This glossary is intended to assist students of the Ojibwe language in their translation and comprehension of the stories presented here. The glossary, like the texts before it, employs the double vowel orthography, developed by C. E. Fiero in the 1950s, with additional writing conventions and refinements added by John Nichols and Earl Otchingwanigan (Nyholm) in the 1970s. Although some discussion of the format follows here, it is not comprehensive; students of the language are recommended to refer to a good double vowel Ojibwe dictionary for a more complete list of Ojibwe vocabulary and further discussion of the writing system. I recommend John D. Nichols and Earl Otchingwanigan (Nyholm), eds., A Concise Dictionary of Minnesota Ojibwe (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1995).
This glossary is alphabetized according to the Ojibwe double vowel alphabet:
Thus, abi comes before aanakwad because the double vowel aa is considered a single vowel, voiced by a single sound. Bear this in mind as you search for entries. The glossary follows the Ojibwe alphabet, not English. Also, many Ojibwe words take numerous conjugated forms, some of which differ significantly from the head word forms which are sequenced here. Therefore, it is necessary to uninflect the conjugated forms and use the word stems to look them up. This is a glossary, not a grammar book, and thus there is not sufficient space to provide a detailed grammatical analysis here. Students are recommended to refer to the Oshkaabewis Native Journal, Vol. 4.1, 121–38; Vol. 4.2, 61–108; and Our Ojibwe Grammar by Jim Clark and Rick Greszcyk for pedagogical double vowel grammar material.
The gloss format employed here follows the system devised by Nichols and Otchingwanigan (Nyholm). Entries begin with an Ojibwe head word. With the exception of preverbs and prenouns that attach to verbs, all head words are complete Ojibwe words. The head word is followed by a class code and abbreviation of the word class, identifying the type of word. The code is followed by the gloss that approximates as closely as possible the English equivalent of the head word. A basic entry looks like this:
Plural noun forms and alternate spellings of certain words are also provided with many of the entries. For example:
Some of the verb entries also include a word stem immediately after the head word. This is done for the relatively small number of verbs for which the word stem is not a complete sentence or command. For example:
The only head words presented here which are not complete words are preverbs and prenouns. Some vta entries use the n for certain conjugations and the letter zh for other inflections of that same word. Letters that fall in this pattern are written just how they are used in the texts (n or zh), but the glossary notes that letter in the word stem as N. For example:
All Ojibwe nouns and verbs are differentiated by gender as animate or inanimate. A list of class codes and Ojibwe word classes follows here:
Code Word Class Definition
na animate noun - animate gendered noun
nad dependent animate noun - animate gendered noun that must be possessed
na-pt animate participle - animate gendered noun-like verb
ni inanimate noun - inanimate gendered noun
ni inanimate noun - inanimate gendered noun
nid dependent inanimate noun - inanimate gendered noun that must be possessed
ni-pt inanimate participle - inanimate gendered noun-like verb
nm number - number
pc particle - particle (can function as adverb, exclamation, or conjunction)
pn prenoun - prefix attached to nouns (functions as adjective)
pr pronoun - pronoun
pv preverb - prefix attached to verbs (functions as adverb)
vai animate intransitive verb - verb with no object and a subject of the animate gender
vai+o animate intransitive verb plus object - verb with a subject of the animate gender and object (animate or inanimate) which inflects like a traditional vai
vii inanimate intransitive verb - verb with no object and subject of the inanimate gender
vta transitive animate verb - verb with a subject and object of the animate gender
vti transitive inanimate verb - verb with a subject of the animate gender and object of the inanimate gender
The codes used here are consistent with those employed by Nichols and Otchingwanigan (Nyholm) in A Concise Dictionary of Minnesota Ojibwe. The codes for pv, vti, and vai are further divided into subclasses by Nichols and Otchingwanigan (Nyholm). There are some differences in conjugation patterns within class codes. The subclasses of these word types primarily denote further differentiations in inflection patterns, not class description. Those differences, while significant, are relatively minor. Thus, this glossary does not distinguish between them. Students of the language are encouraged to refer to the grammar references mentioned above for further analysis of inflection patterns.
Entries in this glossary have been carefully checked with the speakers who used these words. Mistakes in glossing and spelling words, however, are entirely mine. All original tape recordings, handwritten and typewritten texts, and notes are available in the Minnesota Historical Society’s archives for those who seek to compare and improve upon the work presented here.
A
a’aw pr that one (animate)
abakway ni shingle; pl abakwayan
abanaabi vai peek behind
abi vai stay home, stay put, sit
abinoojiikaazo vai act like a child
abinoojiinh na child; pl abinoojiinyag
abinoojiinyiwi vai be a child
abiitan vti live in it, inhabit something
abwaadan vti roast something
abwaazh /abwaaN-/ vta roast someone
abwe vai+o roast things
abwezo vai sweat, take a sweat bath
abwi ni paddle; pl abwiin
adaawaage vai sell
adaawe vai buy
adikameg na whitefish; pl adikamegwag
adima’ /adima’w-/ vta catch up to someone by boat
adite vii be ripe
agadendan vti feel bashful about something
agamiing pc on the shore, at the water, at the lake
agaasaa vii be small
agaasin vii be small (object)
agaasishkodeyaa vii be small fire
agaashiinyi vai be small
agidigamish pc on top of the lodge; also wagidigamish, ogidigamish
agiw pr those ones (animate)
ago /agw-/ vta haul someone in
agoo vai+o hang things
agoodoon vti hang something up
agoojin vai hang
agoozi vai be perched, sit overlooking something
agoozh /agooN-/ vta hang someone
agwajiing pc outside
agwanjitoon vti submerse something in liquid, soak something
agwazhe vai cover up, use blankets
akakojiish na woodchuck; pl akakojiishag
akamaw vta lie in wait for someone
akandoo vai wait in ambush, hunt game from a blind
akeyaa pc in a certain direction
aki ni earth; pl akiin
akik na kettle; pl akikoog
akina pc all
akiwenzii na old man; pl akiwenziiyag
ako- pv since
ako-bii’igad vii that is the extent of it, be so long
akoozi vai be a certain length
akwa’wewigamig ni fish house; pl akwa’wewigamigoon
akwaa vii be a certain length
akwaabi vai wait in watch
akwaandawe vai climb up
amanjidoowin na symbols, glyphs; pl amanjidoowinag
ambegish pc I wish; also apegish
ambeshke pc come on
amo /amw-/ vta eat someone
amoongi vai be consumed
anama’etaw vta pray for someone
anamewin ni prayer, religion; pl anamewinan
anami’ vta pray for someone
anaakan ni mat; pl anaakanan
anaamakamig pc under ground
anaamibag pc under the leaves
anaamibiig pc under water
ani- pv coming up into time, getting along towards; also ni-
animikiikaa vii be thundering
animise vai fly away
animiwizh /animiwiN-/ vta take someone away, carry someone away
animosh na dog; pl animoshag
animoons na puppy; pl animoonsag
anishaa pc in vain, for nothing
anishinaabe na Indian; pl anishinaabeg
anishinaabemo vai speak Indian
anishinaabewin ni Indian custom; pl anishinaabewinan
anishinaabewinikaade vii it is named in Indian
anishinaabewinikaazh /anishinaabewinikaaN-/ vta call someone in Indian
