tsʼah
The Navajo word for the English adjective "sage" is tsʼah.
Meaning: wise (adj)
Did you know?
- The pronunciation of tsʼah requires an 'ejective' consonant, which involves a sharp, percussive burst of air produced by the glottis rather than the lungs.
- In Navajo culture, wisdom is often associated with the concept of 'balance' rather than just the accumulation of knowledge.
- A person described as wise in a traditional sense is often someone who can navigate the complex relationship between the human and spirit worlds.
Example conversation
Brandon and Michelle are discussing a grandfather's advice.
- BrandonTsʼah shichʼį́ʼ.My grandfather is wise.
- MichelleDááʼ, tʼáá ádoolááʼ.Yes, he really is.
- BrandonTʼáá ákʼééʼ tʼáá tsʼah.He is truly very wise.
- MichelleÁádóó, hastiin tʼáá tsʼah.Indeed, he is a wise man.
