Editing Kru languages

{{Short description|Language family of Liberia and Ivory Coast}}
{{cleanup lang|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox language family
| name          = Kru
| region        = [[Ivory Coast]], [[Liberia]], [[Burkina Faso]]
| familycolor   = Niger-Congo
| protoname     = Proto-Kru
| child1        = [[Aizi languages|Aizi]] (5)
| child2        = [[Eastern Kru languages|Eastern Kru]] (4)
| child3        = [[Kuwaa language|Kuwaa]] (2)
| child4        = [[Siamou language|Siamou]] (1)
| child5        = [[Western Kru languages|Western Kru]] (3)
| iso2          = kro
| iso5          = kro
| glotto        = krua1234
| glottoname    = Kru
| glotto2       = siam1242
| glottoname2   = Siamou
| map           = Kru languages.png
| mapcaption    = Kru languages, labeled as above
}}

The '''Kru languages''' are spoken by the [[Kru people]] from the southeast of [[Liberia]] to the west of [[Ivory Coast]].

==Classification==
According to Güldemann (2018), Kru lacks sufficient lexical resemblances and noun class resemblances to conclude a relationship with Niger-Congo. [[Glottolog]] considers Kru an independent language family.

==Etymology==
The term "Kru" is of unknown origin. According to Westermann (1952) it was used by Europeans to denote a number of tribes speaking related dialects. Marchese (1989) notes the fact that many of these peoples were recruited as "crew" by European seafarers; "the homonymy with crew is obvious, and is at least one source of the confusion among Europeans that there was a Kru/crew tribe".<ref>{{Cite journal
  | last = Breitbonde
  | first = L. B.
  | title = City, Countryside, and Kru Ethnicity
  | journal = Africa
  | volume = 61
  | issue = 2
  | pages = 186–201
  | year = 1991
  | doi=10.2307/1160614| jstor = 1160614
  | s2cid = 145592217
 }}<!--| accessdate = 10 March 2010--></ref> 

==History==
Andrew Dalby noted the historical importance of the Kru languages for their position at the crossroads of African-European interaction. He wrote that "Kru and associated languages were among the first to be encountered by European voyagers on what was then known as the [[Pepper Coast]], a centre of the production and export of [[Guinea pepper|Guinea]] and [[melegueta pepper]]; a once staple African seaborne trade".<ref>{{Cite book
  | last = Dalby
  | first = Andrew
  | title = Dictionary of Languages
  | publisher = Columbia UP
  | location = New York
  | year = 1998
  }}</ref> The Kru languages are known for some of the most complex [[tone (linguistics)|tone]] systems in Africa, rivaled perhaps only by the [[Omotic languages]].

==Current status==

Recent documentation has noted "Kru societies can now be found along the coast of [[Monrovia]], [[Liberia]] to [[Bandama River]] in [[Côte d'Ivoire]]".<ref name = EMW>{{Cite book
  | editor-last = Bahl
  | editor-first = Taru
  | editor2 = Syed, M. H. 
  | title = Encyclopaedia of Muslim World
  | publisher = Ammol Publications
  | year = 2003
  | location = New Delhi
  | pages = 24–25
  | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ilJtDm5mm5gC&pg=PA24
  | id =
  | isbn = 9788126114191}}</ref> "Villages maintain their ties based on presumed common descent, reinforced by ceremonial exchanges and gifts".<ref name = EMW/>  The Kru people and their languages, although now many speak English (in Liberia) or French (in Côte d'Ivoire) as a second language, are said to be "dominant in the southwest region where the forest zone reaches the coastal lagoons".<ref name = EMW/>  The Kru people rely on the forest for farming, supplemented by hunting for their livelihood.

== Subgroups and associated languages ==
The Kru languages include many subgroups such as [[Kuwaa language|Kuwaa]], [[Grebo language|Grebo]], [[Bassa language|Bassa]], Belle, Belleh, Kwaa and many others. According to Breitbonde, categorization of communities based on cultural distinctiveness, historical or ethnic identity, and socio-political autonomy "may have brought about the large number of distinct Kru dialects; "Although the natives were in many respects similar in type and tribe, every village was an independent state; there was also very little intercommunication".<ref>{{Cite journal
  | last = McEvoy
  | first = Frederick
  | title = Understanding Ethnic Realities among the Grebo and Kru People of West Africa
  | journal = Africa
  | volume = 47
  | issue = 1
  | pages = 62–80
  | year = 1997
  | doi=10.2307/1159195| jstor = 1159195
 | s2cid = 145689821
 }}<!--| accessdate = 10 March 2010--></ref> Breitbonde notes the Kru people were categorized based on their cultural distinctiveness, separate historical or ethnic identities, and social and political autonomy. This is the possible reason for so many subgroups of the Kru language. As noted by Fisiak, there is very little documentation on the Kru and associated languages.<ref>{{Cite book
  | last = Fisiak
  | first = Jacek
  | title = Historical Syntax
  | publisher = Mouton
  | location = New York
  | year = 1984
  }}</ref>

Marchese's (1989) classification of Kru languages is as follows.<ref name="Marchese1989">Marchese, Lynell. 1989. Kru. In Bendor-Samuel, John (ed.), ''The Niger-Congo Languages: A Classification and Description of Africa's Largest Language Family'', 119-139. Lanham MD, New York & London: Lanham: University Press of America.</ref> Many of these languages are [[dialect cluster]]s and are sometimes considered more than a single language.

{{tree list}}
*'''Kru'''
**[[Siamou language|Sɛmɛ]] (Siamou)
**{{tree list/branching}}
***[[Aizi languages|Aizi]]
***[[Kuwaa language|Kuwaa]]
***Kru proper
****Eastern Kru
*****Bakwe
******[[Bakwe language|Bakwe]]
******[[Wane language|Wane]]
*****[[Bété languages|Bété]]
******[[Kuya language|Kuya]]
******[[Godie language|Godié]]
*****[[Dida language|Dida]]
*****[[Kwadia language|Kwadia (Kodia)]] (Kwadia)
****Western Kru
*****Bassa
******[[Bassa language|Bassa]]
******[[Dewoin language|Dewoin]]
******[[Gbii language|Gbii]]
*****[[Grebo languages|Grebo]]
******[[Grebo language|Grebo]] ([[Jabo language|Jabo]])
******[[Krumen language|Krumen]]
******[[Glio-Oubi language|Glio-Oubi]]
*****Klao
******[[Klao language|Klao]]
******[[Tajuasohn language|Tajuasohn]]
*****Wèè
******Guere
*******[[Daho-Doo language|Daho-Doo]]
*******[[Glaro-Twabo language|Glaro-Twabo]]
*******[[Sapo language|Sapo]]
*******[[Guere language|Guere (Wè)]]
*******[[Western Krahn language|Krahn]]
******[[Nyabwa language|Nyabwa]]
******[[Konobo language|Konobo]]
******[[Wobé language|Wobé]]
{{tree list/end}}

''Ethnologue'' adds [[Neyo language|Neyo]], which may be closest to Dida or Godie.

==Grammar==
Kru word order is primarily subject-verb-object (SVO), but can also often be subject-object-verb (SOV).<ref name="Marchese1989"/>

