shiyázhí
The Navajo phrase for "my baby" is shiyázhí.
shiyázhí is used to refer to one's own young child or a small person belonging to the speaker.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix shi- (my) and yázhí (small/little one).
Did you know?
- In traditional Navajo kinship, the specific way you refer to a child can signal the complex relationship between the speaker and the child's maternal clan.
- The root yázhí is so versatile that it is used to create names for animals and plants by simply adding it to the species name to mean 'little'.
- Because Navajo is a verb-heavy language, the way shiyázhí is used in a sentence can change based on whether the child is currently in the speaker's sight or absent.
Example conversation
Michelle is showing Justin a photo of her child.
- MichelleShiyázhí t'áá ííníílá.Look at my baby.
- JustinHózhóóh.He is beautiful.
- MichelleShiyázhí t'áá łééjį' bee ádooláá.My baby is sleeping right there.
- JustinÁádáá.I see.
