Understanding the various ways of speaking and writing the Potawatomi Language.
When one learns a new language like Potawatomi, as so many of you are learning today, it is important for you to become exposed to the many variants of writing and spelling this language.
This booklet will give you many new ways to introduce yourself and to introduce others, as well as giving you some helpful pointers to better carry on a conversation in Potawatomi. It gives you a look at the way other speakers approach the gentle art of conversation, from the Potawatomi persuasion.
Have fun experimenting with your language and learning new ways to express yourself as you speak to others in the coming days of your language learning experience.
Compiled and edited by Donald A. Perrot aka Neaseno
Table of Contents
Ekenomageyak Jibamnek – Teaching Spirits. 1
Bkan dwe ode kedwenen wa je kedot weye eyajmot 3
Upon Meeting Someone/Somebody. 4
Émnokmek. 9
Bodéwadmi Deshemwen. 10
Some simple commands: 11
Some questions: 12
Clans. 16
Where do you live?. 19
Introducing Someone: 22
Vocabulary: 29
Variants on Orthography. 36
Classroom Commands. 47
Megwa ode kedwenen. 53
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Arguments over grammar and style are often as fierce as those over Windows versus Mac, and as fruitless as Coke versus Pepsi and boxers versus briefs. -Jack Lynch, English professor, author (b. 1967)
Ni je na ode wewene gishek
Hau mno wi she anwe ebmadziyan, migwej enajdoyen
Gin je, mno she bmades ne ngom
Hau kyet nam she mno gishget ngom
Wewene enozhegenenan se eyawyak
Manek ne gode neshnabek ga wje byewat shote
Anake gode bemadsejek ebyembetowat ebsendagewat
Wegwendek ekedwat shote ngom
Gkendan ne wa je kedwat gode gdogmamnajek
Énkwéshmo’ayen Weye
Bo zho hello/a greeting
Some queries after the initial greeting:
Ni je na how are you?
Neshnabé ne gdaw are you Indian?
Bodéwadmi ne gdaw are you Potawatomi?
Ni je ésh ne kas yen what is your name?
Ni pi je wéj bya yen where are you from?
Ni je énwéyen what’s your tribe?
A possible answer you might get:
_______________ shkwon genek ndoj bya
I come from the ________________________ reservation.
Some more queries:
Ni je épichiyak ne i gshkwongenek
How far is it to your reservation?
Manék gi neshnabék ne ibe gdoj bya yen
Are there a lot of Indians where you’re from?
Gde wichewé ne are you married?
Gdo nijanes ne do you have children?
Éhé ndo nijanes yes, I have children.
Jo wi nde nijansesi no, I don’t have children.
Gdo nosemesek ne do you have grandchildren?
Ehe ndo nosemesek yes, I have grandchildren.
Jo wi nde nosemesesi no, I don’t have gchildren.
Jo mshe nde nosemesi no, not yet!
Ni je étsowat gi gnijansek
How many are there, your kids?
Some more answers:
Nizh yawik. Ngot kwézés mine ngot gigabés.
There are two. One little girl and one little boy.
Nswéo yawik, ngot gigyagos mine nizh gigabések
There are three. One little girl and two little boys.
Some possible responses to initial queries:
Hau, bozho
___________________________ ndezh ne kas
Bodéwadmi ndaw
Ode shkongenek ndoj bya
I come from this reservation.
Jigwé ndotém I am thunder clan.
Ni je o gdotém What is your clan?
Neshnabémo ne
Hau, gda neshnabémen
Some more possible queries:
Gi bya ne éméndokasyen
Did you come for ceremonies?
Gwi nimedi ne wa je zéksowat
Are you going to dance when they have their doings?
Gwi nimedi ne wa je jingtemwat
Are you going to dance when they pow-wow?
Gnegmo ne?
Do you sing?
Gwi ggemo ne
Are you going to sing?
Manék gode neshnabék énimediwat shote
There are many these Indians that dance here.
Ode ngot mawjeshnowen mésham ngoji pi shote
This is one of the biggest gatherings hereabouts.
Énchiwénmoyak i
We’re proud of that!
Ode se nde kwéyom
This is my wife
Gode se nde penojéyek
These are my children
Ibe édayan
I live over there
Ézhi ne
Over there?
Ndo dabyan ndeto ne
Do you have a car?
Éhé dabyan ndeto
Yes, I have a car.
Cho dabyan ndetosi
No, I don’t have a car.
Mbusen nde shona gishpen éshyayan ngoji pi
I go by bus if I go someplace.
Cho she dabyan ndetosi éwzgabyénma
I really don’t have a car to drive.
Medagwéndan éyajmoyak nomek ngom
I’m glad we could talk today for a while.
Ébgosénmeyan émedagwéndemyen gawje kigdoyak
I hope you liked our talk.
Iw se she na ngom
That’s all for today!
Ode se ndenim
This is my husband.
Ni pi je ga ye yen wnago
Where were you yesterday?
Ni pi je enokiyen
Where do you work?
Ni je etse edbegazyen ibe enokiyen
How much are you paid there where you work?
Ngi nkweshmo’a o wenze kwe ngodek egi weshkgeyan
I met a pretty lady once when I was a young man.
I ye o ga wje widgeyan
That is whom I married.
Nyanok gi penojek etoyak, wenzik
We have five children, they are good.
Wenet i widge’ewen
Marriage is good
Memejek enkweshmoyen o wewene wijewagan
Especially when you meet the right partner.
Émnokmek It is spring!
Gaga she nibnek Soon it will be summer.
Gwi gtegé ne Will you plant?
Gde gtegé ne Do you plant?
Gde gteganké ne Do you garden?
Nwi gtegadan ni zawjisésen
I’m gong to plant those carrots
Nwi gteganak gi shegagoshek
I’m going to plant those onions
Gwi gteganan anet ne shegagoshek
Are you going to plant some onions?
Ni je éshgowat gi shegagoshek
How are they growing those onions?
Téya méshan i ggtegan
Wow, your garden is big!
Gachnwadon i ngteganés
My garden is small
Ma she na mjésh méndamnek éshegoyan
But I grow a lot of corn!
Gin ne? Do you?
Ahau, bama shkejimeyek gwi kigdomen mine……
Ok, later on we shall speak some again…….
