Dictionary Wagiman-English

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Dictionary 2009

Bb badi-na infl. verb (tr.) variant badi-ya (PH) root -badi-; past -na ~ -ya (PH); ppfv -ng; also badi-yan n.f. impfv, badi-yh n.f. pfv to bite ? Jamba badi-yan gi-ya nung! 'Don't you go biting him!' ? Duri-yi badi-yh ngan-yaha-ny lagarra. 'The snake bit me on the leg.' ? Lamarra-yi munyju-badi! 'The dog is going to bite you!' (HL) bahba nominal brother ? Gay-ba luwi-yan ngiyo-ngiyo-ngi-yobe-jan bahba-gu. 'We stayed there for ages and ages crying for our brother.' (LM, text) see also nu-wapba-mang. bakga nominal tobacco ? Yow, ma-ya-min bakga-gu mahan. Ge-bort-da-n-guju. 'Yes, I'll go right away for tobacco. We're dying for it.' (LM) note: This is a based on the English word 'tobacco'. bak-ga1 coverb (intr.) to break ? Bak linyi-ng lari. 'He fell and broke his arm.' (LM) ? Gahan gurruwitj bak-ga-yi-ma. 'That car broke down.' (LM) ? Bak-ga nga-ma-yi guda. 'I broke up the firewood.' (HL) ? Lari bak-bak ba-bu-ji-ng-guju gay-giwu, ngal-warlang-giwu. 'The married couple broke each other's arms.' (LM) see also ma-bak-ga-yin. bak-ga2 coverb (tr.) to name ? Wujinyhma nga-bu-ndi bak-ga lawar. 'I named her Wujinyhma.' (HL, text) balangurrk nominal bad magic, voodoo, sorcery ? Balangurrk ga-ba-ma-n, lagiban, ga-ya menuny, nungarin, gakgalak bort gaa. 'They do balangurrk on a man, and in about a month he dies.' (PH)

note: Balangurrk is hostile sorcery to kill or injure by grinding up clothes or other personal possessions. Clothes can be placed between two tree branches which grind together in the wind. It can take some time for the person to die, up to a few years. balarrin nominal stem balawhite ochre ? Wangga-gu, balarrin, ge-na nganung, burrhburr-ma nga-ya-nggi, wangga. 'They painted me with white ochre for a corroboree, and I danced.' see also gugarra. balbalin nominal ground oven ? Mabitjbaran belk-ga-yan ba-ya-ngga-jan gangaman, balbalin-ba. 'In the olden days, people used to roast kangaroos in a ground oven.' (LM) see also derrin. balkginy nominal agile wallaby Macropus agilis note: This small wallaby is very common and is often seen around rivers and billabongs. balman nominal grasshopper ? Balman ga-ba-da nganku garratjjin. 'Grasshoppers eat what's it, grass.' (LM) balp-ba coverb (tr.) 1. to step on ? Danganyin nganing-gin balp-ba gi-nehe-n! 'You're treading on my tucker!' (HL) 2. to kick ? Balp ngan-nehe-ng-ma gay-yi lagiban-yi. 'That man kicked me.' (LM) 3. to stomp ? Bornhborn-na ga-ba-yu, balp-ba ga-ba-nehe-n wangga. 'They are dancing, they are stomping wangga.' (LM) see also nehe-ndi. bambarl nominal

bald ? Gahan gordal, lardili-nehen ga-ya, bambarl ga-ya. 'He has no hair on his head, he is bald.' (LM) bambelh-ma coverb (tr.) dialect HL, PH to stack ? Bambelh-ma me-ge guda! 'Stack up the firewood!' (HL) bambidi nominal yellow-faced turtle Emydura spp. ? Bambidi, gahan wayiny gordal buluman. 'Bambidi is a small turtle with a big head.' (LM) note: These turtles are very common on Wagiman country. They occur in both river and billabong areas. see also danybaraga. bambur nominal basket bamdakgan nominal dialect LM white-breasted sea eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster note: This eagle eats fish and turtles and is well known for its excellent hunting skills. see also gurnangartngart. bamh-ma coverb (ambitr.) 1. to put down, to leave ? Berdeyh gubaa mama danganyin, bamh gu-ba-ge, fridge-leying. 'They will cook tucker and leave it in the fridge.' (LM) 2. to be heaped up, piled up, to heap up, pile up ? Bamh-bam-ma ga-yu danganyin nu-naw-ma. 'There's a big pile of tucker.' ? Magu bamh-bam-ma nga-bula-ndi. 'I left the tucker heaped up over there.' (LL) banagan nominal dialect LM

this side ? Munybaban, lahan-nehen yu-nginy gahan. Banagan-binyju lahan yu-nginy, yobe-jan. 'There were no camps on the other side. Only on this side were there camps.' see also mayh-baban. bandahan nominal cycad Cycas spp. ? Bandahan birrk-birrk ba-bu-ng, dorroh ba-ma-ny danganyin ga-yu, munya. 'They smashed up the cycad nuts, and took out the food from inside.' (LM) note: The seeds are collected and soaked in water for up to a week. They are then crushed up and made into dampers, which are wrapped in paperbark and roasted. The cooked damper is heavy and has a strong smell, however it tastes good, provides plenty of energy, and keeps for along time. bang-nga coverb (tr.) 1. to spoil ? Lahan bang-nga ba-bu-ni-ma, gerdo-gin gahan. 'They spoilt our country.' (LM) 2. to waste ? Bang-nga gi-bu-n danganyin. 'You're wasting your tucker.' (HL) 3. to make a mess of 4. to damage see also watjjorrng-nga. baningh-nga interrogative coverb variant banengh-nga (HL, PH, LL) 1. what? ? Gornkorn-na mi-yu nung, munyju-nga-min! Bane-banengh-nga gi-yu, gornkorn-na? 'Speak up so that she can hear you! What are you saying?' (PH) ? "Baningh-nga ngu-yama-yi?" yaha-ny. '"What have you lot been doing?" he asked.' (LM, text) 2. why? ? "Ali baningh-nga durrp-durrp ngi-bu-ni-ma, wir-garang?" yaha-ny. '"Hey, why did you poke it with a stick?" he asked.' (LM, text) ? Baningh-ngay-gu ga-ba-bu-n? 'Why are they killing them?' (LM, text) 3. how? ? Banengh-nga bewh-ma mi-di-nya-buga? 'How are we going to come across?' (PH)

bapbu

nominal 1. grindstone ? Ngalma-ngal-martdiwa-yi ba-ma-ny bapbu, no-berlberlin garradin, birrk-gaygu. 'The old ladies got grindstones, flat stones for crushing things with.' (LM) 2. Burdekin duck Tadorna radjah note: The flesh of the Burdekin duck is very tasty. ? Bapbu gahan no-dew-ma. 'The Burdekin duck is white.' (LM) 3. lizard sp. note: These three meanings all have to do with roundness. The lizard called bapbu has a big round head like a grindstone. barat-da coverb (intr.) to pass by ? Gurruwitj gahan barat-da ya-nggi ngerreju. 'That car passed us by.' (LM) barawu nominal shovel spear ? Gangaman nge-re-jan nyamu barawu-garang. 'We used to spear kangaroos too with shovel spears.' (PH, text) see also jangurl. bardatj-ja coverb (intr.) 1. to be fussy or snobbish 2. to go along with your head down ? Bardatj-bardatj ga-ya lewa-yan gi-ya-n-ma boy-ya. 'She is going around with her head down looking for something she has lost.' (LM) bardigi nominal nutwood tree Terminalia arostrata & grandiflora note: The nutwood tree has several uses. The fruit can be cracked open and the seeds taken out and eaten. The fine black soot from the burnt bark can be mixed with oil and rubbed through the hair to darken it. And it can be used for firewood. barhbar-ma-yi infl. verb (intr.) dialect HL, PH, LL root -barhbar-ma-; past -yi

to be tired ? Nga-barhbar-ma-yi. Wuji mamak nga-ngaha-ny nung. 'I was tired. That's why I didn't say goodbye to her.' see also nu-barhbar-ma-n, nyar-ma-yi. bar-ma coverb (tr.) to make a bed ? Bar-ma me-ge lawel now! 'Put your swag down!' (HL) barnangga nominal nightjar Aegotheles cristatus & Caprimulgus spp. note: This bird sits quietly during the day but is often seen flying at night. barnanyin nominal 1. tree sugarbag, native bee ? Barnanyin ga-ba-ma-n, den-na. Jimarn-leying maman gahan barnanyin ga-yu. 'They are cutting sugarbag. On the jimarnin tree is a good place for sugarbag.' (LM)

? Nganku nyukgin-garang nga-ma-yi barnanyin, nyukgin. 'I got sugarbag with nyukgin grass.' (LM) ? Datj-ja ga-bu-n wirin, gengelk gahan datj-ja ga-bu-n maman barnanyin, gagondo-n barnanyin. 'When the gengelk wattle tree is in bloom, it is good for sugarbag.' (LM) 2. honey ? Barnanyin nap-ba ngan-le-n-ma, nap-nap ngan-ma-n lari. 'I've got honey stuck to my arm.' (LM) barndimi nominal women's dance style ? Barndimi bornhborn-na ga-ba-ya, labali dordo-dordo-ma. 'They're dancing barndimi, shaking their legs.' (PH) barndutjji nominal olive python, also called rock snake Liasis olivaceus ? Barndutjji-yarra, bornh-nay-gu ga-ya-wu, jabi ga-ya born-nay-gu. 'The olive python goes in the water. It knows how to swim.' (LM, text) note: This python is very common on Wagiman country. It can grow very large. The flesh is eaten and is considered excellent food. barnhbarn-na coverb (intr.)

to leave a track, make a track ? Barnhbarn-na ya-nggi martdal mahan. 'Somebody has left footprints here.' (PH) barp-ba coverb (intr.) dialect HL, PH to be behind ? Jumbany barp-ba ga-ni wir-ba. 'He's hiding behind a tree.' (HL) ? Mayh-giwu barp-ba ga-ba-ni-giwu mornen. 'These two are sitting back to back.' (HL) barragarl nominal bamboo sp. Sesbania cannabina note: The dry straight stems are used to make spear shafts to hunt light game, such as ducks, bats and turkeys. These light spears can be thrown a very long way as they have the ability to glide in flight. Bigger plants have wood like cork at their base. barrakbarrak nominal 1. diver duck, also called cormorant Phalacrocorax spp. note: These birds eat prawns, mussels and fish. They often dive underwater. 2. witch doctor, clever fellow note: Witch doctors can be called barrakbarark because they wear the feather of this bird. ? Warnanggal-yi, yowtj ge-ng gahan lagiban barrakbarrak. Bunggu-bu-jan-min lagiban, lihwa-tjjondony gahan. Bort-da-yan bunggu-bu-jan, nu-naw-ma lagiban. 'Witch doctors used to find people, and kill them. No good that. They used to kill lots of people.' (PH) ? Barrakbarrak ga-ga-n gordal-ba. 'He wears a diver duck feather on his head.' (HL)

see also warnanggal. barrbarrin nominal dialect HL, PH, LL long garfish see also jagambarrin. barri interrogative nominal where? ? Barri-ba ba-ya-nggi-guju warri-giwu? 'Where did those two kids go?' (LM, text) ? Barri-ya-gunda ma-yi gahan lawel? 'Where did she get that dress from?' (LM) barri-bibin

interrogative nominal how many? ? Barri-bibin ngi-ma-yi garnamalin? 'How many cheeky yams did you get?' barri-miya interrogative nominal who? ? Barri-miya gahan warri-giwu? 'Who are these two kids?' (LM, text) barrnghbarrng-nga coverb (intr.) to glow (of the rainbow) ? Barrnghbarrng-nga ga-yu jagort. 'The rainbow glows.' (LM) batjjal nominal sugarcane grass Heteropogon triticeus note: The stems contain sweet juice. They are collected and eaten in the wet season when they are sweetest. Children are especially fond of this sweet juice. bawort-da coverb (intr.) to look over ? Bawort-da ga-yu wayi-tjjalbu. 'The kid is looking over (the fence).' (PH) ? Gamayang galh-ma nga-ya-nggi gahan bawort-da nga-yu-nginy munybaban, nga-nanda-yi Jibortbortla. 'I climbed up Gamayang and looked down over the other side. I saw Jibortbortla.' (LM) see also dawh-ma. belelh-ma coverb (intr.) dialect LM to rattle ? Garradin belelh-ma ga-yu. 'The money is rattling.' (LM) see also jelelh-ma, nyelelh-ma. belerr-ma coverb (tr.) dialect HL, PH to clap boomerangs or any sticks together ? Bele-belerr-ma, ga-gondo-n, buran. 'He is clapping boomerangs.' (PH) belh-ma coverb (tr.) dialect HL

to paint ? Warren gahan belh-ma ga-ba-ge-n nung, gunyjan. 'They're painting the kid with mud.' (HL) belkga-yi infl. verb (tr.) root -belkga-; past -yi; also belkga-yan n.f. impfv, belkga-yh n.f. pfv to roast ? Mabitjbaran belkga-yan ba-ya-ngga-jan gangaman, balbalin-ba. 'In the old days they used to roast kangaroos in a ground oven.' (LM, text) ? Yunumburrgu le-na. Belkga-yh ngi-yama-ny. 'He shot a male kangaroo. We roasted it.' (LM, text) note: This word is usually found in one of its two non-finite derived forms. belkgin nominal dialect HL, PH wet mud ? Belkgin-leying jarratj linyi-ng. 'He slipped over in the wet mud.' (PH) belpberin nominal 1. clean country, clearing ? Magu ga-ba-guk-ga-n belpberin ga-yu. 'They are camping over there where it is clear.' (LM) 2. ring place ? Mululuk ba-yu-nginy belpberin. 'The initiates were in the ring place.' (LM) benbe nominal tick bengbenggin nominal variant benybenyin (PH) water python Bothrochilus fuscus bengh-nga coverb (tr.) to poke ? Nibulin bengh nga-ma-ji-ng. 'I poked myself in the eye.' (LM) see also durrp-ba. benyhbeny particle

a little while ? Nga-ya wambaru benyhbeny nga-ya ma-di jorro-ma gawor. 'I'm just going for a little while. I'll come back this afternoon.' (LM) berda-yi infl. verb (tr.) root -berda-; past -yi; past pfv -ng; also berde-yen n.f. impfv, berde-yh n.f. pfv 1. to cook ? Berde-yen ngi-yobe-jan-gujuuu... guy. 'We used to keep cooking until we had a big pile.' ? Guda ngi-dipba-yi-guju, ngi-berda-ng-guju danganyin borroju. 'Us two made a fire, and we cooked tucker for them.' (LM, text) ? Berde-yh ba-yama-ny nung gay-gu marluga-gu. 'They cooked it for the old men.' (LM, text) 2. to burn ? Me-berda-ji guda gahan mi-bula! 'You're going to burn yourself! Leave that fire alone!' bererin1 nominal variant berin (HL, PH) march fly ? Gahan bererin-yi ngan-badi-na. 'That march fly bit me.' (LM) bererin2 nominal emu apple tree Owenia vernicosa beretjjin nominal spoonbill Platalea flavipes & regia note: The flesh can be cooked and eaten. see also nangalan. berlin nominal stem berlishoulder bernak nominal variant bernarlin (PH, CM) white cedar tree Canarium australianum note: The stems of large straight trees can be used to make dugout canoes and woomera shafts. The wood is light and easy to carve; it is also very buoyant and

floats well. The seeds can be eaten; the fruit are broken open and the seeds taken out. The fruit are often eaten by birds. berreny nominal better ? "Mu-ga-ja jorro-ma, lihwa-tjjondony. Yowtj me-ge maman berreny, woerrkemay-gu" yaha-ny nung. '"You lot take them back, they are no good. Find some better workers," he said to her.' (LM) ? Denh nga-ma-ji-ng nardal-ma. Ngigun berreny denh-na mi-bu, lurrutj. 'I've cut my hand. You're the better one to cut it, because you're strong.' (LM) berrh-ma coverb (tr.) 1. to throw ? Gahan guwirdal berrh-berr-ma ga-ba-ra-ji-n-guju warri-giwu gahan. 'The two kids are throwing a football to one another.' (LM) ? Berrh-ma mi-ra nganung! 'Throw it to me!' (HL) ? Berrh many-la! 'I'll throw it to you!' (HL) ? "Gahan murrkgun berrh many-ba-ra wah-leying" yaha-ny. '"I will throw you three in the water" he said.' (LM, text) 2. to throw away, discard ? Dorh-ma ngu-ma-yi gahan nganku, berrh-may-gu gahan, gahan giyak-giyak ga-ba-yu-ma? 'Have you lot picked up the rubbish to throw it away?' (LM) ? Garradin dortdorl-ba ga-ga-n-ma ga-ra-n berrh-ma menuny! 'He's always dropping money, maybe he throws it away!' (LM) 3. to spit ? Dagelin berrh nga-ra-ng gunyjan-leying. 'I spat on the ground.' (PH) bert-da coverb (tr.) dialect PH, LL to blame ? Bert-da gi-ra-n ngani warren nganing-gin. 'You're blaming it on my kid.' (LL) bertdek-ga coverb (tr.) 1. to slap ? Bertdek nga-bu-ng nardal-yi. 'I slapped him with my hand.' (LM) ? Lagiban jokgorn-garang nu-naw-ma-nyamu born-born-na. Martdal-garang bertdek-ga ba-bu-ni gunyjan. 'Lots of men wearing cockrags were dancing. They were stomping on the ground with the feet.' (PH) 2. to flog ? Nendo betdek-ga ba-bu-ni. 'They flogged the horse.' (PH) bet-da coverb (tr.)

to hit in the chest ? Bet-da ngan-bu-ni warreh-yi. 'The kid punched me in the chest.' (HL) bewh-ma coverb (tr.) to cross ? Boran bewh-ma nga-bu-n. 'I'm crossing the river.' (HL) ? Bewh-ma ba-ya-nggi liri-ma. 'They swam across.' (LM) beworn nominal short-eared rock wallaby, also called pademelon wallaby Petrogale brachyotis note: This wallaby lives in caves and crevices in rocky country and is often seen in gorges. bey-ma coverb (intr.) to dry up ? Wahan bey-h yaha-ny gahan Guwardagun. 'The water dried up in the Daly River.' (LM) ? Ngurru-yi ga-ma-n bey-ma. 'The sun is drying it up.' (HL) bijip-ba coverb (ambitr.) variant wijip-ba (HL) 1. to be rolled up; to roll up ? Lahan nganing-gin bijip-ba-wu ga-yu. 'My swag is rolled up.' (LM) ? Nganing-gin swag, wijip-ba ba-bu-ni. 'Someone rolled up my swag for me.' (HL)

? Bijip-ba-gunda maman. 'It is rolled up ready.' (PH) ? Bijip-ba gahan lahan ngi-bu-ni nginyang? 'Have you rolled up our swag?' (LL) 2. to twist ? Mangurdal nganing-gin bijip-ba nga-bu-ji-na. 'I twisted my neck.' (LM) bik-ga coverb (tr.) to sweep ? Bik nga-bu-ng gahan ngagun ma-yu dup-ba. 'I have swept up there where I want to sit.' (LM) ? Ngagun bik-ga nga-ya-nggi lahan yimbama. 'Me, I went round sweeping the place all day.' (LM) bikgin nominal variant bikgi (PH) stem bikgilizard sp. Varanus primordius

bilh-ma coverb (tr.) 1. to blow (of the wind) ? Gordal-gunda, bolwo-yi bilh bu-ng. 'The wind blew my hat off my head.' (PH) 2. to fan ? Burbur-garang bilh-bilh mi-bu gahan guda! 'Fan the fire with a goose wing!' (LM)

3. to shake ? Bilh-bil-ma nga-bu-n, lahan nganing-gin. 'I'm shaking out my swag.' (PH) ? Bilbil-ma ga-ma-ji-n lamarra. 'The dog is shaking itself.' (LM) 4. to fly ? Yawey burbur-garang gahan bilh-bil-ma ga-ya yimbama. 'Yes, those planes are always flying.' (LM) note: Usually reduplicated bilh-bil-ma. see also dordo-ma, warhwar-ma. biliwilip nominal dialect PH, LL wrestling ? Biliwilip ga-ba-ma-ji-n-giwu. 'Those two are wrestling.' (PH) note: This word seems more properly to belong to another language, but some speakers use it. bil-ma coverb (intr.) dialect HL, LL to float ? Marak gahan bil-ma ga-ya, wah-leying. 'The leaves are floating on the water.' (LL)

binbabajarri nominal variants binbajarri, binbirritjjin (HL), babatjjarri (PH) forest kingfisher Halcyon macleayii 1

binbin

nominal armlets ? Binbin, lem ge-ng lari-leying. 'She put armlets on her arm.' (PH) see also yerrel. 2

binbin

nominal dialect HL, PH crimson finch Neochmia phaeton bindal nominal stomach ? Bindal-garang ya-nggi, ngal-warlang nung-gin. 'His wife was pregnant.' (LM) ? Bindal biritj-ja nga-yu, lihwa ba-boro-ndi, lahan nganing-gin. 'My stomach is stirring (in anger), because they have made my country no good.' (PH) ? Dorong ngaha-ny, bindal. 'My belly is full.' (LM) ? Bindal-yi ngany-ma-n! 'I love you binji proper!' (HL) note: Aboriginal people consider the stomach to be the location of many emotions, just like English people think of the heart. bindirin1 nominal variant bindiri (LM, HL) fork (in tree, river, etc.) ? Bindirin ga-yu gahan-ma jaley-may-gu borndedi. 'The fork there is for hanging up billycans.' (LM) bindirin2 nominal dialect HL, PH grass which has been burnt some time ago see also wibin. bingh-nga coverb (tr.) to pinch ? Ga-ba-bingh-nga-n-giwu. 'Those two are pinching each other.' (PH) bing-nga coverb (intr.) 1. to glow ? Bing-nga ga-ya. 'It's going along glowing (the tail-lights of a car).' (HL) 2. to be shiny ? Bing-nga, bing-bing-nga ga-yu nganku, jahan gahan, garnamalin nu-minyjan. 'What is shiny? The sap of the poisonous cheeky yam.' (LM) note: This word can be used to describe things like the embers of a fire, a dying torch, or the glow of a cigarette at night. binkan nominal

black bream Hephaestus fuliginosus ? Lamang binkan bulu-bulman ngi-ma-jan. 'We used to get very big black bream.' (LM, text) binybiny-nya coverb (intr.) dialect PH, HL, LL to make a sucking kissing sound with your lips ? Binybiny-nya ga-yu damorom. 'He's making a sucking kissing sound with his lips.' (PH) binygorlk-ga coverb (tr.) variants benygork-ga (HL), binygurlk-ga (PH) to drink quickly, to gulp down ? Binygorlk-ga ga-da gahan nu-minyjan wahan. 'He's gulping down beer.' (LM) binyju suffix only ? Ba-da-yi watj, ba-da-ny gahan lamang. Gubiji-binyju yu-nginy. 'They ate up all the beef. Only the bones were left.' (LM, text) bip-ba coverb (tr.) variant biip-ba (PH) to carry ? Bip-ba ga-ga-n mornen-ba, nendo-nendo. 'He's carrying him on his back, like a horse.' (LM) birdugurt-da coverb (intr.) variant birndugurt-da (PH) to hunt with spears ? Garnin, birdugurt-da ga-ya lamang-gu. 'He's going hunting with a spear for game.' (LM) birh-ma coverb (ambitr.) 1. to dance slapping thighs ? Birh-bir-ma ga-ya warratj-jay-gu. 'She is dancing slapping her thighs.' (LM) 2. to kick ? Nungarin lagiban, nendo-yi, birh ma-yi. 'The horse kicked a man.' (LM) birndalijan nominal wild grape Ampelocissus acetosa & frutescens

note: The fruit can be eaten when they turn black. The tuber is often eaten by pigs, but not by people. birndi nominal native mouse Planigale maculata birridip-ba coverb (intr.) variants burrudup-ba (HL, LL), borrodop-ba (PH) to gallop ? Borrodop mama ngi-ya-ngga-jan garradin-leying longh-nga-yan bulikgi-wu. 'We used to gallop over rocky ground mustering cattle.' (PH, text) birriman nominal dialect PH big ? Garradin birriman galh ngi-yama-ny-ngana. 'We climbed a big hill.' (PH) see also buluman. birritj-ja coverb (ambitr.) dialect HL, PH, LL 1. to roll up ? Maman ngigun, birritj-ja gi-bu-n-min. 'You're good at rolling smokes.' (PH) 2. to stir ? Bindal birritj-ja nga-yu. Lihwa ba-boro-ndi, lahan nganing-gin. 'My stomach is stirring (in anger). They have made my country no good.' (PH) ? Bolwon-yi birritj-ja ga-bu-n wahan. 'The wind is stirring up the water.' (PH) birrk-ga coverb (tr.) to smash, pound or crush ? Nardal birrk-ga ba-bu-ng. 'They smashed his hand.' (LM, text) ? Wangardin, maman ga-yu gahan. Birrk ga-ba-du-n, nganku marnakgin-yiga ga-ya gahan danganyin. 'The wangardin yam is good. They smash it open, and inside there is tucker like beeswax.' (LM) birtbirt-da coverb (intr.) variant bertbert-da (HL) 1. to rub firesticks ? Birtbirt-da ga-yu guda ga-dipba-n, guritjjin-garang. 'He is making a fire by rubbing firesticks.' (LM) 2. to rub yourself ? Birtbirt-da ga-yu lamarra gahan. 'That dog is rubbing itself.' (LM)

3. to shake yourself ? Birtbirt-da ga-ma-ji-n laberri. 'It (the dog) is shaking out its hair.' (LM) birt-da coverb (tr.) to kick ? Nendo birt ngan-bu-ng. 'The horse kicked me.' (LM) bitjjirriny-nya coverb (tr.) dialect LM 1. to roll up ? Bitjjirriny-nya mi-bu dardatj-ja gahan lahan-ma, ngerra-ngana, durrin-yi lem gi-ra-gardu! 'Roll our swag up tight, or a snake might go inside it!' (LM) 2. to twist ? Jorrng-nga nga-ma-ny bitjjirriny-nya nga-ma-ny. 'I wrung (the clothes) out, I twisted them.' (LM) see also nu-bitjji-ma. biyakgin nominal sister ? Bicycle gahan ngi-ga-ndi-guju biyakgin-giwu warh ngi-ma-ny-guju. 'My sister and I took those bicycles and rode them.' (LM, text) see also mayiwa, ngal-biyak-mang. bogo pronoun 3pl. base them, they ? Bogo start ba-yama-ny. Yonggorn-na-ma, bunggu-re-na garn-yi. 'It was them who started it. They speared them first.' (LM, text) note: This word is rare; it is much more common to use gay-gorden or maygorden instead. bohbo nominal aunt ? Mamak ngi-yama-ny-guju nung bohbo-gu. 'Us two said goodbye to auntie.' (LM)

bok-ga coverb (tr.) to dip, to scoop ? Bok-ga mi-ma nganung wahan! 'Scoop up some water for me!' (HL)

bolomin nominal variant bolohmin (HL) white gum Eucalyptus papuana ? Ngi-ma-yi bolohmin? Maman yortdin-gu. 'Did you get white gum? It is good for ashes.' (HL) note: The white outer bark is burnt to a fine ash and mixed with chewing tobacco to improve the flavour. The wood makes excellent firewood. bolondo nominal fork-tailed kite Milvus migrans bolwo-gin nominal cold windy weather ? Bolwo-gin-wu, nendo muster-im ngi-yama-jan-wu. 'In the cold windy time, we used to muster the horses.' (PH, text) bolwon nominal stem bolwowind ? Bolwon-yi birritj-ja ga-bu-n wahan. 'The wind is stirring up the water.' (PH) see also wangalanggu. bonggo nominal variant bornko (PH) small water goanna sp. bongorrk-ga coverb (intr.) to snore ? Bongorrk-ga ga-yu marluga gahan yimbama. 'That old man is always snoring.' (LM)

bonybony-nya coverb (intr.) variant binybiny-nya (PH) to spring from the ground (of water) ? Dil ngi-ra-ng, dabali-ma, bonybony ga-yu gahan Gypsy Creek, wahan-garang. 'We burnt all around where Gypsy Creek springs from.' (LM, text) bonyh-nya coverb (tr.)

to suck ? Lenyi-yi bonyh-nya ngan-bu-n labulbul. 'A leech is sucking my blood.' (LM) see also dorrngh-nga, jonghjong-nga. bonyilin nominal dialect HL, LL big black butterfly bonyorrk nominal boggy ? Mahan lahan bonyorrk ga-yu. 'This country is boggy.' (LL) boran nominal variant bohran (HL) stem bora- ~ borah- (HL) river ? Lek-ga-wa ngi-ya-ngga-jan boran-leying. 'We used to go down to the river.' (PH, text)

bordo-gin pronoun 3pl. genitive their, theirs ? Ga-ba-ya jorro-ma, lahan bordo-gin-leying dup-bay-ga. 'They are going back to their country to stay.' (LM) bordok nominal 1. tata dragon Diporiphora spp. note: The tata dragon is too small to eat. ? Lamang bordok gahan mamak-mamak ga-yu. 'The tata dragon waves goodbye.' (LL) 2. chameleon Chelosania brunnea note: The chameleon can change the colour of its skin depending on where it is. bore-na infl. verb (ambitr.) variants bohrre-na (HL, LL), borreh-ma (PH) root -bore-; past -na; also bore-yh ~ bohrre-yh (HL) n.f. pfv 1. to dream ? Boreyh-bore-yh ga-ya guk-ga-ma. 'He's dreaming.' (LM) ? Bore-yh ga-ma-ji-n-ma. 'He's dreaming.' (LM) 2. to dream about ? Nga-bore-na gahan ngal-martdiwa magu-gunda gitjjiya nge-ge-na magu-ma. 'I

dreamt about that old lady from over there who we have just buried.' (LM) ? Gahan bore-yh ga-ma-n lihwa-ma. Mamin boreyh-bore-yh ga-ma-n. Werrh gadi-n nung. 'He's having a bad dream. He's dreaming about ghosts. They come out to him.' (LM) 3. to be a dreaming ? Bore-yh gahan lamang, yakba. "Nga-di-n lah-ga-ma" yaha-ny. 'That animal was a dreaming, the freshwater crocodile. "I'm coming to camp" it said.' (LM, text)

? Gangaman gahan-ma nganku, ga-yu bore-yh gahan. 'That kangaroo is a dreaming.' (LM) note: The form bore-yh is by far the most commonly used. borhborin nominal dialect HL, PH, LL tree sp. Xanthostemon paradoxus note: The hard, dense wood can be used to make boomerangs and nulla-nullas. borndan nominal stem borndapandanus Pandanus aquaticus & spiralis ? Gahan dajup ba-ge-ng majalin weyehweye. Bornda-garang ba-bu-ni-ma, dorroh-dorroh ba-ga-ng borndan. Gahan-di ba-ma-yi majalin. 'They trapped the small fish. They got them with pandanus, by dragging it through the water. That's how they caught the fish.' (LM) note: Didgeridoos can be made from the hollow stems, and the fibre is used to make baskets. The seed from inside the larger fruit of spring pandanus (Pandanus spiralis) can be eaten. borndedi1 nominal knee ? Japbany mi-ya nganung, borndedi mahan lihwa nga-ya! 'Go slow for me, because my knees are no good!' (LM) borndedi2 nominal variant borndehdi (HL) 1. billycan ? Ngal-martdiwa-yi labu-ndi wahan, bok ma-ny borndedi-garang. 'The old woman went for water, she scooped it up in a billycan.' (PH) 2. any tin, bottle or can bornhborn-na coverb (intr.)

to dance (of men) ? Werrenyin-wu ba-bu-jan marlarluga-yi, bornhborn-na-wu. 'The old men used to make a corroboree, dancing.' (PH, text) bornh-na coverb (intr.) 1. to bogey, bathe, swim about ? Gokgo wert mee nganung bornh ma-du dorroh ma-di, ngigun mi-ya bornh-na. 'Wait, turn around from me! I'll bathe, then I'll come out, and you can have a bogey.' (LM) ? Bornh-bornh ngi-yu-nginy gay-ba. 'We went for a bogey there.' (LM, text) 2. to be in water ? Gahan, magu ga-yu. Garradin gijalkgin ngonong-nga wah-leying bornh-bornh ga-yu. Warren, ga-yu gahan. Lahan warren-gu, labingan-ma. 'It is over there. A limestone rock, it lies in the water like that. It's a child. This country is a child's dreaming.' (LM, text) ? Bornh ga-ba-ge-n wah-ba, ga-ba-bula-n gakgalak. 'They put it in the water, and leave it for a month.' (HL, text) see also liri-ma. bornorron nominal brolga Grus rubicundus ? Bornorron, ma-yi majalin wayi-tjjalbu, menuny durtdu. Ga-ga-n damoromleying jaley-ma. 'The brolga caught a small fish, maybe a perch. It takes it away, hanging from its beak.' (PH) note: The brolga is well known for its dancing during courtship. It features prominently in dreamtime stories and was an excellent didgeridoo player. This bird is not normally hunted, but the meat can be eaten. boro-ndi infl. verb (tr.) root -boro-; past -ndi; ppfv -ng 1. to make, to cause ? Guk ngi-boro-ng warri-buga? 'Did you put the kids to sleep?' (LM) ? Lihwa-tjjondony-yi danganyin, nyongh-nga gunyju-boro-n. 'Bad tucker makes you sick.' (HL) ? Warreh-buga-yi, liwha ga-boro-n garden. Mi-ba-bu, nimbutj-ja! 'The kids are messing up the garden. Chase them away!' (HL) ? Nendo gay-gu menyin boro-ng-ma. 'He made trouble over the horse.' (LM, text) 2. to make, as in create ? Gin-boro-n-ngana tape. 'We are making a tape.' (LM) borotj-ja coverb (intr.) variant britj-ja (HL, LL)

to slip ? Britj-ja nga-nehe-ndi. 'I slipped over.' (HL) see also no-boritj-ja, jorrotj-ja. borroju pronoun 3pl. dative/oblique to them ? "Ngi-ma-n-guju-ma garradin!" ngi-yama-ny borroju. '"We get paid money!" we said to them.' (LM, text) ? Yimbama ngi-ya-ngga-jan wilh-ma borroju. 'All the time we used to walk around with them.' (LM, text) borrongh-nga coverb (intr.) to swagger ? Borrongh-borrong-nga ga-ya wilh-ma. 'He swaggers about.' (PH) see also no-borrongh-nga, letjletj-ja. bort-da coverb (intr.) 1. to die ? Bort ba-bu-ng. 'They killed him.' (LM) ? Danganyin-gu ga-ba-bort-da-n, warri-buga. 'The kids are dying for tucker.' (LM)

? Nganing-gin marluga johjo bort yaha-ny ngani. 'My old husband died on me.' (HL)

2. to extinguish ? Guda gahan bort nge-ge-ng? 'Did you put that fire out?' (LM) 3. to be lazy ? Ga-bort-da-n gahan jilimakgun wuji ga-ya-nggi bik-ga lahan. 'That woman is lazy, she hasn't swept up the camp.' (HL) bortden particle in turn ? Bortden ngany-nawu-ndi ngigun bortden mani-nawu-ja! 'I gave to you before so now it's your turn to give to me!' (LM) ? Ngigun now bortden bik-ga mi-ya-ngga-ja nginyang lahan! 'It's your turn to sweep up our camp!' (LM) bowh-ma coverb (intr.) 1. to swell ? Bowh ngaha-ny martdal nganing-gin. 'My foot swelled up.' (PH) 2.

to be lumpy ? Gunyjan bowh-bow-ma ga-yu. 'The ground is lumpy.' (HL) see also gurk-ga. bowk-ga coverb (intr.) to howl ? Lamarra ga-yu bowk-ga. 'The dog is howling.' (HL) bowp-ba coverb (intr.) 1. to be warm, to warm up ? Lahan ma-guk-ga-min bowp-ba. 'I will sleep warm.' (LM) ? Guda-leying bowp nga-ge-ng-ma. 'I warmed it up on the fire.' (LM) 2. to be the wet season ? Bowp-ba-wu gu-rinyi menuny wahan. 'In the wet season it will rain.' (LM) boyh-ma coverb (intr.) to go away ? Boyh mahanan jowk-ga ba-ra-ndi. 'They sent them away this way.' (LM, text) boyhyainfl. verb (tr.) root -boyhya-; tenses unclear; also boyh n.f. pfv 1. to forget ? Nga-boyh-ya marluga lawar. 'I forgot the old man's name.' (HL) ? Woyoworin boyh ngehe-ny. Ge-rega-ng nginyang. 'You forgot the fishing line. You should have brought it for us.' (LM) 2. to lose ? Warren nga-boyhya-ma. Ngan-bula-ndi-ma. 'I have lost my child. He has left me (died).' (LM, text) ? Hat nganing-gin boyh ngaha-ny-ma. Linyi-ra ngani, dolp-buy. 'I lost my hat. It fell off.' (LM) boy-ma coverb (tr.) to rub ? Ngal-martdiwa-yi, boy-boy-ma ngan-ma-yi nibulin. Maman nga-ya let-da now. 'The old lady rubbed my eye for me. Now I can see well.' (LM) bugali nominal cousin ? Gahan lalang bugali nganing-gin. 'That girl is my cousin.' (PH)

note: The proper Wagiman word for 'cousin' is yerrongan, but nowadays bugali is commonly used too. see also yerrongan. buga-ndi infl. verb (tr.) variant buga-yi root -buga-; past -ndi ~ -yi; also buga-yan n.f. impfv, buga-yh n.f. pfv 1. to give birth to, to bear ? Gayh-yi, jilimakgun-yi, ga-buga-n warren. 'The woman is having a baby.' (HL) 2. to lay ? Jorihjoritj-yi buga-yi gahan jarruk. 'A bowerbird laid that egg.' (HL) 3. to name ? Ngagun-yi nga-buga-ndi lawar. 'It was me who named him.' (LM) 4. to call someone's name ? Jamba buga-yan mi-yu lawar nung-gin gahan marluga bort-da-yi! 'Don't call out that old man's name! He has died.' (LM) ? Yimbama buga-yan ga-ya mamin. 'He's always calling out the names of people who have died.' (LM) 5. to sing ? Wangga watj ba-buga-ndi-ma. 'They have finished singing the corroboree.' (LM)

see also yunbu-yan. bukbuk nominal pheasant coucal Centropus phasaianinus bula nominal teenage boy ? Bula gahan, wuji ga-rinyi-ja mululuk, gokgo-wu. 'A bula has not yet been initiated.' (LM) bula-ndi infl. verb (tr.) root -bula-; past -ndi; ppfv -ng to leave ? Jilimakgun nung-gin-yi durdurt bula-ndi. 'His woman ran away and left him.' (HL, text)

? Mi-bula gahan danganyin denh-na-wehen! 'Leave that tucker! No more cutting it!' (LM, text) ? Jaley-wuy ge-ge-n wanh gi-bula-n. 'We hang it up and leave it.' (LM, text) ? Magu bamh-bam-ma nga-bula-ndi. 'I left it in a heap over there.' (LL)

