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Appendix:Niger-Congo Swadesh lists

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This is a Swadesh list of Niger-Congo languages, specifically Yoruba, Igbo, Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, Mom Jango and Vai, compared with that of English.

  • Yoruba (Southwestern Nigeria) — Benue–Congo branch
  • Igbo (Southeastern Nigeria) — Benue–Congo branch
  • Mandinka (Guinea, Gambia, Mali) — Mande branch
  • Wolof (Senegal) — Atlantic branch
  • Fula (Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Sudan e.a.) — also called Fulah, Fulani; in Fula, Pular, Pulaar, Fulfulde; and in French, Peul, Peuhl, Peulh — Atlantic branch
  • Vai (Liberia, Sierra Leone) — Mande branch

Lists

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№ English Yoruba Igbo Mandinka Wolof Fula Jango Vai Lang8
1 I èmi, mo mụ m, n ma mi mi ŋ
2 you
(singular) 		ìwọ, ọ (informal);
ẹ̀yin, ẹ (formal) 		gị ali, i nga a é í
3 he òun, ó (informal);

àwọn, wọn (formal)

yá a mu o (mo) o a
4 we àwa, a ányìnwà (incl.),
ányì-nílé (excl.), 		an nu en (incl.), min/men (excl.) an mú
5 you
(plural) 		ẹ̀yin, ẹ únù-nílé aw ngeen on un wó
6 they àwọn, wọn há u ñu ɓe wèn anú
7 this èyí ñing lii ɗun di kɛ mɛɛ̃
8 that ìyẹn woo lele, lale ɗun da kɛnú
9 here ibí, níhàyín jang fi ɗoo jò nínyɛ
10 there lọhun, nibẹ jee fa ton núũ
11 who tani, ẹnití kan homo, hommbo (plural: homɓe) kòn jɔ
12 what kíni, kínlá, èwo lan koɗun, honnɗun sìn mɓe
13 where ibo, níbo, níbití ana, fan hoto, toye mínyá
14 when ìgbàtí kañ mannde, honnde, ndeye mínyá banda
15 how bí, báwo naka ñaadii naka honno, noye nò káma
16 not kò, kì déedéet du, bu, déedéet alaa na'a máã
17 all gbogbo, olúkúlùkú bee lëpp, yëpp fow, fop, fuu pèpè kínɛ́ĩ
18 many púpọ̀, pọ̀, ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ buy, ɗuɗaal kúluŋ ɓa
19 some díẹ, kan, àwọn kan ay yoga ɓɔ́ɔ
20 few díẹ tuuti seeɗa kpɔ́ fɛlá
21 other òmíràn, míràn beneen go'o mandé
22 one mení, ọ̀kan otu kiling benna, benn go'o, gooto (human) oko lɔndɔ́
23 two méjì abua fula ñaar ɗiɗi, ɗiɗo (humans) fɛlá
24 three mẹta atọ saba ñetta, ñett tati, tato (humans) sakpá
25 four mẹrin anọ naani ñenent, ñeent nayi, nayo (humans) náãni
26 five màrún ise luulu juróom jowi, joyi; joyo, jowo (humans) sóólú
27 big nlá, tóbi, gbórin ukwu mag mawɗo, maw- ɓa
28 long jìnnà, gùn, pẹ́ juutugol (=to be long/tall/big) tɛ jaŋ
29 wide gbòrò, jìnnà mbara njaju já kolo
30 thick nípọn gouma,tekki kpɔ́tú
31 heavy wúwo ike teddugol (=to be heavy) fahanyá
32 small kéré, diẹ ntakiri ndaw famar leŋ
33 short kúrú gatt raɓɓiɗugol (=to be short),dammuɗo kúndú
34 narrow tóró, híhá, há kpachiri ɓiɗɗi lɔ kpátiya
35 thin tínrín, tẹ́rẹ́ (?) sew shauɗo kpányá
36 woman obìnrin nwanyị musoo jigéen debbo (plural: rewɓe) musú
37 man
(adult male) 		ọkùnrin nwokè góor gorko (plural: worɓe) kpakoo
