chʼiyáán
/t͡ʃʼɪ̀jɑ́ːn/
In Navajo, the word for "lunch" is chʼiyáán.
chʼiyáán is used to refer to a meal eaten around midday.
Meaning: meal around midday (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃʼɪ̀jɑ́ːn/
Did you know?
- The Navajo language uses a system of 'classificatory verbs' that change depending on the shape of the food being eaten during chʼiyáán.
- The word chʼiyáán shares an ancestral linguistic link with the word 'cʼaan' meaning 'food' in Ahtna, a language spoken in Alaska.
- In Navajo culture, the concept of a midday meal is often tied to the timing of livestock care and agricultural work rather than a strict clock hour.
Example conversation
Tyler and Sarah are talking in the kitchen.
- TylerSarah, chʼiyáán bee ádaatʼééh?Sarah, are you eating lunch?
- SarahÁáʼ, chʼiyáán bee ádaatʼééh.Yes, I am eating lunch.
- TylerChʼiyáán tʼáá ákwááʼ.Lunch is very good.
- SarahHózhǫ́, Tyler.It is, Tyler.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry chʼiyáán, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chʼiyáán, CC BY-SA 4.0.
