ɛ/) past.
varam sg. → var-. ver(i) / veri (=/ved/) perfective.
vɛ̃ɛ̃n- noun. bullet; fr: plomb (d’un fusil); dt: Kugel vet(i) / veti (=/ved-d/) imperfective.
(eines Gewehrs). [Note: < Mòoré. Traditionally a verʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a stone (a geŋde), filed to the right shape, was vere past. (=/ved-ɛ/) → ved-.
shot from rifles.] veri perfective. (=/ved/) → ved-.
a vɛ̃ɛ̃ndɩ sg. ver(i) perfective. (=/ved/) → ved-.
a vɛ̃ɛ̃naʋ pl. vetʌʌ future. (=/ved-d-aa/) → ved-.
vɛ̃ɛ̃ndɩ sg. → vɛ̃ɛ̃n-. veti imperfective. (=/ved-d/) → ved-.
vɛ̃ŋ- noun. rain cloud, rain, rain shower; fr: nuage vet(i) imperfective. (=/ved-d/) → ved-.
de pluie, pluie, averse de pluie; dt: Regenwolke, vɩrɛ noun. chief’s sacred storehouse; fr: maison
Regen, Regenschauer. sacré du chef; dt: heiliges Lagerhaus des Chefs.
a vɛ̃ŋa diminutive sg. [Note: Here, the illicit [Note: This is a single small house in the chief’s
geminate /ŋŋ/ is simplified to a single phonetic compound where sacred objects are stored. Cf.
[ŋ].] a fʋrgʋ ‘medicine man’s sacred storehouse’.]
a vɛ̃ŋənɛ diminutive pl. a vɩrɛ sg.
a vɛ̃ŋaŋa common noun double diminutive sg. a vɩrɛfɩ sg.
short rain shower; fr: averse de pluie brève; dt: vɩ̃ʋ̃ noun. wound, abscess; fr: plaie, abcès; dt:
kurzer Regenschauer. Wunde, Abszess.
a vɩ̃ʋ̃ sg.
172 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at
vɩ̃ʋ̃gʋ waŋ
a vɩ̃fɩ pl. viŋgr(i) imperfective.
vɩ̃ʋ̃gʋ noun. owl, screech-owl; fr: hibou, chouette; a viŋgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
dt: Eule, Schleiereule. [Note: = Mòoré] viŋge past. → viŋg.
a vɩ̃ʋ̃gʋ sg. viŋg(i) perfective. → viŋg.
a vɩ̃ɩ̃dʋ pl. viŋgrʌʌ future. → viŋg.
vigi noun. viŋgr(i) imperfective. → viŋg.
a vigi pl. vʋ̃nʋ̃vʋ̃ʋ̃- noun. hornet; fr: frelon; dt: Hornisse.
a vigfe singulative. [Note: =Mòoré]
viŋg verb. twirl (e.g. a sling); fr: tournoyer (p. ex. un a vʋ̃nʋ̃vʋ̃ʋ̃gʋ sg.
lance-pierres); dt: drehen (z.B. eine a vʋ̃nʋ̃vʋ̃ʋ̃dʋʋ pl. [Note: long ʋʋ is unusual for
Schleuder). this suffix]
viŋgrʌʌ future. a vʋ̃nʋ̃vʋ̃ʋ̃sʋʋ pl.
viŋge past. vʋ̃nʋ̃vʋ̃ʋ̃dʋʋ pl. → vʋ̃nʋ̃vʋ̃ʋ̃-.
viŋg(i) perfective. vʋ̃nʋ̃vʋ̃ʋ̃gʋ sg. → vʋ̃nʋ̃vʋ̃ʋ̃-.

W - w

waal- noun. special kind of slate or plaque; fr: d’argent, (pl.) argent; dt: 5 Francs Münze,
ardoise ou planchette spéciale; dt: besondere Münze, Geldschein, (Pl.) Geld. [Note: = Mòoré]
Schiefer- oder Holztafel. [Note: = Mòoré] a wakɩrɩ sg.
a waaləga sg. a wakɩa pl.
a waaləsʋʋ pl. a wakɩaʋ pl.
waaləga noun. rat; fr: souris de brousse, rat; dt: wal- noun. serious matter, problem; fr: affaire
Ratte. sérieuse, problème; dt: ernste Angelegenheit,
a waaləga sg. Problem.
a waalənɛ pl. a wal(ɩ) [Note: The vowel in parentheses is only
waaləga sg. → waal-. pronounced phrase-finally.] sg.
waalɩa noun. stork; fr: cigogne; dt: Storch. [Note: = a waləma pl.
Mòoré] a wal ŋgo sentence No problem! (Lit.: A
a waalɩa sg. problem does not exist.); fr: Pas de
a waalɩama pl. problème! (Lit.: Un problème n’existe pas.);
a waalɩafɩ pl. dt: Kein Problem! (Wörtl.: Ein Problem
waalɩama pl. → waalɩa. existiert nicht.)
waasdʋ noun. aluminium; fr: aluminium; dt: a wal la wɔ̃fə mɛ sentence I have a problem.; fr:
Aluminium. [Note: = Mòoré] J’ai un problème.; dt: Ich habe ein Problem.
a waasədʋ sg. a walə wʌ̃ʌ̃ni NP.sg. big problem, rarely seen
wakatfɩ pl. → wakatɩ. problem; fr: grand problème, problème rare
wakatɩ noun. de voir; dt: großes Problem, selten
a wakatɩ sg. gesehenes Problem
a wakatfɩ pl. a walə wʌ̃ʌ̃nʌu NP.pl. [Note: This sentence is a
a wakatma moment, hour / time; fr: moment, typical answer to a greeting of the form ‘X
heure; dt: Augenblick, Stunde / Uhr. kɩbarʋ’ (where X is a time of day, a place,
wakatma kɔl ʋ wɔ̃fʋ interrogative sentence etc.). Lit: “a problem has me”]
What time is it? (Lit.: What time do we wal(ɩ) sg. → wal-.
have?); fr: Quelle heure est-il? (Lit.: Quelle wana pl. → wandɩ.
heure avons nous?); dt: Wieviel Uhr ist es? wandɩ noun. turtle dove; fr: tourterelle; dt:
(Wörtl.: Wieviel Uhr haben wir?) Turteltaube. [Note: = Mòoré. Cf. Koromfe a
ʋ wɔ̃faa wakatma fi la ɩhĩĩ sentence It’s twelve wɔ̃nə kɛŋdɛ.]
o’clock. (Lit.: We have twelve o’clock.); fr: Il a wandɩ sg.
est douze heures. (Lit.: Nous avons douze a wana pl.
heures.); dt: Es ist zwölf Uhr. (Wörtl.: Wir a wanaʋ pl.
haben zwölf Uhr.) [Note: See also a lɛɛrɩ, waŋ sentence.
which is also used for the time of day.] waŋ (=/waŋ/) s,greeting. [Note: This is the
wakɩa pl. → wakɩrɩ. obligatory answer to a greeting of the type ŋ
wakɩrɩ noun. 5 franc coin, coin, banknote, (pl.) jabrɛ ‘(How was) your journey’. So say waŋ, the
money; fr: pièce de 5 francs, pièce, billet speaker must be male; male speakers must use

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 173

waŋɔ wãŋ-
matee. With both words, the last vowel is in many places so that it flies around when the
pronounced on a high pitch.] young men undergoing initiation dance.]
waŋɔ noun. mask, masked person; fr: masque, a wasəmba sg.
personnage masqué; dt: Maske, maskierter a wasəmbafɩ pl.
Mensch. [Note: = Mòoré. Cf. Koromfe a karəŋa] wããnda noun. cherry tree; cherry; fr: cerisier;
a waŋɔ sg. cerise; dt: Kirschenbaum; Kirsche. [Note: Not
a wandʋ pl. Mòoré. Cf. also a leendi (=Mòoré).]
warəfaa future. → warg-. a wããnda sg.
warəf(ʋ) imperfective. → warg-. a wããndafɩ pl.
warg- verb. tire, exhaust, become tired / exhausted; wãn zorəfu N+N compound noun sg. → wɔ̃n-.
fr: fatiguer, épuiser, se fatiguer / épuiser; dt: wãn zorii N+N compound noun sg. → wɔ̃n-.
ermüden, erschöpfen, müde / erschöpft wãna pl. → wɔ̃n-.
werden. [Note: Also used in the sense of being wãnam perfective. → wãnm-.
tiring / boring to other people (usually with the wãnãã future. (=/wɛ̃-d-aa/) → wɛ̃-.
f variants, where applicable).] wãnãŋ noun. spotted; fr: tacheté; dt: gesprenkelt.
warəgraa future. a wãnãŋ sg.
warəfaa future. a wãnɩ̃ã pl.
warəgɛ past. a wãnəmɛ pl.
warəg(ɩ) perfective. a luko wãnãŋ NP+N compound noun sg. a
warəgr(ɩ) imperfective. spotted cat; fr: un chat tacheté; dt: eine
warəf(ʋ) imperfective. gesprenkelte Katze
a warəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a lugni wãnɩ̃ã NP+N compound noun pl.
a tomʌ hɛ̃ŋ warəgə mɛ halə wasɩ sentence That a lugni wãnəmɛ NP+N compound noun pl.
work has made me very tired.; fr: Ce travail a wãnãɩ̃ abstract quality noun sg.
m’a fatigué beaucoup.; dt: Diese Arbeit hat wãnɩ̃ã pl. → wãnãŋ.
mich erschöpft. wãnm- verb. be spotted; fr: être tacheté; dt:
mə warəgɩ sentence I am tired.; fr: Je suis gesprenkelt sein.
fatigué.; dt: Ich bin müde. wãnəmaa future.
a warəgrɛ deverbal noun sg. tiredness; fr: wãnəmɛ past.
fatigue; dt: Müdigkeit. wãnam perfective.
a warəga deverbal noun pl. [Note: The plural is wãnəm(ɔ̃) imperfective.
used quite commonly, perhaps because a wãnãɩ̃ deverbal action noun sg./mass.
tiredness is a long-lasting state.] wãnəmaa future. → wãnm-.
warəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → warg-. wãnəmɛ pl. → wãnãŋ.
warəgɛ past. → warg-. wãnəmɛ past. → wãnm-.
warəg(ɩ) perfective. → warg-. wãnəm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → wãnm-.
warəgraa future. → warg-. wãŋ perfective. (=/wãŋ/) → wãŋ-.
warəgrɛ deverbal noun sg. → warg-. wãŋ- verb. break; fr: casser, briser; dt: brechen.
warəgr(ɩ) imperfective. → warg-. [Note: Also used in the sense of ‘become
wasɩ pronoun. much, many, a lot; fr: beaucoup; dt: psychologically or physically broken’.]
viel, viele. [Note: This word never takes the wãŋənaa (=/wãŋ-d-aa/) future.
article a. It is not used attributively.] wãŋɛ (=/wãŋ-ɛ/) past.
wasɩ quantitative pronoun sg. & pl. wãŋ (=/wãŋ/) perfective.
a hem koŋ la wasɩ sentence That water is a wãŋən / wãŋənɩ (=/wãŋ-d/) imperfective.
lot.; fr: L’eau là est beaucoup.; dt: Das a wãŋam (=/wãŋ-am/) deverbal action noun
Wasser dort ist viel. sg./mass.
a fʋba bɛ̃ŋ la wasɩ sentence Those people are a a wãŋənɔ (=/wãŋ-d-ɔ/) deverbal agent noun sg.
lot.; fr: Les gens là sont beaucoup.; dt: Die s.o. who breaks; fr: q.un qui casse; dt: jmd. der
Leute dort sind viele. bricht.
halə wasɩ adverb phrase much, a lot, well, too a wãŋənəba (=/wãŋ-d-ba/) deverbal agent noun
much; fr: beaucoup, bien, trop; dt: viel, gut, pl.
zu viel a wãŋənəgʋ (=/wãŋ-d-gʋ/) deverbal instrument
də lellʌʌ halə wasɩ sentence He sings well. Or: noun sg. object for breaking (e.g. axe,
He sings too much.; fr: Il chante bien. Ou: Il hammer); fr: objet pour casser (p. ex. hachette,
chante trop.; dt: Er singt gut Oder: Er singt marteau); dt: Gegenstand zum brechen (z.B.
zu viel. Axt, Hammer).
wasəmba noun. rags of the initiates; fr: haillons a wãŋənəhɩ̃ (=/wãŋ-d-hɩ̃/) deverbal instrument
des initiés; dt: Lumpen der Initiierten. [Note: = noun pl.
Mòoré. There is no other word for this in a wãŋənəga (=/wãŋ-d-ga/) deverbal instrument
Koromfe. These rags are a garment that is slit noun diminutive sg.

174 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

wãŋam wɛ̃nn-
a wãŋənəfa (=/wãŋ-d-fa/) deverbal local noun. wãrəgrəŋaa conditional. → wãrg-.
place for breaking; place where it is easy to wãrəgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → wãrg-.
break one’s leg; fr: endroit pour casser ; wʌgyʌ noun. Ouahigouya (name of a town); fr:
endroit où on peut facilement se casser la Ouahigouya (nom d’une ville); dt: Ouahigouya
jambe; dt: Platz zum brechen; Platz, wo man (Name einer Stadt).
sich leicht das Bein brechen kann. wʌgyʌ proper name sg. [Note: [g], not [ɣ]. This is
a wãŋəmãʋ̃ (=/wãŋ-mãʋ̃/) deverbal nomen acti the normal Koromfe pronunciation.]
pl. broken person(s) or thing(s); remains of wayɩgʋya proper name sg. [Note: This is the
broken person(s) or things; fr: personne(s) où loan pronunciation from French.]
chose(s) brisées ; reste(s) de personne(s) où wɛɛ- noun. remains, skin (of a dead animal); fr:
chose(s) brisées; dt: gebrochene Person(en) reste, dépouille (de animal mort); dt: Rest,
oder Sache(n); Rest(e) von gebrochener/n Haut (eines toten Tieres). [Note: = Mòoré]
Person(en) oder Sache(n). a wɛɛga sg.
mə sa wãŋɛ sentence My father is a broken a weesuu pl.
man.; fr: Mon père est brisé.; dt: Mein Vater wɛɛga sg. → wɛɛ-.
ist ein gebrochener Mann. wɛɛgəl- noun. dry and deformed; fr: sec et
a tomʌ wãŋɛ dɩ sentence Work has broken déformé; dt: trocken und verformt. [Note: =
him.; fr: Le travail l’a brisé.; dt: Die Arbeit Mòoré]
hat ihn kaputt gemacht. a wɛɛgələga sg.
a ỹɔ̃nəfɛ wãŋ NP sg. shooting star; fr: étoile a wɛɛgələsʋʋ pl.
filante; dt: Sternschnuppe wɛɛgələga sg. → wɛɛgəl-.
a ỹɔ̃nɛ wãŋ NP pl. wɛ̃ past. (=/wɛ̃-ɛ/) → wɛ̃-.
wãŋam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/wãŋ- wɛ̃ perfective. (=/wɛ̃/) → wɛ̃-.
am/) → wãŋ-. wɛ̃- (=/wɛ̃/) local copular verb. be (somewhere),
wãŋɛ past. (=/wãŋ-ɛ/) → wãŋ-. exist, live; fr: être (q.part), exister, demeurer;
wãŋən imperfective. (=/wãŋ-d/) → wãŋ-. dt: (irgendwo) sein, existieren, verbleiben.
wãŋənaa future. (=/wãŋ-d-aa/) → wãŋ-. wãnãã (=/wɛ̃-d-aa/) future.
wãŋənəba deverbal agent noun pl. (=/wãŋ-d-ba/) wɛ̃nãã future.
→ wãŋ-. wɛ̃ (=/wɛ̃-ɛ/) past.
wãŋənəfa deverbal local noun. (=/wãŋ-d-fa/) → wɛ̃ (=/wɛ̃/) perfective.
wãŋ-. wɛ̃n / wɛ̃nɛ (=/wɛ̃-d/) imperfective.
wãŋənəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive a wɛ̃ɛ̃lɛɩ (=/wɛ̃ɛ̃-lɛɩ/) deverbal action noun
sg. (=/wãŋ-d-ga/) → wãŋ-. sg./mass.
wãŋənəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/wãŋ- wɛ̃n imperfective. (=/wɛ̃-d/) → wɛ̃-.
d-gʋ/) → wãŋ-. wɛ̃n perfective. → wɛ̃n-.
wãŋənəhɩ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. (=/wãŋ-d- wɛ̃n- verb. wind (e.g. a rope), plait, kneed, dilute;
hɩ̃/) → wãŋ-. fr: tourner (p. ex. une corde), tresser, pétrir,
wãŋənɩ imperfective. (=/wãŋ-d/) → wãŋ-. délayer; dt: drehen (z.B. ein Seil), flechten,
wãŋənɔ deverbal agent noun sg. (=/wãŋ-d-ɔ/) → kneten, verdünnen. [Note: This verb is also
wãŋ-. used for putting a splint on a broken bone.]
wãrəbrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → wãrg-. wɛ̃taa future.
wãrg- verb. write; fr: écrire; dt: schreiben. wɛ̃nnaa future.
wãrəgraa future. wɛ̃nɛ past.
wãrəgɛ past. wɛ̃n perfective.
wãrəg(ɩ) perfective. wɛ̃t(ɩ) imperfective.
wãrəgr(ɩ) imperfective. wɛ̃nn(ɛ) imperfective.
wãrəgrəŋaa conditional. a wɛ̃nam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a wãrəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. wɛ̃nãã future. (=/wɛ̃-d-aa/) → wɛ̃-.
a wãrəgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. wɛ̃nɛ imperfective. (=/wɛ̃-d/) → wɛ̃-.
a wãrəbrəba deverbal agent noun pl. wɛ̃nɛ past. → wɛ̃n-.
a wãrəgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. also: wɛ̃nn- verb. stop (a hole); fr: boucher (un trou); dt:
pencil, pen, ink; fr: aussi: crayon, bic, plume, (ein Loch) verstopfen.
encre; dt: auch: Stift, Kugelschreiber, wɛ̃nnraa future.
Füllfeder, Tinte. wɛ̃nnɛ past.
a wãrəgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. wɛ̃nnɛ perfective.
wãrəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → wãrg-. wɛ̃nnr(ɩ) imperfective.
wãrəgɛ past. → wãrg-. a wɛ̃nnam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
wãrəg(ɩ) perfective. → wãrg-. a wɛ̃nnrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. also: a
wãrəgraa future. → wãrg-. temporary loan; fr: aussi: un emprunt
wãrəgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → wãrg-. temporaire; dt: auch: ein vorübergehendes
wãrəgr(ɩ) imperfective. → wãrg-. Darlehen.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 175

