# Adamawa languages

The Adamawa /ædəˈmɑːwə/ languages are a putative family of 80–90 languages scattered across the Adamawa Plateau in Central Africa, in northern Cameroon, north-western Central African Republic, southern Chad, and eastern Nigeria, spoken altogether by only one and a half million people (as of 1996). Joseph Greenberg classified them as one branch of the Adamawa–Ubangi family of Niger–Congo languages. They are among the least studied languages in Africa, and include many endangered languages; by far the largest is Mumuye, with 400,000 speakers. A couple of unclassified languages—notably Laal and Jalaa—are found along the fringes of the Adamawa area.
Geographically, the Adamawa languages lie near the location of the postulated Niger–Congo – Central Sudanic contact that may have given rise to the Atlantic–Congo family, and so may represent the central radiation of that family.

## Classification

Joseph Greenberg postulated the Adamawa languages as a part of Adamawa–Ubangian (then called Adamawa–Eastern), and divided them into 14 numbered groups. Group G3, Daka (or Dakoid), is now known to be a branch of Benue–Congo. The relationships of the other branches has undergone considerable revision.
There have also been recent attempts at computationally classifying the Adamawa languages.

### Greenberg (1963)

Greenberg's 14 numbered Adamawa groups are:
| Number | Group |
| G1 | Tula–Waja |
| G2 | Leko |
| G3 | Daka |
| G4 | Duru |
| G5 | Mumuye–Yendang |
| G6 | Mbum |
| G7 | Bəna–Mboi (Yungur) |
| G8 | Nyimwom (Kam) |
| G9 | Bikwin–Jen |
| G10 | Longuda |
| G11 | Fali |
| G12 | Nimbari |
| G13 | Bua |
| G14 | Kim |

### Boyd (1989)

Boyd (1989) added the Day language and classified them as follows:
* Adamawa
** Leko–Nimbari (or Chamba–Mumuye)
*** Duru: G4
*** Leko: G2
*** Mumuye–Yendang: G5
*** Nimbari: G12
** Mbum–Day
*** Bua: G13
*** Kim: G14
*** Mbum: G6
*** Day
** Waja–Jen
*** Bikwin–Jen (or Jen): G9
*** Tula–Wiyaa (or Waja): G1
*** Bəna–Mboi (or Yungur): G7
*** Baa (a.k.a. Kwa)
*** Longuda: G10
** Nyimwom (or Kam: G8)
He excluded the Fali languages (G11).

### Güldemann (2018)

Güldemann (2018) recognises 14 coherent Adamawa "genealogical units", but is agnostic about their positions within Niger-Congo.
* Tula-Waja
* Longuda
* Bena-Mboi
* Bikwin-Jen
* Samba-Duru
* Mumuyic
* Maya (Yendangic)
* Kebi-Benue (Mbumic)
* Kimic
* Buaic
* Day
* Baa = Kwa
* Nyingwom = Kam
* Fali

### Kleinewillinghöfer (2019)

Kleinewillinghöfer (2019), in the Adamawa Languages Project website, recognises the following 17 groups as Adamawa languages.
* Tula-Waja (Waja): G1
* Bikwin-Jen (Burak, Jen): G9
* Kam (Nyiŋɔm, Nyiwom, Nyingwom): G8
* Longuda (Nʋngʋra cluster): G10
* Baa (Kwa)
* Mumuye: G5
* Yandang (Yendang): G5
* Samba-Duru (Chamba-Leko, Leko, Duru, Sama-Duru, Samba Leeko): G2, G4
* Ɓəna-Mboi (Yungur): G7
* Kebi-Benue (Mbum): G6
* Kim: G14
* Day
* Bua: G13
* Nimbari (Baari, Bari): G12 [extinct]
* Duli - Gewe (Gey, Gueve) [extinct]
* ? Fali: G11
* ? Chamba-Daka (Daka): G3
Only the Tula-Waja, Longuda, Ɓəna-Mboi, Samba-Duru, and Bua groups have noun classes. The other groups only display vestiges of formerly active noun class systems.

### Blench (2012, 2020)

Roger Blench (2012) concludes that the Adamawa languages are a geographic grouping, not a language family, and breaks up its various branches in his proposed Savannas family. He places some of the western Adamawa languages closer to the Gur languages than to other Adamawa families. Fali is tentatively excluded from Savannas altogether. Blench (2020) retains a connection between Mumuye and Yendang, but breaks up Kleinewillinghöfer's Samba-Duru.

## Unclassified Adamawa languages

The Oblo language of Cameroon has been included in several versions of the Adamawa group, but its position within it is unclear.
It has been speculated that the unclassified Laal language of Chad may be Adamawa; the Jalaa language of Nigeria is probably not Adamawa, but shows heavy Adamawa influence. However, both are generally now considered to be language isolates.

