General conversation

General conversation:

Pkwakwet gi ptegnandanawa.

They knocked a ball through the window.

Anwe zhe pene ngnuh’ mo wak beshoch ebwa pkwak wtowewat zhode wigwamek. I’m always warning them not to play ball close by the house.

Weye ne ki bde gwnuk?

Was someone scaring you?

Jo weye ngi bde gwnuksi. No one was scaring me.

Ki nado k’go ne zhna anwe.

Did they heal you?

Ngi bye mej web nego

They woke me up.

Ndo janmegok zgmek

The mosquitoes are bothering me.

I to someone:

Nge zhe nashko wak

­I will chase them.

Ki nodwen gbe zheba.

I heard you all morning. Ngi zagde nashkago‑

I was chased outside. Ngi zagde nashkowak I did chase them.

Ngi o dbabmak‑

I did go check on them. Gwabmen‑

I see you.

Cho ki wabmesnon. I didn’t see you.

Cho shi ki wabmesnon.

I didn’t see you over there. Bama wabek ke wabmen­Later tomorrow I will see you.

Bama wabek ke wabmenem­Later tomorrow I will see you all

Nwi widmewak‑

I am going to tell them. Ahaw, ke babwi e nem‑

Ok, I’ll wait for you people. Cho gneste tos non‑

I don’t understand you. Gda nishokmowun ne? Can I give you a hand?

Gda mzenemwen ne mdatso mukwi?

Can I borrow 10 from you? Or, can you loan me $10….

Ke minen zhonya.

I will give you money.

Ahaw ke gi zhi kwen zhe gishpen na pke na ge yan. Ok, I’ll pay you back if I should win.

Apte ke minen I ga zbe pke na ge yan.

I’ll give you half of what I won.

You to someone:

Gneste to ne?

Do you understand me? Gnes to twa ne?

Do you understand him/her? Gnes to twak ne?

Do you understand them?

He/she to someone:

Sam ngi bye dbabmek‑

Sam came to check on me.

Gwabmegwnan­He sees us.

Ge bum nash kagwnan‑

He’s chasing us.

Jo wi, ngi kche gne mak, e bwa nshiw boz yan.

No, he really warned me no to go fast.

Nmes ne mak­He/she owes me. Ngi janmego‑

He/she was really keeping me busy.

Ngi widmak‑

He/she told me. Gwabmegwnan­He sees us.

Ge bum nash kagwnan‑

He’s chasing us.

Jo wi, ngi kche gne mak, e bwa nshiw boz yan.

No, he really warned me no to go fast.

Nmes ne mak­He/she owes me. Ngi janmego‑

He/she was really keeping me busy. Ngi widmak‑

He/she told me.

Ndo janme ek o‑

Something/someone is really bothering me. Ngi bye dbabmago‑

Someone came to check on me. Marty ngi wik ‘kwmuh gwnan­Marty invited us.

Jo wi, ngi wezh uhk.

No he adopted me.

Gdo wjitemak‑

He is helping you.

Ki bme nash kak ne?

Did he chase you?

Mo ne’ goygo‑

He comes looking for us.

Wnesto twan‑

He/she understands him/her Gnes totagwnan ne?

Does he/she understand us?

We to someone:

Anwe ggi gdemgomen, jo she wgi byesiwat. We called them, but they didn’t come.

Egi gnokanamen ewi mikjewiwat shote We hired them to work here.

They to someone:

Gnesto tagwnanek ne?-

Do they understand us.

Anwe ngi demgo, jo ngi zhabwesi. They called me, but I didn’t make it.

Everyday kinds of things, one can figure out these phrases using the dictionaries on I posted on www.patreon.com/neaseno

Every day kinds of things…

Ngi ndapnezo

Ngi bwamkadnezo

Ggi géjnejiwdapnezo ne

Ngi kadedapnezo

Gzhibidze o gigabe

Ngi gzhibi egi zgebwagéwat gi skemék

Ngi wshkwe shka ezam mnekweyan dbekok

Gi wshkwe wadzo o kwe

Ngzhibi egi pamseyan zhi mekakibag

Wgi wiskeshe dbekok egi pijzhechket/mjiwzhechket

Giwshkwe’e o

Nde giwshkwe

Wgi dapzeot o epij bebambetot

Jibdako o egche mikjewit

Jibdakzede o nene

Njibdakade ngom

Njibdakpegwe ngom skwaj se she emikjewiyan wnago

Gsheno’en edakme’en zhi

Ni je i dakmedem we’ji i dbegen ngot se zhabwase mdatso

Some Spring time sayings:

Pegdon i bkwakwet

Dgeshkan i zetbkwakwet

Kyet nam she wgi shiwpegdot i wizhgetbkwakwet

Echiwkazwat i wizhgetbkwakwet gaga she yawen

I ye edawewat i mbishteyabo mine ni neshdesek mine ni negshisek

Gwi manewat ewabdemwat i babkan chikaswen

Hau gwi watowat zam jesh ge winwa ezhechkewat i

Nekmek she emawjeshnowat i bkwakwegemek

Mine gaga she egtegankewat weye bemadsejek

Gwi gteganke ne ode mnokmek

Wegni je wa je gtegankeyen

Gwi ton ne gche gtegankiwen odo pon

Hau i gachnwadon i ngtegankiwen

Ngzhibzede ma shna anwe odo pi emnokmek

Megwe pi enedwendayan epabmadziyan ngoji

Gechwa she apwege ma shna ndaw

Gizhapwadan megwe pi kiwnen pene etoyan

Gzhedewzedmepto o sesksi

Handy pic of Neshnabek time

Someone came up with this concept, which we thought rather handy…

Wesiyek Bodewadmimwen:
original list:
🐶 nemosh
🐱 mayos/kazho/bzhew
🐭 wabgwenoji/wabnenoshkwe
🐰 wabozo
🐮 bsheke
🐷 kokosh
🐸 mekchako
🐵 sago/demagmeshi
🐺 mo’ewe
🐦 pnéshi
🐔 bidi
🦝 éspen
🐗 ???boar???
🐴 nékdosha
🦌 seksi/yabe
🐜 engenos/wangenos
🦗 gwakwade
🦋 memegwe
🐍 genebek/mnedo/mnito(southern)
🦎 wékate
🐢 mshike
🐟 gigo
🦃 msezé/pné
🦇 bébishagnegwé/mishaknekwi(southern)
ones I’ve added:
🐻 mko
🦆 zhishib/shishibe
🦅 kno
🦉 kokoko
🐝 amo
🐛 wemkwoyane
🐌 byemskodsi/bemeskodesi
🦟 skeme
🕷 e’spike
🐏 moto
🐑 mantanish

More starter phrases

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

More interesting phrases one can use as starters for conversation

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.

More intermediate phrases

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?

Some further phrases

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

Upkeep or maintenance

It takes time to properly learn a new language and for many folks, Potawatomi is a new language. If you didn’t grow up hearing and speaking this language it can be most frustrating to learn and know all the do’s and don’t’s, though there really are not all that many of those.

Nevertheless, it does time to practice saying the difficult words and phrases. We do not teach this language one word at a time, but rather in phrases that are in keeping with any average day’s activities. The more one hears the language spoken and develop one’s hearing, the better off one is in learning. We don’t tend to teach the writing or reading of Potawatomi so much, as there really is no true way of writing it. There is a correct fluent way to pronounce it though and that is what we are going to concentrate on in the coming weeks and months.

Good luck to those of you taking our classes on Zoom. If you wish to sign up for classes, please contact wasjewen76@yahoo.com and learn how you can participate.

Nin se Neaseno.

Some needful phrases

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