Bééshbichʼahii bizaad
/péːʃ pɪ̀t͡ʃʼɑ̀hìː pɪ̀zɑ̀ːt/
The English phrase "german" is translated into Navajo as Bééshbichʼahii bizaad when referring to the German language.
Bééshbichʼahii bizaad is used to name the German language. If you wish to refer to a person of German ethnicity, use the noun Béésh Bichʼahii. For adjectives relating to the country of Germany, the form Bééshbichʼahii bi- is used.
Meaning: the German language (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Bééshbichʼahii bizaad literally means "the language of the German person", combining Bééshbichʼahii (German person) and bizaad (their language).
Which one should you use?
Bééshbichʼahii bizaad is the name of the language, while Béésh Bichʼahii refers to a German person. The form Bééshbichʼahii bi- functions as an adjective relating to the country of Germany.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/péːʃ pɪ̀tʃʼɑ̀hìː pɪ̀zɑ̀ːt/
Did you know?
- The term for 'German' is built from the word for 'copper' or 'metal', which creates a strange association for English speakers.
- Because the phrase uses the possessive prefix bi-, the term for the language can change its form if the speaker refers to 'his language' or 'her language' specifically.
- The term Bééshbichʼahii functions more like a descriptive label for outsiders rather than a standard proper noun.
Examples in context
- Bééshbichʼahii bizaad yáʼátʼééh.German is a good language.
Example conversation
Sarah and Tyler are discussing the languages they want to study.
- SarahTyler, Bééshbichʼahii bizaad yishłééh.Tyler, I am learning German.
- TylerÁtsʼééʼ tʼáá áłtsé yíyááł?Is it spoken first?
- SarahÁą́ą́ą́, Bééshbichʼahii bizaad tʼáá ákoʼ nihił.Yes, we have German.
- TylerTʼáá íiyisThat is great.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “german” translations and entries Bééshbichʼahii bizaad, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
