Bininj Kunwok Phrasebook

Kamak!
Good
Kamak?
(Are you) good?
Ngudda kamak?
Are you well? (sg)
Kamak ngurrihni?
Are you (all) well? (pl)
Yo, kamak
Yes, good
Ngaye kamak
I'm good / I'm well
Kamak ngarrihni
We're (all) well (exc)
Bobo
Goodbye
Kaluk nan
See you later
yo
yes
ma
ok, that's fine, continue
larrk / burrkyak
nothing, no
bonj
finished, end, that's all
nuk
I don't know, not sure
adju
maybe, I'm not sure
dja
and
bu
if, when
aba!
oh no!
med
wait
nja
here, take it
njamed
whatchamacallit, thingo
kek?
really?
werrk
hurry up
yeledj
slowly, slow down
ngawakwan
I don't know / I forget
yire!
go! (one person)
yimray!
come here! (one person)
karrire!
Let's go! (plural)
Kamak bu ...?
Is it ok that ...?
Nahni njale?
What is this?
Baleh ngayime?
How do I say?
Yeledj yiwokdin
Speak slowly
Minj bekkan
I can't hear you (sg)
Yiyawoyhyimen
Say it again (sg)
Karrire!
Let's (all) go! (pl.inc)
Nangale nganbidyikarrme kunwokken?
Is there an interpreter available? (lit. can someone help me speak)
baleh
where? (can also mean what, how many)
njale
what, which?
nangale
who? (masculine)
ngalngale
who? (feminine)
yiddok
question marker (add to a sentence to create a yes/no question)
Baleh yire?
Where are you (sg) going?
Baleh ngurrire?
Where are you (pl) going?
Ngaye ...
I'm ...
Ngangeyyo ...
My name is ...
kunkurlah
skin, skin name
Kunkurlah ngardduk ...
My skin (name) is ...
Ngudda baleh kunkurlah?
what is your (sg) skin (name)?
Baleh marneyime?
What do I call you? (sg)
Duwa / Yirridjdja
moieties
Ngahyo ...
I live in ...
Ngamdolkkang ...
I come from ...
Ngadurrkmirri kore ...
I work at ...
Ngaborlbme kunwok
I'm learning (your) language
Kamak kanbukkan?
Can you teach me?
Yidjare ...?
Do you want ...?
Yidjare (tea/coffee)?
Do you want tea/coffee?
Yidjare kan?
Do you want me to take/drive you?
Kanwo bakki
Give me tobacco/smokes
Yikarrme kunwardde?
Do you have money?
Kanwo kunwardde
Give me some money
Larrk, minj ngakarrme kunwardde
No, I don't have any money
Birribuyika ngandikukyakwong
Other people finished up all my money (I gave all my money to others)
Nja!
There you go (handing over money)
Ngawarrewong
I made a mistake
bininj
man, person, Indigenous
daluk
woman
wurdurd
child, children
ngarrimud
my family
Baleh yihyo?
Where do you live? (sg)
Baleh yimdolkkang?
Where do you come from? (sg)
kunkurlah
skin/skin name
kunmokurrkurr
clan/clan name
balanda
non-Indigenous person
malarrk
Yolngu (easterner)
koyek-beh
(people) from the east
Manawukan-beh
(people) from Maningrida
walem-beh
(people) from the south
birribarrkid
foreigners (people different to us)
kobakohbanj
elders
birriredweleng
traditional owners
karrang
mother and her sisters
ngabba
father and his brothers
rdardda / kokok
brother / older brother
rdardda / yabok
sister / older sister
korlonj
child of man
djedje
child of woman
kakkak
mother's mother
mamam(h)
mother's father
makka(h)
father's mother
mawa(h)
father's father
ngadjadj
mother's brother
berlu(h)
father's sister
kakkali
promised/potential spouse
kanjok
cross-cousin you don't marry
ngalkurrng
mother-in-law, daughter/son -in-law, poison cousin (avoidance relationship)
doydoy(h)
great grandparent (certain categories)
kunbolk
place, land
kured
house, home, residence
kunred
country, home, place where people live or camp
kunrurrk
house, building, shelter
kukku
water
mandulum
hill
manlabbarl
billabong, waterhole
mankabo
river
manbarrarn
gorge, canyon, valley
kabbal
floodplain, open area
kunwardde
rock, stone country
manbolh
road, track
Djang
sacred site, totemic emblem
kundulk
tree
kunngarre
forest, thicket, bush
mannguy
flower
kundalk
grass
kunworr
leaves
manbelk
pandanus tree
kundalk
grass
manbedje
spear grass
mandem
water lily root (edible)
manberrk
savannah woodland
manbinik
large monsoon forest tree (Allosyncarpia ternata)
mandudjmi
green plum
mandorok
bloodwood
mandubang
ironwood
mankurlurrudj
sand palm
kunkod
paperbark
kuluyambi
paperbark raft
mandjimdjim
water pandanus
manmorlak
Kakadu plum, billygoat plum
mayh
animal (a generic term, also means rainbow serpent, hunting, ceremony)
Nahni njale mayh?
