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How to use the Ojibwe People's Dictionary

Grand Medicine Society
n
Grand Medicine Society
Midewiwin ni Grand Medicine Society; Medicine Dance; Midewiwin

Grand Portage
place
Grand Portage
Gichi-onigamiing name place Grand Portage Reservation

Grand Rapids
place
Grand Rapids
Gaa-ginwaajiwanaag name place Grand Rapids, Minnesota

grandchild
n
grandchild
noozhishenh nad my grandchild

noozhis nad [BL] my grandchild

noozis nad my grandchild

goozhishenh nad your grandchild

oozhishenyan nad h/ grandchild

great-grandchild
aanikoobijigan na
  1. an ancestor
  2. a great-grandparent
  3. a great-grandchild

grandfather
n
grandfather
nimishoomis nad my grandfather

gimishoomis nad your grandfather

omishoomisan nad h/ grandfather

gibaabaayinaan nad our father = grandfather

gidedeyinaan nad our father = grandfather

grandmother
n
grandmother
nookomis nad my grandmother

gookomis nad your grandmother

ookomisan nad h/ grandmother

granulate
vt
granulate sugar
naseyaawangwe vai s/he granulates sugar

grape
n
grape
mazhoomin na [RL] a grape

See also: zhoomin na [LL]

zhawimin ni [N] a grape

zhoomin na [LL] a grape

grape juice
n
grape juice
zhawiminaabo ni [BL] grape juice

grass
n
grass
mashkosiw ni grass, hay, a blade of grass

See also: mashkosi ni [N]

high grass
apiitashkad vii it (plant, grass) has a stalk so high, is so high

ishpashkad vii it (plant, grass) has a high stalk, is high

ishpashkosiwagaa vii there is high grass

long grass
ginwashkad vii it (plant, grass) has a long stalk, is long, is tall

low grass
dabasashkad vii it (plant, grass) has a low stalk, is low

short grass
dakwashkad vii it (plant, grass) has a short stalk, is short

tall grass
ishpashkad vii it (plant, grass) has a high stalk, is high

grass lodge
n
grass lodge
mashkosiigaan ni a lodge of grass

grasshopper
n
grasshopper
bapakine na a grasshopper

grate
vt
grate
biisiboodoon vti2 grind, mill, grate it; saw it into small pieces

Paired with: biisiboozh vta

biisiboozh vta grind, mill, grate h/; saw h/ into small pieces

Paired with: biisiboodoon vti2

grave house
n
grave house
jiibegamig ni a casket; a grave house

grave marker
n
grave marker
jiibayaatig na a grave marker

gravel road
n
gravel road
bingwii-miikana ni a gravel road

gravel truck
v
gravel truck
aawajibingwewidaabaan ni [RL] a gravel truck

graveyard
adj
graveyard
jiibayaki ni a graveyard, a cemetary; land of the ghostly spirits

gravy
n
gravy
bakwezhiganaaboo ni gravy

bakwezhiganaaboons ni [BL] gravy

grease
n
See also: tallow (the hard rendered fat of a deer or moose), fat (the fat on an animal before rendering)
grease
bimide ni grease, oil, lard

bacon grease
gookooshi-bimide ni lard; bacon grease

See also: gookooshiwi-bimide ni [BL]

gookooshiwi-bimide ni [BL] bacon grease

See also: gookooshi-bimide ni

bear grease
mako-bimide ni bear grease

beaver grease
amiko-bimide ni beaver grease

duck grease
zhiishiibi-bimide ni duck grease

fish grease
giigoonhwi-bimide ni fish grease

goose grease
we'wewi-bimide ni snow goose grease

muskrat grease
wazhashko-bimide ni muskrat grease

otter grease
nigigo-bimide ni otter grease

snow goose grease
we'wewi-bimide ni snow goose grease

sturgeon grease
namewi-bimide ni sturgeon grease

grease
vt
grease
noomin vta grease, oil h/

Paired with: noominan vti

noominan vti grease, oil it

Paired with: noomin vta

noominamaw vta grease, oil (it) for h/

noominige vai s/he greases, oils things

noominigaade vii it is greased, oiled (by someone), "they" grease, oil it

noomaabikin vta lubricate h/

Paired with: noomaabikinan vti

noomaabikinan vti lubricate it

Paired with: noomaabikin vta

boozin vta [BL] annoint h/; grease, lubricate h/ (by hand)

