upas

Ultimately from Dutch oppas, possibly through Indonesian.


bai

any of species Etelis carbunculus and Etelis radiosus of snappers.


uba

From Malay ubat (“gunpowder”). Compare with Indonesian obat.


suka

From Malay suka, from Sanskrit सुख (sukha). The noun may derive from N- (“nominalizer”) + suka, which produces no change on the initial consonant s.


sama

Externally, compare North Moluccan Malay sema.


sama

Compare Tidore soma, Sahu samama (“crocodile”).


au

From Proto-North Halmahera *aun (“blood”).


side

Cognate with Sahu sidete (“sail, to sail”).


ton

alternative form of toni (“flying fish”)


tom

From Javanese ꦠꦺꦴꦩ꧀ (tom), from Old Javanese tom, from Proto-Malayic *tarum.

Indigofera tinctoria
Indigofera tinctoria#Translingual


hai

Cognate with West Makian fai (“millipede”).


coklat

Borrowed from Malay coklat, from English chocolate, from Spanish chocolate, from Nahuatl. Possibly influenced by Indonesian cokelat.

coklat:


baju

From Malay baju, from Classical Persian بازو (bāzū).


biu

traditional medicine
traditional medicine


kamar

Borrowed from Indonesian kamar, from Dutch kamer, from Middle Dutch camere, from Old Dutch *kamara, from Latin camera, from Ancient Greek καμάρα (kamára, “vault”).


waktu

From Malay waktu, from Arabic وَقْت (waqt).


tee

Likely from Malay teh, from Hokkien 茶 (tê) (Amoy dialect)


saha

Compare West Makian safat and Sahu sata, both meaning "palm of hand, sole of foot".

kaus masaha

(inalienable) the underside or under-surface of something

gia masaha

hohu masaha


rok

From Dutch rok, possibly through Indonesian rok, from Middle Dutch roc, from Old Dutch rok, from Proto-Germanic *rukkaz.


gate

From Proto-North Halmahera *gate (“liver”). Compare Tidore gate.


hate

Does not continue Proto-North Halmahera *gota (“tree”). However, compare Proto-Timor-Alor-Pantar *hate ("tree").


tata

May be the same as the second etymology.


tata

a kind of cylindrical basket generally made of bamboo strips, historically used to transport fruit and betel nut


bira

Probably from Austronesian; compare Proto-Sangiric *biʀas ("rice"). Compare to Indonesian beras.


amo

→ Gorontalo: amo

Artocarpus altilis
Artocarpus altilis#Translingual

the breadfruit tree (Artocarpus altilis)


surat

Borrowed from Malay surat, from Proto-Malayic *surat.


gam

From the older gamu, with word-final vowel deletion.


tas

From Indonesian tas, from Dutch tas, from Middle Dutch tasche, Old Dutch *taska, from Frankish, from Proto-Germanic *taskǭ.


pipi

Within North-Halmaheran, cognate with Tidore pipi and Sahu pipisi. Externally, see Balinese ᬧᬶᬧᬶᬲ᭄ (pipis).


rame

From North Moluccan Malay rame, from Malay ramai. The noun may derive from N- (“nominalizer”) + rame, which produces no change on the initial consonant.


bati

→ Sawai: bati

Possibly from N- (nominalizer) + fati (“to block, hinder”).

af

a boundary (as demarcated by poles in the ground, etc.)


beto

From N- (nominalizer) + feto (“to complain”).


bori

Cognate with Galela bori, Tobelo bori, Pagu bori, all possibly loans from Ternate.

the plant Anamirta cocculus; its seeds are crushed to make a fish poison


budo

→ Gorontalo: budo (“albino”)


ember

Borrowed from Indonesian ember, from Dutch emmer, from Middle Dutch ember, from Old Dutch ēmer, from Proto-West Germanic *ambrī.


adat

From the older adati, with word-final vowel deletion. Likely reinforced by Indonesian adat.


tes

Borrowed from English test some time during the British occupation of Ternate (1810-1817).


boro

From Proto-North Halmahera *boro (“egg”).


fini

Compare Tetum fini (“seed”) and Malay benih (“seed”).


suo

the obtuse barracuda (Sphyraena obtusata)


ahi

Cognate with Tidore ahi. Of uncertain relation to West Makian fi, Galela kahi, Sahu kai, etc.

lemo maahi

bia maahi


isi

Cognate with Tidore isi (“urine”), Tabaru osisi (“to urinate”). Further afield, compare Proto-Trans-New Guinea *(si)si, *siti, *pisi (“urine”) and Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *ihiq (“urine”).


suku

From Malay syukur, from Arabic شُكْر (šukr).


ara

Cognate with Tidore ora (“moon”) and possibly West Makian odo (“moon”).


sau

From Malay sahur, from Arabic سَحُور (saḥūr).


tela

Given by Hayami-Allen to be from Portuguese [Term?].


sandal

Borrowed from Indonesian sandal, from Dutch sandaal, from Middle French sandale, from Old French sandale, from Latin sandalium, from Ancient Greek σανδάλιον (sandálion).


koi

Possibly related to Tabaru koyu (“banana”), synonym of the more common Tabaru term bole.


aki

From Proto-North Halmahera *akir ("tongue").


bala

From either Indonesian bala (“army”) or Javanese ꦧꦭ (bala, “army”), both from Sanskrit बल (bala).


awa

Possibly the same as the previous etymology, as a semantic extension.


tasa

From Arabic طَاسَة (ṭāsa), per Hayami-Allen.


seng

From Indonesian sen, from Dutch cent, from Old French cent.


seng

From Indonesian seng, from Dutch zink, from German Zink.


iru

Ultimately from Old Javanese irus (“ladle made of a half coconut-shell”). Cognate with Tobelo iruhu (“id”).

