sápA
The Lakota word for black is sápA.
sápA is an adjective used to describe the color black, specifically referring to something that absorbs all light.
Meaning: absorbing all light (adj)
Which one should you use?
While sápA is the adjective for the color black, the related form hásapa is a noun used to refer to a dark-skinned person.
Related words
Did you know?
- In traditional Lakota cosmology, the color represented by sápA is linked to the west and is associated with the transition into the spirit world.
- The word sápA is used to describe the 'Black Hills' of South Dakota, known as Paha Sapa, which are sacred to the Lakota people.
- Lakota grammar can transform the adjective sápA into a verb, effectively allowing a speaker to say something 'is blackening' or 'becomes black'.
Example sentences for Lakota are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Ronald and Rose are looking at a piece of fabric.
- RonaldSápA waúŋya čhátha?Is that a black dress?
- RoseHá, sápA waúŋya.Yes, that is black.
- RonaldSápA waúŋya šni čhátha?Is it not a black dress?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “black” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
