Search the dictionary Advanced Search

How to use the Ojibwe People's Dictionary

midwinter
n
midwinter
aabita-biboon vii it is New Year; it is midwinter

midwinter
n
after midwinter
giiwe-biboon vii it is after midwinter, is late winter

might
vi
might
daa- pv tns modal preverb of possibility, necessity, or obligation: can, could, should, would, might, must

mild
adj
mild weather
aabawaa vii it is warm weather, is mild weather

mild liquid
nookaagamin vii it (liquid) is mild

mile
n
certain number of miles
daso-diba'igan qnt num
  1. a certain number of hours, so many hours
  2. a certain number of miles, so many miles

so many miles
daso-diba'igan qnt num
  1. a certain number of hours, so many hours
  2. a certain number of miles, so many miles

one mile
ingo-diba'igan qnt num one hour; one mile; one yard

ningo-diba'igan qnt num
  1. one hour
  2. one mile

See also: ingo-diba'igan qnt num

two miles
niizho-diba'igan qnt num
  1. two hours
  2. two miles

three miles
niso-diba'igan qnt num
  1. three hours
  2. three miles

four miles
niiwo-diba'igan qnt num
  1. four hours
  2. four miles

See also: niiyo-diba'igan qnt num

niiyo-diba'igan qnt num
  1. four hours
  2. four miles

See also: niiwo-diba'igan qnt num

five miles
naano-diba'igan qnt num
  1. five miles
  2. five hours

six miles
ingodwaaso-diba'igan qnt num
  1. six hours
  2. six miles

See also: ningodwaaso-diba'igan qnt num

ningodwaaso-diba'igan qnt num
  1. six hours
  2. six miles

See also: ingodwaaso-diba'igan qnt num

seven miles
niizhwaaso-diba'igan qnt num
  1. seven hours
  2. seven miles

eight miles
nishwaaso-diba'igan qnt num
  1. eight hours
  2. eight miles

See also: ishwaaso-diba'igan qnt num

ishwaaso-diba'igan qnt num
  1. eight miles
  2. eight hours

See also: nishwaaso-diba'igan qnt num

nine miles
zhaangaso-diba'igan qnt num
  1. nine hours
  2. nine miles

ten miles
midaaso-diba'igan qnt num
  1. ten hours
  2. ten miles

eleven hours, eleven miles, [with decade number] X and one hour, X and one mile
ashi-bezhigo-diba'igan qnt num
  1. eleven hours; [with decade number] X and one hour
  2. eleven miles; [with decade number] X and one mile

military officer
n
military officer
zhimaaganishii-ogimaa na a military officer

milk
n
milk
doodooshaabo ni [BL] milk

See also: doodooshaaboo ni

doodooshaaboo ni milk

milk
vt
milk cows
ziinin vta milk h/; strip liquid from h/ (by hand)

Paired with: ziininan vti

ziininiwe vai s/he milks cows

Milky Way
n
Milky Way
binesiwi-miikana ni the Milky Way

manidoo-miikana ni the Milky Way

mill
n
mill
biisiboojigan ni a grinder, a mill; a sawmill

saw mill
daashkiboojigan na a saw mill. a ripsaw

mill
vt
mill
biisiboodoon vti2 grind, mill, grate it; saw it into small pieces

Paired with: biisiboozh vta

biisiboozh vta grind, mill, grate h/; saw h/ into small pieces

Paired with: biisiboodoon vti2

Mille Lacs
place
Mille Lacs
Misi-zaaga'iganing name place Mille Lacs Lake [place]; Mille Lacs Reservation

See also: Misi-zaaga'iganiing name place

Misi-zaaga'iganiing name place Mille Lacs Lake [place]; Mille Lacs Reservation

See also: Misi-zaaga'iganing name place

mind
n
change mind
gwekendam vai s/he changes h/ (own) mind

come to mind
mikwendaagwad vii it comes to mind, is recalled, is remembered

Paired with: mikwendaagozi vai

mikwendan vti recall, recollect, remember, come to think of it

Paired with: mikwenim vta

mikwenim vta recall, recollect, remember, come to think of h/

Paired with: mikwendan vti

have mind made up
giizhendam vai2 s/he made a decision, is decided, is ready to act, has h/ mind made up

have on mind
biingeyendam vai2 s/he has something on h/ mind; s/he worries

keep in mind
minjimendan vti keep it in h/ mind, remember it

Paired with: minjimenim vta

minjimenim vta keep h/ in h/ mind, remember h

Paired with: minjimendan vti

of a certain mind
inendam vai2
  1. s/he thinks a certain way
  2. s/he decides, agrees, consents

release from mind
bagidendan vti release it from your mind, try to forget about it, let it go (and don't think abut it)

