20001 baandjil

baandjil noun

mistletoe bird Dicaeum hirundinaceum

Talking about this bird may not have been allowed. This may be because baan (mistletoe) was thought to hide spirit children. From baan (mistletoe).

words/20001.m4a 20002 baanda-y

baanda-y v intrans

move in a line

Ian Sim said 'move in Indian file'.

words/20002.m4a 20003 baarrama-li

baarrama-li v trans

a. tear off, pull off, strip off

Garruugii-dju ngay yulay baarrama-y bawurra-dhi. ‘My uncle tore the skin off the kangaroo.’

Baarrama-li-laa ngiyani dhunbil maayawa-li-gu man.garr. ‘Then we will tear the sinews, to sew the bag.’

b. tear

Baarrama-li ngaya gi-yaa-nha bayagaa. ‘I am going to tear the clothes.’

words/20003.m4a 20004 baarray-rri

baarray-rri v trans

a. split

Baarray-na dhuu! ‘Split the wood!’

b. burst, bust YR,YYc. crack YR,YY

There is some evidence that this verb is -rri class, and other evidence which suggests -li class. The -rri class is more common and is recommended.

words/20004.m4a 20005 baayanbuu

baayanbuu time adverb

immediately

From baayan (soon) and the hypothesised suffix -buu (all\totally).

words/20005.m4a 20006 baayandhu

baayandhu time adverb

later on

Good for use in farewells - 'see you baayandhu '. Based on baayan (soon).

words/20006.m4a 20007 badha gali

badha gali noun

beer

words/20007.m4a 20008 badi ganaay

badi ganaay noun

gate

From badi (fence) and ganaay (opening).

words/20008.m4a 20009 badjinbal

badjinbal adverb

gradually

To describe an action, as in 'little by little'.

words/20009.m4a 20010 badjindi

badjindi noun

shorty, tiny

Nickname for anything small.

words/20010.m4a 20011 badjin maadha

badjin maadha noun

overseer

This term comes from sheep and cattle stations, where the manager or owner was the burrul maadha (big boss) and the overseer was second in charge. From badjin (little) and maadha (master).

words/20011.m4a 20012 baganbagan

baganbagan adjective

striped

For example, a butcher's apron.

words/20012.m4a 20013 baganbi

baganbi noun

striped skink

Probably Ctenotus robustus.

words/20013.m4a 20014 Bagaybaraay

Bagaybaraay placename

Boggabri

From bagay (creek) and -baraay (with, having).

words/20014.m4a 20015 Bagaybila

Bagaybila placename

Boggabilla

Based on bagay (creek).

words/20015.m4a 20016 balabalaa

balabalaa noun

butterfly

Originally the name for the white butterfly; now a general name for any butterfly. From balaa (white).

words/20016.m4a 20017 balal giniy

balal giniy noun

dead tree

From balal (dry) and giniy (tree).

words/20017.m4a 20018 balal muyaan

balal muyaan noun

dead tree

From balal (dry) and muyaan (tree).

words/20018.m4a 20019 balubuma-li

balubuma-li v trans

kill

From balu (dead) and buma-li (hit, kill).

words/20019.m4a 20020 baluburra-li

baluburra-li v trans

put out (extinguish)

Based on balu (dead). There are a number of similar words with this meaning including baluwa-li,balubunma-li and baluburranba-li.

Giirr ngaya baluburra-li. ‘I will put (the fire) out.’

words/20020.m4a 20021 Baluunbilyan

Baluunbilyan placename

Bollonbillion

A waterhole at Angledool. From baluun (egret) and bilyan (waterhole), so 'Egret Waterhole'.

words/20021.m4a 20022 bamba bayama-li

bamba bayama-li verb phrase

squeeze

From bamba (strongly, hard) and bayama-li (hold).

words/20022.m4a 20023 bamba ngami-li

bamba ngami-li verb phrase

stare

From bamba (strongly, hard) and ngami-li (look at).

words/20023.m4a 20024 bamba ngarra-li

bamba ngarra-li verb phrase

a. stare

Garriya nganha bamba ngarra-lda-ya! ‘Don't stare at me!’

b. watch carefully

Bamba dhaymaarr ngarra-laa-ya ngandabaa-dhi! ‘Watch (carefully) the ground for snakes!’

words/20024.m4a 20025 bambulngiyan

bambulngiyan noun

native orange tree flowers

Based on bambul (native orange tree) and -(b)iyan.

words/20025.m4a 20026 Bandaarra

Bandaarra placename

Bundarra

A town west of Armidale. From bandaarr (grey kangaroo) and probably -aa (place of).

words/20026.m4a 20027 bandibandi

bandibandi noun

diarrhoea

Probably related to bandi (punty bush).

words/20027.m4a 20028 Bariyan Ngama

Bariyan Ngama noun

Pleiades (stars)

From bariyan (younger sister) and ngama (father's sister); the name may be just bariyan. This is rare, the common name is miyaymiyaay.

words/20028.m4a 20029 barrabarraa

barrabarraa adjective

split open

From barra (a split).

words/20029.m4a 20030 Barrali Mugulbaa

Barrali Mugulbaa placename

sharpening-tools place

Place with sharpening grooves in the rock, north of Lightning Ridge, near Wiidhalibaa. Based on barra-li (sharpen), mugu (blunt) and -baa (place of, time of).

words/20030.m4a 20031 barraay milu gimbi-li

barraay milu gimbi-li verb phrase

wink

Ngaama bubaay-djuul-u ngaama barraay mil-u gimbi-y ngaama burrul-bidi dhayn. ‘The little man winked at the big man.’

words/20031.m4a 20032 barraaywan

barraaywan time adverb

immediately

Possibly from barraay (fast, quickly) and -wan (prominent feature).

words/20032.m4a 20033 barranbaa

barranbaa npln*, placename

a. brigalow wattle Acacia harpophylla

A medium- to large-sized wattle which grows in large thickets known as 'brigalow scrub'.

b. location YR

A place for collecting timber for barran (boomerangs) near Goodooga. Probably from barran (boomerang) and -baa (place of, time of).

words/20033.m4a 20034 barranbuu

barranbuu noun

nickname

Said to refer to an old stockman who had bow legs. Based on barran (boomerang) and, possibly, buyu (leg).

words/20034.m4a 20035 barran.giiba

barran.giiba noun

boomerang maker

words/20035.m4a 20036 barran.giirr

barran.giirr adjective

new moon

Used to describe the moon in its early phase. From barran (boomerang) and -giirr (like, similar to).

words/20036.m4a 20037 bawadhi

bawadhi place adverb

behind

From bawa (back) and -dhi (source). May also be used in the form bawa-dha (back-at).

words/20037.m4a 20038 bayama-y

bayama-y v intrans

be caught

Used in the context of 'they all got caught in the net'. A change in verb class from -li to -y.

words/20038.m4a 20039 Bayn Gabilaa

Bayn Gabilaa placename

Piangobla

Ted Fields said it meant something like 'take away a sick person'. Possibly based on bayn (sick), the form of second word is uncertain. Another possible derivation was said to be bayangurr bulaarr (two young ones) because of some watercourses or waterholes there.

words/20039.m4a 20040 bidjaaybiyaay

bidjaaybiyaay adjective

muddy

From bidjaay (mud) and -biyaay (with, having).

words/20040.m4a 20041 bidjaay balaa

bidjaay balaa noun

white paint

Ian Sim said it is a type of white paint made from gypsum or lime. From bidjaay (mud, paint) and balaa (white).

words/20041.m4a 20042 bidjaaymamal

bidjaaymamal noun

fairy martin Hirundo ariel

The nest is made from mud, often under bridges or eaves. From bidjaay (mud) and mama-li (stick).

words/20042.m4a 20043 biganbiyaay

biganbiyaay adjective

lawful

From bigan (the law) and -iyaay (with, having), so 'with, according to the law'.

words/20043.m4a 20044 biibabiiba

biibabiiba noun

book

words/20044.m4a 20045 biirra gawugaa

biirra gawugaa noun

bald head

Based on biirra-li (skin) and gawugaa (hair).

words/20045.m4a 20046 biiwanbiiwan

biiwanbiiwan nadj*, adjective

a. black-faced woodswallow Artamus cinerus b. puffed out c. boastful, bragging

words/20046.m4a 20047 bilumbilum

bilumbilum noun

zebra finch Taeniopygia bichenovii

The zebra finch has two black stripes on its cheeks; this word has also been used for the double-barred finch which has two black stripes on its chest.

words/20047.m4a 20048 bina bina

bina bina noun

restricted word

words/20048.m4a 20049 binadhiwuubiyan

binadhiwuubiyan noun

legless lizard, slow worm Pygopodida

Arthur Dodd's comments indicate that this may be based on bina (ear) and wuu-gi (go into).

words/20049.m4a 20050 bina guraarr

bina guraarr noun

rabbit

From bina (ears) and guraarr (long).

words/20050.m4a 20051 bina guwaal

bina guwaal adjective

upset, nervous

From bina (ears) and guwaa-li (talk); compare the English 'hearing voices\things'.

words/20051.m4a 20052 binamayaa

binamayaa noun

large saltbush Atriplex nummularia

Shrub growing to 3m with bluish-grey leaves; seeds are prolific and can be ground into flour and made into damper. Probably from bina (ear) because of the leaf shape.

words/20052.m4a 20053 bina muurr

bina muurr adjective

deaf

From bina (ear) and muurr (full, blocked, blunt).

words/20053.m4a 20054 binangarrangarra

binangarrangarra nadj*, adjective

a. teacher of the law b. clever, intelligent

words/20054.m4a 20055 binanggal

binanggal noun

restricted word

words/20055.m4a 20056 binaal bunma-li

binaal bunma-li v trans

quieten, soothe, calm, settle down

From binaal (well behaved) and bunma-li (make).

words/20056.m4a 20057 bindama-li

bindama-li v trans

hang up

From binda- (hang) and -ma-li (suffix that makes a transitive verb). This is a rare word, the common word is bindaybi-li.

words/20057.m4a 20058 bindaybi-li

bindaybi-li v trans

a. hang up

Bindaybi-la malawil-a. ‘Hang (it) up in the shade.’

b. tie up YR

Giirr ngaya-laa maadhaay ngaama bindaybi-l-ngayi-y. ‘I'll tie that dog up tomorrow.’

words/20058.m4a 20059 bindiyaabiyaay

bindiyaabiyaay adjective

prickly, thorny

From bindiyaa (prickle) and -biyaay (with, having).

words/20059.m4a 20060 biridji

biridji place adverb

in front

From biri (chest) and -dji (from\source). May also be used in the form biri-dja (chest-at).

words/20060.m4a 20061 birraawiin

birraawiin noun

whitewood flowers

Based on birraa (whitewood tree) and -(b)iyan.

words/20061.m4a 20062 birraliidjuul

birraliidjuul noun

baby

words/20062.m4a 20063 birraybirraay

birraybirraay noun

a. Orion's belt (stars)

A group of stars.

b. boys

The plurals birray-galgaa and birray-gal occur once each on the tapes; the plural birraybirray formed by reduplication, is rarely used.

words/20063.m4a 20064 birrubirruu

birrubirruu noun

rainbow bee-eater Merops ornatus

Said to be a 'clever bird', that was once a wiringin (clever man). When the birds flocked, it was said that 'the doctors are meeting', as clever men used to meet periodically. From birru (wiringin's stick) because the bird has two long central feathers which were thought to resemble a clever man's stick. The name is similar to the bird's call. The name may also be related to the GR word biruu (hole). The bird nests in a hole in the ground or a bank. A number of bird names make sense in a number of ways, such as, as a story, the features of the bird, and its call.

words/20064.m4a 20065 biruubaraay

biruubaraay adjective

hollow

From biruu (hole) and -baraay (with, having).

words/20065.m4a 20066 biyarruu

biyarruu noun

same one

From biyarr (one). The suffix -uu may mean 'absolutely the very one', so biyarruu could be used of a place, time, or person, although we only have evidence for it meaning 'the same place'.

words/20066.m4a 20067 biyuugu yanaa-y

biyuugu yanaa-y verb phrase

avoid

From biyuu-gu (long way-movement to) and yanaa-y (walk, go).

words/20067.m4a 20068 biyuubiyaay

biyuubiyaay adjective

hollow

Biyuu-biyaay nhama muyaan. ‘That's a hollow tree.’

words/20068.m4a 20069 Biyuulbarra

Biyuulbarra placename

Peelborough waterhole

East of Lightning Ridge. Based on biyuu (hole) and -barra (place of).

words/20069.m4a 20070 biyuurra-y

biyuurra-y v intrans

roll (self)

Ngaama-nga waan wii-dja wana-ngiili-nyi ngiyarrma-nga biyuurra-nhi. ‘The crow threw himself on the fire and rolled there.’

words/20070.m4a 20071 biyuurragi-y

biyuurragi-y v intrans

roll about/around

Bamba ngaama-nga waan gindama-nhi, yalagiirrmawu waama-nha biyuurragi-la-nhi wii-dja. ‘The crow laughed so hard, then because of that he was rolling around in the fire. (From a story).’

words/20071.m4a 20072 bulaarra

bulaarra adverb

twice

From bulaarr (two).

words/20072.m4a 20073 bulaarrbulaarr

bulaarrbulaarr adjective

four

An older word, from bulaarr (two). The recommended word is buligaa (four).

words/20073.m4a 20074 bulaarruu maa

bulaarruu maa adjective

ten

An older word, based on bulaarr (two) and maa (hand). The recommended word is banay (ten).

words/20074.m4a 20075 buliirral ganaay

buliirral ganaay adjective

short of breath

From buliirral (breath) and ganaay (shallow).

