Buli Language Guide
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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COMMON EXPRESSIONS
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LANGUAGE AND UNDERSTANDING
words
speaking a language
asking questions
others
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GREETINGS
a) informal
b) according to the bodily condition
c) ritual greeting (abridged)
d) taking leave
asking for help
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LETTER
general
beginning, addressing
conclusion
middle part
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TIME
general and longer times
day, short time, clock
days of the week
months
seasons
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WEATHER
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NUMERALS
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ON THE WAY
a) general information
b) vehicles on the road (words)
c) coming and going
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IN THE HOUSE
toilet, bath, washing
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FOOD
preparing and serving food
eating
meals
inviting sb. to join eating
refunited snakesl of invitation to eat
refunited snakesl to drink water
taste
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FAMILY RELATIONS
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BODY
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SICKNESS AND THERAPY
sickness
therapy, clinic, doctor
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ANNOYANCE AND CONFLICT
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IN THE CHIEF'S HOUSE
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AT SCHOOL
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SHOPPING
general
buying, selling
paying, money
at the post office
in the market
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ANIMALS
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POLITE PHRASES AND INSULTS
insults
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ETHNOLOGY; TOURISM AND BULSA CULTURE
material culture and traditional technologies
photos
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DIVINATION
ordination
tools
symbols
activities
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COMMON EXPRESSIONS?
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What is your name? Fi yue (a)le boa?
My name is Awen. Mi yue le Awen.
How old are you? Fi ta ka benanga dina?
I am ten years old. Mi nya ká bena pi.
Thank you. Fi jiam -jiam. - Á vuusi (or) Jiam karo. (or) Kan namu.
I will try not to forget. Mi nya kukeri n kan bange.
Very well, thank you. Nalim nalim nyiini.
I don't know. N ze.
I do not know anything about it. N ze ku po wari ya.
Tell me the truth. Yueni (weeni) mu wensie.
I wanted to see the shops. Ma yaa n nya ka stooringa.
I'm glad to be at home again. N sui pienti ale n ne bo yeri la.
Come here. Jam de.
Hurry up. Nye nwuli.
Call him for me. Wi wa te mu.
I am looking for my pen. N gisi ka n penwa.
I don't know them. N ze ba.
What is this? Ka boa ale nna?
She thinks so. Wa poli ka de.
I do not think so. Mi an poli de.?
Have you ever been there? Fi poom jam dela?
I have never been there. Mi an poom jam dula.
It is very beautiful. Ku nala ka yega-yega.
What is this building? Ka boan yeri le nna?
Wash it every Sunday. Sugri jaamu Laadi dai miena.
I shan't be long. N kan beni.
I am sorry, I shan't get time today. N kaasi ya (N k. di), n kan nya siuk jinla.
Do you know me? Fi seb mu?
Whom do you want? Ka wana ate fi a yaali?
Where are you? Fi bo ka be?
Here I am. Nya mu le nna.
He is deaf. Wa ka tue kpara.
The traveller is astonished. Nyindewa a ba kama.
The child is frightened. Biika a chali ka yogsum.
I want to go there. Maa yali n cheng ka dula.
Should I wait for you. N limsi fu?
Don't blame me. Kan paasi mu.
She is smart. Nipoowa welima.
Don't leave me. Kan basi mu.
He is guilty. Wa kaasi ka.
What did I say? Mi tin yuen ka boa?
Everybody knows me. Wai miena seb mu kama.
Who sent you to me? Ka wana ale tom fu?
He is a wealthy man. Wa ka nur dobrik.
Are you angry? Fi su ya puuri?
Please forgive me. Maa saalim, vongti mu.
What is your opinion about it? Fi popola ka se ale de?
I shall work for two weeks. Mi le tom bakoai ngaye-a.
Why are you laughing? Ka boa ate fi a laa?
Why don't you like him? Ka boa ate fi kan yaa wa?
I want to go home. Ma yaa n kuli ka yeri.
I shall read the story. Mi le karim sunsuelini.
When did you finish? Ka dinpo (disapo) ate fi nueri?
We sat for a long time. Ti kali beni yega-yega.
Speak out. Biisi paalim.
Ask anybody. Begi wai-wai.
It's a taboo. Ku a kisi kama.
