Wéni je gin/ni je gin who are you?
Ni je na gin who are you/how are you?
Hau bozho ni je éshnekazyen oh hello, what is your name?
Gneshnabem ne are you a Native speaker?
Gneshnabemen odo pi let’s speak Native language at this time.
Ni je eshnekazyen who are you/what are you called?
________ndezhnekas I’m called_________
________eshnekazyan I’m called or known as_________________.
________o ndotém _______is my clan.
Some clans:
Wasi bullhead
Mko bear
Jejauk crane
Wawashkeshi deer
Mshiké turtle
Gigo fish
Mo’ewé wolf
Jigwe thunder
Mégizi eagle
Ni pi je wej byayen where are you from?
Oklahoma ndojbya I’m from Oklahoma.
Neshnabe odan Indian village
Bodewadmi shwkongenek I come from the Potawatomi Reservation.
Mshkwedeni shwkongenek ndojbya I come form the Prairie Band Res.
Neshnabe ndaw I am Indian.
Bodewadmi ndaw I am Potawatomi.
Weni je gin Who are you?
Bozho hello!
______ndezhnekas I’m called__________
_______eshenkazyan I’m called__________
________eshnekazyan I’m known or called__________
Note: Clan is always animate.
(the word dodosh has to do with the female breast, knowing they are meant for nourishing the child(ren), thus when we refer to dotem, we are actually speaking in reference to the clan having the ability to both nourish us and nurture us, for that is what the women do with children.)
______o ndotém _________is my clan.
Wasi o ndotém I am of the bull head clan.
Mko o ndotém I am of the bear clan.
Gigo o ndotém I am of the fish clan.
Kansas ndojbya I come from Kansas.
Ni je na how are you?
I zhe anwe just fine.
Mno wi zhe anwe I am doing just fine.
Megwa she enemwiyan I’m still breathing.
Megwa she ekwansegeyan I’m still above ground.
Megwa ekejgakweyan I’m still casting a shadow.
Gin je how about you/and you?
Iw zhe anwe gé nin I am fine too.
Nomye ne gi bya did you arrive a while ago?
Ehengh nomye ngi bya yes, I arrived a while ago.
Cho jeshek ngi bya no, I just arrived.
Bo Zho ___________________ Hello
Some variations:
Ahau, bo zho _________________ Oh, hello
Hau, bo zho ___________________ Oh hello
The information being supplied should precede the phrase:
_____________________ ndezh ne kas My name is
_____________________ ndoch bya I am from
_____________________ ndaw I am
_____________________ ndodem My clan is
_____________________ nde ben da gwes I am enrolled/I belong at
If one does not know their clan:
Jo nge ken masi o ndodem I don’t know my clan.
Jo she nge ken masi o ndodem. I really don’t know my clan.
Jo she neshnabe ndawsi I am really not Indian
Gchemokman ma she na ndaw I am an American/non-Indian
Ma shna ebodewadmimyan But I speak Potawatomi
Weni je ggetsimek? Who are your parents?
Mine wiye gi ngetsimek. Those are my parents.
______________ wiye o neneyem. (Ngyé) Is my mother.
______________ wiye o ndedeyem. (N’os) Is my father.
Gekenma ne o ndo dem? Do you know my clan?
Gekenma ne o gdodem? Do you know your clan?
Jo nge ken masi o gdodem. No, I don’t know your clan.
Jo nge ken masi o ndodem. No, I don’t my clan.
Wasi o ndodem. Catfish is my clan
Mko o ndodem. Bear is my clan
Wasi o gdodem. Catfish is your clan
Mko o gdodem. Bear is your clan
Ndodem my clan
Gdodem your clan
Gdodemwa ya all’s clan (you guys’)
Gdodemnan ours
Gdodemnanek ours (respective clans)
Introductions in this Potawatomi: Waje byénkwéshkewyak se ode Bodéwadmi.
Ni je éshe ne kasyen? What is your name/what are you called?
_____________ndesh ne kas. I am called ___________/my name is ________.
Ni je gdotém? What is your clan?
__________ndotém. I am _________ clan.
Ni pi je wéch bya yen? Where are you from.
_____________ ndoch bya. I am from ______________.
Ni pi je éjeda yen? Where do you live?
_______________ éje da yan. I live in ________________.
Ni je ngom esh gishgek? What is the day today?
_____________gishget ngom. Today is_______________.
______________gishek yawen. It is___________________.
Ni je etse pon gez yen? How old are you?
______________ndetse pon ges. I am _________________years old.
Ni je etse pon gezet? How old is he/she?
____________pon geze. He is________________old.
Ni je pi wa dbe shka yen? When is your birthday?
_______________gishgek nwi deb shka. My birthday is on the___________.
Examples:
Ede’ men gizes e’ngot watso gishgek ngi dbe shka.
My birthday is on the 6th of June.
E’ngot watso gishgek ngi nda des.
I was born on the 6th.
Gdo ni janes ne? Do you have children?
Eh hengh, ndo ni janes. Yes, I have children.
Jo wi, nde ni jansesi. No, I don’t have children.
Ni je etsowat gi gni jansek? How many are there, your kids?
Ngot watso yawik. Nish kwe ze’sek mine nyew gi ga be’sek.
There are six. Two girls and four boys.
Ni je ezh ne kazwat gni jansek?
What are their names?
______,_______,________,_________,_________,mine _________ zhe nka zwik.
Their names are__________.
I ye o ne gwes is that your son?
I ye o ne gmeshomes is that your grandfather?
I ye ne ggyeyom is that your mother?
I ye o ne g’os is that your father?
I ye o nmeshomes that one is my grandfather.
I ye o ngyeyom that one is my mother.
I ye o n’os that one is my father.
I ye o ngwes that one is my son.
I ye o kwe ne ga widge’eyen Is that the woman you married?
Hengh I ye ode kwe ga widge’eyan Yes, this is the woman I married.
Dazgenjena o kewezi ewabmayen zhi jingtemek
Shake hands with that old man when you see him there at the powwow
Dazgenjenak gi nnikanek ewabmayen zhi jingtemok
Shake hands with my friends when you see them at the pow wow
Hau byenkweshmok ode nnikan byedazgenjena
Ok come and meet my friend, come shake his hand.
Hau byenkweshmok gode nikansenan byedazgenjenak
Oh let’s go and greet our friends and shake their hands.
American legion nde ben da gwes
I belong to the American legion. (literal)
I am a member of
Huron Potawatomi tribe nde ben da gwes
I belong to the Huron Potawatomi tribe. (literal)
I am enrolled at
______________ ndotem nde ben da gwes
I belong to the ____________ clan. (literal)
I am a member of
Énkwéshmo’ayen Weye Upon Meeting Someone/Somebody
Bozho Hello.
Ni je na gin? How are you?/How goes it?
Mno wi shna anwe I’m doing well/fine.
I zhe anwe I’m fine.
Gin je? And you?
Ndézhnekas My name is….I am known as…
Ni je ézh ne kasyen? What is your name/what are you called, known by?
Bama mine gwabmen Until we meet again. (sing.)
Bama mine gewabmenem Until another time. (pl.)
Migwétch Thanks. (meaning, I will give again, at some time)
Igwien Another way to say thanks.
Mishen i Give me that.
Nenmoshen i Hand me that.
Byénenmoshen i Bring that to me.
Byénen i Bring that.
Byénan Hand it over.
Byédon i Bring that. (inan.)
Byéna o Bring h/h. (anim.)
Bidgén Come in.
Byébidgén Welcome, do come in.
Jibteben Sit down.
Jibteb i pedyebwen Sit in that chair.
Jibteben zhi Sit there.
Jibteben shote Sit here.
Nedwendan gégo ne Do you want something?
Neshnabé ne gdaw are you Indian?
Bodéwadmi ne gdaw are you Potawatomi?
Ni je ésh ne kas yen what is your name?
Ni pi je wéj bya yen where are you from?
Ni je énwéyen what’s your tribe?
A possible answer you might get:
_______________ shkwon genek ndoj bya
I come from the ________________________ reservation.
Some more queries:
Ni je épichiyak ne i gshkwongenek How far is it to your reservation?
Manék gi neshnabék ne ibe gdoj bya yen Are there many Indians where you’re from?
Gde wichewé ne are you married?
Ehengh nde widge’eyan yes, I am married.
Gdo nijanes ne do you have children?
Éhé ndo nijanes yes, I have children.
Jo wi nde nijansesi no, I don’t have children.
Gdo nosemesek ne do you have grandchildren?
Ehe ndo nosemesek yes, I have grandchildren.
Jo wi nde nosemesesi no, I don’t have gchildren.
Jo mshe nde nosemesi no, not yet!
Ni je étsowat gi gnijansek How many are there, your kids?
Nizh yawik. Ngot kwézés mine ngot gigabés.
There are two. One little girl and one little boy.
Nswéo yawik, ngot gigyagos mine nizh gigabések
There are three. One little girl and two little boys.
Some possible responses to initial queries:
Hau, bozho
__________________ ndezh ne kas
Bodéwadmi ndaw
Ode shkongenek ndoj bya (I come from this reservation.)
Jigwé ndotém I am thunder clan.
Ni je o gdotém What is your clan?
Neshnabémo ne Do you speak Indian ?
Hau, gda neshnabémen We should speak Indian.
Some more possible queries:
Gi bya ne éméndokasyen
Did you come for ceremonies?
Gwi nimedi ne wa je zéksowat
Are you going to dance when they have their doings?
Gwi nimedi ne wa je jingtemwat
Are you going to dance when they pow-wow?
Gnegmo ne?
Do you sing?
Gwi ggemo ne
Are you going to sing?
Manék gode neshnabék énimediwat shote
There are many these Indians that dance here.
Ode ngot mawjeshnowen mésham ngoji pi shote
This is one of the biggest gatherings hereabouts.
Énchiwénmoyak i
We’re proud of that!
Ode se nde kwéyom
This is my wife
Gode se nde penojéyek
These are my children
Ibe édayak
We live over there
Ézhi ne
Over there?
Ndo dabyan ndeto ne
Do you have a car?
Éhé dabyan ndeto
Yes, I have a car.
Cho dabyan ndetosi
No, I don’t have a car.
Mbusen nde shona gishpen éshyayan ngoji pi
I go by bus if I go someplace.
Cho she dabyan ndetosi éwzgabyénma
I really don’t have a car to drive.
Medagwéndan éyajmoyak nomek ngom
I’m glad we could talk today for a while.
Ébgosénmeyan émedagwéndemyen gawje kigdoyak
I hope you liked our talk.
Iw se she na ngom
That’s all for today!
Ode se ndenim
This is my husband.
Ni pi je ga ye yen wnago
Where were you yesterday?
Ni pi je enokiyen
Where do you work?
Wewene ne edbegazyen ibe enokiyen
Are you paid well there where you work?
Ngi nkweshmo’a o wenze kwe ngodek egi weshkgeyan
I met a pretty lady once when I was a young man.
I ye o ga wje widge’éyan
That is whom I married.
Nyanok gi penojek etoyak, wenzik
We have five children, they are good.
Wenet i wij’uwewen
Marriage is good
Memejek enkweshmoyen o wewene wijewagan
Especially when you meet the right partner.
Njo, byan shote byénkwéshkew Bob.
Joe, come here and meet Bob.
Bo sho, Bob, ni je na?
Hello Bob how are you?
Bo sho, Iw she anwe, gin je
Hello, just fine, and you?
Iw she anwe ge nin.
I’m fine too.
He.
Hey, calls to get attention.
Wa, gin negwne.
Well, so it’s you!
Ni je ezh bmadziyen?
How are you getting along?
Iw she na ayapen, gin she?
Just the same, and you?
Nmeno bmades.
I feel well.
Iw ayapen, or Iw she na ayapen.
Just the same.
Cho/kawin, nmeno yesi.
I’m not doing too well.
Nmeno bmades.
I feel well, I’m getting along.
Hau, ngetmakes she anwe.
Oh, I’m poor but I’m living/alive.
Cho, she na apje kwéch.
I’m not real well.
Mji na anwe(k).
A little better, I guess.
Iw she anwe.
Just fine.
Ngiwé I’m going home.
Ni je wi? Why?
Nwi giwsé I want to hunt/I will hunt.
Gge wi jé wen I’ll go with you.
Gwi wijéwe ne Are you coming along?
Are you going along?
Ni pi je Where?
Odanek To town.
Ahau, nge wijéw Okay, I’ll go along.
Okay, I’ll come along.
Vocabulary:
Bidgé (mbidgé) go in; enter.
Biskonyé (mbiskonyé) get dressed.
Giwé (ngiwé) I will go home.
Giwsé (ngiwsé) I will hunt.
Wijéwe (nwijéwe) I will go along.
I will come along.
The verb, Gge wijéwen, is a transitive form and not based on, wijewé, although it is related to it.
Use these to practice the sounds of Potawatomi. It is very important that you learn to make Potawatomi sounds, not English sounds.
Beginning Vowel Sounds
A – ah – as in father
É – eh – as in bet
I – ee – as in eel
O – oh – as in go
E – uh – as in put and luck
Beginning Vowel and Consonant Blends
Ba bé bi bo be
Cha ché chi cho che
Da dé di do de
Ga gé gi go ge
Ha hé hi ho he
Ja jé ji jo je
Ka ké ki ko ke
Ma mé mi mo me
Na né ni no ne
Pa pé pi po pe
Sa sé si so se
Ta té ti to te
Wa wé wi wo we
Ya yé yi yo ye
Za zé zi zo ze
Blending “H” with Consonant and Vowel
Cha ché chi cho che
Sha shé shi sho she
Zha zhé zhi zho zhe
Blending Double Consonants with Vowels
Bwa bwé bwi bwo bwe
Bma bmé bmi bmo bme
Dba dbé dbi dbo dbe
Dwa dwé dwi dwo dwe
Gwa gwé gwi gwo gwe
Kwa kwé kwi kwo kwe
Mna mné mni mno mne
Nka nké nki nko nke
Nma nmé nmi nmo nme
Pka pké pki pko pke
Tka tké tki tko tke
Zha zhé zhi zho zhe
Some words to use for Practice
Maji – to go
Peki – prairie chicken
Nene – man
Kwé – woman
Bmosé – to walk
Byé – to come
Zhyé – to leave
Emphatic Pronouns – Used to blend
Nin – nin
Gin – you
Win – he/she
Examples: but using particles of the emphatic pronouns
N + maji = nmaji – I am going
G + maji = gmaji – You are going
W +maji = (w)maji – He/she is going * “W” is silent
N + bmosé = nbmosé – I am walking
G + bmosé = gbmosé – You are walking
W+ bmosé = wbmosé – He/she is walking
Blends – Tense Markers
De – present tense – am doing it now
Da – future intent – can/could/should/would
Gi – past – did
Ga – past tense also, but subordinate **
Wi – future – will
Wa – future also, but subordinate **
Ge – immediate future – about to do something
É – factive, providing immediacy of the tense, used with other tense markers and words
Blending Emphatic Pronoun (Nin) with Tense Markers
Nde – I am doing s.t.