der

spoon, ladle, especially one made from a coconut shell


mancia

From older Ternate manusia, from Malay manusia, from Sanskrit मनुष्य (manuṣya).


toko

From Indonesian toko, from Hokkien 土庫 /土库 (thó͘-khò͘, “private storehouse”).


uru

From Proto-North Halmahera *uru (“mouth”).


dokter

Borrowed from Indonesian dokter, from Dutch dokter, from doctor, from Middle Dutch doctoor, from Latin doctor (“teacher”).


ake

From Proto-North Halmahera *aker (“water”).

ake besa


tato

any of several fish among the triggerfish (Balistidae) and the filefish (Monacanthidae)


festa

From Portuguese festa, from Latin fēstum.


kas

From Indonesian kas (“box”), from Dutch kast (“cupboard”), from Middle Dutch caste (“chest”), from Old Dutch *kasto, from Frankish *kastō.


rica

→ North Moluccan Malay: rica

Manado Malay: rica
→ Indonesian: rica

Likely from an older, unattested form *marica, from Malay merica, from Pali marica, from Sanskrit मरिच (marica). The initial ma was likely reinterpreted as the possessive.


turi

Likely from Malay turi (“Sesbania grandiflora”).

vegetable hummingbird
vegetable hummingbird

Sesbania grandiflora
Sesbania grandiflora#Translingual

vegetable hummingbird (Sesbania grandiflora)


sido

a torch (often bamboo filled with damar)


fala

Cognate with Tidore fola, Tabaru woa, West Makian pala.

fala mari


bou

Likely to ultimately be from Proto-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian [Term?], from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *bahu, *bahuq; compare Proto-Oceanic *bou (“smell, odor”).


asal

Etymology tree
Arabic أَصْل (ʔaṣl)bor.
Malay asalbor.
Ternate asal
Borrowed from Malay asal, borrowed from Arabic أَصْل (ʔaṣl).


salo

Compare Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *suluq (“torch”).


udara

From the second element of Indonesian pesawat udara.


warna

Borrowed from Malay warna, from Sanskrit वर्ण (varṇa).


nasi

alternative form of nanasi (“pineapple”)


walu

Lagenaria siceraria
Lagenaria siceraria#Translingual


umur

From Malay umur, from Arabic عُمُر (ʕumur).


tahu

From Indonesian tahu, from Hokkien 豆腐 (tāu-hū).

tofu (a protein-rich food made from curdled soy milk)


putra

From Classical Malay ڤوترا (putra), from Sanskrit पुत्र (putra).


baro

From N- (nominalizer) + paro (“to cover”).


rau

Likely from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *dahun; compare Malay daun, Sobei rau. Furthermore, Holton and Klamer reconstruct Proto-North Halmahera *soka (“leaf”), which this does not continue.


riha

The noun may derive from N- (“nominalizer”) + riha, which produces no change on the initial consonant r.


piri

Adapted from Malay piring, from Classical Persian پرنگ (piring). Doublet of piring.


asar

From Malay asar, from Arabic عَصْر (ʕaṣr).


suna

From Classical Malay سونت (“sunat”) (cf. modern sunat), from Arabic سُنَّة (sunna).


kartas

From Malay kertas, from Arabic قِرْطَاس (qirṭās), from Aramaic כַּרְטִיסָא (karṭīsā), from Ancient Greek χάρτης (khártēs).

der

Aramaic כַּרְטִיסָא (karṭīsā)


beno

From N- (nominalizer) + feno (“to close (transitive)”).


fira

a sister in relation to a man, a man's sister


bika

bika maahi


balo

Likely related to Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *baluj; see Uneapa balu (“dove”).

either the wood pigeon or the green pigeon


fana

→ Manado Malay: mafana (“house ridge”) (with Ternate possessive ma-)

Ultimately from Proto-North Halmahera (likely of the form *p₁onat); compare Galela pona, Sahu wanata, Tidore fona.


bola

Likely ultimately from Portuguese bola de gude (“marble”).


lila

a small, even shoulder-portable type of (colonial?) field gun, notably used in the East Indies


besa

Cognate with Sahu besa'a. Equivalent to N- (nominalizer) + fesa (“wet”).

بيس فوفراي


firman

From Malay firman, from Persian فرمان (farmân), from Middle Persian 𐫜𐫡𐫖𐫀𐫗 (frmʾn /framān/), from Old Persian 𐎳𐎼𐎶𐎠𐎴𐎠 (f-r-m-a-n-a /framānā/).


dumdum

Likely from an older *dumudumu, from Proto-North Halmahera, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *lumut. Compare Sahu ḏuḏumutu, Tobelo lulumiti.


paji

From Classical Malay ڤنجي (panji), from Sanskrit पञ्जी (pañjī).


sumu

→ Galela: sumu

→ Loloda: sumu

→ Tobelo: humu (Heleworuru, Boeng)

→ Pagu: sumu

→ Tabaru: sumu

Likely through Proto-Ternate-Tidore, from Malay sumur or Javanese ꦱꦸꦩꦸꦂ (sumur), both from Old Javanese sumur.


jojo

uncle, aunt (younger sibling of a parent)


banga

→ Sawai: banga


uri

Cognate with West Makian weri (“rattan”).


pesta

alternative form of festa (“party, celebration”)


radis

Likely from Dutch radijs, ultimately from Latin rādīx.


dupa

From Classical Malay دوڤا (dupa), from Sanskrit धूप (dhūpa).


ing

From the older ingi, with word-final vowel deletion.


futu

From Proto-North Halmahera *putu (“night”).


awal

From Malay awal, from Arabic أَوَّل (ʔawwal).


faida

alternative form of faeda (“usefulness”)


toni

any of several flying fish in the genus Cypselurus


kabi

Adapted from Classical Malay کمبيڠ (kambing).


