chʼééh digháhii
The English word turtle is translated into Navajo as chʼééh digháhii or tsisteeł.
Meaning: land or marine reptile with a shell (noun)
Ways to say it
| Navajo |
|---|
| chʼééh digháhii |
| tsisteeł |
Both terms refer to a land or marine reptile with a shell.
Did you know?
- The term chʼééh digháhii is a descriptive phrase that literally translates to 'it starts to go along slowly in vain'.
- Because Navajo is a verb-heavy language, many names for animals are actually descriptions of their unique behaviors rather than static labels.
- The word tsisteeł is often used for other hard or shell-like objects, not just living reptiles.
Example sentences for Navajo are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Amanda and Tyler are looking at a pond.
- AmandaTyler, chʼééh digháhii yááł.Tyler, look at the turtle.
- TylerÁáʼá, tʼáá áłtsó!Oh, it is very small!
- AmandaChʼééh digháhii bee ádooláá.The turtle is walking.
- TylerHózhǫ́ǫ́ tʼáá áłtsó.It is very cute.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “turtle” translations and entries chʼééh digháhii, tsisteeł, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chʼééh digháhii, CC BY-SA 4.0.
