Gsci Gsci GLC 2003 Gwichin Language Dictionary 4th

§wicfiyafi ts'at 'T'eetf'it
§wicfi'in
§injik
§wi'dinefitPee'
****
§wicfi'in Language
'Dictionary
'Fourth :Edition
Preyared Gy:
Cjwich'in Socia{&' cuftura{ 1nstitute I §wich'in La11fJuage Centre

'T'siigefitchic I Port M.cPherson
'lforth.west tTerritories
'March 2003
Pourtfi :Edition
*********************************
Verb Paradigms .............................................................. Section IV

Section I
Introduction
This Gwich'in Noun Dictionary the result of combined
work between the Gwich'in Language Centre and the Gwich'in
Social and Cultural Institute. This fourth version,
following three previous Gwich'in Noun Dictionaries
beginning in 1997, is the result of continued involvement
of members of the Teetl' Gwich'in community of Fort
McPherson and the Gwichyah Gwich'in community of
Tsiigehtchic. We would like to ensure the publ that these
are a continuation of the previous works of Mr. John
Ritter's Gwich'in Athabaskan Noun Dictionary (circa. 1976)
and Mr. William George Firth's Gwich'in Ginjik Dinehtl'ee'
(circa. 1991). Both of these men have continued their work
in other such fields of language retention and
revitalization.
This Gwich'in Noun Dictionary contains nouns, verbs and

grammar used in both dialects of Fort McPherson and
Tsiigehtchic. Gwich'in Language Workshops relating to
terminology development and term verification have been
held throughout the years involving elders from both
communities and this information has been entered into the
dictionary.
The dictionary project is an ongoing effort and as such,

more dictionary workshops will be held in future. We will
continue our efforts to add new Gwich'in words and terms
and in future publish yet another edition.
You will notice that we have only used two dialects in this
Noun Dictionary. This was not to avoid utilizing other
dialects as it was predetermined that we would only
concentrate on two dialects of the Mackenzie Delta rather
than involving other dialects that have minimal speakers on
the east side of the Yukon/Northwest Territories border.
We have gathered terms from almost all of the projects that

the Gwich'in Language Centre and the Gwich'in Social and
Cultural Institute were involved in. Words that appear in
have been veri by the Elders in the numerous
workshops we have held over the t few Also
included in this edition is a sound chart to assist those
using the dictionary with pronunciation. We have also
added the kinship terms for each of the two dialects.
Several elders have spent endless hours ass ting us with

the correct articulation and distinguishing of paradigms
and they are to be thanked and remembered for what they
contributed. A few of the elders passed on during the
creation of this dictionary and we would like to remember
them for their assistance and assure their family and
relatives that we have not forgotten their words of wisdom
throughout. A huge hai' choo to the following: Fort
McPherson (Teetl'it Zheh) -Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Alexie,
Mr. Amos Francis, Mrs. Elizabeth Colin, Mrs. Eunice
Mitchell, Mrs. Bella Ross, Mr. And Mrs. William Teya, Mrs.
Rachel Stewart, Mrs. Doris Itsi, Mrs. Bertha Francis, Mrs.
Mary M. Firth, Ms. Hannah Alexie, Abraham Stewart Sr.,
Michael Pascal Sr., Lucy Wilson and Mrs. Joanne Snowshoe.
Tsiigehtshik (Arctic Red River) - Mr. Bob Norman, Mr. John
Norbert, Mr. and Mrs. Antoine Andre, Mr. Noel Andre, Mr.
Gabe Andre, Mr. Cecil Andre, Mrs. Eileen Cardinal, Mrs.
Rose Clark, Mr. Hyacinthe Andre, Mr. Pierre Benoit, Mr.
Cecil Andre and Mrs. Joanne Nazon.
Individual staff from both the Gwich'in Language Centre and

the Gwich'in Social and Cultural Institute are to be
thanked for their endless support throughout the collecting
of the information. Ms. Lisa J. Andre assisted in the
beginning with the phonetic spelling followed by Mrs.
Eleanor Mitchell-Firth who concluded the dictionary. Mr.
Mark Riepl, a Linguistic Masters' Student from the
University of Victoria was instrumental in collecting and
producing the Grammar section of this dictionary. Other
staff and cooks in the communities are to be thanked for
their contributions. We have many that we can name,
however, we may not pay tribute to some that have not been
mentioned. To all we say a huge hai' choo and thank you
for your cooperation and determination in putting this book
in print and accessible for students and interested persons
alike
2
In closing, we invite comments and sugges for
future and we can be reached at the following
addresses listed below.
William G. Firth Eleanor Mitchell-Firth

Manager of Language Programs, Linguist-in-Training,
Gwich'in Social and Cultural Gwich'in Language
Institute, Centre,
P 0. Box 54, P.O. Box 54,
Fort McPherson, NT Fort McPherson, NT
XOE OJO XOE OJO
Tel: (867) 952~2377 Tel: (867) 952-2377

Fax : ( 8 6 7 ) 9 5 2 ~ 2 4 3 3 Fax : ( 8 6 7 ) 9 5 2-2 4 3 3
Section II
Gwich'in Sound Chart

*
daa'aii axe No equivalent in English. A sharp,

tse' (GG) beaver abrupt stop.
b beebii baby Same as in English, baby.

libaarii a keg
ch chee river bottom Same as English; chair.

egeechan shoulder blade
ch' ch'ii mosquitoes No equivalent in English. Similar to a

ahch'ii pigeon hawk ch with a sharp, abrupt stop.
d dinjii man same as in English; door, doctor.

lldii tea
dh dhivii weasel Same as in English; this.

tseedhoh money
dl dlak squirrel Same as Ln English; sadly.

dlok laughter
dr drin day Same as in English: dream.

vidrit his/her leg bone
muskrat as English;
daadzaii swan
ddh ddhah mountain No English equivalent. Similar to d

gwiddhak crumbs plus a th as in this.
dzh dzhii bird Similar to gee with the g more drawn out.
dzhirh mittens
f frii ban frying pan Same as f in English; frying pan.

Hgam coffee
g geh rabbit Same as English give, trigger.

gugeh snow goose
gh vaghaii his/her sister-in-law No English equivalent. Similar to flat r

aghan war in French rouge.
gw gwaakal the ground is bare Same as in the English name: Gwendolyn

gwatat amongst it
ghw ooghwan it's growling Similar to roy in French royal.

luu ghwaii rough ice
h han river Same as in English hat, has.

ahtal grouse
2
as English
ja{ fish hook
k kant'ik moccasin uppers Same as in English kite.

kaiik'it community
k' k'oh clouds Similar to k with a sharp, abrupt stop or a

aak'ii cow, buffalo breath after the letter.
kh kheh Canada goose Similar to German ch in Bach.

giikhii preacher, minister
kw kwan' flre Same as English quest, queen.

akwat 2 year old beaver
lidii tea Same as English low, mellow.

nllii meat
fuk fish Similar to l with air coming out of both

ihlak one sides of the tongue.
m maamaa mom, mother Same as m in English mouse, mille

amaa' breast
n niinjii lynx Same as n in English need.

ninleetth'ak your ring
nd ndak further back Same as in English nd end, sand.

across
njuu Same as in Punjab.

dmjik moose
r teenjir half Same as in English read, ran.

leth t'ir sandbar (GG)
s soogaii sugar Same as English.

lisel salt
sh sheejii my older sister Same as in English.

shat a scar
sr srii knife Equivalent to shr in shrew, shroud.

gwahsri' meadow
t tah socks Same as in English.

vit lake trout
t' nivee t' ah'ii soldier Similar to English t with a sharp, abrupt
vint'ii behind her/him stop or a sharp breath.
th thai pants Same as English thin, thick.

thoh belt
t} daatleh soap (GG) Similar to cl in clean, dear without

tlee ointment (GG) movement of the vocal chords.
4
tl' ti'yah
ti'oo grass
tr trah merganser Same as in English.

daatrat it is shaking
tr' tr'iinin a child Similar to !r followed with a sharp, abrupt

etr'uu arctic tern stop.
ts tse' beaver (GG) Same as English bats, cats.

tseenjaa carefully
ts' ts'aivit arctic loon Similar tots with a sharp, abrupt stop.
ts'iivii spruce tree
tsh ihditshlh numerals Similar to a ch sound however, with a dzan

tshl' muskrat tail heavier pronunciation on the ch.
tth tthaa mountain squirrel Similar to t with a th as in thin.

tthak all, everything
tth' tth'an bone Similar to tth with a sharp, abrupt stop.

ejlitth'ak he hears
v vadzaih caribou Same as in English.

van lake
E
-J
y yahkeh as
yeelil is dragging it
zh zhoh wolf Same is in English words vision, illusion.

dehzhoo snow on branches
zr zral shout Pronounced similar to zhr.

daazraii swan
VOWELS
i drin day Same as in English grin, sin.

ts'it porcupine
e geh rabbit Same as in English met, let, bet.

ts'eh hat, cap
a dah blood Same as in English shut, gut, nut.

.fat smoke
0 oh fish trap Similar as in English coke, poke.

zhoh snow
u tsuk marten Same as in English toot, boot, took.

luk fish
ii vigil it's young Same as in English bee, see, knee.

divii sheep
ee river/lake i"'nt-irn"W'l as English lay, way.
shuundee my oldE;r brother
aa daadzaii common loon Similar to a in Albert.

aazrik wood shavings
00 goots'an theirs Same as English go.

dhootsaii you all made it
uu Iyuu ice Same as English in moon, toque.

uudee upwards
All other vowels with the hook placed under the vowel as in the following: L ~. q_, Q, lJ,
Ii. ~~. q_q_, QQ, lJlJ, gives the vowel a nasal or 'n' sound.
Vowel Combinations:
ao gaolii I expect Same as in English cow, town, pout.
eu dizheu cow moose Similar to English eh followed with oo.
ali tali trail, road, street Similar to English a with ee following.
eli gwileli She/he/it is poor Similar to English eh with ee following.
ai' vataf it's handle Pronounced a with short English ee, with a
sharp, abrupt
7
Low Tone Marks:
If the tone mark appears over certain words, then it would change the meaning as in
the following:
zhoh snow zhoh wolf

shuh drum shuh wart
khah packsack khah war club
shih grizzly bear shlh food
sryuh mconnu srylih robin
With words that are possessed, the tone mark would appear over the first vowel in
after the second set of consonants as in the following:
srii knife vizrli' his knife

ts'eh hat, cap vits'ee' her hat, his cap
tah socks vataa' her socks
tr'ih boat vitr'li' his boat
*Any recopying of this or any material from the Gwich'in Social and Cultural Institute
must have the full written permission of the Executive Director of GSCI.
Section III
Gwich'in Grammar
Overview of the Gwich' in

Verb
The Gwich'in is highly structured and contains a much larger range
information than verbs in English. In fact, a single Gwich'in verb may be the
equivalent of an entire English sentence. Consider the two sentences below, which
express roughly the same idea:
(1) a. Nintl'eltshuh.
b. I gave it to you.
Both of these sentences convey roughly the same information; both identify a first
person subject (I), a third person direct object (it), and a second person indirect object
(you), and both sentences relate these entities together through the action of 'giving'.
However, though the informational content of these two sentences is the same, each
expresses this information differently. The English sentence is composed of an ordered
set of separate words, whereas the Gwich'in sentence is composed of an ordered set of
small word-parts grouped together into a single word. Let's look at the Gwich'in
sentence in a little more detail.
Gwich'in verbs are composed of a stem preceded by a number of smaller units
called prefixes. The stem is usually the last syllable of the verb and contains the core
meaning conveyed by the verb. In the sentence above, the stem is -tshUh, which
expresses the meaning of "transfer a flat, flexible object," something like the English
word gave (although, more specific than the English word). Immediately preceding the
stem are a number of prefixes, each adding a small piece of information to the overall
meaning of the verb. Moving from right to left, the first prefix is -1-, which indicates
that the subject is first person, or 'T. Next comes the prefix -nt!'e-, which roughly
means "to", preceded by ni- which means "you". Putting all of these pieces together,
we end up with a complete Gwich'in verb.
(2) nint{'e -1- tshUh.

you to I gave-it
"I gave it to you."
The Gwich'in verb is actually much more complex than what has been indicated thus
far. Along with information about subjects and objects, verb prefixes have a wide
variety of functions and express many different types of information. example,
as tense (the in that an event or
(whether an action or event is viewed as completed or ongoing),
number (the number of people or things partidpating in an event), and adverbial
extensions of the stem's meaning (such as 'again', 'back-and-forth, 'above', 'below'). A
complete description of all of these prefixes is far beyond the scope of this short
introduction; such a description would easily fill an entire book. However, because it
is useful for those wishing to understand the basic structure of Gwich'in verbs, we will
examine a few of the most common prefixes below.
1. The Verb
The first thing to notice about the different parts of a Gwich'in verb is that they
are all strictly ordered with respect to one another. Scholars studying languages
related to Gwich'in have found it useful to divide fully formed verbs into a series of
'prefix positions', each position representing a particular function within the verb.
These positions also capture the relative order in which prefixes must occur. The
resulting sequence of prefix positions is often called a 'template'. Below is an example
of a template for Gwich'in, with different positions numbered and labeled. Although
this template is greatly simplified (a complete grammatical description of Gwich'in
would require a much more articulated template), our purpose is simply to overview
the basic structure of the verb, so it will suffice.
(3) The Verb Template

5 4 3 2 1
Adverbials Direct Plural Tense I Subject STEM
&Post- Object Subject Aspect (&
positions Classifier)
This template divides the Gwich'in verb into 6 different 'slots': the stem plus five prefix
positions. Below we will look briefly at each of these template positions.
1.1 The Verb Stem

Furthest to the right is the verb stem, which conveys the core meaning of a
verb. In the vast majority of cases, the verb stem is the last syllable of a full verb.
Below are some examples of verbs, with the verb stem in boldface. Don't worry too
much about the prefixes for now; the important thing to notice in these examples is
that the verb stem remains constant while the prefixes change to indicate slight
differences in the same basic meaning.
')
i. Stem: -lih "sing"
a. Ijihlih 1 "I am singing."
b. Ijiinlih "You are singing."
c. Ijiidliih "We are singing."
ti. Stem: -'al "ate"

a. lida' til "We ate."
b. Uu'al? "Did you people eat?"
c. Ag»n'al "They ate."
In all of these examples, the stem remains the same regardless of the exact
meaning of the verb. There are many verbs, however, where different stems are used
to indicate slight differences in meaning. A few of the most common types of stem
changes are summarized below.
i. Tense
Differences in tense are often marked by changes in the verb stem, along with
different prefixes. It is very common in Gwich'in to use slightly different stems for
present, past, and future tense verbs. Below is one example.
(5) a. Gjinkhii. "He is speaking."

b. Gfinhe ·. "He spoke."
c. Giteekhyah. "He will speak."
For the verb "to speak," Gwich'in uses three different verb stems. The stem -khli is
used in present tense constructions, -he' is used for past tense, and -khyah is used for
future tense.
ti. Number
Some Gwich'in verbs require different stems depending on the number of
people or things participating in the action or state denoted by the verb. Below is an
example of the verb meaning "believe it."
1
The change from -lih to -lih in this word reflects a regular sound change that occurs between the stem
and the prefixes in Gwich'in. Many stem-initial sounds (fricatives) become voiceless when preceded by
[h). In this case, voiced [I] becomes voicless [a] due to the first person subject prefix [h-] preceding it.
(6)
Gwik'injihshit. "I believe it."
Gwik'injinizhi t. "You believe it.~
Gwik'injizhi t. "He I She believes it."
Gwik'injildizhi t. "We (two) believe it."
Gwik'injuhshit. "You people (two) believe it."
Gwik'injigizhit. "They (two) believe it."
Gwik'injildij ii. "We (three or more) believe it."

Gwik'injuhj ii. "You people (three or more) believe it."
Gwik'injigij ii. "They (three or more) believe it."
In this example, the choice of verb stem depends on how many people the speaker is
talking about. The stem -zhit is used when one or two people are referred to while -jli
is used when three or more people are referred to.
Unlike nouns in English, most Gwich'in nouns do not have plural forms. A
noun such as aih "snowshoe" may refer to one, two, or many snowshoes. Often it is
only by looking at the particular form that the verb stem takes that Gwich'in speakers
are able to determine the number of objects spoken about. For example, in the
sentences below, the number of snowshoes referred to is indicated by the particular
stem used.
(7) a. aih nanii' ali "S/he placed the snowshoe there."

b. aih naniinlli. "S/he placed snowshoes there."
Put another way, Gwich'in uses different verbs when different numbers of entities are
involved in the action or state denoted by the verb. In the above example, we might
translate the stem -ali as "placing one thing" and the stem - lil as "placing several
things."
iii. Classillcatory Verbs

We've seen that different Gwich'in verb stems are used when different
numbers of things are spoken about. Having different verbs for singular and plural is
often called a classillcation system. it is a way of classifying the nature of the entities
involved in an action by using different verbs to refer to that action. The Gwich'in
4
number is fairly distinguishing simply singular,
However, Gwich'in has a very complex classification system for some
verbs, where the verb stem chosen depends on the shape or condition of the thing
being described. This system is particularly common with the verbs that refer to the
handling of objects. Several examples for the verb "give" are given on the next page.
Pay attention to the different stems used (in boldface again) and the different objects
referred to.
(8)
a. Ts'at vintl'a'ahshuh. "I gave him a blanket."
blanket I-gave-it-to-him
b Dinehtr'eh vint{'a'ahshuh. "I gave him paper."

paper I-gave-it-to-him
c. Diik'ee vint{'aiityin. "I gave him a gun."

gun I-gave-it-to-him
d Ga£ vinti'aiityin. "I gave him a stick."

stick I-g'ave-it-to-him
e. Tyah vinti'aii'ajh. "I gave him a bucket."

bucket I-gave-it-to-him
f. Tshuu vinti'aiikaih. "I gave him water (in a cup)."

water I-gave-it-to-him
g. diik'ee vinti'aillih. "I gave him some guns."

gun I-gave-them-to-him
h Tyah vinti'aillih. "I gave him some buckets."

bucket I-gave-them-to-him
f. Ti'yah vinti'aiilih. "I gave him rope."

rope I-gave-it-to-him
stems on
tJ'-LCLIAll</",
these changes as follows:
(9)
STEM USED SHAPE OF OBJECT EXAMPLE
-tshUh Flat, flexible, cloth-like blanket, paper I
objects.
-tyin Long, skinny, rigid gun, stick
objects.
-'am Chunky, box-like bucket, water in a
objects, or objects in cup (or in a bucket).
containers.
-lih Plural objects AND rope,
string or rope-like any plural object
objects regardless of shape.
1.2 Prefix Position 1: Subjects

The first prefix position closest to the stem is the subject position. Prefixes in
this position indicate the subject of the verb as either first person singular "I", first
person plural "we", second person singular "you", second person plural "you people",
and third person singular "he", "she", or "it". Note that third person plural subjects
"they" are not marked by the prefixes in this position, but by a prefix in position 3
(which we will look at later).
One difficulty in discussing the subject position prefixes is that they occur in a
wide variety of alternate forms. The particular form that a subject prefix takes is
largely determined by the prefixes adjacent to it, especially by an abstract prefix called
the classifier, which occurs between the stem and the subject prefixes. We have
ignored the classifiers in this introduction and haven't indicated them on the verb
template in (3) because their function and meaning is highly abstract and it is not
cmcial to understand them to acquire a basic understanding of Gwich'in verbs. It is
enough for our purposes to know that the classifiers divide Gwich'in verbs into four
groups, the presence of a particular classifier prefix helping to indicate which group a
verb belongs to. Scholars studying these classifiers typically refer to the four groups of
verbs as the 0-classifierverbs (or "zero-classifier" verbs), h-classifierverbs, d-classifier
verbs, and ]-classifier verbs, because these are the forms that the classifiers took at an
earlier stage in the history of Gwich'in (and other closely related languages). We will
continue to to labels, it will help us sort out the
different subject prefixes. It is enough our to that
Gwich'in verb will belong to one of the four types listed above.
Simply put (and overlooking a lot of further complexities), the particular form
of a subject prefix depends on the type of verb stem; a-classifier verbs take a particular
set of subject prefixes, while h-classifier verbs take a different set, and so on. For
example, the first person subject prefix ("I") is -ih- with 0-classifier verbs, but changes
to -if- with h-classifier verbs, -il- with !-classifier verbs, and -sh- with d-dassifier
verbs. A summary of the subject prefixes is given below.
(10) Subject Prefixes

0- h- d-Classifier l
Classifier Classifier lassifi
I -ih- -U- -sh- -il-
You -iin- -inidi- -ah- a.a.
We -iidi- -iidi- -aa- -aa-
You (p) -oh- -oh- I -oh- I -00-
-okhwi- -okhwi-
He/She/It -a- -idi- -ah- -aa-
As can be seen, the subject prefixes come in a wide variety of forms. To add to the
difficulties in sorting out the subject prefixes, the forms given here are simply the most
basic form these prefixes take; other factors will further affect the prefixes, changing
their pronunciation in various ways. However, the subject prefix of any word should
be recognizable from the chart in (10). Paradigms for each classifier-type verb are
given below. Observe the subject prefixes in each verb and compare it to the chart
above.
(11) Subject Paradigms

0-classifier Verbs:
Stem: -dlah "laugh"
ihdlah. "I am laughing."
iindlah. "You are laughing."
adlah. "He/She is laughing."
Hdadlah. "We are laughing."
ohdlah. "You people are laughing."
7
-t'ih
Geh hadiniht'ih. "I am cutting up a rabbit."
Geh hadiniint'ih. "You are cutting up a rabbit."
Geh hadint'ih. "He/She is cutting up a rabbit."
Geh hadiniidit'ih. "We are cutting up a rabbit."
Geh hadinoht'ih. "You people are cutting up a rabbit."
h-classifier Verbs:
Stem: -hlili "beat (drumr
ShUh alhah. "I am beating a drum."
shUh&hah "You are beating a drum."
ShUh ahah. "He/She is beating a drum."
shUh aahah. "We are beating a drum."
ShUh ohah. "You people are beating a drum.''
Stem: -gaih Udry"

N1lli algaih. "I am drying meat."
Nilii n&hgaih. "You are drying meat."
Nilli ahgaih. "He/She is drying meat."
Nilii aagaih. "We are drying meat."
Nilii ohgaih. "You people are drying meat."
d-classifier Verbs:
Stem: -vik "swim"
k'ashivik. "I am swimming."
k'andivik. "You are swimming."
k'adivik. "He/She is swimming."
k'aiidivik. "We are swimming."
k'aavik. "You people are swimming."
Stem: -'in "have, do"

vishi'in "I have it."
vindi'in "You have it."
yidi'in. "He/She has it."
viidi'ii "We have it."
vokhwe'in "You people have it."
!-Classifier Verbs
Stem: -dzoh "dance"
Aldzoh. "I am dancing."
ndzoh. "You are dancing."
Aadzoh. "He/She is dancing."
Aadzoh. "We are dancing."
Oodzoh. "You people are dancing."
Stem: -gal "run"

Algal. "I am running."
1\a.ngal. "You are running."
Aa gal. "He/She is running."
Aagal. "We are running."
Dugal. "You people are running."
1.3 Position 2: Tense

The tense prefixes occupy the second position of our template. In actual fact,
what we have labeled as position 2 should actually be regarded as a series of different
positions, since tense is marked by a large array of prefixes which interact in complex
ways. There is also a large number of other prefixes which occur somewhere between
the subject prefixes of position 1 and the plural subject preflxes of position 3. A full
description of all of these prefixes is far beyond the scope of this introduction, so we
will simplify things by regarding position 2 as a "loose" position where a number of
different tense prefixes may occur. Simply bear in mind that there are a number of
common prefixes that occur between position 3 and position 1, as you will see many of
them in the paradigms that follow.
i. Past tense
Past tense verbs are marked in a variety of ways, sometimes with prefixes and
a stem change, sometimes just with a prefix, and sometimes with only a stem change.
There are several prefixes that may occur to mark past tense; sometimes two or more
of these prefixes will be present at the same time. The past tense prefix system is
highly complex and poorly understood at the present time. For now, we will simply
C)
some common to get an of that occur
this position.
The most common past tense prefix is -lin- or one of its many variations (for
example, sometimes it appears as -1-, sometimes just as nasalization on an adjacent
prefix). Most importantly for us, this prefix often affects the subject prefixes which
follow it, especially the first person a-classifier subject prefix (-ih-) and the third
person prefixes. Below are two examples which show the effects of this prefix.
12) Past tense prefix -lin-:
a. Present tense: Ihdlah. "I am laughing."

b. Past tense: Hdla'. "I laughed."
c. Present tense: Adlah. "He/She is laughing."

d. Past tense: Iindla'. "He/She laughed."
First, notice that the stem changes from -dlah to its past tense form -dla '. In addition
to this stem change, the subject prefixes also change form. This is the effect of the past
tense prefix which immediately precedes the subject prefix position.
ii. Future tense

Unlike the past tense prefixes discussed above, the future tense of verbs is
marked quite regularly by one of two future prefixes that occur in position 2: -ha- or
-ta-. The difference between these two prefixes is negligible, and for our purposes we
may regard them as equivalent. The examples below illustrate the use of -ha-:
(13) Future tense prefix -ha- :
a. Present tense: Eenakhit. "I am grabbing it."

b. Future tense: Eehakhyah. "I will grab it."
c. Present tense: Yadahk'ee. "He is firing it."

d. Future tense: Yahadahk'ee. "He will fire it."
e. Present tense: Yuudahkat. "He is asking him."

f. Future tense: Yuuhadahkat. "He will ask him."
10
1.4 ects
The plural subject position holds a further set of subject markers which are
separated from the subject position 1 by the tense prefixes in position 2. Plural subject
prefixes include the impersonal subject -tr'- "some people, people" and the plural third
person subject marker -gi- "they". This prefix also commonly appears as -ga-,
depending on the sounds that surround this prefix.
Recall that there is position 1 subject prefix corresponding to "they"; the only
third person subject marked in position 1 is the third person singular "he/she/it". In
order to make a third person subject of a verb plural, Gwich'in adds the plural subject
marker to position 3. Below are a few examples of this prefix.
(14) Third person plural subject prefix -gi- (-ga-) :
a. Naa'eh. "He/she is standing."

b. Ginaa'eh. "They are standing."
c. Diik'ee sranalih. "He/She is fixing the gun."

d. Diik'ee sraganalih. "They are fixing the gun."
e. tuk ahch'uh. "He/She is frying fish."

f. tuk gahch'uh. "They are frying fish."
The other plural subject prefix is -tr'-, the impersonal subject marker. This
prefix is used when the subject of a verb is not referring to any specific people,
something like the English word one in the sentence One must always think before
one acts. Below is one example.
(15) Impersonal subject prefix
a. Gwinah'in'. "He/She saw it."

b. Gugwinah'ln'. "They saw it."
c. Tr'igwinah'in'. "People saw it."
11
1.5 4: ect
The position directly preceding the plural subject prefixes is used to mark
direct objects. These prefixes are listed below.
(16) Direct Object Prefixes

-shi- "me"
-ni- "you"
0 (-yi-) "him, her, it"
-nokhwa- "us"
-nokhwa- "you people"
-gu- "them"
Note two things about this chart; first, the third person singular object is marked with
a 0 (zero). This is because third person objects are marked by the absence of a prefix
in the direct object position of the template. Transitive verbs (verbs that refer to
activities that necessarily involve at least two participants - subject and object) that
occur without any direct object prefixes are interpreted with a third person singular
object. We will see below, however, that there is in fact a third person direct object
prefix that may occur in the direct object position of the template (-yi-), but it behaves
quite differently than the others, so we will ignore it for the moment. Second, notice
that the first person plural and second person plural direct object prefixes are the
same. In other words, -nokhwa- can mean either "us" or "you people." Below are some
examples of the direct object prefixes listed in the chart above, marked in boldface.
(17) a. Nilts'uh. "I am kissing him/her/it."

b. Shinaats'uh. "He/She is kissing me."
c. Ninaats'uh. "He/She is kissing you."
d. Nokhwaganaats'uh. "They are kissing us/you people."
As mentioned above, there is a third person prefix that occurs in the direct
object position. This prefix has the form -yi-. It has parallels in other closely related
languages and is referred to by a variety of names; a simple name for it is 'alternate
third person object.' Usually, third person direct objects are marked by the absence
1?
a with a
third
two verbs below.
(18) a. naats'uh. "You are kissing him/her/it."

b. yinaats'uh. "He/she is kissing him/her/it."
Notice that in the first verb (18a) the third person object is marked by the absence of a
direct object prefix; this is the normal state of affairs when the subject is not third
person (it is second person in this example). However, when the subject is also third
person, the third person object is marked by -yi-, as can be seen in example (18b).
Another fact of the alternate third person is that when an independent noun
occurs in the sentence as the object, the -yi- prefix does not appear, even if the subject
is also third person. In other words, the prefix -yi- is only used when the direct object
is not expressed by a noun. The examples below illustrate this pattern.
(19) a. Beebti naats'uh. "He is kissing the baby."

b. Beebti yinaats'uh. "The baby is kissing him."
c. Yinaats'uh. "He is kissing him."
Notice that in the first example, (19a), where the alternate third person prefix does not
occur, the word bei:bii must refer to the object of the sentence. When this word is used
to express the subject however, like in example (19b), the alternate third person prefix
must be used, since the subject (beebii) is third person. Finally, the last example (19c)
is ambiguous about who is doing the kissing and who is being kissed. We can
summarize these facts by saying that the alternate third person object prefix -yi- is
only used when i) the subject is third person, and ti) the object is not expressed as a
separate noun. Note that the word naats'uh used alone, perhaps to mean "He is
kissing him" is not a grammatical verb in Gwich'in. This verb form can only be used if
the object is specified by an independent noun, such as in (19a).
There are a few other direct object prefixes that are worth mentioning,
although we will not be discussing them in any length here. These are -adl- the
'reflexive' prefix, and -nih(l)- the 'reciprocal' prefix. The reflexive basically means
(20) a. Yik' ee' aatrah. "He is washing him."
Adik'ee'ahtrah. "He is washing himself."
c. Nihk'eetr'aatrah. "We are washmg each other."
1.6 Position 5: Adverbials

The last prefix position we will be looking at is used to carry a wide variety of
different prefix types and a very large number of individual prefixes. Unfortunately,
this area of Gwich'in verb structure is beyond the scope of this short introduction;
indeed, even a brief summary of most of these prefixes could fill an entire dictionary.
Instead, we will simply look at a few isolated examples of position 5 prefixes so that
readers have some idea of their function.
In many ways, the prefixes of position 5 are easier to grasp than the prefixes
we have been looking at so far. This is because these prefixes are much closer to
individual English words and have more concrete meanings that the prefixes from
positions 1 to 5. For the most part, position 5 prefixes add an adverbial extension to
the meaning of the verb, something like adverbs in English. For example, the meaning
"again" can be added to an English sentence to modify its meaning somewhat.
Compare I fried the fish with I fried the fish agam. Gwich'in also has an independent
word meaning "again", chan. However, "again" may also be expressed in Gwich'in
with the position 5 prefix na-. This prefix is something like the English prefix re- as in
i refried the fish. Below is an example of this prefix.
(21) a. Tree. "He is crying."

b. Naditree. "He is crying again."
There are a relatively large number of adverbial prefixes like this in Gwich'in.
Another type of prefix that occupies position 5 are the incorporated post-
positions. These are called postpositions because they are much like English
prepositions such as to, from, away, under except that their objects precede them
instead of follow them (hence the term postpositions). At the beginning of this
outline, we saw an example of a postposition prefix occupying position 5 of the
template. It is repeated here.
14
a. Nint{'ee you"
b. Nintf'ettshUh. "I gave it to
There are many more different prefixes with fascinating and complex properties that
precede the direct object prefixes of position 4. Unfortunately, an adequate discussion
of all of them would lead us too far a field.
2. Few Notes on the Paradigms

The paradigms given on the next few pages are presented as an aid to learning
Gwich'in and studying its verb structure. A few remarks are necessary to help readers
understand the paradigms.
1. The paradigms are organized around a basic English meaning. First,

second, and third person subjects, both singular and plural (and in
some cases dual where the distinction exists), are listed for three tenses;
simple, past, and future.
2. The term simple tense has been used instead of present tense. The
reason for this is that what we have been calling present tense in
Gwich'in actually may refer to past events. For example, the verb Tree
may mean "He is crying" (and often does), but it may also mean "He
was crying." In actual fact, there is no distinction in Gwich'in between
present and past tense. Instead, the true distinction is between
imperfective and perfective aspect. Imperfective verbs are those that
refer to an action as ongoing without paying attention to whether the
action was completed or not. Examples in English are I was reading, He
is eating, They are laughing. Perfective verbs are those that refer to an
action as completed, such as i have read the book, He ate, They have
laughed. In Gwich'in, what we have been calling present tense verbs
are actually imperfective aspect verbs and may actually take place in
past time, while what we have been calling past tense verbs are actually
perfective verbs. We retain the label past tense simply because most
perfective verbs are most easily construed as occurring in past time.
3. Many Gwich'in verbs are transitive, meaning they take a direct object
prefix (much like English transitive verbs which must occur with a
1 "i
noun). In the paradigms, these have marked
with an 0 . For example, the word for "I am frying"
appears as:
0 aech'Uh.
This indicates that an object normally precedes this word, such as in

the following:
tuk akh'uh. "I am frying fish."
lfl
Section IV
Gwich'in Grammar
Verb Paradigms
b
-zhit I -dhat I -dhat [singular/dual]
-jii I -jik I -jik [plural]
Classifier: 0
gwik'injihshlt I believe it.

gwik'injinizhlt You believe it.
gwik'injizhlt Slhe believes it.
gwik'injlidizhlt We (two) believe it.
gwik'injuhshlt You (two) believe it.
gwik'injigizhlt They (two believe it.
gwik'injlidijli We (three +) believe it.
gwik'injuhjli You (three +) believe it.
gwik'injiigigli They (three+) believe it.
Past
gwik'injihthat I believed it.
gwik'iniindhat You believed it.
gwik'injiindhat S/he believed it.
gwik'injlididhat We (two) believed it.
gwik'injuudhat You (two) believed it.
gwik'injigiindhat They (two) believed it.
gwik'injiidijik We (three+) believed it.
gwik'injuujik You (three+) believed it.
gwik 'injigiinjik They (three+) believed it.
Future
gwik 'injihihthat I will believe it.
gwik'injihiindhat You will believe it.
gwik'injiheedhat S/he will believe it.
gwik'injihiididhat We (two) will believe it.
gwik'injihuhthat You (two) will believe it.
gwik'injigiheedhat They (two) will believe it.
gwik'injihiidijik We (three+) will believe it.
gwik'injihuhjik You (three+) will believe it.
gwik'injigiheejik They (three+) will believe it.
braid
Root: -tl:'aa I -tl:'aa I -ti'aa
Classifier: h
o niltt'yah I am braiding
0 nqhtl'yah You are braiding
0 nahtl'yah Slhe is braiding 0.
0 naatl'yah We are braiding
o nohtl'yah You (p) are braiding
o giinahtf'yah They are braiding 0.
Past
o nidhiltt'yah I have braided 0.
o nidh~htt'yah You have braided 0.
o niltl'yah Slhe has braided 0.
o nidha.att'yah We have braided 0.
0 nadhootl'yah You (p) have braided 0.
0 giniltl'yah They have braided 0.
Future
o haniltl'yah I will braid 0.
0 hanqhtl'yah You will braid
0 hanahtf'yah S/he will braid 0.
o hanaatf'yah We will braid 0.
o hanohtl'yah Yau (p) will braid
o gihanahtl'yah They will braid 0.
?
-vir I -vir I -vir
Classifier: h
Oiivir I am boiling
0 nqhvir You are boiling
0 ahvir Slhe is boiling
o aavir We are boiling
0 ohvir You (p) are boiling
0 gahvir They are boiling
Past
Odhifvir I boiled
0 dhqhvir You boiled
0 Uvir S/he boiled 0.
o dhaavir We boiled 0.
0 dhohvir You (p) boiled 0.
0 gifvir They have boiled 0.
Future
0 hihiir I will boil 0.
0 hqhvir You will boil 0.
0 hahvir Slhe will boil 0.
o haavir We will boil 0.
0 hohvir You (p) will boil 0.
0 gahahvir They will boil
a )
-droo I 1
Classifier: h
o a.fdroo I caught
o qhdroo You caught
0 ahdroo S!he caught
0 aadroo We caught
o ohdroo You (p) caught
0 gahdroo They caught
Future
0 eha.fdroo I will catch
0 ehqhdroo You will catch 0.
o ehahdroo Slhe will catch 0.
o ehaadroo We will catch 0.
0 ehohdroo You (p) will catch 0.
0 geehahdroo They will catch 0.
4
-tree 1 -tre' 1
Classifier: 0
ihtree I am crying.
nitree You are crying.
tree S/he is crying.
iiditree We are crying.
ohtree You (p) are crying.
gitree They are crying.
Past
titre' I cried.
iintre' You cried.
iintre' Slhe cried.
liditre' We cried.
ootre' You (p) cried.
giintre' They cried.
Future
hihtree I will cry.
hiintree You will cry.
heetree Slhe will cry.
hliditree We will cry.
hohtree You (p) will cry.
geeheetree They will cry.
)
-t'ih I t'uh
Classifier: 0
0 hadiniht'ih I am cutting up
0 hadiniint'ih You are cutting up
0 hadint'ih S/he is cutting up
0 hadinlidit'ih We are cutting up
0 hadinoht'ih You (p) are cutting up
0 hagidint'ih They are cutting up
Past
0 hadiniit'Uh I have cut up 0.
0 hadiniint'Uh You have cut up 0.
0 hadiniint'Uh S/he has cut up
0 hadiniidit'Uh We have cut up 0.
o hadinoot'uh You (p) have cut up 0.
0 hagidiniint'Uh They have cut up 0.
I I -dzoo
Classifier: l
aldzoo I am dancing.
andzoo You are dancing.
aadzoo Slhe is dancing.
aadzoo We are dancing.
oodzoo You (p) are dancing.
agaadzoo They are dancing.
aldzo' I danced.
andzo' You danced.
aadzo' Slhe danced.
aadzo' We danced.
oodzo' You (p) danced.
agaadzo' They danced.
Future
ahaldzoo (TG) I ataldzoo (GG) I will dance.
ahaandzoo (TG) I ataandzoo (GG) You will dance.
ahaadzoo (TG) I ataadzoo (GG) Slhe will dance.
ahaadzoo (TG) I ataadzoo (GG) We will dance.
ahoodzoo (TG) I atoodzoo (GG) You (p) will dance.
agahaadzoo (TG) I agataadzoo (GG) They will dance.
7
)
-gyit I -gyit I -gyit
Classifier: 0
khagwihgyit I am digging {a hole).