## Comparative vocabulary

Sample basic vocabulary of Adamawa languages from Kleinewillinghöfer's Adamawa Languages Project website and various other sources:
Note: In table cells with slashes, the singular form is given before the slash, while the plural form follows the slash.
| Classification | Language | Dialect | eye | ear | nose | tooth | tongue | mouth | blood | bone | water | tree | eat | name |
| Baa | Baa | | nu(ví) / rínù | ǹtú / ríǹtú | gyo̰ / rigyó̰ | nyanwívì / rí- | dyḛǹ(vì) | nyààvì | twèèn | kukút | mán | kii / rikii | gyâ | zin |
| Bikwin-Jen | Proto-Jen (Proto-Bikwin-Jen) | | *núŋ | *tswi | *lúr(i) | *le | *ɗək; (*lyəN) | *ɲwa | *ɥe/*zwi | *kub | *kəb | *mɛ/*mɨŋ | *tə́ŋ | *lɨn/*ɗwín |
| Bikwin-Jen | Burak (Ɓʊʊrak) | | núŋ | twíi ? | lúúri | lée | ɗá̰k | nyúwaa, nywaa | wɪ́ɪ́ | kúb, kúp ? | mɛ́ɛ́ | ɗít / yéɗit | tá̰ŋ | lín̄ |
| Bikwin-Jen | Loo (Shʊŋɔ) | Galdemaru | ɛrɛ nuŋ | twɪ́ɪ́ | lúúrì | lei | ɗak | nywa | dùm | kúp | mɛ́ɛ́ | ɗít | táŋ | nin |
| Bikwin-Jen | Loo (Shʊŋɔ) | Waamura | ɛrɛ nuŋ | twɪ́ɪ́ | lúúrì | lei | ɗak | nywa | dùm | kúp | mɛ́ɛ́ | káp | táŋ | nin |
| Bikwin-Jen | Maɣdi (Tala) | | núŋ / yéénuŋ | cwéé | luuli | léí | ɗák | nyuwaa | ywee | kób, kúób / yéé kób | míshì | káp / yéékáp | taŋ | lin |
| Bikwin-Jen | Lee Mak | Panya | nuŋ | dɔkswíì | ɗuurə | lei | lén | nuwaa | lyüé | kóp | mui kya | kap / yeekâp | táŋ | ɗín |
| Bikwin-Jen | Lee Mak | Zoo | nuŋ | (ɗɔ́k)shwìyè | ɗuurə | lei | lén | nuwa | lyüé | kúóp | mwui kya | kàp | táŋ | ɗin |
| Bikwin-Jen | Kya̰k (Bambuka) | | núŋ | ɗɔ́kswì | ɗúr | lɛ́ɛ́ | ɗyím | ŋwaà | zwìì | kəkəp | mùŋ | káp | táŋ | ɗwín |
| Bikwin-Jen | Mɔɔ (Gomu) | | nə́ŋ | ɗɔ́kfíì | ɗúr | lɛ́ɛ́ | ɗyík | ŋwaa | zìì | kúp | mùŋ kwâm | kaap | taŋ | ɗwín |
| Bikwin-Jen | LeeLau (Munga, Munga Leelau) | | núŋ | ɗɔkswî | ɗurr, ndurr | léí | lyén | ŋwaà | zìì | kukup; (kʊkʊp ?) | munki | kâp | tâŋ | ɗún |
| Bikwin-Jen | Dza (Jen) | Kaigama | nə́ŋ | tshwötshwí | bwaadjwí | djìì | lʌ̰́ | nnwâ | hywṵi, hywḭ | kʊʊkʊ́, kʊkʊ́ | mmə́ŋ | kɐ́ɐ / ekʌ́(ʌ) | táŋ, tháŋ | djwuŋ |
| Bikwin-Jen | Munga (Məngaŋ) Doso | | nəŋ | cúcwì | kádwì | íì | lyêm | ŋwàà | ehywü; (exwü) | kúkwə̀ | məŋ tsər | kaa / lékaa | tâŋ | ɗyíìŋ |
| Bikwin-Jen | Joole | | nə́ŋ / ee- | tʃwü tʃwí | nwá̰ dwí | jì(ì) (calabash) | lʌ́ | ká̰ nw̰á̰ | hṵ̈̀ḭ̀ | kùkú | mə́ŋ | kʌ́ / èèkʌ́ | táŋ | dzuŋ |
| Bikwin-Jen | Jòòle | Joole Manga | bwàà nù | bwaa tywi | bwàà dṵ̀ | gigi | láŋ | kányua | vi (?) | kúkú | míkyá | nyááká / nyááká búbáí | tà̰à̰ | dumà |
| Tula-Waja | Wɪya, Waja, Wajan Kasa | | nuŋè | twɪ́yaʊ | boocu | nwii | bɛnɛ | nɪyaʊ | tumà | kuu | gundù | sou | jɛ | dənè |
| Tula-Waja | Waja | Deeri, Wajan Dutse | | | | gɔn niŋi | | | | podou / podoru | | | | |
| Tula-Waja | Kutule, Tula | Wange | kwalaŋɛ / kwalaŋi | kətɛ́ɛ́lɛ̀ / kətɛ́ɛ́lɪ | cʊʊn / cʊʊni | kunuwaŋ / nǔǔm, tunuri | ben / beni | yii / yiini | kʊtʊm | kətiyaŋ / tətiini | mwɛ̀ / mwɛti | tíyaŋ / tííní | cáú ~ ʃáú | dən / dimbi |