anishinaabewitwaa vai follow an Indian religion
aniibiishaaboo ni tea
aniibiishaabooke vai make tea
aniibiishaabookewinini na Asian; pl aniibiishaabookewininiwag; also aniibiishikewinini
anokii vai work
anokiitaw vta work for someone
anokiiwinagad vii be work
anooj pc a variety of
anoozh /anooN-/ vta order someone, commission someone
anwebi vai rest
apagazom vta use someone in prayer, e.g., tobacco
apagidoon vti throw something
apagin vta throw someone
apa’iwe vai run away from people to a certain place
apakwaan ni roof; pl apakwaanan
apakweshkwe na birch bark roofing rolls; pl apakweshkweyag
apane pc always
apenimo vai+o rely on people, rely on things
apikan ni horse tackle; pl apikanan
apikweshimo vai use a pillow
apishimo vai lay a bed, use a mattress
apishimonike vai make bedding, make mats
apii pc time, at a certain time
apiichiikaw vta control someone to a certain extent
apiitad vii be a certain time, in the midst of a certain season, or be a certain height; also apiitaa
apiitaw vta make someone a certain height
apiitaanimizi vai be of a certain status, be important, be a certain height
apiitendaagwad vii be of great importance
apiitenim vta hold someone in high regard, feel about someone to a certain extent, be proud of someone
apiitizi vai be a certain age
asabaabisens ni thread; pl asabaabisensan
asabike vai make nets
aseke vai tan hides
asemaa na tobacco; pl asemaag
asemaake vai make a tobacco offering
asham vta feed someone
ashi /as-/ vta put someone in a certain place
ashigan na largemouth bass; pl ashiganag
asin na rock; pl asiniig
asinii-bwaan na Asiniboin Indian; pl asinii-bwaanag
atamaazo vai+o store things
ataadiwag /ataadi-/ vai they gamble with one another
atemagad vii put there
atoon vti put something somewhere
awanjish pc persistently, stubbornly, even though
awas pc go away
awashime pc more so, much more
awedi pr that one over there
awesiinh na wild animal; pl awesiinyag
awiiya pc someone
ayagwanan vii rest in a level position
ayaa vai be somewhere
ayaabita pc half way
ayaabojii vai forward one’s understanding of something
ayaan vti have something
ayaangwaami’idizo vai take care one’s self
ayaaw vta have someone
ayekozi vai tired
ayi’ii pr thing, something; pl ayi’iin
ayi’iing pr some place
ayikido vai speak, lecture
ayindanakamigizi vai something happens with someone
ayindi vai it is a certain way with someone
ayipidoon vti pull something a certain way repeatedly
azhe- pv backwards, returning
azheboye vai row
azheboye-jiimaan ni row boat; pl azheboye-jiimaanan
azhegiiwe vai returns
azhigwa pc now
AA
aabadad vii be used
aabaji’ vta use someone
aabajitoon vti use something
aabawaa vii warm weather
aabaakawi’ vta revive someone
aabiding pc once
aabita- pn, pv half
aabizhiishin vai perk up, come to, come back to life
aada’ /aada’w-/ vta arrive before someone
aadamoobii na automobile; pl aadamoobiig
aadizookaan na main character of a traditional story, Wenabozho; pl aadizookaanag
aadizookaan ni, na traditional story; pl aadizookaanan; also aadizookaanag (for some dialects this word is animate, for others it is inanimate)
aagim na snowshoe; pl aagimag
aagonwetam vai disbelieve
aagonwetan vti disbelieve something
aagonwetaw vta disbelieve someone
aajigwaazh /aajigwaaN-/ vta hook someone, catch someone with a hook
aakoziwin ni sickness; pl aakoziwinan
aakoziinaagozi vai look sick
aakoziiwigamig ni hospital; pl aakoziiwigamigoon
Aanakwad name name of Lac Courte Oreilles elder Aanakwad
aanawi pc anyhow, despite, although, but
aanawitaw vta disbelieve someone
aangodinong pc sometimes
aanike- pv sequential, next in a sequence
aanind pc some
aanind dash pc the others
aanish pc well, well then
aanishinaa pc well then
aanizhiitam vai quit, finish, give up
aaniin pc how, why
aaniin danaa pc well why?, well how?, why not?
aaniindi pc where
aaniish pc well now
aanji-ayaa vai change one’s condition
aanjibii’an vti re-transcribe, rewrite
aanjigozi vai change residence, move; also aanji-gozi
aano- pv in vain, to no avail, without result
aapiji pc very
aapijitaa vai to be about
aasamigaabawi’ vta stand before someone
aasaakamig ni moss; pl aasaakamigoon
aatayaa pc exclamation (of male speech)
aate’ vta extinguish him
aatebadoon vti turn off the light
aawadii vai haul things
aawadoon vti haul something
aawan vii be a certain thing
aawazh /aawaN-/ vta haul someone
aawi vai be
aazhawa’am vai go across by boat
aazhawaadagaa vai swim across
aazhawyayi’ii pc opposing bank of a body of water
aazhikwe vai scream
aazhogan pc across
Aazhoomog place Lake Lena, Minnesota
B
bababakite’ /babakite’w-/ vta box someone, hit someone repeatedly
babagiwayaaneshkimod ni cloth bag; pl babagiwayaaneshkimodan; also babagiwayaanimashkimod
babaa- pv go about, here and there
babaamaadizi vai travel
babaamendan vti care about, pay attention to something
babaamenim vai care about, bother with someone
babaamibatoo vai run about
babaamibizo vai drive about
babaaminizha’ /babaaminizha’w-/ vta chase someone about
babaamise vai fly about
babaamose vai walk about
babaamoode vai crawl about
babimise vai fly around
babimose vai walk around
babizindaw vta listen to someone repeatedly
babiinzikawaagan ni coat, jacket; pl babiinzikawaaganan; also babiizikawaagan
badakide vii be planted, be placed in the ground
bagaboodegozi vai move to a new residence by water
bagadoodegozi vai move here together (as a family)
bagamibizo vai drive up, arrive by motor
bagamise vai arrive by flight
bagamishkaw vta encounter someone upon arrival
bagandizi vai lazy, incompetent
bagaan na nut; pl bagaanag
bagaanibimide ni peanut butter
bagidanaamo vai breathe, exhale
bagidin vta offer someone, release someone
bagidinan vti set something down, release something, offer something
bagidinise vai stack wood, pile wood
bagijwebin vta release someone, let go of someone
bagijwebinan vti let go of something, release something
bagoneganaanjigaade vii have a hole shot through
bagosendan vti beg for something, hope for something
bakade vai hungry
bakadenaagozi vai look hungry
bakazhaawe vai clean fish
bakaan pc different
bakaaninakamisidoon vti make something different, change the condition of something
bake vai go off to the side
bakinaw vta beat someone in a contest
bakinaage vai win
bakite’an vti hit something, strike something
bakite’odiwag /bakite’odi-/ vai they hit one another
bakitejii’ige vai play baseball
bakobii vai go down into the water
bakobiigwaashkwani vai jump in the water
bakobiise vai fall into the water
bakwajindibezh /bakwajindibezhw-/ vta scalp someone
bami’ vta support someone, take care of someone
bami’idizo vta be self sufficient
bamoozhe vai baby-sit
banaadizi vai be spoiled
banaajitoon vti spoil somthing, ruin something
bangii pc little bit, small amount
bangiiwagizi vai be a little bit, be few
banzo /banzw-/ vta singe someone
bapawaangeni vai flap wings, beat wings
batwaadan vti race after something
bawa’am vai knock rice
bawa’iganaandan vti knock rice
bawa’iminaan vai pin cherry; pl bawa’iminaanan
Bawatig place Sault Ste. Marie; also Bawating
bawaazh /bawaaN-/ vta dream about someone
bazakiteniwan vii built low to the ground
bazangwaabishim vai dance with eyes closed
bazigwii vai get up, stand up
bazhiba’ /bazhiba’w-/ vta stab someone
bazhiba’odan vti it stabs someone (reflexive)
baabaabasaabiigad vii tighten up around something
baabige pc immediately
baabii’ vta wait for someone
baakakaabi vai open eyes
baakaakonamaw vta open something (of wood) for someone
baakaakonan vti open something
baakibii’an vii ice clears off a body of water
baakinige vai lift (something) open
baakizige vii it is consumed in flames
baamaadagaa vai swim about
baamendan vti pay attention to something
baanimaa pc afterwards, later on
baapaagaakwa’an vti knock on something (of wood)
