tłʼiish
/t͡ɬʼìːʃ/
The English word 'snake' is translated into Navajo as tłʼiish. Wiktionary also lists naʼashǫ́ʼii.
Meaning: legless reptile (noun)
Ways to say it
| Navajo | IPA |
|---|---|
| tłʼiish | /t͡ɬʼìːʃ/ |
| naʼashǫ́ʼii | /nɑ̀ʔɑ̀ʃṍʔìː/ |
The term is used to refer to a legless reptile.
Which one should you use?
While tłʼiish is the general term for a snake, naʼashǫ́ʼii is a common descriptive term that literally means 'one who moves on its belly'.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɬʼìːʃ/
Did you know?
- The word tłʼiish may be cognate with the Ket word тих, a language spoken in Siberia.
Examples in context
- Tłʼiish áshįįh.There is a snake.
Example conversation
Brandon and Sarah are hiking in the desert.
- BrandonSarah, tłʼiish hódah.Sarah, there is a snake.
- SarahÁáá, tʼáá ákótʼééh!Ah, it really is!
- BrandonTłʼiish bee áłtah.The snake is in the brush.
- SarahÁádóó yáá lą́ʼ.Now it is moving away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snake” translations and entries tłʼiish, naʼashǫ́ʼii, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries naʼashǫ́ʼii, tłʼiish, CC BY-SA 4.0.
