Useful phrases in Tsimshian

A collection of useful phrases in Tsimshian, a Tsimshianic language spoken in southeastern Alasaka in the USA, and in northwestern British Columbia in Canada.

Jump to phrases

Key to abbreviations: sg = singular (said to one person)

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.

Phrase	Sm'algyax (Tsimshian)
Welcome
Hello (General greeting)	Ama sah gya'wn
Hello (on phone)
How are you?	Ndeeya wila waan? Nda wila waan? Nda la waan?
Reply to 'How are you?'	Aam dsh nuun Aam wila waalu
Long time no see
What's your name?	Naadi waan? Naayu waan?
My name is ...	...di waayu
Where are you from?
I'm from ...
Pleased to meet you	Aam nwil k'a txal 'waan
Good morning (Morning greeting)	Nt'oyaxsn (sg)
Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting)
Good evening (Evening greeting)	Ama huup'l
Good night	Gud nayt Sa'aamł waan Ni'nii gan hawm da
Goodbye (Parting phrases)	Ndm al dyuk niidzn (Until we meet again) - sg Gilks amaniisgn (Take care of yourself) - sg
Good luck!
Cheers! Good Health! (Toasts used when drinking)
Have a nice day
Bon appetit / Have a nice meal
Bon voyage / Have a good journey
Yes	Oo
No	Ayn
Maybe
I don't know
Do you understand?
I understand
I don't understand
Please speak more slowly
Please say that again
Please write it down
Do you speak English?
Do you speak Sm'algyax?	Wilaaynii Sm'algya̱x?
Yes, a little (reply to 'Do you speak ...?')	Oo, aam g̱asg̱aw wilaayu Oo, ts'uusgm wilaayu
Do you speak a language other than Sm'algyax?
Speak to me in Sm'algyax
How do you say ... in Sm'algyax?
Excuse me
How much is this?
Sorry
Please
Thank you	Nt'oyaxsn (sg)
Reply to thank you
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	Si'pn nuut nuun
Get well soon
Go away!
Leave me alone!
Help!
Fire!
Stop!	Gyiloo!
Call the police!
Christmas greetings
New Year greetings
Easter greetings
Birthday greetings
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 Tsimshian | Phrases | Numbers

Links

Other collections of Tsimshian phrases
https://www.alaskanativelanguages.org/tsimshian
https://www.haaykfoundation.org/learning-materials.html

Phrases in other languages

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