miskwaa
The Ojibwe word for the color red is miskwaa.
miskwaa is used to refer to the color red.
Meaning: colour (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The base form miskwaa functions as a verb meaning 'to be red'.
Did you know?
- Because miskwaa functions as a verb, an Ojibwe speaker does not just say something 'is red', but rather that it 'reds' or 'acts red'.
- Red is one of the four sacred colors in many Anishinaabe traditions, often paired with yellow, black and white to represent the four directions.
- The word miskwaa is closely related to the term for 'red ochre', a mineral pigment used traditionally for ceremonial painting and medicine.
Examples in context
- Miskwaagamin mazhoominaaboo.Wine is red.This sentence demonstrates how to use miskwaa to describe the color of wine.Tatoeba #13334237 by Radek, translation #13334241 by Radek
- Miskwaagamiiwi-zaaga'iganing indaa.I live on the Red Lake Reservation.This sentence shows miskwaa used as part of a place name.Tatoeba #13334293 by Radek, translation #13334299 by Radek
Example conversation
Zhaawan and Oma are looking at some fabric.
- ZhaawanAaniish naaandizhindam miskwaa?How do you like red?
- OmaGidizhindam miskwaa, Zhaawan.You like red, Zhaawan.
- ZhaawanEn, miskwaa nindizhindam.Yes, I like red.
- OmaMiskwaa eya'a nindizhindam.I only like red.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
