ala

See also: Appendix:Variations of "ala"

Languages (76)

Translingual • English

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Page categories

Translingual

Etymology

Abbreviation of English Alago.

Symbol

ala

1. (international standards) ISO 639-3 language code for Alago.

See also

• Wiktionary’s coverage of Alago terms

English

Etymology 1

ala of ileum labelled, top left

Originated 1730–40, borrowed from Latin āla (“wing”). Doublet of aisle.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈeɪ.lə/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪlə

Noun

ala (plural alae or alæ)

1. (anatomy) A wing or winglike anatomic process or part, especially of bone.
2. (botany) The flattened border of some stems, fruits, and seeds, or one of the two side petals of certain flowers in the pea family.
3. (architecture) In ancient Rome, a small room opening into a larger room or courtyard.

Translations

side petal of certain flowers

• Armenian: թիակ (hy) (tʻiak)
• Russian: весло́ (ru) n (vesló), крыло́ (ru) n (kryló)

Etymology 2

Borrowed from French à la, by way of its English derivation a la.

Preposition

ala

1. (colloquial) Alternative form of a la.
   • 2006, WorstPreviews.com‎^[9], archived from the original on 7 June 2020:

     The film is told in reverse ala Memento.

   • 2008 November 14, admin, “Quantum of Solace”, in Film Threat‎^[10]:

     […] interactive plasma screens with flashing digits and what not, ala “Minority Report,” […]

   • 2011 March 11, Aaron Blake, Chris Cillizza, “Palin: The GOP's Pelosi?”, in The Fix‎^[11], archived from the original on 24 June 2011:

     […] we might be getting to the point where Palin is a bona fide liability—ala Pelosi—for the GOP.

   • 2011 April 11, Charles Gasparino, “Duncan Niederauer Calling the Shots for NYSE Is Bad News for Shareholders”, in HuffPost‎^[12]:

     […] the NYSE didn't implode ala Merrill […]

References

• “ala”, in Merriam-Webster.com Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
• “ala”, in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th edition, Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin, 2000, →ISBN.
• “ala”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.
• “ala” examples at Wordnik

Anagrams

• AAL, Aal, aal

Afar

Etymology 1

Ala (1.1).

Related to Saho aluula.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈala/ [ˈʔʌlʌ]
• Hyphenation: a‧la

Noun

ála m (plural alluwwá f or alwá f)

1. animal, wild animal
2. European, white person (clarification of this definition is needed)

Declension

Declension of ála
absolutive	ála
predicative	ála
subjective	alí
genitive	alí
Postpositioned forms l-case álal k-case álak t-case álat h-case álah

Derived terms

• amotála
• darot-ála
• qasaála

Etymology 2

Ala (2).

Related to Somali hal.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /aˈla/ [ʔʌˈlʌ]
• Hyphenation: a‧la

Noun

alá f (masculine rakúb, plural aloolí f)

1. female camel, she-camel

Declension

Declension of alá
absolutive	alá
predicative	alá
subjective	alá
genitive	alá
Postpositioned forms l-case alál k-case alák t-case alát h-case aláh

Hypernyms

• gaaláytu (“camel”)

Derived terms

• qasaalá

See also

• nargó (“baby female camel”)
• addó (“juvenile female camel”)
• erartó (“old female camel”)

References

• E. M. Parker; R. J. Hayward (1985), An Afar-English-French dictionary (with Grammatical Notes in English), University of London, →ISBN, page 37
• Mohamed Hassan Kamil (2004), Parlons Afar: Langue et Culture, L'Hammartan, →ISBN, page 24
• Mohamed Hassan Kamil (2015), L’afar: description grammaticale d’une langue couchitique (Djibouti, Erythrée et Ethiopie)‎^[13], Paris: Université Sorbonne Paris Cité (doctoral thesis)

Asturian

Etymology

From Latin āla (“wing”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈala/ [ˈa.la]
• Rhymes: -ala
• Syllabification: a‧la

Noun

ala f (plural ales)

1. wing
2. fin

   Synonym: aleta

Further reading

• “ala”, in Diccionariu de la llingua asturiana [Dictionary of the Asturian Language] (in Asturian), 1st edition, Academy of the Asturian Language [Asturian: Academia de la Llingua Asturiana], 2000, →ISBN
• García Arias, Xosé Lluis (2002–2004), “ala”, in Diccionario general de la lengua asturiana [General Dictionary of the Asturian Language] (overall work in Spanish), Editorial Prensa Asturiana, →ISBN

Azerbaijani

Other scripts

Cyrillic		ала
Arabic		آلا

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ɑˈɫɑ]

• Audio (Baku):

  (file)

Etymology 1

From Proto-Turkic *āla.

Adjective

ala (comparative daha ala, superlative ən ala)

1. variegated
2. (poetic) blue (of eyes)

   ala gözlər ― blue eyes

Derived terms

• ala-bula
• alagöz
• alagözlü
• qızılala

Descendants

• → Armenian: ալա (ala)

Noun

ala (definite accusative alanı)

1. vitiligo (the patchy loss of skin pigmentation.)

Declension

Declension of ala

	singular
nominative	ala
definite accusative	alanı
dative	alaya
locative	alada
ablative	aladan
definite genitive	alanın

Possessive forms of ala

	nominative
	singular
mənim (“my”)	alam
sənin (“your”)	alan
onun (“his/her/its”)	alası
bizim (“our”)	alamız
sizin (“your”)	alanız
onların (“their”)	alası or alaları
	accusative
	singular
mənim (“my”)	alamı
sənin (“your”)	alanı
onun (“his/her/its”)	alasını
bizim (“our”)	alamızı
sizin (“your”)	alanızı
onların (“their”)	alasını or alalarını
	dative
	singular
mənim (“my”)	alama
sənin (“your”)	alana
onun (“his/her/its”)	alasına
bizim (“our”)	alamıza
sizin (“your”)	alanıza
onların (“their”)	alasına or alalarına
	locative
	singular
mənim (“my”)	alamda
sənin (“your”)	alanda
onun (“his/her/its”)	alasında
bizim (“our”)	alamızda
sizin (“your”)	alanızda
onların (“their”)	alasında or alalarında
	ablative
	singular
mənim (“my”)	alamdan
sənin (“your”)	alandan
onun (“his/her/its”)	alasından
bizim (“our”)	alamızdan
sizin (“your”)	alanızdan
onların (“their”)	alasından or alalarından
	genitive
	singular
mənim (“my”)	alamın
sənin (“your”)	alanın
onun (“his/her/its”)	alasının
bizim (“our”)	alamızın
sizin (“your”)	alanızın
onların (“their”)	alasının or alalarının

Etymology 2

Likely blend of ay +‎ bala.

Interjection

ala

1. dude

   Ala, nə eləyirsən?! ― Dude, what are you doing?!

See also

• ədə!
• az!

References

• Orucov, Əliheydər, editor (2006), “ala”, in Azərbaycan dilinin izahlı lüğəti [Explanatory Dictionary of the Azerbaijani Language]‎^[14] (in Azerbaijani), 2nd edition, volume 1, Baku: Şərq-Qərb, pages 89-90

Balinese

Etymology

From Old Balinese hala, borrowed from Old Javanese ala, hala (“bad, evil”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /a.lə/
• Rhymes: -alə
• Hyphenation: a‧la

Adjective

ala (Balinese script ᬳᬮ)

1. bad, evil

Further reading

• “Ala”, in Kamus Bahasa Bali—Indonesia dan Bahasa Indonesia-Bali‎^[15] (in Indonesian), Balai Bahasa Provinsi Bali, 19 June 2024 (last accessed)

Baoule

Noun

ala

1. iroko (Milicia excelsa, syn. Chlorophora excelsa)

Basque

Etymology

Presumably from Proto-Basque *aLa.

Pronunciation

• Audio:

  (file)

• IPA^(key): /ala/ [a.la]
• Rhymes: -ala, -a
• Hyphenation: a‧la

Conjunction

ala

1. or (exclusive)

Usage notes

The conjunction ala is an exclusive or, while edo is an inclusive or. For instance, while Sagarrak edo udareak nahi al dituzu? and Sagarrak ala udareak nahi dituzu? are both correct, the former asks in a yes or no question if you want apples, pears, apples and pears, or nothing; while the latter asks which one you want, the apples, or the pears.

Catalan

Etymology

From Latin āla (“wing”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): (Northern, Balearic, Central) [ˈa.lə]
• IPA^(key): (Valencia, Northwestern) [ˈa.la]

• Audio (Catalonia):

  (file)

• Homophone: hala

Noun

ala f (plural ales)

1. wing (appendage that enables flight)

Derived terms

• ala-roig
• alat
• aleta
• aletejar

Related terms

• alar

Further reading

• “ala”, in Diccionari de la llengua catalana [Dictionary of the Catalan Language] (in Catalan), second edition, Institute of Catalan Studies [Catalan: Institut d'Estudis Catalans], April 2007
• “ala”, in Gran Diccionari de la Llengua Catalana, Grup Enciclopèdia Catalana, 2026
• “ala” in Diccionari normatiu valencià, Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua.
• Alcover, Antoni Maria; Moll, Francesc de Borja (1963), “ala”, in Diccionari català-valencià-balear (in Catalan)

Cebuano

Etymology 1

Borrowed from Spanish a la.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʔaˈla/ [ʔaˈl̪a]
• Hyphenation: a‧la

Adverb

alá (Badlit spelling ᜀᜎ)

1. o'clock

   Synonym: (besides one o'clock) alas

Derived terms

• ala-una

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʔaˈlaʔ/ [ʔaˈl̪aʔ]
• Hyphenation: a‧la

Verb

alâ (Badlit spelling ᜀᜎ)

1. to avoid engaging; to be prevented

Conjugation

Conjugation for ala (mag- )

affix		mag-
root word		ala
trigger		actor
aspect
infinitive		mag-ala
past/present inchoative		nag-ala
future/habitual inchoative		mag-ala
imperative		pag-ala

Conjugation for ala (maka- )

affix		maka-
root word		ala
trigger		actor
aspect
infinitive		makaala
past/present inchoative		nakaala
future/habitual inchoative		makaala

Conjugation for ala (i- )

affix		i-
root word		ala
trigger		object
aspect
infinitive		iala
past/present inchoative		giala
future/habitual inchoative		iala
imperative		iala

Derived terms

• pangala
• walay ala

Etymology 3

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈʔalaʔ/ [ˈʔaː.l̪aʔ]
• Hyphenation: a‧la

Verb

alà (Badlit spelling ᜀᜎ)

1. to misidentify

Conjugation

Conjugation for ala (-an )

affix		-an
root word		ala
trigger		object
aspect
infinitive		alaan
past/present inchoative		gialaan
future/habitual inchoative		alaan
imperative		alai

Conjugation for ala (ma- -an, ka- -an )

affix		ma- -an, ka- -an
root word		ala
trigger		circumstantial
aspect
infinitive		maalaan, kaalaan
past/present inchoative		naalaan
future/habitual inchoative		maalaan, kaalaan
imperative		maalai, kaalai

Conjugation for ala (i- )

affix		i-
root word		ala
trigger		instrumentative
aspect
infinitive		iala
past/present inchoative		giala
future/habitual inchoative		iala
imperative		iala

Further reading

• John U. Wolff (1972), A dictionary of Cebuano Visayan‎^[16] (overall work in Cebuano and English), Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press

Chickasaw

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /aˈla/

Verb

ala (active, short verb)

1. (intransitive) to arrive, to come (I)
2. (intransitive) to be born (I)

   Synonym: atta

3. (intransitive) to be here, to get here (I)
4. (transitive) to come to, to arrive at (I;3)

Inflection

This entry needs an inflection-table template.