? Warren nga-boyhya-ma. Ngan-bula-ndi-ma. 'I have lost my son. He has left me (passed away).' (LM, text) see also wanh-na. bulbulp-ba coverb (intr.) variant bulpbulp-ba (HL, PH) to be hairy see also nu-bulpbulp-ba. bulitj coverb (intr.) dialect LM to be married straight ? Bulitj-ja ga-ba-guk-ga-n-guju, ngal-warlang nung-gin. 'Those two are married straight.' (LM) bulkgu nominal 1. middle, centre ? Yakba ga-yu gayh-laying, langgarn-leying, bulkgu. 'There is a crocodile in the middle of the billabong.' (LL) ? Bulkgu linyi-ra gahan wayi-tjjalbu. 'That kid was born in the middle (neither first nor last).' (PH) 2. halfway ? Ngi-ya-nggi Katherine-ga, bak ngi-yama-ny motorcar bulkgu. 'We wanted to go to Katherine, but the car broke down halfway.' (PH) see also jany-bulkgu, lardi-bulk. bulmu nominal variant bulmun (LL) white currant Flueggea virosa note: The fruit can be eaten when they are white. They are very sweet when they are fully ripe. The long straight stems can be used to make spears, and smaller stems can be made into firesticks. bulpbulp-ba coverb (tr.) dialect HL, PH to sprinkle ? Gahan salt bulpbulp me-ge ngonggo dangany-ga! 'Sprinkle the salt on your tucker!' (HL) buluman

nominal variant buluhman (HL) stem bulumabig ? Bulu-buluman gakgawurin ngi-ma-jan. 'We used to get really big long yams.' (LM, text)

? Biyakgin buluman ya-ngga-jan buggy-garang. 'My big sister used to go with the buggy.' (LM, text) ? Wal ba-yama-ny-guju-ma buluman. 'The two of them grew up big.' (LM, text) see also birriman, dabuluman. bulundu nominal dialect HL dilly bag bum-ma coverb (tr.) 1. to smoke ? Goron gahan bum-ma bu-ni. 'He smoked the house.' 2. to cook ? Guda-ga me-ge nginyang, gahan lamang, bum-ma mi-na-wu nginyang, lamang. 'Put the beef on the fire and cook it for us!' 3. to set alight ? Guda-yi, bum-ma, bum gunyju-na-ma, lawel-garang. Gi-yu yurrup-ba, gudaleying. 'The fire might set your clothes alight. You're standing too close to the fire.' bunggurrun nominal myrtlewood Lophostemon grandiflorus see also jinggul. bu-ni infl. verb (tr.) variant bu-ndi (HL, opt.) root -bu-; past -ni ~ -ndi; ppfv -ng 1. to hit ? Mangima-giwu ba-bu-ni-guju. Jolo-jolo. Yawey bunggu-bu-ni-guju. Ngun jek ba-yu-nginy-guju gahan marluga-giwu. 'The two policemen hit them. They pissed themselves. Yes, they hit them. They shat themselves, those two old men.' (LM, text)

2. to kill ? Gahan larima manggu-bu-guju! 'I'm going to kill the two of you!' (LM, text) ? Wihya jamba gi-bu gahan marluga! 'No, you can't kill that old man!' (LM, text)

3. to do something involving impact or violence (in complex predicates) ? Denh-denh bu-ng maburrburr. 'He cut him up into pieces.' (LM, text) ? Jahan-gu durrp-ba ngu-bu-ni gahan. 'Why did you lot poke it?' (LM, text) 4. to do (a general transitive auxiliary in complex predicates) ? Bewh ngi-bu-ng gahan lari, Dry Creek. 'We crossed that creek, Dry Creek.' (LM, text)

? Murlanyh bu-ng-ma garatjjin. 'She parted the grass.' (LM, text) ? Yiyimimi ga-bu-n danganyin. 'He is being possessive of the tucker.' (HL) bunit nominal dialect LM body, corpse ? Bunit berrh ba-ga-ng, ba-ge-na-guju wah-leying. 'They threw the body into the water.' (LM, text) bunubun nominal dialect HL, PH, LL file snake Acrochordus arafurae note: The flesh is eaten and is considered excellent food. These snakes are found in swamps and billabongs, but they are not common on Wagiman country. bunyjup-ba coverb (intr.) to be belly down ? Bunyjup-ba ga-guk-ga-n. 'He's sleeping belly down.' (LM) buran nominal variant bohran (HL) stem buraboomerang ? Berrh-ma nga-ra-ndi, buran, jorro di-nginy nganung. 'I threw a boomerang, and it came back to me.' (PH) burbur nominal wing ? Burbur-yi bilh-bil-ma nga-ma-ji-ng. 'I fanned myself with a wing.' (LM) see also burbur-garang. burbur-garang nominal

aeroplane ? Yawey burbur-garang gahan bilh-bil-ma ga-ya yimbama. 'Yes, those planes are always flying.' (LM) see also burbur. burrh-ma coverb (intr.) to slap your hands on your thighs ? Barlarrin ge-na nganung burrh-burrh-ma ma-ya-min, wangga-gu. 'He painted me with white ochre, I'm going to dance wangga slapping my hands on my thighs.' (LM) burrkgi-ma coverb (ambitr.) 1. to roll about ? Jahan-gu-bi dirdi-dirdit-da ga-ya gahan lamara? Jip-ba ga-yu menuny mornen. Burrkgi-ma ga-ma-ji-n. 'Why is that dog rolling around? Maybe it has an itchy back. It's rolling about.' (LM) 2. to wrestle ? Burrkgi-ma ngi-ma-ji-na-guju. 'We were wrestling.' (LM) burrngburrng-nga coverb (intr.) 1. to boil ? Gayh-gorden-yi burrngburrng-nga ga-ba-ma-n nganing-gin-ba borndehdi-ba. 'They're boiling it up in my billycan.' (HL) ? Burrngburrng-nga ga-na-n wahan? 'Is the water boiling?' (HL) 2. to bubble up ? Labulbul burrngburrng-nga everywhere ni-nginy gahan labulbul. 'Blood came bubbling up everywhere.' (HL, text) burrupburru nominal skin disease, such as scabies, ringworm or prickleheat ? Gumit-ba ga-ga-n, burrupburru. 'He has a skin disease.' (HL) burruwaran nominal large bat sp. but-da coverb (tr.) to roast in ashes ? Lamang walanyja ba-bu-jan, but ngi-bu-jan. 'They used to kill goannas, and we would roast them in the ashes.' (LM, text) buwh-ma

coverb (tr.) dialect HL, PH to blow (with mouth) ? Buwh-ma mi-bu guda! 'Blow on the fire!' (HL) buyal nominal gammon ? Ga-gobe-n gahan nganung. Buyal ga-ma-ji-n. 'She's lying to me. She's gammon.' (LM) buyp-ba coverb (intr.) variant bulp-ba (PH) to be smoky-eyed ? Bulp-ba ngaanda-n, nibulin ngagun lihwa. 'My vision is hazy, my eyes are no good.' (PH) see also nu-buyp-ba.

Dd dabali-ma coverb (intr.) variant dabaley-ma (HL, LL) to go around ? Yow dabaley-dabaley-ma ga-ya gahan wayi-tjjalbu wheel. 'Yes, the little wheels (of the tape recorder) are going round and round.' (HL, text) dabuluman nominal very big ? Dabuluman wek-wek nga-ra-ng. 'I swallowed a very big piece.' (LM) see also buluman. dabunyh-nya coverb (intr.) 1. to be full; to fill ? Borndedi gahan dabunyh-nya ga-yu. 'The billycan is full.' (LM) ? Ngal-martdiwa gahan, borndedi gahan dabunyh-nya ge-na. 'The old woman filled up the billycan.' (PH) ? Wahan nga-ge-na dabunyh-nya gahan, borndehdi. 'I filled the billycan with water.' (HL) 2.

to be in a pile; to pile up ? Dabunyh-nya ga-yu danganyin. 'The tucker is piled up.' (PH) ? Dabunyh-dabunyh-dabunyh-dabunyh-dabunyh me-ge garradin! 'Pile up all the stones!' (LM, text) see also dorong-nga. dagel-bitj-ja coverb (intr.) to froth at the mouth, to salivate dagelin nominal 1. spit ? Jamba gi-ra dagelin may-ba! 'Don't spit here!' (LM) 2. beer see also giyuk-ga, jubak-ga. dajup-ba coverb (intr.) to be closed, shut or blocked; to close, shut or block ? Dajup-ba ga-yu-ma. Jert-da ba-ma-yi gahan yondorrin. 'It is closed. They have blocked the road.' (LM) ? Dajup ngi-bu-ng gahan ngal-door? 'Did you shut the door?' (LM) see also jup-ba. dakdagin nominal stem dakdakkurrajong Brachychiton diversifolius note: The seeds can be eaten. They are good to eat and taste similar to sweet corn. The fruit are collected and then lightly burnt on a fire to cook the seeds and remove the itchy hairs which surround the seeds and cover the fruit. The swollen tap-root of small plants can be dug up and lightly roasted on coals, and then the inner pale flesh is eaten. The stringy outer bark of young plants can be stripped off and made into string or rope. dalh-ma coverb (tr.) to punch ? Ngi-dalh-ma-ji-ng-guju. 'Us two punched each other.' (LM) ? Dalh-ma ngan-bu-ni mahan gidurtdal, labulbul nga-di-n-ma. 'He punched me here on the nose, and I'm bleeding.' (LM) dalkgan nominal

daytime ? Ngoyhngoy ga-ba-ya wilh-ma mamin. Dalkgan-gu wilh-ma wihya, ga-bangotjje-n. 'Ghosts walk about at night. They don't walk around in the daytime, they are afraid to.' (LM) dalmerdal nominal variant damerdal (HL, PH) 1. ear ? Marluga gahan, lawar, damerdal nga-rinyi-ra nung. 'I forgot that old man's name (my ear fell from his name).' (LL) ? Wuji ga-nga-ja gahan, dalmerdal lihwa ga-ya. 'He can't hear, his ears are no good.' (LM) 2. understanding ? Dalmerdal-garang mey borroju, mahan-di gu-yobe, dalmerdal-nehen. 'You talk to those who understand, but as for this one, leave him, because he doesn't understand.' (LM) dambangh-nga coverb (tr.) to scoop out ? Shovel-yi ga-ma-n dambangh-nga gunyjan. 'He's scooping out dirt with a shovel.' (HL) dam-ma coverb (tr.) to punch a hole ? Dam ba-ma-ny warri-buga-yi-ma. 'The kids have punched holes in it (a billycan).' (LM) damurum nominal variant damorom (HL, PH) mouth dangah-ma coverb (intr.) to open your mouth ? Dangah-danga-ma nga-ya guk-gay-gu. 'I'm yawning because I'm tired.' (LM) see also jangowh-ma. dangak-ga coverb (intr.) variant dangah-ma (LM opt., HL opt.) to look up ? Wilh-ma ga-ya dangak-ga gahan gakgalak-gu-ma. 'He's walking along looking up at the moon.' (LM) danganyin

nominal stem dangany1. tucker ? Danganyin gahan mani-nawu! 'Give me that tucker!' (LM) 2. bread, vegetable food, not meat ? Yonggorn-na ngi-di-nginy mahan lamang-nehen dangany-nehen. 'Before we came, there was no meat and no food of any other kind.' (LM, text) dangarrh-ma coverb (tr.) to be open; to open ? Dangarrh-ma yu-nginy yimbama gahan door. 'It was open all along, that door.' (LM)

? Barri-miya dangarrh ma-ny door? 'Who opened the door?' (LM) da-nginy infl. verb (intr.) root -da-; past -nginy; pres - /I>; no distinct ppfv, phab or irr/fut to stand ? Yurrup da-nginy-ma wir-yiga-ma. 'He was standing there like a tree.' (LM, text) note: This is an old inflecting verb which is no longer recognised by most speakers. danurrut-da coverb (intr.) to be across; to go across; to put across ? Danurrut-da ga-yu walbarra. 'The milky way lies across the sky.' (HL) ? Wirin danurrut ba-ge-ng, yondo-ba, dajup ba-ge-ng yondorin. 'They put a log across and blocked the road.' (LM) danybaraga nominal yellow-faced turtle Emydura spp. see also bambidi. danyjirrh-ma coverb (intr.) to be upright; to place upright ? Yard ga-ba-ge-n, danyjirrh-danyjirr-ma. 'They are putting up a yard.' (LM) ? Gahan borndedi wolok ga-yu, danyjirrh-ma. 'He is lying with his knees upright.' (LM) dap-ba coverb (tr.) to grab ? Gahan Christine-yi dap ma-ny ngerreju-ma. 'Christine grabbed it off us.' (LM, text)

see also lurrp-ba. dapbar-ma coverb (intr.) to hide behind ? Dapbar-ma ga-yu ngalagunin-leying jumbany. 'He's hiding behind his mother.' (LM)

dapbul-ba coverb (tr.) variant dabulp-ba (HL, PH, LL) to smoke ? Dabulp-ba ga-yu jumbany wir-ba. 'He is smoking behind a tree.' (HL) ? Gahan wayi-tjjalbu, nyongh-nga ga-yu, dabulp-ba-gunda. 'The kid is sick from smoking.' (LL) dardar-ma coverb (tr.) dialect HL, LL to open ? Dardar-ma mi-ma welin! 'Open the door!' (HL) dardatj-ja coverb (intr.) 1. to be tough ? Dardatj-ja-yi-ma lamang gahan. 'The beef has got tough.' (LM) 2. to be tight ? Bitjjirriny-nya mi-bu dardatj-ja gahan lahan-ma, ngerra-ngana, durrin-yi lem gi-ra-gardu! 'Roll our swag up tight, or a snake might go in!' (LM) ? Wihya-ngala dardatj-ja ga-yu, dajup-ba. 'No, it is shut tight.' (LM) ? Dardatj mi-yu-ma, gartgart-nehen! 'Sit tight, no laughing!' (LM) see also nu-dardatj-ja, gu-dardatj-jan. dardawany nominal river whaler shark Carcharhinos leucus darnatj nominal dialect PH, LL coral tree Erythrina vespertilio ? Darnatj, manggalin ga-ba-dipba-n menu-gu. 'The coral tree is used to make woomeras for fighting.' (LL) darrat-da coverb (intr.)

to be belly-up ? Darrat-da ga-yu gahan wayi-tjjalbu, warren. 'The kid is lying belly-up.' (LL) darrin nominal phragmites Phragmites karka darrp-ba coverb (intr.) 1. to be up ? Nurdakgan wir-leying ga-yu darrp-ba. 'The possum is up in the tree.' (LL) ? Darrp-ba me-ge lamarra-gunda! 'Put it up so the dogs won't get it!' (HL) 2. to be hanging up ? Ga-yu-nginy-wu darrp-ba gahan brand-ma wihya darrp-ba nga-ge-na gitjjiya! 'That brand should have been hanging up, but no! I had to put it up just now.' (LM, text)

note: Really darrp-ba just means 'to be up', but it is often used to describe 'hanging' as well. dart-da coverb (intr.) to wait ? Dart-da nga-yu nung matjjin-gu ga-yu guk-ga ngal-martdiwa. 'I am waiting to talk language with that old lady who is sleeping.' (HL) dartdu nominal 1. husband 2. brother-in-law 1 datj-ja coverb (intr.) to bloom, to flower ? Datj-ja ga-bu-n wirin, gengelk gahan datj-ja ga-bu-n maman barnanyin, gagondo-n barnanyin. 'When the gengelk tree is in bloom, it is good for sugarbag.' (LM)

datj-ja2 coverb (tr.) 1. to hit ? Gahan nubuny wayi-tjjalbu datj ngunyju-du-ng? 'Did he hit you, little boy?' (LM)

2. to kill ? "Barndutjji mahan gin-bu-n-ma!" Oh datj bu-ng. '"We'll kill this olive python!" She killed it.' (LM, text) datjjarrk-ga coverb (tr.)

to tear ? Datjjarrk-ga nga-bu-ni lawel nganing-gin. 'I have torn my clothes.' (LM) see also larrp-ba. dawh-ma coverb (tr.) dialect HL, PH to look over ? Martdal-garang yurrup-ba ga-yu dawh-ma. 'He's standing on tiptoes looking over.' (PH) see also bawort-da. dawh-ma coverb (intr.) dialect HL, PH, LL to lie with your legs crossed ? Guk-ga ga-yu dawh-ma. 'He's sleeping with his legs crossed.' (HL) dawu nominal beard, whiskers ? Buluman now ba-di-nginy-guju jorro-ma, dawu-garang. 'They came back big, with beards.' (LM, text) dawungga nominal dialect CMcM Leichhardt tree Nauclea orientalis note: See comments under the entry for jirrimbin. see also jirrimbin. da-yi infl. verb (tr.) root -da-; past -yi; ppfv -ny; phab vowel can change to e or i; pres - /I>; irr/fut vowel changes to e or i; fut vowel can change to i or ey to eat ? Ngalwarnka ngi-da-yi. 'We ate the short-necked turtle.' (LM, text) debet-da coverb (intr.) 1. to be tied up ? Debet-da ga-yu lamarra? 'Is the dog tied up?' (LM) ? Wuji debet ngi-bu-ng natjjinen. 'You didn't tie it tight enough.' (LM) ? Dolp-ba ngi-ga-ndi gomo, lamarra debet-day-gu-ma. 'You dropped the rope for tying up the dog.' (LM)

2. to be tangled ? Woyoworin nga-ma-yi debet-da. 'I tangled up the fishing line.' (HL) see also dirrk-ga. dehworn-na coverb (tr.) to make a fire ? Guda dehworn ngi-bu-ng? 'Have you made a fire?' (LM) dejelk-ga coverb (intr.) dialect HL, PH, LL to flake off ? Gumit burrupburru-garang. Deje-dejelk ga-ya gumit. 'He has a skin disease. His skin is flaking off.' (PH) delerrin nominal variant jalarrin (PH) centipede delp-ba coverb (intr.) to be piled up, heaped up ? Danganyin delp-ba ga-yu mahan table-leying-ma. 'Food is piled up on the table here.' (LM) see also guy-ma. dengdengin nominal fig spp. Ficus coronulata & scobina dengh-nga1 coverb (intr.) to click ? Janyngardal nung-gin dengh-deng-nga ga-ya. 'He's clicking his tongue.' (LM) dengh-nga2 coverb (tr.) to crack ? Jip-jip-ba nga-yu. Dengh-deng-nga mani-bu mornen. 'I'm itching. Crack the prickle heat on my back.' (LM) ? Dulgan dengh-nga gi-ma-n. 'You're cracking lice.' (HL) den-na coverb (tr.)

to cut ? Gordal den-den-den-den-den ba-bu-ng-ma. 'They cut, cut, cut, cut, cut up the head.' (LM, text) ? batjjal den-den ga-ba-du-n. 'They are cutting sugarcane grass.' (LM) ? Dubay-an ba-ya-nggi jarnin den-den. 'They went low down and cut bamboo.' (LM, text)

see also ngerrp-ba. dep-ba1 coverb (tr.) to track ? Ngani-jewo-ndi menuny dep-ba-yan mahan. 'Maybe you followed my tracks here.' (LM) see also dilh-ma, dinh-na. dep-ba2 coverb (tr.) 1. to stab, to spear, to peck ? Dep ga-bu-n bornorron-yi, majalin. 'The brolga spears fish (with its beak).' (LM)

2. to smash ? Bandahan, ga-ba-bu-n dep-ba. 'Sand palm, they smash it up.' (HL, text) derdawk-ga coverb (intr.) to ache ? Derdawk-ga nga-yu gubiji. Gay-gunda wuji mamak ngaha-ny nung, bohbo nganing-gin. 'My bones are aching. That's why I didn't say goodbye to my auntie.' (PH) see also wunh-na2. derde nominal 1. grandfather (father's father) 2. grandchild (from a man to his son's children) see also no-mornde-mang. derdok nominal dialect HL little eagle, also called chickenhawk Hieraatus morphnoides derreh-ma coverb (intr.)

to crawl ? Warren gahan wayi-tjjalbu, derreh-ma-yan ya-nggi. 'The little kid was crawling.' (PH) derrin nominal hot stones ? Lerrep ma-jan nganku-leying derrin-leying. 'It used to dry on the what's it, on the hot stones.' (LM) see also balbalin. derrkget-da coverb (tr.) to cut ? Gitjjiya ngi-bu-ni derrkge-da lamang magu. Barri gahan jimirndirr? 'Just now you were cutting up the beef over there. Where is that knife?' (LM) derrngderrng nominal red-kneed dotterel Erythrogonys cinctus detdel-ma coverb (intr.) to crackle ? Garratjjin ga-na-n magu-ba. Gahan nga-nga-ndi detdel-ma ga-bu-n. 'Grass is burning over that way. I can hear it crackling.' (LM) detder nominal kidney dewk-ga coverb (tr.) to poke ? Wirin gahan mi-nanda-ji-wu! Nibulin dewk munyju-bu! 'Watch out for that stick! It'll poke you in the eye!' (LM) dew-ma coverb (intr.) to be white ? Dew ngaha-ny-ma, nibulin. 'My face went white (in fear)' see also no-dew-ma. didit-da coverb (intr.) to roll ? Didit-da ga-di-n garradin. 'The stone is rolling (down a hill).' (HL)

? Jahan-gu-bi didi-didit-da ga-ya gahan lamara? 'Why is that dog rolling about?' (LM)

digirra nominal red-backed kingfisher Halcyon phyrrhopygia dikdik-ga coverb (intr.) to be straight; to go straight; to straighten ? Dikdik-ga ga-ya gahan road. 'That road goes straight.' (HL) ? Dikdik-ga me-ge nganung lahan! 'Straighten up the bed for me!' (LM) ? Gahan gumit lihwa-guju ga-ba-ya-guju. Wuji dikdik ga-ma-n. 'Those two are the wrong skins to be married. They're not straight.' (LM) dikgalan nominal dialect HL, LL plant sp. Cartonema spicatum dikgurrh-ma coverb (intr.) to be lame, to limp ? Dikgurr-ma ba-ya-ngga-jan, nendo martdal. 'The horses used to go lame.' (PH, text)

dilh-ma1 coverb (tr.) to write ? Matjjin dilh-dilh nga-ra-ng jowk nga-ra-ng ngonggo, ngi-ma-yi gahan? 'I wrote a letter and sent it to you. Have you got it?' (LM) dilh-ma2 coverb (tr.) to track ? Dilh-ma ga-ba-jewo-n. 'They're tracking him.' (HL) see also dep-ba1, dinh-na. dilk-ga1 coverb (tr.) to stare ? Jahan-gu mahan dilk-ga, ginggu-nanda-n-ngana? 'Why are you staring at us?' (LM)

dilk-ga2 coverb (intr.) dialect PH to trip ? Nganing-gin nendo, dilk ma-ji-ng labali. 'My horse tripped.' (PH, text) dil-ma

coverb (intr.) to burn ? Yaway, dil ngi-ra-ng, dabali-ma, bonybony ga-yu gahan Gypsy Creek, wahangarang. 'Yes, we burnt all around where Gypsy Creek springs from.' (LM, text) ? Dil-ma na-ni goron gahan. 'The house burnt down.' (LM) ? Garratjjin dil-ma ngi-ya-ngga-jan. 'We used to burn the grass.' (LM, text) dilwak-ga coverb (intr.) to flame up ? Guda dilwak-ga ga-na-n. 'The fire is flaming up.' (HL) dimarlan nominal river gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis note: Two types of dimarlan are found on Wagiman country. One type grows by billabongs and water and the other type grows in hill country, and has stronger wood. The leaves can be used as a wash to treat coughs and colds. dimdim-ma coverb (intr.) to be spotted ? Lamarra dimdim-ma. 'The dog is spotted.' (HL) dimitjjal nominal nail (fingernail or toenail) dindin nominal azure kingfisher Ceyx azureus dingap-ba coverb (intr.) 1. to be pimply ? Dingap-ba nga-ya. Nganku dengh-dengh mani-bu! 'I have pimples. Break them for me!' 2. to break pimples ? Yawey dingap-dingap mani-bu-ma mornen! 'Yes, break the pimples on my back!' (LM) ding-nga coverb (intr.) to look good ? Lawel maman. Ding-ding-nga nga-ya may-garang. 'This dress is good. I look good in it.' (LM) dinh-na

coverb (tr.) dialect HL to track by smelling ? Lamarra-yi ga-jewo-n dinh-na, walanyja menuny. 'The dog is following the scent of something, maybe a goanna.' (HL) see also dilh-ma, dep-ba1. di-nya infl. verb (intr.) root -di-; past -nya; ppfv -nginy ~ -ny; fut - /I> ~ -nya to come ? Wirin-gunda lek-ga mi-di! 'Come down from the tree!' (PH) ? Liri-ma ga-di-n lamarra. 'The dog is coming swimming.' (HL) ? Yakgarra mahan ga-di-n wahan! 'Wow, here comes the rain!' (LM, text) dinybidinybi nominal twisted plug tobacco ? Marluga dinybidinybi, dabulp-ba ga-yu. 'The old man is smoking twisted plug tobacco.' (PH) dinyin nominal stem dinyimaggot diny-nya coverb (intr.) dialect HL, LL to itch ? Wanganyjarri-laying diny-nya nga-yu. 'My armpit is itchy.' (LL) dipbart-da coverb (intr.) to jump ? Jewo-ndi now train. Dipbart ma-ny. 'He followed her now on a train. He jumped on.' (HL, text) ? Dipbart ga-ya-ngga-ja magu garratjjin gu-ma-min. 'It (the charcoal) might jump out that way and get the grass (set it on fire).' (LM) ? Wolwol dipbart-dipbart ga-ya nganung. 'My heart is jumping.' (LM) dipba-yi infl. verb (tr.) variant dipba-ndi root -dipba-; past -yi ~ -ndi; ppfv -ny; also dipba-yan n.f. impfv, dipba-yh n.f. pfv to make ? Ngal-martdiwa-giwu, ga-ba-dipba-n-giwu gunurtdul lem-ma-yan gu-ba-ge-

giwu gulim. 'The two old ladies are making a dilly bag to put water yams in.' (PH)

? Jamba nga-nga-dipba wahan gahan. 'I can't make it rain.' (LM, text) ? Jamba gi-dipba-ngana danganyin mahan berde-yen. Guda, gi-nanda-gardu mangiman! 'We can't make tucker here. The policeman might see the fire!' (LM) dipbunyh-nya coverb (intr.) to bubble out ? Dipbunyh-nya ga-di-n wahan. 'The water comes bubbling out (of a broken pipe).' (HL) dirdawung nominal variant dirdawong (HL) devil dog ? Dirdawung, mamin lamang gahan. 'The devil dog, it's a ghost, that animal.' (LL)

see also wurrgurru. dirdirt nominal dialect HL, LL grey goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae dirin nominal jabiru, also called black-necked stork Xenorhynchus asiaticus dirrakdirrak nominal red-tailed black cockatoo Calyptorhynchus magnificus note: See comments under the entry for lirrabin. see also lirrabin. dirrk-ga coverb (intr.) to be tied up; to tie up ? Gomow dirrk-ga ga-ba-ge-n ngangirdal-leying. 'They tie necklaces around their necks.' (PH) ? Lardili dirrk-ga-yan ga-ma-ji-n. 'She plaits her hair.' (PH) see also debet-da. dit-da coverb (intr.)

to hang your head in shame ? Lagiban gahan, dit-da ga-ya wilh-ma. 'That man is walking along with his head down in shame.' (LM) dit-da coverb (intr.) 1. to be round 2. to be rough ? Dit-da-dit-da ga-ya gumit ngerra-ngana-wu. 'Our skin is rough.' (LM) 3. to be lumpy note: It is much more common to use the nominalised form ma-dit-da-wun. see also ma-dit-da-wun, ngaringgirr-ma. diwana nominal wedge-tailed eagle Aquila audax note: This large eagle hunts small mammals including wallabies. doborrk-ga coverb (tr.) 1. to crumble ? Doborrk-ga ga-ba-ma-n danganyin. 'They are crumbling up the bread.' (LM) ? ma-doborrk-ga-yin 'crumbled up' (LM) 2. to smash ? Berrh-ma ba-ra-ndi. Jilminy-buga gawu. Doborrk ba-yama-ny. Gubiji-binyju ngi-ba-nanda-yi. 'They threw them. All the corpses there. They smashed them. We saw only the bones.' (LM, text) dok-ga coverb (tr.) dialect HL, LL to gut ? Dok-ga mi-ma mara! 'Take out the large intestine!' (HL) dolp-ba coverb (tr.) to drop ? Bakga dolp nga-ga-ng ginawiying-ma gahan nga-riwo-n. 'I dropped the tobacco somewhere around here, so I'm looking for it.' (LM) see also dortdorlp-ba. dongh-nga coverb (tr.)

to kiss ? Dongh-nga-yan ga-ba-ma-ji-n-giwu. 'Those two are kissing each other.' (PH) dong-nga1 coverb (intr.) to be crooked see also no-dong-nga. dong-nga2 coverb (tr.) dialect HL, PH to put on the fire ? Dong-nga me-ge guda! 'Put a lump of wood on the fire!' (HL) dordokgin nominal gall see also galagala. dordo-ma1 coverb (intr.) to shake ? Dordo-ma nga-yu gordal. 'I'm shaking my head.' (LM) ? Dordo-ma ga-bu-n. 'She is shaking it.' (LM) ? Do-dordo-ma ni-nginy wah-gunda. 'It shook the water off itself.' (PH) note: The reduplicated form do-dordo-ma is very common. dorh-ma1 coverb (tr.) 1. to pick up ? Mayiwa ya-nggi dorh ma-ny gahan gordal. 'My sister went and picked up the skull.' (LM, text) ? Yawey marnmarn ya-nggi, wilh-ma gahan Japanese. Dorh ba-ma-ny. 'Yes, that Japanese man was alive and walking around. They picked him up.' (LM, text) 2. to collect ? Gahan marluga ya-nggi, dorh-may-ga warri-buga. 'The old man went to collect the kids.' (LM) dorl-ma coverb (tr.) to knock on, knock against ? Dorl-dorl-ma ga-ba-bu-n, door nganing-gin. 'They're knocking on my door.' dorndorn nominal spangled grunter, also called perch Leiopotherapon unicolor

see also dortdo. dorndorn-na coverb (tr.) to shake out ? Dorndorn ba-bu-ng lahan. 'They shook out the swag.' (LM) dorong-nga coverb (intr.) to be full ? Dorong-dorong mama ngi-da-jan danganyin. 'We used to eat tucker until we were full up.' (PH, text) see also dabunyh-nya. dorrhdorr-ma coverb (tr.) variant do-dorrh-ma (HL) to tear ? Ngigun-yi dorrhdorrh ngi-ma-ny gahan lawel! 'It was you who tore up the clothes!' (LM) see also ma-dorrhdorr-ma-yin, dejerrk-ga. dorrngh-nga coverb (ambitr.) 1. to snort ? Dorrngh-nga ga-yu pigipigi, lamang. 'The pig is snorting.' (LM) 2. to suck see also bonyh-nya, jonghjong-nga. dorrng-nga coverb (intr.) to be in a line ? Dorrng-nga ga-ba-di-n lagiban. 'The men are coming in a line.' (HL) ? Gayh-gorden ba-di-nya, dorrng-nga ba-di-nya, jilimakgun lagiban, warri-buga. 'That mob came into town all strung out along the road, women, men and children.' (LM) see also nornh-na. dorroh-ma coverb (ambitr.) 1. to come out ? Nimurdal dorroh-ma ga-di-n nganung menuny. 'My tooth is coming out, maybe.' (LM) ? Gomow-gunda ba-di-nya dorroh-ma larima. 'Those two came out of jail.' (LM)

2. to get out, take out, pull out ? Garratjjin, dorro-dorroh ngi-ma-ny-guju dabali. 'We pulled out the grass all around.' (LM, text) ? Wuji dorroh gi-ga-ng-guju gay-giwu warri-giwu. Ngi-bula-ndi-guju lah-leying. 'We didn't take out the two kids. We left them in camp.' (LM, text) ? Gomow giyak ga-ya now mi-di-nya, dorroh mi-ma, gomow-ba! 'He's in jail, in trouble with the law. You come and get him out of jail!' (HL, text) ? Jarrang-yi, bort-da-yi jarrang-yi, dorroh ga-ng-ma. 'The trees died because the running water pulled them out.' (LM, text) ? Ngonong-nga-wu gu-yu mahan no-dorro-dorroh-wehen! 'Leave it like that, don't pull it out!' (LM, text) 3. to harvest ? Peanut dorro-dorroh ngi-ma-ny. 'We harvested peanuts.' (LM, text) 4. to remove clothing ? Dorroh ngi-ma-jan gahan, lah-leying-di, no-dew-ma gahan lawel. 'We used to take off those white clothes at the camp.' (LM, text) 5. to pull, to drag ? Nganku nge-rega-ndi jorro-ma buggy. Dorro-dorroh ngi-yama-ny-ma gahan nendo-nehen. 'We used to bring back what's it, the buggy. We dragged it ourselves without horses.' (LM, text) ? Wirin gahan dorroh ga-ma-ny buluman-gardu wanh bula-ng weyehweye majan. 'He tried to pull that log, but it was too big, so he left it got some smaller ones.' (LM) 6. to poke out ? Janyngardal dorro-dorroh ga-ba-ma-ji-n-guju gayh-giwu. 'Those two are poking their tongues out at one another.' (LM) dort-da coverb (tr.) to lead ? Nardal dort-da mi-ga gahan labingan wayi-tjjalbu! Wilh-ma gu-ya-ngga. 'Lead that little girl by the hand! Let her walk.' (LM) dortdo nominal variant durtdu (HL, PH, LL) spangled grunter, also called perch Leiopotherapon unicolor see also dorndorn. dortdorl-ba coverb (tr.) variant dortdorlp-ba (HL) to drop ? Dortdorl-ba ngi-ga-ndi danganyin. 'You dropped the tucker.' (LM)

see also dolp-ba. dowdow-ma coverb (intr.) to blow (of the wind) ? Wihya-ma gujirritj-yi ginggu-ma-n-ngana, dowdow-ma ga-yu, wangalanggu. 'No, there is a cold night wind blowing on us.' (LM) dowh-ma coverb (ambitr.) 1. to shoot ? Gay-gunda now dowh-ma bunggu-bu-ni, marluga-yi. 'Because of that now he shot them, the old man.' (LM, text) 2. to burn ? Dowh mama ga-na-n garratjjin. 'The spear grass is burning.' (LL) dowk-ga1 coverb (intr.) variant dok-ga (HL) 1. to burst ? Appendix gondo-yi-ma, dowk-ga-yi nung bindal, bort yaha-ny. 'Her appendix burst in her belly, and she died.' ? Gawor-ubawu, dowk yaha-ny nganung jarruk. 'Yesterday my boil burst.' 2. to split ? Mirningilin-yi bu-ni gahan wirin, dok ma-ny wolok-gundaaa munya. 'Lightning hit the tree and split it from top to bottom.' (HL) 3. to crack ? Ngaranin lihwa ma-yi. Dowk-ga ya-nggi. 'The didgeridoo is no good. It has cracked.' (LM) see also ma-dowk-ga-yin. dowk-ga2 coverb (intr.) dialect PH, LL to stand up ? Marrkmarrk-yi ngan-ma-n. Magu dowk-ga ma-ya wilh-ma. 'I've got a cramp. I'll get up and walk over there.' (PH) dowtj-ja coverb (ambitr.) variant dotj-ja (HL) 1. to weigh down, to apply pressure to ? Danganyin-yi dotj-ja ga-ga-n. 'The fruit is weighing down the tree.' (HL) 2.

to break ? Denh ba-bu-ng gahan wirin, dowtj-wuy. 'They chopped the tree and it fell down.' (LM) doyhdoy-ma coverb (intr.) to be promiscuous, to sleep around ? Gi-ya menwu doyhdoy-ma. 'You're always running around after men.' (LM) see also ma-doyhdoy. dubay nominal low ? Gayh-ba bewh-ma gi-ya-ngana magu-malan dubay. 'We will go there and cross lower down.' (LM) dubulutj nominal dilly bag ? Dubulutj gahan jununy-nya ga-ga-n. 'She is carrying a dilly bag on a strap.' (PH)

dugulgul nominal dialect PH, LL northern nail-tailed wallaby Onychogalea unguifera note: The Wagiman name for this wallaby is based on the "ool..ool..ool" sound of its call. It has a sharp "nail" at the end of its tail. duh-ma coverb (tr.) 1. to kick ? Ngartdan gahan, duh ba-nehe-ng. 'They kicked over the anthill.' (LL) 2. to push ? Duh-ma ba-ga-ndi gurruwitj-ma. 'They pushed the car.' (LM) 3. to punch ? Duh nga-ra-ng nardal-yi-ma, gunuwu nga-bu-ng. 'I punched him with my fist, and knocked him out.' (LM) dukgu nominal large mussel dulgan nominal 1.

lice ? Dulgan ga-ba-ga-n warri-buga. 'The kids have lice.' (LM) 2. louse-grass Rhynchospera longisetus dul-ma coverb (intr.) to lie down ? Dul-ma nga-ni-nginy wahan jawh-jaw-ma. 'I was lying down, someone poured water on me.' (PH, text) dulunguk nominal hook spear du-ni infl. verb (tr.) variant du-yi root -du-; past -ni ~ -yi; ppfv -ng 1. to cut ? "Manggu-du-guju makgu-yi" yaha-ny. '"I will cut you two up with an axe," he said.' (LM) 2. to spear ? Gangaman ga-du-n-ma, ngoni-yi. 'He spears kangaroos with a hook spear.' (LM)

3. to shoot ? Ba-ma-jan bulikgi. Dowh ba-du-jan. Gahan manager lega-jan may-leying. 'They used to get cattle. They would shoot them. The manager would bring them here.' (LM, text) ? Ma-du gahan marluga-ma warh-ma ga-ma-n nendo yimbama ga-ga-n. 'I will shoot that old man who always takes horses and rides them away.' (LM, text) 4. to penetrate ? Gokgo wert mee nganung born ma-du dorroh ma-di. Ngigun mi-ya bornh-na! 'Wait, turn around from me while I bathe and come out. Then you can have a bath!' (LM) note: In this context, -du- describes entering, or penetrating, the water. dup-ba coverb (intr.) 1. to stay ? Ngi-yobe-jan magu old station-leying dup-ba ngego-di. 'We used to live over at the old station, us.' (LM) ? Jorro-wuy ngi-di-nya now, ngego-buga gay-ba dup. 'We came back now and we stopped there.' (LM, text) 2. to sit ? Mu-yu dup-ba wambarru, nyenh-na mu-yu! 'You lot just sit down and shut up!' (LM)

? Gi-ya-ngana-ngala dup-bay-ga yerri-ba. 'We have to go and sit in the shade.' (LM)

durdih-ma coverb (intr.) 1. to be coiled up ? Durrin durdih-durdih ga-yu, barndutjjin. Let ngi-nanda-yi-guju, biyakgin-giwu. 'There was a snake coiled up, an olive python. My sister and I saw it.' (LM, text) 2. to sit on your haunches ? Lagarra durdih-ma ga-yu, dup-ba. 'He is sitting on his haunches.' (LM) see also ganjel-ma. durdurt-da coverb (intr.) to run ? Durdurt ya-nginy now gahan jilimakgun. 'That woman ran now.' (HL, text) ? Jilimakgun nung-gin-yi durdurt bula-ndi. 'His woman ran away and left him.' (HL, text)

? Gahan lari wayi-tjjalbu ga-durdurt-da-n. 'A little creek runs along there.' (LM, text)

durrin nominal stem dursnake ? Nga-ngotjje-ji-n gahan durrin-gu. 'I'm scared of snakes.' (PH) note: This is the general word for all kinds of snakes. durrp-ba coverb (tr.) 1. to poke ? Gahan wirin mi-nanda-ji-wu gajirri! Durrp-ba ngunggu-bu ngonggo. 'Watch out for that stick, girl! It might poke you.' (LM) 2. to stab ? Durrp ba-bu-ng, jabirri-yi. 'They stabbed him with a stone knife.' (LM) see also bengh-nga. durtdur-ma coverb (intr.) to lie about anywhere ? Ginahan ga-ba-guk-ga-n durtdu-durtdur. 'They just sleep anywhere.' (LM) dutj-ja coverb (intr.) dialect HL, PH

to take off suddenly ? Dutj-wuy ngaha-ny, durdurt-wuy. 'I took off and ran.' (PH) duwatj-ja coverb (intr.) dialect HL, PH to nod ? Duwatj-duwatj mama ga-yu. 'He's nodding.' (LL) see also gordotj-ja.