khagwiingyit You are digging (a hole).
khagwigyit Slhe is digging (a hole).
khagwiidigyit We are digging (a hole).
khagohgyit You (p) are digging (a hole).
khagogwigyit They are digging (a hole).
Past
khagwiigyit I dug (a hole).
khagwiingyit You dug (a hole).
khagwiingyit Slhe dug (a hole).
khagwtidigyit We dug (a hole).
khagoogyit You (p) dug (a hole).
khagogwiingyit They dug (a hole).
Future
khagihihgyit I will dig (a hole).
khagwihiingyit You will dig (a hole).
khagwiheegyit Slhe will dig (a hole).
khagwihlidigyit We will dig (a hole).
khagwohohgyit You (p) will dig (a hole).
khagugwiingyit They will dig (a hole).
.)
-gan 1 -gan 1 -gall
Classifier: h
0 argaih I am drying
0 nahgaih You are drying
o ahgaih Slhe is drying
0 aagaih We are drying
0 ohgaih You (p) are drying
o gahgaih They are drying
Past
o dhUgaih I dried 0.
o dh~hgaih You dried 0.
0 clgaih S/he dried
o dhaagaih We dried
o dhoogaih You (p) dried 0.
o gargaih They dried 0.
Future
o hargaih I will dry 0.
0 h~hgaih You will dry 0.
o hahgaih Slhe will dry 0.
o haagruh We will dry 0.
o hohgaih you (p) will dry
o gahahgaih They will dry 0.
q
-ill 1 -lik 1 -lyaa
Classifier: 0
0 sranaihlih I am fixing
0 srananllh You are fixing
0 sranalih Slhe is fixing
0 sranhlidilih We are fixing
0 sranohlih Yau (p) are fixing
0 sraganalih They are fixing
Past
0 sranaihlik I fixed 0
0 sranaiinlik You fixed
0 sranaiinlik Slhe fixed
0 sranhlidillk We fixed 0.
0 sranohlik You (p) fixed 0.
0 sreegiinlik They fixed 0.
Future
0 sranahihlyah I will fix 0.
0 sranahiinlyah You will fix 0.
0 sreeheelyah Slhe will fix 0.
0 sranahiidilyah We will fix 0.
0 sranohohlyah Yau (p) will fix
0 sreegiheelyah They will fix 0.
1()
-'aa I I-
Classifier: 0
ih'ah I am eating.
tin'ah You are eating.
a'ah Slhe is eating.
lida'ah We are eating.
uh'ah You (p) are eating.
aga'ah They are eating.
Past
ii'hl I ate.
tin'hl You ate.
tin'hl Slhe ate.
llda'al We ate.
uu'al You (p) ate.
agiin'hl They ate.
Future
ehih'aa I will eat.
ehtin'aa You will eat.
ehee'aa Slhe will eat.
ehllda'aa We will eat.
ehuh'aa You (p) will eat.
egahee'aa They will eat.
11
-ch'Uh 1 -ch'uh 1 -ch'uh
Classifier: h
Simple
o akh'uh I am frying
0 nqhch'Uh You are frying
0 ahch'Uh Slhe is frying
o aach'Uh We are frying
0 ohch'Uh You (p) are frying
0 gahch'Uh They are frying
Past
0 dhakh'Uh I fried
0 dhq.hch'Uh You fried 0.
o al-ch'uh Slhe fried 0.
o dhaach'uh We fried 0.
0 dhohch'Uh You (p) fried 0.
0 gal-ch'Uh They fried 0.
Future
o hal-ch'uh I will fry 0.
0 hq.hch'Uh You will fry 0.
0 hahch'Uh Slhe will fry 0.
o haach'uh We will fry 0.
0 hohch'Uh You (p) will fry 0.
0 gahahch'Uh They will fry 0.
)
-njli I -njik I -ndhl
Classifier: 0
vits 'atr'inihjili I am helping him/her.

vits 'atr'iniinjili You are helping him/her.
yits 'atr'iinjili S/he is helping him/her.
vits 'atr'indinjili We are helping him/her.
vits ·atr'inohnjih You (p) are helping him/her.
giits 'atr'iinjili They are helping him/her.
Past
vits ·atr'inihnjik I helped him/her.
vits 'atr'iniinjik You helped him/her.
yits 'atr'iniinjik S/he helped him/her.
vits' atr'indinjik We helped him/her.
vitsatr'inoonjik You (p) helped him/her.
giits ·atr'iinjik They helped him/her.
Future
vits'atr'ihihndal I will help him/her.
vits'atr'ihiindhl You will help him/her.
yits'atr'iheendal S/he will help him/her.
vits 'atr'ihiidandhl We will help him/her.
vits' atr'ihohndal You (p) will help him/her.
giits 'atr'iheendal They will help him/her.
( )
-dati I -dill' I -dati
Classifier: d
gahshandaih I know it.

gahnidandhlh Youknowt.
gahdandaih Slhe knows it.
gahiidandaih We know it
gahkhwondhlh You (p) know it.
gahgidandaih They know it.
Past
gahiishandhl' I knew it.
gahiindandai · You knew it.
gaheedandhl' Slhe knew it.
gahiidandai' We knew it.
gahkhwondai' You (p) knew it
gahgeedandhl' They knew it.
Future
gatihshandhlh I will know it.
gahtiindandaih You will know it.
gahteedandaih Slhe will know it.
gahtiidandaih We will know it.
gahtookhwandaih You (p) will know it.
gahgiteedandaih They will know it.
14
I -dla · 1-dlaa
Classifier: 0
ihdlaa I am laughing.
iindlaa You are laughing.
adlaa Slhe is lauging.
lidadlaa We are laughing.
ohdlaa You (p) are laughing.
geedlaa They are laughing.
Past
iidla' I laughed.
iindla' You laughed.
iindla' Slhe laughed.
lidadla' We laughed.
oodla' You (p) laughed.
giindla' They laughed.
Future
hihdlaa I will laugh.
hiindlaa You will laugh.
heedlaa Slhe will laugh.
hlidadlaa We will laugh.
hohdlaa You (p) will laugh.
giheedlaa They will laugh.
1 '1
-t'ali I I -t'ali
Classifier: h
ch'idhilt' hlh I am lying down.

ch'idhqht' aih You are lying down.
ch'ilt'aih Slhe is lying down.
ch'idhaat'aih We are lying down.
ch'idhoot' aih You (p) are lying down.
ch'igilt'hlh They are lying down.
Past
ch'ilt'hl' I lay down.
ch'qht'ai' You lay down.
ch'aht'ai' S!he lay down.
ch'aat'ai' We lay down.
ch'oot'ai' You (p) lay down.
ch'igaht' ai' They lay down.
Future
ch'ihilt'aih I will lay down.
ch'ihqht'aih You will lay down.
ch'ihaht'aih Slhe will lay down.
ch'ihaat'aih We will lay down.
ch'ihoot'aih You (p) will lay down.
ch'igahaht'aih They will lay down.
11)
-k'li I -k'in I -kyaa
Classifier: h
gwidil-k'lh I am making fire.

gwidinyqhk 'lh You are making fire.
gwijahk'lh Slhe is making fire.
gwijaak'lh We are making fire.
gwidohk'lh You (p) are making fire.
gugwijahk'lh They are making fire.
Past
gwijidhUk'in I made fire.
gwijidhlnk'in You made fire.
gwiji{k'in Slhe made fire.
gwijidhaak'in We made fire.
gwijidhohk'in You (p) made fire.
gugwijiik'in They made fire.
Future
gwata!k'yaa I will make fire.
gwatqhk'yaa You will make fire.
gwatahk'yaa Slhe will make fire.
gwataak'yaa We will make fire.
gwatohk'yaa You (p) will make fire.
gugwatahk'yaa They will make fire.
17
e
-tsii I -tsai' I -tsaa
Classifier: h
0 ehsih I am making
0 nqhtsih You are making
0 ahtsih Slhe is making
0 aatsih We are making
0 ohtsih You (p) are making
0 gahtsih They are making 0.
Past
o dhihsaih I made
o dhqhtsaih You made 0.
o ahsaih S/he made 0.
o dhaatsaih We made
o dhootsaih You (p) made 0.
o gahsaih They made 0.
Future
0 hahsaa I will make 0.
0 hqhtsaa You will make 0.
0 hahtsaa Slhe will make 0.
0 haatsaa We will make 0.
0 hohtsaa You (p) will make
0 gahahtsaa They will make
-jii I I -jaa
Classifier: 0
gidinihjii I am praying.
gidiniinjii You are praying.
gijiinjii Slhe is praying.
gidiniidljii We are praying.
gidinohjii You (p) are praying.
gigijiinjii They are praying.
Past
gidiidi' I prayed.
gidiindi' You prayed.
gideedi' Slhe prayed.
gidiidl' We prayed.
gidoodi' You (p) prayed.
gigideedi' They prayed.
Future
gihidihjaa I will pray.
gihidiinjaa You will pray.
gihideejaa S!he will pray.
gihidiidijaa We will pray.
gihidohjaa You (p) will pray.
gigihedeejaa They will pray.
1Q
run
-gal I -gik I -gal
Classifier: l
algal I am running.
aanghl You are running.
aagal Slhe is running.
aagal We are running.
uugal You (p) are running.
gaagal They are running.
Past
k'algik I ran.
k'~~ngik You ran.
k'aagik S/he ran.
k'aagik We ran.
k'aogik You (p) ran.
k'agaagik They ran.
Future
halgal I will run.
haangal You will run.
haaghl Slhe will run.
haaghl We will run.
huugal You (p) will run.
gahaagal They will run.
?()
see
-'iiI -'in I -'yaa
Classifier: h
0 nil'ih I see
0 nah'ih You see
0 nah'ih Slhe sees
0 naa'ih We see
0 noo'ih You (p) see
0 ginah'ih They see
Past
0 nil'in I saw
0 nqh'in You saw
0 nah'in Slhe saw 0.
0 naa'in We saw
0 noh'in You (p) saw 0.
0 ginah'in They saw 0.
Future
o hanU'yah I will see 0.
0 hanqh'yah You will see 0.
0 hanah'yah S!he will see 0.
o hanaa'yah We will see 0.
0 hanoh'yah You (p) will see
0 gihanah'yah They will see 0.
/1
sew
-kaii I -k.Sd I -kaa
Classifier: h
0 k'e'danalkaii I am sewing
0 k'e'danqhkaii You are sewing
o k'e'jahkaii Slhe is sewing
0 k'e'danaakaii We are sewing
0 k'e'danohkaii You (p) are sewing
0 k'e'gijahkaii They are sewing
Past
0 k'e'jadhalkhl' I sewed
o k'e'jadhqhkai' You sewed
o k'e'jalkai' S/he sewed 0.
o k'e'jadhaakal' WesewedO.
0 k'e'jadhookai' You (p) sewed 0.
0 k'e'gijalkai' They sewed 0.
Future
0 k'eehadalkaa I will sew 0.
0 k'eehadqhkaa You will sew 0.
0 k'eehadahkaa Slhe will sew 0.
0 k' eehadaakaa We will sew 0.
0 k'eehadohkaa You (p) will sew
0 k'eegahadahkaa They will sew
a )
-k'ee I -k'ee I -k'ee
Classifier: h
o uudUk'ee I am shooting at
0 uujqhk'ee You are shooting at
0 uudahk'ee Slhe is shooting at 0.
o uujaak'ee We are shooting at
0 uudohk'ee You (p) are shooting at
0 guudahk'ee They are shooting at
Past
0 uunUk'ee I shot at
0 uunyqhk'ee You shot at
0 uunahk'ee Slhe shot at 0.
0 uunaak'ee We shot at 0.
0 uudohk'ee You (p) shot at 0.
o guunahk'ee They shot at 0.
Future
0 uuhalk'ee I will shoot at 0.
0 uuhqhk'ee You will shoot at 0.
0 uuhahk'ee Slhe will shoot at 0.
o uuhaak'ee We will shoot at 0.
0 uuhohk'ee You (p) will shoot at 0.
o guuhahk'ee They will shoot at
-dii I -dl' I -dyaa (TG)
-dyeh 1 -dye' 1 -dyaa (GG)
Classifier: 0
dhiidlh (TG) I dhiidyeh (GG) I am sitting.

dhiindih (TG) I dhiindyeh (GG) You are sitting.
dhidlh (TG) I dhidyeh (GG) Slhe is sitting.
dhiididih (TG) I dhiidldyeh (GG) We (two) are sitting.
dhoodih (TG) I dhoodyeh (GG) You (p) are sitting.
guudlh (TG) I guudyeh (GG) They are sitting.
Past
iidi' (TG) I iidye' (GG) I sat.
iindi' (TG) I iindye' (GG) You sat.
iindi' (TG) I iindye' (GG) Slhe sat.
iididi' (TG) I iididye' (GG) We sat.
oodi' (TG) I oodye' (GG) You (p) sat.
giindi' (TG) I giindye' (GG) They sat.
Future
hihdyaa I will sit.
hiindyaa You will sit.
heedyaa Slhe will sit.
hiididyaa We will sit.
hohdyaa You (p) will sit.
geeheedyaa They will sit.
?4
-tshii I -tshi' I -tshaa [singular I dual]
-tshuu I -tshuu I -tshuu [plural]
Classifier: 0
dhiitshih I am sleeping.
dhiintshih You are sleeping.
dhitshih Slhe is sleeping.
dhiiditshih We (two) are sleeping.
dhootshih You (two) are sleeping.
gidhitshih They (two) are sleeping.
dhEmtshUh We (three+) are sleeping.
dhootshUh You (three+) are sleeping.
gahtshUh They (three+) are sleeping.
Past
iitshi' I slept.
iintshi' You slept.
iintshi' Slhe slept.
iiditshi' We (two) slept.
ootshi' You (two) slept.
giintshi' They (two) slept.
aatshUh We (three +) slept.
ohtshUh You (three+) slept.
giltshUh They (three+) slept.
Future
hihtshaa I will sleep.
hiintshaa You will sleep.
heetshaa Slhe will sleep.
hiiditshaa We (two) will sleep.
hohtshaa You (two) will sleep.
geheetshaa They (two) will sleep.
haatshuh We (three +) will sleep.
hohtshUh You (three+) will sleep.
gahahtshUh They (three+) will sleep.
snare
-lok 1 -lai' 1 -lok
Classifier: 0
o ihlok I am snaring
o iinlok You are snaring 0
o eelok Slhe is snaring 0.
o iidalok We are snaring
o ohlok You (p) are snaring
0 geelok They are snaring
Past
o dhillru' I snared
o dhiinlai' You snared 0.
o ehlai' Slhe snared 0.
o dhiidalai' We snared 0.
o dhoolai' You (p) snared 0.
o gehlru' They snared 0.
Future
o ehihlok I will snare 0.
o ehiinlok You will snare 0.
0 eheelok Slhe will snare 0.
0 ehiidalok We will snare 0.
o ehohlok You (p) will snare 0.
0 geheelok They will snare
)(,
be
-njli I -ndak I -ndaa
Classifier: d
chihshinju I am tired.
chlindinju You are tired.
cheedinju Slhe is tired.
chlidinjn We are tired.
chuukhwinju You (p) are tired.
chigeedinjH They are tired.
Past
chihshindak I was tired.
chlindindak You were tired.
cheedindak Slhe was tired.
chlidindak We were tired.
chuukhwindak You (p) were tired.
chigeedindak They were tired.
Future
chihlishindaa f will be tired.
chihlindindaa You will be tired.
chiheedindaa Slhe will be tired.
chihiindindaa We will be tired.
chihuukhwindaa You (p) will be tired.
chigiheedindaa They will be tired.
?7
-dhan 1 -dhan 1 -zhaa
Classifier: 0
o nihthan I want
o niindhan You want
o niindhan Slhe wants
o niidadhan We want
0 nohthan You (p) want
o giiniindhan They want
Past
o niidhan I wanted
o niindhan You wanted 0.
o niindhan S/he wanted 0.
o nlidadhan WewantedO.
0 nohthan You (p) wanted 0.
o giiniindhan They wanted 0.
Future
0 hinihshah I will want 0.
o hiniinzhah You will want 0.
0 hineezhah S/he will want 0.
0 hinlidizhah We will want 0.
0 hanohshah You (p) will want 0.
0 geheneezhah They will want 0
I I -traa
Classifier: h
0 k'ee'ah:raa I am washing
o k'ee'qhtraa You are washing
0 k'ee'ahtraa Slhe is washing 0.
o k'ee'aatraa We are washing
0 k'ee'ohtraa You (p) are washing
0 k'eegahtraa They are washing
Past
0 k'ee'ah:ra' I washed
o k'ee'qhtra' You washed 0.
o k'ee'ahtra' Slhe washed 0.
o k'ee'aatra' WewashedO.
0 k'ee'ohtra' You (p) washed 0.
0 k'eegahtra' They washed 0.
Future
0 k'eehahraa I will wash 0.
0 k'eehqhtraa You will wash 0.
0 k'eehahtraa Slhe will wash 0.
0 k'eehaatraa We will wash 0.
0 k'eehohtraa You (p) will wash 0.
0 k'eegahahtraa They will wash
')q
I -'in'/-
Classifier: h
gwitr'it t'agwU'ih I am working.

gwitr'it t'agwqh'ih You are working.
gwitr'it t'agwah'ih S/he is working.
gwitr'it t'agwaa'ih We are working.
gwitr'it t'agoh'ih You (p) are working.
gwitr'it t'agugwah'ih They are working.
Past
gwitr'it t'agwil'in' I worked.
gwitr'it t'agwqh'in' You worked.
gwitr'it t'agwah'in' S!he worked.
gwitr'it t'agwaa'in' We worked.
gwitr'it t'agoh'in' You (p) worked.
gwitr'it t'agugwah'in' They worked.
Future
gwitr'it t'agwahae'yah I will work.
gwitr'it t'agwahah'yah You will work.
gwitr'it t'agwahah'yah S/he will work.
gwitr'it t'agwahaa'yah We will work.
gwitr'it t'agwahoh'yah You (p) will work.
gwitr'it t'agugwahah'yah They will work.
10
Section V
English - Gwich' in Words

Gwich'in Social & Cultural Institute Gwich'in Language Centre
Tsiigehtchic, NT Fort McPherson, NT
Gwich'in Language Dictionary

English word Dialect Gwich'in word English literal translation
abduction Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ihlee tr'tiunjik ihree = one person

tr'uunjik = he/she was taken
aboriginal language Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm khehlok nilii nat ginjik khehlok = all together
nilii nat = they are
ginjik = language
aboriginal person Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm khehlok nilii ihlee khehrok = all together
nilii = he/she is
ihree = one of them
aboriginal rights Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm khehlok gidilii guuts'an khehrok = all together
gdonlii gidilii = they are
guuts'an goonlii = it is theirs
abrogate (abolish) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vikwaa nagwahtsii make no more
abscond Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm lachti uzhii s/he left and can't be found
abscond Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwineh'dk chtiuzhii s/he went in hiding
absolute jurisdiction Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zhat kaiik'it gwizraih zhat kaiik'lt =this community
gwizraih = only
abstain Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm akhe'guunuu they left it alone
abuse Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm khainji 'tr'ijildhat they suffer
access Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwik'it gwiteelyaa gwik'lt = the same as

gwiteelyaa = it will be
access Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm akdo dagidi'in ntih akdo dagidi'in = that's what they do
nuh = s/he says
accessory after the fact Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tehk'oo t'idi'in guuzhik tehk'oo = wrongdoing
yits'at tr'iinjii t'idi'in = s/he is doing
guuzhik = meanwhile
yits'at = to him/her
tr'iinjii = assisting
1
Tsiigehtduc, NT Fort McPherson, NT

word Dialect Gwich'in word English literal translation
accessory after the fact Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vat'agwU'ee guuzhik vat'agwtree = s/he is blamed
yits'at tr'iinjii guuzhlk = meanwhile
tr'iinjli = assisting
accident Teetl'lt Gwtch'm gatr'igoolih kwah gatr'igoolih = expected

tagwijtiudhat kwah =not
tagwijuudhat = it has happened
acclamation Teetl'tt Gwtch'm chan gwik'it gdodlit chan= again

gwik'lt = the same
goodlit = it happened
acclamation Teetl'tt Gwtch'm neetr'ina,hchih s/he was placed there
accused Teetl'tt Gwtch'm adanh vit'agwU'ee adanh = him/her

vit'agwH'ee = s/he is blamed
accused Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gwit'agwU'ee s/he is blamed
accused's election Teetl'tt Gwtch'm adanh juu yuuhadahkat adanh = s/he

niindhan juu = this way
yuuhadahkat = s/he will be
questioned
niindhan = s/he wants
accused's election Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ihlee tehk'oo t'idizhik ihlee = a person

eenjit tatr'igwahaandal tehk'oo =wrongdoing
t'idizhik = it happened to him/her
eenjit = for it
tatr'agwahaandal = they will be
chosen
acquired Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vigwidiinjik k'iighe' vlgwidiinjik = he/she was hurt

k'iighe' = because of it
acquit Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ekhe'tr'iguunuu they left it alone
acquittal Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vinatr'idiinjik tr'igwiltsaii vinatr'idiinjik = to change again

tr'igwlltsaii = it was made
2

English word Dialect Gwich'in word English literal .translation
acquitted Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vinatr'idiinjik to changed agam
act Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dadi ·n what he/she's domg
act Teetl'!t Gw1ch'm gogwinii'ee k'it gogwinii'ee =judicial

dinithad'oo k'lt = like it
dinithcl.tJ:'oo = it was written
activist Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwich'i' nag~hdaii gwich'i' =away from

nagqhdaii = they try
activist Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwich'i' ginee'ah gwich'i' =away from

ginee'ah = they lead
activities Teet!' 1t Gw1ch' m nihfinehch'i' ts'at gwitr'it nihhnehch'i' = different

t'agwaa'ih ts'at =and
gwitr'it = work
t'agwaa'ih = we are doing it
actus reus Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ganiinji 'adhat s/he is thinking about it
address the jury Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm uudhilch'eii nat ts'at uudhllch'eii nat = the jury
tr'igHkhii ts'cl.t tr'igHkhii = talking to them
adjournment Teetf'it Gwich'in nddo gwiniindhat it has ended
adjudicate Teetl'!t Gw1eh'm gwich'iidee gwik'it gdodlit gwich'iidee = finally

gwik'lt = the same
adolescent boy both tshyaa njdo' tshyaa =boy

njoo' = older
adopt Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tehk'oo t'idizhik ntih tehk'oo =something wrong

t'idizhik = it happened
nuh = s/he says
3
Tsiigehtchic, NT Fort McPherson1 NT

adopted child both tr'iinin gwand'atr'1i,hchii tr'iinin =child

gwantl'atr'4hchii = she/he was
given away
adopted family both tr'iinin goontl'atr'1i,hchii tr'iinin = child

goontl'atr'4hchii = s/he was given
to them
adoption (child) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tr'iinin diintl' atr' 1i,hchih tr'iinin = a child
diintl'atr'4hchih = was given to us
adult court Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dinjii njdo atr'oodahkat dinjii = a person

njdo =older
atr'oodahkat = court
adversely affected Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vindah dagwidi'in vindah = in his presence

gwik'iighe' khainji'daadhat dagwidi'in =what they did
gwik'lighe' = because of it
khainji'daadhat = s/he suffers
affect Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm vachii' s/he is excited
affidavit Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwin~h'in gwik'it gwinah'ln - s/he saw

te'tr'idantl'oo gwik'lt = like it
te'tr'idantl'oo = it was transcribed
affidavit of service Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwik'lt te 'tr'idantl'oo gwik'it = like it

gwits'an eltsaii te'tr'idantl'oo =it was written
gwits'an ehsaii = it was given to
someone
after three days Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm drin tyik gwindoo drin =day
tyik = three
gwindoo = after
after three days Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm drin tik tl'ee drin =day
tik =three
tl'ee = after
afterward both aii tl'ee aii = that

tl'ee = after/under
4
Gwich'in_ Social & Cultural Gwich'in Language Centre

agent Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm chan izhii videek'it chan= again

niheehaa izhii = someone else
videek'it = one's place
nlheehcla = s/he will be put
ailment both ts'ik
ailment (eye) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm ndeh gwits'ik ndeh =eyes

gwits'lk = its sickness
air freshener both srite' daatsanh srite' = good

daatsanh = it smells
air freshener Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm vik' iighe' gwiinzii vik'iighe' = because of 1t

gugwaatsan gwiinzii = good
gugwaatsan = it smells
air hole both teeddhaa
airplane Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iitsii nadinaadhak litsii = machine

nadlnaadhak = it flies
Aklavik People Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Ehdii Tat Gwich'in ehdii = timber

tat= among
gwich'in = people
alcohol both kwantshti' kwan =fire

tshu' = its water
alcohol Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tshuu tr'aakaii tshuu =water

tr'aakaii = bitter/tastes bad
alcohol councillor Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm kwantshlt' eenjit gwits'at kwantsht)' = alcohol

tr'iinjii eenjit =for
gwits'at tr'iinjii = s/he is helping
alcohol councillor Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm kwantshti' ch'i' gwits'at kwantshu' = alcohol

tr'iinjii ch'l' = away from it
gwits'at tr'iinjii = s/he is helping
5

English word Gwich'in word literal translation
alcohol in blood Teetl'1t Gwtch'm diidaa tat kwantshtl' t'injik diidaa- our blood
tat= among
kwantshu' = alcohol
t'injik = it is mixed
alcoholic both edinii eenjit iizuu edinii = drinking

eenjit = for
iizuu =bad
alcoholic (chronic) Teetl'1t Gwtch'm duuyeh kwantshti' ehdanh' duuyeh =never

gwinda ih kwantshu' = alcohol
ehdanh' = without
gwindaih =he/she lives
alderman Teetl'lt Gwtch'm k'adagwidaadhat ts'anuu k'adagwidaadhat = the one that

governs
ts'anuu = s/he helps
alert machine Teetl'tt Gwtch'm uuchilzhin' ge'iitsii uuchllzhin' = s/he is alert

ge'iitsli = it's machinery
alias Teetl'lt Gwtch'm uuzri' ezhii t'ajqhch'uu uuzrl' = one's name

ezhii = different
t'aj&hch'uu = s/he is using
alibi Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ezhik ihlii kwaa I wasn't there
all saints day (Nov Gwtchyah Gwtch'm luundee drin choo luundee =saints
1st) drin =day
chao= big
allegation Teetl'1t Gwtch'm akoo deedi'in giiyahntih akoo deedi'in = he/she did that
giiyahnuh = they said about him
altar Gwtchyah Gwtch'm limes k'it limes= mass

k'it =place
a! tar Teetl'1t Gwtch'm at1Hinjii tr' ahtsii deek'it ataiinjii = offering

tr'ahtsii = make
deek'it = place
6

altar Teetl'rt Gwrch'm vakak ii'aa sruudidinuu vakak =on it

ii'aa = we eat
sruudidinuu = pure
altar boys Gwrchyah Gwrch'm limes ak'ag&hdak limes= mass

ak'agqhdak = helpers
altar boys Teetl'rt Gwtch'm giikhii ts'anuu giikhii = minister

ts'anuu = helper
alternative measures Teetl'tt Gwrch'm ejtik ts'aii veenjit ejuk ts'aii = different way
natr'igwitahtsaa veenjit = for him/her
natr'igwitahtsaa - it will be changed
alzheimers Teetl'tt Gwtch'm shinh yildak old age is taking

him/her
ambulatory Teetl'tt Gwrch'm nahadik s/he walks around
amending formula Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ejtik natr'igwidinuutl'oo ejuk = different

natr'igwidinuutf'oo = it was written
again
amending formula Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm vah dagwldH'e' ejtik vah- with it

natr'agwahtsii dagwldH'e' = the law
ejuk = different
natr'agwahtsii = they are making it
again
american widgeon Teetl'1t Gwtch'm teevee dits'an teevee = along the river shore
dits'an = duck
american widgeon Gwrchyah Gw1ch'm vuuzrii nijiltsik
amnesia Teetl'tt Gwrch'm juudin nilii ganaandaii s/he doesn't remember who
kwaa s/he is.
anchor Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm chichidha' aii chichidha'aii = it lies at the bottom

of the river/lake
7
Language Dictionary
anchor rope Gwrchyah Gwrch'm vah chichidha'~:;H tl'yaa' vah = with

chichidha'~H = it lies at the bottom
of the river /lake
tf'yaa' = rope (possessed)
ancient times Gwrchyah Gwrch'm ts'iid<\H gwinoo d<H' ts'iidqji = early people
gwinoo = then
dai' = at that time
Anderson River both Shryuh Choo Njik Shryuh = coney

Chao= big
Njik =river
angel both zhee kak gwich'in zhee = heaven

kak =on
gwich'in = people
anglican minister Gwrchya Gwrch'm chii zhit gwich'in giikhii chii = rock/stone
zhlt =in
gwich'in = people
giikhii = minister
Anglican Minister Teetl'rt Gwrch'm giikhii minister
anglicans both chii zhit gwich'in chii = rock/stone

zhlt =in
gwich'in = people
animal (small) Teetl'lt Gwrch'm nin tsal nin = animals

tsal = small
animals both nin
animosity Teetl'rt Gwrch'm gwiizuu yeenjit gwlizuu = bad

niinji'adhat yeenjit = for him/her
nlinji'adhat = s/he is thinking
8
ankle both shikaiichan my ankle
ant both neejii'
antler (thin velvet Teetl'tt Gwtch'm edzhi' dhoh edzhl' = antler

covering of) dhoh = skin, cover
antlers both edzhi'
antlers (with mossy Gwtchya Gwtch'm edzhi' zhao edzhl' = antler

covering) zhoo = hairy
anus (his/her) both vatthal his/her anus
anxiety Teetl'tt Gwtch'm viyinji' ataiinji'dizhit viyinjl' = his/her mind

ataiinji'dizhit = can't stop
thinking
appeal Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ejtik natr'igwitahtsaa ejuk = different

natr'igwitahtsaa = they will make it
again
appearance notice Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ezhik t'ahiinch'yaa ezhlk = there

t'ahiinch'yaa = you will be
applauding Teetl'tt Gwtch'm lanagaat'an they are clapping their hands
applauding Teetl'tt Gwtch'm lanlatr'aat'an they are clapping their hands
apple Teetl'tt Gwtch'm eveedzaa
apples (dried) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm eveedzee'
apples (dried) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm eveedzaa gaii eveedzaa = apple

gaii =dry
April Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Tadhaa Zrii tadhaa = warm

zrii =month
9

April Teetl'It Gw1ch'm Vananh Dzhirh Thoh Vananh = in that month

T'atr'aazhik Dzhirh = mitts
Thoh = belt
T'atr'aazhik = put in
arch-angel Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm zhee kak gwich'in chit zhee kak gwich'in = angel
chit = leader
archaeologist Teetl'It Gw1ch'm dinjii oonoodai' gwidal dinjii = man/people

hah dha'aii oonoodaj' = a long time ago
gwid;:H = things
bah dha'aii = works with it
archaeology Teetl'It Gw1ch'm oonoodai' gwid<U hah oonoodai' = a long time ago
dha'aii gwidal = things
bah dha'aii = works with it
Arctic Red River both Tsiigehnjik tsii = to cache

geh = there
njik = the river
Arctic Red River both Gwichyah Gwich'in gwichyah = flat place

People gwich'in = people
Arctic Red (town) both Tsiigehtshik tsii = to cache

geh =there
tshik = the confluence of
arctic tern Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ts'all:H'
arctic tern Gwichyah Gw1ch'm chugwitl'ik
Arctic Village People Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm Neets'aii Gwich'in neets'aii = on the side of the
mountain
gwich'in = people
Arctic Village People Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm Tanan Gwich'in tanan = a hill

gwich'in = people
Gwich'in Social & Cultural Institute Gwich'in Language. Centre

argueing Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ats'at t'ivitr'ahnuh ats'at = towards him/her

t'ivitr'ahnuh = s/he is telling
him/her
arguing (they are) Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm ats'at t'inihHgaadinuu atsat = towards him/her
t'inihhgaadinuu = they tell each
other
arm chair Teetl'It Gw1ch'm vakak tr'oodii tshtiu' vakak =on it

tr'oodii = they sit
tshtlu' = soft
arm (my) both shigyin my arm
arm (upper) both shidizhtiu' my upper arm
armpit (my) both shigee' my armpit
army Teetl'It Gw1ch'm nivee nootl'ii nivee = warriors/soldiers

nootl'ii = a group
aroma both srite' gwidaatsan it smells good
array of jurors Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tr'uudh.ilch'eii eenjit tr'uudhllch'eii =jurors

tatr'igwahaandal eenjit = for
tatr'igwahaandal = they will choose
array of jurors Teetl'1t GwJCh'm tr'uudhilch'eii eenjit tr'uudhllch'eii =jurors

tatr'igwa,hjii eenjit = for
tatr'igwq.hjii = they're being chosen
arrow Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm k'ye'
arrow Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm k'i'
arrow feather Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm k'ye' t'ee' k'ye' = arrow

t'ee' = its feather
11
Tsiigehtchic,NT Fort McPherson, NT

arrow feather Teetl'tt Gwtch'm k'i' t'ee' k'i' =arrow

t'ee' = its feather
arrow for rats and birds both tal
arrow (notch at back Teetl'tt Gwtch'm k'i' k'eegoo k'i' =arrow

end) k'eegoo = at the back
arrowhead Gwtchyah Gwtch'm k'ye' dee chi' k'ye' = arrow

deechl' = its head
arrowhead Teetl'tt Gwtch'm k'i' deechi' k'i' =arrow

deechi' = its head
arson Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gwijahk'ii s/he is making fire.
artifacts Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ts'iidaii gwidal ts'iidaii = ancient people

gwidal = things
artifacts Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ejiich'ii shik atr'igw!lh'ak ejlich'ii = things

shik =old
atr'igw~h'ak =to find
Ash Wednesday Gwtchyah Gwtch'm I:.eth Drin {eth =ashes

drin =day
Ash Wednesday Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Adatr'idaagaii Dr in adatr'idaagaii = depriving ones self

dr1n =day
ashamed Teetl'tt Gwtch'm uuzhii
ashes Gwtchyah Gwtch'm leth
ashes (hot) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tshik ltiu'
ashes (loose in the air Teetl'tt Gwtch'm lits'ih

or on objects)
12
Gwich'in Social &Cultural Institute Gwich'in Language Centre
aspirin Gwtchyah Gw1ch'm diichi' ehs'ik agoondaii diichi' = one's head

ehs'ik = he/ she is sick
agoondaii = medicine
aspirin Teetl'tt Gwtch'm diichi' agoondaii' diichi' = one's head

agoondaii' = medicine
assault Teetl'tt Gwtch'm yits'at ni'ts'ahthat s/he is assaulting him/her.
assault causing bodily Teetl'tt Gwtch'm yidiinjik s/he hurt him/her

harm
assizes Teetl'tt Gwtch'm nijin ji' natr'oohadahkat nijln jl' = at what time
natr'oohadahkat = they will ask
again
atmosphere Teetl'tt Gwtch'm zheezrih zhee =sky

zrih =clear
attempted murder Teetl'tt Gwtch'm yidrln tahtsaa yidrln = his/her day

gwik'agwandaii tahtsaa = s/he will make
gwik'agwandaii = s/he is trying
attic Gwtchyah Gwtch' m ayeedak zheh ayeedak = upper

zheh =house
attic Teetl'tt Gwtch'm iyehdak zheh iyehdak = above, upper

zheh =house
Attoe Lake both Chii Chyaa Van
Attorney General Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dinjii eenjit gUkhii dinjii = people/man

eenjit = for him/her
gHkhii = s/he speaks
August Teetl'1t Gwtch'm Vananh Gwijidhitsik vananh = on it/ during that time
gwijidhitsik = something reddish
13
Tsiigehtchic, NT Fort McPherson,.NT

August Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm Nin Dichadh Zree' nin = animals

dichadh = moult/lose feathers
zn~e· = month
AugustlS Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm Shin Tl'at Drin Chao shin = summer

tl'at = middle
drin =day
chao= big
aunt (my) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shuutr'i' my aunt (father's sister)
aunt (my) both shootr'i' my aunt (father's sister
aunt (my) both sheek'aii my aunt (mother's sister)
aurora borealis Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm yikaih

(northern lights)
aurora borealis Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm yik~ih Hthithik'an yik~ih = northern lights

(northern lights) Hthithik'an = it is burning
autrefois acquit Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm adai' geenjit ekhe' adai' = already

natr'iguunuu geenjit = for it
ekhe' natr'iguunuu = they left it
again
awl Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm tthah
babiche (large size) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm akaiilaih
babiche (large size) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm akaiil:a,th
babiche (skinny) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tl'il ts'ik tl'il = babiche

ts'ik = skinny
babiche (small size) both tl'il
baby both beebii
14
baby belt (carrier) both tl:' aguut' aii
baby bottle Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm beebii yizhit aht'ok beebii = baby

yizhit = in it
aht'ok = s/he is sucking
baby crib Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tr'iinin tsal dehk'it tr'iinin = child

tsal =small
dehk'lt = bed
baby crib Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm beebii ctehk'it beebii = baby

dehk'!t = bed
babysitter Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tr'iinin k'anahtyee tr'iinin = child

k'anahtyee = takng care of
babysitter Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tr'iinin k'anahtii tr'iinin = child

k'anahtii = taking care of
babysitter Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tr'iinin hah dhidyee tr'iinin = child

hah =with
dhidyee = sit
back (my) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shamin my back
back (my lower back) both shitl'eetoh my lower back
backbencher Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dinjii vuuzri' tr'oonjik dinjii = the people

vuuzrl' = his/her name
tr'oonjik = they took it
bacon Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm lugqhshqq k'eh ligqhshlJlJ = pig

k'eh = fat
bacon Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm lugohshuu k'eh ligohshuu = pig

k'eh = fat
bag both uhtshuh
15

English word Di Gwich'in word English literal translation
bait (hook) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm lyClh zhii lyqh =hook

zhii = its food
bait (hook) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm lyah zhii lyah =hook

zhii = its food
bait (trap) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm khyqh zhii khyqh =trap

zhii = its food
bait (trap) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm khy1:J,.h ts'an' khyqh =trap

ts'an' = its own
bait (trap) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm khyah zhii khyah =trap

zhii = its food
baking powder Gwtchyah Gwtch'm leth tat tr'injal leth =flour

tat= among
tr'injal = to pour in
baking powder Teetl'tt Gwtch'm hih tat tr'injal hlh =flour

tat= among
tr'injal = to pour in
baking powder Gwtchyah Gwtch'm leth tat tr'anjal leth =flour

tat= among
tr'anjal = to pour in
balance (lack of) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vahaakak s/he is staggering
bald both gwaakal
ball both nehkak
ballistics Teetl'tt Gwtch'm diik'ee chi' ahdandaii diik'ee chl' = bullets

ahdandaii = s/he knows about it
16

ban on publication Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gwandak ahtsii kat duuyeh gwandak = news/stories
geenjit gigUkhii ahtsii = he/she makes
kat = more than one
duuyeh = never
geenjit = for it
gigHkhii = they talk
bandage (cloth) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gugwijiinjii vah gwitl'ande' gugwijiinjii =injury

tr'ahchoh vah =with it
gwitl'ande' =wrap around
tr'ahchoh = tie
bandaid Gw1chyah Gwtch'm diigwidiinjik gwakak diigwidiinjik = one's injury

gatr'aht'an gwakak = on it
gatr'aht'an = to stick it on
bandaid Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gugwijiinjii gwakak gugwijiinjii = injury

gatr'aht'an gwakak = on it
gatr'aht'an = to stick on
bandana Gwtchyah Gwtch'm diichi' nanuut'aii diichi' = one's head

nanuut'aii =strung aroud
bank Gwtchyah Gwtch'm lazh&& zheh lazhqft = money

zheh =house
bank Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tseedhdh k'atr'inahtii k'it tseedhdh = money

k'atr'inahtii = taking care of it
k'it =place
bank Gwtchyah Gwtch'm tseedhdh k'atr'inahtyee tseedhdh = money

zheh k'atr'inahtyee = looking after it
zheh =house
bank Teetl'lt Gwtch'm tseedhdh k'anaatii deek'it tseedhdh = money

k'anaatii = taking care of it
deek'it = place
bannock Gwtchyah Gwtch'm lethch'uh
17
bannock Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm
bannock made with Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ik'indze'

fish eggs
bannock made with roe Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm k'indzih
banns (marriage) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nihkhatr'igwa,hchii geenjit nihkhatr'igw&hchii = wedding

di:nehtl'eh ceremony
geenjit = for
dlnehtl'eh = paper
baptism both tshuu gwats'an tr'ahtsih tshuu = water

gwats'an tr'ahtsih = given
bar Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dagwidU'e' ahdandaii ts'at dagwidH'e' ahdandaii= lawyers

vadaojlldri' kat ts'at = and
vadaojlldri' kat = judges
barefoot both kaii ehdanh kaii =foot

ehdanh' = without
barefoot Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm kaiidral
barrel both libaazrii
barrel (water) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tshqq libaarzii' tshvv =water

libaazrli' = barrel
basement Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zheh gwit'eh zheh zheh =house

gwit'eh = under
zheh =house
basement Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iiyeezhak zheh iiyeezhak = under

zheh =house
basement Teetl'1t Gw!Ch'm nan zhit zheh nan= land

zhit = m
zheh =house
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Tsiigehtchlc, NT Fort McPherson, NT

basket (weaved) both t.f'oo tyah t{'oo =grass

tyah = pail
bat Gwrchyah Gwrch'm daatsadh natandit'ee daatsadh = mouse

natandit'ee = flying
bat Teetl'rt Gwrch'm daatsao natindit' ee daatsoo = mouse

natindit'ee = fly
bathtub Teetl'lt Gwrch'm vizhlt dik'eetr'ahtraa vizhlt = in it

dik'eetr'ahtraa = wash one's self
bathtub Gwrchyah Gwrch'm vizhit edik'e'tr'aatraa vizhlt = in it

edik'e'tr'aatraa =wash one's self
beads Teetl'rt Gwrch'm naagaii
beads Gwrchyah Gwrch'm naaga.U
beak (possessed) Gwrchyah Gwrch' m vihdye' its beak
beak (possessed) Teetl'rt Gw1eh'm vihdf' its beak
bear (black) both shah black bear
bear (brown) both shah tsik shah= bear

tsik =brown
bear (brown) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm shih tsoo shih =bear

tsoo = light brown/light colored
Bear Creek Teetl'rt Gwrch'm Shoh Diidhifkhaii Tshik shah= bear

diidhi{khaii = killed them
tshik = creek
bear cub both shah gii shah = black bear

gii = young one
bear (grizzly) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm sheh
19
1 1
Gwich in Social & Cultural Institute Gwich inLanguage Centre
Tsiigehtchic1 NT Fort McPherson1 NT