words/20075.m4a 20076 buliirral wanda

buliirral wanda noun

wind gust

Breeze that springs up out of nowhere. From buliirral (breath) and wanda (ghost), so 'ghost breath'.

words/20076.m4a 20077 buluba-y

buluba-y v intrans

cover (self), be covered

Giirr ngaya gi-yaa-nha buluba-y. ‘I'm going to cover (myself) up.’

words/20077.m4a 20078 bulubama-li

bulubama-li v trans

cover

Minya-dhu-waa nhama bulubama-la dhinggaa, nhuwi nhama-laa gi-gi. ‘Cover that meat with something or else it will go bad.’

words/20078.m4a 20079 Buluuy Nhaaybil

Buluuy Nhaaybil placename

Blue Knobby

Volcanic tor near North Star (outside Moree) which has many dark rock faces. Also location near Upper Norton. Based on buluuy (black) and, perhaps, nhaayba (knife), due to the appearance of the rock faces. The similarity between buluuy and English 'blue' has lead to the inaccurate English name.

words/20079.m4a 20080 buma-y

buma-y v intrans

be hit

A change in verb class from -li to -y. This verb is not fully understood and needs further investigation.

words/20080.m4a 20081 bumala-y

bumala-y v intrans

fight

Waal ngali yaluu buma-la-y. ‘We won't fight again.’

words/20081.m4a 20082 Bumaay

Bumaay placename

Boomi

From buma-y (hit).

words/20082.m4a 20083 Buman Garriya

Buman Garriya placename

location

A place on the Narran Lake where Baayami the Creator ambushed and killed the Garriya brothers, thereby creating the lake. Based on buma-li (hit, kill-past) and garriya (crocodile).

words/20083.m4a 20084 bumaldaay

bumaldaay noun

hit man, thug

This form has been recorded, but is not recommended for use because the way it is used in sentences (i.e. which suffixes it can have) is not understood. Related to buma-li (hit, kill).

words/20084.m4a 20085 bunbarrayn

bunbarrayn noun

rosewood fruit

words/20085.m4a 20086 bundaama-li

bundaama-li v trans

a. knock down

Maadhaay-u nhama dhiil-u bilaarr bundaama-y. ‘The dog knocked the spear over with his tail.’

b. push down

Yiiliyanbaa-gu bundaama-y buyabuya-dhuul dhaymaa-ya. ‘The savage one pushed the thin one on the ground.’

words/20086.m4a 20087 burabura

burabura adjective

thin, bony

Reduplication of bura (bone).

words/20087.m4a 20088 burranba-y

burranba-y v intrans

become

Giirr nhama gaba burranba-nhi. ‘He became well; (the boy) was pleased.’

words/20088.m4a 20089 Burrigala

Burrigala placename

Brigalow Station

Off the Coonabarabran-Coonamble road. Based on burrii (brigalow wattle); described as 'place of the burrii '.

words/20089.m4a 20090 Burriiwarranha

Burriiwarranha placename

Brewarrina

Probably from burrii (brigalow wattle) and warra-nha (standing).

words/20090.m4a 20091 burrul bina

burrul bina adjective

clever, wise

From burrul (big) and bina (ear).

words/20091.m4a 20092 burrul burranba-li

burrul burranba-li v trans

raise (bring up)

As in 'raise or bring up children'. From burrul (big) and burranba-li (cause to become).

words/20092.m4a 20093 burrul gi-gi

burrul gi-gi verb phrase

grow

From burrul (big) and gi-gi (be).

words/20093.m4a 20094 Burrul Gungan

Burrul Gungan placename

Narran Lake

From burrul (big) and gungan (water).

words/20094.m4a 20095 burrul maadha

burrul maadha noun

boss

Originally meant 'property manager', now refers to the boss of anything, e.g. a police chief, or manager of a company. From burrul (big) and maadha (master).

words/20095.m4a 20096 burrul ngambaa

burrul ngambaa noun

aunt (mother's older sister)

From burrul (big) and ngambaa (mother).

words/20096.m4a 20097 burrulaabaa

burrulaabaa noun

leader

A man in a position of authority over others. Based on burrulaa (many).

words/20097.m4a 20098 burrulaa garay

burrulaa garay noun

lot of talk

From burrulaa (many, a lot) and garay (words).

words/20098.m4a 20099 burubiyaay

burubiyaay noun

male

From buru (balls) and -biyaay (having).

words/20099.m4a 20100 burugalaa

burugalaa noun

a. ball, ball game b. testicles, balls

words/20100.m4a 20101 buularaay

buularaay adjective

jealous

From buul (jealousy) and -araay (with, having).

words/20101.m4a 20102 buuliyaay

buuliyaay adjective

jealous

From buul (jealousy) and -iyaay (with, having).

words/20102.m4a 20103 buulbuul

buulbuul adjective

knotty, lumpy

Of, e.g. a tree or stick.

words/20103.m4a 20104 buunhuumayuu

buunhuumayuu adjective

grassy

Based on buunhu (grass). The derivation of this word is not fully understood.

words/20104.m4a 20105 buurrabang

buurrabang noun

bora ground

The 'public' ground at the bora; perhaps the name of the 'big ring' there. The final -ng was not used in Yuwaalayaay, this word may be borrowed from Wiradjuri.

words/20105.m4a 20106 buurrabiyaay

buurrabiyaay noun

boy at initiation

From buurra (bora) and -biyaay (with, having).

words/20106.m4a 20107 buwabildhalibaa

buwabildhalibaa adjective

poor

From buwabil (possessions) and -dhalibaa (without).

words/20107.m4a 20108 buwarrgaa

buwarrgaa noun

dead person's things

words/20108.m4a 20109 buyabuya

buyabuya adjective

thin, bony

Buri-buri is sometimes used in Walgett.

words/20109.m4a 20110 buyaduul

buyaduul adjective

short

Possibly from buya (bones) and -duul (little, one).

words/20110.m4a 20111 buyu wayawaya

buyu wayawaya adjective

bandy legged

From buyu (leg) and wayawaya (bent, crooked).

words/20111.m4a 20112 buyudhurrungiili

buyudhurrungiili noun

white-faced heron, blue crane Egretta novaehollandiae

Probably based on buyu (legs) and dhurrun (hair), so 'little hairy legs'. From a story about a woman with very hairy legs.

words/20112.m4a 20113 buyumadhuul

buyumadhuul noun

glutton

From buyuma (dog) and -dhuul (one), so 'greedy like a dog'.

words/20113.m4a 20114 dhaandhaan

dhaandhaan adjective

staggering

words/20114.m4a 20115 dhaandiyaay

dhaandiyaay adjective

leaning

Used to describe, e.g. a leaning tree. From dhaan (sideways, to the side) and -iyaay (with, having).

words/20115.m4a 20116 Dhaay Galiyawaay

Dhaay Galiyawaay verb phrase

name (climbing this way)

Mrs Ginny Rose was born at Nee Nee, Queensland, in 1880. Her Yuwaalayaay name, Dhaay galiyawaay, refers to her birth during the floods of that time, when the water level was rising. From dhaay (this way) and galiya-waa-y (climbing).

words/20116.m4a 20117 dhabima-li

dhabima-li v trans

leave alone

Dhabima-la nganha! ‘Leave me alone!’

words/20117.m4a 20118 dhadha-y

dhadha-y v intrans

taste

Giirruu nhama dhinggaa gaba dhadha-y-la-nhi. ‘That meat tasted good.’

words/20118.m4a 20119 dhalaybaa

dhalaybaa adjective

sharp

Refers to things like spears and claws.

Dhalaybaa nhama wiyayl. ‘The quills are sharp.’

words/20119.m4a 20120 dhalaybidi

dhalaybidi adjective

talkative

Garriya bamba gaay guwaa-lda-ya, giirruu nginda dhalay-bidi, bamba dhugay gaay guwaa-lda-nha. ‘Stop talking, you're talkative, you're always talking.’

words/20120.m4a 20121 dhalaydhalibaa

dhalaydhalibaa adjective

dumb (speechless)

From dhalay (tongue) and -dhalibaa (without).

words/20121.m4a 20122 dhandarraa

dhandarraa noun

winter

From dhandarr (frost, ice) and -aa (place of, time of). Possibly also a placename, Dandara, west of Tamworth.

words/20122.m4a 20123 dhandarriyaay

dhandarriyaay adjective

grey haired

From dhandarr (frost, ice) and -iyaay (with, having).

words/20123.m4a 20124 dhanduwiyma-li

dhanduwiyma-li v trans

put someone to bed

Giirruu yinarr-duul-u nhama birralii wagirrbama-lda-nhi, waama-nga dhanduwi-y-ma-y. ‘The woman washed the baby then put it to sleep.’

words/20124.m4a 20125 dhangga-y

dhangga-y v intrans

a. float (self) YR

Giirr ngiyama gungan-da dhangga-waa-nhi. ‘He was floating on the water.’

b. swim on surface YY

A change in verb class from -li to -y.

words/20125.m4a 20126 dhanggalma-li

dhanggalma-li v trans

float

Giirr ngaya ngiyarrma gungan-da dhanggalma-y ngay ganuu. ‘I floated my canoe in the water.’

words/20126.m4a 20127 Dhanggaliirr

Dhanggaliirr placename

Dungalear

A large property between Walgett and Lightning Ridge that was previously located on the river. Possibly based on dhanggal (mussel), thought to mean 'many mussels'.

words/20127.m4a 20128 dhanggiwa-li

dhanggiwa-li v trans

deceive, trick

words/20128.m4a 20129 dhanggiway

dhanggiway noun

trick (sleight of hand)

words/20129.m4a 21001 dhanggima-li

dhanggima-li v trans

soak

Dhanggima-li nhama gi-yaa-nha bayagaa yina-yu. ‘The woman is going to soak the clothes.’

words/21001.m4a 20130 dhanibanban

dhanibanban noun

dollar bird Eurystomus orientalis

Greg Fields said the name means 'the eater of gum' (dhani). The red beak is said to be coloured from eating tree gum.

words/20130.m4a 20131 dhaniyaa

dhaniyaa noun

silver wattle Acacia decora

Also called western golden wattle, this medium-sized tree has powder on the leaves and small branches giving it a silvery look; it has pale lemon flowers. The name also refers to the edible gum (dhani).

words/20131.m4a 20132 Dhariilaraay

Dhariilaraay placename

Tarilarai

From dhariil (reeds) and -araay (with, having). Also Tareelaroi, east of Moree.

words/20132.m4a 20133 Dhariilduul

Dhariilduul placename

Drilldool

From dhariil (reed) and -duul (little, one).

words/20133.m4a 20134 dharrabilay

dharrabilay noun

long-legged insect

Insect that creeps around at night. Also a general name for anything with especially long legs; and a nickname for a long-legged person. Based on dharra (thigh, leg) and -bil (having a lot of).

words/20134.m4a 20135 Dharramalan

Dharramalan noun

spirit

Described by Greenway as the mediator between man and Byamee. Also called 'the voice of Byamee at the bora'. Based on dharra (thigh, leg) and maal (one), as the spirit had only one leg.

words/20135.m4a 20136 dharramudhu

dharramudhu noun

restricted word

words/20136.m4a 20137 Dharrawaawul

Dharrawaawul placename

Terewah

Ted Fields said that this was a common meeting place. From dharra (leg, thigh) and waawul (narrow), so named because it was on a branch of the Narran Lake, not the main body of water. May be the origin of Dharriwaa now used as a name for Narran Lake.

words/20137.m4a 20138 dharraabiin

dharraabiin noun

manna (on bark)

This word was given as referring to the manna found on bark. Manna occurs as small, round, white objects on bark and leaves. It is a sugary substance that is made by insects, and can be eaten raw or mixed with wattle gum and dissolved in water. Manna also occurs as a sugary substance that runs down and crystallises, e.g on the sugarwood bush. Based on dharraa (tree bark) and -(b)iyan.

words/20138.m4a 20139 dharraadhaandhaan

dharraadhaandhaan adjective

staggering drunk

From dharraa (drunk) and dhaan (sideways, to the side).

words/20139.m4a 20140 dharrawuluwi-y

dharrawuluwi-y v intrans

come back, go back, return

Dhuwinba-la nhama dhamiyaa, yilaa ngaya-laa dharrawu-l-uwi-y. ‘You plant (hide) that tomahawk, directly I'll be coming back.’

words/20140.m4a 20141 dhawunbaraay

dhawunbaraay adjective

dirty

From dhawun (dirt) and -baraay (with, having).

words/20141.m4a 20142 dhawunma

dhawunma noun

burial ground, cemetery

Based on dhawun (ground, earth).

words/20142.m4a 20143 dhaygalbaarrayn

dhaygalbaarrayn noun

Darling lily Crinum flaccidum

Has large white trumpet-shaped flowers. Arthur Dodd said 'it has a big potato underneath - can't eat them - dhaygalbaarrayn, dhaygal means your head, and if you eat that it will split it (give you a headache), that's why they name it that way'. The name is also said to come from the seeds which look like a 'split head'. Based on dhaygal (head) and baarray-rri (split).

words/20143.m4a 20144 dhaygal gaya-y

dhaygal gaya-y verb phrase

headache

Dhaygal ngay gaya-waa-nha. ‘My head is turning (I have a headache).’

words/20144.m4a 20145 dhaygaliyaay

dhaygaliyaay adjective

clever

From dhaygal (head) and -iyaay (with, having).

words/20145.m4a 20146 dhaygaluwi

dhaygaluwi noun

pillow

Based on dhaygal (head) and -uwi (back).

words/20146.m4a 20147 dhaymaadhi

dhaymaadhi noun

ground-dwelling animals

To talk generally about flesh food that needs to be dug up, you would say, 'Let's go hunting dhaymaadhi-gu (for ground meat).' To specify burrowing frogs you would add 'yuwayaa' (any frog).

words/20147.m4a 20148 dhayndalmuu

dhayndalmuu noun

a. messenger

A special wiringin who brings messages from Baayami; Billy Rook was thought to be the last one around Walgett.

b. priest YR

Used in Walgett.

c. counsellor YR

words/20148.m4a 20149 dhiidhaan

dhiidhaan noun

good hunter

Based on dhii (meat, animal).

words/20149.m4a 20150 dhiidjuul

dhiidjuul noun

piece of meat

From dhii (meat) and -djuul (little, one).

words/20150.m4a 20151 dhiiyaanmaa

dhiiyaanmaa noun

heaven

This is a rare word, the common word is balima. The exact meaning is uncertain, but something like 'mother's place in heaven'.

words/20151.m4a 20152 dhii garril

dhii garril noun

tea leaves

From dhii (tea) and garril (leaf).

words/20152.m4a 20153 dhii man.garr

dhii man.garr noun

tea bag

words/20153.m4a 20154 Dhiilgulaybaa

Dhiilgulaybaa noun

bird-trapping place

From dhiilgulay (bird trap) and -baa (place of, time of).

words/20154.m4a 20155 dhiirra-y

dhiirra-y v trans

a. know

Miimii, yaama-nda dhiirra-y-la-nha gawubarray? ‘Miimii, do you know of any stars?’

