Language/Zuni/Vocabulary/Useful-phrases
Hi Zuni learners 😊
The Zuni language holds a significant place in the culture and heritage of the Zuni people, who predominantly reside in Western New Mexico and eastern Arizona in the United States. As one of the most well-preserved indigenous languages in North America, spoken by around 9,500 people, Zuni offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives and customs of its speakers. When greeting one another, the Zuni people use phrases like "Keshhi, hom a:kuwaye" to say "Hello, my friends" and respond with "Ke:si" (for men) or "e:" (for women) as a way to say "Now" or "Yes." The language also includes unique words for everyday objects and concepts, such as "Łashik'i" for "man," "Mak'i" for "woman," and "Watsida" for "dog."
In this lesson, you will find some useful phrases and words.
Happy learning!
Other lessons: Alphabet — Pronouns — Counting and Numbers — Useful phrases — Colors.
Useful Phrases in Zuni
English | Zuni |
---|---|
Hello, my friends | Keshhi, hom a:kuwaye |
Now / Yes (reply to greeting) | Ke:si (by a man), e: (by a woman) |
How have you (1 person) been? | Ko' do' dewanan deyaye? |
How have you (2 people) been? | Ko' don dewanan deyaye? |
How have you (3 people) been? | Ko' don dewanan a:deyaye? |
Happy (reply to above) | K'ettsannishhi |
Thank You | Elahkwa |
I'm going (goodbye) | So' a:ne |
We (2) are going | Son a:ne |
We (3 or more) are going | Son a:wa:ne |
May you (1) go happily | Do' k'ettsannish a:du |
May you (2) go happily | Don k'ettsannish a:du |
May you (3 or more) go happily | Don k'ettsannish a:wa:du |
Useful Words in Zuni
English | Zuni |
---|---|
Man | Łashik'i |
Woman | Mak'i |
Dog | Watsida |
Sun | Ya'dok'ya |
Moon | Yachunne |
Water | Ky'awe |
Child | Awan i:lawe |
House | K'iwine |
Food | Dewane |
Friend | Kuwaye |
Sky | Pa'lawe |
Rain | A:wa |
Tree | A:chi |
Mountain | Dowa |
Fire | K'yawe |
Stone/Rock | T'on A:shiwi |
River | Ky'ashile |
Bird | Yatsa |
Fish | K'yayu:we |
Flower | Nanip'e |
Earth | Halona |
Videos
Native Speakers: Zuni Language Greetings
Quiz: Translate English to Zuni
Test your knowledge on the Zuni language with this engaging quiz. Good luck!
Instructions
Translate the following English words or phrases into Zuni.
- Hello, my friends
- Thank You
- I'm going (goodbye)
- Water
- Dog
- Sun
- Moon
- Fire
Quiz: Translate Zuni to English
Instructions
Translate the following Zuni words or phrases into English.
- Keshhi, hom a:kuwaye
- Elahkwa
- So' a:ne
- Ky'awe
- Watsida
- Ya'dok'ya
- Yachunne
- K'yawe
Solutions
Translate English to Zuni
- Keshhi, hom a:kuwaye
- Elahkwa
- So' a:ne
- Ky'awe
- Watsida
- Ya'dok'ya
- Yachunne
- K'yawe
Translate Zuni to English
- Hello, my friends
- Thank You
- I'm going (goodbye)
- Water
- Dog
- Sun
- Moon
- Fire
Sources
Other Lessons
Alphabet — Pronouns — Counting and Numbers — Useful phrases — Colors