nenookaasi
The Ojibwe word for hummingbird is nenookaasi.
The term nenookaasi refers to any of the various small American birds belonging to the family Trochilidae.
Meaning: any of various small American birds in the family Trochilidae (noun)
Did you know?
- The animate status of nenookaasi means it is grammatically grouped with people and spirits rather than inanimate objects like rocks.
- The name nenookaasi is a descriptive term that translates roughly to 'one who makes a humming sound'.
- Because it is an animate noun, if you were to describe a nenookaasi as 'small', you would use a different adjective form than you would for a small stone.
Examples in context
- Nenookaasi biizhaa.A hummingbird is coming.
Example conversation
Miskwaa and Zhaawan are looking at a garden.
- MiskwaaZhaawan, waabamaa aen nenookaasi!Zhaawan, look at that hummingbird!
- ZhaawanEyaam, gichi-biindigoon!Yes, it is very fast!
- MiskwaaNenookaasi waabamigoon aen biishigun.The hummingbird is looking at that flower.
- ZhaawanAadaa gichi-apiin.It is very beautiful.
