ᐲᑭᐢᑳᑕᒻ
pîkiskâtam
The Cree word for "sad" is ᐲᑭᐢᑳᑕᒻ (pîkiskâtam).
ᐲᑭᐢᑳᑕᒻ is an adjective used to describe the feeling of sorrow.
Meaning: feeling sorrow (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
pîkiskâtam
Did you know?
- The visual form of ᐲᑭᐢᑳᑕᒻ uses syllabics, where the orientation of a geometric shape determines the vowel sound accompanying the consonant.
- Cree grammar often prioritizes the 'animacy' of a subject, which means the way you describe sadness changes depending on whether the subject is considered an animate being or an inanimate object.
- Many Cree speakers use a 'holistic' approach to emotion, where words for 'sad' may overlap with meanings of 'longing' or 'missing someone', concepts that English separates into different words.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a lost pet.
- Aᐲᑭᐢᑳᑕᒻ ᓂᐯᐑ.bikiskatam niweyi.I am feeling sad.
- Bᐯᐣ ᐌᐪᐄ?wen waki?Why is that?
- Aᓂᐪᐄᔭᐣ ᓂᐱᐣ.nikiyayan nipin.My dog is gone.
- Bᐣᐄᐣ ᓂᐯᐑ.niin niweyi.I feel for you.
