Maa

N - n

n Letter representing the Maa alveolar nasal sound /n/. When this occurs before a palatal or alveopalatal sound, it is pronounced as an (alveo)palatal [ɲ]. When this occurs before a velar (k or g), it is pronounced as a velar [ŋ].

n[H]-₁ con. Discourse connective which initiates sentences that thematically cohere together. Nétií apá ɔlpáyian. A long time ago, there was an old man. Népuo ɨlmʉ́rrân néjo "Káa taá kiâs?" The warriors went and said, "What shall we do?". nɛ́ɨ̄m ɛnkáɨ́ , nédùŋ esaêî, néítadóíkì emúrt... he passed another one, he cut a beads-necklace, and he put it on his neck...

n-₂ rel. Prefix for a relative clause that modifies a feminine or place gender noun. ɛnkɨtɨ́ títō nanakɨ́ta ɔlkɨ́na a young girl who was still suckling (her mother's) breast. Ɨ́yaʉ́ empítō nárípíé ɛnâ kɨlâ natɔpɔlɔ́sɛ. Bring me a thread which I will use to sew this cloth which is torn. (Pk). Ḿmɛ ɛɨ́látá ɨnâ náɨ́nɔsɨ́ta. What I was eating was not fat. (W). Nɔɔ́ karbóbō náainyalá ɛndáa. It is squirrels that destroyed the food. (W). ewúéji nɛmánya Ole Sokoine a place where Ole Sokoine lives (KS). ɛnáádɔ́ a tall/long (feminine) one. See: ɔ- ‘Masculine relative prefix’; l- ‘Masculine relative prefix’.

n- [North]₃ Variant: nk-. gen. [North] Feminine gender prefix.

na- Variant: no- [Samburu]. Prefix occurring on demonstratives when functioning as existential predicates. Nákʉná ntamesí. The camels are here. (SN). Nákʉndá ntamesí. The camels are there (not so far away). (SN). Nónokûâ ntamesí náapuo nkárɛ́. There are the camels going for water. (SN).

ná voc. Feminine vocative clitic or particle. Páa kéjóki ɔlŋɔ́jɨnɛ,"Ná kítojó, iyíé náɨ́nɔsá enáíshíó áí!" So the hyena said to him, "You Hare, it is you who has eaten my honey!". Tɛ́rɛpa ŋútúnyí, ná kɛráí! Cleave (hold tight) to your mother, you child! (SN). See: lɔ́ ‘Masculine vocative’.

naá Variant: náa. prt. 1 • Grammatical particle which partitions a proposition into two parts, indicating (exclusive?) focus of contrast, typically on the phrase preceding naá; this one and only this one. Iyíé naá áyíéú. I want specifically you (not any other person). (Pk). Eé payé, néjuŋ ɔltásat, néjuŋ kókó ɛnyɛ́, amʉ̂ óre naá táatá eriyamakinóre naá táatá ɛnâ tásat kʉná kíbóítārē, amʉ̂ mɛáta naá ilayiôk náa tɛ nɨ́ata óre ɛlɛ̂ ayíóni bótór nɛ́ákʉ́ olólpayíán. Yes, he inherits from the grandfather, he inherits from his grandmother, because THIS particular time when these things happen your mother is together with you [the girl in the home], because she does not have sons, and if you have sons, the senior son belongs to the man (ie. your own father). Íú kʉnâ kɛ́ra káke ítíî ɨrá ɛnɛnyɛ́ káke íntayu ɔlayíóni ɔ́yâ ŋutunyí láā nɨnyɛ́ táatá, mɛtáa óre itíî íyíé ɛnâ áŋ náa ɛlɛ̂ ayíóni ímpírare ɛlɛ̂ lɨ́nkau. Náa nɨnyɛ́ ejî Oiboó. [ɔ̀làyyóni ɔ̀yà ŋùtùɲí làà nɪ̀ɲɛ́] [ɛnáaŋ] When you give birth to these children, while you are still hers, but you give (command) one boy (lit: your mother today, so that when you are in that home) who will be taken by your mother, who is going to be the one that concerns you (ie. concerns your still being retained in your mother and father's home), this first-born. This is the one called Oiboó (lit: the one who prevented). aɨkáú first-born. Óre naá káɨ̄shɔ̄ ɛnâ kɨ́tɛ́ŋ. Then I will give you this cow (eg. when you are concluding discussions of which cow should be taken, whether it is the right value, etc.). (Pk). Ɛgɨ́ra oshî táatá nɨ́nyɛ ɔltáání atumokí ámaâ naá enotó esíái. So-and-so is succeeding because he has gotten a job. (Pk). Óre ɨmbáa ɛ́ nkÁí náa néíjia aké étíú. The works of God are like that. (KS). Óre ɨsɨŋát ɔɔ́ ntarɛ́ náa ɛyáʉ olkúlup. The sneezes of the sheep+goats bring mucous. (W).

2 • Particle used to soften or make a command more polite or like a suggestion. Shɔ́mɔ naá ɛndâ ají. Go to that house. See: áâ ‘Be’.

náa₁ prt. Particle used in cleft constructions to divide the two parts of the construction; be the one who, be the thing which. Óre ɔlkásíódí pɔɔkɨ́ náa kétúríá ɛmʉ́rátá. Every person who fears circumcision becomes ɔlkásíódí. (lit: Every ɔlkásíódí is the one who fears circumcision.) (Pk). Óre ɔltʉŋáni kársîs náa kɛ́áta inkíshú kúmok ɔ́ ntaré. A rich man has many cows and sheep/goats. (lit: A rich man is the one who has many cows and sheep/goats.) (Pk). See: áâ ‘Be’.

náa₂ conj. 1 • Conjunction of two predications; and. Etoíwuokí kʉlɔ́ ayíók pɔkɨ́ra ɛnkɔlɔ́ŋ nabô. Náa káyíólo ajó alɔ osíókí ayamɨshɔ́. These two boys were born at the same time. And I know which (of them) will marry first. (W). Nɛ́dʉ̄mʉ̄ lɛlɔ̂ tʉŋanák, náa inkíshú ɛɨshɔrɨ́. Those people pick him up and they are given cows. Ɛ́máymārīrīā Yiesʉ ɔlaa nɨnyɛ́ ɔláɨ́tūrūkōnī náa ɔlɔɨtabáyā ɛnkírúkɔ̄tō âŋ, Let's look up to Jesus who is the beginner and the one who brings to completion of our faith,

2 • Then. Tɛnɨ́mɨ́kɨ́ndɨ̄m aɨshɔ́ɔ̄ ɛlɛ̂ kɨ́tɛ́ŋ obô, náa kááɨ́dɨ̄m aɨshɔ́ɔ̄ kʉlɨ́kāɨ̄̄ móŋí aáre aná okúni. If you cannot give (me) this one bull, then I can give (you) two or three others. See: ɔ́ ‘And, along with’.

ɛ-náádɔ́-kʉtʉ́k Nom sg: ɛ-náadɔ-kʉtʉ́k. Acc pl: ɨ-naáadɔ-kutukíé. Nom pl: ɨ-náaadɔ-kutukíé. n.phrase. A big meat-eating bird with a long beak (lit: the one that is long-mouth). Syn: nááráncɔ̂ ‘big bird’.

náají₁ adv. A while ago. Ɛshɔmɔ́ɨ́tɔ náají ɨlɔ́ɔ Kinayíâ ɛsáyíátá ɛ́nkai. Kinayíâ and others went a while ago for prayers to God. (Pk). Eyéwuo taá nɨnyɛ́ ɛwaŋán amʉ̂ kímísímís náají. Lightness has come because it was dark awhile ago. (Pk).

náají₂ n. 1 • Who are called, who are considered (to be) (lit: that is said). amʉ̂ ilmatapató náají ɛntɔnatá é púrka ɔlɔɔdɔ́kɨ́laní because it is the Matapato who are the exactness of Purka and the Loodokilani.

2 • Possible. Áyíéú nɨ́tɛ́m siî náají adʉmʉ́ tanáa kélotú ɔlápâ ɛnkɔ́p. I want you to imagine whether the moon will come to the ground. (Pk). Nélo náají nɛ́yɛ. And he might go and die. (KS). Kóre tɛ nɨ́rɛ́ʉ́ ɛmbáísikil ínó áŋ ɨ́ndɨm náají atarríayu. When you ride your bike home, you might fall. (W). See: a-jó ‘To say’.

náajokí yíéyîô n. Wood dove. The bird name comes from a story about the bird's mother telling it over and over not to do sth., which it went ahead and did.

