BivalTyp

Bambara

Contributed by Valentin Vydrin (Academia.edu profile)

V.V.'s photo

The data were gathered in March and April 2023. The data have been checked using the following corpus:

Vydrin, Valentin & Maslinsky, Kirill & Méric, Jean Jacques & Rovenchak, Andrij. (2011–2023) Corpus Bambara de Référence.

Complicated cases were checked by Sékou Coulibaly, Bambara teacher at INALCO (Paris). The French version of the questionnaire was used for elicitation.

How to cite

Vydrin, Valentin. 2023. Bivalent patterns in Bambara. In: Say, Sergey (ed.). BivalTyp: Typological database of bivalent verbs and their encoding frames. (Data first published on April 19, 2023; last revised on June 6, 2024.) (Available online at https://www.bivaltyp.info, Accessed on .)

Basic info

Bambara (< Manding < Western Mande < Mande < Niger-Congo) is spoken mainly in Mali (West Africa) by more than 16 million people.

Grammar notes

Bambara is a tonal language with two basic tones, low and high. The basic word order is S AUX (O) V X, where S is a subject, V is a verb, AUX is an auxiliary word expressing grammatical semantics of tense, aspect, mode and polarity (in the Mandeist tradition, AUX are named "predicative markers"), O is a direct object (whose absence makes the verb intransitive), X is an oblique (indirect object or adjunct), most often represented by a postpositional phrase. The word order in NP is N2 – N1 (N1 is the head noun, N2 is the dependent noun), N – Adj (the adjectival modifier follows the head noun).

There is no morphological case on nouns.

Verb lemmas

Lemmas are shown in the form of bare stems.

Glossing abbreviations

ABSTR — suffix of abstract meaning; ART — tonal article; CNTRL — postposition with the meaning of control; COP — copula; EQU — copula in equative non-verbal sentence; INF — infinitive; INTR — intransitive; IPFV — imperfective; NMLZ — suffix of nominalization; PFV — perfective; PN — proper noun; POSS — possessive marker; PRES — presentative; PRIV — privative suffix; PROG — progressive; PTCP — participle; QUAL — qualitative predicative marker; REFL — reflexive pronoun; RES — resultative; SG — singular; TR — transitive.

Data

Subset examples by valency pattern
Subset examples by locus

1. feel pain dími

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ
X: DO
Y: SBJ
Locus: X
Sékù kùnkolo` dími
pn head\ art ipfv 3 sg be.sick
‘Seku has a headache.’
Note: The experiencer is first expressed as a possessor within the subject NP and then resumed as the direct object.

2. have (illness) mìnɛ

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ
X: DO
Y: SBJ
Locus: X
fàrigan` ye Sékù mìnɛ
fever\ art pfv . tr pn catch
‘Seku has a fever.’

3. be afraid síran

Valency pattern: SBJ_nye
X: SBJ
Y: nye
Locus: Y
Sékù síran wùlu` ɲɛ́
pn ipfv fear dog\ art before
‘Seku is afraid of a dog.’

4. throw fìli

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye kábakuru` fìli
pn pfv . tr stone\ art throw
‘Seku threw a stone.’

5. have enough bɔ́

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ
X: DO
Y: SBJ
Locus: X
wári` ye Sékù bɔ́
money\ art pfv . tr pn go.out
‘Seku has enough money.’

6. resemble bɔ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_fe
X: SBJ
Y: fe
Locus: Y
Sékù bɔ́-len bɛ́ Fùseni fɛ̀
pn go.out- ptcp . res be pn by
‘Seku resembles Fuseyni.’

7. believe dá

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
Sékù dá-len bɛ́ Fántà lá
pn lie.down- ptcp . res be pn in
‘Seku believes Fanta.’

8. take tà

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye gáfe` tà
pn pfv . tr book\ art take
‘Seku took a book.’

9. see yé

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù só` yé
pn ipfv house\ art see
‘Seku sees a house.’

10. influence dádigi

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
kɔ̀rɔ` dádigi` kɛ́nɛya` lá
old.age\ art ipfv penalize health\ art in
‘Old age negatively influences health.’

11. encounter bɛ̀n

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye Fántà bɛ̀n
pn pfv . tr pn meet
‘Seku encountered Fanta.’

