Languages of hunter-gatherers and their neighbors

Wichí Lhamtés Güisnay

Family
Matacoan
Region
South America
ISO 639-3
mzh
Location
-23.16°, -62.18°
Notes
Features
Basic Vocabulary
Flora Fauna Vocabulary
Cultural Vocabulary
Data Sources
Braunstein, José A. 2007. Wichí Lhamtés Güisnay. Intercontinental Dictionary Series, ed. Mary Ritchie Key. https://ids.clld.org/


Basic Vocabulary (191)
English Spanish Portuguese Semantic Field Part of Speech Orthographic Form Phonemicized Form Gloss as in Source Etymology Code Proto-Form Proto-Language Loan Source Wanderwort Status Etyma Set Etymology Notes General Notes Source
above encima, arriba acima location ik-'phoʔ Also iʔ'peʔ, 'above something'. See Language page
and y e grammar See Language page
ash ceniza(s) cinzas environment itoh-'muk Lit. 'fire-dust', 01.810 and 01.213. See Language page
at en, a em, a location See Language page
back espalda costas body -hʷapu-ɬ See Language page
bad mal mal quality 'kac̷iya hʷi'c̷ah refers to a person really angry. See Language page
belly barriga barriga body -'c̷ˀe See Language page
below abajo, debajo abaixo location ik-hi-'čoʔ See Language page
big grande grande quality wehʷ See Language page
black negro preto colour ča'lah See Language page
blood sangre sangue body -wu'yis See Language page
boil/pimple espinilla, granos espinha, borbulha body a'muʔ See Language page
bone hueso osso body -ɬi'le A dry bone, separated from the flesh is neʔ. -ɬi'le, refers to long bones, and also means branches of a tree. In contrast, -hʷu identifies short bones, e.g. 'shoulderblade' 04.301. The homology between the plant and animal kingdom is extensive. See Language page
breast pecho, seno peito body -tˀa'te See Language page
child niño, niña criança human hano'hʷah See Language page
cloud nube nuvem environment pe'leʔ Same as 'sky' 01.510. See Language page
cold frío frio quality ni-te'čoh See Language page
correct/true verdad, de veras verdade quality is 'aɬoho Cf. 'good' 16.710. See Language page
day día dia time i-'hʷalaʔ Lit. '?-sun' 01.520, possibly a contraction of 'ihi or 'iče. See Language page
dirty sucio sujo quality 'kukˀahi Also 'kukˀaha. See Language page
dingo/wolf fauna See Language page
dry seco seco quality tam'čoʔy See Language page
dull/blunt sin filo, mocho, desafilado, embotado, romo maçante, desamolado, não afiado quality n'ʔeya Negative of 'sharp' 15.780. See Language page
dust polvo poeira environment hohnat-'muk Lit. 'earth-dust'. See 'lead' 09.680. See Language page
ear oreja orelha body -čˀu'te Cf. 'deaf' 04.950. See Language page
earth/soil tierra terra environment tˀen-'tah tˀen means 'hard' 15.740. See Language page
egg huevo ovo fauna ɬe'čˀe See Language page
eye ojo olho body -teʔ See Language page
far lejos longe quality atu'hʷey See Language page
fat/grease grasa gordura body [tu'lu]-peʔ From Span. 'toro', lit. 'cow (its) grease'. See Language page
father padre, papá pai kinship -hʷ'ča See Language page
feather pluma pena fauna -wu'le; -wu'le-y Respectively: singular; plural. Also means 'hair' 04.140. See Language page
fire fuego fogo environment i'toh See Language page
flower flor flor environment ɬa-'wu Lit. 'fruit-agent'. See Language page
fog niebla, neblina nevoeira, bruma, neblina environment tec̷e-'tah Lit. 'smoke (01.830)-augmentative'. See Language page
fruit fruta fruta flora to-kos-'ɬaʔ See Language page
good bueno bom quality is See Language page
hair (of head) cabello cabelo body -wu'le-y Only occurs in plural form. Also means 'leaf' 08.560. See Language page
hand mano mão body -kʷe-'čˀu Same as 'palm of hand' 04.331. See Language page
3sg el/ella ele/ela grammar oɬam-iɬ See Language page
head cabeza cabeça body -ɬe'tek Cf. 'top' 12.330. See Language page
heavy pesado pesado quality ni-čuh'ɲat Also yuk'thuh. See Language page
how? como como grammar eeʔ e'wuye See Language page
1sg yo eu grammar oɬam For pronouns: include bound/cliticized pronominal forms where significantly different from the free forms See Language page
if si se grammar če See Language page
in/inside dentro, adentro dentro location hu'hu Also 'ihi, see 07.110. See Language page
intestines intestinos intestinos body -tkos'ley See Language page
lake lago lago environment lawu'mek Also means 'marshland'. Western dialect is lewo'mek. See Language page
leaf hoja folha environment -la-wu'le Also means 'hair' 04.140. See Language page
left/left hand izquierdo esquerdo location/body la-c̷amkat Lit. 'part/side left'. See Language page
leg/foot pierna perna body -ɬe'če See Language page
lightning rayo, relámpago relampago environment yokʷ-lep See Language page
liver hígado figado body -to'nek See Language page
long largo comprido, longo quality pi'tah Also ɬe-'čom-hʷah, lit. 'its directional-below-diminutive'. See Language page
louse piollo, piojo piolho fauna ɬaʔ order Phtiraptera See Language page
man/male hombre homem human hiʔ'nuʔ See Language page
meat/flesh carne carne fauna tˀi'san toh yuʔ Lit. 'flesh-conj. cooked'. See Language page
moon luna lua environment weʔ'laʔ See Language page
mother madre, mamá mãe kinship #NAME? See Language page
mouth boca boca body #NAME? See Language page
name nombre nome human to-'ɬey See Language page
near/close cerca de perto quality niʔ'tuhʷaya Negative form of 'far' 12.440. See Language page