ɨ-naapɨ̂ tɛ barɨák n. Sharp thin front teeth (of human or animal); canine (sharp side) teeth (lit: those that are brave of jackels). See: ɔl-tagɨ́lɨgɨ́lɨ ‘Molar’; a-pɨ́ ‘To be brave, sharp’; ɛm-báríé ‘Jackal’.

naápishana num. Seven (lit: which are odd). See: sápâ ‘Seven’.

naár motí [North] [North] Acc pl: naár motíô. n. [North] Stick insect (lit: which beats the pot).

naárrɨ̄ adv. 1 • Recently.

2 • Long ago, those days long ago, esp. when sth. habitual or well known used to happen. Ɨ́dɛ́mʉ́ naárrɨ̄ kɨ́nyáɨ́tá inkulukuók? [nàárɪ́ kɪ̀nyàìtà ì̪nkùlù̪kùó̻k] Do you remember those days that we used to eat soil? (W).

naárrɨ̄ áɨ́ kátá A particular time long time ago.

l-náat [North] [North] Nom sg: l-náât. n. [North] Light stick or club with a mechanical nut attached to the end. See: rúnkú [North] ‘Club’; l-tɨ́nka ‘Club’. Etymology: < English nut.

naáudó Nom sg: náaudó. [West] Acc sg: nááudo. num. Nine. Ɛ́rá ɨnaudót náatií osésen lɔ́ ltʉŋáni naáudó. There are nine openings in a human body. Nine and numerals ending in nine, such as 49, are special among Maa speakers.

oóudó Nine (masc.). See: ɛ́ntʉ̄rʉ̄j ‘Nine’; saal ‘Nine’.

Nábárn Ɨntaré Nom sg: Nábarn Intaré. n.prop. Maasai name for the Aberdare Range in Kenya, west of Mt. Kenya (lit: which shaves the sheep). Kɛ́ɨ́rɔ́bɨ oshî Nábarn Ɨntaré. The Aberdare Range is very cold. (Pk). See: a-bárn ‘To shave’; ɨn-taré ‘Sheep, goats’.

ɛ-nabɛlɨ́ n. 1 • Salt; Large salt chunk, which can be licked by animals (lit: that which can be broken off). Eitushúlī oshî ɛnabɛlɨ́ óé maakát. Soda ash is mixed with salt (ie. for animals). Big chunks of salt are always split into small pieces before use. This is a rather poetic use of the word, and might be used so children wouldn't understand.

2 • Something that is to be broken.

3 • Slang for sodium bicarbonate. Used with chewing tobacco. See: ɛm-boliê; ɛm-bʉlɨɔɨ; ɨn-cʉ́mpi; ɛ-mʉnyán; makaát; ɛ-naɨsʉ́kʉt ‘Salt’; a-bɛ́l ‘To rock back and forth’.

nabô Nom sg: nábo. num. 1 • One (feminine). Ɛlʉ́kʉ́nyá nabô oshî ɛɛ́ta ɔltʉ́ŋání. A human being has one head. (Pk). Éísídáí taá doí ɛntáaní amʉ̂ áítúmóki ataása intokitín kúmok tɛ nkatá nábo. Nearness is good because you can do so many things at one time. (Pk). Óre ɨltʉ́ŋáná pɔɔkɨ́ lɔɔ́ lMáásâɨ̂ náa ɛlɛ̂ ntɨ́pat nábô. [ntɪ̀pàt nàbò] All people of the Maasai are of the same tribe. (Pk). áanyɔrrakino entóki nabô to agree on one thing.

2 • One. Áyíéú kʉnâ búkuí aré ɛ Tôm ɔ ɛ́nda nabô ɛ Vincent. I need these two books of Tom's and that one of Vincent's. (W). See: obô ‘One (masculine)’.

ɛ-nadéde Nom sg: ɛ-nádedé. Acc pl: ɨ-naádedé. Nom pl: ɨ-náadedé. n. Truth, the truth (lit: that which is true). Éjó oshî ɨltʉŋaná ɛ́tɔ́n ɛ́ɨ́tʉ̂ epíú Yésu, káke kóre ɛnadéde etopíwūō ɔpá olêŋ. People always think that Jesus has not resurrected, but the truth is that he resurrected a long time ago. Éjó oshî ɨltʉŋaná meishiunyéki ɔltʉŋáni lóloirírua, káke eishiunyéki. Kóre ɨnaádedé náa, kérikí sipitáli, kérikí oloibóni, ɔ aashʉ̂ eomonokiní. People think that a mad person will not be cured, but he can be cured. The facts are, he can be taken to hospital, he can be taken to a magician, or he can be prayed for. Usage: The verb a-dede has the senses 'to be true', 'to be truthful', and 'to be right'; while the noun ɛsɨ́pátá conveys the idea of 'truth'..

e-déde It is true. See: asɨ́pani ‘Truthful’; ɛ-sɨ́pátá ‘Truth’; a-dedé ‘To be true’.

ɛ-nagʉr kɛwɔ́n n. Fruit-bat. See: ɛ-sarambalani ‘Fruit-bat’; n-tɨpát ‘Fruit-bat’.

ɛ-naɨbá ɛnkáí n. Sth. disadvantaged or problematic; unfortunate one (lit: the one God hates). See: a-ɨbá ‘To hate’; totût ‘Disadvantaged’.

ɛ-naɨbá nkasís Sth. disadvantaged or problematic. See: a-ɨbá ‘To hate’; ɛ-naɨbá ɛnkáí ‘Sth. disadvantaged or problematic’.

ɛ-naɨbɛ̂ Nom sg: ɛ-náɨ́bɛ. Acc pl: ɨ-naaɨbɛ̂. Nom pl: ɨ-náaɨbɛ. n. Disadvantaged one, poor one. See: ɛ-naɨbá nkasís ‘Sth. disadvantaged or problematic’; ɛ-naɨbá ɛnkáí ‘Sth. disadvantaged or problematic’; a-ɨbá ‘To hate’; ɛn-tʉrmái ‘Poor one, disadvantaged one’; totût ‘Disadvantaged’.

ɛ-náíbón n. The doing of witchcraft; treating using traditional medicine; forseeing, predicting; prophesying.

e-náɨ́bɔ́rr-alɛ́m n. Interceder (lit: that which is white-knife, ie., a knife not tainted with blood).

e-náɨ́bɔ́rr-siadí Acc pl: ɨ-nááɨ́bɔ́rr-siadín. Nom pl: ɨ-náaɨbɔ́rr-siadín. n. Grant's gazelle. gazella granti (lit: that which is-white behind). Ádɔ́l ɛndá náɨ́bɔ́rr-siadí. I see that Grant's gazelle. Syn: en-kolií ‘Gazelle’.

ɔl-ɔ́ɨ́bɔ́r-siadí Grant's gazelle (masc).

e-naigára [ènàyɡára] Nom pl: ɨ-náɨ́gara. [West] Acc sg: ɛ-naɨgára. [West] Nom sg: ɛ-náɨ́gara. [West] Acc pl: ɨ-naaɨ́gara. [West] Nom pl: ɨ-náaɨgara. n. 1 • Diaphram; [West] Long muscle found just inside the ribs, connecting to the ribs on one side and the intestines on the other. A cow has two, one on each side. Etápéjóki ɛnaɨgára áatumoki. The ɛnaɨgára has been roasted nicely. (W).

2 • Pancreas ? The pancreas is not eaten.

3 • Fat around the spleen. See: a-ɨgará ‘To hide’; ɛ-rapátɛ ‘Diaphram’; ɛn-tánū ‘Pancreas’.

naɨláŋa Nom sg: náɨ́lāŋā. n. Mixture of fresh milk warmed on the fire, mixed with a smaller amount of blood and sugar; typically given to women who have just given birth.

náɨ́ŋat báâ [North] n. [North] Lark.

ɛ-naɨpɔ́sha Nom sg: ɛ-náɨ́pɔsha. Acc pl: ɨ-naáɨ́pɔsha. [Chamus] Acc sg: ɛn-aɨpɔ́sha. n. Lake (lit: that which heaves). This word is the source for the name Lake Naivasha. tɛ nádóíki nanʉ́ ɛnâ aɨpɔ́shā if I dive into this lake (C). See: a-ɨpɔ́sh ‘To heave, churn’; ol-túrótó ‘Lake’; ɛ-sʉ́kʉta ‘Lake’; m-básu ‘Lake’; m-párinko ‘Lake’; ɔl-bálbál ‘Lake’.

