A collection of useful phrases in Michif, a mixed language combining Cree and French spoken in parts of Canada and the USA.
See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me.
Key to abbreviations: sg = singular (said to one person), NM = Northern Michif, SM = Souther Michif, MF = Michif French
| English | Michif |
|---|---|
| Welcome | Tân’si (NM) Piihtikway (SM) Benvenu (MF) Binvnu (MF)< |
| Hello (General greeting) | Bozhoo |
| Hello (on phone) | |
| How are you? | Singular Taanshi kiya? Tân’si kiya? (NM) Taanishi kiiya? (SM) Plural Tân’si kiyawâw? (NM) Tân’si kahkiyaw kiyawâw? (NM) Taanishi kiiyawow? (SM) Komaw vozet vozot? (MF) |
| Reply to 'How are you?' | Ni-miyoayaan, niya. Kiya maaka? (NF) Nimiyöyân, marrsî, kiya mâka? (NM) Ji bayn/baen, maarsii. Kiiya maaka? (SM) Ca vas ben, marsi, pi twai? (MF) Sa vaw bin, marsi. Ipi tway? (MF) |
| Long time no see | |
| What's your name? | Tân’si î isihkâsoyin? (NM) Taanishi ishinihkaashooyen? (SM) Coussait ton nom? (MF) Kosay si ton non? |
| My name is ... | ... nisihkâson (NM) ... dishinihkaashoon (SM) Mon nom si ... (MF) |
| Where are you from? | Taandee oschi kiya? (NM) Tântî ohci kiya? (NM) Taanday ooshchiiyen? (SM) Taandi ooshchiiyenn kiiya? D’ivou ti vient? (MF) D'vo tid vyin? (MF) |
| I'm from ... | ... oschi niya |
| Pleased to meet you | Ni-miyeeyihten ee-nakishkaataan (sg) Ni-miyeeyihten ee-nakishkaateek (pl) Nimiyohtîn î nak’skâtân (NM) Ni miiyeuyhtayn aen nakishkaataan (SM) Ci bon ti rencontri (MF) J’i konten t’renkontri (MF) |
| Good morning (Morning greeting) |
Boñ mataeñ |
| Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting) |
Tân’si, miyo aprremidzî (NM) Tân’si miyo âpihtawkîsikâw (NM) Bonn apray mijii (SM) Bonne après midji (MF) Bon apray midji |
| Good evening (Evening greeting) |
|
| Good night | Kîk’sîpâ ka wâpam’tin niwî kaw’simon (I'm going to bed, see you in the morning) - NM Boon swayr (SM) Bonne nuitte (MF) Bon nwit (MF) |
| Goodbye (Parting phrases) |
Êkosi ka wâpam’tin. (see you later) - NM Miina kaawaapamitin. (see you later) - SM Kiihtwaam kaawaapamitin. (you too, see you later) - SM Bye (MF) Mattwayre |
| Good luck! | |
| Cheers! Good Health! (Toasts used when drinking) |
|
| Have a nice day | |
| Bon appetit / Have a nice meal |
Mîc’sotân! (NM) Miitshootaak! (SM) On vaw mawnji! (MF) Alon mawnji! (MF) |
| Bon voyage / Have a good journey |
|
| I don't know | No gishkeeyihten |
| I understand | Nishtohten |
| I don't understand | No nishtohten |
| Please speak more slowly | |
| Please say that again | Kâwî itwî? (NM) Kaa kashkitaan kiihtwaam chiin itwayenn sil voo play? (SM) Ti peux tchu jrie sa encoor, so plait? (MF) Ti chi kapab djir saw enkor, soplay? (MF) |
| Please write it down | |
| Do you speak English? | |
| Do you speak Michif?> | Ki-piikishkwaan chiiñ aañ Michif? |
| Yes, a little (reply to 'Do you speak ...?') |
Ap’sis nipîk’skwân (NM) Apishiish ni piikishkwaan (SM) J’y parle ein ptchi brin (MF) J'parl in pchi brin (MF) Wii. Apishiish biikishkwaan |
| Do you speak a language other than Michif? |
|
| How do you say ... in Michif? | Taanshi ee-ishihtweeyen ...aañ Michif? |
| Excuse me | |
| How much is this? | Kon bin bin? |
| Sorry | Nimihtâtîn (NM) Li shaagrayn dayaan (SM) Excuse mwai (MF) Exkuz mwin (MF) |
| Please | Madooñ |
| Thank you | Marrsî (NM) Kinanâskom’tin (sg) - NM Maarsii (MF) Marsi (MF) Sôskwâc kwayes marrsî (NM) Mitooni kishchi maarsii Marsi beaucoup (MF) Marsi boko (MF) |
| Reply to thank you | Eekoshi kwayesh Si ryayn (SM) Si kwaarek (SM) Ti benvenue (MF) Binvnu (MF) |
| Where's the toilet / bathroom? | |
| This gentleman will pay for everything | |
| This lady will pay for everything | |
| Would you like to dance with me? | |
| Do you come here often? | |
| I miss you | |
| I love you | Ki-shaakihitnaawaaw |
| Get well soon | |
| Go away! | |
| Leave me alone! | |
| Help! | |
| Fire! | |
| Stop! | Nakî! (NM) Naķî! (MM) Nakii! (SM) Arret! (MF) Aret! (MF) |
| Call the police! | |
| Christmas greetings | Miyo nîpâyamihâwin! (NM) Zhwayeu Noowel! (SM) Jwayu Nowel! (MF) |
| New Year greetings | |
| Easter greetings | Zhwayeu Paak! (SM) Enn bonn zhoornii di Paak ayaa! (SM) Si l’jowr di pawk! (MF)< |
| Birthday greetings | Bon feyt (MF) |
| Congratulations! | |
| One language is never enough | |
| My hovercraft is full of eels |
If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if you can provide recordings, please contact me.
Information about Michif | Numbers | Phrases
Other collections of Michif phrases
https://ameliadouglasinstitute.ca/phrases
https://www.southernmichif.org/learning-resources
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