12. enter dòn

Valency pattern: SBJ_kono
X: SBJ
Y: kono
Locus: Y
Sékù dòn-na só` kɔ́nɔ
pn enter- pfv . intr house\ art into
‘Seku entered a house.’

13. win sé sɔ̀rɔ

Valency pattern: SBJ_kan
X: SBJ
Y: kan
Locus: Y
Sékù ye sé` sɔ̀rɔ Fùséni kàn
pn pfv . tr power\ art gain pn on
‘Seku beat Fuseyni.’

14. go out bɔ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_kono
X: SBJ
Y: kono
Locus: Y
Sékù bɔ́-ra só` kɔ́nɔ
pn go.out- pfv . intr house\ art into
‘Seku left the house.’

15. drive gɛ́n

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù bɛ_kà mìsi` gɛ́n
pn prog cow\ art chase
‘Seku chases a cow.’

16. bend bíri

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye jíribolo` bíri
pn pfv . tr branch\ art bend
‘Seku bent a branch.’

17. tell fɔ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_ye
X: SBJ
Y: ye
Locus: Y
Sékù y'à fɔ́ Fántà yé: nà bɔ́ fɛ̀
pn pfv . tr .3 sg say pn as come go.out 1 sg by
‘Seku said to Fanta: call on me.’

18. hold bɛ́/tɛ́

Valency pattern: bolo_SBJ
X: bolo
Y: SBJ
Locus: X
gáfe` bɛ́ Sékù bólo
book\ art be pn cntrl
‘Seku holds a book in his hands.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

19. catch up kún

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
Sékù bòli-la dén` nɔ̀fɛ̀ kà kún lá
pn run- pfv . intr child\ art behind inf catch.up 3 sg in
‘Seku run after the child and caught him up.’

20. milk bíri

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Àbú ye mìsi` bíri
pn pfv . tr cow\ art milk
‘Abu milked a cow.’

21. reach sé

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
Sékù sé-ra báda` lá
pn reach- pfv . intr river_border\ art in
‘Seku reached the bank of the river.’

22. touch bólo màga

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
Sékù y'í bólo` màga só dɛnɛn` ná
pn pfv . tr . refl hand\ art touch house wall\ art in
‘Seku touched the wall of a house.’

23. fight kɛ̀lɛ

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù bɛ́_kà Fùséni kɛ̀lɛ
pn prog pn fight
‘Seku fights Fuseyni.’

24. be friends bɛ́/tɛ́ tériya` lá

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sékù ni Fùséni bɛ́ tériya` lá
pn and pn be friendship\ art in
‘Seku and Fuseyni are friends.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP. Non-verbal predicate.

25. think míiri

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
Sékù míiri Fántà lá
pn ipfv think pn in
‘Seku thinks about Fanta.’

26. eat dún

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye nàmasa` dún
pn pfv . tr banana eat
‘Seku ate a banana.’

27. fry jíran

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye jɛ́gɛ` jíran
pn pfv . tr fish\ art fry
‘Seku fried a fish.’

28. wait kɔ̀nɔ

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù Fántà kɔ̀nɔ
pn ipfv pn wait
‘Seku is waiting for Fanta.’

29. forget ɲìnɛ

Valency pattern: SBJ_ko
X: SBJ
Y: ko
Locus: Y
Sékù ɲìnɛ-na síra surun` kɔ́
pn forget- pfv . intr road short\ art behind
‘Seku forgot the short road.’

30. depend dúlon

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
fɛ́n sɔ̀ngɔ` dúlon-nen bɛ́ bònya` ná
thing price\ art hang- ptcp . res be 3 sg size\ art in
‘The price of a thing depends on its size.’

31. call wéele

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Fántà ye Sékù wéele
pn pfv . tr pn call
‘Fanta called Seku.’

32. get to know dɔ́n

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye Fántà dɔ́n sálòn
pn pfv . tr pn know last.year
‘Seku got to know Fanta last year.’

33. know dɔ́n

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù Fántà dɔ́n
pn ipfv pn know
‘Seku knows Fanta.’

34. play (instrument) fɔ́

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù bɛ́_kà nkòni` fɔ́
pn prog lute\ art say
‘Seku is playing the lute.’

35. avoid fɛ́ngɛ

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù Fántà fɛ́ngɛ
pn ipfv pn avoid
‘Seku avoids Fanta.’

36. make dílan

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye túlon-fɛn` dɔ́ dílan
pn pfv . tr play-thing\ art one make
‘Seku made a toy.’

