E - e
e Letter representing the Maa front central advanced tongue root (+ATR) vowel /e/.
ɛ Letter representing the Maa front central non-advanced tongue root (-ATR) vowel /ɛ/.
ɛ-1 gen. Feminine singular gender prefix; variant of ɛn- that occurrs before continuant consonants (s, l, r, y, yi, w, wu) and nasals (m, n, ŋ). Óre ɛyɨkái ɛ́lɛ dóínyó náa áɨ́tɔrrɔ́nɔ̂. The elevation of this hill is bad. See: ɛn-1.
ɛ-2 Variant: e-. pn.b. Pronominal prefix for relative clauses designating a location; place where. ewúéji nɛmánya Ole Sokoine a place where Ole Sokoine lives (KS). Népōnū ɨlmʉ́rrân enetíī. The warriors come to where he is.
ɛ- Variant: e-; é-; a-; á-; ɔ-. pn.b. Bound pronoun on verbs indicating third person subject and no object (intransitive verbs); or third person subject with third person or plural object (transitive verbs). Káke ɛshál ɛnâ áyíóní. But this boy is very weak. Ɛtɛmɛ́ratɛ ɨlpáyianí The men got drunk. Etuŋúáyie inkíshú ɨná kítok. That woman has left the cows. (W).
-ɛ1 PL PF:: -atɛ, -ɔ́tɛ. voi. Perfect(ive) Middle voice suffix. With Class 1 roots it co-occurs with the prefix tV-; with Class 2 roots it occurs alone. Óre adé aké peê ɛakʉ́ ɛɨdɨ́pɛ pɔ́ɔ̄kɨ̄ tókî... When everything has been finished... Ɛrɔ́k ómom Pita amʉ̂ ɛtáláíkíne ayáma ɨ́nâ títō. Pita is unfortunate because he was not able to woo that girl. (W). Ɛtɨgɨ́lɛ ɔlálai lâî. My tooth broke. (W). Ɛtɨgɨ́latɛ ɨlalá láinêî. My teeth broke. (W). Káɨ́wɔtɨwɔ́tɛ I have been infected. (S). See: -a1 ‘Nonperfective Middle suffix’; -o ‘Perfect(ive) Middle voice suffix’.
-ɛ2 Variant: -yɛ; -yie. asp. Variant of the Perfect(ive) aspect suffix which occurs after the directional -ʉ́(n). Nɛ́ɨshʉ́nyɛ. It (the story) has ended. Néshukunyíêî (People) come back (inside). See: -a1 ‘Nonperfect(ive) Middle suffix’.
ɛ́2 Variant: é; ɛ. psr.prt. Of; possessor (Genitive) particle which occurs between possessed and possessor nouns, indicating that the possessor is Singular. The possessive form codes a range of semantic relations, including ownership, part-whole, composing substance, type, partitive, etc. Áyíéú ɛnâ búku ɛ Tôm. I need this book of Tom's. (W). Áyíéú kʉnâ búkuí aré ɛ Tôm. I need these two books of Tom's. (W). entítō e Rónkēī daughter of Ronkei. Óre aké téípa nɛ́ɨ́dʉrr ɨnkɛ́ra e sukúul ɨndámunot. In the afternoon/evening, school children's minds wander. (lit: children of school thoughts migrate). Iyíólo oróréí lé emúá. Do you know the word emúá? (W). olórika lɛ kanísa the church's chair (W). olórika lé nkisóma the chair of education (W). Népūōnū ɨlɛ́ kʉ́ldɔ̄ apá ɔ́aarɨta ɔlarinkóí. Those (warriors) of the others came from the side where Olarinkoi was killing. Áísidaîn inkíaasîn ɛ́ lɛ̂ mʉ́rráni ɔɨdɨpá esíáai ɛnyɛ́. The works of this warrior who had finished his work are good. (Pk). Note: The possessor particle generally cliticizes to the following noun, assimilating to it in ATR quality. Tucker & Mpaayei (1955: 213) write it as a separate particle and we have followed that tradition. However, experienced native-speaker writers often write it as a contiguous element with the following word. See: ɔ́1 ‘Masculine singular possessive particle’; ɔɔ́ ‘Plural possessive particle’.
| Possessives Particles with Pronominal Possessed Item | ||
|---|---|---|
| ACCUSATIVE | NOMINATIVE | |
| en-é n-kitók | en-é n-kitók | "the one (FSG) of the woman (FSG)" |
| ɛn-ɔ́ silân | ɛn-ɔ́ silân | "the one (FSG) of the body (MSG)" (= deceased girl) |
| en-ó l-kerretí | en-ó l-kerretí | "the one (FSG) of the tradition (MSG)" |
| ɛn-ɔɔ́ nk-ájíjík | ɛn-ɔ́ɔ nk-ájíjík | "the one (FSG) of the houses (FPL)" |
| ɛn-ɔɔ́ l-ashɔ́ | ɛn-ɔ́ɔ l-ashɔ́ | "the one (FSG) of the calves (MPL)" |
| in-é n-kitók | in-é n-kitóḱ | "those (FPL) of the woman (FSG)" |
| ɨn-ɔɔ́ n-kakúí | ɨn-ɔ́ɔ n-kakúí | "those (FPL) of the grandparents (FPL)" |
| ɔl-ɛ́ nk-ají | ɔl-ɛ́ nk-ají | "the one (MSG) of the house (FSG)" |
| ɔl-ɔ́ l-áshê | ɔl-ɔ́ l-áshê | "the one (MSG) of the calf (MSG)" |
| ɔl-ɔɔ́ nk-ájíjík | ɔl-ɔ́ɔ nk-ájíjík | "the one (MSG) of the houses (FPL)" |
| ɔl-ɔɔ́ l-ashɔ́ | ɔl-ɔ́ɔ l-ashɔ́ | "the one (MSG) of the calves (MPL)" |
| ɨl-ɛ̂ kampuaní | ɨl-ɛ́ kampuaní | those (MPL) of the company |
| ɨl-ɔɔ́ mɛ́nyɛ̀́ | ɨl-ɔ́ɔ mɛ́nyɛ̀ | "those (MPL) of the fathers (MPL)" |
ɛ́1 inter.prt. Contrastive focus question particle, preceding a questioned noun. Ɛ́ntaré íyíéú anáā ilbitiró? Do you want sheep and goats or warthogs? Óóói óóói ɛ́ nɨncɛ́ kʉná? Oooi oooi are these the ones?