Nda – I should
Ngi – I did
Nwi – I will
Nge – I am about to do something
Blending Emphatic Pronoun (Gin) with Tense Markers
Gde – You are
Gda – You could/should
Ggi – You did
Gwi – You will
Gge – You are about to do something
Blending Emphatic Pronoun (Win) with Tense Markers
Wde – He/she is
Wda – H/s could/would
Wgi – H/s did
Wwi – H/s will
Wge – H/s is about to do something
Blending Emphatic Pronouns with Tense Markers and Verbs
Emphatic (Nin – I) w/ tense markers + verb – Maji : meaning “to leave”
N + de + maji = Nde maji
N + da + maji = Nda maji
N + gi + maji = Ngi maji
N + wi + maji = Nwi maji
N + ge + maji = Nge maji
G + de + maji = Gde maji
G + da + maji = Gda maji
G + gi + maji = (G)gi maji (silent g)
G + wi + maji = Gwi maji
G + ge + maji = (G)ge maji (silent g)
W + de + maji = (W)de maji (silent w)
W + da + maji = (W)da maji
W + gi + maji = (W)gi maji
W + wi + maji = (W)wi maji
W + ge + maji = (W)ge maji
Emphatic pronoun (Gin – You) w/ tense markers + verb – Bmose: meaning “to walk”
N + de + bmosé = Nde bmosé
N + da + bmosé = Nda bmosé
N + gi + bmosé = Ngi bmosé
N + wi + bmosé = Nwi bmosé
N + ge + bmosé = Nge bmosé
G + de + bmosé = Gde bmosé
G + da + bmosé = Gda bmosé
G + gi + bmosé = (G)gi bmosé
G + wi + bmosé + Gwi bmosé
G + ge + bmosé = (G)ge bmosé
The (g) and the 
are usually silent in these types of phrases
W + de + bmosé = (W)de bmosé
W + da + bmosé = (W)da bmosé
W + gi + bmosé = (W)gi bmosé
W + wi + bmosé = (W)wi bmosé
W + ge + bmosé = (W)ge bmosé
** Wa and Ga
Ni jew pi ne ga maji yen When did you leave?
Hau wnago geshep ga maji yan Oh yesterday morning I left
Ni je wa zhechke yen What will you do?
Hau ode she pi wa zhechke yan i Oh right now is when I will do it
Hopefully you can see from the above examples the difference between Potawatomi and English. English verb conjugation is very focused on the order of events and the timing of everything. There are many, many tenses in English, which are used to reflect the timing and the continuity, while the pronouns are separate words that are attached to the verbs with minimal modification. In Potawatomi, WHO did the action is more prominent than when the action occurred. Notice above, the differences in conjugation based on WHO did the action, as opposed to the ease with which tense markers are inserted and removed. There are further conjugations you will learn, becoming more and more complex as multiple persons complete complex actions, but you will find that the timing of those actions are easily viewed through tense markers.
Learn your pronouns! There are multiple sets of conjugation prefixes and suffixes, depending on WHO is doing the action and who they are interacting with, instead of when the action occurred.
Emphatic pronouns
Nin I , me , my, mine
Gin You (singular), yours
Win He/she, his/hers, him/her, It
Ninan We, Us, Ours (exclusive)
Ginan We, Us, Ours (inclusive)
Ginwa You all , yours (plural)
Winwa They, Them, Theirs
Important Aspects to remember
Win (he/she): Gender is irrelevant. It refers to any third person animate being male or female.
Ninan and Ginan (we): There is a distinction between Ninan (we but not you) and Ginan (we including you)
Gin and Ginwa (You): There is a clear distinction between Gin (you singular) and Ginwa (you, plural)
Learn these pronouns, for using verbs in Potawatomi requires a good knowledge of pronouns. You will not see these pronouns very often in sentences, as this language tends to drop them and use particles of them with various verbs
Animacy and Inanimacy
Animacy and Inanimacy are difficult concepts to master because the traditional Potawatomi saw/sees the world differently than the modern American. What is considered alive to a Potawatomi is often considered inanimate by an American. However, the concept is crucial to the proper learning of this language because everything in a sentence must agree with the animacy or inanimacy of the subject and object of the sentence. This includes the pluralization, the demonstrative, the verb suffix, and the noun suffix, among other things. It is the mastery of this concept that requires that this language be taught from a cultural perspective.
Animate
That which is alive
That which is connected to a life force
That which moves of it’s own accord
There are times something inanimate can be animated by s.t./s.o. animate
Inanimate
That which is not alive
That which is no longer connected to a life force
That which cannot move of it’s own accord
There are times something inanimate can be animated by s.t./s.o. animate
Demonstratives
Potawatomi uses a system of demonstratives to modify nouns. Demonstratives tell where the object is in relation to the speaker and whether or not that object is animate or inanimate.
Animate Singular
Ode This
O That
Ago That over there
Animate Plural
Gode These
Gi Those
Egi Those over there
Examples of Animate Demonstratives
Singular
Ode kwe: This woman
O kwe: That woman
Ago kwe: That woman over there
Plural
Gode kwek: These women
Gi kwek: Those women
Egi kwek: Those women over there
Inanimate Singular
Ode This
I That
Ei That over there
Inanimate Plural
Node These
Ni Those
Eni Those over there
Examples of Inanimate Demonstratives
Singular
Ode dopwen: This table
I dopwen: That table
Ei dopwen: That table over there
Plural
Node dopwenen: These tables
Ni dopwenen: Those tables
Eni dopwenen: Those tables over there
Independent Tense Markers
There are 5 basic independent tense markers to learn:
De Present tense (in the act of doing something)
Ge Immediate future tense (what you are about to do)
Wi Future tense (what you will do or what you want to do)
Da Future conditional tense (what you can, could, should or would do)
Gi Past tense (what you did)
Examples of Independent Tense Markers
N de maji: I am leaving.
N ge maji : I am about to leave.
N wi maji wabek: I will leave tomorrow.
N da maji wabek: I should leave tomorrow.
N gi maji wnago: I left yesterday.
Iw zhe anwe just fine.
Nmeno bmades I’m well.
Nmeno bmadzemen we are well.
Ngezhades I’m happy.
Ngezhadzemen we are happy. (excl.)
Ggezhadzemen we are happy. (incl.)
Ngezhades ne are you happy?
Ndeyékwes I’m tired.
Ndakwnoga I’m sick.
Cho she meno yé si I’m not feeling well.
Getmages ma zhna anwe nde bmades Doing poorly, but still alive.
NESHNABÉK The People
Nene man
Kwé woman
Kewézi old man
Mdemozé old woman
Gigyago girl
Gigabé boy
Penojé baby
Wshke penojé new baby
Wéni je ode who is this?
Gigyago ode this is a girl.
Gigyago yawe she is a girl.
Gigyago ode yawe this one here is a girl.
Ni je ézhchegét o what is she doing?
Jibtebe o gigyago that girl is sitting.
Gigyagosdek! Girls!
Gigabésdek! Boys!
Gigyagosdek mine gigabésdek! Boys and Girls!
Nenwek men
Kwék/kwéwek women
Kewéziyek old men
Mdemozéyek old women
Gigyagoyek girls
Gigabéyek boys
Penojéyek babies
Wshke penojéyek new babies
Wéni je gode who are these?
Gigyagoyek gode these are girls.
Gigyagoyek yawik they are girls.
Gigyagoyek gode yawik these ones here are girls.
Wéni je gode who are these?
Gigabéyek gode these are boys.
Gigabéyek yawik they are boys.
Gigabéyek gode yawik these ones here are boys.
Ni je ézhchegét o what is he/she doing?
Ni je ézhchegéwat gi what are they doing?
MTEGOK, WASGONÉDOYEN MINE ZHE NA GÉGO
Mtek tree
Mtegok trees
Mtegwake forest
Mtegwakik in the forest
Datbek leaf
Datbegwén leaves
Waskonédo flower
Waskonédoyen flowers.
Séma tobacco
Nenséma Indian tobacco
Mskwabmesh red willow/kinickkinick
Mkojibek bear root/osha root
Wiké calamus root/bitter root
Gishki flat cedar
Ni je énadék ode datbek what color is this leaf?
Skebgya it is green.
Mskwamget it is red.
Wézawamget it is yellow/brown.
Jak zhe na nadé it is all different colors.
Ni je énadék ode wasgonédo what color is this flower?
Wabshkya it is white.
Mskwamget it is red.
Wézawamget it is yellow/brown.
Wejepkwa it is blue.
Jak zhe na nadé it is all different colors.
Note: these are only for inanimate things, words for animate things are different.
Bozho- Hello.
Ni je na gin? – How are you?
Anwé se shena- I’m fine.
I zhe anwe- I’m fine.
Gin je? And you?
Ndézhnekas- My name is
Ni je ézh ne kasyen? What is your name?
Bama mine gwabmen- Until we meet again. (sing.)
Bama mine gewabmenem – Until another time. (pl.)
Migwétch- Thanks.
Igwien – Another way to say thanks.
Mishen i- Give me that.
Nenmoshen i – hand me that.
Byenenmoshen i – bring that to me.
Byenen i – bring that.
Byenan – hand it over.
Byedon i – bring that. (inan.)
Byena o – Bring h/h. (anim.)
Bidgen – come in.
Byebidgen – welcome, do come in.
Jibteben – sit down.
Jibteb i pedyebwen – sit in that chair.
Jibteben zhi – sit there.
Jibteben shote – sit here.
Nedwendan gego ne – do you want something?
Nde- Noswen- my name
Kenomagwet- instructor.
Agnomaget – teacher.
Nin- I.
Gin – you.
Win – he/she.
Ninan – we – u.
Ginan – we + u.
Ginwa – you all.
Winwa – they/them.
Ni pi je wéch byayen?- Where do you come from?
Ndoch bya- I come from.
Noegwak ndet se ponges- I am seventy years old.
Wé ni je o? Who is that?
Zhenkazo- he/she is called.
Zhnekazo – same.
Ni je ézhnekasot? What is his/her name?
Ni je ezhnekazwat – what are their names?
Nde da – where I live.
Nde nweshmo’a ngom – I am retired now.
Megwa enokiyan – I’m still employed. (for hire)
Jash- Nose.
Don- mouth.
Tewgen – ear.
Tewgnen – ears.
Damken – chin.
Denmagen – shoulder.
Zet – foot.
Zeten – feet.
Kat – leg.
Nek – arm.
Nej – hand.
Nenjis – finger.
Gejneji – thumb.
Niyew- my body.
Shkizhek- eye.
Shkizhgwen – eyes.
Shkizhgok – having to do with the face.
Mamawey – eyebrow.
Bwam – thigh.
Doden – heel.
Debe – head.
Shtegwan – head.
Wibet – tooth.
Wibtan – teeth.
Zeknenwagen – tongue.
Bekwkenagen – ankle.
Kake – chest.
De – heart.
Bipishde – lungs.
Kwen – liver.
Donkweswi – kidney.
Doskwen – elbow.
Jewewek – upper arm.
Nowey – cheek.
Dye – butt.
Shigen – hip.
Jigwen – knee.
Wabma- to see someone.
Wabdan- to see it.
Nodan- hear it.
Nodwa- hear someone.
Byejmyama- smell someone.
Byejmyadan- smell something.
Dagna- touch someone.
Dagnan- touch something.
Bichbwa- taste something animate/or s.o.
Bichmandan- taste something inanimate.
Niyew- My body
Niyew- my body.
Nshtegwan- my head.
Nshkizgwen- my eyes.
Njash- my nose.
Ndenmagen- my shoulder.
Nek- my arm.
Ndoskwen- my elbow.
Nshkizhek- my eye.
Nkat- my leg.
Nkaden- my legs.
Nnéch- my hand.
Nzet- my foot.
Njigwen- my knee.
Ntog- my ear.
Nnenjen- my hands.
Nzeden- my feet.
Ntogenen- my ears.
Zheno en- point to it.
Nmeset- my stomach.
Npekwen- my back.
Ninsesen- hair.
Nibet- my tooth.
Nzeknenwagen- my tongue.
Wibet- tooth.
Wibtan- teeth.
Nibten- my teeth.
Nméji- left hand.
Npaji- right hand.
Washkbek- candy.
Kokobé- cucumber.
Nmedagwendan- I like it.
Cho nmedagwendasin- I don’t like it.
Wisnewen- food.
Nonaknéyabo- milk.
Kojések- green beans.
Madmen- corn.
Pen- potato.
Penyek/penik- potatoes.
Dékyak- ice cream.
Nokmes winsesen- vegtables.
Skebgya gtegankiwnen – green vegetables.
Éshobek- cabbage.
Kwen – liver.
Wabgon- pumpkin.
Kwesman- squash.
Shegagoshen- onion.
M bop- soup.
Kokosh wiyaas- bacon.
Pkwéshgen- bread.
Wishkbegasenen – cookies.
Mshimnabo- apple juice.
Pkwéshgasen- cookies.
Démen- strawberry.
Nedwendan ne gego emijyen – do you want s.t. to eat?
Éhé- yes
Konegé- yes (southern way)
Gmedagwendan ne ode/i? Do you like this/that?
Ngot- one.
Nish- two.
Nswé- three on up to ten.
Mdatso shej ngot – 11.
Mdatso shej zhak – 19.
Nizhwabtek – 20.
Nyano mtene – 50.
Zhakso mtene – 90.
Ngotwak – 100.
Ngot segos – 1000.
Medaswak – 1000’s innumerable.
Ndenwenmagnek- all my relations.
Gdenwemagnedok – literally, all that related to me.
Mko- bear
Gigo- fish
Jejak- crane
Wasi- catfish/bullhead
Kno- eagle
Nmedagwenma- I like him/her (s.t. or s.o. anim.)
Gazho- cat.
Nemosh- dog.
Mekchako- frog.
Nékdosha- horse.
Nadwé- rattlesnake.
Zhashage – garter snake.M
Mneto – snake.
Espeki- spider.
Mshiké- turtle.
Sengo- squirrel.
Zhishibé- duck.
Mek- beaver.
Bzhe ke- cow.
Bgoch bshe ke- buffalo. (wild cow)
Zheshko- muskrat.
Seksi- deer.
