Gums

Most TB languages reflect the PTB root *r-nil ⪤ s-nil, which STC claims to be possibly related to PTB*r-ni ‘red’ . The Northern Qiang forms for ‘gums’ -zdi and ‘red’ ɕi- (Taoping χȵi-), however, seem to come from different initials. The form khV- is also common in BL and Qiangic (Bradley reconstructs Proto-Loloish *ʔ-ko³ on the basis of Lahu Shi and Southern Loloish). Attested compound formations in TB include TOOTH + GUMS, TOOTH + RED, TOOTH + BASE and TOOTH + FOOT; the Chinese formation TOOTH + FLESH is also attested.