Bafut

Contributed by Nadege Nkwenti Lum.

N.L.'s photo

Nadege Nkwenti Lum provided and analyzed the data in 2024 in her capacity of a native speaker. The English version of the questionnaire was used for elictation.

How to cite

Lum, Nadege Nkwenti. 2024. Bivalent patterns in Bafut. In: Say, Sergey (ed.). BivalTyp: Typological database of bivalent verbs and their encoding frames. (Data first published on May 30, 2024; last revised on September 29, 2025.) (Available online at https://bivaltyp.info, Accessed on )

Basic info

Coordinates: 6.14, 10.12.
Genealogy (as given in WALS). Family: Niger-Congo, genus: Wide Grassfields.
Macro-area: Sub-Saharan Africa.

Glossing abbreviations

ANIM — animate; COMP — complementizer; DEF — definite; INAN — INANIMATE; IPFV — imperfective; NEG — negation; P — past; PL — plural; PN — person name; PREP — preposition; SM — subject marker.

Data

Subset examples by valency pattern

Subset examples by locus

1. feel pain búʔù

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àtû	àmbɛ́	à	búʔù
head/ prep	pn	sm	ache
‘Ambe has a headache.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

2. have (illness) tsí

Valency pattern: nu_SBJ

X: nu

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

àsáŋə̀	tsí	nú	àmbɛ́
flu	stay	body/ prep	pn
‘Ambe has the flu.’

3. be afraid bɔ́ʔɔ̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	bɔ́ʔɔ̂	m̀bû	já
pn	sm	be_afraid	dog	def
‘Ambe is afraid of the dog.’

4. throw màʔâ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	fùû	màʔâ	ŋ̀gɔ̀ʔɔ̀
pn	sm	first	throw	stone
‘Ambe threw a stone first.’

5. have enough tsí nkùʔû

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àmbɛ́	à	tsí-nɨ̀	ŋkábɨ̀	nkùʔû
pn	sm	have- ipfv	money	sufficient
‘Ambe has enough money.’
Note: Not included in the database because the intended meaning is expressed by a structurally discontinuous combination (predicate + adnominal modifier).

6. resemble fíì

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	fíì	sùù
pn	sm	resemble	pn
‘Ambe resembles Suh.’

7. believe bíì

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	bíì-tɨ̀	sùù
pn	sm	believe- ipfv	pn
‘Ambe believes Suh.’

8. take nlɔ̀gə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	lɨ́	nlɔ̀gə̂	ŋwàʔànɨ̀
pn	sm	p 1	take	book
‘Ambe took a book.’

9. see jə́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	jə́	ǹdâ
pn	sm	see	house
‘Ambe sees a house.’

10. influence *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

11. encounter jə́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	jə́	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	see	pn
‘Ambe encountered Suh’

12. enter kúû

Valency pattern: SBJ_mum

X: SBJ

Y: mum

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	kúû	múm	ǹdâ
pn	sm	p 2	enter	inside	house
‘Ambe entered the house.’

13. win ɣɔ́ɔ̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	ɣɔ́ɔ̂	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	beat	pn
‘Ambe beat Suh.’

14. go out fɛ̀ʔɛ̂

Valency pattern: SBJ_a

X: SBJ

Y: a

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	fɛ̀ʔɛ̂	á	ǹdâ
pn	sm	p 2	go_out	at	house
‘Ambe went out from the house.’

15. drive jóŋə̂

Valency pattern: SBJ_a.ndim

X: SBJ

Y: ndim

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	jóŋə̂	á	ǹdᵼ̀m	káù	já
pn	sm	follow	at	back/ prep	cow	def
‘Ambe is driving the cow’.

16. bend ŋgᵼ́mə̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	ŋgᵼ́mə̀	tí	já
pn	sm	p 2	bend	stick	def
‘Ambe bent the stick.’

17. tell ʃwóŋə̂

Valency pattern: SBJ_mbo

X: SBJ

Y: mbo

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	ʃwóŋə̂	mbô	sùù	tóŋə̂	ɣà	fâ	ŋ̀kwɛ̂fɔ̀
pn	sm	p 2	tell	to	pn	call	me	this	evening
‘Ambe told Suh: “Call me this evening”.’

