The following list of Proto-Eastern Nilotic reconstructions is from Vossen (1982: 449-458).
| Gloss | Proto-Eastern Nilotic | Proto-Teso-Ateker-Maa | Proto-Lotuko-Maa |
|---|---|---|---|
| blood | *-(a)k₃ɔt | *-k₃ɔt- | |
| kill v. | *-ar- | ||
| fight (between two persons) (sg) | *-ar-a | ||
| two | *-rɛ-(k) | *-arɛ-(k) | *-arɛ-(k) |
| soda ashes/alkaline salt | *-balaŋ- | *-balaŋ-; *-makat- | *-balaŋ- |
| breed v. | *-bar- | ||
| shave v. | *-barɪn- | *-barɪn- | |
| turn v. | *-bel-, *-bɛl- | ||
| leaf | *-ben- | ||
| one | *-bo- | ||
| dig v. | *-bɔk- | *-bɔk- | *-bɔk- |
| salt-lick | *-boli- | ||
| ritual expert ("medicine man", rainmaker, sorcerer) | *-bon-i(t) / *-bon-ok | *-muro-ni / *-muro-k | *-(i)bon-i / *-(i)bon-ok |
| hyena | *-bou- | ||
| shield (sg) | *-buk-u | *-buk-u | |
| fig tree | *-bʊl-ɛ | *-ŋa-bol-i / *-ŋa-bol-o | |
| belch v. | *-kyɛr- | *-kyɛr- | *-cɛr- |
| cold, be - v. | *-(Ci-)lɪk- | *-(ɪ)rɔbɪ | |
| all | *daŋ | ||
| suck v. | *-n(₂)ak- | *-das-; *-n(₂)ak- | |
| pluck fruits v. | *-dɛ- | *-dɛ- | *-dɛ- |
| bewitch v. | *-dɛm- | ||
| harvest/reap (by breaking) v. | *-deŋ- | *-deŋ- | *-dɛŋ- |
| dog | *-di- | *-ŋɔk- | |
| neglect (a person)/be jealous v. | *-dɪŋ- | ||
| small | *-dɪt- | ||
| red, be - v. | *-dɔ- | ||
| frog | *-dɔk- | *-k₁ɪ-dɔdɔk | |
| beat repeatedly/(forge/castrate completely) v. | *-doŋ- | *-doŋ- | *-doŋ- |
| mountain | *-doŋ₂- | ||
| pluck out/take out v. | *-dot- | *-dot- | |
| cloud/sky | *-dou- | ||
| build v. | *-duk- | *-duk- | |
| cut v. | *-duŋ- | *-duŋ- | |
| wedge/raise the cooking-pot upon the fire-stones v. | *-dʸɪp- | ||
| utensil for cooking or roasting | *-dʸɪp-ɛt | ||
| sleeping-place | *-dʸot- | ||
| sleep v. | *-dʸot-o | *-per- | |
| castrate (by removal of testicles) v. | *-gelem- | ||
| tattoo v. | *-gɛr-; *-gɪr- | *-gɛr-; *-gɪr- | *-gɛr- |
| hard/strong, be - v. | *-gol- | *-gol- | |
| hard/strong, become-/ (coagulate) v. | *-gol-on | ||
| brew (?) beer v. | *-gur- | ||
| churn v. | *-(ɪ)pɔt₂- | ||
| speak v. | *-(ɪ)rɔ | ||
| heavy, be - v. | *-(i)rot₂i | ||
| you (sg) | *iyye | ||
| broom | *-or- | *-ɟain-, *-ɟaɪn-; *-piet- | |
| enter v. | *-ɟɪŋ-, *-ɟiŋ- | ||
| entrance | *-ɟɪŋ-ɛt | ||
| raid | *-ɟor-e | ||
| village/homestead | *-kaŋ / *-kaŋ-it(i)e | ||
| arrow/bow | *-kauw- | *-kauw- | |
| left | *kedieɲ-, *kɛdɪɛɲ- | ||
| notch/cut up meat v. | *kɛr | ||
| night | *-kɛ-wardʸ-e; *-kuardʸ-e | *-kuari-e | *-kuari-e |
| door(way)/entrance to house | *-(kV-)kat- | *-(kɪ-)kat- | |
