Taŋyáŋ yahí
The English phrase "welcome" is translated into Lakota as Taŋyáŋ yahí.
Taŋyáŋ yahí is used as a greeting to welcome someone upon their arrival. For a general greeting such as "hello", Lakota speakers use Háu.
Meaning: greeting given upon someone's arrival (intj)
How does it change in a sentence?
Taŋyáŋ yahí functions as a complete sentence. The subject is either implied or contained within the first word of the phrase.
Did you know?
- In many Lakota-speaking communities, a welcoming gesture involves the physical act of offering something to eat or drink. The verbal welcome is often considered incomplete without the shared hospitality of food.
- The Lakota language approaches the idea of 'welcome' by describing the arrival itself. Instead of welcoming a person, Taŋyáŋ yahí describes the quality of the arrival as being 'good'.
- The word yahí inside the welcome phrase is a foundational building block of the language. It is used for almost any positive state, meaning 'good', 'well' or 'fine'.
Examples in context
- Taŋyáŋ yahí, oká.Welcome, friend.
- Taŋyáŋ yahí, tȟatȟáŋka.Welcome, buffalo (strong man).
- Taŋyáŋ yahí, čhaŋtéšila.Welcome, dear one.
Example conversation
Winona greets Curtis at her front door.
- CurtisHáu, Winóna.Hello, Winona.
- WinonaTaŋyáŋ yahí, Curtis!Welcome, Curtis!
- CurtisWašté tȟókašniyaŋ.It is good to be here.
- WinonaYáŋktka, tȟúŋka tȟuŋkáŋyaŋ.Come in, let us sit.
