ᏩᏯ ᎤᏁᎦ
waya unega
The phrase for "white wolf" in Cherokee is ᏩᏯ ᎤᏁᎦ (waya unega).
This phrase refers to a wolf that has white fur.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the word for wolf (waya) followed by the word for white (unega).
How do you pronounce it?
waya unega
Did you know?
- The syllabary used to write ᏩᏯ ᎤᏁᎦ was invented by Sequoyah, a Cherokee silversmith, rather than being adapted from a European alphabet.
- Cherokee is a tonal language, meaning the pitch you use when saying ᏩᏯ can change the word's meaning entirely.
- In Cherokee tradition, the ᏩᏯ (wolf) is often viewed as a teacher of hunting and social cooperation rather than just a predator.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a picture book of animals.
- AᏩᏯ ᎤᏁᎦ ᏓᏓᏓᏅᏓ ᎢᏳᎢ.waya onemga dadadanvda iyu-i.That white wolf is beautiful.
- BᎥᎥ, ᎤᏁᎦ ᎢᏳᎢ.vnv, onemga iyu-i.Yes, it is white.
- AᏩᏯ ᎤᏁᎦ ᎢᏓᏓᏅᏓ ᎢᏳᎢ?waya onemga idadanvda iyu-i?Is the white wolf rare?
- BᎥᎥ, ᏩᏯ ᎤᏁᎦ ᎤᏓᏓᏅᏓ.vnv, waya onemga udadanvda.Yes, the white wolf is special.