baapaagokozhiwewinini na barber; pl baapaagokozhiwewininiwag
baapaagokozhiwewininiiwi vai be a barber
baapaase na red headed woodpecker; pl baapaaseg
baapi vai laugh
baapinakamigizi vai good time with laughter involved
baasan vti dry something; also baasoon
baashkijiishkiw vta explode out of someone
baashkinede vii it steams, the breathing is visible
baashkiz /baashkizw-/ vta shoot at someone
baashkizigan ni gun; pl baashkizigan
baashkizige vai shoot
Baatawigamaag place Whitefish, Wisconsin
baatayiinad vii be numerous
baatayiinadoon vti have a lot of something, plenty
baatayiino vai plentiful, numerous; also baataniino
baate vii be parched, dry
baazagobizh /baazagobiN-/ vta scratch someone
bebakaan pc different
bebakaanad vii be different
bebakaanitaagod vii be talked about differently; also bebakaanitaagwad
bebakaanizi vai be different
bebezhig pc one at a time
bebezhigooganzhii na horse; pl bebezhigooganzhiig
bebezhigooganzhiiwigaan ni stable; pl bebezhigooganzhiiwigaanan
bebiboon pc each winter
bedose vai walk slowly
bekaa pc wait
bekish pc at the same time
bengo-bakwezhigan; na flour; also bibine-bakwezhigan
beshizh /beshizhw-/ vta cut someone
besho pc near
bezhig nm one
bezhig pc certain one; also abezhig
bezhigo vai be one, there is one, be alone
Bezhigoogaabaw name Bezhigoogaabaw (Stands Alone)
bi- pv coming
bi-naadin vti fetch it here, haul something inside
bi-naagozi vai appear, come forth
bi-naazikaw vta come to someone
bibine-bakwezhigan na flour; also bengo-bakwezhigan
biboon vii winter
biboonaginzo vai be so many years old
bigishkiga’ise vai chop wood into kindling
bijiinag pc after a while, recently, just now, for the first time
Bikoganaagan place Danbury, Wisconsin
bikwaakwad ni ball; pl bikwaakwadoon
bimagoke vii it rubs off onto something
bima’adoon vti follow it along
bimaadagaa vai swim by
bimaadizi vai lives, life goes by
bimaadizishi vai be alive
bimaadiziwin ni life
bimaadiziiwinagad vii lives
bimaaji’ vta save someone’s life
bimaazhagaame vai go along the shore
bimi-ayaa vai come by
bimibatoo vai run
bimibaagi vai it goes along (in its calling)
bimibide vii speed along, fly along, drive along
bimibizo vai drive by
bimishkaa vai paddle by
bimiwizh /bimiwiN-/ vta carry someone along, bring someone along
bimose vai walk
bimoom vta carry someone on one’s back
bimoomigoo-apabiwin ni saddle; pl bimoomigoo-apabiwinan
bimoonda’ vta carry something for someone
bimoondan vti carry something off on one’s back
binaadizi vai pass away, die
binaan vta carry someone away
binaanoondan vti acquire knowledge of something
bine na partridge; pl binewag
binesi na thunderbird, eagle, large bird; pl binesiyag
bineshiinh na bird; pl bineshiinyag
bineshiinyiwi vai be a bird
bingwe’ombaasin vii cloud of dust is stirred up
binoobaan vta mark someone
biskaakonebidoon vti turn something on (appliance)
biskitenaagan ni birch bark sap bucket; pl biskitenaaganan
bizagaabiigizh /bizagaabiigiN-/ vta lead someone (horse or dog)
bizaani-bimaadizi vai live quietly
bizindaw vta listen to someone
biziigwebakiteshin vai spill things as a result of falling
bizhishig pc empty
bizhishigozi vai be single
bizhishigwaa vii be empty
bii vii be a certain amount of liquid
bii’ vta wait for someone
biibaagiim vta call out for someone
biibii na baby; pl biibiiyag
biibiiwi vai be a baby
biidaboono vai float here, approach by water
biidaasamishkaa vai arrive by water
biidinamaw vta hand something over to someone
biidoon vti bring something
biidwewe vai be heard approaching
biidwewe vii sound approaches
biidwewebizo vai be heard approaching by motor
biikojii vai have a pot belly, be plump
biiminakwaan ni rope; pl biiminikawaanan
biinad vii be clean
biinashkina’ /biinashkina’w-/ vta load ammunition into someone
biindasaagan ni raft; pl biindasaaganan
biindashkwaazh /biindashkwaaN-/ vta stuff someone
biindaakojige vai offer tobacco
biindaakoozh /biindaakooN-/ vta offer someone tobacco
biindig pc inside
biindige vai go inside, enter
biindigebatoo vai run inside
biindigenaazhikaw vta chase someone inside
biindigenisin vii wood is brought inside
biindigewin vta bring someone inside
biindigeyaanimagad vii it enters something
biindigeyoode vai crawl inside
biini’ vta clean someone
biinish pc until, up to, including
biinitoon vti clean something
biinjayi’ii pc inside
biinji- pn, pv inside
bii’o vai wait
biizikan vti wear something
biizikiigan ni clothing; pl biizikiiganan
booch pc certainly, for sure
boodawazo vai warm up by a fire
boodawaazh /boodawaaN-/ vta build a fire for someone
boodawe vai build a fire
booni- pv quit an activity
booni’ vta quit someone, leave someone alone
boonitoon vti leave something alone, quit something
boonii vai perch, come to rest from flight
boono vai float, drift
boozi’ vta give a ride to someone
boozhoo pc hello
bwaan na Dakota Indian; pl bwaanag; also abwaanag
bwaana’owi vai feeble
Bwaanakiing place Sioux lands, Dakota country
CH
chi- pv, pn large, big
chi-agaamiing pc across the ocean
Chi-agaamiing place Europe
chimookomaanikaazo vai be called something in American (English)
D
dabasagidaaki pc knoll
dabasagoode vii hang low
dabazhiish pc at the bottom of a lodge
dagon vii be located in a certain place
dagonan vti add something in, mix something in
dagoshin vai arrive there
dagoshkaagozi vai it comes upon someone
dagozi vai+o add things in, mix in
dakama’o vai ferry across
dakamanji’o vai feel chilly, feel cold
dakamaashi vai sail, cruise (by wind)
dakamii vai ferry
dakaasin vii frigid, cold wind
dakonan vti grasp something
dakoozi vai be short
dakwam vta bite someone, get a hold of someone
dakwamidiwag /dakwamidi-/ vai they bite one another
dakwange vai bite
danademo vai live in a particular place
danakii vai dwell, live, reside
danaapi vai laugh in a certain place
danaasag pc so to speak
danizi vai stay somewhere, belong somewhere
danwewidam vai be heard speaking in a certain place
dasing pc times, so many times
daso-giizhigon vii it is so many days
dash pc and, but
dashiwag /dashi-/ vai they are a certain number, they are so many
dawaaj pc preferable, better to
dawegishkaa vii form a part, gap
dazhi- pv location
dazhim vta talk about someone
dazhindan vti talk about something
dazhinijigaade vii be talked about
dazhishin vai be buried in a certain place, lie in a certain place
dazhitaa vai spend time in a certain place
dazhiikan vti be involved with something, work on something
dazhiikaw vta work on someone, dress someone out (animal)
dazhiikodaadiwag /dazhiikodaadi-/ vai they are involved with one another
daa vai dwell
daangandan vti sample something by taste
daangigwanenige vai+o sign things
daanginan vti touch something
daangishkaw vta kick someone, kick someone along
de- pv sufficiently, enough
Debaasige name Debaasige (Light of the Sun)
debibido vai+o grapple over something, grab things
debibidoon vti catch something, grab something
debibizh /debibiN-/ vta catch someone
debinaak pc carelessly, any old way
debwenim vta believe someone, be convinced by someone
debwetan vti believe something, heed something, e.g., a warning or belief
debwetaw vta obey someone, believe someone
debweyendam vai become convinced, come to believe something
degitenim vta be impressed with someone
dewe’igan na drum; pl dewe’iganag
diba’igan ni hour; pl diba’iganan
diba’igebii’igaans ni receipt; pl diba’igebii’igaansan
dibaabandan vti inspect something, look something over
dibaadodan vti tell about something
dibaajim vta tell stories about someone
dibaajimo vai tell stories
dibaajimotaw vta tell someone stories
dibaajimowin ni story; pl dibaajimowinan
dibaakonigewinini na judge or lawyer; pl dibaakonigewininiwag
dibaakwa’ vta charge someone with an offense, pass judgment on someone
dibaakwan vta indict someone
dibi pc wherever, I don’t know where
dibidaabaan ni wagon, carriage; pl dibidaabaanan