nape base del cuello, nuca nuca body -ɬe'tek ku'c̷uʔ Lit. 'head (its) knot' 09.192. See Language page
neck cuello pescoço body -poh'ni Refers to the front part of the neck; the back of the neck is nu'wuʔ. See Language page
new nuevo novo quality nečˀa-yik See Language page
night noche noite time hona-'c̷i Cf. 'darkness' 01.620; 'afternoon' 14.451. See Language page
no/not no não grammar See Language page
nose nariz nariz body #NAME? See Language page
old viejo velho quality hi'čˀet Refers to things. Cf. 02.461, 02.471. See Language page
one uno um number hote-hʷah-'hi Lit. 'seems-diminutive-there'. Also 'c̷ˀilak, indicates possibility, initially in the phrase. See Language page
other otro outro grammar See Language page
pain/painful/sick dolor, doloroso, enfermo dor, doloroso, doente body le-witoy 'ihi Also lo'n-ek 'sick, death, damage' is used, preceding the agent of the sickness. See Language page
person/human being persona pessoa human wi'či Western dialect is wi'kʸe. See Language page
rain lluvia chuva environment i-wuʔm-'čoʔ See Language page
red rojo vermelho colour čot; i-'čot The latter form is verbal. See Language page
right/right hand derecha direita location/body la-humkat Lit. 'part/side-right'. See Language page
road/path camino caminho manufacture to-tuy'nek See Language page
root raíz raiz flora -la-hʷec̷iʔ Singular form. Plural is -la-hʷec̷i-l. See Language page
rotten podrido podre quality na'het See Language page
sand arena areia environment hu'lu See Language page
sharp afilado, filudo, filoso afiado quality yey Refers to 'edge', but see note in12.353. Also i-c̷e'ɬoh. See Language page
short corto curto quality nip'taha See Language page
shoulder hombro ombro body -hʷa'puʔ See Language page
shy/ashamed tímido, vergonzoso timido, com vergonha mental nohʷelʔ See Language page
skin piel pele body #NAME? Also means 'fur' 06.280; 'leather' 06.290; 'bark' 08.750. See Language page
sky cielo céu environment pe'leʔ See Language page
small pequeño pequeno quality ɬomsah Also ni-'wehʷ-a, lit. 'negative large'. Also 'ɬim-pah, 'a little bit'. See Language page
smoke humo fumaça environment te'c̷ah Verbal form is te'c̷ey. Cf. 'fog' 01.740. See Language page
star estrella estrela environment ka'tes See Language page
stick/wood palo pau, vara flora See Language page
stone piedra pedra environment ten'teʔ See Language page
tail cola, rabo rabo body #NAME? See Language page
that ese/esa esse grammar See Language page
3pl ellos/ellas eles/elas grammar ɬam-iɬ See Language page
thick grueso, gordo, espeso grosso quality wehʷ-'čeʔ Lit. 'large-' 12.550, with -'čeʔ, horizontal directional. Also yo'tah, 'obese'. See Language page
thin delgado fino quality i-lu'pen See Language page
this este/esta este grammar See Language page
2sg xx xx grammar ɬam See Language page
throat garganta garganta body -poh'ni ku'c̷uʔ Lit. 'neck knot'. See Language page
three tres tres number lah-tihʷayaeʔɬ Also [ta'les], from Span. 'tres'. See Language page
thunder truenos trovão environment peɬa-'čˀe See Language page
bite morder morder body yu'kʷah See Language page
blow soplar soprar body yahʷit See Language page
breathe respirar respirar body tˀiyaɬ Verbal form; -yaɬ is 'breath'. See Language page
burn quemar queimar environment yuʔ See Language page
chew masticar, mascar mastigar body yukʷa'hi See Language page
climb subir subir motion ta-weɬ-'čeʔ See Language page
come venir vir motion nom Also means 'wake up' 04.630; 'arrive' 10.550. See Language page
cook cocinar cozinhar impact tape'nek Also taka'tay, with reference to the food of 'los blancos', the white people; such as rice, vermicelli, etc. See Language page
count contar contar mental wuʔ-'hʷalisa See Language page
cry llorar chorar mental tahʷ-'ɬi See Language page
cut/hack cortar cortar impact y-i'set See Language page
die/be dead morir morrer state yiɬ; i'lek Respectively: verbal; noun forms. See Language page
dig cavar cavar impact tiši-hoh'nat Lit. 'dig-earth' 01.210. See Language page
dream soñar sonhar mental tahʷi'ɬan Verbal form. Noun is -hʷi'ɬek. See Language page
drink beber, tomar beber body i'yoʔ This form indicates that 'water' is what is drunk. Also i'yoyeh, refers to any liquid. See Language page
eat comer comer body tehʷ Transitive verb. Also tˀek, that involves chewing and swallowing, intransitive. See Language page
fall caer cair motion ni-čot-'čoʔ See Language page
fear miedo medo mental nowaye See Language page
flow fluir fluir motion i-lo'hʷel Also the verb yik, 'go' is used. See Language page
fly volar voar motion wiʔyoʔ See Language page
grow crecer crescer state teɬ-'pho Also ta'puyeh. See Language page
hear oír ouvir mental ilo'tey See Language page
hide esconder esconder motion i-s'kat See Language page
hit golpear, pegar bater impact i'lon See Language page
hold correr, asegurar, sostener segurar other hi-'wen See Language page
kill matar matar impact i'lon See Language page
know/be knowledgeable saber, conecer saber, conhecer mental yeha'neh Also means 'understand' 17.160. See Language page
laugh reír rir mental tis'čeʔy See Language page
lie down acostarse, echarse deitar motion i-mo-ka'c̷i See Language page
live/be alive vivir viver, morar body iloy See Language page
open/uncover abrir abrir other huyen'če See Language page
