óltaʼ
/ʔóltʰɑ̀ʔ/
The English word "school" is óltaʼ in Navajo. Wiktionary also lists ʼóltaʼígíí.
Meaning: an institution dedicated to teaching and learning (noun)
Ways to say it
| Navajo | IPA |
|---|---|
| óltaʼ | /ʔóltʰɑ̀ʔ/ |
| ʼóltaʼígíí |
óltaʼ refers to an institution dedicated to teaching and learning.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are referring to a specific school, such as "the school", use the definite form ʼóltaʼígíí. To express direction, such as going "to school" or "toward school", the suffix -góó is added to the base to create óltaʼgóó.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʔóltʰɑ̀ʔ/
Did you know?
- The Navajo language has no single word for 'school' that predates contact with Europeans, as traditional education happened through storytelling and kinship.
- In Navajo, the word óltaʼ functions as a verb-based noun, reflecting the language's focus on actions rather than static objects.
- The word for school, óltaʼ, is fundamentally built from the concept of 'counting' or 'reading'.
Examples in context
- Doo óltaʼgóó dideeshááł da nisin.I don't want to go to school.This sentence is useful for expressing that you do not want to go to óltaʼ.Tatoeba #14049843 by ninefi, translation #1860 by CK
- Óltaʼgóó déyáI’m going to school.This sentence is useful for stating that you are going to óltaʼ.
Example conversation
Brandon and Jessica are discussing their morning plans.
- BrandonÓltaʼgóó yááʼááh dínééʼ.The people are going to school.
- JessicaTʼáá ákótʼé.That is true.
- BrandonÓltaʼ tʼáá áłtsé yááʼááh.School opens very early.
- JessicaYáʼátʼééh, Jessica yááʼááh.Good, Jessica is going.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “school” translations and entries óltaʼ, ʼóltaʼígíí, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries óltaʼ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
