Language/Zuni/Vocabulary/Useful-phrases

Zuni Greetings and Useful Vocabulary

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

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.

1. Hello, my friends
2. Thank You
3. I'm going (goodbye)
4. Water
5. Dog
6. Sun
7. Moon
8. Fire

Quiz: Translate Zuni to English

Instructions

Translate the following Zuni words or phrases into English.

1. Keshhi, hom a:kuwaye
2. Elahkwa
3. So' a:ne
4. Ky'awe
5. Watsida
6. Ya'dok'ya
7. Yachunne
8. K'yawe

Solutions

Translate English to Zuni

1. Keshhi, hom a:kuwaye
2. Elahkwa
3. So' a:ne
4. Ky'awe
5. Watsida
6. Ya'dok'ya
7. Yachunne
8. K'yawe

Translate Zuni to English

1. Hello, my friends
2. Thank You
3. I'm going (goodbye)
4. Water
5. Dog
6. Sun
7. Moon
8. Fire

Sources

• http://www.suduva.com/zuni_conversation.htm
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72kBWQBg3YE

Other Lessons

Alphabet — Pronouns — Counting and Numbers — Useful phrases — Colors