Health & Hospital

1. N fari man di n na bi

   I do not feel well today

   Usage

   Says you feel unwell

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary has "ń fàri man dí ń ná bì" (this exact sentence).

2. N man kɛnɛ

   I am ill

   Usage

   Says you are ill

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary has "à man kɛ́nɛ" (he is ill).

3. N b'a fɛ ka dɔgɔtɔrɔ ye

   I want to see a doctor

   Usage

   Says you want to see a doctor

   Grammar Note

   In the dictionary "dɔgɔtɔrɔ" covers doctor and nurse. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

4. N kunkolo bɛ n dimi

   My head hurts

   Usage

   Says you have a headache

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary has the pattern "ń sèn bɛ ń dími" (my foot hurts) and "N kɔnɔ bɛ n dimi" (my stomach hurts). "body part bɛ n dimi" expresses pain. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

5. N kɔnɔ bɛ n dimi

   My stomach hurts

   Usage

   Says your stomach hurts

   Grammar Note

   An ka taa has this exact example sentence.

6. Yan bɛ n dimi

   It hurts here

   Usage

   Said while pointing to the painful spot

   Grammar Note

   It follows the "body part bɛ n dimi" pattern with "yan" (here) in place of the body part. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

7. Dɔgɔtɔrɔso bɛ min?

   Where is the hospital (clinic)?

   Usage

   Asks where the hospital or health centre is

   Grammar Note

   In the dictionary "dɔgɔtɔrɔso" covers both hospital and care centre. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

8. N bɛ fura fɛ

   I want medicine

   Usage

   Says you want medicine

   Grammar Note

   "fura" is medicine (it also means leaf). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

9. N fari ka kalan

   I have a fever

   Usage

   Says you have a fever

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary has "à fàri ka kálan" (he has a fever); "kalan" also means hot there.

10. Aw ka dɔgɔtɔrɔ wele

    Please call a doctor

    Usage

    Asks someone to call a doctor

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

11. N ka kɛnɛ sisan

    I am well now

    Usage

    Says you are well now

    Grammar Note

    "sisan" means now. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

12. Kɔnɔ b'n na

    I am pregnant

    Usage

    Tells medical staff you are pregnant

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary has "kɔ́nɔ b'á lá" (she is pregnant). Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

13. N bɛ sɔgɔsɔgɔ

    I am coughing

    Usage

    Says you have a cough

    Grammar Note

    In the dictionary "sɔgɔsɔgɔ" is the verb to cough and the noun cough. Composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar.

14. Dimi

    Pain

    Usage

    The word for pain

    Grammar Note

    "dimi" is the noun pain and the verb to hurt.

15. Sɔgɔsɔgɔ

    Cough

    Usage

    The word for cough

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses it as cough or bronchitis.

16. Joli

    Blood

    Usage

    The word for blood; spelled like the question "Joli?" (how many)

    Grammar Note

    The same spelling "joli" also means "how many"; tone and context tell them apart. "basi" is also glossed as blood.

17. Bana

    Illness

    Usage

    The word for illness

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary has "bàna y'á mìnɛ" (he fell ill).

18. Kɔnɔboli

    Diarrhea

    Usage

    A word to show a doctor or pharmacist to say you have diarrhea

    Grammar Note

    "kɔnɔboli" is a compound of "kɔnɔ" (belly) and "boli" (run); in the dictionary it is the noun "diarrhea".

19. Kɔnɔja

    Constipation

    Usage

    A word to show a doctor or pharmacist to say you are constipated

    Grammar Note

    "kɔnɔja" is a compound of "kɔnɔ" (belly) and "ja" (dry); in the dictionary it is the noun "constipation".

20. Banakɔ

    Poop

    Usage

    A mild word for stool, usable with a doctor or with a child. The dictionary also lists "bǒ", a blunter word like "shit", which is best avoided

    Grammar Note

    In the dictionary it is the noun "feces" (French "selles"); the form "banakɔtaa" is listed too. A dictionary-verified word.

21. Ɲɛgɛnɛ

    Pee

    Usage

    The word for urine, usable with a doctor or with a child. "ɲɛgɛn" without the final "e" is a different word (toilet, shower area), so do not mix them up

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary has the noun "urine", and "ɲɛgɛnɛ kɛ" (literally "do pee") means to urinate. A dictionary-verified word.

22. N kɔnɔ bɛ boli

    I have diarrhea

    Usage

    Tells a doctor or pharmacist that you have diarrhea

    Grammar Note

    "The belly runs" means diarrhea. Same frame as "N kɔnɔ bɛ n dimi" (my stomach hurts), composed from dictionary-verified words following regular grammar. A native check is advisable.

23. N kɔnɔ jara

    I'm constipated

    Usage

    Tells a doctor or pharmacist that you are constipated

    Grammar Note

    "The belly has dried" means constipation. It is the intransitive completive "-ra" of "ja" (dry), the same pair of words as "kɔnɔja" (constipation). "jara" (lion), differing only in tone, is a different word. Composed from dictionary-verified words; a native check is advisable.

24. N b'a fɛ ka ɲɛgɛnɛ kɛ

    I need to pee

    Usage

    The ordinary way to tell a companion or child that you need to pee

    Grammar Note

    Same frame as "N b'a fɛ ka dɔgɔtɔrɔ ye". A bare verb for "need" is unconfirmed, so it is said with "want" (fɛ). The dictionary has "ɲɛgɛnɛ kɛ" (urinate). Composed from dictionary-verified words; a native check is advisable.

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