Useful phrases in Ojibwe

A collection of useful phrases in Ojibwe, an Algonquian language spoken in the parts of Canadian and the USA.

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See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me.

Key to abbreviations: frm = formal, inf = informal

English Anishinaabemowin / ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᒧᐎᓐ (Ojibwe)
Welcome
Hello (General greeting) Aniin (inf)
Bozhoo (frm)
How are you? Aaniish naa ezhiyaayin?
Reply to 'How are you?' Nminoyaa gwa (I'm fine)
Kaawiin gwa nminoyaasii (I'm not well/fine)
Long time no see
What's your name? Wegnesh ezhinkaazyin?
My name is ... ... ndizhinikaaz
Where are you from? Aanii piish enjebayin?
I'm from ... ... ndojeba
Pleased to meet you
Good morning
(Morning greeting)
Mino gigizheb ("It's a good morning")
Good afternoon
(Afternoon greeting)
Mino giizhigad ("It's a good day")
Good evening
(Evening greeting)
Mino dibikad ("It's a good night")
Good night
Goodbye
(Parting phrases)
Giga-waabamin menawaa (See you again)
Giga-waabamin naagaj (See you later)
Baamaapii
Wiingezin (Take it easy - casual)
Good luck!
Cheers! Good Health!
(Toasts used when drinking)
Have a nice day
Bon appetit /
Have a nice meal
Miijidaa! ("Let's eat!")
Bon voyage /
Have a good journey
I understand
I don't understand
Yes Enh
No Kaa
Gawiin
Maybe Maagizhaa gaye
Please speak more slowly
Please say that again Ikidon miinawaa
Please write it down
Do you speak English?
Do you speak Ojibwe? Gdi-anishnaabem-na?
Yes, a little
(reply to 'Do you speak ...?')
Enh, ndi anishnabem bangii eta go
Speak to me in Ojibwe
How do you say ... in Ojibwe?
Excuse me
How much is this? Aaniin Minik?
Sorry
Please Daga
Thank you Miigwech
Chi-miigwech
Reply to thank you  
Where's the toilet / bathroom?
This gentleman/lady will pay for everything
Would you like to dance with me?
I miss you
I love you Gi zah gin
Get well soon
Go away!
Leave me alone!
Help!
Fire!
Stop!
Call the police!
Christmas greetings Minobii Niibaa Anama’e Giizhiigad
New Year greetings Minawaanigozi Oshki Biboon
Easter greetings
Birthday greetings Mino-dibishkaa
One language is never enough
My hovercraft is full of eels
It's hot today Gizhaatemgat nangwaa
It's raining today Gmiwaan nangwaa
It's cold today Ksinaamgat nangwaa
This is not good weather Niiskaadad
This weather isn't bad Gaawiin niiskaadasinoon
This is fair weather Anwaatin
This isn't nice weather Gaawiin anwaatinzinoon
I'm hungry Ninoondezgade
Are you hungry? Ginoondezgade na?
He's hungry Noondezgade
Where are you going? Aaniindi ezhaayin?
What kind? Awenish dinowa?
Come with me Ambe daga wiijiiwishin

Recordings and some phrases provided by Allison L. and Chris Cadeau

If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if you can provide recordings, please contact me.

Information about Ojibwe | Phrases | Numbers | Time | Tower of Babel

Links

Other collections of Ojibwe phrases
http://www.ojibwe.org/home/pdf/ojibwe_beginner_dictionary.pdf
http://www.nativetech.org/shinob/ojibwelanguage.html

Phrases in Algonquian languages

Arapaho, Atikamekw, Cheyenne, Cree, Innu, Míkmaq, Ojibwe

Phrases in other languages

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