yá'át'ééh, haash yinit'é?
The Navajo phrase for "hi, how are you?" is yá'át'ééh, haash yinit'é?
This phrase is a common greeting used to say hello and inquire about someone's well-being. The first part, yá'át'ééh, can stand alone as a complete greeting meaning "hello" or "it is good".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of yá'át'ééh, which means "it is good" and haash yinit'é?, which means "how are you being/becoming?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The word yá'át'ééh functions as a complete thought meaning "it is good" and can be used as a standalone greeting.
Did you know?
- Navajo is a tonal language, meaning that changing the pitch or tone of the vowels in yá'át'ééh can completely change the word's meaning.
- The word yá'át'ééh is philosophically broader than the English 'hello', as it functions as a declaration that the current state of existence is 'good'.
- Navajo greetings are often accompanied by specific eye contact or physical cues that vary depending on the relationship between the speakers.
Example conversation
Kyle and Sarah meet at a community center.
- KyleYá'át'ééh, haash yinit'é?Hi, how are you?
- SarahYá'át'ééh. Shíkééh yá'át'ééh.Hi. I am doing well.
- KyleT'áá ááke'é íiyisíí?Is that all?
- SarahÁá', t'áá ááke'é.Yes, that is all.
