Noongar Language Words

Noongar Language Words for Everyday Use: Building Your Vocabulary

Learning Noongar language words has been an incredible journey for me. It's opened my eyes to a beautiful Indigenous culture dating back tens of thousands of years. If you've been curious about adding Noongar words to your everyday vocabulary, you're in the right place.

In this comprehensive guide, I'll share everything you need to know to start speaking Noongar language in your daily life. We'll explore essential greetings, family terms, natural world vocabulary, and practical phrases that connect you with Australia's vibrant Indigenous heritage. By the end, you'll have a solid foundation of Noongar words and the confidence to use them appropriately in various contexts.

The Significance of Learning Noongar Language

Noongar language is the traditional language of the Noongar people, the Indigenous Australians who have called the southwestern corner of Western Australia home for over 45,000 years. When I first started learning Noongar language, I was surprised to discover it's actually composed of 14 different dialects across a vast region.

Why learn Noongar? It's not just about memorizing words. It's about:

• Connecting with Australia's incredible Indigenous heritage
• Showing respect for the Traditional Owners of the land
• Preserving linguistic diversity that's unique to our region
• Building bridges between cultures
• Understanding concepts that exist only within Noongar worldview

The Noongar language captures a relationship with country that stretches back countless generations. Each word carries cultural stories and knowledge that help us understand the land we live on in deeper ways.

Understanding the Noongar Dialects

The term "Noongar" (sometimes spelled Nyungar, Nyoongar, or Nyoongah) refers to both the people and their language. Across the southwestern region, the language evolved into distinct dialects including:

• Whadjuk (Perth region)
• Balardong (central Wheatbelt)
• Wiilman (upper Great Southern)
• Pinjarup (Murray River region)
• Wardandi (southwest coast)

While these dialects share core vocabulary and grammar structures, they also reflect the diversity of environments and cultural practices across Noongar country. Today, Noongar people are working to preserve and revitalize these linguistic traditions.

Current Revival Efforts

The Noongar language has seen a remarkable revival in recent years. After facing suppression during colonization, the language is experiencing renewed interest among both Noongar communities and the wider population.

School programs, university courses, and community initiatives are helping breathe new life into this ancient language. Learning Noongar connects you to this important cultural revitalization movement.

Getting Started: Pronunciation Basics

Before diving into vocabulary, let's tackle pronunciation. Noongar sounds are different from English, but with a bit of practice, you'll get comfortable with them quickly.

Key Noongar Sounds

The sounds might feel strange at first, but they'll become natural with practice. I found listening to native speakers incredibly helpful—there's something about hearing the rhythm and flow that textbooks can't capture.

Common Pronunciation Mistakes

When I started learning, I made plenty of mistakes! Here are some common ones to avoid:

1. Adding extra syllables where they don't exist
2. Using English vowel sounds instead of Noongar ones
3. Not distinguishing between short and long vowels
4. Overemphasizing certain consonants

Remember, perfect pronunciation isn't the goal when you're starting out. Respectful effort is what matters most.

Essential Greetings and Phrases

Let's dive into the words you'll use most often—the everyday greetings and basic phrases that form the foundation of any language.

Hello and Goodbye

• Kaya - Hello
• Wanju - Welcome
• Boorda - Later/Goodbye
• Boorda Winjin - See you later

I use "Kaya" almost daily now. It's a simple way to acknowledge Noongar culture in everyday interactions. Try incorporating it into your next meeting or conversation!

How Are You?

• Noonook Kwobidak? - Are you good/well?
• Ngany Kwobidak - I am good/well
• Noonook Ngiyan? - Who are you? (asking name)
• Ngany... (your name) - I am... (your name)

These simple exchanges form the basis of Noongar conversations. I've found that even just using these few phrases opens up meaningful exchanges.

Thank You and Please

• Kaya Noonook - Thank you
• Kaya Boorda - Thank you and see you later

Expressing gratitude is universal across cultures. These phrases have become part of my everyday vocabulary.

Yes and No

• Kaa - Yes
• Yoowart - No

Short but essential! These are among the first words I learned.

Numbers and Counting

The Noongar number system is fascinating and quite different from English. Let's explore the basics.

Cardinal Numbers 1-10

You'll notice patterns in the number system. "Koodjal-Koodjal" (4) literally means "two-two." Similarly, "Marn-Keny" (6) combines "five" and "one." This pattern-based approach makes higher numbers easier to learn.

Using Numbers in Context

Numbers in Noongar are typically used with classifiers that indicate what's being counted:

• Koodjal dwert - Two dogs
• Dambart waabiny - Three playing (games)
• Marn-keny moorditj yorga - Six strong women

I find this contextual counting system beautifully practical.

