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Greetings in Native American Languages of California

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This page contains greetings in native American languages of California.

Ethnologue lists 245 languages spoken in the United States.  58 of these languages are Native American languages native to California.

There are 39 languages on this page.

 

 

 

Achumawi [acv] (United States of America: northeastern California.)

Tusi uwi

general greeting in Homawi dialect

 

Barbareño [boi] (United States of America: southern California near Santa Barbara.)

Haku

general greeting

Haku itšitš

general greeting spoken to a group of people

Yawa

general greeting
Me'šumawiš

general greeting, "good health"

 

Cahuilla [chl] (United States of America: southern California.)

Miyaxwa

general greeting spoken in the Wanipiyapa dialect

Miyaxwen

general greeting spoken in the Qawichpameyawitcem dialect

Miyaxwen umon emem

general greeting spoken to a group of people in the Qawichpameyawitcem dialect
Hiich'a' miyaxwen? how are you? in the Qawichpameyawitcem dialect
Em miyaxwen pish em mehave't iiv'ax? how are you? in the Qawichpameyawitcem dialect
  A miyaxwen pish a mexhave ii'vax? how are you? in the Qawichpameyawitcem dialect
  Páxam welcome greeting

 

Cupeño [cup] (United States of America: southern California.)

Miyaxwe

general greeting

Ichaam

reply to Miyaxwe

Miyaxwenet?

how are you?
  Súlulyexem welcome greeting

 

Esselen [esq] (United States of America: Big Sur, California.)

Saleki atsa

general greeting

Saleki asatsa

morning greeting

Saleki itsa

afternoon greeting

Saleki itsu

evening greeting

Saleki tomanis

nighttime greeting

 

Gabrieliño-Fernandeño [xgf] (United States of America: southern California.)

Miiyu

general greeting
Nachochan general greeting

 

Hupa [hup] (United States of America: Hoopa Valley, California.)

He:yung

general greeting

 

He:yung whima:lyo'

greeting spoken to a friend

 

Xwe:di whung 'a:nt'e?

how are you? spoken to one person

 

Dixwe:di wha:ne 'a:nt'e?

how are you? spoken to one person

 

Dixwe:di wha:ne 'a:noht'e?

how are you? spoken to a group of people

 

Niwho:n

reply to Dixwe:di wha:ne 'a:nt'e and Dixwe:di wha:ne 'a:noht'e

 

Ineseño [inz] (United States of America: southern California.)

 

Haku

general greeting

 

Haku č'antik

greeting spoken to a friend

 

Haku tikali'?

how are you?

 

Pa kič hek'i

reply to Haku tikali'

 

Pa kič hek'i, na tikali' hi pi'?

reply to Haku tikali'

 

Pa kič hek'i nani'

reply to Pa kič hek'i, na tikali' hi pi'

 

Karok [kyh] (United States of America: northwestern California.)

Ayukîi

general greeting

Ayekwi

general greeting

Akich

greeting used between men

Huut kich?

how are you?

 

Kashaya [kju] (United States of America: California.)
Džamáy general greeting
Camáy general greeting
Háy informal greeting

He'én s'iwa mithoni?

how are you?

He'én ma 'iwa?

how are you?

 

Kato [ktw] (United States of America: Laytonville California.)

Naanyaa kwaan

greeting to a person who is walking (literally: "you are walking around")

Naanyaa kwaan, naanywa kwaan

greeting to a person who is walking (literally: "you are walking, you are walking")

Naashai

reply to Naanyaa kwam, naanywa kwam (literally: "I am walking around")

Ninsaat, diishoo' shilkimut

reply to Naanyaa kwam, naanywa kwam (literally: "sit, tell me something")

 

Kumiai [dih] (United States: southern California.  Mexico: Baja California.)
Háawka general greeting
Inya kwahaun general greeting
Memeeyu tempa? how are you?
Ehaun tempa reply to Memeeyu tempa
Memeeyu temeyuw? how are you? spoken to a person who is standing
Memeeyu temewaa? how are you? spoken to a person who is sitting
Memeeyu temeyak? how are you? spoken to a person who is lying down
Memeeyu temenyeway? how are you? spoken to a group of people
  Mamuyuth miñay? how are you?
  Ijan man maath'a reply to Mamuyuth miñay
  Ijan reply to Mamuyuth miñay
  M'am maj? greeting spoken to a person going somewhere, "where are you going?"
Nymsup kwahaun morning greeting
Eehaun morning greeting
Kwahaup welcome greeting

 

Luiseño [lui] (United States of America.) 

Miiya general greeting in the Juaneño dialect
Miiyu general greeting spoken to one person in the Luiseño dialect
Miiyuyam general greeting spoken to a group in the Luiseño dialect
Micha shu 'iiq? morning greeting in the Luiseño dialect
Poloov temet morning greeting in the Luiseño dialect
  Suláaqaxam welcome greeting in the Luiseño dialect

 

Maidu, Northeast [nmu] (United States of America: central California.)