Waal ngiyani dhiirra-y-la-nha nhama dhayn. ‘We don't know these men.’

b. remember

Yaama-nda dhiirra-y-la-nha nhama dhayn? ‘Do you remember the people?’

words/20155.m4a 20156 dhiirralbidi

dhiirralbidi noun

school principal

From dhiirral (teacher) and -bidi (big).

words/20156.m4a 20157 Dhimbambaraay

Dhimbambaraay placename

Timbumburi Creek

From dhimba (sheep) and -baraay (with, having).

words/20157.m4a 20158 dhinabarra

dhinabarra noun

mythical beings (type of)

Spirits with bird-like feet. From dhina (foot) and barra (split).

words/20158.m4a 20159 dhinagarral

dhinagarral noun

poison

Said to be made from various substances, including ground up human bones and black yam; given in food. Dhinagarral is the actual killing agent for a magic projectile, dhinagarralawaa, 'thrown' by a wiringin (clever man). From dhina (feet) and garra-li (cut); because it was said to cut the feet out from under the victim.

words/20159.m4a 20160 dhinagarralawaa

dhinagarralawaa noun

death stone

Possibly from dhina (feet), garra-li (cut) and -awaa (habitual), so '(the stone) that cuts people's feet out from under them'.

words/20160.m4a 20161 dhinawan

dhinawan noun

emu Dromaius novaehollandiae

The story of emu and brolga tells how emu lost its wings; also see the story of how the echidna got its quills. Emu is an important food, both meat and eggs are eaten. It is said that emu oil was used in cold weather to protect people's skins. From dhina (foot) and -wan (prominent feature).

words/20161.m4a 20162 dhina yulu

dhina yulu noun

toenail

From dhina (foot) and yulu (nail).

words/20162.m4a 20163 dhinbiya warra-y

dhinbiya warra-y verb phrase

kneel

From dhinbi-ya (knee-on) and warra-y (stand), so 'stand on your knees'.

words/20163.m4a 20164 Dhindirrina

Dhindirrina placename

waterhole name

On the Narran River, near the NSW-Queensland border. Possibly based on dhindi (fishing spear).

words/20164.m4a 20165 dhirrabil

dhirrabil adjective

smiling

words/20165.m4a 20166 dhirrabuu

dhirrabuu adjective

very flash

words/20166.m4a 20167 dhirragal

dhirragal adjective

teeth on edge

The physical sensation that happens when you bite on something sour.

words/20167.m4a 20168 dhirranba-y

dhirranba-y v intrans

a. shake

Gagil nhama maalaabidi, dhirranba-y-la-nha. ‘That tree is no good, it's shaking.’

b. shiver YR

Dhirranba-y-la-nha nhama dhayn. ‘That man is shivering.’

c. wag YR

Giirr nhama dhiil dhirranba-y-la-nha maadhaay-gu. ‘The dog's tail is wagging.’

d. rattle YR

Mubal ngay dhirranba-y-la-nha. ‘My stomach is rattling (it's empty).’

words/20168.m4a 20169 dhirrinbaa

dhirrinbaa noun

bad-weather camp

On high ground. Possibly from dhirrin (high ground) and -baa (place of, time of).

words/20169.m4a 20170 dhulu buurra

dhulu buurra noun

bora message stick

From dhulu (stick) and buurra (bora).

words/20170.m4a 20171 dhunbarra

dhunbarra noun

welcome swallow Hirundo neoxena

From dhun (tail) and barra (split).

words/20171.m4a 20172 dhunbarran

dhunbarran noun

initiation-ground pathway

The pathway, around 250 m long, connecting the two rings of an initiation ground. Previously written dhanbarran.

words/20172.m4a 20173 dhunbiliyaay

dhunbiliyaay adjective

strong, sinewy

Refers to people or animals. From dhunbil (sinew) and -iyaay (with, having).

words/20173.m4a 20174 dhunbilyabi

dhunbilyabi noun

sinew string

From dhunbil (sinew) and yabi-li (twist, plait).

words/20174.m4a 20175 dhuradhuraba-li

dhuradhuraba-li v trans

tap

Arthur Dodd used this word to talk about tapping the ground with his stick to see if there was a hollow below in which a goanna was hiding. Possibly 'dhurradhurraba-li'. The reduplicated form of dhura-li (make noise) has this particular meaning.

words/20175.m4a 20176 dhurraaba-li

dhurraaba-li v trans

make come out

This verb is also found in the expressions gaawil dhurraaba-li (make vomit) and guway dhurraanma-li (make bleed).

Giirr nguu ngaama dhayn-gu yiya dhurraaba-y. ‘He knocked the man's teeth out.’

words/20176.m4a 20177 dhurraami-li

dhurraami-li v trans

wait (for)

Dhurraami-li ngaya gi-yaa-nha nginunha. ‘I am going to wait for you.’

words/20177.m4a 20178 dhurraluwi-y

dhurraluwi-y v intrans

come back, return

Yilaa ngaya-laa dhurra-l-uwi-y! ‘I will come back later!’

words/20178.m4a 20179 Dhurrunbandaay

Dhurrunbandaay placename

Dirranbandi

Said to be related to dhurrun.gal (hairy caterpillars) and baanda-y (move in Indian file).

words/20179.m4a 20180 dhurrundhurrun

dhurrundhurrun adjective

hairy, furry

From dhurrun (hair).

words/20180.m4a 20181 dhurrun.gal

dhurrun.gal noun

a. hairy caterpillar Ochrogaster lunifer

Also called processionary caterpillar. These caterpillars follow each other along in a line. This is also the name for their bag nest.

b. furry tribe YY

The furry tribe refers to hairy animals as a group; it is one of three types of animals, others being the scaly and the feathered tribes. Also refers to people and totems. From dhurrun (hair) and -gal (group, mob).

words/20181.m4a 20182 dhuubaarr

dhuubaarr noun

a. funeral smoke

Fred Reece said that dhuubaarr is the smoke used in burial ceremonies. Everybody shifts camp when somebody dies, then a couple of women go around at sundown with fire in some sticks or bushes and smoke every camp out. He said 'That's how they sing that song: dhuubaarr-ba marrabaa.'

b. fine rain

Related to dhuu (smoke).

words/20182.m4a 20183 dhuumuyu

dhuumuyu adjective

blackened, smoked

Based on dhuu (smoke).

words/20183.m4a 20184 dhuurranmay waa

dhuurranmay waa noun

boss shell

Believed to be the 'alligator' shell, that is, a piece of Garriya's egg, made into a pendant and worn by the 'top men'. From dhuurranmay (chief, leader) and waa (shell).

words/20184.m4a 20185 dhuwadhuul

dhuwadhuul noun

grey one

Probably from dhuwa (grey) and -dhuul (little, one).

words/20185.m4a 20186 dhuwigalinmal

dhuwigalinmal noun

clamorous reed warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus

The bird's singing at night is said to be catching someone's dream spirit and singing it 'up to heaven'; a sign of a death occurring, this bird was feared and hated, and was killed whenever possible. Based on dhuwi (soul, spirit) and probably galiya-y (climb).

words/20186.m4a 21000 dhuwima-y

dhuwima-y v intrans

remove [own]

words/21000.m4a 20187 dhuwinba-y

dhuwinba-y v intrans

hide (self)

Nguu ngiyarrma yurrul-a dhuwinba-nhi. ‘He hid in the bushes.’

words/20187.m4a 20188 dhuyubagan

dhuyubagan noun

bandy bandy snake Vermicella annulata

From dhuyu (snake) and bagan (stripe).

words/20188.m4a 20189 dhuyugarral

dhuyugarral noun

earthworm

From dhuyu (snake) and garra-li (cut).

words/20189.m4a 20190 dhuyumanga

dhuyumanga noun

python

From dhuyu (snake) and manga (ear). Name for any python; Ted Fields said the name comes from its wide head which makes it look as if it has ears.

words/20190.m4a 20191 dhuyuldhuyul

dhuyuldhuyul adjective

hilly

From dhuyul (hill).

words/20191.m4a 20192 gaaguwi-y

gaaguwi-y v trans

bring back, take back

Gaa-g-uwi-ya nhama birralii-djuul ngambaa-ngun-da nguungu. ‘Take the child back to his mother.’

words/20192.m4a 20193 gaarra-y

gaarra-y v intrans

paint (self)

Giirr ngaya gi-yaa-nha gaarra-y yulu-gi-gu. ‘I'm going to paint (myself) for the corroboree.’

words/20193.m4a 20194 gaarrima-li

gaarrima-li v trans

a. spill

Giirr ngaama nguu gungan gaarrima-y. ‘He spilt the water.’

b. pour

words/20194.m4a 20195 Gaawalbaa

Gaawalbaa placename

Cowelba

On the Collarenebri-Angledool road. From gaawal (creek) and -baa (place of, time of).

words/20195.m4a 20196 gaay gawaa-y

gaay gawaa-y verb phrase

mimic, imitate speech

From gaay (word, language) and gawaa-y (follow).

words/20196.m4a 20197 gaay giirruu

gaay giirruu exclamation

true words!

From gaay (word) and giirruu (absolutely, too right).

words/20197.m4a 20198 gaayaa wana-gi

gaayaa wana-gi verb phrase

talk

Giirr ngiyani-luu winanga-lda-nha nhama gaayaa wana-gi-la-ndaay. ‘We can hear them talking.’

words/20198.m4a 20199 gaayli

gaayli noun

child

From gaay (child, small).

words/20199.m4a 20200 gaaynggal

gaaynggal noun

baby

Possibly originally a plural based on gaay (child, small) and -gal (many). Also found as gaaynduul which is probably a singular form.

words/20200.m4a 20201 gaaynmara

gaaynmara nadj*, adjective

a. child b. small, little

words/20201.m4a 20202 gababala

gababala adjective

better

Gaba-bala ngay barran. ‘My boomerang is better (than yours).’

words/20202.m4a 20203 gaba binaal

gaba binaal adjective

peaceful, well mannered

Based on gaba (good) and bina (ear).

words/20203.m4a 20204 gaba dhaygal

gaba dhaygal adjective

clever

Level headed. From gaba (good) and dhaygal (head).

words/20204.m4a 20205 gaba guuyay

gaba guuyay adjective

good mood

Yaama nginu gaba guuyay? ‘Are you (in a) good mood?’

words/20205.m4a 20206 gabangaarr

gabangaarr adjadv*, adverb

nicely

Probably based on gaba (good).

words/20206.m4a 20207 gaba ngulu

gaba ngulu adjective

good-looking

From gaba (good) and ngulu (face).

words/20207.m4a 20208 gagilbiyal

gagilbiyal adjective

sorry

Based on gagil (bad) and, possibly, -biyaay (with, having).

words/20208.m4a 20209 gagil dhaygal

gagil dhaygal noun

headache

From gagil (bad) and dhaygal (head).

words/20209.m4a 20210 gagil guuyay

gagil guuyay adjective

bad mood

From gagil (bad) and guuyay (mood). Sometimes used to translate 'jealous'.

words/20210.m4a 20211 gagil ngulu

gagil ngulu adjective

ugly

Garriya nhama gagil ngulu dhayn, gaay guwaa-lda-ya. ‘Don't talk to that ugly man.’

words/20211.m4a 20212 galaarr gi-gi

galaarr gi-gi verb phrase

what to do?

Miimii, galaarr nginda gi-gi ngandabaa-gu nginunha yii-ldaay? ‘Miimii, what will you do if a snake bites you?’