pound/beat machacar, golpear bater impact i-hnopoh-'ɬi See Language page
say decir dizer mental i-hʷeɬ Also yo'mey. See Language page
scratch rascar rasgar impact See Language page
see ver ver mental wen See Language page
shoot tirar, disparar, balear atirar impact ti'yoh See Language page
sit sentar(se) sentar state tˀay-'phoʔ See Language page
sleep dormir dormir body i'moʔ See Language page
sniff/smell olfatear, oler cheirar body la-'nih Noun form. See Language page
spit escupir cuspir body hʷac̷enkac̷i Verbal form. Noun form is -ɬa'čˀiɬ. See Language page
split partir, dividir rachar, dividir, partir impact hi-če'sah See Language page
squeeze estrujar, exprimir espremer impact hi-pˀah-'tit Cf. 09.342 See Language page
stab/pierce apuñalar, acuchillar apunhalar impact i-hno'poh See Language page
stand estar de pié ficar em pé state takasit Cf. 'cease, stop' 14.280. See Language page
steal robar roubar other is'kat Also tˀe'tan, if the situation is without violence. See Language page
suck chupar chupar body hi'c̷ehi See Language page
swell hincharse inchar body tˀi-'kʷa Cf. 'pus' 04.857. See Language page
swim nadar nadar motion tˀi'lin See Language page
think pensar pensar mental yen-tičuh'naya-ha Also yen-'hese(k)-ča, refers to 'remembering'; n-i-tičun-'ɬi, intransitive; n-i-tik-neh-'ɬi, transitive. See Language page
throw tirar, lanzar atirar, jogar impact ta'humeh See Language page
tie up/fasten atar, amarrar amarrar impact tačem-'ɬi See Language page
turn girar, volter, torcer virar other i-len-'ɬi Means 'around' something. See Language page
vomit vomitar vomitar body ta-čˀey'ɬin See Language page
walk caminar, andar andar motion welek-'ɬi See Language page
work trabajar trabalhar other tačem-'ɬi See Language page
yawn bostezar bocejar body yeʔl Also means 'tired' 04.910. Also naha'ti ilon nuʔ, lit. 'dream kill me', also means 'tired'. See Language page
tongue lengua lingua body -kˀah-ɬe'čˀe Lit. 'mouth-egg' 05.970. See Language page
tooth diente dente body -c̷u'teʔ See Language page
two dos dois number [lus] From Span. 'dos'. See Language page
water agua agua environment i'not See Language page
1pl.incl nosotros (inclusivo) nós (inclusivo) grammar oɬam-iɬ no inclusive/exclusive distinction unless noted See Language page
1pl.excl nosotros (exclusivo) nós (exclusivo) grammar nam-iɬ See Language page
wet mojado molhado quality ta-'seʔy See Language page
what? que, qué que grammar a'tˀep See Language page
when? cuando quando grammar eeʔ ho'te 'nahi See Language page
where? donde onde grammar eeʔ 'ihi Also eeʔ ɬe-'hi, lit. 'where (its) is'. See Language page
white blanco branco colour pe'lah See Language page
who? quien, quién quem grammar atˀe See Language page
wife esposa esposa kinship -če-'hʷaʔ Means 'spouse'. See Language page
wind viento vento environment inhʷokʷ See Language page
wing ala asa body -ɬe-hʷ; -ɬe-hʷis Respectively: singular; plural. See Language page
woman/female mujer mulher human ac̷ih'naʔ See Language page
yellow amarillo amarelo colour kaʔteʔ See Language page
2pl ustedes vocês grammar am-iɬ See Language page
foot pie pé body -pˀa'čˀu Also see 'calf of leg' 04.352. See Language page
again de nuevo, otra vez de novo grammar ya'čaho Also ka'mah. See Language page
all todo todos other ni'ɬokeh See Language page
ankle tobillo tornozelo body #NAME? See Language page
armpit axila, sobaco axila body -wilis-'čˀu -wi'lis refers to the angle/joint of the upper arm. Appears to be similar to the local Spanish word for elbow joint. See Language page
faeces heces, mierda, excremento, estiércol fezes body tˀaɬam See Language page
lung pulmón pulmão body -yaɬ'his; -pe'hʷes Respectively: referring to human; animal. -yaɬ is 'breath' 04.510. See Language page
sweat sudar suor, suar body čehʷi'lon-(n)u Lit. 'heat sick (kill) me'. See Language page
itch hormiguear, sentir comezón coçar body hʷiloh Verbal form, lit 'he scratches'. See Language page
bark corteza casca environment #NAME? Also means 'skin' 04.120; 'fur' 06.280; 'leather' 06.290. See Language page
fingernail uña unha body -hʷehʷ tˀoh Lit. 'finger (its) skin'. See Language page
heart corazón coração body -tˀu'tle See Language page
sun sol sol time hʷa'laʔ Cf. 'day' 14.410. See Language page
mountain/hill montaña, colina, loma, cerro morro, serra environment tače'nah See Language page
green verde verde quality wa'c̷an Also means 'blue' 15.670. See Language page
hot caliente quente quality niča'yuʔ See Language page


Flora Fauna Vocabulary (133)
English Spanish Portuguese Semantic Field Part of Speech Linnean Name Orthographic Form Phonemicized Form Gloss as in Source Etymology Code Proto-Form Proto-Language Loan Source Etymology Notes Wanderwort Status Etyma Set Range of Term Word Structure Word Structure Notes Classifier Classifier Notes Hypernym Source Association with Social Categories Ritual/Mythologically Significant Ritual Notes Food Source Food Notes Medicinal Medicinal Notes How Collected Who Collects How Prepared Psychotropic Psychotropic Notes Traded Trade Notes Distribution Habitat Dangerous Ethnobiology Notes Species Notes General Notes
horse caballo cavalho flora-fauna Equus caballus See Language page
bat murciélago morcego flora-fauna Chiroptera spp. a'ses See Language page
bird pajaro, ave passaro flora-fauna ahʷenče See Language page Also means 'fowl' 03.500.