38 man
(human being) 		ènìyàn ndì mmadụ nit neɗɗo (plural: yimɓe) mɔ kɛ́ndɛ́
39 child
(a youth) 		èwe, ọmọ, ọmọdé xale ɓiɗɗo (plural: ɓiɓɓe) ɗléŋ
40 wife ìyàwó, aya musoo jabar ɓeyngu,kore musú
41 husband ọkọ kee, kewo jëkkër moodi.gorko kaí
42 mother ìyá, abiyamọ nne naa yaay, ndey neene.yaaye ɓa
43 father bàbá nna baabaa baay baaba fa
44 animal ẹran rab kullun,mardi marle(plural) kɛ́ndɛ́ feŋ
45 fish ẹja azu ñewo jën linngii (plural: liƴƴi) nyínyɛ́
46 bird ẹiyẹ, ẹyẹ abìyẹ́ (?) nnụnụ, okuko
(chicken) 		kunoo picca, picc sondu ( plural: sholli) kondé
47 dog ajá nkịta xaj rawaandu, bareeru,kutiru wulú
48 louse iná igwu duñoo, karankoo teen tenga (plural: tenɗi) nyaá
49 snake ejọ́ agwo capatoo, saa jaan, saa mboddi kalá
50 worm ekòló, kòkòròìdinaràn idide kaliyaa saan ngilnga (plural: gilɗi) tɔɔnɔ́ɔ̃
51 tree igi osisi kapalipaloo,
yiroo 		garab lekki kɔŋ
52 forest igbó, ẹgàn ohia ladde fílá
53 stick
(of wood) 		kùmọ, ọgọ (?) sawru kɔŋ
54 fruit éso, ọmọ biɓɓe-leɗɗe kɔŋ kpɔ́
55 seed irúgbìn, irúmọ aawdi kpɔ́
56 leaf ewé ɗerol, haako jamɓá
57 root gbòngbò, ìpilẹ̀sẹ̀ ɗaɗol súú
58 bark
(of tree) 		èpo igi sheɓɓe fóo
59 flower òdòdó piindi jamɓá fu
60 grass koríko nax, ñax fuɗo pii
61 rope okùn boggol julú
62 skin
(of a person) 		ara der gurii,laral kpoló
63 meat
(as in flesh) 		ẹran jíjẹ suboo yaapa, yapp teewu,kusel suyɛ́
64 blood ẹ̀jẹ obara ƴiiƴam woí
65 bone egungun ọkpụkpụ k'i'al kúú
66 fat
(noun) 		ọ̀rá ɓellere ɓɛ bhuutɛɛ
67 egg ẹyin nen boofo,ɓoccoɗe kéí
68 horn ìwo luwal ɓúú
69 tail ìrú wissho fɛ́nyɛ́
70 feather
(rather not down) 		ìyẹ́ ẹyẹ tiyo wiyengo,leɓol kundíi
71 hair irun abubara kawar cukulol (plural: sukuundu), gasa kundíi
72 head orí isi kungo boopa, bopp hoore kuŋ
73 ear etí nti tuloo noppa, nopp nowru (plural: noppi) tólo
74 eye ojú anya ñaa bet, bot, bët yitere (plural: gite) já kpɔ́
75 nose imú imi nungo baken, bakkan hinere, kinal súŋ
76 mouth ẹnu onu daa gemmiñ hunnduko lá
77 tooth
(rather not molar) 		ehín eze ñingo boñ nyiire (plural: nyiiƴe) nyíŋ
78 tongue ahọ́n ire nengo laameñ, lammiñ demngal nɛɛ̃
79 fingernail èékánná ìka ọwọ́ (?) feɗe ngo ɓóló loi kɛnji
80 foot ẹsẹ̀ ukwu singo koyngal, kosngal keŋ
81 leg ẹsẹ̀ singo tanka, tank kos ngal keŋ
82 knee orúkún, ekún ikpere kumbalingo óom howru (plural: koppi),hosɓu ndu kúmɓéé
83 hand ọwọ olu buloo loxo junngo (plural: juuɗe) ɓóló
84 wing ìyẹ́ apá ngelaw biyeli, bippoɗi kafa
85 belly inú, ikùn afo konoo biir reedu ɓú
86 guts ìfun cewɗi (singular: sewngol),ketetti nuú
87 neck ọrùn, ẹ̀mí olu kango baat hoƴƴudu.daande káŋ
88 back ẹ̀hìn azu kooma ganaw ɓaawo, caggal kɔ́ɔ tɛ
89 breast ọmú, ọyọ̀n ara sunjoo enndu (plural: enɗi); kunndulal = nipple susu
90 heart ọkàn obi jusoo, kijoo ɓernde kpuu
91 liver ẹ́dọ imeji jusoo, buñoo ke nye falá
92 to drink mu ming naan yarugol mi
93 to eat jẹ, jẹun domo lekka, lekk nyamugol lɔŋ
