hooghan
/hòːɣɑ̀n/
The English word 'hogan' is translated into Navajo as hooghan.
hooghan refers to a house.
Meaning: house (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/hòːɣɑ̀n/
When do people say it?
A hogan is a traditional Navajo structure that serves as a dwelling or a ceremonial space, often oriented with the entrance facing east.
Did you know?
- In Navajo culture, a hooghan is viewed as a living entity with a spiritual connection to the earth rather than a static object.
- The word hooghan is built from a prefix that functions as a deictic pronoun, essentially meaning 'that place' or 'this place' where one resides.
- The construction of a hooghan must follow precise proportions to maintain cosmic balance, making the architecture a mathematical and spiritual endeavor rather than just a practical one.
Examples in context
- Ken hooghan góne’ yah ííyá.Ken went into the hogan.Tatoeba #7561710 by Atomo, translation #7561711 by Atomo
- Ashkii yázhí tł’iish hooghan góne’ yah ayíílá.The little boy brought a snake into the hogan.Tatoeba #7561708 by Atomo, translation #7561709 by Atomo
- Hooghan baa hashneʼ dooleeł.
Haʼaʼaahdę́ę́ʼ yah ajighááh. Ákweʼé nitsáhákees silá.
Shádiʼááhjígo dashdiighááh. Ákweʼé nahatʼá silá.
Áádóó eʼeʼaahjígo dashdiighááh. Ákweʼé iiná silá.
Áádóó náhookǫsjígo dashdiighááh. Ákweʼé sih hasin silá.I will speak about the hogan.
You enter from the east. Here thought exists.
You head toward the south. Here planning exists.
You head toward the west. Here life exists.
You head toward the north. Here wisdom exists.
Example conversation
Brandon and Amanda are walking toward a traditional home.
- BrandonShił hózhǫ́ǫ́go hooghan nitsékees.I think the house is beautiful.
- AmandaÁáshǫ́ǫ́go hooghan łééʼ ałtso.The house is very large.
- BrandonHooghan góneʼ dah yááł.Let's go inside the house.
- AmandaÁąkóh hóyááł.Yes, let's go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hogan” translations and entries hooghan, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hooghan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
