Basic Vocabulary

Stephen A. Marlett, compiler

The Zapotec Grammar Files

Stephen A. Marlett, compiler. (February 2010) Basic vocabulary. In: Cheryl A. Black, H. Andrew Black and Stephen
A. Marlett (eds.) The Zapotec grammar files.
[http://www.sil.org/mexico/WorkPapers/WP001i-ZapotecGrammarFiles.htm] SIL International. These are working
papers that are periodically updated, expanded, and corrected. Comments or corrections can be sent to the editors (see
the index page).

Basic Vocabulary

Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 3
Items 1.2 ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Items 1.3 ......................................................................................................................................... 7
Items 1.4 ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Items 1.5 ....................................................................................................................................... 12
Items 1.7 ....................................................................................................................................... 15
Items 1.8 ....................................................................................................................................... 17
Items 2.1-2.4 ................................................................................................................................ 21
Items 2.9 ....................................................................................................................................... 24
Items 3.6-3.8 ................................................................................................................................ 27
Items 4.1 ....................................................................................................................................... 29
Items 4.2 ....................................................................................................................................... 32
Items 4.3 ....................................................................................................................................... 35
Items 4.4 ....................................................................................................................................... 37
Items 4.7 ....................................................................................................................................... 39
Items 5 .......................................................................................................................................... 42
Items 6 .......................................................................................................................................... 45
Items 8 .......................................................................................................................................... 47
Items 10 ........................................................................................................................................ 49
Items 13 ........................................................................................................................................ 51
Items 14 ........................................................................................................................................ 53
Items 15.4-15.5 ............................................................................................................................ 56
Items 15.6 ..................................................................................................................................... 58
Items 18 ........................................................................................................................................ 61
Index of English Terms ................................................................................................................ 64
Index of Spanish Terms ............................................................................................................... 65
Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................... 66
References .................................................................................................................................... 66

Introduction

Introduction
This document presents selected basic vocabulary items in different varieties of Zapotec.1 All
of the data are presented in broad IPA transcription (see Transcription Conventions for details and
see Data Sources for sources of data).2 All of the forms may be assumed to have penultimate stress
on the root unless otherwise marked although with some sources it is hard to determine the facts
about stress (if stress is relevant at all) and so stress may not be consistently represented. The
numbers in the column headers are those used in the Intercontinental Dictionary Series
http://lingweb.eva.mpg.de/ids/ (Mary Ritchie Key, founding editor), following the numbering in
Buck (1949); the arrangement of the data follow that scheme of using a thematic organization.
Since the data are presented in tabular format here, the original "chapters" of the Intercontinental
Dictionary Series are split across various tables. Verbs are cited in three forms that are traditionally
referred to as Habitual, Potential and Completive since each may have idiosyncratic features. In
some cases the Stative form is presented as well or in their place. When a form contains an equals
sign followed by a number, it means that the form is the same as the referenced word in the same
language.
Indexes from English and Spanish to the IDS number are also provided.

Items 1.2
ISO
639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'earth', 'dust';
'land',
'polvo';
'ground', 1.213
'soil';
'tierra';
1.210 &
1.212

'mud'; 'sand'; 'mountain', 'cave';

'lodo'; 'arena'; 'hill';
'cueva';
1.214 1.215
'cerro';
1.280
1.220

una3

beste

ua

jui

ija

belia

uuld

ban

ju

dan

(loanword)

zaa

Sierra de Jurez

zab

San Juan Guelava jiu4

zac

Ocotln

ju5

ub ben

jui

dani

zad

Cajonos

jo

bite

jo

ja

ben

ble

I thank the many people who have contributed data for this paper (as documented in Data Sources, as well as special
help from Joaqun Lpez and Beth Merrill) and those who have helped to improve the presentation, including Beth
Merrill, Andy Black, and Cheri Black. Special thanks to Andy Black for preparing the indexes.
2
High vowels or central approximants are not consistently represented since the analysis is either not clear, not
agreed upon, or actually varies from variety to variety. Thus one may see (for example) /bia/, /bja/, or /ba/, which may
be very close or identical in pronunciation.
3
See 'mud' 1.214 in [zpq].
4
/j/ here is phonetically [j].
5
/j/ here is phonetically [j].

Basic Vocabulary

ISO
639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'earth', 'dust';
'land',
'polvo';
'ground', 1.213
'soil';
'tierra';
1.210 &
1.212

'mud'; 'sand'; 'mountain', 'cave';

'lodo'; 'arena'; 'hill';
'cueva';
1.214 1.215
'cerro';
1.280
1.220

zae

Yareni

ju6

biste

juna7

jui8

lili

zaf

Ayoquesco

jo

jow

bn

ju

dan9

zai

Isthmus

ju

ju de10

bee

jui

dani

zam

Miahuatln

jo

ben

ju

den,ji

zao

Ozolotepec

ju

ben

zaq

Alopam

ju

zar

Rincn

luju

zas

Santo Domingo
Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

zav

Yatzachi

jo

bite

ben, jo
on

ja

blo

zaw

Mitla

ju

d13

ban

dan

bili

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

ju14

bte

bn un15

ja16

belo

biste

juna

11

jui

12

belea
(loanword)

ji

kelio

lili

belea

jui

buloa

bene

blua

ju

/j/ is phonetically [].

/j/ is phonetically [].
8
/j/ is phonetically [].
9
The transcription here reinterprets the source, which is more similar phonetically to [dajn], presumably with
anticipatory palatalization. Furthermore, this is specifically 'hill' since 'mountain' is this morpheme followed by /o/.
10
'earth' 1.210, 'ash' 1.840
11
/j/ is phonetically [].
12
/j/ is phonetically [].
13
See 'ashes' 1.840.
14
/j/ here is phonetically [j].
15
See 'mud' 1.214 in [zpq].
16
/j/ here is phonetically [j].
7

Items 1.2

ISO
639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'earth', 'dust';
'land',
'polvo';
'ground', 1.213
'soil';
'tierra';
1.210 &
1.212

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni ju

zpg

Guevea de
Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara
Quiegolani

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

'mud'; 'sand'; 'mountain', 'cave';

'lodo'; 'arena'; 'hill';
'cueva';
1.214 1.215
'cerro';
1.280
1.220

ju
ban17

ju

io

liu

judi

bn

ju

ej

Lachixo

ju

ju
ebenu ejui
bea18

zpm

Mixtepec

liu

zpn

Santa Ins Yatzechi ju

zpo

Amatln

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

zpt

San Vicente
Coatln

17

dai, esta, jube

ejeku,
nutu,
nee

ben

ju

oiu

bnu

jui

dan

(loanword)

jo

de, jide

ban

ju

ji

jilo

jo

bite

ona21 jo

ja

blo

19

ju

'earth' 1.210, 'wet'

'earth' 1.210, '?'
19
/j/ here is phonetically [j].
20
This refers to all of the countryside.
21
See 'earth' 01.210 in [zaa].
18

blie

---

ju

blie
20

Basic Vocabulary

ISO
639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'earth', 'dust';
'land',
'polvo';
'ground', 1.213
'soil';
'tierra';
1.210 &
1.212

'mud'; 'sand'; 'mountain', 'cave';

'lodo'; 'arena'; 'hill';
'cueva';
1.214 1.215
'cerro';
1.280
1.220

ben

zpu

Yallag

ju22

zpv

Chichicapan

ju

zpw

Zaniza

jua

zpx

San Baltazar
Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

ju

zsr

Southern Rincn

luju

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn
Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina
Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier liu, ju26

zts

Tilquiapan

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

22

bite

ju23

ja

jui

dan

bi

ju u24

bik

blu

ben

ju

u ju25

bn

ju

belja

juti

pen

ju

kij

koplo

de

ben

ju

dan27

(loanword)

bin

ju

ju

jo

Also /jo/. The vowels vary freely.

Also /jo/. The vowels vary freely.
24
'earth' 1.210, 'fine'.
25
'smoke', 'earth' 1.210.
26
The two words are used quite interchangeably.
27
Best translated 'countryside'.
23

blo

bene jo ja

ja

Items 1.3

Items 1.3
ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'water';
'foam';
'agua'; 1.310 'espuma';
1.324

'river',
'stream',
'brook'; 'ro',
'corriente',
'arroyo';
1.360

zaa

Sierra de Jurez

inda

beina

jo

zab

San Juan Guelava

nis

bn

eu28

zac

Ocotln

nis

baini

zad

Cajonos

nis

bin

jao

zae

Yareni

inda

kuina

jo29

zaf

Ayoquesco

nis

pin

eu

zai

Isthmus

nisa

biia,30
bupu

iu

zam

Miahuatln

nit

zao

Ozolotepec

nit

zaq

Alopam

inda

besina

jo31

zar

Rincn

nisa

zas

Santo Domingo Albarradas nis

zat

Tabaa

nisa

zav

Yatzachi

nis

bin

jao

zaw

Mitla

nis

biun

eu32

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

28
'arroyo' (typically without water). For 'river' this is follows by /nis/ 'water'.
29
The vowel carries a contour tone and is phonetically long.
30
As in what comes to the top of food that is being cooked on a stove top.
31

The vowel carries a contour tone and is phonetically long.