curassow mitu, montete (Peru), paujil/panjuil (Peru), paujil de Salvin (Peru for Mitu salvini) mutum flora-fauna Crax sp., Nothocrax sp. See Language page Amazonia
toucan tucán, pinsha (Peru) tucano flora-fauna Ramphastos sp. See Language page Widespread Amazonia
gray-winged trumpeter Grulla, Trompetero Ala Gris jacamim flora-fauna Psophia crepitans See Language page Northern Amazonia (N of Solimões), not in northern Colombia; Dark-winged trumpeter is found south of Solimões
guan pava, pucacunga (Peru), pava de Spix (Peru) jacu flora-fauna Penelope sp. See Language page Different types have different localized ranges
tinamou tinamu, perdiz, gallineta inambu, inhambu flora-fauna family Tinamidae See Language page Widespread Amazonia
hummingbird colibrí, picaflor (Peru) beija-flor flora-fauna family Trochilidae See Language page Widespread
kingfisher martín pescador, catalan (Peru) martim-pescador flora-fauna family Alcedinidae See Language page Widespread Amazonia
owl (large) búho, lechuza corujão flora-fauna order Strigiformes amyo'loʔ See Language page Widespread
macaw ara, guacamaya Arara flora-fauna family Psittacidae; Ara sp. See Language page Widespread Amazonia
parrot loro real, loro (Sp. form is a loan from Carib) papagaio flora-fauna Amazona amazonica e'le See Language page Widespread
dove paloma pomba flora-fauna family Columbidae hukʷina'tah See Language page
hawk halcón, gavilán gavião flora-fauna family Accipitridae eɬ-kut See Language page
vulture buitre, gallinazo, rinahui (Peru) urubu flora-fauna family Cathartidae See Language page Widespread South America
duck pato pato, marreco flora-fauna Anatidae family huʔ'yah See Language page The Cairina moschata. Other species, such as: yeleʔ'niʔ (Amazonetta brasilensis, Anas leucophrys); weh-ča'yu, lit. 'hot tail'; siteni-'ɬaʔ, lit. 'quebracho (plant) white (its) fruit'.
great egret Garza Blanca, Guyratî Garça-Branca-Grande flora-fauna Ardea alba See Language page Widespread South America
woodpecker pájaro carpintero, carpintero pica-pau flora-fauna family Picidae See Language page Widespread Amazonia
dog (camp, domestic) perro cachorro flora-fauna Canis famililaris asi'noh See Language page Not native; widespread
dog (wild; bush dog) sachaperro, Perro de Monte, Zorro Vinagre, Guanfando; Zorro Ojizarco, Zorro Negro, Perro de Orejas Corta cachorro-do-mato flora-fauna Speothos venaticus; Atelocynus microtis See Language page Widespread Amazonia
anteater oso hormiguero; tapia pelejo or pelejo chico for Cyclopes didactylus tamanduá flora-fauna Myrmecophaga tridactyla (giant anteater); Cyclopes didactylus (silky anteater) See Language page Widespread Amazonian lowlands
armadillo armadillo, carachupa (Peru), yangunturi (Peru for Giant armadillo) tatu flora-fauna family Dasypodidae; e.g. Priodontes maximus (Giant armadillo), Dasypus novemcinctus, Dasypus kappleri See Language page Widespread in Amazonia
sloth pereza, pelejo (Peru), perezoso (Peru) macaco preguica flora-fauna Choloepus sp., Bradypus sp. See Language page Widespread Amazonia
alligator, black caiman babilla; cachirre jacaré flora-fauna Melanosuchus niger, Caiman schlerops; Paleosuchus sp. See Language page Throughout Amazonia Port term reportedly borrowed from Tupi
electric eel anguila eléctrica poraquê flora-fauna Electrophorus electricus See Language page
fish (generic) pez peixe flora-fauna wa'hat See Language page
pacu fish palometa, garopita, garopa, curhuara (Peru) pacu flora-fauna Mylossoma sp. See Language page
pirana piraña, caribe piranha flora-fauna subfamily Serrasalmidae See Language page Widespread Amazonia
tigerfish taraira, guabina, huasaco (Peru) traíra flora-fauna Hoplias sp. See Language page Widespread Amazonia
mandi catfish maparate (used in Peru for some types of catfish, including Auchenipterus sp.), cunchi (used in Peru for some types of catfish), bagre (catfish) mandi flora-fauna Auchenipterus sp. See Language page Widespread Amazonia
speckled catfish surubí, pintadillo surubim, sorubim flora-fauna Pseudoplatystoma sp. See Language page Widespread Amazonia
toad sapo sapo flora-fauna order Anura See Language page
iguana iguana, garipiares (Colombia) camaleão flora-fauna Iguana sp. See Language page iguana' is reportedly from Arawak iwana
small lizard lagartija calango flora-fauna order Squamata čaʔ'laʔ See Language page
stingray (generic) rayas látigo, raya arraia flora-fauna Potamotrygon sp. puh'ɬin See Language page
crab cangrejo caranguejo flora-fauna infraorder Brachyura See Language page
anaconda anaconda, boa, boa acuática grande sucuri flora-fauna genus Eunectes See Language page Widespread Amazonia
boa boa; mantona (red-tailed boa); boa de altura jiboia flora-fauna family Boidae, subf. Boinae See Language page
snake (generic) culebra, serpiente cobra flora-fauna ahʷe'c̷ah See Language page
snake (poisonous generic) or rattlesnake víbora (Peru), jergón (Peru), yarara jararaca flora-fauna Bothrops jararaca/atrox See Language page Widespread South America
tortoise (red foot, yellow foot/giant) tortuga, morrocoy, motelo jabutí, tartaruga flora-fauna Yellow-footed: Geochelone denticulata; Red-footed: Geochelone carbonaria čita'niʔ See Language page Widespread
Amazon dolphin bufeo, delfín, tonina (del Orinoco) boto cor-de-rosa flora-fauna Inia geoffrensis See Language page Downstream of major rapids and waterfalls
mushroom champiñón, hongo cogumelo flora-fauna (any edible generic) See Language page prioritize generic term that includes any edible species
black palm bacaba, mapora, pusui, patabá bacaba flora-fauna Oenocarpus bacaba See Language page Mature forests of Rio Negro and Upper Amazon may be confused in some entries with O. bataua
açai palm huasí (Peru), asahi, manaca (Ven), asaí, palmiche (Colombia) açaí flora-fauna Euterpe sp. See Language page floodplains, swamp; esp. northern Amazonia
miriti palm moriche (Col, Ven), aguaje (Col, Peru), achual, miriti buriti flora-fauna Mauritia flexuosa See Language page Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela; in and near swamps trunks contain sago-like starch
palm for roof thatch pui, irapay, hoja de irapay, caraná caraná flora-fauna Mauritiella armata OR Lepidocaryum tenue (irapay), Mauritius carana See Language page Mauritia carana is limited principally to the Rio Negro and Upper Orinoco regions; dry catinga forests palm
paxiuba palm pona, huacrapona, cashapona, macanilla, pachiuba paxiuba flora-fauna Iriartea exorrhiza OR Iriartea deltoidea See Language page Widespread Amazonia palm
peach palm, pejibaye palm chontaduro (Col, Ecuador); pipire (Col); pijuayo (Peru), pijiguao (Ven); tembe (Bol) pupunha flora-fauna Bactris gasipaes See Language page
seje palm ungurahui (Peru), palma de seje, milpesos, patabá patoá, patuá flora-fauna Jessenia bataua, aka Oenocarpus bataua See Language page mostly north of Equator; common in Amazonia may be confused with O. bacaba - compare entries
coca coca coca flora-fauna Erythroxylum coca See Language page secondary scrub vegetation. lower alt. of eastern Andes plant
cotton algodón algodão flora-fauna Gossypium (barbadense: long fibers; hirsutum: short fibers) wese'tah See Language page secondary scrub vegetation plant; some sources may confound with kapok Ceiba pentandra (esp. if a single gloss for 'cotton' is given')
kapok ceiba, huimba, lupuna (Peru for Ceiba sp.) sumaumeira flora-fauna Ceiba pentandra See Language page northern South America and central America; common in disturbed areas tree
hot pepper ají, pimentón/pimiento rojo, pucunucho (Peru), charapilla (Peru) pimenta flora-fauna Capsicum sp., principally chinensis and frutescens poh'non See Language page secondary scrub vegetation, indigenous garden plant
peanut maní (may be loan from Taino Arawak), cacahuete amendoim flora-fauna Arachis hypogaea See Language page plant
pineapple piña abacaxi flora-fauna Ananas comosus See Language page plant
arrow cane, wildcane caña flecha, caña brava, caña isana cana para flechas, frecheira, Cana-do-rio flora-fauna Gynerium sagittatum See Language page tropical regions, especially river banks plant
banana, plantain banano, banana, cambur, bellaco, variedad de plátano banana flora-fauna Musa sp. haʔ'loʔ ɬi'c̷ʔi See Language page Lit. 'tree (its) liquid'.
