aakʼee
/ʔɑ̀ːkʼèː/
The Navajo word for autumn is aakʼee. If unsure, use aakʼee. Wiktionary also lists aakʼeed.
Meaning: season (noun)
Ways to say it
| Navajo | IPA |
|---|---|
| aakʼee | /ʔɑ̀ːkʼèː/ |
| aakʼeed | /ʔɑ̀ːkʼèːt/ |
The term refers to the season of autumn.
What does it mean word for word?
aakʼee literally means "the time of the falling/dropping", referring to the natural process of things dropping during this season.
How does it change in a sentence?
aakʼeed is used to denote the plural or an extended sense of the season.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʔɑ̀ːkʼèː/
Did you know?
- The Navajo word aakʼee shares a deep ancestral link with the word daakʼid in the Carrier language spoken in Canada.
- In Navajo culture, seasons are often defined by the specific behaviors of animals and plants rather than a strict calendar date.
- Navajo is a tonal language, meaning the pitch used when saying aakʼee can change the meaning of a word entirely.
Examples in context
- Aakʼee náníłtʼééʼ.It is autumn.
- Aakʼee deehdzidi.Autumn is coming.
- Aakʼee nídááʼ.Autumn is here.
Example conversation
Sarah and Brandon are talking about the changing weather.
- SarahAakʼee yáʼáshąąʼ, ayooʼ áééʼąąʼ.Autumn is here, it is getting cold.
- BrandonHóódi, aakʼee tʼáá yáʼátʼééh.Yes, autumn is very nice.
- SarahTʼáá áánígo tʼáá łéʼí lání íínísh.The leaves are almost falling.
- BrandonÁniíłtʼé.That is true.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “autumn” translations and entries aakʼee, aakʼeed, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aakʼee, aakʼeed, CC BY-SA 4.0.
