dibé bitsįʼ
In Navajo, mutton is said as dibé bitsįʼ.
The term refers to the flesh of a sheep used specifically as food.
Meaning: the flesh of sheep used as food (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a compound where dibé means sheep and bitsįʼ means its flesh or meat.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word bitsįʼ is a possessive form. It is constructed from the prefix bi- (its) and tsįʼ (flesh or meat), which indicates that the meat belongs to the sheep.
Did you know?
- The word dibé is a distant linguistic relative of the words used for 'dog' in other Athabaskan languages spoken in the Arctic regions.
- In Navajo culture, dibé bitsįʼ is frequently served at traditional ceremonies and is considered a symbol of hospitality and kinship.
- The term dibé bitsįʼ is often used generically to refer to a traditional Navajo meal, even if other vegetables are present on the plate.
Examples in context
- Dibé bitsįʼ łeezh áání.The mutton is delicious.
- Dibé bitsįʼ bił nanilá.It smells like mutton.
Example conversation
Michelle and Kyle are preparing a meal together.
- MichelleDibé bitsįʼ áádááł?Is the mutton ready?
- KyleÁą́, dibé bitsįʼ łíní tʼáá łéʼéʼį́į́.Yes, the mutton is very tasty.
- MichelleTʼáá łééʼ áání.It is very good.
- KyleDibé bitsįʼ níyááł.Let's eat the mutton.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dibé, CC BY-SA 4.0.
