bįįh yázhí
The English word "pig" is translated into Navajo as bįįh yázhí.
This term refers to a mammal belonging to the family Suidae.
Meaning: mammal of family Suidae (noun)
Did you know?
- The word bįįh (pig) is part of a class of words in Navajo that describes animals introduced to the culture from outside, such as through Spanish contact.
- The term bįįh yázhí literally translates to 'little pig', but the addition of 'little' is a grammatical necessity for certain nouns in Navajo.
- The phonetic component bįįh features a nasalized vowel, a sound that can be difficult for English speakers to distinguish in everyday conversation.
Example conversation
Tyler and Amanda are visiting a farm together.
- TylerHózhóogo bįįh yázhí bichʼįʼ.Look at the pig over there.
- AmandaÁádóó bįįh yázhí t'áá áání?Is that really a pig?
- TylerÁą́ą́, bįįh yázhí t'áá áání.Yes, it really is a pig.
- AmandaT'áá íiyisą́ą́.It is very cute.