| Tula-Waja | Tula | Baule | nù / núl | kə̀tɛ́ɛ́lɛ̀ / kə̀tɛ́ɛ́lɪ̀ | sʊ́ʊ́n / sʊ́ʊ́nɪ́, sʊ́ŋə́n | kə́núwáŋ / núúm, tə́núri | been / bééni | yí / yiiní | kʌtùùm | kətiyá námáŋ / tətiini náiyé | mwɛ̀ | kətíyá / tətííní | saʊ; sa (mwàn) | də́n / də́mbí |
| Tula-Waja | Tula | Yili (Yiri) | nuù / nuuto | kətɛ́ɛ́lɪ / kətɛ́ɛ́nɪ́ | ʃʊ́ʊ́l / ʃʊ́ʊ́wɪ̀ | kunuuŋ / nuum | bííl / bííwí | yii / yiiní | kʊtʊʊ̀m | kukúkó / tukútó | mwɛ | tiyaŋ / tiini | caʊ̀; ca (mwân) | diń / dimən |
| Tula-Waja | Yebu, Awak | | núŋí | bwaará | suur ~ sʊʊr | nuŋún | beén | nìí | tuum | kuukú | mwê; mwɛ̀ | tii | sáb | duń |
| Tula-Waja | Baŋjiŋe, Bangwinji | | nuwe / nuwetini | tuù / tuuní | ʃóór, cóór | nuǹ / nuǹtini | bien / bienni ? | nyii / nyiini | bwiyalɛ̀ | kúk / kútí | mwɛ́m | tu / tum | câm | dén |
| Tula-Waja | Dadiya | | nuu / nuutin | lɔɔ̀l | jʊl | núŋùn | ben | níyò / níyétìn | tʊ́ʊ́m | kuto | mwḛ̂ | tiyà / tiyàntin | jáá | dùń |
| Tula-Waja | Maa, Kamo | | núŋé | kúmó | cóór | nugun | bén̄ | nyiyé | tʊ́ʊ́m | kúúbú | mwɛ́ | nyáŋlá | dágʊ́m (wúrgé) | dìń |
| Tula-Waja | Dijim, Cham | Kindiyo | kʌmɪ / kámtɛ | suu; suwoŋ | jʊ̀r, jʊ̀ʊ̀r | nuŋun / nuŋtɛ́ | lʌŋər / laŋtɛ́ | nyʷii / nyʷiini | dʊ̀gʊ́m | kuk / kute | híí | riyaŋ / riitɛ | jau | dun / duntɛ̀ |
| Tula-Waja | Bwilim, Cham | Mɔna | nu / nute | getuwaŋ / getuwai | | taanù / taantɔ́ʊ́ | bemnù / bemtou | nyii / nyiini | | | gə̀mí | | záà | |
| Tula-Waja | Tso | Suwabou | nuŋ / nuntóú | wɔɔnʊ́ / wɔɔntáú | nyulóónù / nyulóóntù | nunu / núntòù | lameno / lamtʊ̀ | nyii / nyiini | dɔɔ̀m | tsá / tseni | láà / laátóú | tsá / tsenì | za | dín / díntòù |
| Tula-Waja | Tso | Gusubo | nùŋ / nùntù | fə̀là / fə̀lààni | dətəmòròù / tə̀tə̀mòtòù | taanʊ̀ / taantú | béémnó / béémtóú | nyii / nyiini | | tsá / tseni | la / latóú | tsá / tsénì | zaà | dín / díntú |
| Tula-Waja | Tso | Barbou | | | | | | | dʊ̀m | tsá / tsáni | yìbè / laátóú | | | |
| isolate | Jalaa | | dyiríì / dyitə̂ | buŋôŋ | yamə-r / yamə-ta | tənəm / tənemté̩ | laŋe̩r / laŋté̩ | bo̩o̩, bwo̩ / bo̩o̩-ní | bwiirùm | kùsì-gò̩ / -nìó | gwìì-ràŋ, gwìì-ròŋ / -tè̩ | mwê̩ | hâl | nuŋ kúlájí; kwáráŋ wò̩gə́n ? |
| Longuda | Cerii (Ceriŋ, Banjiram) | | nyʊ̰lá / nyʊ̰ʔá | thʊ́lá / thwíyá | dɔ́ŋkhá / dɔ́ŋthá | gàràlá / gará | dhilimkha / dhilimtha | nyàkhá / nyàthá | thùmá | kwacalá / kwacáá | mámá | thíká / thímá | dhà | zííndé / zíné |
| Longuda | Deele (Jessu) | | nyʊ̀ʊ̀là / nyʊ̀ʊ̀lʔà | tʊ́là / twáʔà | jɔ́ɔ́(ŋ)khà / jɔ́ɔ́(ŋ)thà | galáwa / galáhà | dhələ́mkhà | nyàkà | thʊ́mà; surmə̀ | kukubə́lə̀ / kukubə́ʔə̀ | mámà | thikhà | já, jáʔà | jááunla / jááunʔà |
| Longuda | Koola (Thaarʊ) | | nyʊ̰lá | tʊ́lá / twáʔá | zɔɔŋkha | gàlàwá / gàlàhá | dələmka | nyalá / nyaʔá | tʊmá | tsakəbla / tsakəbʔa | mama | thíká | zà; zà nyoomò | dəmla / dəmʔá |
