Bambara

Contributed by Valentin Vydrin (Academia.edu profile)

V.V.'s photo

The data were gathered in March and April 2023. The data have been checked using the following corpus:

Vydrin, Valentin & Maslinsky, Kirill & Méric, Jean Jacques & Rovenchak, Andrij. (2011–2023) Corpus Bambara de Référence.

Complicated cases were checked by Sékou Coulibaly, Bambara teacher at INALCO (Paris). The French version of the questionnaire was used for elicitation.

How to cite

Vydrin, Valentin. 2023. Bivalent patterns in Bambara. In: Say, Sergey (ed.). BivalTyp: Typological database of bivalent verbs and their encoding frames. (Data first published on April 19, 2023; last revised on June 6, 2024.) (Available online at https://www.bivaltyp.info, Accessed on .)

Basic info

Coordinates: 12.9, -7.65.
Genealogy (as given in WALS). Family: Mande, genus: Western Mande.
Macro-area: Sub-Saharan Africa.

Bambara (< Manding < Western Mande < Mande < Niger-Congo) is spoken mainly in Mali (West Africa) by more than 16 million people.

Grammar notes

Bambara is a tonal language with two basic tones, low and high. The basic word order is S AUX (O) V X, where S is a subject, V is a verb, AUX is an auxiliary word expressing grammatical semantics of tense, aspect, mode and polarity (in the Mandeist tradition, AUX are named "predicative markers"), O is a direct object (whose absence makes the verb intransitive), X is an oblique (indirect object or adjunct), most often represented by a postpositional phrase. The word order in NP is N2 – N1 (N1 is the head noun, N2 is the dependent noun), N – Adj (the adjectival modifier follows the head noun).

There is no morphological case on nouns.

Verb lemmas

Lemmas are shown in the form of bare stems.

Glossing abbreviations

ABSTR — suffix of abstract meaning; ART — tonal article; CNTRL — postposition with the meaning of control; COP — copula; EQU — copula in equative non-verbal sentence; INF — infinitive; INTR — intransitive; IPFV — imperfective; NMLZ — suffix of nominalization; PFV — perfective; PN — proper noun; POSS — possessive marker; PRES — presentative; PRIV — privative suffix; PROG — progressive; PTCP — participle; QUAL — qualitative predicative marker; REFL — reflexive pronoun; RES — resultative; SG — singular; TR — transitive.

Data

Subset examples by valency pattern

Subset examples by locus

1. feel pain dími

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ

X: DO

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

Sékù	kùnkolo`	bɛ	à	dími
pn	head\ art	ipfv	3 sg	be.sick
‘Seku has a headache.’
Note: The experiencer is first expressed as a possessor within the subject NP and then resumed as the direct object.

2. have (illness) mìnɛ

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ

X: DO

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

fàrigan`	ye	Sékù	mìnɛ
fever\ art	pfv . tr	pn	catch
‘Seku has a fever.’

3. be afraid síran

Valency pattern: SBJ_nye

X: SBJ

Y: nye

Locus: Y

Sékù	bɛ	síran	wùlu`	ɲɛ́
pn	ipfv	fear	dog\ art	before
‘Seku is afraid of a dog.’

4. throw fìli

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	kábakuru`	fìli
pn	pfv . tr	stone\ art	throw
‘Seku threw a stone.’

5. have enough bɔ́

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ

X: DO

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

wári`	ye	Sékù	bɔ́
money\ art	pfv . tr	pn	go.out
‘Seku has enough money.’

6. resemble bɔ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_fe

X: SBJ

Y: fe

Locus: Y

Sékù	bɔ́-len	bɛ́	Fùseni	fɛ̀
pn	go.out- ptcp . res	be	pn	by
‘Seku resembles Fuseyni.’

7. believe dá

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

Sékù	dá-len	bɛ́	Fántà	lá
pn	lie.down- ptcp . res	be	pn	in
‘Seku believes Fanta.’

8. take tà

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	gáfe`	tà
pn	pfv . tr	book\ art	take
‘Seku took a book.’

