Table Of ContentSaramaccan Vocabulary
Jeff Good
The vocabulary contains 1303 meaning-word pairs from the recipient language Saramaccan. The corresponding
text chapter was published in the book Loanwords in the World's Languages. The language page Saramaccan
contains a list of all loanwords arranged by donor languoid.
Source Words
goónlíba 1.1 the world 5. no evidence for borrowing
terra (Suriname
téla 1.21 the land 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
goón 1.212 the soil 5. no evidence for borrowing
4. very little evidence for
gudugúdu 1.213 the dust
borrowing
sujo (Suriname
súndju 1.213 the dust 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
poto-poto (L)
pötöpötö 1.214 the mud 1. clearly borrowed
(Loango )
sándu 1.215 the sand 5. no evidence for borrowing
4. very little evidence for
kúnunu 1.22 the mountain or hill
borrowing
benga 1.222 the cliff or precipice 5. no evidence for borrowing
básúkúnunu 1.24 the valley 5. no evidence for borrowing
4. very little evidence for
djégi 1.25 the island
borrowing
partir (Suriname
paatí 1.25 the island 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
Unidentifiable
télábúka 1.27 the shore 3. perhaps borrowed (Suriname
Portuguese )
sitónúbaáku 1.28 the cave 5. no evidence for borrowing
wáta 1.31 the water 5. no evidence for borrowing
zé 1.32 the sea 1. clearly borrowed zee (Dutch )
sáápi 1.322 calm 5. no evidence for borrowing
séki 1.323 rough(2) 5. no evidence for borrowing
pululú 1.324 the foam 1. clearly borrowed pulúlu (Loango )
escuma (Suriname
sukúma 1.324 the foam 2. probably borrowed
Portuguese )
zé 1.329 the ocean 1. clearly borrowed zee (Dutch )
zé 1.33 the lake 1. clearly borrowed zee (Dutch )
4. very little evidence for
gódo 1.34 the bay
borrowing
4. very little evidence for
gódo 1.341 the lagoon
borrowing
4. very little evidence for
pakapaka 1.35 the wave
borrowing
foóou 1.354 the high tide 5. no evidence for borrowing
rio (Suriname
lío 1.36 the river or stream 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
biáwáta 1.362 the whirlpool 5. no evidence for borrowing
baákúwáta 1.37 the spring or well 5. no evidence for borrowing
Source Words
suwámpu 1.38 the swamp 5. no evidence for borrowing
dán 1.39 the waterfall 5. no evidence for borrowing
mato (Suriname
mátu 1.41 the woods or forest 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
sabána 1.411 the savanna 3. perhaps borrowed
pau (Suriname
páu 1.43 the wood 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
sitónu 1.44 the stone or rock 5. no evidence for borrowing
gaángádu 1.51 the sky 5. no evidence for borrowing
sónu 1.52 the sun 5. no evidence for borrowing
(ar)riba (Suriname
líba 1.53 the moon 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
estrela (Suriname
teéja 1.54 the star 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
gádu kóti fája 1.55 the lightning 5. no evidence for borrowing
gaángádú bái 1.56 the thunder 5. no evidence for borrowing
gádu kóti fája 1.57 the bolt of lightning 5. no evidence for borrowing
taángáve ntu 1.58 the storm 5. no evidence for borrowing
mutjáma 1.59 the rainbow 1. clearly borrowed `nkyáma (Loango )
fája 1.61 the light 5. no evidence for borrowing
escuro (Suriname
sugúu 1.62 the darkness 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
sombra (Suriname
sómba 1.63 the shade or shadow 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
jejé 1.63 the shade or shadow 3. perhaps borrowed y (Gbe )
adjíwáta 1.64 the dew 5. no evidence for borrowing
do o wáta 1.64 the dew 5. no evidence for borrowing
vento (Suriname
ve ntu 1.71 the air 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
vento (Suriname
ve ntu 1.72 the wind 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
wolku (Sranan )
wo lúku 1.73 the cloud 1. clearly borrowed
< wolk (Dutch )
