P - p
padi
n.
threshed unmilled rice.
pagara
1)
n.
string of firecrackers.
pai
1)
v.
to pay, reward.
Fosi yu ben pai den botoman wan kwartyi fu abra a liba.
You used to pay the boatmen a quarter to cross the river.
2)
n.
pay, payment, salary, wages.
Te mun tapu den wrokoman e kisi den pai.
At the end of the month the workers get their pay.
syn:
moni.
3)
n.
offering to a god or spirit.
tyari wan pai
idiom.
bring an offering.
Di a bonuman koti a luku, a taigi mi tak' mi mus tyari wan pai.
After the shaman had made his diagnosis, he told me that I had to
bring an offering.
paiman
1)
n.
debt.
Mi no kan kba ala mi moni, bika mi mu pai someni paiman ete.
I cant spend all my money because I still have so many debts to pay.
2)
n.
payment, reward.
Te wi tnapu na fesi Gado, dan wi alamala o kisi a
paiman fu den sani san un ben du.
When we stand before God, then we will all receive the
reward for the things we have done.
pakani-aka
n.
crested eagle.
Morphnus guianensis (Accipitridae).
paki
1)
n.
packet, package, parcel.
Omu abi sukru, ma a o seri wan paki nomo gi yu.
The storekeeper has sugar, but he will only sell you one pack.
2)
n.
suit.
Domri e weri wan blaka paki tide.
The pastor is wearing a black suit today.
pakira
n.
collared peccary.
Tayassu tajacu (Dicotylidae).
See:
pingo.
pakro
1)
n.
snail.
(Kl./Cl. Gastropoda).
2)
n.
shell of a univalve mollusk, such as that of a snail.
See:
skropu.
pakro-aka
n.
snail kite.
Rostrhamus sociabilis (Accipitridae).
paksoi
n.
a type of bitter greens, chinese cabbage, pak choy.
Brassica chinensis (Brassicaceae).
palulu
1)
n.
any of a variety of bird of paradise plants, palulu, lobster claw.
Heliconia soorten/species (Musaceae).
2)
n.
big palulu, South American travelers palm.
Phenakospermum guianense (Strelitziaceae).
Also known as bigipalulu.
pampun
n.
any of various kinds of large squashes (the Guyanese in Suriname refer to it as pumpkin).
Cucurbita moschata (Cucurbitaceae).
pan
n.
pan (with or without a handle).
See:
patu.
pangi
n.
loincloth, wrap (worn by Bush Negro women).
See:
kamisa.
pankuku
n.
a thin sweet pancake made without a leavening agent.
(it is eaten rolled up, sometimes with a filling in it).
panti
1)
v.
pawn.
Mi no ben abi moni so mi panti mi keti.
I did not have any money so I pawned my necklace.
2)
n.
security, guarantee.
Mi kan gi yu a moni, ma dan yu mu libi wan sani leki
panti na baka.
I can lend you the money, but you must leave something as security.
poti ... na panti
idiom.
pawn something, give something as security for a loan.
A: San psa? Yu lasi yu oloisi? B: No, mi poti en
na panti.
A: What happened? Did you lose your watch? B: No, I gave it as security for a loan.
panti-oso
n.
pawnshop, loan office.
Spelling variation: pant'oso
panya
1)
v.
spread, spread out, scatter.
A nyunsu panya ini a foto.
The news has spread through the whole town.
A oli panya tapu a watra.
The oil spread out over the water.
2)
vi.
shatter, blow up.
Den sutu a boto panya.
They blew up the boat.
A grasi fadon panya.
The glass fell and shattered.
Usage: usually when panya is the second verb in the sentence.
panya opo priti opo
idiom.
be exciting or spectacular.
Sonde mi o go na Colakreek, want na tin pokugrupu o de dape. Dan na panya opo priti opo.
Sunday Im going to Cola Creek because theres going to be ten bands there. Its going to be exciting.
panyapanya
1)
v.
spread out in a disorderly way, scatter about.
Te mi m'ma e bori, a e panyapanya dotisani ini a heri kukru.
When my mother cooks, she scatters dirty dishes throughout the kitchen.
2)
adv.
scattered about, spread out here and there.
Ala pisi fu a motor dya, ma den didon panyapanya ini a kamra.
All the parts of the motor are here, but they are lying spread out here and there in the room.
papa2
n.
father.
Usage: the first vowel is normally dropped in regular speech.
See table under:
famiriman.
Spelling variation: p'pa
papasneki
n.
boa constrictor.
Boa constrictor (Boidae).
Also known as daguwesneki or gadosneki.
papaya1
n.
papaya, papaw.
Carica papaya (Caricaceae).
papaya2
n.
woven sleeping mat.
Tide neti mi o bradi wan papaya gi den pikin, meki den kan sribi.
Tonight Ill spread out a sleeping mat for the children so they can sleep on it.
See:
bedi.
2)
n.
diploma, document.
Den papira fu yu no bun.
Your documents arent in order.
papira-owru
n.
long curved machete (it is wider at the point than at the handle).
papitodo
n.
tree frog.
Scinax rubra (Hylidae).
paragrasi
n.
para grass.
Brachiaria purpurascens (Gramineae).
paramarkusa
n.
sweet granadilla, a kind of passion fruit that grows mainly in the savanna regions of the district Para (the sweet orange fruit can be eaten raw).
Passiflora laurifolia (Passifloraceae).
See:
markusa.
paranoto
n.
Brazil nut, Para nut.
Bertholletia excelsa (Lecythidaceae).
Also known as inginoto.
See:
noto.
gi ... pardon
v.
forgive.
A mama gi a pikin pardon fu den ogri san a ben du.
The mother forgave the child for the bad things she did.
2)
interj.
excuse me, pardon me.
Pardon, meneer. Yu kan dribi pikinso?
