This is how to pronounce Ojibwe words. All consanants sound the same as in English. “Zh”- sounds like the “su” in measure “a”- sounds like the “u” in sun “aa”- sounds like the “a” in father “i”- sounds like the “i” in sit “ii”- sounds like the “ee” in feet “o”- sounds like the “o” in go “oo”- sounds like the “oo” in food “e”- sounds like the “ay” in stay
Questions
Do you know him/her?- Gigikenimaa ina? Do you remember?- Gimikwenden ina? How are you?- Aaniin ezhi-ayaayan? How is it outside(what is the weather like)?- Aaniin ezhiwebak agwajiing? How old are you?- Aaniin endaso-biboonagiziyan? What are you called(name)?- Aaniin ezhinikaazoyan? Where are you from?- Aandi wenjibaayan? Where are you going?- Aandi ezhaayan?
Phrases
Come here!- Ondaas Come in- Bendigen Hello- Boozhoo or Aaniin My name is (your name)- Niin (your name) nindizhinikaaz. Please- Daga Say it again(repeat)- Ikidon miinawaa See you again- Giga-waabamin menawaa See you later- Giga-waabamin naagaj Thank you- Miigwech
Tree(s)- Mitig(oog) Balsam fir(s)- Zhingob(iig) Black Ash(s)- Aagimaak(wag) Jack Pine(s)- Wakikaandag(oog) Maple(s)- Aninaatig(oog) Norway Pine(s)- Apakwanagemag(oog) Poplar(s)- Azaadi(wag) Red Cedar(s)- Miskwaawaak(oog) Red Osier Dogwood(s)- Miskwaabiiminzh(iig) Speckled or Tag Alder(s)- Wadoop(iig) Spruce(s)- Gaawaandag(oog) White Ash(s)- Baapaagimaak(wag) White Birch(s)- Wiigwaasi-mitig(oog) White Cedar(s)- Giizhik(ag) Willow(s)- Oziisigobiminzh(iig)
It is… A cool wind- Dakaasin A nice day- Mino Giizhigad Clear- Mizhakwad Cloudy- Ningwaanakwad Cold- Gisinaa Foggy- Awan Hot- Gizhaate It Freezes Over(lake)- Gashkadin Nasty Weather- Niiskaadad Raining- Gimiwan Slippery- Ozhaashaa Snowing- Zoogipon There are Northern Lights- Waawaate There is a tornado or whilrwind- Ashibishidosh Thundering- Animikiikaa Warm and mild- Aabawaa Windy- Noodin
Baby(ies)- Abinoojiiyens(ag) Child(childeren)- Abinoojii(yag) Boy(s)- Gwiiwizens(ag) Girl(s)- Ikwesens(ag) Women(Women)- Ikwe(wag) Man(men)- Inini(wag) Old Woman(women)- Mindimooye(yag) Old Man(men)- Akiwenzii(yag)
Four Medicines
Ceder- Giizhikaandagoons Sage- Bashkodejiibik Sweet Grass- Bashkodemashkosiw Tobacco- Asemaa Four Parts of a Plant Flower(s)- Waabigwan(iin) Leaf(s)- Aniibish(an) Root(s)- Ojiibik(an) Stem(s)- Shiizhins(an)
Numbers
How old are you?- Aaniin endaso-biboonagiziyan? One- Bizhig Two- Niizh Three- Niswi Four- Niiwin Five- Naanan Six- Ningodwaaswi Seven- Niizhwaaswi Eight- Nishwaaswi Nine- Zhaangaswi Ten- Midaaswi Eleven to nineteen add Ashi before number Eleven- Ashi bezhig Twenty to twenty-nine add Niizhtana ashi before number Twenty-one- Niizhtana ashi bezhig Thirty to thirty-nine add Nisimidana ashi Thirty-one- Nisimidana ashi bezhig Forties add Niimidana ashi Forty-one- Niimidana ashi bezhig Fifties add Naanimidana ashi Fifty-one- Naanimidana ashi bezhig Sixties add Ningodwaasimidana ashi Seventies add Niizhwaasimidana ashi Eighties add Nishwaasimidana ashi Nineties add Zhaangasimidana ashi Hundereds add Ningodwaak ashi One week- Ningo anami’e giizhig One month- Ningo giizis One year- Ningo biboon Pounds- Dibaabiishkoojigan Gallons- Mnikwaajigan Miles- Dasodiba’igan
Time
What time is it?- Aaniin endaso-diba’ iganed? One o’clock- Ningo-diba’ iganed Two o’clock- Niizho-diba’iganed Three o’clock- Niso-diba’ iganed Four o’clock- Niiyo-diba’ iganed Five o’clock- Naano-diba’ iganed Six o’clock- Ningodwaaso-diba’ iganed Seven o’ clock- Niizhwaaso-diba’ iganed Eight o’clock- Nishwaaso-diba’ iganed Nine o’clock- Zhaangaso-diba’ iganed Ten o’clock- Midaaso-diba’ iganed Eleven o’clock- Ashi ningo-diba’ iganed Twelve o’clock- Ashi niizho-diba’ iganed Hour- Diba’igan Minute- Diba’iganens Days of the Week Monday(day after prayer day)- Ishwaa-anami’e giizhigad Tuesday(second day)- Niizho-giizhigad Wednesday(half way)- Aabitoose Thursday(fourth day)- Niiyo giizhigad Friday(fifth day)- Naano giizhigad Saturday(floor washing day)- Giziibiigiisaginige-giizhigad Sunday(last work day or prayer day)- Ishwaaj-anokiigiizhigad or Anami’e-giizhigad