| Longuda | Wala Lunguda | Guyuk | nyuŋlá | thʊ́wá / thwáá | joonka | garala / garaʔa / | zilimkha | nyakhá | tumá, thuma | kwaca, kwacalá | mámá | thíkhá | jà | zindè / zinè |
| Longuda | Gwaanda (Nyuwar) | | nyṵnla | zingala / zingaʔa | jɔ̰ŋka | nyile / nyiʔe | dhilimka | nyàkà / nyàthà | sirme | kwacala / kwacaʔa | mama, dwaama | waha̰ka / waha̰ma | dháà | dzaunla; dziiŋle |
| Longuda | Gwaanda | | nyṵlà | dzíngálá | jónká | nyúlə́ | dhílímká | | súrmá, súrmé ? | kwàcàlà / kwàcàà | mámá, dwàmà | wàhàkà | dà; thà | dzínlə́ |
| Bena-Mboi | Ɓəna (Yungur) | Dumne | núú / nṵ́ṵ́sâ | gwḛ́ḛ́ / gwḛ́ḛ́mé | tímrá / címtá | ɗə́fá / ɗə́mtá | ɗəlmaarà / ɗəlmaatà | ʔéé / ʔéémé | kẃadmá | tə́fá / tə́ptá | mbraá | ɓota / nbwece | kə́fə́ | ɗənda / ɗənta |
| Bena-Mboi | Ɓəna (Yungur) | Pirambe | núú / nṵ́ṵ́śa | gwe / gweme | tímrá / tímtá | ɗə́mbá / ɗə́mtá | ɗəlmaarà / ɗəlmaatà | ʔḛḛ / ʔéémé | munma | tə́fá / tə́ptá | mbərá / mbəramsî | ɓota / nɓétè | kə́fə́ | ɗənda / ɗənta |
| Bena-Mboi | Voro | Waltaandi | núú / núúza | gwḛ́ḛ́ / gwḛ́ḛ́mé | tímrá / tímtá | ɗə́mbá / ɗə́mtá | ɗəlḿáará / ɗəlḿáatá | ʔḛḛ / ʔḛ́ḛ́mé | kẃadmá, mùnmà | tə́fá / tə́ptá | mbráá [muwa ?] | ɓòtà / ŋbété | kə́fə́ | ɗə́ndá / ɗə́ntá |
| Bena-Mboi | Voro | Ɓéttandi | | | | | | | kẃadmá | tə́fá / tə́ptá | mbra̰a̰ | ɓòtà / ŋbété | kə́fə́ | ɗə́ndá / ɗə́ntá |
| Bena-Mboi | Ɓəna (Laala) | Bodei (Bodwai) | nuú / nuujà | gwḛḛ / gwḛḛmé | timrá / timtá, timté | ɗəmbá / ɗəmtá | ɗə̀lmààrà / ɗə̀lmààtà | nyḛ́ḛ́ / nyḛ́ḛ́mé | bòblà / bòbjà | təpa / təutá | mbrá̰à̰ / mbráámjà | ɓotá / ngwaaté | jeè | ɗíndá / ɗíntá |
| Bena-Mboi | Ɓəna (Laala) | Yang | nuú / nùùzà | gwɛ̰ɛ̰ / gwɛ̰ɛ̰mé | tìmrá / tìmtí | ɗimbá / ɗimtá | ɗilmará / ɗilmaatá | ḛ̀yḛ́ / ḛ̀yḛ̀mé | mónmá | təfá / tòùtá | bərà̰à̰ | ɓotá / ngwbaté | kəwə́ | díndá / díntá |
| Bena-Mboi | Robma (Laala Roba) | | nuu / nuuwà | gwee / gweemé | tìmrá / tìmtí | ɗimbá / ɗimtá | dilmará / dilmatá | ḛḛ́ / eḛ́msà | monma | təfá / təfáámse | bura / buráámsà | ɓotá / ngbaté | sewò | dinda / dinta |
| Bena-Mboi | Mboi | Gulungo | | | | ɗəmbó / ɗìmda | | aʔəhḛ | matəma | | | ngɔdɔ́ / angedé | | ndià / ndiidà |
| Bena-Mboi | Mboi | Livo | núú / núúźa | tṵṵ̀ / tṵṵzà | ifiya / ifita | dúmbó / dimtà | lemiya / lemta | ahʔhi / ʔhimza | matəma | tutto / acicé | mbiya | ngɔ́tɔ́ / ángété | ʒé | ndíà / ndiità |
| Bena-Mboi | Mboi | Haanda | nuu / nuuzà | tuŋ / atʃw̄i | rifḛḛrà / rifḛḛtà | dúmbó / dimtà | leembərà / leemtà | ahʔhḭ̀ / mbai hímzà | mátə́má | túftò / atʃúfè | mbra | ŋbótó / aŋbécè | zé | ndera / ndərtata |
| Bena-Mboi | Kaan (Libo) | | sunu / (sunuḿa) | twḭ / twiiḿa | shimbə́r / shimbətəmá | təmbər / təmbərmâ | ɗəlaamíì / ɗəlaamííʔóó | ʔii / ʔiim | morúm | təfəra / təfətəmá | barə̀m | mərə̂m / mərəməmá | zə́ | ndə̀r / ndərmá |