dibiki-giizis na moon; pl dibiki-giizisoog
dibishkoo pc just like
dibishkookamig pc opposite, right across
dimii vii deep water
dino pc kind, type
dinowa pc kind, type
ditibiwebishkigan ni bicycle; pl ditibiwebishkiganan
ditibizo vai roll along, speed along by rolling
doodoon vta do something to someone
dooskaabam vta peek at someone
E
edino’o pc even, also
Eko-biising place Duxbury, Wisconsin
enda- pv just
endaso- pv every
endaso-dibik pc every night
endaso-giizhig pc every day; also endaso-giizhik
endazhi-ganawenimindwaa gichi-aya’aag place nursing home
endaawigam ni dwelling; pl endaawigamoon
enigok pc with effort, forcefully
enigoons na ant; pl enigoonsag; also enig
enigoowigamig ni ant hill; pl enigoowigamigoon
eniwek pc relatively
eshkam pc increasingly so
eta pc only
eta go gaawiin pc except
eya’ pc yes; also enh
G
gabaa vai disembark, get out of a vehicle or a boat
gabaashim vta boil someone (in water)
gabe- pv, pn all, entire
gabe-zhigwa pc all the time now
gabeshi vai camp, set up camp
gabikaw vta catch up to someone
gadedan vti think something is funny, think in a humorous way about something
gaganoondamaw vta talk for someone
gaganoonidiwag /gaganoonidi-/ vai they talk to one another, converse
gaganoozh /gaganooN-/ vta converse with someone
gagaanzitan vti act contrary to a warning or belief
gagidagishin vai have spotted fur
gagiibaadad vii foolish
gagiibaadizi vai naughty, foolish
gagiibaakwan vti block something, dam something
gagiibidwe vai be quiet for a time, be heard periodically
gagiijiidiye vai be constipated
gagiikwewinini na preacher; pl gagiikwewininiwag
gagwaadagitoo vai suffer
gagwaanisagendaagozi vai be considered terrible, be considered disgusting
gagwe- pv try
gagwejim vta ask someone
gagwejitoon vti try something; also: gojitoon
gakaabikise vai fall down a hill, fall off a cliff
ganawaabam vta look at someone
ganawaabanda’iyaa vii be revealed
ganawaabandan vti look at something
ganawenim vta look after someone
ganoozh /ganooN-/ vta call to someone, talk to someone
gashkapidoon vti bundle something up
gashkendam vai sad
gashkibidaagan na tobacco, pipe or bandolier bag; pl gashkibidaaganag
gashkigwaaso vai sew
gashki’ vta earn someone
gashkimaa pc I’ll show you, come on, look
gashkinan vti do something to the extent of one’s ability
gashkitoon vti be able to do something, be successful at something
gawanaandam vai starve
gayaashk na seagull; pl gayaashkwag
gaye pc and
gayesh pc and also
Gaa-jiikajiwegamaag place Roy Lake, Minnesota
Gaa-zagaskwaajimekaag place Leech Lake, Minnesota
gaabawi vai stand
gaag na porcupine; pl gaagwag
gaaginaagozi vai look like a porcupine
gaagiigido vai talk, give a speech
gaagiigidoo-biiwaabikoons ni telephone; pl gaagiigidoo-biiwaabikoonsan
gaagiijibidoon vti finish tying something off
gaagiijitoon vti appease something
Gaakaabikaang place Minneapolis, Minnesota
gaanda’igwaason ni thimble; pl gaanda’igwaasonan
gaandakii’ige vai pole
gaanjweba’ige vai put logs through a water shoot
gaashkiishkigijiibizh /gaashkiishkigijiibiN-/ vta slice somebody into pieces
gaawi’awiwi vai+o thwart people
gaawiin pc no
gaawiin ginwenzh pc not long
gaawiin ingod pc not a single thing
gaazootaw vta hide from someone
gaazhagens na cat; pl gaazhagensag
Gechi-miigaadiing ni-pt World War II
gegapii pc eventually
gegaa pc almost
geget pc truly, really
gego pc don’t
gegoo pc something
gemaa gaye pc or
gete- pn old time, old fashioned
geyaabi pc still
gezikwendan vti vaguely remember something
gezikwenim vta vaguely remember someone
gibaakwa’ vta lock someone up, imprison someone
Gibaakwa’igaansing place Bena, Minnesota
gibaakwe vii be blocked up, be dammed
giboodiyegwaazon na pants; pl giboodiyegwaazonag
gibwanaabaawe vai drown
gichi- pn, pv very, greatly
gichi-aya’aawi vai grown up; also gichaya’aawi
gichi-ginwaabikobaashkizigan, -an ni cannon
gichi-waaginogaan ni big domed lodge; pl gichi-waaginogaan
Gichi-ziibiing place St. Croix River
gichimookomaan na white man; pl gichimookomaanag; also chimookomaan
gidasige vai parch rice
gidimaagizi vai be poor, humble
gigizheb pc in the morning
gigizhebaa-wiisini vai eats breakfeast
gigizhebaawagad vii be morning
gijiigibin vta snare someone
gikendan vti know something
gikendaasoowigamig ni college, university; pl gikendaasoowigamigoon
gikenim vta know someone
gikinawaabi vai learn by observing
gikinawaajitoon vti inscribe something, mark something (bark, rock)
gikinoo’amaadiwin ni teaching, instruction, lesson; pl gikinoo’amaadiwinan
gikinoo’amaagewigamig ni school; pl gikinoo’amaagewigamigoon
gikinoo’amaagozi vai be a student, go to school
gimoodin vti steal something
gina’amaw vta forbid someone
ginigawi’ vta mix someone
ginigawisidoon vti mix something, integrate something
ginigawisin vii be mixed
Giniw-aanakwad name Giniw-aanakwad (Golden Eagle Cloud)
ginjiba’ vta run away from someone
ginjiba’iwe vai escape by fleeing, run away
ginwaabamaawizo vai see one’s self a certain way
ginwenzh pc long time
gisinaa vii cold
gitenim vta be impressed by someone, be proud of someone
gitige vai farm, plant
gitiwaakwaa’igaade vii it is made of logs, it is made of corduroy
gitiziim na parent, ancestor; pl gitiziimag
gizhaabikizan vti heat something
gizhaabikizigan ni stove; pl gizhaabikiziganan
gizhaagamezan vti heat something (liquid only)
gizhiibatoo vai run fast
gizhiibazhe vai be itchy
gizhiibizi vai itchy
gizhiibizo vai drive fast
giziibiiga’ige vai wash clothes
giigoonh na fish; pl giigoonyag
giigoonh-oodena ni fish camp; pl giigoonh-oodenawan
gii’igoshimo vai fast for a vision
giimii vai escape
giimoodad vii secret
giimoozikaw vta sneak up on someone
giin pc you, yourself
giishka’aakwe vai cut timber
giishkaabaagwe vai thirsty
giishkaabaagwenaagozi vai look thirsty
giishkaabikaa vii there is a cliff
giishkiboojige vai saw wood
giishkigwebin vta twist someone’s head off, decapitate someone by twisting his head
giishkitoon vti slice it
giishkizh /giishkizhw-/ vta cut through someone
giishkizhan vti cut it through
giishkizhaa vai be cut through
giishkowe vai stop crying, stop making a vocal noise
giishpin pc if
giiwanimo vai tell lies
giiwashkwe vai dizzy
giiwashkwebatoo vai run staggering
giiwashkwebii vai be drunk
giiwe vai go home
giiwebatoo vai run home
giiwegozi vai move home
giiwenh pc as the story goes
giiwewin vta take someone home
giiwizi vai be an orphan
giiwiziigamig ni orphanage; pl giiwiziigamigoon
giiyose vai hunt
giizikan vti take an item of clothes off the body
giiziz /giizizw-/ vta finish cooking someone
giizizan vti cook something
giizizekwe vai cook
giizhaa pc beforehand, in advance
giizhendam vai decide, make a resolution
giizhichigaademagad vii finished, done
giizhig na day, sky
giizhigad vii be day
giizhige vai complete (building)
giizhitoon vti finish something
giizhiikan vti finish something
giizhiikaw vta finish someone, finish working on someone
giizhiitaa vai ready
giizhooshim vta wrap, bundle someone up warm-like
giizhoozi vai be warm
go pc (emphatic particle)
godaganaandam vai suffer miserably from starvation
godagaagomin ni blackberry; pl godagaagominan
godandaman vti taste something, sample something
goji’ vta try someone (tease)
gojitoon vti try something; also gagwejitoon
gomaapii pc eventually, by and by
gonaadizi vai spend one’s life, live in a certain place
gonimaa pc possibly, perhaps, for instance
gopii vai go inland
gosha pc (emphatic)
goshi /gos-/ vta fear someone
goshko’ vta scare someone
gotan vti fear something
gozi vai move, change residence
gookooko’oo na owl; pl gookooko’oog
gwanaajiwan vii beautiful
gwanaajiwi vai nice, beautiful, glorious
gwashkozi vai wakes up
gwayako- pv correctly
gwayakose vii be correct, be right
gwayakotan vti hear something correctly
gwaanabise vai capsize, flip over in a boat
gwaashkwani vai jump
