pimahamowipīsim
The English word October is pimahamowipīsim in Cree.
The term pimahamowipīsim is used to name the tenth month of the Gregorian calendar.
Meaning: tenth month of the Gregorian calendar (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound where pimaha- means tenth and -wipīsim means moon or month, literally translating to the month of the tenth moon.
Did you know?
- In many Cree dialects, months are described through the natural phenomena or animals active during that specific time of year, rather than using a fixed numerical name like 'tenth'.
- The word wipīsim is used not just for calendar months but also to describe the actual physical moon in the sky.
- The naming system for months in Cree is largely numerical, meaning once a learner knows the numbers, they can deduce the names of other months.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing when to visit the mountains.
- Apimahamowipīsim ᑭᐣᐣ ᐘᐯᐣ ᑭᐣᐣ?pimahamowipīsim kinn wâwn kinn?Shall we go in October?
- Bᐄ, pimahamowipīsim ᓂᐣᐣ ᐘᐯᐣ.ê, pimahamowipīsim ninn wâwn.Yes, let's go in October.
- Aᐣᐣ ᐘᐯᐣ ᐣᐣ ᑲᐯᐣ?ninn wâwn ninn kâwn?Will it be cold then?
- Bᐄ, ᓂᐣᐣ ᑲᐯᐣ.ê, ninn kâwn.Yes, it will be.
