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Saami

Saami

9.6
A person from the native people of northern Scandinavia and Russia who often herds reindeer
  • noun
  • /ˈsɑːmi/
translation icon : sámi
  • She learned about the customs of the Saami during her trip to Lapland.

Examples

  • The Saami have a long tradition of reindeer herding in the Arctic regions.

  • Many Saamis still practice traditional reindeer herding.

  • A Saami elder spoke about the importance of preserving their language and culture.

  • The Saami people have a rich cultural heritage.

  • A Saami elder spoke about the importance of preserving their language and culture.

  • The Saami have a long tradition of reindeer herding in the Arctic regions.

  • Many Saamis still practice traditional reindeer herding.

Synonyms

Sami
vsSaami
8.2

A person from the native people of northern Scandinavia and parts of Russia who often herd reindeer

includes members across Norway Sweden Finland and Russia rather than only Scandinavia
Saame
vsSaami
9.9

A person from the Sami people who herds reindeer in northern Scandinavia

is broader, applying to people living also in Finland and Russia
Lapplander
vsSaami
  • Offensive
9.9

A person from northern Scandinavia who belongs to the Sami people and traditionally herds reindeer

is the modern preferred name and avoids the older, less used label

Compounds

A northern European language spoken by the Saami people in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia

Surface Forms

Saami singular
Saamis plural

Etymology

The word Saami, often written Sámi, is the name the group uses for themselves and probably meant 'people' or 'human' in their language, which is why a Saami is a member of this indigenous group in northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia known for reindeer herding.