BivalTyp

West Central Oromo

Contributed by Wakweya Gobena (Academia.edu profile).

W.G.'s photo

The data were gathered in 2023. The English version of the questionnaire was used for elicitation.

How to cite

Gobena, Wakweya. 2023. Bivalent patterns in West Central Oromo. In: Say, Sergey (ed.). BivalTyp: Typological database of bivalent verbs and their encoding frames. (Data first published on May 11, 2023; last revised on May 24, 2023.) (Available online at https://www.bivaltyp.info, Accessed on .)

Basic info

Grammar notes

Basic clause structure and the transitive construction

Oromo has SOV syntax with head-initial NPs, showing a typologically uncommon combination of verb-finality versus head-modifier order. In terms of alignment of NPs, it belongs to the marked-nominative type, the uniquely African phenomenon: here, A and S employ identical explicit markers (nominative form), which differentiates them from O, which is formally unmarked (absolutive form). The alignment pattern here is like in the accusative languages (nominative-accusative alignment) because it treats S and A similarly against the O, but what is unusual is that the unmarked form signals the O argument.

(1)  barattoot-ni    kitaaba   fuɗ-at-an-i
     student-NOM     book.ABS  take-MID-3PL-PFV
     ‘Students took books.’

(2)  inni       (u)nu    waam-a
     3SG.M.NOM  1PL.ABS  call-3SG.M.IPFV
     ‘He calls/invites us.’

The verb indexes the subject for person, number, and gender. The indexing is explicit with most subjects, including the 3PL agent in (1), while others, including the 3SG.M subject in (2), are zero-indexed.

General morphological profile

Oromo is a predominantly suffixing language and can be characterized by a complex morphological system where some elements are loaded with several functions. In addition, morphemes are fused together involving varied and intricate phonological processes. For instance, vowel length shows multiple functions by itself and in combination with other suffixes.

Case system

Nouns and pronouns are morphologically marked for case. The common cases in Oromo include nominative, absolutive, dative, genitive, instrumental, locative, ablative, and vocative. The absolutive is just the citation form while the others are distinctly marked. The case system is categorized as the core case (nominative, absolutive) and the peripheral case (the remaining ones). Below are a few case paradigms for (in)definite nouns.

Table 1. Case paradigm

Case Marker INDEF Gloss DEF Gloss
NOM -ni nam-ni man-NOM nam-ttʃ-i man-DEF-NOM
ABS citation nama man.ABS mam-ittʃa man-DEF.ABS
DAT vowel length+f namaaf man.DAT nam-ittʃaaf man-DEF.DAT
GEN (kan)vowel length (kan) namaa (GEN) man.GEN (kan) nam-ittʃaa (GEN) man-DEF.GEN
INS vowel length+n namaan man.INS nam-ittʃaan man-DEF.INS
LOC -tti nama-tti man-LOC nam-ittʃa-tti man-DEF-LOC
ABL vowel length eessaa where.ABL - -
irraa nama irraa man.ABS on-ABL nam-ittʃa irraa man-DEF.ABS on-ABL
VOC -na nama-na man-VOC - -

The non-core cases are primarily associated with spatial senses, and they often involve vowel length in the morphological marking. The ablative is signalled by the vowel length and usually involves the adposition irra ‘on’ as its host, cf. seenaa irraa [history.ABS on.ABL] ‘from history’. The vowel length on the right-most constituent of the possessor NP marks the genitive case and is sometimes paired with the particle kan before the possessor.

(3)  mala          (kan)  nama  gabaabaa
     strategy.ABS  (GEN)  man   short.GEN
     ‘strategy of a short man’

(4)  sangaa  (kan)  nam-ittʃaa
     ox.ABS  (GEN)  man-DEF.GEN
     ‘the man’s ox’

The locative marker is a suffix -tti attached to a noun or pronoun, but it sometimes occurs as itti in the discourse (as a pronominal element).

(5)  kubbaa    isaan-tti  darbaɗɗ-u
     ball.ABS  3PL-LOC    throw.2SG-IMP
     ‘Throw a ball to them.’

(6)  kubbaa    itti  darbaɗɗ-u
     ball.ABS  LOC   throw.2SG-IMP
     ‘Throw a ball to them/him/her.’ (The addressee is discourse specific.)  