9. see yé

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	bɛ	só`	yé
pn	ipfv	house\ art	see
‘Seku sees a house.’

10. influence dádigi

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

kɔ̀rɔ`	bɛ	dádigi`	kɛ́nɛya`	lá
old.age\ art	ipfv	penalize	health\ art	in
‘Old age negatively influences health.’

11. encounter bɛ̀n

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	Fántà	bɛ̀n
pn	pfv . tr	pn	meet
‘Seku encountered Fanta.’

12. enter dòn

Valency pattern: SBJ_kono

X: SBJ

Y: kono

Locus: Y

Sékù	dòn-na	só`	kɔ́nɔ
pn	enter- pfv . intr	house\ art	into
‘Seku entered a house.’

13. win sé sɔ̀rɔ

Valency pattern: SBJ_kan

X: SBJ

Y: kan

Locus: Y

Sékù	ye	sé`	sɔ̀rɔ	Fùséni	kàn
pn	pfv . tr	power\ art	gain	pn	on
‘Seku beat Fuseyni.’

14. go out bɔ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_kono

X: SBJ

Y: kono

Locus: Y

Sékù	bɔ́-ra	só`	kɔ́nɔ
pn	go.out- pfv . intr	house\ art	into
‘Seku left the house.’

15. drive gɛ́n

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	bɛ_kà	mìsi`	gɛ́n
pn	prog	cow\ art	chase
‘Seku chases a cow.’

16. bend bíri

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	jíribolo`	bíri
pn	pfv . tr	branch\ art	bend
‘Seku bent a branch.’

17. tell fɔ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_ye

X: SBJ

Y: ye

Locus: Y

Sékù	y'à	fɔ́	Fántà	yé:	nà	bɔ́	ń	fɛ̀
pn	pfv . tr .3 sg	say	pn	as	come	go.out	1 sg	by
‘Seku said to Fanta: call on me.’

18. hold bɛ́/tɛ́

Valency pattern: bolo_SBJ

X: bolo

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

gáfe`	bɛ́	Sékù	bólo
book\ art	be	pn	cntrl
‘Seku holds a book in his hands.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

19. catch up kún

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

Sékù	bòli-la	dén`	nɔ̀fɛ̀	kà	kún	à	lá
pn	run- pfv . intr	child\ art	behind	inf	catch.up	3 sg	in
‘Seku run after the child and caught him up.’

20. milk bíri

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Àbú	ye	mìsi`	bíri
pn	pfv . tr	cow\ art	milk
‘Abu milked a cow.’

21. reach sé

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

Sékù	sé-ra	báda`	lá
pn	reach- pfv . intr	river_border\ art	in
‘Seku reached the bank of the river.’

22. touch bólo màga

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

Sékù	y'í	bólo`	màga	só	dɛnɛn`	ná
pn	pfv . tr . refl	hand\ art	touch	house	wall\ art	in
‘Seku touched the wall of a house.’

23. fight kɛ̀lɛ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	bɛ́_kà	Fùséni	kɛ̀lɛ
pn	prog	pn	fight
‘Seku fights Fuseyni.’

24. be friends bɛ́/tɛ́ tériya` lá

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Sékù	ni	Fùséni	bɛ́	tériya`	lá
pn	and	pn	be	friendship\ art	in
‘Seku and Fuseyni are friends.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP. Non-verbal predicate.

25. think míiri

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

Sékù	bɛ	míiri	Fántà	lá
pn	ipfv	think	pn	in
‘Seku thinks about Fanta.’

26. eat dún

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	nàmasa`	dún
pn	pfv . tr	banana	eat
‘Seku ate a banana.’

27. fry jíran

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	jɛ́gɛ`	jíran
pn	pfv . tr	fish\ art	fry
‘Seku fried a fish.’

28. wait kɔ̀nɔ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	bɛ	Fántà	kɔ̀nɔ
pn	ipfv	pn	wait
‘Seku is waiting for Fanta.’