18. hold tʃwá

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	tʃwá-kɨ́	ŋwàʔànɨ̀
pn	sm	hold- ipfv	book
‘Ambe is holding a book.’

19. catch up tʃíʔî

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	tʃíʔî-tɨ̀	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	meet- ipfv	pn
‘Ambe caught up with Suh.’

20. milk fíʔî

Valency pattern: SBJ_a.mum.nu

X: SBJ

Y: a.mum.nu

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	fíʔî	mílíkə̀	á	múm	nú	káù	já
pn	sm	p 2	remove	milk	at	inside	body/ prep	cow	def
‘Ambe milked the cow’ (lit.: ‘Ambe removed milk from inside the cow’s body’).

21. reach nkùʔû

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	nkùʔû	ǹtsù	mɨ̀jàà
pn	sm	p 2	reach	mouth	river
‘Ambe reached the river bank.’

22. touch mɔ̀ɔ̀ntə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	mɔ̀ɔ̀ntə̂	àwùgə̀-ndâ	já
pn	sm	p 2	touch	wall-house	def
‘Ambe touched the wall.’

23. fight ntô

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	ntô	nɨ̀	sùù
pn	sm	fight	with1	pn
‘Ambe is fighting with Suh.’

24. be friends bə̀ bɨ̀-nʃúkàʔâ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

bìʔì	bə̀	bɨ̀-nʃúkàʔâ	sùù
we	be	pl -friend	pn
‘We are Suh’s friends.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

25. think wáʔátə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	wáʔátə̂-nɨ̀	sùù
pn	sm	think- ipfv	pn
‘Ambe is thinking about Suh.’

26. eat nkwúrə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	nkwúrə̂	m̀báŋə̀
pn	sm	p 2	eat	palm_fruit
‘Ambe ate a palm fruit.’

27. fry nkàŋə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	nkàŋə̂	fɨ̀bwè	wá
pn	sm	p 2	fry	fish	def
‘Ambe fried the fish.’

28. wait júʔûtə́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	júʔûtə́-nɨ̀	sùù
pn	sm	wait- ipfv	pn
‘Ambe is waiting for Suh.’

29. forget nlìʔìnə̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	nlìʔìnə̀-mə̂	mânʤì	jídàŋ	wá
pn	sm	forget- p 0	road	other	def
‘Ambe forgot the other road.’

30. depend *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

31. call twóŋə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	twóŋə̂	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	call	pn
‘Ambe called Suh.’

32. get to know ʒí

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	ʒí	sùù	á	ǹdᵼ̀m	lòò	jìmfùrᵼ̀
pn	sm	p 2	know	pn	at	back/ prep	year	one
‘Ambe got to know Suh a year ago.’

33. know ʒí

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	ʒí	sùù
pn	sm	know	pn
‘Ambe knows Suh’

34. play (instrument) bùʔú

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	bùʔú-tɨ̀	nɨ̀lúŋə̀	njà
pn	sm	play- ipfv	guitar	def
‘Ambe is playing the guitar.’

35. avoid nkɣə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	nkɣə̂	sùù
pn	sm	run	pn
‘Ambe avoids Suh.’

36. make náŋsə́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

ambɛ́	à	kɨ̀	náŋsə́	mátáà	kò	fórə̀
pn	sm	p 2	make	trap	catch	mouse
‘Ambe made a mousetrap.’

37. make fun wjè

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	wjè-nɨ̀	sùù
pn	sm	laugh- ipfv	pn
‘Ambe is making fun of Suh.’

38. have tsí

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	tsí-nɨ̀	nɨ̀kjá
pn	sm	have- ipfv	car
‘Ambe has a car.’

39. look for lɔ̀ɔ̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	lɔ̀ɔ̀	bɨ̀-kwáʔà	bàʔà	dʒí
pn	sm	look	pl -opener	door	his
‘Ambe is looking for his keys.’

40. paint jɔ́ʔɔ́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kᵼ̀	jɔ́ʔɔ́	nkjàâ	wà
pn	sm	p 2	rub	fence	def
‘Ambe painted the fence.’