Espen- raccoon.
Ayéni- possum.
Kokosh- pig.
Kokoko- owl.
Moto- goat.
Bnéshi- bird.
Wabozo- rabbit (the snowshoe hare)
Mzhewe – cottontail rabbit.
Wabos – rabbit.
Kokotni- alligator.
Gagtanago – crocodile or lizard.
Gwédemojge- he/she fishes.
Gwédemojénatek- fishing pole.
Yawé- he/she is someone.
Ndaw- I am.
Ye – to be.
Wé ni je gin? Who are you?
Pkwakwet- ball.
Zet pkwakwet- football.
Pekwak wtowé- play baseball.
Bmomgo- he/she is riding a horse.
Noka pkwakwet- softball.
Gokpena pkwakwet- basketball.
Bagakdowewen – lacrosse.
Bagshegewan – lacrosse stick.
Aizhok pkwakwet – volley ball.
Nenji pkwakwet – handball.
Chikazwnen- Play
Wewébzowen- swing.
Zhoshkeo- he/she slides.
Gwashkso sebab- jumping rope.
Eksekewagwen- womans dice game.
Nijako- doll.
Nijakon- dolls.
Ti mawjeshnowen- tea party.
Tekosi- he/she climbs a tree.
Wzhobyege- he/she paints.
Bmepto- he/she runs.
Gwashkseo- he/she jumps.
Nimédi- he/she dances.
Migadi- he/she fights.
Dgeshgek- he/she kicks s.t.
Wepodage- he/she hits/ punches.
Mboze- he/she rides around. (in a car)
Pegdon- he/she throws it.
Bmashi- he/she flys/ soars.
Bmise – s.t. flies.
Bmose- he/she walks.
Bmepto – to run.
Wizawa- yellow it is.
Wichapkwa- blue it is.
Mkedéwa- black it is.
Wabshkya- it is white.
Wéch mokek- east.
Wéch nawkwék- south.
Wéch bgeshmok- west.
Wéch ksenyak- north.
Wabmeskwam- pink.
Skebgya- green it is.
Mskwa- red it is.
Wawyéyawen- circle.
Ewikweyak – corner
Zhazhaweya – square.
Nawi – center.
Wejepkwadek – purple.
Wizawabmskwamnedon – orange or pink.
Wabshkyamnedon – it is pale.
Mkedewabnedon – gray.
Mezodanen- family.
Wigwam- house.
Nénéyem or ngye- my mom.
Ndédéyem or nos- my dad.
Penojé- child.
Penojéyek- children.
Gigabé- boy.
Gigyago- girl.
Odan- town.
Nmeshomes- my grandfather.
Nzheshé- my uncle.
Nzhegwes- my aunt.
Ndéwema- my older brother of a girl.
Nsezé- my older brother of a boy.
Shime – any younger sibling.
Nidgeko- sister of a girl.
Ndékwém- sister of a boy.
Nmesé- older sister.
Noshé- my aunt/ mothers sister.
Nokmes- my gradmother.
Wigwam- house.
Shkwadém- door.
Wasechgen- window.
Biwabkos- phone.
Wabnotakchegen- tv.
Mkwemi kekos- fridge.
Gzhabkesgen- stove.
Bidapkengen – oven.
Dopwen- table.
Jiptebwen- chair.
Naken- rug, mat.
Mkek- box.
Shkwedé- fire.
Wigwas mkek- birchbark box.
Wzhobyetagjegen – computer.
Taswen- cabinet or closet.
Gokpenagen- basket.
Mtegwab- bow.
Nwib- my arrow.
Zisbakwet- maple syrup.
Agmen – snowshoe. (inan.)
Agmek- snow shoes. (anim. when used)
Séma- tobacco.
Nensemau – Indian tobacco.
Wishkpekmishkos- sweet grass.
Ezheshkmeyagwek – sweetgrass.
Wabshkebyék- sage.
Mskwedewabek – sage.
Kishki- cedar.
Wégni je ode- What is this?
Wégni je i- What is that?
Kwed igwan- on top.
Nam igwan- underneath.
Bké igwan- to the side.
Shkwéyak- behind.
Ibe- over there.
Zhi – there.
Ezhi – over there.
Megwe pi – long ways off.
Gbakwnen- close it.
Bakwnen wasechgen- open it window.
Kwidnen i wiwkwanen – lower that covering.
Ombakwaige – raise s.t. up.
Néyap ton ni chikaswnen- put those toys back.
Ton i msenegen kwed igwan dopwenek- put that book on top of the table.
Ton i msenegen nam igwan dopwenek- put that book under the table.
Dokin- Wake up!
Dokin- wake up.
Bzegwin – get up.
Nibwen – stand on your feet.
Gzibingwen- wash your face.
Biskonyen- get dressed.
Gzikwegen- comb your hair.
Wisnen- eat.
Gzibinenjin- wash your hands.
Waben- morning.
Gises- sun.
Mbapiwen- Bedtime!
Giskonyen – get undressed.
Mbeyankwenwen – pajamas.
Giskesnen – take off your shoes.
Wi nemban – go to bed/sleep.
Dbekét- night.
Negos- star.
Dbekgises- moon.
Kokoko- owl.
Éspen- raccoon.
Skéme- mosquito.
Watési- lightening bug.
Nanimwé- coyote.
Ngot, nish, nswé, neyew, nyanen, ngot watso, noég, shwatso, shak, mdatso- 1-10.
Jiptebwen- chair.
Dopwen- table.
Pedyebewen- another chair.
Wabnotakchegen- tv.
Notakchegen- radio.
Moshwagen- scissors.
Jiman- canoe.
Gzhate- hot.
Gzhete – s.t. hot to the touch.
Tkeyam – s.t. cool to the touch.
Ksenya- cold.
Mdodowgemek- sweat lodge.
Nimédikiwen- pow wow grounds.
Skongemek- school.
Wisnewgemek- restaurant.
Neméwgemek- church.
Wigwam- house.
Gtegan- farm.
Skwengen- reservation.
Mshkekiwgemek- clinic.
Mesnatekewgemek- movie theatre.
Dawewgemek- store.
Shonyawgemek- Bank.
Nweshmogemek – motel/hotel.
Zignegewgemek – gas station.
Bmedewgemek – gas station.
Nwi-zhya- I am going to go.
Ngi-zhya- I went.
Nde zhya- I am going. (present)
Ni pi je ézhyayen? where are you going?
Ni pi je ga zhya yen? – where did you go?
Mzhenkiwnene- police man.
Nebyeget- secretary.
Dbakwnegewnene- lawyer.
Shonyawnene- banker.
Dabyankewnene- mechanic.
Yatekewnene- fireman.
Gshiwbozet- race car driver.
Ozhegewnene – carpenter.
Debaknegewmiziwgemek nene – plumber.
Wasmogewnene – electrician.
Mshkekiwnene- doctor.
Mshkekiwnizhokwe – nurse.
Kenomagwet- instructor.
Agnomaget – teacher.
We ni je o? Who is that?
Nedwendan eyawyan- I want to be____.
Gigyago- girl.
Gigabe- boy.
Kekyat- elder.
Kekyajek- elders.
Epitzet – really old person.
Penojes- baby.
Getsimek- parents.
Nene- man.
Kwe- woman.
Sesksi- teenage girl.
Shkenwe- teenage boy.
Bmadzet- person.
Bmadzejek- people.
Ndaw- I am.
Biskowagen- coat/ shirt.
Gbedi- pants.
Gishkgnegwewiyan – vest.
Mjegode- dress.
Mjegodekoshkayak – skirt.
Kishkyegas – blouse.
Genwegi – long coat.
Gokmedasen- socks.
Mkesen- shoe.
Mkesnen- shoes.
Kjibsowen- belt
Wiwkwan- cap.
Deswiwkwan – hat.
Zenba biskowagen- ribbon shirt.
Zibe- river.
Mbes- lake.
Mtek- tree.
Mtekwakik- forest.
Mishkos- grass.
Waskonedo- flower.
Sheshke- dirt.
Gishek- sky.
Ankwet- cloud.
Zibiwes- creek.
Gises- sun.
Dbek gises- moon.
Tkep- spring .
Wabskokik- swamp.
Ashbek- mountain.
Sen- rock .
Kche gami- ocean .
Mbes – lake.
Mbeses – small pond.
Bidki gamiwen – in land lake.
Gche gami – great lake.
Mnokmek- spring.
Nibnek- summer.
Dgwaget- fall.
Bbomgek- winter.
Gmowen- its raining.
Waseyamget- its bright/ sunny.
Boni- its snowing.
Gche binimget – it’s really snowing hard.
Pespeyasom get – drizzling.
Wenbismget – raining lightly.
Gwankwet- its cloudy.
Ni je ngom ézh gishgek zagech? How is the weather today?
Gshate- hot.
Ksenya- cold.
Noden- windy.
Gshate ne? Is it hot?
Ksenya ne? Is it cold.
Tkeya ne? Is it cool?
Gmeya ne? Is it rainy?
Gmyeyamget – raining.
Gmyeyambet – it’s rainy.
Yabwam ne? Is it warm?
mno gishget – it’s a nice day
mno gishget ngom zagech – it’s a nice day outside
yabwamget zagech ngom – it’s warm outdoors today
wimno gishget ngom – it’s going to be nice today
gimno gishget – it was a nice day
kwan se ge mno gishget it’s really a nice day
mzhe kwet ngom it’s a clear sky today
kwan se ge mzhe kwet it’s really a clear sky
gsha tem get ngom it’s hot today
kwan se ge gshate it’s really hot
kwan se ge gsha temget ngom it’s really hot today
wiska kte mget it’s unbearabley hot
gwi pich gsha tem get ngom it’s going to be a really hot day
tke yam get it’s cool
tke yam get she anwe bgeji it’s cooling off a little
bidan kwet clouds are coming
ngwan kwet zagech ngom it’s cloudy outdoors today
ngwan kwet it’s cloudy
we ban met the wind is beginning to blow
nshiw we nmet ngom zagech it’s windy outdoors today
noden ngom it’s windy today
nsho na da nmet the wind is blowing in all directions
bkwe nem get zagech ngom it’s hazy outdoors today
gaga she gwi nshiw enmet zagech the wind is going to blow hard soon
kche noden really strong wind
nshiw wenmet it’s very windy
waw yasto wa je byat tornado is coming
wawyasto tornado
niska det ngom it’s stormy today
gmeyamget it’s raining
gmeyamget ngom zagech it’s raining outdoors today
gmo nos wen ngom it’s drizzling today
wenbisamget raining lightly
bonanmet wind is settling down/it is stopping
ksenyam get ngom it’s cold today
kwan se ge ksen yam get ngom zagech it’s really cold outdoors today
bonim get ngom it’s snowing today
gwi bonim get ngom it’s going to snow today
zho shkwam get ngom zagech it’s slippery outdoors today
gwi kche bonimke wabek/pkonyak it’s really going to snow tomorrow/tonight
nge dem get ngom it’s melting today
gi jak gezo o gon the snow is melting
gi jak gezo o mkwem the ice is melting
Zetan feet
Zet foot
Gnoz de long feet
Tkoz de short feet
Magzede big feet
Gachzede little feet
Wawagzede pigeon feet
Mbiwzede h/s has wet feet
Datkezede toes point outward
Begwzede dry feet
Nchiwzede ugly feet
Mskwiwzede bloody feet/foot
Mskwezede red feet/foot
Mkedewzede black feet/foot
Winzede dirty feet
Binzede clean feet
Zeshkiwzede soil on h/h feet
Goniwzede snowy feet
Mkwemiwzede icy feet
Kishgzede cut off foot
Mnozde/mnozede good feet
Mowzede poopy feet
Mtakgwzede bare feet
Hurry yabjiyen
Here shote
Over there ézhi
Go there fast zhyan ibe kyénep/kew zhyan
Come here fast byan shote kyénep/kew byan
Throw it pegnon i/pegdon i
Throw it now pegnon i ode she pi
Run bmepton
Run fast bmepton ke’nep
Ball bkwakwet
Stick pegnogenatek
Goal sebabge’wen
Lacrosse/ladies game épeskeweywen/beshkowé
Man’s game bakshanak
Block it gbashkwan i
Block him/her gbashkwa o
Block them gbashkwak gi
Stop him/her gabna o
Stop them gabna gi
Go get/after him/her nadwa o
Go get/after them nadwa gi
Chase him/her zagjewéshko o/jewéshko o
Chase them zagjewéshko gi/jewéshko gi
Bigeyekwse Exhausted
Nshonadendem Confused
Nchiwenmowen Ecstatic
Dbesitadwen Guilty
Monenmowen Suspicious
Nshkadze Angry
Giwnadendem Hysterical
Nshonadendem Frustrated
Ntagze Sad
Shkedkewen/Shechkewen Confident
Mensheze Embarrassed
Mwendem Happy
Kyebadze Mischievous
Anwenjgewen Disgusted
Zegze Frightened
Nshiwgedaze Enraged
Mensheze Ashamed
Dokmezwen Cautious
Kchenendezwen Smug
Manandem Depressed
Niskendem Overwhelmed
Ndewenjgewen Hopeful
Ntagze Lonely
Bozmnwenjege Love Struck
Zhawe’ Jealous
Nisadendem Bored
Akwadze Anxious
Mamkadendem Shocked
Nskwenweaye Surprised
Mamkazwen Surprised
Mensheshke Shy
Anwenjegewen Disgusted
Yantzhitmowen Discouraged
Kchenendeswen Arrogance
Edbesendowen Humility
Wishges Physical Strength
Mishkweswen Inner strength
Ebwazegset Edbandek Love without fear
Examples:
Kiwadze s/he is lonely
Zhewenma I am compassionate of him/her
Nzeges I am frightened
Gzeges You are frightened
Gzeges ne? Are you frightened?
Nendeman What I think of myself
Nagdewendeman what I think (deeper level thinking)
Edbesendemyan Thinking lowly humble thoughts
Bo zho jak/ja ye’k.
Hello all/everyone
Bo zho, we’gni je e’she ne kazyen?
Hello, what is your name?
Don, ndesh ne kas.
My name is Don.
Mine she gin, wegni je e’she ne kazyen?
How about you, what is your name?
Hau, Dave ndesh ne kas.
Oh, my name is Dave.
Ni pi je e’je byayen?/ni pi je we’ch bya yen?
Where do you come from?
Hannahville ndoch bya.
I am from Hannahville.
Mine she gin, ni pi je we’ch bya yen?
How about you, where do you come from?
Hau, Toronto ndoch bya.
Oh, I come from Toronto.
Ni pi je e’she nakiyen?/Ni pi je e’je mik je wi yen?
