WHITE HMONG - ENGLISH DICTIONARY

THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY SOUTHEAST ASIA PROGRAM

The Southeast Asia Program was organized at

Cornell University in the Department of Far Eastern
Studies in 1950. It is a teaching and research pro-
gram of interdisciplinary studies in the humanities,
social sciences and some natural sciences. It deals
with Southeast Asia as a region, and with the in-
dividual countries of the area: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand and Vietnam.
The activities of the Program are carried on
both at Cornell and in Southeast Asia. They include
an undergraduate and graduate curriculum at Cornell
which provides instruction by specialists in Southeast
Asian cultural history and present-day affairs and
offers intensive training in each of the major languages
of the area. The Program sponsors group research
projects on Thailand, on Indonesia, on the Philippines,
and on the area's Chinese minorities. At the same
time, individual staff and students of the Program have
done field research in every Southeast Asian country.
A list of publications relating to Southeast
Asia which may be obtained on prepaid order directly
from the Program is given at the end of this volume.
Information on Program staff, fellowships, require-
ments for degrees, and current course offerings will
be found in an Announcement of the Department of
Asian Studies, obtainable from the Director, Southeast
Asia Program, 120 Uris Hall, Cornell University,
Ithaca, New York 14853.
 WHITE HMONG - ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Compiled by

Ernest E. Heimbach

Linguistic Series IV

1979 Revised Edition

Data Paper: Number 75

Southeast Asia Program
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
August 1979

Price: $6.50
@ 1 9 6 6 , 1 9 6 9 , 1 9 7 9 CORNELL SOUTHEAST ASIA PROGRAM

I n t e r n a t i o n a l Standard Book
Number 0-88727-075

F i r s t p u b l i s h e d by t h e C o r n e l l S o u t h e a s t A s i a
P r o g r a m i n 1 9 6 9 u n d e r t h e t i t l e , W h i t e Meo-
English Dictionary.
 FOREWORD

The Southeast Asia Program takes considerable pleasure

in being able to publish this White Hmonq-Enqlish Dictionary
in its Linguistic Series of data papers. Besides the value
it has in its own right for students and scholars, it has
an additional special value as a companion work to the
Yao-Enqlish Dictionary of Lombard and Purnell. The two
together will surely give impetus to Meo-Yao comparative
studies. We are gratified to see our objectives in pro-
viding basic linguistic materials so soon being realized.
This dictionary, too, is the work of a missionary who
is following a long and distinguished tradition of mission-
ary scholarship. Mr. Heimbach has spent a number of years a-
mong theWhite Hmong of Northern Thailand and collected his
data in the process of learning the language. The results
were first compiled in a mimeographed version for use by a
few friends, colleagues and other interested persons. With
this publication the dictionary becomes available to a wider
audience.
We are especially grateful to Dr. William A. Smalley
for bringing this dictionary to our attention and his
assistance in bringing it to publication. In particular
we thank him for providing the Introduction. Those inter-
ested in a more detailed discussion of Hmong phonology are
directed to his forthcoming Linquistic Diversity and National
Unity in %ailand. We wish also to acknowledge our indebt-
edness to Mr. Don Rulison for proofreading our typescript
in Mr. Heimbach's absence abroad.

Robert B. Jones, Jr.

Ithaca, New York
March 1969
 FOREWORD TO THE REVISED EDITION

There was l i t t l e demand f o r t h i s d i c t i o n a r y i n t h e y e a r s

immediately f o l l o w i n g i t s f i r s t p u b l i c a t i o n i n 1969. The hun-
dred-or-so c o p i e s reniaining a f t e r l i b r a r i e s and l i n g u i s t s had
o b t a i n e d t h e i r s seemed d e s t i n e d f o r t h e s c r a p - p a p e r d e a l e r when,
q u i t e s u d d e n l y i n 1978, it began t o s e l l r a p i d l y .

The r e a s o n f o r t h e d i c t i o n a r y ' s sudden p o p u l a r i t y was and

i s t h e p r e s e n c e o f many t h o u s a n d s o f Hmong r e f u g e e s i n T h a i l a n d
and t h e United S t a t e s who a r e f i n d i n g it a u s e f u l a i d .

I n r e p r i n t i n g it a t t h i s t i m e , w e have made t w o i m p o r t a n t
changes.

F i r s t , w i t h t h e a s s e n t and encouragement o f M r . Heimbach,

w e have s u b s t i t u t e d "Hmong" f o r "Meow i n t h e t i t l e , t h e i n t r o -
d u c t o r y s e c t i o n s , and t h e a p p e n d i c e s . T h i s h a s been done t o
conform t o t h e w i s h e s o f Hmong, who o b j e c t s t r o n g l y t o "Meow a s
a d e r o g a t o r y t e r m t h e y t h e m s e l v e s would n e v e r u s e .

Second, b e c a u s e t h e b u l k o f p a g e s i n t h e f i r s t p r i n t i n g
made t h e b o o k ' s b i n d i n g e x t r e m e l y weak and s u b j e c t t o e a s y
damage, w e have p r i n t e d t h e d i c t i o n a r y by p h o t o g r a p h i c a l l y re-
d u c i n g two p a g e s o n t o o n e . T h i s makes t h e d i c t i o n a r y s l i g h t l y
more awkward t o u s e , b u t w e hope t h a t it w i l l p r o v e more s t u r d y
under r e g u l a r u s e .

W e a r e g r a t e f u l t o M r . Heimbach f o r h i s s u p p o r t and encourage-

ment i n making t h e White Hmong-English D i c t i o n a r y a v a i l a b l e a g a i n .

David K. Wyatt

I t h a c a , New York
J u l y 1979
 PREFACE

The Hmong a r e a v i g o r o u s mountain p e o p l e whose o r i g i n s

w e r e i n China and who now by m i g r a t i o n e x t e n d o v e r t h e r a n g e s
o f n o r t h e r n Vietnam, Laos, Burma, and T h a i l a n d . I n Thailand
t h e y p r o b a b l y number i n t h e v i c i n i t y o f 48,000. Historically
t h e y a r e a n i m i s t s a l t h o u g h i n China and i n Laos l a r g e numbers
o f them have become C h r i s t i a n s . I n T h a i l a n d t h e r e a r e two
b r a n c h e s o f t h e t r i b e , t h e White Hmong /hmoob dawb/ (Hmong Daw)
and t h e Blue Hmong o r Green Hmong /hmoob n t s a u b / (Hmong N j u a ) .
There a r e d i s t i n c t i o n s i n d i a l e c t and i n d r e s s , b u t t h e broad
f e a t u r e s o f t h e c u l t u r e and economy a r e much t h e s a m e . They
o f t e n l i v e i n c l o s e p r o x i m i t y and n o t i n f r e q u e n t l y i n t e r m a r r y .

The m a t e r i a l i n t h i s volume was g a t h e r e d o v e r t h e p e r i o d

1954-1963 i n t h e c o u r s e o f m i s s i o n a r y a c t i v i t y among t h e White
Hmong i n North T h a i l a n d . This included extended r e s i d e n c e i n
Hmong v i l l a g e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e p r o v i n c e s o f Petchabun and
Pitsanuloke. The Hmong i n Laos w e r e v i s i t e d and t h e l a n g u a g e
d i f f e r e n c e s compared b o t h t h e r e and i n o t h e r p a r t s o f T h a i l a n d .
From t h e s e comparisons and from s u b s t a n t i a l w r i t t e n m a t e r i a l
r e c e i v e d from Roman C a t h o l i c m i s s i o n a r i e s i n Laos, i t i s
e v i d e n t t h a t t h e White Hmong spoken i n T h a i l a n d and i n Laos
is essentially the same. Divergencies c o n s i s t mostly o f
d i f f e r e n t words a d o p t e d from s u r r o u n d i n g l a n g u a g e s . While
t h e p r i m a r y m a t e r i a l i n t h i s volume was c o l l e c t e d i n North
T h a i l a n d w e f e e l c o n v i n c e d t h a t i s a l s o r e p r e s e n t s t h e White
Hmong l a n g u a g e a s spoken i n o t h e r c o n t i g u o u s a r e a s .

T h i s d i c t i o n a r y i s by no means e x h a u s t i v e , b u t it d o e s
c o n t a i n t h e g r e a t e s t p o r t i o n o f words and p h r a s e o l o g y used
i n everyday speech. Much s t u d y r e m a i n s t o be done, p a r t i c u -
l a r l y i n s p e c i a l i z e d a s p e c t s such a s t h e p o e t i c language
used i n song, t h e l a n g u a g e used i n r e l i g i o u s r i t e s , and t h a t
used i n d e t e r m i n i n g and a d m i n i s t e r i n g j u s t i c e .

While w e have s i n c e r e l y endeavored t o check and r e c h e c k

t h i s m a t e r i a l w e r e a d i l y a d m i t t h a t m i s t a k e s may have c r e p t
i n . Many d e f i n i t i o n s c o u l d a l s o w e l l be c l a r i f i e d and
expanded. Before questioning v a r i a t i o n s i n s p e l l i n g , t h e
r e a d e r i s a d v i s e d t o c o n s u l t Appendix 1, which d e s c r i b e s
t o n e changes.

Mention must be made o f t h o s e w i t h o u t whose h e l p t h i s

work c o u l d n o t have been completed. A h o s t o f Hmong f r i e n d s
have been o u r p a t i e n t i n f o r m a n t s . Rev. G. Linwood Barney

vii
and Dr. William A. Smalley in consultation with Fr. M. Bertrais
of the Catholic Mission in Laos were responsible for the work-
ing out of the phonemic analysis and the orthography.
Fr. Bertrais also provided considerable textual material for
comparison. Several missionaries of the Overseas Missionary
Fellowship have helped in the gathering and filing of
material, particularly Miss D. Jones, Miss D. Whitelock, and
Mr. D. Rulison. To all we acknowledge our deep indebtedness.

Ernest E. Heimbach
March 1969

viii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Foreword ........................ v
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Introduction. by William A . Smalley . . . . . . . . . . xi
Guide to Pronunciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii
Order of Entries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxiv
Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Xxv
WHITE HMONG-ENGLISH DICTIONARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
a . . . . 1 m . . . . 124 P o *. . 233
e . . . . 2 n . . . . 135 ph . 240
i . . . . 3 nc . . . 144 p1 . . . 247
0 . . . . 4 nch . . . 150 plh . . . 253
u . . . . 5 nk . . . 151 q . . . . 255
w . . . . 6 nkh . . . 156 qh . 268
c . . . . 7 n1 . . . 157 r . . . . 274
ch . 22 np . . . 157 rh . 283
d . . . . 27 nph . . . 163 s . . . . 285
dh . 40 np1 . . . 164 t . . . . 302
f . . . . 42 nplh . . 168 th . . . 333
g . . . . 47 nq . . . 169 ts . . 343
h . . . . 47 nqh . . . 172 tsh . . . 362
h1 . . . 60 nr . . . 173 tx . . . 372
hm . . 67 nrh . . . 181 txh . . . 388
hn . . . 69 nt . . . 183 v . . . . 397
hnl . . 71 nth . . . 195 x . . . . 403
hny . . . 72 nts . . . 197 xy . 415
k . . . . 73 ntsh . . 207 y . . . . 418
kh . 93 ntx . . . 209 2 . . . . 433
1 . . . . 102 ny . . . 217
APPENDICES
. .....
1 Patterns of Tone Change . ...... 443
2.Classifiers ........... . ...... 455
3 . HmongSurnames.......... . ...... 456
. ..
4 SomeUsefulWords and Phrases . ...... 457
. ..
5 Some Useful Terse Expressions . ...... 459
APPENDICES

6.WhiteHmongProverbs ... . . . . . . . . . . . 461

.
7 The Hmong Work Year ... . . . . . . . . . . . 467
. .
8 Post V e r b a l I n t e n s i f i e r s. . . . . . . . . . . 468
.
9 C l a s s i f i e d Vocabulary: English-Hmong . . . . . . 480
Anatomy. ..... ... . . . . . . . 480
Animals, B i r d s and I n s e c t s . 481
Building ..... ... . . . . . . . 482
C l o t h i n g and Sewing .. . . . . . . . 483
Colors ...... ... . . . . . . . 484
Family and K i n s h i p . . . . . . . . . . 484
Foods and Cooking ... . . . . . . . 485
....
F i e l d Work ... . . . . . . . 487
Household and F u r n i s h i n g s . . . . . . 488
Medical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 489
R e l i g i o u s and Moral .. . . . . . . . 490
Time ....... ... . . . . . . . 491
U t e n s i l s . Tools. and Implements . . . 492
10.KinshipCharts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 493
 INTRODUCTION

The Hmong Daw (White Hmong) of Thailand and Laos speak

a dialect (or rather, a group of very.similar dialects) which
is mutually intelligible with those spoken by the Hmong Njua
(Blue or Green Hmong). These are the principal groups of
Hmong dialects spoken in these two countries, and are a part
of the-muchlarger group of languages and dialects known in
South China as the Miao and in hail and as the Meo. There are
Hmong in North Vietnam as well.

The majority of the work on Hmong/Meo/Miao has been done

on the dialects in China, and by Chinese scholars. Substantive
descriptive and lexographic work on any of the Hmong dialects
spoken in Thailand or Laos is restricted to Downer (1967),
Bertrais (1964), Barney (no date), Lyman (no date), Smalley
(no date), which in turn is based on Barney and Smalley (1952
and 1953), Whitelock (1966-1968), plus less organized inves-
tigations by missionaries in North Thailand.
Hmong is almost universally agreed to be related to Yao
in the Miao-Yao language family, but there is no agreement
as to wider relationships. Haudricourt (1966) summarizes
the theories and gives a bibliography, to which Downer (1963)
should be added. Haudricourt (1966:56) himself comes to the
conclusion that
The Miao-Yao languages seem to form a link
between the Austroasiatic and the Tibeto-
Burman families in the same way that the
Karen languages do, and their phonological
richness is useful in reconstruction.
Benedict, on the other hand, is now proposing a place for
the Miao-Yao languages in his Austro-Thai family.

A brief comparison between the present dictionary and

the mimeographed-Dictionnaire ~ m o n ~ - ~ r a n q a(Bertrais
is , 1964)
may be helpful. They represent substantially the same dialect,
Bertrais having worked in Laos and Heimbach in Thailand, and
the orthographies are virtually the same, for reasons which
will be mentioned below. There are, of course, some minor
differences due to the normal processes of language change,
borrowing, etc. Bertrais' dictionary is somewhat more exten-
sive in its selection of entries and its examples, while the
Heimbach dictionary is more analytical in its definitions.
There is nothing in the Bertrais dictionary to match the
Appendices of the present one.
 In short, Heimbach's work is slightly more polished,
that of Bertrais slightly more voluminous in examples.
They are both important primary documents for White Hmong.
The orthography used in this volume (and in Bertrais,
1964) was developed in Barney and Smalley (1953) as a
compromise with Bertrais so that both Roman Catholic and
Protestant missions in Laos would use the same system of
writing for teaching their constituents to read, for writing
books, translating, etc. This fact of compromise accounts
for a few details which will ~eem~peculiar to some observers,
such as <x> for /s/ and <s> for /s/.
Some other conventions in the orthography are due to
an attempt to make it possible to write both Hmong Daw and
Hmong Leng with the same system. Thus Hmong Daw / g /
corresponds to Hmong Njua /g/ and both are written <ee>.
Still other peculiarities resulted from practical
considerations in seeking for an orthography which could
be easily typed, printed, and taught. The use of consonant
symbols in syllable final position to represent tones is
not as unconventional in the area as it is outside the area,
and works well with Hmong because of the syllable structure
which has no phonemic final consonants. The extremely
complex initial consonant system required considerable
ingenuity in improvisation of an orthography easy for the
Hmong reader to learn and use.
<(j- ww -on -d -x> were all added by Heimbach and/or
Bertrais subsequent to Barney and Smalley (1953). They
represent marginal phenomena for which varying interpreta-
tions are possible.
The orthography, then, is designed for popular use.
It omits many features of stress, juncture, and intonation,
which would be of value to linguistic description, but
which would hardly appear in dictionary entries anyhow,
although they might well be included in the examples and
context citations.
We will summarize the general phonological features
here, including only what is necessary for a clear under-
standing of the orthography used in this dictionary. A
non-technical description for the non-linguist will be
found following this Introduction.
The Hmong Daw syllable has three constituents: a
consonant constituent, a vowel constituent and a tone
constituent. Either consonant constituent or vowel con-

xii
stituent may be compos.ite. Phonologically there is no
final consonant, but nasalization (occurring in one kind of
composite vowel) is often realized as final [Q] and tone
/m/ often has an accompanying non-distinctive final [?I.
The inventory of the consonants, vowels, and tones is
presented in the following charts in such a way as to give
a general idea of their pronunciation. Symbols used are
those of the orthography, with additional clarification
in [ ] immediately below when required.
CONSONANTS, SIMPLE AND COMPOSITE

pl t d tx r C ts k
[?dl [tsl [fl [t: I
plh th dh txh rh ch tsh kh
[P&I [Pth] [tsh] [*I [tgh]
npl nt ntx nr nc nts nk
I Cnd I [ndzl [pdl [ZjI [nd;] [nsl
nplh nth ntxh nrh nch ntsh nkh
[mp&I [ntsh] [r?$hI [Zch] [ntEh] I
[rJkh
nl n nY g
[mlI [Zl [PI
hnl hn hny
rMml I [NI [RI
hl X S xy
[hI [sI [Z I [x, I
1 z Y
[S I
Initial glottal stop is not marked. Absence of such
a glottal stop is indicated by ('>.

xiii
 VOWELS, SIMPLE AND COMPOSITE
Front Central Back
non-nasal nasal non-nasal nasal

ia ua [ua]

/ww/ and /on/ are extra-systematic and rare.

TONES

Tone values are given as in isolation. Tone symbols

are written in final position in the orthographic syllable.
/ g / is characterized by breathiness, /m/ by glottal constric-
tion as well as pitch. [m dl are probably the same phoneme,
but the evidence is not clear; see Appendix 1. Two words in
the dictionary are listed with an <x> 'tone,' but this is
an intonational feature better handled in some other way.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Barney, G. Linwood
n.d. Unpublished Hmong Njua fieldwork, Xieng Khouang,
Laos, 1950-1954.
Berney, G. Linwood, and William A. Smalley
-

1952 Report of Second Conference on Problems in Meo

p.
(mimeo).
1953 Third Report on Meo (Miao): Orthoqraphy and
Grammar. (mimeo).
Benedict, Paul K.
n.d. Austro-Thai (to be published by the Human
Relations Area Files, New Haven, Connecticut).
Bertrais-Charrier, M.
1964 Dictionnaire Hrnonq-Fran~ais. (mimeo). Vientiane:
Mission Catholique.
Downer, G. B.
1963 "Chinese, Thai and Miao-Yao, " in Shorto (Ed.)
1963: 133-139.
1967 "Tone Chanqe and Tone-Shift in White Miao."
Bulletin of the School of Oriental and
African Studies. 30.3:589-599.
~audricourt,Andre-G.
1947-50 "Introduction > la phonologie historique des
langue? miao-yao, " Bulletin de 1 'EcGle Fran~ais
dlExtreme Orient. 44.2:555-76.
1966 "The Limits and Connections of Austroasiatic in
the Northeast," in Zide 1966:44-56.
Lewis, Paul
1968 Akha-Enqlish Dictionary. Ithaca, New York :
Cornell University, Southeast Asia Program.
Lombard, Sylvia J. (compiler) and Herbert C. Purnell (Ed.)
1968 Yao-Enqlish Dictionary. Ithaca, New York:
Cornell University, Southeast Asia Program.
Lyman, Thomas A.
n.d. Unpublished Hmong Njua (~lue/~reenMeo)
research,
Nan Province, Thailand.
Savina, F. M.
1916 Dictionnaire Miao-tseu-fran~ais,Bulletin de
1'Ecole Fran~aisedgExtre^me-orient16.
1926 Dictionnaire Fran~ais-man,Bulletin de 1'~cGle
Franqaise d ' Extrgme-orient 26.
Shorto, H. L. (Ed.)
1963 Linquistic Comparison in South East Asia and
the Pacific. London: University of Londm,
School of Oriental and African Studies.
Smalley, William A.
1962 Manual of Articulatory Phonetics. Tarrytown,
N. Y.: Practical Anthropology.
n.d. Linsuistic Diversity and National Unity in
Thailand (forthcoming). Contains a chapter on
Hmong (Meo).
Whitelock, Doris A.
1966-1968 White Meo Lanquaqe Lessons. Chiang Mai,
Thailand: Overseas Missionary Fellowship (mimeo).
.
Zide, Norman H (Ed.)
1966 Studies in Comparative Austroasiatic Linguistics.
The Hague: Mouton and Co.

xvi
 GUIDE TO PRONUNCIATION

The l e t t e r s of t h e English alphabet have been used

throughout, but i n many cases symbolizing a sound d i f f e r e n t
from t h a t represented i n English o r other European lan-
guages. This m u s t be c a r e f u l l y kept i n mind.

There a r e a l s o cases where one symbol may be used for

sounds which a r e not exactly the same. These never confuse
Hmong readers b u t must be c a r e f u l l y noted by those learning
the language. For example, the ' t ' of ' t u a j ' i s unaspirated
and voiceless similar t o the I t ' i n t h e English word
steak, whereas t h e ' t ' i n 'ntawm' i s voiced l i k e the 'dl
i n English condemn because it i s influenced by the ' n '
which immediately precedes i t .

The b a s i c s y l l a b l e p a t t e r n i s CV, i . e . , one consonant

followed by one vowel. However, i n place of the C there
may be a c l u s t e r of one t o t h r e e consonants pronounced a s
a unit. I n place of t h e V there may a l s o be a c l u s t e r of
two vowels.

The only consonant sound which occurs a t the close

of a s y l l a b l e i s [ng]. Since t h i s occurs only with nasalized
vowels it i s recognized a s belonging t o these nasalized
vowels, which a r e w r i t t e n with a double l e t t e r . Thus 'eel
and 'oo' a r e always said with an [ng] ending.

Each s y l l a b l e has a b a s i c tone. This i s symbolized

by one of several consonant l e t t e r s w r i t t e n a t the close
of the s y l l a b l e . Since no s y l l a b l e r e q u i r e s a consonant
symbol t o represent a spoken consonant i n f i n a l position,
t h i s lends no confusion. See t h e tone chart below.

Whereas t h e Hmong language i s f o r t h e most p a r t i s o l a t i n g

i n s t r u c t u r e , ( i . e . each s y l l a b l e usually c a r r i e s meaning
on i t s own), i n a c t u a l speech some s y l l a b l e s a r e said i n
closer connection than o t h e r s . W e have therefore joined
these together i n t o words.

We include here an approximate description of t h e

sounds used i n Hmong speech i n terms of the nearest similar
sound i n English. I t i s impossible t o be altogether exact,
but t h i s section i s meant f o r t h e b e n e f i t of those who would
find it d i f f i c u l t t o understand technical description.

Note t h a t ' n ' i s used t o represent nazalization and ' h '

t o represent a s p i r a t i o n (a puff of a i r ) .

xvii
 CONS ONANTS

Hmong Symbol Enqlish Equivalent o r Description

unaspirated ' p ' (without a puff of a i r ) a s i n

E n g l i s h speak. Cf. t h e ' p a i n French, Thai, etc.

ph ' p ' w i t h a p u f f o f a i r , as i n p a r t

nP E n g l i s h 'm' b l e n d i n g i n t o a ' b '

nph E n g l i s h ' m ' b l e n d i n g i n t o Hmong 'ph'

pl l i k e t h e ' p l ' i n explode

plh l i k e the ' p l ' i n play

npl E n g l i s h 'm' b l e n d i n g i n t o t h e E n g l i s h ' b l '

nplh E n g l i s h 'm' b l e n d i n g i n t o E n g l i s h i n i t i a l ' p l '

t unaspirated ' t ' (without a puff of a i r ) a s

i n steak. Cf. t h e ' t ' i n French, Thai, e t c .

th ' t ' with a puff of air, a s i n t a l k

nt English In' blending i n t o English i n i t i a l ' d '

nth English ' n ' blending i n t o English i n i t i a l I t '

tx l i k e t h e ' d s ' i n adds b u t without t h e vocal

cords vibrating

txh like the 'ts' i n cats

ntx E n g l i s h I n ' b l e n d i n g i n t o t h e Hmong ' t x '

ntxh E n g l i s h I n ' b l e n d i n g i n t o t h e Hmong ' t x h '

d l i k e t h e ' d l i n dream b u t w i t h a g l o t t a l s t o p
b e f o r e i t . That is, complete s t o p o f t h e a i r
flow i n t h e t h r o a t b e f o r e b e g i n n i n g the sound.

t h e Hmong sound 'd' s a i d w i t h a p u f f o f a i r a f t e r it

s i m i l a r t o t h e HmongVt' b u t made w i t h t h e t i p of
t h e tongue curved back u n t i l it h i t s t h e t o p
of t h e mouth

xviii
HmDng Symbol Enqlish Equivalent o r Description
rh t h e Hmong 'r' s a i d w i t h a p u f f o f a i r f o l l o w i n g

nr ' n o b l e n d i n g i n t o t h e Hmong ' r '

nrh ' n ' b l e n d i n g i n t o t h e Hmong ' r h '

C made by c l o s i n g o f f t h e a i r w i t h a hump o f
t h e tongue behind r i d g e back o f t h e upper
teeth. S i m i l a r t o t h e ' t y ' i n p u t you

ch t h e Hmong sound ' c ' w i t h a p u f f o f a i r

nc ' n ' b l e n d i n g i n t o t h e Hmong sound ' c '

nch ' n ' b l e n d i n g i n t o t h e Hmong sound'c' f o l l o w i n g

by a p u f f o f a i r

like the ' j ' i n o jJ b u t without t h e vocal

cords v i b r a t i n g

tsh s i m i l a r t o t h e ' c h ' i n chop

nts ' n ' b l e n d i n g i n t o t h e Hmong sound ' t s ' Similar

to the ' n j ' i n unjust
ntsh s i m i l a r t o t h e 'nch' i n i n c h

unaspirated (without a puff of a i r ) a s i n

s k i l l . Cf. t h e ' k ' i n French, Thai, e t c .

kh 'k' w i t h a p u f f o f a i r as i n k i t e

nk In' blending i n t o a ' g ' a s i n finqer

nkh In' b l e n d i n g i n t o a ' k '

q, qh, nq, nqh these a r e the counterparts of ' k g e t c .,

b u t made way back i n t h e mouth behind t h e
p o s i t i o n where t h e E n g l i s h ' k ' i s made

n, f, h a s i n English
s as ' s h ' i n E n g l i s h ( e .g., shoe)

VY m y 1, Y a s i n English
x like the I s ' in see o r sip
Hmong Symbol Enqlish Equivalent or Description
like the 'z' in azure
the Hmong 'x' (as described above) blending into
a 'y'

nY Similar to the 'ni' in menial or Virqinia

hny 'h' blending into the Meo sound 'ny'
'h' blending into an '1' but without the vocal
cords vibrating. Similar to the Welsh '11'
'm' blending into an '1' as the 'ml' in seemly
hn 'h' and In' said as a unit
hrn 'h' and 'm' said as a unit
hnl the Hmong'nl'preceded by an 'h' and said as
one unit
the 'ng' of sins but used as an initial consonant.
This particular phoneme is found in only a very
few Hmong words.

VOWELS
Hmong Symbol Enqlish Equivalent or Description
roughly equivalent to the 'a' in the New
England (or British) pronunciation of father
a vowel cluster composed of the Hmong 'a' and 'i'
somewhat similar to the vowel in -but not as
a long a glide
a vowel cluster composed of the Hmong 'a' and 'u'
something between the 'ou' of ouch and the 'ow'
of throw
somewhat similar to the Oxford English
similar to the 'el in they
nasalized vowel varying from the 'ing' of rinq
toward the lung' of runq depending upon the
preceding consonant
Hmong Symbol Enqlish Equivalent or Description

similar to the 'e' in we

a vowel cluster composed of the Hmong 'i' and
'a' somewhat similar to the combined vowels
'ee' and 'a' in see a man
somewhat similar to the law' in law or the '0'
in lost
nasalized vowel somethins between the '0' of
-
do followed by 'ng' and <he '0' of lost
followed by 'ng'
somewhat similar to the '0' in do or the 'ou'
in throuqh
a vowel cluster composed of the Hmong 'u' and
'a' somewhat similar to the conibined vowels
in to a as heard in rapid speech
There is no English equivalent of this vowel.
It is something between the Hmong 'i' and the
'u' made mid way back in the mouth with the
tongue close to the palate.
No English equivalent. It is like the Hmong
'w' with 'ng' following it.
This vowel only appears in a very few words.
e.g. loj hwwv' Very large.
'zoo hwwv' Very good.
representing nasalization on one vowel without
the 'ng' quality of lee' and 'oo.' Thus,
'hon' sounds like the law' of law preceded by
'h' and said "through the nose. "
e.g. 'ua li no hons' Like this.
'yuav kuv qhia nej hons' Must I teach you?
almost all Hmong vowels are preceded by a glottal
stop when said in isolation, i.e., as a syllable
without a consonant beginning. By this we
mean the throat is closed before the sound is
initiated as in the English Oh oh! However,
there are some words without consonant beginning
where the glottal stop is absent. This is
significant, and we indicate the absence of
initial glottal stop by the apostrophe.

xxi
Hmons Symbol Enqlish Equivalent o r Description

e .g. k o j t i a s yog kuv, You s a i d it was I,

yog k o j ' a u j ! b u t i t was you!
mus h o t u a j ' o v Come a g a i n .
nws t u a j n o j ' a u v He came t o e a t !
txujkum dim ' o j How w i l l we e s c a p e ?
ua lawm ' 0 s (I) did it.

LEVEL FALLING RISING SPECIAL

TONES TONES TONES INTONATION

HIGH

MID

LOW

CHART OF WHITE HMONG TONAL PATTERN

Tone Chart: E x p l a n a t o r y Notes

1. S i n c e no s y l l a b l e e n d s i n a f i n a l consonant, t h e t o n e
( e x c e p t t h e mid t o n e ) i s i n d i c a t e d by an E n g l i s h consonant
l e t t e r w r i t t e n a t t h e end o f each s y l l a b l e and c o r r e -
sponding t o t h e c h a r t above. Where no s p e c i a l t o n e
mark i s w r i t t e n , t h e word h a s a mid t o n e . R e l a t i v e
p i t c h , l e n g t h and c o n t o u r of t h e t o n e s i s i n d i c a t e d
on t h e c h a r t .

2. The t o n e c h a r t i s drawn t o i n d i c a t e t h e t o n e s a s h e a r d
i n isolation. That is, a s h e a r d on s e p a r a t e unconnected

xxii
 syllables. In the normal flow of speech these tones
tend to vary somewhat in pitch and quality depending
both upon patterns of stress and upon the influence
of other contiguous tones. This should be carefully
noted.
3. Note that tone '-m' ends in a glottal stop and is
said with some constriction of the throat. Tone
'-g' is characterized by considerable breathiness.
4. Special intonation pattern '-XI indicates a particular
tone contour given some words to indicate wonder or
surprise. It appears most often in final particles.
See Appendix 1, for illustrations. Note that it is
not a tone phoneme in the same category as the other
tones here indicated but is symbolized in the same
way as these other tones for convenience.
5. Tone '-dl appears only on a certain class of words.
Historically it probably was a conditioned variant
of tone '-m' and in all the illustrations we have
thus far, the '-dl tone appears on words which
elsewhere have the tone '-m.' The majority of these
words are nouns but illustrations also include
verbs and post verbal particles. Tone '-dl is most
noticeable on words indicating time or location, such as:
thaud, tamsid, ib sid, ntawd, nrad, nraud, ped,
saud, tidy tod
There are one or two words which almost always appear
with tone '-dl and very seldom with tone '-m', and
therefore, we treat '-dl as a completely separate
tone (See Appendix 1).

xxiii
 ORDER OF E N T R I E S

A l l s y l l a b l e s , and words of more than one s y l l a b l e ,

a r e l i s t e d under t h e i n i t i a l i n English alphabetical order.
Consonant c l u s t e r s a r e t r e a t e d a s u n i t s , so t h a t a l l e n t r i e s
beginning with ' t x ' appear before any e n t r i e s beginning
with 'txh, ' e t c .

Within each vowel category, l i s t e d i n English alpha-

b e t i c a l order, t h e s y l l a b l e s a r e grouped by tones with the
mid tone put f i r s t . Thus:

The order of The order of

t h e vowels i s : tones i s :

After each noun, t h e appropriate c l a s s i f i e r i s given

i n parentheses.

xxiv
 ABBREVIATIONS

(C) from Chinese

cf. confer, compare

clf . classifier

colloq. colloquial

contr . contrast
cont ' d . continued
def. definition
f o r example
that i s

n. noun
ptcl . particle

(p.v.int.) post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r (see

Appendix 8 )

from Thai

tone change This i s a tone change

from the word t o which you a r e
r e f e r r e d ; o r t h i s word i s subject
t o tone change. (See Appendix 1)
verb
 'auv Final emphatic particle.
Nws tuaj noj 'auv! He will come to eat!
ab Exclamatory initial particle. Cav mus thiab 'auv! He went after all!
Ab! us cas kuv tsis nloog? Why didn't I listen?
1. aws Particle used in conversation as an acknowledgement
1. as Exclamatory initial particle. of having heard what was said. (As we would say
As! kuv pom Zab! Aha! I see Mr. Zab. ...
Yes...Yes..., etc.) Agreement.
2. as Exclamatory final particle. 2. aws
Kuv tsis paub as! I don't know! Mob aws Newcastle disease in poultry.
av Earth, ground, mud. 3. aws To mark out, identify as one's own.
av zom zom Sticky mud. "Qab teb peb xub ncaws, nkauj nyab peb xub aws. '
I
lo lo av Muddy, dirty. .
(cf. Incaws')
roj av Kerosene.
hmoov av Dust, powdery soil.
av noo noo Damp, moist ground.
av xuav Loose ground.
pob av luaj Anthill.
pob av muas yis tib Anthill.
nyob saum plua tshauv av On the ashes and the ground
1. aib A species of bird (tus).
2. aib
aib yab! An exclamation of disgust or impatience.
aim A word used in cursing (lus dev) .
ais Initial exclamatory particle.
Ais, koj yuav hais li cas? Well then, what do you say?
(Often used in running conversation in much the
. . .
aiv
.
same way as "Well. Then. .I1)

To oppress, yoke, seal with a curse (cf. 'khaurn').

eb Initial exclamatory particle.
Kuv hais tias, "Eb! muaj tus kevcai dabtsi?" I said,
Dab tuaj aiv yus. The spirits come to trouble one. "Eh! What's going on?"
aub Dog (tus) (as used in some places; cf. 'dev' which 1. es Particle used to indicate pause in a flow of speech.
is more common) . 2. es
'aub Final exclamatory particle. Mes es (tus) Goat (but not used as commonly as
Yuav tau luag dua 'aub! You will have more company! .
' mias ias' cf. 'tshis')
auj Exclamatory initial particle. ev To carry on the back (as a child, a basket, etc.)
Auj, tsis zoo lauj Oh, it is ruined: (cf. Iris').
Auj, tsis porn lauj Oh, it has disappeared!
eeb A saddle.
'auj Final emphatic particle. Eeb nees Horse saddle.
Koj yuav quaj 'auj! You will weep!
Txhob ua li k o 'auj Stop it!
1. auv
Faj suab auv auv It's foggy, misty.

2. auv
txiv mam auv (lub) The pumelo (T) .
 ias
mias i a s ( t u s ) A g o a t ( T h i s term i s used i n i m i t a t i o n
i The former, t h e one j u s t seen o r d e a l t w i t h , p r e v i o u s l y . of t h e g o a t ' s c r y . I t i s sometimes s a i d 'mes e s . '
t u s i That one b e f o r e ( j u s t s e e n ) . c f . t s h i s f o r t h e a c t u a l name).
zaum i The former o c c a s i o n .
thaum i P r e v i o u s l y , t h e former time. 1. i a v
piam i a v A k i n d of g r a s s o r s h o r t v e g e t a t i o n .
1. i b Numeral one. hav i a v A g r a s s y v a l l e y .
i b t u g One p e r s o n .
i b n t s i s A moment. 2. i a v
i b chim A l i t t l e w h i l e . tsom i a v (daim) A mirror.
i b tsam S e v e r a l h o u r s .
i b t x h i j A l l together.
i b t x h i a Some, a p o r t i o n .
i b s i m Continuously.
i b s i m neej A lifetime.
i b t x h i s t s i s kawg Forever.
( a ) i b s i m tom 10s F o r e v e r , c o n t i n u a l l y .
( b ) i b 10s i b t x h i s F o r e v e r , c o n t i n u a l l y .
i b s i j ua To do t o g e t h e r .
2. ib A c o c k ' s comb ( l u b ) .
i b q a i b Cock's comb.
i b q a i b n t s a u A c o c k ' s comb t h a t i s s p r e a d o u t a b i t .
3. ib To make excuse, s e e k t o e s c a p e o b l i g a t i o n .
Lawv i b . They d e l i b e r a t e l y r e f u s e t o a c c e p t t h e charge o To s w e l l , be inflamed.
o r face the issue.
1. ob The numeral two.
4. i b To l e a n a g a i n s t , t o l e a n (cf . 'pheeb' . 2. ob
5. i b Idiom f o r " a s soon as.'' ob cag O t h e r s .
I b n o j mov txawm mob p l a b . A s soon a s I had e a t e n I k w v t i j ob c a g peb t x h a i s A l l o t h e r s , b r e t h r e n and
had a tummy ache. outsiders.
t e j moos ob cag People of o t h e r c i t i e s .
ia
l i a j i a Lands, t e r i t o r y . oj Exclamatory i n i t i a l p a r t i c l e .
l i a j i a tebchaws F i e l d s and l a n d s . Oj, ua li c a s ? Oh, how i s t h a t ?
O j , lawv t a u j sub Oh, t h e y have come h a v e n ' t t h e y ?
1. i a b Bitter.
'oj Final question p a r t i c l e .
2. iab Txaus tsawg l e e j r i s lo]? Enough f o r how many t o c a r r y ?
i a b oo To haze ( c f . ' f a j s u a b ' ) . Txujkum dim ' o j ? How w i l l ( h e ) escape?
3 . iab p.v. i n t . joined w i t h ' n t s a . '
( a ) c i n t s a i a b B r i g h t and g l i t t e r i n g .
os The duck ( t u s ) .
( b ) c i qos i a b B r i g h t and g l i t t e r i n g . '0s F i n a l emphatic p a r t i c l e .
hauv n t u j n t s a i a b The h o r i z o n j u s t becoming b r i g h t , Tuaj '0s. You've come.
e a r l y dawn. Pom '0s. I s e e it.
Ua lawm '0s ( I ) have done it.
1. iam A kind of s m a l l p a r r o t (tus).
'ov F i n a l emphatic p a r t i c l e .
2. iam Nej s a i b 'ov! You watch!
( a ) menyuam mos l i a b A new baby, very young c h i l d . Mus ho t u a j 'ov Come a g a i n .
( b ) menyuam iam l i a b A new baby, very young c h i l d .
00
i a b oo Haze ( c f . ' f a j s u a b ' ) .
 uaj Exclamatory p a r t i c l e i n d i c a t i n g p a i n .
1. uas Which, t h a t which.
u s i a b Not happy i n h e a r t , d i s s a t i s f i e d ( c f . 'dhuav s i a b ' ) . t u s uas The one which.
n t s h a i u k o j s i a b m e n t s i s I ' m a f r a i d you won't be thaum uas The time which, when.
very happy about it.
2. uas Sometimes used a s a p a r t i c l e t o e x p r e s s pause i n a
flow of speech.
1. ub Extreme l i m i t .
thaum ub Long ago, way back when. no uas ...
e r , t h a t is,...
pem ub Way up t h e r e (up t h e h i l l , up n o r t h ) .
( a ) t i m ub Way o v e r t h e r e a c r o s s t h e v a l l e y . 3 . uas Completive p a r t i c l e used t o e x p r e s s i n d i g n a t i o n .
( b ) puag t i m ub Way o v e r t h e r e a c r o s s t h e v a l l e y . k o j t s i s t e b d a b t s i uas! So you w o n ' t answer! !

2. ub no ( u n r e s t r i c t e d p.v.
( a ) ua ub ua no To do
i n t . c f . APPENDIX p. 468)
t h i s and t h a t .
. uav
mob uav mob r u a s .
Leprosy (cf 'ruas ) .
( b ) ua li ub ua li no To do t h i s and t h a t .
h a i s li ub h a i s li no To s a y t h i s and t h a t .
us The camel ( t u s ) (T)
t u s t s i a j us The camel.
.
uv To b e a r w i t h , be p a t i e n t under p r o v o c a t i o n .
uv t a u s To b e a b l e t o b e a r w i t h i t .
ua t i a g uv To make a r e a l e f f o r t t o b e a r i t .
1. ua To make, t o do ( i n c e r t a i n c o n t e x t s ' t o b e ' ) .
ua t e b To make f i e l d s , t o do f i e l d work.
ua zoo zoo To do w e l l .
Nws ua t x i v He i s t h e f a t h e r .
ua dab To do s p i r i t r i t e s .
ua neeb To do s p i r i t r i t e s .
( a ) ua ub ua no To do t h i s and t h a t .
( b ) us li ub ua li no To do t h i s and t h a t .
Ua li lawm T h a t ' s t h e way it i s . ( o r ) Is t h a t s o ?
Ua li k o j h a i s J u s t a s you s a y .
ua s i To p l a y .
(Used w i t h c e r t a i n p . v . i n t . c f . APPENDIX 8).
ua n t i a s To c a s t a s i d e .
ua nkauj To come t o young womanhood.
ua h l o To do r i g h t away. 1. w To s c a t t e r by overhand throw.
ua q u j q e e s To do p e r s e r v e r i n g l y . w noob To s c a t t e r s e e d (by overhand t h r o w ) .
ua l u a j (p.v. i n t . ) g r e a t l y , very.
mob ua l u a j Hurts t e r r i b l y . 2. w The q u a i l ( t u s ) .
ua zom zaws To do a l l t o g e t h e r , many engaged i n it. noog w The q u a i l .

2. ua wb We two, ( f i r s t p e r s o n d u a l pronoun) .
( a ) Ua li c a s Why? How? ( c f . Icas1) .
( b ) Ua c a s Why? How? (cf 'casl ) . .
3 . ua
ua li no I n t h i s way, i n t h a t c a s e .
uab The crow ( t u s ) .
uab l a g A k i n d of b l a c k w i l d b i r d .
 2 . cas A k i n d of v e n e r e a l d i s e a s e .
( a ) mob yeeg To have v e n e r e a l d i s e a s e w i t h pussy
ca (t.c.) (cf. 'cav'). discharge.
( b ) mob c a s To have v e n e r e a l d i s e a s e w i t h pussy
1. cab To l e a d , t a k e a l o n g ( f o r c i b l y , o r w i t h a rope a s discharge.
an a n i m a l ) .
cab nees To l e a d a h o r s e . 1. cav To argue h o t l y ( c o n t r . ' c a m ' ) .
cab t i b n e e g 10s t s e v Bring him home ( a g a i n s t h i s s i b c a v To a r g u e h o t l y t o g e t h e r .
inclination).
2 . cav
2 . cab I n t e s t i n a l o r abdominal worms ( t u s ) . hemcav ( l u b ) A boat o r ship (self-propelled) .
mob p l a b cab To have i n t e s t i n a l worms.
3 . cav A f r e e log (cf. ' c a t ) ( t . c . )
1. c a g Roots. cav taws A l o g of firewood.
cag ntoo Tree r o o t s . hauv qab c a Under t h e log.
nkoj c a g Uprooted t r e e . chaws qab c a Went under t h e l o g .
cav c o s The beam of t h e f o o t - m i l l f o r pounding r i c e .
2. cag
ob cag O t h e r s . 4. cav High language f o r going t o a k i n g , e t c .
k w v t i j ob c a g peb t x h a i s A l l o t h e r s , b r e t h r e n and cav t x o g Huabtais Took it t o t h e r u l e r , committed t o
outsiders. the ruler.

caj P e r t a i n i n g t o c e r t a i n p a r t s of t h e body. 5. cav I n i t i a l p a r t i c l e i n d i c a t i n g s u r p r i s e ( c f . 'ua c i a v ' ) .

c a j pas Throat. Cav t u a g t h i a b 'auv!' (You mean) he d i e d ?
c a j dab Neck. Cav mus t h i a b 'auv! He went??
c a j t w Buttocks ( c f . n t s a g ) (animal o r human).
c a j npab The arm (upper) .
( a ) c a j ntswm The b r i d g e of t h e nose.
cai Law, r u l e , custom.
k e v c a i Rules, laws ( t x o j ) .
( b ) t x i v c a j ntswm The b r i d g e of t h e nose. t s i s paub c a i D o e s n ' t know t h e laws o r customs.
c a j qaum The backbone. t s i s muaj c a i There i s no law t o back (him) up.
c a j qwb The d e p r e s s i o n a t . t h e back of t h e neck. t s a c a i ' t h e c a s e s t a n d s ' (terms used i n l i t i g a t i o n ) .
ua t u v t x i a s tom c a j qwb Like a l o u s e b i t i n g qhau c a i ' t h e c a s e f a l l s '
t h e back of my neck ( t a l k i n g behind my b a c k ) . ua cuav c a i To f a l s e l y accuse, r a i s e a c a s e on no
h a i s nraum c a j qwb T a l k i n g behind o n e ' s back. grounds.

.'
1. cam To a r g u e , d i s a g r e e ( c o n t r cav)
s i b cam To argue t o g e t h e r .
. 1. c a i j To r i d e .
c a i j nees To r i d e a h o r s e .
cam thawj To d i s o b e y , n o t l i s t e n t o a u t h o r i t y . c a i j t s h e b mus To go b y v e h i c l e .
txhob cam txhob c h a j Don't be stubborn and b u l l h e a d e d .
2. c a i j An a g e , epoch, season ( l u b ) .
2 . cam l u b c a i j n t u j Season of t h e y e a r .
Log cam A chopping block (lub). l u b c a i j n t u j no The c o l d season.
l u b c a i j n t u j 10s nag The r a i n y season.
1. c a s Why? How? ( i n combination w i t h o t h e r w o r d s ) . l u b c a i j n t u j qhua The d r y season.
( a ) Ua li c a s ? Why? How? t a v c a i j sawvdaws mus t e b 10s A t t h e time when
( b ) Ua c a s Why? How? everyone comes home from t h e f i e l d s .
ua li c a s ua? How i s it done o r made?
Ua li c a s yuav mus? Why go? 1. c a i s To s e p a r a t e from.
Yuav ua li c a s mus? How s h a l l we go? c a i s t s e g To b a n i s h .
Ua li c a s nws tsis l o s ? Why h a s n ' t he come? c a i s m i s To wean.
Mob ua li c a s t u a j ? How d i d t h e i l l n e s s s t a r t ? c a i s npho To s e p a r a t e , each go h i s own way.
Ua li c a s k u j yog Whichever way i s a l l r i g h t w i t h me.
2. cais Shortened and e a s i e r way of s a y i n g "ua li c a s "
Koj c a i s yuav ua l i ? Why do you do t h a t ?
caiv P r o h i b i t i o n , r u l e , s p e c i a l observance, taboo. 1. caws Crouched, s h r i v e l l e d , t i g h t e n e d l i k e a s p r i n g .
hnub c a i v A day of s p e c i a l observance. caws ceg Knees b e n t up.
T s i s c a i v ? You have no taboo? ( t o d a y ) caws t e s 'Withered' hand.
(common r e p l y t o an i n v i t a t i o n t o e n t e r a house) caws vos A l l crouched t o g e t h e r .
( a ) t i b n e e g caws caws A hunchback.
cau ( b ) t i b n e e g khoov khoov A hunchback.
khaus cau " i t c h y hands," of a person who must always
be up t o some mischief o r e v i l . 2. caws
Caws p l i a v A scar.
caub
Rob caub To s e e k revenge, t o avenge ( c f . l p a u j ' ) . 3 . caws
( a ) caws q i a To l e a p .
1. caug The knees. (b) caws q i a n t s o s To l e a p .
( a ) qhau hauvcaug To k n e e l . ( c ) d h i a caws q i a To l e a p .
( b ) txhos caug To k n e e l .
kim caug To k n e e l on one knee. 4. caws To t r u s s up ( a s t y i n g a p i g ' s f o u r l e g s t o g e t h e r ) .
2 . caug (numeral f o r t e n s , t . c . from 'caum,' cf ' c a u m ' ) . 5. caws
t u s quam y e j caws T r i g g e r f o r a t y p e of d e a d f a l l t r a p .
cauj Early-bearing (of c r o p s , a n i m a l s , e t c . ) ( c o n t r . ' t a j ) .
pobkws c a u j E a r l y corn. 6 . caws
hniav cauj Early tooth. ( a ) muab t x i a v n r e e j To s e v e r two p a r t s of a
npua c a u j A p i g t h a t b e a r s young t w i c e a y e a r . s p l i t log.
( b ) muab caws n r e e j To s e v e r two p a r t s of a s p l i t log.
I. caum To c h a s e , r u n a f t e r t o c a t c h , t o c a t c h .
caum t a u lawm Caught (him). cawv Whisky ( c l f . 'txaum ' f o r " b a t c h e s " ) .
qaug cawv Drunk.
2. caum Numeral f o r t e n s from 30 onward ( b u t c f . 'caug' ) ( t, c . ) v w m cawv Crazy drunk.
peb caug T h i r t y . cawv nplaum Sweet, p a r t i a l l y fermented g l u t i n o u s r i c e
xya caum Seventy. e a t e n a s a d e l i c a c y . Non-intoxicating.
r a u caum S i x t y .
t s i b caug F i f t y . ce To l i f t from a running s o u r c e i n t o a v e s s e l ( c f . ' h a i s 8 ) .
c e d e j To d i p water (from a s t r e a m ) .
3 . caurn
n o j peb caug ( t . c . ) To ' e a t t h e 3 0 t h ' i . e . to eat ceb D i r t y (of t h e f a c e ) .
t h e New Year f e a s t . ceb muag D i r t y f a c e ( c f . Itxab, ' 'vuab t s u a b ' ) .
1. caus A knot (lub) ( a s o l i d knot, not a slip-knot. cf. 1. ceg Leg, limb, branch ( c l f . ' t x h a i s ' of ' sab' f o r l e g s ) .
'rhausl ) .
l u b pob caus A knot. i b t x h a i s ceg One l e g .
ceg n t o o T r e e branch o r limb.
2. caus A knot i n a t r e e ( l u b ) . ceg hiavtxwv A branch ( l e g ) of t h e s e a .
p l a u b c e g n t u j . The f o u r branches of t h e heavens
1. caw every d i r e c t i o n ( c f . 'xwm f a b p u a j meeml ) .
d e j caw Another way of s a y i n g 'cawv' Whisky. ceg tawv Lame l e g .
ua ceg tawv mus To hop along.
2. caw
caw t a i , To c a l l t h e ' t a i l s p i r i t . 2. ceg C l f . f o r l e n g t h s o r s e c t i o n s of a journey, e t c .
cawj A kind of t r e e ( t u s ) . 3 . ceg s i b ceg ( c f . bem' ) .
cawm To s a v e , t o r e s c u e ( C ) .
cawmseej ( t u s ) S a v i o r ( C ) .
cej A kind of g r a i n .

cawm dim To s a v e , t o e f f e c t r e l e a s e .
1. cern To s c o l d , t o c u r s e , r e v i l e . 2. ceeb To be t e n s e , f r i g h t e n e d , s t a r t l e d .
s i b ceg To s c o l d one a n o t h e r , c u r s e each o t h e r . c e e b f a j To be a l e r t , watch w i t h c a r e ( a s f o r r o b b e r s ) .
cern txhom To s c o l d f i e r c e l y . ceebtoom To warn.
cern tawg n t h 0 To s c o l d l o u d l y . ceeb nkaus S t a r t l e d , muscular spasm, t e n s e n e s s
cern q e e s Kept s c o l d i n g . ( c f . 'huam tshom ' ) .
l o j xov cern h u v s i To s c o l d t h e whole bunch f o r
one man' s f a u l t . 3. ceeb
( a ) ua i b t o g cern A l l ganging up t o g e t h e r t o s c o l d lem ceeb Lengthwise r a f t e r of a house.
a person.
( b ) ua i b nqag cern A l l ganging up t o g e t h e r t o s c o l d 4. ceeb
a person. ceebthawj Weight, h e a v i n e s s ( i n r e f e r r i n g t o l i t t l e
c h i l d r e n . c o n t r . 'hnyav' which i s n o t p o l i t e
2 . cern in t h i s context).
cern quav Constipation.
5. ceeb
3. cern h a i s l u s tseem ceeb To speak what i s i m p o r t a n t .
phua cern p h i j To s p l i t ( b o a r d s ) o f f t h e s i d e of a
l o g r a t h e r t h a n through t h e middle. 6 . ceeb A headband ( t x o j ) .
sivceeb ( ' t h o o j ' f o r s e t s ) The Hmong woman's v a r i e g a t e d
4 . cern One's s e l f ( C ) . headband.
Kuvcemcev ua I d i d it myself.
7 . ceeb
1. c e s Leg ( b u t c f . 'ceg' ) . ceeb t s h e e j The Hmong abode of t h e dead.
c e s nees Leg of a h o r s e .
c e s npua Leg of a p i g . ceej A kind of animal whose o f f a l can be g a t h e r e d and
c e s nyuj Leg of a cow. used f o r medicine ( t u s ) .
( t h e s e a r e sometimes a l s o s a i d ' c e g ' ) .
1. ceem To temper m e t a l .
2. c e s I n i t i a l p a r t i c l e used a t t h e beginning of s e n t e n c e s
t o c a r r y forward t h e a c t i o n . S i m i l a r t o "And.. ." 2 . ceem
muaj ceem Has s t r e n g t h .
3. c e s S h o r t e r and e a s i e r way of s a y i n g ' u a li c a s ' (cf. 'cast
a l s o c f . 'cais. ' ) 1. ceev T i g h t (C) .
Koj c e s yuav ua l i ? Why do you do t h a t ?
2 . ceev Tense ( a s of a t e n s e s i t u a t i o n ) .
1. cev Body, t r u n k , main frame ( l u b ) . tebchaws ceev ceev The c o u n t r y i s t e n s e ( w i t h d a n g e r ) .
kuv l u b cev My body.
cev n t o o Tree t r u n k . 3. ceev S w i f t l y (of running, of v e h i c l e s i n motion).
daws cev To g i v e b i r t h .
4 . ceev Forcibly.
nchuav cev To a b o r t , miscarry.
khuv cev Scanty m e n s t r u a t i o n . .
h a i s ceev Speak f o r c i b l y ( c o n t r ' h a i s xoob ' ) .
.
yawg cev To m e n s t r u a t e ( c f 'co j khaubncaws 9 ) h a i s ceev n r o o j Speak w i t h c o n v i c t i o n , e a r n e s t l y .

2 . cev C l f . f o r s u i t s of c l o t h i n g . 5. ceev
yomceev Important (C).
3. cev To l i f t o r r a i s e something t o a h i g h e r l e v e l .
cev t e s ua To r a i s e t h e hand t o do something. 6 . ceev
cev r a u nws Hand it up t o him. ceev ceev n c h i n c h i F l a t u l e n t , f e e l i n g of abdominal
t i g h t n e s s w i t h o u t having e a t e n .
4. cev One's s e l f (C)
cemcev ua To do myself.
. 7 . ceev Be concerned about ( i n a l i m i t e d c o n t e x t ) .
n y i a s ceev n y i a s li Let each look a f t e r h i s own
1. ceeb interests.
c e e b l a j Trouble, troublesome.
kev c e e b l a j Trouble.
8 . ceev To s t o r e u p . 2. c i a .
To a l l o w , p e r m i t ( c f . 'kheev ' )
l u b t s e v ceev n y i a j A bank (cf . 'cia' ) . Cia nws ua nws li. Let him do a s he l i k e s .
Cia nws mus. Let him go.
1. c i Bright, b r i l l i a n t (contr. ' c i g ' ) . Cia li lawm. Let i t go a t t h a t .
c i vus A g r e a t b r i g h t n e s s i n one p l a c e ( c f . ' v o g ' ) . tshwj c i a P u t a s i d e f o r d i s p o s a l .
c i n p l a s An expanse o f b r i g h t n e s s . Cia nws t u a j . Let him come.
c i vog c i vog F l a s h i n g ( c f . l i g h t n i n g ) . ( c f . 'Kheev nws t u a j l I f only he would come. )
( a ) c i n t s a i a b B r i g h t and g l i t t e r i n g .
( b ) c i qos i a b B r i g h t and g l i t t e r i n g . ciab Wax made by i n s e c t s .
( a ) c i a b mem A s t i c k y kind of i n s e c t wax used a s
2. c i To t o a s t (over o r b e s i d e a f i r e , n o t i n a v e s s e l ) an adhesive on t h e t i p of t h e crossbow t o hold
( c f . ' txhiab' ) . t h e arrow i n p o s i t i o n .
( b ) kua c i a b A s t i c k y kind of i n s e c t wax used a s
3. c i an adhesive on t h e t i p of t h e crossbow t o hold
cilu Kilogram (T) . t h e arrow i n p o s i t i o n .

4. c i 1. c i a ] A l i v e , l i v i n g .
txujci, tus txuj tus c i ( c f . ' t x u j ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 2 ) . ( a ) c i a j s i a v Alive.
( b ) ua c i a j A l i v e .
1. c i b neeg c i a j A l i v i n g person.
thwvcib ( l u b ) A brick. t s i s c i a j n c a i g Won't s u s t a i n f i r e , w o n ' t produce
living coals.
2. cib Plaub q a i b t s i s c i a j n c a i g . You d o n ' t g e t l i v e c o a l s
c i b l a u g ( l u b ) An open b a s k e t f o r c a r r y i n g e a r t h , from chicken f e a t h e r s . ( i . e . " I t w i l l come
refuse, e t c . t o nothing. " )

3. cib 2 . c i a j Tongs, p l i e r s ( r a b ) .
Muab r a b c i a j t a i s . Hold it w i t h t h e p l i e r s .
sabcib (lub) A basket-type rice strainer.
cig .
A l i g h t , t o be a l i g h t ( c o n t r ' c i ' ) . 3. c i a j
c i a j i b nceeg v a j To e s t a b l i s h a dynasty o r kingdom.
hluavtaws c i g L i g h t of a f i r e .
f a i v f u a j c i g The f l a s h l i g h t i s l i g h t e d .
c i g plaws To flame up. 4. c i a j A boundary ( c f . ' k a i j kiaml ) .
( a ) k i a j kiam Boundary.
c ij ( b ) c i a j ciam Boundary.
siab c i j I m p a t i e n t , quick-tempered (C) . (Note: ' k i a j kiam' i s used more commonly b u t ' c i a j
ciam' i s a l s o u n d e r s t o o d . )
1. cim To remember, memorize ( C ) ( c f . ' n c o ' ) .
cim t a u To remember. ciam A boundary, a d i v i s i o n ( t u s ) .
cimxeeb The memory, power o f memory ( C ) . t u s ciam A boundary l i n e .
ciam t e b A f i e l d boundary.
2 . cirn A mark, s e a l , stamp ( l u b ) . s i b puas ciam To have a common boundary.
ua ciam t e b To d i v i d e o f f f i e l d s .
n t a u s i b l u b cirn To make a mark of i d e n t i f i c a t i o n .
( a ) c i a j ciam Boundary.
3 cim C l f . f o r s e a s o n s of o r ' t u r n s ' o f work. ( b ) k i a j kiam Boundary.
daim t e b ua i b cim xwb F i e l d o n l y worked one s e a s o n . (Note: ' k i a j kiam' i s used more commonly.)
ntov i b cirn n t o o F e l l t r e e s one s e a s o n .
1. c i a v
1. c i a To p u t a s i d e , p u t down, p u t away, s t o r e . c i a v d e j A w a t e r l i n e ( t u s ) , trough (Made of bamboo
Muab c i a . Put i t a s i d e . o r palm l e n g t h s s e t on p o s t s and p u t end t o end
t o b r i n g w a t e r from a s t r e a m ) .

2. ciav
nas c i a v The Zebra S q u i r r e l ( t u s ) .
c i a v To p e r s e c u t e . 5. c o j
Txhob muab kuv c i a v Don't p e r s e c u t e me. c o j khaubncaws To menstruate .
( c f 'yawg khaubncaws ') .
ciav Used w i t h ' u a ' ( o r a s a s i n g l e s y l l a b l e ) t o 1. com
e x p r e s s something unexpected. "How i s i t ? " com cum To make f i e l d s i n a n o t h e r a r e a i n p r e p a r a t i o n
c f . 'ua cas' t o move t h e r e a n o t h e r y e a r .
Ua c i a v k o j t u a j ? How i s i t t h a t you have come?
Ciav t s i s pom l i x ? How i s it t h a t I c a n ' t s e e i t ? 2 . corn
( a l s o c f . 'cav' I n some c o n t e x t s t h e meaning i s com v i a b Croaked, d e c e i t f u l ( c f . ' l i m h i a m ' ) .
c l o s e t o 'txawmsis' J u s t then, so.) neeg com v i a b A d e c e i t f u l p e r s o n , one who goes back
on agreements, e t c . (cf 'khibl ) . .
co To shake, t o sway, t o quake, t o move t o and f r o . s i a b com v i a b A d e c e i t f u l h e a r t .
co t e s TO shake t h e hand, t o beckon with t h e hand. neeg zoo p h i j Sam s i a b com v i a b Hypocrites (good
( c f . 'Ntxuaj t e b ' ) . s k i n w i t h a d e c e i t f u l crooked h e a r t ) .
co People of t h e Yao ' t r i b e . 1. cos Treadmill f o r de-husking r i c e . ( l u b ) .
qhov cos The bowl of t h e r i c e t r e a d m i l l .
co t u a v cos To work t h e t r e a d m i l l .
p 0 j co ( l u b ) The common e a r r i n g worn by Hmong women. n c e j cog The p o s t s of t h e t r e a d m i l l .
cav cos The beam of t h e t r e a d m i l l .
cob To t e a c h t o behave, t o t r a i n ( a c h i l d o r a n i m a l ) . d a u j cog The p e s t l e of t h e t r e a d m i l l .
Lawv t s i s cob menyuam. They d o n ' t t r a i n t h e i r c h i l d r e n taw cos The f o o t end of t h e t r e a d m i l l .
t o obey. nqos cos The crossbeam of t h e t r e a d m i l l .
d e j cog Rice pounding m i l l run by w a t e r .
cob S t i c k l a c , b l a c k l a c r e s i n used a s a b a s e f o r s h e l l a c t u s niam hauvpaus cos The woman i n charge of pounding
and v a r n i s h . Used by t h e Hmong t o cement handles the r i c e for a funeral feast.
t o knife blades.
2 . cos A bud.
cob cos p a j Flower bud.
cob s i a v npua S a i d i n o f f e r i n g whisky t o a s p i r i t
a s r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e l i f e of a p i g t o be k i l l e d 3. cos A birthmark (lub) ( e x c e p t on t h e f a c e , c f . 'tias').
and offere,d. (contr. ' t x a i s ' ) . 4. cos A wart.
cog To p l a n t , i n s e r t . mob cos Warts.
cog n p l e j To p l a n t r i c e .
cog h n i a v To ' f i t ' f a l s e t e e t h . 5. cos The f i r i n g cap o f a c a r t r i d g e .
cos ntawv A f i r i n g cap.
cog To promise, swear (as used i n Laos)
cog l u s To promise, swear.
. 1. cov A c l a s s , group, k i n d , bunch ( c f . 'yam' ) .
ntawv cog l u s W r i t t e n covenant, agreement. cov t i b n e e g People.
cov no This k i n d .
cog (t.c.) (cf. ' c o s ' ) . cov n t o o T r e e s , f o r e s t .
i b co neeg One c l a s s of people.
coj To l e a d , g u i d e , b r i n g a l o n g ( a s p e r s o n s )
Kuv yuav c o j kuv t u s t u b t u a j .
.
I ' l l b r i n g my son. 2 . cov To pour i n t o .
cov d e j To pour w a t e r i n t o .
coj To wear ( a s jewelry on t h e neck, arms, e t c . ) .
c o j rawv To wear o r h o l d t i g h t l y . 3 . cov Elephant' s trunk, proboscis.
covtxwv E l e p h a n t ' s t r u n k , p r o b o s c i s .
coj To j o i n ( a s a group o r an o r g a n i z a t i o n ) .
4 . cov Of words d i f f i c u l t t o s a y o r e n u n c i a t e .
coj To b e a r a s a message. l u s cov D i f f i c u l t words, t w i s t e d language.
c o j l u s To b e a r a message ( c f . 'xa l u s ' ) .
c o j xov To b e a r news o r t i d i n g s .
1 coob Many, numerous, crowded. 1. c u a The wind ( c l f . ' t w ' o r 'nthwv' f o r g u s t s ) .
t i b n e e g coob coob A m u l t i t u d e , a crowd. c u a t s h u a b The wind blows.
n e e g coob nphoo n t x o j nphoo n t x u a s A v e r y l a r g e cua n t a b s a u d lawm The wind sweeps o v e r above.
crowd, a huge m u l t i t u d e . c u a moj lwg A g r e a t wind ( p o e t i c a l ) .
nag xob nag c u a A s t o r m , t e m p e s t .
2 . coob A species of b i r d (tus) . c u a moj lwg x i b kaw A g r e a t wind ( p o e t i c a l ) .
khauv z e e g c u a A w h i r l w i n d .
cooj A r o o s t , coop f o r c h i c k e n s o r fowl ( l u b ) . h a v c u a The a i r , t h e atmosphere.
l u b c o o j q a i b Chicken r o o s t . cua d a j c u a dub Bad wind, s t o r m .
q a i b ncawg c o o j Chickens come t o r o o s t .
2 . cua
1. cub A f i r e , f i r e c o n f i n e d t o one p l a c e
cub h l u a v t a w s F u r n a c e , l a r g e f i r e .
( c f . 'hluavtaws ' ) . c u a nab The earthworm ( t u s ) .

qhov cub The c o o k i n g f i r e p l a c e i n Hmonq home. 3 . cua To b i t e h a r d on something.

cub tawg Large f i r e .
1. cuab A f a m i l y ( C ) .
2 . cub To s t e a m . ( a ) i b cuab t i b n e e g One f a m i l y .
cub mov To s t e a m r i c e i n a s t e a m e r . ( b ) i b cuab n e e g One f a m i l y .
tuam cuab ( C ) e v e r y o n e .
3 . cub ua twb cuab To l i v e t o g e t h e r a s a s i n g l e f a m i l y ,
t x i a j c u b , t x i a j n p l i v Two k i n d s of Indo-Chinese several families living together.
c o i n s used by t h e Hmong f o r d e c o r a t i o n . f a i b cuab To d i v i d e h o u s e , s e p a r a t e h o u s e h o l d s .
neeg k i b cuab One who s t a y s c l o s e t o home and c a r e s
cug To c o l l e c t i n a v e s s e l . f o r h i s own b u s i n e s s .
cug d e j To c o l l e c t w a t e r i n a v e s s e l ( b u c k e t , e t c . )
from a r u n n i n g s o u r c e . 2 . cuab
cug n y i a j To c o l l e c t money ( i n a box, bag, e t c . ) ( a ) c u a b y e e j ( l u b ) A l l t h e goods of t h e h o u s e h o l d ,
h o u s e h o l d equipment and u t e n s i l s , ( h e n c e )
1. c u j inheritance.
l o j cuj Shackle, ankle r i n g . ( h ) cuabtam A l l t h e goods of t h e h o u s e h o l d , h o u s e h o l d
equipment and u t e n s i l s , ( h e n c e ) i n h e r i t a n c e .
2. cuj ( c ) c u a b t i v A l l t h e goods of t h e h o u s e h o l d , h o u s e h o l d
xabcuj A tripod (lub) (C). equipment and u t e n s i l s , ( h e n c e ) i n h e r i t a n c e .
( a ) c u a b y e e j toomtxeem The h o u s e h o l d goods, t h e
1. cum c l f . f o r a g r o u p , a s i d e . inheritance.
ob cum Two s i d e s , two gro,ups, two c l a n s . ( b ) c u a b y e e j cuabtam The h o u s e h o l d goods, t h e
inheritance.
2 . cum n y i a s c e e v n y i a s li c u a b y e e j L e t e a c h a t t e n d t o h i s
com cum To make f i e l d s i n a n o t h e r a r e a i n p r e p a r a - .
own a f f a i r s ( h o u s e h o l d )
t i o n t o move t h e r e l a t e r . ( a ) cuabyee j T o o l s , e q u i p m e n t , u t e n s i 1s.
( b ) cuabxwm T o o l s , equipment, u t e n s i l s .
3 . cum ( a ) l u b cuab l u b y i g T o o l s , equipment, u t e n s i l s .
( a ) t h o b f a b The f o u n d a t i o n beams o f a h o u s e . ( b ) l u b cuabtam T o o l s , equipment, utensils.
( b ) t i m cum The f o u n d a t i o n beams o f a h o u s e . i b l u b c u a b t i v cuabtam One h o u s e h o l d and a l l t h e
goods p e r t a i n i n g t o i t .
1. c u s Of a p e r s o n who t a l k s a l o t and t a l k s l o u d l y , koom t x a i s i b l u b cuabtaln To r e c e i v e one j o i n t
v i r i l e , a c t i v e ; a ' s p i r i t e d ' animal o r person. inheritance.
t s h o b cuahtam To d i s r u p t and s c a t t e r t h e f a m i l y
2 . cus Of an animal t h a t c r i e s l o u d and o f t e n . and h o u s e h o l d .
tshawb cuahtam To p i l l a g e , d e s t r o y and b r e a k u p
t h e household.
3. cuab To t r a p , s n a r e , e n t r a p , e n s n a r e . 2 . cuam To p r e s s t o g e t h e r i n a frame o r rack o r between
cuab noog To t r a p b i r d s . two s t r i p s of wood, e t c .
tawb cuab n t s e s A woven f i s h t r a p . cuam n p l o o j TO f i t l e a v e s i n t o bamboo l e n g t h s f o r
cuab nas A r a t t r a p , t o t r a p r a t s . use i n r o o f i n g .
cuam nqeeb To s o f i x g r a s s i n t o l e n g t h s f o r t h a t c h .
4 . cuab To make a t r a p o r s n a r e .
cuab n t x i a b To make t r a p w i t h a l i t h e s p r i n g y s a p l i n g 3 . cuam c l f . f o r l e n g t h s of t h a t c h o r r o o f i n g l e a v e s .
(cf. 'ntxiab') . i b cuam n p l o o j A l e n g t h of r o o f i n g l e a v e s .
5. cuab To c a l l animals o r b i r d s , of animals and b i r d s 4. cuam To throw underhanded.
c a l l i n g t h e i r young. cuam t s e g To throw away (underhanded).
cuab y a j To c a l l sheep.
cuab npua To c a l l p i g s . 5. cuam To c l a s p under t h e arm.
q a i b cuab menyuam Hen c l u c k s t o c a l l h e r c h i c k s . cuam rawv To c l a s p t i g h t l y under t h e arm.
6 . cuab To l a y h o l d o f , conform t o . 6 . cuam To make a b i g f i r e , p i l e up f o r a f i r e .
cuab l u b hauvpaus To l a y hold of t h e r o o t of t h i n g s , cuam taws To make a b i g f i r e .
grasp the essence o r p r i n c i p l e . cuam taws muab hlawv P i l e up wood and s e t f i r e t o i t .
7. cuab The quava. 7 . cuam
t x i v cuab t h o j The guava ( l u b ) . cuamtawv nees To c a r r y frame which f i t s o v e r t h e
pack s a d d l e on a h o r s e .
8 . cuab
cuab xeeb p u j teem ( C ) I n confusion and u n c e r t a i n t y . 8 . cuam
us t u s cuab xeeb p u j teem Of one who d o e s n ' t know cuamtxwv npua ( t u s ) A half-grown castrated pig.
what t o do. E s p e c i a l l y i n c a s e s of d i s p u t e
where t h e d e c i s i o n seems unacceptable and t h e 9. cuam
person i s confused about t h e outcome. pabcuam To h e l p , a s s i s t .
9 . cuab 10. cuam
t u s cuab t s a v The ' m a s t e r ' of t h e s p i r i t r i t e s a t tebchaws cuam cuam kawb A country of h i l l s and
a f u n e r a l , r e s p o n s i b l e f o r sending food t o t h e valleys close together.
deceased t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e l i f e - v a l u e of t h e
animals s a c r i f i c e d . 11. cuam
cuam koob ( r o o j ) A t y p e of t r a p t o c a t c h r o d e n t s ,
1. cuag To reach t o , extend t o . etc. (cf. 'rooj').
cuag nkaus To r e a c h t o .
muab t s i s cuag C a n ' t r e a c h ( t o g r a s p ) . 1 2 . cuam
cev t s i s cuag C a n ' t reach ( t o hand t o ) . muab cuam cuab To p u t i n a s t o c k , t o e n t r a p .
zoo t s i s cuag Not a s good a s ( n o t r e a c h i n g t o s t a n d a r d . )
13. cuam
2 . cuag To meet w i t h . txham cuam Of animals g e t t i n g w a t e r i n t h e windpipe.
s i b cuag To meet t o g e t h e r .
Peb yuav r o v s i b cuag We w i l l meet a g a i n . 14. cuam
cuam muas D o e s n ' t meet p r o p e r l y , e . g . i n c u t t i n g a
1. c u a j The number n i n e . t r e e one c u t s l a n t e d and t h e o t h e r s t r a i g h t .
2. c u a j 15. cuam 'phijcuam' Cf. ' p h i j '
cuajkhaum Greedy, s e l f i s h ( c f . ' q i a d u b ' ) .
1. cuam The gibbon ( t u s ) . cuas
yawg cuas F a t h e r of my s o n ' s w i f e ( o r ) f a t h e r of
my daughter ' s husband.
p o j cuag ( t . c . ) Mother of my s o n ' s w i f e ( o r ) mother
of my d a u g h t e r ' s husband.
1. cuav C o u n t e r f e i t , f a l s e .
t x i a j ntawv cuav C o u n t e r f e i t paper money.
-
CH

xibhwb cuav F a l s e t e a c h e r s . cha (t.c.) (cf. 'chav').

ua cuav c a i To f a l s e l y accuse.
1. chab
2 . cuav To v i s i t around khawv chab Songs ( c f . 'kwv t x h i a j ' ) .
cuav zos To v i s i t around t h e v i l l a g e ( c f . ' y o s ' ) .
2 . chab
3 . cuav s i b chab s i b chua To g r a b back and f o r t h a s i n
cuav qaub Of no a c c o u n t , u s e l e s s . f i g h t i n g f o r something.
l u s cuav qaub Lying, u n t r u s t w o r t h y language.
3. chab
cw A l o b s t e r o r prawn (tus). s i b chab s i b chaws To go o v e r and under r e p e a t e d l y .

cwg Lub y i s cwg kua muag ( c f . ' y i s ' ) . cha j

txhob cam txhob c h a j Don't be bullheaded. Don't
1. cwj A sharp pointed s t i c k ( t u s )
N w s t x i a v cwj 10s n r i g He
.
cut a
s t i c k t o use a s
b e s t u b b o r n i n p u r p o s e l y r e f u s i n g t o obey.

a cane. 1. chav A room.

cwj n r i g ( t u s ) A r o d , a s t i c k . chav t s e v A room.
r a b cwj A c r u t c h o r s t i c k used by a lame man. chav t s e v pw A bedroom.

2. cwj 2 . chav c l f . f o r rooms.

cwjmen ( t u s ) A pen f o r w r i t i n g . r a u chav t s e v S i x rooms.
twb cwjmem To lower t h e pen t o w r i t e . i b cha t s e v One room ( t . c . )
tshem cwjmem To l i f t t h e pen.
3 . chav A k i n d of s n a r e f o r c a t c h i n g s m a l l animals o r
3. cwj birds
cwj t s i a g The t r i g g e r of a t r a p . c l f . 'rooj' (cf. 'rooj').
cuab chav To make such a s n a r e o r t r a p .
4. cwj
cw jpwm ( t u s ) Example, manner o f , custom, p r a c t i c e , 1. c h a i s To shave.
manner of walk. c h a i s taubhau To shave t h e head.
c h a i s hwjtxwv To shave t h e b e a r d .

2. chais To s l i c e o f f ( a s vegetables f o r cooking).

chaub To crawl on t h e b e l l y .
chaub l a u g To c r a w l on o n e ' s b e l l y ( a s of s o l d i e r s
s n e a k i n g up on an enemy).
chaub l a u g mus To go by c r a w l i n g a s d e s c r i b e d above.

1. chaw P l a c e , r e g i o n ( l u b ) .
chaw pw S l e e p i n g p l a c e , bed.
i b l u b chaw One p l a c e .
qhovtxhiachaw T h i n g s , a r t i c l e s .
chaw chim Cause f o r h a t r e d o r enmity.
tebchaws ( t . c . 1 Country , s t a t e ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) .
2 . chaw C l f . f o r l e n g t h s of c l o t h .
(also cf. 'chaws').
1. chawj 3 . cheem To t a k e a d v a n t a g e of a n o p p o r t u n i t y .
chawj r o v qab 10s To s e e k t o r e c o n c i l e , t o go Cheem tseem n r u a b hnub peb yuav mus. We w i l l go
and b r i n g someone back a f t e r a q u a r r e l . w h i l e it i s s t i l l day.

2 . chawj 1. c h i b A p e r i o d o f t i m e ( l u b ) .
c h i b chawj p u a j l i a m To do p o o r l y , do s l o p p i l y ( C ) i b l u b c h i b s o One p e r i o d of r e s t ( i . e . one w e e k ) .
c f . ' u a dab ua t u a g ' ( o r ) ' u a xya chawj yim l i a m '
2. c h i b To s l a n d e r , d e s p i s e .
1. chaws To p a s s t h r o u g h an o p e n i n g . h a i s l u b c h i b To s l a n d e r , s p e a k d i s p a r a g i n g l y .
chaws qab c a To go under t h e l o g .
s i b chab s i b chaws To go o v e r and u n d e r r e p e a t e d l y . 3. c h i b
N w s chaws n p l h o mus hauv t s e v . He ' d u c k e d ' i n t o t h e ua c h i b chawj p u a j l i a m To d o p o o r l y , d o s l o p p i l y .
house. E n t e r e d t h e house q u i c k l y . ( C ) c f . 'Ua dab ua t u a g ' ( o r ) ' u a xya chawj
yim l i a m '
2. chaws
r a b chaws l a s The m e t a l r o d used i n making h o l e s 1. c h i j A flag (tus) ( c ).
i n wood a f t e r h e a t i n g i n a f i r e .
2. c h i j
3. chaws vimchi j Because .
( c f 'yibvim ' ) .
tebchaws Country, s t a t e ( l u b ) cf. 'chaw' (t.c.1 v i m c h i j 1.i no F o r t h i s r e a s o n , f o r t h i s c a u s e .

4 . chaws 1. chim To h a . t e , b e a n g r y a t , b e i n c e n s e d ( a l s o c f . ' c h i s ' ) .

i b chaws n t a u b A l e n g t h o f c l o t h , one weaving of chim s i a b TO b e a n g r y , b e i n c e n s e d .
c l o t h ( t . c . from ' c h a w , ' c f . ' c h a w ' ) . chim kuv s i a b h e e v Made me v e r y a n g r y .
k e v chim s i a b Anger, h a t r e d .
cheb To sweep. chim rawv F i r m l y h o l d i n g t o a n g e r .
cheb t s e v To sweep up t h e h o u s e . chim q u j q e e s TO g r a d u a l l y g i v e r i s e t o a n g e r
cheb pov t s e g To sweep up and d i s c a r d .
2 . chim
chev To c u r l up i n a c o i l . tshawjchim Enemy ( t u s )
ua n i a g tuam t s h a w j c h i m
.
c h e v ua i b k a u j To c u r l i t up i n a c o i l . To b e g r e a t enemies.
t u s nab c h e v ua i b k a u j The s n a k e c u r l e d up.
dab t s h o s chev A l a d i e s j a c k e t c o l l a r w i t h 3. chim A s h o r t p e r i o d o f t i m e , an hour o r two.
embroidered p a t t e r n i n c o i l s . ( c f . APPENDIX p . 4 9 2 ) .
i b chim A l i t t l e w h i l e .
cheeb Meo man's name.
4 . chi.m
1. c h e e j A u n i t o f measurement, t h e w i d t h of a f i s t mob tsam chim E x h a u s t i o n and p a i n a s a f t e r h a r d
(cf. ' t a u s ' ) ( u s e d i n measuring f o r neck exercise.
rings, etc.)
chis To b e angry ( c f . ' c h i m ' ) .
2. cheej l u b s i a b c h i s q o s tshwv M i l d l y a n g r y , d a r k f a c e .
c h e e j tswb ( C ) Wild p i g s which go a b o u t i n a group.
1. c h i v To b e g i n , o r i g i n a t e , s t a r t .
3. c h e e j c h i v k e e b To b e g i n , b e g i n n i n g .
huam c h e e j The l a s t spasm b e f o r e d e a t h . Chivkeeb mob li c a s ? How d i d t h e a i l m e n t b e g i n ?
chivthawj Beginning, t h e beginning, t h e f i r s t .
1. cheem To p o l i t e l y s e e k t o r e t a i n a v i s i t o r when h e c h i v ua To b e g i n t o do.
s t a r t s t o leave. c h i v k i a g h a i s Began t o s a y ( c f . ' p i b h a i s ' ) .
khuam cheem To e n t a n g l e , t o d e l a y , t o r e t a i n , k e e p
from l e a v i n g . 2 . c h i v Manure, f e r t i l i z e r ( c o v ) .
cov c h i v Manure.
2 . cheem To s e e k t o s t o p o t h e r s who a r e q u a r r e l i n g o r quav c h i v Manure, f e r t i l i z e r o f excrement.
fighting. (cf. 'ntuas' )
3. chiv chu j
l u b s i a b n t x h i c h i v To say something over i n t h e majmam mus c h u j c h i a b To absentmindedly o r unconsciously
h e a r t , something you would say t o t h e person walk very slowly.
i f you could s e e them.
chum
chiab pe j chum Aluminum.
majmam mus c h u j c h i a b To absentmindedly o r
unconsciously walk very slowly. 1. chua To f o r c i b l y s n a t c h something away from a n o t h e r person.
s i b chab s i b chua To grab o r s n a t c h back and f o r t h
1. chob To p i e r c e , be p i e r c e d ( n o t i n t e n t i o n a l l y ) a s i n f i g h t i n g o v e r some a r t i c l e .
.
c o n t r 'nkaug'
2 . chua
n t o o chob A s p l i n t e r , t o be p i e r c e d by a s p l i n t e r .
( a ) xyoob chob To be p i e r c e d by a p i e c e of bamboo. chua moo ( ~ h a i ) An h o u r , one hour.
( b ) xyoob tshum To be p i e r c e d by a p i e c e of bamboo.
chob r a u i b t u g ntoo To p u t it on a p o i n t e d s t i c k . 1. chwv To rub a g a i n s t something w i t h p a r t of t h e body
chob n r e e s Has been p i e r c e d f o r some time. (contr. 'tshiav' )
npua chwv chwv n t o o The p i g s c r a p e s a g a i n s t t h e t r e e .
2 . chob Offended, ' p i e r c e d ' i n h e a r t , g r i e v e d . s i b chwv Very c l o s e t o g e t h e r , rubbing a g a i n s t one
chob s i a b Offended, g r i e v e d , inwardly h u r t because another ( c f . ' s i b t i ' ) .
of some o f f e n s e .
2 . chwv
3 . chob chwv chwv thawj Won't t a l k , r e f u s e s t o answer.
phijchob ( t x o j ) Tough l e a t h e r thong f o r t y i n g
b a s k e t s t o a pack s a d d l e .
1. choj A b r i d g e ( t u s ) ( C ) .
tuam c h o j To e r e c t a b r i d g e .
c h o j qev A r a t t a n suspension b r d i g e .
t a u g c h o j mus To go o v e r t h e b r i d g e .
t u s choj A b r i d g e , a l s o used of t h e p o l e which i s
s e t up a g a i n s t a t r e e t o form a p l a t f o r m upon
which t o s t a n d i n f e l l i n g t h e t r e e .
t u s t a b c h o j The small wooden s u p p o r t s e t t o hold
t h e ' c h o j ' (above) from f a l l i n g s i d e w i s e
while f e l l i n g a t r e e .
2. choj
( a ) c h o j txhwj ( r a b ) A hoe, a mattock.
(b) pav t x h w i j - ( r a b ) A hoe, a mattock.
3. c h o j
peev c h o j Rice noodles.
chom To bend backward ( o f f i n g e r s , t r e e s , e t c . )
xya t e s chom chom li To s t r e t c h t h e f i n g e r s and
bend them backward.
chov An e v i l omen.
( a ) ua chov An e v i l omen, t o be an e v i l s i g n .
(b) ua npog An e v i l omen, t o be an e v i l s i g n .
( c ) ua xu An e v i l omen, t o be an e v i l s i g n .

1. da To immerse, submerge ( c f . ' r a u s , 'tsaug').
da d e j To immerse ( o n e s e l f ) i n w a t e r , t a k e a b a t h .
2 . da To r o l l over ( c f . ' p h o v , ' I n t i ' ) .
da mus da 10s To r o l l back and f o r t h on t h e ground
( a s a person w i t h d e l e r i u m o r spasm o r i n
sleep).
1. dab A s p i r i t , a demon ( t u s ) c f . ' n e e b '
ua dab To do s p i r i t r i t e s .
l a i g dab To s e t a s i d e food f o r t h e s p i r i t s , o f f e r
food t o t h e s p i r i t s .
t x i dab To o f f e r t o t h e s p i r i t s .
dab nyeg 'Tame' household s p i r i t s .
dab qus 'Wild' jungle s p i r i t s .
p e j kum dab qus Wild j u n g l e s p i r i t s , a l l o t h e r s t h a n
t h e 'dab nyeg. '
The 'tame' o r household s p i r i t s a r e t h e s e :
n t u j dab ( o r ) n c e j dab The g r e a t e s t of t h e household
spirits. The one who r u l e s and p r o t e c t s t h e
whole family. Once i n t h r e e y e a r s an a d u l t
female p i g t h a t has had young i s s a c r i f i c e d
f o r t h i s s p i r i t . This s p i r i t i s s a i d t o
r e s i d e i n t h e ' n c e j ' o r main s u p p o r t i n g house
p i l l a r nearest the f i r e .
dab txwvkoob ( o r ) dab neeb These s p i r i t s of t h e
ancestors a r e also s a i d t o reside i n the
p i l l a r s of t h e house.
dab xwmkab ( t u s ) The s p i r i t s of wealth and p o s s e s s i o n s .
These a r e r e p r e s e n t e d by a paper on t h e w a l l
of t h e u p h i l l s i d e . These s p i r i t s a l s o p r o t e c t
t h e household. A t new y e a r one l a r g e male
p i g i s k i l l e d and o f f e r e d t o t h e 'xwmkab.'
dab roog The s p i r i t of t h e door. This s p i r i t
looks a f t e r t h e domestic animals and fowl.
This s p i r i t i s p a r t i c u l a r l y c a r e d f o r by
t h e woman of t h e house. A s m a l l gourd o r
similar a r t i c l e s dedicated t o t h i s s p i r i t
a r e k e p t i n t h e bedroom. The s p i r i t guards
t h e door on t h e downhill s i d e of t h e house
(qhov r o o j t a g ) which i s always t h e door f o r
s p i r i t r i t e s and t h a t by which s p i r i t s e n t e r .
One young female p i g a y e a r i s o f f e r e d t o t h e
'dab roog. '
dab cub ( o r ) dab qhovcub The s p i r i t of t h e f i r e -
p l a c e o r of t h e cooking f i r e . Sometimes
i n c e n s e i s o f f e r e d t o t h i s s p i r i t b u t chickens
o r animals a r e never s a c r i f i c e d f o r i t .
dab qhovtxos S p i r i t of t h e f i r e p l a c e under t h e
cauldron f o r b o i l i n g p i g food. This s p i r i t
i s a l s o sometimes o f f e r e d i n c e n s e b u t never
chicken o r animal s a c r i f i c e .
The ' w i l d ' s p i r i t s , o r s p i r i t s o f t h e jungle, e t c . o f t e n
have s p e c i a l names.
dab ntxwg nyoog (sometimes s a i d 'ntxwg nyug'! The
s p i r i t ' k i n g . ' The g r e a t e s t of t h e s p l r i t s .
nyuj v a j The 'cow k i n g . ' Another powerful s p i r i t
b u t most p e r s o n s s a y i t i s n o t a s powerful
a s 'ntxwg nyoog.'
dab ntxaug A powerful s p i r i t g r e a t l y f e a r e d . It
h a s c e r t a i n p l a c e s o f abode and i f t r o u b l e d
i t may cause t h e d e a t h of whole f a m i l i e s .
Plagues o r epidemics a r e o f t e n blamed on t h i s
spirit.
dab t h e e b kawg Name of a n o t h e r c e r t a i n s p i r i t .
p o j ntxoog A female jungle s p i r i t g r e a t l y f e a r e d .
She r i d e s a t i g e r and h e r f a t h e r was supposed
t o have been a t i g e r . To d e c e i v e h e r and
p r o t e c t a g a i n s t h e r t h e Hmong sometimes p u t
t w i s t e d r i n g s on t h e i r necks, a n k l e s , e t c .
dab nruab n t u g S p i r i t of t h e heavens.
f i v dab ( o r ) f i v r a u dab A promise made t o t h e
s p i r i t s i f they w i l l help ( a s i n sickness, e t c . )
( c f . ' f i v yeem' ) .
dab qhuas The s p i r i t worshipping a p p a r a t u s i n t h e
home .
t e e v dab The whole system o f o f f e r i n g s , e t c . f o r
e n t r e a t i n g t h e h e l p of t h e s p i r i t s , e n t r e a t y
o r worship of s p i r i t s .
dab t a i The name of a s p i r i t who i s supposed t o
have helped t h e Hmong when t h e y c r o s s e d t h e water
coming from China. T h i s s p i r i t i s served by
men o n l y .
ua nyuj dab ( c f . ' n y u j ' a l s o s e e ' n y u j v a j ' a b o v e ) .
txheev dab ( C ) To i n v i t e t h e s p i r i t s , c a l l t h e
s p i r i t s t o come.
raug dab To meet some m i s f o r t u n e a t t h e hands o f
a bad s p i r i t .
dab yob t s o v 10s tom The s p i r i t s have s e n t a t i g e r
t o come and b i t e someone.
.
c o j dab neem ( c f 'neem' ) .
2 . dab A trough, a hollowed o u t l e n g t h of l o g , e t c . ( l u b )
dab npua A t r o u g h f o r p i g food.
.
dab d e j A trough f o r holding water.
dab nees A horse feeding trough.
dab zaub A trough f o r p u t t i n g v e g e t a b l e g r e e n s i n .
3 . dab
dab ntub Drowsiness, s l e e p i n e s s .
qaug dab n t u b Very drowsy, v e r y s l e e p y , dopey w i t h
sleep.
ncaws ncaws dab n t u b To doze, t o nod t h e head i n
s l e e p , bend o v e r i n s l e e p .
ua dab n t u b To s l e e p w e l l ( a l s o ' u a dab l o o g ' ) .
4. dab 2. dag To be i d l e .
dab r o s Funny. nyob dag To be i d l e , hand around d o i n g n o t h i n g .
t u a j dab r o s Funny, l a u g h a b l e , t o laugh.
l u s t u a j dab r o s A joke, funny s a y i n g . 1. d a j Yellow.
d a j d a j li Q u i t e yellow.
5. dab d a j rhuv Very b r i g h t yellow.
dab t u a g Poor, shoddy, c a r e l e s s . d a j vog Speckled yellow.
dab t u a g li S h o d d i l y , c a r e l e s s l y , r a g g e d , e t c . d a j l i s S l i g h t l y yellow.
ua dab ua t u a g To do c a r e l e s s l y , do p o o r l y and d a j tawv A s p e c i e s of l a r g e t r e e w i t h yellow
w i t h o u t concern. b a r k and s a p .
t a u b dag ( t . c . 1 ( l u b ) A pumpkin.
6 . dab
d a b t s i What? a n y t h i n g . 2. d a j A double a r m ' s l e n g t h , a measurement of l e n g t h .
yog d a b t s i ? What i s i t ? r a u d a j S i x l e n g t h s from f i n g e r t i p t o f i n g e r t i p
Koj h a i s d a b t s i ? What d i d you say? w i t h arms s p r e a d .
T s i s muaj d a b t s i . ( I ) have n o t h i n g . Haven't a n y t h i n g . i b dag ( t .c . ) One such double a r m ' s l e n g t h .
Koj muaj d a b t s i ? What do you have? i b t x h a i s dag Half such a measurement, i . e . one a r m ' s
Koj muaj d a b t s i t s i s muaj? Have you a n y t h i n g o r n o t ? l e n g t h from t h e c e n t e r of t h e c h e s t t o t h e end
Koj ua d a b t s i ? What a r e you doing? of t h e o u t s t r e t c h e d arm and f i n g e r s .

7. dab dam To be broken i n two, broken o f f .

dab t s h o s Embroidered p a t c h on t h e back of a'Hmong dam ceg The ( t r e e ) branch h a s broken o f f ( t h i s
woman's c o l l a r . Many k i n d s of ' d a b t s h o s ' word i s used most o f t e n i n s c o l d i n g o r
cf. 'tsho.' cursing, thus-) .
k o j yuav dam c e s You w i l l break your l e g .
8. dab .
c f t h e more o r d i n a r y word ' l o v . '
( a ) dab neeg F o l k l o r e , t r a d i t i o n , s t o r y , legend.
( b ) l u s dab neeg F o l k l o r e , t r a d i t i o n , s t o r y , legend. 1. dav A hawk ( t u s ) a hawk-like b i r d .
i b t u g dav One hawk.
9 . dab t u s dav n o j t w m A b u z z a r d ( b u f f a l o - e a t i n g b i r d ) .
dab t u b nkeeg Fever and c h i l l s , m a l a r i a . dav h l a u ( t u s ) An a i r p l a n e ( i r o n hawk) c f . ' n k o j cua. '
ua dab t u b nkeeg To have f e v e r and c h i l l s , have m a l a r i a .
2. dav Wide, b r o a d , e x p a n s i v e .
10. dab qhov dav Width.
c a j dab The neck. s i a b dav Generous, g r a c i o u s , kind.
kev dav Wide road.
11. dab
dab t e g The w r i s t . 3. dav Lonely, c h e e r l e s s (of a house, e t c . )
l u b t s e v dav dav li A c h e e r l e s s house, l o n e l y house
12. dab w i t h few i n h a b i t a n t s . contr. 'sov.'
dab taws The a n k l e .
dai To hang, t o hang up.
13. dab Used i n combination f o r r e f e r r i n g t o c e r t a i n d a i ntawm phab n t s a To hang i t on t h e w a l l .
relatives. ( s e e APPENDIX 1 0 ) . d a i t u a g To d i e by hanging.
dab l a u g Mother's b r o t h e r s . d a i v i a s Hanging up (swinging from one p o i n t ) .
yawm dab W i f e ' s b r o t h e r s . muab n t s i a d a i v i a s To hang up, c r u c i f y , hang on
yaum dab Male c o u s i n s of a d i f f e r e n t surname a s nails.
c a l l e d by a woman. hnub d a i npoo ncuv S u n s e t , sun hanging on t h e h o r i z o n .
muab d a i To p u t t h e c o r p s e on t h e s h e l f a g a i n s t
1. dag To l i e , t o c h e a t , f a l s e h o o d . t h e w a l l a t a f u n e r a l ceremony.
( a ) h a i s dag To l i e , speak f a l s e h o o d . n y i a j d a i D e c o r a t i v e s i l v e r ornaments hung on t h e
( b ) h a i s l u s dag To l i e , speak f a l s e h o o d . apparel.
txhobtxwm dag xwb I n t e n t i o n a l l y d e c e i v e d ( h i m ) ,
that's all.
1. d a i g To be c a u g h t , hooked up on, clogged, stopped up.
d a i g ntoo Caught i n t h e t r e e .
daw S a l t y , t a s t i n g of s a l t ( c o n t r . ' t s u a g ' )
daw daw n t s e v Very s a l t y .
.
d a i g kub Caught by t h e horns.
1. dawb White, c l e a n .
2. d a i g t.c. from ' d a i m , ' cf. 'daim.' dawb dawb li Very w h i t e .
dawb dawb t s h i a b t s h i a b White and new.
daim C l f . f o r s h e e t s , p a g e s , f l a t expanses of s u r f a c e . dawb paug P e r f e c t l y w h i t e .
daim ntawv Sheet o f paper. ( a ) dawb t i b paug ' Very w h i t e , p e r f e c t l y w h i t e .
i b d a i g ntawv One s h e e t of p a p e i ( t . c . ) ( b ) dawb qos paug Very w h i t e , p e r f e c t l y w h i t e .
daim t e b A f i e l d . dawb rhwb Very w h i t e , extremely w h i t e .
i b d a i g t e b One f i e l d ( t . c . ) . dawb vog Speckled w h i t e , m o t t l e d w h i t e .
dawb l i a s ~ o very t white, o f f white.
dais A bear ( t u s ) (Many s p e c i e s and v a r i e t i e s i n d i c a t e d
by q u a l i f y i n g words.) 2. dawb Morally c l e a n and u p r i g h t .
d a i s dev The honey b e a r . s i a b dawb dawb A c l e a n h e a r t , morally pure h e a r t .
d a i s nees The b l a c k b e a r .
3 . dawb F r e e , f r e e l y , w i t h o u t c h a r g e .
daiv Large s p e c i e s of bumble bee. A large i n s e c t with pub dawb dawb li To g i v e w i t h o u t c h a r g e , t o g i v e f r e e .
r e d head and b l a c k bee-shaped body. I t makes
no honey b u t t h e grubs a r e e a t e n and considered 4. dawb Unoccupied, i d l e .
a d e l i c a c y . The n e s t s a r e found on t h e ground nyob dawb nyob do To be i d l e , t o l i v e w i t h o u t
o r under l o g s . The ' d a i v ' has a powerful doing any work.
and dangerous s t i n g . ( c f . ' m u v ' ) .
5. dawb
daub A s p e c i e s of b i r d . xovdawb @ f . 'xov') .
p u j daub A s p e c i e s of b i r d .
6 . dawb
daug To h a t c h . ua neeb muag dawb A c e r t a i n form of s p i r i t exorcism
q e daug The egg h a t c h e d , eggs h a t c h ( c o n t r . ' q a u j ' ) . c a l l i n g upon a g r e a t e r s p i r i t t o d e l i v e r from
a lesser spirit.
dauj M a l l e t , pounder ( t u s ) .
d a u j cog The pounding end of a f o o t r i c e - m i l l , 7 . dawb F i n i s h e d .
t h e p e s t l e end. ( a ) dawb lawm F i n i s h e d .
d a u j ncuav ( t u s ) The m a l l e t used i n making pounded (b) h l e lawm F i n i s h e d .
g l u t i n o u s r i c e cakes. ( c ) khauv lawm F i n i s h e d .
( d ) t a g lawm F i n i s h e d .
daurn To hop up a v e r t i c a l s u r f a c e .
daum n t o o To hop up a t r e e ( a s a b i r d , e t c . ) dawg
s i b dawg cuam To q u a r r e l , s c o l d each o t h e r .
1. daus To scoop up, d i p o u t ( c f . ' h a i s ' ) .
Daus 10s r a u peb n o j . Scoop some o u t f o r us t o e a t . 1. dawj To gouge o u t , t o f o r c i b l y pry o r scoop o u t .
muab l u b pobzeb dawj 10s Dig o u t t h e s t o n e , t a k e
2 . daus t h e s t o n e away.
daus x i b daus npu Snow ( n . ) dawj qhovmuag To gouge o u t t h e eye.
10s daus x i b daus npu To snow, snow f a l l i n g . dawj qhovrooj To pry open t h e door.

3 . daus 2 . dawj F i n a l completive p a r t i c l e used i n d e r i s i o n .

laub zeb daus cf . ' laub. ' n i a g neeg dawj The b i g f o o l .

dauv To lower, t o drop ( i n c e r t a i n c o n t e x t s ) , t o droop. 1. dawm To stumble, t o cause t o stumble.

dauv t e s To drop t h e arms t o o n e ' s s i d e . N w s dawm ntawm kev lawm He stumbled on t h e way.
dauv muag To drop t h e e y e s , look a t t h e ground
a s when shy o r ashamed.
dauv t w q a i b c f . ' n p l e j ' and 'pobkws.'
2. dawm mountain p a s s , h i g h v a l l e y , wind gap on t o p
A dej Water ( c l f . ' t u s ' f o r s t r e a m s and w a t e r c o u r s e s ) .
of a r i d g e , low p l a c e between two peaks. ( l u b ) t u s d e j The s t r e a m , t h e r i v e r .
dawm s a j A gap, a p a s s ( a s above). l u b hav d e j A g u l l e y o r r i v e r v a l l e y .
t u s menyuam d e j The s m a l l stream.
3 . dawm
dawm
A crotch (lub) .
n t o o Crotch i n a t r e e .
d e j tsaws t s a g Rapids, w a t e r f a l l .
( a ) l u b qhov d e j A w a t e r s p r i n g .
dawm pobzeb A c r o t c h i n a s t o n e . ( b ) qhov d e j txhawv A w a t e r s p r i n g .
dawm hmab Crotch i n a v i n e . qhov d e j s a u s P l a c e where w a t e r s i n k s o r d i s a p -
dawm t e s Crotch between t h e thumb and t h e r e s t p e a r s i n t o t h e ground.
of t h e hand. hauv d e j Upstream, r i v e r o r s t r e a m s o u r c e ( l u b ) ,
i n t h e water.
1. daws To u n t i e , r e l e a s e , u n f e t t e r , s e t f r e e . nram qab deg Downstream
daws t x o j h l u a Untie t h e rope. d e j dag Yellow muddy w a t e r , high w a t e r .
daws t u s nees mus Let t h e h o r s e go f r e e . d e j dag nyab Flood, f l o o d i n g water.
d e j h l o b High water.
2 . daws To f o r g i v e , t o r e l e a s e from o b l i g a t i o n . d e j n t a s Small waves of w a t e r ( c o n t r . ' t w v ' ) .
daws l u b txim To f o r g i v e s i n , r e l e a s e from g u i l t . ua luam d e j To s w i m .
tus niag d e j A large r i v e r .
3 . daws To name, t o g i v e a name. l u b hauv d e j The s o u r c e of a r i v e r o r stream.
daws npe To name, g i v e a name ( c f . ' tis, ' 'hu' .
) d e j tsaws ntxhee S w i f t and t u r b u l e n t w a t e r .
d e j t x i a g Cold w a t e r .
4. daws To g i v e b i r t h (human). d e j ntshiab Clear f r e s h water.
daws cev To g i v e b i r t h , b e a r a c h i l d ( c f . 'tu' ) . d e j huv Pure w a t e r , c l e a n and d r i n k a b l e .
de j sov Warm w a t e r .
5 . daws d e j kub Hot w a t e r .
( a ) mus daws duam To walk w i t h b i g s t e p s . d e j s i a Boiled w a t e r .
( b ) mus d u j duam To walk w i t h b i g s t e p s . ( a ) d e j sov s o Lukewarm w a t e r .
( b ) d e j ntem ntawv Lukewarm w a t e r .
6 . daws p . v . i n t . i n combination w i t h 'txhaws' muab d e j nchuav Pour away t h e w a t e r , throw w a t e r away.
tawm txhaws daws Many emerging a l l a t once, h l i v d e j To pour w a t e r .
tumbling o u t . d e j vuab Water flows around an o b s t r u c t i o n .
( a ) t a v d e j A dam, t o dam w a t e r .
1. de To p l u c k , t o pinch. ( b ) t a u v d e j A dam, t o dam w a t e r .
de zaub To pinch o f f l e a f y v e g e t a b l e s . ( c ) xov d e j A dam, t o dam w a t e r .
d e nrho To pinch s h a r p l y , pinch s o a s t o h u r t . d e j x i v Water murmurs b e f o r e it b o i l s .
cug d e j 10s Water s e e p s i n .
2. de d e j cog A r i c e pounding m i l l run by w a t e r power.
qaug d o j qaug de Unsteady, r e e l i n g from s i d e t o s i d e . nruab deg On t h e s e a , i n t h e midst of t h e w a t e r .
nkoj deg A b o a t ( c f . 'hemcav').
deb Distant, distance. kwj deg A g u l l e y (wet only a f t e r a r a i n ) .
deb deb li Far away, very d i s t a n t . ( a ) p l i a g deg A s m a l l clam, a l s o t h e p i e c e of s h e l l ,
qhov deb Distance. e t c . on which opium i s r o l l e d i n p r e p a r a t i o n
nyob nrug deb S e p a r a t e d f a r o f f . f o r smoking.
deb li c a s ? How f a r ? ( b ) p i a g deg A s m a l l clam, a l s o t h e p i e c e of s h e l l ,
e t c . on which opium i s r o l l e d i n p r e p a r a t i o n
deg t.c. from ' d e j ' cf. 'dej' f o r smoking.
1. dev Dog ( t u s ) ( c f . ' a u b ' ) .
dev hnyo A l o n g h a i r e d dog.
dev kuas A k i n d of v a r i c o l o r e d dog.
dev tawb Dog s c r a t c h i n g .
dev tsem Dog b a r k i n g . (The sound of b a r k i n g i s
d e s c r i b e d a s 'nkhoob n k h o o b ' ) .
txhaub dev TO send a dog a f t e r someone o r something,
t o ' s i c ' a dog.
2 . dev P e r t a i n i n g t o dogs. dim To r e l e a s e , t o be r e l e a s e d , e s c a p e , be f r e e d , be saved.
h a i s l u s dev To speak f i l t h y language, 'dog' dim lawm Released, saved.
language. t s o dim To s e t f r e e , t o r e l e a s e .
t i b n e e g dev A f i l t h y and immoral p e r s o n , a ' d o g . ' dim pa To r e l e a s e a i r p r e s s u r e .
dev thawj tswv A dog t h a t knows n o t i t s m a s t e r , dim plaws Freed suddenly, escaped.
one t h a t wanders about s e e k i n g food from dim plhuav khoom haujlwm Escape from work, f r e e d
one and a l l . Also used f i g . of persons i n from work and r e s p o n s i b i l i t y .
s e r i o u s s c o l d i n g and c u r s i n g .
dis Gruel.
3. dev Kua d i s Rice g r u e l .
dev mub ( t u s ) The f l e a , f l e a s .
diab A s p e c i e s of b i r d (tus).
4 . dev
d a i s dev ( t u s ) The honey b e a r . diaj To push and p u l l back and f o r t h , make something
move backward and forward.
1. deev I l l i c i t s e x u a l r e l a t i o n s . d i a j zeb To push and p u l l t h e handle t u r n i n g a
deev h l u a s nkauj E x t r a - m a r i t a l r e l a t i o n s w i t h millstone, t o grind a t the stone m i l l .
a young woman. Txhob d i a j d i a j qhovrooj. Don't keep pushing and
deev h l u a s nraug E x t r a - m a r i t a l r e l a t i o n s w i t h p u l l i n g t h e door.
a young man.
(These terms a r e a l s o used l o o s e l y of v i s i t i n g diam p . v . i n t . conveying t h e i d e a " r e a l l y " o r , " a s many
among young people s i n c e s e x r e l a t i o n s might a s t h a t , I' " a s much a s t h a t . "
o r might n o t follow. ) Ua t a u diam. (He) can r e a l l y do i t ( w e l l ) !
Qab diam mog. R e a l l y t a s t y !
2. deev To comfort. T s i b t u g diam Five! ( a s many a s t h a t ! )
.
deev s i a b To comfort, encourage t h e h e a r t ( c f ' n p l i j '1 . dias
di Lip, l i p s . d i a s taubhau Headache, head h u r t s .
d i ncauj The l i p s .
1. d i a v Spoon, spoon-like ( r a b ) .
1. d i b Cucumber, cucumber-like melon ( l u b ) .
d i b pag ( l u b ) A t y p e of melon t a s t i n g something
i b r a b d i a v One spoon.
d i a v n y i a j S i l v e r spoon.
l i k e a cucumber. d i a v hmuv Fork (lit. ' s p e a r s p o o n ' ) .

2. d i b To e n t i c e , t o b a i t . 2. d i a v Clf. f o r spoonfuls.
q a i b d i b A chicken used t o draw o t h e r s i n t o a i b d i a mov One spoonful o f r i c e ( t . c . )
trap. r a u d i a v t s h u a j S i x s p o o n f u l s of medicine.

1. d i g B l i n d , t o be b l i n d . 1. do To s t i r , t o mix ( a s powder i n t o l i q u i d , e t c . ) c f . 'tov'

d i g muag B l i n d , b l i n d e d eyes. do t s h u a j To mix up medicine.
neeg d i g muag A b l i n d person ( t u s ) . 2 . do Bald, smoothe and v a c a n t .
2. dig To p i c k , probe, d i g a t . do d o hau Bald headed.
d i g av To s h o v e l up e a r t h . qhovmuag do E x p r e s s i o n l e s s r o v i n g eyes of a s i c k
d i g ntxeev h l o To f l i c k o v e r , t o t u r n something person.
over ( a s w i t h a f i n g e r o r a s t i c k ) .
d i g k i a v txhab To p i c k o f f a scab. dob To p u l l up by t h e r o o t s .
d i g h n i a v To p i c k t h e t e e t h . dob n r o j To p u l l weeds.
d i g pobntseg To p i c k o r probe i n t h e e a r . dob plaub To p u l l o u t a h a i r , pluck h a i r .

3. d i g Used i n combination w i t h ' d o g . ' dog Used i n combination w i t h ' d i g . '

ua dog ua d i g To do s l o p p i l y , t o do c a r e l e s s l y . ua dog ua d i g To do s l o p p i l y , t o do c a r e l e s s l y .
doj 1. dua Again, a n o t h e r , t o r e p e a t , used t o i n d i c a t e s i m i l a r
qaug d o j qaug d e Unsteady, r e e l i n g from s i d e t o s i d e . a c t i o n on a n o t h e r o c c a s i o n p a s t o r p r e s e n t .
ua dua To do a g a i n .
1. dos Measure of width r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e d i s t a n c e between ua dua lawm To have done b e f o r e .
thumb and extended middle f i n g e r . yuav ua dua W i l l do a g a i n .
t s i s t a u ua dua Haven't done b e f o r e .
2. dos Small onion, l e e k ( l u b ) . dua i b zaug A second time.
ua dua i b zaug To do a second time.
1. dov To r o l l a l o n g , r o l l something a l o n g ( c o n t r . ' n t o g ' ) . yug dua t s h i a b To be born a g a i n .
dov t o j To r o l l down t h e h i l l . t s i s t a u hnov dua Have n o t heard b e f o r e .
dua i b hnub Another day.
2. dov I n combination w i t h ' n p l a i g ' p e r t a i n i n g t o d i f f i -
c u l t y of speech. 2. dua To p a s s on, t o go ( c f . ' m u s ' ) .
dov dov n p l a i g D i f f i c u l t t o say. dua t i m lawv lawm Gone on over t o them acro.ss t h e
h a i s l u s dov n p l a i g To u t t e r words hard t o e n u n c i a t e . valley.
Dua twg lawm? Where has ( h e , i t ) gone?
1. doog Tanned, sunburned, p e r t a i n i n g t o sunburn. Dua hauv d e j lawm Gone i n t o t h e w a t e r .
sijhawm dua lawm Too l a t e , t h e time has passed.
2 . doog Of blood congealed i n t h e t i s s u e s .
doog n t s h a v A blood b r u i s e under t h e s k i n " b l a c k 3 . dua To s u r p a s s , more t h a n , b e t t e r than.
and b l u e . " zoo dua B e t t e r t h a n .
n t s h a v doog lawm Of blood confined i n t h e t i s s u e s l o j dua Bigger t h a n .
as i n strangulation. dua n t a i s 'Much b e t t e r . '
l o j dua n t a i s Much b i g g e r .
3 . doog Dark r e d c o l o r . l o j dua n t a i s h u v s i Much b i g g e r t h a n a l l o t h e r s .
l i a b doog doog Very dark r e d , c o l o r of congealed n t s e e g dua To r e a l l y b e l i e v e .
blood. h l o b dua t e j G r e a t e r t h a n o t h e r s .

doom 4. dua To t e a r , t o r i p ( i n t e n t i o n a l l y ) ( c o n t r . ' n t u a g ' )

Torn by something.
.
muv doom Large s p e c i e s of e d i b l e bee ( t u s ) .
Muab dua pov t s e g . Tear it up and g e t r i d of it.
1. du Smooth, l e v e l . ( a ) pos khawb Torn by a t h o r n .
( a ) du du li Very smooth. ( b ) pos dua Torn by a t h o r n .
( b ) du l u g Very smooth. dua r h e lawm Torn up, completely t o r n a p a r t .

2 . du C l e a r of a l l e x t r a n e o u s m a t t e r a s a c l e a n t a b l e o r 5. dua W e t h e r o r n o t , makes no d i f f e r e n c e ( c f . ' x i j p e e m ' ) .

c l e a r ground. Hlub k u j t s i s d u a l t s i s hlub k u j t s i s dua. I t makes
no d i f f e r e n c e whether he looks a f t e r me o r n o t .
1. dub Black T s i s dua ntawm k o j I t ' s up t o you. Do a s you w i l l .
dub dub li Very b l a c k .
( a ) dub t x i g P e r f e c t l y b l a c k . 6 . dua
( b ) dub n c i a b P e r f e c t l y b l a c k . ncab dua n t s a g Obstinate.
s i a b dub t x i g A ' b l a c k ' h e a r t , e v i l h e a r t , unmerciful.
dub l i a s Not very b1,ack. 1. duab Shadow ( t u s )
t u s duab The shadow.
.
2. dub ( a ) duab ntxoov Shadow, shade.
q i a dub Selfish. ( b ) ntxoov duab Shadow, shade.

3 . dub 2 . duab Ray, l i g h t o r sunbeam.

cua d a j cua dub A bad wind, storm. duab t s h a v n t u j A sunbeam, ray of s u n l i g h t .

duj duaj Peach ( l u b ) .

t x i v d u a j Peach,
( a ) mus d u j duam To walk w i t h b i g s t e p s .
( b ) mus daws duam To walk w i t h b i g s t e p s .
duam Big s t e p s .
( a ) mus d u j duam To walk w i t h b i g s t e p s .
( b ) mus daws duam To walk w i t h b i g s t e p s . dhas To s h e l l , s e p a r a t e t h e k e r n e l s from t h e cob.
dhas pobkws To s h e l l c o r n , s e p a r a t e I n d i a n corn
k e r n e l s from t h e cob.
1. duas
f e l l e d (lub) .
The notch made i n a t r e e when it i s b e i n g
duas n t o o Notch made i n a t r e e f o r f e l l i n g . dhau Through, t o p a s s t h r o u g h , beyond.
mus dhau lawm Has gone through, beyond t h e mark.
2. duas dhau i b hnub A f t e r one day, having passed through
duas y u a j xyoob Bamboo s h e a t h , t h e t h i n tough s h e a t h one day.
around a j o i n t of bamboo. l i g dhau lawm Too l a t e , l a t e beyond t h e mark.
dhau plaws Through, has gone o r come through.
1. duav A s h o v e l , s p a t u l a , paddle (rab)
r a b duav do mov Small wooden paddle used t o s t i r
. l o j dhau Too b i g , b i g beyond t h e measure.
Tus mob dhau t u g li t i a g . The epidemic keeps on
cooked r i c e . spreading. (The s i c k n e s s p a s s e s on from one
duav phuaj An o a r ( r a b ) . t o another) .
2 . duav The r e g i o n of t h e lower back o r w a i s t (lub). dhawv p . v . i n t . used w i t h 'dhev' c f . 'dhev.'
mob duav P a i n i n t h e back. q u a j nqus ntswg dhawv dhev To c r y b i t t e r l y .
nruab duav The r e g i o n of t h e w a i s t (lub).
ncab duav To s t r e t c h o n e s e l f , s t r e t c h t h e dhev p.v.int.
body e r e c t . ( a ) q u a j d h u j dhev To c r y a l i t t l e b i t .
t i a g duav A pad t i e d a t t h e back of t h e w a i s t f o r ( b ) q u a j dhev To c r y a l i t t l e b i t .
carrying water buckets, e t c . l u a g nrov dhev To laugh l o u d l y .
duav s i v A Hmong man's s a s h ( t x o j ) . nrov dhev Loud.
s i b xyaws dhev To be mixed up t o g e t h e r ( c f . mixed
3 . duav .
r i c e and v e g e t a b l e s )
( a ) duav pus The s h o u l d e r b l a d e s .
( b ) n p l o o j pus The s h o u l d e r b l a d e s . dtiees To limp, of a limping g a i t .
mus i b dhees i b dhees To limp a l o n g , of an unsteady
4. duav Term used i n p u t t i n g on a r o o f . g a i t due t o i n j u r y , p a i n , e t c .
duav r u v t s e v To p u t on t h e r o o f i n g l e a v e s , e t c .
over t h e r i d g e p o l e . dheev p.v.int. i n d i c a t i n g suddenness.
t s i m dheev 10s To wake up suddenly.
dwb A man's given name, a name given t o men. ( a ) nco dheev To suddenly remember.
( b ) nco dhuj dheev To suddenly remember.
( a ) r a s dheev To be s t a r t l e d , suddenly s u r p r i s e d .
( b ) r a s pes dheev To be s t a r t l e d , suddenly s u r p r i s e d .
nco dheev t s o s Suddenly remembered something.
s i a b r a s dheev To suddenly awake t o something.
Also used w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g v e r b s :
s a i b , porn, hnov, xav, paub, t x h a i s

1. d h i a To jump, s k i p , g a l l o p .
d h i a i b plhaw To make one l e a p , l e a p up, one jump.
d h i a i b caws q i a sawv n t s u g With one l e a p ( h e ) s t o o d up.
d h i a i b t s a u g nrov ntwg mus N o i s i l y r a n away i n a
crowd t o g e t h e r .
( a ) d h i a p a j paws To jump, t o l e a p .
( b ) d h i a n t s o s To jump, t o l e a p .
2. dhia To t h r o b , t o b e a t (used of h e a r t b e a t ) .
dhos To f i t t o g e t h e r , t o f i t ( c f . ' t x u a s ' ).
s i b dhos F i t t i n g c l o s e t o g e t h e r ( a l t h o u g h n o t
a c t u a l l y c o n n e c t e d ) , a s i n a wood j o i n t , fa An a d u l t e r e s s ( t u s ) .
nkauj f a ( t u s ) An a d u l t e r e s s , one who runs away
boards f i t t i n g , e t c .
dhos kuv s i a b According t o my wish, a g r e e s w i t h from h e r husband and p r e f e r s a n o t h e r .
my h e a r t ' s d e s i r e ( c f . ' r a u g , ' 'hum' ) . 1. f a b Weedy, overgrown ( c f . ' n t x h o s ' ) .
dhuj P.v.int. Used i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h o t h e r p . v . hav f a b ( l u b ) A weedy overgrown v a l l e y .
intensives. kev fab f a b li An overgrown t r a i l .
q u a j dhuj dhev To c r y a l i t t l e b i t .
nco d h u j dheev To suddenly repember. 2. fab A division, a section, c l f . for sections, divisions.
h a i s ob f a b l u s Double-tongued, speaking i n two
dhuas To e a t ravenously ( o f a n i m a l s ) . d i f f e r e n t ways.
npua dhuas dhuas The p i g i s e a t i n g r a v e n o u s l y . plaub f a b Having f o u r s e c t i o n s , t h e ' f o u r p o i n t s ' of
t h e compass, f o u r c o r n e r s of t h e e a r t h .
dhuav I n d i c a t i n g a c t i o n c a r r i e d t o t h e p l a c e of b e i n g xwmfab (C) Square, f o u r s i d e d .
t i r e d of it, thoroughly and beyond measure.
c a i j t s h e b dhuav l a m T i r e of r i d i n g i n c a r s . 3. f a b To t u r n o v e r ( a s a page, e t c . ) (C) c f . 'ntxeev.'
s o dhuav Rested t o f u l l s a t i s f a c t i o n .
( a ) dhuav s i a b Don't l i k e i t . 4. fab
( b ) s i a b t s i s nyiam D o n ' t l i k e i t . fab t h i a j To f a l l backward.

5. f a b
t s i s l i a b fab Don't l i k e .

6 . fab To be u p s e t , d i s t r e s s e d , confused.
s i a b f a b Heart u p s e t , confused, mind n o t c l e a r .

7. fab
phob f a b ~ 1 ' t1h e work of moving, making new f i e l d s ,
b u i l d i n g a new house, e t c .

8. fab
mob f a b Of a f i t o r coma a f t e r e a t i n g something
t h a t doesn' t a g r e e .

9 . fab
( a ) thob f a b The foundation beams of a house.
( b ) t i m cum The foundation beams of a house.

10. f a b ( f a b £0)
ntxuav y i a s f a b f o To c l e a n t h e pan o u t a l l around.

1. f a j To be on t h e a l e r t , c a r e f u l , wary o f , w a t c h f u l .
c e e b f a j C a r e f u l , w a t c h f u l , on t h e a l e r t .
f a j mob f a j tuag. To he wary of s i c k n e s s and d e a t h .

2. faj
fajsuab Haze.

3. f a j
(a) l o j f a j Prison, j a i l .
(b) tsev l o j f a j Prison, j a i l (lub).
4. faj 2 . fav
( a ) mob f a j Carbuncle. s a i b tsis fav To s e e i n d i s t i n c t l y .
( b ) mob npuag f a j Carbuncle.
faib To d i v i d e , d i v i d e o f f , d i v i d e i n t o p a r t s .
5. faj f a i b ua ob co Divide i n t o two p a r t s .
lawj f a j Sulphur. Faib i b t u g r a u kuv. Give ( d i v i d e o f f ) one t o me.
Muab f a i b r a u sawvdaws n o j . Divide it up f o r
6. f a j everyone t o e a t .
nees f a j kav A yellow h o r s e (C).
f a ij
7. f a j lub t s i b f a i j A type of small b o t t l e .
( a ) tamfaj Probably (C) .
( b ) kwvlam Probably. faiv
8. f a j
f a i v f u a j ( l u b ) A f l a s h l i g h t (T) .
n t a f a i v f u a j To l i g h t a f l a s h l i g h t .
f a jt i m Emperor (C) (cf. ' huabtais ' ) f a i v f u a j c i g The f l a s h l i g h t i s on.
t x o f a i v f u a j To p u t o u t t h e f l a s h l i g h t .
9. f a j
fajkhum, hmab fajkhum ( t x o j ) A kind of j u n g l e v i n e
r o j f a i v fuaj Flashlight b a t t e r i e s (lub) .
t h a t l i v e s on t r e e s and g r a d u a l l y s t r a n g l e s faus To t u r n over t h e e a r t h , t o c u l t i v a t e , t o t u r n t h e
them. I t c r e a k s n o i s i l y a s soon a s it i s c u t weeds and sod over and expose t h e f r e s h e a r t h
and it t h e r e f o r e i s used m e t a p h o r i c a l l y of
liars.
( c f . 'voob') .
f a u s t e b To c u l t i v a t e t h e f i e l d s , p r e p a r e f i e l d s
Koj t a u g ceg fajkhum Y o u ' r e t e l l i n g t a l l t a l e s , l y i n p . for planting.
(You a r e f o l l o w i n g t h e branches of t h e 'fajkhum
NOTE: This i s a l s o sometimes s p e l l e d ' f a j k h a u m ' ) fawb To s e a r c h f o r something amid a mass of o t h e r t h i n g s ,
e . g . amid t r a s h o r l e a v e s on t h e ground o r i n
1 0 . f a j C l f . f o r one of a c o u p l e t .
i b f a j One of a p a i r , h a l f of a rhyme.
a s t a c k o f g r a i n , e t c . ( c f . ' tshawb' ) .
f em
11. f a j ua £em f e e b To t a l k i n o n e ' s s l e e p .
mob muas f a j Sickness w i t h p a i n a l l o v e r , no f e v e r .
fee To t u r n away from.
12. faj f e e r a u nws Turned from him, t u r n e d f a c e from him.
f a j l e m (C) ( s e e below) f e e p l h u To t u r n t h e f a c e , t u r n t h e eheek.
ntawv f a j l e m Book of a s t r o l o g y , book used t o f o r e t e l l
lucky and unlucky y e a r s , s i c k n e s s and c a l a m i t y 1. f e e b To d i s t i n g u i s h , d i s c e r n , d i v i d e ( C ).
e t c . , e s p e c i a l l y Chinese books s o used b u t a l s o f e e b meej To d i s t i n g u i s h c l e a r l y , d i s c e r n c l e a r l y .
of any book o r document used i n f o r e t e l l i n g . f e e b t s i s meej C a n ' t d i s t i n g u i s h c l e a r l y , confused.
s i a b f e e b p e s t s i a Confused.
1. fam Of t h i n g s b l i n d i n g t h e eyes. ( a ) t s i s f e e b t s i s fwm Confused, n o t c l e a r h e a d e d ,
£am fam qhovmuag ( s o b r i g h t it . . . ) b l i n d s t h e e y e s . drunken.
( b ) c i s f e e b c i s fwm Confused, n o t c l e a r h e a d e d ,
2. £am drunken.
£am tawb Needlework b a s k e t ( l u b ) .

3 . £am
2 . f e e b F a i n t e d , unconscious ( C ) .
f e e b l a m F a i n t e d , unconscious.
( a ) t u s niam txam fam The woman r e s p o n s i b l e f o r
cooking r i c e a t a f u n e r a l . 3 . feeb
( b ) t u s niam fam txam The woman r e s p o n s i b l e f o r ua f em f eeb To t a l k i n one ' s s l e e p .
cooking r i c e a t a f u n e r a l .

1. f a v To t u r n around ( C ) . 1. feem A p a r t , a p o r t i o n ( C ) .
kuv li feem My p o r t i o n .
f a v xeeb To t u r n a g a i n s t , r e b e l , change h e a r t ( C ) pub kuv i b feem To g i v e me a p o r t i o n .
( c f . 'ntxeev s i a b l ) .
2. feem 1. foob To s e a l something s h u t (c), sew up t h e seam of
ua feem lawm To d i s a p p e a r . a jacket.
foob l u b qhovntxa To s e a l t h e grave o r tomb.
fi To s e n d , t o send something t o someone ( c f . ' x a ' )
f i xov To send a message ( c f . ' x a x o v ' ) .
. 2. foob
t u s f i xov A messenger. foobxab ( l u b ) A windbox used a s a bellows t o pump
f i mus r a u lawv Send it t o them. a i r f o r t h e f i r e i n f o r g i n g metal ( c f . ' lwj I ) (C)

1. fim To b e a c q u a i n t e d w i t h a p e r s o n , t o have met. 3 . foob

t s i s t a u s i b firn (we) haven' t y e t met, n o t sab foob To have a c o l d ( C ) (cf . ' khaub thuas ' ) .
a c q u a i n t e d w i t h (him o r h e r ) . 4 . foob
2 . firn Must, c e r t a i n l y , concerning c e r t a i n t y . foob pob ( l u b ) A bomb ( C ) (sometimes pronounced
Kuv firn yuav ua. I c e r t a i n l y must do i t . I ' hoob pob ' ) .
foob pob tawg The bomb exploded.
c e r t a i n l y w i l l do i t .
T s i s n t e v firn yuav txog. We c e r t a i n l y w i l l be
t h e r e b e f o r e long. fooj To accuse (T) .
Kuv t s i s firn h a i s li c a s . I w a s n ' t c e r t a i n what
t o say. I d i d n ' t c a r e t o say anything. (For 1. foom To f i x ( a s a judgment) , s e a l t h e f a t e whether f o r
l a c k of e v i d e n c e , would do no good, e t c . ) good o r f o r e v i l . ( c f . ' tsawm' ) (C)
Ob l e e g s i b foom. The two s e t a c u r s e on each o t h e r .
.
Kuv tsis firn ua li c a s . I w a s n ' t c e r t a i n what t o do.
D i d n ' t know what t o do.
2 . foom A curse (lub) .
3 . firn To i g n o r e .
t s i s firn kuv Ignores me. f uab
fuabtais Alternate spelling for 'huabtais' cf.
4. fim To i n t e r f e r e i n t h e a f f a i r s of o t h e r s ( c f . ' t x u a m ' ) . 'huabtais '
fiv To make a r e q u e s t f o r a i d w i t h t h e promise of f u t u r e fuaj
Pay faiv fuaj ( l u b ) A f l a s h l i g h t (T) c f . 'faiv. '
( a ) f i v r a u dab To r e q u e s t of t h e s p i r i t s w i t h
promise of s u i t a b l e s a c r i f i c e a t a f u t u r e d a t e . 1. fwm Clf. f o r s e t s , s u i t s , e t c . e.g. A s e t of h o r s e
( b ) f i v dab To r e q u e s t of t h e s p i r i t s w i t h promise harness.
of s u i t a b l e s a c r i f i c e a t a future date.
f i v yeem Promise of o f f e r i n g t o t h e s p i r i t s l a t e r . 2. fwm
( c f . ' t x i dab,' c o n t r . 'pauj yeem'). c i s f e e b c i s fwm cf. 'feeb. '
fiab One one-hundredth of an ounce, u n i t of weight. fwv
fwv khawv ( l u b ) A n a t u r a l gateway o r pass through
fiav To push something and s e t it i n motion swinging l i k e t h e j u n g l e o r landscape where any w i l d game
a pendulum o r swing ( c f . ' y o j ' ) . w i l l be f o r c e d t o p a s s by r e a s o n of t h e
n a t u r a l configuration.
£0
ntxuav y i a s f a b f o Clean t h e pan o u t a l l around.
fob To compress w i t h t h e hands.
fob mov To compress and pack cooked r i c e t o g e t h e r
w i t h t h e hands a s done by t h e Lao t o make it
more s o l i d and e a s i e r t o handle i n e a t i n g .
fos To be covered up o u t of s i g h t .
f o s n t a i s Covered up and o u t of s i g h t .
Koj yuav f o s . You w i l l d i e . (be b u r i e d ) ( a n
e x p r e s s i o n used i n c u r s i n g ) .
 4. h a j
tsheej haj I n d u s t r i o u s , e n e r g e t i c (C).
gig The sound of t i g e r s f i g h t i n g .
Tsov tom g i g gog g i g gog. The t i g e r s a r e f i g h t i n g 1. ham To weld, t o s o l d e r .
and making a n o i s e of growling ' g i g gog.' ham thawj To s o l d e r , t o s o l d e r t o g e t h e r .
ham h l a u To weld i r o n o r s t e e l .
gog The sound of t i g e r s f i g h t i n g .
Tsov tom g i g gog g i g gog. The t i g e r s a r e f i g h t i n g 2. ham
and making a n o i s e of growling ' g i g gog.' ham c i a To keep a person c o n f i n e d , t o lock someone
up i n one p l a c e .
gus A goose ( t u s ) .
1. hav A v a l l e y , a broad expanse, ( l u b ) t . c .
hav
hav
dej A r i v e r valley (lub)
zoov The j u n g l e .
.
hav f a b An overgrown g r a s s y v a l l e y .
hav cua The atmosphere.
hav huab An expanse of c l o u d s .
hav pos A v a l l e y of t h o r n s , a l a r g e a r e a of t h o r n
bushes.
t x h o j hav A shallow v a l l e y .
( a ) l u b kwj ha A v a l l e y .
( b ) l u b hav A v a l l e y .
l u b hav zawj An e n c l o s e d v a l l e y .
l u b vos hav A broad l e v e l v a l l e y .
2 . hav An i n t r o d u c t o r y exclamatory p a r t i c l e .
Hav, l w m hnub? What, i n a day o r s o ?
ha t.c. from ' h a v , ' (cf. 'hav').
1. h a i s To s p e a k , t o s a y .
hab S t u p i d , dazed, confused. h a i s l u s To speak words, t o speak.
hab lawm S t u p i d , dazed, confused. hais t i a s . . . Spoke s a y i n g ...
h a i s nkauj Speak s o n g s , i . e . t o s i n g .
N w s nyob i b t u g hab nuv t s e g . He was confused, dazed.
(because of amazement and apprehension) (more commonly, t o s i n g i s ' h u n k a u j ' ) .
' hah nuv t s e g ' ( c f . 'yoob zog t s e g ' and h a i s kwv t x h i a j To s e r e n a d e , t o s i n g b a l l a d s
.
' r u a j zog t s e g ' ) ( c f . 'kwv t x h i a j ' ) .
h a i s q u j q e e s To speak slowly and s t e a d i l y .
1. h a j Yet, s t i l l . h a i s nrawm nrawm li To speak very q u i c k l y .
Nws h a j h a i s dua. He s t i l l s a i d more. He s a i d a g a i n . h a i s l u s s i s To speak w i t h an a c c e n t , speak n o t
He spoke f u r t h e r s a y i n g ... clearly.
( a ) h a i s dag To l i e , t o d e c e i v e .
2. h a j ( b ) h a i s nkaub To l i e , t o d e c e i v e .
haj yam S t i l l more, more s o , comparative d e g r e e . h a i s tshawv tshawv To speak r o u g h l y , r a u c o u s l y ,
(a) h a j yam zoo dua S t i l l b e t t e r t h a n ( c f . ' k e e m ' ) . impolitely.
(b) keem zoo dua S t i l l b e t t e r t h a n . h a i s l u s mos mos To speak k i n d l y , c o u r t e o u s l y .
(c) h a j yam keem zoo S t i l l b e t t e r than. h a i s q e e s To keep on speaking even when t o l d t o s t o p .
Nws tseem h a j yam yuav... Much more l i k e l y w i l l h a i s t s u a g l a s To speak u n c o n v i n c i n g l y , speak
he.. . without force o r conviction.
h a i s ceev n r o o j To speak w i t h c e r t a i n t y and con-
3. haj v i c t i o n , speak c o n v i n c i n g l y , f o r c e f u l l y .
h a j tseem S t i l l i n p r o c e s s of doing. h a i s l u s p l o v meej To speak o p e n l y , f a c e t o f a c e .
h a j tseem n o j mov Is s t i l l e a t i n g . h a i s t u a g n t h i To speak t o t h e f i n i s h , f i n i s h e d ,
h a j tseem ua S t i l l doing. t h e matter s e t t l e d , f i n a l i z e d .
h a i s k i a g To s a y d e f i n i t e l y , d e c i d e .
h a i s ob f a b l u s Double tongued, speak i n two ways.
 h a i s l u s plhov xem Round-about t a l k , i n d i r e c t speech,
n o t coming t o g r i p s w i t h a s u b j e c t .
4 . hau The l e a d e r , head p e r s o n ( t u s ) .
t u s hau zos The headman of a v i l l a g e .
h a i s l u s dov n p l a i g To speak d i f f i c u l t words h a r d t u s hau r o g The l e a d e r o f t h e group t h a t c i r c l e s
t o pronounce.
h a i s ua n q a j ua nqug Everyone t a l k i n g about something
.
t h e house i n mock b a t t l e a t a f u n e r a l ( c f ' t u a g ' ) .
a t t h e same time. 5 . hau
h a i s l u s plhob p h i j To speak w o r t h l e s s words. nyob ua i b hau Together i n one p l a c e .
h a i s l u s p l i j p l o j p l i j p l o j Queer sounding language,
language l i k e t h e sound of bamboo b u r s t i n g .
h a i s kom n t o n t s i s T e l l it t o t h e f i n i s h , c a r r y t h e
haub To l e a d a s t r a y ( c f . ' toov, ' ' n t x i a s ' ) .
Lawv haub kuv li menyuam nrog lawv mus. They l e d my
matter t o a conclusion. c h i l d r e n away w i t h them.
h a i s l u s s i a b lawv To speak words d e s p i s i n g them. Leej twg haub toov k o j ? Who h a s l e d you a s t r a y ?
h a i s l u s tuam mom lawv Always c u r s i n g them, c a n ' t
s e e them w i t h o u t c u r s i n g and s c o l d i n g them. 1. h a u j To mix s e v e r a l t h i n g s t o g e t h e r . ( c f . 'xyaw' ) .
h a i s nraum c a j qwb To speak "behind o n e ' s back. I' To mix t h i n g s up.
h a i s l u s n t o g nraws To speak p e c u l i a r sounds, a s
of someone speaking a f o r e i g n language. 2 . hau j
haujlwm Work, e s p e c i a l l y domestic work, c h o r e s .
2 . h a i s To d i p o u t .
(cf ' c e ' )
h a i s d e j To d i p w a t e r .
. ua haujlwm To do domestic work, t o work ( c f . ' u a num') .
l a u j haujlwm z i a s c i a To p u t work a s i d e .
h a i s mov To d i p o r scoop r i c e o u t of a c o n t a i n e r ,
t o serve r i c e for eating. 3 . hau j
h a i s nkoj To row a b o a t . ( a ) haujsam ( t u s ) A Buddhist p r i e s t (C).
1. h a i v Of g r a i n o r corn b e a t e n down by wind o r r a i n and
( b ) hujsam ( t u s ) A Buddhist p r i e s t ( C ) .
hence l e a n i n g o v e r . 4 . hauj
( a ) h a u j yum Gunpowder ( C ) .
2. h a i v To push a s i d e w i t h t h e hand.
h a i v n r o j To push f o l i a g e o r weeds a p a r t w i t h t h e
( b ) h u j yum Gunpowder ( C ) .
hand a s i n making o n e ' s way a l o n g an over- 5 . hau j
grown t r a i l o r i n p r e p a r a t i o n f o r c u t t i n g
it a t t h e b a s e ( c f . 'phuab' ) . yam h a u j ham xwm Things, b u s i n e s s ( C ) .
3 . h a i v R e f e r r i n g t o t h o s e of a p o t h e r surname.
haum ( c f . 'koob haum' a l s o c f . 'hum' ) .
h a i v Hmoob A l l Hmonq of a n o t h e r surname. haus To d r i n k .
h a i v neeg Men of a n o t h e r surname. h a u s d e j To d r i n k w a t e r .
sawvdaws h a i v neeg A l l p e o p l e , everybody. haus nrov hlawv To d r i n k n o i s i l y .
haus hujsim To d r i n k moderately (of i n t o x i c a n t s ) .
1. hau To b o i l something i n w a t e r ,or i n l i q u i d ( c o n t r .
'rhaub' ) .
hau zaub To b o i l v e g e t a b l e s , cook v e g e t a b l e s .
h a u s h l o To d r i n k r i g h t away, d r i n k immediately.

1. hauv Within, i n , i n s i d e .
nyob hauv t s e v In t h e house, a t home.
2 . hau A l i d , a cover (lub) . nyob hauv t e b In t h e f i e l d s , a t t h e f i e l d s
3 . hau Head, t h e head (lub) . 2 . hauv
l u b taubhau The head, head. hauv qab Underneath.
plaubhau Hair of t h e head ( t x o j )
nyo hau To bow t h e head.
. ( a ) hauv l u b qab r o o j Under t h e t a b l e .
( b ) hauv qab r o o j Under t h e t a b l e .
ncaws hau To nod t h e head. hauv roob The f o o t of t h e mountain.
t i g taubhau To 'turn t h e head around. n t o g r a u hauv pem t e b F e l l upon t h e ground, stumbled
co taubhau To wag t h e head. t o the earth.
hau p l i a j The f o r e h e a d . hauv n t u j n t s a n t s a The dawn j u s t b e f o r e t h e sun
hau xaws The f o n t a n e l l e on t h e head of a young c h i l d . r i s e s ( t h e ' u n d e r s i d e ' of t h e heavens a l i g h t ) .
do do hau Baldheaded, b a l d .
dawb hau n r i g caug White-headed, aged, hoary headed.
l u b hau rooh The head of t h e mountain, mountain t o p .
3 hauv hawj S p i r i t e d , o f a n i m a l s w i t h e n e r g y and s p i r i t (some-
hauvpaus ( l u b ) Stump, b a s e , b a s i s , r o o t , o r i g i n . times s a i d ' h a 1 ) .
hauvpaus n t o o T r e e stump. hawj hawj li of a s p i r i t e d a n i m a l .
hauvpaus h n i a v Root of a t o o t h .
hauvpaus ntawv W r i t i n g , w r i t t e n l e t t e r s . hawm To show r e s p e c t w i t h b o t h hands r a i s e d palms t o g e t h e r
l u b hauv d e j The s o u r c e o f a r i v e r o r s t r e a m . i n t h e f a s h i o n of t h e T h a i g r e e t i n g .
t u s niam hauvpaus c o s The woman i n c h a r g e of pounding
1. haws A k i n d of C h i n e s e m e d i c i n e used by t h e Hmong ( i n
rice for a funeral feast.
hauv d e j Upstream. Chinese c a l l e d ' txhob ku' ) .
2 . haws To i d e n t i f y a s o n e ' s own (used of persons a s
4 . hauv
hauvcaug Knees, t h e knee. 'horn' i s of f i e l d s ) .
( a ) qhau hauvcaug To k n e e l .
( b ) t x h o s hauvcaug To k n e e l . 1. hawv
l u b p a s hawv A muddy h o l e w i t h w a t e r r u n n i n g t h r o u g h .
5. hauv
t h o o j s i a b hum hauv One i n h e a r t , i n harmony and 2 . hawv To c r y o u t (sometimes i n l W h i t e Hmong b u t more common
i n fellowship. i n Blue Hmong) ( c f . q w ' ) .

3 . hawv To t h r e a t e n (sometimes i n White Hmong b u t more common

6 . hauv
hauv p l a g The r e a r w a l l of t h e Hmong h o u s e , t h e u p h i l l i n Blue Hmong) .
w a l l of t h e house.
nyob ntawm hauv p l a g On t h e r e a r w a l l . 4 . hawv Restricted p.v.int. with 'huav' ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .

7 . hauv 1. hem To s c a r e , t o f r i g h t e n , t o i n t i m i d a t e (C).

cov ua hauv qhua Those r e l a t i v e s who b r i n g r i c e ,
p a p e r money, e t c . a s g i f t s f o r t h e dead on 2 . hem hemcav ( l u b ) A s h i p o r motor p r o p e l l e d b o a t .
t h e day b e f o r e k i l l i n g a n i m a l s and b u r i a l .
hee To whinny, t o n e i g h .
8. hauv n e e s h e e Horse whinnys, h o r s e n e i g h i n g .
zaub n t s u a b t i a v hauv lawm The v e g e t a b l e s have formed
clumps and a r e r e a d y f o r p i c k i n g . 1. h e e v I n t e n s e , s e v e r e .
s i a b heev Impatient, s e v e r e , s t e r n , harsh.
9 . hauv neeg h e e v sawv A s e v e r e p e r s o n , one p r o n e t o f i g h t ,
q u i c k tempered, v e r y e n e r g e t i c ( c f . ' n e e g
l u b hauv r o o b Mountain.
nyaum ny aum' ) .
haw 2 . h e e v Used a s i n t e n s i v e p a r t i c l e a f t e r v e r b s .
( a ) haw haw quav Much d e f e c a t i n g , o f a p e r s o n zoo h e e v h e e v li Very v e r y good.
h a v i n g t o r e l i e v e t h e bowels f r e q u e n t l y . zoo t s i s h e e v Not v e r y good.
( b ) haw quav li Much d e f e c a t i n g , o f a p e r s o n l o j h e e v Very l a r g e .
h a v i n g t o r e l i e v e t h e bowels f r e q u e n t l y .
3. h e e v
1. hawb To p u r r . t u s heev nyuj A l a r g e full-grown castrated bull.
hawb pob Of an a n i m a l p u r r i n g .
hib Used f o r t h e sound o f l a u g h i n g .
2 . hawb H o a r s e , h o a r s e n e s s of s p e e c h , t o s p e a k i n d i s t i n c t l y . l u a g h i b h i b To l a u g h "He He."
h a i s l u s hawb To s p e a k w i t h h o a r s e n e s s .
1. h i v
3 . hawb Yuav i b t u g h i v t h i a j mus. There must b e a n o t h e r
neeg t s i s t s h o o b hawb A w e l l - t o - d o p e r s o n who p u r p o s e l y t o go ahead o r t h e o t h e r s w i l l n o t f o l l o w .
d r e s s e s p o o r l y t o c o v e r up h i s w e a l t h . ( o f pack a n i m a l s g o i n g i n a t r a i n , e t c . )
2. hiv 1. hob A s t r i n g e n t , puckery, of u n r i p e f r u i t ( c f . ' p l u a s ' ) .
nyob h i a h i v Eaten t o o f u l l , uncomfortably ' s t u f f e d . ' n o j hob hob n t s i m n t s i m To e a t something which l e a v e s
an a s t r i n g e n t f e e l i n g i n t h e mouth o r t h r o a t .
hia S a t i a t e d , uncomfortably f u l l of food.
( a ) h i a h i a li Eaten t o o f u l l , uncomfortably ' s t u f f e d . ' 2 . hob Of something s t u c k i n t h e t h r o a t ( c f . medicine t h a t
( b ) nyob h i a h i v Eaten t o o f u l l , uncomfortably one cannot seem t o swallow) ( c f . 'hua' ) .
'stuffed. '
3. hob Of t h e c o o l i n g s e n s a t i o n i n t h e t h r o a t produced
1. h i a b A leech (tus). by menthol, e t c .

2. hiab To weave ( w i t h r a t t a n o r bamboo, e t c . , n o t w i t h hoj

thread). h o j huam ( t u s ) A k i n d of j u n g l e fowl w i t h a long
h i a b l e v To weave a mat. flowing t a i l .
h i a b kawm To weave a back b a s k e t .
t x i a v xyoob phua ncaw h i a b l e v To c u t bamboo and 1. hom To mark o u t , t o i d e n t i f y with a mark, mark f o r
s p l i t i n t o l e n g t h s f o r weaving a mat. ownership.
hom t e b To mark o u t an a r e a t o b e made i n t o f i e l d s
3. h i a b for future cultivation. The u s u a l mark i s a
h i a b xab A person's face (poetical). s l i v e r of wood c u t and p u t i n t o a t r e e o r
sapling horizontally.
1. hiam To s u s p e c t , t o a c c u s e .
2 . hom To s e a l , a mark of i d e n t i f i c a t i o n ( l u b ) .
2 . hiam l u b hom thawj A s e a l , a mark of i d e n t i f i c a t i o n .
l i m hiam F i e r c e , c r u e l , f e r o c i o u s (C) (of men o r n t a u s hom thawj To mark f o r i d e n t i f i c a t i o n .
animals ) . 3 . hom c l f . f o r k i n d s o r c l a s s e s of t h i n g s . ( c f . 'yam')
1. h i a v Scorched, t o a s t e d , almost burned (used of r i c e o r i b yam n t o o One k i n d of Tree.
v e g e t a b a b l e s browned b u t n o t burned b l a c k ) . i b hom ntoo One k i n d of Tree.

2. h i a v The s e a , t h e ocean. 4. hom Energetic.

h i a v txwv The s e a , t h e ocean. hom k h a j E n e r g e t i c , s p i r i t e d ( o f persons o r a n i m a l s )
t i v txwv h i a v txwv The bottom of t h e s e a . t o jump f o r j o y .

1. ho Of animals l o s i n g a l i t t e r o r a c a l f , e t c . pre- 5 . hom To make t h r e a t e n i n g motions.

maturely. hom r a u peb m e n t s i s Motioned toward us w i t h a s t i c k
npua ho The sow has l o s t h e r l i t t e r . o r w i t h t h e hand a s i f t o h i t u s .

2 . ho Connective p a r t i c l e i n d i c a t i n g sequence and c a r r y i n g hos Initial particle.

forward t h e a c t i o n of t h e v e r b , and, and t h e n . .. Hos zaum no kuv h a i s r a u n e j . . . And t h i s time I
Mus ho t u a j . Come a g a i n . (Coinmon g r e e t i n g t o a s a y t o you.. .
person l e a v i n g and going t o h i s home.)
Mus ho 10s. Come a g a i n . (Common g r e e t i n g t o a l . hov TO sharpen on a sharpening s t o n e .
person l e a v i n g and going t o a p l a c e n o t h i s hov riam To sharpen a k n i f e on a whetstone.
home a s t o t h e f i e l d s , e t c . ) zeb ho A sharpening s t o n e ( l u b ) t . c .
Nws ho yuav s a u n y i a j . And s o he wants t o c o l l e c t
money. 2 . hov Used a s b o t h a q u e s t i o n word and an emphatic t o
Nws xav n o j ho ntshai.. He wants t o e a t b u t i s i n d i c a t e *how much?" o r "very much" i n m a t t e r s
afraid. of s i z e , l e n g t h , q u a n t i t y , e t c .
Hov n t a u i i ? How much?
3 . ho ( a ) Mob n t e v li. c a s ? How long have you been i l l ?
zeb ho Sharpening s t o n e ( l u b ) t . c . , cf . ' hov. ' ( b ) Mob hov n t e v l i ? How long have you been i l l ?
t u s t i b n e e g hov l o j The person of v e r y l a r g e frame,
t h e b i g person.
hons Final p a r t i c l e . 2 . hum Goods, a r t i c l e s (c) .
Yuav kuv q h i a n e j hons! So you need me t o teach you! ua moj hum TO do c o a r s e work o r workmanship.
Ua l i no hons. Do it l i k e t h i s . ua xim hum TO do f i n e work o r workmanship.
Mus t x o j no hons. Go t h i s way.
Sawvdaws mus hons. A l l of u s w i l l go. 3 . hum
povhum ( l u b ) A charm, a p r e c i o u s s t o n e .
hoo
nas hoo t w m ( t u s ) The r e d - b e l l i e d squirrel (c). hus To g a t h e r t o g e t h e r with t h e hand.
Muab t e s hus k i a g 10s. Grab t h e t h i n g s t o g e t h e r
hoob w i t h your hand.
hoob pob ( l u b ) A bomb ( C ) . Muab hus 10s pov t s e g . Gather i t t o g e t h e r w i t h your
hoob pob tawg The bomb exploded. (occasional hands and g e t r i d of it.
pronunciation f o r 'foob pob.' cf. 'foob') . ( a s i n c l e a r i n g away s t u b b l e from around t h e
r i c e s t a c k b e f o r e burning o f f t h e f i e l d . )
. hu To c a l l , t o c r y o u t , t o s i n g .
hu npe To c a l l a name, t o name, c a l l by name 1. huv ~ 1 1 a, l t o g e t h e r .
( c f . 'daws ' ) . huvsi Altogether, a l l .
hu kom nws t u a j C a l l him t o come. ( a ) huv huv l i A l l , a l t o g e t h e r .
hu t i a s . . . Cried s a y i n g
hu nkauj To s i n g a song.
...,
c a l l e d saying ... ( b ) huv t i b s i A l l , a l t o g e t h e r .
t a g huv huv l i Completely gone, a l l gone.
n o j h u v s i Eat it a l l .
2 . hu G l u t t o n o u s , greedy (cf. 'siab h l o b ' ) .
( a ) hu hu l o j Of a person who e a t s l i k e a g l u t t o n . 2 . huv clean, undefiled.
( b ) hu hu dab Of a person who e a t s l i k e a g l u t t o n . Mov t s i s huv. The r i c e i s d i r t y and n o t f i t t o e a t .
neeg hu hu l o j A g l u t t o n .
hua TO s t i c k i n t h e t h r o a t ( a s medicine t h a t won't go down
3 . hu Name of a b i r d (named f o r t h e sound of t h e b i r d o r o f t h i n g s h a r d t o swallow. c f . ' h o b ' ) .
call).
hu v a j ( t u s ) The g r e a t h o r n b i l l . 1. huab Cloud, c l o u d s , cloudy ( c l f . ' t a u v ' o r ' t w v ' ) .
hu v a j xyoob ( t u s ) Small h o r n b i l l . i b t a u huab One cloud, a cloud ( ' t a u ' t. c . )
i b n t u j huab Clouded over sky, whole sky of c l o u d s .
1. hub Large w i t e r s t o r a g e v e s s e l ( l u b ) ( u s u a l l y of s t o n e pos huab n t i Clouds a l l a r m n d , surrounded by cloud.
or pottery). pos pos huab Foggy ( t e m p o r a r i l y ) .
( a ) i b hav huab An expanse of cloud o r f o g .
2 . hub A c l a y v e s s e l f o r household u s e , clay pot (lub). ( b ) i b p l a g huab An expanse of cloud o r fog.
cov huab c l o u d s , t h e c l o u d s .
1. h u j huab n t s a u tsawv Foggy, cloudy ( s t e a d i l y ) .
hujsam ( t u s ) A Buddhist p r i e s t ( C ) , a l s o 'haujsam'

2 . huj
2 . huab V a r i c o l o r e d ( C ) .
nees huab A v a r i c o l o r e d h o r s e , brown and w h i t e h o r s e .
h u j s i m I n moderation.
haus h u j s i m TO d r i n k i n moderaticn (of i n t o x i c a n t s ) . 3 . huab
huabtais (cf. fuabtais' ) ( t u s ) G r e a t r u l e r , emperor,
3. huj legendary Hmong k i n g , k l n g .
hujxwv xav I n t e n d i n g t o do whether g r a n t e d p e r m i s s i o n
o r n o t , d e s i r i n g t o do w i t h i n t e n s i t y . ( c f . 4 . huab( a ) huabhwm A people, a c i t i z e n r y .
' cam thawj ' 1 . ( b ) pejxeein huabhwm A people, a c i t i z e n r y .
1. hum F i t t i n g , r i g h t , s u i t a b l e , a p p r o p r i a t e ( s a i d 'haum'
i n Laos) .
hum nkaus Very f i t t i n g , v e r y s u i t a b l e , j u s t r i g h t .
5. huab
huabxeeb ( l u b ) Peanut, t h e peanut ( C ) .
hum s i a b S a t i s f i e d , s e e i n g eye t o eye ( c f . 'dhos,
raug') . 6. huab
t h o o j s i a b hum hauv Oneness of h e a r t , i n h e a r t yimhuab (cf. 'yim').
f e l l o w s h i p , harmony of mind.
t s i s hum U n f i t t i n g , u n s u i t a b l e .
1. hwm TO r e v e r e n c e ,
t o honor, r e s p e c t , t o d e f e r t o ,
t o esteem ( C )
Yuav hwm niam t x i v .
.
Respect your p a r e n t s . hla To c r o s s o v e r , go a c r o s s .
NWS t s i s hwm kuv. He d i d n ' t honor my word. h l a plaws TO c r o s s completely o v e r .
h l a dhau mus TO c r o s s through t h e m i d s t , p a s s over
2 . hwm t o the other side.
povhwm To p r o t e c t , defend, guard, s h e l t e r (C) .
1. h l a b To s c a l d , s c a l d i n g .
3 . hwm To pound o u t a t h i n n e r a r e a of metal between two h l a b npua TO s c a l d a p i g , pour on s c a l d i n g w a t e r t o
thicker areas. (A term used i n f o r g i n g m e t a l . ) dehair a slaughtered pig.
d e j kub h l a b Scalded by h o t w a t e r .
4 . hwm r o j h l a b Scalded by h o t o i l .
( a ) huabhwm A p e o p l e , a c i t i z e n r y ( c f . pejxeem).
( b ) pejxeem huabhwm A p e o p l e , a c i t i z e n r y . 2. h l a To encircle (as a b e l t o r s a s h ) .
hlab s i v ( t x o j ) The red s a s h on a Hmong woman's apron.
5 . hwm hlab ntxhoo ( t x o j ) The ends o f a Hmong woman's apron s a s h .
s a u meejhwm TO t a k e a census (c). hlab n t a u b ( t x o j ) The embroidery s t r i p e n c i r c l i n g a
meejhwm A census ( C ) . turban.
t x o j h l a b ntawv The u m b i l i c a l c o r d .
6 . hwm
'tswjhwm' (cf. ' t s w j I ) . 3. hla
h l a b pas The oesophagas.
hws p e r s p i r a t i o n , condensed m o i s t u r e .
t a m hws To p e r s p i r e . 4. h l a
khaub h l a b Old c l o t h i n g , r a g s , ( c f . 'khaub ncaws ' ) ,
1. hwv To g r a z e on s t u b b l e o r s t a l k s . ragged, worn o u t .
hwv nees To s e t h o r s e s f r e e t o g r a z e on s t u b b l e o r
cornstalks i n the f i e l d s . 1. h l a v To p u t f o r t h l e a v e s o r s h o o t s o r r o o t s .
h l a v n p l o o j To p u t f o r t h l e a v e s .
2 . hwv h l a v n t s u a g To p u t f o r t h s h o o t s ( a s a new s h o o t on
hwvtaus ( r a b ) A hatchet (C). a t r e e stump, e t c . )
( a ) h l a v cag To p u t f o r t h r o o t s .
3 . hwv (b) nrhau cag To p u t f o r t h r o c t s .
hwvcheej ( l u b ) A g u i t a r o r dulcimer, (c).
2. h l a v A burning s t i c k .
hwwv An i n t e n s i v e f i n a l p a r t i c l e ( c f . ' h e e v ' ) . h l a v hluavtaws ( t u s ) A b u r n i n g s t i c k i n t h e f i r e ,
n t a i v qos hwwv Extremely h o t . p i e c e of b u r n i n g firewood.
l o j hwwv Extremely l a r g e .
Koj kumyuj txawj xam hwwv. You c e r t a i n l y can 3. h l a v
f i g u r e t h i n g s o u t l (somewhat s a t i r i c a l ) . plab hlav Sharp abdominal p a i n .

hlais To c u t , t o s l i c e , c u t w i t h a s l i c i n g motion ( c o n t r .
'txiav') .
h l a i s n q a i j To s l i c e meat.

1. h l a u I r o n ( c o n t r . ' k a b ' ) .
n t a u s h l a u To b e a t o r f o r g e i r o n .
ntsia hlau A nail, nails.
nchuav h l a u TO pour molten i r o n , m e l t i r o n t o mould.
niam h l a u A magnet ( l u b ) .
2. hlau A hoe, t h e curved t y p e of hoe used by Me0 ( r a b ) .
3. h l a u C l f . f o r s t r o k e s of t h e curved Iimong hoe, a h o e f u l 3. hlawv
hlawv t h i a b A form of s p i r i t r i t e performed f o r a
r a u h l a u av S i x h o e f u l s of e a r t h . person v e r y i l l . An egg i s p l a c e d a t t h e door-
i b h l a u s One h o e f u l (Note t. c . ) . way and made t o b u r s t by u s e of a c h a r c o a l ember
i n an e f f o r t t o r e c a l l t h e d e p a r t i n g s p i r i t .
1. h l a u b P e r t a i n i n g t o t h e lower p a r t of t h e human l e g .
p l a b h l a u b The lower p a r t of t h e l e g , p a r t i c u l a r l y 1. h l e To t a k e o f f , t o remove.
t h e f l e s h y p a r t a t t h e back of t h e lower l e g . Nws muab l u b hau h l e h l o . He took t h e l i d completely
( a ) roob h l a u b The s h i n , t h e , f r o n t of t h e lower l e g . off.
( b ) roob q h i b The s h i n , t h e f r o n t of t h e lower l e g . Hle kausmom. Take t h e h a t o f f . Take o f f your h a t .

2. hlaub The warp i n weaving, t h e long t h r e a d s c r o s s e d 2. h l e Finish, t o f i n i s h ( i n certain limited contexts).

by t h e ' t x i a . ' h l e l a m Finished ( a l s o c f . t h e following expressions
w i t h t h e same meaning: ' t a g lawm,' 'khauv l a m , '
3. h l a u b The u p r i g h t s u p p o r t i n g frame a c r o s s which t h e 'dawb l a m ' ) .
more f l e x i b l e s t r a n d s a r e woven i n making a b a s k e t .
hleb A coffin (lub) .
hlaus t.c. cf. 'hlau' D e f i n i t i o n No. 3 . (a) lub hleb A coffin.
(b) l u b h l e b n t o o s A c o f f i n .
hlauv To f a l l through. Nws pab ntxua l u b h l o b . He h e l p e d make t h e c o f f i n .
h l a u v qhov lawm F e l l through t h e h o l e .
h l a u v hnyuv Prolapsed bowel, h e r n i a . hlev To extend ( t h e t o n g u e ) .
Hlev n p l a i g . Put o u t your tongue. Extend your tongue.
hlaw t.c., ( c f . 'hlawv' D e f i n i t i o n 2 , No. 6 ) .
1. h l i The moon ( l u b ) , month ( l u b )
l u b h l i The moon.
.
1. hlaws Beads, e s p . t h e t i n y g l a s s beads used on Hmong
clothing (lub) . l u b h l i no T h i s month.
i b h l i s One month ( t .c . )
2 . hlaws Bead-like. i b l u b h l i One month.
qhovmuag hlaws hlaws B r i g h t s h i n i n g eyes l i k e beads r a u h l i Six months.
(of persons o r a n i m a l s ) . c u a j h l i s Nine months ( t . c . )
k a j h l i Moonlight.
1. hlawv To burn something ( c o n t r . 'kub h n y i a b ' ) . ( a ) qaim h l i B r i g h t moonlight.
( b ) t s h a v h l i B r i g h t moonlight.
Muab hlawv pov t s e g Take it and burn it up.
hlawv ntawv To b u r n paper ( e s p e c i a l l y paper money h i i x i a b The waxing of t h e moon.
in spirit rites). h l i nqeq The waning of t h e moon.
h l i n r a F u l l moon
2. hlawv Used a s a p . v . i n t . (cf. Appendix p. 4 6 9 ) . phua qab thoob Half moon.
As a s i n g l e i n t e n s i v e . h l i nraim q a i b The 1 6 t h and 1 7 t h of t h e l u n a r month.
Nws haus nrov hlawv. H e d r i n k s n o i s i l y . ( t h e t i m e when t h e moon canes up a f t e r t h e
I n combination w i t h o t h e r i n t e n s i v e s : c h i c k e n s have gone t o r o o s t . )
hlawv h l o (used w i t h v e r b s ' n t x e e v , ' ' u a , ' ' t i g , ' nyob nruab h l i s ( t . c . ) Of a woman i n t h e f i r s t month
' tshem' ) after childbirth.
Lawv muab qhovtxhiachaw ntxeev hlawv h l o . They
turned everything over. (turned everything 2. h l i The w h i t e of an egg.
upside darn. ) h l i q e ( l u b ) Egg w h i t e , t h e w h i t e of an egg.
hlawv h l i a s (conveying t h e i d e a of r e c u r r e n c e ) Nws n o j l u b h l i q e t a g . He a t e t h e egg w h i t e .
l o o j hlawv h l i a s Recurring unconsciousness.
t s i s nco qab hlaw h l i a s To keep f o r g e t t i n g t h i n g s hlib To t a k e something o u t from t h e a s h e s of t h e f i r e .
(Note t . c . i n 'hlaw' a f t e r ' q a b ' ) . Muab qos h l i b 10s n o j . Take t h e p o t a t o o u t of t h e
ashes t o e a t .
1. h l i s V a r i a n t s p e l l i n g of ' h l i ' i n conformity w i t h p a t t e r n s
of t o n e change o u t l i n e d i n Appendix 1 ( c f . ' h l i ' ) .
2. h l i s The combination I . . . h l o l i t i s used a s an i n t e n s i v e
p a j noob h l i s (tsob) The sunflower. ending t o a s t a t e m e n t o r e x p r e s s i o n .
Kuv t s i s xav mus kev no h l o li. I r e a l l y d o n ' t want
3. hlis t o go t h i s way.
n t o o nploo j h l i s A k i n d of h a r d t r e e o r wood used The p . v . i n t . ' h l o ' i s a l s o used i n combination w i t h
f o r making h a n d l e s , e t c . ' hlawv.
n t x e e v hlawv h l o To t u r n e v e r y t h i n g o v e r , t u r n o v e r .
hliv To pour, t o pour o u t ( c f . 'qe:,' 'theej'). Lawv muab qhovtxhiachaw n t x e e v hlawv h l o . They t u r n e d
( f o r t h i s meaning ' l a u b 1s more commonly used e v e r y t h i n g upside down. ( c f . 'hlawv' )
i n Blue Me0 d i a l e c t ) .
Muab h l i v pov t s e g . Pour it o u t and g e t r i d of it. 2 . h l o To suck i n t h e b r e a t h .
h l i v nthwv To pour o u t , pour. h l o h l o To suck i n t h e b r e a t h .

hlias P o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i v e (p.v. i n t . ) c f . Appendix 8. 1. hlob To grow, grow up, grown up.

l o o j hlawv h l i a s Recurring unconsciousness. Koj t u s menyuam hlob zoo zoo. Your c h i l d i s growing
t s i s nco qab hlawv h l i a s To keep f o r g e t t i n g t h i n g s . well.
t s a u g zog l o o j h l i a s Very s l e e p y . T s i s kheev h l o b . Doesn't seem t o grow w e l l .
N w s hlob t i a v h l u a s . He h a s grown up i n t o a young man.
hliav To sharpen t o a round p o i n t .
Koj pab h l i a v kuv t u s cwjmem. Help sharpen my p e n c i l 2 . hlob The o l d e r , t h e e l d e r ( i n human r e l a t i o n s h i p s ) .
f o r me. t u s t u b hlob The e l d e s t s o n .
Nws hlob kuv. He i s o l d e r t h a n I .
1. h l o A post verbal intensive usually indicating a t x i v hlob F a t h e r ' s e l d e r brother.
q u a l i t y of immediacy i n t h e a c t i o n o f t h e v e r b . niam hlob Wife of f a t h e r ' s e l d e r b r o t h e r .
~t u s u a l l y f o l l o w s r i g h t a f t e r t h e v e r b . (cf.
Appendix 8 ) . 3 . hlob F o r c e f u l , g r e a t i n volume, 'heavy' i n volume.
cua hlob A g r e a t wind.
vau h l o To f a l l o v e r .
rho h l o To p u l l o u t q u i c k l y . Cua tshuab hlob h l o b . The wind blows w i t h g r e a t f o r c e .
nqa h l o TO c a r r y o f f , t a k e , h o l d . Los nag hlob h l o b l i . I t i s r a i n i n g h e a v i l y .
t s a h l o To r a i s e up. d e j h l o b High w a t e r , g r e a t flow of w a t e r .
t i g h l o To t u r n around.
q h i b (qheb) h l o To open up. 4 . hlob Proud.
zoo h l o TO g e t w e l l . Nws muaj muaj h l o b . He i s proud. ( l o o k s down on o t h e r s ,
ris h l o To c a r r y on t h e back. w o n ' t answer p r o p e r l y when spoken t o , e t c . )
rov h l o To r e t u r n . Nws muaj s i a b hlob. He i s covetous, g l u t t o n o u s .
keev h l o whole, s o l i d ; 'keev h l o c i ' To r o a s t whole. ( c f . 'hu hu d a b , ' ' h u hu l o j ' ) .
( a ) ntxeev h l o To t u r n o v e r . n c a u j h l o b Prone t o c u r s e , always c u r s i n g (proud mouth).
( b ) ntxeev hlawv h l o To t u r n o v e r . ( a ) sam h l o b Bad language.
kwv h l o To c a r r y on t h e s h o u l d e r . ( b ) Sam k i a g Bad language.
~ l s o used i n a s i m i l a r way w i t h many o t h e r v e r b s , e.g.
mus, l o s , s a w , h l e , u a , kaw, muab, t x a i s , hlawv, hloo To h i b e r n a t e .
n o j , haus, e t c . (See l i s t i n g s under i n d i v i d u a l Dais h l o o . The b e a r h i b e r n a t e s .
v e r b s f o r meanings.)
The s u b j e c t may appear between t h e v e r b and ' h l o ' hloob Nonconversant, u n i n c l i n e d t o speak.
.
poob s i a b h l o F r i g h t e n e d ( l i t e r a l l y ' a f a l l e n l i v e r ' )
t s a t e s h l o To r a i s e t h e hand.
neeg hloob A person who d o e s n ' t t a l k much.

AS a p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i v e ' h l o ' may e i t h e r b e used a s hloov To change, t o exchange.

a s i n g l e word a s i n t h e i l l u s t r a t i o n s above, o r Nws hloov l u b npe lawm. He changed h i s name.
i n two word combinations. The combination Rov mus t s e v hloov khaubncaws. Go home and change
' . . . p e s h l o ' may b e used with t h e same v e r b s a s your c l o t h e s .
o u t l i n e d above and c a r r i e s t h e same meaning.
r a s p e s h l o S t a r t l e d ( c f . 'dheev' ) , q u i c k l y awakened.
t s a pes h l o To r a i s e up.
hlu To s t a l l , s t a l l f o r t i m e ( a s o f a p e r s o n p u r p o s e l y 3 . hluav
d e l a y i n g g o i n g t o work u n t i l o t h e r s have h l u a v h l u a v ncuav F u l l o f h o l e s , pock marked.
finished the job). p l h u h l u a v h l u a v ncuav Face marked w i t h pock marks.
Txhob h l u , kov t s i j mus pab. D o n ' t s t a l l , g o and
h e l p r i g h t away. 4. hluav P o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i v e used w i t h ' h l u j . ' (cf. 'hluj')
hlub To show m e r c i f u l c a r e , t o l o v e (and look a f t e r ) , t o 1. hlw T a p e r i n g t o a rounded p o i n t .
p i t y , t o have compassion ( t h i s word i m p l i e s l o v e ( a ) hlw z u j z u s T a p e r i n g t o a p o i n t , g e t t i n g s m a l l e r .
and c o n c e r n p a r t i c u l a r l y a s e x p r e s s e d i n l o o k i n g ( b ) me z u j zus T a p e r i n g t o a p o i n t , g e t t i n g s m a l l e r .
a f t e r t h e needs of another person) c o n t r . 'nyiam'
Menyuam yuav h l u b niam t x i v . C h i l d r e n s h o u l d have 2 . hlw A s p e c i e s of f o r e s t animal ( t u s ) .
concern f o r t h e i r p a r e n t s . moj hlw A s p e c i e s o f s m a l l r o d e n t ( t u s ) .
Lawv t s i s h l u b kuv. They d o n ' t l o v e ( l o o k a f t e r ) me.
T s i s muaj n e e g h l u b . No one c a r e s f o r me. hlwb B r a i n , marrow.
hlwb p o b t x h a Bone marrow.
hluj P o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i v e used i n combination, ' . . . h l u j h l u a v . ' N w s li hlwb t u s t u s . He h a s a good b r a i n .
xuab taw h l u j h l u a v To "Drag t h e f e e t . " hlwb n t a g ruam M e n t a l l y d u l l .
N w s xuab taw h l u j h l u a v t s i s xav mus k i a g l i . H e k e p t
d r a g g i n g h i s f e e t and d i d n ' t want t o g o a t a l l . hlws Crotch.
hlws r i s The c r o t c h o f t h e t r o u s e r s .
hlua Rope, s t r i n g ( c l f . ' t x o j ' f o r lengths) (clf. 'kauj'
for coils) hlwv A blister (lub), t o b l i s t e r .
Muab t x o j h l u a k h i rawv. T i e it up t i g h t l y w i t h a sawv hlwv To ' r a i s e ' a b l i s t e r , b l i s t e r i n g .
rope. Kuv t x i a v taws i b hnub, ob t x h a i s t e s sawv hlwv. I c u t
( a ) h l u a ncaws A k i n d o f small s t r i n g snare for birds. f i r e w o o d t h e whole day and b o t h my hands were
( b ) noog ncaws A k i n d o f small s t r i n g snare f o r b i r d s . blistered.
hluas Young, y o u n g e r .
h l u a s Young, y o u n g e r .
( a ) h l u a s h l u a s 11 Q u i t e young.
(b) h l u a s n t x h i a s Q u i t e young.
h l u a s n r a u g A young man, y o u t h ( u n m a r r i e d ) .
h l u a s n k a u j A young woman, maiden ( u n m a r r i e d ) .
Nws h l o b t i a v h l u a s . He grew i n t o young manhood.
cov t i a v h l u a s Young p e o p l e .
t x i v h l u a s Husband of a woman's younger s i s t e r ( o r )
husband o f w i f e ' s younger s i s t e r .
niam h l u a s W i f e ' s younger s i s t e r .
1. h l u a v Embers, c o a l s .
h l u a v ntawv The r e m a i n s o f b u r n e d p a p e r .
h l u a v n c a i g Wood embers, c o a l s .
2. hluav
h l u a v t a w s F i r e ( c l f . ' cub' ) .
Hluavtaws kub kub li. The f i r e i s h o t !
Menyuam t s i s t x h o b kov h l u a v t a w s . Children should
n o t handle f i r e .
( a ) i b p l a g hluavtaws A g r e a t expanse of f i r e .
( b ) i b n t u j hluavtaws A g r e a t expanse of f i r e .
( c ) n t u j tawg A g r e a t e x p a n s e o f f i r e .
n p l a i m h l u a v t a w s Flames.
h l a v hluavtaws Lighted s t i c k s burning i n t h e f i r e .
 3. hmoov A feast or festival ( a s used i n Laos, n o t s o used
i n Thailand).
hma Wolf, j a c k a l , w i l d d o g - l i k e a n i m a l . ua hmoov To have a f e a s t o r f e s t i v a l .
hma ( t u s ) The j a c k a l .
hma l i a b ( t u s ) Dhole dog, r e d f o x . hmu Tone change from 'hmuv,' ( c f . 'hmuv').
hma n t s u a b ( t u s ) The w o l f .
hmab Vine, c r e e p e r ( c l f . ' t x o j ' ) . 1. hmuv A spear, a fork (rab) .
Tus t u b r o g nqa i b r a b hmuv t u a j . The s o l d i e r came
i b t x o g hmab n t e v n t e v A l o n g l e n g t h of v i n e . carrying a spear.
hmab fajkhum A j u n g l e v i n e t h a t e n t w i n e s a t r e e , d i a v hmuv ( r a b ) A f o r k , e a t i n g f o r k .
l i v e s upon i t and g r a d u a l l y s t r a n g l e s i t . hmuv r h a i s p l a u b h a u A h a i r p i n , p i n used around which
It c r e a k s when f i r s t c u t w i t h an a x e s o it i s t o wind t h e h a i r .
used m e t a p h o r i c a l l y o f a p e r s o n who t e l l s l i e s .
( c f . 'fajkhum'). 2 . hmuv Clf. f o r thrusts with a spear.
kua t x i v hmab Grape j u i c e ( j u i c e o f t h e v i n e - f r u i t ) . nkaug i b hmu ( t . c . 1 To p i e r c e once w i t h a s p e a r ,
one t h r u s t of t h e s p e a r .
hrno Night, a night.
i b hmos ( t . c . 1 One n i g h t .
nag hmo L a s t n i g h t .
hrno n t u j N i g h t , n i g h t i m e .
i h t a g hrno Midnight.
n o j hrno To e a t s u p p e r ( e a t t h e n i g h t m e a l ) .
Koj n o j hrno lawm t s i s t a u ? Have you e a t e n s u p p e r ?
t a s hnub t a s hrno A l l day and a l l n i g h t , c o n t i n u a l l y .
hmob Chicken f l e a s .
hmob q a i b Chicken f l e a s ( t u s ) .
hmov To c a r e f o r , l i k e .
s i b hmov To c a r e f o r one a n o t h e r , l i k e one a n o t h e r .
hmoo Tone change from ' hmoov. ' (cf . ' hmoov' ) .
hmoob The Hmong.
Hmoob Dawb The White Hmong.
IImoob Ntsuab The Green Hmonq ( o r ) t h e B l u e Hmong. We s i m p l y make n o t e o f t h e s p e l l i n g o f t h i s c o n s o n a n t
Hmoob Quas Npab The s t r i p e d Hmong ( o r ) t h e armband Hmong. c l u s t e r a s used i n t h e Laos o r t h o g r a p h y c u r r e n t among t h e
Hmoob Leeg Another name f o r t h e Green Hmong ( o r ) t h e C a t h o l i c s . We h e r e s p e l l t h e e x a c t same c o n s o n a n t c l u s t e r
Blue Hmong.
Hmoob Xob Tshuab The f l o w e r y Hmong ( o r Miao) a s known
' h n l ' ( c f . l i s t i n g s under ' h n l ' ) .
from China.
h a i v Hmoob A l l Hmong of o t h e r surnames.
1. hmoov Powder, d u s t , f l o u r .
hmoov a v Dust.
hmoov zeb Sand.
t s h u a j hmoov Powdered m e d i c i n e .
hmoov zeb s i b Chalk.
2. hmoov F o r t u n e , l u c k , f a t e ( c l f . ' t x o j ' ) .
N w s t a u hmoov zoo t i a g t i a g . He r e a l l y i s w e l l o f f .
muaj hmoo ( t . c . 1 To have (good) f o r t u n e .
t x o j hmoo ( t . c . 1 Fortune.
pub hmoov zoo To bestow good f o r t u n e , g i v e good l u c k .
 r h o h n i a v To p u l l t e e t h .
cog h n i a v TO f i t f a l s e t e e t h .
hnab Bag, s a c k , s h e a t h ( l u b ). l o o j h n i a v To cover t h e t e e t h w i t h g o l d , e t c .
i b l u b hnab ntawv A paper bag. ( a ) q i s h n i a v To c l e n c h t h e t e e t h . ( a l s o c f . ' q o s ' ) .
khaub hnab ( l u b ) A s m a l l s t u f f e d b a l l covered w i t h
c l o t h and used i n Mong games.
( b ) q e s h n i a v To c l e n c h t h e t e e t h ( a l s o c f . ' q o s ' ) .
d i g h n i a v To p i c k t h e t e e t h .
pov khaub hnab To throw t h e 'khaub hnab' i n games. h n i a v tabmeej The i n c i s o r s .
hnab riam A s h e a t h f o r a k n i f e . h n i a v kaus dev The c a n i n e s and b i c u s p i d s .
hnab t s o g The mantle f o r a p r e s s u r e lamp.
t e e b hnab t s o g A p r e s s u r e lamp ( l u b )
l u b hnab n p l e j The head of r i c e , r i c e head.
. h n i a v puas The molars, molar.
h n i a v txhab Wisdom t o o t h .
hniav t a j Late t e e t h .
l u b p l a b hnab The r i c e head when i n t h e budding s t a g e . hniav cauj Early t e e t h .
mob h n i a v kuas s i Gums s o f t and b l e e d i n g , pyorrhea.
1. hnav To d r e s s , t o p u t on. n t x a i s quav h n i a v Clucking w i t h t h e tongue, " t s k , t s k ,
hnav r i s t s h o To p u t on j a c k e t and t r o u s e r s , t o d r e s s . t s k n "TOOb a d . "
hnav t s o o s To p u t on c l o t h i n g , t o d r e s s . ob t o g h n i a v Two s i d e s o r s e t s of t e e t h ( a s t e e t h
s e t o p p o s i t e each o t h e r i n a h a i r c l i p p e r s , e t c . )
2. hnav A c e r t a i n kind of g r a i n . ( a ) h n i a v n t a i s i b s a b lawm Tooth broken o f f one s i d e .
( b ) h n i a v k h i s i b s a b lawm Tooth broken o f f one s i d e .
hnem tom h n i a v qawv B i t i n g and gnashing of t e e t h .
hnem hnov F o r g e t f u l , absent-minded. h n i a v riam K n i f e edge.
( a ) us hnem hnov To be f o r g e t f u l , be absent-minded.
( b ) ua tem toob ua hnem hnov To be f o r g e t f u l , be
absent-minded.
1. hno To i n j e c t , i n s e r t a n e e d l e (cf. 'txhaj ' ) .
hno t s h u a j To i n j e c t medicine, g i v e an i n n o c u l a t i o n .
neeg hnem hnov A f o r g e t f u l person. Thov k o j pab hnov i b koob t s h u a j . P l e a s e g i v e me an
i n j e c t i o n o f medicine.
hnee Tone change from 'hneev' (cf. 'hneev').
1. hneev The Hmong crossbow, a crossbow ( r a b ) . 2 . hno .
Cooked r i c e ( p o e t i c a l )
ua t a u zaub ua t a u hno Made v e g e t a b l e s and r i c e .
N w s xuas hneev t u a r a u t u s l i a b . He k i l l e d s i x n o j n q a i g n o j hnos ( t . c . ) a f e a s t ( l i t e r a l l y , time
monkeys w i t h a crossbow. of e a t i n g meat and r i c e ) This i s more formal
n t a hneev To s e t a crossbow f o r f i r i n g , p u l l a bow. language a s e . g . used by o l d e r p e o p l e .
t u a hneev To s h o o t w i t h a crossbow.
qeb hnee The t r i g g e r of t h e * c r o s s b o w ( t . c . 1 hnos Tone change from 'hno' ( c f . 'hno' above) .
t a u b hnee ( t . c . ) The body of t h e crossbow.
cov t h i hneev The bamboo b i n d i n g s on a crossbow. 1. hnov .
TO h e a r ( c o n t r . ' n l o o g ' )
Kuv t s i s t a u hnov dua. I have never h e a r d it b e f o r e .
2 . hneev C l f . f o r f i r i n g s of t h e crossbow. hnov l u s To h e a r speech.
t u a i b hnee ( t . c . ) One s h o t , o f t h e crossbow. ( a ) hnov s a b nrov To h e a r a loud n o i s e .
( b ) hnov suab s a b To h e a r a loud n o i s e .
hnia To s n i f f a t , t o s m e l l something i n t e n t i o n a l l y . hnov dheev Heard suddenly.
(contr. 'hnov').
Koj s i m h n i a m e n t s i s s a i b puas qab. Smell t h i s a b i t 2 . hnov TO s e n s e , t o f e e l p a i n , t o f e e l .
and s e e i f it i s f r a g r a n t . Kuv t s i s hnov mob qhov twg L i . I don' t f e e l p a i n any-
where.
hniav Tooth, t e e t h , p e r t a i n i n g t o t h e t e e t h ( c l f . ' t u s ' ) .
mob h n i a v Teeth h u r t , t e e t h h u r t i n g . 3. hnov To s e n s e , t o b e conscious of a s m e l l o r o d o r , t o
i b t u g h n i a v One t o o t h . smell.
i b ncaug h n i a v One s e t of t e e t h ( c f . ' n c a u j , ' a l s o Kuv t s i s hnov t s w . I d o n ' t s m e l l any odor. ~ ' r nn o t
'lo'). conscious of any s m e l l .
pos h n i a v The gums.
hauvpaus h n i a v Tooth r o o t . 4 . hnov To b e f o r g e t f u l ( i n combination w i t h 'hnem' o r ' q a u j ' ) .
r a b txhuam h n i a v Toothbrush. hnov q a u j To keep f o r g e t t i n g .
zom h n i a v To g r i n d t h e t e e t h t o g e t h e r , gnash t h e ua hnem hnov TO b e v e r y f o r g e t f u l .
teeth. neeg hnem hnov A f o r g e t f u l person.
hnoob -
HNY
hnoob nyoog Age, time ( s e e 'hnub nyoog' which is
more common). hnya To scowl, s q u i n t , frown, look s u l l e n o r gloomy.
n t s e j muag hnya hnya A scowling f a c e .
hnoos To cough. Thaum nws haus t s h u a j i a b i a b nws t x a m hnya hnya
Nws hnoos hnoos i b hnub. H e ' s been coughing a l l day. When h e drank t h e b i t t e r medicine h e scowled.
t s h u a j hnoos Cough medicine.
1. hnyav Heavy, weighty.
1. hnub Sun, t h e sun ( l u b ) .
Lub hnub l o j dua n t i a j t e b . The sun i s l a r g e r t h a n
ob thoob d e j hnyav hnyav Two heavy p a i l s o f w a t e r .
hnyav q e e s Very heavy.
the earth. ( a ) hnyav t o g Heavy b u t s m a l l i n b u l k ( a s metal, e t c . )
hnub t u a j S u n r i s e , t h e sun r i s e s . ( b ) hnyav q e s Heavy b u t s m a l l i n bulk (as metal, e t c . )
hnub poob S u n s e t , t h e sun s e t s . ( a ) hnyav ya Heavy b u t comparatively g r e a t i n b u l k ( a s
s a b hnub t u a j E a s t . wood, e t c . )
s a b hnub poob West. ( b ) hnyav s i a b Heavy b u t comparatively g r e a t i n b u l k
t a v hnub North o r s o u t h ( t h e " s i d e s " of t h e sun) . ( a s wood, e t c . )
Hnub nyuav c h i v t u a j . The sun h a s j u s t come up.
2 . hnyav v'Heavy" used m e t a p h o r i c a l l y .
2 . hnub Day, a day, daytime. s i a b hnyav Heavy h e a r t e d , s o r r o w f u l , d i s t r e s s e d .
i b hnub One day.
nruab hnub Daytime. 3 . hnyav
hnub hnub Day b e f o r e y e s t e r d a y . neeg cev hnyav Of a woman who e a s i l y becomes p r e g n a n t
hnub hmos Night of t h e day b e f o r e y e s t e r d a y . ( c f . 'neeg t u a b ' ) .
hnub c a i v A day of s p e c i a l observance, day of taboo.
hnub s o A day of r e s t . hayev P o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i v e , ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
t a s hnub t a s hmo A l l day and a l l n i g h t . q u a j nrov hnyev Whimpering, t o whimper, c r y w i t h a
ob hnub tseem Two f u l l d a y s . low broken v o i c e .
hnub t x o o j Even day (woman's day)
hnub t a b Odd day (man's day) .
. hnyiab To b e burned.
(The Hnong s a y women a r e born on even days and kub h n y i a b Burned.
men on odd d a y s . ) Lub t s e v kub h n y i a b t a g l a m . The house was completely
burned up.
3 . hnub Age, time. tsw t s w kub h n y i a b Smells of something burned.
hnub nyoog (sometimes s a i d 'hnub nyug' o r 'hnoob nyoog')
Age, time, y e a r s , a p e r s o n ' s age. 1. hnyo Long-haired.
dev hnyo A long-haired dog.
4 . hnub
hnub qub S t a r ( l u b )
cov hnub qub The s t a r s .
. 2 . hnyo
( a ) ntxhov quav hnyo TO make a d i s t u r b a n c e , a t u m u l t .
hnub qub ya F a l l i n g s t a r s , a s t a r " f a l l i n g , " (b) ntxhov quav n i a b To make a d i s t u r b a n c e , a t u m u l t .
meteor, a l s o t h e e x p r e s s i o n f o r " t o s e e s t a r s ' '
a s when s t r u c k by a h a r d blow on t h e head. hnyos To rebuke.
Nws hnyos hnyos kuv. He s c o l d e d me, rebuked me.

1. hnyuv Intestine, intestine like, pertaining t o the

intestines (clf. 'txoj') .
-
HNL hnyuv dub The l a r g e i n t e s t i n e .
hnyuv dawb The s m a l l i n t e s t i n e .
hnlos To d e n t , t o b e d e n t e d , t o have a d e p r e s s e d p l a c e . hnyuv ntxwm Sausage ( t x o j ) .
h l a u v hnyuv Prolapsed bowel, h e r n i a .
(contr. ' s u , ' c f . 'zuav' ' n l u a v ' )
( a ) h n l o s lawm Dented, b e n t ( a s a t i n , e t c . ) .
( b ) zuav lawm Dented, b e n t .
( c ) nluav lawm Dented, b e n t .
av h n l o s A d e p r e s s i o n i n t h e ground.
2 . hnyuv Male sex member, p e r t a i n i n g t o t h e male sex 3 . kab
member. (clf. 'tus') (cf. 'qau'). l a j kab A fence ( t x o j ) .
(a) t u s qau The p e n i s . ( a ) xov l a j kab To make a fence.
(b) t u s hnyuv The penis. (b) tuav l a j kab To make a fence.
(c) t u s hnyuv qau The p e n i s .
(a) hnyuv qe The t e s t i c l e s . 4. kab A way, a path ( c f . d e f i n i t i o n No. 1) .
(b) noob qes The t e s t i c l e s . kab l i g n t u j The Milky Way.
kab t s h i s A g o a t path.
kab muas lwj A d e e r p a t h .
t x o j kab tsaug A porcupine t r a i l .
(These l a s t t h r e e expressions and s i m i l a r ones
f o r o t h e r animals a r e used t o d e s c r i b e t r a i l s
over rocks o r through undergrowth used by t h e s e
animals, n o t t h e a c t u a l f o o t p r i n t s . )

5. kab
kabke A r i t e , a ceremony ( t x o j ) .
t x o j kabke ntxuav Baptism ( A s used i n Thailand).
6. kab
t x i v kab ntxwv The orange, oranges ( l u b ) .
7 . kab .
Steel (contr 'hlau' ) .
ceem kab To temper s t e e l .
Muab kab ntaus i b r a b riam. Take s t e e l and make a k n i f e .
1. ka
k a poom ( l u b ) A can ( T h a i ) .
( a l s o pronounced 'kas poom' ) . 8. kab
tsom kab tsom kwm TO c a r e f o r , t o look a f t e r ( c f . ' tsom')
2 . ka 9. kab
t x i v k a l a j ( l u b ) Olive, t h e o l i v e ( i n Laos t h e xwmkab The s p i r i t paper paste! on t h e r e a r w a l l of a
terms used i s ' t x i v r o j ' ) . Hmong house ( c f . dab, ' xwm' ) .
1. kab A w r i t t e n l i n e , a l i n e ( t x o j ) ( c f . d e f i n i t i o n No. 4 ) 10. kab c l f . f o r n s w a l l m mo r "smoken of opium o r tobacco.
kuam kab I n s c r i b e a l i n e . haus i b kab yeeb TO smoke one p i p e f u l of opium.
ua kab Make a l i n e on paper.
sau rau kab Write on t h e l i n e . 11. kab
kab yeeb The name of a s p i r i t t o whom incense i s
2 . kab Worm c a t e r p i l l a r , b e e t l e , s p i d e r , bug ( t u s ) (many
kinds with i n d i v i d u a l names)
kab npauj Larva, Moth l a r v a .
. burned and whose h e l p i s sought t o prevent
illness, etc.
kab txws Marbleworm, hundred legged worm. 1 2 . kab
kab h l u a s nees Moulmein t r a i n worm. mob kab yaim Name of a c e r t a i n s k i n d i s e a s e of dogs
( a ) kab pwj nyug Rhinocerous b e e t l e . and c a t s .
( b ) kab pwj nyoog Rhinocerous b e e t l e .
kab laug sab Small v a r i e t y of s p i d e r which makes 13. kab
a web. cov tshwj kab The ones who a r e appointed t o s e r v e t h e
kab laug tsov Large v a r i e t y of s p i d e r which l i v e s meat a t a wedding o r f u n e r a l f e a s t .
i n t h e ground and makes no web.
kab qaus l e s Dragonfly. 14. kab
kab nqos v i a s Locust. kab n t s u j D e s c r i p t i v e of an a n i m i s t i c r i t e s e r v i n g t o
kab khaub ruab S t i c k bug, i n s e c t resembling a s t i c k . p r o t e c t t h e i n d i v i d u a l from t h e ' b i t e ' of e v i l
kab n t s i g Hairy c a t e r p i l l a r which s t i n g s on c o n t a c t . s p i r i t s . Water i s p u t i n t o a r i c e bowl and swung
kab t u a s Type of l a r g e v a r i c o l o r e d c a t e r p i l l a r . round t h e p e r s o n ' s head.
( a ) kab l a u j kaub "Daddy long l e g s " s p i d e r .
(b) kab r a j r i s l a u s "Daddy long l e g s n s p i d e r .
15. kab
kab t s i b Sugar cane. 2 . kav The stem, t h e body of a t r e e o r v i n e as d i s t i n c t from
t h e branches; t h e l i n e s i n a l e a f ( t u s ) .
kag Tone change from ' k a j ' (cf. 'kaj ) . Tus kav hmab qhuav t a g lawm. The body of t h e vine i s
d r i e d up.
1. k a j B r i g h t , c h a r a c t e r i z e d by l i g h t , l i g h t .
k a j ntug Daylight. 3 . kav The b a r r e l of a gun.
k a j ntug txoog Dawn. t u s kav phom The gun b a r r e l .
( a ) k a j ntug huv Daybreak.
( b ) k a j ntug plaws Daybreak. 4. kav The lower l e g , t h e s h i n ( c f . 'roob h l a u b ' ) .
k a j h l i s Moonlight. t u s kav hlaub The s h i n , lower l e g ( c f . ' h l a u b ' ) .
n t u j k a j The b r i g h t ' heavens.
k a j n r i g Bright a l l around. 5 . kav
k a j lug Very b r i g h t . kavtheej ( t x o j ) Rattan.
t x o j kev k a j The l i g h t , t h e way of l i g h t .
6. kav
2. k a j kavxwm ( t u s ) The manager o r master of ceremonies a t
(a) k a j s i a b S a t i s f i e d with t h i n g s , h e a r t r e f r e s h e d . a f e a s t o r ceremony, t h e one asked t o be i n
(b) lub s i a b k a j S a t i s f i e d with t h i n g s , h e a r t charge of organizing t h e work a t a wedding o r
r e f reshed. f u n e r a l f e a s t ( c f . ' tshoob, ' ' tuag' ) .
3. kaj Emphatic f i n a l p a r t i c l e . 7 . kav
Neb t u a j s a i b k a j ! Come and see! kav ywm A kind of vegetable with wide leaves ( t s o b ) .
4. k a j C l f . f o r a *'batch" of vegetables, p i c k l e s , e t c . 8. kav
k a j zaub no This batch of vegetables. nees f a j kav ( t u s ) A yellow h o r s e .
i b kag zaub One batch of vegetables ( t .c . )
9. kav
5. k a j txwm kav (an expression used b e f o r e verbs t o i n d i c a t e
khaum k a j khaurn kus Keeps g e t t i n g caught up on a c t i o n persevered i n r e g a r d l e s s of advice, e t c . )
something ( c f . 'khaum') . ( c f . ' txwm' ) .
10. kav
1. kam Willing, agreeable.
Kuv karn t h i a b . I ' m willing. t s i s kav NO matter what ( c f . 'txujkum') .
KUV t s i s kammus. I won't go.
karn n t x h i a s Very w i l l i n g , w l l l i n g immediately. kaim
kaim tom An expression used i n t h e game of topspinning
2 . kam Accustomed t o . t o i n d i c a t e t h e f i r s t top i s l e f t spinning and
Noj mov t s i s karn. Unaccustomed t o e a t i n g r i c e . t h e one thrown h a s gone amiss.
Nws sau ntawv t s i s kam. He i s n ' t accustomed t o w r i t i n g .

3 . karn Business, a f f a i r s ( t u s ) .
1. k a i s A pipe, a spout ( t u s ) .
lub hwj k a i s A t e a k e t t l e ( l i t e r a l l y "pipe* k e t t l e ) .
Koj muaj karn d a b t s i ? What i s your business? What do
you want? 2. k a i s TO push food i n t o t h e mouth with t h e use of
chopsticks.
4 . karn k a i s rawg Push food i n t o t h e mouth with chopsticks.
karn paug To be pussy, t o have pus, exuding pus.
3 . k a i s C l f . f o r mouthfuls by chopsticks.
kas Maggots. Nws muab rawg noj rau k a i s mov. He took chopsticks
n q a i j ua kas Maggoty meat, t h e meat has maggots. and a t e s i x mouthfuls of r i c e .

1. kav To manage, t o govern, r u l e . k au

kav tebchaws To r u l e a n a t i o n . y i j kau A kind of b i r d something l i k e a wild hen
us uas kav n t u j kav t e b yog t u s l o j kawg nkaus. (clf. tus) .
The one who r u l e s heaven and e a r t h i s g r e a t e s t .
1. kaub C a l l u s e s , c a l l u s e d .
kaub puab C a l l u s e s .
2. kaub Of hardened r i c e o r meat, a scab.
kaub puab mov The browned hardened r i c e a d h e r i n g t o
t h e s i d e s and bottom o f t h e cooking p o t .
kaub puab n q a i j Hardened browned meat s t i c k i n g t o
t h e s i d e s of t h e cooking p o t . Also used t o
describe a scab.
kaug Tone change from ' k a u j ' o r ' k a u s ' ( c f . ' k a u j ' 'kaus ' )
1. k a u j A c o i l , a r i n g ( l u b ) ( c o n t r .
k a u j hmab C o i l s of v i n e .
'nplhaib')
k a u j xov t o o j A w i r e c o i l .
2. kauj Clf. f o r c o i l s o r rings.
i b kaug h l u a ( t . c . ) a c o i l of r o p e .
r a u k a u j h l u a S i x c o i l s of rope.
3 . kauj
( a ) t s h e b k a u j vab ( l u b ) A b i c y c l e .
( b ) t s h u a b k a u j vab ( l u b ) A b i c y c l e .
1. kaum A c o r n e r ( c l f . ' c e g ' ) .
i b ceg kaum One c o r n e r , a c o r n e r .
kaum t s e v c o r n e r of t h e house.
n c e j kaum The c o r n e r u p r i g h t p o s t s of a house.
mom kaum The ends of a r o o f .
nyob i b l e e g i b ceg kaum n t u j Widely s c a t t e r e d ,
each l i v i n g i n h i s own c o r n e r of t h e heavens.
2. kaum Used f o r t h e d i g i t ' t e n ' i n numbers 10 t o 19.
kaum t u s Ten a r t i c l e s .
kaum 10
kaum i b 11
kaum ob 12
kaum peb 13 (etc.)
3 . kaum
ntaub kaum A t y p e of s t u r d y b l a c k c o t t o n c l o t h .
4 . kaum
s u a j kaum To f i n i s h .
t x o j l u s s u a j kaum The l a s t o r f i n a l word.
5. kaum
tabkaum To h i n d e r o r d e l a y .
( a ) Tabkaum k o j ."1 have h i n d e r e d you. " i . e . I
have i n t e r f e r e d w i t h your work.
( b ) tabkaum k o j l i haujlwm. "I have h i n d e r e d you. "
i.e. I have i n t e r f e r e d w i t h your work.
1. kaus Fang, t u s k , beak ( t u s ) .
kaus ntxhw E l e p h a n t ' s t u s k , i v o r y t u s k , i v o r y .
kaus n c a u j The beak of a b i r d .
h n i a v kaus dev The c a n i n e s and b i c u s p i d s i n human
teeth.
t u a j kaus To have t u s k s , f a n g s , o r c a n i n e t e e t h .
Npua t u a j kaus. Pigs have t u s k s .
2 . kaus C l f . f o r b i t e s o r b i t e f u l s .
Dev tomnws i b kaug. ( t . c . 1 The d o g b i t him once.
r a u kaus mov S i x b i t e s ( o r ) b i t e f u l s of r i c e .
. 3 . kaus A s p r o u t o r young, s h o o t from a p l a n t (cf. 'yub')
clf. 'tus.' ( p o s s i b l y s o named because of t h e
s i m i l a r i t y i n shape t o a fang o r t u s k )
kaus n p l e j A r i c e s h o o t .
kaus pobkws A corn s h o o t .
4. kaus An umbrella, a p a r a c h u t e ( l u b ) .
Nws nqa i b l u b kaus mus t e b . He c a r r i e d an umbrella
t o the fields.
5 . kaus TO gouge o u t , s c r a p e w i t h a gouging motion.
k a u s av To gouge t h e e a r t h , s c r a p e up e a r t h ( c f . 'kuam')
kaus qhovmuag Gouge t h e eye.
6 . kaus
dab t s h o s kaus l e v . A t y p e of l a d i e s ' embroidered
collar.
7 . kaus
kausmom Hat, cap ( l u b ) .
n t o o kausmom To wear a h a t .
1. kauv TO r o l l up ( a s a s c r o l l ) , t o wind around, entwine.
Muab t x o j h l u a kauv. Wind up t h e . r o p e .
kauv pam To wrap up i n a b l a n k e t .
kauv taubhau To wrap t h e head i n somethspg, cover
>,'\
t h e head ( c f . 'vov taubhau' ) .
.
"\
\
2 . kauv The b a r k i n g d e e r ( t u s )
Nws t u a ob t u g kauv. He k i l l e d two b a r k i n g deer.',
menyuam thav kauv Small half-grown b a r k i n g d e e r . . ,
qev kauv t x h a i s To "borrow t h e l e g s w of t h e d e e r : i . e > .
t o scamper away from somelh i n g q u i c k l y .
3 . kauv The t h i n o u t e r l a y e r of s k i n ; t h e dark o u t e r l a y e r
of s k i n t h a t i s scrubbed o f f i n d r e s s i n g a
slaughtered pig; d i r t t h a t adheres t o t h e surface
of unwashed s k i n .
kauv taubhau D i r t on t h e s u r f a c e of t h e s c a l p .
kuam npua TO d e h a i r a s l a u g h t e r e d p i g .
kuam kauv TO s c r a p e o f f t h e b l a c k s u r f a c e s k i n .
1. kaw To c l o s e up, t o Shut, t o s h u t i n . 2 . kawv R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
kaw qhov r o o j Shut t h e door. s u a j kaum kawv ~ i n i s h e d , a l l gone.
kaw h l o Closed immediately.
( a ) kaw n r e e s Shut s e c u r e l y .
( b ) kaw qos n r e e s Shut s e c u r e l y .
ke Tone change from ' k e v '
ua i b k e Together.
(cf. 'kev') .
kabke R i t e , ceremony.
2 . kaw To saw, a saw ( r a b ) .
Muab r a b kaw kaw t x i a g n t o o ua t s e v . Take t h e keb The cap of a c a r t r i d g e , t h e small t r i g g e r i n g charge
saw and saw some b o a r d s f o r a house. i n s e r t e d i n t h e end o f a shotgun c a r t r i d g e ( T )
1. kawb curved o r b e n t i n .
( c f . ' c o s ntawv' ) .
Rab h l a u kawb kawb l i . The hoe i s curved i n . 1. kem TO s e p a r a t e from, t o d i v i d e o f f , t o s e t a boundary,
2 . kawb To s c o l d ( c f . 'cem') . kem
t o s e t apart.
i b hnub To s k i p a day, e v e r y o t h e r day.
( a ) lam kawb To s c o l d w i t h o u t r e a s o n . kem t e b TO s e p a r a t e f i e l d s , s e t a boundary.
( b ) lam cem To s c o l d w i t h o u t r e a s o n . (a) kem nkaus Separated, f i r m l y d i v i d e d o f f .
(b) kem n r e e s S e p a r a t e d , f i r m l y d i v i d e d o f f .
3 . kawb
Tebchaws cuam cuam kawb A c o u n t r y o f h i l l s and 2 . kem A room, a d i v i s i o n ( l u b ) .
valleys close together. ( a ) l u b kem t s e v A room.
( b ) l u b kem t x a j A room.
1. kawg Extremity, ended, end o f , f i n i s h . kem txhab n y i a j A t r e a s u r y , room f o r s t o r a g e of money.
t o j kawg The bottom (end) of t h e , h i l l .
i b s i m n e e j t s i s kawg L i f e l o n g w i t h o u t end. 3 . kem
i b t x h i s t s i s kawg Forever, f o r e v e r w i t h o u t end. kem p l a b Indigestion.
kawg kev The end of t h e road.
kawg l a m F i n i s h e d , ended. 4. kem
2 . kawg Sign of t h e s u p e r l a t i v e d e g r e e ( a l s o c f . ' t a s n r h o ' ) . kem cev Syphilis, venereal disease.
zoo kawg nkaus B e s t . 5. kem
l u b roob s i a b kawg nkaus The h i g h e s t mountain. kem t o s Probably, most l i k e l y t h a t ...,
because
( t h i s i s o f t e n a b b r e v i a t e d t o simply ' t o s ' ) .
1. kawm To s t u d y , t o l e a r n .
kawm t s h e e j k i a g Learned it completely.
.
kem t o s . . t h i a j l i . . .
Because of t h i s . . . t h e r e f o r e . .
Kem t o s k o j h a i s l i no nws t h i a j l i t s i s mus.
.
kawm ntawv To s t u d y books, a t t e n d s c h o o l . (Probably) Because you s a i d what you d i d , h e
kawm l u s Hmoob To s t u d y t h e Hmong language. w o n ' t go.
2 . kawm The Meo back b a s k e t f o r c a r r y i n g , a back b a s k e t
(lub) .
Nws r i s i b l u b kawm l o j l o j mus t e b l a m . He went
1. k e s TO s c r a p e o f f ,
s c r a p i n g o f f something which a d h e r e s
t o a surface.
t o t h e f i e l d s carrying a large basket. 2. kes
l u b kawm qhovmuag A l o o s e l y woven b a s k e t w i t h k e s t x i g To f i n g e r t h e cheek i n d i c a t i n g shame toward
widely spaced s t r i p s of r a t t a n o r bamboo, someone.
used f o r c a r r y i n g meat, s t o r i n g u t e n s i l s , e t c .
1. kev Road, p a t h , way, t r a i l . (Clf. ' t x o j ' f o r lengths;
1. kaws To gnaw, t o chew upon. 'tsem' f o r s e c t i o n s of road; ' c e g ' f o r s e c t i o n s
DeV kaws pobtxha. The dog gnaws t h e bone.
o r d i r e c t i o n s o f a journey)
Nees kaws kaws zaub. The h o r s e n i b b l e s on t h e g r a s s . t h o kev To make a r o a d , c u t a t r a i l .
l u a j kev To c u t down t h e weeds and b r u s h a l o n g an
2 . kaws
qav kaws A toad (tus) . e x i s t i n g t r a i l i n order t o c l e a r it.
rhawv kev To l e v e l a road, p u t through a road f o r
v e h i c l e s . Also used m e t a p h o r i c a l l y f o r ' t o
1. kawv
maum kawv The g i a n t s q u i r r e l (tus) . persuade, ' t o f o r c e o n e ' s way through.
 yuam kev To go a s t r a y , m i s s t h e t r a i l , make a mistake.
c o j kev To l e a d , t o d i r e c t .
qaum kev Above t h e road on t h e u p h i l l s i d e .
qab kev Below t h e road, t h e downhill s i d e .
l u g kev To go o f f t h e t r a i l and back t o it a s i n
p a s s i n g around an o b s t a c l e .
zam kev To p a s s on t h e road (going i n opposi.te
directions. )
sawv kev mus To s t a r t ' o n a journey.
s i b txauv kev To p a s s one a n o t h e r on t h e road
.
( i n a d v e r t a n t l y w i t h o u t s e e i n g each o t h e r )
kev ncaim Roads t h a t d i v i d e o r s e p a r a t e .
2 . kev Matters, business, a f f a i r s .
Koj muaj kev d a b t s i ? What i s your b u s i n e s s ? What
do you want?
Nws muaj kev n t a u n t a u . He h a s a l o t of a f f a i r s .
3 . kev Used t o i n d i c a t e " t h e way o f . . . " o r " t h e way.*
Kev dab c e e b l a j heev. The way of t h e s p i r i t s i s
d i f f i c u l t . S p i r i t worship i s h a r d .
kev mob kev t u a g . Sickness and d e a t h .
( a ) q h i a kev To t e a c h o r t o e x p l a i n t h e way, t o
preach.
( b ) p i a v kev To t e a c h o r t o e x p l a i n t h e way, t o
preach.
z a j qhuab k e ( t .c . ) The song sung a t d e a t h b e f o r e
t h e p i p e s a r e played and t o i n s t r u c t t h e dead
how t o f i n d t h e r i g h t p a t h t o t h e a n c e s t r a l
home.
4 . kev
k e v c a i Custom, law, p r a c t i c e ( t x o j ) . keev h l o Whole, s o l i d .
Txhob ua txhaum k e v c a i . D o n ' t offend a g a i n s t t h e
law.
Txoj k e v c a i no h a i s l i c a s ? What does t h i s law say?
5 . kev
kabke R i t e , ceremony ( t x o j ) t . c .
t x o j kahke ntxuav The ceremony of baptism ( t e r n
used by C h r i s t i a n Hmong In T h a i l a n d ) .
6 . kev Used i n c o m b i n a t i o n t o mean ' t o g e t h e r . '
ua i b k e Together ( t . c . ) .
Ua i b k e s i b raug zoo. Be i n f e l l o w s h i p , i n harmony.
7 . kev
t o kev ua "Open" t o do, l e g i t i m a t e , p e r m i s s i b l e ,
lawful.
t s i s t o kev ua Not p e r m i s s i b l e , unlawful.
1. keeb Y e a s t , leaven.
xyaw keeb To add o r mix i n leaven i n baking.
t s i s xyaw k e e b ncuav cakes w i t h o u t leaven.
keeb ncuav Leavened b r e a d o r cakes.
2 . keeb A 'watch' o r a p o r t i o n of time.
n t a u s keeb To r i n g t h e watches of t h e n i g h t .
l u b n t a u s keeb A b e l l f o r r i n g i n g t h e watches.
3 . keeb B a s i s , b a s i c f a c t , t h e r o o t of t h i n g s ( l u b ) .
keeb puam Foundation f a c t ( l u b ) .
Nws h a i s l u s t s i s muaj keeb. He t a l k s w i t h o u t any
foundation i n f a c t .
1. keem More t h a n , s i g n o f comparative d e g r e e ( C ) , more
( c f . ' h a j yam' )
keem chim s i a b More angry.
.
keem zoo B e t t e r .
( a ) keem zoo dua B e t t e r t h a n .
( b ) h a j yam keem zoo dua B e t t e r t h a n .
Tsev pobzeb h a j yam keem zoo dua. A s t o n e house i s
still better (than others) .
2 . keem
t e e v keem ( r a b ) A d i b b l e , s t i c k w i t h a p o i n t e d
metal end used f o r making h o l e s i n t h e ground t o
p l a n t seeds o r r i c e .
kees Clever, quick, i n t e l l i g e n t (T).
Lub s i a b t s i s k e e s . Not i n t e l l i g e n t . Not c l e v e r .
1. keev Whole, s o l i d .
keev h l o c i To r o a s t whole.
l u b xauv keev A s o l i d s i l v e r neck r i n g .
2 . keev used m e t a p h o r i c a l l y of a s o l i d o r c l o s e d h e a r t .
neeg keev xeeb Pig-headed, a person with a h e a r t
c l o s e d t o any b u t h i s own i d e a s .
1. k i
t u b k i Sons and d a u g h t e r s , c h i l d r e n .
t s e g t u b t s e g k i B e r e f t of c h i l d r e n .
2. k i
k i qoos k i qoos Rumbling, t h e sound of rumbiing i n
t h e stomach.
1. k i b To f r y i n a pan o r v e s s e l w i t h o r w i t h o u t f a t .
k i b n q a i j To f r y meat.
 2. k i a b Quiet-mannered, good (of a c h i l d , e t c . )
2. k i b menyuam k i a b k i a b A good c h i l d who d o e s n ' t c r y , e t c .
( a ) vaubkib ( t u s ) T u r t l e .
( b ) vuabkib ( t u s ) T u r t l e . 3. k i a b
vaubkib deg ( t u s ) Water t u r t l e .
vaubkib nguab ( t u s ) Land t u r t l e . yeeb y a j k i a b The abode of t h e dead.
kiag P o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i v e i n d i c a t i n g d e c i s i v e n e s s and
3. k i b
laum k i b t s h o o j Centipede ( t u s ) . completeness. used e i t h e r s i n g u l a r l y o r a s
'kiag li' ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
4. k i b
t s i s muaj k i a g li R e a l l y h a v e n ' t any.
k i b cuab To s t a y c l o s e a t home. nqos k i a g mus To swallow whole, swallow r i g h t down.
( a ) neeg k i b cuab One who s t a y s much a t home. n t s e e g k i a g lawm Believed completely.
( b ) x i s z e e j k i b cuab One who s t a y s much a t home. poob k i a g lawrn F e l l down.
puag k i a g To f o n d l y embrace (embrace completely w i t h
ki g
b o t h arms) .
( a ) sam k i a g Bad language.
zaub k i g S t i n g i n g v e g e t a t i o n , l e a v e s , v i n e s , weeds,
e t c . t h a t s t i n g on c o n t a c t . ( b ) Sam h l o b Bad language.

1. kim Expensive. k i aj
~b p h i a j xauv kim heev. A s e t of s i l v e r neck r i n g s k i a j kiam A boundary.
i s v e r y expensive. (Note: ' c i a j ciam' i s a l s o used b u t t h e pronun-
c i a t i o n ' k a i j kiam' i s more common i n Thailand)
2 . kim TO k n e e l on one knee ( c f . ' t x h o s , ' ' q h a u ' )
kim caug To k n e e l on one knee.
. k i a j kiam t e b A n a t i o n a l boundary.

kim r a w To remain k e e l i n g on one knee. 1. kiam

k i a j kiam A boundary (cf. 'kiaj ')
3. kim
kimtxwv ( l u b ) Chair, throne ( C ) . 2 . kiam TO have r e s p e c t f o r a u t h o r i t y , t o ' f e a r '
so as t o
obey.
1. k i s To s p r e a d ( a s a d i s e a s e , e t c . ) .
Cov mob no txawj k i s . T h i s k i n d of d i s e a s e can
L a w t s i s kiam nws. They a r e n o t a f r a i d of him.
(don't respect h i s authority) .
spread.
3. kiam To accuse, t o blame, t o make t r o u b l e f o r someone
2. k i s Rasping o r t i c k l i n g ( a s i n t h e t h r o a t ) . ( c f . l o o j koov) .
k i s k i s qa Rasping o r t i c k l i n g f e e l i n g i n t h e t h r o a t .
4. kiam
k w kiam Q u e e r , q u e e r n e s s , s t r a n g e and somewhat
3. k i s C l f . f o r an open a r e a o r s e c t i o n .
i b k i s t s e v An open a r e a i n t h e house. f r i g h t e n i n g (c) .
k i s n t u j k i s t e b . Heavens and e a r t h , sky and land.
1. k i a v TO s e t t l e a c a s e (without p e n a l t y ) , t o forgive
4. k i s (cf. 'daws').
taskis Tomorrow ( c f . 'tas ' ) . k i a v p l a u b To make amiable s e t t l e m e n t o f a c a s e of
dispute.
1. k i v TO s p i n , s p i n n i n g around.
k i a v txim To f o r g i v e o r make s e t t l e m e n t f o r g u i l t and
qhovmuag k i v k i v Dizzy ( l i t . ' e y e s s p i n n i n g ' ) . o f f e n s e by t a l k i n g it o v e r b u t w i t h no p e n a l t y
o r payment.
2. kiv
k i v t o b ( l u b ) Small s p i n n i n g t o p w i t h bamboo s h a f t 2. k i a v
used a s a p l a y t h i n g by Hrnong boys. k i a v txhab ( l u b ) An u l c e r , an open s o r e .

1. k i a b A market, marketplace ( l u b )
Mus nram k i a b lawm.
.
(He) went down t o t h e market.
3. k i a v
k i a v xeem To change o n e ' s surname.
nquam k i a b nquam khw The marketplace ( p o e t i c ) .
4. k i a v 2 . korn To accuse, t o make o f f i c i a l a c c u s a t i o n a t law.
kiav nqaij Meat c r a c k l i n g s . Lawv c o j nws mus korn nrarn moos. They took him down t o
accuse him i n t h e c i t y . ( c o u r t )
5. k i a v t u s y e e j korn The a c c u s e r , one making t h e complaint.
tshum k i a v To seek t o h i n d e r a person from a c t i o n .
(cf . ' tshum' ) . t u s pem korn The d e f e n d a n t , p e r s o n accused of wrong.
3 . korn
1. k o A handle ( t u s ) (of any hand implement, e t c . ) korn txwv The i n n e r works of a watch o r of a p i e c e
k o t a u s The h a n d l e of an axe, axe h a n d l e . of machinery, e t c .
2 . ko 1. kos To s c r i b e o r draw o r r u l e a l i n e .
kotw Tail, the t a i l (tus) . t u s kos ntawv A r u l e r ( f o r r u l i n g l i n e s ) .
3. k o 2 . kos A glancing scrape.
kotaw ~ o o t ,t h e f o o t ' ( t x h a i s ) ( c f . ' t a w ' ) . Nws n t o g t h i a b k o s c a j npab. He f e l l and scraped h i s
mob kotaw Foot h u r t s , f o o t a i l m e n t . arm.
4. A f i n a l completive p a r t i c l e . 3. kos
Koj h a i s l i k o . . . Speaking a s you d o . . . s a b tom kos Over t h e r e , t h a t s i d e over t h e r e .
R e f e r r i n g t o what you have j u s t s a i d . nyob ntawm k o s Over t h e r e , l o c a t e d over t h e r e .
Txhob ua l i k o . Don't do t h a t ; s t o p doing what you
a r e doing. 1. kov To h a n d l e , t o touch.
Txhob kov. Don't h a n d l e i t . Let i t a l o n e .
1. kob e l f . f o r showers of r a i n (also cf. 'phaum') . kov d e j TO p l a y w i t h o r i n t h e w a t e r , t o f i s h ( c o l l o q . )
i b kob nag One shower of r a i n .
2 . kov
2 . kob kov y e e j To overcome, g e t t h e v i c t o r y .
neeg kob huam Poor, p o v e r t y s t r i c k e n person.
3. kov
3 . kob
Koj t e s kob m b heev. Your hands a r e ' s k i l l e d ' in
kov t s i j To h a s t e n ( a s used w i t h f o l l o w i n g v e r b s ) .
kov t s i j rnus Go q u i c k l y , go r i g h t away.
a worthy occupation. Kov t s i j 10s t s e v . come home r i g h t away.
Kov t s i j k h i a v mus. Go q u i c k l y . 'Get o u t :
4. kob
kob s i m t s h u a j Tea l e a v e s (cf . ' t s h u a j s w m ' [C] ) . 4. kov
kov txwv thaum ub I n t h e beginning, of o l d .
koj Second person s i n g u l a r pronoun. "You" ( s i n g u l a r ) .
Koj mus .
Nyob tom k o j
You go.
. over n e a r you. ( c o n t r . 'kos ' ) .
kov txwv 10s From t h e r o o t of t h i n g s , f o l l o w i n g t h e
p r o p e r way of t h i n g s a s o r i g i n a l l y s e t o u t .
Kuv h a i s r a u k o j . I t e l l you. 1. koob Needle, p i n , q u i l l ( r a b )
Koj nyob qhov twg? Where a r e you? Koob mab S a f e t y p i n .
r a b koob xaws khaubncaws Needle f o r sewing c l o t h e s .
1. korn To c a u s e , b r i n g i n t o e f f e c t (used a l o n e o r a s l u b t i v ( o r ' teem') qab koob A thimble.
'kom xwv').
Kuv t s i s korn nws mus. I w o n ' t cause him t o go. 2 . koob Paternal greatgrandparent.
I won ' t make him go. yawg koob P a t e r n a l g r e a t g r a n d f a t h e r .
Tus dev tsem tsem korn t u s menyuam q u a j . The dog barked pog koob P a t e r n a l greatgrandmother.
causing t h e c h i l d t o c r y .
Koj mus h a i s zoo zoo korn xwv ob t u g nyob t i d txhob 3 . koob To make food f o r a n o t h e r , t o s e r v e i n making t h e i r
cem cem. GO and speak t o t h o s e two over t h e r e
s o t h e y w i l l s t o p c u r s i n g each o t h e r .
food .
us koob lawv To s e r v e them by making t h e i r food.
4. koob
koob p h e e j ~ u s t ,e q u a l , f a i r (C) .
5. koob koos
( a ) yeeb koob ( l u b ) Reputation, g l o r y , honor. koos zoo o f a v i l l a g e s i t e n i c e l y surrounded by
( b ) yeeb haum ( l u b ) Reputation, g l o r y , honor. h i l l s and mountains.

6 . koob 1. koov
( a ) koob meej ( l u b ) Good name, good r e p u t a t i o n . koov n y i j A t y p e of f i n e b l a c k c l o t h .
( b ) meej thawb ( l u b ) ~ o o dname, good r e p u t a t i o n .
2 . koov
7 . koob l o o j koov (c) To cause t r o u b l e , t o be troublesome,
koobxaus ( l u b ) Gramaphone. make a f u s s .

8 . koob 1. kub Hot ( c f . ' s o v ' ) .

cuam koob ( r o o j ) A k i n d of s p r i n g t r a p f o r c a t c h i n g kub kub l i Very h o t .
rodents ( c f . 'rooj ' ) . hluavtaws kub A h o t f i r e .

9. koob 2 . kub To b e burned o r s c a l d e d .

mej koob ( t u s ) The middle man i n wedding arrange- kub h n y i a b l a m Burned.
ments ( c f . ' t s h o o b ' ) . Nws l u b t s e v kub h n y i a b t a g l a m . His house burned
completely.
koog D e s c r i p t i v e of an a r e a of f i e l d , f o r e s t , o r v e g e t a t i o n kub h l a b l a m Scalded.
n o t a b l y d i f f e r e n t from t h e s u r r o u n d i n g s .
Lawv muab ua t e b t a g l a m , tshuav i b koog hav zoov 3 . kub Used m e t a p h o r i c a l l y o f e a r n e s t n e s s , -hot-hearted. "
xwb. They made a l l t h e land i n t o f i e l d s l e a v i n g kub s i a b E a r n e s t .
o n l y one a r e a of f o r e s t . kub s i a b ua To do e a r n e s t l y o r e n e r g e t i c a l l y .
Puav l e e j ua hav t a u j , tshuav i b koog zoo ua t e b xwb.
A l l i s overgrown i n weeds with o n l y one a r e a 4. kub Horns, h o r n of an animal (clf. 'tus' f o r s i n g l e horn
good f o r f i e l d s . and 'txwm' f o r a p a i r ) .
koog pos A p a t c h o r clump of t h o r n s . kub twg Water b u f f a l o horn.
t u a j kub To b e a r h o r n s .
kooj Locust ( s e v e r a l v a r i e t i e s ) .
k o o j tshuab ( t u s ) A l o c u s t , y e l l o w i s h i n c o l o r i n g . 5. kub Gold.
kooj t x i g ( t u s ) A black locust. Nws muaj n y i a j muaj kub n t a u n t a u . He h a s p l e n t y of
s i l v e r and g o l d .
1. koom Of a c t i o n t h a t i s s h a r e d between two o r more p e r s o n s .
koom ua To do t o g e t h e r . 6. kub The opium p i p e ( l u b ) .
koom n o j To e a t t o g e t h e r . l u b kublub The opium p i p e .
( a ) nrog nws koom ua To do w i t h him o r h e r . t e e b kublub ( l u b ) The opium lamp.
( b ) koom nws ua To do w i t h him o r h e r .
koom i b t x o j s i a To s h a r e one common l i f e t o g e t h e r . 7 . kub P e r t a i n i n g t o d i s t a n t r e l a t i v e s .
Thooj niam koom t x i v , t h o o j pog koom yawg Having k w v t i j t h a j kub D i s t a n t r e l a t i v e s of same c l a n .
t h e same p a r e n t s and g r a n d p a r e n t s .
kug S t r i p p e d b a r e of l e a v e s and twigs.
2 . koom Kab n o j n t o o kug ncos. I n s e c t s a t e t h e t r e e b a r e of
k h i b koom ( T ) Of a d e c e i t f u l p e r s o n , one who leaves.
changes h i s mind r e g a r d i n g wages, e t c .
( c f . 'corn'). 1. k u j A p a r t i c l e which c a r r i e s forward t h e a c t i o n of t h e
v e r b . Moreover, a l s o , consequently.
3. koom Kuv k u j t s i s paub t h i a b . I a l s o do n o t know.
koom p l i g (also 'rub p l i g ' ) A special s p i r i t r i t e Ua l i c a s k u j yog. whatever (you s a y o r do) w i l l b e
o r ceremony done a f t e r t h e New Year and b e f o r e a l l right.
making new f i e l d s . A p i g i s s a c r i f i c e d and some Cov t s i s zoo k u j muaj t h i a b . There a r e bad ones a s w e l l .
blood smeared on t h e backs of a l l t h e household
members. Then a cord i s t i e d t o t h e p i g ' s neck
and drawn around a l l t h e f a m i l y a s a symbolic
f e n c e t o p r e v e n t t h e i r s p i r i t s from l e a v i n g .
Removal of t h e cord symbolizes removal of a l l
c a l a m i t y , danger, s i c k n e s s , e t c .
2. k u j 1. kuab
kujyem The t y p e of f a n palm whose l e a v e s a r e used xwb kuab ( l u b ) A t y p e of s m a l l gourd t h e s t r i n g y
commonly i n r o o f i n g f o r Meo houses. The f r u i t d r i e d p i t h o f which i s used f o r scrubbing p o t s , e t c .
is a l s o edible.
n t o o kujyem The f a n palm t r e e a s above. 2 . kuab
n p l o o j kujyem Roofing l e a v e s .
t x i v kujyem Palm f r u i t .
t x i v maum kuab ( l u b ) The papaya ( c f . ' t x i v taub ntoo' ) .
kuag Some ( c f . ' t x h i a ' ) .
1. kurn i b kuag l e e j Some p e o p l e .
t w j kurn ( t u s ) The r h i n o c e r o u s . Muaj i b kuag l e e j mus xwb. Only some p e o p l e went.
2 . kurn 1. kuam To s c r a p e , t o s c r a p e o f f .
kurn k h e j (C) Guest, s t r a n g e r ( c o n t r . 'txum t i m ' ) . kuam npua To d e h a i r a s l a u g h t e r e d p i g .
kuam kotaw To s c r a p e o f f t h e f o o t .
3 . kurn
phua kurn xeeb TO s p l i t ( a l o g ) through t h e c e n t e r 2 . kuam To s c r i b e , t o s c r a t c h .
t h u s o b t a i n i n g wedge shaped p i e c e s . ( c f . 'phual ) . Kuam i b kab ntawv. To s c r a t c h o r draw a l i n e .
4. kurn 3 . kuam c l f . f o r a 'hand' of bananas.
p e j kurn dab qus "Wild" s p i r i t s ( a s opposed t o 'dab i b kuam t x i v tsawb A hand of bananas.
nyeg') (cf. 'dab').
4 . kuam
5. kurn mov kuam Steamed corn meal.
kurn y u j ( c f . t h e i r o n i c a l e x p r e s s ion below)
Koj kurn y u j txawm xam hwwv. You c e r t a i n l y do know 5. kuam
how t o f i g u r e t h i n g s o u t : kuam neeb Goat h o r n s o r s i m u l a t e d horns made o f wood
which a r e used i n d i v i n i n g t h e mind of t h e s p i r i t s .
ku s n t a u s kuam TO d i v i n e w i t h t h e 'kuam neeb. ' The horns
khaum k a j khaum kus Keeps g e t t i n g caught up on a r e c a s t upon t h e ground r e p e a t e d l y and t h e
something ( c f . 'khaum') . p l e a s u r e of t h e s p i r i t s i s i n d i c a t e d by t h e way
t h e horns l i e .
kuv F i r s t person s i n g u l a r pronoun, "I," "me."
Kuv t s i s paub. I d o n ' t know. 1. kuas
Nws t s i s nyiam kuv. He doesn' t \ l i k e me. dev kuas A t y p e of v a r i c o l o r e d dog.

kua L i q u i d , o f ' a runny c o n s i s t e n c y . 2 . kuas

kua t s h u a j Liquid medicine. mob h n i a v kuas s i S o f t and b l e e d i n g gums, a k i n d of
kua muag T e a r s ( c o n t r . 'quav muag') . mouth a i l m e n t .
kua mem Ink.
kua d i s Rice g r u e l . kuav To wash away w i t h a flow of w a t e r .
kua n t x h a i Rice w a t e r (poured o f f cooked r i c e ) . Dej kuav av t a g lawm. The w a t e r h a s washed t h e s o i l
kua yeeb Opium i n l i q u i d form. away.
kua m i s Milk. d e j kuav kev Water washing down a p a t h o r road.
kua paug A t h i c k s e c r e t i o n .
kua y i s A t h i n s e c r e t i o n .
kua c i a b , c i a b mem A gummy wax used a s an a d h e s i v e .
kw Tone change from ' kwv, ' (cf . 'kwv ' ) .
2. kua
kwj Valley, g u l l e y ( l u b ).
( a ) kwj h a A v a l l e y , a g u l l e y .
kuatxob Red p e p p e r s , cayenne pepper. (b) l u b hav A v a l l e y , a g u l l e y .
kwj deg A g u l l e y ( w i t h o u t running w a t e r e x c e p t a f t e r
3 . kua
kua s i taum Brown bean curd cakes.
rain) .
kwj t s e The d r a i n a g e d i t c h around a house.
kwj qaum The d e p r e s s i o n along t h e backbone.
4. kua
kua 100s A name used t o r e f e r t o t h e Lao people
(cf. ' lostsuas') .
1. kwm TO n u r t u r e , t o c a r e f o r , look a f t e r ( c f . 'tsom' ) . 7 . kwv
tsom kab tsom kwm To nurture, t o care f o r . kwvhuam Old t a l e s , t r a d i t i o n s , o l d e n t i m e s .
NWS t s i s mob s i a b kwm nws t x o j s i a v . He d o e n ' t t a k e h a i s i b zag kwvhuam To t e l l an o l d t a l e .
c a r e of h i s own life.
8. kwv A portion, a p a r t (cf. 'tsoom'), also (cf. definition
2 . kwm To walk through deep w a t e r . NO. 4 ) .
Nws kwm n t x h i a s mus. He went b o d i l y through ( t h e w a t e r ) . r a u kwv S i x p a r t s .
i b kw One p a r t (t.c.1.
1. kws I n d i a n c o r n , maize. Used i n e x p r e s s i n g f r a c t i o n s , e t c .
pobkws Ears of c o r n , corn i n g e n e r a l ( l u b ) . Tag i b kw tshuav i b kw. Half gone. ( t .c . ) .
txha kws Corncob ( l u b ) . Zoo i b kw, t s i s zoo xya kwv. Only one e i g h t h i s good.
p a j kws Popcorn.
plhaub kws Corn husk. 9. kwv
quav kws corn s t a l k s . kwvlam Probably, a l m o s t , approximately ( c f . ' t a m f a j ' )
( a ) plauh kws Corn t a s s e l s . a l s o ( c f . 'kwvyees' b e l o w ) .
(b) t w y a j pobkws Corn t a s s e l s . Kwvlam yog nws ua t i a g . Most probably i t was h e t h a t
d i d it.
2 . kws A s y l l a b l e used p r e c e e d i n g a noun t o i n d i c a t e an
artisan. 10. kwv
kws ntoo ( t u s ) A carpenter. kwvyees To guess, probably, unpracticed ( c f . ' n y a j ' ) .
kws hlau ( t u s ) A blacksmith. ( a ) kwvyees h a i s To g u e s s , t o g i v e a g u e s s .
kws t s h u a j ( t u s ) A doctor o r pharmacist. ( b ) kwvyees n y a j To g u e s s , t o g i v e a g u e s s .
kws ntawv ( t u s ) A ' s c r i b e , ' a s c h o l a r , s e c r e t a r y . kwvyees ua To do w i t h o u t p r a c t i c e , guess a t doing.

1. kwv Younger b r o t h e r ( t u s ) . 11. kwv

kuv t u s kwv My younger b r o t h e r .
kwvti j Younger and o l d e r b r o t h e r s . b r e t h r e n . This
term i s a l s o used t o r e f e r t o members of o n e ' s
own c l a n , r e l a t i v e s i n o n e ' s p a t e r n a l l i n e a g e .
A man's r e l a t i v e s by marriage a r e c a l l e d ' n e e j t s a '
whereas a f t e r marriage a woman c a l l s h e r own
f a m i l y ' n e e j t s a ' and owns h e r h u s b a n d ' s family
a s 'kwvti j ' . t h e long drawn-out n o t e s t y p i c a l of 'kwv t x h i a j '
k w v t i j ob cag peb t x h a i s A l l t h e p e o p l e of t h e v i l l a g e ,
r e l a t i v e s and o t h e r w i s e .
k w v t i j t h a j kub D i s t a n t r e l a t i v e s of t h e same c l a n .
2. kwv F r i e n d , companion.
kwvluag A good f r i e n d , companion.
kwv t x h i a j ( z a j ) A s e r e n a d e o r b a l l a d ; e s p e c i a l l y a s
sung by boys and g i r l s t o each o t h e r .
h a i s kwv t x h i a j TO s i n g b a l l a d s , t o s e r e n a d e .
Note: This e x p r e s s i o n i s sometimes s p e l l e d 'khwv t x h i a j '
For r e f e r e n c e : We a l s o i n c l u d e h e r e t h e o t h e r t y p e s
of Ilmong songs.
k h a w chab Another t y p e of b o y - g i r l song b u t w i t h o u t
z a j tshoob Wedding songs.
l u s taum Old f o l k s songs.
t x i v x a i v F u n e r a l songs, scngs of d e a t h .

3 . kwv TO c a r r y on t h e s h o u l d e r .
Peb mus kwv ntoo ua t s e v . We a r e going t o c a r r y l o g s
t o e r e c t a house.

4 . kwv C l f . f o r shoulder l o a d s ( c f . D e f i n i t i o n No. 8 ) .

i b kw d e j One s h o u l d e r load of w a t e r ( t .c . )
r a u kwv S i x s h o u l d e r l o a d s .

5 . kwv To t u r n a s i d e from.
kwv ntswg TO t u r n t h e nose away i n d i s g u s t .
kwv n u j nqe TO r e f u s e t o repay a d e b t owed.

6 . kwv Queer, p e c u l i a r (C) .

kwv kiam Queer, p e c u l i a r ( C ) .
muaj kwv kiam To b e q u e e r ; i t i s q u e e r .

khab
khab s e e b Empty, b a r r e n , u n c l u t t e r e d , roomy.
l u b t s e v khab seeb A n empty u n c l u t t e r e d house,
a roomy house.
neeg khab s e e b A c h i l d l e s s person.
1. k h a j Of f o r c i b l e vigorous speech.
( a ) neeg k h a j l u s One who speaks f o r c i b l y .
( b ) neeg k h a j thawj One who speaks f o r c i b l y .
t s o k h a j thawj r a u . . .
To speak f o r c i b l y w i t h
weighty words t o someone a s e . g . t o d r i v e
1. khaub Of a r t i c l e s c r o s s i n g each o t h e r , c r o s s e d .
( a ) k h a u b l i g n t o o ( t u s ) A wooden c r o s s , t h e c r o s s .
( b ) n t o o k h a u b l i g ( t u s ) A wooden c r o s s , t h e c r o s s .
2 . khaub To wind around, e n c i r c l e , wind up.
khaub z i g To wind around.
t x o j hmab khaub khaub z i g n t o o The v i n e e n c i r c l e s t h e
tree.
Muab t x o j h l u a khaub z i g . Wind up t h e s t r i n g .
3 . khaub A d r y branch o r s t i c k ( t u s ) .
khaub nplawm ( o r ' tshum' ) qhovmuag
a branch o r s t i c k .
H i t i n t h e eye by

him away and f r u s t r a t e h i s intended purpose.

4. khaub
2. khaj khaub r u a b ( r a b ) A broom.
horn k h a j E n e r g e t i c , s p i r i t e d (of persons o r animals) Muab khaub ruab cheb t s e v . Take t h e broom and sweep
t o jump f o r joy. o u t t h e house.
kab khaub r u a b ( t u s ) An i n s e c t resembling a s t i c k .
1. khav Proud, b o a s t i n g , b o a s t f u l .
T s i s txhob khav .
Don ' t b o a s t .
l u b s i a b khav t h e e b A proud ' h e a r t . '
5 . khaub
khaubncaws C l o t h i n g .
( a ) khav t x i v To b o a s t . hnav khaubncaws TO wear c l o t h i n g , t o d r e s s .
( b ) khav qhuas To b o a s t . Note: This word i s a l s o used t o r e f e r t o m e n s t r u a t i o n .
Nws khav qhuas nws l i zoo xwb. He only b o a s t s of ( a ) yawg khaubncaws To m e n s t r u a t e .
h i s own goodness. ( b ) c o j khaubncaws To m e n s t r u a t e .
( c ) yawg cev To m e n s t r u a t e .
2. khav
qab khav A r a i s e d porch ( c f . 'qab t s a g ' ) . 6 . khaub
khaub h l a b Rag, ragged, o l d c l o t h i n g , worn o u t
3 . khav (of c l o t h i n g , b a s k e t s , e t c . )
Txhob khav thwj lawv t e j pub mov n e j n o j . Don't r e l y Muab i b txog khaub h l a b r a u kuv. Hand me a r a g .
khaub khaub h l a b Ragged, worn o u t .
upon o t h e r s t o p r o v i d e your food.

4. khav 7 . khaub
khavloom ( t u s ) The governor (T) . khaub hnab ( l u b ) A s m a l l s t u f f e d b a l l covered w i t h
c l o t h and used i n Nmong games. A t t h e New Year
5. khav To c o v e t ; t o s e e k a f t e r . it i s thrown between teams of boys and g i r l s i n
Nws khav pw t s a u g zog xwb. He o n l y wants t o s l e e p . a game of f o r f e i t s .

1. k h a i s A plow (rab) . 8. khaub

khaub t h u a s The common c o l d , t o have a c o l d ( o f t e n
2. khais A s l i g h t f e e l i n g i n a t o o t h i n d i c a t i n g developing used i n combination w i t h ' s a b foob' which i s
pa i n . t h e e q u i v a l e n t e x p r e s s i o n i n Chinese.)
Kuv t u s h n i a v k h a i s k h a i s li. My t o o t h i s beginning s a b foob khaub t h u a s To have a c o l d .
t o g i v e me t r o u b l e .
1. k h a u j A s h e l l of an animal, t u r t l e , mollusk, e t c . (lub) .
khau Shoe, shoes ( c l f . 'nkawm' f o r p a i r s ) . k h a u j khaum A s h e l l ( a s a b o v e ) .
k h a u j khaum taubhau The s k u l l .
i b nkawg khau One p a i r of s h o e s .
r a u khau To wear s h o e s .
khau c a j ntswm Chinese c l o t h shoes with upturned 2 . khauj
t o e s , t r a d i t i o n a l l y used i n b u r i a l . khauj t s i a v TO h i t w i t h t h e knuckle.
1. khaum Caught upon, caught f a s t. 2 . khawm
khaum n r e e s caught f a s t . h a i s l u s khawm l u s To swear t o a f a c t , t a k e an o a t h .
too khaum n r e e s saud. The t r e e i s caught f a s t up
t h e r e . (and c a n ' t f a l l though it h a s been 3 . khawm To embrace.
chopped through) . s i b khawm TO ernbrace one a n o t h e r (used by young
khaum k a j khaum kus Keeps g e t t i n g s t u c k ( a s when people b u t n o t a very e l e g a n t e x p r e s s i o n ) .
c a r r y i n g an a r t i c l e of unwieldy l e n g t h . )
1. khaws To p i c k up, g a t h e r .
2 . khaum To f i x upon, t o s e t t l e . Muab khaws c i a . Pick it up and s t o r e i t away.
foom khaum To s e t t l e t h e f a t e , ' f i x ' a fortune. khaws nraim To p i c k up t h i n g s ( a s a r e g u l a r custom).
khaws nkaus To pick up.
3. khaum S h e l l of an animal, e t c . ( c f . ' k h a u j ' above) . khaws t x i v To p i c k up f a l l e n f r u i t .
t a u g kev khaws taw qhuav P i c k s up t h i n g s a s he goes
khaum along ( i . e . f o r nothing, without l a b o r ) .
cua j khaum Greedy, s e l f i s h , j e a l o u s 'qia dub').
2 . khaws
5 . khaum.
txhab khaum ( l u b ) The gunstock.
khaws xyeem ( c f . ' n t x a b ntxawm') .
khaws xyeem ua To do something t a k i n g advantage of
what someone has a l r e a d y done o r p r e p a r e d .
6. khaum
( a ) t e e v p h a j The box i n which t h e s m a l l b a l a n c e 1. khawv C l f . f o r mouthfuls ( a l s o c f . 'kaug' (C) .
scales is kept. r a u khawv S i x mouthfuls.
( b ) t e e v khaum ( l u b ) The box i n which t h e small
balance s c a l e s is kept.
i b khaw One mouthful ( t .c . ) .
2. khawv
khaus Itchy. thov khawv To beg, ask f o r alms o r food.
khaus khaus l i Very i t c h y .
khaus cau " i t c h y hands* Used t o r e f e r t o a person 3. khawv
who must always b e up t o some mischief o r pov khawv S a t i s f i e d , enough ( w i t h t h e s e n s e , " I ' m
e v i l deeds a s s t e a l i n g , e t c . s i c k of i t . " )

1. khauv F i n i s h e d . 4 . khawv
khauv l a m F i n i s h e d (same a s 'dawb l a m , ' 'tag pom khawv To t e l l of t h e e v i l s of o t h e r p e o p l e ,
l a m , ' 'hle l a m ' ) . t o inform on someone's o f f e n c e s .

2 . khauv 5. khawv
khauv zeeg cua Whirlwind. khawvkoob Magic.
ua khawvkoob t i j l i m To do wonderful magic.
khaw Tone change f r a n 'khawv,' ( c f . 'khawv').
6 . khawv
1. khawb To s c r a t c h o u t , t o d i g , t o hoe. khawv chab A t y p e of b o y - g i r l song ( c f . 'kwv t x h i a j ' ) .
khawb av. To hoe t h e ground.
khawb qhov To d i g a h o l e . 7. khawv
khawb qua t s e v To l e v e l a house s i t e ( c f . 'ncaws a v ' ) . fwv khawv ( l u b ) A n a t u r a l p a s s o r gateway through t h e
khawb q e e s To keep on d i g g i n g . jungle o r landscape where w i l d game w i l l u s u a l l y
be f o r c e d t o t r a v e l .
2 . khawb A hook, a b u c k l e , t o hook on o r hook t o g e t h e r
(lub). 8 . khawv
khawb xauv The c l a s p on a neck r i n g , c h a i n f i x e d t o ua timkhawv To w i t n e s s , b e a r testimony (cf. ' t i m ' ) .
t h e ends of t h e r i n g .

1. khawrn A button, t o button ( l u b ) .

1. k h e j The c r o c o d i l e (tus) (T) .
2. k h e j
kumkhej (C) ( c f . 'kum').
khem 4. khib
muj khem Notches made i n wood and u s e d by t h e Hmong t s h u a j khib (lub) A mortar ( f o r grinding peppers, e t c . )
i n c e r t a i n p a t t e r n s a s a l i m i t e d form o f
communication. 5. k h i b
h l a i s muj khem To make s u c h n o t c h e s , t o c u t n o t c h e s . k h i b l i a b (T) Dirty, disgusting (cf. 'qias neeg').
khee t . c . from ' kheev' used a s a c l f . ( c f . 'kheev' ) . 6. khib
k h i b koom (T) Of a p e r s o n who changes h i s mind
1. k h e e j Round, c i r c u l a r ( c o n t r . ' p l u a v ' ) . e s p e c i a l l y r e g a r d i n g wages, e t c .
Lub khaub hnab k h e e j k h e e j li. The b a l l i s round.
t a u b h a u k h e e j lam A round head. khis .
To b r e a k a p i e c e o f f ( c f ' n t a i s ' ) .
k h i s lawm Nicked ( a s a k n i f e h i t t i n g a n a i l ) .
2 . k h e e j E n t i r e , whole ( i n s p e c i a l e x p r e s s i o n s ) . Hniav k h i s i b s a b lawm. (My) t o o t h i s c h i p p e d o r a
kuv l u b c e v k h e e j My whole body, e n t i r e p e r s o n . p i e c e has broken o f f one s i d e .
kheem To r e c l i n e , l i e down (cf. 'pw'). khiab To t i e up w i t h a band i n a s p e c i a l way. To t i e a
s a s h a b o u t t h e w a i s t and t h e n between t h e l e g s
khees To f i n i s h o f f t h e l i t t l e b i t r e m a i n i n g , t o d e a l w i t h b e f o r e it i s t u c k e d i n , i n t h e manner of t h e T h a i
completely. i n former d a y s .
Khees k i a g u a . F i n i s h i t a l l . ( o f f i e l d work, e t c . ) k h i a b t w T a i l band on a h o r s e h a r n e s s .
Khees h u v s i . ( e a t e n ) A l l gone. k h i a b t x i a C h e s t band on a h o r s e h a r n e s s .
Khees t s i s huv. Not ( e a t e n ) c l e a n . Residue on t h e daim s e v k h i a b menyuam A band of c l o t h u s e d t o s h i e l d
plate. an i n f a n t c a r r i e d on t h e back from t h e sun
(cf. 'nias').
1. kheev To b e w i l l i n g , t o b e i n c l i n e d t o .
Kuv kheev mus. I ' m w i l l i n g t o go.
T s i s kheev u a . U n w i l l i n g t o do. ( o r ) Unwilling f o r
khiam Natives of I n d i a (T) (tus) .
a n o t h e r p e r s o n t o do. khiav To r u n , t o go q u i c k l y , t o d e p a r t ( c f . ' p l a u ' ) .
Kheev h l o b zoo. (He) i s growing w e l l . .
k h i a v l a w m Ran away ( c f ' p l a u lawm' ) .
Kheev nws t u a j
( c f . C i a nws t u a j
......
I f o n l y h e would come...
L e t him come.)
N w s k h i a v y a n t x i a g mus. He f l e d away. "Flew o f f .
k h i a v q u j q e e s Ran s l o w l y , f l e d s l o w l y .
"
k h i a v h l o Got c o m p l e t e l y away.
2 . kheev C l f . f o r bunches o f o n i o n s , g a r l i c , e t c . k h a i v n t s u j mus Went away.
( v a r i e s with 'khee' according t o r u l e s of tone change).
1. kho To h e a l .
khi To b i n d , t o t i e up. kho mob To h e a l s i c k n e s s .
k h i rawv Bound t i g h t l y . kho zoo lawm Healed up, g o t t e n w e l l .
Muab nws k h i ! T i e him up!
2 . kho To f i x , t o a r r a n g e , r e p a i r .
1. k h i b I r r i t a t e d , o f f e n d e d , t o o f f e n d , t o annoy, r e s e n t f u l . Muab l u b t e e b kho kom zoo. F i x t h e lamp.
k h i b l u b s i a b I r r i t a t e , annoyed, a r o u s e d .
s i a b k h i b k h i b Of f e n d e d , i r r i t a t e d , annoyed. 3 . kho To r e f o r g e o r r e p a i r m e t a l k n i v e s , e t c . t h a t have
k h i b s i a b " T i g h t h e a r t e d " i n t h e s e n s e of n o t been chipped o r blunted. ( c f . ' p h i a j ' ) .
w i l l i n g t o l e n d money, e t c .
4 . kho Lonely, m e l a n c h o l y , f i l l e d w i t h l o n g i n g and n o s t a l g i a ,
2 . khib A c a r r y i n g frame f o r c a r r y i n g wood, e t c . on t h e homesick.
back. ( r a b )
Nws r i s r a b k h i b mus t x i a v taws. He went w i t h a
kho kho s i a b L o n e l y , homesick ( c f . ' s e e v ' ) .
c a r r y i n g frame t o c u t f i r e w o o d . 5. kho

3 . k h i b To end o r p u t a s t o p t o .
khov kho (cf . ' khov' ) . Very s t e a d y , v e r y f i r m .
hnoos t s i s paub k h i b Coughed w i t h o u t s t o p p i n g . 1. khob TO r a p , t o knock w i t h t h e k n u c k l e .
cem t s i s k h i b Cursed o r s c o l d e d c o n s t a n t l y . Khob q h o v r o o j . Knock on t h e d o o r .
t s i s paub k h i b I n t e n s e l y o r w i t h o u t s t o p p i n g .
tshem t a u k h i b To l e a v e p r o v i s i o n s of f o o d , e t c . f o r
g u e s t s and s t r a n g e r s .
2. khob A s m a l l cup f o r d r i n k i n g wine o r whisky (cf. 'pib 1. khoov To s t o o p , t o bend o v e r .
txwv') (C). khoov nkoos To bend o v e r , s t o o p .
i b khob cawv One cup o f whisky. ( a ) t i b n e e g khoov khoov A hunchback, p e r s o n w i t h a
permanent s t o o p .
khom To r e s t upon, r e l y upon. ( b ) t i b n e e g caws caws A hunchback, p e r s o n w i t h a
khom To r e s t upon ( a s a beam r e s t i n g on two u p r i g h t s , permanent s t o o p .
etc.) . ( a ) n t o o khoov A t r e e b e n t o r l e a n i n g .
vamkhom To r e l y upon, t o t r u s t i n (C). ( b ) n t o o rawv A t r e e b e n t o r l e a n i n g .

1. khov S t e a d y , f i r m . 2 . khoov
( a ) khov khov Very s t e a d y , v e r y f i r m . t x h i a j khoov... I t would b e b e t t e r i f . . . (cf. 'yim').
( b ) khov kho Very s t e a d y , v e r y f i r m . T x h i a j khoov t x h o b yug 10s. B e t t e r i f h e h a d n ' t been
born.
2 . khov Thick (of l i q u i d s ) , having v i s c o s i t y .
1. khub E n c r u s t e d .
3 . khov To c o n g e a l , c o n g e a l e d (cf. 'nkoog'). khub khub dub dub D i r t y and e n c r u s t e d ( w i t h mud, e t c . )
khub l a u j k a u b lawm The p o t h a s a t h i c k e n c r u s t a t i o n
4 . khov To i n s t r u c t i n a s p e c i a l s e n s e , a s t o h e l p o r on t h e b o t t o m s u r f a c e o r t h e i n s i d e .
t e a c h a c r i m e w i t n e s s how t o b e a r t e s t i m o n y ,
t o ' f i x ' a witness. 2 . khub To a d m i t , t o acknowledge.
Kuv khub npau li no xwb. (You a c c u s e me o f s u c h and
khoo O l d and t h i n ( o f o l d p e r s o n s , a n i m a l s , e t c . ) s u c h b u t . . . ) I ' l l o n l y a d m i t t o s o much.
Khuvleej t u s p o j n i a m khoo khoo. Have p i t y on t h e o l d
e m a c i a t e d woman. khuj Fortune ( l u b ) .
muaj i b l u b k h u j To have a f o r t u n e .
1. khoob Empty, h o l l o w . k h u j zoo; k h u j phem Good o r e v i l f o r t u n e a s t o l d by
l u b xauv khoob A hollow neck r i n g . a fortune t e l l e r .
neeg khoob xeeb ( C ) "Hollow-hearted" p e r s o n , i. e .
one who i s t e a c h a b l e , r e a d y ' t o l i s t e n . khum (cf. 'fajkhum').

2 . khoob To c a l l t o g e t h e r . 1. khuv
khoob menyuam To c a l l c h i l d r e n t o come. khuvleej (C) To p i t y , t o have compassion.

khooj Knees b e n t t i g h t t o g e t h e r , d o u b l e d up. 2 . khuv

zaum k h o o j ywb To s i t s q u a t t i n g on t h e h e e l s . khuvxim ( C ) What a p i t y , t o o bad.
k h o o j To b e d o u b l e d up ( i n p a i n ) o r on t h e k n e e s
w i t h t h e head t o t h e ground a s when i n j u r e d 3. khuv
i n t h e abdomen. khuv cev Having s c a n t y m e n s t r u a t i o n .

1. khoom L e i s u r e , e a s e , i d l e t i m e ( c f . ' x y e e j ' ) . 4 . khuv

Kuv t s i s khoom ua. I have no t i m e t o d o i t . Kuv t s i s khuv h a i s . I d o n ' t want t o s a y a n y t h i n g l e s t
dim p l h u a v khoom haujlwm L e i s u r e t i m e f r e e from it aggravate t h e s i t u a t i o n .
work.
khuab A l t e r n a t e p r o n u n c i a t i o n f o r 'khuam.' ( c f . 'khuam').
2 . khoom F r e e l y .
khoom pub To f r e e l y g i v e ( w i t h o u t c h a r g e ) . khua j
Khuaj mub The Khamu p e o p l e , a t r i b e found m o s t l y i n
3. khoom Goods, baggage (TI .
t u khoom To pack goods i n p r e p a r a t i o n f o r t r a v e l .
Laos.
Khuaj p h a i b The T i n p e o p l e , a t r i b e found i n Laos
t h a u j khoom To c a r r y goods by h o r s e o r conveyance. and i n c e r t a i n p a r t s of N . and E. T h a i l a n d .

khoos To f a i l t o e n t e r t h e f l e s h ( a s of a k n i f e s t r o k e o r
a b u l l e t t h a t glances o f f .)
1. khuam Caught upon something, hung up (sometimes s a i d
'khuab').
Ntoo khuam lawm. The t r e e i s caught and c a n ' t f a l l .
khuam kausmom To hang up a h a t .
la Tone change from 'lav, ' (cf . ' lav' ) .
khuam cheem To r e t a i n someone, t o engage i n conversa- lab
t i o n , e t c . . s o a s t o keep a person from l e a v i n g .
(cf. 'lawj').
huablab ( T ) A Westerner, a European ( t u s ) .
khuam n t a b khuam ntuv khuam xeeb khuam t s h a j Betwixt 1. l a g To be d e a f , d e a f n e s s .
and between, caught between two u n c e r t a i n t i e s . l a g n t s e g Deaf, deaf e a r s .

2 . khuam 2. lag
khuam s i a b Lonely, missing o t h e r s . l a g zeb A smooth s u r f a c e of exposed rock.

khw 3. lag
nquam k i a b nquam khw Market, marketplace ( p o e t i c uab l a g ( t u s ) A kind of w i l d b l a c k b i r d .
and a r c h a i c , n o t i n common s p e e c h ) .
4. lag
1. khwb To cover up, cover o v e r ( a s w i t h a hand, w i t h a ua l a g ua luam To do t r a d e , t o do b u s i n e s s .
vessel, etc.)
1. l a j One hundred thousand a s a numerical u n i t .
2 . khwb Upside down, w i t h t h e f a c e o r mouth downwards. i b l a j One hundred thousand.
pw khwb rwg To l i e on t h e stomach w i t h f a c e down.
puag khwb rwg To hold (an i n f a n t ) on i t s tummy. 2. laj Mountain r i d g e .
t a u g l a j mus To walk a l o n g t h e r i d g e .
3. khwb
khwb t e e b ( l u b ) A p l a i t e d bamboo s t o o l , t y p i c a l low 3. l a j Cool, t o c o o l o f f .
bamboo s t o o l used i n Ijmoncj homes and made some- N w s l u b cev s o v s o v p h e e j t s i s l a j . He has a f e v e r
what i n t h e shape of an i n v e r t e d v e s s e l . t h a t w o n ' t go down.
l a j l a j s i a b To " c o o l o f f ," a b a t e anger.
khwm
thomkhwm Socks ( c l f . 'nkawm' f o r p a i r s ) . 4. laj
r a u thomkhwm To wear socks. ceeblaj D i f f i c u l t y , t r o u b l e , troublesome.
khws To i m i t a t e , t o follow an example ( c f . 'xyaum' ) . 5. l a j
N w s ua khws khws Huabtais t u s yamntxwv. He followed lajkab ( t x o j ) A fence.
t h e example of t h e king. xov l a j k a b To e r e c t a fence.
1. khwv B i t t e r t o i l , b i t t e r e x p e r i e n c e , h a r d s h i p ( C ) . 6. l a j
sawm khwv To endure b i t t e r n e s s and h a r d s h i p . l a j muag Cross-eyed.
khwv khwv tawm tawm Very t o i l s o m e .
Khwv k o j .
I have t r o u b l e d you. "Excuse me. " 7. l a j l a j zoov The beginning of t h e j u n g l e , j u n g l e edge.
( c f . 'tabkaum k o j ' ) .

2 . khwv 8. l a j
khwv t x h i a j ( c f . 'kwv t x h i a j I ) . l o l a j l o luav A l l p l a s t e r e d up w i t h mud and d i r t .

9. l a j
roob l a j The p o l e l a i d l e n g t h w i s e on t h e roof peak
of a house i n t h e c r o t c h e s of p o l e s which hold
down t h e l e a f t h a t c h .

10. l a j
n t o o toov l a j ( t u s ) A t y p e of long-fronded palm.
11. l a j 5. las The second p e r i o d of weeding t h e f i e l d s ( c o n t r . ' d o b ' ) .
( a ) kuv l a j nloog I ' m t i r e d of h e a r i n g it. l a s yeeb To weed t h e opium t h e second t i m e .
( b ) kuv nkees nloog I ' m t i r e d of h e a r i n g it. l a s n p l e j To weed r i c e t h e second t i m e .
12. laj 6. l a s
txhiam l a j txhiam xwm Vegetables ( c f . ' t x h i a m ' ) . pw l a s t s h a v To s l e e p under t h e open s k y .
13. l a j 7. l a s
( a ) N w s sab t s i s t a j l a j . He h a s n ' t y e t d i s c u s s e d t h e r a b chaws l a s A m e t a l rod used i n naking h o l e s i n
m a t t e r o r has n o t concluded t h e d i s c u s s i o n on it. wood a f t e r h e a t i n g i n t h e f i r e .
(cf. 'sablaj').
8. l a s
( b ) N w s t s i s t a u s a b l a j . He h a s n ' t y e t d i s c u s s e d t h e
m a t t e r o r has n o t concluded t h e d i s c u s s i o n on i t . h a i s tsuag l a s (cf. ' tsuag' ) .
(cf. 'sablaj').
9. l a s
14. l a j tauv l a s t s h u j tshuav ( c f . ' t a u v ' ) .
tus phijlaj (cf. ' p h i j l ) .
1. l a v Raw.
1. lam F o o l i s h , haphazard, u n t r u e , w i t h no r e g a r d f o r f a c t s . n o j l a v To e a t raw meat, e a t raw.
lam h a i s To speak f o o l i s h l y , speak w i t h no r e g a r d ua l a v npua To make minced raw pork and s p i c e s .
.
f o r t h e f a c t s ( c f . ' t x e e v lam h a i s ' )
2. l a v To g u a r a n t e e .
lam ua To do haphazardly, do p o o r l y .
lam t a u lam ua To do any o l d way, do haphazardly. l a v t a u To g u a r a n t e e .
l a v n t x h i a s ( c f . 'pob n t x h i a s ' ) To g u a r a n t e e .
2. lam Upset, i n t u r m o i l .
( a ) tebchaws lam A n a t i o n i n t u r m o i l . 3. l a v To b e a r r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r , t o t a k e u n t o o n e ' s s e l f .
( b ) tebchaws lwj A n a t i o n i n t u r m o i l . l a v txim To b e a r s i n , t o b e a r t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r
l u b s i a b lam Heart u p s e t , h e a r t i n t u r m o i l . s i n , t o t a k e t h e f u l l weight o f s i n .
l o j lam Calamity, t r a v a i l , t r o u b l e . Yexu l a v peb l u b txim mus. J e s u s b o r e o u r s i n .
l u j lam tam Poverty s t r i c k e n , c a l a m i t y s t r i c k e n . (cf. 'nres').
Koj yuav l a v v a j l u b tebchaws 10s ua hmoov. You s h a l l
3 . lam Bright, glistening, g l i t t e r i n g . have a p a r t i n t h e kingdom.
lam lam li B r i g h t , g l i t t e r i n g . 4 . lav A p l a c e p r e p a r e d f o r a group t o s l e e p o r s i t .
4 . lam Pua i b l u b l a v r a u l a w pw. P r e p a r e a p l a c e f o r them
lwvlam Probably ( c f . ' t a m f a j ' ) .
Kwvlam nws yuav 10s. Probably he w i l l r e t u r n .
t o sleep.
Pw i b l a . ( t . c . ) S l e e p i n a l i n e .
laig To o f f e r food t o t h e s p i r i t s t o e a t .
1. l a s An ounce.
.
i b l a g ( t c . ) One ounce.
kaum l a s Ten ounces.
l a i g dab To s e t a s i d e food and i n v i t e t h e s p i r i t s
to eat.
.
i b t x i a j One t e n t h of an ounce ( c f ' t x i a j ' )
i b f i a b One one hundredth of an ounce.
. l a i g r a u n o j To o f f e r t o s p i r i t s t o e a t .
Note: This word ' l a i g ' i s a l s o used i n p l a c e of t h e
i b poom One pound. word ' n o j ' ( t o e a t ) i n rough speech o r c u r s i n g .
(cf. 'loob').
2. l a s To p u t down i n s a l t , t o s a l t .
l a s n t s e v To p u t down (meat, e t c . ) i n s a l t . l a ij To plow.
l a i j l i a g To plow paddy f i e l d s . ( c f . ' l i a j ' which i s
3. las Exclamatory f i n a l p a r t i c l e . usually read ' l i a g ' i n t h i s expression).
Koj ua t a u diam t i a g l a s . You can r e a l l y accomplish l a i j av To plow t h e ground.
things.
1. laim L i g h t n i n g ( c f . ' x o b ' )
4. las Castrated. xob laim L i g h t n i n g .
t u s l a s npua Large c a s t r a t e d p i g .
2 . laim To t w i t c h , f l u t t e r .
qhovmuag laim laim Eyes t w i t c h i n g , e y e s a f f e c t e d w i t h
spasm o f f l u t t e r i n g .
3 . laim To c a s t away, c a s t a s i d e , throw away. 1. l a u j Pertaining t o the l e f t side, l e f t (contr. 'xis ' ) .
( a ) l a i m n t i a s To c a s t away, throw away. t x h a i s t e s l a u j The l e f t hand.
( b ) l a i m r h e e s To c a s t away, throw away. s a b l a u g ( t . c . ) The l e f t s i d e .
( c ) l a i m pov t s e g To c a s t away, throw away.
2. l a u j To withdraw o r r e t r a c t .
1. l a i s l a u j t e s To r e t r a c t t h e hand.
P h i s l i s p h a i s l a i s An e x p r e s s i o n used a s a p o s t Nws l a u j k i a v t e s n t a u s . He drew back h i s hand t o h i t .
v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r i n d i c a t i n g something done
haphazardly, a i m l e s s l y , f o o l i s h l y . 3. lauj To p u t a s i d e .
( a ) l a u j haujlwm z i a s c i a P u t t h e housework a s i d e
2. lais ( t o a t t e n d t o something e l s e ) .
l a i s txhiam xwm To p l a n t v e g e t a b l e s . ( b ) muab l a u j t s e g P u t t h e housework a s i d e ( t o
a t t e n d t o something e l s e ) .
lau The male of b i r d s and p o u l t r y ( c o n t r . ' p o j ' ) . l a u j num mus Lay t h e work a s i d e and go.
i b t u g l a u q a i b A cock, a r o o s t e r .
4. lauj A completive p a r t i c l e .
1. laub T s i s yog l a u j !
No!
s i b l a u b To push and p u l l on o p p o s i t e ends of a Lawv lawm l a u j . They have gone.
stick. Los l a u j .
Has come.
Yog li kuv h a i s n t a g l a u x . J u s t a s I s a i d ! (t.c.1
2 . laub
l a u b zeb daus To f l a t t e n and smooth t h r e a d with a 5. l a u j
s t o n e r o l l e r , a p r o c e s s i n p r e p a r i n g hemp l a u j kaub ( l u b ) Cooking p o t .
t h r e a d f o r weaving.
6 . lauj
3. l a u b To pour, t o pour o u t . l a u j vaub Lengths of k n o t t e d h a i r .
Note: This word i s sometimes used by White Hmong b y t it
i s more commbn among t h e Blue Hmong. ( c f . nchuav' 7. l a u j
and ' h l i v ' which a r e more commonly used by White nqe l a u j ( t u s ) A wooden hook t o hang a r t i c l e s on
~mong . i n t h e home.

1. l a u g To s u s t a i n a long drawn o u t n o t e i n song, e t c . 8. l a u j

l a u g suab n t e v To s u s t a i n a n o t e . mus l a u j taw To walk on t h e h e e l s .
q u a j l a u g laws To c r y loud and long.
9. lauj
2. laug laujpwm ( c f . 'loojpwm').
chaub l a u g To crawl on o n e ' s b e l l y (cf. 'chaub').
1. laum To b o r e ( c f . ' t h o ' ) .
3. laug Cross s t i t c h t y p e of embroidery. l a m qhov To b o r e a h o l e .

4. laug
l a u g n p l o o j suab Cross s t i t c h embroidery.
2. laurn Cockroach ( t u s ) .
( a ) t i j laug ( t . c . from ' l a u s ' ) (cf. 'laus'). 3 . laum
( b ) dab l a u g ( t . c , . from ' l a u s ' ) (cf. 'laus'). laum k i b t s h o o j ( t u s ) Centipede (pronounced 'laum
kev t s h o o j ' i n Laos ) .
5. l a u g
c i b l a u g ( l u b ) An open b a s k e t f o r c a r r y i n g e a r t h , 4. laum To s t r a n g l e , t o p r e s s c l o s e upon ( c f . 'zawm').
refuse, etc. pos laum n p l e j The t h o r n s s t r a n g l e t h e r i c e .
n r o j laum n p l e j The weeds s t r a n g l e t h e r i c e .
6 . laug
( a ) kab l a u g s a b ( c f . ' kab' )
( b ) kab l a u g t s o v ( c f . 'kab' )
.. 5. laum To p l u g , t o p u t an o b j e c t i n t o a h o l e t o s t o p i t up.
Lawv muab n t i v t e s laurn hauv qhovntseg. They p u t t h e i r
fingers i n t h e i r ears.
6 . laum 3 . lawj
r a u s laum t s h a u v To rub bamboo arrows i n t h e h o t nees t x o v lawj A brown h o r s e .
a s h e s t o s o f t e n them f o r s t r a i g h t e n i n g .
4. lawj
7. laum lawj f a j Sulphur.
sub laum (cf. 'sub').
1. lawm Completed, s i g n of completed a c t i o n o r p a s t t e n s e .
8. laum To t i c k l e . t u a g lawm Died, dead.
t a g lawm F i n i s h e d , completed.
1. l a u s Old, aged (of p e r s o n s o r a n i m a l s ) , e l d e r ( c o n t r . mus t e b lawm Went t o t h e f i e l d s .
'qub'). Peb mus lawm. We a r e going. ( i . e . t h e s t a r t of o u r
neeg l a u s l a u s An aged p e r s o n . d e p a r t u r e has been accomplished.)
( a ) l a u s neeg The v i l l a g e " e l d e r s , I ' o l d e r p e r s o n s
whose c o u n s e l i s r e s p e c t e d . 2. lawm To go, t o d e p a r t , l e a v e .
( b ) cov txwj l a u s The v i l l a g e " e l d e r s , " o l d e r Lawv lawm 10s t s i s t a u ? Have t h e y gone y e t ?
p e r s o n s whose c o u n s e l i s r e s p e c t e d . Lawm t i m lawv lawm. ( t h e y ) have gone o v e r t h e r e t o
( c ) cov txwj cov l a u s The v i l l a g e " e l d e r s , " o l d e r them.
p e r s o n s whose c o u n s e l i s r e s p e c t e d . Lawv lawm l a u j . They have gone.
l a u s nkoos Very o l d .
t i j l a u g ( t . c . ) Older b r o t h e r . 3. lawm
dab l a u g ( t . c . ) Mother's e l d e r b r o t h e r . neeg l u s lawm p l i a s A person quick of speech.
niam l a u s W i f e ' s e l d e r s i s t e r .
t x i v l a u s Husband of w i f e ' s e l d e r s i s t e r . 4. lawm P.v.int. (Cf. ' l u j ' ) .

2 . l a u s Lower i n sound o r t o n e . 1. laws To s t r i p o f f ( c f . ' t e v ' ) .

laws maj To s t r i p hemp bark o f f t h e r e e d .
suab l a u s l a u s A low v o i c e .
t s o v q u a j l a u s nkoos The t i g e r gave a low growl. muab laws tawv To s k i n , t o s t r i p t h e s k i n o f f .

3. laus 2. laws
p l a b l a u s The stomach r e g i o n ( c f . ' p l a b mog') puv nco laws F i l l e d rounded o v e r ( c f . ' p u v ' ) .
( a l s o ' p l a b l a u g ' t. c . ) . 3 . laws
4. laus q u a j l a u g laws To c r y loud and long.
r a j ris laus ( t u s ) A k i n d of long-legged s p i d e r .
1. lawv T h i r d person p l u r a l pronoun, t h e y , them.
1aw Lawv t s i s paub. They d o n ' t know.
s i b law I n a row n e x t t o each o t h e r ( a s a row of
shops, e t c . ) 2. lawv To f o l l o w .
lawv qab To f o l l o w a f t e r , f o l l o w behind.
lawb Lawv peb qab. Follow u s .
lawb menyuam To have a m i s c a r r i a g e .
3 . lawv To d r i v e something ahead.
Note: This i s o f f e n s i v e language.
lawv nyuj To d r i v e c a t t l e (cows) .
lawd ( c f . 'lawm, ' a l s o c f . I n t r o d u c t i o n pp. x x i i - x x i i i ) . 4. lawv To f l u s h w i t h w a t e r , t o wash down.
1. lawg H a i l , h a i l s t o n e s ( l u b ) ( c f . ' d a u s x i b daus n p u ' ) . muab d e j lawv Wash it down w i t h w a t e r ( c f . swallowing
medicine, e t c . )
2. lawg To c o l l i d e ( c f . ' n p u g ' ) . 5. lawv D i a r r h e a .
s i b lawg Head on c o l l i s i o n .
Ob l u b t s h e b ya mus lawg. Two c a r s c o l l i d e d . lawv p l a b D i a r r h e a (cf. ' raws plab, ' 'thoj plab' ) .
1. l a w j To f o r c i b l y d e t a i n , f o r c i b l y r e s t r a i n . 6 . lawv To pound o r f o r g e m e t a l t o l e n g t h e n i t .

2. l a w j A bamboo g u e s t p l a t f o r m i n t h e home ( l u b ) .
le (cf. ' l e v ' ) . lee
l e e l e e ntswg O f a person t h e b r i d g e of whose nose
1. l e g To i m i t a t e , f o l l o w t h e way o r example of a n o t h e r e x t e n d s f a r up toward t h e f o r e h e a d .
( c f . 'xyaum').
l e g k o j t x o j kev Go your way. 1. l e e b
t s i s l e g Yexu kev Does n o t follow J e s u s ' t e a c h i n g . neeg l o j l e e b A wanderer, a p e r s o n prone n o t t o s t a y
t s i s l e g haujlwm D o e s n ' t do work. a t home ( c f . 'neeg l u j l u a s ' ) .

2. leg 2 . leeb
pab l e g To h e l p (cf. 'pab') . l e e b nkaub ( t u s ) A parakeet.

3. leg 1. l e e g Vein o r a r t e r y (txoj) .

vwm l o j vwm l e g To r e e l around i n a drunken manner.
2. leeg A seam i n c l o t h i n g o r sewing ( t u s ) ( c f . 'leej' ) .
lej Nose ( c f . ' n t s w g ' which i s t h e more common w o r d ) .
ntswg l e j Mucus from t h e nose. 3 . leeg
tsaug tsaug leeg Weak, l a c k i n g p h y s i c a l s t r e n g t h .
1. lern To warp, t o t u r n backward.
lern t e s To t u r n t h e arm backward, t w i s t t h e arm. 4. leeg
lern taw To t u r n t h e a n k l e o r t w i s t t h e f o o t . Hmoob l e e g Another term f o r t h e Green ( o r Blue) Meo
lern c a j dab To t w i s t t h e neck. ( c f . 'Hmoob n t s u a b ' ) .
( a ) lern nqe To a r g u e p r i c e .
( b ) nyom nqe To a r g u e p r i c e . 1. l e e j C l f . f o r persons ( t h i s c l f . i s only used f o r persons
and i s perhaps more p o l i t e t h a n ' t u s ' which may
2 . lern a l s o be used f o r v a r i o u s animate o b j e c t s . c f . ' t u s ' ) .
l e m ceeb The l e n g t h w i s e r a f t e r of a house kaum l e e j Ten p e r s o n s .
(cf. 'tsev'). i b l e e g One person ( t . c . 1
Leej twg Who?
1. l e s l e e j t x i v Father.
x o o j l e s S u r p r i s e d , s t a r t l e d , i n wonder and amazement
( c f . ' r u a j zog' 'yoob z o g ' ) . 2 . l e e j E f f e c t i v e ( a s of medicine, e t c . )
Cov t s h u a j no t s i s l e e j . This medicine i s n ' t e f f e c t i v e .
2. les Hais li c a s k u j t s i s l e e j . No m a t t e r what he s a i d i t
kab qaus l e s ( t u s ) The dragon f l y . had no e f f e c t .

3. les 3. leej A l i n e , a l i n e of o b j e c t s , a seam i n c l o t h i n g o r

l e v l e s ( r a b ) Small r e e d f l u t e made by c h i l d r e n a s sewing.
a plaything. ua i b l e e j P u t them i n a l i n e , make a l i n e .
l e e j l e e g A seam i n c l o t h i n g o r i n sewing ( t u s ) .
1. l e v P l a i t e d bamboo mat (daim) . 4. l e e j To a d m i t , t o be w i l l i n g t o .
T h i s mat i s used f o r s l e e p i n g , t o s p r e a d t h i n g s
on t o dry and t o b e a t t h e r i c e on i n h a r v e s t i n g . t s i s l e e j h a i s I'm not w i l l i n g t o say.
h i a b l e v To weave o r p l a i t such a mat. Deb deb l i , kuv t s i s l e e j t u a g . I t ' s too f a r s o I'm
phua ncau h i a b l e v To s p l i t t h e bamboo f o r weaving n o t w i l l i n g t o come.
a mat.
daim l e v pua pw A mat t o s l e e p on. 5. l e e j
l e e j l e e j li Clearly, truly (cf. 'tiag tiag l i t ) .
2. lev Used a s a c l f . f o r t h i n g s s p r e a d o u t on a mat.
i b l e n p l e j One m a t f u l of r i c e ( t . c . 1 6 . puav l e e j A l l , altogether.
Cov dub t s i s muaj, puav l e e j l i a b xwb. There a r e no
3. l e v black ones, a l l a r e red.
rab l e v l e s (cf. ' l e s ' ) .
1. leem To pave, t o p u t a s o l i d c o a t i n g on something
4. lev (cf. ' p l i a ' 'pleev' ) .
dab t s h o s kaus l e v A t y p e of l a d i e s ' embroidered leem kev To pave a r o a d .
collar. leem qua t s e v TO p u t i n a c o n c r e t e f l o o r .
leem 4. lig
tuam thawj leem ( C ) Chief s o l d i e r , g e n e r a l . kab l i g n t u j The milky way.
leem 1. l i j To b o r e a h o l e , t o e n l a r g e a h o l e ( c f . ' t h o ' ) .
leem nees To t a k e a h o r s e o u t t o p l a y . l i j koob txam A d r i l l ( c l f . ' t u s ' f o r t h e b i t ; ' r a b '
f o r t h e whole t o o l ) .
l e e s To acknowledge, t o a c c e p t , t o r e c e i v e (cf. 'lav').
l e e s l u b txim To acknowledge g u i l t , t o c o n f e s s s i n . 2. l i j
Yexu l e e s pab l u b t x i m J e s u s has borne o u r s i n . cov L i j x u b The L i s u t r i b e s p e o p l e .
( i . e . J e s u s h a s acknowledged o u r s i n and g u i l t
a s r e s t i n g upon H i m . ) 1. l i r n T i r e d , weary (C) .
Kuv l i r n l i m l i , ua t s i s t a u . I ' m t i r e d and c a n ' t do i t .
l e e s P o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r of r e s t r i c t e d u s e .
n t s w j l e e s Very t w i s t e d . 2. lirn To f i l t e r , t o s t r a i n .
lub l i r n A s t r a i n e r , a f i l t e r .
li P a r t i c l e used a f t e r nouns o r noun e x p r e s s i o n s t o
i n d i c a t e " p e r t a i n i n g t o , " "belonging t o , " 3. l i m
"having c o n n e c t i o n w i t h " Used i n t h i s way it l i m hiam Fierce, cruel (C) .
i s t h e common way f o r i n d i c a t i n g p o s s e s s i o n .
kuv li Mine. 4. lim
lawv li T h e i r s . ti j l i m E f f e c t i v e , having s t r e n g t h . ( c f . khawv koob)
n t i a j t e b l i . Belonging t o t h e w o r l d , t h e w o r l d ' s .
1. l i s To s e t t l e c a s e s of d i s p u t e .
li P a r t i c l e used a f t e r v e r b s o r v e r b a l e x p r e s s i o n s t o Muab l i s ( o r ' h a i s , ' o r ' t x i a v ' o r ' k i a v ' ) t a g lawm.
i n d i c a t e " l i k e , " " a s , " " a f t e r t h e manner o f . " (The c a s e ) has been s e t t l e d .
zoo li no Like t h i s .
Ua zoo li no. Do it l i k e t h i s . 2. l i s P o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i v e of r e s t r i c t e d use.
ua li no So, I n t h a t c a s e , T h a t ' s t h e way i t i s . d a j l i s Very yellow ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
Ua li no mas kuv yuav t s i s mus. Well i n t h a t c a s e
I w o n ' t go. 3. lis Used i n t h e p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i v e e x p r e s s i o n ' p h i s
kub kub li Very h o t . l i s phais l a i s ' ( c f . Appendix 8 p . 4 6 8 ) .
N w s t u a j s a i s a i l i . He came q u i c k l y .
4. lis
li P a r t i c l e used i n combination w i t h p o s t v e r b a l l i s x a i v Gossip.
i n t e n s i v e s , u s u a l l y a l s o b e a r i n g i t s meaning neeg l i s x a i v ( t u s ) A g o s s i p , one who t e l l s t a l e s on
" l i k e " o r " a s . " Compare t h e f o l l o w i n g e x p r e s - others.
s i o n s i n Appendix 8 p. 468.
k i a g l i ; li ub; li no; h l o l i ; li n t a g . 1. l i v *Of f l a t o b j e c t s s p i n n i n g on edge, t o s p i n a c o i n , e t c .

lib 2. liv
l i b l i b av Of c h i l d r e n p l a y i n g i n t h e mud. x i s l i v (daim) A s t r a w mat, s t r a w s l e e p i n g mat (C) .
lib 3. liv
l i b nyug ( t u s ) The brown f i s h - o w l . pum l i v ( r a j ) A f l u t e , a horn w i t h f i n g e r h o l e s .

lig Late, tardy. 1 1 Red.

Lig lawm, mus t s i s txog. I t ' s l a t e , we w o n ' t be a b l e l i a b l i a b Very r e d .
t o get there. l i a b dhoog Dark r e d , crimson, c o l o r of congealed blood.
l i a b ploog Very r e d .
lig hnub l i a b ploog S u n s e t .
mob l i g Scabies, the " i t c h . " l i a b t s e b L i g h t r e d , n o t very r e d .
l i a b t x i v t s u a v P i n k , b r i g h t pink.
lib To wind on a s p o o l . l i a b vog Speckled o r f i g u r e d r e d .
l i g xov Thread wound on a s p o o l , sewing t h r e a d . l i a b qab Naked, nude.
qos l i a b The sweet p o t a t o ( l u b ) ( c f . ' q o s ' ) .
menyuam mos l i a b ( o r iam l i a b ) A new baby, young babe.
2. l i a b The s h o r t - t a i l e d monkey, Rhesus monkey ( t u s ) . 1. l i a s A t h i n p i e c e o f s i l v e r o r n a m e n t a t i o n worn a s d e c o r -
t x i v t h a i s l i a b A l a r g e male monkey. a t i o n ( c f . 'daim' ) .
3. liab 2. l i a s P.v.intensive ( c f . Appendix 8).
hma l i a b ( t u s ) Dhole dog, r e d f o x ( c f . 'hma' ) . dawb l i a s Not v e r y w h i t e , o f f w h i t e .
p h e e j l i a s Level measure, l e v e l f u l l .
4. liab t i a j l i a s Level.
l i a b npog muag ( t u s ) The s l o t h .
3 . l i a s A p r e - v e r b a l c o n n e c t i n g word (cf. 'nyaj').
5. l i a b Nej l i a s puav l e e j nyob zoo p a u j ? Are you a l l w e l l ?
k h i b l i a b (T) D i r t y ( c f . ' q i a s n e e g ' ) , d i s g u s t i n g . Nyaj nws l i a s yuav pab. I t h i n k probably he w i l l help.

liag The r i c e s i c k l e , s m a l l c u r v e d implement f o r c u t t i n g 1. l o To s t i c k t o , s t i c k on, stuck t o .

grain (rab). l o nkaus Stuck t o , s t u c k t o g e t h e r .
l o nrees Firmly s t u c k .
1. l i a j Paddy f i e l d , f i e l d f o r wet-crop c u l t i v a t i o n l o l o av S t u c k up w i t h mud.
.
( c l f ' zeg' ) . l o l o mov S t u c k up w i t h f o o d , food on t h e f a c e .
l a i j l i a g To plow paddy f i e l d s ( t . c . ) lo laj lo l u a v A l l p l a s t e r e d up w i t h d i r t and mud.
l i . a j qhua Dry paddy f i e l d .
ua l i a j To make paddy f i e l d s , c u l t i v a t e paddy f i e l d s . 2. l o C l f . f o r words o r f o r m o u t h f u l s .
l u b n r a s l i a j qhua Dry f i e l d s , a d r y w i l d e r n e s s w i t h l o l u s no T h i s word.
d r y f i e l d s and r o l l i n g h i l l s . kaum l o l u s Ten words.
i b 10s l u s One word ( t .c . ) .
2 liaj i b 10s h n i a v One mouth f u l l o f t e e t h , one s e t o f t e e t h .
l i a j i a Lands, t e r r i t o r y .
l i a j i a tebchaws F i e l d s and l a n d , t e r r i t o r y . 1.ob To g r a b and p u l l w i t h t h e hand (cf. 'rub').
( a ) l o b 10s To g r a b and p u l l .
3. l i a j To c l o s e w i t h a b a r o r b o l t . ( b ) r u b 10s To g r a b and p u l l .
l i a j q h o v r o o j To b a r o r b o l t t h e d o o r .

1. l i a m To blame, t o wrongly a c c u s e .
1. l o g A wheel (lub) .
l i a m r a u n e j Wrongly a c c u s e d you. 2. log To s p i n , t o s e t something s p i n n i n g , t o s p i n around.
l i a m ub l i a m no r a u l u a g t e j Blaming o t h e r s f o r t h o b l o g To s p i n , s e t something s p i n n i n g .
a l l kinds of t h i n g s .
3. log
2. l i a m Ruined, d e s t r o y e d , i n t u r m o i l . l o g cam ( l u b ) A wooden chopping b l o c k .
l i a m s i m Ruined, d e s t r o y e d ( c f . ' p u a s t s u a j ' ) .
ua l w j ua l i a m To do r e c k l e s s l y , w i t h o u t p u r p o s e . 4. log To b u r y something i n t h e ground (cf. '10s').
tebchaws l w j l i a m Land i n t u r m o i l . Muab l o g hauv a v . Bury it i n t h e ground.
ua c h i b chawj p u a j l i a m ( C ) To do r e c k l e s s l y , d o
poorly, c r e a t e turmoil. 1. l o j Large, g r e a t (of q u a n t i t y , a r e a , o r s t a t u s ) .
( c f . ' u a xya chawj yim l i a m ' which i s t h e Hmong t s e v l o j l o j A l a r g e house.
e x p r e s s i o n e q u i v a l e n t t o t h e above which i s t u s t i b n e e g hov l o j The p e r s o n of l a r g e frame.
from t h e Chinese a l t h o u g h b o t h e x p r e s s i o n s hwjchim l o j G r e a t a u t h o r i t y .
a r e used. )
2. loj Completive p a r t i c l e ( c f . ' 1 0 s ' ) .
3 . l i a m Bare s p o t s b e r e f t of h a i r e s p e c i a L l y i n a n i m a l s . ( a ) mus lawm Has gone.
l i a m txwv Bare h a i r l ~ s ss p o t s . ( b ) mus lawm l o j Has gone.
d e v l i a m txwv A d i s e ? . s e o f dogs r e ~ u ? ~ t i ni ng s u c h ( c ) lawm l o j Has gone.
spots.
ua l i a m txwv q a s n t s u a v To do p o o r l y , s l o p p i l y . 3. loj
(a) l o j f a j (lub) A prison.
4. liam (b) tsev l o j f a j (lub) A prison.
t s i s l i a m £ah D o e s n ' t s u i t me, d o n ' t l i k e .
t s i s l i a m f a b ua D o n ' t want t o do.
4. l o j 3 . 10s Interrogative particle, particle indicating "or,"
l o j cuj (lub) A s h a c k l e , t o s h a c k l e , an a n k l e r i n g . "or not. "
Koj mus t h i a b l o s ? Are you g o i n g t o o ?
5. l o j Lawv lawm 10s t s i s t a u ? Have t h e y gone o r n o t ?
l o j lam Calamity, t r a v a i l . Koj muaj n p l e j 10s ko j muaj txhuv? Have you h u l l e d
o r unhulled r i c e ?
6. l o j Koj puas yuav mus 10s t s i s mus? Are you g o i n g o r n o t ?
l o j xov cem h u v s i To s c o l d t h e group f o r one man's
fault. 4 . 10s To b u r y ( p e r s o n s ) c o n t r . ' l o g '
Muaj p l a u b t u g kwv t u s t u a g mus 10s. Four c a r r i e d
7. l o j t h e c o r p s e and b u r i e d i t .
l o j l e e b Wander a b o u t .
neeg l o j l e e b A w a n d e r e r , one who i s p r o n e n o t t o
s t a y a t home.
5. 10s To flow ( i n c e r t a i n c o n t e x t s o n l y ,
10s n t s h a v To b l e e d , b l e e d i n g .
cf . ' ntws ' ) .

