Boozhoo
greeting
Boozhoo is a common Ojibwe greeting that means "hello". It is said "BOH-zhoo". Another everyday greeting is Aaniin (ah-NEEN).
Meaning: hello (interjection)
Ways to say it
| Ojibwe | Note |
|---|---|
| Boozhoo | greeting |
| Aaniin | greeting, also common |
Use Boozhoo to greet one person or a group when you meet. It works at the start of a talk, a visit or a letter.
How do you pronounce it?
The double oo is a long oh sound and zh is like the sound in "measure". The stress is on the first syllable.
When do people say it?
The origin of Boozhoo is debated. Some link it to the French bonjour of the fur trade, and others to the name of the Ojibwe figure Nanaboozhoo.
Did you know?
- Ojibwe is also called Anishinaabemowin and is spoken in parts of Canada and the United States around the Great Lakes.
Examples in context
- Boozhoo, niijii!Hello, my friend!
- Aaniin, boozhoo!Hello, greetings!
Example conversation
Teacher Nokomis greets her student Wabun on the first day of an Ojibwe class.
- NokomisBoozhoo, Wabun!Hello, Wabun!
- WabunBoozhoo, nokomis.Hello, grandmother.
- NokomisAaniin ezhi-ayaayan?How are you?