beans frijoles, frejol, caraotas (negras, rojas, blancas) feijão flora-fauna Phaseolus spp. [pulu'tu] See Language page From Span. 'poroto'.
grass hierba, pasto capim, grama flora-fauna (generic) hep See Language page
maize, corn mazorca, maiz milho flora-fauna Zea mays siput'ka See Language page widespread, esp. in river floodplains Refers to the ear of corn. A grain of corn is siput'ka ɬuʔ, lit. 'corn (its) seed'.
tobacco tabaco tabaco flora-fauna Nicotiana tabacum yo'kʷas See Language page plant
tree árbol arvore flora-fauna haʔ'loʔ See Language page
achiote, anatto achiote urucum flora-fauna Bixa orellana See Language page secondary scrub vegetation and indigenous gardens shrub
inga guaba, guamo, guama, shimbillo (Peru) inga flora-fauna Inga spp. See Language page Secondary scrub vegetation and indigenous gardens. North and South America (Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Suriname, Colombia)
avocado palta, aguacate abacate flora-fauna Persea americana See Language page secondary scrub vegetation and indigenous gardens tree
bitterwood tortuga caspi, pretina (Peru for tree and tumpline); carahuasca (Peru) envira flora-fauna Duguetia sp. OR Fusaea longifolia OR Guatteria chrysopetala See Language page secondary forests, native to Brazil tree
brazil nut castaña castanha do para (B. excelsa); castanha de cutia (C. edulis) flora-fauna Bertholletia excelsa [cf. Couepia edulis 'castanha do cutia'] See Language page 1) Couepia: restricted area within Brazil, Rio Purus basin and middle Solimões. 2) Bertholletia: elev: consistently about 200m; mature forests. Widely distributed from Peru, E. Colombia, Brazil to Nicaragua. tree
cashew anarcado, castaña de cajú, nuez de la India, marañon, cajú, merey (Venezuela) caju flora-fauna Anacardium occidentale / giganteum See Language page secondary scrub vegetation and indigenous gardens tree; most sources will not distinguish between occidentale and other varieties
genipap jagua, majagua - Colombia, caruto, xagua - Venezuela, bigrande - Bolivia, huito, yaguayagua - Peru, ygualti - Nicaragua, maluco - Mexico genipapo, jenipapo flora-fauna Genipapa americana See Language page widespread lowland SA shrub
japurá oreja de murcielago japurá flora-fauna Erisma japura See Language page large tree
rubber tree (sorva) caucho, siringa, shiringa seringa, borracha flora-fauna Hevea sp. See Language page Widespread Amazonia tree
ucuqui yugo, caimitillo del monte (Peru) ucuqui flora-fauna Pouteria ucuqui See Language page native to NW Amazonia, found primarily in Vaupes and Caqueta regions other species of Pouteria exist and have much-used edible fruit; these can be subsituted where relevant
Amazon tree-grape uva de monte, uvilla (Peru), puruma, caime, caimarona (and variants; Col.) cucura flora-fauna Pourouma cecropiifolia See Language page grows wild in Western Amazon basin; cultivated in Colombia since pre-Colombian times a tree; not a true grape
manioc (bitter or generic) yuca brava mandioca flora-fauna Manihot esculenta See Language page not generally cultivated in western (subAndean) Amazon. Arroyo-Kalin (2010) argues for a correlation with distribution of dark earths, mostly formed after 1AD, and the modeled-incised pottery tradition. Provides more starch and is more pest-resistant than the sweet variety, but requires much processing. Arroyo-Kalin (2010) proposes that bitter type was developed from sweet through post-ceremic agricultural intensification (motivated by high starch yield
manioc (sweet) yuca, caribe macaxeira flora-fauna Manihot esculenta See Language page Primary staple in western/subAndean Amazonia, less important elsewhere No processing required, but lower starch yield and pest resistance than bitter variety
potato papa batata flora-fauna Solanum tuberosum See Language page secondary scrub vegetation compare entries for sweet potato
potato, sweet potato camote, batata dulce, batata, cumara batata-doce flora-fauna Ipomoea batatas [banana] ɬi'le See Language page Lit. 'banana (its) branch/bone' 04.160.
cará tuber, purple or white camote, sachapapa cará roxo, branco flora-fauna Dioscorea sp. See Language page secondary scrub vegetation; forest clearings plant
tannia, yautia huitina (Peru), ñame taioba branca flora-fauna Xanthosoma spp. [wa'tata] See Language page From 'batata'.
