Idioms of Numi: view article

My stomach is eating itself.
きごぜえわ　ぬてくし。
Kigozēwa nutekushi.
3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent-eat-PROGProgressive (aspect)
be verb-ing my-stomach-ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent
Meaning: I'm really hungry.

You can also say simply きごぜえわ！

I spoke first!
のしっぱじ　でぞ！
Noshippaji dezo!
1First person (person)
speaker, signer, etc; I.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument-speak-PSTPast (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech first
Used in the same way obnoxious little siblings whine "I told you so!" after being proven right, or else to claim first rights to something, as in "I called it first!"

A problem has stopped
づはだん。
Dzuhadan.
problem-CESCessative (aspect)
exiting/ending a state
This is a brief but polite response to a sincere apology. It acknowledges that whatever you're apologizing for used to be a problem, but it's not anymore and I accept your apology.

Having years
There are two common ways to say how old you are:

のづおで　どっさ「たちら」　ぜぼり。
Nodzuode dossa(tachira) zebori.
1First person (person)
speaker, signer, etc; I.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument-live-INCHInchoative (aspect)
'beginning, becoming' before-(number) year
Literally: I started living (...) years before now.

ぬやん　「たちら」　ぜぼり。
Nuyan (tachira) zebori.
have.1First person (person)
speaker, signer, etc; I (number) year
Literally: I have (...) years, or (...) years are mine.

To ask it as a question, you'd typically use the second pattern:
あぶしゅ　しゅやん　せなぜぼり？
Abushu shuyan senazebori?
how_much have.2Second person (person)
addressee (you) PLPlural (number)
more than one/few-year
How many years do you have?

Where does the arm point?
めしゅめお　きみてっにり　まりめあし？
Meshumeo kimitenniri marimeashi?
where-ACCAccusative (case)
TRANS direct object; patient 3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent-3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ACCAccusative (case)
TRANS direct object; patient-point-NPSTNon-past (tense)
present, continuous and future DEFDefinite
"the"-arm-ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent

This arm refers to the minute hand of a clock, so it's a way of asking what time it is. This idiom is used even if you're referring to digital clocks that don't have physical hands pointing at anything. The question word めしゅ can be used to ask either when or where, which is so appropriate for this question that I'm letting it stand in the accusative case, even though it doesn't normally act as a noun.

On a clock, the hour hand is an えつ (etsu, hand), the minute hand is a めあ (mea, arm), and the second hand is an えて (ete, finger). You can inquire about the second or the hour by substituting the appropriate name in the question.

It too larges you
To say that something is too big for a particular situation, use the modifier as a predicate and attach the excessivity suffix -ご (-go). Then add whatever is being compared against as a direct object in the accusative case.

きもどんばごり　こでえしげ　ぬとおやめお。
Kimodonbagori kodēshige nutōyameo.
3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent-1First person (person)
speaker, signer, etc; I.ACCAccusative (case)
TRANS direct object; patient-large-excess-NPSTNon-past (tense)
present, continuous and future house-ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent-this POSSPossessive (case)
owns, has.1First person (person)
speaker, signer, etc; I-family-ACCAccusative (case)
TRANS direct object; patient
This house is too big for our family.

The same structure works for any modifier; I use big only as an example.

I'm the same
のあっまり。
Noammari.
1First person (person)
speaker, signer, etc; I.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument-same-NPSTNon-past (tense)
present, continuous and future
Used in conversation to say that you feel the same way. It's like saying, "I know, right?!"

Start being the most
はりそへいで！
Harisoheide!
most-listen-INCHInchoative (aspect)
'beginning, becoming'
Meaning: Listen up! or Listen well! Casual speech only.
はり- can be used this way with any imperative verb, but especially intransitive ones.

Time is slipping
ゐうしゃわ　めえ。
Wiushawa mē.
3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument-slip-PROGProgressive (aspect)
be verb-ing time.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument
Meaning: We're wasting time.

Of chicken between wheat
はの　みたあじ　いくぞえそ。
Hano mitāji ikuzoeso.
please of-chicken between-wheat
Meaning: A chicken sandwich on wheat, please. (context: ordering food)

[edit] [top]Sayings with prepositions

Following the alphabet
やん　まりなうろ　あけじょづら。。。
Yan marinauro akejodzura...
be_at.3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee PLPlural (number)
more than one/few.DEFDefinite
"the"-name following-alphabet
Meaning: The names in alphabetical order are... (じょづら encompasses any writing system, not strictly alphabets.)