English. word Dialect Gwich'in word English literal translation
bear (grizzly) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm shih
bear (polar) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm chehzhii'
bear (polar) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm chehzhyee'
beard both deezhoo'
beaver Gwrchyah Gwtch'm tse' beaver
beaver Teetl'rt Gw1ch'm tsee'
beaver (3 years old) both akwat
beaver (3 years old) both nijaa'il
beaver (big) both tsee' chao tsee' = beaver

chao= big
beaver castor both tseelin'
beaver colony Gw1chyah Gwrch'm leedidind yee
beaver colony Teetl'It Gwrch'm leedidindii kan'
beaver dam Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m tse'ninii'ol tse' = beaver

ninii'ol = dam
beaver dam Teetl'It Gwtch'm tsee nanii'ol tsee' = beaver

nanii'ol = dam
beaver (one year old) both neezhi'
bed Teetl'tt Gwrch'm ichiik'it
bed Gwrchyah Gwrch'm ichttk'it
20

bedroom Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tr'iltshuu gwideek'it tr'ihshuu = sleeping

gwideek'it = its place
bee both ineedzit
beetle (water) Teetl'It GwiCh'm chehtsi'
beetle (water) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm chehtse'
beginning Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gakah gwinii'aii gakah = beginning

gwinii'aii = it is put there
beginning Gwtchyah Gwtch'm gikah gwiniidhat gikah =beginning

gwiniidhat = it has begun
behalf (on his/her) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm eevanh on his/her behalf.
behalf (on my) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm sheevanh on my behalf
Bell River Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Chii Vee Njik chii = rock/stone

vee= gray
njik =river
bells Gwtchyah Gwtch'm iitsiila,U
bells Teetl'It Gwtch'm ii tsiilaii
belly (my) both shitri l my belly
belongings both gwidal'
belt both thoh
bench Teetl'It Gw1ch'm nijin vadaojlldri' dhidii nijln = where

vadaojl{dri' = the judge
dhidii = s/he sits
21

bench Teet!' rt Gwrch' m nijin uudhllch'eii kat nijln = where

guudii uudhllch'eii kat = the jurors
guudii = they sit
bench warrant Teetl'rt Gwrch'm atr'oodahkat nihee geenjit atr'oodahkat = court

dinehtl'eh nlhee = s/he goes
geenjit = for it
dinehtl'eh = paper
berries both jak
berries (boiled) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm jak vir jak =berry

vir= boiled
berries (cooked) both jak tl:oo jak = berries

tloo = thick cooked mixture
best man (groom's man) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm gwitye' ones father
best man (groom's man) Teet!' rt Gwrch' m gwiti' ones father
best man (groom's man) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm gwiti' nilii gwiti' = ones father
nilii = he is
bias tape Teetl'rt Gwrch'm ethitl:'ii tl'yaa' ethit!'ii = cloth

t!'yaa' = its string
bias tape both ethitl'ii vah ethitf' ii = cloth

nitr'igwinahtsi' vah =with it
nitr'igwinahtsl' = make it fancy
bible both dinehtl'eh chao dineht!'eh = paper

chao= big
big dipper Gwrchyah Gwrch'm yuhdyee

(constelation)
big dipper Teetl'rt Gwrch'm yuhdii

(constelation)
22
Language Dictionary
bill Teetl'tt Gwteh'm H'e' (from dagwidH'e') law
bill (credit account) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm edinehtl-'eh book
binoculars Gwtchya Gwtch'm vizhit yichuuch'in' vizhit = in it

yichuuch'ln' = clear view
binoculars Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vah niizhit gugwideech'in vah = with it

niizhit = far
gugwideech'in = can be seen
binoculars Teetl'tt Gwtch'm yichuuch'in' clear view
binoculars Teetl'tt Gwteh'm niizhit vah yichuhch'in' niizhlt = long distance

vah =with it
yichuhch'ln' = look at it
birch bark Teetl'tt Gwtch'm k'ii
Birch Creek People Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Deenduu Gwich'm
bird both dzhii
bird (big) both dzhii chao dzhii =bird

chao= big
bird egg both dzhii ghdo' dzhii = bird

ghdo' = its egg
bird nest both dzhii t'oo dzhii =bird

t'oo =nest
bird (yellow) both dzhii tsoo dzhii =bird

tsoo = yellow
birth certificate both diigoonlii gwi'dinehth:ie' diigoonlii = to be born

gwi'dinehtlee' =its paper
23
G wich'in Language Dictionary

birthday Both diigoonlii drin diigoonlii = to be born

dr1n =day
bishop Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm giikhii choo giikhii = minister

chao= big
bishop Gwtchyah Gw1ch'm yahtyee choo yahtyee = father

chao= big
bitter (taste) Teet!' It Gw1ch' m tr' aakaii bitter taste
black Gwtchyah Gwtch'm jidii zrq,H jidti = something

zrqH =black
black Teetl'tt Gwtch'm jidii zraii jidii = something

zraii = black
Black Mountain Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Chigwaazraii
Black River People Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Traanjik Gwich'in traanjik = cache river
gwich'in = people
Blackstone River Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Tth'oh Zraii Njik Tth'oh = broken up rocks
Zraii = black
Njik =river
bladder both Hrh dhoo' hrh =urine

dhoo' = its skin/ cover
blanket both ts'at blanket
blanket (caribou fur) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dazhdo ts'at dazhoo = furry

ts'at = blanket
blanket (caribou fur) Gw1chyah Gwtch' m vadzaih dhoh ts'at vadzaih =caribou
dhoh =skin
ts'at = blanket
blanket (down filled) Teetl'1t Gwtch'm tshuh ts'at tshuh = down feathers
ts'at = blanket
24

blanket (down filled) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tsheth ts'at tsheth = down feathers
ts'at = blanket
blanket (rabbit fur) both geh ts'at geh =rabbit

ts'at = blanket
blessed virgin mary Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm meerii dhits'aa meerii = mary

dhits'aa =pure
blessed virgin mary Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm daagllU maarii daagqjj = pure

maarii = mary
blindness Teet!' 1t Gw1ch' m ndee ehdanh ndee = one's eyes

ehdanh = without/there is nothing
blister both chuundal
blood both dah
blood clot both dah naghah dah =blood

naghah = clot
blood poisoning both vida a iizuu vidaa = his/her blood

iizuu = it is bad
blood poisoning Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vidaa iizuu dhidlit vidaa = his/her blood
iizuu = it is bad
dhidlit = it became
bloody nose both diinjik dah diinjik = ones nostril

dah =blood
bloomers Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iyehzhak thal gwan iyehzhak = under

that= pants
gwan =short
blouse Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm deeghan ik deeghan = chest

ik =dress/blouse/shirt
25
1
Gwich in Social & Cultural Institute Gwich'in Language Centre
Language Dictionary
blue both jidii datl'do' jidii = something

datl-'do' =blue
blue fly Teetl'rt Gwrch'm
blue fly Gwrchyah Gwrch'm
BNA act Teetl'rt Gwrch'm dagwidH 'e' gwiintshii dagwldH'e' = law

gwiintshii = large scale
body both diizhin ones body
boil (skin infection) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm tr'oh
boiling (point before) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm dinaarah point before boiling
bond (noun) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm tseedhdh dqhchii yeenjit tseedhdh = money

uuvUkat dqhchii = so much
yeenjit = for him/her
uuvHkat = s/he paid
bone both tth'an
bone broth both tth'an tshti' tth'an = bone

tshtl' = its broth
bone (foot) both diikai' tth'an diikai' = ones foot

tth'an = bone
bone (fractured) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm tth'an altraii tth'an = bone

altraii = broken up
bone (fractured) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm tth'an altrctU tth'an = bone

altrqji = broken up
bone grease both tth'an ghai' tth'an = bone

ghai' = its grease
bone (leg) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm edrit
26
bone out of joint Gwrchyah Gwrch'm diiminh' tshilkat diinanh' = on one's self
tshilkat = came apart
bone (shin) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm shidreechan my shin bone
bone (thigh) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm shidohghwaa' my thigh bone
Bonnetplume River Teetl'rt Gwrch'm Tsaih Tl'ak Njik Tsaih = ochre

Tl'ak =bugs (possessed)
Njik = river (possessed)
book Teetl'rt Gwrch'm idinehtl'eh
boss (head boss) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm iisrit ts'at chit iisrit = the most important
ts'at =and
chit = leader
bottle Teetl'rt Gwrch'm lee tyah lee = (ts'iidaii word)

tyah = container I pail
bow Gwrchyah Gwrch'm
bow Teetl'lt Gwrch'm altai'
bow-legged Teetl'rt Gwrch'm diitth'an alsraii diitth'an = one's leg

alsraii = it is crooked
bowstring Gwrchyah Gwrch'm ah&t' d'yaa' ah4i' =bow

tl'yaa' =string (possessed)
bowstring Teetl'rt Gwrch'm altai' tl'yaa' altai'= bow

tl'yaa' =string (possessed)
box both ligis
boy both tshyaa boy
boy (small) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm tshyaa tsal tshyaa =boy

tsal =small
27
Language. Dictionary
boy (young) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tshyaa k'eejit tshyaa =boy

k'eejit =new
bracelet Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ich'aa' ninuut'aii ich'aa' = one's wrist

ninuut'aii = strung around
braided both niltl'yaa it is braided
brain Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm diichiigh<Ut one's brain
brain Teetl'It Gw1ch'm diichiighaii one's brain
branch (spruce) Teetl'It Gw1ch'm thoochan large spruce branch
brant (black) both deech'ytih
breach of trust Teetl'It Gw1ch'm kheenide' jiida'aii kheenlde' jiida'aii = promise

!agwij i lnaii J:-agw1jllnaii = it is broken
bread Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm lethch'uh dan' lethch'uh =bannock

dan' = raised
breast (woman's) both rna a'
breastbone (my) both shizhuh chaa'
breath Teetl'It Gw1ch'm diideezhii' one's breath
breath Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm diizhi i' one's breath
breath Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ideezhii' breath
breathing both dizhak s/he is breathing
bridesmaid both goohanh' nilii goohanh' = their mother

nil!i = she is
28

bridge Teetl'1t GwlCh'm nagwaatsaii it goes between land
bridge Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nagwahts~U it goes between land
bridge both nagwiidii small bridge across a narrow

creek or stream
brightness Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm ch'a,hdit
brightness Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm agwa,hdit shining
brightness Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm k'a'aadrii it is lit
brisket Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm izhuhchyaa' animal brisket
broach Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iitsii niniltsi' iitsii = metal

niniltsi' = fancy
broach Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm iitsii diivat dhe'~ii iitsii = metal

diivat = ones chest
dha'~H= it is there I it is put there
broach Teetl'1t Gw1eh'm diivat dha'aii diivat = ones chest

dha'aii = it is there I it is put
there
broom Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vah giH'jiitan vah = with it/him/her

gili'jiitan = we sweep
broom Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vah gile 'jiitan vah = with it/him/her

gi-1-e'jiitan = we sweep
broth Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shih tshti' shlh =meat

tshu' = its water
broth Gw1chyah Gwtch'm shih tshJ.t' shlh =meat

tsh!J' = its water
brother both shuundee my older brother
29

English word Dialect Gwich'.in word English ·literal translation
brother Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shitshyaa my younger brother
brother (youngest) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tshyaa khaints'an' tshyaa == boy

khaints'an' == youngest
brother-in-law Gw1chya Gw1ch'm silaa my brother-in-law

(man speaker)
brother-in-law Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shaghaii my brother-in-law

(woman speaker)
brother-in-law both shaa my brother-m-law

(man speaker)
brown both jidii tthoo jidii == something

tthoo == brown
bruise both diikak gwijithid'oo diikak ==on one's self

gwijithitl-'oo == it is blue
bubbles both dagaghoh
bubbles (making air Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m khak'wanh' gwijaa khak'wanh' = bubbling

hole) gwijaa = small things coming out
buffalo Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dachan tat gwi'aak'ii dachan = wood

tat= among
gwi'aak'ii =cow (possessed)
bullets both diik'ee chi' diik'ee ==gun

chi' == its heads
bunny Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm geh zhuu geh == rabbit

zhuu == yow1g
bunny Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm geh zheu geh == rabbit

zheu == young
30
Gwich'in Social & Cultural Institute Gwich'in Language Centre .
. Gwich'in Language Dictionary

. English word Dialect Gwich'in word English literal translation
bunny Gwtchyah Gwtch'm geh gii geh = rabbit

gii = its young one
buns Gw1chyah Gwtch'm lethch'uh dan ghoo lethch'uh =bannock

dan= raised
ghoo =round
burial Teetl'tt Gwtch'm nan zhit tr'ahchii nan = land, ground

zhlt = in it
tr'ahchii = to put him/her
burial Gwrchyah Gwtch'm nan zhe'tr'ahchii nan= ground

zhe'tr'ahchii = to put into
butter both aak'ii t'ok ghai' aak'ii =cow

t'ok =suck
ghai' = its grease
butterfly Teetl'It Gw1ch'm nanuht'ee it flies
butterfly Gwtchyah Gwtch'm namiht'yee' it flies
buttocks Teetl'tt Gwtch'm diitl'i' our buttocks
buttocks Gwtchyah Gw1ch'm etl'e' one's buttocks
button Gwtchyah Gwtch' m lavadqq
button Teetl'tt Gwrch'm lavadoo
buttonhole both lavadoo k'it lavadoo = button

k'it =place
bylaw Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm dagwidH 'e' tsal dagwldH'e' = law

tsal =small
31

bylaw officer both niveht'ah'ii tsal naveht'ah'ii = officer, going out

and watching everything
tsal =small
cabin both dachan zheh dachan = wood

zheh =house
cabinet Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iisrits'at chit Hgiljil nat iisrits'at = most prominent
chit = leader
Hgiljil = meeting/legislative
assembly
nat = more than one
cabinet minister Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iisrits'at chit iisrits'at = most prominent

chit = leader
cache (cabin) both dehdrah cash built high up

on stilts with small
cabin like enclosure
cache (ground) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tsiik'it ground cache
cache (platform) both drah a platform built

high up on stilts
with no enclosure
cache (tree) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm njil' small quantity of food

wrapped and tied high
in a tree.
Cadzaw Lake Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Chii Daatsik chii = rock/stone

daatsik = reddish
cafe Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ii'im zheh ii'aa = eat

zheh =house
cake Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm luhch'uh dhandaii ruhchuh = bannock

dhandaii = sweet/ tastes good
32

English word Dialect Gwich'il1 word English literal translation
cake Gw1chyah Gwtch'm lethch'uh dhandaii {ethch'uh = bannock

dhandaii = sweet/ tates good
calendar Teetl'It Gwtch'm srii drin gwi'dineht{'ee' srii =month

drin =day
gwi'dineht{'ee' = book (possessed)
calendar Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm sree i'dinehtr'ee' sree '=month

i'dineht{'ee' =book (possessed)
calf Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm egii calf ( can be used for

caribou, moose and sheep)
calf both vitr'do' calf of his/her leg
calf (caribou) Teetl'lt Gwtch'm egii tsoo egii= calf

tsoo = very young/light colored
calm Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm juughal it is calm
camp site Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm niihah k'it nlihah = to camp

k'it =place
camp site Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gqqk'yit empty camp site
campaign Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dinjii daheedi'yaa eenjit dinjii = a person/man

agugwaandak daheedi'yaa = what he will do
eenjit = for that
agugwaandak = he speaks about
Campbell Lake Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Tidigeh Van tidigeh = seagull

van= lake
cancer Teetl'lt Gwtch'm ts'ik vagoontrii ts'ik =sickness

vagoontrii = hard (difficult)
cancer Gwtchyah Gw1ch'm ts'ik vagoontree ts'ik = sickness

vagoontree = hard (difficult)
33

candidate Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dinjii jtiu veenjit uuzri' dinjii = a person/people/man

tr'ooheendal juu = like this
veenj1t = for him/her
uuzrl' = one's name
tr'ooheendal = they will take it
candle (homemade) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm khaii juuk'an' khaii = grease

juuk'c'm' = it is burning
candy Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dhandaii sweet
cane Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm toh
cane Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tath cane
canned goods Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm uunjit zhii uunjit = whiteman

zhii =food
canned goods Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm iitsii tyah zhit shih iitsii = metal
zhit = inside
shih =food
canoe both tr'ih tsal tr'ih =boat

tsal =small
canvasback Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm entsihdyen
canyon both dinzhit passage through a rock
captain of the boat Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm tr'ih tl'i' ak'<ihndak tr'ih =boat
tfi' = back end
ak'qhndak = helper
captain of the boat Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tr'ih tl'e' ak'<ihdak tr'ih =boat
tl'e' =back end
ak'<thdak = helper
34

·English .word Dialect Gwich'in word English literal translation
cardboard Teetl'1t Gwtch'm dinehtl'eh lu' dinehtf'eh = paper

lu' = hard (solid)
cardboard Gwtchyah Gwtch'm dinehtl'eh hi' dineht}'eh = paper

14' = hard (solid)
cardboard Gwrchyah Gwrch'm dinehtl'eh visre'dhik'aii dinehtf'eh = paper

visre'dhik'aii = it is square
cardboard box Gwtchyah Gwtch'm dinehtl'eh tyah dinehtl'eh =paper

tyah = pail/ container
Cardinal Teetl'rt GwiCh'm Yahtli Choo yahtli = priest

chao= big
care and custody Teetl'tt Gwrch'm yik'anahtii ts'at yits'at yik'anahtii = s/he takes care of
hearing k'agwaadhat him/her
ts'at =and
k'agwaadhat = s/he is boss
care (n) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm yik' a nah tii s/he takes care of him/her
caribou both vadzaih
Caribou Bar Creek Teetl'rt Gwrch'm Ch'idzee Njik ch'idzee = ear

njik = river (possessed)
caribou (cow) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm vadzaih tsal vadzaih = caribou

tsal = small
caribou (cow) both vadzaih tr'ik vadzaih = caribou

tr'ik = female
caribou (cow with no Teetl'rt Gwrch'm vadzaih njdo' vadzaih = caribou

calf) njoo' = older
caribou (cow with Teetl'tt Gwrch'm vadzaih ch'iyaht'ok vadzaih = caribou

nursing calf) ch'iyaht'ok = nursing him/her/it
35

caribou (large) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm vadzaih nichii vadzaih = caribou

nichii = big and heavy
caribou (large male) both vadzaih chao vadzaih = caribou

chao= big
caribou (lean Teetl'rt Gwrch'm ne'eedi'

November bull)
Caribou River Teetl'rt Gw1ch'm Edigii Njik edigii = calving

njik =river
caribou (running bull in Teetl'rt Gw1ch'm atsanh' it smells (is smelly)

October)
caribou (running bull in Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm atsan' it smells (is smelly)

October)
caribou (september both khaints'an' fall season or the

bull) youngest of the
family
caribou (spring bull) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vinagwahgwan' it became spring
caribou (young bull ) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm dazhoo tsoo dazhoo = fury

tsoo = yellow I light brown
caribou (young bull ) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dazhadh tsoo dazhadh = fury

tsoo = yellow I light brown
caribou (young female) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm khada' aatsan
carpenter both dachan ahtsii dachan = wood

ahtsii = s/he is making it
carrots Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm trih ditsik trih =roots

ditsik = redish
carrots Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm treh ditsik treh =root

ditsik = redish
36

cashier Teetl'rt Gwrch'm guuts'at atr'ookat guuts'at = from them

atr'ookat = they buy
cashier Gwrchyah Gwrch'm vats'at atr'ookat vats'at = from him/her

atr'ookat =buying
cat Teetl'rt Gwrch'm niinjii zhuu niinjii = lynx

zhuu= young
cat Gwrchyah Gwrch' m niinjii zheu niinjii = cat

zheu =young
catalogue both edinehtl'eh vakak ejiich'ii edineht}'eh =book

katr'igUkhii vakak =on it
ejiich'ii = things
katr'igHkhii = ask for
catalogue Teetl'rt Gwrch'm ejiich'ii katr'igUkhii ejiich'ii = things

gwi'dinehd'ee katr'igjjkhii = ask for
gwi'dineht}'ee = book (possessed)
caterpillar Teetl'rt Gwrch'm gyuu zhoo _ gyuu=worm

zhao = furry /hairy
caterpillar Gwrchyah Gwrch'm gyqq zhoo zn:1U gyt}lJ= worm

zhao= hairy
zrqjj = black
catholic brother both diiyuundee one's older brother
cave Teetl'rt Gwrch'm nan t'eh gweedii nan= ground

t'eh =under
gweedii = an opening I a passage
cave both nan zhit gweedii nan= ground

zhlt =in
gweedii = an opening I a passage
cavity (in tooth) both diighd' jat diigho' = one's teeth

jat = rotten
37
Tsiigehtchlc, NT Fort McPherson1 NT

ceiling both zheh gwiyeedak zheh = house

gwiyeedak = above
ceiling Teetl'rt Gwrch'm uudee gwikhyuu uudee =up there

gwikhyuu = along side
ceremony (marriage) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm nihkhatr'igwqhchii geenjit nihkhatr'igwqhchii = marriage

tr'igijiinjii ceremony
geenjit = for it
tr'igijiinjii = they pray
chain both iitsii d'yah iitsii = metal

tl'yah = string
chair Teetl'rt Gwrch'm vakak tr'oodii vakak = on it

tr'oodii =they sit
chair Gwrchyah Gwrch'm vakak tr'oodyee vakak =on it

tr'oodyee = they sit
chalice Teetl'rt Gwrch'm niinjigwidhat tshuu tyaa' niinjigwidhat =communion

tshuu = water
tyaa' = its container
chalice Gwrchyah Gwrch'm limes tshuu tyaa' limes= mass

tshuu = water
tyaa' = its container
challenge for cause Teetl'rt Gwrch'm jaaghat dee why
change (money) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm lazhaa tr'ooniniidhat lazhaa = money

tr'ooniniidhat = left over
change (money) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm lazh&Cl ts'at tr'ooniniidhat !azhqq =money

ts'at = from
tr'ooniniidhat = left over
38
Gwich'in Social & Cultural Institute Gwich' in Language Centre

change of venue Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm atr'oodahkat ejee atr'oodahkat = court

tr'igwinii' aii ejee tr'igwinii'aii = it was done
differently
chapel both tr'igiikhii zheh gwitsal tr'igiikhii = church service

zheh =house
gwitsal = small
character witness Teetl'!t Gw1ch'm dinjii dainch'uu nilii dinjii - person/man

ya'hdandaii dainch'uu nilii = how s/he behaves
yahdandaii = s/he knows him/her
charge (to take debt) Teetl'1t Gw1ch' m dinehtl'eh tr'oonjii dinehtf'eh = paper
tr'oonjii = take
charge (to take debt) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm diiye 'tr'idintl'edh it was written down
for them
charge to the jury Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm guuts'an tr'agwahtsii guuts'an = theirs

tr'agwahtsii = they are giving
charter of rights and Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dagwidti'e' dinjii tr'oochit dagwldtfe' = law
freedom nat geenjit dinjii = people
tr'oochit = first
nat = more than one
geenjit = for it
cheek (my) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shanvadh my cheek
cheek (my) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shanvoh my cheek
chest (my) both shideegha n' my chest
chest (my) both shidriichi' my chest
chickadee both ts'igyak
chicken Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm daih
39
Gwich,in Language Dictionary

chicken Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dajh
chief both dinjii khehk<ii' dinjii =man

khehkai' =his/her boss
chief Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dinjii khahkai' dinjii =man

khahkai' =his/her boss
chief hunter Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm nidhizrii chit nidhizrii = he is hunting/hunter

(s)
chit = leader
chief hunter Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nidhizrii kat chit nidhizrii = he is hunting/hunter

(s)
kat = more than one
chlt = leader
chief hunter Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nidhizree chit nidhizree =he is hunting/hunter

chit = leader
chief (sub) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dinjii khehkai' ts'aii dinjii =man

midhat khehkai' = boss
ts'aii = beside
nadhat = standing
chief (sub) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dinjii khahkai' ts'<iU dinjii =man

dhidyee khahkai' = boss
ts'qjj = beside
dhidyee = he/ she is sitting
child both tr'iinin
chimney both lishuunii
chin (my) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shihdf' my chin
chin (my) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shihdye' my chin
40
Gwich'in Social & Cultural Institute Gwich'inLanguage Centre
Tsiigehtchic, NT Fort McPherson/ NT

chisel (ice) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm luu dzcth luu =ice

dzq,h = chisel
chisel (ice) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm luu dzah l:uu =ice

dzah = chisel
chisel (snowshoe) both shal
chisel (snowshoe) both ts'iighd'
chose (people) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm dinjii tatr'igw&hjii dinjii = people/men/man

tatr'igwq,hjii = they are choosing
christmas Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm drin tsal drin = day

tsal = small
christmas Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tadh tr'igHkhii tadh =night

tr'igHkhii = church service
christmas concert Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm drin tsal tsii'inh' tr'ahtsih drin tsal = christmas
tsii'inh' = play
tr'ahtsih = make
christmas concert Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tadh tr'igHkhii tsee'in' tadh tr'igHkhii = christmas
tsee'in' = play
chronic Teetl'lt Gw1eh'm yah nagugwinii' aii yah = with him/her

nagugwinii'aii = s/he bothers
church both tr'igiikhii zheh tr'igiikhii = church service

zheh =house
circle Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Hhts'ee nuut'aii l:ihts'ee = around

nuut'aii = it is strung or hanging
down
circle Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nanilghwat rounded (shape)
circled Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vinagoo'ee around the outside
41

circumstantial Teetl'!t Gwtch' m jidii tajtiudhat ihlee jidli tajuudhat = what occurred
evidence tr'igwinah'in kwaa ihlee = a person
tr'igwinah'in = they see
kwaa =not
citizen Teetl'tt Gwtch'm minhkak ts'an nilii minhkak = the world

ts'an =belongs to
nilii = s/he is
citizenship Teetl'tt Gwtch'm minhkak ts'an nilii ml.nhkak = the world

vidagwidii'e' ts'an =belongs to
nilii = s/he is
vidagwldij'e' =law
civil law Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Quebec gwizhit gwizraih only in Quebec
civil servant Teetl'tt Gwtch'm k'adagwidaadhat va'altsan k'adagwidaadhat =the government

va'ahsan =his servant
classroom Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ge'tr'oonahtan deek'it ge'tr'oonahtan = teaching

deek'it = place
classroom Gwtchyah Gwtch'm gatr'oonahtan deek'it gatr'oonahtan = to teach

deek'it = place
clay Teetl'tt Gwtch'm luh vee t'at luh= mud

vee= gray
t'at =sticky
clay Gw1chyah Gwtch'm leth vee t'at leth= mud

vee= gray
t'at = sticky
clean (immaculate) both jidii kwan' jidii = something

kwan' = very clean
clear (transparent) both jidii drinh' jidii =something/what

drinh' = clear (transparent)
Tsiigehtchic,NT Fort McPherson, NT

clerk both uukat zheh gwidinjii' uukat = to buy

zheh =house
gwidinjii' =man (possessed)
clerk both khehkaih tsal khehkaih = manager

tsal =small
clever (fast learner) both khanh' gik'idhinjih khanh' = quickly

gik'idhinjih = slhe learns
closet Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwich'yaa deek'it gwich'yaa = clothes

deek'it = place
closet Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gwidal deek'it gwidiU = clothes I belongings I

things
deek'it = place
cloth both ethitl'ii
clothes pin Teetl'lt Gw1ch' m viligwiitl'at tsal vihgwiit-1-'at = it is held securely

tsal =small
clothing Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwich'yaa torn up
cloudberry both nakal
clouds both k'oh
cloudy day Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwit'eh goo'aih gwit'eh = under

goo'aih = it is there
cloudy day Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm k'oh t'eh goo'c.=:ih k'oh = clouds

t'eh =under
goo'~jh = it is there
cloudy day Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm k'oh t'eh goo'aih k'oh = clouds

t'eh= under
goo'aih = it is there
43

club both khah
club (antler) both edzhi' khah edzhl' = antler

khah =club
coal both chii juuk'an' chii = rock/ stone

juuk'an' =it is burning
coals (hot) both kwanchit hot coals
coat Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iyehdak ik iyehdak = on top I over

ik = dress I shirt / coat
coat Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm iyehdak yik iyehdak = top

yik = dress I shirt I coat
cobweb Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m gudeedrii chihvyaa' gudeedrii = spider

chihvyaa' = net (possessed)
coffee both ligafii
coffee pot Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ligafii tyq.h ligafii = coffee

tyc:th = container
coffee pot Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm ligafii tyah ligafii = coffee

tyah = container
coffee shop Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ligafii zheh lagahfii = coffee

zheh =house
coffin Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dachan tyqh dachan = wood

tyc:th = container/box
coffin Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dachan tyah dachan = wood

tyah = container/box
coherent Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwilii t'adeenjaa s/he is being foolish
44

coins Gwtchyah Gwtch'm sheih tseedhoo' sheih = sand I gravel

tseedhoo' = money (possessed)
coins Teetl'tt Gwtch'm iitsii tsal tsoo iitsii = metal

tsal =small
tsoo = yellow I brownish
cold Teetl'tt Gwtch'm niink'dh it (an object) is cold
cold (illness) both koh
cold (outside) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gwiniik'oh it is cold
cold sore Teetl'tt Gwtch'm koh tshuundaJ' koh = cold (illness)

tshuundal' = blister (possessed)
colder (it is colder Gwtchyah Gwtch'm gwiiyaa'an gwiniik'adh gwiiyaa'an = more

outside) gwiniik'adh = it is cold
collar Teetl'tt Gwtch'm zhin nanuut'aii zhin =chin

nanuut'aii = wrapped around
collarbone Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ichiidir tth'an'
collarbone (his/her) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vichiidru u'
collection at church Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ataiinjii tr' ahtsih ataiinjii = offering

tr'ahtsih = they are making it
collection at church Gwtchyah Gwtch'm tr'igiikhii zheh tseedhoh tr'igiikhii zheh = churh
latshanh' tr'ijiilih tseedhdh = money
iatshanh' tr'ijiilih = they are
collecting it
colors from sunrise Gwtchya Gwtch'm gii juutsqi'
colors from sm1Set Teetl'tt Gwtch'm zhee jithitsik zhee =sky

jithitsik = it is reddish
45

English word Dialect Gwich'in. word English literal translation
colors from sunset Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm khahts'at sree ts'at khahts'at = night, evening
gwijiditsik sree =sun
ts'at= from
gwijiditsik = getting red
colors from sunset Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm khahts'at na'Htsai' khahts'at =evening

na'Htsa)' = forecast
colors from sunset Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zhee khyuu gwijithitsik zhee =sky
khyuu = along
gwijithitsik = it is getting red
comb both chiiruk
commit for trial Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm atr'oodahkat gwizhit atr'oodahkat = court

hiindyaa gwizhit = in there
hiindyaa = you will sit
communion Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm niinjigwadhat gwits'an niinjigwidhat = communion

tr'ahtsii gwits'an = to him/her
tr'ahtsii = give
communion Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm niinjigwidhat
community hall Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm !anatr'aadal zheh lanatr'aadal = people gathering

zheh =house
community hall Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tsee'yinh zheh tsee'yinh = playing

zheh =house
community (settlement) both kaiik'it
companions Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nihkhanag~aazheh they are standmg

together
compassion Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vits'at neesridilch'uu vits'at =towards him/her

neesridilch'uu = I feel pity
compensation for Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm guutr'iguukat they are paid

victims
46

competence Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm viyinji' ch'ijtiu'ee viyinjl' - his/her mind

ch'ijuu'ee = it is clear/straight
computer Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iitsii adantl:' oo iitsii = machine

ganadhandaii adant}'oo = write
ganadhandaii = remember
concurrent sentence Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tehk'oo ihlat ts'at geenjit tehk'oo =wrong doing
va tr' agwinahshii ihlat =once
ts'at =and
geenjit = for it
vatr'agwinahshii = s/he is punished
coney both sruh
confederation Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm 1867 dai' nan ts'an nilii kat 1867 dai' =in 1867
nan= land
ts'an nilii = belongs to someome kat
= more than one
confession Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm khe'ee gwitaazhih khe'ee = to come out

gwitaazhih = s/he is confessing
confession Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm khe' gwataazhii khe' =alone (one by one)

gwataazhii = s/he is confessing
confession (making a) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm khe'ee tr'igwitaazhih khe'ee = to come out

tr'igwitaazhih = are confessing
confirmation Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm diik'oo tr'igiikhii diik'oo = over them

tr'igiikhii = church service
confirmation Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm yahtyee choo diikak yahtyee choo = bishop

gUkhii diikak = on them/ us
gHkhii = s/he is speaking
congenital Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gah vagdonlii s/he was born with it
47
Gwichfin Social & Cultural Institute Gwich'in Language Centre
consecutive sentence Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwijaazhii hah gwik'ih gwijaazhii = it continues

tadadhat vatr'agwinahshii hcl.h =with
gwik'lh = behind it
tadadhat = it occurs
vatr'agwinahshii = s/he is punished
consensus Teetl'lt Gw1ch' m sriineetr'igwihee' aa they will solve the problem
consent to a committal Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm atr'oodahkat gwizhit atr'oodahkat = court

hihlyaa nihthan gwizhlt = in it
hihiyaa = I will be
nihthan = I want it
consequences Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm geh'an nits'do geh'an =because of it

migwiindhat nits'oo = how
nagwiindhat =it happened
conservation officer Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nan k'andehnahtii kat nan= land

k'andehnahtii = they are
monitoring it
kat = more than one
conservation officer Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m nan k'andehginahtyeh nan= land

k'imdehginahtyeh = they are
monitoring it
conspiracy Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dinjiinat Hgiljil gwiizuu dinjiinat = people

geenjit hglljil = they meet
gwlizuu geenjit = for something bad
constituency Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vakaiik'it vakaiik'lt = his/her community

sri it' agwinyaanch'uu srlit'agwinyaanch'uu- a certain
amount of
constitution Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iisrits'at dagwidH 'e' iisrits'at = the most prominent
dagwidife' =law
constitution act Teetl'It Gwrch'm Canada eenjit dagwidH'e' Canada eenj1t = for Canada
gwiintshii dagwidH'e' =law
48
constitutional Teetl'tt Gwtch'm diiyeenjit gHkhii Hgiljil diiyeenjit gHkhii = one's who speak
monarchy convention on behalf of us
hglljil = they are meeting
cook both vaka'ahch'uu s/he is cooking
cookies Teetl'lt Gwtch'm l:uh dhandaii l:uh =flour

dhandaii = sweet
cookies Teetl'tt Gwtch'm hihchuh dhandaii l:uhchuh = bannock

dhandaii = sweet
cookies Gwtchyah Gwtch'm l:ethch'uh dhandaii l:ethch'uh = bannock

dhandaii = sweet
cooking pot Teetl'lt Gwtch'm shih tyah shih =meat

tyah = pail/ pot/ container
cooking pot Gwtchyah Gwtch'm shih tya,h sh!h =food

tyqh = pail/ pot/ container
copper both theetrin'
comer both zheh ts'at zheh =house

ts'at =from
corpse Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ehchi'
corpse Gwtchyah Gwtch'm echV
couch Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vakak datr'oodii Vakak =on it

datr'oodii = sitting
couch Gwtchyah Gwtch'm vakak datr'ijilch'eU vakak =on it

datr'ijilch'eH = they sit
49

couch Teetl'lt Gw1eh'm vakak tr'oodii tshtiu' njuh vakak =on it

tr'oodii = they sit
tshuu' = soft
njuh =long
cough both tr'aakoo someone is coughing
council Teetl'rt Gwrch'm jilch'eiinat ones who sit
councillor Gwrchyah Gwrch'm dahgwich'in eenjit gHkhii dahgwich'in =his/her people

eenjit =for
councillor Teetl'1t Gwrch'm diiyeenjit jilch'eii diiyeenjit = on behalf of us

jllch' eii = they sit
councillors Teetl'rt Gwrch'm dinjii eenjit nijilzhii kat dinjii =people/man

eenjit =for
nijllzhii = standing (representing)
kat = more than one
count (n) Teetl'1t Gwrch'm tehk'oo t'indizhik eenjit tehk'oo = wrong doing
t'indizhik = you did
eenjit = for it
court both atr'oodahkat questioning
court of appeal Teetl'rt Gw1ch'm chan iisrits'at chan= again

natr'oohadahkat iisrits'at = most prominent
natr'oohadahkat =they will ask
again
courtroom Teetl'rt Gwrch'm atr'oodahkat zheh atr'oodahkat = court

zheh =house
cow both aak'ii
50
Tsiigehtchlc, Nf Fort McPherson1 ·NT

crackers Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tuh gaii dril tuh =flour

gaii =dry
dril = thin
crackers Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tethch'uh g~jt dridh 'tethch'uh = bannock

gq)i = dry
dridh = thin
crane (sandhill) both jah
Cree people both Daht'in gwich'in
creek both teetshik
creek water Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tr'iilllU chq' tr'iili1H = running

ch1.j' = water
crime Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tehk'oo gwiltsaii tehk'oo = wrong doing

gwltsaii = it has been made
criminal charge Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm yichi ldr i' one is judged
criminal charge Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm duuleh tehk'oo t'indizhik duuleh =maybe

nigahnuu tehk'oo = wrong doing
t'indizhik = you have done
nigahnuu = they say about you
criminal code Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm ch'igwijtiu'ee eenjit ch'igwijuu'ee = it is right

edinehtl'ee eenjit = for it
edlnehtt'ee = book
criminal code Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dagwidtt'e' edinehtl'ee dagwldji'e' = law

