< Mi'kmaq language
This chapter introduces some Mi'kmaq vocabulary by themes: animals, body parts, elements of the calendar, colours, currency and food.
Note: All words in this chapter are in Francis-Smith orthography (see Chapter 3 for more details). The abbreviations "n.a" and "n.i." respectively mean "noun animate" and "noun inanimate".
Animals
Lmu'j
Te'sipow
Tiya'm
Paqtɨsm
Lentuk
Kitpu
| English | Mi'kmaq | Plural Mi'kmaq form | Fourth person Mi'kmaq form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bat | Na'jipuktaq'nej (n.a.) | Na'jipuktaq'nejk | Na'jipuktaq'nejl |
| Beaver | Kopit (n.a.) | Kopitk | Kopitl |
| Bear | Mui'n (n.a.), muin (n.a.) | Mui'naq, muinaq | Mui'nal, muinal |
| Bear cub | Mui'ne'j (n.a.) | Mui'nejk | Mui'ne'jl |
| Bee | Amu (n.a.) | Amu'k | Amu'l |
| Bird | Jipji'j (n.a.) | Jipji'jk | Jipji'jl, jipji'tl |
| Black duck | Apji'jkmuj (n.a.), jikwij (n.a.) | Apji'jkmujk, jikwijk | Apji'jkmujl, jikwijl |
| Blackbird | Putlieskij (n.a.) | Putlieskijk | Putlieskijl |
| Blue Jay | Tities (n.a.) | Titiesk | Titiesl |
| Blue-winged Teal | Tma'qni (n.a.) | Tma'qni'k | Tma'qni'l |
| Bull | Matto'law (n.a.), latto'law (n.a.) | Matto'lawk, latto'lawk | Matto'lawl, latto'lawl |
| Butterfly | Mimikes (n.a.), mimikej (n.a.) | Mimikesk, mimikesjk | Mimikesl, mimikejl |
| Calf | Wenjitia'mu'j (n.a.) | Wenjitia'mu'jk | Wnejitia'mu'jl |
| Calf moose | Tia'mu'j (n.a.) | Tia'mu'jk | Tia'mu'jl |
| Caribou | Qalipu (n.a.) | Qalipuk | Qalipul |
| Cat | Kajuewj (n.a.), mia'wj (n.a.) | Kajuewjik, mia'wjk | Kajuewjl, mia'wjl |
| Caterpillar | Enkejit (n.a.) | Enkejijik | Enkejitl |
| Chicken | Ko'qoli'kwej (n.a.), ki'kli'kwej (n.a.) | Ko'qoli'kwejk, ki'kli'kwejk | Ko'qoli'kwejl, ki'kli'kwejl |
| Chipmunk | Apalqaqamej (n.a.) | Apalqaqamejk | Apalqaqamejl |
| Clam | E's (n.a.) | E'sik | E'sl |
| Cod | Peju (n.a.) | Peju'k | Peju'l |
| Cow | Wenjti'am (n.a.) | Wenjiti'amuk | Wenjiti'amul |
| Crane | Tmkwatiknej (n.a.) | Tmkwatiknejk | Tmkwatiknejl |
| Crow | Ka'qaquj (n.a.), ka'qawej (n.a.) | Ka'qaqujk, ka'qawejk | Ka'qaqujl, ka'qawejl |
| Deer | Lentuk (n.a.) | Lentukk | Lentukul |
| Dog | Lmu'j (n.a.), nmu'j (n.a.) | Lmu'jik, nmu'jik | Lmu'jl, nmu'jl |
| Duck or geese (domestic) | Takali'j (n.a.) | Takali'jk | Takali'jl |
| Dragonfly | Sa'qitie'j (n.a.) | Sa'qitie'jik | Sa'qitie'jl |
| Eagle | Kitpu (n.a.) | Kitpu'k | Kitpu'l |
| Eel | Ka't (n.a.), katew | Ka'taq, kataq | Ka'tal, katewal |