Náíro Acc pl: nátóyîê. voc. Term of address used for addressing a girl; or between women of the same age-set (as determined by their marriage): "Girl!". Náíro, sʉ́pa! Girl, hello! Note: A man may use this for a women who is of his age-set (ie. married into his age-set) with whom he is very free, friendly, and close. Otherwise, it may be used by anyone addressing a young girl. See: náítō ‘Girl’.

Naɨrɔ́bɨ Nom sg: Náɨ́rɔbɨ. n.prop. Nairobi City, the capital of Kenya (lit: that which is cold). The city took its name from the Nairobi River, which flows by there. It's original name is Nakuso Intelon. various anglicised forms of this name used in the past include Neirobi and Nyrobi. Ɛ́táshá ɛncân sapʉ́k náturukó ilkɛjɛ́k tɛ Náɨ́rɔbɨ. A heavy rain that made streams in Nairobi flow rained. (Pk). See: a-ɨrɔbɨ́ ‘To be cold.’; ɛnk-árɛ́ Naɨrɔbɨ ‘Nairobi River’; Nakuso Intelon ‘Original Maasai name for Nairobi City’.

Nairówua n.prop. Name of Maasai hero.

ɛ-náɨ́rrag n. (Place) where I can sleep, place where I am going to sleep. See: ɛn-kɨ́rrágátá ‘Sleeping place’; a-ɨrrág ‘To lie down’.

Enaɨrrágīē ɛnkárɛ n.prop. Place name about 30 km. east of Narok Town, Narok District, Kenya (lit: where lies down water).

ɛ-naɨsɔ́mɨt n.r. Sour thing (eg. like a lemon) (lit: that which is sour).

ɛ-naɨsʉgɨ́ Nom sg: ɛ-náɨ́sʉgɨ́. Acc pl: ɨ-naaɨ́sʉgɨ. Nom pl: ɨ-náaɨsʉgɨ. n. Snuff. Ɛpɨ́ ɛnáɨ́sʉgɨ́ olêŋ. The snuff is strong. (W). See: a-ɨsʉgaá ‘To sniffle’.

ɛ-naɨsʉ́kʉt Nom sg: ɛ-náɨ́sʉkʉ̂t. Acc pl: ɨ-naáɨ́sʉkʉ̂t. Nom pl: ɨ-náaɨsʉkʉ̂t. n. 1 • Sth. that has a sour taste (lit: that which is sour).

2 • Salt. Ɨncɔɔ́kɨ emborêɨ̂ ɛ́ nkáɨ́ná ɛ́ naɨsʉ́kʉt. Give me a handful of salt. (Pk). See: shímpi ‘Salt’. Syn: ɛ-mʉnyán ‘Salt’; ɛn-abɛlɨ́ ‘Sodium bicarbonate; salt’; ɛ-makát ‘Salt’. See: em-bolíêî ‘Salt lick’; ɛm-bʉlɨɔɨ ‘Salt lick’; ɨn-cʉ́mpi ‘Salt’; a-ɨsʉkʉ́t ‘To be unfresh’.

ɛ-naɨshári Nom sg: ɛ-náɨshári. Acc pl: ɨ-naáɨsharî. Nom pl: ɨ-náaɨsharî. n. 1 • Past; sth. that has finished. Ɛásɨ́ta Kónené ɨmbáa naáɨsharî ɔpá. Konene is doing things that were over a long time ago (eg. revision of an exam). Ááta ɛ́máshô ɛnkɔlɔ́ŋ naɨshárɨ. [àáta ɛ̀màshò ɛ̀ŋkɔ̀lɔ́ŋ] I had a party the other day.

2 • Deceased woman or child. Usage: polite. Meitókīnī oshî áaipot ɛnkárná é nkiyío naɨshári. People will not mention the name of a deceased child again.

ɔl-ɔɨshárɨ Deceased man.

ɛ-naishíaa Nom sg: ɛ-náíshia. Acc pl: ɨ-náishia. Nom pl: ɨ-náishia. n. What is required. Ɛ́táásá táatá Kɛ́sʉ́ɛ ɛnaishíaa olêŋ. Keswe has done what is required well. Éísīdāī tɛ níás ɛnaishíaa It is good when you do what is required.

ɛ-naishiaakíno What is required. See: a-ishiakinó ‘To do what is appropriate’.

ɛ-naɨshɨrɨ́ dáma Nom sg: ɛ-náɨ́shɨrɨ́ dáma. Acc pl: ɨ-naáshɨrɨ dáma. Nom pl: ɨ-náashɨrɨ dáma. n. 1 • Rattle (lit: that which is cried during the day); (ie. rare during the day). Ɨmɛtúmōyū ɛnaɨ́shɨrɨ́ dáma élíóó ɛnkɔ́lɔŋ. A trial is never found before sunset.

2 • Four-legged wild animal, with fat tail, that digs in the ground and lives underground. See: l-kelekelé ‘Rattle’.

naít [North] n. [North] Lapwing; type of bird. See: n-aɨ́t [North] ‘Species of water bird’.

naít ɛ́ áŋátá Crowned lapwing.

naít ɛ́ ntim Wattled lapwing.

naít ɛ́ nkárɛ́ Blacksmith lapwing.

Naɨtɛ́rʉkɔ́p Nom sg: Náɨ́tɛrʉkɔ́p. n.prop. Beginner of the world; God. See: a-ɨtɛ́r ‘To begin’; ɛn-kɔ́p ‘Earth’.

náítō Acc pl: nátóyîê. voc. Term of address for a girl, or between women of the same age-set (as determined by marriage). See: náírō ‘Girl’.

ɛ-naitúruk n.r. 1 • The most important thing.

2 • The one that is leading. See: a-iturúk ‘To precede; pass’.

najé n. Certain one, particular (fem). Óre peê ɛakʉ́ ɛ́sáâ najé, amʉ̂ ɛ́táá káaduŋó táʉ, óu peê áálótú aitujúŋ ɛnkáŋ áí. When it becomes a certain time, because I am just about to die, come so that I will bequeath you my home. (KS). See: ojé ‘Certain one (masc)’; a-jɛ́ [North] ‘To be a certain one)’.

a-nák v.prog. To suck, suckle (of the offspring); nurse. Ɛnakɨ́ta ɛnkɛráɨ́ ɔlkɨ́na lɛ́ ŋɔ́tɔ́nyɛ́. The child is sucking her/his mother's breast. Nɛ́ɛ́ta ɛnâ tásât ɨnkɛ́ra aré: entítō bótór o ɛnkɨtɨ́ títō nanakɨ́ta ɔlkɨ́na. And this old woman had two children: an older girl and a young girl still suckling her mother's breasts. Mayíólo ajó kɛ́ŋāɨ̄ ɔ́talaáyie ɨlashɔ́ mɛshɔ́mɔ áanak. I don't know who untied the calves to go suck. (lit: I don't know which untier (it was) that untied the calves to go suck.) (W). Tɔ́bɔla ɨ́nâ kíné peê ɛ́ɨ́shɔ́rʉ̂ mɛtánaa olkúô. Hold that goat by mouth so that it can allow its kid to suckle. (Pk).

a-ɨtanák To breastfeed, suckle one's young.

nakonkóyo [North] n. [North] Hedgehog. en-jólís: ‘Hedgehog’; n-titipayó: ‘Hedgehog’.

nakʉdɛ́l Nom sg: nákʉdɛ́l. Acc pl: nɔɔ́ nakʉdɛ́l. Nom pl: nɔ́ɔ nakʉdɛ́l. n. Silver bird.

Nakuru n.prop. Anglicized name for Nakúrro.

nakúrro Nom sg: nákurro. n. 1 • n. bare grassless place.

n.prop.

2 • n.prop. Name for a lake in the Rift Valley, Kenya, famous for its flamingos (lit: which is scraped bare).

3 • n.prop. Name of a major town near Nakurro Lake (the name has been extended from the lake to the town); Nakuru placename), headquarters of the Rift Valley province. See: a-kúrr ‘Make bare’; ol-kúrrótó ‘Scraped ground’.

Nakúso n.prop. Place name near Ol-karkar, Kajiado District, Kenya (lit: which-is-decorated).