Verbs

There are main verbs, copulas, and auxiliaries in Oromo. The main verbs identify perfective and imperfective aspects, but some sort of tense is also observable with auxiliary verbs. The perfective aspect is marked by the suffixes [-e, -i], and the imperfective by [-a, -u, -i] occurring as final morphemes in the sequence of suffixes. The potential verb suffixes marking the middle, causative, and passive are followed by the subject indexes and the aspect markers, and the verb indexes the subject/agent argument for person, number, and gender.

Table 2ː Agreement suffixes and imperfective aspect markers (exemplified by the verb root raf- 'to sleep')

Persons AGR IPFV Inflected form Translation
1SG -Ø- -a raf-a ‘I sleep.’
2SG -t- -a raf-t-a ‘You sleep.’
3SGM -Ø- -a raf-a ‘He sleeps.’
3SGF -t- -i raf-t-i ‘She sleeps.’
1PL -n- -a raf-n-a ‘We sleep.’
2PL - t - -u raf-t-u ‘You sleep (PL)’
3PL - Ø - -u raf-u ‘They sleep.’

The copulas are ɗa, -ti, Ø used in the present tense (e.g., iʃeen barattuu ɗa ‘she is a student’), and the negative copula is miti (e.g., iʃeen barattuu miti ‘she is not a student’). The past forms of copular clauses involve the existential auxiliary tur- ‘existed/there was’ (e.g., iʃeen barattuu turte ‘she was a student.’). The verb tur- attaches agreement suffix and aspect marker. The auxiliaries dʒir- ‘exists/there is’ and tur- ‘existed/there was’ are often used in the converb constructions and progressive verb forms.

Verb lemmas

Verbs are quoted in their perfective or imperfective stems. The verb forms like waammata ‘he calls for himself’ are used as citation forms below; these forms contain valency changing suffixes (if necessary) as well as the 3SG.M subject index and aspect markers.

Glossing abbreviations

1, 2, 3 — 1st, 2nd, 3rd person; ABL — ablative; ABS — absolutive; AGR — agreement; AUX — auxiliary; CAUS — causative; CONV — converb; COP — copula; DAT — dative; DEF — definite; EP — epenthetical; F — feminine; FOC — focus; GEN — genitive; INF — infinitive; INS — instrumental; IPFV — imperfective; LOC — locative; M — masculine; MID — middle; NOM — nominative; NP — noun phrase; NPST — non-past; PASS — passive; POSS — possessive; PFV — perfective; PL — plural; PN — person name; PROG — progressive; SG — singular.

Data

Subset examples by valency pattern
Subset examples by locus

1. feel pain ɗukkuba

Valency pattern: ABS_NOM
X: ABS
Y: NOM
Locus: X
obsaa-n mataa-n isa ɗukkub-a
pn - nom head- nom 3 sg . m . abs pain-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa has a headache.’
Note: The first NP is fronted, but this is not obligatory.

2. have (illness) k'aba

Valency pattern: ABS_NOM
X: ABS
Y: NOM
Locus: X
k'ufaa-n obsaa k'ab-e
flu- nom pn . abs catch-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa has the flu.’

3. be afraid sodaata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n sar-ittʃa sodaat-e
pn - nom dog- def . abs be_afraid.3 sg . m - pfv
‘Obsa is afraid of the dog.’

4. throw darbata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n dursa ɗakaa darbat-e
pn - nom first stone. abs throw-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa threw a stone first.’

5. have enough gahaa k'aba

Valency pattern: NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
amma obsaa-n k'arʃii gahaa k'ab-a
now pn - nom money. abs enough. abs have-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Now Obsa 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 fakkaata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n tolaa fakkaat-a
pn - nom pn . abs resemble-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa resembles Tolaa.’

7. believe amana

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n tolaa aman-a
pn - nom pn . abs believe-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa believes Tolaa.’

8. take fuɗata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n kitaaba fuɗat-e
pn - nom book. abs take-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa took a book.’

9. see arga

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n mana arg-a
pn - nom house. abs see-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa sees a house.’

10. influence ɗiibbaa k'aba

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSirratti
X: NOM
Y: ABSirratti
Locus: Y
umurii-n jaadattʃuu irra-tti ɗiibbaa k'ab-a
age- nom memory. abs on- loc influence have-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Age influences memory.’

11. encounter ɗufa

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
obsaa-n tolaa-tti ɗuf-e
pn - nom pn - loc come-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa encountered Tolaa.’

