Bb

badi-na       

[badina] 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       

[ba/ba] 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       

[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       

[bakga] 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       

[bakga] coverb (tr.)

 

to name
• Wujinyhma nga-bu-ndi bak-ga lawar. 'I named her Wujinyhma.' (HL, text)

balangurrk       

[balaNurk] 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       

[balarin] nominal
stem bala-

 

white 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       

[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       

[balkgiø] nominal

 

agile wallaby Macropus agilis

 

note: This small wallaby is very common and is often seen around rivers and billabongs.

balman       

[balman] nominal

 

grasshopper
• Balman ga-ba-da nganku garratjjin. 'Grasshoppers eat what's it, grass.' (LM)

balp-ba       

[balpba] 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       

[bambañ] nominal

 

bald
• Gahan gordal, lardili-nehen ga-ya, bambarl ga-ya. 'He has no hair on his head, he is bald.' (LM)

bambelh-ma       

[bambel/ma] coverb (tr.)
dialect HL, PH

 

to stack
• Bambelh-ma me-ge guda! 'Stack up the firewood!' (HL)

bambidi       

[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       

[bambuÓ] nominal

 

basket

bamdakgan       

[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       

[bam/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       

[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       

[banda/an] 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       

[baNNa] 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       

[baniN/Na] 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       

[bapbu] nominal

   1.

grindstone
• Ngalma-ngal-martdiwa-yi ba-ma-ny bapbu, no-berlberlin garradin, birrk-gay-gu. '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       

[baÓatda] coverb (intr.)

 

to pass by
• Gurruwitj gahan barat-da ya-nggi ngerreju. 'That car passed us by.' (LM)

barawu       

[baÓawu] 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       

[baêacïa] 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       

[baêigi] 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       

[baÓ/baÓmaji] 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       

[baÓma] coverb (tr.)

 

to make a bed
• Bar-ma me-ge lawel now! 'Put your swag down!' (HL)

barnangga       

[ba÷aNga] nominal

 

nightjar Aegotheles cristatus & Caprimulgus spp.

 

note: This bird sits quietly during the day but is often seen flying at night.

barnanyin       

[ba÷aøin] 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, ga-gondo-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       

[ba֐imi] nominal

 

women's dance style
• Barndimi bornhborn-na ga-ba-ya, labali dordo-dordo-ma. 'They're dancing barndimi, shaking their legs.' (PH)

barndutjji       

[ba÷êucïi] 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       

[ba÷/ba÷na] coverb (intr.)

 

to leave a track, make a track
• Barnhbarn-na ya-nggi martdal mahan. 'Somebody has left footprints here.' (PH)

barp-ba       

[baÓpba] 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       

[baragañ] 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       

[barakbarak] 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       

[barbarin] nominal
dialect HL, PH, LL

 

long garfish

 

see also jagambarrin.

barri       

[bari] 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       

[baribibin] interrogative nominal

 

how many?
• Barri-bibin ngi-ma-yi garnamalin? 'How many cheeky yams did you get?'

barri-miya       

[barimija] interrogative nominal

 

who?
• Barri-miya gahan warri-giwu? 'Who are these two kids?' (LM, text)

barrnghbarrng-nga       

[barN/barNNa] coverb (intr.)

 

to glow (of the rainbow)
• Barrnghbarrng-nga ga-yu jagort. 'The rainbow glows.' (LM)

batjjal       

[bacïal] 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       

[bawoÿda] 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       

[belel/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       

[belerma] 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       

[bel/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       

[belkgaji] 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       

[belkgin] nominal
dialect HL, PH

 

wet mud
• Belkgin-leying jarratj linyi-ng. 'He slipped over in the wet mud.' (PH)

belpberin       

[belpbeÓin] 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       

[benbe] nominal

 

tick

bengbenggin       

[beNbeNgin] nominal
variant benybenyin (PH)

 

water python Bothrochilus fuscus

bengh-nga       

[beN/Na] coverb (tr.)

 

to poke
• Nibulin bengh nga-ma-ji-ng. 'I poked myself in the eye.' (LM)

 

see also durrp-ba.

benyhbeny       

[beø/beø] 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       

[beêaji] 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       

[beÓeÓin] nominal
variant berin (HL, PH)

 

march fly
• Gahan bererin-yi ngan-badi-na. 'That march fly bit me.' (LM)

bererin²       

[beÓeÓin] nominal

 

emu apple tree Owenia vernicosa

beretjjin       

[beÓecïin] nominal

 

spoonbill Platalea flavipes & regia

 

note: The flesh can be cooked and eaten.

