yo

(transitive) to leave (someone) without a portion from the hunt


enema

(transitive) to abide by (a ritual prohibition)


utu

From Proto-Cariban *utu (“to give, to put”).


kuma

From Proto-Cariban *kuma; compare Apalaí kuma, Kari'na kuma, Trió 'ma, Wayana kuna, Akawaio ï'ma.

(intransitive, of water) to flood, to overflow


shi

(transitive) to tear, to slash, to scratch


eka

(transitive) to pick (strips of plant matter, such as wö'nö twine for baskets or kudawa for arrows and hangers)


akka

(transitive) to make (a curiara, a kind of wooden canoe)


sumaa

to breastfeed from, to suck, to nurse at


munta

(intransitive, patientive) to menstruate


yaka

to assart, to clear (trees and plants) from a field or garden in slash-and-burn agriculture


jenka

(transitive) to hunt large game, such as deer, tapir, or capybaras, by flushing it out with dogs


daka

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of yaka (“to fell, to cut down, to assart”)


ude

From Proto-Cariban *urô (“to light (a fire)”).

inh

(transitive) to blow on or stoke (a fire)


satta

From a noun that also forms the stem of saddö (“to toast”), suffixed with -ta (verbalizer).

(intransitive, patientive) to toast, to dry, in the sun or in a comal

(intransitive, patientive, of a person) to get a rash


weka

From Proto-Cariban *weka (“to defecate”).


ya'kwa

(transitive) to burn (something) with something hot, not necessarily fire


ya'ka

Alternative form of ya'kwa (“to burn (something)”)


da'tu

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of yatu (“to burn”)


kemetö

From keme (“firepit, stove”) + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).


weena'ta

From wenadu (“vomit”) + -ta (verbalizer).


wünü'nö

From w- (intransitive prefix) + ünükü (“to sleep”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).


ünükü

From Proto-Cariban *wônɨkɨ (“to sleep”).


wönetünö

From wönetü (“to dream”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).


wennunö

From w- (intransitive prefix) + ennu (“to be born, to give birth”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).


ennu

Likely prefixed with e- (intransitivizer).


aminña'ka

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of aminñö'ka (“to kill”)


aminñö'ka

(Caura River dialect, transitive) to kill


awonñö'ka

From awo (“to swell”) + -nñö'ka. For the final element compare aminñö'ka (“to kill”).


wawonö

From w- (intransitive prefix) + awo (“to swell”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).


adonka

From adoni (“revitalizing power”) + -ka.


wöödeetanö

From w- (intransitive prefix) + öödeeta (“to rest”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).


öödeeta

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of öödeta (“to rest”)


o'doku

Most likely formed with the intransitivizer öt-, although a corresponding transitive verb *doku, *daku (“to intoxicate?”) is apparently not attested.


ö'daku

(intransitive, agentive) Alternative form of o'doku (“to get drunk”)


wa'sennö

From w- (intransitive prefix) + a'seuwü (“to laugh”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).


enkutö

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of enku'tö (“to tell (a lie), to lie”)


ötöneja

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of otoneja (“to struggle, to fight; to weigh oneself, test oneself, measure oneself”)


wötönejanö

From w- (intransitive prefix) + ötöneja (“to fight, to test oneself”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).


üwö

From Proto-Cariban *wô, *wônô (“to shoot, to kill”).

(transitive) to strike or kill (a hunted animal), to stab, to shoot


edantö

(transitive) to find, to meet, to run across


kö'tünnö

From kö'tümü (“to shout”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).


ekanta'ñö

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of etanta'ñö (“to sing, particularly in a style derived from the western musical tradition rather than traditional chants”)


etanta'ñö

From e- (intransitivizer) + Spanish cantar + -'ñö (loanword verbalizer).

(Caura River dialect, intransitive, patientive) to sing, particularly in a style derived from the western musical tradition rather than traditional chants


kö'tümü

Compare Trió këhtumu (“to shout, to scream”), and, from the same root, but with a different construction, Apalaí kohta and Kari'na kòta (“to scream”).

(intransitive, patientive) to shout, cry out


me'ku'tö

(transitive) to tell, to recount (a story)


ekammajo

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ekamma'jo (“to ask, to inquire”)


a'deujötü

From a'deuwü (“to talk”) + -jötü (pluractional suffix).

(intransitive, patientive) to converse, to have a conversation


ekanüjü

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ekanöjü (“to believe”)


oowanoma

From öt- (intransitivizer) + owanoma (“to teach”).


oowashinchö

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ööwasinchö (“to eat”)


seweicha

Probably suffixed with -ta (verbalizer). Related to seweiche (“red, ripe”).


enku'tö

Likely suffixed with -tö (benefactive verbalizer).

(Caura River dialect, transitive) to tell (a lie), to lie


i'sha

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of i'shaa (“to peel”)


oima

From oi (“complement, additional element for mixing”) + -ma (verbalizer).


ewontö

From e- (intransitivizer) + wontö (“to clothe”).

