Bafut

Contributed by Nadege Nkwenti Lum.

N.L.'s photo

Nadege Nkwenti Lum provided and analyzed the data in 2024 in her capacity of a native speaker. The English version of the questionnaire was used for elictation.

How to cite

Lum, Nadege Nkwenti. 2024. Bivalent patterns in Bafut. In: Say, Sergey (ed.). BivalTyp: Typological database of bivalent verbs and their encoding frames. (Data first published on May 30, 2024; last revised on September 29, 2025.) (Available online at https://bivaltyp.info, Accessed on )

Basic info

Coordinates: 6.14, 10.12.
Genealogy (as given in WALS). Family: Niger-Congo, genus: Wide Grassfields.
Macro-area: Sub-Saharan Africa.

Grammar notes

Basic clause structure and the transitive construction

The basic word order in the clause is as follows: (SBJ.NP) SM (TAM) V DO PP/OBL, where SBJ.NP is the subject noun phrase, SM is the so-called “subject marker”, TAM is the tense-aspect-mood marker, V is the verb, DO is the direct object, and PP/OBL represents any adjuncts or arguments that are not direct objects. Subject markers are complex elements that are normally present in the clause (except under certain special conditions) and encode the subject’s noun class and/or person and number. These elements display properties intermediate between pronouns and subject agreement markers. A transitive construction involves a subject and a direct object, the latter being expressed by an unflagged argument immediately following the verb. Obliques are generally flagged by various types of prepositions.

Case system

There is no morphological case on nouns.

Verb lemmas

Verbs are cited as bare stems.

Glossing abbreviations

ANIM — animate; COMP — complementizer; DEF — definite; INAN — INANIMATE; IPFV — imperfective; NEG — negation; P — past; PL — plural; PN — person name; PREP — preposition; SM — subject marker.

Data

Subset examples by valency pattern

Subset examples by locus

1. feel pain búʔù

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àtû	àmbɛ́	à	búʔù
head/ prep	pn	sm	ache
‘Ambe has a headache.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

2. have (illness) tsí

Valency pattern: nu_SBJ

X: nu

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

àsáŋə̀	tsí	nú	àmbɛ́
flu	stay	body/ prep	pn
‘Ambe has the flu.’

3. be afraid bɔ́ʔɔ̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	bɔ́ʔɔ̂	m̀bû	já
pn	sm	be_afraid	dog	def
‘Ambe is afraid of the dog.’

4. throw màʔâ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	fùû	màʔâ	ŋ̀gɔ̀ʔɔ̀
pn	sm	first	throw	stone
‘Ambe threw a stone first.’

5. have enough tsí nkùʔû

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àmbɛ́	à	tsí-nɨ̀	ŋkábɨ̀	nkùʔû
pn	sm	have- ipfv	money	sufficient
‘Ambe has enough money.’
Note: Not included in the database because the intended meaning is expressed by a structurally discontinuous combination (predicate + adnominal modifier).

6. resemble fíì

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	fíì	sùù
pn	sm	resemble	pn
‘Ambe resembles Suh.’

7. believe bíì

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	bíì-tɨ̀	sùù
pn	sm	believe- ipfv	pn
‘Ambe believes Suh.’

8. take nlɔ̀gə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	lɨ́	nlɔ̀gə̂	ŋwàʔànɨ̀
pn	sm	p 1	take	book
‘Ambe took a book.’

9. see jə́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	jə́	ǹdâ
pn	sm	see	house
‘Ambe sees a house.’

10. influence *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

11. encounter jə́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	jə́	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	see	pn
‘Ambe encountered Suh’

12. enter kúû

Valency pattern: SBJ_mum

X: SBJ

Y: mum

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	kúû	múm	ǹdâ
pn	sm	p 2	enter	inside	house
‘Ambe entered the house.’

13. win ɣɔ́ɔ̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	ɣɔ́ɔ̂	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	beat	pn
‘Ambe beat Suh.’

14. go out fɛ̀ʔɛ̂

Valency pattern: SBJ_a

X: SBJ

Y: a

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	fɛ̀ʔɛ̂	á	ǹdâ
pn	sm	p 2	go_out	at	house
‘Ambe went out from the house.’