==Comparative vocabulary==
Sample basic vocabulary of 12 Kru languages from Marchese (1983):<ref name="Marchese">Marchese, Lynell. 1983. ''Atlas linguistique Kru: nouvelle edition''. Abidjan: [[Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique]] (ACCT).</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Language !! eye !! ear !! nose !! tooth !! tongue !! mouth !! blood !! bone !! tree !! water !! eat !! name
|-
| [[Krumen language|Tepo]] || jíê || nω̂â || mɪ̂jã́ || ɲɛ́ || mɛ̂ || wũ̂t || dâblώ || klá || tûgbɛ̀ || nîjẽ́ || dî || dώ
|-
| [[Jrwe language|Jrwe]] || ɟró || nω̃̂ã̂ || mɪ̃̂ã̂ || ɲɛ̃́ || mɛ̃̂ || wṹ || klώω̂ || klá || túwɛ̀ || nĩ́ẽ́ || dîdɛ̂ || ɲɔ̃́
|-
| [[Guere language|Guere]] || ɟrííē || dōṹ || mlâ || ɲnɪ̃̂ɛ̄̃ || mē̃õ̀ || ŋɔ̄̃ || ɲmɔ̄̃ || kpâ || tū || ní || dîɛ̄ || ɲnɪ̃̂
|-
| [[Wobe language|Wobé]] || ɟríɛ́ || dōṹ || mlã̂ || ɲnə̃̂ || mɛ̄̃õ̀ || ŋʷɔ̄̃ || nmɔ̄ || kpâ || tū || nĩ́ || dī || ɲnẽ̂
|-
| [[Nyabwa language|Niaboua]] || ɟîrî || lòkû || máná || ɲéɲé || méɛ̃̀ || ŋʷɔ̄̃ || ɲēmō || kpá || tū || nî || dī || ɲéɲé
|-
| [[Bété of Daloa|Bété (Daloa)]] || ɟi || jûkûlî || mlə̂ || gléí || mɪ́ɔ́ || ŋō || drú || kwâ || sū || ɲû || lí || ŋʉ̂nɪ̂
|-
| [[Bété of Guiberoua|Bété (Guibéroua)]] || jiri || júkwɨ́lí || mə́ɲə́ || gʌ̂lʌ̂ || mɪ̄ɔ̄ || nûə̂ || dûrû || kwá || sû || ɲú || dī || ŋʉ́ɲɪ́
|-
| [[Neyo language|Néyo]] || jɪ́ || ɲúkwlí || mlé || glè || mɪ̄ɔ̄ || né || dòlū || féē || sūú || ɲú || lī || jlɪ́
|-
| [[Godie language|Godié]] || jɨdí || ɲūkúlú || mə́ɲə́ || gə̄lè || mɪ̄ɔ̄ || nə̄ || drù || féè || sū || ɲú || ɗɨ̄ || ŋʉ́nʉ́
|-
| [[Kouya language|Koyo]] || jɪjē || ɲúkiwí || — || glà || mɪ̄ɔ̄ || nə́ || dòlú || féjē || sūú || ɲú || lɨ̄ || ŋɨ́nɨ́
|-
| [[Dida language|Dida]] || cí || ɲúkwlí || mné || glā || mɪ̄ɔ̄ || nɪ̄ || dólū || kwíjè || sū || ɲú || lî || ŋlɪ́
|-
| [[Aizi languages|Aïzi]] || zre || lωkɔ || mωvɔ || ɲɪ || mrɔ || mu || ɲre || kra || ke || nrɪ || li || —
|}

An additional sample basic vocabulary of 21 Kru languages from Marchese (1983):<ref name="Marchese"/>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Language !! eye !! ear !! nose !! tooth !! tongue !! mouth !! blood !! bone !! water !! eat !! name
|-
| [[Aizi languages|Aïzi]] || zre || lωkɔ || mωvɔ || ɲɪ || mrɔ || mu || ɲre || kra || nrɪ || li || 
|-
| [[Vata language|Vata]] || jé || ɲêflú || mênê || glà || meɔ̄ || nɪ̄ || dūlū || fâ || ɲú || lî || 
|-
| [[Dida language|Dida]] || cí || ɲúkwlí || mné || glā || mɪ̄ɔ̄ || nɪ̄ || dòlū || kwíjè || ɲú || lî || ŋlɪ́
|-
| [[Kouya language|Koyo]] || jíjē || ɲúkwlí || ŋʉ́nʉ́ || glà || mɪ̄ɔ̄ || nə́ || dòlú || féjē || ɲú || lɨ̄ || ŋɨ́nɨ́
|-
| [[Godie language|Godié]] ||  || ɲūkúlú || mə́ňə́ || gə̀lè || mɪ̄ɔ̄ || nə̄ || dřù || féè || ɲú || ɗɨ̄ || ŋʉ́nʉ́
|-
| [[Neyo language|Néyo]] || jɪ́ || ɲúkwlí || mlé || glè || mɪ̄ɔ̄ || né || dòlū || féē || ɲú || lī || jlɪ́
|-
| [[Bété of Guiberoua|Bété (Guibéroua)]] || jiři || júkwɨ́lí || mə́ňə́ || gʌ̂lâ || mɪ̄ɔ̄ || nûə̂ || dûřû || kwá || ɲú || lī || nʉ́nɪ́
|-
| [[Bété of Daloa|Bété (Daloa)]] || ɟi || jûkûlî || mlə̂ || gléí || mɪ́ɔ́ || ŋō || dřú || kwâ || ɲú || lí || nʉ̀nɪ̂
|-
| [[Niaboua language|Niaboua]] ||  || lòkû || mə́ná || ɲéné || méɛ̃̀ || ŋwɔ̃̄ || ɲēmō || kpá || nî || dī || ɲéné
|-
| [[Wobe language|Wobé]] || ɟríɛ́ || dōṹ || mlã̂ || ɲnẽ̂ || mɛ̄ɔ̃̀ || ŋwɔ̃̄ || nmɔ̄ || kpâ || nĩ́ || dī || ɲnẽ̂
|-
| [[Guéré language|Guéré]] || ɟrííē || dōṹ || mlâ || ɲnɪ̃̂ẽ̄ || mẽ̄õ̀ || ŋɔ̃̄ || ɲmɔ̃̄ || kpâ || ní || dìɛ̄ || ɲnɪ̃̂
|-
| [[Konobo language|Konobo]] || jidɔ || nao || mlã ||  || mɛ ||  || daluo || kla || ɲɛ || di || ɲi
|-
| [[Glio-Oubi language|Oubi]] || jīrō || nōā || mēã̄ ||  ||  || ŋu || dòùlā || kala || ɲɛ́ || dīdɛ̄ || ɲírṍ
|-
| [[Bakwe language|Bakwe]] || ɲʉ́ || ɲákúlú || mňṍ || glɛ̀ || mɛ̄ || mʌ́ || tùřú || kɔ̄ō || nē || ɟɨ || nrɪ
|-
| [[Krumen language|Tépo]] || jíê || nω̂â || mɪ̂jã́ || ɲɛ́ || mɛ́ ||  || dâblώ || klá || nîjẽ́ || dî || dώ
|-
| [[Grebo language|Grebo]] || jê || nóá || méá ||  || mɛ̄ || ŋwúnɔ̄ || ɲénɔ́ || klã́ || nĩ́ || dí || ɲéné
|-
| [[Klao language|Klao]] || ɟí || nɔ̄kũ̀ || mnã́ ||  || mɛ̄ || wɔ̃̄ || ɲnɔ̄ || kpã́ || nĩ́ || dī || ɲnɛ̃́
|-
| [[Bassa language|Bassa]] || ɟélé ||  || máná ||  || miɔ || wɔ̃̄ || nyɔmɔɔ || kpá || ní || ɗi || ŋɛ́nɛ́
|-
| [[Dewoin language|Dewoin]] || gire ||  || málã́ ||  || mīlã̀ || wɔ̃̄ĩ́ || ɲimo || gba || ní || zī || ŋɛ́lɛ́
|-
| [[Kuwaa language|Kuwaa]] || sĩ̌ || nɔi || ɲũ ||  || mɛ̀wũ || wɔ̃̀ || tòyò || kwa || nímí || ɟì || ɲɛlɛ̃
|-
| [[Siamou language|Sɛmɛ]] || ɲa || tasjẽ || mar || ɲen || dɛ || kõ || tõ || kpar || nũ || di || jĩ
|}