1. lom Poisonous, p e r t a i n i n g t o poison. 6 . 10s Used i n r e f e r r i n g t o t h e o r d e r o f c h i l d r e n ' s b i r t h

t s h u a j lom P o i s o n , p o i s o n o u s m e d i c i n e .
lom n e e g To p o i s o n someone.
a f t e r t h e Chinese fashion ( C )
10s tuam The f i r s t b o r n .
.
10s l w m The second c h i l d .
2 . lom To t a n l e a t h e r , t o soak i n s t r o n g s o l u t i o n . 10s xab The t h i r d c h i l d .
muab t s h u a j lom daim tawv To t a n l e a t h e r . 10s xwm The f o u r t h c h i l d .
(and s o o n , u s i n g t h e Chinese n u m e r a t i o n ) .
3 . lom
t x u j lom S p i c e s , condiments, food f l a v o r i n g s ( c f . ' t x u j ' ) . 7 . 10s

4 . lom
l o s s i s Very, i n t e n s i v e l y ( C )
l o s s i s zoo Very good.
.
lom zem ( C ) Noisy and crowded, l o t s g o i n g o n , l o s s i s l o j Very l a r g e , huge.
revelry.
8. 10s Sometimes t h e i n t e r r o g a t i v e ' 1 0 s ' i s used w i t h ' s i s . '
5. lom Koj mus 10s s i s t s i s mus? Are you g o i n g o r n o t ?
lom vab v i b The sound o f r e v e l r y , n o i s e and t a l k i n g Koj hnov 10s s i s t s i s hnov? Have you h e a r d o r n o t .
s o l o u d one c a n n o t h e a r a n y t h i n g e l s e .
9. 10s
1. 10s To r e t u r n , t o come (back t o a p l a c e where you l o s t s u a s The Lao p e o p l e ( c f . 'phwv nyeeb' and ' k u a
reside, contr. ' t u a j ' ) . 100s' ) .
Koj mus qhov twg l o s ? Where have you been? Where
have you been and come from? 10. 10s
Mus ho 10s. Come a g a i n . (common p o l i t e p h r a s e s a i d 10s Pav (tus) (C) Manager, ernployer, m a s t e r .
t o one l e a v i n g and g o i n g t o a p l a c e which i s
n o t h i s home, from which h e w i l l r e t u r n ) . 11. 10s
10s q u j q e e s To r e t u r n s l o w l y and s t e a d i l y . 10s y u a j ( t u s ) The l a r g e back t e e t h of a h o r s e t h a t
LOS qhov no. Come h e r e . appear a f t e r 3 years.
10s h l o Returned ( c f . '10s lawm,' '10s h l o l a w m ' ) .
( a ) 10s 10s To r e t u r n t o , r e t u r n e d . 1. l o v To b r e a k i n two, t o b r e a k o f f .
(b) 10s l o v To r e t u r n t o , r e t u r n e d . l o v n t h 0 Broken i n two ( a s a s t i c k o r b o n e ) .
( a ) 10s lawm Has r e t u r n e d ( f o r a t i m e )
( b ) 10s lawm l o j Has r e t u r n e d ( f o r a t i m e ) .
. 2. lov
10s l o j Is j u s t r e t u r n i n g . 10s l o v (cf. '10s').
10s l a u j Has come.
lox ( c f . '10s' The 'x' i n t o n a t i o n g i v e s an added s e n s e
2 . 10s Used a s a s e c o n d a r y v e r b . of s u r p r i s e o r wonder. c f . Introduction p. x x i i - x i i i )
Vaj tswv n t u j t s i m peb 10s. The King of heaven Koj t u a j l o x ? You've come? ( t o my s u r p r i s e ) .
c r e a t e d us. Koj pom l o x ? You mean you c a n s e e i t ?
loo Crops 1. l u b C l f . f o r a r t i c l e s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by b u l k o r roundness.
ua qooh ua l o o To do c r o p s , t o r a i s e corn and lub n t u j The sun.
rice, etc. lub pobzeb A s t o n e .
qoob 100s Crops ( t . c . 1 ( a l s o s a i d 'qoob l o o ' ) .
2. lub To c h a f e , a rubbing which becomes uncomfortable.
1. loob Small w i l d animal ( c f . 'npua,' ' z a j npuas' ) . 3. lub
2. loob Deaf (used only i n r i d i c u l e , comparing a deaf t u j lub ( l u b ) A wooden s p i n n i n g t o p , toy t o p .
person t o a ' l o o b , ' a p i g - l i k e animal which n t a u s t u j l u b To p l a y t h e game of s p i n n i n g t o p s , each
appears deaf and s t u p i d ) . t r y i n g t o knock down t h e o t h e r s (commonly played
a t New Y e a r ' s t i m e ) .
3 . loob Coarse language f o r ' h n a v ' To wear. used only
i n scolding. (cf. ' l a i g ' ) . 1. l u g To d e t o u r .
( a ) l u g kev To d e t o u r , go o f f t h e p a t h and r e t u r n t o
1. loog Numb, i n s e n s i t i v e . it a s when p a s s i n g an o b s t a c l e .
( b ) l u g kev mus To d e t o u r , go o f f t h e p a t h and r e t u r n
2 . loog Courtyard, l a r g e fenced e n c l o s u r e (lub). t o i t a s when p a s s i n g an o b s t a c l e .
r o o j l o o g Gate of t h e c o u r t y a r d . l u g mus To d e t o u r on a n o t h e r t r a i l o r road.
Lawv l u g pem lawm. They took a n o t h e r t r a i l up t h e h i l l .
1. l o o j To f i x , t o a r r a n g e . l u g nees A s i d e t r a i l f o r h o r s e s .
l o o j h n i a v To f i x a t o o t h , cover a t o o t h .
2. lug Post-verbal intensive (restricted).
2. l o o j Unconscious. pawg l u g Many grouped t o g e t h e r .
l o o j hlawv h l i a s Recurring unconsciousness. kub l u g Hot.
t s a u g zog l o o j h l i a s Very s l e e p y . kub s i a b l u g Zealous, e a r n e s t .
du l u g Very smooth.
3. l o o j qheb l u g Opened.
l o o j pwm ( l u b ) (C) Tuber, r o o t v e g e t a b l e ( c f . ' l a u j k a j l u g Very b r i g h t .
pwm' ) . t s h a b l u g C l e a r through.

4. looj 1. l u j Heel, elbow.

l o o j koov To make a f u s s , make t r o u b l e ( c f . 'kiam' ) l u b taws ( t . c . 1 Heel of t h e f o o t .
(C) . l u j khau Heel of a s h o e .
l u j t s h i b Elbow (cf. 'yas npab').
5. l o o j
looj tes Gloves ( a l s o c a l l e d ' r a u ' sometimes). 2. l u j To weigh.
l u j t e e v To weigh i n a b a l a n c e s c a l e .
loom
Khavloom ( t u s ) (T) The governor. 3. l u j The mongoose ( t u s ) .
1. l o o s 4. luj
miaj 100s ( l u b ) A woven b a s k e t of t h e t y p e used by lujtxwv ( t u s ) (C) A mule, t h e mule.
Meo f o r s t o r i n g c l o t h i n g , e t c .
5. l u j
2. loos t x i v puv l u j (lub) The p i n e a p p l e .
100s l e e s ( l u b ) (T) A school.
6. l u j
3 . loos mab l u j (lub) The Thai s t y l e b r a s s gong.
100s phwv n y a i s npas ( l u b ) (T) Hospital.
7. l u j
4 . loos l u j lam tam Poverty-stricken.
qoob 100s ( c f . qoob) .
5. l o o s
100s dua i b tom Do i t o v e r a g a i n , f i x i t a g a i n .
8. l u j l u s mos l u s t u a j pos H y p o c r i t i c a l l a n g u a g e , s o f t
( a ) ua l u j l u a s To be a w a n d e r e r , a p e r s o n who seldom sounding b u t w i t h a " t h o r n y " meaning.
s t a y s home. neeg l u s lawm p l i a s A p e r s o n q u i c k of s p e e c h , f a s t
( b ) ua neeg l o j l e e b To be a w a n d e r e r , a p e r s o n who talker.
seldom s t a y s home. ( a ) h a i s l u s t a j tstidv Slow o f s p e e c h .
( b ) h a i s l u s n r h o n r h u j nrhawv Slow o f s p e e c h .
9. l u j P.v.int. ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
h a i s l u j laws To s p e a k w i t h o u t e x p r e s s i o n . 2. lus P.v.int. after 'xiav,' (cf. 'xiav').
1. lum 1. l u v Short.
lum n p l e j To s t a c k r i c e s h e a v e s on a r a c k f o r d r y i n g . l'xiav l u v m e n t s i s . Cut it o f f a b i t s h o r t e r .
l u b s i a b l u v l u v Short-tempered, i m p a t i e n t ( c f . ' t w s ' ) .
2 . lum One dozen (T) .
2. luv
1. l u s Words, s p e e c h ( c l f . f o r s i n g l e words ' l o ' f o r phom luvxoom ( r a b ) Shotgun.
sayings ' t x o j , ' f o r speeches ' z a j . ' )
i b 10s l u s One word ( t .c . ) 1. l u a b To borrow on i n t e r e s t ( c f . ' t x a i s ' ) .
ua i b zag l u s h a i s ( t . c . ) Say i t a l l a t once.
l u s dev Cursing, f i l t h y language. 2. l u a b To s l i p , s l i d e a s i d e .
p a j l u g ( t .c . P r o v e r b , " f l o w e r y s,peech. " taw l u a b Foot s l i p p e d ( t a k i n g some ground o r mud w i t h
p i v l u s I l l u s t r a t i o n , f i g u r a t i v e language. it from a l o o s e o r muddy s u r f a c e . ) (contr. 'luam').
n r i a v l u s P l a i n s p e e c h , s t r a i g h t l a n g u a g e a s opposed
t o flowery o r f i g u r a t i v e speech. 3. luab
h a i s l u s To s p e a k , t o t a l k , t o s a y words. ( a ) nyuj luab t s h e b Oxcart, ox p u l l i n g a c a r t .
l u s cov Words d i f f i c u l t t o s a y o r pronounce. ( b ) nyuj luag tsheb O x c a r t , ox p u l l i n g a c a r t .
t x u a s l u s To c o n v e r s e .
l u s pivtxwv An i l l u s t r a t i o n , a f i g u r e o f s p e e c h , 1. l u a g To l a u g h ( c f . ' t u a j dab r o s ' ) .
parable. l u a g tawg n t h 0 To b r e a k o u t l a u g h i n g
t x i v l u s To i n t e r p r e t . l u a g n y u j nyav To s m i l e .
ua t x i v l u s To s p e a k on b e h a l f o f a n o t h e r .
p e j yam l u s F o r e i g n l a n g u a g e s , u n f a m i l i a r s p e e c h . 2 . l u a g To d r a g a l o n g t h e ground.
l u s p l h o v xem Round a b o u t s p e e c h , s p e a k i n g Luag mus pov t s e g . Drag it away and g e t r i d o f it.
i n d i r e c t l y t o s o f t e n t h e approach. ( a ) n y u j l u a b t s h e b O x c a r t , ox p u l l i n g a c a r t .
nkaw l u s To s p e a k f o r c i b l y , t o command. ( b ) nyuj luag t s h e b Oxcart, ox p u l l i n g a c a r t .
h a i s l u s khawm l u s To s w e a r t o a f a c t , t a k e o a t h .
niag lus Flattery. 3. l u a g Companion.
ua n i a g l u s h a i s To f l a t t e r . kwvluag Very good f r i e n d , c o n s t a n t companion ( t u s ) .
t x h a i s l u s To t r a n s l a t e , t o e x p l a i n (cf. 'txiv lus'). ( a ) T s i s muaj neeg ua l u a g . No companion.
( ' c e v l u s t sometimes used i n t h i s s e n s e a l s o . ) ( b ) T s i s t a u l u a g . No companion.
n u j vam l u s Old f a s h i o n e d l a n g u a g e , a n c i e n t s p e e c h .
( a ) l u s xaus Term f o r words of c o m p l e t i o n , f i n a l 4. l u a g O t h e r s , sometimes used f o r ' l a w v , ' t h i r d p e r s o n
particles. p l u r a l pronoun. [ c f . ' lawv' ) .
( b ) l u s t a g Term f o r words of c o m p l e t i o n , f i n a l ( a ) luag t e j Others, o t h e r people.
particles. ( b ) lawv t e j O t h e r s , o t h e r p e o p l e .
l u s p l h o b p h i j W o r t h l e s s words, f o o l i s h s p e e c h . ( a ) l u a g z e j zos O t h e r v i l l a g e s .
h a i s l u s t u b qaug n e e g To s p e a k d i s p a r a g i n g l y . (b) luag z e j luag 20s. Other v i l l a g e s .
( a ) t a timkhawv To w i t n e s s c o n c e r n i n g .
( b ) h a i s t i m l u s To w i t n e s s c o n c e r n i n g . 5 . l u a g L i k e , t h e same a s ( c f . ' l u a j ' ) .
l u s t u a j dab r o s A j o k e , words c a u s i n g l a u g h t e r . yuav l u a g i b yam Almost e x a c t l y t h e same.
( a ) l u s c u a v qaub L i e s , l y i n g . s i b l u a g S i m i l a r , t h e same, e q u a l t o e a c h o t h e r .
( b ) l u s dag L i e s , l y i n g .
h a i s l u s n r a i m nkoos Speak s e c r e t l y .
h a i s l u s taum To t e l l s t o r i e s i n s o n g s t y l e .
( a ) t s o l u s To a g r e e t o , g i v e p e r m i s s i o n .
( b ) pluam l u s To a g r e e t o , g i v e p e r m i s s i o n .
1. l u a j To c u t v e g e t a t i o n w i t h a b r u s h k n i f e , t o c l e a r o f f 2 . luas
weeds. ( a ) ua l u j l u a s (cf. ' l u j ' ) .
l u a j t e b To c u t down weeds and b r u s h i n t h e f i e l d s , ( b ) ua n e e g l o j l e e b (cf. Iluj ' ) .
t o b e g i n p r e p a r i n g new f i e l d s f o r p l a n t i n g .
l u a j kev To c u t down t h e v e g e t a t i o n a l o n g a p a t h . 3. luas
l u a j n r o j To c u t down t h e weeds. t s e v xuas l u a s (cf. 'tsev' ) .
2. l u a j L i k e , The same a s , s i m i l a r t o ( c f . ' l u a g ' ) . 1. l u a v A donkey ( t u s ) .
l u a j li no Like t h i s . ( a ) t u s l u a v The donkey.
~ u a jli c a s ? L i k e what? What's it l i k e ? ( b ) t u s l u a v n e e s The donkey.
ua li c a s k o j h l u b peb l u a j no? How i s i t you l o v e
us l i k e t h i s ? 2 . luav A r a b b i t ( t u s ) .
( a ) t u s l u a v The r a b b i t .
3. l u a j Emphatic p a r t i c l e . (b) t u s l u a v n a s The r a b b i t .
Mob ua l u a j ! It hurts terribly!
l o j ua l u a j Huge. 3. luav
l o l a j l o luav P l a s t e r e d up w i t h mud and d i r t .
4. luaj
l u a j zus C l e a r t h r o u g h , ( t o d o , g o , s p e a k , e t c . ) lw An open way i n t h e j u n g l e o r h i g h g r a s s i n d i c a t i n g where
r i g h t through. someone h a s gone b e f o r e a l t h o u g h n o t a r e g u l a r
Ua l u a j zus mus h u v s i . Go a l l t h e way t h r o u g h . trail.
t x o j lw Such a way.
5. l u a j
l u a j tuam C a r e l e s s ( c f . ' l i a m s i m ' ) . (t.c.) 1. lwg Dew.
neeg l u a j thuam A p e r s o n c a r e l e s s w i t h b e l o n g i n g s , e t c .
2 . lwg To s t r i p o f f .
6. luaj lwg n p l o o j To s t r i p l e a v e s o f f a b r a n c h , bamboo, e t c .
( a ) pob a v l u a j (lub) Anthill. a few a t a t i m e .
( b ) pob a v muas y i s t i b ( l u b ) A n t h i l l .
3 . lwg
1. luam B u s i n e s s , t r a d e . c u a mo j lwg x i b kaw A g r e a t wind (cf . ' cua ' ) .
ua l a g ua luam To do t r a d e , do b u s i n e s s .
t u b luam A m e r c h a n t , a t r a d e r . 1. l w j Rotten, decayed.
lwj ntsuav P u t r i d , gangrenous.
2. luam To swim. l w j nthwb R o t t e n and mushy.
ua luam d e j To s w i m .
2 . lwj Windbox, b l a c k s m i t h b e l l o w s ( l u b ). (Also c a l l e d
3. luam To s l i p , t o s l i d e (due t o s l i p p e r y s u r f a c e ) .
' foob x a b ' a f t e r t h e C h i n e s e )
(contr. ' l u a b ' ) . l u b t s e v l w j h l a u B l a c k s m i t h shed o r s h o p .
taw luam F o o t s l i p p e d .
luam khaubncaws To i r o n c l o t h i n q . 3 . lwj To r e n d e r r o t t e n , t o d e s t r o y .
l w j tebchaws To c a u s e u p r i s i n g o r r e v o l u t i o n .
4. luam To m i l l g r a i n i n a m o t o r i z e d r a t a r y m i l l . t u s l w j tebchaws A r e v o l u t i o n a r y .
luam t x h u v To m i l l r i c e . ( a ) tebchaws l w j N a t i o n i n t u r m o i l , n a t i o n a t w a r .
( b ) tebchaws l w j l i a m N a t i o n i n t u r m o i l , n a t i o n a t w a r .
5. luam ua l w j u a l i a m To d e s t r o y , t o d o r e c k l e s s l y and t o no
luam yeeb Tobacco, c i g a r e t t e ( t u s ) . p u r p o s e , t o make a mess o f t h i n g s .
h a u s luam yeeh To smoke t o b a c c o . neeg l w j An e v i l p e r s o n , a " r o t t e n " i n d i v i d u a l .

6 . luam 4 . lwj
luam ntawv To p r i n t w i t h a r o t a r y p r e s s , mimeograph. muaslwj (tus) The Sambar d e e r .

1. l u a s 5 . lwj
luas nqaij To s e p a r a t e f a t meat from t h e l e a n . Phwj l w j A t r i b e i n Laos ( v a r i o u s l y s a i d 'Phwj l w j '
o r Phwv l w j ' ) (T) .
1. lwrn Second, a n o t h e r , n e x t i n o r d e r (c).
l w m zaus The n e x t t i m e , a second t i m e .
l o s l w m The second born c h i l d . 1. rnab People who d w e l l on t h e p l a i n s ( o t h e r t h a n Hmong and
lwrn hnub Another day. f a m i l i a r Chinese and t r i b e s ) .
rnab daum P l a i n s p e o p l e .
2 . lwrn C l f . f o r t i m e s , o c c a s i o n s . rnab s u a v P l a i n s people and Chinese.
nyeem i b l w m Read once, r e a d one time. koob mab ( t u s ) A s a f e t y p i n ( p i n used by p l a i n s f o l k ) .
rnab l u j Thai s t y l e b r a s s gong.
3. lwrn A t e r m used i n s p i r i t ceremonies. rnab qus Wild p e o p l e , a b o r i g i n e s , t h e Yellow Leaf t r i b e .
lwrn q a i b To wave a l i v e chicken o v e r t h e head of
a w i f e on b r i n g i n g h e r i n t o h e r h u s b a n d ' s home; 2 . rnab A s p e c i e s of a n i m a l , c i v e t .
t o c a l l t h e woman's s p i r i t t o come and a b i d e i n rnab t x h o The Palm c i v e t . (There a r e a l s o o t h e r members
h e r h u s b a n d ' s home and c l a n . of t h e s p e c i e s c a l l e d 'mab nkawb' and 'mab d a i s ' ) .
rnab nyooj The c i v e t c a t growls.
4. lwrn
haujlwm Domestic work (cf. 'hauj'). mag To be ensnared o r t r a p p e d , t o t r a p o r s n a r e , t o c a t c h .
mag h l u a To s n a r e w i t h a rope.
1. lws To p i l l a g e and r o b . mag lawv nplawm To r e c e i v e a b e a t i n g from them,
l w s n y i a j To s t e a l s i l v e r , s t e a l money. caught and b e a t e n .

2 . lws The e g g p l a n t ( l u b ). 1. maj Hemp.

lws liab The r e d e g g p l a n t . laws rnaj To s t r i p t h e b a r k o f f t h e hemp s t a l k s .
l w s dawb The w h i t e e g g p l a n t . t x h i a b rnaj To d r y t h e hemp by t h e f i r e t o ready i t
lws qeb Type of s m a l l e g g p l a n t . for stripping.
plhaub rnaj Hemp s t a l k .
lwv
s i b lwv To c o n t e s t i n song s i n g i n g t o s e e who can 2 . maj I n a h u r r y ( C ) , busy.
better the other. s i a b maj To be i n a r u s h , i n a h u r r y , h e a r t i n a
s t a t e of a n x i e t y t o r u s h o f f .
maj heev Very much h u r r i e d , v e r y busy.

3 . maj Exclamatory f i n a l p a r t i c l e .
Nej mus s a i b maj! You go and s e e !

4 . maj Large s i l v e r c o i n , a s i l v e r " d o l l a r , " l a r g e c o i n s

a s used i n Laos ( l u b ) .
i b l u b t x i a j rnaj One s i l v e r d o l l a r .

5 . maj
majmam Slow, s l o w l y , g r a d u a l l y , a f t e r a w h i l e (C) .
Ma jmam mus .
Go slowly .
Majmam kuv yuav mus t h i a b . A f t e r a w h i l e I ' l l go t o o .
Nws majmam t u a j ze m e n t s i s . He g r a d u a l l y came c l o s e r .

1. mam
majmam ( c f . 'maj ' above).

2 . mam P a r t i c l e i n d i c a t i n g l a p s e of t i m e , something t o t a k e
place f i r s t . "and t h e n "
Cia nws xub t u a j kuv mam mus. L e t him come f i r s t and
t h e n I ' 11 go.
Ob peb hnub mam mus. (We w i l l ) go i n two o r t h r e e days.
3. mam
( a ) mam auv ( l u b ) (T) The pumelo. ( a ) i b mentsis A very s h o r t t i m e
( b ) t x i v mam auv. The pumelo. ( b ) i b n t s i s A very s h o r t time.
( c ) i b mechim A v e r y s h o r t t i m e .
mas P a r t i c l e i n d i c a t i n g a s l i g h t pause i n speech s i m i l a r ( d ) i b chim A v e r y s h o r t t i m e .
t o t h e E n g l i s h comma. O f t e n used a s an i n i t i a l me y a u s T h i s humble p e r s o n ( A p o l i t e t e r m sometimes
p a r t i c l e a t t h e b e g i n n i n g of a s e n t e n c e t o used i n r e f e r r i n g t o o n e s e l f . )
c a r r y f o r w a r d t h e a c t i o n s i m i l a r t o "And.. ."
o r "Well ..." (cf. Ices'). 2 . me
Mas ob peb hnub nws yuav t u a j . And i n a few d a y s h e menyuam ( t u s ) C h i l d , c h i l d r e n ( c f . 'me' D e f i n i t i o n
w i l l come. No. 1 ) .
H a i s li c a s mas kuv x a v t i a s kuv t s i s yuav. No m a t t e r menyuad A l t e r n a t e s p e l l i n g o f 'menyuam' i n c e r t a i n
what you s a y , I ' m a f r a i d I d o n ' t want i t . contexts. .
( c f . I n t r o d u c t i o n p. x x i i - x x i i i )
menyuam n t x a i b Twins.
maij C l f . f o r b o l t s of c l o t h ( T ) . xeeb menyuam To be p r e g n a n t , have a c h i l d i n t h e womb.
l u b t s h o menyuam The a f t e r b i r t h , p l a c e n t a .
1. maim To f l i n c h , draw back from d a n g e r o r t o a v o i d b e i n g nchuav menyuam To a b o r t , m i s c a r r i a g e .
struck. menyuam n t s u a g An o r p h a n , a n a d o p t e d c h i l d .
maim phom To f l i n c h when f i r i n g a gun. menyuam t s a u b An i l l e g i t i m a t e c h i l d .
qhuab menyuam To d i s c i p l i n e a c h i l d .
2 . maim khoob menyuam To c a l l c h i l d r e n t o come.
p h i v kauv maim (T) (cf. 'phiv' ) .
1. mej
maiv A g i r l ' s name. t u s mej koob The middleman i n wedding a r r a n g e m e n t s .
(cf. 'tshoob') ( a l s o 'mej z e e g ' ) .
maub To g r o p e , t o f e e l o n e ' s way i n t h e d a r k .
maub mus To go a l o n g by f e e l i n g o n e ' s way. 2 . mej
mejrum ( l u b ) A low, r o u n d , p l a i t e d bamboo o r r a t t a n
1. maum The f e m a l e of a n i m a l s (cf. 'txiv') (contr. 'poj I ) . t a b l e made by t r i b e s i n Laos and sometimes
( n o t of humans o r o f b i r d s ) . used by t.he Hmong.

2 . maum
t u s maum npua The sow.
1. rnem I n k ( C ) .
kua rnem L i q u i d i n k .
t x i v maum kuab ( l u b ) Papaya (also ' t x i v taub n t o o ' ) . cwjmem ( t u s ) A pen.
cwjmem n t o o A p e n c i l ( t u s ) .
3. maum
t a u b maum ( l u b ) P e a r - s h a p e d , f i s t - s i z e d v e g e t a b l e 2 . rnem
growing on a v i n e above ground. I t i s green c i a b rnem ( c f . ' k u a c i a b ' ) Wax, a s t i c k y wax used by
w i t h a somewhat rough e x t e r i o r and a w h i t e
marrow-like c e n t e r .
t h e Meo a s an a d h e s i v e (cf. ' ciab ' ) .
3 . rnem
4 . maum A t e r m sometimes u s e d t o c a l l young f e m a l e c h i l d r e n rnem t e s The p u l s e (sometimes s a i d 'meem t e s ' ) .
i n s t e a d o f u s i n g t h e g i v e n name. mern t e s n t o j The p u l s e p u l s a t e s .
5. maum
s e e v rnem t e s To f e e l t h e p u l s e (cf. 'tshuaj ' ) .
rnem t e s nkaum lawm C a n ' t f e e l t h e p u l s e .
maum kawv ( t u s ) The g i a n t s q u i r r e l . ( a ) rnem t e s t s i s d h i a No p u l s e , no p u l s a t i o n s .
( b ) rnem t e s t s i s n t o j No p u l s e , n o p u l s a t i o n s .
1. me L i t t l e , d i m i n u t i v e , s m a l l , s m a l l amount ( s i z e o r
quantity)
Pub me me r a u kuv.
. Give me a l i t t l e b i t .
4 . rnem
rnem t o j A crack o r v e i n i n t h e rock of a h i l l s i d e .
mentsis A l i t t l e b i t .
Pub m e n t s i s r a u kuv. Give me a l i t t l e b i t . 5. rnem To g u e s s , t o t h i n k o u t .
mentxhais ( t u s ) A g i r l c h i l d . ( a ) Mem t s i s t a u . C o u l d n ' t t h i n k o f i t . ( c f . ' x a v , '
metub ( t u s ) A boy c h i l d . 'nyaj').
( b ) Mem t s i s tshwm. c o u l d n ' t think of it. ( c f . 'xav,'
'nyaj ' ) .
Mem t a u . Guessed i t . Thought o f it.
6 . mem 4 . meem Ten thousand (T) ( c f . ' v a m ' ) .
u s rem muj qus Knocked o u t , n o t c l e a r l y c o n s c i o u s . i b meem Ten thousand.

7 . mem 5. meem
nees n t a u s ntxwm mem The h o r s e r e a r s and k i c k s with meem txom Provoking, i r r i t a t i n g , provoked i n h e a r t .
both hind legs.
6 . meem
1. mes A s m a l l s p e c i e s of bee which makes honey ( c f . 'muv,' xwbfab puajmeem ( C ) Every d i r e c t i o n , t o t h e f o u r winds
'ntab'). ( c f . ' p l a u b ceg n t u j ' ) .
2 . mes 7 . meem
mes e s The sound of b l e a t i n s a o a t s o r sheep. Used by - t x h i a j t e e b meem To speak i n r i d d l e s , a r i d d l e .
c h i l d r e n a s a name t o Gefer t o sheep b r g o a t s .
(This i s perhaps more commonly s a i d 'mias i a s ' ) . 8 . meem
yejmeem (cf. 'yej I).

meeg
tabmeeg I n f r o n t o f , f a c e t o f a c e , openly (C) . 9 . meem
tabmeeg h a i s l u s To speak f a c e t o f a c e , speak
openly.
meem t e s ( c f . 'mem t e s ' ) .
1. m i m A woman's name.
1. meej C l e a r (of i d e a s , s p e e c h , s i g h t , e t c . ) (C).
pom t s i s meej C a n ' t s e e c l e a r l y . 2. m i m
f e e b t s i s meej C a n ' t d i s t i n g u i s h c l e a r l y . txhij txiv mim The Pleiades.
h a i s meej meej To speak c l e a r l y .
rnis The female b r e a s t ( l u b ) .
2 . meej ob l u b rnis The two b r e a s t s .
meejpem To u n d e r s t a n d , be c l e a r l y conscious (C) . kua rnis Milk, s e c r e t i o n of t h e b r e a s t .
nyuj rnis Cow's milk.
3. meej l u b t x i v rnis The n i p p l e .
t x h i a j meej The s p i r i t a r t i c l e s above t h e door ( C )
.
( c f ' txhawb t x h e e j ' ) . miv C a t , t h e domestic c a t ( t u s ) .
4 . meej Name ( C ) . miaj
( a ) koob meej ( l u b ) Good name, r e p u t a t i o n ( C )
( b ) meej thawb ( l u b ) Good name, r e p u t a t i o n ( C )
.. miaj 100s ( l u b ) (cf. l l ~ ~ ~ t ) .
s a u meej hwm To t a k e a census ( C ) ( I n Laos t h i s i s mias ( c f . 'mes e s ' ) The sound of t h e g o a t ' s c r y and t h e r e -
pronounced ' s a u me j hwm' ) . f o r e used by c h i l d r e n a s a name f o r g o a t o r
sheep. (cf. ' t s h i s ' ) .
5. meej
Cawv meej lawm. The whiskey i s used up. (polite 1. mob P a i n , s i c k n e s s ( c l f . ' t u s ' f o r a c a s e of i l l n e s s ,
language used a t a f e a s t ) . t y p e of s i c k n e s s )
c l f . ' l u b ' f o r a tumor).
( c l f . 'phaum' f o r epidemics;

6 . meej S o f t , e a s i l y forme'd o r bendable (contr. ' n k i g ' ) . mob t e b h l o b Epidemic, p e s t i l e n c e .

mob k i s An i n f e c t i o u s d i s e a s e .
1. meem A l a y e r , c l f . f o r l a y e r s of c l o t h . k i s mob To s p r e a d d i s e a s e .
meem hauv L i n i n g , i n n e r l a y e r of c l o t h . mob npaws M a l a r i a , c h i l l s and f e v e r .
meem saum Outside l a y e r of c l o t h . ua mob t e b B i r t h pangs, t r a v a i l i n b i r t h .
mob aws A common i n f e c t i o u s d i s e a s e i n c h i c k e n s .
2 . meem To pave, t o f i l l o u t t h e low p l a c e s and b r i n g mob f a j Carbuncle ( a l s o 'mob npuag f a j ' ) .
a l l t o one l e v e l . mob rwj A b o i l .
mob npuag Blood p o i s o n i n g , i n f e c t i o n .
3. meem Dazed, n o t f u l l y c o n s c i o u s . mob t x e e b z i g Bladder s t o n e s , h a r d t o u r i n a t e .
meem lawm Dazed, h a l f c o n s c i o u s . mob s i s t e e b Small pimples s e c r e t i n g w a t e r .
mob f a b A f i t o r coma a f t e r e a t i n g something which
d o e s n ' t agree.
 mob yuas Coma coming on a s an i l l n e s s becomes s e v e r e . 6 . moj
mob kab yaim A s k i n d i s e a s e of dogs and c a t s . r o o j moj s a b A w i l d e r n e s s , a w i l d a r e a of mountains
mob t u a j l e e g Of a s k i n i n f e c t i o n s p r e a d i n g . and t r e e s .
mob huam l e e j huam ceem A sudden s i c k n e s s .
mob tsam chim Of e x h a u s t i o n and p a i n a s a f t e r h a r d 1. mom Of w a t e r r i s i n g and f i l l i n g t h e s t r e a m bed.
exercise. Mom k i a g s a b saum. The w a t e r i s coming o v e r t h e t o p .
mob muas f a j A s i c k n e s s w i t h p a i n a l l o v e r , no
fever. 2 . mom
kem cev S y p h i l i s , venereal disease. mom kaum The ends of a r o o f .
(a) mob yeeg A kind o f v e n e r e a l d i s e a s e w i t h pussy
discharge. 3. mom
(b) mob c a s A kind of v e n e r e a l d i s e a s e w i t h pussy kausmom ( l u b ) Hat, cap.
discharge.
4 . mom
mob To b e " h u r t " i n t h e a f f e c t i o n s . h a i s l u s tuam mom T h r e a t e n i n g , a r r o g a n t language.
mob s i a b Hurt i n h e a r t ( l i t e r a l l y i n t h e l i v e r ) ,
grieved, sorry, distressed. 1. mas F i n e , s m a l l ( o f w r i t i n g , embroidery, e t c . ) (contr.
Mob kuv s i a b heev. I t r e a l l y h u r t me. 'ntxhib ' ) .
s i a b mob i b zag One time of sorrow o r g r i e f .
mob s i a b ua To do e a r n e s t l y . 2 . mos Young and t e n d e r .
('mob s i a b ' can be used f o r e x p r e s s i n g e a r n e s t - ( a ) menyuam mos mos A young c h i l d .
n e s s i n almost any a c t i o n . c f . ' s i a b ' ) . ( b ) menyuam mos l i a b A young c h i l d .
h a i s l u s r h o p l a u b mob n q a i g To speak words t h a t mos mos n t s u a b n t s u a b Of young green v e g e t a t i o n .
h u r t people l i k e p u l l i n g h a i r o r c u t t i n g f l e s h .
3 . mos To squash o r squeeze i n t o a p u l p a s i n p r e p a r i n g
mog Wheat. c e r t a i n vegetables.

'"09 4 . mos To massage.

p l a b mog The lower abdominal r e g i o n ( c o n t r . ' p l a b mos p l a b To massage t h e abdomen.
laug' ) . 5 . mos
mog A completive p a r t i c l e used f o r g e n t l e commands o r mos n p l e j To rub r i c e o f f t h e s t a l k w i t h hands o r
admonitions and emphasis. feet.
Nyob twjyws mog. P l e a s e be s t i l l .
Mus ob peb hnub t u a j mog. Do come back soon. 6 . mos
mos qhovmuag To rub t h e e y e s .
mo9
taum mog P e a , peas (lub) . 7 . mos
yoov mos dab ( t u s ) The h o r s e f l y .
rnoj F i n a l p a r t i c l e i n e x c l a m a t i o n s and q u e s t i o n s .
Leej twg yuav pab moj? Who w i l l h e l p ? 8 . mos Of s o f t p o l i t e speech.
l u s mos S o f t p o l i t e speech ( c o n t r . ' lus tshawv' ) .
mo j
ua rnoj hum To do c o a r s e o r heavy work (contr. 1. rnov Cooked o r steamed r i c e , r i c e ready f o r e a t i n g .
'xim h u m ' ) . n o j mov To e a t , t o e a t r i c e .
cub rnov To steam r i c e .
mo j txhws rnov To s p r e a d o u t t h e cooked r i c e .
plhom rnoj To f o o l around, t o speak o r do r a s h l y .
( c f . 'plhom' ) . 2 . rnov
rnov kuam Steamed corn meal cooked corn meal.
mo j
n t x i a s moj tuam To b r a i d b r a i d s . 3 . rnov
t x i v mov p o j ( l u b ) The coconut (T) .
mo j
cua moj lwg x i b kaw A g r e a t wind (cf. 'cua').
moo Mews, r e p o r t , i n f o r m a t i o n , r e p u t a t i o n . 2 . mum
n t o moo To r e c e i v e news, g e t a r e p o r t . mujmum (cf. 'mujt).
hnov moo t u a j To h e a r news.
Kuv nug k o j moo. I a s k e d news o f you. rnus To g o , t o d e p a r t .
xyav moo To s p r e a d a r e p o r t . ( a ) rnus lawm Gone, h a s gone.
t s o moo To t e l l news, g i v e a r e p o r t . ( b ) lawm l o j Gone, h a s gone.
txwv k a v t s o moo To t e l l it t o e v e r y o n e , s p r e a d ( c ) rnus lawm l o j Gone, h a s gone.
abroad. ( a ) Mus qhov twg lawm? Where h a s h e gone?
npe n t o moo Name s p r e a d a b r o a d , o f g r e a t r e p u t a t i o n . ( b ) Dua twg lawm? Where h a s h e gone?
moo c u a ( l u b ) A r a d i o . rnus q u j q e e s To go s l o w l y and d e l i b e r a t e l y .
moo zoo Good news, good r e p u t a t i o n . nyimno rnus lawm Is g o i n g now.
t u moo To make an end of i t , c e a s e r e p o r t s of i t rnus n r a i m To go s t r a i g h t , t o f o l l o w s t r a i g h t .
t o d o once f o r a l l .
muv Bee, honey b e e ( t u s ) .
1. mooj Childless, barren. z i b muv Honey.
muv doom Large e d i b l e s p e c i e s of honey b e e ( t u s ) .
2 . mooj To d e c e i v e , t o keep from u n d e r s t a n d i n g . L i s t e d below a r e t h e o t h e r v a r i o u s k i n d s of b e e s and
Dab mooj lawv l u b s i a b . The s p i r i t s d e c e i v e d them. wasps. ( a l s o c f . each i n d i v i d u a l l i s t i n g ) .
mooj lawv lawm Deceived them, b l i n d e d t h e i r minds. n t s e e b A v e r y s m a l l s p e c i e s o f wasp.
nkawj Wasp, s m a l l wasp.
moos The p l a i n , t h e a r e a down o f f t h e mountains ( l u b ) . mes A s m a l l honey b e e .
Sometimes a l s o used i n t h e s e n s e o f a p a r t i c u l a r n t a b Another s p e c i e s of honey b e e .
c i t y o r market on t h e p l a i n . (TI. d a i v Large s p e c i e s o f bumble b e e .
Kuv rnus nram moos. I am g o i n g t o t h e p l a i n . (or)
I am g o i n g t o t h e market i n t h e town. 1. muab To t a k e i n t h e hand, t a k e h o l d o f , t o g i v e w i t h
l u b moos The c i t y , t h e m a r k e t , t h e p l a i n . t h e hand, t o g i v e , t o hand o v e r .
Muab r a u kuv. Give it t o me.
moov To chew w i t h t h e gums, t o e a t w i t h o u t t e e t h . E4uab ob t u g n e e s k h i . T i e t h e two h o r s e s . (lit.
Take t h e h o r s e s and t i e them.)
mub Fleas (contr. ' t u v ' ) . Muab t s i s cuag. Beyond r e a c h , c a n n o t g r a s p it.
d e v mub ( t u s ) The f l e a .
2 . muab To h a r v e s t .
1. muj muab n p l e j To h a r v e s t r i c e .
xeeb mujmum Great grandchild ( t u s ) .
3. muab To a r r e s t , t o c a t c h o r t a k e someone.
2 . muj Lawv muab t u s t u b s a b 10s t s i s t a u ? Have t h e y t a k e n
h l a i s muj khem To c u t n o t c h e s i n wood i n c e r t a i n the thief?
p a t t e r n s a s a l i m i t e d means o f communication.
muad ( c f . 'muam,' s e e I n t r o d u c t i o n pp. x x i i - x x i i i ) .
3. muj
mujvam l u s Old f a s h i o n e d l a n g u a g e , o b s c u r e l a n g u a g e . 1. muag F a c e , p e r t a i n i n g t o t h e f a c e .
n t s e j muag ( l u b ) The f a c e .
4 . muj qhov muag ( l u b ) The e y e , e y e s ( c f . D e f i n i t i o n No. 2 ) .
ua mem rnuj q u s Not c l e a r l y c o n s c i o u s , knocked o u t . t x a j muag To b e ashamed.
c e b muag D i r t y f a c e .
5 . muj t x i a v muag To have n o t h i n g t o do w i t h , t o r e f u s e t o
xov muj t i m To p r e p a r e a l a r g e t r a p f o r game. An look a t a n o t h e r b e c a u s e of h a t r e d , e t c .
a r e a i s f e n c e d o f f and a t r a p s e t a t t h e e n t r a n c e . n t x e e v muag A f o r c e f u l e x p r e s s i o n used t o d e s c r i b e ,
A s t r o n g young t r e e i s c u t and s e t t o s p r i n g o r one who h a s c o m p l e t e l y t u r n e d a s i d e from o r
f a l l on t h e v i c t i m . a g a i n s t e v e n h i s own k i n s f o l k .
ua neeb muag dawb A form o f s p i r i t w o r s h i p c a l l i n g on
1. mum To push something a l o n g by one end (cf. ' t s i j ' ) . a g r e a t e r s p i r i t t o chase o u t a l e s s e r .
 ( a ) pom n t s e j pom muag To s e e t h e f a c e .
( b ) pom n t s e j muag To see t h e f a c e .
.
1. muas To buy ( c o n t r 'muag' ) .
Koj muas qhov twg l o s ? Where did you buy i t ?
dub muag t x i g mus To go s t r a i g h t on o b l i v i o u s of muas 10s To buy, t o buy i n .
others.
nkauj muag pag ( t u s ) A p r o s t i t u t e ( l i t . Flowery 2 . muas
faced woman) . muaslwj (tus) The Sambar d e e r .
2 . muag P e r t a i n i n g t o t h e eyes (using 'muag' a s a shortened 3 . muas
form of 'qhov muag, ' c f . d e f i n i t i o n No. 1) . muastxwv ( l u b ) A bullet, cartridge.
qe muag To s h u t t h e eyes.
rua muag To open t h e eyes wide. 4 . muas
plaub muag Eyelashes, eyebrows. mob muas f a j ( c f . 'mob').
qheb muag Open eyes.
i b n t s a i s muag One twitching of t h e e y e l i d , b l i n k . 5 . muas
n t s i a b muag ( l u b ) The p u p i l of t h e eye. .
( a ) pob av l u a j A n t h i l l ( l u b )
daim t a w muag Eyelid.
kua muag Tears.
( b ) pob av muas y i s t i b A n t h i l l ( l u b ) .
quav muag Excretion which f i l l s t h e corners of t h e 6 . muas
eyes. cuam muas Doesn't meet t o g e t h e r properly, e . g . one
nraug zeeg muag Dizzy. s i d e s l a n t e d and t h e o t h e r s t r a i g h t .
qhov muag ntseg n t s o s Eyes i n vacant fixed s t a r e .
p l o j muag n t a i s Disappeared from s i g h t .
qhov muag t a w tawv Heavy eyed, sleepy eyed.
i b lub twrn qhov muag One eyed, one eye mlssing.
npog muag To cover t h e e y e s .
qhov muag t x a i j Cannot see c l e a r l y .

3 . muag To s e l l ( c o n t r . 'muas' ) .
Muab muag rau l a w . Take i t and s e l l it t o them.
muag l a m Sold.

4 . muag S o f t , p l i a b l e , weak ( c f . 'phom' ) .

( a ) lub cev muag zog Body h a s no s t r e n g t h , weak i n
body.
( b ) lub cev ntshaus zog Body h a s no s t r e n g t h , weak
i n body.
neeg yeem muag One who responds t o p a t i e n t t e a c h i n g .
(contr. ' t a w ' ) .
s i a b muag muag Teachable, humble.

muaj To have, t o possess.

Kuv t s i s muaj. I have none. I d o n ' t have.
nws muaj nws Idiom meaning 'he h a s h i s own' or
' t h e r e a r e some s u c h . ' The consonant c l u s t e r s p e l l e d ' m l ' i n t h e orthography used
Tibneeg zoo nws muaj nws, tibneeg t s i s zoo nws muaj by t h e Roman C a t h o l i c s among t h e Hrnong in Laos i s s p e l l e d
nws t h i a b There a r e some good people and t h e r e ' n l ' herein. ( c f . ' n l ' for l i s t i n g s ) .
a r e some bad people, t o o .
Nws muaj h l o b . He has a proud h e a r t .

muam S i s t e r ( a s c a l l e d by her b r o t h e r s ) ( c o n t r . ' v i v n c a w s ' ) .

muam npaws The name used by a man t o r e f e r t o h i s
female cousins of a d i f f e r e n t surname, i . e .
female c h i l d r e n of h i s mother's b r o t h e r s and
s i s t e r s and of h i s f a t h e r ' s s i s t e r s . (cf.
k i n s h i p c h a r t Appendix p . 4 9 5 ) .
 nas Rodent, r a t ( t u s ) .
n a s t s u a g ( t u s ) Mouse, house r a t .
1. na Final interrogative particle. n a s ncuav ( t u s ) A t y p e o f s q u i r r e l .
Nej puas paub na? D o n ' t you know? n a s c i a v ( t u s ) The z e b r a s q u i r r e l .
( a ) n a s ncuav t x a i j ( t u s ) Chipmunk.
2. na ( b ) n a s ncuav c i a v ( t u s ) Chipmunk.
nalika (lub) Watch, w r i s t w a t c h ( T ) . n a s ntxhw ( t u s ) The l a r g e g u i n e a p i g .
n a s hoo,, t w m ( t u s ) The r e d - b e l l i e d s q u i r r e l .
u'
1. nab Snake, worm, s n a k e l i k e .
nab ( t u s ) Snake. nav The r u n t , t h e l a s t b o r n o f a l i t t e r , s m a l l e s t of a
c u a nab ( t u s ) Earthworm. litter.
nab muaj t a u g P o i s o n o u s s n a k e (any s p e c i e s ) . t u s thawj t h i a b t u s nav. The f i r s t and t h e l a s t .
n t s e s nab ( t u s ) t h e e e l , an e e l .
nab h a b s e j ( t u s ) The p y t h o n . nau Term used f o r a f o o l i s h p e r s o n i n s c o l d i n g .
dab n t a u s nau May t h e s p i r i t s b e a t him.
2 . nab
nab qa ( t u s ) A l i z a r d . nawj Completive p a r t i c l e o f emphasis.
nab q a nqhuab Dry l a n d l i z a r d , i g u a n a . Nej t s i s t x h o b muab l u b c e v pub r a u dab nawj! Don't
nab q a d e v Type o f l a r g e l i z a r d . g i v e y o u r body t o t h e s p i r i t s !
(b) nab q a t u a j t x o o b A t y p e of s m a l l l i z a r d .
(c) nab q a t s i a v A t y p e o f s m a l l l i z a r d . ne F i n a l i n t e r r o g a t i v e and e x c l a m a t o r y p a r t i c l e .
Koj t s i s paub ne? D o n ' t you know?
1. nag Rain ( c l f . ' k o b ' f o r s h o w e r s , ' p h a u ' f o r a p e r i o d Kuv twb h a i s r a u n e j no ne! I d i d t e l l you!
of r a i n ) . Note: T h i s p a r t i c l e i s sometimes s a i d ' n e j ' o r ' n e v . '
( a ) 10s nag To r a i n . (cf. 'nej' 'nev')
( b ) n t u j 10s nag To r a i n .
n t u b n t u b nag To b e wet w i t h r a i n . 1. neb Second p e r s o n d u a l pronoun ("you two p e r s o n s " ) ( c f .
nag t s h a u v D r i z z l i n g r a i n . 'nej')
10s nag h l o b h l o b Downpour, heavy r a i n . Neb mus qhov twg? Where a r e you (two p e r s o n s ) g o i n g ?
nag xob nag c u a Storm, t e m p e s t , r a i n wind and
lightning. 2 . neb P.v.int. (cf. 'nuj').
10s nag tuam tuam Heavy r a i n .
nag t s h i a Rain blows i n . 1. n e j Second p e r s o n p l u r a l pronoun ( f o r t h r e e o r more
10s nag x u j xuav A l i g h t r a i n . persons) .
Nej mus qhov twg? Where a r e you ( t h r e e o r more)
( a ) n a g t s h a u v zawg z i a g D r i z z l i n g .
( b ) nag tshauv n t s u a g n t s e b D r i z z l i n g r a i n . going? (cf. 'neb').

2 . nag Yesterday. 2. nej F i n a l i n t e r r o g a t i v e and e x c l a m a t o r y p a r t i c l e

nag hmo L a s t e v e n i n g . (cf. 'ne').
The t o n e on t h i s p a r t i c l e may v a r y w i t h t h e emphasis.
3 . nag The word i s u s u a l l y ' n e t b u t may become ' n e j '
n a g k i s ( o r sometimes ' n a s k i s ' ) The day a f t e r tomorrow. i f emphasized.
Koj t s i s paub n e j ? R e a l l y ! D o n ' t you know? You
1. n a j Exclamatory p a r t i c l e . mean you d o n ' t know?
Tom c o v nyuag t e b n a j ! Over t h e f i e l d s !
nem
2. n a j A s t i c k w i t h gummy s a p p u t on i t t o s n a r e b i r d s . ua nern nuv quv D e s c r i b i n g a p e r s o n who i s s i l e n t
a f t e r a s c o l d i n g b e c a u s e he d o e s n ' t know what
1. nam To s t a l k , t o walk o r s t e a l a l o n g f u r t i v e l y and t o say.
stealthily.
nam mus To go a l o n g s t e a l t h i l y . nev Final interrogative particle. (cf. 'ne')
Zab yog t u s twg nev? Who i s Zab?
2 . nam To e n c r o a c h upon.
nam t e b To e n c r o a c h on someone e l s e ' s f i e l d s . nee Tone change from ' n e e v , ' (cf. 'neev').
 .
1. neeb F r i e n d l y o r f a m i l i a r s p i r i t s ( c f .
'dab' ) (a) i b s i m neej A lifetime, f o r a lifetime.
( b ) i b s i m li A l i f e t i m e , f o r a l i f e t i m e .
The shaman s e e k s t h e a i d of t h e ' n e e b ' and i s possessed
by them i n h i s s o r t i e s i n t o t h e s p i r i t world t o r o o j n e e j ( l u b ) The s i d e door of a house ( c f . ' r o o j ' ) .
s e e k o u t and do b a t t l e w i t h t h e ' d a b ' who may
have caused s i c k n e s s , e t c . 2. neej
( a ) t u s neeb The shaman. n e e j t s a A man's r e l a t i v e s by marriage o r a woman's
( b ) t u s t x i v neeb The shaman. blood r e l a t i v e s a f t e r s h e becomes married.
ua neeb To do s p i r i t worship, do s p i r i t r i t e s . k w v t i j n e e j t s a A l l r e l a t i v e s , blood r e l a t i v e s and
ua i b t h a j neeb To do one s e s s i o n o f s p i r i t r i t e s . r e l a t i v e s by marriage.
ua neeb ua y a i g F u l l e r term f o r s p i r i t r i t e s .
txoov neeb The g r e a t e s t of t h e ' n e e b . ' 3. n e e j
S i v Y i s The head o r l e a d e r of t h e ' n e e b . ' txivneej ( t u s ) A man, a male i n d i v i d u a l .
n r u a s neeb The s p i r i t gong ( l u b ) . neem The s p i r i t s of t h e woods o r t h e s p i r i t s of h u n t i n g
t x i a b neeb The m e t a l r i n g w i t h m e t a l p i e c e s which
i s j i n g l e d by t h e shaman i n c a l l i n g t h e s p i r i t s . which some s e r v e i n o r d e r t o g a i n s k i l l and
kuam neeb ( c f . 'kuam' D e f i n i t i o n No. 5 ) . success i n hunting.
t h a j neeb The s p i r i t s h e l f , s h e l f a g a i n s t t h e r e a r ( a ) c o j neem To s e r v e o r worship t h e h u n t i n g s p i r i t s .
w a l l of a Hmong home where a r t i c l e s of s p i r i t ( b ) c o j dab neem To s e r v e o r worship t h e h u n t i n g
worship a r e k e p t . spirits.
r u b s a b neeb The s p i r i t a r t i c l e s a t t a c h e d t o t h e neem n t x h i b (and) neem mos Two d i f f e r e n t k i n d s of
under s i d e o f t h e r o o f . h u n t i n g s p i r i t s each w i t h i t s observances.
ua neeb muag dawb A form o f s p i r i t worship c a l l i n g Note: Those who worship o r s e r v e t h e s e s p i r i t s ( c o j
on a g r e a t e r s p i r i t t o chase o u t a l e s s e r . dab neem) use some s p e c i a l e v a s i v e language t o
neeb koos p l i g .
( c f . ' k o o s ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 1) d e c e i v e t h e s p i r i t s and avoid calamity o r ill
f o r t u n e . For example:
2 . neeb A s p e c i e s o f l a r g e t r e e used t o make b o a r d s f o r Evasive Term p l a i n Speech Meaning
the s p i r i t shelf (tus) . h l e lawm l a u i
tshav n t u j lawm
ua t a g lawm l a u j
nquag lawm
Flnlshed
Recovered
3 . neeb To h u r t s l i g h t l y . hov t x u a s noj su Eat lunch
p h e e j neeb neeb Keeps on h u r t i n g a l i t t l e b i t . n q i a hnyuv tshaib plab Hungry
hov t a u s n t o v ntoo Down a t r e e
neeg Person ( t u s ) ( c f . ' n e e j ' ) . 10s s o 10s n o j mov Come and e a t
neeg zoo A good p e r s o n . peb xuas kab peb mus t s e v We go home.
t i b n e e g ( t u s ) Person.
h a i v neeg People of a n o t h e r surname, o u t s i d e r s . 1. nees Horse ( t u s ) .
i b z e e j tsoom neeg A l l persons, a l l p e o p l e . nees n r a Horse pack s a d d l e ( o r ' n r a n e e s ' )
neeg xam txeem A p e r s o n who does a b i t of work and tawb nees ( l u b ) Horse pack b a s k e t s .
then puts t h e r e s t o f f onto o t h e r s . nees hee Horse whinnys, h o r s e neighs.
neeg keev xeeb Pigheaded, one w i t h a mind c l o s e d t o ncaim nees A young female h o r s e having had no young.
a l l b u t h i s own i d e a s . maum nees A mare t h a t has had a c o l t .
dab neeg F o l k l o r e , t r a d i t i o n , s t o r y , l e g e n d . Sam nees C a s t r a t e d h o r s e , t o c a s t r a t e a h o r s e .
menyuam neeg n t i a j t e b no The c h i l d r e n of men, t h e r o v nees Horse k i c k s o u t w i t h both h i n d l e g s .
people of e a r t h . Terms f o r Hmong h o r s e h a r n e s s :
neeg khoob xeeb ( C ) Teachable, ready t o l i s t e n t o cuam txwv nees The pack frame which f i t s o v e r t h e
others . pack s a d d l e ( s e e a b o v e ) .
xauv nees The b i t .
neeg txog l i g One who r e g r e t s t o o l a t e .
phab xyoob Chest band ( ' t x e e s n e e s ' i s a r c h a i c term
1. n e e j Fortune, e s t a t e , a p e r s o n and a l l h e p o s s e s s e s ( l u b ) . b u t sometimes u s e d ) .
ua zoo n e e j I n good f o r t u n e , w e l l o f f , h a s enough p h i j chob The l e a t h e r rope f o r t y i n g b a s k e t s and
food money and animals, e t c . loads.
ua n e e j To p r o s p e r , be w e l l . khiab t w The t a i l s t r a p .
t s i s zoo n e e j Not w e l l o f f , p o o r l y , u n f o r t u n a t e .
t s a k o j ua n e e j To s e t you up i n house and goods, e t c .
t s a w n e e j To t e l l t h e f o r t u n e ( e . g . by t r y i n g t o
s t a n d a c o i n on an egg, e t c . )
 Types o f Horses: 1. n i a g L a r g e , g r e a t , major.
n e e s t x o v l a w j Brown h o r s e . l u b n i a g n r o o g C a p i t a l c i t y , major c i t y .
n e e s f a j k a v Yellow h o r s e . t u s n i a g d e j The l a r g e r i v e r .
n e e s huab Brown and w h i t e h o r s e . l u b n i a g t s e v The l a r g e h o u s e , p a l a c e , t e m p l e .
n e e s vwb Black h o r s e . ua n i a g tuam t s h a w j chim To b e g r e a t enemies.
n e e s kub h n y i a b Dark h o r s e , p a r t b l a c k and brown i b n i a g daim One l a r g e f l a t s u r f a c e .
nees txheeb A dappled horse. ( a ) n i a g t s h a i s About 9 t o 10 AM.
( b ) t a v n i a g t s h a i s About 9 t o 10 AM.
2. n e e s Used i n c o m b i n a t i o n f o r numbers 20 t o 29. ( a ) n i a g s u Noon.
n e e s nkaum 20. ( b ) t a v s u Noon.
n e e s nkaum i b 2 1 ( e t c . ) qhov n i a g t o d The b i g p l a c e y o n d e r .
3. n e e s A s t r e t c h e r . 2 . n i a g Used i n t e r m s of f a m i l i a r i t y .
ua n e e s To make a s t r e t c h e r ( c a r r y t h e d e a d ) . n i a g yawg F a m i l i a r t e r m o f a d d r e s s f o r males.
Nyob zoo p a u j n i a g yawg? How a r e you f r i e n d ?
4. nees
d a i s nees (cf . 'dais ') . n i a g pog F a m i l i a r t e r m o f a d d r e s s f o r f e m a l e s
( f o r o l d e r women).
n i a g pog l a u s F a m i l i a r t e r m used by o l d e r men f o r
5. n e e s t h e i r w i v e s , "my o l d woman."
dab t s h o s hneev n e e s (cf. 'tsho' ) .
3. n i a g
6. nees ua n i a g l u s h a i s To s p e a k f l a t t e r y , t o f l a t t e r .
n e e s d a j dua ( t u s ) A k i n d o f s m a l l a n i m a l w i t h a
yellow back, something l i k e a l a r g e s q u i r r e l . 4. niag
neev F o o t p r i n t , h o o f p r i n t , pawprint.
t x h i a b n i a g t i m puas xyoo (cf . 'txhiab' ) .
n e e v taw F o o t p r i n t niaj Each, e v e r y .
i b n e e taw One f o o t p r i n t ( t . c . 1
n e e v n e e s Horse h o o f p r i n t .
N i a j hnub n i a j hnub t u a j .(He) comes e v e r y day.
n i a j hmo Each n i g h t , e v e r y n i g h t .
neev npua t e b H o o f p r i n t s o f t h e w i l d p i g . n i a j z a u s Each t i m e , e a c h o c c a s i o n .
Note: T h i s word i s sometimes s a i d ' h n e e v '
1. nim P a r t i c l e u s e d b e f o r e t h e v e r b t o i n d i c a t e immediacy
1. niam Mother ( t u s ) .
Kuv t u s niam. My m o t h e r .
of action. " J u s t then, " "immediately, " " j u s t a s " niam t x i v P a r e n t s .
Nws nim 10s 10s kua muag. J u s t t h e n h e began t o c r y . po jniam Woman ( t u s ) , w i f e .
Kuv t u s p o j n i a m My w i f e ( l i t . "my woman").
2. nim niam t u b t x i v nyuag I d i o m a t i c way of s a y i n g " p a r e n t s
nimno Now. and c h i l d r e n . "
t a b nimno mus From now on.
Nimno kuv y uav
Nimno k o j nyob
mus . Now I a m g o i n g .
qhov twg? Where d o you l i v e now?
niam £am txam ( c f . ' t u a g ' ) .
niam hauvpaus c o s ( c f . ' t u a g ' ) .
Note: T h i s word v a r i e s i n d i f f e r e n t s p e a k e r s between 2 . niam Used f o r " t h e w i f e o f . . . " i n d e s c r i b i n g r e l a t i o n s h i p s .
'nimno,' ' n y i a m n o , ' ' n y i m n o , ' and ' n i a m n o . ' niam t a i s ( t u s ) M a t e r n a l grandmother ( o r ) w i f e o f
maternal g r a n d f a t h e r ' s brothers.
3 . nim niam t i j Wife of an o l d e r b r o t h e r .
nimno i . . . ; no i . . . ; nimno u a s ; n o u a s These e x p r e s s i o n s niam h l u a s W i f e ' s younger s i s t e r .
a r e o f t e n used t o f i l l i n p a u s e s i n r u n n i n g con- Note: T h e r e a r e many o t h e r s u c h k i n s h i p t e r m s . (cf.
versation a s "...er...ll i n English. Appendix p. 4 8 4 a n d C h a r t s i n Appendix pp. 493-497.)
niab 3. niam
ua n t x h o v quav n i a b To r a i s e t u m u l t , do v i o l e n c e . niam h l a u A magnet.
niad ( c f . ' n i a m , ' S e e I n t r o d u c t i o n pp. x x i i - x x i i i ) .
1. n i a s To p r e s s down, t o p r e s s upon. 1. noo Damp o r m o i s t o f i t s e l f ( a s o f e a r t h , s u g a r , e t c . )
n i a s n t i a g To p r e s s down c o m p l e t e l y . (cf. 'ntxooj').
n i a s nkaus To p r e s s , p r e s s down. a v no0 no0 Damp m o i s t e a r t h .

2. n i a s 2 . noo
daim n i a s menyuam A band o f c l o t h t o t i e a c h i l d ( a ) ua noo F e e l i n g o f weakness of impending i l l n e s s .
f o r c a r r y i n g on, t h e back (cf 'khiab' ). . ( b ) ua no0 n t x i a g F e e l i n g o f weakness o f impending
illness.
1. no A noun o f location; This (place, time, person, thing)
( c f . 'ntawm' ) 1. noob Seed ( l u b ) .
hnub no T h i s d a y , t o d a y . t s e b noob To s c a t t e r s e e d b r o a d c a s t .
qhov no T h i s p l a c e , h e r e . noob zaub V e g e t a b l e s e e d s .
l u b t s e v no T h i s h o u s e .
li no T h i s way, l i k e t h i s . 2 . noob
noob q e s ( l u b ) The t e s t i c l e s ( c f . ' q a u ' )
noob q e s t h o o b t s h a j I n g u i n a l h e r n i a .
.
2 . no Cold ( o f t h e w e a t h e r ) (cf. Itxias').
no no li I t ' s c o l d .
noog Bird ( t u s ) .
( a ) noog ncaws A s n a r e f o r b i r d s .
3 . no
no i ( c f . 'nim' D e f i n i t i o n No. 3 ) . ( b ) h l u a ncaws A s n a r e f o r b i r d s .
noog w Q u a i l ( t u s ) .
1. nog To pack g o o d s , t i e t h i n g s up f o r t r a n s p o r t .
nog n e e s n r a To pack goods on a pack s a d d l e . nooj A c u r s e word, unsavory l a n g u a g e ; t h e C h i n e s e e q u i v a l e n t
o f t h e Hmong ' p h e v . '
2 . nog To f o r a g e , t o g r a z e .
nog zaub To g r a z e , f o r a g e , f e e d i n p a s t u r e . noos Measure o f w i d t h ; t h e d i s t a n c e between t h e end of
t h e thumb and t h e end o f t h e e x t e n d e d f i r s t
1. n o j finger.
noj mov To e a t r i c e , t o e a t .
noj t s h a i s To e a t b r e a k f a s t . noov Blue Hmong t e r m f o r t h e p e n i s . (cf. 'qau') Sometimes
noj s u To e a t l u n c h . used a l s o by t h e White Hmong.
noj hmo To e a t s u p p e r .
(a) n o j peb caug To e a t t h e New Year f e a s t . nug To a s k , t o q u e s t i o n .
(b) n o j t s i a b To e a t t h e New Year f e a s t . nug t i a s . . . Asked s a y i n g ...
noj n p l e j t s h i a b To e a t a meal i n c e l e b r a t i o n o f N w s nug t i a s , "Koj puas mus t h i a b ? " He a s k e d , "Are
t h e f i r s t new r i c e o f t h e s e a s o n . you g o i n g a l s o ? "
n o j q e e s Keeps on e a t i n g s l o w l y . ( a ) nug k i a g To a s k s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d l y .
rawm n o j I n a h u r r y t o e a t . ( b ) nug z o j t i a s To a s k s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d l y .
noj tsuag tsuag Eat quickly. ua nug r a u nws To r e l y on him ( c f . 'vamkhom'), i . e .
n o j q a b nyob zoo Well o f f , p r o s p e r o u s and e a t i n g t o depend on one p e r s o n t o answer a l l s o r t s
well. of questions.
n o j t s h o o b To e a t t h e wedding f e a s t ( c f . ' t s h o o b ' ) . 1. n u j
c o v n o j xwm L e a d e r s , e l d e r s , w i s e men ( C ) .
nplua n u j ( t u s ) A r i c h person.
2. noj To consume, t o " e a t " f i g u r a t i v e l y . ua n p l u a n u j To b e r i c h o r t o become r i c h .
n o j t s h a j t h a w j To make p r o f i t .
lawv n o j m e n t s i s They t a k e a b i t o f p r o f i t o r t a x . 2. nuj
l u b t s h u a b n o j r o j The machine u s e s o i l o r g a s o l i n e . n u j nqe A d e b t .
kwv n u j nqe U n w i l l i n g t o r e p a y a d e b t .
nom Official, officer (tus) .
c o v nom tswv O f f i c i a l s , t h e o f f i c e r s .
l u a b n u j nqe To borrow on i n t e r e s t .
r i s n u j nqe To h o l d a d e b t f o r a l o n g t i m e , t o
k e e p on r e f u s i n g t o pay a d e b t .
nos
n t s u a g nos Orphaned and p e n n i l e s s . 3. nuj
h a v zoov n u j x i a b Wild j u n g l e .
4. n u j P . v . i n t . ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
h a i s n u j neb To s p e a k i n a w h i n i n g v o i c e .
num .
Work, l a b o r , c h o r e s ( c f ' h a u j l w m ' ) . ncab TO s t r a i g h t e n ( c f . ' y e b ' )
(cf. 'ncaj' ) .
ncab duav To s t r e t c h o n e s e l f , s t r a i g h t e n t h e back.
ua num To d o work o r l a b o r . ncab dua n t s a g O b s t i n a t e , unbending.
l a u j nun mus To l a y a s i d e t h e work and go.
Note: T h i s word i s u s e d more among t h e Blue (Green) ncag
Hmong, t h e more common White Hmong t e r m i s pos n c a g A l i t t l e t r e e c u t and u s e d a t New Year t i m e
'haujlwrn.' i n s p i r i t ceremonies. A l i v e chicken i s t i e d
nus B r o t h e r ( t u s ) ( a s c a l l e d by h i s s i s t e r s ) . t o i t and t h e f a m i l y e n c i r c l e s t h e t r e e , t h e
n u s kwv Younger b r o t h e r ( a s c a l l e d by h i s s i s t e r ) . aim b e i n g t o k e e p them from m i s f o r t u n e t h e
nus t i j O l d e r b r o t h e r ( a s c a l l e d by h i s s i s t e r ) . coming y e a r .
1. nuv A hook, c a t c h ; t o hook, t o c a t c h w i t h a hook. 1. n c a j Straight.
( c l f . ' r a b ' f o r a l a r g e hook h e l d i n t h e hand) ( a ) Ncaj qha mus. Go s t r a i g h t on.
( c l f . ' t u s ' f o r a small f i s h hook). ( b ) Ncaj n r a i m mus. Go s t r a i g h t on.
( a ) i b t u g nuv A s m a l l hook. n c a j n r a i m , n c a j nrwb n r a i m , n c a j n c e e s , n c a j qha A l l
( b ) koob nuv A s m a l l hook. t h e s e terms a r e used f o r " p e r f e c t l y s t r a i g h t . "
nuv n t s e s To c a t c h f i s h w i t h a hook.
2. ncaj M o r a l l y h o n e s t and u p r i g h t , m o r a l l y " s t r a i g h t . "
2 . nuv ( a ) s i a b n c a j M o r a l l y h o n e s t and u p r i g h t , r i g h t e o u s .
ua nem nuv quv (cf. 'nem'). ( b ) s i a b n c a j n c e e s M o r a l l y h o n e s t and u p r i g h t , r i g h t e o u s .
( c ) s i a b n c a j s i a b n c e e s Morally h o n e s t and u p r i g h t ,
3 . nuv
hab nuv t s e g ( c f . 'hab ' ) . righteous.
ua n c a j u a n c e e s To b e h o n e s t , b e r i g h t e o u s .
nuam 1. n c a s A s m a l l m u s i c a l i n s t r u m e n t which when p l a c e d c l o s e
nuam y a j To bend backward and l o o k , " s t r e t c h t h e t o t h e mouth g i v e s t o n e s from a m e t a l t o n g u e
neck" and l o o k a r o u n d . s t r u c k with t h e f i n g e r s , a jew's harp ( r a b ) .
n c a s t o o j Such a n i n s t r u m e n t o f b r a s s .
1. nwj To k i s s , a k i s s . t s h u a b n c a s To p l a y s u c h a n i n s t r u m e n t .
Muab nws nwj k i a g i b zaug. K i s s e d him o n c e . Note: The ' n c a s ' i s u s u a l l y o n l y u s e d i n c o u r t i n g .
2 . nwj A slave. 2. ncas
ua nwj ua qhev To b e s l a v e s , b e a s l a v e ( c f . ' q h e v ' ) . ua r a j n c a s ( c f . 'pobkws').
nwm Tus nwm t s h i s A young f e m a l e g o a t w i t h o u t young. ncav To s t r e t c h t h e hand o r s t a n d on t i p t o e .
n c a v t e s To s t r e t c h o n e ' s hand t o g e t something.
nws T h i r d p e r s o n s i n g u l a r pronoun. He, s h e , i t . ncav taw To s t a n d on o n e ' s t o e s .
N w s t s i s mus. He, s h e o r i t w o n ' t go. n c a v t s i s c u a g C a n ' t r e a c h e v e n on t i p t o e .
ncai
dab t s h o s n c a i (cf. 'tsho') .
ncaib A s p e c i e s o f t r e e t h e b a r k o f which may b e used t o
make a p o t i o n t o p o i s o n f i s h . ( t u s ) .
ncaig C o a l s , embers.
( a ) n c a i g Wood embers.
( b ) h l u a v n c a i g Wood embers.
t s i s c i a j n c a i g Won't b u r n , w o n ' t h o l d f i r e .
"Plaub q a i b t s i s c i a j n c a i g . " "Chicken f e a t h e r s w i l l
n o t h o l d any f i r e o r make c o a l s . ' ' An i d i o m a t i c
e x p r e s s i o n meaning " I t w o n ' t amount t o a n y t h i n g . "
1. ncaim To s e p a r a t e from, t o d i v o r c e , t o d i v i d e . ncaus
sib ncaim To d i v o r c e , two p e r s o n s o r t h i n g s s e p a r a t e . vivncaus ( t u s ) S i s t e r ( a s c a l l e d by h e r s i s t e r s ) .
kev ncaim Roads t h a t s e p a r a t e . niam ncaus ( t u s ) Wife of a man's younger b r o t h e r .
(a) ncaim npoj To s e p a r a t e t h e g r o u p .
(b) ncaim l u a g To s e p a r a t e t h e group. ncawb Intentional foolish talk.
( a ) l u s dab t u a g F o o l i s h t a l k .
2 . ncaim ( b ) l u s ncawb F o o l i s h t a l k .
t u s ncaim nees (cf. 'nees').
ncawg TO e n t e r .
ncais Forceps, tweezers ( t u s ) . q a i b ncawg c o o j Chickens e n t e r t h e r o o s t .
n c a i s rho hwjtxwv Tweezers f o r p u l l i n g w h i s k e r s . t s i a j ncawg nkuaj Animals e n t e r t h e s t a b l e .

1. ncau To p u t f o r t h a s b r a n c h e s , t o b e a r a s b r a n c h e s , 1. ncaws To k i c k .
t o branch from. Menyuam Hmoob s i b ncaws. Hmong c h i l d r e n p l a y a t k i c k i n g
ncau ceg To p u t f o r t h branches. one a n o t h e r . ( a k i n d of f r i e n d l y f o o t boxing)
t s i s ncau ntawm t u s n t o o mus Does n o t branch from
the tree. 2 . ncaws To hoe t h e ground, c l e a r t h e ground of weeds and
r o o t s w i t h a hoe.
2 . ncau A l e n g t h of bamboo o r r a t t a n s p l i t f o r u s e i n t y i n g ncaws t e b To c l e a r a f i e l d .
(clf . '
plua] ' ) .
phua ncau To s p l l t l e n g t h s of bamboo o r r a t t a n .
ncaws a v To hoe t h e e a r t h , c l e a r a s i t e .
ncaws n r o j To c l e a r o u t t h e weeds.
zaws ncau To s t r i p t h e c u t l e n g t h s of bamboo o r ncaws t s e v C l e a r a s i t e f o r a house ( c f . 'khawb qua
r a t t a n t o make them t h i n . tsev' ) .
Qab t e b peb xub ncaws, nkauj nyab peb xub aws. We were
ncaug ( t . c . from ' n c a u j ' ) (cf. 'ncauj'). t h e f i r s t t o c l e a r f i e l d s and t h e f i r s t t o
c l a i m t h e p r o s p e c t i v e d a u g h t e r i n law. (idiom
1. n c a u j Mouth, mouthlike opening ( l u b ) ; p e r t a i n i n g t o f o r "We have f i r s t r i g h t s . " )
t h e mouth.
qhovncauj ( l u b ) The mouth. 3 . ncaws To nod, d i p t h e head.
d i n c a u j The l i p s . ncaws hau To nod t h e head, t o nudge w i t h t h e head
( a ) qheb qhovncauj To open t h e mouth. a s an animal.
(b) r u a qhovncauj To open t h e mouth. ncaws n r u j n r i s Nodding t h e head.
( a ) qhaws qhovncauj To c l o s e t h e mouth. ncaws ncaws dab n t u b To doze, nod t h e head i n s l e e p .
( b ) qos qhovncauj To c l o s e t h e mouth.
t i a g n c a u j To c u r s e , t o s c o l d . 4 . ncaws To peck a s a fowl, t o peck o f f o r peck a t w i t h t h e
n c a u j h l o b Prone t o c u r s e . beak ( c f . ' t h o s ' ) .
qaub ncaug S p i t t l e ( t . c . ) q a i b ncaws The chicken pecks.
n t o qaub ncaug To s p i t ( t . c . ) zaub q a i b ncaws A k i n d of l e a f y v e g e t a b l e w i t h saw-
( a ) ntxub ncaug To h a t e b i t t e r l y ( t . c . 1 t o o t h edge l e a v e s .
( b ) ntxub ntxaug To h a t e b i t t e r l y ( t . c . 1
5. ncaws
t s a n c a u j Began by s a y i n g , opened h i s mouth s a y i n g .
t s o ncauj Permit, allow. khaubncaws Clothing (cf . ' khaub ' ) .
qhovncauj tawm Canker s o r e s .
npuas n c a u j F r o t h a t t h e mouth. 6 . ncaws
kaus n c a u j q a i b Chicken beak. ( a ) h l u a ncaws A snare for birds.
t i m n c a u j n t s e e s tham To speak f a c e t o f a c e . ( b ) noog ncaws A snare f o r birds.
( a ) neeg n c a u j l i a b n c a u j s a i A p e r s o n who t a l k s a
l o t and s a y s a l l he t h i n k s . nce To a s c e n d , t o go up.
(b) neeg n c a u j t x u a A person who t a l k s a l o t and nce t o j To go up t h e h i l l , t o climb.
s a y s a l l he t h i n k s . nce zog mus To g a i n o r i n c r e a s e i n s t r e n g t h .
n c a u j ke The e n t r a n c e t o a r o a d , mouth of a road. s i b nce Term used f o r t h e s e x a c t i n animals.
l u b n c a u j hub The mouth of t h e p o t . Note: With t h e above c o n n o t a t i o n t h i s word i s used
i n f o u l language.
2 . n c a u j C l f . f o r s e t s o r mouthfuls of t e e t h .
i b n c a u j hni,av One s e t of t e e t h . nceb Mushrooms, t r e e fungus.
1. n c e j Frame, u p r i g h t p o s t , p i l l a r , p o s t i n a house 1. nco To remember.
frame ( t u s ) . nco q a b To remember, t o r e c a l l what i s p a s t .
n c e j kaum C o r n e r p o s t s o f a house. t s i s nco q a b lawm F o r g o t , f o r g o t t e n , u n c o n s c i o u s .
( a ) n c e j t s e v C e n t e r p o s t s o f a house h o l d i n g up n c o q a s n t s o o v To f i x i n memory, remember w e l l .
t h e ridge pole. ( a ) n c o dheev To s u d d e n l y c a l l t o mind, s u d d e n l y
( b ) n c e j r u C e n t e r p o s t s o f a house h o l d i n g up t h e remember.
ridge pole. ( b ) n c o d h u j dheev To s u d d e n l y c a l l t o mind, s u d d e n l y
n c e j c o s The u p r i g h t p o s t s of a r i c e f o o t - m i l l . remember.
n c e j n t o s The frame o f t h e s i m p l e Meo loom. n c o z o j To remember.
n t i v n c e j Forked s t i c k f o r a s l i n g s h o t . n c o t x o g To t h i n k o f , remember.
n c e j dab The main p i l l a r o r p o s t o f t h e h o u s e ; one nco t i a s To remember t h a t . . .
o f t h e main p i l l a r s which upholds t h e r i d g e ( a ) t s i s nco q a b hlaw h l i a s To k e e p f o r g e t t i n g t h i n g s ,
p o l e and where t h e s p i r i t s o f t h e h o u s e h o l d absent-minded.
a r e supposed t o r e s i d e . The ' n c e j d a b ' must ( b ) hnov q a u j To k e e p f o r g e t t i n g t h i n g s , a b s e n t -
s e t on t h e ground and n o t on a b o a r d f l o o r . minded.
G u e s t s must n o t s l e e p a t t h e f o o t o f t h e Nco k o j t s h a v n t u j . "Thanks v e r y much." I remember
'ncej dab.' The p l a c e n t a o f male c h i l d r e n you w i t h a p p r e c i a t i o n .
a r e b u r i e d a t t h e base of t h e ' n c e j dab.'
2. nco To m i s s , t o l o n g a f t e r one a b s e n t .
2. ncej Kuv nco n c o k o j . I m i s s you.
nce j puab ( t u s ) Thigh, u p p e r l e g of a p e r s o n .
3 . nco Combined w i t h ' l a w s ' a s a r e s t r i c t e d p . v . i n t .
ncem t o j ( t u s ) A k i n d o f s m a l l f r u i t b e a r i n g t r e e .
b e r r i e s a r e reddish i n color.
The ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
puv n c o laws F i l l e d rounded o v e r ( c f . ' p u v ' ) .
nceeg C l f . f o r a kingdom o r a d y n a s t y . ncoj To s h a k e , t o s h i v e r ( c f . ' t s h e e ' which i s more common).
c i a j i b n c e e g v a j To e s t a b l i s h a kingdom o r d y n a s t y . n c o j t h o To s h a k e , s h i v e r .
ncees P o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8). ncos
n c a j ncees S t r a i g h t , u p r i g h t , j u s t . n o j n t o o kug n c o s (cf. 'kug').
s i a b n c a j n c e e s Morally u p r i g h t .
ua n c a j n c e e s To d o f a i r l y , do j u s t l y . ncov P e a k , mountain t o p ( l u b ) .
l u b ncov roob Mountain peak.
nceev A s p e c i e s o f l a r g e hardwood t r e e w i t h b a r k somewhat n t o ncov roob To c r o s s t h e mountain t o p .
red. (tus)
ncoo P i l l o w , t h e p l a c e where t h e head i s p l a c e d i n r e c l i n i n g
ncig To e n c i r c l e , t o go c o m p l e t e l y a r o u n d , a t u r n , one o r l y i n g down.
t u r n around. l u b hauv ncoo A p i l l o w .
ua i b n c i g To d o one t u r n a r o u n d . hauv ncoo The r e g i o n where t h e head i s p l a c e d i n
hmab n c i g n t o o The v i n e e n c i r c l e s t h e t r e e . l y i n g down.
n c i g lawv l u b qhov nyob A l l around where t h e y w e r e . muab r a u ncoo To p l a c e a s a p i l l o w .
n c i g n c i g ua num Working around t h e house.
ncooj D e s c r i p t i v e o f a group s l e e p i n g c l o s e t o g e t h e r t o
ncia To s o b , t o c a t c h t h e b r e a t h a s i n s o b b i n g . k e e p warm.
1. n c i a b P o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 3 ) . ncu To p l a c e b e s i d e t h e f i r e t o s t e a m and s o f t e n .
( a ) dub n c i a b Very b l a c k , p e r f e c t l y b l a c k . ncu mov To p l a c e r i c e b e s i d e t h e f i r e t o s t e a m .
( b ) dub t x i g Very b l a c k , p e r f e c t l y b l a c k .
ncuj P .v. I n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
2. nciab Outsiders (poetic) .
Zaub t s i s yog n t x u a g , n c i a b t s i s yog l u a g . Vege-
ncaws hau n c u j nco Nodding t h e head i n s l e e p .
t a b l e s a r e n o t s u i t a b l e f o r a f e a s t and ncus D e s c r i p t i v e of throbbing pain.
o u t s i d e r s a r e n o t s u i t a b l e f o r companionship. n c u s n c u s li Throbbing p a i n .
ncuv P o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
hnub d a i npoo ncuv S u n s e t , s u n h a n g i n g on h o r i z o n .
l u b s i a b nka ncuv I n d e s p a i r . 1. ncha To s p r e a d a b r o a d , announce, s p r e a d f o r t h ( o f s o u n d ,
news).
ncua C l f . f o r t h e s u i t a b l e d i s t a n c e f o r a gun o r bow s h o t . ncha ntws To sound f o r t h ( u s e d a l s o a s a p . v . i n t . )
i b ncua phom D i s t a n c e f o r a gun s h o t . l u b s u a b n r o v ncha ntws Sounded f o r t h w i t h a g r e a t
i b ncua hneev D i s t a n c e f o r a crossbow s h o t . n o i s e , t h e sound r e s o u n d e d .
h a i s ncha mus t x o g l u a g z e j z o s Announced it t o t h e
1. ncuav A steamed c a k e ( l u b ) ; e s p e c i a l l y c a k e s o f b e a t e n neighboring v i l l a g e s .
cooked r i c e o r o f ground c o r n f l o u r , e t c .
ncuav tsuam A steamed c a k e p r e s s e d i n t o s h a p e . 2 . ncha Used a s a p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r , ( c f . Appendix 8 )
q e ncuav Egg-shaped steamed r i c e cake. n r o v ncha ntws Resounding ( s e e D e f i n i t i o n No. 1 above)
k e e b ncuav Steamed c a k e s made w i t h l e a v e n . ncha n t h i ( A two-word p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r u s e d
t o a m p l i f y v e r b s where l o u d n e s s i s a f e a t u r e
2. ncuav Pock mark. and where a group i s i n v o l v e d a s i n a t u m u l t
h l u a v h l u a v ncuav F u l l of s m a l l d e p r e s s i o n s . o r commotion.) ( c f . 'zom z a w s ' ) .
p l h u h l u a v h l u a v ncuav Pock marked f a c e . ua ncha n t h i To d o w i t h n o i s e and commotion.
qw ncha n t h i Of a crowd s h o u t i n g .
3 . ncuav n r o v ncha n t h i Noise o f a crowd, e t c .
n a s ncuav (cf . ' nas ' ) .
nchav Vigorous.
4 . ncuav A s l a p , s t r i k e w i t h t h e palm o f t h e hand. ua nchav To do w i t h v i g o r .
( a ) i b tawg ncuav One s l a p . l u s nchav Vigorous f o r c e f u l s p e e c h ( c f . 'lus loj' ) .
( b ) i b ncuav p i a s One s l a p .
nchaiv A g i v e n name f o r men.
ncw Bearing f r u i t abundantly, p r o l i f i c f r u i t bearing.
t x i t x i v ncw ncw li Bears f r u i t a b u n d a n t l y . nchauv Smoky ( c f . ' n c h o ' ) .
t s w nchauv To s m e l l smoky.
ncwb
noog ncwb ( t u s ) A s p e c i e s of s m a l l yellow b i r d . nchi Flatulence.
ceev ceev n c h i n c h i F l a t u l e n c e , f e e l i n g of being f u l l
ncwm To h o l d i n c e n s e i n t h e hand and c i r c l e i t around t h e though n o t h a v i n g e a t e n .
chicken o r animal being s a c r i f i c e d i n s p i r i t n c h i p l a b F l a t u l e n c e , g a s i n t h e stomach.
worship.
nchias
n c h i a s taw On t i p t o e .
N w s mus n c h i a s taw. He walked on t i p t o e .
ncho To p r o d u c e smoke, t o smoke.
ncho pa To p r o d u c e smoke, make smoke.
Hluavtaws ncho ncho p a . The f i r e i s smoking.
nchos To s h a k e s o m e t h i n g , t o s h a k e i n t h e h a n d , t o j i g g l e .
nchos menyuam To s h a k e o r j i g g l e a c h i l d a s i n p l a y
o r i n p u t t i n g it t o s l e e p , e t c .
nchos nchos p l a b A method o f r e l i e v i n g stomach p a i n
by j i g g l i n g t h e abdominal r e g i o n .
1. nchuav To p o u r o u t .
Muab d e j nchuav pov t s e g . Pour t h e w a t e r away.
d e j nchuav nthwv The w a t e r s p i l l e d .
nchuav h l a u To m e l t i r o n t o mold, p o u r i r o n i n t o
t h e mold.
2. nchuav To a b o r t , m i s c a r r y . 1. nkaub Yolk.
( a ) nchuav c e v To a b o r t , m i s c a r r y ( o f humans). nkaub q e ( l u b ) ~ g ygo l k ( c f . ' q e ' ) .
( b ) nchuav menyuam To a b o r t , m i s c a r r y ( o f humans).
2 . nkaub
h a i s nkaub TO l i e , t o d e c e i v e .

3. nkaub
l e e b nkaub ( t u s ) The p a r a k e e t .

1. nkaug To p i e r c e , t o s t a b .
N w s muab hmuv h l a u nkaug l u b p l a b . He s t a b b e d him i n
t h e stomach w i t h an i r o n s p e a r .

2 . nkaug R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r w i t h ' n t s i m '

n i a j no nkaug n t s i m Of p e r s o n s c o l d and s h i v e r i n g .

1. n k a u j Young unmarried f e m a l e , mature f e m a l e h a v i n g had

no young.
h l u a s n k a u j Young woman, unmarried g l r l ( t u s ) .
n k a u j f a A d u l t e r e s s ( t u s ) , one who r u n s away from
h e r husband.
( a ) n k a u j muag p a j P r o s t i t u t e ( t u s ) .
(b) pojniam n t i a v P r o s t i t u t e .
n k a u j npuas Young f e m a l e p i g ( t u s ) .
( a ) t i a v n k a u j To come t o young womanhood, g i r l
p a s t puberty.
1. nka Skinny, l e a n (of animals) (contr. 'yuag'). ( b ) ua n k a u j To come t o young womanhood, g i r l p a s t
puberty.
2 . nka n k a u j q a i b A p u l l e t , young hen ( t u s ) .
l u b s i a b nka ncuv IIeart i n despair. n k a u j n t s u a b n r a u g n a s Legendary f i r s t woman and man.
n k a u j nyab A corncob d o l l , a d o l l ( t u s ) .
1. nkag To c r a w l , t o go b e n e a t h .
nkag hauv qab To g o u n d e r n e a t h . 2 . n k a u j Handsome, b e a u t i f u l .
nkag r o o j To go b e n e a t h t h e t a b l e . zoo nkau j B e a u t i f u l .
nkag pem t e b To c r a w l on t h e ground.
nkag qhawv qho lawv qab To go u n w i l l i n g l y , e . g . one 3 . n k a u j A s o n g , melody ( z a j ) .
( a ) hu n k a u j To s i n g , s i n g a song.
d r a g g e d o f f t o an unhappy m a r r i a g e . ( t o "go
along crawling") . ( b ) h a i s n k a u j To s i n g , s i n g a s o n g .

2. nkag 1. nkaum To withdraw s o m e t h i n g b a c k , t o r e c e d e i n t o .

nkag s i a b To u n d e r s t a n d ( l i t . " t o e n t e r t h e h e a r t " ) . Nab nkaum hauv q a b zeb lawm. The s n a k e r e c e d e d u n d e r
Koj puas nkag s i a b ? Do you u n d e r s t a n d ? the rock.
( a ) Kuv t s i s nkag s i a b . I d o n ' t understand. mem t e s nkaum lawm The p u l s e h a s d i s a p p e a r e d , c a n ' t
( b ) T s i s nkag kuv s i a b . I d o n ' t understand. f e e l the pulse.

nkaj The i n d i g o p l a n t , i n d i g o dye a s used by t h e Hmong. 2. nkaum Used i n c o m b i n a t i o n w i t h ' n e e s ' f o r numbers 20
t o 29.
nkaib n e e s nkaum 20.
( a ) h a i s n k a i b To l i e , t o d e c e i v e . n e e s nkaum i b 21, e t c . (cf. 'nees').
( b ) h a i s d a g To l i e , t o d e c e i v e .
nkais
n a s n k a i s ( t u s ) Small y e l l o w i s h - r e d r o d e n t . Somewhat
s m a l l e r t h a n a s q u i r r e l b u t w i t h a s i m i l a r bushy
tail. (cf. 'nas').
1. nkaus A restricted post verbal intensifier ( c f . Appendix nkees L e t h a r g i c , l a z y , d i s i n c l i n e d t o act.
p. 471) Used s i n g l y o r i n c o m b i n a t i o n ' p e s nkaus
kawg nkaus S u p e r l a t i v e d e g r e e , ended, c o m p l e t e l y .
.' n k e e s n k e e s nqa li Weak and l e t h a r g i c .
( a ) n k e e s n l o o g D i s i n c l i n e d t o l i s t e n , " t i r e d of
zoo kawg nkaus The b e s t , i n t e n s e l y good. hearing i t . "
hum nkaus F i t t i n g . (b) l a j nloog D i s i n c l i n e d t o l i s t e n , " t i r e d of
yam nkaus L i k e , s i m i l a r t o . hearing i t . "
c e e b nkaus S t a r t l e d . n k e e s ua D i s i n c l i n e d t o do.
l o nkaus S t u c k t o . tub nkeeg ( t . c . ) Lazy.
ti nkaus Very c l o s e t o g e t h e r . k e v mob k e v nkeeg ( t . c . 1 S i c k n e s s and l e t h a r g y .
Note: These i l l u s t r a t i o n s a r e some common examples o f ua d a b t u b nkeeg (t.c.1 To have M a l a r i a , ( s o c a l l e d
t h e u s e o f p . v . i n t . ' k a u s . ' I t i s a l s o used b e c a u s e of t h e l e t h a r g y w i t h i t . )
w i t h t h e v e r b s l i s t e d below. S e e t h e i n d i v i d u a l "Tub nkeeg muaj t u b nkeeg n t u j . l1 The l a z y man h a s
v e r b s f o r t h e meaning. h i s own t i m e . ( p r o v e r b )
cuag ntsiab tim txaws
kem P UV twb t x ij nki
khaws puv n t u g tho0j txiv i b nyuag n k i xwb ( I j u s t touched you) a l i t t l e b i t
nias puab tsawv txheem (and t h e n you c r y ! )
npua j Pua9 tsuam z 00 Note: T h i s i s language used by c h i l d r e n .
nres puas txais
nthos . tib txaus 1. n k i g B r i t t l e , c r i s p ( c o n t r . ' z o o j ' ) .
n p l e j n k i g The r i c e 1s h a r d and f i r m i n t h e h u l l .
2. nkaus S i n g l e , o n l y .
I b t u g nkaus xwb l o s ? Only one? 2. n k i g
ua nkog ua n k i g V a s c i l l a t i n g , u n s t e a d y , t o d o c a r e -
nkaw ( T h i s i s a l e g a l term) To p u t a s i d e a c a u s e of l e s s l y o r poorly.
complaint, e t c . f o r f u r t h e r consideration a t
a l a t e r date. 3 . nkig
l i a b nkog n k i g Dull red.
nkawd ( c f . 'nkawm, ' ) ( c f . I n t r o d u c t i o n pp. x x i i - x x i i i ) .
nkim To w a s t e , t o u s e w i t h o u t p u r p o s e .
1. nkawg Concerning g o s s i p . nkim zog To w a s t e s t r e n g t h , u s e l e s s e f f o r t .
nkawg l u s G o s s i p , t o g o s s i p . nkim n y i a j To w a s t e money.
t u s nkawg l u s A g o s s i p , a s p y , one who l i s t e n s t o nkim hnub nyoog To w a s t e t i m e .
o t h e r s ' c o n v e r s a t i o n s e c r e t l y and r e p o r t s t o
outsiders, etc. (cf. ' taug xaiv' ) . nkis Restricted p.v.int. ( c f . Appendix 1 2 ) .
2 . nkawg nkiag
i b nkawg t.c. (cf . 'nkawm' ) . s i a b nkiag S h a r p memory, good memory.
nkawj A wasp ( c f . 'muv' ) . nkog
l u b t a u b nkawj A w a s p ' s n e s t . ua nkog ua n k i g ( c f . ' n k i g ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 2 ) .
nkawm A pair (clf. for pairs). 1. n k o j A boat ( l u b ) , (usually a hand-propelled b o a t )
Nkawm h a i s li c a s ? What d i d t h e two of them s a y ? (contr. 'hemcav').
i b nkawg A p a i r ( t .c . ) n k o j t o g The b o a t s i n k s .
nkawm khau P a i r o f s h o e s . nko] d e g ( t . c . ) A boat (lub).
t x i j nkawm An engaged p e r s o n o r c o u p l e . n k o j c u a An a i r p l a n e , a i r c r a f t ( l u b l ( c f . ' d a v h l a u ' )
t x h e e b n k o j To p o l e a b o a t .
nkawv Sometimes u s e d t o r e f e r t o b i t e s by a n i m a l s , e t c . ( a ) h a i s n k o j To row a b o a t .
t i b nkawv One b i t e , b i t t e n o n c e . ( b ) h a i s d e j To row a b o a t .
( c ) nquam nko j To row a b o a t .
nkeeg t.c. from ' n k e e s ' (cf. 'nkees').
2 . n k o j To u p r o o t
nkol c a g ( t r e e ) u p r o o t e d .
nkos Muddy.
nkos nkos li Muddy.
a v nkos Mud. nkham To g o on a l l f o u r s , c r a w l on a l l f o u r s .
nkoog To c o n g e a l , c o n g e a l e d ( c f . ' k h o v ' ) . nkhas ( c f . 'nrov' ) .
nkoos .
R e s t r i c t e d p o s t - v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f F.ppendix 8 p . 471) 1. nkhaus Crooked, h a v i n g a crook o r bend.
n r a i m nkoos Hidden. Kev nkhaus nkhaus li. The r o a d i s c r o o k e d .
h a i s l u s n r a i m nkoos To speak s e c r e t l y .
l a u s nkoos Very o l d ; o f sounds low i n t o n e . 2 . nkhaus Not s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d , d i s h o n e s t .
khoov nkoos S t o o p e d , bend o v e r . N w s l u b s i a b t s i s n c a j s i a b nkhaus nkhaus. He h a s a
x a u j nkoos Bent o v e r t o p e e k . crooked h e a r t .
nkoov Twisted ( a s a rope, e t c . ) (cf. 'ntswj'). nkhawb S o o t , c a r b o n , c a r b o n r e s i d u e t h a t g a t h e r s on t h e
Ntswj kom nkoov. T w i s t i t l i k e a r o p e . b o a r d s o r r o o f o v e r a Hmong open f i r e p l a c e .
nkoov h l u a To t w i s t a r o p e .
nkoov kav (cf. 'nplej ' ) . nkhawv Restricted post verbal intensifier. ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
n q h i s d e j nkhawv To b e v e r y t h i r s t y .
nkuj Restricted p.v.int. ( c f . Appendix 8).
nkhib A c r o t c h , a n g l e formed by t h e p a r t i n g o f two l e g s o r
branches.
n k h i b t e g C r o t c h of t h e f i n g e r s ( t .c . )
n t o o muaj n k h i b T r e e s have c r o t c h e s .
nkua Clf. f o r s t r i k e s with the f i s t .
( a ) Ntaus nws i b nkua. (He) s t r u c k him o n c e . nkhis R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r . ( c f . Appendix
( b ) Ntaus nws i b t e g . (He) s t r u c k him o n c e . 8 , p. 4 7 5 ) .
n r o v n k h i s nkhoos The sound o f t h i n g s hollow (cf.
nkuag (cf. 'nkuaj') (t.c.J 'nrov' ) .
nkuaj A s t a b l e , a pen o r e n c l o s u r e ( l u b ) . nkhoob The sound of a dog b a r k i n g .
nkuaj nees A horse s t a b l e . nkhoob nkhoob Sound o f a dog b a r k i n g ("Woof Woof!")
r o o j nkuag S t a b l e d o o r ( l u b ) ( t . c . )
t s i a j ncawg n k u a j Animals e n t e r t h e pen. nkhoos Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with 'nrov.'
( c f . ' n r o v , ' ' n k h i s ' A l s o Appendix 8 , p . 4 7 5 ) .
nkuav
t u a tshwb nkuav To k i l l (game) c l o s e a t hand.
 npaj To p r o v i d e f o r , t o p r e p a r e , t o p r e p a r e f o r ( c f . ' p a m ' ) .
n p a j n q a i j n p a j mov To p r o v i d e food, p r e p a r e food.
nlog The sound made by a t i g e r when s t a r t l e d . Npaj t a u yug l u b cev xwb. To provide f o r o n e ' s
body o n l y .
nlom An i d o l , an image ( t u s ) . n p a j s i a b To p r e p a r e t h e h e a r t ( a s f o r i n s t r u c t i o n , e t c . )
pe nlom To worship i d o l s .
npam Used f o r t h e "Baht," u n i t of Thai c u r r e n c y , t i c a l
nloog To l i s t e n , t o hearken t o , g i v e a t t e n t i o n t o ( c o n t r . (TI ( l u b ) .
'hnov')
nloog t i a s . . .
.What ( I ) h e a r d was.. . 1. npau To bubble up, t o b o i l .
( a ) nloog z o j To l i s t e n w e l l . Dej npau npau. The w a t e r i s b o i l i n g .
( b ) nloog zoo zoo To l i s t e n w e l l .
nloog t s i s t s h a b D i d n ' t h e a r c l e a r l y , c a n ' t h e a r 2 . npau To be angry, t o " b o i l " w i t h anger.
clearly. ( a ) npau s i a b To be angry.
nloog l u s To l i s t e n t o what i s s a i d , t o obey. ( b ) npau l u b s i a b To be angry.
nloog mob To be conscious of p a i n ( g i v e a t t e n t i o n ( a ) npau taws To be angry.
t o ) t o l i s t e n with a stethoscope. ( b ) l u b s i a b npau taws To be angry.
npau vog Sudden b u r s t of anger.
nluas S i c k l y , weak.
l u b cev n l u a s n l u a s Weak s i c k l y body. 3 . npau
npau suav A dream
nluav Dented ( c f . ' h n l o s . ' ' zuav' )
( a ) nluav lawm Dented.
. ua npau suav To dream.

( b ) h n l o s lawm Dented. npaub A given name f o r women.

( c ) zuav lawm Dented.
1. npaug t.c. from 'npaum,' ( c f . 'npaum').

2 . npaug
ua npuav npaug tshaws (cf . 'pobkws ' ) .
npauj Moth ( t u s ) .
t u s npauj The moth.
t u s kab npauj The moth l a r v a .
1. npaum Equal, e q u a l t o , a s much o r a s many a s .
( a ) npaum li A s much a s t h i s .
( b ) npaum li no A s much a s t h i s .
Muaj npaum no xwb. Only t h i s much, t h a t ' s a l l I have.
zoo s i b npaug Equally good ( t . c . )
f a i b s i b npaug Divide e q u a l l y ( t . c . )
ua num s i b npaug zos To do an e q u a l amount of work.
2 . npaum Used a f t e r numbers t o e x p r e s s mathematical i n c r e a s e
o r m u l t i p l i c a t i o n i n geometric r a t i o such a s
doubling, t r i p l i n g , e t c .
npab Arm. ua ob npaug Twice a s many, doubled ( t .c . )
c a j npab The human arm, t h e upper arm.
yas npab Elbow ( c f . ' l u j t s h i b ' )
t o o j npab B r a c e l e t ( l u b ) .
. peb npaug T r i p l e d ( t . c . 1
r a u caug npaum 6 0 times a s many.
1. npawg Term used f o r male c o u s i n s of a d i f f e r e n t surname,
npag S t o u t and s t r o n g p h y s i c a l l y , muscular ( c o n t r . ' r o g ' ) . i . e . male c h i l d r e n of m o t h e r ' s b r o t h e r s and s i s t e r s
N0t.e: This i s a b e t t e r term t o use of persons t h a n and of f a t h e r ' s s i s t e r s . ( t u s ) ( c f . k i n s h i p
'rog. ' c h a r t s , Appendix 11) .
2. npawg Of a n o t h e r c l a n , f r i e n d l y term used i n g r e e t i n g 3 . npo R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
o t h e r s of t h e same age whom you do n o t r e a l l y puv npo Completely f u l l .
know, " f r i e n d . " ( t u s ) Note: 'puv npo' i s used f i g u r a t i v e l y a l s o whereas
t h e s i m i l a r term 'puv nkaus' i s used most of
npawj Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'nrov' things l i t e r a l l y f i l l e d .
( c f . 'nrov' ) . Kuv l u b s i a b puv npo. My h e a r t i s f u l l .
t s a u npo F i l l e d , s a t i s f i e d .
npawm To s h a p e , t o c a r v e , t o shave o f f a board ( c f . ' t w s ' ) .
1. npog To cover something o v e r , t o cover s o a s t o h i d e .
1. npaws To p i n c h w i t h t h e k n u c k l e s , pinch o f f w i t h t h e Roob nphau 10s npog lawv. The mountain s l i d down and
knuckles. covered them.
npaws zaub hau To p i n c h o r b r e a k o f f s h o r t l e n g t h s l i a b npog muag ( t u s ) The s l o t h , a s l o t h .
of l e a f y g r e e n v e g e t a b l e s i n t o a p o t f o r
boiling. 2 . npog A bad omen, p e r t a i n i n g t o taboo ( c f . ' c h o v , ' ' x u ' ) .
( a ) ua chov Is an e v i l omen, i s taboo.
2 . npaws C h i l l s and f e v e r ( c l f . ' t u s ' f o r one c h i l l ( b ) ua npog Is an e v i l omen, i s taboo.
and t e m p e r a t u r e ) . ( c ) ua xu I s an e v i l omen, i s taboo.
ua npaws To have c h i l l s and f e v e r . Note: There a r e many t h i n g s c o n s i d e r e d i n t h i s c a t e g o r y
mob npaws M a l a r i a , i l l n e s s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by c h i l l s by t h e Hmong such a s any snake o r b i r d o r wild
and f e v e r , t o be s i c k w i t h such i l l n e s s . animal e n t e r i n g a house, a dog on t h e r o o f , a
l i t t e r of one p i g l e t , e t c . Where such t h i n g s
npawv Rounded o f f and n o t r e a l l y s t r a i g h t a s e . g . of a a r e encountered t h e y must be met by s u i t a b l e
d u l l wedge o r of t e e t h worn o f f . appeasement t o t h e s p i r i t s .
v i j dab v i j npog -
t r o u b l e d by e v i l omens and s p i r i t s
npe Given name, name ( l u b )
i b l u b npe A name, one name.
. 3 . npog
s i a b nphau npog Very angry ( l i t . " h e a r t t u r n e d o v e r " ) .
Nws l u b npe hu li c a s ? What i s h i s g i v e n name?
( a ) daws npe To g i v e a name. npo j .
F l o c k , brood ( c f 'pab ' ) , a group g a t h e r e d t o g e t h e r .
( b ) hu npe To g i v e a name. i b npog q a i b One f l o c k of chickens ( t . c . )
( c ) t i s npe To g i v e a name. q a i b npoj A f l o c k of c h i c k e n s .
hu t u a v npe To c a l l by name. ncaim npoj To s e p a r a t e t h e f l o c k , t o s e p a r a t e t h e
poob npe To l o s e o n e ' s name o r r e p u t a t i o n . group.
npe n t o moo Name o r r e p u t a t i o n s p r e a d abroad. sawvdaws poog npoj A l l come t o g e t h e r i n one group o r
Tuav npe t x o g ntawm kwj t s e . No sooner had we s a i d one f l o c k .
h i s name t h a n he appeared.
npe ntawv L e t t e r s , a l p h a b e t . npos
Teb nyob npos npos. The f i e l d s l i e i n a hollow.
npeeg To m i s s t h e mark ( a s i n f i r i n g a gun, e t c . )
npoo The edge of a p r e c i p i c e , c l i f f edge.
npees To s l i p o v e r ( a t e r m used i n s e w i n g ) . d a i npoo ncuv Hung on t h e edge, of a n y t h i n g hung o r
balanced on t h e edge of a c l i f f o r about t o f a l l
1. n p i s A given name f o r men. over a p r e c i p i c e .
Hnub d a i npoo ncuv S u n s e t , t h e sun "hung" on t h e
2. npis N a t u r a l l y s t o u t and s t r o n g ( c f . ' n p a g ' ) . horizon.
npiaj Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'nrov' npoog To b u i l d up t h e ground around p l a n t s o r t r e e s .
.
(cf 'nrov' ) . 1. npoos A k i n d of t r e e p i t c h used f o r l i g h t i n g .
1. npo To p i c k o u t o f , t o l i f t o u t of ( a s from w a t e r , e t c . ) taws npoos To c a r r y a p i t c h t o r c h , t o use p i t c h f o r
npo tawm 10s To l i f t o r d i p o u t of ( t h e w a t e r ) . lighting (cf. 'tsau r o j ' ) .
2 . npo To r e s t r a i n , t o r e s t r a i n t h e bowels o r u r i n e . 2. npoos C l f . f o r s i d e s of f o l d e d c l o t h .
npo z i s To r e s t r a i n u r i n a t i o n . i b npoos n t a u b One s i d e o f f o l d e d c l o t h .
npu 2 . npuag A k i n d o f e x p e n s i v e c l o t h .
d a u s x i b d a u s npu Snow. n t a u b t s u j n t a u b npuag F i n e c l o t h .
hnav t s u j hnav npuag To d r e s s i n f i n e r y , d r e s s i n
npub Dull, not sharp. expensive clothing.
Rab t a u s n o npub npub li. This axe i s d u l l .
1. n p u a j To pound w i t h t h e hands.
npug n p u a j p l a b To pound t h e stomach r e g i o n w i t h t h e hands
n t i v npug (cf. 'qeej'). t o relieve pain. (contr. 'npuab').
npuaj t e g ( t . c . 1 To c l a p h a n d s .
1. n p u j To hammer, t o pound, t o b a t t e r , bump h a r d a g a i n s t .
Muab n p u j kom n c a j . Pound it u n t i l i t i s s t r a i g h t . 2. npuaj
Tsheb s i b npug. The c a r s c o l l i d e d . ( t .c . ) (cf. n p u a j nkaus Touching, s t u c k t o g e t h e r ( c f . ' l o nkaus ' ) .
' s i b lawg' ) . 1. npuas Bubbles, foam, b u b b l e ( l u b ) .
2. npuj i b l u b npuas d e j A w a t e r b u b b l e .
n t a n p u j A t r a p f o r a n i m a l s c o n s i s t i n g of a s h a r p npuas n c a u j Foam from t h e mouth.
s p e a r o f bamboo, e t c . s e t h o r i z o n t a l l y t o
s p r i n g when r e l e a s e d s o a s t o k i l l t h e game. 2 . npuas
s i b npuas ( t . c . from ' n p u a ' ) ( c f . 'npua' D e f i n i t i o n
3 . npuj No. 2 ) .
n p u j npaim (tus) Butterfly.
1. npuav To h o l d i n t h e mouth.
npuv F i n e powder, v e r y f i n e l y powdered. npuav rawv To h o l d t i g h t l y i n t h e mouth.
muab npuav P l a c e it i n t h e mouth.
1. npua P i g , p e r t a i n i n g t o p i g s ( t u s ) . muab n y i a j npuav To p l a c e a s i l v e r c o i n i n t h e mouth
taw npua Boar, o l d male p i g used f o r b r e e d i n g . o f a dead p e r s o n . T h i s i s p a r t o f t h e p r e p a r a -
maum npua Sow. t i o n f o r b u r i a l p r o v i d i n g money f o r p a s s a g e
n k a u j npuas ( t . c . ) Young f e m a l e p i g h a v i n g had n o i n t o t h e l a n d beyond d e a t h .
Young.
l a s npua Large c a s t r a t e d p i g . 2 . npuav
quab npuas ( t . c . ) Young c a s t r a t e d p i g . ua npuav npaug t s h a w s ( c f . 'pobkwsl).
pub npua To f e e d t h e p i g s .
npua h o P i g h a s l o s t a l i t t e r .
npua tshom P i g r o o t i n g , p i g d i g g i n g t o f i n d food.
t u s cuamtxwv npua Half grown c a s t r a t e d p i g .
npua t e b Wild p i g , w i l d b o a r .
2 . npua To wrap around t h e body, t o wear wrapped around.
s e v npua The back a p r o n on a woman's o u t f i t .
.
(cf 'sev' ) .
3. npua
z a j npuas ( t .c . ) ( t u s ) A s m a l l w i l d a n i m a l h a v i n g a
body s i m i l a r t o a p i g b u t n o s e and f e e t s i m i l a r
t o a dog. N e s t s i n t h e ground. (cf. 'loob').
npuab To massage, t o l a y t h e hands on ( c o n t r . ' n p u a j ' ) .
npuab p l a b To massage t h e stomach.
1. npuag S e r i o u s i n f e c t i o n .
mob npuag I n f e c t i o n , b l o o d p o i s o n i n g .
mob npuag f a j A c a r b u n c l e ( a l s o 'mob f a j ' ) .
 NPL
1. nphav To knock o r touch a g a i n s t a c c i d e n t a l l y . nplas Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
plag nplas Disorderly.
2. nphav Used a s a r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r
with 'nrov' (cf. 'nrov').
c i n p l a s An expanse of b r i g h t n e s s ( c f . 'vus ' )
q a i j n p l a s TO a v o i d , s t e e r away from, l e a n from.
.
1. nphau To t i p o v e r . 1.. nplav Gradual s l o p e .
roob nphau 10s The mountain s l i d down ( l i t . " t i p p e d n p l a v t o j A h i l l w i t h a g r a d u a l even s l o p e .
over") . 2 . nplav used w i t h 'nplem' a s a r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l
2 . nphau T u r b u l e n t (of running w a t e r ) . intensifier.
d e j nphau nphwv Turbulent w a t e r . nce nplem n p l a v Gradual a s c e n t ( c f . ' n p l e m ' ) .
3 . nphau 1. n p l a i Fish o r r e p t i l e s c a l e s ( c f . ' n p l a i s ' ) .
n r i g nphau Of persons o r animals t u r n i n g o v e r on t h e n p l a i n t s e s Fish s c a l e s .
back. n p l a i nab Snake o r r e p t i l e s c a l e s .
nees n r i g nphau Horse r o l l i n g on i t s back.
2. nplai S e c t i o n s of a c i t r u s f r u i t .
4 . nphau i b n p l a i s t x i v l w j zoov One s e c t i o n of pomelo ( t . c . )
s i a b nphau npog Very angry (lit. " h e a r t t u r n e d o v e r 1 ' ) .
nphaws Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r . ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
nplaig The tongue ( t u s ) .
h l e v n p l a i g P u t o u t t h e tongue.
n t a u g nphaws lawm Decreased i n i n t e n s i t y (of i l l n e s s n p l a i g t x h a v c a n ' t speak c l e a r l y , t o n g u e - t i e d .
storm, f i r e , e t c . ) l u s dov n p l a i g Words h a r d t o e n u n c i a t e .
nphiv Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with 'nrov' 1. nplaim S u r f a c e , expanse.
(cf. 'nrov'). nplaim h i a v txwv S u r f a c e of t h e s e a .
nplaim d e j S u r f a c e o f t h e w a t e r .
npho Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r . ( c f . Appendix 8 )
c a i s npho To s e p a r a t e , each go h i s own way. 2 . nplaim Flame.
( a ) nplaim taws Flames of f i r e .
nphob D i r t y , s o i l e d , musty. ( b ) nplaim hluavtaws Flames of f i r e .
ntaub nphob nphob Cloth s o i l e d , n o t new c l o t h . nplaim t e e b Lamp flame.
kev nphob nphob Road i n poor c o n d i t i o n .
3. nplaim P e t a l
1. nphoo To throw o r s c a t t e r w i t h t h e hand. nplaim p a j n t o o Flower p e t a l s .
nphoov av To throw d u s t , s c a t t e r d u s t .
nphoov n t s e v r a u n q a i j S c a t t e r s a l t on t h e meat. 4 . nplaim The r e e d of a wind i n s t r u m e n t .
nplaim t o o j Brass r e e d a s used i n t h e ' q e e j ' o r
2 . nphoo P o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) . o t h e r wind i n s t r u m e n t .
neeg coob nphoo n t x o j nphoo ntxuas A g r e a t crowd. r a j nplaim A f l u t e .
nphoob R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) . nplais
pham nphoob - very f a t (of a n i m a l s ) n p l a i s taws Wood c h i p s (cf. 'nplai').
nphoov R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r ' n r o v '
( c f . 'nrov' ) .
n t o g nrov nphoov F e l l d w n w i t h a resounding c r a s h .
nplaum Glutinous, gluey, s t i c k y .
nplaum nplaum 11 Gluey, s t i c k y .
n p l e j nplaum Uncooked g l u t i n o u s r i c e ( c f . ' n p l e j ' ) .
nphuabpos nphuab A k i n d of t h o r n .
nphwv R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
d e j nphau nphwv T u r b u l e n t w a t e r .
nplawg Combined w i t h ' n t i a s ' t o form a two word r e s t r i c t e d n p l e j dauv t w q a i b The l e a v e s a r e bending o v e r .
post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r . ( c f . Appendix 8 ) n p l e j t x i j hauvcaug Up t o t h e knees.
The use of t h i s p.v. i n t . adds t o t h e verb t h e n p l e j t x i j duav A s high a s t h e w a i s t .
s e n s e t h a t t h e a c t i o n i s done by many persons ( a ) n p l e j nqus y a s The stem has formed.
together. ( b ) nkoov kav The stem has formed.
zaum nplawg n t i a s S a t down t o g e t h e r . n p l e j ua p l a b hnab Seed pod has formed.
cem nplawg n t i a s A l l began t o s c o l d . n p l e j paim tshaws lawm The growing h e a r t has appeared.
10s nplawg n t i a s A l l r e t u r n e d t o g e t h e r . n p l e j z i a b pag tshaws The k e r n e l s b e g i n t o form.
Also used w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g v e r b s : (See i n d i v i d u a l n p l e j r a u txhuv S o f t k e r n e l s have formed.
e n t r i e s f o r t h e meanings.) n p l e j t o o The r i c e i s f i l l i n g o u t .
ua nyob tuaj qW n p l e j d a j qab hnab The r i c e k e r n e l s a r e r i p e n i n g
hais quaj txeeb nyiav a t t h e t o p of t h e head.
ntaus thuam khiav lawm n p l e j s i a v n t o nqob The r i c e i s r i p e t o t h e base of
t h e head.
1. nplawm To whip, t o b e a t , t o i n f l i c t s t r i p e s .
r a b nplawm A s t i c k f o r b e a t i n g , a whip. nplem Used w i t h ' n p l a v ' a s a two-word r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l
intensifier. ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
2 . nplawm C l f . f o r blows, l a s h e s . nce nplem nplav Gradual a s c e n t .
i b nplawg One l a s h w i t h t h e whip ( t . c . )
kaum nplawm Ten blows. npleem To s l i p s i d e w i s e o f f a s u r f a c e ( a s when p r e s s u r e i s
added from above, e . g . a hand s l i p p i n g o f f t h e
nplaws Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with 'npliag' edge of a t a b l e ) .
(cf. 'npliag' ) .
1. n p l i j To comfort, t o c o n s o l e ( c f . ' d e e v ' ) .
nplej Unhulled r i c e (whether s t a n d i n g i n t h e f i e l d o r c u t ) n p l i j l u b s i a b To comfort t h e h e a r t .
(contr. 'txhuv,' 'mov'). (clf. 'lub' for a N p l i j nws m e n t s i s kom nws txhob q u a j . Comfort him a
kernel, ' t e s ' f o r a sheaf). l i t t l e s o he w i l l n o t c r y .
t e b n p l e g Rice f i e l d ( t . c . ) (dry f i e l d r i c e ) .
i b t e g n p l e j A sheaf of r i c e ( t . c . ) 2. n p l i j A r e s t r i c t e d post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with 'nrov'
n t a u s n p l e j To t h r e s h r i c e .
( a ) h l a i s n p l e j TO h a r v e s t r i c e .
( c f . 'nrov' ) .
( b ) muab n p l e ] To h a r v e s t r i c e . npliv Small s i l v e r c o i n s used f o r ornamentation ( l u b ) .
y a j n p l e j To winnow r i c e . t x i a j n p l i v (and) t x i a v cub Two t y p e s of s m a l l Indo-
npluag n p l e j Rice c h a f f . Chinese c o i n s worn by t h e Hmong f o r d e c o r a t i o n .
( a ) quav nyab n p l e g Rice s t r a w
( b ) quav n p l e j Rice s t r a w . 1. n p l i a g Exact, a c c u r a t e , p r e c i s e
t s h a v quav n p l e j To c u t t h e r i c e s t u b b l e f o r burning. xyaum n p l i a g n p l i a g li To follow e x a c t l y , do e x a c t l y
xua n p l e j Rice b r a n .
lum n p l e j ( c f . ' lum' ) .
kaus n p l e j Rice s p r o u t when i t f i r s t appears ( t u s )
as told.
h a i s l u s t s i s n p l i a g To speak i n a c c u r a t e l y .
yub n p l e j Young r i c e s p r o u t s , r i c e s e e d l i n g s . 2. n p l i a g R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r i n combination
hnab n p l e j The head of r i c e ( l u b ) .
n p l e j txhawv t x h i j The r i c e has come t o a head.
w i t h 'nplaws ' .
( c f Appendix 8 )
ntub nag n p l i a g nplaws Soaking wet.
.
( a ) dob n p l e j To weed t h e r i c e f i e l d s .
( b ) dob t e b n p l e g To weed t h e r i c e f i e l d s . n p l i a j Given name.
noj nplej tshiab ( c f . ' n o j ' ) To e a t a meal i n
c e l e b r a t i o n of t h e f i r s t newly h a r v e s t e d r i c e . 1. n p l i a s Given name f o r a g i r l .
R e l a t i v e s a r e i n v i t e d i n , a chicken k i l l e d and
t h a n k s g i v e n t o t h e s p i r i t s a s a l l i n t h e home 2. n p l i a s
take p a r t i n the f e a s t . t x i v nplias (lub) A k i n d of f r u i t .
Note: Below a r e t h e terms d e s c r i p t i v e of t h e v a r i o u s
s t a g e s i n t h e growth of r i c e . nplo S l i g h t l y used ( o f c l o t h i n g , e t c . )
n p l e j ua koob n t o av Rice s p r o u t j u s t appearing. l u b t s h o n p l o A j a c k e t s l i g h t l y worn.
n p l e j ua duav phuaj One l e a f has formed. r i s t s h o qub n p l o zog C l o t h i n g s l i g h t l y used, worn
but not old.
nplog A word u s e d i n d e r o g a t o r y s p e e c h , p r o b a b l y r e f e r r i n g 3. nplua
t o t h e anus. (cf. 'nplos ' )
T h i s word i s sometimes used i n
.
referring t o t h e people
ua n p l u a n u j To b e r i c h .
t u s n p l u a n u j The r i c h man.
o f Laos ( p l a i n s d w e l l i n g Lao) by t h e Hmong i n
Laos b u t t h e IImong i n T h a i l a n d speak o f t h e Lao npluag Chaff ( c o n t r . ' x u a ' ) .
a s ' L o s t s u a s ' and c o n s i d e r ' n p l o g ' d e r o g a t o r y . npluag n p l e j Rice c h a f f .

nploj Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'nrov' npluas The w a t e r l e e c h ( t u s ) (cf. 'hiab') .

(cf. 'nrov').
npluav The s i d e o f a k n i f e .
nplos S o c k e t ( l u b ) , a h o l e f o r t h e h a n d l e of a n implement. n p l u a v r i a m The b r o a d s u r f a c e s i d e o f a k n i f e .
(cf. 'nplog').

nploog T.c. from ' n p l o o j ' (cf. 'nplooj').

1. n p l o o j Leaf (daim) , l e a f - l i k e , p e r t a i n i n g t o t h e l e a f ,
frond.
n p l o o j k u j yem Fan palm f r o n d s u s e d f o r r o o f i n g .
cuam n p l o o j To f i x palm l e a v e s o r f r o n d s between
l e n g t h s o f s p l i t bamboo t o make s e c t i o n s f o r
roofing .
n t o o h l a v n p l o o j The t r e e p u t s f o r t h l e a v e s .
z e e g n p l o o j Sheds i t s l e a v e s .
n t o o n p l o o j h l i s A t y p e o f hardwood t r e e u s e f u l f o r
making s t r o n g h a n d l e s , e t c .

2. n p l o o j C l f . used f o r c e r t a i n v i t a l organs.
( a ) n p l o o j s i a b The l i v e r .
( b ) l u b s i a b The l i v e r .
n p l o o j n t s w s The l u n g s .
i b nploog s i a b ( t . c . 1
(cf. 'siab').
One l i v e r , one " h e a r t " nplhaib A r i n g , f inger-ring Intiv)
i b n t i n p l h a i b One f i n g e r - r i n g
. (t.c.)
n t i v nplhaib no This r i n g .
3 . nplooj
( a ) n ~ l o o ip u s The s h o u l d e r b l a d e s . nplhib R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r with 'nplhob'
i b j d;av pus The s h o u l d e r b l a d e s . ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
n t s e s n t i n p l h i b n p l h o b The f i s h w r i g g l e d and t w i s t e d
4. nplooj (on t h e h o o k ) .
t s o v n p l o o j suab ( t u s ) The Bengal t i g e r .

5. n p l o o j
nplho R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 )
N w s chaws n p l h o mus hauv t s e v . He q u i c k l y went i n t o
.
laug nplooj suab C r o s s s t i t c h embroidery. t h e house. He "ducked" i n t o t h e h o u s e .
nploos The s h o r t - q u i l l e d p o r c u p i n e ( t u s ) ( c o n t r . ' t s a u g ' ) . nplhob Restricted post verbal intensifier (cf. 'nplhib').
1. n p l u a To impose a f i n e o r p e n a l t y , t o judge o r condemn. nplhos To s t a b , t o s t i c k w i t h a k n i f e , t o k i l l by p i e r c i n g .
n p l u a n y i a j To impose a f i n e , t o f i n e . n p l h o s npua To s t i c k a p i g , k i l l a p i g by p i e r c i n g .
n p l u a l u b t x i m To judge s i n , t o f i x p e n a l t y f o r
transgression.
2. nplua Slippery.
Kev n p l u a n p l u a . The r o a d i s s l i p p e r y .
n p l u a r o j O i l y , s l i p p e r y w i t h o i l o r wax.
 nqaim Narrow.
kev nqaim nqaim li A narrow road.
1. nqa To l i f t w i t h t h e hand, t o c a r r y i n t h e hand o r hands,
t o h o l d i n t h e hand, t a k e i n t h e hand. nqawm To h e a l , of f l e s h o r bone h e a l i n g .
nqa h l o To t a k e i n t h e hand.
nqa d e j To c a r r y w a t e r i n a v e s s e l h e l d i n t h e hand. 1. nqe P r i c e , wage, d e b t .
nqa rawv To t a k e o r c a r r y f i r m l y i n t h e hand. Note: This word i s sometimes pronounced ' n q i '
Yuav li c a s nqe? What p r i c e a r e t h e y wanting?
2. nqa them nqe To pay a p r i c e , repay a d e b t .
nkees nkees nqa li Weak and l e t h a r g i c . t s h u a v lawv li nqe To owe them a d e b t .
( a ) nyom nqe To a r g u e p r i c e
.. nqag Of t h i n g s o r p e r s o n s g a t h e r e d t o g e t h e r i n a
group, o f group a c t i o n .
( b ) lem nqe To a r g u e p r i c e .
nqe t e s Wages f o r hand l a b o r .
i b nqag l u s Unanimous, a l l t e l l i n g t h e same s t o r y , of l u a b nqe To borrow on i n t e r e s t .
words grouped t o g e t h e r i n t o a v e r s e o r s a y i n g , kwv n u j nqe Unwilling t o pay a d e b t .
etc. rob nqe To seek payment of a d e b t .
ua i b nqag cem Of many p e r s o n s s c o l d i n g a n o t h e r a t r i s nqe To h o l d a d e b t f o r a long t i m e , keep on
t h e same t i m e . r e f u s i n g t o pay a d e b t .
nqe taw t u a j T r a v e l i n g expenses i n coming.
2 . nqag Used a s a r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r .
r a j puab r a j xyu n r o v nqag n t x h i a s Horns and trumpets 2. nqe To hook a f i n g e r o r t o e on something.
sounding l o u d l y t o g e t h e r . nqe kotaw To hook t h e f o o t on something and stumble.
1. n q a j H o r i z o n t a l beam, r a i l ( t u s ) ( c f . ' t s e v ' ) 3 . nqe
(contr. 'yees' ) .
n q a j t s e v H o r i z o n t a l beam f o r a house.
nqe l a u j ( t u s ) Wooden hook t o hang t h i n g s on i n
t h e home.
n q a j r u The r i d g e p o l e .
n q a j t s u a g T h e long h o r i z o n t a l s i d e beams of a nqeg To wane o r a b a t e .
house. Note: T h i s word i s sometimes pronounced ' n q i g '
tsheb nqaj Railroad (cf ' tsheb ' ) . . h l i nqeg The waning of t h e moon.
d e j nqeg The w a t e r a b a t e s , f l o o d a b a t e s .
2. nqaj
n q a j qaum The backbone. 1. nqes To d e s c e n d , t o come o r t o go down.
Note: T h i s word i s sometimes pronounced ' n q i s '
3. nqaj nqes hav To go down t h e h i l l .
h a i s ua n q a j ua nqug Everyone t a l k i n g a b o u t something.
2 . nqes One h a l f of a Hmong p o e t i c c o u p l e t .
nqaig T.c. from ' n q a i j ' (cf. 'nqaij'). Ob nqes ua i b txwg. Two h a l v e s make a c o u p l e t .
( c f . ' t s h o o j , ' ' z a j , ' 'txwml).
1. n q a i j Meat, f l e s h (of a n i m a l s , b i r d s , humans, n u t s and
fruit) .
n q a i j r o g F a t t y meat.
nqee (cf. 'qhoob').
n q a i j n t s h i v Lean meat. nqeeb The l o n g tough g r a s s used t o make t h a t c h f o r r o o f i n g .
t s e e v n q a i j To c u t up meat i n s u i t a b l e p o r t i o n s a f t e r vov nqeeb To cover a house w i t h 'nqeeb' t h a t c h .
slaughtering. cuam nqeeb To f i x g r a s s t h a t c h i n t o l e n g t h s f o r
txhoov n q a i j To c u t up meat i n s m a l l p i e c e s . roofing.
t s u a v n q a i j To mince meat very f i n e . hav nqeeb A v a l l e y o r expanse of ' n q e e b '
n q a i j p l u a s Meat n o t good, meat going r o t t e n .
t h o o j s i a v t h o o j n q a i j Of one f l e s h and b l o o d . nqia Thin i n t h e middle and t h i c k e r a t t h e ends.
h a i s l u s r h o p l a u b mob n q a i g ( t . c . ) To speak words nqia hnyuv ( c f . ' n e e m ' ) .
t h a t h u r t ( l i k e p u l l i n g h a i r and c u t t i n g f l e s h ) . duav n s i a n a i a Person w i t h a s m a l l back.
neeg nqia nqia A small t h i n person, thin-waisted person.
2 . n q a i j Used i n r e f e r r i n g t o w i l d game.
n q a i j nruab n r a g Wild game, w i l d meat.
n q a i j pos Animals of p r e y , animals t h a t prey upon
others.
nqob The p a r t of t h e r i c e s t a l k j u s t under t h e head. 1. nquam To t r a n s p o r t .
nqob npleg ( t . c . 1 The upper p a r t of t h e r i c e s t a l k . nquam n r a To t r a n s p o r t goods; e s p e c i a l l y t o t r a n s p o r t
s i a v n t o nqob ( c f . ' n p l e j ' ) . goods by v e h i c l e o r b o a t .

1. nqos To swallow. 2. nquam

nqos k i a g mus To swallow whole, swallow completely. cov nquam qauv The p a l l b e a r e r s .

2 . nqos The weaving s h u t t l e ( r a b ) . 3 . nquam To row a b o a t .

nquam nkoj To row a b o a t ( c f . 'nkoj ,' txheeb' ) .
3. nqos C l f . f o r p a s s e s of t h e s h u t t l e i n weaving.
i b nqog ( t . c . ) One p a s s of t h e s h u t t l e . 4 . nquam
nquam k i a b nquam khw Market, marketplace ( p o e t i c ) .
4 . nqos
nqos c o s The crossbeam of t h e r i c e f o o t m i l l ( c f . ' c o s ' ) . nquas R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .

5. nqos nqws Missing a limb of t h e body.

kab nqos v i a s ( t u s ) The l o c u s t . nqws t e s Missing one arm.
nqws taw Missing one f o o t .
nqov The b e l l o w i n g of a cow.
nyuj nqov The cow bellows.

nqu9
h a i s ua n q a j ua nqug Everyone t a l k i n g .
nqus To suck, i n h a l e , a b s o r b , draw i n , a t t r a c t t o ( a s a
magnet) .
l u b nqus d e j A pump f o r w a t e r ( c f . ' txhuav' ) .
P a j txawj nqus d e j . Cotton can soak up w a t e r .
nqus yas (cf. 'nplej').
t u s nqus d e j A d r i n k i n g t u b e o r s t r a w .

nquab Dove, pigeon ( t u s ) . nqha Of a d r y a r e a having only few t r e e s and l i t t l e o r no

Note: There a r e many k i n d s , some of t h e s e a r e l i s t e d .
F u l l e r d e s c r i p t i o n s w i l l have t o be o b t a i n e d
from t h e people.
nquab d a i s "Bear" dove, a l a r g e v a r i e t y .
nquab dawb The w h i t e dove.
nquab n t s u a b A g r e e n i s h v a r i e t y of dove.
nquab l i a b A r e d v a r i e t y .
nquab kho s i a b Dove w i t h a p l a i n t i v e l o n e l y c r y .
nquab p o j mab A s t r i p e d v a r i e t y .
nquab p l h u a j t a u b tawg Dove w i t h a c r y t h a t sounds
l i k e these syllables.
nquab l i b rwg Another t y p e of dove.
1. nquag To r e c o v e r from i l l n e s s , t o g e t w e l l .
Nws nquag lawm t s i s t a u ? Has he recovered o r n o t ?
2 . nquag Energetically, with vigor, actively (contr.
'nkees') .
nquag nquag ua num To work e n e r g e t i c a l l y , ready t o
work.
green undergrowth.
hav zoov nqha Such an a r e a of t h e f o r e s t .
nqhis To t h i r s t , t o have an i n t e n s e d e s i r e f o r ( c f . ' t s h a i b ' )
Kuv n q h i s d e j . I am t h i r s t y f o r w a t e r .
n q h i s de j nkhawv Extremely t h i r s t y .
n q h i s n q a i j To have a d e s i r e f o r meat, hunger f o r meat.
Note: This word i s sometimes s a i d ' n q h e s . '
nqho Post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r (see 'nqhug').
nqhug Restricted p o s t verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with 'nqhos.'
( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
n t h e s i b nqhug n t h e s i b nqhos To c r y o u t v e r y l o u d l y .
1. nqhuab To d r y up ( a s a s t r e a m , pond, e t c . )
nqhuab t a g lawm Dried up.
.
2 . nqhuab P e r t a i n i n g t o d r y l a n d a s opposed t o w a t e r .
vuab k i b nqhuab ( t u s ) Dry l a n d t u r t l e .
nab q a nqhuab ( t u s ) Dry l a n d l i z a r d , iguana.
nruab nqhuab On l a n d .
 2. nraim Used w i t h o t h e r words i n two word r e s t r i c t e d p o s t
verbal i n t e n s i f i e r s . ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
1. n r a Goods, baggage, a bundle of goods ( l u b ) , a pack l o a d . ua t i b nraim To do e x a c t l y a c c o r d i n g t o d i r e c t i o n .
n r a nees A h o r s e pack o r a pack s a d d l e ( l u b ) . mus t i b nraim To go e x a c t l y s t r a i g h t .
t h a u j n r a To t r a n s p o r t goods by animal. n c a j nrwb nraim E x a c t l y s t r a i g h t .
nquam n r a To t r a n s p o r t goods by v e h i c l e o r b o a t . ua nrwb nraim To do e x a c t l y a c c o r d i n g t o d i r e c t i o n .
2. n r a C l f . f o r packs, l o a d s . 3 . nraim A s i n g l e word r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r .
i b n r a s One l o a d ( t .c . ) (may be used w i t h o r w i t h o u t ' q o s l p r e c e e d i n g ,
i . e . ' n r a i m ' o r 'qos n r a i m ' ) ( c f . Appendix 8 p. 472).
3 . nra Note: This i n t e n s i v e adds t h e i d e a of f i x e d n e s s , s t e d -
h l i nra F u l l moon. f a s t n e s s and straightness t o t h e c h a r a c t e r of
t h e verb.
nrab H a l f , one h a l f , mid ( h o r i z o n t a l ) ( c o n t r . ' n t a v ' ) . n c a j nraim S t r a i g h t through, p e r f e c t l y s t r a i g h t .
i b nrab One h a l f . raws nraim Follow s t r i c t l y , f o l l o w s t e d f a s t l y .
nruab nrab Middle, c e n t e r , midst. sawv nraim S t a n d i n g i n one p l a c e f i x e d l y .
nyob nruab nrab I n t h e middle, i n t h e m i d s t . nrog nraim Always accompanying.
xyuas nraim To s t u d y f a i t h f u l l y , f o l l o w p l a n .
nrad ( c f . 'nram' and I n t r o d u c t i o n p p . x x i i - x x i i i ) . mus nraim To follow s t r a i g h t on, go s t r a i g h t on.
lawv nraim To f o l l o w s t r a i g h t on.
1. n r a g khaws nraim To g a t h e r up t h i n g s f a i t h f u l l y , a s a
n q a i j nruab n r a g Wild meat, w i l d game. habit.
2. n r a g nrau To bump o r push w i t h t h e head o r h o r n s , t o b u t t .
mus nram plawv t i a j n r a g Went down i n t o t h e midst n r a u av To d i g o r push up e a r t h a s an animal does
of t h e l e v e l country. with i t s horns.
nyuj s i b nraus ( t . c . 1 b u l l s f i g h t i n g each o t h e r .
nraj The w h i t e pheasant ( t u s ) . tsheb nrau av A bulldozer ( l u b ) .
nram Downhill, down below, noun of l o c a t i o n ( f o r t . c . nraub
c f . I n t r o d u c t i o n p. nraub qaum The back, e s p e c i a l l y t h e r e g i o n of t h e
Kuv mus nram lawv 10s. I have been and come from back between t h e s h o u l d e r s and above t h e w a i s t
down below. (cf. 'duav') ( l u b ) .
nram qab d e j Downstream. mob nraub gaum My back h u r t s .
nram qab kev The downhill s i d e of t h e t r a i l . nraud ( c f . 'nraum') ( c f . I n t r o d u c t i o n pp. x x i i - x x i i i ) .
mus nyob nrad Went t o s t a y below ( t . c . 1
nyob nram moos S t a y i n g down on t h e p l a i n . 1. nraug P e r t a i n i n g t o unmarried men.
nram n t e j The p e r i o d of time up u n t i l now. h l u a s nraug A young unmarried man ( t u s ) .
nram n t e j nram ntxov P r e v i o u s l y . zoo nraug Handsome.
nraug vauv ( t u s ) Bridegroom ( c f . 'qhua v a u v ' ) .
1. n r a s A l a r g e broad l e v e l a r e a ( l u b ) .
l u b n r a s l i a j qhua An a r e a of dry f l a t f i e l d s o r
nraug xwb Bachelor, unmarried man.
nkauj n t s u a b nraug nas ( c f . ' n k a u j ' ) .
a dry uncultivated a r e a with r o l l i n g h i l l s , e t c .
2. nraug
2. nras t.c. from ' n r a ' ( c f . ' n r a ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 2 ) . nraug zeeg muag Dizzy ( c f . ' m u a g l ) .
nraig nrauj To d i v o r c e , t o s e p a r a t e o f f from.
n r a i g mov To " c l e a n up" t h e t a b l e , c l e a r t h e t a b l e of Nws muab pojniam n r a u j lawm. He d i v o r c e d h i s w i f e .
r i c e , food, e t c . He p u t h i s w i f e away.
t s i s n r a u j hnub t s i s n r a u j hmo Unceasing day and
1. nraim To h i d e , hidden. night.
t s i v nraim To h i d e o n e s e l f .
nraim nkoos Hidden.
h a i s l u s nraim nkoos To t a l k s e c r e t l y .
h l i nraim q a i b ( c f . ' h l i ' ) .
 A
nraum Noun of l o c a t i o n , o u t s i d e ( f o r t . c . c f . I n t r o d u c t i o n nreej The l a r g e f l a t f l a n g i n g r o o t s t r u c t u r e s a t t h e b a s e
pp. x x i i - x x i i i ). of c e r t a i n t y p e s of t r e e s . (clf. 'daim').
nraum zoov O u t s i d e , o u t of d o o r s .
nraum n r a u b qaum Behind o n e ' s back.
s a b n r a u d ( t . c . ) The o u t s i d e , t h e s i d e w i t h o u t ,
i b d a i g n r e e j ntoos ( t . c . 1 A s e c t i o n of
flanging t r e e root. ?.A
t h e back of a book, e t c . nrees R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r used e i t h e r a s
N w s mus n r a u d lawm. He went o u t s i d e . a s i n g l e word o r i n t h e c o m b i n a t i o n '-qos n r e e s ' )
.
( c f Appendix 8 , p. 4 7 2 ) T h i s word o f t e n adds
1. n r a u s Weak and f e e b l e . t o t h e verb t h e i d e a t h a t t h e a c t i o n involved
n r a u s zus n r a u s zus To become weaker and more f e e b l e . h a s c o n t i n u e d i n a f i x e d s t a t e f o r some t i m e .
( c f . ' p h e e j s i s i ' Both e x p r e s s i o n s used o f See t h e f o l l o w i n g i l l u s t r a t i o n s .
p e o p l e who grow o l d and f e e b l e . ) ( a ) r u a j n r e e s Firm s t e a d y , e n d u r i n g .
( b ) r u a j q o s n r e e s Firm, s t e a d y , e n d u r i n g .
2. nraus ( a ) txhav nrees S t i f f , hard.
n t u j n r a u s Used t o r e f e r t o p l a c e s e x t r e m e l y d i s t a n t . ( b ) txhav qos n r e e s S t i f f , hard.
On t h e o t h e r s i d e of t h e e a r t h , t h e " r e g i o n s l u b s i a b t x h a v n r e e s Hard h e a r t e d .
beyond. " ( a ) kaw n r e e s Closed t i g h t l y .
( b ) kaw q o s n r e e s Closed t i g h t l y .
nrawg Used w i t h ' n r o o s ' a s a two word r e s t r i c t e d p o s t Note: I n e a c h c a s e ' q o s ' may b e used a s above.
verbal intensifier. ( c f . 'nroos' Cf. kem n r e e s Divided o f f
Appendix 8 ) . chob n r e e s P i e r c e d .
paub s i b nrawg n r o o s To know e q u a l l y w e l l . n t s i a nrees Nailed.
khaum n r e e s Caught f a s t .
nrawm ~ u i c k l ~s :w i f t l y ( c f . ' s a i l 1 ' t s u a g , ' Contr. ' q e e b ' ) . n i a s n r e e s P r e s s e d down.
Txhob h a i s l u s nrawm nrawm l i . D o n ' t t a l k s o f a s t . l o n r e e s S t u c k on.
n t o g n r e e s F a l l e n down, s t u m b l e d .
nraws
h a i s l u s n t o g nraws To s p e a k p e c u l i a r sounds a s of nrib S l i g h t l y opened up (e.g. a s a c u t o r a crack).
one s p e a k i n g a f o r e i g n l a n g u a g e . n r i b pleb J u s t a l i t t l e cracked.

nrawv Used w i t n ' n r o o s ' a s a two word r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l 1. n r i g To s u p p o r t o n e s e l f w i t h t h e a i d o f a c a n e o r s t i c k .

intensifier. (cf. 'nroos' c f . Appendix 8 ) . n r i g p a s mus To walk w i t h t h e a i d o f a s t i c k .
t u a j nrawv n r o o s Coming one a f t e r a n o t h e r .
2 . n r i g A s t i c k o r cane f o r u s e i n w a l k i n g .
nre To p l e a t . i b t u g pas n r i g A cane, a walking s t i c k .
nre tiab To p l e a t a s k i r t . t u s cwj n r i g A r o d , a s t a f f .

1. n r e s To s t a n d e r e c t , s t a n d u p r i g h t , t o c a u s e t o s t a n d 3. nrig
erect. dawb hau n r i g caug Old and hoary-headed, aged.
Nres ntawm k o j S t a n d where you a r e .
( a ) n r e s nkaus To s u p p o r t u p r i g h t . 4. nrig The f i s t ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) C l f . f o r blows w i t h t h e f i s t .
( b ) txheem nkaus To s u p p o r t u p r i g h t . n t a u s n r i g To h i t w i t h t h e f i s t .