12. enter seena

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n mana seen-e
pn - nom house. abs enter-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa entered the house.’

13. win moʔa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n tolaa moʔ-e
pn - nom pn . abs beat-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa beat Tolaa.’

14. go out gadi baʔa

Valency pattern: NOM_ABL
X: NOM
Y: ABL
Locus: Y
obsaa-n manaa gadi=baʔ-e
pn - nom house. abl down=go_out-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa went out of thehouse.’

15. drive oofa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n saʔ-ittii oof-aa dʒir-a
pn - nom cow- def . abs drive- prog aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is driving the cow.’

16. bend dʒallisa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n dam-ittʃa dʒall-i-s-e
pn - nom branch- def . abs bend- ep - caus -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa bent the branch.’

17. tell dʒeɗa

Valency pattern: NOM_INS
X: NOM
Y: INS
Locus: Y
obsaa-n tolaa-ɗaan "..." dʒeɗ-e
pn - nom pn - ins say-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa said to Tola... ’

18. hold k'abata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n kitaaba k'ab-at-ee dʒir-a
pn - nom book. abs hold- mid - pfv . conv aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is holding a book.’

19. catch up k'ak'k'abata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n boontuu k'ak'k'ab-at-e
pn - nom pn . abs catch_up- mid -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa caught up with Bontu.’

20. milk elma

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n saʔ-ittii elm-e
pn - nom cow- def . abs milk-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa milked the cow.’

21. reach gaha

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n k'ark'ara lagaa gah-e
pn - nom bank. abs river. gen reach-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa reached the river bank.’

22. touch itti buʔa

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
obsaa-n keeɲɲan-itti buʔ-e
pn - nom wall- loc strike-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa touched the wall.’

23. fight wal lola

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSwaddzin
X: NOM
Y: ABSwaddzin
Locus: Y
obsaa-n tolaa waddʒin wal lol-aa dʒir-a
pn - nom pn . abs with each_other fight- prog aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is fighting with Tola.’

24. be friends hirijaa=ɗa

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSwaddzin
X: NOM
Y: ABSwaddzin
Locus: Y
obsaa-n tolaa waddʒin hirijaa=ɗa
pn - nom pn . abs with friend= cop . npst
‘Obsa is friend with Tola.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

25. think jaada

Valency pattern: NOM_waa7eeGEN
X: NOM
Y: waa7eeGEN
Locus: Y
obsaa-n waaʔee boontuu jaad-aa dʒir-a
pn - nom about pn . gen think- prog aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is thinking about Bontu.’

26. eat ɲaata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n appilii ɲaat-e
pn - nom apple. abs eat-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa ate an apple.’

27. fry biltʃeessa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
gurbaa-n k'urt'umm-ittʃa biltʃ-eess-e
boy- nom fish- def . abs fry- caus -3 sg . m . pfv
‘The boy fried the fish’

28. wait eega

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n tolaa eeg-aa dʒir-a
pn - nom pn . abs wait- prog aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is waiting for Tola.’

29. forget irraanfata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n karaa isa kan biraa irraanfat-ee dʒir-a
pn - nom road. abs 3 sg . m . abs of other. gen forget- pfv . conv aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa forgot the other road.’

30. depend hundaaʔa

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSirratti
X: NOM
Y: ABSirratti
Locus: Y
jaadattʃuu-n umurii irra-tti hundaaʔ-a
memory- nom age. abs on- loc depend-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Memory depends on age.’

31. call waammata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n boontuu waamm-at-e
pn - nom pn . abs call- mid -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa called Bontu.’

32. get to know wal bara

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n boontuu waddʒin waggaa tokko dura wal bar-e
pn - nom pn . abs with year one before each_other learn-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa got to know Bontu a year ago.’

33. know beeka

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n boontuu beek-a
pn - nom pn . abs know-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa knows Bontu.’

34. play (instrument) tap'ata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
nam-ittʃ-i gitaara tap'attʃ-aa dʒir-a
man- def - nom guitar. abs play- prog aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is playing a guitar.’

35. avoid ooda

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n tolaa ood-a
pn - nom pn . abs avoid-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa avoids Tola.’

36. make hoddʒeta

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n kijjoo hantuutaa hoddʒet-e
pn - nom trap. abs mouse. gen make-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa made a mousetrap.’