Derived terms

• ahá̱la
• iklo
• imalla
• á̱la

Chungli Ao

Verb

ala

1. to fall (and end up resting on something)

Inflection

Inflection of ala (Chungli)

		Affirmative	Negative
Past	Simple	ala	mala
	Perfect	alaogo	malaogo
Present	Simple	alar	malar
	Progressive	aladar aladagi	maladar maladagi
Future/infinitive		alatsü	malatsü
Imperative		alang	tala
Present participle		ala-a	malai
Conditional		alara alarabang	malara malarabang

Derived terms

• lao
• -tsüla

Further reading

• Clark, E. W. (1911), “ALA”, in Ao-Naga dictionary, Dimapur

Estonian

Etymology

From Proto-Finnic *ala.

Noun

ala (genitive ala, partitive ala)

1. area, territory, region

   Sellelt alalt on leitud palju rauda. ― A lot of iron has been found in this area.

2. (in working life, in sciences) field

   Ainuke ala, mis mind huvitab, on ajalugu. ― The only field which interests me is history.

3. (business) branch

Declension

Declension of ala (ÕS type 17u/saba, no gradation)
		singular	plural
nominative		ala	alad
accusative	nom.
	gen.	ala
genitive			alade
partitive		ala	alu alasid
illative		alla alasse	aladesse alusse
inessive		alas	alades alus
elative		alast	aladest alust
allative		alale	aladele alule
adessive		alal	aladel alul
ablative		alalt	aladelt alult
translative		alaks	aladeks aluks
terminative		alani	aladeni
essive		alana	aladena
abessive		alata	aladeta
comitative		alaga	aladega

Further reading

• “ala”, in [PSV] Eesti keele põhisõnavara sõnastik [Dictionary of Estonian Basic Vocabulary] (in Estonian) (online version, not updated), Tallinn: Eesti Keele Sihtasutus (Estonian Language Foundation), 2014
• “ala”, in [EKSS] Eesti keele seletav sõnaraamat [Descriptive Dictionary of the Estonian Language] (in Estonian) (online version), Tallinn: Eesti Keele Sihtasutus (Estonian Language Foundation), 2009
• “ala”, in [ÕS] Eesti õigekeelsussõnaraamat ÕS 2018 [Estonian Spelling Dictionary] (in Estonian) (online version), Tallinn: Eesti Keele Sihtasutus (Estonian Language Foundation), 2018, →ISBN
• ala in Sõnaveeb (Eesti Keele Instituut)

Faroese

Etymology

From Old Norse ala, from Proto-Germanic *alaną (“to nourish, grow”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- (“to grow”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɛaːla/
• Rhymes: -ɛaːla
• Homophones: æla, ælað

Verb

ala (third person singular past indicative ól, third person plural past indicative ólu, supine alið)

1. (kvæði) to give birth to
2. to foster
3. to nourish
4. to breed

Conjugation

Conjugation of ala (group v-58)

infinitive	ala
supine	alið
	present	past
first singular	ali	ól
second singular	elur	ól(st)
third singular	elur	ól
plural	ala	ólu
participle (a26)1	alandi	alin
	imperative
singular	al!
plural	alið!

¹Only the past participle being declined.

Finnish

Etymology 1

From Proto-Finnic *ala; see ala- for more. Already in Finnic, this stem, originally meaning “lower, under” was repurposed as a noun meaning “underside, lower side”, whence “area”, whence the other senses like “domain”, “field”, “sector”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɑlɑ/, [ˈɑ̝lɑ̝]
• Rhymes: -ɑlɑ
• Syllabification^(key): a‧la
• Hyphenation^(key): ala

Noun

ala

1. (mathematics) area (measure of the extent of a surface)

   Synonym: pinta-ala

2. area, field, domain (one's field of expertise or activity)
3. field, discipline (specific branch of knowledge, learning, or practice; e.g. in work or sciences)
4. industry, sector, branch (business, studies, etc.)
5. business (kind of commercial, industrial or professional activity)
6. (archaic) underside

Declension

Inflection of ala (Kotus type 9/kala, no gradation)
nominative		ala	alat
genitive		alan	alojen
partitive		alaa	aloja
illative		alaan	aloihin
		singular	plural
nominative		ala	alat
accusative	nom.	ala	alat
	gen.	alan
genitive		alan	alojen alain rare
partitive		alaa	aloja
inessive		alassa	aloissa
elative		alasta	aloista
illative		alaan	aloihin
adessive		alalla	aloilla
ablative		alalta	aloilta
allative		alalle	aloille
essive		alana	aloina
translative		alaksi	aloiksi
abessive		alatta	aloitta
instructive		—	aloin
comitative		See the possessive forms below.

Possessive forms of ala (Kotus type 9/kala, no gradation)

first-person singular possessor singular plural nominative alani alani accusative nom. alani alani gen. alani genitive alani alojeni alaini rare partitive alaani alojani inessive alassani aloissani elative alastani aloistani illative alaani aloihini adessive alallani aloillani ablative alaltani aloiltani allative alalleni aloilleni essive alanani aloinani translative alakseni aloikseni abessive alattani aloittani instructive — — comitative — aloineni second-person singular possessor singular plural nominative alasi alasi accusative nom. alasi alasi gen. alasi genitive alasi alojesi alaisi rare partitive alaasi alojasi inessive alassasi aloissasi elative alastasi aloistasi illative alaasi aloihisi adessive alallasi aloillasi ablative alaltasi aloiltasi allative alallesi aloillesi essive alanasi aloinasi translative alaksesi aloiksesi abessive alattasi aloittasi instructive — — comitative — aloinesi first-person plural possessor singular plural nominative alamme alamme accusative nom. alamme alamme gen. alamme genitive alamme alojemme alaimme rare partitive alaamme alojamme inessive alassamme aloissamme elative alastamme aloistamme illative alaamme aloihimme adessive alallamme aloillamme ablative alaltamme aloiltamme allative alallemme aloillemme essive alanamme aloinamme translative alaksemme aloiksemme abessive alattamme aloittamme instructive — — comitative — aloinemme second-person plural possessor singular plural nominative alanne alanne accusative nom. alanne alanne gen. alanne genitive alanne alojenne alainne rare partitive alaanne alojanne inessive alassanne aloissanne elative alastanne aloistanne illative alaanne aloihinne adessive alallanne aloillanne ablative alaltanne aloiltanne allative alallenne aloillenne essive alananne aloinanne translative alaksenne aloiksenne abessive alattanne aloittanne instructive — — comitative — aloinenne third-person possessor singular plural nominative alansa alansa accusative nom. alansa alansa gen. alansa genitive alansa alojensa alainsa rare partitive alaansa alojaan alojansa inessive alassaan alassansa aloissaan aloissansa elative alastaan alastansa aloistaan aloistansa illative alaansa aloihinsa adessive alallaan alallansa aloillaan aloillansa ablative alaltaan alaltansa aloiltaan aloiltansa allative alalleen alallensa aloilleen aloillensa essive alanaan alanansa aloinaan aloinansa translative alakseen alaksensa aloikseen aloiksensa abessive alattaan alattansa aloittaan aloittansa instructive — — comitative — aloineen aloinensa

Derived terms

• -alainen
• alati
• aloittain
• alue

compounds

• absorptioala
• alakohtainen
• alanvaihto
• alanvalinta
• alasuurennos
• ammattiala
• ampuma-ala
• atk-ala
• autoala
• elektroniikka-ala
• elintarvikeala
• elokuva-ala
• elämänala
• energia-ala
• erikoisala
• etuala
• hakkuuala
• hallinnonala
• hiusala
• hoitoala
• hoiva-ala
• hotelliala
• huoneala
• huoneistoala
• huviala
• hyötyala
• ilmailuala
• ilmanala
• informaatioala
• iskuala
• Kangasala
• kannunala
• kapanala
• kapea-alainen
• kasvatusala
• kasvuala
• kauneusala
• kauppa-ala
• kerrosala
• keskiala
• kiinteistöala
• kirja-ala
• kirjapainoala
• kirjastoala
• koeala
• kohdeala
• kokonaisala
• koneala
• kotitalousala
• koulutusala
• kriisiala
• kuljetusala
• kulttuuriala
• kunta-ala
• kustannusala
• kuva-ala
• kylvöala
• käsiala
• käsityöala
• käyttöala
• laaja-alainen
• lattia-ala
• lehtiala
• liikeala
• liikkuma-ala
• luonnontuoteala
• luonnonvara-ala
• luontaistuoteala
• maa-ala
• maalausala
• maatalousala
• mainosala
• majoitusala
• matalapalkka-ala
• matkailuala
• media-ala
• merenkulkuala
• metalliala
• metsäala
• mieliala
• monialainen
• monialayritys
• muotiala
• muotoiluala
• museoala
• musiikkiala
• määräala
• nettoala
• näköala
• näyttämöala
• oikeudenala
• oikeusala
• oktaaviala
• opetusala
• opinala
• opintoala
• osaamisala
• painoala
• painopisteala
• palveluala
• pankkiala
• panninala
• peittoala
• peliala
• peltoala
• pienialainen
• pienpalkka-ala
• pinta-ala
• pohja-ala
• puhdistuspalveluala
• puhtauspalveluala
• purjeala
• puutarha-ala
• pyyhkäisyala
• rakennusala
• ravintola-ala
• ravitsemisala
• Saartoala
• sairaanhoitoala
• seksiala
• siivousala
• sosiaaliala
• sovellusala
• soveltamisala
• spesiaaliala
• suppea-alainen
• sydänala
• sähköala
• sävelala
• taiteenala
• taka-ala
• talousala
• tapahtuma-ala
• teatteriala
• tekstiiliala
• teleala
• teollisuudenala
• terveydenhoitoala
• terveydenhuoltoala
• terveysala
• tiedonala
• tieteenala
• tietoliikenneala
• tietotekniikka-ala
• toimiala
• toiminta-ala
• toistoala
• tunneala
• tuotannonala
• tuotantoala
• turkisala
• turva-ala
• turvallisuusala
• tynnyrinala
• työala
• uudistusala
• vaatetusala
• vaikutusala
• vakuutusala
• vesiviljelyala
• viestintäala
• viherala
• viihdeala
• viljelyala
• viljelysala
• väriala
• värintoistoala
• ydinala
• ääniala
• öljyala

