Dictionary Entries Explained

Each entry has at least a Mendenkye word or phrase and a translation in English. This can include several different senses (related meanings of the word). Some words also give other information.

Entry word

The entry word is given using the Mendenkye alphabet. Spelling rules are explained in the Orthography Guide. Nouns are written in the singular form and verbs in their shortest form. Proper nouns are capitalized.

Examples:

kyi  n  salt

shwiʼ v  descend, go down

chɨchɛ quant  all, whole

kpatetvwoo num  seventy

 

Homonyms

Homonyms are words which are identical in spelling but have different meanings. Each homonym is listed separately. (These are marked with a small number after the word to indicate they are different words):

twee₁ n  speed

twee₂ v  grow, mature, old

twee₃ n  iron, metal

twee₄ v  carry

Grammatical Category

The grammatical category of each entry is given in italics as an abbreviation (n-noun, v-verb, adj-adjective, pro-pronoun, etc.).  See the page of abbreviations for the full list.

ha  q   where?

kyaŋ v   fry

ndee  interj   no

nzoʼo  prep   inside

 

Gloss

The English translation is given as at least one word, sometimes there is more information. If a word/phrase is followed by (Pidgin) it means the gloss is a Pidgin word.

poopoo  n papaya, pawpaw (Pidgin)

 

Senses

When a word has more than one sense (meaning), the meanings are each given a number. The different senses may not be ordered according to which ones are most familiar or most frequently used.

ntsuʼ  n  1) season  2) time 3) weather

jweʼtə  v  1) listen  2) feel (passively) 3) try  4) wait

Plural form

In the case where the plural is not predictable (usually plurals are formed by adding pa before the word), the plural form of a noun is given in parenthesis indicated by pl. The plural form may also be listed in the dictionary.

maa (pl baa)  n  child

baa (pl of maa) n  children

Variant

When a word has another way of being spelled or pronounced, the alternate spelling is listed in parenthesis as a variant.

puu  (var pwaa)  conj  and, with (more than two people or things)

yi  (var ri)  poss  his

Synonym

Words with a similar meaning are indicated in bold letters at the end of the definition, following the label syn:.

botoro  n  bottle  syn: nchiŋ

fiʼi ndoo  v  1) pour libation  2) sacrifice  syn: fet ndoo