| Yendang | Bali | | ní | tɛ́ | sɛ́ | síbí | ŋwɛ́lɛ | ɲɛ́ | míɗɛnɛ́ | kṹɓí | tí | mí | mò[k] | lím |
| Yendang | Kpasham | | núɛ̃́ | wàswé | ɲɛ́swɛ́ | síbí | ŋwɔ́le | ɲɛ́ | mídwíne | kũ̀bi | sí | mí | mɔk | nə̌ŋ |
| Yendang | Yoti | | dóo | tóo | sɔ́ɔ̃́ | ʃúu | wúlɛ̀ | ɲâ | dii | kúnwí | tí | mii | mòk | níŋ |
| Yendang | Yandang | | nɔk | tòk | ɲánsũ | rùk | lɛka | ɲǎk | le | kún | dĩ̀hĩ̀ | mí | mogí | inaŋ |
| Mumuye | Proto-Mumuye | | *nu-ng, *nung; *gí-ǹg | *co-V, *coo | *su-ng, *sung | *tná-li/-ri | *ɗè-V/ng-ti | *nyaa | *kpa-V̀; *zing, *zi-ng | *ka (redup.), *kak-V | *mi-V, *mii, *min ? | *la-V, *laa | *caa | *ríǹg, *rí-ǹg |
| Mumuye | Mumuye (Zing) | | nung | shoo | sung | tnári | rèétè | nyaa | kpaà | kaka | mee | laa | shaa | ríńg |
| Kam | Nyiŋɔm (Kam) | Din Kamaajin | ànùŋ | àkàr | àmə̀ràk | àshàg / àshàgìyo | àlímə́ní | ŋwé | wò | àkùb | mə̀ŋ káŋá | bàl / bàl yo | nìm; nəm níì (imp.) | |
| Vere | Jango | | nɔ́ru / nɔ́ī | tóŋ / tónnun | míŋ; míŋ̄ / mínnùŋ | núúrù / núúi | mbéélu / mbéī | ndáŋ̄ / ndántun | kpa'arú / kpaˀatɛ́ | rɛ́ndúkú / rɛ́ndɛ́ | máŋ / mántúŋ | rák / ratú | rɛɛ kóp | ríírú / rííté |
| Vere | Jango (Southern) | | nɔ́ru / nɔ́(t)tí | | míŋ̄ / mínnùŋ | núúrù / núúyì | mbéélu / mbéétɛ́ | ndáŋ̄ / ndántùŋ | kpààˀru / kpàˀɛ | | | | rɛɛŋ | |
| Vere | Were | | nǒrrō | tōn(g) | mi(n)(g) | nūī (pl.) | bēlō | dǎ(n)(g) | pǎrū | | gaemām | | | |
| Vere | Batəm | | nɔr / nɔˀ | tok / toˀ | míˀ / miin | núúr / núˀ | mɛ́ɛ́l / mɛ́ˀté | súˀ / sut | kwaal / kwaaˀ | niŋg / nin | maam / máámə̀t | teh / tɛt | règùm; rɛ̀ká | ríˀír / ríˀtɛ |
| Vere | Momi | | nɔ̀r / nɔ̀ˀ | tɔ̀k / tɔ̀ˀˀ | mii / miin | nùùr / nùùˀ | meel / meeli | suu / suut | kpààl / kpaai | nènk / nèn | máàm / máŋ̀bət | tè / tèt | règùm; rɛ̀ká; rèèká | ríír / rííti |
| Vere | Vɔkba | | nɔr / nɔˀti | tok / torum | nik (?) | núˀ | mɛ́l | súˀ | kòàl | néŋ / néŋti | mám | tɛˀ / tɛtə | regɨm | ríí |
| Vere | Wɔmmu | | nɔ́r / núɔ́ | tór / tóó (tʋ́r) | míí / mííne | nuurə̀/ núútə́ | míɛ́le / mɛ́ɛ́té ~ míɛ́té | dóbʒɩ̀ / dówwi | kwaalə / kwaasə | nɛ́ŋkə / nɛ́nté | máám | tɛ́ɛ́ / tɛ́tə | rɛgum kwɔ́ú | níìr / nííté |
| Vere | Nissim | | nɔ́ɔ́l / núɔ́ | tóól / tɔ́ɔ́tə́ | míí / mííne | núúlə / núúté | mɛɛ́lə / mɛɛ́té | dóbzə/ dóbpe | kpaalə / kpaate | neŋke / neŋte | máám, máám bonúm àm | tɛ́ɛ́ / tɛ́tə | lem kúɔ́; lekə | níllə / níttə́ |
| Vere | Eilim | | nɔ́l / nɔ́ɔ́ | tól / tóó | míí / míímtə̀ | núúl / núúté | mɛɛ́l / mɛɛ́té | dám / damderei | kpaal / kpaatə | | mám̀ | tɛ́ɛ̄ | lem kúɔ́; lekə | líllə / níttə́ |
| Vere | Kobom | | nɔ́rì / nɔ́ɔ́ | tókù / tóó | mí / míímītī | núúrì / nuute | mɛ́ɛ́ni / mɛ́té | dám / dámtíréí | mɛɛm | nɛ́ŋkù / nɛ́ŋté | | tɛ́ / tɛ́ti | réí; rékɔ́ | rííri / rííté |
| Vere | Vɔmnəm | | nɔr / nɔɔ | tukò / tuŋbərəm | míì / míìm | nuurò / nuute | mɛɛlò / mɛɛte | súú / sútò | kwaalò / kwaasò | nɛ́ŋkò / nɛŋté | maàm | tɛɛ / tɛɛtə | rɛm; rɛkò | niirò / niite |
