Chapter One – Basic Sounds
Chapter 1: Directive / Command Verbs and Connecting Words
Directive / Command Verbs
 |
Here’s a handout (PDF) of Mi’kmaw directive verbs, command and connecting words you can download. |
Try combining the command/directive verbs listed with some of the combination words in the next section. Some contain exceptions to the rules in this chapter. Keep reading to learn more about these variations.
| Mi’kmaq | English | Mi’kmaq | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| ajimpa | go to bed | minja’si | wake up |
| ankapte’n | look at it | mukk-sama’tu | don’t touch |
| apaja’si | come back here | tepiaq | that’s enough |
| asma’si / asma'sin | I am going to far / you are going too far | pa’si | sit down |
| eliey | I’m going | pawa’si | slow down |
| ika’l | let him/her go | naji-kina’masi | go study |
| ika’li | release me / leave me alone | tuopa’si | look outside |
| ika’tu | put that down | wasoqa’tu | turn it on |
| iknmu | give it to him/her | nastaqa’tu | plug it in |
| iknmui | give it to me | waqma’tu | clean it |
| ilta’tu | close it | nasa’tu | put it on |
| jena’si | calm down | tetpaqa’n | you’re right |
| jikla’si | go away | tu’e | get out |
| jikleke | throw it away | maja’si | leave |
| jimsin | catch it | qama’si | stand up |
| jukwa’ten | bring it | minaqa’si | hurry up |
| jukwa’tui | bring it to me | waqma’tukrum | go clean your room |
| juku’e | come here | naqa’si | stop |
| ke’sk | each time | mijisi | eat |
| laqtu | throw it to him/her | panta’tu | open |
| leke | throw it | nqasua’tu | turn it off |
| lie | go | mntaqa’tu | unplug it |
| llika’ | walk | sispa’tu | wash it |
| lisma’si | lay down | puntoqsi | be quiet/stop talking |
| piskwa’ | come in | mukk wi’tmu | You’re welcome/don’t mention it |
Connecting Words
| Mi’kmaq | English | Mi’kmaq | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| ke | please | pe! | shh! |
| e’e | yes | moqo | no |
| jiptuk | maybe | mukk | don’t |
| aq | and | kisna | or |
| nike’ | now | ansma-nike’ | right now |
The next section has a few exercises to help you identify the sounds of the Mi’kmaw language when spoken in a word.
Ajimpa
Translation: Go to bed
Meanings: Go to bed or Go to sleep!
Pronunciation Guide: ah-jim-bah
minja’si
Translation: Wake up.
Meanings: Wake up or get up
Pronunciation Guide: MIN-jah-see
Ankapte’n
Translation: Look at it
Meanings: Look at it
Pronunciation Guide: ahn-gahb-dehn
mukk-sama’tu
Translation: Don't touch
Meanings: Don't touch it
Pronunciation Guide: MOOK-sah-MAH-doo
Apaja’si
Translation: Come back here
Meanings: "I return," "I come back," or as a command, "Come back!"
Pronunciation Guide: ah-bah-jah-see
tepiaq
Translation: That is enough
Meanings: "It is enough," "sufficient," or "adequate"
Pronunciation Guide: DEH-bee-ach
Asma’si
Translation: Going too far.
Meanings: Going too far.
Pronunciation Guide: uss-MAA-see
pa’si
Translation: Sit down
Meanings: Sit down
Pronunciation Guide: BAH-see
Translation: I am going
Part of Speech: verb
Meanings: I am going
Pronunciation Guide: el-lee-aye
pawa’si
Translation: Slow down
Meanings: Slow down
Pronunciation Guide: BAH-wah-see
Ika’l
Translation: let him go or let her go
Meanings: let him go, let her go, or release them
Pronunciation Guide: ee-GAA-uhl
naji-kina’masi
Translation: Go study
Meanings: "Go study!" or "I am going to learn/study."
Pronunciation Guide: NAH-jee-gis-NAH-mah-see
Ika’li
Translation: Leave me alone.
Meanings: "let me go" or "release me"
Pronunciation Guide: ee-GAA-lee
tuopa’si
Translation: Look outside
Meanings: Look outside or "Look out the window!"
Pronunciation Guide: DWOH-bah-see
Ika’tu
Translation: Put that down.
Meanings: "leave it alone!", "put it down!", or "let it be!"
Pronunciation Guide: ee-GAA-doo
wasoqa’tu
Translation: Turn it on
Meanings: Turn it on
Pronunciation Guide: WAH-soh-ACH-doo
iknmu
Translation: Give it to him or her.
Meanings: Give it to him or her.
Pronunciation Guide: eeg-nuh-moo
nastaqa’tu
Translation: Plug it in
Meanings: Plug it in
Pronunciation Guide: NAHS-dah-ACH-doo
iknmui
Translation: Give it to me.
Meanings: Hand it to me, give it to me.
Pronunciation Guide: ee-kɨn-nɨm-oo-ee
waqma’tu
Translation: Clean it
Meanings: Clean it
Pronunciation Guide: wa-hɨm-AHH-doo
ilta’tu
Translation: Close it
Meanings: "shut it!", "close it!", or "turn it off!"
