tłʼohchin
/t͡ɬʼòht͡ʃʰɪ̀n/
The Navajo word for onion is tłʼohchin.
The term refers to the bulbous vegetable known as an onion.
Meaning: bulb (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Shiprock Area, the word Tlʼiish is used for onion.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɬʼòhtʃʰɪ̀n/
Did you know?
- The Navajo word tłʼohchin literally translates to 'smelly grass'.
- Navajo is a tonal language, meaning the pitch of the word tłʼohchin can change the meaning of the sentence.
- The root word tłʼoh is used for various types of grass and reeds, showing that the Navajo language classifies onions as a type of grass.
Example sentences for Navajo are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Brandon and Jessica are preparing dinner in the kitchen.
- BrandonJessica, tłʼohchin hádíín.Jessica, cut the onion.
- JessicaÁádááʼ, tłʼohchin hádíín.Okay, I am cutting the onion.
- BrandonTłʼohchin biłááh hódááʼ.The onion skin is peeling.
- JessicaTłʼohchin biłááh hádíín.I am removing the onion skin.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “onion” translations and entries tłʼohchin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tłʼohchin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