Varies freely to /jeu/.

32

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'water';

'foam';
'agua'; 1.310 'espuma';
1.324

'river',
'stream',
'brook'; 'ro',
'corriente',
'arroyo';
1.360

nisa

bin

jao33

San Pedro Quiatoni

nis

pin

ibe, ie

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

nze

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara Quiegolani

nis

bin

ou

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

inza

ia

()eku

zpm

Mixtepec

nis

zpn

Santa Ins Yatzechi

nis

bin

blda

zpo

Amatln

nis

bin

ju

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

nis

bina

je

zpr

Santiago Xanica

nis

zps

Coatln

ni

bin

jobe

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

ni

zpu

Yallag

nis

bin

jeo34

zpv

Chichicapan

isa

zpw

Zaniza

nis

zpx

San Baltazar Loxicha

nit

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

nis

zsr

Southern Rincn

nis

zte

Elotepec

zpc

Choapan

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

33

/j/ here is phonetically [j].

/j/ here is sometimes pronounced [j].

34

aw

bi

Items 1.4

ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'water';

'foam';
'agua'; 1.310 'espuma';
1.324

'river',
'stream',
'brook'; 'ro',
'corriente',
'arroyo';
1.360

nis

pin

ew

Quioquitani-Quier

nis

pin

ki-pe

zts

Tilquiapan

nis

bin

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

nis

Items 1.4
ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'tree';
'rbol';
1.420

'wood';
'stone';
'madera'; 'piedra';
1.430
1.440

'earthquake';
'terremoto';
1.450 [citing
verb 'quake'
'temblar' in 'h',
'p', 'c']

zaa

Sierra de Jurez

jaa, ja

ja35

ija

i-u, u,
gu-u

zab

San Juan Guelava

ja

bed36

ia37

zac

Ocotln

ja

=1.420

zad

Cajonos

ja

=1.420

ja

bed-o; -o,
o, w-o

35

See 1.420 'tree'.

'lumber'.
37
Phonetically the // is often pronounced [x] in this context.
36

10

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'tree';
'rbol';
1.420

'wood';
'stone';
'madera'; 'piedra';
1.430
1.440

'earthquake';
'terremoto';
1.450 [citing
verb 'quake'
'temblar' in 'h',
'p', 'c']

zae

Yareni

jaa38

=1.420

ija39

zaf

Ayoquesco

ja

=1.420

zai

Isthmus

jaa

=1.420

ie

zam

Miahuatln

ja

ke

zao

Ozolotepec

ja

ke

zaq

Alopam

jaa40

zar

Rincn

jaa

zas

Santo Domingo
Albarradas

ja

zat

Tabaa

aa

ia

zav

Yatzachi

ja

je

bed-o; -o,
o, w-o

zaw

Mitla

ja

bad

u; -nib, ---, ---

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

jaa

=1.420

io42

uu

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni

ja

=1.420

ita, ie43 u

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

38

/j/ is phonetically [].

/j/ is phonetically [].
40
/j/ is phonetically [].
41
/j/ is phonetically [].
42
There is no contrast between [j] and [j] in this variety.
43
'stone, rock', 'rock', respectively.
39

=1.420

ija41

-u, i-u, bi-u

u

-u, i-u, bi-u

Items 1.4

11

ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'tree';
'rbol';
1.420

'wood';
'stone';
'madera'; 'piedra';
1.430
1.440

ja

=1.420

'earthquake';
'terremoto';
1.450 [citing
verb 'quake'
'temblar' in 'h',
'p', 'c']

ge

(idiom)44

aka

kie

Mixtepec

ja

kie

zpn

Santa Ins Yatzechi

ja

ie

-u, ---, ---

zpo

Amatln

ja

ke

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

ja

je

bdao-o;
-o, o,
w-o

zpr

Santiago Xanica

jak

zps

Coatln

ja

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

zpu

Yallag

jaj

je ~ ja

zpv

Chichicapan

jaa

ia

zpw

Zaniza

ja

ita

zpx

San Baltazar Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

ja

ita

zsr

Southern Rincn

ja

ki

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

ja

ita ~ kta

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina Albarradas

zpi

Santa Mara Quiegolani

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

zpm

44

'move' 'earth' 1.210.

=1.420

o, o, b-o ~
w-o

12

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'tree';
'rbol';
1.420

'wood';
'stone';
'madera'; 'piedra';
1.430
1.440

'earthquake';
'terremoto';
1.450 [citing
verb 'quake'
'temblar' in 'h',
'p', 'c']

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier

ja

=1.420

ki

u; -ni u, k-ni
u, b-ni u

zts

Tilquiapan

ja

=1.420

ia

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

ja

je

Items 1.5
ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'sky';
'cielo';
1.510

'sun'; 'sol'; 'moon';

'star';
'rainbow';
1.520
'luna'; 1.530 'estrella'; 'arco iris';
1.540
1.590

zaa

Sierra de Jurez

jaba45

bia

biu

belja

zab

San Juan Guelava

jaba

ubi

bu

bali

lian

zac

Ocotln

abe46

nubi

mbeu

mbeli

ubi

zad

Cajonos

jaba

wbi

bel

betia

zae

Yareni

jeba

dad-ubiza

nan-do-beo

beli

jetila

zaf

Ayoquesco

labe

ani

ambe

bli

zai

Isthmus

()iba, ubia
a iba

beu

belei49

zam

Miahuatln

zao

Ozolotepec

zaq

Alopam

ijaba

nan-do-beo

beli

45

beo
47

ubiza

48

/j/ here is phonetically [j].

San Antonino: /ube/.
47
The first part is from regional Spanish tata meaning 'father'.
48
The first part is from regional Spanish nana meaning 'mother'; the second part means 'big'. Both parts indicate
respect.
49
This word is archaic in this variety.
46

Items 1.5

ISO 639-3
code

13

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'sky';
'cielo';
1.510

'sun'; 'sol'; 'moon';

'star';
'rainbow';
1.520
'luna'; 1.530 'estrella'; 'arco iris';
1.540
1.590

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo
Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

zav

Yatzachi

joba,
jaba50

bi

bjo51

bel

zaw

Mitla

iba

ubi

bj

bala
iba52

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

iba

obia

biu

belo

bita

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni iba

wi,
obi

i
iba53

(loanword)

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara
Quiegolani

iba

nbiz

mw

ml

bkit

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

liibe

biia54

()u

bela

lita

zpm

Mixtepec

zpn

Santa Ins Yatzechi iaba

ubii

bu

bli

bljain

50

idu

In Yatzachi el Bajo and Yatzachi el Alto, respectively.

/j/ is phonetically [] here.
52
'star', 'sky' 1.510.
53
'fire' 1.810, 'sky' 1.510.
54
San Miguel Mixtepec /wiia/.
51

jit

14

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'sky';
'cielo';
1.510

'sun'; 'sol'; 'moon';

'star';
'rainbow';
1.520
'luna'; 1.530 'estrella'; 'arco iris';
1.540
1.590

jiba

mbi

mbe

mbal

bajit

jaba

bi

bjo55

bel

pita

wi

mbe

mbl

jeba

wi

beo

bel

ba

bej

ba

do

bej

bel

iba

mbi

mel

it

mbi ~
nbi

ml

kitla

ubi

beu

ilouba

biain

zpo

Amatln

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

zpu

Yallag

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

zpx

San Baltazar
Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn
Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina
Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier kpa

zts

Tilquiapan

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

55

/j/ is phonetically [] here.

uba

bit

Items 1.7

15

Items 1.7
For 1.750, the first part of the compound expressions is 'water' 1.310 . The second part has the
same segments as 'stone' 1.440, but in [ztq], at least, the tones are different (as noted in the two
entries), and so the popular etymology may be spurious.
ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'air'; 'aire'; 'wind'; 'viento'; 'rain';
1.710
1.720
'lluvia'; 1.750
zaa

Sierra de Jurez

be

=1.710

ija

zab

San Juan Guelava

bi

=1.710

nis ia

zac

Ocotln

mb

=1.710

iu

zad

Cajonos

be

=1.710

je

zae

Yareni

be

=1.710

ija56

zaf

Ayoquesco

=1.710

jeu

zai

Isthmus

bi

=1.710

nisa ie

zam

Miahuatln

zao

Ozolotepec

zaq

Alopam

be

=1.710

ija57

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo Albarradas bi

zat

Tabaa

zav

Yatzachi

be

=1.710

je

zaw

Mitla

be

=1.710

nis i

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

be

=1.710

nisa io

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

56

/j/ is phonetically [].