(intransitive, patientive) to put on clothes, to get dressed


ewontö

to refuse to hand (something) over or surrender (something)

2008, speaker ‘Anl’ from Boca de Piña (ConvChur.016), recorded in Cáceres, Natalia (2011), Grammaire Fonctionelle-Typologique du Ye’kwana, page 144

She defends us there (in the city) from the way of being of the non-natives.

to defend (someone or something) (+ -uwö: against, from)


ü'kajü

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ükajü (“to weave”)


shooka

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of sooka (“to pierce, to puncture; to sew”)


ü'kaa

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of üka (“to dig”)


üka

(Caura River dialect, transitive) to dig


naatü'tö

From natü (“plant”) + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).


we'wa'tönö

From w- (intransitive prefix) + e'wa'tö (“to help each other”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).


jüwaicha

From jüwai (“shaman”) + -ta (verbalizer).

(intransitive, patientive) to acquire knowledge or shamanic powers


üdü

From Proto-Cariban *ɨrɨ, *rɨ (“to do, to make, to put”).

Allows a subordinated borrowed verb suffixed with -je to function as a transitive predicate.


sheicha

(Cunucunuma River dialect, transitive) Alternative form of seicha (“to cut; to sand down; to tie”)


aijuka

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of aijuku (“to strike, to hit; to ritually whip; to smite, to kill”)


aijuku

(transitive) to strike, to hit (someone with something)

(transitive) to smite, to kill (someone) by striking them


siicha

Perhaps derived from shi (“to tear, slash, scratch”). Also compare seicha, soicha.


eshichako

From e- (intransitivizer) + siicha (“to rip, tear, break”) + -ko.


eshi

From e- (intransitivizer) + shi (“to tear, slash, scratch”).


ekku'ka

From ökkudu (“sap, liquid”) + -ka (privative verbalizer).


sheemeka

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of seemeka (“to sweep”)


ko'ka

(transitive) to wash (something other than a human or human body part)


entatü'

From e- (intransitivizer) + ntatü' (“to wash (someone’s) mouth”).

(intransitive, patientive) to wash one’s mouth


ntatü'

Cognate to Kari'na yntaty (“to wash (someone’s) mouth”). By surface analysis, nta (“mouth”) + atü (“to wash”).


awanaichö

From awana (“bodypaint, protection”) + -i + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).

af

(transitive) to paint with awana bodypaint


oonuku

(intransitive, patientive) to rise, to go up


eju'kwa

Alternative form of ejukka (“to fall, to be(come) wrecked, to founder, to sink”)


tawa'ta

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of tawata (“to float”)


e'ji

Ultimately from Proto-Cariban *pɨ (“to bathe”).


yaichuma

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of yaichuuma (“to blow on; to blow away; to bless”)


önwa

Possibly from öt- (intransitivizer) + enwa (“to make dance”), although *ötönwa would be the expected form.


oojoima

(intransitive, agentive) to take steps, to walk


eeka'tümü

From Proto-Cariban *ekatu, *ekatumɨ (“to run”).


annu'ku

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of annuku (“to mount, to climb up”)


eja'ka

From e- (intransitivizer) + ja'ka (“to take out, bring out”).

(intransitive, patientive) to go out, to come out, to leave, to exit


ööneje

(intransitive, agentive) to run away, to flee


ö'dü

From öt- (intransitivizer) + üdü (“to do”).

Allows a subordinated borrowed verb suffixed with -je to function as an intransitive predicate.


ööma

From öt- (intransitivizer) + ema (“to kill”).


enü

From Proto-Cariban *ônɨrɨ (“to drink”). Compare Apalaí eny, Kari'na enyry, Trió enïrï, Wayana enïlï, Waiwai eerî, Akawaio ensi, Macushi enîrî, Pemon enü.


ajöi

From Proto-Cariban *apôti (“to seize”). Compare also ajö (“arm”).


ööwanaka

From öt- (intransitivizer) + ewanaka (“to save, to rescue”).

(intransitive, agentive) to save oneself, to pull through


ejema

From the root of töje (“precious, dear”) + -ma (verbalizer).


ejemajo

From ejema (“to buy”) + -jo (causative suffix).


ötö'tija

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ötötija (“to trade, to exchange”)


ötötija

From öt- (intransitivizer) + eetija (“to trade for”).

(Caura River dialect, intransitive, agentive) to trade, to exchange (to engage in buying and selling or barter)


atajjima

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of atajima (“to sit down”)


sadamma

(transitive) to split in half, to divide


yaatojötü

From yaato + -jötü (pluractional suffix).


adema

(transitive) to take for a walk, to walk (something or someone)


ennaka

From e- (intransitivizer) + nnaka (“to recover, to retrieve, to give back”).

(intransitive, patientive) to return, to come back


annuku

annu'ku (alternative)
önuku (alternative Brazil)

(Caura River dialect, transitive) to mount, to climb up


akko

(transitive) to cut, to tear down, to clear (brush) with a machete


dhaka

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of yaka (“to fell, to cut down, to assart”)


ukwa

From Proto-Cariban *uka, *ukwa (“to burn (something)”).