41. bite nlóô

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

mbû	à	kᵼ̀	nlóô	àmbɛ́
dog	sm	p 2	bite	pn
‘A dog bit Ambe.’

42. forfeit mbwé

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kᵼ̀	mbwé	ǹdâ	jì
pn	sm	p 2	lose	house	his
‘Ambe lost his house.’

43. try to catch nkô

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	nkô-tɨ̀	bùʃí	wá
pn	sm	catch- ipfv	cat	def
‘Ambe is trying to catch the cat.’

44. break mbə́gə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	mbə́gə̂	àtì
pn	sm	p 2	break	stick
‘Ambe broke a stick.’

45. flatter mbwíʔìsə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	mbwíʔìsə̂-nɨ̀	bì
pn	sm	deceive- ipfv	pn
‘Ambe is flattering Bih.’

46. love (person) kɔ̀ŋə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɔ̀ŋə̂	sùù
pn	sm	love	pn
‘Ambe loves Suh.’

47. wave dárə̀sə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	dárə̀sə̂-nᵼ̀	àjɛ́ʔɛ̀	nʃí
pn	sm	wave- ipfv	wipe	face
‘Ambe is waving a handkerchief.’

48. dream wáʔátə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	wáʔátə̂-nɨ̀	nɨ̀kjá	nìmfíî
pn	sm	think- ipfv	car	new
‘Ambe is dreaming of a new car.’

49. wash ʃíʔí

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	ʃíʔí	ndɔ́ŋ	já
pn	sm	p 2	wash	cup	def
‘Ambe washed the cup.’

50. put on sɔ́ʔɔ̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	sɔ́ʔɔ̂	tòlósà	jì
pn	sm	p 2	wear	trouser	his
‘Ambe put on his trousers.’

51. be called ntóŋə̀

Valency pattern: DO_COMP

X: DO

Y: COMP

Locus: Y

bɨ́	ntóŋə̀	jú	ndə̂	mə́	múnwí
they	call	this	thing	comp	knife
‘This thing is called a knife.’
Note: This is a transimpersonal construction.

52. punish ɣɔ́ɔ̂

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	ɣɔ́ɔ̂	mú	jì	m̀bàŋnᵼ̀
pn	sm	p 2	beat	child	his	male
‘Ambe beat his son.’
Note: Not included in the database because this translation is semantically inaccurate.

53. attack fúrᵼ̀tə̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

nààŋgwé	à	kɨ̀	fúrᵼ̀tə̀	tákwúrə̀
lion	sm	p 2	attack	leopard
‘A lion attacked a leopard.’

54. fill (intr) lúú

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

àntɔ̀ɔ̀	wá	ì	lúú	nᵼ̀	ŋ̀kxì
pot	def	sm	be_full	with1	water
‘The pot filled with1 water.’

55. find jə́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	jə́	bɨ̀-kwáʔà	bàʔà	dʒí
pn	sm	p 2	see	pl -opener	door	his
‘Ambe found his keys.’

56. be short kə̀ʔə̂

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kə̀ʔə̂-tɨ̀	nɨ̀	ǹtʃwùʔù
pn	sm	be_small- ipfv	with1	one_thousand
‘Ambe is one thousand francs short.’

57. hate bǎ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	bǎ	sùù
pn	sm	hate	pn
‘Ambe hates Suh.’

58. like kɔ̀ŋə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɔ̀ŋə̂	tsə̀ʔə̀	jú
pn	sm	like	dress	this
‘Ambe likes this shirt.’

59. need lɔ̀ɔ̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	lɔ̀ɔ̀-nɨ̀	ŋkábɨ̀
pn	sm	need- ipfv	money
‘Ambe needs money.’

60. surround kárə̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

bɨ̀-wùgə̀-ndâ	kárə̀-sᵼ̀	mûmə̀láʔà
pl -wall-house	surround- ipfv	village_center
‘Walls surround the village center.’

61. remain búrə̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	búrə̀	nᵼ̀	ŋkábɨ̀	dʒínᵼ̀wûm
pn	sm	be_left	with1	money	ten
‘Ambe has ten francs left.’

