How to Say “Goodnight” in Ojibwe

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baamaapii
baamaapii is the Ojibwe way to say goodnight.
baamaapii is used as a greeting to say goodbye to someone before they go to sleep.

Did you know?

  • The word baamaapii actually means 'until later' or 'until another time' rather than specifically referring to the night or sleep.
  • Ojibwe is a polysynthetic language, meaning a single word like baamaapii can contain a complex amount of information that would require a whole sentence in English.
  • The grammatical structure of baamaapii is deeply rooted in the Algonquian concept of 'returning', making the greeting a promise of return.

Example conversation

Migizi and Nibi are parting ways at the end of the day.

  1. Migizi

    Baamaapii, Nibi.
    Goodnight, Nibi.
  2. Nibi

    Baamaapii, Migizi.
    Goodnight, Migizi.
  3. Migizi

    Giga-waabamin.
    I will see you.
  4. Nibi

    Baamaapii.
    Goodnight.
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Anne Marilyn
Anne MarilynHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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