1.0 The Body > 1.9 Reproductive System > 1.9.8 Copulate

#1646 PTB *r/m/d/s-ga COPULATE / LOVE / WANT

Reconstructed mesoroots below:

This etymon is extremely well attested, occurring in the NE Indian Areal Group, Himalayish, Lolo-Burmese, Nungish, Qiangic, and probably Baic. Its range of meanings extends from WANT/DESIRE to LOVE to COPULATE. This root is notable for the large number of prefixes that it has acquired in various branches of TB: *r‑ (in Qiangic [rGyalrong, Ergong] and Amdo Tibetan); *N‑ (in Loloish and perhaps Meluri); *d‑ (in Written Tibetan), and *s‑ (in Qiangic [Pumi]).

This etymon has been grammaticalized in Lahu, where it now functions as a desiderative particle, e.g. qay gâ ‘want to go’, dɔ̀ gâ ‘want to drink’, etc. See Matisoff 1988a:399-400.

We have tentatively grouped Loloish forms with initial velar stops with those with initial labial or velar nasals, assuming that the former descend from the unprefixed root while the latter show preemption of the root initial by the nasal prefix.

rnanalysislgidreflexglossgfnlanguagegrpidgrpnogrpgeneticcitationsrcabbrsrcidrn
21438416461431ɣei³³wantSulung [Puroik]41.1“North Assam”0Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC674.520
1607341646365geːwantvBokar731.1.1.1Western Tani1Sun J 93 TaniJS-Tani0
43144516461820geːwant / needv.Bokar731.1.1.1Western Tani1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1755.240
2143581646368geːwantBokar Lhoba731.1.1.1Western Tani1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC674.510
216729m,1646662hɑ³¹kɑu⁵⁵likeIdu61.1.2Deng1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC720.500
356241160,3476,1160,1646659wu◦tʰu wu◦galoveIdu61.1.2Deng1Pulu 78JP-Idu0
25231116461050ngüwantvMeluri651.3.2Angami-Pochuri Group1Marrison 67 NagaGEM-CNL0
116067p,p,16461472kha◦ma◦khacopulateTangkhul661.3.4Tangkhulic1Matisoff 87 BPJAM-Ety0
555991646803gacopulateKokborok801.7.1.1Bodo1Tripuri 88PT-Kok0
1160381646,3494732go◦s̱ẖicopulateKanauri202.1.1Western Himalayish0Matisoff 87 BPJAM-Ety0
29779116461089graloveTsangla (Tilang)222.1.2Bodic1Zhang Jichuan 86JZ-CLMenba0
2985193476,16461093do³⁵go⁵⁵wantTshona (Wenlang)222.1.2Bodic1Lu 86 CuoMJZ-CNMenba0
2143613476,16461092dɔ¹³gɔ⁵³wantTshona (Mama)222.1.2Bodic1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC674.60
4022201646,m1848rga ɣəhappy / excitedTibetan (Alike)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1117.050
4295441646,m1848rga ɣəlike / lovev.Tibetan (Alike)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1714.050
43142616461848rgowant / needv.Tibetan (Alike)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1755.050
40258916461848rgælove / likeTibetan (Alike)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1126.050
40264316461848rgælike (to eat)Tibetan (Alike)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1127.050
21670616461550hgalikeTibetan (Amdo:Bla-brang)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC720.40
2143601646,m1550ko kəwantTibetan (Amdo:Bla-brang)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC674.40
361411646,s1584gæ-wæhappyTibetan (Amdo:Zeku)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun J 85 AmdoJS-Amdo3430
21663116461585rgaloveTibetan (Amdo:Zeku)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC719.50
21668216461585rgalikeTibetan (Amdo:Zeku)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC720.50
21433616461585rgowantTibetan (Amdo:Zeku)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC674.50
40258716461826ga²³¹love / likeTibetan (Batang)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1126.030
40264116461826ga²³¹like (to eat)Tibetan (Batang)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1127.030
42954216461826ga¹³like / lovev.Tibetan (Batang)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1714.030
43142416461826gø⁵⁵want / needv.Tibetan (Batang)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1755.030
4022181646,m1826gɑ¹³tsho⁵³happy / excitedTibetan (Batang)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1117.030
2609911646,m,m,m701gā 'lā-bā-tehappyadjTibetan (Jirel)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Hale 73 CSDAH-CSDPN12a.440
21663016461380ga³¹loveTibetan (Khams:Dege)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC719.30
21668116461380ga³¹likeTibetan (Khams:Dege)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC720.30
21433516461380gø⁵⁵wantTibetan (Khams:Dege)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC674.30
