How to Say “Turquoise” in Navajo

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dootłʼizhii
The English word "turquoise" is translated into Navajo as dootłʼizhii.
In Navajo, dootłʼizhii is used to refer to the color turquoise.
Meaning: colour (noun)

Did you know?

  • Turquoise is so central to Navajo culture that the stone is often viewed as a living entity or a protector rather than just a mineral.
  • The word dootłʼizhii is built from the root dootłʼizh, which describes a spectrum of colors including both green and blue.
  • Navajo color terms often function more like descriptions of light or state than fixed abstract categories.

Examples in context

  • Dootłʼizhii.
    It is turquoise.
  • Dootłʼizhii deesnááʼ.
    The turquoise is beautiful.

Example conversation

Amanda and Kyle are looking at a piece of jewelry.

  1. Amanda

    Dootłʼizhii tʼáá ííní, łááʼí.
    The turquoise is very bright, isn't it?
  2. Kyle

    Ááʼ ííní.
    Yes, it is.
  3. Amanda

    Dootłʼizhii tʼáá łání łóóh.
    The turquoise is a very light color.
  4. Kyle

    Ááʼ tʼáá łání łóóh.
    Yes, it is very light.

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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