ᏧᎬ
tsegv
The English word "smoke" is translated into Cherokee as ᏧᎬ (tsegv).
ᏧᎬ refers to the noun for the visible particles and vapour given off by burning material.
Meaning: visible particles and vapour given off by burning material (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ᏧᎬ is the noun for smoke, the verb ᎪᎦᏍᎦ is used specifically to mean the act of inhaling and exhaling smoke from a burning cigarette.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
tsegv
Did you know?
- Cherokee utilizes a syllabary created by Sequoyah, meaning ᏧᎬ is written using symbols that represent entire syllables rather than individual letters like 's' or 'm'.
- Because Cherokee is polysynthetic, the noun ᏧᎬ can be embedded into a single, complex word to describe a full scene, such as smoke rising from a chimney.
- In some Cherokee contexts, the term for 'smoke' is used metaphorically to describe things that are fleeting, deceptive or lacking in substance.
Example conversation
Two people are looking at a campfire.
- AᏧᎬ ᎦᏓᏓᏓᏘᎦᏓ.tsugv gadadadiga.The smoke is rising.
- BᎥᎥ, ᎢᏳᏍᎩ ᏓᏓᏓᏘᎦ.v-v, iyu-sgi dadadiga.Yes, it is coming out.
- AᏧᎬ ᎩᎾᏓᏓᏘᎦᏓ.tsugv ginadadadiga.I see the smoke.