40258616461815ka¹³love / likeTibetan (Lhasa)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1126.020
40264016461815ka¹³like (to eat)Tibetan (Lhasa)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1127.020
42954116461815ka¹³like / lovev.Tibetan (Lhasa)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1714.020
2166541646,m,m1557ka¹³po⁵³-tɕhɛʔ¹³loveTibetan (Lhasa)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC719.20
2167051646,m,m1557ka¹³po⁵³-tɕhɛʔ¹³likeTibetan (Lhasa)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC720.20
4022661646,s1815ka¹³po⁵⁵happy / excitedTibetan (Lhasa)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1117.020
4295901646,m,m1815ka¹³po⁵⁵ tɕhe¹³²like / lovev.Tibetan (Lhasa)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1714.020
4022171646,m1815ka¹³tshoː⁵⁵happy / excitedTibetan (Lhasa)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1117.020
43142316461815ko¹³want / needv.Tibetan (Lhasa)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1755.020
21435916461557koʔ¹³wantTibetan (Lhasa)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC674.20
26099216461402happyadjTibetan (Sherpa)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Hale 73 CSDAH-CSDPN12a.440
3816816461575dgalikeTibetan (Written)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun J 85 TbGlJS-Tib5860
379251646,s1575dga.bahappyTibetan (Written)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun J 85 TbGlJS-Tib3430
40263516461804dgaɦlove / likeTibetan (Written)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1126.010
40263916461804dgaɦlike (to eat)Tibetan (Written)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1127.010
42954016461804dgaɦlike / lovev.Tibetan (Written)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1714.010
21662916461582dgaɦloveTibetan (Written)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC719.10
21668016461582dgaɦlikeTibetan (Written)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC720.1 1
2262681646,s1582dgaɦ pogladTibetan (Written)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC908.10
4022161646,m1804dgaɦ ɦtshorhappy / excitedTibetan (Written)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1117.010
2420931646,s1564dga◦bagladviTibetan (Written)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Marrison 67 NagaGEM-CNL0
25234116461564dgoswantvTibetan (Written)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Marrison 67 NagaGEM-CNL0
43142216461804dgoswant / needv.Tibetan (Written)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1755.010
21433416461582dgoswantTibetan (Written)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC674.1 2
2457611646,s1564dgos◦panecessaryTibetan (Written)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Marrison 67 NagaGEM-CNL0
40221916461837gahappy / excitedTibetan (Xiahe)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1117.040
40258816461837galove / likeTibetan (Xiahe)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1126.040
40264216461837galike (to eat)Tibetan (Xiahe)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1127.040
42954316461837galike / lovev.Tibetan (Xiahe)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1714.040
43142516461837gowant / needv.Tibetan (Xiahe)242.1.2.1Tibetan1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1755.040
50474316461988happy, rejoice, be gladbe v.Lepcha212.1.3Lepcha1Plaisier 07 LepchaHP-GL0
2166621646561gɑ⁵⁵loveErsu343.2Qiangic1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC719.180
216713m,1646561jɑ³³gɑ⁵⁵likeErsu343.2Qiangic1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC720.180
40260216461813giæ³¹love / likeLyuzu343.2Qiangic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1126.180
40265516461813giæ³¹like (to eat)Lyuzu343.2Qiangic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1127.180
42955716461813giæ³⁵like / lovev.Lyuzu343.2Qiangic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1714.180
4025991646,16461810gæ³³gæ⁵⁵love / likeMuya343.2Qiangic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1126.150
4026531646,16461810gæ³³gæ⁵⁵like (to eat)Muya343.2Qiangic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1127.150
21668616461136ŋguɯ⁵³likeMuya [Minyak]343.2Qiangic1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC720.150
40264816461805ga³⁵like (to eat)Pumi (Jiulong)343.2Qiangic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1127.100
42954916461805ga³⁵like / lovev.Pumi (Jiulong)343.2Qiangic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1714.100