bottle-gourd (vine) or calabash (tree) calabazo, calabaza; auyama (Dominican Republic and Venezuela), ayote (parts of Central America), zapallo (parts of South America), tutumo/totumo/totuma (Cresc tree), huingo (Peru for Crescentia cujete), tapara cabaça flora-fauna Crescentia cujete (round variety - tree); (Cucurbita) Lagenaria siceraria (bottle variety - vine) [manyu'ku] See Language page indigenous gardens From Span. 'mandioca'.
squash calabaza, calabacines, auyamas, zapallos, huingo (Peru) abóbora flora-fauna Cucurbita sp. wuc̷o'tah See Language page Also [ahʷ'ula], from Span. 'angola', a variety of gourd.
cipó vine tamishi, bejuco, yare cipó flora-fauna Heteropsis spp. tet'kal See Language page secondary forest, floodplain vine
fish poison, barbasco barbasco, matapez (Colombia) timbó flora-fauna Lonchocarpus spp. kano'hi See Language page secondary forests and secondary srcrub vegetation shrub/tree
hallucinogenic vine, banisterium, ayahuasca ayahuasca, yage ayahuasca, caapi flora-fauna Banisteriopsis caapi See Language page semi-domesticated, native to Amazonian basin, esp. NW vine
hallucinogenic snuff vilca, cebil, yopo paricá, yopo flora-fauna Anadenanthera sp. or virola See Language page
insect (generic) insecto insecto flora-fauna generic See Language page
ant (generic) hormiga formiga flora-fauna Formicidae siwah'nas See Language page Only exists in plural form.
bullet ant, lesser giant hunter ant conga, hormiga yanabe (Colombia), isula (Peru), Hormiga Veinticuatro tocandira flora-fauna Paraponera clavata See Language page
leaf-cutter ant Colombia: zampopo, hormiga arriera; Venezuela: bachaco; Peru: curuhuinse saúva flora-fauna Atta sp. See Language page
honeybee abeja abelha flora-fauna Apis mellifera; Tetragonisca angustula; Trigona amazonensis nakuwu-'tah See Language page
cockroach cucaracha barata-do-mato flora-fauna order Blattaria nahu'luh See Language page
firefly, lightning bug lampírido, luciérnaga (Peru), añañahui (Peru), cocuyo (attributed Taino origin) vagalume flora-fauna fam: Elateridae, Fengodidae, Lampyridae hʷito'nah See Language page
butterfly, moth mariposa borboleta flora-fauna order Lepidoptera čukuk See Language page
moth mariposa nocturna, polilla mariposa flora-fauna order Lepidoptera See Language page
angleworm lombriz minhoca flora-fauna order Opisthopora hohnat-'wu See Language page
centipede ciempiés centopéia flora-fauna class Chilopoda aɬe-po'set See Language page
scorpion escorpión; alacran escorpião flora-fauna order Scorpiones či'c̷on See Language page
cicada cigarra, chicharra cigarra flora-fauna super fam. Cicadoidea See Language page
flea pulga pulga flora-fauna order Siphonaptera mawu-'wu See Language page
blowfly/housefly mosca mosca flora-fauna Diptera a'tak See Language page
cricket saltón, grillo grilo flora-fauna family Gryllidae See Language page
edible palm-dwelling larva (palm weevil) suri, mojojoy larva, broca-do-coqueiro, aramandaiá flora-fauna Rhynchophorus sp. See Language page
praying mantis, stick insects mantis religiosa louva-a-deus flora-fauna order Mantodea, family Mantidae See Language page
mosquito mosquito, zancudo mosquito, carapana flora-fauna Anopheles sp. yapi'hna See Language page
termites, white-ants comején (Peru), termitas cupim flora-fauna order Isoptera See Language page
tick garrapata carrapato flora-fauna superfam Ixodoidea See Language page
wasp avispa; specific type: ronzapa/ronsapa caba flora-fauna order Hymenoptera, sub: Apocrita la-'wus See Language page
snail caracol, churo (Peru) caracol flora-fauna class Gastropoda naho'kʷeʔ See Language page
spider araña aranha flora-fauna Arachnidae, Araneae ču'hut See Language page Many varieties, such as: siwan-ɬu-kʷe-'tah, '(singular form siwa'ni, a robust variety that spins extensive webbing. Also hʷis'tes, 'araña pollito' (large and hairy); ču'hut oy'tah, 'araña dolor'.