Mínk'i k'ódojdi hesásak'ade

general greeting to a visitor from another place, literally "how are things in your land?"

 

Maidu, Valley [vmv] (United States of America: central California.)

Hei

general greeting

 

Miwok, Coast [csi] (United States of America: California.)

'Oppun towih?

how are you? spoken to one person

Katowih

reply to 'Oppun towih

Walli katowih

reply to 'Oppun towih

'Oppu mikkos towih?

how are you? spoken to two people

'Ostowih

reply to 'Oppu mikkos towih

'Oppu mikkon towih?

how are you? spoken to a group of three or more people

Matowih

reply to 'Oppu mikkon towih

 

Miwok, Lake [lmw] (United States of America: California.)

’Eméene ’áwweh morning greeting

 

Miwok, Northern Sierra [nsq] (United States of America: California.)

Kuci' kawlypa'

morning greeting

Kuci' kawyly'

nighttime greeting
Kuci' acin? how are you?
Kuci' acit reply to Kuci' acin
Micyksys? how are you?
'Uki' huŋeniŋ welcome greeting inviting a person inside
'Yni' 'uki welcome greeting inviting a person inside
'Yni' 'ywyŋ hinesaj welcome greeting inviting a person inside to eat

 

Miwok, Plains [pmw] (United States of America: California.)

Majook chush

general greeting in the foothill dialect

Wi'oh u-kuh?

general greeting in the valley dialect

Wu' meh?

greeting spoken to a visitor in the valley dialect
Hiti' we'cin? how are you?

 

Miwok, Southern Sierra [skd] (United States of America: California.)

Híyako'

general greeting spoken to a person arriving
Híyanaksi

general greeting spoken to a person arriving

Híyakoc'i

general greeting spoken to a group of people arriving
Híntikatun 'óppoj? how are you?
Mínimi? where did you come from?

 

Mohave [mov] (United States of America: Arizona and California.)

  Kamaduu

general greeting
  Kamaduum

general greeting
 

Kwich kamaduum

general greeting
  Kuuch kamaduum general greeting

 

Mono [mnr] (United States of America: east central California.)

Maná hu

general greeting spoken to one person
Muna hu e boso

general greeting spoken to a friend

 

Obispeño [obi] (United States of America: southern California.)

Hatyu

general greeting

 

Ohlone, Northern [cst] (United States of America: north central California.)

Horsé tuuxi general greeting in the Chocheño dialect of the East Bay
  'Em kaymi? how are you? in the Chocheño dialect of the East Bay

 

Ohlone, Southern [css] (United States of America: north central California.)

Pasip-inyi

general greeting in the Mutsun dialect

Misymin tuuhis

morning greeting in the Mutsun dialect

Misymin aruh'a

afternoon greeting in the Mutsun dialect

Misymin yukasyte

evening greeting in the Mutsun dialect

Misymin murut

nighttime greeting in the Mutsun dialect

Hinakahte-m?

how are you? in the Mutsun dialect

Miste-ka

reply to Hinakate-m in the Mutsun dialect

Akkuy misymin

welcome greeting in the Mutsun dialect

Akkuy misimpi

welcome greeting in the Mutsun dialect

Akkuyut misimpi

welcome greeting spoken to a group of people in the Mutsun dialect

 

Paipai [ppi] (United States: southern California.  Mexico: Baja California Norte.)

Awka

general greeting

'Awlika

reply to Awka

Kam'yuli

general greeting
  Kam'yuli reply to Kam'yuli
  Muh'kemi'yam? greeting spoken to a person going somewhere, "where are you going?"
  Nyex'wahe'yam reply to Muh'kemi'yam, spoken by a person who is going home

 

Paiute, Northern [pao] (United States of America: Nevada, Oregon, and California.)

Tu cubin noonie

greeting spoken to a friend

Noonie tu cubin

reply to Tu cubin noonie

Iooie, iooie

reply to Noonie tu cubin

Mike tu cubin

greeting spoken to a friend
Ha'oo manewun? how are you?
Ha'oo u welcome greeting

 

Pomo, Central [poo] (United States of America: California.)
Chamay general greeting
Bé'ka ma mó'wan general greeting
Siin wa ma? how are you?
  'Aa q'di reply to Siin wa ma
  'Aa q'di u'daaw reply to Siin wa ma

 

Pomo, Eastern [peb] (United States of America: California.)
Chiin tha eh? how are you?
Q'odii reply to Chiin tha eh
Hah q'odii 'eh reply to Chiin tha eh
Ma tha chiin eh? how are you?
Xa ah q'odii' morning greeting
  Mii garrsa q'odii'eh welcome greeting spoken to one person, "I'm happy to see you"
  Gaohuum welcome greeting spoken to one person, "come in"
  Gaopiiliimae welcome greeting spoken to a group, "come in"
  Gaa'gim welcome greeting spoken to one person, "have a seat"

 

Pomo, Northern [pej] (United States of America: California.)
Kidí mac'í general greeting
  ʔa·y ma tanaʔ general greeting spoken to one person
  ʔe· ʔa·naʔ reply to ʔa·y ma tanaʔ
ʔa·y ma tananaʔ general greeting spoken to more than one person
  ʔe· yanaʔ reply to ʔa·y ma tananaʔ

 

Pomo, Southeastern [pom] (United States of America: California.)
Pasip-inyi general greeting

 

Pomo, Southern [peq] (United States of America: California.)
Pasip-inyi general greeting

 

Quechan [yum] (United States: Fort Yuma, California.)