Paired with: bagidenim vta

bagidenim vta
  1. release h/ from your mind
  2. complete mourning for h/
  3. bury h/ or it (animate)
  4. let h/ or it (animate) go (and don't think about h/ or it)

Paired with: bagidendan vti

mine
n
mine
biiwaabikokaan ni a mine

moona'igan ni a mine

iron mine
biiwaabiko-moona'igan ni an iron mine

miner
n
miner
biiwaabikokewinini na a miner

minister
n
minister
gagiikwewikwe na a preacher, a minister (female)

gagiikwewinini na a preacher, a minister (male)

mink
n
mink
zhaangweshi na a mink

[
Mustela vison
]

mink hide
n
mink hide
zhaangweshiwayaan na a mink hide

Minneapolis
place
Minneapolis
Gakaabikaang name place Minneapolis, Minnesota

minnow
n
minnow
giigoozens na a minnow

giigoozhens na
  1. a minnow
  2. [BL] a compass (for finding direction)

minute
n
certain number of minutes
daso-diba'igaans qnt num
  1. a certain number of minutes, so many minutes
  2. a certain number of acres, so many acres

so many minutes
daso-diba'igaans qnt num
  1. a certain number of minutes, so many minutes
  2. a certain number of acres, so many acres

one minute
ingo-diba'igaans qnt num one acre; one minute

See also: ningo-diba'igaans qnt num

ningo-diba'igaans qnt num
  1. one minute
  2. one acre

See also: ingo-diba'igaans qnt num

two minutes
niizho-diba'igaans qnt num
  1. two minutes
  2. two acres

three minutes
niso-diba'igaans qnt num
  1. three minutes
  2. three acres

four minutes
niiwo-diba'igaans qnt num
  1. four minutes
  2. four acres

See also: niiyo-diba'igaans qnt num

niiyo-diba'igaans qnt num four acres; four minutes

See also: niiwo-diba'igaans qnt num

five minutes
naano-diba'igaans qnt num
  1. five minutes
  2. five acres

six minutes
ingodwaaso-diba'igaans qnt num six acres; six minutes

See also: ningodwaaso-diba'igaans qnt num

ningodwaaso-diba'igaans qnt num
  1. six minutes
  2. six acres

See also: ingodwaaso-diba'igaans qnt num

seven minutes
niizhwaaso-diba'igaans qnt num
  1. seven minutes
  2. seven acres

eight minutes
nishwaaso-diba'igaans qnt num
  1. eight minutes
  2. eight acres

See also: ishwaaso-diba'igaans qnt num

ishwaaso-diba'igaans qnt num
  1. eight minutes
  2. eight acres

See also: nishwaaso-diba'igaans qnt num

nine minutes
zhaangaso-diba'igaans qnt num
  1. nine minutes
  2. nine acres

ten minutes
midaaso-diba'igaans qnt num
  1. ten minutes
  2. ten acres

mirror
n
mirror
waabamojichaagwaan ni a mirror

waabandizowin ni a mirror

waabimon ni [BL] a mirror

misbehave
vi
misbehave
maji-izhiwebizi vai s/he misbehaves, behaves improperly, is naughty, is evil

miscount
v
miscount
wanagindaaso vai s/he miscounts, misreads

wanagim vta miscount h/

Paired with: wanagindan vti

wanagindan vti miscount, misread it

Paired with: wanagim vta

miser
n
miser
zazaagiz na a miser, someone who is stingy

mishear
vt
mishear
banitan vti mishear it

Paired with: banitaw vta

banitaw vta mishear h/; misunderstand what s/he says

Paired with: banitan vti

mislead
vt
mislead
wanim vta mislead, confuse h/ (by speech)

misplace
vt
misplace
wanishim vta

Paired with: wanisidoon vti2

wanisidoon vti2 misplace it

Paired with: wanishim vta

mispronounce
vi
mispronounce
wanigiizhwe vai s/he makes a mistake speaking, mispronounces something

wanimo vai s/he makes a mistake in speaking, mispronounces something

misread
v
misread
wanagindaaso vai s/he miscounts, misreads

wanagindan vti miscount, misread it

Paired with: wanagim vta

miss
[not do]
vi
miss out
banizi vai s/he misses out

miss
[not complete]
vt
miss
bana' vta miss h/ (using something)

Paired with: bana'an vti

bana'an vti miss it (using something)

