atsįʼ
/ɑ̀t͡sʰĩ̀ʔ/
The Navajo word for "meat" is atsįʼ.
This noun refers to animal flesh used as food.
Meaning: animal flesh used as food (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing ownership, you can add the possessive prefix sheʼ- to the front of atsįʼ. For example, sheʼatsįʼ means "my meat" (animal meat that I possess).
How do you pronounce it?
/ɑ̀tsʰĩ̀ʔ/
Did you know?
- Navajo shares a deep linguistic history with the Ket language of Siberia. The root of atsįʼ can be linked to the Ket word ись, which also refers to 'flesh' or 'meat'.
- The prefix a- in atsįʼ is an indefinite possessor, meaning the word inherently implies that the meat belongs to someone, even if not specified.
- While atsįʼ describes meat as food, Navajo has separate, specialized terms for meat depending on whether the animal was hunted or raised.
Examples in context
- sheʼatsįʼMy meat (animal meat that I possess)This example shows how to indicate that the meat belongs to the speaker using the form atsįʼ.
- Atsįʼ deezhį́į́ʼ.The meat is cooked.
Example conversation
Amanda and Tyler are preparing a meal together.
- AmandaAtsįʼ tʼáá ákooda.The meat is ready.
- TylerTʼáá ákooda?Is it really ready?
- AmandaÁáʼ.Yes.
- TylerTʼoolááʼ atsįʼ łichííʼ łitso.I like the red meat.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “meat” translations and entries atsįʼ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries atsįʼ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