Kumathum general greeting
Kawits kumathum informal greeting
Kiyi greeting spoken by a man to a male friend
Shiyi greeting spoken by a woman to a female friend
  Ma axot moovak? how are you?
  Axot reply to Ma axot moovak
  Axoyt'ta reply to Ma axot moovak

 

Serrano [ser] (United States of America.)

  Ava'aha general greeting
  Haminat general greeting, literally "who is it?"

 

Tübatulabal [tub] (United States of America: California.)

Mãi

general greeting

Mãʔ

general greeting

 

Ute-Southern Paiute [ute] (United States of America: California, Colorado and Utah.)

Maik'w

general greeting

Maik

general greeting

Mique wush tagooven

general greeting

Ati'wichgusak

morning greeting

Ati'tog'otaváivinakwayak

afternoon greeting

Ati'tavayaakwiyak'

evening greeting

Manahóo

general greeting spoken in the Owens Valley (California) dialect

 

Ventureño [veo] (United States of America: southern California.)

Haku

general greeting

Haku kiy'aliwət

general greeting to a group of people

Lahupwašwášətš?

how are you? to one person

Lahupiwašwášətš?

how are you? to a group of people

Lakwašwášətš

reply to Lahupwašwášətš and Lahupiwašwášətš

Kalaqwa'ay

reply to Lahupwašwášətš and Lahupiwašwášətš

Huki pałhin?

general greeting, "what are you doing?"

Tapí, tapí

welcome greeting to a person arriving, "come in"

 

Wailaki [wlk] (United States of America: Round Valley, California.)

Sukim

general greeting

Kaa, yeinyac

greeting spoken to a visitor

Nin sukkoon tcun nal koo'n

greeting spoken to a visitor

 

Washo [was] (United States: California-Nevada border.)

  Hunga mi 'heshi? how are you?
  ʔunga mi' heshi? how are you?
  Di hàmu ʔángawi reply to Hunga mi' heshi and ʔunga mi' heshi

 

Wintu [wit] (United States of America: California.)

Hestam?

how are you?, spoken to one person

Hestamlel?

how are you?, spoken to two people

Buham?

how are you?, literally "do you live?"

Hestam moroq sukem?

how are you?

Weyam?

welcome greeting to a person who is arriving, literally "did you come?" in the Nomlaki dialect

Weda

reply to Weyam in the Nomlaki dialect

ʔomoy'

general greeting in the Patwin dialect

Hestum

general greeting in the Winnemem dialect

 

Wiyot [wiy] (United States of America: northwestern California.)

He'ba'lo'

general greeting

 
 

Yokuts [yok] (United States of America: San Joaquin Valley, California.)

  Hille general greeting in the Chukchansi dialect
  Hilli general greeting in the Chukchansi dialect
  Howli khon ma? how are you? in the Chukchansi dialect

Hawaan

general greeting in the Dumna (northern foothill) dialect

Ma wit hide

general greeting in the Dumna (northern foothill) dialect

Hileu ma tanin?

general greeting, literally "where are you going?" in the Dumna (northern foothill) dialect

Xawaxan

general greeting in the Toltichi (northern foothill) dialect

Hìu

general greeting in the Tachi (southern valley) dialect

Hìi

general greeting in the Tulamni dialect

Heyuk

general greeting in the Yowlumni (southern valley) dialect

Hawanic ma hawan?

how are you? in the Yowlumni (southern valley) dialect

 

Yuki [yuk] (United States of America: northern California.)

'On tat

general greeting

Heó, heó

general greeting

 
 

Yurok [yur] (United States of America: northwestern California.)

'Ayekwi'

general greeting

'Oyekwi'

general greeting

'Oyii

general greeting

Hoyii

general greeting

Nowoh

greeting spoken by one man to another man

Ney

greeting spoken by one woman to another woman

Neyen

greeting spoken by one woman to another woman

Skuye'n 'u-koy

morning greeting

Skuye'n 'u-kechoyhl

afternoon greeting

Skuye'n 'we-chmey

evening greeting spoken near sunset

Skuye'n 'we-nahschewen

evening greeting spoken after dark

Kus cho' sonowo'm?

how are you? spoken to one person

Kus cho' sonowo'mo'w?

how are you? spoken to a group of people

Kus cho' sono'w?

how are you? informal, spoken by a man to another man

Skuy' soninepek'

reply to Kus cho' sonowo'm and Kus cho' sonowo'mo'w

'O'lomah

welcome greeting, "come in"

Iya kwe natamer

greeting spoken to a friend in the Tsurau dialect

 

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Last updated on August 1, 2012.