ɛ́- Variant: é-; ɛ́n-; én-. pn.b. Imperative plural verb prefix. Éíniniŋó ɔlɔɨrɔrɨ́ta! Listen to the one who is speaking! Lɔ́ mʉ́rrân, ɛ́ntaanyúákɨ! Hey warriors, you all wait for me! See: m-2 ‘Subjunctive’.
ɛbáɨ́kɨ v.aux. Perhaps, might, it may be. Ɛbáɨ́kɨ nílō. You might go.
ɛbáɨ́kɨ táatá Hitherto. See: a-baɨkɨ́ ‘To suffice, reach, visit, happen’.
l-ɛbárta [North] [North] Nom sg: l-ɛ́barta. n. 1 • [North] Type of song sung for boys who are about to get circumcised, to mock them.
2 • [North] Song sung by boys around the time of their circumcision. See: l-aparasíyíó [North] ‘Song by women’; a-ɨbárt ‘To watch over’; ɔl-áɨ́bártani ‘Initiate’.
ecí [North] adv. [North] Usually. See: oshî ‘Usually’.
eé interj. Affirmative interjection; yes. Néjo "Eé kɛ́sɨ́pa taá." He said, "Yes it is true.".
eé páé [North] Yes, of course.
eé payé [South] Yes, of course!
ɛɛ́- pn.b. Plural pronominal prefix for relative clauses designating a location; places where. Kéduŋóki aké ɨnkárn ánaa iwuejitín nɛɛ́manyá. They are given names according to the places they live. (KS).
eeítō [North]: áíto. voc. Term of address from a man to a circumcised man or agemate. Usage: Mostly used by an elderly person addressing a younger person.. See: eérō ‘Boy’.
eérō Acc pl: (l)óyîê. voc. Term of address used by a man or another boy to an uncircumcised boy; or used between men of the same age-set. Eéro, sʉ́pa! Boy, hello! See: éro ‘Informal vocative greeting’; eeítō ‘Boy’; óyie ‘Boys (vocative)’.
eéto voc. Vocative greeting used between men of the same age, or with a man younger than the speaker; 'you'. eéto ára ŋanía you of so-and-so (KS). Syn: éro ‘Informal vocative greeting used between men’.
en-egól ɛ́ nkɨ́ɔ́ɔ́k [ènèɡól ɛ́ŋkɪ̄ɔ̄̄ɔ̄̄k] n. Hard cartilage in the outer ear which is cut out to make the lower ear hole in e-ségerua (lit: that which is hard of the ear). See: e-ségerua ‘Ear lobe’; a-gól ‘To be hard’.
ɛɨ- interj. Introdctory particle. See: áî ‘Introductory particle’.
ɛ́ɨ́ŋāɨ̄ pn.inter. Who?, Who is it? Ɛ́ɨ́ŋāɨ̄ ɔ́ɔwá ɛnkɨlâ áɨ́? Who took my cloth? See: ŋáɨ́ ‘Who’.
ɛɨtʉ́ v.aux. Negative perfect(ive) aspect auxiliary verb, indicating that sth. is not yet done or complete. This auxiliary does not inflect for person. Ɛɨtʉ́ ŋolé alotú esíái. I did not come to work yesterday. (Pk). Ɛɨtʉ́ áámɨ́rákɨ ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. I did not sell you the cow. (W). Ɛɨtʉ́ kɨ́mɨ́rákɨ ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. You did not sell me the cow. (W). Kóre peê éításhê, ɛɨtʉ́ ɛ́dɔ̂l ɔlásʉ́ráí. When he stopped, he didn't see the snake. (W). Ɨ́tɔ́dúāā inkíshú? Á'ā. Ɛɨtʉ́ adɔ́l káke átɔ́nɨ̄ŋɔ̄. Did you see the cows? No. I didn't see (them), but I heard (them). Ɨ́tɔ́dúāā inkíshú? Ɛɨtʉ́. Did you see the cows? No (I didn't see them). Ágɨ́ra abikokí meeû amʉ̂ maló naá ɛ́ɨ́tʉ̂ adúaarɛ. I am waiting for him to come because I cannot go without seeing him. (Pk). Kótūpūkūrō; ɛ́ɨ́tʉ́ eikén. She capped it; she didn't close it. (SN). Ɛáta ɨná kɛráí ɛlʉ́kʉnyá amʉ̂ eipírríó sokóni néshukúnye ɛ́ɨ́tʉ̂ elo aɨmalɨmál. That child is responsible because she ran to the market and returned without going to goof off. (W). Shɔ́mɔ ɛɨtʉ́ ɛ́shá. Go before it rains.
ɛ-ɛ́ɨ́tʉ Not yet. See: ɛ-tɔn ɛɨtʉ ‘Before’; m-1 ‘Not’.
