Mshkwedeniyek kedwenen

Kansas Potawatomi Dialect.

Nekshe Look

Shkeshnen Lay down

Nwéshmon Lay down and rest

Bkéji A little bit

Shko dés Match

Mégwa More

Mshkeke Medicine

Wawabmowen Mirror

Wichewé Marry

Wich ewét Married

Shon ya Money

Gnebech Maybe

Kwétansena

Cho/jo No/negative

Tbekok Last night

Mke téneni Negro/black person/man

Cho she na kéko Nothing

Shkesh shé The oldest one

Sakech zhya Go outside

Nsak sén Open/open it

Gbakwnen Close/ close it

Bakwnen Open it/open

Msenegen Paper

Msenaken Book

Nebyégénatek Pencil

Pwaken Pipe

Pwakas Little pipe

Pwakasnen Sometimes used for cigarettes/little pipes

Kék yéw kwet Preacher/someone who preaches

Medatsobet President/Ten laws man/one who sits at ten laws

Temakse He/she is poor

Gedmakes You are poor

Nedmakes I am poor

Owensé Pretty

Owenséze She is pretty

Do kem Be quiet

No toye Mean tempered/quick tempered

Wdabyango Ride in a car

Mamgo

Bmebto Run

Wébi wé Run away

Wébi wén Running away

Cho ne/jo ne Right?

Mi yéw Road

Miyéwés Path

Ksibyékaken Soap

Gagashe Soon/pretty soon

Nomye Just now

Yaknoké He/she is sick

Yaknoga I am sick

Mnoyési I don’t feel well (needs prefix)

Jibdeben Sit down

Wabem See

Wabdan Look at this

Nwabdan I look

Gwabdan You look

Wwabdan He/she/they look (s)

Kbakdebé Stupid

Mpektebé another stupid or hard headed one

Gshibtem Hardheaded

Ngshiptem I am hardheaded

Ggshiptem You are hardheaded

Wgshiptemwik They are hardheaded

Bsegwin Get up

Nibwen Stand up

Wishkaben Sit tight

Shomikwé Smile

Yayéno He/she laughs/is laughing

Nekshe i See that

Nekshe o See that one

Ki kagdo Said

Kikito He/she said

Keto another one

Ei keto That is what he/she said

Mbéwak He/she sleeps

Mban Sleep

Mbé Sleep

Mbagen Bed/something one sleeps on

Bkeso Swim/bathes

Bmatké Swim (s)

Nom yaken Saddle

Shkwashkese Slide

Shkwashkesen Sled

Bkwéné Smoke in the air

Bkwé Smoke

Bkwénémget It is smokey

Bkwénémi Smokey/a name

Nkemwen Song

Nkemon Sing

Nkemwenen Songs

Nkemo He/she sings

Gekéndasowen Art of becoming knowledgeable

Gkekéndaséwen Art of acquiring knowledge

Gekéndasajek Those who know

Gekéndas ne Do you know s.t./do you have knowledge?

Do you know?

Are you becoming knowledgeable?

Nakendumwajuk those who have the knowledge, the wise ones.

Nagwan Something

Byé ji Slow

Ne ékej Slow……

Nko tek she na shi Some day

Nan kot ken Some time/once in awhile

Ogema Superintendent/Leader/Chief/King

Wgema

Mshenkéwnene Sheriff/Policeman/Officer

Ziwen Sour

Otan Town/city

Otanek To town/at the town/locative

Kche otan Big city/big town

Débwéwen The truth

Nteshtéa Think/what I think

She té ek What he/she thinks

Kikton Talk/speak

Kenomaké Teaches

Kenomakét He/she teaches

Kenomakwé Female teacher

Kenomanene Male teacher

Kenomakwet Teaching/teaches

Sintebékon Teepee

Wigwam Birch bark house/lodge

Nin ashtek My turn

Gin ashtek Your turn

Win ashtek Their turn/his/her turn

Ode This

I That

É I That over there

Mikwéch Thank you

Igwien Many thanks when used in proper context

Ik shegwien I am thankful/grateful/appreciative

Wéwéne I am grateful

Ntakmetam ni bet Tooth ache

Osowanek Tail

Bébamatsejek Travelers

Bamatsik They’re traveling

Waséchken Window

Wabshkiyek White/something that is white

Wabshkyak White

Ni jo pi When

Ni je pi Another when

Wtabyan Wagon/car/truck

Ni pi je Where

Kshéwsen Walk fast

Bama Wait/shortened version

Metatsobinek Wash., D.C.

Wigwam wawyégon Round house

Waka’igan bent sapling lodge

Wabshkan nene White man

Kchemokman Another one/Long knife/Big knife

Wégwni je What

Wéni Another one

Bmosé Walk

Pamsé He/she walks

Pémsék A name/he/she walks

Ngot nemégishek One week

Wé ni je Who

Wé ni je o Who is that

Bam sé wak Walk/they are walking

Bam sé He/she walks

Bmoséwak They are walking

Bmosé He/she walks

Mik ché wi Works/he/she

Mikchéwiwen Work

Ksi kwan Wash up

Ksi kwé Washes up

Mche kwé Mean woman

Mje kwé Another one

Do kin Wake up

Ka wa bem Watch

Ka wab ma Watch him/her

Min wéw ze Good worker

Mnosk sé Good voice

Mnoshk sé ditto

Éh hé Yes/affirmative

Wésh ko wa Yell (loud)

Wéshkwese Loud person

Sebab Rope/twine/thread

Sebabis Small thread/small twine

Zhabneken Needle

Moshwaken Scissors

Bekoyan Material/cloth

Skak aken Straight pin

Skak aken Safety pin

Ba a kwos wen Patch

Se’babwe’n Fringe

Kat a kwas we’n Thimble

Bas ke’kateke’n Clothes

Nme’kse’ne’n My shoes

Mke’sne’n Mocassins

Mke’se’n Mocassin

Sakso ne’n Socks

Bi toshk ke’n Underwear

Mje’kote Dress

Mje’kotekoshkayek Skirt

Kishkyekas Blouse

Wbabkoyan Shirt

Kbe’ti Pants/trousers/slacks

Jijakokateyake’n Shorts

Bis kon we’n T-shirt

Bis kon we’n Sweater

Bis ko wa ke’n Coat

Biskowake’n Jacket

Kishkbiskowake’n Short jacket

Kchebiskowake’n Great coat/long coat/trench coat

Winkwebsowe’n Scarf

Wiwkwan Hat

Wiwkwanes Cap

Moshwekas Handerchief

Mje’tase’n Stocking

Mje’n kaw ke’n Gloves

Wne’ses Sleeve

Wne’sen

Moshwe Shawl

Azyan Diaper/breech cloth

Ntostab My shoe string

Shonyashke’mot Purse/money bag

Shonyashke’moten Wallet/small purse/small money bag

Kjibsowe’n belt

Mi shach so we’n Jewelry

Nanoshe’bsowne’n Ear rings

Nanoshe’bse’nwen Ear ring

Tabne’je’e we’n Ring

Tabne’je’ e ne’n Rings

Nabkowake’n Necklace

Tbe’kiswanes Watch

Tbe’kiswan Clock

Ne’nes Bracelet

Nabkamwake’n Neck tie

Nabkamwake’n Bolo tie

Kejabche’ke’n Hat band

Yasonkebsone’n Arm bands

Yasonkebsowe’n Arm band

Yasotkwebsowwe’n Head band

Azyan Breech cloth

Wew nak Vest

Wayebe’n wan Roach

Saj ke’n Indian blouse

Relative Forms:

Nse’kwe’s Paternal aunt

Knoshe Maternal aunt

Nshe’she Uncle

Nshime Younger brother/sibling

Nse’ze Older brother

Ntowema Brother of female

Nikane Brother of male

Mis se Older sister

Nshime Younger sister/sibling

Nitkako Sister of female

Nte’kwem Sister of male

Nos My father

Mnos Father

The form de de is a new form that came in with the adoption of english into the language.