Excuse me, sir. Can you scoot over a little?
pari
1)
v.
paddle.
Na wan switi sani fu si fa den busnengre e pari den kruyara.
It is enjoyable to watch the bushnegroes paddling their canoes.
2)
n.
paddle.
Den busnengre lobi fu moimoi den pari.
The bush negroes like to decorate their paddles.
pasa1
See main entry: psa1.
vi.
happen.
pasa2
See main entry: psa2.
prep.
by, along, past.
pasensi
n.
patience.
Den pikin fu a ten disi no abi pasensi. Den wani ala sani wantewante.
Children these days have no patience. They want everything right now.
Odo: Te yu abi pasensi, yu o si mira bere.
Proverb: If you have patience, you will see the ants belly. (i.e. With patience you can achieve much.)
pasi
n.
road, path, street.
gi pasi
idiom.
give consent or permission.
Lanti no gi den sma pasi fu seri sani na mofo-w'woyo.
The government did not give the people permission to sell things in front of the market.
koti pasi
idiom.
avoid, go another way to keep from meeting someone.
Te a si mi, a e koti pasi gi mi.
When he sees me, he avoids me.
lasi pasi
idiom.
lose ones way, get lost, be lost.
Den sma dati sabi a busi. Noiti den lasi pasi.
Those people know the jungle, They never get lost.
Usage: (also in a figurative way).
prati pasi
idiom.
go ones separate ways.
Te un doro tapu a uku, dan un o prati pasi.
When we get to the corner well go our separate ways.
syatu pasi
idiom.
take a shortcut.
Efu un waka so wi o doro lati. Kon un syatu pasi.
If we walk this way we will arrive late. Lets take a shortcut.
tapu pasi
idiom.
obstruct, block.
Someni langa mi ben mus tron basi fu mi afdeling, ma driktoro e tapu pasi gi mi fu di a no lobi mi.
For a long time now I should have been promoted to head of my department, but the director has blocked it because he does not like me.
teki pasi
idiom.
go away, leave.
Di a si tak' a no man feni en drai dya, a teki pasi go na Guyana.
When he realized he could not be successful here, he left for Guyana.
See:
gwe.
Paska
n.
Easter ; Passover.
pastifi
n.
gap between the front teeth.
pata
n.
tennis shoes, athletic shoes.
patata
1)
n.
potato.
Solanum tuberosum (Solanaceae).
Meki den nyan den ptata, mi sa nyan tonton.
Saying: Let them eat their potatoes, Ill eat dumplings.
Variant:
ptata1.
patataloso
n.
chigger.
Trombicula soorten/species (Trombiculidae, O. Acari).
patawa
n.
batava palm, ungurahui palm (the juice from the fruit is used to make a drink).
Oenocarpus bataua; Oenocarpus oligocarpa (Palmae).
Also known as patawakumbu.
patu
1)
n.
pot.
Mi no bori mi patu ete.
I have not cooked yet (lit: I have not cooked my pot yet.)
2)
n.
muffler (for a car).
patyapatya
adj.
soggy, swampy, marshy.
Baka a bigi alen, a heri bakadyari ben patyapatya.
After the heavy rain, the whole back yard was soggy.
Morph: redup.
pe
1)
interrog.
where.
Pe yu e go?
Where are you going?
2)
rel.pn.
where.
Mi e tan pe a skowtu-oso de.
I live where the police station is.
3)
n.
place.
Mi no go no wan pe.
I havent been to any place.
Usage: It is used in combination with other words, e.g. berpe (burial place) 'cemetary', kowrupe (cool place) 'shadow',
wrokope 'work place', etc.
syn:
presi.
peipi1
n.
pipe, tube (it can be made of metal or plastic).
pen1
n.
pain.
Tye, Masra, pen e moro en tumsi!
Oh, Lord, the pain is killing him!
syn:
skin-ati.
pen2
n.
pen, stall, stable.
Odo: Tranga no e tyari kaw go na pen.
Proverb: You cant force a cow to go into the stall.
pen3
n.
pen (writing instrument).
Langa a pen gi mi, meki mi skrifi a sani.
Hand me the pen so that I can write the thing down.
pen4
n.
clothespin.
Mi o anga den krosi. Pe den pen fu mi de?
Im going to hang out the clothes. Where are my clothespins?
penitigri
n.
refers specifically to the spotted variety of jaguar. Black jaguars also occur in Suriname.
Panthera onca (Felidae).
gen:
tigri1.
pepe
n.
godparent.
Spelling variation: p'pe
2)
ad.
spicy, hot.
A nyanyan disi pepre tumsi gi mi.
This food is too spicy for me.
3)
ad.
difficult, hard.
A wroko pepre, yèrè.
That is difficult work.
syn:
tranga;
hebi.
4)
ad.
hot.
A son pepre tide!
The sun is hot today!
syn:
krasi2;
faya1;
hati1.
petepete
adv.
indicates that something is wet through and through.
A heri pis'duku ben nati petepete.
The entire diaper was soaking wet.
Morph: redup.
2)
n.
spring.
pî
ad.
quiet; very quiet.
Di a driktoro broko kon ini a kamra, ala sma kon pî.
When the director suddenly came into the room, everyone got quiet.
piaiman
n.
an Amerindian medicine man.
Also simply referred to as piai.
piki1
1)
v.
answer.
Ala leisi te mi taki nanga yu, yu no e piki mi.
Whenever I talk to you, you never answer me.
cpart:
aksi2.
2)
v.
inform, tell.
Te a kon dya, dan yu mus piki mi.
When he comes here, you must let me know.
3)
n.
answer, reply.
Mi kisi piki tapu a brifi di mi ben seni gwe.
I got a reply to the letter that I sent.
piki2
1)
vt.
pick up.