62. answer kwíʔî

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kᵼ̀	kwíʔî	díʔì-ŋwàʔànɨ̀	wá
pn	sm	p 2	answer	teach-book	def
‘Ambe answered the teacher.’

63. open ŋáʔà

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	ŋáʔà-mə̂	tɔ́ʔɔ̂
pn	sm	open- p 0	can
‘Ambe opened a can.’

64. be different fìì + NEG

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

ŋgáŋ	àtsə̀ʔə̀	jà	kàâ	sᵼ̀	jó	jà	fìì
no	dress	my	neg	neg	your	own	resemble
‘No, my shirt is different from yours.’
Note: The preverbal position of the direct object is triggered by negation.

65. fall behind tᵼ̀gᵼ̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_a.ndim

X: SBJ

Y: ndim

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	lᵼ́	tᵼ̀gᵼ̀	á	ǹdᵼ̀m	sùù
pn	sm	p 1	delay	at	back/ prep	pn
‘Ambe fell behind Suh.’

66. plough lᵼ́gᵼ̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	lᵼ́gᵼ̂-tᵼ̀	ǹsàànᵼ̀	wá
pn	sm	plough- ipfv	field	def
‘Ambe is ploughing the field.’

67. smell lúm

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

m̀-bô	má	lúm	ŋ̀kxì-mᵼ̀wúrᵼ̂
pl -hand	my	smell	water-oil
‘My hands smell of gasoline.’

68. cross dáŋə̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kᵼ̀	dáŋə̀	mândʒì	wá
pn	sm	p 2	cross	road	def
‘Ambe crossed the road.’

69. sing njéê

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	lɛ́	njéê	ᵼ̀kòò	jîsᵼ́gᵼ́nᵼ̀
pn	sm	p 3	sing	song	nice
‘Ambe sang a beautiful song.’

70. write ŋwàʔànɨ́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kᵼ̀	ŋwàʔànɨ́	ŋwàʔànɨ̀
pn	sm	p 2	write	letter
‘Ambe wrote a letter.’

71. drink nô

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	nô	mílíkə̀	wá
pn	sm	p 2	drink	milk	def
‘Ambe drank the milk.’

72. melt tɔ̀ɔ̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	tɔ̀ɔ̂	àtᵼ̂
pn	sm	p 2	burn	iron
‘Ambe melted a (piece of) iron.’

73. match kùʔùnə̂

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

ᵼ́-bɔ̀ŋə̂	ᵼ̀kò	jù	kùʔùnə̂	nᵼ̀	àtsə̀ʔə̀	ɣà
it’s-nice	belt	this	fit	with1	dress	my
‘Great, this belt goes well with my dress.’

74. leave lòô

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	lòô	àláʔà	jì
pn	sm	p 2	leave	village	his
‘Ambe left his village.’

75. cover bɔ̌ntᵼ̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àtsə̀ʔə̀	nʃjé	já	bɔ̌ntᵼ̀	ǹdâ	já	ǹtím
dress	ground	def	cover	house	def	whole
‘The carpet covers the whole floor.’

76. remember wáʔátə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	wáʔátə́-nᵼ̀	ǹdâ	já	sᵼ́gᵼ́nᵼ̀
pn	sm	remember- ipfv	house	def	well
‘Ambe remembers the house well.’

77. help kwɛ́tə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	kwɛ́tə̂	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	help	pn
‘Ambe helped Suh.’

78. understand (language) júʔú

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	júʔú-nɨ̀	ɣàâ	tó	njá
pn	sm	hear- ipfv	language	country	def
‘Ambe understands the country’s language.’

79. hit (target) tɔ̀ɔ̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

ŋkàʔâ-nwì	à	kɨ̀	tɔ̀ɔ̂	ǹdâ	já
light-god	sm	p 2	burn	house	def
‘Lightning hit the house.’

80. cut oneself ʃjé

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	lɨ́	ʃjé	nú	jì	nᵼ̀	ʃwáʔà
pn	sm	p 1	cut	body/ prep	his	with1	razor
‘Ambe cut himself with a razor.’