ɛɨ́tʉ adv. Not yet, yet.
ejî v.pass. 1 • It is said (that...). Ejî óu enê. It is said come here. (Pk).
2 • To be named. Ejî Móríntát. He is called (named) Móríntát. (Pk). See: a-jó ‘To say’.
a-ɛ́k Variant: a-yɛ́k. v. 1 • To weigh down, exhaust. Ɛ́ɛ́k. It will tire him. Áagɨrá ɛlɛ̂ bɛnɛ́ aɛ́k. This bag is weighing me down (exhausting me).
2 • To bore s.o. Moókīrē aás ɛnâ síaai amʉ̂ áatɛɛká. I am no longer going to do this work because it has bored me. Majó kíriamári sukúul amʉ̂ áɛ́kɨ̄shɔ̄. I don't think we will go to school (together) because I am boring. (eg. you won't enjoy my company) (W). Átɛ́ɛ́kʉ́nyɛ tɛnkárakɨ́ kʉlɔ̂ omón lɛnyɛ́nāk lɛ́mɛ́ɨ́shʉ́nyɛ. I am bored because of these words of his that don't end.
3 • To repeatedly bother; trouble; psychologically make uncomfortable. Áagɨrá ɛnâ kɛráí aɛ́k amʉ̂ kɛ́batáta ɛnaaké tɛ súkuul. This child is troubling me because he is failing everyday in school. Áatɛɛká ɛnâ gárrɨ amʉ̂ képukú ɛnkɛ́jʉ This car is troubling me because the wheel is getting (coming) off.
a-ɛká v.mid. To be bored. Áɛ́ka. I am bored. (W). Ɛɛ́ka. He is bored. (W). Átɛ́ɛ́kɛ. I have become bored. (W). ɔltʉŋáni ɔɛ́ka person who is bored.
a-ɨtɛɛ́k To bore down with.
ɛká- pn.b. Variant of first person singular verb prefix á- (or a-).
ɛ-ɛ́ka n. Boredom. Áɨ́bá ɛɛ́ka. I hate boredom. (W). See: a-ɛ́k ‘To weigh down’.
ɛkɛ- pn.b. Alternative form of third person bound pronominal ɛ-. Óre oldía ɛkɛ́nyáɨ́ta apá ɨnkɨdɔŋɔ́ ɔɔ́ nkɛrrá áâ nɨnyɛ́ ɛndáâ. The dog used to eat the tail of sheep as its food. (KS). See: ɛ- ‘Third person subject prefix on verbs’.
ol-ekelél Nom sg: ol-ékelél. n. 1 • Circle. Máítashó to lékelél. Let's stand on a circle.
2 • Steering wheel. olekelél lɛ́ ngárri Steering wheel of a car.
ɔ-ɛ́kɛny Nom sg: ɔ-ɛ́kɛ̂ny. Acc pl: i-ekényī. Nom pl: i-ékenyí. [Purko] Acc sg: ɔ-yɛ́kɛny. [Purko] Nom sg: ɔ-yɛ́kɛ̂ny. n. Baboon. Ɛnapɨ́ta ɔyɛ́kɛ̂ny ɛnkiyîô ɛnyɛ́. The baboon is carrying his baby. (Pk). See: ɔl-tʉ́lal ‘Baboon’; ɔl-kɨ́ma ‘Ape, baboon’; l-dírikány; l-ótim [North] ‘Baboon’; l-désí [Chamus] ‘Baboon’; lɛ́nkʉ́rbany ‘Baboon’.
a-ɛkɛnyá v. To work hard, toil, struggle; be wearied. Ágɨ́ra aɛkɛnyá aɨdɨ́p esíáai ɛ́ɨ́tʉ̂ ɛ́mútû. I am struggling to finish the work before dusk.
ɛkɨ- pn.b. Variant of second person bound pronoun ɨ-. Óre tɛnákatá ɛkɨ́ákʉ iyíé oldîâ ɔ kɛnyá otúá. Now you will become a dog forever until you die. (KS).
ɛ́kɨ́- pn.b. Variant of first person plural bound pronominal prefix on verbs; we. Ɛ́kɨ́gɨrá áajo mátayioló iróreí lɔɔ́ lMáásâɨ̂. We are trying to learn about Maasai words. See: kɨ́-1 ‘1PL’.
l-ɛkɨ́ma [North] [North] Nom sg: l-ɛ́kɨma. n. [North] Haze. See: lɛ-kɨ́ma ‘Vapor’.
ol-ékíŋúóŋúóre n. Sense of smell. Nɨ́nya inkík ɨntarasɨ́ móítíé káke káɨ́shɔ̄ siî nanʉ́ olékíŋúóŋúóre. You will eat faeces forever, but I will also give you the sense of smell. (KS).
ol-ekitarrí [West] n. [West] Doctor. Emúíta Páapa lâî néjo olekitarrí ɛtɛ́ɛ́kʉ́nyɛ encotó nábō. My father is sick and the doctor said that one of his sides is paralyzed. (W).
ɛn-ɛ́kɔ́kɛ́sɛ̄nā n. Bat.
a-ɛkʉnyɛ́ v. 1 • To weigh down or trouble, due to ill-function (typically used of body parts); be paralyzed. Káatɛɛkʉ́nyɛ nkaɨná. My hand is troubling me (eg. it is hurting or is no longer strong). (SN). Emúíta Páapa lâî néjo olekitarrí ɛtɛ́ɛ́kʉ́nyɛ encotó nábō. My father is sick and the doctor said that one of his sides is paralyzed. (W).