Paired with: boozinan vti [BL]

boozinan vti [BL] annoint it; grease, lubricate it (by hand)

Paired with: boozin vta [BL]

boozaabikin vta grease, oil, lubricate h/ (mineral/metal)

Paired with: boozaabikinan vti

boozaabikinan vti grease, oil, lubricate it (mineral or metal)

Paired with: boozaabikin vta

great
adj
great
gichi- pv lex very, quite; big; great

See also: chi- pv lex

great lake
n
great lake
gichigami ni
  1. a sea, a large lake
  2. Lake Superior

great spirit
n
great spirit
gichi-manidoo na great spirit, god

great-grandchild
n
great-grandchild
aanikoobijigan na
  1. an ancestor
  2. a great-grandparent
  3. a great-grandchild

great-grandparent
great-grandparent
aanikoobijigan na
  1. an ancestor
  2. a great-grandparent
  3. a great-grandchild

grebe
n
grebe
zhingibis na a grebe, a hell-diver

[
Podiceps spp.
; 
grebe
]

greedy
[excessive appetite or desire to eat]
adj
greedy
gaazhage vai s/he is greedy

green
adj
Ojibwe does not distinguish blue and green in the basic color words.
green
ozhaawashko- pv lex blue, green

ozhaawashkwaa vii it is blue, is green

Paired with: ozhaawashkozi vai

ozhaawashkozi vai s/he is blue, is green

Paired with: ozhaawashkwaa vii

green (mineral)
ozhaawashkwaabikad vii it is blue, green (as something mineral)

Paired with: ozhaawashkwaabikizi vai

ozhaawashkwaabikizi vai s/he is blue, green (as something mineral)

Paired with: ozhaawashkwaabikad vii

green (sheet-like)
ozhaawashkwegad vii it is blue, green (as something sheet-like)

Paired with: ozhaawashkwegizi vai

ozhaawashkwegizi vai s/he is blue, green (as something sheet-like)

Paired with: ozhaawashkwegad vii

green (stick-like)
ozhaawashkwaakwad vii it is blue, green (as something stick- or wood-like)

Paired with: ozhaawashkwaakozi vai

ozhaawashkwaakozi vai s/he is blue, green (as something stick- or wood-like)

Paired with: ozhaawashkwaakwad vii

green (string-like)
ozhaawashkwaabiigad vii it is blue, green (as something string-like)

Paired with: ozhaawashkwaabiigizi vai

ozhaawashkwaabiigizi vai s/he is blue, green (as something string-like)

Paired with: ozhaawashkwaabiigad vii

appear green
ozhaawashkonaagozi vai s/he looks blue, appears blue; s/he looks green, appears green

Paired with: ozhaawashkonaagwad vii

ozhaawashkonaagwad vii it looks blue, appears blue; it looks green, appears green

Paired with: ozhaawashkonaagozi vai

green leaves
ashkibag ni a fresh green leaf

ashkibagaa vii there are green leaves

look green
ozhaawashkonaagozi vai s/he looks blue, appears blue; s/he looks green, appears green

Paired with: ozhaawashkonaagwad vii

ozhaawashkonaagwad vii it looks blue, appears blue; it looks green, appears green