37. make fun yɛ̀lɛ

Valency pattern: SBJ_ma
X: SBJ
Y: ma
Locus: Y
Sékù bɛ́_kà yɛ̀lɛ Fántà mà
pn prog laugh pn to
‘Seku mocks Fanta.’

38. have bɛ́/tɛ́

Valency pattern: bolo_SBJ
X: bolo
Y: SBJ
Locus: X
mɔ́bili` bɛ́ Sékù bólo
car\ art be pn cntrl
‘Seku has a car.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

39. look for ɲíni

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù bɛ́_kà kónɲin` ɲíni
pn prog key\ art search
‘Seku is looking for a key.’

40. paint ɲɛ̀gɛn

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye só` ɲɛ̀gɛn
pn pfv . tr house\ art paint
‘Seku painted the house.’

41. bite cín

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
wùlu` ye Sékù cín
dog\ art pfv . tr pn bite
‘A dog bit Seku.’

42. forfeit bɔ̀nɛ

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
Sékù bɔ̀nɛ-na ka só` lá
pn deprive- pfv . intr 3 sg poss house\ art in
‘Seku lost his house.’

43. try to catch ɲíni + kà mìnɛ

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ɲíni kà wùlu` mìnɛ
pn ipfv search inf dog\ art catch
‘Seku is trying to catch the dog.’

44. break kári

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye bére` kári
pn pfv . tr stick\ art break
‘Seku broke a stick.’

45. flatter bálima

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù bɛ́_kà Fántà bálima
pn prog pn flatter
‘Seku flatters Fanta.’

46. love (person) kànu

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù Fántà kànu
pn ipfv pn love
‘Seku loves Fanta.’

47. wave yúguyugu

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Fántà bɛ́_kà kùnnasirilan` yúguyugu
pn prog headscarf shake
‘Fanta shakes out a headscarf.’
Note: Not included in the database because this translation is semantically inaccurate.

48. dream *

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
*
*
*
Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

49. wash kò

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Fántà ye kúnan` kò
pn pfv . tr dish\ art wash
‘Fanta washed a dish.’

50. put on dòn

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye kùlusi` dòn
pn pfv . tr trousers\ art enter
‘Seku put on his trousers.’

51. be called kó

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
nìn fɔ́li-fɛn` tɔ́gɔ` kó dùnun
this music-thing\ art name\ art say drum
‘This musical instument is called "a drum".’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Non-verbal predicate.

52. punish ɲàngi

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye dén` ɲàngi
pn pfv . tr 3 sg child\ art punish
‘Seku punished his child.’

53. attack bìn

Valency pattern: SBJ_kan
X: SBJ
Y: kan
Locus: Y
wùlu` bìn-na dén` kàn
dog\ art fall- pfv . intr child\ art on
‘The dog attacked a child.’

54. fill (intr) fá

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
fílen` fá-ra jí` lá
gourd\ art fill- pfv . intr water\ art in
‘The gourd filled with water.’

55. find yé

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye kónɲin` yé
pn pfv . tr key\ art see
‘Sekou found the key.’

56. be short jɛ̀

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
dɔ́rɔmɛ mùgan ka wári` jɛ̀
5.francs twenty ipfv 1 sg poss money\ art lack
‘I am short 100 francs.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

57. hate kɔ́niya

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye Fátù kɔ́niya
pn pfv . tr pn hate
‘Seku hates Fatu.’

58. like dí

Valency pattern: ye_SBJ
X: ye
Y: SBJ
Locus: X
kùlusi ìn ka dí Sékù yé
pants this qual pleasant pn as
‘Seku likes these pants.’

59. need màgo` bɛ́/tɛ́

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sékù màgo` bɛ́ wári` lá
pn need\ art be money\ a rt in
‘Seku needs money.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Non-verbal predicate.

60. surround lámini

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
kógo` só` lámini
wall\ art ipfv house\ art surround
‘A wall surrounds the house.’

61. remain tó

Valency pattern: bolo_SBJ
X: bolo
Y: SBJ
Locus: X
fɔ́rɔmɛ kélen tó-ra Sékù bólo
5.francs one remain- pfv . intr pn cntrl
‘Seku has 5 francs left.’

62. answer jáabi

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye kàramɔgɔ` jáabi
pn pfv . tr teacher\ art answer
‘Seku answered the teacher.’