2 • To be bothered; be troubled. Átɛ́ɛ́kʉ́nyɛ tɛ nkárakɨ́ ésíáai nɛ́mɛ́ɨ́dɨ́pa I am bothered by the unfinished work.
ol-ékúrúí Acc pl: ɨl-ekúrú. n. Very dry animal droppings. See: in-kíík ‘Faeces’.
a-ɛ́l Variant: a-yɛ́l. v.prog. 1 • To smear with sth. (typically oil or fat); annoint. Ɛgɨ́ráɨ́ áaɛl ɛnkɛ́ráí tɛ ɨlatá. The child is being smeared by oil. (Pk). Káɛl nkɛ́ráí. I will smear the child (with oil). (SN). Káɛ́la nkɛ́ráí ŋolé. I smeared the child (with oil) yesterday. (SN). Ɛgɨ́ra entitó ajút entúrótó naelíéki. The girl is rubbing off the chalk painted on her. (Pk).
2 • To assimilate other(s) into the group; naturalize. Ɛ́ɛ́lâ apá ɨlMaasáɨ́ ilorérén ɔɔ́tɨmɨrâ tɔ lárrábâl. The Maasai assimilated the people they defeated in war. (Pk).
3 • To speak in nice words in order to be less blunt; speak indirectly. Míntóki dúóó aɛ́l ɛmbáɛ tólimú aké ánaa ɛ́nátîû. Stop avoiding telling the truth of the matter as it is; say exactly what it is. (Pk). Note: 2nd argument may be PT (substance smeared on), or GOAL (item that receives the smeared substance)
a-elíé Variant: a-yelíé. To smear or paint with sth. Káélîê. I have painted with it (eg. oil). (S). Káélie nkɛ́ráí látá táatá. I will smear the child with oil now. (SN). Eyelíéki ɛldɛ̂ mʉ́rráni entúrótó amʉ̂ ɛ́ɨ́dɨ́pá intaléŋo. That warrior has been painted with chalk because he is done with the ceremony. (Pk). Ɛgɨ́ra ɨnkɛ́rá áaelie átɛ́ eréko. The children are painting themselves with the red ochre. (Pk).
ɛldɛ̂ Nom sg: ɛldɛ́. dem. Masculine singular 1st distal demonstrative; that. Ɛldɛ́ payíán oirórokí ɛlɛ̂. That man is greeting this one. (Pk). Tálaŋa amʉ̂ etíī ɨntáre ɛldɛ̂ kékún lɔ́ɔ́ lkɛjʉ́. Cross, because the goats and sheep are on that (other) bank of the river. (Pk). See: Pronouns-Demonstratives.
ɛlɛ̂ Nom sg: ɛlɛ́. [North] Acc sg: alɛ́. dem. Masculine singular proximate demonstrative; this. Ɛlɛ̂ payíán eirɔ́rɔ́kɨ̄ ɛldɛ́ lɨ́kaɨ. This man is being greeted by that other one. (Pk). Ɔlɛ́ nkɨ́tɛ́ŋ ɛlɛ̂ kɛ́ɛnɛ. This big leather strap belongs to the cow. (lit: This bell (is) that of a cow.). See: Pronouns-Demonstratives.
l-ɛ́lɛ́ʉ́ [North] [North] Acc pl: l-elewîn. n. [North] Sand lizard; male of mʉ́llɨ́áát. See: mʉ́lɨ́áát [North] ‘Female long-tailed sand lizard’.
ɛ́m- Variant: ɛ́-. pn.b. Variant of plural subjunctive pronominal prefix, occurring before negative m- and other labial consonants. Bási émintóki áaɨshɔ ɛɨdapásha So don't let them disperse. náa tɛnáa émeyiolórō and even if they do not know each other. See: ɛ́n- ‘Plural Imperative prefix’.
Ɛmáli n.prop. Name of a famous cattle market for the Maasai, located in Kajiado District, Kenya.
ol-empéi n. Hippo. See: ɔl-tʉrʉ́ka ‘Hippo’.
ɛn-1 Variant: ɛ-; ɛm-; ɛnk-; n-. gen. Feminine singular gender prefix. Ɛnɛ́ nkɨtɛŋ ɛnâ kɛ́ɛnɛ. This leather strap (normal size) belongs to the cow. See: ɛ́ ‘of’.
ɛn-2 gen. Gender prefix for place.
a-ɛ́n Variant: a-yɛ́n. v. 1 • To tie, tether, bind, fasten. Ɛgɨ́ra ɛnkáyíóní aɛ́n ɨnamʉ́ka. The boy is tying his shoes. (Pk). Tɛ́ɛna enetuduŋó ɛnkalɛ́m méítokí awó. Put a bandage on the area that the knife has cut so that it won't keep on bleeding. (Pk). Tɛ́ɛna ɛnkisunkúū ɛ́ nkɨlâ. Button your shirt. (Pk). Tɛ́ɛna ɔlkáráshá médōyīō. Tie your sheet (shuka) so that it does not fall. (Pk). Tɛ́ɛna ɔláshê peê méló. Tether the calf so that it does not go. (Pk). Ɨncɔɔ́kɨ ɛnkɛɛnɛ́ náéníé ɛlɛ̂ áshê. Give me a strap for tying this calf. (Pk). See: a-lɨ́d ‘To tie’.
