tłʼééʼ
/t͡ɬʼéːʔ/
The Navajo word for night is tłʼééʼ.
tłʼééʼ is a noun used to describe the period of time between sunset and sunrise.
Meaning: period between sunset and sunrise (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/tɬʼéːʔ/
Did you know?
- The pronunciation of tłʼééʼ requires a unique lateral affricate sound, where air escapes between the tongue and the side of the teeth, a sound not found in English.
- In Navajo thought, 'night' is not just a lack of light but a distinct period of activity for different types of supernatural beings.
- The use of the 'ł' sound in tłʼééʼ is one of the most distinctive features of the Athabaskan language family, setting it apart from many other North American languages.
Examples in context
- Doo tłʼééʼ nijigháa daOne does not walk around at night. (folk wisdom)This sentence illustrates folk wisdom regarding not walking around at tłʼééʼ.
Example conversation
Jessica and Justin are talking about the time of day.
- JessicaTłʼééʼ yáIt is night.
- JustinÁáʼOh!
- JessicaTłʼééʼ nihí yáá.We sleep at night.
- JustinTʼáá ákótʼé.That is true.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “night” translations and entries tłʼééʼ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