I am glad. N sui pienti ya.
I hope (think) he will come today. Ma poli ain wa le jam jinla.
Ateng wants to see you. Ateng a yaali fu.
If Laadi comes, tell him to wait for me. Laadi dan jam la, faa yueni ain wa limis mu.
One day we will meet again. Da-yong ti le ngman tu.
When will you be at home? Ka dinpo (disapo) ate faa bo yeri?
When will you be back? Ka dinpo (disapo) ate faa ngmani?
Ka dinpo (disapo) ate fi piilim cheena?
What can I do for you? Can I help you? N baga a maa(ri) fu? ?
Don't worry. Kan te ku (a) daam fu.
I do not mind. Mi ning karo.
It is all the same to me. Ku miena ka wa yeng mi jigi.
Can I see you tomorrow? N bag a nya fu chum-a?
You can visit me any time. Fi bag a jam mi jigi diipo miena.
When will you come back? Ka disapo at fi cheen?
He is kind. Wa nina baasa.
Are you contented? Fi pienti ya? Fi maring ya?
It is a pity.?
I am sorry. N kaasi di.
What has happened? Ka boa ale nye?
Take your time. Be nye maga-maga.
Be careful Ni kpesi nidek.
He is afraid of me. Wa chili yogsum ale mi (mu).
What do you want? Faa yaali ká boa?
Let me do it. Te n nye. / Te ate n nye.
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LANGUAGE AND UNDERSTANDING
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words
to speak biisi
to say yueni, weeni
to answer tulisi
to respond chogsi
to speak indistinctly, to stammer bogli
to discuss belisi (or) zogi
to discuss polemically nag nampaga
to have a talk biisi biika
to understand wom
to repeat piilim yuen
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word, question, problem wari, Pl. wie
language, talk biika
English, German, eureurasiaan felin(i)
to study (learn) a language zamsi biik?
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speaking a language
Do you speak (understand) Buli? Faa biisi (wom) Buli yaa?
Can you speak English? - Yes, I can. Faa biisi felini (ya)? - N bag kama.
I do not understand it well. Mi kan wom ku nalim nyiini.
I speak Buli only a little. Maa biisi Buli maga-maga.
Don't speak so fast. Kan kpabi a biisi.
Learning Buli is difficult. Buli mingka toa.
Your Buli is not good. Fi Buni 'n nala.
What have you said? Fi yuen boa?
I am learning Buli. Ma zamsi ka Buli.
Correct me if I make a mistake N dan biisi be, ween (yuen) mu.
The boy can't hear you. Biika kan wom fu.
I don't understand it. N wom chag.
Say it again. Ngman yueni.
Say it slowly. Yueni mag-maga.
Let us have a talk. Te ti biisi ale chaab.
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asking questions?
I want to ask a question. Maa yaa ain n beg ka wari.N ta wari ain n beg.
You ask many questions. Fi beg wie yega-yega.
What do you call this? Fi wi kude ain ka boa?
What is busik in English? "Busik" yue ale boa?
What is this? Boa ne nna?
Who is this? Wan le nna?
Why are you laughing? Ka boa ate fi a laa?
I am laughing at that child. N la ka biikade.
What is your name? My name is Ateng. Fi yue le boa? N yue le Ateng.
How old are you? Fi ta ká bena nga-diná?
I am ten years old. N ta ka bena pi.
He is very old. Wa bena piisiya.
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others
Stop speaking in this way. Kaa biisi dila.
As you said (it)... Ase fi le ween (yuen) dila...
Don't listen to these stories. Kan wom sunsulimangade.
Please wait until I have finished speaking. Maa saalim, limsi te n biisi nue.
Be quiet. Lig fi noani.
You were not spoken to. MiFi kan biisi ale daa fi
Listen to what I am saying. A wom n la wieni dela.
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GREETINGS
a) informal
How are you? Ka se-aa?
I am fine. Nalim nyini. (Ku basa. Ku nala.).
How was yesterday's sleep? (before sunrise) Answer: Ku baasa. (see c)
(early morning) When you got up Fi le yiri la
(early morning) When you slept Fi le goa la
How did you sleep (You slept?) Fi góóm? (or) Fi gooma?
