bilasáana
/pɪ̀lɑ̀sɑ̂ːnɑ̀/
The English word "apple" is bilasáana in Navajo.
bilasáana is the noun used to refer to the fruit of the Malus domestica tree.
Meaning: fruit of Malus domestica (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/pɪ̀lɑ̀sɑ̂ːnɑ̀/
Did you know?
- In Navajo, nouns like bilasáana are often categorized by their shape or nature through complex prefix systems that change based on the object's physical properties.
- The word bilasáana is a phonetic adaptation of the Spanish word manzana.
- Navajo has no native word for 'apple' because the fruit was not indigenous to the Americas before European contact.
Examples in context
- Bilasáana bitooʼ éí shił łikan.I like apple juice.This sentence shows how to use bilasáana when discussing apple juice.
- Bilasáana łaʼ yishkeed.I am eating an apple.This sentence shows how to use bilasáana when describing the act of eating an apple.
Example conversation
Sarah and Tyler are talking about snacks in the kitchen.
- SarahBilasáana nishłééh.I want an apple.
- TylerHózhǫ́ǫ́ʼ, áko bitooʼ biiʼdááʼ.Okay, there are some in the bowl.
- SarahBilasáana łaʼ tʼáá áání.Just one apple.
- TylerÁáʼla, tʼáá áání.Here, just one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “apple” translations and entries bilasáana, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bilasáana, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