(transitive) to burn (something) with fire


kuji

(transitive) to clear or cut down undergrowth


otoneja

tlb

(Caura River dialect, intransitive, agentive)

From öt- (intransitivizer) + oneja (“to test, to measure”).

af

to weigh oneself, test oneself, measure oneself


öödeta

(Caura River dialect, intransitive, patientive) to rest


nünnöjü

From n- (agent indicator) + ünükü (“to sleep”) + -nöjü (causative suffix).


ükajü

akajü (alternative)
ü'kajü (alternative)

(Caura River dialect, transitive) to weave


ö'kö'de

From öjö (irregular alteration of ejö) + -kö (imperative suffix) + -'de (delayed suffix); unlike other imperatives, this form is lexicalized with -'de attached and never appears without it, and, when a delayed imperative is meant, a second -'de must be suffixed to the word.
For the initial vowel in the irregular root form *öjö, compare Trió ëepï, Panare ëpï.

irregular alteration of <i class="Latn mention" lang="mch">ejö</i>


adö

From Proto-Cariban *arô (“to take, to carry”).


aichü

(transitive) to insert (something) into a hole


akoicha

(transitive) to end, to finish (something)

(transitive) to end, to finish (someone), to terminate or exterminate, to kill


ütö

¿Össa küntaakö tüwü?

2008, speaker ‘Anl’ from Boca de Piña (CtoWoshi.005), recorded in Cáceres, Natalia (2011), Grammaire Fonctionelle-Typologique du Ye’kwana, page 355


owanoma

From owano (“acquaintance, known person”) + -ma (verbalizer).


ö'tökö

From öjö (irregular alteration of ejö) + -tö (non-third-person plural suffix) + -kö (imperative suffix); the extra -'de from the singular form disappears.
For the initial vowel in the irregular root form *öjö, compare Trió ëepï, Panare ëpï.


ojonkomo

From öjöne (singular imperative of ütö) + -komo (noun plural clitic), with unexpected syllable reduction in öjöne.

singular imperative of <i class="Latn mention" lang="mch">ütö</i>


aajöntö

From öt- (intransitivizer) + ajöntö (“to begin”).


ö'ka

(intransitive, agentive) To finish, to end.


a'de'jötü

Alternative form of a'deujötü (“to converse, to have a conversation”)


a'kedeta

(intransitive, patientive) to slim down, to become lean, skinny, weak, frail


atotö

From a'to (“rope, twine”) + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).

to string, to thread, to put (beads, etc.) on a string


ko'momü

(Caura River dialect, intransitive, patientive) to draw towards evening, to grow late, to advesperate


komomü

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ko'momü (“to draw towards evening, to grow late, to advesperate”)


atajima

Probably from öt- (intransitivizer) + *ajima (“to sit (someone) down”), although it is unclear whether the latter verb can be attested.

atajjima (alternative)
atajüma (alternative)

(Caura River dialect, intransitive, agentive) to sit down


yatu

dha'tu (alternative)
da'tu (alternative)

(Caura River dialect, intransitive, patientive) to burn


ejutö

From öju (“handle”) + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).


eju'ta

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ejutö (“to set a handle in an axe, broom, etc.; to set an arrow to a bow”)


ekamma'jo

From ekamma (“to notify, to inform”) + -jo (causative suffix).

(Caura River dialect, transitive) to ask, to inquire


ekanöjü

(Caura River dialect, transitive) to believe


enejo

From ene (“to see”) + -jo (causative suffix).


aamödenö

[aːməɾ̠eːnə]

From amode (“transformation”) + -nö (verbalizer).


aamödeta

From amode (“transformation”) + -ta (verbalizer), with an additional prefix that renders the verb agentive (öt-?).


amoichö

From amoi (“taboo thing”) + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).


ewüttütö

From ewüttü (possessed form of öwattö (“home, cave, den, container”)) + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).

possessed form of <i class="Latn mention" lang="mch">öwattö</i> (“home, cave, den, container”)

(transitive) to put into someone’s home or some animal’s den


seicha

Compare shi (“to tear, to slash”), siicha (“to tear, to break”), soicha (“to scratch”). In other related languages, compare Kari'na seka (“to tear apart”). Possibly suffixed with -ka (privative verbalizer).

(possibly) to cause (something) to shed or lose something, such as pieces of itself


seicha

Compare sichamü (“to secure with a rope”). Relation to the preceding etymology unclear.

(Caura River dialect, transitive) to tie


i'shaa

(Caura River dialect, transitive) to peel


koneka

(transitive) to solve, to settle, to straighten out


seemeka

(Caura River dialect, transitive) to sweep


seedeta

Ultimately suffixed with -ta (verbalizer).


üdüjo

From üdü (“to do”) + -jo (causative suffix).


tawata

(Caura River dialect, intransitive, patientive) to float


aamo

From öt- (intransitivizer) + the descendant of Proto-Cariban *amo (“to weep for”). Cognate to Kari'na otamo.

