ᎠᏠᏱᎭ
adlohyiha
The English verb 'to cry' is expressed in Cherokee as ᎠᏠᏱᎭ (adlohyiha).
This verb is used intransitively to describe the act of shedding tears.
Meaning: intransitive: to shed tears (verb)
How do you pronounce it?
adlohyiha
Did you know?
- The Cherokee syllabary used to write ᎠᏠᏱᎭ was invented by Sequoyah, who created it without knowing how to read or write in any other language.
- The concept of 'crying' in Cherokee culture is sometimes associated with a 'cleansing' of the spirit rather than just a sign of distress.
- Cherokee possesses words for specific types of crying that English cannot translate with a single word, such as crying in a way that is meant to be heard by others.
Examples in context
- ᎠᏠᏱᎭ.atloyiha.He is crying.
Example conversation
Two people notice a child who is upset.
- AᎠᏠᏱᎭ ᎤᏓᏓᏓ.adoyiha udadada.The baby is crying.
- BᎥᎥ, ᎦᏙ ᎤᏓᏓᏛᎢ?vv, gado udadadvi?Yes, why is the baby crying?
- AᎤᏓᏓᏓ ᎤᏓᏠᏱᎭ.udadada udadoyiha.The baby is crying because it's sad.
- BᎠᏓᏠᏱᎭ ᎢᏳᎢ.adadoyiha iyui.That is why they are crying.