Sanede meki te wan sani fadon na gron yu no e piki en?
Why dont you ever pick things up?
2)
vt.
pick leaves off a stem; pluck fruit off a tree.
Sanede yu e piki den grun froktu na a bon?
Why do you pick the fruit when it is green?
syn:
broko1.
3)
vt.
choose.
Un no o go onti nanga ala den man. Un o piki den moro bun wan.
We wont go hunting with all the men. We will choose the best ones.
4)
vt.
collect or solicit money.
A de a gwenti te kerki e hori fu den sma piki moni.
It is a custom during the church service to take up a collection.
5)
v.
pick dirt and other foreign matter out of rice, beans, corn, etc.
Yu mus piki a aleisi fosi yu e bori en.
You need to sort (the dirt) out of the rice before you cook it.
pikin1
1)
ad.
small, little.
Ala dei den sma e kragi taki a brede kon pikin.
People complain every day that the bread has gotten smaller.
ant:
bigi;
grani;
hipsi.
See:
smara;
mangri.
pikin2
1)
n.
child.
Te den pikin tapu fo yari, den mus fu go na skoro.
When the children turn four they must go to school.
ant:
bigisma.
See table under:
famiriman.
meki pikin
idiom.
give birth, have a baby.
Dyonsro a frow o meki wan pikin.
The woman is going to have a baby.
A e meki pikin leki alata.
Shes as fertile (bears children) as a rabbit.
syn:
kisi pikin.
pikin pikin
idiom.
childrens children (i.e. descendants).
Den seni kari ala bigisma, pikin, nanga pikin pikin fu a pranasi.
They summoned all the adults, children and other descendants of (people from) the plantation.
syn:
bakapikin.
tapubere pikin
idiom.
Kenneth de a tapubere pikin fu en mama.
Kenneth is his mothers last child.
Spelling variation: tap'bere pikin
3)
n.
animal baby.
Son dagu no e beti. Ma te den abi pikin, dan den e krasi.
Some dogs do not bite. But when they have puppies, then they are aggressive.
pikinkapasi
n.
broad-banded armadillo.
Cabassous unicinctus (Dasypodidae).
See:
kapasi.
pikinman
n.
someone of low position, little man.
pikinmisi-finga bakba
n.
a kind a banana with small sweet fruit.
Musa soorten/species (Musaceae).
Also known as sukrubakba.
pikinmoni
n.
change, coins.
Mi no abi pikinmoni na mi.
I dont have any change on me.
See:
sensi1.
broko ... na pikinmoni
idiom.
simplify an explanation, make something clearer.
Mi no e ferstan a tori so bun. I kan broko en gi mi na pikin moni?
I dont understand it so well. Could you please explain it to me?
syn:
brokobroko.
pikinpikin
1)
adj.
very small, tiny.
Fu sowan pikinpikin sani den e meki wan bigi trobi.
For such a tiny matter they are making a lot of trouble.
syn:
nyofi.
2)
adv.
from an early age.
Pikinpikin a boi disi bigin smoko.
From an early age this boy began smoking.
pikinso
1)
adj.
a little.
A fufuruman gwe nanga a pikinso moni san mi ben kibri.
The thief ran off with the little money that I had set aside.
ant:
furu.
2)
adv.
a little.
A nyanyan kon kowru. Mi o skreki en pikinso gi yu.
The food has gotten cold. Ill warm it up a little for you.
pikintiki berpe
n.
public cemetery where very poor people were buried by the government.
Te den taki a sma beri na pikintiki, dan dat' wani taki na lanti beri en.
When they say the person is buried at pikintiki, that means that the government buried him.
(so named because there was no headstone placed by the grave, only a wooden post).
pikinwan
n.
the small or unimportant ones (as opposed to the large or great ones).
cpart:
bigiwan.
pikin-watradagu
n.
Guiana otter, waterdog.
Lutra enudris (Mustelidae).
Also referred to simply as watradagu when it is not felt necessary to distinguish it from the giant otter.
pikipikiplei
n.
a game where the teams are put together on the spot from the people present; it can also refer to such a team.
pikolet
n.
lesser seed-finch (it is highly prized as a songbird).
Oryzoborus angolensis (Emberizidae).
pina1
1)
v.
suffer (from pain or poverty), inflict suffering, persecute.
Efu yu no wani wroko, yu o pina.
If you wont work, youll suffer (from poverty).
2)
n.
suffering, pain.
3)
v.
be scarce.
Dis' ten sukru e pina ini a kondre.
At this time sugar is scarce in the country.
4)
ad.
poor, suffering, run down.
Mi e tan ini wan pina oso.
I live in a run down house.
pinablad
n.
leaves/fronds of the pinabon; they are used as thatch in roofs and as a decoration for temporary shelters.
pinabon
n.
pina palm, cabbage palm (the trunks and fronds are often used to make small shelters, called pinakampu).
Euterpe oleracea (Palmae).
Also known as prasarabon.
Variant:
pina3.
pinakampu
n.
shelter made from the fronds of the pina palm.
pina-owrukuku
n.
cat-eye snake.
Leptodeira annulata (Colibridae).
pinapina
v.
make do, get along, limp along.
A oto fu mi broko. Mi o pinapina te mi kan meki en baka.
My car is broke down. Ill have to limp along until I can get it fixed.
syn:
tingatinga.
Morph: redup.
pinaten
n.
difficult time, a time of suffering or shortages.
Winsi fa pinaten ben de ini a kondre, toku mi mama sorgu mi te mi kon bigi.
In spite of it being a time of suffering and shortage in the country, my mother cared for me until I was big.
pinawiki
n.
Holy Week, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter.
pinda
n.
peanut, groundnut.
Arachis hypogaea (Papilionaceae).
pindabrafu
See main entry: pindasupu.
n.
peanut soup; thick soup made from peanut butter with pieces of.