Potawatomi, the way we speak it
Bo zho hello, a greeting
Ho
Ahau
Hau
Nin (I) Gin (you) Win (he/she)
Bo zho (n)nikan hello my friend
Bo zho (n)nikanek hello my friends
Ni je na how are you
Ni je na gin how are you
Ni je na (n)nikan how are you my friend
Ni je na (n)nikanek how are you my friends
Mno bmades I’m well
I she anwe I’m fine
Jo she mno ye’si I’m not well
Mno wi she anwe Oh, I’m doing well
Oh, I’m fine
I je ye’ i e’mno bmadziyan So it is that I am doing well
Get makes ma she na anwe e’bmadziyan
Doing poorly, but still alive
Gin je and you?
Gin je na gmno bmades ne
And you, are you well?
Nibwen stand (sing.)
Nibwek stand (pl.)
Bsetage’n listen
Bsetweshen listen to me
Bsetweshek listen to us
Bsetwe’ a o listen to him/her
Bset we’ a shek all of you listen
Kye’knotoshen repeat after me
Kye’knotoshek repeat after us
Nemetsena I don’t know
Win nato ask him/her
Dokem quiet
Dokmeben sit quietly (sing.)
Dokmebek sit quietly (pl.)
Dadokmeben behave yourself
Dadokmebek behave yourselves
Jibdeben sit down (sing.)
Jibdebek sit down (pl.)
Kwiwe’bye’wimen We are going to begin
Kwi kwe’n washmomen We are going to take a break
Nomek kwi we’n wash momen
A little while, we are going to rest
Nomek a little while
Gaga soon
Bwamshe before
I ye’ i that’s it, that’s right
Wi ye’ i that’s it, that’s right
Ni je e’she ne kasyen
What is your name/what are you called?
Ni pi je we’ch byayen
Where are you from?
Ni je o gdote’m
What is your clan?
Ni je e’neshnabe’ ne kasyen
What is your Indian name?
Ni pi je e’dayen
Where do you live?
Ni pi je e’ndebe’ndagziyen
Where are you enrolled?
Literally: where do you belong?
Ni je pi ne gi byayen
When did you arrive/come?
Neshnabe’ ne gdaw
Are you Indian?
Ni je e’niyen
What tribe/what kind?
Bode’wadmi ne gdaw
Are you Potawatomi?
Ni je e’neshnabe’ ne kasot o
What is that person’s Indian name?
Ni je e’neshnabe’ ne kasye’k
What are your Indian names?
Ni je e’neshnabe’ ne kaswat
What are their Indian names?
Ni je e’shne ka sot
What is her/his name?
Ni je e’shne kaswat
What are their names?
Some responses:
Nin (I) Gin (you) Win (he/she)
______________ndesh ne kas
I am called/my name is
______________gdesh ne kas
you are called/your name is
______________shen ka na ye
he/she is called/his/her name is
______________shen kaso same
______________shne kaso same
______________nde shen kan gomen
We are called/our names are (excl.)
______________nde shen kan gomen
we are called/our names are (incl.)
______________gde shen kan gom
Ya all are called/ya all’s names are
______________shen ka na wik
They are called/their names are
Nin (I) Gin (you) Win (he/she)
Ni je na gin wa how are ya all?
Ni je na ge win wa how are they?
Ni je na o how is he/she?
Ni je na gde wenmagnek how are your relatives?
Ni je na ggetsimnanek how are your parents?
Ni je na ga zhikayen how did you make out?
Ni je e’zhechkeyen what are you doing?
Ni je e’zhechkeye’k what are ya all doing?
Response: I am good/well/fine.
Nin nde mno bmades I am g/w
Gin gde mno bmades you are g/w
Win mno bmadse s/h is g/w
Ninan mno bmatsemen we are g/w
Ginan gmno bmatsemen we are g/w
Ginwa gmno bmadsem ya all are g/w
Winwa mno bmatsik they are g/w
Mko/mkwa bear
Jigwe’k thunder
Gigo fish
Nanimwe’ coyote
Moewe’ wolf
Mshike’ turtle
Bkoj bsheke buffalo
Kno eagle
Me’gisi
Mge’shwash
Mbeshkno
Mshiwe’ elk
Wawashkeshi deer
Seksi
Wasi bullhead/catfish
Nabe man
mskwabiskeno red tailed hawk
Name’ sturgeon
Negdosha horse
Bezhgoshi
What is your clan?
Gin we ni je (o) gdote’m
What is your clan
Win we ni je (o) wdote’men
What is h/h clan
Ninan we ni je (o) ndote’mnan (excl.)
What is our clan
Ginan we ni je (o) gdote’mnan (incl.)
What is our clan
Ginwa we ni je (o) gdote’mwa (ya all)
What is ya alls’ clan
Winwa we ni je (o) wdotemwan
What is their clan
Some more on clan(s)
Nin _________ndote’m
My clan is
Gin _________gdote’m
Your clan is
Win _________wdote’men
H/h clan is
Ninan _________ndote’mnan
Our clan is (excl.)
Ginan _________gdote’mnan
Our clan is (incl.)
Ginwa _________gdote’mwa
Ya alls’ clan is
Winwa _________wdote’mwan
Their clan is
Berries for clans:
De’men strawberry
Mskomen raspberry
Minen blueberry
Mkede’men blackberry
Gin ni pi je e’je dayen
Where do you live
Win ni pi je e’je dat
Where does h/s live
Ninan ni pi je e’je ndaygo
Where do we live (excl.)
Ginan ni pi je e’je gdaygo
Where do we live (incl.)
Ginwa ni pi je e’je daye’k
Where do ya all live
Winwa ni pi je e’je wda wat
Where do they live
I live in:
Nin __________nde da/e’dayan
I live in
Gin __________gde da/e’dayen
You live in
Win __________wdawat/e’dawat
H/s lives in
Ninan __________nde damen
We live in (excl.)
Ginan __________gde damen
We live in (incl.)
Ginwa __________gde dam
Ya all live in
Winwa __________wdawat/e’dawat
They live in
Where are you from?
Gin ni pi je wech byayen
Where are you from
Win ni pi wech byat o
Where is h/s from
Ninan ni pi je wech byaygo
Where are we from (excl.)
Ginan ni pi je wech byaygo
Where are we from (incl.)
Ginwa ni pi je wech byaye’k
Where are ya all from
Winwa ni pi je wech byawat
Where are they from
I am from:
Nin ________ndochbya
I am from
Gin ________gdochbya
You are from
Win ________wje bye’wak
H/s is from
Ninan ________ndoch byamen
We are from (excl.)
Ginan ________gdoch byamen
We are from (incl.)
Ginwa ________gdoch byam
Ya all are from
Winwa ________wje bye’k
They are from
Njo, byan shote byénkwéshkew Bob.
