nikʼeh hojidlį́į doo
The Navajo phrase for "God bless you" is nikʼeh hojidlį́į doo.
In Navajo, this phrase is used as a response to someone who has just sneezed.
Meaning: said to somebody who has sneezed (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "because you sneezed".
When do people say it?
While often translated as a religious blessing in English, the phrase is used functionally to acknowledge the act of sneezing.
Did you know?
- Unlike the English 'god bless you', the phrase nikʼeh hojidlį́į doo contains no word for 'god' or 'blessing'.
- The word doo is a clipping of the future tense verb dooleeł, which means 'it will be'.
- The phrase relies on the 'inceptive' aspect, a grammatical concept that describes the moment an action starts or enters a state.
Example conversation
Brandon and Jessica are talking in a living room.
- BrandonA-choo!*Sneeze!*
- JessicaNikʼeh hojidlį́į doo, Brandon.God bless you, Brandon.
- BrandonAhéhee', Jessica.Thank you, Jessica.
- JessicaTʼáá ákóóshį́įh.You are welcome.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries doo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