Paired with: bana' vta

bite and miss
bishigwandan vti drop it from the mouth; try biting it and miss

bishigwam vta drop h/ from the mouth; try biting h/ and miss

Paired with: bishigwandan vti

miss with hands
bishigobidoon vti2 miss grabbing or catching it

Paired with: bishigobizh vta

bishigobizh vta miss grabbing or catching h/

Paired with: bishigobidoon vti2

miss with foot or body
bishigoshkan vti miss it with foot or body

Paired with: bishigoshkaw vta

bishigoshkaw vta miss h/ with foot or body

Paired with: bishigoshkan vti

shoot and miss
bishkonan vti shoot at it and miss

Paired with: bishkonaw vta

bishkonaw vta shoot and miss h/

Paired with: bishkonan vti See also: bashkonaw vta [BL]

bishkonaage vai s/he shoots and misses

throw and miss
bishigowebinan vti throw something at it and miss

miss
[discover abscence]
vt
miss
gwiinawenim vta miss, feel the absence of h/

Paired with: gwiinawendan vti

gwiinawendan vti miss, feel the absence of it

Paired with: gwiinawenim vta

Mississippi River
place
Mississippi River
gichi-ziibi ni
  1. a big river
  2. Gichi-ziibi: the Mississippi River

mistake
n
by mistake
bichi- pv lex accidentally, by accident

make a mistake
wani- pv lex making a mistake, mistakenly, in error

wanichige vai s/he makes a mistake, makes things wrong

make a mistake beading
wanaabidoo'an vti make a mistake beading it on a loom

wanaabidoo'ige vai s/he makes a mistake beading things on a loom

make a mistake cooking
wanizekwe vai s/he makes a mistake cooking

make a mistake drumming
wanwewe'akokwe vai s/he makes a mistake drumming

make a mistake sewing
wanigwaaso vai s/he makes a mistake sewing

wanigwaadan vti make a mistake sewing it

Paired with: wanigwaazh vta

wanigwaazh vta make a mistake sewing h/

Paired with: wanigwaadan vti

make mistake singing
wana'am vai2 s/he makes a mistake singing, sings the wrong song

make a mistake speaking
wanigiizhwe vai s/he makes a mistake speaking, mispronounces something

make a mistake writing
wanibii'an vti make a mistake writing it

wanibii'ige vai s/he makes a mistake writing something

misty
adj
misty
awanibiisaa vii it is misty, there is sprinkling rain

misunderstand
vt
misunderstand
wanitam vai2 s/he misunderstands something heard

wanitaw vta misunderstand (what) h/ (says)

mitt
n
baseball mitt
bakitejii'igewi-minjikaawan na [BL] a baseball mitt

catcher's mitt
nakwebijige-minjikaawan na a catcher's mitt

oven mitt
apaabikinigan na an oven mitt

mitten
n
mitten
minjikaawan na something worn on the hand: a mitten, a mitt, a glove

beaded mitten
manidoominensi-minjikaawan na a beaded mitten or glove

make mittens
minjikaawanike vai s/he makes a mitten or mittens

new mittens
oshkiminjikaawane vai s/he has new mittens

put on mittens
biichiminjikaawane vai s/he puts on h/ mittens

take along mittens
niimiminjikaawane vai s/he takes along mittens or gloves

take off mittens
giichiminjikaawane vai s/he takes off h/ mittens

wear mittens
gigiminjikaawane vai s/he wears mittens

mix
vt
mix
ginigawin vta mix it (animate) in

Paired with: ginigawinan vti

ginigawinan vti mix it in

Paired with: ginigawin vta

ginigawinige vai s/he mixes things

ginigawinigaade vii it is mixed in (by someone), "they" mix it in

ginigawinigaazo vai s/he is mixed in (by someone), "they" mix h/ in

mix by shaking
ginigawiwebin vta mix h/ by shaking

Paired with: ginigawiwebinan vti

ginigawiwebinan vti mix it by shaking

Paired with: ginigawiwebin vta

mix in
dagon vta add h/ in, mix h/ in

Paired with: dagonan vti

dagonan vti add it in, mix it in

Paired with: dagon vta

dagonige vai s/he adds, mixes things in

dagonigaade vii it is added, mixed in (by someone), "they" add, mix it in

Paired with: dagonigaazo vai

mixed
adj
mixed
ginigawisin vii it is mixed

mixer
n
mixer
waninawe'igan ni something used to stir or mix with: a stirring stick, an eggbeater, a mixer

