NOONGAR WORDS LIST – NOONGAR DICTIONARY

The Noongar language is spoken by the Noongar people of the southwest region of Western Australia. With a rich cultural and historical significance, the Noongar language is an integral part of the identity and heritage of the Noongar community. Despite facing challenges and the risk of language loss, efforts are being made to revitalise and preserve the Noongar language through initiatives such as language programs, dictionaries, and community-led educational initiatives. The language is a vital link to traditional knowledge, storytelling, and connection to the land, highlighting its importance in preserving the unique cultural tapestry of the Noongar people.

This glossary gives the basic meaning of the Noongar words that appear in the songs on this site. The spelling and meaning given for each word are taken from the LOTE spelling, as given in the Noongar Dictionary by Rose Whitehurst. However, the reality of each word is much richer, pointing to connections between words and meanings and to the history of the word itself. For that reason we have included a range of Noongar spellings and English translations for each word, as it has appeared in written documentation since the 1830s. Learning the Noongar language is a valuable endeavour that fosters a deeper connection to the rich cultural heritage of the Noongar people. Mastering this language opens a gateway to understanding their traditions, stories, and unique worldview. Click on each word to see the historical variation for each word.

Click here to listen to words Iris Woods and Yibiyung Roma Winmar submitted to the 50 Words Project

A

NOONGARENGLISHAUDIODETAILS
ali, alidjathat z  READ MORE
aliwabeware! z  READ MORE
anayeah (exclamation or question) z  READ MORE
arwoonha! z  READ MORE

B

NOONGARENGLISHAUDIODETAILS
baand z  READ MORE
baalhe, she, it z  READ MORE
baalangtheir z  READ MORE
baalap, balgap, balganthey z  READ MORE
baalapangall their z  READ MORE
baamstrike, put z  READ MORE
baanclear, exposed z  READ MORE
baananto clean, to clear away z  READ MORE
babinfriend z  READ MORE
baboorripple (onomatopoeia) z  READ MORE
bakanbite z  READ MORE
bakidjapbattleground z  READ MORE
bakitjfight z  READ MORE
balarinhidden z  READ MORE
balaycaution, watch out z  READ MORE
balbitfoolish z  READ MORE
bangal-baamrevenge z  READ MORE
bara-koorlgo astray, become lost z  READ MORE
baranggrasp z  READ MORE
bardangjump, fly z  READ MORE
bardipdeception, story z  READ MORE
benlight, daylight z  READ MORE
benangtomorrow z  READ MORE
benarlightning, meteor, one that is light z  READ MORE
bibibreast, milk z  READ MORE
bidababtired, lazy, weak, unwell, useless z  READ MORE
biidi, biitpath, energy z  READ MORE
biidiyarboss, leader z  READ MORE
biidiyar-btleaderless z  READ MORE
biit-btlost, weak z  READ MORE
bilangflash, sparkle z  READ MORE
bily, bilyariver, navel z  READ MORE
bindarithunderstorm z  READ MORE
bindjalbubbles z  READ MORE
birndig, scratch, pinch z  READ MORE
birokhot season, summer, Birak z  READ MORE
biyooawake z  READ MORE
bofar z  READ MORE
bokadjathere, over there, distant z  READ MORE
bokalgrave, mound, lower back z  READ MORE
bonyinkiss z  READ MORE
boodjarearth, land, country z  READ MORE
bookorbrave z  READ MORE
boolamuch, plenty z  READ MORE
boolainmore z  READ MORE
boolyamagic z  READ MORE
boolyakaevacuate, flee z  READ MORE
boolyakadaksorcerer, doctor z  READ MORE
boondongmoney z  READ MORE
boordasoon, later, by-and-by z  READ MORE
boordawanlater z  READ MORE
boorditjthump (onomatopoeia) z  READ MORE
boorntree, wood, stick z  READ MORE
boorongheavy rain z  READ MORE
booyangstrange z  READ MORE
booyismoke z  READ MORE
bordokclose z  READ MORE
borncut z  READ MORE
boyastone z  READ MORE