42954816461853giɯu¹³like / lovev.Pumi (Lanping)343.2Qiangic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1714.090
40259316461853zgiɑ⁵⁵love / likePumi (Lanping)343.2Qiangic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1126.090
40264716461853zgiɑ⁵⁵like (to eat)Pumi (Lanping)343.2Qiangic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1127.090
21668516461306giɯu¹³likePumi (Qinghua)343.2Qiangic1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC720.110
21663416461306sgiɑ⁵⁵lovePumi (Qinghua)343.2Qiangic1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC719.110
21670916461309giu³⁵likePumi (Taoba)343.2Qiangic1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC720.100
21665816461309ɣiɛ³⁵lovePumi (Taoba)343.2Qiangic1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC719.100
21666116461699ga³⁵loveQueyu (Yajiang) [Zhaba]343.2Qiangic1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC719.160
2167121646,m1699ga³⁵rə⁵³likeQueyu (Yajiang) [Zhaba]343.2Qiangic1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC720.160
4022281646,16461808rga¹³rga⁵⁵happy / excitedQueyu (Xinlong)343.2Qiangic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1117.130
40259716461808rgo¹³love / likeQueyu (Xinlong)343.2Qiangic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1126.130
40265116461808rgo¹³like (to eat)Queyu (Xinlong)343.2Qiangic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1127.130
42955216461808rgo⁵⁵like / lovev.Queyu (Xinlong)343.2Qiangic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1714.130
40259816461809ga⁵⁵love / likeZhaba (Daofu County)343.2Qiangic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1126.140
40265216461809ga⁵⁵like (to eat)Zhaba (Daofu County)343.2Qiangic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1127.140
42955316461809ga⁵⁵like / lovev.Zhaba (Daofu County)343.2Qiangic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1714.140
40259616461807rgalove / likeDaofu353.3rGyalrongic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1126.120
1286481646560rgə³³copulatevErgong (Northern)353.3rGyalrongic1Sun H 91 ErNQSHK-ErgNQ10.20
2166601646,m557ʐgia ʐɛloveErgong (Danba)353.3rGyalrongic1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC719.140
216710p,16461340ka rgalikerGyalrong783.3.1rGyalrong1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC720.120
43144116461816gɯ⁵⁵want / needv.Dulong384Nungic1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1755.200
2143811646537gɯ⁵⁵wantTrung [Dulong]384Nungic1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC674.460
2994941646540gɯ⁵⁵wantTrung [Dulong] (Nujiang)384Nungic1Sun H 82 DulJZ-Dulong0
51495816462011m-|ga²want / think / love*Lolo-Burmese426.1Lolo-Burmese1Matisoff 03 HPTBJAM-HPTB5890
109111646152m-ga²|wantv.*Loloish456.1.2Loloish1Bradley 79 PLoDB-PLolo827A0
31151316461790m-|ga²wantPNL456.1.2Loloish1Chen 86 CSCK-CS56.0
2922931646879long for / think ofLalo466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Björverud 94SB-Lalo0
31252816461782ŋo⁵⁵wantLipho466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Chen 86 CSCK-CS56.0
31273116461783ŋɔ³³wantNasu466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Chen 86 CSCK-CS56.0
31293416461791ŋo³³wantNeisu466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Chen 86 CSCK-CS56.0
31212216461163ŋa³³wantNesu466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Chen 86 CSCK-CS56.0
31313716461785ŋo³³wantNosu466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Chen 86 CSCK-CS56.0
2167011646,m1215gɯ³⁵ɑ⁵⁵likeNusu (Bijiang)466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC720.450
21435516461215m̩³⁵wantNusu (Bijiang)466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC674.450
43021116461831nɯ³³want (to go)v.Nusu (Central)466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1728.340
43145516461831nɯ³³want / needv.Nusu (Central)466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1755.340
33544716461219nɯ̃³¹wantNusu (Northern)466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Sun J 86 NusuJZ-Nusu0
21671516461658gɯ²¹likeYi (Dafang)466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC720.220
21434516461662ŋu⁵⁵wantYi (Mile)466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC674.250
2167171646,m1663gɯ²¹sɛ²¹likeYi (Mojiang)466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC720.260
21437116461663ŋɒ³³wantYi (Mojiang)466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC674.260
40262116461834gɯ³³love / likeYi (Nanhua)466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1126.370