What animal is that?
duruk
dog
kinga
crocodile
kunj
kangaroo (generic)
nganabbarru
buffalo
djarrang
horse
bulikki
cow
kordbolbok / djaddi
frog
djebuyh
possum
dalkken
dingo
ngarrbek
echidna
njanjma
quoll
nabarlek
rock wallaby
yok
bandicoot
kalawan
goanna
nayin
snake (generic)
kedjebe
file snake
nawaran
Oenpelli python
ngardderrhwo
short-necked turtle
ngalmangeyi
long-necked turtle
Nahni njale mayhmayh?
What is that bird called?
mayhmayh
bird (generic)
djakarna
jabiru (black-necked stork)
ngalkordow
brolga
manimunak
magpie goose
kurdukadji
emu
ngarradj
sulfur-crested cockatoo
berrebberreb
masked lapwing, plover
kernalk
straw-necked ibis
kurrukurldanj
orange-footed scrubfowl
marram
whistling kite
makkakkurr
pelican
djilikuybi
whistle duck
djirrihdiddid
kingfisher
karnamarr
red-tailed black cockatoo
nin
double-barred finch
Nahni njale djenj?
what kind of fish is this?
djenj
fish (generic)
namarnkol
barramundi
bikkurr, namardaka
catfish
wurrkabal
long tom
wamba
shark
nawarla
stingray
karndjawarra
mud crab
karnubirr
freshwater mussel
djabelh
mouth almighty fish
kuluybirr
saratoga
njarlkan
archerfish
karrire djenj
Let's go fishing (inc)
karrikinje djenj
Let's cook the fish (inc)
yiddok ngurrimey djenj?
did you (pl) catch any fish?
wakkidj
fishing line
walabi
fish trap
djalakkiradj
fish spear
Njale?
What is this?
bod
fly
birndu
mosquito
kardab
spider
djak
ant
kabo
green tree ant
merlemerle
butterfly
djalarr
centipede
nabiwo
bee (one of many varieties of sugarbag bees & honey)
marla
scorpion
djaddedde
grasshopper
alyurr
Leichardt's grasshopper
borlborl
termite
Nabang namekke?
Is it dangerous?
Kanbaye kadberre?
Does it bite?
Kamak karringun?
Can we eat it?
bolkkime
today, now
malaywi
tomorrow
wolewoleh
yesterday
kunkodjke
overnight, sleep
kunbarnangarra
day, 24 hours
kukak
night
djandi
week
dird
month (moon)
bukkulurl
full moon
kudjewk
year (rainy season)
kundung
sun
kinhkinh
stars
mandjewk
rain
kunmayorrk
wind
kamayorrkbun
the wind is blowing
kumbarrhbom
sunrise
dungyibmeng
sunset
barnangarrakuyeng
all day long
wanjh
after that, then
korroko
before, previously
kunkare
long ago
boyen
recently
darnkih
soon, close
ngaladmen
I'm feeling hot
ngabonjdjek
I'm feeling cold
ngabonjdjekdowen
I'm very cold
mandjewk
rain (also wet season, year, annual cycle)
kadjakdung
it's raining
namarrkon
lightning
kunkurrnginj
sweat / sweaty
bukminj
dry
boyak
no water (drought)
Njaleken yimwam?
What are you here for?
Njale ngunbayeng?
What is wrong with you?
Kamak rowk?
Is everything okay?
Kanmarneyolyolmen
Tell me about it
Yiddok yihdowen?
Are you sick?
Baleh yihdowen?
Where does it hurt?
Kanbukkan
Show me
Kamak bu nganan?
Is it okay if I have a look?
Yiddok yikomkerlme?
Are you feeling nauseous?
Merredjdjin yibongun?
Are you taking medicine?
Kamak kanbidyikarrme?
Can you help me?
