ᒪᐦᑎ
mahti
The English word "please" is translated into Cree as ᒪᐦᑎ (mahti).
ᒪᐦᑎ is used as an interjection to make a polite request.
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is mahti.
Did you know?
- Because Cree is polysynthetic, a single complex word can contain the meaning of 'please' and the entire action within one unit.
- The word ᒪᐦᑎ can translate to 'it is good', which means the logic of the request is based on the goodness of the outcome.
- In some contexts, a speaker may use a gentle repetition of the person's name or a kinship term instead of ᒪᐦᑎ to signify a polite request.
Example conversation
A asks B for a glass of water.
- Aᒪᐦᑎ, ᓂᐧᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᐄᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᐄᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᓂᐧᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᐄᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᓂᐧᐣᐧᐣᐧmahti, nî-mîcisô imosPlease, give me some water.
- Bᐄ, ᐄᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᓂᐧᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᐄᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᐄᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᓂᐧᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᐄᐣᐧᐣᐧê, nî-mosâtâYes, I will get it.
- Aᑭᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᐄᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᓂᐧᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᐄᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᐄᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᓂᐧᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᐄᐣᐧᐣᐧkî-mâci-miyoThank you very much.
- Bᐄᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᓂᐧᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᐄᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᐄᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᓂᐧᐣᐧᐣᐧ ᐄᐣᐧᐣᐧêyâYou're welcome.