37. make fun k'oosa

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
obsaa-n tolaa-tti k'oos-aa dʒir-a
pn - nom pn - loc make_fun- prog aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is making fun of Tola.’

38. have k'aba

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
nam-ittʃ-i konkolaataa k'ab-a
man- def - nom car. abs have-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘The man has a car.’

39. look for barbaada

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n furtuu-wwan isaa barbaad-aa dʒir-a
pn - nom key- pl . abs 3 sg . m . poss look_for- prog aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is looking for his keys,’

40. paint halluu diba

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n dallaa sana halluu dib-e
pn - nom fence. abs that. abs color paint-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa painted the fence.’

41. bite tʃiniina

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
saree-n tolaa tʃ'iniin-t-e
dog- nom pn . abs bite-3 sg . f - pfv
‘A dog bit Tola.’

42. forfeit ɗaba

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n mana isaa ɗab-e
pn - nom house. abs 3 sg . m . poss lose-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa lost his house.’

43. try to catch k'abuuf jaala

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
gurbaa-n adurr-ittii k'abuu-f jaal-aa dʒir-a
boy- nom cat- def . abs catch. inf -to try- prog aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘The boy is trying to catch the cat.’

44. break tʃ'aba

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n ulee tʃ'ab-s-e
pn - nom stick. abs break- caus -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa broke a stick.’

45. flatter dʒadʒa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n boontuu dʒadʒ-aa dʒir-a
pn - nom pn . abs flatter- prog aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is flattering Bontu.’

46. love (person) dʒaallata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n boontuu dʒaallat-a
pn - nom pn . abs love-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa loves Bontu.’

47. wave mirmirsa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n alaabaa mirmirs-aa dʒir-a
pn - nom flag. abs wave- prog aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is waving a flag.’

48. dream abdʒata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n konkolaataa haaraa abdʒattʃ-aa dʒir-a
pn - nom car. abs new. abs dream- prog aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is dreaming of a new car.’

49. wash ɗik'a

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n waantʃ-ittʃa ɗik'-e
pn - nom cup- def . abs wash-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa washed the cup.’

50. put on fuffata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n surree uffat-e
pn - nom trousers. abs put_on-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa put on trousers.’

51. be called dʒeɗa

Valency pattern: NOM_BARE
X: NOM
Y: BARE
Locus: Y
meeʃaa-n kun kompaasii dʒeɗ-am-a
tool- nom this. nom compass. abs say- pass -3 sg . m . ipfv
‘This tool is called a compass.’

52. punish adaba

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
nam-ittʃ-i mutʃ'aa isaa adab-e
man- def - nom son. abs 3 sg . m . poss punish-3 sg . m . pfv
‘The man punished his son.’

53. attack haleela

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
risaa-n adamsituu sana haleel-e
bear- nom hunter. abs that. abs attack-3 sg . m . pfv
‘A bear attacked the hunter.’

54. fill (intr) guuta

Valency pattern: NOM_INS
X: NOM
Y: INS
Locus: Y
baald-ittʃ-i biʃaan-iin guut-e
bucket- def - nom water- ins fill-3 sg . m . pfv
‘The bucket filled with water.’

55. find argata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n furtuu isaa arg-at-e
pn - nom key. abs 3 sg . m . poss see- mid -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa found his keys.’

56. be short ɗaba

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n birrii tokko ɗab-e
pn - nom birr. abs one. abs lack-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa lacks one birr.’

57. hate dʒibba

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n tolaa ni dʒibb-a
pn - nom pn . abs foc hate-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa hates Tola.’

58. like dʒaallata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n ʃamizii kana dʒaallat-a
pn - nom shirt this. abs like-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa likes this shirt.’

59. need barbaada

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n k'arʃii barbaad-a
pn - nom money. abs need-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa needs money.’

60. surround marsa

Valency pattern: INS_NOM
X: INS
Y: NOM
Locus: X
magaal-ittʃ-i keeɲɲan-iin marf-am-ee dʒir-a
city- def - nom wall- ins circle- pass - conv aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘The walls surround the city.’

61. remain hafa

Valency pattern: DAT_NOM
X: DAT
Y: NOM
Locus: X
obsaa-n birrii-n kuɗan isaa-f haf-e
pn - nom birr- nom ten. nom 3 sg . m - dat remain-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa has ten birr left.’
Note: The first NP is fronted, but this is not obligatory. The subject is not grammatically marked for the plural, hence no PL index on the verb.

