Reconstruction:Proto-Bantu/mʊ̀ntʊ̀

This Proto-Bantu entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Bantu

Etymology

From the root *-ntʊ̀ ("some, any"), hypothesized to be a shortening from earlier *-jìntʊ̀.

Possible cognates outside of bantu include Bitare nti (“human”)

Noun

*mʊ̀ntʊ̀ class 1 (plural *bàntʊ̀ class 2)

1. person, human
2. somebody

Related terms

• *kɪ̀ntʊ̀ (“thing”)
• *pàntʊ̀ (“place”)

Descendants

• Northeastern Bantu:
  • Great Lakes Bantu:
    • Luganda (J15): omuntu
    • Nyoro (J11): omuntu
    • Tooro (J12): omuntu
    • Nyankole (J13): omuntu
    • Rwanda-Rundi (J61/62): umuntu
    • Masaba (J31): muntu
    • Gusii (J42): omonto
  • Northeast Coast Bantu:
    • Swahili (G42): mtu
    • Maore Comorian (G44D): mutru
    • Ngazidja Comorian (G44a): mndru
  • Thagiicu:
    • Kikuyu (E51): mũndũ
  • Sukuma-Nyamwezi
    • Sukuma (F31): munhu
• Nyasa:
  • Chichewa (N31): munthu
  • Tumbuka (N21): munthu
• Njila
  • Herero (R30): omundu
  • Umbundu (R11): omunu
  • Kimbundu (H21): muthu
  • Lunda (L52): muntu
• Duala (A24): moto
• Ewondo (A72): mot
• Bube (A31): moto
• Kongo (H16): muntu
• Lingala (C30B): moto
• Mongo (C61): nto
• Nzadi (B865): muur
• Nyakyusa (M31): mundu
• Shona (S10): munhu
• Luba-Katanga (L33): múúntú
• Southern Bantu:
  • Makhuwa (P31): mutthu
  • Nguni:
    • Bhaca (S402): umntfu
    • Northern Ndebele (S44): umuntu
    • Phuthi (S404): mutfu
    • Southern Ndebele (S407): umuntu
    • Sumayela Ndebele (S408): munru
    • Swazi (S43): umuntfu
    • Xhosa (S41): umntu
    • Zulu (S42): umuntu
  • Sotho-Tswana:
    • Kgalagadi (S311): mokyo
    • Lozi (K21): mutu
    • Northern Sotho (S32): motho
    • Sotho (S33): motho
    • Tswana (S31): motho
  • Tonga (Mozambique) (S62): [Term?]
  • Tsonga (S53): munhu
  • Venda (S20): muthu