adinídíín
/ʔɑ̀tɪ̀nɪ́tíːn/
The Navajo word for light is adinídíín.
adinídíín is used to refer to light as a physical phenomenon.
Meaning: visible light, brightness (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ʔɑ̀tɪ̀nɪ́tíːn/
Did you know?
- Because the word contains a person subject prefix, 'ʼa-', it grammatically treats the phenomenon of light as if it were an agent performing an action.
- In the word adinídíín, the component '-di-' literally means 'fire', linking the concept of light to the warmth and energy of a flame.
- In Navajo culture, light and color are often described through the lens of perceived movement or change, rather than as static properties.
Examples in context
- atsiniltłʼish bee adinídíínElectric lightThis example shows how to refer to adinídíín in the context of electric light.
- Adinídíín neezná doo ákwíí.The light is not too bright.
Example conversation
Kyle and Amanda are looking at a sunset.
- KyleAdinídíín tʼáá áádááł.The light is very beautiful.
- AmandaHóyááł, Kyle.It is, Kyle.
- KyleAdinídíín bee áshłééh.I am looking at the light.
- AmandaShísh tʼáá ákótʼé, Amanda.I see it too, Amanda.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “light” translations and entries adinídíín, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adinídíín, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