62. answer deebii kenna

Valency pattern: NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
obsaa-n bar-siis-ittʃaa-f deebii kenn-e
pn - nom learn- caus - def - dat answer. abs give-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa answered the teacher.’

63. open bana

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n k'aruura ban-e
pn - nom can. abs open-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa opened a can.’

64. be different adda=ɗa

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSirraa
X: NOM
Y: ABSirraa
Locus: Y
lakki ʃamizii-n=koo kan=kee irraa adda=ɗa
no shirt- nom =1 sg . poss of=2 sg . poss on. abl different= cop . npst
‘No, my shirt is different from yours.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

65. fall behind hafa

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSbiraa
X: NOM
Y: ABSbiraa
Locus: Y
obsaa-n kuf-ee tolaa biraa haf-e
pn - nom fall- conv pn . abs beside. abl remain-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa fell and remained behind Tola.’

66. plough k'ota

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n laf-ittʃa k'ot-aa dʒir-a
pn - nom land- def . abs plough- prog aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is ploughing the land.’

67. smell dʒeɗa

Valency pattern: NOM_RDP
X: NOM
Y: RDP
Locus: Y
hark-i=koo benzina benzina dʒeɗ-a
hand- nom =1 sg . poss gasoline gasoline say-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘My hands smell like gasoline.’

68. cross k'at't'aamura

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n daandii k'at't'aamur-e
pn - nom road. abs cross-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa crossed the road.’

69. sing sirba

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n sirba bareedaa sirb-e
pn - nom song. abs beautiful. abs sing-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa sang a beautiful song.’

70. write barreessa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n t'alajaa barreess-e
pn - nom letter. abs write-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa wrote a letter.’

71. drink ɗuga

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n aannan-ittʃa ɗug-e
pn - nom milk- def . abs drink-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa drank the milk.’

72. melt bak'sa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n liidii t'ik'k'oo tokko bak'-s-e
pn - nom lead. abs small. abs one melt- caus -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa melted a piece of lead.’

73. match wal sima

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSwaddzin
X: NOM
Y: ABSwaddzin
Locus: Y
sak'k'ii-n kun uffata=koo waddʒin wal sim-a
belt- nom this. nom dress=1 sg . poss with each_other match-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘This belt matches my dress.’

74. leave gadi ɗiisa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n magaalaa keessa-tti ɗal-at-e gadi ɗiis-e
pn - nom city. abs in- loc give_birth- mid -3 sg . m . pfv down leave-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa left his native city.’

75. cover uwwisa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
afaa-n sun laf-ittʃa guutummaan uwwis-a
carpet- nom that. nom space- def . abs fully cover-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘The carpet fully covers the space.’

76. remember jaadata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n man-ittʃa sirrii-tti jaadat-a
pn - nom house- def . abs right- loc remember-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa remembers the house well.’

77. help gargaara

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n boontuu gargaar-e
pn - nom pn . abs help-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa helped Bontu.’

78. understand (language) ɗagaʔa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
boontuu-n afaan faransaayii ɗageessi
pn - nom language. abs f rance. gen hear.3 sg . f . ipfv
‘Bontu understands French.’

79. hit (target) rukkuta

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
balak'k'eessaa-n man-ittʃa rukkut-e
lightening- nom house- def . abs hit-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Lightening hit the house.’

80. cut oneself of mura

Valency pattern: NOM_INS
X: NOM
Y: INS
Locus: Y
obsaa-n k'arabaa-ɗaan of mur-e
pn - nom razor- ins himself cut-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa cut himself with a razor.’

81. get stuck k'aba

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
burtʃ'uk'k'-ittʃ-i mindʒaala-tti k'ab-at-e
glass- def - nom table- loc hold- mid -3 sg . m . pfv
‘The glass got stuck to the table.’

82. lose (game) moʔa + PASS

Valency pattern: NOM_INS
X: NOM
Y: INS
Locus: Y
obsaa-n tolaa-ɗaan moʔ-am-e
pn - nom pn - ins win- pass -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa lost to Tola.’

83. be glad gammada

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
obsaa-n t'alajaa sana-tti gammad-e
pn - nom letter. abs that- loc please-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa was glad about the letter.’

84. speak odeessa

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSwaddzin
X: NOM
Y: ABSwaddzin
Locus: Y
obsaa-n tolaa waddʒin odeess-aa dʒir-a
pn - nom pn . abs with speak- prog aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is speaking with Tola.’