Pronunciation Guide: eel-DAA-doo
nasa’tu
Translation: Put it on
Meanings: Put it on
Pronunciation Guide: nah-SAH-doo
Jena’si
Translation: Calm down
Meanings: "settle down!", "be quiet!", or "stop making noise!"
Pronunciation Guide: chuh-NAA-see
tetpaqa’n
Translation: You are right
Meanings: "You are right!" or "Correct!"
Pronunciation Guide: DET-bah-achn
jikla'si
Translation: Go Away.
Meanings: Get out of here, Go away.
Pronunciation Guide: jig-LAH-see
tu’e
Translation: Get out
Meanings: Get out
Pronunciation Guide: DOO-eh
Jikleke
Translation: Throw it away
Meanings: Throw it away
Pronunciation Guide: chig-luh-gay
maja’si
Translation: Leave
Meanings: "Leave!", "Go away!", or "Start moving!"
Pronunciation Guide: mah-JAH-see
Jimsin
Translation: Catch it
Meanings: Catch it
Pronunciation Guide: CHIM-seen
qama’si
Translation: Stand up
Meanings: Stand up
Pronunciation Guide: ha-MAH-see
Jukwa’ten
Translation: Bring it (here).
Meanings: Bring it.
Pronunciation Guide: choo-GWAA-den
minaqa’si
Translation: Hurry up
Meanings: Hurry up
Pronunciation Guide: mee-nah-HA-see
Jukwa’tui
Translation: Bring something. (inanimate)
Meanings: "Bring it to me" or "Fetch it for me"
Explanation: It is the specific singular imperative command used when you want someone to physically bring an inanimate object (like a tool, a key, or a book) over to where you are standing [source: Mi'gmaq/Mi'kmaq Online Talking Dictionary].
Pronunciation Guide: Joo-gwah-doo-ee
waqma’tukrum
Translation: Go and clean your room
Meanings: Go and clean your room
Pronunciation Guide: wa-hɨm-AHH-doo-grum
juku'e
Translation: Come here.
Meanings: Come over here, Come here.
Pronunciation Guide: joo-GOO-eh
naqa’si
Translation: Stop
Meanings: "Stop!" or "Halt."
Pronunciation Guide: na-HA-see
Ke’sk
Translation: Each time
Meanings:
Pronunciation Guide: gay-sk
Mijisi
Translation: I am eating
Meanings: I am eating
Part of Speech: Verb
Pronunciation Guide: mee-jee-see
Laqtu
Translation: Throw it to him/her
Meanings:
Pronunciation Guide: lahk-DOO
panta’tu
Translation: Open it
Meanings: Open it
Pronunciation Guide: ban-DAH-doo
Leke
Translation: Throw it
Meanings: Throw it
Pronunciation Guide: leh-GAY
nqasua’tu
Translation: Turn it off
Meanings: Turn it off
Pronunciation Guide: N-hah-soo-WAH-doo
Lie
Translation: Go
Meanings: Go!
Pronunciation Guide: LEE-eh
mntaqa’tu
Translation: Unplug it
Meanings: Unplug it
Pronunciation Guide: mɨn-dah-HAH-doo
Llika’
Translation: Walk
Meanings: Walk!
Pronunciation Guide: il-lee-ga
sispa’tu
Translation: Wash it
Meanings: Wash it
Pronunciation Guide: sis-BAH-doo
Lisma’si
Translation: Lay down
Meanings: Lay down or lie down.
Pronunciation Guide: lees-MAA-see
puntoqsi
Translation: Be quiet
Meanings: Be quiet or Stop talking
Pronunciation Guide: boon-doch-see
Shut up / Stop Talking
- Rude
piskwa’
Translation: Come in
Meanings: "Come in!" or "Enter."
Pronunciation Guide: BIS-gwah
mukk wi’tmu
Translation: Don't mention it
Meanings: You’re welcome or Don’t mention it
Pronunciation Guide: MOOK wheet-moo
ke
Translation: please
Meanings: please
Pronunciation Guide: ge
pe
Translation: shhhh
Meanings: quiet
Pronunciation Guide: beh
e'e
Translation: Yes
Meanings: Yes
Pronunciation Guide: EH-eh
Moqo
Translation: No
Meanings: No
Pronunciation Guide: moh-hoh
Jiptuk
Translation: Maybe
Meanings: Maybe, perhaps, or hopefully
Pronunciation Guide: chib-duk
mukk
Translation: Don't
Meanings: Don't
Pronunciation Guide: mook
Aq
Translation: And
Meanings: And
Pronunciation Guide: ach
kisna
Translation: or
Meanings: or
Pronunciation Guide: giz-nah
Nike'
Translation: now
Meanings: now
Pronunciation Guide: nee-GEH
ansma-nike’
Translation: Right Now
Meanings: "Right now!" or "Immediately."
Pronunciation Guide: uns-mah-NEE-geh