Ndedeye’m My father

Ngye My mother

Ngye ye’ ditto

No se’s se Grandchild

Nose’me ditto

Nose’mes My little grandchild

Nose’s seye’k My grandchildren

Me’sho Grandfather

Nme’shome’s My grandfather

Nokme’s Grandmother

Gokme’s Your grandmother

Nnokme’s My grandmother

Kokoye’ Grandma in baby talk

Kne’kne’s Your nephew

Nek’ne’s My nephew

Ne’kne’ Nephew

Kne’kne’sne’m Our nephew

Nshe’mes Niece of male

Ntosh mes Niece of female

Nme’s sotanek Parents

De’nwema Relative

De’wemake’n ditto

De’nwemakne’k Pl.

De’nwemakne’tok Relative to all life

De’nwemane’n nanok ditto

Ni jan ses My child (informal term)

Ni jan sek My children

Nijane’s Child (formal term)

Ntane’s My daughter

Ntanse ditto

Ne’ge’s My son

Ne’gwe’s My son

Ne’gwe’ses My little boy/my little son

Nin I/my/me

Ni kan Friend

Okema King/chielf/leader

Wkema ditto

Gin You/your

Ni nan We

Ni nan Us

Winwa They

Win He/she/they/them

Kakabese’k Boys

Kikabe Boy

Kikabes Little boy

Kikyako Girl

Kikyakos Little girl

Kikyakose’k Girls

Sesksi Teenage girl/virgin

Sesksiyek Teenage girls

Be’noje Child

Be’nojes Little child

Be’nojese’k Little children

Be’nojeye’k Children

Ne’shnabe Indian/man of good intentions/intent

Mi ko Mexican

Mke’tene’ni Negro/black person

Kche’mokman White man/woman/big knife/long knife

Kche’mokmanne’ne’ ditto

Kche’mokmanek White men/people

Wabshkanik White people

Wabshkishgok ditto

Kche’mokmankwek White women/ladies

Ni ta Brother in law

Nitawe’s ditto (affectionate)

Agne’kwe Daughter in law

Nshe’n e’s Father in law

Nse’kse’s Mother in law

Nine’m Sister in law (male speaker)

Nte’kwe’ji Sister in law (female speaker)

Ntoshne’kem My son in law

(Dates back to when the son in law hunted and brought food to his in laws.)

Nishote Twins

Nishoteke She had twins

Seasons:

Tkwa kek Fall

Eni bok Summer

Nibne’k ditto

Eshatek ditto

Em nok me’k Spring

Mnokme’k ditto

Eb bok Winter

Bongek ditto

Directions:

Wech bke’shmok West

Epinge’shmok ditto (Ojibewa)

Wechmokek East

Wabnong ditto (Ojibewa)

Wechnawkwek South

Zhawnong ditto (Ojibewa)

Wechkse’nyak North

Kiwedenong ditto (Ojibewa)

Wechbse’gwit Another east

Wechwabe’k ditto

Wechkshatek Another south

Wechshawnot ditto

Wechbyedot Another west

Wechmowe’n ditto

Wechbonimge’t Another north

Kaponkenowe’n ditto

Namjiwne’k Left

Dab niw nok Right

Nekon In front of you

Shkwe yak Behind you

Nam ya kwan Under

Shpe’mok ke’ e kon Over

Megwe pi A long way from here/a long time ago

Mno wi pi A long distance from here

Pi Unit of time

Odo pi At this time

Ngotde’k At one time

Aya pi At one time (another one)

Colors: (Enazwenen)

Wabshkyak White

Mek tewak Black

Mke’dewak ditto (another one)

Meskwak Red

We’zawak Yellow

Wejabkwak Blue

Eshkbokyak Green-like

Eshkbok The color green

Sawak Brown

Weje’pkwatek Purple-like

Wabmeskwak Pink-like

Mskwimwabmeskwak Pinkish

Mskwimwe’zawak Orangish

Numbers:

Ngot One

Nish Two

Nswe Three

Nyew Four

Nyanne’n Five

Ngotwatso Six

Noek Seven

Shwatso Eight

Zhak Nine

Mdatso Ten

Mdastoshe’chngot Eleven

Mdatsoshe’chnish Twelve

Mdatsoshe’chnswe Thirteen

Mdatosshe’chnyew Fourteen

Mdatsoshe’chnyanne’n Fifteen

Mdatsoshechngotwatso Sixteen

Mdatsoshechnoek Seventeen

Mdatsoshechshwatso Eighteen

Mdatsoshechzhak Nineteen

Nishwabte’k Twenty

Nswewabte’k Thirty

Nyewwabte’k Forty

Nyaanomte’ne’ Fifty

Ngotwatsomte’ne’ Sixty

Noeksomte’ne’ Seventy

Shwatsomte’ne’ Eighty

Zhaksomte’ne’ Ninety

Ngotwak One hundred

Nishwak Two hundred

Nswewak Three hundred

Nyewwak Four hundred

Nyannowak Five hundred

Ngotose’k One thousand

Ngotse’gos ditto

Midasso One million

Midasowak ditto

Midaswak ditto

Money/Shonya:

Ngot me’kwi One dollar

Nish me’kwi Two dollars

Nswe me’kwi Three dollars

Nyew me’kwi Four dollars

Nyanno me’kwi Five dollars

Mdatos me’kwi Ten dollars

Nishwabte’k me’kwi Twenty dollars

Nyanno mte’ne’ me’kwi Fifty dollars

Ngot wak me’kwi One hundred dollars

Ngoto se’k me’kwi One thousand dollars

Ngotse’gos me’kwi ditto

Ngot yespe’n Twenty five cents/quarter

Nish yespe’n Fifty cents/half a dollar

Ngot mshkwapko One penny/one piece of copper

Nish mshkwapko Two pennies/two pieces of copper

Nswe mshkwapko Three pennies/three pieces of copper

Nyew mshkwapko Four pennies/four pieces of copper

Nyanno mshkwapko Five pennies/five pieces of copper

Ngotwatso mshkwapko Six pennies/six pieces of copper

Noek mshkwapko Seven pennies/seven pieces of copper

Shwatso mshkwapko Eight pennies/eight pieces of copper

Zhak mshkwapko Nine pennies/nine pieces of copper

Mdatso mshkwapko Ten pennies/ten pieces of copper

*Animals—-Mechbiyek:

Zago Monkey

She’shko Muskrat

Kte’te Otter

Kokosh Pig

Mantanish Sheep

Schgak Skunk

Wabne’m Wolf (resembles white police dog)