Gg gabarn-na coverb (intr.) to be fast, quickly ? Yawey wuji nga-ngan-nawu-ng garradin gabarn-na gahan mamin. 'Yes, that white man did not give me the money quickly.' (LM, text) ? Gabarn mi-di! 'Come quickly!' (PH) ? Gaba-gabarn mi-di! 'Come really quickly!' (LM) gadamalga nominal stone spear see also jimbilang. gahan demonstrative stem gay- ~ gayh- (HL); plural gay-gorden ~ gayh-gorden (HL) 1. that, the ? Humbug ngan-yaha-ny gahan marluga. 'That old man humbugged me.' (LM, text)

? Bicycle gay-giwu, ngi-ga-jan-guju magu. 'We used to take those two bicycles over there.' (LM) ? Bunggu-bu-ni yonggorn-na gay-gorden lagiban. Gay-gunda now dowh-ma bunggu-bu-ni. 'The Aboriginal men struck at them first. Because of that, they shot them.' (LM, text) 2. there ? Nga-ya-nggi jorro-ma gahan. 'I went back there.' (LM, text) gahanan locative nominal that way ? Jamba gi-ya-ngana gahanan. Mahanan gi-ya-ngana. 'We can't go that way. We'll go this way.' (LM)

gajirri nominal woman ? Nibulin ya-nggi nung gahan gajirri. 'She was his girlfriend, that woman.' (LM) gakgalak nominal 1. moon ? Gakgalak werrh-ma ga-di-n. 'The moon is coming up.' (LM) 2. month ? Bornh ga-ba-ge-n wah-ba, ga-ba-bula-n gakgalak. 'They put it in the water, and leave it for a month.' (HL, text) 3. moon snake, legless lizard sp. Lialis burtonis gakgawurin nominal stem gakgawurlong yam Diascorea transversa ? Bulu-buluman gakgawurin ngi-ma-jan. 'We used to get very big long yams.' (LM, text)

note: The yam of this plant is long and sometimes quite large. The flesh can be eaten raw, boiled or roasted, and is considered very good. see also jambu. galagala nominal gall see also dordokgin. galambu nominal northern quoll, also called native cat Dasyurus hallucatus ? Gahan galambu yaha-ny "yimbama-wu gu-bort-da-ja gahan!" 'The native cat said "people will die for good!"' (LM, text) note: An excellent hunter that preys on lizards, rats and other small animals. It also likes to eat sugarbag. see also wayibin. galanduk nominal yam sp. Trichoglochin dubium galatj

nominal younger brother or sister ? Mahan nganing-gin galatj. 'He's my younger brother.' (PH) galbanyin nominal green plum Buchanania obovata ? Gin-ya lewa-yan galbanyin-gu. 'We're looking for green plum.' (HL) note: This is highly valued and sought-after bush tucker. The fruit are eaten when they are ripe: green but soft to the touch. The entire fruit - seeds, skin and flesh - can be pounded up and then eaten. This pulp can also be made into a damper. Alternatively, the fruit can be dried in the sun. It then lasts a long time, and also tastes sweeter. However, this is less common; the fruit are generally collected from the ground and eaten immediately. The fruit are produced in the middle of the wet season. Sometimes they occur in massive numbers and hundreds can be collected from a single tree. galbarra nominal variant galbarrin (HL, opt.) northern brown bandicoot Isoodon macrourus ? Galbarra ngarrme-ba ga-ba-yu guk-ga. 'Bandicoots live in hollow logs.' (LM) note: These animals are often seen hunting for insects and roots after dark. They can be killed for meat when they are sitting on their grass nests, by hitting them with a stick. The flesh is roasted on hot coals and ashes after the guts are removed, and is very tasty and tender. galbun nominal variant galborn (HL) whistling kite Haliastur sphenurus galgarun nominal 1. bamboo sp. Phragmites vallatoria 2. short bamboo spear galhgal nominal dialect HL, PH sitting ? Galhgal nga-ga-n berlin-leying wayi-tjjalbu. 'I'm carrying the kid on my shoulder.' (PH) see also galh-ma. galh-ma

coverb (tr.) to climb ? Galh-ma ngi-ya-ngga-jan garradin. 'We climbed the hill.' (HL) ? Ngan-galh-ma-yi nguyan-yi nardal. 'The ant climbed my finger.' (GH) see also galhgal. galijana nominal dialect PH black wattle Acacia auriculiformis note: The leaves and fruit can be rubbed between the hands with a little water to make a soapy lather. The leaves and fruit can also be used as fish poison. galikgin nominal silky oak Grevillea pteridifolia note: This tree has large orange flowers which contain sweet nectar. This can be sucked from the flowers and it is very tasty. The leaves can be used to improve the flavour of meat which is being roasted. Fresh leaves are placed in a ground oven with the meat, where they help to keep it moist and tender. galin nominal ironwood wax ? Galin, garnin-gu, nap-ba ge-ge-n garnin. 'Ironwood wax is used to stick spears together.' (HL) see also wumirr, nerran. galkgu nominal cluster fig Ficus racemosa note: The fruit can be eaten when ripe: orange with reddish stripes. However it is not considered very tasty, so it is normally only eaten when people are particularly hungry. Turtles and some fish also eat the fruit when they fall into creeks and billabongs. galp-bu-yan n.f. verb (impfv., tr.) also galp-bu-yh n.f. pfv wiping ? Gidurtdal galp-bu-yan nga-ma-ji-ng. 'I wiped my nose.' (LM) ? Galp-bu-yh mee-ji gidurtdal! 'Wipe your nose!' (LM) galwunin nominal

green tree snake Dendrelaphis punctulatus gambangay nominal dialect LM firefly see also linmulinmu. ganborlbolin nominal dialect LL turkey bush Calytrix exstipulata ga-ndi infl. verb (tr.) root -ga-; past -ndi; ppfv -ng to take, to carry ? Boss larima, nginggu-ga-ndi gay-ba, lah-leying. 'The two bosses took us back to the camp.' (LM, text) ? Wihya wuji nga-nga-ga-ndi gahan nendo! 'No, I didn't take that horse!' (LM, text)

see also wunh-na1. gangaman nominal variant gangahman (HL) stem gangamaantilopine kangaroo Macropus antilopinus ? Nyukgin ga-ba-da, gangama-yi. 'Kangaroos eat sugarbag grass.' (LM) see also garndalu, yunumburrgu. gangan nominal dialect HL, PH 1. fire-tailed lizard Morethia storri 2. skink sp. Carlia gracilis gangga nominal variant ganggaran (HL) upriver ? Magu ga-ba-ya-guju gangga. 'That way those two are going, upriver.' (LM) ? Magu ganggaran ya-nginy, gorrh-ma, majal-gu. 'He went fishing upriver.' (HL) ganggilang nominal

tobacco plug ganjel-ma coverb (intr.) dialect HL to sit on your haunches see also durdih-ma. gan-na coverb (intr.) 1. to get lost ? Gan-na nga-ya-nginy. 'I got lost.' (HL) 2. to misrecognise ? Walya gan-na nga-ya-nggi-ma. Niji nganing-gin ngaha-ny nung, gan-na ngama-yi. 'I misrecognised him. I thought he was my uncle, but I was mistaken.' (LM)

ganya particle also, too ? Lihwa-tjjondony gahan lagiban ma-bu-min. Jilimakgun ganya. 'That man is no good, I'll belt him. His wife too.' (LM) see also nyama. ganyimiyan nominal stem ganyimiyathat kind ? Lihwa ganyimiyan 'That kind of thing is no good.' (LM, text) ? Nga-ma-jan ganyimiyan bakga nga-ga-jan jorro-ma ala nganing-gin. 'I used to get that kind of tobacco and take it back to my mother.' (LM) gapbut nominal tomorrow ? Gapbut gi-ya-ngana. 'We'll go tomorrow.' (LM, text) see also gapbutgapbut, gapbut neyenggun. gapbut neyenggun nominal another day ? Jamba gi-ya-ngana gahan lahan. Gapbut neyenggun gin-ya. 'We can't go to that place. We'll go another day.' (LM) see also gapbut, neyenggun.

gapbutgapbut nominal 1. yesterday ? Gapbutgapbut di-nya gahan marluga. 'Yesterday the old man came.' (LM) 2. morning ? Maman nga-ya-nggi gapbutgapbut. Lawh-ma nga-ni-nginy maman nga-yanggi wilh-ma. 'I felt good this morning. I got up and went for a good walk.' (LM) see also gawor-ubawo, gapbut. gara nominal dilly bag garanggi nominal mad ? Bulkgu-bulkgu wurrububu, ngurru-yi ga-na-n gordal-ma ga-durdurt-da-n. Garanggi ga-na-n gordal. 'He runs around in the heat of the middle of the day. He is mad.' (LM) garingal nominal star ? Longon-nehen, wolok garingal ga-yu, nga-nanda-n garingal. 'When there are no clouds, I can see the stars in the sky.' (HL) garlarr nominal variant galara (HL) dilly bag garlinyjin nominal dialect HL, PH, LL wild orange Capparis umbonata note: The fruit can be eaten when they are ripe: pale green and soft to the touch. The fruit contain many seeds and the flesh is sweet and tasty. garnamalin nominal cheeky yam Amorphophallus paeoniifolius ? Gahan now ngi-de-jan, garnamalin, gakgawurin. 'We used to eat cheeky yams and long yams.' (LM, text) note: The large yam can be dug up, cleaned and eaten. It needs extensive preparation, but when correctly prepared, it has a pleasant sweet taste. In the past,

the large yams were cooked in the ground, or in water left over from preparing corned beef. Some of the yams are too "cheeky" to prepare for eating. The edibility of the yam is checked before it is dug up. The leaf is rubbed with water or spit and if it gives a sparkling appearance this shows that it can't be eaten, so it is left in the ground. The juice from the yam, stem and leaves is dangerous, and can cause severe skin irritation. Pigs eat the yams in large numbers and are responsible for the decline in numbers of this yam. see also ngalyunginy. garnanganyjan nominal emu Dromaius novaehollandiae note: In the past large groups of emus were fairly common, but now they are rarely seen. The flesh can be eaten and is very tasty. It is cooked in a large ground oven. The guts are taken out and hot stones are placed inside. Paperbark leaves are used to flavour the meat. The eggs can also be cooked and eaten. In the past, emus were hunted with spears. The hunter would be covered with mud to hide his smell. He would hide near a waterhole, near a track, or in a black plum tree, and spear the emu as it came in. garnany-nya coverb (intr.) (meaning unclear) ? Balp-ba ma-yi durrin, garnany badi-ng-ma lagarra. 'He trod on a snake, and it bit him on the leg.' (LM) note: It is not yet known what this word means. garnarr-ma coverb (intr.) dialect HL, PH to rustle ? Garnarr-ma ga-di-n. 'He's coming along rustling in the leaves.' (PH) garnbik nominal clapstick garndabak-ga coverb (tr.) variant garnabak-ga (HL) to hit from behind with a weapon ? Garndabak nga-bu-ng wirin, majanga-yi. 'I belted him from behind with a nulla-nulla.' (LM) garndalu nominal

doe kangaroo Macropus antilopinus ? Garndalu ga-ga-n warren, mahan-gu bip-ba ga-ga-n bindal-ba. 'Doe kangaroos carry their young in their pouches.' (LM) see also gangaman, yunumburrgu. garnditjjin nominal worms ? Garnditjjin, gi-ma-n-ngana, gorrh-may-gu. 'We'll get worms for fishing.' (LM) garndukwu nominal variant garndukgu (HL, PH) oldest brother garnin nominal stem garn1. spear note: This is a general word for all kinds of spears. ? Ma-re-ja gahan gangaman, garnin-garang. 'I'm going to spear that kangaroo.' (PH)

2. snake sp. garninyjan nominal wattle spp. Acacia difficilis, platycarpa & oncinocarpa ? Garninyjan, wah-ba bornh-na ga-ba-ge-n, dorroh-ma ga-ba-ma-n, wirin, majalin bort ga-baa. 'They put wattle in the water, take it out again, and the fish all die.' (HL) note: The stems of straight plants can be used to make small spear shafts. The stringy bark can be pulled off in long strips, and used for typing up wood, swags, and so on. The flowers and spikes of Acacia oncinocarpa can be ground up and used as "fish poison". This is thrown in the water, then the fish float to the surface and can be easily collected, cooked and eaten. garnmurrin nominal woollybutt Eucalyptus miniata & phoenicea note: A small fire can be made from the flaky bark and used to heat the bends in spear shafts to allow them to be straightened. The hollow stems and branches can be used to make didgeridoos. Sugarbag (native bee-hives), which contain honey, wax and pollen, are often found in this tree. There are two types of garnmurrin: Eucalyptus miniata has yellowish bark and occurs on sandy plains, and Eucalyptus phoenicea has darker bark and occurs on elevated sandstone areas.

garradin nominal stem garra1. rock ? Ga-yu wurnka-ma gahan lahan. Garradin-garradin-garang. Wut-da ngi-ma-nyguju. 'That country is lonely. It is rocky. We didn't like it.' (LM, text) ? Gahan garradin gangama-yiga ga-yu, gahan buluman gijalkgin. 'That rock looks like a kangaroo, that big limestone rock.' (LM) 2. hill ? Galh ngi-yama-ny-guju gahan garradin. 'Us two climbed the hill.' (LM, text) 3. money ? "Garradin gi-gondo-n?" "Wihya, ngagun wihya, garra-nehen nga-ya." '"Do you have any money?" "No, not me, I have no money."' (LM, text) garramben nominal blue-winged kookaburra Dacelo leachii ? Nganku lamang garramben, karrawok karrawok karrawok karrawok, gahan-ma ga-jewo-n martdal, martdal lagiban-gunda, ga-ba-jewo-n-ma mangima-yi. 'When the kookaburra sings out, it means that the police are tracking someone.' (LM) see also garrwukgarrwuk. garrardarda nominal breastplate garratjjin nominal spear grass Sorghum spp. ? Garratjjin, dorro-dorroh ngi-ma-ny-guju dabali. 'We pulled out the spear grass all around.' (LM, text) note: The stages of growth of garratjjin indicate different seasonal cycles to the Wagiman people. garreng nominal dialect HL, PH, LL mother ? Garreng nganing-gin gornkorn-na gi-ya-giwu. 'My mother and I are talking.' (PH)

see also ngal-garreng, ngala, ngalagunin. garrkgany nominal

brown goshawk, also called chickenhawk Accipiter fasciatus garrwukgarrwuk nominal blue-winged kookaburra Dacelo leachii see also garramben. gartdan nominal milky plum Persoonia falcata note: The fruit can be eaten when they are ripe: green but soft to the touch. gartgart-da coverb (intr.) to laugh ? Gartgart-da ngi-yu-nginy nung-ma, ngagun biyakgin-giwu. 'We laughed at her, me and my sister.' (LM, text) see also nu-gartgart. gatjjin nominal hawk sp. gawor nominal afternoon ? Ma-ya-min gorrh-ma menuny gawor. 'Maybe I will go fishing this afternoon.' (HL, text)

gawor-ubawo nominal dialect PH yesterday ? Gawor-ubawo nyongh-nga ni-nginy, gahan wayi-tjjalbu. 'Yesterday he was sick, that kid.' (PH) see also gapbutgapbut. gawu nominal 1. grandmother (mother's mother) ? Gawu-ya ga-ba-di-n-guju. 'Grandmother and a grandchild are coming up.' (LM) 2. grandchild (from a woman to her daughter's children) see also ngal-gawu, ngal-gawu-mang. gawurdu

particle 1. enough ? Nungarin gornkorn-na gi-ya-ngga-jan-ngana, gawurdu nyenh-na gi-yebe-jan. 'We should have just talked once, then enough, we should have stayed quiet.' (HL, text)

2. finished ? Gawurdu ngaha ngorroju-giwu now? 'I've finished talking to you two now?' (CM, text)

see also yilkgawu. gawuyarra interjection good job ? Gawuyarra warren gerdo-gin-ngana ba-di-nya-guju jorro-ma. 'Good job our two kids have come back.' (LM, text) note: This meaning is uncertain. gayh-ma coverb (intr.) to sing out, yell out, call out ? Gahan mamin jumbany-wu di-nya gayh yaha-ny ngerreju. 'The white man came behind and sang out to us.' (LM, text) gelberre nominal dialect HL, PH, LL variants galberre (PH), gelbe (LL) goanna sp. Varanus baritji geletj-ja coverb (intr.) to be the new moon ? Geletj la-ng gakgalak. 'The moon is new.' (PH) gelgel-ma coverb (intr.) dialect HL, PH to be shiny ? Gelgel-ma ga-yu, nimurdal. 'She's got shiny teeth.' (PH) see also ma-gelgel. gelyengh-nga coverb (intr.) to cough ? Jahan-gu gelyengh-gelyengh gi-ya-ma? Ngeyngey-yi gunyju-ma-n? 'Why are you coughing? Have you got a cold?' (LM)

see also ngutjjurh-ma. gelyeng-nga coverb (intr.) to be raw ? Mahan gelyeng-nga-wu ga-yu lamang. Wuji ga-na-ni. 'This meat is raw. It has not been cooked.' (LM) ge-na infl. verb (tr.) root -ge-; past -na; ppfv -ng; fut vowel can change to i 1. to put ? Guda-leying garradin ba-ge-na. 'They put the rocks on the fire.' (PH) ? Lawel ngan-ge-na-ma, nganing-gin bohbo-yi. 'My auntie dressed me (put clothes on me).' (LM) ? Balarrin ge-na nganung burrhburr-ma ma-ya-min. 'He put white ochre on me, I will dance.' (LM) ? Jimirndirr nganing-gin barri-ba yurrh-ma ngu-ge-na? 'My knife, where have you lot hidden it?' 2. to plant ? Nganku custard apple nge-ge-na mahan. 'We planted custard apples here.' (LM, text)

3. to cause (in complex predicates) ? Ngal-martdiwa gahan, borndedi gahan dabunyh-nya ge-na. 'The old lady filled the billycan.' ? Guda gahan bort nge-ge-ng? 'Did you put the fire out?' gengelk nominal wattle sp. Acacia leptocarpa note: When this tree produces yellow flowers, it indicates that turtles will have laid their eggs, so they can be dug up, cooked and eaten. gengh-nga coverb (tr.) to choke ? Gengh-nga ma-yi neyenggun marluga. 'He choked the other old man.' (LM) ? Gengh-nga ma-ji-na. 'He choked himself.' (LM) gerdo-gin pronoun variant ngerdo-gin (HL, opt.) 1pl. genitive our, ours ? Gahan-di gerdo-gin warren me-gondo may-laying! 'They're our kids and we're going to keep them here!' (LM)

gerr-ma coverb (tr.) to twist ? Mahan martdal gerr-ma nga-ma-ji-ng. 'I twisted my foot.' (LM) getder nominal red lily Nelumbo nucifera getj-ja coverb (tr.) to ask ? Nganing-gin ngal-warlang-yi getj-ja ngan-ge-na garradin-gu. 'My wife asked me for money' (PH) ? Garra-gu nga-ba-getj-ja-n. 'I'll ask them for money.' (HL) ? Gahan labingan getj-ja-yan ya-nggi dangany-gu. 'That kid was asking for tucker.' (LM) see also ngorrk-ga. getna coverb (tr.) variant gitna (HL) does not take the -ma suffix to give a good hiding ? Wuji ga-nga-ja wihya. Getna ma-bu! 'He doesn't listen. I'll give him a good hiding!' (LM) gidik-ga coverb (tr.) to tickle ? Gidik-ga-yan ga-ba-ma-ji-n-giwu. 'They're tickling each other.' (PH) see also nu-gidik-ga. gidurtdal nominal 1. nose ? Gidurtdal gururu-ma nga-yu. 'My nose is running.' (PH) 2. face ? Jern-yi ginggu-bu-n-ngana gidurtdal. 'The smoke is getting in our faces.' (LM) gijalkgin nominal limestone ? Worrok-gay-gu ga-yu gahan gijalkgin. 'Limestone is used for washing.' (LM) giminy nominal

1. gum ? Giminy, bak gi-ma-n giminy wir-gunda. Damorom-ba lem ge-ge-n, junghjungh-jungh-jungh gi-ga-n. 'You get gum from a tree. You put it in your mouth, and suck on it.' (HL) 2. camel tree ginahan locative nominal somewhere ? Ga-ba-guk-ga-n ginahan marak-ba. 'They're sleeping somewhere in the leaves.' (HL)

ginaman nominal poor thing ? Yawey, ginaman, ba-bu-ni. Berrh ba-ra-ng gay-leying, gijalkgin, lem-lem, bunggu-re-na. 'Yes, poor things, they shot them. They threw them in the limestone cave.' (LM, text) ginawiying locative nominal somewhere ? Magu ginawiying nga-bula-ndi bakga. 'I left the tobacco somewhere over there.' (HL) ginkin-na coverb (intr.) to make a roaring noise ginmarrin nominal variant ginhmarrin (HL) tendon ginwurrin nominal variant ginurrin (HL, PH) stem ginwumucus, snot ? Ngeyngey lihwa-tjjondony nga-gondo-n. Nu-dardatj-ja ga-ya gahan ginwurrin. 'I have a bad cold. The mucus is hard.' (LM) gipmun nominal dialect HL, PH wax girribuk nominal

Torresian imperial pigeon Ducula spilorrhoa git-da coverb (tr.) to stab ? Git ba-ra-ng-ma gahan lagiban, jimirndirr-garang. 'They stabbed that man with a knife.' (LM) gitjjiya nominal 1. today ? Ma-dipba wahan gitjjiya mahan gu-rinyi-min. 'I will make it rain here today.' (LM, text)

2. now ? Ah jamba gu-ya-ma! Gu-yu-ngana gitjjiya! 'Ah don't you lot go! You lot stay now!' (LM, text) giwurrk-ga coverb (intr.) to sulk ? Jahan-gu giwurrk-giwurrk gi-ya? Many-bu-yarra getna-ma! 'Why are you sulking? I'll give you a hiding!' (LM) giyak1 nominal law ? Giyak-leying ga-ba-ge-n, mululuk. 'They put him through the law, an initiate.' (LM)

giyak2 nominal variant giyak-gin (HL opt., PH) rubbish ? Giyak-giyak ga-ba-yu dul-ma minyga-minyga, lah-leying. 'There is rubbish lying all over the camp.' (LM) giyakgiyak nominal everything ? Laundry, worrok-worrok sheet-buga, labali, lari labali, clothes nganku. Giyakgiyak worrok-ga ngi-ma-jan. 'In the laundry we washed sheets, trousers, shirts, clothes, what's it... We used to wash everything.' (LM, text) giyuk-ga coverb (intr.) to spit ? Ngatjbarra giyuk-ga mi-ya-ngga! 'Go away to spit!' (LM) see also dagelin, jubak-ga.

gobe-na infl. verb (ambitr.) root -gobe-; past -na; also gobe-yan n.f. impfv, gobe-yh n.f. pfv to lie ? Wihya-ngala ga-ba-gobe-n-guju wuji ga-ba-rinyi-ra-ja-guju wir-gunda. Ba-buji-na-guju-ma. 'No, they are lying. They didn't fall from the tree. They were fighting.' ? Ngani-gobe-na-guju. 'You two lied to me.' ? "Mu-berda-ja borroju! Gi-ya magu worrok-gay-gu lawel" gobe-jan. '"You lot cook for them! We're going over there to wash clothes" she used to lie.' ? Ga-gobe-n ngonggo gahan, nugan wayi-tjjalbu. 'He lied to you, that little boy.' (LM)

? Gobe-yh ngan-yaha-ny gahan lagiban. 'That man lied to me.' (LM) see also no-gobey-gobey. gobol nominal grey hair ? Ngal-martdiwa gahan gobol-garang. 'The old woman has grey hair.' (LL) gogort nominal fog gokgo particle 1. still, yet ? Pamngurlu wayiny gokgo. 'Pamngurlu was still a baby.' (LM, text) ? Lollywater-binyju ba-ma-jan nendo-garang. Wuji ba-ma-jan, wahan numinyjan gokgo-wu gahan. 'They only used to get soft drink. There wasn't any beer yet (at that time).' (PH, text) 2. wait ? Gokgo me-yobe mahan! 'Wait here!' (LM, text) note: Literally, this means 'stay here still'. So the 'wait' meaning is really only an extension of the 'still, yet' meaning. golgol nominal dialect LM frog sp. golp-ba coverb (tr.) dialect PH, LL to hook up a woomera ? Golp-ba ga-ma-n-wu, manggarlin. 'He's hooking up a woomera.' (PH) golpbon

nominal dialect HL, LL ribs ? Golpbon-leying ngan-dalh-ma-yi. 'He punched me in the ribs.' (LL) see also ngumirtdal. gomow nominal 1. string, rope ? Gahan nganku gomow ngonong-nga-yiga debed-a ba-bu-ni, darrp-bay-gu lawel. 'They tied up a rope for hanging out clothes.' (LM, text) ? Gomow bitjjirriny-nya ga-ba-bu-n, marun bitji-ba ga-bu-n, lagarra-wu-leying. 'They are rolling banyan to make string.' (LM, text) 2. necklace worn by widows ? Gomow dirrk-ga ga-ba-ga-n ngangirdal-leying. 'They tie necklaces around their necks.' (PH) 3. jail ? Ya-nginy now gomow-gu ba-ga-ndi. 'He went now, they took him to jail.' (HL, text)

gondo-yi infl. verb (tr.) root -gondo-; past -yi; ppfv -ny 1. to have ? Garradin gi-gondo-n? 'Do you have any money?' (LM) ? Marluga! Lagiban larima ngi-gondo-yi-guju, Kaiser, Tommy Taylor. 'Men! We each had a boyfriend, Kaiser and Tommy Taylor.' (LM) 2. to keep ? Mi-gondo-ja nganung may-giwu warren! 'Keep these two kids for me!' (LM) gongork nominal brains ? Gongork wirriny-nya ga-ya. 'His brains go round and round (he is silly).' (PH) gopborl nominal variant gupburl (HL, PH, LL) whip snake Demansia atra & olivacea note: The bite is not deadly, however it can cause pain and severe swelling. gordal nominal variant gohrdal (HL)

head ? Gay-gunda gordal wirriny-nya nga-ya-nggi. 'From that my head went round in circles.' (PH, text) gordo-gin pronoun variant ngordo-gin (HL, opt.) 2pl. genitive belonging to you lot ? Bohbo-yi ma-yi danganyin gordo-gin-guju warri-giwu? 'Did auntie get tucker for you two kids?' (LM) gordok-ga coverb (intr.) to have a headache gordotj-ja coverb (intr.) to nod ? Gordotj-ja nga-yu. 'I'm nodding.' (HL) see also duwatj-ja. gori nominal variant gore (HL, PH, LL) charcoal gorlododok nominal 1. peaceful dove Geopelia placida 2. bar-shouldered dove Geopelia humeralis gorlondin nominal thick forest, jungle, monsoon forest ? Yerderdengh ga-ba-yu-guju magu gorlondin-ba. 'Those two are hiding in the jungle.' (LM) see also malitjjin. gornkorn-na coverb (intr.) to talk ? Gornkorn-na nga-ya-nggi Wagiman, wayi-gama. 'I spoke Wagiman when I was a kid.' (LM) ? Gornkorn nga-ngaha-ny nung gahan jilimakgun, nga-ngotjje-ji-na. 'I wanted to talk with that woman, but I was too scared.' (PH)

see also ngili-ma, yurn-na. gorokgorokgin nominal bush apple Syzgium eucalyptoides ssp. bleeseri & eucalyptoides note: The fruit of ssp. bleeseri can be eaten when they turn from pale pink to almost white. The fruit can get quite large and the flesh is sweeter than the other bush apples. The fruit of ssp. eucalyptoides are eaten when they turn red. The flesh is quite thin and the seed large, however the flesh has a pleasant, sharp taste. The fruit are often produced in large quantities. goron nominal stem gorohouse ? Goron maman ngi-dipba-jan. 'We made a good house.' (LM, text) ? Lahan ba-dipba-jan goron-ma nganku, wolon-yi. 'They used to make houses out of grass.' (LM) ? Goro-leying ga-ba-yu guk-ga. Ga-ba-dipba-n goron wayi-tjjalbu. Lemh ga-bayu, wahan ga-rinyi-n. 'They're living in a humpy. They make a small house, and go inside when it rains.' (LM) gorrh-ma coverb (intr.) to go fishing ? Larima ngal-martdiwa, gorrh-ma ba-yu-nginy-guju. 'The two old ladies were fishing.' (LM, text) ? Gi-ya-ngana wilh-ma gorrh-ma-ga. 'We're walking to the river to go fishing.' (HL)

gorritj-ja coverb (intr.) to be nice ? Nga-guk-ga-yi-ma gorritj-ja. 'I was sleeping nicely.' (LM) ? Gorritj-ja ga-ba-da-ma danganyin. 'They're eating nice tucker.' (LM) see also no-gorritj-ja. gorro particle 1. later ? "Gorro jorro mu-di-guju woerrkgem namawu" ba-yama-jan ngerreju. '"You two come back later and do some more work," they used to say to us.' (LM, text) 2. tried but failed ? Gorro nga-nga-nawu-ndi matjjin, but nga-ngotjja-yi. 'I tried to say something to her, but I was scared.' (HL) ? Gorro ga-da-ny wahan wihya. Gahan wahan nganku-yiga-ma yu-nginy-ma,

marnakgin-yiga-ma. 'She tried to drink the water, but no. That water was like what's it, like beeswax.' (LM, text) gorrokgorrok nominal dialect HL, PH dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis gort-da coverb (tr.) to hit in back of the head or neck ? Warren, labingan ba-bu-ni. Gort ba-bu-ng. 'They killed a child. They hit him in the back of the head.' (LM, text) gotjjokgotjjok nominal dialect HL, PH, LL common bronzewing pigeon Phaps chalcoptera gotjjonon nominal dialect HL, PH, LL wild banana Marsdenia viridiflora gotnon nominal magpie goose Anseranas semipalmata ? Wirin ga-ga-n mada-k-madaru nganku gotnon-gu gu-bu-ja-min. 'He has a short throwing stick to kill geese with.' (LM) note: The flesh is very tasty and magpie geese are highly sought after. The flesh is roasted in the coals of a fire after the feathers have been singed off and the guts removed. Often the meat is flavoured with paperbark leaves dipped in water, which moisten the meat and improve the flavour. Magpie geese can be hunted by swimming quietly underwater to where they are feeding and then staying underwater by breathing through a hollowed bamboo stem. As the geese duck their head under the water to feed, they can be grabbed by the neck and quickly strangled. gubam nominal 1. hill ? Menuny gubam-laying jumbany. 'Maybe it's behind that hill.' (PH) ? Gubam-leying galh-ma mi-ya-ngana. 'We'll climb the hill.' (PH) 2. island gubiji nominal

bone ? Ba-da-yi watj, ba-da-ny gahan lamang. Gubiji-binyju yu-nginy. 'They ate up all the beef. Only the bones were left.' (LM, text) gu-bing-ay nominal dialect HL, PH, LL firestick ? Gu-bing-ay, bing-bing-nga ga-ga-n gu-bing-ay. 'A firestick is taken along glowing.' (PH) gu-burnburnin nominal dry ? Mahan lawel gu-burnburnin ga-yu. 'These clothes are dry.' (HL) guda nominal 1. fire ? Guda ngi-dip-ba-yi-guju, ngi-berda-ng-guju danganyin borroju. 'We made a fire and cooked tucker for them.' (LM, text) ? Guda gahan ngarr-ngarr da-nginy-ma. 'The fire caught alight.' (LM) 2. firewood ? Marluga ngerrp-ba ga-du-n, guda. 'The old man is cutting firewood.' (LM) 3. gun ? "Ma-du-yarra gahan marluga guda-yi!" yaha-ny. '"I will shoot that old man with a gun!" he said.' (LM, text) 4. light ? Gahan bort me-ge nganku guda! 'Turn that light off!' (LM) see also yorndon. gu-dardatj-jan nominal dialect HL, PH strong ? Gu-dardatj-jan ga-ya wilh-ma. 'He's walking strong.' (HL) see also dardatj-ja. gugarra nominal red ochre see also balarrin. gugit nominal

narrow ? Let-da ginggu-nanda-n, gugit-yi nibulin. 'He's looking at us with narrow eyes.' (HL)

gugiwu nominal true ? Gugiwu-yi ngan-nawu-ndi matjjin. 'He gave me the true story.' (HL) ? Wihya gugiwu ngaa! 'No, I'm telling the truth!' (LM) gujalin nominal stem gujalsweet potato, also called bawutjin or badju Brachystelma glabriflorum note: The small tuber can be dug up and eaten. It can be eaten raw or roasted and it is sweet and considered good eating. The small, dark, bell-like flowers point in the direction of other yams. The bean-like fruit can also be eaten without any preparation. In the past, large numbers of these yams could be collected, but there are less around these days. gu-jilirr-man nominal wet ? Gu-jilirr-man lawel darrp mu-ge! 'You lot, hang up the wet clothes!' (LM) see also jilirr-ma. gujingga nominal corroboree style involving clapping boomerangs ? Werrinyin ga-bu-n, gujingga. 'He's singing a gujingga corroboree.' (PH) gujirritj nominal stem gujirrcold ? Gahan lahan gujirritj-ma. 'That country is cold.' (LM, text) ? Gujirritj-yi ngan-ma-n. 'I'm cold.' (HL) see also gujirritj-ja. gujirritj-ja coverb (intr.) to be cold ? Mahan bolwon ga-durdurt-da-n gujirritj-ja. 'A cold wind is blowing.' (LM) see also gujirritj. guk-ga

coverb (intr.) to sleep, to be asleep ? Nga-rinyi-ng guk-ga. 'I fell asleep.' (HL) ? Boran-leying nga-guk-ga-yi. 'I was sleeping by the river.' (PH) ? Dorong-nga-wu ma-guk-ga. 'I will sleep sated.' (PH) ? Larrweng-nga-wu ga-yu. Guk gaha-ny. 'His eyes are still open. He should have gone to sleep.' (PH) ? Ga-yu guk-ga gahan labingan. 'The baby is asleep.' (LM) ? Guk-ga nge-ge-na gahan warri-buga? 'Did you put the kids to sleep?' (LM) see also worr-ma. gulhgul-ma coverb (tr.) dialect PH, LL to gulp ? Gulhgul-ma ga-da. 'He's gulping it down.' (PH) gulin nominal water yam Diascorea bulbifera note: The large hairy yam can be dug up and eaten after it has been carefully and thoroughly prepared. The flesh is boiled, then sliced, then placed in running water for a few days. It is then ready to eat. gulirritda nominal variants gulilitda (HL), guliwitda (LL) peewee, also called magpie lark Grallina cyanoleuca ? Gayh-ma ga-ni ngonong-nga now. "Gulilit gulilit gulilit" ga-yu gayh-ma. 'It sings out like that now. "Gulilit gulilit gulilit" it sings out.' (HL) note: This bird is considered a nuisance because it often alerts game to the presence of a hunter. gulitj-ja coverb (tr.) dialect HL to stir ? Gulitj-gulitj-ja ga-ma-n tea. 'He's stirring the tea.' (HL) see also wilitjwilitj-ja. gulp-ba coverb (intr.) 1. to fall down ? Gulp nga-nga-rinyi-ng-ma. No-boritj-ja gahan lahan, wah-gunda. 'I nearly fell down. That ground is slippery because it's wet.' (LM)

? Dowh le-na. Gulp linyi-ng ngal-martdiwa. 'He shot her. The old woman fell down.' (LM, text) 2. to be born ? Gulp ngi-rinyi-ng gay-ba. 'You were born there.' (LM, text) see also linyi-ra. gumilan nominal dialect LL sand palm Livistona inermis see also merrepben. gumit nominal 1. skin ? Wirrilh ngaha-ny, lagiyi nganing-gin gumit. 'My skin has gone red.' (LM) 2. skin (as in subsection) ? Gahan gumit lihwa ga-ba-ya-guju. 'Those two are the wrong skins to be married.' (LM) gumuny nominal desert gu-nawutj-jan nominal 1. heavy ? Gu-nawutj-jan gahan garradin. 'That rock is heavy.' (PH) 2. heavy (of language) ? Gu-nawutj-jan matjjin gahan, gornkorn-na ga-yu. 'He talks heavy language.' (LM)

see also nu-nawuja. gunbarrin nominal sand goanna Varanus gouldii note: The flesh may be eaten after cooking. It is excellent food. They can be found while they are moving around looking for food, or tracked to their burrow and then dug up. Specially trained goanna dogs are also used to sniff out the burrows and tracks. Larger specimens may be speared, though sticks and rocks may also be used to kill them. All meat from the goanna is considered to be good food. Generally they are gutted, and cooked belly down on a bed of coals until the skin whitens, then turned belly up and cooked some more.

gungarak nominal blue-tongue lizard Tiliqua scincoides note: The flesh may be eaten after cooking on hot coals. Blue-tongues are caught by hitting them on the head with a stick or rock. They can give a nasty bite, and when they are angry they flatten their body onto the ground. guningartngart nominal dialect HL, PH, LL grey-crowned babbler, also called happy family bird Pomatostomus temporalis note: Often seen in large noisy groups. gunubuya nominal variant gunu (HL, PH) stinking ? Gunu ga-ya lamarra. 'The dog stinks.' (HL) gunyjan nominal stem gunyja1. ground ? Laybul gu-ba-ya gunja-ba. 'The spirits will stay in the ground.' (LM, text) 2. dirt ? Gunyjan ga-gondo-n nibulin-laying. 'He's got dirt in his eye.' (PH) gunyukban nominal 1. black-headed python Aspidites melanocephalus 2. carpet python Morelia spilota 3. children's python Liasis childreni note: This word is primarily used to refer to the black-headed python, although it can also be used to refer to the carpet snake. The carpet snake does not occur much in Wagiman territory, being found more towards the coast. The flesh can be eaten. It is cooked by coiling the snake into a hole with coals in it, then adding more coals on top. These snakes are normally only seen at night. gurduk nominal 1.

sacred, restricted ? Gurduk-garang gahan lahan. Lagiban jamba ga-ba-ya gayh-ga. 'That place is a sacred site. Men aren't allowed to go there.' (HL) 2. dangerous ? Guda jahan-gu bing-bing-nga gi-ma-n? Gurduk-ma gahan! 'Why are you waving that torch around? That is dangerous!' (LM) guritjjin nominal 1. firestick tree 2. firestick ? Birtbirt-da ga-yu guda ga-dipba-n, guritjjin-garang. 'He is rubbing firesticks, making a fire with firesticks.' (LM) gurk-ga coverb (intr.) dialect HL, PH, LL 1. to be lumpy ? Mahan gurk-ga nga-yu eh lari. 'I've got a lump on my arm here.' (HL) 2. to be swollen ? Gurk-ga ga-yu lagarra. 'His leg is swollen.' (HL) see also nu-gurk-ga, bowh-ma. gurnagun nominal 1. fat (as in having a lot of flesh) ? Gay-giwu gurnagun ba-na-ni-guju. 'Those two have become fat.' 2. fat (as in actual body fat) gurnangartngart nominal dialect HL, PH, LL white-breasted sea eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster note: This eagle eats fish and turtles and is well known for its hunting skills. see also bamdakgan. gurndan nominal dialect LL bottle tree, also called boab Adansonia gregorii note: There are some bottle trees planted around Pine Creek and Claravale. These have been grown from seeds brought from the Timber Creek area. The

tree is not native to Wagiman country, which probably explains why speakers differ in what name they have for it. see also guruwan. gurnurtdu nominal dialect PH, LL dilly bag gurnuwu nominal knocked out ? Duh nga-ra-ng nardal-yi-ma, gurnuwu nga-bu-ng. 'I punched him and knocked him out.' (LM) gurrh-ma coverb (tr.) to dig ? Gunyjan gahan gurrh-gurrh nga-bu-ng. 'I dug up the ground.' (LM) ? Jahan-gu gurrh-ma gu-ma-n gahan welin? 'Why are you lot digging that hole?' (PH)