Nakúso Intélon n.prop. This name is said to describe the glow of the evening sun shining against and lighting up the yellow tops of the i-lera (acacia) trees that line the Nairobi River, giving them a golden glow and making them look like a string of decorations along the river banks.Original Maasai name for Nairobi City (as opposed to the Nairobi River) (lit: which-is-decorated treetops).

naléŋ adv. Very. Ɛ́nyɔ́r apá ɛnkɔ̂p nɨnyɛ́ naléŋ. The nation loved him very much. (KS). See: olêŋ ‘very’.

nalʉmɛ́ [North] Nom sg: nálʉmɛ. n. [North] Yawning. See: a-nyá nalʉmɛ́ ‘To sneeze’; ɨl-mamɛ̂n ‘Yawning’.

námárâ [North] v.aux. [North] Except, unless. See: a-rá ‘To be’. Etymology: From the relative clause, negative form of a-rá 'to be'..

a-naná v.mid. 1 • To be soft or pliable (eg. plastic, rubber [as opposed to hard plastic], a sponge, bread, hard grains soaked in water, fruit). Ɛtʉmʉkákɨ ɨlpáɛ̂k mɛtánaná peé ɛyɨɛrɨ. The maize has been soaked to become soft so as to be cooked.

2 • To be gentle, tender.

3 • To be young (relative to others). Kɛ́naná ɛnkɛráí ɔ́ɔ larín okúni aláŋ ɛnɔɔ́ larín tɔmɔn. The child of three years is younger than one of ten. Óre hóó dúóó náa ɔlɔɔ́ larín ártam ɔláyíóní, ɛ́tɔ́n aké ɛdɔl mɛnyɛ́ ánaa kɛ́naná. Even though the son is 40, the father still views him as young.

4 • To be weak. Míntóki aɨtananíó. Stop making yourself appear weak. (SN). Kɛ́ɨ́tanánīō alɛ́ áyíóní. This boy is making himself weak. (SN).

a-naná ɔltáʉ To be gentle. ɔltáʉ́ ɔ́náná [ɔ̀ltáʊ́ ɔ̀nànà] a soft heart.

a-naná ɔ́shɔ́kɛ To be compassionate. ɔltʉŋáni ɔ́náná ɔ́shɔ́kɛ See: a-puyiapúy ‘To be soft’; a-sɨpá ‘To be smooth’; a-shál ‘To be weak’.

ɛ-nanái n. 1 • Softness.

2 • Gentleness.

a-nanáú v. To become soft.

nánga [North] n. [North] Coat. Kéíshíópō nánga. He will put the coat on (himself). (S).

nanî [North] adv. [North] A while ago, earlier. Etipíūā dúó nkɛráí náíterríá nanî. [ètìpíwá] The child who fainted a while ago has come back to consciousness. (SN).

náníká [North] n. [North] Trough made on the ground for watering animals. See: em-peút ‘Trough’.

nanká n. 1 • Cloth. Kérúbuk nanká. The cloth is wet. (S).

2 • Sheet wrapped around a woman's waist.

nánʉ́ Nom sg: nanʉ́. pn. First person singular pronoun; me, I. Míkíntóki aurokínó amʉ̂ atanauré sií nanʉ́. Stop leaning on me because I am also tired. (Pk).

nányâ nkík [North] n. [North] Hooded vulture (lit: faeces eater). Necrosyrtes monachus. See: en-kínyâ nkík ‘Vulture’.

nanyalasúriaa [North] Nom sg: nányalasúriaa. Acc pl: naanyálasúriaa. Nom pl: náanyalasúriaa. n. [North] Snake-eating bird.

nányókíé Nom sg: nányokie. Acc pl: naányokie. Nom pl: náanyokie. n. 1 • Red (lit: which is red).

2 • The dawn.

ɛ́-nányɔ̂r Nom sg: ɛ-nanyɔr. n. That which favors one. Étéjó dúóó kɛ́sɨ́p mmɛɛ́ta aké ɛnanyɔr. He said he will finish him, nothing will favor him. (Pk). See: a-nyɔ́r ‘To love, like’.

a-náŋ₁ v. 1 • To throw at with force. Ɛ́tánáŋíé ɔláyíóní enkitejó ɔlcʉrtɛ́t néísīāsh. A boy has thrown a club at the hare and made it unconcious. (Pk).

2 • To hit with a hard object.

a-naŋakɨ́ v.dat. To throw to s.o. Ɛɨbʉ́ŋá ɛnkɛráɨ́ ɛmpɨ́ra natanáŋākā Kónené ɛɨtʉ eosh ɛnkɔ́p. The child (has) caught the ball that Konene has thrown before it hit the ground. (W).

a-naŋaá v.dir. 1 • To throw away.

2 • To throw down; defeat.

a-naŋíé ɛnkɔ́p v.inst v.phrase. To hit (onto) the ground.

a-naŋunyé v.dir v.inst. 1 • To throw toward the point of reference with sth.

2 • To flood, flow (of rivers). See: a-ósh ‘To hit’; a-ipóny ‘To hit’; a-ikúm ‘To hit’; a-ilúg ‘To hit’.

a-náŋ₂ v.prog. v.prog. To die at a particular place. anáŋ sipitali To die in hospital.

2 • v.prog. To die for.

a-ɨtanáŋ 1 • To make s.o. suffer for an error; punish for.

2 • [North] To kill as a result of sth.

a-náŋ sɨ́lɨg v.phrase. To look behind, look over one's shoulder.

a-naŋarɛ́ v.mid v.inst. To meet with s.o. or sth. as it comes. Injí taá ɛ́nkʉnari amʉ̂ ɨ́náŋárɛ́rɛ. Go this way because you (pl) will meet them coming. (Pk). See: a-náŋ ‘To hit’.

a-ɨtanaŋarɛ́ v.cause. To make sth. or s.o. meet as it comes. See: a-náŋ ‘To hit’.

áa-naŋaro v.mid.pl. To wrestle. Kínaŋáro. We will wrestle. Kitánaŋaróte. We wrestled.

ɛ-náŋáro Nom sg: ɛ-naŋáro. n. Wrestling.

a-naŋaroré v.mid v.inst. To wrestle with.

a-naŋoré v. To break out against.

náɔ́dɔ́ [North] n.r. [North] Tall. See: a-adɔ́ ‘To be tall’.

a-náp v.prog. 1 • To carry (typically on the back). Átɔ́duaa oltórróboní ɛnapɨta ɔɨnkát ɔtará. I saw hunter carrying meat of a wildebeast he killed. (Pk). Ɨncɔɔ́kɨ ɔlbɛ́nɛ́ lánápíé inkɨláni. Give me a bag to use for carrying clothes. (Pk). Kɛ́napɨ́ta ntámesí lkʉ́rʉ́pâ kitó. The camels are carrying lots of luggage. (SN). Ɛnápɨ́ta ɔlŋatúny ɛnkɛ́ráí tɛ nkʉtʉ́k. The lion is carrying its cub in its mouth. (W). anáp ɛnkárɛ́ To carry water.

2 • To take care of s.o. by providing the basic necessities of life. Káanáp oltʉŋáni. (i) The person will carry me (on his back/shoulder). (ii) The person will take care of me. See: a-ɨbʉ́ŋ ‘To catch, take care of’.

a-napá v.mid. 1 • To pack up luggage.

2 • To take up arms.

a-ɨtanáp 1 • To make carry.

2 • To order, command; give instructions.

3 • [North] To charge s.o. with an errand.

4 • [North] To see s.o. off with a gift.

a-napá v.mid. To get ready, prepare oneself (eg. for a trip); pack up luggage, take up arms.

a-napaá v.dir. 1 • To carry away, carry off.

2 • [North] To barge in, barge through (eg. a crowd, the bush).

a-napʉ́ v.dir. To carry hither. See: a-ɨtanáp ‘To give orders’.

a-nár [North] v. Usage: vulgar. [North] To commit sexual intercourse. See: nára ‘Sexual intercourse’.

nára [North] Nom sg: nárâ. n. Usage: vulgar. [North] Sexual intercourse. See: en-kiyopó ‘Sexual intercourse’.

a-narɛ́ [North]: a-nɛrɛ́. v. 1 • To be fitting, suitable, appropriate. Káanarɛ́ ɛnâ kɨlâ. This cloth (piece of clothing) looks good on me (makes me look good). Áatanárɛyia ɛná kɨ́lâ. This cloth suits me. (W). Kɛ́nɛ́rɛ́ nkáí rrɛ́pɛt. God is worthy of praise. (SN). Káɨ́tánárɛyíá iróreí I will make myself be liked. (lit: I will make my words look good.). Saying this might result in people thinking negatively towards the speaker.

