How to Say “Stink” in Navajo

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łichxííʼ
The English verb "stink" is translated into Navajo as łichxííʼ.
łichxííʼ is used to describe the action of having a strong, unpleasant odor.
Meaning: have a strong bad smell (verb)

Did you know?

  • In Navajo, the root for 'red' can be used to describe things that are 'stinking' or 'pungent'. This suggests a cultural sensory overlap where certain smells are perceived as having a 'red' quality.
  • Navajo grammar uses an 'emphatic infix' -x- inside łichxííʼ to intensify the feeling of the smell.
  • The prefix łi- in łichxííʼ is an adjectival marker. This means the verb for 'stink' is structured more like an adjective in Navajo than a standard action verb in English.

Examples in context

  • Łichxííʼ.
    It stinks.
  • Chʼil łichxííʼ.
    The smoke stinks.

Example conversation

Sarah and Brandon are looking at old food in the fridge.

  1. Sarah

    Díí łichxííʼ.
    This stinks.
  2. Brandon

    Ááʼ áéí tʼáá łichxííʼ.
    Yes, it really stinks.
  3. Sarah

    Yishłééh.
    I'm throwing it out.
  4. Brandon

    Tʼáá áshíł.
    Please do it.

Sources

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Georgia Leonie
Georgia LeonieHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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