2)
n, adj.
noise.
Y'e meki leki pindakasi.
Youre making a lot of noise (lit: youre acting like peanut butter).
Den pindakasi Dyu.
The noisemakers.
Usage: commonly used together with the word Dyu.
pindakuku
1)
n.
cookie made from dough with ground peanuts in it. A half peanut is traditionally placed on top.
2)
n.
a kind of candy made from roasted peanuts and melted sugar.
pindasupu
n.
peanut soup; thick soup made from peanut butter with pieces of meat and tonton in it.
Variant:
pindabrafu.
pingi
1)
v.
pinch, tweak.
Son sma lobi pingi pikin-nengre na den seifesi te den e prei nanga den.
Some people like to tweak children on their cheek when they play with them.
bere pingi
idiom.
mild stomach ache, needles in the stomach.
Ala leisi te mi dringi dyindyabiri, mi bere e pingi mi.
Every time when I drink ginger beer, I feel like I have needles in my stomach.
2)
v.
pick (a guitar).
A switi fu arki fa a boi disi e pingi a gitara.
It is nice to listen to how this boy plays the guitar.
3)
n.
tip.
Skowtu kisi wan pingi pe a fufuruman e kibri.
The police got a tip where the thief was hiding.
4)
v.
give a tip, tip off.
Wan sma pingi mi tak' tra mun den o opo un moni.
Someone tipped me off that next month they will raise our pay.
pingo
n.
white-lipped peccary.
Dicotyles pecari (Dicotylidae).
See:
pakira.
pipa
1)
n.
pipe (for smoking).
2)
n.
pistol.
A fufuruman e hori wan pipa na a man sei-ede.
The thief is holding a pistol to the mans head.
3)
v.
gasp for air (as with a fish out of water); by extension to take ones last breath.
Di mi go luku mi omu na at'oso, a ben e pipa.
When I went to visit my uncle at the hospital, he was on his death bed.
pipatodo
n.
pipa toad, Surinam toad.
Pipa pipa (Pipadae).
Also known as swamputodo or watratodo.
pipel
n.
people, nation, ethnic group.
syn:
folku.
See:
sma.
From: Eng.
Etym:
people
.
pipikowsu
n.
condom.
Usage: people usually just say kowsu.
pir'ede
adj.
bald headed.
A: Suma mi mu aksi? B: Aksi a pir'ede man san e wroko drape.
A: Who should I ask? B: Ask the bald man who works there.
piren
n.
piranha.
Serrasalmus soorten/species (Serrasalmidae).
piri
1)
vt.
peel.
Den boi e piri a buba fu a manya nanga den tifi.
The boys peel the mangoes with their teeth.
2)
v.
open wide, spread out.
Yu mu leri yu umapikin tak' te a sidon, a no mus piri en futu.
You must teach your daughter that when she sits, she must not spread her legs.
3)
v.
flake, peel.
Mi skin bigin piri fa mi waka ini a son.
My skin began to peel because I walked in the sun.
4)
v.
go bald.
Furu man-nengre e bigin piri te den tapu fotenti yari.
Many men begin to go bald when they turn forty.
See:
pir'ede.
2)
grin, sneer, snarl, show ones teeth.
See main entry: piri ... tifi.
piri-ai gi
1)
vi.
to admonish, rebuke, warn.
Mi o pir'ai gi en!
Ill warn him!
syn:
warskow.
Spelling variation: pir'ai gi
wan piriskin vijf
idiom.
a just barely passing grade.
Usage: the Dutch number vijf is normally used rather than the Sranan Tongo equivalent feifi.
pir'neki
n.
bare-necked chicken.
Gallus domesticus (Phasianidae).
2)
adj.
light-colored.
Morph: redup.
pir'tifi
n.
smirk, grin.
Odo: Ala pir'tifi a no lafu.
Proverb: Not all that glitters is gold.
pis'duku
n.
diaper.
Yu kenki a nati pis'duku gi a pikin kba?
Have you changed the babys wet diaper yet?
pisi1
n.
piece, part.
Gi mi wan pisi kuku.
Give me a piece of cake.
2)
vi.
urinate.
pis'pisi1
1)
n.
pieces.
Te yu kba dya, yu mu tyari ala den pispisi gwe.
When youre done here, you need to take away all the pieces.
2)
ad.
into (small) pieces.
A grasi fadon broko pispisi.
The glass fell down and broke into pieces.
Morph: redup.
pis'pisi2
v.
urinate here and there.
Weri wan bruku gi a pikin noso a o pis'pisi a heri oso.
Put some pants on the child otherwise it will urinate here and there all over the house.
pisten
n.
short time, a little while (lit: piece of time).
Mi e go tan fu wan pisten na Matreti.
Im going to stay for a while in Ma Retraite.
planga1
1)
n.
plank, board.
A temreman sa a planga ini fo pisi.
The carpenter sawed the plank into four pieces.
See:
bowtu3.
Variant:
pranga.
2)
vt.
to hit someone with a plank.
Mi o planga yu.
Im going to hit you with a board.
Usage: young mens speech.
planga2
n.
hundred guilder bill.
Usage: street slang.
syn:
barki2.
plata
1)
adj.
flat, low.
Mi e tan ini wan plata oso.
I live in a one-story house (lit: a flat house).
A wenkri abi wan plata stupu fesi a doro.
The store has a low step in front of the door.
ant:
hei1.
2)
adj.
shallow, flat.
Yu kan poti a nyanyan san libi ete ini wan plata baki.
You can put the left-over food in a shallow container.
Yu no kan poti supu ini wan plata preti.
You cannot put soup in a shallow plate.
ant:
dipi.
3)
adj.
thin.
Ala leisi a boi fu mi e suku den moro plata buku fu leisi.