15. drive jóŋə̂

Valency pattern: SBJ_a.ndim

X: SBJ

Y: ndim

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	jóŋə̂	á	ǹdᵼ̀m	káù	já
pn	sm	follow	at	back/ prep	cow	def
‘Ambe is driving the cow’.

16. bend ŋgᵼ́mə̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	ŋgᵼ́mə̀	tí	já
pn	sm	p 2	bend	stick	def
‘Ambe bent the stick.’

17. tell ʃwóŋə̂

Valency pattern: SBJ_mbo

X: SBJ

Y: mbo

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	ʃwóŋə̂	mbô	sùù	tóŋə̂	ɣà	fâ	ŋ̀kwɛ̂fɔ̀
pn	sm	p 2	tell	to	pn	call	me	this	evening
‘Ambe told Suh: “Call me this evening”.’

18. hold tʃwá

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	tʃwá-kɨ́	ŋwàʔànɨ̀
pn	sm	hold- ipfv	book
‘Ambe is holding a book.’

19. catch up tʃíʔî

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	tʃíʔî-tɨ̀	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	meet- ipfv	pn
‘Ambe caught up with Suh.’

20. milk fíʔî

Valency pattern: SBJ_a.mum.nu

X: SBJ

Y: a.mum.nu

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	fíʔî	mílíkə̀	á	múm	nú	káù	já
pn	sm	p 2	remove	milk	at	inside	body/ prep	cow	def
‘Ambe milked the cow’ (lit.: ‘Ambe removed milk from inside the cow’s body’).

21. reach nkùʔû

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	nkùʔû	ǹtsù	mɨ̀jàà
pn	sm	p 2	reach	mouth	river
‘Ambe reached the river bank.’

22. touch mɔ̀ɔ̀ntə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	mɔ̀ɔ̀ntə̂	àwùgə̀-ndâ	já
pn	sm	p 2	touch	wall-house	def
‘Ambe touched the wall.’

23. fight ntô

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	ntô	nɨ̀	sùù
pn	sm	fight	with1	pn
‘Ambe is fighting with Suh.’

24. be friends bə̀ bɨ̀-nʃúkàʔâ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

bìʔì	bə̀	bɨ̀-nʃúkàʔâ	sùù
we	be	pl -friend	pn
‘We are Suh’s friends.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

25. think wáʔátə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	wáʔátə̂-nɨ̀	sùù
pn	sm	think- ipfv	pn
‘Ambe is thinking about Suh.’

26. eat nkwúrə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	nkwúrə̂	m̀báŋə̀
pn	sm	p 2	eat	palm_fruit
‘Ambe ate a palm fruit.’

27. fry nkàŋə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	nkàŋə̂	fɨ̀bwè	wá
pn	sm	p 2	fry	fish	def
‘Ambe fried the fish.’

28. wait júʔûtə́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	júʔûtə́-nɨ̀	sùù
pn	sm	wait- ipfv	pn
‘Ambe is waiting for Suh.’

29. forget nlìʔìnə̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	nlìʔìnə̀-mə̂	mânʤì	jídàŋ	wá
pn	sm	forget- p 0	road	other	def
‘Ambe forgot the other road.’

30. depend *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

31. call twóŋə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	twóŋə̂	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	call	pn
‘Ambe called Suh.’

32. get to know ʒí

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	ʒí	sùù	á	ǹdᵼ̀m	lòò	jìmfùrᵼ̀
pn	sm	p 2	know	pn	at	back/ prep	year	one
‘Ambe got to know Suh a year ago.’

33. know ʒí

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	ʒí	sùù
pn	sm	know	pn
‘Ambe knows Suh’

34. play (instrument) bùʔú

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	bùʔú-tɨ̀	nɨ̀lúŋə̀	njà
pn	sm	play- ipfv	guitar	def
‘Ambe is playing the guitar.’

35. avoid nkɣə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	nkɣə̂	sùù
pn	sm	run	pn
‘Ambe avoids Suh.’

36. make náŋsə́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

ambɛ́	à	kɨ̀	náŋsə́	mátáà	kò	fórə̀
pn	sm	p 2	make	trap	catch	mouse
‘Ambe made a mousetrap.’