Galaarr ngiyani gi-yaa-nha gi-gi gungan-gu? ‘What are we going to do for water?’

words/20212.m4a 20213 galan.galaan

galan.galaan noun

native spinach Tetragonia tetragonioides

Also called New Zealand spinach, it is a succulent trailing plant with triangular leaves and greenish yellow flowers. Young shoots can be eaten cooked or raw. Ian Sim said that the name may relate to watery blisters on the plant.

words/20213.m4a 20214 Galariinbaraay

Galariinbaraay placename

Collarenebri

From galariin (coolabah blossoms) and -baraay (with, having).

words/20214.m4a 20215 galibaay

galibaay noun

red-bellied black snake Pseudechis porphyriacus

Sometimes called water snake.

words/20215.m4a 20216 galibaraay

galibaraay adjective

full of water, wet

From gali (water) and -baraay (with, having).

words/20216.m4a 20217 Gali Gurunha

Gali Gurunha npln*, placename

a. creation spirit

Ted Fields said: 'In the dreamtime Gali Gurunha lived at Gingie, and some of the warriors coming back from the Narran River came on dry times, and had no water. Gali Gurunha dug the underground river from the Barwon to Cumborah Springs. We believe Gali Gurunha created the spring to save the warriors, this is not tradition but history'.

b. waterhole at Gingie

A spirit and the deep hole in the river where he lives. This hole is near Gingie mission, just west of Walgett. Based on gali (water - GR). This name has been written many ways, including Gali Gurrunaa, Gali Gurranaa and Gali Gurrna; however Gingie is in Ngiyambaa country, and in that language Gali Gurunha means 'the water is going in' which is consistent with the story.

words/20217.m4a 20218 Galimandi

Galimandi placename

Kalmundi Station

A property on the Collarenebri road (24 miles from Walgett). There is an old camp just up the river from there. From gali (water - GR).

words/20218.m4a 20219 galimaramara

galimaramara noun

flock bronzewing Phaps histrionica

From gali (water) and mara (hand); probably due to the unusual way the bird lands on water.

words/20219.m4a 20220 galindjari

galindjari noun

honey drink

A drink made from water and honey. One source said it may contain pituri. Based on gali (water - GR).

words/20220.m4a 20221 galingin

galingin adjective

thirsty

From gali (water) and -ngin (wanting).

words/20221.m4a 20222 galinmay

galinmay noun

water bag

Made from animal skin, probably carpet snake. Probably based on gali (water - GR).

words/20222.m4a 20223 gama-y

gama-y v intrans

break

Giirr nhama bilaarr gama-nhi. ‘The spear broke.’

words/20223.m4a 20224 gamil maaru

gamil maaru adverb

badly, carelessly, not right

From gamil (no, not) and maaru (well, carefully).

words/20224.m4a 20225 gamila

gamila particle

can't, couldn't

Based on gamil (no, not).

words/20225.m4a 20226 gamilgaa

gamilgaa question word

why not?

Based on gamil (no, not).

words/20226.m4a 20227 gamilu

gamilu particle

a. hold on, not yet b. before

words/20227.m4a 20228 gamugamuubiyaay

gamugamuubiyaay adjective

fly-blown

From gamugamuu (maggot, blowfly) and -biyaay (with, having).

words/20228.m4a 20229 gana garraa

gana garraa adjective

cranky, shitty

Based on gana (liver).

words/20229.m4a 20230 gana garranba-li

gana garranba-li verb phrase

contradict

Possibly from gana (liver) and garranba-li (push, shove).

words/20230.m4a 20231 gana walingay

gana walingay adjective

sad

From gana (liver) and walingay (lonely, sulky).

words/20231.m4a 20232 ganagiil

ganagiil adjective

sad

Probably based on gana (liver).

words/20232.m4a 20233 Ganhanbili

Ganhanbili noun

Byame's wife

One of two, the other being Birrangulu. Based on ganhan (pigweed).

words/20233.m4a 20234 garaay dhuyul

garaay dhuyul noun

sandhill

From garaay (sand) and dhuyul (hill, high ground).

words/20234.m4a 20235 garaydhalibaa

garaydhalibaa adjective

silent

From garay (word) and -dhalibaa (without).

words/20235.m4a 20236 Garrabilaa

Garrabilaa placename

location

Ian Sim, writing in Goodooga, said this was a placename 'up north', so called because the ground cracks there 'run the same way'. From garra (cracks) and bilaa (parallel).

words/20236.m4a 20237 Garradhuul

Garradhuul placename

location

From garra (cracks) and -dhuul (little, one).

words/20237.m4a 20238 garragali

garragali noun

planigale (rat-like marsupial)

Like a little rat; lives in garra (ground cracks); in a story, said to be wambanhiiya (cousin) to bagandi (native cat). Probably either paucident planigale Planigale gilesi or narrow-nosed planigale P. tenuirostris.

words/20238.m4a 20239 garragarraa

garragarraa adjective

a. cut, mown, clipped b. shaved

words/20239.m4a 20240 garragarraandi

garragarraandi noun

prickly gecko

A small, thick-tailed gecko, aggressive and vocal. Probably Heteronotia binoei. Greg Fields said that it makes the mirage seen in warm weather, and that people were afraid of it because it was originally a great doctor. Named because it lives in garra (cracks).

words/20240.m4a 20241 garran.garra

garran.garra noun

drought

Possibly based on garra (cracks), which appear during droughts.

words/20241.m4a 20242 garra-y

garra-y v intrans

a. be cut

Baburr nguu buma-y maayama-ga, bundaa-nhi-nya, dhinbirr nguungu garra-nhi maayama-ga. ‘He hit his foot on a rock, (he) fell, his knee was cut on the rock.’

b. choke

Garriya yalagiirrma garra-waa-ya! ‘Don't choke like that!’

Garra-nhi nhama birralii-djuul dhinggaa dha-lda-ndaay. ‘The boy choked while eating meat.’

words/20242.m4a 20243 Garriibarra

Garriibarra noun

orchid country people

According to Ginny Rose and Greg Fields, the Garriibarra might have originally been a group of YY speakers from somewhere on the eastern side of YY territory. From garrii (tree orchid) and -barra (people from).

words/20243.m4a 20244 garril budhal

garril budhal noun

game with toy club

Langloh-Parker said of the game: 'If a bush is not at hand, a bushy branch of a tree is stuck up. The men arm themselves with budhal or miniature waddies, then stand a few feet behind the bush, which varies from five to eight feet or so in height. They throw their budhal in turn; these have to skim through the top of the bush, which seems to give them fresh impetus instead of slackening them. The distance they go beyond is the test of a good thrower; over three hundred yards is not unusual.' Probably from garril (leaf) and budhal (toy club).

words/20244.m4a 20245 Garrilgarril

Garrilgarril placename

location

A shady fishing spot possibly on Currawillinghi (Garrawilingaay) Station. From garril (leaf).

words/20245.m4a 20246 garriyawu

garriyawu exclamation

wait a while!

Nguwama garriyawu! ‘Wait there!’

words/20246.m4a 20247 garunggama-li

garunggama-li v trans

drown

Bulaa-yu dhayn-du bayama-y nhama bandaarr waama gungan-da garunggama-y. ‘Two men caught that kangaroo then drowned him in the river.’

words/20247.m4a 20248 gawubaa

gawubaa noun

egg yolk

From gawu (egg) and -baa (meaning uncertain in this word).

words/20248.m4a 20249 gawugalgaa

gawugalgaa noun

insects

A name for any swarm of small insects, e.g. as seen around a lamp at night, or a cloud of midges. From gawu (insect) and -galgaa (many).

words/20249.m4a 20250 gaya-y

gaya-y v intrans

turn, turn over, twist

Gaya-ya, nhamun-da dhanduwi-ya! ‘Turn over and lie on your ribs!’

Dhaygal ngay gaya-waa-nha. ‘My head is turning (I have a headache).’

words/20250.m4a 20251 gayaayaan

gayaayaan noun

sandhill

From gayaay (sand).

words/20251.m4a 20252 gayiyabarra

gayiyabarra noun

spider web

From gayiya (spider) and barra (thread).

words/20252.m4a 20253 gaylama-li

gaylama-li v trans

burn

Garriya ngaama dhinggaa gaylama-la! ‘Don't burn that meat!’

words/20253.m4a 20254 gaynda

gaynda noun

carpenter's plane

Or anything used to smooth things. From gayn (fire rake).

words/20254.m4a 20255 gayn.gayn

gayn.gayn adjective

a. smooth b. calm

words/20255.m4a 20256 gayrriyaay

gayrriyaay adjective

a. named b. well known

words/20256.m4a 20573 gayrragumbirri

gayrragumbirri noun

computer

From gayrra (electricity) and gumbirri (brain).

words/20573.m4a 20258 gidjirrgidjirr

gidjirrgidjirr adjective

yellow

From gidjiirr (gidgee tree) because of its yellow flowers.

words/20258.m4a 20259 giguwi dhu-rri

giguwi dhu-rri verb phrase

a. sneeze

Giguwi dhu-na! ‘Sneeze!’

b. hiccup YR

words/20259.m4a 20260 giigaliyaay

giigaliyaay adjective

scabby

From giigal (scabs) and -iyaay (with, having).

words/20260.m4a 20261 giinbaligal

giinbaligal noun

scaly tribe

The scaly tribe refers to reptiles and fish as a group; it is one of three types of animals, others being the furry and the feathered tribes. Also refers to people and totems. Based on giinbal (scales) and -gal (group, mob).

words/20261.m4a 20262 giinbaywarraymal

giinbaywarraymal noun

seagull, silver gull Larus novaehollandiae

From giinbay (mussel - GR) and warrayma-li (send); so 'sender\bringer of mussels', from a story.

words/20262.m4a 20264 giirr maayu

giirr maayu exclamation

well done!, good job!

'Giirr maayu' ngaya guwaa-y. ‘I said 'well done'.’

words/20264.m4a 20265 giirrnga

giirrnga exclamation

that's enough!

From giirr (right) and -nga (now).

words/20265.m4a 20266 giirruu

giirruu particle

absolutely, too right

From giirr (really, truly) and -uu (all), which makes the statement stronger than if giirr is used. Arthur Dodd translates giirruu dhalaybaa as 'terrible sharp'.

words/20266.m4a 20267 gindjulgarra

gindjulgarra noun

snail

Probably based on gindjul (slime).

words/20267.m4a 20268 gindjulmaan

gindjulmaan noun

crayfish colon

The visible 'shit bag'. Probably based on gindjul (slime).

words/20268.m4a 20269 giniybaal

giniybaal noun

corner post

For example, the corner post of a fence. Based on giniy (stick).

words/20269.m4a 20270 giniybarra

giniybarra noun

tree spirit

Ted Fields said it is the name of a tree spirit at Miralwin. From giniy (tree) and barra (people from).

words/20270.m4a 20271 giniy waal

giniy waal noun

dead wood

From giniy (tree) and waal (no).

words/20271.m4a 20272 giniy walingay

giniy walingay noun

unusual tree

Any tree growing out of its normal environment, away from others of its species; said to be sad or grieving at being separated from its own kind. From giniy (tree) and walingay (lonely, sulky).

words/20272.m4a 20273 girran.girraa

girran.girraa npln*, placename

a. leaves b. location YY

A place on the Narran River, up from Angledool. One of the few words that form a plural by reduplication. Seems to have the meaning 'bunch' or 'mass of leaves' rather than just many leaves which is burrulaa girraa. Also girraan.girraa.

words/20273.m4a 20274 Girrawiin

Girrawiin placename

Girrawheen

A National Park near Wallangarra on the NSW-Queensland border. Thought to mean 'place of flowers'. Possibly based on girraa (leaf) and -(b)iyan.

words/20274.m4a 20275 girrandhaal

girrandhaal noun

rake

Based on girran (ashes).

words/20275.m4a 20276 girraybaa

girraybaa noun

battle ground

From girray (battle) and -baa (place of, time of).

words/20276.m4a 20277 giyaldhalibaa

giyaldhalibaa adjective

shameless, no shame

From giyal (afraid) and -dhalibaa (without).

words/20277.m4a 20278 giyalgil

giyalgil adjective

sour

words/20278.m4a 20279 giyalgiyal

giyalgiyal adjective

itchy

words/20279.m4a 20280 Guburruubaa

Guburruubaa placename

location

From guburruu (swamp box) and -baa (place of, time of).

words/20280.m4a 20281 gudhuwa-y

gudhuwa-y v intrans

a. burn YR

Giirruu nhama birralii-djuul gudhuwa-nhi wii-dja. ‘The baby was burnt on the fire.’

Giniy nhama gudhuwa-y-la-nha. ‘That stick is burning.’

b. be hot YR

Girran nhama gudhuwa-waa-nha. ‘Those ashes are hot.’