(intransitive, agentive) to cry, to weep


a'seuwü

Formed with the verbalizer -wü, though the unsuffixed form is unattested.


wedenmü

(intransitive, agentive, of objects) to smoke, to fume


ejukka

to be(come) wrecked, to founder, to sink


ekamjiyaka

From e- (intransitivizer) + kamjiyaka (“to change”).


ööwasinchö

From öt- (intransitivizer) + ewansinchö (“to feed”).

(Caura River dialect, intransitive, agentive) to eat


yaichuuma

From aichudi (“traditional private chant performed to purify something of ritual pollution”) + -ma (verbalizer).


ejamü

(intransitive, patientive) to increase in population, to grow as a community, to multiply


wönwanö

From w- (intransitive prefix) + önwa (“to dance”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).


e'wa'tö

From e- (intransitivizer) + 'wa'tö (“to help”).

(intransitive, patientive) to help each other


wejannö

From w- (intransitive prefix) + ejamü (“to increase in population, to multiply”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).


öömannöjü

From öt- (intransitivizer) + emannöjü (“to go hunting with dogs”).

(intransitive, agentive) to go for a walk or stroll


tü'tajö'nö

From tü'tajötü (“to think”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).


öötaja

From öt- (intransitivizer) + etaja (“to step on”).

(intransitive, agentive) to step, to tread, to set one’s foot


weichü

From w- (intransitive prefix) + ei (“to be”) + -dü (action nominalizer).


wensu'dö

From wensuku (“belly”) + -dö (verbalizer).


wensu'ta

From wensuku (“belly”) + -ta (verbalizer).

to be(come) sated, to be(come) full with food


anontö

(transitive) to order or send (someone to do something), to have (someone do something)


asu'ka

(transitive) to smoke (apply smoke to, for example food)


ye'jaka

(transitive) to deflesh, to remove meat from bones


ejumü

(intransitive, patientive) to get tangled up, to become entangled


emeka

(transitive) to have children one after the other


ejui

(intransitive) to fatten up, to get fatter


ennejenka

From e- (intransitivizer) + nnejenka (“to rear, to raise”).


eseicha

Likely from e- (intransitivizer) + seicha (to cause to shed(?); to cut; to sand down).


ennicha

ennüicha (alternative)
ennücha (alternative)

(Caura River dialect, transitive) to soak, to steep, to wet


e'dötö

From e- (intransitivizer) + 'dötö (“to cross”).

(intransitive, patientive) to cross a river


ja'ka

(transitive) to take out, to bring out (into the sun)


nnü'tö

From nnü (“thing, belonging”) + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).

(transitive) to give a child his or her first beads


ööta

From öt- (intransitivizer) + eta (“to hear, to listen”).

(intransitive, agentive) to get together to talk


oowotuja

From öt- (intransitivizer) + wotuja (“to advise”).


ööjüma

From öt- (intransitivizer) + öjü (“body”) + -ma (verbalizer).

(intransitive) to grow up, to grow into one’s adult body


jüttaa

(intransitive, patientive, of a man) to wed a wife, to get married


edaichö

From edai (“protection”) + -tö (benefactive suffix).

2008, speaker ‘MaJo’ from Boca de Piña (CtoWoshi.003–004), recorded in Cáceres, Natalia (2011), Grammaire Fonctionelle-Typologique du Ye’kwana, page 355

“Mom,” he said, “take care of my wife. Take good care of her, lest you let her get hurt.”

“Edaichökö'de jinñamo” ke “maama. Aajichaane edaichökö'de, manetunuichojo'no.”

(transitive) to take care of, to look after, to tend


ö'kwa

From Proto-Cariban *ôku (“to eat (flour, bread)”).


ökku

Alternative form of ö'kwa (“to chew, to eat starch”)


ekauwü

(transitive) to distribute (yuca, sand, powder, etc.) equally, to apportion equally, to dole out


eka'ta

Likely either prefixed with e- (intransitivizer) or suffixed with -ta (verbalizer).


eetamincha

Likely suffixed with -ta (verbalizer). Ultimately from öttami (“tiredness”).

(intransitive, patientive) to get tired, to tire


ekunaka

Suffixed with -ka (privative verbalizer). The stem is probably from Proto-Cariban *ôtjôkuna (“knee”); compare Kari'na ókuna, Waiwai ekna.

(transitive) to break or disarticulate (a person or animal’s) legs


öömajo

From ööma (“to die”) + -jo (causative suffix).

af

(intransitive, agentive) to get oneself killed


öömichö

(intransitive, agentive) to look for or go out to fetch yuca


ööne

From öt- (“intransitivizer”) + ene (“to see”).


ööseka

From öt- (intransitivizer) + eseka (“to move (something)”).


öönema

From öt- (intransitivizer) + enema (“to abide by (a prohibition)”).