===Numerals===
Comparison of numerals in individual languages:<ref name="ChanNumeralsNC">{{Cite web|url=https://lingweb.eva.mpg.de/channumerals/Niger-Congo.htm|title=The Niger-Congo Language Phylum|last=Chan|first=Eugene|publisher=Numeral Systems of the World's Languages|date=2019}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"  style="font-size: 85%"
! Classification !! Language !! 1 !! 2 !! 3 !! 4 !! 5 !! 6 !! 7 !! 8 !! 9 !! 10
|-
| Kuwaa || [[ISO 639:blh|Kuwaa (Belleh)]] || dee || sɔ̃r || tãã̀ || ɲìjɛ̀hɛ || wàyɔ̀ɔ || wɔ̀rfɔlɛ̀ (5 + 1) || kɔrlɔrɔ̃r (5 + 2) || kwatãã̀ (5 + 3) || kɔ̃yĩ̀yɛ̀hɛ (5 + 4) || kowaa
|-
| Seme || [[ISO 639:sif|Seme (Siamou)]] (1) || byẽ́ẽ || nĩ́ĩ̄ || tyáār || yūr || kwɛ̃̄l || kpã̄â || kĩ̄î || kprɛ̄n̂ || kɛ̄l || fú
|-
| Seme || [[ISO 639:sif|Seme (Siamou)]] (2) || dyuɔ̃15 || nĩ15 || tyɛr15 || yur3 || kwɛ̃l3 || k͡pa4a34 || kyi4ĩ34 || k͡prɛ4ɛ̃34 || kal3 || fu1
|-
| Eastern, Bakwe || [[ISO 639:bjw|Bakwé]] || ɗôː || sɔ̂ː || tʌ̄ː || mɾɔ̄ː || ɡ͡bə̀ə̄ || ŋǔːɗō (5 + 1) || ŋǔːsɔ̄ (5 + 2) || ŋǔːtʌ̄ (5 + 3) || ŋǔːmɾɔ̄ (5 + 4) || pʊ̀
|-
| Eastern, Bakwe || [[ISO 639:hwa|Wané]] || do³ / ɗo³ || sɔ² || ta³ || ⁱhɪɛ̃⁴ || ŋʷũ⁴² || ŋʷũ⁴² kloː²⁴(5 + 1) || ŋʷũ⁴² sɔ² (5 + 2) || ŋʷũ⁴² ta³ (5 + 3) || ŋʷũ⁴² ⁱhɪɛ̃⁴ (5 + 4) || ŋʷũ⁴² bu⁴ or bu⁴
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[ISO 639:bev|Daloa Bété]] || ɓlʊ̄ || sɔ̋ || tá || mʊ̄wana || ŋ́ɡ͡bɨ́ || ŋ́ɡ͡bʊplʊ (5 + 1) || ŋ́ɡ͡bisɔ́ (5 + 2) || ɡ͡bʊ̀wata (5 + 3) || ŋ́ɡ͡bimʊwana (5 + 4) || kʊ́ɡ͡ba
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[ISO 639:bet|Guiberoua Bété]] || ɓlʊ̄ || sɔ̋ || tá || mʊ̄wana || ŋ́ɡ͡bɨ́ || ŋ́ɡ͡bʊplʊ (5 + 1) || ŋ́ɡ͡bisɔ́ (5 + 2) || ɡ͡bʊ̀wata (5 + 3) || ŋ́ɡ͡bimʊwana (5 + 4) || kʊ́ɡ͡ba
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[ISO 639:god|Godié]] || ɓlōō || sɔ́ɔ́ || tāā || ŋ̀mɔ̀ɔ̀nā || ŋ̀ɡ͡bɨ́ || ŋ̀ɡ͡bóplóo (5 + 1) || ŋ̀ɡ͡bɔ̀ɔ́sɔ́ (5 + 2) || ŋ̀ɡ͡bàátā (5 + 3) || ŋ̀vɔ̀ɔ̀nā || kʊ́ɡ͡bá
|-
| Eastern, Bete, Eastern || [[ISO 639:btg|Gagnoa Bété]] || ɓɵ̯̀ɺō || sɔ̋ || tɑ̄ || mɔ̀ɔ̀nɔ̄ || ŋ͡m̩̄.ɡ͡bú || ɡ͡bé.pó̯ɺó (5 + 1) || ɡ͡bɔ́ɔ́.sɔ̋ (5 + 2) || ɡ͡bɔ̋ɔ́.tā (5 + 3) || fɛ̀ɛ̀.nɔ̄ || kō.ɡ͡bɔ́
|-
| Eastern, Bete, Eastern || [[ISO 639:btg|Guébie Bété]] || ɡ͡bɔlɔ².³ || so⁴ || ta³¹ || mɔna¹.³¹ || mŋɡ͡be² || mŋɡ͡beɡ͡bɔlɔ².².³ (5 + 1) || mŋɡ͡boso³.⁴ (5 + 2) || mŋɡ͡bata³.³¹ (5 + 3) || mŋɡ͡bɔfɛna³.¹.³¹ (5 + 4) || kɔɡ͡ba².³
|-
| Eastern, Bete, Eastern || [[ISO 639:kyf|Kouya]] || ɓlò || sɔ́ || tā || mnʊ̀à || ɡ͡bu || ɡ͡beliɓlò (5 + 1) || ɡ͡besɔ́ (5 + 2) || ɡ͡betā (5 + 3) || ɡ͡bomnʊ̀à (5 + 4) || kuɡ͡bua
|-
| Eastern, Dida || [[ISO 639:gud|Yocoboué Dida]] || bóló || mwɔsɔ́ || mwɔtá || mwɔná || ɛŋɡ͡bɪ́ || ɛŋɡ͡bʊ́frɔ (5 + 1) || ɛmɓɔ́sɔ́ (5 + 2) || ɛmɓáta (5 + 3) || ɛmvwaná || kóɡ͡ba
|-
| Eastern, Dida || [[ISO 639:ney|Neyo]] || ɓɔ̄ló || sɔ́ || tāā || mɔ̀nā || ɡ͡bɪ́ || ɡ͡bɪ́flɔ́ (5 + 1) || ɡ͡básɔ́ (5 + 2) || ɡ͡bátā (5 + 3) || fɛ̄nā (5 + 4) || kʊ́ɡ͡bá
|-
| Eastern, Kwadia || [[ISO 639:kwp|Kodia]] || ɡ͡bɤlɤ³² / ɓɤlɤ³² || sɔː² || taː² || mɔna⁴³ || ⁿɡ͡bɤ³ || ⁿɡ͡bɤwlɤ³³³ (5 + 1) || ⁿɡ͡bɔː⁴³sɔ³ (5 + 2) || ⁿɡ͡baː⁴³ta³ (5 + 3) || ⁿɡ͡bɤmɔna³⁴³ (5 + 4) || kʊɡ͡ba³³
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[ISO 639:bsq|Bassa]] || ɖò, dyúáɖò || sɔ̃́ || tã || hĩinyɛ || hm̀m̌ || mɛ̀nɛ̌ìn-ɖò (5 + 1) || mɛ̀nɛ̌ìn-sɔ̃́ (5 + 2) || mɛ̀nɛ̌ìn-tã (5 + 3) || mɛ̀nɛ̌ìn-hĩinyɛ (5 + 4) || ɓaɖa-bùè
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[ISO 639:dee|Dewoin (Dewoi)]] || ɡ͡bǒ || sɔ̃́ || ta || hĩinyɛ || hm̀m̌ || meɖe-ɡ͡bǒ (5 + 1) || meɖe-sɔ̃́ (5 + 2) || meɖe-ta (5 + 3) || meɖe-hĩinyɛ (5 + 4) || vù
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[ISO 639:ggb|Gbasei (Gbii)]] (1) || dɔ̀ː / ɗɔ̀káⁱ || sɔ̃́ || tã || ɲ̀yɛ̃ || m̀ḿ || m̀mɽědɔ̀ (5 + 1) || m̀mɽěsɔ̃́ (5 + 2) || m̀mɽětã́ (5 + 3) || m̀mɽěɲ̀yɛ̃ (5 + 4) || báɽápʰùwe
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[ISO 639:ggb|Gbii (Gbi-Dowlu)]] (2) || dòò, dyúáɖò || sɔ̃́ || tã || hĩ̀nyɛ || hm̀m̀ || mɛ̀nɛ̀ɛ̄n-ɖò (5 + 1) || mɛ̀nɛ̀ɛ̄n-sɔ̃́ (5 + 2) || mɛ̀nɛ̀ɛ̄n-tə̃ (5 + 3) || mɛ̀nɛ̀ɛ̄n-hĩ̀nyɛ (5 + 4) || ɓaɖabùè
|-
| Western, Grebo, Glio-Oubi || [[ISO 639:oub|Glio-Oubi]] || dō || hwə̃ || tã́ || hə̃ || ɡ͡bə̀ || hṹdò (5 + 1) || hũ̀sɔ́ (5 + 2) || mɛra (5 + 3) || mɛ́ɲɛ̀ (5 + 4) || pue
|-
| Western, Grebo, Ivorian || [[ISO 639:pye|Pye (Piè) Krumen]] || dò || hʋɛ̃́ || tā || hɛ̃̀ || hũ̌ || hũ̀jārō [hũ̀jāɾō] ('five plus one') || hũ̀jāhʋɛ̃́ ('five plus two') || hũ̀jātā ('five plus three') || hũ̀jāhɛ̃̀ ('five plus four') || pù
|-
| Western, Grebo, Ivorian || [[ISO 639:ted|Tepo Krumen]] (1) || dò || hɔ̃́ || tā || hɛ̃̀ || hũ̌ || huõ̀nɔ̀ (5 + 1) || nɪ́pātā (litː 'not/be/three') || nɪ́pāhɔ̃́, yèhɛ̃̀yèhɛ̃̀ (2 x 4) || sēlédò (litː 'remains /there/one') || pù
|-
| Western, Grebo, Ivorian || [[ISO 639:ted|Tepo Krumen]] (2) || dô || ɔ̄ɛ́n || tā || hɛ̀n || ùm || ùmnɔ̄dô (5 + 1) || ùmnɔ̄ɔ̄ɛ́n (5 + 2) || blɛ̄nbìɛ̀n || ùmīyándō || pù
|-
| Western, Grebo, Liberian || [[ISO 639:grv|Central Grebo (Barrobo)]] || dòo || ɔ̌n || taan || hɛ̃ɛn || wùun || wùnɔ̀dǒ (5 + 1) || jetan (4 + 3) ? || jiinhɛ̀n (4 + 4) ? || sǒndò (litː 'remain one' before 10) || fù
|-
| Western, Grebo, Liberian || [[ISO 639:gbo|Northern Grebo]] || do || sɔ̃̌ || tã || hɛ̃̀ || m̀m || mmɔ̀do (5 + 1) || nyiɛtã (4 + 3) || nnyɛɛ (4 + 4) || siědo (litː 'remain one' before 10) || pù
|-
| Western, Klao || [[ISO 639:klu|Klao]] || dô || sɔ́n || tan || nyìɛ̀ || mù || mùnéɛ́do (5 + 1) || mùnéɛ́sɔ́n (5 + 2) || mùnéɛtan (5 + 3) || sopádo (10 - 1) || puè
|-
| Western, Klao || [[ISO 639:tja|Tajuasohn]] || doe || sunn nn = ? || tan || hin || hoom || ḿhon doe (5 + 1) || ḿhon sunn (5 + 2) || hinin (4 + 4) || siɛrdoe (litː 'remains one') || punn
|-
| Western, Wee, Guere-Krahn || [[ISO 639:krw|Western Krahn]] || tòò || sɔɔ̌n || ta̓a̓n || nyìɛ̓ || m̀m̌ || mɛ̀o̓ (5 + 1) || mɛ̀sɔɔ̌n (5 + 2) || mɛta̓a̓ǹ (5 + 3) || mɛ̀nyìɛ̓ (5 + 4) || pùèè
|-
| Western, Wee, Guere-Krahn || [[ISO 639:krn|Sapo]] || duě / tòò || sɔn || tan || nyìɛ || m̀m̌ || mɛ̀lǒ (5 + 1) || mɛ̀sɔn (5 + 2) || mɛ̌tan (5 + 3) || mɛ̌nyiɛ (5 + 4) || pùè
|-
| Western, Wee, Nyabwa || [[ISO 639:nwb|Nyabwa (Nyaboa)]] || do4 || sɔ̃2 || tã3 || ɲiɛ33 || mu4u1 || mɛ4ɛ1lo4 (5 + 1) || mɛ4ɛ1sɔ̃2 (5 + 2) || mɛ4ɛ1tã3 (5 + 4) || mɛ4ɛ1ɲiɛ33 (5 + 5) || bue44
|-
| Western, Wee, Wobe || [[ISO 639:wob|Northern Wè (Wobe)]] || too3 / due1 || sɔɔn2 / sɔn2 || taan3 || nyiɛ43 || mm41 || mɛ41o3 (5 + 1) || mɛ41sɔn2 (5 + 2) || mɛ41na3 (5 + 3) || mɛ41nyiɛ3 (5 + 4) || puue3
|}