Family and Relationship Terms

Family is central to Noongar culture, and the language reflects this with a rich vocabulary of relationship terms. The history of Noongar people shows how these family connections have sustained their culture through challenging times.

Immediate Family

• Moort - Family
• Maaman - Father
• Ngaangk - Mother
• Koorda - Brother
• Djook - Sister
• Koolangka - Children
• Kabarli - Grandmother
• Mamabart - Grandfather

Understanding family terms provides insight into Noongar social structure. I've found this reader series on Moort (family) incredibly helpful for expanding my vocabulary in this area.

Extended Family and Community

• Koort Maaman - Uncle (father's brother)
• Koort Ngaangk - Aunt (mother's sister)
• Birdiya - Elder
• Kaarnya - Respected person
• Warra wirrin - Bad spirit (someone causing trouble)

These terms reflect the complex kinship systems that have structured Noongar society for millennia.

Describing People

• Kwobidak - Good/Beautiful
• Moorditj - Solid/Strong/Good
• Warra - Bad
• Kaat Warra - Angry (literally "head bad")
• Djoorabiny - Happy
• Kaarnya - Respected
• Miyak - Wise

I've found these descriptive terms useful in everyday conversation. "Moorditj" has become one of my favorite words to use—it conveys a sense of quality and strength that doesn't quite translate to English.

The Natural World: Environmental Vocabulary

Noongar language is deeply connected to the landscape. Learning environmental terms helps understand the deep relationship between language and country.

Geographical Features

• Boodja - Country/Land
• Bilya - River
• Ngamar - Waterhole
• Pinjarra - Wetland
• Karda - Hill
• Kaarta - Mountain
• Nyitting - Cold
• Kallip - Hot

The Dordenaap Boodja Wongki poster is an excellent resource that illustrates many of these geographical features in context.

Directional Terms

• Wer - Where
• Bokadja - Behind
• Ngardak - Below
• Yira - Above
• Ngoongat - Sun

Direction in Noongar often relates to environmental features rather than abstract concepts like north or south—another example of how language reflects worldview.

Native Animals

Noongar country is home to diverse wildlife, each with its own name and cultural significance. Here are some common animals:

• Yongka - Kangaroo
• Kwoka - Quokka
• Nyingarn - Echidna
• Kaarda - Goanna lizard
• Dwert - Dog/Dingo
• Koolbardi - Magpie
• Waitch - Emu
• Nyingarn - Echidna
• Weitj - Emu

One of my favorite Noongar stories involves the bobtail lizard, known as "Yoorn." The children's book Bobtail's Friend shares a beautiful Noongar story about this distinctive reptile.

For bird enthusiasts, the Noongar Language Flash Cards for Birds provide detailed vocabulary with beautiful illustrations.

Plants and Bush Knowledge

Plants played crucial roles in traditional Noongar life—providing food, medicine, tools, and more. Here are some essential plant terms:

• Balga - Grass tree
• Marri - Red gum tree
• Jarrah - Eucalyptus marginata
• Karri - Eucalyptus diversicolor
• Kwongan - Sandy coastal plain vegetation
• Mudja - Christmas tree (Nuytsia floribunda)

Many traditional plants had medicinal properties. You can explore this fascinating knowledge in the Noongar Bush Medicine guide, which documents traditional healing practices.

Sky and Weather

• Djoonda - Sun
• Miyak - Moon
• Djinda - Stars
• Maar - Clouds
• Kep - Water/Rain
• Wirloo - Sky

For a comprehensive collection of sky-related terms, the Noongar Language Cards for Sky provide beautiful illustrations alongside vocabulary.

The Six Noongar Seasons

Unlike the four-season European calendar, Noongar culture recognizes six distinct seasons. Each season guides traditional activities from hunting and gathering to cultural ceremonies.

The Noongar Seasons Poster beautifully illustrates these seasons with associated plants, animals, and weather patterns.

Season Overview

• Birak (December-January): First summer, dry and hot
• Bunuru (February-March): Second summer, hottest period
• Djeran (April-May): Autumn, cooler weather begins
• Makuru (June-July): Cold and wet winter season
• Djilba (August-September): Second spring, becoming warmer
• Kambarang (October-November): Wildflower season, warmer still

Seasonal Indicators

Each season has natural indicators that signaled important changes to traditional Noongar people:

• Birak: Red flowers of Christmas Tree (Mudja) bloom
• Bunuru: Hot easterly winds, coastal fishing time
• Djeran: Ant nests built higher, cooler winds from southwest
• Makuru: Cold fronts, wetlands fill, swans nest
• Djilba: White flowers bloom, baby swans (koolbardi) appear
• Kambarang: Mass flowering, reptiles emerge from hibernation

Learning about these seasonal markers has transformed how I experience Western Australia's environment. I notice details I previously overlooked.

