How to Say “Loon” in Ojibwe

By Anne Marilyn • Updated October 7, 2026

maang

In Ojibwe, the term for a loon can be expressed as maang.

The word maang can also mean a crazy person.

Meaning: a crazy person (noun)

Did you know?

In many Algonquian-speaking cultures, the loon is viewed as a powerful spiritual being rather than just a bird, making the use of its name for a person quite heavy with connotation.

Example conversation

Migizi and Winona are talking about a strange neighbor.

Migizi

Maang gaa-izhi-biizhaa.
A crazy person came here.
Winona

Aaniish!
What!
Migizi

Maang ayaa gaa-wiidook.
A crazy person did it.
Winona

Gichi-maang ayaa.
He is very crazy.

Sources

Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry maang, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.

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About The Author

Anne Marilyn

Boozhoo! I'm Anne, an avid writer and student of the poetic Ojibwe language. My curious nature feeds my passion for linguistics and I love the challenge of digging into dialect variation. Away from my educational pursuits, I find relaxation in exploring nature, seeking out the animals and plants of the Ojibwe words I study. You'll often find me with chocolate in hand, inhaling the scent of cedar and sweetgrass, and waiting to spot my favorite bird - the loon. Forever a believer in 'mino-bimaadiziwin' - the good life, I love to share my linguistic findings in my blog. Miigwech!

Anne MarilynHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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