wɛ̃nnaa werm-
a wɛ̃nnrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. allons chasser le porc-épic.; dt: Morgen früh
a wɛ̃nnəŋa deverbal noun sg. [Note: This noun werden wir das Stachelschwein jagen.
seems to be a diminutive of the deverbal action a wete kɔ̃ŋ kɛtɛ... subordinate clause When day
noun a wɛ̃nnam.] began...; fr: Lorsque la journée a
a wɛ̃nnənɛ deverbal noun pl. commencé...; dt: Als der Tag begann,...
a wɛ̃nnəmɛ̃ deverbal noun pl. stopper; fr: a wete kɔ̃ŋ kɛtɛ ba gɔm a wete sentence Early
bouchon; dt: Stöpsel. [Note: Unusual form] the next morning they hunted the
— deverbal instrument noun pl. porcupine.; fr: Le lendemain de bonne heure
wɛ̃nnaa future. → wɛ̃n-. ils ont chassé le porc-épic.; dt: Am nächsten
wɛ̃nnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → wɛ̃nn-. Tag in der Früh haben sie das
wɛ̃nnɛ past. → wɛ̃nn-. Stachelschwein gejagt. [Note: This phrase is
wɛ̃nnɛ perfective. → wɛ̃nn-. used to refer to the (relative) future. This
wɛ̃nn(ɛ) imperfective. → wɛ̃n-. phrase is used to refer to the (relative)
wɛ̃nnənɛ deverbal noun pl. → wɛ̃nn-. past.]
wɛ̃nnəŋa deverbal noun sg. → wɛ̃nn-. werʌ pl. → wer-.
wɛ̃nnraa future. → wɛ̃nn-. werd- verb. be an orphan; fr: être orphelin; dt:
wɛ̃nnrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → wɛ̃nn-. Waise sein.
wɛ̃nnrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → wɛ̃nn-. weredʌʌ future.
wɛ̃nnr(ɩ) imperfective. → wɛ̃nn-. werəde past.
wɛ̃taa future. → wɛ̃n-. were perfective.
wɛ̃t(ɩ) imperfective. → wɛ̃n-. weredi imperfective.
we- noun. fig-tree; fig; fr: figuier; figue; dt: a werədʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
Feigenbaum; Feige. a werede deverbal noun sg. poverty; fr:
a were sg. pauvreté; dt: Armut.
a weyʌ pl. a were bi V+N compound noun sg. orphan; fr:
a weyo pl. orphelin; dt: Waise. [Note: This word is
a weyʌu pl. homophonous with ‘fig stone’.]
a weyo bi NP+N compound noun sg. fig; fr: a were bu V+N compound noun pl.
figue; dt: Feige werədʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → werd-.
a weyo bu NP+N compound noun pl. werəde past. → werd-.
weg- verb. wet; fr: mouiller; dt: nass machen. were sg. → we-.
[Note: Used e.g. clothing, food, but not the were perfective. → werd-.
ground for building, where a doom is used.] were bi V+N compound noun sg. → werd-.
wegrʌʌ future. were bi N+N compound noun sg. → werede.
wege past. weredʌʌ future. → werd-.
weg(i) perfective. werede noun. poverty; fr: pauvreté; dt: Armut.
wegr(i) imperfective. [Note: Apparently a deverbal - de derivation,
a wegʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. but there is no source verb * a werʌm or * a
wege past. → weg-. werədʌm.]
weg(i) perfective. → weg-. a werede sg.
wegrʌʌ future. → weg-. a were bi N+N compound noun sg. orphan; fr:
wegr(i) imperfective. → weg-. orphelin; dt: Waise. [Note: This word is
wele adverb. quick; fr: vite; dt: schnell. homophonous with ‘fig stone’.]
wele adverb. a were bu N+N compound noun pl.
wele wele adverb. quick; fr: vite-vite; dt: werede deverbal noun sg. → werd-.
schnell-schnell. weredi imperfective. → werd-.
wer- noun. day, date; porcupine; fr: jour, journée, werem perfective. → werm-.
date; porc-épic; dt: Tag, Datum; weremʌʌ future. → werm-.
Stachelschwein. [Note: This word is used both werem(õ) imperfective. → werm-.
in contrast with a j ̃ɛ̃nɛ ‘night’ for the 12 hours werm- verb. ask for, beg for; beg; pray for; fr:
of daylight, and for a particular date.] demander, implorer; mendier; prier; dt: bitten
a wete sg. um, flehen; betteln; beten um. [Note: This verb
a werʌ pl. means only ‘ask for’, and not ‘ask a question’.
a wero pl. It is also used in the sense ‘pray for’ at
a wete kɛtɛ... subordinate clause. when day traditional ceremonies. Cf. a werede ‘poverty’
begins; fr: lorsque la journée commencera; dt: (i.e. state in which one has to beg).]
wenn der Tag beginnt. weremʌʌ future.
a wete kɛtɛ ʋ gɔmmaa (a) wete sentence Early werəme past.
tomorrow morning we will hunt the werem perfective.
porcupine.; fr: Demain de bonne heure nous werem(õ) imperfective.
a werəmʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.

176 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

werəme wɔl
werəme past. → werm-. a widpeeləsuu pl.
wero pl. → wer-. wilet- verb. return, come back, go back; fr: revenir,
wete sg. → wer-. retourner; dt: zurückkommen, zurückkehren.
weyʌ pl. → we-. wiletrʌʌ future.
weyo pl. → we-. wilete past.
wɩ- noun. rainy season (from June to September); wilet(i) perfective.
fr: saison des pluies (du juin jusqu’au wiletr(i) imperfective.
septembre); dt: Regenzeit (von Juni bis a wiletʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
September). wilete past. → wilet-.
a wɩrɛ sg. wilet(i) perfective. → wilet-.
a wɩya pl. wiletrʌʌ future. → wilet-.
a wɩyaʋ pl. wiletr(i) imperfective. → wilet-.
a wɩrɛfɩ pl. [Note: See also other seasons: a wɔ- noun. thorn; fr: épine; dt: Dorn.
homde, a kara] a wɔfrɛ singulative.
wɩdəgə m zaka noun. kind of tree; fr: espèce a wɔʋ sg./mass.
d’arbre; dt: Art Baum. a wɔfɩ sg. [Note: 10300]
wɩdəgə m zagsʋʋ n.pl. [Note: = Mòoré. In wɔfrɛ singulative. → wɔ-.
Mòoré the singular of this noun is a wɔgɔ noun. language, word, sentence, utterance;
sentence meaning ‘disperse my compound’. fr: langue, mot, phrase, énoncé; dt: Sprache,
Perhaps this refers to the large numbers of Wort, Satz, Äußerung.
these trees found in the bush. This a wɔgɔ sg.
expression is used in Koromfe only, not in a wɔgəfɩ pl.
Mòoré.] mə sa daŋ wɔgɔ NP+N compound NP sg. my
wɩlɛm perfective. → wɩlm-. mother tongue (lit.: the tongue of my
wɩlɛmaa future. → wɩlm-. father’s house); fr: ma langue maternelle
wɩlɛmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → wɩlm-. (lit.: la langue de la maison de mon père);
wɩlɛmamfɩ deverbal action noun pl. → wɩlm-. dt: meine Muttersprache (wörtl.: die
wɩlɛmɛ past. → wɩlm-. Sprache vom Haus meines Vaters)
wɩlɛməga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. mə dugo wɔgɔ NP+N compound NP sg. my
→ wɩlm-. mother tongue (lit.: the tongue of my
wɩlɛməgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → wɩlm-. people); fr: ma langue maternelle (lit.: la
wɩlɛməhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → wɩlm-. langue de la maison de mon peuple); dt:
wɩlɛm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → wɩlm-. meine Muttersprache (wörtl.: die Sprache
wɩlm- verb. lighten; fr: éclairer; dt: blitzen. [Note: vom Haus meines Volkes)
This verb can have gʋ ‘it’ as its subject, or a wɔgs- verb. shell, peel; fr: décortiquer; dt: schälen.
vɛ̃ŋa ‘cloud/rain’.] [Note: This is the older variant of the word.
wɩlɛmaa future. Nowadays a wʋgsam is more common among
wɩlɛmɛ past. younger speakers.]
wɩlɛm perfective. wɔgsraa future.
wɩlɛm(ɔ̃) imperfective. wɔgsɛ past.
a wɩlɛmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. Also: wɔgs(ʋ) perfective.
(bolt of) lightning; fr: Aussi: éclair; dt: Auch: wɔgsr(ʋ) imperfective.
Blitz, Blitzen. a wɔgsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a wɩlɛmamfɩ deverbal action noun pl. wɔgsɛ past. → wɔgs-.
a wɩlɛməgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (bolt wɔgsraa future. → wɔgs-.
of) lightning; fr: éclair; dt: Blitz, Blitzen. wɔgsr(ʋ) imperfective. → wɔgs-.
a wɩlɛməhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. wɔgs(ʋ) perfective. → wɔgs-.
a wɩlɛməga deverbal instrument noun wɔk- verb. break (violently), destroy; fr: casser
diminutive sg. (avec force), détruire; dt: brechen (mit
a wɩlɛməfa deverbal local noun. place where Gewalt), zerstören.
lightning strikes; the east; fr: endroit où un wɔkraa future.
éclair frappe; l’est; dt: Platz, wo der Blitz wɔkɛ past.
einschlägt; der Osten. wɔk(ʋ) perfective.
a vɛ̃ŋa wɩlɛmɛ sentence It lightened.; fr: Il a wɔkr(ʋ) imperfective.
éclairé.; dt: Es hat geblitzt. a wɔkam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
wɩrɛ sg. → wɩ-. wɔkɛ past. → wɔk-.
wɩya pl. → wɩ-. wɔkraa future. → wɔk-.
wɩyaʋ pl. → wɩ-. wɔkr(ʋ) imperfective. → wɔk-.
widpeeləgu noun. stag; fr: cerf; dt: Hirsch. [Note: wɔk(ʋ) perfective. → wɔk-.
= Mòoré ‘white horse’.] wɔl perfective. → wɔl-.
a widpeeləgu sg.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 177

wɔl- wɔ̃ɩ̃-
wɔl- verb. work; fr: travailler; dt: arbeiten. [Note: wɔsəlɔʋ noun. dirt, rubbish; fr: saleté, ordures; dt:
This verb is hardly ever used intransitively. See Schmutz, Abfälle. [Note: May be distantly
the example below.] related to a wɔgsam ‘shell, peel’. .]
wɔllaa future. a wɔsəlɔʋ sg.
wɔlɛ past. a wɔsəlɔʋfɩ pl.
wɔl perfective. wɔʋ sg./mass. → wɔ-.
wɔll(ʋ) imperfective. wɔ̃- noun. hyena; fr: hyène;
a wɔlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. dt: Hyäne.
mə wɔll a tomde sentence I am working.; fr: Je a wɔ̃nɛ sg.
travaille.; dt: Ich arbeite. a wɔ̃ỹã pl.
wɔlɛ past. → wɔl-. wɔ̃f- verb. have, possess;
wɔllaa future. → wɔl-. (aux) repeatedly; fr:
wɔll(ʋ) imperfective. → wɔl-. avoir, posséder ;
wɔlm- verb. speak, chat; fr: parler, bavarder; dt: (auxiliaire) plusieurs
sprechen, reden, plaudern. fois; dt: haben, besitzen;
wɔlɔmaa future. (Auxiliar) mehrmals.
wɔləmɛ past. [Note: When this verb is used as an auxiliary
wɔlɔm perfective. for repeated actions, it is not unusual for the
wɔlɔm(ɔ̃) imperfective. whole sentence to be repeated several times.
a wɔləmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. See the example below.]
a wɔlɔmɔ̃ sg. s.o. who talks, chatterbox, gossip; wɔ̃faa future. [Note: This verb does not seem to
fr: q.un qui parle, bavard; dt: jmd., der spricht, have past or perfective forms.]
Plauderer, Tratsche. wɔ̃f(ʋ) imperfective.
a wɔlɔməba pl. a wɔ̃fl ɛɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a wɔlɔməgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing ba wɔ̃f a yabrɛ ba wɔ̃f a yabrɛ ba wɔ̃f a yabrɛ
for talking, microphone, telephone ; thing or sentence They walk and walk and walk.; fr:
animal that talks, loudspeaker; fr: chose pour Ils marchent, ils marchent, ils marchent.;
parler, microphone, téléphone; chose où animal dt: Sie marschieren, marschieren,
qui parle, haut-parleur; dt: Ding zum sprechen, marschieren.
Mikrophon, Telephon; Ding oder Tier, das wɔ̃faa future. → wɔ̃f-.
spricht, Lautsprecher. wɔ̃f(ʋ) imperfective. → wɔ̃f-.
a wɔlɔməhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. wɔ̃ɩ̃ past. → wɔ̃ɩ̃-.
a wɔlɔməga deverbal instrument noun wɔ̃ɩ̃ perfective. → wɔ̃ɩ̃-.
diminutive sg. wɔ̃ɩ̃- noun. grass, straw; snake (secret word); fr:
a wɔlɔməfa deverbal local noun. place for herbe, paille; serpent (mot caché); dt: Gras,
speaking, pulpit, auditorium, hangar; fr: Stroh; Schlange (Geheimwort).
endroit pour parler, pupitre, salle de a wɔ̃ɩ̃fɛ sg.
conférences, hangar; dt: Platz zum Sprechen, a wɔ̃ɩ̃ pl.
Rednerpult, Auditorium, Hangar. a wɔ̃ɩ̃ kɔ̃ɔ̃nɛ NP+N compound noun sg. first
a wɔlɔmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. words; fr: cultivation (of fields, i.e. removal of grass
paroles; dt: Rede. and planting of millet, beans, peanuts, etc.)
ŋ wɔlɔmaa (a) koromfe interrogative sentence in June and July; fr: première culture (des
Do you speak Koromfe?; fr: Parles-tu champs, c.à.d. qu’on arrache l’herbe et
koromfe?; dt: Sprichst du Koromfe? sème le mil, les haricots, les arachides, etc.)
a wɔlɔməgʋ hãʋŋa NP+N compound noun sg. en juin et juillet; dt: Anbau (in den Feldern,
mobile phone; fr: téléphone mobile; dt: d.h. Entfernung des Grases und Anbau von
Mobiltelephon [Note: This word is most Hirse, Bohnen, Erdnüssen, etc. im Juni und
often used with a negative connotation.] Juli [Note: Lit. ‘the old grass’. This is also
wɔləmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → wɔlm-. the name of a traditional lunar month - see
wɔləmɛ past. → wɔlm-. a pɩlaŋ]
wɔlɔm perfective. → wɔlm-. wɔ̃ɩ̃- verb. defecate, shit; fr: déféquer, chier; dt:
wɔlɔmaa future. → wɔlm-. Stuhl haben, scheißen.
wɔlɔməba pl. → wɔlm-. wɔ̃ɩ̃naa future.
wɔlɔməfa deverbal local noun. → wɔlm-. wɔ̃ɩ̃ past.
wɔlɔməga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. wɔ̃ɩ̃ perfective.
→ wɔlm-. wɔ̃ɩ̃n(ɛ) imperfective.
wɔlɔməgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → wɔlm-. a wɔ̃ỹãm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
wɔlɔməhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → wɔlm-. a wɔ̃ɩ̃nɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who shits;
wɔlɔmɔ̃ sg. → wɔlm-. fr: q.un qui chie; dt: jmd. der scheißt.
wɔlɔm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → wɔlm-. a wɔ̃ɩ̃nəba deverbal agent noun pl.

178 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

wɔ̃ɩ̃fɛ wol-
a wɔ̃ɩ̃nəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object a wɔ̃nə kɛŋdɛ N+N compound noun sg. turtle
for shitting, toilet; fr: objet pour chier, toilette; dove; fr: tourterelle; dt: Turteltaube.
dt: Gegenstand zum Scheißen, Toilette. a wɔ̃nə kɛŋa N+N compound noun pl.
a wɔ̃ɩ̃nəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. wɔ̃n- noun. hand, arm, branch; fr: main, bras,
a wɔ̃ɩ̃nəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive branche; dt: Hand, Arm, Ast.
sg. a wɔ̃ndɛ sg.
a wɔ̃ɩ̃nəfa deverbal local noun. place for a wãna pl.
shitting, toilette; fr: endroit pour chier, a wãn zorəfu N+N compound noun sg. large
toilette; dt: Platz zum Scheißen, Toilette. silver bracelet; fr: grand bracelet en argent; dt:
a wɔ̃ɩ̃mãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. shit; fr: großes Silberarmband. [Note: zorəfu = Mòoré.
crotte; dt: Scheiße. Cf. Koromfe a kʋrəgʋ koire.]
wɔ̃ɩ̃fɛ sg. → wɔ̃ɩ̃-. a wãn zorii N+N compound noun sg.
wɔ̃ɩ̃naa future. → wɔ̃ɩ̃-. a wɔ̃nə bɛtɛ N+N compound noun sg. thumb; fr:
wɔ̃ɩ̃nəba deverbal agent noun pl. → wɔ̃ɩ̃-. pouce; dt: Daumen. [Note: This word is
wɔ̃ɩ̃n(ɛ) imperfective. → wɔ̃ɩ̃-. homophonous with ‘cock’ < a wɔ̃nɔ̃ŋ ‘hen’.]
wɔ̃ɩ̃nəfa deverbal local noun. → wɔ̃ɩ̃-. a wɔ̃nə bɛra N+N compound noun sg.
wɔ̃ɩ̃nəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. a wɔ̃ndɛ bɛtɛ NP+N compound noun sg. thumb;
→ wɔ̃ɩ̃-. fr: pouce; dt: Daumen
wɔ̃ɩ̃nəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → wɔ̃ɩ̃-. a wãna bɛra NP+N compound noun sg.
wɔ̃ɩ̃nəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → wɔ̃ɩ̃-. wɔ̃nə bɛtɛ N+N compound noun sg. → wɔ̃n-.
wɔ̃ɩ̃nɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → wɔ̃ɩ̃-. wɔ̃nə kɛŋdɛ N+N compound noun sg. → wɔ̃n-.
wɔ̃m perfective. (=/wɔ̃m/) → wɔ̃m-. wɔ̃nə pogu N+N compound noun sg. → po-.
wɔ̃m- noun. monkey; fr: singe; dt: Affe. wɔ̃nə zɛ̃ŋdɛ N+N compound noun sg. → zɛ̃ŋ-.
a wɔ̃mdɛ sg. wɔ̃ndɛ sg. → wɔ̃n-.
a wɔ̃ma pl. wɔ̃nɛ sg. → wɔ̃-.
a wɔ̃məŋa common noun diminutive. small wɔ̃nɛ pl. → wɔ̃n-.
monkey; fr: petit singe; dt: kleiner Affe. wɔ̃nɩ pl. → wɔ̃n-.
a wɔ̃mam (from: wɔ̃m-) verb. chew, eat (sth. that wɔ̃nəŋa diminutive sg. → wɔ̃n-.
can be chewed, e.g. meat); fr: mâcher, manger wɔ̃nɔ̃ŋ sg. → wɔ̃n-.
(q.chose qu’on peut mâcher, p. ex. de la wɔ̃ŋg- verb. rot, decompose; spoil (a child); fr:
viande); dt: kauen, essen (etwas, was gekaut pourrir, se décomposer ; gâter (un enfant); dt:
wird, z.B. Fleisch). [Note: The main thing that verfaulen, verwesen; (ein Kind) verwöhnen.
cannot be chewed is porridge.] wɔ̃ŋgraa future.
wɔ̃mmaa (=/wɔ̃m-d-aa/) future. wɔ̃ŋgɛ past.
wɔ̃mɛ (=/wɔ̃m-ɛ/) past. wɔ̃ŋg(ʋ) perfective.
wɔ̃m (=/wɔ̃m/) perfective. wɔ̃ŋgr(ʋ) imperfective.
wɔ̃mm(ɔ̃) / wɔ̃mm (=/wɔ̃m-d/) imperfective. a wɔ̃ŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a wɔ̃mam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a kɛ̃ɔ̃ hoŋ wɔ̃ŋgɛ də bi sentence That woman
a wɔ̃mməgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. has spoilt her child.; fr: Cette femme a gâté
something chewable (chewing gum, sweet, son enfant.; dt: Diese Frau hat ihr Kind
fruit, meat, etc.); fr: chose mâchable (chewing- verwöhnt.
gum, bonbon, fruits, viande, etc.); dt: etwas wɔ̃ŋgɛ past. → wɔ̃ŋg-.
kaubares (Kaugummi, Bonbon, Obst, Fleisch, wɔ̃ŋgraa future. → wɔ̃ŋg-.
etc.). wɔ̃ŋgr(ʋ) imperfective. → wɔ̃ŋg-.
wɔ̃ma pl. → wɔ̃m-. wɔ̃ŋg(ʋ) perfective. → wɔ̃ŋg-.
wɔ̃mam deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/wɔ̃m- wɔ̃ỹãm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → wɔ̃ɩ̃-.
d/) → wɔ̃m-. wod- / wol- verb. lie; fr: mentir; dt: lügen.
wɔ̃mdɛ sg. → wɔ̃m-. wotʌʌ future.
wɔ̃mɛ past. (=/wɔ̃m-ɛ/) → wɔ̃m-. woləbe past.
wɔ̃mm imperfective. (=/wɔ̃m-d/) → wɔ̃m-. wolo perfective.
wɔ̃mmaa future. (=/wɔ̃m-d-aa/) → wɔ̃m-. wot(u) imperfective.
wɔ̃mm(ɔ̃) imperfective. (=/wɔ̃m-d/) → wɔ̃m-. a wolou deverbal action noun sg./mass. also: a
wɔ̃n- noun. hen, chicken, (in compounds:) fowl; fr: lie; fr: aussi: mensonge; dt: auch: Lüge.
poule, poulet; dt: Henne, Huhn. a woloufi deverbal action noun pl.
a wɔ̃nɔ̃ŋ sg. a woto deverbal agent noun sg. liar; fr: menteur;
a wɔ̃nɛ / a wɔ̃nɩ pl. dt: Lügner.
a wɔ̃nəŋa diminutive sg. small / young chicken, a wotəbʌ deverbal agent noun pl.
chick; fr: petit / jeune poulet, poussin; dt: wol perfective. → wol-.
kleines / junges Huhn, Küken. [Note: There is wol- noun. foot, leg, footprint; fr: pied, jambe,
no corresponding diminutive pl. form such as * trace; dt: Fuß, Bein, Fußstapfen.
wɔ̃nənɛ or * wɔ̃nnɛ.] a wolle sg.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 179