| Vere | Damtəm | | nuɔ̀l / nuɔ̀rɛ | tɔ́l / tɔrɛ, tɔɔtɛ | míl / mííté | núl / núúte | mɛl / mɛɛte | dám / damtər | kpaal / kpaaʃe | lyɛngə̀ / lɛŋsyɛ | | tii / tiitə̀ | | nʌ́l / nʌʌtə́ |
| Vere | Gəunəm-Yar (Gə-Yarəm) | | nual / nuare | cul / curie, tuure | míəl / mííré | núúl / núúré | míál / mɛ́re | dám / dámdə́ | kpàal/ kpààsə̀də̀ | nyáŋsə́l / nyáŋsé, nyáŋgə | mám | lau / lasə | lìní kúə́; lìə̀- kúə́ | lə́l / lérə |
| Vere | Gə-Lim | | nual / nuarie | túl / túríé | míil / mííré | nuul / nuurie | mɛ́rl / mɛ́ɛ́rɛ̄ | dám / dámdə́ | kpaal / kpaarie | nyángə́ | mám | láú / lásə́ | lìní; lìə̀- kúʌ́ | lʌl / lʌʌrie |
| Gəmnəm | Beiya | | nol / nootə | tol / tootə | mííl / míítə | núŋlə̄ / núŋ | mɛ́ɛ́l / mɛ́ɛ́tə | nok / noŋtə | meem / meemtə | néngə, nɛ́ngə / néŋzə, nɛ́ŋzə | má:m / máámtə̄ | téé / teete | liiná; lìì kɔ́p | nííl / níítə |
| Gəmnəm | Gindoo | | nɔl | tol | míl | nɨŋ́ lə | mɛ́l | nɔk | mem | nɨŋ́ ə / nɨŋ́ gə | mám | teˀ/ tetə | | níl |
| Gəmnəm | Riitime | | nɔ́lé / nɔ́ˀɔ́ | tólé / tóˀó | mííle / mííˀe | lúŋle / lúŋe | méle / méˀē | nogúsa / nóŋté | mēēmē | léngo / léŋē | máámē / mámte | téˀé / tété | lii kóóp | lə́lē / lə́ˀə |
| Gəmme | Gəmme | | nólé / nóˀɛ́ | tólé / tóˀó | míhˀle / míhˀie | níŋlē / níŋē | méhˀle / méhyē | yòlé / yòé | míímé | níngē / níŋmē | memˀe | téˀé / teˀnē | lee lená | nímlē / nímē |
| Gəmme | Baanma | | nɔla / nɔˀɔ | toga, toˀga / toˀma | míhla / míˀi | níŋla / níŋa | mɛ́hla / mɛˀɛ | yòla / yòˀo | miima / miimda | nɨŋ́ ga / nɨ́ŋma | mema / memda | teˀɛ/ teˀna | lee lená | nɨḿ la / nɨḿ a |
| Doyayo | Doyayo | | lɔ¹lɛ¹ ~ yɔ̰¹lɛ¹ | tɔ̰n¹ɛ¹ | mḭḭl²; gɔ̰ɔ̰s²ɛ³ | nuŋ⁴go² | mɛlɛ³² | ya̰a̰¹yɔ¹ | ga̰a̰⁴mɛ² | lɛ̰ŋ³ko² ~ lɛ̰ŋ²ko³ | mɛ¹mɛ³ | tɛ̰ɛ̰¹yɔ¹ | le², lek¹yɔ¹ | nuŋ² |
| Fali | Proto-Fali | | *nisu (pl.) | *tuuyV; *tuuCV | *unɨ | | *rɛɛŋgu | | *ndʒĩĩmV | *kopfti | | *sɔɔ- | *rii- | *ĩn- (v.) |
| Mbum | Proto-Lakka | | *nún | *sú-k | *cɔN-k | *sˣɛl/ŋ | *rím | *nɟá-k | *sˣɛ́-m | *hū-t/-k | *kpə̀(-k) | *mbì | *lʳak | *rìn |
| Kim | Goundo | | ndʊɾʊ | huba | vw̃ãl | ɲu̯aɾ | ɗɛl | wʊ | tʃʊm | kal | mam | ura | dʒam | jɛmi |
| Kim | Besmé | | ndua | hoɾo | vũãl | hĩjɪm | ɗelɛm | wu | tʃɔm | kaːl | mam | ura | dʒʊ̝m | dĩː |
| Kim | Kim | Kosop | ndʷaɾa | togor | vɔ̝̃r | kĩj̃ar | ɗɛl | wak ̚ | sɔma | kal | mam | ʔwaɾa | za | dĩːl |
| Day | Day | | nɔ́n | sɔ́g | mbúr | ngìì | lélì/lélè/lèè | nām | dém | bō̰ | ʔém | mīɲ | -rì, lāà | jōō |
| Bua | Proto-Bua | | *diil; *ʔiil | *to(l)(-) | *fo̰/ḛl/ɲ(-) ? | *nii(-); *ɲ- ? | *l₁el(-) | *mu/i | *s₂e/um(-) / *s₂ḛr- | | *te/o(l/g-) | *l₂i/um(-); *me/on- ? | *l₁e; *tu(y) | *l₂iil |
| isolate | Laal | | mɨla / mɨní | sɨ̀gál / sɨ̀gɨ́y | pən / - | yàmál / yèmí | mal / mə̀lí | yəwəl / - | suna / - | kòːg / kuagmi | miàdál / miàr ~ miariɲ | su / sùgá | kaw / kɨw; ɲag / ɲɨg; guru / guru; cíd / cíd | meːl / - |