29. forget ɲìnɛ

Valency pattern: SBJ_ko

X: SBJ

Y: ko

Locus: Y

Sékù	ɲìnɛ-na	síra	surun`	kɔ́
pn	forget- pfv . intr	road	short\ art	behind
‘Seku forgot the short road.’

30. depend dúlon

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

fɛ́n	sɔ̀ngɔ`	dúlon-nen	bɛ́	à	bònya`	ná
thing	price\ art	hang- ptcp . res	be	3 sg	size\ art	in
‘The price of a thing depends on its size.’

31. call wéele

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Fántà	ye	Sékù	wéele
pn	pfv . tr	pn	call
‘Fanta called Seku.’

32. get to know dɔ́n

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	Fántà	dɔ́n	sálòn
pn	pfv . tr	pn	know	last.year
‘Seku got to know Fanta last year.’

33. know dɔ́n

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	bɛ	Fántà	dɔ́n
pn	ipfv	pn	know
‘Seku knows Fanta.’

34. play (instrument) fɔ́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	bɛ́_kà	nkòni`	fɔ́
pn	prog	lute\ art	say
‘Seku is playing the lute.’

35. avoid fɛ́ngɛ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	bɛ	Fántà	fɛ́ngɛ
pn	ipfv	pn	avoid
‘Seku avoids Fanta.’

36. make dílan

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	túlon-fɛn`	dɔ́	dílan
pn	pfv . tr	play-thing\ art	one	make
‘Seku made a toy.’

37. make fun yɛ̀lɛ

Valency pattern: SBJ_ma

X: SBJ

Y: ma

Locus: Y

Sékù	bɛ́_kà	yɛ̀lɛ	Fántà	mà
pn	prog	laugh	pn	to
‘Seku mocks Fanta.’

38. have bɛ́/tɛ́

Valency pattern: bolo_SBJ

X: bolo

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

mɔ́bili`	bɛ́	Sékù	bólo
car\ art	be	pn	cntrl
‘Seku has a car.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

39. look for ɲíni

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	bɛ́_kà	kónɲin`	ɲíni
pn	prog	key\ art	search
‘Seku is looking for a key.’

40. paint ɲɛ̀gɛn

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	só`	ɲɛ̀gɛn
pn	pfv . tr	house\ art	paint
‘Seku painted the house.’

41. bite cín

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

wùlu`	ye	Sékù	cín
dog\ art	pfv . tr	pn	bite
‘A dog bit Seku.’

42. forfeit bɔ̀nɛ

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

Sékù	bɔ̀nɛ-na	à	ka	só`	lá
pn	deprive- pfv . intr	3 sg	poss	house\ art	in
‘Seku lost his house.’

43. try to catch ɲíni + kà mìnɛ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	bɛ	ɲíni	kà	wùlu`	mìnɛ
pn	ipfv	search	inf	dog\ art	catch
‘Seku is trying to catch the dog.’

44. break kári

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	bére`	kári
pn	pfv . tr	stick\ art	break
‘Seku broke a stick.’

45. flatter bálima

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	bɛ́_kà	Fántà	bálima
pn	prog	pn	flatter
‘Seku flatters Fanta.’

46. love (person) kànu

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	bɛ	Fántà	kànu
pn	ipfv	pn	love
‘Seku loves Fanta.’

47. wave yúguyugu

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Fántà	bɛ́_kà	kùnnasirilan`	yúguyugu
pn	prog	headscarf	shake
‘Fanta shakes out a headscarf.’
Note: Not included in the database because this translation is semantically inaccurate.

48. dream *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

49. wash kò

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Fántà	ye	kúnan`	kò
pn	pfv . tr	dish\ art	wash
‘Fanta washed a dish.’

50. put on dòn

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	kùlusi`	dòn
pn	pfv . tr	trousers\ art	enter
‘Seku put on his trousers.’

51. be called kó

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

nìn	fɔ́li-fɛn`	tɔ́gɔ`	kó	dùnun
this	music-thing\ art	name\ art	say	drum
‘This musical instument is called "a drum".’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Non-verbal predicate.