Where do you work?
Shemewgemgok e’mikjewiyan/Shemewgemgok ndonjinaki.
I work at the restaurant.
Nake she gin, ni pi je e’mikjewiyen/enjenakiyen?
How about you, where do you work?
Dawewgemgok ndonjinaki/e’mikjewiyan.
I work at the store.
Ni pi je e’she bya ye’k?
Where do you (pl.) come from?
Hannahville, ndoch byamen.
We come from Hannahville.
Mine she ginwa, ni pi je e’je bya ye’k?
How about you, (pl.) where do you come from?
Mine she ginwa, ni pi je we’ch bya ye’k?
How about you, (pl.) where do you come from?
Ni pi je enjenakiye’k/ni pi je e’mikjewiye’k?
Where do you (pl.) work?
Kche odanek e’mikjewiyak/kche odanek enjenakiyak.
We work at the big town.
Ni je eshe ne kazod o?
What is that person’s name?
Dave e’shen kazo.
His name is Dave.
Ni pi je e’mikje’wit/ni pi je e’njenakit?
Where does he work?
Dawe’wgemek e’mikjewit/dawe’wgemek e’njenakit.
He works at the store.
Ni pi je we’je byat?
Where does he come from?
Kansas we’je byat.
He/she comes from Kansas.
Kansas we’je bye wat.
They come from Kansas.
Ni je e’she ne kaz yen?
What is your name?
Don desh ne kaz.
My name is Don.
Nin se zhe nDon.
I am Don.
Ni je e’she na kazot o gye’yom/gne’ne’yem?
What is your mother’s name?
Marian e’she na kazot o ngye/Marian shen kazo.
My mother’s name is Marian.
Ni je e’she ne kazot o gnos/gdedeyem?
What is your father’s name?
Don, Sr. e’she na kazot o nnos/Don, Sr. shen kazo.
My father’s name is Don, Sr.
Ni pi je e’zhya yen?
Where are you going?
Odanek ni pa zhya/odanek nde zhya.
I am going to town.
Ni pi je e’zhya yak?
Where are we going?
Zhoshkwe’wgemgok gde zhya men.
We are going to the skating arena.
Ni pi je e’wi zhyat ode?/bemadzet?
Where is this person going?
Neme’wgemgok e’wi zhyat.
This person is going to church.
Ni pi je e’zhya wat gi./bemadzejek?
Where are these people going?
Neme’wgemgok e’wi zhya wat.
They are going to church.
Odanek e’wi zhya wat.
They are going to town.
Ndezhya
I am going.
Nde zhya men
We are going (excl.)
Gde zhya men
We are going (incl.)
Zhya
He/she is going.
Zhyé wag
They are going.
Ngi zhya
I went
Ngi zhya men
We went (excl.)
Gi zhya men
We went (incl.)
Ni pi je e’zhya yen
Where are you going?
Ni pi je e’zhya yen wabek
Where are you going tomorrow?
Ni pi je e’zhya yen wabek pkonyak
Where are you going tomorrow night?
Kigdogemgok nde zhya
I am going to the community hall.
Kigdogemgok nde zhya wabek
I am going to the community hall tomorrow.
Kigdogemgok nde zhya wabek pkonyak
I am going to the community hall tomorrow night.
Ni pi je ga zhya yen
Where did you go?
Ni pi je ga zhya yak
Where did we go (incl.)?
Ni pi je ga zhya yek
Where did you (pl.) go?
Ni pi je ga zhyat
Where did he/she go?
Ni pi je ga zhyé wat
Where did they go?
Ni pi je wech bya yen
Where did you come from?
Ni pi je wech bya yen w nago
Where did you come from yesterday?
Ni pi je ga je bya yek
Where did you (pl.) come from?
Ni pi je ga je bye yak
Where did we come from (incl.)?
Ni pi je ga je byat
Where did he/she come from?
Ni pi je ga je bye wat
Where did they come from?
Ni pi je ga bya yen ode waben
Where did you come from this morning?
Odanek ngi bya yan ode waben
I came from town this morning.
Ni pi je ga je bya yek ode waben
Where did you (pl.) come from this morning?
Nemewgemgok ngi bya men ode waben
We came from church this morning (excl.).
Ni pi je ga bye yak ode waben
Where did we come from this morning (incl.)?
Mshkekiwgemgok gi bya men ode waben
We came from the hospital this morning (incl.)
Ni pi je ga je byat ode bemadzet
Where did this person come from?
Megwe pi ga je byat ago
He/she came from far away.
Ni pi je ga je bye wat
Where did they come from?
Zibik gi bye wak/zibe gi bye wak
They came from the river.
Ni jo pi ne gwi zhya yen
When are you going?
Ni jo pi ne gwi zhya yen odanek
When are you going to the town?
Wabek nde zhya odanek
I am going to the town tomorrow.
Ni jo pi ne gwi zhya she mshkekiwgemgok
When are you going to the hospital?
Gizhnawkwek nde zhya she mshkekiwgemgok
I am going to the hospital in the afternoon.
Ni jo pi ne gwi zhya men she skonogemgok
When are we going to the school (incl.)?
Gi byedon ne i mshkeke
Did you bring any of that medicine?
Cho wi she nde sasi shote
No, I don’t have any of that with me here.
Weswabek gde zhya men ibe skonogemgok
We are going to the school day after tomorrow.(incl.)
Odan Town
Odanek To the town (locative)
Nemewgemek Church
Nemewgemgok At the church (locative)
Kigdogemek Hall
Kigdogemgok At the hall (locative)
Dawewgemek Store
Dawewgemgok At the store (locative)
Mnekwewgemek Hotel/bar
Mnekwewgemgok At the hotel/bar (locative)
Nweshmogemek Motel
Nweshmogemgok At the motel (locative)
Jandewgemek Restaurant
Jandewgemgok At the restaurant (locative)
Mshkekiwgemek Hospital
Mshkekiwgemgok At the hospital (locative)
Tbaknegewgemek Police station/jail
Tbaknegewgemgok At the police station/jail (locative)
Jibewgemek Funeral home
Jibewgemgok At the funeral home (locative)
Negdoshawgemek Barn/horse barn
Negdoshawgemgok At the barn/horse barn (locative
Okangemek Barn
Okangemgok At the barn (locative)
Bidiwgemek Chicken hut
Bidiwgemgok At the chicken hut (locative)
Kenomagewgemek School
Kenomagewgemgok At the school (locative)
Skonogemek School
Skonogemgok At the school (locative)
Zhonyewgemek Bank
Zhonyewgemgok At the bank (locative)
Zhoshwewgemek Arena
Zhoshkwewgemgok At the arena (locative)
Wibtanjigegemek Dentist building
Wibtanjigegemgok At the dentist building (locative)
Nimidigemek Dance hall
Nimidigemgok At the dance hall (locative)
Dabyangemek Car garage
Dabyangemgok At the car garage (locative)
Dabyankegamek Garage
Dabyankegemgok At the garage (locative)
Gzhadgewgemek Day care center
Gzhadgewgemgok At the day care center (locative)
Wigwamewgemek Tent
Wigwamewgemgok At the tent (locative)
Nweshmosgemek Tent
Nweshmosgemgok At the tent (locative)
Bakwiyangemek Tent
Bakwiyangemgok At the tent (locative)
Debendawgemek Tribal enrollment office
Debendawgemgok At the tribal enrollment office (locative)
Kewabdangemek Child care center
Kewabdangemgok At the child care center (locative)
Shkodedabyangemek Train station
Shkodedabyangemgok At the train station (locative)
Mzenatsejigewgemek Movie theatre
Mzenatsejigewgemgok At the movie theatre (locative)
Tasogemek Shed
Tasogemgok At the shed (locative)
Zakomewgemek Out house
Zakomewgemgok At the out house (locative)
Kekyajgemek Seniors’ home
Kekyajgemgok At the seniors’ home (locative)
Gigenogemek Kitchen
Gigenogemgok At the kitchen (locative)
Nbagewgemek Bedroom
Nbagewgemgok At the bedroom (locative)
Zagech Outside
Mtigon On the tree
Bidek Inside
Zibek At the river (locative)
Kijigbeg At the beach (locative)
Wemtegwaki At the forest/woods (locative)
Gteganek At the garden (locative)
Taswenek At the cupboard (locative)
Jimanek At the boat/to the boat (locative)
Dopwenek On the table
Wigwamewgemgok At the house (locative)
Dabyanek At the car (locative)
Shkodedabyanek At the train (locative)
Nbagnek On the bed
Pakwanek On the roof
Ni pi je ga zhe bya yen
Where did you come from?
Zagech ngi bya yan
I came from outside.
Zibek ngi bya yan
I came from the river.
Kejigbeg ngi bya yan
I came from the beach.
Wemtegwakik ngi bya yan
I came from the forest/woods.
Gteganek ngi bya yan
I came from the garden.
Jimanek ngi bya yan
I came from the boat.
Shkodedabyanek ngi bya yan
I came from the train.
Nbagnek ngi bya yan
I came from the/my bed.
Pakwanek ngi bya yan
I came from the roof.
Mshkekiwgemgok ngi bya yan
I came from the hospital.
Ni pi je ga zhe bya yek
Where did you (pl.) come from?
Zagech ngi bya men
We came from outside (excl.).
Zibek ngi bya men
We came from the river (excl.).
Kejigbeg ngi bya men
We came from the beach (excl.).
Wemtegwakik ngi bya men
We came from the forest/woods (excl.).
Gteganek ngi bya men
We came from the garden (excl.).
Jimanek ngi bya men
We came from the boat (excl.).
Dabyanek ngi bya men
We came from the car (excl.).
Shkodedabyanek ngi bya men
We came from the train (excl.).
Pakwanek ngi bya men
We came from the roof (excl.).
Ni pi je ga zhe bye yak
Where did we come from? (incl.)
Ni pi je ga zhe bye yak wnago
Where did we come from yesterday? (incl.)
Mshkekiwgemgok gi bya men
We came from the hospital. (incl.)
Mnkekwewgemgok gi bya men
We came from the hotel/bar. (incl.)
Jandewgemgok gi bya men
We came from the restaurant. (incl.)
Debendawgemgok gi bya men
We came from the enrollment office. (incl.)
Tbaknegewgemgok gi bya men
We came from the police station/jail. (incl.)
Mshenkiwgemgok gi bya men
We came from the police station. (incl.)
Byenan Hand it over.
Byenan i bkwezhgen Hand me that bread.
Byenan i ziwtagen Hand me that salt.
Mishen Give it to me/give me that.
Mishen i bkwezhgen Give me that bread.
Mishen i ziwtagen Give me that salt.
Byedweshen i Bring me that.
Byedweshen i bkwezhgen Bring me that bread.
Byedweshen i ziwtagen Bring me that salt.
Byenan i waskek Hand me that pepper.
Mishen i waskek Give me that pepper.
Byedweshen i waskek Bring me that pepper.
Byenan i wnagen Hand me that plate.
Mishen i wnagen Give me that plate.
Byedweshen i wnagen Bring me that plate.
Byenan i ti Hand me that tea
Mishen i ti Give me that/the tea.
Byedweshen i ti Bring me the/that tea.
Byenan i emkwan Hand me that spoon.
Mishen i emkwan Give me that spoon.
Byedweshen i emkwan Bring me that spoon.
Byenan i koman Hand me that knife.
Mishen i koman Give me that knife.
Byedweshen i koman Bring me that knife.
Byenan i bdekjigen Hand me that fork.
Mishen i bdekjigen Give me that fork.
Byedweshen i bdekjigen Bring me that fork.
Byenan i wnagas Hand me that cup.
Mishen i wnagas Give me that cup.
Byedweshen i wnagas Bring me that cup.
Byenan i zaskokwagen Hand me that frying pan.
Mishen i zaskokwagen Give me that frying pan.
Byedweshen i zaskokwagen Bring me that frying pan.
Byenan i mijem/wisnewen Hand me the food/groceries.
Mishen i mijem/wisnewen Give me that food/groceries.
Byedweshen i mijem/wisnewen Bring me that food/groceries.
Byenan i wiyas Hand me that meat.
Mishen i wiyas Give me that meat.
Byedweshen i wiyas Bring me that meat.
Wawaskeshi deer
Seksi another deer
Wesiyek meat bearing animals
Mijbyeyek meat bearing animals that we eat
Yabe buck
Yabes small buck
Kcheyabe big buck
Nijan doe
Nijanes fawn
Kchenijan big doe
Gedgene fawn
Gedgenes small fawn
Manjish yearling deer
Gedegze another fawn
Zhoshkones spike horn buck
Ashken antler
Ashknen antlers
Winendep brains
Negesh baloney
Negzhin intestines or innards
Deno tongue
Denwagen another tongue
Se animal hide or skin
Ses small animal hide or skin
Siyn tanned hide
Nijanwagen doe hide
Yabewagen buck hide
Ozewanek tail
Shkezhik hooves (also human fingernails and toenails.)