/j/ is phonetically [].

57

16

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'air'; 'aire'; 'wind'; 'viento'; 'rain';
1.710
1.720
'lluvia'; 1.750
be

be-do58

nis ie

me

=1.710

Lachixo

bi

=1.710

kiu

zpm

Mixtepec

me

zpn

Santa Ins Yatzechi

=1.710

nisa ie

zpo

Amatln

mbi

mbi

jej

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

be

=1.710

je

zpr

Santiago Xanica

me

zps

Coatln

mbi

=1.710

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

zpu

Yallag

be

=1.710

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

zpx

San Baltazar Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara Quiegolani

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

58

'air' 1.710, 'fierce'

je ~ je
ej

me

me

=1.710

Items 1.8

17

ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'air'; 'aire'; 'wind'; 'viento'; 'rain';
1.710
1.720
'lluvia'; 1.750
zts

Tilquiapan

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

nis ia

=1.710

Items 1.8
Several varieties have a compound made of 'fire'1.810 + 'flame', or the opposite order. For 1.851,
the intended lexical item is the one used when an item (paper, wood, etc.) is burning.
ISO
639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'fire'; 'flame'; 'ashes'; 'burn

'firewood'; 'charcoal';
'fuego'; 'llama'; 'cenizas'; (intr.)'; 'lea';
'carbn';
1.810 1.820
1.840
'arder'; 1.880
1.890
1.851
'h', 'p',
'c'
ji

zaa

Sierra de Jurez

zab

San Juan Guelava i59

zac

Ocotln

zad

te

jawaa,
waa

lo

bal60

de

-ajki,
-ajki,
ujajki

=1.420

bo

bel

jeki,
eki,
weki

=1.420

bu

Cajonos

ji

bel ji

de

-al,
-al,
ol

wa

bo

zae

Yareni

bela

de

i-de,
i-de,
bi-de

aa

beua

zaf

Ayoquesco

-jek,
---, ---61

59
Commonly
60

used specifically for the coals.

Commonly used to refer to the fire.
61
'burn with flame'.

18

Basic Vocabulary

ISO
639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'fire'; 'flame'; 'ashes'; 'burn

'firewood'; 'charcoal';
'fuego'; 'llama'; 'cenizas'; (intr.)'; 'lea';
'carbn';
1.810 1.820
1.840
'arder'; 1.880
1.890
1.851
'h', 'p',
'c'
i

bele

de

-jaki, =1.420
-aki,
u-jaki

bela

de

i-de,
i-de,
bi-de

aa

Yatzachi

ji

ji bel

de

-al,
-al,
ol

wa,
wa

bao

zaw

Mitla

ibo

bal

kobd62 -jek,
---, ---63

ja da64

bo

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

i bela de

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zai

Isthmus

zam

Miahuatln

zao

Ozolotepec

zaq

Alopam

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo
Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

zav

62

Compare 'dust' 1.213.

s-burn.
64
'tree' 1.420 'hill' 1.220
63

-ej, -ej, waa

uiej

bu

bao

Items 1.8

ISO
639-3
code

19

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'fire'; 'flame'; 'ashes'; 'burn

'firewood'; 'charcoal';
'fuego'; 'llama'; 'cenizas'; (intr.)'; 'lea';
'carbn';
1.810 1.820
1.840
'arder'; 1.880
1.890
1.851
'h', 'p',
'c'

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni i65

zpg

Guevea de
Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara
Quiegolani

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

zpm

Mixtepec

zpn

Santa Ins Yatzechi i

zpo

Amatln

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

zpt

San Vicente
Coatln

zpu

Yallag

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

65
Often
66
Often
67

bal66

(idiom)67 ja

bu

bl

di

-ek,
-ek,
w-ek

=1.420

bo

ti

biaka

wa

dniu

=1.420

ki
bl

=1.820 bal68

kade

jek, ---,
---

=1.420

blan

ji

de

-ala,
-ala,
ola

wae

bao

-ej,
-ej,
w-jej

waje

bao

ji bel

ji

interchanged with 'flame' 1.820.

interchanged with 'fire' 1.810.
'sit' 'fire' 1.810.
68
Also /lu bal/ (tongue fire) 'fire's tongue'.

di

bel ji

de

bo

20

Basic Vocabulary

ISO
639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'fire'; 'flame'; 'ashes'; 'burn

'firewood'; 'charcoal';
'fuego'; 'llama'; 'cenizas'; (intr.)'; 'lea';
'carbn';
1.810 1.820
1.840
'arder'; 1.880
1.890
1.851
'h', 'p',
'c'

zpx

San Baltazar
Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn
Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina
Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier ki

zts

Tilquiapan

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

69

ki

i69

di

bel

ke da

-ek, ---, =1.420

---

bo

bl

kiti

ek,
k-jek,
k-jek

wja

po

bel

kub-de

-iek,
ek,
wek

=1.420

bo

This word is more specifically referring to the hot coals. The word for 'flame' is generally used to refer to the fire
itself.

Items 2.1-2.4

21

Items 2.1-2.4
For 2.300, several varieties use a loanword from Spanish 'macho' that is typically applied only
to animals.
ISO Identifier as in Ethnologue 'person'; 'male'; 'macho'; 'female'; 'hembra';
639-3
'persona'; 2.300
2.400
code
2.100
zaa

Sierra de Jurez

ene

na70

zab

San Juan Guelava

bnietj71

ul,72niu73

zac

Ocotln

mn

et

zad

Cajonos

ben

ja,74ma, ngol,75 nol,

bio 76
nol77bna,78bis79

zae

Yareni

bene

biju80

zaf

Ayoquesco

mjet

niol

zai

Isthmus

bini

nola,82 niu83

naola,84 una

zam

Miahuatln

zao

Ozolotepec

zaq

Alopam

beni

biju85

na86

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

una

na81

70

Relating to animals.

71
The /b/ is pronounced [b] when preceded by the plural proclitic /de/, and [m] otherwise.
72
Used for animals.
73
Used for people.
74
This is applied to dogs and certain other animals.
75
This is applied to turkeys; it is also a term of respect for an old man of significance.
76

Used for humans.

is the same as the noun for 'woman'.
is used for birds.
Used for deer.
80
This is preceded by the relativizer /nu/ when used.
81
Adjective.
82
Relating to animals.
83
Except when in a compound (as for a baby boy), this word is used only in women's speech. Men's speech uses the
loanword 'hombre'.
84
Relating to animals.
85
This is preceded by the relativizer /um/ [sic] when used.
86
Adjective.
77
This
78
This
79

22

Basic Vocabulary

ISO Identifier as in Ethnologue 'person'; 'male'; 'macho'; 'female'; 'hembra';

639-3
'persona'; 2.300
2.400
code
2.100
zav

Yatzachi

ben

ja,87ma,ngol,88 nol,90bna,91bis92
bo 89

zaw

Mitla

ben

nol

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

ben

ja, nol,93 ma nole94

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni

ben

nie, ol95

is,96 na97

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara Quiegolani

men

ol

wna

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

bene

ula

ue

zpm

Mixtepec

zpn

Santa Ins Yatzechi

bn

nol

unan

zpo

Amatln

miet

bji

ol

zpp

El Alto

87
This
88
This
89

una

is applied to dogs and certain other animals.

is applied to turkeys; it is also a term of respect for an old man of significance.
Used for humans.
90
This is the same as the noun for 'woman'.
91
This is used for birds.
92
Used for certain mammals.
93
This is used for birds.
94
This is the same as the noun for 'woman'.
95
Just for animals.
96
Used for some animals.
97
Used for a donkey.

Items 2.1-2.4

23

ISO Identifier as in Ethnologue 'person'; 'male'; 'macho'; 'female'; 'hembra';

639-3
'persona'; 2.300
2.400
code
2.100
zpq

Zoogocho

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

zpu

Yallag

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

zpx

San Baltazar Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

98
This
99
This
100

bene

ja,98ma,ngol,99 nole,101bna,102bise103
bo 100

ben

jaj,104 bjio,105
nol106

nol,107 bna108

bij

una,109nus110

mbek

men

is applied to dogs and certain other animals.

is applied to turkeys; it is also a term of respect for an old man of significance.
Used for humans.
101
This is the same as the noun for 'woman'.
102
This is used for birds.
103
Used for certain mammals and some birds.
104
For animals.
105
For people.
106
For turkeys.
107
For people.
108
For chickens.
109
Person.
110
Animal.