On the Earth's back
ゐつないわ　ばちゅう　ちょふごさ　うぬびと。
Witsunaiwa bachū chohugosa unubito.
3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument-city-PROGProgressive (aspect)
be verb-ing first on-POSSPossessive (case)
owns, has.3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee-back GENGenitive (case)
possessive-Earth
Meaning: It's the best/greatest city in the world. 'On the Earth's back' is along the same lines as 'on the face of the earth'.

It's at/to me
やん　らもらあ。
Yan ramorā.
be_at.3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee to-me
Meaning: It's my turn (in a game, when taking turns at an intersection, etc.)
Informally, it can be shortened to らもらあ！

Buzzing within my mind
ゐざよわ　あぞんじゃ　みざぬにえ。
Wizayowa azonja mizanunie.
3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument-buzz-PROGProgressive (aspect)
be verb-ing idea.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument-that within-my-mind
Meaning: That idea is on my mind, I keep thinking about it, it keeps coming to my attention.

From a feeling
ゐしゃわんじ　ちいがえ。
Wishawanji chiigae.
3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument-dance-PSTPast (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech from-joy
The preposition ちい is used to introduce something that motivated or caused an action.
This sentence would be: He danced for joy/out of joy/in joy.

You breathe it into then breathe it away
すみどおいとろり　そみどおいてや。
Sumidōitorori somidōiteya.
2Second person (person)
addressee (you).ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent-3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ACCAccusative (case)
TRANS direct object; patient-breathe-into-NPSTNon-past (tense)
present, continuous and future then.SSSame subject (switch-reference)
same subject used between clauses-3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ACCAccusative (case)
TRANS direct object; patient-breathe-away
Literally: You breathe it in and then you breathe it out.
Meaning: What you take into your mind is what comes back out in your attitude, words, etc.

[edit] [top]Proverbs

A flower bloomed in winter.
ゐゆみろびいんちゅにじ　あんわ。
Wiyumirobiinchuniji anwa.
3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument-bloom-during-winter-PSTPast (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech flower.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument
Meaning: I had an unexpectedly pleasant surprise, or I found happiness where I wasn't expecting it.

Apple trees don't create grapes.
ゑ　きっみごん　いなんじろし　せなゆっめお。
We kimmigon inanjiroshi senayummeo.
NEGNegative (polarity)
not 3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent-PLPlural (number)
more than one/few-3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ACCAccusative (case)
TRANS direct object; patient-create apple_tree-ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent PLPlural (number)
more than one/few-grape-ACCAccusative (case)
TRANS direct object; patient
A proverb whose exact meaning depends on context, but something like 'You're looking in the wrong place.'

A demon's tongue tells a thousand different stories.
きみざっぽ　ふちぇえめんし　うぜった　ゆぱ　をおめお　ぐそま。
Kimizappo huchēmenshi uzetta yupa wōmeo gusoma.
3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent-3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ACCAccusative (case)
TRANS direct object; patient-narrate POSSPossessive (case)
owns, has.3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee-tongue-ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent GENGenitive (case)
possessive-demon thousand story-ACCAccusative (case)
TRANS direct object; patient different

Some footprints are clearest as soon as they’re made, but others can only be seen truly after many years have passed.
ゐんはりめどいって　せなわら　じゃに　さち　じゃてん　ゐんでいむあし　どぶせなぜぼり　ぼじゃに。
Winharimedoitte senawara jani sachi jaten windeimuashi dobusenazebori bojani.
3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument-PLPlural (number)
more than one/few-most-clear-immediate PLPlural (number)
more than one/few-footprint.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument part but other_part.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument 3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument-PLPlural (number)
more than one/few-be.abilitative-truly-see after-PLPlural (number)
more than one/few-year many
The word わら means both physical footprints and the traces or legacy one leaves behind. The proverb means that often the worth of a person or an action can't be judged until after time has passed.

Don't argue with monsters.
ぞはじこにり　らせなごるざん。
Zohajikoniri rasenagoruzan.
NEGNegative (polarity)
not-word-throw-NPSTNon-past (tense)
present, continuous and future toward-PLPlural (number)
more than one/few-monster
It means that there are some situations you can't argue with, you just have to stand up and fight them. Arguing itself is also an idiom within this proverb: it literally means throwing words at someone.

It's an owl who can tell darkness from night.
ゐぞなじわ　かい　まし　きみまてんわ　でい　なぐらめお　めりちめお。
Wizonajiwa kai mashi kimimatenwa dei nagurameo merichimeo.
3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument-owl-PROGProgressive (aspect)
be verb-ing he.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument that-ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent 3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent-3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ACCAccusative (case)
TRANS direct object; patient-separate-PROGProgressive (aspect)
be verb-ing ABILAbilitative (mood)
expresses ability darkness-ACCAccusative (case)
TRANS direct object; patient night-ACCAccusative (case)
TRANS direct object; patient

[edit] [top]Other idioms

Teaching a fish to swim
きみかのわ　どゆしょん　にんそっめお。
Kimikanowa doyushon ninsommeo.
3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent-3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ACCAccusative (case)
TRANS direct object; patient-teach-PROGProgressive (aspect)
be verb-ing swim-GERGerund
verbal noun fish-ACCAccusative (case)
TRANS direct object; patient
Meaning: He's telling people things they already know. Similar to 'preaching to the choir'.