? Warragan-nyamu gurrh-ma-yan ngi-ma-jan-ngana. 'We also used to dig to get ground sugarbag.' (PH, text) ? Gurrh-ma ba-jewo-ndi wahan, bony-bony-nyuy di-nginy. 'They dug following the water until it came bubbling up.' (LM) ? Gurrh-gurr-ma nga-ya-nggi, witchetty. 'I went digging witchetty grubs.' (LM, text)

gurruwitj nominal car ? Mangima-yi yit-da bu-ni gahan gurruwitj. 'A policeman stopped the car.' gururu-ma coverb (intr.) to flow ? Pipe dowk linyi-ng, wahan ga-di-n gururu-ma. 'The pipe cracked, and now the water is flowing out.' (LL) ? Nibulin gururu-ma ga-ru-n-ma. 'She is crying.' (LM) guruwan nominal bottle tree, also called boab Adansonia gregorii note: See comments under the entry for gurndan. see also gurndan. guwaluman nominal

long-nosed native bee Triota sp. guwaylum nominal dialect HL, PH pigeon sp. guwerek nominal variant guwerak (HL, LL) bush stone-curlew Burhinus grallarius see also winduk. guwirdal nominal testicles guyarru nominal barn owl Tyto alba guyet nominal dry ? Guyet na-ni garratjjin dil-may-gu. 'The spear grass has dried up ready for burning.' (LM) guyim nominal 1. hurting ? Ah guyim-garang nga-na-n nibulin! 'Ah, my eyes are starting to hurt!' (LM, text) 2. sore ? Jalng-nga ga-yu guyim nganung-ma lari-ba. 'The sore on my arm is running.' (LM)

guy-ma coverb (intr.) to be heaped up, piled up, stacked up ? Danganyin nu-naw-ma, guy-ma ga-ni. 'There's a big pile of tucker.' (HL) ? Guy-ma me-ge guda! 'Heap up the firewood!' (HL)

Jj jabalng nominal

frog note: This is a general word for all kinds of frogs. jabarda nominal male skin name jaben nominal frill-necked lizard, also called blanket lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii note: The flesh may be eaten after being lightly roasted on hot coals. These lizards are often seen looking for insects after rain, especially in burnt areas. jabirng-nga coverb (intr.) 1. to be soft 2. to be wrinkled up ? Jabirng-nga ga-yu danganyin gahan. 'This tucker is wrinkled up.' (LM) see also nu-jabirng-nga. jabirri nominal stone knife ? Jabirri-garang den-na ba-bu-jan lamang. 'They used to cut up meat with a stone knife.' (LM) jabuga nominal king brown snake Pseudechis australis note: This snake is dangerous as it is aggressive and has a very poisonous bite. jabutj nominal 1. grandfather (mother's father) ? Laganyan ba-ma-jan. Nganing-gin-yi jabutj-yi ma-jan. 'They used to get echidnas. My grandfather used to get them.' (LL, text) 2. grandchild (from a man to his daughter's children) see also nu-jabutj, nu-jabutj-mang. jagalgarin nominal rainstone jagambarrin

nominal dialect HL, LL garfish see also barrbarrin. jagatjjin nominal bloodwood tree Eucalyptus ptychocarpa note: This tree has large red flowers and large shiny leaves. The outer skin of the leaf can be blown up like a small balloon. jagort nominal rainbow jaguran nominal cocky apple Planchonia careya note: Possums like to eat the fruit of this tree. People also eat the fruit, but only the inside yellow flesh. jahan interrogative nominal what? ? Nu-naw-ma-yi gahan ginggu-nanda-n-ngana let-da jahan-gunda? 'Lots of them are looking at us, why?' (PH) ? "Jahan mahan wirril-ma ga-yu?" yaha-ny nganung. '"What is this red thing?" she said to me.' (LM, text) ? Jahan-gu dowh-ma ginggu-bu-n-guju? 'Why is he shooting at us?' (LM, text) see also jahanjahan. jahanjahan nominal anything and everything ? Yakba, marnamnyan, jahan-jahan nge-re-jan. 'Crocodiles, barramundi, we used to spear anything and everything.' (PH, text) see also jahan. jahja nominal area behind the knee jakgarljakgarl-ma coverb (tr.)

to slurp, to eat noisily ? Jakgarljakgarl-ma ga-da gahan danganyin-ma yimbama gahan warren wayitjjalbu. 'That kid always slurps his tucker noisily.' (LM) jakgarrin nominal stem jakgayamstick ? Gurrh-ma ga-ba-bu-n gakgawurin, jakgarrin-garang. 'They're digging for long yams with a yamstick.' (LL) jalabol nominal black plum Vitex glabrata note: The fruit may be eaten when they turn black; they are very sweet. The straight branches can be made into firesticks. jalamariny1 nominal tree orchid Cymbidium canaliculatum & Dendrobium affine note: The stems can be made into paint brushes. The sap that comes from the stem is very sticky and can be mixed with paint or ochre to keep it strong. jalamariny2 nominal dialect HL, PH, LL swordfish Pristis microdon jalapbuny nominal dialect HL, PH, LL slippery lizard Ctenotus inornatus, C. pantherinus note: This small lizard is rubbed on the face of young boys before initiation. It is supposed to stop the growth of whiskers when they get older. jalawuk nominal small bandicoot jalbort nominal swag note: This word is not normally used; lahan is the more common Wagiman word for 'swag'. see also lahan.

jaley-ma coverb (intr.) to be hanging ? Bindirrin ga-yu gahan-ma jaley-may-gu borndedi. 'That fork is for hanging up billycans.' (LM) ? Wajala jaley-ma ga-yu, wirin-leying. 'The flying fox is hanging from the tree.' (PH)

? Jaleyh-ma ga-gorndo-n borndedi. 'He's holding the billycan by the handle.' (HL)

jalk-ga coverb (tr.) to hold ? Wayi-tjjalbu-yi gayh-yi jalk-ga ga-ma-n borndedi. 'That kid is holding a billycan.' (HL) jalma nominal plant sp. jalngh-nga coverb (intr.) 1. to drip ? Jalngh-jalng-nga ga-yu gahan wahan. 'The tap is dripping.' (LM) 2. to run, to flow ? Jalngh-nga ga-yu gidurtdal. 'His nose is running.' (HL) jalunggin nominal stripy fish jalyirri nominal variant jalyarri (PH) male skin name jamarlak nominal clapstick note: The more common Wagiman word for 'clapstick' is garnbik. see also garnbik. jamba particle variant jambay (HL, opt.) 1. won't, can't, etc. ? Wihya-ngala jamba nga-nga-berda nga-nyar-ma-n! 'No, I won't cook it! I am

tired.' (LM) ? Jamba gi-ya-ngana gahan yondorin. 'We can't go along that road.' (LM) 2. don't ? Jamba mu-nawu gahan danganyin lamang! 'Don't you lot give away the food!' (LM)

jambay interrogative nominal when? ? Jambay mi-ya-min jorro-ma? 'When will you go back?' (LM, text) jambijina nominal male skin name jambu nominal dialect PH long yam Diascorea transversa note: See comments under the entry for gakgawurin. see also gakgawurin. jamh-ma coverb (tr.) to eat ? Bambidi ba-di-jan jamh-ma-yan marlarluga-yi. 'The old men used to eat turtles.' (PH, text) jamut nominal bush turkey, also called bustard Ardeotis australis note: This word is synonymous with jekban 'bush turkey'. It is perhaps not a proper Wagiman word. See comments under the entry for jekban. see also jekban. janama nominal male skin name jangala nominal male skin name jangari nominal

male skin name jangayh-ma coverb (intr.) to beg ? Gayh-gorden warri-buga-yi, dangany-gu ga-ba-yu, jangayh-ma. 'The kids are begging for tucker.' (HL) jangowh-ma coverb (intr.) dialect HL, LL to yawn ? Jangowh-ma ga-yu warren gahan now guk-ga-gu. 'That kid is yawning for sleep.' (HL) see also dangah-ma. jangurl nominal shovel spear note: The more common Wagiman word for the shovel spear is barawu. see also barawu. janh-na coverb (intr.) to flake off ? Janh-na ga-yu gumit. 'His skin is flaking off.' (LM) jany-bulkgu nominal variant jany-bulk 1. middle ? Magu jany-bulkgu-ma wah-laying. 'It's there in the middle of the water.' (LM) 2. between ? Gahan ga-yu jany-bulkgu wirin larima-leying marluga gahan. 'The old man is there between the two trees.' (LM) see also bulkgu. janyin nominal stem janyiwichetty grub janyiyi-ma infl. verb (intr.) to come undone

janyngardal nominal variants jalngahrdal (HL, LL), manyardal (PH), ngangartdal (TBL) tongue ? Jalngahrdal dorroh-ma ma-yi nganung. 'He stuck his tongue out at me.' (HL) japbany nominal slow ? Japbany lek-ga gi-ya-ngana. 'We'll go down slowly.' (PH) japbenyin nominal granite japbunyin nominal grass sp. jardawk nominal variant jardok (HL) friar bird, also called leatherhead Philemon spp. note: These birds eat nectar from flowers. They are very noisy at dawn. jardup-ba coverb (tr.) variants jardop-ba (HL), jarrop-ba (PH) 1. to bury ? Nu-wapba-mang nung-gin, ginawiying, jardup-ba ba-ma-yi. 'They buried his brother somewhere around here.' (LM, text) 2. to cover ? But-da nga-ma-yi danganyin. Yortdin, yort-ba, jardup-ba nga-ma-yi na-ni nganung danganyin. 'I roasted the tucker. I covered it with ashes until it was cooked, my tucker.' (LM) see also lort-da. jarnin nominal 1. bamboo Bambusa arnhemica ? Dubay-an ba-ya-nggi jarnin denh-denh. 'They went low down cutting bamboo.' (LM, text)

2. spear 3. prickle (on echidna)

4. saltwater crocodile ? Ni-ganda-ganday gahan wardan-ma jarnin. 'The saltwater crocodile is long, like bamboo.' (LM) note: Hollowed bamboo stems are used to make long-stemmed smoking pipes and to breathe through when swimming underwater to hunt magpie geese. The new soft shoots can be eaten. jarrang nominal current, running water ? Jaleyh me-ge-wu, garra-garang. Jarrang durdut-da ga-ya, worrok-ga ga-ma-n. 'You hang it (bandahan) with stones. The water runs over it and washes it.' (LM) jarruk nominal 1. egg ? Nganku, ga-ba-dipba-n jarruk, lardili-yan. 'The chook is laying eggs.' (LM) 2. bee bread 3. boil ? Lek-ga ya-nggi jarruk nganung, lari-gunda. 'The boil has gone down from my arm.' (LM) jaw interjection come on! ? Jaw! 'Come on!' (HL) jawar nominal Carpentaria palm Carpentaria acuminata note: The cabbage or growing point from the stem apex can be eaten after it has been boiled. The pale, soft pith in the trunk can also be eaten. It tastes better if it is boiled. The stems can be hollowed out with fire and used as didgeridoos. jawh-ma coverb (tr.) to water, to pour water on ? Jawh bunggu-bu-ni-guju. "Yow mu-da-guju!" 'They threw water on them. "Yow, you two stand up!"' (LM, text) ? Jawh-ma ga-bu-n garatjjin. 'He's watering the grass.' (LM) ? Jawh ba-bu-ng guda, bort-da-wu. 'They threw water on the fire to put it out.' (LM)

jegan nominal

shitwood Gyrocarpus americanus note: The wood is very soft, light and easy to carve, and is used to make coolamans and canoes. The fruit are like little helicopters and they twirl to the ground. Children often play with the fruit. jekban nominal bush turkey, also called bustard Ardeotis australis note: The flesh is eaten after it has been cooked, and is considered excellent food. In the past, bush turkeys were hunted on the plains country with spears and boomerangs, and when they came to waterholes to drink. see also jamut. jek-ga coverb (intr.) to shit, to defecate ? Lamarra jek ba-yu-nginy lahan gerdo-gin-ngana-yarra! 'The dogs have shat on our swags!' (LM) jelelh-ma coverb (intr.) dialect HL to rattle ? Ge-gobe-n nganung. Jelelh-jelel-ma gi-gondo-n lawel-ba. 'You're lying to me (about having no money). You've got it rattling about in your pocket.' (HL) see also belelh-ma, nyelelh-ma. jemen-na coverb (intr.) 1. to hear, to listen ? Jemen-na-wa nga-ni-nginy gornkorn-na ba-ni-nginy-wa. 'I heard them talking.' (PH, text)

? Jamba jemen-na nga-nga-yu ngonggo-ma. 'I can't hear you.' (LM) ? Gangaman gahan jemen munyju-ga. 'That kangaroo is going to hear you.' (PH) ? Ngayh mani-yama! Ngaa ngonggo matjjin, jemen-na mi-yu nganung! 'Listen to me! I am talking to you, so listen to me!' (LM) 2. to think ? Ga-yu jemen-na giyak-giyak-ma, jilimakgun-gu. 'He is thinking about something, maybe women.' (LM) see also nga-ndi. jenh-na coverb (tr.) 1.

to spear ? Jenh-nyamu ngi-bu-jan walanyja, gangaman, ngalwarnka. 'We used to spear goannas, kangaroos, short-necked turtles.' (PH, text) 2. to pierce ? Jahan-gu jenh-na gi-bu-n gahan box? 'Why are you sticking it (a pen) through that box?' (HL) jenmerren nominal native gardenia Gardenia megasperma note: The new growth between the uppermost leaves can be eaten like chewing gum. Though it does not have a sweet taste, it can be chewed for a long time. It is mainly eaten by children. The immature fruit can be eaten, though they are quite tough. jernin nominal stem jernsmoke ? Jern-yi ngan-bu-ni nibulin. 'Smoke got in my eyes.' (LM) jerretdet nominal dialect HL, LL white-gaped honeyeater Lichenostomus flavus jerrkjerrk nominal diarrhoea ? Jerrkjerrk-yi ngan-ma-n. 'I've got diarrhoea.' (LL) jert-da coverb (tr.) to be blocked ? Yondorrin jert-da ga-yu. 'The road is blocked.' (HL) ? Jahan-gu jert-da ngan-bu-n nu-wapba-mang-yi? 'Why is my brother blocking me off (from my family)?' (HL) jetjjet nominal dialect HL, LL yellow-tinted honeyeater Lichenostomus flavescens jetjjet-da coverb (tr.) to whittle, to chip away ? Jetjjet ba-bu-ng. Jarnin ga-ba-dipba-n. 'They chipped away (at the wood). They're making a spear.'

jewo-ndi infl. verb (tr.) root -jewo-; past -ndi; ppfv -ng 1. to follow ? Mani-jewo-ja magu town-leying mi-ya-min-ngana! 'You follow me that way! We're going to town.' (LM) ? Boran, lek-ga-yan nge-jewo-ndi. 'We followed the river down.' (PH, text) 2. to resemble, to look like ? Gahan gidurtdal nirra-mang nung-gin jewo-ndi. 'His face resembles his father's.' (LM) jibirrin nominal tree grave ? Jilminy, darrp-ba ba-bu-ng, jibirrin. 'A dead baby would be put up in a tree grave.' (LM) jibiyu nominal variant jibiliyuman (PH) plumed whistling duck Dendrocygna eytoni note: These small ducks make good eating. jiborn nominal dialect HL, LL pied butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis jigalan nominal whirlwind, cyclone, willy-willy jilibin nominal dialect HL, LL kerosene wood Erythroxylum ellipticum note: The wood is used for making a variety of implements, including boomerangs, digging sticks and ornamental carvings. It is also good for lighting fires in wet weather, as it burns well even when it is wet. The small red fruit can be eaten. jilik-ga coverb (tr.) to wake someone up ? Guk-ga nga-yu-nginy-ma, ngu-di-nya gahan, jilik-jilik ngani-ra-ndi-guju. 'I was sleeping when you two came and woke me up.' (LM)

jili-ma coverb (intr.) dialect PH to move about ? Nimurdal dorroh-ma ga-di-n nganung. Jili mama ga-yu nganung. 'My tooth is coming out. It's moving about.' (PH) jilimakgun nominal stem jilimakguwoman ? Maman-buga gay-buga jilimakgun warh-ma nendo-gu long-nga-yan bulikgi now. 'Those women were good at riding horses and mustering cattle.' (PH, text) jilirr-ma coverb (intr.) variant jigilirrh-ma (PH) to be wet ? Jilirr-ma ga-yu, gogort-gunda-ma wahan. 'It is wet from the fog.' (LM) see also gu-jilirr-man. jilminy nominal dead baby ? Jilminy, jibirrin darrp-ba ba-ge-na. 'They put the dead baby up in a tree grave.' (LM)

jimarnin nominal stem jimarnbloodwood sp. jimbilang nominal stone spear ? Gangaman le-jan jimbilang-garang marluga gahan. 'That old man used to spear kangaroos with a stone spear.' (LM) see also gadamalga. jimbubuliny nominal red currant, wild cherry Flacourtia territorialis ? Jimbubuliny gahan buluman danganyin gahan orange-yiga-ma ga-yu. 'Red currants are big, like an orange.' (LM, text) note: The fruit can be eaten when they turn from red to black. They are sweet and sometimes many can be found on a single tree.

jimija nominal male skin name jimirndirr nominal knife ? Majiyan-wehen gahan nganku jimirndirr! Denh-na gunyju-bu-n-ma nardal. 'No more playing with that knife! It might cut your hand.' (LM) jindibiritj nominal 1. willy wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys 2. grey fantail Rhipidura fulignosa 3. flycatcher Myiagra spp. note: The willy wagtail is found all over the open country, whereas the grey fantail is found only near rivers. The willy wagtail is sometimes also called a devil bird. jindirrin1 nominal elbow jindirrin2 nominal dialect HL, LL mistletoe Amyema spp. see also ngalirringgirri. jinggarli nominal show-off ? Jinggarli ga-yu gahan warren wayi-tjjalbu. 'That kid is a show-off.' (LM) note: This word comes from the English 'sing out'. jinggul nominal dialect LL myrtlewood Lophostemon grandiflorus note: The bark may be burnt to ash and then added to chewing tobacco. The wood makes good firewood, especially for cooking with. Sugarbag (native bee hives) are often found in this tree.

see also bunggurrun. jiniminy nominal 1. blossom bat Macroglossus minimus 2. bent-wing bat Miniopteris schreibersii jin-na coverb (intr.) to stay a long time ? Lahan jin-na nga-yu-nginy. 'I stayed at that place for a long time.' (LM) jinyjiny-nya coverb (tr.) dialect HL, LL to pour out ? Jinyjiny-nya nga-ge-na danganyin-leying. 'I poured (salt) on the tucker.' (LL) jip-ba coverb (intr.) to itch ? Jip-ba ngan-bu-n lari. 'My arm is itchy.' (LM) ? Jip-jip-ba ga-yu nganung kordal. 'I've got an itchy head.' (LM) ? Jamba mert-mert mi-ma gahan wirin! Jip-ba gunyju-bu-n, gorro-ma. 'Don't touch that tree! It'll make you itchy later.' (LM) jirditj nominal brown quail Coturnix ypsilophora ? Jirditj lamang "jirribit" gaa. 'The brown quail sings out "jirribit".' (LL) see also jirribit. jirribit nominal dialect HL, LL brown quail Coturnix ypsilophora note: These small birds may be eaten, though they are difficult to find and kill. They are seen in grassy areas, never in burnt areas. see also jirditj. jirrimbin nominal Leichhardt tree Nauclea orientalis note: The large straight trunks can be carved into dugout canoes. The wood is also used for ornamental carvings. The leaves are wrapped around meat to keep

it clean when it is being cooked, and are also used like plates. The fruit can be eaten when they turn brown. The fruit are also eaten by various fish and turtles. see also dawungga. jirritj nominal wart ? Jirritj, nga-gorndo-n nardal-ba. 'I've got a wart on my finger.' (HL) jirrk nominal woomera jirrkjirrk nominal golden-headed cisticola Cisticola exilis jirrngaw-ma coverb (intr.) to sneeze ? Jirrngaw ngaha-ny barri-miya ngan-buga-ndi? 'I sneezed. Who called my name?' (LM) note: If you sneeze, this means that somebody has called your name. This is similar to the English myth that if you shudder, someone has walked over your grave. jirrp-ba coverb (ambitr.) 1. to spill ? "Jirrp ngi-bu-ng-ma wahan." "Wihya ngala, wakban-u-bi gahan jirrp-ba linyira." '"You spilt that water." "No, it fell over and spilt by itself."' (LM) 2. to overflow ? Dabuny wahan dabuny-nya nga-ga-ndi jorro-ma. Jirrp-jirrp-ba ga-ya. 'I tried to take back too much water. It's overflowing.' (LM) 3. to pour ? Wahan jirrp-ba nga-ge-n-ma, borndedi neyenggun-leying. 'I'm pouring the water into another billycan.' (LM) see also jawh-ma. jiwarlun nominal paperbark sp. Melaleuca leucadendra jiwarrany nominal long tom Strongylura kreffti jiwurr

nominal dialect HL, PH, LL spring ? Jiwurr, binybiny-nya ga-di-n wahan. 'Water comes from a spring.' (PH) jobongh-nga coverb (intr.) dialect HL, LL 1. to soak ? Swag nganing-gin jobongh-nga wah-yi ma-yi. 'The rain has soaked my swag.' (HL)

2. to walk in water ? Jobongh-nga ga-di-n wah-ba. 'He's coming through the water.' (HL) johjo nominal dialect HL husband ? Nganing-gin marluga johjo bort yaha-ny ngani. 'My old husband died on me.' (HL, text)

see also jonyjony. jokgorn nominal cockrag jolo-ma coverb (intr.) to piss, to urinate ? Ngan-jolo-ma-yi gahan warren wayi-tjjalbu-ma. 'The baby has pissed on me.' (LM)

jonghjong-nga coverb (tr.) variant junghjung-nga (HL, PH) to suck ? Ngapburru ga-da junghjung-nga wayi-tjjalbu-yi. 'The baby is sucking milk from the breast.' (PH) see also bonyh-nya, dorrngh-nga. jonyjony nominal variant jonyhjony (HL) 1. husband 2. brother-in-law

see also johjo. jordokjordok nominal dialect HL, PH, LL striated pardalote Pardalotus spp. note: This small bird digs a burrow in a bank to lay its eggs in. jorihjoritj nominal bowerbird Chlamydera nuchalis jorlbokjorlbok nominal dialect HL, LL pied butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis see also jiborn. jorrngh-nga coverb (tr.) variants jurrngh-nga (HL), jirrngh-nga (PH) 1. to squeeze, to wring out ? Jorrngh nga-ma-ny lawel darrp-darrp nga-ge-ng ngurru-ba. 'I wrung the clothes out and hung them in the sun.' (LM) 2. to milk ? Earlybela biyakgin nganing-gin buluman ngi-ya-ngga-jan, jorrngh-jorrngngay-gu. 'Early in the morning my big sister and I used to go for milking.' (LM, text)

jorro-ma coverb (intr.) to return, to go back ? Ga-ba-ya Katherine school, jorro ga-ba-di-n gawor. 'They go to school in Katherine, and they come back in the afternoon.' (HL, text) ? Dorh munyju-ma, jorro munyju-rega. 'She will pick you up and bring you back.' (HL, text) ? Wewa ngi-ma-yi garradin nganing-gin. Mani-nawu-wa jorro-ma! 'You've stolen my money. Give it back to me!' (PH) jorrotj-ja coverb (intr.) variant jarratj-ja (HL, PH) 1. to slip ? Belkgin-leying jarratj linyi-ng. 'He slipped over in wet mud.' (PH) 2. to miss ? Dowh nga-du-ng-ma gangaman gahan jorrotj nga-bu-ng. 'I shot at the

kangaroo but I missed.' (LM) ? Gay-gordin ba-ya-nggi. Ga-ba-ya jorro-ma, lahan bordo-gin-leying dup-bay-ga. Jorrotj-ja nga-nanda-yi. 'That lot have gone. They're going back to their own country to stay. I missed seeing them.' (LM) 3. to mistake ? Jorrotj nga-ge-ng-ma gahan. Niji nganing-gin ngaha-ny, gahan neyenggun lagiban. 'I mistook him. I thought he was my uncle, but he was another man.' (LM)

see also borotj-ja. jorrp-ba coverb (tr.) dialect HL, PH, LL to strangle ? Jorrp-ba ba-ma-yi ngangirdal. 'They strangled him.' (PH) see also lagibirt-da. jort-da coverb (intr.) to walk with a stick ? Jort-da ga-yu marluga. 'The old man is walking along with a stick.' (HL) ? Gahan gajirri-ma lagarra, madaru. Wir-garang ga-ya jort-da. 'That lady is short-legged. She walks with a stick.' (LM) see also jort-jort, jort-doyh-ma. jort-doyh-ma coverb (intr.) to limp ? Ngal-martdiwa jort-doyh-ma ga-ya. 'The old lady is limping.' (HL) see also jort-da, jort-jort. jort-jort nominal walking stick ? Marluga ga-ya jort-jort-garang. 'The old man goes along with a walking stick.' (HL)

see also jort-da, jort-doyh-ma. jowk-ga coverb (tr.) variant jok-ga (HL) to send ? Ala-yi jowk ngan-la-ng magu, school nga-ya-nggi magu-ma, lahan neyenggun, no-mojon lahan. 'My mother sent me to another place for school, a strange place.' (LM)

jowok nominal dialect HL 1. common koel, also called stormbird Eudynamis scolopacea note: The common koel has a distinctive call - jowok-jowok-jowok - which signals to the Wagiman that the wet season is soon to begin. This call is also a sign that the fruit of jalabol 'black plum' will soon be ripe. 2. channel-billed cuckoo Scythops novaehollandiae 3. spangled drongo Dicrurus bracteatus jubak-ga coverb (intr.) dialect HL, LL to spit ? Jubak-ga nga-ni-nginy gunyja-ba. 'I spat on the ground.' (HL) see also dagelin, giyuk-ga. jubungh-nga coverb (tr.) dialect HL, PH to smash ? Jubungh-nga ga-bu-n, no-berlberlin-leying garradin, jubungh-nga ga-bu-n mugatj. 'She is smashing up mugatj (yam sp.) with a flat rock.' (PH) juburin nominal water goanna Varanus mitchellii note: Generally found near water, these lizards are sometimes caught on fishing lines. They are cooked in the same way as gunbarrin, the sand goanna. juk-ga coverb (tr.) dialect PH, LL to feel about ? Juk-ga-yan ga-ma-n-wu, bag gahan garradin-gu. 'She's feeling about in the bag for money.' (PH) juluny-nya coverb (intr.) to set (of the sun) ? Juluny-nya ga-yu ngurrun. 'The sun is setting.' (HL) ? Gahan warren luwi-yan yu-ngiiiiny juluny. 'That kid was crying (all day) until sundown.' (LM) jumbany nominal

1. behind ? Milijun werrh jumbany nendo yurrup-ba-yan nebe-jan. 'The morning star would come up behind were the horses were standing.' (PH, text) ? Danganyin warn bula-jan jumbany gahan ngal-martdiwa. 'That old lady always used to leave the tucker behind.' (LM) ? Mani-jewo jumbany-jumbany! 'Follow behind me!' (LM) ? Mornen jumbany-jumbany ga-ba-ni-giwu. 'Those two are sitting back to back.' (HL)

2. after ? Gahan jilimakgun yonggorn-na lagiban jumbany denh-na bu-ni. 'He cut up first the woman and after her the man.' (LM, text) see also la-jumbany. jun nominal small woomera junbung-nga coverb (intr.) to be smoky ? Lahan junbung-nga ga-ya. 'The country is smoky.' (PH) jundakgan nominal taipan Oxyranus scutellatus note: The bite of this snake is deadly. jungutjungut nominal tawny frogmouth, also called mopoke Podargus strigoides note: This bird sits on the trunk or branches of trees and is often very difficult to see. jununyh-nya coverb (tr.) to carry with a strap ? Dubulutj gahan jununyh-nya ga-ga-n. 'She is carrying a bag with a strap.' (PH) jup-ba coverb (intr.) 1. to be closed, shut or blocked; to close, shut or block ? Jup-ba nga-yu gidurtdal. 'My nose is blocked.' (PH) ? Jup ba-ge-jan Fantinet-leying. 'They used to shut them (the cattle) up at Fantinet.' (PH, text) ? Jup-ba ngan-ge-n wurrunyjulin-yi. 'I am hidden, blocked off by the leaves.' (PH)

2. to cease, to stop ? Bolwon, nyenh-na-yi ngerra-ngana now. Ga-yu jup-ba, jup-ba bu-ji-na. 'The wind has gone quiet for us now. It has ceased, stopped by itself.' (LM) see also dajup-ba. jupburn-na coverb (tr.) to carry under your arm ? Ngalma-ngal-martdiwa jupburn-na ga-ba-ga-n lahan. 'The old ladies are carrying the swags under their arms.' (LM) jurlak nominal bird ? Jurlak ga-ba-bort-da-n wah-gu. 'The birds are dying for water.' (HL) note: This is a general word for all kinds of birds. see also lardili-yan. jurlama nominal male skin name jurrak-ga coverb (intr.) 1. to take fit, to writhe, to thrash about ? Gangaman, dap ma-ny nibulin dowk-wuy. Ah jurrak-ga ya-nggi gahan lamang bort yaha-ny. 'He (the eagle) pecked the kangaroo in the eye. It thrashed around and died.' (LM, text) 2. to roll about ? Jurrak-ga ba-yu-nginy maji-yan. 'They were rolling about playing.' (LM) jut-da coverb (tr.) 1. to point ? Jut-da ginggu-ra-n. 'He's pointing at us.' (LM) 2. to show ? Jut many-la gahan goron nganing-gin, maminakbun. 'I'll show you my house. It's nice.' (LM) jutjju nominal navel, belly button ? Jutjju buluman nga-gondo-n. 'I've got a big belly button.' (LM) jutjjut-da

coverb (tr.) dialect HL to carry with a strap

Ll labali nominal 1. thigh ? Burrh-burr-ma ga-ba-bu-ji-n labali. 'They are slapping thighs.' (PH) 2. leg ? No-berlberlin labali ga-ga-n. 'He's got bandy legs.' (HL) 3. trousers ? Jorrngh mi-ma gahan labali! 'Wring those trousers out!' (LM) labartjalhgun nominal dialect HL grass devil note: Labartjalhgun is a grass devil which lives in the bush. It is small, with skinny legs, a fat stomach and big ears. Whenever someone has a baby and it isn't known who the father is, they say that labartjalhgun is the father. laberri nominal body hair ? Bert-bert-da ga-ma-ji-n laberri. 'It (the dog) is shaking out its hair.' (LM) see also laberri-warin. laberri-warin nominal hairy ? Laberri-warin ga-ya gahan lagiban. 'That man is really hairy.' (LM) see also laberri, nu-bulbulp-ba. labingan nominal baby ? Wakma gondo-yi wayiny labingan. 'She kept the little orphaned baby.' (LM) labulbul nominal

blood ? Lenyin-yi, ngan-da-yi, labulbul-ma. 'A leech sucked my blood.' (LM) labulin nominal new ? Mahan soap nga-rega-ndi labulin. 'I brought this new box of soap.' (HL) labu-ndi infl. verb (tr.) root -rabu-; past -ndi; ppfv -ng to look for, to search for ? Gay-ba ngi-ya-ngga-jan-guju ngal-martdiwa gahan ngi-rabu-ndi-guju. 'Us two used to go there and look for that old lady.' (LM, text) ? Neywurnh-na bunggu-rabu-ndi. 'He snuck up on them.' (HL, text) see also liwo-, lewa-yan. laganyan nominal echidna, also called porcupine Tachyglossus aculeatus note: Echidnas are occasionally found moving around during the day, but they are best hunted in rocky areas at night. Often they sleep in small caves and can be pulled out with a hooked stick. The spines are chopped off with an axe; they can be softened by placing in hot water, and the flesh is lightly roasted and eaten. lagarra nominal 1. leg ? Yaway, ginaman ga-yu, gahan lagarra madaru biyakgin nganing-gin. 'Yes, poor thing, my short-legged sister.' (LM) 2. shin lagiban nominal 1. man ? Lagiban-gu gayh-ma gu-yu-guju! 'You two are singing out for men!' (LM) 2. Aboriginal, Aboriginal man ? Gordal-yi ba-di-jan wahan numinya-nu-minyjan, lagiban-buga wihya. 'The bosses used to drink beer, but the Aboriginal men didn't.' (PH, text) ? Bobby Cadell, Yijenden ga-ya lawar lagiban. 'Bobby Cadell, Yijenden is his Aboriginal name.' (LM, text) lagibirt-da coverb (tr.)

to strangle ? Lagibirt ma-bu! 'I'll strangle him!' (PH) see also jorrp-ba. lagirdal nominal variant lagihrdal (HL) 1. back of neck ? Lagirdal gort nga-bu-ng-ma. 'I hit him on the back of the neck.' (LM) 2. neck ? Lagirdal bak-ga ba-yu-nginy-guju. 'Their necks were broken.' (LM) see also mangurdal, ngangirdal. lagiriny nominal variant lagirriny (HL) 1. tail ? Wurnang-wurnang-nga ga-yu lagiriny mahan lamang-garang menuny. 'The dog is wagging its tail, maybe because of the meat.' (LM) 2. penis lagiyi nominal body ? Jilimakgun gurnagun, ga-yu dup-ba-ma. Langan-garang na-ni. Walh yaha-ny lagiyi. 'The woman is fat. She has become fleshy. Her body has grown.' (LM) lagulin nominal red-eyed pigeon, also called partridge pigeon Geophaps smithii lagumin nominal cypress pine Callitris intratropica note: The timber is used to make spear shafts. It is also good firewood as it burns quite well even when it is wet, and the pleasant-smelling smoke keeps away mosquitoes. In the past this tree was cut down for building houses. This logging, in conjunction with recent more widespread hotter fires, has led to a significant reduction in numbers of adult pines in Wagiman country. lahan nominal stem lah1.

country ? Yawey nga-ya-nggi jorro-ma lahan nganing-gin, Guwardagun. 'Yes, I went back to my country, the Daly.' (LM, text) 2. camp ? Munybaban, lahan-nehen yu-nginy gahan. Banagan-binyju lahan yu-nginy. 'On that side there were no camps. There were only camps on this side.' (LM, text) 3. place ? "Mu-yobe lahan nungarin!" ya-jan ngerreju. '"You lot stay one place!" he used to say to us.' (LM, text) 4. swag ? Yowtj-ja nga-ge-na lahan darrp-ba ga-yu wolok. 'I found the swag hanging up high.' (LM, text) 5. house ? Bik-ga nga-bu-ni ngonggo-gin lahan. 'I cleaned up your house.' (HL) laikgi-ma-yi infl. verb (tr.) root -laikgi-ma-; past -yi to like ? Wihya ngala wuji gi-laikgi-ma-n gahan lahan. Guwardagun-nehen. 'No, we do not like this country. It is not Guwardagun.' (LM) note: This word is a borrowing from English 'like'. lajadilk nominal variant lajidilk (LL) wet season lajarrany nominal chequered rainbowfish ? Lajarrany ngi-berda-yi gahan-leying Telephone Creek. 'We cooked lajarrany there at Telephone Creek.' (LM, text) lajil nominal vagina la-jumbany nominal dialect HL, PH youngest child see also jumbany. lala-ma

coverb (tr.) to rock to sleep ? Lala-ma ga-ga-n, guk ga-rinyi-n gahan warren. 'She is rocking the kid to sleep.' (LM)

lalang nominal girl ? Mahan neyonggorn nganing-gin lalang ga-ya gapbut, Batchelor. 'This other girl of mine is going to Batchelor tomorrow.' (HL, text) lalat-da coverb (tr.) to share ? Nu-naw-ma lalat-da gi-bu-n-ngana danganyin gahan. 'There is lots of tucker so we'll share it.' (LM) ? Lalat-da mani-nawu! 'Share it with me!' (HL) lalin1 nominal 1. white and blue lilies Nymphaea violacea ? Lalin datj-ja ga-bu-n. 'The white lilies are in flower.' (LM) 2. tuber of white and blue lilies see also malirawin. 2

lalin

nominal crest on goose lamang nominal 1. animal ? Jahan gahan lamang ngaha-jan borroju wihya nendo mahan... 'What is the animal I've been telling them about? Not the horse...' (LM, text) 2. meat ? Watj ba-da-ny gahan lamang. 'They ate all the meat.' (LM, text) lamarra nominal dog ? Lamarra-yi ngan-badi-ya, labali. Nu-minyjan gahan lamarra. 'The dog bit me on the leg. It is cheeky, that dog.' (PH) lambarra nominal father-in-law

lambartdal nominal 1. vagina 2. swearing ? Yimbama warle-jan lambartdal gahan warren. 'That kid always used to growl bad words.' (LM) lambu nominal cheek lamelem nominal liver lamul nominal bum ? Jahan-gu lamul-ga ge-ge-n danganyin gahan? 'Why are you sitting (putting your bum) on the tucker?' (LM) lanbarin nominal strap la-ndi infl. verb (tr.) root -ra-; past -ndi; ppfv -ng 1. to throw ? Gay-giwu bornh-na bunggu-ra-ndi-guju. 'He threw those two in the water.' (LM, text)

? Ngan-la-ndi nendo-yi. 'The horse threw me.' (PH, text) 2. to do something usually involving an outward motion (in complex predicates) ? Dil la-ng aaw lawh da-nginy-ma gahan bulikgi. 'She branded it, and it jumped up, that bull.' (LM, text) ? Wakgala jowk nga-ra-ng ngonggo. 'I sent a letter to you.' (PH) ? "Dowh gunggu-ra-ma gahan Japanese" yaha-ny. '"That Japanese soldier might shoot you," he said.' (LM, text) langan nominal variant langahan (HL, opt.) 1. flesh, meat ? Langan mani-nawu! 'Give me some meat!' (HL) 2. calf

langawarin nominal long-necked turtle Chelodina rugosa ? Langawarin nga-ma-ny. Berdeyh ngi-yama-ny-guju ngal-martdiwa-giwu. Wirriny-wirriny ngi-ra-ng-guju. Na-ni. Dorroh ngi-ma-ny-guju. Gay-gunda, larrp ngi-ma-ny-guju, lamang jamh-ma ngi-ni-nginy-guju gahan langawarin. 'I got a long-necked turtle. Us two old women cooked it. We turned it over. It was cooked. We took it off. And then, we ate the meat of that long-necked turtle.' (LM, text)

note: Long-necked turtles can be hunted by swimming in rivers and billabongs and searching for them under the bank during the wet season. When the water dries out, they can be found in the dried mud by looking for the tracks they make when they bury themselves. The area is then poked with a stick or rod until the hunter feels the stick tapping on the hard shell. The turtles are then dug up, cooked and eaten. Often several turtles are found in one hole. Turtles are cooked on hot coals and ashes. They are cooked on their belly first and then turned over onto their back, so that the juices collect in the shell. langgarnin nominal stem langgarnbillabong ? Warri-buga bornh-na-yan ga-ba-ya, langgarnin-leying. 'The kids are having a bogey in the billabong.' (PH) langitj nominal dialect HL, PH night see also langitj-gun, nguynguy, ngitjjin. langitj-gun nominal a man who goes by night see also langitj. langornen nominal dialect HL armpit sweat ? Langornen mok-ga ga-bu-n. 'He has smelly armpits.' (HL) langu nominal 1. turtle shell 2.