See also: wanawe'igan ni [BL]

wanawe'igan ni [BL] something used to stir or mix with: a stirring stick, an eggbeater, a mixer

moccasin
n
moccasin
makizin ni
  1. a shoe, a moccasin
  2. a tire

hide moccasin
bashkweginwakizin ni a hide moccasin

See also: bashkwegino-makizin ni ; bashkweginwekizin ni [BL]

bashkweginwekizin ni [BL] a hide moccasin

See also: bashkwegino-makizin ni ; bashkweginwakizin ni

bashkwegino-makizin ni a hide moccasin

See also: bashkweginwakizin ni ; bashkweginwekizin ni [BL]

make moccasins
makizinike vai s/he makes moccasins, makes shoes

makizinikaw vta make moccasins for h/

put on moccasins
babiichii vai s/he puts on h/ moccasins or shoes

biitakizine vai [BL] s/he puts on h/ moccasins or shoes

take off moccasins
gagiichii vai s/he takes off h/ (own) shoes or moccasins

wear moccasins
gigakizine vai [BL] s/he wears moccasins or shoes

moccasin in manufacture
makizinikaan ni a moccasin in manufacture

● PARTS OF A MOCCASIN
moccasin cuff
apiganegwaajigan ni a moccasin cuff

moccasin vamp
apiingwe'igan ni a moccasin vamp

moccasin cuff
n
moccasin cuff
apiganegwaajigan ni a moccasin cuff

moccasin game
n
play the moccasin game
makizinataadiwag vai they play the moccasin game with each other

makizinataage vai s/he plays the moccasin game

moccasin game
makizinataadiwin ni moccasin game

makizinataagewin ni moccasin game

moccasin game song
n
moccasin game song
makizinataage-nagamon ni a moccasin game song

moccasin tongue
n
The vamp or tongue of a moccasin is the inserted piece covering the top of the foot. It is usually u-shaped and is often decorated with beadwork, quillwork, or thread embroidery.
moccasin tongue
apiingwe'igan ni a moccasin vamp

moccasin vamp
n
The vamp or tongue of a moccasin is the inserted piece covering the top of the foot. It is usually u-shaped and is often decorated with beadwork, quillwork, or thread embroidery.
moccasin vamp
apiingwe'igan ni a moccasin vamp

mock
vt
mock by repeating
naabinootaw vta repeat what h/ says, mimic what s/he says

naabinootaage vai s/he repeats what people say, mocks people

mock disrespectfully
baapinodaw vta make fun of, ridicule h/; mock h/ disrespectfully; show disrespect for h/

mold
vt
mold (by hand)
onadin vta form, shape, knead, mold h/ (a soft substance) (by hand)

Paired with: onadinan vti

onadinan vti form, shape, knead, mold it (a soft substance) (by hand)

Paired with: onadin vta

onadinige vai s/he forms, shapes, kneads, molds something (a soft substance) (by hand)

moldy
adj
moldy
agwaagoshi vai s/he is moldy

Paired with: agwaagosin vii

agwaagosin vii it is moldy

Paired with: agwaagoshi vai

smell moldy
agwaagomaagozi vai s/he smells moldy, smells stale

Paired with: agwaagomaagwad vii

agwaagomaagwad vii it smells moldy, smells stale

Paired with: agwaagomaagozi vai

taste moldy
agwaagopogozi vai s/he tastes moldy

Paired with: agwaagopogwad vii

agwaagopogwad vii it tastes moldy

Paired with: agwaagopogozi vai

mole
n
mole
nenaapaajinikesi na a mole

[
star-nosed mole
; 
Condylura cristata
]

Monday
n
Monday
ishkwaa-anama'e-giizhigad vii it is Monday

money
n
money
zhooniyaa na money

collect money as a donation
asigizhooniyaawe vai s/he collects money as a donation

earn money
zhooniyaake vai s/he makes money, earns money

ondizi vai s/he makes a living a certain way, earns or makes money, gets paid, benefits a certain way, inherits from a certain source

go after money
naajizhooniyaawe vai s/he goes after money

have money
ozhooniyaami vai s/he has money

make money
zhooniyaake vai s/he makes money, earns money

zhooniyaakaadan vti make money off it

Paired with: zhooniyaakaazh vta

zhooniyaakaazh vta make money off h/

Paired with: zhooniyaakaadan vti

take along money
niimizhooniyaawe vai s/he takes money along

use up money
jaagizhooniyaaweshin vai s/he uses up all of the money

money box
n
money box
zhooniyaa-makak ni a money box, a safe

monkey
n
monkey
andookomeshiinh na [N] a monkey

nandookomeshiinh na [S] a monkey

See also: andookomeshiinh na [N]

month
n
month
giizis na sun, moon, a month

so many months
daso-giizis qnt num a certain number of months; so many months

certain number of months
daso-giizis qnt num a certain number of months; so many months

certain date of the month
inaginzo vai
  1. s/he has a certain cost, has a certain price
  2. it is a certain date (of a month)