wol- wousri
a wala pl. a woronii sg.
a hem wolle NP+N compound noun sg. (dried a gorii pl. [Note: There is no other plural of a
up) river bed; fr: lit (séché) d’une rivière; dt: woronii. This form is probably from Fr. gorille.
(ausgetrocknetes) Flussbett Cf. also a gorfe ‘kind of bird’, which also has
a hem wala NP+N compound noun pl. the same plural form.]
wol- verb. hurt, fight, brawl, quarrel; fr: faire mal woronii sg. → woroni.
(à), gronder, combattre, bagarrer, se disputer; woroŋg- verb. approach, come closer, bring closer;
dt: Weh tun, kämpfen, raufen, streiten. fr: s’approcher, approcher; dt: sich nähern,
wollʌʌ future. näherkommen, näherbringen.
wole past. woroŋgrʌʌ future.
wol perfective. woroŋge past.
woll(u) imperfective. woroŋg(u) perfective.
a wolʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. woroŋgr(u) imperfective.
a woləgʌ deverbal action noun diminutive sg. a woroŋgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
pain; quarrel, dispute, combat, battle; fr: ba woroŋge sentence They came closer.; fr: Ils
douleur ; bagarre, dispute, combat, bataille; dt: se sont rapprochés.; dt: Sie sind
Schmerz; Streit, Meinungsverschiedenheit, nähergekommen.
Kampf, Schlacht. ba woroŋge mɛ sentence They came closer to
a wolle deverbal noun sg. sth. that hurts, pain; me.; fr: Ils se sont rapprochés de moi.; dt:
fr: ce qui fait mal, douleur; dt: etwas, was Weh Sie sind mir nähergekommen.
tut, Schmerz. [Note: This word does not mean ba woroŋge mɛ (a) fãɩ̃ sentence They brought
‘quarrel, dispute, etc.’] the porridge closer to me.; fr: Ils ont
a wolʌ deverbal noun pl. rapproché le tô près de moi.; dt: Sie haben
a wolo deverbal noun pl. mir den Brei nähergestellt.
a ỹʋ̃ wolle la wɔ̃fə mɛ sentence I have a a woroŋgu participial adjective. near, nearby,
headache.; fr: J’ai les maux de tête.; dt: Ich close; fr: proche, à côté, près; dt: nah, in der
habe Kopfweh. Nähe.
a wollə bɔrɔ N+N compound noun sg. friend, woroŋgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. →
comrade; rival; fr: ami, camarade; rival; dt: woroŋg-.
Freund, Kamerad; Konkurrent woroŋge past. → woroŋg-.
a wollə bɛ̃nna N+N compound noun pl. [Note: woroŋgrʌʌ future. → woroŋg-.
Probably < a wollo bɔrɔ, where wollo is the woroŋgr(u) imperfective. → woroŋg-.
deverbal agent noun sg. But the plural woroŋg(u) perfective. → woroŋg-.
shows no trace of the - ba suffix. The wos- noun. red potato; fr: patate rouge; dt: rote
meaning ‘rival’ usually implies rivalry over a Kartoffel.
woman.] a wosfe singulative.
wolə zɔŋdɛ N+N compound noun sg. → zɔŋdɛ. a wosu pl./collective.
wolʌ deverbal noun pl. → wol-. a woso pl./collective.
wolʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → wol-. a wosofi pl.
woləbe past. → wod- / wol-. wosfe singulative. → wos-.
wold- verb. lie; fr: mentir; dt: lügen. woso pl./collective. → wos-.
wolodʌʌ future. wosu pl./collective. → wos-.
woləde past. wot- noun. cart (e.g. as drawn by donkeys); fr:
wolo perfective. charrue (p. ex. d’âne); dt: Wagen (wie von
wolod(u) imperfective. Eseln gezogen).
a wolədʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. a wotre sg.
woləde past. → wold-. a wotʌu pl.
wole past. → wol-. wotʌʌ future. → wod- / wol-.
woləgʌ deverbal action noun diminutive sg. → wol-. woto deverbal agent noun sg. → wod- / wol-.
wollʌʌ future. → wol-. wotre sg. → wot-.
wolle sg. → wol-. wot(u) imperfective. → wod- / wol-.
wolle deverbal noun sg. → wol-. wous- (=/wous/) noun. bark, woof; fr: aboyer; dt:
woll(u) imperfective. → wol-. bellen.
wolo perfective. → wod- / wol-. wousrʌʌ (=/wous-d-aa/) future.
wolo perfective. → wold-. wouse (=/wous-ɛ/) past.
wolodʌʌ future. → wold-. wousu (=/wous/) perfective.
wolod(u) imperfective. → wold-. wousri (=/wous-d/) imperfective.
wolou deverbal action noun sg./mass. → wod- / a wousʌm (=/wous-am/) action noun.
wol-. wouse past. (=/wous-ɛ/) → wous-.
woloufi deverbal action noun pl. → wod- / wol-. wousrʌʌ future. (=/wous-d-aa/) → wous-.
woroni noun. gorilla; fr: gorille; dt: Gorilla. wousri imperfective. (=/wous-d/) → wous-.

180 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

wousu wũmnʌm
wousu perfective. (=/wous/) → wous-. də wufə mə sũndu sentence He has borrowed
wʋbs- verb. vomit; fr: vomir; dt: erbrechen. [Note: = my bicycle.; fr: Il a prêté ma bicyclette.; dt:
Mòoré. Cf. Koromfe a tɔj̃ãm.] Er hat mein Fahrrad ausgeborgt.
wʋbsraa future. wufe past. → wuf-.
wʋbsɛ past. wufəgʌ noun. hedgehog; fr: hérisson; dt: Igel.
wʋbs(ʋ) perfective. a wufəgʌ sg.
wʋbsr(ʋ) imperfective. a wufəni pl.
a wʋbsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. wufrʌʌ future. → wuf-.
wʋbsɛ past. → wʋbs-. wufr(u) imperfective. → wuf-.
wʋbsraa future. → wʋbs-. wuf(u) perfective. → wuf-.
wʋbsr(ʋ) imperfective. → wʋbs-. wug- noun. dawn; fr: aube; dt: Tagesanbruch.
wʋbs(ʋ) perfective. → wʋbs-. a wugre sg. early morning before sunrise; fr:
wʋgs- verb. shell, peel; fr: décortiquer; dt: schälen. aube avant la levée du soleil; dt: Morgen vor
[Note: This is the newer variant of the word a Sonnenaufgang.
wɔgsam.] a wugo pl. fr: aube, matin de bonne heure ;
wʋgsraa future. prière islamique de l’aube; dt: Tagesanbruch,
wʋgsɛ past. früher Morgen; islamisches Gebet bei
wʋgs(ʋ) perfective. Tagesanbruch.
wʋgsr(ʋ) imperfective. a wugfi pl.
a wʋgsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. wugo pl. → wug-.
wʋgsɛ past. → wʋgs-. wugre sg. → wug-.
wʋgsraa future. → wʋgs-. wurou noun. shadow of a cloud; fr: ombre d’un
wʋgsr(ʋ) imperfective. → wʋgs-. nuage; dt: Schatten einer Wolke.
wʋgs(ʋ) perfective. → wʋgs-. a wurou sg.
wʋrf- verb. be small; fr: être petit; dt: klein sein. a wuroufi pl.
wʋrfaa future. [Note: This verb seems to have wusdu noun. incense; fr: encens; dt: Weihrauch.
no past or perfective form.] [Note: = Mòoré.]
wʋrf(ʋ) imperfective. a wusədu pl./collective. [Note: This is a plural
a wʋrfɩɩ deverbal action noun sg. smallness; fr: form in Mòoré, too; in Koromfe the word has no
petitesse; dt: Kleinheit. corresponding singular form.]
wʋrfaa future. → wʋrf-. wuul- verb. howl (e.g. like a dog); fr: hurler (p. ex.
wʋrf(ʋ) imperfective. → wʋrf-. comme chien); dt: heulen (z.B. wie Hund).
wʋrg- verb. become small, shrink; fr: devenir petit; [Note: = Mòoré. Cf. Koromfe a semʌm.]
dt: klein werden, schrumpfen. wuundʌʌ future.
wʋrəgraa future. wuule past.
wʋrəgɛ past. wuul(u) perfective.
wʋrəg(ʋ) perfective. wuund(u) imperfective.
wʋrəgr(ʋ) imperfective. a wuulʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a wʋrəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. wuule past. → wuul-.
wʋrəgɛ past. → wʋrg-. wuul(u) perfective. → wuul-.
wʋrəgraa future. → wʋrg-. wuundʌʌ future. → wuul-.
wʋrəgr(ʋ) imperfective. → wʋrg-. wuund(u) imperfective. → wuul-.
wʋrəg(ʋ) perfective. → wʋrg-. wũm- noun. deaf; fr: sourd; dt: taub.
wu noun. cold (weather); fr: (temps) froid; dt: a wũməŋʌ sg.
Kälte, kaltes Wetter. a wũməni pl.
a wu sg. a wũmoi abstract quality noun sg. deafness; fr:
a wufi pl. [Note: If the plural form is used, it surdité; dt: Taubheit.
reflects the iterative nature of the cold: it wũm- verb. be deaf; fr: être sourd; dt: taub sein.
comes at night and leaves during the day.] wũmfʌʌ future.
wuf- (=/wuf/) verb. borrow, lend; fr: emprunter, wũmondʌʌ future.
prêter; dt: borgen, leihen. wũmne past.
wufrʌʌ future. wũmo perfective.
wufe past. wũmf(u) imperfective.
wuf(u) perfective. wũmond(u) imperfective.
wufr(u) imperfective. a wũmnʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a wufʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. a wũmoi deverbal action noun sg./mass.
də wufə mɛ (a) sũndu sentence He lent me his deafness; fr: surdité; dt: Taubheit. [Note: This
bicycle.; fr: Il m’a emprunté sa bicyclette.; word is used more commonly than a wumnʌm.]
dt: Er hat mir sein Fahrrad geliehen. wũmfʌʌ future. → wũm-.
wũmf(u) imperfective. → wũm-.
wũmnʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → wũm-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 181

wũmne
wũmne past. → wũm-. a wũnsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
wũməni pl. → wũm-. də wũns də baləba sentence He took in his
wũməŋʌ sg. → wũm-. guests back home.; fr: Il a fait rentrer ses
wũmo perfective. → wũm-. étrangers.; dt: Er hat seine Gäste
wũmondʌʌ future. → wũm-. heimgebracht.
wũmond(u) imperfective. → wũm-. wũnse past. → wũns-.
wũn perfective. → wũn-. wũnsrʌʌ future. → wũns-.
wũn- verb. go home, return home; marry a man; fr: wũnsr(u) imperfective. → wũns-.
partir (à la maison) ; marier un homme; dt: wũns(u) perfective. → wũns-.
heimgehen, heimkehren; einen Mann heiraten. wũŋgoi noun. misery, unhappiness, poverty; fr:
wũnnʌʌ future. misère, malheur, pauvreté; dt: Elend, Unglück,
wũne past. Armut. [Note: This word looks like a denominal
wũn perfective. abstract quality noun, but there is no
wũnn(õ) imperfective. corresponding adjectival noun.]
a wũnʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. a wũŋgoi sg.
wũne past. → wũn-. a wũŋgoi sa NP+N compound noun sg.
wũnnʌʌ future. → wũn-. a wũŋgoi sammã NP+N compound noun pl.
wũnn(õ) imperfective. → wũn-. poor, unhappy, pitiable; fr: pauvre,
wũns- verb. bring/take home; fr: faire rentrer à la malheureux, misérable; dt: arm, unglücklich,
maison; dt: nach Hause bringen. erbärmlich
wũnsrʌʌ future. a wũŋgoi la wɔ̃fə dɩ sentence He is poor /
wũnse past. unhappy / pitiable.; fr: Il est pauvre /
wũns(u) perfective. malheureux / misérable.; dt: Er ist arm /
wũnsr(u) imperfective. unglücklich / erbärmlich.

Y - y

y- noun. chief; fr: chef; dt: Chef. yabəlɛ past.

a yɔ sg. yaba perfective.
a yɩɩba pl. [Note: The plural seems to be formed yaf(ʋ) imperfective.
from a jɩɩ ‘chief family’.] a yabəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
ya (=/ya/) exclamation. exclamation; fr: a yafəfa deverbal local noun.
exclamation; dt: Exklamation. [Note: This ŋ yabrɛ noun phrase & elliptical sentence
exclamation occurs sentence-finally and has no Welcome! (lit.: your journey); fr: Bienvenu!
tangible lexical meaning. It is typically used (lit.: ton voyage); dt: Willkommen! (wörtl.:
when something new or unexpected (relative to deine Reise)
the previous discourse) is said.] n laabrɛ noun phrase & elliptical sentence
ya (=/ya/) exclamation. Welcome! (lit.: you with trip); fr: Bienvenu!
mə bɛ̃nɛ ya sentence I’ve arrived!; fr: Je suis (lit.: toi avec voyage); dt: Willkommen!
arrivé!; dt: Ich bin da! [Note: This might be (wörtl.: du mit Reise) [Note: Used for longer
said when one arrives in the village trips (at least to a different village). Normal
unexpectedly.] answer: matee (for males), waŋ (for
ya perfective. (=/yag/) → ya(g)-. females). laabrɛ < la jabrɛ. Used for shorter
yaarɩ indeclinable adjective. public; fr: public; dt: trips, e.g. within the village. Normal answer:
öffentlich. matee (for males), waŋ (for females).]
a tike yaarɩ NP+N compound noun sg. yabəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → yabl-.
a tigni yaarɩ NP+N compound noun sg. public yabəlɛ past. → yabl-.
place; fr: lieu public; dt: öffentlicher Platz yabrɛ deverbal action noun sg. → yabl-.
[Note: (=Mòoré) used only in the following yafaa future. → yabl-.
expression] yaf(ʋ) imperfective. → yabl-.
yaba deverbal action noun pl. → yabl-. ya(g)- (=/yag/) verb. go; fr: aller; dt: gehen,
yaba perfective. → yabl-. fahren. [Note: This is the general word for ‘go’,
yabl- verb. journey, trip; walk, hike; fr: voyage; independent of the means of transport.]
marcher; dt: Reise; gehen. yakaa (=/yag+IMPFV-aa/) future.
a yabrɛ deverbal action noun sg. yagɛ (=/yag-ɛ/) past.
a yaba deverbal action noun pl.
yafaa future.
182 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at
yaga yags-
yɛgɛ (=/yag-ɛ/) [Note: Irregular assimilation of pour refroidir (p. ex. frigidaire, canari d’eau,
the stem vowel to suffixal ɛ in this past form.] chambre climatisée) ; endroit pour
past. ralentir/freiner; dt: Platz zum kühlen (z.B.
yaʋ (=/yag/) perfective. Kühlschrank, großer Wassertopf, klimatisiertes
ya (=/yag/) perfective. Zimmer); Platz zum verlangsamen/bremsen.
yakʋ (=/yag+IMPFṾ/) imperfective. [Note: The a yagəmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. small
final ʋ of the imperfective form jakʋ is never cool/cold thing(s) (e.g. ice cube(s)); fr:
dropped. For the deverbal action noun a jabrɛ petite(s) chose(s) fraîche(s)/froide(s) (p. ex.
(<a jablam ‘walk’) is used.] glaçon(s)); dt: kleine(s) kühle(s)/kalte(s)
yaga perfective. → yag(l)-. Ding(e) (z.B. Eiswürfel).
yagaɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. → yag(l)-. a yagaɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. humidity,
yagala participial adjective. → yag(l)-. cold, slowness; fr: humidité, fraîcheur, lenteur;
yagalaa future. → yag(l)-. dt: Feuchtigkeit, Kühle, Langsamkeit.
yagaləba deverbal agent noun pl. → yag(l)-. a kʋlə-yagaɩ N+N compound noun sg./mass.
yagalɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → yag(l)-. health (lit.: freshness of the body); fr: santé
yagɛ past. (=/yag-ɛ/) → ya(g)-. (lit.: fraîcheur du corps); dt: Gesundheit
yagfaa future. → yag(l)-. (wörtl.: Frische des Körpers).
yagəfəba deverbal agent noun pl. → yag(l)-. yagala participial adjective.
yagəfəfa deverbal local noun. → yag(l)-. a fo yagala NP+N compound noun sg. a slow
yagəfəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg. person (e.g. at work); fr: une personne lente
→ yag(l)-. (p. ex. en travaillant); dt: ein langsamer
yagəfəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → yag(l)-. Mensch (z.B. beim Arbeiten) [Note:
yagəfəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → yag(l)-. synonymous with a fo yarfa (<a yaram)]
yagəfɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → yag(l)-. a fʋba yagala NP+N compound noun pl. [Note:
yagəfʋ imperfective. → yag(l)-. Used for inherent rather than transient
yag(l)- verb. be moist/fresh/cool/cold/slow; fr: properties.]
être humide/frais/froid/lent; dt: yagalɩ participial adjective.
feucht/frisch/kühl/kalt/langsam sein. [Note: a hem yagalɩ NP+N compound noun sg./mass
This word denotes the opposite of ‘dryness’, fresh/cold water; fr: eau fraîche; dt:
which is the natural state of anything non- frisches/kaltes Wasser
animate, dead or (often) dying. The concept of a sɔmdɛ hem dɔ̃nda yagalɩ NP+N compound
speed is related to that of temperature: cool is noun sg./mass cold fizzy non-alcoholic
slow, hot is fast.] drink; fr: sucrerie fraîche; dt: kaltes
yagalaa future. sprudelndes antialkoholisches Getränk
yagfaa future. a tike yagalɩ NP+N compound noun sg./mass
yagəlɛ past. fresh/cool place; fr: endroit fraîche; dt:
yaga perfective. frischer/kalter Platz
yagəfʋ imperfective. yoote yagalaa sentence It is cold today.; fr: Il
a yagəfɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who is fait froid aujourd’hui.; dt: Es ist heute kalt.
slow; fr: q.un qui est lent; dt: jmd. der langsam yoote yagəfaa sentence It is cold today.; fr: Il
ist. fait froid aujourd’hui.; dt: Es ist heute kalt.
a yagəfəba deverbal agent noun pl. yoote yagəfʋ sentence It is cold today.; fr: Il
a yagalɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who is fait froid aujourd’hui.; dt: Es ist heute kalt.
slow; fr: q.un qui est lent; dt: jmd. der langsam yoote yaga sentence It is cold today.; fr: Il fait
ist. froid aujourd’hui.; dt: Es ist heute kalt.
a yagaləba deverbal agent noun pl. [Note: Used for inherent rather than
a yagəfəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object transient properties.]
for cooling (e.g. fridge, fan, air-conditioning, yagəlɛ past. → yag(l)-.
large pot of water); object for slowing, brake; yagəmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. → yag(l)-.
fr: objet pour refroidir (p. ex. frigidaire, yags- verb. be fresh / cool / cold, become fresh /
ventilateur, climatiseur, canari d’eau) ; objet cool / cold, make fresh / cool / cold, refresh,
pour ralentir, frein; dt: Gegenstand zum kühlen cool; spool (e.g. cotton thread on to a bobbin);
(z.B. Kühlschrank, Ventilator, Klimaanlage, fr: être frais / froid, devenir frais / froid, faire
großer Wassertopf); Gegenstand zum frais / froid, rafraîchir, refroidir; bobiner (p.
Verlangsamen, Bremse. ex. le fil de coton); dt: frisch / kühl / kalt sein,
a yagəfəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. frisch / kühl / kalt werden, frisch / kühl / kalt
a yagəfəga deverbal instrument noun machen, erfrischen, abkühlen; spulen (z.B.
diminutive sg. Baumwollfaden auf eine Spule). [Note: Re. the
a yagəfəfa deverbal local noun. place for cooling sense ‘spool’: a weaver winds the cotton thread
(e.g. fridge, large pot of water, air-conditioned on to a spool (i.e. a piece of wood, a kɔkɔrɔ bi)
room); place to slow down / brake; fr: endroit

