Tsona:ka
From SUALEX
/tsona:ka/ "bat" in two Nahuan languages: Tetelcingo, Morelos and Oapan, Guerrero.
Attestation: This form is attested in Tetelcingo, Morelos (<tzonöcatl> (Pittman 1971:67; Lastra 1986)), and as <conaka?> in San Agustín Oapan, Guerrero (Lastra 1986). The more widespread form is Tsina:ka, but the vowel seems related to tsotso another Nahuan word for "bat", attested primarily in the Huasteca region.
Etymology: It is derived from Pre-Nahua *tsoinaika, which in turn comes from PSUA *sopi(tsi) "bat" (or "butterfly") + PSUA *naika "mouse".
- Nahuan: tsona:ka
- Proto-Nahuan *tsona:ka
- Pre-Nahuan *tsoi-naika
How to cite:
Pharao Hansen, Magnus. 2026. Tsona:ka. In SUALEX: A Southern Uto-Aztecan Etymological Dictionary. https://sualex.cenzontle.org/index.php?title=Tsona:ka (accessed 19 April 2026).