Gudhuwa-waa-nha ngaya. ‘I am hot.’

c. burn with pain YR

Ngama bandaarr dhina ngaama gudhuwa-y-la-nha. ‘That kangaroo('s) foot is burning (hurting).’

d. cook YR

Giirr ngaama bandaarr gudhuwa-nhi. ‘The kangaroo is cooked.’

words/20281.m4a 20282 Guduuga

Guduuga placename

Goodooga

Probably based on guduu (cod) and -ga (at).

words/20282.m4a 20283 gugirriibiyaay

gugirriibiyaay adjective

strong

Used, e.g. of tea. From gugirrii (sinews) and -biyaay (with, having).

words/20283.m4a 20284 gugirriidhalibaa

gugirriidhalibaa adjective

weak

From gugirrii (sinews) and -dhalibaa (without).

words/20284.m4a 20285 gulaagul

gulaagul noun

water hollow in tree

A water-holding tree, ironbark or box, with a split in the fork and a hollow below the fork. After rain, this hollow would be full of water for a long time. The tree was known by the mark which the overflow made down the trunk, discolouring the bark. Based on gula (tree fork).

words/20285.m4a 20286 gulaban

gulaban noun

seat

Ted Fields said it is a seat made out of gula (a fork in a tree) and a wheat bag.

words/20286.m4a 20287 gulayaali

gulayaali noun

pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus

Based on gulay (net bag), from a story.

words/20287.m4a 20288 guliirraraay

guliirraraay adjective

married

From guliirr (husband, wife) and -araay (with, having).

words/20288.m4a 20289 guliirrdhalibaa

guliirrdhalibaa adjective

a. widowed b. unmarried

words/20289.m4a 20290 guliirriyaay

guliirriyaay adjective

married

From guliirr (husband, wife) and -iyaay (with, having).

words/20290.m4a 20291 gumbadhaa

gumbadhaa noun

a. iron b. machinery

words/20291.m4a 20292 gumbadhina

gumbadhina noun

hard foot; nickname for someone who is a good walker or roams around a lot

From gumba (very hard) and dhina (foot).

words/20292.m4a 20293 gumbulgaban

gumbulgaban noun

plains turkey, Australian bustard Ardeotis australis

From gumbul (bottom) and gaban (light). Possibly to do with turkey's mating display.

words/20293.m4a 20294 Gumbulgabanbaa

Gumbulgabanbaa placename

location

A waterhole on the Narran River, near old Bangate Station bridge. There were lots of plains turkeys west of old Bangate Station. From gumbulgaban (plains turkey) and -baa (place of, time of).

words/20294.m4a 20295 gunadha

gunadha nadj*, adjective

a. boggy ground b. boggy

Gunadha-wan.gaan nhama dhaymaarr. ‘The ground (was) very boggy.’

words/20295.m4a 20296 gunagalaa

gunagalaa noun

toilet

Based on guna (shit). Used currently in some areas.

words/20296.m4a 20297 gunagunaa

gunagunaa adjective

a. brown

Any brownish colour.

b. dirty, disgusting

words/20297.m4a 20298 gunambaal

gunambaal noun

darter, long-necked shag

For more information see gunambaay and ganandhaal.

words/20298.m4a 20299 gunambaay

gunambaay noun

a. wood duck (nickname)

This and similar words turn up a number of times with related meanings, and the common element seems to be guna. Used of cormorants and wood ducks.

b. water bird

words/20299.m4a 20300 Gunambil

Gunambil placename

Coonamble

From guna (faeces) and -bil (having a lot of).

words/20300.m4a 20301 gundaawa-y

gundaawa-y v intrans

burn (with a lot of flame)

Buwadjarr-gu ngay ngaama gundhi gundaawa-nhi. ‘My father's house burnt (down).’

words/20301.m4a 20302 Gundhimayan

Gundhimayan placename

Condamine River

words/20302.m4a 20303 gundhilgaa

gundhilgaa noun

town

From gundhi (house).

words/20303.m4a 20304 gunganbiyaay

gunganbiyaay adjective

wet

Dhaymaarr nhama baliyaa, gungan-biyaay. ‘The ground is cold and wet.’

words/20304.m4a 20305 gunhugunhu dhu-rri

gunhugunhu dhu-rri verb phrase

cough

Waal ngaya gunhugunhu dhu-nhi. ‘I didn't cough (so much).’

words/20305.m4a 20306 gunidjarrbaa

gunidjarrbaa noun

female

From gunidjarr (mother) and -baa (place of, time of). Probably used to talk about animals and humans.

words/20306.m4a 20307 gunidjarr baburr

gunidjarr baburr noun

big toe

From gunidjarr (mother) and baburr (foot). It is possible that other similar expressions were not recorded e.g., *gunidjarr dhina (big toe - GR, YR, YY).

words/20307.m4a 20308 gunidjarr maa

gunidjarr maa noun

thumb

From gunidjarr (mother) and maa (hand, finger). The expression 'mother-hand' for 'thumb' is used in other Australian Aboriginal languages. It is possible that other similar expressions were not recorded, e.g. *gunidjarr mara (thumb - GR).

words/20308.m4a 20309 guniibuu

guniibuu noun

robin redbreast Petroica goodenovii

Also called red-capped robin. Based on gunii (mother) and buu/buru (testicles); according to a story told by Arthur Dodd, this is what the bird says (see Williams and tapes).

words/20309.m4a 20310 gunimaa

gunimaa noun

mother earth

Ted Fields said it means 'mother land or mother earth'. Based on gunii mother.

words/20310.m4a 20311 Gunu Gunu

Gunu Gunu placename

Goonoo Goonoo

From gunu (lime).

words/20311.m4a 20312 gurrugaawal

gurrugaawal noun

marsh

Probably based on gurru (hole) and gaawal (creek, lagoon).

words/20312.m4a 20314 gurrumayuu

gurrumayuu noun

holey country

Based on gurru (hole).

words/20314.m4a 20315 gurruubaa

gurruubaa adjective

deep

Based on gurru (hole) and -baa (place of, time of).

words/20315.m4a 20316 gurrulayngayn

gurrulayngayn noun

river wattle flowers

Based on gurrulay (river wattle).

words/20316.m4a 20317 guuyalaraay

guuyalaraay adjective

shiny

words/20317.m4a 20318 guwan.guwan

guwan.guwan adjective

foggy

From guwa (fog).

words/20318.m4a 20319 guwaala-y

guwaala-y v intrans

converse (talk to each other)

words/20319.m4a 20320 Guwaybila

Guwaybila noun

planet Mars

Based on guway (blood).

words/20320.m4a 20321 guwaybuyan

guwaybuyan noun

skeleton spirit

A hairless, red, skeleton-like spirit; Ginny Rose said 'he's just bones'. From guway (blood) and buya (bone).

words/20321.m4a 20322 Guwayda

Guwayda placename

Gwydir River

Probably based on guway (blood); said to mean 'place or river of red (banks)'.

words/20322.m4a 20323 guwaygalaa

guwaygalaa noun

red soil

words/20323.m4a 20324 guwaygaliyarr

guwaygaliyarr noun

light blood group

This is a two-way social division, with matrilineal inheritance, that is, it is inherited through a person's mother. The other social group is guwaymadhan (dark blood). Relates to the creation by Baayami of the first people from the ground, 'low down' and 'high up'. Possibly based on guway (blood) and galiya-y (climb, rise).

words/20324.m4a 20325 guwaymadhan

guwaymadhan noun

heavy blood group

From guway (blood) and madhan (heavy). See guwaygaliyarr for more information.

words/20325.m4a 20326 guwaymbarra

guwaymbarra adjective

red

As in mil guwaymbarra (red-eyed from crying). Based on guway (blood).

words/20326.m4a 20327 guwiinbaa

guwiinbaa nadj*, adjective

close, near

Ganay nhalay ngay wi-y-la-nha dhaymaa-ya, guwiinbaa-ga nhama birralii-djuul-a. ‘My yamstick is lying on the ground near the little boy.’

Guwiinbaa maadhaay ngay dhanduwi-y-la-nhi. ‘My dog was sleeping close by.’

words/20327.m4a 20328 guwiinbarraan

guwiinbarraan nadj*, adjective

close to a fire, around a fire

Based on guwiinbaa (close, near).

words/20328.m4a 20329 guwiirra

guwiirra noun

a. manna

Ted Fields said this refers to the manna on gum leaves.

b. sweetheart c. mallee willow Pittosporum phylliraeoides

Also called butter bush, it is a small tree with inedible, very bitter, yellow fruits.

words/20329.m4a 20330 guwiirr gungan

guwiirr gungan noun

soft drink

words/20330.m4a 20331 guwiirr widja

guwiirr widja noun

cake, biscuit

words/20331.m4a 20332 maa buma-y

maa buma-y verb phrase

clap hands

From maa (hand) and buma-y (hit self).

Giirruu yinarr-galgaa-gu-bala ngaama maa buma-y-la-nhi. ‘The women were clapping their hands.’

words/20332.m4a 20333 maagu

maagu noun

restricted word

words/20333.m4a 20334 maala

maala adverb

once

From maal (one).

words/20334.m4a 20335 maayamabaa

maayamabaa noun

stony place

From maayama (stone) and -baa (place of, time of).

words/20335.m4a 20336 maayamamayuu

maayamamayuu adjective

stony

Based on maayama (stone).

words/20336.m4a 20337 maayama yuluwirrigiirr

maayama yuluwirrigiirr noun

opal

From maayama (stone), yuluwirri (rainbow) and -giirr (like).

words/20337.m4a 20338 madhanmadhan

madhanmadhan adjective

very heavy

Too heavy to move or lift.

words/20338.m4a 20339 madjagurra

madjagurra exclamation

oh dear!

Also means something like 'bugger' or 'damn'; and an expression of disbelief, as in 'it's hard to believe that' or 'really?'.

words/20339.m4a 20340 Maliyan.gaalay

Maliyan.gaalay noun

Morning Star, Venus (planet)

Based on maliyan (eagle).

words/20340.m4a 20341 Maliyangarr

Maliyangarr noun

ancestral eagle man

An ancestral being mentioned in a story. Based on maliyan (eagle).

words/20341.m4a 20342 mama-y

mama-y v intrans

stick

Nhama gilaa, guway mama-nhi. ‘That galah, the blood was stuck (on it).’

words/20342.m4a 20343 mamaldhalibaa

mamaldhalibaa adjective

a. alone, friendless b. unique YY

words/20343.m4a 20344 mandayaa

mandayaa noun

male

Based on manday (penis) and -aa (place of, time of). Probably used to talk about animals and humans.

words/20344.m4a 20345 mandaymanday

mandaymanday nadj*, adjadv*, adverb

a. sequentially

One thing after another.

b. string of stars

A string of small stars in the northern sky where the tree rat climbed up; in the story about the tree of maliyan, the wedge-tailed eagle.

words/20345.m4a 20347 mandhamandha

mandhamandha noun

unleavened bread

Made without baking powder. From mandha (bread).

words/20347.m4a 20346 mandhiigan

mandhiigan noun

initiation guardian

This term referred to a boy's personal guardian during initiation, who was chosen from a group of people who were mandhii to the boy. A boy's mandhiigan was said to look after him and ensure that his totem was properly represented; they were also said to balance the power of the 'other side', that is, the other moiety. Mandhiigan had the responsibility for making sure the initiation was properly carried out. From mandhii (special uncle).

words/20346.m4a 20349 mara buma-y

mara buma-y verb phrase

clap hands

From mara (hand) and buma-y (hit self).

words/20349.m4a 20350 marayrrdhuul

marayrrdhuul noun

childless woman

From marayrr (no, none) and -dhuul (one).

words/20350.m4a 20351 marramba-y

marramba-y v intrans

be wrapped

Birralii-djuul bulanggiin-da marranba-y-la-nhi. ‘The baby was wrapped up in a blanket.’

words/20351.m4a 20352 mawurrngiyan

mawurrngiyan noun

mimosa bean pods

Based on mawurr (mimosa bush) and -(b)iyan (fruit of).

words/20352.m4a 20353 milabi-li

milabi-li v intrans

wink

From mil (eye) and -bi-li (verb suffix).

words/20353.m4a 20354 mil binggarr

mil binggarr noun

Chinese man

Possibly means 'narrow eyes'.

words/20354.m4a 20355 mil buluuy

mil buluuy noun

black eye

From mil (eye) and buluuy (black).

words/20355.m4a 20356 mil guway

mil guway noun

bloodshot eye

From mil (eye) and guway (blood).

words/20356.m4a 20357 milgumilgu

milgumilgu adjective

alert, watchful

Based on mil (eye).

words/20357.m4a 20358 mil warra

mil warra noun

swollen eye

From mil (eye) and warra-y (stand, swell).

words/20358.m4a 20359 milu gawaa-y

milu gawaa-y verb phrase

watch

From mil-u (eye-with) and gawaa-y (follow), so 'follow with the eye'.

words/20359.m4a 20360 Milaanbaa

Milaanbaa placename

waterhole name

A waterhole near the Walgett-Lightning Ridge road, about 30 km north of Walgett. From milaan (yam-water ribbons) and -baa (place of, time of).

words/20360.m4a 20361 milanburr

milanburr adjective

first again

Used of the horse which usually led the rest of the mob into the yards; milanburr (he's first again). Based on milan (one). This word is not fully understood.

words/20361.m4a 20362 milandjal

milandjal adjective

only one

Based on milan (one).

words/20362.m4a 20363 milanduul

milanduul adjective

alone, only one

From milan (one) and -duul (little, one).

words/20363.m4a 20364 minyadhi

minyadhi question word

why?, why not?

Minya-dhi nganundi banaga-nhi? ‘Why (did you) run away from me?’

words/20364.m4a 20365 minyagaa

minyagaa pronoun

something

Minya-gaa ngaarrima-dhaay yanaa-waa-nha. ‘There's something coming there.’

words/20365.m4a 20366 minyagu

minyagu question word

why (what for)?

Minya-gu nginda dhaay yanaa-nhi? ‘What did you come here for?’

words/20366.m4a 20367 minyama

minyama question word

what?

Minya-ma ngaama, barriindjiin-yaa ngaama? ‘What kind (of bird is) that, a peewee maybe?’

words/20367.m4a 20368 minyaminyabal

minyaminyabal pronoun

everything

Based on minya (what?).

words/20368.m4a 20369 minyaminyagaa

minyaminyagaa pronoun

everything

Ngaama bubaay-djuul-u, birralii-djuul-u, dhuwarr-dhinggaa dha-ldaay, minyaminyagaa dha-y. ‘The little child who was eating, ate everything.’

words/20369.m4a 20370 minyangay

minyangay question word

how many?

Minyangay nginu birralii-gal? ‘How many children do you have?’

words/20370.m4a 20371 minyaarru

minyaarru question word

where (to)?

Minyaarru ngay maadhaay banaga-nhi? ‘Where did my dog run to?’