D

NOONGARENGLISHAUDIODETAILS
daamouth, language z  READ MORE
daa-btmute z  READ MORE
daalinytongue z  READ MORE
daapknife z  READ MORE
daatjmeat z  READ MORE
daatj-btfleshless z  READ MORE
dabakarnslow, careful z  READ MORE
dabatfall z  READ MORE
dakarnbreak z  READ MORE
dambartalone, single, three (modern usage) z  READ MORE
dandangclimb z  READ MORE
daradjanneedless z  READ MORE
darapdive z  READ MORE
dardarwhite pipeclay z  READ MORE
darlangchase, follow, hunt z  READ MORE
datquiet z  READ MORE
demakoombargreat ancestors z  READ MORE
demangkarancestors, grandparents z  READ MORE
dittogether z  READ MORE
dongerakwattle bird z  READ MORE
doodjarculprit, murderer z  READ MORE
dookerncook, make, construct z  READ MORE
dookernmake, cook z  READ MORE
doolydew, mist, fog z  READ MORE
doonarttwenty-eight parrot z  READ MORE
doonookperhaps, maybe z  READ MORE
dordokalive z  READ MORE

DJ

NOONGARENGLISHAUDIODETAILS
djaadakwhite, white clay, limestone z  READ MORE
djaanakspirit, ghost z  READ MORE
djaatsun z  READ MORE
djandooraptor, kite z  READ MORE
djarabinaccuse z  READ MORE
djenfoot z  READ MORE
djeranghandsome, fat, grease z  READ MORE
djertbird z  READ MORE
djert, djerdalittle bird, bird (generic) z  READ MORE
djimoment, brief time z  READ MORE
djidilycricket z  READ MORE
djilbaspring, green grass z  READ MORE
djinangsee, look z  READ MORE
djinangalanginyat the time of looking together z  READ MORE
djindastar z  READ MORE
djip-djipitch z  READ MORE
djiti-djitiwilly wagtail z  READ MORE
djoombarhair z  READ MORE
djooraphappy z  READ MORE
djoowakthe next generation z  READ MORE

DW

NOONGARENGLISHAUDIODETAILS
dwongkear z  READ MORE
dwongk-kaaditjhear, listen z  READ MORE
dwongka-btdeaf z  READ MORE

K

NOONGARENGLISHAUDIODETAILS
kaaditjunderstand, know, listen, remember z  READ MORE
kaaditj-btdon't know z  READ MORE
kaanyspirit z  READ MORE
kaanyashame z  READ MORE
kaarlfire z  READ MORE
kaarl boornfirestick z  READ MORE
kaarla-woorlinyvery hot z  READ MORE
kaarlakhome z  READ MORE
kaarlbooyifire-smoke z  READ MORE
kaathead, mountain z  READ MORE
kaatwaramad z  READ MORE
kaawlaugh z  READ MORE
kadakpossess, have z  READ MORE
kaepwater z  READ MORE
kalyakalalways z  READ MORE
kambainowl z  READ MORE
kambarnmeet z  READ MORE
kanangkaladorned, shining, glittering z  READ MORE
karakred-tailed black cockatoo z  READ MORE
karamyesterday z  READ MORE
karangangry, wild z  READ MORE
karang-kadakenemy z  READ MORE
kardmiddle z  READ MORE
kardaborncut in half z  READ MORE
karebatenderness, mercy z  READ MORE
karnarntrue z  READ MORE
karnitruly z  READ MORE
kayayes z  READ MORE
kedaladay z  READ MORE
kedelaknight z  READ MORE
kenstep, dance z  READ MORE
kenyone, alone z  READ MORE
kenyakenough, full, fat, satisfied, sufficient z  READ MORE
kert-kertquick z  READ MORE
ketcarry z  READ MORE
kidja-kadakhunter z  READ MORE
kiinwithout, nothing z  READ MORE
kiin-kadakone who has nothing z  READ MORE
kitjspear z  READ MORE
kobongfriend z  READ MORE
kokonwait z  READ MORE
kongkuncle z  READ MORE
koodjaltwo z  READ MORE
koolangkarachildren z  READ MORE
koolbardimagpie z  READ MORE
koolyamlies z  READ MORE
Koombarlarge, big z  READ MORE
koombaritjbiggest z  READ MORE
koondamdream z  READ MORE
koondartcloud z  READ MORE
kooningbaby, child, small, young z  READ MORE
koonyaksoft z  READ MORE
kooralong ago z  READ MORE
kooranapafterlife z  READ MORE
koorartshort z  READ MORE
koordoomitsoul z  READ MORE
koorlgo, move z  READ MORE
koorndanyshy, bashful z  READ MORE
koorongtwist z  READ MORE
koortheart z  READ MORE
koort-warasorrow z  READ MORE
koraagain z  READ MORE
korakoorlreturn z  READ MORE
korbolstomach z  READ MORE
korbol-wirthungry z  READ MORE
korijust now, just recently z  READ MORE
Korntshelter, hut z  READ MORE
kwadjatin front of z  READ MORE
kweitjbone, sharp, thin z  READ MORE
kwelakhip bone z  READ MORE
kwelkendodge z  READ MORE
kweratdaughter z  READ MORE
kwerlname, title z  READ MORE
kwibilstealthy z  READ MORE
kwoaka man's kangaroo skin cloak z  READ MORE
kwongkansandplain z  READ MORE
kwopgood z  READ MORE
kworditjthrow, drop z  READ MORE