37. make fun wjè

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	wjè-nɨ̀	sùù
pn	sm	laugh- ipfv	pn
‘Ambe is making fun of Suh.’

38. have tsí

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	tsí-nɨ̀	nɨ̀kjá
pn	sm	have- ipfv	car
‘Ambe has a car.’

39. look for lɔ̀ɔ̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	lɔ̀ɔ̀	bɨ̀-kwáʔà	bàʔà	dʒí
pn	sm	look	pl -opener	door	his
‘Ambe is looking for his keys.’

40. paint jɔ́ʔɔ́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kᵼ̀	jɔ́ʔɔ́	nkjàâ	wà
pn	sm	p 2	rub	fence	def
‘Ambe painted the fence.’

41. bite nlóô

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

mbû	à	kᵼ̀	nlóô	àmbɛ́
dog	sm	p 2	bite	pn
‘A dog bit Ambe.’

42. forfeit mbwé

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kᵼ̀	mbwé	ǹdâ	jì
pn	sm	p 2	lose	house	his
‘Ambe lost his house.’

43. try to catch nkô

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	nkô-tɨ̀	bùʃí	wá
pn	sm	catch- ipfv	cat	def
‘Ambe is trying to catch the cat.’

44. break mbə́gə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	mbə́gə̂	àtì
pn	sm	p 2	break	stick
‘Ambe broke a stick.’

45. flatter mbwíʔìsə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	mbwíʔìsə̂-nɨ̀	bì
pn	sm	deceive- ipfv	pn
‘Ambe is flattering Bih.’

46. love (person) kɔ̀ŋə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɔ̀ŋə̂	sùù
pn	sm	love	pn
‘Ambe loves Suh.’

47. wave dárə̀sə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	dárə̀sə̂-nᵼ̀	àjɛ́ʔɛ̀	nʃí
pn	sm	wave- ipfv	wipe	face
‘Ambe is waving a handkerchief.’

48. dream wáʔátə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	wáʔátə̂-nɨ̀	nɨ̀kjá	nìmfíî
pn	sm	think- ipfv	car	new
‘Ambe is dreaming of a new car.’

49. wash ʃíʔí

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	ʃíʔí	ndɔ́ŋ	já
pn	sm	p 2	wash	cup	def
‘Ambe washed the cup.’

50. put on sɔ́ʔɔ̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	sɔ́ʔɔ̂	tòlósà	jì
pn	sm	p 2	wear	trouser	his
‘Ambe put on his trousers.’

51. be called ntóŋə̀

Valency pattern: DO_COMP

X: DO

Y: COMP

Locus: Y

bɨ́	ntóŋə̀	jú	ndə̂	mə́	múnwí
they	call	this	thing	comp	knife
‘This thing is called a knife.’
Note: This is a transimpersonal construction.

52. punish ɣɔ́ɔ̂

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	ɣɔ́ɔ̂	mú	jì	m̀bàŋnᵼ̀
pn	sm	p 2	beat	child	his	male
‘Ambe beat his son.’
Note: Not included in the database because this translation is semantically inaccurate.

53. attack fúrᵼ̀tə̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

nààŋgwé	à	kɨ̀	fúrᵼ̀tə̀	tákwúrə̀
lion	sm	p 2	attack	leopard
‘A lion attacked a leopard.’

54. fill (intr) lúú

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

àntɔ̀ɔ̀	wá	ì	lúú	nᵼ̀	ŋ̀kxì
pot	def	sm	be_full	with1	water
‘The pot filled with1 water.’

55. find jə́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	jə́	bɨ̀-kwáʔà	bàʔà	dʒí
pn	sm	p 2	see	pl -opener	door	his
‘Ambe found his keys.’

56. be short kə̀ʔə̂

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kə̀ʔə̂-tɨ̀	nɨ̀	ǹtʃwùʔù
pn	sm	be_small- ipfv	with1	one_thousand
‘Ambe is one thousand francs short.’

57. hate bǎ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	bǎ	sùù
pn	sm	hate	pn
‘Ambe hates Suh.’

58. like kɔ̀ŋə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɔ̀ŋə̂	tsə̀ʔə̀	jú
pn	sm	like	dress	this
‘Ambe likes this shirt.’