52. punish ɲàngi

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	à	dén`	ɲàngi
pn	pfv . tr	3 sg	child\ art	punish
‘Seku punished his child.’

53. attack bìn

Valency pattern: SBJ_kan

X: SBJ

Y: kan

Locus: Y

wùlu`	bìn-na	dén`	kàn
dog\ art	fall- pfv . intr	child\ art	on
‘The dog attacked a child.’

54. fill (intr) fá

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

fílen`	fá-ra	jí`	lá
gourd\ art	fill- pfv . intr	water\ art	in
‘The gourd filled with water.’

55. find yé

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	kónɲin`	yé
pn	pfv . tr	key\ art	see
‘Sekou found the key.’

56. be short jɛ̀

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

dɔ́rɔmɛ	mùgan	bɛ	ń	ka	wári`	jɛ̀
5.francs	twenty	ipfv	1 sg	poss	money\ art	lack
‘I am short 100 francs.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

57. hate kɔ́niya

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	Fátù	kɔ́niya
pn	pfv . tr	pn	hate
‘Seku hates Fatu.’

58. like dí

Valency pattern: ye_SBJ

X: ye

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

kùlusi	ìn	ka	dí	Sékù	yé
pants	this	qual	pleasant	pn	as
‘Seku likes these pants.’

59. need màgo` bɛ́/tɛ́

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Sékù	màgo`	bɛ́	wári`	lá
pn	need\ art	be	money\ a rt	in
‘Seku needs money.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Non-verbal predicate.

60. surround lámini

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

kógo`	bɛ	só`	lámini
wall\ art	ipfv	house\ art	surround
‘A wall surrounds the house.’

61. remain tó

Valency pattern: bolo_SBJ

X: bolo

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

fɔ́rɔmɛ	kélen	tó-ra	Sékù	bólo
5.francs	one	remain- pfv . intr	pn	cntrl
‘Seku has 5 francs left.’

62. answer jáabi

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	kàramɔgɔ`	jáabi
pn	pfv . tr	teacher\ art	answer
‘Seku answered the teacher.’

63. open dáyɛ̀lɛ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	kɛ́su`	dáyɛ̀lɛ
pn	pfv . tr	box\ art	open
‘Seku opened the box.’

64. be different bɔ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

Sékù	bɔ́-len	bɛ́	Fùséni	lá
pn	go.out- ptcp . res	be	pn	in
‘Seku is different from Fuseyni.’

65. fall behind tó

Valency pattern: SBJ_ko

X: SBJ

Y: ko

Locus: Y

Sékù	tó-ra	Fántà	kɔ́
pn	remain- pfv . intr	pn	behind
‘Seku fell behind Fanta.’

66. plough sɛ̀nɛ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	bɛ́_kà	fòro`	sɛ̀nɛ
pn	prog	field\ art	cultivate
‘Seku is cultivating a field.’

67. smell kasa` bɛ́/tɛ́

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

pètɔrɔli	kasa`	bɛ́	ń	bólo`	nɔ̀fɛ̀
oil	smell\ art	be	1 sg	hand\ art	on.trace
‘My hands smell like oil.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

68. cross tìgɛ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	síra`	tìgɛ
pn	pfv . tr	road\ art	cut
‘Seku crossed the road.’

69. sing dá

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	dɔ̀nkili	ɲuman`	dá
pn	pfv . tr	song	good\ art	put
‘Seku sang a beautiful song.’

70. write sɛ́bɛn

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	lɛ́tɛrɛ`	sɛ́bɛn
pn	pfv . tr	letter\ art	write
‘Seku wrote a letter.’

71. drink mìn

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	jí`	mìn
pn	pfv . tr	water\ art	drink
‘Seku drank the water.’

72. melt yèelen

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	sánu-mugu`	yèelen
pn	pfv . tr	gold-powder\ art	melt
‘Seku melted the gold-dust.’