Paired with: inaginde vii See also: inangizo vai

every month
endaso-giizis adv tmp every month

one month
ingo-giizis qnt num one month

See also: ningo-giizis qnt num

ningo-giizis qnt num one month

See also: ingo-giizis qnt num

two months
niizho-giizis qnt num two months

niizho-giiziswagad vii it is two months

Paired with: niizho-giiziswagizi vai

three months
niso-giizis qnt num three months

niso-giiziswagad vii it is three months

Paired with: niso-giiziswagizi vai

four months
niiwo-giizis qnt num four months

See also: niiyo-giizis qnt num

niiyo-giizis qnt num four months

niiyo-giiziswagad vii it is four months

Paired with: niiyo-giiziswagizi vai

five months
naano-giizis qnt num five months

naano-giiziswagad vii it is five months

Paired with: naano-giiziswagizi vai

six months
ingodwaaso-giizis qnt num six months

See also: ningodwaaso-giizis qnt num

ningodwaaso-giizis qnt num six months

See also: ingodwaaso-giizis qnt num

seven months
niizhwaaso-giizis qnt num seven months

niizhwaaso-giiziswagad vii it is seven months

Paired with: niizhwaaso-giiziswagizi vai

eight months
ishwaaso-giizis qnt num eight months

nine months
zhaangaso-giizis qnt num nine months

zhaangaso-giiziswagad vii it is nine months

Paired with: zhaangaso-giiziswagizi vai

ten months
midaaso-giizis qnt num ten months

midaaso-giiziswagad vii it is ten months

Paired with: midaaso-giiziswagizi vai

start a month
maadaginzo vai the month begins, it is the first (of the month)

moon
n
moon
dibiki-giizis na moon

giizis na sun, moon, a month

first-quarter moon
aabitawaasige vai there is a first-quarter or last-quarter moon

aabitawaabikizi vai
  1. it (animate) is half (as something mineral)
  2. it (the moon) is a half-moon

full moon
miziweyaabikizi vai s/he is full (as something mineral; e.g., the moon)

michaabikizi vai
  1. it (animate; mineral ) is big
  2. it is full (of the moon), there is a full moon

Paired with: michaabikad vii

last-quarter moon
aabitawaasige vai there is a first-quarter or last-quarter moon

aabitawaabikizi vai
  1. it (animate) is half (as something mineral)
  2. it (the moon) is a half-moon

new moon
oshkagoojin vai it (animate) is new (of a moon)

ricing moon
manoominike-giizis na the moon of ricing occuring in August or September

See also: manoominikewi-giizis na [BL]

moonlight
n
moonlight
giizhigaate vii there is moonlight

moose
n
moose
mooz na a moose

[
Alces alces
]

bull moose
naabe-mooz na a bull moose (male moose); a male moose

cow moose
noozhe-mooz na a female moose, a cow (moose)

female moose
noozhe-mooz na a female moose, a cow (moose)

male moose
naabe-mooz na a bull moose (male moose); a male moose

PARTS OF A MOOSE
moose antler
moozweshkan na a moose antler

moose bone
moozogan ni a moose bone

moose dung
moozo-moo ni moose dung

moose fat
moozo-wiinin ni moose fat

moose gut
moozonagizh ni moose gut, moose intestine; a moose sausage

moose head
moozoshtigwaan ni [MN] a moose head

See also: moozotigwaan ni [BL]

moozotigwaan ni [BL] a moose head

See also: moozoshtigwaan ni [MN]

moose heart
moozode' ni a moose heart

moose hindquarter
moozobwaam ni a moose hindquarter

moose intestine
moozonagizh ni moose gut, moose intestine; a moose sausage

moose kidney
moozodoodikosiw na a moose kidney

moose liver
moozokon ni a moose liver

moose meat
moozo-wiiyaas ni moose meat

moose nose
moozojaan ni a moose nose

moose rib
moozopigay na a moose rib

moose tongue
moozodenaniw ni a moose tongue

moose call
n
moose call
moozo-boodaajigan ni a moose call

moose crossing sign
n
moose crossing sign
moozowaazhawa'adoowagwaakwa'igan ni a moose crossing sign

moose hide
n
tanned moose hide
moozwegin ni a tanned moose hide, moose hide leather

mop
vt
mop floor
giziisaga'an vti mop it (a floor)

