Waabishkiiwe-ikwe
The Ojibwe phrase for "white woman" is Waabishkiiwe-ikwe.
Waabishkiiwe-ikwe is used to refer to a woman who has light-colored skin.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a compound formed by combining the adjective for white or light-colored with the noun for woman.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is constructed by compounding the adjective for white/light-colored with the noun for woman.
Did you know?
- The root for 'white' in Waabishkiiwe-ikwe shares a connection with the word for 'to see', as brightness and visibility are conceptually linked in the language.
- Ojibwe often classifies objects and people by their shape or 'animacy', and because ikwe is animate, the word Waabishkiiwe must take a specific form to agree with it.
- In Ojibwe, the concept of 'white' in Waabishkiiwe-ikwe is often used to describe brightness or shining, rather than just a color like 'white' in English.
Example conversation
Zhaawan and Miskwaa are talking about a new neighbor.
- ZhaawanWaabishkiiwe-ikwe gaa-bi-izhaagani?Is the new person who came a white woman?
- MiskwaaEn, waabishkiiwe-ikwe eye.Yes, she is a white woman.
- ZhaawanAaniin e-nindaaizha?What is her name?
- MiskwaaGaa-izhi-ayaa, nindaaizha Sarah.As for her, her name is Sarah.