73. match tà

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

í	ka	tàafe`	ni	í	ka	sàbara`	bɛ	ɲɔ́gɔn	tà.
2 sg	poss	wrapper\ art	and	2 sg	poss	shoe\ art	ipfv	recp	take
‘Your wrapper and your shoes go well together.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP.

74. leave bɔ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

Sékù	bɔ́-ra	à	ka	dùgu`	lá
pn	go.out- pfv . intr	3 sg	poss	village\ art	in
‘Seku left his village.’

75. cover dátugu

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

fìni`	bɛ́_kà	dén`	dátugu
cloth\ art	prog	child\ art	cover
‘A cloth covers a child.’

76. remember hákili` jìgin

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Sékù	hákili`	jìgin-na	à	ka	dùgu`	lá
pn	reason\ art	descend- pfv . intr	3 sg	poss	village\ art	in
‘Seku remembers his village.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

77. help dɛ̀mɛ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	Fántà	dɛ̀mɛ
pn	pfv . tr	pn	help
‘Seku helped Fanta.’

78. understand (language) fàamu

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	kúma	ìn	fàamu
pn	pfv . tr	speech	this	understand
‘Seku understood these words.’

79. hit (target) jìgin

Valency pattern: SBJ_kan

X: SBJ

Y: kan

Locus: Y

kàbapɛrɛn`	jìgin-na	só	ìn	kàn
lightning\ art	descend- pfv . intr	house	this	on
‘A lightning hit this house.’

80. cut oneself tìgɛ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

mùru`	y'	à	bólo`	tìgɛ
knife\ art	pfv . tr	3 sg	hand\ art	cut
‘He cut his hand with a knife.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

81. get stuck nɔ́rɔ

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

fúra`	nɔ́rɔ-la	só-dɛnɛn`	ná
leaf\ art	stick- pfv . intr	house-wall\ art	in
‘A leaf sticked to the wall.’

82. lose (game) cɛ̀

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Sékù	ye	dùgumasara`	cɛ̀	marasibɔ`	lá
pn	pfv . tr	defeat\ art	collect	cards\ art	in
‘Segu lost in cards.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is not overtly expressed.

83. be glad nísɔndiya

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ

X: DO

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

lɛ́tɛrɛ`	ye	Sékù	nísɔndiya
letter\ art	pfv . tr	pn	gladden
‘Seku is glad about the letter.’

84. speak bàro

Valency pattern: SBJ_fe

X: SBJ

Y: fe

Locus: Y

Sékù	bɛ́_kà	bàro	Fántà	fɛ̀
pn	prog	talk	pn	by
‘Seku speaks with Fanta.’

85. give birth wólo

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

Fántà	wólo-la	dén`	ná
pn	give.birth- pfv . intr	child\ art	in
‘Fanta gave birth to a child.’

86. drop bɔ́ + bìn

Valency pattern: bolo_SBJ

X: bolo

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

mùru`	bɔ́-ra	kà	bìn	Sékù	bólo
knife\ art	go.out- pfv . intr	inf	fall	pn	cntrl
‘Seku dropped the knife.’
Note: This is a serial verb construction.

87. govern kùntigi yé

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Sékù	yé	án	ka	dùgu`	kùntigi	yé
pn	equ	1 pl	poss	village\ art	chief	as
‘Seku governs our village.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Non-verbal predicate.

88. miss ɲɛ́nafin` bɛ́/tɛ́

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

ń	mùso`	ɲɛ́nafin`	bɛ́	ń	lá
1 sg	woman\ art	sadness\ art	be	1 sg	in
‘I miss my wife.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Non-verbal predicate.

89. follow tùgu

Valency pattern: SBJ_ko

X: SBJ

Y: ko

Locus: Y

Sékù	bɛ	tùgu	Fántà	kɔ́
pn	ipfv	follow	pn	behind
‘Seku follows Fanta.’

90. dismount jìgin

Valency pattern: SBJ_kan

X: SBJ

Y: kan

Locus: Y

Sékù	jìgin-na	kà	bɔ́	fàli`	kàn
pn	descend- pfv . intr	inf	go.out	donkey\ art	on
‘Seku got down from the donkey.’

