nipiy
Plains Cree, inanimate noun
In Plains Cree "water" is nipiy. It is an inanimate noun.
Meaning: water (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Roman spelling of Plains Cree the final y is written. Some other Cree varieties say the word with a different consonant.
How does it change in a sentence?
For inanimate things you point with ôma ("this") and ôho ("these"), so "this is water" is Nipiy ôma.
Did you know?
- The Cree name for the Saskatchewan River comes from a word meaning "swift flowing".
Example conversation
Sam hands a cup to his grandfather Albert on a summer day in Alberta.
- SamNipiy ôma.This is water.
- AlbertHiy hiy.Thank you.
- SamNipiy.Water.
