waawaashkeshi
The Ojibwe word for deer is waawaashkeshi.
waawaashkeshi refers to an animal belonging to the Cervidae family.
Meaning: animal of the family Cervidae (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural of waawaashkeshi, you add the suffix -wag to the end of the word, resulting in waawaashkeshiwag.
Did you know?
- Traditional Ojibwe perspectives treat the waawaashkeshi as a sentient relative rather than just a resource or a wild animal.
- The word contains a diminutive marker -keshi, which is a linguistic pattern used across the language to describe various small animals.
- Because waawaashkeshi is an Animate noun, any verb used to describe its movements or actions must undergo specific grammatical changes to respect its status as a living being.
Examples in context
- Niwaabamaag niizh waawaashkeshiwag.I see two deer.This sentence is useful for learning how to count with the form waawaashkeshi.Tatoeba #13333211 by Radek, translation #13333236 by Radek
Example conversation
Migizi and Miskwaa are walking in the woods.
- MigiziMiskwaa, waawaashkeshi gwiishkaagwaa!Miskwaa, a deer is crossing!
- MiskwaaAaniishko! Gii-waabamaa waawaashkeshi?Oh! You saw a deer?
- MigiziEyen, waawaashkeshi nindoonamaage.Yes, I love the deer.
- MiskwaaNiizhoo waawaashkeshiwag gii-waabamaa.You saw two deer.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “deer” translations and entries waawaashkeshi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