91. listen túlomajɔ̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_fe

X: SBJ

Y: fe

Locus: Y

Sékù	b'í	túlomajɔ̀	àrajɔ`	fɛ̀
pn	ipfv . refl	listen	radio\ art	by
‘Seku listens to the radio.’

92. obey kólo

Valency pattern: SBJ_ye

X: SBJ

Y: ye

Locus: Y

mùso`	bɛ	kólo	à	cɛ̀`	yé
woman\ art	ipfv	obey	3 sg	man\ art	as
‘A woman obeys her husband.’

93. hear mɛ́n

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	bɛ	mànkan`	mɛ́n
pn	ipfv	noise\ art	hear
‘Seku hears a noise.’

94. mix ɲágami

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

fúraji`	ɲágami-na	jí`	lá
medicine_water\ art	mix.up- pfv . intr	water\ art	in
‘The liquid medicine mixed up with water.’

95. look fílɛ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	bɛ́_kà	kàbanɔgɔ-w	fílɛ
pn	prog	cloud- pl	look
‘Seku looks at the clouds.’

96. take off bɔ́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	dùlɔki`	bɔ́
pn	pfv . tr	gown\ art	go.out
‘Seku took off the gown.’

97. dream (sleeping) sùgo

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

Sékù	sùgo-ra	Fántà	lá
pn	dream- pfv . intr	pn	in
‘Seku dreamt of Fanta.’

98. agree sɔ̀n

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Sékù	sɔ̀n-na	Fántà	tá	mà
pn	accept- pfv . intr	pn	property	to
‘Seku agreed with Fanta.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

99. have a quarrel kɛ̀lɛ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Sékù	ni	Fántà	kɛ̀lɛ-la
pn	and	pn	quarrel- pfv . intr
‘Seku and Fanta quarrelled.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP.

100. cost yé/tɛ́

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

shɛ̀`	sɔ̀ngɔ`	yé	kɛ̀mɛ	náani	yé
chicken\ art	price\ art	equ	hundred	four	as
‘The price of a chicken is 2000 francs (= 400 times 5 francs).’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Non-verbal predicate.

101. shoot at bón

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

dònso`	ye	kɔ̀nɔ`	bón
hunter\ art	pfv . tr	bird\ art	shoot
‘The hunter shot at the bird.’

102. pour kɛ́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	súkaromugu`	kɛ́	tàbali`	kàn
pn	pfv . tr	sugar_powder\ art	do	table\ art	on
‘Seku poured some sugar on the table.’

103. lose bùrun

Valency pattern: ko_SBJ

X: ko

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

kónnɛgɛ`	bùrun-na	Sékù	kɔ́
key\ art	fall- pfv . intr	pn	behind
‘Seku has lost the key.’

104. sink túnun

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

jírikurun`	túnun-na	jí`	lá
log\ art	disappear- pfv . intr	water\ art	in
‘The log drowned in the water.’

105. kill fàga

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	wáraba`	fàga
pn	pfv . tr	lion\ art	kill
‘Seku killed a lion.’

106. hit bùgɔ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	Fùséni	bùgɔ
pn	pfv . tr	pn	hit
‘Seku hit Fuseyni.’

107. kiss súmusumu

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Sékù	ye	Fántà	dá`	súmusumu
pn	pfv . tr	pn	mouth\ art	smell
‘Seku kissed Fanta.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

108. read kàlan

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	lɛ́tɛrɛ`	kàlan
pn	pfv . tr	letter\ art	read
‘Seku read a letter.’

109. move (bodypart) lámàga

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	ye	à	bólo`	lámàga
pn	pfv . tr	3 sg	hand\ art	move
‘Seku moved his hand.’

110. respect bònya

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	bɛ	Fùséni	bònya
pn	ipfv	pn	respect
‘Seku respects Fuseyni.’