Moew Wolf (generic)

Meinge’n Timber wolf

Beshk mo we Lion

She’b shi Tiger

Mke’shis kat we Flying squirrel

Ta ka kos Civet cat

Ma mak she Mule

Kche’ zago Ape

Wapti Antelope

Seksi deer, generic

Nijan doe, white tailed deer

Wawashkeshi white tailed deer

Mshiwé elk

Kshi wi Bull

Bkosh bshe’k ke’ Buffalo

Me’k Beaver

Mko/Mkwa Bear

Ka kin ke’shi Grizzly bear

Kasho Cat

Mayos Another one

Bshe’ke’ Cow

Bshe’kwik (we’k) Cattle

Bshe’kis Calf

Nanimwe Coyote

Espe’n Raccoon

Nemosh Dog

Babaki Hound dog

Mskwe’wakwe’she Red fox

Wakwe’she Fox

Kokjesjish Ground hog

Moto Goat

Kwe’kse Wood chuck

Nektosha Horse

Mi shak ne’k we Bat

Ko kot ni Alligator

Bne shi Bird (generic)

Bne shi we’t Bird with feathers

Se’gnok Black bird (red spots on wings)

Za wa ge Yellow bird

Wezawage ditto

Nano kas Hummingbird

Jejak Crane

Ka kak shi Crow

Andekshkwe Another one

Mimi Dove

Kno Eagle

Mgeshwash Bald eagle

Be’shk kno ditto

We’nake Buzzard

Wab mimi White pidgeon

Mke’dewabmimi Grey pidgeon

Kakabe Screech owl

Wabke’noshkwe Mouse

Kche’wabke’noshkwe Rat

Wekate Lizard

Kokoko Owl

Wabkokoko Great white owl

Memke’ji Toad

Me’kchako Frog

Menjikwe Tree frog

Mneto Snake

Zhashage Garter snake

Mskwan de’p Pine snake

Nedwasi Little rattle snake

Notake Rattle snake

Insects: (Mnetok)

Memeke Butterfly

Memekwe ditto

Amo Bee

Oje Fly

Ske’me Mosquito

Esbike Spider

Espe’k e e be’k ditto

Wemkwoyane Caterpillar

Chin skot mo si Cricket

Kwa kwa te Grasshopper

Boch kwan si Dragon fly

Nenepajne’kesi Mole

Meats—-Wi yase’n

We’sa wak sot ko kosh Bacon

Bshe’k ke’ Beef

Bkosh bshe’k ke’ Buffalo

Mko/Mkwa Bear

Bke’akwa Chicken

Bidi Northern dialect

Bke’akwaye’k Pl.

Bshe’k ke’ Cow

Espe’n Raccoon

Shishib Duck

Shishibe ditto

Se’ksi Deer

Wawashke’sh shi ditto

Beske’si Goose

Beske’siye’k Geese

Ko kosh Pig/Pork

An ken ni Possum

A ye ni ditto

Mshewe Rabbit

Wabozo Northern dialect

Se’ngo Squirrel

Je’dmo ditto

Zhe’gos Weasel

Gde’de Otter

Mak Loon

She’gak Skunk

Pne/Bne Turkey

Wnok shise’n Weiners/hot dogs

Mshe’we Elk

Mshi ke Turtle/Snapping turtle

Gigo Fish

Gigos Little fish

Gigose’k Mess of fish/school of fish

Traditional Tales

Why we have Spring

Bnewi pene shna gi bbomget, pene gi ksenyamget, gi gwtektowek bemadsetthek.

A long time ago, it was winter all the time, it was cold all the time and people had a hard time.

Ngodek shna eyawek weshgget kwe gi mkedeke, ije egi ndotthget notth na datthe abwamgek.

One time a young girl fasted, and she asked that the weather would be warmer.

I tthe ni mnedon egi widmagwet da shetthget na notth ewi abwamgek.

So the spirits told her what she could do to make the weather warmer.

Gagish mkedeket egi widmowat ni wgetzimen, “Abdek wetthksenyak nwi shya,” wdenan.

After her fast, she told her parents, “I have to go north,” she told them.

“Wiye shi etthe yet o bemendek ode pene e bbomgek ngigdo,” kedo o weshgget kwe.

“That’s where he’s at, the one responsible for it being winter all the time, I was told,” said the young girl.

“Mishgoswen ngi mingo ewi o wabmek. Abdek nwi o mttenwa, gishpen pkenwek wi mnokme mine wi niben.”

“I was given power to go see him. I have to challenge him, if I beat him there will be spring and summer.”

“Nitthe gishpen pkenagwyen?” kedo ni wneneyem. “Jo mine wika ke wabmesim,” wdenan wneneymen.

“What if he beats you?” said her mother. “Then you will never see me again,” she told her mother.

I tthe egi wshitat, mteno shna wa she bmowdek wgi matthidon.

Then she got ready, she took only what she could pack on her back.

Ah itthe ibe wetthksenyak gi gwtekto, o kewesi. Gwa shna shke ewse msen emawdonek.

Meanwhile, up north, the old man was having a hard time. He was barely able to gather firewood.

Pene shna gi mshkewakwten I zibe gabmejwek besotth i edat. Pene gi kche noden shi.

The river that ran by, close to his house was always frozen over. It was always windy there.

O wtthe kewesi gi tthibdebe tthik shkwede shi edat. Gawa gewi psakwnemget i shkwede.

The old man sat in his lodge, next to the fire, which was barely going.

Bama she wiye bye detewegenet shi shkwademek. “Ahow. Bidgek,” kedo o kewesi.

Just then, somebody was knocking on the door. “Ahow. Come in,” said the old man.

Bama she sesksiyen bye bidge’net. Aptthe she goniwe o sesksi mine bigeje.

And a young maiden came in. She was really snowy and cold.

Mine I wdep wabgonen gi wiwkwebso. Mine geshe gi kche mnowabmenagwse.

Around her head, she wore a halo of Trailing Arbutus. And she was also very pretty.

“Bosho ndanes,” kedo. “Gda bye os shote shkwedek.” Pishne atemget gewi I shkwede.

“Hello daughter,” he said. “Come warm up here, by the fire.” The fire itself, was almost going out.

“Ahow nge ske’wa o ndo pwagen, ke wdemamen,” kedo o kewezi.

“Okay, I’ll light up my pipe, we will have a smoke,” said the old man.

Epiche wdemawat, “Ezakttheseyan iw ebinek ode gon,” kedo o kewezi.

While they were smoking, the old man said, “When I go outside, I bring on the snow.”

“Ah i geni ezakttheseyan ebye mokit o gises,” kedo gewi o sesksi.

“Oh, when I go outside, the sun comes out,” said the maiden.

“Shpemek eshenkenwiyan i notth ektthe ksenyak,” kedo o kewezi.

“When I throw my arms towards the sky, the weather gets colder,” said the old man.

“Nin wi shpemek eshenkenwiyan i abwamget,” kedo o sesksi.

“Me, when I throw my arms up at the sky, the weather gets warmer,” said the maiden.

Bama she peneshiyek kwedbek etnemaswat. Gi nabmegon ni kewesiyen.

All of a sudden, birds were singing on the roof. The old man just glared at her.

“Ekanabdeman I zibe I emshkewakwtek,” kedo o kewezi.