2 • To protect with charms or magic, in order to ward off evil from persons, animals, or objects; be ritually or cremonially tied against disease or bad luck. Protection with a charm is done by special people, eg. of a certain clan, though it need not be il-oibonok. Ɛɛnɨ́ inkíshú. The cows are ritually tied (against disease or ill-luck). [This is done to make the bulls docile, when the long rains come and they are well fed.]. Tɛ́ɛna intaré naáɨ́mɨnâ peê mɛ́nyá ilowuarák. Invoke a charm to protect the flock that is lost so that the wild beasts won't eat them. (Pk). aɛná peê mémúóyu to be tied ritually against diseases (Pk). Ɛshɔmɔ́ dúóó entúáa nɛ́ya ɔɛnɛ́t mɛtɛ́ɛnɨ. The pregnant woman went with the fee to have herself charmed. (Pk). ɔltʉŋáni ɔɛ́nɨ̄shɔ̄ a person who is tied against disease/bad luck.
3 • [North] To perform a kind of curse or sorcery.
4 • To plait. aɛ́n ɨlpápɨ́t to plait hair (Pk).
5 • To arrest; seize and detain s.o. by legal authority; imprison. Ɛtɛɛnákɨ olpúrríshóí. The thief was arrested.
a-ɛná v.mid. 1 • To be tied, bound. Áɛ́na tɛ ɔlmʉ́mai. I am tied by oath.
2 • [North] To be under a curse.
a-ɛnaá v.dir. 1 • To wrap.
2 • To tie away.
a-ɛnarɛ́ To be fastened with, tied with; tied down (to). aɛnarɛ́ ɛnkɛɛnɛ́ to be fastened with a leather strap (Pk). aɛnarɛ́ ɛncaní to be tied down to a tree (Pk).
a-ɛnɨkɨ́ [North] [North] To tie to.
a-ɛ́n emotí To perform ceremony of tying the drinking pot soon after circumcision (lit: To tie the pot).
ɛ́n- Variant: ɛ́-. pn.b. Plural imperative and subjunctive pronominal verb prefix. Ɛ́ncɔm áŋ! Go home! Ɛ́mintóki áarari idia áló! (You pl.) keep to that side!
ɛna- dem. Cliticized variant of ɛnâ 'this'.
ɛnâ [ɛnnâ] Variant: ɛna. Nom sg: ɛná. [North] Acc sg: aná. pn.dem. 1 • Feminine singular proximal demonstrative; this. Ɛnâ kitók náípotito ɛndâ. This woman is calling that one. ɛnâ ayíónī this boy. Ɛákʉ ɛná kɨ́tɛŋ ɛnaáí. This cow will become mine. Kɔ́bɔ́r aná kɨ́tɛŋ. This cow is calm. (SN). Ɔlɔ́ rkɨtɛŋ ɛnâ kɛ́ɛnɛ. This leather strap (normal size) belongs to the ox. (Pk). Enkíné natorúá osíkíria ɛná. This is the goat that was kicked by the donkey. (PK). Ɛnâ kíné natorúá osíkíria This goat that has been kicked by the donkey (Pk). Káɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ ɛná? What is this? (W). ɛncɔlatá ɛ́na ɨ́látā melting of this fat.
2 • Preface to a common noun when the noun is used as a form of address. Tápala siî siî ɛná áyíóní empúróre. Please, lad, stop stealing! (Pk).
ɛnadúóó Previously-mentioned.
tɛnâ At this. See: Pronouns-Demonstratives; ɛlɛ̂ ‘This (masc.)’.
ɛnadoí dem. An indefinitely short time back. Ɛ́kúɛ́tá ɛnadoí tárákuet nágɨ̄rā adaá aɨŋataá oldîâ. The impala that was grazing has run away from the dog. See: dúóó ‘Earlier’; ɛna- ‘This’.
ɛnárɛ̄ adv. Appropriate; ought to; suitable; desirable. Ɛnárɛ̄ nɛ́nyɔk inkɛ́râ pɔ́ɔ̄kɨ̄ náatií sukúul. All the children in school ought to work hard. See: a-narɛ́ ‘To be fitting’.
ɛncɛ̂ [Chamus] pn.psr. [Chamus] Their. ɨnkárn ɛncɛ̂ their names. See: ɛnyɛ̂ ‘Their’.
ɛndâ Nom sg: ɛndá. [North] Acc sg: andâ. dem. Feminine singular demonstrative, 1st degree of distalness; that. Ɛndâ kitók éípot ɛná. That woman is being called by this one. (Pk). ɛnâ búku nárɔ́k ɔ ɛ́nda this black book and that one (ie. another black book) (W). andâ kiporóo that scar (S). See: Pronouns-Demonstratives.
endê Nom sg: endé. dem. 2nd Distal locative demonstrative, indicating a place away from both speaker and addressee; there. Túŋūāī enê, shɔ́mɔ endê. Leave here; go there. (Pk). Ɨ́yakákɨ enturét náló aturíé endê. Bring me a hoe so that I can go and dig there. See: Pronouns-Demonstratives.
enê Nom sg: ené. Variant: éne. dem. Proximal locative demonstrative, indicating area where the speaker is; here. Óu enê nátíī. Come here where I am. Ɛgɨ́ra aɨrrɨʉ́ ɛnkayíóni enê natíī. She is sending the boy where I am. Mɛmánya enkúukuû énê. No wild animal lives here. (W). See: Pronouns-Demonstratives.
ɛnɛ- Acc pl: ɨnɛ-. psr.prt. The one(s) of; used with a following demonstrative or gender-prefixed noun. ɛnɛɨ́lɔ ári of that year. Ant: ɔ́lɛ̂- ‘Of (masculine)’. See: ɛ́ ‘Feminine singular possessor’.