Joe, come here and meet Bob.
Bozho, Bob, ni je na?
Hello Bob how are you?
Bozho, Iw she anwe, gin je
Hello, just fine, and you?
Iw she anwe gé nin.
I’m fine too.
Variations on basic greetings.
He.
Hey, calls to get attention.
Wa, gin negwne.
Well, so it’s you!
Ni je ézh bmadziyen?
How are you getting along?
Iw she na ayapen, gin je?
Just the same, and you?
Nmeno bmades.
I feel well.
Other answers.
Iw ayapen, or Iw she na ayapen.
Just the same.
Cho/kawin, nmeno yési.
I’m not doing too well.
Nmeno bmades.
I feel well, I’m getting along.
Hau, ngetmakes she anwe.
Oh, I’m poor but I’m living/alive.
Cho, shna apje kwéch.
I’m not real well.
Mji’ na anwe(k).
A little better, I guess.
Iw she anwe.
Just fine.
Will/want to.
Ngiwé I’m going home.
Ni je wi? Why?
Nwi giwsé I want to hunt/I will hunt.
Gge wijéwen I’ll go with you.
Gwi wijéwe ne Are you coming along?
Are you going along?
Ni pi je Where?
Odanek To town.
Ahau, nge wijéwe Okay, I’ll go along.
Okay, I’ll come along.
Vocabulary:
Bidgé (mbidgé) go in; enter.
Biskonyé (mbiskonyé) get dressed.
Giwé (ngiwé) I will go home.
Giwsé (ngiwsé) I will hunt.
Wijéwe (nwijéwe) I will go along.
I will come along.
The verb, Gge wijéwen, is a transitive form
and not based on, wijéwe, although it is related
to it.
Future tense prefixes:
Nmaji I am leaving/going.
Gmaji You are leaving/going.
(W)maji He/she is leaving/going.
*or ni maji.
A future tense prefix wi appears in front of the
main part or stem of the verb put after any personal prefix:
Personal prefix Tense prefix Stem
N wi maji nwi maji
G wi maji gwi maji
Wi maji wi maji
The wi future often indicates intention, expectation, or desire about the action or event. It can often be translated with want to as well as will.
The combination nwi often contracts to ni.
Another future prefix ge used primarily with n and
g can be used when the action or event is not strongly intended, expected, or desired.
Nge maji I’ll leave/go.
Gge maji You’ll leave/go.
Future time words:
You can use wi or ge verbs to future words such as:
Bkonyak in the evening.
Gishnawkwék afternoon.
Nawkwék at noon.
Shkejiméyek a little while later.
Wabek tomorrow.
Weswabek day after tomorrow.
Gishnawkwék nwi maji.
I’ll leave/go in the afternoon.
Wabek nge giwé.
I’ll go home tomorrow.
Bkonyak nwi giwsé.
I’ll hunt in the evening.
Word Order:
Although some words have fixed positions in Potawatomi sentences, many others may change positions.
Example: Nwi giwé wabek and
Wabek nwi giwé are equivalent.
In general, the 1st word becomes the most emphasized one.
Practice:
Gwi nim edi ne?
Éhé, nwi nim edi!
Asking after someone else:
Ni je na njim? How’s Jim?
Iw she anwe. He’s fine.
O, Igwien. *Oh, that’s good.
*The translation here fits the way this phrase is
used, but note you can also use the phrase after
someone thanks you.
Kche mikwech or O, Igwien.
Expansion of this conversation:
O, égi byayen Oh, you came.
Njezhek she ngi bya I just got here.
Ni je na Mani? How is Mary?
Iw she anwe Just fine.
Njim je? And Jim?
Iw she anwe géwin He’s fine too.
Other Answers:
You can ask ni je ézhe bmadzet as well as ni je na about someone.
Here are some other ways to answer when asked about
someone else.
Note: Many of them are the same as when you
answer for yourself.
Iw she anwe Just fine.
Iw she ne ayapen Just the same.
Cho mno yési He’s not well.
Cho she apje kwéch Not real good.
Mji na anwek A little better, I guess.
Yaknogé He’s sick.
Mno bmadze He’s feeling fine.
*It is commonly understood that when one refers to he, it could also be she, thus; it could be he/she.
To good responses, the questioner might say; O, Igwien and to other responses; O, géte se, Oh, so!
Ni je éshe ne kas yen?
Your name ndesh ne kas.
Wi yé I That’s it/that’s right.
Mine kedon say it again!
Gisha je gin you do it now. (sing.)
Gisha je ginwa you do it now. (pl.)
Wéni je gin how are you?
Nmeno yé I’m fine.
Cho nmeno yési I’m not so good.
Bama gge wabmen I’ll see you later.
Ni je éshene kazot o What’s his/her name?
Some name zhen kazo.
Byak or shote byak come here. (pl.)
Néyap zhyak go back. (pl.)
Iw that’s it or stop.
Bzegwik stand up.(pl.)
Jibdebwik they are all sitting.
Jibdebek sit down (pl.)
Bye’m skon wik turn around (pl.)
Gwash kswéok jump (pl.)
Bmosék walk along (pl.)
Bmebtok run along. (pl.)
Nimetik dance (pl.)
Kewézi old man
Mdemozé old lady
Zésksi teenage girl
Gigabé teenage boy
Gigyago girl
Gigabé boy
Nene man
Kwé woman
Penojé child
Penojés baby
Gigabé ne ode yawe?
Is this a boy?
Éhé gigabé o yawe.
Yes, that is a boy.
Gigyago ne ode yawe?
Is this a girl?
Éhé gigyago o yawe.
Yes, that is a girl.
Gigabé ne gdaw?
Are you a boy?
Kewézi ne gdaw?
Are you an old man?
Cho, kwé o yawe. (Kwé yaw) (Kwé ndaw)
Cho mdemozé o yawe. (Mdemopi yaw) (Mdemopi ndaw)
Wéni je ode? Who is this?
Name of someone o yawe.
Ni je éktoyen?
What are you saying?
Ni je nda kedyen i radio?
What would you call a radio?
How would you say radio?
Widmo o zésksi éwi biskon wet.
Tell that girl to put some clothes on.
Ahau, bzegwin, éwi mikjéwiyen.
Oh, get up so you can work.
Neshnabé ne gdaw?
Are you an Indian?
Bodéwadmi ne gdaw?
Are you Potawatomi?
Nakéndemwajek:
The wise ones.
The wisdom keepers.
The old ones.
Those who know.