2. nres To b e a r t h e f u l l w e i g h t o f , b e a r f u l l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y 5. n r i g
for. n r i g nphau To r o l l o v e r u p s i d e down, s o m e r s a u l t
Yexu n r e s peb l u b t x i m . Jesus has borne t h e f u l l (of persons o r animals).
weight of our s i n . n e e s n r i g nphau Horse r o l l s o v e r on i t s back.
n r i g nphau n t s o s R o l l e d o v e r q u i c k l y .
1. n r e e g A e r i a l t r e e r o o t s .
i b n r e e g n t o o An a e r i a l t r e e r o o t . 6. n r i g Restricted p o s t verbal i n t e n s i f i e r . ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
( a ) k a j n r i g Very b r i g h t .
2. nreeg ( b ) k a j l u g Very b r i g h t .
nreeg t a m Bean o r p e a p o l e s , s t a k e s f o r b e a n s . (tus). tshav n t u j n r i g Bright a l l around, b r i g h t sunshine.
nris Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with ' n r u j ' (cf. nrov Loud, l o u d l y , n o i s i l y .
'nruj'). nrov quaj qees A g r e a t resounding noise.
suab nrov A loud voice.
nriaj To p u l l a p a r t w i t h f o r c e . ( a ) hnov s u a b s a b Heard a l o u d n o i s e .
n r i a j h l u a kom t u P u l l e d t h e r o p e i n two. ( b ) hnov s a b n r o v Heard a loud n o i s e .
Note: The word ' n r o v ' may b e f o l l o w e d by any one of a
1. n r i a v P l a i n s p e e c h . c a t e g o r y of p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r s which s e r v e
n r i a v l u s P l a i n s p e e c h ( a s opposed t o f i g u r a t i v e ) t o emphasize t h e c h a r a c t e r o f t h e sound o r n o i s e
i n d i c a t e d o r t o i m i t a t e t h e sound. Below i s an
2. nriav Restricted post verbal intensifier. i l l u s t r a t i v e l i s t . T h e r e a r e u n d o u b t e d l y many
xyab n r i a v S t r e t c h e d o u t f l a t . more examples.
n r o v hlawv Noisy d r i n k i n g .
nro Murky, c o n t a i n i n g f o r e i g n m a t t e r . n r o v hnyev Whimpering.
d e j n r o n r o Murky w a t e r , w a t e r c o n t a i n i n g f o r e i g n n r o v l i s 100s Loud d r o n i n g .
matter. nrov nkuaj ( A sound we have n o t i d e n t i f i e d ) .
n r o v nkuav Break something b r i t t l e .
nrob The b r e a s t o r c h e s t ( e s p e c i a l l y when r e f e r r i n g t o n r o v nkhas The sound o f h i t t i n g a w a l l .
game o r a n i m a l s ) ( c f . ' s i a b ' ) . ( a ) n r o v n k h i s nkhoos H i t t i n g a w a l l o r a h o l l o w t r e e .
Tua hauv n r o b . Shoot i t i n t h e b r e a s t . ( b ) n r o v nkhoos H i t t i n g a w a l l o r a hollow t r e e .
n r o v npawj Noise o f h i t t i n g something f l y i n g .
1. n r o g With, t o accompany. n r o v n p h i v nphav Sound o f t r e e chopping.
Kuv n r o g k o j mus. I ' l l go w i t h you. n r o v nphoov A r e s o u n d i n g f a l l , t r e e f a l l i n g .
n r o g n r a i m To always accompany, t o s t a y c l o s e nrov n p l a j Clapping hands.
beside. n r o v n p l i j Sound o f a baby p u l l i n g o f f t h e n i p p l e .
nrov n p l o j F a l l i n g i n t o water.
2 . n r o g From ( i n t h e s e n s e " t o o b t a i n f r o m " ) . n r o v nqag n t x h i a s Loud n o i s e ( c f . trumpets, e t c . )
Kuv n r o g k o j yuav ob d a i g n y i a j . I want two b a r s of n r o v n r a w j H i t t i n g something h a r d .
s i l v e r from you. n r o v n r e e v Metal. h i t t i n g on m e t a l .
Kuv n r o g ob t u g t h o v t a u i b d a i g n t a u b . I borrowed n r o v nrhawj Sound of a r o p e t e a r i n g .
a l e n g t h of c l o t h from t h e two. Lrov n r h i j nrhawj Sound o f s e v e r a l s t r a n d s t e a r i n g .
n r o v n t a vos Sound o f a g u n s h o t .
3 . n r o g To d r i p . n r o v ntwg Sound of h i t t i n g hollow ground.
d e j n r o g The w a t e r i s d r i p p i n g . n r o v ntws G r e a t n o i s e ( a s o f a g r e a t c r o w d ) .
n r o g i b t e e i h t e e D r i p s one d r o p a t a t i m e . n r o v n r o o ntws Loud d r o n i n g n o i s e .
n r o v n t s i a j Sound of m e t a l on m e t a l .
4 . nrog The f l a t i n s i d e a r e a of a winnowing t r a y , ( c l f . n r o v n t x h e h a v ntws Sounding a l o n g d i s t a n c e .
for a trayful.) nrov n t x h i a s A g r e a t n o i s e .
l u b n r o g vab The i n s i d e o f t h e winnowing t r a y . n r o v pag Sound of f a l l i n g i n t o mud.
i b n r o g vab n q a i j One t r a y f u l l of meat. n r o v poog Sound o f s t e p p i n g on s o l i d ground.
n r o v ploom Sound of o b j e c t d r o p p i n g i n t o w a t e r .
5. n r o g n r o v q i s qawv Sound a s o f k n u c k l e s c r a c k i n g .
lub nrog cev The i n n e r a r e a of t h e body. n r o v r h i j r h u a j Sound of d r y l e a v e s c r a c k l i n g .
n r o v tawg n t h 0 Sound o f s o m e t h i n g b u r s t i n g .
nroj V e g e t a t i o n , weeds. n r o v t h e b Noise of h i t t i n g s o m e t h i n g f l y i n g .
n r o j tsuag Veqetation. n r o v t s e j ( A n o i s e we have n o t i d e n t i f i e d ) .
l u a j n r o j To c u t down weeds. n r o v t x i j t x e j Sound o f s u c k i n g .
dob n r o j To p u l l weeds. nrov tawj ( A n o i s e we have n o t i d e n t i f i e d ) .
h a v n r o j U n c u l t i v a t - e d f i e l d s , f i e l d s o f weeds. n r o v n t h u j n t h a v Sound of weaving on a loom.
nros 1. n r o o TO s i g h .
n r o s t a u s R e b e l l i o u s , p e r v e r s e , r e f u s i n g t o obey
s i m p l y b e c a u s e t o l d t o do s o .
2. nroo Ar e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r u s e d i n combin-
a t i o n w i t h 'ntws. ' ( c f . Appendix 8 ) T h i s
c o m b i n a t i o n i s used e s p e c i a l l y i n d e s c r i b i n g
sounds c h a r a c t e r i z e d by humming, d r o n i n g , e t c .
( e . g . t h u n d e r , d i s t a n t v e h i c l e s , a crowd, e t c . )
ua n q a i ] ua cawv n r o o ntws To have a b i g f e a s t .
xob q u a j n r o o ntws R o l l i n g t h u n d e r .
nroog Thickly inhabited a r e a , l a r g e c i t y ( l u b ) .
l u b n i a g n r o o g The c a p i t a l c i t y , t h e g r e a t c i t y .
nrooj R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
h a i s c e e v n r o o j To s p e a k f o r c i b l y , c o n v i n c i n g l y .
nroos Used i n two word c o m b i n a t i o n s a s a r e s t r i c t e d p o s t
verbal intensifier. ( c f Appendix 8 ) . t s u a v n r u a b To s p l i t and f l a t t e n bamboo f o r weaving
t u a j nrawv n r o o s Many coming one a f t e r a n o t h e r .
paub s i b nrawg n r o o s To know e q u a l l y w e l l .
nru The u v u l a ( t u s ) .
n r u q a i j (The u v u l a t o one s i d e ) Cannot speak
clearly.
nrug S e p a r a t e d from, h a v i n g s e p a r a t e d .
n r u g lawm S e p a r a t e d ( a s of b o a r d s s h r i n k i n g , e t c . )
qhov t s e v n r u g Crack i n t h e w a l l o f a h o u s e .
n r u g zog D i s c o n n e c t , s e p a r a t e ( c o n t r . ' t w b ' )
(as of a switch, e t c . ) .
nyob n r u g d e b L i v i n g a p a r t , l i v i n g a t some d i s t a n c e .
k e v n r u g d e b F a r away from, s e p a r a t e d f a r away.
1. n r u j T a u t , drawn t i g h t ( c o n t r . ' t a u g ' )
h l u a n r u j A t i g h t rope.
.
mob n r u j n r u j li Swollen and h a r d a r e a .
kua m i s n r u j t u a j Of a woman's b r e a s t m i l k coming
i n , b r e a s t s h a r d w i t h milk.
2. n r u j Of an i n t e n s e and impetuous n a t u r e .
s i a b n r u j s i a b heev Impatient, impetuous, i n t e n s e .
3. nruj A two word r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r w i t h
'nris ' ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
ncaws n r u j n r i s Nodding t h e h e a d .
nyo n r u j n r i s Bending o v e r .
t s a u g zog n r u j n r i s Nodding i n s l e e p .
4. nruj
ua n r u j n r i a j Near t o d e a t h .
nrua A s m a l l bamboo s t i c k s p l i t a t o n e e n d , u s e d a s an
i n s t r u m e n t t o make n o i s e t o c h a s e c h i c k e n s ,
etc. (rab).
1. n r u a b Midst, middle, c e n t e r ( c f . ' n r a b ' ) .
n r u a b n r a b Middle, c e n t e r , m i d s t .
nyob n r u a b n r a b I n t h e m i d s t , i n t h e m i d d l e .
n r u a b hnub Daytime, i n t h e d a y , d u r i n g t h e day.
nyob n r u a b t h i a b I n t h e womb, unborn babe.
i b t x h i s n r u a b t h i a b From b i r t h , from t h e womb on.
n q a i j n r u a b n r a g Game, w i l d meat.
n r u a b nqhuab On l a n d .
n r u a b d e g On t h e s e a ( t .c . )
cov n r u a b zog Those i n t h e v i l l a g e s ( t . c . )
nyob n r u a b h l i Of a woman d u r i n g t h e f i r s t month
a f t e r childbirth.
2 . nruab F l a t t e n e d o u t bamboo.
t s o o n r u a b To c r u s h bamboo f l a t .
i n t o w a l l s and f l o o r s , e t c .
3 . nruab
n r u a b xaub A t y p e o f t r a p f o r game. A p i t i s
p r e p a r e d on a game t r a i l and s e t w i t h s h a r p e n e d
bamboo s p e a r s . I t is then covered w i t h a s p l i t
bamboo c o v e r i n g and e a r t h s o t h a t a n a n i m a l
w i l l f a l l i n t o t h e p i t unawares.
nruag T. c . from ' n r u a s ' (cf. 'nruas' ) .
1. nruam To r e a p w i t h a s m a l l c u r v e d i n s t r u m e n t c a l l e d a
' v u v ' h e l d i n t h e palm o f t h e hand.
nruam n p l e j To r e a p r i c e i n t h i s way.
nruam noob yeeb To r e a p opium s e e d i n t h i s way.
2 . nruam To o m i t , t o s k i p o v e r , t o l e a v e o u t .
Txhob nruam i b hnub. D o n ' t s k i p a day.
Txhob nruam i b yam li. D o n ' t o m i t any.
nruas A drum o r a , g o n g . (lub)
n t a u s n r u a s To b e a t a drum o r gong.
n r u a s t u a g A d e a t h drum, drum h e a t e n a t d e a t h .
n r u a s neeb A gong used i n s p i r i t r i t e s .
qws n r u a s Drumstick, s t i c k t o b e a t a gong ( t u s ) .
t s a q e e j n r u a g ( t . c . ) To b e g i n p l a y i n g t h e p i p e s
and b e a t i n g t h e drum a t a f u n e r a l .
nruav
Txhob n r u a v . D o n ' t mention i t . ( o r it might happen!)
1. nrwb To s e e k a f t e r , t o h u n t .
mus nrwb n q a i j To go h u n t i n g .
mus nrwb t u b s a b To h u n t f o r t h i e v e s .
mus nrwb h l u a s n k a u j To s e e k a f t e r young l a d i e s .
2 . nrwb Used w i t h ' n r a i m ' a s a two word p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i - nrhawj R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 , p . 4 6 9 ) . t u n r o v nrhawj Sound o f a s t r a n d o f r o p e b r e a k i n g .
ua nrwb n r a i m To d o p e r f e c t l y a c c o r d i n g t o p a t t e r n . t u n r o v n r h i j nrhawj Sound o f s e v e r a l s t r a n d s o f
n c a j nrwb n r a i m P e r f e c t l y s t r a i g h t . rope t e a r i n g ( c f . ' n r o v ' ) .
nrwg S l a c k (of r o p e , e t c . ) (cf. 'taug') . nrhawv R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r used w i t h
'nrhuj' (cf. 'nrhuj' A l s o c f . Appendix 8 ) .
nrws To b o r e , t o make a h o l e i n a t u b e , e t c .
nrws p o b n t s e g To p i c k t h e e a r , t o c l e a n t h e e a r . nrheev R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
sawv n r h e e v To s t a n d s t r a i g h t up ( c f . ' n t s u g ' ) .
sawv n r h u j n r h e e v To s t a n d up w i t h d i f f i c u l t y , t o
s t a n d s l o w l y ( a s o f an i n f a n t j u s t l e a r n i n g t o
walk).

nrhij Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with 'nrhawj.'

(cf. 'nrhawj').

nrhiav To s e e k , t o s e a r c h f o r .
Koj mus n r h i a v i b l u b pobzeb l o j l o j . Go and look
f o r a large stone.

nrho R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
Note: T h i s word adds t h e i d e a o f completed o r f i n i s h e d
action.
t a g n r h o Ended, f i n a l , c o m p l e t e l y .
zoo t a g n r h o Completely good, b e s t q u a l i t y .
t u n r h o P a r t e d i n two, b r o k e n .
t u s i a v n r h o To d i e .
t u s i a b n r h o Highly o f f e n d e d .
txhua nrho A l l , completely.
t x i j n r h o Reaching t o .
de nrho Peeled o f f .
h a i s l u s n r h o n r h u j nrhawv Slow o f s p e e c h ( c f ' t a ' j ) . .
nrha nrhoob Leggings, p u t t e e , l e g wrappings ( c l f . 'txhais ' ) .
maj mam n r h a To go a b o u t s l o w l y ( a s i n e n d e a v o r i n g r a u nrhoob To p u t on l e g w r a p p i n g s .
t o c a r e f o r o n e s e l f when ill and w i t h no o t h e r
help). nrhuj A r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r used i n c o n n e c t i o n
w i t h o t h e r i n t e n s i f i e r s . ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
Bur ( l u b ) , p r i c k l y s e e d pods t h a t c l i n g t o c l o t h i n g . sawv n r h u j n r h e e v ( c f . ' n r h e e v ' ) .
nrhab
l o l o n r h a b Burs c l i n g i n a t o c l o t h i n g . ( a ) h a i s l u s n r h u j nrhawv Slow o f s p e e c h ( c f
( b ) h a i s l u s n r h o n r h u j nrhawv Slow o f s p e e c h
.
't a j ' ) .
plhws n r h a b To b r u s h o f f t h e b u r s .
(cf. ' t a j ' ) .
nrhav A s p e c i e s of thorny t r e e (tus) .
1. n r h a u The r i b s i n an u m b r e l l a ( t u s ) .
t u s n r h a u kaus Umbrella r i b .

2. nrhau The u p r i g h t r i b s around which t h e l e n g t h s o f bamboo

o r r a t t a n a r e woven i n b a s k e t making.
n r h a u kawm ( t u s ) The r i b s of a b a s k e t .

3 . n r h a u To p u t f o r t h r o o t s ( n o t a s common a s ' h l a v ' ) .

( a ) h l a v c a g To p u t f o r t h r o o t s .
( b ) n r h a u c a g To p u t f o r t h r o o t s .

nta To p u l l a bow, t o s e t
n t a hneev To p u l l back
t h e c r o s s p i e c e of
n t a npuj ( c f . ' n p u ~I ) .
n t a f a i v f u a j kom c l g .
nta Middle t o e o r f i n g e r ( c f . ' n t a v ' ) .
n t i v taw n t a Middle t o e .
n t i v t e s n t a Middle f i n g e r .
a spring o r a trigger.
a crossbow f o r f i r i n g ,
a crossbow.
Light t h e Flashlight.
1. n t a s R i p p l e s , s m a l l waves, t o make r i p p l e s (contr.
twv').
d e j n t a s The w a t e r i s making s m a l l waves.
2 . n t a s A carrying pole, shoulder pole ( t u s ) .
kwv n t a s To c a r r y w i t h a s h o u l d e r p o l e .
i b t u g n t a s kwv d e j ( t . c . 1 Pole f o r carryiny water.
3. n t a s
S u a v kwv n t a s The c o n s t e l l a t i o n O r i o n .

nta T.c. from ' n t a v ' (cf. 'ntav').

ntav One h a l f o f a v e r t i c a l measurement ( c o n t r . ' n r a b ' ) .
( a ) i b n t a ( t . c . ) One h a l f ( v e r t i c a l ) .
pab n t a To h e l p .
( b ) i b nyuag ( t .c . ) n t a v One h a l f ( v e r t i c a l ) .
i b n t a n t u j One h a l f of t h e h e a v e n s , one s t r a t a of
nta Post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'nrov' (cf. 'nrov')
heaven, i n t h e m i d s t of t h e heavens .
phom n r o v n t a vos The sound of a gun f i r i n g . 1. n t a i s To b r e a k a p i e c e o f f , b r o k e n o f f ( c f . ' k h i s ' ) .
n t a i s h n i a v Tooth b r o k e n o f f .
n t a b To f l o a t . n t a i s r h e Broken.
n t a b saum n p l a i m d e j To f l o a t on t h e w a t e r . n t a i s pobkws To p i c k c o r n , b r e a k o f f c o r n e a r s .
Rab r i a m n t a i s lawm. The k n i f e edge i s b r o k e n .
ntab A s p e c i e s of bee (tus) ( c f . 'muv') . l u b s i a b n t a i s r h e Broken " h e a r t . "
ntab The l o o s e f o l d o f s k i n h a n g i n g below t h e neck o f
Brahman c a t t l e (daim) . 2. ntais A cigarette lighter (lub) .
y a j hauv t o o j A c i g a r e t t e l i g h t e r .
n y u j n t a b F o l d of s k i n on c a t t l e a s above. zeb n t a i s L i g h t e r f l i n t .
n t a b To g l a n c e o f f , t o r i c o c h e t . 3. n t a i s R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
c u a n t a b s a u d lawm The wind sweeps o v e r above. ( a ) p l o j n t a i s Disappeared.
( b ) p l o j muag n t a i s D i s a p p e a r e d .
ntab f o s n t a i s Covered up.
khuam n t a b khuam n t u v B e t w i x t and between t s a u s n t u j n t a i s N i g h t f a l l , darkness.
( c f . 'khuam'). dua n t a i s Much b e t t e r .
Note: The word ' d u a l ( p a s s i n g , s u r p a s s i n g ) i s used a f t e r
ntag Used e i t h e r a s a s i n g l e word o r more commonly i n t h e a verb t o express t h e comparative degree.
combination ' . . . l i n t a g ' a s an u n r e s t r i c t e d ( c f . ' d u a l ) The a d d i t i o n o f ' n t a i s ' i n t e n s i f i e s
post verbal intensifier. ( c f . Appendix 8 ) . t h e comparison ("much b e t t e r " ) and t h e two
T s i s muaj li n t a g . ( I ) h a v e n ' t any a t a l l . words a r e o f t e n used t o g e t h e r i n t h e manner o f
Yog n t a g ! Yes, i n d e e d ! a two word p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r . Thus:
T s i s txawj dim li n t a g . No e s c a p e ! zoo dua n t a i s Much b e t t e r t h a n .
l o j dua n t a i s Much l a r g e r t h a n .
ntag
hlwb n t a g ruam Mentally d u l l . 1. n t a i v Extremely h o t ( c f . ' k u b ' ) .
( a ) kub n t a i v n t a i v li Extremely h o t .
n t a j A sword ( r a b ) . ( b ) n t a i v q o s hwv Extremely h o t .
h n i a v n t a j The edge o f t h e sword.
n t s i s n t a j The p o i n t of t h e sword.
kev n t s i s n t a j n t s i s phom Death by v i o l e n c e .
2. n t a i v A ladder ( t u s ) .
taw n t a i v S t e p s o f a l a d d e r .
r a b n t a j dab S h o r t wooden swords s t r u n g o v e r t h e
door a s p r o t e c t i o n a g a i n s t s p i r i t s . ntau Many, much.
N w s muaj n y i a j muaj kub n t a u n t a u . He h a s l o t s of
n t a j C l f . f o r s t r o k e s w i t h a sword. s i l v e r and g o l d .
i b n t a g One s t r o k e w i t h t h e sword ( t . c . )
ntaub Cloth ( c l f . 'daim' f o r l e n g t h s ) .
n t s u a s n t a u b To measure c l o t h .
n t a u b t s u j n t a u b npuag Expensive c l o t h , f i n e c l o t h .
n t a u b kaum P. t y p e of d u r a b l e b l a c k c o t t o n c l o t h .
p a j n t a u b Embroidery.
i b chaws n t a u b One weaving o f c l o t h , one f u l l l e n g t h
i n t h e loom.
n t a u b koov n y i j A t y p e of f i n e b l a c k c l o t h .
h l a b n t a u b The s t r i p o f e m b r o i d e r e d c l o t h worn on
t h e t u r b a n ( t x oj ) .
1. n t a u g To pound o r stamp w i t h f i s t o r f o o t .
n t a u g taw To stamp t h e f e e t .
2 . n t a u g To d e c r e a s e i n i n t e n s i t y .
n t a u g nphaws lawm To d e c r e a s e i n i n t e n s i t y
i l l n e s s , storm, f i r e , e t c . )
1. n t a u s To s t r i k e , t o b e a t , t o h i t , t o t h r e s h , t o f i g h t .
( c f . 'phob,' ' x a , ' ' p e g ' ) .
s i b n t a u s To f i g h t t o g e t h e r , t o f i g h t .
n t a u s n t x h i a s Suddenly h i t .
n t a u s y e e j To win a f i g h t .
n t a u s n r u a s To b e a t a drum o r a gong.
n t a u s n p l e j To t h r e s h r i c e .
n t a u s n r i g To h i t w i t h t h e f i s t .
2 . n t a u s To i m p r i n t , t o mark.
n t a u s cim To make a mark o f i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o r t o a i d
.
memory ( c f ' khuam yeem' ) . t h a t person, e t c .
( a ) n t a u s t a u b t e g To make a f i n g e r p r i n t .
( b ) thuam yeem t e s To make a f i n g e r p r i n t .
n t a u s yeem To stamp o r mark w i t h a s e a l .
n t a u s hom t h a w j To make a mark o f i d e n t i f i c a t i o n ,
i n s p i r i t r i t e s t o make some mark a s a b i t
o f e x t r a c l o t h sewn on t h e back o f a j a c k e t
t o show who i s i n c l u d e d i n t h e r i t e .
3 . n t a u s To convey.
( a ) n t a u s xov To convey a message.
( b ) n t a u s i b kab xov To convey a message.
h a i s l u s n t a u s xov To convey a v e r b a l message.
n t a u s xov mus To s e n d a message.
4 . n t a u s To p l a y an i n s t r u m e n t by s t r i k i n g o r p l u c k i n g .
n t a u s hwvcheej To p l a y a g u i t a r o r d u l c i m e r .
5. n t a u s To draw from a w e l l .
n t a u s d e j To draw w a t e r from a w e l l .
6. ntaus
cov ntaus thawj The e l d e r s , t h e l e a d e r s , r e s p e c t e d
persons.
7 . ntaus
n t a u s yeeb To r o l l t h e opium i n p r e p a r a t i o n f o r smoking.
8. n t a u s
s i a b n t a u s yau P e s s i m i s t i c , looking f o r t h e worst.
s i a b n t a u s yau n t s h a i Timid and a f r a i d .
ntauv
( a ) d e j ntem n t a u v Lukewarm w a t e r .
( b ) d e j s o v s o Lukewarm w a t e r .
s o v ntem n t a u v Lukewarm.
ntawd ( t .c . from 'ntawm' ) ( c f . 'ntawm' a l s o I n t r o d u c t i o n
pp. x x i i - x x i i i ) .
(of
1. ntawg To d i v i n e c o n c e r n i n g t h e d e a d .
ntawg r a u t u s t u a g To d i v i n e w h e t h e r t h e s p i r i t of
t h e deceased i s ready t o t a k e h i s l e a v e o r n o t .
n t a u s t x h i b ntawg To make s m a l l s h a r p e n e d bamboo
h o r n s which a r e used t o d i v i n e c o n c e r n i n g t h e
deceased.
2 . ntawg
n r o o ntawg Of a d e a d f a l l t r a p f a l l i n g .
ntawm A noun o f l o c a t i o n i n d i c a t i n g n e a r b y , l o c a t i o n nearby,
o r location a t a p a r t i c u l a r time, place, person,
o r t h i n g n e a r b y ; t h e r e , t h a t way, t h a t t i m e ,
(cf .
'no' ) (For t.c . c f .
I n t r o d u c t i o n pp. x x i i - x x i i i ) .
Used by i t s e l f i t i n d i c a t e s l o c a t i o n n e a r t h e s p e a k e r .
N w s nyob ntawd. ( t .c . ) He i s t h e r e n e a r b y .
Nyob ntawd. ( t . c . 1 There.
Followed by a noun i t s i g n i f i e s l o c a t i o n a t t h e p l a c e
indicated.
ntawm l u b t s e v A t t h e h o u s e .
ntawm l u b t s e v no A t t h i s h o u s e .
ntawm phab n t s a A t t h e w a l l , on t h e w a l l .
ntawm no H e r e , a t t h i s l o c a t i o n .
Used w i t h v e r b s it i d e n t i f i e s t h e movement a s t o o r
from t h e p e r s o n , p l a c e , o r o b j e c t i n d i c a t e d .
T u a j ntawm kuv. Come t o me.
Mus ntawm t s e v . Go t o t h e h o u s e .
ntawm t s e v mus Go from t h e h o u s e . . .
ntawm qhov n o mus t s e v Go from h e r e t o t h e h o u s e .
Used f o l l o w i n g a noun o r a word i n d i c a t i n g t i m e i t
serves t o p a r t i c u l a r i z e the time, person,
p l a c e o r t h i n g upon which a t t e n t i o n i s f o c u s e d .
ob t u g ntawd ( t . c . ) Those two p e r s o n s .
ob hnub ntawd ( t , c . ) Those two d a y s ; t h o s e d a y s .
hnub ntawd ( t .c . ) T h a t day.
thaum ntawd ( t . ~ . A ) t t h a t time, then.
 T x i j thaum ntawd 10s t x o g hnub n o . . . From t h a t t i m e ntem (cf. 'ntauv').
u n t i l today.
t u s ntawd ( t . c . ) T h a t p e r s o n . ntes To c a t c h , t o c a t c h h o l d o f something p u r s u e d .
.
qhov ntawd ( t c . ) T h a t p l a c e . n t e s q a i b rites npua To c a t c h c h i c k e n s and p i g s .
tamsim ntawd ( t .c . ) Immediately a t t h a t t i m e .
The e x p r e s s i o n ' . . . l i ntawd' i s u s e d t o i n d i c a t e " i n ntev Long, l e n g t h y ( o f t i m e , o b j e c t s , l i f e , p a t i e n c e , e t c . )
t h a t way1' f o l l o w i n g v e r b s . t x o j hlua n t e v n t e v A long rope.
ua li ntawd I n t h a t way. qhov n t e v Length.
h a i s li ntawd S a y i n g i t t h a t way. Qhov n t e v yog li c a s ? What i s t h e l e n g t h ?
Yog li ntawd. T h a t ' s t h e way it i s . lub s i a b ntev Patience.
t o s n t e v n t e v li Waited a l o n g t i m e .
ntaws
( a ) p i j ntaws ( l u b ) Umbilicus, t h e n a v e l ( c f . ntees F u n e r a l r i t e s , d e a t h ceremonies ( l u b ) ( c f . ' t u a g ' )
'ntawv') . n t e e s p l o j n t e e s t u a g To h o l d f u n e r a l r i t e s .
( b ) l u b ntaws U m b i l i c u s , t h e n a v e l ( c f . ' n t a w v ' ) . lub ntees tuag Funeral r i t e s , pertaining t o t h e
t i m e when a l l a r e g a t h e r e d a t a f u n e r a l .
1. ntawv P a p e r ( c l f . ' d a i m ' f o r s h e e t s ) , book ( c l f .
'phau' ) , l e t t e r ( c l f . ' t s a b ' ) . 1. n t i To w r i t h e , t o w r i g g l e , t o s s t o and f r o a s i n s l e e p
o r delirium ( c f . 'phov,' I d a ' ) .
s a u ntawv To w r i t e .
t x i a j ntawv P a p e r money. n t s e s n t i n p l h i b n p l h o b The f i s h w r i g g l e d .
t x a u g ntawv To p i e r c e p a p e r w i t h a rounded c h i s e l
f o r u s e a s s p i r i t money i n s p i r i t r i t e s . 2. n t i To c h i p , s p l i n t e r o f f i n l a y e r s , , p r y o f f a t h i n l a y e r .
hlawv ntawv To b u r n p a p e r money i n s p i r i t r i t e s . Txhob muab k i a v t x h a b n t i . Don't p e e l o f f t h e scab.
s a u i b t s a b ntawv To w r i t e a l e t t e r .
ntawv f a j l e m ( c f . ' f a j ' ) . 3. n t i To g e t r i d o f from t h e mouth, t o s p i t something
t h a v ntawv Frame f o r making p a p e r . out (but not forcibly) (cf. Into').
n r u a b ntaw ( t . c . ) I n b o o k s , on p a p e r . N t i pov t s e g . S p i t it o u t .
t x a w j ntawv L i t e r a t e , a b l e t o r e a d and w r i t e .
nws ntawv t e s I I i s w r i t i n g s . 4. n t i Restricted post verbal intensifier. ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
nyeem ntawv To r e a d . n t u j t s a u s n t i Darkened s k y .
pos huab n t i Surrounded by c l o u d s .
2 . ntawv
t x o j h l a b ntawv The u m b i l i c a l c o r d (cf. 'ntaws') . ntig (t.c.) (cf. 'ntim').

nte To g e t warm by a f i r e .
n t e taws To g e t warm by a f i r e , b e n e a r a f i r e .

1. n t e g To l a y e g g s .
Q a i b n t e g q e . The c h i c k e n h a s l a i d an egg. Chickens
1. n t i m Small Chinese s t y l e r i c e bowl ( l u b ) .
i b l u b n t i m One r i c e bowl.
i b n t i g mov ( t . c . ) One bowl o f r i c e . -@
2 . n t i m To p o u r o r p l a c e i n s i d e o f s o m e t h i n g e l s e .
l a y eggs. Muab n t i m hauv l u b phav. P u t it i n t o t h e can.

2. n t e g ntis To ward o f f , t o p r o t e c t from ( c f . ' t i v ' ) .

hnub r o o j n t e g thaum ub P r e v i o u s l y , b e f o r e , l o n g ago. n i t s nag n t i s c u a To p r o t e c t from wind and r a i n .

ntej
\
B e f o r e i n t i m e o r l o c a t i o n , p r e v i o u s , ahead. 1. n t i v D i g i t , a f i n g e r o r t o e ( t u s ) .
u s n t e j mus To p r e c e d e , t o go a h e a d . n t i v t e s Finger.
Koj u a n t e j . You g o f i r s t . You go a h e a d . n t i v taw Toe.
n o j ua n t e j To e a t a h e a d , e a t f i r s t .
nram n t e j P r e v i o u s l y , t h e p e r i o d up till now. 2 . n t i v To s n a p o r f l i c k w i t h t h e f i n g e r .
nram n t e j nram n t x o v P r e v i o u s l y , e a r l i e r . n t i v ya To f l i c k something away w i t h t h e f i n g e r .
h u a s n t e j To go around and ahead o f a n o t h e r .
3. n t i v F i n g e r - l i k e .
n t i v r o j hmab A s l i n g s h o t .
n t i v n c e j The f o r k e d s t i c k f o r a s l i n g s h o t .
n t i v q e e j The bamboo p i p e s i n a s e t o f Hmong p i p e s .
(cf. 'qeej').
ntiab To d r i v e away, t o d r i v e o u t . 3. nto To send o r r e c e i v e news, r e p o r t o r fame and r e p u t a t i o n .
N t i a b t u s dev kom k h i a v . Drive t h e dog away. npe n t o moo Of g r e a t r e p u t a t i o n , name s p r e a d abroad.
moo n t o t u a j News h a s been r e c e i v e d .
1. n t i a g The f r o n t s u r f a c e , t h e p r e s e n c e o f , bosom ( l u b ) . n t o moo t i a s . . . Have heard news t h a t . . .
x u b n t i a g ( l u b ) The bosom, t h e p r e s e n c e o f . n t o moo phem Has a bad name o r r e p u t a t i o n , have
pw hauv x u b n t i a g Reclined on h i s o r h e r bosom. r e c e i v e d bad news.
n t i a g t s h o F r o n t p a n e l of a j a c k e t .
i b n t i a g n t u j The whole heaven and e a r t h . ntob To h i t t h e mark (cf. 'raug' ) .
s a b n t i a g The f r o n t s u r f a c e ( a s of a book) ( c o n t r .
'nraum' ) . 1. n t o g To stumble and f a l l , t o f a l l down.
n t o g nrov nphoov F e l l down w i t h a resounding f a l l .
2 . n t i a g R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) . n t o g nreem Stumbled and f e l l .
n i a s n t i a g To p r e s s down completely.
huas n t e j n t i a g To p a s s around i n f r o n t o f . 2 . n t o g To r o l l o v e r and o v e r , r o l l a l o n g (cf. 'dov').
Kuv thawb n t o g . I pushed it and s e t i t r o l l i n g .
ntiaj Nws n t o g nws. I t r o l l s a l o n g by i t s e l f .
n t i a j t e b ( l u b ) The e a r t h .
n t i a j t e b qaum n t u j The heavens and t h e e a r t h . 3 . n t o g Used a f t e r 'pw' s i m i l a r t o a p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r .
(cf. 'ntiag,' ' i b ntiag n t u j ' ) . pw n t o g To l i e p r o s t r a t e .
1. n t i a s Used a s a s i n g l e word r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l 4. ntog
i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) . h a i s l u s n t o g nraws ( c f . 'nraws' ) .
pub n t i a s F i l l e d .
( a ) ua n t i a s C a s t away, c a s t a s i d e . ntoj To p u l s a t e ( a s of blood i n t h e v e i n s , e t c . )
( b ) l a i m n t a i s C a s t away, c a s t a s i d e .
1. ntom To f i t c l o s e t o g e t h e r , t i g h t f i t t i n g .
2. n t i a s Used a s a two word r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ntom ntom li F i t t i n g c l o s e t o g e t h e r ( a s boards i n a
w i t h 'nplawg, ' ( c f . 'nplawg' ) . wall, etc.)
kho ntom ntom To f i x s o i t f i t s w e l l .
1. n t i a v To h i r e .
n t i a v ua zog To h i r e f o r manual l a b o r . 2 . ntom
( a ) pojniam n t i a v (tus) A prostitute. ntom kab ( c f . 'pobkws ' ) .
( b ) n k a u j muag p a j (tus) A prostitute.
2. n t i a v Shallow.
1. n t o s The loom, weaving machine ( l u b )
'seb,' 'ntxaiv,' 'xov')
.
(cf. 'ntuag, '
d e j n t i a v Shallow w a t e r . ua n t o s To weave on t h e loom.
ua n t o s n t h u j nthav The n o i s e of working t h e loom.
1. n t o To s p i t o u t f o r c i b l y ( c o n t r . I n t i ' ) To s p i t a t . n c e j n t o s The u p r i g h t frame of t h e loom.
n t o qaub ncaug To s p i t , t o s p i t o u t s p i t t l e . n t o s i b t o g t u a j To weave one r o l l of c l o t h .
2. n t o To r e a c h t o , a r r i v e a t a p o i n t , t o e x t e n d t o . 2 . n t o s To t h i n k o f , c a l l t o mind ( c f . ' x a v , ' ' n c o ' ) .
n t o roob To r e a c h t h e mountain t o p . ( a ) n t o s t s i s t x o g C a n ' t t h i n k of i t , cannot r e c a l l .
n t o ncov roob To r e a c h t h e mountain peak. ( b ) xav t s i s t x o g C a n ' t t h i n k of i t , cannot r e c a l l .
n t o l a j Reach t h e mountain c r e s t , c r o s s t h e r i d g e . n t o s t s i s txhua D i d n ' t t h i n k through completely.
ua t s i s n t o H a s n ' t reached f u l l development ( a s
of an i l l n e s s t h a t h a s n o t y e t shown t h e f u l l 1. n t o v To chop down, t o f e l l .
symptoms). n t o v n t o o To c u t down a t r e e o r t r e e s .
n t o n t s i s To t h e t i p , t o t h e e n d , t o completion. ( a ) n t o v p h e e j t s a b To c u t a t r e e from b o t h
Ua kom n t o n t s i s . Complete t h e job. sides u n t i l it f a l l s .
Hais kom n t o n t s i s . F i n i s h t h e d i s u c s s i o n . ( b ) n t o v t x o ntswg To f e l l a l e a n i n g t r e e
n t o l u a g To complete. by c u t t i n g one s i d e till i t s p l i t s o f f .
Ua t e b kom n t o l u a g . F i n i s h t h e f i e l d work. n t o v i b cim n t o o ( c f . ' c i m ' 1 .
n t o v q e e s To keep on f e l l i n g t r e e s .
2 . n t o v To throw ( w a t e r o r l i q u i d )
n t o v d e j To throw wa.ter.
. ntoog
n t o o g n t o o g mob Long i l l n e s s w i t h no r e l i e f , t o l e t
Muab d e j n t o v h l u a v t a w s . Throw w a t e r on t h e f i r e . t h e i l l n e s s run i t s course.
Quench t h e f i r e .
dab n t o v n t s h a v The s p i r i t s s e a l i n g someone's f a t e ntooj A s p e c i e s o f l a r g e t r e e , t h e b a r k i s c o a r s e and t h e
by s p r i n k l i n g b l o o d upon him. This i s s a i d wood i s v e r y s u i t a b l e f o r u s e i n making w a t e r
i n s u p e r s t i t i o n i f b l o o d i s d i s c o v e r e d on a
person's clothing without explanation.
buckets ( t u s ) .
ntoos T.c. from ' n t o o ' (cf. 'ntoo').
1. n t o o T r e e ( t u s ) , wood.
c e s n t o o Branches. 1. n t u A p e r i o d o f t i m e , a p e r i o d o f a few months (cf.
c a g n t o o Roots.
cev ntoo ( l u b ) Trunk o f a s t a n d i n g t r e e .
'yav' ) .
n t u n o T h i s p e r i o d of t i m e .
cav A f a l l e n log. i b n t u s One p e r i o d o f t i m e ( t . c . )
tawv n t o o Bark.
pob n t o o s ( t . c . ) ( l u b ) T r e e stump, stump o f a 2. ntu C l f . f o r l e n g t h s o r s e c t i o n s of r o a d , l e n g t h s o f
fallen tree. t r a i n , s t r i p e s o r bands o f c l o t h o r o f c o l o r , e t c .
p a j n t o o s ( t .c . ) F l o w e r s . i b n t u s t s h e b One l o n g s e c t i o n o f t r a i n (t.c. )
n p l o o j n t o o s ( t . c . ) Leaves. i b n t u s kev One s e c t i o n o f r o a d (cf. 'tawm').
hauvpaus n t o o The b a s e o f a s t a n d i n g t r e e , o r t h e
stump of a f a l l e n t r e e . 1. n t u b Wet, t o b e w e t , s o a k e d .
qab ntoos ( t . c . ) A t t h e f o o t of t h e t r e e . n t u b nag Wet w i t h r a i n .
l u b h l e b n t o o s ( t .c . ) A c o f f i n . n t u b nag n p l i a g nplaws S o a k i n g wet w i t h r a i n .
t u s kws n t o o A c a r p e n t e r . n t u b n t u b d e j Wet w i t h w a t e r .
phua n t o o To s p l i t l o g s .
t x i a g n t o o (daim) Boards. 2. n t u b To s l e e p , t o doze ( c f . 'pw, ' ' t s a u g z o g ' ) .
t w s n t o o To smooth wood w i t h a n axe o r k n i f e . ua dab n t u b To s l e e p .
t s h a v n t o o To p l a n e wood. qaug dab n t u b To d o z e .
n t s i s n t o o The crown o f a t r e e , e n d s of b r a n c h e s . ncaws ncaws d a b n t u b To d o z e , nod t h e head i n s l e e p .
d u a s n t o o Notch made i n f e l l i n g a t r e e ( l u b ) . n t u b n t s i a g zog To b e r e a l l y a s l e e p .
n p l a i m n t o o Wood c h i p s . N w s pw i b hmos t s i s t u a j i b t u g dab n t u b . He l a y down
Note: There a r e many names f o r t h e g r e a t v a r i e t y o f a l l n i g h t b u t d i d n ' t s l e e p a wink.
trees. We l i s t a few.
n t o o peeb l a b The Areca palm. 1. n t u g The l i g h t o f d a y , b r i g h t d a y , morning ( i n t h e s e n s e
qheb A s p e c i e s of h a r d d u r a b l e wood s i m i l a r t o
oak. There a r e s e v e r a l s u b - s p e c i e s .
when d a y l i g h t a p p e a r s ) (cf. 'ntuj ' )
k a j n t u g The l i g h t o f d a y , morning, tomorrow morning.
.
n t o o qhuav plawv A d u r a b l e t r e e w i t h r e d h e a r t wood. k a j n t u g no T h i s morning.
n t o o d a j tawv A l a r g e t r e e w i t h y e l l o w wood below k a j n t u g t x o o g E a r l y dawn.
t h e bark. ( a ) k a j n t u g plaws Daybreak.
n t o o k u j yem The f a n palm whose l e a v e s a r e used f o r ( b ) k a j n t u g huv Daybreak.
roofing.
n t o o n p l o o j h l i s A s p e c i e s o f h a r d wood used f o r 2. ntug The e d g e , t h e s h o r e , t h e bank o f a r i v e r o r s t r e a m
handles, etc.
n t o o tawv ntxhw A t r e e w i t h a tough rough b a r k .
(lub) .
n t u g d e j The s h o r e .
n t o o t o o v l a j A t y p e o f palm w i t h l o n g f r o n d s . n t u g h a v The l e v e l banks o f a s t r e a m o r r i v e r .
n t o o t x i v r o j Olive t r e e ( t r e e with f r u i t producing
o i l , an a d o p t e d t e r m ) . 3. ntug T.c. from ' n t u j ' (cf. ' n t u j ' )
ntooj ( c f . ' n t o o j ' ) Kind of t r e e .
4. ntug To grow, t o e n l a r g e ( o f t u b e r s and r o o t s o n l y ) .
2 . ntoo To wear on t h e h e a d , t o c a r r y on t h e h e a d , t o c a r r y
overhead a s an umbrella. 5. n t u g
n t o o kaumom To wear a h a t . kev p l a u b k e v n t u g L i t i g a t i o n and c a s e s o f d i s p u t e .
1. n t u j The s k y , t h e heavens ( l u b ) . 1. n t u a s To e x h o r t , t o rebuke ( e s p e c i a l l y a s of one p e r s o n
hmo n t u j N i g h t ( c o n t r . ' n r u a b hnub' )
t s a u s n t u j Darkness ( c o n t r . ' k a j n t u g ' )
. . t o another face t o f a c e ) .

qab n t u g l i a b ploog Sunset. 2. ntuas To s p e a k o r c h a n t a t g r e a t l e n g t h i n d o i n g s p i r i t

i b l u b qab n t u j E v e r y t h i n g u n d e r t h e h e a v e n s . worship.
p l a u b c e g n t u j Every d i r e c t i o n , t h e f o u r d i r e c t i o n s .
hauv n t u j E a s t . ntuav To v o m i t , t o throw up.
q a b n t u j West. t s h u a j n t u a v An e m e t i c .
t a v n t u j N o r t h and s o u t h .
lub c a ij n t u j A season ( c f . ' c a ij ' ) . 1. ntwg C l f . f o r t h i n g s c a r r i e d on a s t r i n g , e t c .
i b ntwg n q a i j A p o r t i o n o f meat c a r r i e d on a s t r i n g
n t u j ntawg T h i s r e g i o n .
n t u j n r a u s The d i s t a n t r e g i o n , ' r e g i o n s beyond' o r on t h e end o f a p i e c e of s p l i t bamboo o r
(cf. 'nraus'). rattan.
n t u j 10s nag To r a i n , r a i n i n g .
i b n t i a g n t u j The whole heaven and e a r t h . 2 . ntwg A r e s t r i c t e d post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'nrov'
l u b qaum n t u j The h i g h h e a v e n s . (cf. 'nrov').
ib nta ntuj (cf. 'ntav') (t.c.)
n t i a j t e b qaum n t u j Heaven and e a r t h . ntwj
n t u j qeg Earthquake. qhov n t w j ( l u b ) A h o l e i n t h e ground where t h e e a r t h
( a ) i b roog n t u j A f a r country, a f a r d i s t a n t p l a c e . i s sunken i n o f i t s e l f ( c f . ' s a u s ' ) .
(b) i b ntxees n t u j A f a r country, a f a r d i s t a n t
place. 1. ntws To flow.
( a ) hauv n t u j n t s a The f i r s t l i g h t of dawn. Dej ntws nram h a v The w a t e r f l o w s down t h e v a l l e y .
( b ) hauv n t u j n t s a i a b The f i r s t l i g h t of dawn. n t s h a v ntws n t o Blood f l o w i n g o u t .

2 . n t u j C l f . f o r something o f v a s t e x p a n s e a s t h e h e a v e n s . 2 . ntws Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'nrov'

i b n t u j h l u a v t a w s A g r e a t expanse o'f f i r e . (cf. 'nrov') .
n t u j tawg An expanse o f f i r e , " h e l l . " 'nrov ntws,' ' n r o v nroo ntws, ' 'nrov ntxhe hav ntws'
c f . 'nrov'
ntus T.c. from ' n t u ' (cf. 'ntu').
3 . ntws R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r a s a s i n g l e word.
1. n t u v ncha ntws To s p r e a d a b r o a d .
nyob p l i m p l i a j n t u v (cf. 'plim' ) . poog ntws To g a t h e r t o g e t h e r i n a group.

2. ntuv
khuam n t u v ( c f . 'khuam').

ntua R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
Note: T h i s i n t e n s i v e a d d s t h e i d e a o f immediacy t o t h e
a c t i o n of t h e verb.
zaum n t u a To s i t down.
10s t x o g n t u a J u s t came, j u s t a r r i v e d , j u s t r e t u r n e d .
d a j n t u a t u a j Came s t r a i g h t t o .
N w s t x h o s n t u a ntawm nws x u b n t i a g . He s t u c k it i n t h e
ground r i g h t a t h i s f e e t .

1. n t u a g To t e a r , t o b e t o r n ( a s o f c l o t h , e t c . )
( a ) n t u a g lawm Torn a p a r t .
(b) n t u a g r h e lawm Torn a p a r t .
2 . n t u a g Hemp t h r e a d ( c f . ' m a j ' ) .
saws n t u a g To t w i s t hemp t h r e a d .
t s h u a b n t u a g A s p i n n i n g w h e e l , t o s p i n hemp t h r e a d .
t i s n t u a g S t i c k f i x e d w i t h a h a n d l e i n t h e middle
s o t h a t t h r e a d c a n b e wound around b o t h e n d s
i n a figure eight.
 1. n t h 0 S i n g l e word r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r
ntha A person's waist, the s o f t flesh in a person's side ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
below t h e r i b s . l o v n t h 0 To break i n two, broken.
ti n t h 0 Very c l o s e t o g e t h e r .
nthab The l a r g e s t o r a g e p l a t f o r m overhead i n a Meo home tawg n t h 0 B u r s t , b u r s t open.
(lub).
Muab r a u saum n t h a b . P u t i t on t h e s t o r a g e p l a t f o r m . 2. nth0 Used w i t h 'tawg' a s a two word r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l
intensifier.
l u b qab nthab The s m a l l e r s t o r a g e s h e l f immediately
over t h e f i r e ( c f . ' t s u a v n t x a i j ' ) . n t h e tawg n t h 0 ( c f . ' n t h e ' ) .
l u a g tawg n t h 0 Broke i n t o l a u g h t e r .
1. n t h a v Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) q u a j tawg n t h 0 Broke o u t i n t o weeping.
( a ) poob n t h a v To f a l l down. n y i a v tawg n t h 0 Broke i n t o w a i l i n g .
( b ) poob k i a g To f a l l down. cem tawg n t h 0 Suddenly began s c o l d i n g .
s i a b poob n t h a v To be f e a r f u l , s t a r t l e d , suddenly Note: Also s o used w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g v e r b s : 'hawv, '
a f r a i d , d i s t r e s s e d o r discouraged ( c f . ' n t s h a i ' n r o v , ' 'qw.'
zog' ) . nthos .
To g r a s p w i t h two hands ( c f 'muab, ' ' n t s i a b , '
2. nthav Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'nrov' ' tsawv' ) .
(cf. nrov'). n t h o s nkaus Grasp w i t h t h e two hands.
Nthos t u s n t s e s . Grab t h e f i s h .
nthaw To s p r o u t from t h e ground.
Ntsuag xyoob nthaw kaus. The bamboo s p r o u t has appeared. nthuj Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with 'nrov'
(cf. 'nrov.').
nthaws Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
r o g nthaws Very f a t (of a n i m a l s ) . nthua To hoe o u t , t o d i g o u t .
n t h u a n r o j To hoe o u t weeds.
nthe To c r y o u t l o u d l y , t o s h o u t a t someone o r something. n t h u a yeeb To hoe opium f i e l d s .
n t h e n t h e nrov nrov To s h o u t l o u d l y .
n t h e tawg n t h 0 Suddenly y e l l e d . nthuav To u n f o l d , t o open o u t a s a book, t o u n r o l l .
n t h e ' s i b nqhug n t h e s i b nqhos To c r y o u t very l o u d l y . muab l u b s i a b nthuav ntxeev To .openm o n e ' s h e a r t .

nthee To t o s s o r mix t o g e t h e r and f r y i n f a t , t o scramble. nthw T.C. from 'nthwv' ( c f . 'nthwv') .

n t h e e qe Scrambled eggs.
ncuav n t h e e r o j Cakes made by scrambling w i t h f a t . nthwb Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
l w j nthwb R o t t e n and mushy.
1. n t h i A s i n g l e word r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r
.
( c f Appendix 8 ) .
t u a j n t h i Completely, t o t h e g r e a t e s t d e g r e e .
1. nthwv C l f . f o r g u s t s o f wind.
i b nthw cua ( t . c . ) One g u s t of wind.
t u a g n t h i F i n a l i z e d , r e a l l y dead.
t s u j n t h i To s t e p on, t o t r e a d under f o o t . 2 . nthwv Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
pw n t h i To l i e down. Muab h l i v nthwv Pour it o u t .
p l o j n t h i To d i s a p p e a r ( c f . ' p l o j n t a i s ' )
t s u j n t h i ntawm taw t s e g To p u t under f o o t , t o
. Dej nchuav nthwv. The w a t e r h a s s p i l l e d .

p u t a m a t t e r completely a s i d e .
nyiam t u a j n t h i To g r e a t l y l o v e .
s i a b t u a g n t h i Well s a t i s f i e d w i t h .
h a i s tuag n t h i Finished discussing, s e t t l e d .
2. nthi Used a s a two word r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r
with 'ncha' ( c f . 'ncha n t h i ' ) .
 -
NTS 2. ntsau T.c. from ' n t s a u v '
1. n t s a Wall. 3 . ntsau Of a c o c k ' s comb which i s s p r e a d o u t somewhat
( a ) phab, n t s a Wall, s i d e w a l l , house w a l l . (cf. l i b ' ) .
( b ) n t s a w a l l , s i d e w a l l , house w a l l . q a i b i b n t s a u Cock's comb spread o u t .
Muab d a i ntawm phab n t s a . Hang it on t h e w a l l .
s a b n t s a v a j nraud Outside t h e garden w a l l . 1. n t s a u b TO p u t t h e s t i c k s of a f i r e c l o s e t o g e t h e r a t
t h e b u r n i n g end s o a s t o b u i l d up t h e f i r e .
2. n t s a Shining, t o s h i n e . n t s a u b taws To p u t t h e s t i c k s of a f i r e c l o s e t o g e t h e r
( a ) hauv n t u j n t s a n t s a The f i r s t l i g h t of dawn on a t t h e b u r n i n g end s o a s t o b u i l d up t h e f i r e .
t h e horizon. ( a ) s i b n t s a u b A s s t i c k s of wood t o g e t h e r i n a
(b) hauv n t u j n t s a i a b The f i r s t l i g h t of dawn on f i r e , i . e . dwelling together i n casual r e l a -
t h e horizon. tionship.
(b) s i s n t s a u b A s s t i c k s of wood t o g e t h e r i n a
3. ntsa Used a s r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r w i t h f i r e , i . e . dwelling together i n casual r e l a -
'iab' tionship.
hauv n t u j n t s a i a b The f i r s t l i g h t of dawn on t h e
horizon. 2. ntsaub
c i n t s a i a b B r i g h t and g l i t t e r i n g . taubhau n t s a u b hau n t s e e s Head lower than t h e body.
ntsab To k i l l t o e a t . ntsaum Ants, t h e a n t ( t u s ) .
1. n t s a g The b u t t o c k s (cf. 'caj tw') . 1. n t s a u vOf b e e s buzzing o r swarming, t o c l u s t e r o r swarm
around.
2. ntsag Huab n t s a u v l u b roob. T h e clouds surround t h e mountain.
ncab dua n t s a g Obstinate.
2. ntsauv C l f . f o r stems of f l o w e r s .
1. n t s a j To groan, t o moan. n t s a u v p a j no This stem of f l o w e r s .
mob n t s a j n t s a j li. Groaning i n p a i n . i b n t s a u p a j One stem of f l o w e r s ( t .c . )
qw qw n t s a j n t s a j To c r y and groan.
ntsawj Spray, t o s p r a y .
2. n t s a j A t y p e of s m a l l p o r t a b l e f i s h t r a p .
n t s a j n t s e g Small p o r t a b l e f i s h t r a p ( t . c . ) . d e j n t s a w j Water r i s i n g i n s p r a y .
pa n t s a w j Steam r i s i n g .
Cua n t s a w j d e j n t a s . The wind blew t h e w a t e r i n t o
ntsaig TO g a t h e r t h i n g s up i n o r d e r t o p u t them away. waves and s p r a y .
Muab n t s a i g c i a . Put t h i n g s away. (as i n
c l e a r i n g up a f t e r a meal o r c l e a r a t a b l e of ntsawrn TO s t r i k e o u t f o r c i b l y w i t h t h e hand o r arm ( a s i n
books, e t c . ) anger o r when under s p i r i t i n f l u e n c e , e t c . )
i b ntsawg One t h r u s t w i t h t h e arm ( t .c . )
1. n t s a i s Side, s i d e w i s e , p r o f i l e .
pw ua n t s a i s To l i e on o n e ' s s i d e . ntsaws To s t o p up, t o p l u g up, plugged, s t u c k .
i b l u b ua n t s a i s A t r i a n g l e . ntsaws qhov n t s e j To s t o p up t h e e a r s .
t h a i s ua n t s a i s To t a k e a p r o f i l e photo, t a k e a Nalika ntsaws l a m . The watch h a s stopped and w o n ' t go.
s i d e view.
ua n t s a i s n t a u b To sew i n a t r i a n g u l a r p a t t e r n . ntsawv To m u l t i p l y by d i v i s i o n of t h e r o o t s , of t r e e s and
p l a n t s t h a t i n c r e a s e i n t h i s way.
2. n t s a i s To b l i n k t h e e y e s .
n t s a i s muag To b l i n k . 1. n t s e Sharp ( c o n t r . ' n p u b ' ) .
i b n t s a i s muag I n t h e t w i n k l i n g of a n eye, one
blink.
riam n t s e hau A s h a r p p o i n t e d k n i f e ( c o n t r . ' t w ' ) .
Muab r a b riam hov kom n t s e . Sharpen t h e k n i f e .
1. n t s a u To b e foggy o r c l o u d l y . 2. n t s e C l e v e r .
huab n t s a u tsawv Steady fog o r c l o u d i n e s s ( c o n t r . neeg n t s e A c l e v e r p e r s o n .
'pos pos huab' which may b e j u s t p a s s i n g neeg n t s e ntxeev A person & o i s o v e r l y c l e v e r , c l e v e r
cloudiness). and d e c e i t f u l .
ntseb Used w i t h ' n t s u a g ' a s a two word r e s t r i c t e d p o s t ntseeg To b e l i e v e .
verbal i n t e n s i f i e r . ( c f . Appendix 8, c f .
'ntsuag' ) . n t s e e g k i a g l a m Believed t r u l y , r e a l l y b e l i e v e d .
ntseeg t i a s . . . Believe t h a t . ..
Kuv t s i s n t s e e g t i a s nws yuav 10s. I don't believe
1. n t s e g E r e c t , v e r t i c a l , s t e e p (of a r o o f ) . t h a t h e i s coming.
sawv n t s e g Stand e r e c t , s t a n d u p r i g h t .
hnub n t s e g Noon, t h e sun d i r e c t l y overhead. ntseej The c h e s t n u t .
2. ntseg T.c. from ' n t s e j '
and ' n t s e s ' ) .
and ' n t s e s ' (cf. 'ntsej' t x i v n t s e e j Chestnuts (lub) . .
n t o o n t s e e j Chestnut t r e e ( t u s )

1. n t s e e s
3 . n t s e g Fixed, s t e a d y . t i m n c a u j n t s e e s tham To speak f a c e t o f a c e .
qhov muag n t s e g n t s o s Fixed s t a r e , eyes .vacant.
c a j dab n t s e g n t s o s S t i f f neck, neck f i x e d and 2. ntsees Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
steady. taubhau n t s a u b hau n t s e e s Head lower t h a n t h e body.
1. n t s e j The e a r , p e r t a i n i n g t o t h e e a r . 3. n t s e e s V a r i a n t r e n d e r i n g of ' n t s o o v ' which i s used a s a
pobntseg The o u t e r e a r ( l u b ) ( t . c . ) r e s t r i c t e d p o s t verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with ' n t s u j '
qhov n t s e j The e a r c a n a l ( l u b ) .
t a u g t a u g n t s e j H u r t s t h e e a r s ( a s a loud n o i s e ) .
.
( c f . ' n t s u j ' and ' n t s o o v ' )
( a ) t o s n t s u j ntsoov To w a i t .
t a u b n t s e g The e a r l o b e ( l u b ) ( t . c . ) ( b ) t o s n t s u j n t s e e s To w a i t .
qhws n t s e g Type of long e l a b o r a t e e a r r i n g ( l u b ) . Also sometimes used a s a v a r i a n t s p e l l i n g of t h e p o s t
mob n t s e j r a g Earache, e a r h u r t s w i t h o u t a p p a r e n t
reason.
verbal i n t e n s i f ie r 'nrees ' (cf. 'nrees ' ) .
t s i s quav n t s e j Doesn't l i s t e n , pays no a t t e n t i o n . ntsib TO meet, t o e n c o u n t e r .
t s i s t o n t s e j C a n ' t understand ( d o e s n ' t e n t e r my s i b n t s i b Of two persons meeting each o t h e r .
ear). n t s i b kev c e e b l a j To meet up w i t h t r o u b l e .
2 . n t s e j P e r t a i n i n g t o t h e f a c e ( c f . 'muag')
n t s e j muag The f a c e ( l u b ) .
ntsig T.C. from ' n t s i m ' (cf. 'ntsim') .
pom n t s e j pom muag To s e e t h e f a c e , t o s e e someone 1. n t s i m Peppery, pungent, s t i n g i n g .
face t o face. Zaub n t s i m n t s i m l i kuv t s i s n o j . I do not e a t food
h e a v i l y f l a v o r e d w i t h peppers.
ntses Fish ( t u s ) . zaub n t s i g A k i n d of p i c k l e d peppery v e g e t a b l e
muab n t s e s To c a t c h f i s h . p r e p a r e d from t h e t o p s of mustard g r e e n s ( t . c . )
nuv n t s e s To c a t c h f i s h w i t h a hook, f i s h hook.
vas n t s e s A f i s h n e t ( l u b ) . qab n t s i g Any k i n d of c a t e r p i l l a r having h a i r s
which s t i n g on c o n t a c t .
l u b puav n t s e s F i s h n e t ( a s s a i d i n L a o s ) .
y a m n t s e s To scoop up f i s h w i t h a b a s k e t .
n o j hob hob n t s i m n t s i m ( c f . ' h o b ' ) .
tawb cuab n t s e s A woven f i s h t r a p s i m i l a r t o a b a s k e t 2 . ntsim
(lub) . ( a ) t x i a j ntsim (lub) A gracious g i f t , a kind o r
n t s a j n t s e g A t y p e of s m a l l p o r t a b l e f i s h t r a p ( l u b ) . gracious a c t , favor.
n t s e s nab ~n e e l ( t u s ) . ( b ) t x i a j n t s i g (Lub) A g r a c i o u s g i f t , a k i n d o r
r o j n t s e s F i s h o i l , a l s o t h e name used f o r a c a n d l e gracious a c t , favor.
from t h e mistaken i d e a t h a t i t i s made of
fish o i l (tus) . p a u j t x i a j n t s i m r a u To make r e t u r n f o r a f a v o r .
t x i a j ntsha t x i a j ntsim A favor, gracious a c t .
ntsev Salt. 3. n t s i m Used a s a r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r with
l a s n t s e v To p u t something down i n s a l t , t o s a l t . ' nkaug '
daw daw n t s e v Very s a l t y ( c o n t r . ' t s u a g ' ) . n i a j no nkaug n t s i m Of p e r s o n s cold and s h i v e r i n g .
qab qab n t s e v Tasty with s a l t , s a l t y .

ntseeb A s m a l l s p e c i e s of wasp. ( t u s ) ( c f . 'muv' ) .

1. n t s i s A moment, a l i t t l e b i t , a s m a l l amount. ntsias Dwarfed, of p e r s o n s very s m a l l i n body frame.
mentsis A l i t t l e , a l i t t l e b i t .
( a ) i b n t s i s I n a moment, a moment, a very s h o r t ntsiav
time. n t s i a v pobkws Kernel of corn (maize) ( l u b ) .
( b ) i b m e n t s i s I n , a moment, a moment, a v e r y s h o r t
time.
i b n t s i a pobkws One k e r n e l of c o r n ( t . c . ) ( c f . ' n t s i a b ' ) .
ntso R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
2 . n t s i s To comb. r a u s i a b n t s o To a p p l y t h e h e a r t s t e a d i l y t o .
n t s i s plaubhau To comb t h e h a i r .
ntsog T.c. from ' n t s o j ' (cf. ' n t s o j ' ) .
3. n t s i s Tip! t e n d r i l , t h e growing t i p o f branches o r
vlnes (lub) .
n t s i s n t a j p o i n t o f t h e sword.
ntsoj .
P e r t a i n i n g t o orphanhood ( c f ' n t s u a g ' ) .
kev n t s o j kev n t s u a g Orphanhood, penury, d e s t i t u t i o n .
n t s i s phom End of t h e gun b a r r e l . t u b n t s o g t u b n t s u a g Orphans ( t u s ) ( t . c . )
kev n t s i s n t a j n t s i s phom Death by v i o l e n c e .
n t s i s kub End of a horn. 1. n t s o s Hiccough.
n t s i s plaubhau End of a s t r a n d of h a i r . ua n t s o s To hiccough, h i c c u p .
n t s i s hmuv End of a s p e a r .
ua n t o n t s i s TO do t o completion ( f o r o t h e r u s e s of 2 . n t s o s R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 )
'nto ntsis' cf. Into'). ntseg ntsos Fixed, steady.
n r i g nphau n t s o s Rolled o v e r o n t o t h e back.
i. c t s i a TO n a i l , a n a i l ( t u s ) ( c f . ' t e e m ' ) . p a j paws n t s o s Jump, jump up.
n t s i a hlau A n a i l (lit. "iron n a i l " ) ( t u s ) . caws q i a n t s o s Jump, l e a p .
n t s i a n r e e s To n a i l f i r m l y . d h i a n t s o s Jump, l e a p .
muab n t s i a d a i v i a s To hang up w i t h a n a i l . s i b zog n t s o s E n e r g e t i c a l l y , w i t h v i g o r .
muab n t s i a saum n t o o To c r u c i f y . n t s h a v t x u a s qos n t s o s Blood s p u r t i n g , hemorrhage.
2 . n t s i a To gaze a t , t o s t a r e . ntsov The hump on t h e back of a Brahman b u l l ( l u b ) .
Txhob n t s i a n t s i a kuv. Stop s t a r i n g a t me.
n t s i a ntsoov To s t a r e a t , t o look s t e a d i l y a t . ntsoog Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with 'ntxaws.'
t s o o tawg ntsoog ntxaws Crushed, smashed, rendered
3. n t s i a T.C. from ' n t s i a v ' (cf. ' n t s i a v ' ) . completely u s e l e s s .
1. n t s i a b To g r a s p w i t h t h e hand.
n t s i a b t e s TO g r a s p t h e hand o f a n o t h e r .
n t s i a b nkaus To g r a s p , t o g r a s p t h e arm. (cf.
ntsooj
nas n t s o o j A k i n d of j u n g l e r o d e n t (tus) .
' tsawv nkaus, ' ' n t h o s nkaus ' ) . ntsoos weak, s i c k l y .
n t s o o s n t s o o s l i weak and s i c k l y i n body.
2. ntsiab A k e r n e l , t h e p u p i l of t h e eye, t h e h e a r t o r q a i b n t s o o s A s i c k l y chicken.
.
e s s e n c e of a m a t t e r ( l u b )
n t s i a b muag The p u p i l of t h e eye ( l u b ) . 1. ntsoov R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 )
l u b n t s i a b n p l e g A k e r n e l of r i c e . Note: This p . v . i n t . i s f r e q u e n t l y used with v e r b s of
phum l u b n t s i a b TO g i v e t h e e s s e n c e of a m a t t e r , perception. ~t adds t h e i d e a of f i x e d n e s s o r
t o g e t a t t h e r o o t of t h i n g s . s t e a d i n e s s . I t may b e used a s a s i n g l e word
l u s t s e e b n t s i a b True words, words t h a t g e t t o t h e p . v . i n t . o r preceded by 'yes' o r ' q a s ' o r i n t h e
h e a r t of t h i n g s . combination ' n t s u j ntsoov
phum n t s i a b C l e a r l y s t a t e d ( c f . 'meej ' ) . ( a ) nco q a s ntsoov To remember w e l l .
( b ) nco ntsoov To remember w e l l .
ntsiag still, quiet. n t s i a ntsoov TO s t a r e a t .
ntsiag t o S t i l l , silent, perfectly quiet. pom ntsoov TO s e e w e l l .
Note: This i d e a i s a l s o extended t o mean " i n e f f e c t i v e n paub ntsoov TO know w e l l .
i n t h e c a s e of medicine, e t c . vam ntsoov To hope s t e a d i l y .
n t u b n t s i a g zog R e a l l y a s l e e p , a s l e e p and q u i e t . s a i b ntsoov TO look a t i n t e n t l y .
 xyuas n t s o o v TO s t u d y i n t e n t l y .
( a ) t o s ntsoov To w a i t .
( b ) t o s n t s u j ntsoov To w a i t .
suav n t s o o v hnub To c o u n t t h e days.
2 . ntsoov To b e f i x e d , remain s t e a d y .
taubhau ntsoov mus To g o s t r a i g h t on, eyes f i x e d
ahead.
1. n t s u TO accumulate, t o g r a d u a l l y p i l e up.
maj mam n t s u To p i l e up s l o w l y ( a s snow o r a s h e s ) .
2. n t s u
n t s u quav z a j S l i p p e r y mossy rock (lit. "dragon
dung" . 3. ntsuj
ntsub To s t r a i n i n d e f e c a t i n g .
n t s u b n t s u b li Hard t o d e f e c a t e , s t r a i n i n r e l i e v i n g
t h e bowe 1.
1. n t s u g V e r t i c a l , a l s o l e n g t h a s opposed t o ' t a v ' of
b r e a d t h when r e f e r r i n g t o t h e measurements of
l a r g e f l a t t h i n g s such a s b l a n k e t s , e t c .
thoob n t s u g A w a t e r b u c k e t ( l u b ) , t a l l wooden b u c k e t .
2 . n t s u g R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
sawv n t s u g To s t a n d u p r i g h t , s t a n d e r e c t ( c f . ' n r h e e v ' ) .
ntsuj The human s p i r i t o r s o u l , s p i r i t o r s o u l ( c f .
' p l i g ' and c o n t r . ' d a b ' ) ( t u s ) .
( a ) t u s n t s u j t u s p l i g The s o u l , t h e s p i r i t .
( b t u s n t s u j p l i g The s o u l , t h e s p i r i t .
k ab n t s u j (cf. 'kab').
Note: ~ o t h' n t s u j ' and ' p l i g ' a r e used t o r e f e r t o t h e
s o u l o r s p i r i t and t h e r e i s no a p p a r e n t d i s t i n c t i o n .
Some s a y t h e r e a r e a s many a s seven o r twelve
human * s o u l s * b u t most Hmong r e g a r d man a s having
three:
n t s u j duab The "shadow s o u l " t h a t s t a n d s guard
a t t h e grave a f t e r death.
p l i g duab The "shadow s o u l * t h a t s t a n d s guard
a t t h e grave a f t e r death.
n t s u j xyoob n t s u j n t o o s The "shadow s o u l " t h a t
s t a n d s guard a t t h e g r a v e a f t e r d e a t h .
n t s u j q a i b The "chicken s o u l " t h a t i s r e i n -
c a r n a t e d . This s o u l a l s o t a k e s f l i g h t most
e a s i l y a s when a p e r s o n i s f r i g h t e n e d o r f a l l s
and a chicken must b e s a c r i f i c e d t o c a l l it
back.
p l i g q a i b The "chicken s o u l " t h a t i s r e i n c a r n a t e d .
This s o u l a l s o t a k e s f l i g h t most e a s i l y a s
when a p e r s o n i s f r i g h t e n e d o r f a l l s and a
chicken must b e s a c r i f i c e d t o c a l l it back.
( c ) n t s u j noog The "chicken s o u l " t h a t i s r e i n c a r n a t e d .
This s o u l a l s o t a k e s f l i g h t most e a s i l y a s when
a p e r s o n i s f r i g h t e n e d o r f a l l s , and a chicken
must b e s a c r i f i c e d t o c a l l i t back.
( a ) n t s u j nyuj The "cow s o u l * t h a t goes t o 'yeeb
y a j k i a b ' t h e abode o f t h e dead.
( b ) p l i g nyuj The "cow s o u l * t h a t goes t o 'yeeb
y a j k i a b ' t h e abode of t h e dead.
( c ) nyuj r a g The "cow s o u l " t h a t goes t o 'yeeb y a j
k ~ a b 't h e abode of t h e dead.
2. n t s u j C l f . f o r p o r t i o n s o f a f i e l d , t r a c t s of l a n d .
i b n t s u j t e b One p o r t i o n of f i e l d .
R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
k h i a v n t s u j Ran o f f , d e p a r t e d .
rov n t s u j Returned.
4. n t s u j R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r used w i t h
' n t s o o v ' o r ' n t s e e s ' ( c f . ' n t s o o v ' and ' n t s e e s ' ) .
ntsum A g i v e n name f o r women.
ntsuv R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
mob s i a b n t s u v E a r n e s t , z e a l o u s , w i t h d e d i c a t i o n .
mob s i a b n t s u v ua To do w i t h e a r n e s t n e s s ( c f . ' s i a b ' )
mob s i a b n t s u v q h i a To t e a c h w i t h z e a l and i n t e r e s t .
.
1. n t s u a A measurement of d i s t a n c e .
i b n t s u a muag kev One s i g h t of road, t h e l e n g t h of
road one can s e e i n one view.
i b n t s u a muag n t u j The d i s t a n c e between o n e ' s eyes
and t h e h o r i z o n .
2 . n t s u a R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
mob s i a b n t s u a I n e a r n e s t , z e a l o u s ( c f . ' s i a b ' ) .
ntsuab The c o l o r g r e e n , g r e e n i s h b l u e , t h e c o l o r of v e g e t a t i o n .
( a ) Hmoob n t s u a b The Green Hmong o r t h e Blue Hmong.
t h a i b n t s u a b A s o l d i e r ( t u s ) ( a s used by Hmong i n
Thailand) .
n t s u a b x i a b Very b l u e .
Note: For c o l o r s s e e Appendix p . 484.
nws n t s u a b i b s a b qhov muag He had a b l a c k eye.
1. n t s u a g A s h o r t s p r o u t of bamboo o r of a t r e e . (cf. 'kaus').
n t s u a g xyoob Bamboo s p r o u t s .
2. ntsuag Without p a r e n t s , w i t h o u t w i f e o r husband, d e s t i t u t e , ( a ) phum n t s u a v Wasted.
orphaned o r widowed ( c f . ' n t s o j ' ) . ( b ) phum lam n t s u a v wasted.
ua n t s u a g l a m L e f t d e s t i t u t e , orphaned, abandoned. dag n t s u a v Cheated, l i e d .
menyuam n t s u a g An orphan ( t u s ) . y a j n t s u a v Mel.ted away.
t u b n t s o g t u b n t s u a g Orphans. ua liam txwv q a s n t s u a v To do p o o r l y , c a r e l e s s l y .
yawg n t s u a g Widower ( t u s )
( a ) p o j n t s u a g Widow ( t u s )
..
1. ntsw To t a u n t , t o provoke.
( b ) p o j ntsuam Widow ( t u s ) . Nws muab hluavtaws ntsw ntsw l a w . He poked a f i r e -
cov n t s u a g nos Orphans. brand a t them t o t a u n t them.
3. n t s u a g R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r w i t h ' n t s e b ' 2 . ntsw To d i p something i n t o a l i q u i d .
10s nag tshauv n t s u a g n t s e b A d r i z z l i n g r a i n . Muab ncuav ntsw ntsw suav t h a j . Dip t h e r i c e cake
i n t o some brown s u g a r s y r u p .
4. n t s u a g
t s a b ntsuag Hypocritical. 1. ntswg Nose, p e r t a i n i n g t o t h e nose.
neeg t s a b n t s u a g H y p o c r i t e s ( t u s ) .
t s a b n t s u a g ua To p r e t e n d , p u t on a b i g show t o
qhov ntswg ( l u b ) The nose, n o s t r i l .
( a ) c a j ntswm The b r i d g e of t h e nose.
impress people. ( b ) c a j ntswg The b r i d g e of t h e nose.
s o ntswg TO wipe t h e nose.
5. n t s u a g txhaws ntswg S t u f f e d up nose.
n t s u a g qaub A rhubard-like vegetable sour i n t a s t e . ( a ) t a u b ntswg The t i p of t h e nose.
( b ) t x i v ntswg The t i p of t h e nose.
ntsuam kwv ntswg TO t u r n t h e nose away i n d i s g u s t .
( a ) p o j ntsuam A widow ( t u s ) ( c f . ' n t s u a g ' ) ..
(b) p o j n t s u a g A widow ( t u s ) ( c f . ' n t s u a g ' ) 2 . ntswg T.c. from ' n t s w j ' (cf. 'ntswj').
1. n t s u a s To measure, t o measure c l o t h , measure a p e r s o n ' s 3. ntswg
worth, e t c .
n t s u a s ntaub ua t s h o Measure c l o t h f o r a j a c k e t .
n t o v t x o ntswg (cf. 'ntov') .
ua n t s u a s t u s i a b hwwv Became v e r y offended. 1. n t s w j To t w i s t , t w i s t e d , t o wring ( c f . 'xuab' ) .
n t s w j l e e s Very t w i s t e d .
2. ntsuas The p r a y i n g m a n t i s ( t u s ) . .
s i b ntswg TO w r e s t l e ( t . c . ) ( c f . ' q h a u ' )
3. n t s u a s TO chew a l i t t l e and t h e n s p i t o u t . 2. ntswj Clf. f o r t w i s t s , c l f . f o r strands i n a twisted
rope.
4. n t s u a s Xuab h l u a ua ob ntswg. ( t .c . ) mist t h e r o p e i n t o
quav n t s u a s A k i n d of sweet e d i b l e s t a l k s i m i l a r two s t r a n d s .
t o s u g a r cane.
1. ntswm
5. n t s u a s neeb ntswm A k i n d of e d i b l e t r e e fungus.
l u b n t s u a b phoo A lock.
2 . ntswm
1. n t s u a v To meet, t o converge. c a j ntswm (cf. 'ntswg').
s i b n t s u a v To converge, meet t o g e t h e r a s of two
mountains o r r i d g e s converging. 1. ntsws The lungs ( c l f . ' n p l o o j I ) .
t a s s i a b t a s ntsws P a t i e n t .
2. ntsuav Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r (cf. S i a b t s i s qhuav d e j , ntsws t s i s qhuav n t s h a v . A
Appendix 8, p . 47 3 . p r o v e r b i a l e x p r e s s i o n used of one who makes much
Note: This word may s o b e used a l o n e o r preceded of a s m a l l m a t t e r and who r e f u s e s t o l e t i t go
by ' g a s ' o r ' q o s . ' a t that.
l w j n t s u a v P u t r i d , decayed.
txab ntsuav Dirty, s o i l e d . 2 . ntsws To w i t h e r .
q i a s ntsuav Dirty, disgusting. ntsws zog TO w i t h e r .
 n t s h e e b R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . 'ntshawv' )
k h i a v ntshawv n t s h e e b Running and jumping.
.
1. n t s h a A s p e a r o r k n i f e s e t up a t a s h a r p a n g l e i n a
t r a p s o a s t o c a t c h game. ntshis
cuab n t s h a To s e t such a t r a p . i b pliag ntshis An i n s t a n t , i n an i n s t a n t .

2. ntsha 1. n t s h i v Lean, f l e s h y ( c o n t r . ' r o j , ' 'rag'!.

t x i a j ntsha t x i a j ntsim (cf. 'ntsim' ) . n q a i j n t s h i v Lean f l e s h y meat ( c o n t r . n q a i j r o g ' ) .
ntshav Blood ( c o v ) . 2. n t s h i v A splinter.
10s n t s h a v To b l e e d .
n t s h a v ntws n t o Blood flowing f r e e l y , copious
n t s h i v n t o o A wood s p l i n t e r ( t u s )
~ t s h i vxyoob A bamboo s p l i n t e r ( t u s ) .
.
bleeding.
n t s h a v t u a g Congealed blood. 3. ntshiv
n t s h a v t x u a s qos n t s o s S p u r t i n g b l o o d , hemorrhage. paus n t s h i v Of t h i n g s pourous.
doog n t s h a v A blood c l o t under t h e s k i n . nceb paus n t s h i v A k i n d o f l a r g e mushroom.
ntshai To f e a r . 4. n t s h i v Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with 'ntshaus'
kev n t s h a i F e a r . t o qhov n t s h a u s n t s h i v F u l l o f t i n y h o l e s .
cuab n t s h a i To b e g i n t o f e a r .
n t s h a i zog To f e a r . ntshiab Clear, fresh.
ntshai tias.. .Fear t h a t . ..
s i a b n t a u s yau n t s h a i Timid and a f r a i d
d e j n t s h i a b n t s h i a b c l e a r f r e s h water (contr. ' n r o ' )
s i a b n t s h i a b A c l e a n c l e a r h e a r t , a t r a n s p a r e n t person.
.
ntshaub A s p e c i e s of t r e e whose wood does n o t e a s i l y ntshov R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
s p l i t o r r o t . I t i s v a l u e d f o r u s e i n making l u b cev n t s h a u s n t s h o v Body weak and w i t h o u t s t r e n g t h .
water buckets. ( t u s )
1. n t s h u a c l f . f o r hanks of t h r e a d o r f o r f l o w e r s t h a t
1. n t s h a u s .
weak, s i c k l y ( c f . ' n t s h o v ' )
l u b cev n t s h a u s n t s h a u s Body s i c k l y and weak.
hang i n s t r a n d s .
n t s h u a no This hank of t h r e a d .
n t s h a u s zog Weak. i b n t s h u a s xov One hank of t h r e a d ( t . c . )
n t s h a u s raws Weakness i n t h e knees r e s u l t i n g i n
.
s t u m b l i n g and f a 1 1i n g
n t s e j muag n t s h a u s zog Face . f a l l e n n a s a f t e r a
2 . ntshua R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
t o s i a b n t s h u a To understand.
s c o l d i n g o r bad disappointment. t s o o t o n t s h u a To break open a b i g h o l e .
2. ntshaus Restricted p o s t verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with 'ntshiv'
( c f . Appendix 8) . ntshuab The o t t e r ( t u s ) .
t o qhov n t s h a u s n t s h i v F u l l of t i n y h o l e s .
.
n t s h a u v Head l i c e ( t u s ) ( c f . ' t u v ' )
r i a b ntshauv Small head l i c e , l i c e j u s t h a t c h e d .
ntshaw To c o v e t , t o long f o r what belongs t o a n o t h e r
person.
ntshawb
c a j pa ntshawb ntshawb li Choking, cannot g e t o n e ' s
b r e a t h ( e s p e c i a l l y when due t o gas o r odor,
etc. .
ntshawv Restricted p o s t verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with 'ntsheeb. '
( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
k h i a v ntshawv n t s h e e b Running and jumping.
 -
NTX 2. ntxais To s t i n g , t o s m a r t ( a s of medicine i n an open c u t ,
cut, etc.)
ntxa A grave, p e r t a i n i n g t o t h e brave
( a ) l u b n t x a The g r a v e .
(lub). 3 . n t x a i s To withdraw something from.
( b ) l u b qhov n t x a The g r a v e . ( a ) n t x a i s 10s To withdraw something from ( a s from
t o j n t x a s Graveyard, cemetery, h i l l s i d e where t h e the eye, e t c . )
dead a r e b u r i e d . ( l u b ) ( t . c . ) ( b ) nqus 10s TO withdraw something from ( a s from
r o o j n t x a s The door of a g r a v e ( l u b ) ( t . c . ) t h e eye, e t c . )
( c ) r h o 10s To withdraw something from ( a s from
ntxab the eye, e t c . )
n t x a b ntxawm An e x p r e s s i o n used immediately p r e c e d i n g
t h e v e r b t o i n d i c a t e t a k i n g advantage of something 4 . n t x a i s Close t o g e t h e r .
which h a s a l r e a d y been done o r provided f o r . The Ob t u s dav h l a u i b n t x a i g mus. The two a i r p l a n e s
e x p r e s s i o n 'khaws xyeem' i s s i m i l a r l y u s e d . ~ o t h flew c l o s e t o g e t h e r (t.c.)
a r e common b u t ' n t x a b ntxawm' i s o f Chinese
derivation. ( c f . 'khaws xyeem' ) .
n t x a b ntxawm ua To do what a n o t h e r h a s a l r e a d y
1. n t x a i v A s p i n n i n g s p i n d l e , bobbin (tus).

done f o r you. 2. ntxaiv

Peb ntxab ntxawm h a i s Vajtswv Ntuj li l u s xwb. We t s h u a b n t x a i v A r e e l made of two c r o s s e d p o l e s on
a r e s a y i n g what ~ o h d a s a l r e a d y spoken. a s p i n d l e and upon which t h e t h r e a d i s wound.
q a i v n t x a i v To hang t h e
1. n t x a s Crooked t e e t h . t h r e a d on t h e %
n t x a s n t x a s kaus Crooked t e e t h (of animals o r ' tshuab n t x a i v . '
persons b u t i m p o l i t e t o u s e o f a n o t h e r i n h i s
o r her presence). ntxau White specks on t h e f a c e ( l u b ) .
U
2. ntxas T.c. from ' n t x a ' (cf. 'ntxa'). 1. ntxaug Skinny, t h i n ( t h i s i s used more commonly i n Green
Hmong !Blue Hmongl) .
ntxaib Twin, double.
phom n t x a i b ( r a b ) A d o u b l e - b a r r e l e d gun. 2 . ntxaug R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
menyuam n t x a i b W i n c h i l d r e n . ( a ) ntxub ntxaug To h a t e b i t t e r l y .
cov t h i n t x a i b Double bamboo b i n d i n g . ( b ) ntxub ncaug To h a t e b i t t e r l y .

ntxaig T.c. from ' n t x a i s ' 3 . ntxaug

dab ntxaug A c e r t a i n s p i r i t g r e a t l y f e a r e d by t h e
1. n t x a i j Hmong. He has c e r t a i n p l a c e s of abode i n t h e
t s u a v n t x a i j ( l u b ) P l a t f o r m over t h e f i r e t o d r y jungle and t h e Hmong a r e a f r a i d of c a l a m i t y i f
.
t h i n g s on ( c f . ' n t h a b ' ) he i s d i s t u r b e d . Often when epidemic o r wide-
spread calamity a r i s e s it i s a t t r i b u t e d t o
2 . n t x a i j The t a i l of an arrow, t a i l f i n .of an arrow. having met w i t h and d i s t u r b e d ' d a b n t x a u g . '
n t x a i j xub The t a i l of an arrow.
ntxawg Youngest s o n , a p e t name o f t e n used f o r l i t t l e boys
3. ntxaij A mesh of bamboo o r o t h e r m a t e r i a l . ( c f . 'ntxawm' which i s used f o r g i r l s ) .
ib d a i g n t x a i j h l a u Screening, w i r e mesh ( c l f .
'daim' ) . 1. ntxawm Youngest d a u g h t e r , p e t name f o r l i t t l e g i r l .
muam ntxawm Youngest s i s t e r ( a s c a l l e d by h e r b r o t h e r s ) .
1. n t x a i s To s u c k , t o n u r s e ( c f . 'nqus ' ) .
n t x a i s mis To d r i n k a t t h e b r e a s t . 2 . ntxawm
n t x a i s quav h n i a v To suck through t h e t e e t h o r t x i v ntxawm F a t h e r ' s younger b r o t h e r .
a g a i n s t t h e back of t h e t e e t h a s i n t h e Western
way of e x p r e s s i n g " t o o b a d . " In Hmong it i s 3 . ntxawm
more an e x p r e s s i o n of a n g e r . niam ntxawm Wife of f a t h e r ' s younger b r o t h e r .
( c f . k i n s h i p c h a r t s Appendix 10 p. 4 9 4 ) .
4 . ntxawm 2. ntxim
n t x a b ntxawm (cf. 'ntxab' ) . n t x i m s i a b ua TO d o e a r n e s t l y , w h o l e h e a r t e d l y
(cf. 'rau siab ua') .
1. ntxaws R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) ( a ) ua n t x i m s i a b To d o what i s d e s i r e d , do what
( a ) t x h u a ntxaws C o m p l e t e l y , t h o r o u g h l y . is pleasing.
( b ) ntxaws ntxaws C o m p l e t e l y , t h o r o u g h l y . ( b ) ua hum s i a b To d o what i s d e s i r e d , d o what
n r h i a v t x h u a ntxaws To s e e k t h o r o u g h l y . is pleasing.
h a i s t x h u a ntxaws To t e l l c o m p l e t e l y . Ua n t x i m nws l u b s i a b . Do i t i n t h e way t h a t p l e a s e s
him.
2 . ntxaws Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with 'ntsoog'
( c f . 'ntsoog' ) . 1. n t x i v To r e p a i r , t o f i x u p , t o mend ( e s p e c i a l l y when it
involves making up s o m e t h i n g t h a t i s l a c k i n g ) ,
ntxee To c r o s s o v e r . t o patch up.
n t x e e roob To c r o s s o v e r t h e r i d g e ( c f . I n t o ' ) . n t x i v t s e v To p a t c h up t h e r o o f o f a house.

ntxeem To p a s s t h r o u g h a c r i s i s . 2. n t x i v To make up what i s l a c k i n g .

ntxeem kom dhau P a s s t h r o u g h t h e c r i s i s . n t x i v n p l e j To f i l l i n t h e b a r e p l a c e s i n a p l a n t e d
Nyias ntxeem n y i a s l i . Each must p a s s t h e c r i s i s r i c e f i e l d w i t h new s e e d .
h i m s e l f . Each must p a s s t h e t e s t . Each must n t x i v nqe To make up a d e b t , make up payment.
fend f o r himself. r o v n t x i v To make amends f o r .
ntxees 3 . n t x i v To add t o .
( a ) i b ntxees n t u j A f a r country, a d i s t a n t place. Lwm z a u s muaj n t x i v . There w i l l b e more n e x t t i m e .
( b ) i b roog n t u j A f a r c o u n t r y , a d i s t a n t p l a c e . ( " t o be continued").
t s i s xav n o j n t x i v D o n ' t want t o e a t any more.
ntxeev To r o l l o v e r , t o t u r n o v e r , t o change o v e r . Txhob ua txhaum n t x i v . Don't s i n again.
n t x e e v h l o Turn o v e r .
n t x e e v hlawv h l o To o v e r t u r n s e v e r a l t h i n g s a t ntxiab A t y p e o f t r a p f o r game. ( c l f . ' r o o j t ) ( c f . ' r o o j ' ) .
once. cuab n t x i a b To c o n s t r u c t s u c h a t r a p . A l i t h e
n t x e e v s i a b To t u r n a g a i n s t , t o change t h e mind, s a p l i n g i s c u t and p i n n e d down i n t h e m i d d l e .
have a change o f h e a r t . The t h i c k e r end i s t h e n p i n n e d up on a t r i g g e r
n t x e e v dua s i a b t s h i a b To r e p e n t , have a new h e a r t . s e t t o r e l e a s e e a s i l y when an a n i m a l p a s s e s
n t h u a v n t x e e v To open ( t h e h e a r t ) and change t o a beneath. The o t h e r end o f t h e s a p l i n g i s
new way. r a i s e d and b r a c e d up t o p r o v i d e t e n s i o n .
n t x e e v t i a j To l i e on o n e ' s b a c k , f a l l o v e r on
o n e ' s back. ntxiag Restricted post verbal intensifier ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
n t x e e v muag ( c f . ' m u a g ' ) . ua noo n t x i a g A f e e l i n g of impending s i c k n e s s .
n t x e e v t i s q a i b To t i e a c h i c k e n ' s wings t o g e t h e r y a n t x i a g To f l y away.
t o t i e a p e r s o n ' s hands b e h i n d h i s b a c k . t s e e v zam n t x i a g To d r e s s i n f a n c y c l o t h i n g .
ntxi A word used i n c u r s i n g , v i l e l a n g u a g e . 1. n t x i a s To d e c e i v e , t o e n t i c e .
Txhob n t x i a s n e e g ua txhaum. Don't e n t i c e o t h e r s
ntxig To i n s e r t i n t o a h o l e o r o p e n i n g ( e . g . p u t t i n g t h e t o d o wrong.
finger into a ring o r a hole, etc.)
N w s muab n t x i g r a u hauv lawm. He i n s e r t e d i t i n s i d e . 2 . n t x i a s To p e r s u a d e , t o coax.
n t x i a s menyuam To p e r s u a d e c h i l d r e n by g i v i n g them
1. n t x i m To be e f f e c t i v e , t o meet t h e p o i n t o f need ( a s goodies t o e a t , e t c .
medicine, e t c . ) .
T s h u a j t s i s ntxim. The m e d i c i n e i s n o t e f f e c t i v e . 3 . n t x i a s To b r a i d .
(cf. ' l e e j ' ) . n t x i a s moj tuam To b r a i d h a i r b r a i d s .
I b t u g mob n t x i m i b yam t s h u a j . Each a i l m e n t h a s i t s n t x i a s h l u a To b r a i d r o p e .
own m e d i c i n e .
ntxos F i b r o u s , a s o f f o o d v e r y h a r d and f i b r o u s , a l s o o f ntxuav To wash, t o wash o u t a v e s s e l , t o wash s o m e t h i n g o f f
t h e s i d e s o f a wooden wedge roughened and p u l p y i n water o r o t h e r l i q u i d (contr. ' n t x h u a ' ) .
a f t e r use i n s p l i t t i n g hard logs. n t x u a v t e s To wash t h e h a n d s .
n t x u a v c e v To t a k e a b a t h , wash t h e body.
ntxob A word used i n b a d l a n g u a g e and c u r s i n g . t x o j kabke n t x u a v Baptism, r i t e o f washing.
n t x u a v y i a s To wash o u t t h e pan.
ntxov Early.
sawv n t x o v E a r l y morning. 1. ntxwg
nram n t e j nram n t x o v E a r l i e r , p r e v i o u s l y . dab ntxwg nyoog ( c f . 'dab' p. 28).
Yuav mus n t x o v n t x o v li. W e ' l l go q u i t e e a r l y .
Ntxov l i g nws yuav 10s. Sooner o r l a t e r h e w i l l 2 . ntxwg T.c. (cf. 'ntxwj').
come.
ntxwj Clf. f o r boulders.
ntxoo ( c f . 'ntxoov' ) . I b n t x w j ( o r I b ntxwg) n i a g zeb.
l a r g e j u t t i n g o u t rock.
A l a r g e boulder, a

ntxoog ( c f . 'dab' p. 28).

1. ntxwm
ntxooj Damp, m o i s t , t o become dampened o r m o i s t o f i t s e l f
a s of ground o r v e g e t a t i o n i n damp w e a t h e r o r
hnyuv ntxwm Sausage ( t x o j ) .
bedding during r a i n y days, e t c . ( c f . 'noo' ) . 2. ntxwm
n e e s n t a u s ntxwm mem Horse r e a r s and k i c k s w i t h i t s
ntxoov Shaded, c l o u d y , o v e r c a s t . hind legs.
n t x o o v n t x o o Cloudy, o v e r c a s t sky.
Hav p o s ntxoov lawm. I t was overshadowed by t h e ntxws
weeds and t h o r n s . muaj muaj ntxws Of a p e r s o n w i t h l a r g e b u t t o c k s .

ntxub To hate. ntxwv A s y l l a b l e added t o many Hmong nouns which come from
(a) n t x u b n t x a u g To h a t e b i t t e r l y . t h e Chinese. I t i s an a d o p t e d Chinese nominal
(b) n t x u b ncaug To h a t e b i t t e r l y . ending ( c f . ' t x w v ' ) .
kev ntxub Hatred. t x i v kab ntxwv An o r a n g e ( l u b ) , o r a n g e s .
yam ntxwv An example, a n i l l u s t r a t i o n .
ntxuag P e r t a i n i n g t o t h a t which i s e a t e n a l o n g w i t h cooked daim t h a v ntxwv A l o i n c l o t h .
r i c e which i s t h e b a s i s o f e a c h meal. y a j ntxwv A s h e e p ( t u s ) .
n t x u a g mov To e a t a l o n g w i t h t h e r i c e . xeeb ntxwv G r a n d c h i l d r e n .
ua me n t x u a g To e a t b i t s and p i e c e s , e a t o n l y a v a j ntxwv King ( t u s ) .
l i t t l e o f t h i s and t h a t . t a v ntxwv Courage, b o l d n e s s .
Noj mov n t x u a g kua muag. To weep w h i l e you e a t
( t o have t e a r s w i t h y o u r r i c e , e x p r e s s i v e o f
r e a l sorrow) .
ntxuaj To wave, t o f a n , t o f l a p ( c f . ' n t x u a m ' ) .
n t x u a j taws To f a n a f i r e .
n t x u a j n p l e j To f a n paddy r i c e i n winnowing.
( a ) n t x u a j t e g To wave o r motion w i t h t h e hand.
( b ) c o t e s ( t . c . ) To wave o r motion w i t h t h e hand.
q a i b n t x u a j t i s The c h i c k e n f l a p s i t s wings.
vab n t x u a j ( l u b ) A winnowing f a n .
1. ntxuam A f a n , a hand f a n ( r a b ) ( c f . 'ntxuaj').
2. ntxuam A s p e c i e s of small b i r d with a l a r g e f a n - l i k e
t a i l (tus) .
 ntxhib C o a r s e , rough ( o f l a n g u a g e , w r i t i n g , weaving, s e w i n g ,
a l s o o f p o o r g r a i n , e t c . ) C o n t r . 'mos'
ntxhab Steep, sharply inclined. s a u ntawv n t x h i b To w r i t e p o o r l y .
Txoj kev no n t x h a b n t x h a b . This is a s t e e p t r a i l . . n t x h i b txhuv Hulled r i c e n o t thoroughly c l e a r e d
of h u l l s .
1. n t x h a i B l e a c h e d , h a v i n g l o s t i t s n a t u r a l pigment. l u s n t x h i b Coarse l a n g u a g e .
t u a g n t x h a i Of f l e s h t h a t h a s l o s t c o l o r , o f f l e s h
t h a t i s s h r i v e l l e d and w h i t e n e d from immersion
i n water.
( a ) neem n t x h i b
( b ) neem mos ( c f . 'neem' ). .
( c f . 'neem' )

neeg t u a g n t x h a i An a l b i n o , one whose f l e s h - i s an ntxhia A sharp knife-like pain.

unnatural color. mob n t x h i a To have a v e r y s h a r p p a i n .

2. n t x h a i n t x h i a b Odor, pungent s m e l l .
kua
..
. n t x h a i The w a t e r t h a t i s ' poured o f f cooked r i c e . Tsw t s w n t x h i a b . I t h a s a d i s t i n c t i v e and pungent
It i s o f t e n served a s o f t h e morning meal. odor.

n t x h a i s Young g i r l , a g i r l ( t u s ) , d a u g h t e r ( t u s ) . ntxhias Restricted post verbal intensifier.

mentxhais L i t t l e g i r l ( t u s ) . n r o v n t x h i a s Very l o u d .
NWS muaj i b t u g t u b ob t u g n t x h a i s . He h a s one son kam n t x h i a s W i l l i n g i m m e d i a t e l y .
and two d a u g h t e r s . plhaw n t x h i a s Jumped s u d d e n l y .
kwm n t x h i a s To g o t h r o u g h d e e p w a t e r .
1. n t x h e A l o u d n o i s e , t o sound l o u d l y , t o r e s o u n d . p l o s n t x h i a s To go t h r o u g h s h a l l o w w a t e r
l u b s u a b n t x h e t u a j A v o i c e sounded. ( a ) pob n t x h i a s To g u a r a n t e e .
( b ) l a v n t x h i a s To g u a r a n t e e .
2. ntxhe Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'nrov' n t a u s n t x h i a s To h i t , t o s t r i k e .
(cf. 'nrov' ) . h l u a s n t x h i a s Young.
1. n t x h e b A g i v e n name f o r g i r l s . ntxhiav A g i v e n name f o r women.

2 . ntxheb The d e c o r a t i v e r i m o r f r i n g e j u s t below t h e 1. n t x h o v Weedy and overgrown ( c f . ' f a b ' ) .

mouthpiece o f t h e Hmong m u s i c a l p i p e s . (cf.
'qeej') I t i s u s u a l l y made o f t o r t o i s e s h e l l . 2 . ntxhov L u x u r i a n t , t h i c k i n growth.
plaub ntxhov ntxhov Thick f u r , t h i c k h a i r .
1. n t x h e e S w i f t and t u r b u l e n t .
dej ntxhee d e j tsaws t s a g S w i f t and t u r b u l e n t w a t e r . 3 . n t x h o v U n s e t t l e d , d i s t u r b e d and r e s t l e s s .
s i a b n t x h o v U n s e t t l e d and r e s t l e s s h e a r t .
2 . n t x h e e Used a s a p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) ua ntxhov q u a v n i a b To r a i s e t u m u l t , d o v i o l e n c e .
d e j t s a w s n t x h e e S w i f t and t u r b u l e n t w a t e r .
k i a v p l a u b kom n c e n t x h e e To make p e a c e f u l s e t t l e - 1. ntxhoo A g i v e n name f o r women.
ment of d i s p u t e o r l i t i g a t i o n .
2. ntxhoo
ntxheev Not s t i c k y , e a s i l y s e p a r a t e d , n o t a d h e s i v e o r h l a b ntxhoo ( t x o j ) The e n d s o f a woman's a p r o n s a s h .
sticking.
p l a u b h a u n t x h e e v n t x h e e v H a i r e a s i l y combed. 3 . ntxhoo A b r a n c h o r a bamboo s t i c k s e t i n t h e ground a t
certain spirit rites. (tus)
ntxhi To w h i s p e r .
s i b n t x h i To w h i s p e r t o g e t h e r .
n t x h i t i a s Said i n a whisper.
s i b n t x h i p e s t u s thuam kuv Kept w h i s p e r i n g t h i n g s
ntxhua
'ntxuav ' ) .
To s c r u b , t o wash by s c r u b b i n g o r p r e s s i n g ( c o n t r .

n t x h u a khaubncaws To wash c l o t h e s , s p e c i f i c a l l y t o
a g a i n s t me. wash by s c r u b b i n g o r by t h e common Hmong method
lub s i a b ntxhi chiv (cf. ' c h i v ' ) . of p r e s s i n g t h e c l o t h e s a g a i n s t a rock w i t h
t h e hands o r w i t h t h e f e e t .
ntxhuab Moss ( c f . ' n t x h u a v ' ) . 1. ny a j Long- t a i l e d monkey, t h e Leaf Monkey ( t u s )
Nyaj caws q i a . The monkey l e a p s .
.
ntxhuab n t o o Tree moss.
ntxhuab av Moss on t h e ground.
2 . nyaj To s u s p e c t , t o g u e s s , t o be d o u b t f u l o f , probably.
1. ntxhuav Clumps of moss o r s h o r t g r a s s ( c f . ' n t x h u a b ' ) . ( c f . ' x a v , ' 'mem,' 'kwv y e e s ' ) (sometimes
pobzeb t u a j ntxhuav S h o r t g r a s s on t h e r o c k s . said 'nyiaj').
Nyaj t s i s t a u . I cannot s e e through i t , c a n n o t guess
2 . ntxhuav Hairy, mossy. Nyaj yog nws xwb. I s u s p e c t i t i s he.
t s o v ntxhuav A l i o n ( t u s ) . Nyaj ho t s i s ua. I doubt i f ( h e ) w i l l do i t .
ntxhuav pobkws Corn s i l k . Nyaj yuav pab s a j . Probably ( h e ) w i l l h e l p .
S a i b 10s n y a j kuv t u s kwv l i a s yuav pab. The way I
ntxhw .
The e l e p h a n t ( t u s )
n t o o tawv ntxhw A t y p e of t r e e w i t h rough bark
look a t it my b r o t h e r probably w i l l h e l p .

(cf. 'ntoo' ) .
tawv ntxhw E l e p h a n t h i d e .
3. nyaj
( a ) p l h u ua p l h u n y a j C r e s t f a l l e n , completely d i s -
couraged, f a c e dark and f a l l e n (cf. ' s i a b
kaus ntxhw I v o r y , e l e p h a n t ' s t u s k .
puas t s u s ' ) .
nyas To s t a l k , t o approach s t e a l t h i l y .
tubsab nyas t u a j .
The t h i e f sneaked up on them.
nyav To s m i l e ( c f . ' l u a g ' ) .
l u a g nyuj nyav To s m i l e .
nyais
phuv n y a i s Headman, o f f i c i a l ( t u s ) (T) .
nyaum Severe, s t e r n , prone t o f i g h t ( a s a bad dog, e t c . ) ,
harsh.
Tus nom nyaum nyaum li kav lawv. The o f f i c i a l r u l e d
them very h a r s h l y .
nyawj The Shan people (sometimes h e a r d s a i d ' n y u j ' ) .
nyaws To t w i s t o r t u r n something ( n o t a s common a s ' qo j ' ) .
1. nyab Daughter-in-law ( t u s ) ( c f . Appendix pp. 484-485, nyeg Domesticated, tame ( c o n t r . ' q u s ' ) .
496) ( a l s o Cf. ' t s h o o b ' ) ( s e e D e f i n i t i o n nyu] nyeg, npua nyeg Domestic cows and p i g s .
No. 4 below). nyuj qus Wild cow o r ox.
( a ) dab nyeg Domesticated s p i r i t s ( c f . ' d a b ' ) .
2 . nyab Flood, t o f l o o d . ( b ) dab qus Wild s p i r i t s ( c f . ' d a b ' ) .
d e j dag nyab A f l o o d of w a t e r .
1. nyem To g r a s p f i r m l y , t o c l o s e t h e hand, c l e n c h t h e f i s t .
3 . nyab nyem t e s To c l o s e t h e hand, c l e n c h t h e f i s t .
( a ) quav nyab n p l e g Rice s t r a w ( c f . ' n p l e j ' ) . nyem ceev ceev To c l a s p f i r m l y , h o l d t i g h t l y .
( b ) quav n p l e j Rice s t r a w ( c f . ' n p l e j ' ) .
2 . nyem
4 . nyab nyem i b l o l u s To g i v e a f i r m o r s t r i c t word o r
t i s nyab Wife of a woman's o l d e r b r o t h e r ( t u s ) order.
( c f . D e f i n i t i o n No. 1 a b o v e ) .
3 . nyem
nyag (cf. 'nyaj'). txomnyem D e s t i t u t e , impoverished, s u f f e r i n g c a l a m i t y .
nyeeb
cov phwv nyeeb The n o r t h e r n Thai ( c o n t r . ' l o s t s u a s ' ) .
2. nyias C l o t h f o r c a r r y i n g a baby on o n e ' s b a c k . (daim) .
3. n y i a s Each, e a c h one.
1. nyeem To r e a d . Nyias muaj n y i a s npe. Each h a s h i s own name.
nyeem ntawv To r e a d b o o k s , t o r e a d . Nyias muaj n y i a s . Each i s i t s own, e a c h i s d i f f e r e n t .
t s i s t x a w j nyeem ntawv Cannot r e a d .
nyiav To w a i l , t o l a m e n t ( c o n t r . ' q u a j ' ) .
2 . nyeem Thick (of l i q u i d s ) , having r e l a t i v e l y g r e a t
density o r consistency (contr. 'sab' ) . P a r t i c u l a r l y u s e d of w a i l i n g a t a f u n e r a l .
nyo To bow, t o bend o v e r .
nyij nyo h a u To bow t h e h e a d .
koov n y i j A type of f i n e black cloth. nyo n r u j n r i s To bend o v e r .
1. nyim 1. nyob To r e s i d e a t , t o b e l o c a t e d a t , t o b e a l i v e ( l o c a t e d
nyimno ( a v a r i a n t r e n d e r i n g of 'nimno') (cf. 'nimno'). on t h e e a r t h ) .
nyob hauv t s e v To b e a t home, i n t h e h o u s e .
2 . nyim A preverbal intensifying p a r t i c l e often indicating t s i s nyob lawm Not h e r e , ( o r ) d e c e a s e d .
continuous a c t i o n i n t h e verb.
Kuv nyim hnov. I k e e p h e a r i n g .
N w s ny i m q u a j .
He k e p t c r y i n g .
.. ( a ) nyob dag To b e i d l e , t o hang a b o u t d o i n g n o t h i n g .
( b ) nyob dag nyob u To b e i d l e , t o hang a b o u t d o i n g
nothing.
N w s nyim h a i s li ntawd. T h a t ' s what h e k e e p s s a y i n g . nyob i b l e e g xwb Alone, l i v i n g by o n e s e l f .
Kuv nyim h l e h l o xauv. So I t o o k o f f my neck r i n g . nyob dawb nyob d o To l i v e w i t h o u t d o i n g any work.
nyiag To s t e a l s e c r e t l y ( c o n t r . ' t x h a v ' ) , t o do s e c r e t l y . 2 . nyob Repeated t w i c e t h i s word i n d i c a t e s t h e p a s s a g e o f
N w s n y i a g kuv l u b xauv. He s t o l e my neck r i n g . a p e r i o d of t i m e .
n y i a g ua To d o s e c r e t l y . Nyob nyob nws yuav 10s. A f t e r a w h i l e h e w i l l come.
n y i a g k e v k h i a v To s e c r e t l y e s c a p e , abscond. Nyob nyob t s i s pom lawm. A f t e r a t i m e it j u s t d i s -
appeared.
1. n y i a j S i l v e r , s i l v e r money, money ( c l f . ' d a i m ' f o r
b a r s and i n g o t s ) . 3 . nyob u s e d w i t h ' t s a m ' i n t h e e x p r e s s i o n 'nyob t s a m ' t o
Kuv t s i s muaj n y i a j . I have no money. ( l i t . "no mean s h o r t l y , b e f o r e l o n g , soon.
silver") . Txhob n o j , nyob tsam r o v qab mob t u a j . D o n ' t e a t
n y i a j t x i a g Money, s i l v e r money. a n y t h i n g o r you w i l l soon have p a i n a g a i n .
poob n y i a g To l o s e money ( t . c . )
muaj muaj n y i a j Wealthy. nyog Fitting, suitable, appropriate, likely.
n y i a j daim B a r s o f s i l v e r . t s i m nyog O f v a l u e , w o r t h w h i l e .
nyiaj dai (cf. ' d a i ' ) . t s i m nyog ua Worth d o i n g .
t s i m nyog yuav Worth o b t a i n i n g o r b u y i n g .
2. n y i a j A s i l v e r neck r i n g ( l u b ) ( c f . ' x a u v ' ) . yuav nyog S u i t a b l e t o p u r c h a s e o r o b t a i n .
(a) i b l u b n y i a j A s i l v e r neck r i n g . s i v nyog U s a b l e , s u i t a b l e f o r u s e .
(b) i b l u b xauv A s i l v e r neck r i n g . h a u s nyog D r i n k a b l e , s u i t a b l e f o r d r i n k i n g .
(a) i b p h i a j n y i a j A s e t o f s i l v e r neck r i n g s . Hnub no t s i m nyog 10s t x o g . I t i s l i k e l y t h a t (he)
(b) i b p h i a j xauv A s e t o f s i l v e r neck r i n g s . w i l l come t o d a y .
T s i s nyog t u a j . H a s n ' t y e t come. (when by t h i s t i m e
1. nyiam To l i k e , t o f a v o r , t o c a r e f o r ( c o n t r . ' h l u b ' ) . we t h o u g h t h e would be h e r e . )
Kuv t s i s nyiam. I d o n ' t l i k e ( i t ) . ( a ) yuav t s i s nyog Cannot o b t a i n i t , c a n ' t buy i t .
N w s p u a s nyiam k o j ? Does h e l i k e you? ( b ) yuav t s i s t a u Cannot o b t a i n i t , c a n ' t buy i t .
( c ) yuav t s i s y e e j . Cannot o b t a i n i t , c a n ' t buy i t .
2 . nyiam
nyiamno A v a r i a n t rendering of 'nimno' ( c f . 'nimno' ) . Tsuav t a m f a j k o j qheb nyog t x o j k e v r a u kuv. Well
t h e n maybe you can p r o v i d e a s u i t a b l e s o l u t i o n .
1. n y i a s T h i n , n o t t h i c k , measuring r e l a t i v e l y l i t t l e
between o p p o s i t e s u r f a c e s ( c o n t r . ' t u a b ' ) .
nyoj To b o i l down, t o cook away t h e l i q u i d and l e a v e o n l y
the s o l i d o r residue.
1. n y u j Cow, b u l l , p e r t a i n i n g t o t h e cow ( t u s )
n q a i j nyug ( t . c . 1 Beef.
.
n y o j yeeb To b o i l down t h e raw opium. n y u j nqov The cow b e l l o w s .
n y o j s u a v t h a j To b o i l down t h e s u g a r c a n e s y r u p . t u s xob n y u j The b u l l k e p t f o r b r e e d i n g .
n y u j q u s Wild o x , t h e Gaur.
1. nyom Grass ( c f . ' t a u j ' ) . t u s xyuas n y u j Young cow h a v i n g had no young, h e i f e r .
t w m n y u j A w i l d b u l l which goes a b o u t on i t s own.
l u b h a v nyom A g r a s s y v a l l e y .
s a b n y u j Wild b u l l s which g o a b o u t i n p a i r s .
2 . nyom To p r y , t o l e v e r ( a s t? p r y something open o r t o
lever a log i n t o position). 2. n y u j
To a c t w i t h l e v e r a g e ( a s o f a l o a d unevenly b a l a n c e d ( a ) n y u j vab tuam teem Name o f a c e r t a i n s p i r i t
t h a t e x e r t s f o r c e o r l e v e r a g e t o one s i d e ) . (cf. 'dab').
ua n y u j dab An a n i m i s t i c ceremony f o r a d e c e a s e d
3 . nyom To d e b a t e , a r g u e , s e e k t o move a n o t h e r from h i s p a r e n t . A cow i s k i l l e d i n s a c r i f i c e t o t h e
position. deceased t h e i d e a b e i n g t o repay t h e p a r e n t
nyom nqe To a r g u e p r i c e . f o r t h e m i l k and f o o d s h e o r h e h a s expended.
s i b nyom To a r g u e t o g e t h e r , t o d e b a t e . T h i s ceremony i s performed by c e r t a i n g r o u p s
o f Hmong and n o t by o t h e r s . When it i s performed
1. nyos R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) . it i s o f t e n q u i t e some t i m e a f t e r t h e d e a t h
ua q a j qaug nyos To b e sound a s l e e p and s n o r i n g . and it c o n s t i t u t e s t h e l a s t of t h e f u n e r a l
rites.
2 . nyos
ua nyos p l i v C h i l d r e n ' s l a n g u a g e f o r p l a y i n g a t nyuad
h i d i n g by c o v e r i n g o n e ' s e y e s . menyuad ( c f . 'menyuam' and I n t r o d u c t i o n pp. x x i i - x x i i i ) .
nyoo To b e w i l l i n g , t o a g r e e ( T ) ( c f . 'kam' ) . nyuag T.c. from 'nyuam' ( c f . 'nyuam').

1. nyoog .
n y u a j D i f f i c u l t (T) , ( c f . ' c e e b l a j ' )
Note: T h i s i s a l s o sometimes s a i d ' n y u a b . '
hnub nyoog Age, t i m e , a p e r s o n ' s a g e ( l u b ) .
(sometimes s a i d 'hnub nyug' o r 'hnoob n y o o g ' ) .
nyuam Small, l i t t l e , n e g l i g i b l e ( c o n t r . ' n i a g ' ) .
2 . nyoog menyuam C h i l d ( t u s ) , c h i l d r e n .
dab ntxwg nyoog ( c f . ' d a b ' p. 2 8 ) . i b nyuag qhov A l i t t l e b i t , a l i t t l e p l a c e ( t . c . )
l o puav nyuam xwb Only a few words.
nyooj To hum, o f n a s a l i z e d s o u n d s , o f f e l i n e a n n i m a l s ob peb nyuag hnub A few d a y s ( t c . ) .
growling. ( a ) ob nyuag hnub ntawd These p a s t few d a y s ( t . c . )
n y o o j qhov ntswg A n a s a l s o u n d , t o hum. ( b ) ob peb hnub ntawd These p a s t few d a y s ( t . c . )
mab n y o o j The c i v e t c a t g r o w l s . i b nyuag vuag dua I n a v e r y s h o r t t i m e ( t . c . )
t s o v n y o o j laws The t i g e r g r o w l s . niam t u b t x i v nyuag P a r e n t s and c h i l d r e n ( t . c . )
i b nyuam qhuav A moment, a s h o r t t i m e .
1. nyoos Fresh, green (of timber, vegetables, water, nyuam qhuav mus J u s t w e n t , went j u s t a moment ago.
etc.) . nyuam qhuav t u a j J u s t came, a r r i v e d t h i s moment o r
n t o o nyoos F r e s h l y c u t wood. j u s t a moment ago.
d e j nyoos F r e s h w a t e r ( u n b o i l e d ) . nywj A t y p e o f s p i r i t which s e e k s t o b r i n g a b o u t r e p e t i t i o n
2 . nyoos F r e s h , uncooked ( o f m e a t , e t c . ) o f former c a l a m i t y o r e v i l . ( t u s ) These s p i r i t s
n q a i j nyoos Uncooked meat. a r e f e a r e d h o v e r i n g i n t h e v i c i n i t y where one
h a s d i e d o r been i n an a c c i d e n t , e t c .
1. nyug (cf. 'nyoog').
2 . nyug T.c. from ' n y u j ' (cf. 'nyuj').
 1. parn A b l a n k e t (daim) .
muab parn vov TO cover w i t h a b l a n k e t .
pa A i r , b r e a t h , gas. kauv parn TO wrap i n a b l a n k e t w h i l e s i t t i n g o r s t a n d i n g .
ua pa To b r e a t h e . Pam t a b A t h i n b l a n k e t .
pem pa To h o l d t h e b r e a t h . Pam rwb A q u i l t .
t s i s dim pa To choke, c a n ' t g e t o n e ' s b r e a t h .
c a j p a s T h r o a t ( t .c . ) 2 . parn To p r e p a r e , t o p r o v i d e f o r ( c f . ' n p a j ' ) .
h l a b p a s Oesophagus ( t . c . ) pam mov To p r o v i d e r i c e , p r o v i d e a meal ( a l s o 'pam
zoj').
pa Clf. for breaths. parn i b tsum mov To s e t o u t a f e a s t .
ua i b pas To t a k e one b r e a t h ( t .c . )
t s h u a b i b p a s To blow one b r e a t h ( t .c . ) 3 . parn F u n e r a l r i t e s , e s p e c i a l l y t h o s e r i t e s conducted
i n t h e house.
pab To h e l p , t o a s s i s t .
Thov k o j pab kuv. I beg you t o h e l p me. 4 . parn
pabcuam To h e l p , t o a s s i s t (C)
( a ) pab l e g To h e l p , t o a s s i s t .
. pamthawj (tus) A wooden m a l l e t f o r s p l i t t i n g l o g s .

( b ) l a b n t a To h e l p , t o a s s i s t . 5. parn C l f . f o r p a s s e s of u r i n e o r f e c e s .
pab C l f . f o r a group o r a f l o c k . 1. pas A s t a f f , a rod ( t u s )
ua i b pab i b pab To be i n groups. pas n r i g S t p f f , walking s t i c k .
pab y a j A f l o c k of sheep.
pag (cf. 'dib' for 'dib pag').
2 . pas A lake
(a) Tub
(lub) .
p a s d e j The l a k e of w a t e r , t h e l a k e .
(b) lub pas z a j The l a k e of w a t e r , t h e l a k e .
Pag lub pas a v A mudhole, a " l a k e " of mud.
l u b pag l u b xaus A term used t o r e f e r t o a l l d e a t h lub pas hawv A muddy h o l e w i t h w a t e r running through.
ceremonies. To p l a y t h e p i p e s , b e a t t h e drum
and make s a c r i f i c e s f o r t h e dead. 3 . pas T.c. from ' p a ' (cf. 'pa' ['hlab p a s ' and ' c a j pas'] ) .
paj Flower, f l o w e r y , c o t t o n . 1. pav To b i n d , t o t i e i n t o a package, t o t i e around, wrap
p a j n t o o s Flower ( c l f . ' n t s a u v ' f o r one s t a l k ) UP.
(t.c.1 (clf. 'tsob' for a cluster). ( a ) pav t s e v To b i n d on t h e s i d e boards of a house
tawg p a j To p u t f o r t h f l o w e r s , t o f l o w e r . with r a t t a n s t r i p s .
p a j noob h l i s Sunflower. ( b ) pav n c e j To b i n d on t h e s i d e boards of a house
p a j n t a u b Embroidery. with r a t t a n s t r i p s .
p a j kws Popcorn.
p a j l u g P r o v e r b , flowery speech. 2 . pav
tawg p a j h a i s To speak p r o v e r b s . ( a ) pav txhwj A hoe, mattock ( r a b ) .
( b ) c h o j txhwj A hoe, mattock ( r a b ) .
paj
p a j yeeb Pink o r l i g h t l a v e n d e r c o l o r . 3 . pav
10s pav ( t u s ) Manager, b o s s ( C ) .
paj
p a j plhu Face, cheek ( c f . ' p l h u ' ) . 4 . pav
pav y w ~ The l o o s e f a t a d h e r i n g t o a p i g ' s stomach and
paj intestines.
p a j paws To jump, t o jump up and down ( c f . ' d h i a ' ) .
ua p a j paws n t s o s To jump up. paig W a t t l e , l o o s e f l e s h y s k i n hanging from t h e t h r o a t
of a fowl.
paj q a i b p a i g t x i g A s p e c i e s of c h i c k e n h a v i n g a l a r g e
t s i s muaj p a j t s h a h mus No money o r food w i t h which wattle.
t o make a journey.
1. paim To e x c r e t e , of l i q u i d s o r s e m i - l i q u i d s b r e a k i n g
forth. 3 . p a u j Exclamatory and i n t e r r o g a t i v e f i n a l p a r t i c l e .
paim paug To e x c r e t e pus. Nej nyob zoo p a u j ? Are you w e l l ?
paim d e j Water e x c r e t i n g from a wound. Yaid, n t s h a i kuv t x i v sawv pauj! Gracious, I ' m
d e j paim Of w a t e r b r e a k i n g through a dam. a f r a i d my f a t h e r has r i s e n !
2 . paim Of t h i n g s o t h e r than l i q u i d s b r e a k i n g f o r t h .
paim tshaws lawm ( c f . ' n p l e j ' ) .
yuav paim quav (lit. " i t w i l l e x c r e t e f e c e s " ) A
paum The v u l v a , t h e e x t e r n a l p a r t s of t h e female g e n i t a l
organs whether human o r animal. (clf. 'lub').
(contr. 'qau') ( c f . ' l u b pirn').
c o l l o q u i a l e x p r e s s i o n meaning " t h e t r u t h w i l l ( a ) t s o o b pim The s e x a c t (whether human o r a n i m a l ) .
o u t , " "The t h i n g i s s u r e t o come t o l i g h t i n ( b ) t s o o b paum The s e x a c t (whether human o r a n i m a l ) .
due time. " ( c ) s i b tsoob The s e x a c t (whether human o r a n i m a l ) .
paiv A given name. 1. paus
hauvpaus (lub) Stump, b a s i s , r o o t , o r i g i n ( c f . ' h a u v ' ) .
pau A l o o s e l y woven frame of bamboo s t r i p s t o p l a c e t h i n g s
on f o r steaming ( l u b ) . 2. paus Abdominal gas.
l u b pau ncuav Such a frame t o steam r i c e cakes t s o paus To pass gas through t h e anus.
over a cauldron.
l u b pau t s u Such a frame s e t i n t o t h e bottom of 3. paus
a r i c e steamer. paus n t s h i v Porous, o f t h i n g s porous.
neeb paus n t s h i v A l a r g e s p e c i e s of mushroom.
paub To know
Kuv paub n t s o o v . I know w e l l .
Kuv paub t i a s . . . I know t h a t . . .
pauv To exchange (cf . ' txauv' ) .
pauv zog To h e l p a n o t h e r i n manual l a b o r w i t h t h e
paub dheev To know suddenly.
paub s i b nrawg nroos To know e q u a l l y w e l l .
.
u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f h e l p i n r e t u r n ( c f ' p a u ~' )
Lub no t s i s zoo, muab pauv yuav i b l u b zoo. ~ h l s
.
one i s no good, exchange it f o r a good one.
1. paug Pus.
( a ) kam paug To exude pus.
( b ) 10s paug To exude pus.
1. pawg A s t a c k , a p i l e ( c f . 'pawv' )
pawg n p l e j no T h i s r i c e s t a c k .
.
kua paug Pus. i b pawg taws One p i l e of firewood.
paug paim lawm The pus has d r a i n e d .
2 . pawg Used w i t h ' l u g ' a s a two word r e s t r i c t e d p o s t
2 . paug Dust, d u s t y , di;ty w i t h d u s t . verbal i n t e n s i f i e r indicating t h a t the action
paug paug li Dusty. of t h e verb concerns many persons o r t h i n g s
paug paug p l a u s p l a v Dusty, d u s t s e t t l i n g over every-
thing.
grouped t o g e t h e r . .
( c f Appendix 8 )
zaum pawg l u g Many s i t t i n g t o g e t h e r .
.
d e j paug paug li D i r t y w a t e r . muaj pawg l u g To have a g r e a t q u a n t i t y o f .
nyob pawg l u g Residing t o g e t h e r .
3. paug R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'dawb' ua pawg l u g Many persons d o i n g t o g e t h e r .
dawb paug P e r f e c t l y w h i t e ( c f . Appendix 8). ( a l s o w i t h t h e v e r b s ' c i a , ' 'qw,' ' p o v , ' ' t x i a v , ' e t c . )

1. p a u j To make r e t u r n f o r an o b l i g a t i o n o r i n d e b t e d n e s s . pawj A c u r s e word, v i l e language.

p a u j zog To r e t u r n an o b l i g a t i o n of p h y s i c a l l a b o r
( c o n t r . 'pauv zog' To h e l p a n o t h e r i n l a b o r ) . paws
p a u j t x i a j n t s i m r a u To make r e t u r n f o r a f a v o r p a j paws TO jump (cf. 'paj') (cf. 'dhia').
or gift.
p a u j yeem To make r e t u r n on a promise of s a c r i f i c e 1. pawv To s t a c k , t o p i l e up ( c f . 'pawg' ) .
made t o t h e s p i r i t s ( c f . ' f i v ' ) . pawv n p l e j To s t a c k r i c e sheaves.

2. p a u j To avenge. 2 . pawv C o l l o q u i a l among t h e Hmong of N . Thailand f o r "No!"

p a u j t a u To avenge, t a k e revenge ( c f . ' r o b caub' ) . (cf. I t s i s ' ) This i s e s p e c i a l l y common among
c h i l d r e n and young people.
pe To bend i n worship o r r e v e r e n c e , t o bow t o t h e ground 1. pern U p h i l l from, above, on t h e u p h i l l s i d e ( c o n t r . ' n r a m ' ) .
on t h e knees w i t h t h e hands r a i s e d i n worship, pern ub Way up t h e r e .
t o worship. ( a ) puag pern Way up t h e r e .
pe n t u j pe t e b To worship t h e heavens and t h e e a r t h . ( b ) puag pern ub Way up t h e r e .
N w s nyob pern zos. He i s up i n t h e v i l l a g e .
1. peb F i r s t person p l u r a l pronoun i n d i c a t i n g t h r e e o r more
(cf. 'wb').
nyob pern t e b Up i n t h e f i e l d s .
( c f ' poob pem t e b ' )
nyob pern t e Over i n t h e v i l l a g e nearby.
.
Peb t s i s mus. We ( t h r e e o r more p e r s o n s ) a r e n o t nyob pern t e j hav zoov Over i n t h e jungle.
going. pern qaum kev The u p h i l l s i d e of t h e t r a i l .
2 . peb The number t h r e e . (used w i t h ' c a u g ' t o i n d i c a t e 2 . pern I n some idioms t h i s word i s used t o i n d i c a t e l o c a t i o n
the t h i r t i e s ) . nearby w i t h o u t t h e c o n n o t a t i o n of above o r u p h i l l .
Peb t u g t i b n e e g . Three people. poob pern t e b F e l l upon t h e ground, f e l l t o t h e e a r t h .
peb caug T h i r t y . Note: Used a s a noun of l o c a t i o n t h i s word may vary
n o j peb caug To e a t t h e " t h i r t i e t h , " e a t t h e New with t h e pronunciation 'ped' s u b j e c t t o conditions
Year F e a s t . o u t l i n e d i n I n t r o d u c t i o n pp. x x i i - x x i i i .
3. peb 3. pern O t h e r , d i f f e r e n t from, o u t of t h e o r d i n a r y ( c f . ' p e j ' ) .
peb t x h e e j peb t i s Great numbers, a g r e a t crowd. pern l u s Vague s p e e c h , f i g u r a t i v e speech.
pern l u b tebchaws Another c o u n t r y , a d i f f e r e n t
ped ( c f . 'pem' a l s o c f . I n t r o d u c t i o n pp. x x i i - x x i i i ) . country.
1. peg To h i t , t o b e a t . 4 . pem
Txhob peg nws. Don't b e a t him. meejpem ( c f . 'meej ' ) (c) .
2 . Peg 5. pern To r e s t r a i n , withhold.
dab peg A s p i r i t producing symptoms l i k e e p i l e p s y . pern pa To h o l d t h e b r e a t h .
( a ) qaug dab peg To have e p i l e p s y , t o have an e p i l e p t i c
fit. 6 . pern
( b ) mob dab peg To have e p i l e p s y , t o have an e p i l e p t i c t u s pern kom The d e f e n d a n t , person accused o r wrong.
fit.
1. pes
3. Peg
t e b peg Dry f i e l d s f o r farming on t h e f l a t p l a i n s .
pes tsawg How many, how much ( c f . ' tsawg' )
Muaj pes tsawg? How much i s t h e r e ?
.
Koj yuav pes tsawg t u s ? How many do you want?
1. pe j S t r a n g e , o t h e r t h a n o r d i n a r y ( c f . 'pem' ) .
p e j yam l u s Other languages, f o r e i g n languages 2 . pes A p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r used only i n connection
s t r a n g e speech. w i t h o t h e r i n t e n s i f i e r s a s a combination.
p e j kum O t h e r , s t r a n g e . ( c f . Appendix 8 , p. 4 7 0 ) .
p e j kum tebchaws Other l a n d s , o t h e r c o u n t r i e s . ras pes dheev S t a r t l e d .
p e j kum dab qus Wild s p i r i t s , s t r a n g e s p i r i t s a s lub s i a b xob pes vog In f e a r of punishment, a f r a i d .
d i s t i n g u i s h e d from 'dab nyeg.' pes hlo (cf. ' h l o ' ) .
2. p e j
pes .
nkaus ( c f ' nkaus ' ) .
pejthuam A tower, a pagoda ( t u s ) . 1. peeb
n t o o peeb l a b The Areca palm whose f r u i t i s chewed
3. p e j with t h e b e e t l e leaf ( t u s ) .
pejchum Aluminum.
2 . peeb
4. pej p h a j peeb The mediator i n a d i s p u t e , one who t r i e s
( a ) pejxeem A p e o p l e , t h e populace, t h o s e governed t o a s s i s t i n s e t t l e m e n t b e f o r e going t o c o u r t .
a s d i s t i n c t from t h e o f f i c i a l s ( C ) . (tus).
( b ) pejxeem huabhum A p e o p l e , t h e populace, t h o s e
governed a s d i s t i n c t from t h e o f f i c i a l s ( C ) .
3 . peeb Soldiers ( t u s ) (C) .
( c f . Hmong ' t u b r o g ' and
' tuamham' from t h e T h a i ) . 2. p i v
ua puab ua p i v ( c f . 'puab ' 1.
1. peem To f o r c e o n e s e l f t o do something one f e e l s piab An adze o r hewing h a t c h e t (rab).
p h y s i c a l l y unable t o do.
piag
2. peem ( a ) p i a g deg A clam.
xijpeem (cf. ' x i j I ) . ( b ) p l i a g deg ( l u b ) A clam.
1. peev Money c a p i t a l , money which i s yours t o use o r
invest.
1. piam S p o i l e d , u s e l e s s , broken (cf. 'puas')
Lub t e e b piam lawm. The lamp i s broken.
.
( a ) peev C a p i t a l funds ( C ) .
( b ) peev t x h e e j C a p i t a l funds ( C ) . 2 . piam
poob peev To s e l l a t a l o s s . piam t h a j White s u g a r (c).
rho lawv peev Using t h e i r c a p i t a l .
3 . piam
2 . peev ( a ) piam i a v A k i n d of g r a s s o r s h o r t v e g e t a t i o n .
peevxwm A b i l i t y , c l e v e r n e s s , s k i l l ( C ) ( c f . ' t x u j c i ' ) . ( b ) piam l i a j A k i n d o f g r a s s o r s h o r t v e g e t a t i o n .
Kuv t s i s muaj peevxwm ua. I haven't the s k i l l t o
do i t . 4 . piam
peevxwm t s i m t x i a j Worthwhile d e m o n s t r a t i o n s of
a b i l i t y , "miracles. "
piamsi j Destroyed ( c f . 'puas t s u a j ' ) .
1. p i a s M i l l e t .
3 . peev ncuav p i a s Steamed cakes made of m i l l e t .
peev c h o j Rice f l o u r noodles.
2. p i a s
1. p i b i b ncuav p i a s One s l a p w i t h t h e palm of t h e hand.
pibtxwv ( l u b ) A very s m a l l h a n d l e l e s s cup, a
Chinese wine cup ( c f . ' khob ' ) ( C )
i b p i b t s h u a j A s m a l l cup o f t e a o r medicine.
. 3. pias
qhua p i a s Measles.
mob qhua p i a s To have measles.
2. pib To b e g i n ( c f . ' c h i v ' )
Nws pib h a i s t i a s . . .
.
He began by s a y i n g ... (cf. 1. p i a v To e x p l a i n , t o demonstrate ( c f . ' q h i a ' ) .
'chiv kiag hais t i a s ! . . ' ) . p i a v kev To e x p l a i n t h e way, t o preach.
p i a v z o j To e x p l a i n .
pij
p i j ntaws ( l u b ) The u m b i l i c u s , t h e n a v e l .
piav t i a s . . . Explained s a y i n g ...
p i a v taw t e s To dance.
pim The v u l v a , t h e e x t e r n a l p a r t s of t h e female g e n i t a l 1. po The s p l e e n ( t u s ) .
organs whether human o r animal. ( c f . 'paurn')
(cif. 'lubl). 2 . PO
( a ) l u b pim The female s e x member ( c f . ' p l e ' ) n t o o po A rotten tree (tus).
(contr. 'qau' ) .
( b ) l u b paum The female s e x member ( c f . ' p l e ' ) 1. pob Lump, round o r b a l l - l i k e .
(contr. 'qau' )
( a ) t s o o b pim The s e x a c t .
. i b pob A s m a l l package (C) .
i b l u b pob A lump.
( b ) t s o o b paum The s e x a c t . zaub pob Head cabbage.
( c ) s i b t s o o b The s e x a c t . ua pob To form a knot o r a lump.
hoob pob ( l u b ) A bomb.
1. p i v To compare. ( a ) pob av l u a j An a n t h i l l .
p i v l u s h a i s To g i v e a comparison, t o i l l u s t r a t e . ( b ) pob an muas y i s t i b An a n t h i l l .
pivtxwv An i l l u s t r a t i o n , a comparison, a p i c t u r e ( C ) .
l u s pivtxwv F i g u r a t i v e speech.
ua pivtxwv To make a comparision, t o draw a p i c t u r e .
pob The f i r s t s y l l a b l e i n many nouns e s p e c i a l l y t h o s e Note: Below a r e t h e s t a g e s i n t h e growth o f c o r n .
c h a r a c t e r i z e d by r o u n d n e s s o r b u l k . (clf. ua r a j n c a s The s t e m a p p e a r s from t h e ground.
'lub' for a l l ) . dauv t w q a i b The l e a v e s have begun t o bend o v e r
pobzeb A s t o n e , s t o n e . (like a cock's t a i l ) .
pobtxwv B u l k , frame. t x i j hauvcaug A s h i g h a s t h e knee.
pobcaus A k n o t ( a f i r m k n o t , n o t a s l i p k n o t ) t x i j dua AS h i g h a s t h e w a i s t .
(cf. 'rhaus'). ua n p l o o j qoov tshaws The l e a v e s f u l l y formed.
( a ) pobtsuas ( t . c . 1 C l i f f , r o c k mass. ua npuav npaug tshaws The h e a r t of t h e s t a l k h a s
( b ) t s u a C l i f f , r o c k mass. begun t o a p p e a r .
pobntseg Ear. ua t w y a j t s h a w s The t a s s e l s a p p e a r on t h e t o p .
p o b t x h a Bone. ua n p l a i s taws The c o r n pods a p p e a r .
pohkws Ear of maize o r 1 n d i a n c o r n ( c f . Defini- ua n t x h u a v l i a b The c o r n s i l k i s becoming r e d .
t i o n No. 9 ) . tsam pom The c o r n pods a r e f i l l i n g o u t .
pob n t o o s Stump o f a f a l l e n t r e e . ( a ) t u a g n t x h u a v The s i l k i s d r y i n g o f f .
( b ) yeeb n t x h u a ( t .c . ) The s i l k i s d r y i n g o f f .
pob A joint. ua pos n y u j The c o r n k e r n e l s a r e f o r m i n g .
pob xyoob The j o i n t i n bamboo. ntom kab The k e r n e l s a r e f u l l y o u t l i n e d .
pob q e j t x h a A bone j o i n t . ( a ) s i a v Ripe ( s h i n y h u s k s ) .
pob t e g Wristbone. ( b ) c i p l h a u b vog Ripe ( s h i n y h u s k s ) .
pob taws Anklebone. d a j d a j p l h a u b Drying c o r n pods on t h e s t a l k .
pob To crumble. pog P a t e r n a l grandmother, o r p a t e r n a l g r a n d f a t h e r ' s
l u b t s h u a j pob t a g The p i l l of m e d i c i n e crumbled. brother's wife (tus) (cf. kinship chart,
( a ) t o j pob A l a n d s l i d e . Appendix p. 494) .
( b ) pob r h e A l a n d s l i d e . p h a u j pog P a t e r n a l g r a n d f a t h e r ' s s i s t e r .
n l a g pog F a m i l i a r t e r m o f a d d r e s s f o r a n o l d woman.
P ob ( a ) n i a g pog l a u s "grandma" o r " o l d woman", a f a m i l i a r
pob pob li Smoky. t e r m u s e d by an o l d e r man f o r h i s w i f e .
( b ) pog l a u s "grandma" o r " o l d woman," a f a m i l i a r
pob t e r m u s e d by an o l d e r man f o r h i s w i f e .
t x h o j pob Troublesome, m i s c h i e v o u s .
1. p o j Female ( o f b i r d s o r o f humans) ( c o n t r . 'maum' and
pob
hawb pob O f an animal p u r r i n g .
.
'txiv' )
p o j n i a m Woman ( t u s ) .
p o j q a i b Hen ( t u s ) .
P ob
( a ) poh n t x h i a s To g u a r a n t e e .
p o j n t s u a g Widow ( t u s ) .
p o j n i a m t u b se Wife and c h i l d r e n .
(b) lav ntxhias To g u a r a n t e e . muab r a u p o j n t o o r i s F i g u r a t i v e e x p r e s s i o n
c o n c e r n i n g a mother who n e g l e c t s h e r c h i l d .
pob p o j ntxoog ( c f . ' n t x o o g ' ) .
Note: F o r c o n v e n i e n c e we l i s t t h e common t e r m s r e l a t i n g
t o t h e growth and u s e o f 'pol;kws' (maize o r 2. poj
c o r n ) ( c f . e n t r i e s under ' k w s ' ) .
n t a i s pohkws To p i c k c o r n .
t x i v mov p o j The c o c o n u t ( l u b ) (T) .
n t s i a pobkws Corn k e r n e l s . 3. poj
n t x h u a v pobkws Corn s i l k . poj co (lub) The common e a r r i n g worn by Hmong women.
t w y a j pobkws Corn t a s s e l s .
p l h a u b kws Corn h u s k . 4. poj
quav kws Corn s t a l k . tebchaws ( o r ' h a v ' ) quav p o j An e x p a n s e o f l a n d
pobkws t a j L a t e c o r n . once i n h a b i t e d b u t now o n l y weeds and s c r u b
pobkws c a u j E a r l y c o r n . vegetation.
pobkws nplaum l i a b A t y p e o f r e d g l u t i n o u s c o r n .
1. pom To s e e . 2 . pov To g u a r a n t e e , t o a c t a s a g u a r a n t o r .
( a ) pom To s e e , t o s e e t h e way. t u s povthawj An i n t e r m e d i a r y , a g u a r a n t o r ( a l s o
( b ) pom kev To s e e , t o s e e t h e way. 'pov z e e j ' ) . T h i s terms h a s a l s o been used f o r
pom n t s o o v To s e e w e l l , t o be l o o k i n g a t . a Jewish " p r i e s t . "
pom dheev To suddenly s e e .
3. pov
2 . pom pov khawv S a t i s f i e d , s u f f i c i e n t ( o f t e n w i t h t h e
pom khawv To t a t t l e , t o r e p o r t on t h e e v i l of o t h e r s . connotation "fed up").
3. pom 4 . pov.
pomtxwv The p a n t h e r ( t u s ) . povhwm To p r o t e c t , d e f e n d , g u a r d , s h e l t e r ( C ) .
1. pos Thorns 5 . pov
pos hmab Thorns on a v i n e . povhum ( l u b ) A charm, a p r e c i o u s s t o n e .
pos n t o o Tree t h o r n s .
hav pos An expanse of thorny v e g e t a t i o n . 6 . pov
pos t s h a u v t x i A t y p e of s m a l l t h o r n . pov i b l o l u s h a i s To send word, g i v e an o r d e r .
t u a j pos To have t h o r n s .
l u s mos l u s t u a j pos Nice sounding words b u t w i t h 1. poo To r o b , t o p i l l a g e (Lao o r Thai language b u t used
a " t h o r n y " o r h a r s h meaning and i n t e n t . by Hmong) ( c f . Hmong ' t x h a v , ' ' n y i a g ' ) .
2 . pos The gums. 2 . poo V a r i a n t r e n d e r i n g of 'poog' (cf. 'poog').
pos h n i a v The gums.
1. poob To f a l l down, t o f a l l from a h e i g h t ( c f . ' t x e e j ' ) .
3. pos To h o l d t h e f i n g e r o v e r an opening. poob plhuav To f a l l down.
pos ntswg To h o l d t h e nose c l o s e d . ( a ) xeeb poob F e l l i n t o .
pos To " p l a y " an i n s t r u m e n t where t h e f i n g e r s a r e , ( b ) t i j yim poob F e l l i n t o .