2 • Ought to; be suitable, desirable, appropriate. Kɛ́nárɛ́ nɛ́yayíéki ɛnâ kɨlâ inkulîê. It is better to include this cloth in with the others. Ɛnárɛ̄ nɛ́nyɔk inkɛ́râ pɔ́ɔ̄kɨ̄ náatií sukúul. All the children in school ought to work hard. (Pk). See: a-itanareyíá ‘Should’; a-iririkinó; a-ishiaakinó; a-nyɔrɛ́ ‘To be suitable’.

a-ɨtanarɛyíá v.cause. To (try to) match things.

áa-narɨcɔ [North] v.pl. [North] To have sex. Usage: taboo.

a-narikinó v. 1 • To ought to. Kɛ́náríkínō nɨ́sʉj ɨnkáɨ́k ɛ́ɨ́tʉ̂ ɨnyá ɛndáa. You ought to wash your hands before eating food.

2 • To be suitable. Mɛnárɛ̄ nɛ́árá ɨltʉŋaná tɛ nkâŋ ɔ́ɔ ntaléŋo. It is not suitable for people to fight in a ceremonial home.

3 • To match (eg. colors).

4 • To fit well (eg. clothes). See: a-ishiaakinó ‘To be suitable’.

narocúni [North] n. [North] Waterbuck. See: n-calaguté [North] ‘Waterbuck’.

nárɔ́k Nom sg: nárɔk. Acc pl: naárɔɔ́k. Nom pl: náarɔɔ́k. n. (That) which is black. ɛnkalámu nárɔ́k black pen. Tɔ́bɔɨnʉ́ ɛndâ kɨ́tɛ́ŋ wúâs ɔ́ ɛ́ndâ nárɔ̄k peê éúdí. Bring that cow with the patch on the side/belly together with that black one to be vaccinated. (Pk). See: a-rɔ́k ‘To be black’.

ɛnk-árɛ́ nárɔ́k 1 • The Narok river in Narok District.

2 • Clean water (Lit. black water).

e-nárɔ́k kʉ́tʉ́k n.phrase. 1 • Vervet monkey. cercopithecus aethiops.

2 • [North] Burchell's zebra (lit: black mouth). See: ol-óítíkó ‘Zebra’.

3 • [North] Sequence of four days at the end of the waning moon, preceding earuto e lapa.

Nárɔ̄k Nom sg: Nárɔk. n.prop. Part of the name of a river, ɛnkárɛ́ nárɔ̄k, which has been extended to the township Narok, the Headquarters of Narok District in Kenya (lit: which-is-black). See: a-rɔ́k ‘To be black’.

nárrááncô [North] Nom sg: nárraanco. Acc pl: narraanconí. Nom pl: nárraanconí. n. [North] Big meat-eating bird with a long beak. See: ɛ-náádɔ́kʉtʉ́k ‘Big bird’.

narrɨ Recently.

Nárrúká n.prop. Place name.

nasɨ́pa ɛ́ nkomóm [North] n.phrase. [North] Forehead (lit: that which is smooth of the face).

ɛ-nasiríé₁ Nom sg: ɛ-nasiríé. n. 1 • The earliest light of morning; dawn. Ɛnasiríé ɛnkɔ́lɔŋ. The sun has just risen.

2 • Morning.

tanásirie in the morning. See: tɛ sɨrán ‘Dawn’; ɛnk-akɛnyá ‘Morning’; a-sɨ́r ‘To mark’.

nasʉnkɔ́yɔ [North] Nom sg: násʉnɔ́yɔ. Acc pl: nasʉnkɔyɔnɨ́. Nom pl: nasʉnkɔyɔnɨ́. n. acanthaceae; justicia diclipteroides. [North] Shrimp-plant, which is good smelling. See: e-sonkóyo ‘Shrimp-plant’.

ɛ-nashɔmɔ́ n.r. 1 • One who has gone away.

2 • Sth. finished.

3 • Deceased person (female). Usage: polite.

ɔl-ɔshɔmɔ́ 1 • Masculine gender form of the preceding. Etópúá ɔlcátá tuunó ɔlápa ɔshɔmɔ́. The tree that I planted last month is reviving. (eg. Perhaps it was wilting and almost dying when I planted it.) (W).

2 • Deceased male.

Nashʉrʉ n.prop. Name given to a woman who is married when it is raining (lit: the one that will come when it is raining).

a-nát [North] v. 1 • [North] To rub clothes or skins together, eg. between the hands when washing.

2 • [North] To soften skin by rubbing with hands. Kánat nkɨlâ. I will soften the skin for use as cloth. (SN).

3 • [North] To beat thoroughly.

a-nataá [North] v. [North] To spit through the lips. See: a-ɨsɨgaá [North] ‘To spit forcefully through the teeth’.

ɛ́-nátîû n. The one (fem) that is like. Étíú ɛnkáyíóní ɛ́nátîû mɛnyɛ́. A boy is like his father. Áyíólo ɛ́nátîû. I know what it is/I know how it is. (W). See: a-tíú ‘To be like’; a-atá ɛ́nátîû ‘To have a problem’.

natiwúó n. Mother (lit: who gave birth). Átóduaa ɛntásat natiwúó ɔlcɔrɛ́ lɛ mpapa. I have seen an old woman of my grandmother's age who is the mother of my father's friend. (Pk). See: a-íú ‘To give birth’; in-tóiwúó ‘Parents’.

nátɔmɔnɔnɨ́ Acc pl: nátɔmɔnɔ́k. voc. Term of address for a grown up woman. Nátɔmɔnɔ́k, ɛ́ntakúɛ́nya! Women, hello!

ɛ-náúdótó Nom sg: ɛn-audotó. Acc pl: in-audót. Nom pl: in-áudot. n. 1 • Hole (lit: that which is pierced) (eg. a hole drilled in the ground, as when one is looking for water).

2 • Window. Ɛgɨ́ra empúruo ayɨmʉ́ ɛnáúdótó ɛ́ nkají. The smoke is coming through the hole of the house. (Pk). See: e-údótó ‘Hole’; e-lusíét; ɔl-ɔŋʉ́ ‘Window’.

-naʉ́r [North]: -náuri. v. 1 • To be tired. Mɨkɨ́nauru. We will not tire. (C). Ɛnaʉ́rɨtâ. They became tired.

2 • To be(come) impatient. See: a-ɨnáʉ́r ‘To tire’; a-shalú ‘To become weak’.

a-naʉrá v.mid. 1 • To be tired as a result of physical activity; be fed up, weighed down (by sth.). Ánáʉra. I am tired. Ɛnaʉ́ra ɔlpáyian amʉ̂ ɛ́táásá ɛsíai sápʉk. The man is tired because he has done a lot of work. Áɨ́tánáʉra. I have made him/her tired. Káɨ́tánáúrie. I will use it to tie him/her down. ɔltʉŋáni ɔtanaʉ́rɛ̄ a person who has become/is tired/weighed down.

2 • [West] To be sleepy. Ɛtáánáʉ́rɛ ɛnkɛráí. The child became sleepy. (W). For K, Pk a-naʉrá 'be tired' does not refer to sleepiness. For W, 'physically tired' is the first sense, but could also be used for just 'sleepy'.

a-tanaʉrɛ́ v.mid v.pf. 1 • To be tired; weighed down due to sth. Míkíntóki aurokínó amʉ̂ átánáʉ́rɛ sií nanʉ́. Stop leaning on me because I am also tired. (Pk). Káŋás ayɛŋiyɛŋá amʉ̂ átánáʉ́rɛ. I am first taking a rest because I am tired. (Pk).

2 • To be impatient.

a-naurú

náuri [North] v.incep. 1 • To become tired. Kánáúru. I will be tired. ɔltʉŋáni ɔnaúru person who is tired.

2 • To be tired. See: a-ɨnaʉrá ‘To be tired’; a-imúg ‘To doze’; a-shalú ‘To become weak’.

