Basic Ojibwe Words and Phrases

Mahnomen Public Schools is committed to the recognition and support of diversity. The use of basic Ojibwe words and phrases are encouraged in daily engagement. 

Double Vowel Chart

This is how to pronounce Ojibwe words. All consonants 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

Four Seasons

  • Winter- Biboon

  • Spring- Ziigwan

  • Summer- Niibin

  • Fall- Dagwaagin

Four Directions

  • East- Waabanong

  • North- Giiwedinong

  • South- Zhaawanong

  • West- Ningaabi’ anong

Four Stages of Life

  • 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

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

Colors

  • Black- Makadewaa

  • Red- Miskwaa

  • White- Waabishkaa

  • Blue or Green- Ozhaawashkwaa

  • Brown or Yellow- Ozhaawaa

Family Members

  • Aunt, father’s sister(s)- Ninzigos(ag)

  • Aunt, mother’s sister(s)- Ninoshenh(yag)

  • Brother(s), older- Nisaye(yag)

  • Brother(s) or sister(s), younger- Nishiime(yag)

  • Daughter(s)- Nindaanis(ag)

  • Father(s)- Nindede(yag) or Imbaabaa(yag)

  • Friend(s)- Niwiijiwaagan(ag) also, Niijii(male) and Niijikwe(female)

  • Grandchild(childeren)- Noozhis(ag)

  • Grandfather(s)- Nimishomis(ag)

  • Grandmother(s)- Nookomis(ag)

  • Husband(s)- Ninaabem(ag)

  • Mother(s)- Nimaamaa(yag)

  • Sister(s), older- Nimise(yag)

  • Son(s)- Ningozis(ag)

  • Sweetheart(s)- Niinimooshe(yag)

  • Uncle, Father’s brother(s)- Nimishoome(yag)

  • Uncle, Mother’s brother(s)- Inzhishenh(yag)

  • Wife(wives)- Niwiiw(ag)

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

Months

  • January (Great Spirit Moon)- Gichi-Manidoo-Giizis

  • February (Sucker Fish Moon)- Namebini-Giizis

  • March (Crust on the Snow Moon)- Onaabani-Giizis

  • April (Sap Boiling Moon)- Iskigamizige-Giizis

  • May (Flower Budding Moon)- Zaagibagaa-Giizis

  • June (Strawberry Moon)- Ode’ imini-Giizis

  • July (Half -Way, Summer Moon)- Abitaa-Niibini-Giizis

  • August (Wild Rice Moon)- Manoominike-Giizis

  • September (Leaves Changing Color Moon)- Waatebagaa-Giizis

  • October (Leaves Falling Moon)- Binaakwe-Giizis

  • November (Freezing Over Moon)- Gashkadino-Giizis

  • December (Little Spirit Moon)- Manidoo-Giizisoons