ᑖᓂᓯ
tânisi
The phrase "hi, how are you?" in Cree is ᑖᓂᓯ (tânisi).
ᑖᓂᓯ is a common greeting used to say hello and ask about someone's well-being.
How do you pronounce it?
tânisi
Did you know?
- While ᑖᓂᓯ functions as both 'hi' and 'how are you', it is technically a question asking 'how is it?' This reflects a cultural focus on the state of the environment or situation rather than just the individual.
- Cree is a polysynthetic language, meaning that while ᑖᓂᓯ is a short word, other greetings can be expanded into long complex words that describe the speaker's relationship to the listener.
- In some Cree communities, a greeting like ᑖᓂᓯ is often accompanied by a gentle touch or a specific gesture depending on the relationship, as physical proximity and non-verbal cues are deeply integrated into social greetings.
Examples in context
- ᑖᓂᓯ?tanisi?Hi, how are you?
Example conversation
Two neighbors meet on a sidewalk.
- Aᑖᓂᓯ!Tânisi!Hi, how are you?
- Bᐤᐣᐣᐣ, ᓂᐪᐤᐣᐣᐣ.Nânân, nimîyân.I am doing well.
- Aᒥᐣᐣᐣᐣ ᐣᐤᐣᐣᐣ.Mînânan nânân.That is good.
- Bᒫᑲᐣᐣᐣᐣ!Mâkanânan!See you later!