24

Basic Vocabulary

ISO Identifier as in Ethnologue 'person'; 'male'; 'macho'; 'female'; 'hembra';

639-3
'persona'; 2.300
2.400
code
2.100
ztq

Quioquitani-Quier

men,
bne

mij, ma

kna,111kus, 112nus 113

zts

Tilquiapan

bn

nul,114 niw

kuk, kun, usan,115

una

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

Items 2.9
ISO
639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'I'; 'yo';
2.910

'you
(sg.)';
't';
2.920

'we
(inclusive)';
'nosotros
(inclusivo)';
2.941

'we
'you (pl.)';
(exclusive)'; 'vosotros';
'nosotros
2.950
(exclusivo)';
2.942

ind;
=a,
=de

lu

iu

indu; =du lebi; =le

zaa

Sierra de Jurez

zab

San Juan Guelava na; =a

zac

Ocotln

na; =a

zad

Cajonos

zae

liu; =u =2.942

dun; =n, =t, =t

=n

=l

=na

=t

nad; =, li; =o, o; =o

=d
=lo

neto;
=nto

le; =le

Yareni

nedi; =a, lu; =lu

=di

i-du; =du lebi; =le

zaf

Ayoquesco

na; =na

le-l; =l

zai

Isthmus

na; =a

li; =lu

zam

Miahuatln

da; =n

lu; =l

111
For a person.
112
For an animal (adjective).
113
Noun.
114
Relating to animals.
115

=ja

i; =i

=nu

le; =a

=l

=du

=t

na

Relating to animals: specifically those never with young, those pregnant or with eggs, and those raising young,
respectively.

Items 2.9

ISO
639-3
code

25

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'I'; 'yo';
2.910

'you
(sg.)';
't';
2.920

'we
(inclusive)';
'nosotros
(inclusivo)';
2.941

'we
'you (pl.)';
(exclusive)'; 'vosotros';
'nosotros
2.950
(exclusivo)';
2.942

i ~ iu;
=i

i-du; =du lebi ~

libi; =le

zao

Ozolotepec

zaq

Alopam

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo
Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

zav

Yatzachi

nada;
=a,
=da

zaw

Mitla

na; = lu; =lu nunu; =nu nue;

=nue

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni na; vowel luj; al, l =2.942

length

zpg

Guevea de
Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara
Quiegolani

zpj

Quiavicuzas

116

Also /lotu/.

nedi; =a, lu; =lu

=dia
na; =an, ly; =l
=n

le; =o, io; =o neto; =to le; =le

=do
la-tu;
=tu116

na; =a,
=n, =da

ndi;
=a

no

lw;
=lo

de; de

ao; =o

=be

nto;
=ndo

le; =le

tu; =n

lat; =d

no

see 2.920

26

Basic Vocabulary

ISO
639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'I'; 'yo';
2.910

'you
(sg.)';
't';
2.920

'we
(inclusive)';
'nosotros
(inclusivo)';
2.941

'we
'you (pl.)';
(exclusive)'; 'vosotros';
'nosotros
2.950
(exclusivo)';
2.942
=awa

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

li 117

=lu

=u

zpm

Mixtepec

na

lu

zpn

Santa Ins Yatzechi na

lo

=n

=du, =a =tu

zpo

Amatln

na

lu

be

nu

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

neda,
=da,
=a

le; =o, io; =o neto; =to le ~ le ;

=do
=le

zpr

Santiago Xanica

na

le

=a

zps

Coatln

zpt

San Vicente
Coatln

lo

zpu

Yallag

nada

lwe;
=lo

io; =o neto; =to le; =le

zpv

Chichicapan

na

ji; =lu nu

nu

=tu

zpw

Zaniza

zpx

San Baltazar
Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

ja

u; =u, na, n
=

see 2.910

see 2.920

zsr

Southern Rincn

neda

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

luj; a, l n, n

to

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn
Mixtepec

117

na

Compare this with first person dual /li/.

=wa
t

Items 3.6-3.8

ISO
639-3
code

27

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'I'; 'yo';
2.910

ztn

Santa Catarina
Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier na; =a,

=n

zts

Tilquiapan

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

na; =a,
=na

'you
(sg.)';
't';
2.920

'we
(inclusive)';
'nosotros
(inclusivo)';
2.941

'we
'you (pl.)';
(exclusive)'; 'vosotros';
'nosotros
2.950
(exclusivo)';
2.942

li; =o, =n
=l

=n

=do

li; =u

=du

=tu

=nu

Items 3.6-3.8
ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'dog'; 'perro'; 'fish'; 'pez'; 'louse';
3.610
3.650
'piojo'; 3.811
zaa

Sierra de Jurez

beku

bela

bei

zab

San Juan Guelava

bek

beld

beia

zac

Ocotln

mbeku

mbeld

mbi

zad

Cajonos

bek

bel

be

zae

Yareni

beku

bela

beti

zaf

Ayoquesco

nik

bl

pe

zai

Isthmus

biku

benda

bii

zam

Miahuatln

zao

Ozolotepec

zaq

Alopam

beku

bela

beti

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

zav

Yatzachi

beko

bel

be

28

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'dog'; 'perro'; 'fish'; 'pez'; 'louse';
3.610
3.650
'piojo'; 3.811
bk

bl

be

beko

bela

bi

bjk

bal

be

mk

ml

mija

niku

bela

bije

Santa Ins Yatzechi

beku

beld

ba

zpo

Amatln

bak

mbal

mbe

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

beko

bel

bee

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

mbek

mbl

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

zpu

Yallag

bk

bel

bee

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

beh

bal

bia

zpx

San Baltazar Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

e, baf

bel

pki

zaw

Mitla

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara Quiegolani

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

zpm

Mixtepec

zpn

Items 4.1

29

ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'dog'; 'perro'; 'fish'; 'pez'; 'louse';
3.610
3.650
'piojo'; 3.811
zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

mk

mal

mkij118

Quioquitani-Quier

mk

ml

mi

zts

Tilquiapan

bek

beld

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

Items 4.1
For 4.170, several varieties use a loanword from regional Spanish 'cacho'.
ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'skin';
'piel';
4.120a

'hide';
'pellejo';
4.120b

'blood'; 'bone';
'sangre'; 'hueso';
4.150
4.160

'horn';
'cuerno';
4.170

zaa

Sierra de Jurez

jedi

eni

ita

= 'bone'
4.160 +
'head'
4.200

zab

San Juan Guelava

id lad =4.120a

ka

zac

Ocotln

idi

baku

kai

zad

Cajonos

jid

en

it

loz

118

Nits.

=4.120a

30

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'skin';
'piel';
4.120a

'hide';
'pellejo';
4.120b

'blood'; 'bone';
'sangre'; 'hueso';
4.150
4.160

'horn';
'cuerno';
4.170

=4.120a

eni

zita

= 'bone'
4.160 +
'head'
4.200

(loanword)

zae

Yareni

jedi119

zaf

Ayoquesco

id

zai

Isthmus

idi
ladi120

idi

ini

ita

kau

zam

Miahuatln

zao

Ozolotepec

zaq

Alopam

jedi121

=4.120a

eni

zita

= 'bone'
4.160 +
'head'
4.200

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo
Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

zav

Yatzachi

jid,
lid122

=4.120a

en

it

loz

zaw

Mitla

id

=4.120a

en

ut

ka

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

idi

aba

en

ita

luzu

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

119

The vowel /e/ is phonetically [je] when it follows /j/ and precedes a lenis obstruent in this variety. The /j/ is
phonetically [].
120
'hide' 4.120b, 'body'.
121
The vowel /je/ is phonetically [je] when it follows /j/ and precedes a lenis obstruent in this variety. The /j/ is
phonetically [].
122
This is the noun that is used with a possessor.

Items 4.1

ISO 639-3
code

31

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'skin';
'piel';
4.120a

'hide';
'pellejo';
4.120b

'blood'; 'bone';
'sangre'; 'hueso';
4.150
4.160

'horn';
'cuerno';
4.170

id

=4.120a

en

it

ed

=4.120a

en

it

iti

(loanword) ene

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara
Quiegolani

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

zpm

Mixtepec

zpn

Santa Ins Yatzechi

id ladi

zpo

Amatln

jid

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

jid

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

zpu

Yallag

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

zpx

San Baltazar Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn Mixtepec

ata

= 'bone'
4.160 +
'head'
4.200

naru

kau

=4.120a

en

it

ka

=4.120a

en

it

loz

ten

tid

en

it

id
jid

=4.120a

id

luz

it

id

=4.120a

en

it

naz

id

=4.120a

en

it

ka

32

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'skin';
'piel';
4.120a

'hide';
'pellejo';
4.120b

'blood'; 'bone';
'sangre'; 'hueso';
4.150
4.160

ztn

Santa Catarina
Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier

kid

=4.120a

en

zts

Tilquiapan

id

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

'horn';
'cuerno';
4.170

it

ka
123

(loanword)

ka

Items 4.2
ISO
639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'head'; 'eye';
'cabeza'; 'ojo';
4.200
4.210

'ear'; 'nose'; 'tongue'; 'tooth';

'oreja'; 'nariz'; 'lengua'; 'diente';
4.220 4.230 4.260
4.270

zaa

Sierra de Jurez

ikia

ija-lo124

naa

ina

luee

laja

zab

San Juan Guelava

kia

bslo

dia

lu

laj

zac

Ocotln

slu

dia

ja

ldu

laj

zad

Cajonos

ji

alao

na

in

lo

lej

zae

Yareni

iki

ija-lo

naa

in

luza

laja

zaf

Ayoquesco

lo

da

lu

laj

zai

Isthmus

ike

lu,126 ie diaa
lu,127
bizalu

lui

laja

zam

Miahuatln

zao

Ozolotepec

zaq

Alopam

iki

ija-lo128 naa

in

luza

laja

123

125

Compare, however, the word /it/ 'egg' in this variety.

