nohtâwîs
The Cree word for daddy is nohtâwîs.
This term is used as an informal noun to refer to a father, typically in a childish context.
Meaning: (informal, usually childish) father (noun)
Did you know?
- In many Cree cultures, the role of the 'father' extended beyond biological parents to include uncles and other male elders in the community.
- The term nohtâwîs incorporates a diminutive suffix that adds a sense of affection or smallness to the root word for 'father'.
- In Cree, kinship terms like nohtâwîs often change based on whether the speaker is referring to their own father or someone else's father.
Example conversation
A young child is talking to their father in the living room.
- ANohtâwîs, ni-mâskwayi!Nohtâwîs, ni-mâskwayi!Daddy, look at me!
- BNiwâkîyî, nâpâmîyotâw.Niwâkîyî, nâpâmîyotâw.I see you, I love you.
- ANohtâwîs, nî-mîyâw.Nohtâwîs, nî-mîyâw.Daddy, I want to play.
- BKî-mîyâw, ni-nâpâmîyotâw.Kî-mîyâw, ni-nâpâmîyotâw.Let's play, I love you.