Gishgshignegen hind quarter
Tesiwgos tenderloin
Tesiwgonen tenderloins
Kakes brisket
Nekedosha horse
Bezhekokeshi another horse (refers to the hoof)
Kwea mare
Gejni young mare/who hasn’t foaled yet
Wemshkome roan horse/reddish color
Gedgiya bay horse/spotted horse
Manjish colt
Nabea stallion
Memengshe donkey/mule
Nemosh dog
Mayos kitten
Gazho cat
Wakweshe fox
Meinggen timber wolf
Moewe wolf
Nanimewe coyote
Mshiwé elk
Waboso rabbit/snow shoe hare
Mzhewes cotton tail rabbit
Ojedemo squirrel
Singo grey squirrel
Mekwe bear
Kakingeshi grizzly bear (describes claws)
Zheshko muskrat
Mek beaver
Zhangesh mink
Degweshkandwe flying squirrel (describes tail)
Kwekwse chipmunk
Msekek badger
Shekwes weasel
Skwedekwekwse gopher (fire chipmunk)
Mshike turtle
Getemi porcupine
Kaktanago lizard
Bebishagnegwe bat
Mekjako frog
Magagi toad
Weshenwenge rattlesnake
Shennwenge another rattlesnake
Notake another one
Nadwesi another rattle snake
Genebgos garter snake
Shashage another one
Mskwandep pine snake
Kokjis woodchuck
Espen raccoon
Wawabgwenoji mouse
Kojis louse
Kojish another one
Gaktanago crocodile
Kokotni alligator
Moto goat
Mantanish sheep
Bsheke cow
Gshiwe bull
Gdede otter
Ayeni opposum
Gedemi hedgehog/porcupine
Shegak skunk
Ndemakmeshi monkey
Zago ape
Gishkgabik gorge
Ajibik cliff
Biwabikokan mine
Ki msenegen map
Shibaya bjegen binoculars
Sejgwen cellar
Zaskwa singe/to roast over open fire
Ishpedenaw plateau
Mkwemashbek glacier
Gishkawbikadenaw Canyon
Zibiwes Creek
Wekamiga peninsula
Menistik island
Wachkepek plants
Mishkowen plants
Okmeswinsesewen plants
Ednezwiyak/ednezwiwen Ecosystem
Ednesyak/ednesyéwen Environment
Mteg tree
Jeké stump
Gishknékto burned down tree
Tekwen branch
Mteg begshek tree fallen on ground
Bmakwshen downed tree
Sen stone/rock
Senik stones/rocks
Sheshké sand/earth
Ki earth
Kik lots of earth, vast area, continent
Kwedakik hill
Pekwakiwen Rolling hills
Ashbek mountain
Mshkode prairie
Wabshkekik marsh
Mbishkik/bogjishken swamp
Wabshkoki bog
Ejegshatek/kwedagawik desert
Pakwedagawik desert
Mtegwakik forest
Zibiwes creek
Mbes lake
Zibe river
Mbeses pond
Sheshké dirt
Bogjishkwe mud
Gmowen rain
Gmoweswen light rain/drizzle
Wenbisa very light drizzle
Kon/gon snow
Mkwem ice
Mkwemis icicle
Konwen/gonwen snowbank
Nednea’ I’m searching for
Nedwabdan I’m looking for
Mijbyéyek animals
Momyagwet it’s smelly/it’s stink
Bimskwegen wrench/screwdriver
Tkwejgen pliars
Gishkbojgen saw
Gajbodyengaset wheelbarrow
Sebojgen file
Mtek sebojgen rasp
Gemsagas hatchet
Gemsagen axe
Mnebojgen planer
Koman knife
Mokwtas koman carving knife
Wagekoman curved knife
Komanes jack knife
Demagmeshi bimskwegen monkey wrench
Bgejgenatek hammer handle
Bgejgen (en) hammer (s)
Bgejgenatkon hammer handles
Gishgbojgenatek saw handle
Gishgbojgenatkon saw handles
Gishgbojgen (en) saw (s)
Monagnatek hoe handle
Monagnatkon hoe handles
Monagen (en) Hoe (s)
Gemsagen (en) axe (s)
Gemsagnatek axe handle
Gemsagnatkon axe handles
Gwenbejigenatek cant hook handle
Gwenbejigenatkon cant hook handles
Gwenbejigen (en) cant hook (s)
Gishgshignatek scythe handle
Gishgshignatkon scythe handles
Gishgshigen (en) scythe (s)
Inanimate
Datbegon leaves
Tekwenen limbs
Jipken roots
Negekon bark
Shgwebisen boughs
Datbek leaf
Tekwen limb
Jibek root
Negek bark
Shgwep evergreen bough
Animate
Mtegok trees
Msegakwek boards, planks
Msegakosek small boards/planks
Gishknekto Burned down tree
Jeké stump
Mtek tree
Msegak board, plank
Msegagos small board plank
Msegagoses splinter
Msenegen atsekwnegak book room
Msenegen atsekwnegadek library
Gete yachmowen atsekwnegadek history room
Azhosek the next room
Ganajmimwen atsekwnegadek
Atsekwnegadek room
Atsekwnegak room
Ankesek added room
Mnobmadsewen atsekwnegak health room
Neshnabe atsekwnegadek Indian culture room
Neshnabe zheshmowen atsekwnegadek Indian language room
Zagnashimwen atsekwnegadek English room
Rez mdwewechken atsekwnegadek rez radio room
Gedaswen atsekwnegadek math room
Wawichge atsekwnegadek reading room or library
Eshewebmadsek/eshebmadsek the way life is
Nabdemwen dream catcher
Yabdemwen dream catcher
Gge zagjesemen let’s go outside
Gge bidgemen let’s go inside
Gge shyamen shi azhosek let’s go to the next room
Gge shyamen i atsekwnegak let’s go to the room
Neshna to lower something
Nabe male species
Neshnabe man lowered
Anishinabe why lower man? Man of good intentions
Neshnabemwen Indian languages
Neshnabemon speak Indian
Neshnabe tagzet sounds like Indian
Neshnabemo h/s speaks Indian
Neshnabe zhenagzet h/s looks Indian
Nin I, me, my, mine
Gin You, your, yours
Win He, she, him, her, it
Ninan We excl.
Ginan We incl.
Ginwa You pl.
Winwa They
Winashtek His/her turn
Ninashtek My turn
Gin ashtek Your turn
Ginwa ashtek Y’alls turn
Ninan ashtek Our turn exc.
Ginan ashtek Our turn incl.
Winwa ashtek Their turn
Ahya ashtek Take turns
Win netum Him/her first
Nin netum Me first
Gin netum You first
Ginwa netum You pl. first
Ninan netum Us first excl.
Ginan netum Us first incl.
Winwa netum Them first
Gin netum gda maji You can go first
Nin se mteno Only me
Gin se mteno Only you
Win se mteno Him/her only
Ninan se mteno only us excl.
Ginan se mteno Only us incl.
Ginwa se mteno Only you folks excl.
Winwa se mteno Only them excl.
Sing. Plural
Aunt (maternal)
Nin noshe nosheyek
Gin gnoshe gnosheyek
Win wnosheyen wnosheyen
Ginwa gnoshem gnoshemek
Ninan ngenoshenan ngenoshenanek
Ginan genoshenan genoshenanek
Winwa wnoshewan wnoshewan
Aunt (paternal)
Nin nshegwes nshegwsek
Gin gshegwes gshegwsek
Win wshegwesen wshegwesen
Ginwa gshegwesewa gshegwesewak
Ninan nshegwesenan nshegwesenanek
Ginan gshegwesenan gshegwesenanek
Winwa wshegwsewan wshegwsewan
Brother in law
Nin nita nitag
Gin gita gitag
Win witan witan
Ginwa gitawa gitawak
Ninan nitanan nitananek
Ginan gnitanan gnitananek
Winwa witawan witawan
Brother in law of male
Nin niji
Gin gniji gnijim
Win wnijiyen
Ginwa gnijimwa
Ninan nijinan
Ginan gnijinan
Winwa wnijimwan
Brother of male
Nin nikan/nikanes nikansek
Gin gikanes gikansek
Win wikaneyen wikaneyen
Ginwa gikansewa gikansewak
Ninan nikanan nikananek
Ginan gnikanan gnikananek
Winwa wikanewan wikanewan
Older brother of female
Nin ndewema ndewemak
Gin gdewema gdewemak
Win wdeweman wdeweman
Ginwa gdewemwa gdewemwak
Ninan ndewemamnan ndewemamnanek
Ginan gdewemamnan gdewemamnanek
Winwa wdewemwan wdewemwan
Older brother of male
Nin nseze nsezeyek
Gin gseze gsezeyek
Win wsezeyen wsezeyen
Ginwa gsezemowa gsezemowak
Ninan nsezenan nsezenanek
Ginan gsezenan gsezenanek
Winwa wsezewan wsezewan
Child
Nin nijanes nijansek
Gin gnijanes gnijansek
Win wnijansen wnijansen
Ginwa gnijansowa gnijansowak
Ninan nijansenan nijansenanek
Ginan gnijansenan gnijansenanek
Winwa wnijansewan wnijansewan
Cousin and sometimes friend
Nin nitawes nitawsek
Gin gitawes gitawsek
Win witawsen witawsen
Ginwa gitasowa gitawsowak
Ninan nitawsenan nitawsenanek
Ginan gitawsenan gitawsenanek
Winwa witawsewan witawsewan
Daughter
Nin ndanes ndansek/ndanseyek
Gin gdanes gdansek/gdanseyek
Win wdanseyen or odanseyen
Ginwa gdansowa gdansowak
Ninan ndansenan ndansenanek
Ginan gdansenan gdansenanek
Winwa wdansewan wdansewan
Daughter in law
Nin neagnekwe neagnekwemek
Gin gneagnekwe gneagnekwemek
Win wneagnekwemen wneagnekwemen
Ginwa gneagnekwemwa gneagnekwemwak
Ninan ndeagnekwemnan ndeagnekwemnanek
Ginan gdeagnekwemnan gdeagnekwemnanek
Winwa wneagnekwemwan wneagnekwemwan
Father
Nin n’os/ndedeyem
Gin g’os/gdedeyem
Win w’osen/wdedemen
Ginwa g’oswa/gdedemwa
Ninan n’osnan/ndedemenan
Ginan g’osnan/gdedemenan
Winwa w’oswan/wdedemowan
Father in law
Nin nshenes
Gin gshenes
Win wshensen
Ginwa gshensewa
Ninan nshensenan
Ginan gshensenan
Winwa wshensewan
Friend, a good close friend, neuter gender
Nin wadokwek
Gin wadokwet
Win wadokwajen
Ginwa wadokwek
Ninan wadokwayak
Ginan wadokwaygo
Winwa wadokwawajen
Friend or Lover, a really close friend, neuter gender
Nin nikowes nijkowsek
Gin gijkowes gijkowsek
Win wijkosen wijkosen
Ginwa gijkosewa gijkosewak
Ninan nijkosenan nijkosenanek
Ginan gijkosenan gijkosenanek
Winwa wijkosewan wijkosewan
Grandchild
Nin noses noseseyek
Gin gnoses gnoseseyek
Win wnoseyen wnoseyen
Ginwa gnosesmowa gnosesmowak
Ninan nosenan nosenanek
Ginan gnosenan gnosenanek
Winwa wnosewan wnosewan
Grandfather
Nin nmeshomes nmeshomsek
Gin gmeshomes gmeshomsek
Win wmeshomsen wmeshomsen
Ginwa gmeshomsewa gmeshomsewak
Ninan nmeshomsenan nmeshomsenanek
Ginan gmeshomsenan gmeshomsenanek
Winwa wmeshomsewan wmeshomsewan
Grandmother
Nin nokmes nokmesek
Gin gokmes gokmesek
Win okmesen okmesen
Ginwa gokmeswa gokmeswak
Ninan nokmesnan nokmesnanek
Ginan gokmesnan gokmesnanek
Winwa okmeswan okmeswan
Grandson/grand daughter
Nin noseme nosemeyek
Diminutive nosemes nosemesek
Gin goseme gosemeyek
Diminutive gosemes gosemesek
Win wnosemeyen wnosemeyen
Ginwa ggoseme ggosemeyek
Ninan nosememnan nosememnanek
Ginan gnosememnan gnosememnanek
Winwa wnosemewan wnosemewan
Mother
Nin ngiye ngiyeyek
Gin ggiye ggiyeyek
Win wgiyeyen wgiyeyen
Ginwa ggiyewa ggiyewak
Ninan ngiyenan ngiyenanek
Ginan ggiyenan ggiyenanek
Winwa wgiyewan wgiyewan
Another mother
Nin neneyem nenemek
Gin gneneyem gnenemek
Win wnenemen wnenemen
Ginwa gnenemowa gnenemowak
Ninan nenemenan nenemenanek
Ginan gnenemenan gnenemenanek
Winwa wnenemowan wnenemowan
Namesake,
child in one’s family who has name of family ancestor, describes a “tying together”
Nin ndankobjegen
Gin gdankobjegen
Win wdankobjegen
Ginwa gdankobjegnewa
Ninan ndankobjegnan
Ginan gdankobjegnan
Winwa wdankobjegnewan
Nephew
Nin negwnes negwnesek
Gin gnegwnes gnegwnesek
Win wnegwnesen wnegwnesen
Ginwa gnegwneswa gnegwneswak
Ninan negwnesnan negwnesnanek
Ginan gnegwnesnan gnegwnesnanek
Winwa wnegwneswan wnegwneswan
Niece of male
Nin nzhemes nzhemsek
Gin gzhemes gzhemsek
Win wzhemsen wzhemsen
Ginwa gzhemsewa gzhemsewak
Ninan nzhemsenan nzhemsenanek
Ginan gzhemsenan gzhemsenanek
Winwa wzhemsewan wzhemsewan
Parents
Nin ngetsimek
Gin ggetsimek
Win wgetsimen
Ginwa ggetsimwak (getsimwak)
Ninan ngetsimnanek
Ginan getsimnanek
Winwa wgetsimwan
Parents, this term also used for all older relatives
Nin nmezodanek
Gin gmezodanek
Win wmezodanen
Ginwa gmezodanwak
Ninan nmezodanenanek
Ginan gmezodanenanek
Winwa wmezodanwan
Relatives
Nin ndenwemagen ndenwemagnek
Gin gdenwemagen gdenwemagnek
Win wdenwemagnen wdenwemagnen
Ginwa gdenwemagnewa gdenwemagnewak
Ninan ndenwemagnenan ndenwemagnenanek
Ginan gdenwemagnenan gdenwemagnenanek
Winwa wdenwemagnewan wdenwemagnewan
Sister of male
Nin ndekwem ndekwemek
Gin gdekwem gdekwemek
Win wdekwemen wdekwemen
Ginwa gdekwemwa gdekwemwak
Ninan ndekwemnan ndekwemnanek
Ginan gdekwemnan gdekwemnanek
Winwa wdekwemwan wdekwemwan
Sister of female
Nin nidgeko nidgekok
Gin gidgeko gidgekok
Win widgekon widgekon
Ginwa gidgekowa gidgekowak
Ninan nidgekonan nidgekonanek
Ginan gidgekkonan gidgekonanek
Winwa widgekowan widgekowan
Older sister
Nin nmese nmeseyek
Gin gmese gmeseyek
Win omeseyen omeseyen
Ginwa gmesewa gmesewak
Ninan nmesenan nmesenanek
Ginan gmesenan gmesenanek
Winwa wmesewan wmesewan
Sister in law of male
Nin ninem ninemek
Gin gninem gninemek
Win winmon winmon
Ginwa ginmowa ginmowak
Ninan ninmenan ninmenanek
Ginan ginmenan ginmenanek
Winwa winmowan winmowan
Son
Nin ngwes ngwesek
Gin ggwes ggwesek
Win wgwesen wgewesen
Ginwa ggwesewa ggwesewak
Ninan ngwesnan ngwesnanek
Ginan ggwesnan ggwesnanek
Winwa wgweswan wgweswan
Son in law
Nin neangesh
Gin gneangesh
Win wneangeshen
Ginwa gneangeshmowa
Ninan ndeangeshmnan
Ginan gdeangeshmnan
Winwa wdeangeshmowan
A child you named
Nin niyokade niyokadeyek
Gin giyokade giyokadeyek
Win wiyokaden wiyokaden
Ginwa giyokadeswa giyokadeswak
Ninan niyokadenan niyokadenanek
Ginan giyokadenan giyokadenanek
Winwa wiyokadewan wiyokadewan
Step father
Nin nmishome
Gin gmishome
Win wmishomeyen
Ginwa gmishoméwa
Ninan nmishomemenan
Ginan gmishomemenan
Winwa wmishomewan
Uncle
Nin nzheshe nzhesheyek
Gin gzheshe gzhesheyek
Win wzhesheyen wzhesheyen
Ginwa gzheshemwa gzheshemwak
Ninan nzheshemenan nzheshemenanek
Ginan gzheshemenan gzheshemenanek
Winwa wzheshewan wzheshewan
Younger sibling
Nin nshime nshimeyek
Gin gshime gshimeyek
Win wshimeyen wshimeyen
Ginwa gshimewa gshimewak
Ninan nshimenan nshimenanek
Ginan gshimenan gshimenanek
Winwa wshimewan wshimewan
Grandfather deceased
Nin nmeshomseben
Gin gmeshomseben
Win wmeshomsenaben
Ginwa gmeshomsewaben
Grandmother
Nin nokmesben
Gin gokmesben
Win okmesenaben
Ginwa gokmesewaben
Mno myagwet wa je gigénwat gi kwék
It smells good what they are cooking those women.