giziisaga'ige vai s/he mops the floor

more
adv
more
nawaj adv deg more

more and more
eshkam adv deg gradually; less and less; more and more

much more
awashime adv deg much more

morning
n
morning
gigizhebaawagad vii it is morning

all morning
gabe-zhebaa adv tmp all morning

early in the morning
gichi-gigizheb adv tmp early in the morning

every morning
endaso-gigizheb adv tmp every morning

in the morning
gigizheb adv tmp in the morning

this morning
zhebaa adv tmp this morning (just past)

mortar
n
mortar
bootaagan na [ML] a mortar for wild rice

See also: bootaagan ni [LL]

stamp in a mortar
bootaagaadan vti stamp it in a mortar

bootaage vai s/he stamps things in a mortar (e.g., wild rice)

mortuary
n
mortuary
niboowigamig ni a mortuary

mosquito
n
mosquito
zagime na a mosquito

many mosquitoes
zagimekaa vii there are (many) mosquitoes

mosquito net
n
mosquito net
zagimewayaan na a mosquito net, mosquito netting

moss
n
moss
aasaakamig ni moss

peat moss
mashkiigwakamig ni peat moss, sphagnum moss

See also: mashkiigokamig ni

sphagnum moss
mashkiigwakamig ni peat moss, sphagnum moss

See also: mashkiigokamig ni

mother
n
mother
nimaamaa nad my mother

gimaamaa nad your mother

omaamaayan nad h/ mother

ninga nad my mother

giga nad your mother

ogiin nad h/ mother

mother-in-law
n
mother-in-law
nizigozis nad my mother-in-law

inzigozis nad my mother-in-law

gizigozis nad your mother-in-law

ozigozisan nad h/ mother-in-law

have mother-in-law
ozigozisi vai s/he has a mother-in-law

motion
n
in motion
mamaajii vai s/he moves, is in motion, twitches

motor
n
outboard motor
akikoons na an outboard motor

motor launch
n
motor launch
waasamoo-jiimaan ni a motor launch

moult
vi
moult
aanjigwane vai s/he [bird] moults

mount
vt
mount a horse
omboomigo vai s/he mounts a horse, gets on horseback

mountain
n
mountain
wajiw ni a mountain

beyond the mountain
awasajiw adv loc beyond the mountain or hill; on the other side of the mountain or hill

on top of a mountain
agidajiw adv loc [ML] on top of a mountain

ogidajiw adv loc on top of a mountain

See also: agidajiw adv loc [ML]

wagidajiw adv loc on top of a mountain

See also: agidajiw adv loc [ML] ; ogidajiw adv loc

other side of the mountain
awasajiw adv loc beyond the mountain or hill; on the other side of the mountain or hill

mountain ash
n
mountain ash
makominagaawanzh na a mountain ash

[
American mountain ash
; 
Sorbus americana
]

mourn
vi
mourn
inigaazi vai
  1. s/he mourns
  2. s/he is pitiable, is poor

nitaage vai s/he kills game, kills people, murders; s/he mourns

mourning
n
complete mourning
bagidenim vta
  1. release h/ from your mind
  2. complete mourning for h/
  3. bury h/ or it (animate)
  4. let h/ or it (animate) go (and don't think about h/ or it)

Paired with: bagidendan vti

mouse
n
mouse
waawaabiganoojiinh na a mouse

moustache
n
have a moustache
miishidoon vai [S] s/he has whiskers at h/ mouth, has a moustache

See also: miishidoone vai [N]

miishidoone vai [N] s/he has whiskers at h/ mouth, has a moustache

See also: miishidoon vai [S]

mouth
n
The medial /-doon-/ occurs in verbs referring to the mouth.
mouth
indoon nid my mouth

nindoon nid my mouth

gidoon nid your mouth

odoon nid h/ mouth

big mouth
mangidoon vai [S] s/he has a big mouth

See also: mangidoone vai

mangidoone vai s/he has a big mouth

See also: mangidoon vai [S]

bloody mouth
miskwiiwidoone vai s/he has bloody lips or mouth

clean mouth
biinidoon vai [ML] s/he has a clean mouth

See also: biinidoone vai [N]

biinidoone vai [N] s/he has a clean mouth

See also: biinidoon vai [ML]

dirty mouth
wiinidoone vai
  1. s/he has a dirty mouth
  2. s/he has a filthy mouth (using bad language)

See also: wiinidoon vai [ML]

wiinidoon vai [ML]
  1. s/he has a dirty mouth
  2. s/he has a filthy mouth (using bad language)