| Female dog | Skwesmuj (n.a.) | Skwesmujk | Skwesmujl |
| Female fowl | Skwe'w (n.a.) | Skwe'wuk | Skwe'wul |
| Flying squirrel | Saskatu (n.a.), sasqatu (n.a.) | Saskatu'k, Sasqatu'k | Saskatu'l, sasqatu'k |
| Foal | Te'sipowji'j (n.a.) | Te'sipowji'jk | Te'sipowji'jl |
| Fox | Wowkwis (n.a.) | Wowkwisk | Wowkwisl |
| Frog | Sqolj (n.a.) | Sqoljik | Sqoljl |
| Goat | Te'plj (n.a.), te'pulj (n.a.) | Te'pljik, te'puljik | Te'pljl, te'puljl |
| Goose | Sulumkw (n.a.), sinumkw (n.a.) | Sulumkwaq, sinumkwaq | Sulumkwal, sinumkwal |
| Groundhog | Mulumkwej (n.a.) | Mulumkwejk | Mulumkwejl |
| Halibut | Sanuk (n.a.) | Sanukk | Sanukl |
| Herring | Alanj (n.a.) | Alanjk | Alanjl |
| Horned owl | Titiklie (n.a.) | Titiklie'k | Titiklie'l |
| Horned serpent | Jipijka'm (n.a.) | Jipijka'muk | Jipijka'mul |
| Horse | Te'sipow (n.a.) | Te'sipowk | Te'sipowl |
| Kingfisher | Jikitli'kej (n.a.) | Jikitli'kejk | Jikitli'kejl |
| Kitten | Kajuewji'j (n.a.) | Kajuewji'jk | Kajuewji'jl |
| Lamb | Jijkluewji'j (n.a.) | Jijkluewji'jk | Jijkluewji'jl |
| Lobster | Jakej (n.a.) | Jakejk | Jakejl |
| Mackerel | Amalamek (n.a.) | Amalamekk | Amalamekl |
| Marten | Apistanewj (n.a.) | Apistanewjik | Apistanewjl |
| Mink | Jiakewj (n.a.), mujpej (n.a.) | Jiakewjik, mujpejk | Jiakewjl, mujpejl |
| Moose | Tia'm (n.a.) | Tia'muk | Tia'mul |
| Mouse | Apikji'j (n.a.), apukji'j (n.a.) | Apikji'jk, apukji'jk | Apikji'jl, apukji'jl |
| Muskrat | Ki'kwesu (n.a.) | Ki'kwesu'k | Ki'kwesu'l |
| Otter | Kiwnik (n.a.) | Kiwnikaq | Kiwnikal |
| Owl | Ku'ku'kwes (n.a.) | Ku'ku'kwesk | Ku'ku'kwesl |
| Partridge | Plawej (n.a.) | Plawejk | Plawejl |
| Pig | Kulkwi's (n.a.) | Kulkwi'sk | Kulkwi'sl |
| Piglet | Kulkwi'ji'j (n.a.) | Kulkwi'ji'jk | Kulkwi'ji'jl |
| Porcupine | Matues (n.a.) | Matuesk | Matuesl |
| Puppy | Lmu'ji'j (n.a.) | Lmu'ji'jk | Lmu'ji'jl |
| Rabbit | Apli'kmuj (n.a.), wapus (n.a.) | Apli'kmujk, wapusk | Apli'kmujl, wapusl |
| Raccoon | Amaljukwej (n.a.), amaljikwej (n.a.) | Amaljukwejk, amaljikwejk | Amaljukwejl, amaljikwejl |
| Robin | Jipjawej (n.a.), kapjakwej (n.a.) | Jipjawejk, kapjakwejk | Jipjawejl, kapjakwejl |
| Rooster | Lape'w (n.a.), nape'w (n.a.), jikijo'n (n.a.) | Lape'wk, nape'wk, jikijo'nk | Lape'wl, nape'wl, jikijo'nl |
| Salamander | Taqtaloq (n.a.) | Taqtaloqq | Taqtaloql |
| Salmon | Plamu (n.a.) | Plamu'k | Plamu'l |
| Seagull | Kloqntiej (n.a.) | Kloqntiejk | Klowntiejl |