Mine ne mbop gnedwéndan
More soup do you want ?
Gwi wi je wa ne épa giwsét wabek
Are you going along with him hunting tomorrow?
Gwi giwosé ne gishpen ézhyéwat
Are you going hunting if they go?
Wégni je ékanab do yen
What are you looking at?
Nge wabma o négdosha ibe tegwak pana nibwet
I am looking at a horse over there standing by the trees.
Wenet émno kekéndemen neshnabé majmomen
It’s good we can understand the language better.
Kébajmek géwinwa gi bmadsejek
Fooling you, joking or lying to you they are those people.
Waskwigwézo ékanabdet o gizes
H/s squints h/h eyes looking at that sun.
Miyanyénwik gi gigabéyek
They are laughing at s.t. not good those boys.
Gi gigénwik bégishek se gi kwék
The women have been cooking all day.
Ndo zam mikjewi yédek
Maybe I work too much.
Mégwa shote ne gpa mades
You still hanging around here?
Gégo na shonaj she kén
Don’t misbehave
Wégni je wésh towat ibe
What are they doing over there?
Gi gish bidodéwat i wigwam
They are already inside the house
Nek she o pana nibwet i myéw
Look at him standing in the road
Wi yése o kwé (ewjandat)
She is a really good s.t.
Wégni je ga mijyen
What did you eat?
Wiyas mine penyék
Meat and potatoes
Mno myagwet wa je mijnemen
It smells good what we are eating
Gishkwébyé
H/s is drunk
Zam byét
Really filled up with liquor/usually
Zibik ggi zhya men
We went to the river
Zibik o ngi zhya yan
I went to the river
Gi gish maji
H/s left
Gi gish majik
They left
Gégo se wi i
That’s bad
Gwi nen i mkekos
Lift that bucket
Gi mgwasksot zibiwes
H/s jumped over the little creek
Ni je pi ne bya yen
When did you come/arrive
Shonatze o gigabé
That is an angry boy
Égach
Be quiet/as in hunting
Mine she na gégo
If it ain’t one thing, it’s another
Noj kik ben
Move over a little
Bama nagech néyap wi byék
They’ll be back later
Bama nagech nbya
I’ll be back later
Byé widbemshen
Come sit by me
Gach ne ni
Little person
Lunj o wik
They are having lunch
Glunj o men
We are having lunch
Dopwenek shi ton
Put it there on the table
Ni je pi/ni jo pi/ni ja pi
When
Ni pi je gi penojék
Where are the kids?
Numék
They are praying
Ni je kchemokman ne kazyen
What’s your American/white name?
Gi shemgomen
They fed us
Mno wado
Good dancer
Nedwén ma o ga kwash pij ké
I want h/h that makes scratching noise “chicken”
Zheb shi
Panther?
Mkedé sheb shi
Black panther
Mow owé o penojé
The baby is crying
Mno dan o bibis
I hear the baby
No dwa o bibis
I hear the baby
Dzhe wén dagwes
A blessing/I am lucky
Gda zho wén metwa o
Take pity on or help s.o. out
Zhe wén dag zewen
A blessing
Ibe se shna da nek jibtemen
Let’s sit over there
Chiwnagze
H/s is ugly or mangy
Shkwémget
It is smoky, in a room
Jibam
Soul
Mojgét
Sneaky
Meno zé kwé
Good cook
Yapjiyen
Hurry up
Wak kadé
Bow legged
Wi shkan met
Real windy
Wéwébyéwimen
Let’s get started
Gi gish yéwimen
We are finished/done
Ngodek One time
Nishek Two times
Nosek Three times
Nyéwek Four times
Nyanoek Five times
Ngotwatsek Six times
Noek Seven times
Shwatsek Eight times
Zhaksek Nine times
Mdatsek Ten times
Nish menek Two chunks
Dodosh
Breast
Dodoshké
Nursing/breast feeding
Dodém
Clan
Ndodémnan
Our clan (excl.)
Gdo démnan
Our clan (incl.)
Dodémwa
Ya all’s clan
Wdo démwan
Their clan
Mnedowak
H/s is a spirit (anim.)
Giswéndagwes
I was blessed
Gi kchiwén motwa
Feeling pity or sorry for h/h
Gi chi wénmoyan
I was blessed/I was pitied
Chi wénmo gwiyen
Felt sorry for you
Medagwéndan
I like it (inan.)
Medagwénma
I like h/h (anim.)
Medagwéndem
I might enjoy it/I enjoy it
Medagwéndewen
A good feeling
Wégni je wa ge kéndemyen
What do you want to know?
Gekéndan ne
Do you know?
Gi kéndan ne
Did you know?
I zhi mine gi
They are at it again!
I zhi mine o
H/s is at it again!
Zagech nwi pamsé
I’m going to walk outside
Jibdeben pedyébwenek
Sit in the chair
Nwi odanké
I’m going to town
Nagech nwi odanké
I’m going to town later
Wawnon nwi naden
I’m going to get eggs
Shote gda jib dep
Sit here.
Ibe gda o jib depmen
Let’s sit over there.
Gdemnozé kwé
You’re a good cook
Zigwébnen
Dump it out
Tatbegon
Green leaf
Nibishés
Puddle.
Nbwakat
H/s knows s.t. smart
Gigionem
I was wrong in what I said?
Mno widok kwadwek
They get along good together “usually of children”
Gan nab den
Stare at it-study it
Gin mab den
Peek at it-glance at it
Gin ma bem
Peek at h/h
Gimo geton mikjéwiwen
H/s lost his/her job
Gimoj gesmen
We sneak away
Gwi dok wak ne gi
Are you with or for them?
Ni pi je wéj gab o yen
Where do you stand-“which side?”
Ngzhigénmak
I hate them
Ngzhigénmen
I hate you?
Neshgénmen
I hate you?
Gzhigéndagwze
H/s is a hateful person
Ognekmegzen
Go play
Skwi an
Flood
Skwi wagemé
Flooding water
Moshken
Flood “over filled”
Yagwades
You’re crazy
Yagwatze
H/s is crazy
Ndagwades
I am crazy
Gdagwades
You’re crazy
Nkiwades
I am lonesome
Kiwadze
H/s is lonesome
Ozhitan
Get ready-for anything.
Gzhitamen
Let’s get ready to go
Biskwedo
Mushroom
Shéshkwedo
Mushroom
Washkbek
Candy
Wishkben
Something sweet
Béjis je gen
Baking powder (béjis—to rise)
Béjisgedisnen
Baking powder biscuits
Wabeno
A special Dawn Man ceremony-fire handling shaman
Zhawnogé
South wind dance-connected with adoption ceremony
Béba matsejek
Travelers-people who go here and there
Bamatsik
They are traveling-going from place to place
Tedako dadéyagen
Shorts-the thing with short legs
Shkwé dagen
Last born-youngest child
Mezodanek
Parents
Neangesh
Son in law
Ndosh mesh
My son in law
Boj kwan shi
Dragon fly
Mish amo
Bumble bee
Ngzhibi jané
My nose itches
Ngizhibi kad
My leg itches
Ké ogdazo
H/s is quick tempered
Ngtem gné
My joints are stiff
Gtem shké
H/s is lazy
Kega zhé or i zhi géga
Pretty soon
Wizhgben
Sit tight!
Gégo énemkan
I found s.t.
Gdodek shna
Sometime-some day
Nkikibgosh
I am sleepy
Gikibgosh ne
Are you sleepy?
Gikib goshé
H/s is sleepy
Ndezh dé a
The way I think or feel—also, a heartfelt feeling or hope
Majiton
Take it with you
Zhabwagnek
The sound of noise coming from a cave (Sheboygen)
Chiw nag wze o
H/s is ugly-having to do with the way one looks or appears
Shiw o nagwze
H/s is ugly-rugged looking
Bgéji ne gda gikdomen
Can we talk a little?
Beshk gbig wdebéjek
The bald ones!
Énebgeshmok
When the sun goes down-evening
Wawyasto
Whirl wind
Kche wawyasto
Big whirl wind
Ni je ga zhe wébek
What happened?
Ni je ga zhi kas yen
How did you do at it or s.t.?
Ni je ga zhi kas yék
How did you guys do at it?
Gin ne i gi zhech ké
Did you do that?
Ngi mkan
I found it or s.t.
Gégo énéndmoken
Don’t think about it!
Mémiwé
Butterfly?
Mémégwé
Butterfly.
Tecumseh nden nes
I live in Tecumseh
Tecumseh n’neze
H/s lives in Tecumseh
Ni pi je éje dat
Where does h/s live?
Tulsa n’nezo ek
They live in Tulsa
Ni pi je éje dawat
Where do they live?
Ni pi je éje dayen
Where do you live?
Ni pi je éje dayék
Where do you all live?
Ibe éje dayen ne
Do you live over there?
Ibe éje da yan
I live over there
Giz gat demget
It is bright-the moon
Éji wéwébzok pedyébwen
Rocking chair
Ojandakek
Cooking pail or bucket-kettle
Jajibdep
Sitting around
Éji ja jibdebek
Where they sit around
Jajibdebek atskwnegak
Living room or place you can sit around
Bodwéjek
People who build a fire
Kabogetmbish
Cold water
Biskonyén
Get dressed
Giskonyén
Get undressed
Manék gi zgemék
There are a lot of mosquitoes
Matmowat
They are praying
Matmo
H/s is praying
Madmowen
Prayer
Néyap zhi tasonek ton gi gish yo yen
Put it back in the cupboard when you’re done
Néyap ton
Put it back
Néyap ton it
Put that back
Bama nagech néyap wi byék
Later they will be back
Gégo wépo dwaken
Don’t hit him/her
Wawyéze
It’s round (anim.)
Gnebyégén
You write
Bekdék
They’re hungry
Bekdék ne
Are they hungry?
Mnowankwé
Pretty hair
Wenanekwé
S/h with the pretty hair
Wenet
Good
Wenet i
It is good
Myanet i
It is bad
Génozo o mtek
The tree is tall
Gachi bé oze
H/s is skinny, small (anim.)
Gach nowamget
It is small
Mbito i
It’s between s.t.
Wég ni je ode ézhenkadék
What is this called?
Zég se wak
H/s is scared
Gmnomenwab ne
Can you see good?
Kokjish
Wood chuck
Mdwé janémgwam
Snoring-the sound of nose when sleeping
Wé ni je o
Who is that?
Ni je wa zhech ké yen
What are you going to do?
Wég ni je gin gdotém
What is your clan?
So gwim get i Neshnabé zhech ké wen
The Indian Ways are coming back
Bonik kwa dadék
Leave each other alone
Gda yaj momen
We should talk
Ni je ode da kadmen
What’s this called?
Ni je énéndemen
What are you feeling/thinking?
Dansés jémshen
Little daughter, give me a kiss
Mskwabenéshi
Red bird (cardinal)
Gégo zég seken
Don’t be scared
Wabem gi Neshnabék
Look at those Indians
Nekshi gi Neshnabék
Look at those Indians
Mnom ngot
Good one
No wéwé ngot
Good one
Nwi sakem
I am going to the bathroom (women’s words)
Nwi zhi shi
I am going to pee/leak
Nwi mizi
I am going to poop
Gi gish majiwat
They all left/they left already
Wémtegozhi
French man
Tegozi
To claim
Jo ngi mbaskwa si o seksi
I didn’t shoot the deer
Winze o kwézi
That old man is dirty/dirty old man
Wenzewak
She’s pretty/s.o.is pretty or good
Nwi kenomo’a o dansés éwi neshnabémot
I am going to teach my little girl so she can speak Indian
Gneshnabémen
Let’s talk Indian
Gégo shkatzeken
Don’t be mad
Wgi maji
H/s left
Pegnen i
Put that down
Pegdon i
Throw that
Boston i
Load it
Moston i
Set it down
Mno gishget nimediygo
Good day to dance (pl.)
Ngwes wenet i ga zhech ké yen
My son what you did is good
Ga gitot mo gi wédasénanek/shemagneshinanek
Spoke on behalf of our warriors/braves/soldiers
Gno dan ne i
Do you hear that?
Kényamget i koman
The knife is sharp
Gi gish shen
Cut s.t., paper, cloth, etc.
Mnopkwet
It tastes good
Majpkwet
It tastes bad
Majpkwet ne
Does it taste bad?
Mno pkwet ne
Does it taste good?
Gégo i zhech ké ken
Don’t do that
Éje mawjeshnowat nwi zhya
I am going where they are gathering
Depénmotwa
Depend on him/her
Na se na o mshenkiw nene
Watch out for that cop
Gbak wi de o gemgok gwi zho na go
He’s going to take you to that jail
Gégo mijken i
Don’t eat that
Ndebanamen gi nijansenanek
We love our children
Bmepto o négdosha
The horse is running
Mbé wak o mko
The bear is sleeping
Gi zhash ge gwé ne
Did you vomit?
David o gi gmodman njan nyano mekwi
David stole 5 dollars from John
David o gi gmodma njan nyano mekwi
David stole 5 dollars from John
Gi o nadzik gi kchemokmanek
White people are crazy
Gégo nesh nabémken kche mokmanek ébmayowat
Don’t talk Indian while white people are around
Ni je wa ndo yaw yen
What do you hope to be? “when grown up”
Ni je wa yaw yen
What are you going to be?