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 183

yagsam yɛbt-
by rolling it up and down his thigh. The spool is yarɛ past.
then put into the shuttle (a kɔkɔrɔ).] yar(ɩ) perfective.
yagsəraa future. yat(ɩ) imperfective.
yagsɛ past. yarəf(ʋ) imperfective.
yagsɩ perfective. a yarəfa participial adjective.
yagsərɩ imperfective. a yaram deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a yagsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a yarəfɩɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a yagsərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who slowness, laziness; fr: lenteur, paresse; dt:
spools; fr: q.un qui bobine; dt: jmd. der spult. Langsamkeit, Faulheit.
a yagsərəba deverbal agent noun pl. də yarə də gɩllɛ sentence He has slowed down.;
a yagsərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. thing fr: Il est devenu plus lent.; dt: Er ist
for ... (e.g. large pot; spool); fr: objet pour ... langsamer geworden.
(p. ex. canari; bobine); dt: Gegenstand zum ... mə mɛ̃rəgʋ koŋ yarɩ sentence My cold is over.;
(z.B. Topf; Spule). fr: Mon rhume est fini.; dt: Meine Erkältung
a yagsərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. ist vorbei.
a yagsərəga deverbal instrument noun a fo yarfa NP+N compound noun sg. a slow
diminutive sg. person (e.g. at work); fr: une personne lente
a yagsərəfa deverbal local noun. place for ...; fr: (p. ex. en travaillant); dt: ein langsamer
endroit pour ...; dt: Platz zum ... Mensch (z.B. beim Arbeiten) [Note: used
a yagsəmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. bobbins with e.g. of people whose speed and work
thread; fr: bobines avec du coton; dt: Spulen capacity diminishes with age synonymous
mit Baumwolle. with a fo yagala (<a yagaɩ)]
yagsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → yags-. yaram deverbal action noun sg./mass. → yar-.
yagsɛ past. → yags-. yarəba pl. (=/ad-ba/) → ar-.
yagsɩ perfective. → yags-. yarɛ past. → yar-.
yagsəraa future. → yags-. yarəfa participial adjective. → yar-.
yagsərəba deverbal agent noun pl. → yags-. yarəfaa future. → yar-.
yagsərəfa deverbal local noun. → yags-. yarəf(ʋ) imperfective. → yar-.
yagsərəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive yarg- verb. cool down, make cold; fr: refroidir,
sg. → yags-. rendre froid; dt: abkühlen, kalt machen. [Note:
yagsərəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → yags-. This is the transitive version of a yaram.]
yagsərəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → yags-. a yarəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
yagsərɩ imperfective. → yags-. yarəgraa future.
yagsərɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → yags-. yarəgɛ past.
yakaa future. (=/yag+IMPFV-aa/) → ya(g)-. yarəg(ɩ) perfective.
yal- noun. grape; fr: raisin; dt: Weintraube. yarəgr(ɩ) imperfective.
a yaləfɛ sg. yarəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → yarg-.
a yalɩ pl./collective. yarəgɛ past. → yarg-.
a yaləfɩ pl. yarəg(ɩ) perfective. → yarg-.
yaləfɛ sg. → yal-. yarəgraa future. → yarg-.
yalɩ pl./collective. → yal-. yar(ɩ) perfective. → yar-.
yallɛ verb. Take (that somewhere)!; fr: Amène (ça yarɩɔ sg. (=/ad-ɩɔ/) → ar-.
quelque part)!; dt: Trage (das wohin)! [Note: yataa future. → yar-.
This is probably a fossilized combination of ja yat(ɩ) imperfective. → yar-.
or jaʋ ‘go!’ with the adverb lɛ ‘thus’ or the yaʋ perfective. (=/yag/) → ya(g)-.
preposition la ‘with’. There are no other forms yɛbt- noun. wages; fr: salaire; dt: Lohn.
except the singular and plural imperative] a yɛbtʋ sg. [Note: This is the nominalised
yallɛ imperative sg. indeclinable participial adjective (=perfective
yallɛ na imperative pl. form) of the verb a jɛbtam ‘pay’. Speakers feel
yallɛ mə ỹʋ̃ tasʋ a yɔ wa imperative sentence that this word has taken on an independent life
Take my hat to the chief!; fr: Amène mon of its own.]
chapeau au chef!; dt: Trage meinen Hut zum yɛbt- verb. pay; fr: payer; dt: zahlen.
Chef! yɛbtraa future.
yallɔ sg. (=/all-ɔ/) → all-. yɛbtɛ past.
yar- verb. cool down, calm down, be patient, finish yɛbt(ʋ) perfective.
(illness); fr: se refroidir, se calmer, se yɛbtr(ʋ) imperfective.
patienter, finir (maladie); dt: sich abkühlen, a yɛbtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
sich beruhigen, sich gedulden, vorbeisein mə zɔmmaa mə yɛbtʋ sentence The bill, please!
(Krankheit). (lit.: I want to pay.); fr: L’addition, s’il vous
yataa future. plaît! (lit.: Je veux payer.); dt: Zahlen, bitte!
yarəfaa future. (wörtl.: Ich will zahlen.)

184 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

yɛbtɛ yɩg-
yɛbtɛ past. → yɛbt-. addressee) a reply to the greeting ŋ jebe (a)
yɛbtraa future. → yɛbt-. bʌ̃ʌ̃ni or a jebkʌ kɩbarʋ]
yɛbtr(ʋ) imperfective. → yɛbt-. yebʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → yeb-.
yɛbt(ʋ) perfective. → yɛbt-. yebe past. → yeb-.
yɛgɛ past. (=/yag-ɛ/) → ya(g)-. yebrʌʌ future. → yeb-.
yɛɩ perfective. → yɛɩ-. yebr(u) imperfective. → yeb-.
yɛɩ- verb. waste, spoil, break; put hot pepper (on yeb(u) perfective. → yeb-.
food); fr: gâter, abîmer; mettre du piment; dt: ye(l)- (=/yel/) verb. look at, contemplate, watch,
verschwenden, kaputt machen; Pfefferoni (auf observe, look after (e.g. a child, animals), visit;
das Essen) geben. [Note: Putting hot peppers fr: regarder, contempler, observer, s’occuper
on food is considered (by some) to be spoiling de, garder (p. ex. un enfant, des animaux),
the food.] visiter; dt: ansehen, zusehen, beobachten, sich
yɛɩraa future. beschäftigen mit, sich kümmern um, hüten (z.B.
yɛyɛ past. Kind, Tiere), besuchen.
yɛɩ perfective. yellʌʌ (=/yel-d-aa/) future.
yɛɩr(ɩ) imperfective. yele (=/yel-ɛ/) past.
a yɛyam deverbal action noun sg./mass. ye (=/yel/) perfective.
də yɛɩraa də bi sentence She is spoiling her yell / yelli (=/yel-d/) imperfective.
child.; fr: Elle gâte son enfant.; dt: Sie a yelʌm (=/yel-am/) deverbal action noun
verwöhnt ihr Kind sg./mass.
a yɛɩrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. a yeu (=/yel-ʋ/) deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a yɛɩrəba deverbal agent noun pl. waster, a dɔɔfɩ yello NP+N compound noun sg.
spendthrift; fr: gâteur, gaspilleur; dt: a dɔɔfɩ yelləbʌ NP+N compound noun pl.
Verwüster, Verschwender. shepherd, goatherd, cowherd etc.; fr:
yɛɩraa future. → yɛɩ-. gardien de bêtes; dt: Hirte [Note: normally
yɛɩr(ɩ) imperfective. → yɛɩ-. the people who watch the animals are
yɛɩrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → yɛɩ-. children]
yɛyam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → yɛɩ-. yelʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/yel-am/)
yɛyɛ past. → yɛɩ-. → ye(l)-.
ye perfective. (=/yel/) → ye(l)-. yele past. (=/yel-ɛ/) → ye(l)-.
yeb- verb. spend the day; chat; fr: causerie; passer yell imperfective. (=/yel-d/) → ye(l)-.
la journée, causer; dt: Plauderei; den Tag yellʌʌ future. (=/yel-d-aa/) → ye(l)-.
verbringen, plaudern. [Note: Cf. a tɔ̃məŋa ‘chat yelli imperfective. (=/yel-d/) → ye(l)-.
(at night)’] yem- noun. hippopotamus;
yebrʌʌ future. fr: hippopotame; dt:
yebe past. Nilpferd. [Note:
yeb(u) perfective. (=Mòoré) There is no
yebr(u) imperfective. other Koromfe term.]
a yebʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. a yemdi (=/yem-dɩ/) sg.
a yebkʌ deverbal action noun diminutive sg. a yemʌ (=/yem-a/) pl.
a dɔfrɛ yeb hɔ̃ (a) bʌ̃ʌ̃ni sentence May God give yemdi sg. (=/yem-dɩ/) → yem-.
us a good day.; fr: Que Dieu nous donne une yer- (=/yed/) noun. rabbit, hare; fr: lapin, lièvre;
bonne journée; dt: Gott gebe uns einen dt: Kaninchen, Hase.
guten Tag. a yergʌ (=/yed-ga/) diminutive sg.
ŋ yebe (a) bʌ̃ʌ̃ni sentence Have you spent the a yerəni (=/yed-ni/) diminutive pl.
day well?; fr: As-tu bien passé la journée?; a yerii (=/yed-ii/) pl.
dt: Hast du den Tag gut verbracht? yere adverb. here; fr: ici; dt: hier.
a yebkʌ kɩbarʋ sentence Have you spent the yere local adverb.
day well? (lit.: the news of spending the yereŋʌ local adverb. [Note: Although this form
day); fr: As-tu bien passé la journée? (lit.: looks like a diminutive, its meaning is reported
les nouvelles du passage de la journée); dt: to be identical with that of jere.]
Hast du den Tag gut verbracht? (wörtl.: die yergʌ diminutive sg. (=/yed-ga/) → yer-.
Nachrichten des Tag-Verbringens) yerəni diminutive pl. (=/yed-ni/) → yer-.
a bʌ̃ʌ̃nə yebe sentence The day has passed yɩb- noun. eye; fr: oeil; dt: Auge.
well.; fr: La journée a bien passé.; dt: Der a yɩbrɛ sg.
Tag ist gut vergangen. [Note: This a yɩba pl.
diminutive form is used more often than a yɩbrɛ sg. → yɩb-.
jebʌm. A wish that can be pronounced in the yɩg- noun. face, front; fr: visage, figure, face; dt:
morning up to about 12 noon. Greeting that Gesicht, Vorderseite.
can be pronounced from about 3 p.m. up to a yɩka sg.
bedtime (the first time you see the a yɩgnɩ / a yɩgnɛ pl.

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yɩgnɛ yik-
yɩka nɛ N+P compound postposition. in front of; a yibəfe singulative.
fr: devant; dt: vor (örtlich). a yibi pl./collective.
də tufʌʌ (a) dãŋ yɩka nɛ sentence He is sitting yibəfe singulative. → yib-.
in front of the house.; fr: Il est assis devant yibi noun. member of chief family (Konfé [koŋfe]),
la maison.; dt: Er sitzt vor dem Haus. [Note: man not excluded from becoming the chief; fr:
In contrast with many other postpositions, membre de la chefferie (la famille Konfé
this one cannot be used without nɛ. ‘In [koŋfe]), homme qui n’est pas exclu du droit de
front of’ refers to the natural front of devenir chef; dt: Mitglied der Chef-Familie
something rather than a position between (Konfé [koŋfe]), Mann, der nicht davon
the speaker and the reference NP. See the ausgeschlossen ist, Chef zu werden. [Note:
example below. This sentence cannot be Only members of the Konfé [koŋfe]) family can
used if the speaker is located at the side or become chief.]
back of the house and the ‘he’ is located a yibi sg. [Note: Probably originates from a
between the speaker and the house (i.e. at compound of a jɩɩ ‘chief clan’ and a bi ‘child’.]
the house’s natural side rather than front).] a yibəmʌ pl.
yɩgnɛ pl. → yɩg-. yibir- noun. problems; fr: problèmes; dt: Probleme.
yɩgnɩ pl. → yɩg-. [Note: archaic]
yɩɩ noun. chief family; fr: chefferie; dt: Chef- a yibirsi pl.
Familie. yig- noun. deserted woman; widow; fr: femme
a yɩɩ sg. abandonnée; veuve; dt: verlassene Frau;
yɩka sg. → yɩg-. Witwe. [Note: This word refers to any woman
yɩl- noun. horn; fr: corne; dt: Horn. who was once married but now no longer has a
a yɩllɛ sg. husband (either through his death or
a yɩla pl. desertion).]
yɩləga Mòoré sg. → tin-. a yike sg.
yɩlla- noun. breast, nipple; fr: sein, mamelle; dt: a yigəni pl.
Brust, Zitze. a yikeu pl.
a yɩllaŋa sg. yigei noun. smoke, vapour; fr: fumée, vapeur; dt:
a yɩllaʋ pl. Rauch, Dunst. [Note: Probably -ei is a -Vɩ
a yɩllam sg./mass. milk; fr: lait; dt: Milch. suffix, but there are no cognates which would
yɩllaŋa sg. → yɩlla-. support or contradict this analysis.]
yɩllaʋ pl. → yɩlla-. a yigei sg.
yɩllɛ sg. → yɩl-. a yigei ỹɔ̃nɔ̃ NP+N compound noun sg. smoker
yɩr perfective. (=/yɩd/) → yɩr-. (lit.: drinker of smoke); fr: fumeur (lit.:
yɩr- (=/yɩd/) verb. call; phone; fr: appeler; buveur de fumée); dt: Raucher (wörtl.:
téléphoner; dt: rufen; anrufen. Rauchtrinker)
yɩtaa (=/yɩd-d-aa/) future. a hem yigei NP+N compound noun sg. steam;
yɩrɛ (=/yɩd-ɛ/) past. fr: vapeur; dt: Dampf
yɩr / yɩrɩ (=/yɩd/) perfective. yigəni pl. → yig-.
yɩt / yɩtɩ (=/yɩd-d/) imperfective. yigs- verb. weight down (e.g. a roof with stones);
a yɩram (=/yid-am/) deverbal action noun fr: alourdir (p. ex. un toit avec des pierres); dt:
sg./mass. beschweren (z.B. ein Dach mit Steinen).
yɩrɛ past. (=/yɩd-ɛ/) → yɩr-. yigsrʌʌ future.
yɩrɩ perfective. (=/yɩd/) → yɩr-. yigse past.
yɩs- verb. draw (water); pick up (a piece of millet yigs(i) perfective.
porridge); fr: puiser; enlever (du tô); dt: yigsr(i) imperfective.
schöpfen; (ein Stück Hirsebrei) nehmen. a yigsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
yɩsraa future. yigse past. → yigs-.
yɩsɛ past. yigs(i) perfective. → yigs-.
yɩs(ɩ) perfective. yigsrʌʌ future. → yigs-.
yɩsr(ɩ) imperfective. yigsr(i) imperfective. → yigs-.
a yɩsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. yik- noun. termite hill; darkness, black (of the
yɩsɛ past. → yɩs-. night); fr: termitière; obscurité, noir (de la
yɩs(ɩ) perfective. → yɩs-. nuit); dt: Termitenbau; Finsternis, Dunkel (der
yɩsraa future. → yɩs-. Nacht). [Note: This noun may originally have
yɩsr(ɩ) imperfective. → yɩs-. had a k-b alternation akin to a fɛkʋ, pl. a fɛbɩ
yɩt imperfective. (=/yɩd-d/) → yɩr-. ‘field’, with the singular meaning ‘termite hill’
yɩtaa future. (=/yɩd-d-aa/) → yɩr-. and the plural ‘termites’. In this case, the - fi
yɩtɩ imperfective. (=/yɩd-d/) → yɩr-. plural would be a later development. Flying
yib- noun. flying termites (edible); fr: termites ailés termites only leave their hills in the rainy
(mangeables); dt: fliegende Termiten (essbar). season. The Koromba light fires near the

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yike yom
termite hills and drive the termites into them. yiri perfective. (=/yid/) → yir-.
This burns off their wings, and they can be yis- verb. suffice; fr: suffire; dt: genügen.
caught and cooked (in a big metal pot).] yisrʌʌ future.
a yiku sg. yise past.
a yikufi pl. yis(i) perfective.
yike sg. → yig-. yisr(i) imperfective.
yiku noun. darkness of a moonless night (due either a yisʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
to the moon phase or clouds / dust); fr: noir gʋ yisi məkɔ sentence That’s enough for me.; fr:
d’une nuit sans lune (soit à cause de la phase Ça me suffit.; dt: Das genügt mir. [Note:
de la lune, soit à cause des nuages ou de la This phrase is the polite way to refuse more
poussière); dt: Finsternis einer mondlosen food, drink etc.]
Nacht (entweder wegen der Mondphase oder yise perfective. → yisl-.
wegen Wolken / Staub). yise past. → yis-.
a yiku sg. yiselʌʌ future. → yisl-.
a yikufi pl. yisel(i) imperfective. → yisl-.
yiku sg. → yik-. yis(i) perfective. → yis-.
yilem perfective. → yilm-. yisl- verb. separate the grain from the stones (with
yilemʌʌ future. → yilm-. a calabash); fr: séparer les graines des pierres
yilemõ imperfective. → yilm-. (avec une calebasse); dt: Körner von Steinen
yilm- verb. turn, revolve (like e.g. a ceiling trennen (mit einer Kalebasse). [Note: This is
ventilator); fr: tournoyer (comme p. ex. un the final process in preparing grain for cooking.
ventilateur de plafond); dt: drehen (wie z.B. ein First comes a sɔgtam, followed by a sellʌm,
Deckenventilator). then a bɛllam. Afterwards the grains are sieved
yilemʌʌ future. (a jislʌm).]
yiləme past. yiselʌʌ future.
yilem perfective. yisəle past.
yilemõ imperfective. yise perfective.
a yiləmʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. yisel(i) imperfective.
yiləme past. → yilm-. a yisəlʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
yir perfective. (=/yid/) → yir-. yisəle past. → yisl-.
yir- (=/yid/) verb. come/go down, descend; seek yisrʌʌ future. → yis-.
hospitality; fr: descendre (intransitif) ; yisr(i) imperfective. → yis-.
chercher hospitalité; dt: yit imperfective. (=/yid-d/) → yir-.
her/hinunterkommen/gehen; Gastfreundschaft yitʌʌ future. (=/yid-d-aa/) → yir-.
suchen. yiti imperfective. (=/yid-d/) → yir-.
yitʌʌ (=/yid-d-aa/) future. yɔ sg. → y-.
yire (=/yid-ɛ/) past. yɔ past. → yʋ-.
yir / yiri (=/yid/) perfective. yɔg- noun. jaw; fr: joue, mâchoire; dt: Kiefer.
yit / yiti (=/yid-d/) imperfective. a yɔgʋ sg.
a yirʌm (=/yid-am/) deverbal action noun yɔgəma pl.
sg./mass. yɔgʋ sg. → yɔg-.
yirbitu noun. charcoal; fr: charbon de bois; dt: yobl- verb. pay attention, watch over, guard (e.g.
Holzkohle. against wild animals); fr: faire attention,
a yirbitu sg. surveiller, garder (p. ex. contre les animaux
a yirbinʌu pl. sauvages); dt: aufpassen, acht geben,
yire past. (=/yid-ɛ/) → yir-. bewachen (z.B. gegen wilde Tiere).
yirg- verb. bring/get down, unload, lower, a yobəlʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
overthrow (e.g. a government); fr: descendre yobolʌʌ future.
(transitif), décharger, abaisser, renverser (p. yobəle past.
ex. un gouvernement); dt: yobo perfective.
her/hinunterbringen, abladen, senken, yobol(u) imperfective.
umstürzen (z.B. eine Regierung). yobəlʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → yobl-.
yirgrʌʌ future. yobəle past. → yobl-.
yirge past. yobo perfective. → yobl-.
yirg(i) perfective. yobolʌʌ future. → yobl-.
yirgr(i) imperfective. yog- noun. melon; fr: melon; dt: Melone. [Note:
a yirgʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=Mòoré)]
yirge past. → yirg-. a yogri sg.
yirg(i) perfective. → yirg-. a yogʌu pl.
yirgrʌʌ future. → yirg-. yogri sg. → yog-.
yirgr(i) imperfective. → yirg-. yom perfective. → yom-.

