uŋčí
The Lakota word for grandmother is uŋčí.
uŋčí is a noun used to refer to the mother of one's parent.
Meaning: mother of someone's parent (noun)
Did you know?
- While English uses 'grandmother' for both sides of the family, Lakota often uses different specific terms to distinguish between maternal and paternal grandmothers.
- In Lakota, the term uŋčí can be used as a respectful title for any elderly woman, not just a biological relative.
- The concept of a grandmother in Lakota culture is often tied to the idea of the 'ancestress', linking the living person to the history of the people.
Examples in context
- Uŋčí okáȟapi ye.The grandmother is laughing.
Example conversation
Curtis and Joyce are looking at an old family photo.
- CurtisTókša, uŋčí wašté kšíčha.Look, my grandmother is smiling.
- JoyceTȟaŋšáŋtka, uŋčí wašté wašté.Yes, she is a beautiful grandmother.
- CurtisUŋčí tȟáŋka tȟókša.My grandmother is very old.
- JoyceUŋčí wašté wašíčhi.The grandmother is wise.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandmother” translations and entries uŋčí, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