Minyaarru nginda yanaa-waa-nha? ‘Where are you going?’

words/20371.m4a 20372 minyaarruwaa

minyaarruwaa place adverb

to somewhere

From minyaarru (where to).

words/20372.m4a 20373 minyaarruwaayaa

minyaarruwaayaa place adverb

don't know where to

Banaga-nhi ngaama ganunga minyaarru-waayaa. ‘They ran to somewhere, don't know where.’

words/20373.m4a 20374 minyaaya

minyaaya question word

where (at)?

Minyaaya nginda? ‘Where are you?’

Minyaaya ngay guliirr? ‘Where (is) my missus?’

words/20374.m4a 20375 minyaaya dhaay

minyaaya dhaay question word

where (from)?

Minyaaya dhaay, ngindaay yanaa-waa-nha? ‘Where are you (more than two people) coming from?’

words/20375.m4a 20376 minyaayawaa

minyaayawaa place adverb

at somewhere

From minyaaya (where at).

words/20376.m4a 20377 minyaayawaayaa

minyaayawaayaa place adverb

don't know where at

Yaluu ngiyarrma ganunga minyaaya-waayaa yanaa-waa-nha. ‘They're going somewhere again (I don't know where).’

words/20377.m4a 20378 mirii yanan

mirii yanan noun

shooting star

Based on mirii (star), yana-y (go).

words/20378.m4a 20379 Mirriwuula

Mirriwuula noun

spirit dog

Mythical giant ancestor of the dingo; subject of song and story; said to now be in the sky and the water; represented in the night sky by a dark area in the Milky Way. Ted Fields said Mirriwuula lives at Mirrigana, a deep hole in the Namoi River near the Namoi village. Based on mirri (dog).

words/20379.m4a 20380 Mirriyaabarra

Mirriyaabarra noun

lignum country people

Ian Sim said that according to Ginny Rose and Greg Fields, Mirriyaabarra was probably the name of a group of Yuwaalayaay speakers who originally lived somewhere 'down south on the flat country'. From mirriyaa (lignum) and -barra (people from). Also mirriibarra in Langloh-Parker.

words/20380.m4a 20381 miyaymiyaay

miyaymiyaay noun

a. little girl YR,YYb. Seven Sisters (stars), Pleiades (stars) YR,YY

A group of stars which occur in a story. Many Aboriginal peoples have stories which involve these sisters\stars.

c. mallee willow Pittosporum phylliraeoides YR,YY

Also called butter bush, it is a small tree with inedible, very bitter, yellow fruits. The name is said to refer to the brightly coloured seeds.

words/20381.m4a 20382 mubal dhiyama-li

mubal dhiyama-li verb phrase

gut

From mubal (stomach) and dhiyama-li (lift up). The more common expression is mubal dhuwima-li.

words/20382.m4a 20383 mubal dhuwima-li

mubal dhuwima-li verb phrase

gut

From mubal (stomach) and dhuwima-li (take out, remove). This is the usual expression for 'gut'.

words/20383.m4a 20384 mubal muurra-y

mubal muurra-y verb phrase

be full of food

From mubal (stomach) and muurra-y (be full).

words/20384.m4a 20385 mubalyaal

mubalyaal adjective

pregnant

From mubal (stomach) and yaal (false).

words/20385.m4a 20386 mubirr dhu-rri

mubirr dhu-rri verb phrase

a. write b. carve

From mubirr (carving) and dhu-rri (poke).

words/20386.m4a 20387 muga bina

muga bina adjective

deaf

From muga (blunt) and bina (ears).

words/20387.m4a 20388 muga wudha

muga wudha adjective

deaf

From muga (blunt) and wudha (ear).

words/20388.m4a 20389 mugu bina

mugu bina adjective

deaf

words/20389.m4a 20390 mulabiyaay

mulabiyaay adjective

kind

From mula (soft, weak) and -biyaay (with, having).

words/20390.m4a 20391 mulamula

mulamula adjective

soft

words/20391.m4a 20392 mundimundi dhuwarr

mundimundi dhuwarr noun

brownie (cake)

From mundimundi (spotted) and dhuwarr (bread).

words/20392.m4a 20393 mungin.gagalawaa

mungin.gagalawaa noun

pallid cuckoo

Arthur Dodd said 'they call out 'kaakaakaakaakaa', like that, in the morning'. Based on mungin (mosquito), gaga-li (call) and -awaa (habitual) because the bird is said to call up mosquitoes when it arrives each spring.

words/20393.m4a 20394 Munhibarabin

Munhibarabin noun

spirit

Greenway said that this spirit is the wife of Dharramalan. Munhibarabin is in charge of the instruction and supervision of women, for women may not see or hear Dharramalan on pain of death. Langloh-Parker called her the 'spirit sister-in-law'. Possibly from munhi (egg, actually 'louse') and barabin (semen).

words/20394.m4a 20395 murrgugal

murrgugal noun

belah tree swamp

From murrgu (belah tree) and gal (many).

words/20395.m4a 20396 murrgumurrgu

murrgumurrgu noun

ibis Threskiornis molucca, T. spinicollis

Refers to both types of common ibis: the black (straw-necked) and the white. The name is said to come from the long, hanging feathers on the bird's neck, which are like the leaves of the murrgu (she-oak tree).

words/20396.m4a 20397 Murrgu Walaay

Murrgu Walaay placename

Swamp Camp

A campsite on the highway north of Lightning Ridge, with belah trees. A story tells that people died and became the trees. From murrgu (swamp oak) and walaay (camp).

words/20397.m4a 20398 murrguwidjuwii

murrguwidjuwii noun

belah wood sparks

Based on murrgu (belah tree), wii (fire) and dhuwindhuwi (sparks).

words/20398.m4a 20399 murrubidi

murrubidi adjective

lucky

Used, for example, when someone wins a lot at cards. Based on murru (bottom) -bidi (big), so 'arsey'. Ngiibidi may be a stronger term.

words/20399.m4a 20400 Murrudhi Gindamalaa

Murrudhi Gindamalaa noun

planet Venus

Also called the Evening Star, from a story about an old man who laughed at an old woman's bum, and was banished from the land. Now when that star changes colour, he is said to be still laughing. Based on murru (bum), -dhi (source) and gindama-y (laugh), so 'laughing at the bum'. Possibly murrudhi gindamawaa.

words/20400.m4a 20401 muru biruu

muru biruu noun

nostril

From muru (nose) and biruu (hole).

words/20401.m4a 20402 Murungamildaa

Murungamildaa noun

mythical tribe

Langloh-Parker said 'a tribe who had no eyes and saw through the nose'.

words/20402.m4a 20403 muurr gi-gi

muurr gi-gi verb phrase

forget

Ian Sim recorded the phrase bina muurr gi-gi which literally means 'ear becoming blocked'.

Muurr ngaya gi-nyi, minyaaya-waayaa ngaya manduwii ngay wiima-y. ‘I forgot, I don't know where I put my boots.’

words/20403.m4a 20404 muurra-y

muurra-y v intrans

fill

As in 'the bucket will fill up'. A change in verb class from -li to -y.

words/20404.m4a 20405 muyudhaa

muyudhaa noun

nostril

Based on muyu (nose).

words/20405.m4a 20406 muyu waa

muyu waa noun

nose bone/shell

From muyu (nose) and waa (shell).

words/20406.m4a 20407 ngaawawu

ngaawawu exclamation

that's right!

Based on ngaa (yes) and, perhaps, -wu (all), so a strong or emphatic 'yes'.

words/20407.m4a 20408 ngaayaybaay

ngaayaybaay exclamation

okay! all right!

Ngaayaybaay, waal nginda nganunda guwaa-li. ‘All right, you won't tell me.’

words/20408.m4a 20409 ngaanawaa

ngaanawaa pronoun

someone (doer/done to)

From ngaana (who, doer/done to) and -waa (some). The more common word is ngaandi-yaa.

words/20409.m4a 20410 ngaandingaandi

ngaandingaandi common expression

what's-a-name

Probably used like English 'you know, old what's-his-name', when a person forgets someone's name. From ngaandi (who?).

words/20410.m4a 20411 ngaandiyaa

ngaandiyaa pronoun

someone (doer/done to)

Ngaandi-yaa dhaay dhurra-laa-nha. ‘Someone is coming.’

Ngaandi-yaa dhaay yanaa-waa-ndaay bagaarr nhama-nha yanaa-y. ‘When someone was coming this way he would 'go the short cut'.’

words/20411.m4a 20412 ngaanduwaa

ngaanduwaa pronoun

someone (doer to)

Ngaandu-waa nginunha gaga-lda-nha. ‘Someone is calling you.’

words/20412.m4a 20413 ngaannguwaa

ngaannguwaa pronoun

someone's

Ngaanngu-waa nhama malawil. ‘There's someone's shadow.’

words/20413.m4a 20414 ngaanngundawaa

ngaanngundawaa pronoun

to someone

Ngaya-laa nginunha wuu-rri ngaanngunda-waa. ‘I will give you to someone else.’

words/20414.m4a 20415 ngaanngundiyaa

ngaanngundiyaa pronoun

from someone

Guway-biyaay nhama bilaarr nginu, ngaanngundi-yaa nhama dhurra-y. ‘Your spear has blood on it that came from someone.’

words/20415.m4a 20416 ngaarribu

ngaarribu time adverb

very long ago

Possibly from ngaarri (there) and either -u (time suffix) or buu (all, totally).

words/20416.m4a 20417 ngaarrigili

ngaarrigili noun

other side

Giirr ngaya-nha ngarra-y ngaarri-gili-gu yanaa-waa-ndaay. ‘I saw him going to the other side.’

words/20417.m4a 20418 ngaarrigulay

ngaarrigulay place adverb

over there (that way)

Probably refers to a direction, not a place. This word is sometimes used to indicate 'a long way'.

Ngaarrigulay yanaa-waa-ya wila-y-gu nginda. ‘Go over there to sit down.’

Ngaarrigulay ngarra-la! ‘Look over that way!’

words/20418.m4a 20419 ngaarrima

ngaarrima place adverb

over there

Giirruu ngaama birralii-gal yulu-gi-la-nha ngaarrima. ‘The children are playing over there.’

words/20419.m4a 20420 ngaarrimali

ngaarrimali place adverb

over there (that way)

Ngaarrimali ngarra-la. ‘Look over there.’

words/20420.m4a 20421 ngaarringaarri

ngaarringaarri place adverb

right over there

Yilaa nguu ngarra-y ngaarringaarri-nga bulaarr-nga. ‘Soon he saw those two right over there.’

words/20421.m4a 20422 ngaay gaya-li

ngaay gaya-li verb phrase

kiss

Garriya nhama ngaay gaya-la maadhaay! ‘Don't kiss that dog!’

words/20422.m4a 20423 ngaaybu

ngaaybu adjective

full

Perhaps from ngaay (mouth) and -bu (all).

words/20423.m4a 20424 ngadaa dhuni

ngadaa dhuni noun

mid-afternoon

Ian Sim said 'about 4pm'. From ngadaa (down) and dhuni (sun).

words/20424.m4a 20425 ngadaali

ngadaali place adverb

downwards

Ngadaa-li nguu bara-nhi. ‘He flew down.’

Ngadaa-li nginda yanaa-waa-ndaay, maayu ngarra-laa-ya mangun.gaali-badhaay-nda ngarra-li. ‘When you're going downhill, watch out for (any) goannas you might see.’

words/20425.m4a 20426 ngadaamali

ngadaamali place adverb

downstream

Ngadaamali-nga banaga-nhi. ‘He ran downstream.’

words/20426.m4a 20427 ngamilma-li

ngamilma-li v trans

teach

Based on ngami- (see) and ma-li (ending that makes a transitive verb), so 'make see'. Most Aboriginal languages use words associated with 'ear' for 'teach' and so the authenticity of this word is questionable.

words/20427.m4a 20428 ngamugaa

ngamugaa noun

restricted word

words/20428.m4a 20429 ngamurrawarray

ngamurrawarray noun

restricted word

words/20429.m4a 20430 Ngamumbirrabaa

Ngamumbirrabaa placename

location

From ngamumbirra (wild plum) and -baa (place of, time of).

words/20430.m4a 20431 nganbima-li

nganbima-li v trans

lean

Dhiyama-y ngaya ngaama ngay ganay waama ngaya-nga nganbima-y maalaa-bidi-dja. ‘I picked up my yamstick then leant it against a tree.’

words/20431.m4a 20432 nganbinganbi

nganbinganbi adverb

to and fro

As in a saw cutting wood across the grain, or something thrown this way and that, or to the left and right. Based on nganbirr (crosswise, across).

words/20432.m4a 20433 ngandanganda

ngandanganda adjective

shiny, reflective, glittering

From nganda (tin).

words/20433.m4a 20434 Nganundi Gindamalaa

Nganundi Gindamalaa noun

planet Venus

From nganundi gindamalaa (he laughs at me), also nginundi gindamalaa (he laughs at you).

words/20434.m4a 20435 ngarra-y

ngarra-y v intrans

look

This use of the verb only occurs in the progressive forms ngarra-y-la-nha and ngarra-y-la-nhi.

Giirruu nhama bunbun-giirr ngarra-y-la-nha. ‘He looks like a grasshopper.’

Gagil nhama ngulu ngarra-y-la-nha. ‘(His) face looks bad.’

words/20435.m4a 20436 ngarrala-y

ngarrala-y v intrans

court

Giirr nhama bulaarr-nha ngarra-la-y-la-nha. ‘Those two are courting.’

words/20436.m4a 20437 ngarrangarra-li

ngarrangarra-li v trans

mind, look after

The reduplicated form of ngarra-li (look, see, watch) has this particular meaning.

