shí
The English pronoun "I" is translated into Navajo as shí.
Meaning: personal pronoun (pron)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form shí is polysemous and can function as the subject I, the object me or the possessive my depending on the grammatical context of the sentence.
Did you know?
- In traditional Navajo culture, the way one refers to 'I' is deeply tied to concepts of 'Hózhó', which represents balance, harmony and beauty in the universe.
- The word shí descends from Proto-Athabaskan *šiˑ, linking the Navajo language to indigenous groups as far north as Alaska and Canada.
- In Navajo, the pronoun shí is often omitted from sentences because the verb itself changes its shape to show that 'I' is the one performing the action.
Examples in context
- Shí éí Kii yinishyé.I am called Kii. / My name is Kii.
- Shí dóó ni ayóo ałk’is niidlį́.You and I are really good friends.Tatoeba #7265264 by azraelgnosis, translation #7265265 by azraelgnosis
Example conversation
Justin and Amanda are introducing themselves to a group.
- JustinShí éí Justin.I am Justin.
- AmandaShí éí Amanda.I am Amanda.
- JustinDóó níyáásh.And I am a man.
- AmandaT'áá ákót'é.That is right.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I” translations and entries shí, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries shí, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