Further reading

• “ala”, in Kielitoimiston sanakirja [Dictionary of Contemporary Finnish]‎^[17] (in Finnish) (online dictionary, continuously updated), Kotimaisten kielten keskuksen verkkojulkaisuja 35, Helsinki: Kotimaisten kielten tutkimuskeskus (Institute for the Languages of Finland), 2004–, retrieved 1 July 2023

Etymology 2

From Proto-Finnic *alak, equivalent to ala- +‎ -(k) (k-lative singular). Attested since the time of Mikael Agricola (output c. 1543–1552).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɑlɑˣ/, [ˈɑ̝lɑ̝(ʔ)]
• Rhymes: -ɑlɑ
• Syllabification^(key): a‧la
• Hyphenation^(key): ala

Postposition

ala [with genitive] (dialectal)

1. (of motion) synonym of alle (“(to) under”)

Usage notes

Dialectal distribution of ala
Northern Satakunta (Pohjois-Satakunta) [Tavastian dialects] Karvia, Kihniö, Parkano Northern Tavastia (Pohjois-Häme) [Tavastian dialects] Virrat Southern Ostrobothnia (Etelä-Pohjanmaa) [South Ostrobothnian dialects] Alahärmä, Alavus, Ilmajoki, Isojoki, Isokyrö, Jalasjärvi, Jurva, Kauhajoki, Kauhava, Kuortane, Kurikka, Laihia, Lapua, Nurmo, Peräseinäjoki, Seinäjoki, Teuva, Töysä, Vähäkyrö, Ylihärmä Central Ostrobothnia (Keski-Pohjanmaa) [Central and North Ostrobothnian dialects] Himanka Northern Central Finland (Pohjoinen Keski-Suomi) [Savonian dialects] Hankasalmi, Karstula, Konginkangas, Konnevesi, Laukaa, Multia, Pihtipudas, Saarijärvi, Sumiainen, Uurainen, Äänekoski Western Central Finland (Läntinen Keski-Suomi) [Savonian dialects] Keuruu, Lehtimäki, Pihlajavesi, Ähtäri Southern Central Finland (Eteläinen Keski-Suomi) [Savonian dialects] Hartola, Joutsa, Jyväskylä, Korpilahti, Leivonmäki, Luhanka, Muurame, Pertunmaa, Petäjävesi Northern Savonia (Pohjois-Savo) [Savonian dialects] Haukivuori, Heinävesi, Jäppilä, Kaavi, Kangaslampi, Karttula, Leppävirta, Maaninka, Nilsiä, Pieksämäki, Pielavesi, Rantasalmi, Rautalampi, Siilinjärvi, Suonenjoki, Tervo, Tuusniemi, Vehmersalmi, Virtasalmi Southern Savonia (Etelä-Savo) [Savonian dialects] Hirvensalmi, Juva, Kangasniemi, Puumala, Ristiina, Sulkava, Sääminki Northern Karelia (Pohjois-Karjala) [Savonian dialects] Juuka, Kitee Central Karelia (Keski-Karjala) [Southeastern dialects] Gromovo (Sakkola), Melnikovskoye (Räisälä), Otradnoye (Pyhäjärvi (Vpl)), Sosnovo (Rautu) Southern Karelia (Etelä-Karjala) [Southeastern dialects] Joutseno, Kamennogorsk (Antrea), Lappee, Lemi, Lesogorsky (Jääski), Michurinskoye (Valkjärvi), Ozyorskoye (Vuoksenranta), Pervomayskoye (Kivennapa), Polyany (Uusikirkko (Vpl)), Pravdino (Muolaa), Primorsk (Koivisto), Rautjärvi, Ruokolahti, Savitaipale, Sovetsky (Johannes), Svobodnoye (Kirvu), Taipalsaari, Veshchevo (Heinjoki), Vuoksela, Vyborg (Viipuri), Yashino (Vahviala), Ylämaa, Zelenogorsk (Terijoki) Ingria (Inkeri) [Southeastern dialects] Dudergof (Tuutari/Tuuteri), Gubanitsy (Kupanitsa), Kobrino (Koprina), Moloskovitsy (Moloskovitsa), Shpankovo (Spankkova), Shundorovo (Hietamäki), Slavyanka (Venjoki), Yarvosol (Järvisaari) Värmland (Vermlanti) [Savonian dialects] Värmland (Vermlanti)
The classification of and data for regional dialects is based on pre-1950s data. Since the 1950s, the dialects have become increasingly mixed, levelled and influenced by Standard Finnish. Besides Standard Finnish, a relatively uniform and originally urban 'colloquial Finnish' is beginning to emerge in their place, especially in the cities. Source: Suomen murteiden sanakirja by Kotimaisten kielten keskus (CC BY 4.0); see the information for the background image for its sources and licensing

Etymology 3

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɑlɑˣ/, [ˈɑ̝lɑ̝(ʔ)]
• Rhymes: -ɑlɑ
• Syllabification^(key): a‧la
• Hyphenation^(key): ala

Verb

ala

1. inflection of alkaa:
   1. present active indicative connegative
   2. second-person singular present imperative
   3. second-person singular present active imperative connegative

Franco-Provençal

Noun

ala (Valdôtain, Piemontais)

1. Alternative form of âla (“wing”) documented in the following location(s): Aosta, Arnad, Ayas, Aymavilles, Brusson, Challand-St-Anselme, Challand-St-Victor, Champorcher, Charvensod, Cogne, Courmayeur, Doues, Fontainemore, La Thuile, Montjovet, Morgex, Nus, Quart, St-Oyen, St-Rhémy-en-Bosses, St-Vincent, Valgrisenche, Valpelline; Giaglione

Galician

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin āla. Compare the inherited á.

Noun

ala f (plural alas)

1. wing

   Synonym: á

Further reading

• “ala”, in Dicionario da Real Academia Galega (in Galician), A Coruña: Royal Galician Academy, 2012–2026

Gallurese

Etymology

Inherited from Classical Latin āla, from earlier *axla, from axis, from Proto-Italic *aksis, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱs- (“axis”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈala/

Noun

ala f (plural ali)

1. wing

Hawaiian

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈa.la/, [ˈɐ.lə]

Etymology 1

From Proto-Polynesian *hala, from Proto-Central Pacific *sala, variant of *cala, from Proto-Oceanic *jalan, from Proto-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *zalan, from Proto-Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *zalan, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *zalan, from Proto-Austronesian *zalan. Cognates include Māori ara, Samoan ala and Tongan sala.

Noun

ala

1. way, path, road

   ala hoʻi ʻole mai

   a pathway with no return

Derived terms

• ala a ka manu
• ala iki a kāhuna
• alahao
• alakaʻi
• alaloa
• alanui
• alawai

Etymology 2

From Proto-Polynesian *qara, from Proto-Central Pacific *qadra. Cognates include Māori ara, Samoan ala and Tongan ʻā.

Verb

ala

1. to waken
2. (stative) awake
3. to arise, rise up

   ala kūʻē

   to rise in revolt

Synonyms

• (rise): See Thesaurus:ala

Derived terms

• hoʻāla (“to awaken (sb.), incite, stir up”)
• hoʻoala (“to awaken (sb.)”)

Etymology 3

Verb

ala

1. (rare) alternative form of ale (“to swallow”)

   Synonyms: alaō, alapoho

   Ua ala ka iʻa i ka makau.

   The fish swallows the hook whole.

Etymology 4

Determiner

ala

1. (demonstrative) variant of kēlā: that

Usage notes

kēlā and lā are more frequently used.

References

• Pukui, Mary Kawena; Elbert, Samuel H. (1986), “ala”, in Hawaiian Dictionary, Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, →ISBN
• ala in Combined Hawaiian Dictionary, at trussel2.com.

Hoyahoya

Noun

ala

1. grandfather

References

• Philip Carr, Hoyahoya organised phonology data (2006)

Icelandic

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈaːla]
• Rhymes: -aːla

Etymology 1

From Old Norse ala, from Proto-Germanic *alaną (“to nourish, grow”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- (“to grow”).

Verb

ala (strong verb, third-person singular past indicative ól, third-person plural past indicative ólu, supine alið)

1. to bear, give birth to [with accusative]
2. to foster [with accusative]
3. to feed, nourish [with accusative]

Conjugation

ala – active voice (germynd)

infinitive nafnháttur		að ala
supine sagnbót		alið
present participle lýsingarháttur nútíðar		alandi
		indicative framsöguháttur			subjunctive viðtengingarháttur
		present nútíð	past þátíð		present nútíð	past þátíð
singular	ég	el	ól		ali	æli
	þú	elur	ólst		alir	ælir
	hann, hún, það	elur	ól		ali	æli
plural	við	ölum	ólum		ölum	ælum
	þið	alið	óluð		alið	æluð
	þeir, þær, þau	ala	ólu		ali	ælu
		imperative boðháttur
singular	þú	al (þú), aldu
plural	þið	alið (þið), aliði1

¹ Spoken form, usually not written; in writing, the unappended plural form (optionally followed by the full pronoun) is preferred.

alast – mediopassive voice (miðmynd)

infinitive nafnháttur		að alast
supine sagnbót		alist
present participle lýsingarháttur nútíðar		alandist (rare; see appendix)
		indicative framsöguháttur			subjunctive viðtengingarháttur
		present nútíð	past þátíð		present nútíð	past þátíð
singular	ég	elst	ólst		alist	ælist
	þú	elst	ólst		alist	ælist
	hann, hún, það	elst	ólst		alist	ælist
plural	við	ölumst	ólumst		ölumst	ælumst
	þið	alist	ólust		alist	ælust
	þeir, þær, þau	alast	ólust		alist	ælust
		imperative boðháttur
singular	þú	alst (þú), alstu
plural	þið	alist (þið), alisti1

¹ Spoken form, usually not written; in writing, the unappended plural form (optionally followed by the full pronoun) is preferred.

alinn — past participle (lýsingarháttur þátíðar)

strong declension (sterk beyging)	singular (eintala)			plural (fleirtala)
	masculine (karlkyn)	feminine (kvenkyn)	neuter (hvorugkyn)	masculine (karlkyn)	feminine (kvenkyn)	neuter (hvorugkyn)
nominative (nefnifall)	alinn	alin	alið	aldir	aldar	alin
accusative (þolfall)	alinn	alda	alið	alda	aldar	alin
dative (þágufall)	öldum	alinni	öldu	öldum	öldum	öldum
genitive (eignarfall)	alins	alinnar	alins	alinna	alinna	alinna
weak declension (veik beyging)	singular (eintala)			plural (fleirtala)
	masculine (karlkyn)	feminine (kvenkyn)	neuter (hvorugkyn)	masculine (karlkyn)	feminine (kvenkyn)	neuter (hvorugkyn)
nominative (nefnifall)	aldi	alda	alda	öldu	öldu	öldu
accusative (þolfall)	alda	öldu	alda	öldu	öldu	öldu
dative (þágufall)	alda	öldu	alda	öldu	öldu	öldu
genitive (eignarfall)	alda	öldu	alda	öldu	öldu	öldu

Derived terms

• ala aldur sinn (“to live one's life”)
• ala á (“to harp on”)
• ala upp
• ala önn fyrir (“to take care of someone”)
• alast

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Noun

ala

1. indefinite genitive plural of alur

Igala

Álá

Etymology

Compare with Ebira àra, probably from Idoma ala, displaced native àgwùtọ̀

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /á.lá/

Noun

álá

1. sheep

   Synonym: (obsolete) àgwùtọ̀

2. (idiomatic, offensive) idiot, stupid person

   Synonyms: àgwùtọ̀, álá onẹ̀

Derived terms

• Ígáláà

Igbo

Alternative forms

• ànị̀ (Onicha)

Etymology 1

From Proto-Igboid *ɛ́-làCḭ. Cognate with Ekpeye ɛ́lɛ̀, Ogbah àlɪ̀, Ezaa àlɪ̀, Izi àlɪ̀, Ukwuani-Aboh-Ndoni ànɪ̀, Ika àlɪ̀. Compare Proto-Yoruboid *á-lɛ̀, (Yoruba alẹ̀).