Paired with: ozhaawashkonaagozi vai

paint green
ozhaawashkobii'an vti color, paint it blue or green

ozhaawashkobii'ige vai s/he colors, paints things blue or green

ozhaawashkobii'igaade vii it is colored, painted blue or green (by someone)

green tea
n
green tea
ozhaawashko-aniibiish ni green tea

green wood
n
green wood
ashkaatig na a tree with green wood

See also: ashkaatig ni

ashkaatig ni (stick of) green wood

See also: ashkaatig na

greet
vt
greet
anamikaw vta
  1. greet h/
  2. honor h/ publically

anamikaage vai s/he greets people

anamikodaadiwag vai they greet each other

greetings
exclam
greetings
aaniin pc interj greetings!; hello!

boozhoo pc interj greetings!; hello!

grey
adj
grey
waabijiiyaa vii it is grey

Paired with: waabijiizi vai

waabijiizi vai s/he is grey

Paired with: waabijiiyaa vii

grey hair
waabikwaan ni a strand of grey hair

waabikwe vai s/he has grey hair

grey-breasted
waabijiiyaakigane vai s/he has a grey chest, is grey-breasted

grey jay
n
grey jay
gwiingwiishi na a whiskey jack; a gray jay

[
gray jay
; 
Perisoreus canadensis
]

grey squirrel
n
grey squirrel
misajidamoo na a grey squirrel; a fox squirrel

[
fox squirrel, grey squirrel
; 
Sciurus spp.
]

grill
vt
grill
akakanzhebwe vai s/he cooks, roasts, grills something on the coals

grimace
v
grimace
niiskiingweni vai s/he grimaces, makes a face

niiskiingwetaw vta grimace at, make a face at h/

grind
vt
grind down
zisiboodoon vti2 file, grind it down; sharpen it (an ax)

Paired with: zisiboozh vta

zisiboozh vta file, grind h/ down

Paired with: zisiboodoon vti2

zisiboojige vai s/he files, grinds things down

zisiboode vii it is filed, ground down

Paired with: zisiboozo vai

zisiboozo vai s/he is filed, ground down

Paired with: zisiboode vii

grind up all
jaagiboozh vta grind, mill, grate h/

Paired with: jaagiboodoon vti2

jaagiboodoon vti2 saw it all up, grind it all up

Paired with: jaagiboozh vta

jaagiboode vii it is all sawed up, all ground up

Paired with: jaagiboozo vai

jaagiboozo vai s/he is all sawed up, all ground up

See also: jaagiboode vii

saw it up, grind it up
biisiboodoon vti2 grind, mill, grate it; saw it into small pieces

Paired with: biisiboozh vta

biisiboozh vta grind, mill, grate h/; saw h/ into small pieces

Paired with: biisiboodoon vti2

grinder
n
grinder
biisiboojigan ni a grinder, a mill

grindstone
n
grindstone
zhiigwanaabik na a grindstone

grip
n
change grip
aandin vta change the grip on h/; change the way h/ is handled

Paired with: aandinan vti

aandinan vti change the grip on it; change the way it is handled

Paired with: aandin vta

groan
vi
groan
mamaadwe vai s/he groans

grocery store
n
grocery store
wiisinii-adaawewigamig ni a grocery store

See also: wiisiniwin-adaawewigamig ni

wiisiniwin-adaawewigamig ni a grocery store

See also: wiisinii-adaawewigamig ni

grope
vi
grope
nandoojiin vta feel for, grope for h/

Paired with: nandoojiinan vti

nandoojiinan vti find, discover, feel it with the hand or fingers; grope for it

Paired with: nandoojiin vta

nandoojiinige vai s/he feels for, gropes for things

ground
n
ground
aki ni
  1. earth, land, ground
  2. a country, a territory
  3. moss

bare ground
mitakamigaa vii it (the ground) is bare of snow

mitakamig adv loc on bare ground

bashkwakamigaa vii it is bare ground (free of vegetation)