'stone' 1.440-'face'.
125
'stone' 1.440-'face'. The word for 'stone' changes the fortis glide to lenis here, however.
126
This word is literally 'face'.
127
'stone' 1.440-'face'.
128
'stone' 1.440-'face'. The word for 'stone' changes the fortis glide to lenis here, however.
124

Items 4.2

ISO
639-3
code

33

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'head'; 'eye';
'cabeza'; 'ojo';
4.200
4.210

'ear'; 'nose'; 'tongue'; 'tooth';

'oreja'; 'nariz'; 'lengua'; 'diente';
4.220 4.230 4.260
4.270

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo
Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

zav

Yatzachi

ji

()lao

na

in,
lo
in129

lej

zaw

Mitla

jek

bisjalo

dia

lu

lj

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

io

lao

naa

kin

lui

lej

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni ika

pslio

dia

lu

lj

zpg

Guevea de
Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara
Quiegolani

bzalo

e-da pid

loz

lej

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

diaka

lui

laja

zpm

Mixtepec

zpn

Santa Ins Yatzechi ik

balo,
bizlo

dia

ie

ldui

laj

zpo

Amatln

lo

na

lu

ke lej

zpp

El Alto

129

Free variation.

to

uka ekie ikulu

jek

34

Basic Vocabulary

ISO
639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

zpq

Zoogocho

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

zpu

Yallag

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

zpx

San Baltazar
Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn
Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina
Albarradas

'head'; 'eye';
'cabeza'; 'ojo';
4.200
4.210

'ear'; 'nose'; 'tongue'; 'tooth';

'oreja'; 'nariz'; 'lengua'; 'diente';
4.220 4.230 4.260
4.270

ji

na

lao,
jelao

ek
ji

lao,130
je lao

ix

lo

ik

ulo

ik

lo, nud da
lo

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier kik

zts

Tilquiapan

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

130

This word is literally 'face'.

The first part means 'stone'.

131

ik

naj

ina

loe

laj

lu

ndej

in

lu

laj

lu

ida

lu

laj

ij

lu

talaj,
kta-laj131

lo, mlo ta

kij

lu

laj

balo

lu

jalaj

die

Items 4.3

35

Items 4.3
ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'hand'; 'mano';
4.330

'knee'; 'rodilla'; 4.360

zaa

Sierra de Jurez

na

ibi

zab

San Juan Guelava

na

ib

zac

Ocotln

ja

ibi

zad

Cajonos

na

ib

zae

Yareni

na

ibi

zaf

Ayoquesco

ja

ib

zai

Isthmus

na

ibi

zam

Miahuatln

zao

Ozolotepec

zaq

Alopam

na

ibi

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

zav

Yatzachi

na

ib

zaw

Mitla

na

jek-ib133

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

na

ibi

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni

nia

iib

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

132

/j/ here is phonetically [j].

'head'-'?'.

133

132

36

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'hand'; 'mano';

4.330

'knee'; 'rodilla'; 4.360

na

ib

ja

iki

Santa Ins Yatzechi

nan

ib

zpo

Amatln

ja

uk

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

na

ib

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

ja

ib

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

zpu

Yallag

na

ib

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

zpx

San Baltazar Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

zpi

Santa Mara Quiegolani

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

zpm

Mixtepec

zpn

tib

na

ib

Quioquitani-Quier

na

kib

zts

Tilquiapan

na

ib134

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

134

This word is always used with another to name a part of the knee; it is not used alone.

Items 4.4

37

ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'hand'; 'mano';

4.330
ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

'knee'; 'rodilla'; 4.360

Items 4.4
ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'breast (of woman)'; 'liver'; 'hgado'; 4.450
'pecho (de mujer)';
4.410
zaa

Sierra de Jurez

ii

te

zab

San Juan Guelava

dud

lazdoki

zac

Ocotln

dud135

ldu ui

zad

Cajonos

ladoja

zae

Yareni

izi

lazdo ~ lazto

zaf

Ayoquesco

zai

Isthmus

zam

Miahuatln

zao

Ozolotepec

zaq

Alopam

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

zav

Yatzachi

zaw

Mitla

dud pe

lastoi

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

ii

lataoe137

135
Spanish
136

glosses in source: 'teta, pezn'.

The second part of this expression is from Spanish.
137
Etymologically 'heart'-'big'.

lado
ii

lai

izi

lazdo ~ lazto

et, et
136

38

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'breast (of woman)'; 'liver'; 'hgado'; 4.450
'pecho (de mujer)';
4.410
zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara Quiegolani

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

zpm

Mixtepec

zpn

dud

lodo

dud

led

ii,138 i

aki-ji139

Santa Ins Yatzechi

lato

lato

zpo

Amatln

laz

leto140

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

ie

ete

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

zpu

Yallag

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

zpx

San Baltazar Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

lu,141 i,142 i143

la

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

138

Of an animal.
Etymologically 'heart' + ?.
140
This expression includes general 'insides', including 'heart' and 'liver'.
141
'breast'.
142
'mammary gland'.
143
From colloquial Spanish 'chichi'.
139

Items 4.7

39

ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'breast (of woman)'; 'liver'; 'hgado'; 4.450
'pecho (de mujer)';
4.410
i

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier

la

zts

Tilquiapan

dud

la144

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

Items 4.7
ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'be born';
'nacer'; 4.720
'h', 'p', 'c'

'live'; 'vivir';
'die'; 'morir';
4.740 'h', 'p', 'c' 4.750 'h', 'p',
or Stative
'c'

zaa

Sierra de Jurez

-alia, -alia,
ulia

ka-ban, k-ban,
uka-ban

-ati, -ati, uti

zab

San Juan Guelava

-al, -al, ul

na-ban, i-ban,
u-ban

-at, -at, ut

zac

Ocotln

-al, ----, ul

-bani, i-bani,
u-bani

-ati, -ati, uti

zad

Cajonos

-al, -al,
ol

-ban, i-ban,
w-ban

-et, -et, wit

zae

Yareni

-ali, -ali, uli

na-bani

-ati, -ati, uti

zaf

Ayoquesco

zai

Isthmus

zam

Miahuatln

zao

Ozolotepec

144

___, -at, ___

-ale, -ale, ule na-bani

That is, the 'center of the body' and not the particular organ.

-ati, -ati, uti

40

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'be born';
'nacer'; 4.720
'h', 'p', 'c'

'live'; 'vivir';
'die'; 'morir';
4.740 'h', 'p', 'c' 4.750 'h', 'p',
or Stative
'c'

-al, -al, ul145

na-bani

-ati, -ati, uti

-at, -at, ot

zaq

Alopam

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo
Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

zav

Yatzachi

-al, -al,
ol

-ban, -ban,
b-wan

zaw

Mitla

-al, -al, ol

-ban, i-ban, -et, -et, ut

u-ban

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara Quiegolani -al, -al, wal

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

145

-alo, -alo, olo n-e-ban146

-ati, -ati, uti

-jab lu, jalb -ba, ba,

ju, biabl ju,147 wa
-a, -a, o148

-jt, -jt, ujt

-ban, j-ban,
w-ban

-ala, ala, unula e-wai, wai,

u-wai

-et, -et, w-et

-ati, ati, unuti

While [zaq] is extremely similar to [zae], [zaq] tends to drop the post-tonic vowel in normal speech.
s-?-live.
147
Idiom referring to people: 'fall' 'ground' 1.210.
148
Referring to animals. This verb also means 'to break a long, slender thing'.
146

Items 4.7

ISO 639-3
code

41

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'be born';
'nacer'; 4.720
'h', 'p', 'c'

'live'; 'vivir';
'die'; 'morir';
4.740 'h', 'p', 'c' 4.750 'h', 'p',
or Stative
'c'
-ban, ---, ---

zpm

Mixtepec

zpn

Santa Ins Yatzechi

-al, -al, ol

zpo

Amatln

n-ak, -al, nol mban149

n-et, jet, nut

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

-al, -al,
ol

-ban, ban,
w-ban

-at, -at, ot

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

zpu

Yallag

-a, -a,
o

-ban, ban,
w-ban

-at, -at, ot

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

zpx

San Baltazar Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

-al, -al, uj-al

m-ban; -ban,
i-ban, u-ban

-t, -t,
uj-t

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina
Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier

-al, k-al, kol

-pan, k-pan,
pan

-et, k-et, kut

zts

Tilquiapan

-al, -al, ul

-ban, -iban,
uban

-atj, -atj, utj

ztt

Tejalapan

149

Stative.