Every time my son looks for the thinnest books to read.
Mi no o go na doro a wiki disi. Mi saka plata.
I wont go out this week. I am broke. (lit: my pocket is flat)
ant:
deki.
4)
v.
flatten, level out.
Plata den dosu dan yu no abi someni presi fanowdu.
Flatten the boxes then they wont take up so much space.
5)
v.
lower.
A stupu disi hei. Yu mu plata en pikinso.
This stoop is high. You need to lower it a little.
syn:
lagi;
ant:
hei1.
6)
v.
become shallow.
Te a drei hori langa, dan a watra ini a kriki e plata.
When the dry season is long, then the water in the creek gets shallow.
7)
v.
level.
Fosi mi bigin bow mi yuru wan traktor fu plata a gron.
Before I began building, I hired a tractor to level the lot.
plata-ede-kwikwi
n.
a small variety of fresh-water armored catfish.
Callichthys callichthys (Callichthyidae).
plei1
v.
cheat, trick.
A man plei mi. Sensi di mi gi en a moni fu ferfi a oso, mi no si en moro.
The man tricked me. I gave him money to paint my house, and I havent seen him since.
syn:
bedrigi.
plei2
n.
toilet, outhouse.
From: NL.
plekti
n.
responsibility, obligation, duty.
A no mi plekti fu kiri a airco te mi e gwe.
It is not my responsibility to turn off the air conditioner when I leave.
Wan sma mus sabi en leti, ma a mus sabi en prekti tu.
A person should know his rights, but he must also know his
responsibilities.
syn:
ferplekti.
Spelling variation: prekti
plen1
ideophone.
ringing sound made by a bell, cymbal or the lid to a pot.
Variant:
plenplen2.
plen2
See main entry: pren.
n.
open public area, a square.
plenplen1
n.
kind of deep-fried wafer made by the Javanese.
Morph: redup.
plenplen2
See main entry: plen1.
ideophone.
ringing sound made by a bell, cymbal or the lid to a pot.
ploi
1)
v.
put a crease, fold, or pleat in cloth.
2)
n.
pleat or crease (in cloth), wrinkle (in skin).
Mi gi a brukubere tu ploi fu a sidon pikin moro span.
I put two tucks in the waist so that the pants would fit better.
See:
kroiki1.
2)
n.
a beverage made from podosiri.
poisi
1)
n.
pimple, pustule.
2)
n.
blackhead.
poko
v.
balance.
A boi e poko tapu a baisigri.
The boy is balancing on the bicycle.
tan poko Jantje
idiom.
someone who fails a grade in school, flunky.
Yu tan poko Jantje yu!
You flunky!
Usage: used to make fun of someone.
naki poku
v.
make music with percussion instruments.
2)
n.
a recording on either a record, CD or cassette tape.
A poku kon na doro kba.
The recording has already been released.
pomerak
n.
Malay apple, pomerac; the pear-shaped fruit are reddish pink and about 7 cm long.
Syzygium malaccense (Myrtaceae).
2)
v.
pump, pump up.
Luku, a banti fu yu plata. Tyari en go pompu na Esso.
Look, your tire is flat. Go pump it up at the Esso station.
pomusteri
n.
ambarella, golden apple, Polynesian plum.
Spondias cytherea (Anacardiaceae).
pon
n.
casserole made from grated pontaya with chicken and sometimes salted beef in it.
pondo
1)
n.
barge.
Baka di den lai a pondo nanga bauxiet, wan boto pusu en go na Paranam.
After they loaded the barge with bauxite, it was pushed by a boat to Paranam.
2)
v.
ferry (boat).
Fosi den bow a broki, den sma ben abra a liba nanga pondo.
Before they built the bridge, people crossed the river by ferry.
ponpon1
n.
pomelo (the largest of citrus fruits; inside the thick yellow peel the fruit is reddish).
Citrus grandis (Rutaceae).
See:
alanya;
apresina;
lemki;
strun.
ponpon2
1)
n.
crested oropendola (a kind of bird).
Psarocolius decumanus (Icteridae).
2)
n.
green oropendola (a kind of bird).
Psarocolius viridis (Icteridae).
Also known as busi-ponpon.
pontaya
n.
a kind of cultivated tuber.
Xanthosoma sagittifolium (Araceae).
pontu
1)
n.
weight of 500 grams, pound.
Wan kilo abi tu pontu.
There are two pounds in a kilogram.
See:
gran1;
kilo.
2)
n.
weight.
A boi fu yu tyari moi pontu kba.
Your boy has put on a lot of weight already.
kisi pontu
idiom.
ready for use (said of preparations, etc. that need to sit awhile before using).
syn:
kari pontu.
popki
n.
doll, statue.
Spelling variation: poptyi
popkipatu
n.
when children cook (either pretending or for real).
popokaisneki
n.
1)
Amazonian tree viper, parrot snake.
Bothrops bilineatus (Crotalidae).
2)
emerald tree boa.
Corallus caninus (Boidae).
Also known as kadasneki or bigipopokaisneki.
3)
green palmsnake.
Philodryas viridissimus (Colubridae).
4)
green-bellied palmsnake.
Philodryas olfersi (Colubridae).
5)
a kind of snake.
Leimadophis typhlus (Colubridae).
popokaitongo
n.
parrots tongue, parrots beak.
Heliconia psittacorum (Musaceae).
pori1
1)
vt.
spoil.
A man kon espresi fu pori un prisiri.
The man came on purpose to spoil our fun.
2)
vi.
spoil, rot.
Yu no mu libi den apresina te den pori.
Dont let the oranges sit around and spoil.
A libi pori.
Life has become bad.
Usage: it can also be used figuratively with the meaning of 'become bad'.
3)
ad.
spoiled, rotten, decayed.
