zozo

Basque

Alternative forms

• xoxo (diminutive)

Etymology

From Proto-Basque *zozo, probably a reduplication of an original *zo, which itself could perhaps be the first element of *zori (“bird”) (modern txori, zori).

Pronunciation

• Audio:

  (file)

• IPA^(key): /s̻os̻o/, [s̻o̞.s̻o̞]

Noun

zozo anim

1. blackbird, thrush
2. stupid, dumb, silly

   Aita bezain zozoa da semea.

   The son is as dumb as his father.

Declension

Declension of zozo (animate, ending in vowel)

	indefinite	singular	plural
absolutive	zozo	zozoa	zozoak
ergative	zozok	zozoak	zozoek
dative	zozori	zozoari	zozoei
genitive	zozoren	zozoaren	zozoen
comitative	zozorekin	zozoarekin	zozoekin
causative	zozorengatik	zozoarengatik	zozoengatik
benefactive	zozorentzat	zozoarentzat	zozoentzat
instrumental	zozoz	zozoaz	zozoez
inessive	zozorengan	zozoarengan	zozoengan
locative	—	—	—
allative	zozorengana	zozoarengana	zozoengana
terminative	zozorenganaino	zozoarenganaino	zozoenganaino
directive	zozorenganantz	zozoarenganantz	zozoenganantz
destinative	zozorenganako	zozoarenganako	zozoenganako
ablative	zozorengandik	zozoarengandik	zozoengandik
partitive	zozorik	—	—
prolative	zozotzat	—	—

Further reading

• “zozo”, in Euskaltzaindiaren Hiztegia [Dictionary of the Basque Academy] (in Basque), Euskaltzaindia [Royal Academy of the Basque Language]
• “zozo”, in Orotariko Euskal Hiztegia [General Basque Dictionary], Euskaltzaindia, 1987–2005

French

Etymology 1

From a reduplication of the first syllable of Joseph.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /zɔ.zo/, /zo.zo/

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

zozo m (plural zozos)

1. fool, prat
   • 2021 April 21, Manu Gros, “Sainte-Victoire plus que jamais victime de son succès”, in La Provence, →ISSN:

     La faune harcelée non-stop par la présence humaine hors des chemins balisés. Et des zozos qui s’improvisent guide en marquant des tracés sauvages passant souvent par des propriétés privées.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Adjective

zozo (plural zozos)

1. stupid

   Synonyms: bête, niais

Etymology 2

From z’oiseau (“bird”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /zo.zo/

Noun

zozo m (plural zozos)

1. (childish, Haiti, Louisiana, Missouri, Cajun) Alternative spelling of zeauzeau (“bird”)

Further reading

• “zozo”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.

Louisiana Creole

Etymology

From Cajun French z’oiseau.

Noun

zozo

1. bird

Mauritian Creole

Noun

zozo

1. Alternative form of zwazo

References

• Baker, Philip & Hookoomsing, Vinesh Y. 1987. Dictionnaire de créole mauricien. Morisyen – English – Français

Seychellois Creole

Noun

zozo

1. Alternative form of zwazo

References

• Danielle D’Offay et Guy Lionnet, Diksyonner Kreol - Franse / Dictionnaire Créole Seychellois - Français