bumpy ground
babiikwakamigaa vii it is rolling ground, bumpy ground

clayey ground
waabiganakamigaa vii there is clayey ground

clean ground
biinakamigaa vii it is clean ground

cold ground
dakakamigaa vii it is cold ground

condition of ground
inakamigaa vii it is ground of a certain slope or condition

damp ground
dipiiwakamigaa vii it is damp ground

zhakakamigaa vii it is damp ground

depression in ground
waanakamigaa vii there is a depression or hollow in the ground

dirty ground
wiinakamigaa vii it is dirty ground

dry ground
bengwakamigaa vii it is dry ground

end of the ground
wiikwekamigaa vii it is end of the ground

flat ground
desakamigaa vii it is flat level ground

grassy ground
mashkosiiwakamigaa vii it (the ground) is grassy (with high grass)

mashkosiinsiwakamigaa vii it (the ground) is grassy

ground goes across
aazhawakamigaa vii it (the ground) goes across, is an isthmus

ground splits
daashkakamigise vii it (the ground) splits open suddenly

hard ground
mashkawakamigaa vii it is hard ground

high ground
ishpakamigaa vii it is high ground

level ground
minwakamigaa vii it is nice ground, level ground

gwayakwakamigaa vii it is level ground

long stretch of ground
ginookamigaa vii it is a long stretch of ground

low ground
dabasakamigaa vii it is low ground

muddy ground
azhashkiiwakamigaa vii it is muddy ground

narrow stretch of ground
agaasadekamigaa vii it is a narrow stretch of ground

nice ground
minwakamigaa vii it is nice ground, level ground

on top of the ground
agidakamig adv loc on top of the ground

See also: ogidakamig adv loc ; wagidakamig adv loc

ogidakamig adv loc on top of the ground

See also: agidakamig adv loc ; wagidakamig adv loc

wagidakamig adv loc on top of the ground

See also: agidakamig adv loc ; ogidakamig adv loc

poor ground
maanakamigaa vii it is poor ground, is rough ground

rocky ground
asiniikamigaa vii it is rocky ground

rough ground
maanakamigaa vii it is poor ground, is rough ground

sandy ground
bingwiiwakamigaa vii [ML] it is sandy ground

set in the ground
badakishim vta stick, set h/ in something; plant h/ in the ground

Paired with: badakisidoon vti2

badakisidoon vti2 stick, set it in something; plant it in the ground

Paired with: badakishim vta

badakisijige vai s/he sticks, sets things in something; plants things in the ground

slanted ground
ashawekamigaa vii it is slanted ground

slippery ground
ozhaashakamigaa vii it is slippery ground

slope of ground
inakamigaa vii it is ground of a certain slope or condition

smooth ground
zhooshkwakamigaa vii it is smooth ground

snow patches on ground
anitekamigaa vii there are patches of ground showing through the snow

snowy ground
gooniwakamigaa vii it is snowy ground

soft ground
nookakamigaa vii it is soft ground

split ground
daashkakamigaa vii it (ground) is split

swampy ground
mashkiigwakamigaa vii it is swampy ground

thawed ground
ningakamigaa vii it (the ground) is thawed

under the ground
anaamakamig adv loc under the ground

warm ground
giizhookamigaa vii it is warm ground

wet ground
nibiiwakamigaa vii it is wet ground

wide stretch of ground
mangadekamigaa vii it is a wide stretch of ground

group
n
group
okwiinowag vai they are in a group, a herd, a flock, a swarm

Paired with: okwiinadoon vii

sit in a group
okwabiwag vai they sit in a group

go in a group or crowd
animaawanidiwag vai they travel away (in the other direction) in a group

babaamaawanidiwag vai s/he travels around in a group

bagamaawanidiwag vai they arrive in a group

bimaawanidiwag vai they travel along along in a group

biidaawanidiwag vai they travel here in a group

biindigeyaawanidiwag vai they enter, go inside as a group

inaawanidiwag vai they travel in a group to a certain place

madaabiiyaawanidiwag vai they go down to shore in a group

maadaawanidiwag vai they start off in a group

ondaawanidiwag vai they travel in a group from a certain place

zaagidaawanidiwag vai they file out; they go out in a group

grouse
n
ruffled grouse
bine na a partridge; a ruffled grouse

[
ruffed grouse
; 
Bonasa umbellus
]

