ᑖᓂᓯ
tânisi
Hi in Cree is ᑖᓂᓯ (tânisi).
ᑖᓂᓯ is used as a greeting to mean hello or how are you?
Meaning: friendly, informal greeting (intj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
The Woods Cree dialect uses ᑖᓂᓯ as a greeting.
How do you pronounce it?
tânisi
Did you know?
- Cree languages are polysynthetic, meaning they can build very long words. While ᑖᓂᓯ is short, other greetings can be expanded into entire sentences within a single word.
- In Cree culture, a greeting is not just a verbal exchange but is often accompanied by a specific level of eye contact that varies depending on the setting.
- Because ᑖᓂසි is essentially a question, it is common to respond with a detailed update on one's well-being rather than a simple 'fine' or 'good'.
Examples in context
- ᑖᓂᓯ!tanisi!Hi!
- ᑖᓂᓯ, ᓂᐜᐤ!tanisi, niwâ!Hi, little one!
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a local store.
- Aᑖᓂᓯ, ᓂᐣᐤᐣ!Tânis, ninôn!Hi, my friend!
- Bᑖᓂᓯ! ᐄ, ᒧᐣᐣᐣ ᐣᐤᐣᐣ.Tânis! Ê, mōnn mōnn.Hi! Yes, everything is good.
- Aᑭᓰᐣᐣᐣ ᐣᐤᐣᐣ?Kisînnin mōnn?Are you doing well?
- Bᐄ, ᒪᐣᐣᐣ ᐣᐤᐣᐣ.Ê, mann mōnn.Yes, I am doing well.
