yas
The English word snow is translated into Navajo as yas.
yas refers to the crystalline state of water that falls from the sky as precipitation, or the white layer of frozen flakes that accumulates on the ground.
Meaning: partly frozen, crystalline state of water that falls from the atmosphere as precipitation in flakes, falling of such flakes, accumulation of them as a white layer (noun)
Did you know?
- The word yas belongs to a language family that migrated from Alaska and Canada, carrying the terminology for cold climates into the American Southwest.
- While English uses 'snow' as a noun, the Navajo root for yas is fundamentally tied to the verb meaning 'to sprinkle'.
- While yas refers to the snow itself, Navajo employs a complex system of classifiers to describe the exact shape and behavior of the snow as it falls.
Examples in context
- Saká bíighą́ą́'The snow is deep
- Yas.It is snow.
Example conversation
Michelle and Justin are looking out the window at the weather.
- MichelleYas tʼąąʼ, Justin!It is snowing, Justin!
- JustinÁáʼ, yas tʼąąʼ.Yes, it is snowing.
- MichelleYáʼátʼééh yas.The snow is good.
- JustinKʼad yas tʼąąʼ.Now it is snowing.