sharp-tailed grouse
aagask na a sharp-tailed grouse

[
Tympanuchus phasianellus
]

spruce grouse
mashkodese na a spruce grouse

[
Dendragapus canadensis
]

grow
vi
grow
nitaawigi vai s/he is born; s/he grows, grows up

Paired with: nitaawigin vii

nitaawigin vii it grows, grows up

Paired with: nitaawigi vai

grow a certain way
izhigi vai s/he grows a certain way

Paired with: izhigin vii

izhigin vii it grows a certain way

Paired with: izhigi vai

grow at a certain speed
apiichigi vai s/he grows up a certain extent, grows at a certain speed

Paired with: apiichigin vii

apiichigin vii it grows up a certain extent, grows at a certain speed

Paired with: apiichigi vai

grow fast
ginibigin vii it grows fast

Paired with: ginibigi vai

gizhiigi vai s/he grows fast

Paired with: gizhiigin vii

gizhiigin vii it grows fast

Paired with: gizhiigi vai

grow out
zaagigin vii it (a plant) sprouts, comes up, grows out (of the ground)

Paired with: zaagigi vai

zaagigi vai it (animate; a plant) sprouts, comes up, grows out (of the ground)

Paired with: zaagigin vii

grow in a bunch
okoginoon vii they grow in a bunch

Paired with: okogiwag vai

okogiwag vai they (animate) grow in a bunch

Paired with: okoginoon vii

grow in a certain place
dazhigin vii it grows in a certain place

Paired with: dazhigi vai

dazhigi vai s/he grows in a certain place

Paired with: dazhigin vii

grow slowly
bejigi vai s/he grows slowly

Paired with: bejigin vii

bejigin vii it grows slowly

Paired with: bejigi vai

grow straight
gwayakogi vai s/he grows straight

Paired with: gwayakogin vii

gwayakogin vii it grows straight

Paired with: gwayakogi vai

grow up
maajiigi vai s/he starts growing, grows up

Paired with: maajiigin vii

maajiigin vii it starts growing, grows up

Paired with: maajiigi vai

nitaawigi vai s/he is born; s/he grows, grows up

Paired with: nitaawigin vii

nitaawigin vii it grows, grows up

Paired with: nitaawigi vai

grow up a certain extent
apiichigi vai s/he grows up a certain extent, grows at a certain speed

Paired with: apiichigin vii

apiichigin vii it grows up a certain extent, grows at a certain speed

Paired with: apiichigi vai

grow well
miikogi vai s/he, it (animate) grows well

Paired with: miikogin vii

miikogin vii it grows well

Paired with: miikogi vai

minogi vai s/he, it (animate) grows well

Paired with: minogin vii

minogin vii it grows well

Paired with: minogi vai

quit growing
boonigi vai s/he stops growing, quits growing

boonigin vii it stops growing, quits growing

Paired with: boonigi vai

start growing
maajiigi vai s/he starts growing, grows up

Paired with: maajiigin vii

maajiigin vii it starts growing, grows up

Paired with: maajiigi vai

stop growing
boonigi vai s/he stops growing, quits growing

boonigin vii it stops growing, quits growing

Paired with: boonigi vai

gibichigi vai s/he stops growing

gibichigin vii it stops growing

Paired with: gibichigi vai

make grow
niigi' vta bear h/, make h/ grow or increase in number

Paired with: niigitoon vti2

niigitoon vti2 make it grow, make it increase in number; make it increase in number

Paired with: niigi' vta

take form growing
ozhigi vai s/he grows and takes form; s/he comes to life in the womb