(intransitive, agentive) to observe the ritual prohibitions of so-called ‘fasting’: not to bathe in the river while bleeding, not to have sex, not to participate in community rituals and festivals, not to touch soap, not to eat certain meats, drink manioc beer, or smoke tobacco, but instead to eat and sleep alone and only eat the most ritually pure foods such as motto worms and the wokkiya bird


enkaima

(transitive) to rub smooth, to make smooth or flat


kujedö

From kuje (“madness, epilepsy”) + -dö (verbalizer).


kujeta

From kuje (“madness, epilepsy”) + -ta (verbalizer).


önöö

From Proto-Cariban *ônô (“to eat (meat)”).


öödaichö

[əːɾ̠ajt͡ʃə]

From öt- (intransitivizer) + edaichö (“to take care of”).

(intransitive, agentive) to take care of oneself, to look after oneself


ötöne

From öt- (intransitivizer) + ene (“to see”).

(intransitive, agentive) to seem, to appear


öötüma

From öt- (intransitivizer) + etüma (“to anger”).


öötunuichö

From öt- (intransitivizer) + etunuichö (“to injure”).


aadema

From öt- (intransitivizer) + adema (“to take for a walk”).


aadonka

From öt- (intransitivizer) + adonka (“to cure, to heal”).

(intransitive, agentive) to heal, to get better


aajöi

From öt- (intransitivizer) + ajöi (“to grab”).

to hold on, to cling, to have a firm grip or bite or other such attachment


atajöi

(intransitive, agentive) to hold on to one another


aaküdö

Perhaps prefixed with öt- (intransitivizer), although it is unclear if a transitive root *aküdö exists.

(intransitive, of insects and hummingbirds) to fly


aaküdüme

[aːkɨɾ̠ɨːme]

Perhaps prefixed with öt- (intransitivizer), although it is unclear if a transitive root *aküdüme exists.

(intransitive) to be continually on the move, to run back and forth


waamonö

From w- (intransitive prefix) + aamo (“to cry”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).


aamoicha

From amoi (“taboo thing”) + -ta (verbalizer), with an additional prefix that renders the verb agentive (öt-?).

(intransitive, agentive) to not do what is forbidden or prohibited


aamoichö

From öt- (intransitivizer) + amoichö (“to forbid”).

(intransitive, agentive) to be forbidden or prohibited


aamö

From öt- (intransitivizer) + amö (“to construct”).

(intransitive, agentive, of insects) to assemble, to settle over something or someone in a mass


aanontö

From öt- (intransitivizer) + anontö (“to order”).

(intransitive, agentive) to command, to lead


anümü

(transitive) to scoop up (liquid) with something hollow


aanümü

Perhaps from öt- (verbalizer) + anümü (“to scoop up”); if so, then this word would be expected to be agentive rather than patientive, so it may be that either this etymology or the patientive assignment of the verb is wrong.


aatü'nöjü

Ultimately derived from Proto-Cariban *atɨta (“to grow”).


awiyümü

(transitive) to turn, to spin (something)


aawiyümü

From öt- (intransitivizer) + awiyümü (“to turn (something)”).

(intransitive, agentive) to turn, to spin, to rotate


ema'jo

From ema (“to lose, to throw, to kill”) + -jo (causative suffix).


ooku

From öt- (intransitivizer) + eku (“to have sex with”).

(intransitive, agentive, vulgar) to have sex


aawüttüünaka

Perhaps prefixed with öt- (intransitivizer), although it is unclear if a transitive root *awüttüünaka exists.

(intransitive, agentive) to flip upside down


aawütünajötü

Suffixed with -jötü (pluractional suffix). Perhaps prefixed with öt- (intransitivizer), although it is unclear if a transitive root *awütünajötü exists.

(intransitive, agentive) to roll around, to roll over and over


addö

(Caura River dialect, transitive) to clear (a conuco garden)


aichüjo

From aichü (“to insert”) + -jo (causative suffix).

(transitive) to have something painful inserted, such as a needle when removing chiggers or a swab when cleaning the ears


ataiyo

From öt- (intransitivizer) + aiyo (“to break”).


aijoo

(transitive) to smoke out (an animal’s burrow or warren)


ajoijö

From ajöi (to grasp) + -jo (causative suffix).


'kotonka

Suffixed with -ka (privative verbalizer), from the same stem as 'kotontö.

to pull loose, to separate, to release (a branch, an arm, etc.)


'kotontö

Suffixed with -tö (benefactive verbalizer), from the same stem as 'kotonka.


ajujinña

(transitive) to extend, to spread, to stretch


ajuka

(transitive) to heat, particularly to heat (a curiara) so that it opens


akajü

(women of Boca de Piña) Alternative form of ükajü (“to weave”)


akoichanüjü

(transitive) to suffocate, to knock out, to render unconscious


wontö

From womü (“clothing”) + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).


ööwa'tö

From öt- (intransitivizer) + ewa'tö (“to hang (a hammock)”).

(intransitive, agentive) to hang one’s hammock


amonnojo

(transitive) to have (an animal) enter the house


amököjötü

From amökötö (“to cut off a hand”) + -jötü (pluractional suffix).

(transitive) to cut off (someone’s) hands


amökötö

From amö (“hand”) + akötö (“to cut off”).

