ᑰᓈ
kôna
The Cree word for snow is ᑰᓈ (kôna).
ᑰᓈ refers to snow in its various forms, including the crystalline water falling from the atmosphere as precipitation, the act of snow falling or the accumulation of snow as a white layer on the ground.
Meaning: partly frozen, crystalline state of water that falls from the atmosphere as precipitation in flakes, falling of such flakes, accumulation of them as a white layer (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the western regions around the Plains and the Rocky Mountains, the term Pakâsk is used for snow.
How do you pronounce it?
kôna
Did you know?
- Cree is a polysynthetic language, meaning that concepts related to 'snow' can be combined with other roots to create a single long word that functions as a full sentence.
- The Cree syllabic writing system used for ᑰᓈ was developed in the 19th century and allows for a very rhythmic, visual representation of the word's sounds.
- Some Cree terms for snow are not just nouns but describe the state of the ground, effectively acting as a way to communicate how safe a path is for walking.
Example conversation
Two people are looking out the window at the winter weather.
- Aᑰᓈ ᑮᓈᓅᓈ!kûna kîna-nê-na!Look, it is snowing!
- Bᑮᓈᓅᓈ, ᐄᓈᓈ.kîna-nê-na, îna-na.Yes, there is a lot of it.
- Aᑰᓈ ᐄᓈᓈ ᐄᓈᓈ.kûna îna-na îna-na.The snow is getting deep.
- Bᐄ, ᑰᓈ ᐄᓈᓈ.î, kûna îna-na.Yes, it is very snowy.
