kisâkihitin nikâwiy
In Cree, the phrase 'I love you, mom' is expressed as kisâkihitin nikâwiy.
This phrase is used as an expression of affection specifically addressed to one's mother.
Did you know?
- Cree is a polysynthetic language, meaning a single word like kisâkihitin functions as an entire sentence by packing the subject and object into the verb.
- The term nikâwiy for 'mother' is part of a complex kinship system where titles change based on whether the mother is from the mother's side or the father's side of the family.
- In many Cree dialects, the concept of 'love' is deeply tied to the idea of caring for or looking after someone, making the word's root closer to 'to care for' than the romantic English 'love'.
Example conversation
A child is hugging their mother before going to school.
- AKisâkihitin nikâwiy, nîmos.Kisâkihitin nikâwiy, nîmos.I love you, mom.
- BKisâkihitin nikâwiy, nîson.Kisâkihitin nikâwiy, nîson.I love you too, my child.
- AKîyâw, nîmos.Kîyâw, nîmos.Goodbye, mom.
- BKîyâw, nîson.Kîyâw, nîson.Goodbye, my child.
