Indigenous languages American Indian tribes American Indian stories

Native American Vocabulary: Anishinaabe Words

Welcome to our Anishinabe vocabulary page! Here is a comparison of Anishinabe words from Southwestern Ojibwe (as spoken in Minnesota), Ottawa, and Algonquin. Some linguists consider them separate languages, some consider them dialects of a single language, and others consider two of them to be the same language but the third to be separate. Here is a chart of the same words in all three languages, and you can judge for yourself:

Anishinaabe Word Sets

English (Français)	Algonquin	Ojibwe	Ottawa
One (Un)	Pejig	Bezhig	Bezhig
Two (Deux)	Nìj	Niizh	Niizh
Three (Trois)	Niswi	Niswi	Nswi
Four (Quatre)	New	Niiwin	Niiwin
Five (Cinq)	Nànan	Naanan	Naanan
Man (Homme)	Ininì	Inini	Nini
Woman (Femme)	Ikwe	Ikwe	Kwe
Dog (Chien)	Animosh	Animosh	Nimosh
Sun (Soleil)	Kìzis	Giizis	Giizis
Moon (Lune)	Tibik-kìzis	Dibik-Giizis	Dbik-Giizis
Water (Eau)	Nibì	Nibi	Nbi
White (Blanc)	Wàbà	Waabishki	Waabshki
Yellow (Jaune)	Ozàwà	Ozaawi	Zaawi
Red (Rouge)	Miskwà	Misko	Msko
Black (Noir)	Makadewà	Makade	Mkade
Eat (Manger)	Mìdjin	Miijin or Wiisini	Miijin
See (Voir)	Wàbi	Waabi	Waabi
Hear (Entendre)	Nòndam	Noondam	Noondam
Sing (Chanter)	Nigamo	Nagamo	Ngamo
Leave (Partir)	Màdjà or Nagadàn	Maajaa or Nagazh	Maajaa or Ngazh

Click here to see Anishinabe vocabulary words compared to words in related Algonquian languages: Algonquian Indian Words

Anishinabe Picture Dictionaries

Here are some themed Anishinabe word lists we have put together and illustrated for language learners. Feel free to print them out for classroom purposes!

Ojibwe animal words

Algonquin animal words

Ojibwe body parts

Algonquin body parts

Additional Resources

   Anishinaabe Mino-Bimaadiziwin: The Way of a Good Life (Amazon affiliate link)
   Anishinabe people
   Ontario Native languages
   Algonquian family

Back to the Amerindian homepage
Back to Native American Cultures
Learn more about the Chippewas

Native American heritage Native American flutes Blackfoot Tribal tattoos

Would you like to help support our organization's work with endangered American Indian languages?