Daily Life Vocabulary

Let's explore words for everyday objects and activities that would have been—and still are—important in Noongar life.

Food and Cooking

• Merenj - Food
• Marany - Vegetable food
• Mornitj - Meat food
• Djildjit - Fish
• Mayi - Bread
• Koboorl - Stomach/Hungry
• Ngarnk - Eating

Food vocabulary offers fascinating insights into traditional diet and hunting/gathering practices.

Home and Shelter

• Maya - House/Home
• Mia - Shelter/Hut
• Kar - Spider web/Camp
• Bwok - Clothes
• Karnarn - Spear
• Kidji - Spear thrower
• Kooya - Frog

Traditional shelters reflected the mobile lifestyle and available materials in different parts of Noongar country.

Colors and Description

Colors hold cultural significance in Noongar language. Exploring Noongar colours reveals how these terms relate to natural elements:

• Mooro - Black
• Wilura - Yellow/Light
• Mardjarli - Red
• Wetj - Green
• Ngdjat - White

These color terms often derive from natural elements—clay, plants, and minerals that provided traditional pigments.

Expressing Emotions and Needs

Like all languages, Noongar has rich vocabulary for emotional expression.

Basic Emotions

• Djoorabiny - Happy
• Kaat Warra - Angry (literally "head bad")
• Wirlo - Sad/Crying
• Kep Wirlo - Tearful (literally "water crying")
• Kwiert - Fear
• Woort - Worried

Noongar emotional terms often connect to physical sensations or states, reflecting a holistic view of mind and body.

Expressing Needs

• Ngany djoorabiny djinang noonook - I am happy to see you
• Nganyang koboorl - I am hungry
• Ngany kep-kaburn - I am thirsty (literally "I water-need")
• Boorda koorl? - Will you go later?
• Kaya noonook? - Thank you?

These practical phrases help express basic needs and feelings in everyday situations.

Building Basic Sentences

Now let's put vocabulary into action by understanding how Noongar sentences work.

Basic Sentence Structure

Noongar typically follows a Subject-Object-Verb pattern, different from English's Subject-Verb-Object order. For example:

• English: "I see the kangaroo"
• Noongar: "Ngany yongka djinang" (I kangaroo see)

This structure might feel backwards at first, but it becomes natural with practice.

Simple Conversations

Here are some practical conversations you can start using right away:

Meeting someone:

• "Kaya, noonook ngiyan?" (Hello, who are you?)
• "Ngany [your name]. Noonook ngiyan?" (I am [your name]. Who are you?)

Asking about well-being:

• "Noonook kwobidak?" (Are you good/well?)
• "Kaa, ngany kwobidak. Noonook?" (Yes, I am good. You?)

Saying goodbye:

• "Boorda winjin" (See you later)
• "Kaya boorda" (Thanks and goodbye)

These simple exchanges can be your entry point into speaking Noongar in everyday contexts.

Practice Dialogues

Scenario 1: Meeting someone new

A: Kaya, noonook ngiyan?
B: Ngany Sarah. Noonook ngiyan?
A: Ngany Mark. Noonook kwobidak?
B: Kaa, ngany kwobidak. Noonook?
A: Kaa, moorditj. Boorda winjin.
B: Boorda.

Scenario 2: Asking about family

A: Moort kwobidak?
B: Kaa, ngany moort kwobidak. Noonook moort?
A: Ngany koolangka koodjal.
B: Moorditj!

Try practicing these dialogues with friends or family. Start small—even just greeting someone with "Kaya" is a meaningful first step.

Cultural Context and Respectful Usage

When learning any Indigenous language, cultural context and respect are essential considerations.

Protocols for Respectful Language Use

1. Acknowledge the source: When sharing Noongar words, acknowledge where you learned them.

2. Respect variation: Accept that pronunciations and spellings vary across Noongar country.

3. Learn the culture, not just the words: Understanding cultural context helps you use language appropriately.

4. Ask permission: If using language in public contexts or publications, consult with Noongar Elders.

5. Appreciate, don't appropriate: Use language to build bridges, not as a novelty.

The Getting Started with Noongar poster provides excellent guidance on respectful language use.

When and How to Use Noongar Language

Using Noongar words can be appropriate in many contexts:

• Acknowledgment of Country ceremonies
• Educational settings
• Personal greetings
• Place naming and signage
• Appreciating local flora and fauna

However, I've learned that some contexts require more sensitivity. Sacred stories, ceremonial language, and certain cultural knowledge aren't appropriate for casual use by non-Noongar people.

Resources for Continued Learning

Your Noongar language journey doesn't end here. There are many resources to help you continue learning.

Books and Teaching Materials

FISH provides excellent Aboriginal books and language resources for all ages and learning levels.

