tȟatȟáŋka
/t͡xat͡xã́ka/
The English word "buffalo" is translated as tȟatȟáŋka in Lakota.
This noun refers to a bovid of the Bubalina subtribe.
Meaning: bovid of the Bubalina subtribe (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/txatxã́ka/
Did you know?
- The word tȟatȟáŋka is built from the Lakota word for 'large' or 'adult', effectively naming the animal 'the big one'.
- The buffalo is so central to the identity of the people that many Lakota surnames are derived from tȟatȟáŋka or its related behaviors.
- Because the word implies 'greatness' or 'largeness', it can be used metaphorically in other Lakota expressions to denote anything of significant importance.
Examples in context
- Tȟatȟáŋka okáȟan.The buffalo is large.
- Tȟatȟáŋka wale.The buffalo is running.
Example conversation
Glenda and Ronald are looking at a picture of animals.
- GlendaTȟatȟáŋka waúŋčila!A big buffalo!
- RonaldTȟatȟáŋka tȟáŋka waúŋčila.The buffalo is very big.
- GlendaTȟatȟáŋka tȟókaheya.The buffalo is running.
- RonaldTȟatȟáŋka waunšila tȟókaheya.The big buffalo is running.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tȟatȟáŋka, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tȟatȟáŋka, CC BY-SA 4.0.
