ashkii
/ʔɑ̀ʃkʰìː/
The Navajo word for boy is ashkii.
The term ashkii refers to a male child. To specify a 'little boy' or a young child, the adjective yázhí (small/little) is often added after ashkii to form the phrase ashkii yázhí.
Meaning: male child (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term ashkii is used for both a boy and a man, rather than having distinct words for child and adult males.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʔɑ̀ʃkʰìː/
Did you know?
- In Navajo culture, the role of a boy is often defined by his relationship to his mother's clan, as the society is matrilineal.
- Navajo has a complex system of kinship terms where the word for 'boy' or 'son' changes depending on whether the child is the son of a parallel or cross cousin.
- The Navajo language uses an intricate system of tones, meaning that the pitch used when saying ashkii is essential for the word to be understood correctly.
Examples in context
- Ashkii yázhí tł’iish hooghan góne’ yah ayíílá.The little boy brought a snake into the hogan.This sentence shows how to use ashkii when describing a child's actions.Tatoeba #7561708 by Atomo, translation #7561709 by Atomo
- Ashkii bá’ólta’í asdzą́ą́ bibéeso bizis ch’ał yiih yiyííłtį́.The boy put a frog in the teacher's purse.This sentence demonstrates the use of ashkii in a sentence.Tatoeba #7561716 by Atomo, translation #7561717 by Atomo
- ashkii éí nineezThe boy is tall.This sentence uses ashkii to describe a physical characteristic.
Example conversation
Kyle and Sarah are looking at a family photo.
- KyleHózhǫ́ǫ́lah, ashkii éí k’ad t’áá áłt’éé’ t’áá łéé’ łáá’.Look, that boy is already very tall.
- SarahÁá’, ashkii éí t’áá áłt’éé’ łéé’.Yes, that boy is very tall.
- KyleAshkii éí t’áá ákót’éé’ łéé’ łáá’.The boy is just that tall.
- SarahAshkii éí t’áá áłt’éé’ t’áá łéé’ łáá’.The boy is really very tall.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boy” translations and entries ashkii, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