81. get stuck ntáŋ

Valency pattern: SBJ_a.atu

X: SBJ

Y: a.atu

Locus: Y

ndɔ́ŋ	já	ì	kᵼ̀	ntáŋ	á	àtû	àtɛ́tᵼ̀	njá
glass	def	sm	p 2	stuck	at	head/ prep	table	def
‘The glass got stuck to the table.’

82. lose (game) wó

Valency pattern: SBJ_mbo

X: SBJ

Y: mbo

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	lɨ́	wó	m̀bô	sùù
pn	sm	p 1	fail	for	pn
‘Ambe lost to Suh.’

83. be glad dórə̀tᵼ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_mbi7i

X: SBJ

Y: mbi7i

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kᵼ̀	dórə̀tᵼ́	mbᵼ́ʔᵼ́	ŋwàʔànɨ̀	já
pn	sm	p 2	be_glad	about	letter	def
‘Ambe was glad about the letter.’

84. speak ɣàâ

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	ɣàâ-nᵼ̀	nᵼ̀	sùù
pn	sm	speak- ipfv	with1	pn
‘Ambe is speaking with Suh.’

85. give birth dzwî

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

bì	à	kɨ̀	dzwî	mú-m̀bàŋnᵼ̀
pn	sm	p 2	give_birth	child-male
‘Bih gave birth to a son.’

86. drop màʔâ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	màʔâ	ndɔ́ŋ	já
pn	sm	p 2	drop	cup	def
‘Ambe dropped the cup.’

87. govern nlìntə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	nlìntə̂-nᵼ̀	láʔà	jìʔì
pn	sm	look- ipfv	village	our
‘Ambe runs our village.’

88. miss *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

89. follow jóŋə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	jóŋə̂	sùù
pn	sm	follow	pn
‘Ambe follows Suh.’

90. dismount sᵼ́gə̂

Valency pattern: SBJ_a.ndim

X: SBJ

Y: ndim

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	sᵼ́gə̂	á	ǹdím	léŋə́	wá
pn	sm	p 2	descend	at	back/ prep	horse	def
‘Ambe got down from the horse.’

91. listen júʔú

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	júʔú-nᵼ̀	nᵼ̀lòŋ
pn	sm	listen- ipfv	radio
‘Ambe is listening to radio.’

92. obey njúʔútə́ ǹtsù

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àmbɛ́	à	ɣáʔásə̂	njúʔútə́	ǹtsù	ǹdì	jì
pn	sm	always	listen	mouth	mother	his
‘Ambe always obeys his mother.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

93. hear njúʔútə́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	njúʔútə́	ᵼ̀kòò	wá
pn	sm	hear	song	def
‘Ambe hears the song.’

94. mix bóòntə́

Valency pattern: SBJ_bojo

X: SBJ

Y: bojo

Locus: Y

nú	já	í	lᵼ́	bóòntə́	bɔ́ʔɔ́	mílíkə̀	já
honey	def	sm	p 1	mix	with2. inan	milk	def
‘The honey got mixed with the milk.’

95. look líì

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	líì-nᵼ̀	búrə̀	já
pn	sm	look- ipfv	clouds	def
‘Ambe is looking at the clouds.’

96. take off tsɔ́ʔɔ́tə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	tsɔ́ʔɔ́tə̂	àtsə̀ʔə̀	jì
pn	sm	p 2	remove	dress	his
‘Ambe took off his shirt.’

97. dream (sleeping) ndzə̂-lɛ̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_mbi7i

X: SBJ

Y: mbi7i

Locus: Y

ndzə̂-lɛ̀	àmbɛ́	mbᵼ́ʔᵼ́	sùù
dream-sleep	pn	about	pn
‘Ambe dreams about Suh.’

98. agree bíì

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	bíì	nᵼ̀	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	agree	with1	pn
‘Ambe agreed with Suh.’

99. have a quarrel jɔ́ŋə̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_bo

X: SBJ

Y: bo

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	jɔ́ŋə̀	bó	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	quarrel	with2. anim	pn
‘Ambe had a quarrel with Suh.’