| sheep dung | *-ki-leleŋ- | *-ki-leleŋ- | *-ki-leleŋ- |
| shiver v. | *-REDUPL-kɪr- | *-REDUPL-kɪr- | |
| path/road | *-k₁ɪ-kɔ(ɪ) tʸ- | *-kɔɪt- | |
| steal v. | *-kɔkɔ- | *-kɔkɔ- | |
| chicken | *-kɔr- | *-kɔ-kɔr- | |
| puppy | *-kui- | ||
| body | *-kuan- | ||
| land/world | *-kuap / *-kuap-i- | ||
| armpit | *-kʊdɪ- | *-kʊdɪ- | |
| head | *-kue- / *-kue-t₂i(k) | *-kue- / *-kue-t₂i(k) | |
| bird | *-kuɛɲ- | *-kuɛɲ- | *-kuɛɲ- |
| soil/earth | *-(ku-)lup- | ||
| nose (sg only) | *-ku-me / *-ku-me-t₂ik | *-ku-me / *-ku-me-t₂ik | *-ku-me / *-ku-me-t₂ik |
| coward(ly) | *-kurdʸ-a- | *-kuri-a | |
| gun (thunderbolt) | *-k₁ɪ-pɪatʸ, *-k₁ɪ-piadʸ | *-ku-tiol- | |
| egg | *-k₁attɪl- | ||
| foot/leg | *-k₁ɛɟ-ʊ | *-k₁ɛɟ-ʊ | |
| container, wooden- | *-k₁i-doŋ- | *-k₁i-doŋ- | |
| thorn | *-k₁i-kua-, *-k₁u-kua- | *-k₁i-kua-, *-k₁u-kua- | *-k₁i-kua-, *-k₁u-kua- |
| fire | *-k₁ɪ-ma- | *-k₁ɪ-ma- | *-k₁ɪ-ma- |
| millet sp. | *-k₁ɪmatʸ- | *-k₁ɪma- | *-k₁ɪma- |
| breast(s) of woman | *-k₁ɪn₂- | *-k₁ɪn₂- | *-k₁ɪn₂- |
| goat, (she-) | *-k₁i-nedʸ | *-k₁i-ne | *-k₁i-ne |
| crocodile | *-k₁i-ɲaŋ- | *-k₁i-ɲaŋ- | *-k₁i-ɲaŋ- |
| seed/sesame (sg) | *-k₁i-ɲom-(it), *-k₁a-ɲom-(it) | *-k₁i-ɲom-(it), *-k₁a-ɲom-(it) | |
| year | *-k₁ɪ-ŋa- | *-k₃ar- | |
| water | *-pi- | *-k₁i-pi- | *-k₁i-pi- |
| meat/flesh | *-k₁i-riŋ- | *-k₁i-riŋ- | *-k₁i-riŋ- |
| cow/cattle | *-k₁ɪ-t₁ɛŋ / *-k₁ɪ-t₂(ʊ)k, *-k₁i-t₂u(k) | *-k₁ɪ-t₁ɛŋ / *-k₁ɪ-t₂(ʊ)k, *-k₁i-t₂u(k) | *-k₁ɪ-t₁ɛŋ / *-k₁ɪ-t₂(ʊ)k, *-k₁i-t₂u(k) |
| big | *-k₁ɪtt-ɔk | ||
| tear n. | *-k₁iyyo- | *-k₁iyyo- | |
| belly | *-k₁ɔcɔk- | *-k₁ɔcɔk- | |
| termite | *-k₁ɔ-ŋa- | ||
| ashes | *-k₁uruo-(n) | *-k₁uruo-(n) | |
| mouth/language | *-k₁ʊ-t₁ʊk- | *-k₁ʊ-t₁ʊk- | *-k₁ʊ-t₁ʊk- |
| sandal/shoe | *-k₂a-muk- | *-k₂a-muk- | *-k₂a-mʊk-ɛ / *-k₂a-mʊk-a |
| scratch v. | *-k₂oɟ- | *-k₂oɟ- | |
| barren | *-k₂o-lup-i | *-k₂o-lup-i | |
| bite v. | *-k₂ɔɲ- | *-k₂ɔɲ- | |
| slime (?) | *-k₃abʊr- | ||
| house | *-k₃adʸi | *-k₃aɟi | *-k₃aɟi |
| rain | *-k₄udʸu | *-k₃ai , *-k₃aɪ | |
| arm/hand | *-k₃aɪn- | *-k₃aɪn- | *-k₃aɪn- |
| wing | *-k₃ai-puk- | ||
| tooth | *-k₃ela- | *-k₃ela- | *-k₃ala- |
| season, dry-/(famine) (sg) | *-k₃amei-(u) | *-k₃amei-(u) | |
| saliva | *-k₃amʊl-ak | *-k₃amʊl-ak | *-k₃amʊl-ak |
| river/(water) | *-k₃ar-ɛ / *-k₃ar-ɪa(k) | *-k₃ar-ɛ / *-k₃ar-ɪa(k) | *-k₃ar-ɛ / *-k₃ar-ɪa(k) |
| name | *-k₃a-rɪn- | ||
| fly n. | *-k₃ɔ-dʸAŋ-a-; *-pirr- | *-k₃ɔ-ɟAŋ-a-; *-pirr- | |
| leopard | *-k₃o-gwor- | *-k₃o-uwor- | |
| bone | *-k₃oyV-t₁- | *-k₃oi-t₁(o) | *-k₃oi-t₁(o) |
