Tānisi kitisiyīhkāson?
Tānisi kitisiyīhkāson? is the Cree way to say "what is your name?"
This phrase is a question used to ask someone for their name.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Tānisi, which means "how" or "in what way" and kitisiyīhkāson, a verb meaning "you are called".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb kitisiyīhkāson is in the second person singular, specifically addressing 'you' (one person).
Did you know?
- In traditional Cree culture, names are often viewed as having spiritual power, and some individuals may have different names for different social circles.
- The word Tānisi is used both to ask 'what' in this phrase and as a general greeting similar to 'hello' or 'how are you'.
- Cree is a polysynthetic language, meaning the single word kitisiyīhkāson contains as much information as an entire English sentence including the subject and the action.
Example conversation
Two people meet for the first time at a community gathering.
- ATānisi kitisiyīhkāson?Tānisi kitisiyīhkāson?What is your name?
- BNiyīhkāson Sam.Niyīhkāson Sam.My name is Sam.
- ANiyīhkāson Sarah.Niyīhkāson Sarah.My name is Sarah.
- BKiyāmāson, Sarah.Kiyāmāson, Sarah.Nice to meet you, Sarah.
