Yáʼátʼééh ałníʼníʼą́
The Navajo phrase for "good afternoon" is Yáʼátʼééh ałníʼníʼą́.
Yáʼátʼééh ałníʼníʼą́ is used specifically to acknowledge the time of day during the afternoon hours.
Meaning: greeting said in the afternoon (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "It is good that it is afternoon" or "It is good that it is being afternoon". The core component Yáʼátʼééh means "it is good".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word Yáʼátʼééh means "it is good" and serves as the core of the phrase. It can also be used as a general greeting at any time of day.
Did you know?
- Navajo is a tonal language, meaning the pitch used to say Yáʼátʼééh can change the meaning of the word entirely, regardless of the spelling.
- The term ałníʼníʼą́ is derived from a root meaning 'it becomes noon', showing that the afternoon greeting is conceptually tied to the transition of the sun.
- While English speakers use 'good' as a simple adjective, the Navajo word Yáʼátʼééh is a complete grammatical statement that literally means 'it is good'.
Example conversation
Amanda and Justin meet at a park in the afternoon.
- AmandaYáʼátʼééh ałníʼníʼą́, Justin.Good afternoon, Justin.
- JustinYáʼátʼééh, Amanda.Hello, Amanda.
- AmandaKʼééʼyááh ádaatʼééh.It is a beautiful day.
- JustinHózhóóh.It is.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ałníʼníʼą́, yáʼátʼééh, CC BY-SA 4.0.