..
h e l d o v e r openings t o c o n t r o l t h e e s c a p e of a i r . ( a ) poob n t h a v To f a l l down completely ( c f . ' n t h a v ' )
pos q e e j To f i n g e r t h e Hmong m u s i c a l p i p e s . ( b ) poob k i a g To f a l l down completely ( c f . ' n t h a v ' )
4 . pos 2 . poob To f a l l i n a moral o r f i g u r a t i v e s e n s e .
Pas ncag (cf. 'ncag'). poob npe To l o s e o n e ' s r e p u t a t i o n .
poob zog To be d i s c o u r a g e d , t o be w i t h o u t s t r e n g t h
5. pos from f e a r o r discouragement.
pos pos huab Foggy ( t e m p o r a r i l y ) . poob s i a b h l o F r i g h t e n e d .
pos huab n t i Surrounded by c l o u d s . poob zoo To be l o s t i n t h e j u n g l e .
6 . pos 1. poog A l l g a t h e r t o g e t h e r i n a group (some s a y ' p o o l ) .
n q a i j pos Animals of p r e y , animals t h a t prey on Cov y a j poog n k u a j . The sheep e n t e r e d t h e f o l d .
o t h e r animals and humans. Sawvdaws poog n p o j . A l l came t o g e t h e r i n a group.
Xuas zeb poog ntws r a u nws. Threw a h a n d f u l of s t o n e s
7 . pos a t him.
t s w pos Of meat t h a t s m e l l s s l i g h t l y o l d b u t n o t
really spoiled. 2 . poog A r e s t r i c t e d post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with 'nrov'

1. pov To throw.
(cf. 'nrov') .
pov t s e g To throw away, t o d i s p o s e of by any means.
t u a pov t s e g To k i l l .
poom A pound, t e n 'lag' (cf. 'lag' ) (T) .
Muab hlawv pov t s e g . Burn it up. poov The "mother" of y e a s t o r v i n e g a r .
pov r h e e s To throw.
pov khaub hnab ( c f . ' khaub' ) . poov xab Leaven, y e a s t ( l u b ) .
1. pub To g i v e ( f r e e o f c h a r g e ) , t o hand t o .
Muab pub kuv. Give i t t o me.
Pub r a u nws yuav. Give it t o him a s a g i f t .
 To a l l o w , t o p e r m i t . 2 . pua TO p r e p a r e a l e v e l p l a c e on t h e ground, t o p r e p a r e
KUV t x i v t s i s pub kuv mus. My f a t h e r w o n ' t l e t me go. a f l a t s u r f a c e , t o s p r e a d on a f l a t s u r f a c e .
T s i s pub ua. I t i s n o t p e r m i t t e d t o do t h a t . pua pobzeb TO pave w i t h s t o n e .
pua chaw pw TO p r e p a r e a s l e e p i n g p l a c e , t o p u t down
puj bedding t o s l e e p , make a p l a c e t o l i e down.
p u j s i s Does n o t ( C ) . daim l e v pua pw A s l e e p i n g mat.
Nws p u j s i s h l u b yus t h i a b . D o e s n ' t he a l s o l o v e
you? 1. puab Close t o , i n c l o s e r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h , t o remain i n
c l o s e r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h something. ( c f . ' t s h o b ' ) .
P U ~ ( c f . D e f i n i t i o n No. 11).
p u j daub (tus) A s p e c i e s of b i r d . p l i g puab cev The s p i r i t remains i n t h e body.
P U ~
puab nkaus Very c l o s e t o ( a l s o 'puab rawv' )
s i a b t s i s puab Not v e r y e a r n e s t about something,
.
cuab xeeb p u j teem Confused and u n c e r t a i n ( c f . ' c u a b ' ) . d o e s n ' t have c l o s e a t h e a r t .
N w s l u b s i a b puab Yexu t i a g t i a g . He i s r e a l l y
Pum close ( i n fellowship) with Jesus.
pum l i v Small bamboo f l u t e ( r a b ) .
2 . puab
P um n c e j puab Thigh, upper l e g .
neeg tshum pum One who s e e k s t o h i n d e r a n o t h e r from
t a k i n g a c t i o n ( c f . ' tshum' ) . 3 . puab
puab t a i s The g r o i n .
PUS
( a ) duav pus Shoulder b l a d e s . 4 . puab
( b ) n p l o o j pus Shoulder b l a d e s . puab t s i a g The c h i n , jaw.
pus To e s c a p e w i t h a l l o r p a r t of t h e t r a p o r rope o r 5. puab
arrow, e t c . s t i l l a t t a c h e d ( a term used i n kaub puab C a l o u s e s , s c a b .
c a t c h i n g game). kaub puab mov Hardened r i c e on t h e s i d e s of t h e p o t .
pus A f i v e g a l l o n t i n , a l a r g e t i n can ( l u b ) . 6 . puab
thoob puab A c l o t h bag c a r r i e d o v e r t h e s h o u l d e r .
puv Full, filled.
puv puv li F i l l e d .
puv nkaus Completely f i l l e d (of v e s s e l s ) .
puv npo Completely f i l l e d (of t h e h e a r t , e t c . 1 .
7. puab
'npuab') .
To mould o r form w i t h t h e hands ( i n Laos s a i d
N w s muab a v ~ u a bc o i 10s ua i b t u s nlom. He made
puv nco laws F i l l e d and running o v e r , f i l l e d and an i d o i o u t 02 e a r t h .
rounded o v e r a s a b a s k e t of g r a i n . Puab ua ncuav. (He) made r i c e cakes.
puv p h e e j l i a s Level f u l l .
puv n t u g nkaus F u l l t o t h e edge. 8. puab
puv n t i a s F i l l e d a l l through ( a s of a room f i l l e d txob puab Of a c h i l d whimpering and d i f f i c u l t t o
w i t h sound, w i t h f u r n i t u r e , e t c . ) c o n t r o l o r c o m f o r t , f u s s y , troublesome.
PU"
t x i v puv l u j The p i n e a p p l e ( l u b ) . 9 . puab A bamboo h o r n , trumpet (rab) .
10. puab
pua Hundred. ua puab ua p i v A l l o v e r , c o v e r i n g t h e whole.
r a u pua S i x hundred.
i b puas One hundred ( t . c . ) 11. puab
( a ) i b puas t s a v yam A g r e a t v a r i e t y , a l l k i n d s o f . t u s puab r o o j puab n t s a One who hangs around t h e
( b ) i b puas t s a v A g r e a t v a r i e t y , a l l k i n d s o f . house and t a b l e of a n o t h e r ( c f . D e f i n i t i o n No. 1).
1. puag To embrace, t o hold i n t h e two arms. 4 . puam
( a ) puag l i a s To embrace. keeb puam (lub) A foundation f a c t , b a s i s .
( b ) puag k i a g To embrace.
puag nkaus To embrace. 1. puas Interrogative particle.
puag rawv To keep on embracing, hold i n embrace. Koj puas paub? Do you know o r n o t ?
Koj puas mus? Are you going o r n o t ?
2 . puag I n t e n s i v e pre-nominal p a r t i c l e f o r terms of time Note: This may be used a l o n g w i t h o t h e r q u e s t i o n forms.
o r distance. e . g . ' k o j puas paub lawm t s i s paub?' Do you
( a ) puag pem Far up t h e h i l l . know o r n o t ?
( b ) puag pem ub Far up t h e h i l l . Puas yog? I s n ' t t h a t so? Yes o r no?
puag t i m Way over t h e r e .
puag thaum ub A very long time ago. 2 . puas Destroyed, u s e l e s s , s p o i l e d ( c f . ' p i a m ' ) .
Puas lawm. S p o i l e d , u s e l e s s .
3. puag To s e t on eggs. ua puas t s u a j To d e s t r o y , r e n d e r u s e l e s s , t o p e r i s h
Q a i b puag q e . The hen i s s e t t i n g . (sometimes s a i d 'puam t s u a j ' ) (cf. ' p i a m s i j t ) .
4 . puag A measure of r i c e , a s much a s can be h e l d i n two 3. puas T.c. from 'pua' ( c f . ' p u a ' ) .
hands. i b puas t s a v yam ( c f . ' p u a ' ) ( t . c . )
txhiab niag t i m puas xyoo Hundreds and thousands of
5. puag years, a very long time, ( t . c . from ' p u a ' ) .
puag t a J u s t now, j u s t a moment ago (sometimes
' puastat) .
puag t a no J u s t now, t h i s moment.
4. puas
h n i a v puas Molar t e e t h (cf. 'hniav').
puag t a mus J u s t l e f t .
5 , puas Close t o , nearby.
1. puaj puas nkaus Next d o o r , very n e a r by.
xwm f a b puaj meem In e v e r y d i r e c t i o n ( C ) (cf. s i b puas ciam To have a common boundary.
' p l a u b ceg n t u j ' ) .
6 . puas
2 . puaj puas txwv p u a j t i a m (cf. 'puaj ) .
c h i b chawj puaj l i a m (cf. 'chib') . 7. puas
3. p u a j ( a ) s i a b puas t s u s Completely d i s c o u r a g e d , e v e r y t h i n g
xyoob p u a j t s w t s e v Green bamboo f o r t h e w a l l s of gone wrong.
a house. ( b ) s i a b poob t a g Completely d i s c o u r a g e d , e v e r y t h i n g
gone wrong.
4 . puaj
puas txwv p u a j tiam From t h e beginning of mankind 8. puas
(C) ( c f . ' c u a j txheej cuaj t i s ) . ua p l h u puas nyag (cf. 'plhu' ) .
5. p u a j 9 . puas
taum p u a j yem A v a r i e t y of long s t r i n g beans (C). puas t a ( c f . 'puag t a ' ) .
1. puam The s m a l l l e n g t h w i s e r a f t e r s of a house. ( c f . ' t s e v ' ) 1. puav O c c a s i o n a l , some.
(tus). zaum puav Sometimes, o c c a s i o n a l l y .
t w puam The s m a l l lengthwise p o l e f a s t e n e d under t h e t u s puav Some persons ( o r some of any noun t a k i n g
eaves of a house t o h o l d t h e r o o f i n g . t h e Clf .'tus ' ) .
lub puav Some t h i n g s (any noun t a k i n g C l f . ' l u b ' ) .
2 . puam pub puav sijhawm Sometimes.
t s h a v puam An expanse of open ground.
t s h a v puam suab zeb An expanse of s t o n y ground. 2 . puav
puav l e e j A l l , a l t o g e t h e r (cf . ' l e ej ' .
)
3. puam
suab puam A g r a v e l bank, sand and g r a v e l o r s m a l l 3 . puav The b a t ( t u s ) .
s t o n e s d e p o s i t e d by a stream.
4 . puav To g a t h e r , t o b r i n g t o g e t h e r .
Puav npua 10s. Gather t h e p i g s t o g e t h e r .
l u b puav n t s e s A f i s h n e t ( s o c a l l e d by Hmong i n Laos) . 1. phab A w a l l , a f l a t v e r t i c a l s u r f a c e , a s i d e .
i b phab A w a l l , a s u r f a c e o r s i d e ( c f . 'phab n t s a ' ) .
puav n t s e s To c a t c h f i s h ( s o c a l l e d by Hmong i n L a o s ) .
phab t a v A p e r s o n ' s s i d e .
5. puav phab n t s a A w a l l , t h e w a l l of a house.
puavpheej An a r t i c l e of e v i d e n c e . phab t s u a s A rock s u r f a c e , c l i f f f a c e .
Muab puavpheej t s e g lawm. (He) gave an a r t i c l e t o
s e a l a v e n t u r e . ( e . g . a r i n g t o s e a l an engage- 2 . phab
ment, e t c . ) phab xyoob Chest band on a h o r s e h a r n e s s ( t h e
Note: The p l a c e n t a which i s b u r i e d a f t e r b i r t h i s a r c h a i c term f o r t h i s i t e m i s ' t x e e s n e e s ' )
r e g a r d e d a s a ' p u a v p h e e j ' which i s t a k e n a t ( c f . ' n e e s ' 1.
d e a t h t o t h e f i n a l abode a s evidence of p a r e n t a g e ) .
3. phab An a r e a o r r e g i o n of t h e heavens, one of t h e
pw
pw n t h i To l i e down.
.
To r e c l i n e , t o l i e down ( c f ' kheem' ) . directions.
phab hnub t u a j The e a s t .
pw n t o g To l i e p r o s t r a t e .
pw t s a u g zog To l i e down i n s l e e p , t o s l e e p . 1. p h a j An age group, g e n e r a t i o n .
pw n t x e e v t i a j To l i e on t h e back. p h a j t x i v The o l d e r g e n e r a t i o n , " f a t h e r s . "
pw ua n t s a i s To l i e on t h e s i d e . p h a j h l u a s The younger g e n e r a t i o n , young p e o p l e .
pw khwb rwg To l i e on t h e stomach ( c f . ' k h e e m ' ) .
2. p h a j A f l a t p l a t e ( l u b ) .
Pwg p h a j t e e v The p l a t e t o h o l d a r t i c l e s b e i n g weighed
xub pwg Shoulder. on a b a l a n c e s c a l e .
yeeb p h a j A p l a t e used t o p l a c e opium upon.
PW j
kab pwj nyug ( t u s ) The r h i n o c e r o u s b e e t l e . 3. p h a j To s e t f o r t h , d e c l a r e .
p h a j t x o j k e v c a i To s e t f o r t h r u l e s o r laws.
1. pwm Mildew.
t u a j pwm To be mildewed, become mildewed. 4 . phaj
p h a j peeb ( t u s ) An i n t e r m e d i a r y i n a d i s p u t e , one
2 . pwm who t r i e s t o a s s i s t i n s e t t l e m e n t b e f o r e going
cwjpwm (cf. 'cwj'). t o law about i t .

3 . pwm 5. p h a j
l o o j pwm (cf. ' l o o j ' ) . p h a j qhovtxhiachaw The p r o c e s s of moving house, e t c .

1. pwv To t r a i n an animal t o h a r n e s s , t o t r a i n an animal 6. phaj

t o work. xamphaj ( c f . 'xam' ) .
2 . pwv To add t o ( c f . ' t s a v , ' 'txhab'). 7. phaj
pwv r a u To add t o . p h a j txhawm To s a v e , s e t a s i d e ( c f . ' txhawm' ) .
Nws ho p h a j txhawm t a u thaum twg mas nws t h i a j li
them k o j thaum twg. He w i l l pay you when he
h a s saved enough money.

pham F a t , chubby (commonly used i n r e f e r r i n g t o b a b i e s o r

c h i l d r e n , i m p o l i t e when used of a d u l t s ) .
( c f . ' r o g ' and ' n p a g ' ) .
pham nphoob - v e r y f a t (of a n i m a l s , e t c . )
phav A box o r t i n can ( l u b ) , a s m a l l box o r can.

1. phaib
khuaj phaib The Tin t r i b e .
2. phaib Used by i t s e l f t h i s word i s used a s a c u r s e word. 1. p h e e j R e p e a t e d l y , r e g u l a r l y , c o n t i n u a l l y ( c f . ' s i j ' and
1. p h a i s To c u t o p e n , t o i n c i s e .
'nyim' ) .
p h e e j mob Keeps g e t t i n g s i c k .
p h a i s q a i b To b u t c h e r a c h i c k e n , c u t open a c h i c k e n . p h e e j t s i s 10s S t i l l h a s n ' t r e t u r n e d , s t i l l h a s n o t
p h a i s p l a b To c u t open t h e stomach, t o p e r f o r m a come ( a l t h o u g h c a l l e d f o r ) .
surgical operation. N w s p h e e j n o j t s h u a j p h e e j t s i s zoo. He k e e p s t a k i n g
medicine b u t g e t s no b e t t e r .
2. phais Used by i t s e l f t h i s word is a l s o used a s a p h e e j mus p h e e j h a i s l u s Walking and t a l k i n g .
c u r s e word. Note: T h i s i s common i d i o m f o r two s i m u l t a n e o u s
activities.
3. phais p h e e j s i s C o n t i n u a l l y weak and s i c k l y , n o t r e a l l y
p h i s l i s p h a i s l a i s Aimle?s, f o o l i s h , c a r e l e s s . well.
h a i s p h i s l i s p h a i s l a i s To t a l k n o n s e n s e .
2. pheej
phau C l f . f o r b o o k s , volumes. pheej l i a s L e v e l measure ( e . g . a l e v e l b a s k e t f u l ) (C).
Phau ntawv no l o j l o j .
T h i s i s a v e r y l a r g e book.
3 . pheej
phauj F a t h e r ' s s i s t e r s ( c f . kinship c h a r t s p. 4 9 4 ) . koob p h e e j Fair, equal, r i g h t , just, "on t h e l e v e l . "
p h a u j pog P a t e r n a l g r a n d f a t h e r ' s s i s t e r .
4 . pheej
phaum C l f . f o r a t i m e o f r a i n , an e p i d e m i c o r t i m e of pheejyig Cheap ( C ) , i n e x p e n s i v e .
s i c k n e s s , a time o r occasion.
i b phaum nag A t i m e o f r a i n ( c o n t r . ' k o b ' t h e c l f . 5. p h e e j
f o r a s i n g l e shower). puavpheej (cf. 'puav').
i b phaum mob One t i m e of s i c k n e s s , an e p i d e m i c .
6 . pheej
phaw Referring t o certain l a r g e male a n i m a l s . n t o v p h e e j t s a b To f e l l a t r e e by c u t t i n g i n from
phaw muas iwj Large male d e e r . b o t h s i d e s u n t i l it f a l l s o v e r . (cf. 'ntov').
phaw t w m Large male water b u f f a l o .
phaw n y u j q u s Large male g a u r o r w i l d ox. pheev
menyuam pheev r i a m O f children playing with knives.
phawv Large p l a i t e d bamboo s t o r a g e b i n ( l u b ) , ( f o r r i c e ,
etc.) 1. p h i j
phawv n p l e j A r i c e s t o r a g e b i n ( a s above) . p h i j x a b ( l u b ) A l a r g e box, e s p e c i a l l y t h e common
l a r g e t i n box used by Hmong f o r s t o r a g e p u r p o s e s ( C ) .
pheb Of wood o r m e t a l t h a t h a s b e e n s p r e a d , s p l i t o r s o f t e n e d
by pounding. ( c f . t h e t o p of a c h i s e l o r wedge). 2. phij
Pheb lawm, t s i s zoo s i v . I t h a s been b e a t e n t o a p h i j c h o b ( t x o j ) The l e a t h e r t h o n g f o r t y i n g b a s k e t s
p u l p and i s u s e l e s s . t o a pack s a d d l e .

phem E v i l , wicked ( c o n t r . ' z o o ' ) . 3. phij

ua phem 30 do e v i l . phua cem p h i j To s p l i t ( b o a r d s ) o f f t h e s i d e o f a
h a i s phem To s p e a k e v i l . log r a t h e r than through t h e middle.
Phem zoo y u s yog Ilmoob. Whether f o r S e t t e r o r f o r
worse we s t i l l a r e II~r~ong. 4. phij
h a i s l u s plhob p h i j To s p e a k w o r t h l e s s words.
phev A c u r s e word, v i l e l a n g u a g e .
5. p h i j
1. pheeb To l e a n a g a i n s t , t o l e a n o v e r . neeg zoo p h i j sam s i a b com v i a b " H y p o c r i t e s " ( p e r s o n s
pheeb phab n t s a To l e a n a g a i n s t t h e w a l l . w i t h a good s k i n b u t a crooked h e a r t ) .
t s e v pheeb s u a b A " l e a n t o " , a t e ~ . l p o r a r ys h e l t e r
( l u b ) , s h e l t e r made o f l e a n i n g b r a n c h e s . 6. phij
p h i j l a j ( t u s ) The f r i e n d o r h e l p e r of t h e bri.degroom,
2 . pheeb To " l e a n " f i g u r a t i v e l y , i . e .
(cf. 'ib').
t o f i n d excuse t h e " b e s t man" ( c f . ' t s h o o b ' ) .
7. p h i j
phi j v i a s (cf. 'vias ' ) . 1. phob TO use up, t o waste ( c f . 'phum lam' )
muab phob t a s Used it up, wasted it completely.
.
1. phim To match, f i t t i n g , s u i t a b l e ( c f . ' h u m ' ) . 2. phob To h i t .
tsis s i b phim Does n o t match, u n s u i t a b l e .
3 . phob C l f . f o r s h e e t s of s k i n o r l e a t h e r ( c f . ' d a i r n ' ) .
2 . phim
phim thabntxwv To l e a n o r depend on o t h e r s ; of a 4 . phob
l a z y person who r e l i e s on h e l p from t h e phob t i s A wing ( c f . ' t i s ' 1.
industrious.
5. phob
3 . phim i b phob t s i g cuab noog A noose o r s n a r e t o c a t c h
phimhwj ( C ) To honor, t o r e s p e c t , t o do d e f e r e n c e t o , birds.
a l s o t o wonder a t , t o s t a n d i n awe o f .
6 . phob
phis phob f a b The work of moving and p r e p a r i n g new f i e l d s ,
phis l i s phais l a i s ( c f . ' p h a i s ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 3 ) . etc. (cf. 'fab').
1. p h i v To s c r a t c h o u t , t o e l i m i n a t e ( c f . ' t h u a m ' ) . 1. phoj To c r e e p o f f a f t e r b e i n g i n j u r e d , e t c . (of animals
Muab p h i v t s e g . S c r a t c h it o u t . o r human b e i n g s ) .
. 2 . phoj
2. phiv To o f f e n d , t o do wrong ( T )
p h i v kauv maim To break t h e law ( T ) . pho jxom I t c h y a l l o v e r ( i n f r e q u e n t l y used) .
phiab A bowl o r b a s i n ( l u b ) .
l u b t a i s phiab A bowl o r b a s i n w i t h a p r o t r u d i n g
1. phom A gun ( c l f . ' r a b ' ) .
xuas phom t u a To k i l l w i t h a gun.
edge such a s an enamel washbasin. tsom phom To aim a gun.
qeb phom Gun t r i g g e r .
1. p h i a j Clf. f o r s e t s . n t s i s phom End of t h e gun b a r r e l .
i b p h i a j n y i a j A s e t of s i l v e r neck r i n g s . t u s kav phom The gun b a r r e l .
i b p h i a j tswb n y i a j A s e t of s i l v e r b e l l s . l u b txhab khaum phom The gunstock.
maim phom To f l i n c h when f i r i n g a gun.
2. p h i a j A s m a l l s l a b o r s h e e t of s o l i d m a t e r i a l . t u a phom To f i r e a gun.
p h i a j zeb A s l a b of s t o n e , a s l a t e f o r w r i t i n g . phom t h a i b A r i f l e .
phom luvxoom A s h o t gun.
3. phiaj The s l a b of bone marked w i t h combinations of y a j phom A r e v o l v e r , an a u t o m a t i c , a p i s t o l .
f o r t u n e and worn on a s t r i n g around t h e neck kev n t s i s n t a j n t s i s phom Death by v i o l e n c e (by gun
f o r use i n d i v i n i n g lucky d a y s , e t c . ( c l f . Idaim' ) . o r sword).
t u s t s a v phom ( c f . ' t u a g ' ) .
4. phiaj To r e f o r g e o r r e p a i r m e t a l k n i v e s and a x e s , e t c .
t h a t have been b l u n t e d o r chipped i n use. 2. phom C l f . f o r s h o t s of a gun.
(cf. 'kho'). t u a i b phom To f i r e a gun once, f i r e a s h o t .
5. p h i a j The square of p l a i t e d bamboo s e t up o u t s i d e a 3 . phom S o f t , p l i a b l e , i n c o n t r a s t t o hard o r b r i t t l e
home t o warn s t r a n g e r s n o t t o break t a b o o by
e n t e r i n g . Usually t h i s i s because of s i c k n e s s
( c f . 'muag' ) .
i n t h e home, because t h e shaman has s e t a time phos
of taboo, o r because a mother i s s t i l l i n h e r phosxoos A meeting, a s p e c i a l g a t h e r i n g (Thai).
f i r s t month a f t e r g i v i n g b i r t h .
phov To w r i t h e , t o r o l l o r t o s s t o and f r o a s i n d e l i r i u m
6. phiaj o r i n f i t f u l sleep. (cf. 'da,' I n t i ' ) .
neeg t s i s tshoob p h i a j txwv Spoken of a person who phov phov To w r i t h e t o and f r o ( a s a b o v e ) .
i s wealthy b u t who purposely d r e s s e s poorly t o phov nkuaj Of an animal c a u s i n g t r o u b l e i n h i s pen
conceal h i s wealth. s t r i v i n g t o get out.
phov ub phov no To make a f u s s , g e t t i n g i n t o v a r i o u s
k i n d s of m i s c h i e f .
1. phoo A l o c k . 1. phua To s p l i t open, t o s p l i t " t o p a s s through t h e m i d s t . "
n t s u a s phoo ( l u b ) A lock. phua n t o o To s p l i t a l o g .
phua t x i a g n t o o To s p l i t b o a r d s .
2 . phoo T.c. from 'phoov' ( c f . 'phoov'). phua plaws To s p l i t through.
phua plaws nruab n r a b lawv To push through a crowd.
1. phooj A t e n t . phua qab thoob Half moon.
tsamphooj A t e n t (sometimes a l s o used f o r a mosquito phua cem p h i j To s p l i t ( b o a r d s ) o f f t h e s i d e of a
net) (clf. ' l u b ' ) . l o g r a t h e r t h a n through t h e middle.
v i j t s a m Mosquito n e t ( C ) ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) . phua kum xeeb To s p l i t ( b o a r d s ) by s p l i t t i n g through
t h e c e n t e r of t h e l o g i n wedges.
2. phooj
t s e v timphooj A f i e l d house, temporary house o r 2. phua
shelter. h a i s phua plhawv To speak openly ( c f . ' t a b m e e g ' ) .
3. phooj 3. phua
phoojywg A friend ( C ) , (clf. 'tus'). phua kev To r e n d e r judgment.
phoom To bump a g a i n s t . phuab
ti ti phoom phoom Crowded t o g e t h e r s o t h a t bumping phuab n r o j To push f o l i a g e o r v e g e t a t i o n a p a r t w i t h
i s unavoidable, d e s c r i p t i v e of a crowd of t h e hands a s i n making o n e ' s way a l o n g an
people c l o s e together. overgrown t r a i l o r i n r e a p i n g g r a i n . (cf. 'haiv').
s i b phoom Bumped t o g e t h e r .
phoov Clf. f o r a handful.
phuaj A r a f t (lub) .
l u b phuajtxwv A r a f t .
i b phoo t e s A h a n d f u l ( t . c . ) duav phua j An o a r .
muab ob phoo t e s q e e m e n t s i s n p l e j Take o u t two
h a n d f u l s of r i c e ( t. c . ) phuam A c l o t h , a rag o r c l o t h f 0 r . a p a r t i c u l a r use, (clf.
yuav r a u phoov S i x h a n d f u l s a r e needed. ' d a i m ' ) , t h e b l a c k c l o t h head d r e s s worn by
Hmong women a s a kind o f t u r b a n .
1. phum To g i v e ( c f . 'pub' )
phum pub To g i v e .
. n t o o phuam To p u t on t h e headband o r t u r b a n , t o
wear a headband.
Yuav phum pub it t d g pab. (He) w i l l g i v e someone t o phuam ntxuav muag (daim) A wash c l o t h , f a c e c l o t h .
help.
( T h i s word i s used i n t h i s s e n s e i n Laos b u t i s seldom 1. phuas Curds.
s o used among T h a i l a n d Hmong. 'pub' by i t s e l f i s phuas taum The c u r d s i n t h e making of bean-curd.
used. )
2 . phuas The p o r t i o n remaining o r s p i t o u t when something
2 . phum
phum n t s i a b C l e a r l y ( c f . 'meej ' ) . i s chewed ( e . g. s u g a r c a n e ) .
hum l u b n t s i a b To speak c l e a r l y , t o crive t h e "essence" phwj To ferment, t o b o i l o v e r .
of t h i n g s , t o g i v e t h e whoie t r u f h , t o go r i g h t
t o t h e h e a r t of m a t t e r s . phwv A p e o p l e ( T h a i ) (sometimes a l s o pronounced ' p h u j ' and
'phwj').
3. phum phwj l w j A L a o t i a n t r i b e , t h e ' l w j ' people.
phum lam Wasteful ( c f . 'phom'). phwv nyeeb The Northern Thai.
phum lam n t s u a v Very w a s t e f u l . phuj nyeeb The Northern Thai.
neeg phum lam Of a p e r s o n who wastes t h i n g s and
never s a v e s .
s i v n y i a j phum lam n t s u a v To w a s t e money e x t r a v a g a n t l y .
phuv
phuv n y a i s Headman, o f f i c i a l ( t u s ) , ( T h a i ) .
 1. p l a g P e r t a i n i n g t o t h e u p h i l l o r r e a r s i d e of a house.
nyob hauv p l a g ~t t h e r e a r of t h e house (on t h e
pla Of a f l o c k of animals s c a t t e r i n g , t o s c a t t e r o r f l e e . uphill s i d e ) , a t the rear wall.
1. p l a b The stomach, t h e stomach r e g i o n , abdomen ( l u b ) . 2 . plag
l u b p l a b The stomach. plag nplas Disorderly.
( a ) lawv p l a b D i a r r h e a .
( b ) raws p l a b D i a r r h e a . 3. plag T.c. from ' p l a s ' (cf. 'plas').
(c) t h o j plab Diarrhea.
kern p l a b I n d i g e s t i o n . plam To come u n t i e d , t o come l o o s e , t o come a p a r t o r s l i p
tswm p l a b To s t o p up t h e bowels. off.
t s h u a j tswm p l a b Medicine t o s t o p d i a r r h e a . Plam taw lawm. My f o o t s l i p p e d o u t from under me.
n c h i p l a b F l a t u l e n c e , f e e l i n g of f u l n e s s though plam plhuav Came o f f , came completely undone.
n o t h a v i n g e a t e n much.
mob p l a b P a i n i n t h e stomach r e g i o n . 1. p l a s The owl ( t u s ) .
t h a i s p l a b To t a k e a l a x a t i v e , t o purge t h e bowels.
vom vom hauv l u b p l a b A c h u r n i n g i n t h e stomach 2 . p l a s C l f . f o r a wide expanse.
producing g r a d u a l weakness. plas teb A large field.
z a i s z a i s p l a b Enlarged abdomen a s i n a c h i l d t h a t i b p l a g t e b One l a r g e f i e l d ( t. c . )
has had i n t e s t i n a l p a r a s i t e s . i b p l a g hluavtaws A l a r g e expanse of f i r e .
( a ) p l a b l a u s The stomach r e g i o n .
( b ) p l a b l a u g ( t . c . ) The stomach r e g i o n . 1. p l a v An empty c a r t r i d g e s h e l l ( T ) .
p l a b mog The lower abdominal r e g i o n . l u b p l a v muastxwv Empty c a r t r i d g e s h e l l ( T ) .
npua p l a b To massage t h e stomach r e g i o n .
npuaj p l a b To g e n t l y pound t h e stomach r e g i o n t o 2. plav
r e l i e v e p a i n (pound w i t h t h e h a n d ) . paug paug p l a u s p l a v Dusty ( c f . ' p a u g ' ) .
( a ) zaws p l a b Term f o r massaging t h e stomach r e g i o n .
( c f . 'npua p l a b ' ) .
( b ) mos p l a b Term f o r massaging t h e stomach r e g i o n .
.
( c f . 'npua p l a b ' )
plau To d e p a r t , t o run away.
p l a u lawm Ran Away (cf. ' khiav lawm' ) .
( c ) z u a j p l a b Term f o r massaging t h e stomach r e g i o n 1. p l a u b The numeral f o u r .
.
( c f . 'npua p l a b ' ) plaub f a b Square, t h e f o u r ' c o r n e r s ' of t h e e a r t h .
nchos p l a b R e l i e v i n g stomach p a i n by mechanical
means, s h a k i n g o r p i n c h i n g t h e s k i n , e t c . 2 . plaub L i t i g a t i o n , c a s e s of d i s p u t e , c a s e s a t law ( c l f .
.
( c f . 'nchos ' )
mob p l a b zaw Cholera o r d y s e n t e r y .
' t s h a j , ' ' t x u b ' and ' r o o j ' ) .
xeeb p l a u b To g i v e r i s e t o l i t i g a t i o n .
p l a b h l a v Sharp abdominal p a i n . h a i s plaub To d i s c u s s a c a s e of d i s p u t e o r a c a s e a t
law.
2. plab Abdominal r e g i o n r e g a r d e d a s a s e a t of t h e kev p l a u b kev n t u g T r i a l s and a c c u s a t i o n s , l i t i g a t i o n .
intelligence. txob p l a u b To meet w i t h l i t i g a t i o n , t o be charged
( a ) p l a b l o j Wise o r i n t e l l i g e n t ( l i t e r a l l y having a i n a law c a s e .
l a r g e abdomen and h e a r t ) . t x i a v p l a u b To f i x s e t t l e m e n t i n a law c a s e (done
( b ) p l a b plaw l o j (from ' p l a w v ' ) Wise o r i n t e l l i g e n t by a headman, judge, o r o f f i c i a l ) .
( l i t e r a l l y having a l a r g e abdomen and h e a r t ) . ( a ) t u p l a u b To make amlable s e t t l e m e n t of a c a s e
of d i s p u t e o r l i t i g a t i o n , e s p e c i a l l y where
3 . plab s e t t l e m e n t i s made by a middleman " o u t of
p l a b h l a u b The lower p a r t of t h e human l e g , p a r t i c u -
l a r l y t h e f l e s h y p a r t a t t h e back of t h e l e g .
.
court "
( b ) k i a v p l a u b To make amiable s e t t l e m e n t of a c a s e
of d i s p u t e o r l i t i g a t i o n , e s p e c i a l l y where
4 . plab s e t t l e m e n t i s made by a middleman " o u t of
ua p l a b ua p l u s Of one who d o e s n ' t s t a y a t home. court. "
5. p l a b
p l a b hnab The s e e d pod i n t h e forming of a head of
rice (cf. 'nplej').
3 . plaub Hair, f u r , f e a t h e r s ' ( c 1 f . ' t s o s ' f o r h a i r s ) . plev To s t i n g , a n i n s e c t s t i n g .
plaubhau Hair of t h e head. i b p l e s One s t i n g ( t . c . 1
p l a u b muag E y e l a s h e s , eyebrows. t u s p l e The s t i n g e r , an i n s e c t p r o b o s c i s .
i b t u g plaub A f e a t h e r . D a b t s i p l e v k o j ? What h a s s t u n g you?
qaws p l a u b h a u To t w i s t t h e h a i r i n t o a t o p k n o t i n
t h e s t y l e o f Hmong women. plees B r a z e n , impudent, s h a m e l e s s .
r h o p l a u b To p l u c k o u t t h e h a i r . h l u a v n k a u j p l e e s p l e e s li A s h a m e l e s s young woman.
h a i s l u s r h o p l a u b mob n q a i g (cf. 'nqaij'). kwv t x h i a j p l e e s Bawdy o r lewd s o n g s .
p l a u b h a u sawv t s e e s The " h a i r on end" ( a l s o ' p l a u b h a u
xob v o g ' ) .
Plaub q a i b tsis c i a j ncaig (cf. ' c i a j ' ) . pleev To swab, t o a p p l y w i t h a swab o r b r u s h , t o a p p l y a
liquid o r o i l coating t o a surface (contr.
1. p l a u s (cf. 'pluas').
' leem' o r ' p l i a ' ) .
Muab t s h u a j p l e e v kuv n t i v tes. P a i n t some m e d i c i n e
on my f i n g e r .
2. p l a u s
paug paug p l a u s p l a v Dusty ( c f . ' p a u g ' ) . plig The human s p i r i t o r s o u l , s p i r i t o r s o u l ( c f . ' n t s u j '
plaw T . c . from ' p l a w v ' ( c f . 'plawv' ) . and c o n t r . ' d a b ' ) (clf. 'tus').
Note: Both ' n t s u j ' and ' p l i g ' a r e used t o r e f e r t o t h e
s o u l o r s p i r i t and t h e r e is no a p p a r e n t d i s t i n c t i o n
plaws Restricted post verbal intensifier contributing the ( a ) t u s n t s u j t u s p l i g The s o u l , t h e s p i r i t .
i d e a of suddenness t o t h e a c t i o n of t h e pre- ( b ) t u s n t s u j p l i g The s o u l , t h e s p i r i t .
ceding verb. ( c f . Appendix 8 ) . F o r t h e t h r e e k i n d s o f " s o u l s " ( p l i g d u a b , p l i g q a i b , and
k a j n t u g plaws Daybreak. p l i g n y u j ) c f . t h e d i s t i n c t i o n s l i s t e d under
tawm plaws To come o u t . 'ntsuj. '
dim plaws Escaped. t s o p l i g To ' r e l e a s e " t h e s p i r i t . T h i s i s t h e
Used s i m i l a r l y w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g v e r b s : (cf. the name g i v e n t o a ceremony performed f o r p e r s o n s
i n d i v i d u a l l i s t i n g s f o r t h e meanings.) who have d i e d . I t may b e performed soon a f t e r
t s h a b , t h o o b , c i g , y a , p h u a , d h a u , h l a , sam d e a t h o r d e l a y e d f o r y e a r s a f t e r w a r d , b u t it i s
1. plawv The h e a r t ( l u b ) .
l u b plawv The h e a r t ( p h y s i c a l o r g a n ) .
r e g a r d e d a s a d u t y which must b e performed
by t h e l i v i n g f o r t h e dead i f s p i r i t r i t e s a r e
t o be completed. S a c r i f i c e s a r e made d u r i n g
p l a b plaw l o j (t.c.) Having much wisdom o r t h e ceremony. The a n i m a l s , e t c . which n e c e s s a r i l y
i n t e l l i g e n c e (lit. a l a r g e stomach and h e a r t ) . were o f f e r e d t o t h e d e c e a s e d a t t h e f u n e r a l f o r
him o r h e r t o t a k e i n t o t h e s p i r i t w o r l d a r e
2 . plawv I n t h e m i d s t o f , i n t h e h e a r t o f . r e g a r d e d a s d e l a y i n g p r o g r e s s and r e i n c a r n a t i o n .
nyob plawv zoov I n t h e h e a r t o f t h e j u n g l e . Hence, t h e need f o r f u r t h e r ceremony t o r e l e a s e
nyob hauv plawv h i a v txwv I n t h e h e a r t of t h e s e a , t h e s p i r i t from t h e burden b e i n g c a r r i e d .
i n t h e middle of t h e ocean. koom p l i g ( o r ' r u b p l i g ' ) A s p e c i a l s p i r i t r i t e
plawv n t o o The " h e a r t " o f a Cree. performed a f t e r t h e New Year and b e f o r e making
new f i e l d s . (For d e s c r i p t i o n c f . 'koom').
3 . plawv
qhuav plawv ( t u s ) A k i n d o f d u r a b l e t r e e o r wood. plig An o n o m a t o p o e t i c s y l l a b l e u s e d w i t h ' p l o j ' i n d e s c r i b i n g
The wood i s r e d d i s h i n c o l o r . c e r t a i n sounds.
p l i j p l o j p l i j p l o j The sound of bamboo b u r s t i n g
ple A word used i n c u r s i n g , v i l e l a n g u a g e . ( c f . 'pim,' a s when a bamboo g r o v e i s b u r n i n g .
'plev,' and ' t u s p l e ' ) . h a i s l u s p l i j p l o j p l i j p l o j Descriptive of strange
sounding language. ( s p e e c h l i k e bamboo b u r s t i n g ) .
pleb To c r a c k , a c r a c k .
tawg p l e b To c r a c k o p e n , t o s p l i t open i n a c r a c k . plim To throw t h e head back ( c f . ' p l i a j ' 1 .
Tawg p l e b lawm. I t has cracked. p l i m p l i a j To throw t h e head back.
n r i b pleb J u s t a l i t t l e b i t cracked. zaum p l i m p l i a j To s i t w i t h t h e head thrown back.
( a ) nyob p l i m p l i a j n t u v With t h e head thrown back
ples T.c. from ' p l e v ' . f a c i n g up.
( b ) p l i m p l i a j u With t h e head thrown back f a c i n g up.
plis Leopard c a t , w i l d c a t ( t u s ) . 1. p l o j TO d i s a p p e a r , t o become l o s t , l o s t t o s i g h t .
Nag hmo p l i s tom ob t u g q a i b . L a s t n i g h t a l e o p a r d poob p l o j lawm F e l l and d i s a p p e a r e d , l o s t .
c a t k i l l e d two c h i c k e n s . p l o j n t h i Disappeared completely.
p l 0 j lawm Disappeared.
plia To p a i n t , t o apply a l i q u i d o r non-solid c o a t i n g . p l o j muag n t a i s Disappeared from s i g h t .
p l i a To apply a l i q u i d o r n o n - s o l i d c o a t i n g . ( a ) p l o j p l i a g Disappeared.
p l e e v To swab. ( b ) p l o j n t a i s Disappeared.
leem To apply a s o l i d c o a t i n g o r s u r f a c e ( c f . 'meem').
Muab av p l i a r a u . P u t a l a y e r of e a r t h on i t . 2. ploj An onomatopoetic s y l l a b l e used w i t h ' p l i j . '
(cf. I p l i j ' ) .
pliab Shallow, f l a t t e n e d o u t ( a s of a shallow o r f l a t
dish, etc.) plos To go through shallow w a t e r o r through g r a s s o r under-
p l i a b p l i a b ntswg Having a f l a t nose. growth where t h e r e i s no p a t h , t o wade.
p l o s n t x h i a s hauv l u b pas d e j mus. Waded through
1. p l i a g A moment, an i n s t a n t . t h e pond.
i b p l i a g An i n s t a n t , a moment, suddenly.
i b p l i a g n t s h i s An i n s t a n t , i n an i n s t a n t . 1. p l o v An empty c a r t r i d g e s h e l l ( l u b ) .
2. pliag A clam ( l u b ) . 2 . plov
( a ) p l i a g deg A s m a l l clam, a l s o t h e p i e c e of s h e l l h a i s l u s p l o v meej To speak p l a i n l y , t o speak openly.
on which opium i s r o l l e d i n p r e p a r a t i o n f o r
smokinq . 3 . plov
( b ) p i a g deg A s m a l l clam, a l s o t h e p i e c e of s h e l l qhov muag p l o v nkaus Eyes s e a l e d s h u t .
on which opium i s r o l l e d i n p r e p a r a t i o n f o r
smoking. ploog Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
hnub l i a b ploog S u n s e t .
3. p l i a g Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r . (cf. l i a b ploog Very r e d , b r i g h t r e d .
Appendix 8 ) .
p l o j p l i a g To d i s a p p e a r , t o go o u t of s i g h t . 1. p l o o j B l u r r e d , i n d i s t i n c t , n o t c l e a r l y v i s i b l e .
p l o o j p l o o j li B l u r r e d , n o t d i s t i n c t .
pliaj The forehead. p l o o j qhov muag B l u r r i n g t o t h e eyes.
hau p l i a j The forehead.
plim p l i a j To throw t h e head back (with t h e f o r e - 2 . p l o o j To j o i n p i e c e s t o g e t h e r edge t o edge.
head t u r n e d upward). p l o o j s e v To p u t t h e edging on an apron.
nyob plim p l i a j n t u v With t h e head thrown back and p l o o j phab n t s a To j o i n i n t o a w a l l .
f a c i n g upward.
plus
plias R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r w i t h 'lawm.' ua p l a b ua p l u s Of one who d o e s n ' t s t a y a t home.
( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
neeg l u s lawm p l i a s A person q u i c k of speech, a plua
fast talker. ( a ) p l u a t s h a u v Dust.
( b ) p l u a av Dust.
pliav A scar. nyob saum p l u a t s h a u v av On t h e d u s t y ground,
caws p l i a v A scar. e.g. a dusty road.
tawm p l u a t s h a u v t o g There where t h e d u s t i s r i s i n g .
1. plob To hunt f o r game.
N w s mus p l o b hav zoov lawm. He went h u n t i n g . p l u a p l a v - d u s t which s e t t l e s on t h i n g s
plau plav ( a l t e r n a t e s p e l l i n g f o r 'plua n l a v ' )
2 . plob paug paug p l a u s p l a v =dusty
Dais t s i a m p l o b . The b e a r jumps down (from t h e t r e e ) . p l u a j C l f . f o r s p l i t l e n g t h s of r a t t a n o r bamboo f o r weaving
or tying.
p l u a j ncau R a t t a n l e n g t h s .
1. pluag Poor, t o b e poor.
neeg pluag p l u a g A poor p e r s o n .
2. p l u a g from ' p l u a j ' o r ' p l u a s '
T.c.
'pluas ' ) . ( c f . ' p l u a j ' and plhaw A jump.
d h i a i b plhaw Made a jump, l e a p e d up, t o jump.
nqe plhaw Jumped down.
1. p l u a s Puckery t o t h e mouth, a s t r i n g e n t , of u n r i p e d h i a t i b plhaw Made one jump, made a s i n g l e l e a p .
f r u i t (cf. 'hob'). plhaw n t x h i a s Jumped suddenly.
t x i v p l u a s Unripe f r u i t , puckery f r u i t . t i b plhaw mus Went w i t h a jump.
n q a i j p l u a s Meat n o t good, meat going s p o i l e d .
plhawv Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r . ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
2. p l u a s C l f . f o r a meal o r a dose. tawg, plhawv To b u r s t f o r t h .
i b p l u a g mov One meal of r i c e ( t . c . )
Muab t s h u a j ua r a u p l u a s n o j . Take t h e medicine i n
Tawg plhawv i b l u b npuas de j t u a j
came up.
.
A bubble of w a t e r

s i x doses. h a i s phua plhawv To speak openly ( c f . ' tabmeeg' )

N w s t s i v plhawv lawm. He suddenly moved away.
.
pluam To r e l i n q u i s h , r e l e a s e .
pluam l u s To a g r e e t o , t o g i v e permission. 1. p l h e
l u b t s h o pluam t s i s t a u A r e t a i n e d p l a c e n t a . r a j plhe l e A trumpet.

1. p l u a v Having c o r n e r s , i . e . n o t round ( c o n t r . ' k h e e j ' ) . 2. plhe

Thus a hexagonal o r o c t a g o n a l shaped p i e c e of plhe ncauj Lips p o r t r u d i n g , a p r o t r u d i n g mouth.
wood, e t c . would be c a l l e d ' p l u a v . '
3. p l h e A s y l l a b l e used i n c u r s i n g , v i l e language.
2. p l u a v D e s c r i p t i v e of wood changing shape when d r y i n g .
plhis To change form, of an i n s e c t which emerges from
3 . pluav Sometimes used a s a c l f . f o r beans ( c f . 'taum') . t h e c h r y s a l i s s t a g e i n a new form by s t r i p p i n g
o f f t h e o l d c o v e r i n g , t o s t r i p o f f t h e o l d body
and emerge i n a new one.
1, plhob
hwj plhob The w a t e r l i l y .
2. plhob
h a i s l u s plhob p h i j To speak w o r t h l e s s words.
plhom
plhom moj F o o l i s h , r e c k l e s s , r a s h , u n r e s t r a i n e d .
plhom plhom moj Of a h o r s e g a l l o p i n g about l o o s e .
plhom moj h a i s To speak f o o l i s h l y o r r a s h l y .
plhom moj lam dag t i b n e e g To t e l l f o o l i s h l i e s .
plhov
h a i s l u s plhov xem To speak c i r c u i t o u s l y , t o speak
of something i n d i r e c t l y s o a s t o s o f t e n t h e
1. plhaub
plhaub
A s h e l l , a c a s e o r a s m a l l box ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) .
qe An egg s h e l l . effect .
plhaub muastxwv A c a r t r i d g e s h e l l .
plhaub kws Corn husks. plhu Cheek, t h e cheeks ( c l f . ' l u b ' o r ' s a b ' ) .
plhaub maj Hemp s t a l k s . i b s a b p l h u One cheek.
plhaub taub d e j A water b o t t l e , a canteen. p a j p l h u Cheeks, f a c e .
f e e p l h u To t u r n t h e cheek, t u r n t h e f a c e away.
'2. plhaub The owl p l h u h l u a v h l u a v ncuav A f a c e marked w i t h pockmarks.
plhaub hwb The owl ( t u s ) . ( a ) ua p l h u puas nyag A dark and c r e s t f a l l e n f a c e .
( b ) p l h u ua p l h u n y a j A d a r k and c r e s t f a l l e n f a c e .
muaj plhus To have r e s p e c t o r honor, t o have " f a c e "
( a l s o meaning ' t o be bold o r b r a z e n ' ) ( t . c . )
t s i s muaj p l h u s Has l o s t r e s p e c t , h a s no p r i d e o r
honor ( t . c . )
plhus T.c. from ' p l h u ' (cf. 'plhu'). 3 . qab Under, u n d e r n e a t h , a t t h e b a s e o f , t h e lower s i d e o f .
hauv qab Underneath, under.
plh~aj hauv l u b qab roog under t h e t a b l e .
p l h u a j t a u b ( l u b ) A gourd, e s p e c i a l l y a gourd used hauv t s o b qab n t o o s A t t h e b a s e of t h e t r e e , under
f o r carrying water. t h e shade of t h e t r e e .
hauv l u b qab roob A t t h e f o o t of t h e mountain.
plhuav Restricted post verbal intensifier. (Cf. Appendix 8 ) . hauv l u b qab pobzeb Under t h e rock.
qab kev The d o w n h i l l s i d e of t h e t r a i l o r r o a d ,
t s o plhuav To r e l i n q u i s h , t o p u t down, t o r e l e a s e .
plam plhuav Came undone, came o f f . t h e lower s i d e of t h e t r a i l ( c o n t r . 'qaum k e v ' ) .
poob plhuav F e l l , f a l l e n down. nram qab kev Down below t h e t r a i l .
t x h a i s plhuav Of a t r a p s p r i n g i n g , sprung. qab deg Downstream.
t s o s i a b plhuav To r e l a x , ' t o p u t o n e ' s ' h e a r t a t r e s t . qab t s u a s Base of t h e c l i f f .
dim plhuav Escaped. i b l u b qab n t u j A l l under t h e heavens.
dim plhuav khoom h a u j l w m F r e e from work, a t l e i s u r e . qab n t u g l i a b ploog S u n s e t ( r e d a t t h e b a s e of t h e
heavens) .
plhws To s t r o k e , t o c a r e s s , t o r u b l i g h t l y , t o brush o f f . qab t s i b t a u g The a r e a j u s t below t h e house, o u t s i d e
plhws t s h o To b r u s h a j a c k e t . and on t h e d o w n h i l l s i d e of t h e house.
plhws nrhab To rub o f f t h e b u r s c l i n g i n g t o o n e ' s
clothing. 4 . qab Behind, t h a t which i s behind.
lawv qab To come b e h i n d , t o f o l l o w .
Nws lawv kuv qab t u a j . He followed me h e r e .
tom qab A f t e r , a f t e r w a r d , behind.
Nws thim tom qab He t u r n e d back.
t a u g qab To f o l l o w a f t e r a n o t h e r p e r s o n , t o f o l l o w
another ' s f o o t s t e p s .
l i a b qab Naked.

5. qab To r e t u r n , go back, go backward.

r o v qab To r e t u r n .
tshwm r o v qub qab mus Returned t h e way he came.
t h a u b qab To go backward.

6 . qab To remember.
nco qab To remember.

7 . qab U s e f u l n e s s , worthwhileness.
1. q a The back of t h e t h r o a t , t h e i n n e r t h r o a t . qabhau U s e f u l n e s s , worthwhileness.
txhaws qa A s t u f f e d up t h r o a t . t s i s muaj qabhau W o r t h l e s s , o f no u s e .
( a ) pob yeeb The Adam's a p p l e , T s i s pom qab mus. I d o n ' t know how t o go.
( b ) pob q a The Adam's a p p l e . T s i s pom qab ua li c a s . I d o n ' t know what t o do.
k i s k l s qa A raspy o r i t c h y t h r o a t .
8 . qab
2. qa Pertaining t o lizards. qab qwj A s p i r a l s t y l e of Hmong embroidery.
nab q a One of many k i n d s of l i z a r d s ( t u s ) .
nab qa t s i a v A t y p e of s m a l l l i z a r d ( t u s ) . 9 . qab
nab q a nqhuab Dry l a n d l i z a r d , t h e iguana ( t u s ) . qab khav A p o r c h ( l u b ) ( r a i s e d porch above ground l e v e l . )

1. qab Sweet i n t a s t e , p l e a s a n t t o t h e t a s t e . 10. qab

qab qab z i b Sweet a s honey. qab t s a g A porch ( l u b ) (lower down t h a n 'qab k h a v ' ) .
qab xob ( c f . ' x o b ' ) .
n o j t s i s qab -Unpleasant t o e a t , t a s t e l e s s 11. qab
qab thoob Half-moon, half-moon i n shape ( l i k e t h e
2 . qab P l e a s a n t t o t h e f e e l i n g s . boards forming t h e bottom of a wooden b u c k e t ) .
qab s i a b Happy, a t e a s e , s a t i s f i e d i n h e a r t .
t s i s qab s i a b 111 a t e a s e , unhappy a b o u t something.
12. qab kooj kub l u b l u g The sound of a cock crowing.
n t i v t e s rwg qab The l i t t l e f i n g e r ( t u s ) . khaum khaum The sound of a hen c l u c k i n g .
n t i v taw rwg qab The l i t t l e t o e ( t u s ) . pom q a i b pom q a i b The sound made by a hen when s h e
h a s l a i d gn egg.
qag Axle, s w i v e l .
qag tswb nees The c l a p p e r i n a h o r s e b e l l . qaij To l e a n , t o be i n c l i n e d t o one s i d e , s l a n t e d .
q a i j h l o Leaning, l e a n i n g t o one s i d e .
qaj Snoring. hnub q a i j Afternoon (sun d e c l i n i n g )
s a u q a i j To w r i t e on t h e s l a n t .
.
ua q a ~ To s n o r e , s n o r i n g .
ua q a j qaug nyos Sound a s l e e p and s n o r i n g h a r d . q a i j n p l a s mus To s t e e r away from, t o a v o i d , t o l e a n
away from.
qas Used w i t h ' n t s o o v ' o r ' n t s u a v ' a s a r e s t r i c t e d p o s t
verbal intensifier. ( c f . ' n t s o o v ' and ' n t s u a v ' 1. qaim To h o l d under t h e a r m p i t , t o c a r r y under t h e arm.
Also c f . Appendix 8 , pp. 2 5 7 . qaim hauv qhov t s o s To h o l d under t h e a r m p i t ,
nco q a s n t s o o v To remember w e l l . c l a s p under t h e arm.
y a j q a s n t s u a v To d i s a p p e a r suddenly.
ua l i a m txwv q a s n t s u a v To do p o o r l y . 2. qaim
( a ) qaim h l i B r i g h t moonlight.
1. qav Frog, t h e f r o g ( t u s )
qav kaws Toad, t h e t o a d ( t u s )
. .
( b ) t s h a v h l i B r i g h t moonlight.
1. q a i s The c o l l a r bone ( t u s ) .
2 . qav Food ( r i c e and v e g e t a b l e s and m e a t ) .
i b d i a v qav A s p o o n f u l of food. 2. q a i s Clf. f o r skeins of thread o r rope, a skein.
ua i b roog qav l o j To p u t on a b i g f e a s t .
2. q a i s
qaib Chicken, p e r t a i n i n g t o c h i c k e n s . ua q a i s To b e l c h , t o e j e c t wind o r stomach g a s .
t u s q a i b The chicken.
t u s p o j q a i b The hen. qaiv To hang t h r e a d on t h e cross-frame o r ' t s h u a b n t x a i v '
q a i v n t x a i v To hang t h r e a d on t h e cross-frame o r
t u s l a u q a i b The r o o s t e r .
q e q a i b Chicken eggs. ' tshuab n t x a i v ' ( c f . ' n t x a i v ' ).
q a i b n t e g q e Chickens l a y eggs.
q a i b t s a u j The chicken c a c k l e s . qau The p e n i s , t h e male organ of c o p u l a t i o n ( t u s ) .
q a i b cuab The hen c l u c k s . ( r e f e r r i n g t o t h e organ i n humans o r a n i m a l s ) .
q a i b qua The r o o s t e r crows. ( c f . 'pirn,' 'noob q e s , ' ' t s o o b ' ) .
q a i b q u a j The chicken c r i e s o u t i n f r i g h t . ' t u s q a u ' i s t h e term used by a d u l t s r e f e r r i n g t o t h e
nkauj q a i b A p u l l e t , a young hen. male s e x member. I t i s a l s o used a s v i l e
q a i b r h e e b kab Chicken s c r a t c h i n g f o r worms. language i n c u r s i n g . The t e r m ' t u s hnyuv'
q a i b t s e e v Type o f chicken w i t h c u r l e d f e a t h e r s o r ' t u s hnyuv q a u ' i s a l s o used b u t more by
t h a t p r o t r u d e from t h e body. c h i l d r e n o r of c h i l d r e n . The f o l l o w i n g terms
t w m q a i b A l o n e c h i c k e n , t h e only one hatched. a r e l i s t e d h e r e f o r comparison:
( a ) i b pab q a i b 'A f l o c k of c h i c k e n s . ( a ) s i b t s o o b Term f o r human c o i t i o n o r c o p u l a t i . o n ,
( b ) i b npog q a f b A f l o c k of c h i c k e n s . the sex act.
q a i b ncawg coo] Chickens go t o r o o s t , c h i c k e n s ( b ) t s o o b pim Term f o r human c o i t i o n o r c o p u l a t i o n ,
enter the roost. the sex act.
n t x e e v t i s q a i b To t i e a c h i c k e n ' s wings t o g e t h e r ( c ) t s o o b paum Term f o r human c o i t i o n o r c o p u l a t i o n ,
behind i t s back, used a l s o of t y i n g a p e r s o n ' s the sex act.
hands behind h i s back. ( a ) t s h o v C o p u l a t i o n i n animals.
( a ) s a i b q a i b To d i v i n e by o b s e r v i n g t h e p o s i t i o n ( b ) s i b nce Copulation i n animals.
of t h e f e e t and bones of a s l a i n chicken. ( a ) mob qau V i l e language used by c h i l d r e n .
(b) s a i b t s h i a v thawj To d i v i n e by o b s e r v i n g t h e (b) mob pim V i l e language used by c h i l d r e n .
p o s i t i o n of t h e f e e t and bones of a s l a i n
chicken. 1. qaub Sour.
lwm qaib (cf ' lwm' ) . . zaub qaub P i c k l e d cabbage.
2. qaub 2. qaum
qaub ncaug Spittle. qaum kev The u p h i l l s i d e of t h e road o r t r a i l

3. qaub To g r a d u a l l y bend something o v e r ( a s a t r e e , e t c . ) ,

( c o n t r . 'qab k e v l )
pem qaum kev up above t h e t r a i l .
.
t o g r a d u a l l y coaxe o r e n t i c e a n o t h e r i n t o a c t i o n .
Lawv qaub nws n t s e e g . They coaxed him t o b e l i e v e . 3. qaum
qaum n t u j The high heavens.
4 . qaub n t i a j t e b qaum n t u j The heavens and t h e e a r t h .
cuav qaub NO good, u s e l e s s , of no a c c o u n t .
4 . qaum To s w i n d l e .
1. qaug To f a l l o v e r w i t h t h e r o o t s s t i l l i n t h e ground
( a s of g r a i n b e a t e n down by wind o r r a i n ) . 1. qaus To have a w h i t e s p o t i n t h e eye.
qhov muag qaus lawm The eye has a w h i t e s p o t i n i t .
2. qaug Weak and t o t t e r i n g .
qaug qaug zog Weak, t o t t e r i n g , unsteady on t h e f e e t . 2 . qaus
qaug lawm T o t t e r e d and f e l l , f a i n t e d . kab qaus l e s The d r a g o n f l y ( t u s ) .
qaug d o j qaug de T o t t e r i n g , unsteady, r e e l i n g from
side t o side. 1. qauv P a t t e r n ( a s a p a t t e r n used i n doing embroidery)
qaug cawv Drunk, i n t o x i c a t e d , r e e l i n g from d r i n k . (tus).
qaug t s h u a j Reeling and unsteady on t h e f e e t from s a i b qauv To s t u d y t h e p a t t e r n , t o f o l l o w a p a t t e r n
e f f e c t s of t a k i n g medicine. i n d o i n g embroidery.
qaug dab n t u b Nodding w i t h s l e e p i n e s s , s l u g g i s h and
unsteady due t o s l e e p i n e s s , drowsy. 2 . qauv
cov nquam qauv The p a l l b e a r e r s ( c f . ' tuag' ) .
3. qaug
( a ) mob dab peg E p i l e p s y , t o have an e p i l e p t i c f i t . 1. qawg
( b ) qaug dab peg E p i l e p s y , t o have an e p i l e p t i c f i t . t i b qawg Startled, started in fright.

4 . qaug 2. qawg
ua q a j qaug nyos (cf. 'qaj I ) . s i b qawg T.c. from 'qawm' ( c f . 'qawm' ) .
5. qaug qawj To wear a d e p r e s s i o n i n something.
t u b qaug To d e s p i s e , t o d i s p a r a g e . ( a ) qawj To wear a d e p r e s s i o n i n something ( a s when
h a i s l u s t u b qaug neeg To speak d i s p a r a g i n g l y of an u l c e r e a t s i n t o t h e s k i n o r of a road worn
o t h e r s , t o speak d e s p i s i n g worde. down by u s e ) .
( b ) qawj q e e s To wear a d e p r e s s i o n i n something ( a s
1. q a u j F a i l t o h a t c h o u t ( c o n t r . 'daug' ) .
q e q a u j An egg t h a t has f a i l e d t o h a t c h .
when an u l c e r e a t s i n t o t h e s k i n o r of a road
worn down by u s e ) .

2. qauj ' qawm To be on very i n t i m a t e t e r m s , t o have and show

hnov q a u j To keep f o r g e t t i n g t h i n g s . (also 'tsis affecticn for.
nco qab hlaw h l i a s ' ) . s i b qawg (t.c . ) Of two p e r s c n s h o l d i n g hands on
p a r t i n g and showing s i g n s of a f f e c t i o n .
1. qaum The back.
nraub qaum The back, t h e r e g i o n of t h e back between 1. qaws To r o l l up ( t o r o l l up a s l e e v e o r t r o u s e r l e g , e t c . )
t h e s h o u l d e r s and above t h e w a i s t ( l u b ) ( c f . qaws ceg ris To r o l l up t h e t r o u s e r l e g .
'duav'). qaws plaubhau To r o l l t h e h a i r i n t o a topknot i n t h e
qaum t e s The back of t h e hand. f a s h i o n of Hmong women.
qaum taw The t o p of t h e f o o t .
qaum t s e v A t t h e back of t h e house. 2 . qaws Of a group g a t h e r i n g t o g e t h e r , t o g a t h e r i n t o a
n k a j qaum The backbone. group.
kwj qaum The " v a l l e y " o r d e p r e s s i o n of t h e backbone Neeg coob coob qaws t u a j . A g r e a t many p e o p l e g a t h e r e d .
region.
1. qawv R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r e i t h e r used by 2. qes Sprained.
i t s e l f o r a f t e r 'qos' ( c f . Appendix 8 ) . pobtxha q e s lawm A sprained j o i n t .
tom h n i a v qawv B i t i n g and gnashing of t e e t h .
tom h n i a v qos qawv To c l e n c h t h e t e e t h , gnash t h e 3 . qes
teeth. noob q e s T.C. from ' q e ' (cf. 'qe').
2 . qawv R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r ' n r o v ' 1. qev ( a l s o ' q i v ' ) .
nrov q i s qawv The sound a s of knuckles c r a c k i n g . qev To borrow, t o lend t o .
Kuv qev k o j r a b t a u s . I ' m borrowing your axe.
1. q e Egg, l i k e an egg, p e r t a i n i n g t o an egg, a .cocoon. Thov muab k o j r a b t a u s qev r a u kuv. P l e a s e l e n d me
i b l u b qe An egg ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) . your axe.
n t e g q e To l a y eggs. qev kauv t x h a i s To "borrow t h e l e g s of a d e e r " i . e .
puag q e To s e t on eggs. t o f l e e from something.
Q a i b puag q e . The hen i s s e t t i n g on h e r eggs.
q e daug The eggs h a t c h . 2. qev
h l i q e The w h i t e of t h e egg. c h o j qev A swinging b r i d g e ( a s of r a t t a n , e t c . )
nkaub q e Egg yolk.
plhaub qe Egg s h e l l . 1. qee Some, a p o r t i o n o f .
i b zeg qe One n e s t of e g g s , one s e t t i n g of eggs.
( a ) noob q e s ( l u b ) The t e s t i c l e s ( c f . ' q a u ' ) . q e e l e e j Some people.
qee zaus Sometimes.
( b ) hnyuv q e ( l u b ) The t e s t i c l e s ( c f . ' q a u ' ) .
2. qee To t a k e some p o r t i o n away from a l a r g e r q u a n t i t y , t o
2 . qe To s h u t ( o f e y e s , e t c . ) ( c f . ' k a w ' ) . put a portion aside.
q e muag To s h u t t h e e y e s . qee d e j To pour o f f a b i t of w a t e r ( c f . ' t h e e j '
and ' h l i v ' ) .
1. qeb (Note t h a t t h i s p r o n u n c i a t i o n i s sometimes h e a r d Muab qee ua i b pawg i b pawg. Take and d i v i d e it
as 'qib') A step (vertically) (cf. 'theem'). into piles.
i b qeb i b qeb mus To go up one s t e p a t a time. Muab ob phoo t e s q e e m e n t s i s n p l e j . Take o u t two
h a n d f u l s of r i c e .
2 . qeb Trigger. t u s uas q e e qhovtxhiachaw One who p i l f e r s l i t t l e b i t s
qeb hnee ( t . c . 1 The t r i g g e r of a crossbow.
3 . qeb A c e r t a i n t y p e of g r a i n .
qeeb Slowly, slow, c l u m s i l y ( c o n t r . 'nrawm' )
mus qeeb qeeb li Goes awfully slowly.
.
1. qeg (Note t h a t t h i s i s sometimes heard a s ' q i g ' ) To qeeg To quake, e a r t h q u a k e ( p r o n u n c i a t i o n a s used i n Laos)
consume, t o use up. .
qeg ( o r ' q i g ' ) hnub nyoog To use t i m e , t o waste time.
q i g hnub nyoog li Time consuming.
taws r o j av qeg Burns t h e kerosene q u i c k l y , uses a qeej
(cf. 'qeg' )
n t i a j t e b qeeg Earthquake ( a s s a i d i n L a o s ) .
The 1-Imong musical p i p e s ( r a b ) ( c f . ' tshov' ) .
#
l o t of kerosene. t s h o v q e e j To blow t h e p i p e s .
n t i v q e e j The bamboo p i p e s
2 . qeg To quake, earthquake. s e t i n t o t h e s t o c k of
n t u j qeg Earthquake ( a l s o ' n t i a j t e b q e g ' ) . t h e Meo p i p e s .
3 . qeg Short i n s t a t u r e . 1. qees R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r used e i t h e r b
qeg t a u b S h o r t i n s t a t u r e . i t s e l f o r i n t h e combination ' q o s q e e s . ' It
neeg qeg t a u g A s h o r t p e r s o n . c o n t r i b u t e s t h e i d e a of constancy o r c o n t i n u i t y
t o t h e a c t i o n of t h e v e r b . ( c f . Appendix 8 , p. 4 7 4 ) .
1. q e j ( a l s o ' q i j ' ) Garlic. h a i s q e e s To c o n t i n u e t a l k i n g .
ua q e e s To c o n t i n u e doing.
2. q e j qawj q e e s To wear a d e p r e s s i o n .
pob q e j txha A bone j o i n t . cem q e e s Kept s c o l d i n g .
q u a j qos q e e s Kept c r y i n g .
1. q e s ( a l s o ' q i s ' ) Low. thov qos q e e s Kept a s k i n g f o r .
Txhob ua t s u a j n t x a i j q e s q e s . Don't make t h e s h e l f
over t h e f i r e t o o low.
 Also w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g v e r b s : (see the individual 2. q i a
e n t r i e s f o r t h e meanings).
n o j , khawb, n t o v , nkag, pab, hnyav, t o s , chim,
q i a dub S e l f i s h ( c f . ' cua jkhaum' ) .
neeg q i a dub A s e l f i s h p e r s o n , s t i n g y p e r s o n .
t u a j , must r o v , l o s t n t a u s , k h i a v
qiab
2 . qees R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r i n t h e combina- s i b qiab Hooked t o g e t h e r .
t i o n ' q u j q e e s ' which adds t h e i d e a of b e i n g
slow and s t e a d y t o t h e c h a r a c t e r of t h e v e r b . qiag The s e p a r a t i o n between boards i n a w a l l , c r a c k i n
( c f . Appendix 8 , p . 4 6 9 ) . a wall.
r o v q u j q e e s Slowly r e t u r n e d .
chim q u j q e e s Gradually h i s anger r o s e .
h a i s q u j q e e s Spoke slow and d e l i b e r a t e l y .
qiaj A s p e c i e s of t r e e ( t u s ) .
t o s q u j qees Waited p a t i e n t l y . 1. q i a s D i s g u s t i n g , d i r t y , r e p e l l i n g .
k h i a v q u j q e e s Slowly d e p a r t e d . q i a s q i a s neeg D i s g u s t i n g t o a p e r s o n .
Used s i m i l a r l y w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g v e r b s ( c f . t h e q i a s q i a s t x a b t x a b D i s g u s t i n g and d i r t y .
i n d i v i d u a l l i s t i n g s f o r meanings).
must l o s t t u a j , n t a u s , ua 2. qias
qias h l i B r i g h t moonlight.
3. qees R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r used i n t h e
combination 'yog q e e s ' ( c f . Appendix 8 and qiav To make a s h o u l d e r on a k n i f e b l a d e t o f i t t h e h a n d l e .
c f . 'qos qees above).
q u a j qog q e e s To c r y l o u d l y . 1. qog To mimic, t o i m i t a t e i n r i d i c u l e .
ua qog qees Of many p e r s o n s doing t h i n g s t o g e t h e r
( c f . ' u a zom z a w s ' ) . 2 . qog A c a r b u n c l e , a l a r g e inflamed lump producing no pus
( l u b ) , a glandular swelling.
qeev Phlegm. Nws mob i b l u b qog hauv qhov t s o s . He has an inflamed
Kuv n t i t a u hnoos qeev n t s h a v 10s. I s p i t up bloody swelling i n h i s armpit.
phlegm.
2 . qog Used i n combination w i t h ' q e e s ' a s a r e s t r i c t e d
qi (cf. 'qe'). post verbal intensifier (cf. 'qees' ) .
qoj To t w i s t o r t o t u r n something.
Muab l u b n a l i k a q o j ceev ceev. Wind t h e watch t i g h t .
qij (cf. 'qej').

qiv (cf. 'qev').

1. qos To c l o s e ( c f . 'kaw' ) .
qos ( o r 'qhaws ' ) qhov n c a u j Close t h e mouth.
1. q i s (cf. 'qes') . qos nkaus kaus Close t h e u m b r e l l a .

2. qos Any of a l a r g e v a r i e t y o f t u b e r s .
2. q i s qos l i a b ( l u b ) The sweet p o t a t o .
q i s hniav To c l e n c h t h e t e e t h . qos y a j ywv ( l u b ) The w h i t e p o t a t o .
Note: Here we l i s t t h e names of o t h e r k i n d s of t u b e r s
3. q i s P o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r used i n combination with whose s p e c i f i c d e s c r i p t i o n i n E n g l i s h we a r e
'qawv' a f t e r ' n r o v . ' ( c f . Appendix 8 ) . not able t o give.
nrov q i s qawv Sound a s of knuckles c r a c k i n g . qos t a u t e e b qos n t s h o v
qos n t o o n t u s qos f a i v
1. q i a qos do
caws q i a A jump, t o jump, t o l e a p .
nyaj caws q i a The monkey l e a p s . 3 . qos A r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r used i n combina-
caws q i a n t s o s Leaped, made a l e a p . t i o n w i t h ' q e e s ' and 'qawv.' ( c f . ' q e e s ' and
dhia i b caws q i a sawv n t s u g Stood up w i t h a jump. 'qawv') .
4 . qos I t i s a l s o used a s a p . v . i n t . w i t h c e r t a i n o t h e r 1. qus Wild, untamed ( c o n t r . ' n y e g ' ) .
v e r b s a l t h o u g h t h i s i s more common i n Blue t s i a j qus Wild animals.
(Green) Hmong speech.
n t a i v qos hwwv Extremely h o t .
nyu j qus Wild ox ( t u s ) .
dab qus Wild s p i r i t s of t h e j u n g l e a s c o n t r a s t e d
N w s muab s i a b q h i a qos zog t i a g . He r e a l l y has a ' d a b nyeg' t h e s p i r i t s of t h e home. ( c f . ' d a b ' ) .
h e a r t t o teach. mab qus Wild p e o p l e , u n c i v i l i z e d people of t h e
See a l s o l i s t i n g s under t h e v e r b s : j u n g l e who have no houses o r v i l l a g e s such
n t s o o v , n r e e s , n t s u a v , nraim, nrog a s t h e "Yellow Leaf" t r i b e i n T h a i l a n d .
qov 2. qus
Yuav muab k o j qov. I ' l l k i l l you. ua mem muj qus Not c l e a r l y c o n s c i o u s , knocked o u t .
qoob F i e l d crops ( g r a i n , e t c . )
quv
ua qoob To do f i e l d work, t o r a i s e c r o p s . ua nem nuv quv (cf. 'nem').
qoob l o o G r a i n , c r o p s .
ua qoob ua l o o To r a i s e c r o p s , t o farm, do f i e l d 1. qua To crow.
work. q a i b qua The cock crows.
q a i b qua i b t s i g The cock crowed once.
1. qoos Able, e f f e c t i v e , p r o d u c t i v e , having r e s u 1 . t ~ .
Nplej t s i s qoos. The r i c e h a s n o t f i l l e d o u t i n t h e 2. qua To l e v e l a s i t e , l e v e l a p l o t of ground, a house s i t e .
kernel. khawb qua t s e v To l e v e l a house s i t e .
qua t s e v S i t e f o r a house.
2 . qoos
k i qoos k i qoos Rumbling, t h e sound of rumbling i n quab
t h e stomach (Thus a p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r quab npuas Young c a s t r a t e d p i g ( t u s ) ( t . c . 1 .
a f t e r 'nrov.' Cf. ' n r o v ' )
1. q u a j To c r y a l o u d , t o weep aloud ( c o n t r . '10s kua m u a g ' ) .
1. qoov A k i n d of r e e d l i k e v e g e t a t i o n t h e h e a r t of which Txhob q u a j . Stop c r y i n g .
is edible. q u a j q u a j t a u g li Always c r y i n g (of c h i l d r e n ) .
q u a j tawg n t h 0 Broke o u t i n loud c r y i n g .
2. qoov nyim q u a j q u a j t i a s . . . He c r i e d and s a i d . . .
ua n p l o o j qoov tshaws ( c f . 'pobkws' p. 2 3 1 ) . q u a j nqus ntswg dhawv dhev Wept l o u d l y and b i t t e r l y .
quaj l a u g laws To c r y l o u d l y .
qub Old ( o f i n a n i m a t e o b j e c t s ) ( c o n t r . ' l a u s ' ) . q u a j nrov hnyev To whimper, whimpering.
l u b qub zos The o l d v i l l a g e .
qub t x e e g qub t e g Old t h i n g s , o l d a r t i c l e s , e . g . 2. q u a j To g r o w l , t o s q u e a l .
t h i n g s l e f t t o c h i l d r e n by t h e p a r e n t s . Tsov q u a j l a u s nkoos. The t i g e r growled.
qub mov Old cooked r i c e .
qub t e b qub chaws Old o r o r i g i n a l p l a c e .
t x o j qub ke The o l d way. 3. q u a j To make a loud n o i s e , a loud n o i s e .
tshwm r o v qub qab mus Went back t h e way he came. xob q u a j Thunder.
Note: Unlike most modifying words t h i s word p r e c e d e s t s h e b q u a j t s e The t r u c k rumbled on, sound of a
r a t h e r t h a n f o l l o w s t h e word modified. motor v e h i c l e .
1. q u j R e s t r i c t i v e p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r used i n combin- quam
a t i o n with 'qees.' (cf. 'qees'). t u s quam y e j caws A t y p e of t r i g g e r i n g d e v i c e f o r
a d e a d f a l l t r a p u s i n g a heavy s t o n e .
2. q u j
Yuav muab k o j q u j I ' l l k i l l you. (cf. 'qov'). 1. quas To come i n between.
quas l u s To add words t o an e x p r e s s i o n s o t h a t i t
sounds smooth and complete.
quas lawm Cane i n between.
2 . quas qw To c r y o u t l o u d l y , t o r a n t , s h o u t , r a v e .
quas h l i B r i g h t moonlight ( c f . 'qaim h l i ' and qw tawg n t h 0 Shouted o u t suddenly.
'tshav h l i ' ) . qwb The back of t h e neck.
3 . quas qhov qwb The d e p r e s s i o n a t t h e back of t h e neck.
Hmoob quas npab The s t r i p e d Hmong. c a j qwb The backbone r i d g e a t t h e back of t h e neck.
h a i s nraum c a j qwb To speak behind o n e ' s back.
1. quav F e c e s , excrement ( c l f . 'pam' f o r p a s s a g e s of ua t u v t x i a s tom c a j qwb Speaking e v i l behind my
'quav' ) .
ua i b pam quav Had one e l i m i n a t i o n .
back ( l i k e body l i c e b i t i n g my neck!)
t s o quav To d e f e c a t e . 1. qwj The s n a i l ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) .
cem quav C o n s t i p a t e d . qwj yeeg A s n a i l .

2 . quav Used f i g u r a t i v e l y of e v i l , t h a t which i s bad and 2 . qwj S p i r a l s of embroidery.

distasteful. qab qwj A s p i r a l p a t t e r n t y p e of embroidery.
t x u a s quav Makes up e v i l , t e l l s a l o t of l i e s .
yuav paim quav The e v i l w i l l come o u t i n due t i m e . 1. qws A club, a s t i c k (rab) .
qws n r u a s A d r u m s t i c k , s t i c k t o b e a t t h e s p i r i t gong.
3 . quav E x c r e t i o n . qws txob A p e s t l e ( r a b ) , p e s t l e f o r c r u s h i n g p e p p e r ,
quav muag E x c r e t i o n from t h e e y e s ( c o n t r . ' k u a e t c . i n t h e s m a l l s t o n e mortar.
muag' ) .
2. qws A t y p e of t r a p wherein a t r e e i s s e t t o f a l l and
4 . quav S t r a w , g r a i n s t u b b l e , s t a l k s . s c a r e t h e game i n t o a p i t s e t w i t h bamboo
( a ) quav n p l e j Rice s t r a w .
( b ) quav nyab n p l e g Rice s t r a w .
spears (ntsha) (clf ' rooj ' ) . .
quav kws Corn s t a l k s . gwv
quav yeeb Dry s t a l k s of t h e opium p l a n t s ( c f . ' q u a v ' qwv n p l o o j To make a loud n o i s e by blowing on a
D e f i n i t i o n No. 5 ) . l e a f o r a b l a d e of g r a s s .
quav n t s u a s A kind of sweet e d i b l e s t a l k .
tebchaws quav p o j An expanse of l a n d once i n h a b i t e d
b u t now j u s t grown o v e r w i t h s c r u b v e g e t a t i o n .
5. quav To c r a v e .
quav yeeb To c r a v e opium ( c f . 'quav' Definition
NO. 4 ) .
quav cawv To c r a v e i n t o x i c a t i n g d r i n k .
6 . quav To f o l d o r break i n t o two e q u a l l e n g t h s .
Muab t x o j h l u a quav. Fold t h e rope i n t o two e q u a l
lengths.
( a ) quav ceg To f o l d o n e ' s l e g s under one.
( b ) caws ceg To f o l d o n e ' s l e g s under one.
7 . quav
ua ntxhov quav n i a b To r a i s e t u m u l t , do v i o l e n c e .
1. qha To d r y o v e r o r n e a r t h e f i r e f o r a long t i m e , t o
8. quav smoke something t o p r e s e r v e it. ( c o n t r . ' s u b ' ) .
t s i s quav n t s e j D o e s n ' t l i s t e n , pays no a t t e n t i o n , qha n q a i j To smoke meat.
d i s r e g a r d s , h a v i n g no i n t e r e s t i n o r concern f o r .
2 . qha A r e s t r i c t e d post verbal intensifier. ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
9 . quav n c a j qha P e r f e c t l y s t r a i g h t .
n t x a i s quav h n i a v (cf. 'ntxais').
qhab The r a f t e r s , t h e narrow s l a n t i n g p o l e s i n t h e roof qhe
of a Hmong house t o which t h e l e a v e s o r cover- qhe mov To e a t ( i m p o l i t e s p e e c h ) .
i n g i s secured.
qhab t s e v The r a f t e r s , t h e narrow s l a n t i n g p o l e s i n 1. qheb ( a l s o ' q h i b ' ) To open, t o open up (pronounced ' q h i b '
t h e roof of a Hmong house t o which t h e l e a v e s o r i n Laos).
covering i s secured (cf. 'tsev'). Qheb qhov r o o j . Open t h e d o o r .
sam qhab To p u t t h e r a f t e r s on. qheb kev To open a road o r t r a i l , t o p r o c l a i m o r
p r o p a g a t e a new d o c t r i n e o r way of d o i n g t h i n g s .
qh a v qheb l u g Opened.
Khavloom ( t u s ) (T) The governor. qheb h l o To open up.

1. q h a i b Crossed one o v e r t h e o t h e r , entwined. 2. qheb A s p e c i e s of t r e e w i t h a h a r d tough wood (tus).

s i b q h a i b Of f i n g e r s c r o s s e d one o v e r t h e o t h e r . I t i s much s o u g h t a f t e r f o r house b u i l d i n g be-
cause i t i s very h a r d and d u r a b l e and s p l i t s
2. q h a i b r e a d i l y i n t o boards.
Ntuj y e e j q h a i b t u s n t x h a i s ntawd c i a r a u k o j lawm.
Heaven has a l r e a d y promised t h e g i r l t o you. qhem
q h u j qhem Clearing the t h r o a t .
1. qhau To f a l l f l a t , t o f a l l o v e r , f a l l t o t h e ground
( o f an a r t i c l e t h a t has been s t a n d i n g ) . qhev A s l a v e , a s e r v a n t , an employee ( t u s )
t u b qhe A male s e r v a n t ( t u s ) ( t . c . )
.
2 . qhau nkauj qhe A female s e r v a n t ( t u s ) ( t . c . )
qhau hauvcaug To k n e e l ( c f . 'txh'os' and ' k i m ' ) . i b t u g qhev One s e r v a n t , a s l a v e .
ua qhev To be e n s l a v e d .
3 . qhau
qhau c a i "The c a s e f a l l s " Term used t o d e s c r i b e 1. q h i b ( c f . D e f i n i t i o n No. 1 'qheb').
t h e f a i l u r e of a c a s e a t law.
2. qhib
4 . qhau ( a ) roob q h i b The s h i n , t h e f r o n t of t h e lower l e g .
s i b qhau To w r e s t l e ( t r y i n g t o s e e who can make ( b ) roob h l a u b The s h i n , t h e f r o n t of t h e lower l e g .
the other f a l l over) (cf. 'ntswj ' ) . qhia To t e a c h , t o i n s t r u c t , t o inform, t o t e l l .
qhaub q h i a kev To t e a c h t h e way, t o t e a c h a d o c t r i n e o r
cuab qhaub A t y p e of s n a r e f o r l a r g e w i l d game way of doing t h i n g s .
made w i t h a b e n t t r e e a s a s p r i n g and a Txhob q h i a kuv. Don't t e l l me what t o do!
rope a s a s n a r e . (clf. 'rooj') (cf. 'rooj'). Thov k o j q h i a kuv. W i l l you p l e a s e t e a c h me.
q h i a ntawv To t e a c h o u t of books.
1. qhauv Ground c o r n , e t c . f o r p i g food.
npua n o j qhauv P i g s e a t i n g p i g food. qhiav Ginger.
npua qhauv P i g food.
1. qho T.c. from 'qhov' (cf. 'qhov').
2. qhauv
t h i a b qhauv (cf. 'thiab' ) . 2 . qho P o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r used w i t h 'qhawv' ( c f . 'qhawv' ) .
1. qhaws To c l o s e (of t h e mouth, e t c . ) qhob U n n a t u r a l l y c o l d i n body.
qhaws qhovncauj Close t h e mouth ( a l s o ' q o s qhovncauj ' . qhob qhob S l i g h t l y c o l d i n body a s i f on t h e verge of
becoming i l l .
2 . qhaws lub cev qhob l a i g d a i Cold and s h i v e r i n g i n i l l n e s s .
qhaws raws Weak and h a r d l y a b l e t o walk.

qhawv Post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r , r e s t r i c t e d ,

nkag qhawv qho lawv qab ( c f . ' n k a g ' ) .(cf. Appendix 8 ) .
1. qhov P l a c e , l o c a t i o n . 1. qhoob To c r a d l e i n o n e ' s arms, t o f o n d l e an i n f a n t i n
qhov no Here. o n e ' s arms.
qhov twg Where? Note t h a t ' n q e e ' i s much t h e same i n meaning b u t l e s s
qhov ped Up t h e r e . used.
qhov nrad Down t h e r e .
i b qho One p l a c e ( t . c . ) 2 . qhoob To c a l l t h e young. Used of persons and of chickens
Muab c i a r a u i b qho. Put it away i n one p l a c e . only. (cf. 'cuab').
Mob ob peb qho. Hurts i n s e v e r a l p l a c e s .
qhov t x h i a qhov chaw Everywhere. qhuj
( a ) Mob qhov t x h i a qhov chaw. Hurts a l l o v e r . q h u j qhem clearing the throat.
( b ) Mob qhovtxhiachaw. Hurts a l l over.
1. qhua Those n o t of t h e same surname o r c l a n .
. qhov Thing, a r t i c l e , p o i n t s o r d i v i s i o n s i n a speech. ua qhua To v i s i t t h o s e o u t s i d e t h e c l a n .
qhov i b The f i r s t t h i n g , t h e f i r s t p o i n t , i n t h e hnub ua qhua txws The day of p r e p a r a t i o n f o r t h e
f i r s t p l a c e (and s i m i l a r l y with o t h e r n u m e r a l s ) . dead, day b e f o r e b u r i a l , day when r e l a t i v e s
Kuv yuav h a i s ob peb qho xwb. I only want t o speak b r i n g r i c e , paper money, e t c . a s g i f t s f o r t h e
of two o r t h r e e t h i n g s . deceased. (cf. 'tuag').
qhovtxhiachaw A r t i c l e s , t h i n g s i n g e n e r a l , t h i n g s . cov ua hauv qhua Those r e l a t i v e s who b r i n g r i c e and
paper money, e t c . a s g i f t s f o r t h e deceased
3 . qhov Hole, a h o l e ( l u b ) . on t h e 'hnub ua qhua txws' (above) ( c f . ' t u a g ' ) .
t h o qhov To make a h o l e ( c f . 'khawb' and ' t s h e b ' ) . cov qhua tshoob Wedding g u e s t s (cf. 'tshoob').
i b l u b qhov One h o l e . cov qhua vauv Bridegroom's p a r t y ( c f . ' t s h o o b ' ) .
4 . qhov Used a s a p a r t of many words where t h e i d e a of 2 . qhua P e r t a i n i n g t o d i s e a s e s t h a t produce a r a s h .
emptiness o r t h e i d e a of a h o l e has some con- qhua p i a s Measels.
nection (clf. 'lub' ) . qhua maj Chickenpox.
qhov n c a u j Mouth. qhua taum Smallpox.
qhov muag Eye, e y e s .
qhov n t s e j The e a r , t h e e a r c a n a l . 1. qhuab To d i s c i p l i n e , t o p u n i s h , t o t e a c h by d i s c i p l i n e ,
qhov ntswg The n o s e , n o s t r i l . train.
qhov r o o j Door, g a t e ( c f . ' r o o j ) . qhuab menyuam To d i s c i p l i n e o r t r a i n c h i l d r e n .
qhov cub The cooking f i r e , f i r e p l a c e . qhuab q h i a To t e a c h by d i s c i p l i n i n g .
qhov t x o s The f i r e p l a c e f o r cooking p i g food.
qhov t s o s Armpit. 2 . qhuab
qhov n t x a Grave. qhuab ke To t e a c h t h e way, show t h e way ( a s p e c i f i c
qhov qwb Depression a t t h e back of t h e neck.
qhov t s e v A crack i n t h e w a l l of t h e house.
term used i n f u n e r a l s ) (cf. tuag' ) .
qhov r a i s Window. qhuam
qhov t s u a Cave i n t h e s o l i d r o c k . l u b t s h o qhuam A singlet, a sleeveless s h i r t .
qhov av A h o l e i n t h e ground.
( a ) qhov d e j A s p r i n g of w a t e r . 1. qhuas To p r a i s e , marvel a t , admire, e x u l t i n .
( b ) qhov d e j txhawv A s p r i n g of w a t e r . qhuas zoo To p r a i s e , t o show a p p r e c i a t i o n f o r o r t o
( a ) qhov s a u s P l a c e where w a t e r d i s a p p e a r s i n t o speak of t h e good of a n o t h e r .
t h e ground. qhuas Vajtswv Ntuj To p r a i s e God, t o g l o r i f y God.
( b ) qhov d e j s a u s P l a c e where w a t e r d i s a p p e a r s N w s rov qhuas nws. He p r a i s e d h i m s e l f . H e boasted.
i n t o t h e ground.
qhov ntwj A h o l e i n t h e ground where t h e e a r t h i s 2 . qhuas
sunken i n of i t s e l f . dab q h u a s . m e o b j e c t s p e r t a i n i n g t o s p i r i t worship
qhov t i m t h a j A w e l l . i n t h e home.
qhov t u a g The g r a v e , d e a t h .
1. qhuav Dry, a r i d .
5 . qhov Dimension, used i n words d e s c r i b i n g dimensions. l i a j qhua Dry paddy f i e l d ( t . c . )
qhov n t e v Length. ntoo qhuav qhuav Dry t r e e o r wood.
qhov dav Breadth.
qhov t o b Depth.
qhov s i a b Height.
2 . qhuav Alone, unembellished.
n o j mov qhuav xwb E a t i n g j u s t p l a i n cooked r i c e
w i t h o u t meat o r v e g e t a b l e s . 1. r a b C l f . f o r implements and t o o l s , c l f . f o r things with
a h a n d l e and h e l d i n t h e hand.
3. qhuav F r e e , w i t h o u t payment. r a b r i a m Knife.
pub qhuav qhuav To g i v e w i t h o u t payment o r expecta- r a b d i a v Spoon.
t i o n of any r e t u r n . r a b t a u s Axe.
r a b r a u j Hammer.
4 . qhuav Of i t s e l f , having no c o n d i t i o n o r circumstance
attached. 2. rab C l f . f o r a l a r g e a r e a of f i e l d s ( c f . Idaim' f o r
t u a j qhuav qhuav xwb J u s t came w i t h no s p e c i a l single fields).
purpose o r b u s i n e s s .
nyob qhuav qhuav xwb There w i t h n o t h i n g t o do, 1. r a g An a l t e r n a t i v e p r o n u n c i a t i o n sometimes heard f o r
unoccupied, j u s t l i v i n g . 'ras' (cf. 'ras').
t a u g kev khaws taw qhuav To o b t a i n f o r n o t h i n g o r
without labor. 2. rag
qhuav nquas Dry, empty, having n o t h i n g .
cev qhuav nquas Empty-handed.
mob n t s e j r a g (cf . 'ntsej ) .
1. r a j A tube ( l u b ) , tube-like.
5. qhuav lub r a j kwv d e j Bamboo w a t e r - c a r r y i n g t u b e ( l u b ).
nyuam qhuav J u s t now ( c f . 'nyuaml )
i b nyuam qhuav A moment, a s h o r t time.
. raj
raj
nplaim A t y p e o f f l u t e ( l u b )
pum l i v A bamboo f l u t e ( l u b )
.
.
raj l e v l e s Small r e e d f l u t e made by c h i l d r e n .
nyuam qhuav t u a j J u s t came, a r r i v e d t h i s moment o r
j u s t a moment ago. ( c f . '10s txog n t u a ' ) . raj
raj
p l h e l e A trumpet ( l u b ) .
puab r a j xyu Trumpets and h o r n s , h o r n s made of
nyuam qhuav mob J u s t began t o h u r t .
barnboo and b u f f a l o horn.
6 . qhuav r a j rawg Tube f o r h o l d i n g c h o p s t i c k s .
qhuav plawv ( c f . 'plawvl D e f i n i t i o n No. 3 ) . t s h i a v r a j To p l a y t h e Chinese s t y l e v i o l i n .

7 . qhuav 2. r a j
s i a b t s i s qhuav d e j , ntsws t s i s qhuav n t s h a v (cf. r a j ris laus (tus) S p e c i e s of long-legged s p i d e r .
'ntsws ' ). 3. r a j
qhws ua r a j ncas ( c f . 'pobkws').
qhws n t s e g ( I S ) Type of long e l a b o r a t e e a r r i n g .
(contr. 'poj c o ' ) . ras S t a r t l e d , suddenly s u r p r i s e d , stampeded, t o stampede.
npua r a s The p i g s suddenly scampered away.
qhwv To wrap up. nyuj r a s The c a t t l e stampeded.
qhwv t s h u a j To apply medicine and wrap with a nees r a s The h o r s e stampeded o r suddenly g a l l o p e d
bandage, apply a medical d r e s s i n g . away, runaway h o r s e .
( a ) r a s dheev S t a r t l e d .
( b ) r a s pes dheev S t a r t l e d .
( c ) r a s pes h l o S t a r t l e d .
s i a b r a s dheev Suddenly s u r p r i s e d o r suddenly
wakened t o something.
r a s nroo ntws The sound of stampeding.
1. r a i s Window.
qhov r a i s A window ( l u b ) .
2. rais
r a i s 10s To come back ( n o t e t h a t t h i s e x p r e s s i o n i s
only used i n c a l l i n g t h e s p i r i t s . ) ( c f . ' r o v 1 0 s '
f o r o r d i n a r y use.
rau To p l a c e , t o p u t . 4 . raug To know, t o understand.
Rau qhov no P u t it h e r e . Koj yuav s i j r a u g m e n t s i s . You w i l l know a l i t t l e
Yuav muab r a u qhov twg? Where s h a l l I p u t i t ? about it.
Muab r a u r a u hauv. Put it i n s i d e .
rauj A hammer (clf. 'rab' 1.
rau Toward, t o .
Pub r a u kuv. Give it t o me. raum The kidneys ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) .
Muab t s o r a u hauv. P u t i t i n s i d e .
N w s h a i s r a u kuv t i a s . . . He s a i d t o me... 1. r a u s To immerse something i n l i q u i d f o r a p e r i o d .
r a u s d e j To d i p i n w a t e r ( c f . I d a , ' ' t s a u '
rau The numeral s i x . and ' t s a u g ' ) .
r a u l u b t s e v S i x houses.
r a u caum S i x t y . 2. raus
Muab xub r a u s lawm t s h a u v . (cf. ' laum' Definition
rau F i n g e r n a i l , t o e n a i l , hoof o r claw. No. 6 ) .
rau t e s Fingernail.
r a u taw T o e n a i l . 3 . raus
kab r a u s ( t u s ) A s p e c i e s of i n s e c t o r bug.
rau Gloves ( b u t cf. 'looj t e s ' ) .
rauv
rau C l f . f o r s q u a r e s of embroidery. rauv taws To l i g h t a f i r e , t o p u t wood on t h e f i r e
i b r a u p a j ntaub One s q u a r e of embroidery work,
one s e c t i o n of embroidery.
( c o n t r . 'cuam taws' ) .
1. rawm To be i n a h u r r y t o do something.
raub rawm n o j I n a h u r r y t o e a t .
raub r i s The c r a b ( t u s ) . rawm rawm pw Sleepy, anxious t o s l e e p .
raub r i s t e b The s c o r p i o n ( t u s ) . Txhob rawm mus. Don't be i n a h u r r y t o l e a v e .
Txhob rawm ua. Don't be i n a h u r r y t o do i t .
raub Of a chicken s c r a t c h i n g . Txhob rawm t o s kuv. Don ' t w a i t f o r me.
q a i b raub The chicken i s s c r a t c h i n g f o r food.
q a i b raub t s e v Chicken s c r a t c h i n g on t h e r o o f . 2 . rawm To c u r s e . t o s e a l w i t h m i s f o r t u n e .
raug To e n c o u n t e r , t o meet up w i t h , t o i n c u r , t o s u f f e r 3 . rawm A s p e c i e s of bamboo.
o r be a f f l i c t e d w i t h .
r a u g mob To s u f f e r p a i n o r i l l n e s s .
r a u g dab To meet w i t h an e v i l s p i r i t , t o s u f f e r
rawg Chopsticks ( c l f . ' t x w m ' ) .
rawg n o j mov Chopsticks f o r e a t i n g r i c e .
some c a l a m i t y a t t r i b u t e d t o s p i r i t s . r a j rawg Tube f o r h o l d i n g c h o p s t i c k s .
raug taubhau To h i t t h e head on something. k a i s rawg To push food i n t o t h e mouth w i t h t h e use
r a u g t e s To bump and i n j u r e t h e hand o r f i n g e r . of c h o p s t i c k s .
r a u g plaub To meet w i t h l i t i g a t i o n , t o be drawn i n t o
a court case. 1. raws To p u r s u e ; t o chase a f t e r , t o f o l l o w a f t e r , ac-
raug txim To be punished, t o have met w i t h punish- cording t o .
ment f o r crime o r e v i l , c o n v i c t e d f o r crime. raws t a u To o v e r t a k e , t o c a t c h up w i t h .
cov raug txim C r i m i n a l s , p r i s o n e r s . s a u raws t x o j kab Write on t h e l i n e .
r a u g tswvyim To f a l l prey t o t h e i r schemes. raws nraim To f o l l o w e x a c t l y , a c c o r d i n g t o .
Ua raws nraim nws t x o j l u s q h i a . Do s t r i c t l y a c c o r d i n g
raug To have f e l l o w s h i p , t o be u n i t e d i n h e a r t . t o what he t a u g h t .
r a u g nws zoo F r i e n d l y w i t h him, on very good terms. raws li no I n t h i s way.
s i b raug zoo On v e r y good t e r m s , i n good f e l l o w s h i p , raws li nws h a i s A s he h a s s a i d .
united i n h e a r t . Muab nws raws khiav. Chase him o u t .
raug According t o , a g r e e i n g w i t h .
r a u g s i a b According t o w i s h , p l e a s i n g , s a t i s f y i n g
t o t h e h e a r t ( c f . ' d h o s ' and ' h u m ' ) .
2 . raws 3 . ris
( a ) raws p l a b Diarrhea. t s i s r i s s i a b Disobedient.
( b ) lawv p l a b Diarrhea. r i s s i a b h l o To r e p e n t , t o t u r n away from.
(c) t h o j plab Diarrhea. Dab t x o j kev kuv twb y e e j l o s r i s s i a b lawm. I have
a l r e a d y t u r n e d away from s p i r i t worship.
rawv A r e s t r i c t e d post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r particularly
adding t h e i d e a of firmness o r s t e a d i n e s s t o 4. r i s Trousers, pants ( c l f . 'lub' f o r a p a i r ) .
t h e a c t i o n of t h e v e r b . ( c f . Appendix 8 ) . r i s t s h o C l o t h i n g , t r o u s e r s and j a c k e t .
k h i rawv Firmly t i e d . r h a i s r i s To tuck up t h e t r o u s e r s .
t u a v rawv pas n r i g Firmly h e l d t h e s t i c k . qaws c e g r i s To r o l l up t h e t r o u s e r l e g s .
t u a v qws rawv Held t h e c l u b t i g h t l y . hlws r i s The c r o t c h of t h e t r o u s e r s .
t u a v t e s rawv Held hands t i g h t l y .
chim rawv Continued angry, v e r y offended. 5. r i s
t s e v s w rawv A very messy house. raub r i s The c r a b ( t u s ) .
kim rawv To c o n t i n u e k n e e l i n g ( c f . ' t x h o s ' ) .
nyob rawv ntawm phab n t s a Standing ( o r s i t t i n g )
raub r i s t e b The s c o r p i o n ( t u s ) .
o v e r by t h e w a l l . 6 . ris
Also used s i m i l a r l y w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g v e r b s : (cf. r a j ris laus S p e c i e s of long-legged s p i d e r ( t u s ) .
t h e i n d i v i d u a l l i s t i n g s f o r meanings).
npuav, puab, puag, nqa, cuam, c o j riab
r i a b ntshau Small head l i c e (cf. 'ntshauv').
re T.c. from ' r e v '
riam T.c. from ' r i a m ' (cf. 'riam').
rev C l f . f o r a stem of f l o w e r s o r l e a v e s o r f r u i t , e t c .
r e v hnab The c l u s t e r of k e r n e l s i n a head of r i c e . 1. riam Knife ( r a b ) .
i b r e p a j n t o o s A stem of f l o w e r s ( t .c . ) nqa i b r a b riam To c a r r y a k n i f e .
knab r i a m Sheath f o r a k n i f e .
1. r i A s u p p o r t o r p o s t s t u c k i n t o t h e ground. h n i a v riam Knife edge.
roob r i a g Back of t h e k n i f e ( t . c . )
2. ri npluav riam S i d e of t h e k n i f e , f a c e of t h e k n i f e .
r i s u a t a g lawm To s c a t t e r ( a s of a group suddenly hov riam To sharpen a k n i f e on a s t o n e .
s c a t t e r i n g when s t a r t l e d o r a f r a i d , a l s o used riam yeeb Knife f o r c o l l e c t i n g opium.
of s h o t s c a t t e r i n g from a s h o t g u n ) . riam t w A b l u n t ended k n i f e .
riam n t s e hau A s h a r p p o i n t e d k n i f e .
3. ri
t x i txiv ri Bringing f o r t h f r u i t and s p r e a d i n g . 2 . riam Clf. f o r cuts with a knife.
xuas i b r i a g r a u . . . Made one c u t w i t h a k n i f e . . .
rig To b i n d up by winding something around an a r t i c l e
a s a s t r e n g t h and a c o v e r i n g , e . g . b i n d i n g a 1. rob To avenge, t o revenge.
k n i f e handle w i t h r a t t a n . rob caub To seek revenge, t o avenge ( c f . ' p a u j t a u ' ) ,
t o repay e v i l f o r e v i l .
1. r i s To c a r r y on t h e back, t o b e a r .
r i s l u b kawm To c a r r y a back-basket. 2. rob To repay.
r i s d e j To c a r r y w a t e r i n a bucket on t h e back. rob nqe To seek payment, t o seek repayment f o r a
Yexu r i s peb l u b txim. J e s u s has borne o u r s i n s . debt.
Kuv r i s t s i s t a u . I c a n n o t b e a r it. ( s c o l d i n g
o r criticism, etc.) 1. r o g Obese, f a t , s t o u t , (of a d u l t s and of a n i m a l s )
r i s h l o To c a r r y on t h e back. (cf. ' r o j ' )
Note t h a t t h i s i s n o t very p o l i t e when used of persons
2. ris
ris t x i a j Grateful.
however. ( c f . 'npag' and 'pham')
npua r o g r o g A f a t p i g .
.
Kuv r i s n e j t x i a j . I am g r a t e f u l t o you. r o g nthaws Of an animal n i c e and f a t .
t s i s r i s nws t x i a j To be u n g r a t e f u l , t o show l a c k
of a p p r e c i a t i o n f o r a n o t h e r .
2. rog War, p e r t a i n i n g t o w a r f a r e . 2 . roob Mountain-like, having a r i d g e .
( a ) n t a u s r o g To war, t o wage w a r f a r e , t o f i g h t a ( a ) roob hlaub The s h i n , shinbone.
war. ( b ) roob q h i b The s h i n , shinbone.
( b ) t u a r o g To war, t o wage w a r f a r e , t o f i g h t a war. roob r i a g ( t . c . ) The back s i d e of a k n i f e , t h e
( c ) ua rog To war, t o wage w a r f a r e , t o f i g h t a war. t h i c k o r b l u n t edge of a k n i f e .
tub rog ( t u s ) A s o l d i e r . roob moj s a b Wilderness, w i l d a r e a of t r e e s and
t s a r o g To s t a g e a mock ' b a t t l e " a s p a r t of t h e mountains.
a n i m i s t i c r i t u a l a t a f u n e r a l wherein t h e
e v i l s p i r i t s a r e d r i v e n away. 3 . roob
( a ) t u s t s a r o g The one i n charge of such a " b a t t l e " roob l a j The p o l e l a i d down h o r i z o n t a l l y i n t h e
w i t h t h e s p i r i t s . He l e a d s a group i n c i r c l i n g c r o s s e d ends of t h e s a p l i n g s h o l d i n g down t h e
t h e house and s h o o t i n g o f f guns i n mock w a r f a r e . l e a v e s on a r o o f .
( b ) t u s hau r o g The one i n charge of such a " b a t t l e "
w i t h t h e s p i r i t s . He l e a d s a group i n c i r c l i n g
t h e house and s h o o t i n g o f f guns i n mock w a r f a r e . iab roog T.c. from ' r o o j ' ( c f . 'dab' Definition
No. 1, p. 2 7 ) .
roj O i l , grease, f a t , resin.
r o j npua Pork f a t . 2 . roog
t h o b r o j The l o o s e f a t a t t a c h e d t o a p i g ' s i n t e s t i n e s . ( a ) i b ntxees n t u j A f a r country, a d i s t a n t place.
r o j av Kerosene. ( b ) i b roog n t u j ( t . c . from ' r o o j ' ) , a f a r c o u n t r y ,
r o j hmab Rubber. a d i s t a n t place.
r o j tsheb Gasoline, p e t r o l .
t s a u r o j A p i t c h torch. 3 . roog
r o j faiv fuaj Flashlight batteries (lub). hauv qab roog (cf. 'rooj').
r o j n t o o Tree r e s i n , c o a g u l a t e d t r e e s a p ( c o n t r .
'txab'). 1. r o o j A n a r t i c l e of f u r n i t u r e ( l u b ) .
ntoo t x i v r o j ( t u s ) Olive t r e e ( a s used among r o o j n o j mov ( l u b ) A t a b l e f o r e a t i n g .
Catholic Christians i n Laos). r o o j zaum ( l u b ) A b a c k l e s s bench f o r s i t t i n g .
r o j n t s h a v F l e s h and blood. r o o j t i a g taw ( l u b ) A f o o t s t o o l .
hauv l u b qab r o o j Under t h e t a b l e .
ros hauv qab roog The downhill s i d e of a t a b l e a t a
t u a j dab r o s Funny, l a u g h a b l e . f e a s t ( c o n t r . 'sam t s u m l ) .
l u s t u a j dab r o s A joke, a funny s a y i n g . r o v r o o j The bench t i p p e d up a t one end.
r o o j v i s zoo ( l u b ) A t h r o n e ( a s used by C a t h o l i c
rov To r e t u r n , t o t u r n back upon. Christians i n Laos).
( a ) r o v 10s To r e t u r n , t o come back ( c f . ' r a i s 1 0 s ' ) .
( b ) r o v qab 10s To r e t u r n , t o come back ( c f . ' r a i s 2. rooj Door, g a t e ( l u b ) .
10s' ) . r o o j n t u g ( t . c . 1 The " g a t e " of heaven.
( a ) r o v h l o Returned. l u b qhov r o o j A d o o r , a g a t e .
( b ) r o v n t s u j Returned. qheb qhov r o o j Open t h e door.
rov n t x i v To recompense, t o make amends f o r . kaw qhov r o o j Shut t h e door.
tshwm rov qub qab mus Went back t h e way he came. Note: See t h e e n t r i e s under 'qhov' f o r v a r i o u s k i n d s
r o v r o o j The bench t i p p e d up a t one end. of doors.
1. roob Mountain ( l u b ) ( c f . ' t o j ' ) . 3. rooj Used a s a c l a s s i f i e r f o r v a r i o u s k i n d s of t r a p s .
l u b roob s i a b s i a b A high mountain. D e s c r i p t i o n s f o r t h e f o l l o w i n g a r e found under
l u b ncov roob A mountain peak. the various separate e n t r i e s .
l u b hauv roob The f o o t of t h e mountain. rooj ntxiab r o o j n t a npuj
hauv l u b qab roob A t t h e bottom of t h e mountain. rooj yej r o o j qhaub
roob t o j l u a g taw A mountain r i d g e which s p r e a d s r o o j muj t i m r o o j cuam koob
o u t toward t h e v a l l e y l i k e a f o o t . r o o j chav r o o j qws
n t x e e roob To c r o s s t h e mountain r i d g e r o o j nruab xaub
n t o ncov roob To c r o s s t h e mountain peak.
t w roob The end of t h e mountain.
4 . r o o j Used a s a c l a s s i f i e r i n o t h e r c o n t e x t s . 1. r u a j Firm, e n d u r i n g , d u r a b l e , s t e a d y .
i b roog n t u j ( t . c . 1 (Cf. ' r o o g ' ) . Tuav r u a j r u a j li. Grasp it f i r m l y .
r u a j s i a b nyob To a b i d e c o n t e n t , r e s i d e s t e a d i l y .
5. r o o j ( a ) r u a j n r e e s Very f i r m l y , very s t e a d y .
hnub roo j n t e g thaum ub Previously , before. ( b ) r u a j qos n r e e s Very f i r m l y , very s t e a d y .
2. r u a j
( a ) r u a j zog S u r p r i s e d , amazed, a v p r e h e n s i v e , wondering
( b ) r u a j zog f s e g S u r p r i s e d amazed apprehensiv:,
( c f . yoob zog and b t h e r 1 & t l n g s under zog' )
1. ruam A s t e p i n walking.
.
wondering
roos To e n v e l o p , t o surround a s a c l o u d , t o s h i e l d o r
cover from above a s t o s h e l t e r something from i b ruam i b ruam mus To go a s t e p a t a time.
heat o r rain.
2 . ruam Dumb, unable t o speak.
roov A s p e c i e s of l a r g e b i r d ( t u s ) .
3 . ruam Slow of u n d e r s t a n d i n g , f o o l i s h , s t u p i d , unedu-
ru Tone change from ' r u v ' (cf. 'ruv') . cated.
neeg ruam A f o o l i s h p e r s o n , one slow of under-
1. rub To g r a s p and p u l l w i t h t h e hand. standing.
rub h l u a To p u l l a rope. hlwb n t a g ruam Mentally d u l l , m e n t a l l y r e t a r d e d .
rub t e s To g r a s p and p u l l t h e hand.
rub r h e P u l l e d o f f . ruas Leprosy.
rub sawvdaws 10s ua i b ke zoo To u n i t e a l l i n one mob r u a s To have l e p r o s y .
good f e l l o w s h i p , t o b r i n g everyone t o g e t h e r . mob uav mob r u a s To have l e p r o s y .
rub zog nws sawv t s e e s To r a i s e him up by t h e hand.
rwb Quilted.
2 . rub pam rwb (daim) A quilt.
rub s a b neeb ( c f . ' n e e b ' p. 1 3 7 ) .
1. rwg Pertaining t o the small finger o r toe.
3 . rub n t i v t e s rwg qab The l i t t l e f i n g e r .
rub p l i g ( c f . 'koom p l i g ' ) . n t i v taw rwg qab The l i t t l e t o e .
ruv The roof r i d g e . 2 . rwg
l u b ruv t s e v The r o o f , t h e roof r i d g e . qhwb rwg Face downward.
duav ruv t s e v To p u t on t h e r o o f i n g o v e r t h e r i d g e pw qhwb rwg To l i e f a c e downward, t o l i e f l a t on
of t h e r o o f . one ' s stomach.
l u b qab r u t s e v Under t h e roof r i d g e ( t . c . )
n q a j r u ( t . c . ) The r i d g e p o l e ( t u s ) . rwj A b o i l ( l u b ) , an u l c e r o r an a b c e s s .
n c e j r u ( t . c . ) The c e n t e r u p r i g h t p o s t s of a Kuv mob i b l u b rwj. I have a b o i l . ( o r an a b c e s s )
house ( t u s ) .
1. rwm A given name used f o r Hmong women.
rua To open ( e y e s o r mouth) ( c f . 'qheb')
r u a muag To open t h e e y e s .
. 2. rwm
r u a l o To yawn. yuav l u a g tshwv rwm t i b t i a g Very c l o s e by.
r u a qhov n c a u j Open t h e mouth.
r u a qhov n c a u j l o j l o j Open t h e mouth wide. rws To swoop.
( a ) rws s i s To swoop, t h e s w i f t downward f l i g h t of
ruab a bird.
khaub ruab ( r a b ) A broom. ( b ) rws ceev ceev To swoop, t h e s w i f t downward f l i g h t
Muab khaub ruab cheb t s e v . Sweep t h e house w i t h a of a b i r d .
broom.
 1. r h i a b To t i c k l e , t i c k l i s h s e n s a t i o n .
rhais TO tuck i n , t o t u c k up. 2. rhiab The f e e l i n g e x p e r i e n c e d i n a n t i c i p a t i o n of p a i n
r h a i s r i s To tuck up t h e t r o u s e r s . o r i n p l a c e s of danger, e t c .
hmuv r h a i s plaubhau A h a i r p i n . ( a ) r h i a b r h i a b neeg Of t h e f e e l i n g e x p e r i e n c e d when
f a c i n g having a t o o t h p u l l e d o r something
rhau To d r i l l . similar.
rhau qhov To d r i l l a h o l e ( c f . ' q h o v ' ) . ( b ) r h i a b s i a b Of t h e f e e l i n g e x p e r i e n c e d when f a c i n g
having a t o o t h p u l l e d o r something s i m i l a r .
rhaub To h e a t up o v e r t h e f i r e ( c f . ' h a u ' ) . r h i a b qhov muag Dizzy e y e s , of t h e f e e l i n g b r o u g h t
rhaub d e j To h e a t up some w a t e r , t o b o i l a k e t t l e on by looking down from a g r e a t h e i g h t , e t c .
of w a t e r .
Rhaub cov qub zaub peb n o j . Heat up t h e l e f t o v e r rhiam P e r v e r s e , d e l i b e r a t e l y o b s t i n a t e and c o n t r a r y .
v e g e t a b l e s f o r us t o e a t . rhiam niam rhiam t x i v Of a c h i l d ' s p e r v e r s e conduct
toward mother and f a t h e r .
1. rhaus A s l i p knot (lub) (contr. 'pob c a u s ' ) .
rhiav A given name used f o r Hmong women.
2 . rhaus To s l i p something o u t from a knot.
rho To e x t r a c t , t o p u l l o u t .
1. rhawv A l a r g e v e s s e l o r t u b , e s p e c i a l l y one used f o r r h o h l o To p u l l o u t .
s t o r i n g water o r l i q u i d ( l u b ) , a tank. rho h n i a v To p u l l t e e t h .
N w s rho h l o riam 10s t u a . He p u l l e d o u t a k n i f e
2 . rhawv To p e r s u a d e , t o seek t o pe.rsuade o r t o f o r c e a to kill.
person t o adopt o n e ' s p o i n t of view o r o n e ' s rho txheeb ( c f . ' t x h e e b ' ) .
way of doing t h i n g s .
rhoob To c u t o r saw a t something w i t h a d u l l k n i f e .
3 . rhawv H l a i s pheej t s i s t o lam rhoob mus li. No m a t t e r how
rhawv kev To p u t through a road, t o l e v e l a r o a d . I work a t i t i t d o e s n ' t s l i c e w e l l b u t I ' l l
j u s t go ahead and c u t it a s b e s t I can.
rhe A r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r used p a r t i c u l a r l y
with verbs i n d i c a t i n g breaking o r t e a r i n g , e t c . rhuv Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with ' d a j ' .
( c f . Appendix 8 ) . ( c f . Appendix 81 p. 4 7 4 ) .
tawg r h e Broken. d a j rhuv Very y e l l o w , b r i g h t yellow.
rub r h e P u l l e d a p a r t .
dua r h e Tear a p a r t . rhuaj Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'nrov.'
l u b s i a b n t a i s r h e lawn My h e a r t i s broken. ( c f . Appendix 8 ) ( c f . ' n r o v ' p. 1 7 8 ) .
n t a i s r h e Broken.
pob r h e L a n d s l i d e . rhuas
n t u a g r h e Torn a p a r t . h a i s rhuas lawm Of one who i n speaking f a s t o r a t
l e n g t h i n e v i t a b l y s a y s something wrong.
1. rheeb Of a chicken s c r a t c h i n g .
Q a i b rheeb kab. The chicken i s s c r a t c h i n g f o r worms. 1. rhuav To t e a r down, d i s m a n t l e .
rhuav t s e v To t e a r down a house.
2 . rheeb A kind of s t i n g i n g v e g e t a t i o n .
2 . rhuav Used f i g u r a t i v e l y of b r e a k i n g a promise o r a c o n t r a c t .
rhees Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
pov r h e e s To throw ( i n t o ) .
txawb r h e e s To throw.
3 . rhuav Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r
.
xuab taw rhuav ( c f ' xuab taws ' ) . ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
l a i m r h e e s To c a s t away.
rhij R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r used w i t h ' n r o v '
( c f . Appendix 8) ( c f . ' n r o v ' p. 1 7 8 ) .
rhw To c r u s h r i c e ( e s p e c i a l l y used of t h e f i n a l pounding i n 5 . sab
the foot m i l l ) , t o beat out the r i c e in the foot
m i l l a second time a f t e r having s i f t e d o u t t h e
chaff once.
rhw txhuv To crush r i c e ( e s p e c i a l l y used of t h e f i n a l 6. s a b
pounding i n t h e f o o t m i l l ) , t o b e a t o u t t h e r i c e
i n t h e f o o t m i l l a second time a f t e r having
s i f t e d o u t t h e c h a f f once.
Of male w i l d animals which go about i n p a i r s .
s a b nyuj Wild oxen ( p a i r o f m a l e s ) .
s a b tswb Wild b o a r s .
s a b c h o j To l a y two s m a l l s a p l i n g s a c r o s s one a n o t h e r
a g a i n s t a l a r g e r t r e e f o r a p l a t f o r m t o use i n
felling the tree.

rhwb R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'dawb.'
( c f . 'dawb') ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
dawb rhwb I n t e n s e l y w h i t e , very w h i t e .
7. s a b To d i s c u s s , c o n f e r .
s a b l a j To d i s c u s s , t o c o n f e r , t o t a l k o v e r t o g e t h e r .
N w s s a b t s i s t a u l a j . He h a s n ' t t a l k e d t h e m a t t e r
t o a conclusion y e t .
N w s t s i s t a u s a b l a j . He h a s n ' t d i s c u s s e d it y e t .

8. s a b
tub sab (tus) A thief.

9. sab
s a b foob To have a c o l d (C) ( c f . ' khaub thuas' ) .
10. s a b
t s h o t s h a j sab (lub) A long gown.

11. sab
sam s a b The day of b u r i a l ( c f . ' tuag' ) .
12. s a b
r o o j moj s a b (cf. 'rooj D e f i n i t i o n No. 6 ) .
13. s a b
sabcib (lub) A basket-type rice strainer.
1. s a b A side, a direction.
sab x i s Right s i d e , t h e r i g h t , t o t h e r i g h t . 14. sab
(a) s a b l a u j The l e f t s i d e , t o t h e l e f t . rub s a b neeb ( c f . 'neeb' p. 137).
(b) s a b l a u g The l e f t s i d e , t o t h e l e f t .
sab no This s i d e . 15. s a b
sab nraud Behind, o u t s i d e . ua s a b ua s u a Of one who h a s no c e r t a i n d w e l l i n g b u t
wanders h e r e and t h e r e .
2. s a b Thin (of l i q u i d s ) ( c f . ' n y e e m ' ) , of l i t t l e d e n s i t y .
16. s a b
3. s a b I n t e n s e , deep, s e r i o u s (of i l l n e s s , p a i n , i n j u r y , t h a i s sab (cf. ' t h a i s ' ) .
s c o l d i n g , h a r d work, e t c . )
neeg s a b An i n j u r e d person. 1. s a j To t a s t e , t o a s c e r t a i n t h e f l a v o r by t a s t i n g .
lawv s a b They s u f f e r e d , t h e y were i n r e a l p a i n . s a j vimtom To t a s t e t h e f l a v o r .
( a ) hnov suab s a b Heard a loud n o i s e .
( b ) hnov s a b nrov Heard a loud n o i s e . 2. s a j
dawm s a j A mountain gap, a mountain p a s s ( c f . 'dawm').
4. s a b A s p i d e r web.
kab l a u g s a b A s p i d e r which makes a web ( t u s ) 3. saj
( t h e r e a r e many v a r i e t i e s ) . s a j zawg zog F l e x i b l e , t o f l e x , t o bend.
1. Sam To c a s t r a t e .
Sam npua To c a s t r a t e a p i g .
2. Sam 1. s a v To wrench o u t of p o s i t i o n , t o s p r a i n , t o t w i s t a
Sam qhab To p u t on t h e r a f t e r s o f a house. member of t h e body and i n c u r p a i n .
s a v duav A wrenched back.
3. Sam s a v t e s A t w i s t e d w r i s t o r hand.
Sam txhim To p a i n t , t o apply p a i n t t o ( C ) .
2. s a v
4 . Sam s a v tsam TO inconvenience, t o h i n d e r , t o p r e v e n t o r
Sam s a b The day of b u r i a l ( c f . ' tuag' ) . d e l a y ( c f . ' tabkaurn' ) .
5. Sam
samim A preverbal indicating action t h a t i s s t i l l
1. s a i .
Q u i c k l y , f a s t ( c f ' t s u a g ' and 'nrawm' )
Nws mus s a i s a i li. He went q u i c k l y .
.
going on, " i n t h e p r o c e s s o f . . . " yem s a i yem zoo The f a s t e r t h e b e t t e r .
s a m s i m n o j mov (He) i s s t i l l e a t i n g . ('yem' sometimes ' y i m ' ) .
samsim ua (He) i s s t i l l d o i n g it now.
6 . Sam
2. s a i Mountain g o a t , w i l d g o a t ( t u s ) .
( a ) hujsam ( t u s ) ~ u d d h i s tp r i e s t ( C ) .
( b ) haujsam ( t u s )
A
A Buddhist p r i e s t ( C ) . 1. s a i b To look a t , t o l o o k , t o observe.
s i m s a i b To have a look a t something t o s e e o r t o
determine something.
7. Sam S a i b qhov no. Look h e r e .
Sam xyab To burn i n c e n s e a t t h e s p i r i t s h e l f . s a i b n t s o o v To look a t s t e a d i l y , t o s t a r e .
ua neeb s a i b To do s p i r i t worship t o determine
8. Sam To add t o ( a s adding o i l t o a lamp, e t c . ) something.
( a ) Sam r o j To add o i l , t o f i l l a lamp. s a i b dheev Suddenly looked a t .
( b ) sam t e e b To add o i l , t o f i l l a lamp. t x u s s a i b t x u s zoo The more ( h e ) looked a t it t h e
b e t t e r it seemed.
9 . Sam yem s a i b 10s yem zoo The more you s e e of it t h e
Sam hwm To c o r r e c t , t o admonish, t o g e n t l y rebuke. b e t t e r it i s . ('yem' a l s o I y i m ' ) .
s a i b t s i s t a u s "Cannot look upon," i . e . t o d e s p i s e ,
10. Sam t o disrespect.
Sam t h i a j A high p l a t f o r m . ( a ) s a i b q a i b To d i v i n e by o b s e r v i n g t h e p o s i t i o n of
t h e f e e t , e t c . of a s l a i n chicken.
11. Sam (b) s a i b t s h i a v thawj To d i v i n e by o b s e r v i n g t h e
sam plaws Jumped upon. p o s i t i o n of t h e f e e t , e t c . of a s l a i n chicken.
12. Sam 2. s a i b
( a ) Sam k i a g A n o f f e n s i v e word o r term. s a i b tsam I t may b e , perhaps.
( b ) Sam h l o b An o f f e n s i v e word o r term.
sais
13. Sam s a i s nplaim q e e j To c u t b r a s s t o make t h e r e e d s f o r
Sam tsum The u p h i l l s i d e of a t a b l e a t a f e a s t , t h e a s e t of Hmong musical p i p e s .
honored p l a c e ( c o n t r . 'qab r o o g ' ) .
1. s a u To w r i t e .
1 4 . Sam s a u ntawv To w r i t e , t o w r i t e l e t t e r s , w r i t e a book.
neeg zoo p h i j Sam s i a b com v i a b Hypocrites ( C )
( p e r s o n s w i t h a good s k i n b u t a crooked h e a r t ) . 2. s a u To g a t h e r t o g e t h e r , t o r e a p , t o c o l l e c t , t o g a t h e r
up, t o h a r v e s t .
1. s a s E x p l e t i v e and completive p a r t i c l e used a t t h e end s a u n p l e j To h a r v e s t r i c e ( b r i n g it i n ) .
of s e n t e n c e s o r u t t e r a n c e s f o r emphasis. s a u yeeb To g a t h e r i n t h e opium.
Kuv yog hmoob s a s ! I ' m a Hmong. s a u nqe To c o l l e c t d e b t s , c o l l e c t payment.
T s i s muaj s a s ! There i s none: s a u zog To g a t h e r t h i n g s t o g e t h e r .
( a ) s a u l u b s i a b To come t o one mind, t o come t o a
2. s a s decision.
khiav i b s a s i b s a s To move i n f i t s and s t a r t s , t o ( b ) s a u s i a b zog To come t o one mind, t o come t o a
run a d i s t a n c e t h e n s t o p and s t a r t a g a i n . decision.
s a u s e To c o l l e c t t a x e s .
Saub The legendary Hmong " c r e a t o r . " 2 . sawm To p e r v e r s e l y choose t h e wrong a f t e r b e i n g shown
The Hmong u n i v e r s a l l y a t t r i b u t e t o "Sahb" a c t s of t h e r i g h t and t h e good.
c r e a t i o n and he i s t h e one t h e y look t o a s
having t a u g h t them a l l t h e simple r e q u i r e - saws To t w i s t o r s p i n t h r e a d .
ments of l i v i n g such a s f i r e m a k i n g , house- saws n t u a g To s p i n o r t w i s t hemp t h r e a d .
b u i l d i n g , and t h e p l a n t i n g of c r o p s . From
t h e legends "Saub" has moral a t t r i b u t e s d i f - 1. sawv To a r i s e , t o g e t up.
f e r e n t from t h e moral c h a r a c t e r of t h e C h r i s t i a n sawv t s e e s To a r i s e , t o s t a n d up.
Creator-God. However, among t h e Hmong o f sawv n t s e g To s t a n d e r e c t , t o s t a n d u p r i g h t .
Thailand t h e term "Saub" i s used f o r "God" sawv n t s u g S t a n d i n g , s t a n d i n g u p r i g h t , s t a n d e r e c t .
b u t p r e f a c e d by t h e q u a l i f y i n g term "Vajtswv"- sawv nrheev To s t a n d s t r a i g h t up.
King-Lord. Thus : "Vaj tswv Saub" - God ( t h e sawv ntxov E a r l y morning.
King-Lord C r e a t o r ) . sawv kev mus To s t a r t on a journey ( a l s o 'sawv
saud ( c f . 'saum') ( c f . I n t r o d u c t i o n p. x x i i - x x i i i ) . taw musf .
sawv hlwv To " r a i s e " a b l i s t e r .
sawv h l o To a r i s e .
saum Above, on t o p o f , up. sawv nraim To s t a n d i n one p l a c e .
Nyob saum r o o j .
On t h e t a b l e .
saum n t u j Above t h e s k y , t h e heavens.
t u s hwj sawv The shaman's a s s i s t a n t who h e l p s him
i n s e s s i o n s of s p i r i t worship.
nyob saum n t u j I n t h e heavens. Koj l u b n t s e j muag sawv nraim hauv kuv l u b s i a b .
Nyob saud Up above ( t . c . ) ( c f . I n t r o d u c t i o n p. x x i i - x x i i i ) . Your f a c e a r i s e s s t e a d i l y i n my h e a r t . ("I
have you i n my h e a r t . ' I )
1. s a u s To r e c e d e i n t o , t o r e c e d e and d i s a p p e a r .
av s a u s The ground has s l i p p e d away l e a v i n g a h o l e 2 . sawv
(qhov s a u s ) i n t h e e a r t h . neeg heev sawv ( c f . 'heev' ) .
qhov s a u s ( l u b ) A h o l e i n t h e e a r t h where t h e
ground has f a l l e n i n . 3 . sawv
qhov d e j s a u s A p l a c e wher* t h e w a t e r d i s a p p e a r s sawvdaws Everyone.
i n t o t h e ground. Sawvdaws mus t s e v lawm. Everyone has gone home.
2. saus A s m a l l p a r t i c l e o r f o r e i g n body such a s might 4 . sawv
e n t e r t h e eye and cause d i s c o m f o r t . sawvhwm (daim) A towel (C).
Muaj i b l u b s a u s t u a j hauv kuv qhov muag. Mas l u b
l u b li. Koj nrog kuv s a i b . Something has 1. s e Taxes, t a x .
g o t t e n i n t o my eye and i s i r r i t a t i n g it. s a u s e To c o l l e c t t a x e s .
Have a l o o k , w i l l you?
2. se
1. saw A chain, a necklace ( c l f . 'txoj'). pojniam t u b s e Wife and c h i l d r e n ( t . c . ) (cf. 'sev').
i b t x o g saw A n e c k l a c e .
saw h l a u An i r o n c h a i n . seb Hemp t h r e a d w h i l e i n t h e p r o c e s s of b l e a c h i n g and
making ready f o r weaving ( c f . ' x o v ' ) ( c l f .
2 . saw 'ntshua' f o r hanks).
cov saw pav Wrappings of c l o t h t o bind t h e limbs hau seb To b l e a c h t h e t h r e a d .

1. sawb
of t h e dead.
C l f . f o r one r i b of meat.
ntxhua s e b To wash t h e t h r e a d .
l a u b zeb daus ( c f . ' l a u b ' ) .
1. s e j To keep p u t t i n g o f f doing something.
2 . sawb To shed. Note: When used i n combination w i t h ' s i b ' t h e r e s u l t i n g
Ntoo sawb thawj lawm. The t r e e has shed i t s l e a v e s . pronunciation i s ' s e v ' ) .
Note: This i s n o t a s common a s ' z e e g n p l o o j . ' s i b s e v To keep p u t t i n g o f f some a c t i o n .
1. sawm To s u f f e r o r t o b e a r ( C ) .
sawm khwv To b e a r p a i n o r s u f f e r i n g ( C ) .
2. s e j
nab hab s e j A python (tus) .
sawm t x i m To b e a r punishment, t o s u f f e r f o r s i n ( C ) .
1. sem Of wood s h r i n k i n g , t o s h r i n k . 2 . seem
n t o o sem lawm The wood h a s s h r u n k e n . seem t e s Handy, c l o s e a t hand.

2 . sem A t e r m used i n b a d l a n g u a g e , a n o f f e n s i v e word. sees R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .

ua zam s e e s TO d r e s s up l a v i s h l y .
3 . sem Of r i c e coming up p o o r l y and n o t f i l l e d o u t . t s e e v zam s e e s To d r e s s i n o n e ' s b e s t ( c f . ' n t x i a g ' ) .

4 . sem 1. s e e v A l a r g e sack, e s p e c i a l l y a sack f o r c a r r y i n g r i c e

t x o j s i a v t u a v sem To p e r i s h , t o l o s e l i f e . a s u s e d by t h e Hmong ( l u b ) .
lub seev txhuv A r i c e sack.
5 . sem
sem s o (cf. 'sovl) . 2 . s e e v To i n v e s t i g a t e , t o i n q u i r e i n t o , t o spy o u t .
s e e v mem t e s To t a k e t h e p u l s e .
1. s e v Apron, t h e a p r o n on a Hmong woman's garment. (clf. s e e v mob To i n v e s t i g a t e a n i l l n e s s . (cf. 'tuav
'daim'). .
t s e e v ' and ' t s h u a j ' )
s e v s i a The a p r o n worn i n f r o n t .
s e v npua The a p r o n worn i n back. 3. seev To hum, t o s i g h o r t o moan.
p l o o j s e v To s e w an a p r o n t o g e t h e r .
4. s e e v To b e l o n e l y , t o s i g h f o r , t o s t r o n g l y wish f o r ,
2 . s e v Used t o r e f e r t o a w i f e i n c e r t a i n c o m b i n a t i o n s . long f o r .
k o j p o j k o j s e v Your w i f e . s e e v s e e v L o n e l y , homesick ( c f . ' k h o s i a b ' ) .
d e e v l u a g p o j l u a g s e v To commit a d u l t e r y w i t h N w s twb s e e v h a i s i b 10s t i a s . . . He s a i d w i t h a
another's wife.
p o j n i a m t u b s e ( t .c . ) Wife and c h i l d r e n . .
sigh longingly. ..
5. s e e v To h o l d a s u s t a i n e d n o t e i n s i n g i n g , t o s p e a k w i t h
1. s e e b U n c l u t t e r e d . drawn o u t w o r d s , a p r o l o n g e d t o n e .
l u b t s e v khab s e e b A roomy h o u s e , a house n o t l u s s e e v Drawn o u t words o r s p e e c h .
c l u t t e r e d up w i t h t h i n g s . h a i s s e e v s u a b To s p e a k o r s i n g i n s u s t a i n e d t o n e s .
neeg h a i s l u s s e e v y e e s One who s p e a k s w i t h drawn
2 . s e e b Unencumbered. o u t words.
p o j n i a m t a b s e e b A c h i l d l e s s woman.
p o j n i a m t a b s e e b l u g A woman who d o e s n o t e a s i l y 1. s i P l a y , p l a y i n g (games and amusements).
become p r e g n a n t , a woman who i s n o t encumbered ua s i To p l a y (games, e t c . )
w i t h many c h i l d r e n .
t a b s e e b t w j ham A s i n g l e p e r s o n , one who i s 2. si Weakness, p h y s i c a l weakening.
.
" f o o t l o o s e and f a n c y f r e e " ( a ) p h e e j s i s i To grow weaker and weaker p h y s i c a l l y
( a s o f p e r s o n s growing o l d e r ) .
3. seeb ( b ) n r a u s zus n r a u s z u s To grow weaker and weaker
Tswm s e e b "Be q u i e t ! " (more p o l i t e t h a n ' u a twjywm' ) . p h y s i c a l l y ( a s o f p e r s o n s growing o l d e r ) .

4. seeb 3. s i
lub s i m seeb Time, o c c a s i o n ( c f . ' l u b s i j h a w m ' ) . huv t i b s i ( c f . 'huv' ) .
5. s e e b Of one i n a u t h o r i t y s e n d i n g p e r s o n s on e r r a n d s o r 1. s i b P r e v e r b a l i n d i c a t i n g r e c i p r o c a l a c t i o n .
business (similar t o ' txib' ) . Note: Used i n t h i s s e n s e t h i s word i s o f t e n pronounced
' s i s ' ; t h i s i s e s p e c i a l l y t r u e a s u s e d among
s e e j ' Tame, d o c i l e . t h e Hmong i n Laos.
n e e s s e e j s e e j li A tame h o r s e . s i b c e g To c u r s e o r t o s c o l d one a n o t h e r .
( a ) s i b pab To h e l p one a n o t h e r .
1. seem Remaining, l e f t o v e r . ( b ) s i s pab To h e l p one a n o t h e r .
ua seem To b e l e f t o v e r , o f a q u a n t i t y r e m a i n i n g . s i b t u a To f i g h t one a n o t h e r ( t o k i l l ) .
seem li no There i s t h i s much l e f t . s i b n t a u s To b e a t one a n o t h e r , t o f i g h t .
s i b ncaim To s e p a r a t e from one a n o t h e r .
 sib t i b Close t o each o t h e r . 1. s i m To t r y , t o t e s t , t o a t t e m p t .
sib xyaws Mixed t o g e t h e r . sirn s a i b Idiom f o r " t r y and s e e . "
sib l u a g S i m i l a r , l i k e each o t h e r , equal. Sim s a i b puas muaj zog ua. Try and s e e i f you have
sib l u a g z o s A l i k e , t h e same, e q u a l . s t r e n g t h t o do it.
sirn l u b s i a b To t e s t , t.o t e m p t , t o t r y t h e h e a r t .
2. s i b L i g h t i n w e i g h t , n o t heavy.
s i b s i b li Q u i t e l i g h t .
Koj sirn q h i a kuv s a i b . . . T e l l me and s e e . .
t e l l i n g me and s e e i f I c a n u n d e r s t a n d . )
.
(Try

3. s i b Spaced f a r a p a r t ( c o n t r . ' t i ' ) . 2 . sirn A l i f e t i m e .

s i b s i b Spaced f a r a p a r t , t h i n l y s p a c e d . sirn n o T h i s l i f e .
sirn n e e j no T h i s l i f e .
4. s i b s i m neej A lifetime.
s i b zog F o r c i b l y , e n e r g e t i c a l l y . l w m sirn The n e x t l i f e .
s i b zog ua To do e n e r g e t i c a l l y , do w i t h a w i l l . t a s y u s s i m Dead and f i n i s h e d .
tshwm sirn To be b o r n , t o be m a n i f e s t e d i n l i v i n g
5. s i b form.
hmoov zeb s i b Chalk. ( a ) i b s i d For a l i f e t i m e , "forever."
( b ) i b sirn n e e j F o r a l i f e t i m e , " f o r e v e r .
6. s i b
( a ) s i b z i v J u s t t o s i t i d l y without doing anything. 3. sirn Concerning a t i m e o r o c c a s i o n .
(b) s i b zoog J u s t t o s i t i d l y w i t h o u t d o i n g a n y t h i n g . l u b sirn s e e b A t i m e o r o c c a s i o n ( c f . ' s i j h a w m ' ) .
samsim ( c f . 'sam' ) A p r e v e r b a l i n d i c a t i n g t h a t
sid a c t i o n i s s t i l l going on.
tamsid From 'tamsim' ( c f . Introduction p. x x i i - x x i i i ) . tamsim Immediately.
( c f . 'sirn'). Ua tamsim no. Do it immediately.
1. s i j Continually, repeatedly ( c f . 'pheej ' ) . 4 . sirn
( a ) s i j ua To d o c o n t i n u a l l y o r t o do r e p e a t e d l y . h a i s sirn s u a v l u s To s p e a k s o a s t o d e c e i v e o r c h e a t .
( b ) i b s i j ua To d o c o n t i n u a l l y o r t o d o r e p e a t e d l y .
i b s i j mus i b s i j 10s C o n t i n u a l l y coming and g o i n g . 5. sirn
Kuv s i j yuav vamkhom. I w i l l c o n t i n u e t o t r u s t . l i a m sirn Ruined, d e s t r o y e d ( c f . ' p u a s t s u a j ' ) .
2. s i j 1. s i s To s p e a k i n a c c u r a t e l y o r u n c l e a r l y .
s i j r a u g To u n d e r s t a n d , t o know, t o know a b o u t . h a i s l u s s i s To s p e a k w i t h a n a c c e n t .
Koj yuav s i j r a u g m e n t s i s . You w i l l know s o m e t h i n g .

3. s i j
(about i t ) .

yuamsij ( l u b ) A key (c) .

2. sis

3. sis
On t h e s l a n t , s l a n t w i s e .
t x i a v s i s To c u t on t h e s l a n t .