100. cost bə̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_BARE

X: SBJ

Y: BARE

Locus: Y

ndɔ́ŋ	jú	ᵼ̀	bə̀	ŋ̀kɣᵼ̀	jìmfùrᵼ̀
cup	this	sm	be	hundred	one
‘This cup costs one hundred.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate

101. shoot at túmə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	túmə̂	sᵼ́ŋ	wá
pn	sm	p 2	shoot	bird	def
‘Ambe shot the bird.’

102. pour nᵼ́ŋə́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	nᵼ́ŋə́	súgà	wá
pn	sm	p 2	put	sugar	def
‘Ambe poured the sugar.’

103. lose bwé

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	bwé	bɨ̀-kwáʔà	bàʔà	dʒí
pn	sm	p 2	lose	pl -opener	door	his
‘Ame lost his keys.’

104. sink sɨ́gə̂ ɣɛ̀ɛ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_a.mfeng

X: SBJ

Y: a.mfeng

Locus: Y

mamúʔù	tí	wá	à	kɨ̀	sɨ́gə̂	ɣɛ̀ɛ́	á	mfə̀ŋ	ŋ̀kxì	wá
big	stick	def	sm	p 2	descend	go	at	buttocks/ prep	water	def
‘The log sank in the water.’

105. kill ʒwítə́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	ʒwítə́	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	kill	pn
‘Ambe killed Suh.’

106. hit kwínə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	kwínə̂	sùù
pn	sm	p 2	hit	pn
‘Ambe hit Suh.’

107. kiss nɔ́ŋə̂ ǹtsù

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	nɔ́ŋə̂	ǹtsù	bì
pn	sm	p 2	suck	mouth	pn
‘Ambe kissed Bih.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

108. read tóŋtᵼ́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	tóŋtᵼ́	ŋwàʔànɨ̀	jìmɔ́ʔɔ̀	mə́	bɔ́ŋə̂
pn	sm	p 2	read	book	certain	that	nice
‘Ambe read a certain nice book.’

109. move (bodypart) tsᵼ́gᵼ́nᵼ̀

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	tsᵼ́gᵼ́nᵼ̀	nʃwèbô	jì
pn	sm	p 2	shake	finger	his
‘Ambe shook his finger.’

110. respect fá ŋgwóʔòrᵼ̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_mbo

X: SBJ

Y: mbo

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	fá	ŋgwóʔòrᵼ̀	mbô	sùù
pn	sm	give	respect	to	pn
‘Ambe respects Suh.’

111. be squeamish *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

112. be content dórə̂tə̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_ni

X: SBJ

Y: ni

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	dórə̂tə̀	nᵼ̀	mú	m̀bàŋnᵼ̀	jì
pn	sm	be_happy	with1	child	male	his
‘Ambe is satisfied with his son.’

113. fall in love lɔ̀gᵼ̀nə̂ kɔ̀ŋə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	lɔ̀gᵼ̀nə̂	kɔ̀ŋə̂	bì
pn	sm	p 2	begin	love	pn
‘Ambe fell in love with Bih.’

114. trust bíì

Valency pattern: SBJ_nu

X: SBJ

Y: nu

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	bíí-nᵼ̀	nú	sùù
pn	sm	agree- ipfv	body/ prep	pn
‘Ambe trusts Suh.’

115. sympathise kô mᵼ̀lᵼ̀ŋə̂

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àmbɛ́	à	kô	mᵼ̀lᵼ̀ŋə̂	ǹdì	jì
pn	sm	catch	sympathy	mother	his
‘Ambe sympathizes with his mother.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

116. envy tɛ́ʔɛ̂ nᵼ̀líʔî

Valency pattern: SBJ_a.atu.nu

X: SBJ

Y: a.atu.nu

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	tɛ́ʔɛ̂	nᵼ̀líʔî	á	àtû	nú	sùù
pn	sm	put	eye	at	head/ prep	body/ prep	pn
‘Ambe envies Suh.’

117. be angry lwǐ

Valency pattern: ntong_ni

X: ntong

Y: ni

Locus: XY

ntɔ̂ŋ	àmbɛ́	ᵼ̀	lwǐ	nᵼ̀	nú	sùù
neck/ prep	pn	sm	be_bitter	with1	body/ prep	pn
‘Ambe is angry with Suh.’

