How to Say "How Are You?" in Navajo

haash yinitʼéeh?

The English phrase "how are you?" is translated into Navajo as haash yinitʼéeh?

haash yinitʼéeh? is a common greeting used to ask someone about their current well-being or state of being.

What does it mean word for word?

Literally, the phrase translates to "How is it being done to you?" or "How are you being made to be?"

This phrase is a question and is typically spoken with a rising intonation at the end.

A common response to this greeting is Yáʼátʼééh, which means "It is good" or "I am well".

In traditional Navajo culture, asking someone 'how are you?' can be seen as too direct. People often begin with a more general greeting like Yáʼátʼééh to establish a comfortable social space first.
The common response Yáʼátʼééh is a linguistic multitasker. It can mean 'hello' 'good' or 'I am well' depending entirely on how it is used in the conversation.
Because the phrase asks how things are being 'done' to you, it can feel more deeply personal or even existential than the casual English 'how are you?'

Brandon and Amanda meet on the street.

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