94 to bite gé jẹ, bù jẹ maata, matt soppugol, nngattaka kiŋ
95 to suck mu ọmú, fi ẹnu fà mu murugol saha
96 to spit tutọ́ kartugol tɛ ka
97 to vomit bì, pọ̀ jade woccu tutugol fɔnɔ
98 to blow
(as wind) 		mí kíkanfẹ́ (?) luɗugol tuu
99 to breathe mí foofugol fiyá ɓɔ
100 to laugh rẹrin jalugol jɛ́ɛ kɛ
101 to see rí, fojú rí, ríran je gis yi'ugol fɛɛ
102 to hear gbọ, tẹtí sí anu dégg heɗagol,nangol laŋ
103 to know
(a fact) 		mọ̀ xam anndugol sɔ
104 to think rò, ronú, wòye xalaat sikkugol,nyumol kuŋndɔ kíi ma
105 to smell
(sense odor) 		gbórùn urgol kunyɛ
106 to fear ẹ̀rù, ìfòyà (?) sila hulugol miĩnyáã
107 to sleep sùn, simi nelaw ɗaanagol ki kɛ
108 to live wà láyé wuurugol,jodugol to fiya ɓɔ́ɛ lɔ
109 to die kú, ṣaláìsí maayugol faha
110 to kill pa, gbẹ̀mí warugol faha
111 to fight ìjà, jagun (?) haɓugol tílíŋ kɛ
112 to hunt
(transitive) 		dẹ, lé, ṣọdẹ róbba ngasha fɛ kpai
113 to hit gbá, nà, lù piyugol tuu
114 to cut gé, ké, ṣá, yún kuntu dog hirsugol tiyɛ
115 to split là, pín, là wẹ́wẹ́ shendugol tɛ ka
116 to stab
(or stick) 		gún lọ́bẹ,
fi ohun mímún gún (?) 		tufgol ɓú fuwa
117 to scratch
(an itch) 		họ, ya, yún,
ya ni nkan 		nyanyugol wɔnyɛ
118 to dig walẹ̀, wà nílẹ̀, wáàdí gas ngirgol seŋ
119 to swim lúwẹ̀, wẹ̀ feey mbuulol jí ɓɛla
120 to fly fò, fò-lọ peerol pii
121 to walk rìn, fi ẹsẹ̀ rìn taamaa dem, dox, doxantu yahadol táháyɛ́
122 to come wá bia naa ñëw arugol,wargol na
123 to lie
(as on one's side) 		dùbúlê, nà gbôôrô (?) tedda, taanu waalol sa
124 to sit jókó no odu toog joɗɗgol sii
125 to stand dúró, dìde, nàró guzoro taxaw darol sɔ téŋ
126 to turn
(change direction) 		yípadà wa ailitol muĩ
127 to fall
(as in drop) 		ṣubú, wó (?) janoigol,tettoygol ɓɛla
128 to give fi fún, fi bùn, jìn jox gokkol kɔ
129 to hold
(in one's hand) 		dìmú, gbámú jogol ɓiya
130 to squeeze fún pọ̀, há láyè ɓ iɗɗugol ɓoti
131 to rub gbo, pa, fi ra, fi pa moytugol ma máĩ
132 to wash wẹ̀, fọ̀ bọ́ kuu raxas yiggol ko
133 to wipe nù, nùkúrò fompa, fomp moytogol fiya
134 to pull fà poɗol saha
135 to push tì, tari tutaki jɔndɔ
136 to throw sọ, jù, fi sọ̀kò perugol fili
137 to tie dì, so, se kókó kaɓɓol kili
138 to sew rán-ṣọkósọ (?) ñaw nyo'otol lomɓo
139 to count kà, rò, ṣírò lim limgol laŋ
140 to say wí, sọ fo wax wi'igol fɔ
141 to sing kọrin woy gimgol lɔŋ ɓɔ
142 to play ṣiré fo pijol tɔmɓɔ́ kɛ
143 to float lefó, fó lójú omi mbeyol ɓofoŋ
144 to flow ṣàn ilul jii
145 to freeze dì kpu áísi la
146 to swell wú ɓuutol jiijíi
147 sun òrùn anwu naaj naange télee
148 moon oṣù, òṣùpá onwa karoo weer lewru káwó
149 star ìràwọ̀ kpakpandu loolo kodel tóóma
150 water omi mmịrị duuroo, jiyo ndox ndiyam jí
151 rain òjò ndiyam soná
152 river odò (mmịrị) oruru shaangol jí sálé
153 lake adágún gassol jí sálé (yɔ́ pisoe)
154 sea
(as in ocean) 		òkun omi-iyọ́ geej weendu kɔí
155 salt iyọ̀ nnu koo xorom lamɗam kpɔndɔ lɔ kɔɔ
156 stone òkúta okwuta beroo xeer hayre seŋ