-ati, -ati, uti

42

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

'be born';
'nacer'; 4.720
'h', 'p', 'c'

'live'; 'vivir';
'die'; 'morir';
4.740 'h', 'p', 'c' 4.750 'h', 'p',
or Stative
'c'

Items 5
For 5.122, see the relationship between many of these words and the word for 'green' (15.680).
ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'eat'; 'comer;
5.110 'h', 'p', 'c'

'raw';
'drink'; 'beber';
'crudo';
5.130 'h', 'p', 'c'
5.122 'h',
'p', 'c'
('uncooked'
rather than
'green')
ja

zaa

Sierra de Jurez

-o, -o, u-do

zab

San Juan Guelava

-o, ---, u-do150; na-a

-kin, i-kin, b-kin
151
.

-e, -e, w-e

zac

Ocotln

-au, -au, u-dau

-u

zad

Cajonos

-ao, -ao, w-dao ja

-e, j-e,
w-e

zae

Yareni

-o, -o, u-do

-ija, ija, uja

zaf

Ayoquesco

zai

Isthmus

zam

Miahuatln

zao

Ozolotepec

zaq

Alopam

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo
Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

150
This
151

ja

-ija, ija, uja

---, ---, ow
-o, -o, u-do

na-ja

-e, -e, w-e

-o, -o, u-do

ja

-ija, ija, uja

verb is used only with a non-human subject.

This verb is used for people.

Items 5

ISO 639-3
code

43

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'eat'; 'comer;
5.110 'h', 'p', 'c'

'raw';
'drink'; 'beber';
'crudo';
5.130 'h', 'p', 'c'
5.122 'h',
'p', 'c'
('uncooked'
rather than
'green')

zav

Yatzachi

-ao, -ao, w-dao ja

-e, j-e,
-e

zaw

Mitla

-au, -au,
u-dau

ja

-, j-, u152

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

-ao, -ao, u-dao

ja

-io, io, we

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni

-aw, -aw,
b-daw

ja

-je, -je, o

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara Quiegolani

-u, -u, w-u

ja

-o, -o, w-o

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

-aku, -aku,
u-daku

(negative of -we, we,

'cooked')
un-we153

zpm

Mixtepec

zpn

Santa Ins Yatzechi

-o, -o, u-do

-ja

, ---, ---

zpo

Amatln

n-aw, -aw,
n-daw

njej

n-o, -o, ngu

zpp

El Alto

152

Note the loss of the glottal stop in the Potential form.

The vowel in this root varies to /a/ for some people.

153

44

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

zpq

Zoogocho

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

zpu

Yallag

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

zpx

San Baltazar Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

'eat'; 'comer;
5.110 'h', 'p', 'c'

'raw';
'drink'; 'beber';
'crudo';
5.130 'h', 'p', 'c'
5.122 'h',
'p', 'c'
('uncooked'
rather than
'green')

-a, -a,
w-da

ja

-ee, j-ee,
-ee

-ao, -ao, w-dao

-e, j-e,
w-e

-ow, -ow, uj-ow

-a, -ja, uj-a

Quioquitani-Quier

-aw, k-aw, k-taw

~ taw

i, ki-, bi

zts

Tilquiapan

-aw, -aw, b-daw na-ja

-e, -e, w-e

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

Items 6

45

Items 6
ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'leather'; 'cuero'; 6.290
zaa

Sierra de Jurez

=4.120a

zab

San Juan Guelava

=4.120a

zac

Ocotln

=4.120a

zad

Cajonos

=4.120a

zae

Yareni

=4.120a

zaf

Ayoquesco

zai

Isthmus

zam

Miahuatln

zao

Ozolotepec

zaq

Alopam

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

zav

Yatzachi

=4.120a

zaw

Mitla

=4.120a

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara Quiegolani

154

'skin' 4.120a, '?'

=4.120b

=4.120a

=4.120a

=4.120a

ged-jej154

46

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'leather'; 'cuero'; 6.290

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

zpm

Mixtepec

zpn

Santa Ins Yatzechi

=4.120a

zpo

Amatln

=4.120a

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

zpu

Yallag

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

zpx

San Baltazar Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier

=4.120a

zts

Tilquiapan

=4.120a

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

(loanword)

=4.120a

=4.120a

=4.120a

=4.120a

Items 8

47

Items 8
ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'leaf'; 'hoja'; 8.560 'tree'; 'rbol'; 8.600 =
1.420 (not repeated
here)
zaa

Sierra de Jurez

la

zab

San Juan Guelava

blda

zac

Ocotln

ndia

zad

Cajonos

la

zae

Yareni

laa

zaf

Ayoquesco

la

zai

Isthmus

bandaa

zam

Miahuatln

zao

Ozolotepec

zaq

Alopam

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

zav

Yatzachi

la

zaw

Mitla

bala

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara Quiegolani

laa

laa

bla

48

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'leaf'; 'hoja'; 8.560 'tree'; 'rbol'; 8.600 =
1.420 (not repeated
here)
zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

zpm

Mixtepec

zpn

Santa Ins Yatzechi

blda

zpo

Amatln

la

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

zpu

Yallag

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

zpx

San Baltazar Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier

pla

zts

Tilquiapan

blda

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

leka

laa
la
laj
la

la

bla

Items 10

49

Items 10
ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue come; venir; 10.480 'h', path;
camino,
'p', 'c'
senda;
10.720
zaa

Sierra de Jurez

-ita, da, b-ita

nea

zab

San Juan Guelava

-ed, -ed, b-ed

nez

zac

Ocotln

-ed, ---, ---

nez

zad

Cajonos

-id, j-id, b-id

nez

zae

Yareni

-ida, ida, b-ida155

nea

zaf

Ayoquesco

-id, -id, ___

nz

zai

Isthmus

-eda, -eda, b-eda

neza

zam

Miahuatln

zao

Ozolotepec

zaq

Alopam

-ida, ida, b-ida156

nea

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

zav

Yatzachi

-id, j-id, b-id

zaw

Mitla

-jd, x-jd, b-jd

nez

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

-ida, -ida, b-ida

neza

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

155

Recall that the lenis stop /d/ is voiceless in [zae].

Recall that the lenis stop /d/ is voiceless in [zaq].
157
The diphthong here is phonetically [i].
156

nez
157

50

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue come; venir; 10.480 'h', path;
camino,
'p', 'c'
senda;
10.720
-id, -id, b-id;158 -jd,
-jd, b-jd 159

nez

-did, tid, u-did

nz

se, tse, utse

inzju

Santa Ins Yatzechi

-ia, ---, ---

nez

zpo

Amatln

n-jid, jid, mbid

naz

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

-id, j-id, b-id

nez

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

zpu

Yallag

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

zpx

San Baltazar Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn Mixtepec

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara Quiegolani

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

zpm

Mixtepec

zpn

158
'come'
159

(not to home).
'come to home'.

nez
-ed, j-ed, b-ed

nez
nez

-jad, -jad, u-jad

naz

Items 13

51

ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue come; venir; 10.480 'h', path;
camino,
'p', 'c'
senda;
10.720
ztn

Santa Catarina Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier

id, kid, b-id

nz

zts

Tilquiapan

-jed, -jed, z-jed

nez-ju160

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

Items 13
For 13.010, see the various issues revolving around the number 'one' and how it should be cited
in Counting, this series.
ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in Ethnologue 'one'; 'uno'; 'two';

13.010
'dos';
13.020

'full'; 'lleno'; 13.210

(some are verb 'be
full' and cited in h,
p, c)

zaa

Sierra de Jurez

tubi, tu

upa

zab

San Juan Guelava

tub

tiop

zac

Ocotln

tubi, tu

up

-, ---, a

zad

Cajonos

to

op, op

toa; i-a, ji-a,

bi-a

zae

Yareni

tubi, tu

upa

sa; isa, isa, bisa

zaf

Ayoquesco

tub

tjop

zai

Isthmus

tobi, ti

upa

a; i-a, ---, ---

zam

Miahuatln

ib

zao

Ozolotepec

ib

zaq

Alopam

tubi, tu

upa

sa; isa, isa, bisa

zar

Rincn

tu

160

/nez/ means 'toward' or 'over there'.