2167161646,m1664gɯ³³go³³likeYi (Nanhua)466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC720.240
4295761646,m1834gɯ³³sɿ³³like / lovev.Yi (Nanhua)466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1714.370
43145916461835ŋɒ³³want / needv.Yi (Wuding)466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1755.380
21663816461670ŋgu³³loveYi (Xide)466.1.2.1Northern Loloish1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC719.210
31191916461780ŋu⁵⁵wantAhi476.1.2.2Central Loloish1Chen 86 CSCK-CS56.0
40514316461842mœ⁵⁵want to eat (meat) badlyJinuo476.1.2.2Central Loloish1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1180.440
2143751646696mɯ³¹wantJinuo476.1.2.2Central Loloish1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC674.340
3013241646700m̩⁴²wantJinuo (Youle)476.1.2.2Central Loloish1Gai 86JZ-Jinuo0
43146516461842m̩⁴⁴want / needv.Jinuo476.1.2.2Central Loloish1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1755.440
40267716461841gɑ⁵³like (to eat)Lahu (Lancang)476.1.2.2Central Loloish1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1127.430
3114531646831desiderative particle; want to VLahu (Black)476.1.2.2Central Loloish1Matisoff 88 DLJAM-DL399-4000
3026211646856ga³likeLahu (Yellow)476.1.2.2Central Loloish1Chang 86JZ-Lahu0
43146116461838nu³³want / needv.Lisu476.1.2.2Central Loloish1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1755.400
2143461646942nu³³wantLisu476.1.2.2Central Loloish1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC674.270
2866821646943nū⁴want (=love)v.Lisu (Central)476.1.2.2Central Loloish1Fraser 22JF-HLL0
2791761646946ny³³want; needV, MLisu (Northern)476.1.2.2Central Loloish1Bradley 94 LisuDB-Lisu0
31171616461786ŋo⁵⁵wantSani [Nyi]476.1.2.2Central Loloish1Chen 86 CSCK-CS56.0
43021616461836ŋo⁵⁵want (to go)v.Yi (Sani)476.1.2.2Central Loloish1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1728.390
43146016461836ŋo⁵⁵want / needv.Yi (Sani)476.1.2.2Central Loloish1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1755.390
1345511646243think of, love, hearAkha (Thai)486.1.2.3Southern Loloish1Hansson 89 AHKPILH-PL100
1367471646244ɣölike, be friendly withAkha (Yunnan)486.1.2.3Southern Loloish1Hansson 89 AHKPILH-PL3650
1367461646243ɣölike, be friendly withAkha (Thai)486.1.2.3Southern Loloish1Hansson 89 AHKPILH-PL3650
1345541646633think of, love, hearHani (Lüchun)486.1.2.3Southern Loloish1Hansson 89 AHKPILH-PL100
2166431646510ga³¹loveHani (Dazhai)486.1.2.3Southern Loloish1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC719.310
40262516461839ga³¹love / likeHani (Lüchun)486.1.2.3Southern Loloish1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1126.410
42958016461839ɣø⁵⁵like / lovev.Hani (Lüchun)486.1.2.3Southern Loloish1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1714.410
3003871646630gɤ̱³¹wantHani (Gelanghe)486.1.2.3Southern Loloish1Li Yongsui 86 HaniJZ-Hani0
1345531646635ggaqthink of, love, hearHani (Wordlist)486.1.2.3Southern Loloish1Hansson 89 AHKPILH-PL100
1345571646638kɔ³¹think of, love, hearHaoni486.1.2.3Southern Loloish1Hansson 89 AHKPILH-PL100
40267616461840ko³¹like (to eat)Hani (Mojiang)486.1.2.3Southern Loloish1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1127.420
4026381646,m1840kɔ³¹ʃɿ⁵⁵love / like (one's child)Hani (Mojiang)486.1.2.3Southern Loloish1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1126.420
40262616461840ɣæ⁵⁵love / likeHani (Mojiang)486.1.2.3Southern Loloish1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1126.420
52332416462020ŋɯ̠⁴⁵wantAzha756.1.2.4Southeastern Loloish1Pelkey 11 PhulaJP-CPL7410
52094516462018ŋa⁵⁵wantSouthern Muji756.1.2.4Southeastern Loloish1Pelkey 11 PhulaJP-CPL7410
40262916461843ko²¹love / likeNaxi436.2Naxi1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1126.450
2166461646311ko²¹loveBai (Bijiang)518Bai1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC719.370
2143511646311ȵu⁴²wantBai (Bijiang)518Bai1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC674.370
2143501646314ȵo⁴⁴wantBai (Dali)518Bai1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC674.350
2166711646317ko²¹loveBai (Jianchuan)518Bai1Sun H 91 ZMYYZMYYC719.360
43146916461846ɲo̱³³want / needv.Bai (Jianchuan)518Bai1Huang and Dai 92 TBLTBL1755.480

^ 1.
WT dgaɦ is glossed by Jäschke (pp. 82-3) as ‘rejoice; like, be willing; intend, wish’.
^ 2.
Although WT dgos implies ‘necessity as well as want’ (Jäschke p. 87), it looks like an allofam of dgaɦ ‘rejoice; like, be willing’.