Wég ni je ned wén dan wa je wa yaw yen
What do you want to be?
Gde mak se men
We are pitiful/poor
Sneget odo pi
It is hard at this time
Zha go dé e
Coward/has no heart
Zha go dé ek
Cowards
Gi o niké
I forgot s.t.
Ni je é pit zi yen
How old are you?
How high did you rise?
(usually asked of old timers)
Ni je étse pon gez yen
How old are you?
How many snows/winters?
Shoté yen
You stay here!
Zhatgén
Stay home!
Nwi zhatgéyan
I’m going to stay home
Gki o nades
You’re crazy/you’re naughty
Gdagwades
You’re foolish/you’re crazy
Gkyébades
You’re foolish
Kche gméyam get
It’s really raining
Ji gwék byék kwmo ek
Thunders are approaching
Bidankwet
Clouds are approaching/cloudy
Ni je én ki wek ibe
What are they doing over there?
Migadwik
They are fighting
Gégo éz dem shi ken
Don’t argue
Jak sémget
It’s all gone
Gish ka dézo kwégen mine zwanek
Cut off the legs, neck and tail
Bgwnosé
H/s don’t know anything
Bitokniyan
Underwear/under layer of clothing
Mge jané
Big nose
Gden wé mamen ode
We are related to this one
Nyéw senik nde tonen
I have four rocks
Gi zha gé ni bkwesh genen
Can I have some bread? (pl.)
Gi zha ne i bkwéshgen
Can I have some bread? (sing.)
Jo wi nin yaw snon
It’s not mine
Jo wi gin yaw snon
It’s not yours
Jo wi ninan yaw snon
It’s not ours (excl.)
Jo wi ginan yaw snon
It’s not ours (incl.)
Kigdon
Speak up/talk
Gnestotwa ne
Can you understand him/her?
Wéni je mémot
Who is crying?
Njan mo wak
John is crying
Wéni je ga mo wat
Who made you cry?
Jo mo si wak
H/s is not crying
Gzhatémget bidek
It is hot inside
Tké yamget bidek
It’s cool inside
Ni je ézhech két
What is he/she doing?
Ni je ézhech két o
What is that person doing?
Béjbodé
It’s going slow
Éz i zhna zhe pgeji wébnen
Just drop it (said when s.t. is bothering s.o.)
Gégo pnén mo ken i bkwésh gen
Don’t drop the bread
Wizgnen
Hold on tight
Pgo ji wéb nen
Let go of s.t.
Gwi zhash ge gwé ne
Are you going to vomit?
Gden wémamen o
We are related to him/her
Bébam we otek
Thunder
Zhabwa o tek
Thunder
Bémwétek
Thunder (gigabo zheshmowen)
Ap je zhe nwi sakem
I really have to pee (woman’s words)
Nbwach bowémen
We are visiting
Bo gmosén
Stop walking
Mji zibe
Bad river
Dgé jisek
Dry wood
Waban si
Morning fog
Gisknekto
Burnt stump
Windego
Cannibal
Msén o gnan o kwé
The woman held the firewood
Gish pne do wshen
Buy me s.t.
Ggish pne don
You buy it
Wishkbabo gish pne do wshen
Buy me a soda pop
Wég ni je ned wab demwat
What are they looking for?
Wég ni je ned wabdek
What are you looking for?
Ni pi je éje ték
Where was it at?
Bidek zhi nik dopwenek gi te
It was inside by the table
Apto mekwi
Half dollar
Bkwénemget
It is smokey
Bkwénémi
Smokey ( a name)
Mbish na mteno
It’s only water
Mteno mbish
It’s only water
Ézgak
Wood tick
Gwi gno mon
Do you want to learn?
Tkéyaswen
It’s sort of cool.
Tekemzi
To cross over
Genokana
I’ll ask h/h to pray/to do s.t.
Nokangok
They asked me to pray
Nokanek
We asked you to pray
Mizanet
Dangerous/it is
Nyézanze
H/s is dangerous
Mnowabmenagwze
She is pretty
Gmnokgwniye
You’re well dressed
Ndemijen
I ate it
Ni je i ezh nagwek
What does it look like?
Migwen yawe
It’s a feather (anim.)
Mkek yawen
It is a box (inan.)
Skebgishek
Blue/the color of the sky
Bogjish shwéyak
It’s muddy
Ngweshkajmeshi
Slug/snail
Kwétaj
Fear (unknown fear)
Ngot mekwi
One dollar
Mishen ngot mekwi
Give me a dollar
Ngi minek ngot mekwi
H/s gave me a dollar
Gizha mishen ngot mekwi
Please give me a dollar
Kchenéndem éwabmenan
I am glad to see you
Kche néndem éwabmenango
I’m glad to see ya all
Meznatsek
Movies/implies “movement”
Kojish wé o njan
John has lice
Gégo weye widmowaken
Don’t tell anyone!
Gebgezmen
Let’s go swimming/literally; let’s take a dip
Wi pam momgo o njan
John is riding a horse
Gas ne gdeton
Do you have gas?
Gwi pekshen
You’re going to fall!
Ngi wabma ne o msen
Did you see the rock?
Byéwabmeshen
Come and see me.
Nmeksenen
My moccasins
Gi nodwa ne o ga kedot
Did you hear what h/s said?
Nin ndeton
I have it (inan.)
Nin nde tonen
I have them (inan.)
Gde ton ne
Do you have it? (inan.)
Gde tonen ne
Do you have them? (inan.)
Bkwéshgen ne gde ton
Do you have bread?
Bkwéshgen ne gdetonen
Do you have bread? (pl.)
Nepaj nekesi
Mole?
Dotmoyak
We are asking
Netagzemen/gnetagzemen
We are lonely (-u) (+u)
Netagzewik
They are lonely
Gnetages ne
Are you lonesome?
Netages
I am lonely
Wéonek
That’s good!
Jayék Neshnabék gdawmen
We are all Indians (incl.)
Gabéwze
H/s is round/kind of fat
Bédo na gmnobmadziyen
I wish you good health/life.
Ndébwéta
I believe him
Mno je wébzet o mnedo
One who is a good spirit
Kwédazin
You climb up
Kwédazik
They all climb up
Gnisazen
You climb down
Nisazwik
They all climb down
Gégo zékzeken éwi nimediyen
Don’t be afraid to dance.
Bama pi kewabmen
See you later.
Gi apje shen
He was killed (as in a car wreck)
Njan gi gibgojen i wigwam
John fell off the house
Gin ma
You (implies ownership)
Gin ma gde ton
You have it
Nin ma
Me (implies ownership)
Nin ma nde ton
I have it
Nin ma i yawen
That’s mine! (inan.)
Nin ma o yawe
That’s mine! (anim.)
Shiw o nésen
S.t. smells really bad
Shebshi
Panther/cougar
Mkedéw shebshi
Black panther
Gégo dkeshkwaken
Don’t kick h/h
Gda o mbwachamen shna o
We should visit with h/h
Gda o wij mbwachamen shna o
We should go together and visit with h/h
Wijéwe
Married/they are together
Wijéwa
I’m going somewhere with s.o.
Wijéwa o njan
I’m going with John
Mejyédek
Don’t know (it’s not known)
Wigwas jiman
Birch bark canoe
Negék
Bark
Nwi askonyé
I’m going to change clothes
Dkeshken i bkwakwet
Kick the ball
Gwi kjen sen
I’m going to really beat you up
Gwin sen
I’m going to kill you
Gi kjen sa yé
He was really beaten up
Da mnobmades
Hope you get better/well
Mno dan o bibis
I hear the baby
Ni je ézhe wébzet o Charlie
How is Charlie? (what is wrong with him?)
Jimoshken
Flood
Moshwen
Flowing creek
Wezhengé
Son in law (the one who got caught)
Megwin ma
I’m lonesome for h/h
Ni je ga kedyen
What did you say?
Ni je kikdoyen
What are you saying?
Megwin ma o nnénéyem
I’m lonesome for my mom
Newitagok gode skeméyek
The mosquitoes are bothering me
Gish dém get
It’s done
Gi o je a
To treat h/h with/to s.t.
Gi o je ak
Treat me with/to s.t.
Nde zho wénda gwes
I’m blessed or lucky
Gda zhe wénmetwa o
Pity h/h or help h/h out
Ngi zhewénma
I felt sorry for h/h
Ngi zho wén ma o
I blessed h/h
Bkwakwet
Ball
Mijwen
Waterfall
Wemwé o penojé
The baby is crying
Kogan
Get away! (right now)
Kogan shote
Get away from here!
Kogan zhi
Get away from there!
Bama mine gwi kiktomen
We’ll talk later
Wégni j ga zhech kéyen i
What did you do that for?
Ni pi je gi
Where are they? (anim.)
Mbi o ska
It’s wet out. (grass?)
Mbi o kyam get
It’s wet out
Wi myam get widbekok
It’s going to be bad tonight.
Wi jéw shen
Come with me.
Wégni je gim kan
What did you find?
Jo she shna
I don’t know/I don’t care?
Jo nda bénma
I don’t care for h/h
Jo nda béndan
I don’t care
Jo wi she gégo
It don’t bother me
Jo nge kénda si
I don’t know s.t.
Jo nge kén de si
I don’t know
Gizhezo
H/s is warm
Majigwén
Grow up in the right manner
Ni zhok mo gi
Help them
Ibe nwi zhya éje dat o n’os
I’m going to my dad’s house
Jo nkén da nsi éje kén dmen
I don’t know what you’re thinking about
Mam ge nén
Gather it up/pick it up
Kwi gwén
Turn around
Medagwénmat o gigabés
She likes that little boy
Waj pis kemen
Clothes/the thing(s) you wear
Gwi pek dyésh ko
“Kick you in the butt”
Njiwénmomen éje nochgéyen
We appreciate the things you’ve done
Mno zhe wébes
You’re a good person
Mno zhe wébze
H/s is a good person
Geshémnedo da zhe wénmego
May GOD bless you!
Mamogosnan da zhe mno wénmegoyék
May the Creator bless all of you
Do zam gzhaté shote bidek
It’s too hot inside here
Gaga she zhna washkpekis gwi nadmemen
Soon we’ll go get some candy/s.t. sweet
Yajmatse?
Sick, not feeling well
Pené she zhna gi migadwik neko
They used to fight always
Giwosémen odo pi ngom/giwosémen ode she pi ngom
We are hunting right now/ditto!
Pené she zhna nmikjéwi éwi nwisnemen
I am always working so we can eat. (excl.)
Pené she zhna géte shketoyan éwi kéndeman ode neshnabé zheshmowen
I am always really trying to learn this Indian language
Ni pi je o pwagen
Where is the pipe?
Ni pi je o ndo pwagen
Where is my pipe?
Ni pi je o njan
Where is John?
Widmo ge gzhi bigze
Tell him to take a bath
Widmo o njan éwi nembat
Tell John to go to sleep
Njan gda widmowa o dawéwgemgok wi shyat
Tell John to go to the store
Njan gda widmowa o dawéwgemgok da je shyat
Tell John to go to the store, if he will go
Gda gwé zhe o mbibis
Cover up the baby
Ni zhokmak
H/s is going to help you
Jo zhna gégo nap desi
H/s is not help at all
Nestoné ne ode
Do you understand this?
Gi byé nenmag i pwagen
H/s handed me the pipe
Gi byé na ne i pwagen
Did he bring the pipe?
Wi yé i
You’re right, that’s right
Iw kshe wi yé i
That’s right
Nin negwne
So it’s me!
Gi wenén nan i wawen
I dropped the egg
Gi wenén nan ni wawnon
I dropped the eggs
Gwi yakwnenogé gishpen bwa byé bidgéyen
You’re going to get sick if you don’t come in
Dopwenek zhi ton
Put it on the table
Zégzewak i pkonyak
H/s is afraid of the dark
Kojishwe o njan
John has lice
Gégo dagnemken
Don’t touch it
Ni je wi i
Why is that?
Winem ban
Go to sleep
Zhosh ki wen
It’s slippery
Zhoshkwa ne
Is it slippery?
Zhoshkwamget
It is slippery!
Majdon
Flood
Dmajwen
Whirlpool?
Gégo nén maken gaga se zhna wi byé wak mine
Don’t worry about h/h, h/s will be back soon.
Wéni je ék nonet
Who are you talking to?
Wéni je o wéj majmoyen
Who are you talking to?
Émeshwénmegoyen
May you be blessed
Gi widmowa ne o mbily
Did you tell Billy?
Pok
Winter
Bomget
It is winter
Éponok
Another it is winter
Éyaptepok
When it was winter/used in stories
Nwi wijéwa se wi zhe
I am going with h/h somewhere
Se wiz he
Anyway/any how
Demozén gwagen
Rainbow/literally: Grandmother’s bow
Ngwagen
Snare/trap
Gekénmen
I know you
Gekén nem ne
Do you know me?
Gdo nén men
I don’t remember you/I forgot you
Kanewék
Angry?
Ni je ezh wi nom get wabek
What’s the weather going to be like tomorrow?
Nwi kiktowa
I am going to talk with h/h
Gaga nebgeshmok
It’s getting dark/it is almost evening
Gaga wi zhe pkonyak
It’s getting dark/it is almost night
Wi nebgeshmok
It’s getting dark
Gaga wi kche ksenyak
Soon it will be really cold!
Wépksenyamget
It’s getting cold
Wépgzhatémget
It’s getting hot
Ni je pi ga ne byayen
When did you come/arrive?
Nanimwé gi gish wébiwét
The coyote ran away
Gakidwét
One cried a lot
Gikidwé
Cry baby/one who cries a lot or easily
Pené zhna gda débwé
You should always be truthful/always speak the truth
Kneshkades ne
Are you mad/angry?
Katwé
Angry
Gzéges ne
Are you scared/afraid?
Mshkodéni ne
Are you Prairie Band?
Shi shi béni ne
Are you Citizen Band?
Ksenyani ne
Are you Northern Potawatomi?
Zedén winagwet
Dirty feet
Wi shke miyaksé zedén
Really stink feet
Bazmyag zedé
H/s has stink feet
Gégo géno shka jimoken
Don’t lie in your story or in the telling of whatever
Ksenyanimagmowen
Northern language
Ahau, ni je ezh madziyen nikan/nnikan
Hello, how are you friend/my friend
Zigwébodo
Throw water on h/h
Ndebangonan
He/she loves us (excl.)
Gdebangonan
He/she loves us (incl.)
