Pitjantjatjara words - Common words
These are common words you might use every day - like hello and goodbye. When speaking Pitjantjatjara the first syllable of the word is always stressed. The letters t, n, l and r can be written with a line underneath, called a retroflex. A retroflex on an n, l or t tells us to curl our tongue back slightly in the mouth before pronouncing the letter. This produces a sound similar to an r sound. A retroflex on an r tells us this is pronounced like a normal English r sound. An r without a retroflex is pronounced like a rolled 'rrrr' sound - like some European languages. The 'oo' sound is the same as in the English word look.
All of us
Anangu word: Nganana
Sounds like: Ngan-arn-a
Cold
Anangu word: Wari
Sounds like: Wah-ree
Foot or tracks
Anangu word: Tjina
Sounds like: Gin-ar
Hello
Also means goodbye, thank you, finish
Anangu word: Palya
Sounds like: Pul (like cull)-ya
Hot, fire, firewood
Anangu word: Waru
Sounds like: Whar-oo
Listen
Anangu word: Kulini
Sounds like: Kool (like wool)-in-nee
Maybe
Anangu word: Tjinguru
Sounds like: Jingaroo
No or don't
Anangu word: Wiya
Sounds like: Wee-ya
Ours (many people including the speaker)
Anangu word: Nganampa
Sounds like: Ngan-am-pa
Short
Anangu word: Mutumutu
Sounds like: Moo-too-moo-too
Sit, be sitting
Anangu word: Nyinanyi
Sounds like: Nin-an-yee
Tall
Anangu word: Wara
Sounds like: Worrah
True or really
Anangu word: Mulapa
Sounds like: Mool (like wool)-up-ar
Yes
Anangu word: Uwa
Sounds like: u-wa
Other words
Kapi (cuppy) Water
Kuli (koo-lee) Hot weather, summer
Pulka (pool-kah) Big
Tjuta (joo-tah) Many
Wiru (wi-roo) Beautiful