Noun

ala

1. earth, land, soil, ground.

Derived terms

• ala eze (“kingdom”)
• ala mmụọ (“spirit world”)
• Ọmenala

Etymology 2

From Proto-Igboid [Term?]. Cognate with Ogbah ɛ́rã́, Ezaa ɛ́rá, Izi ɛ́rá, Ukwuani-Aboh-Ndoni ɛ́lá, Ika ɛ́rã́. Possibly cognate with Yoruba wàrà.

Noun

ala

1. breast
2. milk

Indonesian

Pronunciation

• (Standard Indonesian) IPA^(key): /ˈala/ [ˈa.la]
• Rhymes: -ala
• Syllabification: a‧la

Etymology 1

From French à la, perhaps through English a la and the use got influenced by social media and popular culture (especially in culinary).

Preposition

ala

1. (colloquial) a la, in the style or manner of

   Near-synonyms: secara, semodel, khas

Etymology 2

Inherited from Malay ala (“high”), from Arabic عَلَى (ʕalā).

Adjective

ala (comparative lebih ala, superlative paling ala)

1. (rare) exalted, high

   Synonym: tinggi

Etymology 3

From Arabic عَلَى (ʕalā).

Noun

ala

1. (law) land, with the owner or descendants still have the main rights in that land

Etymology 4

Borrowed from Balinese [Term?].

Noun

ala (plural ala-ala)

1. (chiefly dialectal) outrigger

   Synonym: cadik

Etymology 5

Learned borrowing from Latin āla (“wing”).

Noun

ala (plural ala-ala)

1. (anatomy, botany) ala
   1. (anatomy) a wing or winglike anatomic process or part, especially of bone.
   2. (botany) the flattened border of some stems, fruits, and seeds, or one of the two side petals of certain flowers in the pea family.

Etymology 6

Unknown, probably Masiwang [Term?].

Noun

ala (plural ala-ala)

1. small rivers flowing into the sea

Further reading

• “ala”, in Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia [Great Dictionary of the Indonesian Language] (in Indonesian), Jakarta: Agency for Language Development and Cultivation – Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, 2016

Irish

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈalˠə/

Noun

ala

1. Only used in phrases; see Derived terms below

Derived terms

• ar ala na huaire (“on the spur of the moment; within a second”)
• gach ala (“every now and then”)

Further reading

• Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977), “ala”, in Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla [Irish–English Dictionary], Dublin: An Gúm, →ISBN

Istriot

Etymology

From Latin āla.

Noun

ala f

1. wing

References

• Antonio Pellizzer; Giovanni Pellizzer (1992), Vocabulario del dialetto di Rovigno d'Istria, page 40
• Sandro Cergna (2015), Vocabolario del dialetto di Valle d'Istria, →ISBN, page 22

Italian

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈa.la/
• Rhymes: -ala
• Hyphenation: à‧la

Etymology 1

From Latin āla.

Noun

ala f (plural ali or (archaic or poetic) ale)

1. wing

   Synonym: alia (archaic; slang)

Related terms

• ala a delta
• alare
• alato
• aleggiare
• aletta
• ali-
• aliforme
• aligero
• alipede

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Verb

ala

1. inflection of alare:
   1. third-person singular present indicative
   2. second-person singular imperative

Jamaican Creole

Etymology

Inherited from English holler.

Verb

ala

1. to holler, to shout

Further reading

• “A Learner’s Grammar of Jamaican”, in Open Grammar Project‎^[18], 2015, Glossary‎^[19]

Jarai

Etymology

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *hulaʀ, from Proto-Austronesian *Sulaʀ.

Noun

ala (classifier drơi)

1. snake

Javanese

Romanization

ala

1. romanization of ꦲꦭ

Kapampangan

Alternative forms

• la (text messaging)

Etymology

From Proto-Central Philippine *wadaq, from Proto-Philippine *wada (“to be, exist”), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *wada.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /əˈlaʔ/ [əˈlaʔ]
• Hyphenation: a‧la

Adjective

alâ

1. nothing; no one; none; nonexistent; zero

   Synonyms: e, emiki-, emika-

2. missing; absent; gone; lost

   Synonyms: liban, bating, lili

3. free (from); lacking; without

   Synonyms: ligtas, kulang

4. (by extension) broken up (in a relationship)

   Synonym: mikawani

   Alanalu.

   They are not together anymore.

5. (euphemistic) dead

   Synonyms: mete, mangubie, meyapas, mepulid, mitda

Ladin

Etymology

From a +‎ la.

Contraction

ala

1. at or to the (+ feminine singular noun)

Latin

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): [ˈaː.ɫa]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): [ˈaː.la]

Etymology 1

Etymology tree

Proto-Indo-European *h₂eǵ-?

Proto-Indo-European *-os

Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱs-der.

Proto-Italic *aksis

Latin axis

Latin *axla

Latin āla

For earlier *axla, from axis, from Proto-Italic *aksis, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱs- (“axis”).

Noun

āla f (genitive ālae); first declension

1. a wing (appendage of an animal's body that enables it to fly)
2. (anatomy) the armpit (the upper and under part of the arm, where it unites with the shoulder)
3. (of an animal) shoulder blade, axilla (the hollow where the foreleg is joined to the shoulder)
4. (of a plant) the hollow where a limb joins the trunk of a tree
5. (architecture) wings, side halls or porches, waiting areas, colonnades, side apartments (side rooms off the main room, the side apartments on the right and left of a court)
6. (military) a wing (portion of an army, cavalry force (usually) deployed on an army's flank)
7. (transferred) wings (the members of a group placed along the perimeter)
   • 29 BCE – 19 BCE, Vergilius, Aeneis 4.121:

     “[...] dum trepidant ālae, saltūsque indāgine cingunt, [...].”

     “[At the hunting party of Dido and Aeneas], while the beaters rush about, and encircle forest glades with net[s], [...].”
     (Understood here as the beaters, mounted or on foot, who flush the prey and drive it toward the hunters.)

Declension

First-declension noun.

	singular	plural
nominative	āla	ālae
genitive	ālae	ālārum
dative	ālae	ālīs
accusative	ālam	ālās
ablative	ālā	ālīs
vocative	āla	ālae

Derived terms

• ālar
• ālārius
• ālāte
• ālātus
• āles
• āliger
• ālipēs
• ālipilus
• ascella
• axilla

Descendants

• Asturian: ala, nala, ñala, esnala
• Catalan: ala
• Dalmatian: jal
• Emilian: èglia
• Franco-Provençal: âla
• Friulian: ale
• Gallurese: ala
• Italian: ala
• Ligurian: âa
• Occitan: ala
• Old French: aile f
  • Middle French: aisle f, aesle, æsle
    • French: aile f
  • Franc-Comtois: âle
  • → Middle English: ele, ell, eyle, hele, ilde, ile, ill, ille, yele, yle, eill (Northern), iill, yill (Early Scots)
    • English: aisle
    • Middle Scots: ile
• Old Galician-Portuguese: aa
  • Galician: á
  • Portuguese: á
• Romansh: ala, ela
• Sardinian: aba, ala, àua
• Sassarese: ara
• Sicilian: ala
• Spanish: ala
• Venetan: ała
• → English: ala, ali-
• → Esperanto: alo
• → Galician: ala
• → Portuguese: ala

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Noun

āla

1. nominative/accusative/vocative plural of ālum

Further reading

• ala in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• ala in Charlton T. Lewis (1891), An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• "ala", in Charles du Fresne du Cange, Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition with additions by D. P. Carpenterius, Adelungius and others, edited by Léopold Favre, 1883–1887)
• ala in Harry Thurston Peck, editor (1898), Harper's Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, New York: Harper & Brothers
• ala in William Smith et al., editor (1890), A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, London: William Wayte. G. E. Marindin

Latvian

Ala (1)

Trušu ala (2)

Etymology

The usual theory considers ala to be borrowed from Middle Low German hol (“depth, hole, cave”), from Old Saxon hol, or maybe from the same form in Middle Dutch or German Low German (East Frisian); cf. German Höhle (“cave”), all from Proto-West Germanic *hol.

A different view suggests that ala could also be a reflex of an old Proto-Indo-European stem *h₁el-, *ol-, *al- (“to flow, to drain”) with various Baltic reflexes: dialectal alots, alogs, standard avots (“(water) source”), alksna, aluksna (“miry, swampy place”) (cf. place names like Alūksne, Alūkstes), Lithuanian alė́ti (“to flow, to drip”). The original meaning of ala would thus have been “(water) source”, from which “place (e.g., cave, rift, pit) from which water springs,” and finally simply “cave,” possibly under the influence of the aforementioned Germanic words.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ala]

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

ala f (4th declension)

1. cave (space or cavity formed underground, especially between rocks, or in the face of a cliff or hillside)

   klinšu alas ― rock caves

   pazemes ala ― subterranean cave

   alu labirinti ― cave labyrinths

   alu cilvēks ― caveman

   alu zīmējumi ― cave drawings, paintings

   Abhāzijā atrodas ala, kuras labirinti ir vairāk nekā trīs kilometrus gari ― in Abkhazia there is a cave with labyrinths longer than three kilometers

2. burrow, hole, lair, den (the dwelling of some animals, in the form of a cavity with one or many exits)

   peles, lapsas alas ― mice, fox holes

   āpšu, trušu alas ― badger, rabbit holes, burrows

   rakt alu ― to dig a hole, burrow

   nekā sevišķa tur neredzēja, izņemot nelielu caurumu zemē... likās tā kā kurmja ala ― there was nothing special to see there, except a small whole on the ground... it seemed to be a molehill (lit. hole)

Declension

Declension of ala (4th)

	singular	plural
nominative	ala	alas
genitive	alas	alu
dative	alai	alām
accusative	alu	alas
instrumental	alu	alām
locative	alā	alās
vocative	ala	alas

Derived terms

• alu cilvēks

See also

• speleoloģija

Laz

Conjunction

ala

1. Latin spelling of ალა (ala)

Makasar

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈala/, [ˈa.la]
• Hyphenation: a‧la

Particle

ala (Lontara spelling ᨕᨒ)

1. perhaps; maybe; approximately

   Ala bajiki niapa?

