ᓂᑳᐏᕀ
nikâwiy
The Cree word for mom is ᓂᑳᐏᕀ (nikâwiy).
ᓂᑳᐏᕀ is an informal way to refer to a person's mother.
Which one should you use?
While ᓂᑳᐏᕀ is the informal option, the word Nōhkom can be used to express "Mom" in a more formal way.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Swampy Cree dialects, the formal term Nōhkom is used.
How do you pronounce it?
nikâwiy
Did you know?
- The Cree writing system uses syllabics, where symbols like those in ᓂᑳᐏᕀ represent whole syllables rather than individual letters.
- In Cree culture, ᓂᑳᐏᕀ and other terms for 'mother' are often used as honorifics for elder women who have no biological relation to the speaker.
- Cree uses specific terminology to distinguish if a relative is from the mother's side of the family or the father's side.
Example conversation
A child is talking to their mother in the kitchen.
- Aᓂᑳᐏᕀ, ᓂᐤᐣᐤᐣᐏ ᐄᐣᐏᐣᐏ?nikâ-yâ, ninunî êyîyî?Mom, where is my food?
- Bᐄᐣᐏᐣᐏ ᓂᐤᐣᐤᐣᐏ ᒫᑲᐣᐏᐣᐣᐏ.êyîyî ninunî mâkanîyî.Your food is ready.
- Aᑭᐣᐣᐏᐣᐣᐏ ᓂᑳᐏᐏᕀ!kinnîyî nikâ-yâ!Thank you, mom!
- Bᓂᐤᐣᐤᐣᐏ ᒫᑲᐣᐏᐣᐣᐏ.ninunî mâkanîyî.You are welcome.