| sun | *-k₃ɔlɔŋ- | *-k₃ɔlɔŋ- | *-k₃ɔlɔŋ- |
| face/forehead | *-k₃OmON | *-k₃omoN | |
| eye | *-k₃ɔŋ- / *-k₃ɔɲ- | *-k₃ɔŋ- / *-k₃ɔɲ- | *-k₃ɔŋ- / *-k₃ɔɲ- |
| feather/hair | *-k₃opir- | *-k₃opir- | *-k₃opir- |
| rope | *-k₃opit- | ||
| boundary | *-k₃ɔr- | *-k₃ɔr- | *-k₃ɔr- |
| he-goat | *-k₃ɔr- / *-k₃or- | ||
| giraffe | *-k₃o-ri- | *-k₃o-ri- | *-k₃o-ri- |
| back | *-k₃orioŋ- | ||
| buffalo | *-k₃o-soku-an | *-k₃o-soku-an | |
| bee | *-k₃o-t₁or- | ||
| count v. | *-k₄ɛn- | *-k₄ɛn- | |
| python | *-k(₄)i-t₁un / *-k(₄)i-t₁uɲ | ||
| charcoal | *-k₄uk- | *-k₄uk- | *-k₄uk- |
| knee | *-k₄ʊŋ- | *-k₄ʊŋ- | *-k₄ʊŋ- |
| thirst (and hunger) | *-k₄ʊrɛ | *-k₄ʊrɛ | *-k₄ʊrɛ |
| worm | *-k₄ur-ut- | *-k₄ur-ut- | *-k₄ur-ut- |
| blow v. | *-k₄ʊt- | *-k₄ʊt- | *-k₄ʊt- |
| loosen/untie v. | *-lak- | *-lak- | |
| cross (a bridge) v. | *-laŋ- | *-laŋ- | |
| foot-bridge | *-laŋ-ɛt | *-laŋ-ɛt | |
| oil | *-la-ta | ||
| milk n. | *-lɛ- | *-lɛ- | *-lɛ- |
| milk v. | *-lep- | *-lep- | |
| filter/strain v. | *-lɪ- | ||
| knot v. | *-lɪd | ||
| drizzle v. | *-lɪlɪm- | *-lɪlɪm- | |
| angle/(fish with rod) v. | *-lɔk- | *-lɔk- | |
| trap | *-lɔk-ɛt | *-lɔk-ɛt | |
| louse | *-ɬac-, *-lyac- | ||
| moon/month | *-ɬapatʸ-, *-lyapatʸ- | *-ɬapa-, *-lyapa- | *-ɬapa-, *-lyapa- |
| locust | *-mayat- | *-maat- | |
| field/garden (sg) | *-man-a | *-man-a | |
| rib | *-mar- | *-mar- | *-mar- |
| fence (around homestead) | *-marɪŋ- | ||
| finger millet (beer) | *-marua | ||
| drink v. | *-mat- | *-mat- | |
| tick | *-mat₂er- / *-mat₂ɛr- (?) | *-mat₂er- / *-mat₂ɛr- (?) | |
| liver | *-mauɲ- | *-mauɲ- | *-mauɲ- |
| ghost/spirit | *-mɛnɛŋa- | ||
| mountain/stone | *-meor- | *-mor-u | |
| drunk, be - v. | *-mɛr- | *-mɛr-a | |
| ram | *-merekeky- | ||
| enemy | *-merok (pl) | ||
| pain | *-mi- | *-mi- | |
| five | *-miet- | ||
| rat | *-mɪrdʸ- | ||
| cow dung | *-wɔrɔ- | *-mod- | |
| old | *-mɔdʸɔŋ- | ||
| tomorrow/in future | *mo(i)tʸ-, *mɔ(ɪ)tʸ- | *moi- | |
| intestines | *-mɔɲɪt- | *-mɔɲɪt- | |
| speak secretly v. | *-mɔŋ- | ||
| bull/ox | *-mɔŋ-ɔ | *-mɔŋ-ɔ | |
| spear shaft | *-mɔrɔk-, *-muruk- | *-mɔrɔk-, *-muruk- | |
| pot | *-mot₁i- | *-mot₁i- | |
| snake | *-munu- | *-munu- | |
| vein | *-murr- | *-murr- | |
| mutilation (of body) | *-ɪnʊrʊn- | ||
| neck | *-murut- | *-murut- | *-murut- |
| wear v. | *-tʸop-, *-tʸɔp- | *-n₁ap- | *-tʸop-, *-tʸɔp- |
| carry on the back v. | *-n₁ap- | *-n₁ap- | |
| hear v. | *-n₁iŋ- | *-n₁iŋ- | |
| I | *n₂an₃- | *n₂an₃- | |
| bury v. | *-n₂ʊk- | *-n₂ʊk- | *-n₂ʊk- |
| eat v. | *-ɲa(m)- | *-ɲa(m)- | |
