bą́ą́sh
The Navajo word for ball is bą́ą́sh.
The term refers to an object that is generally spherical and is used for playing games.
Meaning: object, generally spherical, used for playing games (noun)
Did you know?
- Navajo is an Athabaskan language, meaning it shares a distant linguistic root with languages spoken in Alaska and Canada rather than with the neighboring Pueblo languages.
- Navajo is a tonal language, so the pitch used when pronouncing bą́ą́sh can change the perceived meaning or even the word itself.
- The Navajo word bą́ą́sh utilizes nasalized vowels, indicated by the ogonek mark under the 'a', which creates a sound produced by air escaping through the nose.
Example conversation
Kyle and Amanda are playing in the yard.
- KyleAmanda, bą́ą́sh tʼáá áánííh.Amanda, throw the ball.
- AmandaDóó, tʼáá áánííh!Okay, I'm throwing it!
- KyleBą́ą́sh tʼáá áánííh tʼáá ááshį́į́h.Throw the ball much higher.
- AmandaHózhǫ́, tʼáá áánííh.Fine, I'll throw it.