Sickly.
fix ----. -.-

p h e e j s i s C o n t i n u a l l y weak and s i c k l y , n o t r e a l l y
.---
\

4. s i j w e l l though n o t s e r i o u s l y i l l .
sijhawm ( l u b ) A t i m e , an o c c a s i o n ( C ) . ( c f . t h e
.
Hmong e x p r e s s i o n , ' s i m s e e b ' ) 4. sis O f t e n used a s a n a l t e r n a t i v e r e n d e r i n g o f ' s i b ' i n
l u b s i jhawm no T h i s t i m e , on t h i s o c c a s i o n . expressing reciprocal action ( c f . ' s i b ' ) .
l u b puav s i jhawm Sometimes, o c c a s i o n a l l y . s i s pab To h e l p one a n o t h e r ( a l s o ' s i b p a b ' ) .
sijhawm dua lawm The t i m e i s p a s t , t o o l a t e .
5. si.s
5. s i j
piamsij Destroyed ( c f . ' p u a s t s u a j ' ) .
txawm s i s J u s t s o , a s e x p e c t e d ( C ) .
Txawm s i s maj ! Q u i t e s o !
6. s i j 6. sis
( a ) i b s i j huam Suddenly, q u i c k l y . l o s s i s An i n t e n s i v e p a r t i c l e , v e r y ( C ) .
( b ) i b s i j i b huam S u d d e n l y , q u i c k l y . Koj n t a u s kuv l o s s i s mob heev. It hurts terribly
where you h i t me.
l o s s i s zoo Very good.
7. sis Used i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e i n t e r r o g a t i v e p a r t i c l e s i a b f e e b p c s t s i a Confused.
'10s' ( c f . ' 1 0 s ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 8 , p. 1 1 6 ) s i a b heev I m p a t i e n t , s e v e r e , h a r s h , s t e r n .
s i a b h l o b Covetous , g l u t t o n o u s .
1. s i v S a s h , b e l t , band ( c l f . ' t x o j ' ) ( c f . ' d u a v ' ) . ( a ) s i a b k a j Refreshed, s a t i s f i e d , pleased.
s i a s i v To wrap a s a s h around o n e ' s w a i s t , t o p u t ( b ) k a j s i a b Refreshed, s a t i s f i e d , pleased.
on a Hmonq m a n ' s r e d s a s h . s i a b l i m hiam ( c ) C r u e l , f e r o c i o u s , e v i l tempered.
s i v c e e b The v a r i g a t e d headband worn by Hmong women s i a b luv Impatient, short-tempered.
( c l f . ' t h o o j ' f o r a s e t of them). s i a b maj I n a h u r r y , r u s h e d .
h l a b s i v The r e d s a s h on a Hmonq woman's a p r o n . s i a b nka ncuv I n d e s p a i r .
t w s i v The e m b r o i d e r e d e n d s on aHmong woman's s i a b n k i a g Having a s h a r p memory.
a p r o n s a s h ( c f . ' txwmi f o r a p a i r ) . ( a ) s i a b npau Angry.
( b ) s i a b npau taws Angry.
2. s i v To u s e , t o make u s e o f . s i a b nphau npog Very a n g r y .
s i a b n t a i s r h e Heartbroken.
Yuav ua li c a s s i v ? How d o you u s e i t ?
t s i s t x a w j s i v D o n ' t know how t o u s e . ( a ) s i a b n t a u s yau Timid, f e a r f u l and p e s s i m i s t i c ,
t i m i d and a f r a i d .
3. s i v To annoy, t o b o t h e r , t o c a u s e t r o u b l e f o r ( c f . ( b ) s i a b n t a u s yau n t s h a i T i m i d , f e a r f u l and p e s s i -
' txuv' ) . m i s t i c , t i m i d and a f r a i d .
s i a b n t e v P a t i e n t , even tempered.
s i v s i v s i a b To annoy, t o c a u s e t r o u b l e f o r .
s i v tom txwv To t e s t o r make t r i a l o f a p e r s o n , s i a b n t s h i a b A c l e a r c l e a n h e a r t , open-hearted.
s i a b n t x h o v U n s e t t l e d i n mind, t u r b u l e n t h e a r t .
a s e . g . t o t r y a p e r s o n on f o o d t h a t h e s a y s
h e won ' t o r s h o u l d n ' t e a t . s i a b poob n t h a v F e a r f u l ( c f . ' n t h a v ' and ' n t s h a i z o g ' ) .
s i a b puab To b e i n e a r n e s t , t o be c o n c e r n e d a b o u t .
4. s i v The t r a n s v e r s e s t r a n d s i n b a s k e t weaving ( c o n t r . s i a b puab ua To d o w i t h e a r n e s t n e s s , d o w i t h a w i l l .
s i a b puas t s u s Completely d i s c o u r a g e d ( c f . 'poob
'hlaub').
cov s i v The t r a n s v e r s e s t r a n d s .
tag' ).
s i a b r a s dheev To s u d d e n l y awake t o s o m e t h i n g .
( a ) s i a b t u s A t peace, s e t t l e d , q u i e t .
5. s i v
( b ) s i a b t u s yees A t peace, s e t t l e d , q u i e t .
twjsiv A utensil, a n , a r t i c l e of household use. s i a b t u a b Courageous.
s i a b t u a g n t h i To b e w e l l s a t i s f i e d , h e a r t s e t t l e d .
6. s i v
s i a b tuam t a v B o l d , c o u r a g e o u s .
t u s s i v t h a w j The one who c a r r i e s w a t e r a t a f u n e r a l
(cf. ' tuag' ) . s i a b tuam yim R e c k l e s s , c a r e l e s s o f d a n g e r .
s i a b vam To h o p e , h o p e f u l .
7. s i v s i a b xyov xeeb m e n t s i s C a r e f u l , t i m i d ( C ) .
( a ) s i a b z a s P a t i e n t , meek, humble.
Siv Y i s The name o f t h e head of t h e ' n e e b ' (cf. 'neeb') ( b ) z a s xeeb P a t i e n t , meek, humble.
A g i v e n name f o r Hrnong boys and men. s i a b zam t a u s l u s Meek, u n r e s e n t f u l .
s i a b zoo A good h e a r t , g o o d - h e a r t e d .
sia To wrap around t h e w a i s t .
s i a s i v To p u t on a s a s h , t o wrap a s a s h around s i a b xob p e s vog S c a r e d , f e a r f u l o f punishment.
the waist (cf. 'siv' ) . s i a b n r u j s i a b h e e v Impetuous, i m p a t i e n t .
c i a s i a b r a u To c o n s t a n t l y t h i n k o f , c o n t i n u a l l y
s e v s i a Hmonq wcrnan's a p r o n worn i n f r o n t . b e a r i n mind ( c f . 'vam s i a b ' ) .
s i a tawv A w a i s t b a n d , a g i r d l e , a b e l t , l e a t h e r b e l t .
chob s i a b " P i e r c e d " i n h e a r t , i n w a r d l y o f f e n d e d .
d e e v s i a b To c o m f o r t , t o e n c o u r a g e t h e h e a r t .
1. s i a b The l i v e r ( l u b ) ( p h y s i c a l o r g a n ) ( c l f . a l s o
'nplooj ) . dhuav s i a b To d i s l i k e , t o b e t i r e d o f ( c f . ' s i a b
t s i s nyiam' ).
2. s i a b The l i v e r r e g a r d e d a s t h e s e a t o f t h e a f f e c t i o n s
much t h e same a s " h e a r t " i n E n g l i s h . ( c l f .
'lub' o r 'nplooj').
s i a b coob s i a b n t a u Of many minds, a h e a r t g o i n g i n kho s i a b L o n e l y , homesick, t o m i s s (someone).
every d i r e c t i o n , undecided. khuam s i a b L o n e l y , t o be m i s s i n g o t h e r s .
s i a b d a v Generous. mob s i a b O f f e n d e d , " h u r t " i n h e a r t .
s i a b f a b Upset, h e a r t i n turmoil.
 n p a j s i a b To p r e p a r e t h e h e a r t . 5. s i a b A measure f o r r i c e o r g r a i n (one b a s i n f u l l ) .
n t x e e v s i a b To t u r n a g a i n s t , t o have a change of Ten ' s i a b ' e q u a l one ' tawv'
heart. Ten ' tawv' e q u a l one ' t a s '
qab s i a b P e a c e , h a p p i n e s s , s a t i s f a c t i o n ( c f . ' k a j
s i a b ' ) ( a l s o ' s i a b qab' ) .
r i s s i a b h l o To r e p e n t , t o t u r n away from.
sias A s p e c i e s of s m a l l b l a c k s t i n g i n g i n s e c t ( t u s ) .

t a s siab Satisfactory. 1. s i a v L i f e , e x i s t e n c e ( c l f . ' t x o j ' ) .

t a s s i a b t a s ntsws P a t i e n t . t x o j s i a v t u lawm L i f e c u t o f % , l i f e ended, d i e d .
t u s i a b To be offended. t u s i a v nrho Died.
xeev s i a b F e e l i n g of nausea. i b t x o g s i a v ( t . c . ) One l i f e .
xu s i a b D i s p l e a s e d , d o n ' t l i k e it ( c f . ' t s i s nyiam' ) . t h o o j s i a v t h o o j n q a i j Of one f l e s h and b l o o d .
xauv s i a v " L i f e " n e c k r i n g (one s i l v e r n e c k r i n g p u t
zoo s i a b P l e a s e d , happy.
Note: Below a r e a s e r i e s of e x p r e s s i o n s a l l of which on a Hmong i n childhood and always worn.
may be used t o e x p r e s s a c t i o n d o n e - - e a r n e s t l y , O r i g i n a l l y it i s r e g a r d e d a s a p r o t e c t i o n t o
from t h e h e a r t , w i t h a w i l l , z e a l o u s l y , w i t h l i f e ) (cf. 'xauv').
dedication, with r e a l i n t e r e s t . They a r e l i s t e d Note: ' t x o j s i a v ' i s a l s o f r e q u e n t l y h e a r d pronounced
w i t h t h e v e r b ' u a ' ( t o d o ) b u t may be used 'txoj sia. '
s i m i l a r l y w i t h o t h e r v e r b s . The p a r t i c u l a r
c o n n o t a t i o n f o l l o w s each p h r a s e . 2 . s i a v Ripe.
kub s i a b ua Hot h e a r t e d . Txiv n t o o t s i s t a u s i a v , qaub qaub li. The f r u i t i s
i b s i a b ua S i n g l e - h e a r t e d . u n r i p e and very s o u r .
r a u s i a b ua P u t t i n g t h e h e a r t i n t o i t . d e j s i a v Boiled w a t e r .
( a ) mob s i a b ua Whole-heartedly.
( b ) mob s i a b n t s u v ua Whole-heartedly. 3. s i a v
tom s i a b ua From t h e h e a r t . txog txog s i a v Winded, o u t of b r e a t h , p a n t i n g .
ntxim s i a b ua From t h e h e a r t .
muaj s i a b ua With a h e a r t o r w i t h t h e w i l l . 4. siav
tshwv xeeb ua (C) With t h e h e a r t . s i a v i b kab Raised a w e l t (from a b e a t i n g ) .
( a ) kub s i a b l u g E a r n e s t n e s s , z e a l , and d e d i c a t i o n .
( b ) mob s i a b n t s u a E a r n e s t n e s s , z e a l , and d e d i c a t i o n . 1. s o To r e s t , t o c e a s e work.
( c ) mob s i a b n t s u v E a r n e s t n e s s , z e a l , and d e d i c a t i o n . s o dhuav To r e s t t o f u l l s a t i s f a c t i o n .
( a ) r a u g s i a b According t o my d e s i r e , a g r e e i n g hnub s o The Sabbath, day of r e s t .
with t h e h e a r t . i b l u b c h i b s o One p e r i o d of r e s t , one week.
( b ) dhos s i a b According t o my d e s i r e , a g r e e i n g
with t h e heart. 2. so To wipe, t o wipe d r y , t o wipe away.
( c ) hum l u b s i a b According t o my d e s i r e , a g r e e i n g s o t a i s To wipe d i s h e s .
with t h e h e a r t . s o ntswg To wipe t h e n o s e .
s i a b t s i s qhuav d e j ntsws t s i s qhgav n t s h a v Used of s o kua muag To wipe away t e a r s .
a person who makes much of a s m a l l m a t t e r and
r e f u s e s t o l e t i t go a t t h a t . 3. so
( a ) d e j sem s o Lukewarm w a t e r ( c f . ' s o v ' ) .
3 . s i a b High, t a l l . ( b ) d e j sov s o Lukewarm w a t e r ( c f . ' s o v ' ) .
lub roob s i a b s i a b A high mountain.
a o v s i a b Height. sob Of a weakening i n b o d i l y s t r e n g t h and e n e r g y , p e a c e a b l e
h a i s l u s s i a b lawv To speak a g a i n s t o t h e r s , t o b o a s t p a t i e n t ( a s of persons and animals i n middle
a g a i n s t o t h e r s , t o :peak d i s p a r a g i n g l y ( t o age having passed y o u t h f u l a g g r e s s i v e n e s s and
speak words " h i g h e r t h a n o t h e r s showing a energy) .
low o p i n i o n of t h e m ) .
1. s o j To follow c a u t i o u s l y o r s t e a l t h i l y .
4. siab raws nws maj mam s o j mus Followed him c a u t i o u s l y
hauv s i a b The c h e s t , t h e c h e s t r e g i o n ( c f . ' n r o b ' ) . a t a distance.
puag hauv s i a b To embrace, t o h o l d t o t h e b r e a s t .
2. soj Completive and emphatic p a r t i c l e used a t t h e end 3. sub The blood o r t h e i n f l u e n c e of a person who has d i e d
of u t t e r a n c e s . by t r a g i c a c c i d e n t . This i s s a i d t o remain a t
Koj s i m dag kuv i b pluag mov no j s o j ! You c h e a t e d t h e p l a c e of t h e d e a t h w i t h t h e tendency t o
me of a meal! cause s i m i l a r d e a t h t o o t h e r s i n t h e c l a n .
sub n t o o The i n f l u e n c e of one k i l l e d by a t r e e .
1. sov Warm. sub laum The i n f l u e n c e of one k i l l e d by a c c i d e n t a l
d e j sov Warm w a t e r . shooting.
(a) dej sov Lukewarm w a t e r . sub pobzeb The i n f l u e n c e of one k i l l e d by f a l l i n g
(b) dej sov s o Lukewarm w a t e r . from a roclc, e t c .
(c) dej sem s o . Lukewarm w a t e r . v i j sub v i j s w . (cf. ' v i j ' ) .
(d) dej sov ntem ntauv Lukewarm w a t e r .
suj An e x p l e t i v e p a r t i c l e used i n c h a s i n g p i g s .
2 . sov "Warm" i n t h e s e n s e of b u s t l i n g w i t h a c t i v i t y .
Koj l u b t s e v s o v s o v li. Your house i s b u s t l i n g w i t h s uv
a c t i v i t y ("warm" w i t h people and n o i s e ) suv t s h u a j To p u t poison on arrow t i p s .
(contr. 'dav').
1. s u a To converge.
soo To p u l l t i g h t , t o t i g h t e n a noose, t o s t r a n g l e 10s s i b s u a t a u ua ke To come t o g e t h e r on t h e
( c f . 'zawm'). E s p e c i a l l y used of a s p r i n g t r a i l from converging p a t h s .
t r a p b e i n g s e t o f f t o c a t c h game i n a noose.
2 . sua To g a t h e r something t o g e t h e r .
1. soob Small of body ( o f p e r s o n s ) . s u a l u b vas 10s To g a t h e r i n a f i s h n e t ( a f t e r it
cev soob soob Small i n body. has been c a s t ) .
rab sua t e b A rake.
2 . soob High i n t o n e o r p i t c h .
3. s u a Of bees m i g r a t i n g o r swarming.
soov A k i n d of g r a i n .
4. sua
1. s u Noon, the noon meal. ua s a b ua s u a (cf. 'sab').
( a ) t a v s u Noon, t h e h a l f day, noonday.
( b ) n i a g s u Noon, t h e h a l f day, noonday. 5. s u a
n o j s u TO e a t t h e noonday meal. r i s u a t a g lawm (cf, ' r i ' ) .
ntim s u To t a k e a l o n g food f o r t h e noonday meal.
t a v menyuam su About 10:30 A.M. ( s m a l l noon). 1. suab Voice, sound of t h e v o i c e , t o n e , n o i s e , sound.
suab soob High i n t o n e o r p i t c h , high v o i c e .
2. su To s w e l l , t o r i s e (of b r e a d , cakes, e t c . ) t o suab l a u s Low i n t o n e o r p i t c h , low v o i c e .
i n c r e a s e i n volume ( c o n t r . ' h n l o s ' ) . h a i s s e e v suab To s u s t a i n a n o t e o r t o n e i n speech o r
song.
1. sub I n t e r r o g a t i v e and completive p a r t i c l e used t o suab s a b A loud n o i s e .
e x p r e s s p r u b a b i l i t y w i t h some doubt a t t a c h e d . l a u g suab n t e v A long t o n e , s u s t a i n e d n o t e .
Yog t h i a b sub? I t h i n k t h a t ' s r i g h t , i s n ' t i t ? cov suab The t o n e s i n Hmong spoken language.
T a s k i s yuav mus sub ne? We're going tomorrow,
a r e n ' t we? 2 . suab Fern.
Muaj t h i a b sub ne? I t h i n k t h e r e a r e some, a r e n ' t n p l o o j suab Fern f r o n d s .
t h e r e ? Probably t h e r e a r e some. suab av Fern growing on t h e ground o r rock.
suab ntoo Tree f e r n .
2 . sub To p u t n e a r t h e f i r e t o d r y ( f o r a s h o r t p e r i o d , l a u g n p l o o j suab Cross s t i t c h embroidery ( f e r n
a s i n drying one's f e e t , e t c . ) (contr. 'qha') . frond p a t t e r n ) .
s u b yeeb To s o f t e n opium o v e r a flame. t s o v n p l o o j suab The b e n g a l t i g e r ( s t r i p e d l i k e
fern fronds).

3. suab Pebbles, g r a v e l .
suab puam Pebble bank, g r a v e l d e p o s i t e d by a stream.
suab zeb P e b b l e s , s m a l l s t o n e s .
t s h a v puam suab zeb A s t o n y waste l a n d .
4 . suab P r e g n a n t , having an unborn i n f a n t of s e v e r a l months 4 . swb To be d e f e a t e d ( i n b a t t l e , i n c o n t e s t , i n law
( c f . 'xeeb t u b ' ) ( c o n t r . ' t e e g ' ) . cases) (cf. ' t a i s ' ) .
N w s t s i s xav swb n e j . He d i d n ' t want t o g i v e i n
5. suab t o you.
t s e v pheeb suab A temporary s h e l t e r ( l u b ) , l e a n t o
made of l e a n i n g branches. 1. s w m To g i v e h o s p i t a l i t y t o a g u e s t .
swm s w m To g i v e h o s p i t a l i t y t o a g u e s t , t o l e t
6 . suab v i s i t o r s s l e e p i n o n e ' s house, e t c .
fajsuab Haze.

s u aj
2. s w m F a m i l i a r ( C ) .
muaj s w m neeg To have a c q u a i n t a n c e s , t o have
s u a j kaum To f i n i s h . f r i e n d s o r persons you a r e f a m i l i a r w i t h .
t x o j l u s s u a j kaum The l a s t word, f i n a l word.
swv
1. suam To s c r a p e o f f ( w i t h an implement) ( a s s c r a p i n g d r y npua swv Of p i g s d i g g i n g i n t h e ground t o f i n d
r i c e o u t of a p o t , f o r i n s t a n c e ) .
r a b suam An implement used f o r s c r a p i n g .
food, p i g s r o o t i n g ( c f . ' tshom' ) .
N w s muab pobzeb suam new t x h a i s t e s . He took a s t o n e
and scraped h i s arm.
2 . suam To c u t w i t h a s l i c i n g motion ( c f . ' h l a i s ' ) .

1. suav The Chinese.

suav tuam t s h o j The mainland Chinese, Yunnanese.
suav cev The o v e r s e a s Chinese ( a l s o used f o r Chinese
from t h e c o a s t a l p r o v i n c e s ) .
( a ) suav d a j Chinese Communists.
( b ) suav l i a b Chinese communists.
suav t h a j ( C ) (cf. ' t h a j ' ) .
2 . suav To c o u n t , t o number.
Suav s a i b muaj pes tsawg. Count and s e e how many
there are.
suav ntsoov hnub To count t h e days.
3. suav
suav kwv n t a s The c o n s t e l l a t i o n of Orion.
ta
1. s w D i s o r d e r l y , messy. puag t a J u s t now, j u s t a moment ago (sometimes
( a ) t s e v s w rawv A d i s o r d e r l y house, house i n a 'puas t a ' ) .
mess. puag t a no J u s t now, j u s t t h i s moment.
( b ) t s e v s w s w A d i s o r d e r l y house, house i n a mess. puag t a mus Went j u s t a moment ago. ( c f . 'nyuam
qhuav. ' 'puag t a t i s a l i t t l e l e s s immediate
2. sw t h a n 'nyuam q h u a v ' ) . (also cf. ' t a v ' ) .
v i j sub v i j s w (cf. ' v i j ' ) (contr. 'xywl).
1. t a b S i n g l e , odd.
1. swb To move something a l o n g a s u r f a c e a l i t t l e a t a hnub' t a b Odd day of t h e month, t h e "male day. "
(contr. ' t x o o j ' ) .
time.
ua t a b To t i e w i t h a s i n g l e rope ( c f . ' u a t x o o j ) .
2. swb To s l i p ( a s of a rope s l i p p i n g down o r along a t a b s e e b ( c f . ' s e e b ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 2 ) .
pole, e t c . )
2. tab
3. swb To s k i d along ( a s a c h i l d moving a l o n g on t h e f l o o r tabmeeg In f r o n t o f , f a c e t o f a c e , openly.
b e f o r e it can c r a w l , a s of a person pushing tabmeeg h a i s l u s To speak f a c e t o f a c e , speak openly.
himself along on a l o g w h i l e s i t t i n g down).
 304

3. t a b 12. t a b
hniav tabmeej The f r o n t t e e t h , i n c i s o r s . t u s t a b c h o j The s m a l l wooden s u p p o r t s e t
t o hold a pole a g a i n s t a l a r g e r t r e e
4. tab for felling (cf. 'choj').
t a b tom J u s t began t o do.
Kuv t a b tom h a i s l u s nws txawm k h i a v lawm. I had no tad
s o o n e r begun t o speak t h a n h e r a n o f f . c u a b t a d T.c. from 'cuabtam. ' ( c f . 'cuabtam' and

5. t a b
.
I n t r o d u c t i o n p. x x i i - x x i i i )
(a) tsuas tab..
(b) t a b yog...
. " I f only..
"If only..."
." tag T h i s word i s o f t e n h e a r d i n t h i s t o n e when s t r e s s e d
b u t s e e t h e l i s t i n g s under ' t a s . '
Tab yog y u s ua li n o yuav zoo xwb. I f o n l y one
does t h i s it w i l l be a l l r i g h t . taj L a t e b e a r i n g , slow i n b e a r i n g ( c o n t r . ' c a u j ' ) .
Tsuas t a b yog y u s ua li no yuav zoo xwb. I f only pobkws t a j L a t e c o r n .
one d o e s t h i s i t w i l l be a l l r i g h t . h n i a v t a j T e e t h t h a t come i n l a t e .
Tab yog kuv t u a g mas kuv yuav t s i s h a i s .
should d i e I wouldn't t e l l .
Even i f I h a i s l u s t a j tsawv Slow o f s p e e c h ( c f . ' n r h o ' ) .
1. tam To s h a r p e n , t o b r i n g t o a keen e d g e ( i f it i s o n l y
6. t a b a l i t t l e b i t dull) (cf. 'hov').
Tab nirnno mus.. .
From now o n . .
Tab nimno r o v lawm y a v t o d . .
the future. ..
. .
From now on and i n t o
2 . tam
tam kom n t s e To s h a r p e n .

tamsim Immediately
7. tab To c a r e f o r , t o l o o k a f t e r a p e r s o n ' s n e e d s . ( a ) u a t a m s i d . Do it immediately ( t . c . ) (cf. Intro-
( a ) t a b t s i s t a u C a n ' t c a r e f o r him, c a n ' t look .
d u c t i o n p. x x i i - x x i i i )
a f t e r him ( I n d i c a t i n g t h e p e r s o n ' s t a s t e s a r e ( b ) Ua tamsim no. Do i t i m m e d i a t e l y .
beyond my means t o s u p p l y ) (cf. 'hwj').
( b ) t a b t s i s y e e j C a n ' t c a r e f o r him, c a n ' t look 3. tam
a f t e r him ( I n d i c a t i n g t h e p e r s o n ' s t a s t e s a r e cuabtam Household u t e n s i l s ( c f . ' c u a b ' ) .
beyond my means t o s u p p l y ) ( c f . 'hwj ' ) . 4 . tam
( c ) t a b t s i s nyog C a n ' t c a r e f o r him, c a n ' t l o o k
a f t e r him ( i n d i c a t i n g t h e p e r s o n ' s t a s t e s a r e t a m f a j P r o b a b l y ( C ) ( c f . 'kwvlam' ) .
beyond my means t o s u p p l y ) ( c f . 'hwj ' ) . Tamfaj nws yuav t s i s mus. P r o b a b l y h e w o n ' t go.
Tsuav t a m f a j ua li no peb k u j t s i s t x a w j h a i s li c a s .
8. t a b S e e i n g t h a t i s p r o b a b l y t h e way i t i s we
tabkaum To h i n d e r , t o d e l a y ( C ) ( c f . ' t u a v theem' ) . cannot say anything. ( c f . ' t s u a v ' ) .
( a ) Tabkaum k o j . " I have hindered. you. " i . e . I have
i n t e r f e r e d w i t h y o u r work. I have been a b o t h e r 5. tam
t o you. l u j lam tam Poverty s t r i c k e n .
( b ) Tabkaum k o j li haujlwm. " I have h i n d e r e d you.''
i . e . I have i n t e r f e r e d w i t h y o u r work. I have 1. t a s Done, f i n i s h e d , completed (may b e used a s a v e r b by
been a b o t h e r t o you. ( c f . ' s a v tsam, ' 'khwv i t s e l f o r a s an a u x i l i a r y a f t e r a n o t h e r v e r b
koj ' 1 . t o i n d i c a t e completed a c t i o n ) .
Note: T h i s word i s o f t e n pronounced ' t a g ' when s t r e s s e d .
9. tab ua t a s Completed.
pam t a b A thin blanket ( c l f . 'daim' ) . t a s lawm F i n i s h e d .
Noj t a s lawm. Completely e a t e n , f i n i s h e d e a t i n g .
10. t a b t a s n r h o Completely ( c f . ' t a s zog' ) , i n t e n s e l y .
t a b pam The c o v e r i n g o f a q u i l t . zoo t a s n r h o Very v e r y good.
l o j t a s n r h o Huge, v e r y b i g .
11. t a b
tab tiab The lower p o r t i o n of a s k i r t ( c f . ' t i a b ' ) .
t a s zog C o m p l e t e l y , i n t e n s e l y ( c f . ' t a s n r h o ' )
qab t a s zog Very v e r y s w e e t .
.
zoo n k a u j t a s zog Very b e a u t i f u l .
 Note: Although ' t a s ' i s a verb i n i t s own r i g h t i t 3. t a v To prune, t o snap o f f t h e young t e n d r i l s s o a s t o
seems t h a t t h e e x p r e s s i o n s ' t a s n r h o ' and ' t a s produce more vigorous growth.
zog' may be c l a s s e d w i t h u n r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l
i n t e n s i f i e r s . See Appendix 8 and t h e page of 4. tav To r e s t r a i n , t o p r e v e n t , t o oppose ( c f . ' t x w v ' ) .
a d d i t i o n s a t t h e end of t h e d i c t i o n a r y . Cua t u a j t a v kev. A wind came and h i n d e r e d p r o g r e s s .
Note: The f o l l o w i n g a r e a l l e x p r e s s i o n s meaning ( a ) t a v d e j To dam up w a t e r .
f i n i s h e d o r completed: ( b ) t a u v d e j To dam up w a t e r .
t a s lawm, dawb lawm, h l e lawm, khauv lawm ( c ) xov d e j To dam up w a t e r .

tas A measure f o r r i c e o r g r a i n ( C ) . 5. t a v To d r i v e animals by u s i n g a s t i c k , e t c . t o keep

t e n ' s i a b ' e q u a l one 'tawv' them i n t h e way, e . g . d r i v i n g p i g s t o market.
t e n 'tawv' e q u a l one ' t a s '
6. tav
tas An u n r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r commonly s i a b tuam t a v Bold, courageous ( C ) .
d u p l i c a t e d when used. I t i s probably a v a r i a t i o n
7. t a v
of ' t i a g ' which i s more common ( c f . ' t i a g ' )
( a l s o c f . Appendix 8 and t h e page of a d d i t i o n s t a v ntxwv Courage, boldness ( C ) .
a t t h e end of t h e d i c t i o n a r y . )
(cf . ' s u ' ) .
( a ) zoo t a s t a s Very very good. 8. t a v
( b ) zoo t i a g t i a g Very very good. tav su Noon, noonday

tas 9. t a v ~ i b ,(of a person o r animal) ( c l f . 'tus' ) .

t a s k i s A morning, tomorrow (tomorrow morning).
t a s k i s no This morning. tai The name of t h e s p i r i t who i s supposed t o have helped
peb t a s k i s Three mornings. t h e Hmong when t h e y came from China and c r o s s e d
the sea.
tas ua npua t a i To k i l l a p i g i n s a c r i f i c e t o t h e ' T a i '
Tas t s e e b ! An e x p l e t i v e i n d i c a t i n g annoyance. s p i r i t ( a l s o ' u a nyuj dab npua t a i l ) . ( c f . ' d a b ' ) .

tas taig T.c. from ' t a i s ' (cf. ' t a i s ' ) .

tas siab Satisfied, satisfactorily.
taij To implore, t o beg o r p l e a d f o r something t o beseech
tas someone t o do something f o r one w i t h o r w i t h o u t
t a s s i a b t a s ntsws Patient. payment. ( c f . ' t h o v ' ) .
Txhob t a i j t a i j ! Stop begging me!
tas
t a s hnub t a s hmo A l l day and a l l n i g h t , a l l t h e time. 1. t a i s To f o l d , t o f o l d o v e r .

tav Side, horizontal. 2 . t a i s A cup, a b a s i n ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) .

phab t a v A p e r s o n ' s s i d e . t a i s phiab A shallow bowl, a b a s i n .
mob phab t a v My s i d e h u r t s . t a i s phiab ntxuav muag A washbasin, b a s i n i n which
t a v t o j The s i d e of a h i l l . t o wash o n e ' s f a c e .
t a b hnub North o r s o u t h ( a s d i s t i n c t from where t h e ib t a i g dej ( t .c . ) A pan o r b a s i n of w a t e r .
sun r i s e s o r s e t s ) ( c f . ' h n u b ' ) . s o t a i s To wash t h e d i s h e s .
kev t a v Path running a l o n g t h e s i d e of a h i l l .
3. t a i s To g r a s p w i t h a p l i e r s o r p i n c e r s .
tav A p e r i o d of time. Muab r a b c i a j t a i s ceev ceev. Grasp i t f i r m l y w i t h
t a v no Now. the pliers.
t x o g t a v no U n t i l now.
t a v n t ej P r e v i o u s l y , b e f o r e . 4 . t a i s To be d e f e a t e d i n a f i g h t ( c f . ' s w b ' ) .
Tav twg? When? Which p e r i o d of time? ( c f . 'thaum t a i s lawm Given i n .
twg' ) . 5. t a i s
Tav twg k u j t a u . Any time w i l l be a l l r i g h t .
puab t a i s The g r o i n .
6. t a i s 2. taub
niam t a i s (cf. 'niam'). taubhau ( l u b ) Head, t h e head.

1. t a u Used b e f o r e t h e verb a s a s i g n t h a t t h e a c t i o n 3. t a u b
has been completed o r t h a t i t has been done taub t e g Finger t i p .
before.
Kuv t s i s t a u ua. I d i d n ' t do it. 4. taub
N w s t a u ua zoo xwb. He only d i d good. taub ntseg Ear lobe.

2. t a u Used a f t e r t h e v e r b a s a s i g n of t h e p o t e n t i a l 5. t a u b
mood i n d i c a t i n g whether t h e a c t i o n i s p e r m i s s i b l e ( a ) t a u b ntswg The t i p of t h e nose.
o r n o t o r whether it i s prevented by some ( b ) t x i v t a u b ntswg The t i p of t h e nose.
hindrance (contr. ' t a u s ' ) . 6 . taub
noj tsis tau Inedible.
ua t a u May be done. t o taub (cf. ' t o ' ) .
t s i s t a u May n o t (Note: ' t s i s t a u s ' Cannot)
p a u j t a u To avenge
. 7 . taub
qeg t a u b S h o r t i n s t a t u r e .
3. t a u Combined w i t h 'yuav' and p r e c e d i n g a verb t h e neeg qeg t a u b A s h o r t person.
combination i n d i c a t e s o b l i g a t o r y a c t i o n .
yuav t a u ua Must d o , must be done. 8. t a u b
( c o n t r a s t 'yuav ua t a u ' W i l l be a b l e t o d o ) . t a u b hnee The "head" o r body of t h e crossbow.
Note: The t h r e e usages l i s t e d above and t h e d i s t i n c -
t i o n between ' t a u ' and ' t a u s ' a r e n o t easy t o 9 . taub
g r a s p . Note t h e f o l l o w i n g i l l u s t r a t i o n s : ua dab t a u b dab qhev To be t h e s l a v e s of t h e s p i r i t s .
( a ) Kuv yuav t s i s t a u . I cannot o b t a i n it. (because
of some h i n d r a n c e ) . 1. t a u g To s a g (contr. ' n r u j ' ) .
( b ) Kuv yuav t s i s y e e j . I cannot o b t a i n it. (because
of some h i n d r a n c e ) . 2. t a u g To follow a l o n g , t o f o l l o w t h e l i n e o r t h e p a t h .
( c ) KUV yuav t s i s nyog. I cannot o b t a i n it. (because t a u g kev To follow along t h e r o a d , follow t h e p a t h .
of some h i n d r a n c e ) . t a u g l a j To follow t h e r i d g e .
( a ) Kuv yuav t s i s t a u y e e j . I cannot o b t a i n it y e t . t a u g qab To follow b e h i n d , follow a n o t h e r ' s f o o t s t e p s .
(b) Kuv yuav t s i s t a u t a u . I cannot o b t a i n it y e t . t a u g ceg f a j khum To l i e , t o f a b r i c a t e t a l e s ( t o
( c ) Kuv yuav t s i s t a u nyog. I cannot o b t a i n i t y e t . follow t h e v i n e t e n d r i l s going every d i r e c t i o n ) .
Kuv t s i s t a u yuav. I h a v e n ' t o b t a i n e d i t . t a u g kev khaws taw qhuav To o b t a i n w i t h o u t l a b o r
Kuv t s i s t a u yuav t a u . I haven't obtained it y e t . o r payment ( p i c k i n g t h i n g s up along t h e p a t h ) .
Kuv yuav t s i s t a u s . I cannot o b t a i n it. (because
it i s p h y s i c a l l y i m p o s s i b l e . ) 3. t a u g Poison.
Kuv yuav t a u yuav. I must o b t a i n i t . muaj t a u g Poisonous.
kua t a u g Snake p o i s o n .
4. tau A u n i t of measurement r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e width of nab muaj t a u g A poisonous snake.
one f i s t .
4. taug
1. t a u b A gourd, a pumpkin ( l u b ) , pumpkin-like. taug xaiv To t a t t l e , g o s s i p , s p r e a d rumors.
p l h u a j t a u b ( l u b ) A gourd, empty gourd f o r c a r r y i n g
water, e t c . 5. t a u g
t a u b dag Pumpkin ( l u b ) . taug taug n t s e j Hurts t h e e a r s ( e . g . A loud n o i s e ) .
t a u b maum ( c f . ' maum' ) .
t x i v t a u b n t o o Papaya ( l u b ) ( c f . ' t x i v maum k u a b ' ) . 6. taug
t a u b nkawj ( l u b ) A wasp's n e s t . q u a j q u a j t a u g li C o n t i n u a l l y c r y i n g (of c h i l d r e n ,
t a u b twg ( l u b ) A w h i t i s h - g r e e n marrow s q u a s h , q u i t e etc.).
a large vegetable.
t a u b hwb ( l u b ) A gourd. 7 . taug
qab t s i b t a u g J u s t below t h e house on downhill s i d e .
 tauj D e s c r i p t i v e of a v a r i e t y of c o a r s e g r a s s e s ( c f . 'nyom') . 2 . t a u v To dam
t a u v de j
up, h o l d back.
To dam up w a t e r ( c f . ' t a v d e j ' ) .
hav t a u j A g r a s s y v a l l e y o r expanse.
i t a u j dub "Black" g r a s s ( a pungent t y p e of g r a s s tauv tsis t a u s Cannot h o l d back, c a n ' t h e l p i t .
f r e q u e n t l y used by Hmong a s a f l a v o r i n g p a r t i c u - tauv tsis t a u s l u b kua muag Cannot hold back t e a r s .
l a r l y when cooking c h i c k e n ) .
t a u j ntxhw Elephant g r a s s . 3 . tauv
t a u j iab "Bitter" grass. t a u v l a s t s h u j t s h u a v To avoid doing work, t o g e t
o u t of doing t h i n g s , t o l i e about i d l y .
1. taum Beans o r peas ( c l f . ' t u s ' o r ' p l u a v ' ) .
taum q a i b qua S t r i n g beans. 1. taw To p o i n t , t o i n d i c a t e .
taum l a g Long beans. taw t e s To p o i n t w i t h t h e f i n g e r .
taum p u a j yem Very long t y p e s t r i n g beans ( C ) .
taum suav S h o r t beans.
taum mog Peas.
2 . taw
kotaw The f o o t ( t u s )
n t i v taw Toe.
..
Foot, t h e f o o t ( t u s )

taum hwv Soybean curd ( C ) .

taum pauv Soybeans. n t i v taw xoo The b i g t o e .
phuas taum The c u r d s i n t h e making of bean curd. n t i v taw n t a The t h r e e middle t o e s .
kua s i taum Brown bean c u r d cakes. n t i v taw rwg qab The l i t t l e t o e .
r a u taw Toe n a i l .
2 . taum dab taws ( t . c . ) Ankle.
( a ) mob taum Smallpox. pob taws ( t .c . ) Ankle bone.
( b ) qhua taum Smallpox. l u j taws ( t . c . ) The h e e l .
cog taum To v a c c i n a t e a g a i n s t smallpox. yas taw Toe j o i n t .
x i b taws ( t . c . 1 The s o l e of t h e f o o t .
3 . taum mus n c h i a s taw Go on t i p t o e .
l u s taum Old f o l k s songs o r b a l l a d s , s t o r i e s t o l d p i a v taw t e s To dance.
i n song s t y l e ( c f . 'kwv t x h i a j ' p. 9 2 ) . plam taw Foot s l i p p e d .
ncav taw To s t a n d on o n e ' s t o e s .
1. t a u s Axe ( c l f . ' r a b ' ) . sawv taw mus To s t a r t on a journey.
Muab rab t a u s r a u kuv. Hand me t h e axe. xuab taw To d r a g t h e f e e t .
hwv t a u s Hatchet ( C ) . n t a u g taw To stamp t h e f e e t .
taw phab n t s a The f o o t of t h e w a l l , w a l l f o u n d a t i o n .
2. t a u s Used a f t e r t h e v e r b a s a s i g n of t h e p o t e n t i a l mood
i n d i c a t i n g whether t h e a c t i o n i s p h y s i c a l l y 3 . taw
possible o r not. (contr. ' t a u ' ) . taw npua Full-grown u n c a s t r a t e d b o a r .
r i s t s i s t a u s Unable t o c a r r y it.
Kuv nyob t s i s t a u s . I cannot l i v e o r remain. 4 . taw
(cannot m a i n t a i n p h y s i c a l e x i s t e n c e . ) t u s taw kev (cf. ' tuag' ) .
Kuv nyob t s i s t a u . I am n o t p e r m i t t e d t o remain.
s a i b t s i s t a u s To d e s p i s e , t o d i s r e s p e c t . 1. tawb A basket ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) (There a r e v a r i o u s kinds of
s a i b t a u s To r e s p e c t . ' t a w b ' b u t a s e p a r a t e term 'kawm' i s used f o r a
uv t a u s To b e a r w i t h , t o be p a t i e n t under provo- back-basket) .
tawb nees Basket f o r use on a h o r s e pack s a d d l e .
cation.
zam t a u s l u s U n r e s e n t f u l , a b l e t o f o r g i v e . fam tawb A needlework b a s k e t .
Note: Cf. ' t a u ' f o r f u r t h e r i l l u s t r a t i o n s of t h e use of tawb noog A b i r d c a g e .
t h e s e two s i m i l a r words. tawb cuab n t s e s A woven b a s k e t - l i k e f i s h t r a p .
tawb qhov muag Loosely woven b a s k e t f o r c a r r y i n g meat
3. taus o r for storing utensils, etc.
i b t a u s The width of one f i s t ( t . c . from ' t a u ' )
( c f . ' t a u ' d e f i n i t i o n No. 4 ) . 2 . tawb C l f . f o r a p a s s i n g of f e c e s o r manure, a p a s s i n g
o f u r i n e , o r an e j e c t i o n of s p i t t l e .
1. t a u v C l f . f o r c l o u d s and f o r c l u s t e r s of f r u i t .
t a u v huab A c l o u d . 3 . tawb
i b t a u huab One cloud ( t c . ) . dev tawb o f a dog s c r a t c h i n g h i m s e l f .
4. tawb To f o o l o r p l a y around. .
1. taws Firewood, f u e l ( c l f ' tsuam' f o r bunches) .
s i b tawb Of two persons p l a y i n g a t f i g h t i n g . t x i a v taws TO c u t firewood ( c o n t r . ' t x h i b ' ) .
tawb t a u n t s h a v To g e t h u r t i n p l a y i n g around. rauv taws To l i g h t a f i r e , add wood t o a f i r e .
cav taws A l o g o f firewood.
1. tawg Breaks open, s h a t t e r s , c r a c k s open, c r a c k s a p a r t . cub hluavtaws A f u r n a c e , l a r g e f i r e .
tawg p l e b Cracked open. hluavtaws F i r e .
tawg r h e Broken, broken a p a r t . nplaim taws Flames
tawg r h e lawm Completely broken. txim taws S p a r k s .
n t a u s kom lawv tawg To "break" them ( i n winning a n p l a i s taws Wood c h i p s .
fight or battle). n t e taws To s i t n e x t t o t h e f i r e .
tawg p a j To f l o w e r , of f l o w e r s opening.
Lub hwj tawg lawm. The b o t t l e i s broken.
i b t s u a g taws One bunch of firewood ( t. c )
t s h e b tawg (t.c.) A train (cf. ' tsheb') .
.
2 . tawg C l f . f o r s l a p s w i t h t h e hand. 2 . taws To burn, t o u s e a s f u e l .
i b tawg ncuav One s l a p on t h e f a c e . taws r o j To burn o i l .
taws t s a u To burn a t o r c h , c a r r y a b u r n i n g t o r c h .
3. tawg I n combination w i t h ' n t h o ' a two-word r e s t r i c t e d taws npoos To c a r r y a p i t c h t o r c h .
post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r . ( c f . Appendix 8 )
( c f . ' n t h o ' p. 1 9 6 ) . 3 . taws Used a s a r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r w i t h
tawj Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'nrov'
' npau ' .
npau taws To be angry ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
( c f . ' n r o v ' p. 1 7 8 ) .
4 . taws
1. tawm Out from, t o come o u t . taws t i a b (cf . 'tiab' ) .
tawm lawm Came o u t from.
tawm mus lawm Went o u t from.
Muab tawm 10s. Take ( i t ) o u t .
1. t a w Hard, tough, s t i f f ( c o n t r 'muag' )
n t o o t a w t a w Hard wood.
. .
xav t s i s tawm C a n ' t t h i n k of i t (won't come o u t i n l u b s i a b t a w tawv Hard-hearted, f i r m i n p u r p o s e .
my t h o u g h t s ). qhov muag tawv t a w Sleepy, heavy-eyed (eyes ' h a r d '
and d i f f i c u l t t o open) .
tawm plaws Suddenly came o u t .
tawm txhaws daws Of many f l e e i n g o u t a l l a t once. ceg t a w A lame l e g ( s t i f f l e g ) , lame.
yeem t a w R e l u c t a n t w i l l i n g n e s s , o f one who obeys
2 . tawm b u t only a f t e r d e a l t with severely.
tawm hws Perspiration, t o perspire.
2 . t a w Skin, l e a t h e r , b a r k ( c l f . 'daim' o r 'phob' ) .
3 . tawm Used t o e x p r e s s a remainder i n c o u n t i n g . t a w n t o o Tree b a r k .
i b puas tawm More than one hundred. ( a ) daim t a w A s h e e t o f s k i n o r l e a t h e r .
( b ) phob t a w A s h e e t o f s k i n o r l e a t h e r .
4 . tawm laws t a w To s k i n , t o s t r i p o f f t h e s k i n .
qhov n c a u j tawm Canker s o r e s , t h r u s h mouth. muab t s h u a j lom daim t a w To t a n l e a t h e r .
5 . tawm 3 . t a w A measure f o r r i c e o r g r a i n .
tawm tsam To wage war ( c f . ' t u a r o g ' ) . t e n ' s i a b ' e q u a l one ' t a w '
t e n ' t a w e q u a l one ' t a s '
6 . tawm
tawm thawj J u s t happened a t t h e e x a c t moment. 4. t a w
t a w tos Steadily.
7 . tawm C l f . f o r a l e n g t h of t h i n g s joined t o g e t h e r . nrog t a w t o s Dripped s t e a d i l y .
i b tawm t s h e b One t r a i n (whole s t r i n g of c a r s )
( a l s o l i b ntus t s h e b ' ) . 1. t e Frost.
i b tawm kev One s t r e t c h of road.
2. t e
nyob pem t e Over t h e r e i n t h e v i l l a g e (nearby)
( c f . 'pem' ) .
1. t e b ~ i e l d ,e a r t h , ground ( c l f . 'daim' ) ( c f . Appendix pob t e g ( t . c . ) The w r i s t bone.
p. 487). t a u b t e g ( t . c . ) Finger t i p .
poob pem t e b F e l l t o t h e ground. nqws t e s Mlssing one arm.
t e b npleg ( t . c . 1 Dry r i c e f i e l d ( c o n t r . ' l i a j ' ) . cev t e s TO p u t o u t t h e hand.
tebchaws Country, land, s t a t e ( l u b ) . l a u j t e s To r e t r a c t t h e hand.
ua t e b To make or t o c u l t i v a t e dry f i e l d s , t o do t s a t e s TO r a i s e t h e hand.
f i e l d work. dauv t e s To lower t h e hand t o one's s i d e .
nyob pem t e b I n t h e f i e l d s ( c f . 'pern' ) .
t e b peg Dry f i e l d s f o r farming on t h e f l a t p l a i n s . 2. t e s c l f . f o r handfuls o r f o r blows with t h e hand.
i b t e g n p l e j One sheaf of r i c e ( t . c . )
2 . teb To answer, t o r e p l y t o . n t a u s nws i b t e g H i t him once ( t . c . )
t e b t i a s . . . Replied saying ... tev To p e e l ( f r u i t , vegetables, e t c . ) (cf. 'laws'), t o
zab t e b To echo.
s t r i p o r peel off a layer.
3. t e b t e v ~30s TO p e e l onions.
ua mob t e b B i r t h pains, t o be i n labor giving b i r t h . t e v t x i v TO p e e l f r u i t .

teg T.c. from ' t e s ' (cf. ' t e s ' ) . 1. t e e A drop (of l i q u i d , e t c . )
Dej nrog i b t e e i b t e e . The water d r i p s one drop a t
1. t e j A c l a s s , a group ( c f . 'cov' ) . a time. (or 'i b tees i b tees ' ) .
( a ) t e j no These.
( b ) cov no These. 2. tee A spot, a freckle.
hlob dua t e j Greater than those or them.
1. t e e b A lamp, a l i g h t ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) .
2. tej zes t e e b To l i g h t a lamp.
( a ) lawv t e j Others, o t h e r persons, them. t e e b kublub Lamp used i n opium smoking.
( b ) luag t e j Others, o t h e r persons, them. t e e b n t u j A storm l a n t e r n .
t e e b hnab t s o g A p r e s s u r e lamp.
t e j zaug Other occasion, on t h e o t h e r hand.
t e e b xeeb Lamp wick ( C )
lub tsom t e e b Lamp g l a s s .
.
3. tej
nyob pem t e j hav zoov Over i n t h e jungle. nplaim t e e b Lamp flame.

4. t e j 2. t e e b
n t u j f a t e j lam A time of t r o u b l e and confusion khwb t e e b Woven bamboo s t o o l ( c l f . ' lub' ) .
( a s of war and famine, e t c . )
3 . teeb
tem S e n i l e , simple, f o r g e t f u l . mob s i s t e e b Small pimples exuding water.
neeg tem toob A f o r g e t f u l person, one simple-minded.
ua tem toob ua hnem hnov F o r g e t f u l and absent-minded. 4. t e e b
t x h i a j t e e b meem To speak i n r i d d l e s , a r i d d l e .
1. t e s The lower arm and hand, p e r t a i n i n g t o t h e lower arm,
t h e hand o r t h e f i n g e r s . ( c l f . ' t x h a i s ' f o r 1. t e e g
arm o r hand; ' t u s ' f o r f i n g e r ) . av zoo zoo t e e g A l e v e l p l a c e of good ground f o r use
i n planting a f i e l d .
t x h a i s t e s Lower arm, hand.
kuv t x h a i s t e s x i s My r i g h t hand ( o r arm) ( c f . ' l a u j ' ) . 2. teeg
n t i v t e s Finger.
n t i v t e s xoo Thumb. Npua t e e g menyuam. The sow is c a r r y i n g a l i t t e r .
n t i v t e s n t a The t h r e e middle f i n g e r s .
t e ej
n t i v t e s rwg qab The l i t t l e f i n g e r .
r a u t e s Finger n a i l . t e e j qa t e e j num ~ o u s e h o l du t e n s i l s ( p o e t i c ) .
yas t e s Knuckle, f i n g e r j o i n t .
dab t e g ( t . c . ) Wrist.
xib teg ( t. c . ) Palm of t h e hand.
qaum t e s Back of t h e hand.
1. teem To n a i l , t o f i x , t o s e t t l e upon ( C ) ( c f . ' n t s i a ' ) . 2. t i b Of sudden s h a r p a c t i o n .
( a ) teem c a i j TO s e t t l e on a time t o do something. k h i a v t i b plhaw Ran o f f i n a sudden f r i g h t .
( b ) teem nyoog To s e t t l e on a time t o do something. t i b qawg TO s t a r t l e .
Lawv twb teem i b l u b c a i j yuav mus. They have a l r e a d y muab t i b t e g nws H i t him a sudden blow.
s e t t l e d a time t o go.
( a ) teem txim To s u f f e r punishment f o r s i n o r crime. 3. tib To p i l e up, p i l e d one on t o p of a n o t h e r ( c o n t r . ' t i ' ) .
( b ) raug txim To s u f f e r punishment f o r s i n o r crime. s i b t i b P i l e d up.
t i b nkaus P i l e d c l o s e on t o p o f one a n o t h e r .
2 . teem
l u b teem qab koob (cf . 'koob' ) . 4. t i b
tibneeg People, a p e r s o n ( c l f . ' t u s ' ) (cf. 'neeg') .
3. teem To keep, s t o r e up, s e t a s i d e .
teem d e j To s t o r e w a t e r . 5. t i b
teem r o j To s t o r e o i l , s e t a s i d e o i l f o r u s e . t i b s i A l l , altogether (cf. 'huvsi') .
huv t i b s i A l l , a l t o g e t h e r , e v e r y t h i n g .
4 . teem Nws muab n o j t a s huv t i b s i . He a t e a l l of i t .
cuab xeeb p u j teem ( c f . 'cuab' D e f i n i t i o n No. 8 ,
p. 1 9 ) . 6. t i b
...
t i b t i a g very nearly.
5 . teem Used a s a name f o r Hmong men and boys. Yuav l u a g t a s t i b t i a g . J u s t a b o u t f i n i s h e d .
tees A t o n e change from ' t e e ' sometimes used. (cf. ' t e e ' ) . 7. t i b
( a ) pob av l u a j An a n t h i l l .
1. t e e v A b a l a n c e s c a l e ( c l f . ' r a b ' ) .
l u j t e e v To weigh i n a b a l a n c e s c a l e s .
( b ) pob av muas y i s t i b An a n t h i l l .

t e e v khaum Box f o r t h e b a l a n c e s c a l e . tid Tone change from ' t i m ' ( c f . ' t i m ' and I n t r o d u c t i o n
t h a u j t e e v The weight on t h e s c a l e s . p. x x i i - x x i i i ) .
p h a j t e e v The p l a t e on t h e s c a l e s .
t e e v t i m t s e e b Small b a l a n c e s c a l e . tig To r e v o l v e , t o t u r n around ( c f . ' t s a m ' )
t i g h l o To t u r n around, t u r n around and f a c e t h e
.
2. t e e v o t h e r way.
t e e v keem ( r a b ) A d i b b l e , s t i c k w i t h a p o i n t e d end t i g cev Turn t h e body around.
used f o r making h o l e s f o r p l a n t i n g . t i g s a i b qab To t u r n and look backward.
l u b t e e v keem The s t e e l p o i n t p u t on such a s t i c k . t i g dua s a b t o d To t u r n t h e o t h e r way.

3, teev 1. t i j Elder b r o t h e r ( c f . k i n s h i p terms ~ p p e n d i xp. 484 and 493)

k w v t i j Younger and o l d e r b r o t h e r s , b r e t h r e n ( s e e
.
t e e v dab ( c f . 'dab1 p. 2 8 ) .
f u r t h e r e x p l a n a t i o n under 'kwv' )
t i j l a u g Older b r o t h e r .
.
4. t e e v
dej teev Standing water. niam t i j Wife of an o l d e r b r o t h e r .

5. teev 2. tij
t s o v pom t e e v A leopard (tus) (cf. t s o v B) . t i j l i m Having s t r e n g t h o r e f f e c t i v e n e s s .
khawvkoob t i j l i m E f f e c t i v e magic, wonderful magic.
ti C l o s e t o , c l o s e t o g e t h e r ( c f . 'chwv') ( c o n t r . ' t i b ' )
( a ) ti n t h 0 Very c l o s e t o g e t h e r .
. 3. t i j
( b ) t i nkaus Very c l o s e t o g e t h e r . t i j yimpoob (cf. 'poob').
s i b t x u a s t i C l o s e l y connected t o g e t h e r .
ti ti phoom phoom crowded c l o s e t o g e t h e r on t o p
o f one a n o t h e r .
1. t i m Across t h e v a l l e y , o v e r t h e r e ( c o n t r . 'tom' )
Note: This word i s o f t e n h e a r d ' t i d ' s u b j e c t t o t o n e
.
change a s o u t l i n e d i n t h e I n t r o d u c t i o n p . x x i i - x x i i i .
1. t i b S i n g l e , one o n l y . nyob t i d Located a c r o s s t h e v a l l e y , over t h e r e ( t . c . )
Muaj t i b t u g xwb. There i s o n l y one. Nws mus n o j mov t i m t s e v . He went t o e a t i n h i s house
t i b t u g t u b Only one son, o n l y son. over there.
t i b qho ( t .c . ) One p l a c e . t i m ub Way o v e r t h e r e .
t i b i b lub s i a b Single-hearted.
2. t i m Agreeing, a l i k e , t h e same.
t i r n nkaus The same, a l i k e i n a l l r e s p e c t s .
1. t i s A wing ( c l f . phob' o r ' s a b ' )
phob t i s A wing.
.
muab t i m ua k e To compare. t i s noog A b i r d wing.
3. t i r n Because o f , i n d i c a t i n g t h a t t h e cause o r r e a s o n i s
attached t o t h e s u b j e c t following ( s i m i l a r t o
2. tis A f e a t h e r (from t h e wing o r t a i l o r body) ( c l f .
i b tug t i s A feather.
'tus ' ) .
'vim') (cf. 'vim').
( a ) Tim l i c a s ? Why? For what r e a s o n ? 3. t i s To name.
( b ) V i m l i c a s ? Why? For what reason? t i s npe To name, t o g i v e a name t o .
Xyov puas yog t i m kuv 10s t i m nws. I d o n ' t know i f
i t is b e c a u s e of me o r because of him. 4. t i s Used i n c e r t a i n k i n s h i p terms r e f e r r i n g t o women.
4. t i m
t i s dab h l o b ( c f . Kinship c h a r t s i n Appendix p. 496-497)
t i s dab yau ( c f . Kinship c h a r t s i n Appendix p. 496-497).
.
t i r n l u s To w i t n e s s . t i s nyab ( c f . Kinship c h a r t s i n Appendix p . 496-4971,
s i b t i m TO w i t n e s s one a g a i n s t a n o t h e r .
t i m n c a u j n t s e e s tham To speak f a c e t o f a c e . 5. t i s
t i s ntuag ( c f . 'ntuag' p. 193).
5. t i m
ua timkhawv To w i t n e s s , t o b e a r testimony. 6. t i s
( a ) t u s ua timkhawv A w i t n e s s . peb t x h e e j peb t i s G r e a t numbers, a g r e a t crowd.
( b ) t u s h a i s tirrkhawv A w i t n e s s .
7. tis
6. t i m c u a j t x h e e j c u a j t i s From t h e beginning of man's
l u b t s e v timphooj A temporary house, a f i e l d s h e l t e r . generations (C) . ( c f . ' p u a s txwv p u a j t i a m ' ) .
7. t i m 8. t i s
l u b qhov t i m t h a j A well. nrog lawv t x u a s t w t i s I d i o m a t i c e x p r e s s i o n f o r t a k i n g
8. t i m
.
a w i f e from among t h e i r c l a n ( c f ' t s h o o b ' ) .
teev timtseeb (cf . ' teev' ) . 1. t i v To oppose, t o r e s i s t , t o meet o r t o endure o p p o s i t i o n .
t i v t s e g To oppose, t o r e s i s t .
9. t i m ua t i a g t i v To r e s i s t , t o b e a r w i t h , t o b e p a t i e n t
xov muj t i r n ( c f . 'muj ' and ' r o o j ' ) . under p r o v o c a t i o n . ( c f . ' u v ' ).
Txhob ua phem rov t i v phem. Don't r e t u r n e v i l f o r e v i l .
10. t i r n t i v mob To b e a r p a i n .
timxyoob O f f i c e r s , sub-headmen, a s s i s t a n t s t o t h e t i v nag To a v o i d o r s h e l t e r from r a i n .
leader. t i v t s h a v To avoid o r s h e l t e r from s u n l i g h t .
tuam timxyoob The head a s s i s t a n t . YUS yuav t i v yus li nqe txim. One must b e a r h i s
cov timxyoob saum n t u j "The h e a v e n l y a s s i s t a n t s H penalty f o r s i n .
( a term used f o r a n g e l s . )
2. t i v
11. t i r n t i v yam li Like, same a s ( c f . l i b yam l i ' ) .
cov t i m tswv O f f i c i a l s (C) .
3. t i v
12. t i r n
( a ) thob f a b The f o u n d a t i o n beams of a house ( c f .
cuabtiv ( c f . 'cuab' ) .
'tsev'). 4. t i v
( b ) t i r n cum The f o u n d a t i o n beams of a house ( c f .
'tsev' ) . lub t i v qab koob ~ h i m b l e( c f . ' k o o b ' ) .
5. t i v
13. t i r n t i v txwv The bottom of (C).
thwjtim Learner, d i s c i p l e . t i v txwv h i a v txwv The bottom of t h e s e a ( C ) .
tiab S k i r t ( c l f . 'daim'). 2. tiam
n r e t i a b To p l e a t a s k i r t . t i a m s i s ~ u t ,however (sometimes t h i s i s h e a r d pro-
t a b t i a b The lower p o r t i o n of a s k i r t . nounced ' t i b s i s ' e s p e c i a l l y i n L a o s ) .
taws t i a b The lower b o r d e r o f a s k i r t . Kuv xav mus t i a m s i s t s i s muaj n y i a j . I would l i k e t o
go b u t haven' t t h e money.
1. t i a g R e a l l y , t r u l y , conforming t o f a c t .
This word i s used a s a f i n a l emphatic p a r t i c l e and a l s o 1. t i a s R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r used a f t e r v e r b s
t o modify t h e v e r y which p r e c e d e s it. I n f i n a l i n v o l v i n g speech, sound, o r thought. ( c f .
p o s i t i o n it i s o f t e n d u p l i c a t e d f o r emphasis. Appendix 8 ) .
used i n t h i s way it i s sometimes h e a r d pro-
nounced ' t a s . '
hais tias... S a i d , spoke s a y i n g ...
KUV xav t i a s . . . I think t h a t . . .
( a ) Zoo t i a g t i a g : E x c e l l e n t : Fine!
( b ) Zoo t a s t a s : E x c e l l e n t ! F i n e :
piav t i a s
nug t i a s . .
...
. Explained t h a t . . .
Asked t h a t . . .
Xyov puas h a i s t i a g 10s h a i s dag. I d o n ' t know i f
h e spoke t h e t r u t h o r way l y i n g .
teb tias. .. Answered t h a t . . .
nco t i a s . . . Remembered t h a t . . .
Yuav l u a g t a g t i b t i a g . Almost f i n i s h e d . ( c f .
'tib') . ntshai tias.. . Feared t h a t . . .
And s i m i l a r l y used w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g v e r b s :
Tiag! Right: T h a t ' s it! True: ( a l s o "Yog t i a g ! ' ) . paub YO9 ntxhi nloog
qW xam h awv c em
2. t i a g A pad o r cushion, t o pad o r t o cushion, t o l a y a n txub hu qua] hnov
base f o r . Yw s
t i a g duav A pad worn a t t h e w a i s t i n t h e back t o Nose: The e x p r e s s i o n ' h a i s t i a s ' i s used t o i n t r o d u c e
s e r v e a s a r e s t when c a r r y i n g a w a t e r b u c k e t . q u o t a t i o n s . Sometimes it i s s h o r t e n e d s o t h a t
l u b r o o j t i a g taw A f o o t s t o o l . ' t i a s ' i s used a l o n e a f t e r t h e s u b j e c t w i t h o u t
an i n t e r v e n i n g v e r b . I n t h i s c a s e " t i a s ' may
3. t i a g b e understood a s i n c l u d i n g t h e meaning of t h e
ua t i a g t i v (cf. 'tiv') . v e r b ' h a i s ' ( t o speak) Thus.
( a ) Nws t i a s . .. He s a i d . .. ..
4. tiag
t i a g npab t i a g t e s To h i t on t h e hands and arms.
( b ) Nws h a i s t i a s . .
Note a l s o :
. He s a i d . . .
(a) t i a s uas. .. That i s t o s a y . ..
5. t i a g ( b ) yog t i a s . . . That i s t o s a y . . .
t i a g ncauj To c u r s e , t o s c o l d .

6. t i a g
2. tias A b i r t h m a r k on t h e f a c e (lub) ( c f . ' c o s ' ) .
l u b t i a g l u b dawg Level p l a c e s and gaps i n a
mountain r i d g e ( c f . ' t i a j ' ) . 1. t i a v F i n i s h e d , s i g n of completed a c t i o n . ( c f . ' t a s ' )
ua t i a v To f i n i s h .
.
Note: Here ' t i a g ' may be regarded a s a t o n e change Yuav ua t i a v huv huv li. I t must b e completely done.
from ' t i a j ' b u t i f s o it i s a d i f f e r e n t p a t t e r n (You) must f i n i s h it.
of change t h a n . o t h e r w i s e observed. (cf.
Appendix 1) . 2. t i a v TO come of age, come t o a mature s t a g e of growth.
t i a v h l u a s TO a t t a i n young manhood.
tiaj Even, l e v e l , smooth, a l e v e l p l a c e . t i a v nkauj TO a t t a i n young womanhood.
t i a j l i a s Level. Zaub n t s u a b twb t i a v hauv lawm. The v e g e t a b l e g r e e n s
t i a j t i a j t u s t u s F l a t and smooth. have formed clumps ready f o r p i c k i n g .
pw ntxeev t i a j To l i e f l a t on o n e ' s back.
1. t o Having a h o l e , t o b e p i e r c e d w i t h a h o l e . ( c o n t r .
1. t i a m A generation, a g e n e r a t i o n of p e r s o n s who have thov').
died. Lub hnab t o qhov. The sack h a s a h o l e i n it.
ob peb tiam neeg S e v e r a l g e n e r a t i o n s of p e o p l e . t o n t s h u a Having a b i g h o l e .
puas txwv p u a j tiam (C) From t h e b e g i n n i n g of man's Lawv t s o o phab n t s a t o n t s h u a . They made a b i g h o l e
generations ( c f . 'cuaj ' ) . i n the wall.
2. to Having a way through, "opened" t o a c t i o n . 5 , tog
t o kev ua Legitimate, a l l r i g h t t o do, p e r m i s s i b l e . txog t o g To t h e half-way p o i n t .
t s i s t o kev ua Not p e r m i t t e d , cannot do, n o t open Nws n o j t s o g t o g xwb. He o n l y a t e half-way through
t o do, u n l a w f u l . (the feast).
3. t o Penetrating t o t h e understanding. 6 . tog More t h a n .
t o t a u b To understand (same a s 'nkag s i a b ' ) . ob d a i g t o g More t h a n two b a r s ( o f s i l v e r , e t c . )
t o s i a b ntshua To u n d e r s t a n d .
t s i s t o n t s e j C a n ' t understand ( d o e s n ' t p e n e t r a t e 7. t o g
my e a r ). ua i b t o g cem A l l ganged t o g e t h e r t o c u r s e ( h i m ) .

4. t o 8 , tog
ntsiag t o S i l e n t , s t i l l , i n e f f e c t i v e ( o f drugs, e t c . ) s i b tog (t.c.1 (cf. 'tom').
1. t o b Deep. 9 . tog
l u b n i a g qhov t o b t o b A huge deep h o l e . n t o s i b t o g t u a j To weave one r o l l of c l o t h ( c f .
.
qhov t o b Depth ( c f ' qhov' ) . ' t o g ' d e f i n i t i o n No. 4 ) .
( a ) Qhov t o b yog li c a s ? How deep i s i t ?
( b ) Tob li c a s ? How deep i s i t ? toj Hill, incline (contr. 'roob' ) .
nce t o j To climb a h i l l , go u p h i l l .
2 . tob "Knife" a s pronounced i n Chinese ( C ) . toj kawg Bottom of a h i l l .
yeeb t o b An opium k n i f e , k n i f e used i n p r e p a r i n g tav t o j To go along t h e s i d e of a h i l l .
opium. toj pob L a n d s l i d e .
toj s i a b High h i l l .
3. tob mem t o j A crack i n t h e h i l l s i d e , a vein i n t h e rock.
t x i v t o b The l a r g e a c o r n - l i k e s e e d used by Hmong
c h i l d r e n t o make s p i n n i n g t o p s . 1. tom To b i t e , t o s t i n g ( o f animal and human b i t e s and
s t i n g s from v e g e t a t i o n b u t n o t o f i n s e c t s t i n g s )
4 . tob (cf. 'plev' ) .
l u b k i v t o b The s m a l l s p i n n i n g t o p w i t h bamboo s h a f t dev tom The dog b i t e s , dog b i t e .
used a s a p l a y t h i n g by Hmong boys. dev s i b t o g The dogs a r e f i g h t i n g ( t . c . 1 ( t h e term
' s i b t o g ' i s commonly used o f animals f i g h t i n g s i n c e
tod T.c. from 'tom' ( c f . Appendix 1) . t h e y do s o by b i t i n g one a n o t h e r ) .
Ob yam t s h u a j s i b t o g . The two k i n d s of medicine
1. t o g To s i n k .
( a ) nko j t o g The b o a t s a n k .
.
don ' t a g r e e w i t h each o t h e r ( c f ' t s i s s i b hum' ) .
tom h n i a v qawv B i t i n g and gnashing o f t e e t h .
( b ) nkoj dua hauv d e j lawm The b o a t sank.

2 . tog A low s t o o l , a block, a chopping b l o c k ( l u b ) . 2 . tom There ( n e a r b y ) , a t e r m o f l o c a t i o n ( c o n t r . ' t i m ' ) .

Note: T h i s word i s o f t e n h e a r d ' t o d ' s u b j e c t t o t h e t o n e
l u b t o g r a u ncoo A b l o c k used a s a p i l l o w . changes o u t l i n e d i n t h e I n t r o d u c t i o n p . x x i i - x x i i i .
l u b t o g t s u a v zaub npua Chopping-block for cutting nyob t o d Over t h e r e .
up p i g f o o d . nyob tom ub Way over t h e r e .
s a b tom no Here, t h i s s i d e .
3 . tog Used t o i n d i c a t e d e n s i t y , heavy i n p r o p o r t i o n t o s a b tom ub Way over on t h a t s i d e .
b u l k , e . g . of m e t a l s t h a t w i l l n o t f l o a t tom t e b In t h e f i e l d s .
( c f . ' t o g ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 1) . tom qab Behind, a f t e r w a r d .
hnyav t o g Heavy i n p r o p o r t i o n t o b u l k ( c f . ' h n y a v ' ) tom n t e j Before, ahead.
( c f . 'hnyav q e s ' ) ( c o n t r . ' y a ' ) . tom thawj Through t o t h e end, a l l t h e way t h r o u g h .
Yuav ua tom t h a w j . You ought t o c a r r y it t h r o u g h .
4 . tog A "side" in a conflict, e t c . , a t the side, a t the
place. 3 . tom C l f . f o r a time, a round o r a t u r n , a s e c t i o n of
nyob t o g t s e v A t t h e s i d e of t h e house. r o a d t r a v e l l e d , a pounding o f r i c e , e t c .
tom tog hau knoj A t t h e bow of t h e b o a t . 100s dua i b tom Do it over a g a i n , f i x i t a g a i n .
Nws t u a j peb t o g . He i s on our s i d e .
i b t o g nthuav i b t o g kauv To open one r o l l and r o l l
up t h e o t h e r ( a s i n opening a s c r o l l ) .
4. tom toog
tom siab ua To do earnestly (cf. 'siab'). ua yog toog TO have a vision (contr. 'npau suav') .
yog toog A vision.
5. tom
tab tom To initiate, to begin (cf. ' samsim') . 1. tooj Copper, brass, metal containing copper.
tab tom ua Just began to do. tooj liab Copper.
tooj daj Brass.
6. tom tooj dawb Nickel, chromium.
siv tom txwv (cf. 'siv' Definition No. 3). xov tooj Copper wire (also commonly used to refer
to wire in general or to a metal spring) (clf.
7. tom 'txoj').
sib tom txheeb (cf. ' txheeb') . tooj npab A bracelet (lub) .
8. tom The following are terms used in playing with 2. tooj To pull hand over hand.
spinning tops. tooj mus To pull one's self along by a fixed rope.
kaim tom The first top stands spinning. tooj xov To reel in thread hand over hand.
tsis tom The first top falls.
1. toom
1. tos To wait for, to wait. cuabyeej toomtxeem .
Household goods (cf ' cuab' ) .
tos ntsoov To wait.
tos quj qees To continue to wait (not knowing the 2. toom
time is past). ceebtoom To warn (cf. 'ceeb') .
Tsis txhob r a m tos kuv. Don't wait for me.
3. toom
2. tos To meet someone, to go to meet someone (wait for them). toom zaub toom mov To mix up vegetables and rice in
Nws mus tos nws txiv 10s tsev. tie went to meet his disorder (as when a child stirs up the food
father coming home. unnecessarily when eating from a common dish).
3. tos Used at the beginning of sentences to refer to the
cause or the reason why.
1. toov To deceive, to lead astray (cf. 'haub') .
Leej twg haub toov koj? Who has led you astray?
Tos peb tsis pom nws yog vim li cas? What is the
reason we cannot see him? 2. toov
4. tos
ntoo toov laj (cf. 'ntoo') .
(a) kem tos Probably, it is most likely that. 1. tu To part, to break apart (as of a rope or thread or
(b) kem tos li Probably, it is most likely that. things that come in lengths).
Kem tos nws ntshai heev nws thiaj tsis kam. Probably tu nrho l a m Tore apart.
because he is very afraid he won't do it. tu siab To be offended.
tu siab nrho Highly offended, severed relations.
tov To mix water into something else, to add water.
Tov dej rau Mix some water into it. (contr. 'xyaw'). 2. tu Of a flow stopping or being cut off.
ntshav tu l a m Has stopped bleeding.
too (a) txoj siav tu l a m Has died, life cut off.
nplej too (cf. 'nplej' p. 165-6). (b) tu siav nrho Has died, life cut off.
1. toob Old and feeble-minded, senile (cf ' tem').
neeg tern toob Senile, forgetful, simple-minded.
. Kuv lub siab tu ib tw zawj qas zog. My heart skipped
a beat.
3. tu To settle, to fix (cf. 'kiav').
2. toob tu plaub To settle judgment, to make amiable settle-
zeb toob txuab A soft crumbly kind of rock. ment of a case of dispute (cf. 'plaub') .
3. toob
toobxib Goods, articles, things (C).
4. tu To look a f t e r , t o c a r e f o r , t o p r e p a r e . 1. t u s C l a s s i f i e r f o r p e r s o n s and l i v i n g t h i n g s , a l s o c l f .
t u koom To pack up goods, t o p r e p a r e f o r t r a v e l . f o r long s l e n d e r t h i n g s l i k e t r e e s , p e n c i l s ,
t u cov menyuam To c a r e f o r t h e c h i l d r e n ( c f . pens, e t c .
' t u ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 5 ) . Note: This c l f . i s o f t e n found a s ' t u g ' s u b j e c t t o t h e
t u t s i a j txhu To look a f t e r t h e a n i m a l s . t o n e changes o u t l i n e d i n t h e Appendix 1.
i b t u g One ( a r t i c l e o r p e r s o n ) ( t. c . )
5. tu kuv t u s t u b My s o n .
( a ) t u menyuam To g i v e b i r t h ( c f . ' y u g ' ) . Tus twg. Who? ( a l s o 'Lee j twg?' ) .
( b ) t u t u b To g i v e b i r t h ( c f . ' yug ' ) . t u s u a s The one which, whom.
Tu t u b l a m t s i s t a u ? Have you had your baby y e t ?
( c f . 'daws c e v ' ) . 2. tus Even, l e v e l , p e a c e f u l , s t i l l .
t i a j t i a j tus tus Perfectly level.
6. tu lub s i a b t u s t u s A h e a r t a t peace.
t u moo To make an end of i t , t o do i t once only and t u s yees S t i l l , a t peace, a t r e s t .
t h e n no more, c e a s e r e p o r t s o f i t . nyob l u b s i a b t u s y e e s With a h e a r t a t peace,
t u zam ( c f . ' t u a g ' ) . s e t t l e d and q u i e t a t t e n d i n g t o o n e ' s own b u s i n e s s .
Nws li hlwb t u s t u s . He h a s a good b r a i n .
1. t u b Son ( c l f . ' t u s ' ) .
t i b t u g t u b Only son ( t . c . ) tuv
t u b k i Sons and d a u g h t e r s , c h i l d r e n . .
t u v l i a b Body l i c e ( t u s ) ( c o n t r ' n t s h a u v ' ) .
t s e g tub tseg k i Bereft of children. t u v dub Bedbug ( t u s ) .
pojniam t u b s o Wife and c h i l d r e n . ua t u v t x i a s tom c a j qwb A s a bedbug b i t e s t h e back
of my neck w i t h o u t my s e e i n g i t . ( i d i o m a t i c
2 . tub J o i n e d w i t h v a r i o u s words f o l l o w i n g t o i n d i c a t e one e x p r e s s i o n f o r " t a l k i n g about me behind my back')
who i s engaged i n t h e d e s i g n a t e d a c t i o n ( c l f .
'tus'). 1. t u a To k i l l ( c o n t r . ' t u a g ' ) .
t u b t x i b A messenger, one s e n t . t u a npua To k i l l a p i g .
t u b qhe A s l a v e , a s e r v a n t ( t. c . ) . t u a t i b n e e g To murder, t o k i l l a p e r s o n .
t u b sab A t h i e f .
t u b luam A merchant, a t r a d e r . 2 . tua To f i r e a gun o r a weapon.
tub rog A s o l d i e r . t u a phom To f i r e a gun.
t u b dua kev A t r a v e l l e r , a s t r a n g e r , passer-by. t u a hneev To f i r e a crossbow.
( a ) cov t u b t x i b t u b qhe Messengers, s e r v a n t s . t u a r o g To engage i n w a r f a r e , t o war ( c f . ' r o g ' ) .
( b ) cov t u b t x i b t u b t x u a s Messengers, s e r v a n t s .
t u b n t s u a g Orphan. 1. t u a b Thick ( a s of books, boards, e t c . )

3 . tub To d i p something i n t o l i q u i d . 2 . tuab

t u b kua zaub To d i p (something) i n t o t h e v e g e t a b l e s i a b tuab tuab A courageous h e a r t , courage.
broth o r gravy.
3 . tuab
4 . tub neeg t u a b Of a woman who e a s i l y becomes p r e g n a n t .
t u b nkeeg Lazy, l i s t l e s s ( t . c . )
ua dab t u b nkeeg To have m a l a r i a (cf. 'nkees') (t.c.)
Tua kom t u a g . K i l l i t .
.
1. t u a g To d i e , p e r t a i n i n g t o d e a t h ( c o n t r ' t u a ' ) .
1. t u g A part, a portion. t u a g l a m Died.
kuv li t u g My p a r t (having been d i v i d e d w i t h me.) t x o j kev t u a g Death.
v i j t u a g A s good a s d e a d .
2 . tug T.c. from ' t u s ' (cf. 'tus') qhov t u a g Death, t h e g r a v e .
txhaws qhov t u a g t h e e j t x h o j To d i e f o r a n o t h e r , t o
t uj take a n o t h e r ' s place i n death.
t uj lub (lub) A wooden s p i n n i n g t o p (cf . ' lub' ) . t u a g n t h i R e a l l y dead, f i n a l i z e d , s e t t l e d .
n t e e s t u a g ( l u b ) Funeral r i t e s , t h e time when a l l
tum To p i l e up i n one s t r a i g h t p i l e . a r e gathered together a t a funeral. ( c f . ' n t e e s
tum ua i b ke P i l e d up t o g e t h e r , t o p i l e . p l o j ntees t u a g ' ) .
 ( a ) hnub ua qhua txws The day o f p r e p a r a t i o n f o r t h e 2 . tuag Used t o i n d i c a t e p a r a l y s i s o r l o s s of m o b i l i t y and
dead, t h e day before t h e b u r i a l . function.
tuag t e s tuag taw P a r a l y s i s ( i n a b i l i t y t o use hands
or f e e t ) .
hnub tshwm tshav The day of b u r i a l .
Terms Relating t o Funeral R i t e s : 3 . tuag A r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r with ' n t h i '
h a i s z a j qhuab ke ( t . c . 1 The song sung a t death t o s i a b tuag n t h i To be w e l l s a t i s f i e d with ( c f . ' s i a b ' )
open t h e way f o r t h e deceased t o t r a v e l on h i s h a i s tuag n t h i Finished d i s c u s s i n g , s e t t l e d .
way. (sung before t h e playing of t h e p i p e s ) .
( a ) t u s qhuab ke The one who s i n g s t h e song a s above. 4 . tuag
( b ) t u s taw kev The one who s i n g s t h e song a s above. tuag n t x h a i Of f l e s h t h a t has softened and become
t u zam To wash and c l o t h e t h e body of t h e deceased. whitened by being i n t h e water a g r e a t d e a l .
tshov q e e j t u s i a v To play t h e d i r g e on t h e Hmong neeg tuag ntxhai Albino, without pigmentation ( a
musical p i p e s s i g n i f y i n g t h a t l i f e has been c u t person without normal s k i n c o l o r ) .
o f f and ceased.
tshov q e e j t s a nees To p l a y t h e Hmong musical pipes 5 . tuag
when t h e deceased i s r a i s e d on a s t r e t c h e r dab tuag li Shoddy, poorly ( c f . ' d a b ' ) .
between two p o l e s and placed a g a i n s t t h e w a l l
on t h e u p h i l l s i d e of t h e house f o r t h e r e s t 1. t u a j To come ( t o a p l a c e o t h e r than o n e ' s home, t o come
of t h e f u n e r a l ceremonies. t o a place where one does n o t r e s i d e o r belong)
cov ua hauv qhua Those r e l a t i v e s who b r i n g r i c e , .
(contr ' 10s' ) .
paper money, e t c . a s g i f t s on t h e day before Koj t u a j lawm. You have come. (you have a r r i v e d . )
.
t h e b u r i a l ( c f 'qhua' and 'hnub ua qhua txws ' )
Terms f o r Those Helping i n Funeral R i t e s :
. ( t h i s i s t h e common g r e e t i n g t o a f r i e n d o r
v i s i t o r e n t e r i n g a home).
cov nquam qauv The p a l l b e a r e r s . t u a j quj qees Kept slowly coming.
t u s t x i v q e e j The man who p l a y s t h e p i p e s .
t u s t x i v nruas The man who b e a t s t h e drum. 2 . tuaj To bear, t o put f o r t h ( a s of horns, h a i r , feathers,
t u s kav xwm The man i n charge of ceremonies. a tail, etc.)
t u s tshwj kab The man i n charge of preparing t h e Nyuj t u a j kub. Cows have h o r n s .
meat and vegetables f o r t h e f e a s t . Noog t u a j plaub. Birds have f e a t h e r s .
t u s t s h a j thawj The man who c u t s t h e firewood.
t u s s i v thawj The man who c a r r i e s w a t e r . 3. tuaj To sprout, t o come up out of t h e ground (of t h i n g s
t u s cuab t s a v The man i n charge of o f f e r i n g food and planted) .
o f f e r i n g s t o t h e deceased.
( a ) t u s t s a rog The man who by himself o r leading a 4. tuaj
group c i r c l e s t h e house i n mock b a t t l e . Some- t u a j dab r o s Funny, t o laugh.
times he c a r r i e s t h e pipes or a crossbow or gun. l u s t u a j dab r o s A joke, a funny saying.
( b ) t u s hau rog The man who by himself o r leading a
group c i r c l e s t h e house i n mock b a t t l e . Some- 5. tuaj
times he c a r r i e s t h e pipes or a crossbow or gun. mob t u a j leeg Of a s k i n i n f e c t i o n spreading.
t u s t s a v phom One who shoots t h e gun i n mock b a t t l e
with t h e s p i r i t s . 1. tuam To k i c k backward with t h e f o o t .
t u s t x i v t x i a g The man who c u t s boards f o r t h e nees tuam The horse k i c k s .
coffin. Nees tuam neeg. The horse kicked a person.
t u s niam £am txam The woman i n charge of making
t h e r i c e (sometimes 'niam £am tsam' or 'txam 2 . tuam To b u i l d a s t r u c t u r e between two p o i n t s , t o e r e c t .
famu) . tuam choj To b u i l d a b r i d g e .
( a ) t u s niam hauv paus cos The woman i n charge of tuam c i a v d e j To e r e c t a water l i n e of bamboo l e n g t h s .
grinding corn and pounding r i c e .
( b ) t u s niam d i a j zeb tuav cos The woman i n charge 3 . tuam
of grinding corn and pounding r i c e . tuam txhob ( r a b ) A digging implement f o r making h o l e s
for posts, e t c .

4 . tuam
s i a b tuam t a v Courageous, b o l d .
5. tuam 1. tw Tail, tail region, pertaining to the end (cf. ' tsw') .
siab tuam yim Reckless, careless of danger. tus tw The tail.
Txhob tuam yim. Don't boast as if you know it all, kotw (tus) Tail, the tail.
Don't be rash. tuaj kotw Has a tail.
nyob tom tw At the end.
6. tuam caj tw The buttocks.
moj tuam Braids, hair braids. khiab tw (cf. 'khiab' and 'nees') .
tw siv (cf. 'siv' p. 295).
7. tuam The Hmong pronunciation of the Chinese word for tw roob The foot of the mountain.
' large' or 'great' or 'chief' and therefore tw yaj pobkws Corn tassels.
found in a number of expressions including
these ideas. 2. tw Clf. for gusts of wind (also 'nthw').
10s tuam The eldest child.
lus tuam mom Arrogant or threatening language. 3. tw
tuam cuab All people (C) . riam tw A blunt ended knife (cf . ' riam') .
tuam timxyoob Chief assistant (cf. 'timxyoob')
lus tuam huam Very proud language, haughty speech.
. 4. tw
tuam tshawjchim A great enemy. tw puam (cf. ' puam' and ' tsev ' ) .
10s nag tuam tsam A heavy rain.
tuam tshoj China. 5. tw The second-best, that left over or left to the end.
cov tw c a w The left over whisky, second-best whisky.
8. tuam
tuamham (tus) Soldier (T) . 1. twb Pre-verbal particle drawing attention to the state
of affairs at the time. "indeed," "even,"
1. tuav To grasp, to hold with the hand. "really."
tuav tes To hold the hand. Kuv twb tsis paub. I really don't know.
tuav tes r a w To hold hands firmly. Kuv twb tsis tau hnov. I didn't even hear of it.
Kuv twb muaj. I already have some.
2. tuav To beat or to pound out, especially to pound in Thaum ntawd nws twb tsis tau mus ib zaug. At that
the common footmill for hulling rice or grain time he hadn't even gone once.
.
(cf 'cos') . 2. twb
tuav cos To work the footmill.
tuav txhuv To pound rice in the footmill. ua twb zoo Be careful, take care.
tuav ncuav To pound cooked rice to make it into Ua twb zoo saib. Look carefully.
consistency for rice cakes.
3. twb
3. tuav twb cwjmem To lower the pen to write.
hu tuav npe To call by name.
tuav npe txog ntawm kwj tse No sooner said his 4. twb
name than he appeared. ua twb cuab To live together as a single large family.
5. twb
4. tuav
tuav theem To delay (cf. ' tabkaum') . twb nkaus To connect (as in a switch, etc.) (contr
'nrug') .
.
5. tuav
txoj siav tuav sem To lose life, to perish. 1. twg Which? Who?
Leej twg? Tus twg? Who?
6. tuav Qhov twg? Where?
ua tuav tseev To investigate, to inquire into Hnub twg? Which day?
(cf. 'seev'). Thaum twg? When?
Ua thaj puav neeb ua tuav tseev. Hold a session or (a) Mus qhov twg lawm? Where (has he) gone?
two of spirit worship to investigate (what (b) Dua twg l a m ? Where (has he) gone?
the trouble is).
2 . twg 4. tws
t a u b twg (cf. 'taub'). ( a ) Txhob tws k o j roob q h i b . I d i o m a t i c e x p r e s s i o n
meaning "Don't make t r o u b l e f o r t h o s e who a r e
3 . twg T.c. from 'twin' ( c f ' twin'). c l o s e t o you. " ( l i t . "Don't s k i n your own
shinbone. " )
1. t w j ( b ) Txhob t w s yus cov. I d i o m a t i c e x p r e s s i o n meaning
twjywm Q u i e t . "Don't make t r o u b l e f o r t h o s e who a r e c l o s e t o
Nyob twjywm! Be q u i e t ! (cf . ' tswm s e e b ' ) . you. " ( l i t . "Don't s k i n o r hew your own g r o u p n )

2 . twj 1. twv To d e f y , t o t a u n t , t o guess, t o compete.

t w j kum ( t u s ) A rhinocerous . Twv s a i b Guess and s e e .
twv t x i a j To gamble, t o wager.
3. twj twv tsawm ( c f . 'tsawm') .
twjsiv A utensil, a r t i c l e o f household u s e
2 . tw C l f . f o r clouds ( a l s o ' t a u v ' ) .
1. t w m Water b u f f a l o ( c l f . ' t u s ' ) . twv huab ntawd That c l o u d .
kub twg ( t . c . ) B u f f a l o h o r n . i b t w huab One cloud ( t c ) . .
dav n o j t w m ( t u s ) A buzzard ( c f . ' d a v ' ) .

2 . twm S i n g l e , lone, a l o n e .
3 . twv .
Large waves, s w e l l s i n t h e ocean ( c o n t r ' n t a s ' )
Dej nphau nphwv t e j n i a g twv. The w a t e r r o l l e d i n
.
twm tswb S i n g l e w i l d b o a r which keeps t o i t s e l f . g r e a t waves.
t w m nyuj S i n g l e w i l d ox which keeps t o i t s e l f .
t w m q a i b A l o n e chicken, o n l y one h a t c h e d i n a brood.
t w m z e e j Only one person, s i n g l e person ( C ) .
i b l u b t w m qhov muag One-eyed, m i s s i n g one e y e .

3. twm
t w m xeeb I m p a t i e n t , u n r e s t r a i n e d temper.
h a i s l u s t w m xeeb I m p a t i e n t speaking, t o speak b e f o r e
another i s f i n i s h e d .

4 . twm
nas hoo t w m (cf. 'nas' p. 136).

1. t w s To c a r v e , t o hew.
t w s n t o o To hew a l o g smooth w i t h an axe o r k n i f e .
t w s t x i a g To smooth a board w i t h axe o r k n i f e , e t c .

2. tws S h o r t , coming s h o r t o f ( e . g . one l i n e o f w r i t i n g

s h o r t e r than another) .
t w s tshwv S h o r t , never q u i t e r e a c h e s , never q u i t e
right.

3. t w s To come t o an end, t h e end ( c f . ' tw' ) .

kev t w s End o f t h e road, road e n d s .
l u s t w s C l o s i n g words, ending words.
yivtws A p i g t a i l ( l u b ) .
( a ) t w s kev D o n ' t know what t o t h i n k o r where t o
turn.
( b ) xav t w s Don't know what t o t h i n k o r where t o
turn.
 . thaib The Thai people ( T ) .
t h a i b ntsuab A Thai s o l d i e r .
1. thab To b o a s t .
1. t h a i s To notch, t o c u t an i n d e n t a t i o n i n wood or bamboo.
2 . thab To make t r o u b l e o r misfortune f o r another. t h a i s n c e j To c u t a notch i n t h e t o p of a p o s t t o
thab plaub To r a i s e a d i s p u t e o r case a t law. hold a c r o s s beam upon i t .
Lawv t u a j thab yus They come and make t r o u b l e f o r one.
2 . thais
3 . thab To t r y t o f o r c e a g i f t on someone. t h a i s plab To purge t h e bowels ( c f . ' p l a b ' ) .
4 . thab To pound metal t o i n c r e a s e i t s width. 3 . thais
txiv thais liab A l a r g e male monkey (cf . ' liab' ) .
5 . thab To beg, t o e n t r e a t f o r h e l p ( n o t commonly used)
(cf. ' t a i j ' ) . 4. thais
t h a i s sab Varicolored s t r i p s of m a t e r i a l around t h e
6 . thab edge of a man's jacket.
phim thabntxwv (cf . ' phim' ) .
5 . thais
7 . thab t h a i s huj (T) To t a k e a photo ( c f . 'yuam t i b n e e g ' ) .
thab x i b nyub ( l u b ) An amplifier (T) .
1. t h a i v To s h e l t e r , t o stand between t o s h e l t e r from a t t a c k ,
1. t h a j C l f . f o r s e s s i o n s of s p i r i t worship ( c f . 'neeb' )
ua i b t h a j neeb Do one s e s s i o n of s p i r i t worship.
. t o p r o t e c t , t o come between and obscure t h e v i s i o n .
2 . t h a i v An a n v i l .
2. thaj thaiv ntaus hlau (lub) An a n v i l f o r forging m e t a l .
t h a j neeb The s p i r i t s h e l f (cf . 'neeb ' ) .
3 . thaiv
3. thaj C l f . f o r a patch o r a grove of v e g e t a t i o n o r f o r ua t i a g t h a i v To bear with, t o be p a t i e n t under
a field. t r i a l o r provocation.

4 . tha j Sugar ( C ) . thau To withdraw something, t o p u l l something o u t o f .

Muab thau 10s. P u l l it o u t .
suav t h a j Brown sugar syrup.
piam t h a j White sugar ( C ) . Nws rov qab thau nws l o l u s . He took back h i s word.
He went back on h i s promise.
5. t h a j
k w v t i j t h a j kub Distant r e l a t i v e s . 1. thaub
thaub qab To go backward (of a v e h i c l e , e t c . )
6. tha j
thim t h a j To draw back, go p a r t way and t u r n back. 2 . thaub
thaub ncho To walk backward, t o go backward.
tham To c h a t , t o converse.
s i b tham To c h a t t o g e t h e r . thaud (cf . ' thaum' and notes on tone v a r i a t i o n i n t h e
Nej tham d a b t s i ? What a r e you t a l k i n g about t o g e t h e r ?
tham pem To c h a t t o g e t h e r about v a r i o u s s u b j e c t s .
Introduction p . x x i i - x x i i i ) .
t u s txeev tham One who t a l k s a l o t . 1. t h a u j To t r a n s p o r t ( u s u a l l y by animal b u t a l s o of v e h i c l e s ) .
( a ) t h a u j khoom To t r a n s p o r t goods by horse o r animal.
1. thav A frame f o r making paper. ( b ) t h a u j nra To t r a n s p o r t goods by horse or animal.
thav ntawv Frame f o r making paper. (cf. ' n r a ' ) .
2 . thav 2 . thau j
thav ntxwv ( c l f . 'daim' ) A l o i n c l o t h , a mantle, a
wrap-around garment without s l e e v e s .
thauj teev (cf . ' teev' ) .
3 . thav
menyuam thav kauv Small half-grown barking d e e r .
thaum The time when. 6 . thaw j
Thaum kuv nyob hauv t s e v nws pheej t s i s t u a j . He thawj t h i a b TO r e i n c a r n a t e , t o transmigrate, of l i f e
never comes when I am a t home. reborn i n another form.
thaum uas The time when. Nws t u s p l i g mus thawj t h i a b l a m . His s p i r i t was
Thaum twg? When? reincarnated.
thaum ub Long ago, of old, p r e v i o u s l y .
thaum i Previously, j u s t a s h o r t while ago. 7 . thawj
thaum hnub n i a j hmo Every day and n i g h t . t s h a j thawj P r o f i t .
noj t s h a j thawj To make p r o f i t , t o f i x a p r i c e above
thauv t h e value t o make p r o f i t .
thauv vaiv Of something long and hanging down ( a s
of long-eared animals, e t c . ) 8 . thawj
t u s t s h a j thawj The one who c u t s firewood a t a
1. thawb To shove, t o push ( c f . 'xyeeb' and 'xyob' ) . funeral ( c f . 'tuag' p. 327).
Thawb qhov rooj: Push t h e door ( o p e n ) .
9 . thawj
2. thawb t u s s i v thawj The one who c a r r i e s water a t a f u n e r a l
meej thawb ( l u b ) Good name, r e p u t a t i o n ( C ) (cf. ( c f . ' t u a g ' p . 327).
'meej').
10. thawj
1. thawj The f i r s t , t h e head, t h e head of (C) . t u s povthawj An intermediary, a guarantor ( c f . 'pov' ) .
chivthawj The beginning, t h e f i r s t .
t u s thawj z e e j The headman. 11. thawj
thawj zaug The f i r s t time. tsam thawj ( l u b ) A r e s t i n g place along t h e way.
( a ) thawj hom F i r s t c l a s s , f i r s t i n quality.
( b ) thawj tom F i r s t c l a s s , f i r s t i n quality. 12. thawj
( c ) thawj cov F i r s t c l a s s , f i r s t i n quality. hom thawj A s e a l , a mark of i d e n t i f i c a t i o n ( c f . 'horn').
thawj t x h e e j F i r s t i n a s e r i e s . n t a u s hom thawj To mark f o r i d e n t i f i c a t i o n .
cov ntaus thawj The e l d e r s , l e a d e r s or r e s p e c t e d
persons i n t h e community. 13. thawj
cam thawj l a m To argue a g a i n s t t h e leaders, t o ceebthawj Weight ( i n r e f e r r i n g t o c h i l d r e n ) (cf .
disrespect authority. 'ceeb') .
2 . thawj To depend on someone, t o follow o t h e r s o r do a s 14. thaw j
they do. Ntoo sawb thawj l a m . The t r e e has shed i t s l e a v e s .
Txhob thawj l a w . Don't do a s they do. Don't r e l y ( n o t a s commonly used a s 'zeeg n p l o o j ' ) .
on t h e i r l e a d e r s h i p .
15. thawj
3 . thawjtom thawj Through t o t h e end, thoroughly.
Nws chwv chwv thawj.
answer.
He won't t a l k . He r e f u s e s t o

Nws ua t s i s t a u thawj. He d i d n ' t complete t h e job.

Yuav ntseeg tom thawj. You ought t o b e l i e v e through 16 . thaw j
( a ) s a i b t s h i a v thawj ( c f . ' s a i b qaib' p. 288).
t o t h e end.
.
( b ) s a i b q a i b ( c f . ' s a i b q a i b ' p . 288)
4 . thaw j
pamthawj ( t u s ) A wooden m a l l e t o r maul e s p e c i a l l y 17. thawj
one used f o r s p l i t t i n g l o g s . t a m thawj J u s t happened a t t h a t e x a c t moment.

5 . thawj 18. thawj

dev thawj tswv ( c f . 'dev' p . 3 5 ) .
ham thawj To s o l d e r , t o j o i n metal by s o l d e r i n g .
thawm
d e j thawm av The water soaks t h e s o i l .
thaws To rebound, t o bounce back a f t e r h i t t i n g something. 1. t h e e j To take t h e p l a c e o r p o s i t i o n of another, t o under-
t a k e something i n p l a c e of another.
thaw To j o l t , t o j a r , t o shake with s h o r t a b r u p t r i s i n g s Note: This word i s sometimes heard a s ' t h e e s ' b u t i
and f a l l i n g s a s with a v e h i c l e upon rough ground seems ' t h e e j ' i s t h e Hmong word and ' t h e e s ' i s
.
(also ' tsua j ' ) n e a r e r t o t h e Thai pronunciation of a s i m i l a r
word.
( a ) t h a w t h a w li Of a v e h i c l e j o l t i n g on rough
ground. Nws t u a j thee j kuv chaw. He came t o t a k e my p l a c e .
( b ) t s u a j t s u a j li Of a v e h i c l e j o l t i n g on rough Yexu t h e e j peb l u b txim. Jesus h a s taken our g u i l t
ground. upon h i m s e l f .
Yexu t h e e j peb qhov t u a g . Jesus h a s taken our death
theb Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'nrov'
( c f . 'nrov' p. 178).
. penalty. ( c f . ' t h i s ' ) .
t h e e j t x h o j To o f f e r o f f e r i n g s , e t c . i n t h e place of
another t o r e l i e v e s i c k n e s s .
1. them To pay, t o repay. txhaws qhov tuag t h e e j t x h o j Of t a k i n g t h e place of
them n y i a j To pay money. death f o r a n o t h e r . When a person i s s e r i o u s l y
them nqe To pay a d e b t . ill it i s sometimes s a i d t h a t h i s s p i r i t i s
stuck i n the 'death hole.' An animal may then
2 . them be k i l l e d t o t a k e t h e p l a c e of t h e s p i r i t i n
y a j them Tin. t h e ' d e a t h h o l e ' and t h u s r e l e a s e it f o r r e t u r n .
3 . them 2 . theej
them t e b A l t e r n a t i v e pronunciation of 'txhem t e b . ' kavthee j ( t x oj ) Rattan.

4 . them 3. theej To p u t a l l t h e a r t i c l e s o r t h e water from one

Nws l u b plhu them xern l a m . His " f a c e f e l l . " ( C ) v e s s e l i n t o another.
t h e e j d e j Pour a l l t h e water i n t o another v e s s e l
thev To endure, t o bear ( a s pain, e t c . ) ( c f . ' n y i a j ' ) . .
( c o n t r . ' h l i v ' and ' q e e ' )
t s i s thev Not long l a s t i n g , not d u r a b l e . Muab t h e e j k i a g r a u hauv kawm rau l a w r i s . Put it
( a ) thev t s i s t a u s C a n ' t endure (pain, cold, e t c . ) a l l i n t o t h e i r basket t o c a r r y .
( b ) n y i a j t s i s t a u s C a n ' t endure (pain, cold, e t c . )
1 . theem Steps, l e v e l s of ascent, l a y e r , s t o r y of a b u i l d i n g .
thee Charcoal. Nyob theem t s e v saum ub. On t h e upper s t o r y of t h e
hlawv t h e e To make c h a r c o a l . .
house. ( c f ' txhee j ' and ' qeb ' ) .
1. theeb To swallow ( C ) , ( c f . 'nqo' ) . 2 . theem
tuav theem To d e l a y ( c f . ' tabkaum' ) .
Theeb mentsis yeeb. Swallow a b i t of opium.
2 . theeb 3 . theem
lub s i a b khav theeb A proud h e a r t . h a i s l u s theem To pause i n conversation o r speech,
s t o p i n t h e midst of a flow of speech.
3 . theeb
rnaum theeb To t a l k o r s i n g i n o n e ' s s l e e p . theev To knock an o b j e c t from s i d e t o s i d e t o loosen it,
e . g . a s i n loosening a wedge t o remove i t .
4 . theeb
dab theeb kawg The name of a c e r t a i n s p i r i t . thi A binding o r a b e l t .
cov t h i hneev The bamboo o r r a t t a n binding on a
5 . theeb crossbow.
thoob theeb plaws In a l l t h e world, completely, t h i n y i a j Bound around with s i l v e r .
a l l over t h e world. cov t h i n t x a i b A double binding.
t h i tshuab The b e l t used t o run a machine.
thib To pass o f f on someone e l s e , e . 9 . a s of an a r t i c l e of
b u s i n e s s passed o f f on someone e l s e because t h e
f i r s t i n d i v i d u a l does n o t want t o d e a l with i t .
t h ij Clf . f o r a whole stem of bananas (contr . 'kuam' ) .
Note:
.
1. t h i a j Consequently, then, thereby ( c f ' t x h i a j ' )
In t h i s sense t h e word i s u s u a l l y found i n
.
1. thim To bounce back, t o go back on, t o r e c a n t , of a combination with ' l i ' and s a i d ' t h i a j l i . '
gun kicking back when f i r e d . However, i n shortened speech t h e ' l i ' i s
phom thim The gun kicked back. sometimes omitted.
Nws thim Yexu l a m . He gave up h i s f a i t h i n J e s u s .
thim t h a j To draw back, t o go p a r t way and t u r n back.
( a ) Kuv t h i a j li h a i s t i a s .
.
( b ) Kuv t h i a j h a i s t i a s . .
.. And so I s a i d .
And so I s a i d . . .
..
Kuv t s i s muaj n y i a j kuv t h i a j t s i s mus. I have
2 . thim Of c o l o r s fading o r of c l o t h l o s i n g i t s c o l o r . no money and consequently I d i d n o t go.
Note: W e l i s t t h i s word here because t h i s i s t h e
3 . thim Of a temperature going down a f t e r r i s i n g . pronunciation most commonly heard among
Thailand White Hmong. However ' t x h i a j ' and
this Instead of, on behalf of, i n t h e place of another. ' t x h i a j l i ' i s a l s o heard and t h i s pronunci-
( a ) Yexu t h i s peb tuag. Jesus died f o r u s . a t i o n i s more common i n Laos and perhaps i n
( b ) Yexu t h e e j peb qhov tuag Jesus died f o r u s . o t h e r a r e a s . This i s c l o s e r t o t h e Blue Hmong
( c ) Yexu txhaws peb qhov tuag Jesus died f o r u s . or Green Nmong pronunciation ' t x h a l e . '
( d ) Yexu txauv peb qhov tuag Jesus died f o r u s .
2. thiaj To hearken, t o obey, t o do a s one says, t o speak
thiv To i n s e r t a piece of c l o t h when sewing. well o f .
Thiv i b d a i g ntaub r a u . I n s e r t a piece of c l o t h i n Kuv xav t h i a j k o j . I want t o do a s you say.
i t . ( e .g. when making a garment) . rov t h i a j yus To be b o a s t f u l , t o speak well of
oneself.
1. t h i a b And, a l s o . pheej t h i a j Continually speak well of another a s i n
Kuv yuav mus t h i a b . I ' m going t o o . boasting of h i s a b i l i t y t o do things b e t t e r
than most, e t c .
2 . thiab Sometimes used a t t h e end of a sentence t o i n d i c a t e
t h e r e i s s t i l l something l e f t unsaid. 3 . thiaj
Koj puas nyiam kuv? Do you l i k e me? fab t h i a j To f a l l backward.
Kuv nyiam k o j t h i a b . Yes, I l i k e you b u t . . .
4. thiaj
3 . thiab P e r t a i n i n g t o t h e f e t u s o r unborn i n f a n t s t a t e of Sam t h i a j A high platform.
being.
nruab t h i a b In t h e unborn s t a t e . tho To p i e r c e , t o make a h o l e or put through a path o r
i b t x h i s nruab t h i a b From before b i r t h , from t h e road.
time of conception. tho kev To put through a road or c u t a p a t h .
t u s t h i a b z e e j The f e t u s o r unborn i n f a n t . t h o qhov To make a hole ( c f . ' tsheb qhov, ' ' laum
thawj t h i a b To r e i n c a r n a t e , t o transmigrate and be qhov, ' ' tshau qhov' and ' li j qhov' ) .
born i n another s t a t e of l i f e .
h l a w thiab A particular s p i r i t r i t e , ( c f . ' h l a w ' ) . 1. thob To spin around.
thob log To spin ( e . g . t o spin a t o p ) .
t h i a b qhauv A term used i n s p i r i t worship, e . g .
I f an o l d e r person dreams t h a t he e a t s and
c a n ' t be s a t i s f i e d i t i s taken t o s i g n i f y t h a t 2 . thob
h i s s p i r i t wants t o be reborn and e a t elsewhere. thob r o j The loose f a t a t t a c h e d t o t h e i n t e s t i n e s .
He t h e r e f o r e f e a r s death and c a l l s f o r t h e
r e l a t i v e s t o b r i n g food, e t c . They o f f e r it 3 . thob
t o him pleading with h i s s p i r i t not t o leave ( a ) thob fab House foundation beams.
and go t o e a t with o t h e r s . A b i t of c l o t h i s ( b ) t i m cum House foundation beams.
then sewn on t h e p e r s o n ' s jacket a s a symbol.
4 . thob
l u s thob Hesitant speech (because of d i f f i c u l t y i n
finding words, e t c .

1. t h o j
t h o j plab Diarrhea ( c f . ' p l a b ' ) .
thuas 2. tsa To appoint to office.
khaub thuas The common cold, to have a cold (cf.
'khaub' and ' sab foob') . L a w muab nws tsa ua nom. They made him an official.
3. tsa
thuav To unwind. neejtsa (cf. 'neej').
1. thwj (cf. 'khav thwj' p. 93). 1. tsab To pretend (cf. 'txuj' 1 .
(a) tsab ua To pretend, to do something in pretense.
2. thwj (b) ua txuj tsab To pretend, to do something in
thwjtim A learner, a disciple, an apprentice (C) pretense.
(for 'thwjtid' cf. Introduction p. xxii-xxiii) .
3 . thwj
2. tsab Clf. for letters (written messages) .
Nws sau ib tsab ntawv rau kuv. He wrote me a letter.
thwj txhiaj To covet another's wealth, to desire to
harm another person for his money. 3. tsab A given name forllmong men.
thws To clear of weeds, to pull out (weeds, etc.) 4. tsab
thws tau tsev To clear land for a house. ntov pheej tsab (cf. 'ntov') .
thwv 5. tsab
thwvcib (lub) Brick, a brick. txum tsab tos To wait quietly for game, to wait for
a kill (when hunting) .
6. tsab
tsab ntxwv tsis vees Not steady on his feet, having
a poor sense of balance (C).
7. tsab
neeg tsab ntsuag Hypocrites.
tsab ntsuag Hypocritical, pretending to be what it
is not (as a stream that appears green and
deep but instead is shallow).
1. tsag A cliff (lub) (cf. ' tsuas' ) .
tsag
qab tsag A porch (lower down than the ' qab khav ' ) .
3. tsag
dej tsaws tsag A waterfall or rapids.

1. tsa To set up, to set upright, to erect, to raise up, tsaj Burlap, Manila hemp.
to lift up, to establish.
tsa muag saib Lift up the eyes to look. 1. tsam A period of time consisting of several hours.
tsa tes To raise the hand, raise the arm. ib tsam In a little while, a little while.
tsa hlo To raise up. tsam no This period of time, now.
tsa cai "The case stands" (used to describe a nyob tsam In a while, in a short time.
successful law case). Note: This expression (or a shortened form 'tsam'
tsa ncej tsev To erect the posts of a house. by itself) is used idiomatically to mean
tsa rog (cf. 'rog') . "soon, shortly" (cf. 'nyob' p. 220).
tsa ncauj (cf. 'ncauj'). 2. tsam Bloated, expanded.
lub plab tsam tsam Bloated stomach.
3. tsam 5. tsav
tawm tsam .
To wage war (cf ' tua rog ' ) tus tsav hauv One set up as leader, the head.
4. tsam tsaib Pertaining to the year or years previous.
tsam thawj A resting place along the way. tsaib no Last year.
tsaib ub Year before last.
5. tsam puag tsaib ub Years ago.
tsamphooj (lub) A tent (sometimes used for a
'mosquito net'). tsaig Pertaining to the chin or jaw.
puab tsaig The chin.
6. tsam tswb tsaig The red lobes on the side of a cock's
vijtsam A mosquito net (lub) (C) . head.
7. tsam To revolve (cf. 'tig') . 1. tsaim Of wood that tends to split or splinter.
tsam mus tsam 10s Turning round and round (like
the earth) . 2. tsaim
tsiv tsaim (cf. ' tsiv') .
8. tsam
sav tsam To inconvenience, to hinder, to delay or to 1. tsau Full, satisfied (especially pertaining to eating).
prevent (cf. 'tabkaumt). Kuv noj tsau lawm. I have eaten to the full.
tsau npo Very full.
9. tsam
saib tsam Perhaps, it may be. 2. tsau A fire torch.
Saib tsam nws yuav tuaj. I think he may come. (a) tsau roj A pitch torch.
(b) taws npoos A pitch torch.
10. tsam tes tsau A hand torch.
zeem tsam To show appreciation for, to be grateful. taws tsau To carry a lighted torch or stick.
Yuav zeem tsam tus Tswv mentsis. You ought to be
grateful to the Lord. 3. tsau To leave an article in water to soak (cf. 'raus' and
11. tsam
' tsaug' ) .
tsau dej To soak in water.
tsam pob (cf. ~ p o b ~ s " ) .
tsaub Illegitimate, out of wedlock.
12. tsam menyuam tsaub An illegitimate child.
10s nag tuam tsam A heavy rain, rained heavily.
1. tsaug Thanks, used in expressions of gratitude and thanks.
13. tsam Kuv ua koj tsaug. I thank you.
mob tsam chim (cf. 'mob' p. 129) . Us tsaug. Thanks!
Note: At this point we are not clear whether this
tsas A given name forHmong men. word expresses thanks in the way we ordinarily
understand it without conveying obligation or
1. tsav To drive a vehicle. whether it means "I am obligated to you because
tsav tsheb To drive a vehicle. of your kindness. I '
tus tsav tsheb A driver.
2. tsaug
2. tsav To add to (cf. ' txhab' ) .
Tsav nws li ntshav rau. To give a blood transfusion.
tsaug zog To sleep (cf. 'ua dab ntub')
tsaug tsaug zog li. Sleepy.
.
pw tsaug zog To lie down in sleep.
3. tsav tsaug zog looj hlias Very sleepy.
tus cuab tsav (cf. 'tuag' p. 327).
3. tsaug Weak, feeble, sickly.
4. tsav (a) tsaug tsaug leeg li Very weak, feeble.
tus tsav phom (cf. 'tuagt p. 327). (b) tsaug tsaug li Very weak, feeble.
4. tsaug The large long-quilled porcupine (clf. 'tus') 1. tSaWS To set down, to set aside, to lift off and set
. .
(contr ' nploos ' ) to one side.
dav hlau tsaws The airplane lands.
txoj kab tsaug Porcupine trail.
tsaws nees nra To lift off the horse pack baskets
5. tsaug En masse, all at once together. and set them to one side.
L a w dhia ib tsaug nrov ntwg mus. The crowd ran tsaws mov 10s noj Set the rice pot ~ f the
f fire in
off noisily together. preparation for eating.
ua ib tsaug ua To do all at once, to act en masse. Muab zaub tsaws cia. Take the vegetables off the fire
and set them to one side.
6. tsaug To briefly immerse an article in water, to rinse zaum tsaws To be sitting down.
up and down in water (as e.g. in washing tsaws nqaij To let meat remain on the fire to cook
vegetables, etc.) (contr. 'tsau' and 'raus') . for a long time until soft.
tsauj To cackle. 2. tsaws
qaib tsauj The chicken cackles. dej tsaws tsag A waterfall or rapids.
dej tsaws ntxhee Swift turbulent water.
tsaus Dark, darkness.
tsaus tsaus li Very dark. 1. tsawv To grasp.
tsaus ntuj Night, night time. (a) ntsiab nkaus To grasp the arm.
tsaus zem zuag Dusk. (b) tsawv nkaus To grasp the arm.
tsaus ntuj ntais Nightfall. (c) nthos nkaus To grasp the arm.
(a) ntuj tsaus nti A darkened sky.
(b) tsaus ntuj nti A darkened sky. 2. tsawv
qhov muag tsaus ntais To faint or "blackout" (cf. tsawv neej To tell the fortune by use of a coin
' yeem') . and egg determined by whether the coin will
tsaus tsiav Phosphorescent. stand on the egg or not.
tsawb The banana plant, the banana. 3. tsawv To ask of the spirits who is able to 'ua neeb'
txiv tsawb Banana fruit (clf. 'lub' for one single well.
banana, ' thij ' for a whole stem of fruit, A term used in spirit worship (cf. 'neeb') .
'kuam' for a "hand" of bananas) . 4. tsawv
Here we list some of the various types of bananas:
txiv tsawb dub "Black" plants bearing large fruit hais lus taj tsawv Slow of speech (cf. 'nrho') .
that is green when ripe.
5. tsawv
txiv tsawb qab zib "Sweet" bananas.
txiv tsawb qaub "Sour" bananas. huab ntsau tsawv A steady fog or cloudiness (cf
'huab') .
.
txiv tsawb teem A type of very small banana.
txiv tsawb pav A type of very small banana. Note: It may be that 'tsawv' in definitions 4 and 5
functions as a restricted post verbal intensi-
1. tsawg A little, few, not much, not many. fier but we have no other usage of ' t s a w ' in
tsawg mentsis A little less, a little too few. this way.
tsawg tsawg li Very few, very little.
1. tse Restricted post verbal intensifier (cf. 'quaj' ) .
2. tsawg quaj tse To make a loud noise (cf. Appendix 8 ) .
pes tsawg How few? How many? How much?
Mob pes tsawg hnub? How many days has it hurt? 2. tse Tone change from ' tsev' (cf. ' tsev') .
Hais pes tsawg kuj tsis nloog. No matter how much
you say (he) won't listen. tseb To sow seed by overhand broadcast sowing (contr.
' txaws ' ) .
tsawj A word used in vile language. tseb yeeb To sow opium seed by broadcast sowing.
tsawm To curse.
ob leeg twv tsawm Of two persons who can't agree
and who therefore each call on heaven to
curse (cause death) the other party to
see who is right.
 roob l a j - A

tseg To c a s t away, t o r e j e c t , t o s e t a s i d e , e l i m i n a t e ,
t o abandon, t o l e a v e .
pov t s e g To throw away, c a s t a s i d e .
Nws t s e g l a w mus. He l e f t them and went away.
t s o t s e g To p u t a s i d e , t o abandon, t o g i v e up.
t s h w j t s e g TO r e j e c t , t o c a s t o u t , t o throw away.
Tseg k o j . Excuse me i f I go ahead t o ( e a t , smoke,
d r i n k , e t c . ) w i t h o u t you.
tseg tub tseg k i Bereft of children.
t s e g t x i j t s e g nkawm Widowed, b e r e f t of w i f e o r
husband. tsev

tsej Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'nrov'

(cf. 'nrov').
1. tsem To b a r k .
Dev tsom tsem. The dog i s b a r k i n g .
2 . tsem Crooked ( o f roads, e t c . )
kev tsem A crooked r o a d .
kev tsem t o v tsem t o v The r o a d winds frorn one s i d e
t o t h e other, zigzag. ( o r ) t i m cum 2

3 . tsem Clf. f o r sections of a road. ( c f . 'kev' ) .

1. t s e v House, home, b u i l d i n g , a d w e l l i n g ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) .
t s e v t e b A f i e l d house.
t s e v pheeb suab A temporary s h e l t e r of b r a n c h e s . 1. t s e e b True, p e r t a i n i n g t o t h a t which t r u l y i s i n
t s e v timphooj A temporary house o r s h e l t e r . reality.
v a j t s e v House and grounds (house and g a r d e n ) . t x o j kev t s e e b T r u t h , t h e t r u e way o r d o c t r i n e .
n t x i v t s e v To r e p a i r a house. l u s t s e e b t s e e b True words, spoken t r u t h .
rhuav t s e v To t e a r down a h o u s e . tsis tseeb False, untrue ( c f . 'cuav' ) .
qua t s e v The s i t e f o r a house. l u s t s e e b n t s i a b True words, words concerning t h e
khawb qua t s e v To l e v e l a house s i t e . e s s e n c e of t h i n g s .
t s e v 100s l e e s A s c h o o l (T) .
t s e v kawm ntawv A s c h o o l . 2 . tseeb A f e l t s l e e p i n g mat ( c l f . 'daim' ) .
t s e v kho mob A h o s p i t a l .
t s e v xuas l u a s An open r e s t house o r s h e l t e r ( T ) . 3 . tseeb
l u b t s e v dav dav l i An empty l o n e l y house. lub tsho tseeb A wool j a c k e t .
l u b t s e v sov sov House f u l l o f p e o p l e and n o i s e .
l u b t s e v khab s e e b A roomy house, u n c l u t t e r e d house. 4 . tseeb
nruab t s e In t h e house ( t.c . ) yeeb t s e e b The n e e d l e - l i k e t o o l f o r r o l l i n g opium
i n p r e p a r a t i o n f o r smoking ( C ) ( c f . ' yeeb' ) .
2 . tsev C l f . f o r households, a h o u s e h o l d .
i b t s e neeg One household, one f a m i l y . 5. tseeb
Note: The names f o r t h e v a r i o u s p a r t s of a house Tas t s e e b ! An e x p l e t i v e i n d i c a t i n g annoyance.
frame may be seen i n t h e f o l l o w i n g diagram:
.
( c l f . ' t u s ' f o r a l l beams, p o s t s and p o l e s ) 1. tseem Pre-verbal i n d i c a t i n g a c t i o n s t i l l i n p r o g r e s s .
Note: This word may be used s i n g l y o r preceeded by
the syllable ' h a j ' .
Lawv h a j tseem n o j mov. They a r e s t i l l e a t i n g .
NWS tseem t s i s t a u mus. He s t i l l h a s n o t gone.
h a j tseem ua S t i l l i n t h e p r o c e s s of doing something
2 . tseem 4. t s i b
ob hnub tseem Two f u l l days. kab t s i b Sugar cane.
i b yag kab t s i b A length of sugar cane.
3 . tseem
h a i s l u s tseem ceeb To speak what i s important and 5. t s i b
wor thwhi 1e . qab t s i b taug
side.
~ u s below
t t h e house on t h e downhill

tsees R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
s a w t s e e s To a r i s e , t o g e t up. 6. tsib
plaubhau s a w t s e e s Hair "standing on end." zaub t s i b A kind of sour v e g e t a b l e .

1. t s e e v To cause, t o e f f e c t , t o a r r a n g e . 7. tsib
t s e e v kom zoo To make good, t o f i x . lub t s i b f a i j A t,ype of small b o t t l e .
t s e e v kom t a u To arrange so t h a t it i s brought about
o r so t h a t a t h i n g i s obtained. 1. t s i g A noose.
T s i s t s e e v kom h l e l i . Don't allow it t o s l i p o f f . i b phob t s i g cuab noog A noose o r snare t o c a t c h
You a r e not permitted t o t a k e it o f f . birds.

2 . tseev To prepare meat, t o c u t up meat a f t e r s l a u g h t e r of 2 . t s i g C l f . f o r a cock crowing.

an animal. q a i b qua i b t s i g The cock crows once.
t s e e v n q a i j To prepare meat. qaib qua thawj t s i g The f i r s t crowing of t h e cock.
t s e e v npua To c u t up a slaughtered p i g .
1. t s i j To push by t h e end ( a s a saw, pole, p i e c e of wood,
3 . tseev etc.)
ua tuav tseev To i n q u i r e i n t o ( c f . ' s e e v ' ) . t s i j taws To shove a log f a r t h e r i n t o t h e f i r e .

4 . tseev Having power from t h e s p i r i t s t o make people 2. t s i j

sick, e t c . kov t s i j To hasten, t o do q u i c k l y ( c f . 'kov' ) .
Nws txawj t s e e v t i b n e e g . He has t h e power t o cause Kov t s i j 10s t s e v . Hurry home.
sickness.
1. tsim To c r e a t e .
5 . tseev tsim n t u j tsim t e b Created t h e heavens and t h e e a r t h .
q a i b t s e e v Species of chicken whose f e a t h e r s c u r l
and p r o t r u d e . 2 . tsim Worth, value, honor.
muaj muaj tsim Valuable, h i g h l y honored.
6 . tseev tsim koob tsim hmoov Worthy of reward, of good f o r t u n e .
( a ) t s e e v zam s e e s To d r e s s up i n o n e ' s b e s t .
( b ) t s e e v zam n t x i a g To d r e s s up i n o n e ' s b e s t . 3 . tsim
t s i m t x i a j Worth money, worthwhile, worthy.
1. t s i To aim ( c f . ' tsom' ) . neeg t s i s tsim t x i a j A worthless type of person.

2. tsi To pour t h e water o f f t h e r i c e a f t e r cooking and i n 4 . tsim

p r e p a r a t i o n f o r steaming. tsim nyog Valuable, t o be worthy o f , s u i t a b l e ,
( a ) t s i kua To pour o f f t h e r i c e water. appropriate.
( b ) muab kua n t x h a i s t s i To pour o f f t h e r i c e water. tsim nyog ua Appropriate t o do.
tsim nyog haus (water) s u i t a b l e t o d r i n k .
1. t s i b Five, t h e numeral f i v e . Hnub no t s i m nyog 10s txog. This i s t h e day it would
t s i b l u b t s e v Five houses. be s u i t a b l e ( o r probable) f o r him t o come.

2. tsib The gall-bladder (lub). 5 . tsim

t s i m txom To persecute, t o cause t o s u f f e r .
3. tsib The branch c l u s t e r s a t a bamboo j o i n t .
t s i b xyoob The branch c l u s t e r s a t a bamboo j o i n t . 6 . tsim
tsim dheev To wake up suddenly.
tsis Negative particle.
tsis ua Will not do.
tsis yog No, is not.
tsis yuav Don't want.
tsis kav Nevertheless, no matter what.
tsis tau May not (something prevents).
tsis taus Cannot (physically impossible)
1. tsiv To move oneself or one's place of abode.
Nws tsiv mus nram moos. He moved down to the plain.
2. tsiv
tsiv nraim To hide oneself.
3. tsiv
tsiv tsaim Of an animal prone to attack, of a
person prone to scold or curse others.
dev tsiv tsiv tsaim A fierce dog.
4. tsiv
tsiv siab Somewhat angry and distressed.
5. tsiv
tsiv tshuj tshuav To avoid a person, to "steer
clear of," won't listen to another.
tsia Eyes momentarily "blacked out."
siab feeb pes tsia Confused, momentarily unable to
see or think clearly.
yeem tsia To faint, to "black out." (cf. 'phov
muag tsaus ntais') .
tsiab
noj tsiab To eat the New Year feast
This is the old and proper term and refers specifically
to eating the meal when the pig is killed) (cf.
'noj peb caug ' ) .
tsiag
cwj tsiag The trigger of a trap.
tsiaj Animal, animals as a class.
Note: The single word may be used but it often occurs
in the expression 'tsiaj txhu' with the same
meaning.
tu tsiaj txhu To care for animals, to raise livestock.
tsiaj ncawg nkuaj The animals enter the pen.
tsiam To hit or bump against (cf. 'tsoo'), to purposely
jump from a height (as e.g. of animals).
Dais tsiam plob lawm. The bear jumped from the tree.
tsias A tantrum.
menyuam ua tsias The child has a tantrum.
1. tsiav
khauj tsiav To hit with the knuckle.
2. tsiav
nab qa tsiav A type of small lizard.
3. tsiav
tsaus tsiav Phosphorescent.
1. tso To release, to free, to relinquish, to permit, to
place.
Tso nws mus. Let him go.
muab tso rau hauv Place it in.
tso tes To relinquish, to let go with the hand.
tso quav To relieve the bowels, to defecate.
tso zos To urinate.
tso plig To free the spirit (cf. 'plig') .
tso ncauj To permit.
tso tseg To give up, to abandon.
tso paus To pass gas.
tso lus To give permission.
tso plhuav To lay down, to put down.
tso dag To talk foolishly, to speak in jest.
2. tso Used at the end of an expression to indicate that
a pause or an interval of time must intervene
before the succeeding action may take place.
Tos ob peb hnub tso... Wait a few days and then...
tsob Clf. for a grove of trees or a clump of vegetation.
Foliage or vegetation.
tsob ntoo Tree foliage.
tsob nplej A clump of rice stalks.
tsob tshuaj A bunch of medicinal vegetation.
1. tsog The name given to a certain river spirit which is
supposed to have a body with the appearance of
being full of holes or depressions.
2. tsog
hnab tsog (lub) The mantle for a pressure lamp (so
called because it is full of holes like the
' tsog ' spirit mentioned above) .
1. tsom To squint, to aim a gun, to sight through a tele-
.
scope or a viewer of any kind. (cf. ' tsi ' )
tsom phom To aim a gun, to sight through a gunsight.
tsom iav (daim) A mirror, a looking-glass.
tsom qhov muag (lub) Eyeglasses, spectacles.
tsom yeeb yaj To sight through a telescope or a
viewer.
Tho tsom ncaj lawrn nrad. Make (the trail) straight
down from here. ("aim" it straight).
2. tsom 2. tsoob Referring to sexual intercourse.
tsom teeb (lub) A lamp glass. (a) tsoob pim The act of sexual intercourse or
coition between persons or animals (cf. 'pim'
3. tsom To care for, to tend, to look after (cf. 'hwjxwm')
(a) tsom kab tsom kwm To care for, nurture, look
. and 'qau').
(b) sib tsoob The act of sexual intercourse or
after. coition between persons or animals (cf. 'pim'
(b) tsom kwm To care for, nurture, look after. and 'qau') .
(c) tsoob paum The act of sexual intercourse or
1. tsos coition between persons or animals (cf. 'pim'
qhov tsos The armpit. .
and ' qau ' )
Note: The following words are all used to refer to
2. tsos Clf. for hairs. the sex act and therefore should be avoided
Ib tsos ob tsos plaub dob zuj zus. (He) pulled out in ordinary conversation:
one hair at a time. ' tsoob' 'nce' ' ntxi '
' aim' ' phev ' ' tshov '
3. tsos Restricted post-verbal intensifier. (cf. Appendix 8) . ' txiag '
nco dheev tsos Suddenly awoke to something, suddenly
remembered. 1. tsoom Quantity word for a portion or a part (cf. 'kwv'
Definition No. 3).
.
1. tsov Tiger, tiger-like (clf. ' tus ' ) Koj yuav cuaj tsoom pub ib tsoom rau kuv. You keep
tsov dub The black panther. nine portions and give one portion to me.
tsov nplooj suab Bengal tiger.
(a) tsov pom teev Leopard. 2. tsoom
(b) tsov txaij Leopard. (a) tsoom zeej All people ( C ) .
tsov ntxhuav Lion.
tsov cuam A legendary tiger, reportedly small,
(b) zeej tsoom All people (C) .
(c) luag zeej tsoom All people (C) .
swift and with a human face.
tsoos Clothing (mostly in reference to the dead).
2. tsov hnav tsoos To dress (especially to dress up for
kab laug tsov (cf. 'kab'). burial).
tsoos hmoob Hmong costume.
tsoo To crush, to destroy, to ruin by crushing or collision.'
sib tsoo A collision. 1. tsoov To separate grain from chaff by bouncing the grain
tsoo tes To crush a finger. in a woven bamboo tray.
tsoo nruab To crush bamboo and flatten it. tsoov txhuv To separate rice from chaff in the
tsoo nqaij To crush or beat up meat into a pulp. .
above manner (contr ' zig ' ).
tsoo tawg ntsoog ntxaws. Smashed to pieces, completely
crushed. 2. tsoov
tsoo kua txiv To crush fruit in a press to extract the txuam tsoov Of two varieties mixed together, half-
juice. breed.
lub tsoo kua txiv A wine press, a press to extract
fruit juice. tsu A tub-like vessel with woven bottom for steaming rice
tsoo taubhau To bump the head, to injure the head (lub), a rice-steamer.
by forcible inpact (cf. 'nraus') .
tsub
1. tsoob (a) sib tsub To press together one thing upon another,
tus tsoob zeej A middleman, mediator, go-between (C) . piled up.
(b) sib nias To press together one thing upon another,
piled up.
tsug .
A period of 13 days (cf 'xi') .
ib tsug kaum peb hnub One period of 13 days, partic-
ularly the 13 days of waiting after a death
before the release of the spirit.
1. t s u j To s t e p on, t o t r a m p l e . 3 . tsuag Vegetation.
t s u j n t h i To trample u n d e r f o o t . n r o j tsuag Vegetation.
t s u j n t h i ntawm taw t s e g Put i t under f o o t and g e t hav xub t s u a g A w i l d e r n e s s a r e a .
r i d of it, i . e . t o d e l i b e r a t e l y p u t a m a t t e r
aside. 4 . tsuag
nas t s u a g ( t u s ) A rat.
2. tsuj
t s h u a j t s u j yeeb Medicine o r o t h e r f o r e i g n m a t t e r 5 . tsuag
mixed w i t h opium b e f o r e smoking s o a s t o make nqaj tsuag ( t u s ) The s i d e beams o f a house ( c f . ' t s e v
t h e opium go f a r t h e r and l a s t l o n g e r . ' tsev' ) .
3. t s u j A k i n d of expensive c l o t h . 6 . tsuag
n t a u b t s u j ntaub npuag F i n e expensive c l o t h . h a i s t s u a g l u s To speak unconvincingly, t o speak
hnav t s u j hnav npuag To d r e s s i n f i n e r y . s o f t l y , kindly, o r without conviction (contr.
t s o o s t s u j t s o o s npuag Fine c l o t h i n g . ' h a i s ceev n r o o j ' ) .
1. tsum Sign o f t h e i m p e r a t i v e mood, i n d i c a t i n g o b l i g a t o r y 7 . tsuag To spray, t o f o r c i b l y e x p e l 1 l i q u i d from a s m a l l
a c t i o n , e s p e c i a l l y f o l l o w i n g ' y u a v ' and p r e c e d i n g o p e i n i n g o r from t h e mouth.
t h e v e r b . ( c f . ' t a u ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 3, p . 307)
yuav tsum n o j mov Must e a t .
. t s u a g t s h u a j To s p r a y i n s e c t i c i d e from a s p r a y gun.

yuav tsum mus Must g o . 1. t s u a j To j o l t , t o j a r , e . g . of a v e h i c l e upon rough

tsum nplua -s h a l l b e judged, s h a l l r e c e i v e punishment. ground.
2. tsum Used a f t e r t h e v e r b t o i n d i c a t e a c t i o n t h a t can ( a ) t h a w t h a w li Of a v e h i c l e j o l t i n g on rough
o r cannot be done ( c f . ' t a u ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 2) . ground, a l s o o f a h o r s e t h a t keeps throwing
.
i t s l o a d ( c f ' thawv' ) .
nloog t s i s tsum Cannot h e a r .
Muab t s i s tsum. ( I ) cannot g e t ( r e a c h ) i t . ( b ) t s u a j t s u a j li Of a v e h i c l e j o l t i n g on rough
s a u t s i s tsum Cannot w r i t e . ground, a l s o o f a h o r s e t h a t keeps throwing
i t s load ( c f . ' t h a w ' ) .
3. tsum
Tsum lawrn! Enough! Stop! 2. tsuaj
puas t s u a j ( c f . ' p u a s ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 2, p . 238) .
4 . tsum To be e f f e c t i v e , t o h i t something when s h o o t i n g .
1. tsuam To c r u s h , t o p r e s s , t o smother, t o block a t r a i l ,
tsus Of one t h i n g p r e s s i n g h e a v i l y upon a n o t h e r .
s i a b puas t s u s Completely discouraged ( c f . ' s i a b tsuam qab t s i b To c r u s h sugar cane t o e x t r a c t j u i c e .
poob t a g ' ) . Ntoo vau tsuam kev. A t r e e h a s f a l l e n and blocked
the t r a i l .
tsua Bedrock, s o l i d r o c k mass. n t o o tsuam t s e v A t r e e h a s f a l l e n on t h e house.
pobt.suas C l i f f , rock mass ( t . c . ) ceg s i b tsuam Legs c r o s s e d .
qab t s u a s Base o f t h e c l i f f ( t. c . ) tsuam h l a b ntxhoo The embroidered ends on a Hmong
qhov t s u a Cave i n t h e r o c k . woman's apron t i e s .
phab t s u a s Rock s u r f a c e ( t . c . )
2 . tsuam C l f . f o r b u n d l e s of firewood.
1. t s u a b To g r a b w i t h t h e hand. i b t s u a g taws One bundle of firewood ( t. c . )
t s u a b mov To g r a b a h a n d f u l of cooked r i c e .
3 . tsuam
2 . tsuab tsuam t u b s a b To i n v e s t i g a t e a c a s e of t h e f t .
vuab t s u a b Dirty (cf . ' ceb muag ' and ' t x a b ' ) . 1. t s u a s A s p l i t t i n g wedge (tus).
1. t s u a g Q u i c k l y ( c f . ' s a i l and ' n r a w m ' ) .
Tsuag t s u a g 1 0 s . Come back q u i c k l y . 2. tsuas To l o s e c o l o r , o f c o l o r s "running" a s when c l o t h
mob t s u a g t s u a g Q u i c k s u c c e s s i v e p a i n s . i s washed.
t s u a s ceg Of l e g s d i s c o l o r e d from wearing c l o t h t h a t
2 . tsuag Saltless, f l a t in t a s t e , flavorless (contr. 'daw') . runs.
3. tsuas pre-verbal indicating the singularity of the
A 3. tsuav To chop up, to cut up fine (cf. ' txhoov') .
action and thus translated by expressions tsuav zaub npua npuas To chop up pig food.
such as 'simply' or 'only.' tsuav nqaij To chop up meat.
Kuv tsuas hais txog kuv li. I can only speak of tsuav nruab To split and flatten bamboo.
my own.
4. tsuav A kind of pink colored fruit.
4. tsuas A pre-verbal indicating one action must precede liab txiv tsuav Bright pink in color.
before another can follow and thus translated
by expressions such as 'if only,' 'unless,' 1. tsw To give off an odor, to smell.
' except that,' ' only if. ' tsw tsw li Of something smelling (usually evil-
Note: In this sense 'tsuas' is used in the compound smelling) .
expressions 'tsuas yoga or 'tsuas tab yog.' tsw tsw qab Fragrant.
Note also that the same sense is conveyed tsw nchauv To smell smoky.
by the expressions 'tab yog' or 'tsuav' or tsw ntxhiab Of a sharp pungent odor.
'tsuav yog.' (cf. 'tsuav'). tsw pos Of meat, etc. smelling slightly old but not
really spoiled.
Tsuas yog l a w qhia kuv mas kuv thiaj ntseeg. I
believe simply because they taught me.
Tsuas yog lawv qhia kuv mas kuv yuav ntseeg. If 2. tsw
only they teach me I will believe. xyoob pua j tsw tsev .
(cf 'xyoob') .
(a) Tsuas yog yus ua li no yuav zoo xwb. If only
one does this it will be all right. 3. tsw T.c. from 'tswv' (cf. 'tswv').
(b) Tab yog yus ua li no yuav zoo xwb. If only
one does this it will be all right. 1. tswb A bell (lub) .
(c) Tsuas tab yog yus ua li no yuav zoo xwb. If tswb nyiaj Small silver bell (often worn as ornamental
only one does this it will be all right. buttons) .
(cf. similar illustrations under 'tsuav') . tswb nees Horse bells.
5. tsuas 2. tswb Chinese word for a pig, used in certain Among
Tsuas xwv koj txawj ua. You can (are able to) do it. expressions.
twm tswb A wild pig which goes about alone.
1. tsuav A pre-verbal indicating one action must precede sab tswb Wild boars which travel in pairs.
before another can follow and thus translated cheej tswb Wild pigs which go about in groups.
by expressions such as 'only if,' 'except that,'
etc. (cf. 'tsuas' Definition No. 4) . 3. tswb
tswb choj (C) A legendary Hmong king. His father was
(a) Nws tsuav tuaj mas kuv thiaj mus. Only if he
comes will 1 go. Only because he came did reported to be a pig. As a boy king he was
I go. (I simply left because he came . ) persecuted, killed and buried in a cave. He
(b) Tsuav yog nws tuaj mas kuv thiaj mus. Only if is expected to rise again and return as a Iimong
he comes will I go. Only because he came Messiah King.
did I go. (I simply left because he came . )
Tsuav muaj neeg pab kuv thiaj kam u a . I will only tswg A short post, post put into the ground to help hold the
do it if someone helps. .
logs of a foundation in place (clf ' tus ' ) .
Tsuav yog l a w pab mas kuv thiaj mus. I'll only go txhos tswg To put such a post into the ground.
if they help me.
tswj
2. tsuav tswjhwrn To control, subdue, restrain, govern, subject.
tsuav tamfaj Probably (C) (cf. 'kwvlam') . 1. tswm To press down, to repress, to supress.
Tsuav tamfaj ua li no peb kuj tsis txawj hais li cas.
tswm kom ceev To press down tight (e.g. as grain in
Seeing that probably is the way it is, we
cannot say anything. a basket, etc.) .
Tswm seeb! Be quiet! (a more polite expression than
Tsuav tamfaj koj qheb nyog txoj kev rau kuv. Well then
probably you can provide a suitable solution. 'ua twjywm') .
tswm plab To supress diarrhea.
2. tswm To pound metal to make it shorter.
3. tswm To subdue o r c o n t r o l ( a s a husband h i s w i f e , e t c . ) -
TSH

4. tswm tsha R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .

tswm c i a b ( t u s ) A wax c a n d l e . qheb t s h a l a m Opened wide.
Note: ' t s h a ' might b e c o n s i d e r e d a t o n e change a f t e r
tsws ' q h e b ' and t h u s b e e n t e r e d under ' t s h a v . '
n t o o ntshaub tsws ( t u s ) A s p e c i e s of s m a l l t r e e However, s i n c e we have j u s t t h e one i l l u s t r a t i o n
(cf. 'ntshaub') . we have e n t e r e d it h e r e . .
( c f . ' tshav' )

1. tswv 1. t s h a b To p i e r c e t h r o u g h .
tswvyim .
( c l f ' z a j ' ) Plan, scheme, c l e v e r n e s s , t s h a b l a m P i e r c e d , having been p i e r c e d through.
wisdom ( C ) . t s h a b plaws Suddenly p i e r c e d t h r o u g h .
kawg t s w y i m A t t h e end o f o n e ' s w i t s .
r a u g l a w tswvyim F a l l e n p r e y t o t h e i r schemes. 2 . tshab
t s h a b xov ( t u s ) A go-between i n arranging marriage.
2 . tswv Lord, owner, master ( C ) ( c f . ' 1 0 s p a v ' ) ( c l f .
'tus'). 3 . t s h a b An a u x i l l i a r y v e r b a f t e r ' n l o o g ' and o t h e r v e r b s .
t u s tsw t s e v The owner o f t h e house, t h e head of nloog t s i s t s h a b D i d n ' t h e a r c l e a r l y .
t h e house.
( a ) nom tswv O f f i c i a l s . 4 . tshab
( b ) t i m tswv O f f i c i a l s . t s i s muaj p a j t s h a b mus No money o r food w i t h which
t u s Tswv Yexu The Lord J e s u s . t o make a journey.
Tswv Ntuj The Lord o f heaven ( C a t h o l i c term f o r
.
God) 1. t s h a j To add t o .
Vajtswv The King Lord (God) . Muab r o j t s h a j r a u l u b t e e b . Add o i l t o t h e lamp.
( a ) V a j t s w Saub The King Lord C r e a t o r o r King
Lord of Heaven ( t e r m s used f o r "God" by t h e 2 . tshaj Surplus, p r o f i t , t o be s u r p l u s o r more t h a n enough,
P r o t e s t a n t Hmong i n Thailand) ( c f . ' S a u b ' ) . better.
( b ) V a j t s w Ntuj The King Lord C r e a t o r o r King Lord t s h a j thawj P r o f i t i n b u s i n e s s t r a n s a c t i o n s .
of Heaven ( t e r m s used f o r "God" b y t h e P r o t e s t a n t n o j t s h a j thawj To make p r o f i t , t o charge i n t e r e s t .
Flmong i n Thailand) ( c f . ' S a u b ' ). t s h a j mus l w m pwm More t h a n b e f o r e .
t s h a j dua cov B e t t e r t h a n o t h e r s , more t h a n o t h e r s .
3 . tswv C l f . f o r groups o r c l a s s e s belonging t o s e p a r a t e t s i m t x i a j t s h a j More v a l u a b l e , b e t t e r t h a n .
owners.
ob peb t s w nyuj S e v e r a l groups of c a t t l e belonging 3 . t s h a j To save o r p u t a s i d e .
t o d i f f e r e n t owners ( t . c . ) Muab t s h a j t s e g . Put it a s i d e ( t o save i t ) ( t o
i b tsw li One o w n e r ' s ( t . c . ) p a r t i c u l a r l y s a v e some even though t h e r e i s
i b t s w nqe A d e b t t o one i n d i v i d u a l ( t . c . ) more r e m a i n i n g ) .

4 . t s h a j C l f . f o r c o u r t c a s e s , spasms, f i t s , e t c .
i b t s h a j p l a u b One c a s e a t law, one c o u r t c a s e .
huam i b t s h a j i b t s h a j To have spasms o r f i t s .

5. tshaj
lub t s h o t s h a j sab A long gown w i t h s l e e v e s .

6 . tshaj
t u s t s h a j thawj ( c f . ' t h a w j ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 8, p . 3 3 6 ) .

7. tshaj
t s h a j cum T a l l and t h i n , s l i g h t i n b u i l d .

8 . tshaj
noob qe thoob t s h a j Inguinal hernia.
9. tshaj tshais E a r l y morning, b r e a k f a s t .
khuam t s h a j ( c f . 'khuam' D e f i n i t i o n No. 1, p . 1 0 1 ) . ( a ) t a v t s h a i s About 8-9 A . M .
(b) menyuam t s h a i s About 8-9 A . M .
1 0 . t s h a j To s p r e a d abroad, t o send o u t . ( a ) t a v n i a g t s h a i s About 10 A . M .
Noj t s h a j koob meej. To e a t f o r r e s p e c t ' s s a k e . ( b ) n i a g t s h a i s About 10 A . M .
( t o s p r e a d abroad your good name). Note: For o t h e r terms f o r time c f . Appendix p . 491.
Tshaj i b txog xov r a u n e j . ( I ) send a message t o you. n o j t s h a i s T O e a t t h e morning meal, t o e a t b r e a k f a s t .
tsham To v i s i t , t o have a look around. 1. t s h a u To s i e v e , t o s i f t .
Peb mus tsham xwb. We a r e j u s t going f o r a v i s i t . t s h a u xua TO s i f t o u t t h e c h a f f .
l u b vab t s h a u s A s i f t i n g t r a y ( t . c . 1
1. t s h a v The l i g h t o f t h e heavens, s u n l i g h t , moonlight. t s h a u hmoov To s i f t f l o u r .
t s h a v n t u j Daylight, s u n l i g h t , daytime. l u b t s h a u hmoov A f l o u r s i e v e .
Note: T h i s e x p r e s s i o n i s sometimes used f i g u r a t i v e l y
of r e c o v e r y from i l l n e s s .
t s h a v n t u j l a m Recovered.
2 . t s h a u To p i e r c e , t o make a h o l e ( c f . ' t h o ' ) .
t s h a u qhov To make a h o l e .
cov t s h a v S u n l i g h t , t h e l i g h t and b r i g h t n e s s of
t h e sun. tshaus T.c. from ' t s h a u ' ( c f . ' l u b vab t s h a u s ' under ' t s h a u ' ) .
pw l a s t s h a v To s l e e p under t h e open s k y .
t s h a v t s i s t a u thawj The weather i s n o t r e a l l y 1. tshauv Ashes, o f t h i n g s w i t h t h e c o l o r o r c o n s i s t e n c y
c l e a r and sunny y e t . of a s h e s .
t s h a v n t u j n r i g Very b r i g h t a l l around. cub t s h a u v The p i l e o f a s h e s forming t h e f i r e p l a c e
Kuv nco k o j t s h a v n t u j . I w i l l remember and i n a Hmong home.
a p p r e c i a t e your k i n d n e s s . ( i . e . ' y o u r b r i g h t n e s s ' ) . p l u a tshauv Fine d i r t o r d u s t ( a l s o ' p l u a t s h a u v a v ' ) .
( a ) t s h a v h l i Moonlight, b r i g h t n e s s of t h e moon. txho t s h a u v Ashy c o l o r e d , having an ashy c o l o r e d
( b ) qaim h l i Moonlight, b r i g h t n e s s o f t h e moon. .
c o a t i n g ( e . g some animals, v e g e t a b l e s , e t c . )

2 . t s h a v A broad l e v e l a r e a ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) . 2 . tshauv

l u b t s h a v puam A wide open l e v e l space, an expanse 10s nag t s h a u v A drizzling rain.
of b a r e ground.
l u b t s h a v ua s i A playground. 1. tshawb To h u n t f o r , t o s e a r c h o u t , t o go through a l o t
l u b t s h a v dav h l a u An a i r p o r t .
t s h a v puam suab zeb A s t o n y w a s t e l a n d .
of t h i n g s h u n t i n g f o r something ( c f . ' fawb' ) .
tshawb qhovtxhiachaw To t u r n t h i n g s " u p s i d e down"
i n h u n t i n g f o r something.
3. tshav To b e a t down g r a i n s t u b b l e i n t h e f i e l d i n
preparation f o r burning it o f f .
t s h a v quav n p l e j To b e a t down t h e r i c e s t r a w f o r
2 . tshawb
tshawb cuabtam To p i l l a g e o r d e s t r o y , of a house
burning. and goods broken up by p i l l a g e r s ( c o n t r ' t s h o b ' ) . .
4 . t s h a v To p l a n e wood. 3 . tshawb To d e p a r t o r d i s p e r s e i n a n g e r .
t s h a v n t o o To p l a n e wood. tshawb lawrn Dispersed i n a n g e r .
lub tshav A c a r p e n t e r ' s plane.

5 . tshav
1. tshawj S i l k (C) .
tsheb s i b tshav The c a r s sideswiped each o t h e r . 2 . tshawj
6 . tshav
tshawj chim ( t u s ) An enemy ( c f . ' chim' ) .
hnub tshwm t s h a v The day of b u r i a l ( c f . ' t u a g ' ) . tsham
(a) tshawm y u j A t h i c k d a r k l i q u i d medicine used
tshaib To b e hungry. in treatinq animals ( C ) .
t s h a i b p l a b To be hungry, a hungry stomach ( b ) tshawm s i b A t h i c k d a r k l i q u i d medicine used
kev t s h a i b p l a b Hunger. in treating animals ( C ) .
1. tshaws xeeb t s h e e j ua Khito To be born i n t o C h r i s t .
( a ) paim tshaws l a m ( c f . ' n p l e j ' ) . k a m t s h e e j k i a g Learned it completely, r e a l l y has
( b ) z i a b pag tphaws ( c f . ' n p l e j ' ) . learned i t .
t s h e e j hnub t s h e e j hmo A l l day and a l l n i g h t , day
2 . tshaws and n i g h t ( a l l t h e time) .
( a ) nplooj qoov tshaws ( c f . 'pobkws' ) .
( b ) npuav npaug tshaws ( c f ' pobkws ' )
( c ) t w y a j tshaws ( c f . 'pobkws' )
.
.
. 2 . tsheej
t s h e e j h a j Industrious, e n e r g e t i c ( C ) .
( a ) neeg t s i s t s h e e j h a j A l a z y person ( c f . 'neeg
t u b nkeeg ' ) .
1. tshawv Sloppily, clumsily, c a r e l e s s l y .
ua t x a b ua tshawv To do poorly, do c a r e l e s s l y . ( b ) neeg t s i s t s h e e j A l a z y person ( c f ' neeg tub
nkeeg ' ) .
.
2 . tshawv
3 . tsheej
l u s tshawv Impolite o r raucus language ( c o n t r .
'mos') . t s i s t s h e e j neeg
person) . About t o d i e ( i . e . not a 'whole'

tshe The sound of t h e c r y of a d e e r .

