tábąąh mąʼii
The English word raccoon is tábąąh mąʼii in Navajo.
This term refers to the raccoon, which is a nocturnal omnivorous mammal native to North America.
Meaning: nocturnal omnivore living in North America, Procyon lotor (noun)
Did you know?
- Navajo nomenclature for the raccoon emphasizes its proximity to the 'shore' or 'edge' rather than its masked face.
- The Navajo name for raccoon, tábąąh mąʼii, literally translates to 'shore coyote'.
- In Navajo, animals are often named by combining a physical trait or habitat with a more general animal category.
Examples in context
- Tábąąh mąʼii nishłį́.I am a raccoon.
Example conversation
Jessica and Kyle are looking at the trash can outside.
- JessicaHózhǫ́ǫ́, tábąąh mąʼii bee łóóhóół!Look, a raccoon is digging through it!
- KyleTábąąh mąʼii bee łichíį́.The raccoon is getting into it.
- JessicaTábąąh mąʼii tʼáá biniidá.The raccoon is right there.
- KyleTábąąh mąʼii yáʼáshį́į́ł.I saw the raccoon run away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “raccoon” translations and entries tábąąh mąʼii, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mąʼii, tábąąh, tábąąh mąʼii, CC BY-SA 4.0.