Some stand-out resources include:

• Noongar Boodja Waangkan: Noongar First Words - A beautifully illustrated introduction to essential vocabulary
• Noongar Language Cards for the Bush - Detailed cards featuring native plants and animals
• Liinda Loo - A children's story in Noongar language
• Noongar Mambara Bakitj - Magical cultural stories in Noongar

Online Resources and Communities

Beyond physical resources, several online communities support Noongar language learning:

• Local community centers often offer language classes
• University Indigenous studies programs
• Cultural awareness workshops
• Language revival groups on social media

Creating a Personal Learning Plan

Based on my experience, here's a simple learning plan that works:

1. Start with greetings: Use "Kaya" and "Boorda" daily until they become second nature
2. Add number words: Practice counting in Noongar during everyday activities
3. Learn family terms: Memorize words for close relationships
4. Master nature vocabulary: Learn names of local animals and plants
5. Practice simple conversations: Find a learning partner to practice dialogues
6. Connect vocabulary to places: Associate Noongar words with locations you visit

This graduated approach keeps learning manageable and connects language to your daily life.

How Language Reveals Culture: Unique Noongar Concepts

Some of the most fascinating aspects of Noongar language are concepts that don't easily translate to English. These words reveal unique cultural perspectives.

Connection to Country

• Boodja - More than just "land" or "country," this term encompasses a spiritual relationship with place
• Moort Boodja - Family country/territory with ancestral connections
• Kaartdijin - Knowledge/understanding, particularly of country
• Koorndarm - Respect/ceremony, especially relating to land

These concepts reflect a relationship with the environment that goes beyond Western frameworks of land ownership or resource management.

Spiritual Concepts

• Waugal - Rainbow Serpent creator being
• Wirrin - Spirit
• Kaanya - Spirit/soul of a person
• Maam-boor - Sound of the didgeridoo carrying spiritual messages

These terms open windows into Noongar spiritual beliefs and practices that have sustained the culture for millennia.

My Personal Language Journey

When I first started learning Noongar, I made plenty of mistakes. I mispronounced words, used terms in the wrong context, and sometimes felt awkward. But every step has been worth it.

Now, using basic Noongar words feels natural. When I say "Kaya" to begin a meeting, or identify a local bird by its Noongar name, I feel a deeper connection to the land I live on.

Learning Noongar has changed how I see Western Australia. Place names that once seemed arbitrary now tell stories. Plants reveal seasonal patterns I never noticed before. And most importantly, I've developed deeper respect for the ongoing cultural knowledge of Noongar people.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

If you're just starting out, you might face some challenges:

Challenge 1: Pronunciation confidence Solution: Listen to audio resources repeatedly and practice in private before using words publicly.

Challenge 2: Limited practice opportunities Solution: Create flashcards for daily review and find online communities for practice.

Challenge 3: Forgetting vocabulary Solution: Connect words to daily activities and objects you encounter regularly.

Challenge 4: Cultural insecurity Solution: Approach learning with humility and don't worry about making mistakes.

Integrating Noongar Words Into Daily Life

The best way to retain language is to use it regularly. Here are some practical ways to integrate Noongar words into your everyday routine:

• Greet family members with "Kaya" in the morning
• Count in Noongar while exercising or cooking
• Use Noongar names for local landmarks during conversations
• Label household items with their Noongar names
• Identify local birds, plants, and animals using Noongar terms
• Incorporate seasonal awareness based on the six Noongar seasons

Start small with a few words, then gradually expand your vocabulary. Consistency matters more than quantity.

Why Your Efforts Matter: Language Preservation

Every person who learns even a few words of Noongar contributes to keeping this ancient language alive. Language preservation matters for many reasons:

• Cultural heritage belongs to everyone
• Languages contain unique ways of understanding the world
• Indigenous knowledge offers solutions to contemporary problems
• Linguistic diversity enriches all of us
• Recognition supports reconciliation

By learning Noongar words, you're participating in an important cultural revival. Your interest and respect make a difference.

Conclusion: Your Noongar Language Journey Begins

Learning Noongar language words is a rewarding journey that connects you to one of the world's oldest living cultures. Whether you're just starting with basic greetings or building a comprehensive vocabulary, every word you learn honors the Noongar people and their enduring connection to southwestern Australia.

I hope this guide has given you practical tools to begin your Noongar language adventure. Remember, it's not about perfect pronunciation or memorizing hundreds of words. It's about respectful engagement, cultural appreciation, and building connections between peoples.

So why not start today? Begin with a simple "Kaya" (hello) and see where your Noongar language journey takes you. The vibrant vocabulary of this ancient language is waiting to become part of your everyday life.

Boorda winjin! (See you later!)