Zhuang: Part 11: Structure of Words (1)

For those who have just joined the discussion you may first like to refer to the introduction to Zhuang post first. Please subscribe to my RSS feed so you do not miss another exciting entry. Thanks again for subscribing!

Nouns
Nouns in the Zhuang language have a function to change into subject, object, complement and others including quantifiers.
It does not have inflection of masculinity/feminity, status, number that Indian/European languages have.

１．Nouns that indicate people:
vunz = people　　daegnuengx = (younger) brother　　lwgnyez = child　　lauxsae = teacher < 老師　　canghvaz < Zhang Hua (person’s name), etc.

２．Nouns that indicate objects:
vaiz = water buffulo　　bya = fish　　roeg = bird　　ci = car　　ruz = boat　　feihgih = airplane < 飛機
feiz = fire　　rumz = wind　　bya = mountains（魚と同音異義語 a homonym of fish）　　swhsiengj < 思想, thought/idea　　dauhlei < 道理, reason/sense
dauhdwz < 道徳, morals　  etc.

３．Nouns that indicate time:
bi = year　　ndwen = month　　ngoenz = day　　seizneix = present/now　　gyanghaet = morning　　ngoenzcog = tomorrow
seizcin = Spring　　doengbaez = old times/the past　  etc.

４．Nouns that indicate place:
Baekging < 北京 Beijing　　Namzningz < 南寧 Nanning　　Gvangjsih < 広西 Guangxi　　gizgyae = far away　  etc.

５．Nouns that indicate direction:
gwnz = up　　laj = down　　naj = before　　laeng = after　　doeng < 東 East　　sae < 西 West　　namz < 南 South　　baek < 北 North
swix = left　　gvaz = right　　ndaw = 〜center　　rog = 〜outside/outter　　  etc.