bua

Cognate with West Makian bual (“termite”).


sako

needlefish, fish in the family Belonidae


rasai

From the root of Malay merasai (“to feel”).


bangku

From Indonesian bangku, from Portuguese banco.


tifa

the tifa drum, part of the tifa totobuang ensemble


dolosi

دولوسي (Jawi)

certain species of fish, the species Caesio cuning¹ or certain species of the genus Plectorhinchus²


rugi

From Malay rugi, from Sanskrit रोग (roga).


bangsa

From Malay bangsa, from Old Malay vaṃśa, from Sanskrit वंश (vaṃśá, “offspring, lineage, collection”). Cognate of Tagalog bansa.


tauge

From Indonesian tauge, from Hokkien 豆芽 (tāu-gê).


lako

From Proto-North Halmahera *lako (“eye”).


fores

From Dutch voorhuis, from Middle Dutch vorehuus.


kakus

From Indonesian kakus, from Dutch kakhuis.


kofi

Presumably from Dutch koffie (“coffee”).


bibi

any of several fish in Tetraodontidae and Ostraciidae


duko

Compare East Makian dukon (“volcanic eruption”).

a stream of lava; stones released in a volcanic eruption


tusa

Cognate with Ambonese Malay tusa (“cat”).

tusa malako


جو

Jawi spelling of joo, shortened form of جوو (joou).


wiji

Likely from Javanese ꦮꦶꦗꦶ (wiji, “seed”) (cf. ꦮꦶꦗꦺꦤ꧀ (wijèn, “sesame seed”)), from Old Javanese wiji.


bete

→ Gorontalo: bete

Colocasia antiquorum
Colocasia antiquorum


ube

the slender sprat (Spratelloides gracilis)

the Indian anchovy (Stolephorus indicus)


sofo

From Proto-North Halmahera *sopok (“fruit”).


ajali

the limit of one's life, one's allotted lifespan


haiwan

Etymology tree
Arabic حَيَوَان (ḥayawān)bor.
Classical Persian حَیْوَان (haywān)bor.
Malay haiwanbor.
Ternate haiwan
Borrowed from Malay haiwan, borrowed from Classical Persian حَیْوَان (haywān), borrowed from Arabic حَيَوَان (ḥayawān).


tagetage

تاݢي تاݢي (Jawi)

Possibly cognate with Javanese ꦠꦼꦏꦶ (teki, “Cyperus rotundus”). This etymon is also possibly reflected in the Ternate takki recorded by Filet, a term which de Clercq labels "minder goed" (“not as good”).

cog

Cyperus rotundus
Cyperus rotundus#Translingual


boki

→ Gorontalo: boki


piring

From Malay piring, from Classical Persian پرنگ (piring). Doublet of piri.


talam

From Malay talam, from Tamil தளம் (taḷam).


bidadari

From Classical Malay بيداداري, from Sanskrit विद्याधरी (vidyādharī).


sobat

From Malay sobat, from Arabic صَحَابَة (ṣaḥāba, “friend”).


jiko

From N- (nominalizer) + ciko (“crooked, bent”), cognate with Sahu ji'o (“bay”). However, compare also Proto-Austronesian *sikux (“elbow”).


asli

Borrowed from Malay asli (“original”), from Arabic أَصْلِيّ (ʔaṣliyy).


wange

mawange


silet

Borrowed from Indonesian silet, from English Gillette.


rorum

From older rorumu, with word-final vowel deletion.

alternative form of rorumu (Heritiera littoralis)


rore

Setaria italica
Setaria italica#Translingual


bose

Solanum nigrum
Solanum nigrum#Translingual

the European black nightshade (Solanum nigrum)


gani

From Proto-North Halmahera *gani (“head louse”).


uku

From Proto-North Halmahera *uku (“fire”).


tabako

From Portuguese tabaco, from Spanish tabaco.


salaka

From Javanese selaka, from Old Javanese salaka.


rairai

An ox knee plant (Achyranthes bidentata)


ligua

Pterocarpus indicus
Pterocarpus indicus#Translingual

the Burmese rosewood, angsana (Pterocarpus indicus)


walirang

From Javanese ꦮꦼꦭꦶꦫꦁ (welirang), from Old Javanese waliraṅ.


tuala

From Malay tuala, from Portuguese toalha. Compare Tagalog tuwalya, Spanish toalla.


widu

any of several fish of the genus Kyphosus


sofi

alternative form of sofu (“dried skins of the bird of paradise”)


ingi

From Proto-North Halmahera *iŋir (“tooth”).


subu

Adapted from Classical Malay سومبو (“sumbu”) (cf. modern sumbu).


nyao

Ultimately from Proto-North Halmahera (likely of the form *ɲa(w)ok); compare Galela nawo, Tabaru naoko, Sahu nyao'o.


sukur

Reborrowed from Malay syukur, from Arabic شُكْر (šukr).

alternative form of suku (“thanks, gratitude”)


sosoru

Partial reduplication of soru (“to go down, set”).


bukubuku

Possibly onomatopoeic; compare English boobook, said to come from its call.


bukubuku

Possibly a reduplication of buku (“hill”).


kaso

From Proto-North Halmahera *kaso (“dog”).

Canis familiaris
Canis familiaris#Translingual


ubo

Within North Halmaheran, cognate with Sahu ubolo, Loloda uboro, etc. Likely also related to Kwaio 'ufo'ufo (“female eclectus”).

Eclectus roratus
Eclectus roratus#Translingual

the female (red) eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus ssp. roratus)


adati

From Classical Malay عادت (adat), from Persian عادت ('âdat), from Arabic عَادَة (ʕāda).


siba

a kind of bird, some kind of small green cockatoo


arut

Possibly from Indonesian ararut (with haplology), ultimately from English arrowroot, from Lokono aru-aru.

