yvwi unega
yvwi unega
The English phrase "white man" is translated into Cherokee as yvwi unega.
The term refers to a person of European descent.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this specific construction, the term unega acts as a general term for a person or man and does not change based on whether you are referring to one person or multiple people.
How do you pronounce it?
yvwi unega
Did you know?
- The Cherokee syllabary, used to write yvwi unega, was invented by Sequoyah, who was not literate in English when he created it.
- Cherokee has separate words for different types of 'white', and the one used in yvwi unega is distinct from the word used to describe a white cloud or white snow.
- Cherokee is a polysynthetic language, meaning a single word can function as an entire sentence. While yvwi unega is a phrase, other descriptions of people are often built into complex single verbs.
Example conversation
Two people are talking about a new neighbor.
- AYvwi unega hiamisda?Yvwi unega hiamisda?Is the white man here?
- BHia, yvwi unega hiamisda.Hia, yvwi unega hiamisda.Yes, the white man is here.
- ATsalagi hiyvni?Tsalagi hiyvni?Does he speak Cherokee?
- BNah, tsalagi hiyvni.Nah, tsalagi hiyvni.No, he doesn't speak Cherokee.