### Numerals

Comparison of numerals in individual languages:
| Classification | Language | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Kam | Kam | bīmbīnī / bĩ̄ | jīrāɡ | tʃàr | ǹdār | ŋ̀wūn | dʒùb (lit: six) | dʒùbjī̄rāɡ (lit: six-two) | sár | ɲǐzā | bò° |
| Kwa | Kwa (Baa) (1) | nùnkò | nɨ̀nk͡péː | nùmwāːn | nɨ̀nàːtˢ | nɨ̀núː | nɨ̀nwén nɨ̀nkũ̀ (5+1) | nɨ̀nwâːk͡péː (5+2) | nùnfwa᷆ːfwātˢ | nùnkwótˢ lá nùnkò (10-1) | nùnkwótˢ |
| Kwa | Kwa (Baa) (2) | nə́ nkú | nə́ ɡbéè | nə mwáàn | nə̀ nàt | nə núú | nə nwíya kũ̀, nə nwíyá nùkũ̀ (5+1) | nə nwíyá ɡbéè (5+ 2) | fɔ̀fɔ̀t | nukút lánùkù (10 - 1) | nukút |
| Waja-Jen, Longuda | Longuda (1) | laatwɛ̀ | nààkwɛ̃́ | nààtsə́r | nèénnyìr | nàànyɔ́ | tsààtə̀n | ínéényìr inààtsə́r (4 + 3 ?) | nyíítìn | énàànyɔ́ ínéényìr (5 + 4 ?) | koo; kù (Zabe) |
| Waja-Jen, Longuda | Longuda (2) | naakhal | naaashir | naakwáí | naanyìr | nàànyó | nakhínàkwáí | nyinakwáí | nyíthìn | nyinannyó | nɔ̂m |
| Waja-Jen, Yungur, Libo | Kaan (Libo) | wunú | rɑ̀ɑ̀p | tɑɑrə́n | kuurún | wɔɔnɔ́n | woné wunu | woné rɑɑp | woné tɑɑrə́n | woné kuurún | kutún |
| Yungur | Dumne, Dirma, Waltahdi, Sukt`u (ẞénā ) | Finni | F`itti | tahkin | kuurún | wɔɔnɔ́n | minn`dike | bu`uttu | kunk`urun | woné kuurún | buh |
| Waja-Jen, Jen | Burak | kwín | ráb | ɡ͡bunuŋ | net | nóob | naaʃín | nááre | nátát | ninit | ʃóób |
| Waja-Jen, Jen | Jenjo (Dza) | tsɨnɡ | bwənɡ / bwayunɡ | bwatə | bwanyə | bwahmə | hwĩtsɨnɡ (5+ 1) | hwĩyunɡ (5+ 2) | hwĩtə (5+ 3) | hwĩnyə (5+ 4) | bwahywə |
| Waja-Jen, Waja, Awak | Awak (1) | díːn | yɔ́rɔ́b | kunúŋ | náː | fwáːd | yidíkúún (kúún) | yidibírr (bírr) | naríb | tuːrkúb | kɔ́b |
| Waja-Jen, Waja, Awak | Awak (2) | díːn | yɔ́rɔ́b | kunúŋ | náː | fwáːd | kúún / yidíkúún | bírr / yidibírr | naríb | tuːrkúb | kɔ́b |
| Waja-Jen, Waja, Cham-Mona | Dijim-Bwilim | kwan | su̠ | bwanbí | ɡwár | nu̠ | nukún | nyibi | naru̠ | wurwin | kwu̠ |
| Waja-Jen, Waja, Dadiya | Dadiya | wiǹ | yo | tal | nal | nu | nukuǹ | ni̠bi̠l | nááli̠b | tí̠lku̠b | ku̠b |
| Waja-Jen, Waja, Tula | Bangunji (Bangwinji) (1) | wìn | yóp, yɔ́b | táát | náát | núŋ | núkùn | nibir, nibeet | naarùb | teet | kpóp, kwáb |
| Waja-Jen, Waja, Tula | Bangunji (Bangwinji) (2) | win | yob | taar | naar | nuŋ | nukɡun | niber | naarub | teer | kwab |
| Waja-Jen, Waja, Tula | Tula (Kɨtule) | wìːn | júrau | jítːà | jáːnà | júnù | júrùkùn | jídìbìn | nárɨ̀bú | túrkùbú | kúb |
| Waja-Jen, Waja, Tula | Waja (nyan wɩyáʋ̀) | ɡɛɛn | rɔɔp | kunoŋ | nɩɩ | nuwo | nokono | nibíyo | wunii | tɔɔrɔ | kwáp |
| Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Dii | Dii (Duru) | dáɡá | idú | tããnɔ́ | ndaddʉ́ (2 x 2) ? | nɔ́nɔ́ | ɡúú | ɡúndɛm ('ndɛm' means odd member) | kaʔandaddʉ́ (2 x 4) | kɛ́ɡdáɡá (' one finger is left ') | wãnɓóʔ |
| Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Dii | Dugun | dáɡá | irú | tããnó | ndaró (2 x 2) ? | sáá | ɡúú | ɡútamme | kaʔandadró (2 x 4) | kɛ́ɡdáɡá (' one finger is left ') | bōʔ |
| Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Dii | Duupa (Papé) | dáŋɡá | ittó | tããtó | nattó | sáá | ɡúú | ɡútambe | kaʔandaró (2 x 4) /naarúpa | kɛ́rdáŋɡá (' one finger is left ') | bòʔ |
| Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Voko-Dowayo, Kutin | Peere (Kutin) | də́ə | iro | tããro | naro | núuno | nóndə́ə | də́msàrà | dàaɡò (from Hausa ?) | ɡĩ̀ĩdə́ə (' one finger is left ' ?) | fób |
| Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Voko-Dowayo, Vere-Dowayo, Dowayo | Doyayo | ɡbúnú | éérɛ́ | taarɛ | násɔ | noonɛ́ | nɔ̀ɔnɡbúnú (5 + 1) | nɔ̀ɔnéérɛ́ (5 + 2) | nɔ̀ɔntaarɛ (5 + 3) / ɡẽẽse | nɔ̀ɔnnásɔ (5 + 4) / nàanzâ | kooblɛ |
| Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Voko-Dowayo, Vere-Dowayo, Vere-Gimme, Gimme | Gimme (Gəmme) (1) | wɔɔna | ítìɡè | taaɡè | náàɡè | nɔɔnɨ̀ɡe | nɔnɡe | nɔʔitiɡè | dàɡwà | nɨ́ŋsɨ́nè | kób |
| Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Voko-Dowayo, Vere-Dowayo, Vere-Gimme, Gimme | Gimme (Kampara) (2) | wɔɔna | idtiɡè | taaɡè | náàɡè | nɔɔnɨ̀ɡè | nɔnɡè | nɔʔidtiɡè | dāɡwà (probably from Hausa) | nɨ́ŋ̀sɨ́nè | kób |
| Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Voko-Dowayo, Vere-Dowayo, Vere-Gimme, Vere | Gə́mnə́m (1) | mani | tɛk | taarək | náárə́k | nɔɔnɔ̀k | nɔɔ waŋɡə | náárə́k àp tāārə̀k (4 + 3 ?) | náárə́k àp náárə́k (4 + 4 ?) | náárə́k àp nɔɔnɔ̀k (4 + 5 ?) | kóp |
| Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Voko-Dowayo, Vere-Dowayo, Vere-Gimme, Vere | Vɔmnəm (2) | màn | ètên | tāán | nānnò | ɡbà náárò | ɡbāāsə̀ mâl | ɡbāāsə̀ ètên | ɡbāāsə̀ táān | ɡbāāsə̀ nānnà | kòmnā |
| Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Voko-Dowayo, Vere-Dowayo, Vere-Gimme, Vere | Mom Jango | muzoz | ɪ̀ttə́z | tàáz | náz | ɡbanáá | bámbə́z | ɡbánsá | sàmsaara | píttámúzo (10 - 1 ?) | kòmna |
| Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Voko-Dowayo, Voko | Longto (Voko) | wə́ŋ̄ŋá | sittó | tããbó | nabbó | nɔ̃ɔ̃mó | sáámɛ | sã́rã́ŋŋá | nàànuśudɛ̂; nàándɛ | dɛ́ɛ́ɡínnaaɡɔ́ | lɛǹnaaɡbɔ̀ŋ́; lɛnnaaḿ, lɛnaań |
| Leko-Nimbari, Leko | Kolbila (Zurá) | níiá | innú | toonú | nɛɛrəb | núnnub | núŋɡɔ́ɔs | núŋ innú (5 + 2) | núŋ toonú (5 + 3) | núŋ nɛɛrəb (5 + 4) | kôb |
| Leko-Nimbari, Leko | Samba Leko | nɨ́ŋa | iirà | toorà | naarà | núúnà | nɔ̂ŋɡɔ̂s | nɨ̂ŋsinà | dàɡwà | daanɨ̂ŋne (' one is left ') | kóp |
| Leko-Nimbari, Mumuye-Yandang, Mumuye | Mumuye | ɡbétè | ziti | taːti | dɛ̃̀ːtì | mǎːni | máŋɡbétè (5+ 1) | mánziti (5+ 2) | mántaːti (5+ 3) | mándɛ̃̀ːtì (5+ 4) | kopi |
| Leko-Nimbari, Mumuye-Yandang, Yandang | Bali (Maya) | ɓini | iye | taat | naat | nɔng | niɓini (5+ 1) | niaiye (5+ 2) | nitaat (5+ 3) | ninaat (5+ 4) | kop |
| Leko-Nimbari, Mumuye-Yandang, Yandang | Nyesam (Kpasham) | ɓíní | ʔíè | tátˢ | nātˢ | nɔ̃́ŋ | nāɓíní (5+ 1) | nāk͡píē (5+ 2) | nātáts (5+ 3) | nānāts (5+ 4) | kópʰ |
| Fali | South Fali | k͡pòlò | cúk /tʃʊ́k | tàːn | náːn / nʌ́ːn | kɛ̃rɛ̃w | yìɾá | ɟɔ̀ɾɔ́s | nàn nán | kʌ̀ntɛ́ŋ / ŋɡʌskum | ɾá |
| Mbum-Day, Bua | Niellim | ɓúdū | ndīdí | tērí | ɲɛ̄ní | lùní | táːr | lòŋɡɔ̄ | twāːɲɛ̄ní | dòsó < Bagirmi | dokome |
| Mbum-Day, Bua | Tunya (Tunia) | sèlì | àrī | àtā | ànā | àlōnī | nānò | lúlú | kɔ̀ntā̰ | àtī | kùtù |
| Mbum-Day, Bua | Zan Gula | sa:dʊŋ | ɾisːi | toːɾi | naːsɪ | tɛ | tɛ bɛ sa:dʊŋ (5 + 1) | tɛ bɛ ɾisːi (5 + 2) | tɛ bɛ toːɾi (5 + 3) | tɛ bɛ naːsɪ (5 + 4) | filoːle |
| Mbum-Day, Day | Day (Buna dialect) | nɡɔ̄ŋ́ | dīí | tà | ndà | sɛ̄rì | sɛ̄rì mòn | bīyām tà (probably 'four three') | pārārā | bór sōŋ rə́ nɡɔ̄ŋ́ ('lacking one') | mò̰ |
| Mbum-Day, Kim | Besme | mōndā / mbírāŋ | tʃírí | hā̰sī | ndày | ndìyārá | mānɡùl | ɗīyārā | ndāsì | nòmīnā | wàl |
| Mbum-Day, Kim | Kim | ɗú | zí | tā | ndà | nūwḛ̄y | mènènɡāl | ɓēálā / ɓēálār | tīmāl / wázìzí (10 - 2) | làmāɗō / wázìɗú (10 - 1) | wòl |
| Mbum-Day, Mbum, Southern | Mbum | mbìyə̀w | sérè | sāy | nìŋ | ndībī | zèy | zīndɔ́kɔ̀ sāy (10 - 3) | zīndɔ́kɔ̀ sérè (10 - 2) | zīndɔ́kɔ̀ mbìyə̀w (10 - 1) | bōó |
| Mbum-Day, Mbum, Northern, Tupuri-Mambai | Mambay | bóm | ɓàtì | bìsáʕ | bìnã̀ʕ | bìzépḛ́ | bìɡírò | tàrnã́ɡà | fwàrnã́ɡà / wàr séʕnã́ fàɡ͡bàʕŋ ɓàtì | sêʕbóm / wàr séʕnã́ fàɡ͡bàʕŋ bóm | zóɗôm / séʕnã́ kíríb |
| Mbum-Day, Mbum, Northern, Tupuri-Mambai | Tupari | bɔ̈ɔ̄ŋ / böŋɛ̄ (full form) | ɓɔ̀ɡë | sùwàʔä | nàa | dūwēe | hïiráʔä | rënām | nènmàʔä | kàawàʔä | hùwàlë |
| Mbum-Day, Mbum, Eastern Mbum, Karang | Karang | mbéw | séɗè | sāy | nìŋ | ndīɓī | tɔ́tɔ́klɔ́ | tòŋ ndɔ́k sāy [remains (in) hands 3] | tòŋ ndɔ́k séɗè [remains (in) hands 2] | tòŋ ndɔ́k mbéw[remains (in hands 1] | bǒh |
| Mbum-Day, Mbum, Eastern Mbum, Karang | Nzakambay | mbíew | sère | sày | nìŋ | ndiɓi | zèe | zì ndɔ́kɔ sày (10 - 3) | zì ndɔ́kɔ sère (10 - 2) | zì ndɔ́kɔ mbíew (10 - 1) | ɓoo |
| Mbum-Day, Mbum, Eastern Mbum, Koh | Koh (Kuo) | mbí̧à̧w / mbí̧ẁ | síɗè | sāy | nìŋ | ndēɓē | yíè /íyè | tò nɔ́ sāy (10 - 3) | tò nɔ́ síɗè (10 - 2) | tò nɔ́ mbí̧à̧w (10 - 1) | dùɔ |