“When I look at the river, it freezes up,” said the old man.

“Nin wi ekanabdeman i zibe i engezet o mkwem,” kedo o sesksi.

“Me, when I look at the river, the ice melts,” said the maiden.

I tthe zagetth egi nabet ekanabdek i zibe.

Then, she looked outside to look at the river.

Epi tangedok notth gewi ne gshedemget i shkwede.

As she spoke, the fire started getting warmer.

Bama she o kewezi enodek emdwetthwek i zibe pi enengezet o mkwem.

Then, the old man heard the sound of the river, as the ice started to melt.

“Ngotthi epamseyan i ektthe bonik,’ kedo o kewezi.

“When I walk somewhere, it really snows,” said the old man.

“Metth she bebashyayan ematthigek ni wabgonen,” kedo o sesksi.

“Whereever I walk, the Trailing Arbutus grows,” said the maiden.

I tthe ekanabmet ni kewesiyen eshkem ne gatthi ye.

As she looked at the old man, he started getting smaller.

Mine zagetth enabet I shna ene skebgamgek ni mishkosen.

And as she looked outside again, the grass was turning green.

I tthe egi kwansego mno gishgek. Nekmek dnemaswek peneshiyek.

And it turned into a beautiful day. You could hear birds singing all over the place.

Gatthe tthibdebet o kewesi shna mteno gasweksek i waboyan.

Where the old man sat, all that was there, spread out, was his blanket.

Edapnek i waboyan o sesksi. I shna mteno mbish shi ga askobisek ga tthe nmedbet o kewezi.

The maiden picked up the blanket, and all there was under it, was a puddle of water, where the old man sat.

“I she shna yedek egi ngezet o kewezi,” shede e o sesksi.

“Oh, the old man must have melted,” thought the young maiden.

I tthe shna nekmek i gi pamadset o sesksi. Metth ttheshe ga bme shyat wiye shi ngom etthe matthigek ni wabgonen.

Then, the young maiden traveled all over. Wherever she went, is where the Trailing Arbutus grows today.

Mine she wiye I mamo netem zakimgek e mnokmek.

And it is the first plant to come up in the spring.

I wtthe ode sesksi egi pkenwat ni mkwemi wnenwen ngom wetthe yemgo ode emnokmek. Iw ektownangek.

Because the young maiden overpowered the iceman, is why we have Spring now. That is the story that is told.

The following prefixes and suffixes are used to denote past tense, present tense, future tense, and plurals of the subject. The prefixes and suffixes are bold so that you can see a pattern in the language usage.

NI PI JE – where

E – present tense/ WA – future tense/ GA – past tense

Ni pi je e shya yen? (where are you going?)

Ni pi je e shya ye’k? (where are you people going?)

Ni pi je wa shya yen? (where are you going?)

Ni pi je wa shya ye’k? (where are you folks going?)

Ni pi je ga shya yen? (where did you go?)

Ni pi je ga shya ye’k? (where did you people go?)

NI JE PI –when

WA – future tense/DA – future intent/ GA – past tense

Ni je pi wa shya yen? (when are you going?)

Ni je pi wa shya ye’k? (when are you folks going?)

Ni je pi ga shya yen? (when did you go?)

Ni je pi ga shya ye’k? (when did you people go?)

Ni je pi da shya yen? (when could you go?)

Ni je pi da shya ye’k? (when could you folks go?)

NWI – future tense/NGI – past tense WABEK – tomorrow

Wabek nwi shya. ( I am going tomorrow.)

Wabek nwi shya men. ( we are going tomorrow.)

Wabek wi shye’ wak. (he/she is going tomorrow.)

Wabek wi shye’k. (they are going tomorrow.)

NWI – future tense/ NGI – past tense WNAGO – yesterday

Wnago ngi shya. ( I went yesterday.)

Wnago ngi shya men. ( we went yesterday.)

Wnago gi shye’ wak. ( he/she went yesterday.)

Wnago gi shye’k. (they went yesterday.)

NGOM – now-today

Ngom nwi shya. (I am going today.)

Ngom nwi shya men. (we are going today.)

Ngom shye’ wak. (he/she is going today.)

Ngom wi shye’k. (they are going today.)

Ngom gwi shya men. (we are going today.)

AFFIXES:

Prefixes and Suffixes:

Present n de

Immediate future n ge

Past n gi

Future n wi

Future n da

Singular BMO SE

To walk

N de she bmo se I am walking

Examples:

Odan ek nde she bmo se present

Odane k nge she bmo se future

Odan ek ngi she bmo se past

Odan ek nwi she bmo se future

Odan ek nda she bmo se future/intent

Plural MBEM SE MEN

We are walking

Examples:

Odan ek nde she bmo se men present

Odan ek nge she bmo se men future

Odan ek ngi she bmo se men past

Odan ek nwi she bmo se men future

Odan ek nda she bmo se men future/intent

Some more examples:

Wi h/s is going to

G wi going to

G da could/can

Odan ek ne gwi she bmo se? Singular

Are you going to walk to town?

Odan ek ne gwi she bmo sem? plural

Are you guys going to walk to town?

Odan ek gda she bmo se. Singular

You could walk to town.

Odan ek gda she bmo sem. plural

You guys could walk to town.

Odan ek gda she bmo se men. plural/inclusive

We could walk to town.

Odan ek ne wi she bmo se? Singular

Is he/she walking to town?

Odan ek ne wi she bmo sek? Plural

Are they walking to town?

BMOSE:

M be bam se I am walking around.

Pa m se wak he/she is walking around.

G be bam se you are walking around.

Pa m se wek they are walking around.

Wi pam se he/she is going for a walk.

N wi pam se I am going for a walk.

N wi pamse men we are going for a walk/exlc.

G wi pam se men we are going for a walk/incl.

Ke pam se men let us go for a walk.

Be bam se t one who walks/sing.

Be bam se jek those that walk–also all the/plural.

Bmo se or bmo se wak walking or walking by

Bmo se k walking or walking by

plural

E gi shke wep se t when h/s first started walking.

Ni je pi ga ne wep se t when did h/s start out walking?

Ni je pi wa ne wep se yen when are you going to start out walking?

On becoming Neshnabe

Ode Neshnabe

So, let us take a look at what it takes to become Neshnabe, eh?

Being Neshnabe means you were born that way….you’ve always been that way, there was no alternative but that for you. This means you grew up speaking the accompanying language that goes with being Neshnabe, you also grew up with those mores, norms, standards, sanctions, and taboos. Everything you are, were and became means you learned it all through the target language of the group you were born into.

Definition of Neshnabe.

You learned nothing you currently know in English, it was not gleaned from University studies, nor from any other book learning, or in any other form of English inspired action. It wasn’t learned in English passed on to you from a heritage fluent speaker who trained you. This means you literally learned all that you know, all that you are, from your experiences as a traditional person growing up with the language, surrounded by like speaking elders and peers,

This sort of person can be referred to as Gete Neshnabe! The modern- day world identifies him/her as a traditional person. Traditional because they are heritage fluent speakers, schooled and skilled in all of the lore and craft of their origins, adept and expert in the physical, material, and spiritual culture of their heritage speaking group they emanate from. One important fact, this kind of person was not trained in anything, they were taught from their youth up….