Good morning Salü-aa ?
Good evening Jünoi-aa?
Good afternoon (11a.m - 1 p.m) Kantueng-aa?
Good night (God give you a good morning) Wen te ti va nalung
Tomorrow? (until tomorrow, see you tomorrow) Chumaa?
See you soon Ku nye maga
After sitting down you should greet each other. Ni dan kali nue, ni puusi chaab.
I am glad to meet you. N popo pienti ya mi le nya fu la.
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b) according to present activity
when (the greeted person is) sitting Be kali
(answer:) A vuusi (or) Be cheena.
when standing Be zagi-aa. (or) Za kama!
when lying Be doama
when eating (hold you food) Ni be tara!
when passing (then I pass) M be taama
when coming Be cheena
when working Fi tuima jiam (or) Jiam-jiam
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c) ritual greeting (abridged)
(g = guest, h= host)
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g: Hallo! (when arriving at the compound) Ngaanga
h: Tia Welcome
g: I have come N jam (n jamoa)
Let us greet. or: Te ti puusi
g: Ti puusi? Ti puusi??
h: Would you like some millet-water Nyiamu?
g: No (water is still good) Nyiamu diem basa
It is good (smooth) g: ku baasa, h: ku baasa?
How are you? Fi nying ká po??
How are your children (your wives)? Fi bisanga-a? Fi pooba?
How is your co-wife? Fi ngaangchowa?
She is in good health. Wa ta nyingyogsa.
Have you slept well? Goomu a goa nalim nyiini?
And what about Anabiik? Alege Anabiik-a?
How is he? Wa duag nalim nyiini?
Has the cold left you? Ngootanga basi yaa?
There is no problem. Wari karo
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d) taking leave
to take leave, to say farewell banti?
I beg to take leave Ma juisi siuk ain n kuli
(short) I leave N kuli
Should we not stay longer? Ti kan diema dalengi.?
I leave before I come back N kuli abe n jam.
Farewell. Paai nalim nyiini.
Bye-bye. Da-yong-aa ?
Good-night. Chum-aa?
I am not yet leaving Man diem kuli.
Greet your house. Be puusi fi yeri-a.
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e) asking for help
Can you help me? Fi bag a mari mu?
Shut (open) the door. Lig (lag) tuoku.
Can you help me to carry my bag? Fi bag a maa(ri) a ji n forukuu?
Let me help you. Be chogsi.
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LETTER
general
sender
addressee
letter gbang
stamp stampi
to collect letters from the post office
parcel tiirim, dakari
I've written my wife only once. N ngmarisi n poowa ka bunyi.
She wrote eight letters yesterday. Wa ngmarisi gbansa naaning diemwa.
You have written your sister many times. Fi ngmarisi fi toawa yega-yega.
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beginning, addressing
Dear Amoak N doa Amoak.
My dear friend Assibi N nongku Assibi.
My dear son N dek biika
I greet Amoak (regards to A., best wishes to A.) Maa puusi Amoak
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conclusion
Your father. Your son. Fi kowa. Fi biika
That is all ( I have to say) Miena ale la.
I greet you. Maa te puunited snakes.
The friend in your mind Fi popola doa (nong).
I think of your words Maa poli fi wie.
Greet Ateng from me. Puusi Ateng te mu.
(lit.) It is me. Atiim Ka mi. Atiim
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middle part
This letter comes from your father Anala. Gbangkade a nyini ka fi kowa Anala jigi.
I am greeting you. Mi a puusi fu.
Your mother greets you too. Fi mawa me a puusi fu.
We are all in good health. Nyingyogsa bo ti miena jig kama.
If this letter is in your hands... Gbangkade a dan jo fi nisa...
Your letter that you wrote to me has reached me well.
Fi gbangkaai ate fi daam ngmarisi te mu la a paari mu kama nalimnyiini.
I am very happy that your are all in good health. N sui a pienti kama yegayega ale ni miena ale ta nyingyogsa la.
I am writing this letter to you... N ngmarisi gbangkade a te fu...
Today I have received your letter. Jinla n tuesi (ngoa) fi gbangka.
I am very happy that you and your wives and children are in good health.?
N sui pienti ain fi ale fi pooma ale fi bisanga ta nyingyogsa.