 

see also nangalan.

berlin       

[beñin] nominal
stem berli-

 

shoulder

bernak       

[be÷ak] 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       

[bereø] nominal

 

better
• "Mu-ga-ja jorro-ma, lihwa-tjjondony. Yowtj me-ge maman berreny, woerrke-may-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       

[ber/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       

[beÿda] 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       

[beÿêekga] 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       

[betda] coverb (tr.)

 

to hit in the chest
• Bet-da ngan-bu-ni warreh-yi. 'The kid punched me in the chest.' (HL)

bewh-ma       

[bew/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       

[bewo÷] 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       

[bejma] 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       

[biïipba] 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       

[bikga] 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       

[bikgin] nominal
variant bikgi (PH)
stem bikgi-

 

lizard sp. Varanus primordius

bilh-ma       

[bil/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       

[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       

[bilma] coverb (intr.)
dialect HL, LL

 

to float
• Marak gahan bil-ma ga-ya, wah-leying. 'The leaves are floating on the water.' (LL)

binbabajarri       

[binbabaïari] nominal
variants binbajarri, binbirritjjin (HL), babatjjarri (PH)

 

forest kingfisher Halcyon macleayii

binbin¹       

[binbin] nominal

 

armlets
• Binbin, lem ge-ng lari-leying. 'She put armlets on her arm.' (PH)

 

see also yerrel.

binbin²       

[binbin] nominal
dialect HL, PH

 

crimson finch Neochmia phaeton

bindal       

[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       

[bindiÓin] 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       

[bindiÓin] nominal
dialect HL, PH

 

grass which has been burnt some time ago

 

see also wibin.

bingh-nga       

[biN/Na] coverb (tr.)

 

to pinch
• Ga-ba-bingh-nga-n-giwu. 'Those two are pinching each other.' (PH)

bing-nga       

[biNNa] 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       

[bingan] nominal

 

black bream Hephaestus fuliginosus
• Lamang binkan bulu-bulman ngi-ma-jan. 'We used to get very big black bream.' (LM, text)

binybiny-nya       

[biøbiøøa] 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       

[biøgoñkga] 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       

[biøïu] 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       

[bipba] 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       

[biêuguÿda] 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       

[biÓ/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       

[bi÷êaliïan] 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       

[bi֐i] nominal

 

native mouse Planigale maculata

birridip-ba       

[biridipba] 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       

[biriman] nominal
dialect PH

 

big
• Garradin birriman galh ngi-yama-ny-ngana. 'We climbed a big hill.' (PH)

 

see also buluman.

birritj-ja       

[biricïa] 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       

[birkga] 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       

[biÿbiÿda] 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       

[biÿda] coverb (tr.)

 

to kick
• Nendo birt ngan-bu-ng. 'The horse kicked me.' (LM)

bitjjirriny-nya       

[bicïiriøøa] 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       

[bijakgin] 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       

[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 may-gorden instead.

bohbo       

[bo/bo] nominal

 

aunt
• Mamak ngi-yama-ny-guju nung bohbo-gu. 'Us two said goodbye to auntie.' (LM)

bok-ga       

[bokga] coverb (tr.)

 

to dip, to scoop
• Bok-ga mi-ma nganung wahan! 'Scoop up some water for me!' (HL)

bolomin       

[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       

[bolondo] nominal

 

fork-tailed kite Milvus migrans

bolwo-gin       

[bolwogin] 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       

[bolwon] nominal
stem bolwo-

 

wind
• Bolwon-yi birritj-ja ga-bu-n wahan. 'The wind is stirring up the water.' (PH)

 

see also wangalanggu.

bonggo       

[boNgo] nominal
variant bornko (PH)

 

small water goanna sp.

bongorrk-ga       

[boNorkga] coverb (intr.)

