How to Say “Cow” in Ojibwe

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bizhiki
/bɪʒɪkʰɪ/
The English word 'cow' is translated into Ojibwe as bizhiki.
bizhiki refers to an adult female of the species Bos taurus.
Meaning: adult female of species Bos taurus (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

/bɪʒɪkʰɪ/

Did you know?

  • Because cows were introduced by Europeans, many Ojibwe speakers use terms describing the animal's physical characteristics rather than a single specific noun for 'cow' in certain contexts.
  • When discussing cattle in a traditional context, an Ojibwe speaker might use terms that categorize the animal by its utility to humans rather than its biological species.
  • The phonetics of bizhiki can vary significantly depending on whether you are in an Eastern or Western Ojibwe territory.

Example conversation

Zhaawan and Winona are walking past a field.

  1. Zhaawan

    Gaa-wiin bizhiki!
    Look at the cow!
  2. Winona

    Eya'a, gaa-niizhooz bizhiki.
    Yes, it is a big cow.
  3. Zhaawan

    Aaniish bizhiki gaa-izhi-wiin?
    What is the cow doing?
  4. Winona

    Bizhiki gaa-naamizhindam.
    The cow is eating.

Sources

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Anne Marilyn
Anne MarilynHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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