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Nsostamokiiwans, To Understand Little Things, (Explanation)
It is important to learn the seven pronouns used in Ojibwe. Because the language is based on verbs, you will often be listening for a root verb and prefixes or suffixes that indicate who is doing the action.
- There is no gender differentiation or variance between these pronoun forms.
- There is a single and a plural form of "you" being "giin = you," and "giinwa = yous."
- There are two forms of "us" being "niinwi = just us," (not referring to the person who the speaker is directing the conversation), and "giinwi = all of us," (includes the person the conversation is directed at).
Pronoun
(not added to word) |
Prefix 2 -Present |
Verb |
Suffix |
niin
I |
n' (sometimes nd' with a vowel) |
verb |
(drop the last vowel when the verb ends in one i, o or a) |
giin
you |
g' (sometimes gd' with a vowel) |
verb |
(drop the last vowel when the verb ends in one i, o or a) |
wiin
he / she |
|
verb |
|
niinwi
just us |
n' (sometimes nd' with a vowel) |
verb |
mi |
giinwi
all of us |
g' (sometimes gd' with a vowel) |
verb |
mi |
giinwaa
you all |
g' (sometimes gd' with a vowel) |
verb |
m |
wiinwaa
they or them |
|
verb |
wag |
The simplest way to use these pronouns is to indicate one action that does not have a direct object. For example, the list of words below are all actions that can be performed by one or more persons without involving anyone or anything else. These are also sometimes called "Intransitive-Animate" verbs. Most importantly, just remember to make simple sentences. For instance, "I am eating" NOT "I am eating an apple." As soon as you mention something else (a direct object) the verb and suffixes will change.
| Root verbs: |
| gichinendamo |
happy |
| debwe |
true or correct |
| bakade |
hungry |
| ayekozi |
tired |
| bmpto |
run |
| bmose |
walk |
| wiisini |
eat |
| giigido |
talk |
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Ezhichigen, You Do It, (Practice)
| N'gichinendam. |
I am happy. |
| G'debwe. |
You are correct / true. |
| Bakade. |
He or she is hungry. |
| Nd'ayekozimi. |
Just we are tired. |
| G'bmptomi. |
We all are running. |
| G'wiisinim. |
You all are eating. |
| Giigidowag. |
They are talking. |
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