A no bun fu nyan pori meti.
Its dangerous to eat rotten meat.
Variant:
por'pori.
4)
v.
separate, divorce.
Den tu sma pori.
The two people have separated (i.e. do not live with each other anymore).
syn:
prati.
pori2
1)
vt.
spoil (a child), pamper.
Yu no mu pori a pikin tumsi. Bakaten yu no o man nanga en.
Dont pamper the child too much. Later on you wont be able to handle him.
2)
ad.
spoiled, pampered.
A pikin disi pori. A no wani du san yu e taigi en.
This girl is spoiled. She doesnt want to do what she is told.
por'pori
See main entry: pori1.
ad.
spoiled, rotten, decayed.
poti
vt.
set, put, lay, place.
Poti a buku tapu a tafra.
Put the book on the table.
pôti
ad.
poor.
I no abi sari-ati gi mi? Mi pôti sote.
Dont you have any pity for me? Im so poor.
ant:
gudu.
See:
pina1.
Variant:
porti.
pôti mi
idiom.
expression used to deny ones guilt or involvement in something.
Variant:
pôti fu mi.
pôtisma
n.
poor or needy person.
Den e piki moni fu yepi den pôtisma na un mindri.
They are collecting money to help the needy people among us.
ant:
gudusma;
guduman.
Variant:
pôtiwan;
pôtiman.
Potogisi
1)
n.
a descendant of the Portugese Jews who came to Suriname.
2)
adj.
having to do with the Portugese Jews.
3)
n.
Portugese.
Yu e feni wan lo sma san e taki potogisi na Tourtonne sei.
You find a lot of people who speak Portugese in the area of Tourtonnelaan.
Variant:
Portogisi.
pototo
n.
things, stuff.
Mi o teki ala mi pototo dyaso dan mi o gwe.
Im going to take all my things here and leave.
Usage: it usually has negative connotations.
See:
samasama;
bondru;
taitai;
bagasi.
tyari powa
idiom.
be strong.
A man disi tyari powa.
This man is strong.
powisi
n.
black curassow.
Crax alector (Cracidae).
prakiki
n.
any of a variety of parakeets.
(Psittacidae).
prakseri
1)
v.
think.
Mi no prakseri tak' mi o kmopo na oso tide.
I dont think Ill leave the house today.
See:
denki.
2)
v.
think about, ponder.
San yu e sidon prakseri so?
What are you sitting there thinking about?
Yu no mus prakseri a sani tumsi.
Dont think about it too much.
A e sidon na prakseri broki.
Saying: He is pondering it (lit: He is sitting on the thinking pier.)
3)
n.
thought.
Di mi ben sidon luku teevee, nomo a kon ini mi
prakseri fu bèl mi omu.
While I was sitting watching television, it suddenly came into my
thoughts to call my uncle.
Mi ben kisi a prakseri kba tak' den bo seni un gwe.
It had already occurred to me (lit: I had gotten the thought already) that they would send us away.
4)
n.
plan, intention.
Mi no wani a man dati tron president. No wan fu den
prakseri fu en bun.
I do not want that man to become president. None of his plans are good.
No meki a boi dati taki nanga yu pikin. A no abi bun
prakseri.
Dont let that boy talk with your daughter. His intentions are not good.
kon nanga wan prakseri
idiom.
come with a suggestion.
Di un no ben sabi san fu du, John kon nanga wan bun prakseri.
When we didnt know what to do, John came up with a good
suggestion.
poti prakseri
vi.
think about, pay attention to.
A no e poti prakseri tapu en wroko srefsrefi.
He pays no attention to his work at all.
prakseri go prakseri kon
idiom.
contemplate, ponder, think about.
Heri neti mi didon prakseri go prakseri kon san a man ben wani taki nanga a odo san a koti.
I lay awake the whole night thinking about what the man meant by the proverb he used.
pramisi
1)
v.
promise.
A pramisi mi tak' a no o dringi sopi moro.
He promised me that he would not drink booze anymore.
2)
n.
promise.
A gi mi a pramisi tak' a o kon fruku na oso.
He gave me the promise that he would come home early.
pranasi
n.
Land where earlier a plantation stood. Now you find descendants of the original inhabitants of the plantation living there in a village setting. Pranasi can be found in the districts Para and Coronie, and also along the Suriname, Saramacca, and Commewijne rivers. In only a very few of the old plantations is there any large-scale agriculture being done today.
Pranasis have their own system of government that stands alongside the official government structure.
broko pranasi
idiom.
an old plantation where no one lives anymore.
prani
1)
v.
plant (a seed, bush, tree, etc.).
Prani den bon na bakadyari.
Plant the trees in the back yard.
ant:
koti1.
See:
sai.
2)
v.
plant (a field).
Baka di den puru ala den ksaba, dan den prani a heri gron baka nanga ksaba.
After they dug up all the cassave, they planted the whole field again with cassave.
pranpran
1)
n.
fanfare, pomp, show.
Te yu e gi wan pôtisma wan sani, no du en nanga
pranpran.
When you give alms to the poor, dont do it with fanfare.
2)
n.
decoration or ornamentation.
O moro den sani lai pranpran, o moro den lobi en.
The more the things are decorated, the more they love it.
pransun
n.
sprout, young plant.
Wantu wiki baka te a tayawiwiri sproiti, yu kan koti den pransun.
A few weeks after the tayerblad sprouts, you can harvest the
young plants.
See:
sproiti.
prapi
n.
large clay bowl made by the Amerindians.
syn:
kroiki2.
prasara
n.
pole cut from the trunk of a prasarabon.
prasarabon
n.
pina palm, cabbage palm (the trunks and fronds are often used to make small shelters, called pinakampu).
Euterpe oleracea (Palmae).
Also known as pinabon.
prasaradia
n.
large red brocket (a kind of deer).
