How to Say “Congratulations” in Navajo

By Trevor Fred • Updated October 1, 2026

ná bąą hózhǫ́

The English word 'congratulations' is expressed in Navajo as ná bąą hózhǫ́.

This phrase is used to express approbation.

Meaning: expressing approbation (intj)

What does it mean word for word?

Literally, the phrase translates to 'it is good for you' or 'you have goodness/beauty'.

Did you know?

In Navajo culture, the concept behind hózhǫ́ is central to a philosophy of 'walking in beauty' to maintain health and spiritual alignment.
The high tone on the end of hózhǫ́ is a grammatical marker resulting from the deletion of a specific prefix called the 'ni-imperfective'.

Example sentences for Navajo are not verified yet.

Example conversation

Tyler tells Sarah that he just graduated from college.

Tyler

Shí t'áá áníínííh.
I finally graduated.
Sarah

Ná bąą hózhǫ́, Tyler!
Congratulations, Tyler!
Tyler

Ahéhee', Sarah.
Thank you, Sarah.
Sarah

Hózhǫ́ǫ́h t'áá ákót'ééh.
It is truly a wonderful thing.

Sources

Wiktionary, “congratulations” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries hózhǫ́, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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About The Author

Trevor Fred

Hózhǫǫgi doo shikisheeshłį́į́gi, Trevor yinishyé. A polymath with a passion for decoding cultures, I've spent my life enjoying the poetry of the Navajo language, and reveling in the synchrony of sounds that make this Indigenous language so enchanting. When I'm not engrossed in articulating the intricacies of Navajo, you'll find me exploring the wild, chasing the autumn colors, or cuddling my cats and my dog named 'hogan'. Internet, grab your boots, and come ride with me on a linguistic adventure through the Navajo landscapes!

Trevor FredHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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