philámayaye
The English phrase "thank you" is philámayaye in Lakota. Wiktionary also lists philámayayapi.
Meaning: an expression of gratitude (intj)
Ways to say it
| Lakota |
|---|
| philámayaye |
| philámayayapi |
This expression is used to convey gratitude.
Which one should you use?
philámayayapi is used specifically when a group of people is expressing thanks together.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form philámayayapi is the plural version used when a group of people is expressing thanks together.
Did you know?
- In traditional Lakota culture, gratitude is often shown through reciprocal action or gifts rather than just saying philámayaye.
- Because Lakota is polysynthetic, the word philámayaye functions as a complete thought that encodes the subject, action and object within one long string of sounds.
- In Lakota, the root of gratitude is connected to 'wóphila', a concept that implies a spiritual state of being appreciative rather than just a polite social reaction.
Examples in context
- Philámayaye.Thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thank you” translations and entries philámayaye, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
