níłchʼi
/nɪ́ɬt͡ʃʼɪ̀/
The Navajo word for air is níłchʼi.
níłchʼi refers to the mixture of gases that makes up the Earth's atmosphere.
Meaning: mixture of gases making up the atmosphere of the Earth (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term níłchʼi literally translates to air, spirit or wind.
How do you pronounce it?
/nɪ́ɬtʃʼɪ̀/
When do people say it?
In Navajo cosmology, the word for air also carries the connotations of spirit and wind.
Did you know?
- The word níłchʼi carries a grammatical marker that indicates the completion or arrival of an action, as if the air itself has just arrived at a destination.
- The concept of níłchʼi as 'wind' is often tied to the four sacred directions in Navajo traditional beliefs.
Example sentences for Navajo are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Tyler and Jessica are talking about the weather while hiking.
- TylerNíłchʼi tʼáá łééhoʼ.The air is very fresh.
- JessicaÁáʼ, tʼáá ákóóʼníh.Yes, it is very clear.
- TylerNíłchʼi tʼąąʼ chʼilááʼ.The air is cold though.
- JessicaHózhóóh, tʼáá łééhoʼ.It is good, it is fresh.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “air” translations and entries níłchʼi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries níłchʼi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