What of others who appear to be like them? Those who mimic these people? Those who sound like them, but were not taught like them, but were trained by Gete Neshnabek who must specialize in training those who have not been taught, but have become separated from their archaic ways and the language so needed to find the way back to their origins?

These people could properly be referred to as quasi traditionals, or even pseudo traditionals then, borrowing upon the modern day terminology used by the dominant society they have become part of. Can they ever become like their Gete cousins one might ask? Can they somehow transpose themselves into what they want to be or study so hard to be?

The undisputable answer is YES, with perseverance and a strong commitment!

The best they can do is follow the teachings of those who are Gete Neshnabek, become trained in the lore, the craft, the sacred ways, learn their heritage language, and begin the process of learning so their offspring can be taught, instead of having to be trained like them. One teaches a child, one trains a person who has not been raised with their language and culture. We, who are Gete Neshnabek were taught, not trained!

I am using English to inform those who will read and listen and take appropriate action, but for those who read and do not listen and do not take any action, I can do nothing….also, there becomes no hope for their offspring, no hope for the generations who come after them. They must look to the future so those who come after them have a chance to survive as Gete Neshnabek.

Our old people used to tell us we had to render decisions with Seven Generations in mind, so there could be a future for those who would come after us. This kind of thinking has nothing to do with Self, or other sorts of pleasures. We must remove Self from the pedestal and return to that Seven Generational thinking our forefathers utilized in their decision making. Only then can our offspring/children have a chance to become Gete Neshnabek once again, and then there shall be those who are taught the sacred ways of the Gete Neshnabek again.

Learn your Language! Which many of you are now doing!

Live your life for the future generations so that anything you become trained in today can benefit them. Live like a Gete Neshnabe even if folks refer to you as a quasi neshnabe, but do not be a pseudo neshnabe or live your life like one, especially in front of your children. Embrace the teachings and learn your heritage language and become trained in them, so you have something to teach your offspring.

Nin se Neaseno…

Construct verbs using body parts and other things…..

Construct Verbs using Body Parts and other things…

Noun Form	Construct Form
Nibden – my teeth	-yabdé -abdé or -denwi
Nenji – my hand	-nejé
Nzet – my foot	-zeté
Njash – my nose	-jané
Ndon – my mouth or my lip	-doné
Ntog – my ear	-togé
Ndep – my head	-debé
Nshkishek – my eye	-gwé (eyed or faced)
Ngotagen – my throat	-dagwné, -gotagé
Ndamken – my chin or my jaw	-damké, -damkné
Nek – my arm	-neké
Ken – bone	-kené
Nwinsesén – my hair	-sesé or -nankwé
Ndesam – my skin	-wshé
Nkaké – my chest	-kaké
Ndodosh – my breast	-dodoshmé
Nowéy – my cheek	-nowyé
Wnagen – dish	-wnagé
Nibi-water	-abo (liquid)

-Gwé

-Gwé and kwé can sound suspiciously similar, so it is very important to listen carefully and use correct pronunciation. -Gwé can refer to the face or to the eyes.

Jigwé Thunder (Next to His Face)

Shomigwé He/she is smiling

Mniwnagigwé Infected runny eye

Pesangigwé Black eye (bruised eye)

Meningwé He/she has eye boogers

Bokigwé one-eyed, single-eyed

Bokigwénwi Wink

Winingwé Dirty Face

Other endings to watch for are -kadé and -gadé. -Kadé refers to “legged,” while -gadé is an inanimate intransitive ending.

Nyéwokadé He/she is Four-legged

Nishokadé He/she is Two-legged

Gkejgadé Something is hidden

Wébnegadé Something is discarded

Here are some contextual examples of endings, some coupled with other particles. This language is based on PARTICLES which have meaning, but must be attached to other particles to form complete thoughts.

FEET

Magwzede He/she has Big Feet or Smelly Feet

Kchemagwzede He/she has Really Smelly Feet

Génozedé He/she has long feet

Tkozedé He/she has short feet

Gachzedé He/she has little feet

Wawagzedé He/she has pigeon feet (crooked feet)

Mbiwzedé He/she has wet feet

Datkezedé He/she has toes that point outward

Begwzedé He/she has dry feet

Nchiwzedé He/she has ugly feet

Mskwiwzedé He/she has bloody feet

Mskwéwzedé He/she has red feet

Mkedéwzedé He/she has black feet

Winzedé He/she has dirty feet

Binzedé He/she has clean feet

Zheshkiwzedé He/she has soil or sand on feet

Goniwzedé He/she has snowy feet

Mkwemizedé He/she has icy feet

Gishkzedé He/she has a cut off foot

Mnozedé He/she has good feet

Mowzedé He/she has poopy feet

Mtakgwzedé He/she has bare feet

Gzinzedé He/she washes feet

Gziszedé He/she scrubs feet

Mbegzedégabo He/she has a flat tire (literally: He/she is standing there with a flattened foot – implies vehicle)

HEAD

Mbiwdebé He/she has a wet head

Gzindebé He/she washes head

Psakwdebé He/she has a burning head (has a fever)

Peshkwdebé He/she is baldeHe/

Binagdebe He/she has a clean head

Winagdebe He/she has a dirty head

Mbwakawdebe He/she uses his head (smart or wise)

Édbesendebe He/she thinks lowly thoughts (humble)

Édbeséndezot H/s thinks lowly thoughts of himself/herself

SKIN

Wabshkewzhé He/she has White skin

Mskwiwzhé He/she has Blood on skin

Gzibigwzhé He/she washes their skin

Mektewzhe He/she has black/dark skin

Gzibinsewzhe Wash your skin

Bmedewensewzhe He/she has greasy skin

TEETH

Mniwabdé He/she has an abcessed or infected tooth

Wasadbégabo He/she stands with shiny teeth

Niskabdénwi He/she bares h/h teeth

Gsiyabdé He/she brushes teeth

Gsisyabdé He/she scrubs teeth

Throat and misc.

Gishkakgwendagwné He/she has a sore throat

Gikijdagwné He/she has a sore throat

Zagdamknégabo He/she stands with chin sticking out

Zagdamknéshen His/her chin sticks out

Gikmenejé His/her hand or finger is numb

Magnowyé He/she has big cheeks

Magdodoshmé He/she has big breasts

Magtogé He/she has big ears

Winankwé He/she has dirty hair

Binankwé He/she has clean hair

Mbiwnankwé He/she has wet hair

Mishigwé He/she has a hairy face

Mishkadé He/she has hairy legs

Mskwiwjané He/she has a bloody nose

Gzigwé He/she washes face

Gzinjé He/she washes hands

Gzibingé He/she washes things

Gzinagé He/she washes dishes

Gsisega He/she scrubs the floor

Winsega The floor is dirty

Mouth

Zamdoné He/she has a big mouth (talks too much)