Comparison of numerals in Kru languages from Marchese (1983):<ref name="Marchese"/>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Classification !! Language !! one !! two !! three !! four !! five !! six !! seven !! eight !! nine !! ten !! twenty !! hundred
|-
| Siamou || [[Siamou language|Seme]] || jɔ || nḭ || tʸar || yiro || kʷḛ || kpaa || kʸii || prɛ || kal || fu || kar || karkʷḛ
|-
| Aizi || [[Aizi language|Aïzi]] || mṵmɔ̰; yre || iʃɪ || ita || yeɓi || yugbo || fɔ || friʃi || patɛ || fi || bɔ || gu || juyugbo
|-
| Kuwaa || [[Kuwaa language|Kuwaa]] || dee || sɔ̰ɔ̰ || ta̰à̰ || ɲìyɛ̀ || wààyò || folɛ̀ || kɔ̰lo̰ || kʷata̰à̰ || ko̰yḭ̀yɛ̰̀ || kuwa || kuma sɔ̰᷄ || kɔ̀lɛwúlú
|-
| Eastern, Bakwe || [[Bakwe language|Bakwé]] (Soubré) ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || 
|-
| Eastern, Dida || [[Dida language|Dida]] (Lozoua) || mblò || mɔ̀sɔ́ || mɔ̀tā || mɔ̀ɔ̀nā || ǹgbī || ǹgbʊfɾʊ || ǹgbɔ̀ɔ́sɔ́ || ǹgbàátā || ǹvɔ̀ɔ̀nā || kʊ́gbā || grʊ̄ || gwlīǹgbī
|-
| Eastern, Dida || [[Vata language|Vata]] || ɓlɔ̀ || sɔ̍ || tā || mɔ̀ɔ̀nā || gbe̍ ||  || gbòɔ́sɔ́ || gbɔ̍fɔ́tā ||  || kógba̍ || golō || 
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Bété language|Bété]] (Daloa) || ɓʊ̀lʊ̀ || sɔ̍ || tá || mʊ̀nà || ńgbɨ́ || ńgbʊ́pʊ́lʊ́ || ńgbísɔ̍ || ńgbɔ̍tá || ńgbɨ́mʊ̀nà || kúgbɨ́á || gʊ́lʊ́ || gʊ́lúgbɨ́
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Bété language|Bété]] (Guibéroua) || ɓʊ̀lʊ̀ || sɔ́ || tā || mʊ̀ʌ̀nā || n̄gbɨ́ || n̄gbʊ̍pʊ̍lʊ̍ || n̄gbi̍só || gbʊ̀ʌ́tā || n̄gbɨ̍mʊ̀ʌ̀nā || kʊ̄gbʌ̍ || gʊ̍lʊ̍ || gʷʉ̍lɪ̍n̄gbɨ̍
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Godié language|Godié]] || ɓʉ̄lʉ̄ || sɔ́ || tā || mʊ̀ʊ̀nʌ̄ || ʌ̰̀gbʉ̄ || ʌ̰̀gbʉ̄pʉ̄lʉ̄ || ʌ̰̀gbɔ̀ɔ̄sɔ́ || ʌ̰̀gbàāɨʌ̄ || pɛɛ̀nʌ̄ || kʊ́gbʌ̍ || gɔ̀lɔ̀ || gʷʌ̀lɪ̀gbʉ̄
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Kuya language|Koyo]] || ɓɔ̄lɔ̄ || sɔ̄ || tā || mɔ̀nā || ŋ̀gbɨ́ || ŋ̀gbópló || ŋ̀gbɔ́sɔ́ || ŋ̀gbátā || ǹvɔ̀nā || kʊ́gbá || gʊ̄lʊ̄ || gʊ̀lɪ̀ɲ́gbɨ́
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Neyo language|Néyo]] || ɓʊ̄lʊ́ || sɔ́ || tāā || mɔ̀nā || gbɪ́ || gbɪ́flɔ́ || gbásɔ́ || gbátā || fɛ̄nā || kʊ́gbá || glʊ́ || gʷlɪ̀gbɪ́
|-
| Western, Klao || [[Klao language|Klao]] || dòò || sʊ̰́ || tā̰ā̰ || ɲḭɛ̀ || mùù || ŋmìɛ̀dò || ŋmìɛ̀sɔ̰́ || ŋmìɛ̀tā̰ || sɛpáádō || pūɪ̄ || wlʊ̄ || wlʊ̄mù
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[Bassa language|Bassa]] || dɔ̀ò || sɔ̄ || ta̰ || hḭiɲɛ || hm̀m̀ ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || hɔ̰́dɔ̀
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[Dewoin language|Déwoin]] || gbò || sɔ̰ || tà̰ || ɲìɛ̄ || m̀m̄ || mɛ̀legbō || mɛ̀lēslɔ̰́ || mɛ̀lēá̰ || mɛ̀le̍ɲìɛ || èvù ||  || 
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Tepo language|Tépo]] || do̍ || hɔ̰́ || ta̍ || hɛ̰̀ || m̄ || hwɔ̰̀nɔ̀ || nɪ́pa̍hɔ̰̍ || nɪ́pa̍ta̍ || se̍rédó || pu̍ || a̍ wlʊ̀ || wlɪ̄ m̄
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Grebo language|Grébo]] || dō || sɔ̰́ || tá̰ || hɛ̰᷄ || hm̀ú ||  ||  || béhɛ̰᷄ || sīe̍dō || pūnɔ́dō || wōdó || húbū
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Glio-Ubi language|Oubi]] || dō || hʷə̰ || tá̰ || hə̰ || gbə̀ || hṵ́dò || hṵ̀sɔ́ || mɛra || mɛ́ɲɛ̀ || pue || gōrō || gòléhm̄
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Jrwe language|Jrwe]] || do̍ò || hʊ̰́ɛ̰́ || ta̍a̍ || hɛ̰̍ɛ̰̀ || hm̀m̍ || hm̀m̍jɛ̍rʊ̍ || hm̀m̍jɛ̍hʊ̰́ɛ̰́ || hm̀m̍ja̍ta̍ || hm̀m̍ja̍hɛ̰̀ || pu̍ || wlʊ̍ || wɛ̀srɛ̍wɛ̍
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Guere language|Guéré]] || dòò || sɔ̰̍ɔ̰̍ || tā̰ā̰ || ɲḭ̀ɛ̰̄ ~ ɲīɛ̄; ɲīɛ̄ ~ ɲḭ̀ɛ̰̄ || m̄ḿ || mɛ̰̄ɛ̰́ō̰ || mɛ̰̄sɔ̰̍ || mɛ̰̄á̰ || mɛ̰᷄ɲɛ̰̍ || bùùè || kwlāsɔ̰̍ || km̄ɛ̰̍dūe̍
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Nyabwa language|Nyabwa]] || dʊ̀ || sɔ̰́ || tā̰ || ɲìɛ̄ || mùu̍ || mɛ̄ɛ̍lʊ̀ || mɛ̄ɛ̍sɔ̰̄ || mɛ̄ɛ̍tā̰ || mɛ̍ɲīē || bùè || glòlùé || glàmùu̍
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Wobé language|Wobé]] || tòò || sɔ̰̍ɔ̰̍ || tā̰ā̰ || ɲìɛ̄ || m̄ḿ || mɛ̄ɛ́ō || mɛ̰̍́sɔ̰̍ || mɛ᷄na̍ || mɛ᷄ɲɛ̍ || pùùè || kwlāsɔ̰̍ || km̄ɛ̍du̍e̍
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Konobo language|Konobo]] || dʊ || buwɛ || la̰a̰ || ɲiɛ || mm ||  || mɛɛɔ̰ || mɛla ||  || buwɛ || kʷalaso̰ || kɛ̰ɛ̰
|}