Paired with: ozhigin vii

ozhigin vii it takes form growing

Paired with: ozhigi vai

grow
vt
grow
nitaawigi' vta grow, raise h/

Paired with: nitaawigitoon vti2

nitaawigitoon vti2 grow, raise it

Paired with: nitaawigi' vta

start growing
maajiigitoon vti2 start growing, raising it

Paired with: maajiigi' vta

maajiigi' vta start growing, raising h/

Paired with: maajiigitoon vti2

grow well
minogitoon vti2 grow it well

Paired with: minogi' vta

minogi' vta grow h/ well

Paired with: minogitoon vti2

growl
vi
growl
niikimo vai s/he growls

stomach growls
madwegamijiizo vai h/ stomach growls

grown
adj
full grown
giizhigin vii it is full grown, is ripe

Paired with: giizhigi vai

guard
vt
guard
gizhaadan vti guard, watch over it

Paired with: gizhaazh vta

gizhaazh vta guard, watch over h/

Paired with: gizhaadan vti

gizhaadige vai s/he guards a place, watches over a house

guest
n
guest
biiwide na a visitor, a guest, a stranger

biiwidewi vai s/he is a visitor, is a guest, is a stranger

obiiwidemi vai s/he has a visitor or visitors, has a guest or guests

guide
vt
guide about
babaamiwizh vta take, carry, guide h/ about

Paired with: babaamiwidoon vti2

guitar
n
guitar
madweyaabiigibijigan ni a guitar

basweweyaabiigibijigan ni an electric guitar

electric guitar
basweweyaabiigibijigan ni an electric guitar

play electric guitar
basweweyaabiigibijige vai s/he plays the electric guitar

basweweyaabiigibidoon vti2 play, strum it so it echoes (as an electric guitar)

play guitar
madweyaabiigibijige vai s/he strums something, plays a guitar

madweyaabiigibidoon vti2

basweweyaabiigibijige vai s/he plays the electric guitar

basweweyaabiigibidoon vti2 play, strum it so it echoes (as an electric guitar)

guitar string
n
guitar string
madweyaabiigibijigani-biiwaabikoons ni a guitar string

gull
n
seagull
gayaashk na a seagull

gum
n
chew gum
zhaashaagwamikiwe vai s/he chews gum

chewing gum
bigiins na chewing gum

gun
n
gun
baashkizigan ni a gun

handgun
oninjii-baashkizigan ni a handgun

have gun
obaashkizigani vai s/he has a gun or guns

have gun on
gigibaashkizigane vai s/he has a gun on h/

take along gun
niimibaashkizigane vai s/he takes along a gun

gun barrel
n
gun barrel
baashkiziganaabik ni gun barrel

gun case
n
gun case
biinda'oojigan ni [N]
  1. a gun case
  2. a condom

gun permit
n
gun permit
baashkizigani-mazina'igan ni a gun permit

gun stock
n
gun stock
bakwanjiikaan ni [NI] a gun stock

gunny sack
n
gunny sack
asabiiwazh ni a coarsely woven bag: a burlap bag, a gunny sack

mandaaminiwazh ni a gunny sack

gunpowder
n
black gunpowder
makade ni black gunpowder

smokeless gunpowder
waabi-makade ni smokeless gunpowder

gut
vt
gut
bagojiin vta gut h/

gijinagizhiin vta gut, disembowel h/

gut
n
gut
ninagizh nid my intestine, gut

ginagizh nid your intestine, gut

onagizh nid h/ intestine, gut

moose gut
moozonagizh ni moose gut, moose intestine; a moose sausage

gym
n
gym
banaskwiiwagitaawigamig ni a fitness center, a gym for working out

gagwejiiwigamig ni a gym, gymnasium

The Ojibwe People's Dictionary is developed and maintained by:
Nora Livesay, Editor
John D. Nichols, Founder and Linguistic Editor

with support and collaboration from the University of Minnesota's Department of American Indian Studies and University Libraries.

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