OUTOFPAPUA database: Lexicons of the West Papuan language area

Entry record from Voorhoeve (nd c): Asmat Flamingo Bay

pu

(1) by; near; close to; on; at; in the middle of.

-- at-come close to; join up with

pu y-to swell up

yak pu y.es-marhis belly got swollen at night

amun –“close to the smoke” = very busy roasting food or charring canoes , in preparation of departure

ci a pu, a pu, a puthe canoe (came) nearer and nearer to him

a pu araw a?is that right?

Famorep yo pu ap-esthey live on the F. river

arow atayi e pu cowakthey did exactly what he told them to do

yi puaccording to custom

inim as no pu nak awsuch a thing be far from me! = I don't like that at all!

mu semen puin the main current

mesep pu wut(there is) much foam on it (on the waves)

ci yen pu porni-to go down to the river to where the sound of canoes (canoe making) is

yo puon the river; in the middle of the river, far out at sea

(2) line; path; track; line through the middle of sth..

may puline of footprints, track

mokot puthe path through the middle of a sago area

os pupath formed by felled trees

e pupath made of sago leaves (in swampy area)

yoperes pua trickle of sweat

yo pu a. the middle of the river; b. the middle of the body (a line running from the head down through the middle of the chest and belly, and along the spine; c. floor area between the front wall and fireplaces of a ceremonial house