118. be surprised fúnᵼ̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_a

X: SBJ

Y: a

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	kɨ̀	fúnᵼ̀	á	àndásᵼ̀	júà
pn	sm	p 2	surprise	at	gift	this
‘Ambe was surprised at this gift.’

119. love (tea) kɔ̀ŋə̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	kɔ̀ŋə̂	tíí
pn	sm	love	tea
‘Ambe loves tea.’

120. enjoy kɔ̀ŋə̂

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àmbɛ́	à	kɔ̀ŋə̂	tíí	ᵼ̀lòò
pn	sm	love	tea	hot
‘Ambe loves hot tea.’
Note: Not included in the database because this translation is semantically inaccurate.

121. want lɔ̀ɔ̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	lɔ̀ɔ̂	ndə̀ŋ	jímfíî
pn	sm	want	mobile_phone	new
‘Ambe wants a new mobile phone.’

122. have a grudge bíʔî … múm ntᵼ́ᵼ́ jì

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àmbɛ́	à	bíʔî-nᵼ̀	sùù	múm	ntᵼ́ᵼ́	jì
pn	sm	carry- ipfv	pn	inside	heart	his
‘Ambe is angry with Suh.’

123. take offence jáŋə̀

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

nù	jìí	mə̀	sùù	ɣᵼ̀rə̂	ᵼ̀	kɨ̀	jáŋə̀	àmbɛ́
thing	which	comp	pn	make/do	sm	p 2	hurt	pn
‘What Suh did offended Ambe.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed in a dependent clause.

124. upset ɣᵼ̀rə̂ … lwǐ

Valency pattern: SBJ_ntong

X: SBJ

Y: ntong

Locus: Y

àmbɛ́	à	ɣᵼ̀rə̂	ntɔ̂ŋ	sùù	lwǐ	ʃíʔí	ʃíʔí
pn	sm	make	neck/ prep	pn	bitter	a_lot	a_lot
‘Ambe greatly upset Suh.’

125. marvel bɔ̀ŋə̂

Valency pattern: nu_a.nu

X: nu

Y: a.nu

Locus: XY

nú	àmbɛ́	ᵼ̀	kɨ̀	bɔ̀ŋə̂	á	nù	mûmə̀láʔà	jú
body/ prep	pn	sm	p 2	be_good	at	body/ prep	village_center	this
‘Ambe was impressed by this town.’

126. despise bǎ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àmbɛ́	à	bǎ	sùù
pn	sm	hate	pn
‘Ambe hates Suh.’
Note: Not included in the database because this translation is semantically inaccurate.

127. get upset lwǐ

Valency pattern: ntong_ni

X: ntong

Y: ni

Locus: XY

ntɔ̂ŋ	àmbɛ́	ᵼ̀	kɨ̀	lwǐ	nᵼ̀	mú	jì	m̀bàŋnᵼ̀
neck/ prep	pn	sm	p 2	be_bitter	with1	child	his	male
‘Ambe got upset with his son.’

128. get irritated kàmâ lwǐ

Valency pattern: ntong_ni

X: ntong

Y: ni

Locus: XY

ntɔ̂ŋ	àmbɛ́	ᵼ̀	kàmâ	lwǐ	nᵼ̀	mú	jì	màŋgjè
neck/ prep	pn	sm	getting	bitter	with1	child	his	female
‘Ambe is getting upset with his daughter.’

129. be fond kɔ̀ŋə̂

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àmbɛ́	à	kɔ̀ŋə̂	tʃí	m̀bɛ̀ɛ̀	bì
pn	sm	love	sit/stay	near	pn
‘Ambe loves being near Bih.’
Note: Not included in the database because the translation deviates too far from the stimulus sentence.

130. be shy dᵼ̀rə̂

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

àtû	àmbɛ́	dᵼ̀rə̂	nlóŋmə́	à	wúʔù
head/ prep	pn	heavy	because	he	short
‘Ambe is shy because he is short.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier and Y is expressed as a dependent clause. Non-verbal predicate.