59. need lɔ̀ɔ̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	lɔ̀ɔ̀-nɨ̀	ŋkábɨ̀
pn	sm	need- ipfv	money
‘Ambe needs money.’

60. surround kárə̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

bɨ̀-wùgə̀-ndâ	kárə̀-sᵼ̀	mûmə̀láʔà
pl -wall-house	surround- ipfv	village_center
‘Walls surround the village center.’

61. remain búrə̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	búrə̀	nᵼ̀	ŋkábɨ̀	dʒínᵼ̀wûm
pn	sm	be_left	with1	money	ten
‘Ambe has ten francs left.’

62. answer kwíʔî

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kᵼ̀	kwíʔî	díʔì-ŋwàʔànɨ̀	wá
pn	sm	p 2	answer	teach-book	def
‘Ambe answered the teacher.’

63. open ŋáʔà

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	ŋáʔà-mə̂	tɔ́ʔɔ̂
pn	sm	open- p 0	can
‘Ambe opened a can.’

64. be different fìì + NEG

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

ŋgáŋ	àtsə̀ʔə̀	jà	kàâ	sᵼ̀	jó	jà	fìì
no	dress	my	neg	neg	your	own	resemble
‘No, my shirt is different from yours.’
Note: The preverbal position of the direct object is triggered by negation.

65. fall behind tᵼ̀gᵼ̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_a.ndim

X: SBJ

Y: ndim

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	lᵼ́	tᵼ̀gᵼ̀	á	ǹdᵼ̀m	sùù
pn	sm	p 1	delay	at	back/ prep	pn
‘Ambe fell behind Suh.’

66. plough lᵼ́gᵼ̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	lᵼ́gᵼ̂-tᵼ̀	ǹsàànᵼ̀	wá
pn	sm	plough- ipfv	field	def
‘Ambe is ploughing the field.’

67. smell lúm

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

m̀-bô	má	lúm	ŋ̀kxì-mᵼ̀wúrᵼ̂
pl -hand	my	smell	water-oil
‘My hands smell of gasoline.’

68. cross dáŋə̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kᵼ̀	dáŋə̀	mândʒì	wá
pn	sm	p 2	cross	road	def
‘Ambe crossed the road.’

69. sing njéê

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	lɛ́	njéê	ᵼ̀kòò	jîsᵼ́gᵼ́nᵼ̀
pn	sm	p 3	sing	song	nice
‘Ambe sang a beautiful song.’

70. write ŋwàʔànɨ́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kᵼ̀	ŋwàʔànɨ́	ŋwàʔànɨ̀
pn	sm	p 2	write	letter
‘Ambe wrote a letter.’

71. drink nô

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	nô	mílíkə̀	wá
pn	sm	p 2	drink	milk	def
‘Ambe drank the milk.’

72. melt tɔ̀ɔ̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	tɔ̀ɔ̂	àtᵼ̂
pn	sm	p 2	burn	iron
‘Ambe melted a (piece of) iron.’

73. match kùʔùnə̂

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

ᵼ́-bɔ̀ŋə̂	ᵼ̀kò	jù	kùʔùnə̂	nᵼ̀	àtsə̀ʔə̀	ɣà
it’s-nice	belt	this	fit	with1	dress	my
‘Great, this belt goes well with my dress.’

74. leave lòô

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	lòô	àláʔà	jì
pn	sm	p 2	leave	village	his
‘Ambe left his village.’

75. cover bɔ̌ntᵼ̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àtsə̀ʔə̀	nʃjé	já	bɔ̌ntᵼ̀	ǹdâ	já	ǹtím
dress	ground	def	cover	house	def	whole
‘The carpet covers the whole floor.’

76. remember wáʔátə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	wáʔátə́-nᵼ̀	ǹdâ	já	sᵼ́gᵼ́nᵼ̀
pn	sm	remember- ipfv	house	def	well
‘Ambe remembers the house well.’

77. help kwɛ́tə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	kwɛ́tə̂	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	help	pn
‘Ambe helped Suh.’

78. understand (language) júʔú

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	júʔú-nɨ̀	ɣàâ	tó	njá
pn	sm	hear- ipfv	language	country	def
‘Ambe understands the country’s language.’

