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Vocabulary Words in Native American Languages: Sioux

We have included twenty basic words, enough to give you a feeling for each language. All the nouns are singular and all the verbs are 3rd person singular ("he or she sings") because many Native American languages don't have a separate infinitive ("to sing") the way English and French do.

If you need to know a Sioux word that is not currently on our page, you can take part in our Indian translations fundraiser, buy a Dakota Sioux dictionary, or visit our main Sioux language site for more free resources.

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Sioux Word Sets

(Click here for pronunciation guide)

English (Français)	Dakota Sioux	Lakota Sioux
One (Un)	Wanzi	Wanji
Two (Deux)	Nonpa	Núnpa
Three (Trois)	Yamni	Yámni
Four (Quatre)	Topa	Tópa
Five (Cinq)	Zaptan	Záptan
Man (Homme)	Wicaša	Wica
Woman (Femme)	Winyan	Winyan
Sun (Soleil)	Wi	Anpetu wi
Moon (Lune)	Hanwi	Hanhepi wi
Water (Eau)	Mini	Mni

Click here to hear these words pronounced in the Lakota Sioux dialect.
Click here to see Sioux vocabulary words compared to words in related Siouan languages.

Additional Resources

   South Dakota tribes
   Native stories
   Indian names

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