ɛ-nauré kokóyo n. Protruding bones on both sides of the (human) ankle (lit: the fear of the Kikuyu).

naʉrɨ́ [North] n. [North] Tiredness. See: a-naʉrá ‘To be tired’.

a-naurú v. To be tired. ɔltʉŋáni ɔnaúru person who is tired. See: a-náʉ́r ‘To be tired’.

ncére Variant: ncɛ́rɛ. dem. 1 • That.

2 • Complemetizer; that. Átéjō doí ncɛ́rɛ peê elotu tɛnákatá. I have said that he must/should come now. (Pk). Ɛnâ taá ɛntɔnatá ɔ́ɔ̄ lɔmɔ́n ncɛ́rɛ mátayookinotó tenê. This is the conclusion of the conversation, that we meet in the morning right here. (Pk). See: ɨncɛ́rɛ ‘That’.

ɛ́ncɔm v.imp. Plural imperative for 'go'. See: shɔ́mɔ; cómō ‘Go (sg)’.

-ncɔɔ In some suffixed forms: -ncɔɔr. v.subj. Subjunctive root for a-ɨshɔ́ɨ́ 'give, allow'. Ɨ́ncɔɔ ɛnkɛ́ráí ɛndáa. Feed the baby. Néjokí ɨlɛ́wâ, ɛ́ncɔɔ naá iyíóók ɨlarín ajá, oópishana. The men told him, "Give us how many years, seven.". ɨncɔɔ́kɨ inkeék uní. Give me 3000! ncɔ́ɔ tɛnákatá tɛnádóíki nanʉ́ ɛnâ aɨpɔ́shā if I drop into this lake (C).

ndísi [North] Nom sg: ndísî. n. [North] Banana. See: ɔl-maisurí ‘Banana’.

né- voc. Vocative prefix. Óre peê ɛɨshɨ́r, nɛ́ranyakɨ́ osínkólīō: "Népápâ, néyíéyíô, káínyɔ̄ɔ̄ oshî nɨ́kɨ̄nyā?" When she cried, she would sing her a song: "Of my father, of my mother, what makes you cry?".

nɛ́- Variant: né-; n-. Prefix used with demonstratives to create a Locative prediction. The demonstrative occurs in its Nominative form (but also reflects possible tone sandhi processes). Nɛ́ɨlɔ̂. There he is.

nɛ́ákʉ̄ [North] Acc sg: nɛ́akʉ́. conj. So then; therefore. LING: Consecutive form of a-akʉ́ 'to become'. See: a-akʉ́ ‘To become’; bási ‘So, so then’.

neanáce [North] [North] Nom sg: néanáce. n. [North] Mother's sister's daughter; "niece". See: ɛnk-anáshɛ. Phon: The /ea/ vowel cluster is unusual.

nebô Nom sg: nébō. n. 1 • Together (lit: that which is one).

2 • One (place). Míntóki doí auló aló endê, níló endê shɔ́mɔ dúóó tɔ́tɔna tɛ wúéji nébō. Stop going there, and then there; go and stay in one place. (Pk). See: nabô ‘One (fem)’; obô ‘One (masc)’.

negúm [North] n. [North] Valley.

néíjia Variant: néíja; néjia; neija ?? Sicard₂₃. adv. Thus; like that, in that way. Néíjia táatá eikunúnó ɨltʉŋaná. People are now like that. Nɛ́ranyakɨ́ aké aɨkʉnaá néíjia ánaa aké. She sang to her like that every day. Nɛ́ākʉ̄ néíjia étíú ɛnkíyamá ɔ́ɔ lMáásāɨ̄. So that is how marriage in Maasai (culture) is. (W).

ɛ-nɛɨkʉnári n.r. Participant (lit: the one who does). ɛnɛɨkʉnári enkikilikúánarɛ instruction(s) to (a) participant. See: a-ɨkʉ́ ‘To do’.

e-neímu ɛn-kɛráí Acc pl: i-néemu ɨn-kɛ́ra. n. Birth canal (lit: passageway of the child). See: a-ɨ́m ‘To pass’; en-kóítóí ɛ́nkɛrai ‘Birth canal’.

(n)ɛ́ɨ́sʉ̄l Especially.

néjia [North] adv. [North] In that way, like that. See: néíjia ‘In that way’.

néjī It is said.

e-nekerretí n. Two protruding hoof-like pieces of flesh on the back of an animal's hooves. See: ol-kerretí ‘Piece of skin worn on wrist’; ɛ́nɛ̂ ‘of’.

e-nekinkô n. Relativization of the verb a-ikó(n) 'to do like'; what is done, how to do. Kɨ́shɔmɔ́ entúmo áayɨɨmakɨ enekinkô tenékitum iropiyianí. We went to the meeting to discuss how (lit: what we will do) we will get the funds. (W).

nékûâ Nom pl: nekûâ. [North] Acc sg: nokûâ. dem. Feminine plural 3rd distal demonstrative; those. See: Pronouns-Demonstratives.

nékûê Nom pl: nekûê. dem. Place plural 3rd distal demonstrative; there, those places. See: Pronouns-Demonstratives.

nɛkʉmɨ́lɔ [North] n. [North] A historical famine.

nélekʉ́a dem. Predicates location existence of a masculine plural item; 'Here they are.'.

nɛ́lɛ̄ dem. Predicates location existence of a masculine singular item; 'Here it is'. See: nɛ́lɨdɔ̂ ‘There it is’.

nɛ́lɨdɔ̂ dem. Predicates location existence of a masculine singular item; 'There it is'. Nɛ́lɨdɔ̂ ɔlkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. There is the cow.

nɛ́mɛ́ hɔ́ɔ́ nyɔ́ɔ́ n. Sth. useless. Kɛ́nyá nɨ́nyɛ entóki nɛ́mɛ́ hɔ́ɔ́ nyɔ́ɔ́. He eats what is useless. (KS). See: áɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ ‘What’.

némelíl Acc pl: ɨn-ɔɔ́ némelíl. Nom pl: ɨn-ɔ́ɔ némelíl. n. Hyena. Syn: ɔl-ŋɔjɨ́nɛ ‘Hyena’.

ɛ-nɛ́mɛ́nɛ́ŋa n. Where the dead are. This place is not heaven. It is not a good place, and whether one lived a good or bad life makes no difference -- all go there. There is some sense of a "hole" and of a place that is never filled up (there is always more room). People don't want to see life this way, and so don't want to talk about it or dwell on it. Some find it frightening or scary. Note: lk and mk say this whole topic is "not normal", and would prefer to not keep talking about it. For lk, it is frightening, scary. Shɔ́mɔ ɔlakatɨpɨ́kɛ ɛnɛ̂mɛ́nɛ́ŋa! May you go to the abyss! This is an abusive evil wish for s.o. to die.

nɛ́nâ Nom pl: nɛnâ. dem. Feminine plural 2nd distal demonstrative; those. Tákedo shʉ́márotó íntayú nɛ́nâ shɨpɨ́shɨp nátɨ́pɨ́ka. [ɪ́ntàjú ! nɛ́ná ʃɪ̀pɪ́ʃɪ̀p] Go to the roof of the house and get me those slender branches I have put (there). (Pk). Tɛ́yɨɛra nɛ́nâ kiwúó peê áɨ́pɨr. [tɛ́yyɛra nɛ̀nà kìwwó] Boil that soup so that I stir it. (W). Inkírí nɛnâ náɨ́nɔsɨ́ta. What I was eating was meat. (W). See: Pronouns-Demonstratives.

nɛ́nā dem. Predicates location and existence of a feminine singular item; 'Here it is'. Káló ayaʉ́ ɛnkáɨ́ amʉ́kɛ amʉ̂ nɛ́ná ɛnkáɨ́. I am going to get the other shoe because one is here. (Pk). See: nɛ́- ‘Locative predicate prefix’.

nénê [nènè] Nom pl: nenê. dem. Place plural 2nd distal demonstrative; there, those places. See: Pronouns-Demonstratives.

nénekúa dem. Predicates location and existence of feminine plural items; 'There they are (fem)'.

nénekúe dem. Predicates location and existence of plural place-gender items; 'There they are (places).'.

nene(n) dem. Those (place gender). See: nénê ‘There, those places’.

a-nɛnɛ́ŋ v. 1 • To be light in weight. Ɛnɛnɛ́ŋ enkíne aláŋ ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. A goat is lighter than a cow. Kɛ́nɛnɛ́ŋ aná pɨ́ra. This ball is light. (SN). ɔltʉŋáni ɔ́nɛ́nɛ́ŋ person who is light in weight.