| buy v. | *-ɲaŋ- | ||
| udder | *-ɲawa | ||
| green, be - v. | *-ɲɔrɪ | ||
| tongue | *-ŋa-dʸɛp- / *-ŋa-dʸɛp-a | *-ŋa-ɟɛp- | *-ŋa-ɟɛp- |
| share v. | *-ŋar- | *-ŋar- | |
| help v. | *-ŋar-akɪn₁/₂- | ||
| lion | *-ŋat₁uɲ- | ||
| new | *-ŋeɟuk- | ||
| reap by cutting/tear v. | *-ŋɛr-, *-ŋer- | *-ŋɛr-, *-ŋer- | *-ŋɛr-, *-ŋer- |
| yesterday | *ŋole-, *ŋɔlɛ | ||
| shoot (a bow) v. | *-ŋor- | *-ŋor- | |
| wife/woman | *-ŋor- | ||
| fatty residue (of milk or grains) | *-ŋɔrɔnɔ | ||
| four | *-ŋuan | *-ŋuan | *-ŋuan |
| day (time) | *-paran- | ||
| spear n. | *-pɛr-ɛ / (*-pɛr-ɪa) | ||
| sharp, be - v. | *-pɪ(tʸ) | *-pɪ | |
| fat, be - v. | *-pirr- | *-pirr- | |
| thread, animal tendon- | *-pʊt- | *-pit- | |
| flour | *-pop- | ||
| smoke | *-puruo- | *-puruo- | *-puruo- |
| grey, (bluish-) | *-pʊs | ||
| pick/take off v. | *-put- | *-put- | |
| full, be - v. | *-pʊt- | ||
| pierce/spear v. | *-rem- | ||
| grind v. | *-rɪa-, *-ria- | ||
| sew v. | *-rɪp- | *-rɪp- | |
| needle | *-rɪp-ɛt- | ||
| pay/reward v. | *-rɔp- | *-rɔp- | |
| dream v. | *-rudʸ- | ||
| prod (e.g. ear lobe) v. | *-rum- | ||
| unstring/uproot v. | *-rut- | *-rut- | *-rut- |
| inherit v. | *-rʊt- | ||
| bad | *-rrɔ-n / *-rrɔ-k | *-rrɔ-n / *-rrɔ-k | *-rrɔ-n / *-rrɔ-k |
| hump of cow | *-rrʊk- | *-rrʊk- | |
| cowry | *-sɪkɪra- | ||
| sand | *-sɪŋ₂- | *-sɪŋ₂- | |
| mosquito | *-sʊrʊ- | ||
| calf, female-/heifer | *-tagw- | *-tauw- | |
| you (pl) | *-taɪ | ||
| rainbow | *-taluk- | ||
| porridge | *-tapa | *-tapa | |
| pool | *-tapar- | ||
| guinea-fowl | *-tapIN-, (*-tapiŋ-) | *-tapeŋ- | |
| vulture | *-taruk- | ||
| right | *-tat₁ɛn- | *-tat₁ɛn- | |
| heart | *-tau(dʸ)- | *-tauɟ- | *-tauɟ- |
| animal | *-tiaŋ- | ||
| dry, be - v. | *-toi- | ||
| voice | *-toil-o- | ||
| axe | *-tolu- | *-tolu- | |
| elephant | *-tɔm-ɛ / *-tɔm-ɪa | *-tɔm-ɛ / *-tɔm-ɪa | *-tɔm-ɛ / *-tɔm-ɪa |
| ten | *-tomon , *-tɔmɔn | *-tomon , *-tɔmɔn | |
| dead, be-/die v. | *-tuan- | *-tuan- | *-tuan-; *-yɛ- |
| person | *-tʊŋan- | *-tʊŋan- | |
| flower | *-tur- | ||
| forest | *-ttɪm-, *-ttim- | ||
| tree | *-tʸani | ||
| skin | *-tʸoni | ||
| three | *-uni- (f) , *-kuni- (m) | *-uni- (f) , *-kuni- (m) | |
| grasslands, uninhabited-/steppe | *-waka | ||
| leak/lick v. | *-wo- | *-wo- | *-wo- |
| marry v. | *-yɛm- | *-yam- | |
| marriage | *-yɛm-a | *-yam-a | |
| yawn v. | *-yama | ||
| tie v. | *-yɛn- | ||
| breathe v. | *-yɛŋ- | ||
| herd/rear v. | *-yok- | *-yok- | |
| know v. | *-yyen- | ||
| flay/slaughter v. | *-yyeŋ- |