haitʼáo jidíítsʼį́į́ł
The Navajo phrase for "how to say" is haitʼáo jidíítsʼį́į́ł.
This phrase is used when you want to ask for the translation of a specific word or expression into another language.
Did you know?
- Navajo was famously used as an unbreakable code by the 'Code Talkers' during World War II because its complex structure was nearly impossible for others to decipher.
- Navajo is a member of the Athabaskan language family, making it more closely related to languages in Alaska and Canada than to any other language in the United States.
- Because Navajo is an 'agglutinating' language, a single word like jidíítsʼį́į́ł can express a complex thought that would require a whole sentence in English.
Example conversation
Amanda is learning Navajo words from Tyler.
- AmandaTyler, haitʼáo jidíítsʼį́į́ł 'hello'?Tyler, how do you say 'hello'?
- TylerYáʼátʼééh aaníyá.You say Yáʼátʼééh.
- AmandaYáʼátʼééh. Haitʼáo jidíítsʼį́į́ł 'thank you'?Yáʼátʼééh. How do you say 'thank you'?
- TylerAhéhee aaníyá.You say Ahéhee.