A thousand-talent person
ゆぱざばさ
Yupazabasa
thousand-talent-person
Meaning: Someone who's skilled in or knows about a wide array of different things. Like a jack-of-all-trades, but without the implied negativity of "master of none".

Their soul's window is open
ゐみろわ　ふらいつ　うふめじ。
Wimirowa huraitsu ufumeji.
3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument-open-PROGProgressive (aspect)
be verb-ing POSSPossessive (case)
owns, has.3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee-window.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument GENGenitive (case)
possessive-POSSPossessive (case)
owns, has.3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee-soul
Meaning: That person easily allows others to know their true thoughts or feelings.

Locking the door
ゐんづみろりちゃじ。
Windzumirorichaji.
3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument-PLPlural (number)
more than one/few-door-lock-PSTPast (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech
Meaning: They hushed it up, kept it a secret.

Until his story finished
らもゐすわだん　ふをお。
Ramowisuwadan huwō.
until-3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument-finish-CESCessative (aspect)
exiting/ending a state POSSPossessive (case)
owns, has.3Third person (person)
neither speaker nor addressee-story.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument
Meaning: Until the end of his days, to the end of his life

[edit] [top]Days and months

Days of the week
While not exactly an idiom, this is a metaphor of the language, so I will list the names of the days of the week here. (The metaphor is not my original concept: I picked it up from the language Central Dusun as listed on Omniglot.)

Day	ぬみ	Numi	Meaning	Abbreviation
Monday	やどぬ	yadonu	egg day	ぬ　(nu)
Tuesday	やどめろ	yadomero	hatch day	め　(me)
Wednesday	やどせぱ	yadosepa	caterpillar day	せ　(se)
Thursday	やどっな	yadonna	cocoon day	な　(na)
Friday	やどぞ	yadozo	fly day	ぞ　(zo)
Saturday	やどさぬ	yadosanu	rest day	さ　(sa)
Sunday	やどひるん	yadohirun	worship day	ひ　(hi)

Month names
The months are named after characteristics that I associate with them. (Since Numi is a personal language, a couple of these associations might be more opaque than others.)

Day	ぬみ	Numi	Meaning	Abbreviation
January	ざれじぇえ	zarejē	enter month	ざじぇ
February	ざれでに	zaredeni	fluctuate month	ざで
March	ざれすかじょぜ	zaresukajoze	birdsong month	ざす
April	ざれゆみろ	zareyumiro	bloom month	ざゆ
May	ざれいいば	zareiiba	nest month	ざいい
June	ざれべん	zareben	vacation month	ざべ
July	ざれわひ	zarewahi	hot month	ざわ
August	ざれごじゃきい	zaregojakii	picnic month	ざご
September	ざれしぇん	zareshen	learn month	ざしぇん
October	ざれど	zaredo	color month	ざど
November	ざれしゃな	zareshana	circle month	ざしゃ
December	ざれとおや	zaretōya	family month	ざと

[edit] [top]Interjections

Also not idioms, but interjections are just things you say at certain times that don't always have an exact meaning or interpretation.

やほ！(yaho!) : Aha! I see! I thought so! This can be either short and clipped with stress on the second syllable, or a slow and drawn out やほおお.
かえ (kae) : Here it is. You'd say this when handing or offering something to somebody.
だん！ (dan!) : Stop! Stop it!
け！ (ke!) : Ow! Ouch!
はっちゃ！ (haccha!) : Another way to say Ow!
んが (nga) : Ugh. Ick. An expression of disgust.
どお、どお (dō, dō) : There there. A comforting word.
じぇいご (jeigo) : Oh no, oh dear. Expression of dismay.
ぬごら (nugora) : Alas. Expression of sorrow or deep sadness.
ちょい (choi) : Hey! Used to get someone's attention.
よお (yō) : Well, hmm. Said while thinking. Sometimes pronounced やあ (yā).
ゑづ (wedzu) : Oh? Is that so? An expression of surprise.
おっちい (occhii) : Yay! Huzzah! Yippee! Expression of happiness or excitement.
いあ (ia) : Right. Used to add affirmation or request confirmation.

✎ Edit Article ✖ Delete Article

Comments