edlnehtt'ee = its' book
cross both niht'iidi'ee crossing over one another
Crossly Lake Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Ezhinihdlii
51

crown Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwiyah'at choo chit eenjit gwiyah'at chao chit = queen
mi dha t eenjit = for
mldhat = one stands
crown Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwiyah'at chao chit ts'aii gwiyah'at chao chit= queen
ts'aii = on the side
crown prosecutor Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm niveh t'ah'in ts'aii midhat niveh t'ah'in = the police
ts'aii = on that side
m1dhat = s/he stands
crown's election Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm atr'oodahkat eenjit atr'oodahkat = court

tatr'igwahaandal eenjit = for
tatr'igwahaandal = they are chosen
cub (grizzly bear) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm sheh gu sheh = grizzly bear

gii = one's young one
cub (grizzly bear) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shih gii shih = grizzly bear
gii =one's young one
culture Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm yeenoo nits'oo tr'igwiindai' yeenoo =long ago to the present
nits'oo = how
tr'igwiindai' = they /we lived
cup Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tshuu tyah tshuu = water

tyah = container/pail
cup (mug) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tshqq tyah zhqq
cupboard Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ch'ik k'it chik = plate

k'it =place
cupboard Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ch'ek k'it ch'ek = plate

k'it =place
curtains Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm naniivyah something is hanging across
curtains Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm neniivaa something is hanging across
52

customary marriage Teetl'tt Gwtch'm oonoodai' nits'do oonoodai' - long ago

nihkhatr'igwahnj ik nits'oo = how
nihkhatr'igwahnjik = they are
married
dance hall Teetl'tt Gwtch'm aadzoo zheh aadzoo = dance

zheh =house
darkness Teetl'tt Gw!Ch'm too goo'aii too = dark/night

goo'aii = it is there
darkness Gwtchyah Gwtch'm tadh guu'<lth tadh =night

guu'gjh = it is there
David Lord Creek Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Tl'ii Enjik
dawn both yahkeh the sun is beginning

to rise
Dawson People both Han Gwich'in han= river

gwich'in = people
day both drin
day after tomorrow Teetl'tt Gwtch'm nihkaa gehndoo nihkaa = tomorrow

gehndoo = after I ahead
day after tomorrow Gwtchyah Gwtch'm nihkaa gehddk nihkaa = tomorrow

gehdok = after I ahead
day before yesterday Teetl'tt Gwtch'm k'eedai' gehnoo k'eedai' = yesterday

gehnoo = before
day before yesterday Gwtchyah Gwtch'm k'adai' gehnoo k'adaf = yesterday

gehnoo = before
daylight Teetl'tt Gwtch'm drin goo'aih drin =day

goo'aih = is it there
53
Language Dictionary
daylight Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm drin goo'~ih drin =day

goo'~jh= it is
deaf Teetl'1t Gw1eh'm ejiitth'ak kwaa ejiitth'ak = s/he hears

kwaa = nothing
deaf GwiChyah Gw1ch'm vidzii kwaa vidzii = his /her inner ear
kwaa = nothing
deaf Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vidzii gugwat vidzii = his inner ear

gugwat = something dull
December Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Jideendoo Ts'an
December Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm khahzhak = under night

sree' = month/moon possessed
delinquency Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ihlee tehk'oo t'idi'in k'it ihlee - a person

tehk'oo = wrong doing
t'idi'in = s/he did
k 'lt = the same as
delinquent Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm k'eejit ihlee tehk'oo t'idi'in k'eej1t =youth

ihlee = a person
tehk'oo =wrong doing
t'idi'in = s/he is doing
delinquent Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tr'aanduu gii
Delta People Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm Ehdyee Tat Gwich'in ehdyee = timber patch
tat= among
gwich'in = people
Delta People Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Ehdii Tat Gwich'in ehdii = timber stand
tat= among
gwich'in = people
democracy Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dagwiiniindhan gwik'it dagwiiniindhan = what we think

tr 'igwinda ii gwik'lt =the same as
tr'igwindaii = we live
54
den both an
den (grizzly bear) Teetl'lt Gwtch'm shih an shih = grizzly bear

an= den
dentist Teetl'tt Gwtch'm diigho' srinalii diighd'= one's teeth

srinalii = s/he is fixing it
dentist Gwtchyah Gwtch'm diigho' khalii diigho' = one's teeth

khalii = taking them out
dentist Gwtchyah Gwtch'm diigho' hah dha'~H diighd' = one's teeth

hah dha'~H = s/he works with it
denturist Gwtchyah Gwtch'm diigho' ahtsii diigho' =one's teeth

detention Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vi de'tr'idiniintyin they locked him/her up
detention order Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vide'tr'idineechyaa geenjit vlde'tr'idineechyaa = he/she will be

edinehtl'ee lockedup
geenjit = for
edlnehtl:-'ee = it's paper
deterrent Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gwididinuu'ee lead away
devil both tr'aanduu
devil Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ekee
dew Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gwijilzroo
dew Gwtchyah Gwtch'm gwijilzroh
diabetes Teetl'tt Gwtch'm soogaii gwits'ik soogaii = sugar

gwits'ik = its sickness
diaper both ch'il
55

diaphram Teetl'rt Gwrch'm Hdhiidrah
diarrhea both chigwits'ik sickness in the guts
diesel Gwrchyah Gwrch'm nan ghai' nan = land/ ground

ghiii' = its grease
dipper Gwrchyah Gwrch'm dzhii zrq,U dzhii =bird

zr&H =black
direct evidence Teetl'rt Gwrch'm vindah tehk'oo t'idi'in vindah = infront of him/her
tehk'oo t'idi'in = s/he is doing
wrong
dirt both gwijat
dirty Teetl'rt Gwrch'm sraih
disability (full) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm k'adithinjik hard to maneuver
discharge Teetl'rt Gwrch'm vanatr'idiinjik he was released
discharge (absolute) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm H' hah ekhe 'tr'iguunuu H' hah = absolute
ekhe'tr'iguunuu = s/he was left
alone
discrepancy Teetl'rt Gwrch'm ejtik ts'at ganagiinjih ejuk ts'at = a different way
ganagiinjih = they are talking
again
disease both ts 'i k sickness
dishpan Teetl'rt Gwrch'm iitsii ch'ik iitsii = metal

ch'rk = plate
dishpan Gwrchyah Gwrch'm vizhit ch'ek k'eetr'ahtraa vizhit =in it

ch'ek = plate
k'eetr'ahtraa = wash
56

distemper Teetl'tt Gwtch'm laii ts' ik laii =dog

ts'lk = sickness
distemper Gwtchyah Gwtch'm l!lH ts'ik lqJ~ =dog

ts'lk =sickness
docket Teetl' tt Gwtch' m edinehtl'eh zhit edlnehtl'eh =book

nitr'igwihii' aih zhlt nltr'igwlnii'aih = put inside
doctor Gwtchyah Gwtch'm elts'ik hah dha't;:H elts'ik = s/he is sick

hah dha'~H = s/he works with it
doctor Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ehs'ik srinalii elts'ik = s/he is sick

dog Teetl'tt Gwtch'm laii
dog Gwtchyah Gwtch'm la.U
dog (female) Teetl'tt GwlCh'm laiits'i' female dog
dog (female) Gwtchyah GwlCh'm la.Hts'i' female dog
dog (husky) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ineekaii lik ineekaii = inuit

llk = one's dog
dog (husky) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ineekqH lik ineekqji = inuit

lik = one's dog
dog (lead) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm laii tshih dhidii laii = dog

tshih = at the front
dhidii = s/he is sitting
dog (lead) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm l!lU tshih dhidyee lqii =dog

tshih = at the front
dhidyee = s/he is sitting
57
Gwich'in Language Dictio11ary

English word Dialect Gwich'in word English .literal translation
dog officer Teetl'tt Gwtch'm laii uudahk'ee laii = dog

uudahk'ee = s/he is shooting at it
dog officer Gwtchyah Gwtch'm l&H uudahk'ee gwidinjii' l&H =dog

uudahk'ee = s/he is shooting at it
gwidinjii' = man (possessed)
dog officer Teetl'tt Gwtch'm laii guk'andehnahtii laii = dog

guk'andehnahtii = s/he is
monitoring it
dog salmon both shii
dog (wheel) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm val ts'aii dhidii val= sled

dog (wheel) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm l&ii val ts'ctii dhidyee l&H =dog
val= sled
ts'&H = that side
dogbite Teetl'tt Gwtch'm laii guu'ah laii = dog

guu'ah = it is biting them
dogbite Gwtchyah Gwtch'm htH goo'ah l&H =dog

goo'ah = it is biting them
Dogrib People Teetl'tt Gwtch'm taii Chik Gwich'in laii =dog

chik =rib
gwich'in = people
Dogrib People Gwtchyah Gwtch'm I:.ctit Chik Gwich'in l&H =dog

chik =rib
gwich'in = people
dominion Teet!' 1t Gwtch' m adachoo k'adagwidaadhat adachoo k'adagwidaadhat = the

gwizhit main decision maker
gwizhlt = in it
58
door both gihdaniivaa
doorknob Teetl'rt Gwrch'm gihdaniivaa tai' gihdaniivaa = door

ti:ti' = handle
doorknob Gwtchyah Gwtch'm gihdaniivaa t&U' gihdaniivaa = door

tgjj' = handle
dough Gwtchyah Gwtch' m leth viliniljik leth =flour

viHnlljik = kneaded
doughnuts Gwtchyah Gwtch'm lethch'uh vagwiidii lethch'uh =bannock

vagwiidii = it has a hole in it
doughnuts Teetl'tt Gwrch'm hihch'tih nadinildzee hlhch'uh = bannock

nadinlldzee = it is twisted
down's syndrome Teetl'rt Gwrch'm neesrij1{hch'uu ts'at neesrij~hch'uu = s/he is poor

vigd onlii ts'at =and
vigoonlii = s/he was born
downstream Gwrchyah Gwtch'm dye' ts'at niinl&H dye' = downward

ts'at =to
niinlCJJt = it is flowing
downstream Teetl'tt Gwtch'm iidi' niinlaii iidl' = downward

niinlaii = it is flowing
downwind Gwrchyah Gwrch'm doo ahtr'eii doo =down

ahtr'eii = wind
dragonfly Teetl'tt Gwrch'm iitsii ahtr'aa iitsii = metal

ahtr'aa = it is flying
dragonfly Gwtchyah Gwrch'm shitsii ahtr'aa shitsii = my grandfather

ahtr'aa = it is flying
dream both ganaiinlyah s/he dreamt
59
1 1
Gwich in Social & Cultural Institute Gwich in Language Centre

English word Dialect Gwich'in word English literal trans.laUon
dreamt Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ganatr'iinlyaa s/he dreamt about it.
dress both ik
dress Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m yik
dress (caribou hide) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm aadzhii ik aadzhii = tanned caribou hide
ik = dress
dress (caribou hide) Gw1ehyah Gw1ch'm aadzhii yik aadzhii = tanned caribou hide
yik =dress
drift wood both doo
Driftwood River Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm Troo Choo Njik Troo =wood

Chao= big
Njik =river
dripping (it is) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nidaa'il it is dripping.
driver's licence Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ne'hahlak gwi'dinehtl'ee' ne'hahlak = s/he will drive
gwi'dinehtl'ee' =its paper
driver's licence Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm iitsii khal ak'&hdak iitsii khal = vehicle
edinehtl'ee' ak'qhdak = s/he helps
edinehtl'ee' =its paper
drizzle Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tshin zroo tshin =rain

zroo = wetness
drug and alcohol Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm agdondaii iizuu ts'at agdondaii lizuu = bad medicine
program kwanchtl.' eenjit ts'at kwanchu' =and alcohol
ge 'tr'oonahtan eenjit ge'tr'oonahtan = teach about
it
drwn both shuh
60

dryer (clothes) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vizhit gwich'yaa vizhlt = in it

na tr' idahcheii gwich'yaa = clothing
natr'idahcheii = they dry it
dryer (clothes) Gw1chyah Gwtch'm gwidal nadahcheii gwidat = clothing

nadahcheii = it dries it
dryer (clothes) Teetl'tt GwiCh'm gwich'yaa nadahchii gwich'yaa = clothes

nadahchii = it dries
dryer (hair) both diichiighe' vah diichiighe' = ones hair

natr'idahcheii vah =with
natr'idahcheii = they dry it
duck both dats'an
duck (goldeneye) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm jidik'~U
duck (old squaw) both a'aanlak
duffle both ts'at blanket
dusk Gwtchyah Gwtch'm mihkhah
dye Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ede'ee its color
dye Gw1chyah Gwtch'm adi'eh its color
eagle (bald) both thak
eagle (golden) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm tadhaa
eagle (golden) Teetl'1t Gwtch'm ezhin
eagle (golden) Gwtchya Gwtch'm izhin
Eagle River Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm Ezhin Njik ezhin = eagle

njik = river
61

English word Dialect Gwich'in .word English literal translation
ear ache Gwrchyah Gwrch'm diidzii hasrah U'ee diidzii = ones inner ear
hasrah H'ee = a strong pain is there
ear ache both diidzii gwilts'ik diidzii = ones inner ear

gwlhs'ik = it is sick/sore
ear ache Teetl'rt Gwrch'm diidzii gisrah nii'ee diidzii = ones inner ear
gisrah nii'ee = a strong pain is
there
ear (outer) both diidzee' one's outer ear
ear (outer) both shidzee' my outer ear
ear wax both edzii t'oo' edzii = inner ear

t'do' =plugged
early morning Teetl'rt Gwrch'm vanh' dai' vanh' = morning

dai' = at that time
earrings Teetl'rt Gwrch'm dzee nidiniizhii dzee = outer ear

nidinlizhii = hanging
earrings Gwrchyah Gwrch'm dzee tl'yah dzee = outer ear

tf'yah = string
earth both nan earth, land, ground
earth Teetl'rt Gwrch'm nan kak tthak nan = land, earth, ground
kak =on it
tthak = all of it
Easter Gwrchyah Gwrch' m Nagwidandaih Drin nagwidandaih = s/he comes back to

life
drin =day
Easter Day Teetl'rt Gwrch'm Nanagwaalii Drin nanagwaalii = s/he rose from the
dead
drin =day
62
Easter Monday Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm Nanagwaalii Drin Tl'ee nanagwaalii = he rose from the
dead
drin =day
tl:-'ee = after
Easter Monday Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm Nagwidandaih Drin Tl'ee nagwidandaih =he comes back to
life
drin =day
t!'ee = after
eastwind Teetl'It Gw1ch'm nii ahtr'aih nii = this way

ahtr'aih = wind
eastwind Gw1chyah GwiCh'm tshqq ahtr'aih tshw = this way

ahtr'aih= wind
eclipse Teetl'It Gw1ch'm srii t'&H'aii srii =sun

t'qjj'aii = went under again
eclipse Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm sree niht'&ti'eh sree = sun, moon

niht'ajj'eh = went over one another
eclipse Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm srii t'anaiida'aih srii =sun

t'anaiida'aih = it went under
eddy Teetl'It Gw1ch'm ok
eddy Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm k'ineedla,.U flowing back
eddy (large) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ok chao ok =eddy

chao= big
eddy (large) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm k'enehdl&U gwichoo k'enehdlqjj = eddy

gwichoo = big
education Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ge'tr'oonahtan they teach
egg beater Teetl'It Gw1ch'm iitsii vah te 'tr'inghaa iitsii = metal

vah =with it
te'tr'inghaa = mix together
63

English word Dialect Gwich'in word English literal tran.slation
eggs both aghoo
eight Teetl'It Gwich'm nihk'ii daan nihk'ii = both sides

daan =four
eight Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nihk'ii d&<! nihk'ii = both sides

dqq =four
Eight Miles Teetl'It Gw1ch'm Nitaiinlaii water flowing out
eighteen Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ihlak juutyin ts'at nihk'ii ih{ak =one

daankat juutyin =counted
ts'at =and
nihk'ii = both sides
daankat =four
eighteen Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ihlo gwij u u tyin ts'at nihk'ii ihiogwijuutyin = counted once
da.a. ts'at =and
dqq =four
eighty Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nihk'ii daan juutyin nihk'ii = both sides

daan =four
juutyin = counted
eighty Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nihk'ii dqq juutyin nihk'ii = both sides

dqq =four
juutyin = counted
elbow both shits'dh my elbow
elder both .'

anJoo
elected representatives Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm uuzri' tr'donjik kat uuzrl' = name

tr'oonjik = was taken
kat = more than one
64
Gwich'in Social & Cultural Institute Gwith'in Language Centre
Tsiigehtchic, NT Fort McPherson,· NT

English word Dialect GI/Vich'in word English literal translation
election Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm uuzri' tr' d onjii uuzrl' = name

tr'oonjii = they are taking
elections canada Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm uuzri' tr'donjii zhit gwitr'it uuzrl' =name
t'agwah'ii nat tr'oonjii = they are taking
zhlt =in it
gwitr'it t'agwah'ii nat = the ones
who work
electricity Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vik'iighe' aadrii vik'iighe' = because of it

aadrii = light
eleven Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ihlak juutyin ts'at ihlak ihlak =one

juutyin = counted
ts'at =and
ihlak =one
eleven Gw!Chya Gw1ch'm ih!ogwijuutyin ts'at ihlak ihlogwijuutyin =counted once

ts'<lt =and
ihlak =one
empanelling the jury Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tr'uudhilch'eii geenjit tr'uudhllch'eii = ones who listen
oozri' tr' oonjii geenjit oozrl' tr' oonjii = taking
names for it
empanelling the jury Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tr'uudhilch'eii geenjit tr'uudhllch'eii = ones who listen
oozri' tatr'igw<thjii geenjit oozrl' tatr'igwqhjii =
choosing names for it
empathy Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwits'at neesrijct.hch'uu gwits'at = towards something

neesrij<lhch'uu = s/he feels pity
empend, to Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm juudin tr'uudhilch'eii juudin tr'uudhllch'eii = one's who

geenjit tatr'igw<thjii listen
geenjit tatr'igwqhjii = they are
choosing for it
eno Gwtchyah Gw1ch'm ago ondaih tadinaadlat ag6ondaih = medicine

tadinaadlat = it is boiling
65

enroll Teetl'tt Gwtch'm oozri' tr'adantl'oo oozrl' = one's name

tr'adant}'oo = they are writing it
entrance Teetl'tt Gwtch'm nihdagwiidii openmg
entrance Gwtchyah Gwtch'm nihdagweedii openmg
entrance way Teetl'tt Gwtch'm zheh gwidaii' zheh =house

gwidaii' = at the entrance
entrenched Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vizhit neetr'in!l,hchuh vizhlt = in it

neetr'inqhchuh = it is put
enumerator Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dinjii diiyuuzri' tr'oonjii dinjii = people

oozri' tr' oonjik gwichih diiyuuzrl' =one's name
tr'oonjii = take
oozrl' = name
tr'oonjik gwichih = before it is
taken
equalization Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dinjiinat nihk'it dinjiinat = people

guk'anahtii geenjit nihk'lt = the same way
guk'anahtii = it is preserved
geenjit = for it
equalization payment Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dinjiinat nihk'it dinjiinat = people

guk'anahtii geenjit nihk'lt = the same way
tseedhdh gU tf' agahtshtih guk'anahtii = it is preserved
geenjit = for it
tseedhdh = money
gHtl'agahtshuh = it is given
eroded Teetl'tt Gwtch'm migwitHk it has wasted away
eroding Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tagwitHh it is wasting away
eroding Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tagwintHh it is wasting away
eskimo Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ineekaii
66

eskimo Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ineekaU
established fact Teetl'tt Gwtch'm H' hah vik'igwaanjik H' hah = absolute
vik'igwaanjik = they found out about
him/her
established fact Teet!' tt Gwtch' m loo hah vik'igwaanjik loo hah = absolute
vik'igwaanjik = they found out about
him/her
eternal life both gwilin kwaa gwits'at gwilin kwaa = to no end

gwiteendaih gwits'at = going to
gwiteendaih = all will live
evening both night
evidence Teetl'tt Gwtch'm aii k'iighe' vik'igwaanjik aii k'iighe' =because of that
H' dagwidlii gugwideech'in vik'igwaanjik =they found about
him/her
H' dagwidlii = it is true
gugwideech'in = it appears to be
evidence Teetl'tt Gwtch'm aii k'iighe' tehk'oo t'idi'in aii k'iighe' = because of that
ahgwidandaii tehk'oo t'idi'in = s/he did wrong
ahgwidandaii = it is known
ewe Teetl'tt Gwtch'm divii tr'ik divii sheep

tr'ik = female
ewe Gwtchyah Gwtch'm divii tr'ek divii = sheep

tr'ek = female
excrement both trin'
executive Teetl'tt Gwtch'm iisrits'at chit nilii kat iisrits'at = most important
chit = leader
nilii = s/he is
kat = more than one
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executive council Teetl'1t Gw1eh'm iisrits'at chit Hgiljil nat iisrits'at = most important
chit = leader
Hglljil = they meet
nat = more than one
exhibit Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vina tr' igwidahchik
expert Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm lQQ hah digwitr'it IQQ hah = absolutely

ahdandaii digwitr'lt ahdandaii = s/he knows
his/her work
expert witness Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iisrits'at gahdandaii iisrits'at =most important

gahdandaii = s/he has knowledge
eye doctor Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm diindee srinalii diindee = one's eye

eye doctor Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dUndee srinalee diindee = one's eye

srinalee = s/he is fixing it
eye (my) both shindee' my eye
eye (my) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shindye' my eye
eye witness Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm jidli gwinah'in eenjit jidli gwinah'in = what s/he has
gwaandak seen
eenjit gwaandak - s/he is talking
about it
eyeball (my) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shineezra,U my eyeball
eyeball (my) Teetl'lt Gw1ch' m shineezrih my eyeball
eyebrows both shineedohghe' my eyebrows
eyeglasses Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ndeh iizhii ndeh =eyes

iizhii = to wear
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Tsligehtchlc, NT Fort McPherson, NT
eyeglasses Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ndee tr'ilzhii ndee = one's eyes

tr'ilzhii = we wear it
eyelashes both shineedohghe' my eyelashes
face both diinin' one's face
facsimile machine Teetl'tt Gwtch'm iitsii khanh tr'adanH'oo litsii =machine

khanh = quickly
tr'adantl'oo = it writes
facts Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gwik'it gdodlit gwik'lt = the same as

faded both daak'aa
failure to appear Teetl'tt Gwtch'm nihdaniinzhih kwaa nihdaniinzhih = s/he entered

kwaa =not
falcon (gyr) both gwichiidzhii gwichii = at the tip

dzhii =bird
falcon (peregrine) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm chinii tra nh
fall (previous fall both k'eejit khaiints'an' k'eejit = before

season) khaiints'an' = fall
fall season both khaiints'an'
fasting day Gwtchyah Gwtch'm aditr'idaag&H drin aditr'idaagqH = fasting

drin =day
fat both ik'eh
fat (fat on the lower Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ak'eetthal'

gut of caribou & moose)
fat (inside rump on Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ik'eetthal'

moose & caribou)
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Gwich'inLanguage.Dictionary
fat (inside the rump) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm iinehk'eh
fat (on caribou & moose both echeezhti'

guts)
fat on lower guts Teetl'tt Gwtch'm an doh
fat on the rump Gwtchyah Gwtch'm et'ye'
father both tya'aa
father (my) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm shiti' my father
father (my) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm shitye. my father
father-in-law (my) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm shiyuughwan my father-in-law

(male speaker)
father-in-law (my) both shitsii my father-in-law (woman speaker)
feather (large) both t'eh chao t'eh = feather

choo =big
feather (wing) both t'eh wing feather
feather (wing) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ats'an t'ee' ats'im =wing

t'ee' = feather (possessed)
feathers (down) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tshuh down feathers
feathers (down) Gwtchyah Gwtch' m cheth down feathers
feathers (down) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm chidh
February Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Nohjuu Ts'an nohjuu = moving back, less days
ts'an =from
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Tsiigehtchic, NT Fort McPherson, NT ·

February Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm Sree Vananh Dak Sree = month/sun

Na'eeda'aa Vananh = on it
Dak =up
Na'eeda'aa = sun is starting to rise
federal government Teetl'1t GwiCh'm iisrits'at adachoo nat iisrits'at = most important
adachoo nat = decision makers
felony Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwiyeendoo gwiizuu gwiyeendoo = more than

tehk'oo t'idi'in gwlizuu = bad
tehk'oo t'idi'in = s/he is doing
wrong
Fetal Alcohol Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vananh yik'do eedini' his/her mother drank when she
Syndrome gwik'iighe' neesrijahch'uu was
ts'at vagdonlii pregnant, because of that s/he was
born pitiful
fever Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ts'ik niidhaa ts'ik = sickness

niidhaa = hot
fifteen Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ihlak juutyin ts'at ihloo ihlak =one

gwinli' juutyin = counted
ts'at =and
ih}oo = one of it
gwinli' = hand
fifteen Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ihlogwijuutyin ts'at ihloo ihlogwijuutyin =counted once

gwinle' ts'at = and
ih}oo = one of it
gwinle' = one's hand
fifty Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ihloogwinli' juutyin ih}oogwinli' = five

juutyin = counted
fifty Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ihladh gwinle' juutyin ih}adh =one

gwinle' = hand
juutyin = counted
71

fin (back) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm vanan k'ii ghak vanan = its back
k'ii = along the ridge
ghak =fin
fin (tail) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm luk tl'i' ghak luk =fish

tl'i' = back end
ghak = fin
fin (tail) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm luk tl'e' ghak luk =fish

tl'e' =back end
ghak = fin
fine Teetl'tt Gwtch'm guuheekat they will pay it
finger (my little) Teetl'lt Gwtch'm shinleets 'avak my little finger
finger tips (my) both shinleechi' my finger tips
fingernails (my) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm shinleegaii' my fingernails
fingernails (my) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm shinleega; H' my fingernails
fingers (between my) both shinleegoo between my fingers
fingers (my) Teetl'lt Gwtch'm shinleetth' ak my fingers
fire both kwan' fire I matches
fire extinguisher Teetl'1t Gwtch'm vah kwan' ne'tr'inahtshuu vah = with it

kwan' =fire
ne'tr'inahtshuu = burn it out
fire extinguisher Gwtchyah Gwtch'm vah kwan' natr'inahtthoo vah = with

kwan' =fire
natr'inahtthoo = burn it out
fireman Teetl'tt Gwtch'm kwan' ne'nahtshuu kwan' =fire

ne'nahtshuu = bum it out
gwidinji' = its man
72

fireman Gwrchyah Gwrch'm kwan' nanahtthoo gwidinji' kwan' =fire

nanahtthoo =burn it out
gwidinji' = its man
fireman Gwrchyah Gwrch'm kwan' dinjii kwan' =fire

diinjii = man
fireplace both kwan' deek'it kwan' =fire

deek'it = place
first degree murder Teetl'rt Gwrch'm lao hah yidrin eltsaii lao hah = absolute
yidrln = his/her day
ehsaii = s/he made it
first degree murder Teetl'tt Gwrch'm loa hah yidhilkhaii }oo hah = absolute
yidhllkhaii = s/he killed him/her
fish both luk
fish (arctic char) Both dhik'ii
fish (bail of dried) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm uutsik ghaa' uutsik = dried fish
ghaa' = many in a group
fish (boiled) both luk vir }uk =fish

vir= boiled
fish broth Gwrchyah Gwrch'm luk chq' luk =fish

chq' = it's water
fish club Teetl'rt Gwrch'm luk khaa' luk =fish

khaa' = club (possessed)
fish club both ants'at khah ants' at= bridge of nose

khah =club
Fish Creek Teetl'rt Gwrch'm tuk Njik Euk =fish

Njik =creek
73

Fish Creek Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Eneelu' Tshik eneelu' = small f1sh

tshik = creek
fish (crooked back) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dalts'an
fish (crooked back) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm dalts'in
fish (dried) both uutsik
fish eggs Teetl'tt Gwtch'm k'in'
fish eggs both luk k'in luk =fish

k'ln= fish eggs (possessed)
fish fins both luk ghak 1uk =fish

ghak = fins
fish (fried) both luk ch'tih luk =fish

ch'uh =fried I baked
fish gills both luk vihk'dh {uk =fish

vihk'dh = its gills
fish guts both luk ts'ik luk =fish

ts'lk =guts
fish hook Teetl'1t Gwtch'm lyah
fish hook Gwtchyah Gwtch'm lya.h
fish (lake) Gw1chyah Gwtch'm neech'ee luk
fish liver both luk dhat luk =fish

dhat = its liver
fish net both chihvyah
fish (round-head Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm khaltai'

Yukon)
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1
Gwich in Social & Cultural Institute Gwich'in Language Centre
Tsiigehtchic, NT FortMcPherson, NT

fish scales Teetl'tt Gwtch'm luk gyuu' luk =fish

gytlu' = scales
fish scales Gwtchyah Gwtch'm luk gyqq luk =fish

g}'lJq = scales
fish (school of) Gwtchyah Gwtch' m elzruh school of fish
fish scoop Teetl'tt Gwtch'm k'oo chi' zhit luk k'do = fishtrap
chi' = at its head
zh!t =in
luk =fish
fish slime Gwtehyah Gwtch'm luk tl'qq' luk =fish

tl'ijq' = slime
fish slime Teetl'tt Gwtch'm luk tl'uu' luk =fish

thiu' = slime
fish slime Teetl'tt Gwtch'm etl'uu'
fish (small 3-6") Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tl'evihtr'ii
fish spear Teetl'tt Gwrch'm iizrii
fish spear Gwtchyah Gwtch'm iizre e
fish stomach both its'igoghoo its'ik = guts

goghoo = round
fish toaster, grill both iitsii gwidral iitsii = metal

gwidral = curly
fish wheel Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tr'il
Fishing Branch Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Ni'iinlii Gwinjik
fishing rod Teetl'tt Gwtch'm uunjit lyaa' uunjit = white man

lyaa' = hook (possessed)
75

fitness to stand trial Teetl'lt Gwrch'm viyinji' gadhan viyinjl' = his/her judgement
gadhan = it is easy
five Teetl'rt Gwrch'm ihloogwinli' ihloo =one

gwinli' = hand
five Gwrchyah Gwrch'm ihladh gwinle' ihladh =one

gwinle' = hand
flashlight Gwrchyah Gwrch'm ahdrii there is light from it
flashlight Teetl'rt Gwrch'm too vah aadrii natr'aha'ak too= night

vah =with it
aadrii = light
natr'aha'ak = it is carried
flashlight Teetl'rt Gw1ch'm vah aadrii nahaazhik vah =with it

aadrii = light
nahaazhik = it is carried
flat place Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gwichyah kak gwichyah = flat place

kak =on it
fleas (animal) both nin tl'ak nin =animal

tl'ak =bugs
fleas (snow) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zhoh kak nehjil zhoh= snow

kak =on
nehjil = small objects have fallen
fleas (snow) Gw1chyah Gwrch'm zhoh kak nuhjil' zhoh=snow

kak=on
nuhjil' = small objects have fallen
flesh (my) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shitthai' my flesh
flesh (my) Gw1chyah Gwrch'm shitthc( t' my flesh
floaters Gwrchyah Gwrch'm natadalak it floats
76

floaters Teetl'1t Gw1eh'm deelyaa it is floating
flood Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm natanuuhaii
flood (it will) both natanihee it will flood
floor both dachanchyah dachan = wood

chyah = wide I flat
floor tiles Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dachanchyah kak dhidlii dachanchyah = floor

kak = on
dhidlii = they are there
floor tiles both dachanchyah kak dachanchyah = floor

gatr'aht'an kak =on it
gatr'aht'an = they stick
flour Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ltih
flour Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm leth
flower both at'an
flu Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dluh
flycatcher Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm si tr' igij iinj iizhee it sings, "my church" or "my house
of prayer"
foam (on water) both dagdghdh it is bubbling
fog both atr'a{
food both shfh food

(meat in a large quantity)
foot (my) both shika i' my foot
foot (sole) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm sole of the foot
77
Language Dictionary
foot (sole) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm kaiid'ee sole of the foot
foot (top) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm shikant'ik the top of my foot
forehead both shints'at my forehead
foreman Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gwitr'it geenjit chit gwitr'it = work

geenjit = for it
chit = leader
foreman Gwtchyah Gwtch'm gwitr'it geenjit chit nilii gwitr'it = work

geenjit = for
chit = leader
nilli = s/he is
foreman of the jury Teetl'tt Gwtch'm uudhilch'eii gwichit uudhllch'eii = one's who listen
gwichlt = leader
forensic Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gahdandaii gwizhit gahdandaii = s/he knows

gwinah'in gwizhlt =in
gwinah'in = s/he is looking
forgery Teetl'tt Gwtch'm izhuu uuzri' diniintl'oh izhuu = a diferent person

uuzrl' = name
diniint{'oh = s/he wrote it
fork both iitsiigwal iitsii = metal

gwa{ =poker
fork stick Gwtchyah Gwtch'm jilgqq
forks of river Teet!' tt Gwtch' m Hidlaii water flowing two ways
forks of river Gwtchyah Gwtch'm Hidla.U water flowing two ways
forks of river Gwtchyah Gwtch'm sreh tadhidla. U water coming apart, splitting
78

Fort Good Hope People Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Chiidaii Zheh Gwich'in chii = rock/stone
daii =at the opening (outside)
zheh =house
gwich'in = people
Fort McPherson Teetl'1t Gw1eh'm Teetl'it Zheh teetl'it = in the middle

zheh =house
Fort McPherson Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Chii Tsal Dik chii = rock/stone

tsal =small
dik =on top
Fort McPherson People Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Teetl'it Gwich'in teetl'it = in the middle
gwich'in = people
Fort Yukon People Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m Neets'ak Gwich'in
Fort Yukon People Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm Gwichyaa Gwich'in gwichyaa = flat place
gwich'in = people
four Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm daankat
four Gw1ehyah Gw1ch'm
fourteen Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ihlak juutyin ts'at daankat ihlak = one

juutyin = counted
ts'at =and
daankat = four
fourteen Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ihlogwijuutyin ts'at d<i& ihlogwijuutyin = counted once

ts'at =and
dqq =four
fourty Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm daankat juutyin daankat = four

juutyin = counted
fourty Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm d<i&kat juutyin dqqkat = four

juutyin = counted
fox Teetl'1t Gwtch'm
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Tsiigehtchic, NT Fort McPh~rson, NT

fox Gwrchyah Gwrch'm neegadh
fox (cross) Teetl'!t Gwrch'm ninilzraii
fox (cross) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm cross fox
fox (red) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm neegoo tsoo neegoo =fox

tsoo = light colored
fox (red) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm neegadh tsoo neegadh = fox

fox (silver) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm neegadh zr&H naagadh = fox

zrqjj = black
fox (white) both ech'yah vii
fraud Teetl'rt Gwrch'm veets'it s/he is lying
freedom of speech Teetl'rt Gwrch'm adachoo ch'l' gHkhii eenjit adachoo = decision makers
gadhan dagwidii 'e' ch'l' = away from
eenjit = for it
gadhan = it is easy ,
dagwldife' = law
freezer Gwrchyah Gwrch'm shih tanh' vizhit tr'oodlee shlh =food

tanh'= frozen
vizhit = in it
tr'oodlee = keeping
freezer Teetl'rt Gwrch'm vizhit gwidatanh' vizhlt = in it

gwidatanh' = it freezes
freezer Teetl'rt Gwrch'm shih tanh' vizhit shlh =food

k'atr'inahtii tanh' = frozen
vizhit = in it
k'atr'inahtii = it is preserved
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freezing up Teetl'rt Gwrch'm tadidichih it is freezing up outside
Friday Teetl'rt Gwrch'm Drin Ihloo Gwinli' drin =day

ihloo gwinli' = five
Friday Teetl'rt Gwrch'm tuk Tr'a'aa Drin tuk =fish

Tr'a'aa = eating
Drin =day
friend (my) both shijaa my friend
friend (my) both shilak my friend
friend (my best) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm shitlih my best friend.
friend (my best) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm shit{th my best friend
friendly Teetl'rt Gwrch'm zhtiu ghat'igidich'uu zhuu = for no reason

ghat'igidich'uu = they are friendly
friendly both zhuu ghadidich'uh zhuu = for no reason

ghadidich'uh = they are friendly
fringes both
frog both neeghaii frog
Frog Creek Teetl'rt Gwrch'm N eeghaii Zhao Tshik neeghaii = frog

zhao= hairy
tshik = creek
frost Teetl'rt Gwrch'm sroo
frostbite Teetl'!t Gwrch'm diiminh' gwithitanh' diimlnh' = on one's self

gwithitanh' = it is frozen
frozen both athitan it is frozen
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Gwich'in Social & Cultural Institute Gwich in Language Centre
Tsiigehtchic1 NT Fort McPherson/ NT

frozen up Teetl'rt Gwrch'm tadeeditanh' it froze up
fruit (dried) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm jak =berry

chao= big
gqjt =dry
fruit (dried) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm jak chao gaii jak =berry

chao= big
gaii =dry
fruit (dried) Teetl' rt Gwrch' m jak gaii jak = berries

gaii =dry
frying pan both frii ban broken English
frying pan Gwrchya Gwrch'm krii ban broken English
fugitive Teetl'rt Gwrch'm tr'al iinzhii tr'al = bushy area

iinzhii = s/he went in
fugitive Teetl'rt Gwrch'm gwich'i' nahadik gwich'l' = away from

nahadik = s/he is walking
funding Teetl'rt Gwrch'm tseedhdh diits'an tr'ahtsii tseedhoh = money

diits'an = theirs
tr'ahtsii = make
fur both nin dhdh nin = animal

dhoh = skin I hide
fur (moccasin fur trim) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm kaiitreh nadhi' ee kaiitreh = shoes
nadhi'ee = it is around the edge
fur (moccasin trim) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm kaiitrih di' nin dhoh kaiitrih = shoes
di' =on top
nin =animal
dhoh =skin
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fur (parka hood trim) Teetl'lt Gwrch'm needi' nadhi'ee needi' = rim of the hood
nadhi'ee = attatched in a circular
shape
fur (parka hood trim) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm needye' naii'ee needye' = rim of hood
naii'ee = it is there
fur (parka hood trim) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm needi' nanuht'aii needi' = rim of hood
nanuht'aii = it is hanging
furnace both khaii juuk'an' iitsii khaii =oil

juuk'an' = it is burning
iitsii = stove I metal
future Teetl'rt Gwrch'm yeendoo ihlat yeendoo = ahead

ihlat = at that time
sometime in the future
future Teetl'rt Gwrch'm yeendoo ji' yeendoo = ahead

fr' =then
future Gwrchyah Gwrch'm yeendoo H' yeendoo = ahead

j)' =then
gallbladder both atl'oo'
game warden Teetl'rt Gwrch'm nin eenjit k'andehnahtii nin =animal

eenjit =for
k'andehnahtii = monitoring
game warden Gwrchyah Gwrch'm nin k'andehnahtyee dinjii' nin = animal

k'andehnahtyee = monitoring
dinfri' =man (posessed)
garage Gwrchyah Gwrch'm iitsii khal k'atr'inahtyee iitsii khal = vehicle

zheh k'atr'inahtyee = they take care of it
zheh =house
83
Gwich'in Social & Cultural Institute Gwich'inLanguage Centre
Language Dictionary
garbage can both tsijiinch'ii tyah tsijiinch'ii = useless things

garter Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dreechdh
general election Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm adachoo geenjit uuzri' adachoo = decision maker
tr'oonjii geenjit = for them
uuzrl' = name
tr'oonjii = it is being taken
gentlemen usher of the Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dinjii toh zraii nahadichik dinjii = man
black robe toh zraii = black cane
nahadichik = he carries it
geologist Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dinjii nan nits'clo dinjii = man/people