(transitive) to cut off (someone’s) hand


audö

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of addö (“to clear (a conuco garden)”)


jö'dujo

From jö'du (“to sting”) + -jo (causative suffix).

(transitive) to have (someone) stung by insects, to cause to be stung


nneju'tö

From nneju (“material, scaffolding”) + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).


nneju'ka

From nneju (“material, scaffolding”) + -ka (privative verbalizer).


asichuudö

[asiːt͡ʃuːɾ̠ə]


atadö

From öt- (intransitivizer) + adö (“to carry”).

(intransitive, agentive) to continue, to carry on


atakoicha

From öt- (intransitivizer) + akoicha (“to finish, to end”).

(intransitive, agentive) to faint, to fall unconscious


atame

From öt- (intransitivizer) + ame (“to lick, to eat”).

Jdk. “Ye'kwana weichü natamei” ke wö'düadü.
Anl. ¡Yaatamedü!
Jdk. Tamedö natamei, wönwanö natamei, sü'na emi'chüdü natamei […]

2008, speakers ‘Jdk’ and ‘Anl’ from Boca de Piña (ConvChurB.018–021), recorded in Cáceres, Natalia (2011), Grammaire Fonctionelle-Typologique du Ye’kwana, page 337

Anl. It’s coming to an end!
Jdk. Everything has ended, the dance has ended, taking dogs hunting has ended […]

Jdk. I say that the Ye’kwana’s way of life has ended.

(intransitive, agentive) to come to an end, to be over, to run out


atannöjü

From öt- (intransitivizer) + annöjü (“to pick up, fetch, raise”).

to rise (said of a boat rising from the water because of uneven weight, of tobacco leaves that have not been sufficiently compacted, etc.)


a'yanoma

From a'yano (“ill omen”) + -ma (verbalizer).


ata'yanoma

From öt- (intransitivizer) + a'yanoma (“to complain, to get angry”).


atü

(transitive) to wash, to clean with water


atüjötü

From atü (“to wash”) + -jötü (pluractional suffix).


awanta'ñö

From Spanish aguantar + -'ñö (loanword verbalizer).

(transitive) to resist, withstand, bear, endure


awiyünka

Apparently from awiyümü (“to turn”) + -ka (privative suffix), although some complications may be involved, as the latter suffix generally attaches to nominal stems.


awiyüntö

Apparently from awiyümü (“to turn”) + -tö (benefactive suffix), although some complications may be involved, as the latter suffix generally attaches to nominal stems.

(transitive) to skirt, to circle (a place)


ata'deeja

From öt- (intransitivizer) + a'deeja (“to call, to welcome”).

(intransitive, agentive) to be called to or greeted


a'de'tö

From a'deu (“word”) + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).


a'dojo

(transitive) to knock down, to fell (trees or other tall objects)


a'jööma

(intransitive) to invite other communities to participate in an event of the inviting community.


a'sajötü

From a'sa (“to grab (grain or liquid)”) + -jötü (pluractional suffix).

(transitive) to summon with one’s hand, to gesture over


a'suta

(intransitive, patientive) to faint from exertion


etunuichojo

From etunuichö (“to injure”) + -jo (causative suffix).

(transitive) to let (someone) get hurt, to let (someone) come to harm


önwena

(intransitive, agentive) to walk far away


yuunaka

(transitive) to cause to deviate from what was planned


de'wonontö

Perhaps from de'wö (“upon, on”) + -ano (nominalizer) + -tö (benefactive verbalizer), although this leaves the second n unexplained.

(transitive) to put on top of, to put on


sadimincha

Derived from sadimiñu (“straight line”).

(transitive) to straighten, to straighten out


sadijanmü

(intransitive, patientive) to move away from one’s home community


saddö

From a noun that also forms the stem of satta (“to toast”), suffixed with -dö (verbalizer).

(transitive) to toast in a comal, a frying pan, or the sun


sankwa

(transitive) to abandon, to desert, to leave behind


sankwajo

Perhaps from sankwa (“to detest, to abandon”) + -jo (causative suffix).

(transitive) to change the type of weaving when weaving a yuca press (tünküi) or hammock


sedenamjü

Suffixed with -nöjü (causative suffix). Presumably the preceding -na must be a suffix forming an intransitive patientive verb from a noun, as the constructions of the related words seedeta and ssedeje show that the root is a nominal stem.


seeka

(transitive) Alternative form of eseka (“to move, to remove”)


sooko'nö

From the root of sokoje (“being like mud”) + -nö (verbalizer).


edemi'chö

[eɾ̠eːmiʔt͡ʃə]

From ödemi (“ceremonial chant”) + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).

(transitive) to sing (a ceremonial chant)


edennamjü

From eedenna (“to stop”) + -nöjü (causative suffix).


ede'tö

(transitive) to make yield, to make pay, to get something out of


eedenna

(intransitive, patientive) to stop, to halt


eejata'tö

(intransitive, patientive) to go to sleep


eekonema

(of people) to quarrel, to fight (with one another)


eetajuduka

Most likely prefixed with e- (intransitivizer).