"I thank you for your house". Maa te fi jiam fi yeni wie.
I am sending you the (this) parcel. Mi le tom koalimanga(de) a te fu.
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TIME
all the time, always diipo miena
during the year beni po
after Christmas burinya ngaang nyin
when? disapo? dinpo?
never diip-diipo
now yog-yogla
nowadays daangade
once (past) daam, dilapo
once (future) da-yeng
daily da-yeng
today jinla
tomorrow chum
the day after tomorrow vonung
after a few (3,4,5) days vonung ku choa
yesterday diem
some time before (same day) poom
some days ago, recently daam
soon Ka an beni ya. Ku kan beni.
It will be soon. Ku an beni ya.
year beni, Pl. bena
day dai, Pl. da
week bakoai
Christmas búrínya
last year ngaang beni; diim
century bena kook
in the lifetime of boka po
in future chum po
birthday biam dai
sometimes da-yeng - da-yeng;
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general and longer times
at the end of his speech wa biika kpeglingka
We saw him last year Ti nya wa ká diim.
The aeroplane flew too fast. Aloplywa a yiti ka nwuli nwuli.
Walk slowly. A cheng maga-maga.
We shall leave tomorrow. Ti le bas chum.
When did you come? Ka dinpo ate fi jam-o?
They will go to England next year. Ba le cheng Fel-teng bali.
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day, short time, clock
sunrise wen pusika
sunset wen singka
It will be soon. Ku kan beni. Ku nye maga.
What is the time (now)? Timu ka bang bu dina?
Ku paa bang bu dina yog-yogla?
Bangka a nag ká dina?
Ku nag ká bang bu dina?
Ká bang budiina ale nna?
Yogyogde, ká bang budiina?
It is ten o'clock. Ka bang pi.
It is exactly ten o'clock. Bu ka bang pi deki.
Day is breaking. Vari vienti.
in the darkness birimu po
I will come at six o'clock. N ne jam (cheen) bang buyuebi.
Do not come before sunrise. Kan jam ale weni n pusi ya.
I shall wait for you. N ne limsi fu.
It rained from 11 a.m, to 6 p.m. Ngoruk a ni ka saliuk bang pi ale bunyi a ta paai bang buyuebi.
I shall be back soon. N le ngmai ngaang yog-yogla.
It will not last long. Ku kan beni a zuagi.
You arel late. Fi beni (ya).
Do not go yet. Kan diem chengi.
Wait a little. Limsi maga.
We slept all day. Ti a goa ka daani miena.
The sun is near setting. Wen a balingi.
The sun is rising. Wenbini a nyini.
The sun is setting. Wenbini a kali. Wenbini bo ye-ning. ?
It is high noon. Wen-bini (wentueng) bo wen zuk sunsung.
The moon shone. Chiika a nyasi kama.
The stars are glittering. Chinmganga a yaling.
It is very dark. Ku chim ka legi yega.
We shall rest in the house in the evening. Ti le vuusi ka yeni po junoai.
We shall attend pictures at 8 o'clock. Ti le cheng sinee york bang naaning.
I shall go to bed late. Mi goa ka york diipo.
I woke up at 7 o'clock in the morning. N yiri ka bang buyuepoi saliuk.
I had a sound sleep. N goa nalim nyini.
I shall go to work at 8 o'clock. Mi le cheng tuima ka bang naaning saliuk.
When do they stop working? Ba basi (yiti) tuima ká disapoo?
I am going to sleep. Ma cheng goama.
...how many days ago? ...ka da nga dina ale jina?
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days of the week
Monday Atani, Tani (as a name also Tenny)
Tuesday Atalata (Talata)
Wednesday Alariba (Lariba)
Thursday Alamisi (Lamisi)
Friday Azuma
Saturday Asibi
Sunday Alaadi, Laadi
before Sunday alege ti Laadi-dai
Yesterday was Monday. Diemwa ka Atani dai.
Today is Tuesday (Monday). Jinla ka Talata (Atani).
Tomorrow will be Wednesday. Chum ka Alariba dai.
He came here last Monday. Wa jam dela daam Tani.
He will come again next Tuesday. Wa le ngman jam Atalata.
