Indigenous languages                  North American Indian tribes                  What's new on our site today!

Vocabulary Words in Native American Languages: Wabanaki Languages

There are three languages spoken by the Wabanaki tribes: Abenaki-Penobscot (spoken by the Penobscot and Abenaki tribes,) Maliseet-Passamaquoddy (spoken by the Maliseet and Passamaquoddy tribes,) and Mi'kmaq (spoken by the Mi'kmaq tribe.) These are related Algonquian languages, but they are different enough that speakers cannot easily understand each other. Here is a comparative chart of some basic vocabulary words in the three languages:

Wabanaki Word Sets

English (Français) Abenaki-Penobscot Maliseet-Passamaquoddy Mi'kmaq
One (Un) Bazegw Pesq or Neqt Newt
Two (Deux) Niz Nis Tápu
Three (Trois) Nas Nihi Síst
Four (Quatre) Yaw New Néw
Five (Cinq) Nôlan Nan Nán
Man (Homme) Zanôba or Gizôba Skitap Jínm
Woman (Femme) Behanem Ehpit Épit
Dog (Chien) Alemos or Adia Olomuss Lmúj
Sun (Soleil) Gizos Kisuhs Nákúset
Moon (Lune) Gizos Nipawset Tepkunset
Water (Eau) Nebi ’Samaqan Samqwan
White (Blanc) Wôbi Wapi Wapék
Yellow (Jaune) Wizôw Wisawi Wisawék
Red (Rouge) Mekwi Mqeyu or Pqeyu Mekwék
Black (Noir) Mkazawi Mokosewi Maqtewék
Eat (Manger) Micimek Mitsu Mijjit or Etlatalk
See (Voir) Namito Nomihtu Nemík
Hear (Entendre) Nodam Nutomon Nutaq
Sing (Chanter) Linto Lintu Etlintoq
Leave (Partir) Ngadôzig Nokotomon or Macehe Majásit or Naqalk

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



Back to the Native American Words homepage
Back to the Amerindian homepage
Learn more about the Wabanaki Indian tribes.



Native Americans * Native American Cultures * Native American Quilts

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

or buy some books through this link:

Native Languages of the Americas website © 1998-2007 * Contacts and FAQ page