Winagdoneket He/she is foul mouthed

Mbwakawdonet He/she speaks wise things

Mishkwedone He/she sounds ambitious or full of resolve

Mjekewdone He/she talks evil

Natkotagdone He/she has a smart mouth

Gikajgedone He/she has argumentative mouth

Genotagdone He/she tells tall tales/lies

Gimojtagdone He/she tells sneaky/shady stuff

Mnowejtagdone He/she speaks good things

Shiwejtagdone He/she talks fierce

Gimojtagwdonet He/she speaks falsely

Eye

Mnowejshkizhgoke He/she sees good things in others

Zheshkiwshkishek He/she has dirt or sand in eye

Mektewshkishek He/she has black eye

Mjewejshkishek He/she has evil eye

Wakjeseshkizhgwen He/she has crooked/crossed eyes

Questions aptly put

Where are you going?	Ni pi je ézhyayen?
Where are you all going?	Ni pi je ézhyayék?
Where are we going? (ex)	Ni pi je ézhyayak?
Where are we going? (in)	Ni pi je ézhyaygo?
Where is he/she going?	Ni pi je ézhyét?
Where are they going?	Ni pi je ézhyéwat?
What are you doing?	Ni je éschegéyen?
What are you all doing?	Ni je éschegéyék?
What are they doing?	Ni je éschegéwat?
What is he/she doing?	Ni je ézhechkét?
What did we do? (ex)	Ni je ga zhechkéyak?
What did we do? (in)	Ni je ga zhechkéygo?
What will you do?	Ni je wa zhechkéyen?
What will you all do?	Ni je wa zhechkéyék?
What did you do?	Ni je ga zhechkéyen?
What did you all do?	Ni je ga zhechkéyék?
What did he/she do?	Ni je ga zhechkét?
What did they do?	Ni je ga zhechkéwat?
Where did you go?	Ni pi je ga zhyayen?
Where did you all go?	Ni pi je ga zhyayék?
Where did he/she go?	Ni pi je ga zhyét?
Where did they go?	Ni pi je ga zhyéwat?
Nowhere	Cho ngoji
Over there	Ibe
I am going to the hospital	Mshkekiwgemek nwi zhya
We are going to the hospital (ex)	Mshkekiwgemek nwi zhyamen
We are going to the hospital (in)	Mshkekiwgemek gwi zhyamen
I am going to the store	Dawéwgemek nwi zhya
We are going to the store (ex)	Dawéwgemek nwi zhyamen
We are going to the store (in)	Dawéwgemek gwi zhyamen
Who is that?	Wéni je o?
What is that?	Wégwni je i?
Who are they?	Wéni je gi?
What are those?	Wégwni je ni?
He is a bear	Mko o yawe
He is a dog	Nemosh o yawe
She is a dog	Kwésmo o yawe
She is called Winnie	Winnie zhenkazo
He is called Bob	Bob zhenkazo
What did you do yesterday?	Ni je ga zhechkéyen wnago?
What did you all do yesterday?	Ni je ga zhechkéyék wnago?
What did they do yesterday?	Ni je ga zhechkéwat wnago?
What did he/she do yesterday?	Ni je ga zhechkét wnago?
What are you going to do tomorrow?	Ni je wa zhechkéyen wabek?
What are you all going to do tomorrow?	Ni je wa zhechkéyék wabek?
What will they do tomorrow?	Ni je wa zhechkéwat wabek?
What will he/she do tomorrow?	Ni je wa zhechkét wabek?
What will we do tomorrow? (ex)	Ni je wa zhechkéyak wabek?
What will we do tomorrow? (in)	Ni je wa zhechkéygo wabek?
Do you want something?	Gégo ne gnedwendan?
What do you want?	Ni je énedwendemen?
What do you all want?	Ni je énedwendemek?
I want some water	Énedwendayan anet mbish
More?	Mégwa ne?
Hurry	Kénep
Hurry up	Yabjeyen!
Are you hungry?	Gbekté ne?
Are you all hungry?	Gbektém ne?
Yes, I am hungry	Éhe nbekté
Yes, we are hungry (ex)	Éhe nbektémen
We are not hungry (ex)	Cho nbektésimen
I am not hungry	Cho nbektési
What is this?	Wégni je ode?
What is your name?	Ni je ézhnekasyen?
What are you all’s names?	Ni je ézhnekasyék?
I am called John	John ndezhnekas
We are called John and Mary	John mine Mani zhenkaswik
Come here	Byan shote
Come here (you all)	Byak shote
Put it back	Ton i néyap
Put it down	Bgednen i
Don’t do that	Gégo i zhechkéken
Don’t do that (pl)	Gégo I zhechkékék
Turn it on	Majibdon
Turn off the lights	Atebdon i waskonenjegen
What are you going to eat?	Ni je wa je wisneyen?
What are we going to eat? (ex)	Ni je wa je wisneyak?
What are we going to eat? (in)	Ni je wa je wisneygo?
What are you all going to eat?	Ni je wa je wisneyék?
What is he/she going to eat?	Ni je wa je wisnet?
What are they going to eat?	Ni je wa je wisnewat?
Help me	Nizhokmoshen
Help us	Nizhokmoshek
Where are you from?	Ni pi je wech byayen?
Where are you all from?	Ni pi je wech byayék?
Where are they from?	Ni pi je wech byéwat?
Where is he/she from?	Ni pi je wech byét ?
I am from Oklahoma	Oklahoma ndoch bya
We are from Oklahoma (ex)	Oklahoma ndoch byamen
He/she is from Oklahoma	Oklahoma wej byé
They are from Oklahoma	Oklahoma wej byék
Are you thirsty?	Gashknabagwé ne?
I am thirsty	Ngashknabagwé
We are thirsty (ex)	Ngashknabagwémen
I am not thirsty	Cho ngashknabagwési
We are not thirsty (ex)	Cho ngashknabagwésimen
Hello, friend	Hau, nikan
Hello, my friend	Bozho, nnikan
How are you?	Ni je na?
How are you all?	Ni je na ginwa?
I am fine	Iw she anwe
We are fine	Iw she anwe géninan
I am fine (another way)	Anwe she shena
I am living well	Nmno bmades
We are living well	Nmno bmadsemen
Are you sick?	Gdaknoga ne?
Are you all sick?	Gdaknogam ne?
Are they sick?	Yakwnogék ne?
Is he/she sick?	Yakwnogé ne?
I am sick	Ndaknoga
I am not sick	Cho ndaknogasi
We are sick (ex)	Ndaknogamen
We are not sick (ex)	Cho ndaknogasimen
They are sick	Yakwnogék
They are not sick	Cho yakwnogésik
He/she is sick	Yakwnogé
He/she is not sick	Cho yakwnogési
Are they dancing this evening?	Nim’edik ne ode pkonyak?
How far is it to your house?	Ni je épichiyak édayen?
We are going to the store	Dawéwgemek nwi zhyamen
Yucky	She
Geez	Shkena
Come eat	Byé wisnen
Come eat (all of you)	Byé wisnek
Are we lost	Ggiwanimen ne?
Where are you hanging around?	Ni pi je édnesyen?
Where are you all hanging around?	Ni pi je édnesyék?
Where are they hanging around?	Ni pi je édneswat?
Where is he/she hanging around?	Ni pi je édneset?
Do you like this?	Gmedagwendan ne ode?
Do you all like this?	Gmedagwendak ne ode?
How is your mother?	Ni je éshbmadzet o ggiyé ?
How is your father?	Ni je na o g’os?
We are going to the beach (in)	Jikbyék gzhyamen
Thank you	Migwech
Thank you (heartfelt)	Igwien
It is good	Wenet
It is bad	Myanet
Are you working today?	Gmikchéwi ne ngom?
Are you working hard today?	Kchemikchéwi ne ngom?
I am eating soup	Mbob nmijen
I have already eaten	Ngi gishwisen
Do you ever see John?	Wika ne ggi wabma o John?
Do you ever see them?	Wika ne ggi wabmak gi?
I live on the Citizen Potawatomi Reservation	Shishibéni skongen nda
Are you going to sleep?	Gwi o mba ne?
Go to sleep!	Wi ne mban!
Go to sleep! (all of you)	Wi ne mbak!
Look over there	Nek she ibe
Be careful	Nasana
Be careful (another)	Wigézen
Let’s visit for a while	Gmbwach’ewémen nomek
Come visit me	Mbwach’ewéshen
Come visit us	Mbwach’ewéshek
Later again	Bama mine
I will see you again later	Bama mine gwabmen
Later	Nagech
Little bit later	Shkejiméyek
Are you busy?	Gdotmes ne?
Are you all busy?	Gdotmesem ne?
I am busy	Ndotmes
I am not busy	Cho ndotmesi
We are busy (ex)	Ndotmesmen
We are not busy (ex)	Cho ndotmesimen
Come with me	Wijeweshen
Come with us	Wijeweshek
Are you Indian?	Neshnabé ne gdaw?
Are you all Indians?	Neshnabék ne gdawem?
Yes I am Indian	Éhe neshnabé ndaw
I am not Indian	Cho neshnabé ndawsi
I am an Indian woman	Neshnabékwé ndaw
Are you Potawatomi?	Bodéwadmi ne gdaw?
I am Potawatomi	Bodéwadmi ndaw
I am not Potawatomi	Cho Bodéwadmi ndawsi
I am a Potawatomi Woman	Bodéwadmikwé ndaw
Where are you enrolled?	Ni pi je éndebendagziyen?
Where are you all enrolled?	Ni pi je éndebendagziyék?
I am enrolled with Citizen Band Potawatomi	Shishibéniyek ndebendagwes
I am enrolled with Prairie Band Potawatomi	Mshkodéniyek ndebendagwes
We are enrolled with Citizen Band Potawatomi	Shishibéniyek ndebendagsemen
We are enrolled with Prairie Band Potawatomi	Mshkodéniyek ndebendagsemen
I am enrolled with Forest County	Ksenyaniyek ndebendagwes
What’s happening?	Ni je éshe webek?
What happened?	Ni je ga shewebek?
What happened to you?	Ni je ga she websiyen?
What’s up?	Ni je she shpemek?
What’s going down?	Ni je nisajwen?
I don’t know	Nemetsena
I don’t know anything	Nemetsena gégo
It’s hot	Gshatémget
Something is hot	Gshedémget
It is raining	Gmowen
It is hazy	Pkwenemget
It is warm	Yabwamget
It is blazing hot	Wiskakdemget
It is a downpour	Zigbisamget
Light rain/drizzle	Wenbisa
Light rain	Gmowas
It is raining (another)	Gméyamget
It is cold	Ksenyamget
It is cool	Tkéyamget
It is a nice day	Mno gishget
Are you broke?	Gbokshka ne?
Are you all broke?	Gbokshkam ne?
When did you first start speaking Indian?	Ni je pi nétum ga je webneshnabémyen?
Do you speak Indian?	Gneshnabém ne?
Do you speak Potawatomi?	Gdebodéwadmim ne?
Where did you park your car?	Ni pi je ga je toyen gdodabyanem?
Are you ready?	Gdozhita ne?
Behave	Dadokmeben
Behave (pl)	Dadokmebek
Take it easy/Be Quiet	Égach
My back aches	Ngigijpekwene
Do you know that man?	Gkenma ne o nene?
Do you know that woman?	Gkenma ne o kwé?
Do you know those people?	Gkenmak ne gi bmadzejek?
What time is it?	Ni je étso yawek?
What time is it? (another)	Ni je tso dbegnek
It is one o’clock	Ngot dbegenek
It is noon	Nawkwék
It is midnight	Aptadbeket
Good morning	Mno waben
Good evening	Mno pkonyak
Good afternoon	Mno gishnawkwék
I want some coffee	Énedwendayan anet gapi