   What should perhaps be done to it?

   Ala apami lakukana?

   What should I perhaps say?

   Ala siapa are jaina tau battu

   Approximately how many people came.

2. if; in case; supposing

   Bellai ri nakke ala angkanaya « sukkukmi parekna »

   I am still far off if saying "its creation is perfect".

   Ala tamangenu anjoreng, teatongko maeì

   If you do not want to go there, do not come here either.

3. let alone; much less; especially

   Ri lino kutamateʼne, ala ri anjapa sallang

   In the world alone I am not happy, much less in the hereafter later.

   Inakke kiatài ala parentakupa seng takianuang

   I myself am made a servant by you, let alone my territories that you do not possess.

   Ala iamamo seng kagauʼ nyamanduduja

   Especially just a very comfortable job.

   Ala ikattemamo seng niaka paarenganta

   Especially you who also have a position.

4. should; had better; fittingly

   Kelong: daeng leʼ paʼboyatommaʼ, baine kontu ikau, punna taena, ala bajiʼ taikau

   Poem: dear older brother, find me a wife like you, if there is none, should it not be you yourself.

   Ala nasareatodong andiʼna

   He should also give to his younger sibling.

   Punna tanakullemo nabayaraʼ, ala bajiʼ takalenna kusuro-eranngangi karaenga

   If he can no longer pay, had better I myself order him brought to the king.

   Ala ikaumo ʼlampa punna tèai

   You had better go if he does not want to.

5. whether...or...

   Ala ri nakke ala ri kau

   Whether to me or to you.

   Ala lompo ala caʼdi

   Whether big or small.

   Ala buraʼne ala baine

   Whether male or female.

   Tenamo tau bajiʼ ampatta-pattaui ala bijanna, ala belana apapa ia tau maraenga

   There are no longer good people who reprimand him, whether his family, or his relatives, let alone other people.

6. than; compared to

   Bajikanngangkiʼ aʼlampa kipatilampa-lampài ala ammotereka

   It is better we go even if we get lost, than return.

   Laʼbiranngangi appainranga ala assarea

   It is better to lend than to give.

Derived terms

compounds

• ala kamma
• ala seʼre
• ala siapa-siapa

Further reading

• Cense, A. A. (1979), Makassaars-Nederlands woordenboek [Makasar-Dutch dictionary], 's-Gravenhage: Martinus Nijhoff, →ISBN

Malagasy

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈa.la/, [ˈa.lə̥]

• Audio:

  (file)

Etymology 1

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *halas, from Proto-Austronesian *Salas. Cognate with Balinese alas, Javanese ꦲꦭꦱ꧀ (alas).

Noun

ala

1. forest

Etymology 2

From Proto-Austronesian *alaq (“fetch; get; take”).

Adverb

ala

1. without; freed from; removed from

Malay

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -alə

Preposition

ala (Jawi spelling الا or على)

1. like
2. according to
3. on

References

• “ala”, in Kamus Dewan [The Institute Dictionary] (in Malay), Fourth edition, Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 2005, →ISBN

Further reading

• "ala" in Pusat Rujukan Persuratan Melayu (PRPM) [Malay Literary Reference Centre (PRPM)] (in Malay), Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 2017
  (also see "ala" at PRPM first version)

Mandar

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ala/

Verb

ala

1. to take

Mirandese

Noun

ala f (plural alas)

1. wing
2. (nautical) sail

North Wahgi

Noun

ala

1. mistake

References

• Heather and Don Mc Lean, North Wahgi (Yu We) Organised Phonology Data (2005), p. 2

Northern Kurdish

Etymology

Seemingly recently borrowed from Central Kurdish ئاڵا (alla); ultimate origin uncertain. Perhaps derived from al (“side”), or a reflection of Arabic علامة or Turkic al (“red”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɑːˈlɑː/

Noun

Northern Kurdish	ala
Central Kurdish	ئاڵا (alla)

ala m (Arabic spelling ئالا)

1. flag, banner, standard

Usage notes

Often times confused to be al instead of ala by Northern Kurdish speakers, because the word is feminine and the feminine Izafe marker is -a-.

Declension

Declension of ala

definite feminine gender
case	singular	plural
nominative	ala	ala
construct	alaya	alayên
oblique	alayê	alayan
demonstrative oblique	wê alayê	wan alayan
vocative	alayê	alayino
indefinite feminine gender
case	singular	plural
nominative	alayek	alayin
construct	alayeke	alayine
oblique	alayekê	alayinan

References

• Chyet, Michael L. (2020), “ala”, in Ferhenga Birûskî: Kurmanji–English Dictionary (Language Series; 1), volume 1, London: Transnational Press, page 5

Northern Ndebele

Verb

-ála

1. to refuse

Inflection

This verb needs an inflection-table template.

Northern Sami

Etymology

From Proto-Sami *ëlëk.

Pronunciation

• (Kautokeino) IPA^(key): /ˈala/

Adverb

ala

1. over
2. on, on top

Derived terms

• alcces-, alcce-, allas- (locative stems of ieš (“self”))

Postposition

ala

1. over
2. on, onto, on top of

Further reading

• Eino Koponen, Klaas Ruppel, Kirsti Aapala, editors (2002–2008), Álgu database: Etymological database of the Saami languages‎^[20], Helsinki: Research Institute for the Languages of Finland

Norwegian Nynorsk

Etymology 1

From Old Norse ala, from Proto-Germanic *alaną, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂életi.

Alternative forms

• ale (e infinitive)
• ålå (dialectal)

Verb

ala (present tense aler or el, past tense alte or ol, past participle alt or ale, present participle alande, imperative al)

1. to foster

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Noun

ala

1. definite plural of al

References

• “ala” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.

Occitan

Etymology

From Latin āla.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [alo̞]
• (Niçard) IPA^(key): [ˈa.la]

• Audio (Béarn):

  (file)

Noun

ala f (plural alas)

1. wing

Old English

Noun

āla

1. genitive plural of āl

Old High German

Etymology

From Proto-West Germanic *ālu. Cognates include Old English æl and Old Norse alr.

Noun

āla f

1. awl

Descendants

• German: Ahle

Old Norse

Etymology 1

From Proto-Germanic *alaną (“to nourish, grow”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂életi, from *h₂el- (“to raise, feed, nourish”). Cognate with Old English alan and Latin alō.

Verb

ala (singular present indicative elr, singular past indicative ól, plural past indicative ólu, past participle alinn)

1. to produce
2. to testify
3. to breed
4. to nourish

Conjugation

Conjugation of ala — active (strong class 6)

infinitive	ala
present participle	alandi
past participle	alinn
indicative	present	past
1st-person singular	el	ól
2nd-person singular	elr	ólt
3rd-person singular	elr	ól
1st-person plural	ǫlum	ólum
2nd-person plural	alið	óluð
3rd-person plural	ala	ólu
subjunctive	present	past
1st-person singular	ala	ǿla
2nd-person singular	alir	ǿlir
3rd-person singular	ali	ǿli
1st-person plural	alim	ǿlim
2nd-person plural	alið	ǿlið
3rd-person plural	ali	ǿli
imperative	present
2nd-person singular	al
1st-person plural	ǫlum
2nd-person plural	alið

Conjugation of ala — mediopassive (strong class 6)

infinitive	alask
present participle	alandisk
past participle	alizk
indicative	present	past
1st-person singular	ǫlumk	ólumk
2nd-person singular	elsk	ólzk
3rd-person singular	elsk	ólsk
1st-person plural	ǫlumsk	ólumsk
2nd-person plural	alizk	óluzk
3rd-person plural	alask	ólusk
subjunctive	present	past
1st-person singular	ǫlumk	ǿlumk
2nd-person singular	alisk	ǿlisk
3rd-person singular	alisk	ǿlisk
1st-person plural	alimsk	ǿlimsk
2nd-person plural	alizk	ǿlizk
3rd-person plural	alisk	ǿlisk
imperative	present
2nd-person singular	alsk
1st-person plural	ǫlumsk
2nd-person plural	alizk

Derived terms

• aldin, *aldan, aldini (“fruit of the tree”)
• *aligr
  • Swedish: alig
• *alsamr
  • Swedish: alsam, (dialectal) alasam, älasam, alansam
• *alskr
  • Swedish: alsk
• Old East Norse *alstr
  • Old Danish: alster, Old Swedish: alster

Related terms

• aldr
  • aldri, aldrigi
• aldinn
• alinn (“upbrought, well bred”)
• Old West Norse eldi, Old East Norse *ældr, *aldr, *alðr (“offspring”)
  • Old Swedish: alder, aldher
• Old West Norse elli, Old East Norse *ælli, *ældi
• Old West Norse *elja, Old East Norse *ælia (causative)
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: elja
• Old West Norse ellri, Old East Norse *ældri
• Old West Norse elska, Old East Norse ælska
• Old West Norse elskr, Old East Norse ælskr
• ǫld

Descendants

• Icelandic: ala
• Faroese: ala
• Norwegian Nynorsk: ala
• Norwegian Bokmål: ale
• Jamtish: äl
• Old Swedish: ala
  • Swedish: ala
    • ⇒ Swedish: uppala
• Old Danish: alæ
• Old Gutnish: ala

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Noun

ala

1. indefinite genitive plural of alr

Further reading

• Zoëga, Geir T. (1910), “ala”, in A Concise Dictionary of Old Icelandic, Oxford: Clarendon Press; also available at the Internet Archive

Old Spanish

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈala/

Etymology 1

From Latin āla.

Noun

ala f (plural alas)

1. wing (limb)
   • c. 1200, Almeric, Fazienda de Ultramar, f. 67v. a:

     la p̃mera ſemeiaua leon e auie alas de aguila ueye q̃ meſauan ſus alas e cayen atierra e ſobre ſos piedes como om̃e se leuãtaua

     The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I saw its wings torn off and fall to the ground so that it stood on its feet like a man.

Descendants

• Ladino: ala (Latin spelling)
• Spanish: ala

Etymology 2

A contraction of a (“to, toward, in, at”) + la (“the”); the feminine singular definite article.

Contraction

ala (plural alas)

1. (followed by a singular feminine noun) to the, toward the
   • c. 1200, Almeric, Fazienda de Ultramar, f. 2v. b.

