ᓃᐱᓐ
nîpin
The Cree word for "summer" is ᓃᐱᓐ (nîpin).
ᓃᐱᓐ is used to refer to the hottest season of the year.
Meaning: hottest season (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
nîpin
Did you know?
- Cree is a polysynthetic language, meaning that while ᓃᐱᓐ is the root for 'summer', it can be combined with other morphemes to create complex words that describe specific summer activities in a single term.
- Traditional ecological knowledge in Cree often divides the year into more than four seasons, meaning ᓃᐱᓐ may overlap with or be distinct from a 'late spring' or 'early autumn'.
- The concept of summer in Cree culture is deeply linked to the abundance of berries, which are a vital food source.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about the weather.
- Aᓃᐱᓐ ᒫᑲ!nîpin mâka!Summer is coming!
- Bᐄ, ᒫᑲ.ê, mâka.Yes, it is.
- Aᓃᐱᓐ ᓇᐧᐣᑐᐣ.nîpin nanaton.Summer is warm.
- Bᐄ, ᓃᐱᓐ ᓇᐧᐣᑐᐣ ᐄᐣ.ê, nîpin nanaton êhn.Yes, summer is warm now.