Were you born on a Wednesday? Ba bia fi ka Alariba dai-ya?
I was born on a market day, that is why my name is A. Ba bia mu ka yaba dai, dila nying ate ba te mu yue ain Ayaba.
She comes here every Friday. Wa jam dela ka Azuma daa miena.
They do not go to School on Saturday. Ba kan chang sku Asibi dai-ya.
Sunday is a day of rest. Laadi dai ka vusum dai.
Come and see me on Friday. Jam nya mu Atalaata dai.
Two weeks ago I was in Sandema. Bakoai ngaye wai ale taam la, mi daam bo ka Sandem.
Last Monday I got up early. Daam Ataniwa n yiti a wuli.
What day is today? Jinla ká da boa?
months
January ngoota chiik (month of cold),
February gunggona chiik (armpit-drums)
March vaala chiik (empty stalks...), chiisa sitawa
April sambula chiik (dawadawa blossoms), chiisa sinaansiwa
May borik chiik (month for sowing); chiisa sinu
June kpari chiik (weeding); chiisa siyuebi
July naara chiik (early millet); chiisa siyuepoi
August za paala bogluta chiik (early millet sacrifices); chiisa naaningka
September chaaung chiik (chaaung-weeding); chiisa neugo
October sungkpaata chiik (groundnut); chiisa pieka
November za cheka chiik (millet harvest); chiisa pi ale kanyi
December fanoai chiik (millet sacrifices); burinya chiik (christmas month)
month chiik
at the beginning of May chiisa sinu piilimka
at the end of December
the middle of the year beni sunsung po
Is the weather hot in March? Tengka tuila chiisa sitawa po?
My son was born in April. N biika, ba bia wa ka chiisa sinaansiwa po.
The festival begins 21st May. Diintanga a pielim ka chiisa sinu 21 dai.
The conference will end on 30th June. Biika tuka a nueri ka chiisa siyuebi 30 dani.
Will you leave on 1st of July? Fi le basi chiisa siyuepoi pielimka dani?
Is the weather cold in August? Tengka yogsa chiisa naningka po?
The new church was opened on the last Sunday in September. Wendok paalika a lagri ka Laadi dii ale kpeglim chiisa neugo po la.
Will you set out before the end of October? Fi le nyin pielim alege the chiisa pieka nueri-e?
I shall return to eureurasia in November. N le pilim cheng Fel-teng chiisa pi ale kanyi.
Some trees shed their leaves in December. Tiisa sie a yueri vaata ka Burinya chiika po.
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seasons
rainy season ngmoruk wen [l l lm]
harmattan season, time of plenty, (Nov.-Febr.) fiok wen [l m]
season of scarcety (before harvest) kom wen [h h]
dry season wen-karik
cold season ngoota wen
hunting season goai pieka wen
A new season began. Wen paalik ya nyini.
We shall soon enter the Harmattan season. Ti boa paai fiok wen. Ku moata fiok wen.?
The harmattan is near. Viok boa paai.
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WEATHER
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thunder nanpang n.; restr. ngmoruk
hail, hailstone; ice, snow ngmoruk-tain [l l m]
(short and heavy) rainshower ngmoruk fiik [l l lm]
flash of lightning ngmoruk-nyagsum [l l l l]
cloud chingmari
darkness birim
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It is lightning. Ngmoruku a nyagsi. Ku a nyagsi.
It is thundering. Ngmoruku a kum. Ngmoruku a nag.
The sky is dark (covered with clouds). Wen sobri ya.
The sun is hot. Wen-bini tuila.
It is cold. Ngóóta boro.
It rained yesterday Ngmoruk a ni diem.
Will the weather be fine tomorrow? Tengka chum ale nala?
What will the weather be like today? Tengka jinla a nye ka se??
The weather was cloudy yesterday. Tengka nganti ka me diemwa.
It is raining. Ku a ni. Ngmoruk a ni.
It is drizzling. Ku a mimsi. Ngmoruk a mimsi.
Rain clouds have gathered. Ngmoruk chingmanga tigsi chaab.
Rain is coming (threatening). Ngmòruk a daani.
The weather is clear. Tengka nyanti.
My clothes are wet. Mi garuku yog kama.
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It is windy. Ku ka viok.