| Sheep | Jijkluewj (n.a.) | Jijkluewjik | Jijkluewjl |
| Skunk | Apikjilu (n.a.) | Apikjilu'k | Apikjilu'l |
| Smelt | Kaqpesaw (n.a.) | Kaqpesaq | Kaqpesawul |
| Snake | Mteskm, mte'skm (n.a.) | Mteskmuk, mte'skmuk | Mteskml, mte'skml |
| Squirrel | Atu'tuej (n.a.) | Atu'tuejk | Atu'tuejl |
| Sucker | Komkwej (n.a.) | Komkwejk | Komkwejl |
| Sugar ant | Sismo'qone'j (n.a.) | Sismo'qone'jk | Sismo'qone'jl |
| Swallow | Pukwales (n.a.) | Pukwalesk | Pukwalesl |
| Trout | Atoqwa'su (n.a.) | Atoqwa'su'k | Atoqwa'su'l |
| Turtle | Mikjikj (n.a.) | Mikjikjik | Mikjikjl |
| Waterfowl | Sisip (n.a.) | Sisipaq | Sisipal |
| Wolf | Paqtɨsm (n.a.), paqtesm (n.a.) | Paqtɨsmuk, paqtesmuk | Paqtɨsmul, paqtesmul |
| Woodpecker | Apo'qatej (n.a.) | Apo'qatejk | Apo'qatejl |
| Young goat | Te'plji'j (n.a.) | Te'plji'jk | Te'plji'jl |
Body parts
| English | Mi'kmaq |
|---|---|
| Arm | Npitnokom |
| Belly button | Nili |
| Chest | Npsewikn |
| Ear | Nsituaqn |
| Elbow | Ntluskinikn |
| Eye | Npukik |
| Finger | Ntlewikn |
| Foot | Nkat |
| Knee | Njikun |
| Hand | Npitn |
| Head | Nunji |
| Mouth | Ntun |
| Neck | Njitaqn |
| Nose | Nsiskun |
| Shoulder | Ntlmaqn |
| Stomach | Nmusti |
| Testicle | Nulsu |
| Thigh | Nkajikn |
| Thumb | Ntijin |
| Toe | Npsisqunan |
Calendar
Seasons
| English | Mi'kmaq |
|---|---|
| Autumn | Toqwa'q |
| Spring | Siwkw |
| Summer | Nipk |
| Winter | Kesik |
Months
| English | Mi'kmaq | Literal meaning |
|---|---|---|
| January | Penamujuiku's | Frost fish runs |
| February | Apuknajit | Snow blinding month |
| March | Siewkesiku's | Forerunner of Spring |
| April | Penatmuiku's | Egg hatching time |
| May | Etquljuiku's | Frog croaking time |
| June | Nipniku's | Leaves are budding time |
| July | Peskewiku's | Animal fur thickens time |
| August | Kisikwekewiku's | Ripening time |
| September | Wikumkewiku's | Mate calling time |
| October | Wikewiku's | Animal fattening time |
| November | Keptekewiku's | Frost month |
| December | Kesikewiku's | Winter month |
Days of the week
| English | Mi'kmaq |
|---|---|
| Monday | Amskwesewey |
| Tuesday | Ta'puewey |
| Wednesday | Si'stewey |
| Thursday | Ne'wewey |
| Friday | Kweltamultimk |
| Saturday | Kespitekɨtek |
| Sunday | Ekntie'wimk |
Colours
Since there is no adjectives per say in Mi'kmaq, the words in the table below are verbs meaning "He/she/it is black" (or another colour). All verbs shown are for the third person and are singular.