ɛ́nɛ̂ Variant: ɛnɛ-. psr.prt. A feminine possessed item belonging to a feminine possessor; of, belonging to. Ɛnɛ́ nkitojó ɛná kɛ́jʉ. This leg belongs to the hare/rabbit. (lit: This leg is of the rabbit.). Óre ɛná kɨ́tɛ́ŋ náa ɛ́nɛ̂ Tima. This cow belongs to Tima. Kéúlu apá ɛnɛ́ nkɨŋasíá. He was an interesting glutton. (lit: He was a glutton of a wonder.). Ɛ́nɛ̂ ŋáɨ́ ɛná kɨ́tɛŋ. [ɛ̀nɛ̀ ŋáɨ́] Who's heifer is this? ɛnɛ ɛɨ́kɨŋa. It is s.o. else's. (W). See: ɔ́lɛ̂ ‘Of a masculine referent’.
ɔ-ɛnɛ́t Nom sg: ɔ-ɛ́nɛ́t. Acc pl: ɨ-yɛnɛ́ta. Nom pl: ɨ-yɛ́nɛta. [North] Nom sg: ɛ́nɛt. [North] Acc pl: ɛnɛ́ta. [North] Nom pl: ɛ́nɛta. n. 1 • Knot. ɔɛnɛ́t lɛ́ nkɛɛnɛ́ Knot of a strap.
2 • Small fee (perhaps 30 to 100 Ksh) made to compensate a flock or herd which has been protected by ɛɛnarɛ́ when one member of the protected flock or herd is given away. If the fee is not paid, it is believed that the charm is broken. If the owner sells an animal from the herd or flock, he does not need to pay himself because the charm against harm does not apply to the owner. Ɨmɛrɛyɨ́ oshî intarɛ́ mɛ́átāɨ̄ ɔɛnɛ́t. Sheep cannot be taken away without a tying fee.
3 • Small fee paid by a pregnant woman to a traditional medicine man for a charm to protect herself and the unborn child against illness and misfortune. Ɛshɔmɔ́ dúóó entúáâ nɛ́ya ɔɛnɛ́t mɛtɛ́ɛnɨ. The pregnant woman went with the fee to have herself charmed.
4 • [North] Knot used in cursing, to bind s.o. or sth. See: ɛ-lɨ́dátá ‘Knot’; ɛ-yɛ́nátá ‘Knot’.
ɛnk- gen. Variant of the feminine singular gender prefix ɛn-, occurring before some vowel-initial noun stems. See: ɛn-1.
ɛ́nkʉna v.imp. Imperative plural of 'take'. See: a-ikó ‘To do’; ɨ́nkʉna; inkó ‘Take it (imperative)’.
ɛnɔ́- Acc pl: ɛnɔɔ́-. gen. Feminine prefix on a gender-inflected noun, indicating "that belongs to [noun]" or "pertaining to [noun]"; of. Enólkerretí apá léméló sukúul ɛndá kítok. That woman is of the tradition (in which people) never used to go to school. Ɛtalákɨ apá áɨ́ ɔlɔ́ŋ ɛnɔɔ́silân tɛndá âŋ. That home had a girl who died the other day. (lit: There was a loss the other day of one of the girl-types at that home.) (Pk). ɛnɔɔ́-silân is a euphemistic way of referring to a girl that has died without having to say her name. See: ɔlɔɔ́- ‘Of’.
ɛ́ntʉ̄rʉ̄j [South] num. [South] Nine. See: nááudo ‘Nine’; sáâl [North] ‘Nine’.
ɛnyɛ́ Nom sg: ɛ́nyɛ. Acc pl: ɛnyɛ̂. Nom pl: ɛ́nyɛ́. pn.psr. Third person singular possessive pronoun used with a feminine singular possessed noun; 'his, her (feminine thing)'. Nɛ́nɨ̄ŋ entítō ɛnyɛ́ bótór ɛranyakɨ́ enkáɨ́ ajokí. He heard his older daughter singing to the younger one. Ɛgɨ́ra ɛnkɛráí aishóp ɛnkɨlâ ɛnyɛ́ sídáí. The child is wearing his best shirt. (Pk). See: ɛnyɛ́nā(k) ‘His, her’; Pronouns-Possessives.
ɛn-ɛnyɛ́ Nom sg: ɛn-ɛ́nyɛ. Acc pl: ɨn-ɛnyɛ́na. Nom pl: ɨn-ɛ́nyɛná. pn.psr. Third person singular possessive pronoun used when the possessed referent is feminine, and when the pronominal is the head of its own noun phrase; his, hers. Ɛnɛnyɛ́ ɛná kɨ́tɛŋ. This cow is his. Óre ɔltʉŋáni pɔɔkɨ́ ólô amány ɛnkɔ́p nɛ́mɛ̂ ɛnɛnyɛ̂ náa ɔyáti tɛ ɨ́nâ kɔ̂p. Any person who migrates to some country which is not his is a non-native resident of that area. (Pk). See: ɛnyɛ́ ‘His’.
ɛnyɛ̂ pn.psr. Third person plural possessive pronoun of a feminine plural or singular noun; 'their (feminine thing(s))'. Nɛ́yá inkíshú ɛnyɛ̂ ó isirkôn. He took their cows and donkies. See: ɛncɛ̂ ‘Their’.