     Loth ouo miedo de ſeer en segor esubio alas mõtãnas cõ sus .ij. fijas. estido ẽ una cueua cõ sus .ij. fijas. edixo la maior ala menor. nr̃o padre es uyeio eno nos podremos caſar. com es derecho.

     [Loth ovo miedo de seer en segor, esubió a las montañas con sus duas fujas. Estido en una cueva con sus duas fijas. E dixo la mayor a la menor: "nuestro padre es viejo e non nos podremos casar, com es derecho".]

     Lot was afraid to stay in Zoar, so he moved to the mountains with his two daughters. There he lived in a cave with his two daughters; then the elder [daughter] said to the younger: "Our father is old, and [here] we cannot marry as is the custom."

2. (followed by a singular feminine noun) in the, at the
   • c. 1200, Almeric, Fazienda de Ultramar, f. 2v. a:

     eſtos angeles cõ q̃ fablo abraã. vinieron a ſodoma e loth ſedia ala puerta de la cibdat. e violos & leuãtos cõtra ellõ.

     [Estos ángeles con que fabló Abraam vinieron a Sodoma e Lot sedía a la puerta de la cibdat. E vio-los e levantó-s contra ellos.]

     These angels to whom Abraham spoke came to Sodom, and Lot was sitting at the gateway of the city. And he saw them and got up to meet them.

Related terms

• al

Pagu

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ʔala]

  • Audio:

    (file)

Conjunction

ala

1. then

   Ma ‘Djawa’-si, ala de ma ‘Dudi’.

   ‘Djawa’ first, and then ‘Dudi’.

References

• Perangin Angin, Dalan Mehuli (2023), Kamus Pagu-Indonesia-Inggris, Jakarta: Penerbit BRIN

Papiamentu

Alternative forms

• hala (alternative spelling)

Etymology

Derived from Portuguese ala and Spanish ala.

Noun

ala

1. wing

Polish

Etymology

Etymology tree

Proto-Indo-European *h₂eǵ-?

Proto-Indo-European *-os

Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱs-der.

Proto-Italic *aksis

Latin axis

Latin *axla

Latin ālalbor.

Polish ala

Learned borrowing from Latin āla.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈa.la/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ala
• Syllabification: a‧la
• Homophone: Ala

Noun

ala f

1. (historical, Ancient Rome) ala (Roman allied military unit)

Declension

Declension of ala

	singular	plural
nominative	ala	ale
genitive	ali	al
dative	ali	alom
accusative	alę	ale
instrumental	alą	alami
locative	ali	alach
vocative	alo	ale

Further reading

• “ala”, in Polish dictionaries at PWN‎^[21] (in Polish)

Portuguese

Pronunciation

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /ˈa.lɐ/

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /ˈa.lɐ/

• Audio (Brazil (Caipira)):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -alɐ
• Hyphenation: a‧la

Etymology 1

Learned borrowing from Latin āla. Compare the inherited doublet á.

Noun

ala f (plural alas)

1. a flank
   1. (military) a flank unit
   2. (sports) wing (position on either side of the field)
2. (chiefly politics) faction (ideologically distinct group within an organisation)
3. a row among a larger group of people or things
   1. (military) a rank or file of soldiers
   2. (Brazil) a subdivision of a carnival block consisting of similarly themed participants
4. (architecture) wing (part of a building that extends from the main structure)
5. (chess) each player’s half of the chessboard
6. (dated) wing (part of an animal)

Noun

ala m or f by sense (plural alas)

1. (sports) wing; winger (player in a wing position)
2. (aviation) wingman (support pilot in a squadron)

Related terms

• alado
• alar

Interjection

ala!

1. out! (demanding that someone leave)

   Synonym: fora

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Verb

ala

1. inflection of alar:
   1. third-person singular present indicative
   2. second-person singular imperative

Further reading

• “ala”, in Dicionário Aulete Digital (in Portuguese), Rio de Janeiro: Lexikon Editora Digital, 2008–2026
• “ala”, in Dicionário Priberam da Língua Portuguesa (in Portuguese), Lisbon: Priberam, 2008–2026

Pukapukan

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian *hala, from Proto-Oceanic *jalan, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *zalan, from Proto-Austronesian *zalan.

Noun

ala

1. path, way, lane, track

Derived terms

• alāmata
• alāmatangi
• alāvai
• ngutuala

Further reading

• Te Pukamuna | Pukapuka Dictionary

Rade

Etymology

From Proto-Chamic *ʔular, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *hulaʀ, from Proto-Austronesian *Sulaʀ.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /alaa/, [ʔəlaa]

Noun

ala

1. snake

Romansh

Alternative forms

• ela (Puter)

Etymology

From Latin āla.

Noun

ala f (plural alas)

1. (Rumantsch Grischun, Sursilvan, Sutsilvan, Surmiran, Vallader) wing
2. mouldboard

Sassarese

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈala/

Noun

ala f (plural ali)

1. (dialectal) alternative form of ara (“wing”)

Serbo-Croatian

Etymology 1

Possibly related to Polish ale. In that case, inherited from Proto-Slavic *ale.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ǎla/

Adverb

àla (Cyrillic spelling а̀ла)

1. (used for emphasis, or as an intensifier) expression of awe, surprise, dismay, etc.

   Ala je bilo lijepo! ― It sure was nice!

   Ala lažeš! ― Oh, you're lying!

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Ottoman Turkish آلا (ala, “spotted, variegated”).

Alternative forms

• hala

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ǎːla/, /ǎla/, /âla/

Adjective

ála or àla or ȁla (Cyrillic spelling а́ла or а̀ла or а̏ла, indeclinable)

1. piebald, spotted

Etymology 3

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *xala, unless borrowed from Ottoman Turkish آلا (ala, “spotted, variegated”), euphemistic for a snake.

Alternative forms

• hala

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ǎːla/, /ǎla/, /âla/

Noun

ála or àla or ȁla f (Cyrillic spelling а́ла or а̀ла or а̏ла)

1. dragon

See also

• aždaha
• zmaj

References

• Knüppel, Michael (2009), “Zu serbo-kroatisch hȁla ∼ ȁla ‘Drache’”, in Wiener Slavistisches Jahrbuch‎^[22] (in German), volume 55, pages 179–183

Sicilian

Etymology

Inherited from Latin āla.

Noun

ala f (plural ali)

1. wing

References

• Traina, Antonino (1868), “ala”, in Nuovo vocabolario Siciliano-Italiano [New Sicilian-Italian vocabulary] (in Italian), Liber Liber, published 2020, page 179

Southern Ndebele

Verb

-ála

1. to refuse

Inflection

This noun needs an inflection-table template.

Spanish

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈala/ [ˈa.la]
• Rhymes: -ala
• Syllabification: a‧la
• Homophone: hala

Etymology 1

Etymology tree

Proto-Indo-European *h₂eǵ-?

Proto-Indo-European *-os

Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱs-der.

Proto-Italic *aksis

Latin axis

Latin *axla

Latin āla

Old Spanish ala

Spanish ala

Inherited from Old Spanish ala, from Latin āla. Cognate with Ladino ala.

Noun

ala f (plural alas)

1. wing (of a bird or insect)

   El pájaro tiene un ala herida. ― The bird has an injured wing.

2. wing (of an aircraft)

   El avión perdió un ala durante el vuelo. ― The plane lost a wing during the flight.

3. brim (of a hat)
4. (military) flank (of a formation)
5. (sports) wing (part of the field)
6. (in the plural) flip, wings (hairstyle)

Noun

ala m or f by sense (plural alas)

1. (sports) winger

Usage notes

• Before feminine nouns beginning with stressed /ˈa/ like ala, the singular definite article takes the form of el (otherwise reserved for masculine nouns) instead of the usual la: el ala. This includes the contracted forms al and del (instead of a la and de la, respectively): al ala, del ala.

This also applies to the indefinite article, which takes the form of un, which is otherwise used with masculine nouns (although the standard feminine form una also occurs): un ala or una ala. The same is true with determiners algún/alguna and ningún/ninguna, as well as for numerals ending with 1 (e.g., veintiún/veintiuna).

However, if another word intervenes between the article and the noun, the usual feminine singular articles and determiners (la, una etc.) are used: la mejor ala, una buena ala.

• In these cases, el and un are not masculine but feminine, deriving from Latin illa and una, respectively, even though they are identical in form to the corresponding masculine singular articles. Thus, they are allomorphs of the feminine singular articles la and una.
• The use of these allomorphs does not change the gender agreement of the adjectives modifying the feminine noun: el ala única, un(a) ala buena.
• In the plural, the usual feminine plural articles and determiners (las, unas, etc.) are always used.

Derived terms

• ahuecar el ala
• ala del corazón
• ala del trinquete
• ala delta
• ala pívot
• alar
• alero
• aliblanco
• alicaído
• alicorto
• alirrojo
• alita
• bajo el ala de
• dar alas
• del ala
• en alas de cucaracha
• las alas de la fantasía
• petrel de alas negras
• tener alas en los pies
• tomar alas

Related terms

• alado
• alear
• aleta

Etymology 2

Interjection

ala

1. alternative spelling of hala

Etymology 3

Contraction

ala

1. (nonstandard) contraction of a (“to”) +‎ la f (“the”)

Further reading

• “ala”, in Diccionario de la lengua española [Dictionary of the Spanish Language] (in Spanish), online version 23.8.1, Royal Spanish Academy [Spanish: Real Academia Española], 15 December 2025

Sranan Tongo

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ala/, [a̠la̠], [ɑ̟lɑ̟]

Pronoun

ala

1. everything

Determiner

ala

1. every; all

Sundanese

Etymology

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *ala (“take, get, fetch; marry”)

Verb

ala (Sundanese spelling ᮃᮜ, active ngala, passive diala)

1. to take, to fetch

Derived terms

• alaeun
• diala
• ngala
• pangala

Swahili

Pronunciation

• (Unguja standard) IPA^(key): /ˈɑ.lɑ/

• Audio (Kenya):

  (file)

Etymology 1

Borrowed from Arabic آلَة (ʔāla).

Noun

ala class IX (plural ala class X)

1. tool, instrument

   Synonym: kifaa

2. sheath, scabbard

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Arabic [Term?].

Interjection

ala

1. Used to express surprise or shock: oh! is that so?

   Synonym: ama

Swazi

Verb

-ála

1. to refuse

Inflection

This verb needs an inflection-table template.

Tagalog

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

• (Standard Tagalog) IPA^(key): /ʔaˈla/ [ʔɐˈla]
• Rhymes: -a
• Syllabification: a‧la
• Homophone: Ala

Interjection

alá (Baybayin spelling ᜀᜎ) (dialectal)

1. expressing negation or disapproval, or sometimes agreement, depending on the tenor of expression

Derived terms

• ala ahoy
• ala e
• ala naman

See also

• hala

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Spanish ala, from Latin āla.