85. give birth daʔa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
boontuu-n ilma deesse
pn - nom son. abs give_birth.3 sg . f . pfv
‘Bontu gave birth to a son.’

86. drop buusa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n burtʃ'uk'k'oo lafa buus-e
pn - nom glass. abs ground drop. caus -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa dropped a glass.’

87. govern geggeessa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n magaalaa keeɲɲa geggeess-a
pn - nom town. abs 3 pl . poss run-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa runs/governs our town.’

88. miss jaada

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n boontuu jaad-a
pn - nom pn . abs miss-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa misses Bontu.’

89. follow hordofa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n boontuu hordof-a
pn - nom pn . abs follow-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa follows Bontu.’

90. dismount buʔa

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSirraa
X: NOM
Y: ABSirraa
Locus: Y
nam-ittʃ-i fard-ittʃa irraa buʔ-e
man- def - nom horse- def . abs on. abl get_down-3 sg . m . pfv
‘The man got down from the horse.’

91. listen ɗaggeeffata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n raadijoo ɗaggeeffattʃ-aa dʒir-a
pn - nom radio. abs listen- prog aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is listening to radio.’

92. obey ɗagaʔa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n jeroo hunda haaɗa isaa ɗagaʔ-a
pn - nom time all mother. abs 3 sg . m . poss hear-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa always listens to his mother.’

93. hear ɗaggeeffata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n sirb-ittʃa ni ɗaggeeffat-a
pn - nom music- def . abs foc listen-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa listens/hears the song.’

94. mix wal maka

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSwaddzin
X: NOM
Y: ABSwaddzin
Locus: Y
damm-ttʃ-i aannan waddʒin wal mak-e
honey- def - nom milk. abs with each_other mix-3 sg . m . pfv
‘The honey got mixed with the milk.’

95. look ilaala

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n duumessa ilaal-aa dʒir-a
pn - nom cloud. abs look- prog aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is looking at the cloud.’

96. take off baasa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n ʃamizii isaa of irraa baas-e
pn - nom shirt. abs 3 sg . m . poss self on. abl take_off-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa took off his shirt.’

97. dream (sleeping) abdʒata

Valency pattern: NOM_waa7eeGEN
X: NOM
Y: waa7eeGEN
Locus: Y
obsaa-n waaʔee boontuu abdʒat-a
pn - nom about pn . gen dream-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa deams about Bontu.’

98. agree walii gala

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSwaddzin
X: NOM
Y: ABSwaddzin
Locus: Y
obsaa-n boontuu waddʒin wal-ii gal-e
pn - nom pn . abs with each_other-for enter-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa agreed with Bontu.’

99. have a quarrel wal ɗaba

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSwaddzin
X: NOM
Y: ABSwaddzin
Locus: Y
obsaa-n boontuu waddʒin wal ɗab-e
pn - nom pn . abs with each_other. abs lose-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa had a quarrel with Bontu.’

100. cost baasa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
waantʃ'aa-n kun birrii tokko baas-a
cup- nom this. nom birr one. abs cost-3 sg . m . pfv
‘This cup costs one birr.’

101. shoot at ɗukaasa

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
obsaa-n simbirroo sana-tti ɗukaas-e
pn - nom bird. abs that- loc shoot-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa shot at the bird.’

102. pour nak'a

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n sukkaara burtʃ'uk'k'oo-tti nak'-e
pn - nom sugar. abs glass- loc pour-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa poured sugar into a glass.’

103. lose gata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n furtuu-wwan isaa gat-e
pn - nom key- pl . abs 3 sg . m . poss lose-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa lost his keys.’

104. sink gadi lit'a

Valency pattern: NOM_ABSkeessatti
X: NOM
Y: ABSkeessatti
Locus: Y
dʒirm-ittʃ-i biʃaan keessa-tti gadi lit'-e
log- def - nom water. abs in- loc down get-3 sg . m . pfv
‘The log sank in the water.’

105. kill addʒeesa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n tolaa addʒees-e
pn - nom pn . abs kill-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa killed Tola.’

106. hit rukkuta

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n boontuu rukkut-e
pn - nom pn . abs hit-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa hit Bontu.’

107. kiss ɗungata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n boontuu ɗungat-e
pn - nom pn . abs kiss-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa kissed Bontu.’

