Anishinaabemowin is a language focused on describing the world and the action that takes place in it. Before any sentence can be understood, a speaker or listener will ask, “What is happening and who or what is involved?” The answer to those questions will determine which verb is used.
The second type of verb is sometimes called the Intransitive Animate but “Type 2” also works.
Verb Type 2 is used when one of the seven kinds of “actors” or “pronouns” does something. Speakers add to the word to show who did it. The table below explains what is added to a “root” verb.
Pronoun in Ojibwe |
Pronoun in English |
Single Statement or “ina” Questions |
niin | I |
ni + verb nin (initial d,j,g,z,zh) *also remove only nim (initial b) the last “i” or “o” nind (initial vowel) |
giin | you |
gi + verb *also remove only gid (initial vowel) the last “i” or “o” gim (initial b) |
wiin | he / she | o + verb *the “o” is optional |
niinawind | just us |
ni + verb + min nin (initial d,j,g,z,zh) nim (initial b) nind (initial vowel) |
giinawind | all of us |
gi + verb + min gid (initial vowel) gim (initial b) |
giinawaa | you all |
gi + verb + m gid (initial vowel) gim (initial b) |
wiinawaa | them |
o + verb + wag (final vowel) *”o” is optional o + verb + oog (final consonant) |
Here are some Type 2 root verbs. They will become the center of your statement as you add meaning.
- wiisni – to eat
- giishkaabaagwe – be thirsty
- zhoomiingweni – to smile
- minawaanigozi – happy
- debwe – true / honest
- bakade – hungry
- ayekozi – tired
- aakozi – sick
- bimibatoo – run along
- bimose – walk
- inendam – to think / agree
- gaagiigido – talk
- bimaadizi – to live
- izhinikaazo – to be named
- bagizo – to swim
- odamino – to play
- dagoshin – to arrive
- biindige – to enter
- niimi – to dance
- nibaa – to sleep
- bakinaage – to win
- ozhibii’ige – to write