111. be squeamish ɲúgun

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

Sékù	bɛ	ɲúgun	ntòri`	lá
pn	ipfv	abhor	frog\ art	in
‘Seku abhors frogs.’

112. be content wàsa

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ

X: DO

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

dén`	ye	Sékù	wàsa
child\ art	pfv . tr	pn	satisfy
‘Seku is satisfied with the child.’

113. fall in love jàrabi

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

Sékù	jàrabi-ra	Fántà	lá
pn	love- pfv . intf	pn	in
‘Seku has fallen in love with Fanta.’

114. trust dá

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

Sékù	dá-len	bɛ́	Fántà	lá
pn	lie.down- ptcp . res	be	pn	in
‘Seku trusts Fanta.’

115. sympathise hínɛ

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

Sékù	hínɛ-na	Fántà	lá
pn	pity- pfv . intr	pn	in
‘Seku sympathizes with Fanta.’

116. envy kɔ́niya

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	bɛ	Fùséni	kɔ́niya
pn	ipfv	pn	envy
‘Seku envies Fuseyni.’

117. be angry dími

Valency pattern: SBJ_koro

X: SBJ

Y: koro

Locus: Y

Sékù	dími-nɛn	bɛ́	Fántà	kɔ́rɔ
pn	suffer- ptcp . res	res	pn	under
‘Seku is angry with Fanta.’

118. be surprised kábakoya

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

Sékù	kábakoya-ra	sàma`	lá
pn	surprise- pfv . intr	gift\ art	in
‘Seku was surprised by this gift.’

119. love (tea) bɛ́/tɛ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_fe

X: SBJ

Y: fe

Locus: Y

Sékù	bɛ́	wòro`	fɛ̀
pn	be	cola_nuts\ art	by
‘Seku likes cola nuts.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

120. enjoy tɔ̀nɔbɔ́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Sékù	bɛ́_kà	àtayi`	tɔ̀nɔbɔ́
pn	prog	tea\ art	enjoy
‘Seku enjoys the tea.’

121. want bɛ́/tɛ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_fe

X: SBJ

Y: fe

Locus: Y

Sékù	bɛ́	móto`	fɛ̀
pn	be	motorcycle\ art	by
‘Seku wants a motorcycle.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

122. have a grudge *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

123. take offence *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

124. upset dòn

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Sékù	dòn-na	Fántà	gàsi`	lá
pn	enter- pfv . intr	pn	guilt\ art	in
‘Seku made Fanta sad.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

125. marvel kábakoya

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ

X: DO

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

dùgu`	ye	Sékù	kábakoya
village\ art	pfv . tr	pn	surprise
‘Seku was surprised by the village.’

126. despise fìsaya

Valency pattern: SBJ_ma

X: SBJ

Y: ma

Locus: Y

Sékù	b'	í	yɛ̀rɛ̂	fìsaya	Fùséni	mà
pn	ipfv	refl	self	prefer	pn	to
‘Seku despises Fuseyni.’

127. get upset dùsukasi

Valency pattern: SBJ_fe

X: SBJ

Y: fe

Locus: Y

Fùséni	dùsukasi-len	dòn	à	dén`	fɛ̀.
pn	sadden- ptcp . res	cop . pres	3 sg	child\ art	by
‘Fuseyni is sad because of his child.’

128. get irritated ládimi

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ

X: DO

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

Fántà	ye	Sékù	ládimi
pn	pfv . tr	pn	irritate
‘Fanta irritated Seku.’

129. be fond ɲuman` + COP + ɲɛ́sin

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

míiriya	ɲuman`	bɛ́	Sékù	lá	k’	à	ɲɛ́sin	Fántà	mà.
thought	good\ art	be	pn	in	inf	3 sg	direct	pn	to
‘Seku is fond of Fanta.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP within a dependent clause.

130. be shy dègun

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ

X: DO

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

wári-ntan-ya`	bɛ́_kà	Sékù	dègun
money- priv - abstr \ art	prog	pn	embarrass
‘Seku is embarrassed by the lack of money.’