Mazama americana (Cervidae).
Also known as redidia.
See:
dia.
prasi1
n.
yard, lot.
Efu yu no hei a prasi fosi yu bow a oso, dan a oso o sungu te alen kon.
If you do not raise the lot before you build the house, then the house will flood when it rains.
Wan fufuruman kon ini a prasi fu Fine.
A thief came into Finas yard.
syn:
dyari.
prasi2
n.
mullet; any of various species of mullets, trench mullet, white mullet.
Mugil trichodon, Mugil incilis, Mugil curema (Mugilidae).
prasi-oso
n.
a small house built behind the main house in the yard.
(it is often no more than a shack and in bad repair).
See:
nengre-oso.
Spelling variation: pras'oso
prati
1)
v.
divide, separate.
Prati den tu pisi fisi na mindri dan yu e poti den ini a kasi.
Divide the two pieces of (dried or salt) fish in half and set them in the cupboard.
Skowtu kon prati den tu boi di ben feti.
The police separated the two boys who were fighting.
2)
n.
division, separation.
Den tu man disi ben de bun mati te leki wan uma tyari
prati kon na den mindri.
These two men were good friends until a woman brought division between them.
3)
v.
distribute, share.
Teki den brede disi dan yu prati den gi den pôtisma.
Take this bread and distribute it among the poor.
Te yu e kisi wan switisani fu nyan, yu mu prati en nanga yu sisa.
When someone gives you something good to eat, you should share it with your sister.
Nyanyan san prati moro switi.
Food that is shared tastes better.
abi prati
idiom.
have a share in something.
Den sma di yepi mi suku sa abi prati ini a gudu san mi o feni.
The people who help me look will have a share in the treasure that I find.
teki prati
idiom.
participate, be involved, take part in something.
Den kari ala den sma di ben teki prati ini a wroko fu kon na fesi.
They called everyone who had a part in the work to come forward.
pratifasi
n.
division.
Fu di den tu man no man agri, meki pratifasi kon ini a grupu.
Because the two men could not agree, division arose in the group.
pratilobi
n.
a kind of club moss; it is used in witchcraft to separate lovers.
Lycopodium cernuum (Lycopodiaceae).
prefu
conj.
instead of.
Prefu yu sidon, betre yu bigin wroko.
Instead of sitting, better you begin working.
prei
1)
v.
play.
Den pikin e prei na bakadyari.
The children are playing in the backyard.
2)
v.
bewitch, put a spell on.
Ala sma sabi tak' na prei den prei Ba Sjori meki a lasi a wroko.
Everyone knows that they bewitched Ba Sjori so that he lost his job.
3)
v.
trick, fool someone.
Di a boi no kon nanga a moni, a man kon ferstan tak' na prei a prei en.
When the boy did not come with the money, the man realized that he had been tricked.
2)
n.
sermon.
preiprei
1)
v.
do something in a playful or joking manner, not serious.
Preiprei fasi yu kan leri wan pikin wan sani.
With games you can teach a child.
Odo: Preiprei feti e kiri stondoifi.
Proverb: Fighting in a joking way is dangerous (lit: kills the ground dove).
2)
adj.
pretend.
Efu yu feni wan wroko na PPS yu e go, awinsi den sma e kari yu preiprei skowtu.
If you are offered a job at PPS you take it, even if people call you
rent-a-cop.
prekti
See main entry: plekti.
n.
obligation, responsibility, duty.
pren
n.
open public area, a square.
Usage: people now usually use the Dutch word plein.
Variant:
plen2.
From: NL.
Etym:
plein
.
prenki
n.
picture, photo.
Spelling variation: prentyi
prenspari
adj.
important.
A moro prenspari nyunsu fu a dei den e bari te mamanten na radio.
The most important news of the day they broadcast in the morning on the radio.
presenti
n.
gift, present.
Usage: people normally use kado.
presi
n.
place, room.
Te yu kba wasi den preti, yu mu drei den dan yu poti den na den presi.
When you have finished washing the plates, you need to dry them and put them away (lit: put them in their place).
Presi de ete.
There is still room.
See:
pe.
From: Eng.
Etym:
place
.
wan presi
n.
somewhere.
A ambra mus de wan presi. Mi ben poti en dya esde.
The hammer has to be somewhere. I set it here yesterday.
no wan presi
n.
nowhere.
Mi suku ala sei, ma mi no man feni en no wan presi.
I have looked everywhere but I cannot find it anywhere.
Variant:
no wan pe.
poti ... tapu en presi
idiom.
put someone in their place.
Di a man ben wani du ferferi, a frow poti en tapu en presi.
When the man started to be a nuisance, the woman put him in his place.
pret'duku
n.
towel used for drying dishes, tea towel.
preti
n.
plate.
Usage: A distinction is made between dipi preti that are used for soup among other things, and plata preti.
prijs1
n.
prize.
A sma di wini e kisi wan prijs.
The person who wins gets a prize.
prijs2
n.
price.
Den opo a prijs fu oli agen.
They raised the price of gasoline again.
prijse
v.
to praise.
A man disi du someni ogri. Ma di a dede, den prijse en leki en ben de a moro bun man fu a foto.
This man did so many bad things. But when he died, they praised him as if he was the best man in town.
primisi
n.
permission, approval, authorization.
Lanti no gi den boi primisi fu seri sani na mofo wowoyo.
The government has not given the boys permission to sell things in front of the market.
printa
n.
central vein of the leaf of a coconut palm that is stripped of the green leafy material on either side (printa are used to make brooms among other things).
prisiri
1)
v.
be happy.
Mi e prisiri te wan sma kari mi kon na en fesa.
Im happy when someone invites me to their party.
syn:
breiti.
2)
v.
have fun, celebrate.
