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🗣️ A Uralic language 🦌 An Arctic people
Sami

Sami

8.2
A person from the native people of northern Scandinavia and parts of Russia who often herd reindeer
  • noun
  • /ˈsɑːmi/
translation icon : sami
  • Each summer, the Sami people gather to celebrate their music and dance at festivals across Norway.

Examples

  • Many Sami families continue to live a nomadic lifestyle, following the migration patterns of their reindeer.

  • In some ways we're getting back to, you know, a, a Sami village in north Norway is deeply sustainable.

  • The Sami have a rich cultural heritage centered around reindeer herding and traditional crafts.

Synonyms

Saami
vsSami
9.6

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

describes people by heritage and nomadic reindeer herding rather than listing countries
Saame
vsSami
9.9

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

adds that their range also extends into parts of Russia
Lapplander
vsSami
  • Offensive
9.9

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

is the current acceptable term used instead of that older label
tribesperson
vsSami
6.5

A person who lives in a small community that shares the same customs

is specific to the northern indigenous group famed for reindeer herding

Compounds

Sami language
8.7

A group of related languages spoken by the Sami people in northern Scandinavia and northwest Russia

Surface Forms

Sami singular
Sami plural

Etymology

Sami comes from the people’s own name Sámi for themselves in the far north of Scandinavia and Russia. So, Sami means this indigenous group, often known for reindeer herding and a nomadic way of life.