odoon
The Ojibwe word for mouth is odoon.
odoon refers to the opening of a creature through which food is ingested.
Meaning: the opening of a creature through which food is ingested (noun)
Did you know?
- The concept of a 'mouth' in Ojibwe can be extended to describe the 'entrance' of a river or a narrow pass, treating the landscape as a living entity with a mouth.
- The language uses an animacy system where the 'mouth' is treated as a part of an animate being, affecting how adjectives and verbs are used around it.
- Because Ojibwe is polysynthetic, you can often find the root of odoon buried inside much longer words that describe complex actions, such as 'to be mouth-shaped' or 'to act with one's mouth'.
Examples in context
- Odoon wenjibaag.The mouth is open.
Example conversation
Nibi and Zhaawan are eating a meal together.
- NibiZhaawan, odoon giizhigad!Zhaawan, close your mouth!
- ZhaawanEya, nindo-wiitigo odoon.Yes, I have my mouth open.
- NibiAandaman odoon waabi-maang.Keep your mouth shut while eating.
- ZhaawanMiigwech, Nibi.Thank you, Nibi.