===Body parts (head)===
Parts of the head from Marchese (1983):<ref name="Marchese"/>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Classification !! Language !! head !! hair !! eye !! ear !! nose !! tooth !! tongue !! mouth
|-
| Siamou || [[Siamou language|Seme]] || gmel || fleɲi || ɲa || tasyḛ || mar || ɲen || dɛ || ko̰
|-
| Aizi || [[Aizi language|Aïzi]] || drʊ || lɪfɪ || zre || lʊkɔ || mʊvɔ || ɲɪ || mrɔ || mu
|-
| Kuwaa || [[Kuwaa language|Kuwaa]] || wúlú || dùi || sḭ̌ || nɔi || ɲṵ ||  || mɛ̀wṵ || wɔ̰̀
|-
| Eastern, Bakwe || [[Bakwe language|Bakwé]] (Soubré) || wlí || ɲwee || ɲʉ́ || ɲákúlú || ml̰ó̰ || glɛ̀ || mɛ̄ || mʌ́
|-
| Eastern, Dida || [[Dida language|Dida]] (Lozoua) || wlú || ɲɪ̄ || cí || ɲūklwí || mné || glā || mɪ̄ɔ̄ || nɪ̄
|-
| Eastern, Dida || [[Vata language|Vata]] ||  || ɲe̍ || yé || ɲe̍flú || me̍ne̍ || glà || meɔ̄ || nɪ̄
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Bété language|Bété]] (Daloa) || wu̍lu̍kpèlè || ɲúkō || ji || yu̍ku̍li̍ || mlə̍ || gléí || mɪ́ɔ́ || ŋō
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Bété language|Bété]] (Guibéroua) || wúkpə̀lé || ɲū-kʷə̄ || yiɾi || yúkʷɨ́lí || mə́l̰ə́ || gʌ̍la̍ || mɪ̄ɔ̄ || nu̍ə̍
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Godié language|Godié]] || wúlú || ɲɪ̄ || yɨdí || ɲūkúlú || mə́l̰ə́ || gə̄lè || mɪɔ̄ || nə̄
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Kuya language|Koyo]] || wúlú || ɲɪ́ī || yɪ́yē || ɲūklwí || ŋʉ́ŋʉ́ || glà || mɪ̄ɔ̄ || nə́
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Neyo language|Néyo]] ||  || ɲɪ́ || yɪ́ || ɲúkʷlí || mlé || glè || mɪ̄ɔ̄ || né
|-
| Western, Klao || [[Klao language|Klao]] || dlo᷄ || nūi᷄ || ji || nɔ̄kṵ̀ || mna᷄ ||  || mɛ̄ || wɔ̰̄
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[Bassa language|Bassa]] || dú || mí || dyéɖé || ɖùǔ || máná || nyɛ́nɛ́ || mɔ || wɔ̰
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[Dewoin language|Déwoin]] || dúlú ||  || gire ||  || málá̰ ||  || mīlà̰ || wɔ̰̄ḭ́
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Tepo language|Tépo]] || lú || lú púpu̍ || yíe̍ || nʊ̍a̍ || mɪ̍yá̰ || ɲɛ́ || mɛ̍ ~ mé; mé ~ mɛ̍ || wṵ̍t
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Grebo language|Grébo]] || lu᷄ ||  || ye̍ || nóá || méá ||  || mɛ̄ || ŋwúnɔ̄
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Glio-Ubi language|Oubi]] ||  || mi || yīrō || nōā || mēā̰ ||  ||  || ŋu
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Jrwe language|Jrwe]] || lé || lé ɲà̰ɛ̰̍ || jró || nʊ̰̍a̰̍ || mɪ̰̍a̰̍ || ɲɛ̰́ || mɛ̰̍ || wṵ́
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Guere language|Guéré]] || drú || míī || jrííē || dōṵ́ || ɓʊ̄ || djūlɛ̀ || mɛ̰̄ò̰ || ŋɔ̰̄
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Nyabwa language|Nyabwa]] || dru̍ || nɪ́mə̀ǹè || yíɾi̍ || lòku̍ || mə́ná || ɲéné || méɛ̰̀ || ŋwɔ̰̄
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Wobé language|Wobé]] || jrú || mḛ́ḛ̄ ~ me; me ~ mḛ́ḛ̄ || jríɛ́ || dōṵ́ || mla̰̍ || ɲnḛ̍ || mɛ̰̍ɔ̰̀ || ŋwɔ̰̄
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Konobo language|Konobo]] || drɔ || mi || yidɔ || nao || mla̰ ||  || mɛ || 
|}