| English | Mi'kmaq |
|---|---|
| Black | Maqtawe'k, maqtewe'k |
| Blue | Ewne'k |
| Brown | Tupkwanamu'k, jijijuwaqitewamu'k |
| Dark green | Stoqonamuksit |
| Deep blue | Musqunamu'k |
| Gold | Wisawisuliewey |
| Green | Stoqonamu'k |
| Grey | Sulieweyamu'k |
| Light blue | Musik'ewamuk' |
| Orange | Nikjawiknejewamu'k, wisawsulieweyamu'k |
| Pink | Nijinjewamu'k |
| Purple | Nisqunamu'k |
| Red | Mekwe'k |
| Yellow | Wisawe'k, wataptek |
| White | Wape'k |
Currency
Since the vast majority of Mi'kmaq speakers are in Canada, this page lists the Mi'kmaq words for the different denominations for Canadian money.
| Value | Mi'kmaq word |
|---|---|
| 1¢ | Smalkiewey |
| 5¢ | Kopitewey |
| 10¢ | Salpo'lkewey |
| 25¢ | Kaltie |
| $1 | Newtayik |
| $2 | Tapuayikl |
| $5 | Nanayikl |
| $10 | Metla'sayikl |
| $20 | Tapuiskekayikl |
| $50 | Naniskekayikl |
| $100 | Kaskimtlnaqnayikl |
Food
Enmapejit
Ejkujk
Tmato's
Moqopa'q
| English | Mi'kmaq |
|---|---|
| Bannock | Lusknikn (n.i.) |
| Bread | Pipnaqan (n.i.) |
| Butter | Mlakeju'mi (n.i.) |
| Buttermilk | Sikupaqte'kn (n.a.) |
| Carrot | Enmapejit (n.a.) |
| Cheese | Te'plmasewei (n.i.), tepplma'sigewei (n.i.) |
| Cinnamon | Pkwejijk (n.) |
| Coffee | Kaffi (n.i.) |
| Cookie | Kalkunawei (n.i.) |
| Food | Mijipjewei (n.i.) |
| Food for breakfast | Eksitpu'kwatalmgewei (n.i.) |
| Hazelnut | Malipqwanj (n.i.) |
| Jam | Paskoqsikn (n.i.), passoqsikn (n.i.) |
| Meal | Mijjuaqan (n.i.) |
| Meat | Wius (n.i.) |
| Milk | Mlakejk (n.a.) |
| Moose fat | Tia'mu'mi (n.i.) |
| Moose meat | Tia'muei (n.i.) |
| Mushroom | Lketu (n.a.), sqoljui'kan (n.i.) |
| Pancake | Sisla'kwa'taqan (n.i.) |
| Pea soup | Wenjua'p'tew (n.i.) |
| Pepper | Te'pisewei (n.i.) |
| Porcupine meat | Matuesuei (n.i.) |
| Pork | Kulkwi'suei (n.i.) |
| Pork fat, lard | Kulkwi'su'mi (n.i.) |
| Potato | Tapatat (n.a.), tap'tan (n.a.) |
| Rhubarb | Sewlugowei (n.a.) |
| Salt | Salawei (n.i.) |
| Squash | Ejkujk (n.i.) |
| Soup | Lasup (n.i.) |
| Sugar | Sismoqn (n.i.), sismo'qon (n.i.) |
| Tea | P'tewei (n.i.) |
| Tomato | Tmato's (n.a.) |
| Turnips | Wenj'u'sɨpekn (n.a.), wenju'suqapun (n.a.), tanaps (n.a.) |
| Water | Samuqwan (n.i.) |
| Wild potato | S'kepn (n.a.) |
| Wine | Moqopa'q (n.i.) |
Additional resources
- Mi'kmaq words in the English Wiktionary
- Mi'kmaq words in the French Wiktionary (in French)
- Mi'gmaq-Mi'kmaq Online, a free online English—Mi'gmaq dictionary
- Mi'kmaq words in the OmegaWiki, an online multilingual dictionary
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