63. open dáyɛ̀lɛ

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye kɛ́su` dáyɛ̀lɛ
pn pfv . tr box\ art open
‘Seku opened the box.’

64. be different bɔ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
Sékù bɔ́-len bɛ́ Fùséni lá
pn go.out- ptcp . res be pn in
‘Seku is different from Fuseyni.’

65. fall behind tó

Valency pattern: SBJ_ko
X: SBJ
Y: ko
Locus: Y
Sékù tó-ra Fántà kɔ́
pn remain- pfv . intr pn behind
‘Seku fell behind Fanta.’

66. plough sɛ̀nɛ

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù bɛ́_kà fòro` sɛ̀nɛ
pn prog field\ art cultivate
‘Seku is cultivating a field.’

67. smell kasa` bɛ́/tɛ́

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
pètɔrɔli kasa` bɛ́ bólo` nɔ̀fɛ̀
oil smell\ art be 1 sg hand\ art on.trace
‘My hands smell like oil.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

68. cross tìgɛ

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye síra` tìgɛ
pn pfv . tr road\ art cut
‘Seku crossed the road.’

69. sing dá

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye dɔ̀nkili ɲuman` dá
pn pfv . tr song good\ art put
‘Seku sang a beautiful song.’

70. write sɛ́bɛn

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye lɛ́tɛrɛ` sɛ́bɛn
pn pfv . tr letter\ art write
‘Seku wrote a letter.’

71. drink mìn

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye jí` mìn
pn pfv . tr water\ art drink
‘Seku drank the water.’

72. melt yèelen

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye sánu-mugu` yèelen
pn pfv . tr gold-powder\ art melt
‘Seku melted the gold-dust.’

73. match tà

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
ka tàafe` ni ka sàbara` ɲɔ́gɔn tà.
2 sg poss wrapper\ art and 2 sg poss shoe\ art ipfv recp take
‘Your wrapper and your shoes go well together.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP.

74. leave bɔ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
Sékù bɔ́-ra ka dùgu` lá
pn go.out- pfv . intr 3 sg poss village\ art in
‘Seku left his village.’

75. cover dátugu

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
fìni` bɛ́_kà dén` dátugu
cloth\ art prog child\ art cover
‘A cloth covers a child.’

76. remember hákili` jìgin

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sékù hákili` jìgin-na ka dùgu` lá
pn reason\ art descend- pfv . intr 3 sg poss village\ art in
‘Seku remembers his village.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

77. help dɛ̀mɛ

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye Fántà dɛ̀mɛ
pn pfv . tr pn help
‘Seku helped Fanta.’

78. understand (language) fàamu

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye kúma ìn fàamu
pn pfv . tr speech this understand
‘Seku understood these words.’

79. hit (target) jìgin

Valency pattern: SBJ_kan
X: SBJ
Y: kan
Locus: Y
kàbapɛrɛn` jìgin-na só ìn kàn
lightning\ art descend- pfv . intr house this on
‘A lightning hit this house.’

80. cut oneself tìgɛ

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
mùru` y' bólo` tìgɛ
knife\ art pfv . tr 3 sg hand\ art cut
‘He cut his hand with a knife.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

81. get stuck nɔ́rɔ

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
fúra` nɔ́rɔ-la só-dɛnɛn` ná
leaf\ art stick- pfv . intr house-wall\ art in
‘A leaf sticked to the wall.’

82. lose (game) cɛ̀

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sékù ye dùgumasara` cɛ̀ marasibɔ` lá
pn pfv . tr defeat\ art collect cards\ art in
‘Segu lost in cards.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is not overtly expressed.

83. be glad nísɔndiya

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ
X: DO
Y: SBJ
Locus: X
lɛ́tɛrɛ` ye Sékù nísɔndiya
letter\ art pfv . tr pn gladden
‘Seku is glad about the letter.’

84. speak bàro

Valency pattern: SBJ_fe
X: SBJ
Y: fe
Locus: Y
Sékù bɛ́_kà bàro Fántà fɛ̀
pn prog talk pn by
‘Seku speaks with Fanta.’

85. give birth wólo

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
Fántà wólo-la dén` ná
pn give.birth- pfv . intr child\ art in
‘Fanta gave birth to a child.’