Nakéndemwajek gwi kigdowik.
The wise ones are going to speak.
Zagech ne gwi zhya?
Are you going outside?
Énédwéndayan éwi deméyan/ndema.
I want to take a smoke.
Nétwéndan i?
Do you want that?
Nétwéndan ne ode?
Do you want this?
Nin ma ode gokbenaken.
This is my basket.
Nin ma ode dabyan.
This is my car.
Nin ma ode msenakseken.
This is my picture.
Nin ma ode msenakaken.
This is my poster.
Nin ma shows ownership.
Vocabulary:
A ah as in father
É eh as in bet
I ee as in peel
O oh as in bowl
E uh as in put
Noég meshomsenanek Seven Grandfathers’
Éwetodének; Bwakawen wisdom
Kechitwawénindowen; Wdentanmowen respect
Débwéwen truth
Édbeséndowen humility
Zagidowen; Debanawen love
Gwékwadzewen honesty
Shiwéndowen; Wédaséwen bravery
Medagwéndowen something liked
Medagwéndeman I like something
Mnopkot tastes good
Shkwéyak turn around
Néyap go again/do it again
Mégwa again/more
Naké and, but, or, etc.
Mine and
Ngot one
Nish two
Nswé three
Nyéw four
Nyannen five
Ngotwatso six
Noég seven
Shwatso eight
Zhak nine
Mdatso ten
Ponok winter
Ngot pon 1 year
Ngot kises 1 month
Ngot neméwgishek 1 week
Nish neméwgishek 2 weeks
Nso neméwgishek 3 weeks
Ngom today
Njezhek just now
Nomye awhile ago
Wabek tomorrow
Wnago yesterday
Wesnago day before yesterday
Zhéba early this morning
Dbekok last night
Weswabek day after tomorrow
Ngotgishget first day/Monday
Nishgishget second day/Tuesday
Nsogishget third day/Wednesday
Nyéwgishget fourth day/Thursday
Nyannogishget fifth day/Friday
Ngotwatsogishget sixth day/Saturday
Noéggishget seventh day/Sunday
Nemé’gishget prayer day
abtogishget half week day (Wednesday)
Odankégishget town day (Saturday)
Manigishget Mary’s day/confessional day (Sat.)
Gishek heavens/sky
Kijik above the horizon
Jik the horizon
Dbekises moon
Kises sun
Negos star
Negosek stars
Ankod cloud
Ankwedon clouds
Jigwé thunder
Jigwék thunders
Wawasmok lightening
Ni je éshena ka don ode?
How would you say this?
How would you call this?
Tédbesé nda shena kaden i.
I would call that a wheel.
Wégni je wa kedyen gishpen éwi maji yen?
What would you say if you are going to leave?
Hau, bama pi mine kewabmen.
Oh, until another time I shall see you. Until I see you again.
Iw kshe zhe anwe égi widmoyak wa je kéndemyan bgéji.
Now I have told you a little of what I know.
Bama pi mine gwi kigdomen ngoji,
Until another time when we shall speak again somewhere.
Folks: Following you shall find another way of writing the Potawatomi language. It is often referred to as the old Potawatomi style of writing. It is important you find and see other/all ways of writing this language.
The word for “no” is “TTHO” and also “TTHO WI.” Remember, the CH/J sound is written as TTH. So the pronunciation for “TTHO” is joe. Likewise, “TTHO WI”.
Another word used in the negative sense is “KE GO.” Basically it means “don’t.” it means “stop what you are doing immediately.”
Now we’ll use these words in response to some of the phrases that we just learned.
REMEMBER: A-ah as in father
E-eh as in letter
I-ee as in peel
O-oh as in bowl
PHRASE
Gbe ktem ne? Eh hengh.
Are you people hungry? Yes.
Gbe ktem ne? Ttho wi, ngi gish wi sne men.
Are you people hungry? No, we have eaten alredy.
Ki wi sen ne? Ttho, shna gi wi sne si.
Have you eaten already? No, I have not eaten yet.
Gwi wi sen ne? Ttho, ngi gish wi sen.
Do you want to eat? No, I have eaten already.
Wi se nen! Ah how, ma no nge wi sen.
Eat! O.K., I’ll eat anyway.
Script of a possible conversation.
A simple conversation:
Hello 1st Person: Hau, Bo sho
How are you feeling Ni je na gin, mno bmades ne
Hello, I am fine 2nd Person: Hau, I she an we, gin she
I am fine to 1st Person: I she an we ge nin
Where are you from 1st Person: Ni pi je wech byayen
I am from Kansas 2nd Person: Kansas ndoch bya
When did you come? 1st Person: Ni jo pi ne gi bya yen
I got here day before yesterday 2nd Person: Wesnago e’gi she bya yan
What is your name 1st Person: Ni je e’shna kas yen
Luke warm water I am called 2nd Person: Yab wam mbish e’she ne kas yan
Or Yab wam mbish desh ne kas
What is your clan 1st Person: Ni je gdo tem e’dben dag zi yen
or Gde ton ne o gdo tem
My clan is Thunder clan 2nd Person: Chi kwe Ndo tem de ben da gwes
I don’t have a clan 1st Person: Cho she ndo tem de ben dag si
Will you walk with me & 1st Person: Ahau, wi jew shen e’ bmose yak
Maybe we can visit your relation shode no mek gishpen gwi wabdi yak o
or some other Indian den we mag nek, mine bkan ek neshnebek
Yes, I will walk with you or go Ahau, da wi jew wen
with you that’s all
We will expand on the sentence a little further.
Bo sho ni tthe na? Ni pi tthe wetth bya yen?
Traditional Writing
Bo sho nee che na? Nee pee che wetch bya yen? Pronunciation
Hello, how is everything? Where are you from? Translation
The response you may get might go like this:
I she an we. Hannahville ntotth bya.
Traditional Writing
Ee zhe ahn we. Hannahville ndotch bya. Pronunciation
Everything is o.k. I come from Hannahville. Translation
The same sentences appear below without any explanation, so pay
Particular attention to vowels and method or writing.
Bo sho ni tthe na? Ni pi tthe wetth bya yen?
I she an we. Hannahville ntotth bya.
Literal translations of Indian sentences into English is usually not possible so you have to structure the English language around the Indian sentence to come up with a viable translation.
Now we will proceed and start using sentences that would be part of any dialogue that you might encounter on any given day. You have already been introduced to some general phrases of greeting.
Gin je. And you. Iw zhe anwe ge nin. I’m fine, too.