bundji 1.74 the fog 1. clearly borrowed buungi (Loango )
chuva (Suriname
tjúba 1.75 the rain 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
e ísi 1.77 the ice 2. probably borrowed ijs (Dutch )
wéi (1) 1.78 the weather 5. no evidence for borrowing
fája 1.81 the fire 5. no evidence for borrowing
fájáto ngö 1.82 the flame 5. no evidence for borrowing
sumúku 1.83 the smoke 5. no evidence for borrowing
cinza (Suriname
síndja 1.84 the ash 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
zonká 1.841 the embers 1. clearly borrowed zoká (Gbe )
quiemar (Suriname
tjumá 1.851 to burn(1) 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
Source Words
quiemar (Suriname
tjumá 1.852 to burn(2) 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
kísi 1.86 to light 5. no evidence for borrowing
tapar (Suriname
tapá 1.861 to extinguish 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
swarfu (Sranan )
suwálufu 1.87 the match 1. clearly borrowed
< zwavel (Dutch )
údu 1.88 the firewood 5. no evidence for borrowing
koofája 1.89 the charcoal 5. no evidence for borrowing
4. very little evidence for
sëmbë 2.1 the person
borrowing
homem (Suriname
wómi 2.21 the man 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
mulher (Suriname
muje ë 2.22 the woman 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
homem (Suriname
wómi 2.23 male(1) 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
mulher (Suriname
muje ë 2.24 female(1) 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
kamísama 2.25 the boy 5. no evidence for borrowing
kijóo 2.251 the young man 1. clearly borrowed crioulo (Sranan )
koósuma 2.26 the girl 5. no evidence for borrowing
menino (Suriname
mií 2.27 the child(1) 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
miíi 2.28 the baby 5. no evidence for borrowing
mánu 2.31 the husband 5. no evidence for borrowing
koósuma 2.32 the wife 5. no evidence for borrowing
töo u 2.33 to marry 5. no evidence for borrowing
töo u 2.34 the wedding 5. no evidence for borrowing
túwë 2.341 the divorce 5. no evidence for borrowing
taatá 2.35 the father 1. clearly borrowed tatá (Loango )
mamá 2.36 the mother 3. perhaps borrowed mamá (Loango )
gaánsëmbë 2.37 the parents 5. no evidence for borrowing
Unidentifiable
wómímíí 2.41 the son 3. perhaps borrowed (Suriname
Portuguese )
Unidentifiable
muje e míí 2.42 the daughter 3. perhaps borrowed (Suriname
Portuguese )
menino (Suriname
mií 2.43 the child(2) 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
baáa 2.44 the brother 5. no evidence for borrowing
sísa 2.45 the sister 5. no evidence for borrowing
gaínsa 2.454 the older sister 5. no evidence for borrowing
túlíngi 2.458 the twins 3. perhaps borrowed tweeling (Dutch )
túmíi 2.458 the twins 5. no evidence for borrowing
Source Words
tatá 2.461 the old man 1. clearly borrowed tatá (Loango )
avó (Suriname
avó 2.4711 the grandparents 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
Unidentifiable
miímíí 2.5 the grandchild 3. perhaps borrowed (Suriname
Portuguese )
tio (Suriname
tío 2.511 the mother's brother 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
taatá 2.512 the father's brother 1. clearly borrowed tatá (Loango )
mamásísa 2.52 the aunt 5. no evidence for borrowing
maamá 2.521 the mother's sister 3. perhaps borrowed maamá (Loango )
Unidentifiable
avóavo 2.56 the ancestors 3. perhaps borrowed (Suriname
Portuguese )
böngö 2.57 the descendants 1. clearly borrowed mboongo (Loango )
4. very little evidence for
paansú 2.57 the descendants
borrowing
pai (Suriname
pái 2.61 the father-in-law (of a man) 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
pai (Suriname
pái 2.611 the father-in-law (of a woman) 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
mãe (Suriname
mái 2.62 the mother-in-law (of a man) 2. probably borrowed
Portuguese )