Greetings to one another

Men’s greetings to one another and within groups….

Hau bozho ginwa

Bozho jayek ginwa

Ndenwemagnek

Ndenwemagnenanek

Nijneshnabek

Nijbmadsejek

Nikan

Nikanek

Nijnenwik

Nenwedok

Wadokwuk

Nijkowes

Menwidokwuk

When addressing both male and female;

Nenwedok mine kwedok

Nijneshnabek

Nikanek

Women addressing one another…..

Hau bozho ginwa

Hau bozho jayek ginwa

Ndenwemagnek

Ndenwemagnenanek

Kwedok

Nijkwedok

Nidgekok

Nijkowes

Wadokwuk

Menwidokwuk

Some immersion type stuff

Gégo bye bidgekén. Gde bogtheshkwewzede! Don’t come in. Your feet are muddy!
Pegdowshen i pkwakwet. Throw the ball to me.
Pegdow i pkwakwet. Throw him/her the ball.
Bokdonenwi o ndanes. My daughter is pouting.
Megwetsownekeni – Octopus
Wgi thagzedzo o ngwes dbekok. My son burned himself last night.
Nekwsegwzedejen. I have a splinter in my foot.
Wdenwan ni wdedeymen. He takes after his dad.
Wdenwan ni wneneymen. She takes after her mom.
Mikwnebwamshen. Remind me.
Wdapkadebzo. He/she is having a Charlie horse.
Ngi-mikwnebwama. I reminded him/her.
Anmikwa – to take someone to task for something
Cho ngeshktosin ewi mbayan. I am unable to sleep.
Nbakwnemak – he/she opens it for me
Kenandep – skull/bonehead (Some use this jokingly to say “bonehead.”)
Ni je etsegongezet o penojes? How many days old is that baby?
Boniken! Leave it alone. (singular)
Bonikmok! You all leave it alone. (plural)
Ngi-bonikan. I left it alone.
Dapneshen. Pick me up.
Mbagnek shgeshem o penoje. Put the baby on the bed.
Ngi-pamse’a o ndeish. I am walking the dog.
Mbemse shi myewesek. I am walking on the path.
I shna ewi jakgishgewat nnijansek wpi nishwabdekpbomgek. In 20 years, my kids will be all grown up.
Gégo jinewsekén. Don’t be greedy.
Gégo kwansegsekén. Don’t be stingy!
Anodze – another word for greedy
Metawgak – sandy area
Ngi-nkweshkak. He met me.
Nmokjane. I have a pimple on my nose.

Some brain teasers for translation by one of my students.

Gnebech Perhaps, maybe, I think that

Ndenim My husband (possessive of nene)

Ndeygwam My horse

Ndey My dog

Mbé See, I told you so!, There!

Wégmakwé wdansen Queen’s daughter

Wégmakwés Princess (diminutive)

Békadzet Be quiet, be calm, be patient, be peaceful

Nbékades, mbékades, nde békades

Békadze He/she is

Békadzet One who is

Kéndaswen Knowledge, education, art of becoming knowledgeable, becoming knowledgeable

Cho wi nda zhya si ibe énim’ediwat nde gizsom ndeto odo pi, i yé i ézhewébek égizsoyesh ébyat.

