naki
The Cree word for stop is naki.
naki is used to express the act of not continuing a movement or an action, similar to the English verbs cease or desist.
Meaning: not to continue (verb)
Did you know?
- Cree is a polysynthetic language, so naki can be combined with other roots to create a single long word that means 'stop doing that' or 'stop it' without needing separate words.
- If you are using Cree to describe a machine or a non-living thing stopping, the verb structure may differ from when you describe a living being stopping.
- Cree has words for specific types of 'stopping' that English lacks, such as distinguishing between stopping because you are tired and stopping because you have reached a destination.
Example conversation
A person is making too much noise while B is trying to read.
- Anaki kwayaskik!naki kwayaskik!Stop talking!
- BĒ-hi, naki-tan.Ē-hi, naki-tan.Okay, I'll stop.
- AKīyā sēniyē.Kīyā sēniyē.Now be quiet.
- BNaki-tan kīyā.Naki-tan kīyā.I'm stopping now.