Nwij mikjéwimen
We work together
Nwij mikjéwima o
I work with h/h
Ngi bokwéb deshen i ken
The bone broke my tooth
Bigmagwze o
S.o. smells/has odor
Mishkoswen
Spiritual power
Mishkweswen
Strength of purpose/spiritual power
Gégo tkwe kiken éje bog shkwéyak
Don’t step in the mud
Mskwekik
Red earth
Mskwokik
Red earth
Gi zhabshkawnen ni minen
The blue berries gave me diarrhea
Mosé
Maggot or all worm like insects
Segenawesh
Worn
Deaj pna
Change h/h (diaper) tie h/h over
Gégo nadzo
S.o acting strange
Gishkbojgé
H/s is sawing
Byédot
H/s is bringing it
Bom daba dan
H/s is dragging it
Byémodot jo she gégo
H/s brings nothing/brought nothing
Ne angedot
H/s talks too much
Ngi bapa o njan
I laughed at John
Nwi gizhgamo
I am going to be fat
Ngi gwédan
I swallowed it
Ngi mzewé gwédan
I swallowed it whole
Shkatzewak
They are mad
Kemsagen
Axe
Kemsagas
Hatchet/literally, little axe
Kanen
Bones
Gégo ne je zhe
I don’t care
Jo zabénma o
I don’t care for h/h (anim.)
Jo zabéndan
I don’t care for s.t. (inan.)
Moshwé
Scarf
Moshwégas
Handkerchief
Wiwgwebsowen
Head scarf
Bitoshkawégen
Underwear
Génomagét
Teacher
Jigwén
Knee
Winsesén
Hair
Skongemek
School house
Segnéwagen
Tongue
Damken
Chin
Nowe
Cheek
Kwégen
Neck
Kaki
Chest
Pekwen
Back
Nenjin
Hand
Bkojbsheke
Buffalo
Shiwé
Bull
Wabgenoshkwé
Mouse
Bébamsét
Chicken hawk?
Kedémzhewé
Black deer or black bull
Jémshen
Kiss me
Sekwéon
Comb you own hair
Bekté shna anwe mégwa
I’m still hungry
Kwéshmon
Rest!
Nwi kwéshmo
I’ll rest
Gwi kwéshmomen
We’re going to rest
Yak no gé depik
They’re sick in the head
Bmepto
Run or h/s is running
Nwi wébiwé
I’ll run away
Niyash bmades
I’m not feeling good
Ni jet so
How much
Ni je étsé
How many
Gzinjé
Wash your hands
Gi gzinjé ne
Did you wash your hands?
Nge gzin gwé
I’ll wash my face
Gi gzingwé ne
Did you wash your face?
O kwéshmon
Go rest!
Kewabnojé
Baby sit
Skebkishgoyen
Grass?
Mno zhe wébes
I’m in good health
Gasén
Stop
Shegagosh
Onion
Shegagoshek
Onions
Ashobek
Cabbage
Shkizhgwén
Eyes
Mjegodé
Dress
Gwi nisa
You’re going to go down
Gwi pekshe
You’re going to fall
Bama wabek kewabmen
I’ll see you tomorrow
We o chi kazem
Ya all go play
Ngi chikas
I played
Shotém get/shote demget
It’s right here
Yakme demdep
My head hurts
Wdéokwé
Headache
Dewkwé
Headache
Igwien égi byayen
Thanks for coming
Nemetsena
Don’t know
Nwi bmosé
I’ll walk
Nwi giwémen
We’re going home (excl.)
Gi kedwik neko
They used to say
Yabje mban
Hurry go to sleep
Ndép senyé
I am full
Wi gézhe
Good job?
Gi wi gé zhe
H/s did a good job
Jo gégo wtognen
Have no ears
Nde banen
I love you (said to a child)
Nenwémen
I love you (said to a mate)
Msezé
Older brother
Mesé
Older sister
Gégo migadikék
Don’t be fighting! (pl.)
Ngi néndan
I forgot
Saksén pené i shkwadém
The door’s always open
Zigwébodo
Throw water on h/h
Wégni
What
Neshnabé ma nin
I’m Indian
Bodéwadmi ndaw
I’m Potawatomi
Ksenyasen
Kind of cold
Wi ksenyamget
It’s going to be cold
Win ki wen
Muddy
Wi gmowen
It’s going to rain
Wi gmowen pkonyak kedwik
They say it’s going to rain tonight
Mégwa ne gmowen
Is it still raining?
Mégwa gmowen
It’s still raining
Wénbyésen
Sprinkling (lit. pretty rain)
Wawasmomget
It’s lightening
Jigwémget
It’s thundering
Wenet émno gishget
It’s good that it’s a good day
Wishkanmet
It’s real windy
Zhoshkiwen
It’s slippery
Noden
Wind
Wi bonimget
It’s going to snow
Mégwa bonimget
It’s still snowing
Wenet mine éwabmenan nnikan
It’s good to see you again my friend
Megwa she anwe
I’m still feeling fine
Mnobmades
I’m feeling well/I’m in good health
Nyaknoga
I’m sick
Gin je
And you?
Ni je na gin
How are you?
Nwi maji
I’ll leave
Bama mine kewabmen
I’ll see you again
Wégni je nedwéndmen
What do you want to know?
Wégni je nedwéndan ékéndemen
What is it you want to know?
Gégo migatiken
Don’t be fighting/don’t be assaulting h/h
Gwi mingomen
They’ll give to us
Gwi kche mingomen
They’re going to give to us in a big way
Damina
c/c/w/ or should give to h/h
Daminak
c/c/w/s give it to them
Damishen
c/c/w/s/ give it to me
Bibis gégo me shkabot
The baby is chewing on s.t.
Nomagen/noméwgen
Saddle
Nemosh da mish kek na o kwé
Give the dog to the woman
Nzhigénma o njan
I don’t like John. (really has to do with hatred)
Gégo nbonika o
Don’t be fooling with h/h
Wégni je ode ézhenkadék
What’s this called?
Wégni je ézhenkadmen
What are these called?
Miskbo ne o nemosh
Does the dog bite?
Jo shna weye kmiskbo mteno wéj mijet
No he won’t bite no one, only what he eats!
Jo mno zhewébze
No h/s is good
Zhoshkwén
It’s slippery
Wégni je dewéndek o
What does h/s want?
Ndewébnan mkesnen
I’m looking for shoes
Wéjksenyak kchenoden
North Wind
Mskwéjigwé
Red Thunder (west)
Dayoyen i
You can have that
Jo wi shote niyaw si
I’m not here!
Bonéndan gégo
I forget things.
Zéges ne
Are you scared/afraid?
Jo nwi maji si
I’m not going to leave
Jo nwi zhya si
I’m not going there
Wéje dwén demwat
What do they want?
Wéje dwén dat
What does h/s want?
Wéje dwén dek
What does h/s want?
Da wisnen
You should eat
I je i ziwtagen
There’s the salt
Da gzi wébnan i wgjash
Wipe your nose
Gi wabma ga wje moksedoj seksi
I saw where the deer was
Da nbisken gbedi
Put on your pants
Gisken gbedi
Take off your pants
Kyét nam she bwezo
I’m sure sweating
Ni chiwénmo éwabmenem
It’s nice to see you/some folks say to meet you.
Gégo nibwen ibe da msheton gégo
Don’t stand there do something.
Gégo mshetoken
Don’t do anything.
Éje mawjeshnowat nwi zhya
I’m going to go where they are gathering.
Gi mdepsen yé ne
Did you get enough/full?
Shken jéno
Hold my hand.
Daz gen jéna o kewézi ni je pi éwabmayan
Shake hands with that old man when you see him.
Ni je étse shonya ne gdeton
How much money do you have?
Ngiwani shna
I am lost.
‘
Ngi giwani
I got lost.
Wégni je gwésh ton shote
What are you doing here?
Wégni je gbyéton shote
What did you bring here?
Ni je wa je byayen shote
Why did you come here?
Nesh shna ézhe wabnakziyen
You look just pale.
Kyét nam gode Neshnabék getmaksik
These Indians sure are poor.
Nchiwénmo égi byayen
I’m glad you came.
Nchiwénmo éwabmegoyen
I’m glad to see you.
Bgeji ne gda kigdomen
Can we talk awhile?
Gi kchen sa ye
S.o. got beat up.
Njan gi kchen sa o David
John beat up David.
Gi sa ye
S.o. was killed.
Gégo wépodwaken
Don’t hit h/h.
Béshoch i dopwenbek témget
It is close by the table.
Dopwenek témget i ziwtagen
The salt is on the table.
Tasonek témget i waskek
The pepper is on the table.
Jo nmen wén ma o njan
I don’t like John.
Nzhi gén ma o njan
I hate John.
Bonikwédadek
Leave each other alone.
G’mosh g’men
You have time to talk????
Mégwa ne gbmades
Are you still alive?
Gbaknen i gdon
Close your mouth!
Nasena wabden i gdon
Careful, watch your mouth! (an admonition)
Gwi ngemtago
We’re going to sing for you.
Néta nimeditwen do yawe
H/s wants to be a good dancer.
Jayék Neshnabék gdawmen
We’re all Indians.
Mejgodé
Dress
Mjegodé
Dress
Bitom jegodé
Underskirt
Ni pi je ni gmeksenen
Wher are your shoes?
Jo nmeksenen
No shoes! (said when s.o. can’t find their shoes)
Jéma
Kiss
Gi kche jémek
S/h really kissed me!
Gi jémek
S/he kissed me.
Da jémem (slang)
Kiss me?
Gda jéma
You kiss h/h
Gi jéma ne o
Did you kiss h/h
Jémshen
Kiss me.
Jak sa nen
Eat it up. (all of what’s on the plate)
Jagden i
Eat it up. (only one thing)
Jagdén i mbop
Eat up the soup.
Ni je gak tot o éknomagét
What did the teacher say?
Ni je ga zhech kéyen égi skonoyen
What did you do at school?
Gwi maji ne
Are you leaving?
I éwenek
That’s good.
Nkwébdon i bkwakwet
Catch the ball.
Pegdon i bkwakwet
Throw the ball.
Wégni je baptoyen
What are you laughing at?
Gwi zhi shik ne
Are you going to pee?
Gwi mi zik ne
Do you all have to poop?
Gi zhi shik ne
Did you pee?
Gi mizik ne
Did you all poop?
Wgi zhi shig netso
H/s peed on himself/herself.
Gégo zhi shig net so ken
Don’t pee on yourself.
Gégo mizignetsoken
Don’t poop on yourself.
Gi zhi shignetso o bibis
The baby peed on his/her self.
Zhapkawzo o bibis
The baby has diarrhea
Nemosh mbop
Dog soup
Gzeges ne
Are you afraid?
Kwétaj ne
Are you afraid of s.o.
Ngi shewénma
I felt sorry for h/h
Shewénmeshen
Bless me or have mercy on me/have pity on me….
Zhowénmeshnak
Bless all of us/have pity on all of us.
Shpemek
Above/heavenward/heaven.
Namkemek
Underground/below us.
Neshnabé madmowen
Indian prayer.
Gio
Your spirit—-when alive
Nio
My spirit—-when alive
Jibe
Ghost or that spiritual part of everyone
Mko kwé wé
Bear woman (name of s.o.)
Gi gwébiskat
H/s turned over “gone to the spirit world”
Tkemzi
H/s climbed over “crossed over”
Also a name.
I wgé she
There it is.
Gda pap she men
We’re just joking.
Gi o nadze
H/s is crazy.
Zidmyéwen
Toilet paper?
Mawjeshnowen
Gathering.
Mawjisnowen
To gather somewhere.
Beshkbi gwéd bejek
The bald ones.
Tekoze
He/she/it (anim.) is short (vai)
Tkwa
It is short (vii)
Tekozé
H/s is short.
Dekozi
The short one.
Bijbeden
Put your pants on.
Kijbeden
Take your pants off.
Biskonyén
Put your clothes on.
Giskonyén
Take your clothes off.
Ndewébdan ni gmeksenen
Go look for your shoes.
Ni pi je i gbiskewagen
Where is your shirt?
Wezawdebé
H/s is blond/yellow head.
Mskwéwdebé
H/s is red headed
Wabshkan debé/wabshkankwé
H/s has white hair
Mkedéwankwé
H/s has black hair
Wizawankwé
H/s has yellow hair
Wabshkya s.t. white
Wabshke white
Meskwéwa s.t. red
Meskwe red
Zawa yellow/brown
Mkedéwa s.t. black
Wabshkyak s.o. white
Meskwak s.o. red
Wizawak s.o. yellow/brown
Mkedéwak s.o. black
Gi mgashen
I did arrive/I did stop
Ken i ya
Skinny/implying bony
Mnogen
S.t. is growing good
Gwi wabgé ne
Are you going to watch s.t?
Gwi wab gé ne i TV
Are you going to watch TV?
Daminak mno bmadzewen
Give them a good life/gove them good life
Gégo oniké ken i waboyanen
Don’t forget the blankets.
Pené se shna ndo nén dan gégo
I’m always forgetting s.t.
Jo nkén de si
I don’t remember
Nchiwénmo jak gégo se shna ga je moskitoyan
I’m grateful for everything I’ve acquired
Wégni je wéj wisniyen
What are you eating?
Kébasman
Talks foolish to people?
Pené se shna kébasmat weye
He’s/she’s always fooling s.b. “with words”
Shiw o sik
Viscious (pl.)
Shiw o sé wak
Viscious (sing.)
Kche wiskanmet
Real strong stormy wind
Tegwab
Bow
B’kok
Arrow
Nyéwok ngi baskswa
I shot h/h (4) times/I shot (4) times
Mdatso mnek
Ten of them
Pamboshok gi benéshiyek
The birds are flying around
Pabmashiwat gi benéshiyek
The birds are flying around
Bim skob’démget
It is spinning
Bim skob’démget i bkwakwet
The ball is spinning
Dawéwgemek nwi she bmosé
I am going to the store
Gmidmiyamget
It is deep “water”
Gmidmamget
It is deep
Gi kche noden ngom
It was real windy today
Kche noden zagech
It’s real windy outside
Shiw wan met
Really windy
Nwi gedas
I’m going to count or read
Gedaswen
Numbers
Ge gedasmen
Let’s count/let’s read (incl.)
Néyap jemban
Go back to sleep
Yabjemban
Hurry and go to sleep
Winmban
Go to sleep
Boséshen
Give me a ride (in a car)
Gwi bos ne
Do you want a ride? (in a car)
Wika wi nbya
I am going to be late
Wa wika shna
Now and then
Wa wika shna wabma
Now and then I see h/h
Pambetowak penojék
The children are running around
Pambetok gi penojék
The children are running
Ngot gda yowan (as in ate)
You can have one
Nish gda yowak (as in ate)
You can have two
Neaseno 