How to Say “Hi” in Navajo

By Georgia Leonie • Updated September 29, 2026

Yá'át'ééh

Yá'át'ééh is the Navajo way to say hi.

Yá'át'ééh is a friendly, informal greeting used to mean hello, good morning or good afternoon.

Meaning: friendly, informal greeting (intj)

What does it mean word for word?

Literally, Yá'át'ééh means 'it is good'.

Did you know?

Navajo speakers often use specific kinship terms instead of Yá'át'ééh to greet people, even those who are not blood relatives, to show social belonging.
The greeting Yá'át'ééh is deeply tied to the concept of 'Hózhó', which describes a state of balance, harmony and beauty in the world.
Because Navajo has a complex system of tones, the pitch used when saying Yá'át'ééh can change the meaning of the word entirely.

Examples in context

Yá'át'ééh!
Hi!
Yá'át'ééh, shik'is.
Hi, my friend.

Example conversation

Michelle and Tyler meet on the street.

Michelle

Yá'át'ééh, Tyler!
Hi, Tyler!
Tyler

Yá'át'ééh, Michelle!
Hi, Michelle!
Michelle

Yá'át'ééh, t'áá ánííníigo.
Hi, it's been a while.
Tyler

Áásháá.
I see.

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏

About The Author

Georgia Leonie

Hello! I am Georgia, a dedicated enthusiast of the beautiful Navajo language. As an avid reader and language explorer, my love for the Navajo dialect has allowed me to create comprehensive guides providing riveting insights into the cultural and indigenous languages. My interests don't stop at languages though; as a keen traveler, I've immersed myself into the native cultures, which inevitably led to my exploration of the Navajo dialect. When I'm not exploring languages or new places, I enjoy spending time with animals, pottery and cooking. Examples of some of my work include, 'How to say 'You' in Navajo: Formal and Informal Ways' and 'How to say 'Girlfriend' in Navajo: A Comprehensive Guide'.

Georgia LeonieHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

0 Comments

Newest

Oldest Most Voted