Useful phrases in Ojibwe

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

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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