2 • To be active, energetic, able to do more things (including movement).

a-ɨtɛnɛnɛ́ŋ Ant: a-iroishí ‘Heavy’. To make light. See: a-bɛbɛ́k ‘To be thin, diluted’.

nénē dem. Predicates location or existence of a singular place; 'Here it is (place)'.

nénkimojínoô [North] n. [North] Sickness that affects the fingers making them swell (lit: of the finger). See: ol-kimojíno ‘Finger’.

nénkultóldia [North] n. [North] Little finger.

ɛ-nɛɔ́rɔ̄rɛ̄ n. Boundary.

a-nɛrɛ́ [North] [North] To be fitting. See: a-narɛ́ ‘To be fitting’.

nérêt [North] [North] Nom sg: nérêt. n. [North] Area under the tongue (in humans).

a-nɛ́t v. To metaphorically pull away from sth. (of humans).

ɛ-nɛʉrɛ́ kɔkɔ́yɔ Nom sg: ɛ-nɛ́ʉrɛ́ kɔkɔ́yɔ. Acc pl: ɨ-nɛɛ́ʉrɛ kɔkɔ́yɔ. n. Usage: human. Ankle bone. Áayâ ɛnɛ́ʉrɛ́ kɔkɔ́yɔ. My ankle bone is sick. (W). kʉndâ nɛɛ́ʉrɛ kɔkɔ́yɔ those ankle bones (W). See: ol-ouré kokóyo ‘Ankle’.

nɛwɔ́rɔrɛ [Chamus] n. [Chamus] Boundary. See: ɛm-báka; ol-kírríé; ol-pólósíé; ɛ-rɨ́shátá ‘Boundary’.

nɨncɛ́ Nom pl: nɨ́ncɛ. pn. Third person plural pronoun. Accusative: 'them'. Nominative: 'they'. Ádúŋ nɨncɛ́. I will cut them. Áadûŋ nɨ́ncɛ. They will cut me. (W).

nɨ́nɨ Nom sg: nɨ́nɨ́. n. Name used by a child to address to his/her mother. Usage: Colloquial (?). Nɨ́nɨ, kááyíéú ɛndáa! Mother, I want food! Eyáwúá ŋolé nɨ́nɨ́ oltulét olotó ailísh aɨtáá enkúkúrí. Yesterday my mother brought a gourd in its natural state so as to make a usable gourd out of it. (Pk). Syn: yieyíô ‘mother’.

nɨnyɛ́ Nom sg: nɨ́nyɛ. pn. 1 • Third person singular pronoun; accusative form 'him, her, it'; nominative form 'he, she, it'. Áílúgo nɨnyɛ́. I hit him. (W). Áailugó nɨ́nyɛ. She hit me. (W). Nɨnyɛ́ ójēū. He/she is the one who will be saved. (W). nɨnyɛ́ kɛwán he himself, she herself. Ɨ́mbʉŋá ɛnâ óítóí amʉ̂ nɨnyɛ́ nékírík enetií ilótorok. Follow this path because it leads you to where the bees are. (W).

2 • Emphatic marker, for both singular and plural referents. When emphasizing a noun phrase, it may precede another demonstrative. It may also precede clausal predications. Ɛ́mɨ́ɨm enê amʉ̂ késur; mmɨdɔ́l doí nɨnyɛ́ enkóítóí. Do not pass here, because it is dangerous; you do not even see the footpath. (Pk). Kéyéwuo dúóó aké nɨ́nyɛ ɛlɛ́ páyian This man just came. (Pk). Ɛ́tʉ́shʉ́tári doí nɨ́nyɛ ɨlɔ̂ ashé aɨŋataá ɨlkʉlîê. That calf has leapt away ahead of others. (Pk). Shɔ́mɔ ɛncʉ́mátá oldóínyó amʉ̂ nɨnyɛ́ etíí inkíshu. Go to the top of the hill because there the cows are. (Pk).

a-níŋ v.prog. 1 • To hear. Áníŋíto ɔlŋátúny eipúrr. I am hearing a lion roar. Náā tɛnɨ́nɨ́ŋ anáá tɛnɨ́dɔ́l tɔ́kī mɨ́mputúkuny aké. And when you hear or see anything, do not be afraid. Kíntóniŋ táatá. You will make me hear it today. (W).

2 • To sense, perceive; feel. Peê íjo áɨ́bʉŋ ɛnkáɨ́ná aikó injí, nínīŋ ajó kéíróíshi. If you try to hold the hand (of the child) like this, you sense (lt. hear) that she is heavy. Íjó doí káníŋíto emíón tɛná aló. I am feeling pain on this side (of my body). (Pk). Áníŋíto ɛnkɨjápe. I am cold. Áníŋíto emúnótó. I am feeling a pinch.

3 • To obey. Éníŋ ɛnkɛráí mɛnyɛ. A child obeys his/her father.

4 • [North] To understand (eg. an instruction, a language).

5 • [North] To respond to a medical treatment.

a-niŋó v.mid. 1 • To be heard.

2 • To be well-known; famous.

3 • To be agreeable. áaniŋo To be agreeable (pl). ɔltʉŋáni oníŋo a person who is agreeable.

a-niŋishó v.apass. 1 • To be obedient. ɔltʉŋáni oníŋīshō person who is obedient.

2 • To be awake. Eningishóyu. (i) He/she will wake up from sleep. (ii) He/she will learn a lesson.

3 • To be able to hear.

a-niŋokí v.dat. 1 • To listen to.

2 • To agree with. Áníŋóki. I will agree with him.

3 • [North] To overhear.

a-niŋokinoré v.dat v.mid v.inst. To agree on sth.

a-niŋoó v.dir. To hear on the way out, hear going away.

a-niŋú v.dir. 1 • To hear coming towards the point of reference.

2 • To know. tɛ níyīēū níniŋú oróréī if you want to know the word (C).

3 • To understand. Kéniŋú ɛlɛ́ tʉ́ŋání olêŋ. This person will understand it well. (C). See: a-yanyit ‘To obey’.

e-niŋét Nom sg: e-níŋet. Acc pl: i-niŋéta. Nom pl: i-níŋeta. n. Ear (lit: Thing for hearing). See: en-kíook; ɛ-márórōī; en-kulalé ‘Ear’.

ol-niŋó n. 1 • Agreement, understanding.

2 • Covenant, contract.

3 • [North] Living together in harmony.

4 • Fame. See: a-níŋ ‘To hear’.

e-níŋōrē n. 1 • Understanding, listening.

2 • Sense of hearing.

níra [North] [North] Nom sg: nírâ. [North] Acc pl: n-raí. n. [North] Human disease characterized by swollen glands, eg. mumps.

i-njí [North] Acc sg: njí. dem. This way; in this way.

nkakúyiaâ Nom sg: nkákuyiaâ. n. Grandfather. See: ɔl-akúyiaâ; akúyia ‘Grandfather’.

nkárakɨ́ [North] n. [North] Because of. tɛ nkárakɨ́ íno Because of you. See: ɛnk-árakɨ́ ‘Because of’.

nkeldé n. Game of target practice for spear throwing. A cylindrical target is rolled along the ground, and a spear should pierce it and knock it over. This is not done with a rungu or knife.

nkó [North] v.imp. [North] Take this! Nkotín! Take this (pl)! See: a-yá ‘To take’.

no- Existential particle. See: na- ‘There is’.

nobô [North] num. [North] One place.

nokûâ [North] [North] Feminine plural 3rd distal demonstrative; those. North Samburu variant of nekûâ. See: Pronouns-Demonstratives.

E-nolkaria n.prop. Name of some small hills towards the north-east end of Ngorongoro crater, Tanzania (lit: it-of-red-ochre).

e-nóŋótó Nom sg: e-noŋotó. Acc pl: i-noŋót. Nom pl: i-noŋót. n. Valley. Note: E-nóŋótó is shallower than e-úlulû. See: e-úlulû; ɔ-yɛ́rátá; em-púkúroto ‘Valley’; ɔl-kɛjʉ́ ‘Stream’.

nɔɔ́ psr.prt. 1 • Possessor particle indicating plural possessor of a feminine item; of. Nɔɔ́-nkɔ́kua ɛndá. That is Nɔɔ́-nkókua [= a female proper name]. (lit: That is the one of the Pleiades). (W).

