APWAD - A Potawatomi Word a Day

Shketo - To try, to make an attempt

Shketon!                 Try! or Make an attempt! (to one)

Shketok!                  Try! or Make an attempt! (to more than one)

Éshketot                   he tried

Shketowen                the attempts (noun)

Gwi shketo ne?           Are you going to try?

Éshketoyan                I am trying/making an attempt

Pokmenesen - Cranberries

Pokmenesengises                    Cranberry Moon (Novemberish, used in cranberry bog areas)

Nwi wjanda node pokmenesen       I will cook these cranberries

Éwjandayan node pokmenesen      I am cooking these cranberries

Nwi wisne node pokmenesen         I will eat these cranberries

Éwisneyan node pokmenesen         I am eating these cranberries

Ni pi je ni pokmenesen?                Where are those cranberries?

Mno pkot node pokmenesen          These cranberries taste good.

Nawkwék - Noon

Nawkwékmget                            It is noon

Nawshpemgok                            Directly overhead

Gizhnawkwék                              Afternoon

Gizhnawkwémget                        It is afternoon

Bwamshenawkwék                       Before noon

Bwamshenawkwémget                 It is before noon

Nawkshe                                    Evening

Nebgeshmok                               Early Evening

Cho - No

Cho wi                 No way, emphasized No

Cho she               Another emphasized No

Cho weye            No one

Cho mamda         Never, Impossible

Cho gego            Nothing, all gone

Égach - Quiet, settle down, be careful

Égach penojéyek!                          Quiet down children!

Égach, égwamzen.                         Settle down, peace

Dadokmeben!                                Behave! (to one)

Dadokmebek!                                 Behave! (to more than one)

Datbek - Leaf

Datbegwén                              Leaves (fallen, inanimate)

Nek she ode datbek                  Look at this leaf

Ni je énadék ode datbek?          What color is this leaf?

Ni je dso datbekwén étoyan?      How many leaves do I have?

Mteg                                        Tree

Mtegok                                     More than one living trees

Mtegwén                                   More than one fallen trees (inanimate)

Bné - Turkey

Bnéyek                            Turkeys

Msezé                              Another word for Turkey

Msezéyek                         Turkeys

Nek she ode bné               Look at this turkey

Mno pkot ode bné             This turkey tastes good.

There is no Potawatomi word that means “Thank You,” but there are many commonly used expressions of gratitude that you can use today.

Wéwéne :  Earnestly, sincerely, with much gratitude and with emphasis on earnest desires.  Can be used alone or as an emphasizer to other words…

Migwéch :  An expression of humble acceptance and gratitude.  Literally means “It is too much”.  Wéwéne migwéch is an emphasized form. 

Igwiyen :  A shortened form of Ik she gwién, commonly used in Southern Potawatomi areas.  Meaning “it is good.”  Can be used to express gratitude or as a response to something that is good news.

Ik she gwiyen:  A more pronounced form, “It IS good.”  Can be used as an expression of extreme gratitude, or as a response to really good news. 

REMINDER TO ALL OF MR. PERROT’S STUDENTS-

The InstantPresenter.com class is moving to Wednesdays starting TONIGHT at 5:15pm Pacific, 6:15pm Mountain, 7:15pm Central, and 8:15pm Eastern.

Yahoo Messenger Wednesday Class will meet ONE HOUR EARLIER from now on!  4:00pm Pacific, 5:00pm Mountain, 6:00pm Central, 7:00pm Eastern.

Dopwen - Table

Dopwenek                      At the table, on the table

Dapnen i wnagen dopwenek             Pick up the dish from the table

Dapnen i koman dopwenek              Pick up the knife from the table

Dapnen i émkwan dopwenek            Pick up the spoon from the table

Jibteben dopwenek                         Sit down at the table (to one person)

Byéjibtebek shote dopwenek           Come sit down here at the table (to more than one)