tagwidhat gahdandaih nan= land
nits'oo tagwldhat = what happened
gahdandaih = s/he knows
geology Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nan nits'oo tagwidhat nan= land

gahdandaih nits'oo tagwldhat = what happened
gahdandaih = s/he knows
geomorphologist Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dinjii nan ts'at chii hah dinjii = man/people
dha 'aii nan ts'at chii = land and rocks
hah dha'aii = s/he works with it
geomorphology Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nan ts'at chii hah dha'aii nan ts'at chii =land and rocks
hah dha'aii = s/he works with it
ghost Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwink'yuu' one's spirit
ghost Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ank'yqq one's spirit
ghost Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ank'yuu one's spirit
girl both nich'it
84
Gwich'in Social & CulturaUnstitute Gwich'in Language Centre

girl Teetl'rt Gwrch'm ts'ehch'in during first menstruation,

entering puberty
girl (adolescent) both nich'it njoo' nich'it = girl

njoo' = older
glacier both gyit
gland (scent) both atthat
glands (neck ) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm vihtl'eekoo' his/her neck glands
gloves Teetl'rt Gwrch'm nilee dzhirh nilee = fingers

dzhirh = mitts
gloves Gwrchyah Gwrch'm nlee dzhirh nlee = fingers

dzhirh = mitts
goal Teetl'rt Gwrch'm gwits'at gijiint'aih gwits'at = to

gijiint'aih = they are trying
God Teetl'rt Gwrch'm Vit'egwija,hch'uu s/he is depended on
God Teetl'rt Gwrch'm K'egwaadhat the boss
God GwJChyah Gwrch'm Tr'altsa,U it was made
godchild Teetl'rt Gwrch'm gii yaa'ii gii = young one

yaa'ii = s/he is having it as
his/her own
godchild Teetl'rt Gwrch'm gii tr'aa'ii gii = young one

tr'aa'ii = to have as ones own
godchild (my) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm shintl'ee tshqq vits'an shintt'ee =palm of my hand
tr'altsa,U tshlJLJ = water
vits'an tr'ahs<tH = given to him/her
85

godchild (my) Teetl'It Gw1ch'm shintl'ee tshuu vits'an shinti'ee = palm of my hand
tr'ahsaih tshuu = water
vits'an tr'altsaih = given to him/her
godparents Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm tr'iinin guuntl'ee tshuu tr'iinin = child

ts'an tr'ahtsii kat guuntl'ee = in the palm of their
hand
tshuu = water
ts'an tr'ahtsii = give as one's own
kat = more than one
godparents Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm goontl'ee tshqq vits'an goontl'ee = in the palm of their
tr'ahsE:U hand
tshl.J.JJ = water
vits'an tr'ahs~H = it was given to
him/her
gold Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm chii daatl'oo chii = rock/stone

daatl'oo = expensive
gold Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm chii daatl'adh chii = rock/stone

daatl'adh = expensive
good day (greeting) both drin gwiinzih drin =day

gwiinzih = it is good
Good Friday Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm Niht'ihdi'ee Drin niht'ihdi'ee =cross (crossed over
one another)
drin =day
Good Friday Gw1chyah Gwtch'm Nihty'ehdi'ee Drin nihty'ehdi'ee =cross (crossed over
one another)
drin =day
goose both kheh canada goose
governer general Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gwiyah'at choo chit gwiyah'at chao chit= the queen
vats'anuu chao vats'anuu chao - her prominent
servant
86
Language Dictionary
government Teetl'tt Gwtch'm k' adagwidaadha t the boss
government Teetl'tt Gwtch'm adachoo decision maker
grandchild Teetl'tt Gwtch'm shicheii my grandchtld
grandfather both shitsii my grandfather
grandmother Teetl'tt Gwtch'm shitsuu my grandmother
grandmother Gwtchyah Gw1ch'm shitsqq my grandmother
grasshopper Teetl'tt Gwtch'm t'adizoo
grassy stump both tl'oo hanshyuh tf'oo =grass

hanshyuh = sprouting out from the
base
grassy stump Gwtchyah Gwtch'm tl'oo chanshyuh tl' oo = grass

chanshyuh = sprouting out from the
base
grave both tth'an k'it tth'an = bone

k'it =place
gravel both sheih
grayling both sriijaa
grease both khaii
grease (clear) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm khaii drinh khaii = grease

drinh = clear (transparent)
grebe (horned) Teetl'1t Gwtch'm tagwaatsik
grebe (red necked) both tee kaT
87
Gwich'in La11guage Dictionary

grebe (young) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm teek<ii' zhuu teekai' = grebe

zhuu= young
grebe (young) Gwrchyah Gwtch'm teekai' zhqq teekai' = grebe

zhw= young
greedy Gwtchyah Gwtch'm aiintsat'
greedy Teetl'rt Gwtch'm
green both jidii datl'do' jidii = something

dat-1-'oo' =green
green winged teal Teetl'rt Gwrch'm daazraii gahkhaa daazraii = swan

gahkhaa =knock it down
green winged teal Gwtchyah Gwtch'm daazrqH gahkhah daazr~H = swan

gahkhah = knock it down
grey both jidii vee jidii = something

vee= grey
ground both nan ground I land I earth
ground (hard) Teet!' tt Gwrch' m nan tai' nan= ground

t<:li' = solid (hard, tight)
ground hog (low land) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm ts'ee
ground hog (mountain) Teetl'rt Gwtch'm vihshuu
ground hog (mountain) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm vihshadh
ground (soft) both nan th)k nan= ground

tfok =soft
ground squirrel both tthaa

(mountain)
88

English word Gwich'in word English literal translation
ground (wet) both nan trah nan=ground

trah =wet
grouse (ruffed) both ahtal
grouse (spruce) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm daih
grub box Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm ch'ik tyah ch'ik = dishes

tyah = container
grub box Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m shih ligis shlh =food

ligis =box
guardian angel Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm zhee kak gwich'in zhee kak gwich'in = angels
diik'anahtii diik'anahtii = takes care of us
guardian angel Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm zhee kak gwich'in zhee kak gwich'in = angel
diik 'anahtyee diik'anahtyee = takes care of us
guardian (s) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm diik'anuu
guardian (s) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm juudin kat diik'anahtii juudln =who

kat = more than one
diik'anahtii = takes care of us
guily plea Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwik'it ihlii gwik'lt = the same as

ihfii =I am
gull (bonaparte's) both etr'yuu
gull (mew) Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm vyuh
gums (my) both shighd' atlok shigho' = my teeth

atlok = its softness
gun both diik'ee
gun case Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm diik'ee dhdh diik' ee = gun

dhoh = cover (skin)
89

gunsight (back) Teetl'tt Gw1eh'm diik'ee k'eegoo diik'ee = gun

k'eegoo = at the back
gunsight (back) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm diik'ee k'eegqq diik'ee =gun

k'eegqq = at the back
gunsight (front) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm diik'ee teenjir diik' ee = gun

teenjir = half way
gunsight (front) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm teenjir dhi' <iU teenjir = half way
dhi''lJI = it is there
gunstock Gwtchyah Gwtch'm diik'ee kehtal diik'ee =gun

kehtaJ = stock I heel
gunstock Teetl'lt Gwtch'm diik'ee kaiital diik'ee =gun

kaiital = stock I heel
guts both ets'ik
gymnasium Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tsii'inh' zheh tsii'inh' = games

zheh =house
hail Teetl'tt Gwtch'm enluh
hail Gwtchyah Gwtch'm anluh
hair both chiighe • head hair
hair (animal) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm eghe' loose animal hair

usually fallen from
the animal.
hair (body) both diighe · one's body hair
hair curler Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vah diitshiighe · tr'ahdral vah =with it

diitshiighe' = one's hair
tr'ahdral = curl it
90

hair dresser Teetl'rt Gw1ch'm chiighe' khat'ii chiighe' = hair

khat'ii = s/he cuts
hair (my) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm shichiighe' my hair
hair pin Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm chiighe' t'aii'ee chiighe' = hair

t'aii'ee =hooked onto
hair pin Teetl'rt Gwrch'm diichiighe • t'aii'ee diichiighe' = one's hair

taii'ee = hooked onto
hair pin Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm chi' t'aii'ee chl' =one's head

taii'ee = hooked onto
hair (white) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm shitshiighe · dagaii shitshiighe' = my hair

dagaii = white
hair (white ) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm shichi' dagaii shichi' = my head

dagaii = white
hair (white) Gw1chyah Gwrch'm echidag&: U' echi'= head

dagqH = white
half hour Gw1chyah Gwrch'm sreedrii teenjir sreedrli = hour

teenjir = half
half hour Teetl'rt Gw1ch'm sreedrii ihlak teenjir aha a sreedrii = hour
ihlak =one
teenjir =half way
ahaa = it is going
hand (back) Teetl'rt Gw1ch'm shinleet'ii' back of my hand
hand (back) Gw1chyah Gwrch'm shinchaa t 'yee back of my hand
hand (my) Teetl'rt Gw1ch'm shinli' my hand
hand (my) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm shinle' my hand
91
Tsiigehtchk NT Fort McPherson, NT

English word Dialect Gwich'in word English literal .translation
handkerchief both k'oont'aii
handkerchief both k'oh naiit'aii k'oh =neck

naiit'aii = it is hanging
happier Gwrchyah Gwrch'm gwiiyah'an shah goonlih gwiiyah'an =very

shah = happiness
goonllh = there is lots
happy (s/he became) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm shah dhidlit s/he became happy
happy (s/he is) both shoh nilii shah = happy

nilii = s/he is
happy (s/he was Teetl' rt Gwrch' m shah tr'ihsaih s/he was made happy
made)
happy (very) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm gwiind'oh shah nilii gwiintf'oh = very

shOh =happy
nllii = s/he is
harlequin Teetl'rt Gwrch'm chiitat gwiluk chiitat = among the rocks/stones

gwiluk = their fish
hat both ts'eh
hat brim Teetl'rt Gwrch'm ts'eh di' ts'eh = hat

di' =beak
hat brim Gwrchyah Gwrch'm ts'eh dy~· ts'eh =hat

dy~· =beak
hat (cowboy) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm ts'eh tr'uu ts'eh =hat

tr'uu = round brim
hat (cowboy) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm ts'eh tr'qq ts'eh =hat

tr'w = round brim
92
Gwich'in Social & Cultural Instih1te Gwich'in Language Centre
Language Dictionary
hat (fur) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm nin dhdh ts'eh nin =animal

dhoh = skin (hide)
ts'eh =hat
hawk (goldeneye) both shedik'eih
hawk (gos) both dzhii chao dzhii =bird

choo =big
hawk (owl) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm echiidir
hawk (pigeon) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ahch'ee
hawk (pigeon) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ahch'ii
hawk (sharp shinned) Teetl'lt Gwtch'm etr'i!ch'it
hawk (sharp shinned) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm tshineetra'
hawk (sharp shinned) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm dzhii choo dzhii =bird

choo =big
head (bald) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm vichi' kal vichl' = his/her head

kal =bald
head (my) both shichi' my head
head (top) both shichiit'ik top of my head
headache (I have) both shichi' ehs'ik shichi' = my head

ehs'ik = s/he/it is sick/sore
headband Gwtchyah Gwtch'm diichi' nanuut'aii diichi' = one's head

nanuut'aii =strung arotmd
headband Teetl'tt Gwtch'm chi' nanuut'aii chi' = one's head

nanuut'aii = strung around
93

healed Gw1chyah Gw1eh' m nagweedi zhe' it grew back
healed Teetl'tt Gwtch'm nagweedi zhih it grew back
health (poor) both srii gwandaih kwaa srii =good

gwand;:Hh = live
kwaa =not
hearing Teetl'lt Gwtch'm ejiitth'ak s/he hears
hearing both gwijiitth'ak s/he hears
hearing Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm tr'uudhilch' eii listening
heart attack both diidrii' chiltth'at diidr1i' = one's heart

chlltth'at = fell over
heart attack Gwtchyah Gw1ch'm idrii chiltth'at idrli = heart

chlltth'at = fell over
heart (my) both shidrii' my heart
Heart River Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Edrii Njik edrii = heart

njik =river
heartburn (I have) both shizhit tajiits'ih shizhlt = inside me

tajiits'lh = burning
heat Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gwidhah
heaven both zhee kak zhee = high in the sky

kak =on it
heel (my) Gw1chyah Gwtch'm shikaihtal' my heel
heel (of the foot) both ekehtal one's heel of the foot
94
Language Dictionary
heel (of the foot) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm kahta'l heel
helicopter Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iitsii nahandit'ee ghoo litsii nahandit'ee = flying machine
ghoo =round
hell Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm yeezhak way down
hell Gwtchyah Gw1ch'm ekee zheh ekee = devil

zheh =house
helpful Gw1ehya Gw1ch'm gwits'at tr'iinjii nilii gwits'at tr'iinjii = assisting

nilli = s/he is
hem Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm viti'in its hem
hereditary Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm noolidaatth'aa ongoing
heritage Teetl'1t Gwtch'm yeenoo dai' gwats'at yeenoo = to now

ganatr' aandaii dai' = at that time
gwats'at = from
ganatr'aandaii = remember
herring both treeluk
hide (caribou) both vadzaih dhdh vadzaih = caribou

dhdh =skin
hide (caribou) both aadzhii tanned caribou hide.
hide (moose) both dinjik dhoh dinjik = moose

dhoh = hide I skin/ cover
hill both taih
hill (bald) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ta.th bald hill
hill (low treeless) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm sheeveetr'uu' low treeless hill
95
Language Dictionary
hill (low treeless hill) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gwizrt t gho h low treeless hill
hill ridge Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm geek'U
hill side Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm chii hidh chii = rock/stone

hidh = along the side
hill (steep) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vihk'ah khyuu
hill (steep) Teetl'1t Gw!Ch'm driindih downwards slope
hill (steep) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gwididlan downwards slope
history (recent) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nyahgwan gwinoo nyahgwan = short

gwinoo = at that time
history (recent) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm yeenoo de\ i' yeenoo = to this time
d$J' = at that time
history (recent) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tr'oodai'
hive (bee) both ineedzit t'oo ineedzit = bee

t'oo =nest
hole (in an object) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gayiich'in' a hole in an object

such as fabric, a pail
or any other object
holiday Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm nagwaazhii drin nagwaazhii = resting

drin =day
holiday Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm drin chao drin =day

choo =big
holy spirit Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm ink'yuu sruudidinuu ink'yliu = spirit

sruudidinuu = holy
96

holy spirit Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nigwihsU vik'yuu taothirii nigwihsH =god

vik'yuu = identical
taothirii = named after
homicide Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm yidrin ehsaii yidrln = his/her day

ehsaii = s/he made it
honey Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ineedzit soog~U ineedzit = bee

soog~H = sugar
honey Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ineedzit soogaii ineedzit = bee

soogaii= sugar
honey bucket both chitr'ii 'oo tyah chitr'jj'oo = going out

tyah = container (pail)
hook (gaff) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm srah
hook (gaff) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ja.l
hook (gaff) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm sn(h
hooks (set under ice) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm lyah chitr'il'aih lyah =hook
chitr'il'aih = it is set
hooks (set under ice) Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m lya.h chidhidlee lyqh =hook
chidhidlee = they are set
horizon Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm yich'uhch'in' clear visibility for a

long distance
horizon Gw1chya Gw1ch'm uuyen
hornet Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vatthalch'uu quills at its rectum
hornet Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm vitthalch'oo quills at its rectum
horse Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm laii chao laii =dog

chao= big
97

horse Gwtchyah Gwtch'm l&U chao b~H=dog

choo =big
horsefly (bulldog) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm tl'uu
horsefly (bulldog) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm itl'uu
hospital both ehs'ik zheh ehs'ik = s/he is sick

zheh =house
hot water bottle Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tshuu dhah dhoh tshuu = water
dhah =hot
dhoh = cover I skin
hot water bottle Gwtchyah Gwtch' m tshqq dhah dhdh tshtpJ = water
dhah =hot
dhoh = cover I skin
hotel Teetl'tt Gwtch'm natr'iniidal zheh natr'iniidal = camping overnight

zheh =house
hotel both tr'iniihaa zheh tr'iniihaa = camping overnight

zheh =house
house both zheh
house (dog) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm laii zheh l:aii = dog

zheh = house
house (dog) Gw1chyah Gwtch' m l&H zheh lq.H =dog

zheh =house
house (empty) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm kwEm k'it kwan =fire

k'it =place
house of commons Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vadatr'igwijilcheii kat vadatr'igwijli-cheii kat = those who
eenjit zheh are put in a position
eenjit = for them
zheh =house
98

house of commons Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ginjih gadaaghoo zheh ginjih gadaaghoo = meeting
zheh =house
house (rental) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm zheh diiyatr'igwil-'aih zheh =house

diiyatr'igwi.f'aih = lending it to
them
house (small) both zheh gwitsal zheh =house

gwitsal = small
house (spruce bark) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm aatr'ii kanh
house (water delivery) Teetl'lt Gw1eh'm tshuu tr'oonjii zheh tshuu = water
tr'oonjii = take
zheh =house
house (water delivery) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tshqq zheh tshl,l.lJ. = water

zheh =house
house (water delivery) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tshuu zheh tshuu = water

zheh =house
hudson bay blanket Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ts'at dagaii ts'at = blanket

dagaii = white
hudson bay blanket Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm hudson bay ts'at
hunchback Teetl'1t Gw1eh'm nan elshuh nim =one's back

elshuh = crooked
hunchback Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm anan zq,U anan =back

zq.H = crooked
hunchback Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nan ghoh nim =back

ghoh = rounded
hung jury Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dagiheedi'yaa geenjit dagiheedi'yaa = what they will do
gagidandaii kwaa geenjit = for it
gagidandaii = they know
kwaa =not
99
Gwich'm Social & Cultural Institute Gwich'm Language Centre

Hungry Lake Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Van Chao Van= lake

Choo =big
hunting licence Teetl'tt Gwtch'm natr'aazrii gwi'dinehtl'ee' natr'aazrii = hunting

gwi'dinehtl'ee' = its' paper
hunting licence Gwtchyah Gwtch'm natr' aazree gwi'dinehtl'ee' natr'aazree = hunting

gwi'dinehtl'ee' = its' paper
htmting sling Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vah chii tr'ahdahthak vah = with it

chii = rock/ stone
tr'ahdahthak = they throw
hunting sling Gwtchyah Gwtch'm chii tl'yah chii = rock/stone

tly'ah = string
hunting sling Teetl'tt Gwtch'm chii tl'yaa' chii = rock/stone

tly'aa' = string (posessed)
hurry (they are) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm khagwiltshi' they are in a hurry.
hurry up both khadhaanchi' "hurry up"

(telling 1 person)
husband (my) both shidinjii my man
Husky Lake Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Ineekaii Van ineekaii = inuit

van' = its lake
Husky River Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Ineekaii Han ineekaii = inuit

han= river
hybrid offence Teetl'tt Gwtch'm nits'clo nidivee gwitee'aa nits'oo- how

gwik'it gihk'ahaandal nidivee = your future
gwitee'aa = it will be put forth
gwik'lt = in that manner
gihk'ahaandal = s/he will learn
ice both luu
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Language Dictionary
ice (broken) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm luu khadinaanaih luu =ice

khadinaanaih = broken up
ice (broken) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm luu khadinaant'j.U luu =ice

khadinaanEJJl =broken up
ice (clear) Teetl'It Gw1ch'm luu drinh' luu =ice

drinh' = clear (transparent)
ice (clear) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm luu kwan' luu =ice

kwan' =clear (transparent)
ice (cracked) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tan altntH tan = ice (covering large are)
altr<iH = broken up
ice (crushed in the Gw1chyah GwiCh'm luu khadaneedaddhak luu =ice

spring season) khadaneedaddhak = smashed up
(crushed)
ice (first to form in the Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm luu agwijilche:H luu =ice
fall) agwijllch~H = making way
ice fog Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm its 'ik
ice fog Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm its'ik na 'ah'ee its'ik = fog

na'ah'ee = hanging in the air
ice (from rocks on Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm 'luu khaagit luu =ice

mountains) khaagit = dug out
ice (frozen over creek both tan ezhyah tan= ice

bed) ezhyah = empty
ice (glossy) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tantsi'
ice (hard) Teetl'It Gw1ch'm luu dilti' l:uu =ice

dihl' = it is hard (solid)
ice (hard) Gw1chyah GwiCh'm 'luu hf l:uu =ice

11}' = hard (solid)
101

ice (hearing crack) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm tan altraa tan= ice

altraa = making a
cracking sound
ice house (underground) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nan zheh nan= land

zheh =house
ice in fall time Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm luu tsai'
ice jam Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nUuu niinjik niluu = packed ice

niinjlk = came to a stop
ice jam Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm luu nadinithigwat -l:uu =ice

nadinithigwat = jammed shut
ice jam Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gihdaluu niinjik ice is jammed all the way
across the river
ice jam Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm luu niniinjik luu =ice

niniinjik = jammed
ice jam Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm luu nijuujik }uu =ice

nijuujik = became jammed
ice (large area) both tan solid ice covering a

a large surface such as
a river or a lake
ice (mountain) both ddhah h.iu' ddhah =mountain

luu' = ice (possessed)
ice (moved) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm lyuu chtiunjik the ice has moved out
ice (moving) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm lyuu tijli the ice is moving
ice on river banks Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm d'eedik luu tf'eedik = river bank
ruu =ice
ice (open crack) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm luu tilk'lt
102

ice pack along shore Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm teevee 1:uu teevee = shore
iuu =ice
ice pack along shore Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm iuu vine 'tathitroo
ice (rough) Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm fUll ghwaii
ice (rough) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm lllll dz&!' mu=ice

dzqj' = rough
ice (running in the fall Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm nizrih hijih nizrih = slush
time) hijih = moving
ice scoop both fUll ch'lk iuu =ice

ch'lk = plate
ice (thick) both lull diti' luu =ice

dit!' = thick
ice (thick) both lull diditii luu =ice

diditii = thick
ice (thin) both luu dril iuu =ice

dril =thin
ice (thin in fall time) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm taiikee hiu'
ice (very thin ice in the Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm khaints'an' hiu' khaints'an' = fall season
fall) luu' = ice (posessed)
ice (visible crack in) Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m lllu tyil'
icicle Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm luu ruh
icicle Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm lull nanah'il iuu =ice

nanah'il = dripping
103

igloo Teetl'rt Gwrch'm tsi:l: kanh' tsU = hardened snow

kanh' = rounded house
igloo Teetl'rt Gwrch'm tsil zheh tsit = hardened snow

zheh =house
ignorant Gwrchyah Gwrch'm gahtr'idinjik a person who is not

educated or who does
not take interest in
learning
ignorant Gwrchyah Gwrch'm vigwizhi' kwaa vigwizhl' = one's wisdom

kwaa = nothing
ignore Gwrchyah Gwrch' m gqqke'te'eih kwaa gqqke'te'eih = paying attention to

them
kwaa =not
ignore Teetl'rt Gwrch'm gqqke'ta'aih =taking notice of them

kwaa = nothing
ignoring Teetl'rt Gwrch'm ke'ta 'aih kwah ke'ta'aih = taking notice

kwah =not
illness (extreme) both ts'ik niint'aii ts'ik = illness

niint'aii = strong
imagination Teetl'rt Gwrch'm zhuu ii'an niinji'tr'adhat zhuu =for nothing

ii'an = forwards
niinji'tr'adhat = they think
imagination Gwrchyah Gwrch'm zhuu ch'ii'an niinji'adhat zhuu ch'ii'an = for nothing
niinji'adhat = s/he is thinking
imagination Teetl'rt Gwrch'm gwiinlit ganiinji' tr' adhat gwiinlit = many things
ganiinjl' tr'adhat = theye are
thinking
immediate family Teetl'rt Gwrch'm shizheh k'oo shizheh =my house

(my) k'oo = over something or someone
104
Language Dictionary
immediate family Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shizheh k'ao shizheh = my house

(my) k'ao = over something or someone
immediately both iinch'it ts'at iinch'it = especially

ts'at =to
immediatly (right both juk iinch'ii jUk=now

now) iinch'ii = absolute
impaired Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm idinii s/he is under the influence of

alcohol
impartial Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ihloh ts'aii midhat kwaa ihloh ts'aii = on either side
nadhat = s/he stands
kwaa =not
impartial Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwits'aii nilii kwaa gwits'aii = on that side

nilii = s/he is
kwaa =not
imprisonment Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zheh gwaazraii dhidii zheh gwaazraii = jail

dhidli = s/he is sitting
in camera Teetl' 1t Gw1ch' m nagwinaa'ii ts'at geenjit nagwinaa'ii = one sneaks

tr'igwaandak kwah ts'at =and
geenjit = for it
tr'igwaandak kwah = they don't tell
inadmissable Teetl'1t Gwtch'm atr'uudahkat gwizhit atr'uudahkat gwizhlt = in the court

vat'agwadahch'yaa kwah vat'agwadahch'yaa = it will be used
kwah =not
incarcerate Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm tr'ootan s/he is being detained
incriminate Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gwik'it nilii k'it gwik'lt = in the same manner
vigwide e ch' in nilii = s/he is
k'lt vigwideech'in = s/he appears to
be
105

incriminate Teetl'1t Gwtch'm ihlee tehk'oo t'idi'in ihiee = one person

ahntih tehk'oo t'idi'in = s/he is doing
wrong
ahnuh = s/he said about him/her
indictable offense Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gwitr'it gwiizuu gwitr'it gwiizuu = bad work
gwidhci,htsaii gwidh~htsaii = you have made
indictable offense Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dindizhik edinehtl'eh kak dindizhik = what you did
gwidinitha tl' oo edlnehti'eh = book
kak gwidinithat{'oo = it is written
on
information Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dagwiheedi'yaa dagwlheedi'yaa = what will be done

gwidi nehtl' ee gwidlnehti'ee = its paper
injured Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gugwidiinjik two or more people

have been hurt
injured Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vigwidiinjik one person has

been hurt
innocence Teetl'tt Gwtch'm srits'at nilii s/he is in an orderly manner
innocent Teetl'1t Gwtch'm ch'ijtiu'ee straight
innocent Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vitr'igwaanduu kwaa vitr'igwaanduu = his/her sins

kwaa = nothing
insane Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vigwindaii kwaa vigwindaii = his/ her mind

kwaa = nothing
intelligent Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gugwija,htl'oo they are smart
intelligent Gwtchyah Gwtch'm gugwizhe' goonlii gugwizhe' = their knowledge

goonlii = lots
intent Teetl'1t Gwtch'm akdo dahihsha'yaa nihthan akoo dahihsha'yaa =I will do that
nihthan = I want
106

interdict list Teetl'tt Gwtch'm iheedinjyaa kwaa eenjit iheedinjyaa kwaa = s/he won't
voozri' dinithat!'oo consume alcohol
eenjit = for it
voozrl' = his/her name
dinithatf'oo = it was written
interest Teet!' tt Gwtch' m vink'ytiu tseedhoh dhitsii vink'yllu =from it

tseedhoh = money
dhitsii = it is made
interpreting equipment Teetl'tt Gwtch'm iitsii vah litsii = machine

lehte'tr'ehdeelya a vah =with it
lehte'tr'ehdeelyaa = they will
translate
intimidation Teetl'tt Gwtch'm yinaajat s/he is afraid of him/her
intoxication Teetl'tt Gwtch'm inithinii s/he is intoxicated
Inuvik people Teetl'tt Gwtch'm nihtat gwich'in nihtat = among each other, mixed
together
gwich'in = people
iron Teetl'tt Gwtch'm chii vah gichitr'i'ee chii =rock/stone

vah =with it
gichitr'i'ee = make it smooth
iron (clothes) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm vah gichitr'i'ee vah =with

gichitr'i'ee = to make straight or to
flatten
ironing board Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dachan kak vah gichitr'i'ee dachan =wood
kak= on
vah = with it
gichitr'i'ee = to make straight or
to flatten
ironing board Gwtchyah Gwtch'm dachan vakak gichitr'i'ee dachan = wood

vakak =on it
gichitr'i'ee = to make straight or to
flatten
107
Language Dictionary
island both njuu
jackfish both eltyin
jaeger (parasitic) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dzeh
jail Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm zheh gwaazraii zheh =house

gwaazraii = it is black
jail Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm zheh gwaazreU zheh =house

gwaazreH = it is black
January Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Videetoh Goojiidhat Videetoh = over it

Goojlidhat =
January Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm Vitoh Gwichtiudhat vitoh = over it

gwichuudhat = it happened
jaw (my) both shihtth'an' my jaw
jeans Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm thal datl'oo' thal =pants

dat}'oo' =blue
jeans Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tsaih dhoh thal tsaih = red ochre

dhoh =skin
tha} =pants
Johnson Creek Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Aadrii Njik aadrii = light

njik =creek
joint ownership Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nihkhah goots'an goonlii nihkhah = together

gwizraih goots'an goonlii = it belongs to
them
gwizraih = only
joint standing Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nihkhah ihhlh jiich'eiinat nihkhah = together

committee ihleh = for a short time
jllch'eiinat = they all sit
108

joy both srigd onch'tih a good time.
joy Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shdh goonlih shah = happiness

goonllh = lots of it
judge Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gadaotij a adri. one who judges
judge both uudahkat chit uudahkat = ask

chit = leader
judge Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm atr'oodahkat gwizhit atr'oodahkat =court

iisrits'at chit gwizhlt = in it
iisrits'at = most prominent
chit = leader
judge (sitting) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm atr'oodahkat gwizhit atr'oodahkat = court

gadaotijaadri' gwizhlt = in it
gadaotijaadri' = judge
judiciary Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwinii'ee ts'aii gwinii'ee = it is laid out

ts'aii = in that direction
July Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Vananh Yidichuu vananh = on it/ during that time
yidichuu = birds moult/lose
feathers
July Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm Sree Vananh tanatr'aadal sree = month

vananh = on it/during that time
-l:anatr'aadal = annual gathering
June both Vananh Adaghoo vananh = on it/ during that time

adaghoo = it lays eggs
June Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm Sree Nanh' Adaghoo sree = month

nanh' = at that time
adaghoo = it lays eggs
jurisdiction Teetl'It Gw1ch'm diidraii go onlii it concerns all
109

jury Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dinjii ihlak juutyin ts'at dinjii = people

neekaii tr'uudhllch'eii ih}ak juutyin ts'at neekaii = twelve
geenjit tr'uudhllch'eii geenjit = for listening
jury Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm jidii srit gwiheezaa geenjit jidli srit gwiheezaa = which is
guudhilch'eii better
geenjit guudhllch'eii = they are
listening for it
justice commitee Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwinii'ee jilch'eiinat gwlnii'ee = it is laid out

jllch'eiinat = the commitee
Justice of Peace Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Gadaotijaadri' Tsal gadaotijaadri' =judge

tsal =small
Justice of the Peace both Uudahkat Tsal uudahkat = questioning

tsal =small
justice of the peace Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nekhwekaiik'it eenjit nekhwekaiik'lt = our commumty
court atr'oodahkat eenjit = on behalf of
keep the peace and be Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tsinehdanh hiinlyaa ts'at tslnehdanh = peaceful
of good behaviour tehk'oo dahiindi'yaa kwaa hiinlyaa = you will be
ts'at =and
tehk'oo dahiindi'yaa kwaa =you
will not do wrong
kettle both liganar Word borrowed from the

French.
key both lidlii Word borrowed from the

French.
kidnapping Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tseedhoh geenjit ihlee tseedhoh = money

tr'donjik geenjit = for it
ih.J-ee = one person
tr'oonjik = was taken
kidneys (my) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm shitr'oo my kidneys
110

kidneys (my) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shit'ir my kidneys
kind Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zhtiu ghadidich'tih zhuu = for no reason

ghadidich'uh = happy towards
others
king salmon Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm luk chao luk =fish

chao= big
king salmon Gw1chya Gw1ch'm dhik'ii ts'udau word
kingfisher Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm chi' itrah chi' = it's head

itrah =wet
kingfisher Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m chi'it'ir ch1' = 1t's head

1t'1r =wet
kitchen both vike'tr'ahch'uu gwideek'it vike'tr'ahch'uu =cooking

gwideek'it = its place
knee cap (my) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shigwat tth'an' shigwat = my knee

tth'an' = bone
knee cartilage Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm diigwat thle diigwat = one's knee

tlee =
knee cartilage (my) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shitle e'
knee (my) both shigwat my knee
knee tendons Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shigwat ch'at shigwat = my knee

ch'at = tendons (something tough)
knife both srii kmfe
know both gahdandaii he/she knows
laces (moccasin) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm kaiitrih H'yaa' kaiitrih = shoes

tl'yaa' = string (possessed)
111

laces (moccasin) Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m kaiitreh tl'yaa' kaiitreh =shoes

tf'yaa' = string (possessed)
ladder Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vizhit gwakhah uujuudlih vizhlt = in it

gwakhah = on top each other
uujuudlih = the same space apart
ladder Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vizhit k'adaojuudlii vizhlt =in it

k'adaojuudlii = placed above one
another
ladder Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vizhit gwikhah uujilzhii vizhit = in it

gwighah = on top each other
uujilzhii = it is stepped on
ladder (for stage Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm drah ts'at dajuu'ee drah = stage cache
cache) ts'at =to
dajuu'ee = stepping on
ladle (dipper) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vizhlt tshuu e'tr'ichii vizhlt = in it

tshuu = water
e'tr'ichii = dipping in
lake both van
lake (edge of) both van vee van= lake

vee = along the edge
lake (edge of) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm van k'eevee van= lake

k'eevee = along the s1de
lake (large) both van choo van =lake

chao = large, b1g
lake (small) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm van tsal van =lake

tsal =small
lamb both divii gii divii = sheep

gii =young one (possessed)
112
Language Dictionary
land both nan
land (barren) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm guzrii in plain view
land claim money Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nan eenjit tseedhoh nan= land
eenjit = for it
tseedhoh = money
land (clear location) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwizri' goo'aii gwizri' = in plain view
land (clear location) both gwa,hsri' clear land place, meadow
land (clear location) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm gwizrii in plain view
land (clear location) both gwq,hsri' goo'aii gwqhsri' = clear land place,
meadow
land (clear open place, Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm guugak clear place

small area)
land (large flat area) both gwichyah large flat area
Lapierre House Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Zheh Gwitsal Zheh = Fort (house)

Gwitsal = small
lard both khaii lard (grease)
larynx Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ezhik
larynx (his /her) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm vihchyaa'
last sacrament Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm h~Ukoo diikak ne 'tr'iinlii ht:;ijkoo = before an event
diikak = on them
ne'tr'iinlii = putting on
113
laugh Teetl'1t Gwtch'm nihts'at ch'igeedlaa nihts'at = towards each other

ch'igeedlaa = they are laughing
laundry detergent Gwtchyah Gwtch'm daadeh vah ek'eetr'ahtraa daat}eh = soap

vah =with it
ek'eetr'ahtraa = wash
laundry detergent Teetl'tt Gwtch'm daadih vah ek'eetr'ahtraa daatfth =soap

vah =with it
ek'eetr'ahtraa = wash
laundry detergent Teetl'tt Gwtch'm daatlih ddhak daathh = soap

ddhak = powdered (grounded up)
law Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dagwidU'e'
lawyer Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dagwidH'e' gahdandaii dagwidjfe' =law

gahdandaii = he/she knows
lawyer Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ihlee tehk'oo didizhik ihlee = one person

veenjit naa'eh tehk'oo didizhik = wrong doing has
occured
veenjit = for him/her
naa'eh = s/he is standing
leading question Teetl'lt Gwtch'm daheenjaa yuunuu geenjit daheenjaa = what s/he will say
yuudahkat yuunuu = s/he expects of him/her
geenjit = for it
yuudahkat = s/he is asking him/her
leaves Teetl'tt Gwtch'm at' an
left side Teetl'tt Gwtch'm atl'oh ts'aii atl'oh = left

ts'aii = that side
left side Gwtchyah Gwtch' m atl'adh ts'&ii atl'adh = left

ts'qjj = that side
leg (broken) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm diitth'an lajilnaii diitth'an =one's leg

lajilnaii = it broke
114

leg (broken) Gwtchyah Gw1eh'm diitth'an lajilnEJ.U diitth'an =one's leg

J:ajilnq.H = it broke
legislative branch Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vuuzri' tr'oonjik kat ts'aii vuuzrl' =his/her name
tr'oonjik = it was taken
kat = more than one
legislative committee Teetl'lt Gwtch'm vadatr'igwijiJ:cheii kat hit vadatr'igwijHcheii = those who are
Hgiljil put in a positwn
kat = more than one
lclt =some
hglljil = they are meeting
lesser included offence Teetl'tt Gwtch'm jidii dee t'idizhik jidli dee = what is it
giiyahnuu gwi'it t'idizhik = happened
nagi y its aii giiyahnuu = they said about
him/her
gwi'lt nagiyltsaii = they lessened it
lesson plan Teetl'tt Gwtch'm nits'do ge 'tr' oohanahchaa nits'oo = how

gwi'dinehtl'ee' ge'tr'oohanahchaa = they will
teach
gwi'dinehth~e· = its book
library both edinehd'eh zheh edinehtJ:'eh =books

zheh =house
lice Teetl'tt Gwtch'm zhi'
lice Gwtchyah Gwtch'm
lid Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tyah diniintyin tyah = pail (container/pot)

diniintyin = cover, closed
lid both didiniintyin it is closed
lie both veets'it s/he lies
115

lieutenant governor Teetl'!t Gw1ch'm gwiyah'at choo chit gwiyah'at choo chit = the Queen
vats'anuu tsal vats'anuu = her helper
tsal =small
light bulb Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vi'ahdrii ghoo vi'ahdrii = its light

ghoo =round
light bulb Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vah aadrii ghoo vah =with it

aadrii = light
ghoo =round
light (early morning) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ge'ta'aii the sun is beginning to rise
light (early morning) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm hagooveedatthaih first light
light (early morning) Gw1chyah Gw!Ch'm hagweedizhirh
light (early morning) both yahkee daylight is beginning
light (weight). Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm gwiindzik it is light
lightening Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nehtan kwan' nehtan =thunder

kwan' =fire (posessed)
limping Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ne'tanah'oh s/he is limping
limping Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nehchanh' hichik s/he is limping
liners Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ts'at tah ts'at =duffel (blanket)

tah =socks
liners Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ts'adatah duffel socks
linoleum Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dachanchyah kak dachanchyah = floor

gitr'aht'an kak= on
gitr'aht'an = they stick it on
116

linolium Teetl'1t Gw1eh'm dachanchyah kak dhidlii dachanchyah = floor

gatr'aht'an kak =on
dhidlii = they are put there
gatr'aht'an = they stick it on
lips (my) both shideevaa' my lips
little dipper Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm laii aatl'yaa laii =dogs

(constelation) aatl'yaa = lined up
little dipper Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm yuhdyee tsal yuhdyee = tsiidaii word

