Adjectives

1. A ka bon

   Big

   Usage

   Basic way to say that something is big

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary example is "à ka bòn" (it is big). With the suffix -ba, "bonba" is the attributive big

2. A ka dɔgɔ

   Small

   Usage

   Basic way to say that something is small

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses "dɔgɔ" as small (it can also mean narrow or insufficient); "fitinin" is the attributive small. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

3. A ka girin

   Heavy

   Usage

   Say it about the weight of luggage

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary has "dòni man gírin à mà" (the load is not too heavy for him)

4. A ka fiyɛn

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Say that something is light in weight

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary has "à ká fíyɛn ń kùn" (I find it light); "fɛgɛn" is also listed

5. A sɔngɔ ka gɛlɛn

   Expensive

   Usage

   Say it before bargaining that the price is high

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary example is "À sɔ̀ngɔ ka gɛ̀lɛn" (it is expensive). "gɛlɛn" basically means hard or difficult

6. A da ka nɔgɔn

   Cheap

   Usage

   Say that the price is low

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary example is "À da ka nɔ̀gɔ̀n" (it is inexpensive); "da" means price

7. A ka goni

   Hot (thing)

   Usage

   Say it about hot food or drink

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary example is "jí ká gòni" (the water is hot)

8. A ka suma

   Cold (thing)

   Usage

   Say it about a cold drink

   Grammar Note

   "suma" means cold; another word of the same spelling means smell. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

9. A ka kura

   New

   Usage

   Say that something is new

   Grammar Note

   As an attributive it follows the noun: "so kura" (a new house). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

10. A ka kɔrɔ

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Say that something is old

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as old or aged; it can also describe people. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

11. A ka jɛ

    Clean

    Usage

    Say that a room or thing is clean

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary gives white and clean for the same word, so it also describes white things. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

12. A ka nɔgɔ

    Dirty

    Usage

    Say that something is dirty

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as dirty. It is different from "nɔgɔn" (easy, cheap). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

13. A ka ɲi

    Good

    Usage

    Say that something is good

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary lists "ɲi" and "ɲuman" for good. The negative is "A man ɲi"

14. A man ɲi

    Bad

    Usage

    Say that something is not good

    Grammar Note

    "Bad" is expressed as "not good". "juguman" is a harsh word for people and is avoided. The dictionary has "à mán dí" (it is not good)

15. A ka surun

    Near

    Usage

    Say that a place is close

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary example is "à ká sùrun Ségu lá" (it is near Ségou)

16. A ka jan

    Far

    Usage

    Say that a place is far

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as far, tall and long. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

17. Joona

    Early

    Usage

    Used for early in the day or early timing

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary example is "N wulila joona" (I got up early). It is an adverb placed after the verb

18. Waati ye n minɛ

    I am late

    Usage

    Set phrase for apologising for being late; say "Hakɛto!" first

    Grammar Note

    Literally "time has caught me". The dictionary has "Hakɛto! Waati ye n minɛ" (sorry, I am late)

19. A ka ca

    Many

    Usage

    Say that there are many or much

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary example is "Ò ka ca!" (that is a lot). The attributive form is "caman"

20. A man ca

    Few

    Usage

    Say that there are few or little

    Grammar Note

    "Not many" expresses few. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

21. Goni ka bon

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Say that the weather or a room is hot

    Grammar Note

    Literally "the heat is big". As a noun "goni" means heat and fire. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

22. Nɛnɛ ka bon

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Say that the weather is cold, e.g. on cool dry-season mornings

    Grammar Note

    Literally "the cold is big". "nɛnɛ" is the An ka taa dictionary's word for cold. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

23. A ka di

    Delicious

    Usage

    Say that food or drink is delicious

    Grammar Note

    "di" means pleasing to taste, sight or smell; a different word of the same spelling means honey

24. Dɔ fara a kan

    More, please

    Usage

    Ask for a little more at a meal or in a shop

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary has "dɔ fàrà … kàn" (add some to …). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

25. Dɔɔnin dɔrɔn

    Just a little

    Usage

    Ask for only a small amount

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary has "Cɛ̌ fìla dɔrɔn nàna" (only two men came). "dɔrɔn" limits the word before it

26. Bɛɛ

    All / Everything

    Usage

    Means all, everything or everyone

    Grammar Note

    It follows the noun ("mɔgɔ bɛɛ" = everyone). The dictionary example is "N y'à bɛɛ dun" (I ate it all)

27. O b'a bɔ

    That is enough

    Usage

    Say it to decline more food or a larger quantity

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary has "Ò b'à bɔ" (that is enough). "bɔ" usually means come out, but here it means suffice

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