gwech pc so much, enough
gwek pc correctly, exactly, right
gwekigaabawi’ vta turn someone around while standing
gwiiwizensidewe’igan na little boy drum
gwiiwizensiwi vai be a boy
Gwiiwizensiwi-zaaga’iganiing place Boy Lake, Minnesota
Gwiiwizensiwi-ziibiing place Boy River, Minnesota
H
hay’ pc too bad; also: hai’
haaw pc all right, okay
I
i’iw pr that one (inanimate)
ikido vai say
iko pc as a habit, customarily
ikwa na louse; pl ikwag
ikwabi vai sit elsewhere
ikwanagweni vai roll up shirt sleeves
imaa pc there
imbaabaa nad my father; pl imbaabaayag
inademo vai cry a certain way
inagakeyaa pc towards that way there
inaginzo vai be a certain amount, be of a certain value
ina’am vai sing a certain way
ina’oozh /ina’ooN-/ vta gift someone in a certain way
inamanji’o vai be a certain condition
inandawenim vta want someone in a certain way
inanjige vai eat in a certain way, have a certain diet
inanokii vai work in a certain way
inapinazh /inapinaN-/ vta slice someone
inapine vai be ill in a certain way
inashke pc look, behold
inataadiwag /inataadi-/ vai they gamble, play games together in a certain way
inawemaagan na relative; pl inawemaaganag
inawiindamaage vai speak in a certain way
inaabi vai glance, peek
inaadagaa vai swim in a certain way
inaadamaw vta help someone in a certain way
inaadodan vti talk about something
inaajimo vai tell
inaakonige vai make a decree, law
Inaandagokaag place Balsam Lake, Wisconsin
inaanzo vai be colored a certain way
indaga pc please
indangishkaw vta kick someone in a certain way
indanitaawaadizookwe vai tell stories in a certain place
inday nad my dog; pl indayag
indede nad my father
indengway nid my face; pl indengwayan
indibaajimo vai tell things in a certain way
indiy nid my hind end
indoodem nad my clan; pl indoodemag
inendam vai think
inendamowin ni thought
inendaagozi vai be thought of in a certain way, have a certain destiny
inenim vta think of someone
ingichi-niigi’ig nad my grandparent; pl ingichi-niigi’igoog
ingiw pr them (animate)
ingo-diba’igan pc one mile or one hour
ingod pc singularly
ingoding pc one time
ingodoninj pc one inch
ingodwaasoninj pc six inches
ingodwewaan pc pair
ingoji pc somewhere, approximately, nearly
ingwana pc it turns out that, it was just so
ingwizis nad my son; pl ingwizisag; also ningozis
inigaatesidoon vti spread something out
inigaazi vai be poor, pitiful
iniginan vti ply something away
inigini vai be a certain size
inigokwadeyaa vii be a certain diameter
inikaw vta name someone
inikaa vai condition or life turn out a certain way
inime’odishi /inime’odis-/ vta host someone
ininan vti hand something down, present something
inini na man; pl ininiwag
ininigaade vii it is handled in a certain way
ininimaw vta hand something to someone
initaagwad vii sound a certain way
iniw pr those (inanimate)
inizh /inizhw-/ vta cut someone
iniibin vta line someone up in a certain way
iniibin vti line something up in a certain way
injichaag /-jichaag-/ nad my soul, my spirit; pl injichaagwag
inose vai walk a certain way, walk to a certain place
inwaade vii be a sacred place
inwe vai make a certain sound, speak a certain language, make a characteristic call (quack, bark)
inwemagad vii something sounds, something is spoken
inwewedam vai make a speech, lecture
inwewedan vti preach about something
inzhaga’ay /-zhaga’ay-/ nad my skin; pl inzhaga’ayag
ipidoon vti pull something in a certain way or direction
ipiskopoo ni Episcopal religion; pl ipiskopoon
ipitoo vai runs in a certain way
ipizo vai speeds, travels by motor in a certain way
iskigamizigan ni sugar bush; pl iskigamiziganiin
iskigamizige vai sugar off
ishkodewaaboo ni whiskey
ishkone vai survive
ishkonigan ni reservation; pl ishkoniganan
ishkwam vta place a corpse in a certain way
ishkwaa- pv after
ishkwaakamigad vii be over with
ishkwaane vai survive an epidemic
ishkweyaang pc behind, in the rear, in the past
ishpate vii there is deep snow
ishpaagonagaa vii be deep snow
ishpi- pv above
ishpiming pc up above, high, in heaven
itaming loc place, at a certain location
iwapii pc at that time
iye pr that one
izhaa vai goes there
izhaagowaataa vai climb onto a rock from the water
izhi /iN-/ vta say to someone, call someone
izhi- pv thus, thusly
izhi-ayaa vai to be of a certain condition
izhichigaazh /izhichigaaN-/ vta treat someone a certain way
izhichigaazo vai be treated a certain way
izhichige vai does so
izhichigewinagad vii be done (this way)
izhidaabaazh/izhidaabaaN-/ vta drag someone to a certain place
izhidaabii’iwe vai drive in a certain way
izhi’ vta deal with someone a certain way, make someone a certain way
izhijiwan vii it flows
izhinaw vta think of someone a certain way, think of someone respectfully
izhinaagozi vai look like, be in the form of
izhinaagwad vii it looks a certain way
izhinaazhikaw vta chase someone to a certain place, send someone to a certain place; also izhinaazhishkaw
izhinikaadan vti name something, call something a certain name
izhinikaade vii be called
izhinikaazh /izhinikaaN-/ vta name someone a certain way
izhinikaazo vai he is called
izhinikaazowin ni name; pl izhinikaazowinan
izhinoo’an vti point at something
izhinoo’ige vai point
izhitoon vti prepare something
izhitwaa vai have a certain custom, belief or religion
izhitwaawin ni faith, religion; pl izhitwaawinan
izhiwe vai something happens to someone
izhiwebad vii it happens
izhiwebizi vai condition, behaves a certain way
izhiwidoon vti take something
izhiwijigaazo vai be carried or taken to a certain place
izhiwizh /izhiwiN-/ vta take someone somewhere
II
iizon pc as the story goes; also iizan
J
jaagide vii it burns up
jaaginan vta use somebody up, destroy someone
jaagizan vti burn something up
jaagizo vai burn up
jaagizodizo vai burn one’s self
jejajiibaan pc various different locations
Jejaakwaag place Markville, Minnesota
ji- pv to, so that, in order to
jiibaakwaadan vti cook something
jiibaakwaazh /jiibaakwaaN-/ vta cook someone
jiigayi’ii pc adjacent
jiigeweyaazhagaame vai walk along the shore
jiigi- pv, pn near
jiigibiig pc along the shore, by the water
jiigishkode pc near the fire
K
konaas ni cloth, sheet; pl konaasan
M
madaabii vai go to the shore
madaabiiba’ vta run away from someone to the shore
madaabiigozi vai move to the shore
madoodoo vai attend sweat lodge ceremony
madwe-ikido vai be heard to say, speak from a distance
madwe’oode vai be heard crawling
madwezige vai be heard shooting
maji-izhiwebizi vai misbehave
majiiwi vai be bad
makade-maanishtaanish na black sheep; pl makade-maanishtaanishag
makadewiiyaas na black man, African American; pl makadewiiyaasag
makakoonsike vai make baskets, make containers
makam vta take something away from someone by force
makizin ni shoe, moccasin; pl makizinan
makoons na little bear, bear cub; pl makoonsag
makwa na bear; pl makwag
makwan vii it is easy to peel (bark)
mamaazikaa vai agitate, move
mami /mam-/ vta pick someone up, take someone
mamikwendan vti recollect things
mamiskoshkiinzhigwe vai eyes turn red
mamoon vti take something, pick something up
manaajichigaade vii be respected
manaajichige vai be respectful
manepwaa vai crave a smoke
manezi vai to be in need
mangaanibii vai shovel snow
manidoo na spirit; pl manidoog
Manidoo-minisaabikong place Spirit Rock Island
manidookaadan vti consider something spiritual
manidoowendan vti consider something sacred
manoominike vai harvest rice
manoominike-giizis na September, the ricing moon
manoominii na Menomini Indian; pl manoominiig; also omanoominii
mashkawazhe vai have rough markings on the skins, e.g., scabs or severe rash
mashkawisin vii be strong
mashkawizii vai be strong
mashkawiziiwin ni strength
mashkijiitad ni tendon; pl mashkijiitadoon
mashkiki ni medicine
mashkikiiwigamig ni pharmacy, hospital
mashkikiiwinini na doctor; pl mashkikiiwininiwag