79. hit (target) tɔ̀ɔ̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

ŋkàʔâ-nwì	à	kɨ̀	tɔ̀ɔ̂	ǹdâ	já
light-god	sm	p 2	burn	house	def
‘Lightning hit the house.’

80. cut oneself ʃjé

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	lɨ́	ʃjé	nú	jì	nᵼ̀	ʃwáʔà
pn	sm	p 1	cut	body/ prep	his	with1	razor
‘Ambe cut himself with a razor.’

81. get stuck ntáŋ

Valency pattern: SBJ_a.atu

X: SBJ

Y: a.atu

Locus: Y

ndɔ́ŋ	já	ì	kᵼ̀	ntáŋ	á	àtû	àtɛ́tᵼ̀	njá
glass	def	sm	p 2	stuck	at	head/ prep	table	def
‘The glass got stuck to the table.’

82. lose (game) wó

Valency pattern: SBJ_mbo

X: SBJ

Y: mbo

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	lɨ́	wó	m̀bô	sùù
pn	sm	p 1	fail	for	pn
‘Ambe lost to Suh.’

83. be glad dórə̀tᵼ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_mbi7i

X: SBJ

Y: mbi7i

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kᵼ̀	dórə̀tᵼ́	mbᵼ́ʔᵼ́	ŋwàʔànɨ̀	já
pn	sm	p 2	be_glad	about	letter	def
‘Ambe was glad about the letter.’

84. speak ɣàâ

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	ɣàâ-nᵼ̀	nᵼ̀	sùù
pn	sm	speak- ipfv	with1	pn
‘Ambe is speaking with Suh.’

85. give birth dzwî

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

bì	à	kɨ̀	dzwî	mú-m̀bàŋnᵼ̀
pn	sm	p 2	give_birth	child-male
‘Bih gave birth to a son.’

86. drop màʔâ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	màʔâ	ndɔ́ŋ	já
pn	sm	p 2	drop	cup	def
‘Ambe dropped the cup.’

87. govern nlìntə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	nlìntə̂-nᵼ̀	láʔà	jìʔì
pn	sm	look- ipfv	village	our
‘Ambe runs our village.’

88. miss *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

89. follow jóŋə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	jóŋə̂	sùù
pn	sm	follow	pn
‘Ambe follows Suh.’

90. dismount sᵼ́gə̂

Valency pattern: SBJ_a.ndim

X: SBJ

Y: ndim

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	sᵼ́gə̂	á	ǹdím	léŋə́	wá
pn	sm	p 2	descend	at	back/ prep	horse	def
‘Ambe got down from the horse.’

91. listen júʔú

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	júʔú-nᵼ̀	nᵼ̀lòŋ
pn	sm	listen- ipfv	radio
‘Ambe is listening to radio.’

92. obey njúʔútə́ ǹtsù

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àmbɛ́	à	ɣáʔásə̂	njúʔútə́	ǹtsù	ǹdì	jì
pn	sm	always	listen	mouth	mother	his
‘Ambe always obeys his mother.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

93. hear njúʔútə́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	njúʔútə́	ᵼ̀kòò	wá
pn	sm	hear	song	def
‘Ambe hears the song.’

94. mix bóòntə́

Valency pattern: SBJ_bojo

X: SBJ

Y: bojo

Locus: Y

nú	já	í	lᵼ́	bóòntə́	bɔ́ʔɔ́	mílíkə̀	já
honey	def	sm	p 1	mix	with2. inan	milk	def
‘The honey got mixed with the milk.’

95. look líì

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	líì-nᵼ̀	búrə̀	já
pn	sm	look- ipfv	clouds	def
‘Ambe is looking at the clouds.’

96. take off tsɔ́ʔɔ́tə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	tsɔ́ʔɔ́tə̂	àtsə̀ʔə̀	jì
pn	sm	p 2	remove	dress	his
‘Ambe took off his shirt.’

97. dream (sleeping) ndzə̂-lɛ̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_mbi7i

X: SBJ

Y: mbi7i

Locus: Y

ndzə̂-lɛ̀	àmbɛ́	mbᵼ́ʔᵼ́	sùù
dream-sleep	pn	about	pn
‘Ambe dreams about Suh.’

98. agree bíì

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	bíì	nᵼ̀	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	agree	with1	pn
‘Ambe agreed with Suh.’