(intransitive, patientive) to stretch (extend one’s limbs)


eetojinña

(intransitive, patientive) to whirl, to circle, to revolve


eetümü

to make animal noises
(of birds) to sing


eewadüka

Formed with e- (intransitivizer) + *wadüka (“to untie”), the latter formed with -ka (privative verbalizer) from the same root as wadü'tö (“to tie firmly”).

(intransitive, patientive) to get loose, to release oneself


eewadü'tö

[eːwaɾ̠ɨʔtə]

From e- (intransitivizer) + wadü'tö (“to tie firmly”).

(intransitive, patientive) to be tied on, lashed down, affixed


eja'dötö

From e- (intransitivizer) + ja'dötö (“to pass”).


waadeta

Suffixed with -ta (verbalizer), from the same root as waadejajo.

Coordinate term: ewoichone'ma

(intransitive, patientive, of animals) to get angry


waadejajo

Coordinate term: ewoichone'ma


watödö

From wattö (“feces”) + -dö (verbalizer).


o'womokü

From öt- (intransitivizer) + womokü (“to wait for”).

(intransitive, agentive) to be awaited or expected


ejenka

From e- (intransitivizer) + jenka (“to hunt large game by flushing it out with dogs”).

(intransitive, patientive) to be scared or startled


nnejenka

Ultimately from nne (“child”), perhaps nne (“child”) + -je (adverbializer) + -nü (nominalizer) + -ka (privative verbalizer).

(transitive) to rear, to raise (animals, children, etc.)


jüdata'ñö

[hʷɨɾ̠aːtaʔɲə]

From jüdata (“money”) + -'ñö (loanword verbalizer).


ejüdata'ñö

[ehɨːɾ̠ataʔɲə]

From e- (“intransitivizer”) + jüdata'ñö (“to make rich”).


ejüka

to cut (the stem of a plant or vein of a leaf)


ekada'jötü

Suffixed with -jötü (pluractional suffix).


ekamma

(transitive) to tell, to notify, to inform


ekamö

(transitive) to share out, to distribute


ekku

(transitive) to respond to (someone’s singing) by repeating it, to echo (lines of song)


ekkwöjötü

From ekku (“to respond to (singing) by repeating it, to echo”) + -jötü (pluractional suffix).

(transitive) to reply to, to respond to (someone)


ookunaka

From öt- (intransitivizer) + ekunaka (“to disarticulate (someone’s) leg”).

to injure or disarticulate the joint between one’s hip and femur


emakudö

Perhaps prefixed with e- (intransitivizer), though no transitive verb *makudö seems to be attested.

(intransitive, patientive) to rot, to spoil, to go to waste


ema'tö

(transitive) to move (something) away from the point of origin, to remove, to distance


emekantö

(transitive) to scatter, to share out, to distribute


emjü

Derived from önu (“eye”). Perhaps cognate to Kari'na enyky, enupy (“to hurt the eye of, to get something in the eye”) (the expected cognate form would likely be Kari'na *enypy).

(transitive) to put a substance in the eyes


oomomü

From öt- (intransitivizer) + emomü (“to put in”). Cáceres, however, records the resulting verb as patientive, whereas an agentive verb would be expected to result from such a construction.


enkano'tö

(transitive) to worry over, to care about (someone)


emo'tö

Likely prefixed with e- (intransitivizer), though no transitive verb *mo'tö (“to lay (something) down, to lean (something)”) seems to be attested.


emu'nojü

to try to deceive, to set up a deception or engage in suspicious behavior in order to trick (someone)


öömu'nojü

From öt- (intransitivizer) + emu'nojü (“to try to deceive or distract”). However, an agentive verb would be expected from this construction, whereas according to Cáceres this verb is patientive.

(intransitive, patientive) to get distracted


enkwano'jo

(transitive) to lose track of, to lose the trail of


ennajötü

From enajü (“to swallow”) + -jötü (pluractional suffix).


enneka

From e- (intransitivizer) + nne (“child”) + -ka (privative verbalizer).

(intransitive, patientive) to give birth, to have children


enneke'ma

Likely prefixed with e- (intransitivizer).

(intransitive, patientive) to sing repeatedly


ennojü

(transitive) to make fun of, mock, tease


ensöma'tö

From e- (intransitivizer) + müsoma (“belongings acquired by trade or chance”) + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).

(intransitive, patientive) to put on clothes, to get dressed


entajo

Perhaps from e- (intransitivizer) + nta (“mouth”) + ajo (“to chew”).

(intransitive, patientive) to open one’s mouth


enta'du

From e- (intransitivizer) + nta (“mouth”) + a'du (“to close”).

(intransitive, patientive) to close one’s mouth


enta'na

(intransitive, patientive) to eat people, to be a cannibal


entö

(intransitive, patientive) to fall into a trap or net


enüntö

(transitive) to put cassava dough in a matapee


enwejü

(intransitive) to do something during the night


enwüjüñadü

[eŋwɨhɨːɲaɾ̠ɨ]

(transitive) to strip, to divest (someone)


e'saku

From e- (intransitivizer) + 'sakü (“to apply bodypaint to”).

