Késhmish
/kʰɛ́ʃmɪ̀ʃ/
The Navajo word for Christmas is Késhmish.
Késhmish refers to the festival or holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, typically celebrated on December 25.
Meaning: festival or holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ which in Western Christianity is celebrated on December 25 in most places (name)
How do you pronounce it?
/kʰɛ́ʃmɪ̀ʃ/
When do people say it?
Késhmish is a loanword from English that has been adapted into Navajo phonology.
Did you know?
- While Késhmish refers to the holiday, the concept of 'giving' during this time aligns with the Navajo principle of K'é, which emphasizes familial harmony and reciprocity.
- The loanword Késhmish is an example of how Navajo absorbed terms from English during the period of missionary influence and government boarding schools.
- Many Navajo speakers use Késhmish alongside traditional seasonal observations, as winter is a time of storytelling and spiritual reflection in Navajo culture.
Example sentences for Navajo are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Amanda and Brandon are talking about their holiday plans.
- AmandaKéshmish t'áá ááníghá.Christmas is almost here.
- BrandonÁá', t'áá ááníghá.Yes, it really is.
- AmandaDitséke'é Késhmish bee ádooláá.Wait until we celebrate Christmas.
- BrandonÁąą́, ditséke'é.Okay, I will wait.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “Christmas” translations and entries Késhmish, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
