Yáʼátʼééh Késhmish
/jɑ́ʔɑ́tʼéːh kʰɛ́ʃmɪ̀ʃ/word by word
Merry Christmas in Navajo is expressed as Yáʼátʼééh Késhmish. If unsure, use Yáʼátʼééh Késhmish. Wiktionary also lists Nizhónígo Késhmish Adííłeeł.
Meaning: good wishes at Christmas time (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Navajo | IPA |
|---|---|
| Yáʼátʼééh Késhmish | /jɑ́ʔɑ́tʼéːh kʰɛ́ʃmɪ̀ʃ/ (word by word) |
| Nizhónígo Késhmish Adííłeeł |
The word Késhmish is a loanword adapted from the English word 'Christmas'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Nizhónígo Késhmish Adííłeeł literally means 'It will be a beautiful Christmas'.
How do you pronounce it?
/jɑ́ʔɑ́tʼéːh kʰɛ́ʃmɪ̀ʃ/
Did you know?
- Navajo is an Athabaskan language, meaning it is more closely related to languages in Alaska and Canada than to the Spanish or Pueblo languages spoken near it.
- In the Navajo language, the concept of 'good' or 'beautiful' used in these phrases is often tied to the idea of 'Hózhó', which encompasses health, happiness and balance.
- The greeting Yáʼátʼééh is used not only for 'Merry Christmas' but also as a general greeting meaning 'hello' or 'it is good'.
Examples in context
- Yáʼátʼééh Késhmish!Merry Christmas!
Example conversation
Justin and Amanda are greeting each other at a holiday party.
- JustinYáʼátʼééh Késhmish, Amanda!Merry Christmas, Amanda!
- AmandaYáʼátʼééh Késhmish, Justin!Merry Christmas, Justin!
- JustinDoo łichííʼ aahooltsoh.It is not too cold.
- AmandaHózhǫ́ǫ́h.That is good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “merry Christmas” translations and entries Yáʼátʼééh Késhmish, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (yáʼátʼééh, Késhmish) and can differ in connected speech.