52

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in Ethnologue 'one'; 'uno'; 'two';

13.010
'dos';
13.020

'full'; 'lleno'; 13.210

(some are verb 'be
full' and cited in h,
p, c)

zas

Santo Domingo Albarradas tib

zat

Tabaa

tu

zav

Yatzachi

to

op, op

-a, a, -a

zaw

Mitla

teb, te, te

tjop

-a, i-a, bi-a

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

tu

opa

-a, i-a, u-a

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni

tob

op

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara Quiegolani

teb, te

tup

-jeza, -jeza,
u-jeza

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

tuku

uku

nela; -jela, jela,

u-jela

zpm

Mixtepec

tib

zpn

Santa Ins Yatzechi

tu

op

-a, ---, b-a

zpo

Amatln

tub

op

nae, jie, nue

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

to

op

-a, a, -a

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

diba

topa

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

dub

tub, tu

Items 14

ISO 639-3
code

53

Identifier as in Ethnologue 'one'; 'uno'; 'two';

13.010
'dos';
13.020

zpu

Yallag

to

zpv

Chichicapan

tubi

zpw

Zaniza

tib

zpx

San Baltazar Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

tib

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

tib

ztm

San Agustn Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ib

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier

zts

'full'; 'lleno'; 13.210

(some are verb 'be
full' and cited in h,
p, c)

op

-ada, w-ada,
b-ada

up

tub

op

ka-; z-, i-,

u-

tu

op

-ak, k-ak,
bjak

Tilquiapan

tu, tub

tiop

-a, i-a, b-a

ztt

Tejalapan

tu

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

Items 14
ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'new'; 'nuevo';
14.130

'night (or 'become night)';

'noche' (o 'anochecer');
14.420 'h', 'p', 'c'

zaa

Sierra de Jurez

kubi

-ala, -ala, ula

zab

San Juan Guelava

kub

guin

zac

Ocotln

kubi

el

54

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'new'; 'nuevo';

14.130

'night (or 'become night)';

'noche' (o 'anochecer');
14.420 'h', 'p', 'c'

zad

Cajonos

kob, kob

jel; -al, -al, ol

zae

Yareni

kubi

ela

zaf

Ayoquesco

kub

il

zai

Isthmus

kubi161

i-ini, ---, bi-ini

zam

Miahuatln

kub

zao

Ozolotepec

zaq

Alopam

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

zav

Yatzachi

kob

zaw

Mitla

na-kob

jl

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

kubi

e; ila;163 r-e, e,
u-e164

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni

kob

il

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara Quiegolani

kweb

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

161

kubi

jel; -al, -al, ol

162

Most commonly inflected for Stative aspect: /na-kubi/.

s-new.
163
Used when counting.
164
The form /ia/ is used when counting the nights.
162

ela

Items 14

55

ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'new'; 'nuevo';

14.130

'night (or 'become night)';

'noche' (o 'anochecer');
14.420 'h', 'p', 'c'

kuki

ula165

Santa Ins Yatzechi

kubi

el

zpo

Amatln

kub

jal

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

kobe

jel; -al, -al, ol

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

kub

tl

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

zpu

Yallag

kob

jel

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

kub

al

zpx

San Baltazar Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

kub

el

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

kub

al

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier

kub

kol

zts

Tilquiapan

kub

el; -ak-el, -ak-el,

uk-el166

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zpl

Lachixo

zpm

Mixtepec

zpn

165

San Miguel Mixtepec: /ela/.

Literally 'make'-'night'.

166

56

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3 code Identifier as in Ethnologue 'new'; 'nuevo';

14.130
zty

'night (or 'become night)';

'noche' (o 'anochecer');
14.420 'h', 'p', 'c'

Yatee

Items 15.4-15.5
ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in Ethnologue 'hear'; 'or'; 15.410 'h', 'see'; 'ver'; 15.510

'h', 'p', 'c'
'p', 'c'

zaa

Sierra de Jurez

i-jeni, i-jeni, bi-jeni

zab

San Juan Guelava

-in dia, -in dia, b-in -ja, -ja, b-ja

dia

zac

Ocotln

-k dia, ---, ---167

-na

zad

Cajonos

-eni, -eni, b-eni

-lei, i-lei, b-lei

zae

Yareni

i-jeni-ni, i-jeni-ni,
bi-jeni-ni168

i-la, i-la, bi-la

zaf

Ayoquesco

-ndia, ---, ---

---, b-je, ---

zai

Isthmus

-una diaa, ---, bina

diaa169

-uja, ---, bija

zam

Miahuatln

zao

Ozolotepec

zaq

Alopam

ieni-ni, ijieni-ni,
bieni-ni170

i-la, i-la, bi-la

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

zav

Yatzachi

-ene, j-ene, b-ene

-lei, lei, b-lei

zaw

Mitla

-u-s-jen, -u-s-jen,
b-a-s-jen 171

-u-wi, -u-wi,
b-a-wi

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

167
Literally
168

i-la, i-la, bi-la

? 'ear' 4.220.
This is a dative verb.
169
Literally 'obey' 'ear' 4.220.
170
This is a dative verb.
171
This verb has causative morphology. /u-/ is the theme vowel commonly used with causatives.

Items 15.4-15.5

ISO 639-3
code

57

Identifier as in Ethnologue 'hear'; 'or'; 15.410 'h', 'see'; 'ver'; 15.510

'h', 'p', 'c'
'p', 'c'

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara Quiegolani

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

zpm

Mixtepec

zpn

r-u-z-naa, u-z-naa, r-l, i-l, b-l

b-z-naa172

-kwa-dia, kwa-dia,
p-ka-dia173

-wi, wi, mna

-on, -on, w-on

-wi, k-wi ~ -wi,

wi

-jene, jene, u-jene

-ija, b-ija, ub-ija

Santa Ins Yatzechi

-bia, -bia, u-bia

-jen, ---, ---

zpo

Amatln

n-on, -on, mb-in

nwi, wi, m-wi

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

-ene, j-ene, b-ene

-le, le, b-le

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

zpu

Yallag

-ene, j-ene, b-ene

-e, e, b-e

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

zpx

San Baltazar Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

172

Idiom: 'cause.be.upright-ear' ; 4.220 /u-/ is the theme vowel commonly used with causatives.
The last part is 'ear' 4.220.

173

58

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in Ethnologue 'hear'; 'or'; 15.410 'h', 'see'; 'ver'; 15.510

'h', 'p', 'c'
'p', 'c'
-zak, zak, b-zak

zpz

Texmelucan

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier

-on, k-on, bin

-an, k-an, kon

zts

Tilquiapan

-in, -in, b-in

-an, -an, un

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

-on, -on, uj-on

Items 15.6
In 15.640, 15.650, 15.680, and 15.690, if a prefix is included, it is Stative.
ISO
639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'white'; 'black'; 'red'; 'blue';

'blanco'; 'negro'; 'rojo'; 'azul';
15.640 15.650 15.660 15.670
ii

'green'; 'yellow';
'verde'; 'amarillo';
15.680 15.690

jeja

ina

(loanword) ja

jai

nas

nia

(loanword) na

na

zaa

Sierra de Jurez

zab

San Juan Guelava ni

zac

Ocotln

na-kii

na-as ni

zad

Cajonos

ji

as

na

(loanword) a

zae

Yareni

zii

jai

ina

(loanword) ja

jai

zaf

Ayoquesco

na-at

jas

nie

zai

Isthmus

kii

jase

ia

zam

Miahuatln

zao

Ozolotepec

174

na-

na-ai

na-e

(loanword) na-a

174

ui

The sense of this is 'living (not dead, relating to plants)'. The color is expressed using a loanword from Spanish.

Items 15.6

ISO
639-3
code

59

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'white'; 'black'; 'red'; 'blue';

'blanco'; 'negro'; 'rojo'; 'azul';
15.640 15.650 15.660 15.670

'green'; 'yellow';
'verde'; 'amarillo';
15.680 15.690

zii

jai

ina

(loanword) a

jai

Yatzachi

ji

as

na

(loanword) a

zaw

Mitla

nol

nia

sul

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

aso

na ~
na

(loanword) ia

ai

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni nki

jas,
ngas

ja

(loanword) na

zpg

Guevea de
Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara
Quiegolani

ni

ngas

nlo

=15.680

nga

nge

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

nikii

naa

lu

nije175

nije

ai

zpm

Mixtepec

zpn

Santa Ins Yatzechi -kii

nas

inian

ol

zpo

Amatln

zpp

El Alto

zaq

Alopam

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo
Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

zav

175

bezi

us

na-ja

na-as na-ne (loanword) na-je

The loanword 'azul' is used more commonly today.

na-je

60

Basic Vocabulary

ISO
639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'white'; 'black'; 'red'; 'blue';

'blanco'; 'negro'; 'rojo'; 'azul';
15.640 15.650 15.660 15.670
i

as

San Vicente
Coatln

---176

na

zpu

Yallag

as

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

zpx

San Baltazar
Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn
Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina
Albarradas

zpq

Zoogocho

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

zpt

ka

na

'green'; 'yellow';
'verde'; 'amarillo';
15.680 15.690

(loanword) a

ae

na

(loanword) a

na

md

ka

nki

jaz

en (loanword) n
na177

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier ni

jes

nin (loanword) n

ku

zts

Tilquiapan

n-as

nia

n-a

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

176

Compare /ni/ 'yellow'.

