bilagáana ashkii
/pɪ̀lɑ̀kɑ̂ːnɑ̀ ʔɑ̀ʃkʰìː/word by word
The English phrase "white boy" is bilagáana ashkii in Navajo.
bilagáana ashkii is used to refer to a young male person of European descent.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bilagáana, which means white person or European and ashkii, which means boy or male child.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, bilagáana acts as an adjective or noun to describe the person's descent, while ashkii specifies the subject's gender and age.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɪ̀lɑ̀kɑ̂ːnɑ̀ ʔɑ̀ʃkʰìː/
Did you know?
- The word bilagáana comes from the Spanish word 'americano'.
- Navajo is part of the Athabaskan language family, meaning it is more closely related to languages in Alaska and Canada than to the Spanish language that influenced bilagáana.
- The Navajo language uses a complex system of tones, which is why the pronunciation of bilagáana ashkii includes specific marks for high and low pitches.
Examples in context
- Bilagáana ashkii deez nááłáʼ.That white boy is tall.
Example conversation
Kyle and Amanda are talking about a new student at school.
- KyleKééshjéé' bilagáana ashkii yinááł.The new white boy is here.
- AmandaÁáá, t'áá áánííh bííł?Oh, is he very nice?
- KyleÁádóó, bilagáana ashkii t'áá ákooda.No, he is just a white boy.
- AmandaHózhóóh, hódóóh áshááł.That's okay, he'll get used to it.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (bilagáana, ashkii) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ashkii, bilagáana, CC BY-SA 4.0.