99. have a quarrel jɔ́ŋə̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_bo

X: SBJ

Y: bo

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	jɔ́ŋə̀	bó	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	quarrel	with2. anim	pn
‘Ambe had a quarrel with Suh.’

100. cost bə̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_BARE

X: SBJ

Y: BARE

Locus: Y

ndɔ́ŋ	jú	ᵼ̀	bə̀	ŋ̀kɣᵼ̀	jìmfùrᵼ̀
cup	this	sm	be	hundred	one
‘This cup costs one hundred.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate

101. shoot at túmə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	túmə̂	sᵼ́ŋ	wá
pn	sm	p 2	shoot	bird	def
‘Ambe shot the bird.’

102. pour nᵼ́ŋə́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	nᵼ́ŋə́	súgà	wá
pn	sm	p 2	put	sugar	def
‘Ambe poured the sugar.’

103. lose bwé

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	bwé	bɨ̀-kwáʔà	bàʔà	dʒí
pn	sm	p 2	lose	pl -opener	door	his
‘Ame lost his keys.’

104. sink sɨ́gə̂ ɣɛ̀ɛ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_a.mfeng

X: SBJ

Y: a.mfeng

Locus: Y

mamúʔù	tí	wá	à	kɨ̀	sɨ́gə̂	ɣɛ̀ɛ́	á	mfə̀ŋ	ŋ̀kxì	wá
big	stick	def	sm	p 2	descend	go	at	buttocks/ prep	water	def
‘The log sank in the water.’

105. kill ʒwítə́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	ʒwítə́	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	kill	pn
‘Ambe killed Suh.’

106. hit kwínə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	kwínə̂	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	hit	pn
‘Ambe hit Suh.’

107. kiss nɔ́ŋə̂ ǹtsù

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	nɔ́ŋə̂	ǹtsù	bì
pn	sm	p 2	suck	mouth	pn
‘Ambe kissed Bih.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

108. read tóŋtᵼ́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	tóŋtᵼ́	ŋwàʔànɨ̀	jìmɔ́ʔɔ̀	mə́	bɔ́ŋə̂
pn	sm	p 2	read	book	certain	that	nice
‘Ambe read a certain nice book.’

109. move (bodypart) tsᵼ́gᵼ́nᵼ̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	tsᵼ́gᵼ́nᵼ̀	nʃwèbô	jì
pn	sm	p 2	shake	finger	his
‘Ambe shook his finger.’

110. respect fá ŋgwóʔòrᵼ̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_mbo

X: SBJ

Y: mbo

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	fá	ŋgwóʔòrᵼ̀	mbô	sùù
pn	sm	give	respect	to	pn
‘Ambe respects Suh.’

111. be squeamish *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

112. be content dórə̂tə̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	dórə̂tə̀	nᵼ̀	mú	m̀bàŋnᵼ̀	jì
pn	sm	be_happy	with1	child	male	his
‘Ambe is satisfied with his son.’

113. fall in love lɔ̀gᵼ̀nə̂ kɔ̀ŋə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	lɔ̀gᵼ̀nə̂	kɔ̀ŋə̂	bì
pn	sm	p 2	begin	love	pn
‘Ambe fell in love with Bih.’

114. trust bíì

Valency pattern: SBJ_nu

X: SBJ

Y: nu

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	bíí-nᵼ̀	nú	sùù
pn	sm	agree- ipfv	body/ prep	pn
‘Ambe trusts Suh.’

115. sympathise kô mᵼ̀lᵼ̀ŋə̂

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àmbɛ́	à	kô	mᵼ̀lᵼ̀ŋə̂	ǹdì	jì
pn	sm	catch	sympathy	mother	his
‘Ambe sympathizes with his mother.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

116. envy tɛ́ʔɛ̂ nᵼ̀líʔî

Valency pattern: SBJ_a.atu.nu

X: SBJ

Y: a.atu.nu

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	tɛ́ʔɛ̂	nᵼ̀líʔî	á	àtû	nú	sùù
pn	sm	put	eye	at	head/ prep	body/ prep	pn
‘Ambe envies Suh.’