Literally 'blood' 'appears'.

177

n-ki

(loanword) n-a

Items 18

61

Items 18
ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'sing'; 'cantar';
'tell story';
'name';
'nombre';
18.120 'h', 'p', 'c' 'contar'
('relatar'); 18.221 18.280
'h', 'p', 'c'

zaa

Sierra de Jurez

-ula, -ula, b-ela

la

zab

San Juan Guelava

-uld, -uld, b-ild r-ue, g-ue, b-e

la

zac

Ocotln

-uld, -uld,
b-ild

l178

zad

Cajonos

-ol, -ol, b-il

-ses, w-ses,
b-ses

le

zae

Yareni

-ula, ula, b-ila

i-iia, kiia,
u-diia

la

zaf

Ayoquesco

-ol

zai

Isthmus

-unda, ---,
b-inda

-u-zabi dia,
---, ---180

zam

Miahuatln

zao

Ozolotepec

zaq

Alopam

-ula, ula, b-ila

-iia, kiia,
u-diia

la

zar

Rincn

zas

Santo Domingo
Albarradas

zat

Tabaa

zav

Yatzachi

-ol, ---, ---

-ual, -ual, la
b--ual

zaw

Mitla

-ol-o, -ol-o,
b-l-o181

-ol, -ol, b-l182

zax

Xadani

zca

Coatecas Altas

178

'is called'.
'is called'.
180
Literally 'show' 'word'.
181
Etymologically 'tellmouth'.
182
'tell''.
179

le() 179

la

62

Basic Vocabulary

ISO 639-3
code

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'sing'; 'cantar';
'tell story';
'name';
'nombre';
18.120 'h', 'p', 'c' 'contar'
('relatar'); 18.221 18.280
'h', 'p', 'c'

zoo

Asuncin Mixtepec

zpa

Lachiguiri

zpb

Yautepec

zpc

Choapan

zpd

Southeastern Ixtln

zpe

Petapa

zpf

San Pedro Quiatoni

zpg

Guevea de Humboldt

zph

Totomachapan

zpi

Santa Mara Quiegolani

zpj

Quiavicuzas

zpk

Tlacolulita

zpl

Lachixo

zpm

Mixtepec

zpn

Santa Ins Yatzechi

-old, -old,
b-ild

la

zpo

Amatln

n-ol, -ol, mb-il n-za kuent, za

kuent, m-za
kuent184

le 185

zpp

El Alto

zpq

Zoogocho

-ol, -ol, b-il

la

zpr

Santiago Xanica

zps

Coatln

zpt

San Vicente Coatln

zpu

Yallag

183

-ula, w-ila, b-ila

-ol, -ol, b-il

lao

-uj, -uj, be

-ol-ban, -ol-ban, -zt, j-zt,

w-ol-ban183
w-zt

-ula, ula, un-ula

la

-kie, kie, u-kie le

-uala,
-uala,
b--uala

l
-ol, -ol, b-el

Etymologically 'read' '?'.

The part /kuent/ is a loanword from Spanish 'cuento'. Other varieties have a similar idiom.
185
'is called'.
184

la

la

Items 18

ISO 639-3
code

63

Identifier as in
Ethnologue

'sing'; 'cantar';
'tell story';
'name';
'nombre';
18.120 'h', 'p', 'c' 'contar'
('relatar'); 18.221 18.280
'h', 'p', 'c'

zpv

Chichicapan

zpw

Zaniza

zpx

San Baltazar Loxicha

zpy

Mazaltepec

zpz

Texmelucan

zsr

Southern Rincn

zte

Elotepec

ztg

Xanagua

ztl

Lapagua-Guivini

ztm

San Agustn Mixtepec

ztn

Santa Catarina Albarradas

ztp

Loxicha

ztq

Quioquitani-Quier

-ol, k-ol, b-il

zts

Tilquiapan

-uld, -uld, b-ild -ni, -ni, u-ni187 la

ztt

Tejalapan

ztu

Gil

ztx

Zaachila

zty

Yatee

186

la

-ol kant, ---,

---186

-ne kuent, ---, --- l

la
-so kuent, k-so
kuent, p-so kuent

The verb is also used for 'dance'; the second part of this idiom is from Spanish 'cantar' for 'sing'.
This is simply the verb for 'say, speak'.

187

64

Basic Vocabulary

Index of English Terms

An index from English to the IDS number is given below.
air 1.710

ground 1.210, 1.212

river 1.360

ashes 1.840

hand 4.330

sand 1.215

be born 4.720

head 4.200

see 15.510

black 15.650

hear 15.410

sing 18.120

blood 4.150

hide 4.120b

skin 4.120a

blue 15.670

hill 1.220

sky 1.510

bone 4.160

horn 4.170

soil 1.210, 1.212

breast (of woman) 4.410

I 2.910

star 1.540

brook 1.360

knee 4.360

stone 1.440

burn (intr.) 1.851

land 1.210, 1.212

stream 1.360

cave 1.280

leaf 8.560

sun 1.520

charcoal 1.890

leather 6.290

tell story 18.221

come 10.480

live 4.740

tongue 4.260

die 4.750

liver 4.450

tooth 4.270

dog 3.610

louse 3.811

tree 1.420, 8.600

drink 5.130

male 2.300

two 13.020

dust 1.213

moon 1.530

water 1.310

ear 4.220

mountain 1.220

we (exclusive) 2.942

earth 1.210, 1.212

mud 1.214

we (inclusive) 2.941

earthquake 1.450

name 18.280

white 15.640

eat 5.110

new 14.130

wind 1.720

eye 4.210

night (or become night) 14.420

wood 1.430

female 2.400

nose 4.230

yellow 15.690

fire 1.810

one 13.010

you (pl.) 2.950

firewood 1.880

path 10.720

you (sg.) 2.920

fish 3.650

person 2.100

flame 1.820

rain 1.750

foam 1.324

rainbow 1.590

full 13.210

raw 5.122

green 15.680

red 15.660

Index of Spanish Terms

65

Index of Spanish Terms

An index from Spanish to the IDS number is given below.
agua 1.310

hembra 2.400

pez 3.650

aire 1.710

hgado 4.450

piedra 1.440

amarillo 15.690

hoja 8.560

piel 4.120a

rbol 1.420, 8.600

hueso 4.160

piojo 3.811

arco iris 1.590

lengua 4.260

polvo 1.213

arder 1.851

lea 1.880

ro 1.360

arena 1.215

lodo 1.214

rodilla 4.360

arroyo 1.360

luna 1.530

rojo 15.660

azul 15.670

llama 1.820

sangre 4.150

beber 5.130

lleno 13.210

senda 10.720

blanco 15.640

lluvia 1.750

sol 1.520

cabeza 4.200

macho 2.300

terremoto 1.450

camino 10.720

madera 1.430

tierra 1.210, 1.212

cantar 18.120

mano 4.330

t 2.920

carbn 1.890

morir 4.750

uno 13.010

cenizas 1.840

nacer 4.720

venir 10.480

cerro 1.220

nariz 4.230

ver 15.510

cielo 1.510

negro 15.650

verde 15.680

comer 5.110

noche (o anochecer) 14.420

viento 1.720

contar 18.221

nombre 18.280

vivir 4.740

corriente 1.360

nosotros (exclusivo) 2.942

vosotros 2.950

crudo 5.122

nosotros (inclusivo) 2.941

yo 2.910

cuerno 4.170

nuevo 14.130

cuero 6.290

or 15.410

cueva 1.280

ojo 4.210

diente 4.270

oreja 4.220

dos 13.020

pecho (de mujer) 4.410

espuma 1.324

pellejo 4.120b

estrella 1.540

persona 2.100

fuego 1.810

perro 3.610

66

Basic Vocabulary

Abbreviations
c
h
p
s

=
=
=
=

completive
habitual
potential
stative

References
Buck, Carl Darling, compiler. 1949. A dictionary of selected synonyms in the principal Indo-European languages.
Chicago: University of Chicago Press.