M

NOONGARENGLISHAUDIODETAILS
maamman, father z  READ MORE
maambakoortocean z  READ MORE
maambartfather z  READ MORE
maapskin, body z  READ MORE
maarhand, wind z  READ MORE
maar-maarangstrong wind z  READ MORE
maara-ngaangkthumb z  READ MORE
maatleg, family-line, kin affiliation z  READ MORE
madilydirty, filthy z  READ MORE
madjidilmagic (related to the shark or water snake, madjit) z  READ MORE
maibed z  READ MORE
maladjgrow z  READ MORE
malakshade, shadow z  READ MORE
malkarmagic, thunder z  READ MORE
mambaraspirit creature z  READ MORE
manartjwhite cockatoo z  READ MORE
mandiyoung woman z  READ MORE
mandjangold man, old woman z  READ MORE
mardanglove, sweetheart z  READ MORE
mayavoice, sound z  READ MORE
maya-koraecho z  READ MORE
melyincry tears z  READ MORE
menditjsickness, wound z  READ MORE
merenyfood z  READ MORE
midjallight rain, light tears z  READ MORE
milafuture z  READ MORE
milkarfresh, new z  READ MORE
mirdared z  READ MORE
mirlinydesiring, wanting z  READ MORE
mirnitjface z  READ MORE
miyaleye z  READ MORE
miyal-btblind z  READ MORE
mothree z  READ MORE
mokiyanguseless z  READ MORE
mokorongpig z  READ MORE
moolynose z  READ MORE
moolyabinhateful, sulky z  READ MORE
moorartfull, satisfied z  READ MORE
moorditjstrong, fast z  READ MORE
moordiyaphurry z  READ MORE
mooriyakmurder z  READ MORE
moorndark z  READ MORE
moortfamily z  READ MORE

N

NOONGARENGLISHAUDIODETAILS
naakbeg z  READ MORE
naappaint, adorn z  READ MORE
naarinyburning z  READ MORE
naatjwhat? z  READ MORE
nakalsmall, gentle z  READ MORE
nanapstop z  READ MORE
nidja, nidjakthis, that, here z  READ MORE
noitjdead z  READ MORE
nookertsleep z  READ MORE
noombitblossom z  READ MORE
noortstench z  READ MORE
nopboy, son z  READ MORE
nornsnake z  READ MORE
nyoongarperson, human z  READ MORE

