biniʼ hólǫ́
The Navajo word for brave is biniʼ hólǫ́.
biniʼ hólǫ́ is an adjective used to describe someone who is strong in the face of fear.
Meaning: strong in the face of fear (adj)
Did you know?
- The word hólǫ́ shares a linguistic ancestor with the Koyukon word 'hoolaanh', linking Navajo bravery to the broader Athabaskan language family.
- The phrase biniʼ hólǫ́ literally translates to 'having it in that way', rather than using a single root for 'courage'.
- Because the term biniʼ hólǫ́ is an imperfective stem, it implies that bravery is a continuous process rather than a fixed personality trait.
Example conversation
Sarah and Brandon are talking about a firefighter.
- SarahBiniʼ hólǫ́ tʼáá ákootʼé.He is very brave.
- BrandonHaaʼi tʼáá ákootʼé.That is very true.
- SarahDíí yááʼ biniʼ hólǫ́.This man is brave.
- BrandonÁádóó tʼééʼ biniʼ hólǫ́.He has always been brave.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hólǫ́, CC BY-SA 4.0.