Yaama nginda ngay maadhaay ngarrangarra-lda-y? ‘Will you mind my dog?’

words/20437.m4a 20438 ngarranma-li

ngarranma-li v trans

show

Nhama nguungunda barran ngarranma-la! ‘Show the boomerang to her!’

words/20438.m4a 20439 ngarribaa bidjunda

ngarribaa bidjunda noun

midday

From ngarribaa (up) and bidjun-da (middle-at).

words/20439.m4a 20440 ngarribaa dhuni

ngarribaa dhuni noun

mid-morning

Ian Sim said 'about 10 o'clock'. From ngarribaa (up) and dhuni (sun).

words/20440.m4a 20441 ngarribaagili

ngarribaagili place adverb

above

From ngarribaa (up) and -gili (side).

words/20441.m4a 20442 ngarribaali

ngarribaali place adverb

upwards

Giirr dhuu ngaama dhurra-y ngarribaali gaburran-gu. ‘The smoke rose upwards towards the top.’

words/20442.m4a 20443 ngaydju dhiyama-li

ngaydju dhiyama-li verb phrase

hook out (grub)

From ngay-dju (hook-with) and dhiyama-li (pick up, lift up), another word for this is dhuwima-li (take out).

words/20443.m4a 20444 ngulugaayrr

ngulugaayrr noun

headband (plaited)

A narrow net painted red and worn as a headband.

words/20444.m4a 20445 nguluumanbuu

nguluumanbuu noun

flat-headed gudgeon (a fish)

Said to be 'cousin' to the cod; it looks a bit like a small cod. Based on ngulu (head) and manbu (flat).

words/20445.m4a 20446 Nguluwawul

Nguluwawul placename

Nullawa

A place on the Narran River. A bluff, with steep abrupt sides. From ngulu (forehead, face) and waawal (narrow).

words/20446.m4a 20447 Nguluyuundu

Nguluyuundu noun

axe-face spirit

Willie Willis said this is a mythical being whose forehead is an axe blade. From ngulu (face, forehead) and yuundu (axe).

words/20447.m4a 20448 ngurrugu

ngurrugu time adverb

tomorrow

From ngurru (night).

words/20448.m4a 20449 nguwagili

nguwagili noun

this side

Used to refer to 'this side' of things, such as a river, humpy or camp.

Nguwa-gili-dja walaa-dha ngay wila-ya! ‘Sit on this side of my camp!’

words/20449.m4a 20450 nguwalay

nguwalay place adverb

here (hereabouts)

Yaama ngaya nguwalay yilawa-y nginunda? ‘Can I stop here with you?’

words/20450.m4a 20451 nguwama

nguwama place adverb

there

Warra-ya nguwama. ‘Stand there.’

Nguwama ngaama birralii-djuul-u dhubi-lda-nhi, dhaymaa-ya. ‘The boy spat here, on the ground.’

words/20451.m4a 20452 nhama dhaay

nhama dhaay exclamation

look out!

From nhama (that) and dhaay (to here), so 'that's coming towards us'.

words/20452.m4a 20453 nhamali

nhamali demonstrative

that, the

Bandaarr nhamali-nga baa-waa-nha. ‘The kangaroo is hopping along now.’

words/20453.m4a 20454 nhamurra-y

nhamurra-y v intrans

be buried

Mawu-nga nhama dhaymaarr, maadhaay nhama-nha nhamurra-y-la-nha. ‘Dig up that ground, there's a dog buried there.’

words/20454.m4a 20455 nhan.garra

nhan.garra noun

ringneck parrot Barnardius barnardi

Based on nhan (neck) and garra (cut).

words/20455.m4a 20456 Nhiinhii

Nhiinhii placename

Nee-Nee

From nhii (charcoal).

words/20456.m4a 20457 nhulaanbil

nhulaanbil adjective

slimy

From nhulaan (slime) and -bil (with lots of).

words/20457.m4a 20458 nhunduwaa

nhunduwaa adjective

thick

Gaba nhama nhunduwaa dhadhin. ‘That's a good thick shade.’

words/20458.m4a 20459 Nhunggabarra

Nhunggabarra noun

kurrajong-country people

Ian Sim said that Nhunggabarra was well known as the name of a main southern group of Yuwaalayaay speakers. Ginny Rose and Greg Fields thought that the Nhunggabarra originally lived around Narran Lake, south of Cumborah. Older people knew about the recent history of one group of Nhunggabarra who settled at Bangate Station after white occupation (and were written about by Langloh-Parker). From nhungga (kurrajong tree) and -barra (people from).

words/20459.m4a 20460 nhuwigu buma-li

nhuwigu buma-li verb phrase

kill (stone dead)

From nhuwi-gu (smelly/stinking-purpose) and buma-li (hit, kill). To make it clear that the meaning is 'kill', not just 'hit', the expression nhuwigu buma-li can be used.

words/20460.m4a 20461 nhuwiwan

nhuwiwan noun

a. stinky b. western grey kangaroo (nickname) Macropus fulginosus

words/20461.m4a 20462 wa-y

wa-y v intrans

be in, be inside

Dhina-bala wa-y-la-nha manduwii-dja. ‘(Your) foot is inside the boot.’

Dhinawan ngaama wa-y-la-nhi man.ga-ya nguungu. ‘The emu was in his bag.’

Yaluu ngaarrma-nga bilaarr wa-y-la-nha mubal-a nguungu. ‘The spear was still sticking into his stomach.’

words/20462.m4a 20463 waala

waala particle

can't, couldn't

Nhalay-bala gagil gungan, waala ngiyani ngawu-gi. ‘This is bad water, we can't drink it.’

Waala ngaya buliirra-lda-nha. ‘I can't breathe.’

words/20463.m4a 20464 waalgaa

waalgaa question word

why not?

Waal-gaa ngaama dhayn-duul dhaay yanaa-waa-nhi nguwalay? ‘Why didn't the man come here?’

words/20464.m4a 20465 waal maayu

waal maayu adverb

badly, carelessly, not right

Waal ngaya maayu gaa-waa-nhi, birralii-djuul nhama ngaya wamba-laa-ndaay. ‘I could not carry (the wood) well, because I was carrying the baby.’

words/20465.m4a 20466 waal ngaanduwaa

waal ngaanduwaa pronoun

no one (doer to)

Buubi-y ngaama nguu wii, waal ngaanduwaa ngarra-li-gu. ‘She blew the fire out, so no-one would see it.’

words/20466.m4a 20467 wagibaa

wagibaa noun

plain, open (treeless) country

From wagi (plain) and -baa (place of, time of).

words/20467.m4a 20468 wagibaa dhaygal

wagibaa dhaygal adjective

bald

Waal-bala ngaya wagibaa dhaygal. ‘I'm not bald headed.’

words/20468.m4a 20469 wagimal

wagimal noun

plains rat

Lives on the plain; said to be now gone from the country. Based on wagi (plain).

words/20469.m4a 20470 wagiwagi

wagiwagi noun

a. plain, open (treeless) country b. Richard's pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae YY

Possibly a nickname for Richard's pipit; from wagi (plain, open ground).

words/20470.m4a 20471 wagirrbuma-y

wagirrbuma-y v intrans

wash (self)

Yaama nginda wagirrbuma-nhi? ‘Did you wash yourself?’

words/20471.m4a 20472 wagirrma-y

wagirrma-y v intrans

wash (self)

Wagirrma-nhi ngaya. ‘I washed myself.’

Ngulu wagirrma-ya! ‘Wash (your) face!’

words/20472.m4a 20473 walaaybaa

walaaybaa noun

home, home country

A person's country or home place. From walaay (camp) and -baa (place of, time of).

words/20473.m4a 20474 walanbaa

walanbaa adjective

a. hard, solid

Giirruu ngaama dhaymaarr walanbaa. ‘The ground was hard.’

b. strong

Walanbaa ngaya dhayn. ‘I am a strong man.’

c. tough

Giirruu nginu dhinggaa, walan-bala nginu dhinggaa, walanbaa, ngay-bala gaba. ‘Your meat is really tough, by comparison my meat is good.’

words/20474.m4a 20475 walanbaa gungan

walanbaa gungan noun

rum

From walanbaa (hard) and gungan (water).

words/20475.m4a 20476 walanbarruu

walanbarruu noun

claypan

Walanbarruu refers to the 'scalded' (burnt) claypan, where nothing grows. From walan (hard).

words/20476.m4a 20477 walanduurr

walanduurr adjective

hard-hearted

From walan (hard).

words/20477.m4a 20478 Walan.gala

Walan.gala placename

Walangala

A place near Lightning Ridge, said to mean 'hard ground' or 'place'. There is also a property 'Warrengulla'. From walan (hard).

words/20478.m4a 20479 walan.gumba

walan.gumba noun

a. hard ground

Also used to describe 'flinty' ground.

b. hard thing

words/20479.m4a 20480 waluwarr bunma-li

waluwarr bunma-li verb phrase

make bigger, spread out

From waluwarr (wide, spread out) and bunma-li (make). Also waluwarr burranba-li.

words/20480.m4a 20481 Wamba

Wamba noun

Canopus (star)

The Wamba story tells that 'he went mad and is running away', the two green parrot sisters chased him across the sky. An associated phrase is wamba bagaarr banagawaanha, from wamba (mad), bagaarr (shortcut) and banaga-y (run).

words/20481.m4a 20482 Wamburra

Wamburra placename

Womborah

Location in the Goodooga district. From wamburr (western grey kangaroo) and probably -aa (place of).

words/20482.m4a 20483 wanggama-li

wanggama-li v trans

roll

Wanggama-la-nha. ‘Keep it rolling (to a horse pulling a cart).’

Dhaan wanggama-la-nha. ‘Roll it over to one side.’

words/20483.m4a 20484 wanggarrama-li

wanggarrama-li v trans

lose

words/20484.m4a 20485 waragaal

waragaal adjective

a. left-handed b. left

words/20485.m4a 20486 warawara

warawara adjective

crooked, bent

Probably from wara (left).

words/20486.m4a 20487 warrayma-li

warrayma-li v trans

a. build, put up

Giirruu ngaya gaba-dhuul gaarrimay warrayma-y. ‘I built (put up) a good little camp.’

b. stand up YR,YY

Dhiyama-la nhama ngay giirrgal, warrayma-la muyaan-da. ‘Pick up my tomahawk and stand it up against that tree.’

c. send YR,YY

Garriya warrayma-la! ‘Don't send (it)!’

d. raise (bring up) YR

Gaba ngaya maadhaay yilaalu warra-y-ma-y. ‘I raised a good dog long ago.’

words/20487.m4a 20488 warraynga-y

warraynga-y v intrans

get up

Garriya warraynga-ya! ‘Don't get up yet!’

words/20488.m4a 20489 warrayaa yanaa-y

warrayaa yanaa-y verb phrase

be lost

From warrayaa (lost) and yanaa-y (go).

words/20489.m4a 20490 wayagaal

wayagaal adjective

a. left-handed b. left

words/20490.m4a 20491 wayawaya

wayawaya adjective

crooked, bent

words/20491.m4a 20492 wii muyaan

wii muyaan noun

clever man's stick

Ian Sim said this was a loose name for the birru (clever man's stick) which was used to project power and 'throw the light'. From wii (fire, clever person) and muyaan (stick).

words/20492.m4a 20493 wiibiyaay

wiibiyaay nadj*, adjective

a. firestick YR

A flaming stick used as a torch, e.g. green spinifex or pine bark.

b. hot YY

words/20493.m4a 20494 wiimbirru

wiimbirru noun

game with leaf and fire

Langloh-Parker described wiimbirru as a favourite fireside game. A big fire was made of leafy branches. Each player got a dry coolabah leaf, warmed it until it bent a little, then placed it on two fingers and hit it with one finger into the current of air, caused by the flame, which lifted it up. Everyone flicked their leaves at the same time, and anxiously watched whose would go the highest. Each watched his leaf descend, caught it, and began again. Based on wii (fire).

words/20494.m4a 20495 wiinhii

wiinhii noun

coals

Based on wii (fire) and nhii (charcoal).

words/20495.m4a 20496 wiima-y

wiima-y v intrans

put (on self)

Arhur Dodd used this verb when talking about women putting mussel shells on their heads. It could be used to refer to make-up. A change in verb class from -li to -y. This verb is not used for 'putting on clothes', see wuu-gi.

words/20496.m4a 20497 wiirra-y

wiirra-y v intrans

shave (self)

Wiirra-y ngaya gi-yaa-nha ngulu. ‘I'm going to shave (my) face.’

words/20497.m4a 20498 winanga-y

winanga-y v trans

a. understand

Yaama nginda winanga-y-la-nha? ‘Do you understand?’

b. know

Waal ngaya nhama winanga-y-la-nha. ‘I don't know that (man).’

Waal nguu winanga-y-la-nha galaarraa-nda bilaarr gimbi-ldaay. ‘He doesn't know how you made the spear.’

c. remember

Yaama-nda winanga-y-la-nha gaba ngaaluurr ngiyani bayama-ldaay? ‘Do you remember those good fish we caught?’

Waala ngaya winanga-y-la-nha. ‘I can't remember (I forget).’

d. think

Waalu, winanga-y ngaya gi-yaa-nha. ‘Hold on, I'm going to think.’