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yom- yoro-
yom- verb. follow, be in sequence; hunt; have a yord- verb. answer; react (when one’s name is
secret love affair with; fr: suivre, être en called); fr: répondre; réagir (lorsque son nom
séquence ; chasser ; avoir une affaire d’amour est appelé); dt: antworten; reagieren (wenn
cachée avec; dt: folgen, geordnet sein; jagen, der eigenen Name gerufen wird). [Note:
hetzen; eine geheime Liebesaffäre haben mit. Normally the object of this verb in the sense
yommʌʌ future. “react (when one’s name is called)” is a jɩram
yome past. ‘calling’. For details, see the note to a jorʌm.]
yom perfective. yorodʌʌ future.
yomm / yommũ imperfective. yorəde past.
a yomʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. yoro perfective.
a yomde deverbal action noun sg./mass. also: yorod(u) imperfective.
hunt, hunting; fr: aussi: suivie, chasse; dt: a yorədʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
auch: Jagd. daa yorəde (a) yɩram sentence He did not react
də yommʌʌ a kɛ̃ɔ̃ hoŋ sentence He is following (when his name called).; fr: Il n’a pas réagi
that woman. OR: He is having a secret affair (lorsqu’on l’a appelé).; dt: Er hat nicht
with that woman.; fr: Il suit cette femme-là. reagiert (als sein ein Name gerufen wurde).
OU: Il a une affaire d’amour cachée avec yorəde past. → yord-.
cette femme-là.; dt: Er folgt jener Frau. yorəfe singulative. (=/yoro-ɩ/) → yoro-.
ODER: Er hat eine geheime Liebesaffäre mit yorəfefi pluralized singulative. (=/yoro-ɩ/) →
jener Frau. yoro-.
yomʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → yom-. yorəfeŋʌ singulative diminutive. (=/yoro-ɩ/) →
yome past. → yom-. yoro-.
yomm imperfective. → yom-. yorəfi pl. → yoro.
yomm- noun. (certain kinds of) grass, fodder (for yoro noun. interior; fr: intérieure; dt: das Innere,
animals); fr: (certaines espèces d’) herbe, die Innenseite.
fourrage (pour les bêtes); dt: (bestimmte Arten a yoro sg.
von) Gras, Futter (für die Tiere). a yorəfi pl.
a yommu (=/yomm-ʋ/) collective. yoro postposition. in, inside; fr: dans, à
yommʌʌ future. → yom-. l’intérieure de; dt: in, innerhalb.
yommũ imperfective. → yom-. yoro ni complex postposition
yondo noun. rope; fr: corde; dt: Seil. ba tufʌʌ a dãŋ koŋ yoro sentence They are
a yondo sg. sitting in the house; fr: Ils sont assis dans la
a yondii pl. maison.; dt: Sie sitzen im Haus.
yoote adverb. today; fr: aujourd’hui; dt: heute. ba tufʌʌ a dãŋ koŋ yoro ni sentence They are
yoote adverb. sitting in the house; fr: Ils sont assis dans la
yor(b)- verb. answer; react (when one’s name is maison.; dt: Sie sitzen im Haus.
called); fr: répondre; réagir (lorsque son nom ba tufʌʌ a dãŋ koŋ yoro yoro sentence They are
est appelé); dt: antworten; reagieren (wenn sitting in the house; fr: Ils sont assis dans la
der eigenen Name gerufen wird). [Note: maison.; dt: Sie sitzen im Haus. [Note: also
Normally the object of this verb in the sense used as a postposition (see joro)]
“react (when one’s name is called)” is a jɩram yoro perfective. → yor(b)-.
‘calling’. Reacting when one’s name is called is yoro perfective. → yord-.
an uncertain business: the caller may want yoro- noun. large pot,
something that is to your advantage (e.g. to cauldron; fr: grand
give you sth.) or disadvantage.(e.g. to send you canari, marmite; dt:
on an errand). Once one has reacted to the großer Topf, Kessel.
calling of one’s name, it is disrespectful to a yoroŋ (=/yoro-gʋ/) sg.
refuse a disadvantageous task; therefore it is a yoroi (=/yoro-ɩ/) pl.
often best not to react at all before finding out [Note: This general-purpose large pot is used
(via intermediaries) what the caller wants.] for cooking and for carrying (and storing)
yotʌʌ future. water.]
yorəbe past. a yorəfe singulative.
yoro perfective. [Note: < a jorədʌm] a yorəfefi pluralized singulative. small pot; fr:
yot(u) imperfective. petit canari; dt: kleiner Topf. [Note: Here the
a yorʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. singulative also implies small size, and the
mə yotʌʌ (a) yɩram sentence I will react (when word can therefore be (re-)pluralized]
my name is called).; fr: Je vais réagir a yorəfeŋʌ singulative diminutive. very small pot;
(lorsqu’on m’appelé).; dt: Ich werde fr: très petit canari; dt: sehr kleiner Topf.
reagieren (wenn mein Name gerufen wird). [Note: same size as a yoroŋʌ. One of the few
yorəbe past. → yor(b)-. words with a diminutive suffix following a

188 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

yorodʌʌ ỹãn zãmbrɛ
singulative suffix. For the plural a yoroni (<a yʋ perfective. → yʋ-.
yoroŋʌ) is used.] yʋ- verb. jump, fly; fr: voler; dt: fliegen.
a yoroŋʌ diminutive sg. yʋraa future.
a yoroni diminutive pl. very small pot; fr: très yɔ past.
petit canari; dt: sehr kleiner Topf. [Note: same yʋ perfective.
size as a jorəfeŋʌ] yʋr(ʋ) imperfective.
yorodʌʌ future. → yord-. a yɔɔm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
yorod(u) imperfective. → yord-. a pesəgʌ ba yʋraa sentence Sheep do not fly.
yoroi pl. (=/yoro-ɩ/) → yoro-. (Lit.: A sheep will not fly.); fr: Les moutons
yoroŋ sg. (=/yoro-gʋ/) → yoro-. ne volent pas. (Lit.: Un mouton ne volera
yoroŋʌ diminutive sg. (=/yoro-ɩ/) → yoro-. pas.); dt: Vögel fliegen. (Wörtl.: Ein Schaf
yos- verb. rot, decompose; fr: pourrir, se wird nicht fliegen.)
décomposer; dt: faulen, sich zersetzen. yʋg- noun. special shirt (for dancing); fr: chemise
yosrʌʌ future. spéciale (pour danser); dt: besonderes Hemd
yose past. (für den Tanz). [Note: < Mòoré. This shirt is
yos(u) perfective. made in the traditional way, out of strips of
yosr(u) imperfective. cloth, and is short (not quite reaching the
a yosʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. waist).]
yose past. → yos-. a yʋka sg.
yosrʌʌ future. → yos-. a yʋgsɩ pl.
yosr(u) imperfective. → yos-. yʋka sg. → yʋg-.
yos(u) perfective. → yos-. yʋraa future. → yʋ-.
yotʌʌ future. → yor(b)-. yʋr(ʋ) imperfective. → yʋ-.
yot(u) imperfective. → yor(b)-.

ỹã noun. mother, mother’s sister, mother’s fellow- a ỹããnɛ pl. [Note: This is actually
wife; fruit-bearing tree; fr: mère, sœur de la (morphologically) the pl. of j ̃ããŋa, but is used
mère, coépouse de la mère; arbre fructifère; for all female animals.]
dt: Mutter, Schwester der Mutter, Co-Ehefrau a ỹããŋa diminutive sg. small female anime (which
der Mutter; fruchtbringender Baum. [Note: has not yet given birth); fr: petite femelle (qui
Also used to designate an ‘honorary mother’, n’a pas encore mis bas); dt: kleines weibliches
who can be almost any woman with suitable Tief (das noch nicht geworfen hat).
characteristics. This noun cannot designate ỹããnɛ pl. → ỹã(ã)-.
female animals (cf. a j ̃ãʋ̃), but can be used as ỹãm bi N+N compound noun sg. → ỹãn-.
the second member of a genitival compound for ỹãm pʋ̃mmənɛ N+N compound noun sg. → ỹãn-.
trees, bushes, etc.] ỹãmbu N+N compound noun pl. → ỹãn-.
a ỹã sg. ỹãn- noun. millet; fr: mil; dt: Hirse.
a ỹãmmã pl. ỹãndɛ sg.
a lãmbʋ ỹã NP+N compound noun sg. cotton ỹãna pl.
bush; fr: cotonnier; dt: Baumwollstrauch ỹãm bi N+N compound noun sg. grain of millet; fr:
[Note: This formation of tree names from graine de mil; dt: Hirsekorn.
their fruits is very common. Thus the word ỹãmbu N+N compound noun pl.
lãmbʋ in this example can be replaced e.g. ỹãn zãmbrɛ N+N compound noun sg. millet cob
by bʌndʌku ‘manioc, yam’, gabta (only for “small millet”, not for other types of
‘aubergine’, gasəga ‘baobab leaf’, hãmba millet); fr: épi de petit mil (non pour les autres
‘shea nut’, kɩparɩɩ ‘hot peppers’, lamporgʌ genres de mil); dt: Hirsekolben (nur für die
‘kapok’, tomaat(ɩ) ‘tomato’, tɔrɩɩ ‘okra’, .] “kleine Hirse”, nicht für andere Hirsearten).
ỹã- noun. blood; fr: sang; dt: Blut. ỹãn zãmba N+N compound noun pl.
a ỹãm sg./mass. ỹãm pʋ̃mmənɛ N+N compound noun sg. fresh,
ỹã zambərɛ N+N compound noun sg. → zamb-. ripe cob of small millet; fr: épi frais et mûr de
ỹãã future. → ỹɛ̃ɛ̃(l)-. petit mil; dt: frischer, reifer Kolben der kleinen
ỹã(ã)- noun. female (animal); mother (of an Hirse.
animal); fr: femelle, mère (d’un animal); dt: ỹãm pʋ̃mmɔ N+N compound noun pl.
Weibchen, Mutter (eines Tieres). ỹãn zãmba N+N compound noun pl. → ỹãn-.
a ỹãʋ̃ sg. ỹãn zãmbrɛ N+N compound noun sg. → ỹãn-.
Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 189
ỹãna ỹɛ̃n-
ỹãna pl. → ỹãn-. a ỹɛ̃ɛ̃lɛɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass.
ỹãnamaa future. → ỹãnm-. knowledge; fr: connaissance; dt: Kenntnis.
ỹãnamɔ̃ imperfective. → ỹãnm-. a ỹɛ̃ɛ̃la deverbal agent noun sg.
ỹãndɛ sg. → ỹãn-. a ỹɛ̃ɛ̃lama deverbal agent noun pl. wise man; fr:
ỹãnm- verb. suffer; rust; fr: souffrir; s’enrouiller; savant; dt: Weiser. [Note: This is not a normal
dt: leiden; rosten. formation for a deverbal agent noun; the verb
ỹãnamaa future. may be a back formation from this noun.]
ỹãnəmɛ past. ỹɛ̃ɛ̃la deverbal agent noun sg. → ỹɛ̃ɛ̃(l)-.
ỹãnəm perfective. ỹɛ̃ɛ̃lɛɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. → ỹɛ̃ɛ̃(l)-.
ỹãnamɔ̃ imperfective. ỹɛ̃ɛ̃m deverbal action noun sg./mass. (=/ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-am/)
a ỹãnəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-.
ỹãnəm perfective. → ỹãnm-. ỹɛ̃ɩ̃ perfective. (=/ỹɛ̃ɩ̃/) → ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-.
ỹãnəmɛ past. → ỹãnm-. ỹɛ̃ɩ̃- verb. catch, take (hold of); fr: attraper,
ỹãnt- noun. kind of grass (for rooves); fr: espèce rattraper, saisir; dt: fangen, (in die Hand)
d’herbe (pour les toits); dt: Art Gras (für nehmen.
Dächer). [Note: = Mòoré. This grass grows next ỹɛ̃ɩ̃naa (=/ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-d-aa/) future.
to water.] ỹɛ̃ɛ̃ / ỹɛ̃ỹɛ (=/ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-ɛ/) [Note: The past form is
a ỹãntrɛ sg. hardly distinguishable phonetically from the
a ỹãntəfɛ sg. perfective.] past.
a ỹãnta pl. ỹɛ̃ɩ̃ (=/ỹɛ̃ɩ̃/) perfective.
ỹãntəfɛ sg. → ỹãnt-. ỹɛ̃ɩ̃n / ỹɛ̃ɩ̃nɛ (=/ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-d/) imperfective.
ỹãntrɛ sg. → ỹãnt-. a ỹɛ̃ɛ̃m (=/ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-am/) deverbal action noun
ỹãŋ perfective. → ỹãŋ-. sg./mass.
ỹãŋ- verb. resemble, seem; fr: ressembler, sembler; ỹɛ̃ɩ̃nəgʋ (=/ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-d-gʋ/) deverbal instrument noun
dt: ähneln, scheinen. sg. trap; animal that can be trapped; fr: piège;
ỹãŋaa future. animal qu’on peut attraper à piège; dt: Falle;
ỹãŋɛ past. Tier, das in eine Falle gehen könnte.
ỹãŋ perfective. ỹɛ̃ɩ̃nəhɛ̃ (=/ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-d-hɩ̃/) deverbal instrument noun
ỹãŋənɛ imperfective. pl.
a ỹãŋlɛɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. ỹɛ̃ɩ̃n imperfective. (=/ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-d/) → ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-.
resemblance, similarity; fr: ressemblance, ỹɛ̃ɩ̃naa future. (=/ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-d-aa/) → ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-.
similarité; dt: Ähnlichkeit. ỹɛ̃ɩ̃nɛ imperfective. (=/ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-d/) → ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-.
ỹãŋaɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. ỹɛ̃ɩ̃nəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. (=/ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-d-
a bɔrɔ hoŋ ỹãŋaa mə ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ndɔ sentence That man gʋ/) → ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-.
resembles my elder brother.; fr: Cet homme ỹɛ̃mm- noun. tooth; fr: dent; dt: Zahn.
ressemble à mon grand frère.; dt: Diese a ỹɛ̃mmənɛ sg.
Mann ähnelt meinem großen Bruder. a ỹɛ̃mmã pl.
a mɔntrɩ koŋ ỹãŋaa kɔ̃ yɛɩ sentence This watch a ỹɛ̃mmã dirəgrəgu NP+N compound noun sg.
seems to be broken. (lit.: resembles what is toothpick; toothbrush (lit.: teeth-rubber);
broken); fr: Cette montre semble être gâtée. fr: cure-dents; brosse à dents (lit.: frotteur
(lit.: ressemble à ce qui est gâté); dt: Diese de dents); dt: Zahnstocher; Zahnbürste
Uhr scheint kaputt zu sein. (lit.: gleicht (wörtl.: Zähne-Reiber)
dem, was kaputt ist) a ỹɛ̃mmã dirəgrəhẽ NP+N compound noun pl.
ỹãŋaa future. → ỹãŋ-. ỹɛ̃mmənɛ sg. → ỹɛ̃mm-.
ỹãŋɛ past. → ỹãŋ-. ỹɛ̃n- noun. night; fr: nuit; dt: Nacht.
ỹãŋlɛɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. → ỹãŋ-. a ỹɛ̃nɛ sg.
ỹãŋənɛ imperfective. → ỹãŋ-. a ỹɛ̃nɛfɩ pl.
ỹãʋ̃ sg. → ỹã(ã)-. a ỹãn tʋllɛ N+N compound noun sg. midnight,
ỹãʋ̃ noun. truth, true; fr: vérité, vrai; dt: Wahrheit, middle of the night; fr: minuit, milieu de la nuit;
wahr. dt: Mitternacht, mitten in der Nacht. [Note:
a ỹãʋ̃ sg. The change of the stem j ̃ɛ̃n to j ̃ãn is
a ỹãʋ̃ la sentence It’s true.; fr: C’est vrai.; dt: idiosyncratic. The time period expressed by
Es ist wahr. this compound noun extends from about 11
ỹɛ̃ imperfective. → ỹɛ̃ɛ̃(l)-. p.m. until about 4 a.m., when a wugo begins.]
ỹɛ̃ɛ̃ past. (=/ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-ɛ/) → ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-. ỹɛ̃n- noun. fish; fr: poisson; dt: Fisch.
ỹɛ̃ɛ̃(l)- verb. know; fr: savoir, connaître; dt: wissen, a ỹɛ̃nəfɛ singulative.
kennen. [Note: Can only be used positively. For a ỹɛ̃nɛ pl./collective.
negated clauses the verb a bãɩ̃lɛɩ must be a ỹɛ̃nɛ ỹɛ̃ɛ̃nəgʋ NP+N compound noun sg.
used.] fishing hook (lit.: thing for catching fish); fr:
ỹãã future. hameçon de pêche (lit.: instrument pour
ỹɛ̃ imperfective.