ɛnyɛ́nā(k) Nom sg: ɛ́nyɛná. pn.psr. Third person singular possessive pronoun of a plural (feminine) possessed item, 'his, her (feminine things)'. If the prefix l- occurs, the possessed item is masculine; oherwise it is feminine. Ɛshɔmɔ́ dúóó areú inkishú ɛnyɛ́nā. He went to bring his cows. (Pk). Ɛgɨ́ra ɔlpáyian akarsisú amʉ̂ ɛ́tʉ́bʉ́lâ intókitin ɛ́nyɛná pɔ́ɔ̄kɨ̄. The man is getting rich because his things are increasing. (Pk). Átɛ́ɛ́kʉ́nyɛ tɛnkárakɨ́ kʉlɔ̂ omón lɛnyɛ́nāk lɛ́mɛ́ɨ́shʉ́nyɛ. I am bored because of these words of his that don't end. (W). See: ɛnyɛ́ ‘His, her’; Pronouns-Possessives.
a-ɛnyɨɛ́ny [àɛ̀nyɪ̀ɛ́ny - two moras at end] v.s. 1 • To be bouncy, springy. Restrict: Cannot be used of a ball.. Kɛ́ɛnyɨ́ɛny olóríka. The seat is bouncy (soft).
2 • To be bloated or inflated from eating too much.
3 • To be full of impatience. See: a-sɨ́ ‘To be impatient’.
ɨl-ɛ́nyɔ́k Nom pl: ɨl-ɛnyɔ́k. [West] Acc sg: ɨl-ɛ́ŋyɔ́k. n.pl. Restrict: Not for cat's tail. Hairs of an animal's tail, like that of a cow or zebra. Níkipuo áaduŋuduŋ ɨlɛ́nyɔ́k lɔɔ́ ɨlkɨdɔŋɔ́ lɔɔ́ isirkôn. We will go cut into pieces hair from the donkey's tails. See: ɔl-pápɨ́tá ‘Hair’.
a-eŋú v. To be deprived of; lack. Ɨ́wa ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ inó amʉ̂ maéŋu. Take your cow because I will not lack. See: a-ɨtɛɛ́ŋ ‘To deprive of’.
eóó [North] interj. [North] Yes? What? Usage: used by women. See: óê [North] ‘Yes? What? (used by men)’.
ɛ́paɛ́ɛ interj. Of course, certainly.
a-epíé [North] [àèpyé] v. 1 • [North] To cause sth. to follow the course of a river.
2 • [North] To swipe, loot, make off with. Káépie. I have swiped (stolen) it. (S).
a-ɛpʉ́ v. To sleep beside s.o. Áépūā ɛnkɛ́ráí. I slept beside the child.
a-eré PF: a-taerió. In some suffixed forms: a-erek. v.s. To stop breastfeeding. Eérē ɛnkɨ́tɛŋ oláshê. The cow has stopped breastfeeding the calf. Áérē ɛnkɛ́ráí. I will stop breastfeeding the child. Eéreki ɛnkɛ́ráí The child is weaned.
éro voc. Vocative greeting used between men of the same age, or with a man younger than the male speaker; term of address used in a teasing, but friendly, way. Usage: very informal. Érṑ ára Konené You of Konene! (W). Syn: eéto ‘Vocative greeting between men’; eérō ‘Boy (voc)’.
l-ɛ́rɔ́mpɔ́ [North] n. [North] Hyena. See: ɔl-ŋɔjɨ́nɛ ‘Hyena’.
ésaí Variant: ésaáí. interj. Amen. ... amʉ̂ tɛ Yesu Kristo kíomón iyíé. Ésaí. ... because it is in Jesus Christ that we pray. Amen. (C).
a-ɛsɛ́k v. To outsmart; get the better of by craftiness, trickery, or devious methods; outwit, wangle. Ɛɛ́sɛk. He will get the better of her. Ɛ́sɛ́k. He will wangle / get the better of... (W). aɛsɛ́k ɔltʉŋáni ayá inkíshú ɛnyɛ́na to trick somebody to take his cows.
éserîân [North] greeting. [North] Greeting to women. Syn: takúɛ́nya ‘Greeting to women’. See: sʉ́pa ‘Greeting’.
l-ésómúá [North] Nom sg: l-esomúá. n. [North] Companionship. Syn: en-cóliek ‘Companionship’.
a-ɛ́sh v. To make things overlap.
a-ɛ́t v.prog. To empty an enclosed container completely or partially (of things), removing items one by one. There are size and shape constraints on the container. It cannot be a table, house, car, gourd or donkey. It can be a bag, pot, pocket, basket, one's mouth at the dentist if he is taking out one tooth at a time; etc. aɛ́t olbɛ́nɛ́ To remove items from a bag. aɛ́t emotí To remove chunks of food from a pot. Note: Hypothesis: Container has to be of the size that s.o. could carry.
a-ɛtʉ́ v.dir. To remove items one by one. aɛtʉ́ inkuashên tɔ́ lbɛnɛ́ To remove potatoes one by one from the bag. Ɛgɨ́ra ɛnkɛráí aɛtʉ́ ilmósor tɔ lbené adány. The baby is removing eggs one at a time from the bag to break them. See: a-ɨt ‘To do in installments’.
-ɛ́t Plural: -ɛ́ta. nmlz. Nominalizer creating a noun referring to the instrument with which an action is done. enduŋét knife (ie. 'thing used for cutting'). ɛnáíshó najî ɛnkɨ́rɔ́rɛ́t beer that is called "the talking-one" (lit: beer that is called 'thing to talk with').
ɛ́tɔ̂n v.aux. Still (lit: it/they remain). ɛ́tɔ̂n áâ ɛnɔɔ́ lɔɔ́ɨ́bɔ̄r ɛnkɔ̂p when the land was still for the whites. Kɛ́tɔn apá ɛatâɨ̂ ɛmperdédi ɛ́lɛ órere? Are there still remnants of those people? See: a-tɔ́n ‘To sit, remain’.