86. drop bɔ́ + bìn

Valency pattern: bolo_SBJ
X: bolo
Y: SBJ
Locus: X
mùru` bɔ́-ra kà bìn Sékù bólo
knife\ art go.out- pfv . intr inf fall pn cntrl
‘Seku dropped the knife.’
Note: This is a serial verb construction.

87. govern kùntigi yé

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sékù yé án ka dùgu` kùntigi yé
pn equ 1 pl poss village\ art chief as
‘Seku governs our village.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Non-verbal predicate.

88. miss ɲɛ́nafin` bɛ́/tɛ́

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
mùso` ɲɛ́nafin` bɛ́ lá
1 sg woman\ art sadness\ art be 1 sg in
‘I miss my wife.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Non-verbal predicate.

89. follow tùgu

Valency pattern: SBJ_ko
X: SBJ
Y: ko
Locus: Y
Sékù tùgu Fántà kɔ́
pn ipfv follow pn behind
‘Seku follows Fanta.’

90. dismount jìgin

Valency pattern: SBJ_kan
X: SBJ
Y: kan
Locus: Y
Sékù jìgin-na kà bɔ́ fàli` kàn
pn descend- pfv . intr inf go.out donkey\ art on
‘Seku got down from the donkey.’

91. listen túlomajɔ̀

Valency pattern: SBJ_fe
X: SBJ
Y: fe
Locus: Y
Sékù b'í túlomajɔ̀ àrajɔ` fɛ̀
pn ipfv . refl listen radio\ art by
‘Seku listens to the radio.’

92. obey kólo

Valency pattern: SBJ_ye
X: SBJ
Y: ye
Locus: Y
mùso` kólo cɛ̀` yé
woman\ art ipfv obey 3 sg man\ art as
‘A woman obeys her husband.’

93. hear mɛ́n

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù mànkan` mɛ́n
pn ipfv noise\ art hear
‘Seku hears a noise.’

94. mix ɲágami

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
fúraji` ɲágami-na jí` lá
medicine_water\ art mix.up- pfv . intr water\ art in
‘The liquid medicine mixed up with water.’

95. look fílɛ

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù bɛ́_kà kàbanɔgɔ-w fílɛ
pn prog cloud- pl look
‘Seku looks at the clouds.’

96. take off bɔ́

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye dùlɔki` bɔ́
pn pfv . tr gown\ art go.out
‘Seku took off the gown.’

97. dream (sleeping) sùgo

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
Sékù sùgo-ra Fántà lá
pn dream- pfv . intr pn in
‘Seku dreamt of Fanta.’

98. agree sɔ̀n

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sékù sɔ̀n-na Fántà tá mà
pn accept- pfv . intr pn property to
‘Seku agreed with Fanta.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

99. have a quarrel kɛ̀lɛ

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sékù ni Fántà kɛ̀lɛ-la
pn and pn quarrel- pfv . intr
‘Seku and Fanta quarrelled.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP.

100. cost yé/tɛ́

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
shɛ̀` sɔ̀ngɔ` yé kɛ̀mɛ náani yé
chicken\ art price\ art equ hundred four as
‘The price of a chicken is 2000 francs (= 400 times 5 francs).’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Non-verbal predicate.

101. shoot at bón

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
dònso` ye kɔ̀nɔ` bón
hunter\ art pfv . tr bird\ art shoot
‘The hunter shot at the bird.’

102. pour kɛ́

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye súkaromugu` kɛ́ tàbali` kàn
pn pfv . tr sugar_powder\ art do table\ art on
‘Seku poured some sugar on the table.’

103. lose bùrun

Valency pattern: ko_SBJ
X: ko
Y: SBJ
Locus: X
kónnɛgɛ` bùrun-na Sékù kɔ́
key\ art fall- pfv . intr pn behind
‘Seku has lost the key.’

104. sink túnun

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
jírikurun` túnun-na jí` lá
log\ art disappear- pfv . intr water\ art in
‘The log drowned in the water.’

105. kill fàga

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye wáraba` fàga
pn pfv . tr lion\ art kill
‘Seku killed a lion.’

106. hit bùgɔ

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye Fùséni bùgɔ
pn pfv . tr pn hit
‘Seku hit Fuseyni.’

107. kiss súmusumu

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sékù ye Fántà dá` súmusumu
pn pfv . tr pn mouth\ art smell
‘Seku kissed Fanta.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

108. read kàlan

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye lɛ́tɛrɛ` kàlan
pn pfv . tr letter\ art read
‘Seku read a letter.’

