ałdóʼ ayóóʼánííshní
The English phrase "I love you too" is said in Navajo as ałdóʼ ayóóʼánííshní.
This phrase is a response used to tell someone that you feel the same love for them that they expressed to you.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ałdóʼ, meaning "also" or "too" and ayóóʼánííshní, meaning "I love you".
How does it change in a sentence?
The adverb ałdóʼ is used to mean "also" or "too" and is typically placed at the beginning of the phrase in this context.
When do people say it?
Navajo is also known as Diné bizaad.
Did you know?
- In many traditional Navajo-speaking communities, expressing intense affection like 'I love you' is often done through subtle actions or extended silences rather than through direct verbal declarations.
- Navajo is a tonal language, so the meaning of the words in ałdóʼ ayóóʼánííshní can change significantly depending on whether your pitch rises or falls.
- Because Navajo is an agglutinative language, the word ayóóʼánííshní is actually a long string of combined morphemes that function as a full sentence.
Examples in context
- Ałdóʼ ayóóʼánííshní.I love you too.
Example conversation
Tyler and Jessica are saying goodbye for the day.
- TylerAyóóʼáníshní, Jessica.I love you, Jessica.
- JessicaAłdóʼ ayóóʼánííshní, Tyler.I love you too, Tyler.
- TylerHózhóóhgo naaʼááh.Go home safely.
- JessicaAhéheeʼ.Thank you.