Giirruu ngay birralii-dju winanga-y-la-nha nhama nguu dhigayaa buma-li gi-yaa-nha barran-du. ‘My kids think (believe) that he is going to hit that bird with a boomerang.’

e. love YR

Giirr nhama ganungu ngambaa-gu winanga-w-aaba-lda-nha. ‘Their mother loves them all.’

words/20498.m4a 20499 wirribula

wirribula noun

goat

Based on wirri (small coolamon) and bulaarr (two), from the shape of the udder.

words/20499.m4a 20500 wirrigaali

wirrigaali noun

goat

May be a nickname, derived from the shape of the goat's udders which look like two oval bowls. From wirri (small coolamon) and -gaali (a group of two), from the shape of the udder.

words/20500.m4a 20501 wirrunbiyaay

wirrunbiyaay adjective

juicy

From wirrun (juice, gravy) and -biyaay (with, having).

words/20501.m4a 20502 wiyalwiyal

wiyalwiyal adjective

all over the place

From wiyal (crooked).

words/20502.m4a 20503 wubuubiyaay

wubuubiyaay adjective

mouldy

Based on wubu (mushroom) and -biyaay (with, having).

words/20503.m4a 20504 wudha muurr

wudha muurr adjective

forgetful

From wudha (ear) and muurr (full, blocked, blunt).

words/20504.m4a 20505 wugan.galgaa

wugan.galgaa noun

kindling

Giirr ngaama nguu, gulbirr ngaarrma man.ga-ya gaa-gi-la-nhi wugan-galgaa. ‘She carried some kindling in a bag.’

words/20505.m4a 20506 Wularraba

Wularraba placename

location

A place near Lightning Ridge where an ancestral snake was killed and became a hill. Based on wularr (fierce snake) and -baa (place of, time of).

words/20506.m4a 20507 wulbuldaan

wulbuldaan noun

tree branch game

Langloh-Parker described the game as follows: a low overhanging branch of a tree is chosen, and as many as it will bear, old and young, men and women, straddle it; and holding on to the higher overhanging branches, they swing up and down with as much spring as they can get out of the branch they are on. Probably from wulbul (bendy stick) and dhaan (sideways) or -dhaan (good at).

words/20507.m4a 20508 wulbul yaal

wulbul yaal noun

stick horse

Probably from wulbul (bendy stick) and yaal (a lie).

words/20508.m4a 20509 wulbul yiya

wulbul yiya noun

cracker on a whip

The little piece of leather or string at the end of a stockwhip that helps make the whip crack or make a loud noise. From wulbul (whip) and yiya (tooth).

words/20509.m4a 20510 wulbuwulbu

wulbuwulbu adjective

flexible, bendy

words/20510.m4a 20511 wululgal

wululgal noun

noisy mob

A derogatory or insulting word. From wulul (noise) and -gal (many).

words/20511.m4a 20512 wuurriyala-y

wuurriyala-y v trans

barter

From wuu-rri (give) and -la-y (each other).

words/20512.m4a 20513 wuurrma-li

wuurrma-li v trans

send

Possibly from wuu-rri (give) and ma-li (suffix that makes a transitive verb).

words/20513.m4a 20514 wuyubuluuy

wuyubuluuy noun

black snake

Possibly from wuyu (neck) and buluuy (black).

words/20514.m4a 20515 wuyugarralawaa

wuyugarralawaa noun

death stone

A special stone, which when 'thrown' will lodge in the victim's throat and suffocate them. Possibly from wuyu (throat), garra-li (cut) and -awaa (habitual).

words/20515.m4a 20516 yaal dhanggi-li

yaal dhanggi-li verb phrase

lie, tell a lie

From yaal (a lie) and dhanggi-li (tell a lie).

words/20516.m4a 20517 yaamagaa

yaamagaa question word

whether, if

Giirr ngaama nguu dhinggaa dhadha-wa-y-la-nhi yaama-gaa gaba. ‘He tasted the meat to see if it was good.’

words/20517.m4a 20518 yaamagara

yaamagara question word

hello, greetings

Yaamagara nginda? ‘How are you?’

words/20518.m4a 20519 yaarrima-li

yaarrima-li v trans

a. spill b. pour

words/20519.m4a 20520 yaaybaa

yaaybaa noun

summer

Based on yaay, a variant of yayaay (sun) and -baa (place of, time of).

words/20520.m4a 20521 yaayngarralgaa

yaayngarralgaa noun

clock, watch

Based on yaay (sun) and ngarra-li (looking).

words/20521.m4a 20522 yalagiirrmawu

yalagiirrmawu time adverb

at that time, then

The meaning and function of this word is not clear. It seems to have a time reference, and was also used to translate 'before' as in 'the children watched the dancing before they fell asleep'. It occurs in sentences with two clauses.

Dhinawan nhama gaarra-la guway-u, yulay gaarra-la, yalagiirrmawu ngiyani biyuu-ga wa-li, dhawuma-li-gu. ‘Rub that emu with blood, rub the skin, then we'll put him in the hole and cook (him).’

Wana nhama yayaay dhurra-ldaay, yalagiirrmawu nginunha ngaya ngarra-li. ‘Let the sun come up, then I'll see you.’

Buluuy-a ngaya dhanduwi-nyi, yalagiirrmawu-bala ngaya-nga yuwa-ya ngarra-lda-nhi gagil dhayn. ‘I went to sleep, then in my sleep I saw a bad man.’

words/20522.m4a 20523 yaluuyaluu

yaluuyaluu adjective

same, copied

From yaluu (again).

words/20523.m4a 20524 yanaawuwi-y

yanaawuwi-y v intrans

go home, go back

Galawu gi-yaa-nha-nda yanaa-w-uwi-y? ‘When are you going to go home?’

words/20524.m4a 20525 yanaaynbi-li

yanaaynbi-li v trans

a. release, let go

Yanaaynbi-la maadhaay! ‘Let the dog go!’

b. sack YR

Giirruu nginunha-laa wanda-gu yanaaynbi-li. ‘The white man will sack you.’

words/20525.m4a 20526 yanguuwii

yanguuwii noun

sacred fire

Possibly a fire kept burning at a bora ceremony, managed by the Yanguu moiety. From Yanguu (moiety name) and wii (fire).

words/20526.m4a 20527 yaraaybaa

yaraaybaa noun

summer

words/20527.m4a 20528 yaraadha

yaraadha noun

day, daytime

Probably based on yaraay (sun) and -dha (at/in).

words/20528.m4a 20529 yaraay dhurra-li

yaraay dhurra-li verb phrase

sunrise

From yaraay (sun) and dhurra-li (rise).

words/20529.m4a 20530 yaraay warra-y

yaraay warra-y verb phrase

eclipse of sun

From yaraay (sun), warra-y (stand).

words/20530.m4a 20531 yarraanbiin

yarraanbiin noun

river gum flowers

Based on yarraan (river gum) and -(b)iyan.

words/20531.m4a 20532 yarraangan

yarraangan noun

gum tree grub

Mathews said 'edible grub of gum tree'. Based on yarraan (river red gum).

words/20532.m4a 20533 Yarralaraay

Yarralaraay placename

Yalaroi

From yarral (stone) and -araay (with, having).

words/20533.m4a 20534 Yarralduul

Yarralduul placename

Yarralduul

From yarral (stone) and -duul (little, one). Location south of Burren Junction.

words/20534.m4a 20535 Yarranbaa

Yarranbaa placename

Yeranbah

From yarran (yarran wattle) or yarraan (river red gum), and -baa (place of).

words/20535.m4a 20536 yarraybiyaay

yarraybiyaay noun

boy at puberty

From yarray (beard, whiskers) and -biyaay (with, having).

words/20536.m4a 20537 yarrbun maa

yarrbun maa adjective

clumsy

From yarrbun (very tired) and maa (hand).

words/20537.m4a 20538 yawi buliirral

yawi buliirral noun

spirit breath

From yawi (person's spirit) and buliirral (breath).

words/20538.m4a 20539 yayala-y

yayala-y v intrans

quarrel

Giirr ngali dhinggaa-nginda yaya-la-y-la-y. ‘We will quarrel about the meat.’

words/20539.m4a 20540 yiili burranba-li

yiili burranba-li verb phrase

annoy, make someone angry

words/20540.m4a 20541 yiilinhi

yiilinhi noun

war

words/20541.m4a 20542 yiiliyanbaa

yiiliyanbaa adjective

a. angry b. savage

words/20542.m4a 20543 yiiliyanbaa wanda

yiiliyanbaa wanda noun

spirits of the lower world

From yiiliyanbaa (angry) and wanda (ghost, spirit).

words/20543.m4a 20544 yiiliyiili

yiiliyiili adjective

peppery, spicy

From yiili (angry).

words/20544.m4a 20545 yiiliyiiliyan

yiiliyiiliyan noun

angry person

Someone who is aggressive or 'looking for a fight'. From yiili (angry).

words/20545.m4a 20546 yilaa buluuya

yilaa buluuya noun

tonight

Based on yilaa (soon) and buluuy-a (night-at).

words/20546.m4a 20547 yilaadhu

yilaadhu time adverb

a. now (immediately) b. today

words/20547.m4a 20548 yilaalu

yilaalu time adverb

a. long ago

Ian Sim said yilaalu was often used to start a story; compare this with the English 'once upon a time ...'

b. long time later

words/20548.m4a 20549 yilaambiyal

yilaambiyal noun

beginning

Based on yilaa (soon) and biyal (just).

words/20549.m4a 20550 yilaan.gaal

yilaan.gaal adjective

a. fresh

As in 'fresh meat'.

b. new

This is a possible meaning. From yilaa (soon, recently).

words/20550.m4a 20551 yilama-li

yilama-li v trans

cook

This is the general word for 'cook' and also means 'cook on coals'.

Ngiyarrma-nga bulaa-yu ngaama guduu yilama-y. ‘Those two cooked the fish.’

words/20551.m4a 20552 yilama-y

yilama-y v intrans

cook

Giirr dhinggaa yilama-nhi. ‘The meat cooked.’

words/20552.m4a 20553 yinarraa

yinarraa noun

senior lady (respected elder)

Name for a very respected woman. Fred Reece said that people used to call Mrs Langloh-Parkeryinarraa or head woman, 'like saying she was a lady ... that's like the queen giving some lady a title'.

words/20553.m4a 20554 yinarraagalaa

yinarraagalaa noun

old woman

Based on yinarr (woman).

words/20554.m4a 20555 yira murrun

yira murrun noun

young man

Refers to boys who are identified as ready to go through their first big bora. This expression refers to the practice of knocking out a tooth as part of initiation and presumably means a young man before the tooth has been removed. From yira (tooth) and murrun (alive).

words/20555.m4a 20556 yiyabiyaay

yiyabiyaay noun

firestick

From yiya (tooth) and -biyaay (with, having). This may refer to the glowing coal at the point of the stick.

words/20556.m4a 20557 yiyadhalibaa

yiyadhalibaa adjective

toothless

From yiya (teeth) and -dhalibaa (without).

words/20557.m4a 20558 yiya murrun

yiya murrun noun

young man

From yiya (tooth) and murrun (alive). For more information see yira murrun.

words/20558.m4a 20559 yiyaldu

yiyaldu particle

furthermore

Based on yiyal (just, only).

words/20559.m4a 20560 yubama-li

yubama-li v trans

make cry

Nhama birralii yubama-la! ‘Make that little boy cry!’

words/20560.m4a 20561 yugali

yugali noun

little song

The little song or rhyme was a teaching or memory aid, e.g. according to Ginny Rose, the dove story had a 'little song', which had as its themes: spots, eyes red from crying, and sore shins. These were a reminder of the story explaining how the dove got its colours and walking gait.

words/20561.m4a 20562 Yulanbay

Yulanbay noun

spirit

Spirit in the waterhole at Namoi village, where the reeds are tangled. Possibly related to yulaanbi-li (tangle).

words/20562.m4a 20563 yulanbiirr

yulanbiirr npln*, placename

a. tangle

Ted Fields said it can refer to a tangle of grass moving in the water that can drown animals, e.g. at Boobera Lagoon.

b. waterhole name

Eight miles from Walgett on Come By Chance Road. Ted Fields said it was a spirit waterhole. When the water was clear you could see the tangled weed. Probably from a variant form of yulaanbi-li (tangle). Also Yulambiirr.

words/20563.m4a 20564 yulumara

yulumara noun

fingernail

From yulu (nail) and mara (hand).

words/20564.m4a 20565 Yuluwaya

Yuluwaya noun

long-nailed spirit

A spirit with long sharp fingernails, which are used to spear people. Based on yulu (nail, claw).

words/20565.m4a 20566 yuularaay

yuularaay adjective

full of food, sated, satisfied

From yuul (food) and -araay (with, having).

words/20566.m4a 20567 yuuliyaay

yuuliyaay adjective

full of food, sated, satisfied

From yuul (vegetable food) and -iyaay (with, having).

words/20567.m4a 20568 yuulngin

yuulngin adjective

hungry

Yuulngin ngaya gi-la-nhi. ‘I was hungry.’

words/20568.m4a 20569 yuurrma-y

yuurrma-y v intrans

a. corroboree

Giirr ngiyani yuurrma-nhi. ‘We had a corroboree.’

b. play

Yuurrma-y ngiyani gi-yaa-nha. ‘We are going to play.’

words/20569.m4a 20570 yuuyuu bundaa-gi

yuuyuu bundaa-gi verb phrase

rain

Gundaa-nga ngaama galiya-waa-nha yiiyuu gi-yaa-nha bundaa-gi. ‘The clouds are coming up, it's going to rain (rain will fall).’

words/20570.m4a 20571 yuwaya ngarra-li

yuwaya ngarra-li verb phrase

dream

Yuwa-ya ngaya ngarra-y dhinawan banaga-waa-ndaay. ‘I dreamt about an emu running. (In my sleep I saw an emu running).’

words/20571.m4a 20572 yuwaya wiima-li

yuwaya wiima-li verb phrase

dream

Yuwa-ya ngaya wiima-y. ‘I dreamt.’

words/20572.m4a