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Vocabulary Words in Native American Languages: Zapotec

We have included twenty basic words, enough to give you a feeling for each language. All the nouns are singular and all the verbs are 3rd person singular ("he or she sings") because many Native American languages don't have a separate infinitive ("to sing") the way English and French do.

If you would like to know a Zapotec word that is not currently on our page, you can take part in our American Indian translations fundraiser, buy a Zapotec dictionary, or visit our main Zapotec language site for more free resources.

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Zapotec Word Sets

(Click here for pronunciation guide)

English (Français) Isthmus Zapotec Yatzachi Zapotec
One (Un) Tobi To
Two (Deux) Chupa Chope
Three (Trois) Chonna Shone
Four (Quatre) Tapa Tap
Five (Cinq) Gaayu' Gueye'
Man (Homme) Nguiiu Byo
Woman (Femme) Gunaa No'ol
Dog (Chien) Bi'cu' Beco'
Water (Eau) Nisa Nis
White (Blanc) Naquichi' Xtil
Yellow (Jaune) Naguchi Gushe
Red (Rouge) Naxiñá' Xena
Black (Noir) Nayaase' Gasj
Eat (Manger) Ro Chao
See (Voir) Rusiná Chle'i
Hear (Entendre) Runadiaga Chene
Sing (Chanter) Rusiguunda' Chol
Leave (Partir) Riree or Rusaana Cheza or Chcua'an

Click here to see Zapotec vocabulary words compared to words in related Oto-Manguean languages: Oto-Manguean Indian Words



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