190 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

ỹɛ̃nɛ ỹĩnendʌʌ
attraper des poissons); dt: Fischhaken a ỹɛ̃ŋnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl.
(wörtl.: Ding zum Fische Fangen) a ỹɛ̃ŋnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive
ỹɛ̃nɛ sg. → ỹɛ̃n-. sg.
ỹɛ̃nɛfɩ pl. → ỹɛ̃n-. a ỹɛ̃ŋnəfa deverbal local noun. place for shining;
ỹɛ̃nəfɛ singulative. → ỹɛ̃n-. sunlit / moonlit place; fr: endroit pour briller;
ỹɛ̃nəg- verb. smelt (metal); fr: fondre (métal); dt: endroit où le soleil ou la lune brille; dt: Platz
(Metall) verschmelzen. zum scheinen; Platz, wo die Sonne oder der
ỹɛ̃nəgraa future. Mond scheint.
ỹɛ̃nəgɛ past. a ỹɛ̃ŋmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. things that
ỹɛ̃nəg(ɩ) perfective. shine; fr: choses qui brillent; dt: Dinge, die
ỹɛ̃nəgr(ɩ) imperfective. scheinen/leuchten.
a ỹɛ̃nəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. ỹɛ̃ŋam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → ỹɛ̃ŋ-.
a ỹɛ̃nəgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who ỹɛ̃ŋɛ past. → ỹɛ̃ŋ-.
smelts (metal); fr: q.un qui fond (le métal); dt: ỹɛ̃ŋnaa future. → ỹɛ̃ŋ-.
jmd. der (Metall) verschmilzt. ỹɛ̃ŋnəba deverbal agent noun pl. → ỹɛ̃ŋ-.
a ỹɛ̃nəgrəba deverbal agent noun pl. ỹɛ̃ŋnɛ imperfective. → ỹɛ̃ŋ-.
a ỹɛ̃nəgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object ỹɛ̃ŋnəfa deverbal local noun. → ỹɛ̃ŋ-.
for smelting (metal); fr: objet pour fondre (le ỹɛ̃ŋnəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive sg.
métal); dt: Gegenstand um (Metall) zu → ỹɛ̃ŋ-.
verschmelzen. ỹɛ̃ŋnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → ỹɛ̃ŋ-.
a ỹɛ̃nəgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. ỹɛ̃ŋnəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → ỹɛ̃ŋ-.
a ỹɛ̃nəgrəga deverbal instrument noun ỹɛ̃ŋnɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → ỹɛ̃ŋ-.
diminutive sg. ỹɛ̃ŋs- verb. stand up, stand; break out (illness);
a ỹɛ̃nəgrəfa deverbal local noun. place for emigrate; fr: se lever, être debout ; se déclarer
smelting (metal); fr: endroit pour fondre (le (maladie) ; émigrer; dt: aufstehen, stehen;
métal); dt: Platz um (Metall) zu verschmelzen. ausbrechen (Krankheit); auswandern.
a ỹɛ̃nəgmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. smelted ỹɛ̃ŋsraa future.
objects; fr: objets fondus; dt: verschmolzene ỹɛ̃ŋsɛ past.
Gegenstände. ỹɛ̃ŋs(ɩ) perfective.
ỹɛ̃nəgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → ỹɛ̃ŋsr(ɩ) imperfective.
ỹɛ̃nəg-. a ỹɛ̃ŋsam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
ỹɛ̃nəgɛ past. → ỹɛ̃nəg-. ỹɛ̃ŋsɛ past. → ỹɛ̃ŋs-.
ỹɛ̃nəg(ɩ) perfective. → ỹɛ̃nəg-. ỹɛ̃ŋs(ɩ) perfective. → ỹɛ̃ŋs-.
ỹɛ̃nəgraa future. → ỹɛ̃nəg-. ỹɛ̃ŋsraa future. → ỹɛ̃ŋs-.
ỹɛ̃nəgrəba deverbal agent noun pl. → ỹɛ̃nəg-. ỹɛ̃ŋsr(ɩ) imperfective. → ỹɛ̃ŋs-.
ỹɛ̃nəgrəfa deverbal local noun. → ỹɛ̃nəg-. ỹɛ̃ỹɛ past. (=/ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-ɛ/) → ỹɛ̃ɩ̃-.
ỹɛ̃nəgrəga deverbal instrument noun diminutive ỹĩm- noun. younger brother (little brother), younger
sg. → ỹɛ̃nəg-. sister (little sister); sunrise, east; fr: frère
ỹɛ̃nəgrəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. → cadet (petit frère), sœur cadette (petite sœur);
ỹɛ̃nəg-. levant du soleil, est; dt: jüngerer Bruder
ỹɛ̃nəgrəhɛ̃ deverbal instrument noun pl. → ỹɛ̃nəg-. (kleiner Bruder), jüngere Schwester (kleine
ỹɛ̃nəgr(ɩ) imperfective. → ỹɛ̃nəg-. Schwester); Sonnenaufgang, Osten.
ỹɛ̃nəgrɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → ỹɛ̃nəg-. a ỹĩmde sg.
ỹɛ̃ŋ perfective. → ỹɛ̃ŋ-. a ỹĩmʌu pl.
ỹɛ̃ŋ- verb. shine; fr: briller; dt: scheinen, mə ỹĩmde gonde a ỹĩmde ni hĩ sentence My
(be)leuchten. younger brother left towards the east.; fr:
ỹɛ̃ŋnaa future. Mon petit frère est parti vers l’est.; dt: Mein
ỹɛ̃ŋɛ past. kleiner Bruder ist in Richtung Osten
ỹɛ̃ŋ perfective. abgereist.
ỹɛ̃ŋnɛ imperfective. ỹĩmde sg. → ỹĩm-.
a ỹɛ̃ŋam deverbal action noun sg./mass. ỹĩn- adj.noun. blind; fr: aveugle; dt: blind.
a ỹɛ̃ŋnɔ deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who shines / a ỹĩnəŋʌ adjectival noun sg.
is brilliant; fr: q.un qui brille; dt: jmd. der a ỹĩnəni adjectival noun pl.
scheint/brilliert. a ỹĩnei denominal abstract quality noun sg./mass.
a ỹɛ̃ŋnəba deverbal agent noun pl. blindness; fr: cécité; dt: Blindheit.
a ỹɛ̃ŋnəgʋ deverbal instrument noun sg. object ỹĩn- adj.verb. be blind; fr: être aveugle; dt: blind
for shining (e.g. a torch); object which shines; sein.
fr: objet pour briller (p. ex. une torche); objet ỹĩnəfʌʌ future.
qui brillent; dt: Gegenstand zum ỹĩnəfu imperfective.
scheinen/beleuchten (z.B. eine Taschenlampe); ỹĩne perfective. → ỹĩnl-.
Gegenstand, der leuchtet. ỹĩnendʌʌ future. → ỹĩnl-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 191

ỹĩnendi ỹɔ̃n-
ỹĩnendi imperfective. → ỹĩnl-. In the sense of ‘smoke’ this verb takes the
ỹĩnet- verb. regain one’s sight; fr: regagner la vue; object a jigei ‘smoke’.]
dt: das Augenlicht wiedergewinnen. ỹɔ̃naa future.
ỹĩnetrʌʌ future. ỹɔ̃ past.
ỹĩnete past. ỹɔ̃ perfective.
ỹĩneti perfective. ỹɔ̃n(ɔ̃) imperfective. [Note: There is no
ỹĩnetri imperfective. inflectional form of a j ̃ɔ̃ɔ̃m with an - f suffix,
a ỹĩnetʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. despite the existence of an agent noun with -
ỹĩnete past. → ỹĩnet-. f.]
ỹĩneti perfective. → ỹĩnet-. a ỹɔ̃ɔ̃m deverbal action noun sg./mass.
ỹĩnetrʌʌ future. → ỹĩnet-. a ỹɔ̃nɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. drinker; alcoholic;
ỹĩnetri imperfective. → ỹĩnet-. fr: buveur; alcoolique; dt: Trinker; Säufer,
ỹĩnəfʌʌ future. → ỹĩn-. Alkoholiker. [Note: This form is never used in
ỹĩni noun. thirst; fr: soif; dt: Durst. the sense of ‘sorcerer’ and vice versa.]
a ỹĩni sg. a ỹɔ̃nəba deverbal agent noun pl.
a hem ỹĩni NP+N compound noun sg. thirst, a ỹɔ̃fɔ deverbal agent noun sg. sorcerer, eater of
drought; fr: soif, sécheresse; dt: Durst, souls; fr: sorcier, mangeur d’âmes; dt:
Dürre Zauberer, Seelenfresser. [Note: This form is
a ỹĩni la wɔ̃fə mɛ sentence I am thirsty.; fr: J’ai never used in the sense of ‘drinker’ and vice
soif.; dt: Ich habe Durst. versa.]
ỹĩnl- verb. become blind; fr: devenir aveugle; dt: a ỹɔ̃fəba deverbal agent noun pl.
erblinden. ỹɔ̃fɔ deverbal agent noun sg. → ỹɔ̃-.
ỹĩnendʌʌ future. ỹɔ̃gəfaa future. → ỹɔ̃gl-.
ỹĩnne past. ỹɔ̃gf(ʋ) imperfective. → ỹɔ̃gl-.
ỹĩne perfective. ỹɔ̃gl- verb. nurse, suckle; fr: téter, allaiter; dt:
ỹĩnendi imperfective. stillen, säugen.
a ỹĩnnʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. ỹɔ̃gəfaa future.
blindness; fr: cécité, “aveugleté”; dt: Blindheit. ỹɔ̃ŋɔ̃ndaa future.
də ỹɩ̃ne sentence He has become blind.; fr: Il ỹɔ̃ŋənɛ past.
est devenu aveugle.; dt: Er ist blind ỹɔ̃ŋɔ̃ perfective.
geworden. ỹɔ̃gf(ʋ) imperfective.
də ỹɩ̃ne də yɩba sentence He has become blind.; ỹɔ̃ŋɔ̃nd(ʋ) imperfective.
fr: Il es devenu aveugle.; dt: Er ist blind a ỹɔ̃ŋənam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
geworden. ỹɔ̃ŋənɛ deverbal action noun sg. [Note: The
ỹĩnne past. → ỹĩnl-. future and imperfective forms with - f are more
ỹĩnəni adjectival noun pl. → ỹĩn-. usual.]
ỹĩnəŋʌ adjectival noun sg. → ỹĩn-. ỹɔ̃k- verb. stab, push in (e.g. a pin); fr: piquer,
ỹĩns- verb. blind (s.o.); fr: faire aveugle; dt: enfoncer (p. ex. une aiguille); dt: stechen,
blenden, blind machen. hineindrücken (z.B. eine Nadel). [Note: Also
ỹĩnsərʌʌ future. used for putting millet stalks into a basket.]
ỹĩnse past. ỹɔ̃kraa future.
ỹĩnsi perfective. ỹɔ̃kɛ past.
ỹĩnsəri imperfective. ỹɔ̃k(ʋ) perfective.
a ỹĩnsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. ỹɔ̃kr(ʋ) imperfective.
a sɛ̃ɔ̃ koŋ ỹĩnsə dɩ sentence The medicine made a ỹɔ̃kam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
him blind.; fr: Le médicament l’a fait ỹɔ̃kɛ past. → ỹɔ̃k-.
aveugle.; dt: Das Medikament hat in blind ỹɔ̃kraa future. → ỹɔ̃k-.
gemacht. ỹɔ̃kr(ʋ) imperfective. → ỹɔ̃k-.
a sɛ̃ɔ̃ koŋ ỹĩnsə də yɩba sentence The medicine ỹɔ̃k(ʋ) perfective. → ỹɔ̃k-.
made him blind.; fr: Le médicament l’a fait ỹɔ̃n- noun. ant; star; fr: fourmi ; étoile; dt: Ameise;
aveugle.; dt: Das Medikament hat in blind Stern.
gemacht. a ỹɔ̃nəfɛ singulative.
ỹĩnse past. → ỹĩns-. a ỹɔ̃nɛ collective/pl.
ỹĩnsi perfective. → ỹĩns-. a ỹɔ̃nəfɛ dɔ̃mməgʋ NP+N compound noun sg.
ỹĩnsərʌʌ future. → ỹĩns-. ant that can bite; fr: fourmi qui peut
ỹĩnsəri imperfective. → ỹĩns-. mordre; dt: Ameise, die beißen kann
ỹɔ̃ past. → ỹɔ̃-. a ỹɔ̃nəfɛ wãŋ NP sg.
ỹɔ̃ perfective. → ỹɔ̃-. a ỹɔ̃nɛ wãŋ NP pl. shooting star, falling star,
ỹɔ̃- verb. drink, absorb; smoke; fr: boire, absorber ; meteorite; fr: étoile filante, météorite; dt:
fumer; dt: trinken, aufsaugen; rauchen. [Note: Sternschnuppe, Meteorit

192 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

ỹɔ̃n- zab-
a ỹɔ̃nəfɛ wãŋ sole sɛ̃nɛ sentence A shooting ỹɔ̃ŋənɛ past. → ỹɔ̃gl-.
star has fallen to earth.; fr: Une étoile ỹɔ̃ŋɔ̃ perfective. → ỹɔ̃gl-.
filante a tombé à terre.; dt: Eine ỹɔ̃ŋɔ̃ndaa future. → ỹɔ̃gl-.
Sternschnuppe ist auf die Erde gefallen. ỹɔ̃ŋɔ̃nd(ʋ) imperfective. → ỹɔ̃gl-.
dɔba ỹɔ̃nəfɛ adverb+N compound noun ỹɔ̃ɔ̃- noun. small, little; fr: petit; dt: klein.
singulative star above; fr: étoile en haut; dt: a ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ŋa sg.
Stern am Himmel a ỹɔ̃ɔ̃nɛ pl.
a ỹɔ̃nɛ leŋgem NP+N compound noun sg. group ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ŋa ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ŋa adverb. a little, gradually; fr: un
of stars, constellation; fr: groupe d’étoiles, peu, peu à peu; dt: ein bisschen, allmählich.
constellation; dt: Sternengruppe, -bild ba wɔllaa (a) tomʌ ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ŋa ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ŋa sentence They
a ỹɔ̃nəfɛ pɔ̃nəŋa NP+N compound noun sg. are working slowly.; fr: Ils travaillent
starlight; fr: lumière des étoiles; dt: lentement.; dt: Sie arbeiten langsam.
Sternenlicht ỹɔ̃(ɔ̃) noun. soil, dust, mud, mortar; fr: terre,
a sɔ̃nɔ̃ ỹɔ̃nəfɛ NP+N compound noun sg. poussière, banco, mortier; dt: Erde, Staub,
morning star (Venus); fr: étoile du matin Schlamm, Mörtel. [Note: refers primarily to
(Venus); dt: Morgenstern (Venus) building materials in their dry state]
a zɔɩ ỹɔ̃nəfɛ NP+N compound noun sg. evening a ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ sg.
star (Venus); fr: étoile du soir (Venus); dt: ỹɔ̃ɔ̃m deverbal action noun sg./mass. → ỹɔ̃-.
Abendstern (Venus) [Note: This compound ỹɔ̃ɔ̃nd- noun. older brother (big brother), older
can be used for disambiguation. This sister (big sister); fr: frère plus âgé (grand
compound can be used for disambiguation. frère), sœur plus âgée (grande sœur); dt:
The article a is precluded because the first älterer Bruder (großer Bruder), ältere
part of the compound is an adverb.] Schwester (große Schwester).
ỹɔ̃n- noun. belonging(s), property; fr: appartenance, a ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ndɔ sg.
propriété; dt: Besitz, Eigentum. a ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ndəba pl.
a ỹɔ̃ŋgʋ sg. a ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ndəbaʋ pl.
a ỹɔ̃nɛ pl. ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ndəba pl. → ỹɔ̃ɔ̃nd-.
a dãŋ koŋ mə ỹɔ̃ŋgʋ la sentence That house is ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ndɔ sg. → ỹɔ̃ɔ̃nd-.
mine. (lit.: is my property); fr: Cette maison ỹɔ̃ɔ̃nɛ pl. → ỹɔ̃ɔ̃-.
est à moi. (lit.: est ma propriété); dt: Dieses ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ŋa sg. → ỹɔ̃ɔ̃-.
Haus gehört mir. (wörtl.: ist mein Eigentum) ỹɔ̃ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ga noun. Nyonyosi (clan); fr: Nyonyosi (clan);
ỹɔ̃naa future. → ỹɔ̃-. dt: Nyonyosi (Clan). [Note: (Mòoré). Cf. the
ỹɔ̃nəba deverbal agent noun pl. → ỹɔ̃-. true Koromfe word a bɛrɩɔ]
ỹɔ̃nəfɛ singulative. → ỹɔ̃n-. a ỹɔ̃ỹɔ̃ɔ̃ga sg.
ỹɔ̃nɔ̃ deverbal agent noun sg. → ỹɔ̃-. ỹɔ̃ỹɔ̃ɔ̃sʋʋ pl.
ỹɔ̃n(ɔ̃) imperfective. → ỹɔ̃-. ỹʋ̃ noun. head; fr: tête; dt: Kopf.
ỹɔ̃ŋgʋ sg. → ỹɔ̃n-. a ỹʋ̃ sg.
ỹɔ̃ŋənam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → ỹɔ̃gl-. a ỹʋ̃fɩ pl.

Z - z

zaa conjunction. while, whilst, so long as; (with zaabɩ noun. evil, bad; fr: (le) mal, mauvais; dt: Übel,
negative verb) before; fr: pendant que; (avec schlecht.
verbe négatif) avant que; dt: während, solange; a zaabɩ sg.
(mit negativem Verb) bevor. a zaabəfɩ pl.
zaa subordinating temporal conjunction. zab- noun. awkward, clumsy, silly, stupid; fr:
ba zogte mə mãnɛ zaa mə dɛyaa complex gauche, bête , con, idiot, stupide; dt: linkisch,
sentence They stole my money while I was dumm, blöd. [Note: This word does not imply
sleeping.; fr: Ils ont volé mon argent mental deficiency, in contrast with a kii so ‘mad
pendant que je dormais; dt: Sie haben mein person’.]
Geld gestohlen, während ich geschlafen a zakʋ sg. [Note: Sporadically b + g becomes k.
habe. Probably an old labiovelar.]
ʋ gondrʌʌ zaa (a) wete ba kɛtɛ complex a zapa pl.
sentence We will leave before day has a zabrɛɩ abstract quality noun sg. awkwardness,
broken.; fr: Nous partirons avant que le jour clumsiness, silliness, stupidity; fr: gaucherie,
soit arrivé.; dt: Wir werden abreisen, bevor stupidité; dt: Ungeschicklichkeit, Dummheit.
der Tagangebrochen ist.
Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 193
zaba zald-
a zabrɛɩfɩ abstract quality noun pl. [Note: The zagt(ɩ) perfective. → zagt-.
plural is used when the abstract noun is used zagtraa future. → zagt-.
to refer to persons.] zagtr(ɩ) imperfective. → zagt-.
zaba perfective. → zabl-. zak- verb. persuade, comfort, flatter, deceive; fr:
zabalaa future. → zabl-. persuader, consoler, tromper, flatter; dt:
zabal(ʋ) imperfective. → zabl-. überreden, trösten, schmeicheln, täuschen.
zabl- verb. chase and jeer at; fr: poursuivre et zakraa future.
embêter; dt: verfolgen und verhöhnen. zakɛ past.
zabalaa future. zak(ɩ) perfective.
zabəlɛ past. zakr(ɩ) imperfective.
zaba perfective. a zakam deverbal action noun sg./mass. also:
zabal(ʋ) imperfective. joke; fr: aussi: blague; dt: auch: Witz.
a zabəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. a zakamfɩ deverbal action noun pl.
zabəlɛ past. → zabl-. a zakəmãʋ̃ deverbal nomen acti pl. jokes; fr:
zabrɛɩ abstract quality noun sg. → zab-. blagues; dt: Witze.
zag- noun. compound, yard; home, family; fr: zaka sg. → zag-.
concession, cour; domicile, famille; dt: Hof; zakam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → zak-.
Heim, Familie. [Note: = Mòoré] zakam perfective. → zakm-.
a zaka sg. zakamaa future. → zakm-.
a zagədʋ pl. zakamfɩ deverbal action noun pl. → zak-.
a zagəsʋʋ pl. zakam(ɔ̃) imperfective. → zakm-.
zaga perfective. → zagl-. zakɛ past. → zak-.
zagalaa future. → zagl-. zak(ɩ) perfective. → zak-.
zagal(ɩ) imperfective. → zagl-. zakm- verb. persuade, comfort, flatter, deceive;
zagam perfective. → zagm-. take good care of; fr: persuader, consoler,
zagamaa future. → zagm-. tromper, flatter; bien entretenir; dt:
zagam(ɔ̃) imperfective. → zagm-. überreden, trösten, schmeicheln, täuschen; gut
zagədʋ pl. → zag-. sorgen für. [Note: The frequentative implies
zagl- verb. water; fr: arroser; dt: begießen. repeated or more energetic action than a
zagalaa future. zakam. The sense ‘take good care of’ is
zagəlɛ past. probably related to a zaka ‘compound’; the
zaga perfective. non-frequentative verb a zakam does not have
zagal(ɩ) imperfective. this meaning.]
a zagəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. zakamaa future.
zagəlɛ past. → zagl-. zakəmɛ past.
zagm- verb. shake (a tree repeatedly to make the zakam perfective.
fruit fall down); fr: remuer (un arbre zakam(ɔ̃) imperfective.
fréquemment pour faire tomber les fruits); dt: a zakəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. also:
(einen Baum wiederholt) schütteln (um die jokes; fr: aussi: blagues; dt: auch: Witze.
Früchte herunterfallen zu lassen). [Note: This a zakəmamfɩ deverbal action noun pl.
is the frequentative of a zagtam. Also: a zakəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. →
zɛgtam and a zɛgəmam.] zakm-.
zagamaa future. zakəmɛ past. → zakm-.
zagəmɛ past. zakraa future. → zak-.
zagam perfective. zakr(ɩ) imperfective. → zak-.
zagam(ɔ̃) imperfective. zakʋ sg. → zab-.
a zagəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass. zala noun. Touareg (name of an ethnic group); fr:
zagəmɛ past. → zagm-. Touareg (nom d’un groupe ethnique); dt:
zagt- verb. shake (a tree briefly to make the fruit Touareg (Name einer ethnischen Gruppe).
fall down); fr: remuer, secouer (un arbre a zala sg.
brièvement pour faire tomber les fruits); dt: a zalaba pl.
(einen Baum kurz) schütteln (um die Früchte zala perfective. → zald-.
herunterfallen zu lassen). [Note: Also: a zaladaa future. → zald-.
zɛgtam. Cf. the corresponding frequentative zalad(ɩ) imperfective. → zald-.
verb a zagəmam. [g] not [ɣ].] zald- verb. move, remove, emigrate; infect; fr: se
zagtraa future. déplacer, déménager, émigrer ; contaminer; dt:
zagtɛ past. umziehen, übersiedeln, auswandern;
zagt(ɩ) perfective. anstecken. [Note: The sense ‘infect’ derives
zagtr(ɩ) imperfective. from “cause (a disease) to move (from one
a zagtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. person to another)”.]
zagtɛ past. → zagt-. zaladaa future.