rainbow jaw note: This is a big shell obtained from the sea, used by men for ceremonial purposes. Women are not allowed to possess them. lanyungay nominal sick ? Lanyungay-garang nga-ya. 'I'm always sick.' (LM) see also nyongh-nga. larak-ga1 coverb (intr.) to slip and fall ? Larak-ga nga-rinyi-ra-ma, walngarra-ba. 'I slipped and fell of the cliff.' (LM) larak-ga2 coverb (intr.) dialect HL, PH, LL to put a baby into a coolaman ? Larak-ga ga-ba-ge-n lijarri-ba. 'They're putting the baby in a coolaman.' (HL) lardibulk nominal middle child see also bulkgu. lardili nominal hair ? Gahan ngal-martdiwa lardili ngan-bu-ng-ma denh-na. 'The old lady cut my hair.' (LM) lardili-yan nominal bird note: This is a general word for all kinds of birds. see also jurlak. lardukgarl nominal 1. mother-in-law 2. son-in-law or daughter-in-law larh-ma coverb (tr.) dialect HL

to block (when fighting with sticks) ? Larh mi-bu-ji! 'Block yourself!' (HL) lari nominal 1. arm ? Nga-nyar-ma-yi lari mahan nga-bort-da-n-ma darrp-bay-gunda lawel. 'My arms are dead tired from hanging up washing.' (LM) 2. creek ? Gahan lari wayi-tjjalbu ga-durdurt-da-n. 'That little creek runs along.' (LM, text) 3. root ? Gahan lari-lari-garang wirin gahan, munya ga-yu-ma. 'The tree has lots of roots, down underneath.' (LM) 4. shirt larima nominal two ? Larima nga-ba-gorndo-n mayh-ba nu-jabutj. 'I have two of my grandchildren here.' (HL, text) larrang-nga coverb (intr.) to be light; to become light ? Niji ya-nggi gapbut-gapbut. Larrang-nga bu-ni ya-nggi. 'Uncle went this morning. When it became daylight, he went.' (LM) ? Larrang-nga ga-di-n mahan ngurrun. 'The sun is shining in here.' (HL) ? Gakgalak galh-ma ga-di-n. Menuny larrang-nga ga-bu-n. 'The moon is coming up. Maybe it will become light.' (LM) larrh-ma1 coverb (tr.) 1. to scrape ? Nga-rinyi-ra-ma mahan borndedi la-larrh-wuy. 'I fell down and scraped my knees.' (LM) ? Larrh-ma nga-bu-n, knife nganing-gin. 'I'm sharpening my knife.' (PH) 2. to scratch larrh-ma2 coverb (intr.) dialect PH to be dry ? Larrh-ma nga-yu mangurdal. 'My throat is dry.' (PH) ? Larrh ma-yi lari wayi-tjjalbu. 'The creek dried up.' (PH) larr-ma

coverb (intr.) dialect HL, PH to have indigestion ? Larr-ma nga-yu now bindal. 'I've got indigestion.' (HL) larrp-ba coverb (ambitr.) variant larp-ba (HL) 1. to crack ? Larrp ngi-ma-ny-guju. 'We cracked it (a turtle shell).' (LM, text) ? Ngaranin mahan larrp-ba-yi-ma. Lihwa-tjjondony ga-ya, menuny nyongh miyu-ngana. 'This didgeridoo is cracked. That is no good, maybe we will get sick.' (LM)

2. to split, to split in half ? Larp mi-ma! 'Split it in half!' (HL) 3. to rip, to tear ? Ngagun-yi ma-ma larp-ba mahan paper. 'I'm going to rip up this paper.' (HL) see also datjjarrk-ga. larruk-ga coverb (tr.) 1. to chew ? Larruk-ga ga-ma-n danganyin. 'He's chewing the tucker.' (HL) 2. to gnaw ? Larruk-larruk ga-da gubiji lamarra gahan. 'That dog is gnawing on a bone.' (LM)

larrwa nominal bamboo pipe ? Gahan dabulp-bay-gunda nyongh-nga ga-yu, larrwa-gunda. 'He is sick from smoking a bamboo pipe.' (LM) larrwak-ga coverb (tr.) to poke ? Wirin-garang nibulin larrwak ngan-ma-ny. 'He poked me in the eye with a stick.' (LM) larrweng-nga coverb (intr.) to have your eyes open; to open your eyes ? Nibulin larrweng-nga ga-yu, let-da ginggu-nanda-n-ngana. Larrweng-nga, wuji ga-guk-ga-n. 'His eyes are open, and he is watching us. His eyes are open, and he is not asleep.' (LM) lart-da1

coverb (intr.) 1. to be blocked; to block ? Gidurtdal lart-da nga-yu. 'My nose is blocked.' (LM) ? Gidurtdal lart-da ngan-bu-ni, lart-da ngan-bu-ni, nganku-yi ngeyngey-yi. 'A bad cold has blocked my nose.' (LM) 2. to choke ? Lart-da ga-ma-n gahan warren. 'The kid is choking.' (HL) lart-da2 coverb (tr.) to hit on the head ? Lart-da nga-bu-ni nganku-garang borndedi-garang. 'I hit him on the head with a what's it, with a billycan.' (LM) laru nominal variant lahru (HL, opt.) close, near ? Lahru ga-yu mamin. 'The white man is sitting close.' (HL) ? Jahan-gu laru-laru gi-di-n nganung? 'Why are you always coming up close to me?' (LM) ? Magu-malan gi-ya-ngana. Gahan laru gi-ya-ngana. 'We'll go that way. It's closer.' (LM) lawar nominal name ? Jamba buga-yan mu-ya-guju warri-giwu gahan lawar. Marluga bort-da-yi. 'Don't you two kids call out that name. The old man has died.' (LM) ? Tjirrimbin lahan gahan lawar. 'Tjirrimbin is the name for that country.' (LM, text)

? Ngagun-yi nga-buga-ndi lawar. 'It was me who named him.' (LM) ? Baning-nga lawar ga-ya gahan marluga? 'What is that old man's name?' (LM) la-watj-ja-wu nominal whole lot ? Let manggu-nanda, la-watj-ja-wu. 'I will see you lot tomorrow, the whole lot of you.' (LM) see also watj-ja-wu. lawel nominal 1. clothes ? Lawel gahan lem mi-di-ji, lem-ma mi-ra! Mam-yi munyju-nanda-min, lawelnehen gi-ya wilh-ma! 'Put those clothes on! A white man might see you walking around without any clothes on!' (LM)

2. bedclothes ? Darrp-darrp nge-ge-ng-guju wanh ngi-bula-ng lawel. 'Us two hung up the sheets and left them.' (LM, text) lawh-ma coverb (intr.) to get up ? Earlybela lawh ngi-yu-nginy-guju, nga-rabu-ng gawu marluga gahan. 'Early in the morning us two got up, and I looked for the old man.' (LM, text) ? Dilh la-ng aaw lawh da-nginy-ma gahan bulikgi! 'He branded it and up it got, that bull!' (LM, text) ? Lawh mi-da! Jamba guk-ga gi-yu! 'Get up! Don't sleep!' (LM) lawurl nominal 1. shadow ? Lawurl nganing-gin mahan nga-ya wilh-ma ngurru-ba. 'My shadow is here as I walk in the sun.' (LM) ? Ga-morna-ji-n. Lawurl ga-nanda-ji-n. 'He loves himself. He watches his own shadow.' (LM) 2. spirit ? Lawurl bunggu-nanda-yi-guju, yurrup-ba ba-yu-nginy-guju wah-laying. 'He saw the shadows standing in the water.' (LM, text) lawurt nominal 1. trace or track ? Lawurt mahan ni-nginy dup-ba. 'Here is a place where someone has camped.' (HL)

? Lawurt gawu ya-nggi wilh-ma. 'There is his track, he has walked there.' (LM) 2. clothes which belonged to someone who has died ? Gahan lawurt, wuji mert-da gi-ma-ja gahan, lawurt lawel. 'Don't touch those clothes, because they belonged to someone who has died.' (LM) laybul nominal 1. dreaming 2. countryman 3. stranger layiklayi-ma coverb (tr.) to tease ? Nubuny maji-yan ya-ngga-jan borroju, ganya-ma. Layi-layi bunggu-ma-jan

gahan marluga. 'The boy used to play with them. He used to tease those old men.' (LM) la-yonggorn-nay nominal first-born child ? La-yonggorn-nay linyi-ra, warren mahan. 'This kid was born first.' (LL) lega-ndi infl. verb (tr.) root -rega-; past -ndi; ppfv -ng to bring ? Gawu neyonggorn-yi lega-ndi brand lurt nawo-ng. 'The other grandmother brought the brand and gave it to him.' (LM, text) ? Gahan mu-ba-rega-guju warri-giwu! Mahan guk-ga gu-ba-yu-guju, nganungga. 'Bring those two kids! They will sleep here with me.' (LM) lek-ga coverb (intr.) to go down, to descend ? Ngonggo-gin warren lek-ga ya-nggi langarn-ga. 'Your kid went down to the billabong.' (HL) ? Wirin-gunda lek-ga mi-di! 'Come down from the tree!' (PH) lelerr-ma coverb (intr.) to rustle ? Lelerr-ma ga-yu wakgala gahan. 'The paper money is rustling.' (LM) lem-ma coverb (intr.) to be inside ? Goron-leying lem-ma ga-yu gahan wayi-tjjalbu. 'The little one is inside the house.' (PH) ? Wel-ba lem-ma ba-ya-nggi-guju. 'The two of them went into the hole.' (LM) ? Walanyja durdurt ya-nginy, ngarrmen lem du-ng. 'The goanna ran into the hollow log.' (HL) ? Lega-jan ngerreju lem nge-ge-jan fridge-leying. 'He used to bring it to us and we would put it in the fridge.' (LM, text) see also yurrh-ma. le-na infl. verb (tr.) root -re-; past -na; ppfv -ng; fut vowel can change to a (uncertain) 1. to spear ? Marnamnyan nge-re-jan-nyamu. 'We used to spear barramundi too.' (PH, text) 2.

to shoot ? Marluga-yi le-na-ma shotgun-garang. 'The old man shot it with a shotgun.' (LM, text)

lenyin nominal stem lenyileech ? Yawey lenyin-yi nginggu-badi-jan. 'Yes, leeches used to bite us.' (LM) lerdongh-nga coverb (tr.) to blow a didgeridoo ? Ngaranin lerdongh-nga ga-yu-ma yimbama. 'He blows on a didgeridoo all the time.' (LM) lerrep-ba coverb (intr.) dialect LM 1. to wither 2. to dry lerrk-ga coverb (tr.) dialect LM to smash ? Bandahan ga-bu-n lerrk-lerrk-ga, wah-gu, wah-leying gu-ge-min. 'She's smashing up cycads, then she'll put them in the water.' (LM) lerr-ma coverb (tr.) to catch up to, to reach ? Gay-gorden ga-ba-ya ngatjbara wilh-ma. Jamba lerr-ma ginggu-ma. 'That lot have walked a long way. We can't catch up to them.' (LM) ? Lerr-ma ngan-ma-ny mahan berlin-ga ga-yu nganung marrinyin mahan. Walma-yi gabarn-na-wu. 'This little girl reaches my shoulder now. She has grown up quickly.' (LM) lerrplerrp-ba coverb (tr.) dialect HL, LL to clap boomerangs ? Ga-ba-bu-n lerrplerrp-ba boran. 'They are clapping boomerangs.' (HL) let-da coverb (ambitr.) to see, to look at ? Gahan jilimakgun let-da ngan-nanda-ny. 'That woman saw me.' (LM, text) ? Yawey, maman. Mi-ya-min let mi-nanda-ngana gahan crossing. 'Yes, it is

good. We will go and look at that crossing.' (LM, text) ? Jahan-gu let-da ga-yu nganung, gahan lagiban? 'Why is that man looking at me?' (LM) see also nanda-yi. letjletj-ja coverb (intr.) dialect LM to swagger ? Jahan-gu mahan letjletj-ja ga-di-n? 'Why is swaggering up here?' (LM) see also borrongh-nga. lewa-yan n.f. verb (impfv., intr.) searching, looking around ? Ngi-ya-ngga-jan-ngana, wilh-ma-yan lewa-yan danganyin-gu. 'We used to go walkabout, looking for tucker.' (PH, text) ? Gahan mangiman ya-nggi liwa-yan. 'The policeman came looking around.' (LM, text)

see also liwo-, labu-ndi. libiyin nominal variant libirin (PH, LL) black nailfish Neosilurus ata see also warrkwarrk. lihwa nominal no good, bad ? Mok-ga ga-yu, lihwa. 'It smells bad.' (CM, text) lihwa-tjjondony nominal no good, bad, rubbish ? Mu-ga-ja jorro-ma. Lihwa-tjjondony. 'You lot take them back. They're no good.' (LM, text) lijarrin nominal stem lijarricoolaman ? Ga-ga-n jutjjut-da lijarrin-ba. 'She's carrying it (the baby) in a coolaman.' (HL) linmirnin nominal variant linmirrin (HL)

sharp rock ? Linmirnin-yi ngan-le-na martdal. 'A sharp rock stabbed me in the foot.' (LM) linmulinmu nominal firefly ? Mirnim mirnim mirnim gaa-ma linmulinmu. 'The fireflies are flashing.' (LM) see also gambangay. linyi-ra infl. verb (intr.) root -rinyi-; past -ra; ppfv -ng 1. to fall ? "Wahan gu-rinyi-min gapbut" yaha-ny ngerreju. '"It will rain tomorrow," she said to us.' (LM, text) ? Bak linyi-ng lari. 'He fell and broke his arm.' (LM) ? Wir-gunda ba-rinyi-ra-guju warri-giwu gahan. 'The two kids fell down from the tree.' 2. to be born ? May-ba now linyi-ra, wakma. 'Here now he was born, the orphan.' (LM, text) see also gulp-ba. liri-ma coverb (intr.) to swim ? Liri-ma nga-ya-nggi muny-baban. 'I swam to the other side.' (LM) see also bornh-na. lirrabin nominal red-tailed black cockatoo Calyptorhynchus magnificus note: The flesh is good to eat, however it is hard to spear this bird. see also dirrakdirrak. lirrh-ma coverb (intr.) variant lerrh-ma (HL) to be getting burnt ? Lamang gahan lerrh-ma ga-na-n. Wordow mi-ma! 'That meat is getting burnt. Turn it over!' (HL) lirrik-ga coverb (tr.)

to scratch ? Lirrik-ga nga-ma-ji-n. Jip-jip-ba nga-yu. 'I'm scratching myself. I am itchy.' (PH)

lirriman nominal variant nirriman (HL, LL) cicada see also nirriman. lirrng-nga coverb (tr.) to pinch ? Lirrng mama ga-ba-ma-ji-n-guju, gay-giwu. Nibulin ga-ba-nanda-ji-n-guju. 'Those two are pinching each other. They are sweethearts.' (LL) lit-bu-ni infl. verb (tr.) root -lit-bu-; past -ni; also lit-bu-yan ~ lit-buh-yan (HL) n.f. impfv, lit-bu-yh n.f. pfv to sew, to mend ? Lit-bu-yh mey nganung labali gahan! 'Mend these trousers for me!' (LM) ? Gorro ma-lit-bu ngonggo. 'I'll mend them for you later.' (LM) liwoinfl. verb (tr.) root -riwo-; past unknown to look for, to search for ? Mi-riwo-min gahan marluga gapbut? 'Are you going to look for that old man tomorrow?' (LM) see also labu-ndi, lewa-yan. lolorriying nominal saratoga lolorr-ma coverb (tr.) to drag ? Guda gahan lolorr-ma ga-ga-n lah-leying. 'She is dragging the firewood to the camp.' (LM) lom-ma coverb (intr.) to peel ? Lom-ma nga-ma-yi gakgawurin. 'I peeled the long yam.' (LM) ? Ngurru-yi ngunggu-na-ni-guju-ma warri-giwu. Gumit lom-wuy. 'You two kids have got burnt in the sun. Your skin will peel off.' (LM)

longh-nga coverb (tr.) dialect HL, PH 1. to chase ? Longh-nga-yan ga-ba-ga-ji-n, warri-buga. 'The kids are chasing each other around.' (PH) 2. to muster ? Borrodop mama ngi-ya-ngga-jan garradin-leying longh-nga-yan bulikgi-wu. 'We used to gallop over rocky ground mustering cattle.' (PH, text) longon nominal stem longo- ~ longoh- (HL) cloud ? Longon nu-naw-ma ga-ba-di-n. Ga-dipba-ji-n wahan, wah-gu, gu-rinyi-min. 'Lots of clouds are coming. Rain is building up, it will rain.' (LM) lorrotj-ja coverb (ambitr.) 1. to sharpen ? Jimirndirr lorrotj-ja mi-bu linmirnin-leying! 'Sharpen the knife on the sharp rock!' (LM) 2. to be crossed, to put across ? Lorrotj-ja ga-ba-yu-giwu gahan spoon. 'Those two spoons are crossed one over the other.' (HL) lort-da coverb (tr.) to be covered; to cover ? Lort-da ga-yu blanket-yi. 'He is covered with a blanket.' (HL) ? Lort-lort nga-bu-ng nganku-garang blanket-garang. 'I covered him with a what's it, with a blanket.' (LM, text) see also jardup-ba. luhun nominal variant lurun (CM) red yam Eriosema chinense note: This small yam is red inside the skin. It can be eaten after lightly roasting. lu-ni infl. verb (intr.) root -ru-; past -ni to cry ? Warri-giwu-gu ga-ba-ru-n-ma. 'They're crying about the two kids.' (LM, text)

see also luwi-yan. lu-ni bindal phrase to be sorry for ? Ga-ru-n bindal. Ginggu-nawu-n-ngana danganyin. 'She is sorry for us. She'll give us tucker.' (LM) note: This is an idiom which literally means 'to cry belly'. lunyjawa nominal variant lunyjan (HL, PH, LL) salmon gum Eucalyptus bigalerita & tintinans note: The hollow stems and branches of this tree can be used to make didgeridoos. It is also good for firewood. lurrkguny nominal valley lurr-ma coverb (intr.) to thunder ? Lurr yaha-ny. Lurr-ma ga-di-n wahan. Wahan gu-rinyi-min ngerra-ngana. 'Thunder struck. A thunderstorm is coming. It's going to rain on us.' (LM) lurrp-ba coverb (tr.) 1. to grab ? Galh-wuy nga-ya-nggi wirin-ma. Rail, dipbart lurrp nga-ma-ny, galh ngahany-ma. 'Then I climbed the fence. I jumped and grabbed the rail, and climbed up.' (LM, text) 2. to hug ? Lurrp-ba ga-ba-ma-ji-n-guju warri-giwu. Nibulin ga-ba-ya-giwu. 'Those two kids are hugging one another. They're sweethearts.' (LL) see also dap-ba2. lurrutj-ja coverb (intr.) 1. to walk strong ? Lurrutj-lurrutj ba-ge-ji-na wilh-ma. 'They walked strong.' (LM) 2. to be strong ? Ngigun-berreny denh-na mi-bu, lurrutj. 'You're the better one to cut it, because you're strong.' (LM)

lut-da coverb (tr.) to give ? Gawu neyonggorn-yi lega-ndi brand lut nawo-ng. 'The other grandmother brought the brand and gave it to him.' (LM, text) see also nawu-ndi. luwi-yan n.f. verb (impfv., intr.) variant luwih-yan (HL) crying ? Ba-ya-nggi luwi-yan gay-gu marluga-giwu. 'They were crying for those two old men.' (LM, text) see also lu-ni.

Mm maak nominal message stick ? Wirin maak, denh-denh ba-bu-ng, jowk ba-ra-ng, neyenggun-a-gu, gu-ba-di woerrkge-may-gu. 'They cut a message stick, and sent it to another lot, to tell them they were coming to work.' (LM) mabahang nominal 1. ripe ? Galbanyin mabahang. 'The green plums are ripe.' (HL) 2. ready, cooked ? Lamang mabahang. 'The meat is cooked.' (LM) ma-bak-ga-yin nominal broken see also bak-ga1. mabitjbaran nominal variant mabipbaran (HL) long time ? Gahan woerrkge-ma ngi-ya-nggi mabitjbaran. 'We worked there for a long time.' (LM, text)

? Yawey mabitjbaran-gunda gay-gorden marlarluga ba-di-jan ngal-martiwa, wangga-gu, burrhburr-may-gu. 'Yes, in the olden days, all the old men and women used to come for dancing.' (LM) mabok nominal tailbone mabol nominal dialect PH, LL variant mabul (LL) semen, spunk mabukbukgan nominal lancewood Acacia shirleyi note: The timber from this tree is strong and very hard. It can be used to make boomerangs, nulla-nullas and, in more recent times, ornamental carvings, fence railings and house frames. mabula nominal dialect PH foreskin ma-burrburr nominal broken up, in pieces ? Gahan jilimakgun yonggornh-na lagiban jumbany denh-na bu-ni, ngerrpngerrp-ba ma-burrburr. 'The woman first and then the man, he cut them up into pieces.' (LM, text) ? Ma-burrburr gahan danganyin doborrk-ga ya-nggi. 'The tucker is all broken up and crumbled.' (LM) madaru nominal often reduplicated mada-k-madaru short ? Wirin ga-ga-n mada-k-madaru gotnon-gu gu-bu-ja-min. 'He has a short stick for killing geese.' (LM) ? Lagarra madaru ga-ya, marluga gahan. 'The old man is short-legged.' (LM) ma-dit-da-wun nominal 1. round ? Ga-yu nart-da gawu, gahan danganyin ma-dit-da-wun-ma-dit-da-wun. 'It is ready over there, that round tucker.' (LM) 2.

rough 3. lumpy ? Gahan danganyin lihwa ga-ya. Ma-dit-da-wun-ma-dit-da-wun. 'This tucker is no good. It is lumpy.' (LM) see also dit-da, ngaringgirr-ma. ma-dorrhdorr-ma-yin nominal torn see also dorrhdorr-ma. ma-dowk-ga-yin nominal burst, split, cracked see also dowk-ga1. ma-doyhdoy nominal promiscuous ? Ma-doyhdoy gi-ya jahan-gu gi-durdurt-da-n yimbama jilimak-gu? 'You're always sleeping around. Why do you run around after women all the time?' (LM) see also doyhdoy-ma. ma-gelgel nominal dialect PH, LL shiny see also gelgel-ma. magu locative nominal 1. that over there ? Mahan nendo, magu-buga-gu. 'This horse belongs to that mob over there.' (HL) ? Magu-giwu-gu marluga-giwu-ma. 'It belongs to those two old men over there.' (LM)

2. over there ? Ngi-ya-nggi-guju jorro-ma-wu magu. 'Us two went back far over there.' (LM, text)

see also magu-malan, magu-baban. magu-baban locative nominal dialect HL, PH

other side see also muny-baban, magu. magulbu nominal dialect HL nulla-nulla see also majangarrin. magu-malan locative nominal over there ? Wanh ngi-bula-ng magu-malan. 'We left it over there.' (LM, text) see also magu. mahan demonstrative stem may- ~ mayh- (HL); plural may-gorden ~ mayh-gorden (HL) 1. this ? Mahan lahan maman yu-nginy bulikgi-du nga-ga-jan manan, bewh-ma. 'This place was good, I used to take the cattle across this way.' (LM, text) 2. here ? Me-rega dup-bay-ga mahan! 'Bring him to sit here!' mahanan locative nominal this way ? Boyh mahanan jowk-ga ba-ra-ndi. 'They sent them this way.' (LM, text) ? Mahanan gi-ya-ngana! 'We'll go this way!' (HL) see also mahan, mawu, mayh-baban. majalin nominal stem majalfish ? Lewa-yan ga-ya majalin-gu, berretjjen. 'The white crane is looking for fish.' (LM)

note: This is the general word for all kinds of fish. majangarrin nominal stem majanga-

nulla-nulla, round fighting stick ? Nga-bu-ni gohrdal, majangarrin-yi. 'I whacked him on the head with a nullanulla.' (HL) see also magulbu. majardi nominal dialect LM pubic tassle maji-yan n.f. verb (impfv., intr.) often reduplicated maji-k-maji-yan playing ? Maji-yen-nehen guda-leying! Mi-ya-ngga ngatjbarra guda-nehen-leying majiyen mi-ya! 'No more playing by the fire! Go and play somewhere a long way from the fire!' (PH) makgurrin nominal stem makguaxe, tomahawk ? Makgurrin mahan wirin nung-gin, bak-ga-yi-ma. 'The handle of this axe is broken.' (LM) makwurrin nominal dialect PH clitoris malgin nominal spinifex grass Plechtrachni spp. & Triotia spp. note: The wax or resin from this grass is used as cement to attach heads to spears and hooks to woomeras. It sets hard and strong. The sharp leaf tips can be poked in around the base of a wart. This is repeated several times and the wart will disappear. The strong smelling wax causes this grass to burn very hot, much hotter than other grasses malirawin nominal bulb of white and blue lilies Nymphaea violacea see also lalin1. malitj nominal dialect PH

small barramundi Lates calcarifer see also marnamnyan. malitjbin nominal eel, also called snake fish malitjjin nominal thick forest, jungle see also gorlondin. malmalmatj nominal native tobacco malmatj nominal dialect HL spiny gooseberry Solanum echinatum note: The fruit can be eaten when they are soft and pale yellow. When ripe the fruit have a strong sweet smell. The stems and fruit calyx are very prickly, making it difficult to collect the fruit. mamak interjection goodbye ? Mamak ngi-yama-ny nung niji-gu. 'We said goodbye to uncle.' (HL) maman nominal good ? Lahan maman yowtj ge-ge-n-ngana mi-guk-ga-ngana-wa. 'We'll find a good place to sleep.' (PH) mamatj-ja coverb (intr.) dialect HL, PH to wave ? Mamatj-ja nga-yu borroju. 'I'm waving to them.' (PH) mamin nominal stem mam1. ghost, devil ? "Menuny mamin mawu ga-yu-ma wah-laying" yaha-ny. '"Maybe there is a ghost here in the water" he said.' (LM, text)

2. white man ? Yondorrin ba-dipba-yi, mam-buga. 'They made a road, the white men.' (LM) see also wurrgurru. maminakbun nominal variant maminakgun (PH) 1. pretty ? Maminakgun jilimakgun-buga. 'The women are pretty.' (PH) 2. nice ? Lawel gahan lemh mi-du-min, maminakbun! 'Put on those clothes, the nice ones!' (LM) 3. new ? Goron maminakbun ba-dipba-yi. 'They built new houses.' (LM) ma-mubay nominal variant mubay (HL, PH) raw ? Mahan lamang mubay. 'This meat is raw.' (HL) mangayawa nominal variant manguyawa (HL) poison ? Mangayawa-yi ba-nawu-ndi gahan marluga neyenggun. 'They poisoned that other old man.' (LM) mangelk nominal safe ? Yilkgawu mangelk gahan mi-ya bewh-ma. 'It's okay, it's safe to cross there.' (HL)

manggalin nominal woomera manghmang-nga coverb (intr.) to dance slapping lower legs together ? Lagarra-ma manyimiyan, manghmangh-manghmangh ga-ya. 'They dance like this slapping their lower legs together.' (LM) see also mangumangu. mangh-nga

coverb (intr.) to hurt ? Labali-giwu yurrup-ba-gunda mangh-nga nga-yu. 'My legs are hurting from standing up (for ages).' (PH) ? Gahan neyenggun warren, ngan-ma-ny-ma mangh-nga mahan lari! 'That other kid hurt my arm!' (LM) mangiman nominal stem mangimapoliceman ? "Jahan-gu-bi ngerrp-ba ngi-bu-ni?" yaha-ny nung mangiman-yi. '"Why did you cut him?" the policeman asked him.' (HL, text) mangordordo nominal ankle mangumangu nominal women's dance style see also manghmang-nga. mangurdal nominal 1. throat ? Nga-bey-ma-n mangurdal. 'My throat is dry.' (LM, text) 2. front of neck ? Mangurdal nganing-gin bijip-ba nga-bu-ji-na. 'I twisted my neck.' (LM) see also lagirdal. mankarrh-ma coverb (intr.) to be lonely and dejected ? Mankarrh-ma ga-ni lagiban-yi nung-gin-yi bula-ndi menuny. 'She's sitting down lonely and dejected, perhaps her boyfriend has left her.' (HL) manyimiyan nominal this kind manyunu pronoun self ? Mahan danganyin nga-ma-yi nganing-gin manyunu. 'I got this tucker for myself.' (LM)

mapbun nominal cicatrices ? Mapbun ngerrp-ba ga-ba-bu-n. 'They are cutting cicatrices.' (HL) mara nominal large intestine, big guts ? Mara dorroh-dorroh ba-ma-yi, gahan gangaman. 'They pulled out the kangaroo's intestines.' (PH) marak nominal leaf ? Ga-ba-guk-ga-n marak-ba. 'They're camping on the leaves.' (HL) see also wurinyjulin. marartdan nominal dialect PH root of penis mardawuk nominal variant mardawk (HL, PH) 1. wild passionfruit Passiflora foetida 2. native cucumber Cucumis melo note: It is not clear which of these two plant species this word refers to. But in any case, speakers seem to suggest that this word is not proper Wagiman. see also ngambatj2, mundukban. mardawukmardaw nominal dialect HL small intestine, little guts see also ngujakgarrin. mardigilgun nominal variant mardegelhgun (HL, LL) chewing tobacco mardit nominal dialect PH, LL

1. black-breasted buzzard Hamirostra melanosternon 2. whistling kite Haliastur sphenurus 3. black kite Milvus migrans note: Black kites and whistling kites are often seen near fires where they hunt for lizards, grasshoppers and other small insects. They carry burning sticks to grassy areas to start new fires and flush out more prey. marlimarli nominal butterfly marluga nominal plural marlarluga old man ? Marluga dorh yaha-ny nganung. 'The old man collected me.' (LM, text) marnakgin nominal beeswax marnamanmerri nominal dialect HL dwarf note: A mythological figure. marnamin nominal billygoat plum Terminalia ferdinandiana note: The fruit are eaten when they are pale green. Generally they are collected off the ground. see also ngamulgu. marnamnyan nominal barramundi Lates calcarifer ? Nge-re-jan-wu marnamnyan. 'We used to spear barramundi.' (PH, text) see also malitj. marnapbam nominal

ready ? Wait mey marnapbam-gu! 'Wait until it's ready!' (HL) ? Marnapbam ga-yu danganyin nga-berda-yi. 'The tucker is ready, I've cooked it.' (LM) marnburlu nominal variant marnburlun (PH) king quail Coturnix chinensis marndarin nominal freshwater mangrove Barringtonia acutangula note: Can be used as fish poison. marndayang nominal gum tree sp. Terminalia platyphylla marndulga nominal lungs see also mawupban. marnh-na coverb (intr.) 1. to emerge ? Ga-di-n longon, marnh-marnh ga-ba-bu-n longon. 'Clouds are coming, they are building up.' ? Marnh-na ga-bu-n magu. 'He's emerging (from out of the water) over there.' ? Bornh, marnh nga-bu-ni. 'I dived in and came up again.' (PH) 2. to hatch ? Langawarin wayi-tjjalbu, jarruk-gunda marn-na bu-ni. 'The baby turtles have hatched from their eggs.' 3. to shoot up ? Marnh-na ga-bu-n garatjjin. 'New grass is shooting up.' 4. to float ? Wurinyjulin ga-ya marnh-na. 'The leaves are floating.' (LM) marnmarn nominal alive ? Bort yaha-ny nungarin, marnmarn yu-nginy nungarin. 'One died, but one was still alive.' (LM, text) marral-ma

coverb (intr.) to be frightened; to frighten ? Marral-marral ga-ya now. 'He is frightened now.' (LM) ? Jahan-gu marral-ma gi-bu-n gahan nubuny wayi-tjjalbu? 'Why did you frighten that little boy?' (LM) see also ngotjje-yi. marranyin nominal 1. sand 2. sugar marrinyin nominal young girl ? Lerr-ma ngan-ma-ny mahan berlin-ga ga-yu nganung marrinyin mahan. Walma-yi gabarn-na-wu. 'This young girl has caught up to my shoulder. She has grown quickly.' (LM) note: A marrinyin is about ten to twelve years old. marrkmarrk nominal cramp ? Marrkmarrk-yi ngan-ma-n, labali. 'A cramp has got my leg.' (PH) see also menyjirrtjjirr. marrngh-nga coverb (intr.) to flash (of lightning) ? Marrngh-nga ga-yu mirningilin. 'Lightning is flashing.' (HL) martdal nominal 1. foot ? Martdal-garang wilh-ma ngi-ya-nggi-guju. 'We went on foot.' (LM, text) 2. footprint ? Martdal barnbarn-na ya-nggi. 'He has left footprints.' (LM) martgul nominal dialect PH strychnine tree Strychnos lucida

note: The fruit are poisonous. The fruit and leaves can be crushed and added to waterholes to poison fish, which can then be collected and eaten. marun nominal stem maru1. banyan tree Ficus virens note: The fruit of the banyan tree is eaten by birds and fish, but not by Wagiman people. The fibrous inner bark from the prop roots can be used to make a very strong string. ? Marun ga-yu yurrup-ba buluman. Marluga gawu ga-yu, jibirrin. 'A big banyan tree stands there. The old man (Mick Fleming) is buried there.' (LM, text) 2. rock fig Ficus platypoda note: The fruit of the rock fig can be eaten when they are ripe: red to brown in colour. The bark off the long roots can be used to make string for dilly bags and other purposes. matjgul nominal dialect LL a clump of trees ? Matjgul magu ga-yu. 'There's a clump of trees over there.' (LL) matjjin nominal 1. language ? Jahan lamang gahan matjjin-garang Wagima-garang? 'What is that animal called in the Wagiman language?' (CM, text) ? Gornkorn-na ga-ya Jaminjung, Wagiman, Wardaman, matjjin gornkorn-na gaya, murrkgun. 'He speaks Jaminjung, Wagiman and Wardaman. He speaks three languages.' (PH) 2. story ? "Maa ngonggo matjjin" yaha-ny nung. '"I'll tell you a story" he said to her.' (LM, text)

? Wihya now matjjin-nehen nga-yu. 'No, I don't have any stories.' (HL, text) 3. word ? Matjjin lihwa-lihwa gaa gahan. 'He's always saying bad words.' (PH) ma-werri-gun nominal variant ma-wirri-gun (HL) dangerous place ? Jamba ngi-ya gayh-ba ma-wirri-gun gahan lahan. 'We can't go there because it's a dangerous place.' (HL) mawuduwudu nominal dialect HL

throwing stick ? Ba-bu-ni gortnon, wir-yi, mawuduwudu-yi. 'They killed the goose with a throwing stick.' (HL) mawupban nominal dialect HL, LL lungs see also marndulga. mayamaya nominal pelican Pelecanus conspicullatus ? Mayamaya, majalin ga-riwo-n. 'The pelican is looking for fish.' (LM) note: Pelicans make good eating because a lot of meat can be obtained from one bird. mayh-baban locative nominal dialect HL, PH, LL this side ? Mayh-baban ga-yu garra-ba. 'He's on this side of the hill.' (HL) see also banagan. ma-yi infl. verb (tr.) root -ma-; past -yi; ppfv -ny 1. to get ? Jabutj ya-ngga-jan lek-ga garradin ma-jan. 'Grandfather used to go down and get money.' (LL, text) 2. to do (a general transitive auxiliary in complex predicates) ? Ngerrp ma-ny gahan mamin, knife-yi. 'He stabbed that white man with a knife.' (HL, text) mayiwa nominal sister ? Mayiwa, mi-di nganung! 'Sister, come here!' (LM) see also biyakgin, ngal-biyak-mang. melel-ma coverb (intr.)

to ripple ? Borlwon-yi ga-bu-n melel-ma wahan. 'The wind is making the water ripple.' (HL)

mele-ma coverb (intr.) to be black ? Gayh-gorden-yi mele-ma ga-ba-boro-n nganing-gin borndedi. 'That lot are making my billycan black (from boiling tea).' (HL) ? Wahan ga-di-n mele-ma. 'Black rain clouds are coming.' (HL) see also no-mele-ma. mengey-ma coverb (tr.) dialect HL, PH to peep ? Neywurnh-na labu-ndi gahan goron, mengey bu-ni nguynguy ngitjjin-ba. 'He crept up to that house, and peeped in at night, in the dark.' (HL, text) menmen nominal dialect LL plant sp. Carallia brachiata note: The fruit can be eaten when they turn red. They are often produced in large numbers and are eaten by birds as well. The wood can be used to make woomera shafts and spear shafts. menuny particle maybe ? Menuny gawu ga-ba-yu-guju bora-leying. 'Maybe those two are there by the river.' (LM, text) menwu particle always, all the time ? Ngagun wakban nga-yu menwu guk-ga-yan. Wornka-ma nga-yu. 'Me, I always sleep alone. I am lonely.' see also yimbama. menyin nominal stem meny1. angry, wild ? Jamba mi-yu may-laying menyin-garang ga-ya ngonggo marluga. 'You can't stay here because the old man is angry with you.' (LM, text)

? Nyimbur-ma ga-yu now gahan marluga meny-gunda. 'That old man has calmed down now from being angry.' (LM) 2. trouble ? Yimbama menyin ga-jewo-n gahan, gahan lagiban-yi, baba nganing-gin. 'He is always looking for trouble, my brother.' (LM) 3. fighting ? Ba-di-jan, jorro-ma-wu, meny-gunda ba-bu-ji-jan magu-malan. 'They came back from fighting in the war a long way away.' (LM, text) ? Ba-bu-ji-na buluman menyin-ma. 'They had a big fight.' (LM) menyjirrtjjirr nominal dialect LM, LL cramp ? Lari menyjirrtjjirr ngan-bu-n. 'I have a cramp in my arm.' (LM) see also marrkmarrk. merlunghmerlung-nga coverb (intr.) to have waves ? Wahan melel-ma ga-bu-n, merlunghmerlung-nga ga-yu. 'The wind is rippling the water and making waves.' (LM) merrepben nominal sand palm Livistona humilis & inermis note: The inner cabbage in the growing point can be eaten raw or cooked. The fibre from new leaves is used to make string bags. see also gumilan. merrh-ma coverb (tr.) to add together ? Mani-nawu gahan garradin merrh men-ge. 'Give me that money, and we'll add our money together.' (HL) mert-da coverb (tr.) 1. to touch ? Jamba mert-mert mi-ma gahan wirin, jip-ba gunyju-bu, gorro-ma. 'Don't touch that tree, or it will make you itchy later.' (LM) 2. to feel ? Danganyin mert mi-ma! 'Feel the tucker! (to see if it's ripe)' (HL)

? Nibulin lihwa ga-ya mert-mert-mert-mert. 'He's blind so he has to feel his way around.' (HL) merun nominal tear ? Warren gahan merun ga-yu gururu-ma. 'Tears are streaming down that kid's face.' (HL) milijun nominal morning star ? Milijun werrh jumbany nendo yurrup-ba-yan nebe-jan. 'The morning star would come up behind were the horses were standing.' (PH, text) milil-ma1 coverb (intr.) variant melel-ma (PH) to shine ? Ngurrun mahan ga-yu milil-ma. 'The sun is shining.' (LM) ? Milil-ma ngan-ba-bu-ng, gilatj-garang. 'They shone me (in the eye) with a mirror.' (LM) see also militjmilitj-ja. milil-ma2 coverb (intr.) to bear your teeth ? Nimurdal milil yaha-ny gahan lamarra-ma menyin. Ngunyju-badi ngonggo. Mililh gaa nimurdal. 'That dog has beared its teeth in anger. It might bite you. It's bearing its teeth.' (LM) militjmilitj-ja coverb (intr.) dialect PH to shine ? Militjmilitj-wa ba-yebe-jan mornen. 'They used to wash (the horses') backs.' (PH, text)