Wi kriorosma, un gro makandra, un kweki makandra, w'e nyan makandra, w'e prisiri makandra.
We Creoles, we grew up together, we were raised together, we eat together, and we have fun together.
No teki den problema weri na yu ede. Kon un go
meki prisiri.
Dont wear the problems on your head. Lets go have fun.
syn:
meki prisiri.
3)
n.
pleasure.
Mi no abi no wan prisiri moro nanga a wroko.
I dont find any pleasure anymore in that work.
abi prisiri
v.
enjoy, have pleasure in.
Mi abi prisiri fu si fa den pikin e prei so moi.
I enjoy seeing how the children play so nicely.
gi ... prisiri
v.
please, give pleasure.
Ala leisi a e gi mi prisiri te a tyari en rapport kon na oso.
It pleases me every time he brings his report card home.
prisirikawna
n.
kawna music that is played for enjoyment (as opposed to
kawna music that is used to call up spirits).
pristeri
v.
offer.
Te wan sma kon luku yu na oso dan na wan gwenti fu
pristeri en wan sani fu dringi.
When someone comes to visit you at home, it is the custom to
offer him something to drink.
prit'bere
ad.
belly flop in the water.
A fosi leisi di a meisje go swen, a dyompo
prit'bere go ini a watra.
The first time the girl went swimming, she did a belly flop as she jumped in the water.
priti
1)
vt.
tear, tear off, rip.
Priti wan pisi papira gi mi.
Tear off a piece of paper for me.
2)
ad.
torn.
Mi no o weri a priti empi dati.
Im not going to wear that torn shirt.
3)
n.
rip, tear, crack.
Den no meki a oso bun. Now a abi wan lo priti.
They didnt build the house well. Now it has lots of cracks.
4)
v.
split.
priti a udu
split wood
syn:
kweri.
prit'pangi
adj.
frank, blunt, forthright.
Joosje prit'pangi. A e taki den sani leki fa den de.
Joosje is frank. She says things just the way they are.
2)
n.
cracks in a cement wall.
A ososkin lai prit'priti.
The walls of the house are full of cracks.
Morph: redup.
prodo
1)
v.
show off.
Den boi lobi prodo nanga den moi wagi fu den.
The boys like to show off with their nice cars.
syn:
meki modo.
2)
n.
pomp.
President kon nanga bigi prodo ini a kamra.
The president came into the room with great pomp.
prodoman
n.
dandy.
Usage: people usually say modoman.
profen
n.
spirit of a dead person who had not been baptized in a Christian church.
gen:
yorka.
See:
kabra.
profosu
n.
guiana white dolphin.
Sotalia guianensis (Delphinidae).
pruberi
v.
try, experiment.
Mi ben pruberi fu kon esde na yu, ma mi no feni okasi fu kon moro.
I tried to come to you yesterday, but I didnt get a chance.
Variant:
proberi.
psa1
vi.
happen.
Yu yere san psa ini a kondre?
Have you heard what happened in the country?
Variant:
pasa1.
psa2
1)
vi.
pass, pass by.
Un psa a broki kba.
Weve already passed the bridge.
Wantu wiki psa fosi mi si a man kon baka.
Several weeks passed before I saw the man come back.
2)
prep.
by, along, past.
Esde mi rei psa yu oso.
Yesterday I drove past your house.
Variant:
pasa2.
di psa
ad.
ago.
Tu wiki di psa Norbert kon na wroko baka.
Two weeks ago Norbert came back to work.
3)
v.
go over or exceed a given limit.
Furu a batra te dya. Yu no mus psa a strepi.
Fill up the bottle to here. You must not go over the line.
4)
comp.
indicates that the subject exceeds the point of comparison.
Mi brada langa psa tu meter.
My brother is taller than two meters.
See:
moro.
psa marki
adv.
extremely, exceptionally, extraordinarily, to a much higher degree than normal.
A bigi psa marki.
It is extremely big.
psa3
1)
v.
pass through.
Un ben mus fu psa ini a busi fu kon na a dorpu.
We had to pass through the jungle to get to the village.
2)
v.
spend, pass (the time).
A kon dungru kba. Wi o abi fu psa a neti dyaso.
It is dark already. We will have to spend the night here.
3)
v.
endure, get through.
No broko yu ede. Wi o psa a tranga ten disi owktu.
Dont worry. We will get through this difficult time as well.
psa4
v.
pass (an exam or a grade in school).
Efu yu no leri yu les, yu no o psa.
If you dont learn the material in the lesson, you wont pass.
See:
abra.
pu
n.
bottle gourd, calabash gourd.
Lagenaria vulgaris (Cucurbitaceae).
(the fruit is light green and can grow up to a meter long).
2)
n.
cocaine.
Usage: slang.
See:
weti.
3)
v.
pulverize, powder.
syn:
masi.
puru
v.
remove, take away.
Puru a patu tapu a kasi gi mi.
Take the pot from the top of the cupboard for me.
koti ... puru
idiom.
cut off; amputate.
A futu ben masi sote, taki na koti den ben abi fu koti en puru.
The foot was so badly crushed that they had to amputate it.
A dyariman koti ala den taki puru san ben lai fowrudoti.
The gardener cut off all the branches that were full of parasitic plants.
puru taki
refers to the words that come out of someones mouth.
See main entry: puru taki.
puspusi
n.
cat.
Felis catus (Felidae).
Morph: redup.
pusu
v.
push.
Di a bromfiets lon drei, mi ben abi fu pusu en go na oso.
When the motorbike ran out of gas, I had to push it home.
See:
trusu;
syobu.
pusu puru
v.
push away, shove out of the away.
Di a frow si tak' na fasi a man ben wani fasi en, a pusu en puru na en tapu.
When the woman noticed that the man wanted to touch her, she
pushed him away from her.
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