See also: wiinidoone vai

dry mouth
bengodoone vai s/he has a dry mouth

filthy mouth
wiinidoone vai
  1. s/he has a dirty mouth
  2. s/he has a filthy mouth (using bad language)

See also: wiinidoon vai [ML]

wiinidoon vai [ML]
  1. s/he has a dirty mouth
  2. s/he has a filthy mouth (using bad language)

See also: wiinidoone vai

foam at the mouth
biitewidoone vai s/he has foam at the mouth

hold in mouth
agwanem vta put h/ in in the mouth, hold h/ in the mouth

Paired with: agwanendan vti

agwanendan vti put it in the mouth, hold it in the mouth

Paired with: agwanem vta

inside mouth
biinjidoon adv loc inside the mouth

let drop from mouth
bagidam vta release h/ from the mouth

Paired with: bagidandan vti

bagidandan vti let it drop from the mouth

Paired with: bagidam vta

open mouth
daawani vai s/he opens h/ (own) mouth

baakidooneni vai s/he opens h/ mouth

baakidoonese vai h/ mouth falls open

baakidoonebizh vta pull h/ mouth open

put in mouth
agwanem vta put h/ in in the mouth, hold h/ in the mouth

Paired with: agwanendan vti

agwanendan vti put it in the mouth, hold it in the mouth

Paired with: agwanem vta

sore mouth
gaagiijidoone vai [N] s/he has a sore mouth or lips

swollen mouth
baagidoone vai s/he has a swollen mouth

baagidoon vai [S] s/he has a swollen mouth

See also: baagidoone vai

twisted mouth
biimidoon vai s/he has a twisted or crooked mouth (as from a stroke)

See also: biimidoone vai [N]

biimidoone vai [N] s/he has crooked mouth

See also: biimidoon vai

wipe mouth
gaasiidoone'o vai s/he wipes h/ (own) mouth

uses up money
jaagizhooniyaaweshin vai s/he uses up all of the money

move
vi
move
mamaajii vai s/he moves, is in motion, twitches

mamaajise vai s/he moves, is in motion, twitches

mamaajise vii it moves

mamaazikaa vai s/he moves, is in motion, twitches

move a certain way
ayaa vii
  1. it is (in a certain place)
  2. [with a lexical preverb] it is in a certain state or condition
  3. [with a preverb] it moves a certain way

Paired with: ayaa vai

move slowly
bejibide vii it runs (as a machine), operates, drives slowly

Paired with: bejibizo vai

bezikaa vai s/he moves slowly, runs late

move
[change residence]
vt
move (where one lives)
gozi vai s/he moves (h/ residence)

move (where one lives) about
babaamigozi vai s/he moves h/ residence about

move from a certain place (where one lives)
onjigozi vai s/he moves from a certain place

move here (to live)
biijigozi vai s/he moves here to live

move in (to live)
bagamigozi vai s/he moves in, arrives with h/ belongings

move (where one lives) inland
gopigozi vai s/he moves (h/ camp or residence) inland, moves (h/ camp or residence) off the lake

move (where one lives) to a certain place
izhigozi vai s/he moves there

move to a new place (to live)
aanjigozi vai s/he moves to another place to live

move (where one lives) to the shore
madaabiigozi vai s/he moves to the shore

move
[change position of body part]
vt
move arm a certain way
izhinikeni vai s/he moves h/ arm a certain way

move hand a certain way
izhininjiini vai s/he moves h/ hand a certain way

move foot a certain way
izhizideni vai s/he moves h/ foot a certain way

movie
n
movie
mazinaatese vii it is a movie

bad movie
maanaatese vii it is a bad movie, is a poor movie

comedy
gagiibaadaatese vii it is a funny movie, is a comedy

certain kind of movie
inaatese vii it is a certain kind of movie or television show

children's movie
odaminoowaatese vii it is a movie for children, is a kid's movie

good movie
minwaatese vii it is a good movie; it flashes nicely

funny movie
gagiibaadaatese vii it is a funny movie, is a comedy

movie starts
maadaatese the movie or show starts

poor movie
scary movie
zegaatese vii it is a scary movie

show movie
mazinaatesijige vai s/he shows a movie, watches a movie

watch movie
mazinaatesijige vai s/he shows a movie, watches a movie

movie projector
n
movie projector
mazinaatewebinigan ni a movie projector

movie theater
n
movie theater
mazinaatesewigamig ni a movie theater

much
qnt
much
niibiwa adv qnt [N] a lot; many; much

See also: niibowa adv qnt [S]

niibowa adv qnt [S] a lot; many; much

See also: gichi-niibowa adv qnt ; niibiwa adv qnt [N] ; onzaam niibowa adv qnt

baatayiinad vii
  1. there is much of it
  2. they are many, there are many of them