(constelation) tsal =small
liver (my) both shidhat my liver
living room Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm etr'ijilch'E:U k'it etr'ijilch'E:H = they sit

k'it =place
loan Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm atr'oodlee they are lending something
loan Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm diiyatr'igwiljik they loan it to them
loan (money) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tse edhd h gadhidlii tseedhoh = money

gadhidlii = s/he is lending it
lobby group Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm diiyeenjit ginjih gadaaghoo diiyeenjit = on behalf of us

kat ginjih gadaaghoo kat= the speakers
loche both chehluk
locked (with padlock) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm vide' dindidoo vide' =blocking the way
dindidoo = twisted around it
Lone Mmmtain Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Than' Nadha'aii thim' = alone

nadha'aii = it is there
lone mountain Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm ddhah thdk dha'aii ddhah = mountain

thok = by itself
dha'aii = it is there
117

loneliness Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tr' iniizhii
loneliness Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tr 'iniizhe e
long ago both yi'eenoo dai' yi'eenoo = to the present

dai' = at that time
long ago Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm yi'eenoo dai' yi'eenoo = to the present

dai' = at that time
long fish hook string Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm lyah tf'yaa njuh {yah= hook
t{'yaa = string, line
njuh= long
long fish hook string Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm lyl:lh tl'yaa njuh {yqh =hook
t{'yaa = line, string
njuh= long
long time Teet!'Jt Gw1ch'm niizhuk
long time ago Teet!'Jt Gw1ch'm niizhit dai' gwanoo niizhit = long (far)
dai' = at that time
gwanoo =in that time
long time ago both niizhit dai' niizhit = long (far)

dai = at that time
longer days both drin diinzhit drin =day

diinzhit = longer
longspur (Iapland) Teetl'!t Gw1ch'm tshindzhii rain bird
loon (arctic) both ts'alvit
loon (common) Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm daadzaii
loon (common) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm daadza.U
loon (red-throated) both te'itreh
118

lotion (hand) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm diinle' vah tr'ahtJ:ee diinle' = one's hand
vah =with it
tr'aht}ee = rubbing it on, spreading
it
Loucheux Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Gwich'in people
loucheux Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dinjii zhuh
love Teetl'It Gw1ch'm ch' et' agwiiniidhan
ltmgs (my) Teetl'It Gw1ch'm shidrihdok
lungs (my) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shidrehdok
lynx both niinjii
Mackenzie River both Nagwichoonjik Big Country River
maggots both ts'oh
mail carrier, postman both dineht{'eh nataazhik dinehtf'eh = paper

nataazhik = s/he carries it
majority government Teetl'It Gw1ch'm k'adagwidaadhat teenjir k'adagwidaadhat = ones who make
nddo ts'aniliinat decisions
teenjir = half way
ndoo == forward
ts'aniliinat = it is theirs
mallard both neet'aii
man both dinjii
man (bad) Teetl'It Gw1ch'm dinjii iizuu dinjii == man

iizuu ==bad
man (old) both dinya.hch'i'
119

man (young) both dinjii k'eejit dinjii = man

k'eejit =new
March Gw1chyah Gwrch'm Tadhaa Zree' tadhaa = golden eagle

zree' = month
March Teetl'rt Gwrch'm Echee zrii' echee = eagle

zrli' = month (possessed)
marriage Teetl'rt Gwrch'm nihkha gadhidii they live with each other
marriage act Teetl'rt Gw1eh'm nihkhagadhidii geenjit nihkhagadhidii = marriage

dagwidU 'ee geenjit = for it
dagwldifee = law
marrow both izhe e ·
marrow (from the jaw both vihtth'an zhee' vihtth'an = jaw

bone) zhee' =marrow (possessed)
marten both tsuk
marten (black) Gwrchyah Gw1ch'm tsuk zrEtH tsuk = marten

zr&H =black
marten (black) Teetl'rt Gw1ch'm tsuk zraii tsuk = marten

zraii = black
marten (brown) Teetl'rt Gw1ch'm tsuk tsoo tsuk = marten

marten (white) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm tsuk dak'aa tsuk = marten

dak'aa = faded, light colored
marten (white) Gw1chyah Gwrch'm tsuk dagqH tsuk = marten

dagqjj = white
Mason Hill Teetl'rt Gwrch'm Va'ald'ii
120
Language Dictionary
mat Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm chyah
matches both kwan' fire
mattress both chyah dried caribou skin with

the hair on usually used to
sleep on
May Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Gwilyuu Zrii' gwilyuu = snow crust

zrli' = month
May Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Vananh I:.aii Yichii vananh = on it/during that time
}aii =dog
yichii = it barks
May Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m Gwilytiu Zree' gwilyliu = snow crust

zn~e' = month
May Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm Sree Vananh' l<lH Yichii sree =month

vananh = on it/during that time
lE!H =dog
yichii = it barks
Mayo People Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Dachan Tat Gwich'in dachan = wood

tat= among
gwich'in = people/lives there
mayor Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwichi t the leader
measles both diika'uujil spread all over

on the body
meat (bear) both shah nilii shah= bear

nllli = meat
meat (bear) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shah tthti,t' shah= bear

tth~f= meat/flesh
meat (beaver) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tse' nilii tse' =beaver

nllli = meat
121

meat (beaver) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tsee tthai' tsee = beaver

tthai' = meat/flesh
meat (beaver) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tse' tth<U' tse' = beaver

tthCJj' = meat/flesh
meat (caribou) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vadzaih nilii vadzaih = caribou

nllli = meat
meat (dried) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nilii gaii nilii = meat

gaii =dry
meat (dried) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nilii g<\U nilii =meat

g11H =dry
meat (fresh) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nilii lih nilii =meat

lih = fresh/raw
meat (fresh) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nilii leh nilii = meat

leh =fresh/raw
meat (fresh) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shih lih sh1h =meat

lih = fresh
meat (moose) both dinjik nilii dinjik = moose

nllii = meat
meat (moose) both dinjik tthai' dinjik = moose

tthai' = meat/flesh
meat (muskrat) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dzan nilii dzan = muskrat

nllii = meat
meat (muskrat) both dzan tthai' dzan = muskrat

tthai' =meat/flesh
meat (rabbit) both geh tthai' geh =rabbit

tthai' =meat/flesh
122

meat (rabbit) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm geh nilii geh = rabbit

nllii = meat
mechanic Teetl'tt Gwtch'm iitsii nahdilak srinalii Iitsii = machine I metal

nahdilak = running
srinalii = one who repairs
mechanic Gwtchyah Gwteh' m iitsii khal srinalee iitsii = iron

kha! =vehicle/wagon
srinalee = one who repairs
medicine both agoondaih
medicine (cough syrup) both koh agoondaii' koh = cough/ cold (illness)
agoondaii' = medicine (possessed)
medicine man both dinjii dazhan dinjii =man

dazhan = one who possesses
spiritual medicine
medicine (spiritual) both shan spiritual medicine
medium ram Teetl'tt Gwtch'm datsok
member of parliament Teetl'lt Gwtch'm vadatr'igwiji!cheii one who is put in a position
menstruation Teetl'tt Gwtch'm srii minh' gwits'ik srii =month

nanh' = at that time/place
gwits'lk = its sickness
menstruation Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ts'ik diits'an nathilit ts'ik = sickness

diits'an = one's own
nathillt = became to be
menstruation (woman's Gwtchyah Gwtch'm tr'iinjoo tr'oochit ts'ik tr'iinjoo = woman

first) vits'an dhidlit tr'oochit = first
ts'ik = sickness
vits'an = hers
dhidlit = became
123

mental illness Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm viyinji' iizuu viyinji' = his/her judgement

iizuu = it is bad
mentally competent Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm viyinji' nizii viyinjl' = his/her judgement

nizii = it is good
mentally competent Teetl'lt Gw1eh'm vigwindaii nizii vigwindaii = his/her mind

nizii = it is good
mentally ill both viyinji' neesrijahch'uh viyinji' =his/her judgement

neesrijahch'uh = it is poor
merganser both trah
meteor Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm san' nadaadhak san'= star

nadaadhak = it falls down
me tis Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm teenjir nilii
midday both drin tl'at drin =day

tl'at =in the middle
midnight Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm too tl'at too= night/dark

tl'at = in the middle
midnight Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tadh tl'at tadh = night/dark

tl'at = middle
milk (breast) Teetl'1t Gw1eh'm t'ok tshti' t'ok =suck

tshu' = its water /juice
milk (breast) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm at'ok
milk (cow) both aak'ii t'ok aak'ii =cow

t'ok =suck
milk (dry) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm mil= milk

gqH =dry
124
Gwich'in Social & Culh1ral Instirute Gwich'in Language Centre

milk (powdered) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm aak'ii t'ok ddhak aak'ii t'ok =cow milk
ddhak = powdered
Miner River Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Ch'eneetsii Njik
minister Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm giikhii s/he is talking
minister Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iisrits'at chit iisrits'at = most prominent

chit = leader
mink both chihthee
minnow Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ineelu'
minority government Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm k'adagwidaadhat teenjir k'adagwidaadhat = one who makes
gwik'iyee'it gdonlii decisions
ts'aniliinat teenjir = half way
gwik'iyee'it goonlii = the path for
the future
ts'aniliinat = it belongs to them
mirror Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vizhit aditr'inaa'ii vizhit = in it

aditr'inaa'ii = look at ones self
mirror Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vizhit diitr'idinaa 'ii vizhlt = in it

diitr'idinaa·~~ = looking at self
miserable Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zhidadinaach 'ih s/he is always angry
miserable Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm zhidadanaach' eih s/he is always angry
missionary Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm kwandee giikhii kwandee = near the fire

giikhii = minister
mistake Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tshih dagwinitha'aii s/he made a mistake
mistake Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tshih dagwinithisha'aii I made a mistake
125

misty both ne'gwa,h'eh
mitts both dzhirh
mitts (fur) Teetl'1t Gw1eh'm dazhoo dzhirh dazhoo = furry

dzhirh = mitts
mitts (fur) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nin dhdh dzhirh nin = animal

dhOh = skin/hide
dzhirh = mitts
mitts (small size) both dzhirh tsal dzhirh = mitts

tsal =small
moccasin (wrap around) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm kaiichan nadhi'ee kaiichan = around the ankle
nadhi'ee = attached in a
circular shape
moccasins (wrap Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm kaiitreh zheii kaiitreh = shoes

around) zheii = traditional, special,
original
moccasins (wrap Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm kaiitrih zheii kaiitrih = shoes

around) zheii = traditional, special,
original
Monday Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm Drin n·~~ drin =day

tl:-'~~ = after
Monday Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Drin Tl'ee drin =day

t}'ee = after
money both tseedhdh beaver pelt
month both srii minh' srii = month/ sun

nanh' =in that time/place
month Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm sree minh' sree = month/sun

nanh' = at that time/place
126
Gwich/in Social & Cultural Instih1te 1
Gwich in Language Centre

moon Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm too oozrii too = night/darkness

oozrii = light
moon Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tadh oozree tadh = mght/darkness

oozree = light
moon (full) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm too oozrii k'inyaazheii too oozrii = moon
k'inyaazheii = it is complete
moon (full) Gw1ehyah Gw1ch'm sree k'inanalzhe:H sree =moon

k'inanalzht;H = it is complete
moonlight Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm aadrih nyuu aadrih = it is lit

nyuu = along side
moonlight Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tadh aadrih tadh =night/ darkness

aadrih = light
moose both dinjik moose
moose (2 year old bull) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ditsik shek ditsik = calf
shek =old
moose (2-3 year old Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm aneechii

bull)
moose (bull) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ezhir'
moose (calf) both ditsik
moose caller (home Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm de'tr'atanh' to sweep

made)
moose (cow) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dizhuu
moose (cow) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dizheu
moose (cow with calf) both nihditsik there are calves on both sides
127

moose (large bull both ezhir chao ezhir = bull moose

moose) chao= big
moose (second largest Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm diti' dhoo echyaa diti' = his/her father
bull) dhoo =skin (possessed)
echyaa = it carries it
moose (second largest Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ezhir tsal ezhir = bull moose
bull) tsal =small
moose (young cow ) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dizhao tsal dizhao = cow moose
tsal =small
moose (young cow) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm khaiideetsik khaii = wmter

deetsik =cow moose (possessed)
morning both vanh'
mosquito both ch'ii
mosquito bite Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ch'ii diiyuu'aa ch'ii = mosquito

diiyuu'aa = it is biting them
mosquito bite Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ch'ii shdo'ah ch'ii = mosquito

shoo'ah = it bit me
mosquito bite Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ch'ii shuu'aa ch'ii =mosquito

shuu'aa =it is biting me
mosquito net or bar both ch'iiniivyaa ch'ii = mosquito

n!ivyaa = tent
mosquito spray both ch'ii agoondaii' ch'ii = mosquito

ag6ondaii' = medicine
moth Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nanuht'ee vee tsal nanuht'ee = butterfly

vee= gray
tsal = small
moth Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tsedega,q
128

moth (larva) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwiik'aa
mother Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm na'a.a. my mother when I'm talkmg to her

(vocative)
mother Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm maamaa
mother Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm na'aa my mother when I'm talking to her

(vocative)
mother (my) both shahanh' my mother
mountain both ddhah
Mountain Creek Teetl'It Gw1ch'm Ddhah Diik'ee Njik Ddhah = mountain

Diik'ee = gtm
Njik =creek
mountain creek Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ddhah tshik ddhah = mountain

tshik = creek
mountain (foot of the) both ddhah deechan ddhah =mountain

deechan = along the bottom
mmmtain (foot of the Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ddhah t'ee ddhah = mountain

mountain) t'ee = at the bottom
mmmtain people both ddhah tat gwich'in ddhah = mountain

tat= among
gwich'in = people
mountain ridge Teetl'It Gw1ch'm geek'ii
mountain ridge Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ddhah eek'ii ddhah = mountain

eek'ii = ridge
mouse Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm daatsoo
129

mouse Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm daatsadh
mouth Teetl'It Gw1ch'm vizhik his/her mouth
mouth of river Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm han gwid~U han= river

gwid~H =at the opening
mouth of the back both iyeendak guk'it gweedii iyeendak = behind it

channel guk'it = going through
gweedii = passage
mud Teetl'It Gw1ch'm luh
mud Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m leth
mud (dry & cracked) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm leth gqU til' leth =mud
gqij =dry
tll' = cracked
mud (sticky) Teetl'It Gw1ch'm luh ant'at luh= mud

ant'at = sticky
mud (sticky) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm leth ant'at -l:eth=mud

ant'at = sticky
mukluks both kaiichan
mukluks (caribou leg both edreedhoh kaiichan edreedhoh = leg skin of caribou,
skin) moose
kaiichan =mukluks
mukluks (thick skin) Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m kaiitreh diditii kaiitreh = shoes

diditii = heavy, thick
municipal government Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm kaiik'it zhit kaiik'lt = commumty

k'adagwidaadhat zhlt =in
k'adagwidaadhat = one who makes
decisions
130
Tsiigehtchic1 NT Fort McPherson, NT
Language Dictionary
muscle (arm) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm shige etthaT my arm flesh
muscle (arm) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm diigyin ch'at diigyin = one's arm

ch'at = tendon/something tough
muscle (back thigh) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm shidivih tl'yaa'
muscle cramp Teetl'tt Gwtch'm diich'at hinjuu diich'at = one's tendons

hinjuu = it is stretching
muscle cramp Gwtchyah Gwtch' m ch'at tanuutroh ch'at = muscle/tendons/something

tough
tanuutroh = tightened
muscle (front thigh) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm shitsyuu'
muscle (of the calf) Teetl'It Gwtch'm viddo' his calf muscle
muscle (of the calf) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm diitr'do' one's calf muscle
musewn Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm zheh gwizhit egwijiich'uu zheh =house

shik k'atr'inahtii gwizhit = in it
egwijiich'uu = different things
shik =old
k'atr'inahtii = taking care of
museum Teetl'1t Gwtch'm ejiich'ii shik k'anaatii zheh ejiich'ii = things

shik =old
k'anaatii = to take care of
zheh =house
muskox both dachan tat aak'ii dachan = wood

tat= among
aak'ii =cow
muskox Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dachan tat gwi'aak'ii dachan = wood

tat= among
gwi'aak'ii = cow (possessed)
131

muskrat both dzan
mutton both divii tthai' divii = sheep

tthai' = meat/flesh
muzzle loader both diik'ee zheii diik'ee =gun

zheii= traditional
nag Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm yah ndagwijii'aii yah = with him/her

ndagwijli'aii = bothering
naggillg Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm yah nagwii'eih yah= with him/her

nagwii'eih = bothering
nape (his) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vitsi' k'it the nape of his/her neck
native custom Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dinjii zhuh k'yuu dinjii zhuh = native
k'yuu=way
nausea both kwaih vine'tsahthak kwaih = vomit

vine'tsahthak = it is bothering
him/her
naval (my) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shijohk'it my naval
naval (my) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shijath my naval
neck both diik'oh one's neck.
neck (my) both shik'oh my neck
necklace Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zhin nidiniizhii zhin =neck

nidiniizhii = put around
necklace Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm naagq,H k'oh nidinaazhii naagqH =beads

k'oh =neck
nidinaazhii = put around
132

necklace Teetl'rt Gwrch'm k'oh nidiniizhii k'oh =neck

nid!n!izhii = put around
needle bag both tthah tsal dhdh tthah =awl

tsal =small
dhoh = cover/skin
needle (beading) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm neegaii tthah tsal neegaii = bead (s)
tthah =awl
tsal =small
needle (glover) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm adhdh tthah tsal adhoh = tanned hide
tthah =awl
tsal =small
needle (glover) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm tthah tsal visreedhik'aii tthah tsal = needle
visreedhik'aii = there are three
sides to it
needle (leather) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm tthah tsal zheii tthah tsal = needle
zheii = traditional
needle (medical term) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm tthah tsal gwits'an tr'ahtsii tthah tsal =needle
gwits'an = to him/her
tr'ahtsii = make
needle (round) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm tthah tsal vyqh tthah tsal = needle
yY1Jh = round
needle (sewing) both tthah tsal tthah =awl

tsal =small
needle (wool) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm lalen tthah tsal lalen =wool

tthah tsal = needle
nephew (my) both shichaa my nephew (brother's son)
nephew (my) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm shao my nephew
nephew (my) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm shuu my nephew (sister's son)
133

net floaters both adeelaa it floats
net pole (for under ice) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tan zhak chiichii tan= ice
zhak =under/below
chiichii = to stick in the river
bottom
net pole (for under ice) both tan t'eh chiichii tan= ice
t'eh = tmder
chiichii = to stick in the river
bottom
net rope (top) Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm eveedhe et' aii'
net string for under ice both chih d'yah chih = under water
tf'yah = string
net thread Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm chihvyah ch'ii' chihvyah = net

ch'li' = its thread
net thread Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm chihvyah ch'ee' chihvyah = net

ch'ee' = its thread
net twine Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm chihvyah ti'yaa' chihvyah = net

tJ-'yaa' = its string
net (willowbark) Teetl'Jt Gwtch'm k'aii neech'uu chihvyaa' k'aii = willow

neech'uu =bark
chihvyaa' =net (possessed)
net (willowbark) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ineech'uu chihvyaa' ineech'uu = bark

chihvyaa' =net (possessed)
net (willowbark) Gw1chyah Gwtch'm ineech'idh chihvyaa' ineech'!dh = bark

chihvyaa' = net
new year Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm khaii k'eejit khaii = winter

k'eejit =new
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Language Dictionary
New Years Day Teetl'1t Gwtch'm Drin Choo drin = day

chao= big
niece (my) Teetl'!t Gw1ch'm shuu my niece (sister's daughter)
niece (my) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shijadh my niece
niece (my) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shao my niece
niece (my) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shijuu' my niece (brother's g1rl)
night Teetl'!t Gw1ch'm too
night Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tadh
night gown Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tadh gwiyik tadh =night

gwiylk = dress (possessed)
night slippers Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm khahts 'at gukaiitrii' khahts'at = night

gukaiitrii' = shoes (possessed)
night slippers Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm khahts'at gukaiitn~e· khahts'at = night

gukaiitree' = shoes (possessed)
nightgown Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm too ik too= night/ darkness

ik =dress
nine Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm vanchoh nak' oh zhak vanchoh = thumb

dhityin nak'oh = one side
zhak =down
dhityin = it is there
nine Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vanchadh nak'aoh zhak vanchadh = thumb

dhityin nak'aoh = one side
zhak =down
dhityin = it is there
135

nineteen Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ihiak juutyin ts'at vanchoh ihiak =one

nak'oh zhak dhityin juutyin =counted
ts'at =and
vanchoh nak'oh zhak dhityin =
nine
nineteen Gw1ehyah Gwtch'm ihiogwijuutyin ts'at ihiogwijuutyin = counted once

vanchadh nak'aoh zhak ts'at =and
dhityin vanchadh nak'aoh zhak dhityin =
nine
ninety Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vanchoh nak'oh zhak vanchoh nak'oh zhak dhityin =
dhityin juutyin nine
juutyin = it is counted
ninety Gwtchyah Gwtch'm vanchadh nak'aoh zhak vanchadh nak'aoh zhak dhityin =
dhityin juutyin nine
juutyin = it is counted
nipple Teetl'tt Gwtch'm t'cik tshi1' t'ok =suck

tshit' = tip
non-ambulatory Teetl'rt Gwrch'm nahadik kwaa nahadik = s/he walks around

kwaa =not
northern phalarope Gwtchyah Gwrch'm teekee jyt\l.l
northern water trush Teetl'tt Gwrch'm chuu dzhii chuu =water

dzhii =bird
nose cartilage Teetl'tt Gwrch'm anchai
nose cartilage (my) both shanchai my nose cartilage
nose (my) both shintsih my nose
nostril (my) both shinjik my nostril
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Gwich'in Social & Culh1ral Instihlte Gwich'in Language Centre

notification Teetl'lt Gw1eh'm dinehtl'eh kak dlnehtfeh = paper

gwidinithatl'oo kak =on it
gwidinithatl:'oo = it is written
November Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Divii Zrii' divii = sheep

zrii' = month/stm
November Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm Dachan Khy<th Nitr'iinlii dachan = wood

Zree' khy4h =trap
nitr'iinlii = they are setting
zn~e· = month
now both jtik
now Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm
nun both diiyeejii one's older sister
nurse both eHs'ik k' anahtii ehs'ik = one who is sick

k'anahtii = taking care of
oatmeal Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm mash
oatmeal Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tl'oo le' tl' oo =grass

le' =end
ocean both tshuu chao tshuu = water

chao= big
ocean Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tshtpJ chao tsh!J!J = water

chao= big
October Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Vadzaih Zrii' vadzaih = caribou

Zrii' = month
October Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m Sree Nanh' Tadiditshii sree =month

nanh' = in that time
tadiditshii = it is starting to freeze
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offender Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tehk'oo t'idi'in s/he did something bad
office building both gwitr'it zheh gwitr'it = work

zheh =house
Ogilvie River Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm Gwazhal Njik gwazhal = big mountain

njik =creek
oil both nan ghai' nan= ground

ghai' = grease (possessed)
oil (cooking) both khaii
ointment Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dee
ointment Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm agoondaih t'at agoondaih = medicine

t'at = sticky
old age pension both anjoo tseedhoo' anjoo = elder

tseedhoo' =money (possessed)
Old Crow People Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Van Tat Gwich'in Van= lake (s)
Tat= among
Gwich'in = people
Old Crow River Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Tshyah Njik
Old Fort Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm Zheh Gwijat Zheh = Fort (house)

Gwijat = rotten
one both ihlak
one and one half hour Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm sreedrii ihlak ts'at teenjir sreedrii =hour
ihlak =one
ts'at =and
teenjir = half
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Language Dictionary
one and one half hour Gwtchyah Gwtch'm sreedrii ihfak ants'at sreedrli = hour
teenjir ihlak =one
ants'cit = and
teenjir half
one dollar Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tse edhd h ihlak tseedhoh = money

ihlak =one
one dollar Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ihlak tseedhdo' ihlak =one

tseedhoo' = money (possessed)
one dollar Teetl'tt Gwtch'm lazhaa ihlak lazhaa = money

ihl:ak =one
one hour both sreedrii ihlak sreedrii = hour

ihJ:ak =one
one hundred Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ihfak juutyin juutyin ihlak =one

juutyin = counted
juutyin = counted
one hundred Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ihfak nilee k'it juutyin ih-!-ak =one
nilee = hand
k'it = the same as
juutyin = counted
one hundred Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ihlogwijuutyin juutyin ih-!-ogwijuutyin = counted once

juutyin = counted
one thousand Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ihlogwijuutyin nilee k'it ih-!-ogwijuutyin = counted once
juutyin juutyin nilee = hand
k'it = the same as
juutyin = counted
juutyin = counted
one week both drin k'ideetak ihlak drin =day

k'ideetak = in the middle
ih-!-ak =one
onion Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tl'oo drik
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orphan both chiitee orphan/widow /widower
otter both truh
out of joint Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm haakat
outhouse both chitr'U 'oo zheh chit'rH'oo = going out

zheh = house
oven Teetl'!t Gw1ch'm iitsii vizhit iich'uu iitsii = stove

vizhit = in it
iich'uu = we roast I fry
oven Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm iitsii vizhit vike'tr'ahch'uu iitsii =stove

vizh!t = in it
vike'tr'ahch'uu = they cook
overcoat Teetl'!t Gw1ch'm gwiyehdak ik gwiyehdak =on top/over

ik =coat
overcoat Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gwiyehdak yik gwiyehdak = on top/ over

yik =coat
overflow (fozen) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gyit
overflow (on ice) both tan kak teekee tshli' tan= ice
kak =on
teekee tshu' = flood water
overflow (water over both teekee tshti'

ice)
owl (boreal) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm echiidruu
owl (great grey) both nehdoh
owl (great horned) both vi'iidzee
owl (snowy) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vihsaiivee
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owl (snowy) Gw1ehyah Gw1ch'm vihsa.Uvee
oxfords Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm dachan kaiitrih dachan = wood

kaiitrih = shoes
oxfords Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dachan kaiitreh dachan = wood

kaiitreh = shoes
packsack both khah
packsack Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm uhtshu.h bag
paddle Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tee't;U
paddle Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm taa'aih
Paddle Creek Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Taa'aih tanjilnaii Tshik taa'aih = paddle

ianjilnaii = they are broken
tshik = creek
padlock Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm lidlii ghoo lidlii = key

ghoo =round
padlock Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iitsii ghoo iitsii = metal

ghoo =round
padlock Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm vah gihde. tr'idindoo vah =with it

gihde' = lock/in front of
tr'idindoo = turn it
pail (for carrying Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tshqq tyah tshl}IJ = water

water) tyah = pail/container
pail (oil) Gw1chyah Gw1eh'm khaii tyqh khaii = oil/ grease

tyq.h = container
pail (oil) both khaii tyah khaii = oil/grease

tyah =container
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Gwich/in Social & Cultural Institute Gwich'in Language Centre
Tsiigehtchic1 NT Fort McPherson/ NT

pain Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gasrah nii'ee it is painful
pain Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm diiminh' hasrqh tree diimlnh' = on one's self

hasr&h H'ee = it is painful
pain (chest) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm diideeghan asrah U'ee diideeghan = ones chest
asrah i)'ee = it is painful
pain (chest) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shideeghan' asrah shideeghan =my chest

aantth'at asrah aantth'at = pain happened
suddenly
pain (sharp chest pain) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shidrihchii hasrah H'ee shidrihchii = my chest
hasrah jj'ee = it is painful!
pain (sharp piercing Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm hashrah H'ee it is painful

pain)
palm (my) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shintl'ee palm of my hand
palm sunday Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ah drin chao ah =branch (s)

drin =day
choo =big
palm sunday Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ts 'eeviilEl' drin ts'eeviile' = branch

drin =day
pancake (batter) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm -l:uh tloo luh =flour

tloo = cooked
pancakes Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm luh tldk luh =flour

tlok =soft
pancakes Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm lethch'uh tldk lethch'uh = bannock

tlOk =soft
panties Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iyehzhak thal gwan iyehzhak = under

thal =pants
gwan =short
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pants both thai
pants (caribou fur) both dazhoo thai dazhoo = furry

thal =pants
pants (caribou fur) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ditr'ii thal short hair is left on the
skin (summer pants)
pants (caribou fur) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ditr'uu thal short hair is left on the
skin (summer pants)
pants (caribou hide) both aadzhii thal aadzhii = tanned caribou hide
thaJ: =pants
pants (rain) both tshin thal tshin =rain

thaJ: =pants
pants (rain) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tshqq thal tshl,ll,l = water

thaJ: =pants
paper both dinehtl'eh
paper bag Teetl'1t Gwtch'm dinehtl'eh uhtshuh dinehtf'eh = paper

uhtshuh = bag
paper bag Gwtchyah Gw1ch'm dinehtl'eh uhtshqq dinehtf'eh = paper

uhtshw =bag
paper towel Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dinehtl'eh vah ge'tr'ahjyee dinehtf'eh =paper

vah =with it
ge'tr'ahjyee = to wipe
parka Teetl'Jt Gwtch'm gwakak ik gwakak = on top

ik =parka
parka Teetl'tt Gwtch'm iyehdak ik iyehdak = on top

ik =parka
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parka (caribou fur) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dazhoo ik dazhoo = hairy

ik =parka
parka (caribou fur) Gw1ehyah Gw1ch'm dazhoo yik dazhoo = furry

yik =parka
parka (duffel) Gw1chyah Gw1eh'm ts'at yik ts'at = duffel

yik =parka
parka (mother Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ineekCJ.H yik ineekqH = inuit

hubbard) yik =parka
parka trimming Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tl'in nigwiniltsi' tl-'in = around the bottom
edge/hem
nigwiniltsi' = fancy
parka trimming Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vitl'in nigwiniltsi' vitl'in = its hem

nigwiniltsi' = fancy
parliament Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ginjih gadaaghoo zheh ginjih gadaaghoo = the speakers
zheh =house
participate Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm giiyah t'igidi'ii they are participating with them
path Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm taii path/trail/road
path Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm tr'aataii the path is layed

for a long distance
path Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ta.U path/trail/road
patient Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm khagwiltshi' kwaa khagwlltshi' = they are in a hurry

kwaa =not
patient Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ehsik zheh dhidyee eltsik = s/he is sick

zheh =house
peaceful both tsinehdanh'
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peanut butter Teetl'lt Gwtch'm khaii tthoo khaii = grease

tthoo = brown
peanut butter Gwtchyah Gwtch'm dlak zhii dlak = squirrel

zhii =food
pedia tri tion Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tr'iinin ts'at tr'iinjoo tr'iinin = child
srinalii ts'at =and
tr'iinjoo = woman
Peel Canyon Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Tshuu Tr'adaojiich'uu Tshuu = water

Tr'adaojiich'uu = hateful
Peel River Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm Teetl'it Gwinjik teetl'it = in the middle

gwinjik = along
pelt (beaver) Gwtchyah Gw1ch'm tse' dhoh tse' = beaver

dhOh = pelt/skin/cover
pelt (beaver ) Teetl'lt Gwtch'm tsee dhoh tsee = beaver

dhoh =pelt/skin/cover
pelt stretcher Teetl'lt Gwtch'm nin dhoh zhit tayii'ee nin =animal
dhdh =pelt/skin/cover
zhit = in it
tayii'ee = shaping
pelt stretcher Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nin dhoh zhii'~H nin = animal

dhdh =pelt/skin/cover
zhii'~H = put into
pelt stretcher Teetl'tt Gwtch'm viz hit ta yii' ee v1zhit = in it

tayii'ee = shape it
pelt stretcher (beaver) Gwtchyah Gw1ch'm tseetr'il'
pelt stretcher (beaver) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm k'aii nanilghwat k'aii = willow

nanilghwat = circular frame
145

pelt stretcher (beaver) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm k'aii naonilghwat k'aii = willow

naonilghwat = circular frame
pemmican both itsuh
pemmican both etsuh
penalty Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm khainji' vitr'igwidaadhat s/he is made to suffer
penis (child's) Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm tr'iinin tsok
penis (his) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vidil his penis
penny Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm lazhaa tthoo tsal lazhaa = money

tthoo = brown
tsal =small
penny both iitsii tsoo tsal iitsii = metal

tsoo =brownish/yellow /light
colored
tsal =small
people Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dinjii nat dinjii =man

nat = more than one
people Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dinjii kat dinjii =man

kat = more than one
people (black) Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm dinjii zraii dinjii =man/people

zraii =black
people (my) Teetl'!t Gw1ch'm shah gwlch'in kat shah = with me

gwlch'ln = people
kat = more than one
pepper Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm ligeevir borrowed from the French
pepper both taniditshit ground up
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peremptory challenge Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tr'uudhilch'eii geenjit tr'uudhllch'eii = listening

daheedi'yaa kwaa geenjit = for it
daheedi'yaa = what s/he will do
kwaa =not
perfume Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vite'daatsan it smells good
permafrost both nan t'eh gwithatan nan= ground

t'eh = under it
gwithatan = it is frozen
phlem Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm koh phlem/the cold (illness)
picture Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwink'do one's shadow
picture Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gwink'yqq one's spirit
pig Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm lugohshuu French term
pig Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm lugqhshqq French Term
pillow Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tshuh
pillow Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tshiik'at pillow
pillowcase Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tshuh dhdh tshuh = pillow

dhdh = cover/skin
pillowcase Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tshiik'at dhdh tshiik'at =pillow

dhdh = cover I skin
pilot Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iitsii natindit'eh ne'tahJ:ak iitsii = machine

natindit'eh = fly
ne'tah}ak = one is driving
pilot Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ne'tandit'ee ak'E!hdak ne'tandit'ee = it flies

ak'~hdak = helper
147

pilot Teetl'tt Gwteh'm iitsii nahandit'eh natahlak iitsii = machine

nahandit'eh = fly
natah{ak = one is driving
pilot Teetl'tt Gwtch'm iitsii nahandit'eh iitsii = machine/stove/metal

ne 'tahlak nahandit'eh = fly
ne'tahlak = one is driving it
pine grosbeak Teetl'tt Gwtch'm niht'ee ahshrak
pine grosbeak Gwtchyah Gwtch'm niht'yeh iizrak
pingo Teetl'tt Gwtch'm nan ghoo khaak'at nan= land

ghoo =round
khaak'at =something is sticking
out
pingo Gwtchyah Gwtch'm nan ghoo nan= ground

ghoo =round
pink Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dzih kwan dzih= gum

kwan = clear (transparent)
pink Gwtchyah Gwtch'm sruh dzee'
pintail Gwtchyah Gwtch'm naak'oh jidig~H naak'oh =both sides of the neck
jidigqjj = it is whitened
pintail Teet!' tt Gwtch' m naak'oh jidigaii naak'oh =both sides of the neck
jidigaii = it is whitened
pistol Gwtchyah Gwtch'm nanlat diik'ee nanlat = your hand

diik'ee = gun
pistol both nalat diik'ee' nalat = your hand

diik'ee' =gun
place Gwtchyah Gwtch'm dehk'it
148

plan Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gisrii nitr'igwii'aii gisrii = ready

nitr'igwii'aii = putting in place
plate Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ch'ek
plate Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ch'ik
plate (birchbark) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm k'ii ch'ek k'ii = birchbark

ch'ek = plate
plate (birchbark) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm k'ii ch'ik k'ii = birchbark

ch'ik = plate
playing Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zhtiu gwilii t'idi'in s/he is acting silly
plead Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm jii tthak dinidizhik jii tthak = all of this
nigahnuu, aii geenjit dinidizhik = you did
gihiinkhyah nigahnuu = they said about you
aii geenjit = for that
gihiinkhyah = you will talk
pleats Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm chtik
plebiscite Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm egwijiich'uu geenjit egwijlich'uu = what is relevent

tr'oodahkat geenjit = for it
tr'oodahkat = they are asking
plover (semipalmated) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shini' jaa'aii
plover (semipalmated) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm teekeedzt.l'
pocket both cheet'it
point Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm thidii
point Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm thidyee
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poison both agoondaii iizuu agoondaii = medicine

iizuu =bad
poison Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm ago ondaih iizuu agoondaih = medicine

iizuu =bad
police station Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm niveht'ah'ii zheh niveht'ah'ii = policeman

zheh =house
police station Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vidree oonaatsoo zheh vidree = along his side
oonaatsoo = yellow around the edge
zheh =house
policeman Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm niveh t'ah'ii
policeman Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vidree oonaatsoo vidree = along his side

oonaatsoo = yellow around the edge
political party Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm guudatr'igwijilcheii kat ones who are put in a position
poor (plural) both neesrigwijci.hch 'uh they are poor.
poor (singular) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm neesrijc(hch'uu s/he is poor
Pope Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Yahtii Iisrits'at Chit
Pope Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m Labap French term
porch Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm troo k'it zheh troo =wood

k'it =place
zheh =house
porch Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwidaii zheh gwidaii = entrance

zheh =house
porcupine both ts'it
porcupine quills both ch'oo
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Porcupine River Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Shiinjik
pork (ham) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm lugohshuu tthai' luguhshuu = pig

tthai' =meat/flesh
portage both theetoh
post office Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dineht!'eh zheh dinehtf'eh = mail/paper

zheh =house
post office Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm dinehtl'eh neetr'aazhik dineht}'eh = paper

deek'it neetr'aazhik =sending it around
deek'it = place
potato chips Teet!' 1t Gw1ch' m gwinzhih gaii gwinzhih = potato/plant (already

grown)
gaii =dry
potato chips Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nagwinahshee S<lii nagwinahshee = plant (already

grown)
gqjj =dry
potatoes Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nan gwinahshii nan= and

gwinahshii = it is growing
potatoes Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nagwinahshee it has grown again
power plant operator Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vik'iighe' aadrii k'anahtii vik'iighe' = because of it
aadrii = light
k'anahtii = s/he looks after it
power plant operator Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vik'iighe' aadrii vik'iighe' = because of it

k'anahtyee aadrii = light
k'anahtyee = s/he looks after it
pray Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm khatr'igijiinji i they are praying
pray Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gijiinj ih prayer
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Gwich/in Social & Cultural Institute Gwich'in Language Centre
Tsiigehtchic NT 1 Fort McPherson, NT

prayer Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tr'igijiinjii they are praying
prayer (request for) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gijiinjih kagUkhih gijiinjih = praying

kagHkhih = s/he is asking for it
precedent Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dagwiiniindhan gwichih dagwiiniindhan =what is wanted

gwichih = beforehand
preliminary hearing Teetl'tt Gwtch'm atr'oodahkat geenjit atr'oodahkat =court

gisri ini 'gigiheel yaa geenjit = for it
gisrlinl'gigiheelyaa = they will be
ready
premier Teetl'tt Gwtch'm nanhkak eenjit iisrits'at nanhkak eenjit = for the land
chit iisrits'at = most prominent
chit = leader
presumed innocent until Teetl'tt Gwtch'm nekhwedizhik kwaa k'it nekhwedizhik kwaa = it didn't
proven guilty t'iinohthan happen
k'lt t'iinohthan = think about it in
that manner
previous record Teetl'tt Gwtch'm adai' deedi'in' adai' deedi'in' = s/he did it already
gwidfnehtl'e e gwidlnehtl:'t~e = its paper
priest Teetl'tt Gwtch'm yahtii
priest Teetl'tt Gwtch'm giikhii minister
priest (father) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm yah tyee
prime minister Teetl'tt Gwtch'm iisrits'at chit Canada iisrits'at = most prominent
geenjit chit = leader
Canada geenjit = for Canada
principal both ga'uunahtan chit ga'uunahtan = teacher

chit = leader
152

prison Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zheh gwaazraii zheh =house

gwaazraii = blackened
prisoner Teetl'!t GwJCh'm zheh gwaazraii dhidii zheh gwaazraii = prison

prisoner Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm zheh gwazrCJ.H dhidyee zheh gwazrqjj = prison

private member's bill Teetl'!t Gw1ch' m vidinehtf'ee vidlnehth~e= its paper

gwintf'<l,htshtih gwintf&htshuh = s/he gave it to
him/her
probation Teetl'!t Gw1ch'm vik' andehtr'inahtyaa s/he will be monitored
programs Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm nihli'ejuk gwitr'it gwaatsii nihh'ejuk = different ways

gwitr'it = work
gwaatsii = making
prophet Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm yeetshih gahdandaii yeetshih = future/years ahead

gahdandaii = s/he knows
prophet Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm k'adagwida'ak
proud Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm khadak t'idich'uu khadak = upwards

t'idich'uu = the ways/he is
proud Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm khadak t'idich'uh khadak = upwards

t'idich'uh = s/he is
proud (pride) Teetl'!t Gw1ch'm khasrijil' aii s/he is proud of him/herself
prunes Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm jak chao g&U jak = berries

chao= big
gqH =dry
ptarmigan (rock) both daak'yaa it is faded
153

ptarmigan (willow) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm daagoo willow ptarmigan
ptarmigan (willow) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm daagqq willow ptarmigan
puddle both tajihyin
puppy both Hgatsal
purgatory Gwtchyah Gwtch' m diinigwidik 'ii they burn them
purple Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tr'ijithitsik
pus Teetl'tt Gwtch'm khoh
pus Gwtchyah Gwtch'm khaoh
pyjamas Gwtchyah Gwtch'm tadh gwidal' tadh =night

gwidal' = clothes (possessed)
pyjamas Teetl'tt Gwtch'm too gwich'aa' too = night/darkness

gwich'aa' =clothing (possessed)
queen Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gwiyah'at chao chit
queen Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gwiyeh'at chao chit eenjit gwiyeh'at chao chit = queen
midhat eenjit = for her
midhat = s/he stands
question period Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tr'oodahkat neegwidadhat tr'oodahkat = questioning

neegwidadhat = it has begun
quiet person Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vizhik kwaa vizhik = his/her mouth

kwaa = nothing
rabbit both geh
rabbit (brown) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm tshii'itr'ir
154
Language Dictionary
rabbit (caught) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tl-'eevi' a rabbit caught in a snare

around the waist or by the leg
rabbit (small) both geh tsal geh =rabbit

tsal =small
rags both gwitHk something ragged
rags Gw!Chyah Gw1ch'm gwich'aa' ragged/ clothes
rmn both tshin
rain forest Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dachan tat tshin juu'aii dachan = wood
tat= among
tshin = rain
juu'aii = it is there
rainbow Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm sreevyaa'
rainbow Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gudeedrii da'ootl'ii gudeedrii = spider

da'oot{'ii = it is weaved
rainbow both gudeedrii chihvyaa' gudeedrii = spider

chihvyaa' = its net
raincoat Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm tshin ik tshin = rain

ik =coat
raincoat Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tshin yik tshin =rain

yik =coat
raining both ahtshinh' it is raining
raisins Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm jak gaii tsal jak = berries

gaii =dried
tsal =small
155

rake both vah nan gwiitr'at vah =with it

nan= land
gwiitr'at = we scratch
rampart Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m nadiinlaii
rape Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm yik'ada'alch'yaa s/he tore it off of him/her
rapids Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm tshuu niint'aii tshuu = water

niint'aii = strong
rapids Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gohdatshu udlc\~t strong currents flowing through a

narrow channel
rapids Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwihdatshuudlaii strong currents flowing through a

narrow channel
rash both diika'uujil spread over the body
Rat Indian Creek Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Van Tat Gwich'in Teetshik Van = lake
Tat= among
Gwich'in = people
Teetshik = creek
Rat River (lower) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Sruh Niinlii coney swimming along it
Rat River (upper) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm Ddhah Zhit Han ddhah = mountain
zhit =in
han= river
rational Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm viyinji' nizii viyinji' = his/her mind

nizii = it is good
raven both deetrin'
razor Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vah diideezhoo khatr'it'yee vah = with it

diideezhoo = one's whiskers
khatr'it'yee = they cut
156

razor blade Gw1ehyah Gw1ch'm deezhoh srii deezhoh = whiskers

srii = knife
realize both gik'yaanjik s/he found out
realize Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm adik'yaanjik s/he found out about

them self
recognizance Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tseedhdh hah gwidii tseedhdh = money

nagwahahtsaa bah= with it
gwidli nagwahahtsaa = will be
made in return
red Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm jidii ch'ik jidli = something

ch'ik =red
red Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm datsik it is red
red Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dich'ik it is red
red ochre both tsaih
redish both jidii ditsik jidli = something

ditsik = redish
refridgerator Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vizhit shih nHk'adh vizhit = inside

tr'oodlee sh!h =food
njjk'adh= cold
tr' oodlee = it is put there
regional manager both khehkaih njoo' khehkaih = manager

njoo' = older
regret Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm guk' at'iiniidhan s/he wants it again
regret Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm guk' anadilih s/he is sorry
157

reindeer Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vadzaih dehgaii vadzaih = caribou

dehgaii = white
reindeer Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vadzaih dehgi:l.H vadzaih = caribou

dahggJj = white
reindeer Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vadzaih daagi:l.H vadzaih = caribou

daagaH = it is white
relatives Teetl'Jt Gw1ch' m shidaazhii' my relatives
remand Teetl'!t Gw1ch'm zheh gwaazraii gwizhi t zheh gwaazraii gwizhlt = in jail
ihlee vik'andehnahtyaa, ihlee = for a while
uundoo ji' geenj1t vik'andehnahtyaa = they will
monitor him/her
uundoo jl' geenj1t = for a later time
remember Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ganatr'aandaii they remember
remember Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gananyaandaih telling one person

to remember
remind me Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm ganashi:(hdaih remind me
remind me Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m ginehshinya,hda ih remind me again
Rengling River Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Khainlaii flowing out
rep. by population Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dinjii dl:l,hfeii eenjit midhat dinjii = people
dq.hl:eii = so many
eenjit nadhat = standing for them
report card Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm giik'igaanjii gwidinehd'ee' giik'igaanjii =they learn

gwidinehtl'ee' = its paper
respect Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gwichidhq,h'ee hold it in high regard