Maranta arundinacea
Maranta arundinacea#Translingual


campada

چمڤادة (Jawi)

From Classical Malay چمڤدق (“cempedak”).


tadarus

From Malay tadarus, from Arabic تَدَارُس (tadārus).

the act of reciting the Quran together, usually in a mosque during Ramadan


sogo

→ North Moluccan Malay: sogo


siafu

Cognate with Sahu siau, Galela siapu, Loloda siau.

Dioscorea esculenta
Dioscorea esculenta#Translingual

the plant Dioscorea esculenta var. tiliifolia


jaha

mie majaha


talaga

From Malay telaga, from Sanskrit तलक (talaka, “pond”), तडाग (taḍāga, “pond”).


ngun

From the older ngunu, with word-final vowel deletion.


sigi

Probably from Classical Malay مسيݢيت (mesigit), from Arabic مَسْجِد (masjid). The initial ma was likely reinterpreted as the possessive.

isidego lolahi toma sigi


rante

From Malay rantai, likely through North Moluccan Malay.


Salasa

From Malay Selasa, from Arabic الثَلَاثَاء (aṯ-ṯalāṯāʔ).

der

Arabic الثَلَاثَاء (aṯ-ṯalāṯāʔ)


Saptu

From Malay Sabtu, from Arabic السَبْت (as-sabt).


sauba

a wooden box for holding betelnut, areca fruit, tobacco, etc.


soki

the large-leafed orange mangrove (Bruguiera gymnorhiza)


kusu

Imperata cylindrica
Imperata cylindrica#Translingual

alang-alang, kunai grass (Imperata cylindrica)


wudi

Possibly from Javanese wuri (“rear, behind”). Compare Malay buritan (“stern”), from burit (“rear”) and Buginese uri' (“rear, stern”).


tarusi

any of several fish (mackerels) in the genus Scomberomorus


sabong

From Malay sabun, likely through North Moluccan Malay, from Arabic صَابُون (ṣābūn) or Portuguese sabão, both ultimately from Latin sapō.

Arabic صَابُون (ṣābūn)


dowora

دووراة (Jawi)


gamu

ngofa gamu


safo

Cognate with Sahu sawo'o, Tobelo hawoko.


taong

From North Moluccan Malay taong, from Classical Malay تاهون (tahun).


sulasi

Ultimately from Old Javanese sulasih, from Sanskrit तुलसी (tulasī).

Ocimum basilicum
Ocimum basilicum#Translingual


badang

From North Moluccan Malay badang, from Malay badan, from Arabic بَدَن (badan).


sawang

From Malay sawan, possibly through North Moluccan Malay.

an illness variously characterized by convulsions, epilepsy, seizures


apang

From Indonesian apam, likely through North Moluccan Malay, from Tamil ஆப்பம் (āppam).


bangbang

Likely a reduplication of Indonesian bang (“adhan”), from Persian بانگ (“bâng”).


sabea

Likely from Classical Malay سمبهيڠ (sembahyang, “prayer”).


bokoboko

a dish prepared by baking sago in bamboo


ahali

From Arabic أَهَالِي (ʔahālī), the plural of أَهْل (ʔahl, “kinfolk, relations”).

Arabic أَهَالِي (ʔahālī)


bakabaka

Possibly the same as the etymology above.


tamate

From Portuguese tomate, from Spanish tomate, from Classical Nahuatl tomatl.


tambaga

From Classical Malay تمباݢ (tembaga), from Sanskrit ताम्रक (tāmraka).


gagu

Compare Tobelo gaguru (“vegetable fern”).

the vegetable fern (Diplazium esculentum)


wowasu

Partial reduplication of wasu (“to request”).

request, demand (the act or an instance of asking for something)


wowaro

Partial reduplication of waro (“to know”).


nyinga

From Proto-North Halmahera *siniŋa (“heart”). Cognates include Tidore nyinga and Galela sininga.


ngofa

Cognates include Tidore ngofa and Galela ngopa.

Mina dahe ngofa dadi ua.

Ngofa Tarnate madihutu.


samaka

→ Sahu: samaka

→ Tabaru: samaka

From Malay semangka, from Javanese ꦱꦼꦩꦔ꧀ꦏ (semangka), or directly from Javanese.


fuo

Cognate with Tidore fuo and the second element of Galela kupuwo. Externally, see Sawai pué.

a cover name for two different legumes
the catjang

Vigna radiata
Vigna radiata#Translingual

a cover name for two different legumes
the mung bean (Vigna radiata)


warong

From Indonesian warung or directly from Javanese ꦮꦫꦸꦁ (warung), both from Old Javanese waruṅ.


kios

From Indonesian kios, from Dutch kiosk, from French kiosque, from Italian chiosco, from Ottoman Turkish كوشك, from Persian کوشک, from Middle Persian kwšk' (“pavillion”).


woka

the footstool palm (Saribus rotundifolius)


woka

the humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis)


amflop

From Indonesian amplop, from Dutch envelop, from French enveloppe.


bifi

→ North Moluccan Malay: bifi

→ Manado Malay: bifi

→ Sahu: bifi

Possibly from N- (“nominalizer”) + fifi (“to suck”).


nyefo

From Proto-North Halmahera *ḋopo (“smoke”), with N- prefixation.


koltidi

From the older kolotidi, with vowel elision preceding the stressed syllable.


dowong

From the older dowongi, with word-final vowel deletion.


sikola

skola (alternative)
iskolar (alternative)

From Malay sekolah, from Portuguese escola, from Old Galician-Portuguese escola, from Latin schola, from Ancient Greek σχολή (skholḗ).


