Take the opportunity to work on the language during our quarantine time. Take part in one of the many online language-learning opportunities we offer. Find more information at potawatomi.org/language.
This month, check out some fun phrases that I got from Jim Thunder, one of our last first language speakers from Wisconsin. Enjoy!
Gégo bye bidgekén. Gde bogtheshkwewzede! Don’t come in. Your feet are muddy!
Pegdowshen i pkwakwet. Throw the ball to me.
Pegdow i pkwakwet. Throw him/her the ball.
Bokdonenwi o ndanes. My daughter is pouting.
Megwetsownekeni – Octopus
Wgi thagzedzo o ngwes dbekok. My son burned himself last night.
Nekwsegwzedejen. I have a splinter in my foot.
Wdenwan ni wdedeymen. He takes after his dad.
Wdenwan ni wneneymen. She takes after her mom.
Mikwnebwamshen. Remind me.
Wdapkadebzo. He/she is having a Charlie horse.
Ngi-mikwnebwama. I reminded him/her.
Anmikwa – to take someone to task for something
Cho ngeshktosin ewi mbayan. I am unable to sleep.
Nbakwnemak – he/she opens it for me
Kenandep – skull/bonehead (Some use this jokingly to say “bonehead.”)
Ni je etsegongezet o penojes? How many days old is that baby?
Boniken! Leave it alone. (singular)
Bonikmok! You all leave it alone. (plural)
Ngi-bonikan. I left it alone.
Dapneshen. Pick me up.
Mbagnek shgeshem o penoje. Put the baby on the bed.
Ngi-pamse’a o ndeish. I am walking the dog.
Mbemse shi myewesek. I am walking on the path.
I shna ewi jakgishgewat nnijansek wpi nishwabdekpbomgek. In 20 years, my kids will be all grown up.