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
Neaseno 