Make Cherokee Sentences with Dictionary -- Part 2

Last week we gave some patterns for sentences so that you can use our dictionary to make sentences and speak Cherokee.  A dictionary subscription is $6.99/month. 

Here are some patterns for asking questions.

1. If you’re asking a question, the question always comes first.  This might be one of the Cherokee words that is always a question, like

What? Gado?

Who? Kago?

Where? Gatsv? (Eastern)  Hadlv? (Western)

What time? Hvga iyu (Eastern) Hila? (Western)

Why? Gadono?

Question	BIG WORD
Gado	hadvneha
What	you are doing

 In English:  What are you (1 person) doing?

In Cherokee: Gado hadvneha? 

 

2.  If you’re making a question by adding a suffix –tsu or –sg to a word, that also goes at the very beginning.  The suffix attaches to the first word in the sentence.

First word	suffix	BIG WORD
Kowi	sg	tsaduliha
Coffee	?	you (1) are wanting

In English:  Do you want coffee?

 

In Cherokee: Kowisg tsaduliha?

 

The only time this is different, is if you’re calling someone by name:  Tsani, kowisg tsaduliha?  John, do you want coffee?  You don’t put the question suffix on the person’s name.

Another example of this:

First word	suffix	BIG WORD
Ditsalisgisdi	sg	ditsalvgwadiha
You all to dance	?	You all like

In English:  Do you all like to dance?

In Cherokee:  Distalisgisdisg ditsalvgwadiha?

(In Oklahoma, the question suffix is shortened to –s.  Kowis tsaduliha?  Are you wanting coffee.)

 

Now try it!  Nogwo hanelda!