iskolar

boku masosira toma ngofangofa kara iwosa iskolar

the first book for children just entering school


guum

alternative form of guumi (“facial hair, beard, moustache”)


kolcifi

From the older kolocifi, with vowel elision preceding the stressed syllable.


susai

Brassica juncea
Brassica juncea#Translingual


ronga

From Proto-North Halmahera *roŋa (“name”).

ronga Facebook


bobooca

→ Galela: bobooca

→ Manado Malay: boboca (“octopus”)

→? Modole: boboota

→ Pagu: bobooca

→ Tabaru: bobo'oca

→ Tobelo: bobooca

any of various diseases characterized by swelling


ajimat

From Indonesian azimat, ajimat, from Persian عزیمت, from Arabic عَزِيمَة (ʕazīma).


balacai hisa

Jatropha curcas
Jatropha curcas#Translingual

Jatropha curcas (Barbados nut, purging nut, physic nut)


balacai roriha

From balacai (“physic nut”) + roriha (“red”).

Ricinus communis
Ricinus communis#Translingual


balacang

From North Moluccan Malay balacang, from Malay belacan.


balibi

From Classical Malay بليمبيڠ (“belimbing”) (cf. Malay belimbing).


bataka

Kaempferia galanga
Kaempferia galanga#Translingual


bualawa

بواه لاوه (Jawi)

Ultimately from Austronesian; compare Malay bunga lawang and Balinese ᬩᬸᬯᬄᬮᬯᬂ (buwah lawang), both meaning cloves. Cognates include Gorontalo hungolawa, Asilulu pukalawane, Hitu pualawane.

raja bualawa

Syzygium aromaticum
Syzygium aromaticum#Translingual


aliali

Possibly a reduplication of ale (“to coil”)


alifuru

Dutch: Alfoer


aliguro

Tabernaemontana divaricata
Tabernaemontana divaricata#Translingual

A flower of species Tabernaemontana divaricata


arababu

From Indonesian arababu, from Arabic الرَبَابَة (ar-rabāba).


arudang

Likely from Dutch, possibly from ruiten, plural of ruit (“rue”).

Ruta graveolens
Ruta graveolens#Translingual

rue (Ruta graveolens, Ruta angustifolia, Ruta chalepensis)


asibii

kasibii (alternative)
kasbii (alternative)

From Indonesian kasbi, from Dutch cassave, ultimately from Taíno *kasabi.


atorang

Likely from North Moluccan Malay, from Malay aturan


bacabaca

Reduplication of paca (“to wipe”) with lenition.


bahasang

Through some derivation of Malay bahasa, ultimately from Sanskrit भाषा (bhāṣā)


lefer

May be related to Dutch lepra, although this is uncertain.


ruturutu

روتو روتو (Jawi)


rorumu

Cognate with Galela rorumu, Tobelo rorumu.

looking-glass mangrove (Heritiera littoralis)


kabi ma gosi

Literally, "goat's testicles"; likely named for the fruit. Compare the equivalent Tidore kabi ma hoso.


سوفو

Jawi spelling of sofu (“dried skins of the bird of paradise”)


balaka

From N- (nominalizer) + palaka (“to turn over, upside-down”).


balkama

Cognate with Manado Malay balakama (“kemangi, lemon basil”).


balkun

From Indonesian balkon from Dutch balcon, from French balcon.


balobalo

From N- (nominalizer) + falo (“to bail, bucket”), with reduplication. Compare also falofalo (“ladle”).


barakati

From Indonesian berkat, from Arabic بَرَكَة (baraka).


barhala

From Classical Malay برهالا (berhala), from Old Javanese bharāla, from Sanskrit भट्टार (bhaṭṭāra).


belabela

Said by Hayami-Allen to be from N- (nominalizer) + fela (“to open”), with reduplication, possibly as that which opens the sky. Likely cognate with Sahu ḇelanga (“lightning”). However, also compare Proto-Trans-New Guinea *(mb,m)elak (“lightning, light”).


beleki

Likely from Dutch blik (“tin”). Cognate with Gorontalo beleki (“tin”), Nias beleki (“tin”).


elaela

ئلة ئلة (Jawi)


malam elaela

the Ternatean celebration held that night, in which bamboo (originally banana-stem) torches are lit after tarawih and burned throughout the night


joou

Cognate to Tidore joou, both likely from an older form (such as *jo'ouŋ), from which are derived Tabaru jo'oungu, Sahu jou'ongu, etc. Equivalent to N- (nominalizer) + coou (“to serve”), likely meaning the one served.


besabesa

Possibly a reduplication of besa (“rain”)


bibilatu

بيبيلاتو (Jawi)


bidobido

Possibly a reduplication of bido (“betel”)

large-leafed orange mangrove
large-leafed orange mangrove

large-leafed orange mangrove (Bruguiera gymnorhiza)


bilus

From Indonesian blus, from Dutch bloes, from French blouse.


biraro

the winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)


bobaku

bobaku wosa gamu


bobane

Partial reduplication of pane (“to mount, get on”) with lenition.

rdp

a landing place, docking place (of a boat, etc.)


bobangu

From N- (nominalizer) + fangu (“to pay”), with partial reduplication.


bobato

From N- (nominalizer) + fofato (“to arrange, order; set to rights”).

af

(historical) a specific title during the Sultanate of Ternate: a village chief, a headman


bobengka

a kind of pastry or cake made with glutinous rice and coconut


bobero

Partial reduplication of fero (“to grow”) with N- prefixation.


bobiki

Partial reduplication of fiki (“to wash dishes”) with lenition.


bodito

Cognate with Tidore bolito, East Makian bolito.


bogaboga

Possibly a reduplication of boga (“a half”)


boiboi

something thrown, something that has been thrown


bolebole

the wrasse; specifically, Anampses geographicus and Anampses meleagrides

the lined dottyback (Labracinus lineatus)


bonci

Likely ultimately from Dutch boontje (“small bean”), possibly through Indonesian buncis.


buano

The first element may reflect Malay buah (“fruit”).