? motorcar militjmilitj ga-yu. 'The car is shiny.' (PH) see also milil-ma. milmilma nominal prickle heat stick mimurdal nominal variant nimurdal (HL, PH, LL) hip

mindilpbiny nominal variant minditjbirriny (PH) mullet Mugil sp. minggamin nominal variant menggamin (HL, LL) northern death adder Acanthophis praelongatus note: The needle at the end of the tail is distinctive for this very dangerous snake. While it has a sleepy appearance it can move quickly and has fast-acting poison. When it is angry it flattens its body close to the ground. It often sits very still and is difficult to see. minyga nominal 1. all over the place ? Marluga, ga-ya wilh-ma minyga-minyga wakban-u-bi. 'The old man walks about all over the place by himself.' (LM) 2. deep ? Ga-yu minyga-ma wahan. Wangirrk gey-ma! 'The water is deep. You might drown!' (LM) 3. far away minyjinyin nominal variant minyjinin (HL) sandpaper fig Ficus opposita & scobina note: The small dark fruit of Ficus scobina can be eaten, though they are not particularly tasty. Bream also eat the fruit. The leaves can be used like sandpaper to smooth wooden implements, such as boomerangs and spear shafts. mirda nominal dialect PH, LL shield mirnh-na coverb (tr.) to plait ? Mirnh-mirn-na nga-bu-ng gordal nganing-gin lardili. 'I have plaited my hair.' (LM)

mirnimirnim nominal

torch ? Gi-gondo-n mirnimirnim? 'Do you have a torch?' (LM) mirnim-ma coverb (intr.) to flash ? Mirnim-mirnim-mirnim gaa-ma linmulinmu. 'The fireflies are flashing.' (LM) mirningilin nominal lightning ? Mirningilin-yi bu-ni gahan wirin, dok ma-ny wolok-gundaaa munya. 'Lightning hit the tree and split it from top to bottom.' (HL) see also ngararin. mirritj-ja coverb (tr.) 1. to bake ? Danganyin gahan mirritj-ja ngi-bu-ni? 'Did you bake the damper?' (LM) ? Danganyin ma-ma mirritj-ja. 'I am going to bake some bread.' (HL) 2. to knead mirr-ma coverb (intr.) 1. to make a roaring noise ? Mirr-mirr-ma ga-di-n motorcar. 'A car is coming up making a roaring noise.' (PH)

2. to thunder ? Mirr-ma ga-yu wahan. 'There is a thunderstorm.' (HL) 3. to growl ? Mirr-mirr-ma ga-ya gahan ngal-martdiwa ngan-warle-n. 'The old lady is growling me.' (LM) mirrngh-nga coverb (intr.) dialect HL, PH, LL to be very hot ? Mirrngh gaa gitjjiya ngurrun. 'It's very hot now in the sun.' (LL) mok-ga coverb (ambitr.) to smell ? Lihwa-tjjondony mok-ga ga-yu gahan lamang. 'That animal smells bad.' (CM, text)

? Lamarra gahan, mok ma-ny-wa, menuny walanyja. 'The dog has smelt something, maybe a goanna.' (PH)

? Mok-ga ga-ya, but maman danganyin jamh-ma-gu. 'It smells, but it is good tucker to eat.' (HL, text) molgornong nominal variant molgornon (HL, PH) small of back molinyin nominal tree sp. momboh-ma coverb (intr.) to close your eyes ? Gay-gunda nyarh ngaha-ny momboh-ma nga-yu-nginy nga-guk-ga-yi yilkgawu. 'From that I was tired. I closed my eyes and went to sleep.' (LM) mon-na coverb (intr.) variant mun-na (HL, PH) to bend down ? Mun-na ga-ya gordal, lewa-yan bakga-gu menuny. 'He's going along bent down, looking for his tobacco maybe.' (PH) moratjjan nominal variant morotjjan (PH) spider mordon nominal emu berry Grewia retusifolia note: The fruit are eaten when they turn brown; they are sweet and tasty. The fruit are also eaten by emus. The leaves can be boiled in water and the liquid drunk to treat diarrhoea. A little sugar may be added to sweeten the liquid. The root can also be used for the same purpose. mordu nominal variant murdu (HL) women's dance style note: Not a Wagiman dance, but from further south. morna-ji-na infl. verb (intr.) root -morna-ji-; past -na; ppfv -ng

to love yourself ? Gahan lagiban-yi ga-morna-ji-n, motorcar ga-gondo-n. 'That man loves himself because he's got a car.' (HL) mornen nominal back ? Mornen nyirrng-nga ngan-bu-ng-ma, gurnagun-yi. 'She rubbed my back with fat.' (LM) mornitjjal nominal net ? Mornitjjal berrh-ma-yan ga-ba-ra-n majalin gu-ba-ma. 'They're throwing out a net to catch fish.' (PH) ? Mornitjjal mi-ma nganung! Ma-ya-min guk-ga-yan! 'Get me a mosquito net! I am going to sleep.' (LM) mornotj-ja coverb (intr.) 1. to be hunched up ? Mornotj-ja ga-ya warren gahan. 'That kid is going along hunched up.' (LM) 2. to bend down ? Mornotj-ja ga-yu. 'He's bending down.' (PH) 3. to be humpy-backed ? Mornotj-ja ga-yu mornen. 'He's got a humpy back.' (HL) 4. to be flash ? Mornotj-mornotj-ja ga-ya wilh-ma. 'He walks flash.' (PH) morratdan nominal crab morrol-ma coverb (intr.) 1. to be ashamed ? Morrol-ma ga-yu gahan jilimakgun. 'That woman is ashamed.' (HL) 2. to be shy ? Nga-morrol-ma-n getj-jay-gu. 'I am shy about asking.' (LM) see also no-morrol-ma. mortdang-nga coverb (intr.) variant murtdang-nga (HL)

to be hollow-backed ? Murtdang-nga ga-ya wilh-ma. 'He's walking along with his bum stuck out.' (HL)

mow-ma1 coverb (tr.) 1. to nurse ? Mow-ma ga-gondo-n labingan, ngapbuny ga-nawu-n. 'She is nursing the baby, giving it milk.' (LM) 2. to hug moyh-ma coverb (ambitr.) 1. to feel sorry ? Moyh-ma nga-yu gayh-gu, mamin-gu. 'I feel sorry for that white man.' (HL) 2. to worry 3. to dislike ? Moyh-ma nga-ma-n, marluga gahan. 'I don't like that old man.' (PH) mugatj nominal yam sp. Typhonium sp. note: The flesh of this yam is hot like chili. It has to be cooked and then bashed a lot to get the heat out of it. mukmuk nominal barking owl Ninox connivens mule-na infl. verb (tr.) root -mule-; past -na to make love to mulubahmin nominal grass lily sp. Aponegeton elongatus muludu nominal lying head-to-tail ? Muludu ga-ba-yu. 'They are sleeping head-to-tail.' (LM) mululubuny nominal dialect PH

grown man ? Birriman ga-na-n-wa mululubuny. 'He is becoming a grown man.' (PH) mululuk nominal initiation ceremony note: Mululuk is where the young men who are being initiated are taken on a long walk all around the country, visiting many different camps. see also yingiwana. mulurru nominal old lady note: This word is only occasionally used and seems not to be proper Wagiman. see also ngal-martdiwa. mulyi-ma coverb (intr.) 1. to go backwards ? Mulyi-ma gi-ya jahan-gu? 'Why are you going backwards?' (HL) 2. to wriggle ? Jamba mulyi-ma mi-ya-ngga! Nunga-gun dup-ba mi-yu! 'Stop wriggling around! Sit down one place!' (LM) mundukban nominal variant mundupban (HL, PH) native cucumber Cucumis melo note: The fruit can be eaten when they turn pale green to yellow. The fruit smell sweet when they are ready to eat. They often need to be washed or rubbed to remove the small hairs. munmunin nominal dialect HL, PH, LL dew munya locative nominal 1. under, underneath ? Gahan lari-lari-garang wirin gahan. Munya ga-yu-ma. 'The tree has lots of roots. They are down underneath.' (LM) ? Dangarrh-ma mi-ma gahan teapot, let mi-nanda munya! 'Lift the lid of the teapot, and have a look what's underneath!' (HL)

2. down ? Bardatj-ja ga-ba-ya gordal munya ga-ba-ge-n. 'They're going along with their heads down.' (LM) 3. deep ? Wahan munya ga-ni. 'The water is deep.' (HL) muny-baban locative nominal variant muny-jaban (LL) other side ? Muny-baban ga-yu garra-ba? 'Is he on the other side of the hill?' (HL) see also magu-baban. murlany-nya coverb (tr.) to pull apart, to pull up ? Murlany bu-ng-ma garatjjin. 'She parted the grass.' (LM, text) ? Gahan lahan murlany-nya gi-bu-n. 'You pull the bed up.' (LM) murnhmurnin nominal variant murnhmurn (LL) water rat Hydromys chrysogaster murnin nominal sleepy cod, also called mud cod Oxyeleotris selheimi & lineolatus murrgurk-ga coverb (intr.) dialect PH to swell up arse ? Murrgurk-ga ga-yu gabarn-na jek-ga gu-ya. 'His arse is swollen up and he'll have to quickly go and shit.' (PH) murrkgun nominal three ? Murrkgun jilimakgun-buga, ba-ya-ngga-jan bulikgi muster-im-about-wu. 'The three women used to go mustering cattle.' (PH, text) murr-ma coverb (intr.) dialect HL to walk along in the water looking for something with your feet ? Murr-ma nga-ya, wepbun-gu mahan, lewa-yan nga-ya. 'I'm walking along in the water looking for mussels with my feet.' (HL)

murrurrutj nominal dialect PH stacked up and covered over ? Murrurrutj nga-bula-ndi danganyin. 'I left the tucker stacked up and covered over.' (PH) murtdal nominal dialect HL, PH arse hole murtdu-yi infl. verb (tr.) root -murtdu-; past -yi; also murtdu-yan n.f. impfv, murtdu-yh n.f. pfv to chase ? Gahan lagiban yimbama murtdu-yan ga-ba-yu-ma jilimakgun. 'That man is always chasing women.' (LM) ? Durdu-durdurt ga-ba-murtdu-ji-n. 'They're running around chasing one another.' mutduma nominal crippled, lame ? Ngagun mutduma. 'I am crippled.' (HL) mutjjimbirritj nominal dialect PH bum cheek mutjmutjja nominal variant mitjmitjjin (HL) sandfly

Nn nabey-ma-yi infl. verb (intr.) root -nyar-ma-; past -yi; also nabeyh n.f. pfv to be hungry ? Gi-nabey-ma-n. 'We are hungry.' (LM, text) ? Jamh mu-di danganyin warri-buga, gorro menuny nabeyh mu-yama-guju! 'Eat up your tucker, kids, or later you'll get hungry!' nabijiji

nominal dialect HL eyebrow nagitj-ja coverb (tr.) to humbug, annoy, bother ? Nagitj-ja ngan-ma-n mahan warren- yi ma-bu-min getna! 'This kid is humbugging me. I'm going to give him a good hiding!' (LM) see also nu-nagitj. nalyirri nominal female skin name namawu nominal more ? Jamba mu-ya namawu dup-ba mu-yu one place! 'Don't you lot go away any more, you sit down one place!' (LM, text) ? Danganyin namawu mani-nawu jamh-ma! 'Give me more tucker to eat!' (LM) nambijina nominal female skin name namija nominal female skin name namorran nominal variant namurran (HL) scorpion nanagu nominal female skin name nanarrih-ma coverb (intr.) to get lost, to get bushed ? Gahan mamin nanarrih-ma ga-ya. 'That white man is lost in the bush.' (HL) nanda-yi infl. verb (tr.) root -nanda-; past -yi; ppfv -ny

to see, look at, watch ? "Ginggu-nanda-ngana gahan Japanese-ma" ya-jan nganung. '"The Japanese might see us," she said to me.' (LM, text) ? "Mu-nanda-ji" ya-jan ngerreju. "Dowh ngunggu-ra" yaha-ny. '"You lot watch out for yourselves," he said to us. "He might shoot you," he said.' (LM, text) ? Jamba gi-dipba-ngana danganyin mahan berde-yen. Guda, gi-nanda-gardu mangiman. 'We can't cook tucker here. The policeman might see the fire.' (LM, text)

? Nibulin wayi-tjjalbu ginggu-nanda-n-ngana. 'He's looking at us with narrow eyes.' (PH) see also let-da. nangala nominal female skin name nangalan nominal dialect HL, PH, LL spoonbill Platalea flavipes & regia note: The flesh can be cooked and eaten. see also beretjjin. nangari nominal female skin name nangayh-ma coverb (ambitr.) to wave, to wave at ? Nangayh-nangay-ma nga-yu nung. "Mamak!" ngaha nung. 'I'm waving to him. "Goodbye!" I say to him.' (LM) ? Nangayh-ma ngan-bu-n. 'He's waving at me.' (HL) nanghnang-nga coverb (intr.) to hit clapsticks ? Nanghnangh ngi-bu-ng, wangga. 'We hit clapsticks, a corroboree.' (LM) nangh-nga coverb (tr.) to knock down ? Gahan gurruwitj, nangh berrh nga-ngan-la-ng-ma. 'That car, it nearly knocked me over.' (LM) na-ni1

infl. verb (intr.) variant na-ndi (HL, opt.) root -na-; past -ni ~ -ndi (HL); ppfv -ng to become ? Buluman now ba-na-ni-guju ba-di-nya jorro-ma. 'They have grown big now and come back.' (LM, text) na-ni2 infl. verb (ambitr.) root -na-; past -ni 1. to burn ? Burrngburrng-nga na-ni wahan. 'The water boiled.' ? Bilh-bil-ma mi-bu welek gu-ma, ngarrngarr-ma gu-na-n! 'Fan that fire, and it will blaze up!' ? Wolon gahan ga-na-n. 'The grass is burning' ? Ngurru-yi ngunyju-na-ni gumit. Wirril-ma gi-yu. 'The sun has burnt your skin. It's red.' 2. to cook ? Wirriny-wirriny ngi-ra-ng-guju. Na-ni. Dorroh ngi-ma-ny-guju. 'We turned it over. It was cooked. We pulled it off.' nan-na coverb (intr.) to be caught up or hooked up; to catch up or hook up ? Woyoworin narn-na ma-yi ngani-ma. 'The fishing line got hooked up on me.' (LM)

? Nga-nga-rinyi-ng gahan, narn-narn ngan-ma-n-ma garatjjin-yi. 'I nearly fell over, because the grass caught me up.' (LM) ? Nan-na ga-yu motorcar-ba gahan caravan. 'The caravan is hooked onto the car.' (HL)

nap-ba coverb (tr.) 1. to be sticking to something ? Barnanyin nap-ba ngan-le-n-ma, nap-nap ngan-ma-n lari. 'The honey is sticking to me, sticking to my arm.' (LM) 2. to stick together, to join, to attach ? Nge-ge-jan-wu, nap-ba martdal-laying. 'We used to attach (horseshoes) to the horses' feet.' (PH, text) 3. to fit ? Mahan maminakpu dress. Nap-ba ngan-ma-n mahan lawel-yi. 'This dress is good. It fits me well.' (HL) nardal nominal 1. hand ? Gahan nardal nyinyi-ma ga-ba-yu-guju. 'They are shaking hands.' (LM)

2. finger 3. day ? Nardal neyenggun nga-ya-nggi. 'I went the other day.' (LM) ? Nardal larima nungarin, ngi-di-jan jorro-ma. 'After three days, we used to come back.' (LM, text) 4. times ? Nardal larima-wu, nga-ya-nggi jorro-jorro. 'I went back twice (two times).' (LM)

narigalin nominal kindling wood ? Guda deworn mi-bu! Narigalin me-ge! 'Make a fire! Put the kindling wood on!' (LM) narratj-ja coverb (intr.) to billow up ? Narratj-ja ga-ma-n eh, guda magu ga-na-n lawh-ma. 'The smoke is billowing up, eh, there's a fire burning over there.' (HL) narrh-ma coverb (tr.) to shave ? Narrh nga-ma-ji-na dawu nganing-gin. 'I shaved off my beard.' (LM) ? Dawu narrh-ma nga-ma-ji-n. 'I'm shaving off my whiskers.' (PH) narrinyh-nya coverb (tr.) to scratch ? Narrinyh-narrinyh nga-ma-ji-n-ma yerryerr-yi ngan-la-n. 'I'm scratching myself because I've got ringworm.' (LM) narrng-nga coverb (intr.) to be bogged ? Narrng-nga ga-yu motorcar. 'The car is bogged.' (HL) nart-da coverb (intr.) to be ready ? Bitjjirriny nga-bu-ng. Ga-yu, nart-da ngonong-nga. 'I rolled (my swag) up. It's ready to go.' (LM) natjjin nominal taro Colocasia esculenta

natjjin-nehen nominal strong ? Wuji debet ngi-bu-ng natjjin-nehen. 'You didn't tie it strong.' nawu-ndi infl. verb (tr.) root -nawu-; past -ndi; ppfv -ng to give ? Marlarluga gornkorn-na ga-ba-yu, matjjin ga-ba-nawu-ji-n. 'The old men are talking, giving each other stories.' (PH) ? Gayh-gorden-yi ba-nawu-ndi danganyin gahan gay-giwu. 'That mob gave tucker to those two.' (HL) ? Ngany-nawu-ndi danganyin. 'I gave you tucker.' (HL) ? Marluga-yi ngan-nawu-ng gahan marluga. 'My father gave me (in marriage) to that old man.' (LM) ? Gornkorn-na mama nga-nawu-ji-n matjjin. 'I say words to myself all the time.' (PH)

see also lut-da. nawurla nominal female skin name nehe-ndi infl. verb (tr.) root -ne-; past -ndi; ppfv -ng 1. to step on ? Balp-ba nga-nehe-ndi durrin. 'I stepped on a snake.' (HL) 2. to do something involving your feet (in complex predicates) ? Britj-ja nga-nehe-ndi. 'I slipped over.' (HL) see also balp-ba. nendo nominal horse Equus caballus ? Jorro-ma warh-ma-yan nendo ba-ya-ngga-jan lek-ga jorro-ma-wa Oolloo-ga. 'They used to ride their horses back down to Oolloo.' (PH, text) nengh-nga coverb (tr.) 1. to hit ? Nengh nga-bu-ng borndedi gahan, dorl-dorl nga-bu-ng. 'I hit that billycan, made it resound.' (LM) 2.

to kill ? Nengh mi-bu-min gahan jilimakgun! 'We'll kill that woman!' (LM, text) neret-da coverb (intr.) to scrape together ? Neret-da ga-ba-ni wir-giwu. 'Two trees are scraping together.' (HL) nerran nominal variant nehrran (HL) ironwood Erythrophleum chlorostachys ? Train-gu ba-dipba-yi nganku-ma, nerran ba-bu-ni, nerran, railway line. 'They made the railway line out of ironwood sleepers.' (LM) note: The ironwood tree has many uses. The wood is very hard and heavy. It can be used for fence posts, throwing sticks, hook spears and fighting sticks, and it lasts a long time. The gum can be eaten; it is sweet and sticky, like toffee. The leaves can be used as fish poison. After the leaves have placed in a waterhole, the water cannot be drunk until the waterhole has been flushed out by heavy rain. The smoke from burning the green leaves is used in the cleansing stages of funeral ceremonies. Finally, the leaves can also be used medicinally. They are heated on a fire and placed directly against any painful area and held there. This relieves the pain. When the leaves are heated or burnt they make a crackling sound, and the healing power of this tree is linked to the crackling noise as it releases energy. see also galin, wumirr. newh-ma coverb (tr.) to grab ? Duh ga-ba-ra-n-guju. Neyenggun newh ga-ma-n. 'They're kicking (a ball) about. The other one grabs it.' (LM) ? Gayh-yi warreh-yi newh ma-ny nganing-gin garradin durdurt ya-nginy. 'That kid grabbed my money and ran off.' (HL) neyenggun nominal variant neyonggorn (HL, LL) 1. other ? Baning-nga mu-yama? Neyenggun-a jilimakgun woerrkge-ma gu-ya now! 'What are you lot doing? The other women should be working now.' (LM, text) 2. another ? Jahan neyonggorn matjjin maha-hmin? 'What's another story I can tell?' (HL, text)

neywornh-na coverb (intr.) variant niwarnh-na (LL)

to sneak up ? Neywornh-na di-nya nguynguy-ma. 'He came sneaking up at night.' (LM, text) ? Neywornh-na bunggu-rabu-ndi, ngerrp ma-ny gahan mamin. 'He snuck up on them, and knifed that white man.' (HL, text) nibulin nominal stem nibul1. eye ? Wir-yi durrp-ba ngan-bu-ni nibulin. 'The stick poked me in the eye.' (PH) 2. face ? Dewh ngaha-ny-ma, nibulin. 'My face went white (in fear).' (LM) 3. sweetheart ? Nibulin nganing-gin gahan jilimakgun. 'That woman is my sweetheart.' (PH) 4. seed ? Nibulin gahan garratjjin-gunda ga-rinyi-n. 'Seeds are falling from the grass.' (LM)

niburtdan nominal red-flowered kurrajong, also called wild corn Brachychiton paradoxum & megaphyllus note: The red flowers indicate that freshwater crocodiles are laying their eggs in the sandy banks of rivers. The eggs can be dug up, cooked and eaten. The seeds, which taste similar to sweet corn, are good to eat. The fruit are collected and then lightly burnt on a fire to cook the seeds and remove the itchy hairs, which surround the seeds and cover the fruit. The swollen tap-root of small plants can be dug up and lightly roasted on coals, after which the inner pale flesh is eaten. The stringy outer bark of young plants can be stripped off and made into string or rope. niganday nominal 1. long ? Gahan yakba, gidurtdal niganday. 'The freshwater crocodile has a long snout.' (TB)

2. tall ? Ni-ganda-ganday na-ni. Berlin-ga ga-yu nganung kordal. 'She has grown tall. Her head reaches my shoulder now.' (LM) note: Often reduplicated ni-ganda-ganday. niji nominal uncle

see also niji-mang. niji-mang nominal uncle see also niji. nimarra nominal female skin name nimbarrguy nominal dialect HL, LL ibis spp. Various taxa note: The flesh can be cooked and eaten. nimbutj-ja coverb (tr.) to hunt away, to chase off ? Warre-buga-yi, liwha ga-boro-n garden. Nibutj-ja mi-ba-bu! 'The kids are messing up the garden. Chase them away!' (HL) see also yinboyh-ma. nimnim-ma coverb (tr.) to paint dots ? Nimnim-ma ba-ge-ng barlarin ngonong-nga, burrhburr-may-gu. 'They painted dots on him with white ochre like that for dancing.' (LM) nimurdal nominal tooth, teeth ? Nimurdal wunh-na ga-ya gahan, dorroh gu-ya. 'His tooth is aching, maybe it will come out.' (LM) ni-nginy infl. verb (intr.) root -ni-; past -nginy; pres - /I>; no distinct ppfv, phab or irr/fut 1. to be ? Ba-ni-nginy mayh-ba wajarra nguyhnguy, nu-naw-ma. 'Lots of flying foxes were here in the night.' (HL) ? Yondorrin-leying yurrup-ba nga-ni-nginy. 'I was standing on the road.' (PH) 2.

to do something while stationary (in complex predicates) ? Jemen-na-wa nga-ni-nginy gornkorn-na ba-ni-nginy-wa. 'I heard them talking.' (PH, text)

ninibing nominal variant nini double-barred finch Poephila bichenovii nirra-mang nominal father ? Nirra-mang nganing-gin mangiman-yi bunggu-ma-yi. 'A policeman got my father and another man.' (LL, text) ? Nirra-mang mayh-gorden-gu, warri-buga-gu nganing-gin-gu. 'He is the father of this lot, my children.' (HL, text) see also nirrang, ngatjja1. nirrang nominal father ? Gahan nirrang nganing-gin gay-gordin, marlarluga. 'Those old men are my fathers.' (LM) see also nirra-mang, ngatjja1. no-belenga nominal clear, transparent ? No-belenga mahan tea-ma. 'This tea is too weak.' (LM) no-berlberlin nominal 1. flat ? Gunyjan no-berlberlin me-ge yowtj-ja! 'Find some flat ground (to sleep on)!' (HL)

2. bandy-legged ? No-berlberlin labali ga-ga-n. 'He is bandy-legged.' (HL) no-bordeyk nominal pigeon-toed ? No-bordeyk-no-bordeyk ga-ya wilh-ma. Ginmarrin lihwa ma-yi. 'He walks pigeon-toed. His tendons are no good.' no-bordik-ga nominal variant no-bordek-ga (LL, HL) 1. soft

2. sticky ? Mahan danganyin no-bordek-ga. 'This tucker is sticky.' (LL) no-boritj-ja nominal variant nu-britj-ja (HL) slippery ? Ngendek gahan lihwa ga-ya, no-boritj-ja. 'That mud is no good. It's slippery.' (LM)

see also borotj-ja. no-borrongh-nga nominal swaggerer ? No-borrong, wilh-ma ga-ya, let mama ga-nanda-ji-n. 'He's a flash bugger, he swaggers about looking at himself.' (PH) see also borrongh-nga. no-dew-ma nominal white ? Bapbu gahan no-dew-ma. 'The Burdekin duck is white.' (LM) see also dew-ma. no-dong-nga nominal crooked ? No-dong-nga yondorin. 'The road is crooked.' (PH) see also dong-nga1. no-gerek-ga nominal 1. blind in one eye ? Nibulin nu-gerek-ga. 'She is half blind.' (LM) 2. cross-eyed nogo nominal dialect PH, LL heron no-gobeyhgobey nominal

liar ? Gahan lagiban no-gobeyhgobey ga-ya. 'That man is a liar.' (LM) see also gobe-na. no-gorritj-ja nominal dialect HL, PH nice ? Maman mahan danganyin, no-gorritj-ja. 'This tucker is good, it is nice.' (PH) see also gorritj-ja. no-gorrng nominal variant no-gorng (HL) 1. sour ? Gahan yilkgawu lihwa-tjjondony gahan danganyin. No-gorrng-gin ga-ya. 'That tucker is awful. It is really sour.' (LM) 2. beer ? Gahan wah-gu-ma nu-minyjan-gu ga-ya no-gorrng-gu wahan. 'He is after beer.' (LM) see also wahan. nombol-ma coverb (tr.) dialect PH to skin ? Gumit, nombol-ma ngi-bu-ni. 'We skinned it.' (PH) no-mele-ma nominal black see also mele-ma. no-mojon nominal 1. strange, stranger ? Gahan no-mojon lagiban ga-di-n. 'A stranger is coming up.' (LM) ? Ngi-ya-nggi lahan gahan no-mojon ngi-nanda-yi? 'Did you go and see that strange country?' (LM) 2. different ? Ala-yi jowk ngan-la-ng magu, school nga-ya-nggi magu-ma, lahan neyenggun, no-mojon lahan. 'My mother sent me to school in a another, different place.' (LM)

no-moritj-ja

nominal dialect HL docile no-mornde-mang nominal grandfather (father's father) see also derde. no-morrol-ma nominal dialect PH shame ? Dorrh-ma-ba ba-gondo-yi, nganing-gin borndedi. No-morrol-ma-nehen! 'They've put a hole in my billycan. They've got no shame!' (PH) see also morrol-ma. nonggega pronoun 3sg. base he, she, it ? Nonggega ga-bu-ng, ngagun-wu ngan-bu-ni-ma. 'It was him that he should have hit, but he hit me.' note: This word is rare; it is much more common to use gahan or mahan instead. no-ngolong nominal husband no-nyerrengh-nga nominal noisy ? Nyenh-na ma-yobe-ja-min. No-nyerrengh-nga mu-ya-ngga-ja ngatjbarra! 'I want to sit down quiet. You noisy lot go far away!' (LM) see also nyerrengh-nga. nordorrp nominal dialect HL, LL kingfisher spp. Various taxa note: This is a general word for all kinds of kingfishers. Kingfishers are mainly seen near water or in forests hunting for insects. nornh-na coverb (intr.)

1. to be in a line ? Nornh-na ga-ba-yu. 'They are lined up.' (LM) 2. to be together ? Norn-na-wu ba-ya-nggi warri-buga may-gunda. 'The kids went off from here together.' (LM) see also dorrng-nga. no-roh-ma nominal light ? Ngagun nga-ya gornkorn-na no-roh-ma. 'Me, I talk light.' (LM) ? No-roh-ma gahan warren. 'That kid is very light.' (HL) no-wern-na nominal troublemaker see also wern-na. no-wertwert-da nominal dialect HL greedy see also wertwert. no-wewa nominal thief ? Gahan neyenggun ngal-martdiwa magu ya-nggi woerrkgi-ma no-wewa ga-ya! 'That other old lady who worked over there was a thief!' (LM, text) see also wewa, wewa-yan. nu-barhbar-in nominal dialect PH blunt ? Knife nganing-gin nu-barhbar-in. 'My knife is blunt.' (PH) see also barhbar-ma-yi. nu-barhbar-ma nominal dialect HL tired ? Magu jilimakgun, nu-barhbar-ma. 'That woman over there is tired.' (HL)

see also barhbar-ma-yi. nu-barndelk nominal variant nu-barndet (PH) bullant ? Nu-barndelk-yi ngan-badi-na. 'A bull ant bit me.' (LL) nu-bitjji-ma nominal 1. rolled up ? Marnapbam ga-yu nganung, nu-bitjji-ma-garang, lahan, ma-ya-min. 'My swag is rolled up and ready for me to go.' 2. twisted see also bitjirriny-nya. nu-bulbulp-ba nominal variant nu-bulpbulp-ba (HL, PH) hairy ? Nu-bulbulp-ba ga-yu lamarra. 'The dog is hairy.' (LM) see also bulbulp-ba, laberri-warin. nubuny nominal young boy ? Mahan wayi-tjjalbu nubuny ga-di-n dangany-garrang! 'Here comes a young boy with food!' (HL) note: A nubuny has not yet been put through the law. nu-buyp-ba nominal smoky-eyed see also buyp-ba. nu-dardatj-ja nominal 1. tough ? Nu-dardatj-ja gahan lamang. Jamba, gin-badi. 'This beef is tough. We can't bite it.' (LM) 2. tight see also dardatj-ja.

nugan nominal little boy ? Gahan nugan wayi-tjjalbu ga-ndi marluga-yi den-nay-gu guda. 'The old man took the little boy to chop wood.' (LM) nu-gartgart nominal laughing person ? Gartgart-da ga-ya yimbama. Nu-gartgart ga-ya. 'He is always laughing. He is a real laugher.' see also gartgart-da. nu-gidik-ga nominal teasing one see also gidik-ga. nu-gujakgin nominal bitter, sour ? Gay-giwu ga-ba-ya wahan nu-gujakgin ga-ba-da-ma. 'Those two are going along drinking beer.' (LM) ? Danganyin mahan lihwa-tjjondony, nu-gujakgin. 'This tucker is no good. It is bitter.' (LL) nu-gurk-ga nominal dialect PH lumpy ? Nu-gurk-ga danganyin. 'The tucker is lumpy.' (PH) see also gurk-ga. nu-jabing-nga nominal half-caste ? Ga-di-n warri-giwu-gu-ma nu-jabing-nga-nu-jabing-nga-gu gu-ga-min, munybaban, Melville Island-ga-ma. 'He's coming for the two half-caste kids. He wants to take them to Melville Island.' (LM, text) nu-jabirng-nga nominal 1. soft ? Nu-jabirng-nga ga-yu. Gitjjiya-ma-gu dowk guu-yarra. 'It (the boil) is soft. Today it will burst.' (PH) 2.

wrinkled up ? Lihwa-tjjondony mahan danganyin. Nu-jabirng-nga ga-ya. Berrh mu-ra! 'This tucker is no good. It's all wrinkled up. You lot throw it away!' (LM) see also jabirng-nga. nu-jabutj nominal 1. grandfather (mother's father) 2. grandchild (from a man to his daughter's children) see also jabutj, nu-jabutj-mang. nu-jabutj-mang nominal 1. grandfather (mother's father) ? Nu-jabutj-mang-garang ga-di-n. 'He's coming up with his grandfather.' (LM) 2. grandchild (from a man to his daughter's children) see also jabutj, nu-jabutj. nu-jagu nominal left handed ? Ngagun maman nardal, lari, gahan-di nu-jagu ga-ya. 'I am right handed, but he is left handed.' (LM) nulin nominal grass lily see also nulugurin. nulugurin nominal grass lily see also nulin. nu-minyjan nominal 1. cheeky ? Gordal-yi ba-di-jan wahan numinya-nu-minyjan, lagiban-buga wihya. 'The bosses used to drink beer, but the Aboriginal men didn't.' (PH, text) ? Nu-minyjan gi-ya nubuny nyenh-na mi-yobe! 'You're cheeky, little boy. You sit quiet!' (LM) 2.

dangerous ? Jamba maji-yan gu-ya gawu-leying durrin gawu ga-yu nu-minyjan! 'Don't play there! There's a poisonous snake!' (LM) 3. hot like chili nu-nagitj nominal humbugging, annoying, bothersome ? Ngi-warle-na-ngana gahan warri-buga. Nu-nagitj ga-ba-ya. 'We told the kids off. They are annoying.' (LM) see also nagitj-ja. nu-naw-ma nominal lots, big mob ? Ngi-ma-jan nu-naw-ma lamang gahan, marnamnyan, ngi-ma-jan gahan. 'We used to get lots of that game, barramundi. We used to get that.' (LM, text) ? Wolon-leying nu-naw-ma jamh-ma-yan ba-ya-ngga-jan nendo. 'A big mob of horses used to feed on the grass.' (PH, text) nu-nawuja nominal heavy ? Lahan mahan nu-nawuja nga-ga-n-ma jununy-nyay-gu. 'This swag is heavy for me to carry.' (LM) see also gu-nawutj-jan. nung pronoun 3sg. dative/oblique to him, to her, to it ? Tea boil-im ba-yama-jan nung. 'They used to boil tea for him.' (HL, text) ? Berrh la-ng nung gori. 'She threw the charcoal to her.' (LM, text) nu-ngaba nominal son note: Used by mothers to refer to their sons. see also ngaba, ngal-ngaba. nungarin nominal stem nungarone ? Nungarin whitefella di-nya Burandi-gunda. 'There was a white man who came

from Burandi.' (HL, text) ? "Mu-yobe lahan nungarin!" ya-jan ngerreju. '"You sit down one place!" he used to say to us.' (LM, text) nung-gin pronoun 3sg. genitive his, hers, its ? Boyh ngaha-ny-ma lawar nung-gin maman. 'I've forgotten his proper name.' nurdakgan nominal brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula ? Nurdakgan wir-laying ga-yu darrp-ba. 'There is a possum up in the tree.' (LL) note: The meat is good to eat. Possums are found in hollow trees and logs. nu-wapba-mang nominal brother ? Jahan-gu jert-da ngan-bu-n nu-wapba-mang-yi? 'Why is my brother blocking me off from my family?' (HL) see also baba. nu-wijam nominal ignorant ? Lahan gahan wuji, nu-wijam nga-ya nung gahan lahan. 'I don't know about that country.' (LM) nu-wirril-ma nominal red ? Nu-wirril-ma jarruk birriman. 'The boil is big and red.' (PH) see also wirril-ma. nu-yawuy nominal pregnant nu-yimimi nominal possessive, selfish, a 'dog in the manger' ? Nu-yimimi ga-ya lagiban, jilimakgu-gu gahan. Nu-yiyimimi ga-ya. 'He is possessive of that woman. He's a possessive person.' see also yimimi.

