bíiyis
/pîːjɪ̀s/
Handsome in Navajo is bíiyis, said of a man and baa dzólní is another way to say it. If unsure, use bíiyis.
Meaning: of man: attractive (adj)
Ways to say it
| Navajo | IPA |
|---|---|
| bíiyis | /pîːjɪ̀s/ |
| baa dzólní |
bíiyis describes a man as handsome or good looking.
How does it change in a sentence?
bíiyis is the form for a third person, he is handsome. The beginning of the word changes with the person, as in níiyis, you are handsome and shíiyis, I am handsome.
How do you pronounce it?
bíiyis is pronounced /pîːjɪ̀s/, with a long falling vowel in the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The concept of beauty in Navajo is deeply connected to 'Hózhó', a fundamental philosophy that links being attractive to living in a state of balance and harmony.
- The prefix baa in baa dzólní traces back to the Proto-Athabaskan root *-aˑ, linking the word to languages spoken thousands of miles away in Siberia and Alaska.
- In Navajo, attractiveness is often linked to the concept of being 'well-formed' or 'having a good shape' rather than just facial features.
Examples in context
- níiyisYou are handsomeníiyis is the form for you.
- shíiyisI am handsomeshíiyis is the form for I.
- nihíiyisWe/you are handsomenihíiyis is the form for we or for you plural.
Example conversation
Sarah is talking to Brandon about a man she met.
- BrandonKééshí ííní?Who is he?
- SarahHastiin bíiyis t'áá áádooláá.That man is very handsome.
- BrandonÁádóó yáágáá?Is he tall?
- SarahÁą́á', bíiyis t'áá áádooláá.Yes, he is very handsome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “handsome” translations and entries bíiyis, baa dzólní, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