(speaking to one)
158
Gwich'in Language ,pictionary

respect Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm yiinjigwichi l' ee s/he respects
respectful Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm yiinjit gwichi!'ee yinjit = for it

gwichi}'ee = held in high regard
respectful Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm yinjit tr'igwichi!'ee yinjit = for it

tr'igwichi}'ee = it will be
held in high regard
responsibilities Teetl'tt Gwtch'm jidii guk'andehanahtyah jidii = something

guk'andehanahtyah = s/he will
watch over it
restaurant Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ii'aa zheh ii'aa = eating

zheh =house
restitution Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm nagwitahtsaa s/he will make it up
return to verdict Teetl'tt Gwtch'm uudhilch'eii kat gwik'it uudhllch'eii kat = the jury
nilii goo gwik'it nilii kwaa gwik'lt nilii = it is true
gehdeenjyaa goo= or
gwik'lt nilii kwaa = it is not true
gehdeenjyaa = they will say
returning officer Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm dinjii uuzri' tr'oonjii eenjit dinjii =people
dha' aii uuzrl' tr'oonjii = taking names
eenjit dha'aii = it is there for that
reason
revenue Teetl'lt Gwtch'm tax kak tseedhdh tr' ahtsii tax kak = on tax
tseedhoh = money
tr'ahtsii = they make
rib cage (my) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm shideeghan'
ribbon Gwtchyah Gw1ch'm larab<1.a. French term
ribbon Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm lara baa French term
ribs Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm echik
159

ribs (my) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm shichik my ribs
rice Teetl'rt Gwrch'm daatsoo trin daatsoo = mouse

trin = its droppings
rice Gw1ehyah Gwrch'm daatsadh trin' daatsadh = mouse

trin' = its droppings
rich person Gwrchyah Gwrch'm chil' ee nilii chil'ee = rich

nil1i = s/he is
rich person both dinjii chil'ee dinjii =man

chil'ee = rich
riding Teetl'rt Gwrch'm dakaiik'it eenjit gUkhii dakaiik'it = one's community

eenjit gHkhii = s/he speaks for it
rifle Teetl'rt Gwrch'm diik'ee chao diik'ee = gun

choo =big
rifle Gwrchyah Gwrch'm ligarben borrowed from the French
rifle both diik'ee gun
right Teetl'rt Gwrch'm gwidagwidU 'e' it was made law
right side Gwrchyah Gwrch'm nqhdS:ih ts'1:\U nq.hd~ih = right

ts'q.H = in that direction
right side Teetl'rt Gwrch'm nqhdaii ts'aii nq.hdaii = right

ts'aii = in that direction
right there Teetl'rt Gwrch'm ezhik danh' ezhik = there

danh' = where it is
160

right to retain and Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm jtiu yeenjit giteekhyah juu =who
instruct cmmsel veenjit gdo'aii yeenjit = on behalf of him/her
giteekhyah = s/he will speak
veenjit goo'aii = it is there for
him/her
ring Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm inleetth' ak
ring both nileetth'ak
ring around the stm Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm srii na'alt'aih srii =sun
na'alt'aih = strung around
river both han
river bank Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tl'eedik
river bank (steep) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vihsraii
river bottom both chee
river channel Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm han gwinii'ee han = river

gwinii'ee = it is laid out
river channel (back) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iyeendak behind it
river clear of ice in Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m luu ehdeh

spring time
river frozen over Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm han tadeedatanh' han= river

tadeedatanh' = it is frozen over
river frozen over Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tadeedatan
river (shallow) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm han te'jahgwanh' han= river

te'jahgwanh' = shallow
riverbank (steep) Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m vihsra.U
161

road Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ta.H road/path/trail
road Teetl'tt Gwtch'm taii road/path/trail
Road River Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Vihtl-'oo Tshik Vihtl-'oo = flints

Tshik = mouth of creek
roasting pan Gwtchyah Gwtch'm vizhit ech'uu vizhlt = in it

ech'uu =roasting/frying
robin both srtih
robin Gwtchyah Gwtch'm srytih
rock both chii rock/stone
Rock River Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Chii Deetak chii = rock/stone

deetak = in the middle
roles Teetl'tt Gwtch'm nihjeh nits'oo gwitr'it nihjeh = over one another
t'igwiheedya'aa nits'oo = how
gwitr'it =work
t'igwiheedya'aa = will be done
roof both gwichiit'ik on the top of the tip
rope both tl'oo chao tl'oo =grass

chao= big
rope both tl'yah rope/string
rosary Gwtchyah Gwtch'm naaga.U beads
Rotten Eye both Vindee Gwq,hjat Vindee = his eye

Gwqhjat = it rotted
royal assent Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dagwldU'e' gwahsaii dagwldH'e' = law

gwahsaii = it was made
162
Language Dictionary
mbberboots Teetl'1t Gwtch'm tshuu kaiitrih tshuu = water

kaiitrih = shoes
mbberboots Gw1chyah Gwtch'm tshq q kaiitreh tshl}l} = water

kaiitreh = shoes
ruby-crowned kinglet Teetl'!t Gwtch'm kaats'oo lak
rug both dichanchyah kak elchuu dichanchyah = floor

kak=on
elchuu = something laying
rug shampoo Gwtchyah Gwtch'm dachanchyah kak elchuh dachanchyah = floor

gwidaath:lh kak =on
elchuh = something laying
gwidaath~h = its' soap
ruined Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ta gwi diniindha t it has gone bad/spoiled
rules Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gwik'it tr'iheelyaa gwik'it = the same

tr'iheelyaa = will be
rump both an chan'
rusty blackbird Gwtchyah Gwtch'm tsilch'ti'
rusty blackbird Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tsilch'do'
sad (s/he is) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vizhit tr'idagoojiich'uu vizhlt = in him/her

tr'idagoojiich'uu = not good
sadness Gwtchyah Gwtch'm tr'oove'
sadness both tr'igwidii
safety pin Teetl'1t Gwtch'm livaazrak
163
G wich'in Language Dictionary

saint Teetl'rt Gwrch'm sruudidinuu holy
saint Gwrchyah Gwrch'm daaga. i i pure/it is white
saliva both srik
salt both lisel French term
salt (mineral) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm dohghwai'
sand both sheih
sandbar Teetl'rt Gwrch'm luh tr'uu
sandbar Gwrchyah Gwrch'm leth t'ir'
sandfly both adajal
sandpiper Teetl'rt Gwrch'm teekheets'il
sandpiper (pectoral) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm tsildzih
sandpiper (spotted) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm tr' azrak
saturday Teetl'rt Gwrch'm drin yeet'ii drin = day

yeet'ii = before
saturday Gwrchyah Gwrch'm drin yeet'yee drin =day

yeet'yee = before
scab Teetl'rt Gwrch'm lit
scab Gwrchyah Gwrch'm let
scales Teetl'rt Gwrch'm egyti'
scales Gwrchyah Gwrch'm
164

scalp (my) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shichi' dhdh shichi' = my head

dhoh =skin
scar both shat
scarf both zhin nayiit'aii zhin =neck

nayiit'aii = wrapped around
scarf Teetl'1t GwJCh'm zhin naiit'aii zhin =neck

naiit'aii = wrapped around
scaup Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nitsihdin
scaup Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nitsihdyen
school Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ge'tr'oonahtan zheh ge'tr'oonahtan = teacher

zheh = house
scissors both iitsii da'al iitsii = metal

da'al =it eats/chomps
scolding both yiginjih dinahtrak s/he spoke angrily at him/her
seater (surf) both deetre e' a a
seater (white winged) both njaa
Scow Mmmtain Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm Dachan Ch'ik dachan = wood

ch'!k = plate
scrape Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm shidhoh khandhach'ah shidhoh =my skin

khandhach'ah = it tore
scrape Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tr'igo odho h scraping
scrape Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tr'adhoh scraping
screaming both zral s/he is screaming
165

screaming Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zral s/he is screaming
screaming Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm naiidazral s/he is screaming
scrotum (his) both vaghoodhoh
seagull Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tidhigeh any type of gull: generic, glaucous,

herring, mew
seagull Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tidigeh glaucous and herring
seal both needzak
search and seizure Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nitr'intii ts'at tr'tiunjik nitr'intii = searching
ts'at =and
tr'uunjik = it was taken
search warrent Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nitr'ineetyaa nitr'ineetyaa = they will search

gwidinehth)e gwidlnehth~e = its paper
secret Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nitr'igwinah'ii to hide something
secret Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nagwinah'ii someone is hidmg something from

others
security Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm guk'andehnahtii kat guk'andehnahtii = s/he monitors it

kat = more than one
seizure Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm diiyah too gwichithitthaih diiyah = with them

too= dark
gwichithitthaih = it happened
seizure Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm diiyah an gwidadaadhak diiyah =with them

an= away
gwidadaadhak = it is happening
166

seizure Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm guunanh gwihinjuh guunanh = on them

gwihinjuh = tightening
self centered Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm adanh' zr~ih kheenjit adanh' =him/her

niiji'adhat zrE;th= only
kheenjit = for him/herself
niiji'adhat = s/he is thinking
self esteem Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nits'oo khaniinji'dadhat nits'oo = how

khaniinji'dadhat = s/he thinks of
him/herself
selfish Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm adats'at niinji'adhat adats'at =towards one's self

niinji'adhat = s/he is thinking
selfish Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm khaniinji'dadhat s/he thinks of him/herself
semi-ambulatory Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vits'at tr'idijii hah nahadik vits'at = to him/her

tr'idijii = help
hah =with
nahadik = s/he walks around
senate Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm anjdo Hgijil anjoo = elder

hgljil = they meet
senility Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shinh yadhahkhaii shinh = old age

yadhahkhaii = is fighting with
him/her
sentencing Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm gwiizuu t'indizhik eenjit gwiizuu t'indizhik = you did wroung
vanagwahahtsaa eenjit = for it
vanagwahahtsaa = you will make it
up
September Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Vananh' Di'iilii Vananh' = in that time

Di'iilii = it loses the fur on its
antlers
September Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Vananh' Ne'nidijaa Vananh' = in that time

Ne'nidijaa = birds fly away.
167

September Gwrchyah Gwrch'm Sree Nanh Ne'tandijaa sree nanh' = month

ne'tandijaa = birds fly back
sequester Teetl'rt Gwrch'm uudhilch'eii azhik khehlat uudhllch'eii = one's who listen
t'igiheech'yaa azhlk = there
khehlat = in one place
t'igiheech'yaa = they will stay
sergeant at arms Teetl'rt Gwrch'm dachan gugwidee'in dachan = wood

nahdichik gugwidee'in = sign
nahdichik = s/he carries it
seven Teetl'lt Gwrch'm ets'ideech'ii neekaii
seven Gwrchyah Gwrch'm ets'ideech'ii neek'lii
seventeen Teetl'rt Gwrch'm ililak juutyin ts'at inrak =one

ets'ideech'ii neekaii juutyin = counted
ts'at =and
ets'iteech'ii neekaii = seven
seventeen Gwrchyah Gwrch'm ihlogwijuutyin ts'at ihlogwijuutyin = counted once

ets'ideech'ii neekf:\ii ts'at =and
ets'ideech'ii neekqjj = seven
seventy Teetl'rt Gwrch'm ets 'ideech'ii neekaii ets'ideechii neekaii = seven

juutyin juutyin = cotmted
seventy Gwrchyah Gwrch'm ets'ideech'ii neekf:\H ets'ideech'ii neekqjj = seven

gwijuutyin gwijuutyin = it is counted
sewage Teetl'rt Gwrch'm gwinduu' one's waste
sewing (I sewed) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm k'e 'danalkai' I sewed
sewing machine Gwrchyah Gwrch'm iitsii k'eejahkai' iitsii = machine

k'eejahkai'= it sews
168

sewing machine Teetl'tt Gwtch'm iitsii k'e'jahkai' iitsii = machine

k'e'jahkai' = it is sewing
sexual assault Teetl'lt Gwtch'm gwiizuu yits'at gwitr'it gwlizuu = bad

t'agwah'in yits'at =towards him/her
gwitr'it = work
t'agwah'in = s/he did
shack (old) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm zheh gwishik zheh =house

gwishik = old
Shaeffer Mountain Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Chii Cheechii
shale both tth'oh
shame Teetl'tt Gwtch'm uuzhii nilii uuzhii =shy

nilii = s/he is
Shampoo Gwtchyah Gwtch'm chiighe' daatleh chiighe' = headhair

daatleh = soap
Shampoo Teetl'lt Gwtch'm chiighe • daatlih chiighe' = headhair

daatHh = soap
shaving cream Gwtchyah Gwtch'm deezhoo eenjit daath~e· deezhoo = whiskers

eenjit = for it
daatlee' =soap (possessed)
shavings both aazrik wood shavings
shawl both lashel French term
sheep both divii
Sheep Creek Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Divii Daaghoo Njik divii = sheep

daaghoo = bleating
njik =creek
169

Sheep Creek Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Divii Daonjik slang for "Divii Daaghoo Njik"
sheep (large male ) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shohzhin'
shell bag both diik'ee chi' dhoh diik'ee chi' = bullets

dhoh = cover I skin
shelter (lean to) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ts'iivii shah ts'iivii = tree

shah = shelter
shelter (lean to) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ts'eevii shah ts'eevii = tree

shah = shelter
shelves Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nihk'ehdak vizhit gwiltsaii nihk'ehdak = one over the other
vizhit = in it
gwiltsaii = it is made
shelves Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nihk'ehdak vakak nik'ehdak =one over the other
dagoodlee vakak =on it
dagoodlee = they are piled up
shelves Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nihk'yehdak vikak nihk'yehdak = one over the other
dagohdlii vikak =on it
dagohdlii = they are put there
shiltee island Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tshildii njuu tshil-dii = shock

njuu = island
shiltee rock Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Tshildii shock
shock Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tshilghdh he got scared
shoes Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm kaiitrih
shoes Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm kaiitreh
shore both teevee water's edge
shore Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm teeghee water's edge
170
1
Gwich in Social & Cultural Institute Gwich/in Language Centre
Language Dictionary
shorter days Teetl'tt Gwtch'm drin dahgwan drin = day

dahgwan = shorter
shorter days Gwtchyah Gwtch'm drin dahgwadh drin =day

dahgwadh = shorter
shorts Teetl'tt Gwtch'm thai gwan thai= pants

gwan =short
shorts Gwtchyah Gwtch'm thai gwadh thal =pants

gwadh = shorts
shot Gwtchyah Gwtch'm diik'ee tsal diik'ee = gtm

tsal =small
shotgun (double barrel) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm diik'ee jiigoo
shotgun (double barrel) Gwtchyah Gwtch' m diik'ee jiigQQ
shots (muzzle loader) both diik'ee chi' ghoo diik'ee chi' = bullets
ghoo =round
shoulder blade both egeechan
shoulder (my) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm shaghohk'at my shoulder
shoulder (my) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm shighohk'et my shoulder
shouting Teetl'tt Gwtch'm zral s/he is shouting
shoveller Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dehdrik
shoveller Gwtchyah Gwtch'm t'oovii
shrew both dloo daatthaa
shy Teetl'tt Gwtch'm uuzhii
171

sickness both ts'ik
sign of the cross Gwtchyah Gwtch'm uutadaandaii
sin Teetl'1t Gwtch'm tr'igwaanduu it is very bad
sin Gwtchyah Gwtch' m tr'igwaandyidh it is very bad
sinew Teetl'1t Gwtch'm khaniidoo I am twisting it
sinew Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ch'eh thread
sinew Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ch'ih thread
single barrel shotgun both diik'ee ts'ik diik'ee =gun

ts'ik =slim
single person Gwtchyah Gwtch'm than' nadhat thC:tn' = alone

(unmarried) nadhat = s/he stands
single person Teetl'lt Gwtch'm gadhidii kwaa gadhidii = married

(unmarried) kwaa =not
sinkers both cheh chii cheh = under water/river bottom

chii =stone
sinning Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tr'igwaanduu t'igwidi'in tr'igwaanduu = it is very bad

t'igwidi'in = doing
sister (my) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm shijyidh my younger sister
sister (older ) both sheejii my older sister
sister (younger) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm shijuu' my younger sister
sister (younger) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm shijyidh khaints'an' shijyidh = my sister

khaints'an' = younger
172
Language Dictionary
sister-in-law (my) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shiyah'at (younger brother's wife)
sister-in-law (my) both shaghaii (man's side)
Sitidgi Lake Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Sitr'ijee Van
six Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm nihk'ii tik nihk'ii =both sides

tik = three
six Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nihk'ii tyik nihk'ii = both sides

tyik =three
sixteen Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ihlak juutyin ts'at nihk'ii ihlak =one

tik juutyin = counted
ts'at =and
tik =three
sixteen Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ihlogwijuutyin ts'at nihk'ii ihlogwijuutyin =counted once

tyik ts'at = and
tyik =three
sixty Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nihk'ii tik juutyin nihk'ii = both sides

tik =three
juutyin = counted
sixty Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m nihk'ii tyik juutyin nihk'ii = both sides

tyik =three
juutyin = counted
skin (my) both shidho h
skirt Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm tl'eethoh ik tl'eethoh = waist

ik =dress
skirt Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm yik skirt/dress
173

skull (his/her) both vichii tth'an vichii = his/her head

tth'an = bone
sky Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zhee hyuu zhee =sky

hyuu = along the Side
sky Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm zhee
sky Gw1ehyah Gw1ch'm zhee hyidh zhee =sky

hyidh = along the side
sky (blue) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gwijiditl'dh it is all blue
Slavey people both aachin Slavey People/stranger
sleeve support Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gyin nidiniizhii gyin =arm

nidiniizhii = wrapped around
sleeve support Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm diigyin nidiniizhii diigyln =one's arm

nidiniizhii =wrapped around
sleeve support Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gyin ninuht'aii gyin =arm

ninuht'aii = wrapped around
slip Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iyehzhak ik iyehzhak = under

ik =dress
slip, t-shirt Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm iyehzhak yik iyehzhak = underneath

yik =dress
slow learner both khanh' gik'idhinjih kwaa khanh' = quickly

gik'idhinjih = s/he learns
kwaa =not
slow learner Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm khe'ts'at gik'idhinjih khe'ts'at =slowly

gik'idhinjih = s /he learns
slush Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nireh
174
Language Dictionary
smart Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm duuleh nilH duuleh = smart

nil~~
= s/he is
smashed Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm altra.U broken to small pieces
smoke both 1:at
smoke hole both tshik
smokehouse Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm uutsik zheh uutsik = dried fish

zheh =house
snake Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gyqq chao g144= worm

chao= big
Snake River Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Gyuu Dizhoo Njik gyuu=worm

dizhoo = hairy
njik =river
snare both gya.h
snare (jump) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm thak jump snare
sneak Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nagwinaa' ii s/he is hiding something
snipe (common) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm yeezhah
snow both zhoh
snow blindness both neezhinh
snow bunting Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm gugeh zhuu gugeh = snowgoose

zhuu=young
snow btmting Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gugeh zheu gugeh = snow goose

zheu=young
snow crust both gwilyuu' its ice
175

snow (deep) both zhoh diniinchih zhoh =snow

diniinchih = big and heavy
snow (drifting soft Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zhoh nanadhidoh zhoh = snow

snow) ninadhidoh = blowing in all
directions
snow (drifting soft Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m zhoh tsal hah tazruu zhoh =snow
snow) tsal =small
hah =with
tazruu = it has drifted
snow goose both gugeh
snow (melting) both zhoh nagwaaghaii zhoh= snow

nagwaaghaii = melting
snow (melting) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zhoh nadhaghaih zhoh =snow

nadhaghaih = it is melting
snow (melting) Teetl'1t Gw!Ch'm taoj iilit it is melting
snow (melting) both nagwaaghaii it is melting
snow patch on trees both dehzhdo'
snow (powdery) both zhoh tshuh zhoh =snow

tshuh = soft and light
snow (soft) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm zhoh tshadh zhoh=snow

tshadh = soft and light
snow (soft) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zhoh tshuu' zhoh =snow

tshuu' = soft and light
snowstorm Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zhoh minadhiddh zhoh =snow

nanadhiddh = blowing in all
directions
176
Gwich'in Social & Culhual Institute Gwich'in Language Centre
Language Dictionary
snow underneath crust both tsaih zhyaa
snow (wet) both zhoh trah zhoh= snow

trah =wet
snowbird (white) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm ddhah dzhii' ddhah = mountain

dzhli' =bird (possessed)
snowbird (white) Gw1chyah Gw!Ch'm gugeh zheu dagC!Ji gugeh = snow bird
zhuu=ymmg
dagqjj = white
snowdrift both tsil
snowflakes Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gehts'oh ch'aa' gehts'oh = pieces of rabbit fur

ch'aa' = all torn up
snowing Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ahshih it is snowing
snowing Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ahsheh it is snowing
snowshoes Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm aih
snowshoes Gw1chyah Gw1eh'm eih
snowslide Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tsil gwihdajik tsil = snowdrift

gwihdajik = it slid down
snowslide Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm zhoh njik zhoh =snow

njik = it slid down
snowslide Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwijih
snowstorm both zhoh hah ahtr'aih zhoh =snow

hah =with it
ahtr'aih =wind
soap Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm daat!ih
177
Language Dictionary
soap Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm daatl-eh
soap (dish) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ch'ik daatlih ch'[k = plate

daatl:-th = soap
soap (dish) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ch'ek daath~e· ch'ek = plate

daatlee' =soap
social worker Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm datthak gwits'at tr'iinjii datthak = everyone

gwits'at = towards
tr'iinjii = s/he helps
social worker Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm neesrij<thch'uu kat ts'at neesrij4hch'uu = s/he is poor
tr'iinj ii kat = more than one
ts'at = towards
tr'iinjii = s/he helps
socks Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tah
socks (thick ) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tah diti' tah =socks

ditl' = thick
socks (thick) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tah ditye' stoogin = socks

ditye' = thick
soldier Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm niveht'ah'ii s/he is going out, watching

everything
soldier Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm niveht'ah'in
sometimes both geetak
sometimes Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm tr'ihts'at gwa'an now and then
song (prophetic) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm k'adagwida'ak elik k'adagwida'ak =messenger

elik =song
song (prophetic) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shan elik shan = spiritual medicine

elik =song
178
Language Dictionary
songs (drum) both shuh elik shuh =drum

elik =song
songs (drum dance) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shtih k'yuu atr'aadzoo shuh =drum
gwi'elik k'yuu = its way
atr'aadzoo = they are dancing
gwi'elik = song (possessed)
soot both ch'tih
soot both lits'ih
sore arm Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm diigyin elts'ik diigy1n = one's arm

elts'ik = it is sore
sore arm Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shigyin ehs'ik shigyln = my arm

elts'ik = it is sore
soul (my) Gw1chyah Gw1eh'm shizhin my soul
soup bowl Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ch'ik ghoo ch'1k = plate

ghoo =round
southern native Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm yi'eenji' gwidinjii zhuu' yi'eenji' =way out
gwidinjii zhUu'= their native
people
space station Teetl'lt Gw1ch' m zheetii dhityin gwizheh zheetii = sky

dhityin = it is put there
gwizheh = their house
spacecraft Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zhee khyuu nahdalak zhee =sky

khyuu = along the side
nahdalak =it is running
sparrow (white Gw1chyah Gw1eh'm khatr'igijiinjiizhe e'

crowned)
speaker of the house Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gUkhii s/he is speaking
179

speaker of the senate Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm anjdo kat ligiljil gwichit anjoo kat = elders
-l:iglljil =they met
gwichlt = their leader
speaking (in anger to Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ats'at t'iiyahnuu ats'at = towards him/her
one) t'iiyahnuu = s/he is telling him/her
special needs Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shu' gik'idhinjii shu' = difficult

gik'idhinjii = s/he learns
special or select Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iisrits'at jilch'eiinat iisrits'at = most prominent

committee jllch'eiinat = one's who sit
speech from the throne Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm nagwinii'aii geenjit nagwlnii'aii = put into place
gwaandak geenjit gwaandak = s/he is talking
about it
speech impairment Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tr'idagoohik ginjih repeating of words is difficult

datr'ijaadijah
spider both gudeedrii
spider web Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gudeedrii chihvyaa' gudeedrii = spider

chihvyaa' = net
spider web Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gudeedrii da'ootl'ii gudeedrii = spider

da'oot{'ii = it is weaved
spina bifida Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm diimin tthoh agweedii
spine (my) both shamin tth'an' shanan = my back

tth'an' = bone (possessed)
spirit Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ank'yqq' one's spirit
spirit (my) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shink'yuu' my spirit
spirit (my) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shink'yirq' my spirit
180
Language Dictionary
spokesperson both diiyeenjit giikhii diiyeenjit = for someone

gi}khii = s/he is speaking
spoon both span
spoon Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ch'ik tsal ch'1k = plate

tsal = small
sprain Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ihnuuch'ah it is torn
sprain Gwtchyah Gwtch'm gwichciuch'ah it tore
sprain Teetl'tt Gwtch'm itinuuch'aa it is torn
spring Teetl'tt Gwtch'm sreendit
spring (came early) both khanh' gwi-l:gwan' khanh' = quickly

gwlfgwan' = it melted
spring (came early) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm d<~,U khanh' gwi-l:gwan' dqj! =spring
khanh' = fast
gwi-!:gwan'= it melted
spring (current) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm juk d1:1Ji jUk =now

dq}j =spring
spring (current) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm juga ctqH juga' =now

dqjj = spring
spring (early) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm khanh' gwahahgwan' khanh' = quickly

gwahahgwan' =it will melt
spring (fast melting) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm daii khanh' gwUgwan' daii = spring
khanh' = fast
gwi-!:gwan' = melting
spring (late, after Teetl'tt Gwtch'm daii

break up)
181
Language Dictionary
spring (melting snow) Teetl'lt Gwtch'm gwahgwan' it is melting
spring (season) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm da.U late spring/early summer
spring (season) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm sreendyit
spring water Teetl'tt Gwtch'm kha tanahaii water is appearing
spruce bough Teetl'lt Gwtch'm thoo'ah
spruce cone both dineedzil
spruce gum (chewable) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dzih kwan dz1h ==gum

kwan = clear (transparent)
spruce gum Guice) Teetl'1t Gwtch'm dzih ant'at tshu' dzih =gum
ant'at == sticky
tshu' = its water
spruce gum Guice) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm dzeh tsh4' dzeh=gum

tshl)' =juice (possessed)
spruce gum (soft) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dzih ant'at dzih= gum

ant'at = sticky
spruce gum (soft) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm dzeh ant'at dzeh=gum

ant'at = sticky
squirrel both dlak
stage (fish) Gwt~hyah Gwtch'm luk drqh luk = ftsh

drqh == stage
stage (for drying fish) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm uutsik drl:l,h uutsik = dried fish
drqh =stage
stairs both vakak danatr'adadal vakak =on it

danatr'adadal = walks up
182

stand aside Teetl'rt Gwrch'm ihleh zhtiu eenjit izhits'aii ihieh = for a while
na.a. 'ee zhuu eenjit = for no reason
izhlts'aii = on that side
nq.q.'ee = you, stand
standing committee - Teetl'rt Gwrch'm ihhlh jilch'eiinat ihieh = for a while

statute jilch'eiinat = committee
star both san'
star (evening) both san' choo san'= star

chao= big
stare decisis Teetl'rt Gwrch'm iisrits'at hit gwijiintshii iisrits'at = most important
aii tr'uuhadhahch'yaa lat = some of it
gwijlintshii = large scale
tr'uuhadhahch'yaa = it will be
listened to
startled Gwrchyah Gwrch'm chilghoh s/he was startled
startled Teetl'rt Gwrch'm vighashih chuujil
statutory marriage Teetl'rt Gwrch'm too hah lao hah = absolutely

nihkha tr' igwa. hchih nihkhatr'igwq.hchih = they were
married
stay of proceedings Teetl'rt Gwrch'm ihhlh jtiu nitr'inqhchuh ihleh = for a short time
juu nitr'lnq.hchuh = it was put aside
steal Teetl'rt Gwrch'm in'ii s/he is stealing
steal Gwrchyah Gwrch'm en'th s/he is stealing
steam (from a hole in Gwrchyah Gwrch'm tadhah zraa'

the ice)
steam (from hole in the both teedhah zraa'

ice)
183

steam (from kettle) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm teezrah
steam (from kettle) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm teedhah znia'
steam (from open both teezhirh

water)
stepbrother (my eldest) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shuundee chit dhidlit shuundee = my older brother
chit = oldest
dhidlit = he became
stepbrother (my older) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shuundee nathilit shuundee = my older brother
nathilit = he became
stepfather Teetl'rt Gwrch'm ti' nathilit ti' = father

nathilit= he became
stepfather (my) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm shitye' nathilit shitye' = my father

nathilit = he became
stepmother Teetl'rt Gwrch'm hcinh' nayidilii hanh' = mother

nayidilii = she became
stepmother Teetl'rt Gwrch'm hanh' nayaa'ii hanh' =mother

nayaa'ii = having for his/her own
stepmother (my) both shahanh' nathilit shahanh' =my mother

nathilit = she became
stepsister (my) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm shijyidh nathilit shijyidh = my sister

stepsister (my younger) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm shijuu nathilit shijuu = my younger sister
stepsister (my Gwrchyah Gwrch'm shijyidh khaints'an' shijyidh = my sister

youngest) nathilit khaints'an = younger
stick fish Gw1chyah Gwrch'm h
184

stick fish Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm atsah
stick (for making stick Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ahts<\h gal' ahtsc}h = stick fish
fish) gal' = stick (possessed)
stick for setting net both dehzrak
stick (fork stick for both shak

setting net tmder ice)
sting (bee) Teetl'lt Gw1ch' m ineedzit inuuk'ak ineedzit = bee

inuuk'ak = poke with a sharp
object
stockings Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tah dril ninjuu tah =socks

dril =thin
ninjuu = long
stomach ache Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shizrak elts'ik shizrak = my stomach

elts'lk = it is sore/sick
stomach ache Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shitril elts'lk shitrll = my belly

elts'lk = it is sore/sick
stomach (coney) both sruh zhik sruh =coney

zhlk =guts
stomach contents both itrik stomach contents

(caribou & moose)
stomach (inner) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm diichit one's inner stomach

refers to human
stomach (inner) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm i tshi t
stomach (inner) both shivat my inner stomach
stomach (my) both shizrak my belly (whole belly area)
185

stomach (trout) both dhik'ii zrak dhik'ii = trout

zrak =belly
stone both chii
stone age people Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ts'iidaii
stone age people Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ts'iidt::ii
Stony Creek Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm Gwatoh Taii Tshik gwatoh = over

taii = trail
tshik = creek
storage pits (under Gw1chyah Gwrch'm nan tseek'it nan= ground

ground) tseek'it = storage place
storage pits Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nan tsiik'it nan= ground

(underground) tsiik'it = storage place
store both uukat zheh uukat =buy

zheh =house
store manager Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm khehkaih chit khehkaih = manager

chit = leader
store manager both khehkaih
stove (oil) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm iitsii vizhit khaii juuk'an' iitsii = stove
vizhit = in it
khaii = oil
stove (oil) both khaii juuk'an' iitsii khaii = oil

iitsii = stove
stove pipe both iitsii gwizhah iitsii = stove/metal

gwizhah = it is hollow /it is empty
186

stove pipe elbow Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iitsii alsraii iitsii = stove/ metal
alsraii = it is bent
stove pipe elbow Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm iitsii alsrq,U iitsii = stove I metal
a}srqH = it is bent
stove (wood) both iitsii stove/metal
straight Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm ch'igwijuu'ee something that is straight
strainer Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vinjit tr'injaa vinjit = through it

tr'ihinjaa = spill
strainer Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vinjit tr'itanjaa vinjit = through

tr'itanjaa = pouring
strange Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tsin gwaa'ii acting silly or strange,

abnormal acts
stranger both aachin
stretcher Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vizhidhii' e e I put it in
sty Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm shindee khagweedizhaa shindee = my eye

khagweedizhaa = it is coming out
submission Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dadizhik yeenjit gUkhii dadizhik = what happened to

him/her
yeenjit = for him/her
subpoena Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tr'oodahkat nihiinhaa tr'oodahkat nihiinhaa = you will go

eenjit edinehtl'ee to court
eenjit edlneht}'ee = its paper
sucker both daats'at
suddenly Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm khanh'ts'at
187

suffering both khaiinji'dadhat s /he is suffering
sugar Teetl'rt Gwrch'm soogaii
sugar Gwrchyah Gwrch'm
sugar bowl Teetl'rt Gwrch'm soogaii tyah soogaii = sugar

sugar bowl Gwrchyah Gwrch'm suuga.U ty&h suug~H = sugar

tyqh = container
sugar cubes Teetl'rt Gwrch'm soogaii hi' soogaii = sugar

lu' = hard (solid)
sugar cubes Gwrchyah Gwrch'm suug<\U hi' suug~H = sugar

lu' = hard (solid)
summary offense Teetl'rt Gwrch'm gwiiyaa'an ts'at gwiizuu gwiiyaa'an = more than
kwaa ts'at =and
gwlizuu kwaa = it is not bad
summer both shin
summer (came early) Gwrchyah Gwrch'm khanh' shin goodlet khanh' = quickly
shin = summer
goodlet = it happened suddenly
summer (will come both khanh' shin gwiteelah khanh' = quickly

early) shin = summer
gwiteelah = it will happen
Summit Lake Teetl'rt Gwrch'm Daadzaii Van' daadzaii = loon

vim' = lake (possessed)
summons Teetl'rt Gwrch'm tr'oodahkat nihiinhaa tr'oodahkat nihiinhaa = you will go

eenjit edinehth:le to court
edlnehtl'ee = its paper
188

Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm sree
sun Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm srii
stm (ring armmd) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm srii ne'nilt'aih srii =sun

ne'nllt'aih = strung around
stm (ring around) Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m sree ne'nilt'aih sree =sun

ne'nllt'aih = strung around
Sunday both drin zhit drin =day

zh!t = inside
sunny day Teetl'1t Gw1eh'm sriinii'aii it is sunny
sunrise Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm ge'ta'aii
sunrise Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ge'chuu't;:ih
sunset Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm na'a'aih
sunset Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm na'ii'eih took it down
sunshine Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm srii nii'aii the sun is shining
sunshine Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm sree nii't;:H the sun is shining
supreme court Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm iisrits'at atr'oodahkat iisrits'at = most prominent