Mashkimodaang place Bagley, Minnesota
Mashkii-ziibiing place Bad River, Wisconsin
mashkode ni prairie; pl mashkoden
mashkodewanishinaabe na prairie Indian; pl mashkodewanishinaabeg
mashkosaagim na grass snowshoes; pl mashkosaagimag
mawadishi /mawadis-/ vta visit someone
mawadishiwe vai visit
mawi vai cry
mawim vta cry for someone
mawinazh /mawinaN-/ vta attack someone, charge someone
mawinzo vai pick berries, go blueberry picking
mawishki vai be a cry-baby, cry constantly
mayagwe vai speak strangely, speak a different language
mazinaatesijigan ni television; pl mazinaatesijiganan
mazinaatesijiganimakak ni television set; pl mazinaatesijiganimakakoon
mazinichigan na image, statue, doll; pl mazinichiganag
mazinichigaazo vai be represented in effigy, be represented as an image
mazitaagozi vai cry out
maada’adoon vti follow something (trail, road)
maada’ookii vai share, share things, distribute
maadakide vii it starts on fire
maadakizige’idim vii it bursts into flames
maadanokii vai start working
maadaapine vai fall ill
maajaa vai leave
maajaa’ vta send someone off, conduct funeral services for someone
maajiba’idiwag /maajiba’idi-/ vai run away together, flee in a group
maajinizhikaw vta chase someone off
maajitoon vti start to make something
maajii vai start an activity
maajii- pv start
maajiibadaabii vai start to come to the shore
maajiidoon vti take something along
maajiigi vai grow up, start to grow
maajiigin vii start new condition, grow
maajiikam vta work on somone
maajiishkaa vai start, start one’s life
maajiishkaamagad vii start to move
maajiizh /maajiiN-/ vta take someone along
maakabi vai wound people
maamakaaj pc unbelievable, amazing, awesome
maamawi pc all together
maamawookan vti do something together, do something in the company of others; also maama’ookan
maamawootaa vai he is put together, combined; also maama’ootaa
maamiginan vti collect something, put something together
maanaadizi vai be ugly
maanendan vti feel bad about something
maang na loon; pl maangwag
maanishtaanish na sheep; pl maanishtaanishag
maanishtaanishibiiwiin na wool
maanzhi-ayaa vai be bad off
maazhendam vai feel out of balance, sickly
maazhi-ayaa vai be bad off
maazhidoodaadizo vai cause self-inflicted injury, injure one’s self
maazhipogozi vai taste bad
maazhise vai have bad luck
megwaa pc while, in the midst of
megwaayaak pc in the woods
megwe- pn, pv in the midst of something, in the middle
megwekob pc in the bush
memaangishenh na mule; pl memaangishenyag
memwech pc exactly, just that, it is so
meshkwad pc instead
Metaawangaag place Hertel, Wisconsin
Metaawangaansing place Little Sand Lake, Wisconsin
mewinzha pc long ago
michisag ni floor; pl michisagoon
midaaswi nm ten
midewakiwenzii na mide priest; pl midewakiwenziiyag
midewanishinaabe na mide Indian; pl midewanishinaabeg
midewi vai be mide
midewiwin ni medicine dance, medicine lodge ceremony; also midewin
migi vai bark
migizi na bald eagle; pl migiziwag
migizi-giizis na February
migoshkaaji’ vta pester someone, bother someone
migoshkaaji’iwi vai be a pest, annoying
migwandagoon vii grow
mikan vti find something
mikaw vta find someone
mikigaazo vai he is found somewhere
mikwamiwan vii hail
mikwendan vti remember something
mimigoshkam vai jig rice
mimigoshkaaji’ vta tease someone
mindawe vai pout
mindido vai be big
mindimooyenh na old woman; pl mindimooyenyag; also mindimoowenh
minik pc amount, certain amount
minikwe vai drink
minikweshki vai drink chronically, be alcoholic
minis ni island; pl minisan
Minisooding place Minnesota
minji-niizh pr both
minjikaawan na glove, mitten; pl minjikaawanag
minjiminan vti hold something in place, steady something
minobii vai be pleasantly drunk, be tipsy
minochige vai do good
minogaamo vai be pleasingly plump
minopogozi vai tastes good
minotoon vti make something nice, good
minozogo vai he is well done
minwabi vai sit comfortably
minwaabandan vti look favorably upon something
minwendan vti like something
minwendaagwad vii be fun, likable
minwendaagwad vii be funny, humorous
minwenim vta like someone
misawendan vti want something, desire something
misaabe na giant; pl misaabeg
misaabooz na hare, jack rabbit; pl misaaboozoog
Misi-zaaga’iganiing place Mille Lacs, Minnesota
Misiiziibi place Mississippi River
miskomin ni raspberry; pl miskominan
miskwaabiminzh na red oshier, red willow; pl miskwaabiminzhiig
Miskwaagamiiwi-zaaga’iganiing place Red Lake, Minnesota
miskwaanzigan ni head roach; pl miskwaanziganan
miskwiiwi vai bleed, be bloody
miskwiiwinijiishin vai bleed on things, drip blood
mishiimin na apple; pl mishiiminag
mitaawigan pc bare back
mitig na tree; pl mitigoog
mitigokaa vii be a forest
mitigwaab na bow; pl mitigwaabiig
miziwe pc all over, everywhere
miziwezi vai intact
mii pc it is, there is
miigaadiwini-gikinoo’amaadiiwigamig ni military school; pl miigaadiwini-gikinoo’amaadiiwigamigoon
miigaazo vai fight
miigaazowin ni fight; pl miigaazowinan
miigaazh /miigaaN-/ vta fight someone
miigiwe vai+o give something away
miijin vti eat something
miijiin vta defecate on someone; also miiziin
miikana ni path, trail, road
miinawaa pc again
miinigoowaawiwag /miinigoowaawi-/ vai they are given something as a group
miish pc and then
miishidaamikam vai have whiskers, mustache; also miishidaamikan, miishidaamikane
miishizinigon vta give someone a whisker rub
miiziin vta defecate on someone; also miijiin
miizh /miiN-/ vta give someone
moogishkaa vai rise up, surface
mookawaakii vai cry to go along
mookinan vti bring something out of storage
mookii vai rise to a surface, emerge from a surface
moonenimaazaw vta sense someone’s presence
Mooningwanekaan place Madeline Island, Wisconsin
Mooniyaang place Montreal, Ontario
mooska’osi na shitepoke, swamp pump, American bittern; pl mooska’osiwag
mooshkin pc full
mooshkinatoon vti fill something up with solids
mooshkine vai be full
mooshkinebadoon vti fill something up with liquid
mooshkinebin vta fill someone with liquid
mooshkinebii vai full of water
moozhag pc always
moozhitoon vti feel something on or in one’s body
N
nabanegaanens ni lean-to; pl nabanegaanensan
nagadan vti abandon something, leave something behind; also nagadoon
nagamo vai sing
nagamon ni song; pl nagamonan
nagamowin ni singing; pl nagamowinan
nagazh /nagaN-/ vta abandon someone, leave someone behind
nagishkodaadiwag /nagishkodaadi-/ vai they meet one another
nagwaagan ni snare; pl nagwaaganan
nagwaaganeyaab ni snare wire; pl nagwaaganeyaabiin
nagwaan vta snare someone
na’enimo vai store things
nakom vta answer someone, reply to someone, promise someone
nakweshkaw vta meet someone
nakwetam vai answer
nakwetaw vta answer someone
namadabi vai sit
namanj pc I don’t know (dubiative indicator)
name na sturgeon; pl namewag
namebin na sucker; pl namebinag
namebini-giizis na February
nanagim vta coax someone, convince someone
nanaa’ichige vai repair, fix
nanaa’idaabaane vai car repair
nanaa’idaabaanewinini na mechanic; pl nanaa’idaabaanewininiwag
nanaa’in vta organize someone
nanaa’itoon vti fix something
nanaandawi’ vta doctor someone, heal someone
nanaandawi’idiwag /nanaandawi’idi-/ vai they doctor one another
nanaandawi’idizo vai doctor one’s self
nanaandawi’iwe vai doctor, heal
nanaandawi’iwewinini na medicine man, Indian doctor, healer; pl nanaandawi’iwewininiwag
nanaandawi’o vai doctor, heal
nanaandawi’owin ni doctoring, healing; pl nanaandawi’owinan
nanaandom vta make a request of someone
nanda- pv search
nandakwaandawe vai try to climb
nandam vta recruit someone, enlist someone for war
nandawaabam vta search for someone
nandawaabandan vti search for something, look for something
nandawaaboozwe vai hunt rabbits
nandawendan vti want something, desire something
nandawewem vta search for someone with sound, search for someone by calling out
nandobani vai search for the enemy, go to war
