Reconstruction:Proto-Bantu/-nàì

This Proto-Bantu entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Bantu

Etymology

Possible cognates outside of Bantu found in Edo èné, a general reconstructed root to Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-nani by Westerman and Blench is suggested, and to Proto-Niger-Congo *-na(h)i by Pozdniakov

Adjective

cardinal number

4	Previous:	*-tátʊ̀
	Next:	*-táànò

*-nàì

1. four

Descendants

• Proto-Jarawan: *ini/ine
• Bube (A31): -ñe
• Duala (A24): -nɛí
• Rwanda-Rundi (J61/62): -ne
• Nyoro (J11): -nna
• Tooro (J12): -na
• Shona (S10): -na
• Luba-Kasai (L31): -nayi
• Luganda (J15): -na
• Swahili (G42): -nne
• Kimbundu (H21): -uana
• Mbunda (K15): -wana
• Gusii (J42): inye
• Chichewa (N31): -nayi
• Kamba (E55): kana
• Southern Bantu:
  • Nguni: *-ne
    • Northern Ndebele: -ne
    • Phuthi: -ne
    • Swazi: -ne
    • Xhosa: -ne
    • Zulu: -ne
  • Sotho-Tswana:
    • Northern Sotho (S32): -nne
    • Sotho (S33): -nne
    • Tswana (S31): -nne
  • Tsonga (S53): -mune
  • Venda (S20): [Term?]