Haash yinilyé?
Haash yinilyé? is the Navajo way to say "what is your name?"
The phrase Haash yinilyé? is a question used to ask someone for their name.
What does it mean word for word?
The word ei translates to "what".
Did you know?
- While English speakers often use names to categorize people, in many Navajo traditions, using a person's actual name can be sensitive or even avoided in certain ceremonial contexts.
- When answering Haash yinilyé?, a person might refer to themselves using a kinship term rather than a name to show their relationship to the speaker.
- The structure of the phrase Haash yinilyé? relies on a complex verbal system where the question is built into the verb rather than just adding a question word.
Examples in context
- Haash yinilyé?What is your name?
Example conversation
Amanda and Brandon meet for the first time at a community event.
- AmandaYááá. Haash yinilyé?Hello. What is your name?
- BrandonYááá. Brandon yinilyé.Hello. My name is Brandon.
- AmandaAmanda yinilyé.My name is Amanda.
- BrandonAheeh, Amanda.Thank you, Amanda.
