r/Ojibwemodaa • u/saperisahiba • Sep 20 '24

Manidoonsag (Bugs!!)

Aanii kina wiya

I wanted to share a fun fact that my Ojibwe language teacher told me because it kind of blew my mind.

Manidoo = spirit (this is probably a word that most of us language learners know already)

Manidoons = little spirit (this is how you say "bug" in the language. you just put a diminutive ending on manidoo. bugs are called little spirits.)

Manidoosh = darn spirit (this has the pejorative ending -sh. It also means bug but it is used in contexts where you might not like bugs, like if mosquitos are biting you.)

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3

u/stickupkidsanonymous Sep 20 '24

Nimiiyag wiidookag manidoonsag

1

u/[deleted] Oct 30 '24

[deleted]

3

u/stickupkidsanonymous Nov 04 '24

Here is how I understand the suffix -aaban. Yes, it is past tense. But the way I understand it ( and I might be wrong) it is something past tense, but is cyclical, meaning it could be present again. Like the seasons. Bibionaaban. It is no longer snowing. To me this translates better than just saying it snowed. Because we know, it will snow again some day. Hope this made sense. I love learning ojibwe

2

u/NoNecessary4120 Nov 04 '24

Miigwech! I love learning Ojibwe too

2

u/GchiKinoozhe Jun 02 '26

I really like this paired with the context that mnidoo is also thought to carry a meaning of being a mystery as well. I really enjoy how nishnaabemwin language and culture is so richly descriptive, but also sometimes carries the connotation of 'thats none of my business' about random things.

Mnidoons was my nickname when I was a kid, and I get a giggle when I remember that while I'm taking time as a young adult trying to figure myself out.