ᒥᔨᐑᑲᒥᒃ
miyiwîkamik
The Cree word for "bathroom" is ᒥᔨᐑᑲᒥᒃ (miyiwîkamik).
This noun refers specifically to a room containing a bathtub.
Meaning: a room with a bathtub (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the root for "wash" or "clean" and the suffix for "place of" or "room".
How do you pronounce it?
miyiwîkamik
Did you know?
- While ᒥᔨᐑᑲᒥᒃ refers to the room, the Cree language uses a complex system of animacy that determines how this noun interacts with adjectives.
- If you were washing a child in that room, the verb used for 'washing' would change even if the name of the room stayed the same.
- Using the suffix for 'place of' allows Cree speakers to name new modern inventions by simply attaching it to an existing action.
Example conversation
A guest asks the host where the bathroom is located.
- Aᑕᓂᐣ ᑭᐣ ᒥᔨᐑᑲᒥᒃ?tânin kin miyiohkamik?Where is your bathroom?
- Bᒥᔨᐑᑲᒥᒃ ᓂᐯᐣ ᐣᐩᐣᐣ.miyiohkamik nêên nêên.The bathroom is right here.
- Aᑭᐣᐣᐣ ᒪᐣᐣᐣ.kinnân mannân.Thank you very much.
- Bᐣᐣᐣ ᐣᐣᐣ.nêên nêên.You are welcome.