Paired with: baatayiino vai

baatayiino vai
  1. there is much of it
  2. [pl] they are many, there are many of them

Paired with: baatayiinad vii

baataniinad vii there is much of it

See also: baatayiinad vii

baataniino vai there is much of h/ (something animate)

Paired with: baataniinad vii See also: baatayiino vai

have much
baatayiinatoon vti2 have many of them; have much of it

Paired with: baatayiino' vta

baatayiino' vta have much of h/, have many of them

Paired with: baatayiinatoon vti2

how much
aaniin minik adv inter how many?; how much?

so much
minik adv qnt a certain amount, a certain number, so much, so many

too much
onzaam adv qnt
  1. too, too much, excessively
  2. because (of an excess or an extreme condition or event)

onzaam niibiwa adv qnt too many; too much

See also: niibiwa adv qnt [N] ; onzaam adv qnt

onzaami- pv lex too; excessively; extremely; too much

onzaamiinad vii [plural] there are a large number of them, are too many of them; there is a large amount of it, is too much of it

Paired with: onzaamiino vai

onzaamiino vai [plural] there is a large number of them (animate); there are too many of them (animate); there is a large amount of h/, is too much of h/

Paired with: onzaamiinad vii

as much
apiichi- pv rel to a certain extent or degree; as much as

mud
n
mud
azhashki ni mud

black mud
makadewijiishkiwagad vii it is black mud

dirty mud
wiinijiishkiwagaa vii there is patch of dirty mud

in the mud
megwejiishkiwag adv loc in the mud

much mud
azhashkiikaa vii there is (a lot of) mud

slippery mud
ozhaashijiishkiwagaa vii there is slippery mud

ozhaashijiishkiwagad vii it is slippery mud

mud hen
n
coot
aajigade na [S] a coot, a mud hen

[
American coot
; 
Fulicia americana
]

See also: daajigade na [N]

daajigade na [N] a coot, a mud hen

[
American coot
; 
Fulicia americana
]

See also: aajigade na [S]

muddy
adj
muddy
azhashkiiwan vii it is muddy

Paired with: azhashkiiwi vai

azhashkiiwi vai s/he is muddy

Paired with: azhashkiiwan vii

wiinijiishkiwagizi vai s/he is muddy, dirty with mud

muddy foot
azhashkiiwizide vai s/he has muddy feet

muddy foot tracks
azhashkiiwishkige vai s/he leaves muddy foot tracks

muddy ground
azhashkiiwakamigaa vii it is muddy ground

muddy hand
azhashkiiwininjii vai s/he has muddy hands

muddy water
bakwebiigad vii it is turbid, roiled, muddy (water)

muffler
[car part]
n
muffler
bagidanaamochigan ni [RL] a (vehicle) muffler

mug
n
mug
minikwaajigan ni drinking vessel (larger than a cup): a glass, a mug, a tankard, a chalice

mule
n
mule
memaangishens na a mule

multi-colored
adj
multi-colored
gidagaa vii it is spotted, is multi-colored

Paired with: gidagizi vai

gidagizi vai s/he is spotted, is multi-colored

multi-colored (sheet-like)
gidagiigad vii it (sheet-like) is spotted, is multi-colored

Paired with: gidagiigizi vai

gidagiigizi vai it (animate; sheet-like) is spotted, is multi-colored

Paired with: gidagiigad vii

multi-colored (mineral)
gidagaabikad vii it (mineral) is spotted, is multi-colored

Paired with: gidagaabikizi vai

gidagaabikizi vai s/he (mineral) is spotted, is multi-colored

Paired with: gidagaabikad vii

mumble
vi
mumble
giimoodaanagidoon vai [C] s/he mumbles

The Ojibwe People's Dictionary is developed and maintained by:
Nora Livesay, Editor
John D. Nichols, Founder and Linguistic Editor

with support and collaboration from the University of Minnesota's Department of American Indian Studies and University Libraries.

Additional Resources

Many of the words in the Ojibwe People's Dictionary have related resources. Click through to the full dictionary entry to hear audio recordings, see images, read documents and watch videos. Here's a key to resource icons.

  • Audio recordings
  • Images
  • Video
  • Documents

Speakers & Regions Key

Individual speakers and speakers from different regions use different words when speaking. Each audio recording is marked with the initials of the Ojibwe speaker. Click on a speaker's initials to go to the speaker's bio page. If an Ojibwe word is particular to a certain region, it will be marked with a region code. Click on the region code to go to the Regions page.