194 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

zaldɛ zãŋfɔ
zaldɛ past. a ỹã zambərɛ N+N compound noun sg. cob of
zala perfective. millet; fr: épis de mil; dt: Hirsekolben.
zalad(ɩ) imperfective. a ỹã zamba N+N compound noun pl.
a zaldam deverbal action noun sg./mass. zamba deverbal noun sg. → zamb-.
ba zala ba yaʋ wʌgyʌ sentence They have zamba pl. → zamb-.
removed to Ouahigouya.; fr: Ils sont zambam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → zamb-.
déménagés à Ouahigouya.; dt: Sie sind nach zambɛ past. → zamb-.
Ouahigouya übersiedelt. zambraa future. → zamb-.
ba zala m a bɔ̃ɩ̃ sentence They infected me with zambərɛ sg. → zamb-.
German measles.; fr: Ils m’ont contamine zambr(ʋ) imperfective. → zamb-.
avec la rougeole.; dt: Sie haben mich mit zamb(ʋ) perfective. → zamb-.
Röteln angesteckt. zamdɛ sg. → zam-.
zaldɛ past. → zald-. zams- verb. be naughty / bad; fr: être méchant /
zam- noun. bad, naughty; fr: mauvais, méchant; dt: mauvais; dt: boshaft / schlecht sein.
schlecht, boshaft. zamsəraa future.
a zamdɛ sg. zamsɛ past.
a zama pl. zamsʋ perfective.
a zamaʋ pl. zamsər(ʋ) imperfective.
a zamɛ̃ɩ̃ abstract quality noun sg. badness; fr: a zamsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. [Note:
méchanceté; dt: Boshaftigkeit. This form is rare. Instead, a zamɛ̃ɩ̃ ‘badness’ is
zama pl. → zam-. used.]
zamaʋ pl. → zam-. zamsɛ past. → zams-.
zamããna noun. country, region; fr: pays, région; zamsəraa future. → zams-.
dt: Land, Gebiet. [Note: = Mòoré] zamsər(ʋ) imperfective. → zams-.
a zamããna sg. zamsʋ perfective. → zams-.
a zamããnɛ pl. zapa pl. → zab-.
a zamããnəma pl. zapa noun. shoemaker; fr: cordonnier; dt:
a zamããnəfɩ pl. Schuster. [Note: = Mòoré]
a zamããna sɔrfa NP+N compound noun sg. a zapa sg.
planet, different world; fr: planète, autre a zapama pl.
monde; dt: Planet, andere Welt a zapafɩ pl.
a zamããna sɔrgʋ NP+N compound noun sg. zapama pl. → zapa.
a zamããnəma sɔrhɛ̃ NP+N compound noun pl. zã imperfective. (=/zɔmm/) → zɔmm.
solar system; fr: système solaire; dt: zãã future. (=/zɔmm-aa/) → zɔmm.
Sonnensystem zããn- noun. club; fr: casse-tête; dt: Keule. [Note: =
a zamããna mɛ̃ndɛ NP+N compound noun sg. Mòoré]
group of planets, solar system; fr: groupe de a zããndɩ sg.
planètes, système solaire; a zããna pl.
a zamããna mɛ̃na noun phrase pl. zããndɩ sg. → zããn-.
a zamããna mɛ̃ntʋ NP+N compound noun sg. zãŋ perfective. (=/zãŋg/) → zãŋg-.
group of planets, solar system; fr: groupe de zãŋa perfective. → zãŋn-.
planètes, système solaire; zãŋandaa future. → zãŋn-.
a zamããna mɛ̃ntəfɩ NP+N compound noun pl. zãŋand(ɩ) imperfective. → zãŋn-.
zamããnɛ pl. → zamããna. zãŋfɔ numeral. (a) hundred (100); 500 francs CFA;
zamããnəma pl. → zamããna. fr: centaine, cent (100); 500 francs CFA; dt:
zamb- verb. persuade, comfort, flatter, deceive; fr: Hundert, hundert (100); 500 Francs CFA.
persuader, consoler, tromper, flatter; dt: [Note: No article a is used before this word,
überreden, trösten, schmeicheln, täuschen. except (optionally) when it is used non-
[Note: = Mòoré. Cf. Koromfe a zakam.] attributively (disjunctively). Mengao speakers
zambraa future. say that this is an Aribinda form. The normal
zambɛ past. Mengao form is kɔbəga (=Mòoré) or (older)
zamb(ʋ) perfective. zaŋfɔ. The plural form is used when this word
zambr(ʋ) imperfective. qualifies another numeral (e.g. zãŋfɔʋ hĩĩ ‘two
a zambam deverbal action noun sg./mass. hundred; 1000 francs CFA’).]
a zamba deverbal noun sg. deception; fr: zãŋfɔ attributive & disjunctive cardinal numeral
tromperie; dt: Täuschung. [Note: This is not a sg.
regular formation in Koromfe.] zãŋfɔʋ attributive & disjunctive cardinal
a zambafɩ deverbal noun pl. numeral pl.
zamb- noun. cob; fr: épis; dt: Kolben. fʋba zãŋfɔ NP+N compound noun sg. a hundred
a zambərɛ sg. people; fr: cent gens, cent personnes; dt:
a zamba pl. hundert Menschen

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 195

zãŋfɔɔndəba zɛ̃ŋ-
dãɩ̃ zãŋfɔʋ tãã NP+N compound noun sg. three zãsr(ɩ) imperfective. → zãs-.
hundred houses; fr: trois cent maisons; dt: zɛgam perfective. → zɛgm-.
dreihundert Häuser zɛgamaa future. → zɛgm-.
a zãŋfɔɔndɔ ordinal numeral human sg. zɛgam(ɔ̃) imperfective. → zɛgm-.
hundredth; fr: centième; dt: hundertst(-er,-e,- zɛgm- verb. shake (a tree repeatedly to make the
es). fruit fall down); fr: remuer (un arbre
a zãŋfɔɔndəba ordinal numeral human pl. fréquemment pour faire tomber les fruits); dt:
a zãŋfɔɔndəgʋ ordinal numeral non-human. (einen Baum wiederholt) schütteln (um die
[Note: Non-human ordinal numerals have no Früchte herunterfallen zu lassen). [Note: This
plural form; instead the singular is used.] is the frequentative of a zɛgtam. Also: a
zãŋfɔɔndəba ordinal numeral human pl. → zãŋfɔ. zagtam and a zagəmam]
zãŋfɔɔndɔ ordinal numeral human sg. → zãŋfɔ. zɛgamaa future.
zãŋfɔʋ attributive & disjunctive cardinal numeral zɛgəmɛ past.
pl. → zãŋfɔ. zɛgam perfective.
zãŋg- (=/zãŋg/) verb. take, pick up; marry (a zɛgam(ɔ̃) imperfective.
woman); fr: prendre, ramasser ; marier (une a zɛgəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
femme); dt: nehmen, aufheben; (eine Frau) zɛgəmɛ past. → zɛgm-.
heiraten. [Note: This verb cannot be used with zɛgt- verb. shake (a tree briefly to make the fruit
a woman as subject and man as object. Cf. a fall down); fr: remuer, secouer (un arbre
zãsam, which may have originated in zãŋ+s.] brièvement pour faire tomber les fruits); dt:
zãŋgraa (=/zãŋg-d-aa/) future. (einen Baum kurz) schütteln (um die Früchte
zãŋgɛ (=/zãŋg-ɛ/) past. herunterfallen zu lassen). [Note: Also: a
zãŋ (=/zãŋg/) perfective. [Note: Irregular loss of zagtam. Cf. the corresponding frequentative
the stem-final /g/ in zãŋ.] verb a zɛgəmam. [g] not [ɣ].]
zãŋgr / zãŋgrɩ (=/zãŋg-d/) imperfective. a zɛgtam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a zãŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. zɛgtraa future.
zãŋgɛ past. (=/zãŋg-ɛ/) → zãŋg-. zɛgtɛ past.
zãŋgr imperfective. (=/zãŋg-d/) → zãŋg-. zɛgt(ɩ) perfective.
zãŋgraa future. (=/zãŋg-d-aa/) → zãŋg-. zɛgtr(ɩ) imperfective.
zãŋgrɩ imperfective. (=/zãŋg-d/) → zãŋg-. zɛgtam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → zɛgt-.
zãŋkara noun. scabies (kind of illness); fr: gale zɛgtɛ past. → zɛgt-.
(espèce de maladie); dt: Krätze (Art zɛgt(ɩ) perfective. → zɛgt-.
Krankheit). [Note: This is a non-infectious zɛgtraa future. → zɛgt-.
ailment of the skin which makes people zɛm perfective. → zɛm-.
scratch.] zɛm- verb. sieve; fr: tamiser; dt: sieben. [Note:
a zãŋkara sg. This verb is used for sieving flour or peas etc.
a zãŋkarafɩ pl. that were stored in sand.]
zãŋn- verb. pray for, ask for; fr: prier, demander; zɛmmaa future.
dt: beten um, bitten, erbitten. [Note: This verb zɛmɛ past.
cannot be used when one asks a specific person zɛm perfective.
/ group for something. It involves serving god zɛmm(ɔ̃) imperfective.
and the ancestors in order to achieve some aim a zɛmam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
(e.g. health, marriage, a good crop, etc.)] zɛmɛ past. → zɛm-.
zãŋandaa future. zɛmmaa future. → zɛm-.
zãŋnɛ past. zɛmm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → zɛm-.
zãŋa perfective. zɛr- verb. become thin, lose weight; fr: maigrir; dt:
zãŋand(ɩ) imperfective. schlank werden, abnehmen. [Note: This verb
a zãŋnam deverbal action noun sg./mass. can be used for humans and animals alike.]
zãŋnɛ past. → zãŋn-. zɛtaa future.
zãs- verb. pick up, take with one; look after, support zɛrɛ past.
(financially); fr: ramasser, emporter ; soutenir zɛr(ɩ) perfective.
(dans la vie); dt: aufheben, mitnehmen; sorgen zɛt(ɩ) imperfective.
für, (finanziell) erhalten. a zɛram deverbal action noun sg./mass.
zãsraa future. zɛrɛ past. → zɛr-.
zãsɛ past. zɛr(ɩ) perfective. → zɛr-.
zãs(ɩ) perfective. zɛtaa future. → zɛr-.
zãsr(ɩ) imperfective. zɛt(ɩ) imperfective. → zɛr-.
a zãsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. zɛ̃ŋ- noun. upper arm (from the elbow to the
zãsɛ past. → zãs-. shoulder); fr: bras supérieur (à partir du coude
zãs(ɩ) perfective. → zãs-. jusqu’à l’épaule); dt: Oberarm (vom Ellbogen
zãsraa future. → zãs-. bis zur Schulter). [Note: Normally used as a

196 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

zɛ̃ŋa zer-
compound with a wɔ̃ndɛ, as in the example a zelʌ pl.
below. Some people also include the forearm zelle sg. → zel-.
(from the wrist to the elbow) in the scope of zelle sg. → zel-.
this word.] zemʌ noun. pardon; fr: pardon; dt: Verzeihung.
a zɛ̃ŋdɛ sg. a zemʌ sg.
a zɛ̃ŋa pl. bak na hɔ̃ zemʌ sentence Pardon us.; fr:
a wɔ̃nə zɛ̃ŋdɛ N+N compound noun sg. upper Excusez-nous.; dt: Entschuldigen Sie uns.
arm; fr: bras supérieur; dt: Oberarm. [Note: Although this looks like a plural in -
a wɔ̃nə zɛ̃ŋa N+N compound noun pl. ʌ, there is no corresponding form with any
zɛ̃ŋa pl. → zɛ̃ŋ-. variant of the - de suffix.]
zɛ̃ŋdɛ sg. → zɛ̃ŋ-. zemgu noun. right; fr: raison; dt: Recht.
zefʌ noun. pocket (e.g. in a garment); fr: poche (p. a zemgu sg.
ex. dans un vêtement); dt: Tasche (z.B. in ŋ wɔ̃f a zemgu sentence You are right.; fr: Tu
einem Kleidungsstück). [Note: = Mòoré.] as raison.; dt: Du hast Recht.
a zefʌ sg. [Note: Also pronounced a zɩfa, etc.] zems- verb. excuse, pardon; greet, congratulate; fr:
a zefo sg. excuser, pardonner; saluer, féliciter; dt:
a zefʌfi sg. entschuldigen, verzeihen; begrüßen,
a zefʌmʌ sg. gratulieren. [Note: The sense ‘greet,
zefʌfi sg. → zefʌ. congratulate’ is compatible with the sense
zefo sg. → zefʌ. ‘excuse, pardon’ because this is the normal
zeg- noun. louse; fr: pou; dt: Laus. sequence of greeting someone.]
a zekʌ sg. zemsərʌʌ future.
a zegni pl. [Note: [g] not [ɣ]] zemse past.
zeg- noun. rag; fr: chiffon; dt: Fetzen. [Note: This is zems(u) perfective.
used for any piece of cloth (e.g. headscarf, zemsər(u) imperfective.
garment) that has become unusable for its a zemsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
original purpose.] zems na mɛ sentence Excuse me.; fr: Excusez-
a zegre sg. moi.; dt: Entschuldigen Sie (mich). [Note:
a zegiʌ pl. This or similar formulae are used to ask
zeg- noun. kind of tree; fr: espèce d’arbre; dt: Art permission to approach a dignitary.]
Baum. zemse past. → zems-.
a zegi sg. zemsərʌʌ future. → zems-.
a zegfi pl. zemsər(u) imperfective. → zems-.
a zegəŋʌ diminutive sg. small / young tree of this zems(u) perfective. → zems-.
kind; fr: petit / jeune arbre de cet espèce; dt: zende noun. year, (pl.) age; fr: an, année, (pl.) âge;
kleiner / junger Baum dieser Art. dt: Jahr, (Pl.) Alter.
zeg- noun. soothsayer, charlatan; fr: voyant, a zende sg.
charlatan; dt: Wahrsager, Scharlatan. a zenʌ pl.
a zegu sg. zenʌ kɔl la nɛ interrogative sentence How old
a zegəmʌ pl. are you? (Lit.: How many years are you?);
a zegəfi pl. fr: Quel âge as-tu? (Lit.: Combien d’ans es-
zegfi pl. → zeg-. tu?); dt: Wie alt bist du? (Wörtl.: Wieviele
zegi sg. → zeg-. Jahre bist du?)
zegəmʌ pl. → zeg-. zenʌ kɔl ŋ wɔ̃fʋ interrogative sentence How old
zegre sg. → zeg-. are you? (Lit.: How many years do you
zegu sg. → zeg-. have?); fr: Quel âge as-tu? (Lit.: Combien
zekʌ sg. → zeg-. d’ans as-tu?); dt: Wie alt bist du? (Wörtl.:
zel- noun. hairdo (with a single ball of hair at the Wieviele Jahre hast du?)
back of the neck), everyday hairdo; fr: coiffure zenɔm noun. young man; fr: jeune homme; dt:
(avec tous les cheveux rassemblés à la nuque), junger Mann. [Note: = Fr. jeune homme. This
coiffure pour chaque jour; dt: Frisur (mit einem word is ATR-disharmonic.]
Haarknäuel im Genick), Alltagsfrisur. a zenɔm sg.
a zelle sg. a zenɔmma pl.
a zelʌ pl. a zenɔmfɩ pl.
zel- noun. ridge (of a roof); plait or pile of hair on zenɔmma pl. → zenɔm.
top of and behind the head; fr: faîte (du toit); zer- verb. plant; lean against; fr: planter; adosser;
natte ou tresse sur et derrière la tête; dt: First dt: pflanzen; anlehnen. [Note: Used for
(des Daches); Zopf oben auf und hinter dem planting plants etc. and for planting something
Kopf. [Note: This word refers to the highest in the ground (e.g. a ladder), hence the sense
point of either a roof or a woman’s hairstyle.] ‘lean against’.]
a zelle sg. zetʌʌ future.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 197

zere zɔgərɔŋ
zere past. zɩ̃ɩ̃ adverb. last year; fr: l’année passée; dt:
zer(i) perfective. voriges Jahr.
zet(i) imperfective. zɩ̃ɩ̃ temporal adverb.
a zerʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. zim perfective. → zim-.
də zer a tilo la (a) lurgʌ sentence He leaned the zim- verb. go out, be extinguished; fr: s’éteindre; dt:
ladder against the wall.; fr: Il a adossé ausgehen, gelöscht werden. [Note: Cannot be
l’échelle contre le mur.; dt: Er hat die Leiter used transitively. Cf. a zimsʌm ‘extinguish’.]
an die Mauer angelehnt. zimmʌʌ future.
zere past. → zer-. zime past.
zer(i) perfective. → zer-. zim perfective.
zetʌʌ future. → zer-. zimm(ũ) imperfective.
zet(i) imperfective. → zer-. a zimʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
zɩfa noun. pocket (e.g. in a garment); fr: poche (p. a hãmnɛ koŋ zime sentence The fire has gone
ex. dans un vêtement); dt: Tasche (z.B. in out.; fr: Le feu s’est éteint.; dt: Das Feuer
einem Kleidungsstück). [Note: = Mòoré.] ist ausgegangen.
a zɩfa sg. [Note: Also pronounced a zefo or a zime past. → zim-.
zefʌ., etc.] zimmʌʌ future. → zim-.
a zɩfafɩ sg. zimm(ũ) imperfective. → zim-.
a zɩfama sg. zims- verb. extinguish, put out; fr: éteindre; dt:
zɩfafɩ sg. → zɩfa. löschen. [Note: Causative of a zimʌm.]
zɩfʋ noun. pocket (in a garment); fr: poche (d’un zimsrʌʌ future.
vêtement); dt: Tasche (in einem zimse past.
Kleidungsstück). [Note: = Mòoré. See also a zims(u) perfective.
lɔɔga.] zimsr(u) imperfective.
a zɩfʋ sg. a zimsʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
a zɩfʋfɩ pl. də zims a hãmnɛ koŋ sentence He put out the
zɩg- noun. difficult, selfish person; fr: personne fire.; fr: Il a éteint le feu.; dt: Er hat das
difficile, égoïste; dt: schwieriger, egoistischer Feuer gelöscht.
Mensch. zimse past. → zims-.
a zɩgʋ sg. zimsrʌʌ future. → zims-.
a zɩgəfɩ pl. zimsr(u) imperfective. → zims-.
zɩg- verb. ask (a question), question; fr: demander zims(u) perfective. → zims-.
(pour savoir), interroger; dt: fragen, erfragen. zini noun. genie; fr: génie; dt: Genie. [Note: =
[Note: This verb cannot be used in the sense of Mòoré. This noun denotes a soul-like aspect of
‘ask for’.] a human being.]
zɩgraa future. a zini sg.
zɩgɛ past. a zinəmʌ pl.
zɩg(ɩ) perfective. zɔgfaa future. → zɔgl-.
zɩgr(ɩ) imperfective. zɔgfʋ imperfective. → zɔgl-.
a zɩgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. zɔgl- verb. climb; fr: grimper, monter; dt: klettern,
zɩgam noun. dirt; fr: saleté; dt: Schmutz. steigen.
a zɩgam sg. zɔgfaa future.
a zɩgamfɩ pl. zɔgɔlaa future.
zɩgams- verb. dirty, make dirty; fr: salir, faire sale; zɔgəlɛ past.
dt: verschmutzen, schmutzig machen. [Note: < zɔgɔ perfective.
a zɩgam ‘dirt’] zɔgfʋ imperfective.
zɩgamsraa future. zɔgɔl(ʋ) imperfective.
zɩgamsɛ past. a zɔgəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
zɩgams(ʋ) perfective. a zɔgrɛ deverbal action noun sg. [Note: This
zɩgamsr(ʋ) imperfective. word is used more commonly than a zɔgəlam.]
a zɩgamsam deverbal action noun sg./mass. zɔgəlam deverbal action noun sg./mass. → zɔgl-.
zɩgamsɛ past. → zɩgams-. zɔgəlɛ past. → zɔgl-.
zɩgamsraa future. → zɩgams-. zɔgɔ perfective. → zɔgl-.
zɩgamsr(ʋ) imperfective. → zɩgams-. zɔgɔlaa future. → zɔgl-.
zɩgams(ʋ) perfective. → zɩgams-. zɔgɔl(ʋ) imperfective. → zɔgl-.
zɩgɛ past. → zɩg-. zɔgrɔ noun. chain; fr: chaîne; dt: Kette.
zɩg(ɩ) perfective. → zɩg-. a zɔgərɔ sg. [Note: traditional pronunciation]
zɩgraa future. → zɩg-. a zɔgərɔŋ sg. [Note: modern pronunciation]
zɩgr(ɩ) imperfective. → zɩg-. a zɔgərəfɩ pl.
zɩgʋ sg. → zɩg-. zɔgərɔ sg. → zɔgrɔ.
zɔgərɔŋ sg. → zɔgrɔ.