Mteno gi gizhabék mine gi gizhakwék ébidgéwat ibe éméndokaswat.

Gazhkjek

Penojek

Wéshkjek

Kékyajek

Ndebénma o ndey.

Mbwachewé’a o nitawes wabek gnebech.

Wgi gishpnedo ni waskonédonen o ndenim.

Nmedagwéndmenem gi ndokyanek, o ndéygwam mine o ndey.

Ggi wabma ne o wégmakwés égi zhyayen ibe épa nim’ediwat gi neshnabék.

Wgi bkadze ne o ga wje pkenagé i naganiwen wnago.

Ngi kigdo’a o wgyéyom wnago ga wje pkenagét, békadzet yawe o gi kedo.

Mbé, i yé i ga kto yan kche weswnago.

Mbé, i yé édépsenyan.

Mbé, i yé i ne ga wje widmoyan.

Hau Well, so! Can also be a greeting or recognition.

Majishkat Move

Méméjek In particular

Bédo I hope that/I wish that

Asho igwan On the other side of

Débso Quite a bit/enough of

Shpemsegok Upstairs, somewhere up above

Iw se And/used in story telling

So/used in story telling

Dbenwé Real

Agmesé Walk in snowshoes

Ndagmesé I walk in snowshoes

Agmesét Walk in snowshoes

Ni’wesh lover/secret lover

Shpemek Above, heaven

Shpem Up, above

Débwétwa Believe some one

Éwabdemok édébwétmok Seeing is believing

Cho she ngi débwétwasi

I really didn’t believe him/her

Gbmadsownenan se gzheshmownenan

Our life is our language

Gzheshmownenan se gbmadsownenan

Our language is our life

Ni’wesh ma o yawe.

Méméjek ode Bodéwadmimwen nwi kenomagé nomek pkonyak.

Hau, gishpen ode zheshmowen ébédoyék ékéndemyék pené she gwi shketoyék ékigdoyék éwi débséyék, méméjek i bodéwadmimwen.

Sneget se ode gzheshmownenan éwi kéndet weye ma shna dbenwé i.

Gishpen ékéndet weye ode majmowen wéwéne i émno majishkat pené o bémadzet.

Iw se égi kedwat gi getsimnajek mno wi pi mine gwi mno zhewébes ézhyayen asho igwan naké shpemsegok gishpen éneshnabémyen.

Pené égi wipémwét ngoji o, ik she yé i ga wje agmesét.

Gizes

Gizos

Gizsom

Gizsoyesh

Gmowen

Gmonoswen

Gméyamget

Wénbisamgegt

Gméyam

Gméya

Gi gmowen bédbekok shote mjésh gi bgeshnomget i mbish gaga she gi moshknowen.

Kyétnam shna gi gméyamget geshép ngom.

Nyézanzik gode gigabések ga wje bambetowat shote mine ibe kche odan dbekok, mjesh i mbish gi mnoshknémget ni myéwnen.

Nwésh mowe o sekmekwé, i yé i ga wje bgednot o mamogosnan i mbish, mine i wawyastowen, mine i kche nodnen, wa je zibyéné’at o gokmeskignan, naké o sekmekwé.

I yé i wa zhe wébek gishpen émowet o sekmekwé.

Iw se ga kedwat gi kekyajek nangodgen égi penojéwiyan.

Iw énajmoyan, mbé!

Nwi zagnena’a o nemosh bwamshe zhishignegét.

Ggi zagnena’a ne o nemo.

Pené she ézagden’at o nemo.

Zagdenéa nemo yawe o kwésmo.

Zheké kenomagé o nde kwéyom pkonyak.

Wéwéne ga wje zhechkét o kwé égi kenomagét ode zheshmowen.

On independent tenses and demonstratives

A SIMPLE RESOURCE FORMAT TO USE FOR PRACTICE.

Tense forms and/or markers

Nde present

Nge immediate future

Ngi past

Nwi future

Nda future intent

Some verbs:

Maji leave/go/h/s is leaving-going-goes

Mnekwe to drink/h/s is drinking-drinks

Wisne to eat/h/s is eating-eats

Bembeto/bmeto to run/h/e is running-runs

Giwse to hunt/h/s is hunting-hunts

Mikjewi to work/h/e is working-works

Nimedi to dance/h/s is dancing-dances

Negmo/wgemo to sing/h/s is singing-sings

Mbwachewe to visit/h/s is visiting-visits

Dawe to buy-sell/h/s is selling-buying

Wabma to see/h/s sees s.o.

Zhya-zhye to go/h/s is going-coming

Tadi to gamble/h/s is gambling-gambles

Wenkwenge to drive/h/s drives-is driving

Zgabyenge to drive/h/s is driving-drives

Emphatic pronouns:

Nin I, me, my, mine

Gin you, your, yours

Win he/she, her/him

Ninan we – you

Ginan we + you

Ginwa all of you

Winwa they

Demonstratives:

Inanimate: (singular)

Ode this

I that

E I that over there

Inanimate: (plural)

Node these

Ni those

E ni those over there

Animate: (singular)

Ode this

O that

Ago that over there

Animate: (plural)

Gode these

Gi those

E gi those over there

Some units of time factors:

Pkonyak tonight/night

Ngom today/now

Wabek tomorrow

Wnago yesterday

Odo pi at this time

Ode she pi right now

Interrogatives:

Ni pi je where

Ni je pi when

Ni je wej how

Ni je o who

Wegni je what

Ni je wej which

Ne refers to query asked

A format for constructing some simple phrases:

Nde_________________________pkonyak.

Nge________________________ngom.

Ngi________________________wabek.

Nwi_______________________wnago.

Nda_______________________odo pi.

Nde_______________________ode she pi.

Cho ngi_____________________si.

Cho wi ka nwi______________________si.

Ni je pi wa____________________yen (yek) ?

Ni pi je ga_____________________yen (yek) ?

Ni je pi gwi____________________yen (yek) ?

N__________________men

G__________________men

___________________wat

___________________k

Gge_________________men

Gnebech_____gi___________________

Neko ngi_______________________________

Gwi___________________ne wabek ?

Gwi___________________ne pkonyak ?

Gwi___________________ne ngom ?

Gwi_____________________ngom edawat gi neshnabek.

Some phrases Potawatomi phrases:

Nwi nokana o ngwes enizhokmoshet wabek ewzhegeyan i nwigwamen.

I will ask my son to help me build/fix my house.

Nwi pa zhyamen i kche odan ewi gishpnedoyak anet mingaswenen.

We are going to the city to do some shopping for gifts.

Nge wjanda anet ni wawnon mine gi penyek wa je mijyak pkonyak.

I am cooking some eggs and potatoes that we can eat tonight.

Nda she bmose odanek ewi mawjeshnoyak ibe.

I should walk to town where we will meet.

Nge gbashma o negeshesnen wa je wisniywgo wabek emawjeshnowat gi neshnabek.

I am cooking some sausages to eat tomorrow at our Indian gathering.

Nde she pabmades ibe kche odan ewi mbwacheweyan gi ndenwemagnek.

I am going to travel to the city to visit those relatives of mine.

Neaseno