Perhaps it will rain this evening. Dadidai yaase ku le ni junoanide.
I am feeling warm. Wulim ale ta mi.
Let us move into the shade. Te ti forisi a jam yogsum po.
I am feeling cold. Ngueta (ngoota) ale ta mu.
It is very chilly. Ngoota boro yeg-yega.
It is a cloudy day. Ka chingmaa dai.
It is misty. Ku nye ka brim.
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NUMERALS
one bunyi, wanyi, dinyi, kanyi, kuny
two buye, baye, ngaye, siye, tiye
three, third buta...
four banaansi
five bunu
six buyuebi
seven buyuepoi
eight naaning
nine neuk
ten pi
eleven pi ale bunyi
twenty pisiye
thirty pisita
hundred kobik (or) kook
thousend tusidi
1973 tusidi ale kobisa neuk ale pisyuebi al bata
one half
one and a half (1.5)
three fowls kpesa sita
five things nganta bata
first piilimka
second buye
third buta
once bunyi
twice buyea
many times yega yega
eleven times pi ale bunyi po
one hundred times kook kanyi po
the second day ngaye danga
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How many people came? Ka nurba din ale jam ya?
Ten plus ten make twenty. Pi a gum pi po ku a nye ka pisiye-a.
Subtract ten from twenty. Gasi pi a nyin pisiye-a po.
Multiply four by six. Gari bunaansi chin buyuebi.
Count your fingers. Chien fi nandubsanga.
Can you count up to one hundred. Fi baga a chin ta paari kook?
The boy has worked three sums. Biika tom nganta bata.
He likes arithmetic. Wa yaali chienka.
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ON THE WAY
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a) general information
left gala
right juga
road siuk
street sititee
path, footpath siok vovok (only with siuk); nurba siuk
road junction sui toming; mampali barini (Abzweig), su-paksa
sign post saka
straight ahead yomsi ka a cheng
to turn (branch) left (right) ngmieringi gala (juga) nying; chiem gala nying
(to go) straight ahead yoarisi; adv.: yorr
to miss the way be siuku
it is far ku yalima
here (there) dowa (or) denna (düla)
curved road su-goalung
to come back ngmain jam
to park zaani
load, luggage koalima
bicycle kuta-wusum, cheche
mobilette, moped puupu
car, vehicle loori
to go on a journey cheng siuk (or) cheng chelim
Is it far from there to here? Duloa ale dena yalimaa?
Which is the way to Atiim's house? Atiim yeni siuku ale kuna?
Where is the road to Navrongo? Navarong siuku bo (ka) be?
I have lost my way. N be síúkú kámá.
I will go with you. I will follow you. N maa va.
Go after them. Follow them. Va ba ngaang.
I am going to my father. Maa cheng n kowa jigi.
Don't forget your things. Kan bang fi ngantanga.
Please show me the way to the chief's house. Ma saalim, dag ka naa-yeni siuk a sag mu.
I am a stranger. Mi ka nichaanoa.
Take the road on your left. Pa siuku ale do fi gala.
Go straight ahead. Yomsi fi ning a cheng.
Return to the road junction. Vering siu-tomini jigni. (or: ...sui-tomini ning)
Take the first turning on the right. Pa fi ning veringka fi juga ging.
You have missed the way. Fi be siuku kama.
Is the post-office far from here? Post-officewa yalima le dela?
Yes, it is far. Mmm, ku yalima kama.
No, it is not far. Ku an yalima.
It is about two miles from here. Ku a nye se ka mila ngaye a nyini dela jigini.
It is near the market. Ku moata ka yabanga.
Could you take me there? Fi le ta mu a cheng dula?
There is the house. Yeni ale nna.
It is very kind of you to have brought me there. Ku nala fi jigi ate fi ta mu a jam dela jigini.
I lost my way. - Did you? N poom be n siuku. - Ka wensie?
A kind friend showed me the main road. Doa mang ale dag mu manpali.
I didn't think you would lose your way. Mi an poli ain fi le poom be fi siuku.
Take the bush path on your right. Va sagi siuku fi juga ning.
Shall we climb a hill? Ti le jueli guuku?
Is the path straight? Siuku yomsi yaa?
Is it winding? Siuku golin