haʼátʼíísh
The English word 'what' is translated into Navajo as haʼátʼíísh or daa.
Meaning: what? (interrogative pronoun) (pron)
Ways to say it
| Navajo | IPA |
|---|---|
| haʼátʼíísh | |
| daa | /tɑ̀ː/ |
How does it change in a sentence?
The form daa is often used as a particle in questions rather than a standalone noun-like pronoun.
Did you know?
- Because Navajo is an Athabaskan language, the way you ask 'what' is deeply influenced by the shape and physical properties of the object you are referring to.
- In Navajo, the way you ask 'what' can change depending on whether the object you are asking about is animate or inanimate.
- The word haʼátʼíísh is a contraction of several words that essentially ask 'what is the thing that is it'.
Examples in context
- Daa wolyé?What is it called?This sentence is useful for asking what something is called using the form daa.
- Haʼátʼíísh nishłį́?What am I?
Example conversation
Brandon and Amanda are looking at a strange object.
- BrandonHaʼátʼíísh tʼáá ályá?What is this thing?
- AmandaTʼáá ályá tʼáá íníyá.It is just a tool.
- BrandonHaʼátʼíísh tʼáá áshłééh?What does it do?
- AmandaTʼáá íshłééh.It just cleans.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “what” translations and entries daa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
