haŋhepi waste
The English phrase goodnight is translated into Lakota as haŋhepi waste.
haŋhepi waste is a greeting used to wish someone a good night before they go to sleep or leave.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of haŋhepi, meaning 'night' and waste, meaning 'good'.
Did you know?
- In Lakota culture, the word waste in this greeting carries a deeper sense of holistic well-being and spiritual health rather than just a simple measurement of quality.
- If you wanted to describe a 'good' person in Lakota, you would not use the word waste found in haŋhepi waste, as the adjective for character is different.
- The pronunciation of the velar nasal 'ŋ' in haŋhepi creates a distinct sound profile that cannot be replicated by starting an English word with the same sound.
Examples in context
- Haŋhepi waste.Goodnight.
- Haŋhepi waste, eyé.Goodnight, my dear.
Example conversation
Rose and Wayne are saying goodbye at the end of the evening.
- RoseHaŋhepi waste, Wayne.Goodnight, Wayne.
- WayneHaŋhepi waste, Rose.Goodnight, Rose.
- RoseIyúštá.See you later.