NGng ngaba nominal 1. child note: Used by mothers to refer to their children. 2. mate see also nu-ngaba, ngal-ngaba. ngabuju nominal variant abuju (LM, opt.) 1. grandmother (father's mother) ? Gahan ngal-martdiwa ngabuju ngonggo-gin. 'That old lady is your grandmother.' (LM) 2. grandchild (from a woman to her son's children) see also ngal-ngabuju. ngabuk-ga coverb (intr.) to dive ? Ngabuk-ga ya-nginy wah-ga. 'He dived into the water.' (HL) ngagun pronoun 1sg. base me, I ? Ngagun now, nga-bu-ni ngerrp-ba gahan mamin. 'Me now, I knifed that white man.' (HL, text) ngala nominal variant ala (LM, opt.) mother ? Ala-yi yaha-ny nganung, ma-ma-min danganyin gay-gu, nu-wapba-mang nganing-gin wayiny. 'Mother told me that I have to get tucker for my little brother.' (LM) ? Ngala ya-nggi magu-malan. 'Mother went that way.' (LM, text) see also ngalagunin, garreng, ngal-garreng. ngalagunin nominal

mother ? Well ngalagunin-yi munyju-nawu now. 'Well your mother will give it to you now.' (HL, text) see also ngala, garreng, ngal-garreng. ngalalak nominal corella Cacatua sanguinea ? Ngalalak jilimakgun ba-ya-ngga-jan, wordow ma-ji-ng, ngalalak-ga. 'The corella used to be a woman, but it turned into a bird.' (HL) ngalbijijiman nominal wandering whistling duck Dendrocygna arcuata ngalbingay nominal large frog sp. see also wortngong. ngal-biyak-mang nominal sister see also biyakgin, mayiwa. ngal-gapbi nominal sister-in-law note: This word is used only by women. ngal-garreng nominal mother see also garreng, ngala, ngalagunin. ngal-gawu nominal 1. grandmother (mother's mother) 2. grandchild (from a woman to her daughter's children) see also gawu, ngal-gawu-mang. ngal-gawu-mang nominal 1.

grandmother (mother's mother) ? Ga-ngotjje-ji-n ngal-gawu-mang-gu. Ga-ngotjje-ji-n gahan warren yerdengnga ya-nggi, ngal-gawu-mang warle-na. 'He is scared of his grandmother. That kid ran away and hid because his grandmother growled him.' (LM) 2. grandchild (from a woman to her daughter's children) see also gawu, ngal-gawu. ngalh-ma coverb (intr.) to be angry ? Ngalh-ma ngan-ba-ge-n warri-buga gahan. 'Those kids are making me angry.' (LM)

? Ngalh-ma ba-yu-nginy-guju-ma gayh-giwu. 'Those two were angry.' (LM) ngalirringgirri nominal dialect LL mistletoe Amyema spp. see also jindirrin2. ngal-martdiwa nominal plural ngalma-ngal-martdiwa old lady ? Gay-giwu yurn-na-yan ba-yu-nginy-guju ngal-martdiwa-giwu. 'Those two old ladies were talking about it.' (LM, text) see also mulurru. ngal-mowerr nominal variant al-mowerr (LM, opt.) teenage girl note: The term ngal-mowerr is used for girls after they have had their first period. ngal-munggu nominal black wallaroo Macropus bernardus note: The black wallaroo is the only macropod which is not good to eat. The meat has an rank unpleasant smell and taste. ngal-murni nominal 1.

eloping ? "Ngal-murni ma-ga-min mahan ngal-martdiwa" yaha-ny. '"I'm going to run away with this girl," he said.' (LM, text) 2. love ? Ngal-murni-garang ga-ba-nanda-ji-n-guju. 'Those two are lovers.' (LM) ? Ngal-murni ga-ga-n garradin. 'He loves money.' (LM) ngal-ngaba nominal daughter ? Ngal-ngaba nganing-gin ga-di-n. 'My daughter is coming up.' (LM) note: Used by mothers to refer to their daughters. see also ngaba, nu-ngaba. ngal-ngabuju nominal 1. grandmother (father's mother) 2. grandchild (from a woman to her son's children) see also ngabuju. ngal-warlang nominal spouse (wife or husband) ? Ngal-warlang-giwu ga-ba-di-n-guju. 'A married couple are coming up.' (LM) ? Gahan neyenggun ngal-martdiwa lu-ni bort, ngal-warlang-gu. 'That other old lady wept for her husband.' (LM, text) ? Lalang-gu ga-ba-bu-ji-n-guju, ngal-warlang-gu. 'Those two are fighting over a girlfriend.' (LM) ngalwarnka nominal short-necked turtle Elseya dentata ? Mahan ngi-ma-jan ngalwarnka. 'Here we used to get short-necked turtles.' (LM, text)

note: The short-necked turtle is hunted in the same way as the langawarin, the long-necked turtle. It is usually killed by pushing the head forward until it breaks. These turtles are found in rivers and billabongs. ngalwitj nominal dialect LL plant sp. Calandrinia uniflora ngalyunginy nominal

small yams around the base of the mother cheeky yam see also garnamalin. ngamama nominal dialect HL variant amama deaf ? Pussycat gahan nganing-gin amama. 'That cat of mine is deaf.' (HL) ngambatj1 nominal salt water ? Ngambatj-ga ba-ya-nggi lek-ga. Wahan buluman-ma, wuji beyh ga-na-ng ganyimiyan wahan. 'They went down to the saltwater. That kind of water is really big and it can never dry up.' (LM) ngambatj2 nominal dialect HL wild passionfruit Passiflora foetida note: The fruit pulp can be eaten when the fruit are orange. It is thought that this plant was introduced by the Chinese. ngambo nominal dialect HL poor thing ? Bort-da-yi now that mamin mabipbaran, ngambo. 'That white man died ages ago, poor thing.' (HL, text) ngamulgu nominal dialect PH billygoat plum Terminalia carpentariae note: The fruit can be eaten when they are ripe: pale green but soft to the touch. The fruit are generally collected off the ground from under the tree. The common wallaroo also eats the fruit from the ground, and so around one of these trees can be a good place to hunt for wallaroos. This tree is considered to be the mother of marnamin, the smaller billy goat plum. see also marnamin. nganamaya nominal 1. husband

2. woman's sister-in-law nganamayiman nominal stem nganamayiwhat's-'is-name ? Nganamayiman-yi, warrik ngan-yaha-ny. 'What's-'is-name took him off me.' (LM)

nga-ndi infl. verb (tr.) root -nga-; past -ndi; also nga-yh n.f. pfv to hear, to listen ? Nga-yh yaha-ny wolwol nganing-gin lihwa. 'He listened to my heart, which was no good.' (LM) ? Gayh-gay-ma nga-nga-ndi larima, manalang. 'I heard two corellas singing out.' (LM)

see also jemen-na. nganggajan nominal sugarleaf Eucalyptus spp. ngangirdal nominal dialect PH 1. back of neck 2. neck see also lagirdal. ngani pronoun 1sg. malefactive on me ? Nganing-gin marluga johjo bort yaha-ny ngani. 'My old husband died on me.' (HL, text)

nganing-gin pronoun 1sg. genitive my, mine ? "Yilkgawu" yaha-ny nganung biyakgin nganing-gin-yi. '"All right," my sister said to me.' (LM, text) nganku nominal

what's-it ? Lort-lort nga-bu-ng nganku-garang blanket-garang. 'I covered him with a what's-it, with a blanket.' (LM, text) nganngalin nominal stringybark Eucalyptus tetradonta note: The stringy outer bark can be peeled off the trunk in fairly large sheets. These are waterproof and can be used to make humpies. nganung pronoun 1sg. dative/oblique to me ? Me-berda nganung! 'Cook it for me!' (LM, text) ? "Ma-ga jorro-ma" yaha-ny nganung. '"I'll take him back," he said to me.' (LM, text)

nganyingh-nga coverb (tr.) variants nganyengh-nga (HL), lanyengh-nga (PH) 1. to lick ? Nganyingh-nga ga-ya nardal nganing-gin, lamara mahan. 'This dog is licking my hand.' (LM) 2. to lap up ? Lamarra nganyingh-nga ga-ma-n wahan. 'The dog is lapping up water.' (LM) ngap-ba coverb (intr.) dialect HL, PH, LL to blaze up ? Guda ngap-ba ga-ma-n. 'The fire is blazing up.' (HL) ngapbuny nominal variant ngapburru (PH) 1. breast 2. milk ? Wayi-tjjalbu labingan ga-barh-bar-ma-n luwh-yan-gunda ngapbuny-gu. 'The little baby is tired from crying for milk.' (HL) ngapbunyngapbunyban nominal dialect HL, PH, LL banded tree snake, also called milk snake Boiga irregularis

note: These snakes are reputed to creep up on women when they are sleeping, and drink the milk from their breasts. see also warabenyin. ngaranin nominal variant ngangarnin (HL, PH, LL) 1. trachea 2. didgeridoo ? Ngaranin mahan larrp-ba-yi-ma. Lihwa-tjjondony ga-ya, menuny nyongh miyu-ngana. 'This didgeridoo is cracked. That is bad, maybe we will get sick.' (LM) ngararin nominal dialect PH lightning see also mirningilin. ngaringgirr-ma coverb (intr.) to be round ? Ngaringgirr-ma ga-yu welin gahan. 'The hole is round.' (LM) see also dit-da, ma-dit-da-wun. ngarlh-ma coverb (intr.) to bark ? Nu-naw-ma lamarra ngarlh-ngarl-ma ga-ba-yu. 'A big mob of dogs are barking.' (PH) ngarrarri nominal dialect PH, LL gecko Crehyra australis ngarrat-da coverb (intr.) to grind your teeth ? Ngarrat-da ga-yu. 'He's grinding his teeth.' (HL) ngarri-ma coverb (intr.) to be dizzy ? Wahan nu-maw-ma, da-yi gahan nubuny yemotj wayi-tjjalbu, ngarri-ma ga-ya now gordal. 'That boy drank lots of grog, so now he's feeling dizzy in the head.' (LM)

ngarritjngarritj nominal dreaming ? Bort yaha-ny, ngarritjngarritj ya-nggi magu, neyonggorn jilimakgun-ga. 'She died, and her spirit went into that other woman over there.' (LL) ngarrmen nominal stem ngarrmehollow, rotten ? Walanyja durdurt ya-nginy, ngarrmen lem du-ng. 'The goanna ran into the hollow log.' (LL) ngarrngarr-ma coverb (intr.) 1. to burn well ? Guda gahan maman deworn-nay-gu-ma ngarrngarr-ma ga-na-n, bolomin. 'That firewood, white gum, is good for making fires. It's burning well.' (LM) 2. to blaze up ? Guda bil-bil-ma nga-du-yi ngarrngarr la-ng. 'I blew on the fire and it blazed up.' (LM) ngarrulan nominal dingo Canis lupus note: See comments under the entry for ngarrwan. see also ngarrwan. ngarrwan nominal dingo Canis lupus note: In the past, dingoes were trained as hunting companions. They have an exceptional sense of smell and are powerful runners. They were used to bring down large fast game as well as for sniffing out smaller game such as bandicoots and goannas. see also ngarrulan. ngartdan nominal stem ngartda1. termite mound ? Ngartdan gahan, duh ba-ne-ng. 'They kicked over the termite mound.' (LL) 2.

stump ? Denh ba-bu-ng gahan wirin buluman. Ngartdan-binyju ga-yu. 'They cut down the big tree. There's only a stump now.' (LM) ngatdinggi nominal sister-in-law ? Ngatdinggi nganing-gin magu ga-yu. 'That's my sister-in-law over there.' (HL) ngatjbarra locative nominal far, a long way ? Ngatjbarra-gunda nga-durdut-da-yi. 'I ran up from a long way away.' (LM) ? Ngatjbarra nga-ya-nggi let nga-nanda-ny lahan nganing-gin. 'I went a long way to look at my country.' (PH) ngatjja1 nominal dialect LM father ? Mahan gunyjan ga-yu ngatjja nganing-gin. 'My father is buried in the ground here.' (LM) see also nirra-mang, nirrang. ngatjja2 nominal dialect HL, PH, LL 1. native grape Cayratia trifolia 2. plant sp. Premna herbacea note: The round, black fruit can be eaten. They are also eaten by blue-tongue lizards. The tuber can also be cooked and eaten, although it is not very tasty. ngatjjol-ma coverb (intr.) 1. to hiccup 2. to cough note: This word is probably not proper Wagiman. see also ngert-da, gelyengh-nga. ngego pronoun variants ngehgo (HL, opt.), ngego-ngana, ngego-buga, ngehgo-buga (HL, opt.) 1pl. base

us, we ? "Ah, wihya-ngala, ngi-nyar-ma-n ngego-di" ba-yama-jan. '"Ah no, we're tired, us," they used to say.' (LM, text) ? Ngego-ngana ngi-yobe-jan gahan laru. 'Us lot, we used to stay there nearby.' ngelgeywu nominal variants ngalgewong (HL), ngalgewu (LL) rufous night heron Nycticorax caledonicus ngendek nominal mud ? Ngendek-garang warri-giwu mu-ya-guju bornh-nay-ga! 'You two kids are muddy. Go and have a bath!' (LM) ngeng-nga coverb (tr.) to blow your nose ? Ngeng nga-ma-ji-ng gidurtdal. 'I blew my nose.' (LM) ngerra-ngana pronoun 1pl. incl. dative/oblique to us (including the listener) ? "'Gorro minggu-ga-ngana jorro-ma,' marluga yaha-ny ngerra-ngana," yaha-ny nganung, biyakgin-yi nganing-gin. '"The old man told us he will take us back later," my sister said to me.' ngerreju pronoun 1pl. excl. dative/oblique to us (not including the listener) ? Lega-jan ngerreju lem nge-ge-jan fridge-leying. 'He used to bring it to us and we would put it in the fridge.' ngerrk-ga coverb (intr.) variant nyerk-ga (HL) to have a rest, have a spell ? Wilh-ma nga-di-nginy ngatjbarra nyerk-ga nga-yu now. 'I've walked from a long way so now I'm having a spell.' (HL) ngerrp-ba coverb (tr.) to cut ? Ngerrp ma-ny gahan mamin, knife-yi. 'He cut that white man with a knife.' (HL, text)

see also den-na.

ngert-da coverb (intr.) variant ngertdongh-nga (HL) to hiccup ? Ngert-da-yan ga-ya. 'He is hiccupping.' (LM) ngeyngey nominal cold, influenza ? Jahan-gu gelyeng-gelyeng gi-ya-ma? Ngeyngey-yi gunyju-ma-n? 'Why are you coughing? Have you got a cold?' (LM) ? Gurruwitj gahan lihwa-ma ngeyngey-garang-yiga-ma-wu ga-ya! 'That car is no good. It goes like it has a cold!' (LM) see also ngoroman. ngeyp-ba coverb (intr.) to breathe ? Gidurtdal lat-da ngan-bu-ni, ngeyngey-yi. Wuji ngeyp-ba nga-nga-ya-nggi. 'A cold blocked my nose. I couldn't breathe.' (LM) see also ngeypngeyp-ba. ngeypngeyp-ba coverb (intr.) to be gasping, short of breath ? Gahan wolwol lihwa ga-ya gahan marluga. Ngeypngeyp gaa. 'That old man's heart is no good. He is short of breath.' (LM) see also ngeyp-ba. ngigun pronoun 2sg. base you ? Ngigun gitjjiya me-berda! Ngagun-di gapbutgapbut nga-berda-yi danganyin. 'You cook today! I cooked yesterday.' (LM) ngili nominal grass sp. ngili-ma coverb (intr.) dialect HL to talk ? Gayh-giwu-yi marluga matjjin lihwa-tjjondony ga-ba-yu-giwu ngili-ma. 'Those two old men are telling dirty stories.' (HL)

see also gornkorn-na, yurn-na. ngilman nominal dialect HL, LL red-backed fairy wren Malurus melanocephalus note: This bird is often seen in grassy areas and near pandanus. nginyang pronoun 1+2du. base, genitive, dative/oblique 1. you and me ? Gapbut let minggu-nanda-ngana, nginyang. 'Tomorrow they will come and see you and me.' 2. belonging to you and me ? "Warren mi-nanda-ja nginyang" yaha-ny nung. '"You watch our kids!" he said to her.' 3. to you and me ? Neyenggun ngal-martdiwa magu ga-yu dup-ba, ma-yi nginyang guda. 'The other old lady sitting over there got firewood for you and me.' nginyang-gin pronoun 1+2du. base, genitive 1. you and me ? Nginyang-gin wuji gin-ya-nggi gahan lahan. 'You and me, we haven't been to that country.' 2. belonging to you and me ? Nginyang-gin danganyin mahan. 'This tucker belongs to you and me.' ngiralin nominal stem ngiralmosquito ? Ngiralin-yi ginggu-badi-n-ngana. 'The mosquitoes are biting us.' (LM) ngirrk-ga coverb (intr.) dialect HL 1. to get bogged ? Ngirrk-ga nga-ma-yi motorcar. 'My car got bogged.' (HL) 2. to drown see also wangirrk-ga.

ngirr-ma coverb (intr.) variant ngerr-ma (LL) to growl; to growl at ? Gahan lamarra ngirr-ma ga-yu, nimurdal milil-ma ga-yu. 'The dog is growling and bearing its teeth.' (LM) ? Ngirr-ma ngan-nanda-n gahan lamarra. Nga-ngan-badi. 'That dog is growling at me. It might bite me.' (LM) ngirrwat nominal name-swapping relationship ? Ngirrwat gi-ya-guju gahan. Jamba nga-nga-ya gornkorn-na nung. 'We have swapped names. I can't talk to him.' (LM) ngitj-ja coverb (intr.) dialect PH to dry up ? Langgarnin ngitj-ja ya-nggi. 'The billabong dried up.' (PH) ngitjjin nominal dark ? Longon ngitjjin-a ga-yu wah-gu gu-rinyi-min. 'The clouds are dark, and it will rain.' (LM) ? Mengey bu-ni nguynguy ngitjjin-ba. 'He peeped in at night-time, in the dark.' (HL, text)

see also ngoyngoy, langitj. ngiwalan locative nominal that way ? Ngiwalan ngi-ya-nggi-guju now old station. 'We went that way to the old station.' (LM, text) ngogo pronoun variants ngohgo (HL), ngogo-buga, ngohgo-buga (HL) 2pl. base you lot ? Ngogo-giwu dowh ngu-du-ng-guju guda-garang! 'You two shot them with a gun!' ? Ngogo-buga ngani-nanda-ny gapbu-gapbut? 'Did you lot see me yesterday?' ngonggo pronoun 2sg. dative/oblique

to you ? Gahan wirin mi-nanda-ji-wu gajirri! Durrp-ba ngunggu-bu ngonggo. 'Watch out for that stick, girl! It might poke you.' note: In this example, ngonggo is used instead of the more usual base pronoun ngigun, because the clause is in the irrealis mood, expressing a mere possibility. ? Gayh-yi gangaman-yi, jemen-na ga-yu ngonggo. 'That kangaroo will hear you.' ngonggo-gin pronoun 2sg. genitive your, yours ? Gulp ngi-rinyi-ng gay-ba, and mayiwa ngonggo-gin. 'You were born there, and your sister.' (LM, text) ngoni nominal variant ngone (HL, LL) hook spear ? Ngoni-garang du-ni lamang, gangaman. 'He speared the kangaroo with a hook spear.' (LM) ngonong-nga coverb (intr.) to do like that, do it this way, be like that ? Nu-minyjan gi-ya nubuny. Jamba ngono-ngonong gi-ya! Nyenh-na mi-yu-ma! 'You're cheeky, little boy. Don't be like that! Be quiet!' (LM) ? Gornkorn-naaa wanh ngi-bula-jan-guju, jorro ngi-di-nginy-guju. Ngonongonong gi-ya-guju. 'We used to talk, talk, talk, then leave her, and come back. Like that we went all the time.' (LM, text) ngonyin nominal variant ngunyin (HL) pandanus nut ? Ngonyin maman ga-yu mok-ga-ma. 'Pandanus nuts smell good.' (LM) ngop-ba coverb (tr.) dialect HL, PH to chop ? Marluga-yi ga-ndi gahan warren, ngop-ba-yan ga-ba-bu-n-giwu guda. 'The old man took the kid to chop firewood.' (PH) ngordok-ga coverb (tr.) 1. to gut ? Ngordok-ga ba-ma-yi gahan langawarin. 'They gutted the turtle.' (LM) 2.

to open something up to get at what's inside ? Ngordok-ga nga-ma-yi gahan watermelon, and danganyin ngerrp-ba nga-bu-ni munya-gunda. 'I opened up a watermelon, and cut out the fruit from inside.' (HL) ngork-ga coverb (intr.) to ask ? Ngork yaha-ny dangany-gu gahan labingan wayi-tjjalbu. 'The little kid asked for tucker.' (LM) ? Ga-ngork-ga-n garra-gu. 'He's asking for money.' (HL) see also getj-ja. ngoroman nominal variant ngurhman (HL, PH, LL) stem ngoromacold, influenza ? Ngurhman-yi ngan-bu-n. Gohrdal ngan-ma-n ngurhman-yi. 'I've got a cold. It's a head cold.' (HL) see also ngeyngey. ngorroju pronoun 2pl. dative/oblique to you lot ? "Jamba nga-nga-yu woerrkge-ma ngorroju" yaha-ny. '"I'm not staying to work for you lot," she said.' (LM, text) ngotjje-yi infl. verb (tr.) variant ngotjja-yi (HL) root -ngotjje-; past -yi; also ngotjje-yh n.f. pfv 1. to be frightened (of) ? Army-gu, ngi-ngotjja-ji-jan. 'We used to be frightened of the army.' (LL, text) ? Nga-ngotjja-n, durrin. 'I am scared of snakes.' (HL) ? Ngotjjeyh ngaha-ny-ma gay-gu warren. 'I was frightened of that kid.' (LM) 2. to frighten ? Durdurt mi-rabu ngotjjeyh mehe! 'Run up to him and give him a fright!' (HL) see also marral-ma. ngow-ma coverb (intr.) to buzz ? Ngow-ngow-ma ga-yu, barnanyin. 'The bees are buzzing.' (LM) nguhun nominal

shit, faeces ? Nguhun jek ba-yu-nginy-guju gahan marluga-giwu. 'The two old men shitted themselves.' (LM, text) ngujakgarrin nominal small intestine, little guts see also mardawkmardaw. ngulugurr-ma coverb (intr.) variant ngulukguy-ma (HL) 1. to mumble ? Ngulukguy-ma gi-yu! 'You're mumbling!' (HL) 2. to whisper 3. to hum see also nyayh-ma. ngumirtdal nominal variant ngomertdal (HL, PH, LL) ribs see also golpbon. ngurru-gun nominal hot sunny weather ngurrun1 nominal stem ngurrusun ? Jahan-gu dup-ba-yan gi-yu, ngurrun-leying ngal-martdiwa? 'Why are you sitting in the sun, old lady?' (PH) ? Juluny-nya ga-ya ngurrun. 'The sun is setting.' (HL) ngurrun2 nominal pubic hair ngutjjurh-ma coverb (intr.) dialect HL, PH

to cough ? Warren gahan ngutjjurh-ma ga-yu. 'The kid is coughing.' (PH) see also gelyengh-nga. nguwamin nominal dialect LL euro, also called common wallaroo Macropus robustus nguyan nominal stem nguyaant sp. ? Nguyan-yi galh ngan-yaha-ny lagarra-ma. 'An ant climbed my leg.' (LM) nguynguy nominal variant nguyhnguy (HL) night ? Nguynguy darrp-darrp nge-ge-ng-guju. 'We hung them (the sheets) out at night.' (LM, text) see also langitj, ngitjjin.

NYny nyama particle variant nyamu (PH) also, too ? Ngigun nyama me-yebe nganung! 'You stay here too with me!' (HL) see also ganya. nyapbu nominal water rat nyar-ma-yi infl. verb (intr.) root -nyar-ma-; past -yi; also nyarh n.f. pfv to be tired ? Ngi-nyar-ma-n-ma woerrke-ma-gunda marluga. 'We're tired from working, old man.' (LM, text) ? Gahan-di nyarh ngi-yama-ny-guju. 'We got tired of that.' (LM, text)

see also barhbar-ma-yi. nyayh-ma coverb (intr.) to mumble ? Jahan-gu nyayh-nyay-ma gi-ya marluga? 'Why are you mumbling, old man?' (LM)

see also ngulugurr-ma. nyelelh-ma coverb (intr.) dialect PH to rattle ? Hobble-garang, nyelelh mama ba-ya-ngga-jan-wu. 'With the hobble, they (the horses) used to go along rattling.' (PH, text) see also belelh-ma, jelelh-ma. nyenh-na coverb (intr.) to be quiet ? Nyenh-na mu-yu warri-buga! 'You kids sit quiet!' (LM) nyerrengh-nga coverb (intr.) to make noise ? Nyerrengh-nga ga-ba-yu warri-buga gahan. 'Those kids are making a lot of noise.' (LM) see also no-nyerrengh-nga. nyerrp-ba coverb (intr.) dialect HL to rustle nyimbur-ma coverb (intr.) 1. to cool down ? "Lamang mahan worrobobo ga-ni-ma!" "Gu-yobe gu-yobe, ngonong-nga nyimbur guu gorro!" '"This meat is too hot!" "Leave it, leave it, and it will soon cool down!"' (LM) 2. to calm down ? Nyimbur-ma ga-yu now gahan marluga meny-gunda. 'The old man has calmed down now from being angry.' (LM) nyimoknyimok-ga coverb (intr.)

to wink ? Nyimoknyimok ga-yu nibulin. 'He's winking.' (LM) nyinyi-ma coverb (intr.) to shake, to tremble ? Nyinyi-ma ga-yu ngeyngey-gunda. 'He is shaking from the flu.' (LM) nyirrng-nga1 coverb (tr.) to rub ? Mornen nyirrng-nga ngan-bu-ng-ma, gurnagun-yi. 'She rubbed my back for me, with fat.' (LM) nyirrng-nga2 coverb (intr.) dialect HL to make little bubbles rise up through the water ? Nyirrng-nga ga-ya eh, langawarin nyirrng-nga ga-ya. 'Little bubbles, heh, maybe a turtle's making those little bubbles.' (HL) nyombok-ga coverb (ambitr.) 1. to be soaking; to soak, to soften ? Nyombok-ga ga-yu danganyin, wah-laying. 'The tucker is soaking in the water.' (LM) ? Tea-ga ga-ba-ge-n danganyin nyombok-ga. 'They are softening the bread by dipping it in tea.' (LM) 2. to crush ? Nyombok-ga ga-bu-n nganku lamang weypbun. 'She is crushing the what's it, the mussels.' (LM) ? Gi-yu dup-ba danganyin-leying-ma. Nyombok-ga gi-bu-n. 'You're sitting on the tucker. You're crushing it.' (LM) 3. to melt ? Nyombok-ga bu-ji-ng wah-yiga ga-yu. Wahan gahan, gujirritj. 'The ice melted. Now it's cold water.' (LM) nyongh-nga coverb (intr.) to be sick ? "Ge-gobe-n gahan nyongh-nga gi-yu" yaha-ny nung mangaima-yi. '"You're pretending to be sick," the policeman said to him.' (LM, text) ? Lihwa-tjjondony-yi danganyin nyongh-nga gunyju-boro-n. 'Bad tucker makes you sick.' (HL) nyonongh-nga coverb (intr.) dialect HL

to be curled up ? Lamarra nyonongh-nga ga-yu. 'The dog is curled up.' (HL) nyukgin nominal sugarbag grass Alloteropsis semialata note: The smooth basal stems can be pulled out of the ground. They are then used to dip honey out of sugarbag (native bee hives), hence the common name 'sugarbag grass'.

Ww waduwadu nominal cousin wagalmiyan nominal rifle fish wagiman nominal stem wagimathe language of the Wagiman people ? Wagima-garang yaha-ny nganung. 'She spoke to me in Wagiman.' (LM, text) ? Gornkorn-na nga-ya-nggi Wagiman, wayi-gama. 'I spoke Wagiman when I was a kid.' (LM) wahan nominal stem wah1. water ? "Gahan murrkgun berrh many-ba-ra wah-leying" yaha-ny. '"I'll throw the three of you in the water" he said.' (LM, text) ? Gi-dip-ba-n-ngana wahan gu-rinyi-min. 'We'll make it rain.' (LM, text) 2. beer ? Gahan mamin yimbama ga-da wahan-ma. 'That white man is always drinking beer.' (LM) see also dagelin. wajarra nominal

red flying fox Pteropus scapulatus ? Jaley-ma ga-ba-yu wiri-laying wajarra. 'The flying foxes are hanging in the trees.' (LM) note: These flying foxes were hunted with throwing sticks and light spears in the past and are now hunted with shotguns. They can be cooked in a ground oven or just straight on a fire. They have a strong, pleasant fruity smell and after eating flying foxes people smell like this too. wakban nominal alone, by yourself ? Gahan jilimakgun bort-da-yi nung-gin wambaru ga-yu wakban marluga. 'His wife died, so now the old man just sits alone.' (LM) ? Wihya ngagun wakban ma-di mahan. 'No, I will eat this myself.' (LM) ? Jahan-gunda ga-ba-nawu-ji-n-giwu matjjin? Wakban-wu gornkorn-na ga-baya-giwu. 'Why are they talking to each other. They're talking by themselves.' (PH)

wakgala nominal 1. paperbark Melaleuca spp. note: This term is used for all paperbarks. ? Mabitjbarran ngi-guk-ga-jan, wakgala-garang barh-may-gu, gunyja-ba. Wakgala lort-day-gu. 'In the olden days we used to sleep, using paperbark to make a bed on the ground. The paperbark was for covering us up.' (LM) 2. paper, letter, book ? Wakgala jowk nga-ra-ng ngonggo. 'I sent a letter to you.' (PH) 3. paper money ? Jamba warri-buga gahan mi-nawu wakgala! 'Don't give the paper money to the kids!' (LM) wakgawakga nominal 1. orphan ? Wakgawakga ga-ya mahan warren. Ngalagunin-nehen, nirra-mang bort-da-yi ganya. 'This kid is an orphan. He has no mother, and his father died too.' (LM) 2. something which nobody wants ? Lihwa bula-ndi shirt lihwa wakgawakga, dorh nga-ma-ny. 'Someone left the shirt because they didn't want it, so I picked it up.' (HL) see also wakma. wakma nominal 1. orphan 2.

someone who has lost a close relative ? Wakma ga-ya gahan marluga. Jilimakgun bort-da-yi nung-gin. 'That old man has lost a close relative. His wife died.' (LM) see also wakgawakga. wakwak nominal Torresian crow Corvus orru walabang nominal hunting ? Langawarin-gu walabang ngi-ya-nggi, nu-naw-ma jilimakgun. 'We went hunting for turtles, all of us women.' (LM) ? Maman walabang-gu ga-ya gahan marluga. 'That old man is good at hunting.' (LM)

walaju nominal white cockatoo, also called sulphur-crested cockatoo Cacatua galerita see also werrkwerrk. walala nominal 1. womb 2. placenta walalurr nominal milkwood walangga nominal water chestnut Eleocharis dulcis note: The small tubers can be eaten raw or roasted. They are sweet and tasty and grow in profusion around billabongs and swamps. The tubers are also eaten by magpie geese. walanyja nominal goanna Varanus panoptes ? Walanyja durdurt ya-nginy, ngarrmen lem du-ng. 'The goanna ran into the hollow log.' (HL) walbaga nominal

water buffalo Bubalus bubalis note: This word comes from the English 'wild bugger'. walbararri nominal milky way ? Danurrut-da ga-yu walbararri. 'The milky way lies across the sky.' (HL) wal-ma coverb (intr.) 1. to grow ? Warren wayi-tjjalbu yu-nginy-ma gahan lamarra. Buluman na-ni now. Walma-yi. 'That dog was a little baby before. Now it's gotten big. It has grown up.' (LM)

? Mundupban gahan maman. Bora-laying, ga-wal-ma-n. 'Mundupban is good. It grows by the river.' (LM, text) 2. to raise ? "Mani-nawu gahan warren! Nugan ma-gundu wal-ma-ra" yaha-ny. '"Give me the kid! I will keep him and raise him," he said.' (LM, text) walngaran nominal stem walngara1. cliff ? Walngara-ba linyi-ra. 'He fell off the cliff.' (HL) 2. riverbank ? Walngara-ba dup-ba-ma gorlondin, walbaga gahan. 'He's in the jungle on the riverbank, that buffalo.' (LM) walyakgin nominal flash ? Walyakgin ga-ya gahan mamin. Lawel ga-nanda-ji-n. 'That white man thinks he's really flash. He looks at his own clothes.' (LM) wambaru particle variant wambar (HL) just ? Jamba mu-badi-ji-ji-ja-guju! Wambaru mu-yu-guju maji-yan! 'Don't you two bite each other! Just play!' (LM) ? Ngego-guju mayiwa-giwu nge-yobe-jan-guju wambarru. 'My sister and I just used to stay by ourselves.' (LM, text) ? Nga-ya wambarru benybeny nga-ya ma-di jorro-ma gawor. 'I'm just going for a little while. I'll come back this afternoon.' (LM) wamdal nominal

chest wamu nominal black flying fox Pteropus alecto note: This larger flying fox is hunted and cooked in the same way as wajarra, the red flying fox. wamuk-ga coverb (tr.) to hug ? Gahan wamuk-wamuk-ga ngan-ga-n, gahan wihya, wuji nga-nga-laikge-ma-n gahan. 'She's always hugging me, and that's no good, I don't like it.' (LM) wangalanggu nominal cold night wind see also bolwon. wangamarin nominal stem wangamafly ? Wangamarin ga-di-n lem-lem-ma goro-leying. 'Flies are coming into the house.' (LM) wanganyjarri nominal 1. armpit ? Wanganyjarri-leying diny-nya nga-yu. 'My armpit is itching.' (LL) 2. green ants' nest wangardin nominal yam sp. Vigna sp. note: This long thin yam can be dug up and eaten. wangga nominal corroboree ? Wangga, marluga-giwu wangga ba-bu-ji-n-guju. 'The two old men made a wangga corroboree.' (LM) wanggayh-ma coverb (intr.)

to be clear, open (of country) ? Wanggayh-ma ga-yu lahan, ngerreju. 'Our country is clear, open country.' (LM) wangirrk-ga coverb (intr.) 1. to drown ? Wangirrk-ga ya-nggi gahan warren wayi-tjjalbu. 'The little boy drowned.' (LM) 2. to sink ? Wangirrk ya-nggi gahan nganku, wenan. Wel-garang, ma-larrp-ba-yin. 'The what's it sank, the canoe. It had holes in it, it was cracked.' (LM) see also ngirrk-ga. wangu nominal widow or widower ? Gahan ngal-martdiwa wakma ga-ya. Lagiban bort-da-yi nung-gin. Wangu gaya. 'That old woman is bereaved. Her husband has died. She is a widow.' (LM) wanh-na coverb (tr.) to leave ? Darrp-darrp nge-ge-ng-guju wanh ngi-bula-ng lawel. 'We hung out the sheets and left them.' (LM, text) see also bula-ndi. warabenyin nominal dialect HL, PH, LL variant garabenyin (LL) banded tree snake, also called milk snake Boiga irregularis note: These snakes are reputed to creep up on women when they are sleeping, and drink the milk from their breasts. see also ngapbunyngapbunyban. waram nominal side ? Dul-ma ga-yu waram-ba. 'He's sleeping on his side.' (LM) waray-ma coverb (tr.) dialect HL to pester, to humbug ? Danganyin-gu, waray-ma ganggu-ga-n. 'He's pestering them for tucker.' (HL) wardan

nominal variant wahrdan (HL) stem wardasaltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus ? Wardan buluman, wurrpbu-leying ga-yu. 'The big saltwater crocodiles live in the salt water.' (LL) note: Saltwater crocodiles can be captured by tying the jaws shut with rope made from kurrajong and tying paperbark over the eyes to quieten them. They are then carried back to camp and killed with an axe. Small to middle sized crocodiles are preferred, as large ones are dangerous and difficult to handle. All parts of the tail, legs, back and internal organs are eaten. The flesh may be roasted on coals or cooked in a ground oven. The eggs can also be collected, cooked and eaten, however this is very dangerous. wardi nominal kapok bush, also called wild cotton Cochlospermum fraseri note: The fleshy tap-root can be dug up and eaten. It is quite fibrous and it has to be cooked and pounded first to soften it. Young plants have more tender taproots. Yellow flowers on this yam indicate that kangaroos and turtles are fat and it is a good time to hunt them. The wool from the split fruit can be used to dip honey out of sugarbag. It is attached to the end of a stick and poked through cracks and holes into bee hives, then drawn out and the honey sucked off. wardirrk nominal young girl wardit nominal damper ? Ngalma-ngal-martdiwa wardit ga-ba-dipba-n. 'The old ladies are making damper.' (LM) warh-ma coverb (intr.) 1. to ride ? Ah hey barri-miya warh-ma ga-ma-n mahan nendo? 'Hey, who is riding this horse?' (LM, text) 2. to sit astride ? Warh-ma ga-ni wir-ba. 'He's sitting astride a log.' (HL) 3. to piggyback ? Warh-ma ga-ga-n nendo-nendo gahan, warren nung-gin, niji-mang-yi. 'Uncle is giving his kid a piggyback.' (LM) warhwar-ma

coverb (intr.) to fly ? Ngalalak ya-nggi warh-warh-ma. 'The corella flew away.' warkgany nominal clever fellow, killer warlang nominal 1. ghost bat Macroderma gigas 2. big-eared ? Lamarra gahan warlang. 'That dog has big ears.' (HL) note: Colonies of this bat live in caves and old mine shafts around Pine Creek. warle-na infl. verb (tr.) root -warle-; past -na; fut - /I> ~ -na; also warle-yh n.f. pfv to tell off, to growl ? Ngohgo warreh-buga, nyenh-na mi-ni! Ngal-gawu-mang-yi, warle-yh munggu-ya! 'You kids, be quiet. Your grannie will growl you!' (HL) ? Jahan-gu gi-warle-n yimbama gahan warren wayi-tjjalbu? Mi-bula-ma! 'Why do you tell that kid off all the time? Leave him alone!' (LM) warnambi nominal dialect HL, PH, LL, LMcM blind snake, legless lizard sp. Ramphotyphlops spp. warnanggal nominal 1. witch doctor, clever fellow ? Warnanggal-yi buga-ndi-ma, nyongh-nga ga-yu now, buga-ndi-ma, yarrindi-yi. 'The witch doctor sang him and now he is sick.' 2. doctor ? Warnanggal ngan-nga-ndi, wolwol liwa nga-ya. Nyongh-nga nga-yu. 'The doctor listened to my bad heart. I'm sick.' 3. clever see also barrakbarrak. warnbarra nominal

cherabin Macrobrachium rosenbergii ? Warnbarra ngi-ma-jan langganin gahan, Bumji ga-yu, Oolloo-leying. 'We used to get cherabin at Bumji, at Oolloo station.' (LM) warnbik nominal four corner fruit Cynanchum pedunculatum note: The fruit can be eaten. It is best to eat before it gets to full size, because it is more tender then. If the fruit is too hard, it can be softened by lightly roasting on a fire. warnwarn nominal lying down ? Warnwarn mi-yu gay-ba! 'Lie down there!' (LM) warragan nominal ground sugarbag warrak nominal dialect HL, LL, GH catfish Hexanematichthys leptaspis see also jalunggin. warral-ma coverb (intr.) to go bush ? Warral-ma ya-nginy menuny ga-ndi danganyin. 'He's run away into the bush, maybe because he stole some tucker.' (HL) warratj-ja coverb (intr.) to dance (of women) ? "Jahan-gu warratj-ja gi-ya?" ba-yama-ny nung. '"Why are you dancing?" they asked her.' (LM, text) warren nominal variant wahrren (HL, opt.) stem warri- ~ warreh- (HL) child ? Warren mahan ma-bula-min gay-ubawo, school-gu gu-ya. 'I will leave this kid there, and she will go to school.' (LM, text) ? Warri-buga ba-di-nya. 'The children came.' (LM, text) warrik-ga coverb (tr.)

to take away from ? Jimirndirr warrik mehe warren! 'Take the knife off the kid!' (HL) warritjjin nominal sweat, perspiration ? Warritjjin ngan-bu-n. 'I'm sweating.' (LM) warrkwarrk nominal dialect LMcM black nailfish Neosilurus ata see also libiyin. warr-ma coverb (tr.) to be too big ? Warr-ma ngan-ma-n lawel mahan. 'This dress is too big for me.' (LM) warrp-ba coverb (intr.) to be in a big mob ? Nu-naw-ma warrp-ba ga-ba-yu, lah-laying. 'Lots of them are sitting down at camp in a big mob.' (LL) waruk nominal hawk sp. watj-ja coverb (intr.) to finish ? Worrok-worrok ngi-yu-nginy-gujuuuu larrang. Larrang-nga ya-nggi now watjja ngi-ma-ny. 'Us two washed and washed until daybreak. At daybreak we finished.' (LM, text) ? Queensland, ba-ya-nggi school, gay-giwu warri-giwu. Watj, jorro ba-di-nginyguju. 'Those two kids went to school in Queensland. When they finished, they came back.' (LM, text) see also watj-ja-wu. watj-ja-wu nominal all, completely ? "Lamang ngu-da-yi-ma langawarin?" "Yawey!" Ngi-da-yi watj-ja-wu! '"Have you lot eaten the turtle?" "Yes!" We ate it all up!' (LM, text) ? Watj-ja-wu ga-ba-yu no-dew-ma gumit. 'They have all (your whole family) got really white skin.' (HL)

? Dorroh-dorroh ngi-ma-ny now garatjjin, watj-ja-wu. Dabali-ma ngi-ya-nggajan watj-ja-wu. 'We pulled out the grass, the whole lot. We went all around.' (LM, text)

? Aeroplane nung-gin bak-bak-ga-yi watj-ja-wu. 'His aeroplane was completely broken up.' (LM, text) see also watj-ja, la-watj-ja-wu. watjjorrng-nga coverb (tr.) to waste ? Watjjorrng ngi-bu-ni danganyin ngonggo-gin. 'You've wasted your tucker.' (LL)

see also bang-nga. wayibin nominal variants weyibin (HL), wayiben (LL) northern quoll, also called native cat Dasyurus hallucatus see also galambu. wayigun nominal variant weyigun (HL) hairbelt waying nominal dialect HL, PH, LL snake sp. wayi-tjjalbu nominal small ? Lihwa-tjjondony mahan lamang wayi-tjjalbu. 'These small animals are no good.' (LM, text) see also weyiny, weyehweye. weh-ma coverb (intr.) to vomit ? Ga-yu weh-ma ngonggo-gin warren. 'Your kid is vomiting.' (HL) ? Ngonggo-gin wayi-tjjalbu-yi weh ngan-yahany, lari-leying. 'Your baby has vomited on my arm.' (LL) wek-ga coverb (tr.)

to swallow ? Wutjbin-yi wek-ga nga-ra-ndi. Da-buluman wek-wek nga-ra-ng. 'Greedily I swallowed it down. I swallowed a very big piece.' (LM) welek-ga coverb (intr.) to be light ? Wilh-ma ga-ya dangak-ga gahan gakgalak-gu-ma. Welek-ga ga-yu. 'He is walking along looking up at the moon. It is shining.' ? Ngaralin welek mama ga-di-n. Menuny wahan gu-rinyi birriman. 'Lightning is coming, making it light. Maybe there will be a big storm.' ? Bilbil-ma mi-bu welek gu-ma. 'Blow on it (the fire) and it will light up.' weletjban nominal dialect HL red-winged parrot Aprosmictus erythropterus welin nominal stem wel1. hole ? Jahan-gu gurrh-ma gu-ma-n gahan welin? 'Why are you lot digging that hole?' (PH)