===Body parts (lower)===
Other body parts from Marchese (1983):<ref name="Marchese"/>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Classification !! Language !! neck !! arm !! breast !! intestines !! navel !! leg !! bone !! blood !! skin
|-
| Siamou || [[Siamou language|Seme]] || kʷa̰ || bɔ || nʷḛ ||  || ɲēfū ||  || kpar || to̰ || 
|-
| Aizi || [[Aizi language|Aïzi]] || vu || sʊ || drɪ || mɪ || mʊkʊ || pɪ || kra || ɲre || kʊkɔ
|-
| Kuwaa || [[Kuwaa language|Kuwaa]] || fɛ̀lɛ ||  || ɲàlì ||  || sḭyà̰ || bɔ̰̀ || kʷa || to̍yò || kṵ᷆
|-
| Eastern, Bakwe || [[Bakwe language|Bakwé]] (Soubré) || pli || dáɾó || ɲɪ̄tɪ̄ || mī || mʊ̰̄kʷɛ̄ || ɓɔō || kɔ̄ō || tùɾú || 
|-
| Eastern, Dida || [[Dida language|Dida]] (Lozoua) || brɪ̀ ~ bɾɪ̀; bɾɪ̀ ~ brɪ̀ || sɔ̄ || ɲētī || mɪ̄ || mʊ́kʊ̄díè || ɓō || kwíyè || dòlū || kpʊ̄kpā
|-
| Eastern, Dida || [[Vata language|Vata]] ||  || sɔ̄ ||  || me̍ || mókɔ̍lɛ̍ || ɓɔ̄gʊ̀ || fa̍ || dūlū || fu̍
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Bété language|Bété]] (Daloa) || blʊ̀ || sɔ́ || ɲɪ́tɪ́ || wɪ̍ || dàī || ɓʊ́ || kwa̍ || dɾú || 
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Bété language|Bété]] (Guibéroua) || bʊ̀lʊ́ || sɔ̍ || ɲɪ̄tɪ̄ || mɪ́ || dàyī || ɓʊ̍ || kʷá || du̍ɾu̍ || ku̍
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Godié language|Godié]] || bʌlɛ̄ || sɔ̄ || ɲītì || mɪ́ || dèè || ɓʉ̄ || féè || dɾù || kpʊ̄kpʌ
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Kuya language|Koyo]] || blɛ̀ || sɔ̄ɔ̄ || ɲītīyē || mɪ́ || mákɔ̄lʊ́gbā || ɓɔ̄ɔ́ || féyē || dòlú || 
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Neyo language|Néyo]] || blɛ̄ || sɔ̄ɔ́ ||  || mɔ́gbàlɪ̄ || ɲúkōlíé || ɓɔ̄ɔ́ || féē || dòlū || kpʊ̄kpā
|-
| Western, Klao || [[Klao language|Klao]] || pnu᷄ || sʊ̰̄ || ɲītī || mɔ̄ɛ᷄ || pùtù || bʊ̄ || kpa᷄ || ɲnɔ̄ || kū
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[Bassa language|Bassa]] || bùnù || sɔ̃ || nɛɛ̀ || mɛ́|| zìì || ɓo || kpá || nyɔmɔɔ || ku
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[Dewoin language|Déwoin]] || būnū ||  || nḛ ||  ||  || ɓō || gba || ɲimo || 
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Tepo language|Tépo]] || plʊ̀ || da̍bʊ́ || nɛ̍yɛ̍ ~ ɲɛ̍yɛ̍; ɲɛ̍yɛ̍ ~ nɛ̍yɛ̍ || ŋmí || nɛ́ɛ́ ~ nɛ́; nɛ́ ~ nɛ́ɛ́ || bʊ̍ || klá || da̍blʊ́ || kɔ̀ ~ kɔ̍; kɔ̍ ~ kɔ̀
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Grebo language|Grébo]] || plo᷄ || só̰ || ɲínē || kúdíde̍ || no̍na᷄ || bó || kla᷄ || ɲénɔ́ || fe᷄
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Glio-Ubi language|Oubi]] || pòlò || ho̰ ||  || muə̄gli || nə̰ || bo || kala || dòùlā || 
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Jrwe language|Jrwe]] || plʊ̀ || hʊ̰̍ || ɲɛ̰̍sɛ̍ ||  || nɛ̰́ɛ̰̍ || bʊ̍ || klá || klʊ́ʊ̍ || kɔ̀
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Guere language|Guéré]] || blṵ̄ || sō̰ || ɲḛ̄ɛ̰̀ || mḛ̍ || ɓóà || bʊ̍ || kpa̍ || ɲmɔ̰̄ || kū
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Nyabwa language|Nyabwa]] || būlū || sʊ̄ || ɲētìɛ̀ || mé || zànɛ̍ɛ̍ || ɓʊ̄ || kpá || ɲēmō || kù
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Wobé language|Wobé]] || plṵ̀ || sō̰ || ɲḛ̄ɛ̰̀ || mḛ̍ || sɛ̰̀ ɲɛ̀ || bʊ̄ || kpa̍ || nmɔ̄ || kū
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Konobo language|Konobo]] ||  || sʊ || ɲiniɛ ||  || gbolo || bo || kla || daluo || ku
|}

===Other nouns===
Miscellaneous nouns from Marchese (1983):<ref name="Marchese"/>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Classification !! Language !! snake !! egg !! horn !! tail !! rope !! father !! mother !! woman !! child !! name
|-
| Siamou || [[Siamou language|Seme]] || jàl || kʸḛ || bī ||  || ɲan || tɔ || yɔ || mel || ɓisyā || y̰i
|-
| Aizi || [[Aizi language|Aïzi]] || srɪ || ji || gbeli || gɛtɛ ||  || zuzo || keke || lapɛ || jɪ || 
|-
| Kuwaa || [[Kuwaa language|Kuwaa]] || gbɛ̰̀ɛ̰̀ || kɛ̀ɛ̀mɛ̀ || kṵ̌bé || ɲídewúlé || dòyò ||  || nu || ɲinɔ̀ || jí || ɲɛlɛ̰
|-
| Eastern, Bakwe || [[Bakwe language|Bakwé]] (Soubré) || tɾɔ̄ || sàpɨ́gē ||  ||  ||  || tō || yuo || ŋʷɔ́l̰ɔ́ || yəyie || ɲrɪ
|-
| Eastern, Dida || [[Dida language|Dida]] (Lozoua) || trɛ̄ || jīè || gwɪ́ || gūò || ɓlū || to̍ || nɔ́ || ŋwnɔ́ || cíle̍ || ŋlɪ́
|-
| Eastern, Dida || [[Vata language|Vata]] || tlɛ̄ || gì ~ jì || vɔ́ɛ̍ ||  ||  || co̍ || nɔ́ || ŋɔnɔ́ || lo̍ || 
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Bété language|Bété]] (Daloa) || tɪ́mɛ́ || gʉyī || gɔ̍ ||  || li̍kpə́ || tɓà || dà || ŋɔ́nɔ̍ || gu̍ || ŋʉ̍nɪ̍
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Bété language|Bété]] (Guibéroua) || ti̍mɛ̍ || gʉ̄ || gʊ́ || gʷə̀yi̍ || díkpə̍ || dɪ̄bà || dà || ŋɔ́ɾɔ́ || yú || ŋʉ́l̰ɪ́
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Godié language|Godié]] || trɛ̄ || gɪ̀ || vɪ̄ || gə̀ || ɓɨlɨ́kpə̄ || tʉ́ || dà || ŋʷɔ́l̰ɔ́ || yɪ́ || ŋʉ́nʉ́
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Kuya language|Koyo]] || miɛ̄bòlú || gɪ̀yē || gó ||  || ɓlíyē || bá || nɔ́ || ŋɔ́nɔ́ || yó || ŋɨ́nɨ́
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Neyo language|Néyo]] || tlɛ̄ || gè || vʊ́ ||  || ɓlú || tʊ́ || nɛ́ || ŋʷló̰ || yʊ́ || ylɪ́
|-
| Western, Klao || [[Klao language|Klao]] || slɛ̄ || ɲɛ᷆ || ŋmo̰᷆ || wʊ̰᷆ || dlu᷄ ~ dbu᷄ || mi᷄ || dé || ɲnɔ᷄ || jēgbé || ɲnɛ᷄
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[Bassa language|Bassa]] || sɛ || gɛ̃̀ || gmɛ̌ || vɔ̃ || ɖúú || ɓà || ɖe || màa || dyú || ŋɛ́nɛ́
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[Dewoin language|Déwoin]] || sɛ̄wɛ̄ || ge ||  ||  || ɓùlū || ɓa̍ || ma᷅ || ɲiro; ŋɔ́nɔ́ || wú || ŋɛ́lɛ́
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Tepo language|Tépo]] || hre̍ || ŋɔ̀ || ŋmʊ̄ || bà || pátà || bu̍ || díí ~ dí; dí ~ díí || ɲnɔ̍gbá || yú || dʊ́
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Grebo language|Grébo]] || sídé || ŋēyē ||  ||  || lúdu̍ || bu̍o̍ || de᷄ || ɲénɛ́ || hḛ̍a̰̍ || ɲéné
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Glio-Ubi language|Oubi]] || here || hawɛŋɨ̰nɛ || ŋʷɛ̰ || ba || wūlū || bui || di || ɲīrō̰ || yu || ɲíró̰
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Jrwe language|Jrwe]] || hre̍ || ɲɔ̰́lò || do̍e̍ || bà || lúrū || bó || dé || nɔ̰̍wá || yú || ɲl̰ɔ̰́
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Guere language|Guéré]] || sɛ̰̄ || sō̰a̰̍ gɛ̄ || ŋm̄ɔ̰̍ || gō̰ || dbú || bā || do̍ū || jú zá̰à̰ || ɓāò || ɲnɪ̰̍
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Nyabwa language|Nyabwa]] || sɛ̰̄ || sò̰o̰̍ gḛ̄ɛ̰̄ || gbó̰ || gō̰ || ɓlu̍kū || tèta || lótō || ɲə́nɔ́ || yu̍ || ɲéné
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Wobé language|Wobé]] || sɛ̰̄ || so̰᷄kɛ̰̀ɛ̰̀ || ŋmɛ̀ || ko̰᷅ || dbū ~ dbú; dbú ~ dbū || bó || dē || ɲnɔ̍ kpāo̍ || jú sǎ̰ā̰ || ɲnḛ̍
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Konobo language|Konobo]] || sɛrɛ || ɲie || gbo || gʷo || dru || ba || de || ɲɪnɪ || jowe || ɲi
|}