nandobaakinan vti search for something by uncovering and opening
nandom vta invite someone, request something of someone
nandomaakaw vta summon someone
nandomaandan vti smell something
nandone’ /nandone’w-/ vta look for someone
nanisaanabi vai be in jeopardy
nawaj pc more so, more than
nawapwaan ni bag lunch, lunch taken along; pl nawapwaanan
nayenzh pc both
nazhike- pv alone
nazhikewi vai be alone
naa pc (emphatic)
naabisijigan ni tape recorder; pl naabisijiganan
naadamaw vta assist someone
naadin vti fetch something
naana’idaa pc by coincidence
naanaagadawendam vai reflect, ponder
naanaagadawendan vti reflect on something, consider something
naanaagadawenim vta think about someone
naanaakobinawinan vti make a path for something with one’s fingers
naanaazikan vti pay attention to something
naangizi vai be light (weight)
naangizide vai be light footed (good tracker, good dancer)
naaningim pc often
naaniibawi vai stand around
naaniizaanendaagozi vai be dangerous
naawakwe-wiisini vai eats lunch
naawij pc middle of the lake
naazibii vai haul water, haul sap
naazikan vti appraoch something
naazikaw vta approach someone
naazikaage vai approach, go to people
naazh /naaN-/ vta fetch someone
naazhaabii’igan ni fiddle, violin; pl naazhaabii’iganan
naazhaabii’ige vai fiddle, play violin
negwaakwaan ni spile; pl newaakwaanan
Nenabozho name Nenabozho (Red Lake); also Wenabozho
Nenaandago-ziibiing place Tamarack River
Nesawegamaag place Shakopee Lake, Minnesota
Neweyaash name Neweyaash
neyaab pc as it was before
Neyaashiing place Nay-Ah-Shing, Minnesota
nibaa vai sleep
nibe’ vta offer someone a place to sleep
nibi ni water
nibinaadin vti fetch water
nibiikaang pc in the water, on the waterways
nibo vai die
nibwaakaa vai be wise, intelligent
nibwaakaaminens ni smart berry, smart pill; pl nibwaakaaminensan
nichiiwad vii be a severe storm, catastrophe
nigig na otter; pl nigigwag
nigiigwadi vii it is frosted up
nimaamaa nad my mother; pl nimaamaayag
niminaaweshkaa vai paddle away from shore
nimisad nid my stomach
nimishoomis nad my grandfather; pl nimishoomisag
nindaanis nad my daughter; pl nindaanisag
ningaabii’an vii be west
ningwizis nad my son; pl ningwizisag; also ningozis
niningwanis nad my cross-nephew
niningwezhinaningodwewaanagizi vai be a member of a certain group or family
niniigi’ig nad my parent; pl niniigi’igoog
ninjaanzh nid my nose
ninzhishenh nad my uncle; ninzhishenyag
nipikwan nid my back; pl nipikwanan; also nipikon, nimbikwan
nisawa’ogaan ni lodge with a peaked roof; pl nisawa’ogaanan
nisayenh nad my older brother; pl nisayenyag
nisaabaawe vai get wet
nisidiwag /nisidi-/ vai they kill one another, kill each other
nisidotan vti understand something
nisidotaw vta understand someone
nising nm three times
niso-giizhig pc three days
nishi /nis-/ vta kill someone
nishimis nad my cross-niece
nishiwan vti do away with something
nishiwanaaji’aa vai be spared, saved from destruction or death
nishiimenh nad my younger sibling; pl nishiimenyag
nishkaadendam vai have angry thoughts
nishkaadizi vai angry
nishwaaso-diba’igan pc eight miles or eight hours
nishwaasoninj pc eight inches
nitam pc first time
nitaawichige vai be good at doing things
nitaawigi vai grow up
nitaawigi’ vta raise someone; give birth to someone
nitaawizi vai be raised
niwiijaan nad my sibling unrelated by blood; pl niwiijaanag
niwiiw nad my wife
niyawe’enh nad my namesake; pl niyawe’enyag
niibawi vai stand
niibidan nid my tooth; pl niibidanan
niibin vii be summer
niibowa pc many; also niibiyo
niigaan pc in the future, forward
niigaanizi vai lead
niigi vai be born
niigi’ vta give birth to someone
niigi’aawaso vai give birth
niigitaw vta bear for someone
niij- pv fellow
niijanishinaabe nad my fellow Indian; niijanishinaabeg
niijaya’aa nad my comrade, my companion; pl niijaya’aag
niijikiwenh nad my male friend; pl niijikiwenyag
niijii nad my friend (used by and in reference to males); pl niijiiyag
niijiikiwenz nad my fellow (between older men)
niikaanis na brother, brethren of a certain faith; pl niikaanisag
niikimo vai growl
niimi vai dance
niimi’idiiwag /niimi’idii-/ vai dance with one another
niimi’idiiwin ni pow-wow; pl niimi’idiiwinan
niin pv me, myself
niinizis nid my hair; pl niinizisan
niisaaki pc downhill
niisaandawe vai climb down
niisinan vti lower something
niishim vta place something with someone
niiwana’ /niiwana’w-/ vta beat someone to death
niiwanaskindibe’ /niiwanaskindibe’w-/ vta give someone a stunning blow to the head
niiwezh /niiweN-/ vta beat someone, defeat someone
niiwing nm four times
niiyaa pc exclamation (of woman’s speech)
niiyoninj pc four inches
niiyoninjiiskaayaa vii be four inches in width
niizh nm two
niizho-diba’igan pc two miles or two hours
niizhobimaadizi vai lead a dual life, live in two worlds
niizhodens na twin; pl niizhodensag
noogigaabawi vai stop and stand in place
noogise vai stop flying
noogishkaa vai stop
noojigiigoonyiwe vai harvest fish
noojimo vai heal
nookomis na my grandmother; pl nookomisag
noonaan vta nurse someone, nourish someone
noondan vti hear something
noondaw vta hear someone
noondaagwad vii heard
noonde- pv need, want, crave
noongom pc today
nooni’ vta nurse someone
noopiming pc in the woods
noopinadoon vti follow something (abstract)
noopinazh /noopinaN-/ vta follow someone
nooskwaada’ /nooshkwaada’w-/ vta lick someone
O
o’ow pr this one (inanimate)
Obaashing place Ponemah, Minnesota
obi’ayaa ni narrows; pl obi’ayaan
obiigomakakii na toad; pl obiigomakakiig
odamino vai play
odaminotaw vta play with someone
odayi vai be a horse or dog owner
odaabaan na car; pl odaabaanag
odaake vai direct, steer affairs
odaapin vta accept someone, take someone
odaapinan vti accept something
odaapinaa vai take
Odaawaa-zaaga’iganiing place Lac Courte Oreilles, Wisconsin; also Odaawaa-zaaga’eganiing
odikwami vai have head or body lice
ogichidaa na warrior; pl ogichidaag
ogichidaawi vai be a warrior
ogidakamig pc on top of the ground, on the bare ground
ogimaa na chief, boss; pl ogimaag
ogimaakwe na head woman; pl ogimaakweg
ojibwe na Ojibwe Indian; pl ojibweg
ojiitaad ni sinew; pl ojiitaadoon
okaadakik na kettle with legs, tripod kettle; pl okaadakikoog
omakakii na frog; pl omakakiig
omanoominii-anishinaabe na Menomini Indian; pl omanoominii-anishinaabeg; also manoominii-anishinaabe
omaa pc here
ombi-ayaa vai come to the surface, rise up, have one’s spirit lifted
ombigiyaawaso vai raise a family
ombiigizi vai be loud
omigii vai scab up
omigii vii it is scabby
omin vta furnish oats to someone (animal)
onapidoon vti tie something
onapizh /onapiN-/ vta harness someone, tie someone
onashkinadoon vti load something
onaagoshi-wiisini vai eats supper
onaagoshin vii be evening
onda’ibii vai get water from somewhere
ondakaanezi vai be from somewhere, be raised somewhere
ondamitaa vai be busy
ondaadizi vai be born, come from a certain place
ondaadiziike vai give birth
ondemagad vii boil
ondin vta get someone
ondinamaw vta furnish someone with something
ondinan vti get something from somewhere
onganawisin vii meant to be a certain way, be divined or watched over
ongow pc these ones (animate)
oningwiigan nid his wing; pl oningwiiganan
oninj nid his finger; pl oninjiin
onishkaa vai get up (from a lying position)
onizhishin vii be nice, good
oniijaanisi vai has a child
onji- pv reason for
onjibaa vai be from somewhere
onjigaa vii leak from somewhere
onji’idim vai be prohibited from doing something, be restricted
onjishkaawaaniwe vai be challenged, be up against certain things (in life)
onjii vai be from somewhere
onjiikogaa vai come from a remote area
onow pr these ones (inanimate)
onwaachige vai be psychic, have premonitions
onzan vti boil something
onzaabam vta see someone from somewhere, see someone from a certain vantage point
onzaam pc overly, too much, extremely
