Language Nest Curriculum

Our Language Nest Program has prepared some fun materials to get you started on your Anishinaabemowin journey. Browse the materials on this page to learn useful words and phrases at your own pace.

Miigwemin Anishinaabemowin kidwin.
We are giving you our Language.

Boozoo Aanii. Gchi nendam wii bizinwiiyaang Anishinaabemowin.
Welcome, hi! We are very happy that you are listening to us talking our Ojibwe Language.

Ga Kinoomaago waashi anishinaabemiiyeg. Aabjitoon na waa noongom kidying noondaameg pane.
We are teaching how to speak Ojibwe. Use what you hear today, always.

Gago gach ken.
Don't be shy.

Naanaag aitwishin kidan miinwaa gaa kidiyaang.
Listen to what is said, say what was said, and repeat what you hear.

Nogoding miinwaa gego mensengen.
Once again, don't be bashful.

Ahaaw, ga maajtaamin.
Okay, we will start.

Compiled by:
Language Nest and Anishinaabemowin Naaknigewin, Elder's Steering Committee

Zhaginaashii taagzi - Ojibwe words that sound like English

These are Ojibwe words that sound like English words. Click back and forth to see all 12 drawings.

Bezhig maanda kidwin bzindan endaaso giizhigad - Word a Day

A word a day is an easy way to learn Ojibwe. Visit us whenever you want to learn a new word!

You can read and listen to the entire word-a-day collection here: 365 Days of Words

001
      1. 001 gimewan - it is raining - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
002
      2. 002 pichi - robin - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
003
      3. 003 mashtaanish - sheep - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
004
      4. 004 ninaatig - Maple tree - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
005
      5. 005 ziizbaakwad - syrup /sugar - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
006
      6. 006 zhaa - goe's: he ~ - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
007
      7. 007 kokbinaagan - basket - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
008
      8. 008 waaboozoo - rabbit - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
009
      9. 009 aakozi - Sick: is ~ - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
010
      10. 010 biisibiisaa - Sprinkling - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
011
      11. 011 aazhigo - Already, Before - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
012
      12. 012 neyaab - PollyKeeshig-Tobias
013
      13. 013 nimkiikaa - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
014
      14. 014 waasamowin - PollyKeeshig-Tobias
015
      15. 015 ngamo - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
016
      16. 016 zhoonyaa - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
017
      17. 017 gookoosh - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
018
      18. 018 waabanong - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
019
      19. 019 besha - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
020
      20. 020 waaban - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
021
      21. 021 zaawaa - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
022
      22. 022 ki - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
023
      23. 023 wiiya - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
024
      24. 024 znagad - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
025
      25. 025 aniish - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
026
      26. 026 niiskaadad - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
027
      27. 027 gaazhag - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
028
      28. 028 baamaapii - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
029
      29. 029 wiikwedon - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
030
      30. 030 ganabaj - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
031
      31. 031 miinwaa - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
032
      32. 032 mshiikenh - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
033
      33. 033 gegaa - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
034
      34. 034 wan - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
035
      35. 035 dewkwe - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
036
      36. 036 bezhwaabik - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
037
      37. 037 wiingash - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
038
      38. 038 mdaaswaak - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
039
      39. 039 mashkodewashk - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
040
      40. 040 gash - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
041
      41. 041 eshkam - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
042
      42. 042 mshkikii - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
043
      43. 043 giigido - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
044
      44. 044 wiikenh - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
045
      45. 045 zid - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
046
      46. 046 iidok - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
047
      47. 047 mpin - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
048
      48. 048 giizhik - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
049
      49. 049 gidaabik - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
050
      50. 050 aamoo - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
051
      51. 051 gashknaabaagwe - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
052
      52. 052 giishkwe - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
053
      53. 053 zaawizi - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
054
      54. 054 jiinaag - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
055
      55. 055 mik - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
056
      56. 056 bangii - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
057
      57. 057 bizhiki - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
058
      58. 058 mshi - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
059
      59. 059 sin - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
060
      60. 060 gayii - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
061
      61. 061 biinish - Pollt Keeshig-Tobias

Jina G'anishinaabemtaadmin - We'll talk Ojibwe for a little bit

Ready for a bigger challenge? We have 52 useful sentences for you to practice and learn.
sentence a week picture
      62. it is really difficult - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
02
      63. I lost one tooth - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
03
      64. speak slowly - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
04
      65. that, over there, bring it - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
05
      66. who would you like to speak to - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
06
      67. in a hurry - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
07
      68. i will wait - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
08
      69. you are really slow - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
09
      70. that's a pity - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
10
      71. nice to meet you - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
11
      72. we walked all day - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
12
      73. I'm finished come and eat - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
13
      74. I'm finished come and eat - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
14
      75. Can I go with you - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
15
      76. Get in the car - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
16
      77. Let's go outside - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
17
      78. who are you talking about - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
18
      79. 18 what are you working on
19
      80. I will see you tomorrow - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
20
      81. I really must go - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
21
      82. hand me a pencil - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
22
      83. how much is it worth - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
23
      84. my daughter went with me - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
24
      85. maybe it will rain this afternoon - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
25
      86. what is it called - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
26
      87. it's almost ten o'clock - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
27
      88. is he arriving tomorrow - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
28
      89. I'm going to the bank this evening - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
29
      90. I'm not working tomorrow - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
30
      91. I will not come this afternoon - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
31
      92. help me clean - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
32
      93. do you want to chew gum? - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
33
      94. how are you? - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
34
      95. get up, you will be late - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
35
      96. come, get ready for bed - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
36
      97. ok, but its still early - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
37
      98. put it in your bedroom - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
38
      99. what time is it? - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
39
      100. turn off the water - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
40
      101. can you help me? - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
41
      102. bring the chair, put it outside - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
42
      103. the children are playing ball - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
43
      104. there is all kinds of food on the table - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
44
      105. where are you going? - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
45
      106. come here I'm going to kiss you - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
46
      107. ok, I'll come with you - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
47
      108. it's my mother's birthday - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
48
      109. oh my, it's getting late - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
49
      110. let's all play pig - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
50
      111. yes, it certainly is a nice day - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
51
      112. i'm going to the dance this evening - Polly Keeshig-Tobias
52
      113. i woke early this morning - Polly Keeshig-Tobias

Vowels and Syllables in Anishinaabemowin

Anishinaabemowin, the Ojibwe language, uses only 19 letters of the 26 in the English alphabet to form vowels and consonants.

There are long vowels and short vowels.

Mii iw nakw entaagwak. (that is the sound these make)

This fun song will help you recall the vowel sounds of our language: Kidwinesan

These are the syllables that make of Ojibwe words. (syllables marked with * are very scarce).

Vowels 2

There are no sounds in the Ojibwe language for the letters: f, l, q, r, u, v, x