jaguar yaguar, yaguareté, jaguar, otorongo (Peru), tigre (Peru) onca flora-fauna Panthera onca See Language page
manatee vaca marina, manatí peixe-boi flora-fauna Trichechus sp. See Language page
brown woolly monkey Mono Lanudo Común, Choro, Churucu, mono choro (Peru), mono lanudo cafe, barrigudo de Humboldt macaco barrigudo flora-fauna Lagothrix lagothricha See Language page
howler monkey (red-handed) mono aullador, mono coto (Peru) guariba flora-fauna Alouatta belzebul [or other Alouatta sp.] See Language page
tufted capuchin monkey mono negro (Peru), Machín Negro, Maicero Cachón, mono maicero macaco prego flora-fauna Cebus apella See Language page
white-fronted capuchin Machín Blanco, mono blanco, Maicero Cariblanco, mono blanco (Peru) Caiarara flora-fauna Cebus albifrons See Language page
white-fronted spider monkey Machin Blanco, Mono Araña de Vientre Amarillo, maquisapa (Peru), braceadora (Colombia) macaco aranha, coatá, quatá flora-fauna Ateles belzebuth/paniscus See Language page
opossum zarigüeya, rabipelado, zorro, zorrillo mucura flora-fauna family Didelphidae lap'ʔi See Language page
giant otter Lobo Grande de Río, nutria gigante, lutria ariranha flora-fauna Pteronura brasiliensis See Language page
neotropical otter (small) Nutria, Lobo de Agua, lobito de rio, perro de agua (Colombia) lontra flora-fauna Lontra longicaudis See Language page
collared peccary sajino, pecarí de collar, jabalf, Javelina, Saíno, Pecarí de Collar caititu, caetitu flora-fauna Pecari tajacu, Tayassu tajacu ni'c̷ah See Language page
white-lipped peccary Chancho de Monte, Cariblanco, Huangana queixada flora-fauna Tayassu pecari See Language page
porcupine puerco espín, erizo (Peru), casha cushillo (Peru) cuandu, porco-espinho flora-fauna family Erethizontidae See Language page
cotamundi, coatimundi Coatí, Tejón, Achuni, zorro guache quati flora-fauna genus Nasua See Language page
agouti (black agouti, black-rumped agouti) Guatusa Negra, Añuje, Agutí (black-rumped), picure, jochi colorado cutia flora-fauna Dasyprocta spp. See Language page
capybara Capibara, Carpincho, Ronsoco capivara flora-fauna Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris See Language page
green acouchi Guatín, Punchana, curi, picurito rabudo, picurito rabilargo cutiara flora-fauna Myoprocta pratti See Language page
paca (lowland) Guanta, Paca, Majaz, majás (Peru), labba (Guyana) paca flora-fauna Cuniculus paca (Agouti paca is sometimes used as well although cuniculus is the correct term.) See Language page
mouse, rat ratón camundongo, rata flora-fauna Mus musculus a'maʔ See Language page
squirrel ardilla, danta (Ven) serelepe, quatipuru, esquilo flora-fauna family Sciuridae See Language page
tapir sachavaca, danta anta flora-fauna Tapirus terrestris See Language page
deer venado veado, cariacu flora-fauna family Cervidae, esp. Odocoileus virginianus čiwa'se See Language page


Cultural Vocabulary (97)
English Spanish Portuguese Semantic Field Part of Speech Orthographic Form Phonemicized Form Gloss as in Source Etymology Code Proto-Form Proto-Language Loan Source Wanderwort Status Etyma Set Etymology Notes Word Structure Word Structure Notes General Notes Source
basket (general) canasta, canasto, cesta cesto culture-material to-ko'hi See Language page
basket, small canasta, canasto, cesta cesto pequeno, tampado culture-material See Language page
bead abalorio, mostacilla, cuenta, gota, puca; necklace=collar miçanga culture-material -hʷc̷ak See Language page
bed cama cama culture-material #NAME? Lit. 'sleep-place/locative' 04.610, 07.120. See Language page
hammock hamaca, chinchorro rede culture-material See Language page
bench, seat banco, silla, asiento banco culture-material to-'weh-wet Lit. 'poss.-rump/bottom-place' 04.464. See Language page
canoe canoa canoa transport [c̷ala'na] From Span. 'chalana'. See Language page
drum (large signal) tambor, manguaré, maguaré (Colombia) tambor culture Used to be used by Tukanoan peoples (and others?), sound carried for long distances See Language page
drum tambor tambor culture-mythology pem See Language page
shaman, healer chamán, brujo xaman, pajé, feiticeiro culture-mythology haya'weʔ In RN region, there is typically one person per village (if that) who is a full-fledged 'shaman'. He is very much a specialist and has considerable power to cure, as well as power to curse. He is respected and feared. Shamans are thought to turn themselv See Language page
healer curandero benzador, curandeiro, kumu (Tukano) culture-mythology Refers to a lower-level healer; in RN region, most older men in a village have this capacity, and command a repertoire of healing spells. Power is primarily for good, whereas the true shaman is capable of malignant acts as well. See Language page
broom escoba vassoura culture-material to-seček-'čaʔ Also means 'rake' 08.270. See Language page
clothing ropa roupa culture-mythology to-we'yis See Language page
fence, palisade cerco cerca other to-la'hʷek may be related to defense/warfare? See Language page
firewood leña lenha other -'ɬet See Language page
Curupira (spirit type) Curupira, Madremonte Curupira culture-mythology malignant forest spirit, covered with long hair, feet turned backward; in Upper Rio Negro region See Language page
ghost (of dead person)/evil spirit espíritu malo, espíritu maligno, fantasma, demonio espirito culture-mythology to-ɬah-wuʔ See Language page
deity/powerful spirit/culture figure dios(es), deidad divinidade, figura mítica culture-mythology n-ila-'tah; [lios] From Span. 'Dios'. See Language page
flute flauta, quena (Peru) flauta culture-mythology #NAME? multiple types? japurutu, deer-bone, etc. See Language page
panpipe carrizo, zampoñas, flautas de pan, rondadora caniço, flauta de pã culture-mythology See Language page
hollow log/trough for beer-making canoa para chicha cocho de caxiri narcotics See Language page
ritual song cycle (kapiwaya) kapiwaya capiwaya culture-mythology See Language page
knife cuchillo faca culture-material lačinah Means 'iron/metal' 09.670, indicating an older form. Also to-kat'hnat 09.230. See Language page
machete machete facão culture-material See Language page
axe/stone axe hacha (de piedra) machado (de pedra) subsistence tool hu'san especially for clearing fields See Language page
arrow flecha flecha subsistence tool #NAME? hunting, warfare See Language page
spear lanza lança subsistence tool #NAME? See Language page
bow arco arco subsistence tool -le-'c̷eh; -ka-lu'tek arco See Language page
paddle/oar remo remo transport [c̷ala'na]-čaʔ From Span. 'chalana'. See Language page
plate plato prato culture-material to-ɬok-'hi Lit. 'poss. neuter-food/drink-locative. Cf. 'food' 05.120. Also archaic čˀa'pel. See Language page
pot olla, pote panela, vasilha subsistence tool tu'weh See Language page
basin/bowl tazón, plato hondo, taza tijela culture-material to-ɬot-'hi See Language page