===Nature===
Nature-related words from Marchese (1983):<ref name="Marchese"/>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Classification !! Language !! day !! sun !! moon !! water !! fire !! fog !! sea !! dust !! salt
|-
| Siamou || [[Siamou language|Seme]] || yefʸɛ || ye || fʷǒ || nṵ || niɛ ||  ||  ||  || 
|-
| Aizi || [[Aizi language|Aïzi]] || zi || ze || cu || nrɪ || lede || jru || magri || ɓʊɓʊ || trʊ
|-
| Kuwaa || [[Kuwaa language|Kuwaa]] || kùlù || kàlà || kewu || nímí || ka̰᷆ || koo || jiwo || lowo || kìyɔ̀
|-
| Eastern, Bakwe || [[Bakwe language|Bakwé]] (Soubré) || srè || jró || sɨple || nē || kāpū || bru || tánīē || mɔ̰l̰ɔ̰ || 
|-
| Eastern, Dida || [[Dida language|Dida]] (Lozoua) || cɾɪ̄ || ylʊ́ || cʊ́ || ɲú || kòsū || jlū || jḭ̄yē || pipi || glī
|-
| Eastern, Dida || [[Vata language|Vata]] ||  ||  || cʊ̍ || ɲú || kōsū ||  || jɛ̰́vie̍ || ŋúŋu̍ || 
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Bété language|Bété]] (Daloa) || yɪ̍ɾɪ̍ || yʊ̍ɾʊ̍zàrʊ́ || na̍pɛ́ || ɲu̍ || kòsū || gbi̍ɾu̍ || gɨ-ɲɛ̄ || ɓu̍kú || gʉ́ɓɨ́
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Bété language|Bété]] (Guibéroua) || yɪ́ɾɪ́ || yʊ́ɾʊ́ || cʊ́ || ɲú || kòsū || ju̍ɾu̍ || jīē || ɓūù-kʷə̍ || gɨ̍ɓɨ̍
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Godié language|Godié]] || yʊ̀ɾʊ̀ || yʊɾʊ́ || cʊ̄ || ɲú || kòsū || jùɾù || jīyē || ɓàɓùū || gɨ̀ɗɨ̀
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Kuya language|Koyo]] || yʊ́rʊ́ || yʊ́rʊ́ || cʊ́ʊ̄ || ɲú || kòsū || jùrù || jīyē || ɓūɓú || gʉ̀lʉ̀
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Neyo language|Néyo]] || zlì || ylʊ́ || cʊ́ || ɲú || kōsū || jlù || gɨ̄ē || mʊ̍mʷɪ̄ɪ́ || gūu̍
|-
| Western, Klao || [[Klao language|Klao]] ||  || ylʊ᷄ || cʊ̄ || ni᷄ || nɛ || jlu᷄ || jlō || pūpūí || to̰᷄
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[Bassa language|Bassa]] || wé || dyóɖó || dɛ̀nɛ̀ || ní || nyɛ || dunu || dyóó || púu || tɔ̃́
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[Dewoin language|Déwoin]] || wé || gú || sò || ní || nàì ||  ||  ||  || tó̰
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Tepo language|Tépo]] || ɲnɔ̀wo̍ || yrʊ́ || hɔ̀pɔ̍ || ni̍yḛ́ || na̍ || jrù || yrú || púpu̍ || tá
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Grebo language|Grébo]] ||  || ŋwɛ́ || hɔ̀bō || ni᷄ || ná || jūdú || yúdá || púíbi̍ || ta᷄
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Glio-Ubi language|Oubi]] || ɲìrò̰ || jīrō || hɔ̰liɛ || ɲɛ́ || nàní || jùrù || tápɛ̀ || múlɔ̰̀ || 
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Jrwe language|Jrwe]] || ɲl̰ɔ̰̀wò || jrʊ́ || hóóò || nḭ́ḛ́ || na̰̍ || jrù || ti̍e̍ || púwò || tá
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Guere language|Guéré]] || wɪ̍ || jru̍ || cʊ̍ || ní || nɛ̰̄ || wɛ̍ì || to̰̍nī || djɛ̄ɛ̀ || tɔ̰̍
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Nyabwa language|Nyabwa]] || wɪ́ || yóró || cʊ́ || ni̍ || nɛ̄ || jurū || gɨ̄ɨ̄ || pīpèlè || tɔ̰̄
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Wobé language|Wobé]] || wɪ̍ || jru̍ || cʊ̍ || nḭ́ || nɛ̰̄ || cnṵ̄ || to̰̍nī || pu̍ē || tɔ̰̍
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Konobo language|Konobo]] || wɔ̰ || jɨdo || co || ɲɛ || nani || jlu || yoo || mulo || ta
|}

===Verbs (1)===
Some basic verbs from Marchese (1983):<ref name="Marchese"/>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Classification !! Language !! eat !! drink !! bite !! vomit !! die !! kill !! walk !! come
|-
| Siamou || [[Siamou language|Seme]] || di || namu || nuo̰ ||  || ko(klo) || ko(kɔrɔ) || koel || bɛ(bla)
|-
| Aizi || [[Aizi language|Aïzi]] || li || ma || cɛ || gʷra || kɔ || yra || na || yi
|-
| Kuwaa || [[Kuwaa language|Kuwaa]] || jì || gbɛ || ɲìmì || kɔ̀jɛ̀ || fa̰la̰ || java || namu || yì
|-
| Eastern, Bakwe || [[Bakwe language|Bakwé]] (Soubré) || jɨ || ml̰áà || ml̰u || wɔsɔ || jʌ || ɓlá || ɲɛ́ || jī
|-
| Eastern, Dida || [[Dida language|Dida]] (Lozoua) || ti̍ || mlá || mni̍ || gɔ̍zɛ̄ || kú || ɓlá || námʊ̍ || ci̍
|-
| Eastern, Dida || [[Vata language|Vata]] || li̍ || nia̍ || nlɪ̍ || ɓeɔ̀ || fú ||  || nánɪ́ || yi̍
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Bété language|Bété]] (Daloa) || lī || nɪ̍ma̍ || nɨ́mɨ́ || mə́tī || tɾɪ || lɪ̍ɓa̍ || námʉ́ || jí
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Bété language|Bété]] (Guibéroua) || dī || nɪ́mʌ́ || nīmɨ̄ || mə́tī || kú || lɪ́bʌ́ || nɛ̍mʉ̍ || yī
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Godié language|Godié]] || ɗɨ̄ || mʌ́nʌ́ || mɨ̄l̰ɨ̄ || gʷʌ̄sɛ̀ || kú || ɓʌ́lʌ́ || nʌ́ʌ̄ || yī
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Kuya language|Koyo]] || lɨ̄ || ḿlá || miɨ̄ || gɔ̄sɛ̀ || kú || ɓlá || ná̰à̰ || yī
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Neyo language|Néyo]] || lī || mlá || miī || gɔ̄zɪ̀ɔ̀ || kú || ɓla̍ || nāà || yī
|-
| Western, Klao || [[Klao language|Klao]] || dī || na᷄ || nmī || wlà || mɛ᷄ || dla᷄ ~ dba᷄ || na᷆ || jí
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[Bassa language|Bassa]] || ɖi || ná || numu || hwaɖa || mɛ́ || ɖáɓá || nà || dyi
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[Dewoin language|Déwoin]] || zī || ná ||  ||  || ku || ta̰; láwá ||  || yi
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Tepo language|Tépo]] || di̍ || ná || ne̍ || wlà || kʊ́ || lá ~ la̍; la̍ ~ lá || nà || di̍ré
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Grebo language|Grébo]] || dí || na᷄ || mlí || wōdá || kō(ɛ́) ||  ||  || dí
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Glio-Ubi language|Oubi]] || dīdɛ̄ || ná ||  || wɔ̀là || kʊ || wɔlɔ || na || dó
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Jrwe language|Jrwe]] || di̍dɛ̍ || ná̰ || nɛ̰́ɛ̰̍ || wlà ||  || la̍ || na̰̍ || di̍rè
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Guere language|Guéré]] || djréè || na̍ || nmū || gwlà || ɗrē || dbā || na̰᷆ || jī
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Nyabwa language|Nyabwa]] || dī || ná || nūmū || gəlāgəlá ||  || lə́ɓá || nà || yī
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Wobé language|Wobé]] || dī || na̍ || nmū || kẁlā || mɛ̍ || dba̍ || na᷆ || jī
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Konobo language|Konobo]] || di || na || wlaawɔ || gula || mɛ || dra || na || jlo
|}

