ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sami

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈsæmi// sa·mi

n. a person from the indigenous group that lives in the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. They have their own unique culture and languages, and many are known for reindeer herding.

n. a member of the indigenous Finno-Ugric people inhabiting Sápmi, which encompasses large northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. Refers to both the people and their collective identity.


SIMPLE

The Sami people have lived in the Arctic for thousands of years.

CONTEXTUAL

During the winter festival, we learned about Sami traditions and the importance of reindeer to their way of life.

COMPLEX

Modern Sami political movements have successfully advocated for the establishment of their own parliaments to protect their linguistic rights and traditional land use against industrial expansion.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Northern Sami Sápmi, from one of the Sami languages, of uncertain origin/meaning, but possibly related to Proto-Balto-Slavic *źémē (“land”). More at Sápmi and Sami.

Etymology 2

Derived from Arabic سَامِي (sāmī), from the informal pronunciation of سَامٍ (sāmin, “high, exalted”).

Etymology 3

From Samantha.

Etymology 4

Borrowed from Tamil சாமி (cāmi).

Usage

When referring to the people as a group, it is often used as a collective noun ('the Sami') or as a modifier ('Sami culture').

Pitfall

the Lappsthe SamiThe term 'Lapp' is now considered derogatory by many Sami people; 'Sami' is the respectful and preferred name.

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