nagweyaab
The English word rainbow is nagweyaab in Ojibwe. Wiktionary also lists gimiwaneyaab.
Meaning: multicoloured arch in the sky (noun)
Ways to say it
| Ojibwe |
|---|
| nagweyaab |
| gimiwaneyaab |
Which one should you use?
nagweyaab is the default form, while gimiwaneyaab is an alternative form for the same concept.
Did you know?
- In Ojibwe culture, the rainbow is often seen as a bridge or a path used by spirits to travel between the earthly world and the spirit world.
- The alternative word for rainbow, gimiwaneyaab, literally translates to 'rain-string' or 'rain-chain'.
- The word nagweyaab is often used to describe things that are simply multicolored, not just an object in the sky.
Example sentences for Ojibwe are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Winona and Migizi are looking at the sky after a storm.
- WinonaMigizi, nagweyaab gichi-oon!Migizi, look at the rainbow!
- MigiziEndaawen, gichi-zaagi'i!I see it, it is beautiful!
- WinonaNagweyaab waasa gimiwanatigook.The rainbow comes after the rain.
- MigiziEigwen, wiisaikodaad.Yes, it is a good sign.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rainbow” translations and entries gimiwaneyaab, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gimiwaneyaab, CC BY-SA 4.0.