Pronunciation

• (Standard Tagalog) IPA^(key): /ˈʔala/ [ˈʔaː.lɐ]
• Rhymes: -ala
• Syllabification: a‧la

Noun

ala (Baybayin spelling ᜀᜎ)

1. (zootomy, uncommon) wing

   Synonyms: pakpak, bagwis

2. (carpentry) table flap (hinged leaf)
3. (carpentry) doorleaf
4. (architecture) extension of building sideways

Related terms

• alero
• aleta
• aletas de tiburon

See also

• sibi

Etymology 3

Apheresis of wala.

Pronunciation

• (Standard Tagalog) IPA^(key): /ʔaˈlaʔ/ [ʔɐˈlaʔ]
• Rhymes: -aʔ
• Syllabification: a‧la

Pronoun

alâ (Baybayin spelling ᜀᜎ)

1. alternative form of wala

Adjective

alâ (Baybayin spelling ᜀᜎ)

1. alternative form of wala

Etymology 4

Borrowed from Spanish a la.

Pronunciation

• (Standard Tagalog) IPA^(key): /ʔaˈla/ [ʔɐˈla]
• Rhymes: -a
• Syllabification: a‧la
• Homophone: Ala

Adverb

alá (Baybayin spelling ᜀᜎ)

1. o'clock

   Synonym: (besides one o' clock) alas

Usage notes

• Used only for one o' clock.

Related terms

• ala-una
• alarma
• alas-diyes
• alas-dos
• alas-dose
• alas-kuwatro
• alas-nuwebe
• alas-onse
• alas-otso
• alas-sais
• alas-singko
• alas-siyete
• alas-tres
• alasuwerte

Further reading

• “ala”, in Pambansang Diksiyonaryo | Diksiyonaryo.ph, 2018
• Cuadrado Muñiz, Adolfo (1972), Hispanismos en el tagalo: diccionario de vocablos de origen español vigentes en esta lengua filipina, Madrid: Oficina de Educación Iberoamericana, page 20

Talysh

Etymology

Borrowed from Azerbaijani ala.

Adjective

ala

1. variegated

Tokelauan

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈa.la]
• Hyphenation: a‧la

Etymology 1

Te ala (1.1).

From Proto-Polynesian *hala. Cognates include Hawaiian ala and Samoan ala.

Noun

ala

1. path, road
2. reason, cause
3. method, way
4. transport
5. working section of a mat
6. (euphemistic) rectum

Verb

ala

1. (transitive) to result from

Derived terms

• alalaupapa

Etymology 2

From Proto-Polynesian *qara. Cognates include Hawaiian ala and Samoan ala.

Verb

ala (plural feala)

1. (stative) to be awake
2. (stative) to be accurate
3. (stative) to be sharp
4. (stative, of watercraft) to be close to the wind

References

• R. Simona, editor (1986), Tokelau Dictionary‎^[23], Auckland: Office of Tokelau Affairs, page 11

Turkish

Etymology 1

Etymology tree

Proto-Turkic *āla

Ottoman Turkish آلا (ala)

Turkish ala

Inherited from Ottoman Turkish آلا (ala), from Proto-Turkic *āla (“variegated”). Doublet of ela.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /aˈɫa/, [ɑˈɫɑ]

• Audio:

  (file)

• Rhymes: -a
• Hyphenation: a‧la

Adjective

ala

1. multicolored, pied, variegated
2. clipping of alabalık (“trout”)

Declension

Predicative forms of ala

present tense
	positive declarative	positive interrogative
ben (I am)	alayım	ala mıyım?
sen (you are)	alasın	ala mısın?
o (he/she/it is)	ala / aladır	ala mı?
biz (we are)	alayız	ala mıyız?
siz (you are)	alasınız	ala mısınız?
onlar (they are)	ala(lar)	ala(lar) mı?
past tense
	positive declarative	positive interrogative
ben (I was)	alaydım	ala mıydım?
sen (you were)	alaydın	ala mıydın?
o (he/she/it was)	alaydı	ala mıydı?
biz (we were)	alaydık	ala mıydık?
siz (you were)	alaydınız	ala mıydınız?
onlar (they were)	alaydılar	ala mıydılar?
indirect past
	positive declarative	positive interrogative
ben (I was)	alaymışım	ala mıymışım?
sen (you were)	alaymışsın	ala mıymışsın?
o (he/she/it was)	alaymış	ala mıymış?
biz (we were)	alaymışız	ala mıymışız?
siz (you were)	alaymışsınız	ala mıymışsınız?
onlar (they were)	alaymışlar	ala mıymışlar?
conditional
	positive declarative	positive interrogative
ben (if I)	alaysam	ala mıysam?
sen (if you)	alaysan	ala mıysan?
o (if he/she/it)	alaysa	ala mıysa?
biz (if we)	alaysak	ala mıysak?
siz (if you)	alaysanız	ala mıysanız?
onlar (if they)	alaysalar	ala mıysalar?

For negative forms, use the appropriate form of değil.

Derived terms

• ala keçi
• alabacak
• alabalık
• alabaş
• alaca
• alaçam
• alageyik
• alakarga
• Alakaya
• alalık
• dağ alası
• göl alası

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /aːˈlaː/, [ɑːˈlʲɑː]
• Rhymes: -aː
• Hyphenation: a‧la

Adjective

ala

1. misspelling of âlâ

References

• Redhouse, James W. (1890), “آلا”, in A Turkish and English Lexicon‎^[24], Constantinople: A. H. Boyajian, page 179

Uneapa

Etymology

From earlier *lala via dissimilation (compare Muduapa lala), from Proto-Oceanic *kilala via truncation, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kilala, from Proto-Austronesian *kilala.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ala/

Verb

ala

1. to know

Further reading

• Terry Crowley et al, The Oceanic Languages (2013), page 366

Veps

Etymology

Related to Finnish älä.

Verb

ala

1. second-person singular imperative of ei
2. do not

Xhosa

Verb

-âla

1. to refuse

Inflection

This verb needs an inflection-table template.

Yámana

Verb

ala

1. drink

Yoruba

Etymology 1

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /à.là/

Noun

àlà

1. purity, white cloth, a symbol of the god Ọbàtálá

   Synonym: ẹfun

Etymology 2

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) +‎ lá (“to dream”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /à.lá/

Noun

àlá

1. dream, vision

Synonyms

Yoruba varieties and languages: àlá (“dream”)
view map; edit data
Language family	Variety group	Variety/language	Subdialect	Location	Words
Proto-Itsekiri-SEY	Southeast Yoruba	Eastern Àkókó	Ọ̀bà	Ọ̀bà Àkókó	ẹ̀lá
		Ìkálẹ̀ (Ùkálẹ̀)			ọ̀lá
			Òkìtìpupa		ọ̀lá
		Oǹdó			ọ̀lá
			Oǹdó		ọ̀lá
		Usẹn			àlá
			Usẹn		àlá
	Ìtsẹkírì				ọlá
		Ìwẹrẹ			ọlá
	Olùkùmi				ẹ̀lá
		Ugbódù			ẹ̀lá
Proto-Yoruba	Central Yoruba	Èkìtì	Èkìtì	Ìfàkì Èkìtì	àlá, ị̀lá
			Àkúrẹ́	Àkúrẹ́	àlá
	Northwest Yoruba	Èkó			àlá
			Èkó		àlá
		Ìbàdàn			àlá
			Ìbàdàn		àlá
		Ìlọrin			àlá
			Ìlọrin		àlá
		Ọ̀yọ́			àlá
			Ọ̀yọ́		àlá
			Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ (Ògbómọ̀sọ́)		àlá
			Ìkirè		àlá
			Ìwó		àlá
		Standard Yorùbá	Nàìjíríà		àlá
	Northeast Yoruba/Okun	Owé			àlà
			Kabba		àlà
	Ede languages/Southwest Yoruba	Ifɛ̀	Akpáré		àlá
			Atakpamɛ		àlá
			Est-Mono		àlá
			Tchetti (Tsɛti, Cɛti)		àlá
Note: This amalgamation of terms comes from a number of different academic papers focused on the unique varieties and languages spoken in the Yoruboid dialectal continuum which extends from eastern Togo to southern Nigeria. The terms for spoken varieties, now deemed dialects of Yorùbá in Nigeria (i.e. Southeast Yorùbá, Northwest Yorùbá, Central Yorùbá, and Northeast Yorùbá), have converged with those of Standard Yorùbá leading to the creation of what can be labeled Common Yorùbá (Funṣọ Akere, 1977). It can be assumed that the Standard Yorùbá term can also be used in most Nigerian varieties alongside native terms, especially amongst younger speakers. This does not apply to the other Nigerian Yoruboid languages of Ìṣẹkírì and Olùkùmi, nor the Èdè Languages of Benin and Togo.

Derived terms

• lá àlá (“to dream”)

Zulu

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Verb

-âla

1. to deny, refuse, decline
2. to forbid
3. to reject
4. to refuse give [with na-]
5. to hate, detest