109. move (bodypart) lámàga

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù ye bólo` lámàga
pn pfv . tr 3 sg hand\ art move
‘Seku moved his hand.’

110. respect bònya

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù Fùséni bònya
pn ipfv pn respect
‘Seku respects Fuseyni.’

111. be squeamish ɲúgun

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
Sékù ɲúgun ntòri` lá
pn ipfv abhor frog\ art in
‘Seku abhors frogs.’

112. be content wàsa

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ
X: DO
Y: SBJ
Locus: X
dén` ye Sékù wàsa
child\ art pfv . tr pn satisfy
‘Seku is satisfied with the child.’

113. fall in love jàrabi

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
Sékù jàrabi-ra Fántà lá
pn love- pfv . intf pn in
‘Seku has fallen in love with Fanta.’

114. trust dá

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
Sékù dá-len bɛ́ Fántà lá
pn lie.down- ptcp . res be pn in
‘Seku trusts Fanta.’

115. sympathise hínɛ

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
Sékù hínɛ-na Fántà lá
pn pity- pfv . intr pn in
‘Seku sympathizes with Fanta.’

116. envy kɔ́niya

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù Fùséni kɔ́niya
pn ipfv pn envy
‘Seku envies Fuseyni.’

117. be angry dími

Valency pattern: SBJ_koro
X: SBJ
Y: koro
Locus: Y
Sékù dími-nɛn bɛ́ Fántà kɔ́rɔ
pn suffer- ptcp . res res pn under
‘Seku is angry with Fanta.’

118. be surprised kábakoya

Valency pattern: SBJ_la
X: SBJ
Y: la
Locus: Y
Sékù kábakoya-ra sàma` lá
pn surprise- pfv . intr gift\ art in
‘Seku was surprised by this gift.’

119. love (tea) bɛ́/tɛ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_fe
X: SBJ
Y: fe
Locus: Y
Sékù bɛ́ wòro` fɛ̀
pn be cola_nuts\ art by
‘Seku likes cola nuts.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

120. enjoy tɔ̀nɔbɔ́

Valency pattern: TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
Sékù bɛ́_kà àtayi` tɔ̀nɔbɔ́
pn prog tea\ art enjoy
‘Seku enjoys the tea.’

121. want bɛ́/tɛ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_fe
X: SBJ
Y: fe
Locus: Y
Sékù bɛ́ móto` fɛ̀
pn be motorcycle\ art by
‘Seku wants a motorcycle.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

122. have a grudge *

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
*
*
*
Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

123. take offence *

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
*
*
*
Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

124. upset dòn

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sékù dòn-na Fántà gàsi` lá
pn enter- pfv . intr pn guilt\ art in
‘Seku made Fanta sad.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

125. marvel kábakoya

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ
X: DO
Y: SBJ
Locus: X
dùgu` ye Sékù kábakoya
village\ art pfv . tr pn surprise
‘Seku was surprised by the village.’

126. despise fìsaya

Valency pattern: SBJ_ma
X: SBJ
Y: ma
Locus: Y
Sékù b' yɛ̀rɛ̂ fìsaya Fùséni mà
pn ipfv refl self prefer pn to
‘Seku despises Fuseyni.’

127. get upset dùsukasi

Valency pattern: SBJ_fe
X: SBJ
Y: fe
Locus: Y
Fùséni dùsukasi-len dòn dén` fɛ̀.
pn sadden- ptcp . res cop . pres 3 sg child\ art by
‘Fuseyni is sad because of his child.’

128. get irritated ládimi

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ
X: DO
Y: SBJ
Locus: X
Fántà ye Sékù ládimi
pn pfv . tr pn irritate
‘Fanta irritated Seku.’

129. be fond ɲuman` + COP + ɲɛ́sin

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
míiriya ɲuman` bɛ́ Sékù lá k’ ɲɛ́sin Fántà mà.
thought good\ art be pn in inf 3 sg direct pn to
‘Seku is fond of Fanta.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP within a dependent clause.

130. be shy dègun

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ
X: DO
Y: SBJ
Locus: X
wári-ntan-ya` bɛ́_kà Sékù dègun
money- priv - abstr \ art prog pn embarrass
‘Seku is embarrassed by the lack of money.’