yá
The Navajo word for sky is yá.
yá refers to the atmosphere above a given point, specifically the space visible from the Earth's surface where one observes the sun, moon, stars and clouds.
Meaning: atmosphere above a given point, especially as visible from the surface of the Earth as the place where the sun, moon, stars, and clouds are seen (noun)
Did you know?
- In traditional Navajo cosmology, the 'sky' is not just a physical space but is often personified as 'Sky Father' in creation stories.
- The word yá is a linguistic survivor from Proto-Athabaskan, meaning it is shared with distant northern languages like Chipewyan and Beaver.
- In Navajo thought, the sky is often viewed as a series of layers or levels rather than a single void.
Example sentences for Navajo are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Michelle and Brandon are looking up at the night stars.
- MichelleYá łání tʼáá ííní.The sky is so beautiful.
- BrandonÁá', tʼáá ííní.Yes, it really is.
- MichelleYá łání tʼáá łichííʼ.The sky is very dark.
- BrandonTʼáá ákótʼé, tʼáá łichííʼ.That is true, it is very dark.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sky” translations and entries yá, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries yá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