Aegle marmelos
Aegle marmelos#Translingual


buanona

Annona reticulata
Annona reticulata#Translingual


buasau

Manilkara zapota
Manilkara zapota#Translingual


buroburo

Possibly a reduplication of buro (“large shrimp”), in reference to its seeds.

Borassus flabellifer
Borassus flabellifer#Translingual


bahala

Most likely ultimately deriving from Arabic بَلَاء (balāʔ)


wadaka

واداکه (Jawi)

Probably from Javanese ꦮꦼꦝꦏ꧀ (wedhak), from Old Javanese wĕḍak. Cognate with Indonesian bedak.


wange malako

Compare the similar construction in Malay matahari (“sun”, literally “eye of the day”).


wokawoka

(specifically) the large-billed crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)


woworo

Partial reduplication of woro (“to hang to dry”).


uboubo

Reduplication of ubo (“the grand eclectus”), presumably for the flower's similar coloring.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis#Translingual

the Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)


ugauga

the crêpe ginger (Cheilocostus speciosus)


kokahu

the water tank used to store fish in a boat


tabisasu

تبيساسو (Jawi)

Possibly from tabi (“to bring together”) + sasu (“to slide”), for its use in weaving. Also cognate with Matbat tabisasu and Tobelo tabihahu (“Acriopsis javanica”), among other identifications.

com

a kind of orchid; its leaves have been used for plaiting and weaving (baskets, hats, etc.)


tadu

Ultimately from Austronesian; compare Indonesian tanduk.


tadu

Possibly related to the previous etymology.


tagalolo

تاݢلولو (Jawi)

Manado Malay: tagalolo


calana

From Malay celana, from Hindi चोलना (colnā).


takome

Morinda citrifolia
Morinda citrifolia#Translingual


falofalo

→ Manado Malay: falo-falo

From reduplication of falo (“to collect water with buckets”).


fokifoki

→ Manado Malay: foki-foki

→ North Moluccan Malay: foki-foki

→ Balantak: poki-poki'

Recorded first by Filet as fokki-fokki, which de Clercq labels "minder goed" (“not as good”). Cognate with Tobelo woki-woki (“eggplant”).


fofoki

Either by haplology from fokifoki (“eggplant”) or by partial reduplication of an unrecorded root foki.


takua

From Malay takwa, from Arabic تَقْوَى (taqwā).


talaki

From Arabic طَلَاق (ṭalāq), possibly through Malay.


tamako

Within North Halmaheran, cognate with Tidore tamao and Sahu toma'ono. Likely cognate with Menggwa Dla tamako (“axe”), Tehit (Imian) tmak (“axe”).


saraa

Probably from Arabic صَلَاة (ṣalāh, “prayer”).


tapaya

Ultimately from Dutch papaja (possibly through Indonesian papaya), from Spanish papaya, from Lokono papáia

Carica papaya
Carica papaya#Translingual


tarigu

From Indonesian terigu, from Portuguese trigo, from Latin trīticum.


tarpopo

alternative form of turupopo (“thunder, thunderclap”)


tasmin

schooling bannerfish
schooling bannerfish

the pennant coralfish and/or the schooling bannerfish (Heniochus acuminatus, Heniochus diphreutes)


tatabola

any (or all) of several species of fish in Toxotes; the archerfish


tatabuang

tatabuan (alternative)
totobuang (alternative)

Said by de Clercq to be of Classical Malay [Term?] origin.
Affixed te- + tabuhan.

a set of a double row of gong chimes, the totobuang


tatabuan

تتبوان (Jawi)
tatabuang (alternative)
totobuang (alternative)


tatameri

any (or all) of the several following fish: Zenopsis nebulosa, Zenopsis conchifer, Antigonia rhomboidea, Mene maculata, and fish in the family Leiognathidae


tatapa

Possibly adapted from Indonesian tetampah.


tawasela

the Moluccan albizia (Falcataria moluccana)


teoteo

any of the trees Cordia myxa, Cordia blancoi, and Cordia dichotoma


tigalo

From older تڠݢالو (tinggalu), from Classical Malay تڠݢالوڠ (tenggalung).

Viverra tangalunga
Viverra tangalunga#Translingual


tinggalu

From Classical Malay تڠݢالوڠ (tenggalung).


ngunu

From Proto-North Halmahera *ŋunuŋ (“nose”).


tilatila

a alternative form of tila (“rice barn”)


jongutu

سوسي جڠوت


toteo

alternative form of teoteo (“Cordia Myxa, Cordia blancoi, Cordia dichotoma”)


tofan

From Malay tofan, from Arabic طُوفَان (ṭūfān), from Classical Syriac ܛܰܘܦܳܢܳܐ (ṭawpānā).

der

Arabic طُوفَان (ṭūfān)


ڤتريٰ

ڤترا ڤترا#Ternate

(proscribed) alternative form of ڤترا (putra, “prince”)


nyoa

According to de Clercq (pg. 352), this is an unidentified loan.


tohoko

Cognate to Galela tahoko. Said to be onomatopoeic by de Clercq.


tolagumi

a forest clearer, one who clears (cuts down) a forested region


fanili

From the obsolete Dutch vanielje (cf. Modern Dutch vanille), from French vanille, from Spanish vainilla.


cidako

Said by de Clercq to come from Makasar [Term?]. Cognate with Ambonese Malay cidaku (“loincloth”).

a loincloth, particularly one made of bark


wigowigo

Reduplication of wigo (“to swing, sway”)


kurusi

From Malay kursi, from Arabic كُرْسِيّ (kursiyy).