This lesson will cover phrases dealing with the word sit or sitting.
Remember the one vowel – one sound concept.
Sit or sit down. Tthi be de ben
(addressing one person)
Sit or sit down. Tthi be de bek
(addressing more than one person)
Do you want to sit down? Kwi tthi be dep ne?
Do you all want to sit down? Kwi tthi be de bem ne?
He/she is sitting down. Tthi be de be
They are sitting down. Tthi be de be wik
Let us sit down. Ke tthi be de be men
Were you sitting down? Ki tthi be dep ne?
Were you all sitting down? Ki tthi be de bem ne?
You will notice that all the question end with the syllable “NE”. This syllable is on the very end of a lot of sentences, as you will see as we go along.
The next set of phrases has to do with something very important to most Indian People. It has to do with eat and eating.
Telling one person to eat. Wi se nen
Telling more than one person to eat. Wi se nek
Food, groceries, etc. Wi se ne wen
Have you eaten? Ki wi sen ne?
Have you people eaten? Ki wi snem ne?
Do you want to eat? Kwi wi sen ne?
Do you people want to eat? Kwi wi snem ne?
I have eaten already. Ngi kish wi sen
We have eaten already. Ngi kish wi sne men
He/She is done eating. Gi kish wi sne
They are done eating. Gi kish wi sne wek
Have you eaten yet? Or Gi kish wi sen ne?
Have you finished eating?
Have you people eaten yet or Gi kish wi snem ne?
Are you people finished eating?
I will eat. Nge wi sen.
We will eat. Nge wi sne men.
Now we will review some of the sentences we have just learned dealing with sitting and eating. Compare the use of the singular and plural syllables. In these two instances they are the same.
Do you want to sit down? Kwi tthi be dep ne?
Do you all want to sit down? Kwi tthi be de bem ne?
Do you want to eat? Kwi wi sen ne?
Do you all want to eat? Kwi wi snem ne?
Notice that at the beginning of sentences N signifies “I” and K signifies “You.”
(The K is also written as G, depending on the sentence and the writer.)
Do you want to eat? Kwi wi sen ne?
I have eaten already. Ngi kish wi sen
TRUE/FALSE
I means Nin ____
You means Gin ____
Him/her means win ____
Also notice in the first syllable the way in which future and past
tense is indicated.
Do you want to eat? Kwi wi sen ne?
I will eat. Nge wi sen
I have eaten already. Ngi kish wi sen
Next we will go into phrases dealing with being hungry and not being hungry.
I am hungry. Ne be kte
We are hungry. Ne be kte men
Are you hungry? Ge be kte ne?
Are you people hungry? Ge be ktem ne?
He/she is full. De pse ni
I am full. Nde pe se ni
We are full. Nde pe se ni men
Are you full? Gde pse ni ne?
Are you people full? Gde pse nim ne?
Now we will go into phrases using where and where at.
“WHERE?” is NI PI TTHE
Where are you going? Ni pi tthe e sha ya yen?
Where are you people going? Ni pi tthe e sha ya yak?
Where do you come from? Ni pi tthe wetth bya yen?
Where do you people come from? Ni pi tthe wetth bya yak?
WETTH is pronounced wetch.
Where are he/she going? Ni pi tthe e she yat?
Where are they going? Ni pi tthe e sha ya wat?
Where is it at? Ni pi tthe e tthe tek?
Where did you put it? Ni pi tthe ga tthe to yen?
Where did you guys put it? Ni pi tthe ga tthe to yek?
When asking about a specific object, I pronounced ee, is used after NI PI TTHE:
Where is the knife? Ni pi tthe I ko man?
The syllable ndo is used in a possessive manner indicating ownership as follows:
Where is my knife? Ni pi tthe I ndo kman?
Where is my stocking? Ni pi tthe I ndo ke me das?
Where is my pet? (usually a cat) Ni pi tthe o ndo kyan?
Where is my car? Ni pi tthe o ndo da be yan?
Where is my glove? Ni pi tthe o ne metth ka wen?
That’s all – ia tso
You’re a good cook-Kte wi kes ew ttan ta yen / kte mno se qe
Are you going to cook – Qe ttan ta na? Qi wttan ta ne
Qe kis ken ne? qi ki ken ne
Sit here and eat – sho te ttib ta ben e wi wis ne yen
Come and eat soon – na kett ka bye e wi wis ne yen
na kech kby a we we snee yen
make some fried bread – sas ko qa tuk pa qash kin wshe ton
fry some potatoes – ktah sos ko qa swak pin yak
and make some gravy — ka wshe ton me na pqash kin na
bo kta shi tone
We’ll eat pretty soon – ka ka qi wis na men
We’re hungry – mbak te men
Starving to death – mbi ke na ta men
I ate too much – tow som we sen nki wsam ktte wi sen
I’m full – ntow sam shke ne
I’ve had enough – nki teb sa iw tso
deb sin ye na? – did you get enough to eat?
They’re sour – siw shin wik
Eat breakfast – wis nen
When are we going to eat?—ni tte o wbi wa wis niy ki
What’s for supper? –wek ne tte wa mitt ye ko
He’s really eating – ktte wis ne o
Do you want some too? – kin ne ke
Eat it – mi tten
Drink it – mne qen
Dump it out – si qeb nen
They’re going out hunting – wi kiw sek
Just a little – bke tti
Fry that chicken or make some soup – kta sas qes o bka a qa a ne ke mbob
Listen Bse don (den)
Sit down Tthi be e ben
Quiet Dok me ben
Stand up Nib wen A – ah
Get up Bze gwin É – eh
Say it Ke don I – ee
My turn Nin nétem O – oh
Your turn Gin nétem E — uh
Their turn Win nétem
That’s right, that’s it Wi ye I
Behave Da dok me ben
Don’t Ke ko
That’s enough Iw-dso
Stop it! Bo nik en
Stop it! Kash ton
Say it again Ki don mine
Come in Bidgen
Wait Bama
OK Ahaw
No ‘Ttho
No (with emphasis) ‘Ttho-wi
Wait till later Bama na gech
OK, leave Ahaw – ma jin
Come here Sho te byan
Read Wa wich ké
Write it Nab ye ken
Thank you Mikwech
I am grateful I kwe yen
How was it?/How did it go? Ni tthe na tthe?
How did you do? Ni tthe ga shi kas ye ‘n?
Hello, how are you? Ahau, ni tthe na?
What are you going to do today? Ni tthe wa shetth ke yen nkom?
Are you busy? Ktot mes ne?
