gaazhagens
animate
The word for cat in Ojibwe is gaazhagens.
gaazhagens refers to the domestic species of cat.
Meaning: domestic species (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
In Ojibwe, gaazhagens is an animate noun.
Did you know?
- The word gaazhagens ends with a diminutive suffix, which suggests that the original speakers viewed the domestic cat as a 'little' version of a larger wild feline.
- In Ojibwe, gaazhagens is an 'animate' noun, meaning it belongs to a grammatical category for living or spiritually active things rather than a category for 'animals' as English understands it.
- In many Ojibwe dialects, if you were describing a wild feline rather than a domestic one, you would use an entirely different root that reflects its status as a predator.
Examples in context
- Giwaabamaa na a'aw gaazhagens.Do you see that cat?This sentence is useful for asking if someone sees a specific gaazhagens.Tatoeba #13333237 by Radek, translation #13333238 by Radek
Example conversation
Zhaawan and Nibi are looking for a pet in the house.
- ZhaawanNibi, giwaabamaa a'aw gaazhagens?Nibi, do you see this cat?
- NibiEndaa a'aw gaazhagens.The cat is over there.
- ZhaawanGaazhagens ginaandizoomin.The cat is sleeping.
- NibiGaazhagens wiisagoon.The cat is cute.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cat” translations and entries gaazhagens, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