griddle for cooking flatbread tiesto (Colombia), budare (Venezuela), tortera (Peru) forno para beiju subsistence tool [woyo]'hi From Span. 'bollo'. See Language page
rattle matraca, maraca marico, chocalho culture-mythology -la'nek Also -ka-'hʷes, lit. 'poss.-hoof'. Rattles were made from animal parts. See Language page
resin resina, brea, copal resina, brea, breu subsistence tool See Language page
wax cera cera other nakuwu-'tah-ɬes See Language page
honey miel mel food pi'niʔ only gathered in wild throughout Amazonia? See Language page
stone for lighting fires piedra para hacer fuego pedra para acender fogo culture-material See Language page
rope/string mecate, cuerda, soga corda culture i-nah'yit See Language page
tattoo tatuaje, tatu tatuagem culture-mythology See Language page
thatch/roof crisneja palha, caraná culture-material hep Also means 'grass'. See Language page
yurupari, jurupari (or any flutes forbidden to women) yurupari jurupari culture-mythology a ritual complex in various parts of Amazonia involving sacred flutes/trumpets, forbidden to women. See Language page
fetish, charm fetiche, encanto, filtro de amor, pusanga feitiço, puçanga culture-mythology See Language page
feather headdress plumaje, corona de plumas enfeite/capacete de penas culture-mythology See Language page
paint body, body paint pintura corporal pintura corporal culture-mythology See Language page
afterworld, land of dead, Heaven tierra do los muertos terra dos mortos culture-mythology pe'leʔ Also means 'sky' 01.510. See Language page
school escuela escola acculturation See Language page
bottle botella garrafa acculturation See Language page
paper papel papel acculturation [papel] From Span. 'papel'. See Language page
dream sueño, soñar sonho, sonhar culture-mythology tahʷi'ɬan Verbal form. Noun is -hʷi'ɬek. See Language page
chicken gallina galinha acculturation huʔuʔ ɬos Lit. 'rooster (its) offspring'. See Language page
grave tumba, sepultura, sepulcro sepultura, sepulcro, cova culture-mythology tˀu See Language page
pipe for tobacco pipa cachimbo other čˀet'hi See Language page
sugarcane/sugar azúcar, caña de azúcar açucar (de cana) acculturation is'čin See Language page
skirt falda, saya, fustan, pollera saia culture-material -o'tik See Language page
shoes zapatos sapatos dress ni'soh Refers to a sandal or foot-covering. See Language page
policeman polícia policía acculturation See Language page
soldier soldado soldado acculturation [sulta]wuʔ From Span. 'soldado'. The Mataco warrior is nihu'tah wuʔ, lit. 'war-agent'. See Language page
cat gato gato acculturation [mi'c̷i] Regional variations occur throughout the Americas. See Language page
gun arma, escopeta espingarda, fusil acculturation -le'c̷e-h See Language page
hat sombero chapéu dress -ka-wu'na See Language page
chief/leader jefe, cacique chefe culture-mythology -ka-ni'yat See Language page
club garrote, cachiporra clava, porrete subsistence tool -tˀ-ah-'nat Includes the verb y-ah, 'hit with club'. Also -ka-etek-'tah, possibly from 'head-large'; characteristic of a short club (less than one meter) are the large and small nodules on the ends. See Language page
loincloth taparrabos, guayuco, pampanilla tanga, tapa-sexo dress See Language page
fireplace hogar lareira other See Language page
fishing line cordel/cuerda p/ pescar, sedal, tanze linha de pesca subsistence tool tˀi'mek tˀak See 'fishhook' 20.520. See Language page
salt sal sal food ni'suy See Language page
song (generic) canción, canto canção culture-mythology tˀičui-'ɬi See Language page
blowgun cerbatana, pucuna (Peru) zarabatana subsistence tool currently limited to certain groups (favoring h-g orientation, e.g. Nadahup) within RN region See Language page
dart (blowgun) dardo, birote (Peru), bala (Peru) dardo, seta subsistence tool hunting and warfare See Language page
fan abanico abanador, abano subsistence tool čehʷ-'čaʔ Also -he-'čehʷ. See Language page
fish (with line) anzuelear, pescar con linea pescar (com linha) food See Language page
fish (with fish-poison) pescar con barbasco, barbasquear pescar com timbó; tinguijar food See Language page
hunt cazar caçar food i-čuwaɬ-če The 'hunter' is čuwaɬ-nah. See Language page
game animal caza, animal de caza caça, animal de caça food c̷o'wet Also -to-loʔ; plural -to'loʔ-y. See Language page
gourd (dipper/bowl) cucharón, pate (Peru), totomo, totuma, totumo cuia subsistence tool See Language page
grater rallador, rallo ralador, ralo subsistence tool esp. for grating manioc, but can be used for other things as well See Language page
grid of sticks for smoking meat or placing objects (shelf) barbacoa jirau subsistence tool to-ka-wet Lit. 'prefix-poss.-locative/place' 07.120. See Language page
mortar mortero pilão subsistence tool hʷe'ɬek See Language page
pestle pilón, mano de mortero, mazo, moledor mão de pilão subsistence tool -ka-lah'nat Also hʷeɬek-'čaʔ, lit. 'mortar (its) instrument'. See Language page
fermented drink masato, chicha caxiri, chicha culture ha'tˀes prioritizes manioc beer where distinction is made See Language page
flour/meal from manioc fariña, mañoco (Venezuela); harina farinha food [ali'na] From Span. 'harina'. See Language page
flat bread, cassava bread pan de yuca, casabe/cazabe beiju food usually manioc; agriculture, but also can be made from certain wild seeds/fruits See Language page
starch (tapioca, other) almidón goma de tapioca food See Language page
tapioca drink, mingau cahuana, caguana mingau food agriculture See Language page
tipiti (manioc squeezer) tipiti, matafrio, sebucán, exprimador, prensa para yuca tipiti food word of Tupi origin; agriculture: specifically for squeezing poison out of manioc See Language page
tripod for washing manioc trípode tripé subsistence tool agriculture See Language page
venom for darts, poison veneno curare subsistence tool hunting, currently is falling out of use in Vaupés region, associated primarily with h-g groups (but this may be recent?) See Language page
woven strainer/sieve colador tejido, cedazo (Peru), cernedor (Peru) peneira, cumatá subsistence tool agriculture? commonly used for sifting dry manioc flour See Language page
bait for fishing cebo, carnada para pescar, empate (Peru) isca subsistence tool can refer to worms; more generic See Language page
fishtrap trampa de peces, trampa matapi, cacuri subsistence tool See Language page
bottom grinding stone manufacture if different word from top grinding stone See Language page
digging stick subsistence tool See Language page
top grinding stone metate, mano; piedra de moler metate, mano manufacture use word for top grinding stone if different from bottom stone See Language page
boomerang/throwing stick (generic) subsistence tool See Language page
spearthrower subsistence tool See Language page
house other Also means 'place/locative suffix'. Also lewekʷeʔ. See Language page