I have to go to work. Nwi we mik tthe wi.
I have a lot to do. Ma ne wa shetth ke yan.
I’ll be late. Nwi wi ka yow.
It’s good to see you. Iw se na qi yen e wab ma ko yen.
O we net e wab me nen.
I’ll see you again. Ba ma mi ne ke wab men.
Do you need a ride? Wi ye ne qi ne bos?
Wake up, it’s time to get up. To kin, iw shye e wi bse qi yen.
Hurry/wash up and get dressed. Ksi qan, bis kon yen.
The bus is coming. Bye wak o wtab yan.
It’s 7:30, I hope you’re not late. No ak mi ne ab te ya wen.
Kta ne bnon ka yow.
I’m going to be late, have a nice day.
I’ll see you later Nwi wi ka yow, ba ma ke wab men.
Give me a kiss. Nko we wtthem shen.
I’m home, I’m tired, I’m hungry. Nki bya, nte ye qes mi, ne mbak te.
Go out and play. Ba tthik ka son.
Get ready for bed. Wshen win e wi mba yen.
I’ll see you in the morning. Kesh yeb ke wab men.
The kids are running around. Bam be tok be no tthe yek.
The birds are flying around. Ba mosh kok bne shi yek.
Who is he? We ni tthe o?
Who are you? We ni tthe kin?
Which is yours? Ni tthe kin I?
This is mine. Nin o te.
Can I go too? Nin ne ke nta shya?
She is staying home. Kshat ke.
It’s spinning. Byem sko bo te.
That’s lost. Ne ke te.
It’s raining. Kmow win.
Light rain, drizzle, sprinkling. Kmo wes wen.
It’s raining hard. Ktthe kmo wen.
Flooding. Moshk en.
He/she is crazy. Ya gwad ze.
I’m lonesome. Nki wa tes.
I’m crazy. Nyak wa tes.
He’s lonesome. Ki wat se.
Your crazy. Ktok wa tes.
It rained a lot today. Ki ktthe kmo wen nkom.
It was very cloudy today. Kim nqan kot nkom.
Now it is starting to get cold. I shye e ksin yak.
It was very windy today. Wish kan mit nkom.
It is foggy today. Wen si wen nkom.
It is cold. Ksen ya.
It is snowing. Bo nim ket.
We are going to town. O tan nak wi shyek.
Tomorrow I am going to town. O ta nak nwi shya wa bek.
Today I am going. Nwi ma tthi nkom.
I will come there tomorrow. Wa bak nwi bya shi.
We will come here. Sho te ni bya min.
Can you talk? Ka ta no kik to ne?
Can you see? Kmen wab ne?
I will not be there. Ttho she mwi ye si.
Sit here and eat. Shote tthibteben e wi wis ne yen.
Come and eat soon. Na ketth ka bye wi sen.
Watch the baby. Ko wa bam o be no tthe.
I’m going outside. Sa ketth nwi shya.
Where are you going? Ni pi tthe esh ya yen?
Come here. Sho te byan.
I’m lazy. Nya bye tes.
He’s lazy. Ya byet se/nshow nat se.
Hurry and go to sleep. Wi ne mban.
I fell. Nke bak shen.
Did you fall? Ke bak shen ne?
You dance. Nim e tin.
Someone is coming. Wi ye bye wak.
One who knows all. Neb wa kat.
Look at it. Wab ten.
Because of you. Kin ma bshe.
Are you going to have enough? Oi teb sa ne?
Nish ma sha na?
Ta om yen?
Are you telling the truth? Kteb we ne?
Oh yes. Ke te.
On the window. Wa setth ke nak.
She’s baby sitting. Ksa taw so/ksha taw so.
He’s lying. Ken wes ke.
He/she is running away. We bi e we.
They’re having fun. Mta qay wik.
May apple (for medicine.) Bok te e men.
Some other time. Ba ma she na ngot dek.
Leaders. Na ka ni tthak.
It’s broke. Bok shke.
I broke it. Nki bok be ton.
They’re haying Mosh ko ke tthak.
Baby swing We web so wen.
They’re all laughing Ya yen wik.
He/she laughed. Ki ya ye no.
That child is crying. Mo wak o be no tthe.
They are smiling. Sho mi kwek.
This person is at it again. Iw she mi ne o te.
Sit there in that chair. Tthib tab we nok shi ta ben.
You can lie down on that be. Shi kta shkish en nbok nak.
I’m walking. Nbam se.
I’m going outside to take a walk. Ni bam se sa ketth.
I’m going outside. Sa ketth nwi shya.
You can go. Kta ma tthi.
That belongs to me. Nin nte ben tan i.
Nin ma I (personal)
They’re looking at you. kwab ma ko.
I can’t Ttho mam ta.
Come over to eat at my house/home tomorrow noon. Wa bak ka bye wi sen naw qek.
I’m going to town in a little while to get some eggs. No mak nwi net o ta nuk wa wen.
Over there is where they will eat tonight.
Ibe ewi wi sne wek bkon yak.
There is no beer, what are you going to drink?
Ttho ke go bish te wab bo, wek ni tthe wan i kwa ni yen
You’re going to fall. kwi ni sa.
You might fall. Kta ne ni sa.
Are you going? kwi shya ne.
Pretty good. Wéwéne shna.
Are you sick? Ktak no ka ne?
About the same. A ya pen.
Where did you come from? Ni pi tthe ka wte bya yen?
What time is it? Ni tthe tso ya wak? Ni tthe et tso ya wek?
What day is it? Wek ni tthe nkom ya wek?
Gégo nanmeshiken Don’t blame me
Cho she ngi zhechkéyansi i I didn’t do that
Bnewi o kwé kchemokman égi wiché’wa
A long time ago a woman married a white man
Mbishkik Place where there is a lot of water (Marshfield)
Mami Soon (n)
Gaga Soon (s)
Kénep shote byan Come here quickly
Binakchegé To Clean
Niskbejgé To make a mess
Ggi binakton édayan I cleaned my house (I cleaned where I live)
Kénep gda byan shote éwi binchegéyen édayan
You should come over here quickly and clean up where I live
Msenaksegnen Moving pictures – her word for Cartoons
Wabnotakchegen TV (noisy thing you look at)
Genadolok Bread (ONEIDA)
Wibdén Mouth full of teeth
Nibdén My teeth (my mouth full of teeth)
Nibet One tooth
Ndon My mouth
Zegnenwagen Tongue
Ndep My head
Nin je o It’s mine
Gdep Your head
Gin je o It’s yours
Ni je na i gdep ngom? How is your head today?