(intransitive, patientive) to put on bodypaint, to paint oneself


'sakü

(transitive) to apply bodypaint to (someone), to paint (someone)


eseka

Perhaps formed with -ka (privative verbalizer).


esidi'chö

[esiːɾ̠iʔt͡ʃə]

From e- (intransitivizer) + sidi (“buttocks, rear”) + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).

(intransitive, patientive) to dance backward, to retreat dancing


esi'jo

(intransitive, patientive) to make things up, to lie


eso'ka

From e- (intransitivizer) + sooka (“to pierce, to puncture, to sew”).

(intransitive, patientive) To be stuck by a thorn.


etadawa'kajo

From e- (intransitivizer) + tadawaaju (“work”) + -ka (privative verbalizer) + -jo (causative suffix).


etamiyö

(transitive) to make (someone) feel bad for not respecting prohibitions


ettija

Alternative form of eetija (“to trade for”)


etü

(transitive) to make (something) make a sound; to sound, to play (an instrument)


öötü

From öt- (intransitivizer) + etü (“to sound, to play (an instrument, etc.)”).

(intransitive, agentive) to sound; to make a sound


euwü

to tell insults or offensive words to; to offend, to insult


öökatonka

From öt- (intransitivizer) + ökatomjö (“ghost, ex-spirit”) + -ka (privative verbalizer), thus literally ‘to have one’s ghost taken away’. Compare Kari'na otàkaryka (“to suffer, be tortured, get scared”), with a similar but slightly different construction.

cog

to hurry up and do something, to make haste


ewanküdüñö

[ewaŋkɨɾ̠ɨːɲə]

(transitive) to worry, to concern, to trouble


ötöwanküdüñö

head

ötöwanküdüñö

[ətəːwaŋkɨɾ̠ɨːɲə]

From öt- (intransitivizer) + ewanküdüñö (“to worry, to concern, to trouble”).

af

(intransitive, agentive) to fret, to worry


ewansinchö

From öwansi (“food, meal”) + -nü + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).


ewiiña

(transitive) to rock (something or someone)


ewoichone'ma

(intransitive, patientive, of people) to get angry


oowoncha

From öt- (intransitivizer) + ewoincha (“to leave behind forgotten”).


ewonka

From e- (intransitivizer) + womü (“clothing”) + -ka (privative verbalizer).


oowontö

From öt- (intransitivizer) + ewontö (“to defend”).

to refuse to be handed over to another family


ewotunnöicha

Ultimately derived from wötunnö (“oral tradition, story”).


ewö

to be wounded by something that penetrates the skin, such as a bullet or arrow


eyajö'tö

From öyajö (“master, possessor”) + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).

(Caura River dialect, transitive) to take ownership of, to appropriate


e'douwü

(intransitive, patientive) to roar, to growl


e'juuma

From e- (intransitivizer) + 'juuma (“to unite, gather, amass”).

(intransitive, patientive) to get together, to assemble, to gather


e'jüü

(intransitive) to be plugged up or covered up


e'kotontö

From e- (intransitivizer) + 'kotontö (“to join; to tie, to draw”).

(intransitive, patientive) to be tied, drawn, equally matched


e'mo

From e- (intransitivizer) + 'mo (“to break (something)”).


'mü

Alternative form of 'mo (“to break (something)”)


e'nomja

(transitive) to leave (something), to leave behind


o'nomjö

Apparently from öt- (intransitivizer) + e'nomja (“to leave behind”), although the expected form would be *oto'nomja.

o'nomja (alternative)
ö'nömja (alternative)

(Caura River dialect, intransitive, agentive) to remain, to stay, to be left


ö'shikija

Apparently from öt- (intransitivizer) + e'shikija (“to make play”), although the expected form would be *ötö'shikija.


ötö'tö

From öt- (intransitivizer) + e'tö (“to name”).


dha'tu

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of yatu (“to burn”)


ju'jötö

From ju'jö (“head”) + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).


nnejenö

From nne (“child”) + -je (adverbializer) + -nö (verbalizer).

(transitive) to pamper, to spoil (a child)


inñonö

From inño (“husband”) + -nö (verbalizer).

(transitive) to marry off (one’s daughter)


wadü'tö

Formed with -tö (benefactive verbalizer) from the same root as eewadüka (“to get loose”).


iye'töö

(transitive) to reinforce (a cord, cable, wire, etc.)


ntajidichü

(transitive) to put something foul-tasting or very spicy in (someone’s) mouth


ajö'tö

From ajö (“arm”) + -tö (benefactive verbalizer).


akaicha

(transitive) to make (manioc flour) via rubbing


a'sha

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of a'sa (“to grab, to take; to choose, to pick, to select”)


jata'tö

(transitive) to hunt (an animal, e.g. a tinamou) at evening


jedonka

From jedo (“drool”) + -ka (privative verbalizer).