Top Menu

lhí:xw

illustration for lhíxw ('three')

three


Lhíxw is the Halq’eméylem word for ‘three’. There are special ways of counting certain objects (three trees, three people, etc.), but lhíxw is the general term for ‘three’….


Pronunciation

  • Lhí:xw sounds like likw, except that the l is hissy, and the final sound is a soft-xw.
  • To make the hissy-l, say a regular l but without vibration in your throat, and with a bit more friction.
  • To make the soft-xw sound, touch your tongue lightly against the roof of your mouth and create friction, and stick your lips out slightly.


Audio: Elizabeth Herrling, Rosaleen George


Related words

Many other words are based on lhi:xw, but with various endings.  For example :

  • lhxwálethree people (elders use the –ale ending often on numbers for people)
  • lhxwá:lhpthree-trees (elders use the the –(e)lhp on many words for trees)
  • lhxwá:wtxwthree-buildings (elders use the –awtxw ending on many words for buildings)
  • lhxwámeth’three ropes, sticks, poles, or threads (elders use the –ameth‘ ending on many words for long skinny things)

No comments yet.

Leave a Reply

Powered by WordPress. Designed by Woo Themes