“Zh”- sounds like the “su” in measure
“a”- sounds like the “u” in run
“aa”- sounds like the “a” in father
“i”- sounds like the “i” in sit
“ii”- sounds like the “ee” in street
“o”- sounds like the “o” in no
“oo”- sounds like the “oo” in food
“e”- sounds like the “ay” in play
PHRASES:
Come in- Bendigen
Hello- Boozhoo (formal) or Aaniin (informal)
My name is (your name)- Niin (your name) nindizhinikaaz.
Please- Daga
Say it again(repeat)- Ikidon miinawaa
Come here!- Ondaas
See you again- Giga-waabamin minewa
See you later- Giga-waabamin naagaj
Thank you- Miigwetch or Miigwech
Black- Makadewaa
Red- Miskwaa
White- Waabishkaa
Blue or Green- Ozhaawashkwaa
Brown or Yellow- Ozhaawaa
FOUR SEASONS:
Winter- Biboon
Spring- Ziigwan
Summer- Niibin
Fall- Dagwaagin
FOUR DIRECTIONS:
East- Waabanong
North- Giiwedinong
South- Zhaawanong
West- Ningaabi’ anong
Pencil oshibii’ganak
Paper mazina’iga
Picture mazinaakizon
Start maajitaan
Draw mazinibii’ige
Sit namadabin
Cloud aanakwad
Tree mitig
Plant/fauna gitigaan
Water nibi
Animal(s) awesiinh(yag)
Pipe opwaagan
Painted turtle miskwaadesi
Bear makwaa
Moose mooz
Buffalo mashkode-bizhiki
Bird bineshiinh
Butterfly memengwaa
Nice onizhishi
Much niibowa
Red miskwaa
Orange wezaawaa
Brown ozaawaa
Black makade
White waabishkaa
Blue ozhaawashkwaa
Yellow ozaawaa
Green ozhaawashkwaa
Grey waabijiiyaa
Wolf ma’iingan
Black makedewaa
Leaf anibiish
Winter baboon
Summer niibin
Autumn dagwaagon
Spring zigwaan
Sketch maazinabi’ige
Other Ojibwe Language Resources:
Ojibwe Peoples Dictionary: https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/
This is a free talking Ojibwe-English dictionary that features the voices of Ojibwe speakers.
Online Ojibwe Language program- Univerisity of Wisconsin Eau-Claire: https://www.uwec.edu/academics/college-arts-sciences/departments-programs/languages/academic-offerings/all-languages/online-ojibwe-language-program/?fbclid=IwAR1N__TtBfXJqR7_GCmaHO7RRXQSmg4SD8xxpJCa2DjcjLlSwRNcaXgk6Lw
Free live and recorded Beginning and Intermediate Ojibwe Language classes available for everyone through UW-Eau Claire.