198 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

zɔɩ zoŋgʌ
zɔɩ noun. afternoon, evening (from 12 noon to zɔ̃nɔ̃
sunset); fr: après-midi, soir (à partir de 12 zɔ̃naa future. (=/zɔ̃-d-aa/) → zɔ̃-.
heures jusqu’à la crépuscule); dt: Nachmittag, zɔ̃nm- verb. doze; fr: somnoler; dt: dösen.
Abend (ab 12 Uhr bis zum Sonnenuntergang). zɔ̃nɔmaa future.
a zɔɩ sg. zɔ̃nəmɛ past.
a zɔɩfɩ pl. zɔ̃nɔm perfective.
zɔɩnɛ adverb. last night; fr: la nuit passée; dt: zɔ̃nɔm(ɔ̃) imperfective.
vergangene Nacht. a zɔ̃nəmam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
zɔɩnɛ temporal adverb. [Note: Despite its zɔ̃nəmɛ past. → zɔ̃nm-.
similarity with the putative PP a zɔɩ nɛ, this zɔ̃nɔm perfective. → zɔ̃nm-.
adverb does not take the article a.] zɔ̃nɔmaa future. → zɔ̃nm-.
zɔmm (=/zɔmm/) verb. want, need; (auxiliary) zɔ̃nɔm(ɔ̃) imperfective. → zɔ̃nm-.
FUTURE; fr: vouloir, avoir besoin de ; zɔ̃ŋn- verb. search for and bring back home (a
(auxiliaire) FUTUR; dt: wollen, brauchen; runaway); fr: rechercher et faire retourner (un
(Auxiliar) ZUKUNFT. [Note: This verb has fuyard); dt: suchen und zurückholen (einen
shorter and quite elusive forms to replace Ausreißer). [Note: Also used for fetching back
those normally formed with the perfective a wife who has gone home to her (parents)
stem. Its future and imperfective look similar village.]
to those of verbs with a stem shape CVm, for zɔ̃ŋɔ̃ndaa future.
which an imperfective suffix /d/ can be zɔ̃ŋənɛ past.
assumed.] zɔ̃ŋɔ̃ perfective.
zɔmmaa (=/zɔmm-aa/) future. zɔ̃ŋɔ̃nd(ʋ) imperfective.
zãã future. a zɔ̃ŋənam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
zɔmm / zɔmmʋ̃ (=/zɔmm/) imperfective. zɔ̃ŋənɛ past. → zɔ̃ŋn-.
zã imperfective. zɔ̃ŋɔ̃ perfective. → zɔ̃ŋn-.
a zɔmməlɛɩ deverbal action noun sg./mass. also: zɔ̃ŋɔ̃ndaa future. → zɔ̃ŋn-.
wish, need; fr: aussi: vœu, besoin; dt: auch: zɔ̃ŋɔ̃nd(ʋ) imperfective. → zɔ̃ŋn-.
Wunsch, Bedürfnis. zɔ̃ɔ̃ past. (=/zɔ̃+ɛ/) → zɔ̃-.
zɔmmaa future. (=/zɔmm-aa/) → zɔmm. zɔ̃ɔ̃t- verb. choose, select, sort; fr: choisir,
zɔmmʋ̃ imperfective. (=/zɔmm/) → zɔmm. sélectionner, trier; dt: wählen, auswählen,
zɔŋdɛ noun. sole (of the foot); fr: plante (de pied); sortieren. [Note: Also used for picking out the
dt: Sohle (des Fußes). [Note: Normally used a good X from the bad ones, where X can be
compound with a wolle ‘foot’, as shown below.] peas, grains of cereal, fruit.]
a zɔŋdɛ sg. zɔ̃ɔ̃traa future.
a wolə zɔŋdɛ N+N compound noun sg. sole of zɔ̃ɔ̃tɛ past.
the foot; fr: plante de pied; dt: Fußsohle. zɔ̃ɔ̃t(ʋ) perfective.
a wolə zɔŋa N+N compound noun pl. zɔ̃ɔ̃tr(ʋ) imperfective.
zɔŋg- verb. go too far, offend, be wrong, make a a zɔ̃ɔ̃tam deverbal action noun sg./mass.
mistake; fr: dépasser, offenser, avoir tort, se zɔ̃ɔ̃tɛ past. → zɔ̃ɔ̃t-.
tromper; dt: zu weit gehen, kränken, zɔ̃ɔ̃traa future. → zɔ̃ɔ̃t-.
Unrechthaben, sich irren. zɔ̃ɔ̃tr(ʋ) imperfective. → zɔ̃ɔ̃t-.
zɔŋgraa future. zɔ̃ɔ̃t(ʋ) perfective. → zɔ̃ɔ̃t-.
zɔŋgɛ past. zo past. (=/zu-ɛ/) → zu-.
zɔŋg(ʋ) perfective. zogt- noun. scoop (made from one half of a small
zɔŋgr(ʋ) imperfective. calabash); fr: louche (fabriquée d’une moitié
a zɔŋgam deverbal action noun sg./mass. d’une petite calebasse); dt: Schöpflöffel (aus
zɔŋgɛ past. → zɔŋg-. einer Hälfte einer kleinen Kalebasse). [Note:
zɔŋgraa future. → zɔŋg-. [g] not [ɣ]]
zɔŋgr(ʋ) imperfective. → zɔŋg-. a zogto sg.
zɔŋg(ʋ) perfective. → zɔŋg-. a zogtou pl.
zɔrɛ noun. easy; fr: facile; dt: leicht. a zogtəfi pl.
a zɔrɛ sg. zogto sg. → zogt-.
a zɔrɛfɩ pl. zogtou pl. → zogt-.
a tomde koŋ a zɔrɛ la sentence That job is zoŋg- noun. wing; fr: aile; dt: Flügel.
easy.; fr: Ce travail es facile.; dt: Diese a zoŋgre sg.
Arbeit ist leicht. a zoŋgʌ pl.
zɔ̃ perfective. (=/zɔ̃/) → zɔ̃-. a zoŋgo pl.
zɔ̃- (=/zɔ̃/) verb. sort; fr: trier; dt: sortieren. a zoŋgo saa NP+N compound noun sg.
zɔ̃naa (=/zɔ̃-d-aa/) future. butterfly; fr: papillon; dt: Schmetterling
zɔ̃ɔ̃ (=/zɔ̃+ɛ/) past. a zoŋgo sammã NP+N compound noun pl.
zɔ̃ (=/zɔ̃/) perfective. zoŋgʌ pl. → zoŋg-.

Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 199

zoŋgre
zoŋgre sg. → zoŋg-. zʋgtrʋ imperfective. (=/zʋgt-d/) → zʋgt-.
zorm- (=/zor-Ṿm/) verb. ask for, beg for; beg; fr: zʋgtʋ perfective. (=/zʋgt/) → zʋgt-.
demander, implorer; mendier; dt: bitten um, zʋk perfective. (=/zʋk/) → zʋk-.
flehen; betteln. [Note: This verb means only zʋk- verb. knock / hit / tap (as with a hammer),
‘ask for’, and not ‘ask a question’. It is not used forge; fr: frapper, battre, taper (comme avec
to refer to ‘praying for (at traditional un marteau), forger; dt: schlagen, klopfen (wie
ceremonies)’ (cf. a werəmʌm), though at such mit einem Hammer), schmieden.
ceremonies it is used in its normal sense ‘ask zʋkraa (=/zʋk-d-aa/) future.
for’..] zʋkɛ (=/zʋk-ɛ/) past.
zoromʌʌ future. zʋk (=/zʋk/) perfective.
zorəme past. zʋkr(ʋ) (=/zʋk-d/) imperfective.
zorom perfective. a zʋkam (=/zʋk-am/) deverbal action noun
zorom(õ) imperfective. sg./mass.
a zorəmʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. zʋkɛ past. (=/zʋk-ɛ/) → zʋk-.
a zoromõ deverbal agent noun sg. beggar; fr: zʋkraa future. (=/zʋk-d-aa/) → zʋk-.
mendiant; dt: Bettler. zʋkr(ʋ) imperfective. (=/zʋk-d/) → zʋk-.
a zoroməbʌ [Note: Not a zorombʌ without zʋl- noun. wolf; fr: loup; dt: Wolf.
schwa!] deverbal agent noun pl. a zʋlɩ sg.
zorəmʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → zorm-. a zʋləfɩ pl.
zorəme past. → zorm-. a zʋləga diminutive sg. small / young wolf; fr:
zorom perfective. → zorm-. petit / jeune loup; dt: kleiner / junger Wolf.
zoromʌʌ future. → zorm-. a zʋl vaga N+N compound noun sg. wolf; fr:
zoromõ deverbal agent noun sg. → zorm-. loup; dt: Wolf. [Note: This compound is used
zorom(õ) imperfective. → zorm-. just as commonly as a zʋlɩ.]
zʋb perfective. (=/zʋb/) → zʋb-. a zʋl vaɩ N+N compound noun pl.
zʋb- verb. burn; fr: brûler, faire brûler; dt: brennen, zʋl- noun. Jula, Dioula; fr: Jula, Dioula; dt: Jula,
verbrennen. [Note: This verb can be used both Dioula.
transitively and intransitively.] a zʋləga (=/zʋl-ga/) singulative.
zʋbraa (=/zʋb-d-aa/) future. a zʋləsʋʋ (=/zʋl-sʋʋ/) pl.
zʋbɛ (=/zʋb-ɛ/) past. zʋl vaga N+N compound noun sg. → zʋl-.
zʋbʋ / zʋb (=/zʋb/) perfective. zʋləfɩ pl. → zʋl-.
zʋbr / zʋbrʋ (=/zʋb-d/) imperfective. zʋləga diminutive sg. → zʋl-.
a zʋbam (=/zʋb-am/) deverbal action noun zʋləga singulative. (=/zʋl-ga/) → zʋl-.
sg./mass. zʋlgafa noun. war sword (of the chief); fr: épée de
a hãmnɛ koŋ zʋbr halə wasɩ sentence That fire guerre (du chef); dt: Kriegsschwert (des
is burning well.; fr: Ce feu brûle bien.; dt: Chefs). [Note: This sword is about 2 metres
Diese Feuer brennt gut. long and serves only ceremonial purposes. The
a dãŋ koŋ zʋbɛ sentence That house has burnt word does not look very Koromfe-like.]
down.; fr: Cette maison a brûlé.; dt: Dieses a zʋləgafa sg.
Haus ist niedergebrannt. a zʋləgafafɩ pl.
də zʋbɛ mə dãŋ sentence He burnt my house.; zʋləgafa sg. → zʋlgafa.
fr: Il a fait brûler ma maison.; dt: Er hat zʋlɩ sg. → zʋl-.
mein Haus niedergebrannt. zʋ̃ʋ̃dʋ noun. copper; fr: cuivre; dt: Kupfer. [Note: =
zʋbɛ past. (=/zʋb-ɛ/) → zʋb-. Mòoré. Cf. Koromfe a kɔ̃sə sɔ̃mdɛ ‘red metal’.]
zʋbr imperfective. (=/zʋb-d/) → zʋb-. a zʋ̃ʋ̃dʋ sg.
zʋbraa future. (=/zʋb-d-aa/) → zʋb-. zu perfective. (=/zu/) → zu-.
zʋbrʋ imperfective. (=/zʋb-d/) → zʋb-. zu- verb. enter; fr: entrer; dt: hineingehen.
zʋbʋ perfective. (=/zʋb/) → zʋb-. zurʌʌ (=/zu-d-aa/) future.
zʋgt perfective. (=/zʋgt/) → zʋgt-. zo (=/zu-ɛ/) past.
zʋgt- verb. pull (hard); disappear quickly; fr: tirer zu (=/zu/) perfective.
brusquement; prendre fuite; dt: (fest) ziehen; zur / zuru (=/zu-d-/) imperfective.
schnell verschwinden. a pɩlaŋ koŋ zu sentence The moon has set. (lit.:
zʋgtraa (=/zʋgt-d-aa/) future. gone in); fr: La lune a tombé. (lit.: est
zʋgtɛ (=/zʋgt-ɛ/) past. rentrée); dt: Der Mond ist untergegangen.
zʋgtʋ / zʋgt (=/zʋgt/) perfective. (wörtl.: hineingegangen)
zʋgtr / zʋgtrʋ (=/zʋgt-d/) imperfective. a zoom (=/zu-am/) deverbal action noun
a zʋgtam (=/zʋgt-am/) deverbal action noun sg./mass.
sg./mass. zug perfective. (=/zug/) → zug-.
zʋgtɛ past. (=/zʋgt-ɛ/) → zʋgt-. zug- (=/zug/) noun. tail; tail-shaped instrument
zʋgtr imperfective. (=/zʋgt-d/) → zʋgt-. used to loosen the ground; fr: queue;
zʋgtraa future. (=/zʋgt-d-aa/) → zʋgt-. instrument en forme d’une queue utilisée pour

200 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

zug-
ouvrir le sol; dt: Schwanz; schwanzförmiges zugoləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. → zugl-.
Instrument, mit dem man den Boden zugolo deverbal agent noun sg. → zugl-.
auflockert. [Note: [g] not [ɣ]. There may be zugoloo future. → zugl-.
two different nouns here, one in the -ɔ / -fɩ zugol(u) imperfective. → zugl-.
class and the other a diminutive (with gʌ zugr imperfective. (=/zug-d/) → zug-.
instead of expected kʌ for /g+g/ in the zugrʌʌ future. (=/zug-d-aa/) → zug-.
singular).] zugru imperfective. (=/zug-d/) → zug-.
a zugʌ sg. zugu perfective. (=/zug/) → zug-.
a zugo (=/zug-ɔ/) sg. zull- verb. bend down, bow; fr: se baisser, se
a zugəni (=/zug-nɩ/) pl. courber, s’incliner; dt: sich bücken, sich
a zugfi (=/zug-fɩ/) pl. beugen. [Note: Synonymous with a tullʌm.]
zug- verb. rinse the mouth; pump (bellows); fr: zullrʌʌ future.
rincer la bouche; pomper (un soufflet); dt: den zulle past.
Mund ausspülen; (Blasbalg) pumpen. zull(u) perfective.
zugrʌʌ (=/zug-d-aa/) future. zullr(u) imperfective.
zuge (=/zug-ɛ/) past. a zullʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
zug / zugu (=/zug/) perfective. zulle past. → zull-.
zugr / zugru (=/zug-d/) imperfective. zullrʌʌ future. → zull-.
a zugʌm (=/zug-am/) deverbal action noun zullr(u) imperfective. → zull-.
sg./mass. zull(u) perfective. → zull-.
zugʌ sg. → zug-. zulot- (=/zul-Ṿt-/) verb. tip out, empty; fr:
zuge past. (=/zug-ɛ/) → zug-. déverser, vider; dt: ausschütten, ausleeren.
zugl- verb. blow; fr: souffler; dt: blasen. [Note: This zulotrʌʌ (=/zul-Ṿt-d-aa/) future.
verb refers specifically to blowing with the zulote (=/zul-Ṿt-ɛ/) past.
bellows of a blacksmith.] zulotu / zulotu (=/zul-Ṿt/) perfective.
zugolʌʌ future. zulotr / zulotru (=/zul-Ṿt-d/) imperfective.
zugoloo future. a zulotʌm (=/zul-Ṿt-am/) deverbal action noun
zugle past. sg./mass.
zugo perfective. zulote past. (=/zul-Ṿt-ɛ/) → zulot-.
zugol(u) imperfective. zulotr imperfective. (=/zul-Ṿt-d/) → zulot-.
a zuglʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. zulotrʌʌ future. (=/zul-Ṿt-d-aa/) → zulot-.
a zugolo deverbal agent noun sg. s.o. who blows; zulotru imperfective. (=/zul-Ṿt-d/) → zulot-.
fr: q.un qui souffle; dt: jmd. der bläst. zulotu perfective. (=/zul-Ṿt/) → zulot-.
a zugoləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. zulotu perfective. (=/zul-Ṿt/) → zulot-.
a zugoləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. object zur imperfective. (=/zu-d-/) → zu-.
which blows; fr: objet qui souffle; dt: zurʌʌ future. (=/zu-d-aa/) → zu-.
Gegenstand, der bläst. zuru imperfective. (=/zu-d-/) → zu-.
a zugoləhẽ deverbal instrument noun pl. zuus- verb. make enter; fr: faire entrer; dt:
a zugoləgʌ deverbal instrument noun dimin. her/hineinbringen.
a zugoləfʌ deverbal local noun. place where zuusrʌʌ future.
blowing takes place; fr: endroit où on souffle; zuuse past.
dt: Platz, wo man bläst. zuus(u) perfective.
zuglʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass. → zugl-. zuusr(u) imperfective.
zugle past. → zugl-. a zuusʌm deverbal action noun sg./mass.
zugəni pl. (=/zug-nɩ/) → zug-. də zuus də baləba sentence He brought in his
zugo sg. (=/zug-ɔ/) → zug-. guests.; fr: Il a fait entrer ses étrangers.;
zugo perfective. → zugl-. dt: Er hat seine Gäste hereingebracht.
zugolʌʌ future. → zugl-. zuuse past. → zuus-.
zugoləbʌ deverbal agent noun pl. → zugl-. zuusrʌʌ future. → zuus-.
zugoləgʌ deverbal instrument noun dimin. → zuusr(u) imperfective. → zuus-.
zugl-. zuus(u) perfective. → zuus-.
zugoləgu deverbal instrument noun sg. → zugl-.

-Ṿɩ (=/Ṿɩ/) n.→abstr.n. -ness; fr: -ité; dt: -heit. The quality of the stem vowel is echoed in this
[Note: Here Ṿ stands for any non-high vowel. vowel, except that it may not be high. This
Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at 201
-Ṿl -Ṿt
morpheme derives abstract nouns of quality suffixes) and ensures that the verb has a
from adjectival nouns. So far no word with transitive, not an intransitive reading.]
expected -ʌi has been discovered.] -m / -əm transitive.
-ɛɩ (=/Ṿɩ/) deriv. Adj to N. -am transitive.
-ei (=/Ṿɩ/) deriv. Adj to N. -ʌm transitive.
-aɩ (=/Ṿɩ/) deriv. Adj to N. -ɛm transitive.
-ɔɩ (=/Ṿɩ/) deriv. Adj to N. -em transitive.
-oi (=/Ṿɩ/) deriv. Adj to N. -ɔm transitive.
-Ṿl (=/-Ṿl/) verb.deriv. ?CAUSATIVE; fr: -om transitive.
?CAUSATIF; dt: ?KAUSATIV. [Note: This suffix -Ṿt derivational suffix. reversive; fr: réversif; dt:
derives verbs from simple verb stems. reversiv. [Note: This suffix immediately follows
Apparently in Eastern Koromfe it forms a the verb stem (i.e. precedes all inflectional
causative. In Western Koromfe it has no clear suffixes) and effects a reversal of the meaning
function.] of the verb. E.g. ‘open’ - ‘close’ or ‘bury’ - ‘dig
-l / -əl (=/-Ṿl/) ?causative. up’. In contrast with the suffixes -Vl and -Vm,
-ɛl (=/-Ṿl/) ?causative. there are no phonetic variants of this suffix
-el (=/-Ṿl/) ?causative. with a reduced or elided vowel (e.g. -t or -ət);
-al (=/-Ṿl/) ?causative. on the contrary, -t and -ət are realisations of
-ʌl (=/-Ṿl/) ?causative. the transitivising suffix /-t/.]
-ɔl (=/-Ṿl/) ?causative. -at reversive.
-ol (=/-Ṿl/) ?causative. -ʌt reversive.
-Ṿm derivational suffix. transitive; fr: transitif; dt: -ɛt reversive.
transitiv. [Note: This suffix immediately follows -et reversive.
the verb stem (i.e. precedes all inflectional -ɔt reversive.
-ot reversive.

Total number of entries: 6265

Typeface: SIL Andika

202 Koromfe Dictionary -- john.rennison@univie.ac.at

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