English: don't, leave off
Bundjalung: wanah
Part of Speech: verb
Related Words:
With same English translation:  
Comment: Imperative, negative, indicates the action is prohibited; has all usual forms of a verb (M); goes with imperative tense of verb being negated, precedes the verb phrase it negates, whereas wan-/wen- 'be, become' follows the adjective it verbalises.
Gold Coast Tweed: M:Liv wana , wanalen (past); Ng:Curr:TwPtD:Bray wunna I don't know
Lower Richmond: Bj:Sha:Turnbl wana:; Bj:TMcD:Morgn wanah don't; Bj:Holm:Fergn wana- , term. wanani;
South West: Wa:Crowl; Wa/Gd:Calley wana: gine: 'don't do that (leave do)'
Condamine Upper Clarence: Gd:Geyt;
Example:

Bundjalung : Wanah yaruhma malahya nyabaydja. (from W)

English: 'Don't swim in the water.'

Example:

Bundjalung : Wanah garahdja. (from G)

English: 'Don't be too noisy.'

Example:

Bundjalung : Wanah nganyi bumah wahlu. (from G)

English: 'Don't kill me!'

Example:

Bundjalung : Wanah jang wanah. (from G)

English: 'Don't be wicked!'

Example:

Bundjalung : Wanah gineh. (from W)

English: 'Don't do that.'

Example:

Bundjalung : Wanah yana(h)! (from Bj:Turnb)

English: 'Don't go!'


This project is an initiative of: decorative

Supported through the Australian Government’s Indigenous Languages Support program and New Media program. Copyright © Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Cooperative

Image by Sharon Smith. For more information contact Muurrbay