Conversational Mi'gmaq
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Below is a table of useful phrases in Mi'gmaq. Unlike in English, Mi'gmaq makes a distinction between you singular and you plural (similar to "y'all"). However, in the plural there is another distinction between you dual (two people) and you plural (three or more people). Thus, when speaking you must always make the distinction between if there is one, two, or 3+ people. For basic verb conjugations see VAI. For a guide on how to pronounce the following phrases see the Spelling page.
English | Mi'gmaq | Notes |
---|---|---|
Hi | Gwe' | |
Thank you | Wela'lin | One person to another person. Lit. 'I do well by you' |
Thank you | Wela'lioq | One person to many people |
Thank you | Wela'lieg | Two or more people to one or more people |
Yes | E'e | pronounced "ehe" |
No | Moqwa' | |
What's up? | Taliaq? | |
Not much | Mu talianug | |
How are you? | Me' talein? | Asking one person |
How are you? | Me' talioq/taloltioq? | Asking two people/asking three or more |
I'm fine. And you? | Welei. Gatu gi'l(ew)? | Response to Me' talein?. gi'l is second person singular, gi'lew is second person dual and plural. |
Good morning! | Weliegsitpu'g | |
Good night (before bed) | Welimpa | literally: sleep well |
Happy birthday! | Uliajipuna'! | |
What is your name? | Taluisin (gi'l)?/Taluisioq (gilew)?/Taluisultioq gilew? | To one person/to two people/to three or more people |
My name is... | Teluisi... | |
Where are you from? | Tami tett tle'iawin?/tami tett tle'iawioq?/tami tett tle'iawultioq? | To one person/to two people/to three or more people |
I am from... | Tle'iawi... -g | the -g denotes location. Therefore if you were to say I am from Listuguj it would be Tle'iawi Listugujg. |
Let's eat! | Mijjultinej! | |
I don't understand. | Mu nestmu | |
Do you speak Mi'gmaq? | 'Nnuisin? | To one person |
Yes, I speak Mi'gmaq | E'e, 'nnuisi | |
No, but I understand. | Moqwa, pasna nestasi. | |
How do you say ... in Mi'gmaq? | Tal tluwen ... 'nnuigtug? | |
Speak to me in Mi'gmaq | 'Nnugluli | |
Sorry | Mesgei | |
I am so sorry | Mawimsgei | |
Forgive me | Apigsigtui | This is used when you have done something very bad. |