onzaamibii vai drink too much
onzaamine vai deathly ill, extremely sick
onzibii vai get water from somewhere
opime- pv, pn side
opime-ayi’ii pc on the side of something
opime-miikana ni side trail; pl miikanan
opwaagan na pipe; pl opwaaganag
opwaaganebi vai pipe is offered
osidaagishkaw vta affect someone’s condition, afflict someone with something
oshaakaw vta scare someone away
oshkaabewis na messenger, official, helper; pl oshkaabewisag
oshkaabewisiwi vai be messenger
oshkiniigikwe na young woman; pl oshkiniigikweg
oshtiwagidigamig pc on the roof top
owaakaa’igani vai has a house
owiiyawe’enyi vai be a namesake
Ozaawaa-zaaga’iganiing place Yellow Lake, Wisconsin
ozaawizi vai he is brown
ozhaawashkobiigizi vai have blue welts
ozhaawashkwaabaawe vai have blue marks on one’s body
ozhichigaade vii be built
ozhiga’ige vai tap trees
ozhigaw vta build a house for someone
ozhige vai build lodges
ozhimo vai flee
ozhimobatoo vai run in flight
ozhisinaagane vai sets the table
ozhishenyi vai have an uncle
ozhitoon vti make something
ozhiitaa vai prepare
OO
oodena ni village; pl oodenawan
oonh pc oh, well (emphatic)
S
sa pc (emphatic)
SH
shaanh pc come on now, oh please
shke pc (emphatic)
T
tayaa pc good golly
W
wa’aw pr this one (animate)
wagidigamig pc on the roof
wajebaadizi vai spry, peppy
wajiw ni mountain; pl wajiwan
wakewaji vai get cold easily, unable to withstand cold temperatures
wanagek na tree bark; pl wanagekwag
wanagekogamig ni bark lodge; pl wanagekogamigoon
wanaa’itoon vti fix something wrong
wani’ vta lose someone
wanisin vii be lost
wanishin vai be lost
wanitoon vti lose something
wawanendan vti forget something from time to time
wawaabijiizi vai have dapple-colored fur
wawaanendan vti have no understanding of something
wawaasese vii be lightening
wawenabi vai be seated, sit down
wawiiziigiminag ni dried berry; pl wawiiziigiminagoon
wayaabishkiiwed na-pt white man; pl wayaabishkiiwejig
wayeshkad pc beginning of a time sequence
wayiiba pc soon
Wazhashkoonsing place Wisconsin
waabam vta see someone
waabamoojichaagwaan ni mirror; pl waabamoojichaagwaanan
waaban ni east
waabanda’ vta show someone
waabandan vti see something
waabashkiki ni swamp; pl waabashkikiin
waabishkaa vii be white
waabishkaagoonikaa vii there is a white blanket of snow; also waabishkaagonagaa
waabishkiiwe vai be white
waabiingwe vai be pale faced
waaboowayaan ni blanket; pl waaboowayaanan
waabooyaan ni blanket; pl waabooyaanan
waabooz na rabbit, cottontail; pl waaboozoog
waaboozoo-miikanens ni rabbit trail; pl waaboozoo-miikanensan
waagaakwad ni ax; pl waagaakwadoon
waagaashkan vti bend something to a certain shape
waagaawi vai be bent, hunched over
Waagoshens name Little Fox
waakaa’igan ni house; pl waakaa’iganan
waakaa’igaanzhish ni shack; pl waakaa’igaanzhishan
waakoon na fungus; pl waakoonag
waasa pc far
waasamoo-makakoons ni battery; pl waasamoo-makakoonsan; also ishkode-makak
waasamoobimide-zhooshkodaabaan na snowmobile; pl waasamoobimide-zhooshkoodaabaanag; also waasiganibimide-zhooshkoodaabaan
waasawad vii it extends, it goes far
waaswaa vai+o shine things
Waaswaaganing place Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin
waawanoo vai lay eggs, nest
waawaabiganoojiinh na mouse; pl waawaabiganoojiinyag
waawaabishkimoose na grub worm; pl waawaabishkimooseg
waawaashkeshi na deer; pl waawaashkeshiwag
Waawiyegamaag place Big Round Lake, Wisconsin
waawiyeyaakwad vii be round (something of wood)
waawiyezi vai be round
waawiiji’iye vai be in someone’s company, assist
webin vta throw someone away, part with someone
webinan vti throw something away
wegodogwen pc whatever
wegonen pr what, what is it
wegwaagi pc behold
wemitigoozhii na Frenchman; pl wemitigoozhiiwag
wenabi’ vta place someone in a sitting position
Wenabozho name Wenabozho; also Nenabozho (Red Lake)
wendaabang vii east; conjunct of ondaaban
wenipan pc easily
wenipanad vii be easy, be simple
wenipanendan vti think something is easy
wenjida pc on purpose, for a particular reason; also onjida
wewebinan vti shake something
weweni pc properly, easily, in a good way
wewiib pc hurry, fast
wiidabim vta sit with someone
wiidigem vta marry someone
wiidigendiwag /wiidigendi-/ vai they are married to one another, be married
wiidookaw vta help someone
wiigiwaam ni bark lodge, dance arbor; pl wiigiwaaman
wiigiwaamike vai make wigwam
Wiigoobiiziibiing place Grantsburg, Minnesota
wiigwaasimakak ni birch bark basket; pl wiigwaasimakakoon
wiiji- pv together, with
wiiji’ vta go with someone, accompany someone
wiiji’iindiimagad vii be worked together, be woven together
wiijiwaawendiwag /wiijiwaawendi-/ vai they are partners
wiijii’iwe vai accompany people
wiijiikiwendiwag /wiijiikiwendi-/ vai they are friends, be friendly to one another
wiijiiw vta go with someone
wiikaa pc ever
wiikobidoon vti pull something
Wiikonamindaawangaag place Hertel, Wisconsin
Wiikonamindaawangaansing place Maple Plain, Wisconsin
wiikwaji’ vta try someone, try to escape from someone, or enable someone
wiikwajitoo vai endeavor
wiikwajitoon vti try to do something
wiin pc by contrast
wiin pr him, himself
wiin vta name someone
wiindamaw vta tell someone
wiinde vii be called
wiindigoo na windigo, cannibal, winter monster; pl wiindigoog
wiineta pr only him, only her
wiinibiigoo na Winnebago Indian; pl wiinibiigoog
wiinzo vai have a certain name
wiinzowin ni name; pl wiinzowinan
wiipemaawaso vai sleep with a child protectively
wiisagendam vai be in pain, be sore, suffer
wiisini vai eat
wiisiniwin ni food
wiisookaw vta spend time with someone
wiiyaas ni meat; pl wiiyaasan
Z
zagaswaa vai smoke
zagaswaadan vti smoke it
zagaswe’ vta offer smoke to someone
zagaswe’idiwag /zagaswe’idi-/ vai they smoke together, share a smoke, have a ceremony or meeting
zagaswem vta offer smoke to someone in prayer
zaka’ /zaka’w-/ vta light someone, smoke someone, e.g., a pipe
zaka’on ni cane; pl zaka’onan
zakwane vii burst into flames
zaziikizi vai be the oldest, be older than others
zaaga’am vai go outside, exit, go to outhouse
zaaga’igan ni lake; pl zaaga’iganiin; also zaaga’egan (Wisconsin)
zaagajiwe vai come out over a hill
zaagajibatoo vai run around a hill
zaagakii vii sprout
zaagi’ vta love someone
zaagiziba’idiwag /zaagiziba’idi-/ vai they run out together
zaagizibatoo vai run out of someplace
zaasaakwe vai give a war whoop
zegi’ vta scare someone
zegizi vai scared, fearful
zezikaa pc right away, immediately
zipokaani vii it closes
ziibi ni river; pl ziibiwan
ziibiins ni creek; pl ziibiinsan; also zhiiwoobishenh (archaic)
ziiga’andaw vta baptize someone, pour water on someone
ziiga’anjigaazo vai be baptized
ziiginan vti pour something
ziigobiigin vii be poured
ziigwan vii be spring
ziikaapidan vti gulp something down
ziinzibaakwad ni sugar; pl ziinzibaakwadoon
zoogipon vii be snowing
zoongide’e vai be brave
zoongizi vai strong, solid
ZH
zhashagi na great blue heron; pl zhashagiwag
zhawenim vta pity someone, bless someone, love someone
zhayiigwa pc now already
zhazhiibitam vai stubborn
zhaabwii vai survive
zhaaganaashiimo vai speak English
zhaaganaashiimotaadiwag /zhaaganaashiimotaadi-/ vai they speak English to one another
zhaaganaashiiwinikaadan vti name something in English
zhaagode’e vai be cowardly
zhaashaaginizide vai be barefoot
zhimaaganish na soldier; pl zhimaaganishag
zhingaatesidoon vti spread something out to dry
zhingibiz na helldiver (grebe); pl zhingibizag
zhingishin vai lie down
zhingobikaadan vti line something with evergreen boughs
zhishigagowe vai puke, vomit
zhiigonan vti empty something, pour something out
zhiishiib na duck; pl zhiishiibag
zhiishiigi vai urinate
zhiiwaagamizigan ni maple syrup
zhodaawinini na Jew; zhodaawininiwag
zhooshkodaabaan ni sleigh; pl zhooshkodaabaanan
zhooshkodiyebizo vai slide quickly on one’s hind end