giizis
The English word 'sun' is giizis in Ojibwe.
giizis refers to the star around which the Earth revolves. It can also be used more broadly to mean a star, specifically when referring to the center of a solar system.
Meaning: the star around which the Earth revolves (name)
Which one should you use?
The word Niibin can also be used to mean the sun or the season of summer.
Related words
Did you know?
- In some Ojibwe traditions, the sun is viewed as a female entity, contrasting with the moon, which is often seen as male.
- The term giizis is used to describe both the physical star and a single 'day', linking the celestial body directly to a measurement of time.
- The word giizis shares a linguistic root with giizhig, which means 'sky'. This creates a conceptual link between the sun and the vast space it inhabits.
Examples in context
- Aakwaasige 'aw giizis.The sun is real bright.This sentence is useful for describing how bright the giizis is.
Example conversation
Miskwaa and Migizi are walking outside on a clear day.
- MiskwaaGiizis gichi-biizhiw.The sun is very bright.
- MigiziEya, giizis waabamin.Yes, I see the sun.
- MiskwaaAandawaabaa giizis.The sun is coming out.
- MigiziMiigwech, Miskwaa.Thank you, Miskwaa.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sun” translations and entries giizis, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
