hokśíla
The Lakota word for baby is hokśíla.
hokśíla refers to a very young human being.
Meaning: very young human being (noun)
Did you know?
- Because of the complex kinship system, you are often more likely to call a baby by a specific relation title, such as 'aunt' or 'uncle', than by the word hokśíla.
- In many Lakota dialects, the diminutive suffix '-ila' is used to denote smallness or affection, which is why it appears in hokśíla.
- In Lakota culture, a hokśíla is often viewed as belonging to the entire community or band rather than solely to the biological parents.
Example conversation
Glenda and Curtis are looking at a newborn.
- GlendaHokśíla wašté he!What a sweet baby!
- CurtisHíŋtáŋčha yaunčha.He looks like his father.
- GlendaHokśíla kani wašté tȟáŋka.This baby is very healthy.
- CurtisÍyalo, tȟáŋka tȟé tȟáŋka.Yes, he is growing fast.