===Verbs (2)===
Other basic verbs from Marchese (1983):<ref name="Marchese"/>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Classification !! Language !! give !! dig !! sleep !! push !! shoot !! sing
|-
| Siamou || [[Siamou language|Seme]] || kḛ; kla̰ ||  || dɛ; la || tutur ||  || gʸai ɲḛ
|-
| Aizi || [[Aizi language|Aïzi]] || ɲɛ || ɓru || mɔ namʊ || tu || gbi || 
|-
| Kuwaa || [[Kuwaa language|Kuwaa]] || nì || bíí || wa̰ni || to᷆ || kòì || fa᷆doyo
|-
| Eastern, Bakwe || [[Bakwe language|Bakwé]] (Soubré) || ɲe ||  || múmɔ̀ ||  || kʷɛ́ɛ̀ || 
|-
| Eastern, Dida || [[Dida language|Dida]] (Lozoua) || ɲɛ́ || ɓlí || ŋɔ̄mʊ̄ || sú || jri̍ ~ jɾi̍ || ɓlɪ̄
|-
| Eastern, Dida || [[Vata language|Vata]] ||  || ɓlí || ɲɔ́nɔ̍ || súsue̍ ||  || ɓlɪ̍
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Bété language|Bété]] (Daloa) || ɲɛ̍ || wlù || ŋɔ́mʉ́ || súnʊ̄ || tɪ̍tɾɪ́ || blɪ̄
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Bété language|Bété]] (Guibéroua) || ɲɛ́ || ɓúlú || ŋʌ̍mʉ̍ || súnɪ̄ || jiɾi ~ jīɾi || ɓʉ̄lɪ̄
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Godié language|Godié]] || ɲɛ́ || ɓɨ́dɨ́ || ŋʷɔ́ɔ̄ || sú || jri || ɓʉ̄lɪ̄
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Kuya language|Koyo]] || ɲɛ́ || ɓlʉ́lʉ́ || ŋɔ́ɔ̀ || zɛ́ || jrɨ̄ || ɓlɪ̄
|-
| Eastern, Bete || [[Neyo language|Néyo]] || ɲɛ́ || wlúū || ŋɔ̄ || sú || jri ~ jrī || ɓlɪ̄
|-
| Western, Klao || [[Klao language|Klao]] || ɲî || blu᷄ ||  || tṵ᷄ || jlì || blē
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[Bassa language|Bassa]] || nyí || ɓúɖú || mɔ́ ; nyíɔ || cṹ || pòìn || ɓeɖe
|-
| Western, Bassa || [[Dewoin language|Déwoin]] || gḭ́ || ɓúlú || nɔ́ || sṵ́ || gbī || ɓēlē
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Tepo language|Tépo]] || ɲè || gblú || ŋmò || túe̍ ||  || bre̍
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Grebo language|Grébo]] || hḭ᷄ || búdú || móɔ́ || tṵ̄ ||  || blé
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Glio-Ubi language|Oubi]] || ɲé || búlúiro || ŋmo̰ || tūɛ̄ || gìrɛ̀lɔ́ || bəlɛ
|-
| Western, Grebo || [[Jrwe language|Jrwe]] || ɲɛ̰̀ || blú || ŋmḛ̍ || tú ||  || bre̍wlà
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Guere language|Guéré]] || jé || ɓlú || mo̰̍ || tṵ́ ||  || ble̍
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Nyabwa language|Nyabwa]] || ɲe̍m || bulu̍ || mó̰ || tūù || jīrī || ɓlē
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Wobé language|Wobé]] || ɲḛ̍ || blú || mo̰̍ || pō || crḭḭa̍ ~ crīīa̍ || ble̍
|-
| Western, Wee || [[Konobo language|Konobo]] || ye || blo || mo || tui || jidiɛ || ble
|}

==Reconstruction==<!---[[Proto-Kru]] redirects here--->
{{Infobox proto-language
| name             = Proto-Kru
| familycolor      = Niger-Congo
| ancestor         = 
| child1 = 
| target          = Kru languages
}}
According to Marchese Zogbo (2012), Proto-Kru had:<ref>Marchese Zogbo, Lynell. 2012. ''[http://llacan.vjf.cnrs.fr/fichiers/nigercongo/fichiers/Zogbo_Kru.pdf Kru revisited, Kru revealed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617184019/http://llacan.vjf.cnrs.fr/fichiers/nigercongo/fichiers/Zogbo_Kru.pdf |date=2020-06-17 }}''. Paper presented at the International Congress "Towards Proto-Niger-Congo: Comparison and Reconstruction," Paris, 18‒21 September. ([http://llacan.vjf.cnrs.fr/fichiers/nigercongo/abstracts/zogbo.pdf Abstract] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617185235/http://llacan.vjf.cnrs.fr/fichiers/nigercongo/abstracts/zogbo.pdf |date=2020-06-17 }})</ref>

*phonemic nasalized vowels
*four level tones
* *CVCV-(C)V and probably *CVV syllable structure. *CCV syllables, and possibly also *CVV syllables, are derived from *CVCV roots.
*SVO word order, but with much OV typology
*suffixing morphology
*perfective and imperfective aspects

Proto-Kru consonants (Marchese Zogbo 2012):
{| class="wikitable"
| p || t || k || kp
|-
| b || d || g || gb
|-
| ɓ ||  ||  || 
|-
| m || n || ŋ (?) || 
|-
|  || s ||  || 
|-
|  || l || w || 
|}

Derived consonants:
*/ɟ/ is likely derived via palatalization (*g > ɟ), e.g. *gie > ɟie.
* *c, *ɲ, *kʷ, *gʷ, *ŋʷ are derived from alveolar or velar consonants preceding high back or high front vowels.
*/ɗ/ is likely derived from *l.

Proto-Kru vowels (Marchese Zogbo 2012):
{| class="wikitable"
| ɪ || ʊ
|-
| e || o
|-
| ɛ || ɔ
|-
| a || 
|}

There is a clear bipartite division between Western and Eastern Kru marked by phonological and lexical distinctions. Some isoglosses between Western Kru and Eastern Kru:

{| class="wikitable"
! Gloss !! Proto-Western Kru !! Proto-Eastern Kru
|-
| tree || {{Lang|kro|*tu}} || {{Lang|kro|*su}}
|-
| dog || {{Lang|kro|*gbe}} || {{Lang|kro|*gwɪ}}
|-
| fire || {{Lang|kro|*nɛ}} || {{Lang|kro|*kosu}}
|-
| tooth || {{Lang|kro|*ɲnɪ}} || {{Lang|kro|*gle}}
|}

==References==
<references/>
* Westerman, Diedrich Hermann (1952) ''Languages of West Africa'' (Part II). London/New York/Toronto: Oxford University Press.

==External links==
*[http://www.panafril10n.org/wikidoc/pmwiki.php/PanAfrLoc/KruBassa PanAfrican L10n page on Kru/Bassa]

{{Kru languages}}
{{Niger-Congo branches}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kru Languages}}
[[Category:Kru languages|*]]
[[Category:Language families]]
[[Category:Languages of Liberia]]
[[Category:Languages of Ivory Coast]]