taadim

der

Arabic تَعْظِيم (taʕẓīm)


totofuko

تتفوکو (Jawi)
tofuko (alternative)
totofuku (alternative)

Averrhoa carambola
Averrhoa carambola#Translingual


totofuku

alternative form of totofuko (“starfruit”)


trali

From Indonesian terali, from Dutch tralie.


tugudeki

تݢوديکي (Jawi)

May be related to Sahu tegelege (“little finger, pinkie”).


tuguhera

تݢوحيراه (Jawi)

The second component is hera (“mother”).


turupopo

Hayami-Allen gives it as the compound turu (“to imitate”) + popo (“to crack open, split”).


tuteba

any or all of the fish Triacanthus biaculeatus, Triacanthus nieuhofii, and Trixiphichthys weberi


sabandar

سهبندار (Jawi)

From Classical Malay شهبندر, from Persian شهبندر (šah-bandar).


waringi

Likely from Javanese ꦮꦫꦶꦔꦶꦤ꧀ (waringin), from Old Javanese wariṅin.


sabeta

sago grub, a grub or worm that grows on the sago plant


sagusagu

Reduplication of sagu (“to stab, spear”).


ساݢو ساݢو

Reduplication of ساݢو (sagu, “to stab, spear”).


sahada

From Arabic شَهَادَة (šahāda). While reciting the latter during obligatory prayers, the forefinger is straightened.


sahadat

سهادات (Jawi)

alternative form of sahada (“forefinger”)


sakisi

From Malay saksi, from Sanskrit साक्षी (sākṣī).


salimuli

ساليمولي (Jawi)


samaka furu

the tiger's footprint (Ipomoea pes-tigridis)


samasama

the variegated lizardfish (Synodus variegatus)


sambiki

Lagenaria siceraria
Lagenaria siceraria#Translingual

the calabash, bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)


sandrei

From Dutch selderij, from French céleri, from Latin selīnum, from Ancient Greek σέλῑνον (sélīnon).


sangkari

سڠکاري (Jawi)

A shortening of lemo sangkari (“Citrus × sinensis”).


lemo sangkari

ليمو سڠکاري (Jawi)


sangkole

Arenga pinnata
Arenga pinnata#Translingual

a pear-shaped basket used to carry produce (fruit, vegetables, etc.), traditionally woven from the leaves of the areng palm (Arenga pinnata)

the kue suami, a sweet made of sweet potatoes, formed in the shape of the sangkole basket


sangkola

alternative form of sangkole (“kind of basket”)


ake sahu

أکي ساهو (Jawi)


sataru

seteru (alternative)
satiru (alternative)

From Malay seteru, from Old Malay śatru, from Sanskrit शत्रु (śatru).


rorano

Partial reduplication of rano (“cool, cold”), for the medicine's reported cooling properties.

a class of traditional Moluccan medicines generally made from a variety of leaves, herbs, barks, and roots, mashed together and boiled in water


nitaika

From nita (“daylight”) + ika (“thither”).


Senen

From Malay Senin, from Arabic الاِثْنَيْن (al-iṯnayn).


sikilwak

سيکيلواک (Jawi)

From Indonesian sekilwak, from Dutch schildwacht, from Middle Dutch schiltwachte.


sikuda

the sweetlip emperor (Lethrinus miniatus)


singoro

the two-spot red snapper (Lutjanus bohar)


guae

May be related to Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *wai (“mango”).

Mangifera indica
Mangifera indica#Translingual


ngofangare

ڠفڠاري (Jawi)

From ngofa (“child”) + ngare (“young man”).

a collective name for men who hold the title of jurutulis, ofsir, and soseba


soasoa

Cognate with Indonesian soa-soa (“Hydrosaurus amboinensis”).


sogili

Monopterus albus
Monopterus albus#Translingual


jingutu

alternative form of jongutu (“mat, sleeping mat”)


nunasi

alternative form of nanasi (“pineapple”)


sonanga

tego masonangah

domaha oras masonangah adi

rimoi se masonangah


sonyiha

Possibly related to nyiha (“Canarium indicum”).

Biancaea sappan
Biancaea sappan#Translingual


sosara

a naturally occurring segment or portion of a fruit (as opposed to a cut or slice)


sosadu

Partial reduplication of sadu (“to scoop”).


sosaha

Partial reduplication of saha (“underside; palm, sole”).

rdp

sosaha salaka rimoi sijahe serwet bobudo

a silver salver covered with a white napkin


sosala

Partial reduplication of sala (“fault, at fault”)


soseba

Partial reduplication of seba (“to be near”).

the Sultan's retinue; those who carry his sword, stick, sauba, and spittoon


sosifo

Partial reduplication of sifo (“to club”).


sosolo

Partial reduplication of solo (“upriver”).


guraci

From N- (nominalizer) + kuraci (“yellow”). Compare also Tidore guraci (“gold”).

rante guraci


lofonita

لوفونيته (Jawi)

From lofo (“near, almost”) + nita (“daylight”).


sosonoto

Partial reduplication of sonoto (“to chisel”).


sosoro gai

any of a number of hairy, stinging, or itchy caterpillars


sosua

Partial reduplication of sua (“to comb hair”).


sosudo

Partial reduplication of sudo (“to order”).


sosugo

Partial reduplication of sugo (“to breathe”).


sosuko

May be a partial reduplication of an unattested *suko. If so, compare Sahu susu'ono (“to be leaking”).


souyu

the moths Ebodina simplex or Ebodina circensis


soweko

سوويکو (Jawi)


spiong

From Dutch spion, possibly through North Moluccan Malay.


subasuba

Reduplication of suba (“to praise, to worship”).


gulegule tamelo

a mung bean porridge (symbolizing abundance, cornucopia)


suramo

Cognate with West Makian sauramu (“fog”).


susuramo

Partial reduplication of suramo (“fog”).


sutara

From Malay sutera, from Sanskrit सूत्र (sūtra).


ragaraga

Reduplication of raga (“to open one's hand”).


ragaraga mahera

Literally, the fingers' mother (the mother among the fingers). Compare Indonesian ibu jari.


ragaraga istinja

head

راݢه راݢه إستينجه

ragaraga istinja (Jawi راݢه راݢه إستينجه)

tft-noun

راݢه راݢه إستينجه

راݢه راݢه إستينجه (Jawi)


rajabau

the fish Plectorhinchus lessonii or Plectorhinchus vittatus


rambega

Likely from Malay rembega (compare also Malay lembega, lembiaga).