4 . tsheej
1. t s h e b A v e h i c l e ( l u b ) . pem ceeb t s h e e j The Hmong abode of t h e dead, mythical
residence of ' h u a b t a i s ' ( c f . 'yeeb y a j k i a g ' ) .
t s a v t s h e b To d r i v e a v e h i c l e .
t s h e b vaubkib A passenger c a r .
t s h e b lubyoog Bus o r t r u c k ( T )
t s h e b kauj vab A b i c y c l e .
. 5 . tsheej
tsheej tsheej kiab kiab Of young people s t i l l pure
t s h e b pleg pleg A motorcycle. and u n d e f i l e d .
t s h e b nqaj A r a i l r o a d ( ' t s h e b tawg' l e s s commonly).
t s h e b cuab h l u a A p u l l e y . 1. t s h i b To t h i n ' o u t growing v e g e t a t i o n t o g i v e room f o r
c a i j t s h e b To r i d e i? a v e h i c l e ( o r on a v e h i c l e ) . b e t t e r growth.
r o j t s h e b Gasoline. t s h i b zaub To t h i n o u t t h e v e g e t a b l e s .
t s h i b yeeb To t h i n o u t t h e growing opium poppies.
2 . tsheb
t s h e b qhov To d r i l l a h o l e ( c f . ' t h o ' and ' l a u m ' ) . 2 . t s h il b
uj tshib Elbow ( c f . ' y a s npab') .
1. tshem To t a k e away.
Muab tshem r a u saud. Raise t h e b a r r i e r . 3 . tshib C l f . f o r blows made with t h e elbow.
tshem mus Take ( i t ) away, c a r r y away.
tshem cwjmem To r a i s e t h e pen from w r i t i n g , . tshim One c u b i t , a measure of l e n g t h being t h e d i s t a n c e
between elbow and f i n g e r t i p .
2 . tshem
Nej ua tshem l a m . You have e a t e n i t a l l . tshis The g o a t ( t u s ) ( c f . 'mes e s ' or 'mias i a s ' ) .
t u s nwm t s h i s A young female goat not having had
3 . tshem young.
tshem tau khib To make provision of food, e t c . f o r
g u e s t s and s t r a n g e r s . tshia
nag t s h i a Of r a i n blowing i n , r a i n s p r i n k l i n g i n .
tshee To s h i v e r ( a s with fever o r i n t h e c o l d ) .
ua t s h e e t s h e e To s h i v e r . 1. t s h i a b New, f r e s h and b r i g h t (of a face, e t c . )
l u b t s e v t s h i a b t s h i a b A new house.
1. t s h e e j Complete, o f t e n used a s an a u x i l i a r y verb t o
i n d i c a t e completed a c t i o n o r t o i n d i c a t e a c t i o n 2 . tshiab Retainers, s o l d i e r s ( p o e t i c a l ) .
t h a t can o r cannot be completed.
ua t s h e e j lawm Completed. tshiam Of a c h i l d t h a t i s uncooperative and a n t a g o n i s t i c t o
ua t s i s t s h e e j C a n ' t complete i t . parents ( c f . ' t x u v ' ) .
mus t s h e e j Can go. menyuam tshiam t x i v The c h i l d i s a n t a g o n i s t i c t o
t s h e e j ua i b cuab To become one family ( t o be its father.
completed i n t o one family) .
t s h i a v To chafe o r t o rub, t o rub vigorously ( c o n t r .
. 1. tshom Of animals rooting i n t h e ground ( c f . ' S W V ' )
'chw')
t s h i a v t s h i a v Of something t h a t chafes o r r u b s .
t s h i a v koob To clean t h e r u s t of a needle.
t s h i a v phom To clean a gun.
t s h i a v r a j To play a v i o l i n .
t s h i a v hlua tawv To s o f t e n up a l e a t h e r rope by
rubbing i t .
tshiav
( a ) s a i b t s h i a v thawj ( c f . ' s a i b qaib' p. 288).
.
( b ) s a i b q a i b ( c f . ' s a i b q a i b ' p . 288)
tsho Jacket, coat, upper garment with sleeves ( c l f .
'lub') .
l u b t s h o t s e e b Woolen j a c k e t .
l u b t s h o t s h a j sab Long gown with s l e e v e s .
hnab tshos A jacket pocket ( t. c . )
n t i a g t s h o Jacket f r o n t , f r o n t panel of a j a c k e t .
dab tshos The embroidered patch on the back of a
Hmong woman's c o l l a r . There a r e various names
according t o t h e type of embroidery. ( t . c . )
Some of t h e types of embroidery a r e :
dab tshos hneev nees One with small squares sewn on
dab tshos chev One with a p a t t e r n i n c o i l s .
dab tshos n c a i One with t r i a n g u l a r pieces of
embroidery sewn on.
dab tshos kaus l e v Another type of embroidery.
t s h o The placenta, t h e a f t e r b i r t h .
t s h o menyuam The placenta, t h e a f t e r b i r t h .
Note: That of a female c h i l d i s b u r i e d i n t h e bedroom.
That of a male c h i l d i s buried a t the f o o t of t h e
main c e n t e r p o s t of t h e house ( c f . ' n c e j dab'
p. 147).
tshob A dipper ( l u b ) .
.
tshob To d i s r u p t and s c a t t e r ( c f . ' t s h a w b ' )
tshob cuabtam Of a household breaking up and
scattering.
tshob
puab l a w qab tshob To follow i n t h e i r ways.
tshoj Of moving a f a l l e n log by pivoting i t on one end
and swinging t h e o t h e r end.
tshoj
tuam t s h o j ( C ) China.
suav tuam t s h o j ( C ) The mainland Chinese.
xov t s h o j ( C ) Of a country or place outside China.
.
npua tshom Pigs r o o t i n g . ( ' tshom' r e f e r s simply t o
digging; ' swv' implies digging f o r food) .
2. huam tshom TO jump i n s u r p r i s e o r i n being s t a r t l e d .
tshos T.c. from ' t s h o ' (cf. 'tsho') .
1. tshov To blow o r t o p l a y a musical instrument having
.
reeds o r f ingerholes ( c o n t r ' tshuab ' ) .
tshov q e e j To blow t h e Hmong musical pipes (cf. ' q e e j ' ) .
tshov r a j pum l i v To p l a y a bamboo f l u t e .
2 . tshov Referring t o sexual union i n animals. ( a l s o ' s i b
nce, ' ' t s o o b pim, ' ' t s o o b pawn') ( c f . ' t s o o b ' ) .
1. tshoob Referring t o marriage or t h e marriage ceremonies.
ua tshoob To marry.
nrog l a w ua tshoob To take a wife from t h e i r family,
t o become r e l a t e d by marriage.
noj tshoob haus kos To e a t and drink t h e wedding
feast.
xaus tshoob The f e a s t a t t h e time of completing t h e
wedding c e l e b r a t i o n s and o b l i g a t i o n s .
.
za j tshoob Wedding songs (cf 'kwv t x h i a j ' ) .
Note: Below a r e terms r e f e r r i n g t o wedding p a r t i c i p a n t s :
The Groom's party:
( a ) t u s vauv The groom.
( b ) t u s nraug vauv The groom.
cov qhua vauv The groom's p a r t y ( a l l men)
t u s p h i j l a j The " b e s t man. "
.
t u s cev cawv The " t o a s t m a s t e r . "
t u s tshwj kab The one i n charge of t h e food.
t u s kav xwm The master of ceremonies.
t u s mej koob The middleman i n arranging p r i c e
( t h e r e a r e two 'mej koob') ( a l s o c a l l e d 'mej
zeeg') .
t u s tshab xov Another term f o r a go-between i n making
marriage arrangements.
The B r i d e ' s party: ( p a r t y of h e r p a r e n t s )
( a ) t u s n t x h a i s The b r i d e .
( b ) t u s nyab The b r i d e .
cov qhua tshoob The b r i d e ' s party, wedding guests
( a l s o r e f e r r i n g t o r e l a t i v e s and f r i e n d s of t h e
groom b u t n o t s p e c i f i c a l l y of h i s o f f i c i a l p a r t y ) .
Note: Apart from t h e s e t h e b r i d a l p a r t y i s t h e same i n
name and number a s t h e groom's p a r t y except f o r
t h e absence of the ' p h i j l a j ' .
2 . tshoob To be swept away a s by wind o r water.
yog d e j tshoob mus lawm Washed away by s w i f t water.
3 . tshoob
tshoob n q a i j To k i l l game a t a g r e a t d i s t a n c e ( c f .
' tshoov' ) .
4 . tshoob
( a ) neeg t s i s tshoob hawb Of a wealthy person who
purposely d r e s s e s poorly t o d i s g u i s e h i s wealth.
( b ) neeg t s i s tshoob p h i a j txwv Of a wealthy person
who purposely d r e s s e s poorly t o d i s q u i s e h i s
wealth.
2 . tshum To urge, t o seek t o persuade t o a c t i o n , t o "bring
p r e s s u r e upon."
tshum k i a v To seek t o hinder from a c t i o n .
neeg tshum pum One who seeks t o h i n d e r another from
action, e t c .
tshum l u b s i a b To urge, t o seek t o persuade.

1. t s h o o j Levels, s t o r i e s ( i n h e i g h t ) ( c f . ' t x h e e j ' ) . 1. tshua To l i k e , t o g r e a t l y d e s i r e or long f o r .

s i b t s h o o j One on t o p of another, overlapping.
c u a j t s h o o j ntug Nine " h e i g h t s " of heaven.
2 . tshooj C l f . f o r a p o e t i c couplet or v e r s e i n songs f o r
t h e dead. One ' t s h o o j ' c o n s i s t s of two ' n q e s . '
For o r d i n a r y songs t h e e q u i v a l e n t word i s 'txwm.'
ob tug nyiam nyiam tshua tshua The two love each o t h e r .
( a ) t s i s tshua nyiam Doesn't l i k e very much.
( b ) nyiam t s i s tshua heev Doesn't l i k e very much.
t s i s tshua heev Not very much, not l i k e much. (used
a f t e r verbs t o i n d i c a t e moderation).
Kuv paub t s i s tshua heev. I d o n ' t know very w e l l .

3 . tshooj 2 . t shua
tshualam Reluctant, r e l u c t a n t l y , n o t very w i l l i n g .
laum k i b t s h o o j ( t u s ) Centipede.
Sawv ntxov t s a u s n t u j nws tshua lam ua nun l i .
1. tshoom To forge a h o l e i n metal, t o p i e r c e a h o l e i n Whether morning or n i g h t he i s r e l u c t a n t t o
metal a s i n making p l a c e f o r a handle i n an axe work.
head, e t c .
tshoom nplos To forge a h o l e f o r a handle. 1. tshuab To blow.
tshoom qhov To forge a h o l e i n metal. cua tshuab t u a j The wind i s blowing t h i s way.
tshuab r a j To blow a h o r n .
2 . tshoom
tshoom n t s e g n t s e g li To f i r e s t r a i g h t up a t some- 2 . tshuab A machine ( l u b ) .
t h i n g ( c f . ' t s h o o b ' and ' t s h o o v ' ) . (Used f o r machines of v a r i o u s kinds depending on t h e
q u a l i f y i n g words following t h e noun ' t s h u a b ' ).
tshoov To f i r e a t something very high and d i r e c t l y above l u b tshuab n t a u s n t a w A t y p e w r i t e r (or ' sau n t a w ' ) .
o n e ' s head, e . g . f i r i n g from t h e base of a lub tshuab n i a s ntawv A p r i n t i n g p r e s s .
t r e e a t something i n t h e branches. ( c f . ' t s h o o b ' tshuab ntuag A spinning wheel.
and ' tshoom ' ) . 3 . tshuab
tshuj In combination with ' t s h u a v ' used a s a two word kooj tshuab ( t u s ) Locust ( c f . 'kooj ' ) .
r e s t r i c t e d post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r . (cf.
Appendix 8 ) . 4 . t shuab
Hmoob Yob Tshuab The Flowery Hmong a s known i n China.
t s i v t s h u j tshuav To avoid, t o d e l i b e r a t e l y keep from
someone's company.
tauv l a s t s h u j tshuav To avoid doing work, t o g e t tshuad Tone v a r i a t i o n from 'tshuam' ( c f . 'tshuam' and
out of doing t h i n g s . Introduction p . x x i i - x x i i i ) .
1. tshum To push o r knock one t h i n g with another, t o be 1. tshua j Chemical, medicine, h e r b s .
pushed o r knocked with something ( c f . 'nplawm' haus t s h u a j To d r i n k medicine.
and 'chob' ) .
tshum t x i v To knock f r u i t down with a s t i c k , e t c .
t s h u a j l u b Medicine p i l l s .
t s h u a j kua Liquid medicine.
khaub tshum ( o r 'nplawm' ) qhov muag H i t i n t h e eye t s h u a j t u a phom Gunpowder.
xub t s h u a j Poisoned arrows.
with a s t i c k .
xyooj tshum ( o r 'chob' ) Struck with, o r stuck w i t h tshua j swm Tea leaves ( C ) .
a piece of bamboo. . kob sim t s h u a j Tea l e a v e s .
tshum lub t e e b To pump a p r e s s u r e lamp.
2 . tshuaj
t s h u a j khib ( l u b ) A mortar ( f o r grinding peppers,
etc.).
3. tshuaj To spy out, to investigate, to seek out information,, 3. tshwm
(cf. 'seev') . tshwm rov qub qab mus To go back the way one came.
(a) tshuaj mem tes To take the pulse.
(b) seev mem tes To take the pulse. 4. tshwm
hnub tshwm tshav The day of burial (cf. ' tuag ' ) .
tshuam To meet together, to intercept, to join (as of
roads, etc.) 1. tshwv
kev tshuam Crossroads, fork in the trail. t s h w xeeb ua (C) To "put your heart into it," to do
ob txog kev sib tshuam The two roads join. with a will (C) (cf. 'siab') .
ob tug dej sib tshuam The two streams join.
2. tshwv Restricted post verbal intensifier with 'qos' or
1. tshuav To come short of, lacking, remaining, less than. .
without (cf Appendix 8) .
tshuav tsis ntev Not much lacking (in time), soon. lub siab chis qos tshwv Mildly angry, having a dark
Tshuav tsis ntev kuv yuav mus. I'll soon be going. face (cf. 'chim').
tshuav tsis ntau Not much left, only missing a few tws tshwv Short of, never quite right.
of being all gone.
Mov noj tas l a m tsis yog? Tshuav thiab. The rice 3. tshwv
is all eaten isn't it? No, there is some yuav luag tshwv rwm tim tiag Very close by.
left.
L a w tsis mus, tshuav kuv xwb. (They will not go,
except me.) None will go except me.
2. tshuav In combination with 'tshuj' a two-word restricted
. .
post verbal intensifier (cf ' tshuj ' ).
tshwb
tua tshwb nkauv To kill (game) very close by.
1. tshwj To reject, to throw out.
tshwj tseg To reject, throw out, get rid of.
tshwj cia To put aside for disposal.
2. tshwj
tshwj thum Wasteful, extravagant (cf. 'phum lam')
neeg tshwj thum A wasteful or extravagant person.
.
3. tshwj
tus tshwj kab The man in charge of preparing meat
and vegetables at a funeral or wedding feast
(cf. 'tuag' and 'tshoob').
1. txab Dirty, unclean, disgusting (cf. 'qias,' 'ceb muag' ) .
4. tshwj lus txab Disgusting language.
tshwj yog Excepting, except for. qias qias txab txab Dirty and disgusting.
Tshwj yog tus ntawd, tsis muaj ib tug zoo li. There npua txab txab Dirty pigs, pigs are dirty.
is no other as good as this one. (There is txab ntsuav Dirty, soiled.
none as good, except for this one .) ua txab ua tshaw To do carelessly and poorly.

1. tshwm To appear, to issue forth, to come out of (C).
tshwm 10s Appeared, come forth.
tshwm sim To appear, to be born, to appear in birth.
2. tshwm Of grain which has been worm-eaten leaving only
the shell.
2. txab Evidence (of crime, etc.)
Koj muaj txab tsis muaj? Have you any evidence?
3. txab Milky secretion.
txab ntoo Milky tree sap (contr. 'roj ntoo') .
txab yeeb The white milky secretion of the opium
POPPY pod.
txag T.c. from ' t x a j ' (cf. ' t x a j ' ) . 2. txais To r e c e i v e something given, t o accept, t o c a t c h
some t h i n g thrown.
1. t x a j Ashamed, embarrassed. t x a i s h l o Caught, received.
t x a j muag Shame-faced, ashamed, embarrassed. ( a ) t x a i s nkaus To r e c e i v e , t o c a t c h .
neeg txawj txag li A person e a s i l y embarrassed. ( b ) t x a i s nkuj nkaus To r e c e i v e , t o c a t c h .

2 . txaj A room ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) . 3. t x a i s To i g n i t e (of a flame, lamp, e t c ) , t o c a t c h f i r e .

t x a j pw A bedroom.
t x a j t s e v A room i n a house. 4. txais
txais hais To i n t e r j e c t , t o i n t e r r u p t i n speaking
3 . t x a j A sleeping platform, bed.
hauv qab txag Under t h e sleeping platform ( t . c . ) 5. txais
t x a i s s i a v npua To " r e c e i v e " t h e l i f e of t h e p i g
4. txaj
t x a j ntseg A l a r g e f i s h t r a p b u i l t i n a stream o r
.
( i n s p i r i t r i t e s ) ( c f . 'cob' )

r i v e r (non-por t a b l e ) . txau To s q u i r t , t o spray.

txau de j To s q u i r t w a t e r .
1. txam To go through a narrow place, t o wedge o n e ' s way txau t s h u a j To spray i n s e c t i c i d e with a spray gun.
through ( e . g . a s when f o r c i n g o n e ' s way through
a crowd). txaug A chisel (rab), to chisel.
txam mus To wedge o n e ' s way through ( e . g . a s when txaug zeb To c h i s e l a g r i n d s t o n e .
.
f o r c i n g one ' s way through a crowd) ( c f ' t x i v ' ) . txaug ntawv To p i e r c e paper with a rounded c h i s e l
marking it a s ceremonial paper money.
2 . txam
txam txwm ( C ) A mark or imprint ( a s on a gun o r a txau j
metal c a n ) . nees t x a u j nkuaj Of a horse stamping o r pawing i n
the stable.
3. txam
niam £am txam ( c f . 'tuag' p. 327). 1. txaum C l f . f o r a batch or brew of l i q u o r .
ua i b txaum c a w To make a batch of l i q u o r .
txav To move, t o s h i f t , t o change p l a c e o r p o s i t i o n .
Txav mus tod. Move over a l i t t l e b i t . 2 . txaum
Txav tom n t e j . Move back a l i t t l e (away from t h e txaum yim To e n t r e a t o r t o g r e e t with o u t s t r e t c h e d
speaker) . cupped hands.
Txav rov 10s. Move t h i s way (toward t h e s p e a k e r ) .
Txav 10s ze z e . Come up c l o s e . 3. txaum
txav zuj zuav To move slowly and d i l a t o r i l y . xyuam txaum Of one who i s i m p o l i t e i n asking f o r
more than i s o f f e r e d , e t c .
txaig T.c. from ' t x a i j ' (cf. ' t x a i j ' ) .
txaus Enough, s u f f i c i e n t .
txaij Varicolored, figured, s t r i p e d or speckled and txaus lawm Enough.
spotted. l o j txaus lawm S u f f i c i e n t l y l a r g e , very l a r g e .
t x a i j vog Varicolored. txaus nkaus Enough, s u f f i c i e n t .
txw t x a i j Freckled. txaus s i a b S a t i s f i e d .
t s o v t x a i j The leopard ( t u s ) . txauv To r e p l a c e with or t o exchange f o r another ( a s
qhov muag t x a i j Unable t o see c l e a r l y .
t x a i j ceg Tatoo on t h e l e g s . o f f i c i a l s a r e replaced i n o f f i c e , e t c . ) ( c f .
xyoob t x a i g A s p e c i e s of speckled bamboo ( t . c . 1 'theej, ' ' t h i s , ' 'pauv') .
Yexu txauv peb qhov t u a g . Jesus took t h e p l a c e of
1. t x a i s To borrow without i n t e r e s t ( u s u a l l y money o r g r a i n death f o r u s .
on a long-term b a s i s with arrangement f o r gradual s i b txauv kev To pass by one another on t h e road.
.
repayment) ( c f ' l u a b ' ) .
1. txawb To throw.
xuas pobzeb txawb To pick up stones t o throw.
txawb rhees To throw.
2 . txawb .
To support from underneath ( c o n t r ' d a i ' ) .
t s i s muaj d a b t s i d a i , t s i s muaj d a b t s i txawb Not
hanging from anything and not supported by any-
t h i n g underneath ( e . g . t h e e a r t h ) .
txawb t e e b A lampstand ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) .
txawg T.c. from ' t x a w j ' (cf. 'txawj').
txawj Able (of learned o r acquired a b i l i t y ) ( c f . ' t a u '
.
and ' t a u s ' )
txawj ua Able t o do i t .
Kuv t s i s txawj. I cannot (do i t ) . I d o n ' t know how.
Koj puas txawj h a i s l u s Hmoob? Can you speak Hmong?
t u b t x i b t u b txawg An a b l e messenger ( t c ) ..
1. txawm Used t o i n d i c a t e a juncture i n speech i n a way
s i m i l a r t o "and s o " o r "then" o r "thereupon"
i n English.
Kuv txawm h a i s rau nws t i a s . . . And so I s a i d t o h i m . . .
2 . txawm .
Consequently, t h e r e f o r e ( c f . ' t h i a j ' )
Koj t s i s h a i s txawm t s i s mus l i . He won't go i f he
i s n ' t t o l d t o . ( l i t . " I f you d o n ' t t e l l
him he t h e r e f o r e won't g o . " )
Law t s i s pub n y i a j kuv txawm t s i s mus. They
wouldn't pay s o I d i d n ' t go.
Lawv h a i s li c a s nws txawm ua li cas t h i a b . He d i d
whatever they s a i d .
3 . txawm
txawm s i s Exactly, j u e so, j u s t then ( C )
Txawm sis maj. Q u i t e so: J u s t a s expected! ( c f .
. ( a ) hav zoov nuj txeeg Wild v i r g i n jungle ( c f . ' x i a b ' )
'ua c i a v ' ) .
Kuv qheb qhov r o o j nws txawm s i s 10s txog. He
a r r i v e d j u s t a s I opened t h e door. ( i n t h i s
sense sometimes s a i d 'txawm s i v ' ) .
4 . txawm To a r i s e of i t s own accord.
Cov zaub nws txawm nws xwb. The vegetable grew of
i t s e l f without being p l a n t e d .
5 . txawm To put a s i d e f o r use, t o save.
Koj puas txawm lub puav t x i a j ? Have you any money
put a s i d e ?
1. txaws To s p l a s h .
Dej n t a s yuav txaws mus hauv l u b nkoj. The waves
were splashing i n t o t h e b o a t .
2 . txaws Of a group d i v i d i n g up and s c a t t e r i n g , t o
scatter.
txaws yeeb To s c a t t e r opium seed ( c o n t r . ' t s e b ' )
3 . txaws
txaws txheeb ( t o execute j u s t i c e ) I n favor of
relatives.
4 . txaws
txaws l i s ( t o execute j u s t i c e ) According t o p r i n c i p l e .
txawv To d i f f e r , t o d e v i a t e , d i f f e r e n t .
txawv mentsis A l i t t l e d i f f e r e n t .
Txawv qhov twg? Where ( o r i n what r e s p e c t ) i s it
different?
Ob yam no txawv qhov twg l a m ? What d i f f e r e n c e i s
t h e r e i n t h e s e two?
txawv suab l a m Off tone, d i f f e r e n t i n t o n e .
txej Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'nrov.'
( c f . ' n r o v ' p . 178 and Appendix 8 ) .
txee A shelf (clf. 'lub').
1. txeeb To snatch away from, t o attempt t o s e i z e something
suddenly from someone e l s e . ( c f . ' t x h a v ' )
s i b txeeb To c o n t e s t possession of something, t o
.
seek t o snatch something one from another.
txeeb tebchaws Rebellion, i n s u r r e c t i o n .
2 . txeeb
mob txeeb z i g Bladder stones, d i f f i c u l t t o u r i n a t e .
1. txeeg
qub txeeg qub t e g Old a r t i c l e s , o l d t h i n g s , t h i n g s
l e f t by p a r e n t s t o t h e i r c h i l d r e n .
2 . txeeg
( b ) hav zoov nuj x i a b Wild v i r g i n jungle.
.
1. t x e e j To f a l l ( c f . ' p o o b ' ) .
2 . txeej To unravel, t o come a p a r t ( a s of woven work, e t c . )
Lub kawm t x e e j t a s . The back b a s k e t i s broken and
coming a p a r t .
3 . txeej To s p i l l over (because of being t o o f u l l , e t c . )
Lub mis t x e e j t x e e j . The b r e a s t i s dripping milk.
1. txeem To p e n e t r a t e , t o f o r c e a way i n t o , t o c a r r y
through.
txeem txha To p e n e t r a t e f a r i n t o .
t u s uas txeem One who c a r r i e s through with an
intended a c t i o n .
mus t s i s txeem C a n ' t make any progress a g a i n s t
( a s a g a i n s t wind o r waves, e t c . )
2 . txeem
a cuabyeej toomtxeem Household goods.
3 . txeem 2. txij
neeg xam txeem One who does some work and then t x i j nkawm A n engaged person o r couple.
passes t h e r e s t o f f onto o t h e r s . yog txi j yog nkawm Are married.
t s e g t x i j t s e g nkawm Bereft of husband o r wife.
txees
t x e e s nees ( a r c h a i c term f o r 'phab xyoob') . 3. t x i j R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r with ' t x e j '
a f t e r ' n r o v ' ( c f . ' n r o v ' p . 178 and Appendix 8 ) .
1. txeev To be s p l i t or cracked a l i t t l e b i t (of v e s s e l s ,
etc.) 1. txim Offense a g a i n s t law or custom, g u i l t , s i n , crime.
muab txim r a u To hold a s g u i l t y , t o accuse.
2 . txeev sawm txim To bear punishment, t o s u f f e r f o r o f f e n s e ( C )
nplua txim To f i n e , p e n a l t y f o r o f f e n s e .
.
t u s txeev tham Of one who t a l k s a l o t
( a ) raug txim To s u f f e r punishment f o r offense o r s i n .
3 . txeev ( b ) teem txim To s u f f e r punishment f o r o f f e n s e o r s i n .
( a ) lam h a i s ( c f . ' lam' ) . t x i a v txim To decide t h e punishment f o r o f f e n s e .
( b ) txeev lam h a i s ( c f . ' lam' ) . nyob t x i m To be confined i n p r i s o n f o r o f f e n s e .

1. t x i To bear f r u i t on t h e twig o r branch ( c o n t r . 2 . txim To bind t i g h t l y .

'txhawv') .
t x i t x i v To bear f r u i t .
Muab h l u a txim n t i v t e s . Bind t h e f i n g e r with a s t r i n g .
3 . txim Sparks, a spark.
2. txi To o f f e r a s a s a c r i f i c e , t o s a c r i f i c e . txim taws Sparks (of wood or metal, e t c . )
t x i dab To o f f e r a s a s a c r i f i c e t o t h e s p i r i t s , t o
o f f e r animal s a c r i f i c e t o s p i r i t s . txis To j o i n i n marriage.
kev t x i s pojniam Marriage.
txib To send someone on an e r r a n d o r mission, t o d i s p a t c h ( a ) Muab ob t u g t x i s ua niam t x i v . To j o i n a couple
on a commission. i n marriage. To perform a wedding.
t u b t x i b A messenger, one s e n t on a mission. ( b ) Muab ob t u g s i b t x i s ua niam t x i v . To join a
t u b t x i b t u b txawg An a b l e messenger. couple i n marriage. To perform a wedding.
1. t x i g P e r t a i n i n g t o t h e cheek.
xub t x i g The cheek bone.
1. t x i v
kuv t x i v My f a t h e r .
.
Male, f a t h e r , husband, male r e l a t i v e ( c l f ' t u s ' ) .
sawv i b t x i g To stand s i d e by s i d e , "cheek t o cheek." kuv t u s t x i v My husband.
kes t x i g To f i n g e r t h e cheek i n d i c a t i n g shame t x i v n e e j Male, a male i n d i v i d u a l , man.
toward someone. cov t x i v n e e j Men.
t x i v t s h i a b Foster f a t h e r .
2 . txig Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'dub.' t x i v hlob Father's elder brother.
.
(cf Appendix 8 ) .
dub t x i g P e r f e c t l y black ( a l s o 'dub nciab' ) .
t x i v ntxawm F a t h e r ' s younger b r o t h e r .
Note: For o t h e r male r e l a t i v e s c f . Kinship Charts
Appendix 11) .
3. txig t u s t x i v q e e j The one who p l a y s t h e pipes a t a f u n e r a l .
dub muag t x i g mus To go s t r a i g h t on without stopping
(with black and determined f a c e ) . 2. txiv The male of animals.
t x i v nyu j A b u l l .
1. t x i j To reach t o , up t o t h e p o i n t o f . t x i v t h a i s l i a b A l a r g e male monkey.
t x i j no Up t o t h i s p o i n t .
( a ) t x i j nrho Reaching t o . 3 . t x i v F r u i t ( c l f . ' l u b ' f o r one, ' t a u v ' f o r a c l u s t e r ) .
( b ) t x i j nkaus Reaching t o . t x i t x i v To bear f r u i t (on branch o r t w i g ) .
t x i j no mus From t h i s p o i n t on, from now on. txhawv t x i v To bear f r u i t (from t h e c e n t e r stem
t x i j thaum ntawd 10s txog nimno From t h a t time a s pineapples, bananas, e t c ) .
u n t i l now.
 Various Kinds of F r u i t 1. t x i a Enlargement of the g u l l e t , t h e crop of a b i r d ,
t x i v cev nplaum The e d i b l e f i g . goiter.
t x i v cev txua I n e d i b l e f i g s . l u b t x i a The crop of a b i r d .
t x i v cuab t h o j Guava. mob t x i a G o i t e r .
t x i v duaj Peach.
t x i v kab ntxwv Orange, t a n g e r i n e . 2 . t x i a To seep, of water oozing slowly i n o r o u t .
t x i v lwj zoov Pomelo av t x i a d e j Swampy ground.
t x i v mam auv Pomelo ( T ) .
t x i v lwvchi Leechee ( C )
t x i v lws suav Tomato.
. 3 . t x i a To change form or n a t u r e .
r a b qws t x i a ua nab The rod changed t o a s e r p e n t .
( a ) t x i v maum kuab ( T ) Papaya.
( b ) t x i v taub ntoo Papaya. 4. txia The s h o r t c r o s s s t r a n d s i n weaving, t h e woof ( c f .
t x i v nyuj kub A sour wild f r u i t shaped l i k e a h o r n . 'hlaub' ) .
t x i v p l a b nyu J a c k f r u i t .
t x i v puv l u j Pineapple ( T ) . 1. t x i a b S c i s s o r s ( c l f . ' r a b ' ) , t o c u t with a s c i s s o r s .
t x i v quav miv Tamarind.
t x i v r o j Term used f o r t h e o l i v e . 2 . txiab
t x i v r a u zaub Term used f o r limes. t x i a b neeb ( c f . 'neeb' p . 137) .
t x i v tsawb Banana (cf ' tsawb ' ) . .
t x i v t x h a i s Mango. 3. txiab
t x i v mav p o j Coconut (T) . t x i a b xeeb Sick, s i c k n e s s .
4. txiv To i n t e r p r e t , t o t r a n s l a t e ( c f . ' t x h a i s ' ) , speak 1. t x i a g A board, a s l a b .
on behalf o f . t x i a g ntoo Wooden boards (daim) .
t x i v l u s To i n t e r p r e t , speak on behalf of o t h e r s . t x i a g zeb A s l a b of rock (daim) .
t x i v t x i a g The covering board of a c o f f i n .
5. txiv To p r e s s upon one ( a s a crowd, e t c . ) , t o wedge t x i a g qhov r o o j A door (boards on h i n g e s ) .
o n e ' s way through a s through a group or crowd.
s i b t x i v Crowded t o g e t h e r . (cf. 'txam'). 2 . t x i a g T . c . from ' t x i a j ' o r ' t x i a s . '
Note: When used i n i s o l a t i o n ' t x i a g ' has an e v i l conno-
6. txiv t a t i o n and should be avoided.
t x i v c a j ntswg The bridge of t h e nose.
1. t x i a j Money, wealth.
7. txiv mua j mua j t x i a g Wealthy ( t c . ) .
n y i a j t x i a g S i l v e r money, money ( t . c . )
( a ) t x i v ntswg The t i p of t h e nose.
( b ) t x i v taub ntswg The t i p of t h e nose. t x i a j ntawv Paper money.
t x i a j maj S i l v e r coin, t h e French p i a s t r e .
8. t x i v twv t x i a j To gamble f o r money, t o gamble.
t x i v xaiv Funeral songs ( c f . 'kwv t x h i a j ' p . 9 2 ) . t x i a j cub A kind of small Indo-Chinese coin used by
Hmonq f o r decoration.
9. txiv t x i a j n p l i v A kind of small Indo-Chinese c o i n used
khav t x i v To b o a s t ( c f . 'khav t h e e b ' ), proud. by Hmong f o r decoration.

10. t x i v 2. txiaj
lub t x i v m i s The n i p p l e of t h e b r e a s t . tsim t x i a j Of value, worth money, worthy of r e s p e c t .
neeg t s i s t s i m t x i a j A worthless i n d i v i d u a l .
11. t x i v
t x i v kev To o b s t r u c t . 3. txiaj
t x i v nkaus Cut o f f , o b s t r u c t e d . r i s l a w t x i a j To be g r a t e f u l t o them.
Kuv t s i s r i s nws t x i a j . I have been u n g r a t e f u l t o him.
1 2 . txiv
txiv txiag The covering board of a c o f f i n .
4. txiaj 3 . txob Pepper.
t x i a j ntsim (lub) A kind o r gracious a c t , a gracious kuatxob Red pepper.
gift, e t c . (also ' t x i a j n t s i g ' ) . hwjtxob Black pepper (C) .
p a u j t x i a j n t s i m r a u To make r e t u r n f o r a f a v o r o r
gift. 4 . txob
t x i a j n t s h a t x i a j ntsim G i f t s . ( a ) xeeb t x o b Worry, t r o u b l e , u n s e t t l e d h e a r t .
txuag t x i a j txuag n t s i g G i f t s , a c t s of mercy. ( b ) t x o b s i a b Worry, t r o u b l e , u n s e t t l e d h e a r t .
txuag nws t x i a j To c a r e f o r , have mercy on a p e r s o n . ( c ) kev txob Worry, t r o u b l e , u n s e t t l e d h e a r t .
5. txiaj A t e n t h o f an ounce ( c f . ' l a s ' ) . 5 . txob
t x o b puab Of a c h i l d t h a t i s f u s s y and troublesome.
txiam
.
( a ) ywj txiam A s you p l e a s e ( c f ' x i j ' ) . 1. t x o To r e l i n q u i s h , t o l e t down o r t u r n over t o a n o t h e r ,
( b ) xijpeem A s you p l e a s e ( c f . ' x i j ' ) . release.
Muab l u b kawm t x o r a u lawv. Give your back b a s k e t
1. t x i a s Cold, unheated, uncooked. over t o them.
d e j t x i a g Cold water ( t . c . 1 t x o f a i v f u a j Put o u t t h e f l a s h l i g h t .
t x i a s t x i a s r h i a b r h i a b " I n a c o l d sweat" ( a s i n t x o ceg n t o o To c u t t h e b r a n c h e s o f f a f a l l e n t r e e .
f a c i n g a snake, e t c . ) n t o v t x o ntswg To c u t a l e a n i n g t r e e u n t i l it s p l i t s
o f f and f a l l s .
2. txias
ua t u v t x i a s tom c a j qwb "Speaking e v i l of me behind
my back" ( c f . ' t u v ' ) .
2 . txo Of f o r e i g n m a t t e r found i n w a t e r ( c o n t r . ' n r o ' ) .
d e j muaj t x o Water w i t h f o r e i g n m a t t e r i n i t .
1. t x i a v To chop, t o c u t o f f , t o c u t w i t h a chopping motion 1. txog To a r r i v e a t , a r r i v e d , t o t h e p o i n t o r t o t h e l i m i t
.
(contr ' h l a i s ' ). of.
.
t x i a v taws To chop firewood ( c o n t r ' t x h i b ' ) . txog nimno U n t i l now.
Nqa mus txog t s e v . Carry it t o t h e house.
2 . t x i a v To d e c i d e , t o f i x . T s i s t a u txog. Hasn't a r r i v e d .
( a ) t x i a v p l a u b To f i x payment f o r an o f f e n s e .
( b ) t x i a v txim To f i x payment f o r an o f f e n s e . 2 . txog
h a i s txog. ..
Idiom f o r " t o speak o f " o r " t o speak
3. txiav
t x i a v kev To e x p l a i n , t o s e t f o r t h t h e way of doing
concerning ..."
(contr. 'hais rau . . . I ) .
things, t o preach. 3 . txog
txog t x o g s i a v B r e a t h l e s s , winded, heavy b r e a t h i n g .
4 . t x i a v The s p l e e n .
mob t x i a v Enlargement and h a r d e n i n g of the s p l e e n . txoj Clf. f o r l e n g t h s , of t h i n g s t h a t come i n l e n g t h s .
t x oj h l u a A l e n g t h of r o p e .
5. txiav t x oj kev A road, p a t h , o r way.
t x i a v muag Refusing t o look a t a n o t h e r person due t x oj l u s A saying, a v o c a l e x p r e s s i o n .
t o hatred. t x oj s i a v L i f e (sometimes h e a r d ' t x o j s i a ' ) .
1. t x o b To encounter o r meet w i t h t r o u b l e , e s p e c i a l l y
t x oj kev.. . "The way o f "
t x oj kev dab The way of t h e s p i r i t s , s p i r i t worship.
c o u r t c a s e s o r c a s e s of d i s p u t e . t x oj kev Yexu J e s u s ' way, C h r i s t i a n i t y .
t x o b p l a u b To e n c o u n t e r l i t i g a t i o n , be involved i n t x oj kev nlom I d o l worship, Buddhism.
a c a s e a t law, t o g i v e r i s e t o d i s p u t e .
Kuv t x o b t a u t x o j kev phem ... I have met w i t h t h i s 1. txom
e v i l way ... t s i m txom To p e r s e c u t e , t o cause t o s u f f e r .
2 . t x o b To t r o u b l e , t o make t r o u b l e f o r . 2 . txom
l'xhob t x o b xibhwb. D o n ' t make t r o u b l e f o r t h e txomnyem Destitute, impoverished, s u f f e r i n g c a l a m i t y .
teacher.
3 . txom
meem txom I r r i t a t i n g , i r r i t a t e d , provoked, provoking
anger.
txos 1. t x u j To pretend.
qhov t x o s The f i r e p l a c e f o r cooking p i g food, e t c . ( a ) ua t x u j TO pretend ( c f . ' t s a b ' ) .
1. txov To t a k e l i f e .
( b ) ua t x u j t s a b To pretend ( c f . ' t s a b ' ) .
ua t x u j mus TO pretend t o go.
txov t x o j s i a v To t a k e l i f e , t o k i l l . ua t x u j tuag TO pretend t o d i e .
2 . txov 2. txuj
nees txov lawj A brown h o r s e . txujci ( c l f . ' t u s ' ) (also ' t u s txuj tus c i ' ) , principle,
method, way of doing t h i n g s , science, r u l e ,
1. txoob A mane, e s p e c i a l l y t h i c k h a i r l i k e a mane. wisdom, s k i l l o r a b i l i t y ( c f . 'peevxwm' ) .
txoob nees A h o r s e ' s mane. muaj t x u j muaj c i Has a s p e c i a l method o r r u l e of
operation.
2 . txoob A s p e c i e s of palm t h e h e a r t of which i s e d i b l e Kuv t s i s paub t u s t x u j c i . I d o n ' t know how it works.
b u t not t h e f r u i t . I d o n ' t know t h e p l a n .
txoob l i a b A kind of e d i b l e palm.
x i b txoob The f i b r e s of t h i s type of palm. 3. t x u j
txu j lom Spices, condiments, food f l a v o r i n g s ( o t h e r
txoog
k a j ntug txoog Early dawn.
than onions, peppers, e t c ) .
4. txuj
1. t x o o j C l f . f o r a clump of bamboo. txujkum How, however, no matter how, no matter what
i b txoog xyoob One clump of bamboo ( t. c . )
Nej yog n q a i j i b daig, tawv i b phob, xyoob i b txoog,
( o f t e n i n connection with ' t s i s kav' ) (C) .
Txujkum t s i s kav yuav t a u ua xwb. I t must be done no
ntoo i b t s o b . You a r e very c l o s e r e l a t i v e s . matter what happens.
( l i t e r a l l y "one f l e s h , one skin, one clump of Yuav txujkum ua t a u ? How can it be done?
bamboo and one t r e e . " )
5. t x u j R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r ' q u a j . '
2 . txooj quaj t x u j txwv Sound a s of a dog c r y i n g i n paln ( c f .
hnub t x o o j The "even" numbered days regarded a s
.
belonging t o women. ( c f 'hnub t a b ' ) . Appendix 11) .
1. txum Of a m a t t r e s s o r q u i l t .
3 . txoo j txum zooj (daim) A m a t t r e s s .
ua t x o o j To t i e with a double rope ( c f . ' u a t a b ' ) . txum p a j (daim) A c o t t o n q u i l t , a q u i l t .
txoom Wrinkled. 2 . txum To take t h e place of a n o t h e r .
txoom txoom li Of a person with many w r i n k l e s .
zaub txoom A kind of l e a f y vegetable with very
txum nws chaw To r e p l a c e him, t a k e h i s p o s i t i o n (C) .
wrinkled l e a v e s . 3 . txum
txum t s a b t o s To w a i t q u i e t l y t o k i l l game, t o w a i t
txoov .
P e r t a i n i n g t o t h e s p i r i t s ( c f . ' d a b ' and ' n e e b ' ) for a k i l l .
txoov neeb The leader o r t h e g r e a t e s t of t h e ' n e e b ' .
txoov dab Great or powerful ' d a b ' ( c f ' dab' )
txoov dab nlom Idols, g r e a t i d o l s .
. . 4 . txum
txum t i m Native ( C ) , t h e i n h a b i t a n t of a v i l l a g e a s
opposed t o an o u t s i d e r ('kum k h e j ' ) .
1. txub Clf. for court cases.
1. t x u s Sometimes used i n t h e p l a c e of ' n t a u s ' ( t o h i t )
2 . txub when speaking i n anger a g a i n s t another.
h a i s c u a j txub kaum txub To speak of a l l kinds of
things. 2 . txus Used i n expressing ' t h e more t h e b e t t e r , ' e t c .
s i m i l a r t o t h e use of 'yim. ' ( c f . 'yim' ) .
txug txus s a i b t x u s zoo The more you s e e of it t h e b e t t e r
ua t s i s muaj txug, t s o t s e g Couldn't do it d e s p i t e it i s .
t r y i n g hard and so q u i t ( a f t e r having made
repeated claim of a b i l i t y , e t c . )
3. txus 3. txuas
ua ib siab txus tes ntxhias To go ahead with some- ntshav txuas qos ntso Blood spurting, hemorrhage.
thing even though very reluctant.
4. txuas A brush knife, a knife with a broad hooked end
1. txuv Of adults or children that are petulant and peevishly (clf. 'rab')
fretful. (cf. 'tshiam' which is only used of
children). rab txuas--l)
r
2 , txuv To pester, to antagonize (cf. 'siv' ) . 1. txw To seek to dissuade, to advise against an intended
txuv kov ywm loom li (C) Troublesome, pestering. course of action.
1. txua Non-glutinous (as contrasted with 'nplaum') . 2. txw
mov txua Ordinary cooked rice as contrasted with
glutinous rice ( 'mov nplaum') . txw txaij Freckles, freckled.

2. txua To construct, to make. 1. txwj

txua rooj To construct a table. (a) cov txwj laus The village elders, the leaders,
txua nkoj To make a boat. old people, elders whose counsel is respected.
(b) cov txwj cov laus The village elders, the
txua hleb To make a coffin. leaders, old people, elders whose counsel
is respected.
3. txua
neeg ncauj txua A person who talks a lot, one who 2. txwj
says whatever he thinks. kev txwj kev laus The traditions, teachings of the
elders.
txuab
pobzeb toob txuab A kind of soft stone. 1. txwm A Meo poetic couplet (consisting of two 'nqes').
Ob nqes ua ib txwg. Two halves make a couplet (t.c.)
txuag To care for, to preserve, to keep in good condition.
(a) txuag nws To look after a person, to care for
(cf. 'nqes,' 'zaj,' 'tshooj') .
his welfare. 2. txwm Rhyme or correct poetic structure.
(b) txuag nws txiaj To look after a person, to care Tsis muaj txwm tsis zoo nloog. If it doesn't rhyme
for his welfare. it isn't nice to listen to.
txuag tau lub siab mentsis Be a little careful to
do things the right way, etc.
tsis txuag Doesn't observe custom or taboo, etc.
3. txwm Clf. for pairs (cf. 'nkawm') . Used for pairs of
chopsticks, horns, a married couple, etc.
Ib txwg niam txiv mus. The parents went as a couple.
1. txuam To interfere in the affairs of others (cf. 'fim').
4. txwm Originally, from the beginning.
2. txuam Ib txwm ua li no l a m . It has always been this way.
txuam tsoov Mixed varieties, half-breed. txwm keeb li Originally, from the beginning.
1. txuas To connect, to join together, to knot together. 5. txwm
sib txuas Joined, connected. txam txwm A mark or imprint, indented or raised
txuas lus To converse, to join words together. markings as on a gun or a can (C).
txuas quav To tell lies.
sau sib txuas To write longhand, connected writing. 6. txwm
sau tsis txuas To print, unconnected writing. txhob txwm Purposefully, with intent.
nrog l a w txuas tw tis To take a wife from among txhob txwm ua To do purposely, intentionally.
their family, to be connected by marriage
(cf. ' tshoob' ) . 7. txwm
tsis tau txwm xyoo Not yet a year old.
2. txuas
qhov rooj txuas The side door of a house. 8. txwm Clf. for letters of the alphabet.
ib txwm ntawv One letter.
txwm
txwm kav (used b e f o r e verbs t o i n d i c a t e a c t i o n -
TXH
persevered r e g a r d l e s s of advice or w a r n i n g ) . txha Bony, bone, p e r t a i n i n g t o t h e hard core of an o b j e c t .
Note: ' y e j meem' i s used s i m i l a r l y . pobtxha ( l u b ) A bone.
mas txwm kav ( o r ' y e j meem' ) thov nws pab Ask him pob qe j txha A bone j o i n t .
t o help regardless. pob q e j txha t x h a u j lawm Dislocated j o i n t .
txwm kav t s o moo Kept t e l l i n g everyone, kept pobtxha qes lawm A sprained j o i n t .
spreading t h e news undaunted. txha ntoo The heartwood of a t r e e
txha pobkws A corncob.
txws A small can ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) ( a s f o r money, tobacco,
opium, e t c . ) 1. txhab To add t o , t o i n c r e a s e ( c f . ' t s a v ' ) .
txws yeeb Can o r box f o r keeping opium. txhab d e j To add water ( e . g . t o meat o r vegetables
txws
while cooking) .
muaj zog txhab mus To i n c r e a s e i n s t r e n g t h .
ua qhua txws (cf . ' tuag ' p . 327) . Yuav txhab i b l o l u s t h i a j txhua. You need t o add
a word t o it so i t w i l l be complete.
txws
kab txws Marbleworm ( t u s ) . 2 . txhab A storehouse, a granary ( c l f . ' lub' ) .
txhab n p l e j A r i c e granary.
txwv To rebuke, t o f o r b i d t o do something ( s t r o n g e r txhab n y i a j A t r e a s u r y .
than ' t a v ' ) , t o prevent from a c t i o n .
3 . txhab
txwv A nominalizing s y l l a b l e added t o many words, kiav txhab ( l u b ) An u l c e r , an open s o r e .
e s p e c i a l l y those taken from t h e Chinese.
Compare t h e following words l i s t e d i n t h e i r 4 . txhab
individual e n t r i e s : hniav txhab ( t u s ) A wisdom t o o t h .
ntxwv cuamtxwv kimtxwv phua j txwv
hwjtxwv zimtxwv covtxwv liam txwv 5 . txhab
lujtxwv txhuam txwv t i v txwv phia j txwv txhab khaum ( l u b ) The gunstock.
muastxwv pomtxwv h i a v txwv pobtxwv
pivtxwv txha j .
To p r i c k , t o puncture (cf 'hno' ) .
t x h a j t s h u a j To i n j e c t medicine.
txwv
puas txwv puaj tiam ( c f . ' p u a j ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 4 ) . txham To sneeze, of sounds r e q u i r i n g a s p i r a t i o n .
txham d e j To sneeze because of water g e t t i n g i n t o
txwv
kov txwv 10s ( c f . 'kov' D e f i n i t i o n No. 4 ) . t h e windpipe, e t c .
txham cuam Of animals g e t t i n g water, e t c . i n t o t h e
windpipe.
txwv
txwvzeej txwvkoob Ancestors. 1. txhav S t i f f , hardened, paralyzed.
txhav n r e e s S t i f f , s t i f f e n e d .
txwv lub s i a b txhav nrees S t i f f - h e a r t e d , hard-hearted
s i v tom txwv ( c f . ' s i v ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 3) . and d i s o b e d i e n t .
n p l a i g txhav Tongue-tied.
txwv R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r with ' t x u j '
after 'quaj.' ( c f . Appendix 11). 2 . txhav To rob, t o s e i z e f o r c i b l y , t o snatch away ( c f .
quaj t x u j txwv Sound a s of a dog crying i n p a i n . 'lws, ' ' t x e e b ' and ' n y i a g ' ) .
txhav lawv n y i a j To s t e a l t h e i r money, rob them.
3 . txhav
txhav q a i b The second j o i n t i n a chicken l e g ,
t h e h i g h e s t s e c t i o n of chicken l e g .
1. t x h a i s C l f . f o r arms, hands and f e e t . 1. txhawb To r a i s e and p l a c e h o r i z o n t a l l y , t o e r e c t i n
i b t x h a i s t e s One hand ( o r lower arm) . a horizontal position.
txhawb yees To e r e c t t h e h o r i z o n t a l crossbeams of
2. txhais To e x p l a i n , t o i n t e r p r e t ( c f . ' p i a v ' and ' t x i v a house ( c f . ' t s e v ' ) .
lus') . txhawb t x h e e j meej To p u t up t h e a r t i c l e s of s p i r i t
t x h a i s t s i s t a u Cannot e x p l a i n i t . worship over t h e d o o r .

3. txhais 2 . txhawb
ob cag peb t x h a i s O u t s i d e r s , t h o s e of a n o t h e r c l a n . txhawb n e j l u b s i a b To encourage you.

4. txhais 3 . txhawb Of a vapor r i s i n g o r of a f i r e approaching,

txiv txhais The mango f r u i t . t o vaporize.
txhawb t s h u a j Of a m e d i c i n a l v a p o r .
5. txhais Of a t r a p s p r i n g i n g , o f a s p r i n g b e i n g r e l e a s e d
o r of s t r a n d s suddenly u n r a v e l l i n g . 4 . txhawb Pungent, d e s c r i p t i v e of a s h a r p o r pungent odor
t x h a i s plhuav Of a t r a p s p r i n g i n g . a s e . g . of a l c o h o l o r o f r e d pepper, e t c .
t x h a i s dheev To suddenly u n r a v e l o r s p r i n g open. ( c f . ' txhub' ) .
6. txhais txhawj To worry, t o b e concerned o r d i s t r e s s e d .
t x h a i s hwj A p i e c e of broken g l a s s . kev txhawj Worry, d i s t r e s s , t r o u b l e .
txhawj xeeb To be w o r r i e d i n h e a r t , worrying.
7 . txhais Something beyond t h e o r d i n a r y f i g u r e , used of
fractions. txham To s e t a s i d e , t o save, t o p u t a s i d e f o r a purpose
i b ntawv t x h a i s Something over one " B a h t , " more ( c f . 'phaj ' ) .
t h a n one p i e c e o f paper money. t s e v txhawm n y i a j A bank ( l u b ) .
txhawm kuv m e n t s i s Lend me a l i t t l e .
1. txhaub txhawm c i a them r a u l a w Save t o pay back t h e d e b t
txhaub kua To add w a t e r t o f r y i n g meat and v e g e t a b l e s t o them.
s o a s t o make a soup o r gravy, e t c .
1. txhaws To s t u f f up, t o block o r p l u g an opening.
2 . txhaub txhaws ntswg A s t u f f e d up n o s e .
txhaub d e j To plunge m e t a l i n t o water a f t e r h e a t i n g txhaws qa A s o r e and s t u f f e d up t h r o a t .
s o a s t o p r e p a r e f o r f o r g i n g and s h a p i n g . av txhawv l u b qhov D i r t i s b l o c k i n g t h e h o l e .
( a ) txhaws qhov t u a g To d i e f o r a n o t h e r , t o t a k e t h e
3 . txhaub To urge animals i n t o f i g h t i n g .
txhaub dev To send a dog t o a t t a c k someone.
p l a c e of a n o t h e r i n d e a t h ( c f . ' t h i s ' ) .
( b ) txhaws qhov tuag t h e e j t x h o j To d i e f o r a n o t h e r ,
txhaub nyuj To i n c i t e b u l l s t o f i g h t each o t h e r . t o take the place of another i n death ( c f . ' t h i s ' ) .
txhauj To d i s l o c a t e a j o i n t . 2 . txhawv R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r w i t h 'daws'
pob q e j txha t x h a u j l a m Dislocated j o i n t . (cf. 'daws').

txhaum Wrong, wrongdoing, m i s t a k e . 1. txhawv To bubble up, t o i s s u e f o r t h .

ua txhaum To do wrong, t o make.a m i s t a k e qhov d e j txhawv A s p r i n g .
qhov txhaum A wrong, a mistake ('lub) .
2 . txhawv Of f r u i t o r g r a i n which forms from t h e c e n t e r of
txhaus t h e s t a l k r a t h e r than on t h e branch, t o bear
txhaus nees To f o r c e a h o r s e t o d r i n k , t o g i v e a ( i n t h e above s e n s e ) a s e . g . r i c e , p i n e a p p l e s ,
h o r s e medicine v i a t h e n o s t r i l s . bananas, e t c .
n p l e j txhawv t x h i j The r i c e h a s come t o a head.
txhauv A k i n d of g r a i n s i m l l a r t o m i l l e t which i s o f t e n
used a s a h o r s e f e e d . 1 . txhem
txhem zaub To remove t h e s t r i n g s , s h o o t s and i n e d i b l e
l e a v e s , e t c . from v e g e t a b l e s .
txhem 3 . txhee j
txhem t e b To remove and p i l e up f o r burning t h e t x h e e j meej The a r t i c l e s of s p i r i t worship put over
branches, v i n e s , e t c . a f t e r t h e t r e e s have t h e door ( c f . ' t x h a w b ' ) .
been f e l l e d i n c l e a r i n g a f i e l d f o r use
( a l s o s a i d 'them t e b . ' ) ( c f . 'them' ) . 4 . txhee j
peev t x h e e j Money t o s t a r t business, c a p i t a l ( C ) .
txhem
xyeej txhem To d e s p i s e . 5 . txhee j
peb t x h e e j peb t i s A g r e a t crowd, g r e a t numbers.
txhem To d i v i d e o f f from.
txhem hwb t x h i b To s e p a r a t e one from another and 6 . txhee j
f o r b i d t o marry. t x h e e j txheem Basis, source of f a c t s o r information.

txheeb Closely r e l a t e d , c l o s e blood r e l a t i v e s . 7 . txhee j

kwvtij txheeb txheeb Close blood r e l a t i v e s . Kuv t s i s vwj nws t x h e e j . I w i l l not f o r g e t h i s kindness.

txheeb Gray i n c o l o r , ashen. txheem To support ( e . g . using a hand t o support one from
f a l l i n g o r using a p o l e t o support a leaning
txheeb To i n v i t e ( C ) . t r e e or a heavy branch of a t r e e , e t c . ) , t o
support o r a s s i s t i n a cause.
txheeb To pole a b o a t . txhee j txheem ( c f . ' txhee j ' ) .
txheeb nkoj To pole a boat ( c o n t r . 'nquam' ) . ( a ) t x h e e j nkaus To support with t h e hand t o keep
from f a l l i n g , t o hold up.
txheeb (b) n r e s nkaus To support with t h e hand t o keep
tebchaws txheeb tibneeg To take a census. from f a l l i n g , t o hold up.

txheeb txheev
txheeb txheeb vam vam Thousands and t e n s of thousands txheev dab To c a l l t h e s p i r i t s t o come, t o i n v i t e
( C ) (sometimes used i n expressing a g r e a t the s p i r i t s (C) .
length of time, f o r e v e r ) . 1. t x h i b To s p l i t wood o f f lengthwise along t h e l o g .
txheeb t x h i b taws To c u t firewood i n t h e above manner
rho txheeb To d i v i n e or c a s t l o t s by s e l e c t i n g one .
( c o n t r ' t x i a v taws ' ) .
from among a number of bamboo s t i c k s .
2 . t x h i b To c o n s t r a i n , t o compel ( c f ' yuam' ) . .
txheeb h a i s l u s t x h i b To speak s o a s t o cause t o do quickly,
s i b tom txheeb Brother and s i s t e r marry b r o t h e r and t o speak with alarm.
sister.
3. txhib
txheeb Complete, whole. txhem hwb t x h i b (cf . ' txhem' ) .
txheeb hnub txheeb hmo A l l day and a l l n i g h t .
suav t s i s txheeb More than can be counted (cannot 4 . txhib
be counted t o completion). ntaus t x h i b ntawg (cf . 'ntawg' ) .
t x h e e j Previous, precedinq i n time (CI . 1. t x h i j Complete, whole.
t x h e e j zaug The previous time o r occasion. t x h i j t x h i j txhua txhua E n t i r e l y complete, whole.
t x h e e j thaum ub In t h e very beginning. Nws paub l u s t x h i j . He knows t h e whole language.
cuaj t x h e e j c u a j t i s ( C ) From t h e beginning of t h e
.
generations of man ( c f ' puas txwv pua j tiam' ) . 2 . txhi j
i b t x h i j A t t h e same time, a l l t o g e t h e r .
txheej A tier, a s t o r y , a l e v e l o r l a y e r ( c f . 'theem' i b t x h i j h a i s A l l t a l k i n g a t t h e same time, say it
and ' tshoo j ' ) . a l l together.
3 . txhij To smooth o f f t h e end of a p i e c e of wood across
the grain.
.
2 . t x h i a j Then, consequently (cf ' t h i a j ' ) .
Yuav mus t x h i a j zoo. You had b e t t e r go.
t x h i j t u j lub To smooth t h e end of a spinning t o p . Kuv t x h i a j ( o r ' t x h i a j l i ' ) h a i s r a u nws t i a s . . .
t x h i j qab xub To smooth o f f t h e b u t t end of an
arrow.
Then ( o r " t h e r e f o r e " ) I s a i d t o him.. .
Note: We have l i s t e d ' t x h i a j ' o r ' t x h i a j l i ' h e r e and
a l s o under ' t h i a j ' o r ' t h i a j l i . ' We h e a r it
4 . txhij more commonly s a i d ' t h i a j ' o r ' t h i a j l i ' among
t x h i j txiv mim The P l e i a d e s . Thailand Hmong but it i s q u i t e p o s s i b l e t h a t t h e
o t h e r rendering (which i s a l s o heard) i s a c t u a l l y
1. txhim To b u i l d with b r i c k o r stone ( C ) . t h e o r i g i n a l pronunciation. In Laos ' t x h i a j '
txhim t s e v To b u i l d a b r i c k or stone h o u s e . o r ' t x h i a j l i ' i s more common and t h e Blue
( o r Green) Hmong f o r t h e same expression i s
2 . txhim Flaky, not c l i n g i n g t o g e t h e r ( e . g . p a s t r y , e t c . ) 'txha l e . '

3 . txhim 3 . t x h i a j To propound a r i d d l e .
Sam txhim To p a i n t , t o apply p a i n t t o ( C ) . t x h i a j t e e b meem To speak i n r i d d l e s , r i d d l e s .
t x h i a j t a u t x h a i s t s i s t a u a l e t o speak r i d d l e s
txhis b u t not explain them.
i b t x h i s li Continually, f o r e v e r ( c f . ' i b sim' ) . 4 . txhiaj
i b 10s i b t x h i s Continuallv, f o r e v e r .
i b t x h i s t s i s kawg c o n t i n u a l l y without end, always t x h i a j khoov Conveying t h e idea " i t would be b e t t e r
forever. i f . . . " (cf. 'yim').
i b t x h i s nruab t h i a b 10s Continually from b i r t h ( a ) t x h i a j khoov ua li Done without knowledge, b e t t e r
(This word i s pronounced 'txhim' by some i f I hadn' t done i t .
speakers) . ( b ) yim l e e j ua li Done without knowledge, b e t t e r
i f I h a d n ' t done i t .
txhiv To redeem an a r t i c l e by some payment i n r e t u r n . Txhiaj khoov txhob yug 10s. I t would be b e t t e r i f
t x h i v p l i g To o f f e r t h e s p i r i t of a s l a i n animal ( h e ) hadn ' t been born.
i n exchange f o r t h e r e t u r n of t h e s p i r i t of
someone who i s s i c k , e t c . txhiam
txhiam xwm Garden vegetables ( a s opposed t o f i e l d
1. t x h i a A l l , a l l kinds o f . crops).
t x h i a yam A l l kinds o f , a l l s o r t s . l a i s txhiam xwm To p l a n t v e g e t a b l e s .
t x h i a l e e j A l l persons. txhiam l a j txhiam xwm Vegetables.
qhovtxhiachaw Things, a r t i c l e s .
t x h i a hnub txhua hmo Every day and n i g h t . txhiav
txhiav d e j A s p e c i e s of small wild palm s i m i l a r t o
2 txhia
i b t x h i a Some.
t h e a r e c a palm. ( t u s ) .
i b t x h i a paub i b t x h i a t s i s paub Some (people) 1 , txho
know and some do n o t . xiav txho Light b l u e .
1. t x h i a b One thousand ( C ) . 2 . txho
i b t x h i a b l e e j One thousand persons. txho tshauv Having an ashy colored c o a t i n g a s some
t x h i a b niag t i m puas xyoo Thousand of y e a r s ( C ) . animals, some vegetables, e t c .

2 . t x h i a b To t o a s t , t o dry by t h e f i r e ( c f . ' c i ' ) . 3 . txho

The palm c i v e t Cat.
t x h i a b maj To dry t h e hemp by t h e f i r e . mab txho

1. t x h i a j A balad, a s t o r y song ( c f . 'kwv' D e f i n i t i o n No. 11). 1. txhob Negative imperative (used b e f o r e t h e verb e i t h e r by
kwv t x h i a j A serenade or b a l l a d . i t s e l f or preceded by t h e negative ' t s i s ' ) .
h a i s kwv t x h i a j To s i n g b a l l a d s , t o serenade. ( a ) Txhob ua Don't do it!
( b ) T s i s txhob u a . Don't do it:
Txhob h a i s l u s . Don't t a l k !
2 . txhob 2 . txhoo j
tuam txhob ( r a b ) A digging implement for making KUV txhooj xeeb cawv xwv xav pom n e j ( C ) I want t o
h o l e s i n t h e ground t o i n s e r t p o s t s , e t c . see you very b a d l y .

3 . txhob txhoov T o c u t up i n t o b i t e s i z e p i e c e s f o r cooking and

txhob t x w m Purposefully, with i n t e n t . eating.
txhob txwm ua To do i n t e n t i o n a l l y . txhoov n q a i j To c u t up meat ( c o n t r . ' t s u a v ' ) .
txhoov zaub To c u t up v e g e t a b l e s .
1. txho j
t x h o j ha ( l u b ) A shallow v a l l e y ( c f . 'hav' ) (t.c .) . txhu
t s i a j txhu Animals.
2 . txho j
t h e e j txhoj (cf. 'theej'). 1. txhub Of a sharp or pungent odor ( a s of red pepper, e t c . )
hnov kuatxob txhub txhub To smell t h e pungent odor
3 . txho j of peppers ( c f . 't.xhawbl).
t x h o j pob Bothersome, mischievous.
2 . txhub A s p e c i e s of t r e e used f o r medicine.
4 . txhoj
t x h o j khawv zoo Of a person or an animal t h a t e a t s 3 . txhub To f i l l i n a hole, t o cover over or f i l l up an
well. opening o r a low p l a c e ( e . g . a l a n d s l i d e f i l l i n g
tibneeg txhoj k h a w zoo A person who e a t s t h e tough a valley, e t c . )
with t h e tender a l i k e .
nees t x h o j k h a w zoo A horse t h a t e a t s both tender txhu j
and coarse g r a s s without d i f f i c u l t y . ua t x h u j txhoo To be weak i n body.
1. txhom To catch hold o f , t o s e i z e and h o l d . txhuv Rice g r a i n s h u l l e d b u t uncooked ( c f . ' n p l e j ' and
txhom qaib To c a t c h a chicken.
txhom npua To c a t c h a p i g ( e s p e c i a l l y i n r e a d i n e s s
'mov' ) .
txhuv txua Ordinary h u l l e d r i c e .
for slaughter) .' txhuv nplaum Glutinous h u l l e d r i c e .
tuav txhuv To h u l l t h e r i c e by pounding it i n t h e
2 . txhom footmill.
cem txhom To scold or c u r s e s e v e r e l y . tsoov txhuv To winnow t h e beaten r i c e by bouncing
it i n a bamboo winnowing t r a y .
3 . txhom z i g txhuv To s e p a r a t e o u t t h e l i g h t p a r t i c l e s from
s i a b txhom Flighty, not steady a t one job, attempting t h e beaten r i c e by shaking it i n t h e winnowing
many t h i n g s b u t n o t g e t t i n g f a r with anything. tray.
luam txhuv To m i l l r i c e i n a mechanical r i c e m i l l .
1. txhos To s e t i n t o t h e ground.
txhos ncej t s e v To put t h e u p r i g h t p o s t s of a house txhua Complete, whole, e n t i r e .
i n place. txhua nrho A l l , completely.
t x h i j t x h i j txhua txhua Whole, complete.
2 . txhos To k n e e l . nrhiav txhua ntxaws Searched everywhere.
( a ) txhos caug To k n e e l . muaj t x h i j muaj txhua Has everything.
( b ) qhau hauvcaug To k n e e l .
txhos caug r a w To remain k n e e l i n g . txhuam A brush ( c l f . ' r a b ' ) , t o brush, t o scrub with a
brush.
txhoo txhuam hniav To brush t h e t e e t h .
ua t x h u j txhoo To be weak i n body. txhuam pov t s e g To e r a s e , t o scrub o u t .
txhuam txwv A corn s h e l l e r .
1. n o j txhooj Spoken of g a t h e r i n g f o r a meal c a l l e d f o r
by a leader wherein a l l who t a k e p a r t engage txhuas Lead metal.
i n a vow of s i l e n c e concerning some event
such a s a murder or crime, e t c . txhuav To suck, up, t o pump with a s u c t i o n pump, "cupping"
done t o r e l i e v e pain ( p l a c i n g an i n v e r t e d heated
cup on t h e s k i n ) .
1. txhwb Coarse or rough ( C ) (cf. 'ntxhib') . 1. v a j A garden, an enclosure f o r p l a n t i n g vegetables,

2 . txhwb
fruit, etc. (clf. 'lub')
v a j t s e v House and garden o r gounds.
.
zaub txhwb A leafy lettuce-like vegetable. lub r o o j vag Garden g a t e ( t . c . 1
1. txhwj A hoe used f o r digging and c u l t i v a t i n g . 2 . vaj A king, a ruler (clf. 'tus' ) ( C ) , a Iimong surname.
( a ) pav txhwj A hoe ( r a b )
( b ) choj txhwj A hoe ( r a b ) .
. Nws yog i b t u g va j l o j l o j
c i a j i b nceeg v a j
. He i s a g r e a t king.
To e s t a b l i s h a kingdom.
nyuj v a j ( c f . ' n y u j ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 2 ) .
2 . txhwj
zaub txhwj q a i b Parsley. 3 . vaj
hu v a j ( t u s ) The g r e a t h o r n b i l l .
3 . txhwj To t e l l someone t o q u i t t a l k i n g or t o q u i t hu v a j xyoob ( t u s ) The small h o r n b i l l .
scolding.
1. varn To r e l y upon, t o t r u s t i n , t o hope ( c f . 'khom' ( C ) .
txhws To mash with t h e hands. varn ntsoov To r e l y s t e a d i l y upon.
txhws mov To mash t h e cooked r i c e with t h e hands varn s i a b rau nws To t r u s t i n him, r e l y on him.
t o spread it o u t and loosen i t . Kuv l u b s i a b varn... I hope t h a t . . .
vamkhom To r e l y upon, t o t r u s t i n ( C ) .
chaw vamkhom A p l a c e of hope, something t o r e l y on.
2. varn Ten thousand ( C ) ( c f . 'meem' )
i b varn Ten thousand.
.
ob varn Twenty thousand.
3 . varn
txheeb txheeb varn varn ( c f . ' t x h e e b ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 6 ) .
4 . varn To f l o u r i s h , t o i n c r e a s e .
varn coob coob To i n c r e a s e p r o l i f i c a l l y .
huajvam To f l o u r i s h , t o i n c r e a s e .

5 . vam
muj varn l u s Old fashioned language, a r c h a i c speech.
1. vab A woven r a t t a n o r bamboo t r a y ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) . 1. vas A n e t ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) , c l f . f o r a c a s t i n g of t h e n e t .
lub vab tsoov txhuv A r i c e winnowing t r a y .
l u b vab t s h a u s A s i e v e , a s i f t e r . sua lub vas 10s Gather i n t h e n e t .
l u b nrog vab The i n s i d e a r e a of t h e t r a y . ntaus i b vag One c a s t i n g of t h e n e t ( t . c . )
i b nrog vab n q a i j A t r a y f u l of meat.
2 . vas
2 . vab yeb vas ( c f . 'yeb' ) .
nyuj vab ( c f . ' n y u j ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 2 ) .
1. v a i b Prone t o bend and not t o c u t w e l l (of a poor
3 . vab quality knife, e t c . )
( a ) tsheb kauj vab A b i c y c l e ( l u b ) .
( b ) tshuab kau j vab A b i c y c l e ( l u b ) . 2 . vaib Sometimes used with a meaning s i m i l a r t o ' l i m
hiam' ) ( c f . ' l i m hiam' ) .
4 . vab
lom vab vab ( c f . 'lom' D e f i n i t i o n No. 5 ) . vaim A long f l a t worm-like p a r a s i t e t h a t e x i s t s i n animal
stomachs and i n t h e human stomach.
1. vag
yeb vag To t r o u b l e o r molest. vaiv
thauv v a i v (cf. 'thauv').
2. vag T.c. from ' v a s ' (cf. 'vas').
vau To f a l l down from an u p r i g h t p o s i t i o n . 6. v i j Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with 'vawj'.
vau h l o To f a l l down, f e l l down f l a t . Dev t s e m v i j vawj. The dog whimpered and c r i e d .
n t o o vau lawrn The t r e e f e l l down. ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
1. vaub 1. vim Because, f o r t h i s r e a s o n ( C ) .
ua l a u j vaub To have l e n g t h s of b a d l y k n o t t e d h a i r . Note: T h i s word i s found i n v a r i o u s combinations w i t h
much t h e same meaning:
2 . vaub yibvim Because ( C )
( a ) vaubkib ( t u s ) A t u r t l e . vim yog li no Because o f t h i s .
( b ) vaubkib ( t u s ) A t u r t l e . v i m c h i j Because.
vaubkib deg Water t u r t l e . Sometimes t h e word i s pronounced ' v i j ' ( c f ' v i j ' ). .
vaubkib nqhuab Land t u r t l e . Also compare t h e s i m i l a r word ' t i m . '
V i m yog li no mas nws t h i a j mob. For t h i s r e a s o n h e
vaum Hot and humid (of t h e w e a t h e r ) . became s i c k .
V i m li c a s ? Why?
vauv Son-in-law ( c f . ' t s h o o b ' and a l s o t h e k i n s h i p c h a r t s Yibvim kuv paub t a s . Because I know a l l about i t .
Appendix 10) . 2 . vim
t u s nraug vauv The bridegroom.
cov qhua vauv The bridegroom's p a r t y . s a j vimtom To t a s t e t h e f l a v o r ( C ) .
vawj Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with ' v i j ' vis To e n c i r c l e o r t o make a c i r c u i t around game when
(cf, 'vij'). s t a l k i n g it i n h u n t i n g .

vees viv
t s a b ntxwv t s i s v e e s Poor s e n s e of b a l a n c e , n o t vivncaus ( t u s ) S i s t e r ( a s c a l l e d by h e r s i s t e r s )
s t e a d y on h i s f e e t ( C ). .
( c o n t r 'muam' ) .
kuv v i v kuv ncaus My s i s t e r s ( s a i d by a woman).
1. v i j To b e c l o s e around, s u r r o u n d i n g . vivncaus ( t u s ) Also used by a woman of h e r female
v i j l u b zos huv huv A l l around t h e v i l l a g e . c o u s i n s having a d i f f e r e n t surname ( c f . Kinship
z a j v i j hnub Rainbow around t h e sun. C h a r t s , Appendix 1 0 ) .
v i j vog Surrounding, c l o s e , grouped c l o s e t o g e t h e r .
viab
2. v i j To b e t r o u b l e d by t h e s p i r i t s of t h e d e p a r t e d . com v i a b ( c f . 'com' ) .
v i j dab v i j npog E v i l omens, t r o u b l e d by s p i r i t s
and by e v i l omens. 1. v i a s
v i j s u b v i j s w Troubled by t h e s p i r i t s of t h e v i a s li ub, v i a s li no To t a l k one way and another
dead ( c f . ' s u b ' and ' s w ' ) . t o no p u r p o s e .
muaj v i j To have t r o u b l e from t h e s p i r i t s of t h e
dead (when a p e r s o n d i e s o f some a c c i d e n t 2 . vias
t h e d e p a r t e d s p i r i t sends an e v i l s p i r i t t o viav v i a s (cf. 'viav' ) .
entice t h e living i n t o similar calamity).
3. vias
3. v i j kab nqos v i a s ( t u s ) The l o c u s t .
v i j tuag A s good a s dead.
4. vias
4. v i j p h i j v i a s On t h e s u r f a c e , " s k i n d e e p , " s u p e r f i c i a l l y .
( a ) v i j t s a m A mosquito n e t ( l u b ) . Nws n t s e e g m e n t s i s saum p h i j v i a s xwb. He o n l y
( b ) tsarnphooj A mosquito n e t ( l u b ) . believes superficially.

5. v i j viav To swing, t o swing suspended from a p o i n t .

( a ) v i j yog Because, f o r t h i s r e a s o n . ua v i a v v i a s To swing back and f o r t h .
( b ) v i j yog li no Because, f o r t h i s r e a s o n . ua i b v i a g One swing ( t. c . )
Note: T h i s i s a v a r i a n t r e n d e r i n g of 'vim' o r 'vim d a i v i a s Hanging up, swinging suspended from a p o i n t .
yog' ( c f . ' v i m ' ) .
vog R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r (cf.Appendix 8 ) . voos Of a wound t h a t f e s t e r s a g a i n a f t e r h a v i n g begun t o
Used a f t e r c o l o r s it i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e heal.
c o l o r i s predominantly t h e one i n d i c a t e d b u t mob voos The s o r e h a s f e s t e r e d a g a i n .
speckled o r mixed w i t h o t h e r s .
d a j vog Speckled yellow (and s o w i t h o t h e r c o l o r s ) . vub A refining pot o r crucible (lub) .
Also w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g v e r b s : yeejvub Crucible f o r r e f i n i n g o r melting s i l v e r .
npau vog A b u r s t of a n g e r .
c i vog c i vog F l a s h i n g ( a s l i g h t n i n g , e t c . ) vus Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r ' c i ' (cf
Appendix 8 ) .
. .
v i j vog Grouped c l o s e t o g e t h e r , s u r r o u n d i n g .
l u b s i a b xob pes vog Very a f r a i d . c i vus A g r e a t b r i g h t n e s s i n one p l a c e , a f l a s h .
Note: ' d a j vog' i s a l s o sometimes used s i m i l a r l y t o
'zom zaws' a s a two-word r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l vuv Small crescent-shaped r i c e h a r v e s t i n g
.
i n t e n s i f i e r . ( c f . 'zom zaws ' ) instrument t h a t f i t s i n t o t h e
palm o f t h e hand and having a
voj A circle, a cipher ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) . s h o r t f l a t b l a d e s e t i n wood. ( c l f . ' r a b ' ) .
i b vog ( t. c . ) A c i r c l e , a c i r c u l a r s l i c e o r f l a t
section. 1. vuab
( a ) vuabkib T u r t l e ( t u s ) ( c f . 'vaub' ) .
1. vom To steam r i c e i n a steamer a f t e r it h a s been cooked ( b ) vaubkib T u r t l e ( t u s ) ( c f . 'vaub' ) .
p a r t l y s o f t and had t h e cooking w a t e r poured
away. 2 . vuab
vom mov To steam r i c e i n a steamer a f t e r i t h a s been vuab t s u a b Dirty (cf . ' txab' and ' c e b ' ) .
cooked p a r t l y s o f t and had t h e cooking w a t e r
poured away. 3 . vuab
vuab thawj S p a t u l a used i n opium smoking. (cf. 'yeeb').
2 . vom
vom vom hauv l u b p l a b A churning i n t h e stomach 4 . vuab
producing g r a d u a l weakness. d e j vuab The water flows around an o b s t r u c t i o n .

1. vos A m e t a l t i p f i t t e d t o an arrow. 1. vuag A v e r y s h o r t time, an i n s t a n t .

xub vos An arrow w i t h a m e t a l t i p ( c l f . ' x i b ' ) . ua i b vuag dua Passed by i n an i n s t a n t .

2 . vos To e a t p i c k i n g o u t one k i n d of food from t h e o t h e r s 2 . vuag To g r a b i n h a s t e f o r something t o p r e v e n t o n e s e l f

i n a common p o t ( e . g . e a t i n g o n l y t h e meat from from f a l l i n g .
a stew). nws vuag hmab He q u i c k l y grabbed a v i n e .

3 . vos vuas Shingles o r t i l e s ( c l f . 'daim') .

l u b vos hav A broad l e v e l v a l l e y . vuas n t o o Wooden s h i n g l e s .
vuas l u a j T i l e s .
4 . vos A r e s t r i c t e d post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
caws vos Crouched t o g e t h e r . 1. vwb
phom nrov n t a vos Sound o f a gunshot. nees vwb A black horse.

vov To cover, t o cover o v e r , t o roof o v e r . 2 . vwb

vov t s e v To p u t t h e roof on a h o u s e . vwb y e e j Mercury, q u i c k s i l v e r .
vov pam To cover w i t h a b l a n k e t .
vov ( o r ) kauv taubhau To cover t h e h e a d . 1. vwj One of t h e Hmong c l a n surnames.

voob 2 . vwj
muab av voob r a u To cover over w i t h e a r t h . Kuv t s i s vwj nws t x h e e j 1 won't forget h i s kindness.
Note: T h i s word i s uncommon ( c f . ' f a u s ' ) . vwm Insane, d i s p o s s e s s e d of t h e s e n s e s .
voom A board f i x e d w i t h a h a n d l e and used a s a pusher f o r neeg vwm An i n s a n e person, a Crazy man.
l e v e l i n g ground o r s p r e a d i n g e a r t h ( e . g . a s vwm cawv "Crazy" drunk.
when p r e p a r i n g t h e s i t e f o r a house) ( c f . ' r a b ' ) . vwm l o j vwm l e g Reeling l i k e a c r a z y man.
vws A given name for Hmong men. 1. xarn To examine curiously, to scrutinize.
xarn qhov xam qhov Examined everywhere, looked
all over curiously.
2. xarn To guess, to reckon, to figure out.
Kuv tsis txawj xam. I can't figure it out. Can't guess.
xam hnub To choose a lucky day (as for a burial or
some special event) .
xamphaj To figure with numbers, to figure (C) .
xarn tsis pom Can't see the future.
xam pom tom ntej To see the future.
xarn paub tom ntej Foreknowledge, know the future.
(a) xarn zoj To reckon that. ..
(b) xarn tias To reckon that...
3. xarn
neeg xarn txeem (cf. 'txeem' Definition No. 3)
4. xarn
Coj nws mus xam. Take him along to witness (the
transaction or payment).
5. xarn
1. xa To send (cf. 'fi'). tshuaj xarn Of medicine penetrating or circulating
Muab xa rau nws. Send it to him. through the body.
(a) xa lus To send a message.
(b) coj lus To send a message. 1. xav To think, to wish, to desire (cf. 'nyaj' and
xa nws mus To send someone off on a journey.
peb hnub xa mov Send food for three days (to the
'mem') (C) .
Kuv xav mus teb. I think I will go to the fields. (or)
deceased.) I want to go to the fields.
Kuv tsis xav mus. I don't want to go.
2. xa To hit. Kuv xav tsis mus. I think I will not go.
Kuv xav tias... I think that ...
1. xab Third, third in a series (C) (often used as a man's xav tau lig Too late, thought of it too late.
name) . xav dheev Suddenly thought of something.
10s xab The third child born in a family (C) . xav tsis tawm Can't think of it.
2. xab 2. xav An exclamatory particle, sometimes used with the
phijxab A large box for storage. (C) (cf. 'phij' ) . idea of "No!"

3. xab Yeast, "mother" used for starting the fermentation in xais To pinch, to choke (not very commonly used) (cf. 'de') .
making wine and whisky, etc.
1. xaiv To select, to choose, to elect, to decide.
4. xab Xaiv cov zoo xwb. Just pick out the good ones.
raj xab The bamboo tube leading from the windbox Yuav xaiv kiag. You must decide.
to the fire in a forge.
2. xaiv Gossip, rumors, idle tales.
5. xab lus xaiv Gossip, idle talk.
hiab xab A person's face (poetic) . taug xaiv To gossip, to tattle, to spread rumors.
lis xaiv Gossip.
6. xab neeg lis xaiv A busybody, a gossip, rumor-monger.
xabcuj A tripod (C) (clf. 'lub').
3. xaiv
xa j txiv xaiv Funeral songs, songs of death.
lub tsev xaj A courthouse, hall of judgment (T).
xau To leak, t o f i l t e r through. 3 . xauv
xau nag The r a i n l e a k s through. lub xauv nees The b i t f o r a h o r s e ' s mouth.
1. xaub To s l i p down an i n c l i n e . xawb To search through a l o t of t h i n g s t o f i n d something.
npua xawb Pigs searching through rubbish t o f i n d food.
2 . xaub
nruab xaub A p i t t r a p . A bamboo covering i s made 1. xaws To sew, t o f a s t e n by sewing, t o sew c l o t h i n g .
over a p i t near a game t r a i l so t h a t an animal
coming along w i l l s l i p i n t o t h e p i t onto 2 . xaws
sharpened bamboo s p i k e s ( c l f ' roo j ' ) . . c a w xaws I n t o x i c a t i n g l i q u o r made h a l f from ' n p l e j '
and h a l f from ' txhuv ' .
xauj To peek a t , t o spy, t o examine c a r e f u l l y , watch
secretly. 3 . xaws
Nws xauj nkoos. He stooped t o peek o r examine. hau xaws The f o n t a n e l l e on t h e head of a c h i l d .
Tub s a b nyas t u a j majmam x a u j . The t h i e f came and
c a r e f u l l y spied (upon them) . xeb To r u s t , r u s t .
xeb lawm Rusted.
1. xaus To f i n i s h o f f , t o complete.
( a ) l u s xaus Referring t o p a r t i c l e s , completives, 1. xern Of a rough, coarse s u r f a c e .
e t c . which a r e used t o complete or round o f f
t h e meaning of an expression. 2 . xern A c l a s s o r a kind ( c f . 'yam' and ' c o v ' ) .
( b ) l u s t a s Referring t o p a r t i c l e s , completives,
e t c . which a r e used t o complete o r round o f f 3 . xern
t h e meaning of an expression. Nws plhu them xem. His " f a c e f e l l . " He l o s t
xaus tshoob The f e a s t a t t h e time of wedding f e s t i v - color. (C) .
i t i e s t h u s f i n i s h i n g t h e wedding o b l i g a t i o n s
( a l s o ' n o j tshoob' ) ( c f . ' tshoob' ) . 4 . xern
.
l u b pag lub xaus ( cf . .
' pag ' ) h a i s l u s plhov xern (cf 'plhov' ) .
2 . xaus 1. xev To invent, t o do without having learned or been
koobxaus ( lub) Gramaphone . taught.
xev ua To do of oneself without having been t a u g h t .
p h i a j koobxaus Gramaphone r e c o r d s .
1. xauv To lock, a lock ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) ( c f . ' n t s u a s p h o o ' ) . 2 . xev To speak something merely thought up and not t r u e ,
xauv qhov r o o j Lock t h e door ( o r g a t e ) . to lie.
Nws lam xev xwb. H e ' s j u s t making it up.
2 . xauv A neck-ring ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) (worn by a l l Hmong and
u s u a l l y made of s i l v e r except f o r c e r t a i n 1. xeeb To be born ( C ) ( c f . ' y u g ' ) .
s p e c i f i e d kinds a s noted below). Yexu xeeb ua t i b n e e g . Jesus was born a s a man.
i b l u b xauv One s i l v e r neck-ring.
xauv s i a v The " l i f e r i n g " This i s t h e one r i n g worn 2 . xeeb To produce, t o give r i s e t o , beget (C) .
by a l l Iimong s i n c e e a r l y youth and regarded a s xeeb plaub To produce o r g i v e r i s e t o l i t i g a t i o n .
"locking" t h e l i f e i n t o t h e body ( 'xauv yus t x o j xeeb menyuam To have a c h i l d i n t h e womb, t o be
siav') . pregnant .
i b p h i a j xauv A s e t of s i l y e r neck-rings Xeeb t u b 10s t s i s xeeb? Are you pregnant? ( p o l i t e ) .
xauv keev S o l i d neck-ring.
xauv khoob Hollow neck-ring. 3 . xeeb
khawb xauv A c l a s p on t h e back of t h e neck-ring. Note: 'xeeb' i s t h e Hmong pronunciation of t h e Chinese
( a ) l u b xauv h l a u The t w i s t e d s p i r i t r i n g made of word f o r ' h e a r t , ' regarded a s t h e s e a t of t h e
s t e e l , s i l v e r , and copper wire s t r a n d s and a f f e c t i o n s and i n t h i s sense e q u i v a l e n t of t h e
worn t o ward o f f e v i l s p i r i t s . Hmong ' s i a b . ' I t i s found I n many words involving
( b ) lub xauv dub The t w i s t e d s p i r i t r i n g made of t h e a f f e c t i o n s o r mental a c t i v i t y and taken wholly
s t e e l , s i l v e r , and copper wire s t r a n d s and o r i n p a r t from t h e Chinese:
worn t o ward o f f e v i l s p i r i t s .
 cimxeeb The memory. .
1. xeev To wake up ( c f t h e Chinese) .
f a v xeeb To r e b e l , t o t u r n a g a i n s t .
tshwv xeeb ua To "put your h e a r t i n t o i t , " t o do
Nws xeev 1 0 s . He woke up ( cf ' dheev ' ) . .
with a w i l l .
xov xeeb To thank, t o o f f e r g r a t i t u d e ( c f 'xov' )
yooj xeeb To t r y , t o e x e r t e f f o r t .
. . 2 . xeev
xeev s i a b Nausea.
y u j xeeb "With a l l my h e a r t " ( e s p e c i a l l y i n s o n g s ) . 3 . xeev
txhawj xeeb Worry, d i s t r e s s . xeev xwm TO come of age.
t h o o j xeeb Of one h e a r t , i n u n i t y .
xeeb txob Worry, of u n s e t t l e d mind. xi
mob xeeb txob Sickness and t r o u b l e . puv i b t s u g kaum peb hnub t o s 10s x i To r e l e a s e
xyov xeeb To be c a r e f u l , t i m i d . t h e s p i r i t t h i r t e e n days a f t e r d e a t h .
neeg khoob xeeb "Hollow hearted, " one ready t o
l i s t e n t o others, teachable. 1. x i b Palm, s o l e .
t w m xeeb Impatient, short-tempered. x i b t e g Palm of t h e hand.
zam xeeb P a t i e n t , humble. x i b taws Sole of t h e f o o t .
keev xeeb Pig-headed, h e a r t c l o s e d t o o t h e r i d e a s . x i b khau Sole of t h e shoe.
4 . xeeb 2 . xib C l f . f o r arrows ( c f . ' x u b ' ) .
t x i a b xeeb Sickness
3. x i b To do according t o t h e d e s i r e s of another, t o do
5 . xeeb
huabxeeb ( lub) Peanut, t h e peanut (C) . a s another l i k e s ( c f . ' x i j ' ) .
Xib k o j . A s you l i k e .

6 . xeeb 4 . xib To be pleased with, t o approve o f .

t e e b xeeb Lampwick ( C ) . Kuv t s i s x i b . I d o n ' t l i k e i t .
x i b r a u nws Pleased with him.
7 . xeeb
phua kus xeeb ( c f . 'phua' ) . 5. xib
daus x i b daus npu Snow.
8 . xeeb
cuab xeeb puj teem ( c f . ' c u a b ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 8 ) . 6. xib
toobxib Goods, a r t i c l e s , t h i n g s ( C ) .
9 . xeeb
xeeb poob Fell into (cf. 'poob'). 7 . xib
xibhwb A teacher (tus) ( C ) .
10. xeeb
xeeb ntxwv Grandchild ( t u s ) . 8. xib
xeeb lwj xeeb ntxwv Male descendents, grandchildren. xib txoob Palm f i b r e .
xeeb mujmum Great g r a n d c h i l d .
9. xib
xeem Clan, surname ( c f . Appendix 3) ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) ( C ) . x i b dub A s p e c i e s of b i r d (cf. 'dub') .
Koj xeem d a b t s i ? What i s your surname? What c l a n do
you belong t o ? 10. x i b
k i a v xeem To change o n e ' s surname, t o change c l a n s .
thov xeem The custom of asking a b i t of c l o t h o r
cua moj lwg x i b kaw A g r e a t wind (cf. 'cua') .
s i l v e r , e t c . of one from another c l a n s o t h a t 1. x i j According t o t h e d e s i r e of another ( c f . ' x i b ' ) .
t h e name of t h a t c l a n w i l l p r o t e c t him. This Xij k o j nyiam. As you l i k e .
i s e s p e c i a l l y done f o r c h i l d r e n a f t e r i l l n e s s , xijpeem As you l i k e ( C ) , according t o your wish,
e t c . so a s t o gain b e t t e r f o r t u n e . The c h i l d l e t it go a t t h a t ( c f . ' y w j txiam' and ' d u a '
i s then given a new name and a new surname. D e f i n i t i o n No. 5 ) .
The s i l v e r i s made i n t o a neck r i n g or t h e
c l o t h i s sewed i n t o a j a c k e t . 2. xij
Koj x i j quaj t u s d a b t s i ? Why a r e you s t i l l crying?
1. xim Small, f i n e ( C ) . xiav .
Purple, b l u e ( c f ' n t s u a b ' ) .
ua xim hum To do f i n e work ( c o n t r . 'moj h u m ' ) . xiav t s a u s Dark b l u e or dark p u r p l e .
xiav txho Light b l u e o r l i g h t p u r p l e .
2 . xim xiav l u s Very purple, b r i g h t p u r p l e .
khuvxim "What a p i t y ! " "Too bad! " ( C ) . Note: This expression i s c l o s e t o bad language and
so ' x i a v x i a v ' i s used more commonly).
3 , xim
xyuam xfm Careful ( C ) . 1. xo To b i t e , t o b i t e down upon (of persons b i t i n g ) ( c f .
xyuam xlm ua To do c a r e f u l l y ( c f . ' twb zoo' ) a 'tom' f o r animals b i t i n g ) .
Txhob xo. Don't b i t i t .
1. x i s The r i g h t s i d e , t o t h e r i g h t , p e r t a i n i n g t o t h e
right. 2 . xo
.
sab x i s The r i g h t s i d e ( c o n t r ' l a u j ' ) . xo nraim mus To go s t r a i g h t on ( c f . ' n c a j ' ) .
s a b t e s x i s The r i g h t hand, on t h e r i g h t hand.
1. xob A c r e a t u r e i n t h e heavens supposedly r e s p o n s i b l e f o r
2. xis To l i k e , t o enjoy ( p e r t a i n i n g t o t a s t e , e t c ) . thunder and l i g h t n i n g .
Kuv t s i s x i s . I d o n ' t l i k e i t . xob qua j Thunder ( 'xob' c r i e s o u t ) .
xob laim Lightning ( 'xob' f l a s h e s ) .
3 . xis
x i s l i v (daim) A straw mat, a s l e e p i n g mat ( C ) 2 . xob
( c f . ' txum zooj ' ) . ( a ) plaubhau xob vog Of h a i r "standing on end. "
( b ) plaubhau sawv t s e e s Of h a i r "standing on end."
4. x i s
x i s z e e j k i b cuab (cf. 'kib' ) . 3 . xob Unrefined gunpowder, s a l t p e t e r .

xiv To simmer, t o be on t h e p o i n t of b o i l i n g . 4 . xob A full-grown u n c a s t r a t e d male animal.

Dej x i v . The water i s simmering on t h e p o i n t of xob nyuj A b u l l .
boiling. xob nees A s t a l l i o n .

xia A given name f o r Hmong g i r l s . 5 . xob

lub s i a b xob pes vog Scared, a f r a i d of punishment.
1. x i a b The waxing of t h e moon, used r e f e r r i n g t o d a t e s i n
t h e f i r s t h a l f of t h e month. 6 . xob
h l i x i a b The new moon, t h e waxing of t h e moon. nag xob nag cua A storm, a tempest.
x i a b i b The f i r s t day of t h e month.
x i a b ob The second of t h e month, and so ' x i a b peb' 7 . xob
e t c . u n t i l the 15th. p i s p i s qab xob Edible d e l i c a c i e s ( e .g. cakes, e t c . )
Nej ua p i s p i s qab xob noj l o s ? Are you preparing
2 . xiab To e l e v a t e something by p u t t i n g a block under i t . some d e l i c a c i e s t o e a t ?
3 . xiab Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'ntsuab.' xom
ntsuab x i a b Dark b l u e i n c o l o r ( c f . Appendix 8 ) . phojxom ( c f . 'phoj ' ) .
4 . xiab 1. xov Thread, s t r i n g , wire ( c l f . ' t x o j ' ) .
x i a b nyia j xiab qhov ncauj To b r i b e . xov h l a u Wire (of i r o n o r i r o n a l l o y ) .
xov t o o j Copper wire, a wire spring, t h e t e l e g r a p h .
5 . xiab n t a u s xov t o o j TO send a telegram.
hav zoov nuj x i a b Wild jungle. l i g xov Thread wound on a spool, sewing t h r e a d .
xiam To s p o i l , t o be ruined (T) ( c f . t h e Hmong term ' p u a s ' ) . 2 . xov News, t i d i n g s , message.
xiam l a m Spoiled, ruined ( T ) . ntaus xov To send a message.
f i xov To send a message ( c f . ' x a ' ) .
t u s f i xov A messenger.
c o j xov To bear news, an intermediary
t s h a b xov ( c f . ' t s h a b ' and ' t s h a j ' ) .
3 . xov To fence, t o e n c l o s e w i t h a f e n c e . 1. xub Previous, b e f o r e i n o r d e r o f time, f i r s t .
xov i b l u b v a j To fence i n a garden.
xov l a j q a b To e r e c t a f e n c e .
Nws xub t u a j .
He came f i r s t ( b e f o r e t h e o t h e r s ) .
Cia nws xub them n y i a j , kuv mam li muab r a u nws.
Let him pay f i r s t and t h e n I w i l l g i v e i t t o him.
4 . xov
xovdawb A people, a populace (somewhat a r c h a i c 2 . xub An arrow ( c l f . ' x i b ' ) .
language) ( c f . ' p e j x e e m ' ) . xub vos An i r o n o r s t e e l t i p p e d arrow.
xub t s h u a j A poisoned arrow.
5 . xov
xov t s h o j Country o r p l a c e o u t s i d e o f China ( C ) . 3 . xub An animal l a i r o r den, a h i v e ( i n o r on t h e ground
o r i n a hollow t r e e , e t c . Not a n e s t b u i l t of
6. xOV twigs, e t c . ) ( c f . ' z e s ' ) .
xov muj t i m ( c f . 'muj' D e f i n i t i o n No. 5 ) .
4 . xub
7 . xov xub pwg Shoulder ( l u b ) .
xov d e j To dam up, a dam ( c f . ' d e j ' ) .
5 . xub
8 . xov xubntiag (lub) Chest, bosom, front surface.
l o j xov cem h u v s i (cf . ' cem' ) .
6 . xub
9 . xov xub t x i g Cheekbone ( l u b ) .
xov xeeb To thank, t o o f f e r g r a t i t u d e ( o n l y used i n
being e s p e c i a l l y p o l i t e a s when v i s i t i n g t h o s e 7 . xub
a t some d i s t a n c e , e t c . ) hav xub t s u a g An u n i n h a b i t e d a r e a of s c r u b v e g e t a t i o n .
xoo Thumb o r b i g t o e . xu j
n t i v t e s xoo Thumb ( t u s ) . 10s nag x u j xuav A light rain.
n t i v taw xoo Big t o e ( t u s ) .
1. xoob Loose, l o o s e f i t t i n g , of something e a s i n g o f f
1. xua .
Bran ( c o n t r ' n p l u a g ' ) .
xua n p l e j Rice b r a n .
(C) ( c o n t r . ' c e e v ' ) . l u b vab t s h a u s xua A s i e v e t o s i f t o u t t h e b r a n .
2 . xoob Not f o r c i b l y . 2. m a
h a i s xoob To speak n o t f o r c i b l y , r e s t r a i n e d speech ua xua To have an i t c h y r a s h .
.
( c o n t r ' h a i s ceev ' ) .
xuab To r u b t o g e t h e r , t o r u b a l o n g .
xooj S u r p r i s e d , s t a r t l e d ( c f . ' r u a j zog' and 'yoob z o g ' ) . xuab t e s To r u b t h e hands t o g e t h e r .
xooj l e s S u r p r i s e d , s t a r t l e d , amazed. xuab h l u a To t w i s t s t r i n g o r rope (between t h e hands
o r w i t h t h e hand a g a i n s t t h e l e g , e t c .
1. xoorn A word used i n v i l e language and t h e r e f o r e t o b e xuab taw To d r a g t h e f e e t .
avoided. xuab taw rhuav To d r a g t h e f e e t s l o w l y .
xuab taw h l u j h l u a v To d r a g t h e f e e t , t o d e l a y i n
2 . xoom taking a c t i o n .
phom luvxoom ( r a b ) A shotgun (T) . xuam Waste, garbage, r e f u s e .
1. xu To m i s s t h e mark.
xu s i a b Don't l i k e it ( c f . ' t s i s nyiam' ) . 1. xuas To f e e l , t o grope;
xuas mem t e s To t a k e t h e p u l s e ( c f . ' s e e v ' ) .
xu kev Off t h e road, n o t d i r e c t l y on t h e p a t h .
xu l a m Missed t h e mark.
2 . xuas To t a k e h o l d o f , t o make u s e o f .
2 . xu xuas phom t u a To k i l l w i t h a gun, t a k e a gun and k i l l .
( a ) ua chov An e v i l omen, t o be marked f o r e v i l . m a s pobzeb txawb Pick up s t o n e s t o throw.
(b) ua npog An e v i l omen, t o be marked f o r e v i l . xuas t a u keeb Got h o l d of t h e r o o t o f t h i n g s .
( c ) ua xu An e v i l omen, t o be marked f o r e v i l .
xuas 6. xwm Matter, affairs, things (C) .
tsev xuas luas A shelter or rest house (T) (lub) . yam hauj yam xwm Things (C) .
muaj xwm To have business, to have affairs.
xuav Of loose or coarse ground. Muaj xwm dabtsi? What's up? What's your business?
av xuav Loose ground with small stones.
zeb xuav Coarse sand (cf. 'suab zeb') . 7. xwm
kavxwm (tus) (cf. 'kav').
xuav
10s nag xuj xuav A light rain. 8. xwm
Nws xwm tsis xyaj. He's gotten into trouble (round-
xuav about speech) .
xuav kauv Whistling.
9. xwm
To scoop up, to scoop out (e.g. to scoop earth out of a m v noj xwrn Leaders, elders, wisemen (C) .
pit or to scoop rice out of the bowl or a rice
mill). 10. xwm A given name for Hmong men.
xwb Completive particle used at the end of an expression xws
to indicate "singly," "only," "that is all, " xws li As, like (cf. 'yam li ' ) .
"simply that, " etc. ( a ) Ib tug zoo xws ib tug. One is as good as another.
Kuv muaj ib tug xwb. I only have one. (b) Ib tug zoo xws li ib tug. One is as good as another.
Kuv tsis paub xwb. I simply don't know.
1. xwv To put (fruit, etc.) aside to ripen artificially
xwb as in rice chaff in a warm place.
xwbfab To make a living, have a livelihood. xwv txiv tsawb To ripen bananas in rice chaff.
tsis porn qab xwbfab Don't know how to make a living.
ua nplej xwbfab To raise rice for a living. 2 . xwv
Kuv tias xwv koj hais. I respect what you say.
xwb Kuv tias xwv koj txawj . I respect your ability.
xwb kuab (lub) (cf. 'kuab').
3. xwv To comfort or pacify a child.
xwm xwv menyuam To pacify the child, e .g. to cover the
(a) xwmkab (tus) The spirits of wealth and possessions child so it will sleep.
that protect the household. They are represented
by a paper on the wall of the uphill side of the 4. xwv Used in combination with 'kom' ('kom xwv') to mean
house and between the 'qhov txos' and the spirit "to cause or to bring into effect. (cf. 'kom') .
shelf. (cf. 'dab' p. 27) The paper on the wall
is itself often called the 'xwmkab.' (also 'dab 5. xwv
xwmkab') . xwv pov To put things aside.
neeg xwv pov A thrifty person, one wise in the use
xwm or saving of money.
xeeb xwm To come of age.
6. xwv
xwm neeg x w khawv One who doesn't say much but whose
hwjxwm To take care of, care for, to prepare, to words are worthwhile (cf. 'khawv') .
get ready for (cf. 'tsomkwm').
7. xwv
xwm xwv xyem The waxy covering on a newborn infant.
xwmfab Square, four-sided (C), a square (lub) .
xwbfab puajmeem In every direction (C) .
xwm
txhiam xwm Garden vegetables (as opposed to field
crops) .
 1. xyeem To s a c r i f i c e , t o o f f e r a s a s a c r i f i c e .
xyeem rau dab TO o f f e r a s a c r i f i c e t o t h e s p i r i t s .
1. xya Seven, t h e number seven.
xya t u s Seven persons. 2 . xyeem
khaws xyeem (cf . 'khaws ' ) .
2 . xya Of animals giving b i r t h t o t h e i r young ( c o n t r .
' y u g ' ) (C) . xy i v
xyivfab To be happy, t o enjoy, happy ( C ) .
1. xyab Incense ( C ) . xyo Given name f o r Hmong g i r l s .
hlawv xyab To burn incense ( c f . ' s a m ' ) .

2 . xyab To expand, s t r e t c h out, extend. xyob To push, t o put t o f l i g h t ( c f . 'thawb' and 'xyeeb' ) .
xyab t e s To extend t h e hand. xyob pov t s e g To push out, t o chase out, g e t r i d o f .
xyab n r i a v S t r e t c h e d out f l a t .
xyom To reverence, t o worship.
Note: This i s s p e c i f i c a l l y used of t h e worship o f f e r e d
xyaj
Nws xwm t s i s x y a j . He's g o t t e n i n t o t r o u b l e . (round- t o deceased p a r e n t s when male descendents bow and
about speech) . o f f e r incense, e t c . I t may be used of reverence
f o r l i v i n g persons and of worship toward God.
1. xyav Xyom n t u j t h i a j t a u n t u j ntoo. Xyom niam xyom t x i v
xyav moo To spread a r e p o r t . t h i a j t a u zoo. Reverence heaven and heaven w i l l
provide t r e e s . Reverence your p a r e n t s and you
2 . xyav w i l l prosper.
xyem xyav ( c f . 'xyem' ) . 1. xyov A p a r t i c l e indicating uncertainty. Used i n answer
xyaum To follow, t o i m i t a t e , t o obey ( e . g . laws, e t c . ) t o questions or b e f o r e an expression i n d i c a t i n g
( c f . 'khws' ) , t o study ( C ) . u n c e r t a i n t y and used e i t h e r by i t s e l f o r with
a completive p a r t i c l e .
Ua li c a s k o j t s i s xyaum kev? Why d o n ' t you obey
t h e law ( o r custom)? ( a ) Xyov. I d o n ' t know.
( b ) Xyov a s . I d o n ' t know.
xyaw To mix t o g e t h e r , t o mix i n g r e d i e n t s ( c f . ' t o v ' ' h a u j ' ) . Xyov nws yuav mus t s i s mus. I d o n ' t know whether he
i s going or n o t .
s i b xyaws Mixed t o g e t h e r ( t. c . )
xyaw keeb ncuav Cakes made with leaven o r y e a s t ,
cakes with y e a s t mixed i n . 2 . xyov
xyov xeeb To be c a r e f u l ( C ) , t o be timid o r of a
1. xyem fearful heart.
xyem xyav To know b u t be unable t o t h i n k of how t o
xyoo A year.
say o r express i t .
ua xyem xyav To h e s i t a t e between two d e c i s i o n s , t o i b xyoos One year ( t.c )
xyoo no This y e a r .
.
be u n c e r t a i n what t o s a y .
lwm xyoo Next y e a r .
2 . xyem c i a j no Last y e a r .
xwv xyem ( c f . ' x w v ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 7 ) . c i a j ub Two y e a r s ago.
puag c a i b ub Several y e a r s ago.
xyeeb To shove, t o push ( c f . 'thawb' ) . tsis t a u txwm xyoo Not y e t a year o l d .
t x h i a b niag t i m puas xyoo Hundreds and thousands of
xyeeb poob To shove and cause t o f a l l .
years (C) .
1. xyeej Leisure, t o have l e i s u r e time ( c f . 'khoom') ( I n
Laos t h e term ' x y e e j ' i s n o t u s e d ) . 1. xyoob Bamboo ( c l f . ' t u s ' f o r a s i n g l e l e n g t h ) ( t h e r e a r e
Kuv t s i s xyeej s i a b . I have no time. I ' m not f r e e . many v a r i e t i e s of 'xyoob.' We l i s t only a fow.)
i b txoog xyoob One clump of bamboo.
2 . xyeej To despise, t o s l i g h t or disparage, t o d i s d a i n . xyoob i a b A b i t t e r and i n e d i b l e type of bamboo.
h a i s l u s xyeej lawv To speak d i s p a r a g i n g l y of them. xyoob ntxhw Giant bamboo.
Nej xyeej txhem peb. You d e s p i s e u s . You look down
upon u s .
 ntsuag xyoo Bamboo s p r o u t s .
t s i b xyoob The c l u s t e r of branches a t a bamboo j o i n t .
xyoob puaj tsw t s e v Green s p l i t bamboo f o r t h e w a l l s 1. ya To f l y .
of a house, e t c . ya plaws To suddenly f l y o f f .
khiav ya n t x i a g To suddenly d e p a r t .
2 . xyoob
timxyoob ( c f . ' t i m ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 10) .
hnyav ya .
( c f 'hnyav' ) .
hnub qub ya Meteor o r f a l l i n g s t a r ( c f . 'hnub'

3 . xyoob
D e f i n i t i o n No. 4 ) .
phab xyoob (cf . ' phab ' ) . 2 . ya C l f . f o r lengths of firewood, lengths of bamboo, e t c .
xyooj Sexually a c t i v e (whether of persons, animals or b i r d s ) .
.
(contr ' yas' ) .
Q a i b t s i s xyooj. The chicken i s not s e x u a l l y a c t i v e . yab
(The r o o s t e r does not approach t h e h e n s . ) s i b yab s i b yaum To urge, t o persuade, t o t r y t o g e t
o t h e r s t o agree on a c t i o n .
xyoos T.c. from 'xyoo.' ( c f . 'xyoo') . s i a b ua yab ua yaum Of a double h e a r t , t o do something
without p u t t i n g t h e h e a r t i n t o it.
1. xyu To s i g h o r t o give a whispered w h i s t l e . Note: This i s sometimes s a i d ' s a i b ua yab ua yauv"
2 . xyu yag T.c. from ' y a s ' (cf. 'yas').
r a j puab r a j xyu Trumpets and horns (of bamboo and
buff a10 horn) . 1. y a j To melt, melted.
y a j lawm Melted.
3 . xyu T.c. from 'xyuv' (cf. 'xyuv').
2 . yaj To d i s a p p e a r .
xyum Given name f o r Hmong men o r boys. y a j qas ntsuav Suddenly disappeared.
xyuv A t h i c k clump o r a r e a of l e a v e s i n a t r e e . Similar t o 3. yaj To winnow.
' ntxhov . ' y a j n p l e j To winnow r i c e (by pouring t h e g r a i n from
i b xyu One clump of leaves ( t . c . ) a h e i g h t f o r t h e wind t o blow t h e chaff away) .
1. xyuam 4. yaj .
Sheep ( c l f ' t u s ' ) ( C ) .
xyuam xim C a r e f u l l y ( c f . ' twb zoo' ) . t u s y a j ntxwv The sheep (one s h e e p ) .
t u s menyuam y a j The lamb.
xyuam xim ua To do c a r e f u l l y .
2 . xyuam 5 . yaj Medicine ( T ) .
xyuam txaum Impolite, seeking more than i s o f f e r e d , y a j yeeb Opium.
etc .
6. yaj
xyuas To v i s i t , t o pay a c a l l . yajhauv Matches (C) .
Nws mob. Mas k o j puas mus xyuas? H e ' s i l l . W i l l you
go t o v i s i t him? 7 . yaj
qos y a j ywv The white p o t a t o ( C ) .
xyw Ghost, t h e s p i r i t of a deceased person which r e t u r n s
t o t h e p l a c e of t h e death t o t r o u b l e t h e l i v i n g . 8. yaj
y a j yuam ( t u s ) The peacock.
9 . yaj
yeeb y a j ( l u b ) A t e l e s c o p e or f i e l d g l a s s e s .

10. y a j
y a j them Tin, galvanized i r o n .
11. y a j
yeeb y a j k i a b The abode of t h e dead.
1 2 . yaj yav A time, a period of time.
nuam y a j To bend t h e head backward and look around. yav no This p e r i o d of time, now ( t h e s e few d a y s ) .
yav thaum ub Long ago.
13. yaj yav nram n t e j previously.
nyob sawn y a j Upon t h e e a r t h , p e r t a i n i n g t o t h i s yav tom qab ~ f t e r w a r d .
l i f e (from t h e 'yang' and l y i n g ' concept
i n Chinese) ( c f . ' yeeb' D e f i n i t i o n No. 7 ) . 1. y a i g Smooth, of a s u r f a c e worn smooth ( e . g . a smooth
rock o r a smooth shoe s o l e , e t c . )
14. y a j
t w y a j pobkws Corn t a s s e l s . 2 . yaig Pertaining t o the s p i r i t s .
ua neeb ua y a i g To do s p i r i t worship.
yam Kind, sort, variety (C) . cwj neeb cwj yaig The b e l l used i n c a l l i n g t h e
(a) i b yam Of one kind, t h e same, one v a r i e t y . spirits.
(b) i b yam nkaus Of one kind, t h e same, one v a r i e t y .
Note: The expression "of one kind, t h e same" i s o f t e n 1. yaim To l i c k , t o suck something i n t h e mouth ( e . g . a
conveyed with t h e use of ' li ' Thus: . candy, e t c .
( a ) i b yam li Of one kind, t h e same.
( b ) i b yam nkaus li Of one kind, t h e same. 2 . yaim Exclamatory p a r t i c l e .
( c ) t i v yam li Of one kind, t h e same. Yaim ( o r ' y a i d l ) , n t s h a i kuv t x i v sawv p a u j . Gracious,
I'm a f r a l d my f a t h e r h a s r i s e n !
2. yam
yam li no This kind, i n t h i s way, l i k e t h i s ( c f . 3 . yaim
'xws l i ' ) . mob kab yaim A s k i n d i s e a s e of animals.

3 . yam yau Small, younger i n age ( c o n t r . ' h l o b ' ) ( c f . ' y a u s ' ) .

yam ntxwv A type, a l i k e n e s s , an example, a symbol ( C ) . Nws yau kuv. He's younger than I .
yau yau li Quite young, q u i t e s m a l l .
4 . yam s i a b n t a u s yau P e s s i m i s t i c , "small i n h e a r t , " always
h a j yam ( c f . ' h a j ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 2) . expecting t h e w o r s t .

5 . yam yaug To r i n s e .
yam h a u j yam xwm Things ( C ) . yaug t e s To r i n s e t h e hands.
yaug qhovncauj To r i n s e o u t t h e mouth.
6 . yam
p e j yam l u s A f o r e i g n language, s t r a n g e speech. yauj Exclamatory p a r t i c l e .
Au y a u j ! Gracious!
1. yas A joint, a section, a length.
yas npab Elbow. 1. yaum To urge, t o persuade, t o t r y t o g e t o t h e r s t o agree
yas t e s Knuckle. t o act.
yas taw Toe j o i n t . Sib yab s i b yaum To t r y t o persuade one a n o t h e r .
s i a b ua yab ua yaum ( o r ' yauv' ) .
(cf ' yab' ) .
2. yas C l f . f o r s e c t i o n s o r l e n g t h s ( e .g. sugar cane,
bamboo, e t c . ) 2 . yaum
i b yag kab t s i b One length of sugar cane ( t. c . ) (cf. yaum dab Term used by a woman f o r h e r male cousins
'yal). of a d i f f e r e n t surname ( c f . ' y a m ' ) .
3 . yas 1. yaus Younger i n age ( c f . ' y a u ' which i s t h e tone i n
nqus yas (cf . 'nplej ' ) . which t h i s word i s most o f t e n found).
menyuam yaus Young c h i l d r e n .
4 . yas me yaus 'This humble person' ( a p o l i t e term o f t e n
qhua t a u j yas ob cag peb t x h a i s Persons not of t h e used when r e f e r r i n g t o t h e speaker h i m s e l f ) .
same c l a n . ( c f . ' q h u a ' ) .
2 . yaus
t u s yaus yeeb An opium smoker.
yauv 1. yaws To take down, to disassemble, to gather in (e.g.
siab ua yab ua yaum (or 'yauv') (cf. 'yab') . clothing from drying, etc) .
yaws hlua To bring in the snares after trapping.
yawb A syllable used by young people as vile language. yaws khaubncaws 10s tsev To gather and bring into
the house the washing that has dried.
1. yawg To menstruate (cf. 'coj' ) .
yawg cev To menstruate 2. yaws
Note: This is not very polite. 'coj khaubncaws' or nplooj yaws Of roofing leaves blowing up in a wind.
'yawg khaubncaws' is the more polite term.
1. yeb .
To straighten (cf 'ncab') .
2. yawg Paternal grandfather or paternal grandfather's (a) yeb kom ncaj To straighten (e.g. a rod or an
brother. arrow).
(b) yeb kom yiag To straighten (e.g. a rod or an
3. yawg A term used in combination to indicate certain arrow).
family relationships (cf. Kinship Charts
Appendix lo). 2. yeb
yawg laus Father's sister's husband. yeb vas To do poorly or in pretence.
yawg cuas Father of a son's wife or a daughter's Nws yeb vas xwb. He's just fooling. (e.g. making a
husband (cf. 'yawm'). fuss pretending to be hurt so as to escape
work. )
4. yawg Lam yeb vas li no. Let it go at that. (i.e. It's
yawg ntsuag Widower. not durable or well done but never mind.)
5. yawg 1. yej A type of deadfall trap especially used to trap
niag yawg A familiar term of address in referring rodents or small animals and consisting of a
to men, especially older men. slab of wood or rock triggered to fall quickly.
(clf. 'rooj') (cf. 'rooj').
6. yawg This word is often used as a roundabout way of cuab yej A trap especially used to trap rodents or
referring to another person if you don't want small animals and consisting of a slab of wood
to use his personal name. or rock triggered to fall quickly.
tus quam yej caws A type of trigger for the 'cuab yej. '
1. yawm A term used in combination to indicate certain
family relationships through the mother, sisters, 2. yej
or wife. (cf. 'yawg' and the Kinship Charts yej meem This expression is used in a similar way to
in Appendix 10). 'txwm kav' as a oreverbal to indicate action
y a m txiv Maternal grandfather, maternal grandfather's persevered in regardless of advice or warning
brothers or mother's sister's husband. (cf. 'txwm kav').
Note: The term 'yawrn txiv' is also frequently used by Nws yej meem thov xwb. He just keeps on begging.
a man in referring to his father-in-law. This
is not strictly correct on his part but in doing 1. yem Used before the verb and repeated after the verb
so he follows the term used by his children for before the modifier in expressions such as
their maternal grandfather. ..
"the. the better. "
y a m txiv yawg Maternal grandfather's father or Note: This word is often heard pronounced 'yim' also.
maternal grandfather's brothers. yern sai yern zoo The faster the better.
yawm dab Wife's brothers. yern saib 10s yern zoo The more you look at it the
yawm yij Sister's husband. better it seems.
yawm vauv Husband's sister's husband.
2. yern
2. yawm To scoop up, to scrape up, to gather up. kujyem (cf. 'kuj').
yawm tsev To scoop up the refuse from sweeping a
house. 3. yern
y a m ntses To scoop up fish into a basket. taum puaj yem (cf. ' taum') .
yawm pheej lias Gathered up a level basketful.
1. yeeb Opium, opium poppies, p e r t a i n i n g t o opium. 4 . yeeb
( a ) yeeb Opium.
(b) y a j yeeb Opium.
kab yeeb .
( c f . ' k a b ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 11)
haus yeeb To smoke opium. 5 . yeeb
( a ) t u s haus yeeb An opium smoker. yeeb y a j ( l u b ) A telescope or f i e l d glasses.
( b ) t u s yaus yeeb An opium smoker.
yoo yeeb The process of breaking o f f opium smoking. 6 . yeeb
thum yeeb To break o f f taking opium.
t s h u a j t s u j yeeb Medicine o r o t h e r foreign matter
yeeb Koob Reputation, glory, honor ( c f . 'koob' ) .
mixed with opium b e f o r e smoking so a s t o make 7 . yeeb
t h e more expensive opium go f a r t h e r ( t y p i c a l l y yeeb y a j k i a b The abode of t h e dead, t h e abode of
aspirin) . t h e s p i r i t s and p a r t i c u l a r l y of ' n y u j v a j '
huam yeeb To crave opium.
i b kab yeeb A swallow o r a smoke of opium, t h e
(cf. 'dab') .
Note: 'yeeb' r e f e r s t o t h e world of tlu3 s p i r i t s o r of
amount taken a t one time. t h e immortals from t h e Chinese 'yang' and ' y i n '
Opium C u l t i v a t i o n : concept. ( c f . ' y a j ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 1 3 ) .
t s e b yeeb To p l a n t opium seed (broadcast sowing). ( a ) nyob hauv nruab yeeb In t h e s p i r i t world o r t h e
nthua yeeb To weed t h e opium. world o f t h e immortals.
h l a i s yeeb To c u t t h e opium, c u t t h e poppy pods f o r ( b ) nyob hauv dab t e b In t h e s p i r i t world o r t h e
t h e milk t o s e c r e t e . world of t h e immortals.
sau yeeb To g a t h e r i n t h e raw opium.
dob yeeb To weed t h e opium t h e f i r s t time. 8 . yeeb
l a s yeeb To weed t h e opium t h e second time around. t s i s t h a j yeeb Non-productive.
txaws yeeb To s c a t t e r opium seed. lub t e b l u b chaw nyob t s i s t h a j yeeb A non-productive
riam yeeb ( r a b ) The k n i f e used f o r c u t t i n g t h e a r e a of land.
POPPY pods.
Implements of Oplum Smoking: 1. yeeg
yeeb t o b Knife used i n preparing opium f o r smoking. ( a ) mob yeeg A kind of venereal d i s e a s e with pussy
yeeb phaj The p l a t e f o r holding t h e a r t i c l e s used i n discharge.
smoking opium. ( b ) mob cas A kind of venereal d i s e a s e with pussy
vuab thawj The opium s p a t u l a . discharge.
p l i a g deg The p i e c e of s h e l l on which t h e opium i s
r o l l e d before smoking. 2 . yeeg
yeeb t s e e b The long wire o r needle-like t o o l used t o qwj yeeg ( l u b ) A snail.
hold t h e wad of opium while preparing f o r
smoking. 1. y e e j Victory, t o overcome, t o g e t t h e b e t t e r of, t o win
txws yeeb The small box used t o hold t h e raw opium. i n an encounter, t o have success.
t e e b kublub The opium-smoking lamp ( l u b ) . kov yee j To win, t o overcome.
l u b kublub The opium p i p e . kov t s i s y e e j Defeated, cannot p r e v a i l , cannot handle
Process of Opium Smoking: t h e matter s u c c e s s f u l l y .
ntaus yeeb To r o l l t h e wad of opium i n p r e p a r a t i o n n t a u s y e e j To win i n a f i s t f i g h t .
f o r smoking.
n t s i a yeeb To put t h e wad of opium i n t o t h e p i p e . 2 . yee j Used a f t e r t h e verb or t h e verb and the negative t o
sub yeeb To s o f t e n t h e wad of opium over a flame. i n d i c a t e whether t h e a c t i o n i s p o s s i b l e o r whether
prevented because of i n a b i l i t y t o r i s e t o i t .
2 . yeeb ( c f . ' t a u ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 3 ) .
luam yeeb Tobacco, c i g a r e t t e ( t u s ) . Kuv yuav t s i s y e e j . I cannot o b t a i n i t . (because of
haus luam yeeb To smoke tobacco.
l u b yeeb t h o o j Pipe f o r smoking tobacco ( t y p i c a l l y
some hindrance, e . g . l a c k of money) .
Kuv yuav t s i s t a u y e e j . 1 cannot o b t a i n it y e t .
a s e c t i o n of bamboo used a s a water p i p e ) . Kuv noj t s i s y e e j . I cannot e a t i t . ( I ' v e e a t e n t o o
much a l r e a d y . )
3 . yeeb
( a ) pob yeeb ( l u b ) The Adam's a p p l e .
( b ) pob qa ( l u b ) The Adam's a p p l e .
3. yeej 1. yees Pertaining to the main end beams of a house. (cf.
yeej 10s Originally, previously, beforehand, of old. 'tsev').
Note: Sometimes 'yeej' is used alone in this sense. (a) yees tsev (tus) The main end beam of a house.
Nws yeej 10s tsis muaj. He never had any. (b) yees nthab (tus) The main end beam of a house.
Kuv yeej 10s qhia nej tsis txhob hais dabtsi. I had txhawb yees To erect the 'yees.'
already told you not to say a word.
4. yeej Circular, round.
2. yees P .v. intensifier after ' tus. ' (cf. Appendix 8) .
tus yees Settled, peaceful, at rest.
lub yeej A trench, a moat.
5. yeej
3. yees A craving, a habitual desire (as for drugs, etc . )
Cov tshuaj no muaj yees tsis muaj? Is this drug
(C) .
yeejvub (lub) A silver refining pot, crucible. habit-forming?
6. yeej
yeej kom (tus) The accuser, the person bringing a
4. yees To quiver, to waver, move back and forth (cf 'yoj ' )
ua yoj ua yees To quiver, to waver.
. .
charge.
5. yees
7. yeej kwvyees (cf. 'kwv' Definition No. 10).
vwb yeej Mercury.
6. yees
8. yeej yees ntxwv Tricks, magic (C) .
cuabyeej (cf. 'cuab' Definition No. 2) . (a) hwj huam yees ntxwv Magic, tricks (C) .
(b) hwj huam yees siv Magic, tricks (C) .
1. yeem To agree to, to be willing, to admit (cf. 'kam' yees siv To do magic.
the Thai word 'nyoo' is also used).
Kuv tsis yeem li. I'm unwilling. yeev Given name for Hmong girls and women.
Nws yeem tias... He agreed that...
yeem lus A promise, to promise. yi Given name for Hmong girls and women.
fiv yeem A promise of offerings to the spirits
(cf. ' fiv'). 1. yib Satisfied with payment or with the decision in
pauj yeem To repay thg promise to the spirits. settlement of a dispute, willing to accept
settlement.
2. yeem A mark, a seal (clf. 'lub') . Yog nws tsis yib mas yuav ua li cas? What shall we
ntaus yeem To stamp, to mark with a seal. do if he will not accept the settlement?
(a) thuam yeem tes To take a fingerprint.
(b) ntaus taub teg To take a fingerprint. 2. yib
thuam yeem To mark something, to make a mark. yibvim .
Because (C) (cf details under 'vim') .
lub yeem ntawv The official seal on letters.
1. yig To refrain out of politeness or to conform to custom.
3. yeem Unconscious Yig txoj kev txoj cai mam li noj. Only agree to eat
yeem tsia To faint, to "blackout." after you have refused the invitation often
enought to satisfy the requirements of custom.
4. yeem Clf. for layers of leaves in a roof. Txhob yig yig. Don't keep on refusing out of politeness.
5. yeem To measure (to measure quantity with a measuring 2. yigpheejyig Cheap, inexpensive (C) .
vessel).
6. yeem 3. yig T.c. from 'yim' (cf. 'yim').
yeem tawv One who won't obey unless dealt with
severely, obstinate. 1. yij A species of small wild bird similar to the quail.
(tus) .
7. yeem
yeem muag One who responds to patient instruction, 2. yij
pliable, teachable. yawrn yij (tus) sister's husband (cf. Kinship charts,
Appendix 10) .
1. yirn The numeral e i g h t . 3 . yis A cowlick, a t u f t of h a i r t u r n e d up o r growing o u t of

2 . yirn To e n t r e a t w i t h r a i s e d cupped hands, a g e s t u r e used

pattern (clf ' lub' ) . .
Note: A ' y i s ' on a h o r s e i s g i v e n a name a c c o r d i n g t o
i n v e r y formal g r e e t i n g o r i n e n t r e a t y . t h e l o c a t i o n and s i g n i f i c a n c e i s a t t a c h e d
( a ) ua yirn To g r e e t o r t o e n t r e a t w i t h r a i s e d cupped accordingly.
hands. lub y i s t s h a i b p l a b ' Y i s ' i n abdominal r e g i o n .
( b ) txaum yim To g r e e t o r t o e n t r e a t w i t h r a i s e d lub y i s qheb qhov r o o j ' Y i s ' on t h e f r o n t l e g s
cupped hands. (conveying f e a r of s i c k n e s s o r l o s s of money).
t x a i s yirn To r e c e i v e t h e g r e e t i n g a s above. lub y i s cwg kua muag ' Y i s ' under t h e e y e .
.
( w i l l b r i n g d e a t h and t e a r s )
3 . yirn A household, a f a m i l y ( c f . ' t s e v neeg' ) . lub y i s txob p l a u b ' Y i s ' on t h e n a v e l ( b r i n g s f e a r
( a ) i b y i g One household, one f a m i l y ( t . c . ) of c o u r t c a s e s and d i s p u t e s ).
( b ) i b t s e neeg One household, one family ( t. c . ) lub y i s thoob k h i b ' Y i s ' i n t h e a n a l r e g i o n . ( b r i n g s
yirn no T h i s f a m i l y . f e a r of l o s i n g money).
4 . yim To b a s t e o r t o t a c k i n sewing. 4. yis
( a ) pob av l u a j An a n t h i l l ( l u b ) .
5 . yirn ( b ) pob av muas y i s t i b An a n t h i l l ( l u b ) .
yirn s a i yirn zoo (cf. ' yem' and ' t x u s ' ) .
yiv
6 . yirn
tuam yirn ( c f . 'tuam' D e f i n i t i o n No. 5 ) .
yivtws A pigtail (lub) .
yiag Erect, s t r a i g h t (of a t r e e o r of a person's posture,
7 . yim e t c .) , s t r a i g h t - g r a i n e d .
.
yimhuab "The more, " more s o ( c f 'keem' and ' h a j yam' )
Y i m t a v l a w , mas lawv yimhuab q h i a k e v . The more t h e y
. ntoo yiag A s t r a i g h t t r e e , t r e e with s t r a i g h t g r a i n .
ntoo t s i s y i a g Tree w i t h crooked g r a i n t h a t w o n ' t
were h i n d e r e d t h e more t h e y preached. s p l i t easily.
yimhuab t s i s zoo More e v i l , worse. yeb kom y i a g To s t r a i g h t e n ( a s a rod o r arrow, e t c . )
yimhuab zoo dua Much b e t t e r .
1. y i a s A round-bottomed, concave f r y i n g pan.
8 . yirn This i s t h e common t y p e of cooking
yoojyim Easy ( C ) . pan used i n a Hmong home. A l a r g e r
pan o r c a u l d r o n of t h e same shape i s
9 . yim used f o r cooking p i g food, e t c . ( c l f . ' l u b ' ) .
yirn l e e j An e x p r e s s i o n s i m i l a r t o ' t x h i a j khoov' and
conveying t h e i d e a " i t would b e b e t t e r i f . . . " 2 . yias To d r i v e o r t o l e a d g e n t l y and p a t i e n t l y .
.
( c f . ' t x h i a j ' D e f i n i t i o n No. 4 )
( a ) Y i m l e e j txhob yug 10s. I t would be b e t t e r i f ( h e ) 1. yob A g i v e n name f o r Hmong men o r boys.
h a d n ' t been b o r n .
( b ) T x h i a j khoov txhob yug 10s. I t would b e b e t t e r i f 2 . yob
( h e ) hadn ' t been b o r n . Hmoob Yob Tshuab The flowery Hmong ( o r Miao) a s known
( a ) Y i m l e e j ua li Done w i t h o u t knowledge o r f o r s i g h t from China.
( i . e . I f I had known I would n o t have done i t . )
( b ) t x h i a j khoov ua l i . Done w i t h o u t knowledge o r 3 . yob
f o r s i g h t ( i. e . I f I had known I would n o t have dab yob t s o v 10s tom Used of t h e s p i r i t s sending a
done i t . ) t i g e r t o b i t e someone.

1. y i s A given name f o r Hmong men and boys. 1. yog The v e r b " t o be, " r e a l , t r u e , i n conformity w i t h t h e
facts.
2. yis Yog. ( i n answer t o a q u e s t i o n ) Yes. That i s s o .
Siv Y i s (cf. 'siv') . Yog 10s maj. Common form o f emphatic agreement. Yes!
yog t i a s . . . That i s t o s a y . . .
Yog kuv. I t is I.
2 . Yog 1. yug To g i v e b i r t h t o a c h i l d , t o bear (of persons)
ua yog toog To have a v i s i o n . .
(contr 'xya' ) .
Hnub twg yug l o s ? When was h e born?
yoj To swing from s i d e t o s i d e , t o wave, t o q u i v e r . Nws yug menyuam n t x a i b 10s t s i s yog? She bore twins
y o j hluavtaws To swing o r wave a burning s t i c k t o didn' t she?
l i g h t t h e way i n t h e d a r k . yug zog 10s To be born.
ua y o j ua yees To waver o r t o swing from s i d e t o
s i d e ( e .g. a branch shaking o r swinging) . 2 . yug To r e a r , t o r a i s e , t o keep and c a r e f o r ( c f . ' t u ' ) .
yug n q a i j To c a r e f o r and f e e d .
1. yon A completive p a r t i c l e used a t t h e end of a sentence yus xav yug yus t x o j A person wants t o look a f t e r
or expression when an a f f i r m a t i v e answer i s himself.
known o r expected.
Txujkun nyob t a u s yom? How can he s t a y ? 1. y u j To hover, t o f l y i n slow c i r c l e s l i k e a hawk.
Nws yuav t s i s mus yom? He's n o t going i s he?
2 . yuj A s p e c i e s of t r e e e s p e c i a l l y valued f o r use i n
2 . yom making water buckets, e t c .
yom ceev Important ( C ) .
3 . yuj
yos To v i s i t , t o s t r o l l o r wander about (cf
yos zos To v i s i t o t h e r v i l l a g e s .
. 'cuav') . kum yuj ( c f . 'kum' D e f i n i t i o n No. 5 ) .
Yum
yoo To f a s t , t o a b s t a i n from t a k i n g something. yunsiv Hard p l a s t i c .
yoo mov To f a s t , t o a b s t a i n from r i c e o r food.
yoo yeeb To r e f r a i n from t a k i n g opium ( s o a s t o yus Used i n p l a c e of t h e f i r s t person pronoun 'kuv' when
break t h e h a b i t ) . p o l i t e l y speaking of o n e ' s s e l f ( s i m i l a r t o t h e
yoob Subdued, s t a r t l e d , dazed, confused ( c f . ' r u a j zog' and
English use of "one") .
Dab pheej tom yus. The s p i r i t s a r e always b i t i n g one.
'hab nuv t s e g ' ) . Yog yus t s i s nus mas lawv yuav cem. I f a person ( I )
yoob zog Subdued, s t a r t l e d , dazed, confused. d o e s n ' t go they w i l l s c o l d him.
yoob h a i s t s i s tau l u s 10s Dazed i n t o s i l e n c e ,
subdued and s i l e n t . yuag Thin, emaciated ( f o r persons o r animals) ( c f . 'nka ' ) .
yoog To follow, t o i m i t a t e , t o resemble, t o be l i k e . 1. yuaj
Peb yoog lawv ntseeg Yexu t h i a b .
We followed them chivkeeb huam yuaj In t h e very beginning.
i n believing Jesus.
Nws rov mus yoog luag z e e j tsoom. He went back and 2 . yuaj
followed a l l t h e o t h e r s . duas yuaj xyoob Bamboo sheath, t h e t h i n tough sheath
around a j o i n t of bamboo.
1. yooj
yoojyim Easy ( C ) . 3 . yuaj
2 . yooj
10s yuaj ( t u s ) ( c f . ' 10s' D e f i n i t i o n No. 11).
yooj xeeb (C) To do with t h e h e a r t , t o do h e a r t i l y 1. yuam To go a s t r a y , t o make a mistake.
yuam kev To go a s t r a y , t o t a k e t h e wrong path, t o
yoov Insect ( t u s ). make a mistake, t o be wrong.
yoov t s h a j cum The mosquito ( l i t . " t h e t h i n i n s e c t " ) .
( a ) yoov mos dab The h o r s e f l y . 2 . yuam To compel, t o i n c i t e t o a c t i o n a g a i n s t t h e p e r s o n ' s
( b ) yoov tom nyuj The h o r s e f l y .
yoov nos ntsuab The h o u s e f l y .
desire ( c f . ' txhib' ) .
yuan noj To f o r c e t o e a t .
yoov q a i b The g n a t .
3 . yuam To clamp, t o r e t a i n i n p l a c e with f o r c e .
yub A seedling, a s p r o u t f o r t r a n s p l a n t i n g ( c o n t r . 'kaus' ) . yuam phab n t s a To clamp t h e s i d e w a l l s of a house i n
yub n p l e j A r i c e s e e d l i n g . p l a c e with p o l e s bound t o g e t h e r .
ua yub To p l a n t s e e d l i n g s .
4 . yuam To pay b a i l , t o g i v e g u a r a n t e e f o r . ywb
muab n y i a j yuam lawv To g i v e a money g u a r a n t e e f o r . zaum khooj ywb TO s i t s q u a t t i n g on t h e h e e l s .

5 . vuam 1 . ywg To throw o r t o s c a t t e r by throwing.

yuam t i b n e e g To photograph a person, t a k e a photo ywg d e j To throw o r s c a t t e r w a t e r over something.
.
(cf ' t h a i s h u j ' ) . ywg t s h a u v TO s c a t t e r o r p l a s t e r a s h e s ( a s done
over a p e r s o n who h a s t a k e n an overdose o f
6 . yuam opium) .
yuamsi j (lub) A key (C) .
2 . Ywg phoojywg A friend (C), (clf. 'tus') .
7 . yuam
yuam n y i a j To pawn s i l v e r .
1. ywj A s you l i k e , a c c o r d i n g t o your wishes, ( o f t e n com-
8 . yuam b i n e d with ' t x i a m ' f o r a more complete e x p r e s s i o n
y a j yuam ( t u s ) The peacock. w i t h s i m i l a r meaning. Very s i m i l a r a l s o t o
'xijpeem') .
9 . yuam Exclamatory completive p a r t i c l e . (a) ywj sau W r i t e a s you l i k e .
Kuv mus xyuas kuv t s e v t s o yuam! Let me f i r s t go (b) ywjtxlam sau W r i t e a s you l i k e .
look a t my house! ywj ua Do it i f o r a s you l i k e .
ywj nyob C o n s t a n t l y a t home.
1. yuas To p r a c t i c e ( e . g . t o p r a c t i c e music, singing, ywj mob Always i l l .
reading, e t c ) .
2 . ywj
2 . yuas pavywj (cf. 'pav').
mob yuas Coma coming on a s an i l l n e s s g e t s more
severe. 1. w
1. yuav To want o r d e s i r e .
twjywm Quiet (cf . 't w j ' ) .
Kuv t s i s yuav. I d o n ' t want ( i t ) . 2. ywm
Kuv t s i s xav yuav. I d o n ' t want ( i t ) . I have no kav ywm A k i n d of v e g e t a b l e w i t h wide l e a v e s .
desire for it.
yws To m u t t e r , t o c o n t i n u e t a l k i n g a n g r i l y , t o s c o l d ( b u t
2 . yuav Used a s an a u x i l i a r y b e f o r e t h e main v e r b t o n o t a s h a r s h a s 'cem' ) .
i n d i c a t e intended action o r t h e f u t u r e t e n s e .
Kuv yuav mus. I am going t o go. ( o r ) I i n t e n d t o g o . ywv
Note: 'Kuv xav mus.' I d e s i r e t o go. qos y a j ywv The w h i t e p o t a t o ( l u b ) ( C ) .
Thaum twg k o j yuav ua k o j t s e v ? When a r e you going t o
b u i l d your house?

3 . yuav Used w i t h ' t s u m ' o r ' t a u ' b e f o r e t h e main v e r b t o

i n d i c a t e o b l i g a t o r y a c t i o n , t h e i m p e r a t i v e mood.
( c f . i l l u s t r a t i o n under ' tsum' and ' t a u ' ) .
( a ) Koj yuav tsum u a . You must do. ( i t )
( b ) Koj yuav t a u u a . You must do. ( i t )
4 . yuav To o b t a i n (and " t o buy" i f money i s i n v o l v e d )
( c f . 'mua') .
yuav pojniam To o b t a i n a w i f e , t o g e t m a r r i e d .
t s i s t a u yuav Haven't o b t a i n e d i t .
Kuv yuav t s i s t a u . I c a n ' t o b t a i n i t .

yuax Completive p a r t i c l e ( c f . Appendix 1 ) .

