ᏅᏙ ᏒᏃᏱ ᎡᎯ
nvdo svnoyi ehi
The English word "moon" is translated into Cherokee as ᏅᏙ ᏒᏃᏱ ᎡᎯ (nvdo svnoyi ehi).
This phrase is used to refer to the natural satellite of the planet Earth.
Meaning: the natural satellite of planet Earth (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term ᏒᏃᏱᎡᎯᏅᏙ is used specifically as a name for the sole natural satellite of the Earth, whereas ᏅᏙ ᏒᏃᏱ ᎡᎯ is the general term for the moon.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
nvdo svnoyi ehi
Did you know?
- Because the language is polysynthetic, a single complex word containing the root for moon can express an entire sentence like 'the moon is rising'.
- In Cherokee culture, the moon is traditionally viewed as a feminine entity, often associated with the cycles of women and motherhood.
- The word for moon functions as a marker of time, meaning that in traditional discourse, naming the moon is often synonymous with stating the current time or season.
Example conversation
Two people are looking at the night sky.
- AᏅᏙ ᏒᏃᏱ ᎡᎯ ᎦᏓᏅᏓᏓᏓᏘᏍᏓ, ᎥᎥ?nvto snoyi ehi gadandadadatisda, vnv?The moon is bright, isn't it?
- BᎥᎥ, ᎦᏓᏅᏓᏓᏓᏘᏍᏓ.vnv, gadandadadatisdaYes, it is very bright.
- AᏅᏙ ᏒᏃᏱ ᎡᎯ ᎢᏓᏓᏓᏓ.nvto snoyi ehi idadadaThe moon is appearing.
- BᎤᏓᏓᏓᏓ ᎢᏳᎢ.udadada iyu-iIt is appearing now.