NG

NOONGARENGLISHAUDIODETAILS
ngaamawater hole z  READ MORE
ngaangkmother, sun z  READ MORE
ngaarneat z  READ MORE
ngabangcover, put on z  READ MORE
ngaitjI z  READ MORE
ngalakwe, we two z  READ MORE
ngalangour z  READ MORE
ngalarwe, all of us (including listener) z  READ MORE
nganangmy z  READ MORE
nganyme z  READ MORE
ngardadown, below z  READ MORE
ngarisalmon z  READ MORE
ngarrilribsREAD MORE
ngiyanwho? z  READ MORE
ngoobalyongbloody z  READ MORE
ngoonbrother z  READ MORE
ngoonyongsweet, honey z  READ MORE
ngoopblood z  READ MORE
ngoornda-djinangdream z  READ MORE
ngoorntlie down z  READ MORE
ngoorrsnore (onomatopoeia) z  READ MORE
ngorlakteeth z  READ MORE
ngwidamserious z  READ MORE
ngwirinbeautiful z  READ MORE
ni!hark! z  READ MORE
ninatworm z  READ MORE

NY

NOONGARENGLISHAUDIODETAILS
nyidinycold z  READ MORE
nyinsit, be z  READ MORE
nyitlittle z  READ MORE
nyoonalangyours-is z  READ MORE
nyoonangyour z  READ MORE
nyoonar, nyoondookyou z  READ MORE
nyoondiakbrain z  READ MORE
nyoongarperson, human z  READ MORE
nyornalas! z  READ MORE

W

NOONGARENGLISHAUDIODETAILS
wahey? right? z  READ MORE
waabarplayer z  READ MORE
waabinyplaying z  READ MORE
waalcry out, scream wail z  READ MORE
waamstranger z  READ MORE
waangkspeak, say, talk z  READ MORE
waangkarspeaker z  READ MORE
waarlitjeagle z  READ MORE
walak-walakseparate, spread out z  READ MORE
walbanheal z  READ MORE
walkenrainbow z  READ MORE
warabad, rotten, dirty, decay, no good z  READ MORE
wardarenown, one's deeds z  READ MORE
warda-kadakhero, person of renown z  READ MORE
wardanocean, sea z  READ MORE
wardongcrow, Australian raven z  READ MORE
warinyhanging, floating z  READ MORE
warndo z  READ MORE
werdamkill z  READ MORE
weyakcoward z  READ MORE
weyarnafraid, fear, grief z  READ MORE
widiwidiangshake, shiver z  READ MORE
wilkired ochre, paint z  READ MORE
windjawhere z  READ MORE
winyarnpitiful z  READ MORE
wirawooliwhirlwind z  READ MORE
wirdinydiminishing, subsiding z  READ MORE
wirlobush stone curlew z  READ MORE
wirnghost, spirit z  READ MORE
wirndangweary z  READ MORE
wirnitjtaboo z  READ MORE
woakbreathe z  READ MORE
wonginalive, living z  READ MORE
woolahooray! z  READ MORE
woomboobinvain z  READ MORE
wooraa long way z  READ MORE
woordokshade z  READ MORE
woortthroat z  READ MORE
woort-birnchoke z  READ MORE
worlsky z  READ MORE
wortaway z  READ MORE
wort-bilithat way z  READ MORE

Y

NOONGARENGLISHAUDIODETAILS
yaakstand z  READ MORE
yaanggive z  READ MORE
yaarnhow? how now? what's up? z  READ MORE
yaawinmoon z  READ MORE
yakainturtle z  READ MORE
yalakwait z  READ MORE
yalakitjwait-still z  READ MORE
yerderapduck, pacific black duck z  READ MORE
yeyinow, today z  READ MORE
yiraup z  READ MORE
yok, york, yorkawoman z  READ MORE
yokangfeminine z  READ MORE
yokangkaryokangkar z  READ MORE
yoodantie z  READ MORE
yoomppoison, death curse z  READ MORE
yoorntyellow z  READ MORE
yoowarltoward, here z  READ MORE
yoowarl-bilitoward-hop z  READ MORE
yoowartno, not, nothing z  READ MORE
yoranalright, innocent z  READ MORE
yorlpaperbark tree z  READ MORE
yowirdrunk z  READ MORE