Koj xub s a i b kuv l u b t s o yuax. B e t t e r look a t mine
first.
Nyias yuav mus n y i a s yuax. Each go h i s own way.
 3 . zam
zab Echo.
( a ) zam xeeb A p a t i e n t h e a r t (C)
( b ) s i a b zam A p a t i e n t h e a r t .
.
zab t e b To echo, echo. s i a b zam t a u s l u s Meek, u n r e s e n t f u l .
zab To l i e ( ' Z a b ' being t h e name of a legendary f i g u r e 1. zas To dye.
who l i e d a g r e a t d e a l ) .
2 . zas
zab s i b zas s i b zas Of animals o r fowl making a s i f t o
ua zab ua zuav Unsettled, f i d g e t i n g , changing p o s i t i o n . f i g h t one another b u t b e f o r e making c o n t a c t .
zaum ua zab ua zuav S i t t i n g and f i d g e t i n g .
zaig To wear down by rubbing o r chafing ( e . g . a r t i c l e s worn
zag ( t . c . from ' z a j ' ) (cf. ' z a j ' ) . by a rope rubbing, a l s o of wood turned i n a
lathe).
zag Donkey ( a s pronounced i n Laos) (cf . ' luav' ) .
1. z a i s To conceal o r h i d e something.
zaj A dragon ( c l f . I t u s ' ) , hence, t h e legendary dragon- z a i s s i a b To conceal o n e ' s f e e l i n g s .
power t h a t c o n t r o l s t h e w a t e r s and t h e r a i n . l o lus z a i s A verbal s e c r e t .
(a) z a j kab The rainbow. muab z a i s c i a Hide it away.
(b) z a j s a w The rainbow.
zaj
(a)
v i j hnub Rainbow around t h e sun.
l u b pas z a j A l a k e .
2 . zais The bladder ( c l f . lub' ) .
(b) lub pas d e j A l a k e . 3. z a i s
z a i s plab Distended abdomen.
zaj C l f . f o r sayings, speeches, poems, hymns c h a p t e r s ,
e t c . Also c l f . f o r times a s of sorrow o r g r i e f , 1. zaub-Green l e a f y vegetation, especially edible vegetables.
a l s o f o r l i t t e r s of young. ( c f . ' n q e s ' and zaub ntsuab Leafy cabbage, mustard greens.
' tshooj ' ) . zaub pob Head cabbage ( l u b ) .
s i a b mob i b zag One time of g r i e f ( t . c . ) zaub k i g N e t t l e s , s t i n g i n g v e g e t a t i o n .
hu z a j no Sing t h i s v e r s e . kim zaub To f r y vegetables i n a l i t t l e f a t .
z a j npuas A l i t t e r of p i g s ( t.c . ) zaub l o o j pwm Radish.
ua zaub To prepare o r cook v e g e t a b l e s .
zaj zaub t s i b Pickled green vegetables (mustard g r e e n s ) .
muaj z a j To keep on t a l k i n g s o t h a t a person cannot zaub pos Sour p i c k l e d vegetables chopped up f i n e
g e t away. (mustard greens)
zaub qaub Pickled cabbage.
.
zam Dressed up c o l o r f u l l y . zaub pa j Caulif lower.
ua zam To d r e s s i n b e a u t i f u l c l o t h i n g . zaub txhwj q a i b P a r s l e y .
ua zam s e e s To d r e s s l a v i s h l y . zaub ntsuab dawb White l e a f y cabbage.
( a ) t s e e v zam sees To d r e s s up i n l a v i s h s t y l e o r i n zaub txoom A wrinkled l e a f y cabbage.
one's best. zaub ceeb laug A slow growing type of l e a f y v e g e t a b l e .
( b ) t s e e v zam n t x i a g To d r e s s up i n l a v i s h s t y l e o r zaub npluas r o j A l e a f y cabbage with shiny l e a v e s .
in one's best. ( a ) zaub ntsuab khaub h l a b A v a r i e t y of mustard greens
.
t u zam To wash and c l o t h e t h e deceased ( c f ' t u a g ' ) . with sawtooth l e a v e s .
( b ) zaub ntsuab khaubncaws A v a r i e t y of mustard greens
zam To pass 03 t h e road going i n opposite d i r e c t i o n s . with sawtooth l e a v e s .
To give way f o r an oncomer t o pass on the t r a i l
or road. zaug T.c. from ' z a u s ' (cf. 'zaus').
zam kev To give way f o r an oncomer t o pass on the
t r a i l o r road. 1. zaum To s i t .
t s i s muaj chaw zam No way t o g e t around it, no way zaum ntua To s i t down.
out without meeting i t . r o o j zaum ( l u b ) A bench.
zap txim To escape punishment f o r s i n , t o " g e t around" zaum tsaws To be s i t t i n g down, s i t t i n g .
sin. zaum khooj ywb To squat on t h e h e e l s .
zam t s i s t a u li C a n ' t g e t around it ( c a n ' t escape
punishment f o r s i n ) .
2 . zaum Sometimes a variant pronunciation for 'zaus,' a time. 1. zeb Rock, stone, stonelike.
. .
(cf ' zaus ' ) pobzeb (lub) A stone, rock.
qhov zeb (lub) A cave in the rock.
zaus A time, a turn, an occasion. suab zeb Pebbles.
ntau zaus Many times. lub zeb A grindstone.
lwm zaus Next time. zom zeb To turn the grindstone.
(a) qee zaus Sometimes. phiaj zeb A slate, a sheet of slate, sheet of stone.
(b) zaus puav Sometimes. hmoov zeb Fine sand.
(a) txhia zaus Each time. hmoov zeb sib Chalk.
(b) niaj zaus Each time. txiag zeb A slab of rock.
pes tsawg zaus How many times? lag zeb A smooth surface of rock.
zaus no This time (sometimes heard ' zaum no') . ib ntxwg zeb A rock promontory, a jutting out of rock.
zaus tom qab The time after. zeb toob txuab A soft type of rock.
ib zaug Once, one occasion (t.c. ) txaug zeb To chisel stone, cut a grindstone.
tej zaug On the other hand, other occasions, perhaps.
2. zeb A restricted post verbal intensifier in combination
zaw with 'zuj.' (cf. 'zuj').
mob plab zaw Cholera or dysentery.
1. zeg Clf. for paddy fields. (cf. 'liaj').
zawg Together with 'ziag' a two-word restricted post
.
verbal intensifier (cf Appendix 8) . 2. zeg A litter while still unborn.
tsis muaj zeg Not carrying a litter, of a female
10s nag tshauv zawg ziag A drizzling rain.
animal not pregnant.
1. zawj
lub hav zawj An enclosed valley. zej
lub qhov zawj A depression in the landscape with zej zog Pertaining to the village (t.c.)
higher ground rising all around. yus zej yus zos One's own village.
luag zej zog Other villages (t.c.)
2. zawj luag zej luag zos Other villages.
Kuv lub siab tu ib tw zawj qos zog. "My heart
skipped a beat. " (cf. 'ntshai zog') . 1. zem
zem zuag Dim, dimly.
zawm To tightly wind around, to strangle (e.g. a parasitic tsaus zem zuag Dusk.
vine strangling a tree, to tighten a rope on a
tree or beam). 2. zem
lom zem Noisy and crowded, commotion (C) .
1. zaws To strip off.
zaws nplooj To strip off the leaves. 1. zes To light.
.
zaws ncau (cf ' ncau ' ) . zes lub teeb To light a lamp.

2. zaws To massage. 2. zes A nest (one built up of twigs, leaves, etc. and
zaws plab To massage the stomach (cf. 'mos' and ' zuaj ' ) . hanging separately. Not one in a hollow tree
or in the ground. (contr. 'xub').
3. zaws Restricted post verbal intensifier combined with zes noog A bird's nest.
'zom.' (cf. 'zom') . 3. zes Clf. for a nestful.
zawv To scrub, to rub, to rub with the hands in water ib zeg qe A nestful of eggs (t.c.1
(e.g. as in washing rice or washing clothes, etc.)
4. zes To tease, to pester.
zawv txhuv To wash the rice by rubbing it in water
before cooking. Txhob zes zes. Don't tease (him)
zes zes menyuam To pester a child.
.
ze Near, nearby, close. sib zeg To tease one another, to playfully fight (t.c.)
Nws nyob ze ze. He is very nearby. Tsis txhob zes luag pojniam. Don't tease another's
Nyob ze kuv lub tsev. Close to my house. wife.
zev A r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r used i n combination 2. zig A term used i n winnowing r i c e i n a winnowing t r a y .
with ' z i v . ' (cf. ' z i v ' ) . z i g txhuv To shake a l l t h e r i c e t o g e t h e r i n t h e
winnowing t r a y s o a s t o b r i n g t h e c h a f f t o t h e
1. zeeg To shed, of t h i n g s shaken o f f by t h e wind, e t c . .
s u r f a c e . ( c o n t r ' t s o o v txhuv' ) .
Ntoo zeeg n p l o o j . The t r e e h a s shed i t s l e a v e s .
n p l e j zeeg Of r i c e shaken o u t o f t h e h u l l s by t h e 3 . zig
wind. mob t x e e b z i g (cf. 'zis ' ) .
2 . zeeg 1. z i j Aslant, sloping, n o t v e r t i c a l o r s t r a i g h t .
nraug zeeg muag Dizzy. s a u z i j To w r i t e i n a s l o p i n g s c r i p t .

3 . zeeg 2. z i j To c o e r c e , t o d r a g someone i n t o a c t i o n a g a i n s t h i s
khauv zeeg cua A whirlwind. will.
Lawv z i j nws mus ua nws pojniam. They dragged h e r
4 . zeeg away t o make h e r h i s w i f e .
t u s me j zeeg ( c f . 'mej ' ) . zi m
5 . zeeg A r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r used w i t h zimtxwv ( l u b ) A time, an hour (C).
'zoj .' (cf. ' z o j ' ) .
1. z i s Urine ( 'pam' i s c l f . f o r a p a s s a g e o f u r i n e ) .
zeej The Hmong p r o n u n c i a t i o n of t h e Chinese word f o r t s o z i s To u r i n a t e , t o p a s s u r i n e .
"man" and found i n combinations d e r i v e d from mob t x e e b z i g ( t. c . ) D i f f i c u l t t o u r i n a t e , i l l n e s s
Chinese. characterized by d i f f i c u l t u r i n a t i o n .
thawj z e e j ( t u s ) Headman.
t s o o b z e e j ( t u s ) Middleman, i n t e r m e d i a r y . 2. zis
( a ) tsoom z e e j A l l p e o p l e .
(b) l u a g z e e j tsoom A l l p e o p l e .
ruam zwb z i s ( c f . ' zwb' ) .
i b z e e j tsoom neeg A l l p e r s o n s . ziv R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r combined w i t h ' z e v '
txwvzeej txwvkoob A n c e s t o r s . . .
and a f t e r ' q u a j ' ( c f Appendix 8 ) .
twm z e e j Only person, one person a l o n e . q u a j z i v zev The sound o f p i g s s q u e a l i n g .
t u s t h i a b z e e j C h i l d s t i l l i n t h e womb.
thoob zee j t e b The whole e a r t h , a l l men on e a r t h . zia S t i c k y t r e e o r v i n e sap, e s p e c i a l l y such a s i s used f o r
.
x i s z e e j k i b cuab ( c f ' k i b ' ) . trapping birds, e t c .
z i a ntoo Sticky t r e e sap.
1. zeem To admit, acknowledge, t o g i v e i n ( C )
t s i s zeem Won't admit, w o n ' t g i v e i n even a f t e r
. z i a hmab S t i c k y v i n e s a p .
t x i v d u a j z i a Cling-stone peaches.
b e i n g c a u g h t and warned.
ziab To d r y i n t h e s u n .
3 , zeem z i a b pag tshaws ( c f . ' n p l e j ' ) .
zeem t s i s t s e e b neeg C a n ' t c l e a r l y see people.
1. z i a g To t i e , t o b i n d .
4 . zeem
zeem tsam To show a p p r e c i a t i o n f o r , t o be g r a t e f u l 2 . ziag Used by some p e r s o n s i n t h e same s e n s e a s ' t s a m '
( c f . ' tsam' ) . D e f i n i t i o n No. 1, a p e r i o d of time c o n s i s t i n g of
s e v e r a l hours, a t i m e .
zib Honey. ( a ) zaus no On t h i s occasion, now.
qab z i b Very sweet, sweet a s honey. ( b ) tsam no On t h i s o c c a s i o n , now.
z i b muv Honey of t h e 'muv' ( c f . ' z i b me' and ' z i b ( c ) z i a g no On t h i s occasion, now.
ntab' ) . Ziag no kuv n q h i s d e j . I ' m t h i r s t y ( a t t h i s t i m e ) .

1. z i g 3. ziag Used i n combination a s a r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l

khaub z i g To e n c i r c l e , t o wind around ( c f . 'khaub' ) . intensifier.
10s nag t s h a u v zawg z i a g D r i z z l i n g r a i n ( c f . Appendix 8 ) .
Muab t x o j h l u a khaub z i g . Wind up t h e s t r i n g .
q u a j z u j z i a g Sound o f a c i c a d a s i n g i n g .
1. z i a s 1. ZOm To g r i n d by rubbing two s u r f a c e s t o g e t h e r .
l a u j haujlwm z i a s c i a To p u t work d e l i b e r a t e l y a s i d e . zom zeb TO g r i n d g r a i n w i t h a s t o n e g r i n d s t o n e
zom h n i a v TO g r i n d t h e t e e t h t o g e t h e r .
2. zias
s i b zias Of animals f i g h t i n g and b i t i n g one a n o t h e r . 2 . zom To chew t h e cud.

ziav A b r i d g e o f branches used by t r e e climbing a n i m a l s . 3 . zom

z i a v l i a b A p l a c e where two b r a n c h e s meet and used av zom zom Of deep s t i c k y mud t h a t c l i n g s t o e v e r y t h i n g .
by monkeys a s a b r i d g e o f communication.
4 . zom With 'zaws' a two word r e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i -
zob
zob xub To shave o r smooth o f f arrows t o make them
.
f i e r ( c f Appendix 8 ) .
ua zom zaws Of many p e o p l e doing something, each a t
round. t h e same t i m e .
h a i s zom zaws Everyone c h a t t e r i n g .
1. zog strength, physical a b i l i t y ( c l f . ' l u b ' for o n e ' s
strength). 1. zos A village (clf .
' lub' ) .
nkim zog F r u i t l e s s , waste o f s t r e n g t h and e f f o r t . yus z e j yus zos One's own v i l l a g e , o f o n e ' s v i l l a g e .
poob zog To b e discouraged, l o s e s t r e n g t h , l o s e l u a g z e j zos P e r t a i n i n g t o o t h e r v i l l a g e s .
heart. cuav zos To v i s i t around t h e v i l l a g e ( c f . ' y o s ' ) .
s i b zog E n e r g e t i c a l l y , t o e x e r t s t r e n g t h and e f f o r t .
muaj zog t x h a b mus To i n c r e a s e i n s t r e n g t h . 2 . zos Roundabout, n o t s t r a i g h t through, i n d i r e c t .
muaj muaj zog Very s t r o n g . kev z o s m e n t s i s The r o a d i s a l i t t l e roundabout.
yoob zog S t a r t l e d , amazed.
n r e s zog To s t a n d s t i l l . 3. 20s
( a ) s i b l u a g zos S i m i l a r , a l i k e ( c f . ' s i b ' ) .
2 . zog Motion, movement. (b) s i b luag Similar, a l i k e ( c f . ' s i b ' ) .
ua zog To move, t o be i n motion
Txhob ua zog. Don' t move. zov To watch, t o t e n d , t o c a r e f o r , t o look a f t e r .
zov t s e v To watch ( l o o k a f t e r ) t h e h o u s e .
3 . zog Ua twb zoo zov. Keep c a r e f u l watch.
t s a u g zog To s l e e p . t u s zov loog A j a i l o r , a k e e p e r .

4 . zog Unrestricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r i n t h e expression 1. zoo .

Good ( c o n t r 'phem' ) .
' t a s zog, ' s i m i l a r t o ' t a s n r h o ' ( c f . Appendix 8 ) . zoo nkau j B e a u t i f u l , a d m i r a b l e .
zoo t a s zog E x c e l l e n t . zoo dua B e t t e r , b e t t e r t h a n .
Note: Used s i m i l a r l y f o l l o w i n g o t h e r v e r b s . zoo t s i s cuag Not a s good, i n f e r i o r .
zoo s i b npaug E q u a l l y a s good.
5 . zog A r e s t r i c t e d post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r a f t e r 'qos.' zoo t a s zog E x c e l l e n t .
Nws muaj s i a b q h i a qos zog t i a g . He r e a l l y h a s a ua zoo neeg To b e a good p e r s o n .
h e a r t t o teach (cf . Appendix 8) . zoo n e e j In good f o r t u n e , w e l l - o f f .
t s i s zoo nee j Not w e l l o f f , p o o r l y .
1. z o j To t i g h t e n , t o b i n d t i g h t l y , t i g h t ( a s of c l o t h i n g ,
etc l . 2 . zoo
Muab z o j c i a . Bind it up and . p u t it a s i d e t o keep. twb zoo C a r e f u l .
z o j n r u a s To p u t a s k i n head on a drum. ua twb zoo Take c a r e , be c a r e f u l .
z o j nees n r a To t i e up a h o r s e l o a d .
3 . zoo T . c . from ' z o o v ' ( c f . ' z o o v ' ) .
2 . zoj Restricted post verbal i n t e n s i f i e r with 'zeeg.' poob zoo ( t. c . ) To be l o s t i n t h e j u n g l e .
.
( c f Appendix 8 ) .
ua z o j zeeg To do q u i c k l y o r h u r r i e d l y . zoog
s i b zoog Just sitting idle.
3 . zoj R e s t r i c t e d p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r used a f t e r many
verbs including the following:
'xav, ' ' s a i b , ' ' h a i s , ' 'nug: ' ' fawb, ' ' txhuam, ' ' p i a v , '
' t e b , ' ' n l o o g , ' 'hu, ' 'xam, nco, ' 'pam. '
zooj Soft, malleable, capable of being moulded or formed 2. zuav .
Post verbal intensifier together with ' zuj '
(contr. 'nkig'). (cf. 'zuj').
zooj zooj li Soft, malleable.
txum zooj (daim) A mattress. 3. zuav
ua zab ua zuav Unsettled, fidgetting.
zoov The jungle.
hav zoov The jungle. zwb Restricted post verbal intensifier with 'zis.' (cf.
poob zoo (t.c.) To get lost in the jungle.
laj zoov The edge of the jungle.
Appendix 8).
ruam zwb zis Wide-mouthed, startled, amazed.
nruab zoo nruab tsuag In the jungle (t.c.)
(a) hav zoov nuj txeeg Wild, virgin jungle. 1. zwm To rely upon (as a populace relies or depends upon
(b) hav zoov nuj xiab Wild, virgin jungle. the king or ruler), to join in with, to belong
to (as people belong to a political district
1. zuj Unrestricted post verbal intensifier (cf. Appendix 8). for purposes of voting or taxation.)
In combination with 'zus' indicating gradual action: Peb zwm rau l a w , ua l a w pejxeem. We are of their
deb zuj zus Gradually farther away. political district.
loj zuj zus Gradually becoming larger.
In combination with 'zuav' indicating slow and delayed 2. zwm
action: zwm rau hauv lub hleb To put into the coffin.
txav zuj zuav To move slowly and with delay.
2. zuj Restricted post verbal intensifier used in combina-
tions indicating certain sounds (cf. Appendix 8).
quaj zuj zeb The sound of pigs squealing.
quaj zuj ziag The sound of a cicada singing.
zus Unrestricted post verbal intensifier used either singly
or in combination to indicate gradual action
.
(cf Appendix 8) . .
(a) loj zuj zus Gradually becoming larger (cf ' zuj ' ) .
(b) loj zus loj zus Gradually becoming larger
(cf. 'zuj').
ze zus ze zus Gradually coming nearer.
siab zus siab zus Higher and higher.
1. zuag Pointed, to sharpen to a point.
zuag cwjmem To sharpen a pencil.
2. zuag A comb (lub).
3. zuag Dim or dark.
zem zuag Dim, dimly.
tsaus ntuj zuag Dusk.
tsaus zem zuag Dusk.
zuaj
(a) zuaj plab To massage the stomach.
(b) zaws plab To massage the stomach.
(c) mos plab To massage the stomach.
zuam A tick (parasitic insect) (clf. ' tus' ) .
1. zuav Dented, to dent, bent Sn, to have a depressed
place. (cf. 'nluav and 'hnlos') .
zuav l a m Dented.
 APPENDIX 1

PATTERNS OF TONE CHANGE IN WHITE HMONG

Tone change is a frequent occurance in Hmong speech

That is, whereas a word has a basic tone it may be said or
read in a different tone under certain circumstances. We
have attempted to describe this phenomenon below.
NOTE: The following analy.sis of tone change is presented
on the basis of all material available to date. There are
not a few exceptions to the patterns recorded. Very likely
further study will reveal a fuller and more adequate analysis.
A. Intonation and Stress

Intonation and stress is superimposed upon the basic

tone pattern and may produce tone change. Illustrations
are many and varied. Change of intonation may be used to
convey surprise, anger, incredulity, etc.
One very common illustration in this category is the
lengthened extremely high falsetto pitch often put on words
for very strong emphasis. This is especially found in
reduplicated words. Thus:
zoo zoo nkauj very very beautiful
mob li hurts terribly
puaq thaum ub ago
txom txom nyem terribly poor
B. Special Intonation - x
We have lately discovered another intonation pattern
which we are indicating by the use of '-XI in the same way
as a tone mark. It may be compared with the other tones
in the tone chart of the Guide to Pronunciation. This
pattern indicates wonder or awe. As we have noted in the
section on orthography and pronunciation this is not a
tone phoneme in the same category as other tones but it
is symbolized in the same way as these tones for conven-
ience. Illustrations follow.
Illustrations: (Special Intonation -x)
muaj ob lub diax There are two!
koj xub saib kuv lub tso yuax Better look at mine first!
yog li kuv hais ntag laux Just as I said!
mus koj txog ntag laux Went your way!
tsis dim li ntax Won't escape!
tsis muaj li ntax Haven't any at all!
kuv tsis ua kiag lix I won't do it!
ciav mus tsis taus lix How is it he cannot go?
ciav tsis muaj lix How is it there are none?
koj tuaj lox You've come!
koj ua lox Did you do it?
koj hais lox Did you tell?
If these sentences are said with the basic tones, they
indicate a simple declaration or question and lack the element
of surprise and wonder.
C. Conditions of Variation Between Tones -d and -m
As far as we can determine, the variation between
tone -d and tone -m is governed by the following conditions:
1. A word with an -m tone precedes the word to which
it is most closely tied grammatically.
Obtain husband from clan Lee
yuav txiv ntawm cov Lis

Thus :
tamsim no nram qab tsib taug
ib sim neej nraum no
pem hauv dej saum kuv taubhau
tim ntug dej tom no
thaum ub ntawrn phab ntsa
2. A word with a -d tone follows the word to which it
is most closely tied grammatically.
clf. man that therefore spoke saying
tus txiv ntawd thiaj li hais tias
Thus :
ob k w t i j ntawd nyuam qhuav dua tod lawm
h a i s li ntawd mus sab nraud
tamsim ntawd nws nyob t i d
nyob i b s i d nws s a w t s e e s tamsid

I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e words l i s t e d under 5 , Tone Chart:

Explanatory Notes (Guide t o Pronunciation, p. x x i i i
t h e '-dl tone a l s o occurs on these words:

pom, tshuam, lawm, cuabtam, menyuam, muam, niam

EXCEPTIONS :

1. There a r e two c l a s s e s of -m tone words.

a. Those which sometimes t a k e t h e -d tone
( a s above)
b. Those which never t a k e t h e -d tone. We
have n o t y e t been a b l e t o f u l l y d i v i d e
t h e s e two c l a s s e s .

2 . There a r e a few cases where i n p a r a l l e l grammatical

constructions we f i n d -d i n one case and -m i n t h e other
and which we cannot explain. For example:

let t h e mother with you go also

cia tus niad nroq k o j mus thiab

let my mother with you go also

cia kuv niam nrog koj mus t h i a b

/ / / / / / /
/ / / / /
/ / / /
/ / /
/ /

Also c f .
kev s i b tshuam lwm s i m yuav pom
nkawd luag zom zaws n e j twb paub l a m , mas...
 3 . There i s one word ( 'nkawd' ) and perhaps a second
word ( ' t h w j t i d ' ) where t h e t o n e i s almost always -d and only
-m i n s p e c i a l s i t u a t i o n s .

nkawd h a i s t i a s the pair said

ua t x i j ua nkawm t o be married
cov t h w j t i d the disciples
cov thwj t i m ntawd those d i s c i p l e s

D. Tone Change Brought About by t h e Proximity of Other Tones

A word o r s y l l a b l e with a h i g h -b o r a f a l l i n g - j
t o n e very o f t e n produces a change i n t h e t o n e o f t h e
following word o r s y l l a b l e . This does n o t t a k e p l a c e on
every word and w e have l i s t e d many exceptions below. Tone
changes i n t h i s category a r e p a r t i c u l a r l y n o t i c e a b l e i n words
preceded by one of t h e f i r s t f i v e numerals a l l of which have
a high tone.

Tones -b and -g may b e regarded a s dominant t o n e s .

They appear never t o change, whereas a l l o t h e r t o n e s may
change according t o t h e following p a t t e r n s :

A f t e r a h i g h t o n e -b o r a f a l l i n g tone -j
1. Tones: j, s , m change t o g

2. Tones v changes t o -(mid)

3 . Tone: -(mid) changes t o s

4. NO c l a s s i f i e r ( o r noun used a s a c l a s s i f i e r )
r e g a r d l e s s of i t s own t o n e , a f f e c t s a tone
change i n a following word.

Note: I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e exceptions l i s t e d a f t e r t h e
i l l u s t r a t i o n s , below w e have found one o t h e r word
t h a t does n o t conform t o t h e above r u l e s . Thus:

zaum no This t i m e q e e zaus Sometimes

i b zaug Once zaum puav Sometimes
Iwm zaus Next t i m e t x h i a zaus Each time
zaum tom qab Afterward n i a j zaus Each t i m e
c u a j zaug 9 times pes tsawg zaus How many times
 ILLUSTRATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS

ILLUSTRATIONS

P a t t e r n 1. j - g

c u a j Nine. x i a b cuag Ninth l u n a r day.

d a j 2 yard span. i b dag One span o f 2 y a r d s .
r a u d a j 6 spans of 2
yards.
d a j Yellow. d e j dag Yellow t u r b u l e n t
water.
t a u b dag Pumpkin.
d e j Water. n k o j deg Boat.
qhov d e j Spring. kwj deg Gulley.
d e j h l o b High w a t e r . nruab deg I n t h e w a t e r .
poob deg F a l l i n t h e w a t e r .
qab deg Downstream.
vuab k i b deg Water t u r t l e .
kaj ( c l f . ) Batch. i b kag zaub One b a t c h o f
k a j zaub One b a t c h vegetables.
of vegetables.
l e e j Person. i b l e e g One p e r s o n .
l e e j twg Who. c u a j l e e g Nine p e r s o n s .
t x h i a l e e j Everyone. t s i b leeg Five persons.
lauj Left. sab laug Left s i d e .
t e s l a u j L e f t hand.
l i a j Paddy f i e l d . l a i j l i a g Plow paddy f i e l d .
i b l u b l i a j One paddy yub l i a g Paddy r i c e s p r o u t .
field.
n c a u j Mouth. qaub ncaug S p i t t l e .
qhov n c a u j Mouth. ntxub ncaug To h a t e .
l u b n c a u j Opening.
nkuaj S t a b l e , pen. r o o j nkuag Door o f t h e pen.
npoj Flock. i b npog One f l o c k .
n p l e j Rice ( u n t h r e s h e d ) . t e b n p l e g Rice f i e l d .
i b t e g n p l e j One hand- noob n p l e g Seed r i c e .
f u l of r i c e . p a j n p l e g Puffed r i c e .
nplooj Clf. f o r l i v e r . i b nploog s i a b One l i v e r .
n q a i j Meat. qab t s h e e j n q a i g A s t a s t y a s
meat.
n t u j Heavens. k a j n t u g Morning.
saum n t u j I n heaven. r o o j n t u g Gate o f heaven.
nruab n t u g I n t h e heavens.
ntiaj Strata. i b n t i a g n t u j One s t r a t a o f t h e
n t i a j t e b The e a r t h . heavens.
n t s e j Ear. pob n t s e g The e a r .
qhov n t s e j E a r c a n a l .
n t s u j t e b Portion of i b n t s u g t e b One p o r t i o n o f
field. field.
nyuj Cow. n q a i j nyug Beef.
r o j nyug Beef f a t .
xob nyug Mature b u l l .
nkuaj nyug Cow s t a b l e .
t x i v p l a b nyug J a c k f r u i t .
pluaj Clf. for split ib pluag ncau One length of split
rattan lengths. rattan.
rooj Door, furniture. ib roog mov One table of food.
dab roog Household spirit.
qab roog Lower side of table
at feast.
txaj Bedroom. rooj txag Bedroom door.
qab txag Under the bed.
txoj Clf. for road. ib txog kev One road.
txoj no This road. cuaj txog kev Nine roads.
txojkev The way. tsib txog kev Five roads.
txaij Varicolored. xyoob txaig Varicolored bamboo.
txawj Able. tub txawg An able person.
txiaj Money. nyiaj txiag Money.
txiaj 1/10 ounce. ib txiag 1/10 ounce.
rau txiaj 6/10 ounce. cuaj txiag 9/10 ounce.
vaj Garden. rooj vag Garden gate.
lub vaj Garden. qab vag Below the garden.
voj Circle. ib vog One circle.
zaj Clf. for stanzas. ib zag One stanza.
zaj no This stanza. cuaj zag Nine stanzas.

EXCEPTIONS
Pattern 1. j - g

yub nplej Rice shoot. plab nyuj Cow stomach.

hnab nplej Rice hull. hauv qab rooj Under the
qub nplej Old rice. .
table. contr ' qab
ib leej A 'line' of houses. roog' Lower side
ib lub qab ntuj no All under the of table.
heavens. - ib phaj mov One plate
lub caij ntuj Season. of rice.
ib kauj hlua One coil of rope. ib tshaj plaub A case at
ib ncauj hniav A set of teeth. law.
pliag deg A small clam shell. ib thaj neeb A ' session'
mob faj Carbuncle. of spirit worship.
ib ntxwj zeb An out-jutting rock. ib tshooj One chapter.
dob nroj To weed.

ILLUSTRATIONS
Pattern 1. s - g
ces (or ceg) Leg. ib sab ceg One leg.
ces npua Pigs leg. ib ceg One leg.
ces nees Horse leg. ib txhais ceg One leg.
ces no This leg.
cos Treadmill. ncej cog Post of the treadmill.
qhov cos The mortar dauj cog Pestle of treadmill.
of treadmill.
cav cos Beam of tread-
mill.
taw cos Foot of tread-
mill.
 k a u s Fang, t u s k . tom i b kaug B i t t e n once.
nkees L e t h a r g i c . ua dab t u b nkeeg To b e l e t h a r g i c .
ntses Fish. t x a j ntseg Fish t r a p .
n t s a j n t s e g Basket f i s h t r a p .
l a s Ounce. c u a j l a g Nine ounces.
kaum l a s 10 ounces. i b l a g One ounce.
xya l a s 7 ounces. ob l a g Two ounces.
l u s Words. p a j l u g Proverb.
l a u s Old. n p l e j l a u g Old r i c e .
yeeb l a u g Old opium.
mob l a u g Old i l l n e s s .
dab l a u g Uncle.
t ij l a u g E l d e r b r o t h e r .
kab l a u g s a b S p i d e r .
p l a s C l f . f o r an expanse. i b p l a g t e b One l a r g e f i e l d .
p l a s t e b no T h i s l a r g e
field.
p l u a s C l f . f o r a dose o r i b p l u a g mov One meal.
a meal.
t e s Hand. x i b t e g Hand.
n t i v t e s Finger. i b t e g One blow o f t h e hand.
t x h a i s t e s Hand dab t e g W r i s t .
c o t e s Wave t h e hand. npua j t e g Clap hands.
nkhib t e g C r o t c h o f f i n g e r s .
taub t e g Fingertip.
n t x u a j t e g Wave t h e hand.
thoob t e g Hand p a i l .
t u s C l f . f o r persons. i b t u g One i n d i v i d u a l .
t u s no This one. cuaj tug 9 individuals.
xya t u s 7 i n d i v i d u a l s . peb t u g t u b Three s o n s .
t a i s Cup. i b t a i g One c u p f u l .
taws Firewood. t s h e b tawg Wood-burning e n g i n e
t x i a s Cool. d e j t x i a g Cold w a t e r .
v a s Net. i b vag One c a s t o f t h e n e t .
v i a s To swing. i b v i a g To swing once.
yas J o i n t . i b yag One j o i n t .
y a s t e s Knuckle. c u a j yag Nine j o i n t s .
zes Nest. i b zeg qe One n e s t o f e g g s .
z e s Tease. s i b zeg Tease one a n o t h e r .
z i s Urine. mob t x e e b z i g D i f f i c u l t y i n
urinating.
zos Village. i b zog One whole v i l l a g e .
lub zos Village. z o j zog Neighbors, v i l l a g e r s .

EXCEPTIONS

P a t t e r n 1. s - g

peb t u s t u b Our son. pobkws Corn.

Saub t u s t u b God-'s Son. p a j kws Popcorn.
neb t u s t u b Your s o n . t x o j qub l u s Old s a y i n g .
l o o j t e s Gloves.
n t i a g tshos Front edge of jacket.
n q a i j nploos Porcupine meat.
n q a i j d a i s Bear meat.
i b q a i s xov 1 skein of
thread.
xyab t e s Extend the hand.
i b sab t e s One hand.
s i b zas Animals about
t o f i g h t together.

ILLUSTRATIONS

Pattern 1. m - g

cem To scold. s i b ceg To scold one another.

caum 1 0 ' s i n numeration.
rau caum 60
*-a caum 70
daim C l f . for f l a t ob-
jects.
daim teb A f i e l d .
xya daim 7 sheets.
kaum Ten.
kawm Back basket.
nkawm Pair.
npaum Same as, a s much
as.
nplawm To b e a t .
n t i m Rice bowl.
lub n t i m Rice bowl.
ntsawm Forcibly s t r i k e
with t h e hand or arm.
qawm Friendly, show of
affection.
riam Knife.
rab riam Knife.
tom To b i t e .
t w m Water b u f f a l o .
yim A household.
yim Eight.
zaum Occasion.
zaum no This occasion. cuaj zaug 9 times, 9 occasions.
peb caug 30.
plaub caug 40.
t s i b caug 50.
i b daig t e b One f i e l d .
cuaj daig 9 sheets.
xiab kaug 10th of lunar month.
lub qab kawg Under the basket.
i b kawg One b a s k e t f u l .
i b nkawg One p a i r .
s i b npaug Equal.
i b nplawg One blow, struck once.
i b n t i g One r i c e bowl.
i b ntsawg One such s t r i k e .
s i b qawg Show a f f e c t i o n for each
other.
roob r i a g Back of k n i f e .
i b r i a g One stroke with k n i f e .
t i b r i a g One stroke with k n i f e .
s i b tog To f i g h t , b i t e one another.
kub twg Buffalo horn ( t h i s may
j u s t be p o e t i c ) .
i b yig. One household.
xiab yig 8th of lunar month.
i b zaug One occasion.

EXCEPTIONS

Pattern 1. m - g

ncauj t w m Buffalo mouth. i b ruam One s t e p .

nqaij t w m Buffalo meat. mob i b phaum One
i b pam quav One passage of defecation. sickness.
i b phaum mob One sick-
ness.
 ILLUSTRATIONS

Pattern 2 . v - unmarked tone

cav Log. qab ca Under the log.
cav ntoo Log.
cev Body. mob i b ce Hurts a l l over t h e body.
tawm i b ce hws Perspire a l l
over the body.
cov C l f . for groups. i b co One group.
rau cov 6 groups. cuaj co 9 groups.
chav t s e v A room. i b cha t s e v One room.
diav Spoon. i b d i a One spoonful.
rab diav Spoon.
hav Valley, expanse. kwj ha Valley.
lub hav Valley. txhoj ha Shallow v a l l e y .
hov To sharpen. zeb ho A sharpening stone.
hmuv Spear. nkaug i b hmu To spear once.
rab hmuv Spear.
hmoov Fortune. t x o j hmoo Fortune.
hmoov zoo Good fortune. muaj hmoo To have fortune.
hneev Crossbow. tua i b hnee Shoot one bow.
rab hneev Crossbow. cuaj hnee 9 shots of the bow.
taub hnee Body of the cross-
bow.
kev Way, road. ncauj ke Mouth of t h e road.
kab ke Ceremony.
ua i b ke Together.
cab ke To lead.
qab ke Downhill s i d e of road.
kwv Shoulder load. i b kw One shoulder load.
rau k w 6 loads. cuaj kw 9 loads.
kheev C l f . f o r small i b khee One small bunch.
bunches. cuaj khee 9 bunches.
xya kheev 7 bunches.
lev Bamboo mat. i b l e n p l e j One mat of r i c e .
ntav Half ( v e r t i c a l l y ) . i b n t a One h a l f ( v e r t i c a l l y ) .
i b nyuag ntav One h a l f .
n t i v Finger. i b n t i nplhais One finger r i n g .
n t s i a v pobkws Corn i b n t s i a pobkws One corn kernel.
kernel.
ntshauv Head l i c e . r i a b ntshau Small head l i c e .
phoov A handful. i b phoo One handful.
plawv Heart. plab plaw l o j Clever, i n t e l l i -
lub plawv Heart. gent.
qhev Slave tub qhe A s l a v e .
i b tug qhev One slave.
qhov Place. i b qho One place.
qhov no This place, here.
qhuav Dry. l i a j qhua Dry paddy f i e l d .
tebchaws mob sab qhua Dry a r e a .
rev nplooj Flower stem. i b r e nplooj One flower stem.
ruv Ridge. nqaj r u Ridge p o l e .
ruv t s e v Roof. n c e j r u Center poles holding up
the roof.
tauv huab A cloud. i b t a u huab One cloud.
t s e v House. i b t s e neeg One household.
lub t s e v House. kwj t s e House drainage d i t c h .
nruab t s e In t h e house.
tswv Master, owner. i b t s w nqe Debt t o t h e owner.
tshav Sunlight. qheb t s h a lawm Sky has cleared,
tshav n t u j Sunlight. sun has come o u t .
zoov Jungle. nruab zoo In t h e jungle.
poob zoo To disappear i n t h e
jungle.

EXCEPT I O N S

Pattern 2 . v - unmarked tone

n q a i j tsov Tiger meat. d e j sov Warm water.
txoj siav Life. d e j sem s o Warm water.
plev To s t i n g . n t u j tshav lawm Sunlight
pub hmoov To give f o r t u n e . t x o j kev Road.
i b txog s i a One l i f e . i b p l e s One s t i n g .

ILLUSTRATIONS

Pattern 3 . unmarked tone - s

chaw Place. tebchaws Country, land.
hlau Hoe. i b hlaus One hoe (of e a r t h ) .
r a b h l a u A hoe.
hmo Night. i b hmos One n i g h t .
noj hmo To e a t supper.
hno Rice. noj hnos Eat r i c e .
ua t a u hno Make r i c e .
l o C l f . f o r words. i b 10s l u s One word.
xya l o l u s 7 words.
npua Pig. zaub npuas Pig feed.
dab npuas Pig trough.
n q a i j npuas Pork.
nkauj npuas Young female p i g .
qaub npuas Small c a s t r a t e d boar.
nra Load, baggage. i b nras One load.
nrau To b u t t . nyuj s i b nraus C a t t l e f i g h t i n g
nrau av To push up together.
earth.
nyuj nrau Cows f i g h t i n g .
ntu C l f . f o r period, i b ntus One period.
section.
ntu no This period.
ntoo Tree. lub pob ntoos Stump.
n r e e j ntoos Flanging r o o t s .
hleb ntoos Coffin.
qab ntoos Foot of t r e e .
ntxa Grave. r o o j ntxas Opening or door of
grave.
t o j ntxas A h i l l with graves
on i t .
pa Air. hlab pas Oesophagus.
ua pa To breathe. c a j pas Throat.
pua Hundred. i b puas 100.
rau pua 600.
ple A sting. i b ples A sting.
tus ple A sting.
taw Palm of hand or f o o t . x i b taws Sole of t h e f o o t .
kotaw Foot. pob taws Ankle bone.
plam taw Foot slipped. dab taws Ankle.
l u j taws Heel.
tsua Bedrock. pob t s u a s C l i f f , rock mass.
qab t s u a s Base of c l i f f .
tsho Jacket. hnab tshos Jacket pocket.
dab tshos Collar.
qab tshos Low edge of jacket.
tshau To s i f t . vab tshaus Sieve, s i f t i n g t r a y .
xyaw To mix. s i b xyaws Mixed together.
xyoo Year. i b xyoos One year.

EXCEPTIONS

Pattern 3 . unmarked tone - s

xuab taw Drag the f e e t . k a j h l i Moonlight.
xuab taw rhuav Go slowly. ntiag tshos Front edge
xiab rau 6th of lunar month. of jacket.
xiab xya 7th of lunar
month.

ILLUSTRATIONS

Pattern 4 . (No c l f . or noun functioning a s a c l f . produces

a tone change.)

i b lub l i a j i b t s h a j plaub lub ntim

lub ncaug i b rab hmuv i b thoob d e j
i b lub zos i b nkauj hlua i b thoob r o j
n t s u j teb i b lub v a j i b rab riam
i b phaj mov lub kau j i b ncauj hniav
txo j kev
 SUPPLEMENT TO APPENDIX 1

ADDITIONAL NOTES CONCERNING TONE CHANGE

We have described several patterns of tone change under

heading D of Appendix 1. We have also noted that these tone
changes do not necessarily occur on every word without excep-
tion. At this stage we have not discovered any rules which
enable us to predict with certainty which words require tone
change in the patterns described.
However, we do believe the evidence indicates that much
depends on two factors: 1) the word class; 2) juncture. Thus
the type of word in question and the closeness with which it
is joined to the word preceeding or following appears to have
bearing on whether or not a change in tone is required. Your
attention is called to the following quotation:
TONE SANDHI
At the present stage of research, it would seem that
sandhi changes occur when members of certain word-
classes are joined syntactically, in what may be
called "compounds." The following have so far been
recorded: (Note that the first listed word-class
of each group corresponds to the first element of
each Meo compound given as an example.)
1. Numerals joined to classifiers: lob leeg' Two persons
2. Numerals joined to numerals: lib puas' One hundred
3. Nouns joined to modifying words (these latter being
either Nouns or Verbs) : ' teb npleg' Rice field
4. Autotelic Verbs joined to Nouns (as locative objects):
'poob deg' Fall in the water
(The label "Noun" is here taken to include localizers,
a subgroup of nouns which correspond to English prepo-
sitions, e.g. 'qab' Bottom or Under. The label "Verb"
is here taken to include words corresponding to English
adjectives, e.g. 'liab' To be red. An "Autotelic Verb"
is a verb which may or may not take a noun object. In
the latter case, the object modifies the verb.)
(The entire quotation above is taken from unpublished
notes on a Phoneme tape made by Thomas Amis Lyman with the aid of
the Green Hmong informant Cw Sa on May 21, 1963, in Kang Ho
Village, Amphe Pua, Province Nan, Thailand and used by permis-
sion.)
While we believe this attempt by Mr. Lyman to describe
Hmong tone change or tone sandhi is largely correct, we can
hardly accept it as a fully adequate solution. In the material
we have listed in Appendix 1, pp. 447-453 there are numerous
illustrations of Mr. Lyman's four types of "compounds" but
where tone change inexplicably does not occur.
Ernest E. Heimbach, 1964
 APPENDIX 2
CLASSIFIERS
(followed by the words and c l a s s e s
of words with which they occur)
cev S u i t s of clothing.
cub F i r e .
cum A group, a s i d e .
cuam Lengths of leaves
or thatch.
cha Rooms of a house.
chib Periods of time.
chaw Lengths of c l o t h .
d a j Double arm's length,
two yards,
diav Spoonsful.
* daim F l a t things a s
f i e l d s , pages, e t c .
fab Divisions, s e c t i o n s .
hom Kinds, s o r t s .
kab Pipefuls of tobacco,
opium, e t c .
kob Showers of r a i n .
kwv Portion, p a r t ,
shoulder loads.
kauj Coils.
kuam "Hand" of bananas.
khaw Mouthfuls.
* l o Single words.
* lub A r t i c l e s bulky or
round.
lwj Windbox bellows.
* l e e j Persons.
meem Layers of c l o t h .
maij Bolts of c l o t h .
* nkawm P a i r s .
npaum Portions, times,
fold.
nplooj Sometimes f o r
l i v e r , lungs.
nqes Verses, sentences.
nra Packs ( t r a n s p o r t ) .
n r i g Blows with t h e f i s t .
nrog Trayful . *
n t i v Finger r i n g .
* ntu Time, period of few
months, lengths of
road.
ntwg Things c a r r i e d on
s t r i n g or s t r i p of
bamboo.
nthwv Gusts of wind.
ntsuj Portions of a f i e l d ,
t r a c t , lengths of road.
pab Flock, group.
* pob Packets, lumps.
phoov Handful.
* phau Books, volumes.
phaum Season of r a i n , time
of sickness, epidemic.
phiaj Sets.
p l a s Wide expanse.
* pluas Meals, doses.
q a i s Skeins of thread, rope.
* rab Scissors, knife, gun,
spoon, c h i s e l .
r e Stem of f r u i t , leaves,
flowers.
rau Squares of embroidery.
* t e j Class, group.
t e s Blow, s l a p with t h e
hand, sheaf of r i c e .
tom A time, round, turn,
section of road.
* t u s People, animals, b i r d s ,
things long or slender.
t w Gusts of wind.
* t a i s Cupful, b a s i n f u l .
tauv Clouds, c l u s t e r s of
fruit.
taus U n i t of measurement.
tawb P i l e s of manure.
t h a j Sessions of demon
worship, groves, patches
of vegetation.
t h i j Bunches of bananas.
thoob Bucketfuls .
thooj Sections of log, s e t s
of headbands.
tsab Letters.
t s i g Number of times cock
crows.
* tsob Plants, f o l i a g e .
tsw Group, c l a s s .
t s h a j Court cases, spasms of
sickness.
tshooj Verses, e s p e c i a l l y of
songs f o r the dead.
* txoj S e r i e s of words,
thread, wire, rope,
roads, a r t e r i e s ,
things t h a t come i n
lengths.
txaum Brew or batch of
whisky.
* txhais A r m s , hands, f e e t .
xem Kinds.
x i b Arrows.
ya Lengths of firewood,
bamboo, e t c .
* yam Kinds, c l a s s e s .
yeem Layers of leaves on
a roof.
* za j Paragraphs, speeches.

* Indicates t h e more commonly used c l a s s i f i e r s .

APPENDIX 3

SOME HMONG SURNAMES

Ya j Lis Xyooj Ham Tsab

Va j Lauj Thoj Vwj Hawj
 APPENDIX 4

SOME USEFUL WORDS AND PHRASES

Personal Pronouns

Sinqular Dual
1st Person kuv I wb W e (two)
2nd Person koj You neb You (two)
3rd Person nws He, she, i t ob tug Those two

P l u r a l (three or more)
1st Person peb W e
2nd Person n e j You
3rd Person lawv Those few, them

Numerals

ib - 1 kaum i b - 11
ob - 2 kaum ob - 12
peb - 3 nees nkaum - 20
plaub - 4 nees nkaum i b - 21
tsib - 5 peb caug - 30
rau - 6 peb caug i b - 31
xya - 7 t s i b caug - 50
yim - 8 xya caum - 70
cuaj - 9 cuaj caum - 90
kaum - 10 i b puas - 100

Words Describinq Location

saum Above ntawm There, nearby

hauv Inside tom There, yonder
hauv qab Underneath t i m Across t h e v a l l e y
nraum Outside tom n t e j I n front, before
nram Down, down the h i l l tom qab Behind, a f t e r
pem U p above, up t h e h i l l sab x i s The r i g h t
qhov no Here sab laug The l e f t

Verbs

ua To make, t o do h a i s To speak
yog To be paub To know
mus To go nyiam To l i k e
muaj To have yuav To want
nyob To r e s i d e ntseeg To believe
noj To e a t mob To be ill, h u r t
nqa To carry ntxuav To wash
tua j To come ( t o a place 10s To come ( t o a place
where one does not where one l i v e s )
reside)
 Descriptive Words

t s i s Negative luv Short qes Low

zoo Good hnyav Heavy sai Fast
t s e e b True s i a b High mam Slow
deb Far, d i s t a n t t i a g Really dawb White
ze Near me Small dub Black
ntev Long l o j Large liab Red

Phrases

Koj lub npe hu li cas? What i s your name?

Koj mus qhov twg?
Koj ua d a b t s i ?
Koj h a i s li cas?
Ua li cas?
Kuv mus t s e v .
Mus ho tua j .
Koj t u a j l o s ?
Kuv t s i s paub.
noj mov
ua t e b
rov qab 10s
Lus Hmoob h a i s li c a s ?
Ua tsaug.
Where a r e you going?
What a r e you doing?
What d i d you say?
Why? How?
I ' m going home.
Come again.
You've come. ( p o l i t e g r e e t i n g )
I don' t know.
to eat
t o do f i e l d work
t o return
How do you say ( t h i s ) i n Meo?
Thank you.

A Few Nouns

mov Cooked r i c e n t x h a i s Daughter

n q a i j Meat pojniam Woman
zaub Vegetables t x i v n e e j Man
t e b Field tibneeg Person
t s e v House n t i a j t e b World
l u s Words hluavtaws F i r e
dev Dog lub zos Village
q a i b Chicken npe Name
nees Horse hnub Day, sun
npua Pig ntoo Tree
n t a w Book, paper roob Mountain
kev Road riam Knife
t u b Son h l u a s nkauj Young woman
d e j Water h l u a s nraug Young man
 APPENDIX 5

SOME USEFUL TERSE EXPRESSIONS

Cev nqaij daim t a w This body, "the flesh, " flesh and
blood.
Cua daj cua dub A high wind.
Cuaj txheej cuaj tis Many generations.
Hav zoov nuj xiab Dark wild jungle.
Hais cuaj txub kaum txub To speak of all kinds of things.
Hauv roob hauv hav On mountains and in valleys,
everywhere.
Kev dab kev qhua Ancestor worship.
Kev mob kev nkeeg Sickness.
Kev neeb kev yaig Spirit worship.
Kev ntsog kev ntsuag Orphanhood, poverty, desolation.
Kev ploj kev tuag Trouble and death.
Kev plaub kev ntug Cases of justice, trouble with
litigation.
Kev quaj kev nyiav Sorrow, weeping, mourning.
Kev tshaib kev nqhis Hunger and thirst.
Kev txhaum kev txim Sin and guilt.
Khub khub dub dub Dirty and mud encrusted
Khuam ntab khuam ntuv Betwixt and between, caught between
two uncertainties, can't really go
either way.
Khuam xeeb khuam tshaj Betwixt and between, caught between
two uncertainties, can't really go
either way.
Lam tau lam cem Scold unreasonably.
Lam tau lam noj Hang around and eat leftovers, etc.
without a settled home life.
Lub siab tu ib tw zawj
qas (or ' qos ' ) zogScared.
Me nas me noog Birds and small animals.
Nag xob nag cua Bad rainstorm.
Noj dawb haus do To be lazy, eat and drink without
working.
Noj qab nyob zoo Well off.
Neeg ciaj neeg tuag The living and the dead.
Niaj tshaib yoo nqhis Hungry and thirsty, cold and
shivering.
Niaj no nkaug ntsim Hungry and thirsty, cold and
shivering.
Nplooj siab tsis qhuav dej Discouraged, disheartened.
Nplooj ntsws tsis qhuav Discouraged, disheartened.
ntshav
Nram ntej nram ntxov Previously.
Ntuj dub nciab teb tsaus Sky and land all dark.
nti
Ntuj txias teb tsaus A place of cold and darkness.
Ntuj yuav fav teb yuav lam Calamity is coming.
Ntshai n t s h a i i b ce tsaug
tas
Nyob dawb nyob do
Nyob dawb nyob huv
Nyob t i a j nyob t u s
Nyuj dab npua t a i
Ob pog peb yawg
Peb txheej peb t i s
Pojniam tub se
Pw ntog noj, pw ntog haus
Puas txwv puas tiam
Plaub ceg kaum n t u j
Qub txeeg qub teg
Qheb s i a b qheb ntsws
Sawvdaws haiv neeg
Siab ua yab ua yauv
Tas hnub t a s hmo
Tas s i a b t a s n t s w s
Tub t x i b tub qhe
Tau koob t a u hmoov
Tuav npe txog ntawm kwj
tse
Thoob z e e j teb
Thooj s i a v thooj nqai j
Thooj s i a thooj nqaig
Tseg t x i j t s e g nkawm
T s i s deb t s i s ze
T s i s ntev tsis luv
Txus s a i b 10s txus zoo
Txhiab n i a s t i m puas xyoo
Txhia hnub txhua hmo
Ua dab taub dab qhev
Ua dab ua tuag
Us dog ua dig
Ua lwj ua liam
Ua nkog ua nkig
Ua liam txwv qas ntsuav
Ua phis l i s phais l a i s
Ua t u s t x i a s tom c a j qwb
Ua txab ua tshawv
Ua t x i j ua nkawm
Vij dab v i j npog
Vij sub v i j s w
Y i m s a i yim zoo
So a f r a i d (he was) weak a l l over.
Doing no work.
Well o f f .
Reside peacefully, l i v e a t peace.
S p i r i t ceremonies.
Ancestors, predecessors.
Great crowd on every side, g r e a t
numbers.
Wife and children.
Lying around e a t i n g and drinking,
expression for ease and
luxury.
From the beginning of man's genera-
tions.
The four corners of t h e heavens.
Old things, old a r t i c l e s .
Open the " h e a r t . "
A l l people, everybody.
Do without h e a r t .
A l l day and night.
Patient.
Slaves, servants.
To be blessed, be of good fortune.
No sooner s a i d h i s name than he
appears.
A l l people, t h e whole e a r t h .
One f l e s h and blood ( i d i o m a t i c ) .
One f l e s h and blood (idiomatic) .
Widowed o r made widower, b e r e f t of
wife o r husband.
Neither nearby o r f a r away, not
near and not remote.
Sooner o r l a t e r .
The more you see of it t h e b e t t e r
it i s .
Hundreds and thousands of years,
forever.
Every day and night.
To be t h e slaves of t h e demons.
To do poorly, c a r e l e s s l y .
To do poorly, c a r e l e s s l y .
To render useless, destroy.
To do poorly, c a r e l e s s l y .
To do poorly, c a r e l e s s l y .
To do poorly, c a r e l e s s l y .
Speak e v i l of me behind my back.
To do poorly, c a r e l e s s l y .
To join i n marriage.
Troubled by e v i l omens and s p i r i t s .
Troubled by the returning s p i r i t s
of t h e departed.
The f a s t e r t h e b e t t e r .
 APPENDIX 6

W H I T E HMONG PROVERBS

In Hmong these sayings a r e c a l l e d "flower language"

( ' p a j l u g ' ) . These sayings a r e i n s e t phraseology and
they rhyme. I n some cases they contain some Chinese words o r
Hmong adaptations of Chinese words. Some of the proverbs
used a r e e n t i r e l y Chinese, i n which case we have marked
.
them " ( C ) "

1. Nplooj t s i s zeeg, zoov t s i s k a j

Ntiajteb tibneeg t s i s tuag, n t i a j t e b n t i m t s i s t a g .

I f the leaves d o n ' t f a l l t h e woods a r e dark;

I f people d i d n ' t d i e the world wouldn't contain
them a l l .

2 . Hla d e j yuav h l e khau,

Tsiv t e b tsaws chaw yuav h l e hau.

When you cross a stream you take off your shoes;

When you move t o a new place you ought t o change
headman.

3 . Swm laus swm khoob,

Zeej laus zeej t i b toob. (C)

Old t r e e s a r e hollow;
Old men a r e feeble-minded.

4 . Pluag pluag ua plhu luag.

Mua j mua j ua plhu qua j .
The poor a r e happy.
The r i c h weep.

5 . Pobkws l i g tawb lawv nqhis .

Pobkws ntxov tawb lawv hmov.

To covet t h e corn whether i t i s e a r l y or l a t e .

( i . e . You c a n ' t s a t i s f y them no matter how you t r y . )

6 . Noj zaub t s i b hno tsuag qab tshee j nqaig,

Haus de j qab tshee j caw.

(with f r i e n d s ) To e a t f l a v o r l e s s vegetables i s a s
t a s t y a s meat, and t o drink water i s a s good a s wine.
 7 . Dev laus t s i s zov loog.
Neeg laus t s i s nquas plaub.

Old dogs d o n ' t keep watch;

And old men d o n ' t l i k e t o discuss court cases.

8 . Noj t s i s noj kuj tuav diav,

Luag t s i s luag kuj n t x i hniav.

Whether you e a t o r not a t l e a s t hold a spoon;

Whether you laugh or not a t l e a s t force a smile.
(used i n i n v i t i n g persons t o e a t when they keep refusing)

9 . Vwb txab vwb liam,

Cawb txab kum hiam.

(Not sure of t h e exact meaning but t h i s seems t o

r e f e r t o accusing someone without evidence)

10. Ncauj kab z i b nplaig kab n t s e .

Ntxias noj n t x i a s qhe.

A mouth of sweetness and a tongue r i g h t l y s a l t e d ;

But only t o deceive you so you w i l l i n v i t e them t o e a t .

11. Foob l a i j foob tsheb tuam sab,

Xwrn l a i j nom tuam kus. (C)

When t h e wind blows i t i s bound t o h i t the b i g

mountains;
When trouble comes ( t o the l e s s e r ) it i s bound t o
h i t the g r e a t e r , too.

12 . Ntu j dub ntu j t x i g li lub qhov kub twg .

Xyov yus yuav tuag hnub twg.

The heavens (concerning one's f u t u r e ) a r e a s dark a s

t h e hole i n a buffalo horn.
Who knows when he w i l l d i e ?

13. Roob taus nkim puas t s u a s .

Laus nkim puas h l u a s .

An axe r u i n s a wooden wedge.

An old husband r u i n s a young wife:

14. Yeej kom t s h i j xas l o o j c i b .

pem kom puj yawb chib. (C)

The accuser has eaten t h r e e baskets of chickens;

But the defendent h a s n ' t gotten up y e t .
(The g u i l t y i s i n no hurry t o go t o h i s t r i a l ! )
15. Qhiav laus qhiav t s i s ntsim.
Neeg laus neeg t s i s t i j l i m .

Old ginger i s n ' t peppery;

Old people have no energy.

16. Ncau j hub ncau j rhaw txhaws tau,

Ncauj tibneeg txhaws t s i s t a u .

A l l kinds of v e s s e l s can be plugged,

But you c a n ' t plug peoples' mouths.

17. Xyos t a s qus xw.

Tuam t a s tsam xw. (C)

The faint-hearted d i e of s t a r v a t i o n ;
The brave d i e of over-eating.

18. Nceb yuav t u a j t s i s t i m c o j mus t s a u nruab deg.

Neeg yuav muaj t s i s t i m mus nyob qhov zoo chaw.

Mushrooms come up whether you put them i n water or not;

I f one i s r i c h it d o e s n ' t depend on where he l i v e s .

1 9 . Phua xyoob t i m t s i b .
Qaib qua t i m sijhawm.

You s p l i t bamboo through the s i d e s where the branches

come f o r t h ;
A cock crows i n h i s time.
(done according t o time--a t h e i f comes i n the night, e t c )

2 0 . Nyuj t s i s pom nyuj ntab.

Neeg t s i s pom hiab xab.

A cow c a n ' t see the skin on i t s neck;

A person c a n ' t see h i s face.

2 1 . Txawj ntos t s i s qeg ( o r ' q i g ' ) t x i a s .

Txawj h a i s t s i s qeg (or ' q i g ' ) l u s .

An able weaver doesn't waste thread;

An able speaker doesn't waste words.

2 2 . Xyom n t u j t h i a j tau n t u j ntoo.

Xyom niam xyom t x i v t h i a j tau zoo.

Reverence t h e heavens and they w i l l give you good

fortune ;
Reverence your parents and you w i l l be well o f f .
23. Pub n i a g l a u s n o j , n i a g l a u s nco t s h a v n t u j .
Pub me y a u s n o j , me yaus zov n r u j .

Feed and c a r e f o r t h e o l d f o l k s and t h e y w i l l remember

your k i n d n e s s ;
Feed and c a r e f o r t h e young and t h e y w i l l s t a y c l o s e
by you.

24. Tsev nqeeg t s i s yog k o j chaws s i m taws.

Tsev vuas t s i s yog k o j chaws s i m z e b .

D o n ' t t r y f i r e i n a l e a f covered house o r s t o n e s

i n a s h i n g l e d house. (don ' t t r y my p a t i e n c e ! )

2 5 . Hlau t x i a s n t a u s t s i s t a u .
Lus t x i a s h a i s t a u .

You c a n ' t f o r g e c o l d i r o n ;
But you can r e p e a t words once spoken.
(You may n o t a g r e e t h i s t i m e b u t I can speak t o you
a b o u t it a g a i n . )

26. T s i a j t x h u ua saum tswv txwv.

Tub k i ua saum niam t x i v .

Animals a r e r e s p o n s i b l e t o t h e i r m a s t e r s ;
And c h i l d r e n t o t h e i r p a r e n t s .

27. Noj t s i s dua me y a u s .

Xav t s i s dua t e j l a u s .

You c a n ' t s u r p a s s c h i l d r e n f o r e a t i n g ;
And you c a n ' t s u r p a s s o l d f o l k s f o r wisdom.

28. Koj y e e j l o s t e s l i a g t x a i s l u a g ncuav sov.

"Did you borrow my money l i k e t a k i n g a p e r s o n s rice

cake t o devour." ( P r o v e r b i a l way o f saying, 'But
a f t e r a l l you r e a l l y d i d borrow money from me
b u t h a v e n ' t y e t p a i d it b a c k . ' )

2 9 . Tshav n t u j qab z e b qab c a qhuav.

Los nag qab zeb qab c a n t u b .

I f it i s sunny it i s d r y under b o t h s t o n e s and l o g s .

I f it i s r a i n y it i s wet under b o t h s t o n e s and l o g s .

30. Hnub qub k o j n t a u pom dua i b lub,

Plaub n t u g k o j n t a u pom dua i b t x u b .

You have s e e n more s t a r s and more c a s e s o f j u s t i c e

t h a n I have .*

* Expression o f p o l i t e n e s s used i n a d d r e s s i n g e l d e r s
e s p e c i a l l y when a s k i n g a d v i c e o r h e l p i n j u s t i c e .
31. Hauv m i s koj xub noj.
Hauv tsoos koj xub hnav.

You drank a t the nipple and wore clothing before

I did.*

32. Xyoob i b txoog ntoo i b tsob .

Nqaij i b daig tawv i b phob.

One clump of bamboo, one trunk of the t r e e .

One f l e s h and one skin.

33. Nrab neeg h a i s nrab l u s .

Me neeg h a i s me l u s .

An ordinary person speaks so ordinary people can

understand;
A person of no s t a t u s speaks words of no account.

34. Zaub t s i b t s i s yog ntxuag.

Nciab t s i s yog luag.

B i t t e r vegetables a r e not s u i t a b l e t o e a t with r i c e ;

Strangers a r e not good companions.

35. Qoob l i g qoob npluag.

Tub l i g tub ntsuag.

Grain planted l a t e i s mostly chaff;

Late maEriage leaves orphans.

36. Yog koj r o j koj ntshav,

Yog koj n q a i j xeeb tawv hlav.

"I am your offspring."

37. Thaum zoo mas nthee i b lub qe ob leeg twb noj t s i s t a s .

Thaum phem m a s tua i b t u g ntxhw twb t s i s txawj ob leeg
noj .
When things a r e going well even a s i n g l e scrambled egg
i s more than enough f o r two people.
When things a r e bad even an elephant won't s a t i s f y one
person.

3 8 . Muab txab muab t s h e e j sab,

Muab txim muab t s h e e j t i m .

You can r i g h t l y accuse me only i f you have a c t u a l

evidence of my s i n .

* Expression of politeness used i n addressing e l d e r s

e s p e c i a l l y when asking advice or help i n j u s t i c e .
3 9 . Fajtim txaim pem cees,
Txaws l i s t h i a j txaws thoos t h e e s . (C)

The l o r d i s i n heaven and so t h e whole world must be

r u l e d according t o p r i n c i p l e .

40. Ntov ntoo s a i b ceg qhuav.

Hais l u s s a i b s i a b qeg.

When you chop a t r e e you f i r s t look out f o r t h e dead

branches ;
When you t a l k you b e t t e r look high and low f o r who
might be l i s t e n i n g .

41. Hom txawm li muas txwv,

Txiav txawm li t h o o j ntxwv.

"When you c u t o f f a b i t of metal t o make a b u l l e t you

d o n ' t add t o it o r t a k e from i t . " I t must be
a s we o r i g i n a l l y agreed. (Said t o one who d o e s n ' t
want t o pay what was agreed.)
 APPENDIX 7

THE WORK OF THE YEAR

(Approximate)

The f i r s t month beginning a f t e r t h e celebration of

Hmong New Year which comes the f i r s t new moon a f t e r the r i c e
harvest. Rice harvest i s usually sometime i n December o r
January.

Month Activity

1 thauj n p l e j haul home t h e r i c e

thauj pobkws haul home t h e corn
h l a i s yeeb c o l l e c t opium

2 sau yeeb, h l a i s yeeb c o l l e c t opium

luaj teb prepare f i e l d s
ntov ntoo cut down t r e e s

3 luaj teb prepare f i e l d s

ntov ntoo cut down t r e e s
hlawv t e b burn o f f t h e f i e l d s

4 cog pobkws p l a n t corn

5 cog n p l e j
ua t s e v t e b
l u a j pobkws
6 dob n r o j t e b npleg
l u a j pobkws
plant r i c e
make f i e l d houses
weed the corn
p u l l weeds i n r i c e f i e l d s
weed t h e corn

7 l a s nplej weed r i c e t h e second time

8 ua t e b yeeb prepare opium f i e l d s

faus t e b hoe t h e f i e l d s
9 t s e b yeeb p l a n t opium broadcast
n t a i s pobkws pluck t h e corn
muab n p l e j cut the r i c e

10 n t a i s pobkws pluck t h e corn

muab n p l e j cut the r i c e
thauj pobkws haul i n the corn
pawv n p l e j stack the r i c e
dob yeeb weed t h e opium

11 pawv n p l e j stack the r i c e

l a s yeeb weed t h e opium second time

12 ntaus n p l e j thresh r i c e
yaj nplej winnow r i c e
thauj n p l e j haul i n the r i c e
thauj pobkws haul i n the corn
 APPENDIX 8

POST VERBAL I N T E N S I F I E R S
(p.v. i n t . )

These a r e p a r t i c l e s used immediately following t h e verb

t o i n t e n s i f y the action of t h e verb. In some cases they add
a definable aspect t o the action of the verb, i n which case
we have made note of i t . W e l i s t below those t h a t we have
discovered. There may be more.

We have divided these p a r t i c l e s i n t o two major cate-

gories, each with subdivisions. Those categories are:

A. Unrestricted:
Those t h a t may occur with any verb.
B. Those t h a t occur with only a c e r t a i n group of
verbs. W e have l i s t e d with each i n t e n s i f i e r
those verbs with which it i s used a s f a r a s we
a r e aware a t t h i s s t a g e . Refer t o t h e main
body of t h e dictionary for t h e f u l l meaning
of t h e verb.

A. Unrestricted Post Verbal I n t e n s i f i e r s

1. Combination of two o r more words

...kiag li ( c f . 'kiag')
...li ub ...li no
. . .ub.. .no
ua li ub ua li no Do t h i s and t h a t
ua ub ua no Do t h i s and t h a t
h a i s li ub h a i s li no Say t h i s and t h a t
h a i s ub h a i s no Say t h i s and t h a t

(and so with many verbs, e .g . ' cem, ' ' txawj, '
' xyaum ' ) .
...ph i s l i s phais l a i s (haphazardly)

ua phis l i s phais l a i s Do haphazardly

h a i s phis l i s phais l a i s Speak nonsense

. . .ua l u a j (very, g r e a t )
l o j , coob, zoo, ntau, e t c .

2 . Single word

.. .kiag (also ' . ..kiag l i ' ) (decisiveness)

mus, los, zoo, yuav, e t c .

B. R e s t r i c t e d P o s t Verbal I n t e n s i f i e r s

1. Combination o f two o r more words

.,.hlawv h l o (suddenly and e f f i c i e n t l y )

n t x e e v hlawv h l o tshem hlawv h l o

ua hlawv h l o t i g hlawv h l o

.1 1 (cf. 'hlo')

...ncha n t h i ( l o u d l y )
ua ncha n t h i nrov ncha n t h i qw ncha n t h i

...nplawg n t i a s ( a l l doing together, a l l helping)

ua nplawg n t i a s c e m nplawg n t i a s
zaum nplawg n t i a s 10s nplawg n t i a s

( a l s o ) nyob, h a i s , n t a u s , t u a j , txeeb,
khiav, qw, nyiav, l a w m

...n r u j n r i s (nodding)

t s a u g zog n r u j n r i s ncaws n r u j n r i s
nyo n r u j n r i s

...nrwb nraim ( c f . ' t i b nraim) (according t o )

ua nrwb nraim n c a j nrwb nraim

...ntem ntauv

sov ntem n t a u v

.. . n t s u j ntsoov ( o r ) n t s u j n t s e e s ( o r ) n t s u j nrees
( c f . 'ntsoov' )
. . . p awg l u g ( o f many t h i n g s o r p e r s o n s t o g e t h e r )

nyob pawg l u g W P a w lug

zaum pawg l u g pov pawg l u g
ua pawg l u g t x i a v pawg l u g
c i a pawg l u g

...qu j q e e s ( s l o w l y and s t e a d i l y )

t o s quj qees rov quj qees

h a i s quj qees mus q u j q e e s
10s q u j q e e s chim qu j q e e s

( a l s o ) t u a j , n t a u s , khiav, ua, etc.

 ...tawg n t h 0 (sudden b u r s t o f a c t i o n )

l u a g tawg n t h 0 n y i a v tawg n t h 0
n t h e tawg n t h 0 qua j tawg n t h 0
q w tawg n t h 0 nrov tawg n t h 0
c e m tawg n t h 0

. . .t i b nraim ( e x a c t l y a c c o r d i n g t o ) ( c f . 'nraim' )

ua t i b nraim p i a v t i b nraim
h a i s t i b nraim q h i a t i b nraim
mus t i b nraim n c a j t i b nraim
c o j t i b nraim

... t x i v tsuav (a q u a l i t y of red color)

l i a b t x i v tsuav

2 . S i n g l e word p . v . i n t . o n l y used i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h
another p . v . i n t .

...pes nkaus ( c f . ' n k a u s ' )

.. . p e s .
dheev ( c f ' d h e e v ' )
...p e s hlo (cf. 'hlo')

...qos . .. (ox) . ..qas . . .

. ..qos n t s o o v ( c f . ' n t s o o v ' )
. . .qos n r e e s ( c f . ' n r e e s ' )
. . .qos q e e s ( c f . ' q e e s ' )
...qos n t s u a v ( c f . ' n t s u a v ' )
. . .qos nraim ( c f . ' n r a i m ' )
Note: These p a r t i c u l a r words o r s y l l a b l e s a r e more
common i n Blue Hmong speech b u t w e have a l s o heard them
used sometimes by White Hmong and w e t h e r e f o r e r e c o r d
them h e r e . They may be o n l y a c a r r y o v e r from Blue
Hmong speech p a t t e r n .

3 . S i n g l e word.

...diam (conveying t h e i d e a o f g r e a t n e s s )

qab diam paub diam

ua t a u diam muaj diam
ob t u g diam zoo ua l u a j d i m
zoo diam kub h n y i a b diam
hov n t e v diam hov deb diam
hov l o j diam hov siab diam

( a l s o ) tob, ntau, t s i m , hluas, laus,

n y i a s , tuab, nyiam, dav, e t c .
...dheev (or) pes dheev (suddenness)
ras dheev nco dheev
tsim dheev saib dheev
pom dheev hnov dheev
xav dheev paub dheev
.. .dhoog (a quality of red)
liab dhoog
. ..hlo (or) hlo li (or) pes hlo (immediacy)
qheb hlo zoo hlo
nqa hlo ris hlo
rov hlo keev hlo
(also) ntxeev, tig, tsa, rho, kwv, mus,
los, sawv, hle, vau, poob, ua, kaw,
muab, txias, hlawv, noj, haus
.. .lis (quality of yellow)
daj lis
. ..lug
du lug qheb lug tshab lug
...ncees (straightness)
ncaj ncees
...nkauj
zoo nkauj hluas nkauj
ua nkauj tiav nkauj
hu nkauj hais nkauj
. ..nkaus (or) pes nkaus (completeness)
yam nkaus puv nkaus
txais nkaus hum nkaus
nres nkaus txheem nkaus
(also) puas, ntsiab, tsawv, kawg, ceeb,
tib, ti, nthos, puab, txaus, khaws, lo,
npuaj, txiv, txij, cuag, zoo, thooj, tim,
tsuam, nias, puag, kem.
...nkoos (stooped over)
laus nkoos nraim nkoos
khoov nkoos xauj nkoos
. ..npo
puv npo

. .. n r e e s( o r ) qos n r e e s ( t h e i d e a o f h a v i n g been
s o f o r some t i m e ) ( c o n t r . ' n k a u s ' ) (some-
times s a i d ' . . . n t s e e s V )

ruaj nrees r u a j qos nrees

txhav n r e e s txhav qos n r e e s
kaw n r e e s kaw q o s n r e e s

( a l s o ) kem, chob, n t s i a , n i a s , khaum, l o

...nraim (follow according t o ) ( c f . ' t i b nraim'

and 'nrwb nraim' )

n c a j nraim raws nraim

sawv nraim nrog nraim
xyuas nraim mus nraim
lawv nraim khaws nraim

zoo nraug h l u a s nraug

. . .nrho
t a g nrho t u nrho
txhua n r h o t x i j nrho
de nrho

ncha ntws n t x h e hav ntws

poog ntws nrov ntws

ploj ntais tsaus ntuj ntais

dua n t a i s fos ntais

. .. n t i a s ( c f . 'nplawg n t i a s ' )

puv n t i a s ua n t i a s l a i m ntias

tuaj nthi tuag n t h i

tsuj nthi pw n t h i
ploj nthi ncha n t h i

lov nth0 tawg n t h 0

 h l i v nthwv nchuav nthwv

. .. n t s o
rau siab ntso

ntseg ntsos n r i g nphau n t s o s

p a j paws n t s o s caws q i a n t s o s
dhia ntsos

.. .ntsoov (perception) (or ' n t s u j ntsoov'

' q o s ntsoov, ' 'qas ' )

n t s i a ntsoov paub n t s o o v
nco n t s o o v pom n t s o o v
vam n t s o o v xyuas n t s o o v
s a i b ntsoov t o s n t s u j ntsoov

. . . n t s e e s ( o r ) n r e e s (sometimes used i n s t e a d of
...n t s o o v )
. .. n t s u a v ( o r ) q a s n t s u a v ( o r ) qos n t s u a v
y a j ntsuav q i a s ntsuav
txab ntsuav phum n t s u a v
dag n t s u a v

.. .n t x i a s
plos ntxias

nrov n t x h i a s kam n t x h i a s
plhaw n t x h i a s kwm n t x h i a s
plos ntxhias pob n t x h i a s
lav ntxhias ntaus ntxhias
hluas ntxhias

dawb paug

l i a b plooy

...p laws (suddenness)

dhau plaws t s h a b plaws thoob plaws

dim plaws c i g plaws t a w m plaws
ya plaws phua plaws k a j n t u g plaws
S a m plaws
...plhuav
t s o plhuav t x h i a s plhuav
plam plhuav poob plhuav

...qees (constancy) (or 'qos q e e s ' ) ( c f . 'quj

qees' )

qawj qees qawj qos qees

h a i s qees h a i s qos qees
thov qees thov qos qees

( a l s o ) ua, noj, khawb, ntov, nkag, pab, cem

. . .qha
ncaj qha

... r a w (tightly)

tuav r a w khi rawv

sw r a w npuav r a w
puab r a w puag r a w
nqa r a w cuam rawv
coj r a w

rub rhe tawg rhe

n t a i s rhe dua rhe
pob rhe

. ..rhuv
d a j rhuv

.. .rhees
pov rhees txawb rhees laim rhees

xuab taw rhuav

hais t i a s paub t i a s hnov t i a s

xav t i a s yog t i a s nco t i a s
hu t i a s haw tias quaj t i a s

( a l s o ) ntxub, ntshai, cem, qw, yws, xam,

piav, nug, teb, nloog
 . ..t s e b
l i a b tseb

. . .t s e e s
s a w tsees

.. .t x i g
dub t x i g

. . .txho
dub txho

d a j vog c i vog l i a b vog

dawb vog dub vog ntsuab vog

xav z o j fawb z o j
saib zoj txhuam z o j
h a i s zoj piav z o j
nug z o j teb zoj

( a l s o ) nloog, hu, xam, nco, pam

4 . With 'nrov'

This i s a s p e c i a l c l a s s of words used a f t e r 'nrov'

(sound) describing various sounds and n o i s e s . This
category includes a g r e a t number of words varying according
t o t h e noise described o r i m i t a t e d . The l i s t below i s
illustrative.

nrov theb .. .nrhawj

nrov npawj . . .n r h i j nrhawj
nrov tawj . . .nkoos
nrov pag . ..nkhas
nrov ntws .. . n p l o j
nrov t s e j . ..npla j
nrov poog .. .nkuav
nrov ploom . ..nrawj
nrov nreev ...nkhis nkhoos
nrov n t s i a j . . .qua j qee
...
ntxhias . .. q i s qawv ...nqag n t x h i a s
...
l i s loo .. .nta vos . . .nphiv nphav
..
.hnyev .. .t x i j t x e j ...ntxhe hav ntws
..
.hlawv . .. n p l i j . . .r h i j rhua j
. ..
nkua j ...tawg nth0
 SUPPLEMENT T O APPENDIX 8

ADDITIONAL POST VERBAL INTENSIFIERS

Below a r e l i s t e d a d d i t i o n a l p o s t v e r b a l i n t e n s i f i e r s
g a t h e r e d i n t h e p r o c e s s o f assembling m a t e r i a l a f t e r Appendix
8 was completed. They a r e t h e r e f o r e n o t i n c l u d e d i n Appendix
8 . Some do n o t a p p e a r i n t h e main body o f t h e d i c t i o n a r y .
These a r e i n d i c a t e d by ( * ) .
A. Unrestricted Post V e r b a l I n t e n s i f i e r s

. . . t i a g ( o r ) ... t i a g tiag (or) . .. t a s tas

. . .t a s nrho
. . .t a s zog
. . .li n t a g
. .. x u j xuav
. . .z u j z u s
...z u j zuav
. . .Z U S
B. R e s t r i c t e d P o s t Verbal I n t e n s i f i e r s

1. Combination o f Two o r More Words

...chos q o s tshwv l u b s i a b c h o s q o s tshwv

...dheev t s o s
. . . d o j .. .de
... h l a w h l i a s
... h l u j h l u a v
. . .l o o j h l i a s
...nco laws
* . . . ncu j nco
...nkaug ntsim
* . . .nku j nkaus
* . . .nkuj nkis
...nphoo n t x o j
nphoo n t x u a s
...nplem n p l a v
...n p l i a g nplaws
...n p l h i b nplhob
. . .nrawg n r o o s
. . .nrawv n r o o s
* . . .nrhawv n r h o
...n r h u j nrhawv
. . .nrhu j nrheev
nco dheev t s o s
qaug d o j qaug d e
l o o j hlawv h l i a s , t s i s nco
qab hlawv h l i a s
xuab taw h l u j h l u a v
t s a u g zog l o o j h l i a s
puv nco laws
ncaws hau n c u j nco (nodding
i n sleep)
no nkaug n t s i m
dhos n k u j nkaus ( c l o s e f i t t i n g )
t x a i s nku j nkaus ( r e c e i v e d )
n o j nkuj n k i s (of r a t s
gnawing)
coob nphoo n t x o j nphoo n t x u a s
nce nplem n p l a v
n t u b nag n p l i a g nplaws
n t i n p l h i b nplhob
paub s i b nrawg n r o o s
t u a j nrawv n r o o s
h l u a t u nrhawv n r h o ( t h e r o p e
broke)
h a i s l u s nrhuj n r h a w
s a w n r h u j nrheev
 ...n t s a i a b c i ntsa iab
. . . n t s o o g ntxaws t s o o tawg n t s o o g ntxaws
...n t s u a g n t s e b 10s nag t s h a u v n t s u a g n t s e b
...n t s h a u s n t s h i v t o qhov n t s h a u s n t s h i v
* . . . p l u j plaws c i g p l u j plaws ( f l i c k e r i n g
and going o u t )
tshwm p l u j plaws ( a p p e a r i n g
and d i s a p p e a r i n g )
*. ..pluj pliav n t s a i s muag p l u j p l i a v ( e y e s
blinking)
.. .qog q e e s ua qog qees, q u a j qog q e e s
. . .qos zog q h i a q o s zog
. . .qhawv qho nqag qhawv qho lawv qab
. . .t a j tsawv h a i s l u s t a j tsawv
...t u a g nthi h a i s tuag n t h i , s i a b tuag nthi,
nyiam t u a g n t h i
. .. t s h u j tshuav t s i v t s h u j tshuav, t a u v l a s
t s h u j tshuav
...txhaws daws t a m txhaws daws
...zawg z i a s 10s nag t s h a u v zawg z i a s
...zom zaws ua zom zaws, h a i s zom zaws ( e t c . )
...z o j zeeg ua z o j zeeg
. . .zwb zis ruam zwb z i s

2 . One word R e s t r i c t e d P o s t Verbal I n t e n s i f i e r s

...dhev ( c f . ' d h u j dhev' a f t e r ' n r o v ' )

s i b xyaws dhev
. .
. kawv s u a j kaum k a w
.
.. l e e s ntswj l e e s
... lias p h e e j l i a s , t i a j l i a s , dawb
lias
. ..lus siav lus
.. .nciab dub n c i a b
.
. .ncuv nka ncuv, d a i npoo ncuv
.. .nkhawv n q h i s d e j nkhawv
.. .npog nphau npog
..
. nphaws n t a u g nphaws
... npho c a i s npho
. .
. nphoob pham nphoob
.. .nphwv d e j nphau nphwv
.. .nplas c i nplas
.. .nplho chaws n p l h o
.. .nquas qhuav nquas
.. .nqhos n t h e s i b nqhug n t h e s i b nqhos
.. .nqhug n t h e s i b nqhug n t h e s i b nqhos
.. .nrig tshav n t u j nrig, k a j n r i g
.
. .nrooj h a i s ceev n r o o j
.. .nrheev s a w nrheev
.. .nti n t u j t s a u s n t i , pos huab n t i
...ntiag nias ntiag (cf. 'ntias' )
...ntws poog ntws, ncha ntws
...nthav poob n t h a v
. ..nthaws r o g nthaws
 . . .nthwb l w j nthwb
.. . n t s e e s taubhau n t s a u b hau n t s e e s
... n t s u g sawv n t s u g
... n t s u j khiav n t s u j , rov n t s u j
...ntsuv mob s i a b n t s u v
. .. n t s u a mob s i a b n t s u a
...n t s h o v ntshaus ntshov
. .. n t s h u a t o siab n t s h u a
. . .ntxaug ntxub n t x a u g
. . .ntxaws n r h i a v txhua ntxaws
.. .n t x i a g ya n t x i a g , t s e e v zam n t x i a g ,
ua noo n t x i a g
ua qa j qaug nyos
ploj pliag
l i a b ploog
phua p l h a w , tawg p l h a w ,
tsiv plhaw
. . .q a w tom h n i a v q a w
...sees ua zam s e e s
. . .taws npau t a w s
.. . t s a w huab n t s a u tsawv
.. .t s h a qheb t s h a lawm
. . .t s h w ( o r ' q o s l u b siab c h i s qos t s h w ,
tshw') tws tshw
. . .vos caws v o s
. . .vus c i vus
...xiab ntsuab xiab
. . .yees t u s yees

3 . Onomatopoetic P o s t Verbal I n t e n s i f i e r s ( t h o s e used

i n i m i t a t i o n o f n a t u r a l sounds)

a . Those used a f t e r ' n r o v '

.. .dhev quaj nrov dhev

...d h u j dheev nrov d h u j dheev
...ncha ntws nrov ncha ntws
* . . .nkhu j nkhoos nrov nkhuj nkhoos (sound of
chopping s o f t wood)
...nqag ntxhias nrov nqag n t x h i a s
* . . .n q h a w nrov t i b nqhawv
* . . .nroo l u j laws nrov n r o o l u j laws
* . . .nroo r h u j r h e v nrov nroo r h u j rhev
...n r o o ntws nrov n r o o ntws
* ...nruj nreeb (or nrov n r u j n r e e b (sound of
'nruj nreev ' ) c u t t i n g wood)
*... n t u j n t i v nrov n t u j n t i v (of r a t s eating)
...qis q a w nrov qis qaw
.. .
* r h u j rhuav nrov r h u j rhuav (sound o f
cutting vegetation)
 b . Those used a f t e r o t h e r v e r b s d e s c r i b i n g
a c t i o n which i n v o l v e s sound

. . .dhawv dhev q u a j dhawv dhev

. . .dhu j dhev qua j d h u j dhev
* . . .hawv huav ua h a w huav ( o f a n i m a l s
growling and r e a d y t o b i t e )
*... i v awv q u a j i v awv ( o f a dog c r y i n g )
* . . .nqhawv nqho ua nqhawv nqho ( o f a n i m a l s
growling and p a n t i n g )
*... n l u j n l o b quaj n l u j nlob (of a c a t
crying)
*... nphuj nphoos q u a j nphuj nphoos ( o f a t i g e r
crying)
...n r o o ntws ua n r o o ntws, r a s nroo ntws,
n r o v nroo ntws
* . . .nroo n t u j ntws xob n r o o n t u j ntws ( r o l l i n g
thunder)
*... n r u j nrawv nrov ( o r ) ua ( o r ) khob n r u j
nrawv ( t h e sound o f
chopping h a r d wood)
* ... g i g qag q u a j q i g qag ( o f a f r o g
croaking)
* . . .qog qees q u a j qog q e e s ( o f a l a r g e
number o f p e o p l e o r
animals crying)
. . .t s e q u a j t s e , h a i s nrov t s e
*... t x u j txwv q u a j t x u j txwv ( o f a dog
crying i n pain)
*... v i j vawj q u a j v i j vawj ( o f a dog
crying)
* . .. z u j z i a g quaj z u j z i a g (of a cicada
singing)
*... z i j zev q u a j z i j zev ( o f a p i g c r y i n g )
*. ..zuj zeb q u a j z u j zeb ( o f a p i g
squealing)
* . ..nuj neb h a i s n u j neb ( t o speak i n a
whining v o i c e )
*... t u j tes h a i s t u j t e s ( t o speak i n a
whining o r whimpering
voice)
* . . .l u j laws h a i s l u j laws ( t o speak with-
out expression)
* . . .nkig nkuav h a i s n k i g nkuav ( o f one who
always speaks l o u d l y )
 APPENDIX 9

C L A S S I F I E D VOCABULARY

ANATOMY

adam's apple pob yeeb genitals

ankle yas taw female pim, paum
arm txhais t e s male qau, hnyuv
armpit qhov t s o s hnyuv qau
upper arm c a j npab glottis nru
artery leeg groin puab t a i s
back gums pos hniav
small of back duav hair plaub hau
backbone nqaj qaum hand tes
between nraub qaum back qaum t e s
shoulders palm xib teg
ridge a t back c a j qwb head taub hau
of neck heart plawv
bladder zais heel l u j taw, dab
blood ntshav taw
body (main frame) lub cev intestine hnyuv
bone pobtxha large hnyuv dub
brain hlwb small hnyuv dawb
breast lub m i s j aw puab t s a i g
buttocks ntsag, c a j t w joint PO^
cheek plhu kidney ram
cheekbone xub t x i g knee hauv caug
chest hauv s i a b leg ceg
chin puab t s a i g calf plab hlaub
c o l l a r bone qais shin hlaub, roob
ear ntsej qhib, roob
outer ear pobntseg hlaub
ear canal qhov n t s e j thigh ncej puab
ear lobe taub ntseg lips d i ncauj
elbow l u j tshib, liver siab
yas npab lungs ntsws
eye qhov muag marrow hlwb
pupil n t s i a b muag mouth ncau j
lashes plaub muag qhov ncauj
face muag, nail rau
n t s e j muag fingernail rau t e s
finger tes, ntiv t e s toenail rau taw
knuckle yas t e s neck c a j dab
fingertip taub teg nose ntswg
flesh nqai j bridge c a j ntswg
fontanelle hau xaws nostril qhov ntswg
£00t kotaw oesophagus hlab pas
sole xib taws pulse memtes
forehead hau p l i a j rib tav
g a l l bladder tsib side phab t a v
shoulder xub pwg toe n t i v taw
shoulder blades duav pus, b i g toe n t i v taw xoo
nplooj pus tongue nplaig
spleen PO tooth hniav
stomach PIab molar hniav puas
testicles noob qes unibilicus p i j ntaws,
throat c a j pas lub ntaws
i n s i d e and back qa vein leeg
of mouth wrist dab teg
thumb n t i v t e s xoo

ANIMALS, BIRDS, INSECTS

animals t s i a j txhu f l y (noun) yoov (TI

wild animals t s i a j qus horsef l y yoov mos dab
ant ntsaum yoov tom nyuj
b a t (noun) puav housefly yoov mos ntsuab
bear dais fox (red) hma l i a b
honey bear d a i s dev frog qav
black bear d a i s nees gibbon cuam
bee (several mes, muv, gnat yoov qaib
species) ntab, daiv goat tshis
beetle kab wild mount- s a i
bird noog a i n goat
small chicken- y i j goose 9us
l i k e wild b i r d hawk dav
bull nyuj hen poj qaib
full-grown un- xob nyuj hornbill hu vaj xyoob
castrated b u l l hornet ntseeb
butter f l y npu j npaim horse nees
cat miv jackal hma
caterpillar -kab n t s i g leech hiab
centipede laum kib tshooj leopard tsov t x i a j
c i v e t (Palm) mab txho tsov pom teev
cock lau qaib leopard c a t p l i s
cockroach laum l i c e (head) ntshauv
COW nyuj
- - body l i c e tuv
c o w ' be1lows nyu j nqov lion tsov ntxhuav
crab raub r i s lizard nab qa
crocodile khe j ( T ) Iquana nab qa nqhuab
crow (noun) uab, uab lag another kawv
deer (barking) kauv species
Sarribar muas lwj lobster cw
dog dev locust koo j tshuab
donkey luav monkey ( l a r g e
dove nquab male, short-
duck 0s tailed) txiv thais liab
eel n t s e s nab leafmonkey nya j
elephant ntxhw Rhesus liab
fish ntses mosquito ~ O O V (TI,
flea dev mub yoov tsha j cum
 moth npau j snail 4wjy quj y e w
mule l u j txwv snake nab
otter n t shuab python nab hab s e j
owl plas poisonous
brown f i s h snake nab muaj taug
owl l i b nyug spider kab
another plhaub hwb spider which
species makes a
panther (black) web kab laug sab
tsov dub, spider which
pom txwv makes no
parakeet leeb nkaub web kab laug tsov
parrot iam long-
peacock y a j yuam legged r a j r i s laus
pheasant nra j squirrel nas ncuav
pig npua red-bellied nas hoo t w m
boar taw npua Zebra nas ciav
cas. hog l a s npua t i c k (noun) zuam
SOW maum npua tiger tsov
wild pig npua teb Bengal tsov nplooj suab
porcupine tsaug toad qav kaws
(long q u i l l e d ) turtle vaub k i b
small por- nploos water
cupine t u r t l e vaub kib deg
quail noog w land
rabbit luav t u r t l e vaub kib nqhuab,
rat nas vuab k i b
house r a t nas tsuag water buffalo twm
rhinocerous twj kum wasp nkawj
scorpion raub r i s t e b worm kab
sheep yaj earthworn cua nab
skunk l uj marble-
sloth l i a b npog muag worm kab txws

BUILDING

beam depth qhov tob

horizontal nqaj e r e c t (verb)
long s i d e nqaj tsuag e r e c t t h e upright
foundat ion thob fab, poles of house
t i m cum txhos ncej
main crossbeam yees tsev, place hori-
yees nthab zontally txhawb
breadth qhov dav horizontal
build (verb) beams txhawb yees
build a bridge tuam choj height qhov s i a b
build a water- house tsev
line tuam ciav d e j back of
with b r i c k or house qaum t s e v
stone txhim length qhov ntev
construct (verb) txua l e v e l (verb) qua
demolish rhuav
notch ( t o notch a shingles vuas ntoo
post t o f i t s p l i t (boards or
crossbeams) t h a i s ncej tree) phua ntoo
post (a post i n steep (of a ntseg
the ground t o help v e r t i c a l roof)
hold i n place the support ( a s a
logs of a foun- pole t o a txheem
dation) t swg leaning house)
r a f t e r s (small tiles vuas l u a j
lengthwise ) puam upright ( t o
narrow poles s e t upright) t s a
fixed from s i d e s wall ( s i d e ) ntsa, phab
t o ridge pole t o ntsa
which roofing i s t o clamp to-
tied qhab gether with
t o put on these poles yuam phab ntsa
roof poles Sam qab separation
r e p a i r (verb) ntxiv between wall
ridgepole nqaj r u boards Cilia9
roof (ridge) ruv wood ntoo
of a house ruv t s e v hard, durable
t o roof house vov t s e v wood f o r
roofing ( g r a s s ) nqeeb house ntoo
make roofing building qheb
lengths of
leaves cuam nplooj

CLOTHING AND SEWING

apron sev loincloth thav ntxwv

front sev s i a measure (verb) ntsuas
back sev npua mend (clothing) ntxiv khaub
t o sew edging on ncaws
apron plooj sev p l e a t (top of
button khawm skirt) nre t i a b
cloth ntaub pocket hnab tshos
clothing hkaub ncaws, puttees nrhoob
tsoos tsho rags (old
cotton. paj clothing) khaub hlab
cut (verb) txiav sash ( b e l t )
cut on the men ' s siv
slant txiav sis. leather s i v tawv
dress (verb) hnav tsoos t o put on sia siv
embroidery p a j ntaub embroidered
gown (long) tsho t s h a j sab ends hlab ntxhoo
h a t (cap) kaumom seam l e e j leeg
headband s i v ceeb sew (verb) xaws
insert (to insert shoes khau
i n garment) t h i v silk tshawj
jacket (garment skirt tiab
with sleeves) tsho socks thom khwm
lining meem hauv thread xov
trousers ris
crotch hlws r i s
turban (black) phuam
 COLORS

Black dub red liab

p e r f e c t l y black dub t x i g b r i g h t red l i a b ploog
blue ntsuab, xiav l i g h t red l i a b tseb
l i g h t blue or dark red l i a b dhoog
purple txho, xiav speckled red l i a b vog
txho striped txaij
dark blue or varicolored huab
purple xiav tsaus white dawb
very blue ntsuab xiab perfectly
green ntsuab white dawb paug
lavender (or pink) paj yeeb speckled
pink l i a b t x i v ruav, white dawb vog
paj yeeb yellow da j
purple xiav very yellow d a j l i s ,
l i g h t purple d a j rhuv
or blue xiav, xiav speckled
txho yellow d a j vog
dark purple or
blue xiav t s a u s

FAMILY AND K I N S H I P

( c f . Kinship Charts Appendix 10)

aurlt
f a t h e r ' s s i s t e r (older or younger) phau j
mother's older s i s t e r niam t a i s hlob
mother's younger s i s t e r niam t a i s yau
mother's b r o t h e r s ' wives (older o r younger) niam dab laug
f a t h e r ' s older b r o t h e r ' s wife niam hlob
f a t h e r ' s younger brother ' s wife niam ntxawm
g r e a t aunt (paternal g r a n d f a t h e r ' s s i s t e r s ) phauj pog
brother
older brother a s c a l l e d by brothers ti j laug
younger brother a s c a l l e d by brothers kwv
a s c a l l e d by s i s t e r s nus
brother-in-law
husband's older brother t x i v laus
husband's younger brother called by given
name
w i f e ' s older brother yawm dab hlob
wife ' s younger brother y a m dab yau
s i s t e r ' s husband yawm y i j
w i f e ' s older s i s t e r ' s husband t x i v laus
wife ' s younger s i s t e r ' s husband t x i v hluas
children menyuam
daughter ntxhais,
mentxhais
daughter-in-law nyab
father txiv
father-in-law txiv
grandchild xeeb txwv
grandfather (Paternal) Yawg
(Maternal) yawm txiv
grandmother
- (paternal) Peg
(maternal) niam tais
great grandchild xeeb mujmum
great grandparents (on father ' s side) yawg suab,
pog koob
great grandparents (on mother's side)
great great grandparents (on father's side)
yawm txiv yawg,
niam tais pog
yawg suab,
-
pog suab
husband tus txiv
mother niam
mother-in-law niam
nephew
son of older brother tij tub
son of younger brother kwv tub
parents (or parents-in-law) niam txiv
sister (older or younger)
as called by brother muam
as called by sister vivncaus
sister-in-law
husband's sisters (called by -1
given name)
wife's older sister niam laus
wife ' s younger sister niam hluas 1
older brother's wife (as called by man) niam tij
older brother's wife (as called by woman) tis nyab
younger brother's wife (as called by man) niam ncaus

1
younger brother's wife (as called by woman) tis nyab
son tub, metub
son-in-law vauv
uncle
father's older brother txiv hlob
father's younger brother txiv ntxawm
mother's brother (older or younger) dab laug ,-
wife po jniam
I

FOODS AND COOKING

bamboo sprouts ntsuag xyoob boil (to boil hau

banana txiv tsawb in water,cook)
beans taum to boil over phwj
long beans
short beans
taum lag
taum suav
cabbage zaub pob -
d

variety of zaub ntsuab

soybean taum pauv mustard greens
string beans taum qaib qua cakes (steamed) ncuav
bean curd taum hwv cauliflower zaub paj
choko taub maum
 chop ( t o chop t suav Peppers kua txob
up f i n e ) Peppery ntxim
cocoanut t x i v mav po j ( T ) pomelo t x i v lwj zoov
cook ( t o cook for potato (sweet) qos l i a b
a long time a s tsaws white qos y a j y w v
meat t o soften i t ) pound ( t o tuav txhuv
corn pobkws pound r i c e
cornmeal i n treadmill
(steamed) mov kuam puckery pluas
cucumber dib pumpkin taub dag
cut ( t o cut i n txhoov radish zaub l o o j pwm
pieces f o r cooking) r i c e (cooked) mov
e99 qe r i c e gruel kua d i s
white hli r i c e water kua ntxhais
yolk nkaub uncooked r i c e txhuv txua
eggplant lws uncooked glu-
fat r oj tinous r i c e txhuv nplaum
ferment ~hwj r i c e cakes ncuav
f r y ( t o f r y with kib t o e a t other
or without f a t ) things with
t o add water t o txhaub kua rice ntxuag mov
frying vegetable t o pour the t s i
garlic qe j water off r i c e
ginger qhiav washing r i c e
guava t x i v cuab t h o j (rubbing
jackfruit t x i v plab nyug with hands) zawv
leechee t x i v lwv chi d i p out r i c e
leek dos t o eat h a i s mov
lettuce zaub ntsuab r i s e (of bread,
1ime t x i v rau zaub, cakes) su
t x i v qaub uas r o a s t (over or
rau zaub beside f i r e ) c i
mango txiv txhais salt ntsev
meat nqai j saltless t suag
meat cracklings kiav n q a i j salty daw
f a t t y meat n q a i j rog sausage hnyuv ntxwm
lean meat n q a i j ntshiv scramble (beat
melon dib pag up and f r y i n
millet pias f a t a s eggs) nthee qe
mince (verb) t suav simmer (verb) xiv
mix ( t o mix s l i c e (verb) hlais
together ) xyaw sour qaub
mushroom nceb spice (herbs) txu j lom
noodles ( r i c e ) peev choj steam ( a s of
orange t x i v kab ntxwv r i c e a t the
Papaya t x i v maum kuab, side of the
t x i v taub ntoo fire) ncu
parsley zaub txhwj qaib sugar (white) piam t h a j (C)
Pea t a m mog sugarcane qab t s i b
peach t x i v duaj brown syrup suav t h a j
peanut huab xeeb tamarind t x i v quav miv
pineapple t x i v puv l u j ( T ) t e a (or t e a kob s i m tshuaj,
pepper (black leaves) tshua j swm (C)
or white) hwj txob
 t o a s t (verb) txhiab t o add water txhaub kua
over or beside t o frying
fire ci vegetables
tomato t x i v l w s suav t o break i n t o npaws
tuber l o o j pum pieces f o r
uncooked (raw) nyoos cooking
vegetable zaub water ( t o h e a t ) rhaub dej
garden vegetable txhiam xwm wheat ( f l o u r ) hmoov mog
t o remove s t r i n g s , winnow ( t o winnow
inedible leaves a f t e r pounding) tsoov txhuv
from vegetable txhem zaub yeast keeb
f o r wine, whisky xab

FIELD WORK

burn (off t r e e s mark ( t o make hom t e b

and brush) hlawv ground intended
clear ( t o clear f o r making f i e l d )
off weeds) thws overgrown (weedy) fab
c l e a r the un- pick (break
burned branches off corn) n t a i s pobkws
when making a p l a n t (verb) Cog
new f i e l d txhem, them plant r i c e cog nplej
corn pobkws p l a n t i n bare
early pobkws cauj patches of
late pobkws t a j rice ntxiv nplej
crops ( g r a i n ) qoob loo plow (verb) laij
c u l t i v a t e (verb) faus plow paddy
c u t (down weeds l u a j teb, fields l a i j liag
and brush i n l u a j nroj prune (verb) tav
making new f i e l d s ) reap ( t o reap
cut vegetation l u a j with a small
dig (up ground) khawb av half-moon shaped
t o dig out nthua knife ( ' v u v ' )
f e l l (to f e l l held i n palm
trees) ntov ntoo of hand) nruam
field teb seedling (not
rice field t e b npleg when on the
paddy l i aj plant) Y U ~
ground (noun) teb r i c e seedling yub n p l e j
grow (of crops separate ( t o
coming up) tua j separate off
harvest ( t o harvest fields) kem t e b
by hand ) muab, h l a i s sow (broadcast) t s e b
harvest opium sau yeeb sow opium t s e b yeeb
haul ( t r a n s p o r t by stack ( t o stack
animal or vehicle) thauj harvested r i c e ) pawv n p l e j
hoe (verb) khawb, ncaws stubble quav n p l e j
t o hoe out n thua t o beat down
stubble f o r
winnow (verb) yaj nplej burning tshav quav nple j
(rice) weed (verb) dob nroj
weed second time l a s
 HOUSEHOLD AND F U R N I S H I N G S

basin t a i s phiab porch qab khav

basket ( r a t t a n covered area
for s t o r i n g below porch qab t s a g
clothes) miaj 100s quilt nib, pam rwb
p l a i t e d bamboo rack (back rack
for storage phawv f o r carrying
bench r o o j zaum wood ) khib
blanket Pam room (noun) cha tsev
bowl ( r i c e ) ntim sack ( l a r g e r i c e
box ( f o r storage) p h i j xab sack) seev
broom khaub ruab shelf txee
chopping block log cam shelf over
corner kaum t s e v f i r e f o r drying
cup (wine or small things tsuav n t x a i j
teacup) pib txwv s p i r i t shelf t h a j neeb
demon ( a r t i c l e s shell (to shell
over a door) txheej meej corn) dhas pobkws
dipper t shob s i f t e r (noun) vab tshaus
door qhov rooj smoke ( t o smoke
s i d e door qhov r o o j of a f i r e ) ncho pa, pob
txuas pob li
f r o n t (downhill soot nkhawb
side) qhov roo j tag spirit dab
fence (noun) l a j kab bedroom s p i r i t dab roog
f i r e (cooking) qhov cub s p i r i t paper
firewood taws (on wall of a
frame ( f o r making Meo house) xwmkab
paper) thav ntawv sweep (verb) cheb
gourd plhauj taub table rooj noj mov
granary txhab thatch (long
hook (noun) nqe l a u j g r a s s used i n
house tsev thatching) nqeeb
back ( u p h i l l ) qaum t s e v tray vab
f r o n t (downhill) qab t s i b taug treadmill ( f o r
ladder ntaiv pounding r i c e ) cos
light (to light tripod xabcu j
a fire) rauv taws trough lub dab
loom (weaving) ntos tube (bamboo
mat ( p l a i t e d tube f o r carrying
bamboo) lev water) r aj
f e l t sleeping mat tseeb wall ( s i d e ) phab n t s a
mattress txum zooj warm ( t o g e t
net (mosquito) v i j tsam, warm by the
tsam phooj fire) n t e taws
pillow (and region waterline ciav d e j
where head i s window qhov r a i s
placed) hauv ncoo work (noun) haujlwrn, num
t o place things (esp. domestic)
a s a pillow rau ncoo
p l a t form
bamboo guest lawj
sleeping platform chaw pw
storage platform
over f i r e nthab
 MEDICAL

anesthetic 1009 indigestion kem plab

bandage (verb) qhwv infectious mob txawj k i s
bitter iab inject hno, txhaj
b l i s t e r (noun) hlwv i n jury raug mob
(verb) sawv hlwv i t c h (verb) khaus
blood poisoning mob npuag kidney raum
b o i l (noun) rwj kidneystone mob t e e s z i s
breathless txog txog s i a v l a x a t i v e tshuaj t h a i s
bruise dhoog ntshav plab
callous kaub puab leprosy mob ruas
carbuncle mob fab lethargic nkees nkees li
chew xo l i e (verb)
chickenpox qhua maj P
W
on the back pw ntxeev t i a j
cold (noun) khaub thuas, on the side pw ua n t s a i s
sab foob khaub on stomach pw khwb rwg
thuas malaria dab tub nkeeg,
constipation cem quav mob npaws
convulsion huam i b t s h a j massage zaws
cool ( a s fever going measles qhua p i a s
down ) l aj menstruate coj khaubncaws,
cotton wool paj yawg cev
cough hnoos miscarriage nchuav menyuam
cupping txhuav mouthful i b khaws
diarrhea lawv plab, nausea xeev siab
raws plab, p a i n t (medicine) pleev tshua j
t h o j plab perspire (verb) tawm hws
dislocation txhau j phlegm qeev
dizzy qhov muag k i v blood-stained
e f f e c t i v e (of phlegm qeev ntshav
medicine) ntxim pierce chob
epidemic mob t e b hlob placenta tsho menyuam
eye qhov muag powder (medicine) tshua j hmoov
open the eye rua qhov muag pregnant (noun) xeeb tub
close t h e eye qe qhov muag pulse mem t e s
rub t h e eye mos qhov muag take the pulse seev mem t e s ,
fever lub cev kub, t s h u a j mem t e s
kub cev pulseless mem t e s t s i s
flatulence nchi plab, dhia
tsam plab can't feel
foam ( a t the mouth) ua npuas ncauj pulse mem t e s nkaum
force (as a c h i l d lam
medicine) yuam PUS Paug
fracture lov pobtxha recover (verb) nquag
goiter mob t x i a rinse (the
gonorrhea mob cas, mouth) yaug qhov
mob yeeg ( T ) scab kaub puab
groan (verb) ntsaj scar (noun) caws p l i a v
hemorrhage 10s 10s ntshav s c r a t c h (verb) khawb
heal (verb) kho mob zoo shiver (verb) tshee
hiccough ntsos smallpox qhua taum
hurt (verb) mob sneeze (verb) txham
soak ( a s a foot thrush (mouth) qhov ncauj tawm
i n water) raus d'ej tooth hniav
sore ( u l c e r ) kiav txhab p u l l tooth rho hniav
sour qaub tooth r o o t hauv paus hniav
spasm (muscular) ceeb nkaus broken tooth hniav khis,
s p i t (verb) n t i ncauj hniav n t a i s
s p i t forcibly nto qaub ncaug t o s s ( i n sleep) n t i , day phov
spleen PO tumor lub mob
enlarged spleen txiav l o j , urine zis
mob t x i a v t o urinate tso z i s
splinter ntshiv ntoo difficulty i n
sprain qes urinating mob txeeb z i g
stiff txhav vernix (waxy
s t i f f neck txhav c a j dab covering of
s t i n g (verb) plev a new baby) xwv xyem
swallow (verb) nqos vomit (verb) ntuav
swallow whole nqos kiag weak ( f e e l weak
sweet gab i n body) tsaug, qaug zog,
swelling 0 nluas
t h i n (of persons) yuag worms ( i n t e s t i n a l ) cab
worry mob xeeb txob,
s i a b txhawj

RELIGIOUS AND MORAL

angels cov tub t x i b death kev tuag

saum n t u j deceive (verb) dag
angry (verb) chim, npau s i a b demon king dab ntxwg
apostle (messenger) tub t x i b ~ Y O O ~nyuj Y
archangels timxyoob sawn va j
ntu j disciple thwjtim
ashamed t x a j muag disobedient
authority hwj chim ( o b s t i n a t e ) t a w ncauj
baptism txo j kabke doctrine
ntxuav (teaching ) t x o j l u s qhia
believe (verb) ntseeg e v i l (noun) kev phem
Bible Vajtswv phau evil spirit dab
ntawv f e a r (verb) ntshai
bless foom zoo fellowship s i b raug zoo
church (people) cov xovdawb (united i n h e a r t )
(temple) lub t s e v pe forever i b txhis t s i s
Va j tsw kawg
confess (verb) l e e s txim glory hwjchim k a j
covet ( l u s t a f t e r ) kev ntshaw God Vajtsw ntuj,
crehte (verb) tsim V a j t s w Saub,
Cross (noun) khaublig ntoo, Huabtais n t u j
ntoo khaublig, gospel (good news) t x o j l u s zoo
ntoo n t s i a t e s xov zoo,
crucify teem sawn khaub moo zoo
l i g ntoo grace (gener-
curse foom t s i s zoo osity) s i a b dav
guilty muaj txim
heaven ( i n ) (saum) n t u j recant thim Yexu
ceeb t s h e e j repent ntxeev s i a b
(used by Hmong i n Laos but tshiab
r e f e r s t o abode of dead) resurrection sawv t s e e s
hope lub s i a b vam sabbath hnub so
just (true) ncaj ncees s a c r i f i c e (verb) xyeem
kneel (bow the salvation (escape) kev dim
knee) txhos caug, Satan dab Xata,
qhau hauv dab ntxwg nyoog
caug save (verb) cam
l i e (verb) da9 Savior t u s Cawmseej
life txo js i a v seek nrhiav
long suffering s i a b ntev s i n (wrong and
love nyiam, hlub guilt) kev txhaum,
lust s i a b hlob kev txim
mercy (verb) hlub s p i r i t (human) n t s u j , n t s u j
obey ( l i s t e n ) nloog l u s pli9
parable l u s piv txwv, steadfast
piv l u s (enduring) r u a j nrees
patience s i a b ntev Sunday Vajtswv Hnub
peace siab t u s tus teach qhia
persecute (verb) t s i m txom thank (verb) ua tsaug
p i t y (verb) khuvlee j true (really) tiag
p r a i s e (verb) qhuas Vajtswv trust vamkhom,
pray ( supplicate) thov muab siab rau,
pride s i a b khav theeb truth txojkev tseeb
p r i e s t (Buddhist) hu j sam, witness (verb) ua timkhawv
hau j Sam worship (bow
promise (noun) l u s yeem down t o ) Pe
protect povhwm
punish ( s i n ) teem txim

TIME

qaib qua thawj t s i g f i r s t cock crow

hauv n t u j ntsa, hauv n t u j n t s a iab f i r s t light
k a j n t u j txoog e a r l y dawn
k a j ntug huv ( o r ) k a j ntug plaws daybreak
hnub t a m sun appears
t a v t s h a i s (or) menyuam t s h a i s about 8-9 A.M.
t a v menyuam su (or) menyuam s u ] abaxt 11 A.M.
tav niag su ( o r ) t a v su noon
t a v su dua mentsis j u s t a f t e r noon
hnub q a i j e a r l y afternoon
hnub l i a b ploog ( o r ) hnub d a i npoo ncuv Sunset time
hnub poob, hnub poob qhov sun disappears
t s a u s n t u j zuag, tsaus zem zuag dusk
tsaus n t u j n t a i s night f a l l
t u ntuj s i a f u l l darkness
t a v c a i j neeg nce chaw pw bedtime
t a v c a i j neeg ntub n t s i a g zog folk f u l l y asleep
i b t a g hmo midnight
i b t a g hmo dua a f t e r midnight
qaib qua thawj t s i g f i r s t cock crow
hmo n t u j night-time i b tsam a period of
nruab hnub day-time several hours
i b hmos one night puag hnub hnub 2 days before
i b hnub one day yesterday
i b lub h l i s one month hnub hnub day before
i b xyoos one year yesterday
i b chua moo one hour (Thai) nag yesterday
i b pliag an i n s t a n t nag hmo l a s t night
i b mentsis a very short time hnub no today
i b chim a s h o r t period taskis morning,
kaj ntuj tomorrow morning tomorrow
nagkis day a f t e r tomorrow (morning)
nag nrauv 2 days a f t e r
tomorrow

UTENSILS, TOOLS AND IMPLEMENTS

adze piab hoe (curved) hlau

anvil thaiv Thai s t y l e pav txhwj,
axe taus choj txhwj
axle (swivel) qag kettle hwj
basin tais teakettle hwj k a i s
shallow basin t a i s phiab knife rim
basket (open f o r brush k n i f e
carrying e a r t h ) ciblaug (hooked end)
bellows (black- half-moon r i c e -
smiths) lwj cutting knife vuv
bottle hwj ladder ntaiv
bowl (shallow) t a i s phiab lamp teeb
r i c e bowl ntim lock ntsuas phoo
broom khaub ruab loom (weaving) ntos
brush (verb) txhuam mallet pam thawj
tooth brush txhuam hniav mattock pav txhwj,
bucket thoob choj txhwj
c h i s e l (noun n a i l ( i r o n or
and verb) txaug steel) n t s i a hlau
chopping block log cam, tog paddle ( s p a t u l a ) duav
chopsticks rawg pliars c i aj
corn s h e l l e r txhuam txwv plow (noun) khais
crossbow hneev pole ( f o r carrying
CUP tais on shoulder) ntas
digger ( s t i c k pot ( c l a y ) hub
for making pusher (wooden,
holes) tuam txhob used f o r level-
d r i l l (noun) l i g koob txam ing t h e ground) voom
(verb) li j rack (back rack f o r
forceps ncais carrying f i r e wood) khib
frying pan yias rake rab sua teb
(round bottomed) s c a l e (balance) teev
gun phom scissors txiab
hammer rau j shovel duav
hatchet hwvtaus sickle (rice) liag
 spear hmuv t r a y (bamboo o r
spoon diav rattan) vab
steamer ( r i c e ) t s u treadmill COS
s t o o l (low) tog tripod xabcu j
woven bamboo khwb t e e b trough l u b dab
s t r a i n e r (basket utensils
r i c e s t r a i n e r ) sab c i b household u t e n s i l s t w j siv,
sword ntaj cuabtam
tongs c i aj (tools) cuabyee j ,
cuabxwm

APPENDIX 10

KINSHIP CHARTS

KEY:

male

J) female

a l l r e l a t i o n s h i p s a r e a s c a l l e d by t h e
i n d i v i d u a l t h u s marked

Elder s i b l i n g s a r e p u t t o t h e r i g h t of t h e individual.

Younger s i b l i n g s a r e p ~ k
t o t h e l e f t of t h e individual.

S i b l i n g s p u t o n l y on t h e r i g h t a r e c a l l e d by t h e same
name whether o l d e r o r younger t h a n t h e i n d i v i d u a l .

A l l t h o s e on t h e same l i n e a r e o f t h e same g e n e r a t i o n .

married
 KINSHIP CHART 1
PATERNAL
ANCESTRY
( a s c a l l e d by a man or
a woman except where

Yaw Ay-L= P
suab
Og
otherwise indicated. )

T
Peg Yaw53 PO9
koob koobA= koob

-a
I

yawg
-
A-j-
phauj

txiv phauj
ntxa I

given
names
i-
glven
names
muam
npaws

( a s c a l l e d by

yaum dab vivncaus

( a s c a l l e d by 0)
 K I N S H I P CHART 2
MATERNAL ANCESTRY
(as called by a man or
a woman except where
otherwise indicated.)

txiv
niam
tais
yam
txiv
Lo niam
tais

txiv tais txiv tais

1

yawm
txiv
niam
tais
Yau
fl=n
txiw niam
1
1
dab
laug
1; niam
=odab
;::,
_ __--

AT
hlob

h
npawg

yaum
muam
A o r m
npaws +(as
vivncaus *(as
called by A
npawg
muam
npaws
) I
yaum vivncaus
called by 0 ) 4dab
dab
 K I N S H I P CHART 3
S I B L I N G S and P O S T E R I T Y
of a MAN
( k w v t i j)

x i njo niam

A=,~T~--J=,
kwv niam
ncaus
I=' pojniam tij niam
laug t i j
-
TA yam
~ i
muam
j

I
I nyab
vauv ntxhais

A xeeb m u j m u m

K I N S H I P CHART 4
FAMILY of W I F E
(neejtsa)

nlD
txiv

L
nim

hluas
am
A
o
yawm t l s
h l u a s dab dab
yau yau
/%=!I A=sis
p o j n i a m yam
dab dab
hlob hlob
t b F d i a m
laus laus
 K I N S H I P CHART 5
S I B L I N G S and P O S T E R I T Y
of a WOMAN
(kwvtij - until marriage)
(neejtsa - after marriage)

t x i v a - a niam
T
txiv vivncaus nus tis txiv vivncaus
hluas txiv nyab laus

tub I llyab
vauv ntxhais

A xeeb mujmum

K I N S H I P CHART 6
FAMILY of HUSBAND
(kwvtij )

txiv aTo niam

1

=O
(given niam tus
=El txiv
=O
niam yawm
n (given
name) ntxawrn txiv laus laus vauv name)
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Center, 179 Rajadamri Road, Bangkok 5, Thailand.

BEGI.WING I~NESI.AN,Part One and Part Two, by John

U. Wolff. 1972. 1,124 pages. (Part One revised
1977; Part Two revised 1978). $12.50 each, $25.00
the set.
IhTONESIAY W I N G S , by John U. Wolff. 1978. 480
pages. $12.50 each.
INIlONESIAN COhWRSATION, by John U. Wolff. 1978.
297 pages. $12.50 each.
.I11 four books above are available as a set at
$43.00 per set.
Cassette tape recordings for these Indonesian books
are available for purchase from The Language Lab,
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36 Cassettes, Beginning Indonesian. Part One, $137.10
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 CORNELL W I W I T Y SOUlHtAST ASIA
an OF
ASIA PRO(;RAMMTA I'APEKS:
WPOM ON mi CHINESEIN SCIJ-IIU-~ASIA,
UECEMBL:.R 1950, by G. W i l l i a m Skinner.
1951. 91 pages.
Number 2 A CWITW JAVANESE VILLAGE IN 1950, by
Paul M. Kattcnburg. 1951. 17 p g e s .
Nunber 3 AN ACCOWT OF AN AaJJISITLWS TRIP IN THE
COUNlRIES OF SOUlHMST ASIA, by Cecil
tbbbs. 1952. 51 pages.
1MI CULnmE AND BUMVlOk, A n Unpublished
War Time Study Dated S e p t h r 1943, by
Ruth Benedict. 1952. ( I l ~ i r dprinting 190.5)
45 pages.
Nunber 5 RURAL 0RGANI:ATION AND VlLU\GE REVIVAL IN
INWNESIA, by Ch. J. Grader. 1952. 15
pages -
'EACHINC AND WXARCH REIATING TO m E AS
ASlA IN MRICAN LULLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES,
by George McT. Kahin. 1952. 11 pages.
LABOUR AND TIN MlNING IN W Y A , by N i m
Chee Siew. 1953. 48 pages.
SURVEY OF CHINESE L4NWA(;E MATERIALS (IN
SCWHEMT ASIA IN 'ME HO(WER INSTIllTE ANI)
LIBRARY, by Giok Po Oey. 1953. 73 pages.
VERB clMsTWTIONS IN V I W S E , by
W i l l i a m W. Gage and H. Merrill Jackson.
1953 (reissued 1956) 14 pages.
Nunbcr 10 AN ALUJUNC OF na: JAPANESE ATI ION OF
H A N J W RESIDENCY, JAVA, MARal 1942 TO
A U W 1945, by S. M. Gandasurbrata, Resi-
dent of Banjunas. 1953. 21 pages.
ACfXNT MDE OF A TRIP TO THE COWRIES OF
SWlWAST ASIA FOR THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS,
1952-1953. by Cecil Hobbs. 1953. 89 pages.
PoLITlCAL INSTI'IWIONS OF OLD BURMA, by
John F. Cady. 1954. 6 pages.
TAMGALE: A B U M S E VILIJUE IN 1950, by
Charles S. Brant. 1954. 41 pages.
l l E VIET MlNi REGIME: V AND AIMIN-
I!jTRATION IN 'IIE -TIC REPUBLIC OF
VIEINPM, by k r n h a r d B. Fall. 1954. (&-
vised, enlarged edition 1956) 143 pages.
Mniber 15 SEmTED ECONOMIC DfAELCPWNT PRQIECIS IN
BUM4 AND I N m s I A - - m AND cxMwrs.
by Charles Wolf, Jr. 1954. 25 pages.
Nunber 16 SCBE OBSRVATICUS C(X3iIPIIffi TtE WILE OF
ISLAM IN NATIONAL AND INIERhlATIONAL AFFAIRS.
by khanmad Natsir. 1354. 25 pages.
Mnber 17 W Y A : A W Y OF (XlwUMWAL RESWNSES
TO THE KOREAN BOCM, by John Paul Meek.
1955. 32 pages.
Nmber 19 llE PHILIPPINES: A SIUW OF ClRRENr SOCIAL,
ECMMIC AND POLITICU CONDITIONS, by Gerald
D. Berrerran. 1956. 55 pages.
PRINI'
Number 20 BIBLTO(;RAPIIY OF TtV\IIAND, A S c l c c t d List
of Books ald Articles with I\lurc>tations by
the Staff or the Cornell Thailand Rcscarch
Project, by Lauriston Sharp, I-rank J.
Moore, Walter I:. Vella and associates.
1956. (Repri~ited1957) b4 pages.
Number 21 'IHE STATUS OF RIIIUsL LIFE IN W E MWETL:.
CITY TRADE AREA I'tIILIPI'INES. 1952, by
Robert A. Polson and Agaton P. Pal. 1356.
108 pages.
Number 22 ASPECTS 01: IIIALTII, SANITATION ANU NUTIII-
T I W STAlUS IN A SIAMESE RICE VILUa.:
STUDIES IN BANG OW. 1952-54. by Hazel M.
Hauck and Associates. Cornell Thai land
Project, Interim Reports Series: Nmbcr
'ho. 1955. 7 3 p g e s .
Nwnber 23 lHE REVISED WITH) STATES-PHILIPPIW. lRADE
A ( J I E W V T OF 1955. by Frank ti. Colay.
1956. b l pages.
Number 24 ~NBSESRELATED M ASlA IN
M I C A N COLLEGES IWD UNIVERSITIES, 1955-
1956, by Barbara S. Dohrenwcnd. 1956.
30 pages.
Nunber 25 FACI'CHS RELATED TD ACCEPTANCE OF IWVA-
TIONS IN BANG O M , lHAILAND, Analysis of a
Survey Conducted by the Cornell Cross-
Cultural Methodology Project. May 1955, by
Rose K. Goldsen and Max Ralis. Cornell
Thailand Project, Interim Reports Series:
N u n b e r lhree. 1957. (Third printing 1963)
72 pages.
Nmber 26 7)1E ROLE AND IMKRTANCE OF PHILIPPINE
INIER-ISLAND .SHIPPING AND TRADE, by
Frederick L. Wenst~uit. 1957. 132 pages.
MMber 27 ON THE WYANC; KULIT (PUIWA) AND ITS SYM-
BOLIC AM) MYSTIC E W I ' S , translated from
the k t c h by Claire t b l t . 1957. 37 pages.
N u a b e r 28 FIVE PAPERS @J TllAI CUSlbt. by Phya Anunan
Rajadhon. 1958. 19 pages.
N-r 29 rTDD HABITS AND WI'RIENT ItdTAKES IN A
SIMSE R l c VLLUGE: STUDIES IN BANG CIIAN,
1952-54, by Hazel Ilauck, Saovanee Sulsaneh,
Jane R. Hanks and Associates. Cornell
Thailand Project, Interim Reports Series:
NLAber Four. 1958. 129 pages.
Nnber 30 A SIMPLE ONE. Ihe Story of a Siamese
Girlhood. by Prajuab Tirabutana. 1958.
(Second Printing 1967) 40 pages.
Hnber 31 A BIBLIOQUPHYOF INDONESIAN a)\lERMtNT
D O C l M N S AND SELECTED INWNESIAN WRITlNCS
ON O D V E R M W IN TIE CORNELL UNIVERSITY
LIBRWY, by Daniel S. Lev. 1958. 58 pages.
Nuber 32 RbNTJAK DILABUEil: A MI-U KABA, A
Specimen of the Traditional Literature of
Central Smatra, edited, translated and
with an introduction by Anthony H. Johns.
1958. 152 pages.
 CUT OF PRINT (cont'd)
N~onher33 BIBLIOGRAPtfY OF INDONESIAN PUBLICATIONS:
Newspapers. Non-Government Periodicals and
Bulletins. 1945-1958. at the Cornell Univer-
sity Library, by Benedict R. O'G. Anderson.
1959. 69 pages.
Number 34 BIBLIOCWHY 01: SOVIET PUBLICATIONS ON
SOUITEAST ASIA, as Listed in the Library
of Congress Monthly Index of Russian
Acquisitions, by Ruth T. McVey. 1959.
109 pages.
Nmber 35 7W PHILIPPINE FEDERATION OF FREE FARMERS.
A Case Study in Mass Agrarian Organization.
by Sonya D. Cater. 1959. 147 pages.
Number 36 INDONESIANISAS1: POLITICS IN A W G I N G
ECOWW, 1940-1955, by John 0. Sutter.
1959. Four volumes. 1.312 pages.
Number 37 AMERICAN IYXIURAL DISSERTATIONS ON ASIA,
1933-1958. Including Appendix of Master's
Theses at Cornell University, by Curtis
Stucki. 1959. 131 pages.
Nwnber 38 'lW0 PAPERS ON PHILIPPINE FOREIGN POLICY:
The Philippines and the Southeast Asia
Treaty Organization, by Roger M. Smith;
The Record of the Philippines in the United
Nations, by Mary F. Somers. 1959. 79
pages.
Mmber 39 MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALlH IN A SIAMESE
RICE VILLAGE: MTrRITIONAL ASPECTS, Studies
in Bang Chan. 1952-1954. by Hazel M. Hauck.
Cornel 1 Thailand Project, Interim Reports
Series: Nunber Five. 1959. 70 pages.
Number 40 S0UTlEAS.T ASIA PUBLICATIONS SOURCES: AN
ACCOUNT OF A FIELD TRIP, 1958-1959,by
Cecil Hobbs. 1960. 145 pages.
Number 41 U HLA PE'S NARRATIVE OF THE JAPANESE OCCU-
PATION OF W M by U bin. 1961. 96
pages.
Number 42 'IHE JAPANESE OC(11IPATION OF "ME PHILIPPINES,
LEYTE, 1941-1945, by Elmer Lear. 1961.
246 pages.
Number 43 TRENDS AND STRUCTURE IN CNiWoRARY THAI
POETRY, by James N. Mosel. 1961. 53
pages.
Number 44 lHE MAN SHU (Book of the Southern Bar-
barians), translated by Gordon H. Luce;
edited by G. P. Oey. 1961. 116 pages.
Number 45 OVERSEAS CHINESE IN SMHEAST ASIA--A
RUSSIAN SIUDY, by N. A. Sinuniya. 1961.
151 pages.
Number 48 "ME PACE AND PATERN OF PHILIPPINE EC@&IC
GROW?H: 1938, 1948, and 1956, by Mrvin E.
Goodstein. 1962. 220 pages.
Nunber 50 AMERICAN DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS ON ASIA,
1933-1962, INCLUDING APPENDIX OF M4STER'S
'IHESES AT CORNEU UNIVERSITY, by Curtis
W. Stucki. 1963. 204 pages.
Number 52 DRY RICE AGRILXJ1:IURE IN NORITERN TIiAILAND.
by Laurence C. .Judd. Cornel 1 Thai land
Project. Interim Reports Series: Nuiier
Seven. 1964. 95 pages.
Number 55 SINCAMRE AND MAIAYSIA, by Mi 1ton E.
Osborne. 1964. (Second printing 1967)
115 pages.
Munber 56 FQUM3ST ASIA VIEWED FROM JAPAN: A BIBLI-
XRAFtiY OF JAPANESE WORKS ON swM EAST
ASIAN SOCIETIES, canpiled by Kenjiro
Ichikawa. 1965. 150 pages.
Number 58 ETHNOGRAPHIC NOTES ON NORTIPIRN THAILAND,
edited by J. R. llanks, L. H. Hanks, and
L. Sharp. Cornell Thailand Project,
Interim Reports Series: Number Nine. 1965.
126 pages.
Number 59 THE NAN oUEDNICLE, translated by Prasoet
Churatana, edited by David K. Wyatt.
1966. 78 pages.
Mmber 60 VIETNAM'S W E L D ELECTICNS: The Failure to
Carry Out the 1956 Reunification Elections
and the Effect on Hanoi's Present Outlook,
by Franklin B. Weinstein. 1966. 65 pages.
Mmber 63 A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF WESTERN-LANGUAGE PUBLI-
CATICNS CONCERNING NORTH V I M IN n(E
CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY (Supplement to
Nunber 47), canpiled by Jane Godfrey Keyes.
1966. 280 pages.
Mmber 64 MILITARY OPERATIONS IN BURMA, 1890-1892:
Letters fran Lt. J. K. Watson. K.R.R.C.,
edited by B. R. Pearn. 1967. 72 pages.
k b e r 65 ISAN: REGIONALISM IN NORTHEASTERN THAIMD,
by Charles F. Keyes. Cornell Thailand
Project, Interim Reports Series: Number
Ten. 1967. (Second printing 1969) . 97 pages.
ERonber 66 THAI .STUDENTS IN RE UNITED STATES: A STUDY
IN A'ITIlUDE CHANGE, by Jean Barry, S. J.
Cornell Thailand Project, interim Reports
Series: Number Eleven. 1967. 160 pages.
Nunber 69 YAO-ENGLISH DICI'IONARY, compiled by Sylvia
J. Lanbard end edited by Herbert C.
Purnell. Jr. Linguistics Series 11. 1968.
363 pages.
Number 70 AKHA-ENGLISH DICTIONARY, compiled by Paul
Lewis. Linguistics Series 111. 1968.
363 pages.
Number 74 ?HE ORGANIZATION OF THAI SOCIETY IN "ME
EARLY BANGKOK PERIOD. 1782-1873. by Akin
Rabibhadana. Cornell Thailand Project.
Interim Reports Series: Number Ikelve.
1969. (Second printing 1970) 245 pages.
Nmber 76 BISAYAN FILIPINO AND MALAYAN
PATHOLOGIES: FOLK EDICINE AND ETWO-
HISTORY IN SOUIHEAST ASIA, by Donn V.
Hart. 1970. 96 pages.
Nmber 77 GMD AND MEGALITHIC ACTIVITY IN PREHISRIRIC
AND REQ4T WEST BORNEO, by Tom Harrisson
and Stanley J. O'Connor. 1970. 331 pages.
 CORNELL WIVERSITY ! j O U M X Z ASIA PROGRAM 7
OuT OF PRINT (cont'd)
Number 78 W E NEW YEAR CERBvDNY AT BASAJC SOLml Nunber 86 THE POLITICAL LECACY OF AUNG SAN, canpiled
LAAS, by Charles Archailnbault with an by and with an introductory essay, by
Afterword by Prince Boun O q Abridged Josef Silverstein. 1972. 113 pages.
Translation. by Simne B. Boas. 1971.
137 pages. Nmber 94 THE PECANT QUESTION (1937-1938). by
Truong Chinh and Vo Nguyen Giap, transla-
ELnnber 79 CHINESE-lHAI DIFFEREWIAL ASSIMIIATIDN IN tion and introduction by Christine Pelzer
BANGKOK: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY, by Boonsa- White. 1974. 102 pages.
mng Punyodyana. Cornell Thailand Project,
Interim Rewrts Series: Number Thirteen. Mnnber 97 REMINISCENCES OF THE ARMY FOR NATICNAL
1971. 137-pages. SALVATION, Memoir of General Chu Van Tan,
Translated by Mai E l l i o t t . 1974. 217
Mmber 80 DEVElDPENT AND UYVFLICT I N lH4ILAND, by
Joyce Nakahara and Ronald A. Witton.
pages -
c&;nell Thailand Project, Interim Reports
Series: Number Fourteen. 1971. 80 pages.
Number 81 'IHAI TITLES AND RANKS, INCLUDING A TRANS-
IATION OF TRADITIONS OF ROYAL LINEAe IN
SIAM BY KING CHUWGKORN, by Robert B.
Jones. 1971. 147 pages.
8 111. C O W L L MDIU:W INKJNSIA PROJm PUBLICKTIONS
*(Those preceded by an ;asterisk are out of print.)
'~o. I IHII NATIWAL .STI\X~SOF THE CHINESE IN
INDONESIA, by Ibnald E. Willmtt. 1956.
88 pages. [Intcrim Report)
*No. Z SIlUJt7lUHAL CH4NCES IN JAVANESE SOCIETY: 'WE
SUPRA-VILLA(;ESMERE, by D. H. Burger.
translated by Leslie H. Palmier. 38 pages.
('Trnslation)
*No. 3 IMXNESIAN WRITING IN TRANS1ATION. conpiled
and edited and with an introduction by John
M. Echols. 1956. 178pages. (Translation)
*No. 4 LIVING CONDITIONS OF PLANTATION WDRKERS AND
PF3SNE ON JAVA IN 1939-1940. by the Coolie
Budget Carmission, translated by Robert
Van Niel. 1956. 131 pages. (Translation)
*NO. 5 DECENIRALIZATION IN INDONE!3IA: LEGISLATIVE
ASPELTS, by Gerald S. Maryanov. 1957. 75
pages. (Interim Report)
No. 6 lME INOONESIAN ELlXTIONS OF 1955. by Herbert
Feith. 1957. (Second printing 1971) 91
pages. $3.50. (Interim Report)
No. 7 'IHE SOVIFT VIEW OF THE INDONESIAN REVOLVTION.
b y Ruth T. McVey. 1957. (Third printing
1969) 90 pages. $2.50. (Interim Report)
*NO. 8 SCM FACTORS ELATED TO AlJNXKW AND DEPPI-
DEBCE IN TWELVE JAVANESE VILLA-, by
Barbara S. Dohrenwend. 1957. 70 pages.
(Interim Report)
*No. 9 PROBLEMS OF REGIONAL lWMNCMY IN CONEWORARY
INDONESIA, by .John D. Legge. 1957. 71
pages. (Interim Report)
*No. 10 SIRUCnlRAL (HAN(;ES IN JAVANESE SOCIETY: l E
VILLAGE SPHERE, by D. H. Burger, translated
- -
by Leslie H. Palmier. 1957. 17 pages.
('l'ranslat ion)
*No. 11 THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT IN IMMNESIA AS
DEFINED IN m. THREE COMZI'IUTIONS 1N 'IHEORY
AND PRACTICE, by A. K. Pringgodigdo, trans-
lated by Alexander Brotherton. 1957. 59
pages. (Trans lation)
*No. 12 DECENIRALI7ATION IN INDONESIA AS A POLITICAL
PROBLEM, by Gerald S. Maryanov. 1958.
pages. (Interim Report)
*No. 13 TIE CALCMITA CONFERJXE AND THE SUJWXX
ASIA UPRISINGS, by Ruth T. McVey. 1958.
28 pages. (Interim Report)
*No. 14 THE BEGINNINGS OF THE INMNESIAN-WICH NEGO-
'TIATIONS AND 1)IE tDGE VEWWE TALKS, by Idrus
N. Djajadiningrat. 1958. 128 pages.
(Monograph)
*No. 15 THE WILOPO CABINET, 1952-5.1: A TURNIN(; POINT
IN POST-REMLWIONARY INDONGIA, by Herbert
Feith. 1958. 212 pages. (Monograph )
No. 16 bE DYNAMICS OF THE WESIERN NEW GUINEA
(IRIAN BARAT) PRO-, by Robert C. Bone,
J r . 1958. (Second Printing 1962) 182
pages. $3.00. [Interim Report)
-- 102 West Avenue. Ithaca. New York 14853
No. 17 ECONCP1IC DEWLOMiNI' AS A LWIIIRAI. PHOHI.f34
(Konfrontasi. Sept. -(kt. 1954). by Socdjat-
moko. 1958. (Second Printing 1962) 28
pages. $1.00. Translation)
*No. 18 IHE TO&A BATAK, FORMiRLY AND NOW, by
J. Keuning, translated by Claire tlolt. 1958.
24 pages. (Trans1;ltion)
*NO. 19 WE GOVE-. ECONDMY AND T h W OF A CEN-
TRAL J A V M E VILLAGE, by Widjojo Nitisastro
and J. E. Ismael, translated by Norbert
Ward. 1959. 37 pages. (Translation)
*NO. 20 THE POLITICAL CHARAClER OF THE INDONESIAN
TRADE UNION bQVBWT, by Iskandar Tedjasuk-
mana. 1959. 130 pages. (Monograph)
*No. 21 'IHE SOCIO-ECONOMIC BASIS OF THE INDONESIAN
STATE: ON THE INTERPRETATION OF PARAGRAPH I ,
MICLE 38, OF THE PR(NIS1ONAL m I m l O N .
by Wilopo and Widjojo Nitisastro, translated
by Alexander Brotherton. 1959. 17 pages.
(Translation)
*No. 22 PAST AM) FUIURE, by Mohanrnad tlatta. 1960.
17 pages. (Translation)
*No. 23 AN APPROA(H TO 1EM)NESIAN HISTORY: IUWRIE
AND OPEN FUIURE, by Soedjatmko. 1960. 22
pages. (Translation)
No. 24 MRHAEN AND PROLETARIAN, by Soekamo, trans-
lated by Claire t b l t . 1960. 30 pages.
$1.00. (Trans lation)
No. 25 THE -1s UPRISINGS OF 1926-1927 IN
INDONESIA: KEY DKlMNl'S, edited and with
and introduction by Harry J. Benda and Ruth T.
McVey. 1960. (Second Printing 1969) 177
pages. $5.50. (Translation)
*No. 26 ASPECTS OF LOCAL -NT IN A SIMBAWAN
VILLAGE ( F m INKNESIA), by Peter R.
Coethals. 1961. 1956 pages. (Monograph)
%. 27 XM SOCIAL-ANIMU)POLOGICALOUSERVATIONS ON
GOTONG-WON PRALTICES I N 'IWU VILLAGES OF
CENkRAL JAVA, by Koentjaraningrat, translated
by Claire Holt. 1961. 7 b pages. $2.50.
(Translation)
118
*No. 28 THE NATIONAL STATUS OF THE IHINESE IN
INDONESIA: 1900-1958. by Donald E. Willmott.
(Revised edition 1361) 152 pages. (Mono-
graph)
*No. 29 !XM ASPECIS OF INDONESIAN POLITICS UNDER
THE JAPANESE OC(IIPAT1W: 1944-1954, by
Benedict R. Anderson. 1961. 136 pages.
(Interim Report)
*No. 30 THE DYNAMICS OF CCMW4ITY DEVELOFtWU IN
RURAL CENIRAL AM) WEST JAVA: A COMPARATIVE
REPORT, by Selosoemardjan. 1963. 40 pages.
(Monograph)
*No. 31 M CHINESE OF SUKABWI: A STUDY OF SOCIAL
AND (UL7URAL ACClM3DATIW, by Giok Lan Tan.
1963. 314 pages. (Monograph)
 No. 32 PW.LIMINARY CHECKLIS? OF 1NU)NESIAN IMPRINlS
WRING lllE JAPANI2 PERIOD (March 1942-
August 1945). by John M. Echols. 1963. 62
pages. $1.50. (Bibliography)
*No. 33 BANDUNG IN IliE EAKLY R ~ V O ~ I O N1945-46:
, A
SURVEY IN SOCIAL HISIORY OF TtE INDONE-
SIAN WEWLWION, hy John R. W. Smail. 1964.
169 pages. (fbnograph)
No. 34 M - R I M REAUIONS TO I M S I A ! S ROLE IN
1?IE BELGRAIE ~ F E R E M X ,by Frederick B.
Bunnell. 1964. &pages. $2.00.
(Interim Report)
*No. 35 PERANAKAY CHINEW POLITICS I N I W E S I A , by
Mary F. Saners. 1964. 62 pages. (Interim
Report)
*No. 36 '1HE PIPDVISIONAL CONSTIIUTION OF THE REPUBLIC
OF INMINESIA, by Prof. D r . R. Supom, tr'uls-
lated by Garth N. .Jones. 1964. 104 pages.
(Translation)
No. 37 MTIHOLOCY AND THE TOERANCE OF rn JAVANESE *
by Benedict R. Anderson. 1965. (Sccond
Printing 1969) 77 pages. (Monograph)
*No. 38 REPUBLIC OF INl!CW.SIA ('ARIhYTS. 1945-1965
(with Post-Coup Supplement), conpiled by
Susan Finch and Daniel S. Lev. 1965. 66
pages. (Interim Report)
No. 39 PRELIMINARY O-IECKLISF 01: INDONESIAN IWRINTS
(1945-1949) : WIm I H L L UNIM.KSITY
HOLDINGS, by John M. Echols. 1965. 186
pages $3.50. Bibliography)
*No. 40 THE 'IRANSITION TO (;UIDED EMXRACY: INKRE-
SIAN POLITICS, 1957-1959. hy Daniel S. Lev.
1966. :!I8 pages. (Monograph)
No. 41 A WIDE TO ILWMSIANI'ERIODLWUS. 1945-1965.
IN 'tHE COlUELL UNIERSI'N LIBRARY, cornpiled
by Yvonne Thung and John M. Echols. 1966.
151 pages. $3.50. (Rihliograplry)
*No. 42 PROBLEMS OF THE INWNESIAV INFLATION, by
J. A. C. Mackie. 1967. 101 pages.
(Monograph)
No. 43 STATE IWD STAmCM IN OLD .JAVA: A SNDY
01: nf umn MATARAMPERIOD, 16th TD 19th
CLVlURY, hy Soemarsaid Moertono. 1968.
174 pages. $3.00. (Monograph)
No. 44 OUR SIRKCLE, by Sutan Sjahrir. Translated
with an introduction by Benedict R. Anderson.
1968. 371 pages. $2.00. (Translation)
No. 45 INDCMSIA ABANDONS CONFRWTATION, by Franklin
B. Weinstein. 1969. 94 pages. $3.00.
(Interim Report)
No. 46 'IlE ORIGINS OF 1HE MIDERN O1INESE M M M N T
IN INDONESIA, by Kwee Tek tloay, translated
and edited by Lea E. William. 1969. $3.00.
(Translation)
No. 47 P E R S A W ISLAM: ISLAMIC REFURM IN IWENTIElH
CENnmY INIKNESIA, by Howard M. Federspiel.
1970. 250 pages. $7.50. (Monograph)
No. 48 NATICNALISM, ISLAM AND IrWISM; by Soekamo.
With an introduction by Ruth T. McVey. 1970.
b2 pages. $3.00. (Translation)
NO. 49 nE FOUMMTIC~~
OF ne PARTAI WSLIM I N
INLDNESIA, by K. I;. Ward. 1970. 75 pages.
$3.00. .(Interim Report)
No. 50 SCHOOLS AND POLITICS:IHE KALM MXM
IN WEST SWTRA (1927-1933). by Taufik
Abdullah. 1971. 257 pages. $6.00.
(Monograph)
No. 51 THE PlllERA REPORTS: PROHLP6 IN INLIMSIAN-
JAPANESE WAR-TIM COOPERATION, by Mhanmad
Hatta, translated and with an introduction by
Wi1liam.H. Frederick. 1971. 114 pages.
$4.00. (Translation)
No. 52 A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF THE W I D E R 1, 1965.
COUP IN INENESIA (Prepared in January 1966).
by Benedict R. Anderson. Ruth T. McVey (with
the assistance of Frederick P. Burinell).
1971. 162 pages. $6.00. (Interim Report)
NO. 53 niE EURASIANS 01: INDONESIA: A POLITICAL-
HISTORICAL BIBLIO(;RAPHY,canpiled by Paul W.
van dcr Veur. 1971. 105 pages. $3.50.
(Bibliography)
No. 54 OLD JAVIWE!3 (KAWI), by A. S. Teselkin.
translated and edited, w i t h a preface by John
M. Echols. 1972. 107 pages. $3.50.
(Translation)
No. 55 REPORT FWM BANARAN: 'ME STQRY OF THE
EXPERIENCES OF A SOLDIER DURING TIE WAR OF
INDEPENDENCE, by Major General T. B. Simatu-
pang. 1972. $6.50. (Translation)
No. 56 TULKAR AND THE IMNYESIAN ELE4TIONS OF 1971,
by Masashi Nishihnra. 1972. 56 pages.
$3.50. (kmograph)
No. 57 PE-TA: HALF A REBELLION, by Barbara S .
tlarvey. 1977. 174 pages. $5.00.
(Monograph)
No. 58 AIMINISTRATION OF I S M IN 1NIY)NESIA. by
Deliar Noer. 1978. A5 pages. $4.50.
(Monograph)