Learn the Word of the Week

Language Revitalization

As part of revitalizing the Ojibwe Language on the Grand Portage tribal lands, we will be featuring a new Ojibwe word every week. We encourage you to use this word in your workday and hopefully outside of work as well. Check back periodically for new words.

These recordings are provided by Erik Martin Redix (Miskwaa anang), Ojibwe Language Coordinator, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

About Pronunciation:

Ojibwe consonants have a similar pronunciation as English.
Vowels have the following pronunciation:

vowel	sounds like
a	the "u" in sun
aa	the "a" in father
e	the "ay" in day
i	the "i" in sit
ii	the "ee" in teeth
o	the "o" in go
oo	the "oo" in tooth

 

NPS Graphic / Design by Sofia V.

This week's word: zhingob (balsam fir)

 

• Zhingob

  
  

  How to say "balsam fir" in Ojibwemowin. Holiday tip: Zhingob makes an excellent Christmas tree because they lose less needles after they’re cut than spruces. Zhingob can be identified by its flat needles that have two white stripes on the underside.

  Credit / Author:

  Erik Martin Redix (Miskwaa anang), Ojibwe Language Coordinator, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

  Date created:

  12/16/2024

  Audio Transcript

  zhingob, zhin-gob, zhingob

 

Maajitaadaa!

Week of 3/4/2024: Maajitaadaa! (Let’s get started!)
click on each word to hear it spoken:

• Week of 12/16/2024: zhingob (balsam fir)
• Week of 12/9/2024: zhakipon (wet snow is falling)
• Week of 12/2/2024: gizhiiyaanimad (the wind is blowing fast)
• Week of 11/25/2024 mizise (turkey)
• Week of 11/18/2024: adikameg (whitefish)
• Week of 11/11/2024: zoongide’e (she or he is brave)
• Week of 11/4/2024: biinjwebinige (she or he is voting)
• Week of 10/28/2024: zegizi (he or she is scared)
• Week of 10/21/2024: okosimaan (pumpkin)
• Week of 10/14/2024: bizhikiwi-wiiyaas (bison meat)
• Week of 10/7/2024: bine (Ruffed Grouse)
• Week of 9/30/2024: waatebagaa (there are bright leaves)
• Week of 9/23/2024: dagwaagin (it is fall)
• Week of 9/16/2024: manoominike (he or she is ricing)
• Week of 9/9/2024: gete-odaabaan (old car)
• Week of 9/2/2024: gikinoo’amaagan (student)
• Week of 8/26/2024: aabawaa (it is warm weather)
• Week of 8/5/2024: niimidaa! (Let's dance!)
• Week of 7/29/2024: miinan (blueberries)
• Week of 7/22/2024: wiingashk (sweetgrass)
• Week of 7/15/2024: waawaatesi (firefly)
• Week of 7/1/2024: baashkide (it explodes from heat)
• Week of 6/24/2024: wiigwaasike (she or he is gathering birchbark)
• Week of 6/17/2024: niibin (it is summer)
• Week of 6/10/2024: ginwashkad (the grass is long)
• Week of 6/3/2024: zagimekaa (there are many mosquitos)
• Week of 5/20/2024: bingoshikaa (there is an abundance of black flies)
• Week of 5/13/2024: gitige (she or he is planting or gardening)
• Week of 5/6/2024: zaagigin (it is sprouting from the ground)
• Week of 4/29/2024: noodin (it is windy)
• Week of 4/22/2024: aamiwag (they are spawning)
• Week of 4/15/2024: ziigwan (it is spring)
• Week of 4/8/2024: awan (it is foggy)
• Week of 4/1/2024: wawiyazh-giizhigad (it is trick day – April Fool’s Day)
• Week of 3/25/2024:biiwan (it is a blizzard)
• Week of 3/18/2024: gisinaa (it is cold weather)
• Week of 3/11/2024: waaban (it is dawn)