béésh astʼogii
The English phrase arrowhead is translated into Navajo as béésh astʼogii or kʼaabéésh.
Meaning: the pointed part of an arrow (noun)
Ways to say it
| Navajo |
|---|
| béésh astʼogii |
| kʼaabéésh |
Both terms refer to the pointed tip of an arrow, but the choice of word depends on what the arrowhead is made of.
Which one should you use?
béésh astʼogii specifically refers to a metal arrowhead, whereas kʼaabéésh is used for an arrowhead made of stone or other traditional materials.
Did you know?
- The term béésh astʼogii describes an arrowhead not by its pointed shape, but as something 'stuck in something'.
- The word béésh can mean both 'metal' and 'flint'. This linguistic overlap reflects a historical shift where the word for the hard stone used for tools was adapted to describe the new metals brought by Europeans.
- The word béésh is a linguistic relic that evolved from a Proto-Athabaskan word meaning 'knife'.
Examples in context
- Béésh astʼogii yáʼátʼéé.The arrowhead is good.
Example conversation
Brandon and Sarah are looking at ancient artifacts in a museum.
- BrandonSarah, bee nááshááʼ béésh astʼogii.Sarah, look at this arrowhead.
- SarahTʼáá áání béésh astʼogii.The arrowhead is very sharp.
- BrandonDááʼ tʼáá áání.It is right there.
- SarahHózhǫ́ǫdaʼ.It is beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “arrowhead” translations and entries béésh astʼogii, kʼaabéésh, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries béésh, béésh astʼogii, kʼaabéésh, CC BY-SA 4.0.