Ngahdowen
I feel sick
Ngababang
I'm in pain, I'm hurt
doweng
he/she died
kundjak
sickness, disease
Ngurribiddjirridjburren
Wash your hands (pl)
Djarre ngarrdi
Stand away from me
Kuney yidjohmen
Cough into your elbow
Yidjaldin kured
Stay home
kunkodj
head
kunberl
arm
kunnjam
stomach
kunbid
hand, finger
kundad
leg
kundenge
foot
kunburrk
body
kunmanem
chest
kunney
elbow
kunbard
knee
kunkarlang
shoulder
kunngabek
hair (of head)
kunwanj
underarm
kunberldowk
bicep
kunmende/kunbende
wrist
kunkarre
lower leg
kundjikka
nipple
kunngorrk
waist
kunbukkarn
navel
kunkorn
groin
kunbidkanj
palm
kunmad
ankle
kunkom
Neck
kukun
right side of body
kudjakku
left side of body
kunmilh
forehead
kunmim
eye
kunkanem
ear
kunkeb
nose
kungarlbak
cheek
kundang
mouth
kundangmard
chin
kunyidme
teeth
manme
food
kunkanj
meat
kukku / kunronj
water
manbarnem
fruit
kunak
fire
kunbang
alcohol
wirlarrk
egg/s
mankung
bush honey
manmim
seed, seed pods
ngahngun
I am eating (now)
ngangun / yingun
I eat
yibongun
you (sg) drink
kakinje
he/she cooks, burns
ngamarrwedowen
I'm hungry
ngakombukdowen
I'm thirsty
djoleng
cooked, ripe, ready to eat
manmakmak/namanjmak
very good, tasty (man- / na- class)
mankuk/ nakuk
(man- /na- class)
manbang/nabang
poisonous (man-/na- class)
yuwn yingun!
don't eat that! (sg)
yiworrkminj?
are you full up? (sg)
nguneworrkminj?
are you two full up?
ngurriworrkminj?
are you all (3+) full?
karriworren manme
let's share the food
kamak kanwon?
can you give me some?
yidjare?
Would you like / do you want (some)?
ngadjare
I like / want (it)
minj ngadjare
I don't like/want (it)
minj bale kayime ngangun
I can't eat it (I'm not able to eat it, it's not possible for me to eat it)
Kamak ngare?
Is it okay to go (there)?
Yo, kamak yire
Yes, it's okay to go.
Yuwn yire kumekke!
Don't go there!
Minj yidjuhme kore kukabo
Don't swim in that river
Yoh, kamak yidjuhmen
Yes, it's okay to swim.
Ngabolknahnan
I am looking after that place.
kubolkdjamun
that's a sacred place
Minj karrire kumekke kubolkdjamun
Let's not go to that sacred place
Kinga kahyo
there's a crocodile there
Nganabbarru kahdi
there's a buffalo there
Minj njale kahyo
there's nothing there
Kamak ngare ngamang djenj?
Is it okay to get fish/go fishing?
Nangale ngadjawan?
Who do I ask?
Yiddok kamak ngakarrme?
Can I touch it?
Yun yikarrme
Don't touch
Yun yikilekme
Don't interfere (with it)
Manbolh kamak karrire?
Is it okay to go on this track?
Kamak bu ngangun?
Can I eat this?
Yoh, kamak
Yes, it's good
Larrk, manwarre
No, it's bad
ngakan / yikan
I drive / you (sg) drive
yiwokngimen
you call (lit. words go inside) phone, radio, etc
Ngadjare ngamarnewokdi...
I'd like to speak to ...
Ngadjare kanbidyikarrme
Can you help me? (lit. I need help)
Kamak djawan?
Can I ask (something)?
kunwardde
money (lit. stone)
muddikka
car (from English 'motorcar')
mandengeyi
vehicle (lit. having feet)
manwelyi
plane (lit. having wings)
kubbunj
canoe, boat
badjdjingkurl
bicycle
birrimankang
accident (lit. they fell)
bakmeng
breakdown
djamun
police
yimray!
come here! (sg)
ngurrimray!
come here! (pl)
yiray!
go! (sg)
ngurriray!
go! (plural)
ngadirri / yidirri
I play / you (sg) play
ngaborlbme / yiborlbme
I learn / you (sg) learn
ngabukkan / yibukkan
I teach / you (sg) teach
yibebmen
go outside (sg)
kabirribebmen
go outside (pl)
yimngimen
come inside (sg)
ngurrimngimen
come inside (pl)
yibekka!
listen! (sg)
kandibekka!
listen to me! (pl)
ngurriburnbu!
stop! (pl)
yina!
look! (sg)
ngurrina!
look! (pl)
yiyawoyhyimen!
say it again (sg)
ngurriyawoyhyimen!
say it again (pl)
kankadjung
follow me (sg)
kandikadjung
follow me (pl)
mahni yimarnbun
do it like this (sg)
mahni ngurrimarnbun
do it like this (pl)
kanmadbu
wait (sg) for me
kandimadbu
wait (pl) for me
yirohrokmen
try it (sg)
ngurrirohrokmen
try it (pl)
kanmarneyolyolmen
tell me about it (sg)
kandimarneyolyolmen
tell me about it (pl)
yimdurnde!
come back (sg)
ngurrimdurnde!
come back (pl)
yiyerrka!
sit down (sg)
ngurriyerrka!
sit down (pl)
yidolkka!
stand up (sg)
ngurridolkka!
stand up (pl)
yiberlwayhmen!
raise your hand (sg)
ngurriberlwayhmen!
raise your hand (pl)
bawh!
