nyan

Abau

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key):

Verb

nyan

1. to see vaguely

References

• Arjen Lock (2007) Phonology Essentials: Abau Language (in Abau), SIL International

Japanese

Romanization

nyan

1. Rōmaji transcription of にゃん
2. Rōmaji transcription of ニャン

Sranan Tongo

Etymology

From one or several West-African languages, ultimately from Proto-Bantu *nɲàmà. Compare Jamaican Creole nyam.

Verb

nyan

1. (transitive, intransitive) to eat
   • 1975, “Basya Adyuku koni”, in Ursy M. Lichtveld, Jan Voorhoeve, editors, Creole drum. An Anthology of Creole Literature in Surinam‎, New Haven, London: Yale University Press, →ISBN, page 86:

     A krabdagu taki: - Angri e kiri mi ba. A di mi si yu e nyan, ne mi kon.
     Adyuku taki: - We san mi e nyan, mi no sabi efu yu sa nyan en. Na kasaba dokun mi tyari. Efu yu sa nyan en, dan mi sa gi yu.

     The crab-eating raccoon said: 'I'm starving, brother. When I saw that you're eating, I came over immediately.
     Adyuku said: 'I say, I don't know whether you'll want to eat what I'm eating. I brought cassava duckanoo. If you'll eat it, then I'll give it to you.

Noun

nyan

1. food
   • 1936, Melville J. Herskovits, Frances S. Herskovits, Suriname folk-lore‎, New York: Columbia University Press, page 240:

     Kaptein sidǫ' tiri, dɛn a nyąm ala na nyąm baka. Na baka dɑti, a puri bɩgi pipa nąŋga Amer'ką tabaka, ɛn a bɩgɩn smoko te a i drųŋgu.

     [Kabten sidon tiri, den a nyan ala na nyan baka. Na baka dati, a puiri bigi pipa nanga Amerkan tabaka, èn a bigin smoko te a e drungu.]

     The captain sat down quietly, and again ate all the food. After that, he powdered a large pipe with American tobacco, and he began to smoke until he was drunk.