2. cave ? Welin-leying lem ngi-yebe-jan guk. 'We used to sleep in caves.' (LL, text) wel-ma coverb (intr.) 1. to spread out ? Wel nga-bu-ng gahan lahan. 'I spread out the swag.' ? Barrakbarrak wel-ma ga-yu. 'The diver duck is spreading its wings.' 2. to take off ? Beworn ya-nggi wel-ma garra-gunda, dipbart-dipbart-da ya-nggi. 'The rock wallaby took off from the rock, and jumped away.' wenan nominal canoe ? Wenan gahan-ma, wangirrk-ga ya-nggi. 'The canoe sank.' (LM) weng-nga coverb (intr.) 1. to be open ? Gahan ngal-door weng-nga ga-yu. 'The door is open.' ? Jup-ba ga-yu. Weng mi-ma ngerre-ngana! 'It's shut. Open it for us!' 2.

to be empty ? Goron mahan weng-nga ga-yu. Nu-naw-ma watj-ja ba-ya-nggi. Goron-binyju ga-yu weng-nga. 'This house is empty. Everyone has gone. There's only an empty house.' ? Weng-nga ga-yu welin mayh-ba. 'There's a hole here.' (HL) wenyan nominal floodwater ? Wenyan gi-boro-n wahan. Wenyan ga-ya gahan tap now. Ngi-bula-ndi durdurt-da wahan. 'You've made a flood of water. Water is flooding from the tap. You left the water running.' (HL) wern-na coverb (intr.) to make trouble see also no-wern-na. werretjjanyin nominal variant werretjjenyin (HL, PH) red-collared lorikeet Trichoglossus haemotodus ? "Weletj weletj" ga-yu gayh-ma. '"Weletj weletj" it sings out.' (HL) see also werretjwerretj. werretjwerretj nominal variant weletjweletj (HL) red-collared lorikeet Trichoglossus haemotodus see also werretjjanyin. werriny-bu-ni infl. verb (tr.) variant werriny-bu-ndi (HL, opt.) root -werriny-bu-; past -ni ~ -ndi; also werriny-bu-yh n.f. pfv to sing ? Ga-werriny-bu-n-yarra wahan ga-rega-n. 'She is singing to bring the rain.' (LM) ? Ba-werriny-bu-ni gahan ngal-martdiwa, yarrindi-garang, bort yany now. 'They sang the old lady with a yarrindi song, and she died.' (LM) ? Ngal-martdiwa gahan Bilmarray-ma, nganku wahan werriny-bu-yh ya-jan. 'That old woman Bilmarray used to sing the rain.' (LM, text) see also werrinyin. werrinyin nominal

corroboree ? Werrinyin ba-bu-jan mahan, Oenpelli mob. 'They used to make a corroboree here, the Oenpelli mob.' (LM, text) see also werriny-bu-ni. werrkwerrk nominal white cockatoo, also called sulphur-crested cockatoo Cacatua galerita see also walaju. werr-ma coverb (intr.) 1. to come out, to emerge ? Nu-naw-ma Wagima-garang, gawor-nyamu werr ba-di-jan. 'Lots of Wagiman people used to come out in the afternoon.' (PH, text) ? Ngurrun ga-di-n werr-ma. 'The sun is coming out.' (LM, text) ? Boyh ngi-ya-ngga-jan wilh-ma magu, Douglas, werr. 'We used to set off walkabout, come out at Douglas Station.' (LM, text) ? "Jamba gu-ya-guju werr-ma!" yaha-ny. '"Don't you two go outside!" he said.' (LM, text)

2. to appear ? Ngaba nganing-gin ga-di-n mahan. Barri-ba-gunda werr-ma di-nya? 'My son is coming up here. Where has he appeared from?' (LM) wert-da coverb (intr.) to look back ? Wert nga-yu-nginy nga-nanda-yi gay-giwu ba-ya-nggi-guju. 'I looked back and saw those two going along.' wertwert nominal greedy ? Wertwert ga-ya gahan ngal-martdiwa. Wuji gunggu-nawu-ja danganyin gahan ngal-martdiwa. 'That old lady is greedy. She won't give you tucker, that old lady.' (LM) see also no-wertwert-da. wewa nominal stealing, thieving ? Wewa-yi ma-yi danganyin nganing-gin may-gunda. 'He stole my tucker from here.' (LM) ? Wewa ngi-ma-yi garradin nganing-gin. 'You've stolen my money.' (PH) see also no-wewa, wewa-yan.

wewa-yan n.f. verb (impfv., intr.) stealing see also wewa, no-wewa. weyehweye nominal very small ? Lamarra-yi buga-ndi weyehweye lamarra. 'The dog gave birth to the little puppies.' (HL) see also weyiny, wayi-tjjalbu. weyh-ma coverb (tr.) to lift ? Weyh mi-ma nganung gahan garradin! 'Lift the rock up for me!' (PH) weyiny nominal small ? Pamngurlu weyiny gokgo. 'Pamngurlu was still small.' (LM) see also wayi-tjjalbu, weyehweye. weypbun nominal variant wepbun (HL) mussel wibin nominal stem wibinewly burnt grass ? Dil-ma ba-ra-ndi. Wibin ga-yu lahan. 'They set it on fire. Now the grass is burnt.' see also bindirin2 . wihya interjection 1. no ? Gurruwitj gahan lihwa ma-yi. Town-ga gu-ya-nggi wihya, gu-yu dup-ba lahleying. 'The car was no good. You lot wanted to go to town, but no, you have to stay in camp.' (LM) ? "Mi-bula mayh-leying" yaha-ny. "Wihya-ngala nibulin ga-ya nganung ma-gamin" yaha-ny. '"You leave her here," he said. "No, she is my girlfriend and I'm going to take her" he said.' (LM)

? Wihya jamba gi-bu gahan marluga! 'No, you cannot shoot the old man!' (LM, text)

2. nothing ? Ngi-ya-ngga-jan gorr-ma jorro, but gitjjiya-di wihya. 'We used to go fishing and come back, but now, nothing.' (LM, text) wik-ga1 coverb (intr.) to have a tickle in your throat ? Wik-ga nga-ni, mangurdal. 'I've got a tickle in my throat.' wik-ga2 coverb (tr.) dialect HL, PH variant wilk-ga (PH) to sip ? Mani-nawu wik ma-ma ngonggo tea! 'Give me a sip of your tea!' (HL) wik-ga3 coverb (intr.) to wriggle ? Wik-ga-wik-ga ga-yu warren wayi-tjjalbu. Ma-gondo gokgo ngapbuny manawu. 'The baby is wriggling. I'll hold him and give him milk.' (LM) wilh-ma coverb (intr.) 1. to walk ? Wilh-ma ga-ya dangak-ga gahan gakgalak-gu-ma. 'He is walking along looking up at the moon.' (LM) ? Gumurrinyji-yi, nu-naw-ma lamarra ganggu-ga-n wilh-ma. 'Emu is taking all his dogs for a walk.' (PH) 2. to go ? Magu ya-nggi town-ga wilh-ma. 'He went to town.' (LM) 3. to go walkabout ? Guwardagun-leying wilh-ma ngi-ya-ngga-jan. 'We used to go walkabout in the Daly River country.' (LL, text) ? Durrin werr-ma ya-nggi gay-gunda welin magu ga-ya wilh-ma. Walabang gaya. 'The snake has come out from its hole and it's going walkabout. It's going hunting.' (LM) wilikwilik nominal galah Cacatua roseicapilla wilit nominal dialect HL, PH

tree spp. Wrightia pubescens & saligna note: The pale light timber is strong and can be used to make small spears. wilitjwilitj-ja coverb (tr.) to stir ? Tea gahan wilitjwilitj mi-bu! 'Stir the tea!' (LM) see also gulitj-ja. wilmurr nominal wire spear ? Wilmurr-garang, ma-re-ja gahan majalin. 'I'll spear the fish with a wire spear.' (PH)

see also wilmurr-garang. wilmurr-garang nominal cow ? Larima larima ya-ngga-jan nganku wilmurr-garang. 'Two by two they used to walk up, the what's its, the cows.' (LM) note: Wilmurr is the word for a wire spear, and wilmurr-garang is used because the horns of cattle are like spears. see also wilmurr. winduk nominal dialect HL bush stone-curlew Burhinus grallarius see also guwerek. winini nominal dialect HL white-throated honeyeater Melithreptus albogularis note: This bird sings out when people are approaching. It is considered a nuisance because it often warns prey of the approach of hunters. wirin nominal stem wir- ~ wiritree ? Wirin-gunda lek-ga mi-di! 'Come down from that tree!' (PH)

note: This is the general word for any kind of tree. wirnh-na coverb (intr.) to whistle ? Wirnh-na ga-ya gahan warren wayi-tjjalbu. 'That kid is whistling.' (LM) ? Gahan lagiban wirnh-wirn-nay-garang ga-di-n. 'That whistling boy is coming up.' (LM) wirrh-ma1 coverb (tr.) 1. to hit with a stick ? Wirrh-ma gu-ba-bu-min. 'They will kill them with a stick' 2. to demolish ? Gahan goron mabitjbarran-gunda ngerreju wirrh-ma ba-bu-ng. 'They demolished our old house.' wirril-ma coverb (intr.) to be red ? Nibulin mahan wirril ngi-yama-jan. 'Our eyes used to go red (from swimming in Douglas Hot Springs).' (LM, text) see also nu-wirril-ma. wirriny-nya coverb (intr.) 1. to go around, to turn around ? Gay-gunda gordal wirriny-nya nga-ya-nggi. 'From that (a bad fall) my head was spinning.' (PH, text) ? Gordal liwa-tjjondony. Gongorrk wirriny mama ga-ya. 'He is no good in the head. His brains go round and round.' 2. to turn over ? Wirriny-h yaha-ny labingan gahan bunjubup linyi-ng. 'The baby turned over onto its belly.' ? Wirriny-wirriny ngi-ra-ng-guju. 'We turned it (a turtle) over.' 3. to toss and turn ? Wirriny-wirriny nga-guk-ga-yi. 'I was tossing and turning in my sleep.' 4. to change ? Gahan lahan yimbama wirriny-wirriny ga-ra-ji-n. 'The country is always changing.' see also wordow-ma. wirritwirrit nominal

rainbow bee eater Merops ornatus note: This bird eats small insects and bees and is often seen around water swooping for insects. wirrp-ba coverb (tr.) variant wirrk-ga (PH) 1. to wipe ? Danganyin ge-gondo-n, damorom-ba. Mi-ya-ngga, wirrp mi-bu! 'You've got food on your face. Go and wipe it off!' (HL) 2. to rub ? Wirrp-ba ngan-bu-n, gurnagun-yi mornen. 'She's rubbing my back with fat.' (HL)

3. to roll up ? Wolo-yi ga-ba-ma-n now wirrp-ba. 'They roll it up (sand palm) with grass.' (HL, text)

wirtwirt-da coverb (tr.) dialect HL, PH to whistle (of the wind, through grass or trees) ? Wirtwirt-da ga-bu-n wolon. 'The grass is whistling (in the wind).' (PH) witjjirrin nominal quinine tree Petalostigma pubescens & quadriloculare note: Emus eat the fruit of this tree, which are bitter and are not eaten by people. Petalostigma pubescens grows in thickets on hill sides whereas Petalostigma quadriloculare is a small plant which grows in rocky areas. woerrkge-ma coverb (intr.) to work ? "Jamba nga-nga-yu woerrkge-ma ngorroju!" yaha-ny. '"I won't stay here to work for you mob!" she said.' (LM) note: This is a borrowing from the English 'work'. wojolong nominal variant woyolong (PH) red-tailed black whip snake wojorrk-ga coverb (intr.) variant wujurrk-ga (HL)

to be loose ? Nimurdal wujurrk-ga ga-yu. 'His tooth is loose.' (LM) wolborin nominal myrtlewood Lophostemon lactifluus note: The tree has papery bark like a melaleuca. It provides a cool dense shade. wolngh-nga coverb (intr.) 1. to be hanging ? Wolngh-wolng-nga ga-yu gahan, jahan wirin-ma? 'What's that hanging up in the tree?' (LM) 2. to be tied up ? Lamarra ga-yu wolngh-nga now. 'The dog is tied up now.' (HL) wolok nominal 1. high ? Darrp me-ge wolok lamarra-gunda! 'Put it up high so the dogs won't get it!' (HL)

2. top 3. high country ? Galh-ma-yan ba-ya-ngga-jan danganyin ga-ya wolok. 'They used to climb up because there is tucker in the high country.' (PH, text) wolon nominal stem wolograss ? Wolon-leying nu-naw-ma jamh-ma-yan ba-ya-ngga-jan nendo. 'A big mob of horses used to feed on the grass.' (PH, text) note: This is the general word for any kind of grass. wolwol nominal 1. heart ? Wolwol dipbart-dipbart ga-ya nganung. 'My heart is beating rapidly.' ? Gahan neyenggun marluga wolwol maman ga-ya, lut-day-gu. 'That other old man is soft-hearted for giving.' 2. viscera ? Jerrkjerrk nga-gondo-n. Wolwol lihwa nga-ya. 'I've got diarrhoea. My innards are no good.' wombern-na

coverb (intr.) dialect HL, PH to make a constant sound ? Nga-nga-n wombern-na ga-yu barri barnanyin? 'I can hear a sound (i.e.. the sound of bees), where is the sugarbag?' (HL) wongh-nga coverb (intr.) to miss your country ? Wongh-nga nga-yu nganing-gin-gu lah-gu. 'I am missing my country.' (HL) wordow-ma coverb (tr.) dialect HL 1. to turn over ? Lamang gahan lerrh-ma ga-na-n. Wordow mi-ma! 'The meat is getting burnt. Turn it over!' (HL) 2. to turn into a dreaming ? Ngalalak jilimakgun ba-ya-ngga-jan, wordow ma-ji-ng, ngalalak-ga. 'The corella used to be a woman, but it turned into a bird.' (HL) 3. to be lumpy see also wirriny-nya. wornang-nga coverb (intr.) variants wurnang-nga (HL), wornong-nga (LL) to wag your tail ? Wornang-wornang ga-yu, lamarra gahan, lagiriny nung-gin. 'That dog is wagging its tail.' (LM) wornka nominal 1. missing something ? Yawey wornka nga-yu lahan nganing-gin-gu. Ginaman. Nga-bula-ndi lahan nganing-gin. 'Yes, I am missing my country. Poor thing. I've left my country.' ? Ngagun nga-yu wornka-wornka, bakga-nehen. 'Me, I'm sitting down with no tobacco.' 2. alone ? Gay-giwu ga-ba-yu-guju wornka, baba-ya. 'Those two brothers are sitting down alone.' 3. lonely ? Ga-yu wornka-ma gahan lahan. Garradin-garradin-garang. Wut-da ngi-ma-nyguju. 'It's lonely, that country. Very very rocky. We didn't like it.' 4.

deserted ? Wutj-wuy ba-ya-nggi. Wo-wornka ga-yu gahan lahan. 'They've all gone. The camp is deserted.' worr-ma coverb (intr.) to be fast asleep ? Worr yaha-ny, wuji ga-nga-ja. 'He has fallen fast asleep, and he can't hear us.' (LM)

see also guk-ga. worrobobo nominal variant wurrupbubu (HL, LM, LL) hot ? Worrobobo ga-yu gunyjan. Martdal ginggu-berda-n-ngana. 'The ground is hot. It is burning our feet.' (LM) worrok-ga coverb (tr.) variant worok-ga (HL) 1. to wash ? Laundry now gi-ya-ngana worrok-gay-ga. 'To the laundry now we go for washing.' (LM, text) ? Worrok-gay-gu ga-yu gahan gijalkgin. 'Limestone is for washing clothes.' ? Worrok-ga bu-ni lawel. 'She washed the clothes.' (LM, text) 2. to sluice ? Gahan marluga whitefella ya-nginy worok-worok ni-nginy, gold, worok-ga, ma-yi, gunyjan. 'That old white man went panning for gold.' (HL) worronggonyin nominal green ant wortngong nominal variant wortngowortngong, wortguwortgu (PH) large frog sp. see also ngalbingay. wowotj nominal dialect HL, PH, LL rock possum woyh-ma coverb (intr.)

to be angry, wild ? Woyh yaha-ny ngerra-ngana. 'He got wild at us.' woyoworrin nominal variant wuyuwurrin (HL) fishing line ? Ngalma-ngal-martdiwa durdurt-duy ba-ya-nggi wanh ba-bula-jan, woyoworrin, yawey! 'The old ladies ran away leaving behind all their fishing lines, yes!' (LM, text)

? Narn-na bu-ni nganung wuyuwurin. 'My fishing line got hooked up.' wuhwuh-ma coverb (intr.) to be hot ? Goron-leying wuhwuh-ma ga-yu. 'It's hot in the house.' ? Danganyin gahan gujirritj. Wuhwuh-ma me-berda! 'The tucker is cold. Warm it up!' wuji particle not ? Wuji nga-nga-bu-ndi warren. 'I didn't hit the kid.' (HL) ? Wuji debet ngi-bu-ng natjjinen. 'You didn't tighten it strongly' wulman nominal dialect LL sugar glider Petaurus breviceps note: The flesh can be cooked and eaten, although sugar gliders are quite small. They eat flowers and nectar and are generally seen high up in trees. wumarn nominal variant womarn (LL) casuarina Dolichandrone filiformis wumbirrh-ma coverb (intr.) to make a noise ? Wumbirrh-wumbirr-ma ga-ya pigi-pigi-buga. 'The pigs are making a noise.' wumirr nominal ironwood wax see also galin, nerran. wumurdalyin nominal

dragonfly wunggurr nominal variant wuburr (PH, opt.) dust wunh-na1 coverb (tr.) to carry ? Wunh-na ba-ga-jan ba-rega-ndi berr ba-ra-ng. 'They used to carry it (firewood), they'd bring it and throw it down.' (LM, text) see also ga-ndi. wunh-na2 coverb (intr.) to ache ? Wunh-na nga-yu martdal. 'My foot is aching.' (HL) see also derdawk-ga. wunyjitjjin nominal red claw yabby Cherax quadricarinatus wurdlu nominal dialect HL calf wurduju nominal love song ? Wurduju ga-ba-bu-n. 'They are singing love songs.' (LM) wurih-ma coverb (intr.) to wriggle along wurinyjulin nominal leaf see also marak. wurrguru nominal devil

see also mamin, dirdawung. wurrpbu nominal variant wurrpbum (HL, PH) 1. sea, ocean ? Lahan ngerre-gin wurrpbu-nehen. 'Our country has no ocean.' (LL) 2. salt water ? Wardan buluman, wurrpbu-leying ga-yu. 'The big saltwater crocodiles live in salt water.' wut-da coverb (tr.) 1. to be homesick ? Nga-ya-wa jorro-ma now Douglas wut-da nga-ma-n. 'I'm going back to Douglas now, I'm homesick.' 2. to dislike ? Wut-da nga-ma-n gahan lagiban, gu-ya-ngga-ja. 'I don't like that man, let him go.' wutjbin nominal 1. greedy ? Wutjbin-gin ga-ya gahan nubuny. Ga-da danganyin wek-wek-ga. 'That boy is greedy. He swallows his tucker down.' ? Wutjbin-gin ga-ya. Jamba ginggu-nawu-ngana garradin. 'He is greedy. He doesn't give us money.' 2. inflamed ? Jarruk-yi ngan-ma-n-ma lari mahan. Munya ga-yu, wutjbin ga-yu munya. 'I have a boil here on my arm. It is inflamed, from the pus underneath.' 3. a big red falling star wutj-ja coverb (intr.) to scatter ? Wakban nga-yu-ma. Neyenggun-a ba-ya-nggi wutj-ja. 'I am alone. The others have scattered.' (LM) ? Borlwon wutj-ja ga-ma-n. 'The wind is scattering (the papers).' (HL) ? Wutj-ja nga-ra-n nibulin. 'I am scattering seed.' (LL) ? Gordal lihwa ga-ya. Wutj ga-ra-n danganyin. Wutj-ja la-ndi. 'She is no good in the head. She throws tucker away. She scattered it.' (LM) wutjjurrh-ma coverb (intr.) dialect HL, PH, LL variant wutjjugutjjuk-ga (PH, LL)

to rock ? Wutjjurrh-ma ga-ma-n wayi-tjjalbu warren. 'She's rocking the kid to sleep.' (HL)

? Ngagun nga-ni wutjjurrh-ma mahan chair-ba. 'Me, I'm rocking on this chair.' (HL)

wuyawu particle 1. all ? Lamang wuyawu lamarra-yi ga-ndi. 'The dog took all the meat.' 2. also, too ? Wirin gi-gondo-n gahan lardili-ba gi-ga-n garatjjin wuyawu. 'You've got sticks in your hair, and grass too.' wuywuy-ma coverb (intr.) dialect HL to breeze ? Bolwon wuywuy-ma ga-yu. 'A breeze is blowing.' (HL) ? Wuywuy-ma ma-yu dup-ba mayh-ba. 'I'll sit here in the breeze.' (HL)

Yy yakba nominal freshwater crocodile Crocodylus johnstoni ? Kitchen-leying let-da-let-da nanda-yi, nganku yowtj ge-ng yakba-ma! 'In the kitchen she saw it, she found a crocodile!' (LM, text) note: These are cooked and eaten in the same way as wardan, the saltwater crocodile, although they are far less dangerous. The eggs are also collected from the nests in the sand, and cooked and eaten. yakgarra interjection wow! ? Yakgarra buluman ba-na-ni-guju may-giwu warri-giwu! 'Wow, these two kids have grown up big!' (LM, text) yangarrmarda nominal mermaid ya-nggi infl. verb (intr.) variant ya-nginy (HL)

root -ya-; past -nggi ~ -nginy (HL); no distinct ppfv; phab -ngga-jan; pres - /I>; irr/fut -ngga-ja; fut - /I> ~ -ngga 1. to go ? Nga-ya-nggi town-leying. 'I went to town.' (PH) ? Nga-nyar-ma-n-ma mi-ya-ngga-ja! 'I'm tired, go away!' ? Ngonggo-gin warren lek-ga ya-nggi langarn-ga. 'Your kid went down to the billabong.' 2. to be (in complex predicates) ? Dikdik-ga ga-ya gahan road. 'The road goes straight.' (HL) 3. to do (in complex predicates) ? Gornkorn-na nga-ya-nggi Wagiman, wayi-gama. 'I spoke Wagiman when I was a kid.' (LM) ? Ngagun bik-ga nga-ya-nggi lahan yimbama. 'Me, I went around cleaning the place up all day.' yarrajan nominal coolibah tree Eucalyptus microtheca & tectifica note: The timber is good firewood for cooking food with. Sugarbag, which contain honey, wax and pollen, are often found in this tree. yarralin nominal 1. hair standing up on end ? Gahan Young Joe gorrh-ma-yan ni-nginy yarralin bu-ng. Menuny mamin mawu ga-yu-ma wah-leying yaha-ny. 'Young Joe was fishing when suddenly his hair stood up on end. Maybe there's a ghost in the water, he thought.' 2. goosebumps ? Yarralin ngan-ma-n gujirritj. 'The cold is giving me goose bumps.' yarrgin nominal western brown snake Pseudonaja nuchalis yarrh-ma coverb (intr.) to slither yarrindi nominal song ? Yarrindi ga-bu-n wahan. 'He's singing a song for rain.' (HL) yarrk-ga coverb (tr.)

to scratch off, scrape off ? Yarrk-ga ba-bu-ng nganku buffalo gumit. 'They scraped the hair off the buffalo skin.' yarrulan nominal young man note: A yarrulan has been initiated and is physically mature. yarrwi nominal dialect PH pubic hair yawalworr nominal plant sp. ? Yawalworr nga-ma-yi. Denh-denh nga-ma-yi. Burrngburrng ma-na-min. 'I got yawalworr. I cut it up. I will boil it.' yawey interjection yes see also yow. yayh-ma coverb (intr.) dialect HL to be noisy ? Yayh-ma ga-ba-yu warreh-buga. 'The kids are being noisy.' (HL) ya-yi infl. verb (ambitr.) highly irregular paradigm and the following are only approximate: root -ya(singular subject), -yama- (plural subject); past -yi; ppfv -ny; pres - /I> 1. to say ? "Mamak" ngi-yama-ny-ngana nung niji-mang-gu. 'We said "goodbye" to uncle.' (PH) ? Matjjin maha ngonggo. 'I will tell you a story.' (PH) ? "Aya ngatdinggi, jilimakgun mahan di-nya" ngan-ya-jan. '"Hey, sister-in-law, this woman has come," she used to say to me.' (LM, text) ? "Ge-gobe-n gahan nyongh-nga gi-yu" yaha-ny nung mangima-yi. '"You're pretending to be sick," the policeman said to him.' (LM, text) 2. to do ? Gahan mamin jumbany-wu di-nya gayh yaha-ny ngerreju. 'That white man came behind and sang out to us.' (LM, text) ? Nguyan-yi galh ngan-ya-ny lagarra-ma. 'An ant climbed my leg.' (LM)

3. to become ? Gay-gunda nyarh ngaha-ny mombo-ma nga-yu-nginy. 'From that I became tired and had a doze.' yayk-ga coverb (intr.) to cry (of men) ? Ga-ba-ru-n bunit-gu, ga-ba-ru-n yayk-ga juluny. 'They cry all day for the dead.' (LM)

yemotj nominal variant yemoy (PH) young initiated man ? Yemotj mi-ya-ngga-yarra nubuny. 'You'll be a man one day, little boy.' note: A young white man can also be referred to as yemotj even though he is not initiated. yerdengh-nga coverb (intr.) 1. to hide ? "Ah ngego-ngana-di, gi-ya-ngana-yarra yerdengh-nga bush-leying" ya-jan ngerreju, Tommy Taylor. '"Us lot, we should go and hide in the bush," Tommy Taylor said to us.' (LM, text) ? Jimirndirr warrik mey gahan warren, yerdengh mi-ra-min! 'Take the knife off that kid, and hide it!' 2. to go in secret, to sneak off ? Neyenggun-a yerdengh-wuy ba-ya-ngga-jan, magu bornh-born. 'The others used to sneak off over there for a bogey.' ? Gu-gobe-n-ma-wu. Guk-ga-gu mi-ya-min, yerdengh-wuy gu-ya-ma gorrh-magu! 'You lot are lying. You say you're going for a sleep, but really you're sneaking off to secretly go fishing!' 3. to clear off, to leave without telling anyone where you are going ? Barri-ba ya-nggi gahan marluga yerdengh-nga? 'Where has that old man cleared off to?' 4. to get lost ? Gahan warri-buga yerdengh-nga ba-ya-nggi. 'The kids got lost.' note: Sometimes reduplicated yerderdengh-nga. see also yurrh-ma. yerin nominal variant yehrrin (HL) stem yeri- ~ yeh- (HL)

shade ? Mi-ya-ngga werrh-ma dup-bay-ga yerin magu! 'Go outside and sit down over there in the shade!' (LM) yerreh-ma coverb (intr.) 1. to frighten ? Yerreh-ma ga-ya golondin-gunda, lamang gangama-gu. 'He's making noise to frighten the kangaroo out of the jungle.' 2. to make noise ? Yerreh-yerre-ma ga-di-n motorcar. 'The car is coming making noise.' yerrek-ga coverb (tr.) to taste ? Barnanyin ma-di-ja yerrek-ga. 'I'll taste the sugarbag.' yerrel nominal 1. cane vine Flagellaria indica 2. armlets ? Jilimakgun-yi ga-ga-n lem-ma yerrel. 'The woman is wearing armlets.' (HL) see also binbin1. yerrep-ba coverb (intr.) dialect HL to be wary ? Yerrep-ba nga-yu martdal. 'I am wary of my feet.' (HL) note: The speaker is wary of her feet because they are very sore and she is worried that someone might step on them. yerrongan nominal cousin see also bugali. yerryerr nominal 1. ringworm 2. itchy grub ? Gahan yerryerr-yi ngan-bu-ng-ma lagarra, narrinyh-narrinyh nga-ma-ji-n. 'The itchy grub stung me on the leg, so I'm scratching myself.' (LM) 3.

itchy yewh-ma coverb (tr.) dialect HL 1. to make a soak, scraping out a hole in the sand to collect fresh water ? Nungarin-yi ga-ma-n yewh-ma wah-gu. 'One fellow is digging a soak to get water.' (HL) 2. to pull off paperbark ? Mi-ma wakgala gahan wirin yewh mi-ma! 'Pull some paperbark off that tree!' (HL)

yibitjjibit nominal eyelash yigalin nominal piss, urine yigong nominal variant yigung (HL, PH, LL) black currant Antidesma ghesaembilla & parviflora ? Berrberr, gay-ba ngi-yobi-jan. Nganku ngi-ma-jan, nganku danganyin, yigong, gay-ba, jimbubuliny. 'We used to be at Berrberr. What's that tucker we used to get, black current there and red current.' note: The fruit are eaten when they are ripe, at which time they are black. The fruit are very sweet and tasty. They may also be added to fibre to produce a blue colour. However, the fruit are so tasty that they are generally eaten first. Antidesma ghesaembilla grows near creek lines on low country, whereas Antidesma parviflora has smaller fruit and grows on rocky slopes. yiliyili nominal small bamboo spear note: These spears are made from galgarun. yilkgawu particle 1. okay, all right ? Garatjjin gahan lerep-ba na-ni. Yilkgawu ga-yu, dil-may-gu. 'That grass has dried out. It's all right for burning.' ? Martdal, wuji derdawk-ga ba-yebe-jan wilh-ma ba-ya-ngga-jan-ma. Shoegarang yilkgawu. 'Their (the horses') feet didn't used to ache when they would walk. With horseshoes it was okay.' (PH, text) ? Yilkgawu now? Mamak now! 'All right now? Goodbye!' (HL, text)

2. enough ? Dorong-nga nga-da-yi danganyin, yilkgawu. 'I have eaten enough tucker, I'm full.' 3. properly, completely, for good ? Yow yilkgawu doworn-na nga-bu-ni. 'Yes, I have indeed made a fire.' ? Yilkgawu na-ni-ma. 'It's properly cooked.' ? Gahan yilkgawu bort gubaa. 'They will die for good.' (LM, text) see also gawurdu. yimbama particle variant yimbayhma (HL) always, all the time ? Gay-ga gi-ya-guju yimbama bicycle-garang. 'We go there all the time on our bicycles.' (LM, text) ? Yimbama ga-ru-n gahan labingan wayi-tjjalbu menuny ga-nabi-ma-n. 'That little baby is always crying. Maybe she's hungry.' (LM) see also menwu. yimimi nominal possessive, selfish, a 'dog in the manger' ? Yimimi ga-bu-n danganyin. 'He is selfishly keeping the tucker to himself.' (HL) ? Wihya, nganing-gin gahan yimimi nga-bu-n. 'No, it's mine and I want to keep it for myself.' (HL) see also nu-yiyimimi. yimirr nominal forehead yinboyh-ma coverb (tr.) to hunt away, to chase off ? Yinboyh-ma mi-bu! 'Hunt him away!' (HL) see also nimbutj-ja. yingiwana nominal variant yingawana (HL) initiation ceremony note: This is a second stage initiation ceremony for young men.

see also mululuk. yinibuga nominal avoidance name note: This word is probably not really Wagiman. yinyh-nya coverb (tr.) dialect HL, PH to undo, to pull apart ? Barri-miya yinyh-nya ma-ny nganing-gin swag? 'Who has undone my swag?' (HL)

yipbarri nominal joey ? Gahan gangaman yipbarri-garang. Warren nung-gin yipbarri gahan lem-ma gaga-n bindal-leying. 'That kangaroo has a joey. She carries her baby joey in her pouch.' (PH) yirrih-ma coverb (intr.) to shift ? Yirrih-ma mi-ya! Ngagun dup ma-ya mahan-leying. 'Shift over! I want to sit here.' ? Yirrih-ma ma-yi. 'He shifted it.' (HL) yirr-ma coverb (tr.) 1. to be together ? Ga-ba-yu yirr-ma gahan matjjin-gu gornkorn-nay-gu. 'They are sitting together for a meeting.' (LM) 2. to come together ? Gay-gunda ngal-martdiwa-ngal-martdiwa-buga ga-ba-di-n yirr-ma gawu dup. 'After that all the old ladies come together there and sit down.' (LM, text) ? Nungarin nungarin ba-ya-nginy, yirr-ma ba-ma-ji-na. 'One by one they went, they came together for a meeting.' (HL) ? Longon yirr-ma ga-ma-n wah-gu gu-rinyi-ja-min. 'The clouds are building up. It's going to rain.' (LM) 3. to gather, to muster, to herd ? Ya-nggi gay-gu, nendo yirr-may-ga. 'He went to herd the horses.' (LM, text) ? Ngi-ma-jan gubiji, jilminy, yirrh-ma, one mob ngi-ge-jan. 'We gathered up all the bones and corpses and put them in one pile.' (LM, text) yirrng nominal

pig-nosed turtle Carettochelys insculpta note: The pig-nosed turtle is larger than the other freshwater turtles, and is only found along larger rivers. It can be hunted as it rests on logs and trees near the water. They are killed by poking a sharp stick or spear prong into the nose and pushing it right in. yirrwarr-ma coverb (intr.) to feel about ? Yirrwarr-ma ga-yu bag nung-gin garra-gu. 'She's feeling about in her bag for money.' (LM) yit-da coverb (tr.) 1. to hold on to, hang on to ? Yit mi-ma! 'Hang onto it!' (HL) 2. to cause to stop, hold back ? Mangima-yi yit-da bu-ni gahan gurruwitj. 'A policeman stopped the car.' yobe-jan infl. verb (intr.) variant nebe-jan, -yebe- (HL, PH, LL) root -yobe- ~ -yebe- (PC); no past, ppfv or pres; 3sg phab nebe-jan for PC speakers 1. to stay ? Nga-ya lamang-gu, may-ba mi-yobe! 'I'll go for tucker, you stay here!' ? Nyenh-na ngi-yobe-jan. 'We used to stay quiet.' (PH, text) 2. to do something while stationary (in complex predicates) ? Berde-yen ngi-yobe-jan-guju biyakgin-giwu. 'My sister and I used to cook.' yondorrin nominal stem yondoroad ? "Barri mahan yondorrin?" ngaha-ny borroju. '"Where is this road?" I asked them.' (LM) yonggornh-na coverb (intr.) 1. already, to have already happened ? Wihya, nganggu-nawu-ndi yonggornh-yonggorn danganyin. 'No, I've already given you lot tucker.' (LM) 2. before, to have happened before ? Yonggornh-na lega-jan nganung lamang marluga gahan. 'Before that old man used to bring me beef.' (LM) 3.

first, to be first, to have happened first ? Mahan yonggornh-na linyi-ra. 'This one was born first.' (HL) yorndon nominal stem yorndobig firewood ? Yorndon, gahan guda buluman. 'Yorndon, that is big firewood.' see also guda. yorrony-nya coverb (tr.) dialect PH, LL to drive ? Yorrony-nya nga-bu-n motorcar. 'I'm driving a car.' (PH) yorrp-ba coverb (intr.) 1. to fall out ? Yorrp-ba ga-rinyi-n lardili. 'His hair is falling out.' (HL) 2. to fall apart ? Lihwa-tjjondony gahan goron. Yorrp-ba linyi-ra. 'The house was no good. It fell apart.' yortdin nominal stem yortashes ? Ngi-ma-yi bolomin? Maman yortdin-gu. 'Did you get white gum? It is good for ashes.' (HL) ? But-da nga-ma-yi danganyin, yortdin. Yort-ba, jardup-ba nga-ma-yi na-ni nganung danganyin. 'I roasted the tucker in the ashes. I buried it there until it was cooked.' yow interjection 1. yes 2. hello see also yawey. yowh-ma coverb (tr.) dialect HL, LL to stuff ? Mara-leying yowh-yowh nga-ge-ng, gurnagun lamelem, guda-leying belkgeyh

ngaha-ny. 'I stuffed all the fat and the liver into the large intestine, then roasted it on the fire.' (LL) yowk-ga coverb (intr.) variant yok-ga (HL) to stretch ? Gahan yowk-yowk nga-rinyi-ng nardal larima, lari. 'I stretched out my arms.' yow-ma coverb (intr.) to flow ? Yow-ma ga-ya Guwardagun. 'The Daly River is flowing.' (LM) yowtj-ja coverb (tr.) variant yotj-ja (HL) 1. to find ? Gunyjan no-berlberlin me-ge yotj-ja! 'Find some level ground (to sleep on)!' (HL)

2. to beget ? Warren nganing-gin gahan. Biyakgin-yi yowtj-ja ge-na. 'He is my son. My sister "found" (gave birth to) him.' (LM) yoyin nominal variant yohyin (HL) yam sp. Vigna lanceolata & vexilata note: This yam can be dug up, cleaned and eaten. The stem climbs up trees and grass and it needs to be followed to find the tuber. yulun nominal trade yunbu-yan n.f. verb (impfv., tr.) variant yinbuh-yan (HL) also yunbu-yh n.f. pfv 1. singing 2. naming see also buga-ndi. yu-nginy infl. verb (intr.) root -yu-; past -nginy; pres - /I>; no distinct ppfv, phab or irr/fut 1.

to be ? Gahan garradin gangama-yiga ga-yu, gahan buluman gijalkgin 'That rock is like a kangaroo, that big limestone.' ? Yondorrin maman ga-yu. 'The road is good.' ? Nyenh-na mi-yu! 'Be quiet!' (PH) 2. to do something while stationary (in complex predicates) ? Gartgart-da ga-yu yimbama gahan gajirri. 'That girl is always laughing.' (LM) yunumburrgu nominal male kangaroo Macropus antilopinus see also gangaman, garndalu. yurn-na coverb (intr.) to talk about ? Ngagun nga-di-nya yurn-rna-yan ngu-yu-nginy nganung. 'When I came up you lot were talking about me.' see also gornkorn-na, ngili-ma. yurrh-ma coverb (intr.) 1. to hide ? Jimindirr nganing-gin, barri-ba yurrh-ma ngu-ge-na? 'My knife, where have you lot hidden it?' (PH) ? Gahan whitefella ni-nginy yurrh-ma magu wel-ba. 'That white man was hiding over there in a cave.' (HL, text) 2. to be inside ? Yurrh-ma ga-yu guk-ga-ma. 'He is sleeping inside.' (LM) 3. to stick in ? Yurrh-yurrh ngan-ma-n nibulin. 'It (my hair) is sticking into my eyes.' (LM) ? Yurrh-ma ga-ge-n nganku gomow. 'She is threading a needle.' (LM) 4. to hook up a woomera ? Manggalin yurrh ge-ng. 'He hooked up a woomera.' (LM) see also yerdengh-nga, lem-ma. yurrmi1 nominal swapping ? Ga-ba-nawu-ji-n-guju danganyin yurrmi. 'They are swapping tucker.' yurrmi2 nominal

passing by ? Gahan lagiban-yi yurrmi ya-nginy. 'That bloke passed by.' yurrmitj nominal dodging ? Yurrmitj-giwu ngi-nanda-ji-ng-guju. 'We dodged each other.' (LM) yurrup-ba coverb (intr.) 1. to stand ? Marun ga-yu yurrup-ba buluman. 'A big banyan tree stands there.' ? Mangiman gawu ga-ba-yu yurrup-ba. 'There are policemen standing there.' 2. to pull up, to stop ? Hayes Creek wuji yurrup gi-ya-ngga-ja-guju gahan now. 'Hayes Creek, we didn't pull up there.' yurrutj-ja coverb (tr.) 1. to remove ? Yurrutj-ja ngi-ma-yi gahan borndedi, guda-laying ga-yu tea-gu-ma? 'Did you take that billycan off the fire to make tea?' (LM) 2. to knock down ? Goron mabitjbaran yu-nginy yurrup-ba-ma yorrotj-ja ba-bu-ni. 'They knocked down the house which had been there for ages.' (LM)

http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/linguistics/research/wagiman/dict/dict.html http://www1.aiatsis.gov.au/ASEDA/recent-catalogue.html http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/linguistics/research/wagiman/langspeakers.html