Calotropis gigantea
Calotropis gigantea#Translingual


faeda

From Malay faedah, from Arabic فَائِدَة (fāʔida).


fael

Ultimately from Arabic فَعْل (faʕl, “deed, action”).


fafa

desc

→ Manado Malay: mafafa (“palm leaf midrib”) (with Ternate possessive ma-)


falalom

*falalomu

Sahu: falalomu, falalom

Tabaru: falalomu

Pagu: falalom

From fala (“house”) + lomu (“to gather, collect, assemble”).


falalamo

From fala (“house”) + lamo (“big, large”).


fallamo

From the older falalamo, with vowel elision preceding the stressed syllable.

alternative form of falalamo (“living room”)


faneti

From Portuguese alfinete, with loss of initial al. Compare Malay peniti.


fanyira

A shortening of ngofamanyira (“village chief”, literally “eldest child”).


faramadani

→ Galela: faramadani

Said by Hayami-Allen to be from Indonesian permadani, which is from Javanese ꦥꦼꦂꦩꦢꦤꦶ (permadani), from Malayalam പരവതാനി (paravatāni). Alternatively, directly from Old Javanese paramadani, possibly after passing through Proto-Ternate-Tidore.


kadato

کداتو (Jawi)
kadatu (alternative)
kadatung (alternative)

Kadato Todore

ifere toma kadato


kadatung

From North Moluccan Malay kadatong, from Javanese ꦏꦼꦝꦠꦺꦴꦤ꧀ (kedhaton).


festa sara toca

a Ternatean celebration or ceremony, whereby a new house is inaugurated by burning candles


fetefete

the poison bulb or giant crinum lily (Crinum asiaticum)


fikafika

Reduplication of fika (“ash”). Compare Malay abu-abu (“gray”), also a reduplication of abu (“ash”).


fitake

Ultimately from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *bitaquʀ, possibly through Proto-Oceanic *pitaquR.

Calophyllum inophyllum
Calophyllum inophyllum#Translingual


fofoheka

Partial reduplication of foheka (“wife, woman”).


foheka

Ultimately from Proto-North Halmahera (likely of the form *p₁o.ḋe.ka); compare Galela peḋeka, Loloda wejeka, Sahu were'a, Tidore foyaa.
Tobelo hekata, Tabaru wekata, and Pagu wekat do not correspond to this form.


forok

From Dutch vork, from Middle Dutch vorke, from Old Dutch furka, from Proto-West Germanic *furkō, from Latin furca.


fuohate

alternative spelling of fuo hate (“pigeon pea”)


Robo

From Malay Rabu, from Arabic الأَرْبَعَاء (al-ʔarbaʕāʔ).

der

الأَرْبَعَاء

Arabic الأَرْبَعَاء (al-ʔarbaʕāʔ)


rorasa

Partial reduplication of the Malay root rasa (“feeling”).


roriha

Partial reduplication of riha (“red, aflame”).


rorio

Partial reduplication of rio (“to help”).


rumasake

From North Moluccan Malay, from Indonesian rumah sakit (“hospital”), itself a calque of Dutch ziekenhuis.


nyabo

Cognate with Sahu nyaboto (“wound”) and possibly West Makian abo (“wounded”).


nyiha

Cognate with West Makian ifa (“kenari”), Sula ipa (“kenari”).


nyonyau

Partial reduplication of hau (“to fish”) with N- prefixation.


nyonyifi

Partial reduplication of nyifi (“to sharpen”). Cognate with Tabaru niniwiti (“whetstone”).


nyonyodi

Partial reduplication of nyodi (“to look”).


posiposi

ڤوسي ڤوسي (Jawi)


gunange

the green tree ant (Oecophylla smaragdina)


gia maragaraga

gia maragaraga ma tuguhera


sangaji

(historical) A vassal chief subordinate to the sultan, held by noblemen in the Ternate and Tidore sultanates and kingdoms in their periphery


cacabu

Partial reduplication of cabu (“a little”).


cafi

Cognate with Sahu cawi (“coconut shell”).


tasube

From Javanese tasbèh, from Arabic تَسْبِيح (tasbīḥ). The second meaning may derive from a possible use of the seeds of Canna indica for making a misbaha.


golofino

From N- (nominalizer) + kolofino (“afraid”).


golocifi

kolcifi (alternative)
kolocifi (alternative)
golcifi (alternative)


tuada

Compare Sahu cuada'a, Waioli tuada'a, Tobelo tuada, cuaraka, Galela tuada; the exact relationship between each of these is uncertain. Externally, compare Banjarese tiwadak, Brunei Malay tibadak, suggesting an early Austronesian borrowing.


juanga

Cognates include Tidore juanga, Sahu juangan, Loloda juangana, and Tabaru juangana. On this basis, a form like *juaŋan is reconstructible, likely to the Pre-Proto-Ternate-Tidore stage, from which it was borrowed into the other North Halmaheran languages. The term may ultimately come from a suffixed form of Old Javanese joṅ, especially if a form jwaṅ also existed.

the juanga, a large Ternatean warship, particularly associated with the Sultanate