 

to snore
• Bongorrk-ga ga-yu marluga gahan yimbama. 'That old man is always snoring.' (LM)

bonybony-nya       

[boøboøøa] 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       

[boø/øa] 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       

[boøilin] nominal
dialect HL, LL

 

big black butterfly

bonyorrk       

[boøork] nominal

 

boggy
• Mahan lahan bonyorrk ga-yu. 'This country is boggy.' (LL)

boran       

[boÓan] 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       

[boêogin] 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       

[boêok] 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       

[boÓena] 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 ga-di-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       

[boÓ/boÓin] nominal
dialect HL, PH, LL

 

tree sp. Xanthostemon paradoxus

 

note: The hard, dense wood can be used to make boomerangs and nulla-nullas.

borndan       

[bo֐an] nominal
stem bornda-

 

pandanus 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       

[bo֐edi] nominal

 

knee
• Japbany mi-ya nganung, borndedi mahan lihwa nga-ya! 'Go slow for me, because my knees are no good!' (LM)

borndedi²       

[bo֐edi] 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       

[bo÷/bo÷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       

[bo÷/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       

[bo÷oron] nominal

 

brolga Grus rubicundus
• Bornorron, ma-yi majalin wayi-tjjalbu, menuny durtdu. Ga-ga-n damorom-leying 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       

[boÓondi] 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       

[boÓocïa] 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       

[boroïu] 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       

[boroN/Na] coverb (intr.)

 

to swagger
• Borrongh-borrong-nga ga-ya wilh-ma. 'He swaggers about.' (PH)

 

see also no-borrongh-nga, letjletj-ja.

bort-da       

[boÿda] 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       

[boÿêen] 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       

[bow/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       

[bowkga] coverb (intr.)

 

to howl
• Lamarra ga-yu bowk-ga. 'The dog is howling.' (HL)

bowp-ba       

[bowpba] 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       

[boj/ma] coverb (intr.)

 

to go away
• Boyh mahanan jowk-ga ba-ra-ndi. 'They sent them away this way.' (LM, text)

boyhya-       

[boj/ja] infl. 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       

[bojma] 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       

[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       

[bugandi] 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       

[bukbuk] nominal

 

pheasant coucal Centropus phasaianinus

bula       

[bula] nominal

 

teenage boy
• Bula gahan, wuji ga-rinyi-ja mululuk, gokgo-wu. 'A bula has not yet been initiated.' (LM)

bula-ndi       

[bulandi] 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       

[bulbulpba] coverb (intr.)
variant bulpbulp-ba (HL, PH)

 

to be hairy

 

see also nu-bulpbulp-ba.

bulitj       

[bulic] 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       

[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       

[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       

[bulpbulpba] coverb (tr.)
dialect HL, PH

 

to sprinkle
• Gahan salt bulpbulp me-ge ngonggo dangany-ga! 'Sprinkle the salt on your tucker!' (HL)

buluman       

[buluman] nominal
variant buluhman (HL)
stem buluma-

 

big
• 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       

[bulundu] nominal
dialect HL

 

dilly bag

bum-ma       

[bumma] 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, guda-leying. 'The fire might set your clothes alight. You're standing too close to the fire.'

bunggurrun       

[buNgurun] nominal

 

myrtlewood Lophostemon grandiflorus

 

see also jinggul.

bu-ni       

[buni] 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       

[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       

[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       

[buøïupba] coverb (intr.)

 

to be belly down
• Bunyjup-ba ga-guk-ga-n. 'He's sleeping belly down.' (LM)

buran       

[buÓan] nominal
variant bohran (HL)
stem bura-

 

boomerang
• Berrh-ma nga-ra-ndi, buran, jorro di-nginy nganung. 'I threw a boomerang, and it came back to me.' (PH)

burbur       

[buÓbuÓ] nominal

 

wing
• Burbur-yi bilh-bil-ma nga-ma-ji-ng. 'I fanned myself with a wing.' (LM)

 

see also burbur-garang.

burbur-garang       

[buÓbuÓgaÓaN] nominal

 

aeroplane
• Yawey burbur-garang gahan bilh-bil-ma ga-ya yimbama. 'Yes, those planes are always flying.' (LM)

 

see also burbur.

burrh-ma       

[bur/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       

[burkgima] 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       

[burNburNNa] 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       

[burupburu] nominal

 

skin disease, such as scabies, ringworm or prickleheat
• Gumit-ba ga-ga-n, burrupburru. 'He has a skin disease.' (HL)

burruwaran       

[buruwaÓan] nominal

 

large bat sp.

but-da       

[butda] 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       

[buw/ma] coverb (tr.)
dialect HL, PH

 

to blow (with mouth)
• Buwh-ma mi-bu guda! 'Blow on the fire!' (HL)

buyal       

[bujal] nominal

 

gammon
• Ga-gobe-n gahan nganung. Buyal ga-ma-ji-n. 'She's lying to me. She's gammon.' (LM)

buyp-ba       

[bujpba] 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.