ᎤᎾᎵᎢ ᎤᏍᏆᏂᎪᏗ
unalii usquanigodi
The Cherokee phrase for "best friend" is ᎤᎾᎵᎢ ᎤᏍᏆᏂᎪᏗ (unalii usquanigodi).
This noun describes an especially close and trusted friend.
Meaning: an especially close and trusted friend (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
unalii usquanigodi
Did you know?
- The Cherokee writing system, known as a syllabary, was invented by Sequoyah in the 1820s specifically to ensure the language survived.
- Because Cherokee is a tonal language, the meaning of the words in 'best friend' can change depending on the pitch used during speech.
- In Cherokee culture, concepts of friendship and kinship are deeply intertwined, and terms for 'best friend' often imply a familial bond.
Example conversation
Two people are introducing their companions.
- AᎯᎠ ᎤᎾᎵᎢ ᎤᏍᏆᏂᎪᏗ ᎢᏳᏓᏍᏓᏅᏓᏍᏓᏁᎸᎢ.hia unali i usquanigodi iyudasdanvdasdanelvi.This is my best friend.
- BᎣᏏᏲ, ᏓᏓᏍᏓᏅᏓᏍᏓᏁᎸᎢ.osiyo, dadasdanvdasdanelvi.Hello, friend.
- AᎠᎾᎵᎢ ᎤᏍᏆᏂᎪᏗ ᎢᏳᏓᏍᏓᏅᏓᏍᏓᏁᎸᎢ ᎢᏓᏍᎩ.anali i usquanigodi iyudasdanvdasdanelvi idasgi.He is a best friend of mine.
- BᏓᏓᏍᏓᏅᏓᏍᏓᏁᎸᎢ ᎢᏳᏓᏍᏓᏅᏓᏍᏓᏁᎸᎢ.dadasdanvdasdanelvi iyudasdanvdasdanelvi.A very good friend.