the mother-in-law (of a mãe (Suriname
mái 2.621 2. probably borrowed
woman) Portuguese )
pai (Suriname
pái 2.63 the son-in-law (of a man) 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
pai (Suriname
pái 2.631 the son-in-law (of a woman) 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
mãe (Suriname
mái 2.64 the daughter-in-law (of a man) 2. probably borrowed
Portuguese )
the daughter-in-law (of a mãe (Suriname
mái 2.641 2. probably borrowed
woman) Portuguese )
famíi 2.81 the relatives 5. no evidence for borrowing
djúbe ë 2.82 the family 5. no evidence for borrowing
mi 2.91 I 5. no evidence for borrowing
i 2.92 you (singular) 5. no evidence for borrowing
a 2.93 he/she/it 5. no evidence for borrowing
e n 2.93 he/she/it 5. no evidence for borrowing
a 2.931 he 5. no evidence for borrowing
e n 2.931 he 5. no evidence for borrowing
a 2.932 she 5. no evidence for borrowing
e n 2.932 she 5. no evidence for borrowing
a 2.933 it 5. no evidence for borrowing
e n 2.933 it 5. no evidence for borrowing
u 2.94 we 5. no evidence for borrowing
Source Words
u 2.941 we (inclusive) 5. no evidence for borrowing
u 2.942 we (exclusive) 5. no evidence for borrowing
un 2.95 you (plural) 1. clearly borrowed unù (Igbo )
de 2.96 they 5. no evidence for borrowing
mbéti 3.11 the animal 5. no evidence for borrowing
homem (Suriname
wómi 3.12 male(2) 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
mulher (Suriname
muje ë 3.13 female(2) 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
4. very little evidence for
hía (1) 3.15 the livestock
borrowing
goón 3.16 the pasture 5. no evidence for borrowing
mbétíwósu 3.19 the stable or stall 5. no evidence for borrowing
káu 3.21 the bull 5. no evidence for borrowing
wómíkáu 3.22 the ox 5. no evidence for borrowing
káu 3.23 the cow 5. no evidence for borrowing
káúmííi 3.24 the calf 5. no evidence for borrowing
skapu (Sranan )
sikápu 3.25 the sheep 1. clearly borrowed
< schaap (Dutch )
sikáfu 3.25 the sheep 1. clearly borrowed schaap (Dutch )
wómísíkáfu 3.26 the ram 5. no evidence for borrowing
muje e síkápu 3.28 the ewe 5. no evidence for borrowing
sikápúmíi 3.29 the lamb 5. no evidence for borrowing
píngo 3.32 the boar 1. clearly borrowed pïiŋgo (Carib )
4. very little evidence for
gunsá 3.32 the boar
borrowing
hágu 3.34 the sow 5. no evidence for borrowing
hágu 3.35 the pig 5. no evidence for borrowing
cabrita (Suriname
kaabíta 3.36 the goat 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
cabrita (Suriname
kaabíta 3.37 the he-goat 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
cabrita (Suriname
kaabíta 3.38 the kid 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
hási 3.41 the horse 5. no evidence for borrowing
hási 3.42 the stallion 5. no evidence for borrowing
hási 3.44 the mare 5. no evidence for borrowing
ásímííi 3.45 the foal or colt 5. no evidence for borrowing
burrico (Suriname
bulíki 3.46 the donkey 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
fóu 3.5 the fowl 5. no evidence for borrowing
Unidentifiable
wómígánía 3.52 the cock/rooster 3. perhaps borrowed (Suriname
Portuguese )
galinha (Suriname
ganían 3.54 the hen 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
Source Words
galinha (Suriname
ganían 3.55 the chicken 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
gansi (Sranan )
gánsi 3.56 the goose 1. clearly borrowed
< gans (Dutch )
pato (Suriname
patupátu 3.57 the duck 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
ne si 3.58 the nest 5. no evidence for borrowing
fóu 3.581 the bird 5. no evidence for borrowing
akamawái 3.583 the heron 5. no evidence for borrowing
4. very little evidence for
gbaniní 3.584 the eagle
borrowing
gavião (Suriname
gabián 3.585 the hawk 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
tíngífóo 3.586 the vulture 5. no evidence for borrowing