157 sand yanrìn suuf njareendi kɛnyɛ́
158 dust eruku sollare bhúndufú
159 earth
(as in soil) 		ilẹ̀, erùpẹ̀ ala bankoo suuf lesdi, leydi luma
160 cloud gùdẹ (?) ade, ndula lúú
161 fog ìkùúkùù, kùrukùru shammam,shuddi lúú
162 sky ọ̀run, ojú ọ̀run igwe asamaan dule, dow ɓándaha
163 wind
(as in breeze) 		afẹ́fẹ́, ẹ̀fúfú ikuku keni, henndu fiyá
164 snow ìrì dídìòjò dídì (?)
yìnyín ti ohun jábọ́ lójú ọ̀run (?) 		kímá ɓa múĩ ɓɔ ɓandaha lɔ
165 ice yìnyín, omi dídì oyi malemalleje áísi
166 smoke éfí shurka sisí
167 fire iná oku yiite tá
168 ash eérú sewo doondi bhuwá
169 to burn
(intransitive) 		sún, jóná, mú gbóná wulol ɓinda
170 road ọ̀nà yoon ɗatal kíla
171 mountain òkè gíga ugwu 'yolde kɔɔ̃ nyamá
172 red pọ́n, pupa (?) uhie xonxa, xonq boɗeejum jahalé
173 green aláwọ̀ ewé akwụkwọ nri jambakere werta, weer hakohakoje jamɓa kúwa
174 yellow pupa rúsúrúsú bí àwọ ìyeyè (?) edo netemunkoy olol wãã
175 white funfun ocha weex danejum kpɛ́ímá
176 black aláwọ̀ dúdú, ṣú oji fing ñuul ɓalejum fiimá
177 night òru abali suutoo guddi jemma lifí
178 day
(daytime) 		ọjọ́, ọ̀sán ehihe, ubochi lungo nyelauma télé lɔ
179 year ọdún afo at, atum hita nde saŋ
180 warm
(as in weather) 		gbóná diẹ, lílọ́ wọ́rọ́ oku guldum tɔmu
181 cold
(as in weather) 		tutù oyi sedda, sedd jangol kímá
182 full kún hewal lá fálé
183 new titun, àkọtun ọhụrụ bees kesum námá
184 old ìdarúgbó, ìdàgbà, gbó, ìhewú ochie magget nayewu kɔ́ɔ́
185 good rere, suwọ̀n, dára nma baax, neex boɗɗum ɓɛ́ɛ
186 bad burú, burúkú, búburú njo woɗa jáwo
187 rotten
(as, a log) 		dìbàjẹ́, rà nyoldum toilé
188 dirty léèrí, lẹgbin, àìmọ́, lọ́bùn ọjịị tilim, salte tuhundi nɔ́ɔ̃wã
189 straight tàrà, tọ, láìwọ forti táŋndé
190 round òbìrìkìtì (?) lelal gɛɛlíí
191 sharp
(as a knife) 		mímú, yára se kan shattal lá sáha
192 dull
(as a knife) 		kúnú, àìmú, lọ́ra, kújú, yòpe welay já ɓɛ púu
193 smooth tẹ́jú, tẹ́rẹrẹ, ọ̀bọ̀rọ́ ɓotiɗiɗum máĩ kpɔelé
194 wet rin, tutu tooy shoftugol dɔgbɔlé
195 dry
(adjective) 		gbígbẹ, gbẹ, gbẹrẹfu, láìlómi wow jo'oral kpaha
196 right
(correct) 		títọ́, tó yẹ, dára esi okwu tooñaa footi ɓɛ́ɛna
197 near nítòsí, súnmọ́ra nso sinna jege ha'ade máĩ
198 far jìnà, jijina anya sori, sore ɓadaki kaŋ kpɔ́ŋ
199 right
(side) 		ọ̀tún (aka) nri bulubaa ndeyjoor 'yamo féŋ lɔ́ŋ ɓolo ma
200 left
(side) 		òsì (aka) ekpe maraa cammooñ nano maã ɓólo ma
201 at ní, níbí, lí ci, si i la
202 in nínú, ní ci biir nder lɔ
203 with
(accompanying) 		pẹ̀lú, àti, lọ́dọ̀, bá, fi, dání fee ak i fɛ
204 and àti, sì na andung ak, te ee amu
205 if bí, bí ó bá bu fekkee to a hĩ
206 because nítorí, nítorítí ndaxte gam ɓɛ́ímáã
207 name orúkọ too tur, tudd innde tɔ́ɔ́

Sources

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English Wikipedia has an article on:
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Diacritics:

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