wašíču
The Lakota phrase for "white man" is wašíču.
wašíču refers to a person of European descent and is often used to refer to a non-Indigenous outsider.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Standing Rock Reservation dialect, wašíču is used in both formal and informal situations.
Did you know?
- Lakota speakers may use wašíču to describe a person's behavior or mindset, regardless of their actual ancestry.
- A common folk etymology suggests the word means 'one who takes the fat', combining wašíŋ (animal fat) and ičú (to take).
- The phrase is used to categorize people based on their relationship to the land and indigenous customs rather than just nationality.
Example conversation
Glenda and Darrell are discussing a visitor in town.
- GlendaWašíču tȟókaheya kaga.A white man is over there.
- DarrellHečá wašíču kaga?Which white man is there?
- GlendaHéčá wašíču tȟókaheya.That white man over there.
- DarrellWóuŋ tȟáwačha.I see him.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries wašíču, CC BY-SA 4.0.