lu-mpukusu
pukusu 3.591 the bat 1. clearly borrowed
(Loango )
takufóo 3.591 the bat 5. no evidence for borrowing
4. very little evidence for
alála 3.592 the parrot
borrowing
pomba (Suriname
pómba 3.594 the dove 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
hógífóu 3.596 the owl 5. no evidence for borrowing
kujaké 3.598 the toucan 1. clearly borrowed kuja`ke (Carib )
dágu 3.61 the dog 5. no evidence for borrowing
lapëkökö ni 3.614 the rabbit 5. no evidence for borrowing
pusipúsi 3.62 the cat 5. no evidence for borrowing
quadri-olho
kwátíwójo 3.622 the opossum 2. probably borrowed (Suriname
Portuguese )
mösimo si 3.63 the mouse or rat 5. no evidence for borrowing
físi 3.65 the fish 5. no evidence for borrowing
4. very little evidence for
jakajaka 3.652 the fin
borrowing
físíkákísa 3.653 the scale 5. no evidence for borrowing
guelra (Suriname
gééja 3.654 the gill 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
4. very little evidence for
kókóo 3.655 the shell
borrowing
4. very little evidence for
laláo 3.663 the whale
borrowing
4. very little evidence for
djampáini 3.664 the stingray
borrowing
sipaí 3.664 the stingray 1. clearly borrowed sipari (Carib )
4. very little evidence for
tjubula 3.664 the stingray
borrowing
maisi 3.665 the freshwater eel 2. probably borrowed marisiri (Carib )
Source Words
lángáfísi 3.665 the freshwater eel 5. no evidence for borrowing
sabánádágu 3.71 the wolf 5. no evidence for borrowing
leão (Suriname
le un 3.72 the lion 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
4. very little evidence for
aliá 3.74 the fox
borrowing
djangafútu 3.75 the deer 5. no evidence for borrowing
macaco (Suriname
makáku 3.76 the monkey 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
babúnu 3.76 the monkey 5. no evidence for borrowing
4. very little evidence for
kaánu 3.76 the monkey
borrowing
zaun 3.77 the elephant 1. clearly borrowed nzawu (Loango )
lósu 3.811 the head louse 5. no evidence for borrowing
lósu 3.8112 the body louse 5. no evidence for borrowing
dágúsíka 3.813 the flea 5. no evidence for borrowing
ahalala 3.814 the centipede 2. probably borrowed mwalálá (Loango )
4. very little evidence for
bóntani 3.815 the scorpion
borrowing
kúkútúlábu 3.815 the scorpion 5. no evidence for borrowing
adingö u téla 3.815 the scorpion 5. no evidence for borrowing
ahalakpákpa 3.816 the cockroach 5. no evidence for borrowing
4. very little evidence for
adabasíi 3.816 the cockroach
borrowing
hánsi 3.817 the ant 5. no evidence for borrowing
4. very little evidence for
adjáansi 3.818 the spider
borrowing
anásíwósu 3.819 the spider web 5. no evidence for borrowing
ho ni 3.82 the bee 5. no evidence for borrowing
ho nikáká 3.821 the beeswax 5. no evidence for borrowing
hö níwósu 3.822 the beehive 5. no evidence for borrowing
wasiwási 3.823 the wasp 5. no evidence for borrowing
fétima 3.823 the wasp 5. no evidence for borrowing
4. very little evidence for
we nwën 3.83 the fly
borrowing
támúndúfóo 3.831 the sandfly or midge or gnat 5. no evidence for borrowing
4. very little evidence for
buábua 3.831 the sandfly or midge or gnat
borrowing
máku 3.832 the mosquito 2. probably borrowed mako (Carib )
biibíífóo 3.832 the mosquito 5. no evidence for borrowing
4. very little evidence for
adingö 3.833 the prawns or shrimp
borrowing
saasáa 3.833 the prawns or shrimp 2. probably borrowed sarara (Carib )
4. very little evidence for
kopíkopi 3.834 the termites
borrowing
Source Words
carrapato
kaapátu 3.835 the tick 1. clearly borrowed (Suriname
Portuguese )
bicho (Suriname
bítju 3.84 the worm 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
sindéki 3.85 the snake 5. no evidence for borrowing
tookóo 3.865 the quail 1. clearly borrowed tokoro (Carib )
4. very little evidence for
djeendjé 3.869 the squirrel
borrowing