Canada gwizhit atr'oodahkat = questioning
Canada gwizhlt =in Canada
supreme court of canada Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Canada datthak gwizhit Canada datthak = all of Canada
iisrits'at atr'oodahkat gwizhlt = in it
gwiintshii iisrits'at = most prominent
atr'oodahkat =court
189

supreme court of the Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nakhweminkat gwizhit nakhweminkat = our land
NWT iisrits'at atr'oodahkat gwizhlt = in it
gwiintshii iisrits'at = most prominent
atr'oodahkat= court
surgery Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm diitr'it'ii someone is cutting them
surgery Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm diitr'it'yee someone is cutting them
surprised Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shichaa gwijilm\th I was surprised
surprised Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vichaa gwidijalnqth s/he was surprised
suspended sentence Teetl'1t Gw1eh'm ihh~h jtiu nitr'igwinii'aii ihh~h =for a short while
juu nltr'lgwlnii'aii = it was put aside
suspenders both ghoh toh niit'aii ghoh = shoulder

toh =over
niit'aii = hanging
swallow Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shehtsoo
swallow (bank,tree) Teetl'1t Gw1ch:m sheihtsoo vee
swallow (cliff) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm sheihtsoo
swallow (tree, Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm chehtsadh neet'aa

bank,cliff)
swampy place both gweelah wet ground with lots of water
swan Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm daazraii
swan Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm daazra.U
Swan Creek Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Daazraii Tshik daazraii = swan

tshik = creek
190
Language Dictionary
Swan Lake Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Daazraii Van' daazraii = swan

van' = lake (possessed)
swear Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwiizuu tr'igiikhii gwiizuu = bad

tr'igiikhii = they speak
swear Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tr'igwaanyadh gUkhii tr'igwaandyadh = very bad

swear Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwiizuu giikhii gwiizuu = bad

giikhii = s/he is speaking
sweater Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm warsdit ik warsdlt = yarn

ik = shirt/ dress
sweater Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm lalen yik lalen =yarn

yik = shirt/dress
swing Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tl'a'aaval
swing Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tl'aa'iival
swing Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tl'ee'aaval k'it tl'ee'aaval = swinging

k'it =place
swollen Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm gwilzhal a swollen place
swollen Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm alzhal it is swollen
swollen Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm alzhal it is swollen
swollen Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gwilzhal
sympathetic Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm guuveenjit guuveenjit = for them

nehsritr'ij 8,hch'ti h nehsritr'ij4hch'uh = they are poor
sympathetic Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vits'at neesritr'ij~hch'uu vits'at = towards him/her

neesritr'ij4hch'uu = they are poor
191
Language Dictionary
syrup, sap Teetl'tt Gwtch'm k'ii tshti' k'ii =birch

tshu' = its water
syrup, sap Gwtchyah Gwtch'm k'ii tshlj' k'ii =birch

tshtj' = its water
t-shirt Gwtchyah Gwtch'm azhak yik azhak = under

yik = shirt
table both vakak ii'aa vakak =on it

ii'aa = we eat
table cloth both vakak ii'aa dhoh vakak ii'aa = table

dhoh = cover I skin
table cloth Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vakak ii'aa kak dalchuu vakak ii'aa = table
kak =on it
daJchuu = it is laid
table (small) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vakak ii' a a tsal vakak ii'aa =table
tsal =small
tackle box Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ly&h gwidal ligis lyqh =hook

gwidal = things
ligis =box
tackle box Teetl'tt Gwtch'm lyah gwidal tyah lyah =hook

gwidal = things
tyah = container/pail
take out Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tr'itahchyah to take someone to another place.
tallow Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ik'eh ghai' ik'eh = fat

ghai' = its grease
tam Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ts'eh ghoo ts'eh = hat

ghoo =round
192

tax refund Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tseedhdh gwats'an tseedhdh = money

natr'ahtsik gwats'an = to someone
natr'ahtsik = it is returned
tea both lidii
tea towel Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ch'ek dqhsrqq' ch'ek = plate

dqhsrqq' =towel
tea towel Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ch'ik dohsrdo ch'lk = plate

dohsrdo = towel
teacher both ga'uunahtan s/he is teaching
teacher Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gaonahtan s/he is teaching
teacher assistant Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ga'uunahtan ts'anuu ga'uunahtan = s/he teaches

ts'anuu = helper
teacher assistant Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gaonahtan ts'anuh gaonahtan = s/he teaches

ts'anuh = helper
teacher assistant Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ga'uunahtan ts'at tr'iinjii ga'uunahtan = teacher

ts'at =to
tr'iinjii = help
teapot both lidii tyah lidii = tea

tears both tree tshti' tree = crying

tshu' = water (possessed)
teepee both zheh gwich'ok zheh =house

gwich'ok = it has a sharp point
teeth (my) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shighd' my teeth
193

telephone both d'yah vizhit tr'igUkhii t!'yah = line

vizhit = in it
tr'igHkhii = talking
temper (quick Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm khanh' vatsin khanh' = quickly

tempered) gwahdaadhak vatsin gwahdaadhak = s/he gets
angry quickly
temper (quick Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vatsin gwahdaadhak s/he gets angry

tempered) often.
ten Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ihlak juutyin ihlak =one

juutyin =counted
ten Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m ihlogwijuutyin counted once
tendons both ch'at
tent Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zheh gwidhdh zheh =house

gwidhoh = its cover
tent both niivyaa
termite Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dachan ahkhoo dachan = wood

ahkhoo =chewing away
termite Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dachan gyq' dachan = wood

gyl]' =its worm
territorial court Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nakhweminkat eenjit nakhwenankat = our land

atr'oodahkat eenjit = on behalf of
territorial government Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dinjii kat eenjit dinjii = people

k' adagwidaadha t kat = more than one
eenjit = on behalf of
k'adagwidaadhat = the head boss
testicles Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm diighdo' one's eggs
194

thank you both mahsf'
thank you very much both mahsi' choo mahsl' =thank you
chao= big
thankful both htl,i' nilii hiif = thank you

nilli = s/he is
Thanksgiving Day Teetl'1t Gwtch'm Hai' Gwantl'agwida'aii hai' =thank you

Dr in gwantl'agwida'aii = they are
giving
drin =day
the beginning Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gtikah gwiniidhat gukah = beginning

gwiniidhat = the time has come
the next day Teetl'tt Gwtch'm drin gehndoo drin = day

gehndoo = after
the next day Gwtchyah Gwtch'm gehndoo drin gehndoo = after

drin =day
thermometer (body) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ts'ik niidhaa vah ts'ik = sickness

k'atr'aandaii niidhaa = hot
vah =with it
k'atr'aandaii = measure
thermos bottle Gwtchyah Gwtch'm tshqq dhah ty&h tshijij = water

dhah =hot
tyqh = container I pail
thermos bottle Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tshuu dhah tyaa' tshuu = water

dhah =hot
tyaa' = container (possessed)
thermos bottle Teetl'tt Gwtch'm lidii dhah tyaa' lidii = tea

dhah =hot
tyaa' =container (possessed)
195
Gwich1 in Language Dictionary

thimble Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm edzii gwichoo edzii = ears

gwichoo = big
thirteen Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ihlak juutyin ts'at tik ih{ak =one

juutyin = cmmted
ts'at =and
tik =three
thirteen Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ih:l:ogwijuutyin ts'at tyik ih{ogwijuutyin = counted once

ts'at =and
tyik =three
thirty Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm tik juutyin tik =three

juutyin = counted
thirty Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tyek juutyin tyek =three

juutyin = counted
this evening both juk khahts'at jllk=now

khclhtsat = evening
this evening Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gwit:l:'ee khahts'at gwiti'ee = after

khclhts'at = evening
this morning Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm juk vanh' jllk= now

vanh' = morning
this morning Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm k'eejit vanh' k'eejit =before

vRnh' = morning
thread Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ch'eh
thread Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ch'ih
thread (embroidery both laswee French term

silk)
three Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tik
196
Language Dictionary
three Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tyek
Three Cabin Creek Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Tr'ineedlaii
three days ago Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm drin tik gwanoo drin = day
tik = three
gwanoo = to this time
three days ago Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm drin tyik gwinoo drin =day
tyik =three
gwinoo = to this time
three days from now Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm drin tik gwindoo' drin =day
tik = three
gwindoo' = after
throat (my) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shihda ii' my throat
throat (my) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shihdS:U' my throat
throat (sore) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shihdaii gwilts'ik shihdaii = my throat

gwihs'ik = it is sore
throat (sore) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shihd~H gwilts'ik shihdctH = my throat

gwihs'ik = it is sore
thumb (my) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shanchoh my thumb
thumb (my) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shinchath my thumb
thunder both nehtan
Thunder River both Vihtr'ii Tshik Vihtr'ii = flint

Tshik = creek
Thursday Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Drin Daankat drin =day

daankat =four
197

Thursday Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm Drin Ts'at Drin Dq.tl drin =day

ts'at =from
drin =day
d;;t;;t =four
timber stand Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ehdii
timber stand Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ehdyee
tin can both iitsii tyah iitsii = metal

tyah =container/pail
toaster (for bread) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm iitsii vizhit leth ch'uh df.m iitsii = machine
tr'ahk'an vizh!t = in it
leth ch'uh = bannock
dC:m =raised
tr'ahk'an = they burn it
today both jtik drin jllk=now

drin =day
today Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm jugadrin juga' =now

drin =day
toenail (my) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm shikaiiga ii · my toenail
toenails Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm kaiigaii'
toes (between) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm akaiigoo between the toes
toes (my) both shikaiits 'at my toes
toilet paper Teetl'1t Gw1eh'm dinehtl'eh vah tr'iditsit dineht}'eh = paper

vah =with it
tr'iditsit = to wipe
198

toilet paper Gwrchyah Gwrch'm edinehtl'eh vah tr'iditsit edineht}'eh = paper

vah =with it
tr'iditsit = to wipe
tomorrow both nihkaa'
tongue (my) Teetl'rt Gwrch'm shichaa' my tongue
tonight Gwrchyah Gwrch'm jtik tadh juk =now

tadh =night
tonight Gwrchyah Gwrch'm gwit!'ee tadh gwiti'ee = later/after

tadh =night
too late Teetl'rt Gwrch'm at'at gwizhit tr'igwiniidhat at'at =already

gwizhit = in it
tr'igwiniidhat = it happened
tooth ache (my) both shigho' ehs'ik shighO' = my teeth

efts'ik = it is sore
tooth filling Teetl'rt Gwrch'm diigho' zhit nagwahtsii diigho' = one's teeth
zhit = in it
nagwahtsii = making it again
toothbrush Gwrchyah Gwrch'm diigho' vah ek'ee'tr'ahtraa diigho' =one's teeth

t<d' vah = with it
ek'ee'tr'ahtraa = wash
t4i' =handle
toothbrush Teetl'rt Gwrch'm vah diigho' k'eetr'ahtraa vah =with it

diigho' = one's teeth
toothpaste Teetl'rt Gwrch'm diigho' vah k'eetr'ahtraa diigho' =one's teeth

vah = with it
199
Language Dictionary
toothpaste Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm diighd' vah ek'ee'tr'ahtraa diigho' =one's teeth

vah =with it
ek'ee'tr'ahtraa = wash
toque Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm lalen ts'ah lalen =yarn

ts'ah =hat
tort (a wicked act) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tehk'oo wrong doing
tourist Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm khehtak nahdadal kat khehtak = long trip

nahdadal = traveller
kat = more than one
tourist Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nan kak natadik nan= land

kak= on
natadik = s/he walks
tourists Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nan kak natadidal kat nan= land

kak= on
natadidal = they are walking
kat = more than one
towards evening both khahts'at gwits'at khahts'at = night

gweedhah gw!ts'at = towards
gweedhah = the time is going
towel Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dohsrqq
towel Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dohsroo
tower Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zheh yeet'qU'ee zheh =house

yeet'&H'ee = high up above
everything else/stretching up
trader Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dinjii uukat ahtsii dinjii =man

uukat = s/he buys
ahtsii = make
200
Language Dictionary
trader both uukat ahtsii uukat = s/he is buying

tradition Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ndoo dagwideeda'aii ndoo = forward I ahead

dagwideeda'aii =to plan I to put
ahead
tradition Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ndoo tr'igwee'aa ndoo = forward I ahead

tr'igwee'aa = to put forth I to pass
on
trail Gwtchyah Gwtch'm trail/road/path
trail Teetl'tt Gwtch'm taii trail/road/path
Trail Creek Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Tr'atr'aataii Tshik Tr'atr'aataii = the path is laid out
Tshik = creek
trained Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gahdandaii nilii gahdandaii = s/he knows

nilii = s/he is
trained Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ga'uuniltyin s/he has been taught
trained Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gaonihyin s/he is taught
transfer payment Teetl'tt Gwtch'm izhuu ts'at tseedhdh izhuu ts'at = to a different person
gwintl'atr'ahtshuh tseedhdh = money
gwint{'atr'ahtshuh = giving
trap Gwtchyah Gwtch'm khya.h
trap Teetl'tt Gwtch'm khyah
trap (deadfall) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm dachan khycih dachan = wood

khy~h =trap
trap (deadfall) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dachan khyah dachan = wood

khyah =trap
201
Language Dictionary
trap (fish) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm k'oo fish trap
trap (fish) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm k'adh fish trap
trap (steel) both iitsii khy~ h iitsii = steel

khy~h =trap
Travaillant Lake Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm Khaii Lugu' khaii = winter

lugu' (cl:uk) = fish
Travaillant Lake Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm Khaii Luk Van khaii : winter

luk = fish (possessed)
van= lake
Travaillant River Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm Teela,t'
treaty Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm iagwiinaadhan we (two parties) want it
treaty Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tseedhdh gwatat tr'ilii tseedhoh = money

gwatat = among
tr'illi = is being given out to many
treaty Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm lazhCJ,'l. la tr' ahdaii
treaty day Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tseedhdh gwatat tr'ilii drin tseedhdh = money
gwatat = among
tr'ilii = is being given out to many
drin =day
treaty money Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm lazhCJ,CJ. tseedhcih lazh&& = money

tseedhoh = money
Tree River Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Dachan Chao Gehnjik dachan = wood

choo =big
gehnjik = up a distance from there
202

Tree River Gw1chyah Gw1eh'm Dachan Chao Gehnjigaa Dachan = wood

Chao= big
Gehnjigaa = a distance back from
there
tree (spruce) both ts'iivii
trembling both daatrat s/he is trembling
trifling Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwiintl'clh yidiinjik kwaa gwiintf'oh = more in scale

yidiinj)k = s/he was hurt
kwaa =not
trigger both diik'ee kaiidral' diik' ee = gun

kaiidral' = toes
trout both vit
trout (mountain) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tsivii zhuu
truck driver Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iitsii khal ne'tahlak iitsii = machine/metal

kha-l- = vehicle/wagon
ne'tahlak = s/he is driving
truck driver Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm iitsii khal ak'qhdak iitsii = machine I metal
khal = vehicle/wagon
ak'qhdak = s/he steers
try Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gijiint'aii try - speaking to one person
trying Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm guk' agwandaih s/he is trying
tub (laundry) both vizhit ek'eetr'ahtraa vizhlt = in it

ek'eetr'ahtraa = washing it
Tuesday Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm Drin Ts' at Drin N eekaii drin =day

ts'at =from
drin =day
neekaii = two
203
Language Dictionary
Tuesday Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Dr in Neekaii drin =day

neekaii = two
Tuesday Teetl'!t Gw1ch'm Dr in Tl'ee Gehndoo Dr in Drin =day

T-f'ee =after
Gehndoo = after that
Drin =day
twmel Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m nan t'eh gweedii nan=ground

t'eh = tmder
gweedii =an opening/a passage
turkey Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm d&th chao dqth = chicken

chao= big
turkey both daih chao daih =chicken/spruce grouse

chao= big
turnip Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vich'ii tr'aajaa vich'ii = from it

tr'aajaa = eating quickly
turnip Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vich'eih tr'aajaa
twelve Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ihlak juutyin ts'at neekaii ihiak =one

juutyin = counted
ts'at =and
neekaii = two
twelve Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ihlogwijuutyin ts'at ihlogwijuutyin = counted once

neekaU ts'at =and
neekajj = two
twenty Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm neekaii juutyin neekaii = two

juutyin = counted
twenty Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm neekogwijuutyin counted twice
two both neekaii
204

two winters ago both khaii neekat gwinoo khaii = winter

neekat = two of them
gwmoo =ago
umbilical cord Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tr'iinin chyaa' tr'iinin = child

chyaa' = placentum
umbilical cord Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tr'iinin tl'yaa' tr'iinin = child

tf'yaa' = string (possessed)
umbilical cord Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm echyaa tl'yaa' echyaa = placentum

tl'yaa' = its string
unborn animals Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ichidhidii
1.mborn animals both igii
uncle (my) Teetl'1t Gwtch'm shoo'ii my uncle

(mother's brother)
uncle (my) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shitii
uncle (my) both shuu'ii (mother's brother)
under shirt Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ezhyaa ik ezhyaa =underneath

ik = shirt/ dress
undertaking Teetl'1t Gwtch'm kheenide' gwijida'aii a warning was sent
underwear Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iyehzhak thal iyehzhak =underneath

tha{ =pants
underwear Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwiyehzhak gwich'aa' gwiyehzhak = under

gwich'aa' = clothes
underwear Gw1chya Gw1ch'm gwiyehzhak gwidal' gwiyehzhak = under

gwidal' = clothes
205

unemployment cheque Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm gwitr'it t'agwah'ii kwaa gwitr'it = work

tse edho h t'agwah'ii = s/he is doing
kwita = nothing
tseedhoh = money
unfit to stand trial Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm atr'oodahkat niheehaa atr'oodahkat niheehaa = s/he will
geenjit gadhan kwaa go to court
geenjit = for it
gadhan kwaa = it is not easy
unfriendly Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm zhliu ghadidich'uh kwah zhuu = for nothing

ghadidich'uh = friendly
kwah =not
unhappy both shah nilii kwaa shah= happy

nilli = s/he is
kwaa =not
unhappy both shah mlih kwah shbh =happy

nilli = s/he is
kwah =not
untie Teetl'It Gw1ch'm dinii'at I untied it
uppers both kant'ik top of the foot, beaded uppers
upstairs Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm iyehdak zheh iyehdak =above/upper

zheh =house
upstairs Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ayeedak zheh ayeedak = upper

zheh =house
urine both lirh
uvula both vinaii ts' ai'
uvula (my) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shivyaa'
206

vacant Teetl'1t Gwtch'm zhtiu gdo'aii zhuu = for nothing

vacate bench warrant Teetl'1t Gwtch'm ganinaandaii izhik ganinaandaii = remember

nigiheehaa kwaa geenjit izhlk nigiheehaa kwaa = they won't
go there
geenjit = fort it
vacuum cleaner Gwtchyah Gwtch'm gwajat nahtsii gwajat = dirt

nahtsii = it picks it up
vacuum cleaner Teetl'1t Gw1eh'm iitsii gwijat nahtsii iitsii = machine/metal

gwijat = dirt
nahtsii = it picks it up
vagina both vatsan' her vagina
Valentines Day Teetl'1t Gwtch'm Edrii Drin edrii = heart

drin =day
vehicle both iitsii khal iitsii = machine/metal

khal =vehicle/wagon
veins (my) Teetl'1t Gwtch'm shich'uu' my veins
veins (my) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm shich'u;q' my veins
venereal disease Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ts'ik nizih kwaa ts'ik =sick

nizih =good
kwaa=not
verbatim Teetl'lt Gwtch'm gin jih tthak kit te' gHkhii ginjih tthak = all that was said
klt te'gHkhii = they are repeating it
versus Teetl'tt Gwtch'm nihch'uu niniinzhii s/he is going against another
vertigo Teetl'tt Gwtch'm diiyah shih dakhak with us things are spinning
207

vest Teetl'1t Gw!Ch'm ideeghan ik ideeghan = chest

ik = dress I shirt
vest Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dinjii viyik vivit kwaa dinjii =man

viyik = his/her shirt/ dress
vivit = his/her sleeves
kwaa =none
vestment Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm giikhii gwich'aa' giikhii = minister

gwich'aa' =clothes (possessed)
vestment Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm limes gwidal' limes= mass

gwidal' = clothes (possessed)
vicks Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm koh tlee' koh = the cold

tlee' = cream
visibility (poor) both gwiinzii gweech'in' kwaa gwiinzii = good

gweech'in' = visibility
kwaa=none
visibility (poor) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ne'gwa,.h'eh
visions Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ants'at gwinah'ii ants'at = beyond

gwinah'ii = s/he sees
Vittrekwa Creek Teetl'1t Gw!Ch'm Vitreekwaa Viteetshik Vitreekwaa = no tears

Viteetshik = his/her creek
voir dire Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm jidii danuu duuhlh jidli danuu = what s/he is saying
vat'adahch'yaa duuleh = maybe
vat'adahch'yaa = it will be useful
vomit both kwaih
vomiting Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nadakwaih s/he is vomiting.
vote Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm uuzri' tr'oonjii uuzrl' = name

tr'oonjii = taking
208
Tsiigehtchic NT 1 Fort McPherson, NT

vows (marriage) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vit'egwijtl,hch'uu ts'at vit'egwijqhch'uu = God

kheenide' gwijida' aii ts'at =to
ch'ijuu'ee kheenide' gwijida'aii =make a
promise
ch'ijuu'ee = honest/straight
waders Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm tshuu kaiitrih njuh tshuu = water

kaiitrih = shoes
njuh =long
waders Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tshqq kaiitreh njuh tshl,ll.J. = water

kaiitreh = shoes
njuh =long
waist Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm diidhdo k'it
wall Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm zheh gwikhyuu zheh = house

gwikhyuu= along the side
wall Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm zheh gwikhyidh zheh = house

gwikhyidh = along the side
wallet GwJChyah Gw1ch'm lazhqq dhoh lazhqq = money

dhoh = cover/skin
wallet Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tseedhdh dhdh tseedhoh = money

dhoh = cover I skin
wallet Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm lazhaa dhoh lazhaa = money

dhoh = cover I skin
warble flies on caribou both anan gyu' anan =back

gyli' = its' worm
ward Teet!'Jt Gw1ch'm vakaiik'it gwizhlt nan Iat vakaiik'lt gwizhlt = in his/her
community
nan lat = some of it
209

warehouse Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwidal k'atr'inahtii zheh gwidal = belogings

k'atr'inahtii = they look after it
zheh =house
wart Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm shuh
wash basin Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm edi 'tr'inaajii ch'ik edi'tr'inaajii = washes one's face
ch'lk = plate
wash basin Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm daatleh ch'ek daat{eh = soap

ch'ek = plate
wash board both vakak ik'eetr'ahtraa vakak =on it

ik'eetr'ahtraa = they wash
wash board Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vik'do ik'eetr'ahtraa vik'do = over it

ik'eetr'ahtraa = they wash
washing machine both iitsii ek'ee'ahtnia iitsii = machine/metal

ek'eeahtraa = it washes
wasp Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ineedzit ts'ik ineedzit = bee

ts'ik = skinny
wasp both ineedzit
water Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tshuu
water Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tshq q
water (calm) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm juugh<il it is calm
water (clear) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tshuu drinh' tshuu = water

drinh' = dear/transparent
water (clear) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tshqq kwan' tsh!Jlf = water

kwan' = clear/transparent
210

water (cold) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tshuu k'oh tshuu == water

koh ==cold
water (deep) both H~'ja',hshit deep water
water (dripping) Teetl'1t Gwtch'm tshuu daa'il tshuu == water

daa'il = dripping
water (dripping) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tshqq daa'if tshvv = water

daa'i} == dripping
water filter Teetl'1t Gwtch'm iitsii gwinjit chuu tr'iinjaa litsii == machine/metal
gwinjit = through it
chuu tr'iinjaa = water is spilled
water (fresh) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tshuu ch'ih tshuu = water

ch'ih = fresh/cold
water (holy) Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm tshuu sruudidinuu tshuu = water

sruudidinuu = held in high regard
water (holy) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm tshqq daagqU tsh!J!J = water

daag<!H = holy /white
water (hot) Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm tshuu dhah tshuu = water

dhah =hot
water (in the late Gwtchyah Gwtch'm dqij =spring (season)

spring season) ch4 '=water
water is receding Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm chuu zhak t'idi'in chuu =water

zhcik t'idi'in = is receding
water is rising Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm chuu dak t'idi'in chuu =water

dak t'idi'in = is rising
water (muddy) both tshuu vee tshuu = water

vee= grey
211
Language Dictionary
water (muddy) Gwtchyah Gwtch' m tshqq vee tshqq = water

vee =grey
water (open) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm teezri'
water pump Teetl'tt Gwtch'm iitsii vik'iighe' chuu litsii = machine/metal

niinlaii vik'lighe' = because of it
chuu niinlaii = water flows
water (swift) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm tshqq niint'aii tshqlJ = water

niint'aii = strong
water (swift) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tshuu niint'aii tshuu = water

niint'aii = strong
water thrush Teetl'tt Gwtch'm tshuu dzhi' tshuu = water

dzhi' =bird
water (under) Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm tshuu t'eh tshuu = water

t'eh =under
water (under) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tshqq t'eh tshlJlJ = water

t'eh =under
water under snow over Gwtchyah Gwtch' m tekeetsh-q-q

ice
water (warm) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm tshqq gwan' tshlJlJ = water

gwan' =warm
water (warm) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tshuu nUgyin' tshuu = water

nHgyln' = warm (refers to food &
water)
watercourse along base Teetl'tt Gwtch'm teek'it

of mountain
212
Language Dictionary
watercourse along base Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ddhah teek'it niinlaii ddhah = mountain
of mountain teek'it = deep creek between
mountains
niinlaii = it is flowing
waterfall Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nitaiinlaii water flowing from a high place
waterfall Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nadiindla,U water flowing from a high place
waterfall Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm nadiinlaii water flowmg from a high place
waves Teet!' 1t Gw1ch' m tit
waves Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tyit
waves (big) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tyit choo tyit =waves

chao= big
waves (big) Teetl'1t Gwtch'm tit chao tit= waves

chao= big
waves (small) both tit tsal tit= waves

tsal =small
waves (small) Teetl'tt Gw1ch'm tit vii tit= waves

vii = small (ts'iidaii word)
weapon Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vidhiizhin'
weasel both dhivii
weather (bad) Gwtchyah Gw1ch'm drija.htsC\t' bad weather
weather (bad) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwiizuu nagwii'eh gwiizuu = bad

nagwii'eh =how it is
weather (getting Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nagweedhah

warmer)
213

weather ( it is warmer) both gwiiyaa'an gwiniidhah gwiiyaa'an = more

gwin1idhah =warm
weather (it is warming Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm nadrida.hshah the start of warmer weather
up)
weather (it will get Gw1chyah GwlCh'm gwitaneek'adh the weather will get colder
colder)
weather (it's nice Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm chiitaii gwiinzii chiitaii = outside

outside) gwiinzii = it's good
weather (sudden cold) Teet!' it Gw1ch'm tr'akhaii jaatil tr'akhaii = being winter
jaati{ = it happened all of a
sudden
weather thermometer Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ak'adh k'adhandaii ak'adh = cold

k'adhandaii =measures
weather thermometer Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm vah ak'oh k'agwaandaii vah =with it

ak'oh =cold
k'agwaandaii =measure
weather (warm) Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm gwiniidhaa it is warm
Wednesday Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Dr in Tik drin =day

tik = three
Wednesday Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm Dr in Ts'at Drin Tyik drin =day

ts'at =from
drin =day
tyik = three
weigh scale Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm vah guk'e'tr'igwc\hdii vah =with it

guk'e'tr'igw4hdii = weigh
weigh scale Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm vah guk'e'tr'ahdyee vah =with it

guk'e'tr'ahdyee = weigh
214

Weldon Creek Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Teetshik Gwichoo teetshik = creek

gwichoo = big
welfare check both neesrijci.hch'uu tseedhoo' neesrij;:!hch'uu =the poor

tseedhoo' =money (possessed)
whale both kaleeluk Inuvaluit term
whale Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ehvyek
whiskey jack Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm ediigwit'an
whiskey jack Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm edyengwit'an
white both jidii dagaii jidii = something

dagaii = white
white man both uunjit
whitecaps Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm tyit ghb' tyit =waves

ghO' =teeth (possessed)
whitecaps Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm tit ghoo tit= waves

ghoo = its teeth
whitefish both luk zheii luk =fish

zheii = fresh
whitefish Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm luk dagaii luk =fish

dagaii = white
whitefish Gw1chya Gw1ch'm luk zheii chao luk =fish

zheii = fresh/traditional
chao =big
whitefish Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm luk dagCJ.U luk =fish

dag&H white
215

whitefish (from Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm chii chaa 1uk chii =rock/stone

the Yukon) chaa = flat
luk = fish (possessed)
Whitestone River Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Chii Naagaii Njik chii = rock/stone

naagaii = beads
njik = river
wicked man Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm dinjii tr'aanduu dinjii = man

tr'aanduu = wicked/ devil
wicked man Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm dinjii tr'aandyidh dinjii =man

tr'aandyidh == wicked/ devil
widow both chiitee widow/widower/ orphan
widower both chiitee widow/widower/ orphan
wife both shitr'iinjoo' my wife
wife Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm sha'at my wife
wind Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm ahtr'aii wind/it is windy
wind Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ahtr'eii wind/it is windy
wind (chinook) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm gwidhah ahtr'aii' gwidhah = heat

ahtr'aii' = wind
wind (chinook) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm ddhah ts'E:H ahtr'aii' ddhah = mountain

ts'~H = to that direction
ahtr'aii' ==wind (possessed)
wind (cross) Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Hjuutr'aih
wind (cross) Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm drak ts'at ahtr'aii drak ts'at = across it
ahtr'aii = it is windy
216

wind (cross) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Hh ts'at tr'ak -Hh ts'at = across it

tr'ak = it is blowing
wind (north) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dii ahtr' aii dii = from the north
ahtr'aii = wind
wind (north) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm dyee ahtr'eii' dyee =north

ahtr'eii' =wind
Wind River Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Tr'iniintr'aii Njik Tr'iniintr'aii = it is blowing into it

Njik =creek
wind (south) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm nuu ahtr'aih nuu = south

ahtr'aih = it is blowing
wind (south) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm nyuu ahtr'aih nyuu = south/across this way
ahtr'aih = it is blowing
wind (west) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ee ahtr'aii ee = west/this way

ahtr'aii' = wind
wind (west) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ddhah ts'~ii ahtr'aii' ddhah = mountain

ts'~H = in that direction
ahtr'aii' =wind (posessed)
wind (whirl) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ahtr'aih vii ahtr'aih = wind

vii= small
wind (whirl) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ahtr'eii vii ahtr'eii =wind

vii= small
window Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vinjit aa'aa vinjit = through it

aa'aa = watching
window Gwtchyah Gwtch'm vinji'aa'yaa we look through it
windpipe both shizhah my windpipe
217

windstorm Teetl'tt Gwtch'm ahtr'aih niint'aii ahtr'aih = wind

niint'aii = strong
windstorm Gwtchyah Gwtch'm ahtr'eii niint'aih ahtr'eii =wind

niint'aih = it is strong
wine Teetl'lt Gwtch'm jak choo tshu' jak = berries

choo =big
tshu' = its water
wine Gwtchyah Gwtch'm jak tshq' jak = berries

tsh4' = it's water
wing (bird) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm dzhii ts'an' dzhii = bird

ts'an' = its wing
winter both khaii
winter (middle of) both khaii tl.-'at khaii = winter

tl:-'at = in the middle
wisdom Teetl'tt Gwtch'm gwizhii
witness Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vindah dagwidizhik vindah = in front of him/her

gagUkhih dagwidizhik = what happened
gagHkhih = s/he is talking about
it
witness Gwtchyah Gwtch'm vindah t'igwidizhik vindah = in front of him/her

t'igwidizhik = it happened
witness Teetl'tt Gwtch'm H' hah ahdandaii eenjit fi' hah = absolutely
gwaandak ahdandaii = what s/he knows
eenjit gwaandak = s/he is talking
about it
wives (their) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm gootr'iinjoo' their women
wolf both zhoh
218
Language Dictionary
wolverine both nehtrtih
Wolverine River Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm N ehtruh Niinlaii nehtruh = wolverine

niinlaii = water flowing
woman both tr'iinjdo
woman (old) both shinaghan
woman (unmarried) Teetl'1t Gw1eh'm tr'iinjdo vatr'oodii kwaa tr'iinjoo = woman

vatr'oodii = married
kwaa = not/none
woman (young) Teetl'1t Gw1ch' m tr'iinjdo k'eejit tr'iinjoo = woman

k'eejit =new
womb (her) both vats'at her womb
wood box both troo tyah troo = fire wood

tyah = container
wood chips both luhchil'
wood (fire) both troo fire wood
woodpecker both dachan chyaa dachan = wood

chyaa = cut/chop
world both minh' kak tthak minh' =land

kak =on
tthak =all
worm Gw1chyah Gw1ch' m gyqq
worm Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm gyuu
worms from caribou Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm anchaJ: gyti' ancha{ = nose cartilage
nose gyli' =worms
219
Language Dictionary
worms from caribou Gwtchyah Gwtch'm anchal tee gyu' anchal = nose cartilage
nose tee gyU' =its worms
worried Gwtchyah Gwtch'm tinji'dadhat s/he is thinking
worship Gwtchyah Gwtch'm yiinjit chihlh
wotmd (gunshot) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm diik'ee hah vigwidiinjik diik'ee = gtm

hah =with it
vigwidiinjik = s/he got hurt
wonnd (gtmshot) Teetl'lt Gwtch'm diik' ee tshi' hah nehkaii diik'ee tshl' = bullets
dhidlit hah =with it
nehkaii = wounded
dhidlit = s/he became
Wounded Bear Lake Gwtchyah Gwtch'm Sheh Naakai' sheh = grizzly bear
naakai' = wonnded
W onnded Bear Lake Teetl'tt Gwtch'm Shoh Nehkaii Van Shoh =bear
Nehkaii =wounded
Van= lake
wringer (manual) Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vah ne'tr'oonahgoo vah =with it

ne'tr'oonahgoo = wring out/twist
wringer (manual) Gwtchyah Gwtch'm vah natr'igadh vah = with

natr'igadh = wring
wrist (my) both shich'yaa' my wrist
yarn Teetl'tt Gwtch'm warsdit
yarn Gwtchyah Gwtch'm lalen
yarn, wool Gwtchyah Gwtch'm naatl'yaa strung out in a line/braided
220
Language Dictionary
yeast Teetl'tt Gwtch'm vah luh dinyaatyuh vah =with it

luh =flour
dinyaatyuh = rise
yellow both jidii tsoo jidii = something

tsoo = yellow /light colored
yellow Gw1chyah Gwtch'm didii tsoo didii = something

tsoo = yellow /light colored
yellow berry both nakal
yesterday Gw1chyah Gw1ch'm k'aadai'
yesterday Teetl'tt Gwtch'm k'eedai'
youngest Teetl'tt Gwtch'm khaiin ts' an' youngest of the family
youth Teetl'lt Gw1ch'm k'eejit kat young people
youth Teetl'Jt Gw1ch'm k'eejit nat young people
youth worker Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm k'eejit kat eenjit gwitr'it k'eejit kat = young people
t'agwah'in nilii eenjit = for them
gwitr'it t'agwah'in nilii = s/he is a
worker
Yukon Natives Teetl'1t Gw1ch'm Dagoo Gwich'in
Yukon Natives Gw1chyah Gwtch'm Dagadh Gwich'in
221
Section VI
Gwichyah Gwich' in
Kinship Terms
GWICHYA TERMS
MY RELATIVES
SHIDAAZHII
my brotnertsr son(s)
'chaa
my my brother(s)'
mys mys
shao s
my HUI.l)UUUU
(my father-in-law)
shitsii shitsuu shiyughwan

my nusoana· s 's
brother(s)
shqq
shighaii shighaii · s
.. .
my son my son
shidinji'
shitshi' shiyeetsT
my son's
(my daughter-in-law)
shit'chii
my my
'chikaii sheedeenu'
my grandson my my granddaughter
shit'chii shit'chee shit'chH 'chee
2
my mother's
son(s) (cousins) (cousins)
shuundee sheej shuundee sheejii

(older than me) (older than me) (older
shit'chaa shijidh shit'chaa
(younger than me) (younger than me) (younger me)
s s1ster(s) my my
shit' sheek'aii s
my
(my grandmother)
shitsii shitsuu s
my parents
shiyughwan
shit'yee sha'han sheghan

(tya'aa I baba I ba) (na'aa mama I
younger younger
brother sister
shuundee sheej shit'chaa

Section VII
Teetl'it Gwich'in
Kinship Terms
TEETL KINSHIP TERMS
MY RELATIVES
SHIDAAZHII KAT
my my
my
n my
myw1
(my father-in-law)
shitsuu/shuutr'ih shiyughwan/shitii
s
shikhaii
i'
my
shiyeets'
my son
(my daughter-in-law)
shitshee
my my
(my son-in-law)
shich' ikai 'I shitshee sheedeenuh

my grandson my gran my granddaughter
s shitshee shichii shitshee
5
father's brother(s) son(s) my father's sister(s) daughter(s) my mother's brother(s) s sister(s)
(my cousins) (cousins) son( s) (cousins) (cousins)
shoondee sheejii shoondee

(older than me) (older than me) (older than me)
shichyaa shijuu shichyaa
(younger than me) (younger than me) (younger than me) (younger
father's brother( s) my father's sister(s) my mother's brother(s) s sister(s)
shitii shuutr'ih s sheek'

father's father my father's mother my mother's father
grandfather) (my grandmother) (my grandfather)
shitsiiljidzii shitsuuljijuu shitsii/j ijuu

my parents
shiyughwan kat
father
shit'yee sha'han I
(tya'aa I baba I ba) (na'aa I mama I
older older younger younger
brother sister brother sister
shoondee sheej shichyaa s uu

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§wicfiyafi ts'at 'T'eetf'it

Cjwich'in Socia{&' cuftura{ 1nstitute I §wich'in La11fJuage Centre

Verb Paradigms .............................................................. Section IV

This Gwich'in Noun Dictionary contains nouns, verbs and

The dictionary project is an ongoing effort and as such,

We have gathered terms from almost all of the projects that

Several elders have spent endless hours ass ting us with

Individual staff from both the Gwich'in Language Centre and

William G. Firth Eleanor Mitchell-Firth

Tel: (867) 952~2377 Tel: (867) 952-2377

Gwich'in Sound Chart

daa'aii axe No equivalent in English. A sharp,

b beebii baby Same as in English, baby.

ch chee river bottom Same as English; chair.

ch' ch'ii mosquitoes No equivalent in English. Similar to a

d dinjii man same as in English; door, doctor.

dh dhivii weasel Same as in English; this.

dl dlak squirrel Same as Ln English; sadly.

dr drin day Same as in English: dream.

ddh ddhah mountain No English equivalent. Similar to d

f frii ban frying pan Same as f in English; frying pan.

g geh rabbit Same as English give, trigger.

gh vaghaii his/her sister-in-law No English equivalent. Similar to flat r

gw gwaakal the ground is bare Same as in the English name: Gwendolyn

ghw ooghwan it's growling Similar to roy in French royal.

h han river Same as in English hat, has.

k kant'ik moccasin uppers Same as in English kite.

k' k'oh clouds Similar to k with a sharp, abrupt stop or a

kh kheh Canada goose Similar to German ch in Bach.

kw kwan' flre Same as English quest, queen.

lidii tea Same as English low, mellow.

fuk fish Similar to l with air coming out of both

m maamaa mom, mother Same as m in English mouse, mille

n niinjii lynx Same as n in English need.

nd ndak further back Same as in English nd end, sand.

njuu Same as in Punjab.

r teenjir half Same as in English read, ran.

s soogaii sugar Same as English.

sh sheejii my older sister Same as in English.

sr srii knife Equivalent to shr in shrew, shroud.

t tah socks Same as in English.

th thai pants Same as English thin, thick.

t} daatleh soap (GG) Similar to cl in clean, dear without

tr trah merganser Same as in English.

tr' tr'iinin a child Similar to !r followed with a sharp, abrupt

ts tse' beaver (GG) Same as English bats, cats.

tsh ihditshlh numerals Similar to a ch sound however, with a dzan

tth tthaa mountain squirrel Similar to t with a th as in thin.

tth' tth'an bone Similar to tth with a sharp, abrupt stop.

v vadzaih caribou Same as in English.

zh zhoh wolf Same is in English words vision, illusion.

zr zral shout Pronounced similar to zhr.

i drin day Same as in English grin, sin.

e geh rabbit Same as in English met, let, bet.

a dah blood Same as in English shut, gut, nut.

0 oh fish trap Similar as in English coke, poke.

u tsuk marten Same as in English toot, boot, took.

ii vigil it's young Same as in English bee, see, knee.

aa daadzaii common loon Similar to a in Albert.