Mémagzedé Big Foot (name for old neighbor of hers)
Wéchgshatek Where the hot weather comes from
Wéchksenyak Where the cold weather comes from
Ksenyaniyek Northern Potawatomi (people who live in the cold)
Wapshkankwet White Cloud (her mother’s name)
Mskwankwet Red Cloud
Bébamsekwe Traveling woman
Kchegno Big Eagle
Énkwankot It is cloudy
Tkanmet The wind is making it feel chilly
Ksenya Cold
Tkiyamget It’s cool (something)
Tkiyamget i shapkezken The stove is cool
Wezowen Heater, wood heater
Wjandéwen Cooking Stove
Shkapke’en Lock
Meskedé It’s expensive
Mshkomnokmek Early spring, first day of spring
Cho wi kewabma nijansen She doesn’t watch her kids
Cho wi kiékma nijansen She doesn’t teach her kids right
Zhonya égi msenemak She borrowed money from me
Ngi we’a zhonya I loaned her money
Ngi nsenema anet zhonya I loaned her some money
Mteno pené kyébadzik They are only always naughty
Zibyéngen Washtub
Gwi zibyéngé I will do the laundry
Zhoshkwékegen Iron
Nwi zhoshkwé’an I am going to iron
Jegodé Skirt
Mejgodé Long dress
Mejgodéyen Long dresses
Biskewagen Coat
Bbebgoyan Man’s shirt
Ni pi je i nbiskewagen Where is your shirt?
Ni pi je ni nmkeznen Where are your shoes?
Mejdasen Leggings like they used to wear
Zibyéngen i gbiskewagen Wash your shirt/clothes
Mégwa she nde bmades I’m still living
Gibatashen o dabyan That car got stuck
Éshcegéwat What they are doing
Nbadwéwéges You are making too much noise
Gi bbonimget shote It snowed here
Ksenyamget It’s cold
Neshnabé ne gi? Are they Indians?
Gégo gwi gishton Don’t or I’ll spank you
Cho she apje wenseson I don’t have much hair
Éjedweshen (person) Upside down (person)
Jedweshen (object) Upside down (object)
Jedweshen ode dopwen Table is upside down
Jedweshen ode jibtebwen Chair is upside down
Jedweshen o gigyago Girl is upside down
Kiwades Lonely
Gego Kiwadzeken Don’t be lonely
Nde penmo I depend on him
Nde penmontak He depends on me
Nde pendmondon I depend on you
Nde penmondowak I depend on him
Tkeykaboyak mbish Cool Water
Gshatebotek mbish Hot Water
Naden i tkeykaboyak mbish Bring me some cool water
Nde zostum? Cough
Ngi wnendan i I forgot it
Gego nendemoken Don’t forget
Gego nendemoken émbiwéyen Don’t forget to water (reference use the bathroom)
Niézanya It’s dangerous (sounds like lasagna)
Wéneshkan I get up
Bsegwin Rise Up
Waben It’s morning
Ngi gteine zheshen I got _____________
Shabnegen Needle
Moshwagen Scissors
Sebab Rope
Pe’égwadon Patch it up
Ni pe’egwadon i waboyan I will patch up that blanket
Wabaksikwe She Walks At Dawn
Éngemot She is singing
Pkwakik Mountain
Kwédakik Hill
Ngiwzheton I put it together/I made it
Ngiwzheton nmechgodé I put my dress together/I made my dress
Ngiwzheton i waboyan I put that blanket together/I made that blanket
Ngi mnoston I fixed it, I assembled it
Ngi mnoston wa je wjandayan I fixed it/assembled it what I will be cooking on
Mkwom Ice
Wewnezi Beautiful water (Name)
Éankenotwet An interpreter
Yankenotweshen You come explain it to me
Nagech Soon
Mami she byan Come back early
Nagech she byan Don’t be gone long
Nomye Not very long ago
Nomye wi byéwak Not long ago he came
Nomek In a little while
Nomek she gchikas In a little while you can play
Nomek she ge kewabem o Gasknezos
Watch Whisper for a little while
Nin washmo I’m going to rest
Byéwashmon Come and rest
Jibdeben éwashmoyan Sit down and rest
Bokto Pear
Mechgodé Dress
Bama Wait
Bwitshen Wait for me
Babwichkén Wait
Ni gishkshkwa ode I will cut this
Ni gishkshkwa ode mshimen I will cut this apple
Ik she she anwe Oh all right I guess
Yabyétze o nemosh That dog is lazy
Yagwatze Crazy
Segdebé Curly Top
Génozi Tall (man’s name)
Génozet The tall one/He/she is tall
Gish’kakwéwgemgok Lumber Camp (where they cut that wood)
Gi nizhokmago émikchéwiyan o gigabéyek
They helped me when I worked those boys
Gego k’kezoken Don’t hide
Ék’kezot ode gigyago This girl is hiding
Kyébadze ode gigyagos This little girl is mischievous
Zaskokwanpenyék Fried potatoes (French fries)
Penyek gi zaskokwanak Potatoes that were fried
Bkwéshgen zaskokwadé Frybread
Nodoyé Always getting mad
Nodoyé ode Gasknezos Little Whisper is always getting mad
Gégo, gwi wépodon! Don’t, or I’ll spank you!
Wi nisé She will fall
Gwi nisa You will fall
Gi nisé She fell
Gego maziken Don’t climb around
Gego kwedaziken Don’t climb (like stairs or trees)
Bneksegnek Hominy
Mdamennabo Corn soup
Ni nana o neaseno I’m going after Neaseno
Ni nana o kiwekemokwe I’m going after Ruthiye
Wegni nedwendemen What do you want?
Nsodebegenek 3:00
Mdatso shech nyannen 15
Ngotosek 1000
Zisbakwet Sugar
Washpek Something sweet
Démenen Strawberries
Mkedémnek Blackberries
Mkedéneni Black man
Mshimen Apple
Mshimenek Apples
Mshimenek gwi mwak You will eat apples
Bshewkwen Cows
Gokoshek pigs
Enemokwe a name
Kchegno another name
Ojmin oatmeal
Kwenago yesterday woman (a name)
Penabo Potato soup
Penyek potatoes
Penyek ne gwi mwak? You want to eat some potatoes?
Penabo ne gwi mijen? You want to eat some potato soup?
Penyek ne gwi giswa You gonna cook potatoes?
