awas
The English phrase 'go away' is translated into Cree as awas.
awas is a verb used to express the action of departing or leaving a place.
Meaning: to depart or leave a place (verb)
Did you know?
- The Cree language is polysynthetic, meaning a single word like awas can be expanded with suffixes to express who is leaving, who they are leaving, and how they feel about it.
- Cree verbs often indicate 'animacy', meaning the way you say 'go away' differs depending on whether the thing leaving is a living being or an inanimate object.
- Many Cree verbs, including those for leaving, change their form based on whether the person leaving is moving toward the speaker or away from them.
Example conversation
A person is trying to concentrate while someone else is distracting them.
- Aᐄ, awas ᒫᑲᓈ.Ee, awas makana.Yes, go away now.
- Bᐄ, ᒥᐣᐄᐏᐏ.Ee, mineeyee.Okay, I am going.
- Aᑳᐘ ᓂᐪᐤᐏᐏ.Kāw nitsūyee.I need some peace.
- Bᐄ, ᓂᐯᐹ ᓂᐤᐏᐏ.Ee, nitepā nūyee.Yes, I will leave for a bit.