2 • Predicates location and existence of plural feminine items; 'Here they are (fem)'. Nɔɔ́ Nɔɔ́-nkɔ́kua kʉndá. Those are (all) [named] Nɔɔ́-nkɔ́kua. (W). See: ɔɔ́ ‘Possessor particle, of’.

nɔ́ɔlɔ́ dem. Predicates location and existence of plural masculine items; 'Here they are (masc)'. Nɔ́ɔlɔ́ ltʉ́ŋáná. Here are the men. See: nɔɔ́ ‘Plural possessor of a feminine item; predicator of existence’.

noó-mporo [North] n.pl. [North] Bloody diarrhoea in calves. See: m-póróí [North] ‘Roasted clotted blood’.

nɔ́ɔná dem. Predicates location and existence of plural feminine items; 'Here they are (fem)'. Nɔ́ɔná nderó. Here are the rats.

ɔ́l-nɔ́ɔ̂s Nom sg: ɔ́l-nɔɔs. Acc pl: íl-nóósî. Nom pl: íl-noosi. n. Barrel, container.

ɛ́-nɔ́ɔ̂s Wooden container.

ɛ-nɔɔ́sɨlân n. Girl who dies uncircumcised; typically implies an adolescent but could be used for s.o. younger. See: ɔl-áɨ́mówúárani ‘Adolescent boy who dies uncircumcised’.

a-nɔtaá [North]: nataá. v.dir. To spit sth. Kɛ́nɔtáa ɔltásât ɨnkamʉlák ó́ lkumpaú. The old man spit tobacco saliva.

a-nɔtá v.mid. To continously spit over and over. Ɛnɔ́ta ɔltʉ́ŋání ómuoi. The sick person spits over and over. See: a-ɨsɨkaá ‘To spit’; ɛnk-ámʉ́lák ‘spit blessing’.

a-nɔtakɨ́ In some suffixed forms: -nɔtakɨn. v. To spit on. Nɛ́nɔtakɨnɨ́ ɛnkʉ́tʉ́k He is spit on on the mouth (ie. blessed). (KS).

a-notó v.mid. 1 • To have found, have gotten. Éítuani taá dúóó táatá imbáâ ámaâ kinotô pɔɔkɨ́ tóki nikíyíéú. Things are beautiful today since we have gotten all that we wanted. (Pk). Kóre tɛ nɛ́tashá ŋolé ánáátá kinotô ɛnkárɛ́ nekíntukúyie inkíshú. If it could have rained yesterday, we could have gotten water that we (could) spray/wash cows with. (W). Enótó naá táatá ɛsíáai ɛnyɛ́. She has found her work today (ie. what makes her happy). Enótó ɔlbáɛ amʉ̂ ɛ́tábátátá ɛngárî. He got a wound because of the car accident. (Pk). Ɛgɨ́ra oshî táatá nɨ́nyɛ ɔltáání atumokí ámaâ naá enotó esíái. So-and-so is succeeding because he has gotten a job. (Pk). Káji apá ínótíé kʉnâ kíshú naábanjí? Where did you find this (large) number of cows? Ɛtabáúá ɔlárî peê méítokiní áapuo áaok incoó tɔɔ́ lkɛjɛk, amʉ̂ ɛnótokí ɛnkárɛ́ narúko. The rainy season has come so the cattle will not be taken to wells, because flowing water has been found. (Pk).

2 • To have met. Kénotótekí áanyɔrrakino. People met together to agree.

a-notokí v.dat. To know.

ɨ́-ntadóí v.imp. Imperative form for 'Let sth. down, lower it!'. Táŋasa ɨ́ntadóí iyíóók. "Let us down first!". See: a-itadoyíó ‘To let sth. down’.

ntomoni ɛ́ntʉ̄rʉ̄j num. Ninety. See: ntomoni nááudo ‘Ninety’; ntomoni saal ‘Ninety’; tɔ́mɔ̂n ‘ten’.

ntómóní náápishana num. Seventy. See: ntomonisápâ [North].

ntomoni nááudo num. Ninety. See: ntomoni ɛ́ntʉ̄rʉ̄j ‘Ninety’; ntomoni saal [North] ‘Ninety’.

ntomoniílê [North] num. [North] Sixty (lit: six tens).

ntomonisáâl [North] num. [North] Ninety.

ntomonisapâ [North] num. [North] Seventy. See: ntómóní náápishana ‘Seventy’.

ntomonisêt [North] num. [North] Eighty.

-nua v.imp. Imperative or subjunctive variant for a-ɨnɔ́k 'to light (a fire, lamp)'. See: a-ɨnɔ́k ‘To kindle sth.’.

é-núáâsh Nom sg: e-nuaash. Acc pl: i-núááshí. Nom pl: i-nuaashí. n. Sheep.

a-nʉ́k v.prog. 1 • To cover over, fill in a hole (with soil). Ɛ́nʉ́k. He will cover it. Enukíé. He will cover it with it. Kɛ́nʉkʉ́ta. He is filling the hole (with soil). (S).

2 • To plug.

3 • To hide or conceal information. See: a-isudoó ‘To hide’.

4 • To bury.

5 • To close, seal.

6 • To fold.

a-nʉkaá v.dir. 1 • To hide by filling in a hole.

2 • To bury. Tɛ nɛ́yɛ̄ oshî ɔltʉ́ŋání népúóí áanʉkaa osésen. When s.o. dies, the body is burried. (Pk).

a-nukíé [North] v.inst. [North] To hide from. See: a-isudoríé ‘To hide from’.

a-nʉkʉ́ v.dir. 1 • To come down as mist.

2 • [North] To cloud over.

3 • To rain heavily.

4 • To be in sad moods. Usage: figurative. See: a-ijuluús ‘To be in sad moods’.

5 • To cover a hole.

a-núl [North] v. [North] To go. Tunúlō nɛ́nyâ ɔltɔ́mɛ́ nínya. If you go where elephants are eaten, you also eat. (S).

a-nunúá v.mid. To bend ones body forward with the limbs kept close to the body. This is usually done by a person while sleeping or when feeling cold.

a-nunúk v.prog. 1 • To cover sth. in your hand(s) so no one can see it. Túnunuko iropiyianí peê mɛ́dɔ̄lɨ̄. Hide the money in your hand so it can't be seen.

2 • To fold, coil, roll up, scrunch up.

3 • [North] To twist. See: a-ɨrɨn; a-mɔnɨ́r; a-pɨyáɨ́ ‘To twist’; kúnúnûk ‘Hiding game’.

l-núnukó [North] n. [North] Buffalo. See: ɔl-árrɔ; ol-ósokuan ‘Buffalo’; l-máaca; parsaláash [North] ‘Buffalo’.

ɛ-nʉ́rrʉ́bátá n. See: ɛ-rʉ́bátá ‘joint’.

e-núsu₁ Nom sg: en-usúí. Acc pl: i-núsuí. Variant: i-núsūn. Nom pl: i-nusún. n. 1 • Cow of a species that lacks a hump.

2 • Dairy cow ?

3 • Money (plural form). Usage: plural.

e-núsu₂ Nom sg: e-núsû. Acc pl: i-núsuí. Nom pl: i-núsuí. n. Half. enúsu é nkílo half a kilo. Borrowed word: Swahili nusu 'half, small, partly'.

i-núsuí n.pl. Money. See: e-núsu ‘Humpless cow species’.

a-nʉ́t v. 1 • To slip out of one's hand; fumble, drop. Káatʉnʉtá. I dropped it. (S).

2 • To detach, loosen.

3 • [North] To get over an illness; recover.

a-ɨtʉnʉ́t To make let off.

a-nʉtá v.mid. To be pregnant (of a human). Nɛ́tɔn apákē ɔmɛtʉ́nʉtayú. She stayed until she conceived. Mɨ́nʉtáyu. Don't get pregnant. Kɛ́tʉnʉ́tɛ ntitó. The girl is pregnant. (SN). Kɛ́nʉtáɨ nkítok. The woman will be made/become pregnant. (SN). See: a-iroishí ‘To be pregnant, heavy’; a-tɔnɨkɨ́ ‘To impregnate (of an animal)’.

a-ɨtʉnʉ́t v.cause. To impregnate (of a human).

a-nutayí [North] v.incep. [North] To get pregnant.

nʉtáɨ̄ [North] [North] Nom sg: nʉ́tāɨ̄. n. [North] Pregnancy (of humans).