ɛ́tɔ́n ɛ́ɨ́tʉ̂ (+L tone on following verb) [ɛ̀tɔ̀n ɛ̀ɨ̀tʉ̀] v.aux. 1 • Compound auxiliary verb indicating still, not yet, before. Áyíéú shái ɛtɔn ɛɨtʉ [L]adáa. I want tea before I eat. (W). Ɛɨnyáŋūā sháai ɛ Kɛnya ɛtɔn ɛɨtʉ [L]elotú. He bought Kenyan tea before he came. (W). Áínyáŋūā sháai ɛ Kɛ́nya ɛtɔn ɛɨtʉ [L]alotú. I bought Kenyan tea before I came. (W). A: Íkúɛ́t ɔpá? B: Ɛɛ́, naárrɨ́ tɛ sukúul ɛtɔn ɛɨtʉ [L]anatáyu. A: Did you used to run? B: Yes, those days in school, before I became pregnant. (W). See: ` ‘Low Tone Temporal/Subjunctive Conjunction’.
2 • Not yet. Kéírébuk ɨnkɨ́laní amʉ̂ ɛtɔn ɛɨtʉ [L]etoyú olêŋ. The cloths are damp because they are not yet completely dry. (Pk). See: a-tɔ́n ‘To sit’; ɛ́tɔ̂n ‘Still’.
-etú Plural form of a-éu 'to come' in Perfect(ive) aspect or Subjunctive mood. See: a-éū ‘To come (subjunctive)’; a-lotú ‘To come (singular subject)’.
a-ɛtʉ́ [North] v.dir. 1 • [North] To pull a piece of meat from a pot; snatch out of.
2 • [North] To snatch from danger.
-etuo Variant: -otuo [North]. v.pf.pl. Irregular Perfect(ive) plural of a-lotú 'to come'. Kíetûô. We came. Íétuo. You (pl) came. Eétuo. They came. Néyiolouní áajo eétuo ɛnadúóó áŋ. It was known that they came to that home. Óre apá peê ɛmʉratɨ́shɔ ɛldɛ́ páyian néyetúó osotúá lɛ́nyɛ pɔɔkɨ́ áarēt. When that man circumcised (his children), all his relatives came to help. See: -euo ‘Came; have come’; a-éū ‘To come (subjunctive)’; a-lotú ‘To come (sg)’; áa-puo ‘To come (pl)’.
l-ɛ́tʉ́rŋʉ́ŋ [North] n. [North] Type of bee. See: ol-otórokî ‘Bee’.
ol-eturót n. Sphaeranthus gomphrenoides. Type of plant.
a-éū [North]: a-yíéw, a-éū. [North]: iwon. [Chamus]: íwʉ. IMPER: óū. PL.SUBJN: -etu. In some suffixed forms: -eun. v.subjn. Subjunctive suppletive form of a-lotú 'to come'. Ágɨ́ra abikokí meéū amʉ̂ maló naá ɛ́ɨ́tʉ̂ adúaarɛ. I am waiting for him to come because I cannot go without seeing him. Shɔ́mɔ tɔ́rɔjɔ sútúó linó meéu bɔɔ́. Go and signal your friend to come out. (SN). Máɨ́dɨm aéu. I cannot come. Mɨ́ndɨ́m aéu. You cannot come. Mɛ́ɨ́dɨm aéu. He cannot come. Káɨ́dɨm ayíéw táísere. I will be able to come tomorrow. (S). Óū enêǃ [wóū] Come hereǃ (W). See: a-lotú ‘To come’; -euo ‘Perfect(ive) of a-lotú 'to come'’.
áa-etú To come (pl.). Mɛ́ɨ́dim áaetú They cannot come.
-euo Variant: -ewuo; -yewûô. PL.PF: -étuo. PL.PF [alternative variant, North]: -otuo. v.pf. To have come. Suppletive Perfect(ive) aspect form of a-lotú 'to come'. Áeuo. I came. Íeuo. You (sg) came. Eéuo He/she came. Ḱetûô. We came. Eétuo. They came. Kéyéwuo dúóó aké nɨ́nyɛ ɛlɛ̂ páyian. This man just came. Eyéwuo dúóó oltúkútuk ónapɨta ɔlpayíán obô. A motor-cycle that was carrying one man came. (Pk). Laɨŋɔ́nɨ ɔ́rɔ́k óeúó nkáŋ. It is the black bull that came home. (SN). Áaeúó ɛldɛ̂ páyian aisilén iropiyíán áinéí. That man has come to borrow money from me. (Pk). Eéuo olákúyia tɛ mísimísī ŋolé. The old man came in the darkness (ie. at night) yesterday. (W). Nɛ́dɛ̄k ajokí: "Tɔ́rrɔ́bɔnɨ́, kéyíé óeúō adúŋ ɛnkɛɛnɛ́ ɛ́nkáí? Táā aɨsɨ́nānɨ̄ ánāā apá aké peyíê ɨrá." He cursed him by saying: "Hunter, is it you who came to cut the strap of God? Become poor like you've always been![óewúō] See: a-ló ‘To go’.
áa-eyepo v.pl. To copulate, have sexual intercourse.
a-eyú Variant: a-yeyú. [North]: a-eyí. v.incep. Usage: cows, women. To cease to lactate; go dry (of milk). Ɛgɨ́ra ɛnkɨ́tɛŋ aeyú. The cow is drying up. Eyó. It has dried up (of milk).
a-eyí [North] PF: -o. v.incep. [North] To go dry (of wells, lactating women, cows). See: a-eyú ‘To cease to lactate’.