nayiisniiʼ
The Navajo verb for "buy" is nayiisniiʼ.
nayiisniiʼ is used to describe the act of obtaining an item or something through the use of money.
Meaning: to obtain something with money (verb)
Did you know?
- Navajo verbs are often 'polysynthetic', meaning the word nayiisniiʼ can be modified with prefixes to indicate exactly who is buying, for whom, and how many items are involved within one word.
- In traditional Navajo culture, the concept of 'buying' and 'selling' was historically replaced by a system of reciprocal gifting and trade based on kinship.
- The Navajo language uses a complex system of verb stems where a single word like nayiisniiʼ changes form depending on whether the object being bought is animate or inanimate.
Example conversation
Tyler and Amanda are at a local market.
- TylerKʼééʼééʼ nayiisniiʼ.Buy the jewelry.
- AmandaÁáʼá, tʼáá ákooda.Yes, I will anyway.
- TylerYááʼąą́ʼ nayiisniiʼ.Buy some corn too.
- AmandaHééʼáá, tʼáá ákooda.Okay, I will.
