tʼáá shǫǫdí
The English phrase "please" is translated into Navajo as tʼáá shǫǫdí.
tʼáá shǫǫdí is used as an interjection to make a polite request.
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
Did you know?
- The phrase tʼáá shǫǫdí contains the concept of 'littleness' rather than 'politeness'. To a Navajo speaker, asking for 'a little' is the mechanism that creates the social effect of 'please'.
- In many Navajo contexts, the most polite way to ask for something is to act as if you are not even asking for it. This high level of indirectness means a literal 'please' can sometimes feel jarring or unnaturally blunt.
- While English uses 'please' to soften a command, Navajo often uses verb prefixes to soften the entire intent. A single syllable change in the verb can do more work than the entire phrase tʼáá shǫǫdí.
Example sentences for Navajo are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Amanda is asking Brandon to pass her a glass of water.
- AmandaTʼáá shǫǫdí, tʼáá ádoolééh.Please, just pass it.
- BrandonÁá, tʼáá ádoolééh.Yes, here it is.
- AmandaAhéheeh, Brandon.Thank you, Brandon.
- BrandonTʼáá ákóóshį́į́.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please” translations and entries tʼáá shǫǫdí, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
