How to Say “Goodbye” in Lakota

Did you know?

• In traditional Lakota settings, prolonged silence or a simple nod can sometimes be more respectful during a parting than a verbalized Tóktša. The gesture often carries the weight of the spoken word.
• Because many Lakota greetings and farewells are verb-based, the phrase often changes depending on whether 'I' or 'you' is the one performing the action of leaving. A single English word 'goodbye' actually splits into multiple grammatical forms.
• The root of Tóktša is related to the concept of 'to be finished' or 'to be done', implying a completion of a visit.