117. be angry lwǐ

Valency pattern: ntong_ni

X: ntong

Y: ni

Locus: XY

ntɔ̂ŋ	àmbɛ́	ᵼ̀	lwǐ	nᵼ̀	nú	sùù
neck/ prep	pn	sm	be_bitter	with1	body/ prep	pn
‘Ambe is angry with Suh.’

118. be surprised fúnᵼ̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_a

X: SBJ

Y: a

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	fúnᵼ̀	á	àndásᵼ̀	júà
pn	sm	p 2	surprise	at	gift	this
‘Ambe was surprised at this gift.’

119. love (tea) kɔ̀ŋə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɔ̀ŋə̂	tíí
pn	sm	love	tea
‘Ambe loves tea.’

120. enjoy kɔ̀ŋə̂

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àmbɛ́	à	kɔ̀ŋə̂	tíí	ᵼ̀lòò
pn	sm	love	tea	hot
‘Ambe loves hot tea.’
Note: Not included in the database because this translation is semantically inaccurate.

121. want lɔ̀ɔ̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	lɔ̀ɔ̂	ndə̀ŋ	jímfíî
pn	sm	want	mobile_phone	new
‘Ambe wants a new mobile phone.’

122. have a grudge bíʔî … múm ntᵼ́ᵼ́ jì

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	bíʔî-nᵼ̀	sùù	múm	ntᵼ́ᵼ́	jì
pn	sm	carry- ipfv	pn	inside	heart	his
‘Ambe is angry with Suh.’

123. take offence jáŋə̀

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

nù	jìí	mə̀	sùù	ɣᵼ̀rə̂	ᵼ̀	kɨ̀	jáŋə̀	àmbɛ́
thing	which	comp	pn	make/do	sm	p 2	hurt	pn
‘What Suh did offended Ambe.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed in a dependent clause.

124. upset ɣᵼ̀rə̂ … lwǐ

Valency pattern: SBJ_ntong

X: SBJ

Y: ntong

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	ɣᵼ̀rə̂	ntɔ̂ŋ	sùù	lwǐ	ʃíʔí	ʃíʔí
pn	sm	make	neck/ prep	pn	bitter	a_lot	a_lot
‘Ambe greatly upset Suh.’

125. marvel bɔ̀ŋə̂

Valency pattern: nu_a.nu

X: nu

Y: a.nu

Locus: XY

nú	àmbɛ́	ᵼ̀	kɨ̀	bɔ̀ŋə̂	á	nù	mûmə̀láʔà	jú
body/ prep	pn	sm	p 2	be_good	at	body/ prep	village_center	this
‘Ambe was impressed by this town.’

126. despise bǎ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àmbɛ́	à	bǎ	sùù
pn	sm	hate	pn
‘Ambe hates Suh.’
Note: Not included in the database because this translation is semantically inaccurate.

127. get upset lwǐ

Valency pattern: ntong_ni

X: ntong

Y: ni

Locus: XY

ntɔ̂ŋ	àmbɛ́	ᵼ̀	kɨ̀	lwǐ	nᵼ̀	mú	jì	m̀bàŋnᵼ̀
neck/ prep	pn	sm	p 2	be_bitter	with1	child	his	male
‘Ambe got upset with his son.’

128. get irritated kàmâ lwǐ

Valency pattern: ntong_ni

X: ntong

Y: ni

Locus: XY

ntɔ̂ŋ	àmbɛ́	ᵼ̀	kàmâ	lwǐ	nᵼ̀	mú	jì	màŋgjè
neck/ prep	pn	sm	getting	bitter	with1	child	his	female
‘Ambe is getting upset with his daughter.’

129. be fond kɔ̀ŋə̂

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àmbɛ́	à	kɔ̀ŋə̂	tʃí	m̀bɛ̀ɛ̀	bì
pn	sm	love	sit/stay	near	pn
‘Ambe loves being near Bih.’
Note: Not included in the database because the translation deviates too far from the stimulus sentence.

130. be shy dᵼ̀rə̂

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àtû	àmbɛ́	dᵼ̀rə̂	nlóŋmə́	à	wúʔù
head/ prep	pn	heavy	because	he	short
‘Ambe is shy because he is short.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier and Y is expressed as a dependent clause. Non-verbal predicate.