šuŋgmánitu tȟáŋka
The Lakota word for wolf is šuŋgmánitu tȟáŋka.
šuŋgmánitu tȟáŋka is a noun used to refer to the animal wolf.
Meaning: animal (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of šuŋgmánitu, meaning dog and tȟáŋka, meaning great or big.
How does it change in a sentence?
šuŋgmánitu tȟáŋka functions as a noun.
Did you know?
- In Lakota culture, the wolf is often respected as a teacher of hunting and social cooperation, which informs the dignity of the word tȟáŋka.
- The component 'manítu' in the word relates to the concept of the wilderness or the untamed world.
- The structure of šuŋgmánitu tȟáŋka follows a pattern where the modifier comes after the noun, which is opposite to the English 'big wolf'.
Examples in context
- Šuŋgmánitu tȟáŋka wašté.The wolf is good.
Example conversation
Glenda and Wayne are walking in the woods.
- GlendaWayne, šuŋgmánitu tȟáŋka ičášni!Wayne, there is a wolf!
- WayneHóu, šuŋgmánitu tȟáŋka waunšila.Yes, I see a wolf.
- GlendaŠuŋgmánitu tȟáŋka kaxéčha!The wolf is howling!
- WayneTȟuŋkyašniya, we waúŋya.Be careful, let's go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wolf” translations and entries šuŋgmánitu tȟáŋka, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