Mdamnabo corn soup
Ngi mdagway
Gizhgokwe a name
Wédajwen another name
Neaseno something windy (a name)
Gizhgeni a name
Mabis a name
Ni pi je éshyayen Where are you going
Ni je pi wa zhyayen When are you going
Ni jo pi yawik ga byayen? What time was it when you came?
Penojek kids
Ni pi je gi penojek ezhyawat? Where are those kids going?
Win ndo wabem o wawjanek Go look for a cook
Gishpen gwa zhyan boskwabnen….or I will roll you down the hill
Bodewadmi emawjedit Where the Potawatomi meet.
Yayeno laugh
Zhomigwé smile
Aishogishek/Edwegishek Both sides of the sky
Zhawne’en South wind (woman’s name)
Zhabwas See right through it (woman’s name)
Enobi a name
Egawni a name
Medagwendan ewi wisnewat They like to go out to eat
Nkiwades I’m lonely
Kchetetbesé The big wheel
Zhonya money
Wishkpeno She’s sweet
Gasknezos wishkpeno Little Whisper is sweet
Nagech she byan Don’t be gone long/come back soon (S)
Mami she byan Don’t be gone long/come back soon (N)
Nagech – Southern, Mami – Northern
Gmesé mbéwak Your big sister is sleeping
Gshimé Little sister
Skebyatemget Everything is green
Gégo nendemoken Don’t forget
Pené she nodagzewat They are always noisy
Mine i egwan And over there
Génoze o kwe That woman is tall
Wi nijansése She’s going to have a baby
Ginyano ni nibden My teeth are sharp
Ginyanen ni wibden Her teeth are sharp
Ginzik gi shkezhek My nails are sharp
Gi jigwéwen It was thundering
Gi gmowen It was raining
Minwéwze Good worker
Nwi mbwachwa o Gizhgokwé I’m going to visit Gizhgokwé
Gwi zibyendon géni? Did you wash too?
Ngi meschegé i mbagen I rearranged my bed
Gambot o neneyem My mother died
Ngyében Referring to mother that was
Gégo bawéwéken Stop making so much noise
Cho she gégo ngi meschegési I didn’t do any housework
Gemochké He stole it
Égmodet I zhonya He stole that money
Éapteniben it’s mid summer
Yankobdé Double Knot
Yankobjegén Great Grandchild (Double knot)
Nyankobjegén My great grandchild (my double knot)
Gashotmego Leftovers (what we didn’t eat)
Yayeno Laughing
Nyayeno I’m laughing
Kcheyayeno She’s laughing hard
Begdé Dry
Begdémget ode waboyan This blanket is dry
Begdémget zagech It’s dry outside
Wnago Yesterday
Neshnabé étadit Neshnabé gambles/where he gambles?
Weswnago Day before yesterday
Cho she gego ndenabnesi I’m good for nothing
Nweshmo bégishek I’m resting all day
Gego nendemoken Don’t forget
Gego nanmeshiken Don’t forget me
Ngi nendem i I forgot it
Pkebdon Pick that (she said this is used for things that are on a plant)
Pkebdon i wabgon Pick that squash
Ngi pkebnamen ni mkedéminen We picked those blackberries
Ngi minkémen We went blueberrying
Ngi pkebnamen gi mskomenek We picked those raspberries
Mamgenen To pick something up that someone has discarded
Mamgenen ni mkesnen Pick up those shoes
Ngi mamgenanen ni I picked those up (that someone had thrown away)
Ngi mamgengé To pick something up to reuse it (To recycle?)
Épkebdoyen you pick things that are growing
Dapnen Take that
Dapnen i wabgon Take that squash
Gi gtegé ne? did you garden?
Gzizgengé To scrub the floor
Zhizijeké To sweep the floor
Kadengen Braided rug
Kadenagen ne i winsesen? Are you braiding hair?
Kadengé To braid
Nwi kadenanen ni winsesen I will braid my hair
Gishkzhanen ninsesen Cut your hair
Zibyénan ni winsesen Wash your hair
Niézanya Dangerous
Niézanzik They are dangerous
Gwi nisa You’re going to fall
Webdon I Throw it in the garbage
Naké pegdon I or throw it somewhere
Gapi nwi zheton I’m going to make coffee
Gwi mnekwé ne Will you drink some?
Ni pi je ézhyayen? Where are you going?
Bagdwé To play baseball (to hit with a stick)
Ébagdwéwat They are playing baseball
Nwi bagdwémen We are going to play baseball
Ébsedegéwat They are playing squaw dice
Nodnokwe Wind woman
Seksiwiyas Deer meat
Seksi negesh Deer sausage
Bnéwiyas Turkey meat
Bémashkat To fly (like a bird)
Bamashké To fly in something (like a plane)
Gi bamashké ne? Did he fly?
Shkodé ode yawen This is fire
Wigézen ébwajagzayen Be careful you will be burned
Kyénbezen Hurry Up
Kyénep byan Come Quick
Nmedné My blanket
Nde pkwesmon My pillow
Nwi pe’egwadon ode waboyan I will patch up this blanket
Nwi pe’egwadon ode gbedi I will patch up this pair of pants
Gdebanen I love you
Mskoze o bneshi The bird is red
Mskwane i biskewagen The shirt is red
Mekdéwak Black
Wabshkyak White
Éskpegyak Green
Wabshkedebé White Headed Person (white hair)
Éshkwedmo Watermelon
Gokobé Cucumber
Gokobéyen Cucumbers
Wabgon Squash/Pumpkin
Wabgonésen Small squash, Acorn Squash
Gzhapkezgen Stove, like an old wood stove
Gigénowen Cooker
Wjandéwen Cook Stove
Gzhabozen i mbish Heat that water (implies putting it into a kettle/pot)
Gzhabodék Something liquid that is hot
Gzhabozen i gapi Heat that coffee
Gzibyé ni wnagnen Wash those dishes
Mégwa she anwe nde ném I’m still breathing
Nsheké éjibdebyan shote I’m sitting here alone
Ni gnona o Zhikwes I’m talking to Zhikwes
Ni yayajmo’a o Zhikwes I’m talking to Zhikwes
Ni gnona ode Zhikwes I’m talking to this Zhikwes
Ni je gaktoyen What did you say
Ni je éyayamwet Who are you talking to
Ngi nona I spoke to him/her
Ngi yayajmo’a o Whisper I spoke to Whisper
Gi kigdowek He/she talked to me
Gi yayajmo’ek He/she talked to me
Gi yayajmomen We talked
Yatsoké Tell stories
Éyatsokét He/she tells stories
Neaseno 