naaldlooshii
/nɑ̀ːlt͡lòːʃìː/
The Navajo word for beast is naaldlooshii.
This noun refers to a non-human animal.
Meaning: non-human animal (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/nɑ̀ːltlòːʃìː/
Did you know?
- In Navajo culture, speaking the name of the skinwalker naaldlooshii is often avoided in public to prevent attracting the creature's attention.
- The word naaldlooshii is built from a verb that means 'it is trotting about'.
- Because naaldlooshii can refer to a shapeshifter, the word carries a duality of meaning between a natural animal and a supernatural entity.
Example conversation
Tyler and Michelle are hiking in the woods.
- TylerNaaldlooshii tʼą́ą́ʼ.I hear a beast.
- MichelleTʼáá áakʼééʼ naaldlooshii bee hwiʼaah.It is just a beast making noise.
- TylerKʼad tʼaajiʼ naaldlooshii yee łichííʼ.Now the beast is acting like a rabbit.
- MichelleÁshį́į́ʼ naaldlooshii tʼáá áłlááʼ.I think the beast is very small.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry naaldlooshii, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries naaldlooshii, CC BY-SA 4.0.