108. read dubbisa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n kitaaba bajeessa dubbis-e
pn - nom book. abs good read-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa read a good book.’

109. move (bodypart) sottʃoosa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n k'uba isaa sottʃoos-e
pn - nom finger. abs 3 sg . m . poss move. caus -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa moved his finger.’

110. respect kabadʒa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n tolaa kabadʒ-a
pn - nom pn . abs respect-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa respects Tola.’

111. be squeamish aara

Valency pattern: NOM_waa7eeGEN
X: NOM
Y: waa7eeGEN
Locus: Y
obsaa-n waaʔee k'odaa t'uraaʔaa aar-a
pn - nom about object dirty. gen be_squeamish-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa is squeamish about the dirty dishes.’

112. be content itti k'uufa

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
obsaa-n ilma isaa-tti k'uuf-a
pn - nom son. abs 3 sg . m . poss - loc be_satisfied-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa is satisfied with his son.’

113. fall in love k'aba

Valency pattern: ABS_ABSirraa
X: ABS
Y: ABSirraa
Locus: XY
gurb-ittʃa boontuu irraa dʒaalalli isa k'ab-e
boy- def . abs pn . abs on- abl love- nom 3 sg . m . abs catch-3 sg . m . pfv
‘The boy fell in love with Bontu.’

114. trust amana

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n tolaa aman-a
pn - nom pn . abs trust-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa trusts Tola.’

115. sympathise gadda

Valency pattern: NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
obsaa-n haaɗa isaa-f in gadd-a
pn - nom mother. abs 3 sg . m . poss - dat foc be_pity-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa feels sorry for his mother.’

116. envy inaafa

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
obsaa-n tolaa-tti inaaf-a
pn - nom pn - loc envy-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa invies Tola.’

117. be angry aara

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
obsaa-n tolaa-tti aaree dʒir-a
pn - nom pn - loc be_angry-3 sg . m . conv aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa remains angry with Tola.’

118. be surprised adʒaaʔibsiisata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n kennaa kana adʒaaʔib-siif-at-e
pn - nom gift. abs this. abs surprise- caus - mid -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa was surprised at this gift.’

119. love (tea) dʒaallata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n ʃaajii dʒaallat-a
pn - nom tea. abs love-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa loves tea.’

120. enjoy itti gammada

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
obsaa-n ʃaajii hoʔaa-tti gammad-a
pn - nom tea. abs hot- loc enjoy-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa enjoys hot tea.’

121. want barbaada

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n bilbila haaraa barbaad-a
pn - nom phone. abs new want-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa wants a new mobile phone.’

122. have a grudge haaloo k'aba

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
obsaa-n boontuu-tti haaloo k'ab-at-ee dʒir-a
pn - nom pn - loc grudge. abs hold- mid - conv aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa has held a grudge against Bontu.’

123. take offence mufata

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
obsaa-n tolaa-tti mufat-e
pn - nom pn - loc take_offence-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa took offence at Tola.’

124. upset mufattʃiisa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n boontuu baajjee mufattʃiis-e
pn - nom pn . abs greatly be_annoyed. caus -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa greatly upset Bontu.’

125. marvel adʒaaʔibsiisata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n magaala-ttii adʒaaʔib-siis-at-e
pn - nom town- def . abs impress- caus - mid -3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa was impressed by the town.’

126. despise tuffata

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n tolaa tuffat-a
pn - nom pn . abs despise-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa despises Tola.’

127. get upset aara

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
obsaa-n ilma isaa-tti aar-e
pn - nom son. abs 3 sg . m . poss - loc get_upset-3 sg . m . pfv
‘Obsa got upset with his son.’

128. get irritated aara

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
obsaa-n intala isaa-tti aar-ee dʒir-a
pn - nom daughter. abs 3 sg . m . poss - loc irritate- conv aux -3 sg . m . npst
‘Obsa is getting angry at his daughter.’

129. be fond leellisa

Valency pattern: TR
X: NOM
Y: ABS
Locus: TR
obsaa-n nam-ittʃa in leellis-a
pn - nom man- def . abs foc like-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa likes the man.’

130. be shy k'aanaʔa

Valency pattern: NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
obsaa-n hoddʒaa isaa-tti in k'aanaʔ-a
pn - nom height. abs 3 sg . m . poss - loc foc be_shy-3 sg . m . ipfv
‘Obsa is embarrassed about his height.’