Shhh! Be quiet!
ngurringurdmen!
everyone be quiet!
baleh ngakurduyime?
what am I doing?
baleh yikurduyime?
what are you (sg) doing?
baleh ngurrikurduyime?
what are you (all) doing?
kururrk
inside
kuberrk
outside
kunwok
word, language
Balanda kunwok
English (language)
kunmayali
knowledge, wisdom
kore kabirridirri
playground
balabbala
table
djurra
book, paper
Njale ngunbayeng?
What's wrong? (lit. what's biting you?)
Njaleken yinalkbun?
Why are you crying?
Njale yidjare?
What do you want?
larrk
nothing, no, none left
minj kayo
(he/she's) not here
kayo ngardduk mail?
is there mail for me?
med!
wait, hold on
yimadbun
wait (sg)
karrimadbun
wait (pl)
ngayawan ...
I'm looking for ...
yimngimen
come inside
ngadjawan
I'm asking / inquiring
ngarridangbalhmeng
we're closed
kadangrurrk
we're /it's open
djamun
police, police officer
yimray
come here! (sg)
yiray
go! (sg)
ngundikan
we're taking you (sg)
ngudda karrire
come with us (sg)
yingimen!
get in the car (sg)
yibawo!
stop it! leave it alone (sg)
yingurdmen!
stop it! (sg)
yidurnde!
come back! (sg)
yibebmen!
go outside! (sg)
ngawokngimen
I'll phone
ngabenbengdayhke
I'll call and let them know
kabirriburren
they are fighting (pl)
bim
picture, image
kunwarddebim
rock art
kabimbun
he/she paints an image
ngabimbun
I'm painting
kamilemarnbun
he/she is weaving
kunwarddebim
rock art
rarrk
cross hatching
kararrkwe
he/she paints cross-hatching
mardayin
cross-hatching style related to Mardayin ceremony
kabarung
he/she paints, smears (flat areas of colour, such as a background)
kadjedme
he/she carves, sculpts, scrapes
djurra
paper, book
dolobbo
bark of Eucalyptus tetradonta, used for bark paintings
lorrkkon
traditional hollow log coffin, now often painted for sale
manyilk
grass brush used for painting fine lines
delek
white ochre (pipe clay or huntite)
kunrodjbe / yamidj
red ochre
karlba
yellow ochre
burlerri
black
kunyirrke
charcoal
djerrh
looped or knotted string bag, dilly bag
kunngobarn
pandanus leaves for weaving
mimih
Mimih spirit
yawkyawk
female water spirit with a fish tail, 'mermaid'.
Ngalyod
Rainbow Serpent
kunbidbok
hand print
bidkuykmerrinj
hand stencil
kunwaral
silhouette (basic shape before adding detail)
kunmadj
weaving basket, cloth, clothes
Njale yimarnbun?
What are you making?
Njale nakka ngurri-marnbun?
What do you call that thing you make?
mako
didjeridu
manberlnginj
clapstick
kunborrk
dance, dance style
kabirriborrkke
they dance
mandule
song
kabirriwayini
they sing
kabuhme
he blows/plays a didjeridu
mulil
festivities, celebration
mankarre
ceremony, cultural practice, way of doing things, rules, regulations, government laws, culture
nakudji / ngalkudji
one (masc/fem class)
kunkudji / mankudji
one (kun- / man- class)
bokenh
two
danjbik
three
kunkarrngbakmeng
four
kunbidkudji
five (one hand)
mirndewern
many
rowk
all, every
kumekke
there
kondah
here
koyek
east
kakbi
north
walem
south
karrikad
west
karrire kakbi
[Let's] head north
karrire koyek
[Let's] head east
kanjdji
down, below
karrkad
up, higher
djarreh
long way
darnkih
close, soon
bewh
further
borledmikenh
other side
Baleh karrire karrimang nganabbarru [kunkanj]?
Where can we go to catch buffalo [meat]?
Baleh ngare?
How do I get to ...? (or Where am I going?)
Karrire djarreh
Let's go further / keep going
Yimdurndi
You've come back (sg)
Ngurrimdurndi
You've come back (pl)
Ngalkodjok baleh wam?
Where has Ngalkodjok gone?
Nawamud baleh kahdi?
Where is Nawamud (right now)?
Yidjowkke (mankabo)
cross the (river) ...
Mankabo kabore?
Is the river flowing?

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