walilí 3.89 the anteater 1. clearly borrowed wariri (Carib )
hógímbéti 3.9 the jaguar 5. no evidence for borrowing
takumbéti 3.9 the jaguar 5. no evidence for borrowing
4. very little evidence for
ambulúpái 3.9 the jaguar
borrowing
bubú 3.9 the jaguar 2. probably borrowed mbubu (Loango )
pënde mbéti 3.9 the jaguar 5. no evidence for borrowing
azönkíjënjën 3.91 the firefly 3. perhaps borrowed dzoké ny (Gbe )
agama 3.913 the chameleon 1. clearly borrowed gãma (Gbe )
4. very little evidence for
adömítö 3.92 the butterfly
borrowing
4. very little evidence for
atíti 3.93 the grasshopper
borrowing
kóla 3.94 the snail 1. clearly borrowed nkodya (Loango )
bése 3.95 the frog 2. probably borrowed bèsé (Gbe )
kaluwá 3.96 the lizard 1. clearly borrowed karu`wa (Carib )
akalé 3.97 the crocodile or alligator 1. clearly borrowed akare (Carib )
4. very little evidence for
gandí 3.97 the crocodile or alligator
borrowing
< “cayman” (Carib
káima 3.97 the crocodile or alligator 1. clearly borrowed
)
logoso 3.98 the turtle 1. clearly borrowed logozò (Gbe )
4. very little evidence for
bófo 3.99 the tapir
borrowing
gaánmbéti 3.99 the tapir 5. no evidence for borrowing
sínkíi 4.11 the body 5. no evidence for borrowing
casca (Suriname
kákísa 4.12 the skin or hide 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
búba 4.12 the skin or hide 3. perhaps borrowed buba (Sranan )
mbéti 4.13 the flesh 5. no evidence for borrowing
uwíi 4.14 the hair 5. no evidence for borrowing
bía 4.142 the beard 5. no evidence for borrowing
pluma (Suriname
puúma 4.144 the body hair 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
buúu 4.15 the blood 5. no evidence for borrowing
4. very little evidence for
akóni 4.15 the blood
borrowing
Source Words
4. very little evidence for
nöngo 4.15 the blood
borrowing
4. very little evidence for
gadjabiá 4.15 the blood
borrowing
tatái 4.151 the vein or artery 5. no evidence for borrowing
bónu 4.16 the bone 5. no evidence for borrowing
bandjapapáíbónu 4.162 the rib 5. no evidence for borrowing
tutú (2) 4.17 the horn 2. probably borrowed túutu (Loango )
rabo (Suriname
lábu 4.18 the tail 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
báka (1) 4.19 the back 5. no evidence for borrowing
bákámíndí 4.191 the spine 5. no evidence for borrowing
hédi 4.2 the head 5. no evidence for borrowing
hédíbónu 4.202 the skull 5. no evidence for borrowing
töönso n 4.203 the brain 1. clearly borrowed tóonzo (Loango )
fési 4.204 the face 5. no evidence for borrowing
fésímíndi 4.205 the forehead 5. no evidence for borrowing
míndífési 4.205 the forehead 5. no evidence for borrowing
agbapáu 4.207 the jaw 5. no evidence for borrowing
bandjabúka 4.208 the cheek 5. no evidence for borrowing
bandjajési 4.208 the cheek 5. no evidence for borrowing
4. very little evidence for
agba 4.209 the chin
borrowing
olho (Suriname
wójo 4.21 the eye 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
Unidentifiable
wójólíbápúúma 4.212 the eyebrow 3. perhaps borrowed (Suriname
Portuguese )
wójókókóo 4.213 the eyelid 5. no evidence for borrowing
wójókókóópúúma 4.214 the eyelash 5. no evidence for borrowing
fón wójo 4.215 to blink 5. no evidence for borrowing
jési 4.22 the ear 5. no evidence for borrowing
jésíbúka 4.221 the earlobe 5. no evidence for borrowing
núsu 4.23 the nose 5. no evidence for borrowing
núsúbáaku 4.231 the nostril 5. no evidence for borrowing
catarro (Suriname
katáu 4.232 the nasal mucus 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
boca (Suriname
búka 4.24 the mouth 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
boca (Suriname
búka 4.241 the beak 1. clearly borrowed
Portuguese )
Unidentifiable
búkákásíka 4.25 the lip 3. perhaps borrowed (Suriname
Portuguese )
to ngö 4.26 the tongue 5. no evidence for borrowing
tánda 4.27 the tooth 1. clearly borrowed tand/tanden (Dutch