Inflection

Tone HH

	positive	negative
infinitive	ukwala	ukungali
	imperative
	simple	+ object concord
singular	yala	-ale
Plural	yalani	-aleni
	Present
	Positive absolute	Positive relative	Positive participial	Negative absolute	Negative relative	Negative participial
1st singular	ngiyala, ngala	engalayo, engala	ngala	angali	engingali	ngingali
2nd singular	uyala, wala	owalayo, owala	wala	awali	ongali	ungali
1st plural	siyala, sala	esalayo, esala	sala	asali	esingali	singali
2nd plural	niyala, nala	enalayo, enala	nala	anali	eningali	ningali
Class 1	uyala, wala	owalayo, owala	ala	akali	ongali	engali
Class 2	bayala, bala	abalayo, abala	bala	abali	abangali	bengali
Class 3	uyala, wala	owalayo, owala	wala	awali	ongali	ungali
Class 4	iyala, yala	eyalayo, eyala	yala	ayali	engali	ingali
Class 5	liyala, lala	elalayo, elala	lala	alali	elingali	lingali
Class 6	ayala, ala	alayo, ala	ala	awali	angali	engali
Class 7	siyala, sala	esalayo, esala	sala	asali	esingali	singali
Class 8	ziyala, zala	ezalayo, ezala	zala	azali	ezingali	zingali
Class 9	iyala, yala	eyalayo, eyala	yala	ayali	engali	ingali
Class 10	ziyala, zala	ezalayo, ezala	zala	azali	ezingali	zingali
Class 11	luyala, lwala	olwalayo, olwala	lwala	alwali	olungali	lungali
Class 14	buyala, bala	obalayo, obala	bala	abali	obungali	bungali
Class 15	kuyala, kwala	okwalayo, okwala	kwala	akwali	okungali	kungali
Class 17	kuyala, kwala	okwalayo, okwala	kwala	akwali	okungali	kungali
	Recent past
	Positive absolute	Positive relative	Positive participial	Negative absolute	Negative relative	Negative participial
1st singular	ngalile, ngalē	engalile, engalē	ngalile, ngalē	angalanga	engingalanga	ngingalanga
2nd singular	walile, walē	owalile, owalē	walile, walē	awalanga	ongalanga	ungalanga
1st plural	salile, salē	esalile, esalē	salile, salē	asalanga	esingalanga	singalanga
2nd plural	nalile, nalē	enalile, enalē	nalile, nalē	analanga	eningalanga	ningalanga
Class 1	walile, walē	owalile, owalē	alile, alē	akalanga	ongalanga	engalanga
Class 2	balile, balē	abalile, abalē	balile, balē	abalanga	abangalanga	bengalanga
Class 3	walile, walē	owalile, owalē	walile, walē	awalanga	ongalanga	ungalanga
Class 4	yalile, yalē	eyalile, eyalē	yalile, yalē	ayalanga	engalanga	ingalanga
Class 5	lalile, lalē	elalile, elalē	lalile, lalē	alalanga	elingalanga	lingalanga
Class 6	alile, alē	alile, alē	alile, alē	awalanga	angalanga	engalanga
Class 7	salile, salē	esalile, esalē	salile, salē	asalanga	esingalanga	singalanga
Class 8	zalile, zalē	ezalile, ezalē	zalile, zalē	azalanga	ezingalanga	zingalanga
Class 9	yalile, yalē	eyalile, eyalē	yalile, yalē	ayalanga	engalanga	ingalanga
Class 10	zalile, zalē	ezalile, ezalē	zalile, zalē	azalanga	ezingalanga	zingalanga
Class 11	lwalile, lwalē	olwalile, olwalē	lwalile, lwalē	alwalanga	olungalanga	lungalanga
Class 14	balile, balē	obalile, obalē	balile, balē	abalanga	obungalanga	bungalanga
Class 15	kwalile, kwalē	okwalile, okwalē	kwalile, kwalē	akwalanga	okungalanga	kungalanga
Class 17	kwalile, kwalē	okwalile, okwalē	kwalile, kwalē	akwalanga	okungalanga	kungalanga
	Remote past
	Positive absolute	Positive relative	Positive participial	Negative absolute	Negative relative	Negative participial
1st singular	ngāla	engāla	ngāla	angalanga	engingalanga	ngingalanga
2nd singular	wāla	owāla	wāla	awalanga	ongalanga	ungalanga
1st plural	sāla	esāla	sāla	asalanga	esingalanga	singalanga
2nd plural	nāla	enāla	nāla	analanga	eningalanga	ningalanga
Class 1	wāla	owāla	āla	akalanga	ongalanga	engalanga
Class 2	bāla	abāla	bāla	abalanga	abangalanga	bengalanga
Class 3	wāla	owāla	wāla	awalanga	ongalanga	ungalanga
Class 4	yāla	eyāla	yāla	ayalanga	engalanga	ingalanga
Class 5	lāla	elāla	lāla	alalanga	elingalanga	lingalanga
Class 6	āla	āla	āla	awalanga	angalanga	engalanga
Class 7	sāla	esāla	sāla	asalanga	esingalanga	singalanga
Class 8	zāla	ezāla	zāla	azalanga	ezingalanga	zingalanga
Class 9	yāla	eyāla	yāla	ayalanga	engalanga	ingalanga
Class 10	zāla	ezāla	zāla	azalanga	ezingalanga	zingalanga
Class 11	lwāla	olwāla	lwāla	alwalanga	olungalanga	lungalanga
Class 14	bāla	obāla	bāla	abalanga	obungalanga	bungalanga
Class 15	kwāla	okwāla	kwāla	akwalanga	okungalanga	kungalanga
Class 17	kwāla	okwāla	kwāla	akwalanga	okungalanga	kungalanga
	Potential
	Positive absolute	Positive relative	Positive participial	Negative absolute	Negative relative	Negative participial
1st singular	ngingala	—	ngingala	ngingale	—	ngingale
2nd singular	ungala	—	ungala	ungale	—	ungale
1st plural	singala	—	singala	singale	—	singale
2nd plural	ningala	—	ningala	ningale	—	ningale
Class 1	angala	—	engala	angale	—	engale
Class 2	bangala	—	bengala	bangale	—	bengale
Class 3	ungala	—	ungala	ungale	—	ungale
Class 4	ingala	—	ingala	ingale	—	ingale
Class 5	lingala	—	lingala	lingale	—	lingale
Class 6	angala	—	engala	angale	—	engale
Class 7	singala	—	singala	singale	—	singale
Class 8	zingala	—	zingala	zingale	—	zingale
Class 9	ingala	—	ingala	ingale	—	ingale
Class 10	zingala	—	zingala	zingale	—	zingale
Class 11	lungala	—	lungala	lungale	—	lungale
Class 14	bungala	—	bungala	bungale	—	bungale
Class 15	kungala	—	kungala	kungale	—	kungale
Class 17	kungala	—	kungala	kungale	—	kungale
	Immediate future
	Positive absolute	Positive relative	Positive participial	Negative absolute	Negative relative	Negative participial
1st singular	ngizokwala	engizokwala	ngizokwala	angizukwala	engingezukwala	ngingezukwala
2nd singular	uzokwala	ozokwala	uzokwala	awuzukwala	ongezukwala	ungezukwala
1st plural	sizokwala	esizokwala	sizokwala	asizukwala	esingezukwala	singezukwala
2nd plural	nizokwala	enizokwala	nizokwala	anizukwala	eningezukwala	ningezukwala
Class 1	uzokwala	ozokwala	ezokwala	akazukwala	ongezukwala	engezukwala
Class 2	bazokwala	abazokwala	bezokwala	abazukwala	abangezukwala	bengezukwala
Class 3	uzokwala	ozokwala	uzokwala	awuzukwala	ongezukwala	ungezukwala
Class 4	izokwala	ezokwala	izokwala	ayizukwala	engezukwala	ingezukwala
Class 5	lizokwala	elizokwala	lizokwala	alizukwala	elingezukwala	lingezukwala
Class 6	azokwala	azokwala	ezokwala	awazukwala	angezukwala	engezukwala
Class 7	sizokwala	esizokwala	sizokwala	asizukwala	esingezukwala	singezukwala
Class 8	zizokwala	ezizokwala	zizokwala	azizukwala	ezingezukwala	zingezukwala
Class 9	izokwala	ezokwala	izokwala	ayizukwala	engezukwala	ingezukwala
Class 10	zizokwala	ezizokwala	zizokwala	azizukwala	ezingezukwala	zingezukwala
Class 11	luzokwala	oluzokwala	luzokwala	aluzukwala	olungezukwala	lungezukwala
Class 14	buzokwala	obuzokwala	buzokwala	abuzukwala	obungezukwala	bungezukwala
Class 15	kuzokwala	okuzokwala	kuzokwala	akuzukwala	okungezukwala	kungezukwala
Class 17	kuzokwala	okuzokwala	kuzokwala	akuzukwala	okungezukwala	kungezukwala
	Remote future
	Positive absolute	Positive relative	Positive participial	Negative absolute	Negative relative	Negative participial
1st singular	ngiyokwala	engiyokwala	ngiyokwala	angiyukwala	engingeyukwala	ngingeyukwala
2nd singular	uyokwala	oyokwala	uyokwala	awuyukwala	ongeyukwala	ungeyukwala
1st plural	siyokwala	esiyokwala	siyokwala	asiyukwala	esingeyukwala	singeyukwala
2nd plural	niyokwala	eniyokwala	niyokwala	aniyukwala	eningeyukwala	ningeyukwala
Class 1	uyokwala	oyokwala	eyokwala	akayukwala	ongeyukwala	engeyukwala
Class 2	bayokwala	abayokwala	beyokwala	abayukwala	abangeyukwala	bengeyukwala
Class 3	uyokwala	oyokwala	uyokwala	awuyukwala	ongeyukwala	ungeyukwala
Class 4	iyokwala	eyokwala	iyokwala	ayiyukwala	engeyukwala	ingeyukwala
Class 5	liyokwala	eliyokwala	liyokwala	aliyukwala	elingeyukwala	lingeyukwala
Class 6	ayokwala	ayokwala	eyokwala	awayukwala	angeyukwala	engeyukwala
Class 7	siyokwala	esiyokwala	siyokwala	asiyukwala	esingeyukwala	singeyukwala
Class 8	ziyokwala	eziyokwala	ziyokwala	aziyukwala	ezingeyukwala	zingeyukwala
Class 9	iyokwala	eyokwala	iyokwala	ayiyukwala	engeyukwala	ingeyukwala
Class 10	ziyokwala	eziyokwala	ziyokwala	aziyukwala	ezingeyukwala	zingeyukwala
Class 11	luyokwala	oluyokwala	luyokwala	aluyukwala	olungeyukwala	lungeyukwala
Class 14	buyokwala	obuyokwala	buyokwala	abuyukwala	obungeyukwala	bungeyukwala
Class 15	kuyokwala	okuyokwala	kuyokwala	akuyukwala	okungeyukwala	kungeyukwala
Class 17	kuyokwala	okuyokwala	kuyokwala	akuyukwala	okungeyukwala	kungeyukwala
	Present subjunctive
	Positive	Negative
1st singular	ngale	ngingali
2nd singular	wale	ungali
1st plural	sale	singali
2nd plural	nale	ningali
Class 1	ale	angali
Class 2	bale	bangali
Class 3	wale	ungali
Class 4	yale	ingali
Class 5	lale	lingali
Class 6	ale	angali
Class 7	sale	singali
Class 8	zale	zingali
Class 9	yale	ingali
Class 10	zale	zingali
Class 11	lwale	lungali
Class 14	bale	bungali
Class 15	kwale	kungali
Class 17	kwale	kungali
	Past subjunctive
	Positive	Negative
1st singular	ngala	ngangala, angala, angangala
2nd singular	wala	wangala, awala, awangala
1st plural	sala	sangala, asala, asangala
2nd plural	nala	nangala, anala, anangala
Class 1	wala	wangala, akala, akangala
Class 2	bala	bangala, abala, abangala
Class 3	wala	wangala, awala, awangala
Class 4	yala	yangala, ayala, ayangala
Class 5	lala	langala, alala, alangala
Class 6	ala	angala, awala, awangala
Class 7	sala	sangala, asala, asangala
Class 8	zala	zangala, azala, azangala
Class 9	yala	yangala, ayala, ayangala
Class 10	zala	zangala, azala, azangala
Class 11	lwala	lwangala, alwala, alwangala
Class 14	bala	bangala, abala, abangala
Class 15	kwala	kwangala, akwala, akwangala
Class 17	kwala	kwangala, akwala, akwangala

Derived terms

• -alela (applicative)
• -alisa (causative)
• -alayala (diminutive)
• -alisisa (intensive)
• -aleka (neuter-passive)
• -aliwa (passive)
• -alana (reciprocal)

References

• C. M. Doke; B. W. Vilakazi (1972), “ala”, in Zulu-English Dictionary, →ISBN: “ala (imper. yala, 6.3 or 6-3.9)”